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Chinese carmakers go local to grow globally

10:38, March 17, 2026 By LI FUSHENG ( China Daily

A large number of vehicles await loading for export at Longtan Port in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Sept 11. FANG DONGXU/XINHUA

Automakers in China are expanding their reach overseas more than ever  and increasingly, they are no longer just shipping cars.

Last year, China exported 7.09 million new vehicles, up 21.1 percent year-on-year, making the country the world's largest vehicle exporter for three years on end, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

China-made vehicles, from not only Chinese marques like Chery and BYD but also from global brands including Tesla, Ford, Hyundai and Chevrolet, are now seen across markets ranging from Southeast Asia and South America to Europe and the Middle East.

A major driving force of China's exports has been new energy vehicles, whose exports last year accounted for 2.61 million units, doubling from a year earlier and making up more than 37 percent of total exports, said the CAAM.

The association expects NEVs to drive China's vehicle exports further to 7.4 million units this year.

Behind the headline numbers, however, a deeper shift is underway.

Traditional trade-driven vehicle exports are fast evolving into a far more complex form of globalization  one that includes overseas sales, manufacturing, localized supply chains, research and development, service networks and, increasingly, cooperation with international automakers to rebalance global production capacity.

For China's automakers, going overseas is no longer a strategic option but a structural necessity, said Zhang Yongwei, president of China EV100, a Beijing-based industry think tank.

"One market, even as big as China's, is limited," he explained.

Last year, China's overall vehicle market hit a record 34 million units, leaving limited room for long-term volume growth. The CAAM estimates the Chinese market will grow just 1 percent year-on-year from 2025.

"So, the competition will hinge on who can establish a solid foothold overseas and operate across both domestic and international markets," he said.

Global giants have set an example. Toyota, the world's No 1 carmaker, has a combined production capacity of around 10 million vehicles a year, with only 3.4 million made in Japan. Volkswagen AG, the second-largest car group, at its peak, produced 40 percent of its global sales in China.

Employees work at the BYD electric bus and truck plant in Komarom, Hungary, in June 2025. XINHUA

Complex environment

Electrification has reshaped the competitive landscape, offering Chinese brands  strong in batteries, software and cost control  a rare opportunity to enter mature markets at scale.

Statistics from the CAAM showed that China started its bulk exports in 2001, when it shipped 26,000 vehicles overseas after the country's entry into the WTO. The amount was negligible compared with top exporters such as Germany and Japan.

The figure grew gradually to hit 1 million units in 2012 but plateaued around that level until 2021, when its NEV exports helped drive the volume to 2 million units.

The meteoric rise since then has captured the world's attention. While some importers praise the vehicles' cutting-edge tech and stylish designs, others are more concerned about how to protect their own automotive industry.

A telling example is the EU's imposition in late 2024 of duties ranging from 7.8 percent to 35.3 percent on battery electric vehicles imported from China, even those made by European carmakers including Volkswagen and BMW.

Its position did not soften until early 2026 when the European Commission issued a guidance document allowing carmakers to submit price undertakings, including "the minimum import price, sales channels, cross-compensation, and future investments in the EU".

Following the United States, Canada slapped a 100 percent surtax on China's vehicles in 2024.

It did not start thinking about scrapping the plan until Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing in January, although most of China's EV exports to Canada had been from Tesla's Shanghai plant.

"Complete-vehicle trade now faces a much more complex environment," said Zhang. "In the new stage of development, many automakers and parts suppliers are choosing to localize production overseas, gradually shifting vehicle manufacturing and supply chains abroad  a model that is welcomed by many host countries," he said.

That shift is now visible in both corporate plans and concrete investments.

By 2026, Chinese automakers are expected to have overseas production capacity of around 3 million vehicles, with actual annual output exceeding 2 million units, according to industry estimates.

China's earlier attempts at overseas expansion were often experimental and fragmented  focused on exports and semi or complete knockdown assembly.

The latest wave, by contrast, is broader, deeper and far more systematic. Rather than asking how many cars can be sold abroad, companies are asking how to embed themselves into local industrial systems.

This means building factories, reviving idle plants where possible, localizing supply chains, conducting R&D close to end-users and establishing long-term service ecosystems.

A natural gas-powered bus destined for Mexico is loaded onto a vessel at Yantai Port in Shandong province on Feb 6. TANG KE/FOR CHINA DAILY

South America, Europe

Chery, a Fortune 500 company and China's largest auto exporter, labels its overseas strategy as "in somewhere, for somewhere, be somewhere", developing and producing cars locally for different markets.

SAIC Motor, another major exporter and partner of Volkswagen and GM, unveiled a "Glocal" strategy, vowing to deepen localized ecosystem development while elevating the brand into a globally recognized one.

BYD's expansion in Brazil offers a clear example of deep localization.

The company's factory in Camacari of Bahia state has produced around 25,000 electric and hybrid vehicles since operations began in October 2025.

According to Alexandre Baldy, head of BYD's Brazil business, the company plans to ensure that 50 percent of components produced at the plant are locally manufactured or sourced by the end of 2026.

Stamping, welding and painting workshops are nearing completion, and annual capacity is expected to increase from 150,000 units in 2026 to 300,000 units.

The higher localization ratio will not only help BYD meet regulatory requirements but also enable it to export Brazil-made vehicles to countries in Mercosur, the regional economic organization, as early as this year.

Bahia's Secretary of Economic Development Angelo Almeida said BYD's arrival represents the rebirth of Camacari's automotive hub, generating employment, income and innovation.

"The project will create a value chain of maintenance, logistics, food and security. It is projected to bring in 10,000 direct jobs alone,"Almeida said.

He said BYD may push the state's industry toward green technology production by leveraging local research.

"BYD has already expressed its intention to establish an R&D center here, which could consolidate the state as a reference hub for electric mobility, automotive software and electric propulsion system development," Almeida said.

Europe is one of the most important overseas markets for Chinese automakers, but also one of the most demanding.

Rather than relying solely on greenfield investments, Chinese automakers are increasingly adopting flexible, asset-efficient strategies.

XPeng has worked with Magna International to produce its G6 and G9 models at Magna's Graz plant in Austria since the third quarter of 2025. The plant has been producing Mercedes-Benz's iconic G-wagon.

In January, the company announced that trial production of its 2026 P7+ model had been completed at the same facility, laying the groundwork for its European launch in the first half of the year.

GAC Group has also partnered with Magna as well, with its AION V entering production at the Graz plant in November 2025.

Leapmotor, leveraging its joint venture with Stellantis, plans to begin localized production at Stellantis' Zaragoza plant in Spain in the third quarter of 2026.

BYD, meanwhile, is pursuing a longer-term European manufacturing strategy.

After establishing an electric bus plant in Hungary in 2016, the company launched an expansion project in 2025 to increase annual production capacity for electric buses and trucks from 400 to 1,250 units.

It is also investing 4 billion euros ($4.62 billion) in a passenger vehicle plant in the country  its first such facility in Europe. Trial production has started, with mass manufacturing slated to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

A BYD new energy vehicle is seen at the company's production base in Camacari, Brazil, in July. LUCIO TAVORA/XINHUA

Restarting idle facilities

In many cases, Chinese carmakers' overseas manufacturing also means helping traditional automakers in mature markets address declining utilization rates.

BYD's Brazilian plant was built on a former Ford site covering 4 million square meters.

Great Wall Motor, China's largest SUV and pickup maker, saw its first Brazilian factory in Sao Paulo open in August 2025 on a site acquired from Daimler AG. The plant produces three models  the Haval H6 and H9 SUVs, and the Power P30 pickup  with an initial annual capacity of 50,000 units.

Ricardo Bastos, director of institutional affairs at GWM Brasil, said GWM is exploring several states for a potential second factory, either consolidating existing resources into a larger facility or building a new plant from scratch, with a final decision expected after mid-2026.

Chery partnered with Spain's EV Motors to revive a former Nissan plant and collaborate with local brand Ebro, achieving its first localized European production by the end of 2024.

Geely and Ford are in discussions about using spare production capacity at Ford's European plants to manufacture vehicles for the region.

Ford's European sales fell from 518,000 units in 2023 to 327,000 units in the first three quarters of 2025, according to Statista.

A person familiar with the matter told China Daily that Ford's plant in Spain, which has been operating since 1976, is the most likely facility to be involved. Reuters also reported that the two companies discussed a framework for sharing vehicle technologies, including automated driving.

In response to an inquiry from China Daily, Ford said: "We have discussions with lots of companies all the time on a variety of topics. Sometimes they materialize, sometimes they don't."

Geely has already adopted similar approaches through partnerships with Renault in South Korea and Brazil, producing vehicles based on Geely technologies using Renault's factories and sales networks.

The Financial Times reported in late January that China's Chery Automobile and Jaguar Land Rover may also discuss producing vehicles in the UK using one of JLR's existing plants.

The United Kingdom has been actively courting Chery to make its vehicles in the country for the last few years, said the FT, citing three people close to the talks.

A new JLR deal with Chery will be crucial for the UK government to achieve its target for the UK to produce 1.3 million vehicles annually by 2035, almost double the 738,000 units forecast by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for 2025.

Chery, together with Omoda and Jaecoo, took a 2.7 percent share last year in Europe's second-largest vehicle market from near zero in 2024, according to the society.

The group said the first models under its Lepas brand will hit the market in the UK in the next few months.

Full ecosystems

Localization today goes far beyond manufacturing.

XPeng announced in January that it plans to establish an independent European supply chain team, following the opening of its Munich R&D center in September 2025.

Together with production in Austria, the company has formed a closed-loop "R&D plus manufacturing" European strategy.

BYD established its European headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, in 2025. The 250 million euro facility integrates sales, after-sales services, vehicle certification and localized design.

It has also committed to joint research projects with Hungarian universities, focusing on intelligent driving assistance and next-generation electrification technologies.

Leapmotor is leveraging Stellantis' European R&D resources to adapt vehicles to local regulations and user preferences.

Changan has built three facilities in Europe alone: a design center in Italy's Turin, a power train center in the UK's Birmingham and another design center for its premium Avatr brand.

Staffed with around 500 local designers across Europe, Changan said it believes it can provide the best products for European customers.

"One of our recipes for success is to establish a deep relationship with customers, understand their needs and invest in the user experience,"Klaus Zyciora, vice-president at Changan Automobile and head of the group's global design.

"Our team, consisting of more than 31 nationalities, will create experiences and products that deeply resonate with customers," said Zyciora, former design head at Europe's largest carmaker Volkswagen AG.

Automotive globalization has reached a structural turning point: It is defined by how deeply companies integrate into local economies, how they participate in industrial upgrading and how effectively they help reshape global production.

Bearing that in mind will be crucial to any Chinese carmaker that is not content with the size of the market in China, said Zhang at China EV 100.

"For China's automakers, going global now increasingly means becoming local  and becoming part of the global automotive solution," he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Holly Bennet fought for her innocence for over a year.

When Holly Bennet awoke after emergency surgery, a Boulder, Colorado police officer was standing at her bedside.

The disabled grandmother had been in a car accident and was recovering from septic shock. But as CBS News reports, she had a bigger shock coming (1).

The officer was there to charge her with possession of cocaine.

I said, Cocaine? Cocaine? I dont do cocaine, she told the news outlet (1).

Must Read

Emergency responders had uncovered a prescription drug crushed in her purse during the accident. They turned it over to police at the scene.

Officers immediately ran the substance through a drug test known as a colorimetric field test, which returned a false positive for cocaine.

This is not uncommon. The tests have a false-positive rate of nearly 40% according to a 2024 report by the Quattrone Center at the University of Pennsylvania Law School (2).

Police across the U.S. use colorimetric tests because theyre convenient  they can be done roadside or anywhere in the field  and cheap.

But as the Quattrone Center report reveals, flawed tests come with a high legal, financial and personal cost for an estimated 30,000 innocent Americans wrongfully charged with drug possession every year. Bennet is one of them.

Heres how her fight of nearly two years ended up at the Colorado State Capitol building and what it could mean for others wrongfully accused of drug possession.

One womans long costly, battle against a wrongful charge

As it stands, anyone wrongly accused of drug possession can  at the authorities discretion  be arrested or detained. They can fight the charge in court at their own expense or take a plea deal.

Its one reason why the Quattrone study concluded that the colorimetric test is one of the largest, if not the largest, known contributing factor to wrongful arrests and convictions in the United States.

The Boulder District Attorneys Office recommended Bennet plead guilty to possession. In return, theyd drop criminal charges and she could do some other form of restitution, like community service.

Bennet refused to accept the plea deal. She wanted to clear her name. So she took out a second mortgage on her house to hire lawyer Noah Stout.

They asked the state prosecutor to run a second test on the substance found in her purse, but he initially refused.

For a year and a half, Bennet and Stout continued to fight for a re-test. The battle took a toll on Bennets finances and vulnerable health.

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Read More: Non-millionaires can now invest in this $1B private real estate fund starting at just $10

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Ultimately, she offered to pay out of pocket for a re-test. The prosecutor agreed, and the follow-up lab analysis proved she was right  and innocent  all along.

Stout praised his clients courage, but told CBS News hes concerned about thousands of innocent Americans who dont have the resources, the tenacity of Holly who might just be pressured into taking a plea bargain.

Colorado Rep. Jennifer Bacon agrees.

When youre standing in front of law enforcement, then they shake something and theyre like, You have it, people dont know how they can fight that, she told CBS.

And so theyre just taking deals.

Now, based on Bennets case, Bacon and fellow Colorado state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require law enforcement to issue a ticket for suspected drug possession based on a presumptive test  pending a lab test  rather than booking a suspect into detention (3).

Bennet testified in support of the proposed bill at the Colorado State Capitol. It could be another battle. A similar bill introduced by California Sen. Scott Wiener failed in that state (4)

Understanding the financial impact of a wrongful charge

A wrongful arrest can be traumatic. Not only can it lead to immediate incarceration, it can cost thousands of dollars  from bail costs to legal fees  even if charges are eventually dropped.

For vulnerable individuals, including older adults and people on fixed incomes, the consequences can be devastating.

Bennet had to take out a second mortgage to pay her legal bills, a risky move as the interest payments would be higher.

But the long-term costs of taking a plea deal when innocent are even higher:

Reputational damage . You might lose your job or even lose child custody (5).

Long-term financial damage. You may struggle to get a job, a lease or access credit, for car loans or mortgages.

If youre wrongly accused of drug possession, you have the right to a criminal defense attorney (preferably one that specializes in wrongful arrests), and you have the right to challenge the presumptive test in court.

Taking a plea deal while innocent can avoid prolonged stress and financial strain, but it means youll have a permanent criminal record for a crime you didnt commit.

What To Read Next

Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first  clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

CBS News (1); Quattrone Center (2); Colorado General Assembly (3); CalMatters (4); Forensic Resources (5)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
An Uber Eats delivery worker rests on his bike.

If you thought opening mail during tax season was stressful, imagine receiving a tax form for a job you never worked.

That is exactly whats happening to many Americans across the country, who say theyve been sent IRS Form 1099s from Uber reporting thousands of dollars in income they never earned, according to a CBS News investigation (1).

Must Read

"I just received 1099s for $12,000 from Uber even though I have never driven with them, read an email that CBS News received after airing its investigation. An Arizona woman who also saw the report on television emailed CBS and wrote, The same thing happened to my husband two years ago."

As the investigation uncovered, fraudsters seem to be using stolen personal information to open fake Uber driver accounts in other peoples names. Other times, it may simply be a case of mistakenly attributing income to the wrong taxpayer.

Making matters worse, these types of errors can be tricky to fix. Several victims told investigators that when they tried to alert Uber, the company didnt respond.

But that doesnt mean victims should ignore the issue. Unless informed otherwise, the IRS will assume the reported income is legitimate and expect taxes to be paid on it, so its important to dispute the error quickly.

Heres what to do if you receive a tax form reporting income youve never earned.

A growing problem thats difficult to fix

Work-related identity theft appears to be on the rise. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), approximately 31,450 people reported wage-related identity theft in the first three quarters of 2025, up 61% from the same period in 2021 (2).

Criminals can use stolen personal information, such as Social Security numbers or drivers license details, to create Uber driver accounts, collect earnings and disappear, leaving the victim to deal with the tax consequences. And often the first sign that something is wrong is a tax form arriving in the mail.

For many victims, the biggest challenge isnt discovering the fraudulent income  its getting someone to correct it. Some victims told CBS News that when they contacted Uber, they received no response.

"I've contacted them many times," one victim told CBS News. "I uploaded all the documentation they asked for in their fraudulent section of their website, which I somehow managed to find. No responses, no communication at all."

Another victim said he contacted Uber asking what to do and was told someone would follow up, but then heard nothing for weeks.

The backlog of cases at the IRS can also complicate matters. In fact, identity theft has become so common that complaints now take more than 21 months on average to resolve (3). These hurdles can make it tempting to give up, but ignoring the problem usually makes things worse.

Read More: Non-millionaires can now invest in this $1B private real estate fund starting at just $10

Read More: Warren Buffetts 8 simple and repeatable rules to get rich (and stay rich) in America

How to deal with wage-related identity theft

If you find yourself in a similar situation as the victims mentioned above, its important to not waste any time and take the following steps.

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Step 1: Contact Uber

Start by notifying Uber  or any other company that may report fraudulent earnings in your name  that a tax form was issued under your name for work you didnt perform. Youll likely be asked to upload supporting documentation and explain your situation.

Some victims claim Uber is slow to respond. However, the ride-hailing company says it investigates every report it receives and will issue a corrected Form 1099 showing $0 in income if a mistake or identity theft occurred (1).

Step 2: Report identity theft to the FTC

If you suspect someone has stolen your identity, file a report with the FTC online or call 1-877-438-4338.

The FTC will provide you with an identity theft report and recovery plan that can help when dealing with companies or government agencies investigating the issue.

Step 3: Notify the IRS

If someone used your Social Security number to generate income records and a fraudulent tax form has been issued in your name, notify the IRS immediately. Victims typically need to file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit), which can be done online (4).

Once the IRS flags your account, it may take additional steps to monitor for fraudulent filings associated with your Social Security number.

Step 4: Dont report the income on your tax return

It may be tempting to include the erroneous income on your tax return just to be safe. However, the IRS warns taxpayers not to do this.

Reporting income from an unrecognized employer can complicate the investigation and make it harder to correct the record later.

Step 5: Monitor your credit, employment and tax records

If someone has enough personal information to open a fake driver account in your name, they may also attempt other forms of fraud.

Consider taking these precautions:

Review your credit reports online for suspicious activity. This can be done for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Check your Social Security earnings record to see if unfamiliar wages were reported.

Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Trans Union) to help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

Watch for unexpected tax forms or wage statements in future years.

Catching additional fraud early can limit the damage and make recovery easier.

However, this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. If you're dealing with identity theft or complex tax issues, consider consulting a qualified tax professional, CPA or enrolled agent.

What To Read Next

Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first  clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

CBS News (1); CNBC (2); IRS (3, 4).

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
black and white image of a female gorilla

Fifty-five years ago, Dian Fossey first appeared on the cover of National Geographic, bringing newfound awareness to the mountain gorillas who call the Virunga Massif their home. The 1970 issue with her first-person account titled "Making Friends with Mountain Gorillas" was a monumental step in mountain gorilla awareness and conservation efforts to protect these gentle giants.

Today, the efforts to protect the mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have led to their resurgence. Scientists feared they were headed toward extinction by the end of the 20th century, as their numbers had fallen to approximately 240-250 in the mid-1980s.

Now, over 1,000 live in the Virunga Massif area, and a tour guide at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus said researchers are in the final stages of a new survey that will provide updated figures on the number of mountain gorillas living high on the volcanoes' slopes.

>> Watch my gorilla trekking video here <<

All of this is thanks to the conservation efforts in Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC.

Specifically, in Rwanda, NGO and governmental cooperation have led the charge to protect these animals and support local communities where gorilla poaching was a significant problem. And they are continuing to push for more.

Rwandas prime minister, Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, announced plans to expand the Volcanoes National Park boundaries by 25% at September's Kwitza Izina 20 (also known as the Gorilla Naming Ceremony).

In addition to expanding boundaries and protections, another solution has been to give back a percentage of trekking permit revenue to the communities, providing much-needed economic support and helping show that gorillas are worth more alive than dead.

Combined, these two initiatives can continue to protect and preserve gorillas in their natural habitat for decades to come.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking permits are among the most sought-after activities in Rwanda and one of the main reasons to visit the East African nation. Yet, they're not cheap nor easy to get. Each trekking permit costs $1,500, and only 96 permits are provided each day.

During my September trip to Rwanda, we had the incredible opportunity to go gorilla trekking. Its as memorable as people say it is and will leave you inspired and emotional.

With 12 groups of wild gorillas available to the public, each gorilla family is only seen once per day. However, heres the kicker: you only get to spend one hour with them during your trip.

Volcanoes National Park

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

After meeting at the Volcanoes National Park staging area, every group is given a guide who will lead them into the mountains on the slopes of dormant volcanoes.

The day before, our group had decided wed do an easy trek. Other trekking options are available, ranging from medium to hard.

As it turned out, it was actually easy (we were told any trek would be relatively hard), and we walked fewer than four miles round trip - most of it meandering through farm fields before reaching the national parks boundaries.

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Related: Where to stay in Rwanda

Moments after crossing into the national park, we reached the gorilla trackers, who alerted us that the gorilla family we were seeing was very close. We dropped our packs and put on masks (these keep gorillas from getting human germs).

I also pulled out my Sony A9 III and the new 50-150 f/2 lens that I had rented explicitly for gorillas. (The low-light functionality, perfect focal length, and crystal clear captures make this THE gorilla lens.)

Face-to-face with mountain gorillas

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

At this point, I was so excited. I had no idea what to expect as we walked slowly and quietly into the bamboo forest. Before our group saw anything, the smell reached us. It was pungent.

And in the most anticlimactic way, I saw my first gorilla, lying on its back, urinating, with legs wide open. Ill be honest, it wasnt how I expected it to go.

But it got better. Way better.

Over the next hour, we encountered 15 of the 18 group members, some as close as a yard. We gazed in sheer awe as a juvenile gorilla bounded by us, stood on its legs, and quickly beat its chest, before running into the woods.

a silverback gorilla head looking off in the distance

a silverback gorilla in rwanda looks at the camera in the forest

a close up of a gorilla foot

a gorilla lays on its back in the forest

a gorilla knuckewalks through the forest

a close up of a gorilla face in rwanda

As soon as the seven gorillas near us filed through the bamboo, so did we.

Our tracker, machete in hand, cut a path through the thick forest to keep the trek moving forward. Even so, there was plenty of ducking and maneuvering around stalks as we traversed slippery slopes to rejoin the group.

Through the thick of it, we watched a baby gorilla play in the bamboo near our feet, with its mother, watching us with trusting eyes.

That was the most memorable moment of the entire encounter. This mother mountain gorilla sat with us feet from her kid, having no worries at all. What struck me in that moment was that this was the effect of conservation (and habituation).

Decades ago, mountain gorillas surely viewed humans as a threat or, at best, with unease.

Now, theres a shared bond between the two species, each trusting the other. Gorillas trust humans to protect them, and in turn, they allow people to visit, helping revitalize an economy and region that relies on tourism to flourish.

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

With so much riding on this shared connection, theres no other way it can be.

At the end of our hour-long trek, a silverback, the muscular leader of the group, emerged from the forest ridge above us. Below him, and 10 feet in front of me, the baby rode off into the dense forest, on Mom's back, as misty rain began to fall and the cloud ceiling dropped around us.

Gorillas in the mist, indeed. Forty years after her death, Dian Fossey wouldnt want it any other way.

This article originally appeared on Explorewithalec.com. You can follow him for more content at @Alecoutside
Credit: Courtesy of Bon Vivants

On Green Turtle Cay, a small island in the Bahamas Abaco chain, the story goes something like this: sometime in the late 1960s maybe the early 70s  Miss Emily Cooper began mixing a rum punch so potent it could leave boaters tipsy before noon. She served it at Miss Emilys Blue Bee Bar, reportedly batching the drink in buckets and pouring it into small plastic cups from an unmarked jug. No one saw it being made. You just drank it.

The drink was called the Goombay Smash, named for a centuries-old music genre  traditionally featuring goatskin drums  celebration, and dance. Miss Emilys family still runs Blue Bee Bar, but theyve never released the formula. And that mystery has become part of the drinks mythology. Today, her granddaughter, Phylicia Smith, guards the recipe. Theres Bahamian Ricardo coconut rum and pineapple juice, shell concede. Beyond that, its a secret.

Theres definitely coconut rum. And theres definitely apricot liqueur, not apricot brandy, says Rob Crabtree of Boat Drinks in St. Augustine, Florida. And Miss Emily was adamant about Dole pineapple juice (even though she was allergic to it), he says. Shed even sell gallon jugs of the booze mix to boaters without the juice and hand them a can of Dole to mix in later.

"You think it might be too sweet, but its actually balanced. I cant have one without thinking about being on the water. To me, its sunshine in a glass."

Rob Crabtree, Boat Drinks, St. Augustine, Florida

Some believe Bahamian moonshine once bolstered the blend. Others argue over aged versus unaged rum. Crabtree doesnt buy the dark-rum theory. Its supposed to be pale and cloudy yellow, he says. That color comes from pineapple being shaken.

Crabtrees own fascination with the drink began 25 years ago, when he was barely 21 and boating through the Abacos with his father. They anchored off Green Turtle Cay midmorning and ducked into the Blue Bee. It was maybe 10 a.m., he recalls. We each had two drinks, and we were walking out sideways after that. He remembers the taste vividly, and hes been chasing that profile ever since. Its that classic Caribbean poolside pounder, he says. You think it might be too sweet, but its actually balanced. I cant have one without thinking about being on the water. To me, its sunshine in a glass.

Today, the drink is everywhere from Nassau to coastal Florida, especially along boating corridors off the East Coast, where the Bahamas are just a quick crossing away. But it isnt codified in the way many tropical and tiki classics are. It lives more in memory than in manuals, in gallon jugs sold to sunburned sailors. Its a drink that tastes like the 1960s version of the Bahamas. A little scrappy. A little mysterious. Stronger than it looks. And depending on where you order it, rarely the same twice.

Here are the best spots to get a Goombay Smash, in and outside the Bahamas, recommended by native Bahamian Anthony Major-Smith of Bon Vivants on Nassau.

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Related: The 16 Tropical Drinks Every Cocktail Lover Should Know

Miss Emilys Blue Bee Bar, Abaco Islands

The bright-blue clapboard exterior of Miss Emilys Blue Bee Bar opens to a small room where business cards from around the world paper the walls, and faded flags and well-worn T-shirts sway from the ceiling. More than half a century ago, Emily Cooper created the drink after a customer asked for a signature tropical punch. Word spread boat to boat, long before the internet. No Goombay Smash experience can beat the original, says Major-Smith. Green Turtle Cay is only accessible by a small ferry, so you get to experience the original cocktail, in its original setting, which is not something you can say about every cocktail.

Bon Vivants, Nassau

Credit: Courtesy of Bon Vivants

At Bon Vivants, the Goombay Smash gets a polished approach without losing its island soul. Major-Smith leans into nostalgia and balance. I really love our take, he says. We use premium dark and coconut rums, fresh fruit juices, and bitters to create an elevated version of this Bahamian classic. Their build features Ricardo Coconut Rum, a local staple, and uses a single large ice cube to slow dilution. Growing up in the Bahamas, Ricardo was our thing, he says. Its fruity, tropical, and brings back what we drank when we were young.

Curlys at Arawak Cay, Nassau

At Arawak Cay, better known simply as the Fish Fry, rows of brightly painted seafood shacks string together along the water, each one hawking cracked conch, fried snapper, lobster tails, and, inevitably, strong Bahamian drinks.

Credit: Courtesy of The Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board

If youre looking for a traditional Goombay Smash right here in Nassau, Curlys at Arawak Cay makes a mean version that tastes like vacation in a glass, says Major-Smith. On a recent Friday night, my Smash landed frosty and unapologetically potentrum-forward, pineapple-bright, with coconut nuance. It paired perfectly with a tray of fried fish, a plastic fork, and a ruby-red sunset painting the sky.

The Landing, Eleuthera

Major-Smith also recommends heading beyond Nassau to sample more versions of the classic drink. On the pink-sand calm of Harbour Island, just off Eleuthera, he suggests settling in at The Landing. After a long day wandering the quaint streets, its great to sit on their lush terrace with a cold Goombay Smash in hand. Set in a restored colonial house overlooking the harbor, you might find yourself drinking beside Mick Jagger or India Hicks at this Bahamian-owned and operated hotspot.

Boat Drinks Bar, St. Augustine

Credit: Photo by Melissa Marcarelli for Boat Drinks

The Goombay Smash here lands closer to the Blue Bee original than anything Ive tasted outside the Bahamas. I use an unaged overproof Jamaican rum, says Crabtree. And, I use some Haitian Clairin, because thats the closest approximation I can find to what someone would have made on the islands back then. The funk from the Jamaican rum gives it edge, coconut rum, pineapple, and apricot liqueur bring the tropical flavors, while a little bit of acidity from fresh orange juice balances it out. An expressed lemon peel on the garnish lifts the sweetness. Its boozy and nostalgic, evoking dockside afternoons and the mystery of the original recipe.

Read the original article on Food & Wine
The Louisiana State Capitol building is shown in Baton Rouge, La. Photo: Nolan McKendry / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  Two bills moving through the Louisiana Legislature would expand the states power to respond to what lawmakers describe as threats from foreign adversaries, targeting both land ownership near military sites and state contracts that could benefit hostile foreign entities.

Both measures are authored by Sen. Valerie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, who chaired the Task Force on Protecting Louisianas Critical Infrastructure from Foreign Adversaries.

Hodges said the legislation is rooted in growing concern that geopolitical conflict abroad could quickly reach U.S. soil.

The Taiwan ambassador said that before Beijing can move on Taiwan, they would have to disable America, Hodges said in an interview. Theyve been planning this for a long time. Were not going to let our foreign adversaries or foreign terrorist orgs around our critical infrastructure.

One bill, Senate Bill 200, would allow the Louisiana Military Department to expropriate immovable property within 50 miles of a military base if it is owned or controlled by a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary and is deemed a threat to public health and safety. The bill advanced through committee unanimously.

The proposal builds on existing Louisiana law that already bars foreign adversaries and people connected to them from buying or leasing immovable property in the state. Under current law, the attorney general can seek injunctive relief and courts can order property sold if it was acquired in violation of those restrictions.

SB200 goes further by allowing the state to take property near military installations regardless of when it was acquired, so long as the state can show the ownership poses a threat. The bill defines military base broadly to include U.S. military facilities, state military sites and Civil Air Patrol facilities.

The measure drew pushback in committee from a Chinese immigrant who said he is seeking permanent resident status in the United States. The witness presented a map showing the amount of land that could potentially fall within the bills reach and said the 50-mile rule was so broad it could affect much of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Hodges, however, said lawmakers should not give foreign adversaries the benefit of the doubt and that the burden of proof to show that the land owned by the foreign adversary is a threat is high enough to shield landowners from unjust seizures.

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A second measure, Senate Bill 388, would prohibit state agencies from knowingly entering into or renewing contracts that benefit foreign adversaries, foreign terrorist organizations, or their agents. It would also require bidders on state contracts to certify that they are not connected to such entities and have not, within the previous five years, been convicted in a final federal judgment of knowingly providing material support to a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization.

Under the bill, a contractor that knowingly makes a false certification could face termination of the contract, damages and debarment from public contracting in Louisiana for up to 25 years.

The legislation would also give the governor emergency powers to suspend, restrict or cancel state contracts if an agency later discovers that a contract benefits a foreign adversary or foreign terrorist organization and the governor determines the arrangement poses an unacceptable risk to state security, public safety, economic stability or emergency preparedness.

Before issuing such an order, the governor would have to consult with the director of the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana attorney general. Affected entities could seek judicial review, though courts would review the governors action under an arbitrary-and-capricious standard.

Hodges said she deferred SB388 after deciding the measure needed to draw a clearer line between foreign adversary nations and foreign terrorist organizations.

Because I realized there needs to be a better distinction between foreign adversary nations and foreign terrorist organization[s], Hodges said. Ill have some amendments for next week.

The bills come after heightened warnings from state and federal officials about foreign influence in Louisianas infrastructure and trade network.

In a July meeting with the Louisiana District Export Council, FBI New Orleans agent Benjamin Dreessen warned that China was targeting the Mississippi River system, according to meeting minutes previously reported by The Center Square. Dreessen said Chinese entities were increasingly focused on major ports in southern Louisiana, which serve as gateways to inland trade routes stretching toward cities such as St. Louis and Chicago.

Those concerns helped fuel the task force Hodges led, which examined vulnerabilities tied to land ownership, infrastructure, trade and other strategic sectors.

Together, the two bills would give Louisiana broader authority not just to block future dealings involving foreign adversaries, but to unwind existing property holdings and contracts if state officials conclude they threaten public safety or security.
FILE PHOTO: People bang pots and pans during a protest against electricity power cuts, amid U.S. sanctions and an oil blockade that have deepened the country's crisis, in Havana, Cuba, March 7, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez/File Photo

By Dave Sherwood

HAVANA, March 16 (Reuters) - Cuba's national electric grid collapsed on Monday, the country's grid operator said, leaving around 10 million people without power amid a U.S.-imposed oil blockade that has crippled the island's already obsolete generation system.

Grid operator UNE said on social media it is investigating the causes of the blackout, the latest in a series of widespread outages that last for hours or days and that this weekend sparked a rare violent protest in the communist-run country.

Officials ruled out a major power plant failure, but had still not pinpointed the root cause of the grid collapse, suggesting a problem with transmission.

Officials said they had begun restoring power to small clusters of circuits, or microsystems, across the country, an early but necessary first step in bringing the full grid back online.

The United States has ratcheted up pressure this year on long-time foe Cuba since capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro - Cuba's most important foreign benefactor - in January.

U.S. President Donald Trump cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to slap tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba, strangling the Caribbean island's already antiquated grid.

Cuba said on Friday that it has entered into talks with the United States with the hope of defusing the crisis. Trump has said in recent weeks that Cuba is on the verge of collapse and is eager to make a deal with the United States.

Cubans have grown accustomed to power outages, whether tied to the oil supply shortfalls or systemic failures in the grid, which can also be the result of depressed power generation.

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"No, the news didn't surprise me," said Havana resident Dayana Machin, 26, adding that all Cubans were scrambling now to find alternatives to grid-provided electricity.

"We're getting used to living like this."

RUNNING ON FUMES

Cuba has received only two small vessels carrying oil imports this year, according to LSEG ship tracking data seen by Reuters on Monday.

The first tanker discharged fuel in January at the Havana port coming from Mexico, which was a regular supplier to the island until then. The second vessel, from Jamaica, discharged liquefied petroleum gas - known as cooking gas - in February.

Venezuela, once Cuba's main oil supplier, has sent no fuel to the island this year.

Venezuela's state company PDVSA last month loaded gasoline in a tanker that it had previously used to transport fuel to Cuba, but the vessel has not left Venezuelan waters, PDVSA documents and tanker monitoring data showed.

No large imports have entered this year through Cuba's main hubs of Matanzas or Moa, which typically handle crude for refining and fuel oil for power generation, according to satellite images analyzed by TankerTrackers.com. The ports of Havana and Cienfuegos also have not had import activity in more than a month, it added.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood, additional reporting by Anett Rios and Alien Fernandez in Havana and Marianna Parraga in Houston; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle, Will Dunham and Nia Williams)
Mother-of-five Nyawan Koang was trapped between warring sides

Thousands of people have been fleeing the South Sudanese town of Akobo and surrounding parts of Jonglei state, where the army says it has intensified strikes on its enemies to regain control.

The latest fighting has led the UN to warn of a possible return to full-blown civil war in the world's youngest nation.

Nyawan Koang, 30, and her five children had to walk for two days to reach the dusty village of Duk.

They had fled Ayod, a remote and largely pastoralist county in Jonglei state, where armed clashes had been raging between the military and their opponents who had been fortifying their presence there since the beginning of the year.

"We were [wedged] between two forces: the SPLA-IO and the government. And their bullets kill us," she told the BBC.

Government forces are trying to retake territory from those loyal to First Vice-President Riek Machar, who has been suspended from his post after being accused of plotting to overthrow President Salva Kiir. Machar has been under house arrest in Juba for a year awaiting trial for murder, treason and crimes against humanity. He denies all charges.

Aligned with Machar are the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), who have been seizing towns in Jonglei and other neighbouring states.

As they advanced, threatening Jonglei's capital, Bor, they left devastated communities in their wake. Whole villages have been torched and civilians indiscriminately killed. The government has responded swiftly - and ferociously - deploying more troops to attack the positions of their rivals.

But civilians were also attacked - including Nyawan's family.

She lost both her parents when an air strike hit their small thatched-roof hut.

"Fire came from the sky and burned them," she said.

Nyawan and her family are among the more than 280,000 people forced from their homes by recent clashes. Thousands of them are in Duk, where aid organisations provide food, medicine and other basic essentials.

Yet more lives are likely to be turned upside-down, or snuffed out altogether, unless a political change of course is made.

A map of South Sudan showing the capital city Juba, Jonglei state, the county of Akobo, the county of Ayod, the city of Bor, the county of Duk, and the county of Uror.

Fighting between forces loyal to President Kiir and his rival-turned-deputy Machar first broke out in 2013, just two years after the euphoria of independence.

A 2018 peace deal ended the civil war that had killed nearly 400,000 people, but it has never been properly implemented and the relationship between the pair has become increasingly strained amid ethnic tensions and sporadic violence.

It is not clear how many people - civilians or combatants - have been killed in the renewed conflict. One report by the UN's rights body documented 189 civilian deaths in January alone.

"Civilians are bearing the brunt of a spike in indiscriminate attacks including aerial bombardments, deliberate killings, abductions and conflict-related sexual violence," said the body's head Volker Turk.

Nyawan remembers seeing several dead bodies while she was fleeing to Duk. "But I don't know [which side] killed them."

As government forces and SPLA-IO fighters, who are supported by another armed group called the White Army, battle for control of territory, the lives of innocent civilians are being sacrificed.

"There's no army in the world that actually fought without civilians being caught in the crossfire," Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny told the BBC in his office in the country's capital, Juba.

He says the army is "responsible" in its conduct, and adds that his government is "trying its best" and has "taken measures [to ensure] civilians are not involved in the situation". But he concludes, "Civilians who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time might be caught in the crossfire. There's no way you can prevent that."

Yet some of the attacks on civilians appear to be deliberate.

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By the government's own admission, in the last week of February more than 20 civilians - including women and the elderly - were executed at close range in Ayod by government soldiers who took control of the area.

Army spokesman Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang told the BBC that soldiers from two platoons and their commanders had been put in detention following internal investigations and now face a court martial.

In the government fallout that preceded this latest spike of violence, President Kiir not only fired Machar but also his wife - Interior Minister Angelina Teny - along with several other senior government figures.

The reason for Machar's detention and trial are his alleged links to White Army fighters who seized control of a military base from the national army last year, say the authorities.

But Machar's supporters see the move politically motivated and in breach of South Sudan's power-sharing agreement.

'We suffered a lot'

Like many people seeking refuge and help in Duk, Hoth Wan Kornyom, a community leader and father of seven, has lost a relative in the violence.

His brother was killed in gunfire and his own house was set ablaze. While his fellow villagers in Uror county were fleeing the conflict, he recalls, some parents became separated from their children and it is not clear if they were ever reunited.

Hoth Wan Kornyom says parents and children were split apart in the chaos

Twenty-seven-year-old Neyasebit, who also left Uror for Duk, said her two uncles, a brother-in-law and a younger brother were killed in air strikes. "They were just staying at home," she explained, insisting they were not combatants.

"We suffered a lot. That's why we ran away," she told the BBC. "Both sides" are perpetrators of such attacks, according to her.

The resurgence of violence in Jonglei has exacerbated already dire humanitarian needs in the state. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 60% of Jonglei's two million people are facing hunger. Across South Sudan as a whole, 10 million out of 14 million people need food aid.

"South Sudan is one of the world's most complex environments to provide humanitarian assistance," WFP's acting country director Adham Affandy told the BBC.

"We have conflict... natural disasters - and there are inter-communal violence, economic instability and the physical access challenges."

The country also has one of the least-developed road networks in the world, with only 400km (248 miles) of South Sudan's estimated 20,000km of roads being paved, according to a 2022 study.

During the rainy season - which can last up to eight months per year - around 80% of South Sudan is inaccessible, Mr Affandy said.

This has forced humanitarian groups to rely on aircraft to deliver assistance - at huge cost.

But the most pressing issue is insecurity. When clashes flared up in January, many relief agencies withdrew from conflict areas only to return once the violence had subsided.

Earlier this month, the army told aid agencies - and some 50,000 civilians - to leave Akobo county, one of the strongholds of SPLA-IO forces in Jonglei as it prepared to launch what it called a "second-phase" offensive.

Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with several cycles of fighting.

It is also being affected by instability across the region. In the past three years, more than a million people have crossed its borders from its northern neighbour Sudan - where a devastating civil war is raging.

Now, many observers fear, the 2018 power-sharing agreement that brought relative calm could be shattered - something millions across the country dread.

"South Sudanese people are exhausted," WFP's Affandy told the BBC. "They want peace."

More BBC stories on South Sudan:

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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

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The Arctic Metagaz was originally reported to have sunk but has been drifting since since early March

A sanctioned Russian tanker loaded with liquid natural gas is drifting out of control in the Mediterranean with no crew on board and a gaping hole in one side, prompting warnings of a "serious risk of a major ecological disaster".

An official in Italy, one of nine EU countries to write a joint letter to the European Commission urging action, has called the Arctic Metagaz an "environmental bomb" waiting to go off.

The tanker, part of a shadow fleet transporting sanctioned Russian oil and gas, was badly damaged in a suspected sea drone attack near Maltese waters earlier this month.

Ukraine has not commented on reports that it was responsible for crippling it.

The Arctic Metagaz is now floating south away from Italian waters and the island of Lampedusa towards Libya, with Italian and Maltese officials continuing to monitor its movement.

Speaking on Italy's Radio 24, the secretary of Italy's Council of Ministers, Alfredo Mantovano, said the risks from the tanker were "enormous" and warned that it could "explode at any moment".

It is said to be carrying "significant" quantities of liquid natural gas, or LNG. An official in Rome told the BBC it also had 450 tonnes of fuel oil and 250 tonnes of diesel on board.

On Tuesday afternoon the tanker was about 45 nautical miles (83km) from Italian territorial waters and 25 miles from the search-and-rescue zone ascribed to Libya.

The Arctic Metagaz set out from the Russian port of Murmansk in February.

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In early March, when it went up in flames, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for a "terrorist attack".

But Ukraine sees such "shadow" Russian tankers as legitimate targets: they routinely sail with their transponders turned off to evade Western sanctions and the money Moscow makes from the oil and gas helps fund its ongoing war on Ukraine.

Russia has also been bombing Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since the start of its full-scale invasion, leaving huge numbers of people without hot water or heating in the depths of winter.

Recently, the number and scope of drone strikes on Russian tankers has been increasing.

In December, the Ukraine's SBU intelligence service said it had crippled three vessels in two weeks in the Black Sea, including the Dashan which it said had suffered "critical damage". Just over a week later, the Quendil oil tanker was hit in the Mediterranean.

It was said to be empty at the time.

It is now two weeks since the Arctic Metagaz was badly damaged by a series of explosions and fire. The crew were located and rescued by the Libyan coastguard.

Libyan port officials said initially that the tanker had sunk, but it has been floating, unmanned and dangerous ever since.

The World Wildlife Fund has said it is on "maximum alert", warning that a potential spill could cause fires and long-lasting pollution in an area of "exceptional ecological value" that is home to numerous protected species.
A K9 officer detected cocaine during a traffic stop on I-87, police said.  New York State Police

A New York man was arrested while transporting half a pound of cocaine next to two children in his back seat, authorities said Tuesday, March 17.

Jonathan Rivera, a 37-year-old Flushing man, was pulled over on I-87 in Malta for a traffic stop around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, which led to the discovery of the drugs, state police said.

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A K9 officer found the half-pound package that later tested positive for cocaine, according to authorities. The package was sitting within an arms reach of the two children, who were both under age 16, investigators said.

Rivera was charged with two counts of felony drug possession, two counts of child endangerment and traffic violations, according to police. He was arraigned in Malta and held in Saratoga County Jail without bail. An adult passenger and the two children were released without charges.
The Brief

President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance on Monday signed an executive order initiating a task force to combat nationwide fraud.

Minnesota has been at the epicenter of fraud investigations involving Feeding our Future, Somali-run child care centers, autism and the Housing stabilization schemes.

Trump blasted Minnesota leadership on Monday, specifically Gov. Tim Walz, AG Keith Ellison and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, saying they're all complicit in the fraud.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX 9) - President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance on Monday signed an executive order to create a task force that aims to put a stop to nationwide fraud.

Minnesota has been at the epicenter of fraud, between Feeding our Future, Somali-run child care centers, autism and Housing stabilization program schemes.

During the signing, Trump went out of his way to criticize Minnesotas leadership when it comes to fraud.

Trump blasts Walz, Ellison, Omar

What they're saying

Trump says Minnesota taxpayers have lost out on as much as $19 billion due to fraud schemes. Former U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said in a December 2025 news conference its possible that the state has lost up to $9 billion due to fraud.

So far, hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud cases have been investigated in court. Trump said Monday Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar are all complicit in the ongoing fraud in Minnesota, singling out what was discovered in Somali-run child care centers.

"When you look at the Minnesota scam, a lot of it has to do with Somalia. Nobody is calling out anybody, but a lot of it is Somalia. I believe the governor is complicit, I believe Ilhan Omar is complicit, I believe your attorney general is complicit. If they are, youre going to hopefully find out about it and do what you have to do," Trump said. "If we found half the fraud thats taking place in this country, we would have much more than a balanced budget. The theft is incredible."

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Ilhan Omar married her brother supposedly

Why you should care

Trump has made a habit of publicly attacking Omar, who represents Minnesotas Fifth Congressional District.

Monday, Trump accused Omar of marrying her brother. Rumors going back several years imply Omar married her brother to obtain U.S. citizenship.

FOX 9 investigated those reports, and were never able to verify them.

"Ilhan Omar, I hope this is part of it, but she married her brother supposedly. That means shes here illegally, and shes a Congresswoman. I hope youre going to be looking at that. Shes one of the ring leaders, shes bad news. Shes so bad for our country," Trump said on Monday.

Omar has held her Congressional seat since 2019, and had a verbal spat with Trump during the State of the Union address last month. Omar's guest was arrested during the speech for "unlawful conduct," and removed from chambers, but never charged.

Minnesota is terrible, theyre all corrupt

Dig deeper

Trump continued on his rant about fraud in Minnesota, and Vance chimed in when the topic of Medicaid came up. Together they accused Somalis of defrauding a Medicaid program, where funds were supposed to go to children with autism.

"These are crooked people. They basically said everybody in the state had autism," Trump said. "People come over from Somalia, they have no money, and now theyre buying Mercedes-Benz cars. More cash goes out of the Minnesota airport than any other place in the world. Were going to find it. Minnesota is really bad. The governor is corrupt, the attorney general is totally corrupt. Theyre all corrupt, and weve got too many of them in our country, and we have to expose them."
President Trump put NATO allies on notice Tuesday after they shunned his request for assistance in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping.

Trump, both publicly and on social media, lashed out at European allies  including France and the UK  for their refusal to help and implied their defiance would have broader repercussions for the entire alliance.

Its certainly something that we should think about, he told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if he would remove the United States from NATO. I dont need Congress for that decision, as you probably know, I can make that decision myself.

President Trump railed Tuesday against Americas NATO allies, saying they refused his call for assistance in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping. AP

The president has never been a fan of the Cold War era alliance, complaining, since his first term in office, that its members dont pay an equitable share of dues and are too dependent on the U.S. for protection.

Follow The Posts live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis

Im very disappointed in NATO, very disappointed, he said. We spend trillions of dollars on NATO. Think of it, trillions over the years, many trillions of dollars. Its one of the reasons we have deficits.

The US is the largest financial contributor to the alliance, estimated at approximately $980 billion in 2025, accounting for 65% of its defense budget.

While vocal in his response, its unclear if Trump will confront the allies in person. The White House wouldnt say if he plans on attending the next NATO meeting, which is will be held in Ankara, Turkey, on July 78.

Trump has been burning up the phone lines trying to get European countries to commit military hardware to keep Hormuz open for transporting oil. Specifically hes seeking minesweepers to search the narrow strait for bombs and destroyers to protect transport ships.

But the response he received was a resounding no. And he expressed his anger about it.

The United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation, the president wrote in a lengthy post on Truth Social.

Tankers sitting anchored off the coast of Oman due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on March 7, 2026. REUTERS

We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need, he said of the Atlantic alliance.

He then pivoted to a defiant stance, saying the United States doesnt need any help.

Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID!, he wrote. Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

Follow The Posts coverage of the United States airstrikes on Iran:

The military consequences of the US going alone remain unclear. Trump has indicated the war could be over in several weeks but, without additional support, that timeline could be extended. The White House has been frantically trying to decrease gas prices  including releasing oil from the strategic reserves  but the average price at the pump rose to $3.79 a gallon on Tuesday, the highest since October 2023, according to the AAA.

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The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by an Iranian blockade using mines, drones, and ships, halting 27% of global maritime energy.

With gas prices on the rise and oil surging above $100 per barrel, Trump has been trying to get the strait open again, leaving him furious at the NATO rebuff, according to his close friend Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron confirmed that his country will not be helping the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz during a defense and security council meeting on March 17, 2026. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Just spoke to [Trump] about our European allies unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America, Graham wrote on X.

I have never heard him so angry in my life, he added. I share that anger, given whats at stake.

Trumps online tirade came after French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will never take part in American operations in the Strait of Hormuz while combat is underway.

We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context, Macron said during a government meeting.

Trump on Monday had given Macron an 8 out of 10 score on the issue and suggested France would assist.

But Macron said he and other European allies were worried they would get stuck protecting the strait long after the conflict ended.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by an Iranian blockade using mines, drones, and ships, halting 27% of global maritime energy. AFP via Getty Images

We are convinced that once the situation has calmed down  and I deliberately use this term broadly  once the situation has calmed down, that is to say, once the main bombing has ceased, we are ready, along with other nations, to assume responsibility for the escort system, he said.

Well, hell be out of office very soon, Trump responded to Macron when asked about the comment in the Oval Office.

Macrons second and final term as president of France ends in April 2027.

The United Kingdom also has been reluctant to commit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that opening the Strait of Hormuz is not straightforward.

You can see that historically when theres been other conflicts that have affected the straits, he said.

Experts say it could take weeks to make sure the strait is clear of mines, drones, submarines and other explosive devices.

Trump had words for Starmer during his meeting with the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin on Tuesday.

He hasnt been supportive, and I think its a big mistake, he said.
Now entering its fourth week, the Iran war has engulfed the Middle East, killed more than 2,300 people and sent oil prices skyrocketing worldwide. The United States and Israel continue to strike Iran daily. Israel is also fighting the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In response, the Iranian regime, now led by Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel and at U.S. military targets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. By threatening to bomb ships, Tehran has forced the Strait of Hormuz to close, blocking one-fifth of the worlds oil supply.

The signals from Washington are mixed. Days after saying he was considering "winding down" military operations, President Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum late Saturday, threatening to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened by Monday night. Iran dismissed the threat, warning it would target energy and water infrastructure across the region in retaliation and that the strait would be "completely closed" if its power plants were hit.

Likewise, Irans foreign minister had rejected reports that his country is seeking a peace deal. We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation, Abbas Araghchi told CBS on March 15. This is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.

Heres a quick recap of the latest developments in the Iran war  and how we got to this point over the last three weeks.

Trump threatens to hit Iran's power plants in 48-hour ultimatum: President Trump said late Saturday that the U.S. would "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, starting "WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST." Iran operates one nuclear power plant, at Bushehr. Iran's parliament speaker warned that if its infrastructure is attacked, "energy and oil facilities across the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed."

Iranian missiles strike near Israel's nuclear facility: Iranian missiles hit the cities of Dimona and Arad in southern Israel Saturday night, injuring more than 175 people. Dimona is roughly eight miles from the Negev Nuclear Research Center, Israel's most sensitive military installation. Iran claimed the missile was aimed at the nearby nuclear site. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said it had no indication the facility was hit.

Natanz nuclear facility struck: Iran said Saturday that its Natanz nuclear enrichment site, the country's main uranium facility, was hit in an airstrike. Iranian officials said there was no radiation leakage, and the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency said on social media there was no reported increase in radiation levels. Israel's military said it was not aware of any Israeli strikes targeting the facility. Russia condemned the strike and said it posed a real risk of a catastrophe across the Middle East.

U.S. pauses sanctions on Iranian oil at sea: The Trump administration said Friday it would suspend sanctions for 30 days on Iranian oil already loaded on ships, making roughly 140 million barrels available to buyers worldwide. The license expires April 19.

U.S. ramps up attacks, deploys more troops: U.S. officials told the Associated Press on Friday that the USS Boxer and two other amphibious assault ships, along with roughly 2,500 Marines, are bound for the Middle East from San Diego. The news comes just days after the U.S. sent another group of amphibious assault ships carrying Marines to the region. In total, about 5,000 additional troops are now headed to the Middle East. At the same time, U.S. warplanes and attack helicopters are ramping up assaults against Iranian drones and naval vessels in an escalating effort to clear the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked on Thursday if he planned to put boots on the ground in Iran, Trump was cagey. Im not putting troops anywhere, Trump told a reporter. If I were, I certainly wouldnt tell you. Axios reported on Friday that the Trump administration is considering plans to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by occupying or blockading Kharg Island, which sits 15 miles offshore and processes 90% of Iran's crude oil exports.

Tehran threatens enemies, tourist sites: In a statement issued on Friday, Irans new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called for the internal and external enemies of his nation to have their security taken away. Meanwhile, a top Iranian military spokesman threatened to pursue U.S. and Israeli officials beyond active conflict zones. From now on, based on the information we have about you, even parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you, he said. Another military spokesman, Gen. Ali Mohammad Naini, insisted that Iran is still producing missiles even during war conditions, which is amazing, and there is no particular problem in stockpiling. Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that recent attacks had destroyed Irans ability to make ballistic missiles. Iranian state television reported that Naini was killed early Friday in an airstrike.

Oil prices soar after strikes on energy sites: Iranian state media reported on Wednesday that airstrikes had hit its giant South Pars natural gas field  as well as nearby oil and petrochemical facilities  in the southern city of Asaluyeh. International oil prices jumped more than 6% to nearly $110 a barrel following the news. Natural gas prices also shot up. Most of the energy from South Pars is used domestically in Iran. Qatar blamed Israel for the strike.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on energy sites in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Qatars Ras Laffan terminal, the largest liquefied natural gas facility in the world, was seriously damaged. Oil prices briefly topped $115 a barrel.

On social media, Trump said the U.S. and Qatar were not involved in the South Pars strike  which he also attributed to Israel  but threatened to massively blow up the gas field if Iran retaliated again.

I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term [sic] implications that it will have on the future of Iran, Trump wrote, but if Qatars LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so.

Three Israeli officials briefed on the South Pars strike told the New York Times that the U.S. was informed before the attack. When asked about the Times report, Trump said on Thursday that he told [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu]: Dont do that.

Were independent, Trump added. We get along great. Its coordinated.

Araghchi,Irans foreign minister, said on social media that his country would show ZERO restraint if its energy infrastructure were struck again.

Pentagon seeks $200 billion to fund Iran war: Citing a senior administration official, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a more than $200 billion request to Congress to fund the war in Iran. Lawmakers opposed to the conflict are likely to oppose the funding request, which accounts for nearly a quarter of Americas annual defense budget. Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Thursday news conference. As far as the $200 billion, I think that number could move. Shortly after, Trump confirmed that he would be asking for hundreds of billions of dollars to fund the war.

Top U.S. intelligence officials contradict Trump on Irans missile threat: At a Senate hearing on Wednesday, two top intelligence officials  Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, and John Ratcliffe, the CIA director  confirmed the intelligence communitys earlier conclusion that Iran was years away from developing missiles capable of hitting the U.S. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. had to attack Iran because it was on the verge of building such missiles, but neither Gabbard nor Ratcliffe would second that assertion. The only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the president, Gabbard said during questioning.

Israel kills key Iranian leaders: Israel announced on Wednesday that its overnight airstrikes had killed Iranian intelligence chief Esmaeil Khatib. In a statement, the Israeli military said Khatib had overseen espionage and covert operations against Iranians as well as Israeli and American targets around the world. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed the killing on social media, calling it a cowardly assassination.

Khatib is the third high-level Iranian official killed by Israel this week. On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes near Tehran killed Ali Larijani, the head of Irans Supreme National Security Council and de facto leader of the country after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel also said it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij, Irans powerful plainclothes militia.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, on Sept. 27, 2025. (Courtney Bonneau/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

In a video statement posted on social media, Netanyahu framed the killing of Larijani and Soleimani as a step toward regime change. We're undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people a chance to oust it, Netanyahu said. It won't happen all at once, it won't happen easily. But if we persist in this, we'll give them the opportunity to take their fate into their own hands.

But according to a New York Times analysis, Larijani had a reputation for being able to bridge the countrys hard-line military elements and more moderate political factions. As a result, his death could open the way for the military to tighten its grip over the ruling system, the Times said.

Trumps top counterterrorism official resigns: Trump administration official Joe Kent resigned from his post as director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday because of his opposition to the war, writing in a letter that Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation before the U.S. and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Feb. 28. Citing his own combat experience, Kent wrote that he could not in good conscience support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives. Kent claimed that Israel deceived Trump into attacking Iran.

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Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, on Dec. 11, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Trump rebuffed by NATO: Posting on Tuesday to his Truth Social network, Trump wrote that the United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran. For days, the president has been asking U.S. allies for help in securing the Strait of Hormuz and complaining about their reticence. But unlike previous Republican presidents such as George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, Trump did not assemble an international coalition before starting a war in the Middle East. We have had such Military Success, we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance, Trump wrote on Truth Social. WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

President Trump on March 17. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Three weeks of strikes on Iran

The U.S. and Israel first struck Iran around 9:45 a.m. local time on Feb. 28. Before the attacks, the Trump administration had been negotiating with the Iranian regime over the future of its nuclear program  while simultaneously ordering the largest buildup of U.S. military forces in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

People watch as smoke rises along the skyline after an explosion in Tehran on Feb. 28. (AP)

The initial wave of U.S.-Israeli airstrikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and about 40 of Iran's top military and intelligence officials. A missile also struck the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school for girls in Minab, near the Strait of Hormuz. At least 175 people died, according to Iranian officials. Most of them were children.

An ongoing U.S. military investigation has determined that the school was destroyed by an American Tomahawk cruise missile as the result of a targeting mistake. If confirmed, this would make the school strike one of the most devastating single military errors in recent decades, according to the New York Times. On Friday, Hegseth said that U.S. Central Command had designated a general officer from outside CENTCOM to further investigate the attack.

Over the last two-plus weeks, the U.S. and Israel have continued to hit Iranian targets  naval sites, missile infrastructure, nuclear facilities  with missiles, drones and fighter jets. According to CENTCOM, the goal is to dismantle Irans defense industrial base in order to prevent threats to the region into the future. Hegseth said on March 13 that more than 15,000 Iranian targets have been struck so far  including more than a hundred warships.

The latest major operation occurred on March 13 when the U.S. bombed more than 90 missile storage sites and mine facilities on Kharg Island. Trump said U.S. forces "totally obliterated every MILITARY target" but left the island's oil infrastructure intact. He threatened to reverse that decision if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.

Iran's Kharg Island is seen on Feb. 26. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

About 50,000 U.S. troops have been deployed to the region, along with the worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford. Another 5,000 Marines are now reportedly heading to the Middle East.

Israel fights Hezbollah in Lebanon

Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have occurred intermittently since 1982, and the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023 led to another round of fighting. A ceasefire had been in place since November 2024, but Hezbollah launched several rockets into northern Israel after the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28. Israel has been conducting retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon ever since.

On Monday, Israels defense minister said that its forces had launched a ground maneuver in southern Lebanon, adding to fears that a broader invasion may be coming.

Iran retaliates

Within hours of the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran had launched its own barrage of ballistic missiles and Shahed drones at targets in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan and the United Arab Emirates. Iran also reported striking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE.

Over the weeks that have followed, Tehran has continued to launch attacks on regional targets, though many have been intercepted. One Iranian drone strike on a U.S. base in Kuwait killed six U.S. reserve soldiers and seriously injured dozens of others; the U.S. Embassy there shuttered after a separate attack. Several Israeli civilians have been killed by Iranian missiles. NATO defense systems have intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iranian territory as it entered Turkish airspace; the United Kingdoms Ministry of Defense confirmed that its forces intercepted an Iranian drone headed toward Iraq.

In recent days, U.S. officials have claimed that the rate at which Iran is launching missiles and drones has fallen dramatically  by 80% to 90%  since the start of the war.

On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts  an elected body of 88 senior clerics tasked with naming Khameneis successor  chose the slain ayatollahs son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to take over as supreme leader. Mojtaba Khamenei is known for his close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; his selection signals that the much more hard-line Revolutionary Guard side of the regime  is now in charge, Vali Nasr, an expert on Iran and Shiite Islam at Johns Hopkins University, told the Times.

Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the nation's new supreme leader, succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Iranian President's Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In his first statement on the war, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed that Tehran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed while continuing to retaliate for U.S.-Israeli attacks. In his second, issued Monday, Khamenei said he would retain all the officials appointed by his father. Khamenei was reportedly injured in the first wave of strikes.

The human toll

In Iran, at least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured since the start of the war, according to the Iranian Health Ministry. In Lebanon, officials said that more than 1,000 people have been killed; at least 2,400 others have been wounded. In Israel, at least 15 people have been killed, according to authorities. The Pentagon has said that 13 American service members have died so far; six were killed when a refueling plane crashed in Iraq. About 230 Americans have been wounded.

On Monday, Lebanon said that more than 1 million of its residents have been displaced in the latest outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in Iran as well.

Oil prices skyrocket

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the globe. One-fifth of the worlds oil flows through it. Iran has been threatening to attack ships there, and the countrys new leader has vowed to maintain the blockade. U.S. officials say Iran has also been booby-trapping the strait with mines.

A satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz. (Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025)

As a result, global oil prices have shot up to more than $100 a barrel for the first time in years. The average price of gas in the U.S. is approaching $4 a gallon, up 80 cents from a month ago. Food and other goods that need to travel from one place to another could soon become more expensive as well.

Trump has tried to address the issue in various ways: lifting sanctions on some Russian oil to increase supply; striking Irans 30 mine-laying ships; and calling on U.S. allies to send warships to escort merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Im demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory  because it is their territory, Trump said on Sunday. You could make the case that maybe we shouldnt even be there at all, because we dont need it. We have a lot of oil.

But top officials from Japan, Italy, Australia and Germany rebuffed Trump on Monday, saying their countries would not participate in efforts to reopen the strait.

This is not our war, said Germanys defense minister. We did not start it.

The endgame?

Trump initially said the war would last four or five weeks. Since then, he vacillated between claiming that the war was over in the first hour  and we won  to insisting that the U.S. could continue attacking Iran for as long as it takes.

The president and those around him have also provided many different explanations for why the U.S. chose to attack Iran now: to ward off an imminent Iranian threat; to preempt Iranian retaliation against U.S. assets after an expected Israeli attack on Iran; to destroy Iran's missile and military capabilities; to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; to achieve regime change by bringing the Iranian opposition to power.

It is unclear which of these goals the U.S. would have to achieve before declaring victory. Trump has said that he must be involved in the appointment of Ayatollah Ali Khameneis successor, dismissing Khameneis son as an unacceptable pick.

We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran, he added. But Trump has also admitted that he doesnt know who could succeed the slain Khamenei because so many key Iranian figures have already been killed.

On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said attacks against Iran would "increase significantly" in the coming week.

During its first two weeks, the Iran war cost the U.S. an estimated $12 billion in direct military expenditures. Multiple polls have shown that most Americans oppose the initial U.S. strikes on Iran and believe the war is making America less safe.
Ashjari said infrastructure also needs to match modern GPU demands.

For example, high-end graphics processing units like the NVIDIA H [Hopper] 100 require memory bandwidth (up to approximately 2 TB/s[terabytes] per second) and strong host throughput, he said.

Infrastructure must keep pace to avoid bottlenecks. Critically, organisations need to plan for the next memory bottleneck.

CXL memory pooling provides ultra-low latency shared memory for larger models. This will be a key future requirement for on prem and edge AI as context windows expand.

Ashajari said this also ensured that memory architecture and bandwidth can handle AI training and inference workloads in GPU environments.

AI performance lives or dies by how fast you can feed the GPUs, he said. This demands the removal of bottlenecks at every layer.

Nutanix supports direct NVIDIA GPU acceleration on Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV) through passthrough and vGPU, providing workloads with access to GPU memory and bandwidth for AI and other compute-intensive tasks.

By ensuring memory is allocated cleanly, data moves efficiently and the system stays balanced, even as models and datasets grow to maintain consistent AI performance.

Shadow AI impact

However, even with high-performance infrastructure, these organisations face challenges in how AI is deployed and governed across the business. This situation is compounded by the growth of shadow AI which also puts infrastructures under pressure.

Nearly four in five IT leaders in our region encounter AI tools implemented outside of IT and oversight, said Ashjari. This is a massive challenge when it comes to organisation, control, and longevity of the solution [as well as] maintaining compliance and mandatory governance requirements, where outside of IT decisions is made.

Hence the shadow AI  they deploy capabilities to supplement the business.

Ashjari explained that deploying a cloud-based AI capability is a credit card swipe away, and it could be done completely behind the IT team.

Weve seen that some regulations mandated in the industry. In Australia, the Privacy Act mandates that every level of transparency for any IT capability needs to be exposed to the organisation, he said. More or less, you need to identify which IT capability and from which source you need to get that before actually going into operational mode itself.

This will create an additional level of sophistication and trouble for IT professionals to put guardrails around AI initiatives.

This notion [is] called shadow AI, which requires tightening at any level, said Ashjari. The more it becomes rigid and controlling, the more desirable situations become for business owners to go off and do their own things.

If we want to really help organisations embark on AI initiatives and fast-track that, the idea is for IT to take the roadblocks away and make available capabilities for AI initiatives.

This sets up the infrastructure to be able to handles what Ashjari said is what comes next, which is unlocking the value of AI agents.

From a technical perspective, agentic AI needs to be elastic, scalable, and robust to support ambitious AI initiatives, he explained. If we build infrastructure that is not sustainable, not proven, or projects that are limited in capability and not repeatable, we only hamper our ability to build a comprehensive AI stack that can support all business units, regardless of market or segment.

We also see that hybrid reality is key. We can no longer build everything ourselves and assume nothing outside our network or data centres is needed.
by Santosh Digal

FABC, CELAM, and SECAM, the three continental episcopal conferences, released a paper that is also a shared commitment, calling on world governments to adopt a non-proliferation fossil fuel treaty. For Caritas International, the role of women is crucial in addressing climate change.

Manila (AsiaNews)  Phasing out fossil fuels, an even more urgent imperative today due to the oil crisis linked to the ongoing Gulf War, must be part of renewed national climate plans and a stronger growing global coalition pushing for a fossil fuel treaty.

This is the call issued by the bishops of the global South, concerned about the extant reliance on fossil fuels  coal, oil, and gas  that is threatening the planet and the world's poorest communities.

The prelates renewed this commitment yesterday at a meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in a paper drafted by the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC), as well as their colleagues from Africa (SECAM)[*], and Latin America (CELAM)[], along with representatives from Europe (CCEE)[] and Oceania (FCBCO)[].

Titled " Manifesto of the churches of the global south for our common home Towards peace with creation: an urgent call for a just transition beyond fossil fuels, the paper was released ahead of upcoming international events centred on climate change, including the United Nations summit in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2026.

Catholic bishops urge governments around the world to embrace the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative and transition to renewable energy, ending dependence on fossil fuel production.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue, they explain, but also moral and social crises, with unsustainable models of production and consumption, especially in developed countries that contribute to environmental destruction and widening inequality.

Developed nations that rely on fossil fuels should provide funding and technology transfers to developing nations in mitigation efforts, as well as give greater scope to indigenous peoples and vulnerable communities in decision-making.

Key Church figures from across the Global South signed the Manifesto, including CELAM President Card Jaime Spengler, SECAM President Card Fridolin Ambongo, and FABC President Card Felipe Neri Ferrao, as well as CCEE Vice President Card Ladislav Nemet, and FCBCO Vice President Archbishop Ryan Pagante Jimenez.

We invite all people of goodwill to join a historic coalition between North and South to protect our common home, reads the Manifesto. A world free of fossil fuels, just and at peace, is possible and necessary, it goes on to say.

In the fight against climate change, the role of women is increasingly prominent, especially in countries in the Global South, from Asia and Africa to Latin America and the Pacific Islands.

For Caritas Internationalis Regional Jubilee Programme Lead for Asia, Jing Rey Henderson, while women are among the most affected by disasters caused by climate change, they are also a vital force in strengthening and rebuilding communities.

In addition to finding water and food for families, they are often expected to care for the injured and displaced after disasters.

Women are not just victims of climate crises  they are catalysts for change. Their leadership, knowledge, and resilience are essential to building communities that can adapt and thrive in the face of disasters, Henderson notes.

In fact, women's important knowledge in environmental conservation is now recognised and appreciated, especially in rural and Indigenous communities where they are responsible for agriculture, seeds, and biodiversity.

An example of women's leadership in environmental conservation is the Chipko Movement in India, where they protect forests from deforestation.

Henderson stressed the importance of including women in the development of climate policies and programmes to further boost communities' capacity to address the challenges of climate change.

Empowering women is not optional  it is central to creating sustainable, just, and resilient communities across the Global South, she added.

[*] Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.

[] Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council.

[] Council of European Bishops' Conferences.

[] Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania.
by Giuseppe Caffulli

While the worlds attention is focused on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, there is another vital economic resource that the war is seriously jeopardizing: the labor of nearly 40 million foreign workers, who make up the majority of the population in many local cities. A prolonged crisis, with a massive wave of returns, would also have serious consequences for the countries of origin in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and other Arab nations.

Milan (AsiaNews) - In recent days, the worlds attention has been focused on the economic repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East, with concerns over the blockade of oil and other goods transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. But there is also another global resource that the conflict is seriously jeopardizing, even though it is virtually absent from newspaper headlines: it is the labor of millions of people that has made possible the transformation of the Gulf into a major global hub.

In recent decades, the economic growth of the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) has been driven by a massive influx of foreign labor. Today, this region is home to one of the largest concentrations of migrant workers in the world: according to various estimates, between 35 and 40 million foreign nationals live and work in the area, largely from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and numerous Arab countries.

In many Gulf states, foreign workers actually make up the majority of the resident population. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, approximately 8890% of residents are foreigners, while in Qatar the percentage exceeds 80%. In Kuwait and Bahrain as well, migrant workers make up more than half the population. This economic model, which developed starting in the 1960s with the oil boom, has made the Gulf countries heavily dependent on migrant labor.

In this context, the worrying escalation linked to the war between Israel/the U.S. and Iran and the risk of direct involvement by the Gulf monarchies is raising questions about a scenario previously considered remote: what would happen if, as the conflict drags on and widens, millions of foreign workers were suddenly forced to leave the region and return to their countries of origin?

From a logistical standpoint, a large-scale evacuation would be extremely complex. Relocating tens of millions of people would require an unprecedented mobilization of commercial flights, ships, and reception facilities in the countries of origin. The first to leave would be highly skilled workers, specialized technicians, and expatriate families, followed over time by a portion of the less-skilled workforce employed in the most vulnerable sectors.

The economic consequences for the Gulf States would, in this case, be profound. Entire sectors of the economy (major infrastructure, construction, urban services, logistics, tourism, and domestic care) depend almost entirely on foreign workers. In Saudi Arabia, for example, major economic transformation programs such as Vision 2030 call for the construction of new cities, tourism infrastructure, and technology hubs. In this scenario, foreign labor is of vital importance.

Similarly, in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, numerous real estate and infrastructure projects continue to rely heavily on foreign workers. A sudden reduction in this workforce could slow down or halt numerous strategic construction sites, with immediate effects on economic growth and international investment.

But the negative impact would not be limited to the Gulf region. The workers countries of origin would also suffer significant repercussions. Countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Egypt rely heavily on remittances sent by their citizens employed in the Gulf. In some cases, these remittances represent one of the main sources of hard currency and contribute significantly to the economic stability of their respective countries.

The case of Egypt is particularly emblematic. Millions of Egyptian citizens work in Gulf economies, and remittances from abroad constitute a fundamental component of the national economy. A sudden, large-scale return could create a devastating imbalance in the domestic labor market, exacerbate unemployment, and reduce foreign currency revenues. It is true, however, that the return of migrants could also produce some positive effects in the long term. Professional skills acquired abroad and increased spending power could foster the emergence of new economic activities in the countries of origin. It remains to be seen over what timeframe and through what dynamics such a process might unfold, especially in fragile economic contexts.

The history of recent decades shows that migration flows in the Gulf are extremely sensitive to regional crises. During the 19901991 Gulf War, millions of workers left Kuwait and Iraq within a few months. However, in the years that followed, the regions economies quickly resumed attracting foreign labor, confirming how deeply the Gulfs productive system is intertwined with international labor mobility.

What must be emphasized is that the conflict with Iran is not merely a regional military clash but has a strong economic and strategic dimension. By striking or threatening the Gulf monarchies, Tehran aims to put Western allies (Europe in particular) under intense pressure, targeting the most sensitive point of the global economy: energy.

As we know, attacks on ports, refineries, or oil tankers are causing sharp fluctuations in energy prices and are effectively destabilizing international markets. For Tehran, this is no small objective. The central focus of this strategy is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the worlds most important maritime chokepoints, through which approximately one-fifth of the worlds oil passes. Hence the recent discussions about possible naval operations to ensure the security of trade routes and keep this strategic corridor open.

Unable to compete militarily with the West on a conventional level, Tehran is trying to make the conflict too costly for all parties involved. But instability in the Gulfa persistent crisis linked to severe stagnation in domestic economies, with the resulting flight of labor due to the conflictare factors that would affect more than just oil prices or the strategic balance of power in the Middle East. They would have significant direct repercussions, with consequences extending far beyond the Middle East, disrupting economic and social balances on a global scale.

Photo: Wikipedia / Alex Sergeev
According to Kabul, a drug rehab facility in the Afghan capital is also hit in the latest Pakistani airstrikes, with hundreds killed, while Islamabad denies targeting civilians. The escalation is part of Pakistan's "open war" against the Taliban, accused of supporting terrorist groups. India slammed the attack, while China continues to call for restraint.

Islamabad (AsiaNews)  At least 400 people have been killed and 250 wounded from a Pakistani airstrike at a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre that hosts thousands of patients, Taliban authorities have reported.

Pakistan has denied responsibility for what happened to the healthcare facility, stating instead that it successfully carried out precision airstrikes targeting Afghan Taliban regime terrorism-sponsoring military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar.

Overnight on 21-22 February, Pakistan launched an open war against the Taliban, accusing them of providing refuge and financial support to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani Taliban, which has carried various terror attacks aimed at turning Pakistan into an Islamic emirate modelled on Afghanistans.

This morning, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar shared footage of the attacks, saying that facilities used by the TTP and pro-independence groups in Pakistans Balochistan province were targeted.

Balochistan is a region bordering Iran and is at risk of being caught up by the ongoing wars. The Free Balochistan Movement, for example, last week released a statement backing Israeli and US attacks against Iran, fuelling concerns within the Pakistani security establishment.

In fact, weakening the Iranian regime could strengthen pro-independence groups in Pakistani Balochistan as well.

Italian NGO Emergency, active in various parts of Afghanistan, said that several wounded people were brought to its Kabul trauma centre.

Following the attacks, we received 27 patients in our hospital, and it became necessary to activate the mass casualty procedure," said Dejan Panic, Emergencys country director for Afghanistan.

A woman is also among the wounded, all adults. Two are in critical conditions. Unfortunately, three people arrived already dead. Most of the victims came from a drug rehabilitation centre. We ask that healthcare facilities be always respected and not become targets of attacks."

The situation, especially in the capital, has worsened in recent months, Panic noted. In another attack a few weeks ago, "several wounded people, including women and children, arrived at the NGO's hospital. The concern is that we will return to a situation like that before 2021," the director explained, referring to the war launched by the United States against Afghanistan.

In August 2021, the Taliban regained control of the country, but the security situation worsened after their victory over international forces, spurring various terrorist groups in the region to action.

One of the wounded in the Pakistani attack last night told Radio Hurriyat, a Taliban-affiliated news outlet, that Pakistani fighter jets also hit a target about 200 metres from the drug rehabilitation centre.

For their part, Taliban intelligence has urged local media to avoid reporting news of the deaths of Taliban officials, underlining that such media coverage could have serious consequences.

Over the weekend, Pakistan again targeted the city of Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, home to the Taliban's supreme leader. Hibatullah Akhundzada, who heads the group's most hardline faction, appears to have become one of the Pakistani government's main targets.

Last Friday, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned a series of attacks by Taliban drones saying that Kabul had crossed a red line by attempting to target our civilians.

The Pakistani military said it intercepted Afghan drones, but debris wounded two children in Quetta and several civilians in Kohat and Rawalpindi, headquarters of the Pakistani army.

India, which fought a brief war against Pakistan last year, strongly condemned Pakistans attack on Kabul.

This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target," said Indias Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan (Ramadan), a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible, it added.

Despite the concern, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has long discriminated against Indian Muslims, and, in some cases, persecuted them.

China, which has mining interests in Afghanistan and Pakistani Balochistan, has called for the safety of staff and organisations in both countries to be guaranteed. In the recent past, armed separatist groups have targeted Chinese nationals and investment projects in the Pakistani province.

In Beijing, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that China will continue to play a constructive role through its own channels to de-escalate tensions.

At the Ministrys daily press conference, spokesman Lin Jian expressed hope that the two countries will remain calm and exercise restraint and engage in face-to-face talks at the earliest possible opportunity to resolve differences through dialogue.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Tajikistan, a country with close ties to Tehran due to shared ethnic origins, views the conflict in the Middle East with concern. Local experts believe it will not be resolved by bombs and missiles, but will drag on for a long time on the ground.

Dushanbe (AsiaNews) - Tajik experts believe that the US and Israeli war against Iran  a country with which the Tajiks share close ties due to their Persian ethnic heritage  will not be resolved by bombs and missiles, but will drag on for a long time on the ground. The killing of many Iranian leaders, starting with Ayatollah Khamenei, is not enough to bring down the regime in Tehran, which is preparing for a protracted war.

As is well known, the justification for the war put forward by the Americans and Israelis concerns Irans rejection of the agreement to shut down its nuclear programme, and it is claimed that without the attacks of recent days, Iran would soon have acquired the capability to use nuclear weapons.

These claims appear contradictory in light of last years 12-day war, when the US had declared that the strikes carried out at that time had deprived Tehran of the ability to assemble nuclear weapons.

The Iranians, on the other hand, claim that it was the Americans who resorted to military action whilst diplomatic negotiations were still ongoing, and that the nuclear issue was merely a pretext, as Tehrans plans concerned only the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency had carried out its inspections, confirming that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons. Why, then, did the war begin, a war which for days now has been causing widespread destruction and casualties, and is dragging the whole world into a dangerous economic crisis?

The Tajik political scientist Rakhmatullo Abdulloev believes that the reason for the war lies in Irans independent policy, which runs counter to Western interests. In his view, the issues under negotiation were merely pretexts, whilst the real problem is that the West has no points of reference within Iran, no partners or agents to carry out its plans, and therefore the US and Israel are aiming for a complete overthrow of the regime in power in Tehran, which for almost fifty years has refused to yield to Western pressure.

The 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal, in which Western countries, Russia and Iran had all participated, was supposed to put an end to the disputes, but was scrapped on Donald Trumps initiative. According to Abdulloev, the US withdrawal from the agreement and the lack of reaction from France, the UK and Germany amounts to a veritable betrayal of Iran, demonstrating that the problem is not the nuclear issue, but the Iranians unacceptable policies.

The Tajik expert believes that Iran is fighting to support its own people, although in the long term the situation could change radically. Iran cannot remain in its current isolation for too long, and needs military, information and intelligence support from countries such as China, Russia and Pakistan. In the event of a ground operation, it is possible that volunteer units from these states could join the fight, and there are doubts about the ability of the Americans and Israelis to fight on Iranian soil, given the problems and heavy casualties of the wars in Afghanistan.

Another military expert from Tajikistan, Rustam Azizi, believes that Iran has already demonstrated on several occasions its ability to withstand protracted armed conflicts, despite heavy losses, and that bombs and missiles will not succeed in changing the regime or destroying Irans defence system and social cohesion. He highlights the presence of a large pool of Iranian military personnel, and the absence of a personality-based system of power.

The many leaders killed during the 12-day war were all replaced, and everything carried on as before; the same is happening following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, with the election of his son Mojtaba; a long war in the Middle East is therefore expected, with unpredictable consequences.
by Dario Salvi

Speaking to AsiaNews, Bishop Nahra describes the closure of sacred places as a form of death that people are experiencing. From COVID-19 to Gaza and the Iran war, a picture of a perpetual pandemic emerges. This is impacting children while critical issues remain within Israeli society, especially in the Arab community, torn by violence and murders. In parishes people want to come to church and pray, many of them young. In Israel, there has been widespread damage, but its not widely discussed. Some 80 Jewish and Arab groups sign an open letter for peace.

Milan (AsiaNews)  The closure of the Holy Sepulchre (and all the holy places) in Jerusalem has "a strong symbolic value" and "says a lot about the current reality" in which "people are not able to move easily" due to "the war, the repeated alarms, the sound of sirens, and the rush to shelters, said Mgr Rafic Nahra, auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) and patriarchal vicar for Israel since 2021.

The prelate spoke to AsiaNews about the current the situation more than two weeks after the start of the new war with Iran, which comes in the wake of the "12-day war" of last June.

The Holy Sepulchre mirrors this situation, insofar as it represents a form of death that people are experiencing," the prelate said, as they wait to see what will happen "during Holy Week and Easter. Before that there is also Passover; we shall wait to see how to act.

War pandemic

Daily life in Israel today seems to mirror what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people forced to spend a lot of their time at home or in shelters, with schooling disrupted.

"Our people," said Bishop Nahra, "are having a hard time coping with this entire succession of events; since 2020, with the coronavirus, everything has stopped. The first two years were due to the pandemic, then we had almost a year of normal life before the war in Gaza. Now that the most acute phase (of that war) seemed over, this other war with Iran has had a very serious impact."

The vicar's thoughts go out "to the children, who, with rare exceptions, have been studying on zoom since 2020. They spend much of their time learning on screens, and it's not a very effective method (in the long run), especially for the youngest," although the same "applies to adults as well."

"There's a lack of contact with classmates, friends, and teachers," the prelate explained, so "on a human level, it's a very difficult time." This is why, especially during Lent, "people pray a lot. We've noticed this since the start of the war in Gaza. In all the parishes, not just in some, fervent priests are able to attract the faithful.

In the end though, It's the people," he stressed, "who want to come more frequently, to pray more fervently. All the parishes, without major differences, are full, even young people. Living near the Basilica of Nazareth, I personally see how often many young people come seeking help and support in prayer, in God, and a refuge in the Church.

The Latin Patriarchate welcomes this influx of people "knowing that now, with the war, it's not easy to gather," Bishop Nahra added, "and there are limits on the number of people" one can meet.

"We are being careful," he explained, but at the same time, we're not telling them to stay home, because just as supermarkets are full as people seek material nourishment, it's equally important that churches be open to provide spiritual nourishment and comfort.

The relationship with God, like food, is also vital, which is why we welcome them while respecting the rules.

The humanitarian tragedy

Yesterday, the Dicastery for Oriental Churches released an appeal on behalf of the Collection for Christians in the Holy Land, an essential initiative to support the life of a community that, more than others, relies on pilgrimages and religious tourism, and is suffering the consequences of the war.

Starting in Gaza, even if it's not talked about much anymore, the situation hasn't changed and remains tragic, with Israel blocking the entry of basic necessities because Hamas is reportedly imposing a tax.

We try to help everyone as much as possible, so people can have food and medicine," the prelate said, but the reality in the territory "is disastrous. Even in the West Bank, there are critical issues, because they can't come to work in Israel while the cost of living is soaring, because the costs of the war have to be repaid one way or another.

Furthermore, some areas are more vulnerable to Iranian missile attacks or to Lebanons Hezbollah, such as Tel Aviv or the north of the country. Her, they are more exposed, and it's not possible to work peacefully and critical issues are greater.

This war-torn landscape also includes the violence by Jewish settlers in the Occupied Territories, supported and aided by the far-right government led by Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, which includes pro-settlement ministers.

Taybeh is among the hardest-hit places. The only entirely Christian village in the West Bank saw a new attack by settlers in the western area, said Father Bashar Fawadleh, the local parish priest (photos 3, 4).

They targeted public property, including a cement factory and a quarry. They also raised Israeli flags on the factory's tanks in a provocative act that angered residents, he told AsiaNews.

Against the backdrop of war and settler violence, faint voices of peace are also being heard, as evidenced by an open letter published yesterday by 80 Israeli Jewish and Arab organisations calling on Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump to end the war with Iran.

The organisations that signed the letter are part of the "It's Time" coalition, a broad alliance for peace and reconciliation in Israel. On 30 April, the coalition will hold a grassroots summit for peace in Tel Aviv, the largest anti-war event planned in Israel in 2026.

"It is important for activists and civil society (groups) to raise their voice for peace," Bishop Nahra noted, in response to "the drumbeat of war that is reverberating all around us.

Of course, politicians do not decide by listening to these appeals, but we must nevertheless make the cry of those who say 'enough' to war heard, for otherwise, the impression that everyone agrees with the military escalation would prevail.

Healing the wounds

"Few people talk about peace  or stress how war is bad, since the common position among Jews, or at least Israeli Jews, is to consider Iran an existential threat.

Although not everyone agrees "with the ways in which this war is being waged," the prevailing view is to consider it a duty, the need to defend ourselves before they attack. This is the broad opinion among Israeli Jews."

Meanwhile, the country is going through "difficult days, with the airport practically closed, few people allowed to leave, widespread damage, even if it's not widely discussed, with deaths and injuries. It's clear that the situation is critical and that the war is a disaster for everyone."

Then there is the issue of violence within Israeli Arab community, a minority of about 20 per cent compared to a Jewish majority of 80 per cent, where the number of murders is rising.

This is a terrible figure, even if it's less talked about now precisely because of the war with Iran, but up to a week ago, the number of people murdered since the start of the year had already reached 59, the patriarchal vicar said.

There is a problem in Arab society, and we need to work on education and culture," he explained. The police must also do their duty. It's not enough to say that Arabs are violent; we must address this violence and protect the innocent, who represent the vast majority.

Moreover, on a more general level, something is not right in the country as a whole, and, for now, the current far-right government is not helping to reduce the violence and heal the wounds.

As Holy Week and Easter approach, the need to celebrate, to listen to Jesus, is even greater, when he says that he came to be the light in the darkness. We must find the light in our relationship with Christ, in the sacraments, in mutual support, in rekindling the Easter message with even greater urgency than in previous years. And we must help people maintain their faith and hope."

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17 March 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Escalating tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz once again demonstrate how deeply global energy security remains tied to geopolitics. Despite rapid progress in renewable technologies and electrification in many countries, oil and gas continue to serve not only as energy sources but also as strategic tools capable of shaping international power dynamics.

The current crisis illustrates a broader question increasingly discussed among analysts - if alternative energy systems were more widely deployed, would strategic chokepoints such as Hormuz still carry the same geopolitical leverage?

Amid rising tensions with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump urged several major economies, including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, to deploy warships to help secure the strategic maritime passage. Trump argued that Irans military capabilities had already been severely degraded but warned that the country could still threaten shipping in the waterway through asymmetric tactics. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran could still send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close-range missile somewhere along, or in, this waterway.

He called on affected nations to participate in securing the route: Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others that are affected by this artificial constraint will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat, Trump wrote.

The U.S. president added that Washington would continue military operations along Irans coastline and support international partners participating in the mission, declaring that the United States would ensure the strait becomes open, safe and free.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz explains the urgency of these calls. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply and a significant share of liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow corridor each day, making it one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world.

Chinas energy transition may reduce energy vulnerability

While the crisis has triggered concerns across energy-importing economies, analysts note that China may be somewhat better positioned than during previous geopolitical shocks. Over the past decade, Beijing has pursued a deliberate strategy to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels by accelerating electrification and expanding renewable energy capacity. Reflecting this cautious approach, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China have called for de-escalation, stressing that all parties share responsibility for maintaining stable global energy supplies.

At the same time, Chinas position as the worlds largest crude oil importer has created a complex web of energy dependencies. The country imports roughly 1011 million barrels of crude oil per day, with around 65 percent coming from the Middle East, making maritime transport routes a critical component of its energy security.

The Strait of Hormuz represents the most significant vulnerability in this supply chain. An estimated 45 million barrels of crude oil destined for Chinese refineries pass through the waterway each day, accounting for the vast majority of Chinas seaborne oil imports. Any disruption to shipping in the strait would therefore create immediate logistical and financial challenges.

Rerouting tankers through longer Indian Ocean routes would significantly increase transport times and costs, potentially adding 1014 days to delivery schedules and raising shipping expenses by $1.503 per barrel. Such delays could place additional pressure on supply chains and energy markets during periods of geopolitical instability.

To mitigate these risks, China has built one of the worlds largest strategic petroleum reserve systems. Analysts estimate that the country holds around 900-950 million barrels of crude oil in government and commercial storage facilities, providing roughly two months of import coverage. Combined with the large volumes of oil constantly in transit to Chinese ports, these reserves provide a buffer that could help the country absorb short-term disruptions in global supply routes.

According to the International Energy Agency, Chinas demand for gasoline and diesel has already begun to decline despite continued economic growth, while total crude oil demand has largely plateaued. One of the most striking developments is the rapid expansion of electric mobility. More than half of all new cars sold in China last year were electric, reflecting the countrys aggressive push toward electrification.

At the same time, China has become the worlds largest installer of solar and wind power, adding more renewable capacity annually than the rest of the world combined. This transformation has steadily increased the share of electricity generated from non-fossil sources. As a result, Beijing is gradually shifting its economic structure toward an electricity-based energy system, which analysts say could reduce exposure to disruptions in maritime oil transport routes.

However, Chinas energy security strategy goes beyond renewables alone. Beijing has also invested heavily in strategic oil stockpiles, domestic coal production and flexible power infrastructure capable of responding to supply shocks. Many Chinese coal plants have been retrofitted to operate more flexibly, allowing them to ramp production up or down in response to fluctuations in power demand. This provides a fallback option if imported fuels become scarce.

China can also convert coal into liquid fuels and industrial feedstocks, partially replacing oil or gas in certain sectors. While this provides energy resilience, it could also lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, complicating the countrys climate goals. The Chinese government has pledged to reduce carbon intensity by 17 percent by 2030, although recent energy security concerns have slightly moderated the pace of planned reductions.

Ultimately, the Hormuz crisis highlights a deeper structural transformation underway in global energy systems. While oil remains a powerful geopolitical instrument, the rapid expansion of renewable energy, electrification and energy storage technologies is gradually altering the strategic landscape.

All of this underscores the growing importance of energy diversification and technological transformation. Countries that diversify their energy sources and reduce reliance on imported hydrocarbons may become less vulnerable to disruptions at maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.

As renewable technologies continue to expand globally, the ability of energy resources to serve as a geopolitical lever may gradually diminish, although the current crisis suggests that this transition is not yet complete.
17 March 2026 17:32 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

The threads within Irans system of governance are growing thinner by the day. Beginning on 28 February, during the first days of large-scale attacks on Iran by the joint forces of the United States and Israel, the assassination of Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, further accelerated the wave of targeted killings against leadership figures. However, the relative stability of the situation in Iran following Khameneis death, more precisely, the fact that the pillars of power did not entirely collapse, has added a somewhat different shade to perceptions about Irans future. Some believe that, given the abundance of alternatives for leadership positions in Iran, such operations will not significantly contribute to the plans of the United States and Israel.

Interestingly, in recent days, the killings of both high-ranking military generals and, according to the latest reports, figures at the highest levels of governance, including Ali Larijani, and the IRGCs Basij force commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, have returned the tempo to its previous intensity. This suggests that the United States believes that the central pillar of Irans governance, which has turned into a myth of invincibility, may at some point become fragile and collapse altogether.

It is also noteworthy that, according to earlier speculation, US President Donald Trump had shared a list of preferred candidates in Iran. Conversely, Ali Larijani was reportedly included in the list of leaders considered targets by the United States.

Trumps objective is not a total regime collapse, but rather a change within the regime through what he calls the Delcy Model. Referencing the 2026 extraction of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, he aims to bypass hardline successors such as Mojtaba Khamenei (whom he has explicitly rejected) in favour of a great and acceptable insider willing to surrender unconditionally and cooperate with Washington. While he has not publicly named a specific favourite, he appears to be seeking a pragmatic figure from within the existing establishment, potentially a more moderate cleric such as Hassan Khomeini or a technocrat, who could ensure the survival of the system while dismantling Irans nuclear programme and ending regional hostilities.

Let us take a closer look inside Iran.

As of March 2026, the main political figures in Iran are led by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed office on 8 March 2026. Key officials navigating the countrys power structure include President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and various security and clerical leaders within a complex, authoritarian, and largely conservative-controlled system.

Masoud Pezeshkian (President), elected in July 2024 following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, manages the day-to-day operations of government, although his authority is largely overshadowed by the Supreme Leader. Even according to some speculative views, Pezeshkian is considered the most neutral figure for the United States, and in the event of a regime transformation within Iran, he may have a significant chance of remaining in power.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (Parliament Speaker), a powerful conservative figure, IRGC general, and former mayor of Tehran who leads the legislative branch.

Ahmad Jannati (Guardian Council), who is the Secretary of the influential Guardian Council, and vets candidates for office and ensures that legislation complies with Islamic law.

Abbas Araghchi (Foreign Minister) is also a key figure handling foreign affairs. At the same time, according to Western analysts, Araghchi is seen as one of the most suitable figures for diplomacy, and there has been ongoing discussion about his secret yet episodic contacts with the U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff.

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei (Chief Justice): Head of the judiciary.

Sadiq Larijani, Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council.

And finally, Ali Larijani, who served as a key adviser to the supreme leadership and often acted as a bridge between factions, was killed as a result of the Israeli strike. Ali Larijani was one of the most significant allies of the Supreme Leader and a staunch defender of the radical theocratic system. For Israel, the presence of such figures poses an obstacle to the implementation of its future plans regarding Iran. It appears that, unlike the United States, Israel has no interest whatsoever in conducting negotiations with Iran in any form, and that the removal of key figures plays a crucial role in undermining the foundations of Irans theocratic structure.

Today, a serious question arises: to what extent does Iran plan to continue resisting the United States and Israel while sacrificing its leaders one by one?

If Iran continues to lose its leadership figures, this points either to a significant weakness in its security apparatus or to the ease with which espionage networks are operating within the country. In such a case, regardless of which alternatives Iran seeks to activate, it may be considered inevitable that its leading figures will become targets in the next phase.

Or perhaps Irans system itself is already beginning to collapse? For instance, many family members of Irans radical religious elite are today seeking refuge in the West. It is claimed that Ali Larijanis daughter, Fatemeh Ardeshir Larijani, emigrated to the United States in 2021 through a Green Card and has since worked there as a professor and doctor in the medical field, reportedly attempting to remain outside the political radar of her father and the Iranian regime. Similarly, Mahmoud Mouradkhani, the nephew of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has long opposed the Iranian regime and sought asylum in France.

All of this suggests that the relatives of Irans ruling elite are increasingly dissatisfied with the system, and, as the saying goes, a fish rots from the head. The reality that Irans authority is gradually eroding from within appears to be proving itself more and more with each passing day.
17 March 2026 16:58 (UTC+04:00)

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In 2025, Azerbaijans commodity exports fell by 7.4% to $24.1 billion, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA). The decline was largely driven by the oil and gas sector, which continues to dominate the countrys export structure. Exports of oil and gas products reached $20.6 billion, with ...

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17 March 2026 12:52 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Every year on March 2021, Azerbaijan celebrates one of its most ancient and beloved holidays - Novruz spring festival, AzerNEWS reports.

This festive occasion marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year according to the ancient solar calendar. It coincides with the spring equinox and symbolizes the awakening of nature, renewal, and the revival of life.

Preparation for Novruz begins nearly a month in advance, reflecting the gradual transition from winter to spring. During this period, people follow a series of traditions and rituals, the most important of which takes place on the final Tuesday before the holiday, known as Earth Tuesday.

On this day, bonfires are lit in courtyards, festive tables are set, and families gather together. It is also a time for reconciliation, when people are encouraged to forgive past disagreements and restore relationships. Candles are lit for each family member, neighbors visit one another, and warm holiday greetings are exchanged.

According to folklore, the weeks leading up to Novruz include four special Tuesdays, each dedicated to one of the natural elements: water, fire, wind, and earth. These elements symbolize the step-by-step awakening of nature, culminating in the full renewal represented by Novruz itself. In traditional belief, Tuesday holds a sacred meaning, as it is thought to be the day when the creation of the world began.

Fire and water rituals play a central role in the celebrations. Jumping over bonfires is one of the most recognizable customs, symbolizing purification and the release of past troubles. As people leap over the flames, they express the wish for their hardships to burn away, making space for happiness and well-being.

Afterward, the ashes are taken away from the home, representing the removal of misfortune. Water is also considered a source of cleansing and renewal. Early in the morning, people visit springs, collect fresh water, and make wishes for the coming year.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Novruz traditions is fortune-telling, especially among young people. A well-known custom is "ear divination," where individuals quietly listen at a neighbor's door and interpret the first words they hear as answers to their wishes.

Other rituals include eating salty bread before sleep to dream of a future partner, looking into a mirror by candlelight to glimpse one's destiny, and performing symbolic acts with rings, needles, or other objects to predict love and happiness. These traditions reflect a deep connection between hope, belief, and the unseen future.

Across different regions of Azerbaijan, Earth Tuesday is celebrated with unique local customs. In some areas, people sprinkle water around their homes and prepare traditional dishes, while in others, young people visit houses to receive sweets and gifts. In certain regions, red ribbons are tied to trees as a symbol of prosperity and abundance. Despite these regional differences, the spirit of the holiday remains the same everywhere.

There are also many beliefs associated with this day. Candles lit for each family member must not be blown out, and families often visit the graves of loved ones in the morning. In the evening, a festive table is prepared, sometimes in memory of those who have passed away.

Earth Tuesday is considered the joyful herald of Novruz, bringing energy, warmth, and excitement into every home. Bonfires light up the night, children revive old traditions, and families come together in celebration.

More than just a holiday, Novruz represents unity, renewal, and hope, reminding people to leave behind the hardships of the past and welcome a brighter, more prosperous future.
17 March 2026 15:10 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A special calendar has been prepared for 2026 in order to promote the rich architectural heritage of Azerbaijan within the framework of the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture, AzerNEWS reports.

This initiative was carried out at the Jafar Jabbarli Republican Youth Library. The calendar has been posted on the library's official website.

The electronic calendar features extensive information and rich photographic materials showcasing the architectural gems of the country.

The main goal of preparing the calendar is to introduce Azerbaijan's architectural heritage, increase the younger generation's interest in national and cultural values, and promote both ancient and modern architectural examples. Through this initiative, readers are provided with insights into the historical development of Azerbaijan's architectural traditions, as well as achievements in this field.

The calendar also includes the full text of the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, dated December 22, 2025. It provides detailed information about the Momina Khatun Mausoleum, one of the magnificent monuments created by the prominent architect Ajami Nakhchivani. In addition, it highlights significant architectural landmarks such as the Khudaferin Bridge, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the Maiden Tower, the Ateshgah Temple, and the Shaki Khan Palace.

The material prepared by the library staff also features buildings that reflect the modern architectural image of Azerbaijan, including the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Flame Towers, and the White City project.

Furthermore, readers are given comprehensive information about the Shusha Fortress, regarded as an important example of the country's historical and cultural heritage, as well as the Victory Monument, which symbolizes the historic victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War.

This calendar, reflecting both Azerbaijan's rich architectural heritage and its modern urban planning achievements, serves not only as a valuable source of information for readers but also as a meaningful contribution to the promotion of national and cultural heritage.
17 March 2026 15:59 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On March 29, Safarli Gallery will host a book presentation and an exhibition of illustrative works by the young Azerbaijani artist and writer Rustam Guliyev, who currently lives and works in the United States, AzerNEWS reports.

Guests will be introduced to his new book, "THE ARK OF OOMINOR". A traveler's handbook to another earth  a continuation of the talented author's creative journey, offering readers and viewers a glimpse into his own fantastic universe.

The exhibition will bring together illustrations created by the artist for the book and will serve as a kind of journey into a world of imagination, freedom, and self-discovery. The organizers note that it is not just an exhibition and book presentation but also an opportunity to experience a unique artistic reality born from the authors imagination.

Rustam Guliyev was born in Baku. His love for reading and creativity emerged early in childhood. His drawings stood out for their unusual technique and images of fantastic animals and birds. Remarkably, he created them instantlywithout preliminary sketches or preparation. A graduate of the Oxford art circle, he has repeatedly won awards at exhibitions. Among them, he was a laureate of the "On the Wings of Fantasy" competition by British Airways at the age of seven. At twelve, he decided to bring his invented characters to life and began writing stories. This marked the beginning of his creative path. By the age of seventeen, his works were presented at the Viyacelli Gallery in Paris, which also hosted the presentation of his first book, "Pauls-Lauls  a world not for humans."

Rustam received his higher education in Turkiye, graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Bilkent University. Later, he worked at the Baku Media Center before continuing his studies in the master's program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where exhibitions of his illustrations were also held.

The book presentation and illustration exhibition in Baku promise to be a vibrant event for art and fantasy enthusiasts, opening the door to the extraordinary world created by the imagination of this young author.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az,Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
17 March 2026 16:34 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Starting from March, a large-scale cultural touring program covering Baku and the regions will be launched at the initiative and organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, AzerNEWS reports.

The project is being implemented as the first systematic cultural tour initiative to unite the capital and regional areas under a single program while covering a wide geographical area across the country.

The March tour program will include the cities of Aghdam, Lachin, Ganja, and Mingachevir.

The Honored Collective, the Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Instruments operating under the International Mugham Center, will perform a concert program on March 16 at the Aghdam Mugham Center and on March 17 at the "LaCinema" cinema in Lachin.

On March 19, the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra and the Azerbaijan State Choir Chapel, both part of the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall, will perform at the Ganja State Philharmonic.

Meanwhile, on March 2829 in Mingachevir, performances will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Mingachevir State Drama Theater.

The program will feature the Symphony Orchestra, soloists, and choir of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
17 March 2026 16:44 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijan exported $4.22 million worth of goods to Armenia in February 2026, according to data from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

Representing approximately 0.12% of Azerbaijans total exports marks continued trade activity between the two countries after a prolonged period of limited economic exchange. No imports from Armenia to Azerbaijan were recorded during the same period.

The latest monthly export data follows January figures showing Azerbaijan exported around $2.4 million in goods to Armenia, including petroleum products such as RON95 petrol and diesel fuel as part of renewed commercial shipments after transit restrictions were lifted.

Trade between Baku and Yerevan has gained momentum amid ongoing efforts to normalize economic relations following the peace process between the two countries. Leaders from both sides have exchanged lists of goods for potential trade and discussed expanding commercial ties, with Armenian officials projecting that bilateral trade could eventually reach hundreds of millions of dollars if cooperation continues to deepen.

In late February 2026, another delivery from Azerbaijan to Armenia included 39 rail tank cars carrying about 4,500 tonnes of diesel fuel, reflecting growing practical links in energy and transport logistics across the region.
17 March 2026 10:21 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

In line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan continues the implementation of the Great Return program to its liberated territories, with new groups of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) resettling in several districts.

AzerNEWS reports that families who had been temporarily housed in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings across the country have now been relocated to their native villages. The latest phase of resettlement covers multiple locations, including the villages of Chldran, Asag Oratag, Heyval, Capar, and Hsnriz in the Aghdara district, the village of Khojavand in the Khojavand district, and Horovlu village in the Jabrayil district.

In total, 3 families (13 people) were resettled in Chldran, 21 families (108 people) in Asag Oratag, 7 families (34 people) in Heyval, 4 families (17 people) in Capar, and 6 families (29 people) in Hsnriz. Additionally, 11 families (36 people) moved to Khojavand village, while 30 families (131 people) were relocated to Horovlu.

Returning residents expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided to them. They also paid tribute to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, honoring the soldiers and officers who played a decisive role in liberating the territories, and offered prayers for those who lost their lives.

Speaking to the local media outlets, Mehman Ismayilov, a former IDP resettled in Asag Oratag village, said he was born in Aghdaras Bas Guneytp village in 1967 and is now returning to his homeland after decades of displacement. He expressed deep respect for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijans territorial integrity and thanked President Ilham Aliyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, for securing what he described as a historic victory.

We are now living with the joy of victory and will reside in our native lands as free citizens of an independent state, he said, adding that he firmly believes Azerbaijans independence is permanent, as once stated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Another returning resident, Heqiqet Ismayilova, who was displaced at the age of 32, said she is finally returning home after 34 years. She expressed gratitude for being provided with housing and the opportunity to resettle in her native village, while offering prayers for the fallen soldiers and wishing good health to war veterans.

Similarly, Nusab Azizova, who became displaced at the age of 38 and is now returning to Hsnriz village at 68, shared her emotional joy at being reunited with her homeland. She thanked the Azerbaijani leadership for making the return possible and extended her best wishes to veterans who contributed to the liberation of the territories.

The ongoing resettlement process marks another step in Azerbaijans broader efforts to restore life, rebuild infrastructure, and ensure sustainable development in the territories regained after the 2020 war.
17 March 2026 10:31 (UTC+04:00)

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov @Bayramov_Jeyhun . They exchanged views on the latest developments in the ongoing regional situation and discussed bilateral matters of mutual pic.twitter.com/lyFB69PwGK

During the call, the ministers exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest.

According to AzerNEWS , the information was shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on its official account on the X (formerly Twitter) platform.

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17 March 2026 13:11 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

A delegation from the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA) has paid an official visit to Chad, aiming to strengthen cooperation in digital development and promote Azerbaijans technology exports, AzerNEWS reports.

The delegation included senior representatives from state-owned companies and technopark residents. The visit took place at the invitation of Chads Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalization of Administration, Michel Boukar.

During the visit, IRIA officials held an official meeting with Chads Prime Minister, Allamaye Halina. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in innovation, education, and digital transformation. Both sides explored opportunities for exporting Azerbaijani digital products, launching joint projects, and exchanging expertise.

In a separate meeting with Minister Boukar, the parties reviewed Chads ongoing and planned digital initiatives, as well as strategic priorities in innovation and digitalization. Talks also covered collaboration opportunities under existing memorandums between Azerbaijan and Chad, particularly in developing innovation ecosystems, building digital infrastructure, digitizing public services, and broader government engagement.

The IRIA delegation also met with senior officials from several Chadian ministries and government agencies. These discussions highlighted potential cooperation in areas such as digital government infrastructure, cybersecurity, and innovation.

Azerbaijans technopark representatives participating in the visit presented their solutions and explored export opportunities for digital products in the Chadian market.

The primary goal of the visit was to promote Azerbaijani digital solutions in Chad, support their export, and assess opportunities for implementing large-scale projects. The initiative also aims to establish long-term digital cooperation between the two countries.
17 March 2026 12:17 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

The World Urban Forum serves as a vital platform bringing together governments, communities, and investors to address pressing urban challenges,many of which remain significant and complex.

As reported by AzerNEWS, speaking at the WUF13 - Private Sector Briefing Session today, Anna Soave, Head of the UN-Habitat Country Programme in Azerbaijan, emphasized the urgency of these issues.

According to Soave, more than 3 billion people worldwide live in inadequate conditions, a reality that negatively impacts both public health and the global economy.

Cities must adapt to rapid transformations, she said. We need to recognize that cities are the main driving force behind a sustainable future. Hosting WUF13 is of special importance for Azerbaijan and positions Baku as a global hub.

She also noted the growing scale of participation in recent forums, with 25,000 attendees at WUF12 in Cairo and 17,000 at WUF11.

Soave added that this year Azerbaijan aims to significantly expand private sector participation in the forum. WUF13 will also provide companies in the country with an opportunity to contribute to solving global challenges, she said.
17 March 2026 15:47 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received a delegation led by Baik Joohyeon, Special Representative of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, AzerNEWS reports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the development prospects of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, education, high technology, and other sectors. They emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral relations and intensifying mutual visits. The meeting also highlighted the significance of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation between the governments and regular political consultations between the foreign ministries. Officials noted with satisfaction that 2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The discussion included Azerbaijans large-scale energy and transport projects, plans for exporting alternative energy, and cooperation with Central Asian countries, particularly within the C6 format. Both sides stressed the importance of enhancing interregional connections, transportation and logistics infrastructure, and deepening economic partnerships.

Minister Bayramov also briefed the delegation on the post-conflict situation in the region and ongoing reconstruction efforts in liberated areas. Regional and international security issues, including developments in the Middle East, were also discussed. South Korea expressed deep gratitude for Azerbaijans support in facilitating the evacuation of its citizens from Iran through Azerbaijani territory. Other issues of mutual interest were also addressed during the meeting.
17 March 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Chinas Hua Hong Group Corporation, the countrys second-largest contract semiconductor manufacturer, has developed technologies to produce advanced chips optimized for artificial intelligence applications. This marks a major milestone in Beijings effort to reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor technology, AzerNEWS reports.

A division of Hua Hong, Huali Microelectronics Corporation, is preparing to launch a 7-nanometer (7nm) process technology at its factory in Shanghai. Until now, SMIC Corporation was the only Chinese manufacturer capable of producing microchips at this level of miniaturization, making Huali the countrys second player in the ultra-advanced semiconductor market.

Official details about the project remain scarce: production efficiency, yield rates, and the full list of equipment suppliers have not been disclosed. However, sources indicate that Huawei Technologies, which collaborates closely with Huali, played a pivotal role in the development of this 7nm technology.

The project is supported by a domestic ecosystem: local hardware companies, including the Huawei-backed startup SiCarrier, provide research and development support. Early customers have already begun testing the new production line. For example, Chinese GPU developer Biren is using Hualis 7nm facility to create physical chip prototypes before scaling up for mass production.

The new 7nm production will be based at Hua Hong Fab 6 in Shanghai, a factory that previously manufactured logic chips using more mature 22nm and 28nm processes. Huali aims to reach an initial output of several thousand silicon wafers per month by the end of this year, with plans for further expansion in the coming years.

The key challenge remains the profitability of 7nm production. Analysts note that SMIC currently produces 7nm chips using previous-generation immersion lithography machines from Dutch company ASML, and the yield of usable chips is extremely low, making production expensive. Huali will need to overcome similar technical and economic hurdles to make the new facility commercially viable.

If successful, this development could reshape Chinas domestic semiconductor industry, strengthening its self-sufficiency in AI and high-performance computing chips  a critical technology area amid ongoing global supply chain tensions.
16 March 2026 19:06 (UTC+04:00)

On March 16, a session of the Coordination Headquarters for the Centralized Resolution of Issues in the Liberated Territories of Azerbaijan was held in Khojavend, chaired by Samir Nuriyev, Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

AzerNEWS reports that during his visit to Khojavend, members of the Coordination Headquarters were presented with a development concept for the infrastructure of Azikh Cave, one of the regions most important archaeological sites.

Officials were also briefed on ongoing archaeological research in the area, highlighting the significance of preserving cultural heritage while promoting sustainable development in the liberated territories.
17 March 2026 11:02 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) may release additional oil to global markets if needed, the agencys Executive Director Fatih Birol said, warning that recovery could take time even if shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports.

I very much hope that the situation will stabilize soon and the markets will be able to begin the recovery process. But, of course, we must be prepared for the fact that this may take some time, Birol said in a video message.

The IEA has already announced the release of 411.9 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in a bid to stabilize global prices. According to Birol, this move will reduce member states reserves by about 20%. In total, IEA countries hold more than 1.2 billion barrels in strategic reserves, along with an additional 600 million barrels in state-owned industrial reserves.

Birol also noted that non-member partner countries such as India, Colombia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam could join coordinated releases if necessary.

The developments come after military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran led to restrictions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage linking the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. The disruption pushed Brent crude oil prices to their highest level since March 2022.
17 March 2026 11:06 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Pakistans military carried out overnight airstrikes targeting Taliban-linked sites in Kabul and Afghanistans Nangarhar Province, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

Speaking to media, Pakistans Information and Broadcasting Minister Ataullah Tarar said the strikes were aimed at military facilities, ammunition depots, and infrastructure allegedly used to support terrorist groups.

However, authorities in Afghanistan strongly rejected Pakistans account, accusing it of striking a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul instead of military targets.

Afghan officials reported significant casualties, claiming that up to 400 people were killed and around 250 others injured in the attacks.

The incident has further heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries, with sharply differing narratives over the nature and impact of the strikes.
17 March 2026 11:23 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

At least 13 large oil tankers have loaded crude at Kharg Island, Irans main export terminal, since the start of military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to a report by the Financial Times, AzerNEWS reports.

The report states that around 24 million barrels of Iranian oil have been shipped through the Strait of Hormuz during this period.

Data from energy analytics firms indicate that Iran has been loading approximately 1.51.6 million barrels of oil per day onto tankers since the escalation began, generating an estimated $140 million in daily revenue.

Israeli air strikes have targeted three neighborhoods in Beirut, while the Israeli army reports launching new attacks on Tehran, Iran.

Missile and drone strikes continue to hit the Gulf region and beyond, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait reporting interceptions. An Amnesty International investigation blames the US for an attack on an Iranian primary school that killed at least 170 people, mostly schoolgirls.

Germany states it has no plans to join the US-Israeli war, and Europes foreign policy chief says EU nations have no appetite to send forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, where Iran claims to have closed access to our enemies.

Hezbollah fighters are reportedly fighting intense battles in southern Lebanon against Israeli troops, as Israel sends ground forces into its northern neighbor following weeks of deadly bombings in Lebanese territory.
17 March 2026 12:35 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Russia may be laying the groundwork for a potential incursion into eastern Estonia by promoting a coordinated propaganda campaign centered on the border city of Narva, according to intelligence assessments cited by Bild, AzerNEWS reports.

The report references statements by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, who warned that the situation bears similarities to the early stages of the Russias annexation of Crimea and broader aggression against Ukraine in 2014.

According to the report, Russian-linked social media channels have for several weeks promoted narratives calling for the creation of a so-called Narva Peoples Republic. Narva, a city of about 50,000 residents located on Estonias eastern border, has a predominantly Russian-speaking population.

Estonian intelligence services reportedly view this information campaign as a potential precursor to destabilization efforts, echoing tactics used ahead of Russias actions in Ukraine more than a decade ago.

Since early March, posts circulating on social media have called for the distribution of leaflets, acts of sabotage, and even armed mobilization in support of the proposed entity. Propaganda messages have included slogans such as Russians, we are not alone! and references to extending Russian land across northeastern Estonia.

Maps and flags depicting the alleged republic have also been shared, further fueling concerns over coordinated influence operations aimed at inciting unrest in the region.
17 March 2026 14:34 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Israels defence minister, Benny Gantz, has just claimed that Irans security chief Ali Larijani, has been killed, a report that has sent shockwaves through regional capitals and global capitals alike. Tehran has yet to comment, and details remain unconfirmed. But to grasp the potential significance of this claim, it helps to understand the man at its centre: a figure who embodied the complexities, contradictions, and intellectual currents of the Islamic Republic itself.

Larijani was a firebrand revolutionary or an ideologue of the hard right. He was a product of privilege and pedigree in a country where both heritage and political acumen matter profoundly. Born in 1958 in Najaf, Iraq, into one of Irans most influential families, he moved early into the heart of the Islamic Republics elite.

His family, sometimes described, with more than a touch of journalistic hyperbole, as the Kennedys of Iran, has woven itself through the fabric of the state for decades. His father was a highranking Shiite cleric; his brothers have presided over judiciary, academic and policy institutions. One brother, Mohammad Javad Larijani, became a trusted presidential adviser and foreign policy voice; another, Sadiq, spent a decade leading the judiciary before becoming chairman of the advisory council; and yet another carved out influence in health and higher education.

His marriage, at the age of 20, to Farideh Motahari, daughter of a close confidant of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, anchored him deeper within the revolutionary elite. Larijani was, in every sense, bred for influence.

Yet his path to power was not purely dynastic. Unlike many peers whose credentials were forged only in the crucible of clerical seminaries, Larijani combined an aristocratic religious background with a rigorous secular education. He earned degrees in mathematics and computer science at Sharif University of Technology, Irans premier technical school, before turning to philosophy. His doctoral work, unusual among Iranian powerbrokers, focused on Immanuel Kant, and he later published extensively on Kants philosophy, exploring the relationship between mathematical proof, metaphysics and rational inquiry.

That intellectual curiosity was, to some Western observers, a paradox. Kant is a pillar of Enlightenment thought, a secular system that seems, at first glance, at odds with the theological foundations of the Islamic Republic. But Larijanis philosophical work was not an exercise in Western emulation. Instead, he sought to reinterpret Kant through an Islamic lens, arguing that religious thought and science each pursue truth in their own domains and challenging rigid demarcations, such as the idea that only falsifiable scientific theories are meaningful.

This nuanced worldview echoed in his political career. After the 1979 revolution, he served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before entering government. He held posts including culture minister and later director of the state broadcaster IRIB, positions that deepened his understanding of the interplay between ideology, media and power.

In 2005, Larijani became secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and Irans chief nuclear negotiator, a role in which he helped shape Tehrans posture amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel. Although he stepped down from that role in 2007, he reentered the political arena in 2008 as a member of parliament, quickly rising to become speaker, a position he held for three consecutive terms. During this time he was a key figure in securing parliamentary approval for the 2015 nuclear deal, a moment that underscored his reputation as a pragmatic operator willing to bridge hardline concerns with diplomatic engagement.

After a brief period away from frontline politics, he returned in August 2025 to lead the national security council again, a testament to his enduring influence and the regard in which he was held within Irans ruling circles.

Amid a region plagued by conflict and shifting alliances, Larijanis death, if confirmed, would mark the end of a chapter in Tehrans strategic calculus. He was, for decades, a bridge between Irans revolutionary ethos and its efforts to navigate a hostile international landscape, a thinker at ease both with complex philosophy and the raw realities of geopolitics.

And in a system often dominated by clerics and generals, he stood out as a measured intellect, a strategist shaped by logic, faith and a lifetime within the corridors of power.
17 March 2026 21:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

During excavations at the ancient site of Nessana in the Israeli Negev Desert, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a 1,400-year-old church, AzerNEWS reports.

Research led by scientists from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Nitzan National Park indicates that this site was once a significant hub for Christian pilgrims. Among the churchs most remarkable features is a mosaic floor, still preserved today, adorned with intricate and colorful patterns. The excavations also revealed a hospice for travelers and a bathing complex, suggesting the site was well-equipped to welcome pilgrims.

Experts noted that during the Byzantine period, Nessana was a key stop along the pilgrimage route to Mount Sinai. Some of the mosaics even feature inscriptions and symbolic motifs that provide rare insights into the religious life and artistic traditions of the time.

Interestingly, the discovery offers a glimpse into how early Christian communities in the Negev blended spirituality, hospitality, and art, making Nessana not just a religious site but also a cultural crossroads in the desert.
17 March 2026 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

U.S. chipmaker Nvidia unveiled a range of new artificial intelligence (AI) innovations across graphics, computing infrastructure, and software at its annual GTC developer conference, which opened Monday in San Jose, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

One of the highlights was a new AI-powered graphics rendering technology called DLSS 5. Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang said the technology can significantly improve image realism while reducing the computational load on hardware.

According to Nvidia, DLSS 5 represents a major leap in visual fidelity for games. It combines traditional 3D rendering techniques with generative AI models that can predict and automatically fill in missing visual details. This allows GPUs to create richer, more lifelike images while maintaining high performance.

Twenty-five years after NVIDIA invented the programmable shader, we are reinventing computer graphics once again, Huang said. DLSS 5 is the GPT moment for graphicsblending handcrafted rendering with generative AI to deliver a dramatic leap in realism while preserving creative control for artists.

On the hardware side, Nvidia also announced plans to launch its next-generation AI computing system, Vera Rubin, later this year. The company stated that the system includes roughly 1.3 million components and could deliver up to ten times better performance per watt compared to its predecessor, the Grace Blackwell platform. Such improvements are especially important as data centers face rising energy demands from large-scale AI models.

In software, Nvidia introduced a new stack called NemoClaw, designed to support the development and deployment of AI agents on the OpenClaw platform. This reflects a broader industry trend toward autonomous AI systems capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human input.

Interestingly, experts note that Nvidias latest announcements highlight a shift in the industry: AI is no longer just enhancing graphics or computingit is becoming deeply integrated into how digital worlds are created, simulated, and experienced in real time.
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BENNINGTON  The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation has announced that significant historic preservation and restoration projects are underway at five state-owned historic sites, including the Bennington Battle Monument.

The 2026 project slate represents a continued investment in the stewardship of Vermonts diverse heritage, according to a media release. Following recent years of record-breaking attendance at state sites, these updates focus on long-term structural integrity, historical authenticity, and accessibility. New exhibits are planned at many of the sites once these restoration projects are completed.

At the Battle Monument in Old Bennington, archaeological work will be undertaken on Monument Circle to uncover new information regarding the storehouse that prompted the 1777 Battle of Bennington," the release states, adding, This research provides a deeper look at the history of the site where the monument was later constructed in 1889.

The military stores were a key objective of British forces sent to this area by Gen. John Burgoyne, whose invading army was moving down from Canada toward Albany, New York, during the summer of 1777.

After the contingent was repulsed in August at Walloomsac, New York, before reaching Bennington, American forces eventually surrounded Burgoynes entire army near Saratoga, New York, and forced a surrender in October 1777.

Proposals sought

State Historic Preservation Officer Laura V. Trieschmann said this week in an email, We are in the process at present of preparing the request for proposals for the archaeology work, which is expected to take several weeks this spring/summer once contracted. It will be highlighted for visitors.

Trieschmann added, Additionally, we continue to monitor the moisture/temperature, possibility of seismic activity, and remove loose materials while checking on existing cracks. These activities shall be ongoing while the [Monument] historic site is open.

There are no plans for 2026 related to restoration, she said, referring to a multi-year effort to restore the 306-foot stone-walled obelisk and address moisture-related impacts.

The Monuments elevator is being inspected by a nationally renowned elevator engineering company which is preparing short- and long-term recommendations, she said. It is our hope to get the elevator running for the 2026 season, but safety of visitors comes first and we need to ensure the elevator is fully functional and safe.

In addition, Trieschmann said, We will be hosting a community presentation and outreach/listening session in Bennington related to the Monument. I believe the tentative date is April 29. Our historic sites open May 22.

Other state projects are underway at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, the Senator Justin S. Morrill State Historic Site in Strafford; the Old Constitution House State Historic Site in Windsor; and the Theron Boyd State Historic Site in Quechee.

Our state-owned historic sites are more than just landmarks; they are the physical storytellers of Vermonts past, Trieschmann said. By initiating these major preservation efforts now, we are fulfilling our mission to protect these irreplaceable assets so they may continue to inspire and educate the public for another century.

While construction is ongoing at the sites, information for visitors will be provided on the official State Historic Sites website concerning updated hours of operation and any site-specific access notices before visiting.
PITTSFIELD  Hara Charlier made a strong, positive impression in her recent visit to Berkshire Community College as a finalist to be the schools next president.

So strong, in fact, that the BCC board of trustees vote to recommend her as the schools eighth president was unanimous.

Asked to speak for a favorite among the four finalists, the trustees wasted little time: Each declared Charlier as the strongest candidate due to her experience in academic leadership, her communication skills and connections with students and staff, and her understanding of BCCs strengths and future challenges.

The formal appointment will be made by the state Board of Higher Education. It's expected Charlier will work with Kennedy to transition into the role before formally starting on July 1.

We have excellent candidates, but she just clearly rose above in every category, trustee Melissa Myers said.

The vote ends a search process that began with BCCs current president, Ellen Kennedy, announcing in September that she would be retiring after 14 years at the helm of the commonwealths first community college. A search committee appointed by the trustees handled the job description and initial stages of the search before finalists were selected. Finalists visited campus for interviews in the past several weeks.

Moments after the meeting ended, board of trustees Chairperson Julia Bowen left the room to call Charlier, the president of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minn., and tell her the board had chosen her unanimously.

She says shes excited, Bowen said when she returned, to cheers from fellow trustees and staff members gathered in the basement conference room of the Susan B. Anthony Center.

Reached by phone at home in Minnesota, Charlier made that enthusiasm clear. While she is grateful to have worked with amazing people in Minnesota, shes looking forward to the next chapter at BCC, which she called a special place.

Charlier, who got her start in higher education teaching biology, microbiology, physiology and anatomy, hailed BCCs work in building relationships with students and the community.

The commitment to student success and community resonated through every conversation," Charlier said of BCC. I could not help but want to be a part of that.

Trustees noted that surveys of stakeholders who heard Charlier speak and answer questions showed strong support of her across the board, and by far the best feedback of the four finalists.

She knew how to ask hard questions of us, Bowen said. And that is what I want in our president, someone who can celebrate all the greatness on this campus, and who can also recognize [challenges] because she actually has that outsider perspective. ... I think [that] would just be incredibly valuable for us.

We know from all the collective feedback that [Charlier] really stood out, not only for leadership, her vision, trustee Michele Rivers-Murphy said. But she said being the chief storyteller of a community college like BCC is a privilege.

Catheryn Chacon Ortega, the appointed alumni representative to the board, said she put herself in students' shoes when considering which finalist was best-suited for the role.

"I think [Charlier] will be a person that will be opening doors to me, to my community, to the immigrant community, to everybody," she said.

Charlier has served as president of Central Lakes College, a part of the 33-institution Minnesota state college system, since 2016. According to a press release from BCC, Charliers leadership at Central Lakes has included enrollment gains, modernizing facilities and launching more than 20 new academic programs.

Charlier holds a bachelor's in animal science from Cornell University, a master's in microbiology from Miami (Ohio) University, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University.
This story has been updated to clarify that the BSO has chosen not to renew Nelsons' contract.

When the Boston Symphonys Music Director Andris Nelsons arrives at Symphony Hall on Tuesday to begin rehearsals for the final two weeks of the classical season, hes likely to get a rousing solidarity standout from the orchestra players.

In his 13th year leading the BSO, Nelsons retains honeymoon devotion and support from the musicians  unlike some maestros who start wearing out their welcome in their second decade of leadership.

But without any involvement or advance notice to the 92-plus players, the board of trustees and President/CEO Chad Smith announced on March 6, late on a Friday afternoon, that Nelsons evergreen contract would not be renewed at the end of the 2027 Tanglewood season.

The news sent shock waves through the orchestra, especially since no specific reason was cited in the brief announcement other than that Nelsons was not aligned with the managements future vision.

The conductor issued a statement assuring the orchestra that the rupture with the CEO and trustees was not what he wanted or anticipated.

The fallout is one of the greatest crises facing the BSO since it was founded in 1881, according to The New York Times.

Smith told The Times last Friday that the decision not to renew Nelsons' contract was not sudden.

While this feels abrupt, and we sense the anger and frustration at the moment, he told the Times, this was a very deliberate process that the board went through and the decision was very deliberate.

The board's decision was due to a lack of agreement on how to resolve serious challenges, "including a 40 percent decline in attendance over the past two decades, mounting deficits and a need to deal with $90 million worth of deferred maintenance at Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood," according to the Times.

Since the pandemic, overall attendance for orchestral programs at both venues remains down about 20 percent, according to published reports.

We are, like many arts organizations, facing an inflection point where what has worked in the past is not working going forward, Smith told the Times. The decision that the board made to not renew was about focusing on looking ahead.

The Eagles review of the nonprofit BSOs most recent available tax records showed a net income loss of $6.6 million, based on nearly $124 million of expenses and $117 million of revenue for the fiscal year ending in August 2024.

Losses totaled $17.4 million the previous year, while, prior to the pandemic, losses and surpluses varied year by year going back to 2011.

But the orchestras endowment has been pegged at $536 million, likely the largest in its field.

The pushback from BSO musicians has been intense.

Boston Symphony violinist Tatiana Dimitriades, who joined the orchestra in 1987, wrote on Facebook that the decision not to renew was a deliberate humiliation of the Music Director and a complete disrespect to the orchestra.

Several players called the BSO action a decapitation of their maestro, who is considered one of the leading conductors in the U.S. and Europe. Hes also music director of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in Germany and frequently guest conducts the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic, two of the worlds greatest orchestras.

Its common for in-demand conductors to hold two major podium positions. Nelsons conducted the BSO for 16 weeks during the 2025-26 season, including four weeks at Tanglewood  as much if not more than the orchestras previous music directors.

Despite that, he was described as spread too thin and unable to attract large audiences to Symphony Hall during the subscription season, according to a trustee who spoke to The Eagle confidentially.

The leader of the Players Committee, double-bassist Todd Seeber, who joined the BSO in 1998, said he was blindsided by the abrupt and unheralded termination of Nelsons contract.

The symphonys players delivered a blistering critical formal letter addressed to Barbara Hostetter, the philanthropist who heads the board of trustees, the board members and BSO leadership.

Citing alarm about the course the organization is pursuing, the letter obtained by The Eagle from a BSO insider declares that, We know of no other instance in the modern classical music world in which a conductor of this stature, in the prime of his career, who is respected by the orchestra and admired by audiences worldwide while leading performances of exceptional distinction, is terminated without the voice of the orchestra being considered, sought or heard.

The BSO musicians asserted that this troubling unilateral artistic decision made by the Board effectively destroys both trust and confidence in the Board and Management.  That this decision occurred without any engagement with the musicians signals a complete disenfranchisement of the orchestra from the most critical artistic decisions. The musicians of the BSO are strongly opposed to the characterization that the orchestra and Maestro Nelsons were not aligned in vision.

The players contend that the decision will discourage top-tier players from auditioning and will have a chilling effect on the ability to attract a top-tier Music Director. We have great concern that we will lose our most devoted audiences.

Citing a deep dysfunction, the musicians called for rebuilding trust and securing a future in which the orchestra remains at the center of a cohesive, and sustainable organization. The Players are career stakeholders who want the BSO to succeed.

A work-in-progress strategic plan for the orchestras future does not mention Nelsons nor the music directors position, referring obliquely to Conductors as just one cohort in the forward-looking scenario.

A draft of the plan, released to The Eagle by a BSO source, lists enhancing connections between Tanglewood and Symphony Hall, positioning the Boston venue for restoration and revitalization as a year-round cultural hub fostering inclusivity and broader engagement while enhancing community connections and contemporary programming.

The plan also envisions building on orchestral excellence, celebrating diversity and innovation through artistry, deepening audience engagement and relevance, and elevating Tanglewood as a center of creativity where artists connect with one another, with audiences and with enablers of innovation.

According to the musicians letter citing longstanding concerns about the current strategic direction, the players did not vote to support the strategic plan.

Individual musicians have posted strongly worded protests.

I am devastated, heartbroken, angry and incredulous, wrote Lorna McGhee, a key player as the recently hired principal flutist who made her Tanglewood debut last summer.

To work with Andris is to work at the pinnacle of our profession, she stated on Facebook. He is one of the most sought-after, highly respected music directors the world over. He is the deepest, most humble, most sincere, truest musician I have ever worked with. Working with him at the BSO has been the artistic highlight of my life.

McGhee said that the decision not to renew Andris tenure is a form of artistic suicide. It represents the greatest squandering of artistic capital I have ever witnessed. I believe we are making a terrible mistake.

Contending that Nelsons has been subjected to very public humiliation, she questioned her decision to come to the BSO and how long she should stay.

In a separate letter to the trustees, double-bassist Tom Van Dyck, who joined the BSO in 2013, warned that the breakdown [of] trust that has resulted from this action is in all likelihood irreparable.

Violist Michael Zaretsky, hired by the late music director Seiji Ozawa in 1973, wrote that playing under the baton of Andris Nelsons for the past 13 years has easily been one of my greatest joys. An artist of his magnitude, warmth, musical acumen and pure commitment to artistic excellence stands out among active conductors of his generation.

Zaretsky, an emigre from the former Soviet Union chosen by Leonard Bernstein to study at Tanglewoods summer institute in 1973, declared that the termination of Andriss contract, when the bond between orchestra and conductor is undeniably at its highest, is nothing less than a complete erosion of the BSOs traditions and values, as well as embarrassing and hurtful. At a time we should celebrate and elevate the contributions Maestro Nelsons has made to sustaining the BSOs world-class reputation, we are instead left asking why he will not be leading the orchestra into its future.

In what may be viewed as a significant harbinger of things to come at the BSO, Chad Smith, then the newly hired CEO, was quoted in the corporations 2023-24 annual report as stating: Internally, change is hard, but change happens by making change. Its going to take investment, and a lot of listening and experimenting. But now is when we have to take the big swings.
While his name may be as Irish as Donegal tweed, Philip ORourke didnt start out life with a lot of Ireland in him.

Now, though, he feels that connection keenly. On Sunday, he was wearing a kelly green sweater with the word Ireland knit in white across the front.

It was through his daughter, Jennifer Darbys devotion to Irish step dance, that his wife, Paula (Belsito) and ORourke became more attached to, and involved in, the Irish-American community.

For their contributions to keeping alive Irish tradition through Paulas embroidery, and for his devotion to the community through his handiwork, time and labor on the Berkshire Carousel, the couple was named Berkshire Countys Irish American of the Year by the Irish American Club.

He stuck to it, and he made sure the idea, the goal, didnt die, said Kevin Cahill, president of the Irish American Club. Cahill said he admires ORourkes kindness, patience and his willingness to be engaged.

ORourke accepted the honor Saturday at the Elks Club in Pittsfield. It included the bestowing of a shillelagh with a brass plaque inscribed with both his and Paula's names. ORourke would have liked to share the honor with Darby as well.

Admitting his nervousness, ORourke, 76, told the audience of 80 that he worried that if he spoke before dinner, people might lose their appetite, but that if he spoke afterward, it could be worse.

ORourke of Pittsfield literally fashioned each of the carousel horses, as well as the three rides at the carousel and a single donkey. The project took more than 10 years and was executed in several different venues and with the help of volunteers who carved, sanded and painted.

The first venue was a ridiculously small shop along Merrill Road, ORourke recalled. And the place was inadequate by any stretch of the imagination. We moved probably a half a dozen times, and each time we had to tear down the shop we had created, set up a new shop.

Since finishing, hes continued his commitment to the carousel, volunteering at the gate when the carousel is open. He said he enjoys sharing the stories of the horses with riders.

In addition, he restored a large carving of a lion, the symbol of St. Mark at St. Marks of Pittsfield, at the request of his priest. He felt honored to be able to restore it to its original beauty. It's now on display at Father Leonard Hall.

ORourke was born in Lackawanna, N.Y., the son of Gerald and Louise ORourke, who were both from outside of Scranton, Pa., in coal country. The couple moved to Lackawanna, outside of Buffalo where his father worked for Bethlehem Steel doing shift work, which is very disruptive. His mother stayed home raising five children, of which O'Rourke was the fourth.

It's not an easy way of life, and they never made a lot of money, but we never felt like we were poor, he said. We were treated very, very well.

His first jobs were delivering the Buffalo Evening News and working in the gift shop at the Basilica.

I hated high school, I really did, ORourke said. And there was one teacher in my senior year who taught drafting really changed my attitude about teachers and school.

ORourke went to Our Lady of Victory grammar school and attended church at the Basilica. He graduated from Bishop Timon High School and studied mechanical engineering at Erie Community College in Amherst, N.Y. He left to join the Army Reserves, doing basic and infantry training at Fort Polk, La. He finished his associate degree, and then went to the State University of New York at Oswego, where he earned his teaching certificate in industrial arts.

I just decided I liked working with my hands, he said.

While there, he took a job in the womens dorm next to his mens dorm. There was an 11 p.m. curfew at the time, and he met Paula Belsito when he unlocked the door for her.

We chatted a little bit, and then we met each other in the cafeteria from time to time, he said.

The wedding was in Waterloo, N.Y., on July 4, 1975, where the bride was from. ORourke didnt trust his Volkswagen Beetle to make the trip to Nova Scotia, so he borrowed his sisters Toyota for the honeymoon.

For three years, he taught metalwork at Needham Junior High School, then the ORourkes moved to Pittsfield, where he taught at Lee High School and Middle School and at Lenox High School, retiring after 35 years.

Paula became a librarian, working at Lee High School, Berkshire Community College, Williams College, Darrow School and McCann Technical School. She died in October days before her 74th birthday.

On Sunday, O'Rourke smiled as he watched his granddaughters perform Irish step dance at the Store at Five Corners in Williamstown along with 17 other dancers. His grandson was among the musicians.

He appreciated their costumes, ones his late wife made for the dancers, as their Darby led the troupe from Scoil Rince Briefne O Rairc in Pittsfield.

He also received comments from parents expressing their gratitude for Darby's work with her 75 students.

Its always a lot of fun to see the girls and boys and dancing, he said. I love to see the really young ones just getting started.
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Come early March, department stores stock up on Irish themed merchandise. Everything from T-shirts to mugs and hats cover shelves for a couple weeks. Bars advertise green beer at a discount. Large parties and parades with people dressed in green happen in communities around America, usually celebrating Irish culture. All in St. Patricks name.

As a man of Irish heritage, I have no problem celebrating that great culture, but these things dont begin to touch the heart of St. Patrick. In many ways, it distracts us from learning the revolutionary truths St. Patricks life must teach us.

St. Patrick brought the gospel to a little island near Britain called Ireland. And the amazing reality is, he effectively converted a whole nation from paganism to Christianity. Not only that, within a few generations, the Irish people became some of the greatest missionaries for Jesus in history.

How did he do this? Instead of putting a leprechaun on everything, lets find the real value in St. Patrick as a missionary. And see what he has to teach us today.

Photo credit: Flickr-ThadZajdowicz
Mary receives praise and honor for being the mother of Jesus. And, of course, Jesus is known by Christians to be Gods son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. What about the third member of Christs earthly family, a major presence at Jesus birth? We know from reading the gospels that Joseph was Jesus legal father, who played a strong but silent role at the nativity. In later gospel narratives, Joseph is a man barely mentioned. He is not with Mary at Christs crucifixion. So, where was Joseph when Jesus died?

What Do We Know about Joseph?

In Matthew 1:18-25, we learn the story of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus. Joseph hears the startling news that his betrothed girlfriend is pregnant. Since Joseph has never had relations with Mary, he concludes that she must have been unfaithful to him.

As Sketches of Jewish Social Life explains, a first-century Jewish engagement was as binding as marriage. Hence, Mary could be convicted for committing adultery, and Old Testament law declared adultery punishable by stoning (Leviticus 20:10). Knowing that the only other socially acceptable option was to divorce Mary quietly, Joseph plans to do just that.

However, an angel appears and assures him that the Holy Spirit conceived Marys baby. Joseph accepted the angels message and his loyalty and supported Mary through her pregnancy and childbirth. His actions showed he was a good man, worthy of being Christs earthly father figure.

After Jesus birth, Joseph takes Mary and the baby, and they flee to Egypt to escape King Herods decree to kill all baby boys (Matthew 2:13-18). Herods decree came after hearing the Magis report that a king of the Jews was born recently (Matthew 2:1-3).

The gospels also tell of the holy familys return to Nazareth at a later, safer time (Matthew 2:19-23). Coming home, Joseph and Mary must have faced raised eyebrows from their neighbors. The townspeople would remember Marys mysterious pregnancy and Josephs willingness to marry her. Josephs taking his family back to their hometown of Nazareth shows he was a mature man who didnt care what his neighbors thought of him.

Following Jewish law, Joseph and Mary take baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for his purification rights (Luke 2:22-23). The family meets a devout, elderly man named Simeon who is overjoyed to have lived to meet the promised Messiah:

Simeon blesses them and says to Mary, This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too (Luke 2:34-35, emphasis added).

In the last sentence, Simeon prophesies that Mary will experience great joy and heartache as the mother of the Savior Jesus. Joseph is not directly addressed by Simeon, although Scripture says, The childs father and mother marveled at what was said about him (Luke 2:33).

On a later trip to the temple in Jerusalem during Passover, Mary and Joseph realize on the way back home that they forgot to bring Jesus with them. When His parents return to the temple to retrieve their son, they find him with teachers, listening and teaching. Mary asks Jesus, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. Jesus answers, Why were you searching for me? Didnt you know I had to be in my Fathers house? Jesus knows His real Father is God. There is no recorded comment from Joseph in this narrative (Luke 2:39-52), which is characteristic of him.

Jesus appears to be Mary and Josephs firstborn child, and His brothers and sisters are mentioned in several gospel narratives. When Jesus performs his first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, He goes to the wedding with his mother and his brethren and his disciples (John 2:1-5). Mark 3:21 explains what happened after Jesus had performed some notable miracles and teaching: When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, He is out of his mind. In this story, someone in the gathered crowd notifies Jesus that His mother and brothers have has arrived and are looking for Him. Jesus responds: Who are my mother and my brothers? he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does Gods will is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:31-35).

Jesus does not mention having a father in these Bible stories of His ministry. Perhaps it would have confused listeners, since he routinely talked about His heavenly father in these discussions. It may also be true that Joseph was no longer in Jesus life. In a Christianity.com article, Annette Griffin writes, These conspicuous absences of His father Joseph in Scripture suggest that Joseph died before Jesus public ministry began.

How Old Was Joseph When He Married Mary?

Mary and Joseph most likely began their marriage at young ages, appropriate for the culture of ancient Israel. Jewish girls aged 12 to 15 were often promised to eligible young men aged 18 or 19. The couples young ages accommodated the girls reproductive cycle and the boys mastering a skill with which to support a family. We can assume that Joseph and Mary were at these tender ages.

Sketches of Jewish Social Life explains that an engaged couple was considered bound as though they were already married. However, families didnt let engaged couples be alone at any time before their wedding night. Traditional Jewish families arranged marriage for their sons and daughters within family clans to protect property ownership and religious faith. This explains why Joseph and Mary could trace their ancestry to King David (Luke 3:23-38, Matthew 1:1-16).

Where is the Last Mention of Joseph in the Gospels?

A confused set of people in Jesus hometown mention Josephs name for the last time in the gospels.

Sometime after Jesus fed the five thousand, he spoke about being the bread of life. Confused, some people said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? (John 6:42). The locals find it difficult to believe that this man from humble roots is the Son of God.

A similar response happens in Matthew 13. Returning to Nazareth, Jesus began preaching, and people were surprised. They said, Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenters son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this? (Matthew 13:54-56). This speech suggests Joseph was alive at this time. Or, at least his death was recent enough that everyone thought of him when someone mentioned the carpenter. After this mention, Joseph is absent from the story. Since scholars believe Jesus ministry lasted two to three years, it could well be that he had passed away by the time Jesus went to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

In fact, the gospels account of the crucifixion seems to confirm he was no longer around.

Was Joseph Dead When the Crucifixion Happened?

There is no mention of Joseph at Christs crucifixion. Before His death on the cross, Jesus looks down on his beloved mother Mary in the small crowd and confirms that she will be taken care of in the future:

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, Woman, here is your son. Then he said to the disciple, Here is your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home (John 19:25-27).

In those days in ancient Israel, as in many cultures today, women were taken care of by their husbands. A widow was fortunate if she had children to protect and provide for her in her husbands absence. This is why Luke 7:11 emphasizes that a widow had lost her only son before Jesus raised that son from the deadthis dead son was her sole social security.

The fact that Jesus asked the disciple he loved (maybe John himself) to care for His mother suggests that Joseph was no longer alive to care for Mary.

So, the answer to our question, where was Joseph when Jesus died? seems to be that he had passed away. However, his legacy as the man who took Mary as his wife despite the social stigma, who supported his wife and children, has left an important impact on Christian tradition.

When Did Joseph Become a Saint?

Joseph was made a patron saint of the Roman Catholic Church in 1870 by Pope Pius IX. Joseph was also given sainthood in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Churches. Catholic tradition refers to Joseph as the quiet man who gradually gained recognition and was honored as the patron saint of fathers of families, manual workers, and all who desire a holy death.

In an apostolic letter, Pope Francis dedicated the year 2021 to the memory of Joseph. The pope wrote, Each of us can discover in Joseph  the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet, and hidden presence  an intercessor, a supporter and a guide in times of trouble. St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation.

Photo Credit: GettyImages/olegkalina

Betty Dunn hopes her writing leads you to holding hands with God. A former high school English teacher, editor, and nonprofit agency writer, she now works on writing projects from her home in West Michigan, where she enjoys woods, water, pets and family. Check out her blog at Betty by Elizabeth Dunning and her website, www.elizabethdunning-wix.com.
Charles Dickens masterful book, A Tale of Two Cities ends with intense emotion seldom seen in modern novels. Two of the characters (Carton and Darnay) looked so much alike they appeared as twins, and they both fell in love with the same woman, Lucie. In the denouement, Darnay, now married to Lucie, is condemned to death by members of the French Revolution. Carton takes Darnays place so Darnay may enjoy the rest of his life with Lucie and their daughter. As Carton is led to the guillotine, a priest utters, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25). Cartons last words before death are, It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.

One innocent man took the place of a condemned, guilty man. The Bible tells us Jesus was and is an innocent man, completely pure and sinless. Yet He suffered and died in our place. One innocent man took the place of all of historys sinful souls. The emotion we experience is because of our shame and gratitude. What Jesus did is greater than any novelists plot ever written because we are the guilty ones for whom our Lord Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, died. His suffering and death are outlined in the words of the prophet Isaiah, who wrote of the Suffering Servant 700 years before Jesus the Messiahs birth.

It is fitting Isaiahs very name means The Lord is salvation. Isaiah is often referred to as the fifth Gospel because of its many references to the Lord Jesus and to salvation. Aside from the Psalms, Isaiah is the most quoted book in the New Testament, especially about Jesus.

Isaiah 55:3 says,

But He was pierced for our transgressions;

He was crushed for our iniquities;

upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with His wounds we are healed.

What Is the Context of Isaiah 53?

Isaiah 53 is a message about the suffering Servant  the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage is part of Isaiahs servant songs (Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). The servant song to which this verse belongs begins in Isaiah 52:13, and its an essential section of the book, for here the work of Gods Servant is defined.

The people had just been told in the beginning verses of chapter 42 that they will see the Lord return to Zion, but that part of the promise is geographic and is only a portion of what God had planned. The people have been rebellious and looked elsewhere for their hope. They had been lax in their observance of the sacrificial laws and had lived unholy lives. Everlasting forgiveness and fidelity to Gods covenant was needed, and these songs look forward to the way of deliverance, which comes only in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Pastor Chuck Swindoll says The book of Isaiah provides us with the most comprehensive prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament.

In his book, the prophet Isaiah speaks to the southern kingdom of Judah during a time when Judah and Israel were divided. As we have seen, it is a time of great apostasy, for the people have fallen away from the Lord. God used Isaiah to warn the people of coming judgment and also promise a future hope. Isaiah 53 is entirely about the suffering servant.

What Does This Verse Mean?

Isaiah was a prophet of God. As such (and as true for every writer of Scripture), Isaiah penned what the Lord God inspired him to. This, the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, is all about Jesus Christ and is a theological powerhouse in its incorporation of sin and Christs atoning sacrifice for sin.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities.

Isaiah says the servant will be wounded and crushed for our sins.

The punishment that brought us peace was on Him,

Our peace (reconciliation) with God comes through the punishment wrought on the servant.

And by His wounds we are healed.

Here Isaiah anticipates the sins of Gods people as being absolved through the redeeming act of Gods servant. He would stand before God as both the representative and substitute for Gods people and bear the guilt and punishment for their sin so they might have peace with God. His death from the wounds heals us spiritually. Because the servant was crushed for our sins, the healing He brings is for the sins and the spiritual death wrought by Adam and charged to every human since.

The Apostle Peter explicitly teaches this as he refers to Isaiah 53:4-5 in 1 Peter 2:24, When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

In an earlier chapter, Isaiah prophesied about the sign the Lord would provide, Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). How would Isaiah have understood this? Did he know this was about Jesus? Two scholars address this issue:

Darrell Bock, (Dallas Theological Seminary) says His [Isaiahs] text anticipates a decisive delivering figure of the end who suffers and then is exalted.

Steve Ham of Answers in Genesis offers this thought: The prophets were given amazing revelation from God, and it is hard to know what they must have been thinking when communicating this revelation to the people.

In what is called Isaiahs commission (Isaiah 6), the Lord gave Isaiah an astonishing view of the throne room of heaven, where he saw a vision of the pre-incarnate Christ. The text reads, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne (Isaiah 6:1). Twice in John 12, the Gospel writer (and beloved friend of Jesus) speaks of Isaiah. Verse 41 is where John discloses Isaiah truly saw Jesus Christ in the vision he describes in Isaiah 6:1. Again, this was hundreds of years before Jesus came as a baby.

Why Did Jesus Have to Be Broken on Our Behalf?

The answer to this question has its roots in Genesis 3, and from it springs the Gospel. Gods creation was good, until sin entered when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. And now, we are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5), both in Adam, the first man as our representative head, and by our own personal actions (Romans 3:23; 5:12). We all deserve death, and in fact are already darkness. Not in darkness but darkness itself (Ephesians 5:8). We are utterly helpless in our sin (Romans 5:6-8), and our only way to life is from God.

Hebrews 9:22b assures us without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Because Adam was a human, a human would have to shed his blood to atone for mans sins, according to Gods righteous standards and laws. But God sent Jesus (John 3:16)  fully God and fully man (Philippians 2:5-11) to die the death we fully deserved  to be persecuted, and endure a horrific death on the cross of crucifixion. God raised Jesus to justify us, and therefore proved He was and is Gods Son.

To have Jesus perfect righteousness imputed to us and our sins assigned to Him, we must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus. It is wholly His grace which saves us and nothing we do saves us (Ephesians 2:5-8). Salvation is from God; its the Gospel. Living a good life is never enough because we are commanded to share the good news (the Gospel) which includes the horrifying implications of rejecting the only One who can save us.

Why Did His "Chastisement" Bring Us Peace?

Until we as humans are exonerated from our sin, we live in a hopeless state, our only end being total separation from goodness (God). Gods perfect plan for our peace is the only solution. Because a human (Adam) sinned, a sinless man must suffer and die to atone for that sin. Jesus as fully God and fully man brought us peace through His death and resurrection. The Bible tells us the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), therefore, His punishment for our sins required death. God cannot look upon or overlook sin because to do so would be to deny Himself (Exodus 34:6-7). Death satisfies Gods holy justice. Because our Prince of Peace lives, so do those who surrender to Him as Lord and Savior.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

People who do not know the Lord Jesus exist in a world of hopelessness, which leaves them wanting for a peace they try to gain from the world. But the world is empty apart from Christ and the peace they desperately need is godly peace. The void unbelievers have in their hearts can only be filled by a Savior. An unsaved person tries everything the world says will bring them peace, including illusions of a grand self-image, dependence on self or on idols claiming to make one happy (money, sex, glory, fame, etc.). And when none of these things work, they cling to psychology, thinking a look into self will help. But the end of that road leads to a cliff. What then?

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ know peace through Him. In the midst of the most trying circumstances  even persecution or the death of a saved loved one  a Christian knows an eternity of peace in the presence of Christ awaits him. This life on earth is enjoyed as kingdom ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), making much of Jesus, and manifesting His name by sharing the Gospel. All of this is made possible because Jesus was pierced for us. Hallelujah!

A dip into the Old testament is not enough to gain the full reward that comes from deep study of its thirty-nine books. There exists in the Old Covenant a vast richness of Gods movement in history and our redemption, highlighted of course by the prophecies concerning the coming of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.

Alec Motyer gives us encouragement. Never tire, then, of reading and re-reading the prophets. If a passage seems at first sight puzzling, ask the question, why did the prophet say this? The journeys we are privileged to take through the pages of Scripture will reap treasure the world can never offer, much less fulfill. I pray you dive in and see Jesus throughout the Old Testament. As you do, pray for your unbelieving loved ones to come to a saving faith in Jesus.

Photo credit: Getty Images/gabrielabertolini

Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody, which is being adapted and brought to the stage by the Karamu House Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (Winter, 2027). Lisa writes fiction (Christmas stories) and is currently writing a novel titled Refuge. She also writes non-fiction, including articles for BibleStudyTools.com and Christianity.com. She and her husband, Stephen, live in Lexington, Kentucky with their Kentucky wild cat, Lewis.
Acrannolife Genomics receives govt support for indigenous manufacturing of advanced IVD diagnostic kits

March 17, 2026 | Tuesday | News

To establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the TANSIDCO Industrial Estate

image credit- pib

The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended financial assistance to Acrannolife Genomics, Chennai for the project titled Indigenising IVD Innovation: Establishing a State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility to Drive Scalable and Sustainable Growth of Trunome GrafAssure IVD Kits and TBFYND IVD Kits.

The project focuses on establishing an advanced manufacturing facility to support the large-scale production and deployment of indigenous in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) solutions developed by the company.

Acrannolife Genomics is engaged in developing innovative non-invasive diagnostic technologies based on cell-free DNA and LAMP technology platforms, addressing critical healthcare needs such as infectious diseases and transplant diagnostics.

Through this project, the company will establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (TANSIDCO) Industrial Estate to scale up production of two key diagnostic productsTrunome GrafAssure and TBFYND.

The companys flagship product, Trunome GrafAssure, is a laboratory-developed blood test designed for the early detection of post-transplant organ rejection and infection in patients who have undergone solid-organ transplants.

The second product, TBFYND, is designed to address the urgent need for rapid and accurate detection of tuberculosis, one of the most significant public health challenges in India.

With support from TDB, the project will enable the creation of a dedicated platform facility for manufacturing these IVD kits at scale, strengthening Indias domestic capabilities in molecular diagnostics and reducing dependence on imported diagnostic technologies.
Strides Pharma buys & in-licenses generic brands from Sandoz for $12 M

March 17, 2026 | Tuesday | News

To position Strides as one of the top five pharmaceutical players in the Sub-Saharan Africa region

Strides Pharma Science has announced that its stepdown subsidiary, Strides Pharma International AG (SPIAG), has entered into definitive agreements with Sandoz AG, Switzerland and its group entities for the acquisition and inlicensing of a portfolio of branded generic products across SubSaharan Africa (SSA).

The agreement spans four key marketsWestern Sahara (covering 10 countries), Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The branded generics portfolio of Sandoz, as a part of this deal, includes multiple brands across antiinfective, cardiovascular, and dermatology therapeutic segments. Several of these products individually deliver annual sales exceeding $1 million, reflecting their established brand equity and market demand.

The transaction includes a portfolio comprising products that are being fully acquired by Strides, as well as select products that Strides will continue to market on behalf of Sandoz. To ensure the uninterrupted availability of these critical brands, Strides will also enter into a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Sandoz for their continued production and supply.

With the combined strength of Strides existing business and the branded portfolio being acquired from Sandoz, Strides is expected to become one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the SSA region by sales and among the top two players in the representable market.

The acquisition opens new commercial channels through deeper access to prescriber bases, pharmacies, clinics, and healthcare institutions where Sandoz products already have strong presence. These synergies, combined with operational efficiencies from a strengthened commercial and supply chain platform, are expected to drive superior market coverage and longterm value creation.

The initial consideration for the transaction is $12 million, payable at closing and is expected to be funded through internal accruals. The transaction is expected to be EPSaccretive, supported by profitable branded sales, synergy realisation, and improved operating leverage.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q2 FY27 (Quarter Ending 30th September 2026), subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and antitrust approvals in applicable jurisdictions.
Peaky Blinders star Barry Keoghan has said he does not think he fits the criteria for James Bond.

The 33-year-old is among the stars who have been mentioned as a candidate for the next 007, as speculation stirs over who should take over as the new face of the popular spy franchise.

In an interview with Radio Times, Keoghan addressed the rumours that he may replace Daniel Craig as Bond.

Barry Keoghan is among the actors who have been named as possibilities for the next Bond (Ian West/PA)

He said: (James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that.

Its nice to see your name go up there, but I dont think I fit the criteria for James Bond.

Id rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, thats more me.

The Dublin-born actor is best known for his roles in hit films such as Saltburn (2023) and The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022), and will star in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

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As well as Keoghan, other stars suggested to replace Craig  who last played the British secret service agent in 2021s No Time To Die  include Jacob Elordi, Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner.

The next Bond film will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Academy Award nominee Denis Villeneuve  who is known for Dune, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.

It was also recently announced that the script for the next film will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

This comes after a major overhaul of the iconic British spy franchise which saw Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson hand over creative control to Amazon as part of a lucrative deal.
Gerry Adams has told the High Court in London that he had no involvement whatsoever in Provisional IRA bombings in England and that he was never a part of the organisation.

The former Sinn Fein president entered the witness box on Tuesday in defence of a legal claim against him brought by three victims of bombings in England in the 1970s and 1990s.

Gerry Adams arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, in central London, where a civil claim is being brought against the former Sinn Fein president (Aaron Chown/PA)

John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a 1996 London Docklands bombing victim; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, all allege that Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council, and are seeking 1 in damages.

Adams is defending the claim, claiming in a witness statement that membership of Sinn Fein does not equate to membership of the IRA.

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Wearing a dark suit and tie, a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, Adams began his evidence by wishing Judge Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day.

In his 20-page witness statement, Adams said he was not involved in any way in the planning, preparation or conduct of any of the bombings, and have never been a senior, let alone most senior figure, in the IRA.

I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured Gerry Adams

He continued: I had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the Old Bailey bombing (1973), the Canary Wharf bombing (1996) or the Manchester bombing (1996).

I have never been charged, prosecuted or convicted of any offence in connection with any of the bombing incidents in which the claimants were injured.

He also said: I was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA.

I repeat that I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured.

Adams also said that opponents of Sinn Fein, of which he was president from 1983 to 2018, have repeatedly sought to conflate the party with the Provisional IRA.

Gerry Adams began giving evidence on Tuesday (Aaron Chown/PA)

As I have always stated, Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate organisations, Adams said.

He continued: I have no knowledge, beyond what has been widely reported in the public domain, as to the structure or decision-making processes of the IRA.

Adams told the court that he was very conscious that the three bomb victims had suffered significantly, and that his statement should not be taken as criticism of the claimants, or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.

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During cross-examination by barrister Max Hill KC, Adams agreed that 1,178 deaths were caused by the Provisional IRA, the business of which was to resist armed British occupation and aggression in the part of Ireland that I lived in.

He had earlier said that the ignorance of Irish history among British people is shocking.

The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man Army Council Anne Studd KC

Anne Studd KC, for the three bomb victims, previously told the trial that Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The barrister also said that the difference between being in the Army and being a member of Sinn Fein was not a clear either/or choice.

She added: The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man Army Council.

She concluded: There is no doubt that the defendant contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland, but the claimants say that on the evidence he also contributed to the war.

Studd also told the court that Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement, and that was likely as involved as the people who planted and detonated those bombs.

The trial is due to conclude later in March.
Parades were held across the island of Ireland on Tuesday to celebrate St Patricks Day.

In Belfast, the streets were filled with crowds who turned out in the sunshine to watch the floats.

A masked woman watches the parade in Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA)

(Mark Marlow/PA)

(Mark Marlow/PA)

(Mark Marlow/PA)

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A band plays in the St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin (Evan Treacy/PA)

A performer in the Dublin parade (Evan Treacy/PA)

(Evan Treacy/PA)

(Evan Treacy/PA)

(Evan Treacy/PA)

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who will meet US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office later on Tuesday, emphasised the depth of the link between Ireland and the US during engagements in Philadelphia and Washington DC.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife Mary OShea are greeted by US vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance before a breakfast at the Naval Observatory, his residence in Washington DC (Niall Carson/PA)

US vice president JD Vance (left) and Taoiseach Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA)

A note written by Taoiseach Micheal Martin in the guest book at the Naval Observatory (Niall Carson/PA)

JD Vance shows off a pair of shamrock-patterned socks (Niall Carson/PA)
Israel said it has killed two senior Iranian security officials in a major blow aimed at further weakening the Islamic Republics leadership as it faces its greatest test in decades.

Iran, which confirmed both killings, fired salvos of missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbours and Israel on Tuesday.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and General Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij force, were eliminated last night, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said.



Ali Larijani, centre, head of Irans National Security Council, gestures as Hezbollah supporters throw rice to welcome him outside Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut last year (Bilal Hussein/AP)

Mr Larijani was considered one of the most powerful figures in the country since supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an air strike on the first day of the war.

The Iranian judiciarys news agency, Mizan, quoted the Revolutionary Guard as confirming the killing of General Soleimani. Iranian state media also confirmed the killing of Mr Larijani.

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Both men were key to Irans violent crackdown on protests in January that challenged the theocracys 47-year rule.



(PA Graphics)

Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, briefly shut its airspace, the second disruption to flights in the city in as many days as the war showed no signs of abating.

With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said Nato and most other allies have rejected his calls to help secure the strait.



Commander of Irans Basij paramilitary force, General Gholam Reza Soleimani, gives a press conference in 2019 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The Israeli military said it had begun a wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital and was stepping up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

A strike in the Nabatiyeh district killed three people and wounded another, Lebanons health ministry said. Rescue teams were continuing to remove debris as they searched for eight missing people, the ministry said.

Mr Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, advised the late Mr Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.

He was sanctioned by the US Treasury in January for his role in co-ordinating Irans violent suppression nationwide protests.

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General Soleimani was also sanctioned by the US, as well as by the European Union and other nations, over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it struck more than 10 Basij posts across Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killings were aimed at weakening Irans government.



Volunteers clean debris from a residential building damaged when a nearby police station was hit Friday in a US-Israeli strike in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

We are undermining this regime to give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it, he said.

There have been no signs of anti-government protests since the war began, as many Iranians are sheltering from the American and Israeli strikes.

The killings of Mr Larijani and General Soleimani came on the eve of Chaharshanbe Souri, or the Festival of Fire, shortly before the Persian new year.

Authorities have sent threatening text messages urging the public not to celebrate the festival, warning that the normally rowdy celebrations could be used by rioters.

State media aired footage on Tuesday of pro-government demonstrations, including images of some men in plainclothes branding assault rifles and shotguns on the back of motorcycles  a sign of the government wanting to prevent renewed protests against the theocracy.

State television later showed crowds of women wrapped in black and older men waving flags and portraits of the killed former supreme leader.



Flames appear to engulf a structure inside the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (Ali Jabar/AP)

Iran kept up the pressure on its neighbours and energy infrastructure around the region.

In Iraq, two drones were shot down by the defence system at the US Embassy in Baghdad, while a third drone crashed inside the embassy compound.

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That is according to two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment.

An Associated Press journalist in the area saw a massive fire that appeared to be engulfing a structure in the compound.

There was no immediate comment from the embassy.

In the United Arab Emirates, an oil facility in Fujairah was hit, and a man was killed in Abu Dhabi by debris from an intercepted missile  the eighth person to die in the UAE since the start of the war, authorities said.



President Donald Trump fumed on Tuesday that the US is not getting support in the conflict (Alex Brandon/AP)

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones, while air defences could be heard targeting incoming fire over Qatars capital, Doha.

Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported, has sparked increasing concerns about a tightening of energy supplies that is unnerving the world economy.

A handful of ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the waterway technically remains open  just not for the US, Israel and their allies.

About 20 vessels have been struck since the war began.

Later on Tuesday, the US military announced it had fired multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on hardened Iranian missile sites along Irans coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.

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The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles targeted at the sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait, according to US Central Command.

With oil prices rising, Mr Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to ensure ships can pass through the strait.

He fumed on Tuesday that the US is not getting support despite the fact that almost every country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot be allowed to secure a nuclear weapon.



French President Emmanuel Macron holds a meeting of Frances defence and security council (Benoit Tessier, Pool Photo via AP)

The European Unions top diplomat says the 27-nation bloc does not want to be dragged into the conflict with Iran.

This is not Europes war, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told EU legislators on Tuesday.

We were not consulted.

French President Emmanuel Macron earlier reaffirmed that France is ready to help secure the strait, but only after heavy bombing has stopped.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military early on Tuesday said it had launched new attacks across Tehran and targeted Hezbollah militants in the Lebanese capital.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into the northern Israel after the US and Israel attacked Iran last month.



Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beiruts southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

In Iran, it said it hit command centres, missile launch sites and air defence systems.

There was no immediate confirmation from Iran, where little information has been coming out due to internet outages, round-the-clock airstrikes and tight restrictions on journalists.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

The Lebanese army said that three soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said that an airstrike near Beiruts international airport killed one person and wounded nine, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Israels strikes have displaced more than one million Lebanese  or roughly 20% of the population  according to the Lebanese government, which says 912 people have been killed since the outbreak of a new Israel-Hezbollah war two weeks ago.

In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire.

At least 13 US military members have been killed.
Israel said it has killed the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij force, which has been used to suppress demonstrations in the Islamic Republic, as Gulf states came under renewed missile and drone fire.

Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, briefly shut its airspace as the military said it was responding to incoming missile and drone threats around the city, and a man was killed by the debris of a missile intercepted over Abu Dhabi.

The Israeli military also said it has begun a wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital and was stepping up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Israel reported two incoming salvos before dawn from Iran at Tel Aviv and elsewhere, and said Hezbollah targeted Israels north.



Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank, forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates (AP)

The Israeli military said a strike on Monday killed General Gholam Reza Soleimani but Iran did not immediately acknowledge the militia leaders death.

The Basij forces are part of the armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime, the Israeli military said in its statement.

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During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimanis command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.

The US Treasury lists Soleimani as having been born in 1965. He has been sanctioned by the US, the European Union and other nations over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

Since the war began on February 28, Israel has launched specific attacks targeting Irans leadership, killing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other military commanders.

Killing Soleimani could further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy. The Basij and other internal security forces have been a target of attack by both the Americans and the Israelis so far.





Iran has kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbours, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted. State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike.

Irans attacks on Gulf nations and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis.

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Early on Tuesday, it hit a tanker anchored off the coast of Fujairah, one of about 20 vessels hit since Israel and the United States started the war with an attack on Iran on February 28.

With Washington under increasing pressure over rising oil prices, Brent crude, the international standard, remained over 100 dollars (75) a barrel, up more than 40% since the war started.

US President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and sceptical that they could do more than the US Navy.



President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Saudi Arabias Defence Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones on Tuesday morning over the countrys vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.

In Qatar, the sounds of explosions boomed over the capital early in the day as defences worked to intercept incoming fire. Qatars Defence Ministry said later that it had successfully thwarted a missile attack on the city, though a fire broke out in an industrial area from a downed projectile.

Attacks from Iran-linked proxy forces continued in Iraq, as the US Embassy in Baghdad was hit with shrapnel from drones that had been intercepted.

The embassys air defences were able to shoot down all four drones targeting the facility, according to two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

A separate strike targeted a house in the heavily fortified Presidential Compound in Baghdads al-Jadriya area, the officials said.

It was not clear who carried out either attack, but Iran-allied militias have regularly been attacking American targets inside Iraq since the conflict began.
Irans top security official and the head of the Revolutionary Guards Basij militia were killed in overnight strikes in a blow to the countrys leadership, Israels defence minister said.

Both security official Ali Larijani and General Gholam Reza Soleimani were eliminated last night, Israel Katz said in a statement.

Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in an air strike on February 28, the first day of the war launched by the United States and Israel, and other top leaders from the Iranian theocracy have been killed since then.

Iranian state media did not immediately confirm either death. However, it said a message from Mr Larijanis office would be published shortly.



Gholam Reza Soleimani has been killed (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The announcement came after the Israeli military earlier said it had carried out a wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital and stepped up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel also reported two incoming salvos before dawn from Iran aimed at Tel Aviv and elsewhere, and said Hezbollah targeted Israels north.

Incoming Iranian missiles on the United Arab Emirates prompted Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, to briefly shut its airspace and a man was killed by the debris of a missile intercepted over Abu Dhabi.

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Mr Larijani hails from one of Irans most famous political families. A former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, he was appointed to advise the late Mr Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.

He also served as the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, its top security body.



Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank, forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates (AP)

Soleimani was the head of the Basij militia forces, which Israels military called an armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime.

An Israeli military spokesperson said: During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimanis command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.

The US Treasury lists Soleimani as having been born in 1965. He has been sanctioned by the US, the European Union and other nations over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

Since the war began on February 28, Israel has launched specific attacks targeting Irans leadership, killing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other military commanders.

Killing Soleimani could further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy. The Basij and other internal security forces have been a target of attack by both the Americans and the Israelis so far.





Iran has kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbours, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted. State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike.

Irans attacks on Gulf nations and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis.

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Early on Tuesday, it hit a tanker anchored off the coast of Fujairah, one of about 20 vessels hit since Israel and the United States started the war with an attack on Iran on February 28.

With Washington under increasing pressure over rising oil prices, Brent crude, the international standard, remained over 100 dollars (75) a barrel, up more than 40% since the war started.

US President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and sceptical that they could do more than the US Navy.



President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Saudi Arabias Defence Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones on Tuesday morning over the countrys vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.

In Qatar, the sounds of explosions boomed over the capital early in the day as defences worked to intercept incoming fire. Qatars Defence Ministry said later that it had successfully thwarted a missile attack on the city, though a fire broke out in an industrial area from a downed projectile.

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Attacks from Iran-linked proxy forces continued in Iraq, as the US Embassy in Baghdad was hit with shrapnel from drones that had been intercepted.

The embassys air defences were able to shoot down all four drones targeting the facility, according to two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

A separate strike targeted a house in the heavily fortified Presidential Compound in Baghdads al-Jadriya area, the officials said.

It was not clear who carried out either attack, but Iran-allied militias have regularly been attacking American targets inside Iraq since the conflict began.
The director of the National Counterterrorism Centre in the US has announced his resignation, citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran and saying he cannot in good conscience back the Trump administrations war.

Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby, Joe Kent said in a statement posted on social media on Tuesday, making claims President Donald Trump has denied.

Mr Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.

Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby Joe Kent

As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.

His resignation reflects unease within Trumps base about the war and shows that questions about the justification for the use of force in Iran extend to at least one senior member of Trumps Republican administration.

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The change in personnel at one of the nations top counterterrorism offices comes amid heightened concerns about terrorism in the homeland following attacks within the past week at a Michigan synagogue and a Virginia university.

Mr Kents decision to resign came down to the reasoning behind the strikes on Iran, or what he said was the lack thereof, he wrote in his resignation letter.

Mr Trump has offered shifting reasons for the strikes and has pushed back on claims that Israel forced the US to act.

Earlier this month, speaker Mike Johnson suggested that the White House believed Israel was determined to act on its own, leaving the Republican president with a very difficult decision.



US President Donald Trump rejected Mr Kents claims, saying Iran posed a tremendous threat to the US (Alex Brandon/AP)

In an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Mr Trump said that he always thought Mr Kent was weak on security and that if someone in his administration did not believe Iran was a threat, we dont want those people.

Theyre not smart people, or theyre not savvy people, Mr Trump said.

Iran was a tremendous threat.

A spokesperson for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not immediately respond to questions about Mr Kents resignation.

Democrats strongly opposed Mr Kents confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories.

But following Mr Kents resignation, senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Mr Kents concerns about the war in Iran were justified.

On this point, he (Joe Kent) is right. There was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice in the Middle East Senator Mark Warner

I strongly disagree with many of the positions he has espoused over the years, particularly those that risk politicising our intelligence community.

But on this point, he is right: There was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice in the Middle East.

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Mr Johnson, though, pushed back on Mr Kents claims that Iran posed no imminent threat when asked about the resignation at a press conference on Tuesday.

I got all the briefings. We all understood that there was clearly an imminent threat that Iran was very close to the enrichment of nuclear capability and they were building missiles at a pace no one in the region could keep up with, Mr Johnson said.

He said he is convinced that if Mr Trump had waited we would have mass casualties of Americans, service members and others, and our installation would have been dramatically damaged.

Mr Kent is leaving the Trump administration as three recent acts of violence have raised concerns about threats to the homeland.



Two men ride their motorbike past a billboard of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in central Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Ms Gabbard, CIA director John Ratcliffe and FBI director Kash Patel are scheduled to give evidence before legislators later this week about threats facing the US, an annual hearing that this year is likely to be taken up by questions about the Iran war and in particular the revelation that outdated intelligence likely led to the US firing a missile that hit an elementary school in Iran and killed more than 165 people.

A veteran and former congresswoman from Hawaii, Ms Gabbard has in the past criticised talk of military strikes in Iran.

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Six years ago she said that an all out war with Iran would make the wars that weve seen in Iraq and Afghanistan look like a picnic.

It will be far more costly in lives, American lives, and American taxpayer dollars  and all towards accomplishing what goal? What objective?

Ms Gabbards office did not respond when asked if Gabbard supported the strikes, and she has not posted about Iran on her social media accounts since the strikes began last month.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Dateline wraps up airborne survey targeting new US rare earths Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS March 17, 2026  11:02am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Rare earths are quickly becoming one of the worlds most sought-after commodities, serving as the critical building blocks for electric vehicles, wind turbines, advanced defence systems, and a wide array of technologies powering the global energy transition. And Dateline Resources is quietly staking out ground in what could prove to be one of the most prospective rare earth neighbourhoods on the planet. Dateline Resources Music Valley project in California where a high-resolution, helicopter-borne geophysical survey has been completed. The Sydney-based company has just wrapped up a major airborne geophysical survey at its recently acquired Music Valley heavy rare earths (HREE) project in Californias Riverside and San Bernardino Counties - the same geological backyard as the colossal Mountain Pass mine. Operated by US-listed MP Materials, Mountain Pass is the only rare earths development of scale in the United States and is known as one of the most strategically significant deposits in the Western world. The helicopter-borne survey, completed by Nevada-based specialist Precision GeoSurveys, blanketed the entire 20,520-acre footprint of Datelines expanded Music Valley project. Flying at just 30 metres above the ground on tight 50-metre line spacings, the survey generated an exceptionally high-resolution magnetic and radiometric dataset across 2,172-line kilometres of ground - and it was completed ahead of schedule. Completion of the Music Valley airborne survey represents a significant step... Dateline Resources managing director Stephen Baghdadi

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The low flight path allows geophysical instruments to detect subtle variations in the magnetic and radiometric signatures of the underlying rocks with a precision that higher-altitude surveys simply cant match. The better the image, the more refined the new targets become. The data is now in the hands of Australian consultancy firm Mitre Geophysics for processing, inversion and analysis. Meanwhile, the companys rare earth elements (REE) specialist, Tony Mariano Jr, and structural geologist Dr Russell Mason have boots on the ground at Music Valley, mapping outcrops of Pinto Gneiss, the key metamorphic rock unit for heavy rare earth mineralisation in the area. Notably, the Music Valley project benefits from extensive surface exposure, with large areas of intact outcrop and minimal transported cover. Rock chip samples are being collected and dispatched for assaying, with results expected within five to seven weeks. Rare earth mineralisation in the broader Music Valley area was first identified back in 1954 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) when geologists mapped an ancient basement sequence of metasedimentary rocks intruded by many granitic and alkaline igneous bodies- the drivers for the mineralisation. Faulting and fracturing are also widespread, forming the plumbing network for fluid movement and mineral deposition.

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At Music Valley, the rare earth mineralisation is hosted in accessory minerals such as xenotime, monazite, and other REE phosphate minerals. For context, heavy rare earth elements, which include dysprosium, terbium and yttrium, are considered even more strategically critical than the light rare earths that dominate Mountain Pass production. China currently controls the vast majority of global HREE supply, making any credible HREE discovery in a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction like California a compelling proposition. Dateline Resources managing director Stephen Baghdadi said: Completion of the Music Valley airborne survey represents a significant step in Datelines systematic exploration of this emerging heavy rare earth district. Interestingly, the Music Valley area was historically prospected and mined for gold over 100 years ago. Dozens of shafts and adits have been recorded, with most of the activity occurring before 1920. Although Datelines primary focus is rare earths, all samples sent to the lab will also be assayed for gold- a shrewd strategy when the project also sits in recognised gold country.

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Whilst Music Valley is still at an early stage, it sits within an advanced portfolio that already includes Datelines flagship Colosseum gold-REE project. The project hosts a 1.1-million-ounce gold resource, with an independently assessed NPV of US$550 million (A$785M) and a bankable feasibility study slated for completion this month. Add the companys Argos strontium project -reportedly the largest strontium deposit in the US - and Dateline appears to be building a genuinely diverse critical minerals story across one of the worlds most stable mining jurisdictions. Assay results from the current field sampling program are due in five to seven weeks. The geophysical data interpretation will follow shortly after. Both will be closely watched. Heavy rare earths are among the scarcest and most strategically vital materials on Earth and right now, very few credible candidates exist outside of China. If Music Valleys geology delivers on its early promise, Dateline wont just have a California gold and rare earths story on its hands; it could have a project that matters on a global stage. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears True North eyes more Queensland gold-copper growth Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Craig Nolan March 17, 2026  1:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Copper-gold focused explorer True North Copper is looking to up the exploration ante in the Cloncurry district of northwest Queensland by bolstering the companys gold inventory from a suite of promising regional targets. As part of the companys Discover Regional Targets portfolio, management says it plans to home in on the significant prospectivity of its Wynberg project, which it believes offers the potential for district-scale high-grade gold and copper mineralisation. True North Copper is aiming to bolster its gold inventory by undertaking further exploration at its Wynberg project in the Cloncurry region in northwest Queensland. Recent geological interpretation, along with prospectivity analysis and interpretation of fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) surveys, has identified multiple gold and copper targets within and beyond the existing resource footprint. The Wynberg project is part of the companys wider Cloncurry project and sits near the township of Cloncurry.

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Cloncurry is 120km from the renowned mining town of Mount Isa and is accessed by the fully sealed double-lane Barkly Highway. True Norths Wynberg already hosts a mineral resource of 640,000 tonnes at 2.7 grams per tonne (g/t) gold for a solid starting base of 56,100 ounces. Notably, the project sits on a granted mining lease and is within easy trucking distance of nearby gold processing infrastructure. Hstoric drilling has already intersected copper-gold mineralisation outside the existing resource model... True North Copper managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Mooney Historic drilling results hint at a serious upside beyond the existing resource, with mineralised hits outside the current model returning 10 metres grading 6.7g/t gold and 0.36 per cent copper from just 29m. Another intercept delivered 12m at 2.4g/t gold and 0.75 per cent copper from 39m. True Norths Wynberg project includes the Wynberg deposit and the Burnt Ute, Birdvale and Black Siltstone prospects. Historical exploration focused on shallow gold mineralisation, with the bulk of previous drilling to a depth of about 55m.

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The company says limited testing at depth leaves significant scope to chase extensions to the mineralised system, both down-plunge and along strike. It also opens the door for the drill bit to uncover additional discoveries across the broader project area. In particular, management believes there is considerable potential for additional gold beneath the current resource and is excited by large-scale anomalism identified at its Burnt Ute prospect. An east-west copper-gold geochemical trend stretching for 1.7km has been defined at Burnt Ute, where recent Fixed Loop Electromagnetic (FLEM) surveys have kicked up multiple strong conductive responses in depths greater than 600m. True North Copper managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Mooney said: Our latest technical work is showing that the mineralised system extends beyond the current resource footprint. Historic drilling has already intersected copper-gold mineralisation outside the existing resource model, while recent geophysical surveys at Burnt Ute have identified several compelling conductors coincident with strong surface copper-gold geochemistry. Mooney added the Wynberg project is an example of how the company can unlock value from its gold assets while maintaining focus on growing its copper resources.

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True North is still laser-focused on beefing up its copper stash across multiple deposits at its Cloncurry and Mt Oxide projects. At Cloncurry, the companys copper inventory hosted by its Great Australia, Taipan and Wallace North deposits totals a shade under 109,000 tonnes of contained copper metal. A pre-feasibility study is now underway to fast-track development of those resources into a market currently paying top prices for copper and gold. The Mt Oxide projects Vero deposit hosts an impressive 220,000 tonnes of copper metal, in addition to more than five million ounces of silver. Management has developed a three-stage growth strategy for the company. Whilst Cloncurry has been earmarked to deliver near-term cash flow, Mt Oxide will do the heavy lifting on the copper growth front, with its impressive pipeline of regional targets. True North knows its strength lies in significant, expanding copper resources. However, if it can also inject more gold resources into its total mineral pie, it could rapidly flip the company from junior explorer into a growing developer. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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BusinessThe economyTrade wars Opinion Trump rushes to save his war on the world Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist March 17, 2026  10:59am

March 17, 2026  10:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

While much of the focus last week was on the war in Iran, the Trump administration re-opened a war on another front by laying the foundations for a new assault on trade. After the Supreme Court knocked out Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs last month, which could force the government to return $US175 billion ($US248 billion) to US importers, the administration immediately replaced those tariffs with a new set, using another legal instrument that is also legally dubious and is already under challenge from 24 US states. President Trump is facing a jolting wake-up call at Novembers midterm elections. AP Those tariffs, deployed using Section 122 of the Trade Practice Act, which relates to chronic balance of payments issues (which the US doesnt have), were only ever an interim measure, designed to keep the tariff revenues flowing for the 150 days allowed by the Act. Last week, the administration unveiled its proposed permanent replacement for the tariffs the Supreme Court rejected, announcing two separate sets of trade investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act: an investigation of 16 trade partners for unfair trade practices and 60 (including the 16) for failing to adopt prohibitions on the imports of goods made with forced labour.

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Australia has so far dodged being named on the list of 16. However, while it requires large companies to report on how they manage modern slavery risks within their supply chains, it doesnt explicitly prohibit imports of those goods and therefore is on that longer list. Related Article Opinion

Inside China Chinas latest plan to dominate global trade Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The list of 16 includes China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan and India, but may be expanded. Much of the focus of those investigations is on what the administration calls structural excess capacity. The administration didnt use Section 301 initially, because it involves investigations that usually take many months and sometimes years, generally relates to specific practices considered unfair or discriminatory to US companies, requires consultation with the targeted country and includes public submissions and hearings. Its cumbersome and doesnt envisage the economies-wide tariffs imposed by Trump last year. The section has been tested in court many times and stood up to legal challenge, although its novel use this time as a substitute for the tariffs the Supreme Court ruled illegal may see it tested again.

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The haste that the administration has employed to implement a new tariff wall before the Section 122 tariffs expire at the end of July also raises the likelihood of mistakes. Already, Singapore has complained that the basis for the US accusations of unfair trade against it are predicated on a US assertion that Singapore has a $US27 billion trade surplus with the US. In fact, the Singaporeans say, based on Americas own data, it has a trade deficit of that magnitude with the US. Trumps trade wars, paid for by American companies and consumers, are hurting the US economy. Bloomberg Other countries will argue that trade surpluses may reflect comparative advantage, not unfair trade, and that producing more of something than they consume domestically doesnt reflect unfair trade practices but more efficient manufacturing, better technology, natural resources, scale advantages or more astute management. There are a host of reasons why some companies and countries can displace existing US domestic production or deter US companies from establishing or expanding their own production.

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Trump and his administration are fixated on manufacturing and traded goods, constantly reciting the US trade deficit ($US901.5 billion last year) and the deficit in goods ($US1.2 trillion) as evidence of unfair trade without regard to the fact that manufacturing contributes only 10.5 per cent of US GDP. Related Article Middle East at war As oil prices spike, is this the week Trump declares victory in Iran? Americas is a service economy, with services generating more than 80 per cent of GDP. It had a $US339 billion surplus in the trade in services last year, 9 per cent more than in 2024. While it is true that layers of subsidies, incentives and government procurement policies have been a major factor in Chinas export success and in the $US1.2 trillion trade surplus it posted last year, its also true that in some sectors, like electric vehicles, it not only controls the supply chain, but it has technology leadership. Its manufacturing base is larger and more efficient than most other countries, which is why foreign companies, including American companies like Tesla, Apple and the US auto manufacturers, have large operations within China.

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Those sorts of complexities are lost on Trump and his administration, which want to protect Americas manufacturing base, but may be relevant within the investigations processes and very relevant should the Section 301 tariffs be challenged in court. Having to make 16 separate cases for the tariffs and specific instances of unfairness within the extremely tight self-imposed timeframe may also prove more complex than the administration appreciates. China showed last year that it can counter US tariffs with trade measures of its own. Bloomberg It is unclear how the proposed new tariff regime will interact with the old, under which numerous countries agreed deals with the US that involved promises of investment and increased imports from the US in exchange for reduced tariff rates. Japan, for instance, promised to invest $US550 billion in the US and allow imports of American cars (which Japanese consumers wont buy) in exchange for a tariff capped at 15 per cent. South Korea promised $US350 billion worth of investment for a similar cap on its tariffs.

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The European Union said it would buy $US750 billion of US energy over three years and encourage $US600 billion of investment in exchange for a ceiling of 15 per cent on most of its exports to the US. That deal has yet to be ratified by the European Parliament, so it could respond to any new tariffs with trade retaliations of its own. The US relationship with China is different to most because China showed last year that it can counter US tariffs with trade measures of its own, notably by cutting off US access to rare earths  vital for most modern industrial and military technologies  and by halting purchases of soybeans from the US. The US immediately backed away from the punitive rates it imposed on Chinas exports in exchange for a resumption of the rare earths trade and a promise to buy US soybeans. Trump is supposed to meet Xi Jinping at the end of this month, with trade on the agenda, but may defer the visit because of the war on Iran. A preliminary meeting between the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, and Chinas vice president, He Lifeng, agreed to expand US exports of agricultural and energy products and a formal mechanism to manage the countries trade, which Greer said might be called the US-China Board of Trade.

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That might help defuse some of the trade tensions between the countries, although it is clear from Chinas most recent five-year plan that it is doubling down on its strategy of pursuing global manufacturing dominance, with an emphasis on advanced technologies. Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war Trump is holding the world hostage Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist Chinas exports have boomed  and the US trade deficit with the rest of the world has been unchanged  even as Trumps tariffs on China have reduced its trade surplus with the US. At a macro level, at least, the tariffs havent hurt China or aided US exporters. The Trump trade wars, paid for by American companies and consumers, are hurting the US economy and adding to households affordability issues even as his war on Iran has sent oil prices  and US petrol prices  surging. His two wars are damaging and unpopular in the US, which seems likely to lead to a jolting wake-up call at Novembers midterm elections to regain some congressional control or influence over Americas relationships with the rest of the world. The rest of the world will hope that they do. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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CultureMusicVale Such a wonderful, wonderful journey: Eurogliders star dies after cancer battle Michael Lallo March 17, 2026  12:13pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Bernie Lynch  guitarist, songwriter and vocalist with the Australian band Eurogliders  has died in Perth after a battle with throat cancer. He was 72. Lynch, who wrote the groups biggest hit Heaven (Must Be There)  which reached No. 2 in Australia in 1984 while also cracking the charts in the US and Canada  was remembered by fellow band member Grace Knight in an emotional Facebook post. Bernie Lynch in 2002. Dallas Kilponen I am heartbroken and dont know how to proceed without him, Knight wrote. I arrived in Australia as a 21-year-old in 1977 and met Bernie not too long after; weve been in each others lives ever since. I cant imagine what our lives would have looked like had we not crossed paths with each other. I dont know how many shows Eurogliders have done over the years  it must be thousands, and for every single one of them, Ive had Bernie there, standing beside me. Its been such a wonderful, wonderful journey and Im so very proud and honoured to have shared it with him.

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Lynch also wrote the Eurogliders 1985 hit We Will Together, which reached No. 7 in Australia. Without Bernies songs there would be no Eurogliders, Knight said. Songs he wrote as a young man that are still being listened to; songs that 40 years later still get played on the radio, songs that people still sing along to at our shows. Songs that have brought so much joy to so many people. What a great legacy and such a fantastic contribution to the cultural landscape of this country. Lynch was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and underwent treatment, which had been deemed successful and allowed him to resume working. But late last year, he discovered the cancer had metastasised. While he hoped that chemotherapy might extend his life expectancy, he became too unwell to continue the treatment. Lynch died on March 12 in palliative care in Perth.

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Bernie Lynch with Grace Knight in 1988. CBS Bernie was an incredibly kind and caring person and generous to a fault, Knight said. Hed fuss about making sure the band were happy and had after-show cheese and biscuits, and a refreshing beverage. Hed come to stay at my house and turn up with bags of food and take over the kitchen. He was funny and intelligent and engaging. If you werent well, or life had thrown you a curveball, hed be the first one on the phone to see how you were going. He was a people person and loved a chat. Eurogliders, a new wave pop band formed in Perth, released their debut album Pink Suit Blue Day in 1982, which was nominated in the best new album category at the Countdown Music Awards. In 1983, as the bands line-up evolved, they signed to major label CBS and recorded their second album, This Island, which peaked at No. 4 in Australia, No. 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 21 on its Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

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The group released two more albums in the 1980s, Absolutely and Groove, before disbanding. They re-formed briefly in the mid-2000s and again in 2013. They have released seven studio albums and 16 singles in total. In 2017, Knight told this masthead that she and Lynch were together for six years before marrying in 1985. Although the marriage lasted one year, their friendship endured. My dear friend: we soared high, we grappled in the mud, Knight said. What an incredible life we shared. I feel immense gratitude. I cant let you go; I wont let you go. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, loved ones and musical family ... well all miss him very much, Knight said in her tribute.
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NationalNSWDevelopment outrage As his world crumbles, Antony Catalanos $29m dream home gets new life Julius Dennis March 17, 2026  5:54pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

In the weeks before Antony Catalano became swept up in a firestorm of allegations of violence towards a woman, his town planners were preparing fresh documents for a contested multimillion-dollar development at Byron Bay. The plans for a two-house family compound on the more than 4000-square-metre property would make it the largest home on the millionaire strip at the famed Wategos Beach. The two-house compound Catalano is hoping to build in Byron. Sutherland & Associates But Catalanos vision had already sparked heated confrontations with locals, and when one application was rejected by the Byron Shire Council, he appealed their decision to the NSW Land and Environment Court. On Tuesday, the council put amended plans, including renders from town planners Sutherland and Associates, on public exhibition.

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Catalano, part-owner of Australian Community Media and the man credited with turning real estate listing website Domain into an advertising colossus, has an extensive property portfolio, including a penthouse in St Kilda, which was recently taken off the market. In northern NSW, he owns the bustling, high-end Raes on Wategos resort and restaurant, a short stroll from his contested dream home development, and a luxury apartment building under construction in town, to be called The Bonobo by Raes. Media mogul Antony Catalano. Jesse Marlow The development of the Bonobo is under way, but Catalanos plans for his private abode have been mired in opposition from the council and locals. In March last year, Catalano and his Wategos neighbour, jeweller Giovanni DErcole, publicly quarrelled about the development in an altercation at Raes that ended with police being called.

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Two months later, a community social media page lambasted the media mogul for arguing with a local woman over parking at Wategos Beach. Plans for the 4230-square-metre behemoth included a house for Catalano and his wife, Stefanie, who he is now separated from, and another for his nine children, as well as two pools. A render of the street front of the home, which would be built on multiple blocks. Sutherland & Associates Submitted by architect Peter Kennon, it also proposes a six-car garage, a gym, wine cellar and a music room with a sound booth, all below six bedrooms, a 22-person dining room and a library. The build, if it goes ahead, is estimated to cost $28.8 million.

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Despite a promise to offset damage which included planting nearly 1000 trees, the council refused the plans at their December 2024 meeting. The council gave 24 reasons, including that the build would have a negative impact on the native rainforest around it, and the sheer scale of earthworks required. Catalanos resort Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay. Natalie Grono Less than two weeks later, Catalano appealed the decision in the Land and Environment Court. On Tuesday, the council said the court had received amended plans relating to the development application, and the public could make their own submissions over the next month.

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Related Article Media & marketing Catalanos newspapers not for sale, says pissed off company boss Catalanos earlier plans had the backing of some neighbours, including art collector Steve Nateski, who lives directly across the road, and who wrote to the council declaring his support. Now, as the allegations against Catalano begin to unfold, his bayside associates are in no comment mode, as one told this masthead on Monday. Others approached through intercom boxes or at the doorsteps of their multimillion-dollar homes also declined to comment. The house that currently stands where the compound would be built is home to one of his adult children, and now one of the humblest on the street.

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If the new plans are approved, the property would be among the grandest in town. An amended environmental impact statement compiled by Sutherland & Associates dated March 2026 said the developer had reduced the amount of dirt needed to be moved from the site from 4,078m3 to 788m3. That reduction would take the number of days needed to take dirt out of the site from 20 to four, presuming 30 trucks could come and go from the property each day. The property is the biggest in the exclusive enclave of Wategos. Natalia Grono That report also challenged whether the site should be protected by state government rainforest mapping, and said a letter had been sent to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in April 2025, asking them to review the site, though no review had been scheduled.

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The report said the number of trees that would be impacted had been cut from 61 to 28, and the new footprint of the development would be 135 square metres smaller. Kennon, who submitted the development application, has been contacted for comment. DErcole was also contacted about the amended development. Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
Police hunting for gunman accused of threatening a woman in Sydneys west

Police are hunting for a gunman in Sydney's west after a woman was threatened in a car park, sending a Lidcombe unit block and childcare centre into lockdown.
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A man has died in hospital days after falling from a cliff north of Brisbane, three days after his companion died in the same incident.

A woman identified as Lorielle Georgina was declared dead at Mount Beerwah after the fall while hiking on Sunday, and Jack Thatcher was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Police confirmed on Wednesday he had succumbed to his injuries.

The duo died after falling from a trail at Mount Beerwah. GoFundMe

The two 18-year-olds had fallen between 60 metres and 90 metres from a trail before 10.30am on March 15, with police suspecting slippery conditions may have been responsible.
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NationalQueenslandExtreme weather Queensland towns warned as tropical cyclone tracks toward coast Catherine Strohfeldt March 17, 2026  6:55pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A tropical cyclone has developed off Queenslands far north and was tracking toward the states coastline. Modelling from the Bureau of Meteorology revealed Tropical Cyclone Narelle could further develop into a stronger system before striking the coast to the north of Cairns later in the week with severe impact. On Tuesday night, the category one system was expected to intensify as it tracked toward the coast between Lockhart River and Port Douglas, with destructive winds of up to 155km/h possible from Thursday night. Tropical Cyclone Narelle has developed in the Coral Sea, and is expected to bring severe impacts to Far North Queensland. BOM A severe impact is likely late in the week, the warning said.

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Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said there was good consensus among meteorologists that the storm would make landfall between the Lockhart River and Port Douglas regions. At this stage were currently forecasting the tropical cyclone category three system approaching and then probably crossing the peninsula coast sometime during Friday afternoon, maybe into Friday night, he said. The storm had been held offshore for several days by a trough, which allowed it to grow over warm tropical waters in the Coral Sea between Australia and Vanuatu. It began steadily tracking westward this week as the trough weakened. The weather bureau said there was a high chance the cyclone would impact communities between Lockhart River and Port Douglas  a stretch of coastline measuring roughly 470 kilometres.

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Narramore said it was possible the storm could be weakened by cooler sea surface temperatures, strong winds in the upper atmosphere counter to the direction of the cyclone  called wind shears  and dry air added into the system. Related Article Floods Roads cut, power switched off, residents isolated as Bundaberg floods Apart from some of that wind shear, or stronger winds in the atmosphere, in the next 24 hours or so  all the conditions are there, Narramore said. Its a pretty favourable and supportive environment for it to continue intensifying as it moves towards the Queensland coast. Narramore said the system could still wobble a bit, as it approached the coast, making it impossible to nail down an exact landing point.

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Thats why its important for residents and communities who live pretty much anywhere north of Cairns to make sure theyre staying up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings in the coming days, he said. He said the rainfall from the extreme weather system was unlikely to bring more water to saturated parts of the state still recovering from heavy rainfall earlier this month. If the storm remained intact as it crossed the coast it would be the first cyclone of the current season to make landfall, after Cyclone Koji was downgraded hours before it made landfall. The weather bureau was set to issue its next update on Wednesday morning. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalQueenslandCity council Why dozens of clowns showed up to an ordinary council meeting William Davis March 17, 2026  3:59pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A colourful array of clown-costumed protesters filled the typically vacant Brisbane council gallery on Tuesday to patiently mock the citys elected figures. Community group Tight Knit organised the showing, saying it wanted to highlight poor behaviour by local government representatives. Send in the clowns: Protesters at Brisbane City Council. William Davis Were here today to bring awareness to the fact that Brisbane City Council often doesnt operate for its residents, and also were here to show that even a gallery of clowns can behave better than our own elected officials, organiser Tully Connor said. We adore this city, I love this city, and when big decisions are made without any input from local communities it can be really hurtful and harmful.

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The normally quiet proceedings at City Hall  which often are attended by just two journalists and a similar number of ratepayers  were a bustle of several dozen clowns and media teams from just before 1pm on Tuesday, with a long queue to enter the chamber and many people being unable to fit on the public benches. Related Article City council Lord mayor says zoning change could help your online shopping arrive sooner Connor flagged transparency and accountability as among her primary concerns. The group said it was not affiliated with a particular party, but councillors from the Labor opposition and Greens were consulting with organisers in the lead-up to the protest at King George Square. Were not politically aligned, of course we have our own values, and those values are represented far more by some political parties than others, but were not here to hate on a political party or promote a different one, the 18-year-old Tight Knit executive added.

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I think having a council or any elected official in a majority government for so long, they get a bit too comfortable in their role. Obviously the other political parties ... are guilty of doing it, but when you have such a big majority theres no one there to hold them to account. The clowns were well-behaved during a boisterous question time, quietly watching on as councillors sparred over everything from development to wooden possum boxes. Significant motions were scheduled to be discussed later in the afternoon, including the plan to increase building heights in the heart of Wynnum.

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A woman has been charged with the murder of another woman, whose body police say had lain in an Ipswich house for two weeks.

Officers were initially called the Beryl Street address, in Bellbird Park, to reports a person was causing a disturbance on the street.

Police then discovered the body of a 42-year-old Springfield Lakes woman, identified as Katherine Sanowski, in the home.

Police at the house where 42-year-old Katherine Sanowskis body was discovered. Ha-Teya Gripske

At the time of the discovery, on February 20, Detective Inspector Michael Manago said police believed Sanowskis body had been in the home for about two weeks.
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Four people have been charged over an alleged arson attack in Chapel Street last year which led to the death of a 52-year-old man.

Ibrahim Haddara, 28, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday night, 14 months after the alleged arson at the Golden Lounge Dessert and Juice Bar in Prahran.

Ibrahim Haddara is led away by police on Tuesday morning. Victoria Police

Haddara was arrested in Newport on Tuesday morning. At the same time, police arrested 26-year-old Ahmed Naghdali in Point Cook over the same incident.

A gel blaster, three laptops and a mobile phone were seized from the Point Cook address, whilst seven sim cards, two laptops and two mobile phones were seized from the Newport address, officers said in a statement.
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NationalVictoriaCrime Melbourne property tycoon bailed after $20m extortion charges Alexander Darling March 17, 2026  6:51pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The head of a major Melbourne property development company has been granted bail after being charged with offences relating to an alleged $20 million extortion plot, with a court hearing he used an AI assistant to research the legality of his alleged actions. Paul Fridman, 50, was released on Tuesday with strict conditions, one day after he wept in the courtroom upon learning he would be remanded in custody for one night. Paul Fridman in 2016. Daniel Munoz Appearing in court on Tuesday and posting a $225,000 bail guarantee for her son, Fridmans mother said the serious allegations against her son did not affect her willingness to support him. He loves us. He would do anything for us, and he wont [breach bail], she said.

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Victoria Police allege Fridman engaged an overseas-based standover man, self-styled as Mr International, to threaten his former business partners Ash Boyd and Nigel Givoni with violence if they did not pay Fridman. The court heard the standover man demanded Boyd pay Fridman $250,000, and said Givoni owed Fridman $20 million. Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrew Lauder told the court on Monday that following his arrest, Fridman said he had agreed to give Mr International 10 per cent of any money extracted from Boyd and Givoni as part of their deal. The court also heard Mr International issued threats via WhatsApp, including a threat to burn down Boyds house. The messages began on February 24, a few days after Boyd pulled out of a lucrative deal to develop apartments with Fridman in Queensland. Less than three weeks later, Lauder said, two Molotov cocktails were thrown at Boyds house while he, his wife and two young children were sleeping inside. The March 14 fire left the house moderately damaged.

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Its nothing short of a miracle no one was injured, Lauder said of the suspicious fire. Related Article Courts Property tycoon breaks down in tears after being remanded over $20m extortion case Mr Internationals threats continued after the fire, and after Fridman was arrested on Monday. Fridman has been charged with four counts of threatening to shoot or burn down property linked to his alleged victims, and one count of possessing cocaine, which officers allege they found when he was arrested on Monday. Police said they believed Fridman presented an unacceptable risk if he was released and said he had not co-operated with investigators.

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He had deleted text messages before police came to arrest him, and was unwilling to co-operate or identify accomplices that might lead to the identification of Mr International, a prosecutor said. The court heard this lack of co-operation damaged the police investigations integrity as the matter headed towards a trial date. Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge granted bail, saying police had not established Fridman would be an unacceptable risk if released, given he did not threaten the alleged victims directly, and it could not be proven he explicitly asked Mr International to threaten to kill them. Fridman will remain on bail until his next court appearance on June 9, but will have to surrender his passport and electronic devices, and is restrained from contacting or confronting four people as conditions of his release. Let me make it crystal clear to you Mr Fridman, any breach of any of these orders is a breach of your bail which will see your parents money forfeited you being arrested and remanded in custody for a minimum of 12 months, but more likely two years, Lethbridge said.

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Police also told the court on Monday they found Fridman had asked ChatGPT a series of questions, including Is it legal in Australia to sell debt to a third party? to which he received the reply Yes. The court heard Fridman also asked the AI assistant, What happens if that person youve sold the debt to turns violent? Under cross-examination, Lauder said police couldnt be sure whether Fridman performed these searches before or after the firebombing. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalVictoriaCrime Mountains of building waste burnt off in alleged black market operation on Melbournes fringe Adam Carey March 17, 2026  10:58am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

While Victoria baked through its hottest day on record on January 27, Jayden Chetcuti allegedly got to work raising the temperature even higher in the outer Melbourne suburb of Wollert. As the mercury tipped past 45 degrees in the early afternoon, the 26-year-old concrete pumper is alleged to have lit a bonfire built from piles of demolition refuse in a hidden corner of a leased farm, despite a total fire ban being in place. It soon became a grass fire in the catastrophic conditions. It took more than 20 Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria vehicles and a helicopter to contain the blaze, which was fanned by fierce northerly winds blowing in the direction of a housing estate several hundred metres south. This was not the first time firefighters had been forced to battle a fire at the Wollert property, 40 kilometres north of central Melbourne.

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Chetcuti is being investigated by the Environment Protection Authority for the alleged unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste, and for allegedly failing to comply with the regulators direction to cease burning and remediate the site. His father, Joseph Chetcuti, also faces EPA charges for unlawfully accepting industrial waste without a permit at multiple sites in Diamond Creek, on Melbournes north-eastern fringe, and failing to comply with a notice requiring him to cease accepting, classify and clean up the wastes. Jayden Chetcuti is alleged to have started a grass fire while burning industrial waste on Victorias hottest day on record, on January 27. Jason South Waste industry sources speaking anonymously told The Age the father and son had been running a prolific black market operation disposing of demolition waste at cut-price rates, mostly for small operators who want to avoid paying Victorias metropolitan landfill levy, which increased from $129 to $170 a tonne last year. One source said small operators were attracted to the business because of the high and growing cost of legally disposing of construction waste and soil at legitimate landfill sites.

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Its been like six years in a row, every year the EPA is putting up the levy for rubbish  prices have gone up that much to take rubbish to the landfill, and people, of course they have to find shortcuts because people dont have much money to afford all that. The industry source said the father and son were well known in the northern suburbs building and waste sectors, and had begun their operation on a Diamond Creek property they owned, initially being visited by a handful of tipper trucks a day depositing soil, but in time also taking building waste and ramping the operation up to 80, 90, 100 trucks a day. On January 27, Victorias hottest day on record, the CFA attended a fire comprised of industrial refuse that was allegedly deliberately lit as part of an illegal waste disposal operation. The Diamond Creek operation was shut down in September last year, and Joseph Chetcuti was charged with accepting construction waste and soil without a permit and failing to comply with a notice to cease accepting, classify and clean up the waste. But the Chetcutis were not done with their waste disposal operation. The following month, Jayden Chetcuti leased the Wollert property.

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A real estate listing advertised the 53-hectare site as an ideal earth dump station. Satellite imagery indicates he worked quickly to build an industrial-scale disposal site in the north-western corner, which lies beyond the view of passing traffic. By mid-December, it had been transformed from a rocky field to a dump site covered in piles of building waste and mounds of soil. The CFA attended the property multiple times before police eventually accompanied firefighters on January 27, when Jayden Chetcuti was arrested and taken away to be interviewed. He was later released. In a chain of WhatsApp group messages, seen by The Age, Chetcuti had spruiked the site in Wollert earlier that month.

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Hey lads I have a site to tip rubbish call me, one reads. How much per tone [sic], one member of the group asks. Photos also show tipper trucks depositing demolition rubble at the site. A fire at the Summerhill Road property lights up the night sky. A CFA source, speaking anonymously because they are not authorised to speak, said volunteer firefighters had visited the Wollert site several times over summer and that Chetcuti was cavalier about the situation. He cracked a joke, Next time Ill bring the marshmallows.

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Related Article Bushfires How the lessons learnt from Black Saturday are saving lives Its been difficult. Summerhill Road has burnt out the crew like weve never been burnt out before. Hes also creating a significant risk to the rest of the Wollert area because our appliances are tied up there. If something else was to happen we are already pulling resources to this job, they said. A nearby resident said fires sometimes started in the middle of the night and would smoulder for days. He temporarily moved his family out of the area because of the dust and smoke that invaded the house during the bonfires, and over fears a fire may one day burn out of control. At times, the access road into the property was as busy as a commercial tip, the resident said. Theres trucks going in and out all day long. Sometimes theres one every 10 minutes, sometimes theres one every two hours, but its continuous.

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Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Evan Mulholland raised the issue in state parliament after meeting with CFA volunteers in Wollert in February. I was shocked to learn of this occurring and that it has even taken place during total fire bans, risking devastating consequences for local communities, Mulholland said. Waste material smoulders at the alleged unlawful burn-off site in Wollert. The property is also significant because it is bound on all sides by heritage-listed dry stone walls, one of which has been damaged, and is covered by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program, meaning it contains habitat for critically endangered species. A high-pressure underground gas pipeline between Victoria and NSW, which is critical to Melbournes gas supply, also runs through the site.

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It is understood the pipelines owner, APA, has raised concerns with the CFA about the potential risk to the pipeline from an out-of-control grass fire. When contacted by The Age, Jayden Chetcuti confirmed he had leased the property within the past six months, but denied he had been burning industrial waste, insisting the demolition material was green waste. People might call it industrial waste or classify it as that but not until the right authorities have viewed it, Chetcuti said. I mean, its all trees and stuff that would have been known as green waste as well as hardwood timber. I wouldnt call that industrial waste because that was once a tree too, that has been milled down into certain shapes or measurements and used for house frames or structural work.

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Chetcuti said he was complying with the EPAs directions. He also said he had removed part of a protected dry-stone wall because it was the only way to access the property. The EPA said the Wollert site was the subject of an ongoing investigation, so the regulator was limited in what it could say publicly. EPA has inspected and issued a direction and remedial notice to regulate the unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste at 280 Summerhill Road, Wollert, it said.

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An investigation is ongoing to identify potential offences related to the unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste as well as non-compliance with the direction and remedial notice. Victoria Police said it was also investigating the circumstances surrounding an allegedly suspicious grassfire in Wollert on January 27, in which a 26-year-old man was arrested and interviewed before being released. A tipper truck visits the leased farm property in Wollert. Whittlesea City Council said it was aware of community concerns and was investigating activity at the site. Council has been investigating activities on the site and officers have attended on numerous occasions as part of ongoing monitoring and investigations, it said.

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Joseph Chetcuti is scheduled to face court in May for a guilty plea. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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The consortium building the $26 billion North East Link project complained to the government in 2023 that the CFMEU was delaying construction by blocking surveyors from carrying out their work on the over-budget 10-kilometre toll road. Spark, the consortium building the project, briefed transport officials on the negative impact the construction union was having in a monthly report tracking progress in March 2023. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan at the North East Link project in 2024. AAP The brief, obtained by the state opposition under freedom-of-information laws and provided to The Age and The Australian Financial Review, adds pressure on Premier Jacinta Allan to explain the steps she took to tackle systemic issues before revelations in this mastheads Building Bad investigation in mid-2024. The premier, who was the minister responsible for transport infrastructure such as the North East Link until September 2023, refused on Tuesday to say how many times she had been warned about misconduct on the governments $100 billion Big Build, insisting she had always responded appropriately.

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Sparks monthly brief to transport bureaucrats, which the Department of Treasury and Finance was also looped into, detailed havoc the construction union was causing to the North East Link works, which is due to link the Eastern Freeway to the M80 Ring Road through Bulleen by 2028. During this month the CFMEU prevented the surveyors from carrying out their duties effectively. This has had a negative impact on progress re setting out etc. But workarounds have been developed by the site team, the March 2023 progress report said. It revealed that tunnelling on the North East Link was unable to begin for up to two months because of later delivery and longer CFMEU driven assembly. The first tunnel boring machine was expected to start excavations 65 days later than planned, pushing its start time out from March to May 2024, while the second was delayed 44 days from May to July 2024.

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According to the governments Big Build website, tunnelling did not in fact begin until August and September. Related Article Exclusive

Building Bad Infrastructure boss warned Allan as CFMEU ran rampant Later that year, the government revealed the North East Link had blown out by another $10 billion. It was initially budgeted at $10 billion and reassessed in 2019 at $15 billion, before reaching $26 billion in December 2023. Those cost increases were put down to expanded scope and compliance with environmental regulations that werent calculated in the business case, as well as global economic disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman Evan Mulholland said the latest example of warnings to the government showed Allan had turned a blind eye to this behaviour, at an enormous cost to taxpayers.

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Jacinta Allan as minister responsible, and premier, was repeatedly warned about CFMEU behaviour adding costs to taxpayers and causing disruption on construction sites, Mulholland said. He made the freedom-of-information request in October 2023 but was denied access, before appealing to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner and then the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Age and The Australian Financial Review earlier revealed that Kevin Devlin, the head of the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, repeatedly raised his concerns with Allan about CFMEU-linked misbehaviour on government work sites before this mastheads Building Bad investigation. Four sources said Devlin felt his concerns had not been heeded.

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Allan acknowledged that Devlin had brought the issue to her attention, but maintained she had responded appropriately and that she had zero tolerance for any criminal behaviour on the Big Build. When Kevin Devlin raised with me in a meeting in June 2023 that he was aware the authority at the time was aware of anecdotal claims of alleged criminal behaviour, I ordered for those claims to be investigated by the agency with the Department of Transport at the time, the premier said on Tuesday. They came back and provided advice that there was no evidence that there was systematic behaviour, but I was still concerned enough. I was concerned that this needed to be investigated further, which is why, in addition to the authority referring this matter to Victoria Police, I also, too, in June of 2023 wrote to the chief commissioner of Victoria Police. Loading As one of a small number of senior public servants serving as a director of peak body Roads Australia, Devlin separately contributed to its boards collective estimate  detailed in a confidential briefing note obtained by this masthead  last year that entrenched industrial lawlessness and criminality was fuelling 30 per cent blowouts on government infrastructure projects.

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Allan, who has refused calls for a royal commission, emphasised that construction cost escalations in Victoria were lower than the national average but conceded she was of course concerned by that figure. As evidenced by the actions that we have taken, she said. Allan has repeatedly dismissed estimates by corruption buster Geoffrey Watson, SC, that 15 per cent of the Big Builds $100 billion price tag had been lost to crime and corruption. Deputy Nationals leader Emma Kealy said on Tuesday that it was utter bullshit that the premier did not know about widespread wrongdoing on government building sites and that she should step up or step away from the job. Victoria Police established Operation Hawk following this mastheads Building Bad investigation in 2024 and has since laid dozens of charges, while the Labor Hire Authority has also cancelled and suspended licences using stronger powers.

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Theyre cleaning up the industry, Allan said. The culture is changing, and its changing because we have taken strong action against any allegation or any claim of criminal behaviour. Editor's pick Exclusive

Building Bad The 1000 ways the CFMEU has provoked outrage on nations building sites The opposition and the Greens are continuing their push for the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission to have greater powers and a broader jurisdiction which would empower the watchdog to pursue wrongdoing on government construction sites. Spark declined to comment. A Victorian government spokesman said the business case for North East Link was done before the pandemic sent costs up around the world.



He said tunnelling was on track despite some complexities.



Were building this much-needed missing link because it cuts congestion and saves families time and money, he said.



We added significant scope to the project after listening to the local community.



This project has been talked about for 60 years and were on track to opening it in 2028. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Analysis WorldAsiaChina relations Trump demand for Beijings help with Iran lands flat Lisa Visentin March 17, 2026  10:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Beijing: By normal foreign policy metrics, it ought to be seen as a little galling for Washington to demand Beijings support to help resolve a Middle East crisis of its own making, let alone one resulting from an attack on Chinas friend in the region. But Donald Trump dispensed with policy norms long ago. And so, without any sense of irony, the US president dangled the threat that he may delay his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March unless Beijing helps unblock the Strait of Hormuz, which has been choked off by Iran and its attacks on commercial shipping vessels. Trump and Xi last met in South Korea last October. Their summit meeting later this month may now not happen. Getty Images Its only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there, Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday, adding wed like to know before the trip whether Beijing will help. One is left to imagine the bemusement among officials in the Chinese capital at being urged by Trump to get involved in a conflict far from its shores and in a region that has only proved a diabolical quagmire for the US in the past.

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Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war If Trumps America is not winning this war  and its not  who is? Peter Hartcher Political and international editor This is not our war. If we send ships there, it seems like we are joining the camp of the US and Israel against Iran. Thats certainly not what China wants to do, says Wu Xinbo, director of the Centre for American Studies at Shanghais Fudan University. Trump did not have the leverage to play this card, Wu added, because delaying his trip to Beijing doesnt do any damage to China. Trumps request found critics in Washington, too. Asia expert Evan Feigenbaum, from the Carnegie Endowment think tank, posted on X that Trump was essentially demanding Washingtons adversary demonstrate and deploy more expeditionary naval power. Its a move that flies in the face of years of efforts to discourage Beijing from doing exactly that, he argued.

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By Monday morning in Paris, after emerging from the latest round of trade talks with Chinese officials, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was hosing down Trumps comments. It was a false narrative to suggest the meeting could be delayed due to Chinas unwillingness to assist, he said, while keeping the door ajar for the meeting to be rescheduled due to the war. Trump is seeking allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but has not yet found many willing partners. Bloomberg Trump soon pivoted to this rationale, confirming the US had requested a one-month delay and saying I have to be here ... weve got a war going on. Fan Hongda, director of the China-Middle East Centre at Shaoxing University, said he suspected Beijing would quietly welcome the US presidents decision.

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If President Trump were to visit China while the conflict was still raging, it would damage Chinas national image, especially given the severe bombing of Iranian civilian infrastructure, he said. Beijing has trodden a cautious path since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February and assassinated its China-friendly leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It has sought to cast itself as a neutral actor and defender of state sovereignty amid the chaos of US interventionism, condemning both the decision to attack Iran and Irans attacks on its Gulf neighbours. It has so far refrained from responding to Trumps knee-jerk demand to help police the strait beyond a Foreign Ministry spokesman again urging a ceasefire on Monday. On the surface, its easy to see where Trumps logic was taking him. China heavily relies on the Middle East for its oil imports, so why shouldnt it help keep the strait open and free from Irans attacks on transiting vessels, presumably by leveraging its close relationship with Tehran to do so? Iran has signalled that it will allow ships from some nations to transit the Strait of Hormuz. AP

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Conflict resolution is a responsibility of great powers  a status China wants to claim. The question is, whose ships would Chinas navy be protecting? Not its own, it seems. Iran has indicated it will grant safe passage to Chinese tankers and ships whose cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, with officials claiming the strait is closed only to its enemies (the US, Israel and their allies). Secondly, in this instance, Beijings involvement would be in service of an American interventionist agenda, and thats not something it will countenance, says Ahmed Aboudouh, an expert on Chinas Middle East strategy at the Chatham House think tank. Related Article Analysis

Middle East at war With the Iran war entering its third week, what is Trumps exit strategy?

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Aboudouh sits in the camp of China analysts who argue there is a tendency in Washington to overstate Beijings influence over Tehran and to superimpose the expectations of the US alliance structure onto Beijings network of partners. The Iranians are not going to listen to anyone who tells them not to defend themselves, he says. China does not have a US-style alliance with Iran. Their strategic partnership is not built on defence obligations but economic transactionalism, with Beijing buying 90 per cent of Tehrans oil imports at a bargain price, helping to sustain the regime. China is agnostic about the political survival of the Islamic Republic beyond not wanting a US-backed alternative to take its place. But it does care very much about its economic interests being affected by regional instability. Strait stays blocked Trump hasnt just singled out China for help with the strait. He has appealed to seven nations, including France, Japan and South Korea, to send warships to shepherd vessels through the vital shipping lane, through which one-fifth of the worlds oil passes.

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Tehran has attacked at least 18 commercial vessels in the Gulf using explosives and drone strikes since the war started. Meanwhile, China-linked ships have rushed to declare they are China-owned on maritime broadcasting channels to avoid being targeted. Related Article Middle East at war How Trumps elite marine unit could wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz Hundreds of fuel tankers and cargo ships are now backed up in the strait and surrounding waters, sending global oil prices skyrocketing by 40 per cent. Its hitting consumers especially hard at the petrol bowser  no doubt alarming the Trump administration as it gears up for the midterm elections, having reneged on its promise of no new wars. China is not immune to the global oil shock, despite its cosy ties with Iran. Its energy interests are also being directly threatened by Tehrans attacks on the infrastructure of other Gulf nations, like Saudi Arabia, Chinas top oil supplier in the region. But Beijing is better insulated than many countries, having stockpiled 1.2 billion barrels of crude or about three to four months worth of supplies.

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For now, its banking on riding out the storm. 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.
Donald Trump lashes out at NATO and Australia over Iran

Donald Trump says that he never needed or wanted other countries help in Iran, while lashing out at US allies  including Australia
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Updated WorldNorth AmericaForeign relations We dont need anyones help: Trump lashes out at NATO allies, Australia over Iran war Michael Koziol Updated March 18, 2026  6:04am ,first published 4:34am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: Donald Trump has reversed course and claimed he never needed or wanted other countries help in Iran, while lashing out at US allies  including Australia  after previously demanding their assistance. He went as far as saying that the US should rethink its involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO, while adding that he had no immediate changes in mind. US President Donald Trump unloaded on American allies for declining to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. AP The US presidents latest broadside came as his top counter-terrorism official resigned, saying he could no longer in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran, and accusing Israeli officials and lobbyists of sowing pro-war sentiment in the administration. Asked about the resignation, Trump said that he always thought the man he appointed to run the National Counterterrorism Centre was very weak on security and its a good thing that hes out.

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Trump has been asking US allies  primarily Gulf partners and NATO members  to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help unblock the crucial shipping passage, with oil tanker traffic grinding to a halt amid the ongoing US and Israeli campaign against Iran. But most NATO allies had informed him they would not take part, he said on Tuesday (US time), adding that it was not surprising, as he had long considered NATO to be a one-way street. We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. A UAE navy ship sails next to a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates on March 11. AP Trump went on to say the US military had decimated Irans navy, air forces, defences and the regimes leadership. Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea, Trump wrote on social media. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

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Later, in a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at the White House, the US president continued to savage the foolish mistake NATO was making. This was a great test. We dont need them, but they should have been there, he said. We as the United States have to remember that - because we think its pretty shocking. Asked by a reporter whether he was rethinking the US relationship with NATO, or considering withdrawing from the 77-year-old alliance, Trump said: When they dont help us, its certainly something we should think about  I have nothing currently in mind, but I will say that Im not exactly thrilled. Loading After Trump again expressed his disappointment with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not assisting at the outset of the war, Martin defended the British PM, calling him an earnest and sound person with whom Trump could repair his relationship.

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The Irish leader also defended allied military support for Ukraine after Trump complained that the US helped NATO with Ukraine, but NATO was not helping him with Iran. Trumps remarks came as French President Emmanuel Macron ruled out sending ships to the Strait, after Trump implied the previous day that France was likely to assist. We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context, Macron said at the start of a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation. Joseph Kent, a Trump appointee to run the National Counterterrorism Centre, quit over the Iran war. AP The war, which is now in its third week, has inflicted overwhelming damage to Irans missile stocks, weapons industry, navy and air force  and regime leaders.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said overnight that Israeli air strikes had killed two more Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. But the campaign has detractors within Trumps so-called America First movement. On Tuesday, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, Trump appointee Joe Kent, resigned saying he could not in good conscience support the war. Related Article Opinion

Letters Trump trivialises war and makes a mockery of politics Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby, he said. In his resignation letter, Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media of waging what he called a misinformation campaign to sow pro-war sentiment and undermine the America First movement.

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Trump nominated Kent to head the National Counterterrorism Centre in February 2025. Asked about his resignation on Tuesday, Trump rubbished his assessment that Iran did not pose a threat to the US. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security  very weak on security, Trump said of his appointee. I didnt know him well  Its a good thing that hes out. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Kent made many false claims in his letter, including the absurd allegation that foreign countries might have motivated the presidents decision-making. In a lengthy statement, she said Trump had strong and compelling evidence  compiled from many sources and factors  that Iran was going to attack the US first.

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President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum, Leavitt said. With 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.
For larger banks on the Liquidity Coverage Ratio framework, APRA is considering new measures  potentially via a Pillar 2 liquidity overlay  to capture risks not fully addressed by minimum requirements, such as intraday payment exposures and deposits that can run quickly just outside the 30day horizon.
Among those considering this step, almost half would use the money for rent or general living expenses, while around a third say it would go towards a house deposit or paying down their mortgage.
Because the business depends so heavily on the founder, its valuation becomes closely tied to that persons ongoing involvement. Playsted argues that many brokerages are built to generate cash flow rather than enterprise value, with systems, leadership structures, and client ownership models not always designed for transferability.
China, U.S. agree stable economic, trade ties benefit both countries, world, says China int'l trade representative

Xinhua) 10:40, March 17, 2026

PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States agreed that stable bilateral economic and trade relations are beneficial to both countries and world, a senior Chinese official said here on Monday.

Meanwhile, China's position on Section 301 investigations has been consistent and it opposes such unilateral probes, said Li Chenggang, China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice minister of commerce, at a briefing following the new round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Rebecca Black, Press Association in Washington DC

A special edition of Ulysses and Donegal wool socks were among gifts exchanged at a meeting between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US vice president JD Vance.

Martin started what he described as an unforgettable day with a breakfast meeting with Mr Vance at his official residence in Washington DC.

The Taoiseach, accompanied by his wife Mary, met the vice president and the second lady of the United States at Number One Observatory Circle.

US vice president JD Vance speaks during a breakfast at the Naval Observatory. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

The meeting is a traditional part of the Irish premiers annual visit to Washington to mark St Patricks Day, and precedes a bilateral with the US president.

In a short address prior to the breakfast, Mr Vance said Ireland is an important economic and trading partner as about 375,000 US jobs depend on the country in one form or another.

He added: But I actually think that understates the cultural friendship between the United States and Ireland.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks during a breakfast at the Naval Observatory. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

So many of the greatest Americans were people who came from Ireland or their families came from Ireland.

In the Republican Party, of course, we revere Ronald Reagan, a great Irishman and a great president of the United States.

Vance said most people in America know someone with a deep connection to Ireland.

He added: We love it and we admired it, and we cherished the incredible friendships that we have and the great things that Ireland has done for the United States of America.

Stripe chief executive Patrick Collison (right). Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Vance, who held the same meeting with the Taoiseach last year, said he is very grateful for the friendship of Mr Martin and everything that unites the people of Ireland and the United States of America.

The breakfast was attended by US ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh and Stripe chief executive Patrick Collison.

Vance said attendees would be presented with a gift bag including a pint glass and Donegal-style wool socks.

The vice president was wearing a pair of socks with shamrocks for St Patricks Day.

US vice president JD Vance showing off a pair of Shamrock-adorned socks. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

He said this years pair was slightly more muted than the ones he wore in the Oval Office last year, for which he said US President Donald Trump bust my chops.

Martin also gifted Vance a special edition of Ulysses.

In his speech, the Taoiseach hailed the welcome and hospitality of the Vance couple.

Martins remarks referenced ties between Ireland and the US, and the respective countries campaigns for independence.

A note written by Taoiseach Micheal Martin in the guest book at the Naval Observatory. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

He said: Just one mile from where we sit this morning is Robert Emmet Memorial Park, named in honour of the Irish patriot who led a rebellion against the British in 1803.

And in a famous speech from the dock before he was put to death, he declared: I wish to procure for my country the guarantee which Washington procured for America.

Martin said children from rich and diverse traditions across the island of Ireland have made their mark on the US.

He added: Throughout the 250 years since America proudly raised the flag for freedom, Irelands sons and daughters sought to repay the gift of opportunity through service to their new homeland.

Irish workers helped craft the skylines of Americas great cities and fortify the fabric of communities across the land.

US vice president JD Vance and Taoiseach Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA)

Immigrants from my home county of Cork moved to Ohio, where they built the roads, canals and railways, which literally laid the foundations of American greatness.

The Taoiseach said: The Scots-Irish who mostly came to Pennsylvania and the Appalachians  an area very close to your heart  brought not only their strong work ethic, but also fiddle tunes, which melded with the African-American banjo to gift to the world bluegrass.

As firefighters, police officers, nurses, farmers and presidents  23 of whom have had Irish heritage  our exiled children from all the rich and diverse traditions across our island have made their mark on this proud land.

In turn, Mr Martin said the US helped craft peace on the island of Ireland.

He said: Americas unwavering support over decades and from both sides of the aisle made this possible.

US vice president JD Vance watches as Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks during a breakfast at the Naval Observatory. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

At the darkest and bleakest of times, you  all of you in this room  kept the faith.

And today that work continues.

Parties from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland, along with the Irish and British governments, continue to work hard to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement.

It enables us to deal comprehensively with the legacy of the past and to engage all the communities and traditions on our island around the shared present and future.
By Danny Halpin and Callum Parke, Press Association

The Northern Irish peace process was given to the British government on a plate, Gerry Adams has told the High Court.

Adams is giving evidence on Tuesday in defence of a legal claim brought against him by three victims of bombings in England by the Provisional IRA in the 1970s and 1990s.

John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a 1996 London Docklands bombing victim; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, all allege that Mr Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council, and are seeking 1 in damages.

We put together a peace process. It was given to John Majors government, if I may use the expression, on a plate Gerry Adams

The former Sinn Fein president denies the allegations and is defending the claim, telling the court that he had no involvement whatsoever in the bombings and was never a member of the Provisional IRA.

Adams, wearing a dark suit and tie, a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, began his evidence by wishing the judge, Mr Justice Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day.

Later on Tuesday, Sir Max Hill KC, for the victims, suggested during cross-examination that Mr Adams used bombs as a way to get the British government to the negotiating table.

Sir Max said: I am asking whether you accept that bombing Britain has worked for you, Mr Adams.

Mr Adams replied: No. We put together a peace process. It was given to John Majors government, if I may use the expression, on a plate.

A court sketch of Mr Adams giving evidence on Tuesday. Photo: Elizabeth Cook/PA.

He was handed this put together by people in Ireland with help from our friends in Irish America.

There is no reason whatsoever in any persons language why the people who live on the island of Ireland cannot be free from British rule.

Adams said later: I think its OK to have friendly relationships with your neighbours, but we dont want our neighbours living in our house, living in our home.

When asked whether he had disdain for John Majors government, Mr Adams said: Its done, its gone.

I have learnt that you have to live in the nows, you cant live in the past, you have to live in the future.

He continued: A united Ireland is not inevitable.

He added: I hope to live in a united Ireland, but if I do not, I will go to my grave content that I have played a role in bringing about a united Ireland.

He also said: We are not at the end objective yet, but we have peace.

Gerry Adams arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday (Aaron Chown/PA)

Adams has claimed that while he was a member of Sinn Fein, and was the organisations president from 1983 to 2018, he was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA.

He told the court that he never took an oath of allegiance to the Provisional IRA, and attended talks with the British government in London in 1972 in his capacity as a member of Sinn Fein.

Adams then denied Maxs claim that he was rewriting history.

Earlier on Tuesday, Adams told the court that while he did not distance himself from the Provisional IRA, he was glad the organisation had left the stage and that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.

In his witness statement, he also said that he had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the three bombings.

Anne Studd KC, for the bomb victims, previously told the trial that being a member of Sinn Fein and a member of the Provisional IRA was a distinction without a difference for some individuals, including Mr Adams.

Studd also told the court that Mr Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement.

The barrister continued that Mr Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The trial before Mr Justice Swift is expected to end later in March.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association in Washington DC

Taoiseach Micheal Martin is preparing for a bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump.

The Taoiseach will also meet with vice president JD Vance on St Patricks Day as part of the leader of Irelands traditional visit to Washington DC.

Martin will meet with Trump in the Oval Office in an encounter which is expected to touch on a range of topics, including deep ties between the two countries.

Last years meeting saw the US president take questions from reporters for almost an hour.

However, Martin has faced criticism from some quarters about meeting with President Trump following the US and Israels war with Iran.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill are boycotting the St Patricks Day events in the US over that administrations policies in terms of Gaza.

Other countries would be jealous to have that opportunity, and that's something that we should not, under any circumstances, let slip from our grasp. Enda Kenny

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was the first taoiseach to meet President Donald Trump during the latters first term in office in 2017 described an opportunity which is the envy of other countries.

Speaking to reporters at the Irish Funds gala dinner on Monday night, Kenny said the traditional annual meeting must be maintained.

Essentially the job of the Taoiseach on Tuesday in meeting with the president of the United States is to reaffirm the strength of links between Ireland and America, he said.

Were all different and politicians are politicians, theyve got their own view and issues that they wish to raise. Generally and over the last years, a visit by whatever Irish Taoiseach to whatever American president was about the links between both entities.

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny attending the Ireland Funds National Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, during his visit to the US for St Patricks Day (Niall Carson/PA)

Obviously there is a place for sorting out global politics and global controversies such as we have now, but Tuesdays meeting is for the Taoiseach to reaffirm that Ireland is not losing sight of the opportunity here in America and over 200,000 American jobs, employed by Irish firms.

Asked about those who feel the Taoiseach should have not continued the tradition of meeting with President Trump, or should press him on issues, Kenny said: I had that same argument with myself in 2011 right up to 2017 that you shouldnt go to the White House, but this is an opportunity that no other country has.

If youre here to talk about opportunity for America in America through Ireland, or for young Irish to thrive and prosper and be world leaders, irrespective of what ones views are, its a really important and critical element of good connections in politics that Ireland, whoever the Taoiseach is, has established a very strong tradition of being able to talk to whoever the American president is.

Other countries would be jealous to have that opportunity, and thats something that we should not, under any circumstances, let slip from our grasp.

Later on Tuesday, the Taoiseach will attend the Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the US Capitol, ahead of his presentation of a bowl of shamrock to the US President back at the White House.

Speaking on Monday, Martin described Ireland as confident in our contribution to America on a number of fronts.

I mean, look at last evening, an Irish actress winning the Oscar, by all of the critics, an outstanding film, he said.

I mean, thats where Ireland is today. Were a self-confident country, self-confident people.

And life is unpredictable, politics is unpredictable.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin waves to well-wishers during the St Patricks Day Parade in Philadelphia, during his visit to the US for St Patricks Day (Niall Carson/PA)

Im looking forward to it.

He also insisted he does not feel under pressure to address the war in the Middle East when meeting President Trump, or that recent anti-war comments by President Catherine Connolly would be brought to Trumps attention.

He said there are many wars in the world currently and that the horrendous conflict in Sudan had received precious little attention in global commentary.

On Monday evening, the Taoiseach addressed the prestigious Ireland Funds National Gala dinner in the US capital.

He spent the weekend in Philadelphia where he marked the contribution of Irish people to the building of the country, 250 years on from the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

He also took part in the Pennsylvania citys St Patricks Day parade.
Cement dispatches in Peru advanced by 10.9 per cent YoY to 1.044Mt in February 2026 from 0.942Mt, according to the countrys cement association, ASOCEM. Of this total, 0.922Mt were delivered by the associations members.

Cement production increased by 8.7 per cent to 0.948Mt in February 2026 from 0.872Mt in the equivalent period of the previous year. Clinker production was up 9.7 per cent YoY to 0.824Mt from 0.751Mt in February 2025.

Cement exports declined 13.4 per cent YoY to 9600t in February 2026 from 11,100t, but clinker exports edged up 1.4 per cent to 37,000t from 36,500t over the same period.

There was a 31.1 per cent YoY surge in cement imports to 70,000t. The majority of cement imports originated from Vietnam (86.7 per cent) while 13.3 per cent was imported from Chile. The average CIF import price via Tacna increased 12.7 per cent YoY to US$144/t while the port of Chancay saw a 6.2 per cent drop to US$65/t.

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Clinker imports slipped 1.4 per cent YoY to 35,636t in February 2026 when compared with the year-ago period when 36,000t of clinker was imported. All clinker was imported from Ecuador via the port of Callao, where the average CIF price remained stable at US$59.60/t when compared with February 2025.
For many students, community college is the first step toward bigger opportunities. For Chattanooga State Community College student Kevin Zheng, it may be a stepping stone to one of the nations most prestigious scholarships.Mr. Zheng is a veteran, a graduate of the Colleges EMT program and a current honors student studying biology. He plans to transfer to Vanderbilt University to complete his bachelors degree before attending medical school.I am truly humbled to receive this recognition as a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, Mr.Zheng said. Through my experience at a community college, I would like to give my thanks to Chattanooga State for offering many opportunities to develop academically and reach my dream of becoming a physician. I am very appreciative of my mentors and community for their support along the way.Mr. Zheng is one of 485 semifinalists selected from more than 1,300 applicants at 224 community colleges nationwide. "His selection highlights ChattStates role in preparing students to continue their education at leading four-year universities," officials said.The scholarship recognizes academic achievement and leadership among community college students. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides recipients with up to $55,000 annually to help complete their bachelors degrees at four-year universities.Through the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation works to ensure that exceptional community college students have the opportunities to reach their full academic potential, said Executive Director Giuseppe Seppy Basili. This years semifinalists reflect the remarkable talent and ambition found in community colleges nationwide.In 2020, Chattanooga State student Gary Satin received the transfer scholarship to pursue his goal of becoming a neurosurgeon with a focus on curing Alzheimers disease.
The Hunter Museum of American Art calls all Mad Hatters, Cheshire Cats, White Rabbits and curious onlookers to step through the looking glass into a night of surreal elegance and spirited revelry at the museums signature open-air riverside celebration Terrace at Twilight. Presented by Tremont Tavern and co-chaired by Amber and Dan Norton, this years Terrace at Twilight will feature dancing under the stars, immersive themed activities and captivating surprise performances.Were thrilled to be a part of this years Terrace at Twilight supporting the Hunter Museum, said Co-Chairs Amber and Dan Norton, and we hope the whole community will join us on April 24 for a whimsical, fun-filled night on the Hunters spectacular River Terrace, where guests should expect the unexpected.Officials said, "With its Alice in Wonderland theme, Terrace at Twilight gets curiouser and curiouser featuring Wonderland-inspired heavy hors doeuvres and inventive specialty cocktails and mocktails, and a costume contest for those who want to jump down that rabbit hole.Think bold florals in pinks, reds and purples, classic checkered patterns and plaids, and, of course, top hats, bows, pocket watches and all manner of mischievous flair. Whether guests want to come as they are, channel a classic character or create a new look, the whimsy is theirs to explore."Every ticket to Terrace at Twilight includes entrance to the event, heavy hors doeuvres, open bar and dancing all night long. VIP Ticket purchasers have access to an exclusive VIP lounge with elevated food and bar offerings (including an exclusive beverage experience) and complimentary valet service."Dont be late for this very important date," officials said. "For over 70 years, the Hunter Museum has inspired, educated and offered impactful arts experiences that connect people of every background to creativity, knowledge and ideas. Support of Terrace at Twilight helps the Hunter continue transforming lives and building communities through art."Tickets are on sale at huntermuseum.org/terrace-at-twilight
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This is the third part of a four-part series on the old, often-overlooked cemeteries in the Coulterville area of Sale Creek. The first two, Pat Thomas and Martin, along with the Miller-Nelson Cemeteries, are in very poor condition. The fourth, the McDonald, also called the Hutcheson, is in much better shape, still has visitors, and will be discussed in a future story.

Traveling north on Coulterville Road between the Coulterville Baptist Church and Swafford Road, you reach Nelson Cemetery Road on the left. If you follow that narrow dirt road over a small rise and to the top of the hill, you will arrive at the Miller-Nelson Cemetery.

James M. Nelson donated the land for this cemetery. The Miller part of the name comes from Clarence Linden Miller, who is buried there with his wife. According to a Works Progress Administration survey in 1930, there were about 30 unmarked graves in the burial plot, some of which were very old. Currently, as of 2026, there are 42 marked graves, along with several unmarked ones. Some of the 30 unmarked graves from the 1930 report may have since been marked with stones.

The condition of the Miller-Nelson cemetery is very poor. Blackberry briars and sage grass cover the entire area. The tall grass and briars will soon block access to the graves if they are not trimmed. Many graves have sunk in because coffins and caskets have collapsed. Some headstones have fallen over due to collapsing graves, while others lean precariously for the same reason. Nearby woods have encroached, with saplings obscuring or growing into some of the graves. A large number of graves remain unmarked.

This is a very old cemetery, with the earliest grave belonging to a baby, Zitha Pearl Bell, who was born and died in 1881. The number of graves of infants, children, and even young adults catches the casual visitors eye. There are at least 8 graves with headstones for infants and children, plus several more that might be unmarked. This suggests inadequate medical care or the results of an epidemic at the time. Other infants and babies who died include Henry B. Coleman (died in childbirth, 8/9/1909), Sarah Allen Howard (3 months, July to October 1940), Larry Lasley (died in childbirth, January 22, 1959), Infant Miller (4 days old, November 4-8, 1932), Mary K. Nelson (one year old, July 1888  July 1889), William H. Nelson (10 months old, April 1887  February 1888), and Sena Ramsey (six years old, 1896-1902). I include their names here to honor their memories.

When exploring old cemeteries, many stones bear names that mean little to people today because little is known about the individuals buried there apart from some surviving descendants. To most, the names and lives of those people are nothing more than etchings in granite. For that reason, I included some demographic information so they can be remembered as more than just carvings in stone.

A common thread throughout the Miller-Nelson Cemetery is that many of the people buried there worked for the Southern Railroad. In fact, most of the identifiable male graves I researched were those of railroad workers. Coulterville was a railroad town with a depot, telegraph office, a watering station for locomotives, and a section gang that maintained an 8 to 10-mile stretch of track running from a point opposite the Coulterville Baptist Church, nearly reaching Dayton.

One Civil War soldier buried in the cemetery is Joel Lawhorn, who was born in 1845, survived the war, and died in 1919. He was a soldier in the 5th Tennessee Infantry, a Union Army unit. Lichens have now covered and eaten away at the stone, making the lettering difficult to read. That is not a common name in the community, and if there are any more Lawhorns buried there, they undoubtedly are in unmarked graves.

James (Jim) Capps (1888-1957) was a prominent resident of Coulterville. He retired from the Southern Railroad in 1947, where he worked in the maintenance department. He was also a past master of Sale Creek Lodge 280 F&AM. He and his wife, Mable Nelson Capps (1892  1980), had five sons. She is buried beside him.

James Pleasant Clendenen (1846-1939) and Elijah Bufford Clendenen came to Sale Creek from North Carolina in the spring or summer of 1923. Both men worked for the Southern Railroad. Their homes were near the depot alongside Coulterville Road. Two of Buffords children were well-known in Sale Creek  Wade Clendenen and Maude Clendenen Cox. Pleasant is buried in the Miller-Nelson, and Bufford is buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Graysville.

Milo Ennis Hetzler (1846  1919) was born in Madeira, Ohio, moved to Tennessee in 1881, and came to Sale Creek in 1891 to work for the Southern Railroad as a pumper. A pumper was the person who pumped the handles on railroad handcars used by section gangs. After retiring from the railroad in 1910, he worked as a carpenter. He was married to Mary Jane Nelson Hetzler (1849  1929), who was a sister of Jim Nelson. One of their daughters, Margaret, married Charles Virgil McDonald, owner of McDonald Farm at that time.

John R. Hickman (1830  1890) was a prominent citizen in the community. He operated a country store at the corner of Coulterville Road and Swafford Road. He served as postmaster of Sale Creek and later Coulterville. He had one daughter, Minerva. The Coulterville Post Office was located in his store when it was established in 1880.

Mason Mace McClanahan (1844  1922) was a Civil War soldier and the father of Mattie McClanahan Miller.

Clarence Linden Miller (1869-1949) arrived in Coulterville as the depot agent, though the exact date is unknown. In 1891, at age 22, he started working as a telegraph operator for the Southern Railroad. Originally from Georgia, he spent his entire career in railroad service, moving to several different locations. He retired from Southern Railway in 1938 after forty-seven years of service. Miller was married twice. His first wife was Mattie McClanahan Miller from Birchwood. She died on January 25, 1925, and he later married Ollie Mae Romines. Miller lived in a two-story house on Nelson Cemetery Road and Coulterville Road. He farmed extensively and, for several years, ran a peach orchard in partnership with Benjamin W. Shipley. Both he and his wives are buried in the Miller-Nelson Cemetery.

James M. Nelson (1847  1926) was born in Ohio and came to Coulterville with the Southern Railroad at about the same time as the Milo Hetzler family. He married Minerva Hickman (1857  1893), daughter of John R. Hickman. One of Nelsons sisters was Mary Jane Hetzler. Another sister was Louisa Warner (1845  1911), who was married to David Warner (1842  1895). They are also buried in the Miller-Nelson Cemetery. After retiring from the railroad, Jim Nelson farmed in Coulterville and resided in the Swafford Road area.

Reverend George Washington Phillips (18541932) was a local minister in the Coulterville and Sale Creek area. His family originally came from Blount County, Tennessee. He was first married to Sarah C. Stevens from Georgia. She is buried in the Poe Cemetery in Soddy Daisy. After she died in 1887 at age 27, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Martin Kelley (1862  1909), around 1891, according to the best family estimates. The attached family picture shows Reverend Phillips and his family, taken around 1895. One of his children, Verdie, married a well-known Sale Creek man named Grover Cleveland Jones, who was a farmer, political leader, square dance caller, mail clerk, and acting postmaster during World War II, while the postmaster, Luther Coulter, was in the Army.

Alford Romines (18801939) came to Sale Creek to work with the Southern Railroad around 1920. He was born in 1880 in Sevier County, Tennessee, before moving to North Carolina, where he appeared on the 1910 census and in the 1917-1918 draft records. He married Mattie Clendenen (1878  1950), who is buried with him in the cemetery.

Major Moses Swafford (1877  1952) retired from the Southern Railroad in 1930 after 25 years of service. He was the depot employee who tended the steam-powered pump that drew water from the large rock-lined well to the massive water tank used to fill the boilers of steam locomotives. He was a member of the Coulterville Baptist Church. He and his wife, Texas Young Swafford (1872  1960), had ten children, three boys and seven girls.

Many other marked stones can be found in the cemetery, but there is no information about them beyond dates of birth and death.

In many small, abandoned, and forgotten cemeteries, photographs of the people buried there are not available to match faces with names; however, I was able to find a couple of pictures to include with this story.

Pictures: #1 - Miller-Nelson Road, #2  The overgrown condition of the Miller-Nelson Cemetery in March 2026, #3  Sunken graves are causing stones to lean and fall, #4  Milo Hetzler, circa 1910, #5  Reverend George Phillips (holding Naomi Verdie) and Elizabeth with Ruth at their home beside other family members at the Phillips residence across Coulterville Road from Nelson Cemetery Road, 1895, #6  Major Moses Swafford at the door to the pumphouse at the Coulterville Depot.

Unlike the Martin and Pat Thomas stories, there are no known incidents of tragedies like suicides or accidental shootings in the Miller-Nelson Cemetery. Still, all small cemeteries have stories with an ironic twist. The main stories in this cemetery involve the number of infant and child graves, the many unmarked graves, and the graves of people who appear to have no other kin buried there or who have any common connection to that small community.

One case involves Mattie Bell Holland McFall (June 4, 1894  February 27, 1951), whose obituary stated that her funeral was held at Midway Baptist Church on Lee Pike near Soddy (now Soddy Daisy), and that she was to be buried in Neal Cemetery. It also mentioned that all her family members were from Soddy or Nashville, Tennessee, or from places in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. None of those relatives was listed as having any connection to Coulterville or Sale Creek, yet she is buried in the Miller-Nelson.

Another story involved Mattie Clendenen Romines, who died on December 6, 1950, at 10:30 am, at age 72. Four hours later, her daughter, Ollie Mae Romines Miller, wife of Clarence L. Miller, died at her home. The mother and daughter had a joint funeral at the Coulterville Baptist Church.

We can but say that all may hear, we remember.

-----

Curtis Coulter can be reached at cncoulter318@epbfi.com
FourBridges Capital Advisors announced Tuesday that Main Street Capital Corporation has recapitalized a leading architecture and engineering firm based in the Southeast. FourBridges structured and negotiated the deal on behalf of the firms owner.Officials said, "Established nearly 40 years ago, the company is one of the leading providers of end-to-end architectural, engineering, land planning and entitlement services in the U.S. The robust, highly skilled team includes expert electrical, civil, mechanical and structural engineers, along with architects and CAD technicians.The company has completed projects across 23 states in various industries and provides comprehensive solutions that include design, planning, permitting, zoning, entitlement, negotiation and project administration."We set out to find a partner with a strong cultural alignment and a clear understanding of the companys long-term vision, said John Kirkland, FourBridges associate. Main Street stood out as an ideal fit, recognizing the significant growth opportunities in the markets served by the company.Based in Houston, Tx., Main Street has invested in more than 150 independent portfolio companies and specializes in long-term partnerships. The publicly traded principal investment firm and business development company provides organizations with long-term debt and equity capital while preserving operational autonomy.Main Street has an impressive track record of investing in and supporting lower middle market companies, said Andy Stockett, FourBridges managing director. Their resources and experience will enable the company to strengthen its team, pursue strategic acquisitions and fully capitalize on exciting opportunities for growth and expansion.The FourBridges deal team included Andy Stockett and John Kirkland.
As students headed out for spring break, a new University of Tennessee at Chattanooga initiative offered a convenient way to start the journey home.Last Saturday dozens of UTC students boarded a charter bus outside the University Center as part of the pilot run of Mocs to Memphis (and points in between), a transportation program designed to provide safe and affordable travel for students heading west across Tennessee.The bus departed campus shortly before 9 a.m., beginning a route that included stops in Nashville and Jackson before reaching Memphis later in the afternoon.Thirty-four UTC students participated in the inaugural bus trip.This program is a spring initiative goal set forth by the Chancellor, said Terrence Banks, associate director of recruitment in the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs.It is a collaborative effort with EMSA partners to afford this opportunity for our students - whether they want to see family, get a break from classes or simply want to travel home stress-free.Our goal was to ensure students received the support they needed from their campus, because every MOC moment matters.Organized through UTCs Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community, the program was created to help students living along the Interstate 40 corridor travel home during major breaks without having to drive long distances or arrange rides.For $55 per seat, students could reserve a spot on the charter bus, with the option to travel one-way or round-trip during spring break. In fact, three additional students registered for the return trip to campus this coming Sunday.The initiative aims to make travel more accessible while also providing students with a reliable transportation option during one of the semesters busiest travel periods.Students loaded luggage beneath the bus before departure, and gathered with friends outside the University Center as the group prepared to leave campus.Sophomore cybersecurity major Patrick Myers served as the trips student bus captain, helping keep track of the passenger roster and ensuring riders safely reached their destinations along the route.Mr. Myers, who was heading home to Memphis for spring break, said the program offers a helpful option for students traveling across Tennessee.I think it really helps students, because Memphis is still a good bit away, over five hours, give or take, he said, so I think this is a good opportunity for students who may not have an easy means to get back to Memphis and places in between to have the opportunity to get there via the school.Mr. Myers said the trip also gave students a chance to connect with other UTC students.I definitely have seen some of them on campus, but this is a good way to meet them, too, he said.
The General Nathanael Greene Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution recognized local Southeast Whitfield County High School student Baylee Brown as the winner of the George and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest, honoring excellence in historical research and writing on the American Revolutionary era.Ms. Brown's award-winning essay focused on Mercy Otis Warren, the influential Revolutionary-era writer, historian and patriot, whose political commentary and plays helped shape colonial opinion in the years leading up to American independence.During the chapters recent meeting, Ms.Brown was presented with a certificate and a monetary award in recognition of her achievement. The award was presented by Chapter President Rob Woodard of the General Nathanael Greene SAR Chapter.Ms. Brown attended the presentation with her parents, Vickie and Todd Brown, who joined chapter members in celebrating her accomplishment and dedication to studying early American history.The George and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest is a national program sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution that encourages high school students to explore the lives and contributions of individuals who shaped the American Revolution. Local chapters sponsor the competition at the community level, recognizing outstanding student research and promoting interest in the nations founding history.Members of the General Nathanael Greene Chapter congratulated Ms. Brown on her thoughtful work and wished her continued success in her academic pursuits.For more information about the General Nathanael Greene Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and its educational programs, contact Bryan Acree at bacree@yahoo.com, or visit their FaceBook page - General Nathanael Greene-Sons of the American Revolution.
Students raise their hands in worship during the University of Mary Hardin-Baylors 27th annual three-night tent revival in Belton, Texas, last week. | Photo credit: Facebook/ University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Around 1,000 students gathered for a multi-night revival at a Texas Christian university last week, with dozens responding by committing their lives to Christ, renewing their faith or sensing a call to ministry.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, hosted its 27th annual three-night tent revival, a student-led event that combined worship music with preaching.

According to UMHB Dean of Students Michael Burns, planning for the event began the previous year when four student leaders partnered with the universitys Student Life division. By September, the effort had expanded to a committee of about 20 additional students who met weekly to organize the gathering.

The annual revival traces its roots to 1999, when the university replaced a traditional morning chapel revival service with a multi-day tent event designed to encourage student participation and spiritual renewal.

Of the roughly 1,000 attendees at last weeks revival, 80 students either made decisions to follow Christ, recommitted themselves to their faith or responded to a calling to ministry leadership.

This years featured speaker was Shane Pruitt, an author and the national Next Gen director for the Southern Baptist Conventions North American Mission Board.

Pruitt told The Christian Post that the event held special meaning for him because his oldest daughter attends UMHB and served on the student committee that organized the revival.

This is a great school and event, he said. So, preaching to and worshiping with college students, plus spending a week with my daughter and watching her serve the Lord, is a win-win.

Pruitts messages centered on the biblical image of the potter and the clay, drawn from Isaiah 64:8: Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Through that theme, he encouraged students to allow God to shape their lives and walk faithfully in their calling.

It was incredible, Pruitt said. We saw students make professions of faith in Jesus for salvation, many others surrender to a calling to ministry leadership and missions in their lives, and others repent and confess sin and experience victory and freedom in Christ.

Attendance grew each evening, he said, with the final night drawing a crowd large enough to require additional seating beyond the capacity of the main tent.

Each night  the crowd of college students grew. By the last night, there were overflow chairs, with students unable to fit under the large tent.

Pruitt expressed hope that students left the gathering with a clear understanding that their lives are meant to be shaped by Gods purposes.

He said he hopes the students came away realizing that were all called to be shaped by the Lord, emphasizing that we dont shape and mold Him for our agendas; He shapes and molds us for His mission.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Jametlene Reskp

A group of Christian street preachers has filed a lawsuit against the city of Chicago, claiming authorities violated their constitutional rights by arresting them while they were publicly sharing the Gospel.

The legal action was brought by the American Center for Law and Justice, which said the city unlawfully enforced local regulations against religious speech. According to the organization, the arrests occurred while the men were preaching in public areas near Millennium Park.

The complaint was filed on behalf of Brett Raio and two other preachers identified as Reetik and Perez, who were taken into custody while delivering Christian messages in downtown Chicago.

Raio was the first to be arrested after preaching near Millennium Park, one of the citys most heavily visited public spaces. His case was later dismissed before trial when video footage was presented that showed the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

According to the lawsuit, police detained Reetik and Perez at the same location only days after Raios case was dismissed. The complaint alleges the arrests were carried out under the same enforcement practices used in the earlier incident.

The legal filing contends that Chicago authorities have been arresting street preachers for using sound amplification devices without first determining whether the sound level actually violates city noise regulations.

Under Chicago law, a permit is required only if amplified sound rises above conversational levels when measured from approximately 100 feet away. The lawsuit argues that officers did not verify whether the preaching exceeded that threshold before making arrests.

The lawsuit further claims the enforcement was directed specifically at Christian street preachers and therefore infringed upon rights protected under the First Amendment.

In addition to seeking damages for the alleged violations, the complaint asks the court to address the harm and emotional distress caused by the arrests and time spent in custody.

Court filings state that Reetik and Perez were held for more than seven hours following their arrests.

The lawsuit alleges Chicagos enforcement practices violated the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act by selectively applying its noise ordinance to religious speech while allowing other urban noise.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Kelly Sikkema

Wyoming has enacted new legislation restricting abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, becoming the latest state to adopt such a measure following a recent court decision that invalidated the states previous near-total abortion ban.

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed House Bill 126 into law this week after it passed with strong support in the Republican-led legislature. The Wyoming House of Representatives approved the bill in a 51-7 vote, and the state Senate followed with a 27-4 vote.

Pro-life advocates welcomed the development. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, praised the measure in a statement released Tuesday.

We thank Governor Gordon for signing this vital law, she said. Wyomings action reflects an ongoing national conversation about how our laws should recognize the humanity of the unborn child while ensuring that her mother receives appropriate care.

The new law comes after the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the states near-total abortion ban violated the Wyoming Constitution. In January, the court determined that the ban conflicted with Article 1, Section 38, which protects individuals rights to make his or her own health care decisions.

Supporters of House Bill 126 argue the legislation is structured differently from the earlier ban and could withstand judicial scrutiny. The bills language notes that the court acknowledged the state has an interest in protecting the life that an abortion would end.

Under the new law, individuals who violate the provisions could face penalties including up to five years in prison, fines of up to $10,000 or both, along with the possible loss of their professional license.

The legislation also includes several additional requirements. Physicians performing abortions must offer patients the opportunity to view an ultrasound image of their unborn child. The law further restricts abortions involving minors, requiring doctors to notify parents at least 48 hours beforehand and obtain written consent from both the minor and at least one parent.

Any exceptions to the provision about parental consent for abortion must be adjudicated in court.

If the law remains in effect after potential legal challenges, Wyoming will become the fifth state to enact a heartbeat bill, joining Florida, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina.

Twelve states currently prohibit most abortions throughout pregnancy, with limited exceptions. Those states include Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

Nebraska and North Carolina have laws banning most abortions after 12 weeks of gestation, while near-total abortion bans in North Dakota and Utah remain tied up in ongoing legal challenges. In the remaining 29 states, abortion laws include few or no restrictions protecting unborn children.
Home News Irish author shares myths about Saint Patrick, reflects on his courage

Saint Patricks Day is a major holiday celebrated every March 17 in honor of the patron saint of Ireland, a man credited with bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle.

In the United States, the observance is often associated with celebrating Irish heritage, parades, wearing green or risk getting pinched and, for some adults, green beer or a pint of Guinness.

However, for many, the most important aspect of the holiday is the man at its heart: the saint who drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to evangelize the Irish.

Actually, these events likely never occurred.

According to Gary McLoughlin, author of the 2025 book Virtues of the Irish Saints: A Journey of Faith, Peace and Love, such myths sprang up after the death of Saint Patrick.

McLoughlin, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, who, along with his wife, moved to the United States in 1996, spoke with The Christian Post about the origins of the popular myths.

Stories of symbolism

What makes Patrick unusual for someone who lived in the late fourth, early fifth centuries is that two of his writings survived, which is extremely unusual and very valuable, McLoughlin explained.

But in neither of his writings [does] he mention anything even remotely like this," he said, referring to the legends surrounding the man, such as banishing snakes from the land. "So, most people think, well, this was an imposition of Christian symbolism onto his character at a later date.

McLoughlin added that from a purely geographical perspective, there werent really any snakes in Ireland to begin with, as its climate is too cold and, as an island, it was isolated.

He believes the myth, such as snakes, emerged as a wonderful story of symbolism of Patrick banishing evil, noting that serpents are a biblical symbol and its the symbol for evil and the devil.

If you were writing in the dark ages and Christianity had come to replace paganism, which in some of its forms was pretty dark, thats probably what you would write about, he told CP.

A similar situation occurred with the story of Patrick evangelizing the Irish by using a shamrock, with the three leaves and the stem being used to symbolize the Three Persons of the Trinity.

They were confused about the Trinity, said McLoughlin. The shamrock explained why it is not three gods but one God in three. So, he picked up a shamrock and showed it was three leaves but one plant.

However, McLoughlin told CP, the idea that Patrick himself did this was unlikely, as theres no clear evidence in his writings or anything like that.

Its just a really good story and, again, its probably rooted in Christian symbolism and rooted in Celtic Christianity, which really [has] a reverence, prominence for the Trinity, which is one of the things that marked the Celtic Church, he continued.

A life of courage

Patrick was born sometime in the late fourth century as a Roman citizen in Great Britain. As a teenager, he was enslaved and sent to Ireland, eventually escaping at the age of 22, and returned home.

During his captivity, which included working in harsh conditions as a shepherd, he had a spiritual awakening and, after gaining his freedom, became a priest and was eventually consecrated a bishop at age 43.

From there, he returned to Ireland to preach the Gospel. Although there were Christians on the island before he arrived, Patrick is credited with having converted the natives to Christianity.

Reflecting on the confirmed details of Patrick's life, McLoughlin told CP that courage is a major theme of the Irish saints biography.

With Patrick, he did leave two writings and he never mentions any of the myths. But he does mention his life, and he does mention slavery, [and] he does mention his life as a Roman. He does talk about his trials. He talks about his struggles, McLoughlin said.

This was an important part of his life. And, you know, in our world today, it just struck me that slavery is still with us, of course. Theres more slaves in the world now than theres ever been. And there is persecution, theres Christian persecution.

McLoughlin believes that it took a huge amount of courage for Patrick to return to Ireland after being enslaved, and all he had was a word from God and a promise that God would go with him.

I think of our modern world, if someone was, say, in a North Korea or something like that and you were captured and imprisoned and God called you to go back there as a missionary, it would take an enormous amount of courage to do that, McLoughlin told CP.

But even just in our daily lives, it takes courage to forgive someone, it takes courage to reform broken relationships. It takes courage to do things. To me, that was the overarching virtue of his life.
Home News Counterterrorism director Joe Kent's resignation over Iran war prompts WH pushback: 'Very weak'

Joe Kent, who served as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday over the war in Iran, alleging the conflict is an unnecessary consequence of Israeli influence over U.S. foreign policy. The claim prompted pushback from the White House.

"Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby," Kent said in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump, which he posted on social media.

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.



I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr  Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026

Kent, a former U.S. Army warrant officer and former Central Intelligence Agency paramilitary officer who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2022 and 2024, said he supported Trump's noninterventionist foreign policy platform dating back to 2016 but has come to believe Trump has grown beholden to Israeli interests.

"I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term," he said, adding that Trump adhered to those principles until last June, when the U.S. military first intervened in Iran.

Kent claimed that Trump has been deceived by and subjected to an Israeli "misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran."

Kent, who said he deployed to combat 11 times, also blamed the Iraq War on the disputed allegation that it was based on false Israeli intelligence and claimed his late wife, Shannon Kent, was killed "in a war manufactured by Israel." Shannon Kent, a U.S. Navy cryptologic technician, was killed by a suicide bomber during the Syrian Civil War in 2019.

Kent's letter drew condemnation from Trump, who said Kent "was a nice guy," but added, "I always thought he was weak on security; very weak on security."

"When I read his statement, I realized it's a good thing that he's out," Trump said, adding that Iran was an imminent threat.

Trump on Joe Kent: "I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security. It's a good thing that he's out." pic.twitter.com/225kN39r2f  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 17, 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Kent's letter was filled with "false claims."

Leavitt maintained that Trump would not use U.S. military force needlessly and said he "had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first."

"Iran was aggressively expanding their short-range ballistic missiles to combine with their naval assets to give themselves immunity  meaning they would have a degree of capabilities that would give them immunity to hold us and the rest of the world hostage," she said, adding that Iran ultimately intended to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Leavitt said attempts at negotiation failed and dismissed Kent's claim that Trump is under foreign influence as "both insulting and laughable."

Leavitt's assertions were echoed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who suggested Kent was misinformed when asked about his resignation during a press briefing Tuesday morning.

Mike Johnson: "We all understood there was clearly an imminent threat that Iran was very close to the enrichment of nuclear capability ... I don't know where Joe Kent is getting his information ... the president felt he had to strike first to prevent mass casualties" pic.twitter.com/r9VgPqfW8Y  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 17, 2026

"We all understood there was clearly an imminent threat that Iran was very close to the enrichment of nuclear capability, and they were building missiles at a pace that no one in the region could keep up with," he said, adding that he and other congressional leaders came to believe Iran intended "to fire them on Americans."

"I don't know where Joe Kent is getting his information," Johnson said.

A senior administration official said Kent was a known leaker and had been cut out of intelligence briefings months earlier, according to Fox News. The source also said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had been advised to fire Kent for his alleged leaks and that he played no role in recent plans or briefings related to the war in Iran.
Home News Usually considered the safest place from missiles, Jerusalem is increasingly under fire

JERUSALEM  As sirens blared warning of incoming missiles, John and his family  kids ages 10, 5 and 3  were sheltering inside their Old City home when they heard a crash on their roof.

We went outside and looked  there was a piece of shrapnel, like this big, he said, holding out his fingers about two inches apart.

They were all safe, but shaken.

Now the kids understand why it's not safe to go outside when theres a siren, he told ALL ISRAEL NEWS, using an alias.

An Iranian missile was intercepted over Jerusalem on Monday afternoon, raining shrapnel across all four quarters of the Old City. Parts landed on homes, a parking lot, a convent, the Dome of the Rock complex and even the Holy Sepulchre  the ancient church believed to be the site of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection.

In this war, Jerusalem is seemingly more in the line of fire than it has been in recent conflicts. Shrapnel landed in the city a few times in the past 17 days, including on Saturday, when a missile fragment damaged an apartment building (that houses an American embassy worker).

But to many, the Old City was still considered "off limits," with its glut of holy sites in the geographically compact area.

Whether random shrapnel from interceptions or deliberate targeting  nobody knows  Jerusalem is more active and residents more jittery than in prior wars. Like most families in the Old City, Johns family does not have a shelter in their home, and there are no public shelters in the Christian, Armenian and Muslim Quarters.

The primary concern is the children, said one Christian resident of the Old City, who asked not to be named.

The worst part is the nights, he told ALL ISRAEL NEWS. I wake up 10 times a night to check my phone to see if there are any pre-alerts before the siren. I dont want my kids to wake up to a siren.

For their family, the closest shelter is an eight-minute walk from their home, so they dont go.

Today, after what happened in the Quarter, its not a game. Not that it was a game or treated lightly, and what happened here today is really nothing, he said. Everybodys afraid, and God knows how much patience we all have for this.

In a statement, Israeli police said they've handled multiple impact sites caused by intercepted missile fragments in the Old City and at holy sites.

During the recent missile salvo fired from Iran toward Jerusalem, several intercepts occurred over the city. Following these interceptions, police and Border Police forces located fragments of missiles and interceptor debris, some of significant size, at multiple sites in the Old City, including the Temple Mount complex, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre complex and the Jewish Quarter, according to the statement.

Unlike the younger generations, Harout Sandrouni has lived through so many wars in Jerusalem that he doesnt consider this one among the most dangerous. In 1967, his family lived across from the David Citadel  more or less the frontlines of that war. He and his siblings spent hours under their beds when constant machine gun fire punctured the air.

I remember leaving the house with my mother to go buy bread and as soon as we opened the door, the gunshots started again. We rushed back in, he told ALL ISRAEL NEWS. We spent a lot of time inside during that war. That was probably one of the worst.

Sandrouni missed the 1973 Yom Kippur War in Jerusalem because he was studying engineering at a university in Beirut. Instead, he experienced the Lebanon civil war  an equally harrowing experience, he recalled.

Back in Jerusalem, more conflicts unfolded.

With the Saddam (Hussein) war, we were more on guard because of the threat of chemical warfare, he said.

This time, he feels protected.

I have to give credit to this government  they are very well prepared, he said.

Caroline, who lives on the border between the Armenian and Jewish Quarter, was not home when a missile fragment landed in the parking lot across from her apartment.

What happened today  it's the first time it came this near to my house, she said. If I was in the house and this is what happened today, I dont know what would have happened with me.

This proximity is new  and concerning.

After what happened today, I am not going to sleep with pajamas. I need to be ready to run, she said.

Caroline doesnt have a shelter at home either, but being inside an unprotected building frightens her even more.

I personally prefer to be outside the house because I can see which way it is going and if I have a chance to run far, she said. But when you are inside the house, you panic because you dont know which way it is going.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Judge blocks Arkansas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments

A federal judge has ordered six Arkansas school districts not to display the Ten Commandments, maintaining that allowing the displays would permit the state to proselytize to children.

In a ruling issued Monday, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas permanently enjoined the state from enforcing Act 573 against the six school districts, which requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, in six school districts: Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Siloam Springs, Conway and Lakeside.

The opinion was issued by Judge Timothy Brooks, who was appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama.

Mondays ruling comes after the federal court previously ordered the school districts where parents of minor students had challenged Act 573 not to display Ten Commandments posters in a preliminary injunction.

Act 573s purpose is only to display a sacred, religious text in a prominent place in every public-school classroom, Brooks wrote. And the only reason to display a sacred, religious text in every classroom is to proselytize to children. The State has said the quiet part out loud.

Act 573 must be permanently enjoined, Brooks wrote. Failing to do so would violate the Establishment Clause rights of all Arkansas public-school children and their parents and also violate plaintiffs free exercise rights. The law serves no educational purpose, as the State admits, and consequently deprives plaintiffs of their rights. Such deprivations, even for minimal periods of time, constitute irreparable injury.

Plaintiffs and secularist advocacy groups reacted to Brooks ruling in a series of statements published Monday.

Todays decision honors the Constitutions promise of church-state separation and religious freedom, said Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser. It will ensure that Arkansas families  not politicians or public-school officials  get to decide how and when their children engage with religion.

Todays ruling is a resounding affirmation that public schools are not Sunday schools. The Constitution protects every students right to learn free from government-imposed religious doctrine, said American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas Legal Director John C. Williams. Arkansas lawmakers cannot sidestep the First Amendment by mandating that a particular version of the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, offered a similar analysis.

We are delighted that reason and our secular Constitution have prevailed, and that children would be spared this unconstitutional proselytizing, she said. Our public schools exist to educate, not evangelize a captive audience.

Plaintiff Samantha Stinson, who seeks to raise her daughter in the Jewish faith, said she was pleased the court ruled in our favor against Act 573, which she condemned as a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights.

The version of the Ten Commandments mandated by Act 573 conflicts with our familys Jewish tenets and practice, and our belief that our children should receive their religious instruction at home and within our faith community, not from government officials, Stinson said.

Texas and Louisiana have also faced legal challenges over similar laws. Last month, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision ruling against Louisianas Ten Commandments law, while a federal judge in Texas ordered several school districts to remove Ten Commandments displays in a ruling issued late last year.
Home News Man escorted out of Prestonwood Church by security during sermon on Israel, war in Iran Man reportedly shouted, 'God bless America, God bless Israel' before being removed from service

Police say an overly enthusiastic churchgoer was removed by security during a Sunday morning service at a Texas megachurch.

The disruption occurred March 15 at the 11 a.m. worship service in the main sanctuary of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, a suburb north of Dallas. A man, described by one churchgoer as a possible protester and by others as overly excited, began shouting during a sermon by Pastor Jack Graham on America, Israel and War in the Middle East.

Linda Casey, who told The Christian Post that she has attended Prestonwood since 2000, said at one point during the service Graham began preaching on Israel, and the Jews being God's chosen people, when an unidentified man disrupted the sermon before he was escorted out by three members of the security team.

I was not sure if he was armed or not, but Pastor Jack Graham was pulled away from the podium momentarily amidst the chaos, Casey told CP on Monday. Before he returned to finish the sermon, I bolted out to find my son, who was in children's church.

Casey said that uncertainty about the mans intentions and whether he was acting alone prompted her quick exit from the sanctuary. "At this point, we didn't know if the man had an accomplice or was alone. I was not waiting around for a potential shootout or bomb threat, she said. The whole ordeal was scary."

A person familiar with the matter told CP on Monday that the incident occurred as Graham was sharing a report on the number of people coming to Christ in Iran. Thats when an excited young man [who] looked Persian started to walk down the aisle towards Graham and asked if he could say something.

The young man  who was reportedly yelling out God Bless America and God Bless Israel  was just excited to share his faith and didnt realize that was an inappropriate manner to do such, the source told CP.

When Graham declined the mans request to speak, security pounced and removed him from the sanctuary.

Another churchgoer who attended the 11 a.m. service also confirmed the incident to CP, stating that the man was quickly escorted out as Graham was ordered to stand farther back on the stage until the man was outside the sanctuary. They added that, while they weren't afraid of anything bad happening, the man hadn't picked the best timing for that kind of exuberant outburst.

While one source downplayed the incident as nothing, Casey said thats not how she saw it.

"When security is pulling the pastor away from the podium for his own safety, alarms went off in my head signaling danger, she said.

Its not clear whether anyone else left the sanctuary during the incident, but Casey said most congregants remained calm and stayed seated. "The faithful sheep in the audience were waiting on direction from the pulpit, said Casey, who added the police were already outside with lights on when she exited the church with her son.

I was not going to be a sitting duck, she said.

A spokesman for Plano police told CP the unidentified man was a non-church member who was there with his wife and became disruptive by agreeing loudly with what the pastor was talking about and was animated in doing so, making other churchgoers uncomfortable.

Members of Prestonwoods security team spoke with the man, and a decision was made to have officers respond to issue a criminal trespass warning, Plano Police Officer J.D. Minton said.

There was no actual disturbance or physical altercation, but his verbal outbursts, even though supporting the pastors words, were deemed disruptive to other worshipers, he added.

While Casey is relieved that no one was hurt in the incident, one thing that alarmed her was that she felt the man "was not going willingly.

The incident occurred just days after federal prosecutors announced 30 more people had been indicted for their alleged involvement in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a St. Paul, Minnesota, church service on Jan 18.

The official indictment, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, claimed that the protesters engaged in a coordinated take-over style attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, including acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction.
Home News Pastor arrested in Cuba after uploading Bible teaching to YouTube

Police arrested an Evangelical pastor in the Matanzas region of Cuba after recording and uploading a Bible teaching video to his YouTube channel. He said the arrest was part of a pattern of authorities targeting him for years because of his ministry.

Pastor Rolando Perez Lora was arrested Sunday in a park in the Penas Altas area of Matanzas, a location residents often use for internet access because it is one of only two places nearby with public Wi-Fi, the reports United Kingdom-based advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Perez Lora had just finished uploading the recording to his YouTube channel, Pregonero de Cristo, which translates to Christs Herald, when officers detained him in the park. The pastor later said the recordings are part of a weekly routine in which he films Bible teachings outdoors and posts them online.

During those recordings, people in the area frequently stop to listen. Some ask for prayer, which is provided by the pastors wife, Gelayne Rodriguez Avila, who was present at the park when the arrest took place.

Rodriguez Avila recorded and shared a video of the incident on social media. In the video, she says, We were making a video in the park, and they are taking Pastor Rolando away because he uploaded a video reading the Bible to his YouTube channel.

The footage shows two police officers pushing Perez Lora toward a patrol vehicle as he resists being placed inside. The pastor can be heard telling the officers, Youre mistreating me for no reason; I havent done anything wrong; this man is mistreating me.

As officers forced him into the vehicle, the voices of the pastors young children can be heard crying nearby.

The recording spread quickly across social media platforms. Dozens of internet users reposted the clip to Facebook, where it received more than 300,000 views in less than 24 hours and prompted widespread online demands for information about the pastors whereabouts and condition.

Authorities transported Perez Lora to the Playa Police Station in Matanzas following the arrest. He was held there for about three hours before being released.

Perez Lora later said authorities have targeted him for years because of his ministry, adding that the pressure began after he became a pastor in 2011.

Before moving to Matanzas, he led a church associated with the registered Evangelical League in the eastern province of Las Tunas. Security officials in that region repeatedly summoned him for questioning and sent patrol vehicles to his home, he said.

He added that police conducted surveillance of religious activities carried out by his congregation, including following church members during public prayer walks in towns where they gathered to pray for residents.

The detention took place during a period of unrest across Cuba, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Protests were reported in several areas of the island following seven consecutive nights of power outages and shortages of food and medicine.

In the early hours of March 14, protesters in the city of Moron in Ciego de Avila province sacked and set fire to the offices of the Cuban Communist Party. One protester was reportedly shot during the incident.

Authorities also shut off internet access in Moron and the surrounding areas after the protests. A Cuban lawyer was quoted as saying security forces detained several activists and online commentators across the country during the same weekend and placed many others under house arrest.

In Cuba, religious activity operates under a strict regulatory system. Cuban law requires churches and religious organizations to register with the government to operate legally.

Unregistered religious groups often face surveillance, harassment and restrictions on worship or public assembly.

Government oversight intensified after nationwide demonstrations on July 11, 2021, when thousands of Cubans took to the streets to protest economic conditions, the governments handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and limits on political freedoms.

Those demonstrations were among the largest public protests in Cuba in decades. Protesters shouted slogans including Freedom! and Down with the dictatorship! before police and military forces moved to disperse the crowds.

Open Doors, which tracks persecution of Christians worldwide, has reported that Cuban authorities often treat independent religious activity as a potential challenge to the ruling Communist Party. Church leaders or believers who publicly criticize human rights abuses or political corruption risk interrogation, arrest, smear campaigns or imprisonment.
Home News Woman arrested for allegedly embezzling over $400K from church charged with tax evasion

A woman who was recently arrested for allegedly embezzling more than $400,000 from a South Carolina church where she formerly worked has been charged with tax evasion.

Shelley C. Strickland, a 55-year-old resident of Greenwood, was arrested Monday by agents of the South Carolina Department of Revenue and charged with seven counts of tax evasion.

According to an SCDOR press release, Strickland had allegedly embezzled approximately $445,000 from First Baptist Church of Ware Shoals when she was employed there from 2018-2024.

Strickland did not include that money as income on her South Carolina individual income tax returns for those years, according to the department. As a result, she evaded at least $29,626 in state income tax.

The SCDOR is committed to the fair administration of tax laws. By taking enforcement action against noncompliant taxpayers, the Department seeks to prevent unfairly increasing the tax burden on those who do comply.

If convicted, Strickland faces the possibility of serving a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or being fined $10,000 for each count that she is found guilty of.

Strickland served as financial secretary for FBC Ware Shoals from 2018 through 2024, while also serving in a similar capacity for other local churches and the Lakelands Baptist Association (LBA).

In August 2024, Strickland was arrested by Greenwood County authorities, facing accusations that she stole over $400,000 from FBC Ware Shoals and around $58,000 from the LBA.

LBA Missions Director David Little told the South Carolina-based publication The Baptist Courier at the time that Strickland had been fired for misappropriating funds.

[Shelleys husband is] a pastor of one of our churches, so we were surprised and disappointed, Little said in 2024. When you steal from a church, its bad. But when you steal from an association, you steal from all the churches in that association, and thats really hard to swallow.

People make bad choices, and those choices affect a lot of good people.  We will pray for this family, but she has brought a lot of pain on a lot of people and churches and her own family. Its just sad.

Stricklands husband was not implicated in her crimes, The Roys Report reported at the time. If convicted of the embezzlement, she could face up to a decade in prison.
Home Books Amid years of debilitating pain, Shannon Bream reflects on Gods faithfulness: It became a dark place

For years, Shannon Bream showed up to work while living in agony.

A rare genetic cornea condition left the 55-year-old journalist in what she described to The Christian Post as 10 out of 10, chronic pain, a debilitating stretch that took years to diagnose properly and pushed her to emotional and physical limits she never imagined.

It became such a dark, dark place for me for a significant period of time, Bream recalled. To the point where I questioned whether continuing my life on earth was even worth it.

She never doubted Gods presence, she said, but she did plead for relief. When healing didnt immediately come, her prayers shifted.

If youre not going to heal me, she recalled telling God, please at least lead me to somebody to help guide me through this and lead me to the right doctor.

Within 48 hours, she said, she found the physician who would ultimately become her lifeline.

That season of suffering and, more importantly, the faith that carried her through it inspired her latest book, Nothing Is Impossible with God, an exploration of biblical figures who endured adversity and emerged transformed.

The project, Bream said, had been forming in her heart for years.

Ive always loved this collection of stories, she said. They kind of lived in the back of my brain  these stories of overcoming.

Bream, the anchor of "FOX News Sunday," emphasized that every person eventually faces something that must be overcome, whether its a devastating diagnosis, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. But she also sees overcoming in everyday moments, like the courage it takes to step into parenthood or launch a ministry.

I think Im always in a season of overcoming something, Bream said. So I kept these stories tucked away and collected them together, and it just seemed like a good time to put them in one place.

According to the bestselling author, her own medical crisis reshaped her faith in ways she hadnt anticipated.

You memorize verses, you study the Bible, you learn things intellectually, she said. But walking through something like that really made me feel like I knew Him, that He was with me and present in a deeper way.

For nearly two years, Bream said she lived in constant pain while searching for answers. She fought for a diagnosis and to find the right specialist. Ultimately, she leaned hard into prayer.

Eventually, she underwent a difficult surgery, a painful procedure that doesnt work for everyone  which is why she hesitated for years before agreeing to it.

Youll know when you get there, her doctor told her, she recalled, explaining that patients reach a point when every other option has been exhausted and the pain becomes unbearable.

For Bream, that moment arrived. Today, she says she is pain-free 98% of the time. Even more remarkably, her vision is clearer than it has ever been. Its one of many blessings, Bream said, that followed a long and difficult valley.

Im literally looking out the window at the leaves on a tree, and its a miracle that I can see them individually, she said. I can read street signs. Ive worn glasses since second or third grade, so aside from the relief of the pain, which was the number one issue, I now have vision I never would have had before.

In the book, Bream  who previously authored The Women of the Bible Speak, The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak and The Love Stories of the Bible Speak  weaves her own story alongside biblical figures such as Moses, Jonah, Joseph and Daniel, presenting them as fallible humans wrestling with fear, failure and doubt.

For example, Bream said Jonahs story is often reduced to a childrens lesson about a whale, but the deeper layers are harder and more relevant. Through Jonahs story, Bream said she was forced to confront uncomfortable truths about the human tendency to draw lines around who deserves grace.

It wasnt just that Jonah was afraid, she said. The Ninevites were brutal people. But Jonah also didnt think they deserved Gods mercy.  God is the God of the universe. That means He wants relationship with every single human being, even those you may see as enemies or vehemently disagree with.

If Im holding out on something God is calling me to, why am I doing that? Bream continued. Do I have bias or prejudice against someone I dont want to go to? Why wouldnt I want to share this message of mercy and grace that Ive been blessed enough to experience?

The common thread among all the figures she profiles, Bream added, is perseverance. Sometimes they faced external opposition, enemies plotting against them or systems working to destroy them. Other times, the struggle was internal. She pointed to Peter, who denied Jesus after vowing he never would.

That had to be crushing, she said. But God didnt leave him there.

Instead, Bream noted, Peter, who denied Jesus three times, was restored in a moment that mirrored his original calling, later becoming a foundational leader of the early Church.

So sometimes youre overcoming outside forces, she said. Sometimes its your own mistakes or self-doubt. But theres always something to overcome.

Bream believes doubt itself can become a pathway to deeper faith, emphasizing that throughout her life she has brought her own struggles and doubts directly to God.

We see people doubting God, arguing with God, questioning God all through Scripture, she said. God can take it. He knows were frightened and flawed.

Ill tell Him, I cant order this in my mind. I dont understand this mystery about You. Just meet me where Im at, she said. Theres no shame in having doubts or questions. I think its better to take them to the Lord than to let them grow quietly and pull you away.

The book also reflects Breams vantage point as both a person of faith and a journalist who regularly interviews political leaders, U.S. Supreme Court justices and global influencers. While she maintains professional boundaries, she does not hide her beliefs.

Similarly, she said her hope through the book is to show that faith does not require perfection, only honesty and perseverance. Looking back on her own journey from chronic pain to recovery and peace, Bream stressed that the books title reflects the kind of faith she now lives daily.

He will walk us through every difficult season, she said. The valley and the mountaintops. My plan may be very different than His, but when it comes to what He wants to accomplish, nothing will ever be impossible.

She pointed to Josephs story as a personal anchor: years of betrayal, slavery and unjust imprisonment ultimately giving way to redemption.

Theres that famous verse in Genesis where Joseph says, What you meant for evil, God meant for good, she said. That doesnt mean it makes sense while youre living it. But Gods plan is always better.

What I pray over this book all the time is two things, she said. I want people to be encouraged to see that others, centuries ago, walked through very similar struggles. But I also want to equip them.

Each chapter includes principles and Scripture readers can apply in their own lives, she added  tools for navigating fear, loss and uncertainty.

That people will know theyre not alone, Bream said. That God is still working in their story, whatever place theyre in. If God has called you into a journey, even a painful one, He will walk you through it.
Home News Trump Religious Liberty Commission adviser resigns in protest of Carrie Prejean Boller's removal

A Muslim adviser to President Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission has stepped down in opposition to the war in Iran as well as the removal of one of its commissioners for her views on Israel, asking for Gods forgiveness if she had legitimized the evil of this administration in any way.

In a message posted to Substack Thursday, Sameerah Munshi announced her resignation from the Religious Liberty Commission, citing two deeply troubling developments, including the official removal of Carrie Prejean Boller for her deeply held beliefs about Palestine and the federal governments illegal war against Iran.

Last month, Religious Liberty Commission Chairman Dan Patrick announced the removal of Prejean Boller, a social media influencer and former Miss California, after she wore a U.S. and Palestinian flag during a commission meeting two days earlier and defended conservative commentator Candace Owens, who has faced allegations of antisemitism due to her comments against Israel. Patrick accused Boller of trying to "hijack" the hearing, which was focused on the topic of antisemitism.

While Prejean Boller repeatedly insisted that only Trump had the authority to remove her from the commission housed under the U.S. Department of Justice, she later received a letter from the White House informing her that she was terminated effective immediately.

In a message posted on X Saturday, Prejean Boller thanked Munshi for her support and shared a photo of the two of them. In her Substack post, Munshi, an activist who advocates for Muslims in America, said her reservations about the commission dated back to her appointment as an adviser last year.

While members of this Religious Liberty Commission have mocked my faith and treated my community with hostility, I hesitantly accepted my appointment last year with the intention of remaining a voice of reason and standing for the religious freedom of ordinary Americans whose voices are not often heard at the highest levels of government," she wrote.

My family, both Christian and Muslim, came to America fleeing religious discrimination and persecution, she added. Generations later, their stories shaped my strong commitment to religious liberty and my belief in America as a safe haven for people of all religions. Muslims and other people of faith are freer in America to practice their religion than almost any other place in the world. I sought to safeguard this ideal in my work, but sadly found the Commission driven by ulterior motives.

Munshi asserts that people of faith are having their free expression stripped away over views about the Middle East, blaming what she called a "Zionist political agenda. She described the removal of a Catholic commissioner for expressing dissenting views grounded in her faith as an affront to free expression and religious liberty.

Despite claims by Boller that her beliefs about Israel are aligned with her Catholic faith, Catholics hold varying views on Israel. Simone Rizkallah, director of the Coalition of Catholics Against Antisemitism, wrote in a recent op-ed for The Christian Post that "The Catholic Church teaches unequivocally that antisemitism is a grave sin; that crude forms of replacement theology are incompatible with Catholic faith; that the Jewish people remain beloved of God; and that the covenant God made with Israel has not been revoked."

In her post, Munshi criticized the "governments unlawful killing of children and civilians in Iran at the urging of a genocidal state, referring to Israel's military offensive in Gaza that began in 2023 after the Palestinian terror group Hamas killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel in October 2023.

Not only is the American public against this aggression," referring to the U.S.-Israel military strikes that took out Iran's supreme leader and several other key leaders and the regional conflict it sparked, "but our tax dollars are funding the very violence that we oppose, both against innocent Palestinians and now Iranians. It is painfully obvious through their actions that this administration has no regard for the Constitutions protection of free expression and religious liberty, nor its detailing of war powers.

After criticizing the injustice perpetrated by members of this commission and this corrupt, dangerous administrations disregard for American citizens and the lives of innocents, Munshi concluded, I will have to stand before God and answer to Him for my role in this commission.

She asked for Gods forgiveness if she had legitimized their evil or the evil of this administration in any way and prayed that God would keep her intentions pure and guide her toward paths that bring true benefit to her community.

The Religious Liberty Commission was established by Trump in a May 1 executive order to produce a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, including threats to religious liberty and strategies to strengthen protections for future generations.

The commission is also tasked with recommending steps to secure domestic religious liberty by executive or legislative actions and identifying opportunities for the White House Faith Office to work with the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to advance religious liberty worldwide. The commission has held multiple meetings over the past year.
Home News Tucker Carlson claims Franklin Graham called him an 'antisemite' in Trump letter; BGEA spox. responds

Updated at 12:30 p.m. ET on March 17, 2026:

Political commentator Tucker Carlson claimed during a recent interview with Piers Morgan that evangelist Franklin Graham accused him of being an antisemite in a private letter to President Donald Trump and then refused to take his call after Trump showed him the letter, prompting a response from Graham's spokesperson who pushed back on Carlson's narrative.

During his hour-long conversation with Morgan that aired last Friday, Carlson reiterated his apology regarding comments he made last fall that he dislikes Christian Zionists "more than anybody" while accusing them of being subject to "heresy" and a "brain virus." He later clarified that he was speaking out of unrestrained anger toward Christian Zionists with political power who allow their eschatology to inform their foreign policy.

"I'm sorry that I said that, because I don't hate Christian Zionists," he told Morgan. "I'm deeply frustrated with some Evangelical leaders who are not preaching Christianity, but some sick, weird, culty version of it that puts Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Jesus. And that's not Christianity. It's totally wrong. And some of them are quite ruthless, I have learned personally."

Tucker Carlson had every right to speak out against Franklin Graham. Matthew 18 teaches you go to your brother first, not to a president in a sneaky private letter. When backroom politics replaces basic Christian conduct, charity work doesnt cover the hypocrisy, Franklin. pic.twitter.com/gap5mckrvJ  Stephen (@Stephen1427529) March 14, 2026

Carlson went on to single out Graham, an outspoken supporter of the president who serves on the White House Religious Liberty Commission, as an example, claiming Trump recently showed him Graham's letter accusing him of antisemitism.

"I went in to see Trump, and Trump says, 'I just got a letter from Franklin Graham calling you an antisemite,'" said Carlson, who said he was shocked.

Following publication of this story, a spokesperson for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse pushed back against Carlson's claims in a statement to The Christian Post on Tuesday afternoon.

BGEA maintained that Graham did not accuse him of being an antisemite, but rather commented that his views could be interpreted as antisemitic.

"Franklin Graham wrote President Donald Trump a brief private letter regarding the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and the great job he is doing," BGEA said. "After Tucker Carlson's recent combative interview with Ambassador Huckabee, Mr. Graham simply commented that Tucker Carlson's views about Israel were troubling because they 'could be interpreted as antisemitic.' Mr. Graham did not tell the president not to talk to Tucker Carlson again  those claims are completely false."

Carlson said he called Graham immediately to ask why he would accuse him of such a thing without calling him first, alleging Graham effectively refused his call.

"If you think I'm an antisemite, wouldn't you want to persuade me not to be? Because that's a pretty ugly thing to be. And as a Christian, as a fellow Christian, you want to talk. He wouldn't take my call," Carlson said.

Carlson said that during a lengthy exchange with Graham's assistant, he was told that Graham, who first obtained his pilot's license in 1971, was unable to speak to him because he was taking flying lessons.

"I went back and forth texting with his assistant, like, all day. 'Well, when can I speak to him?' 'Maybe next week. He's learning to be a private pilot.' I'm, like, 'He's 74. He doesn't have time to at least account for a letter that he sent to Trump calling me an antisemite and telling Trump never to talk to me again?'" Carlson said, prompting laughter from Morgan.

Carlson described Graham's alleged behavior as "so un-Christian and so low, so sneaky, so dishonest, that it offends me as a Christian to see it conducted in the name of Jesus."

"I just think that that's really wrong. I don't think I have a monopoly on the truth. I don't think I'm a very good Christian. I'm not. But I don't think that's Christianity. I just don't," he added.

Carlson declined CP's request for further comment, but noted, "Everything I said was true."

The BGEA spokesperson told CP that Graham was "out of town and unavailable when Tucker Carlson reached out."

"Franklin Graham has been a pilot for more than 55 years and was in required annual recurrent flight training," the spokesperson said. "We offered a date and time when Mr. Graham could call him back, but ultimately, Tucker texted our staff and said Mr. Graham didn't need to call him."

BGEA also noted that Graham is not 74, but 73.

In a private recorded conversation the late Rev. Billy Graham had with then-President Richard Nixon in 1972, Franklin Graham's father told Nixon that the Bible "makes a distinction" between Jews who are "the remnant of God's people," in an apparent reference to Romans 11, and those who are among the "synagogue of Satan," which is a phrase Jesus Christ used from Heaven to the Apostle John, according to Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9.

"Nearly all of your religious deceptions in the latter days  like the Bible speaks, 'latter days' could be a thousand years  are what they call the 'synagogue of Satan,'" Graham told Nixon at the time. "In other words, they are energized by a supernatural power called the devil. This is what the Bible teaches."

Graham and Nixon went on to agree that certain elements of Judaism had gotten "a stranglehold" on American society, which Graham said, "has got to be broken, or this country is going to go down the drain."

When his conversation with Nixon leaked in 2002, the late evangelist issued a statement apologizing for his remarks, which he said he did not remember and didn't reflect his views.

Carlson's anecdote about Franklin Graham comes amid escalating backlash against him for his opposition to the war in Iran, his frustration toward the Israeli government's alleged influence over U.S. foreign policy and his antipathy regarding Christian eschatology that emphasizes the role of modern Israel. He has drawn allegations of antisemitism and taking money from Islamic regimes, which he has denied.

Carlson's comments were also in response to a question from Morgan about recent criticism from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who claimed last week to CBN that Carlson hates him because he is a Christian and a Zionist.

Cruz, who tussled with Carlson last summer over whether the personal promise God made to Abram in Genesis 12:3 applies to modern Israel, also claimed the former Fox News host is the "single most dangerous demagogue" in the United States and wants Israel abolished, though Carlson has never expressed such an opinion.

On Saturday, Carlson claimed the Central Intelligence Agency has been spying on his private texts and that he was anticipating potential criminal charges from the U.S. Department of Justice on allegations that he violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Carlson, whose late father reportedly worked for the CIA, said the intelligence agency is "preparing some kind of criminal referral against me" for "talking to people in Iran before the war." Anonymous White House officials pushed back against Carlson's claim, reports Axios.

Carlson's concern about his potential impending arrest led to a flurry of responses from other conservatives and Christians, some of whom accused Carlson of treason, which is a crime punishable by death.

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., cited Genesis 12:3 to suggest Carlson is under a divine curse, which prompted outrage from figures such as former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who accused Fine of "twisting and weaponizing the Bible to intimidate American Christians."

Trump distanced himself from Carlson earlier this month amid his outspoken opposition to the war in Iran, claiming "Tucker has lost his way" and is "not MAGA," according to ABC News.
Home News United Methodist Church suspends clergy member over connection to Jeffrey Epstein

An ordained member of the United Methodist Church is defending her decision to work for late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein following her suspension over ties to the sex offender, who remains in the news years after his 2019 death due to ongoing investigations into his sex trafficking ring.

The Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church announced that it has suspended one of its ordained clergy because the individual had a working relationship with late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein from 2018 to 2019.

Epstein has dominated the news cycle over the past year as the U.S. Department of Justice has released the Epstein Files, communications documenting the extent of his sex trafficking ring and other communications.

Information contained in the Epstein Files includes flight logs, names of individuals and entities connected to the late billionaire, legal information and details about his death. Epstein died in custody on Aug. 10, 2019. While his death has been ruled a suicide, opinion polling shows that many Americans believe he was murdered in light of his ties to powerful politicians and figures in the U.S. and abroad.

The Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church did not explicitly name the suspended clergy, but the publication United Methodist News identified her as Rev. Stephanie Remington, who worked for Epstein as an administrative assistant from August to December 2018 and a temporary property manager from January to May 2019.

The Missouri Conference stressed that it had no knowledge of the individuals association with Mr. Epstein and clarified that Remingtons suspension began Thursday and will last for a period of 90 days while an investigation unfolds.

In annual paperwork submitted to the Missouri Annual Conference, the individual represented that they were performing extension ministry through the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary during those dates and as recently as 2025, the Missouri Conference stated. In early review processes, Wesley Theological Seminary confirmed that the individual served as a part-time contractor in 2017 and 2018 and has not been employed by the seminary since that time.

Remington told UM News that she "never saw anything, referring to abuse.

I knew him for the last nine months of his life, well after he served time for the things that he was accused of doing," she was quoted as saying.

While Epstein served a 13-month sentence in county jail on charges that he engaged in sexual activity with underage girls and registered as a sex offender more than a decade earlier, he was arrested in July 2019 and charged with engaging in child sex trafficking amid allegations that he sexually exploited underage girls at his homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City.

Remington defended her decision to work for Epstein even though he had a criminal record.

Jesus got into a lot of trouble for the company he kept, but he didnt let that trouble pressure him into rejecting the people who, by their standards, did not deserve to be human, she said. Social death is just another kind of murder. He opened his heart and his mind to them, and they opened their tables and alabaster jars to him. Is Jeffrey not among their kind?

Answering her own question, Remington added, Of course, they didnt deserve a second chance. She also insisted, None of us do, and Thats not how grace works.

Acknowledging how Epstein had ties to both former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, and President Donald Trump, a Republican, Remington asserted that Jeffrey was very proud to have direct lines to all his presidents.

If association with sinners makes one guilty, then the Church is in an awful state. I have heard the confessions of the people in my pews. I know their stories. Were just people. The humankind.

Remington indicated to UM News that she prays for Epsteins victims, lamenting that there are many powerful men who have done despicable things with their privilege. A search of the DOJs Epstein Library reveals that Remingtons name appears over 1,863 times.
Israel Support Collapses With Young Voters, Chicago Preachers Sue, Antifa Convictions In Texas ICE Attack

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:47 06:47

Top headlines for Tuesday, March 17, 2026

In todays episode, we cover a sharp new NBC poll showing support for Israel plunging across the U.S., especially among younger voters, as divisions over Middle East policy deepen on the right and left. We also look at a lawsuit against the city of Chicago after Christian street preachers were arrested near Millennium Park, raising major questions about free speech and religious liberty. And in Texas, nine members of an alleged Antifa cell have been convicted in the violent 2025 attack on an ICE detention facility, in a case prosecutors say reflects a troubling escalation against federal officers.

00:12 Support for Israel plummets to 13% among US voters aged 18-34

01:05 Hundreds attend tent revival at Texas university

01:51 Street preachers sue Chicago over unconstitutional arrests

02:40 9 Antifa members convicted of storming Texas ICE detention center

03:23 Many Brits fear impact of nation's drift from Christianity: poll

04:17 Nicaragua bars ordination of new Catholic priests, deacons

05:11 Tim Tebow reflects on the power and gravity of the Cross
Home Opinion How Burmese refugees are welcomed at a San Antonio Baptist church

Christians are called to make disciples of the nations. We often interpret this command from God as missionary trips to other nations, but I want to share my experience of meeting the nations when God brought them to our city. God places us all in specific locations to fulfill His will, as he states in Acts 17:26, and He called First Baptist Church of San Antonio to do so.

San Antonio is a microcosm of the American melting pot, or what President Ronald Reagan once called a city on the hill. In 2023, the American Immigration Council found that immigrants made up 12.7% of the total population in the San Antonio metro area. 2.5% of the immigration population were refugees, and 21.6% of the total population growth of San Antonio was attributable to immigrants from 2018 to 2023.

While 2.5% of the immigrant population may seem like a small number, the refugees Ive had the privilege of welcoming have had an outsized impact on our community and me. For nearly two decades, First Baptist Church of San Antonio has quietly modeled what it looks like when a community commits not just to welcoming refugees, but to walking with them over the long haul.

Beginning in the mid2000s, families fleeing conflict in Burma, Thailand, and Malaysia began arriving in larger numbers. The Burmese refugees include newcomers of several ethic backgrounds: Karen, Chin, Karenni, Kachin, Rohingya, and others. In the early years of refugee resettlement, Catholic Charities carried much of the responsibility. But as arrivals increased, the demand quickly exceeded what any single organization could handle. Catholic Charities reached out to a Laotian pastor  fluent in Thai and leading a combined ThaiLao congregation  for help. That partnership ultimately brought the Burmese ethnic groups into the community with the Lao/Thai Baptist at First Baptist Church San Antonio.

And so, ordinary church members  people who had never met a Burmese family or heard of the Karen, Chin, or Karenni peoples  opened their hands. Additionally, many Burmese refugees and immigrants who made this community their home years ago stepped forward to help the newer arrivals. They provided transportation, meals, household supplies, and, above all, friendship. At a time when no one knew how long the wave of arrivals would last, First Baptist simply responded to the need in front of them.

The cultural and linguistic challenges were real. Many adults had never been to school and spoke little or no English; their children entered classrooms unable to understand their teachers. Yet the resilience these families carried was unmistakable. They took any job offered  hotel laundry, food processing, cutting fruit and vegetables in industrial kitchens  and showed up with determination. Church members helped them navigate bus routes, job applications, and grocery stores. Despite not always speaking their language, the church members spoke the language of love to the refugee families through their actions.

On Sundays, two church buses made rounds across the city to pick up families for worship, long before anyone realized how many languages were represented in the seats. Eventually, the families asked if they could worship in their own tongues. The church responded by creating services in Burmese, Karen, Zomi-Chin, Karenni, and more, ultimately hiring an international minister to coordinate these communities and help them plant their own congregations.

What began as emergency hospitality slowly evolved into a long-term ecosystem of support. Over 1015 years, the church helped hundreds apply for green cards, then citizenship. Even Rohingya and Myanmar Muslim families  who did not share the churchs faith background  came seeking assistance with paperwork because the community knew First Baptist would help without strings attached. Ministers across cultures learned to collaborate, leaning on the churchs resources and its long-standing presence in the city. As new pastors emerged from within each ethnic group, the international ministry became a gathering place where leaders could plan, pray, and make decisions together, knowing they had a central partner able to guide major purchases or strategic moves. Many of the youth who grew up in these families are now in college, the military, nursing programs, or running small businesses of their own. Some have bought homes  an unthinkable dream when they first stepped off flights from refugee camps.

Today, First Baptist San Antonio is in a new chapter: teaching the international community to give back. The children who once needed tutoring and translation are now leading worship, interpreting for parents, and serving in the community. At youth conferences in Thailand, some have visited the very camps their parents fled, coming home with renewed humility and purpose. One teenager, after seeing the conditions of a refugee camp firsthand, called his mother to apologize for years of anger and frustration  realizing, for the first time, what his family had endured so he could grow up in safety.

This is the long, slow work of welcome  the kind that rarely makes headlines because it unfolds not in dramatic gestures, but in persistent, ordinary acts of care. It took ministers with servant hearts, a congregation willing to stretch beyond its comfort, and a belief that strangers can become family. As national debates continue to reduce immigrants and refugees to slogans, San Antonio offers another story: that when a community chooses to walk alongside newcomers not for weeks or months, but for years, everyone is transformed.

The refugees who arrived with nothing now contribute richly to the city. And the church that welcomed them has learned that love, practiced consistently, can build a global family under one roof.
Home Opinion Yes, Jesus had a God complex

According to an article by Patrick West in The Spectator, many young people find Jesus annoying. West pointed to a survey of UK teens, ages 14 to 17, entitled Troubling Jesus. This joint project of the Scripture Union and the Bible Society sought to understand how non-Christian kids think about Scripture. According to the studys authors,

What they shared was sometimes deeply uncomfortable, unsettling interpretations we may be overly familiar with and offering fresh perspectives on God and Jesus that can sound almost heretical at first.

These students had the impressions that the God of the Bible was really violent and aggressive, practiced mansplaining, and had an unequal power dynamic. God the Father came across as a bully. God the Son was arrogant, powerful, religiously motivated, and male. The most telling claim was that Jesus had a God complex.

According to West, the reaction is understandable:

Young people raised in a world without authority figures who command respect, in a society bereft of didacticism, are naturally going to regard the teachings in the Bible as hostile and aggressive. In a world where everyone is reduced to having their own truth, many will find the idea of Christianity simply incomprehensible.

Thats an understatement. The dominance of the Critical Theory mood over the UK and other western nations, invented and normalized new moral absolutes. A generation fully catechized in these absolutes will judge everything else by them, especially anything that smacks of tradition or what they consider to be the oppressive past.

But theres another factor, too. As West went on to say:

Over the years, the Church of England and nearly all Christian denominations have merely gone with the flow of society and even helped to hasten Christianitys descent into relativism and ignorance.

In other words, the experiment to win the lost through strategies of cultural relevance has failed. In fact, it has failed in two ways. First, too many churches and too many Christians lost their own theology in the process of remaining relevant. Second, we failed to make disciples, which is the primary task our Lord gave to us.

How fascinating that so many thought Jesus had a God complex, that He acted like He was God. They meant it as an insult, but theyre not wrong. Jesus did act like God. He talked as if every persons eternal destiny depended on Him. He said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He affirmed the formerly doubting Thomas when he called Jesus (m)y lord and my God! Jesus regularly used the phrase I am about Himself, and often in unusual ways. Most notably, as reported in John 8, He said, Before Abraham was, I am. His opponents immediately took this as blasphemy, in reference to Gods self-disclosure to Moses at the Burning Bush as I am.

Christ identified Himself as the greater fulfillment of Old Testament events. Like Moses, He provided food for the people in the wilderness and brought the Law down from the mountain. Like Elijah and Elisha, He raised a mothers son from the dead. And He said and did these things as though He had the power and authority Himself. Unlike the older prophets, Jesus didnt say the classic line, Thus saith the Lord! He spoke on His own authority, saying, Truly, truly, I say to you.

After all, Christ wasnt killed because He was such a nice guy or stood up for the poor. He was killed because the powers that be found Him dangerous. He wasnt the Messiah they were looking for, so they rejected Him. John the Evangelist quoted Jesus as affirming, If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. Alluding to Isaiah, the Apostle Peter wrote of its message as, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.

Ironically, even in their ignorance, these UK teens recognized a truth of Scripture that the Church of England has too often downplayed or downright rejected. And better to be offended by Him than to remake Jesus into something He was not.

As C.S. Lewis famously wrote in Mere Christianity:

You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

Originally published at the BreakPoint.
Taking the Canadian citizenship test is one of the final steps on the path to becoming a Canadian citizen.

On March 9, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published updated instructions for officers assessing citizenship tests, confirming that the online, self-administered form of the test is now the default format.

Schedule a Free Canadian Citizenship Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Whether you have already received an invitation to take the test or are still in the early stages of your citizenship journey, here are some things to know about the online self-administered process.

The difficulty level is standardized

The online citizenship test is generated from a bank of approximately 300 to 400 questions.

According to IRCCs updated instructions, each question is weighted so that every version of the test maintains a similar level of difficulty and a balanced mix of topics. Because these tests are generated randomly, it is highly unlikely that two applicants will receive the same set of questions.

IRCC recommends using Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship as the study guide to prepare for the citizenship test.

Applicants looking for additional practice can also use free online sample tests such as those offered by the Richmond Public Library and Toronto Public Library.

You have a limited time window to take your test

Applicants are invited to take the citizenship test by email.

The invitation gives applicants a 30-day window to complete the test, with up to three attempts allowed during that period. This 30-day period runs from the start date to the end date listed in the invitation (it doesnt start on the day you receive the email).

If you miss this window to take the test, you will have to contact the department to get a new invitation.

The test includes 20 questions. To pass, applicants must answer at least 15 questions correctly. Questions are either multiple choice or true-or-false. There are no open-ended questions.

You have 45 minutes to complete the test.

Your webcam will be on during your test

You must take the test on a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet equipped with a webcam. Your webcam will be on during the test.

On its website, IRCC states that your webcam will be used to take random photos to confirm your identity and ensure youre working alone.

You must have valid identification ready

Before beginning the test, there is an identity verification process for which you must have an acceptable piece of identification with you.

The process is automated (you will not have an immigration officer instructing you or communicating with you through the process).

This can include:

a permanent resident card, even if it has expired; or

a valid piece of identification with a photo and signature, such as a drivers licence or health card (that is not expired).

Before starting the test, you will be asked to use your devices webcam to take a photo of yourself and your identification.

These images must be clear. If the photos are blurry or unreadable, the test may be considered invalid, and you may be asked to take it again.

Some setups are not supported for the online citizenship test

These devices and setups are not supported for the Canadian citizenship test:

Mobile phones;

Chrome on an iPad;

Microsoft Surface Pro devices; and

Devices connected to a virtual private network (VPN).

Schedule a Free Canadian Citizenship Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

You will see a score immediately, but it is not your final result

After completing the test and identity verification steps, you will receive a score out of 20.

While this score gives an indication of whether the applicant likely passed or failed, it is not considered official at that stage.

IRCC says the knowledge requirement is only considered met after the test has been reviewed internally, and the department has confirmed both the test result and the applicants identity.

There are strict rules about what you cannot do during the test

IRCC has rules for applicants taking the online, self-administered test.

Applicants must not:

Open other tabs, windows, or programs;

Use another device during the test;

Connect through a VPN; or

Have personal information visible in the background (like a diploma).

The test must be completed alone and without outside assistance.

If concerns are identified, you may be asked to retake the test or attend an interview

If IRCC identifies issues with a test session or results, you may be asked to retake the test or attend an interview. Some examples of issues are if photos of you or your identification are blurry, or if you have internet connectivity issues during your test.

If no follow-up letter is issued and the applicants Citizenship Tracker later shows that the knowledge requirement has been marked as completed, this generally means you have passed that part of the process.

If you fail all three attempts, you may be scheduled for a knowledge hearing

Applicants who do not pass the test after all three attempts will usually be invited to attend a knowledge hearing with a citizenship officer.

This hearing may take place in person or by video conference using Microsoft Teams.

During a hearing, a citizenship officer will administer an oral knowledge test and/or a language assessment tool to determine whether you meet the knowledge or language criteria, as required.

Cheating can have serious consequences

Applicants who are found to have cheated may lose the opportunity to be tested again and may instead be referred to a hearing with a citizenship officer.

The department also notes that dishonest conduct during a test or hearing may amount to misrepresentation, because the result may not accurately reflect the applicants knowledge or abilities.

Misrepresentation is a serious offence in Canadian immigration law. It can lead to an application being rejected, as well as to fines, charges and being banned from applying for Canadian immigration for five years.

IRCCs instructions say that concerns about cheating should be documented in the applicants file.

Schedule a Free Canadian Citizenship Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm
tippapatt / Adobe Stock

CAF Bank has paid a local infrastructure organisation 750 in compensation after it complained about online service disruption to an ombudsman.

Support Staffordshire, which assists charities in its local area, refused two lower offers from CAF Bank after the disruption last year before contacting the Financial Services Ombudsman.

The 750 figure has now been agreed following the ombudsmans intervention.

Support Staffordshire said in a statement that the financial settlement was a welcome token of acknowledgement".

Their findings about how CAF Bank handled this fiasco are damning, said Support Staffordshires chief finance officer Jayne Ison and chief executive Garry Jones.

And it was only when forced by the ombudsman that CAF Bank have made this offer.

Ison and Jones said that Support Staffordshire lost at least 5,000 in dealing with the problems, which had wider implications across the charity.

The stress and upset for staff is hard to calculate, they told Civil Society.

We are actively seeking to move banks and would suggest other charities consider their own banking arrangements as we continue to have no faith in CAF Banks basic customer service capabilities.

Neil Poynton, CAF Bank deputy chief operating officer, apologised for the disruption caused by the launch of its new online system on 9 June 2025.

More than 14,000 customers struggled to process transactions , including bulk payments, prompting a series of complaints to the bank after the launch.

Poynton said that CAF Bank, owned by the Charities Aid Foundation, has been implementing regular upgrades and is taking steps to improve its service.

We recognise this caused difficulties for some customers and their staff, this was never our intention, he said.

Poynton added that CAF Bank remains focused on supporting charities to provide the sector with dedicated banking services.

Charities moving banks

CAF Bank initially offered payments of 25 last year to several charities that complained about the disruption they had experienced with its new service.

Emma Pears, founder and chief executive of childrens charity Selfa, told Civil Society that her charity eventually received 150 from CAF Bank, but that it was still looking to move its banking elsewhere.

Alcohol Change UK CEO Richard Piper, who labelled the initial 25 goodwill offer insulting last August, said his charity had received no further offers and had complained to the ombudsman.

Piper told Civil Society his charity continues to experience problems with CAF Banks system, which has put strain on his staff.

We have made some progress researching alternative banking providers and do intend to move, but the extra staff capacity needed to cope with CAF Banks new systems means we are paying staff for additional hours just to keep standing still, he said.

[As a result, we] have zero spare capacity to complete that work of finding an alternative provider.

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,
The Charity Commission has announced that it has opened a statutory inquiry into an animal rescue charity after serious financial concerns were raised in a police investigation.

Animal Lifeline, based in Stoke-on-Trent, rescues and rehomes dogs around north Staffordshire and south Cheshire.

The regulator opened its statutory inquiry into the charity on 16 February over financial concerns which had come to light as part of an ongoing investigation by Staffordshire Police.

The inquiry will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying or have complied with their legal duties in respect of the charitys governance and management.

It will pay particular regard to the financial management of the charity and the extent of any misuse of the charitys funds, as well as whether there has been any unauthorised private benefit to the trustees or conflicts of interest.

Staffordshire Police said in a statement: A 44-year-old woman, from Stone, was arrested on Saturday 14 February on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position, fraud by false representation and money laundering, following a report of alleged business fraud.

A 68-year-old woman, from Stoke-on-Trent, was also arrested on Sunday 15 February on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position.

Both have since been released on conditional bail.

Staffordshire Police said it is working closely with the commission as part of its investigation, which remains at an early stage.

A spokesperson for Animal Lifeline said it would cooperate fully with the commission and police but denied that the charity had engaged in wrongdoing or misused charitable funds.

Our priority remains the welfare of the dogs in our care and the continued support of the community that relies on our rescue and rehoming services, they said.

Animal Lifeline continues to operate as normal, and the day-to-day care of animals remains unaffected.

Appropriate governance measures are in place to ensure the charity continues to operate smoothly while the inquiry is ongoing.

Recent financial deficits

Animal Lifelines most recently filed accounts , for the year ending 31 December 2024, showed a total annual income of 298,000 and expenditure of 434,000.

The charity previously recorded an operating deficit of just under 100,000 for its accounts for its 2023 accounts.

In 2020 , almost 7,000 people signed an online petition calling on the commission to investigate concerns about how the charity was being run.

At the time, the Charity Commission gave Animal Lifeline formal regulatory advice around governance issues, while the RSPCA said it had not received a formal report about animal welfare concerns.

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,
The British Broadcasting Corp. asked a judge to toss out President Donald Trumps $10 billion lawsuit over a misleading edit of his speech before the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol, arguing the case will chill free speech and undermine robust reporting.

The BBCs request was filed Monday with U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, a Trump-appointee based in Miami. The BBC argued that federal court in Florida isnt the proper venue for the lawsuit because documentary was not broadcast, streamed or distributed in the US.

The British news outlet also argued that its First Amendment right to free speech in the U.S. should not be burdened by groundless litigation that could restrict reporting on a public figure.

Trump is among the most powerful and high-profile individuals in the world, on whose activities the BBC reports every day, the news outlet said in the filing. The chilling effect is clear.

The case is part of a series of lawsuits in which the president or his company are seeking at least $50 billion in damages, all of which have been filed since he took office in January 2025. Trump also has defamation suits pending against the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, both of which have denied wrongdoing and moved for dismissal of the claims.

The BBC is liable to President Trump for intentionally and maliciously defaming him by distorting and manipulating his speech, a spokesman for Trumps legal team said. No amount of attempted legal maneuvers can change that fact.

Altman previously said Trumps suit against the BBC will go to trial in February 2027 if it isnt tossed out.

Fight Like Hell

The Panorama program at the center of the case, which aired before the 2024 presidential election, included a clip that made it appear that Trump had told his supporters they should walk down to the Capitol and fight like hell before the riot. In fact, Trump said they should cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women. The fight like hell remark was from a different part of the speech.

BBC Chair Samir Shah acknowledged Nov. 10 that the edited footage wrongly gave the impression of a direct call for violent action. Days later, the broadcaster issued a second apology, but rejected the presidents demand for compensation.

Im suing the BBC for putting words in my mouth, Trump said at the time. Literally, they put words in my mouth. They had me saying things that I never said coming out.

The lawsuit filed in December claims the edit was part of a pattern of misleading reporting about Trump. The suit includes one claim of alleged defamation and one accusing the BBC of violating a Florida trade practices law. Trump is seeking at least $5 billion in damages for each count, plus other costs.

In its filing on Monday, the BBC argued that Trumps reputation was not damaged by the documentary. Similar allegations about Trumps conduct that day, including the findings of the House January 6 Committee and judges conclusions in different civil suits stemming from the riot, also did not harm Trump at the ballot box, the BBC said.

Given the many allegations prior to the documentarys release regarding plaintiffs Jan. 6 speech  and that shortly after its release, the president won reelection and carried Florida by a wide margin  plaintiff cannot plausibly claim that the documentary harmed his reputation, the BBC said.

High Bar

To overcome the BBCs motion to dismiss, Trump will need to prove that the new outlet acted with actual malice toward him when it edited the documentary  a high bar required for public figures that was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964 in order to protect free speech.

The BBC said Trump falls well short of the high bar of actual malice because the president hasnt shown that the news outlet knew the documentary was false and intended to create a false impression.

The lack of actual malice is underscored by the fact that the brief clip, which shows 12 seconds of Plaintiffs speech on Jan. 6, is part of an hour-long film with extensive coverage of his supporters and balanced coverage of his path to reelection, the BBC said in its filing.

The news outlet also pointed to the BBC chairs open letter to the U.K. Parliament, which said the purpose of edit was to help the Panorama audience better understand how the speech was received by Trumps supporters and what was happening on the ground at that time.

Indeed, nothing better reflects how President Trumps supporters understood his remarks than their own statements, and over 100 defendants charged with offenses related to Jan. 6 told the courts that they interpreted President Trumps remarks as a call to action, the BBC said.

Top photo: BBC headquarters in London. Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
Classical music composers have left an indelible mark on history through their genius and innovation. Among the greatest composers, names like Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven rise above others for their profound influence. This article dives into their stories, key contributions, and standout pieces that still captivate listeners today.

Who Are Considered the Greatest Composers of All Time?

Ranking the greatest composers sparks endless debate, but certain figures consistently top lists based on innovation, emotional power, and lasting popularity. Here are some of the most celebrated classical music composers:

Johann Sebastian Bach  Baroque master of polyphony and organ works Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  Classical-era prodigy with flawless melodies Ludwig van Beethoven  Bridge to Romanticism through heroic symphonies Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky  Romantic ballets with Russian soul Giuseppe Verdi  Italian opera powerhouse Richard Wagner  Epic opera innovator Frederic Chopin  Piano poetry and nationalism Claude Debussy  Father of musical impressionism Igor Stravinsky  20th-century rhythmic revolutionary

Experts often draw from sources like Classic FM's annual polls, where Beethoven frequently claims the top spot for his transformative role. These classical music composers not only defined their times but also shaped film scores and pop arrangements centuries later. Their works endure because they capture universal human experiences, from joy to tragedy.

Contributions from the Greatest Composers

Bach's Enduring Legacy

Johann Sebastian Bach, born in 1685 in Eisenach, Germany, embodied Baroque complexity. Orphaned young, he absorbed organ mastery and church music traditions. His counterpointinterweaving melodiesset standards for harmony that influenced generations of classical music composers.

Bach's most famous works reveal his brilliance:

"Brandenburg Concertos" showcase orchestral dialogue across six vibrant pieces

"The Well-Tempered Clavier" explores all major and minor keys through 48 preludes and fugues

"Toccata and Fugue in D minor" electrifies with organ flourishes, often evoking gothic atmospheres

"Mass in B minor" weaves sacred texts into polyphonic grandeur

Mozart's Melodic Magic

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrived in 1756 Salzburg as a child prodigy, touring Europe by age six. His Classical-era outputover 600 piecesspans symphonies, operas, and concertos with effortless grace.

Standout works include:

"The Marriage of Figaro"  comic gem with arias like "Non piu andrai"

"Don Giovanni"  mixes comedy, drama, and supernatural thrills

"Eine kleine Nachtmusik"  string serenade charm for evening soirees

"Symphony No. 40 in G minor"  restless energy

"Requiem in D minor"  haunting unfinished mass

Beethoven's Revolutionary Fire

Ludwig van Beethoven, born 1770 in Bonn, defied deafness to forge Romantic paths. His symphonies grew bolder, infusing personal turmoil into music.

Iconic pieces:

"Symphony No. 5"  fateful "da-da-da-dum" motif

"Symphony No. 9, Ode to Joy"  chorus and orchestra hymn to humanity

"Eroica Symphony No. 3"  honors heroism on epic scale

"Moonlight Sonata"  brooding first movement

"Pathetique Sonata"  storm and solace contrasts

Romantic and Modern Masters Among Greatest Composers

Tchaikovsky's Russian Soul

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (18401893) infused Romanticism with Slavic passion. Trained in law before music, he crafted ballets that dazzled worldwide.

Key works:

"Swan Lake"  tragedy and transformation through iconic dances

"The Nutcracker"  "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" holiday magic

"1812 Overture"  cannons celebrate Russia's victory

"Piano Concerto No. 1"  horn call to virtuosic heights

"Symphony No. 6, Pathetique"  profound final sorrow

Verdi's Operatic Drama

Giuseppe Verdi (18131901) dominated Italian opera. Self-taught in part, he mastered vocal lines demanding powerhouse singing.

Famous operas:

"La Traviata"  poignant love with "Libiamo"

"Rigoletto"  jester's curse and "La donna e mobile"

"Aida"  Egyptian grandeur, Triumphal March

"Il Trovatore"  anvil choruses and gypsy fire

A BBC Music Magazinefeature once highlighted Verdi's top operas for their dramatic punch.

Wagner's Epic Vision and Chopin's Poetry

Richard Wagner (18131883) revolutionized opera with "Gesamtkunstwerk." Leitmotifs inspired modern scores like Star Wars:

"The Ring Cycle"  15-hour gods and heroes

"Tristan und Isolde"  chromatic forbidden love

"The Flying Dutchman"  ghostly seas

"Lohengrin"  bridal chorus swan knight

Frederic Chopin (18101849) focused on piano expression:

"Nocturnes"  moonlit reveries

"Revolutionary Etude"  left-hand fury

"Polonaises"  patriotic pulse

"Ballades"  epic narratives

20th-Century Innovators and More Classical Music Composers

Claude Debussy (18621918) birthed impressionism:

"Clair de Lune"  piano moonlight shimmer

"Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune"  flute sensuality

"La Mer"  ocean orchestral waves

Igor Stravinsky (18821971) shocked with:

"The Rite of Spring"  primal Paris riot rhythms

"The Firebird"  Russian myth blaze

"Petrushka"  bitonal puppets

Other notables:

Joseph Haydn  "Father of the Symphony," 104 witty works

Johannes Brahms  Classical form, Romantic depth

Antonin Dvorak  "New World Symphony" folk fusion

Sergei Rachmaninoff  virtuosic concertos

Gustav Mahler  existence-probing symphonies

Timeless Appeal of Greatest Composers Today

Classical music composers bridge eras, their works streaming billions yearly across platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. From intricate Baroque counterpoint to modernist rhythmic jolts, these greatest composers offer endless discovery for new listeners. Their melodies appear in blockbuster films, video game soundtracks, and even contemporary pop samples, proving music's borderless power.

In live settings, orchestras worldwide perform "Ode to Joy" for New Year's celebrations, while ballet companies revive "Swan Lake" season after season. Modern artists remix "Clair de Lune" for chill playlists, and conductors experiment with period instruments to reveal Bach's original sparkle. This adaptability keeps classical music composers relevant amid digital shifts.

Accessibility drives the surgefree YouTube performances, affordable streaming subscriptions, and apps that identify symphonies in movies. Families introduce kids to "The Nutcracker" through animated versions, sparking lifelong passion. Whether studying Bach's fugues or unwinding with Chopin's nocturnes, people worldwide tap into emotional reservoirs built over centuries.

Explore a symphony or sonata todayfeel history's pulse in every note, connecting past genius to present inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is the greatest composer of all time?

Beethoven often tops polls for bridging Classical and Romantic eras with emotional depth, though Bach's technical mastery makes a strong case too.

2. Who are the best classical music composers for beginners?

Mozart offers accessible melodies like "Eine kleine Nachtmusik," while Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" provides vivid imagery without complexity.

3. What are Beethoven's most famous works?

"Symphony No. 5" with its iconic motif, "Symphony No. 9 Ode to Joy," and "Moonlight Sonata" stand out for drama and innovation.
German chancellor rules out military participation in Strait of Hormuz mission

Xinhua) 13:13, March 17, 2026

BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday ruled out any military involvement in protecting oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a "defense alliance" rather than an "intervention alliance."

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz stated that the conflict involving Iran is not a matter for NATO.

The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump urged NATO allies to support efforts to secure oil transport in the strategic waterway.

In response, Merz said that as long as the conflict continues, Germany will not participate in military measures to ensure free navigation in the strait, and insisted that no viable concept for such an operation has been presented so far.

Earlier on Monday, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also rejected the U.S. demand for military support in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Germany would not become militarily involved in the region.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In this article CAAS Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

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This report is from this week's CNBC's The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what's driving the world's second-largest economy. You can subscribe here.

Hi, this is Evelyn, writing to you from Beijing. Welcome to the latest edition of The China Connection  a succinct snapshot of what I'm seeing and hearing from local businesses.



Today, I talk to Volkswagen China's chief technology officer about how they are pivoting away from engines. It starts with chips, obviously, but which company's?



Enjoy!

Any thoughts on today's newsletter? Share them with the team.

The big story

Volkswagen is preparing for a future driven by chips. And, at least in China, Nvidia isn't part of the picture. With advanced tech from local Chinese players, "for us, there is no reason to stick [to] Nvidia," Thomas Ulbrich, chief technology officer of Volkswagen Group China, told me last week. We chatted in his office, during one of his rare days at the German automaker's Beijing headquarters. Ulbrich spends most of the time in Hefei, an automotive hub just hours from Shanghai. That's where Volkswagen's factories are located, as well as its biggest research and development center outside of Germany. For semiconductors, the company has a joint venture with Chinese automotive chip company Horizon Robotics , and a partnership with electric car company Xpeng , which has developed its own "Turing" car chip. The Xpeng Turing chip is part of Volkswagen's first all-electric SUV, the ID. UNYX 08. Production began Friday in Hefei, with deliveries in China set to begin by the end of June. The vehicle comes with L2 advanced driver-assist, which means it can help drivers navigate highways and urban streets. That's a driver-assist feature Xpeng has already rolled out in China, while Tesla has yet to get Beijing's approval for its version.

Volkswagen announced Friday, March 13, 2026, that it started production of its first all-electric SUV, the ID. UNYX 08, that uses Xpeng's automotive chip. Volkswagen

Having that specific expertise in driver-assist software is also why Ulbrich said Volkswagen is working with Xpeng chips, as well as Horizon. "Why does a customer buy a car?" Ulbrich said. "Ten years ago, it was brand, brand, brand," he said. "But nowadays it is intelligence of the car, mainly driven by smart EVs." In about two years, he expects Volkswagen cars in China to reach L3 capabilities, which will allow drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel under specific conditions. When regulators allow L3 to be used, liability for accidents is set to shift from driver to manufacturer. Meanwhile, Volkswagen's joint venture with Horizon, called Carizon, is developing its first advanced automotive chip, with expected delivery in three to five years. Nvidia has also bet that automotive chips will be a billion-dollar business. But segment growth has slowed in recent quarters, while the Chinese EV partners that once partnered with Nvidia have begun developing their own chips in-house. As for applications of artificial intelligence, Ulbrich said AI integration would happen faster in factories than in cars. He said Volkswagen is already incorporating some AI-powered functions in manufacturing. Ulbrich is also CEO of the Hefei R&D center, called the Volkswagen Group China Technology Company, a role he has held in China since April 2024. This is his third assignment to China, following earlier postings in the late 1990s and the 2010s.

Getting up to China speed

Volkswagen has become one of the most aggressive Western automakers trying to recoup China sales lost to domestic EV rivals. But pre-pandemic attempts were slow. At a spring auto show in 2019, Europe's biggest carmaker announced a new line of electric vehicles for China, beginning two years later. Chinese rivals were moving much faster. Xpeng revealed an electric coupe that customers could drive in about 12 months. BYD launched its Han electric sedan in July 2020 and was ramping up deliveries less than a month later. Now, after an overhaul of the China business that began in 2023, Volkswagen has slashed its production time and costs. "This is the year of delivery," said Ulbrich. He said in 2026 alone, Volkswagen plans to launch 20 new models powered by battery or hybrid solutions on the roads in China. The roadmap stretches to 2030, where Volkswagen aims to have 50 new models, including 30 fully electric ones. The cars will also be exported to other countries. In fact, this year marks Volkswagen's largest product campaign in China to date. The group management signaled their ambitions during an earnings report last week, despite a 53% drop in profit and an 8% drop in China passenger car sales. Ultimately, survival comes down to what attracts buyers. In China, consumers are highly digitally connected, Ulbrich said, citing the range of smartphone services. "The car has to fit into this world," he said, noting that's why automotive tech in China is ramping up so quickly. That means that, for companies, China is not just a training center but also a market for proving a product, Ulbrich said, hinting at global strategic advantages.

Need to know

China gets Iranian oil. Since the Iran war began, more than 11 million barrels of crude oil have passed through the Strait of Hormuz headed to China, CNBC has learned. OpenClaw craze. The lobster-themed AI agent is trending in China as companies rush to tap an opportunity to get locals to spend more on the technology. Exports climb. China's trade surplus rose to its highest on record in the combined January-February period, while exports massively beat expectations. China's economic momentum. Retail sales for the first two months of the year rose 2.8% from a year earlier. Industrial output climbed 6.3%, also exceeding expectations for a 5% jump.

Coming up
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today. Sign up for free to receive it directly in your inbox. Here's what CNBC TV's producers were watching as stocks rose on easing oil prices, and what's on the radar for the next session. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will be live on " Squawk on the Street " in the 10 a.m. hour ET. He'll be live at the GTC conference . Analysts and investors are watching every move closely. Earlier Monday, Morgan Stanley reiterated its bullish call on the stock. Shares of Nvidia are down 13.5% from the October high. The stock is down 1.76% so far in 2026, but shares have gained 50% in the past year. Jim Cramer of " Mad Money " has been a big backer for a long time. He last bought the stock for his charitable trust in the summer of 2022. Since then, the stock has gained 1,100%. NVDA 1Y mountain Nvidia in the past 12 months A hard time for software Orlando Bravo of Thoma Bravo will join " The Exchange " with CNBC TV's Kelly Evans. He's been a big driver for investment in software over the years. The sector has taken a big hit due to fears that artificial intelligence can do the job better. The S & P Software & Services Index is off 26% from the Oct. 28 high. It is down 18% so far in 2026. Only two names in the 30-stock Software & Services Index are up in 2026: Akamai and Fortinet . Workday , Gartner and GoDaddy are the worst performers in the index, all are down more than 30% in 2026. Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi will join Jim Cramer on "Mad Money" on Tuesday. The stock has been a big beneficiary of the AI run, as it makes cooling equipment and power management systems for data centers. The stock is down 4% from the high hit last week. In the past year, Vertiv has gained nearly 203%. VRT 1Y mountain Vertiv shares in the past 12 months Lululemon The gym and yoga clothing company is slated to report Tuesday after the bell. Lululemon has lost about 22% in the past three months. The stock is down 54% from last March's high point. Up in the air with CNBC TV's Phil LeBeau Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines will be on live and exclusively in the 6 a.m. hour. The stock is off 20% from the high hit last month, but shares have surged 30% in the past year. The stock is down 7.4% this month. Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Air will go on in the 11 a.m. hour. The stock is down 41% from the September 2025 high. It is down 25% so far this month. Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines live and exclusive in the 1 p.m. hour. The stock off 36% from the 52-week high hit back in January. Shares are down around 20% so far this month. Topics will include cancelled flights to the Middle East and navigating higher prices for jet fuel  both major concerns for the industry. Markets shift and headlines fade, but the core principles of building long-term wealth remain constant. Join us for our third CNBC Pro LIVE, where investors of all backgrounds - from financial professionals to everyday individuals - come together to cut through the noise and gain actionable strategies for smarter, more disciplined investing. No matter where you're starting from, you'll leave with clearer thinking, stronger strategies. Enter your email here to get a discount code.
"We've seen more focus on economic wellbeing, which can be pay or benefits," Whittaker said. "We've seen wages rise and investment in training, stock options and wealth-building programs. Most of the companies moving up on these workforce metrics are the leaders," he added.

The focus on workers, in particular  the No. 1 issue for the American public when it comes to identifying what a "just" company is  continues. Companies at the top of the rankings often share common efforts across their workforces, from increasing professional development training hours to higher minimum wages and parental leave policies. This year, in particular, corporate focus on wealth-building opportunities for employees was more prominent. These efforts come at a time of widespread concerns about affordability and the risk workers face from AI.

"Companies are investing more than before in actual stakeholder value creation, they are not pulling back from that, even in a very complex, competitive environment," said Martin Whittaker, founding CEO of Just Capital.

The Just Capital annual rankings of companies within the Russell 1000 universe identifies what it finds to be the companies making the most "just" investments in their operations across five key categories: workers, communities, shareholders & governance, customers, and the environment. And these investments remain a focus across the market, according to Just Capital's latest research. But while pressure mounts for corporate boardrooms to deliver on the bottom line as they confront more uncertainty than at any other time in recent history  from an era of global conflict and inflation to the rise of artificial intelligence  there is a shift underway in how and where these investments are being made to maximize future returns.

Many corporations have retreated on initiatives branded under DEI and ESG banners during President Donald Trump 's second term to protect their businesses from political and legal headaches. But it doesn't mean companies have stopped investing in efforts that are key to stakeholders and take a longer-term lens than just hitting quarterly earnings estimates.

Hewlett Packard , the No. 1 company in this year's rankings, offers flexible time off programs, 12 weeks paid leave, and access to wealth-building opportunities for employees via stock awards and options.

Union Pacific , which ranked No. 2, offers a minimum wage of $26.12, 74 average professional development training hours per employee, and tuition reimbursement and stock awards.

No. 3 Dow and No. 4 S&P Global also increased professional development training hours available to employees, highlighting widespread increases in the rankings on this particular metric.

"In the AI era, where everyone is figuring out what it does mean for their workforce and tasks versus roles, in that roiling employer-employee dynamic, most companies are really doubling on workforce investments," Whittaker said. "Companies may have different ways for hiring at the entry level, and anecdotally, I think we are all seeing it," he said, but he added that existing workforce investments at companies across industries continue to grow.

Workers, wages and wealth-building programs

Across the Russell 1000 universe analyzed by Just Capital, the average disclosed minimum wage rose year-over-year to $17.27 from $16.92. More companies are publicly disclosing their minimum wage, including Ventas , United Therapeutics , and Lowe's , which recorded the largest overall gain on the list, moving up 243 spots, to No. 81 in the 2026 rankings, with factors cited including its minimum wage and increases in training and development hours available to employees.

For many companies on the list, the rankings reflect incremental improvements in key categories rather than wholly new efforts. Fourteen of the companies in the rankings, including Bank of America , Synchrony Financial , and Costco , reported annual increases in their minimum wage rates. Twenty-one companies extended leave policies for primary caregivers, while fifteen companies lengthened leave for secondary caregivers. These policies are also spreading further across the market, according to Just Capital's research. Thirty-one companies added new leave policies for primary caregivers, while thirty-two companies added new policies for secondary caregivers.

There were over 30 new companies to make the corporate top-performer list this year. But beyond the companies to make the cut in the annual rankings, a focus on issues like wealth building led to major gains among Russell 1000 peers. PVH Corp , as an example, moved up 460 spots to No. 160 overall, with Just Capital citing its newly disclosed practice of granting stock awards or options to employees to support wealth building, among other factors.

Whittaker says the increased, and in many cases new, corporate disclosures related to investments in worker wellness, training and wealth building show that there is less talk today, and more need to focus on the "doing". It is a shift that he says has been underway for a few years already, as forward-looking "we will be awesome in the future" statements are replaced in the market by a recognition from companies they will be rewarded for actual performance.

"The key is in the execution, not pledges or commitments they are making for the future," Whittaker said. "Business leaders are under tremendous pressure to deliver results and they are looking under every stone for what to do to achieve their goals, and they have concluded that some of best investments they can make are in people," he said.

A few industries do stand out in the rankings on a relative basis, with technology (23%), industrial goods & services (17%), and health care (12%) making up over half of the annual list.

Decline in corporate disclosures on diversity, climate

At the same time of a doubling down on worker efforts, there have been broad declines in the overall rate of corporate disclosure. Over half (54%) of the data points that Just Capital tracks to identify industry leaders saw lower rates of disclosure year-over-year. Not surprisingly, the most notable declines in the data being shared by corporations occurred with issues where political winds have shifted in the U.S.: board ethnic diversity and renewable energy use percentages.

But Whittaker said that even as many of these disclosures are trending lower, the data shows declines that remain relatively small in magnitude. Gender workforce demographic disclosures, for example, fell 3.3%, according to Just Capital's research, while racial and ethnic demographic data disclosures declined 2.8%. Pay equity analyses by gender and race decreased 1.6%, while reporting on supply chain diversity declined by 3%.

That is not to say the situation has not changed in a major way. "I think the ESG framing is over, that's dead," Whittaker said. He added that across workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the overall corporate "footprint," boardrooms are focused on the bottom line and the question of "Where do I invest to get the highest return on investment?" And related to that question, they are also more focused on goals related to their specific industry and this specific moment in time. In simpler terms, Whittaker said, it's "biggest bang for your buck" thinking from business leaders as they continue with these investments but in many ways shift away from the previous framing around ESG and DEI.

"We've entered an era of being as quantitative, almost as predictive, as possible on where to invest to benefit the business the most, and a lot of the shifts we've seen support that view, and it's also what we hear directly from boards," Whittaker said.

"It's not a "massive sea change," he said of the decline in corporate disclosure. But it is what he called a "symptom" of the broader shift in corporate thinking. "What's different now in disclosure is more focus on things that drive performance as opposed to things that perhaps the outside world and government, or investors and activists are demanding," Whittaker said. "We went through a period of saying, 'What are you doing on X, Y and Z, and pressure to disclosure on lots of things, and that has changed. I don't put it down to just politics, but also a business reality today of getting back to basics and focusing on driving performance. We've just entered a new period."

"We talk to a lot of boards and think they are coming back to the central question of where exactly do companies need to invest for the greatest market benefits. That is the central question occupying every CEO's mind," Whittaker said. And, he says, as long as companies can measure what is driving performance and track improvements, they will continue to disclose and "put dollars to that."

Detailed information on the annual rankings is available from Just Capital.
This is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Good morning. Soon, your garage won't be the only gym with a Peloton Bike. The fitness company is ramping up its commercial business, announcing yesterday new Bike and Tread products designed for busy gyms. Stock futures are little changed this morning after Monday's rebound. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:

1. Orders up

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks at the NVIDIA GTC global AI conference in San Jose, California, U.S. March 16, 2026. Fred Greaves | Reuters

Shares of Nvidia closed about 1.7% higher Monday after CEO Jensen Huang said the chipmaker expects $1 trillion in orders for its Blackwell and Vera Rubin systems through next year  double the number Nvidia projected last year. Here's what else Huang announced during his keynote speech at Nvidia's GTC conference: Huang unveiled Nvidia's first chip from Groq, the startup whose assets it acquired for $20 billion last year. The Nvidia Groq 3 Language Processing Unit is set to ship in the third quarter.

Nvidia is expanding its self-driving technology business, adding several automakers as customers for its Drive Hyperion platform. "The ChatGPT moment of self-driving cars has arrived," Huang said.

The chipmaker announced the launch of computing platforms for orbital data centers. It said multiple companies will use its Vera Rubin Space-1 Module on space missions.

Huang also touted a new developer toolkit that will work with OpenClaw, the viral AI agent whose creator joined Nvidia last month.

Don't miss CNBC's exclusive interview with Huang at 10:10 a.m. ET. Watch live on CNBC+ or the CNBC Pro stream.

2. Coalition building

Commercial vessels are pictured offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026. - | Afp | Getty Images

Oil prices retreated yesterday as uncertainty loomed over President Donald Trump's plan for an international coalition to protect tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. "Numerous countries have told me they're on the way," the president said, though he provided no details. Traffic through the strait has plummeted since the onset of the Iran war, as Iranian attacks cause the largest oil supply disruption in history. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC Monday that the U.S. is allowing Iranian tankers through the strait: "We've let that happen to supply the rest of the world," he said. Crude prices turned higher this morning, putting pressure on stock futures. Follow live market updates here.

3. Foreign affairs

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, March 16, 2026. Aaron Schwartz | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Iran isn't the only foreign country receiving Trump's attention. The president said yesterday that he believes he'll have the "honor" of "taking Cuba": "Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it," Trump told reporters. The comments come a little more than a week after Trump suggested he'd turn his focus to Cuba once the war in Iran is complete. The White House has effectively cut Havana off from Venezuelan oil since the U.S.' capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, causing a fuel crisis in the country. Meanwhile, Trump said Monday that the U.S. has requested his upcoming trip to China be delayed by "a month or so." The president cited the Iran war for the postponement: "I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here, I feel."

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. Missing the mark?

Apollo Global Management signage in New York on Dec. 5, 2023. Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Last month, Apollo's John Zito told UBS clients that private equity firms are misstating the value of their software holdings: "I literally think all the marks are wrong," the firm's co-president of asset management and head of credit, said. "I think private equity marks are wrong." Zito's warning  one of the first from within the industry  comes as software stocks see steep declines on investor fears that new AI tools will render their businesses obsolete. That in turn has sparked concern that private credit lenders' software loans have stale valuations.

5. In the fast lane

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Your Amazon orders could soon arrive even faster. The e-commerce giant announced this morning that shoppers in 2,000 U.S. cities and towns now have access to three-hour delivery, with one-hour delivery available in hundreds of those locations. Both options come with a fee, which is $10 less for Prime members. As CNBC's Annie Palmer reports, Amazon has invested heavily in its same-day delivery programs. The company has recently been testing 30-minute deliveries of household items and groceries through its Amazon Now offering, as well as drone-based deliveries in under an hour.

The Daily Dividend

Benchmark's Bill Gurley told CNBC yesterday that he expects an artificial intelligence "reset." "When people get rich quick, a whole bunch of people come in and want to get rich too, and that's why we end up with bubbles," the venture capitalist told CNBC's "Money Movers."

watch now
Barclays said it believes that a recent pullback tied to Middle East tensions has improved the risk-reward profile for Align Technologies . The bank upgraded the orthodontics company to overweight from equal weight. Analyst Glen Santangelo's $200 price target implies that shares could climb 18% from Monday's close. ALGN 1Y mountain ALGN 1Y chart Santangelo pointed out that shares had touched $197 in early February following the release of Align's strong fourth-quarter results and fiscal 2026 year guidance. But the stock has been swept up in a broader market pullback. "The Middle East conflict has triggered a 15% pullback from the recent Feb high, improving the risk/reward. Admittedly, if the conflict drags on, our call may prove to be premature," the analyst wrote. "However, trading at 10x EBITDA, we believe ALGN is well positioned to benefit post-conflict." Santangelo pointed to Align's fourth-quarter results, which suggest renewed momentum in business. Even more impressive, he wrote, was the balance across each of Align's market segments and geographies. The analyst added that website traffic to both Align's homepage and My Invisalign page suggest that last quarter's positive trend has persisted this quarter as well. "We are encouraged by the continued strength of the data, particularly as consensus has revenues modeled down 2.4% sequentially from 4Q to 1Q," he added. Santangelo said Align's revenue exposure to the Middle East falls within the single-digit territory and that the company has a manufacturing plant in Israel. "As of Friday, the facility remains operational and unaffected by the ongoing conflict. While we do not believe there has been any material impact to the company's financial outlook up to this point, we appreciate the fluidity of the situation," he wrote.
Even Nvidia 's trillion-dollar growth narrative isn't enough to jolt its stock out of a six-month rut, one sign that the chipmaker's biggest challenge may now be its own size. Despite dominating the artificial intelligence boom and touting long-term revenue potential that could exceed $1 trillion, Nvidia's stock has lagged peers and failed to respond meaningfully to bullish updates. The stock is down about 2% in 2026, a little bit more than the S & P 500 decline. The muted reaction underscores a theory on Wall Street that Nvidia may have crossed a threshold where traditional equity dynamics no longer apply. "The market cap has gotten so large that Nvidia no longer trades like other stocks," TD Cowen analysts wrote in a note Monday. "The reality is there are trading and fund-flow dynamics at play with a > $4T company that we, and investors, are not used to. We think this is driving a few factors that are capping the stock for now." Nvidia's market capitalization early Tuesday came to some $4.45 trillion, according to FactSet data, more than any other U.S. company, even Apple or Microsoft . NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia year to date Nvidia is no longer trading like a typical semiconductor company, and its size alone is introducing new constraints  from fund flows to portfolio construction  that are capping the stock's potential upside, even as the business fundamentals remain strong, TD Cowen said. To double from current levels, Nvidia would need to approach a $9 trillion valuation  equivalent to the combined economic output of Germany and India, TD Cowen noted. That kind of upside is increasingly difficult to achieve, particularly for growth-oriented investors seeking asymmetric returns. Among the factors capping Nvidia, "the simplest one we've observed is it's a lot harder to add the next $2T in market cap than the last $2T. Many investors, at least the ones that talk to semis analysts, want to pick stocks that they can at least create scenarios of them doubling," the investment bank said. As a result, some portfolio managers are looking elsewhere in the AI ecosystem, particularly among suppliers and infrastructure plays tied to Nvidia, where the potential for outsized gains appears greater, TD Cowen said. "To put it bluntly, the generalist community needs more convincing on the durability of Nvidia's position, and more importantly AI spending, than do semis and tech investors," the analysts said.
A general view of the Alibaba headquarters is at West Bund in Shanghai, China, on February 28, 2026. (Photo by Ying Tang/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Chinese technology giant Alibaba on Tuesday released a new agentic artificial intelligence tool, Wukong, for enterprise customers, as the company restructures and faces rising competition.

The company told CNBC in a statement that Wukong allows businesses to manage multiple agents through a single interface, while offering "enterprise-grade security infrastructure."

The platform, which is still in its invitation-only testing phase, will be able to manage agents handling tasks such as document editing, approvals, meeting transcription, and research. Unlike chatbots that respond to prompts, AI agents can take proactive actions, often requiring broader access to company data and systems, raising privacy and security concerns.

Named after the Monkey King character from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West", Wukong is available as a standalone desktop application or through DingTalk, a cloud-based communications platform similar to Salesforce 's Slack.

Besides DingTalk, which has over 20 million corporate users, Alibaba outlined plans to connect Wukong with other messaging platforms, including Slack, Microsoft Teams and Tencent 's WeChat, expanding access to mobile devices.

Wukong will also be progressively integrated into Alibaba's broader suite of e-commerce platforms such as Taobao and Alipay.
Apple CEO Tim Cook gestures as he departs after a business leaders reception with the U.S. president on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026.

Apple CEO Tim Cook used a "Good Morning America" appearance on Monday to shut down growing speculation about his future at the company, telling viewers that retirement talk is nothing more than a rumor.

Asked about reports that he was preparing to step aside, Cook told ABC, "No, I didn't say that. I haven't said that. I love what I do deeply. Twenty-eight years ago, I walked into Apple, and I've loved every day of it since."

He added that he "can't imagine life without Apple."

The comments come after a turbulent stretch for Apple's C-suite.

In December, the company lost AI chief John Giannandrea, its top lawyer and a key design executive in a single week  while chip guru Johny Srouji reportedly signaled he might leave, too.

The departures raised pointed questions about whether Cook's operational leadership style is the right fit for the artificial intelligence era.

Cook's reassurance comes at a pivotal moment, as Apple turns 50 on April 1.

The company is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone and AI glasses this year, and it still needs to prove it can deliver the revamped Siri experience it failed to ship in 2025.
Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Peter Welch are calling for a halt to the new version of ByteDance's artificial intelligence app, Seedance, which generates videos of real people and licensed characters, raising copyright and intellectual property concerns.

Seedance 2.0 "is the most glaring example of copyright infringement from a ByteDance product to date, and you must immediately shut down Seedance and implement meaningful safeguards to prevent further infringing outputs," Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Welch, D-Vt., wrote in a letter to ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo that was first obtained by CNBC.

Their letter is a sign of growing concerns on Capitol Hill about how AI companies are developing and using their models and whether proper protections are in place for those who generate the materials the models train from.

"Responsible global companies follow the law and respect core economic rights, including intellectual property and personal likeness protections," Blackburn and Welch wrote. They cited examples of Seedance 2.0 creations, made after the platform went live Feb. 12, that included actors Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt and the Netflix show "Stranger Things."

A ByteDance spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC that "ByteDance respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0. We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users."

Lawmakers aren't the only ones concerned. Hollywood groups including the Motion Picture Association sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance. The Information reported that ByteDance has paused its global launch of Seedance 2.0.

So far, Congress has largely taken a hands-off approach to regulating AI. Lawmakers say they do not want to create guardrails that would limit the ability of U.S. companies to innovate and remain ahead of foreign competitors. Several lawmakers said that because the industry is moving so quickly, legislation they were considering a few years ago would already be out of date and inadequate in covering advances such as agentic AI.

Yet senators including Blackburn and Welch have introduced targeted bills on AI. In August, the duo unveiled a bill to help artists protect their copyrighted works from being used to train AI.
A foreign tanker carrying Iraqi fuel oil damaged after catching fire in Iraq's territorial waters, following unidentified attacks that targeted two foreign tankers, according to Iraqi port officials, near Basra, Iraq, March 12, 2026.

And even as the U.S. stays embroiled in one conflict, Trump is apparently looking to start another one.

U.S. President Donald Trump is looking to enlist other countries in helping secure the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices stay elevated. But his requests are yet to be accepted, as tensions in the Middle East escalate with Iran continuing to target its neighbors.

Hello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC's Daily Open.

U.S. President Donald Trump's appeals that other countries help the U.S. secure the Strait of Hormuz seem to have received a less than enthusiastic response, but Trump struck a confident tone Monday stateside, telling reporters the White House will soon announce the names of nations that have agreed to assist.

Washington, meanwhile, is looking to postpone a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping as the conflict with Iran prolongs.

As oil prices stay elevated, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was allowing Iranian oil tankers to transit the Strait: "we've let that happen to supply the rest of the world."

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were trading about 2% higher at $95.34 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent was up 1.8% at $102.03, after prices declined on Monday.

The jump in prices comes as Iran continues to target its neighbors, with reports of missile and drone strikes hitting Dubai on Tuesday, prompting the United Arab Emirates to temporarily close its airspace.

Despite the U.S. being embroiled in Iran, Trump seems to be mulling taking the world's largest economy into another conflict, saying Monday that he will have the "honor" of "taking Cuba."

"Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it," he said, words that are likely to keep markets on edge.



On the tech front, Nvidia boss Jensen Huang gave a shot in the arm to the AI world, saying he expects purchase orders of the company's Blackwell and Vera Rubin AI systems to reach $1 trillion through 2027, doubling from prior estimates of $500 billion.

Nvidia also expanded deals for its autonomous vehicle development business to Hyundai Motor, Nissan Motor and Isuzu, as well as Chinese automakers BYD and Geely.



 Lim Hui Jie
Sen. Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to the media as Cabinet officials deliver congressional briefings on Iran at the Capitol in Washington, March 3, 2026.

Congressional Democrats sent a new counteroffer to the White House to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, a step that may indicate a thaw in the shutdown of the agency that began Feb. 14.

The shutdown comes as Democrats demand changes to how federal immigration enforcement operates in exchange for releasing the funding after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by DHS officers in Minneapolis. The Democrats and President Donald Trump's White House have been trading proposals for over a month but have not yet clinched a deal.

The latest Democratic counteroffer was sent late last night, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private negotiations. The person declined to detail what's in the Democrats' latest volley.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations, told CNBC the White House has received the counteroffer and is reviewing it. The official also did not offer any details included in the Democrats' latest proposal.

Later Tuesday, the White House rec detailed what it is offering in a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Katie Britt, R-Ala. The letter was obtained by MS Now.

The letter, written by Border Czar Tom Homan and Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs James Braid, said the administration has "offered to codify improved operational guidelines to its immigration enforcement operations."

Among the administration's concessions are greater adoption and enforcement of body camera use, limiting enforcement at hospitals and schools, increased enforcement of visible officer identification, increasing oversight requirements of DHS detention facilities and codifying a practice of not knowingly arresting U.S. citizens unless they commit a crime.

Some of the concessions, however, are assertions that the administration will abide by statutes already codified in law.

The letter from the White House is the first indication of what the Trump administration is willing to agree to in the monthslong talks. Democrats have not detailed how they have budged in their latest counteroffer.

Democrats on Tuesday said the administration's concessions still fall short.

"They've got to get serious," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "The key issues of warrants when you bust in someone's house, the key issue of identity of police, no masks, they haven't budged on those, they've got to get serious."
Elon Musk looks on as President Donald Trump speaks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Nov. 19, 2025.

Elon Musk is in talks with the Securities and Exchange Commission to settle a lawsuit filed by the regulator last year accusing the world's richest person of violating securities law in the run-up to his Twitter buyout.

In a court filing on Tuesday, the SEC revealed that it is "engaged in discussions of a potential resolution that would mean further proceedings might not be necessary" with Musk.

The SEC initially filed the suit in January 2025, and the case is proceeding in a federal court in Washington, D.C. A separate, class-action lawsuit filed by former Twitter investors against Musk is now winding its way through a federal court in San Francisco, with a jury expected to deliberate soon.

Musk, who is CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, purchased Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022 and changed its name to X the following year. Prior to the acquisition, he'd built up a position in the company of greater than 5%, which would've required disclosing his holdings to the public within 10 calendar days of reaching that threshold. He was late to file that disclosure.

The SEC said in its complaint that Musk's failure to disclose the stake allowed him to buy shares at "artificially low prices," putting other investors at a disadvantage.

Attorneys for Musk didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The SEC declined to comment.

Musk previously settled civil securities fraud charges brought by the SEC at Tesla . Musk and his auto company each had to pay $20 million in fines, and Musk had to temporarily relinquish his role as chairman of the Tesla board.

WATCH: Musk merger complicates SpaceX IPO
Gecko Robotics, a Pittsburgh-based robotics startup, on Tuesday announced a $71 million deal with the U.S. Navy to cut down ship repair time as the government races to reindustrialize America's aging defense systems.

The company said its robots  capable of flying, swimming and climbing critical infrastructure  use cameras and sensors to condense a three-month process down to as little as two days. Gecko also said the robots can assess necessary maintenance 50 times faster than other manual techniques.

"This is the kind of stuff that was never possible before, and it's the reason why it's taken 18 months to get a destroyer out of the dry dock," co-founder and CEO Jake Loosararian told CNBC in an interview. "This is not acceptable anymore."

Loosararian said Gecko will support the Navy's goal of 80% fleet readiness by 2027 and streamline ship production so that soldiers can focus on fighting and other threats.

The U.S. is increasing its reliance on defense technology startups like Gecko as it seeks to modernize dated U.S. military systems amid rising geopolitical tensions.

These companies are increasingly disrupting traditional defense contractors with innovative artificial intelligence and autonomous tech solutions.

"Software is not enough, and your ability to use artificial intelligence to predict and make decisions is only as good as the data inputs," Loosararian said. "This is a fundamental shift, and what Gecko does right now, it's never been done before by any robotics company in the military."

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has prioritized scaling and restoring U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, which have long lagged behind China. Last month, the administration released a multipage plan to resurrect the struggling sector.

Over the years, Gecko has teamed up with mining, manufacturing, energy and defense businesses to improve aging equipment and slash repair times. That includes defense contractor L3Harris Technologies , independent power operator NAES and mining giant Freeport-McMoRan .

Gecko was last valued at $1.25 billion in a $125 million funding round in June. The two-time CNBC Disruptor 50 company ranked No. 30 on last year's list.
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, arrives in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 27, 2025, to attend a memorial service for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, had been killed in airstrikes overnight.

Katz said in a statement that he had been informed by the military that Larijani and the commander of Iran's Basij forces, Gholamreza Soleimani, had both been killed, according to Reuters.

Iran's official judiciary news agency confirmed the killing of Soleimani, the Associated Press reported. According to AP, Iran's Supreme National Security Council released a statement confirming Larijani was killed "along with his son Morteza Larijani and the head of his office, Alireza Bayat, as well as several guards."

A message attributed to Larijani was published on social media on Tuesday morning. The post showed a handwritten message commemorating sailors of Iran's navy who had been killed, according to a Google translation.

Larijani was seen as the right-hand man of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in strikes aimed at high-ranking Iranian officials at the beginning of the war on Feb. 28.

Iran has since retaliated by attacking its Gulf neighbors and targeting ships trying to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
My top 10 things to watch Tuesday, March 17 1. Jensen Huang made lots of news during his keynote at Nvidia's GTC conference yesterday, including a new chip for AI inference . Standalone CPU racks are coming. New innovations in networking, including optical. My takeaway from it all: Wall Street's sales and earnings estimates are too low. Its NemoClaw stack for deploying personal AI agents sounds as important as ChatGPT. 2. Stock futures are in the green this morning despite oil prices trading higher. When oil goes up, we're supposed to be down in the market. Not happening today, at least. U.S. benchmark WTI is up 2% to over $95 a barrel. Energy infrastructure in the UAE was hit with a fresh wave of attacks . Israel said Iran's security chief was killed overnight in airstrikes. 3. Honeywell could see a small hit to first-quarter revenue and a minor delay in Middle East shipments due to the Iran war, CEO Vimal Kapur said at a conference this morning. But the important thing is that Kapur said that it won't impact the full-year guide. Remember, Honeywell is breaking itself up like fellow Club name DuPont did. This is just another obstacle that investors need to overcome to reap the spin-off rewards. 4. HSBC downgraded Club name Eli Lilly to sell from hold, with analysts reducing their medium-term sales forecast for the GLP-1 market and arguing the stock is priced to perfection. We'll take the other side of the trade here. Lilly's got an obesity pill on the way, and rival Novo Nordisk's next-generation pipeline leaves much to be desired. 5. Dover was upgraded to buy from hold at Wells Fargo, which sees the industrial conglomerate benefiting from the Iran war in two ways. If there's a de-escalation, the market will focus on Dover's accelerating organic growth and its exposure to businesses with shorter lead times, such as fuel pumps and refrigeration components. If the Iran conflict persists, analysts say Dover has limited Middle East exposure, pricing power, and has the cash to step up share repurchases. 6. A round of small price target bumps for Dollar Tree , including from Truist and Piper Sandler. The discount retailer posted a surprisingly good quarter yesterday, beating on both the top and bottom lines. Its shift in pricing strategy is starting to pay off. The fact is, people expected the stock to be down, but costs are down and sales are up. That's how you get a 6% pop. 7. We'll hear from fellow discount retailer Five Below tomorrow. Ahead of the quarter, Mizuho raised its price target to $205 from $185 but kept its hold rating, citing high expectations. CEO Winnie Park has done an impressive job since taking over in late 2024. This remains the No. 1 low-priced merch play. 8. Citi is the latest shop to cut its price target on Lennar after the homebuilder's earnings report made it clear the housing market is still weak. Citi went to $104 from $113. Without rate cuts, this group of stocks is toxic. Mortgage rates have been going the wrong way since the Iran war broke out. 9. T-Mobile lands a price target bump at Citi, which went to $225 from $200 and kept its hold rating. First PT increase for this one in weeks. T-Mobile had been the growth name among the carriers. But over the past year, the stocks of Verizon and AT & T have actually been the outperformers. 10. Argus downgraded DraftKings to hold from buy, worrying about higher costs to acquire customers, increased state taxes, and competition from prediction markets. That last one is why this has become such a problematic stock. Sign up for my Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free (See here for a full list of the stocks at Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, testifies during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing titled "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland," in Cannon building on Wednesday, December 11, 2025.

National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent on Tuesday announced he will resign in response to the Trump administration's war against Iran.

"I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war," Kent said in a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, that was posted on Kent's personal X account.

Kent, a promoter of far-right conspiracy theories whom the Senate narrowly confirmed for the director role last July, accused the president of being deceived by Israel into supporting the war.

"Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby," Kent wrote in his letter.

Trump disputed Kent's claims later Tuesday.

"I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

After reading Kent's statement, "I realized that it's a good thing that he's out," Trump said, because "every country realized what a threat Iran was."

The comments came shortly after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an X post that Kent was parroting "the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating over and over."

Trump "had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first," and he "would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum," Leavitt said.

She also called Kent's claims about Israel's influence on Trump "both insulting and laughable."

The National Counterterrorism Center did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

The director of the NCTC leads U.S. counterterrorism and counternarcotics efforts and advises the president directly. An hour after Kent announced his resignation, he was still listed as the center's director on its official government website.

The NCTC is housed within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, led by Tulsi Gabbard, a once-vocal opponent of war with Iran who has kept quiet on the Trump administration's latest military actions. Gabbard was scheduled to testify Tuesday before the House Intelligence Committee, but the hearing was postponed until Thursday.

In an X post Tuesday afternoon, Gabbard did not directly comment on Kent, and she did not explicitly endorse the view that the U.S. faced an imminent threat from Iran.

Trump is "responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat" and whether to take action in response, Gabbard wrote. The ODNI's job is to "coordinate and integrate all intelligence" to provide the president "with the best information available to inform his decisions," she wrote.

"After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion," Gabbard wrote.

Kent, 45, is a U.S. Army veteran and former CIA paramilitary officer who was deployed to the Middle East 11 times over 20 years, according to his official bio. His first wife, U.S. Navy officer Shannon Kent, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2019 while deployed to Syria.

Joe Kent ran for Congress in Washington as a Republican in 2022 and 2024, losing both races to Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. He later served as Gabbard's acting chief of staff.

Trump nominated Kent to lead the NCTC in February 2025, saying he will "help us keep America safe by eradicating all terrorism, from the jihadists around the World, to the cartels in our backyard."
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Nicolai Tangen, chief executive officer of NBIM, at the Norges Bank Climate Conference in Oslo, Norway, on Oct. 21, 2025. Naina Helen Jama | Bloomberg | Getty Images

European markets are facing a crisis and must get their act together to fix it, the head of the world's biggest individual investor has said. Speaking to CNBC's Charlotte Reed on the sidelines at the Euronext Annual Conference in Paris, France, Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), called on Europe to "get our act together" when it comes to unifying the continent's capital markets. "Capital markets, we really need to get our act together. The winner takes it all," he said. "People go where the liquidity is highest, where valuations are highest, and so it's really, really important to sort this out." Tangen was speaking after his speech to the conference on Tuesday morning, when he said that, over the past decade, NBIM's equity portfolio had shifted notably in favor of U.S. stocks. During that period, European stocks went from making up 41% of the portfolio to 21%, while U.S. shares jumped from making up 37% of the equity portfolio to around 55%. Nearly 40% of NBIM's investments are in U.S. equities, with its most valuable holdings including a 1.3% stake in Nvidia, a 1.2% stake in Apple and a 1.3% stake in Microsoft.

NBIM manages Norway's sovereign wealth fund, which was set up in the 1990s to invest revenues from the country's oil and gas industry. The fund is 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. The fund, the largest of its kind in the world, currently has a value of just over $2 trillion. NBIM also invests in fixed income, real estate and renewable energy infrastructure. Tangen told CNBC the changes in NBIM's equity holdings over the past 10 years were "an extraordinary shift" and attributed it to Europe lagging, behind when it comes to technology and innovation. "It is because of the U.S. companies' dominant position in AI we do not have strong companies in Europe in that field," he said. In 2025, the sovereign wealth fund posted an annual profit of 2.36 trillion kronor, or $246.9 billion, much of which was attributed to the strength of the tech sector. "I think what Europe can do is, of course, be better at applying AI and there are some signs that, in terms of diffusion of technology, Europe is doing pretty well," Tangen said.

watch now

"It's urgent to do this," Tangen said of reforming European markets. "We cannot have such a fragmented capital market in Europe. We won't get the liquidity, we won't get the depth of the market." Tangen said Europe needed to consolidate and implement more unified rules to make cross-border trade easier, or risk falling "further behind." Market watchers and regional officers have spoken of the urgent need to overhaul European capital markets. In January, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva called on European leaders to finalize the capital markets union, complete the energy union, make it easier for employers to secure labor from across the EU, and invest in research and innovation. In his speech earlier in the day, Tangen said NBIM was an investor with "skin in the game," given its European headquarters and stakes in 2.3% of all listed European companies. He outlined a "wish list" of changes: harmonizing financial and corporate legislation across the region, rethinking competition and innovation, and "fixing the plumbing" to allow capital to flow better through the system. "Are European capital markets in a crisis?" he asked the audience. "Probably, but in that case, let us not waste a good crisis. We know what needs to be done. And it must be done, otherwise we will lose. We will fall. It is time to act."

'Surprised' by market reaction to Iran war

In his CNBC interview, Tangen also said his team had been surprised by the stability of capital markets amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. Asked how concerned NBIM is about the potential impact of elevated oil prices on the global economy and equity markets, Tangen said it was "of course worried about this." "It's an additional risk, and an additional factor that we have to take into consideration when we look at our various scenarios," he said. "We are not in the business of predicting the oil price, but we do see that a higher oil price will have an inflationary effect, and that's one additional negative when it comes to the market." International markets have been volatile since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, with surging oil prices sparking fears of an energy shock creating global inflationary pressure.
The Nissan Murano is seen at the New York International Auto Show on April 16, 2025.

DETROIT  Nissan Motor plans to join fellow Japanese automakers Toyota Motor and Honda Motor in exporting U.S.-produced vehicles to Japan following changes to the country's vehicle import rules reached through a trade deal last year with the Trump administration.

The company on Tuesday said it will import the midsize Nissan Murano, built in Smyrna, Tennessee, to Japan beginning early next year. It marks the first American-made Nissan sold in Japan since the 1990s, according to a Nissan spokeswoman.

"With the introduction of this model, Nissan aims to further strengthen its product lineup in Japan and meet the diverse needs of Japanese customers," Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa said in a statement.

Nissan is the latest Japanese automaker to announce such plans after changes to regulations meant automakers could more easily import vehicles from the U.S. to Japan. Those rules were put in place as part of a trade deal that also included easing U.S. tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump.

Under the new Japanese regulations that were confirmed last month, U.S.-made vehicles don't have to meet the country's vehicle certification as long as they comply with American standards.

Nissan confirmed plans to import the Murano from the U.S. with the steering wheel on the left-hand side of the vehicle, which is typical for Americans but not in the Japanese market.

Automakers typically have to tailor vehicles to meet safety and other regulations for different countries globally. They can range from things such as lighting and side mirrors to more complex parts such as the location of the steering wheel.
After an extended delay in selling into the world's second-largest economy, chipmaker Nvidia is gearing up to provide some customers in China with its H200 processors, CEO Jensen Huang said on Tuesday.

"We have received purchase orders, and we're in the process of restarting our manufacturing," Huang told reporters at the company's GTC conference in San Jose, California. "That's new news for all of you, and it's different than it was two weeks ago or three weeks ago, but that's our condition today ... and our supply chain is getting fired up."

Huang told CNBC that the company now has clearance from both sides.

China once accounted for at least one-fifth of Nvidia's data center revenue, but the company has been shut out of the country since being told by the Trump administration in April that it would require a license to export chips there and to a handful of other countries. The company said it would take a $5.5 billion charge due to the export restriction.

Prior export controls forced Nvidia to develop a lower-capability chip for the Chinese markets called the H20. After President Donald Trump initially halted those sales, he changed course in December and allowed Nvidia to ship the more advanced H200 chip to China, provided the U.S. got a 25% cut of sales.

But as of last month, there had still been virtually no movement on that front.

Following the company's quarterly earnings report on Feb. 25, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress told analysts that a "small number of H200 products" had been approved for sale to China by the U.S. government, but "we have yet to generate any revenue."

The delay was tied to reports of security scrutiny in both countries, despite Huang's lobbying in Washington and a trip to China earlier this year.

Even without sales into China, Nvidia reported revenue growth of 73% in the latest quarter, marking an 11th straight period of growth in excess of 55%.

For the current quarter, Nvidia forecast growth of about 77%, and said it was assuming no data center revenue from China in its guidance.

U.S. license requirements remain burdensome, with caps on shipments, mandatory third-party testing and the cut of sales that goes to the government.

WATCH: Nvidia sets $1 trillion revenue goal in 2027 for Blackwell and Vera Rubin
Orlando Bravo, managing partner of Thoma Bravo, speaks during "Squawk on the Street" at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2026.

Orlando Bravo, founder and managing partner of Thoma Bravo, pushed back on mounting criticism of private markets, saying deep sector expertise is separating winners from losers as artificial intelligence creates disruption across the software industry.

"We have been living in the details of the space for a very, very long time, not on a high level, not investing in stocks, [but] investing in companies, customer contracts, knowing the details. So, yes, as a sector specialist in private equity, our companies are very, very different," Bravo said Tuesday in an interview with CNBC's Leslie Picker. "We are so comfortable with our private credit book, given the choices we've made as a specialist."

His comments come as investors step up scrutiny of private-market valuations and liquidity after a wave of markdowns and redemption pressure across private credit and equity funds.

Morgan Stanley recently said it expects direct-lending default rates to reach about 8%, nearing Covid-era peaks. Meanwhile, John Zito of Apollo Global Management told UBS clients last month that private equity firms are broadly misstating the value of their software holdings, saying "all the marks are wrong."

Bravo said Thoma Bravo's investor base, which includes major U.S. pension funds and global sovereign wealth funds, has remained confident due to the firm's long track record and transparency.

"They've seen our marks, they've seen our exits, they've seen our progression," he said. "Everybody's extremely comfortable."

Addressing one of the firm's more visible missteps, Bravo acknowledged overpaying for customer experience software company Medallia. Apollo's Zito pointed to this $6.4 billion take-private deal in 2021 specifically, saying it will be "worse than people expect," according to the Wall Street Journal.

"When we bought it, we way overestimated or extrapolated the very high rate of growth of that company into the future. We made a mistake. And that cost us to pay too much. Now, the equity from our standpoint has been impaired for a long time," Bravo said. "Our investors, this group that holds the capital in the world, has known that for years. So there is no new news."

Still, he said the broader portfolio is performing strongly.

"The other 77 companies that we have, for the most part  and it's so relevant for AI  they're absolutely crushing it," Bravo said.

Bravo drew a sharp distinction between private equity-owned companies and many publicly traded software firms, saying the latter face accelerating disruption. He noted that recent valuation declines in some names are "very warranted."

"In the public markets, if you look at it, there are many, many software companies in the public markets that will be disrupted from AI. Those companies were going to be disrupted anyway. AI will create a disruption a lot faster," Bravo said.
Private credit investors may have a potential "off-ramp" as pressure to cash out of the $3 trillion industry grows. Asset managers in the sector, where so-called semi-liquid funds have expanded into the retail wealth market, have scrambled to restrict investor withdrawals in recent weeks, as concerns that bad loans could spark a surge in default rates and a 'dash-for-cash' among investors Sunaina Sinha Haldea, global head of private capital advisory at Raymond James, said there is a "robust and growing, and highly innovative" private secondaries market  where investors sell stakes in private funds to other buyers  that could serve as a pressure valve for investors looking to exit without forcing managers to sell underlying loans. Haldea pointed to Saba Capital, Boaz Weinstein's activist hedge fund firm, which, along with Cox Capital Partners, is launching tender offers to buy stakes in a number of private debt vehicles, including some managed by Blue Owl Capital . "We've seen Boaz Weinstein at Saba Capital become very public about the fact that he's offering tender solutions to BDC investors in these private credit funds to give them liquidity off ramps," Haldea told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe". "You'll see more and more usage of the secondaries market to get off-ramps to some of these semi-liquid vehicles, where retail investors didn't potentially understand... this was illiquid paper. You can't force a sale of the paper just because you want a redemption." Rising redemptions The recent spike in redemption requests across private credit has raised fresh questions about the suitability of the industry's higher-yielding, but less-liquid, vehicles for retail investors. Haldea said gates on semi-liquid products have "gone up left, right and center", and would "continue to do so". She added that certain products and structures designed for institutional investors have been "repackaged and repurposed" in private wealth channels as semi-liquid products, which "makes it dangerous". OWL 1M mountain Blue Owl Capital. Cliffwater last week moved to curb investor redemptions from its flagship Cliffwater Corporate Lending Fund after requests surged to 14%. The firm, which has about $70 billion in committed private debt assets, agreed to purchase about 7% of the fund's shares. Separately, Morgan Stanley limited withdrawals in its $7.6 billion Northaven Private Income Fund as redemption requests ballooned to 11% in the first quarter. Cliffwater is the firm Saba Capital is "watching the most closely", Weinstein told CNBC in a recent interview . 'A mark-to-market mentality' Saba Capital's tenders include a plan to buy 6.9% of shares in the non-traded Blue Owl Capital Corporation II, also known as OBDC II, at $3.80 per share in cash. Blue Owl Capital Corp. II  a business development company aimed at U.S. retail investors  last month overhauled its quarterly liquidity terms and sold off a chunk of direct lending assets to several North American pension funds in a secondary-style deal to provide liquidity for investors. Haldea cautioned that the secondary market could struggle to absorb a large wave of redemptions if investor sentiment deteriorates sharply. "Is that market big enough to support if the floodgates completely open and there's contagion across the board? No, it's not. But is it enough today? We're seeing that it is  that these organizations are coming together quickly to organize liquidity," she added. Chris Kotowski, senior analyst at Oppenheimer & Co., said that limits on withdrawals are "a feature, not a bug," because the funds invest in illiquid loans intended to be held to maturity. Kotowski told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" that many commentators still have a "mark-to-market mentality", adding that private debt structures allow funds to capture an illiquidity premium and avoid forced sales during market stress. "The liquidity limitations are meant to create total return over time," he said. While recent market jitters have rattled investors, Kotowski said private credit managers have historically emerged stronger from downturns because of their longer-term capital structures. "The market is highly unfamiliar with how resilient these companies are," he said. "Out of every major credit cycle, they have come out much stronger." Rising defaults That structure is now being tested, however. Industry pros fear the underlying loan quality and the sector's exposure to software companies at risk of disruption from AI could push defaults well above their historic average of about 2%. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Partners Group chair Steffen Meister said default rates could double in the next few years, while Morgan Stanley analysts suggested defaults could reach 8%, according to a Bloomberg report Tuesday. "Were there loans written that have covenants that were a little too light and terms that will be breached? Absolutely," Haldea said, adding that defaults could climb further as weaker loans move through the system. "The penny has not finished its fall yet."
U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) speaks next to U.S. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) at Senate Republicans' press conference following their weekly policy lunch, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 10, 2026.

The Senate on Tuesday afternoon voted to kick off what could be a dayslong debate over the SAVE America Act, the controversial voter-ID bill backed by President Donald Trump.

"We're not going to let it pass. We're going to fight it tooth and nail," Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said on Tuesday morning ahead of the vote. "We're prepared to stay here all day and all night, or multiple days and multiple nights and even multiple weeks , if necessary, to make sure the SAVE Act suffers the death that it deserves."

The legislation, which advanced out of the House in February, would require proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to cast a ballot in elections. Those provisions would take effect immediately upon passage, potentially upending the 2026 midterm elections which will decide who controls the House and Senate.

Tuesday's 51-48 vote cleared the way for debate in the chamber and required only a simple majority. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was the lone Republican to join all Democrats in voting against the measure. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who had voiced concerns about wasting time that could be used for other legislating, did not vote.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to sign an executive order creating an antifraud task force headed by U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 16, 2026. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

The SAVE America Act is a top priority for President Donald Trump that he has been mentioning at every opportunity  in appearances before reporters in the Oval Office, at campaign-style rallies in rooms full of supporters and in musings on his Truth Social platform. The Senate this week is expected to begin marathon debate on the elections bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot. Trump, GOP hardliners and conservative influencers like Elon Musk say the Senate must pass the bill, which the House advanced in February. Democrats strongly oppose the legislation, and voting rights groups warn it could disenfranchise millions. Here is a breakdown of what is in the bill, who it could affect and why it has been the subject of so much controversy:

Who opposes the bill and why?

Most Democrats and voting rights groups have warned the legislation could disenfranchise millions of voters by imposing citizenship and photographic identification requirements. Around 21 million Americans do not have documents proving their citizenship readily available and 2.6 million Americans lack government-issued photo ID of any kind, according to the Brennan Center for Justice and the University of Maryland's Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement. Low-income and minority voters are more likely to lack the documents required in the SAVE America Act, and people who have changed their last names  primarily married women would also face additional barriers to registering. Democrats have also warned the SAVE America Act is part of a broader attempt by Trump to alter the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections, which will decide control of the House and Senate and set the tone for Trump's final two years in office.

Why is Trump focused on the SAVE America Act?

Trump for years has warned about the threats of noncitizen voting and claimed  without evidence  that U.S. elections are not secure. He has doubled down on these claims in recent months ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, warning he will be impeached for a third time if Democrats take back the House and Senate. Trump in recent months has called to nationalize elections and threatened to impose voter-ID laws and ban mail-in voting by executive order. "The Save America Act is one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of Congress, and America itself. NO MORE RIGGED ELECTIONS! Voter I.D., Proof of Citizenship, No Rigged Mail-In Voting (We are the only Country in the World that allows this!)," the president wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday.

Are we the only country in the world that allows mail-in voting?

No. While most countries do not allow mail voting, more than two dozen do have some system of postal voting, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Canada, the UK and Germany are among those with mail voting systems.

Do voters already have to present ID to vote or register to vote?

Laws vary from state-to-state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states have laws requiring or requesting voters show some form of ID to vote. Of those, 10 have strict photo-ID laws. Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., do not require any ID to vote and instead use other information to verify voters' identity, like a signature that is checked against a database. Registration rules also vary by state, but a 2002 federal law requires first-time voters who vote by mail and have not provided verification of their identity to do so before casting a ballot. Valid documents include photo ID, bank statements, utility bills or paychecks. Most states require voters to attest to the fact that they are U.S. citizens before registering to vote. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.

Have there been efforts like this in the past?

There have been numerous attempts in the past to establish federal voter-ID laws, some of which picked up momentum in Congress. One such proposal was led by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., and advanced out of the House in 2006. That legislation would have created a voter-ID requirement for the 2008 election and by 2010 would have required photo ID to prove citizenship. It also would have required states to set up programs to distribute IDs to voters, in some cases at no cost. The bill never got a vote in the Senate. Democratic opposition to these efforts also goes back decades. In 2005, Barack Obama, then an Illinois senator, introduced a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that voter-ID requirements should be rejected. More recently, a slightly pared-down version the SAVE America Act  dubbed simply the SAVE Act  advanced out of the House last year. The SAVE Act contained the same noncitizen voting provisions as the SAVE American Act, but it did not include language imposing photo ID at polling places.

Is there a lot of voter fraud?

Voting rights groups generally agree voter fraud is exceedingly rare. In Georgia, where after losing the 2020 election, Trump claimed thousands of dead people voted. A report commissioned by the president found scant evidence. A voter fraud database compiled by the conservative Heritage Foundation lists 1,620 instances of documented fraud dating back to 1982 -- amounting to a tiny fraction of total ballots cast in that more than 40-year period.

A voter fills out a ballot at an El Dorado County polling station during Californias special election on Proposition 50, a measure that would temporarily redraw congressional districts, in El Dorado Hills, California, U.S., Nov. 4, 2025. Fred Greaves | Reuters

Would people who are registered to vote be taken off voter rolls?

The legislation would require states to verify citizenship status  in some cases by sharing their voter rolls with the Department of Homeland Security  which would then cross-reference the list with its internal citizenship database. Any registered voters who are flagged would then have to prove their citizenship or else be removed from voter rolls.

What documents would qualify as proof of citizenship?

Any Real ID that shows proof of citizenship would be acceptable under the SAVE America Act. That includes a U.S. passport, birth certificate, military or tribal ID. A recent analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center found that around 12% of registered voters do not have ready access to the necessary documents. People with higher incomes and higher levels of education are more likely than other Americans to have access to such documents, BPC found.

If passed, when would these changes take effect?
Sharp swings in oil prices are sending stocks on a roller-coaster ride, but investors may be able to pocket some portfolio income from a corner of the energy sector, Bank of America found. After a short breather, oil prices resumed their climb , with Brent crude futures , the global benchmark, rising more than 3% to top $103 per barrel on Tuesday. Traders began to question whether President Donald Trump would be able to gather sufficient support from allies to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also launched a fusillade against the United Arab Emirates' energy infrastructure , raising fears over the availability of oil supplies. The latest developments out of the Middle East lifted the energy sector, but Bank of America recently zeroed in on a related play that can generate solid portfolio income. "Own [master limited partnerships] for a true 'win/win' scenario positioned for both bull and bear oil cases," wrote Jared Woodard, the firm's investment and ETF strategist, in a report last week. He noted that these so-called MLPs "offer 3% yields, while valuations are below historical averages." He highlighted the play as a way to help diversify beyond the balanced portfolio with a 60% allocation toward stocks and 40% in bonds. Master limited partnerships In the world of energy, certain pipeline companies fall under the category of master limited partnerships  and that's why they can offer attractive dividend yields. Though the partnerships aren't subject to federal income taxes, the investors  known as limited partners  are responsible for taxes on distributed income. This is different from the tax treatment of C-corporations: In that case, the business faces corporate income taxes, and the shareholders pay taxes on dividends. There is a tradeoff for that additional income: The partnership sends a Schedule K-1 to its investors every spring, breaking down the income received. Partners need this report in order to file their tax returns  and if the Schedule K-1 shows up late, the investors will likely need to go on extension to file their tax returns. Dividend yielding plays In his report, Woodard called out the Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund (TPYP) , which offers a dividend yield of 3.3%. He also pointed out the Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) , which has a dividend yield of 4.1%. Both are up about 20% in 2026. Another name in the mix  this time a play on natural gas  is Energy Transfer , said Adam Baker, equity analyst at Morningstar. Energy Transfer is up 14% in 2026, and it has a current dividend yield of 7.1%. Energy Transfer has caught investors' attention as a way to get in on powering data centers, as the company penned agreements with Oracle and CloudBurst Data Centers last year. However, a new catalyst may be developing, Baker said. Consider that Qatar has shut down its liquified natural gas production . "With the Qatar LNG shutdown, there are a lot of whispers about another leg to the LNG story in the U.S.," the analyst said. "The U.S. has all of this associated infrastructure and a ton of natural gas to take away." He added that this means the narrative around a glut of natural gas has been postponed to at least 2027.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday slammed the U.S.' NATO allies over their reluctance to get involved in the Iran war, before asserting that the U.S. does not need any help with its ongoing military operations.

The alliance of 32 European and North American nations is "making a very foolish mistake," Trump said in the Oval Office during a meeting with the prime minister of Ireland, which is not a NATO member.

Trump, a longtime NATO critic who has accused the organization of taking advantage of the U.S.' spending and military strength, called the members' hesitance to join the Iran war "a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there."

Trump has claimed in recent days that numerous countries would be joining a coalition to aid the U.S. in Iran, including by helping to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route that has been choked off amid the war.

He has called on "the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait" to "take care of that passage." But so far, no NATO countries have firmly committed to doing so.

In a Truth Social post earlier Tuesday, Trump said he was "not surprised" at NATO because he views it as a "one way street  We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us."

"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance  WE NEVER DID!" Trump wrote.

Oil prices rose shortly after Trump's post, which cast doubt on the prospect that a multistate coalition will reopen the key strait.
Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka will see wider acceptance of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across merchants, as NPCI International Payments Limited steps up efforts to deepen its footprint in the country.UPI-enabled payments via LankaQR were launched in Sri Lanka in 2024. The latest development focuses on expanding merchant coverage, particularly across high-traffic segments such as hospitality, retail, and tourism, rather than introducing a new system.Through collaboration with LankaPay, Indian travellers can already make payments by scanning LankaQR codes using UPI-enabled apps. With the current push, more outletsincluding hotels, supermarkets, and retail chainsare being brought onto the network to improve accessibility.For personal finance, the wider rollout is expected to make cross-border spending more seamless for Indian users by reducing reliance on cash and foreign exchange services. UPI transactions allow direct payments from Indian bank accounts with real-time processing and visible exchange rates, offering a familiar payment experience abroad.India remains the largest source of tourists for Sri Lanka, with over 5.31 lakh Indian visitors in 2025, up from 4.16 lakh in 2024. The growing tourist flow has driven demand for more convenient and secure payment options.For merchants, increased UPI acceptance offers access to a large base of Indian consumers and can improve cash flow efficiency by reducing dependence on physical currency.UPI processes over 20 billion transactions monthly and accounts for a significant share of global real-time payments. National Payments Corporation of India, through NIPL, said it will continue to work with local stakeholders to scale acceptance across more sectors, supporting cross-border commerce and travel between the two countries.
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Welcome to your 2-Minute Tech Briefing from ComputerWorld. I'm your host Arnold Davick, reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Here are the top IT stories you need to know for Tuesday, March 17th. From ComputerWorld.

OpenAI's head of robotics has stepped down following the company's deal with the Pentagon, citing ethical concerns. In a LinkedIn post, Caitlin Kalinowski wrote, surveillance of Americans without judicial oversight and lethal autonomy without human authorization are lines that deserved more deliberation than they got.

The agreement would allow OpenAI's AI models to operate on Pentagon systems, though the company says the deal bans domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons. From NetworkWorld, another round of layoffs is hitting the tech sector as companies restructure for the AI era.
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Cometh the hour, cometh... Stephen Doughty, minister for obfuscation. MPs impertinently wished to know what the Government was doing to help the war in the Persian Gulf. Specifically, what about the Strait of Hormuz? We habitues of Mykonos nightclubs talk of little else.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would not demean herself by answering an urgent question from her Conservative oppo, Dame Priti Patel. Yvette found she had an urgent call with the US secretary of state. To the Commons she therefore sent her slightly sweaty sidekick, Mr Doughty. Oh no!

He lumbered in gripping a red folder. As he took his seat one could almost hear a low boingggg from the benchs springs. Mr Doughty  about whom there is something of the late actor Roy Kinnear  sat with his flattish feet splayed at ten-to-two. He pursed his lips so much, he may have been parping to himself Oystein Baadsviks tuba solo, Fnugg Blue. Mr Doughty ran a fond hand down his magnificent tummy. It was 3.25pm, an hour when bears can feel nostalgic for lunch.

Sir Keir Starmer had already done one of his characteristically magnetic turns at a morning press conference. The PM, in whom the early stages of lockjaw (if not rigor mortis) may be apparent, stood at his lectern and swayed. He did a fair amount of blinking yet the rest of him was rigid. His voice, as ever, was that of a frogman yet to remove goggles and snorkel.

Sir Keir Starmer during a press conference on the Middle East crisis on Monday, March 16

To Brother Doughty, therefore, fell the burden of elucidating, to our democratic legislature and an anxious nation, the wishes, demands and cunning strategy of the Starmer regime in the matter of this Iranian war.

The minister began as he intended to continue, namely by saying the Prime Minister had set out very clearly that the Straits of Hormuz are vital. Well, yes, but what was our diplomatic and military response? Mr Doughty said resources had been pre-positioned, adding: The Prime Minister has been clear about that.

Nonetheless, MPs had questions. Dame Priti suggested we could not sit on the fence. Mr Doughty hooked an eyebrow and blurted that weve been very clear about our objectives. The Lib Dems were hot for more aggression. V hawkish, indeed, were the yellow team. Unfortunately for those who believe in the transatlantic alliance, the fight the Libs sought was with Washington, not Tehran.

Mr Doughty noted the Lib Dems spokesman had set out his view clearly and continued I will be clear that the Prime Minister has a clear approach to this crisis. Labour MPs nodded. Others scrunched their faces and said eh? Mr Doughty continued: I need to be clear. We are clear. I will also be clear.

Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty, or 'minister for obfuscation', says Quentin Letts

He was happy to announce the US treasury secretary had made clear some position or other. A damp lick of his fringe started to work free from the rest of his hairdo at 4.10pm. By 4.19pm it was dangling like an abandoned telephone receiver.

In addition to his clear routine, Mr Doughty said perhaps ten times that Iran had been reckless. He also kept talking about our European partners. Sir Oliver Dowden (Con, Hertsmere) hoped we would support allies in the Gulf. Mr Doughty said, twice, the PM had set out very clearly what we were doing. Sir Keir had also been decisive. Someone laughed.

Sir Bernard Jenkin (Con, Harwich), Andy McDonald (Lab, Middlesbrough), John McDonnell (Lab, Hayes), Brendan OHara (SNP, Argyll), Alicia Kearns (Con, Rutland), Peregrine Moonshine (Lab, Redruth), Vikki Slade (Lib Dem, Mid Dorset), Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Con, Chingford), Kim Johnson (Lab, Riverside), Adnan Hussain (Ind, Blackburn), David Reed (Con, Exmouth), Dame Chi Onwurah (Lab, Newcastle C) and Ayoub Khan (Ind, Perry Barr) were told Sir Keir had been clear, sometimes very or very, very clear. Some were told this twice.

There may have been more. You couldnt catch every one. It was like a drone attack.
Kouri Richins has been found guilty of killing her husband with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule cocktail in a plot to start a new life with her handyman lover and get her hands on his $4 million estate.

The mom of three hung her head as she was convicted of five felonies in connection with the death of Eric Richins, 39.

The jury deliberated for just three hours at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City, Utah, before returning their verdict on Monday.

Dressed in a floral patterned shirt and with her hair scraped back in a neat bun, Richins, 35, appeared stoic, but gasped and hung her head as soon as Judge Richard Mrazik read out her conviction on the first count of aggravated murder.

She kept her head bowed as she heard the word guilty ring out in the courtroom another four times for counts of aggravated attempted murder, related to a previous murder plot, two counts of insurance fraud and forgery.

Eric's family and friends, who have filled at least a row in the courtroom every day of the trial, clutched one another for comfort, while his sister Amy silently dabbed tears from her eyes as the verdict was read.

Richins' mother Lisa Darden, who has stood by her daughter throughout the case, remained stony-faced and pursed her lips.

Kouri Richins silently gasped and bowed her head as soon as Judge Richard Mrazik read out the conviction finding her guilty of the murder of the father of her three children Eric Richins

Eric Richins' father Eugene remained stoic and bowed his head while the verdict was read out in court

Eric's family and friends clutched one another for comfort with his sister Amy silently dabbing tears from her eyes

Kouri Richins and her husband Eric Richins with their three young sons before his March 4, 2022 death

Prior to the jury entering the room, Judge Mrazik had warned everyone inside the courtroom to make no outward reactions to the verdict. Richins visibly shook and inhaled deep breaths as she appeared to try to compose herself.

Now, she faces life in prison at her sentencing on May 13 - what would have been her murdered husband Eric Richins' 44th birthday.

The verdict comes after jurors heard 13 days of emotional testimony about Erics death, in a case where extramarital affairs, financial woes, family rifts, drug deals and a children's book about grief took center stage.

Successful businessman Eric was found dead inside the family home in Kamas, Utah, in the early hours of March 4, 2022.

Richins called 911 claiming she had returned to their shared room to find her husband cold in their bed.

Realtor Richins told the dispatcher they been celebrating her closing a deal on a $2.9 million mansion in Midway with some homemade Moscow Mule cocktails and a lemon drop shot.

An autopsy found Eric died from a massive fentanyl overdose, with more than five times the lethal limit in his system.

For more than a year, Richins played the grieving widow, authoring a childrens book, titled Are You With Me? about dealing with grief and even appearing on local TV to promote it.

In May 2023, the facade crumbled when Richins was arrested and charged with her husbands murder.

At the time of his death, Richins finances were imploding, her real estate business was in tatters and she owed a staggering $7.5 million debt to more than 20 payday loan and high-interest lenders.

She was also having an affair with handyman and military veteran Robert Josh Grossmann. In texts before Erics death, she spoke of her dream that they could be together. In the days after, of her wish to make him her new husband and their upcoming vacation to a luxury Caribbean resort.

Richins visibly shook and inhaled deep breaths as she appeared to try to compose herself before the verdict was read. She then hung her head as the word guilty rung out

Kouri Richins listens during closing statements in her trial for the murder of her husband Eric

Summit County Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth described Richins as a black widow who was motivated by money and an affair to murder her husband

She had confided in friends about feeling trapped in her marriage, with jurors hearing from one friend who testified Richins said that 'in many ways it would be better if [Eric] were dead.'

With her husband gone, prosecutors argued Richins believed she would finally be able to start afresh with her lover and also get her hands on a much-needed cash injection from her husbands $4 million estate.

In closing arguments on Monday, Summit County Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth described Richins as a black widow who was motivated by money and an affair to murder her husband, and then went to great lengths to cover it up.

Pointing to the 911 call played to the court, Bloodworth said that Richins immediately tried to lay out an alibi for herself and delayed performing CPR for almost six minutes after the dispatcher told her to.

The first minute is not the sound of a wife becoming a widow, the first minute is the sound of a wife becoming a black widow, Bloodworth said.

The prosecutor laid out the case that Richins wanted to end her marriage to Eric but wanted to keep his money.

Under the terms of their prenup, Richins would not have any rights to his successful stonemasonry business if they divorced, but she would if he died.

Just weeks before Eric died, Richins also took out a new life insurance policy on her husband. A handwriting expert testified it appeared to have been forged.

The morning Eric died, she had a plan on how to spend Erics money, not realizing it was trust money, Bloodworth said.

Unknown to Richins, Eric had placed his money in a trust for his young sons and appointed his sister as the trustee.

Much of the case hinged on testimony from the state's star witness, housekeeper Carmen Lauber.

Kouri Richins smiles during a 'Celebration of Life' one day after her husband's death - while a woman in the background shotguns a can of beer

Shortly after Eric's death, Kouri Richins self-published a children's book titled 'Are You with Me?'

Lauber testified that she sold drugs to Richins four times around the time of Erics death, including providing her with the fentanyl that was used to kill Eric.

A first plot to fatally poison Eric unfolded on Valentines Day 2022 when Richins laced a sandwich she bought for her husband from a local diner, prosecutors alleged.

Eric fell ill and allegedly told friends he feared his wife was trying to poison him.

It was after that failed plot that Richins allegedly requested more powerful fentanyl - asking Lauber for the Michael Jackson stuff.

As Bloodworth put it during the closing argument, Richins learned from her mistake.

Days later, Eric was dead.

Laubers account about the drug purchases was bolstered by a wealth of cell phone evidence which revealed a huge volume of texts and calls between the two women in the dates surrounding the two alleged attempts on Eric's life.

In the three months up to Erics March death, the two women exchanged around 800 texts - equating to an average of ten to eleven every day.

Graphics shown to the jury also revealed distinct patterns of communication on certain days: Richins initiating contact with Lauber, Lauber contacting drug dealer Robert Crozier, Lauber and Richins repeatedly communicating over the following few hours and Lauber and Crozier repeatedly communicating within the very same timeframe.

Cell tower mapping also showed Lauber and Croziers cell phones traveling to the same location during those timeframes to exchange the drugs and cash.

Much of the case hinged on testimony from the state's star witness, housekeeper Carmen Lauber

Kouri Richinss texts to her lover took center stage at the trial as she spoke out wanting to start a new life with him

Richins tried to wipe her phone. But several internet searches were recovered including for how to delete cell phone data

Robert Josh Grossmann broke down in tears when faced with the romantic text messages he sent to the woman he was once head over heels for

Another key moment came when Richinss lover took the stand, breaking down in tears when faced with the romantic text messages he sent to the woman he was once head over heels for.

Wiping his eyes and resting his head down on the stand, Grossmann told jurors about a shocking conversation he had with Richins just days after Eric died.

Richins had asked him what it felt like to kill someone, he testified.

The lovers text messages also became central to the case - along with Richins explosive internet searches including 'women Utah prison', 'how to delete cell phone data 'and if someone is poisoned, what goes down on the death certificate as.

They were messages and searches Richins thought would never see the light of day, after she made attempts to wipe her phone and internet data before her arrest.

The defense sought to paint Richins as a grieving widow who was the victim of a vendetta by Eric's family.

The case was led, defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued, by Erics family and their private investigator, who decided from the start that Richins was responsible.

Lewis argued in the closing statement that Richins world collapsed when her husband died and that she was scapegoated because she wasnt grieving properly.

They want you to look at a woman during the worst moment of her life and to judge her. There is no wrong way to grieve. Theyre asking you to judge how she is acting at that moment and then use that moment as evidence of guilt, Lewis said.

Richins was convicted of murdering her husband Eric - as well as his attempted murder on Valentine's Day 2022

Eric Richins had more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system

Lewis argued that the investigation into Erics death had been sloppy from the get-go, with law enforcement ignoring a trip Eric took to Mexico weeks before his death and only following leads that would point to Richins.

In a move that took everyone by surprise, Richinss defense declined to call a single witness to testify.

Ultimately, the panel of eight jurors took just three hours of deliberations to return their verdict of guilty on all charges.

Outside the courthouse following the verdict, Eric's sister Amy told reporters that the family was grateful for the outcome and is now focusing on caring for his children.

Four years ago, our family lost the brightest light, she said.

'Eric is deeply loved and missed every single day. We are grateful for everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring justice for Eric.

'Our focus is now on honoring Eric's life and supporting his boys.'

Now, Richins faces a civil case with Eric's family over his estate. She is also facing charges in a separate financial case.
It's one thing to abruptly quit. It's another to toss a live grenade on the desk as you walk out the door. But that's what outgoing Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent chose.

Ironic that he'd employ asymmetrical information warfare, but this is a MAGA insurgency, after all.

Kent - a former Army Ranger, CIA paramilitary officer and congressional candidate - circulated his resignation on X late Tuesday morning. It was, at least superficially, equal parts soldierly lament and political sermon.

'I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,' Kent wrote in the letter addressed to President Donald Trump. 'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.'

Kent is also a Gold Star husband, losing his first wife, a Navy officer, cryptologist and the mother of his two children, in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019.

'As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel,' Kent wrote, 'I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.'

The letter mentions Israel or Israelis, four times. The relevance and veracity of the claims are questionable, but his intention is clear: express his displeasure with and undermine popular support for the war against Iran.

The fact that Kent  an advisor to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabard on terror threats  was reportedly not involved in the planning or briefings for Operation Epic Fury is, perhaps unfairly, beside the point.

Kent - a former Army Ranger, CIA paramilitary officer and congressional candidate - circulated his resignation on X late Tuesday morning

Kent is also a Gold Star husband, losing his first wife, a Navy officer, cryptologist and the mother of his two children, in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019

When someone of that stature departs an administration with such public conviction, it inevitably raises an uncomfortable question: Is he right? Who's next to jump ship? How bad will this get?

Kent received plenty of pushback in the immediate aftermath of his resignation. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a former Air Force brigadier general who serves on the Armed Services Committee, responded a terse 'Good riddance,' accusing Kent of antisemitism.

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, tweeted, 'Awkward timing: the guy who was supposed to lead American counterterrorism resigns and blames Israel the very day Israel eliminates arch-terrorists responsible for killing and maiming thousands of Americans. Others, without offering evidence, claimed Kent was a habitual and promiscuous leaker to the media.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Kent's letter on X, writing: 'There are many false claims in this letter but let me address one specifically: that "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation." This is the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating over and over. As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first.'

It's the same point that President Trump himself seized on when questioned on Tuesday afternoon about Kent's resignation.

'I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security. I didn't know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy,' President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. 'But when somebody was working with us who said that they didn't think that Iran was a threat, we don't want those people because they're not smart people or they're not savvy people.'

Kent, like his boss Gabbard, never made a secret of his isolationist-friendly views. He is, admirers say, refreshingly candid.

In Washington, that can be both asset and liability. And, indeed, White House insiders have long viewed Kent through that double lens.

Kent, like his boss Gabbard, never made a secret of his isolationist-friendly views. He is, admirers say, refreshingly candid

'When somebody was working with us who said that they didn't think that Iran was a threat, we don't want those people because they're not smart,' said President Trump in Oval Office on March 17

Mark Halperin is the editor-in-chief and host of the interactive live video platform 2WAY and the host of the video podcast 'Next Up' on the Megyn Kelly network

He was valued for his ability to articulate a strain of thought that resonated with tens of millions of Americans  those who see foreign policy less as a chessboard and more as a ledger. They want to know where their money is going, what the country is getting for its investment and what and for whom their friends and children are risking their lives. Square-jawed Kent delivered of all that with a soldier's certainty. But such is the problem of staffing a government with characters from central casting, not reliable, time-tested civil servants.

Sometimes they go rogue.

The war effort, meanwhile, continues its trajectory. Briefings remain crisp. Maps glow with laser pointers. The tone is confident, almost reassuring.

The deeper White House concern is not the loss of one voice but the possibility that Kent's exit reflects a broader unease.

If the costs of the conflict with Iran begin to climb  in blood, in treasure, in the intangible currency of public patience  then the ranks of defectors may swell.

Kent's message, whatever one makes of its specifics, taps into a public reservoir of skepticism that has been filling quietly for years. Americans are practical people. They love a cause but distrust an abstraction. They admire courage but despise confusion. They will rally for a mission that makes sense, but recoil from a morass.

Kent's resignation, therefore, lands not merely as a personnel change but as potential for a cultural signal.

This very public exit is a reminder that wars are not fought only overseas. They are fought in conference rooms, in late-night policy debates, in the private calculations of officials who must content with their conscience  and in some cases, test the political winds.

For now, the official line is steady, the banners unfurled, the rhetoric intact.

Yet somewhere in the background, a quiet question echoes: What comes next?
What a speech from Ukraines President Zelensky. He came to Westminster midafternoon to address MPs and peers. His rawness, urgency, the dynamism of his delivery, the directness of analysis: these shamed our conniving political class.

The man from war-ravaged Kiev as good as grabbed our gutless dullards by their blubbery cheeks and shook hard, shouting at the British establishment to damn well wake up to the dangers of Iran and Russia. Putin and the Ayatollahs? Brothers in hatred, he cried. Yet in the Commons in recent days plenty of Left-wing MPs have placed those brothers in hatred on the same moral level as the Americans.

Zelenskys voice rasped, so guttural that it was not always easy to comprehend. There was, however, no mistaking the message. This short, froggy-throated figure in a dark tunic spoke with arresting fervour. For four years he and his people have been fighting the murderous invasion of that sly psychopath in the Kremlin. They live in bomb shelters and under air shelter nets. They are exhausted and damaged. Death haunts their dreams. Yet now, chasteningly, it was Zelensky who was offering us their help.

He explained the technological leaps Ukraine has had to make to survive Moscow and Tehrans attacks. He offered to export 1,000 Ukrainian drones a day to the Persian Gulf. We focus on speed, he told this room of ineffectual dawdlers. Our strength is not by chance. This is the result of work. We can do it. Our solutions work.

In front of him sat the thumb-twiddlers of our parliamentary herd: ox-eyed procrastinators, hand-wringing appeasers, safety-first cud-chewers who would rather hand billions of pounds to welfare spongers than rebuild our armed forces. Barbarity is beating at the eastern gates of Europe but Westminster indulges its modish distaste for Donald Trump.

Zelensky's rawness, urgency, the dynamism of his delivery, the directness of analysis: these shamed our conniving political class

W.E. Henleys poem Invictus, quoted by Lord Forsyth, praises an unconquerable soul. It ends: I am the captain of my soul. Volodymyr Zelensky is that. But we? We drift. We are lost

Brothers in hatred. Why does our Prime Minister never speak with such limpid instancy? Why are our leaders not able to join the hostile dots and communicate the threat

I have been here so long in this rotten parliament, my senses bludgeoned by the mediocrity of our politics, that I had almost forgotten the potency of statesmanship. Not, ladies and gentlemen, that I was permitted to experience it in the room on your behalf. An official jobsworth forbade us sketch writers from attending. And so I can not tell you  because I had to watch it on a one-dimensional screen  which members of our Cabinet, if any, were present in committee room 14. There was no way to see what effect Mr Zelenskys remarkable call to defences had on our ruling caste.

Yes, Sir Keir Starmer was there, but out of shot for most of the time. So was Mark Rutte, the secretary general of Nato. So, too, Kemi Badenoch. But that is about all I am able to report, because an official took it into her mulish head to say no.

Lord Forsyth, Speaker of the Upper House, acknowledged that it was an inspiring speech. He clearly meant it, too, and quoted from W.E. Henleys poem Invictus.

But the same word, inspiring, had been used earlier in the day after Rachel Reeves gave a rankly sub-standard Mais Lecture that signalled surrender to Brussels on regulation. A drippy moderator crept forward and after calling the Chancellors flaccid effort inspiring, added: I have really enjoyed the enthusiasm. God help us.

The day had also brought, to a select committee, the new mandarin in charge of the Ministry of Defence. He was not a reassuring presence. Alongside him sat an air marshal who was addressed repeatedly as Tim rather than by his surname. The committee heard that the MoD employs 55,000 civil servants. Perhaps theyre all called Tim, too.

While the superb Zelensky was speaking, the Commons chamber busied itself with rubber-stamping the creation of 11 more salaried ministerial berths.

Invictus praises an unconquerable soul. It ends with the line I am the captain of my soul. Volodymyr Zelensky is that. But we? We drift. We are lost.
Mike Trujillo believed he had finally found a cure for his terminal illness.

The father of five was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2017  a one-in-50,000 incurable nerve disease that gradually robs sufferers of the ability to move, speak and eventually breathe.

He took his medications as doctors prescribed, but after being told he likely would not live longer than five years, Mike was desperate for some shred of hope.

That's when, in 2019, he came across YouTube videos from a stem cell clinic in Washington state that seemed to offer exactly that.

The clinic was promoting what it called a 'revolutionary' treatment, reportedly part of a clinical trial, that claimed it could cure ALS, according to a lawsuit later filed by his family.

'The videos were very encouraging,' his wife, Carmen Trujillo, told Daily Mail. 'It was like, wow, this is awesome  it's supposed to cure ALS.'

After a free remote consultation, the couple paid $15,500 for two procedures.

But weeks after traveling to Seattle for treatment, Mike was dead.

Mike Trujillo, 62, died after receiving a stem cell treatment at a clinic in Washington state. His family was awarded $24 million after a court case. He is shown above with his wife Carmen

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A jury has now ruled that the doctors who carried out the procedure were negligent and awarded his family $24 million in damages.

'I flew over there with so much hope for our family and for Mike,' Carmen said. 'I thought that he was going to get well from ALS. I went over with hope, and I flew back without Mike.'

Mike and Carmen, from Westminster, Colorado, first realized something was wrong when he began struggling with his balance.

A master electrician, he initially tried to carry on as normal after his diagnosis. But within months his symptoms had progressed, leaving him struggling with dexterity and even cutting his own food.

ALS  also known as Lou Gehrig's disease  progressively destroys the nerve cells that control muscles. Eventually the disease damages the nerves that control breathing, causing patients to suffocate.

There is currently no cure and treatments can only slow its progression or ease symptoms. Just 20 percent of patients survive longer than five years after diagnosis.

In the clinic's videos, according to the lawsuit, its head doctor Dr Tami Meraglia was also pictured.

Mike had been searching for treatments after he was diagnosed with a nerve condition in his late 50s that gradually robs sufferers of the ability to move (Mike and his wife in Venice)

There are currently no FDA-approved stem cell treatments for the condition, according to the ALS Association, although clinical trials investigating the approach are ongoing.

The treatment offered by the clinic involved removing stem cells from the patient and then injecting them back into the spinal cord, according to the lawsuit.

Mike traveled to Seattle for the first stage of treatment in February 2019, where stem cells were extracted from his flank.

'The first visit went pretty well,' Carmen said. 'We stayed maybe a couple of days afterward, it was just a really good experience for my husband.'

The lawsuit claims everything changed when they returned in April for the second procedure, when the stem cells were to be injected into his spinal cord.

When they arrived, they were told Meraglia would not be performing the procedure and had been replaced by another doctor, Andrea Friesen, according to the lawsuit. The family said they were surprised but agreed to go ahead. It was not clear why the first doctor was replaced.

According to the lawsuit, no imaging scans were carried out before the procedure. Mike had also informed the doctors that he was on coumadin, also known as warfarin, a blood thinner that can increase the risk of severe bleeding, the document also says.

Patients are typically advised to stop taking warfarin around five days before elective procedures to minimize the risk of dangerous internal bleeding.

The Trujillo family say Mike was never told to stop the medication.

The injection appeared to go smoothly, but the lawsuit states that shortly after leaving the clinic Mike became unwell.

'He mentioned he had a headache and I just didn't think anything of it,' Carmen told Daily Mail in an interview. 'He got some Tylenol and the headache just went on.

'He was taking Tylenol every four hours and I said, "you need to call the doctor", and he said, "No, the doctor said I was going to have an epidural headache".'

An epidural or spinal headache can occur after spinal procedures and usually resolves within hours or days, although doctors recommend seeking medical help if symptoms last longer than 24 hours.

By the next day Mike was still in severe pain.

'That evening my son made some dinner, and Mike was laying down a lot in our room,' Carmen said. 'I said, "Come and eat with us."

'He got up and started eating, but then he just got up and ran to the bathroom. 'I followed him and he said, "I can't see".'

Mike received his treatment at the Seattle Stem Cell Center in Washington state. The outside of the clinic is pictured above

Mike, a father-of-five, had hoped the clinic offered the treatment he had been waiting for. They came for the treatment with a lot of hope, his now widow said

Mike suffered an intense headache after the treatment, but initially put off attending the hospital, his widow said. They are pictured above together

Moments later he agreed to go to hospital.

'I went with him. I rode in the front of the ambulance. That was really the last time that I was able to talk to my husband,' Carmen said.

At the hospital Mike was unresponsive and unable to move his arms or legs, the lawsuit states.

Doctors carried out emergency brain scans which revealed a massive bleed in his brain, according to the lawsuit.

'I thought they were going to say he needed an MRI,' Carmen said. 'But they said there was nothing they could do.'

'I was there encouraging him and saying how much I loved him. We had a family conference call so the kids could say goodbye to their daddy, to their grandpa and their father-in-law, and they were screaming.'

Shown above is Dr Tami Meraglia, who ran the clinic before it shuttered in 2021

Mike died on April 6, 2019.

A medical review, detailed in the lawsuit, later concluded he had suffered a fatal brain bleed caused by the spinal injection.

The family filed a civil lawsuit against the Seattle Stem Cell Center, Meraglia and Friesen in 2022.

Last month a jury unanimously ruled that the doctors had been negligent and awarded the family $24 million in damages  including $4 million to Mike's estate, $5 million to his wife and $3 million to each of their five children, who range in age from 32 to 46.

Meraglia, who closed the Seattle Stem Cell Center in 2021, told Daily Mail: 'My prayers are with the family for their loss.

'I was not the physician that treated Mike in April when he died. I am the owner of the clinic.

'Another physician, who was part of the lawsuit, was his doctor and who performed the procedure. An appeal has been started.'

Friesen did not respond to Daily Mail's request for comment.

Carmen said that after the trial, every juror came to hug her.

'We went to that clinic with hope,' she said. 'We went there with hope  not for me to fly back alone home without Michael.'
At 26, Jennifer Dwork was fit, healthy and running three times a week.

But while studying at Columbia business school in 2012, she was suddenly wracked by a sharp pain in her rectum when she went to the bathroom.

There were specks of bright red blood on her toilet paper, and she said it felt as though she was 'pushing out glass'.

Initially, she tried to ignore the symptoms, using an organic balm to soothe the pain and avoiding public restrooms.

But when the pain still hadn't eased weeks later, she began searching online for answers  and was shocked by the results.

'Your mind goes to the worst places,' Dwork said. 'I was reading how, if I'm bleeding down there, it could be colon cancer. It could be something really serious. I was so nervous I didn't talk to my then-partner about it.'

After visiting her primary care doctor she was referred to a colorectal surgeon who finally delivered the diagnosis: hemorrhoids.

Jennifer Dwork, now 40 years old, said she has kept her hemorrhoids at bay for 14 years using nothing a 20-cent-a-day fiber supplement

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Hemorrhoids is a common condition, affecting one in 20 Americans, and occurs when the veins in the anus become swollen and inflamed. Some people also suffer from anal fissures, which are tiny tears in the lower rectum.

Dwork's doctor first prescribed a compounded cream to immediately ease the pain when using the bathroom.

She was also told about a fiber supplement that can help with symptoms in the long-term. And it was this 20 cent over-the-counter pill that ended up keeping the problem at bay for 14 years and counting.

Dwork, now 40 and living in New York, said: 'I do remember being comforted that hemorrhoids are really common at the time, but also being given this advice to get much more fiber.

'I always ate a lot of fruit and vegetables before, but it was really hard to track whether I was getting the recommended amount each day.

'So, I started to take a fiber supplement at night, and that has really helped. I would say that this was the number one thing that has eased my hemorrhoids.'

The FDA recommends that Americans get 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day, equivalent to seven cups of oatmeal, six apples or two-and-a-half avocados a day. However, an estimated 95 percent of Americans do not reach this target.

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are caused by increased pressure and trauma in the anal area, often stemming from constipation and straining during bowel movements.

Eating more fiber eases hemorrhoids by softening stool and boosting its bulk, which doctors say reduces the need to strain.

Dwork said that she was also given immediate relief by prescription creams. She has now founded a startup to help people get easier access to medication. She is shown above with her cofounder Rebecca Monahan

Dwork took Citrucel fiber supplements, which are sold at CVS and other pharmacies for about $20 for 100 caplets.

Citrucels are made from methylcellulose, derived from plant powder, and are marketed as a potential constipation reliever.

As well as increasing her intake of fiber, Dwork also tried a few other strategies to ease her hemorrhoids, including drinking lots of water and walking more.

Doctors say more water can help by softening stools, while walking can help substances to move through the digestive system.

Dwork drinks eight to 12 glasses of water per day and takes her water bottle wherever she goes. The FDA recommends about 12 cups of water a day for women.

Dwork also often stands at her desk job, in marketing and then as an entrepreneur, and aims to hit 10,000 steps a day.

Dwork said her hemorrhoids have only returned twice since her 20s. Once when she was dehydrated and again when she was pregnant

After taking the fiber supplements and making those lifestyle tweaks, Dwork said she suffered from no hemorrhoids or anal problems for 12 years.

But in 2024, the hemorrhoids returned for a few weeks. Dwork put the flare up down to having thyroid issues and drinking less water at the time.

Dwork has an underactive thyroid, which can slow the metabolism and lead to chronic constipation.

In late 2025, the hemorrhoids returned again during the third trimester of her first pregnancy.

But this is a common issue in pregnancy, with about 30 to 50 percent of women suffering from hemorrhoids linked to increased abdominal pressure, constipation and hormonal changes.

It was this experience that led Dwork to cofound a telehealth company called Bummed, which aims to make it easier for people suffering from hemorrhoids to get prescription medications.

Dwork said her experience has made her determined to help others who may be too embarrassed to seek care

During her treatment, Dwork said she often found she needed to see two doctors and was left waiting in pain for weeks between appointments.

When using her service she said patients can pay $49 for an initial consultation and then $65 for a three-month supply of a prescription cream to ease the pain.

She said she is currently increased interest from people taking weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, which are known to cause constipation.

'At the time [I was diagnosed], I was embarrassed, didn't fully understand what was happening and had a lot of fear around it,' Dwork told Daily Mail.

'For me, the biggest lesson was that these conditions are incredibly common, but people are often too embarrassed to talk about them or seek care  which is exactly why I wanted to help make treatment easier and more accessible.'
Experts have warned that medicinal cannabis, prescribed to thousands of Britons for anxiety and depression, may not actually work.

While NHS prescriptions remain tightly controlled, dozens of private clinics are handing out the drug after just one video consultation, promising it can be delivered directly to patients' doors the next day.

Experts fear vulnerable patients are being given the powerful drugs for mental health problems despite little evidence they are effective  potentially delaying treatments that are more likely to help.

The warning comes from a landmark study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, which analysed 54 clinical trials spanning 45 years.

Researchers found no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective for anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

While the review found it may have benefits for some conditions  including epilepsy, chronic pain, autism, insomnia, and Tourette's syndrome  the overall quality of evidence was low, and the authors said was rarely justified.

Lead author Dr Jack Wilson, from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre, said cannabis medicines could do more harm than good, including increasing the risk of psychotic symptoms, cannabis dependence, and delaying patients from receiving more effective treatments.

He added: 'While medicinal cannabis may help some conditions such as epilepsy or chronic pain, the evidence for depression, anxiety or PTSD is extremely weak, and patients should be cautious.'

Experts have warned that medicinal cannabis, prescribed privately to thousands of Britons for conditions such as anxiety and depression, may not actually work

The study also highlighted that most clinical trials used oral formulations under supervision, which may differ significantly from the high-THC strains supplied by private clinics.

Freedom of Information data shows 88,214 unlicensed cannabis products were prescribed privately in the first two months of 2025. In total, 659,293 prescriptions were issued in 2024  equivalent to almost ten tons of cannabis  up from 282,920 in 2023, according to the NHS Business Services Authority.

Data from Mamedica, one of the UK's largest private clinics, shows 50.5 per cent of its more than 12,000 patients are prescribed cannabis for mental health conditions. Some clinics also offer free consultations or cut-price prescriptions for benefits claimants.

Dozens of specialist pharmacies now offer strains with THC content above 30 per cent, with the total volume prescribed jumping from 2.7 million grams in 2022 to 9.8 million grams in 2024. Products above 22 per cent THC accounted for almost half of all prescriptions in the first two months of 2025.

Sir Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at King's College London, said: 'There are no randomised controlled trials showing that cannabis benefits psychiatric disorders and a lot of evidence that it causes them.

'It's a bit like taking alcohol for depression  some people find it helps in the short term, but in the long term it makes things worse.'

The NHS lists hallucinations and suicidal thoughts among the possible side effects of medical cannabis.

Earlier this year, the family of Oliver Robinson, 34, claimed medical cannabis had contributed to a tragic outcome. After just one video consultation with a private clinic, he developed a 1,000-a-month addiction and an 18-month spiral that ended in his death.

Mr Robinson, an ex-property developer from Bury, Greater Manchester, had previously battled depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts, and had received NHS treatment including antidepressants. He also began using cannabis prescribed online.
Just a few years ago, retired stockbroker Nic Olsen did almost daily sessions on a rowing machine and took regular three-mile walks, as well as ten-mile bike rides at weekends.

Yet hes recently had to have both his legs amputated as a result of a common blood vessel disorder that affects around one in five people over 60.

It is one of the leading causes of preventable disability and premature death in the UK.

If caught promptly, the condition  peripheral artery disease (PAD)  can be managed with daily tablets and exercise, but it took 29 GP and hospital appointments over four years before Nic was referred to a vascular specialist who diagnosed him. By then it was too late.

As his wife Fiona recalls: Ill never forget Nics screams because of the terrible pain in his feet.

At one hospital visit, as a surgeon examined his right foot he applied slight pressure and Nic screamed the hospital down. The nurse nearly fell off her chair due to the noise he made, recalls the 68-year-old exam invigilator from Tugby, Leicestershire.

Nics initial symptoms were innocuous enough, but were textbook signs of PAD: pain in his leg (his right leg initially) and calf when walking.

It was a burning sensation, and I couldnt tolerate my foot being in bed at night  it was more comfortable to let it hang down outside the bed, says Nic.

Over the next two years, as well as both legs now aching, his toes and feet became constantly painful and the skin would split and ulcerate  again, textbook signs of the condition.

Even the pressure of a sheet over my feet would be unbearable, says Nic. He was referred to a pain management clinic and multiple healthcare professionals, from podiatrists to physiotherapists and orthopaedic specialists.

Retired stockbroker Nic Olsen, 80, recently had to have both his legs amputated due to PAD

For three years, doctors thought his pain was due to a problem with his back  and he underwent an MRI, bone density scans and nerve function tests.

He even had spinal surgery in June 2024. The surgeon opened up my spine, hoping to clear debris  that was the exact term he used  but it didnt help, says Nic. Thats little surprise, given he didnt even have a back problem.

PAD occurs when blood vessels supplying the legs become furred or narrowed by deposits, just as can happen in the arteries supplying the heart (it can also affect the arms but its much less common).

This in turn restricts blood flow to the legs, causing nerve damage and pain, cold toes and non-healing sores.

By the time Nic was correctly diagnosed in November 2024, the three major arteries in his lower legs were almost completely blocked.

Within months he needed his right leg amputated, and then his left leg, too  and the former fitness fan had to face life as a double amputee.

I felt my life was over, says Nic, now 80, a father of three and a grandfather, eight months on.

We were very active, social people before this. We travelled abroad a lot and went caravanning. I cant see that happening again. I cant help but think things could have been different if my symptoms were recognised earlier, he adds. I feel very let down.

Nics is a horrifyingly common story  thousands of people each year in the UK undergo avoidable leg amputations. There are more than 5,676 leg amputations in England, Wales and Scotland annually. Thats more than 100 a week, with the number growing.

The vast majority of these are due to PAD, says Professor Athanasios Saratzis, an honorary consultant vascular and endovascular surgeon at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

But if we picked up PAD earlier, we can manage the condition with medication and exercise.

PAD is essentially like heart disease in the legs. Treatment includes tablets  clopidogrel, a blood-thinner to prevent clots blocking the narrowed arteries, and a statin to reduce cholesterol to minimise further furring  as well as daily exercise to get blood pumping through the legs and keep tissues healthy.

It may be possible to clear mild blockages in the legs, or bypass blocked blood vessels with those from elsewhere, but if these fail it can lead to agonising pain due to tissue death  and the only treatment option then is amputation.

Today, a coalition of experts have written to the health secretary Wes Streeting  in a letter shared exclusively with the Daily Mail  calling for him to implement the recommendations of their report, Making the Case for Reform in the Vascular Sector. This includes improving access to urgent foot care to end the high rate of avoidable lower- limb amputations in the NHS.

NIc's wife Fiona recalls: Ill never forget Nics screams because of the terrible pain in his feet'

We were very active and social people before this who travelled abroad a lot,' says Nic

This would involve establishing a dedicated Foot Protection Service in every region of the NHS, with rapid access to specialist advice, imaging and treatment  and launching a public awareness campaign on the need to seek help for urgent foot problems.

The letters authors include experts from the Royal College of Podiatry as well as Professor Stella Vig, a consultant vascular and general surgeon at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust (she is also the National Clinical Director for Elective Care, NHS England, but is not a signatory in this capacity). Too many people continue to experience delayed diagnosis, fragmented referral pathways and inconsistent access to specialist care, the letter warns.

The consequences are stark: avoidable harm, prolonged hospital stays and thousands of lower- limb amputations each year.

The first sign of PAD is usually calf pain on walking, says Rachael Forsythe, a consultant vascular surgeon and chair of the Circulation Foundation, a charity that funds research into preventing vascular disease.

At the mild end, you get intermittent claudication  calf pain when you walk and its reproducible, meaning it happens at the same distance every time and goes away when you stop. Its worse when walking up hill.

Professor Saratzis adds: You get pain in your calves because theres not enough energy [i.e. oxygen and nutrients]. Your skin and muscles are dying, and theyre trying to tell you help!.

Left untreated, symptoms can progress to include pain at rest, a wound that doesnt heal after four weeks, or foot pain at night  typically they have to hang the leg outside of the bed, using gravity to get the blood down to the foot, says Miss Forsythe.

These patients, who account for 5 to 10 per cent of all cases, are at high risk of amputation, she adds, as lack of blood flow can ultimately lead to gangrene.

Sometimes, when you open up an artery, its like bone  you can tap on this big chunk of hard, rock-like substance in the artery  so you can understand why blood wont flow through that.

Known as critical limb-threatening ischaemia, those affected have a worse life expectancy than those with most common cancers, says Miss Forsythe.

She says the death rates linked to PAD should be a wake-up call for patients and medics.

Following a leg amputation, your risk of dying within 30 days is about 8 to 10 per cent; after a year its more than 25 per cent  and more than 50 per cent of patients are dead after five years.

Most people dont know that  even some of my hospital colleagues [in other specialties].

Miss Forsythe adds: Amputation can be necessary when youve exhausted all other avenues. But its difficult to look around a ward and know that once someones had one amputation, the risk of the other leg coming off in the near future is quite high [because PAD usually affects both legs].

Risk factors are the same as for heart disease and include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes (while smoking rates are decreasing, PAD is increasing due to rising rates of diabetes).

Nics is a common story... thousands of Britons undergo avoidable leg amputations each year

Were likely to see increasing numbers, and at younger ages, says Miss Forsythe.

High blood sugar damages and narrows the artery walls.

However, the concern is that many diagnosed with heart disease may be unaware of the risk to their legs, suggests Professor Saratzis.

People with heart problems are far more likely to develop PAD and we also know that those with PAD are very likely to also have heart issues, he says.

The reason why were likely to know about heart problems earlier is because theres more straightforward screening  you get tested at age 40 for cholesterol, and if it is very high, then your healthcare provider will probably start thinking about heart issues  but they dont necessarily think about PAD. Thats where the problem lies.

And often the condition goes undiagnosed until this late stage, says Professor Saratzis, because you cant diagnose PAD with a simple blood test or scan.

He explains: You need to ask the patient the right questions, and examine their legs and their feet. A Doppler test [using a handheld ultrasound to assess blood flow through the arteries] can help, but on its own its not enough to make a diagnosis.

And by the time that diagnosis comes, it can be too late.

When Nic was finally diagnosed (a podiatrist performed a Doppler test and referred him to a vascular surgeon), he was put on clopidogrel and told to walk 10,000 steps per day, to help push blood through the leg arteries.

But the pain was unbearable  and three months later, he collapsed in the street.

Nic underwent angioplasty (where a catheter with a small balloon is inserted via an artery in the groin to clear blockages).

But my arteries were so badly blocked, they couldnt get the catheter in  the only option was to try bypass surgery, he recalls.

Nics blocked arteries would be bypassed by using one of his leg veins, replumbing it to carry blood around the blockage.

But three weeks after the surgery, the pain just got worse and worse and the wounds just wouldnt heal, recalls Nic.

With no other options, his right leg below the knee was amputated in April 2025.

It seemed like the only way out, he says. Two weeks after getting home, however, his left leg started to worsen, following the same pattern.

The arteries were blocked and my foot was very painful and the skin just split open, he says.

Fiona recalls: That was just the worst thing ever. He was screaming in pain. It was unbearable for both of us.

After an emergency eight-hour bypass operation failed, Nics left leg was amputated in July 2025.

Nic says Fiona does all she can, but her life has changed into being a carer. He hopes sharing his story will alert others to PAD.

Today, he can take only a few steps using prosthetic limbs and a walking frame, and needs a wheelchair even at home. It is a far cry from the happy lifestyle he so recently enjoyed.

At my age, prosthetics are very hard, he adds. Getting them on and off is difficult and, at times, they hurt. Im always afraid of falling and therefore use my wheelchair a lot.

Nic says Fiona  the couple have been married for 37 years  does all she can, but her life has changed into being a carer.

Losing a limb is a devastating blow to mobility and independence, says Miss Forsythe.

While some are able to regain mobility and get back to a good quality of life, many become dependent on others, and some end up bedbound.

As well as causing personal misery, the cost to the NHS is high.

Each amputation for PAD costs around 18,000, including operating theatre time, staff costs and other costs, says Professor Saratzis. On top of that, there are the costs of community visits and wound management before and after surgery.

The NHS spent 8.3billion on wound care alone in 2017 to 2018.

All that money could be saved and redirected to screening and early intervention, adds Professor Saratzis.

Currently, if people have foot problems, theyll typically be reliant on their GP to refer them to a specialist.

But Professor Saratzis says access to specialist care is a postcode lottery.

Under the new proposals, people with chronic foot problems such as hanging their legs out of bed at night to get comfortable (see box) would be able to access a specialist service  and follow a foot attack pathway without needing a hospital referral.

Youd be seen the same day or next day within the community, by a podiatrist or specialist nurse  and if you needed urgent vascular assessment with a doctor, you would get that within two weeks (or five days if youre already a hospital inpatient).

If you needed surgery to unblock blood vessels this would be done within five days of emergency admission, as set out in national guidelines. But figures from the National Vascular Registry show only half of patients are treated within this timeframe.

Professor Vig called the report a once-in-a-decade opportunity to improve vascular care for patients right across the country. In order to save their limbs and lives, we have to act now, she told Good Health.

Nic hopes sharing his story will alert others to PAD.

Hes now focused on getting mobile enough to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding in Greece this summer, with physio and weekly gym visits.

It makes me very sad to think that early diagnosis might have saved my legs, says Nic. PAD can affect even fit people like me, so doctors need to look beyond typical risk factors.

Fiona adds: I think one mistake we made was constantly seeing the same GP. We trusted in all the healthcare professionals we saw but, on reflection, I dont think the system as a whole worked well for us. 
For parents up and down the country news that two young people have died and 11 others  mostly aged between 18 and 21  are seriously ill after contracting deadly meningitis will have sent them into a tailspin of worry.

One of those who died was a student at the University of Kent, and the other has been identified as a Year 13 student at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham.

Experts say that this is the worst outbreak to hit the UK for at least a decade  'we haven't seen anything on this scale for many years', says Andrew Preston, a professor of microbial pathogenicity at the University of Bath.

'In fact, I can't remember the last time so many people have been struck down at the same time. In the past, we would see clusters of cases and they tended to be sporadic, but this outbreak is very focused and affecting a lot of people.'

One theory is that it could be down to a new strain emerging: other factors may include an alarming drop in take-up rates of meningitis vaccines offered to teens.

As thousands of students in Canterbury seek precautionary antibiotics, we spoke to the UK's leading experts to provide everything you need to know about how to keep your children safe.

Juliette Kenny, 18, died on Saturday surrounded by her family after falling victim to the deadly bug which has swept through several towns in Kent

Students wearing face masks walk through the University of Kent campus in Canterbury on Monday

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection by a bacteria, virus or (in rare cases) fungi affecting the meninges, the protective tissue that surrounds the brain and the central nervous system that runs down inside the spinal cord, says Professor Preston.

'It is extremely dangerous,' he adds  once these tissues become inflamed, this puts pressure on the brain (causing the characteristic blinding headache), while the inflamed spinal cord causes a stiff neck.

Bacterial meningitis is the most lethal form  it can be caused by a number of types of bacteria, including the Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y and B (one of this group is now known to be responsible for the current outbreak).

Viral meningitis, which is usually milder, tends to get better on its own within seven days, explains Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton.

Why are first-year students so vulnerable?

Meningitis is spread by fine droplets sneezed into the air  or exchanged during kissing.

While up to 20 per cent of the general population carry the Meningococcal bacteria responsible, at the back of their throats, this rises to one in four young adults aged between 15 to 19. What makes students vulnerable is that they typically party together and have more social interaction than the other younger age groups.

'We think that getting meningitis is completely accidental, caused by a breach in the nasal lining or something else that happens to allow the bacteria access into the bloodstream,' says Professor Preston.

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How is it different from fresher's flu?

Early symptoms of bacterial meningitis can easily be mistaken for a common cold,'fresher's flu' or even a hangover, Professor Preston told Good Health.

'The scary thing about the initial stages is that the symptoms can be very non-specific. You can feel like you are coming down with a cold and yet be very ill indeed with infection in the brain in a matter of hours.'

Indeed while a common cold or flu will develop gradually, causing coughing and sneezing, fever and muscle ache that emerge over a few days, bacterial meningitis takes hold quickly.

'Once the bacteria is in the blood, it replicates very rapidly,' says Professor Preston.

'From that point, it can rapidly pass through the blood-brain barrier, infecting the meninges  which causes headache, photophobia [aversion to light] and neck stiffness within hours.'

With a hangover, the symptoms should improve through the day.

When should I seek medical help for my child?

Students are advised to watch for worrying symptoms in their friends, even if someone has been vaccinated.

'Just because someone has had the meningitis jab, doesn't mean they won't get meningitis  because the vaccines offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis, but not all,' says Rob Galloway, an emergency medicine consultant at University Hospitals Sussex in Brighton and Good Health columnist.

Early intervention is crucial, he says  don't wait for the red rash that doesn't fade when pressed with a glass (which is a sign that the infection has moved from the brain into the body).

'Typically, people will present with a fever and confusion, as well as muscle and joint pain and even coughs and sneezes.

'Later on, they may develop spots or a rash which shows that sepsis is under way,' he explains.

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In one study, published in The Lancet in 2006, a rash did not occur until between 12 to 22 hours after symptoms first occurred.

Other signs that the body is being overrun tend to occur around eight hours after the child becomes unwell  as well as headaches, photophobia and neck stiffness these include leg pains, cold hands and feet, pale and mottled skin and vomiting, though they may not have all of these.

These are all signs to seek medical help, says Professor Galloway. 'There really is no time to wait. If you have been in close proximity to others who have been diagnosed, and have symptoms that resemble a cold, go to a GP, dial 111 or head to A&E immediately.'

He adds that context is important. 'If you have the sniffles at another university where there isn't an outbreak, it probably isn't meningitis  although you should still be vigilant.

'If you have a temperature and aches and pains with a fever  and you attend the University of Kent [affected by this latest outbreak]  you should seek health advice immediately and organise to take an antibiotic as a preventative.'

Is there a risk in shared student accommodation?

'The infection is spread via saliva and droplets, so it can be transmitted via shared utensils, cutlery, cups and even toothbrushes,' says Professor Galloway. 'Try to use your own utensils and keep surfaces clean and tidy, though the risk is low.'

Sharing cigarettes is also not advised.

Should my child wear a mask at university?

Because the bacteria is spread through the air in droplets, wearing a mask can reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection, says Professor Galloway, adding that wearing a mask may be a sensible choice for students at the University of Kent in crowded areas, but is not necessarily appropriate for all students everywhere.

How can I protect my child against it?

Vaccination is hugely important, says Dr Head. The ACWY vaccine offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y.

It's offered to teenagers aged 14 years old, and to people up to the age of 25 who've never had a vaccine containing meningitis C.

Professor Preston says uptake of the ACWY vaccine among adolescents is around 73 per cent, 'so there are a lot of unvaccinated students which may reduce herd immunity'.

Meningitis B is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, but while there is a vaccine the NHS only offers it to babies and those with specific underlying medical conditions.

Otherwise it is only available at private clinics and pharmacies including Boots and Superdrug. The course requires two doses which are usually taken one month apart and cost up to 200.

Should I pay for my teen/university aged child to have the MenB vaccine?

Professor Galloway says this is a good idea  he is planning to arrange it for his own children before they go to college 'as a precaution'.
Two Americans have been hospitalized and seven total have been sickened after eating a cheese made with raw milk.

The FDA and CDC said on Sunday that the patients were sickened with E.coli, a bacteria linked to kidney problems, hospitalization and death. Four of them are children under three years old.

All had consumed RAW FARM-branded raw cheddar cheese, sold in either block form or shredded at Sprout's grocery stores.

Officials said five of the patients were in California, while one each is in Florida and Texas. They were sickened between September 2025 and February 2026.

Tests showed the patients were sickened with the E.coli strain O157:H7, which raises the risk of kidney problems. The same strain was also behind a major McDonald's recall in 2024 that led to one death and 34 hospitalizations.

Investigators have urged RAW FARM to recall the affected cheese products, but said the company has declined their requests.

The business, the nation's largest producer of raw milk that is run by Mark McAfee, an advisor to Robert F Kennedy Jr's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, said in a statement it '100 percent disagreed' with health officials and that all its products were tested for bacteria, including E. coli, prior to sale.

Consumers are being warned to throw out the affected cheeses and to wash surfaces that the cheeses have touched using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

The FDA and CDC are warning people not to consume block or shredded cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM and sold at Sprout's grocery stores

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Anyone who has recently eaten the cheeses is being urged to monitor for symptoms, including a fever at 102F (39C), diarrhea that persists for more than three days or vomiting.

No deaths have been reported so far, but officials are urging anyone who believes they were sickened by the cheese to come forward.

To date, officials have interviewed three of the seven patients, with each reporting that they consumed the RAW FARM-branded cheddar cheeses.

They are now working to interview the four other patients.

The FDA said it was also partnering with state agencies to test the company's cheese for the presence of E. coli.

It is not clear how the cheese may have become contaminated, but in previous cases, this has been linked to feces from cows being mixed into milk.

Products made with raw milk have not been pasteurized, heated to 161F (71.5C) for several seconds. The process has been used since the 1900s to kill any dangerous pathogens or bacteria.

The CDC warns that drinking or eating cheeses made with raw milk raises the risk of consumers being exposed to germs, including E.coli, listeria and salmonella.

Shown above are the two products linked to the outbreak. These are the RAW FARM cheddar cheese block and the RAW FARM cheddar cheese simply shredded

Children under five years old, people over 65, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from the pathogens.

In a statement, released in an eight-minute video, a spokesman for RAW FARM said: 'We disagree 100 percent with the allegations made by the FDA and CDC.

'All our milk is tested prior to making cheese and our finished cheese is tested prior to release. We have no customer complaints at this time.'

In 2024, its raw milk products were also tied to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 165 people nationwide.

RFK Jr has been a vocal advocate of raw milk throughout his career.

According to reports, he said he drank raw milk while growing up. As an adult, he first started to drink raw milk around 2021.

His advocacy group, Make America Healthy Again, is also regularly linked to individuals touting raw milk for alleged health benefits.
Decked out in a ravishing floor-length gown, Queen Mary was the belle of the ball when she attended a state dinner on Sunday 15 March in Canberra.

Eagle-eyed royal fashion watchers, however, noted there was something strikingly familiar about Mary's beautiful ensemble.

The formal black-tie event, held on the second day of their six-day royal tour of Australia, saw Queen Mary don a gown by her go-to designer Jesper Hvring, while King Frederik wore a formal naval suit jacket and bow tie for the occasion.

In line with the Danish royal family's ethos of sustainability, the Aussie-born queen already has a firm reputation for re-wearing her favourite fashion pieces - and this event was no exception.

But in this instance, Queen Mary, 54, was not only re-wearing a gown she'd previously worn many years ago in Australia, no less - it's a fashion piece with a history spanning over 15 years, having been updated and modernised over the years.

The first time the gown was reported to have been worn by Mary was in 2010. On that occasion, the then-Crown Princess Mary wore the dress while attending the wedding of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria.

At that time, the dress bodice featured a bustier design with sheer lace draped over the shoulders and decolletage.

A year later, the same dress made its first appearance on Aussie soil during the Danish royal couple's November 2011 state visit to Australia. Only this time, the top section of the dress had been reimagined into a simple one-shoulder design.

Queen Mary and King Frederik X of Denmark looked elegant at the black-tie state dinner held on Sunday March 15 in Canberra

It's not the first time that Queen Mary has worn this Jesper Hvring dress in Australia. She previously wore it in its former one-shoulder form during the royal couple's 2011 state visit

The latest update of the dress, with the addition of the one-shoulder lace overlay, was seen when Queen Mary attended a royal wedding in Jordan in 2023

Queen Mary and Princess Catherine were among a large contingent of royals at the 2023 wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussain and Princess Rajwa

That time, Mary and Frederik were all dressed up to attend a Melbourne charity dinner held in honour of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. The new incarnation of Mary's gown saw the sheer lace removed and, in its place, the same teal fabric had been added to the left side of the bodice, carrying up and over the shoulder, creating an asymmetrical silhouette.

Fast forward over a decade, and it's clear Mary's gown hasn't just been gathering dust in the palace closet.

In 2023, Queen Mary and King Frederik were among a large guest list of royals to attend the wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussain and Princess Rajwa.

For the occasion, Mary again reached for her trusty floor-length teal formal dress. But now, it had been reworked with a chic new lace overlay.

The previous one-shoulder alteration remained intact, but now also featured a delicate and feminine lace and beaded overlay.

The new addition encased the bodice and draped up and over the shoulder, falling in an almost cape-like structure over the back of the left arm.

Not only does this dress remain a seminal royal fashion piece, but its evolution to encompass both Mary's personal style and modern style trends means it remains effortlessly relevant.

Mary's preference for re-wearing her beloved pieces continued on the current royal tour when they arrived in Melbourne on 17 March.

At Government House on March 17, Queen Mary looked radiant in red as she was greeted by Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner and state premier Jacinta Allen

Queen Mary recently wore the same red dress in 2024 during a state visit to Sweden where she met Queen Silvia

Royal fashion watchers know that Mary often reaches for her trusty red Raquel Diniz frock for engagements, and has been pictured wearing it on at least seven different occasions

The royal couple's first stop at Government House saw Mary looking radiant in red as she was greeted by Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner and state premier Jacinta Allen and signed the visitor's book.

Once again, those in the fashion know immediately recognised her trusty Raquel Diniz frock.

The sleek red dress with its keyhole neckline, cinched waist and flowing knee-length skirt, has been a favourite of Mary's, worn on at least seven different occasions.

Recent instances include in 2023 during a home country celebration of Christiansfeld's 250th city anniversary in Southern Jutland, and then again in 2024 during a state visit to Sweden when she met Queen Silvia.

Unlike the ballgown, there have been no changes to the design of this dress. Yet, Mary continuously refreshes the look through subtle changes to her accessories, like her jewellery and shoes, as well as her hairstyle.

For example, when Mary wore the dress to meet Queen Silvia in 2024, she opted for a low and sleek chignon, gold earrings, and a statement brooch, which together added formality to the look.

In Australia, however, Mary's look was toned down with loose blow-dried hair, simple brooch, earrings and a bracelet. It was still extremely polished - but more reflective of the less formal occasion compared to meeting with royalty.

Earlier in the tour, fashion watchers noted Mary also re-wore a popular outfit she'd donned just a year before.

While meeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House on March 16, Queen Mary re-wore the combination of a pastel pink, faded linen Max Mara blazer, matching white vest and trousers

In 2025, Queen Mary wore the exact same outfit combination while attending an event at the Royal Danish Academy of Music

On March 16 in Canberra, the Aussie-born mother of four wore a pastel pink, faded linen Max Mara blazer, matching white vest and trousers to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House.

Mary last wore the exact same outfit back in 2025, at the Royal Danish Academy of Music. On that occasion, she opted to wear the look with the same accessories, though she added a bright red nail for a pop of colour.

The current royal tour, running from 14 March to 19 March, marks the couple's first visit to Australia since ascending the throne in 2024. It's also historic for being Denmark's first official state visit by a reigning monarch to Australia in more than four decades.

In a bygone era, a royal wearing the same outfit repeatedly was seen as a fashion faux pas.

But in today's environmentally-conscious world - particularly in line with the Danish royal family's sustainability ethos - circular fashion has become the norm for royals like Queen Mary, who prefer to invest in quality pieces and re-wear them on multiple occasions.
A devastating IVF embryo mix-up has been uncovered by two Australian sisters who used Ancestry.com to learn about their heritage.

Sasha Szafranski completed a DNA kit by the genealogy and family tree website last year as she neared her 30th birthday.

Sasha and her twin sister were born after her mother, Penny Szafranski, and her then-husband underwent several rounds of IVF treatment.

Decades later, having never been close with her father, Sasha hoped the DNA test could uncover more about his family's Polish history, however, she was bewildered to find her ancestors instead came from Ireland and England.

The test also revealed that a stranger living in the same town as her - Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales North Coast - was her maternal aunt.

Sasha and her partner did some internet sleuthing and contacted the woman. The pair then began exchanging text messages and gradually realised both of their families had IVF treatments.

Eventually, they worked out that this woman's sister and Sasha's mother, Penny, were both IVF patients at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney in 1995.

'That was the moment when I realised it wasn't an error with Ancestry,' Sasha told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Sasha and her twin sister (above) were implanted in the wrong mother as IVF embryos

Sasha Szafranski (above) learnt of the embryo mix-up when she did a DNA test with Ancestry.com

Further investigation revealed that the woman's sister was, in fact, Sasha and her twin sister's biological mother.

This was confirmed when all those involved then got DNA tests done by accredited labs.

These were conclusive that Sasha and her sister were not the biological children of their parents, as they had always believed, but were instead the daughters of two strangers.

It's understood Royal North Shore Hospital mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo in Penny Szafranski, instead of the one belonging to Penny and Sasha's father.

'I gave birth to them, you know. They were my girls. There was no thought that they weren't,' a tearful Penny said of her daughters.

'The mistake that happened 30 years ago, it is just our life now. We just have to go on with it somehow and it's awful. It shouldn't have happened.'

She said she had 'sort of given up' when she underwent the first few rounds of the IVF procedure in the 1990s, but decided to give it one more try.

'If it works, it works and if it doesn't, then I think we're done,' she recalled.

Penny Szafranski underwent IVF treatment in 1995 after her hope at having kids naturally dwindled. She gave birth to Sasha and her twin sister, only finding out 30 years later they were not biologically hers

Both the girls' biological parents and the parents they grew up with were patients at the Royal North Shore Hospital (above)

However, the final round of treatment was successful.

'It was just so exciting because it hadn't worked before and then all of a sudden, I'm pregnant,' she said. 'I'm pregnant with twins.'

Both families involved in the IVF mix-up have hired lawyers and approached Royal North Shore Hospital to learn more about what happened.

So far, there have been very few answers.

It is only the second case in Australia of an apparent IVF mix-up in which an embryo was implanted in an incorrect patient.

The other surfaced last year involving a child born in Brisbane through Monash IVF.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Northern Sydney Local Health District, which oversees Royal North Shore Hospital, for comment.
The first time I left my own body, I was sitting on my balcony. Sunlight was refracting through the glass behind me, forming a beautiful rainbow X on the floor.

I felt an overpowering urge to lie down, so that the beam of light fell on my chest. Nobody was around so I did just that... and a strange, powerful energy began to stir inside me.

Suddenly, there I was, standing, looking down at my own body lying on the floor.

I heard the front door open and found myself standing in front of it. My flatmate walked in and passed straight through me, like a scene from a ghost movie. She picked up the hairbrush on her dressing table and began to brush her hair.

Later, when I asked her if this was what had happened, she said that her hair had been bothering her all afternoon and she couldnt wait to get home to brush it. She had no idea how I could possibly have known about it... and I decided not to explain.

The truth was that I had been striving to induce what is known as astral projection, or an out-of-body experience, for weeks. I just hadnt known how to go about separating my conscious mind from my physical body.

The plan was certainly not to spy on my flatmate. I wanted to know how far I could go. And I wanted to fly.

As soon as I thought about it, it was happening. I was hovering outside my apartment, looking back at it from five storeys above street level. Up there, I thought about all the places I could visit and, as I did so, I shot up into the sky at lightning speed.

I arrived at my grandmothers house in New Zealand. The roof was unmistakable from above. Then I found myself standing in her living room. It was that time of the evening when she would sit with a glass of wine and watch TV, which was exactly how I saw her.

What blew me away was discovering my grandfather, standing beside her. He had passed away many years earlier. I saw him in the same way I was seeing myself  we were translucent.

Sean Collyns says, I dont believe there is such a thing as a spiritually gifted person... abilities like astral projection, clairvoyance, telepathy and telekinesis are all within everyones potential

The first time he left his own body, Sean describes hovering outside his apartment, looking back at it from five storeys above street level

I could see my gran and her living room as though I was actually there, but, while I could see my grandfathers face and his outline, I could see straight through him too. He was in an astral form, just as I was.

He looked me in the eye and said, Sean, you are a medium. How many signs do we need to send for you to begin trusting yourself? Go and start learning.

Im not telling this story to make you think Im special, but because I believe these are things you are capable of too. I dont believe there is such a thing as a spiritually gifted person. Abilities like spirit communication, manifestation, astral projection, clairvoyance, telepathy, remote viewing, energy healing and even telekinesis are all within everyones potential.

Learning to access those superpowers is a process of removing the layers and walls that are keeping you at a distance from what is at your core  infinite power.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that was open to the spirit world and to mediums and psychics. Esoteric concepts were spoken about openly. A key childhood memory is of my father tying one of my grandfathers old suit cufflinks to a piece of string and suspending it from his fingertips, to ask his spirit yes or no questions.

When the answer was yes, it swung back and forth or in circles. When it was no, the pendulum hung still. As it responded, we all felt my grandfathers spirit was there with us.

My father was very psychic and had a natural receptivity that Im sure I picked up from him. Dad would randomly, and on a whim, predict celebrity deaths. In the mid-1970s, I remember he predicted the shocking and unexpected death of Elvis Presley, as well as Charlie Chaplins passing and that of other well-known individuals, quite precisely.

At 15, I had my first clairvoyant reading, with an incredible medium named Debbie Mewes. I had no idea what to expect, say or do. All I knew was my mum had been to see this woman and had decided every one of us needed to go too.

Asked to bring a personal object for the medium to hold on to, something that would assist her in connecting to my energy, I had no idea what to take. I got myself into a fluster trying to think of the perfect thing  and what I ended up deciding on was my collection of baby teeth. Yes, that was a bit weird.

She astounded me with her connection. It was undeniable, she knew things that I hadnt told anyone. But I was certain she was wrong on one count: I know you are young to be told this but you are a medium.

Still, that day sparked a curiosity within me. I spent my earnings from my weekend job on my first deck of tarot cards. I bought my first pendulum and a few crystals. You know  the usual woo-woo awakening starter pack.

Some out-of-the-ordinary occurrences began happening. In old houses or historic places, I would see things that werent there, but there was a part of me that believed I was just making it all up. Or that perhaps it was happening, but it wasnt strong or profound enough to make me a medium.

Often, it isnt until we reawaken our dormant abilities that we remember mystical experiences which happened naturally in childhood. As I started accessing my abilities in my teens, I began seeing orbs floating above my bed. I witnessed a spirit visiting me at night, as a neon-blue energy in the shape of a person, and I woke bolt upright in bed mid-conversation with two people who also werent there.

If you cant imagine a guide speaking to you, youll never be able to hear one. If you cant imagine a spirit beside you, you wont feel one when its there, says Sean

When we smother our feelings, our energy stagnates. It cant flow the way its meant to, he adds

But what really took me aback was the realisation that I had frequently experienced those things as a small boy too. These abilities were always within me, but they had simply gone unused for a long time  stored in the back of my brain and labelled childhood nonsense.

The most powerful way for any of us to reopen communication with the unseen realms is through imagination. Its ironic, isnt it? Imagination, the very thing we were conditioned as children to suppress. Its just your imagination, we were told.

But imagination isnt separate from intuition. And when you reactivate it, your openness to the unseen and intangible comes back too, along with one of the most important tools for psychic perception: inner imagery.

If you cant imagine a guide speaking to you, youll never be able to hear one. If you cant imagine a spirit beside you, you wont feel one when its there. If you cant imagine yourself as a powerful spiritual being, you wont recognise that you already are one.

One other very personal lesson came in my teens, one that changed everything forever. I hadnt grasped that to access our spiritual abilities, we must completely be who we really are. I wasnt doing that... until I stopped hiding the truth about my sexuality.

As a boy obsessed with Kylie Minogue, who preferred playing with dolls to toy cars, you might suppose I was never in the closet. But I spent years constructing a wall around myself, trying to deny to myself and everyone else that I was gay.

At the same time, I was pushing hard for spiritual growth, foot flat on the accelerator and wondering why I wasnt getting anywhere, not realising the handbrake was still on. And I was the one holding it there.

When we smother our feelings, our energy stagnates. It cant flow the way its meant to. The moment I released that burden and let go of shame, guilt and self-rejection, something incredible happened: my spiritual abilities surged.

Connecting with your loved ones

The biggest thing that stops most people from connecting with the spirit world is the expectation of how clear the interaction should be. When people begin trying to access their spiritual abilities, they unconsciously chase a certain kind of experience  something loud, dramatic or impossible to miss. That expectation is what blocks them from sensing whats already there. If you take one thing away right now, let it be this: You must release the need for certainty and develop trust in the subtle. And hear me when I say this: the ability to communicate with spirit isnt something you inherit or are specially selected for. The ability to perceive energy or be psychic is not something that special people are gifted with. These are things that your soul has always inherently known and been capable of. Youve simply forgotten. This journey is about remembering. Step 1: Choose a space where you wont be interrupted. Sit in a comfortable position and relax your body. Sean Collyns' book Your Soul Is The Source Of Your Power Step 2: Turn your awareness to your souls energy. Allow your inner light to rise up and fill the space within you, then shine out around you, expanding softly and steadily. Step 3: Visualise your shining energy like a bubble opening outward. This creates the potential for your loved ones in spirit to step forward and meet you there. Step 4: Bring to mind a loved one in the spirit world whom youd like to communicate with. Picture them coming and sitting beside you. Step 5: Remember what it feels like to be around them  their laugh, the sound of their voice, their charm, the way their love feels. Sense their humour, their mannerisms, their energy. Step 6: Notice how the atmosphere around you shifts. You might feel them beside you, behind you, or their hand on your shoulder. Let the love develop in this space. Let yourself sit with it without allowing yourself to get upset. Step 7: Without asking questions or needing answers, stay in the love. In this space, you may become aware of something they want to share with you. There may be thoughts, memories, emotions or insights. Just let what wants to rise come gently into your mind. Step 8: Ask them to give you a symbol of your connection. Trust the first thing that drops into your awareness. Whether its an image, a word, a memory or a feeling, trust it without question. Later, watch for this symbol to appear around you in the outside world. Step 9: Thank your loved one for coming forward. Feel that gratitude from your heart.

So, live authentically and stop adjusting yourself for the comfort of others. Thats when your energy field transforms. You glow. Your eyes shine more brightly. Theres a spark in you that others cant help but notice.

For me, this revelation brought new understanding in all sorts of ways. One came with a vision that was also a memory  but not a memory from my own life.

I saw myself as a baby, lying in a cot. A figure moved toward me, and I recognised my grandmother. But she was much younger than Id ever known her, a woman still in her 20s. And as she bent over me, I realised she was not just my grandmother. She was also actually my mother.

Because I wasnt me  this baby was someone else, my grandmothers child.

Before I could fully take this in, I was no longer in a cot, and no longer on Earth. I was in the spirit world. Watching from above, I could see the grief and heartbreak Id left behind.

In this moment of soul recall, I remembered how I had made a decision to return to the world, to go back to the same family... one generation on.

What I had been born to do had not yet been completed. As my grandmothers baby, I died in infancy. And that was much too soon.

This remembrance came with such clarity and such certainty, that it left no room for doubt. When I reflected on my own life and that of the baby my grandmother had lost, I realised there were many parallels. One in particular stood out: my name and his differed by just one letter. Im Sean, and his name was Dean.

The nature of incarnation became clear in a way Id never quite grasped before. And the revelation was both simple and revolutionary: You only live once. But your consciousness lives many times.

A soul isnt a single identity. It is part of a vast, multifaceted consciousness that expresses itself through many names, faces, and lifetimes. Each of those lives, each spirit, exists as an individual. And together, they form a whole.

Most people miss all the magic that is possible in this world  theyve accepted the reality that theyve been given and believe there cant be anything else.

Dont fall for this illusion. Try to move through this world every day as if it were your first day. The more you begin to see the magic of the world around you, the more that magic inside of you rises to the surface.

Before bed, dim the lights, place your hand over your heart, and think of three things that brought you joy or beauty that day. Thank your soul for living this day with you.

Spiritual power responds to who youre being right now. Thats why you cant wait until things go well before allowing yourself to feel good. You must feel good precisely so that things can go well.

Studies and scans have shown that the same areas of the brain are activated whether a person is imagining something or actually experiencing it. This means your brain doesnt entirely differentiate between what is real and what its told is real.

As the director of your own energetic field, you can use that to your advantage to create whatever reality you choose. When you try to visualise your desires  whether thats love and romance, children, health or a connection to a loved one who has passed on  the universe responds to the feeling. This is why people with a generally positive outlook tend to move through life with more ease and grace  what others call luck.

Material things, however much you desire them, dont last forever. The only things you leave this world with are your memories, the lessons you learned and the love that you shared.

Those are the only things that truly hold any importance for your eternal self. Nothing else matters.

Adapted from Your Soul Is the Source of Your Power by Sean Collyns (Hay House UK, 14.99), to be published 17 March.  Sean Collyns 2026. To order a copy for 13.49 (Offer valid to 28/03/26; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
Timothee Chalamet might have endured a humiliating night at the Oscars on Sunday, but a reputation expert has predicted he will be able to turn around his public embarrassment in a few simple moves.

The Marty Supreme actor, 30, was 'chopped up and fried' at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood during the 98th Academy Awards, which took place just days after he controversially claimed 'no one cares about' opera and ballet anymore.

His headline-making remarks made him ripe for the picking and Oscars host Conan O'Brien made sure to rinse him in front of Hollywood's biggest stars and audiences around the globe.

Chalamet faced further awkwardness when acclaimed ballet dancer Misty Copeland performed to the Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq track I Lied To You, which he, of course, applauded with vigor.

And, to add insult to injury, he also lost out on the Best Actor gong to Sinners star Michael B Jordan following a huge campaign.

But despite being the butt of the joke, Chalamet may be able to overcome his awkward missteps.

Eric Schiffer, chairman of the Los-Angeles-based firm, Reputation Management Consultants, suggested that the best way forward is for Chalamet to be self-effacing when he does finally address his ballet and opera comments.

He also pointed out that because attention spans are short and there's always another scandal ready to take the showbiz world by storm, the actor's disgrace will soon be forgotten.

This year's Oscars was a humiliation ritual for Timothee Chalamet, but reputation expert Eric Schiffer has noted that he will move past it

The Oscar-nominated actor, 30, lost out on the Best Actor gong to Michael B Jordan

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Schiffer said: 'The best strategy for him is to continue to do the work and get immersed in other projects.

'He has no shortage of ability to get attention with his girlfriend [Kylie Jenner], so that won't be a constraint.'

'People don't remember these things that long - six months to a year,' he continued. 'They will remember his name, which is what you want as an actor.

'The great thing about him is he's talented, and he's got a lot of years ahead, so he'll recover from this, and he'll just double down into the work.'

Chalamet is already pouring himself into his next movie release.

Just hours after the ceremony wrapped up, he pivoted to promoting his upcoming high-profile project: Dune 3, which he plugged on Instagram.

Schiffer believes that eventually, Chalamet will address the divisive comments he made about ballet and opera.

'He'll probably mock himself a bit, which is the right strategy,' Schiffer said. 'It needs to be self-effacing.

Join the discussion Can Timothee Chalamet bounce back with his next film?

The actor has already started promoting his upcoming Dune film, set for release December 18

'He'll come up with an angle that is true for him and allows him to be able to repaint this in a way so that he's part of the audience instead of against the audience.'

Chalamet caused a stir after he made headlines for stating that 'no one cares about' art forms such as ballet and opera.

His comments garnered strong reactions from Copeland and other celebrities.

The remarks came during the filming of a CNN & Variety Town Hall Event at the University of Texas at Austin last month, where he told Matthew McConaughey he felt a sense of conflict about pushing people to watch films in theaters.
Shoppers reveal panic as grocery stores in Darwin appear empty

Shoppers in Darwin have sparked panic on social media after filming the moment they walked into a Coles supermarket to find the shelves almost completely stripped bare.

But there's a reason for the confronting sight. At the beginning of March, major freight routes into the Northern Territory were repeatedly disrupted by extreme weather conditions.

Panic truly started to set in last week when local woman Sienna Mallon shared footage of long stretches of empty aisles where everyday staples like bread, fresh fruit, vegetables, and mince would normally sit in a recent video.

She blamed the scarcity on 'panic buying' - and images from a Woolworths store in Darwin City showed a similar situation taking place in other supermarkets.

'I'm in Coles right now seeing what's left because there's been flooding in Katherine so all the roads are closed into Darwin,' Sienna explained.

'This is so bad.'

Coles has since confirmed that stock levels in Darwin have returned to normal.

Shoppers can once again expect regular stock levels across fess produce, dairy, and pantry items, with shelves replenished as freight movements returned to schedule.

Shoppers in Darwin have sparked panic after filming the moment they walked into a Coles supermarket to find the shelves almost completely stripped bare

Over the past fortnight, major freight routes into the Northern Territory have repeatedly been disrupted by extreme weather conditions

Barren shelves stretched across all sections of the supermarket - from long life milk to toiletries and frozen buys.

The Stuart Highway, the main transport corridor connecting Adelaide to Darwin, was closed south of Katherine before reopening on March 11.

During that time, the highway was also shut at Pimba and Glendambo on two separate occasions, while the rail line from Adelaide was also temporarily closed. The Barkly Highway was similarly impacted.

Sienna's friend Nia, who accompanied her on the supermarket run, appeared equally shocked by the sight.

'I've never seen anything like this in my whole life,' she said.

As the camera panned across the barren shelves, Sienna made a comparison many Australians will instantly remember, claiming the sight was 'worse than COVID'.

During the early days of the pandemic in 2020, supermarkets across the country were stripped of toilet paper, pasta, and flour as panic buying took hold.

But one empty shelf in Darwin left Sienna particularly baffled.

'Is everyone joking? We live in a developed country, we're not going to starve to death. Why is there no long-life milk?'

Still, the pair managed to find humour in the chaos.

'We love this because it's easier to choose what you want,' Sienna joked while gesturing to the almost-empty shelves.

'You get what you're given,' Nia replied.

In one surreal moment, Sienna stumbled upon a display of unusually flavoured hot cross buns - including Dorito, matcha and raspberry, and Mint Slice varieties.

'I never would've noticed these if it wasn't for the fact that there's nothing else on the shelves,' she said.

The video quickly spread online, sparking thousands of reactions from Australians who were both shocked - and unsurprised - by the scenes.

Many people who have lived in northern Australia said the situation is actually a familiar one when severe weather disrupts transport routes.

'I used to live in Darwin a very long time ago. Fresh vegetables were always difficult to get,' one viewer wrote.

'This is something that happens nearly every year in Darwin,' another added.

Barren shelves stretched across all sections of the supermarket - from long life milk to toiletries and frozen buys

The Stuart Highway, the main transport corridor connecting Adelaide to Darwin, was closed south of Katherine before reopening on March 11

Others explained that empty shelves are often caused by delivery trucks being unable to reach the city, rather than mass panic buying.

'Fresh fruit and bread gets delivered daily. It's most likely not panic buying but loads not coming in,' one person commented.

'I remember working fresh produce during the Brisbane floods and we didn't get our truck for over a week.'

For many Territorians, this kind of disruption is simply part of life in the Top End.

'When Katherine floods, deliveries are historically cut off for a week or so,' one person explained.

'Locals know this and stock up on what we need for that week. For sure some people go overboard but it's not just panic buying.'

Others said similar scenes unfold across northern Australia whenever extreme weather hits.

'This happens in Cairns every time there's a cyclone or flood. Except even more bare.'

Ripple effects are being felt far beyond Darwin. One shopper in Western Australia said supply issues linked to the floods had already made it difficult to find basic groceries

But the ripple effects are already being felt far beyond Darwin.

One shopper in Western Australia said supply issues linked to the floods had already made it difficult to find basic groceries.

'We are in WA and we are having supply issues because of these floods,' they wrote.

'There was hardly any bread today and I struggled to get my son's main safe foods, Milo custards. We went to eight different stores to find only seven pouches.'

And while some Australians blamed disrupted freight routes, others argued shoppers were still making questionable stocking decisions.

'People panic buy the most ridiculous things - fresh fruit and bread? It will go bad in a week or two,' one commenter wrote.

'At least the sensible people will still be able to stock up on dried beans and rice and tinned stuff.'
He previously accused Aussie Brie and Camembert of tasting all the same

A French visitor in Australia recently caused an online stir after boldly declaring that the Aussie supermarket versions of 'Brie and Camembert are exactly the same cheese'.

Now, Leo Filipetti is back with another assessment of a widely adored Australian supermarket cheese brand - only his response was not what people expected.

Holding up a packet of the hugely popular Mersey Valley Pickled Onions cheese, the French comedian started off with an ominous statement.

'As a French guy, this Aussie supermarket cheese should be illegal,' Leo said in a recent video.

After analysing the brand name - pondering aloud if it was an Aussie attempt at the French word for thank you ("Merci") - Leo set about opening the package to give it a try.

'It doesn't smell much,' he initially observed. 'To me, I want my cheese to smell so much the neighbours will call triple zero because they think somebody passed away.'

However, everything changed for the European comedian the moment he popped a piece of the cheese into his mouth.

'Forget everything I said about French cheese [being better],' he excitedly proclaimed. 'This is the real deal, guys.'

Frenchman Leo Filipetti has once again analysed Aussie supermarket cheeses in an Instagram video, this time taste testing the hugely popular Mersey Valley Pickled Onions cheddar cheese

To his utter surprise, the French comedian absolutely loved the Mersey Valley cheese variety, declaring: 'Cheap cheddar is the new French cheese.'

Instantly won over by the Australian supermarket buy, Leo declared: 'Cheap cheddar is the new French cheese.'

Leo, who is currently touring his comedy show around Melbourne and Sydney, laughingly added at the end of the video: 'I don't think I can go back to France after saying this.'

Mersey Valley Pickled Onions club cheddar vintage cheese is sold at the two major Australian supermarkets, with the 235g block priced at $9.90 and the 80g block at $4.80.

Aussie fans of the sharp and crumbly cheese brand were ecstatic that Leo had given the supermarket buy his stamp of approval.

'Mersey Valley is the bomb,' read one reply.

'Awesome to get the approval. I'm a huge fan of this cheese!' added another.

Australian comedian and TV personality Matt Okine also chimed in, replying: 'This stuff is my go-to all day every day.'

Even someone now living in France agreed they were missing this particular cheese variety - despite residing in the cheese capital of the world.

Mersey Valley Pickled Onions club cheddar vintage cheese is sold at the two major Australian supermarkets, with the 235g block priced at $9.90 and the 80g block at $4.80

'I've been living in Paris for 20 years and I miss Mersey Valley Pickled Onions more than my family,' they joked.

However, many replies were simply relieved that Leo's video didn't hate on their favourite cheese flavour - especially given the foreboding tone at the start of his social media post.

'I thought you were going to say something negative about Mersey Valley. I was going to protest. You recovered well,' laughed one reply.

'I was about to take it personally,' agreed another.

'I was the same. Sitting here like, "Don't you f***ing dare". Then by the end I was like, "You bloody legend". What a rollercoaster ride of emotion.'

A few responses to the post shared to his @leofilipetti Instagram account were quick to point out that Mersey Valley cheese is a top tier supermarket variety.

'That is not cheap cheddar,' read one reply. 'I'm sorry to say you've started at the top in Australia and it's all downhill from here.'

'I call it "middle-class heroin",' laughed another.

The latest Aussie supermarket cheese analysis video was shared by Leo, who is currently performing a run of comedy shows around Melbourne and Sydney

Meanwhile, Mersey Valley fans urged Leo to try some of the brand's other popular cheddar varieties.

'Their Ploughmans is even better,' read one reply.

'The Jalapeno one is elite,' claimed another cheese fan.

'I think the Salt & Vinegar is the GOAT of Mersey,' said a third.

Leo's latest Aussie cheese analysis included a call out for suggestions on other Australian supermarket brands he should taste test, with the replies including repeated recommendations to try Meredith Dairy Marinated Goat Cheese and King Island Point Smoked Cheddar.

Leo, who has spent the past year in Australia, caused a stir earlier this month when he declared in a now-viral video that he believed Australian supermarket varieties of Brie and Camembert are one and the same.

'They just change the packaging, but it tastes the same, it's the same cheese,' he alleged in his video.

Daily Mail previously spoke to Leo, who explained that his curiosity about the similarity between Australian Brie and Camembert came after tasting both back-to-back.

French comedian Leo Filipetti shared his bold theory about Aussie white-mould cheeses in a video shared to his @leofilipetti Instagram account

'In France, the Camembert is more intense and savoury than Brie,' he observed.

'But in Australia, these cheeses are milder than in France.'

Leo said his fascination even led him to search for answers by visiting an unnamed Aussie dairy farm. Although they didn't specify particular brands, he said he was told there 'that both cheeses are produced using the same process'.

'They're made using pasteurised white-mould cheeses with similar creamy textures.'

Daily Mail spoke to RMIT University Professor Jayani Chandrapala about the suggestion that Brie and Camembert are essentially the same cheese in Australia.

The Head & Associate Dean of the Department of Food Technology & Nutrition agreed the two cheeses are 'mostly produced using the same ingredients', but pointed out the 'processing conditions' tend to differ.

'Both types use pasteurised milk and the same lactic acid bacteria to acidify the milk and to develop flavour. They both use rennet for milk coagulation, Penicillium fungus to produce the mouldy rind, and then salt,' she explained.

French tourist Leo made the bold claim that Australian produced varieties of Brie (left) and Camembert (right) are 'the same cheese'

'In Australia, more cream might be added to Brie to get a richer, creamier texture,' she said, adding that Brie usually also undergoes a 'shorter ageing process'.

RMIT University Professor Jayani Chandrapala, Head & Associate Dean of the Department of Food Technology & Nutrition

'Overall, the fat content and ageing process are what make the difference between the two cheese types when made in Australia.'

Globally renowned professional cheese expert Ivan Larcher also spoke to Daily Mail about why the two cheese types tend to taste similar in Australia.

The Frenchman - fondly known in the industry as the 'cheese doctor' - has worked with many prominent cheesemakers worldwide and in Australia; he founded and works closely with premier Victorian cheesemakers and educators, Long Paddock Cheese.

Ivan emphasised that strictly speaking, 'there is no legal classification or definition of what a "Brie" or "Camembert" cheese must be'.

'Both are generic names,' he explained. 'You could theoretically make any kind of cheese and label it as a "Brie" or "Camembert".'

As a result, he notes that when countries outside France label their cheeses as 'Brie' or 'Camembert', it's essentially used as a marketing tool, and is not necessarily reflective of the characteristics or production methods involved in producing the cheese.

'Bloomy Soft Cheese manufacturers in Australia are selling a name rather than a product, leading to such confusion,' he added.

Globally renowned professional cheese expert Ivan Larcher explained why there's a tendency for similarly tasting cheeses to be labelled as both 'Brie' and 'Camembert' in Australia

Long Paddock Cheese ditched using labels like 'Brie' and 'Camembert' for their Aussie-produced white bloomy cheese, instead calling their variety 'Flannel Flower' cheese

Ivan lamented that in Australia, many cheeses are 'the same white, tasteless, boring, predictable gummy dairy protein foodstuff, sold either under the name of Brie or Camembert'.

He noted that adding 'a bunch of cream into the cheese to make it an 'oozy creamy cheese' was usually the only main difference between the types.

'They have fundamentally the same base but different names.'

So, in his work with Long Paddock Cheese, Ivan directed the brand to ditch using labels like Brie and Camembert for their white bloomy cheese - because it isn't a French-made cheese. Instead, Long Paddock Cheese call its own localised white bloomy cheese variety 'Flannel Flower' cheese.
A storied writer was found dead in a California national park just hours after he attended a swanky art conference.

Brian Doherty, a long-time Reason senior editor and author, was found dead on Friday morning at Battery Yates, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, his employer said.

Doherty, 57, presumably fell after leaving an art gathering at the park's historic military defense sites.

Doherty suffered from physical ailments, which caused him to use a cane to walk, Reason said.

The writer and journalist is best known for his works on the libertarian movement, including his 2008 book Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement.

'Brian was the historian of the libertarian movement,' Reason Foundation President David Nott said.

'He lovingly and comprehensively portrayed the colorful characters in the libertarian world.'

The University of Florida graduate had worked for Reason since 1994 and has authored six books.

Brian Doherty, a long-time Reason senior editor and author, was found dead at the age of 57 on Friday morning at Battery Yates after attending a swanky art event the night before

Doherty, a native of New York City, mainly grew up in Florida and attended university there, where he received a degree in journalism.

He first got interested in the libertarian movement when he was a 12-year-old in Florida, where he read the Illuminatus trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson.

He would later join the University of Florida's College Libertarians student group in the fall of 1987.

In the 1990s, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he joined a group of artsy pranksters called the Cacophony Society, which participated in activities like altering billboards and Santa rampages, Reason said.

He also frequented the Burning Man festival, which he wrote about in his 2004 book This is Burning Man: The Rise of a New American Underground.

'I thought my deskbound, magazine-reporter, bedroom record labelrunning self would be destroyed by the pitiless desert,' he wrote.

'So I didn't go in '94. By 1995, I had heard so much about Black Rock City's functional anarchy that I had to go - anarchy being one of my primary intellectual interests.'

The book grew out of a cover article he wrote for Reason in 2000.

Battery Yates is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is presumed that Doherty, who uses a cane to walk, fell to his death

His friend, Chicken John Rinaldi, said Doherty's 'contributions to the art scenes in LA and San Francisco were monumental.'

'His passing leaves so many people and so many systems impoverished,' Rinaldi told Reason.

Reason Editor-in-Chief Katherine Mangu-Ward remembers her writer as embodying 'freedom and responsibility,' much like the Libertarian movement, a political group that believes in autonomy and minimal government intervention.

'His weird, colorful life - filled with comics and festivals and music and books - was a model of life lived freely and openly,' Mangu-Ward said.

'And in his thinking, reporting, and editing, he was one of the most conscientious and responsible people I have ever met. A libertarian hero in every sense.'
CNN's Kaitlan Collins has apparently caught the LA party bug, as a Hollywood insider said the journalist is gaining a reputation for flying out for a night of fun.

The 33-year-old attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday evening, wearing a blingy, skintight, orange dress, and was seen posing for snaps with New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd on the carpet.

Last month, Collins sparked romance rumors while attending two Grammy events with photographer Emilio Madrid.

And it seems as though when she is not hard at work peppering White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt with questions, the journalist is hopping on a plane to enjoy the latest Hollywood party.

'Also, an observation: Kaitlan Collins seems to have taken the Don Lemon crown of CNNer who most enjoys flying to LA for parties,' Puck News's Matthew Belloni said.

It appears Madrid and Collins enjoy partying together, as they spent Grammy weekend at multiple events.

The pair were first pictured alongside one another at the pre-Grammy Gala, before appearing on the carpet again the next day at the actual award ceremony.

The duo also attended an after-party together, with another snap from later in the night, shared by entrepreneur Haley Sacks, showing all three posing on the street.

CNN's Kaitlan Collins, 33, attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday evening wearing a blingy, skintight, orange dress

Last month, she sparked romance rumors while attending two Grammy events with photographer Emilio Madrid

Neither Madrid nor Collins has revealed the nature of their relationship.

In 2024, CNN's chief White House correspondent was spotted on the exclusive celebrity dating app Raya.

The anchor had a profile on the platform with the tongue-in-cheek description 'Nick Saban was taken,' referring to the married 73-year-old sportscaster.

The TV personality also had five curated photos on her page, most of which had been taken from her Instagram feed.

Collins was compared to her former CNN coworker, Lemon, who was known for going all out on New Year's Eve.

Lemon recently celebrated his 60th birthday in Los Angeles.

Collins's post-Oscars celebrations came after she recently drew the ire of Donald Trump during an exchange when she asked the President about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump told Collins to smile more during the exchange, which went viral and led to her appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Puck News's Matthew Belloni said he heard Collins is coming for former CNN star Don Lemon's love for LA parties

She poses with New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd on the carpet

Collins recalled being taunted by Trump in the Oval Office earlier this month after she asked what he would say to Jeffrey Epstein's survivors.

'You know she's a young woman,' the President told a room of Republican lawmakers and reporters, then turned to Collins directly: 'I don't think I've ever seen you smile. I've known you for ten years, I don't think I've ever seen you smile.'

She insisted at the time that it was hardly controversial to stay serious when asking about Epstein's sexual assault victims.
France's premium car-maker DS Automobiles has unveiled its new top of the range compact SUV - just don't mistake it for Boots' best-selling beauty range.

The new DS No7 will sit alongside the brand's flagship saloon - the fastback crossover DS No.8 which is on sale now ahead of first UK deliveries in April - and has passed on much of its design and tech DNA.

As part of a major regeneration of its line-up, it marks the first time since June 2014 - when DS Automobiles was set up as a standalone premium car brand spun off from Citroen - that the company has renewed one of its models, with the new DS No7 replacing the earlier DS7, its biggest seller.

Available as both a self-charging hybrid and as three pure electric variants, prices are expected to be between 45,000 and 50,000.

With its bold face, strong styling and craftsmanship, attention to detail, and shooting-brake style rear it aims to stand out in a highly competitive but expanding SUV market.

It is pitched against the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX3, Audi Q4 and Q6 e-trons, the Volvo EX40. Mercedes-Benz GLB EQ and a host of Chinese newcomers.

French fancies: DS - the luxury arm of Citroen - has unveiled its new No7 SUV, which is available with a choice of electrified powertrain and features a very plush ride

The entry pure-EV option is the 230hp standard front-wheel drive DS No7 E-Tense with a 73.7kWh battery. This provides a claimed range of up to 337 miles (543km) and can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 7.7 seconds.

There too is a 245hp front-wheel drive 'long-range' version with a more powerful 97.2kWh battery.

It has a claimed record range for a compact SUV in its sector of up to 460 miles (740 km). It will do 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds.

The priciest of all will be the 350hp all-wheel drive long-range, which adds a second electric motor with power generated from the larger 97.2kWh battery.

Maximum range between charges is slightly shorter 421 miles (679km) but it will get off the line quicker with an acceleration time from rest to 62mph in 5.4 seconds.

The three EV powertrains also have a boost function which provides a brief increase in power adding 30hp, 35hp, and 25hp respectively.

Top speed for the EVs is electronically governed at 118mph.

Available as both a self-charging hybrid and as three pure electric variants, prices are expected to be between 45,000 and 50,000 for the petrol-electric versions

DS Automobiles says the larger battery can be charged to 80 per cent in 27 minutes while the smaller 73.7kWh pack takes just over half an hour with thermal pre-conditioning of the battery.

A clever 'plug and play' function allows a charging cycle to be triggered automatically when the car is plugged into a DC fast charging station and also helps to optimise downtime.

The driver can also increase the energy regeneration to the battery by adjusting the brake settings with the paddles behind the steering wheel and too can choose one-pedal driving, which maximises energy recovery by releasing pressure on the accelerator pedal: ' In this mode, the brake pedal is only used under hard braking'.

But with electric car demand seemingly waning, it will be the self-charging hybrid that's likely to attract the most UK customers.

It combines a 1.2 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 28hp (21kW) electric motor integrated directly into the dual-clutch six-speed automatic gearbox.

This results in frugal 'official' fuel consumption of around 53mpg and low CO2 emissions of between 119g and 128g/km.

Fully charged and fully fuelled, it promises a combined range of 646 miles - more than enough to drive from London to Stuttgart in one sitting.

It covers 0 to 62mph in 10.6 seconds up to a top speed of 125mph.

Rivals: The No7 is entering a competitive market, with the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3 among its Chinese newcomers

The company notes: 'In urban or suburban use, this allows motorists to drive up to 50per cent of the total time in 100per cent electric mode.

'The self-charging hybrid system recovers the energy generated during deceleration and braking phases to power the battery, without the need for external charging.'

Although the new DS No7 is broadly the same width and height as its predecessor (1.90m wide and 1.63m hight) it is 7cm longer at 4.66m following a 5cm extension to the wheelbase at 2.79m.

So while this enhances passenger space and comfort, it will attract the ire of controversial London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan who, as part of his latest 'war on the motorist' is looking to impose a new charge - dubbed a family tax' - on owners of larger SUVs.

Boot space is between 500 litres and 560 litres depending on model and space taken with batteries and audio equipment.

Luxury French ride famed by DS

Citroen's DS cars from its heritage are famed for the quirky suspension and supple ride manner. And the No7 will be no different.

It features active-scan suspension, which uses a camera at the top of the windscreen to monitor the road ahead looking for potholes and ruts. It then alerts the car's controlled damping system to take evasive action to mitigate any bumps.

The company said: 'In a few milliseconds, the road surface is analysed and the information transmitted to a computer that individually adjusts each shock absorber.

'The suspension can therefore anticipate road irregularities to offer a remarkable balance between handling and comfort.'

The No7 has active-scan suspension, which uses a camera at the top of the windscreen to monitor the road ahead to pre-set the damping if there's a deep pothole coming up

To help maintain quiet and calm and reduce noise, the No7 can be fitted with acoustic laminated glass in the front and rear doors to complement the acoustic laminated windscreen and damping materials arranged around the passenger compartment.

Driver and passengers can enjoy generous space at the front and back contributing to what DS Automobiles describes as 'First Class comfort.'

Front seats with integrated headrests feature high-density foams and width-adjustable side bolsters to boost support and posture.

Heated, cooled, and massage seats are joined by a neck warner function which diffuses gentle heat to the back of the neck.

Rear passengers can also enjoy heated seats with separate control.

An optional panoramic glass roof provides up to 50mm more headroom than the normal roof.

Its layered laminated glass includes anti-UV and other tints and finishes to help keep occupants cool in summer and warm in winter.

Lovers of hi-fi will be attracted to the optional 690W Electra 14-speaker 3D sound system specially developed for DS Automobiles by premium French audio specialists Focal.

DS is all about luxury ride, with the availability of acoustic laminated glass and seatrs with heating, cooling, massage and a neck warmer function

The cockpit has a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 16-inch central touchscreen, and X-shaped steering wheel, as well as hi-tech that includes head-up display, night vision and drive assist.

Soft to the touch materials are enhanced by contrasting stitching or embossed patterns and can also be combined with brushed aluminium or real wood trim.

Five interior options complement the six exterior shades including the new silk green, alongside palladium grey, topaz blue, alabaster white, crystal pearl and perla nera black.

There are three standard trim levels - Aura, Pallas and Etoile - plus a special launch 'La Premiere' edition.

However, exact specifications may change by the time the DS No7 arrives in UK showrooms later this year.
Leapmotor is taking on Volkswagen's smallest electric car in the latest battle of Chinese and European brands unravelling on our doorstep.

The Hangzhou auto firm's new A05 electric hatchback will go up against VW's ID.3 battery-powered family motor as Leapmotor looks to cement itself among mainstream brands in Europe.

First pictures of the A05, published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), show that it follows quite closely the manufacturer's larger B03X crossover - an EV that also goes on sale this year.

The smaller hatchback will likely start from around 25,000 when it arrives later in 2026.

With Leapmotor already having a strong footprint of undercutting European competition - as do many Chinese brands - the A05 looks set to follow in these tyre tracks.

It should be priced around 5,000 below the entry Volkswagen ID.3, which starts from 30,860 inclusive of the government's 1,500 Electric Car Grant discount.

Leapmotor's new compact family hatchback has been leaked on an official Chinese Government website - and it's clear from the images that it's coming for the VW ID.3

While the VW ID.3 (pictured) currently costs from 30k, its new Chinese rival will be around 5k cheaper. As you can see, the Leapmotor's styling has Volkswagen's hatch in mind...

Based on the same MIIT filing, the A05 will be powered by a single front-mounted motor and produced either 94bhp or 121bhp.

There will be two sizes of lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, but size and further information hasn't been revealed.

The A05 will be a small car, measuring 4.2 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.6 metres tall, but it will still be able to fit into family life as it will be around the same size as a Renault Megane or MG4 EV.

The A05 will also battle Chinese competitor BYD as the world's largest EV maker has its Dolphin EV model on the market for just over 30k.

The family-sized hatchback will likely start from around 25,000 when it arrives later in 2026. That will undercut most European rivals, including Volkswagen's ID.3

VW will next month unveil its replacement for the ID.3, which will carry a new 'Neo' nameplate

First images show the same front end and headlight design as its B03X sibling and the A05 will slot below the bigger model to become the brand's entry-level compact car.

Leapmotor is expected to reveal the A05 in the coming months in China before it makes its way to the UK.

The company, which was founded in 2015 and started selling vehicles in 2019, is backed by European car giant Stellantis, with the joint venture between the two brands focusing on global sales of high-tech, inexpensive Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Leapmotor has targeted reaching one million vehicle sales in 2026, and is focusing on cost-effective, compact models like the A05 to achieve its ambitions.

Volkswagen will next month unveil its replacement for the ID.3, which will be called the ID.3 Neo.

It is expected to be debuted in mid-April and feature a host of new functions.

These include, for example, the enhanced Travel Assist with traffic light detection and One Pedal Driving, where the vehicle can detect when there's a read light up ahead and recuperate energy into the battery from the regenerative braking until it comes to a standstill.
It was October 2018. I'd lost my house (long story) and moved into a two-up, two-down rented cottage in Richmond, North Yorkshire, a former holiday let. I took over the utility bills.

The landlord told me the energy supplier was Octopus Energy. I'd never heard of them.

'Why Octopus?'

'Because they're cheap.'

Famous last words.

It turns out Octopus is the largest domestic energy supplier in the UK, serving 12.9million accounts in 7.3million households. A company that has topped the Best Energy Company chart of consumer watchdog Which? for many years running, and which heaps itself with lavish praise, erecting huge billboards on the A40.

But still, a company that has had multi-million-pound fines levied against it by the regulator Ofgem in the recent past.

Since the momentous day I gave Octopus my bank details, I have had 186 emails and counting from the firm. Way more than when I was being love-bombed by a new man.

I put in a new boiler at the rented cottage and went all-electric, eschewing oil or Flogas (my village was not on mains gas), having been told oil is bad for the environment and bound to shoot up in price, especially now with the war in the Middle East.

I agreed with Octopus to pay 200 a month by direct debit, a sum I paid on time. They installed a smart meter, a nasty little spy I soon learned to despise.

I lived alone, cooked rarely and there was no dishwasher or tumble dryer in the cottage, a stone building of 753 sq ft (the average two-bed semi is 1,000 sq ft) with an open fire and back boiler (a system installed behind the fireplace that heats water once the fire is lit).

Since the momentous day Liz Jones gave energy firm Octopus her bank details, she has received 186 emails and counting

So far, so good. Until April 1, 2024, when I was finally able to buy a house and move out. I took a photo of the meter (the smart meter rarely worked due to the thickness of the walls and the location in the Yorkshire Dales being rural, which meant the signal was weak) and sent Octopus a final reading. Job done. Door closed.

What was my final bill? Ten thousand pounds.

I argued, I begged, but eventually agreed to pay 500 a month. After a year, I was able to reduce the monthly direct debit on a bill I could not believe was accurate to 247 a month. Still crippling.

Almost two years later, my Octopus debt for the cottage currently hovers at just more than 5,000.

So, to my new house, a mid 18th-century, Grade II-listed former vicarage. My energy bills should be modest - it has an insulated loft, two bedrooms and an air source heat pump (I get 100 a month via Ofgem as a financial incentive for installing it), as well as a log burner.

I stayed loyal to Octopus, a decision as insane as forgiving a cheating husband who gives you herpes.

At my request, an engineer came out, told me that although I have a smart meter, they don't work well in my rural village, and that the thick stone walls again mean the signal is patchy. This meant I couldn't have the 'Cosy' cheaper tariff as that requires readings taken minute by minute. So, since moving in I've been paying 200 a month at the Vicarage, on top of the 247 a month for my previous home.

Then, two weeks ago, I received an email from Octopus to say it is increasing my direct debit at the Vicarage from 200 to 572.95 per month. Its CEO Greg Jackson wrote he will go ahead and 'make that change': surely his first name should be Michael?

In shock, I queried this, reminding Octopus that last summer, my energy consumption (which I can see on its website) averaged 70 a month. I begged again for an investigation into that ten grand final bill for what was essentially a rabbit hutch.

I also sent them a link to a piece in a broadsheet about another Octopus customer (I prefer to be called victim) which bore the headline: 'Our smart meter broke, then Octopus hit us with an 11,000 bill.' Octopus eventually agreed to reduce that customer's bill by 75pc.

Sadly, not something they are prepared to do for me, despite the 'love and power' faux friendly email sign offs.

I'm publishing the key points of their response here from an employee whose job title is Smart Tariff Specialist Pro; as well as sending me love, he signed off with two emojis. I can't print the email in full as it's 1,066 words long.

Liz says she's 'not a hothouse wimp' after growing up in a house with no central heating - her mum washing her hair over the kitchen sink

'Dear Elizabeth, thank you for your patience while we completed a comprehensive review of the historical billing and meter data across both your previous and current properties.

'Following a technical audit of the readings, we have determined that the high balances at the cottage were primarily driven by high consumption levels rather than meter faults. Additionally, inconsistently submitted user meter readings for the traditional meter resulted in the suggested payment level being too low

'[Your] consumption is based on substantial smart meter data, which provides evidence supporting that the usage recorded is correct I have reviewed the smart meter readings across both accounts and can confirm that: the readings and data do not indicate a technical issue with the meters; and the high usage is consistent across both properties.

'Customer Service Guarantee (CSG) payments or goodwill gestures are provided solely as an acknowledgment of service inconvenience or failure. They do not constitute a refund, credit, write-off, waiver of charges, etc.

'Under our standard procedures, all of these charges are considered accurate and the balance is correct. Any further Financial Assistance in relation to the account requires completion of a financial assessment.

'We recommend avoiding burst heating and instead maintaining a steady indoor temperature between 18-20C We remain committed to resolving this fairly and transparently.'

Octopus is the largest domestic energy supplier in the UK, serving 12.9million accounts in 7.3million households

They reduced the outstanding bill for the cottage by 814, claiming it was a goodwill gesture; to me, this only proves how inaccurate their readings are.

Then, another email landed shortly after, number 186, methinks (or was it 187?), saying of the outstanding cottage debt: 'We will request a final Direct Debit payment of 4,886.99 on March 23, 2026.' I was shocked, as we had agreed I could pay it off with a monthly direct debit.

Good luck with taking just under five grand. And, of course, when it bounces, down goes my credit rating.

Since signing up with Octopus, it has been years of constant battles, emails, cancelled visits and texts. Numerous engineers have come and gone. The smart meter in my current home has been updated once. Then, another email to say they want to change it again. I cancelled a day working in London only to receive an email at 7pm, two hours after the 10am to 5pm window, to say the engineer couldn't make it.

I've been moaning about Octopus in my You magazine column in The Mail on Sunday, which has prompted many emails from equally frustrated customers.

This from a customer in west London: 'I'm involved in a Battle Royal with Octopus... Their demands to me dwarf yours by about 30-fold! I note their CEO Greg Jackson is reportedly worth hundreds of millions.'

He added: 'Despite Octopus being well aware that I am a vulnerable customer due to my medical condition, they are threatening to 'disrupt' my domestic energy supply if I don't submit to a new meter, but they won't let me independently check the accuracy of the old one first.'

Greg Jackson, 54, is indeed No 13 on The Sunday Times Tech Rich List and worth 435million, according to its latest estimate. And a CBE.

I put all this to Octopus. It responded: 'We provide energy based on the recorded usage of certified, accurate meters. In the case of Ms Jones, multiple meters across different properties that she has occupied have consistently shown high consumption.

'While we understand high bills are worrying and frustrating, the data indicates that the energy is being used within the home. We have asked Ms Jones to work with us by completing some simple tests so we can help identify any potential culprit appliance, and we remain ready to support her...'

Doubtless because I am a journalist, Octopus has now agreed to keep my direct debit at the Vicarage unchanged, and to allow me to continue to pay off the cottage debt gradually: it will take another two years to clear that bill.

I'm not a hothouse wimp. I grew up in a house with no central heating: my mum would wash my hair over the kitchen sink as that was the only room with a small electric heater.

Today, I'm so terrified that I no longer put the heating on. I work from home in the most northern Dale in Durham: I'm writing this wearing a coat as it's two degrees outside. I can only wonder how families, mums with babies, the elderly who have no truck with love and power emojis cope.

Finally, this from Maureen, a Daily Mail reader since 1964: 'I had months of phoning Octopus with larger than normal charges. None made sense. They cannot be trusted. I went through hell.'
Nearly two years into office, and Rachel Reeves is seeking to light a fire under Labours growth agenda.

As encouraging as it is that the Chancellor has decided to back innovation, AI and quantum computing, it is all too little, too late.

Other ideas in Reeves approach, contained in todays Mais Lecture, are also falling as flat as a pancake.

A closer economic relationship with the EU may seem sensible given that it is geographically Britains closest trading partner but there are formidable obstacles.

Politically, it would mean the UK undoing the 2016 Brexit vote and the divorce agreement signed by Boris Johnson, defying democratic decisions.

It is not clear that attaching the UK to a divided EU, currently squabbling over defence spending, is a great idea.

Desperate measures: Chancellor Rachel Reeves, pictured, wants to overhaul the Financial Ombudsman Service which it is claimed is deterring investment in the country

The Chancellor is fond of telling us that the UK is the fastest-growing European economy in the G7. Joining a community in stagnation is not the wisest idea.

So what of Reeves other big idea? She thinks growth can be unleashed by easing regulation. The Chancellors latest proposal is to overhaul the Financial Ombudsman Service, which it is claimed is deterring investment in the country.

The compensation culture may have gone too far as the troubles of Close Brothers demonstrate.

Nevertheless, Labour never stops banging on about working people and they are among the biggest victims of the car finance scandal which is the Ombudsmans current focus.

Its procedures may be too slow. But it is the friend of consumers, daily fighting against poor customer service and rip-offs.

It ill behoves a government handing out compensation to oil heating users to attack an organisation seeking to deliver financial justice.

Reeves approach to regulators is misplaced. Appointing the former head of Amazon as chairman of the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) is hardly going to be to the advantage of UK tech.

In the recent past, the CMA is all that has stood between UK tech and creativity being overrun by giants such as Microsoft.

Giving it, and the rest of the Magnificent 7  Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms and Tesla  the right to climb roughshod over UK pioneers will not work.

The new growth brief for the Prudential Regulation Authority, empowered after the Great Financial Crisis, is badly timed.

Given recent events in private credit markets, capital requirements should be tightened rather than loosened. Yes, the City and business need less bureaucracy, but they also need to be constrained from excess.

Yesterday, I met with one of Britains most successful tycoons. He understands that the fiscal deficit needed fixing.

He believes that throwing money at a malfunctioning NHS is simply good money after bad. As for inheritance taxes, which could mean the break-up of his empire, his words are best not repeated in a family paper.

Last stand

Close Brothers is one of the few of Britains historic merchant banks still operating.

Yet, if one takes the word of short sellers Viceroy Research its days as an independent source of finance for Britains army of middle-sized companies, seeking to update their plant, could be numbered.

Under chief executive Mike Morgan, the firm has been engaged in a valiant effort to restore its finances following exposure to the car finance scandal.

It sold its asset management arm, stockbroker Winterflood Securities and cancelled the dividend.

The steps taken are intended to keep the ship afloat after making 300million of provisions. Viceroy suggests that the liability could be as much as four times this at 1.2billion, which would effectively wipe a City stalwart out.

We must hope, for the sake of Close clients across the regions, that Viceroy mangled its analysis. The damage may already have been done.

Bad smell

Offloading Thames Water to its senior creditors would save the Government from the fiscal risks of taking Britains largest water utility into special administration.

It would be wrong if the price of the rescue, as demanded, is that a company which so often dumps sewage into the Thames were to escape fines and is allowed to go on polluting.

Ofwat, Whitehall and the courts should not be intimidated by financial sharks.
People's Daily Rui Ping commentary refutes Western claim that 'China remains idle on Iran'

13:29, March 17, 2026 By Chang Yandao ( Global Times

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

As the crisis triggered by US-Israel military operations against Iran continues to unfold, some Western media outlets have begun circulating narratives centered on China, peddling absurd claims such as "China remains idle on Iran" or "China could emerge as a winner." These arguments represent yet another attempt to shift blame and redirect attention.

Such smear campaigns against China are nothing more than a familiar tactic in the cognitive warfare often practiced by certain Western media.

When the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, they ignored China's efforts to uphold fairness and justice and to promote peace talks, accusing China of "profiting from the war." When their own manufacturing sectors declined, they turned around and accused China's new energy vehicle industry of so-called "overcapacity." Whenever they need an "enemy," they portray China as a "threat"; whenever they need a "target," they reduce China to a "target."

In the discourse of some Western media outlets, as long as a narrative serves their own agenda, helps shift domestic tensions elsewhere, or benefits politicians, they are willing to ignore the truth, distort facts, and even disregard basic moral principles. Once this reality is recognized, it becomes easier to avoid falling into the discursive traps set by certain Western media outlets.

The repeated use of such tactics ultimately reflects a deeper arrogance and prejudice embedded in their thinking - a narrow and rigid Western-centric mindset.

Believing in the logic of power politics, some Western media refuse to accept that China can transcend the notion that "a strong country will inevitably seek hegemony." Viewing international relations through the lens of zero-sum competition, they fail to grasp the depth of ideas such as harmony, coexistence, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Trapped in the mindset of the so-called "Thucydides' Trap," they are unable to regard China's development as an opportunity. This mismatch in perception and thinking explains why some Western media still struggle to view China objectively and understand it comprehensively.

The most powerful response to slander, rumor, and distortion lies in concrete actions.

As a responsible major country, China firmly stands on the right side of history. China's foreign minister has continued diplomatic mediation regarding the Iran situation, seeking to promote peace and de-escalation. The special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue has visited the region to help ease tensions. China has also voiced principled positions at platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, defending international fairness and justice. Who is fanning the flames and who is safeguarding peace is clear to all. China has always advocated harmony and believes that strength of force does not equal strength of reason. It insists that hotspot issues should be resolved through equal dialogue and political solutions - a reflection of historical clarity and long-term vision.

China upholds the principle of "pursuing the larger interests of all countries, responding to people's concerns." Being true in word and resolute in deed. From the upcoming implementation of zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for imports from African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative across the globe, to the active implementation of the four major global initiatives - China has become one of the world's most important forces for peace, stability, and justice, something increasingly recognized through the lived experiences of people in many countries.

Today's world is marked by turbulence and uncertainty. In the face of conflicts, crises, and various smear campaigns, China will not hesitate or retreat. Instead, it will continue to inject lasting stability and certainty into a turbulent world through concrete actions, uphold fairness with the power of reason, and contribute to global well-being with the responsibility of a major country.

This article was originally published by the Opinion Department of the People's Daily.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
DIY giant Wickes has been boosted as families face an ongoing battle to keep the 'oldest housing stock in Europe' in good nick.

The group said it plans to open 70 new sites over the next few years as it reported stronger sales, despite a slump in consumer confidence that has rocked the rest of the retail sector.

The home improvement giant said it had grown across all three areas of its business and would now target 300 shops over the next few years, creating 2,000 new jobs.

Chief executive David Wood told the Daily Mail and This is Money the home improvement market in the UK was 'distinctive' due to the huge numbers of poor quality homes, which are usually 'owner occupied and a really important financial asset.'

He added: 'They are the oldest housing stock in all of Europe, and so need constant repair, maintenance, and improvement.'

Issues helping to boost sales include poor insulation, as Wood said close to one in two UK homes are 'inappropriately insulated,' with many shoppers flocking to buy rolls of insulation.

And he said the business stands to cash in as consumers grow concerned over the potential for higher energy bills to arise from the war in the Middle East.

Wickes has done well despite consumers facing higher bills and pressure on the housing market

He said: When we had the last energy spike [following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022], there was a lot of interest in solar, but also insulation, people were looking to reduce consumption and electricity bills. We are there for all those projects.

Wood pointed to the groups solar business, Wickes Solar, and said that it saw a real opportunity in this market due to being a trusted brand.

As people become more concerned about the price of energy, they will definitely think about how to reduce it, he added.

It comes despite pressure on consumer demand for big ticket items such as kitchens and bathrooms, as households face stubborn energy and grocery bills.

The expansion plans follow Wickes' opening of five new shops last year, including former Homebase shops. This means it now operates 230 stores - mostly from a new format of smaller stores.

David Wood said the UK's poor quality housing stock was helping hold up sales of DIY kit despite a weak consumer environment

It said it expects to open 4-5 new stores this year, and 'refit or refresh' between 15 and 20, with a roll-out 'accelerating' from 2028 onwards, when it expects to open 10+ new stores per year.

Despite tough times for households, Wickes said its sales rose 6 per cent to 1.6billion and pre-tax profit grew from 23million to 49million, in the year to 27 December 2025.

While rain at the start of the year has deterred consumers from outdoor projects, sales have boomed across indoor projects, the group said.

Wood said: This has been another year of strong progress against our strategy. Weve achieved volume-driven growth across all three areas of the business, as the strength of our proposition continues to resonate with customers.

Given the strength of investment returns from our proven store refit and new store rollout strategy, we have today announced the decision to accelerate our investment for future growth.

'This takes our ambition to reach 300 stores nationwide  creating over 2,000 new jobs as we bring Wickes distinctive offer to new locations up and down the UK.
Charging up to 60 per day for a parking space couldn't save Britain's biggest car park firm, after it accrued massive debts which have seen it collapse into administration this week.

Japanese-owned NCP employs 682 people and manages approximately 340 car parks nationwide, but after crashing into 305million of debt, its future has never been more uncertain.

From a small family firm founded almost 100 years ago, NCP has grown into a nationwide staple in the parking world.

After being sold to various owners in the last three decades, more recently it has been making headlines for extortionate prices and overzealous enforcement of parking fines.

Now documents lodged on Monday with London's High Court say NCP, which charges up to 33 for 24 hours parking in Manchester and 60 at sites in central London, has filed an intention to appoint an administrator.

But making no mention of prices, it blames a decline in use of its car parks since the pandemic, as well as rising energy costs as a result of the war in Ukraine.

NCP was founded in 1931 as a small, family-run firm operating parking in west London.

In 1948, entrepreneurs Sir Ronald Hobson and Sir Donald Gosling set up Central Car Parks in the city, later acquiring the family business now known as NCP in 1959.

Japanese-owned NCP employs 682 people and manages approximately 340 car parks nationwide, but after crashing into 305million of debt, its future has never been more uncertain

NCP is headed up by CEO Rob England and Chief Financial Officer Hideyuki Nagahiro (pictured), who joined the board at the time of the takeover by Park24

They each invested 100 as they set up their business, initially converting a former bombsite in Holborn in 1948.

As car ownership began to expand after the Second World War, they were able to expand, owning ten premises by the 1950s.

After their takeover of NCP, by the late 1990s the firm had grown significantly and would be bought by US firm Cendant for 801million.

But this parent company would not last long amid a major accounting scandal in 1998, after Cendant merged with direct marketing firm CUC International.

Before being sold twice more in the early 2000s, NCP scored its first major partnership with Manchester City Council in 1999.

It was a sign of the company's rapid expansion which also saw it acquire a series of car parks and petrol stations, and manage car parking contracts for third parties.

NCP was ultimately sold to Japanese firm Park24, by which time it had 150,000 parking spaces across 500 sites around the UK.

It is - for now at least - headed up by CEO Rob England and Chief Financial Officer Hideyuki Nagahiro, who joined the board at the time of the takeover by Park24.

Mr Nagahiro became responsible for revenue accounting, financial reporting and matters of tax - having worked at Japanese banks for more than 20 years.

Yet his experience in finance couldn't save NCP, as it saw its prospects plummet in recent years.

At the time of the takeover Koichi Nishikawa was also signed on as a director of the firm. He resigned in July 2025 after becoming CEO and President of Park24.

NCP turned over 187million for the financial year ending 2023, a 7.15 per cent drop from the previous year.

But it also recorded losses of almost 27.5million in 2022 and 26.7million in 2023.

By the time the notice of administration was issued, its portfolio had shrunk to 340 sites and debts had mounted to 305million.

In 2024, Bolton Council wrote off almost 1.5million in debts owed by the company from during the pandemic.

At the time of the takeover Koichi Nishikawa was also signed on as a director of the firm. He resigned in July 2025 after becoming CEO and President of Park24

Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, are pictured with Sir Donald Gosling (right)

Customers have in recent years complained of high prices, with some central London car parks setting them back 60 per day.

In London's Soho, NCP's Brewer Street car park charges drivers 15 per hour, or 45 for up to three hours, before rising to 60 for 24 hours.

The firm has also been frequently criticised for levying overzealous fines.

Last February, NCP apologised and quashed all incorrectly applied fines after a grandfather was incorrectly asked to cough up a 100 penalty charge for a 14-minute stay in Darlington, County Durham.

Signs at the car park stated parking was free for customers for 90 minutes.

Private companies are hitting drivers with nearly 40,000 parking charges a day, This is Money revealed last year, while the DVLA is raking in almost 100,000 every 24 hours as a result.

The agency's full-year figures showed requests for a record 14,371,841 vehicle ownership details from private parking firms in 2024-25.

This was an increase of 13 per cent on the year previous and 39,375 per day on average.

A statement issued on behalf of NCP addressing the appointment of administrators said it had not recovered from business lost in the Covid pandemic amid the rise in flexible working.

Appointed firm PwC said NCP's performance has 'deteriorated over a number of years post COVID-19 as demand for parking has not recovered to historic levels, particularly across city-centre and commuter locations.'

It added: 'Continued shifts in commuting and customer driving patterns have impacted site occupancy, while the high concentration of long-term, inflexible leases has meant the Company has been unable to reduce costs in line with revenue or to exit loss-making sites, resulting in ongoing trading losses.

'The Company now has insufficient cash available to meet its financial obligations and the Directors have therefore taken the decision to appoint administrators.'

NCP has also cited higher energy prices since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

PwC stressed that all sites remain open and all employees are currently staying in their posts.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and PwC partner, said: 'NCP has faced a challenging trading environment over several years, with changing consumer behaviours impacting volumes, and a high fixed cost-base leading to trading losses.

'Our priority on appointment is to ensure continuity of service while we undertake a detailed review of the business. All sites are open, staff remain in post, and trading continues as normal.

'We will be engaging with landlords, employees and other stakeholders as we explore all options, including the potential sale of all or part of the business, to secure the best possible outcome for creditors.'
Troubled lender Close Brothers has announced 600 job cuts as it grapples with the fall-out from Britains car finance scandal and an attack by a notorious short-seller.

The cuts represent nearly a quarter of its workforce and come as the firm outsources more roles overseas, streamlines its corporate structure and steps up its use of artificial intelligence (AI).

It will see 200 staff go this year and 400 next year.

Boss Mike Morgan said: Well take advantage of increased outsourcing and offshoring. Historically all of our roles have been kept in the UK.

Its not the first time weve done it but we will push further on in this. It will mean reshaping our workforce.

Morgan would not give further details about where the axe would fall.

Close Brothers has set aside 300m to cover a car finance scandal

But he said of the cuts: Clearly that is regrettable but these changes are necessary to structurally lower our cost base and make us more competitive.

Its what every one else is doing.

The firm is among lenders caught up in a scandal around commission paid to car dealers for arranging loans to customers.

It has set aside 300million to cover the cost of compensating motorists under a scheme set up by the City watchdog.

But short-seller Viceroy Research - which shot to fame with earlier exposes on Wirecard and Home Reit - says it will have to at least double this and possibly pay as much as 1.2billion.

Morgan strongly rejected the claims as the firm published half-year results yesterday and insisted it could handle the impact of the scandal.

He told the Mail: They havent got our numbers. Theyve made judgments and the judgments theyve made are incorrect.

Morgan has been trying to turn around the companys fortunes and said the job cuts being announced  which will reduce the workforce to around 2,000  have not been brought forward as a result of the car finance scandal.

On Monday, Viceroy Research claimed the firm had systematically represented its exposure to the scandal.

Morgan said the short-seller had not discussed the claims with it in advance and that they came out of the blue.

He added: I didnt hit the roof, I didnt get upset about it, these things happen in business.

And Morgan rejected Viceroys claim that the firm had already exhausted all options to try and shore up its finances to deal with the car finance scandal.

Were in a strong position to deal with a range of outcomes. Its delivering this strategy thats the critical thing  this [Viceroys claim] is just a little bit of noise on the side, he said.

The job cuts come as part of efforts to slash costs by about 25million in the current financial year to the end of September, up from a 20million previous target  increasing to 60million by next year, a year ahead of a previous target.

Close Brothers reported a loss of 65.5million for the six months to the end of January, down from a loss of 102.2million a year earlier.

Shares fell by as much as 6 per cent in early trading on Tuesday, adding to the 14 per cent fall seen on Monday after Viceroys research was published.

The shares have fallen 34 per cent this year.

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Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: Close Brothers has swerved off the road with its latest results as profits crashed and it announced 600 job cuts.

The lender is still spinning from Viceroys short-selling report that alleged Close Brothers has not put enough money aside to cover potential liabilities from the car finance mis-selling scandal.

It was telling that the share price didnt recover any of yesterdays slump after Close Brothers denied the accusations were true, suggesting the market remains highly sceptical over the business until there is clarity on any compensation sums.

Job cuts and guidance for higher than previously expected annual cost savings would normally be the right ingredients to drive a share price higher, but not in Close Brothers case. The core business doesnt look strong enough to warrant investors taking the risk of buying in the face of considerable uncertainty.
Shares in travel firms have taken another tumble this morning after the United Arab Emirates announced another temporary closure of its airspace following a drone attack.

Travel firms and airlines are still reeling from the fallout of strikes across the Gulf, which have prompted a reassessment of flight paths and, in some cases, their closure entirely.

Investors are continuing to assess the impact of a drawn-out conflict on travel firms. Shares in hotel firm IHG fell 0.5 per cent this morning, having dropped nearly 6 per cent since the start of the war.

FTSE 250-listed PPHE Hotel Group and cruise company Carnival dropped 0.5 and 1.2 per cent, respectively.

It came after the owner and chair of travel agent Hays Travel told the BBC that the firm had already taken a significant hit from the war.

Fallout: Hays Travel bookings have dropped 9% as customers cancel their holidays

Dame Irene Hays said bookings were down 9 per cent year-on-year - though this was an 'improved position' compared to the previous week, when news of the war was still emerging.

At the moment we have a dampening of people booking and an increase in people either wanting to change their holiday or perhaps cancel, Hays added.

She said disruption in Dubai, which handles approximately 200,000 passengers a day, was having a knock-on effect on those travelling to the Maldives, Mauritius and India.

It comes five days after online travel company On The Beach warned of a signficiant slowdown in demand for popular destinations, including Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Shares in the firm have plunged 18 per cent since the start of the war.

Airline stocks have largely shrugged off the developments this morning, with Easyjet and British Airways owner IAG gaining 0.39 and 0.45 per cent, respectively. But both airlines have suffered huge falls since the start of the war  Easyjet is down over 20 cent - as fuel prices surge.

Goldman Sachs has warned that the war will have a bigger impact on jet fuel and diesel than on crude oil, which is up 2.7 per cent to around $102 a barrel today.

Prices have rallied much more for many refined products than for crude, analysts said, with the disruptions posing a risk of lower production of diesel, jet fuel and fuel oil.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club said: While many airlines have oil hedging in place, securing a chunk of their fuel at fixed prices, its not a failsafe solution, particularly if the war drags on much longer.

'Competition for other, safer destinations is also set to increase as holidaymakers rethink plans, which is likely to see ticket prices continue to rise.

Hays Travel said prices across Europe were reasonable with increased demand for trips to Spain, Portugal and Italy, as well as for cruises.

Dame Irene said that while customers were more circumspect over travelling, she believed travel would return to normal levels.

Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr has warned that the dominance of Gulf airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways on Asian routes would be diminished by the war.

The major hubs of the Gulf carriers are located in a region that is now clearly exposed to new risks. What this means for the future of global air travel remains to be seen, he said.
The Chancellors inheritance tax raid on family farms and businesses is unlawful, the High Court heard today.

As farmers and business owners descended on the Royal Courts of Justice at the start of a two-day judicial review against the government, lawyers claimed Rachel Reeves broke a long-established government promise by deciding not to consult in the manner required over her plans to hit family enterprises with death duties.

The hearing heard she had acted unlawfully in conducting a very limited consultation on the proposals.

The case got underway as tractors parked up outside the court building in central London and protestors hung a large banner reading: Keep farms & firms in the family.

Businessman Steve Perez, the chief executive of the Global Brands group behind drinks such as VK and Hooch, said the tax raid has been badly thought out, adding: This came out of the blue. I think they dont understand the impacts.

The case relates to changes to so-called agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) announced in her first Budget in October 2024.

The plans left family farms and firms facing inheritance tax of 20 per cent on assets worth over 1million from April this year.

Businessman Steve Perez (left) with farmers Tom Martin (centre) and his farther George Martin (right) outside the Royal Courts of Justice

Tractors line up outside the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of a Judicial Review into the Chancellor's inhieritance tax raid on family farms and firms

The changes provoked a fierce backlash with farmers driving tractors through central London in protest.

In an embarrassing U-turn just before Christmas last year, the Chancellor backtracked, raising the threshold from 1million to 2.5million, or 5million for married couples.

But this still leaves farmers and businesses facing inheritance tax bills.

Cambridgeshire farmer George Martin, 74, and his son Tom Martin, 45, have joined forces with the Farmers and Businesses for Fair Tax Relief campaign group to bring legal action over the changes.

They argue that Treasury documents dating back more than a decade  including the Tax Consultation Framework (TCF) dated March 2011  suggested the government would consult on significant tax changes.

The claimants argue no such consultation took place.

By failing in this regard, the court heard the Chancellor deprived the claimants of an opportunity to present their case and voice their concerns and therefore acted unlawfully.

Protestors gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice

Tom Martin said: This legal case matters to everyone affected by the proposed tax changes, and I am proud to speak for the concerns of farmers and business owners whose livelihoods would be impacted.

By deciding not to have a proper consultation, the Government knowingly chose to deny us the chance to influence the new policy and its implementation. I hope justice will prevail and the court will hold the Government to its word.

James Austen, the partner at Collyer Bristow working on the claim, said: The court is hearing the claim at a difficult and uncertain time for UK farms and businesses, whom the Chancellor chose to shut out from the design and implementation of this controversial tax change, which has caused such deep concern to so many people.

The Governments Tax Consultation Framework, which has been in place for 15 years, was put in place because proper consultation is vital in getting tax changes right first time.

'Long experience shows tax consultations to be necessary for damaging unintended consequences  and embarrassing U-turns  to be avoided.

It is disappointing the Government refused to change course in this case, leaving the claimants with no alternative but to ask the court to hold the Government to its promises.

Alexander Marcham, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal, said: Many of the farms and businesses affected by the Chancellors decision have been built over generations and are expected to endure beyond the current owner.

When tax changes as significant as this are implemented without giving those affected the opportunity to be heard, planning for the future becomes much harder.

Families are left making decisions about succession, investment and the future of their businesses without clarity  or a fair chance to participate in policy development.

The courts decision will be an important moment in bringing greater clarity to the process behind measures and it will have far-reaching consequences.
US raider Saba Capital has forced a second investment trust to propose drastic measures to avoid shareholders being trapped in the company if it succeeds in taking over the business.

The 782million Impax Environmental Markets trust, which backs companies focused on areas such as clean water and green energy, said it would offer shareholders the chance to sell their stock at close to the value of the firms assets to allow them to exit the company ahead of Saba taking control.

New York hedge fund raider Boaz Weinstein

It followed a similar move by fellow trust Edinburgh Worldwide this month and was branded 'a blow for the London stock market and British investors'.

Impax chairman Glen Suarez said the firm had been forced to act after the US activist hedge fund, run by New York financier Boaz Weinstein, built up a 22 per cent stake in the business raising fears it will attempt to take over the company by voting to oust its board of directors.

Having exhausted every reasonable alternative and having received no guidance from Saba as to its voting or tendering position, the Board has been forced to act to protect non-Saba shareholders from the possibility of becoming trapped in a Saba-controlled company, Suarez added.

Earlier this month Edinburgh Worldwide also offered investors the chance to cash out after Saba attempted to oust its board twice only to be defeated by overwhelming opposition from other investors.

Impax shareholders will need to vote to approve the offer to cash out their shares at a meeting scheduled for April 16. The vote requires at least 50 per cent of investors to vote in favour.

The move sparked fury from investment trust industry experts, who have repeatedly accused Saba of trying to bulldoze its way into taking control of several London-listed trusts by repeatedly tabling votes to remove their boards in hopes other investors will not turn out to oppose them.

Impax Environmental Markets is just the latest London-listed trust to be targeted

Richard Stone, head of industry body the Association of Investment Companies, said: 'Its infuriating that we could lose both Impax Environmental Markets and Edinburgh Worldwide because of one minority shareholder.

'Saba has thwarted the interests of the majority of shareholders. They have refused a cash exit, and their actions suggest they are bent on taking control of these companies.

'But the majority of shareholders have voted for the continuation of these investment trusts in their current form.'

He added: 'We need policymakers, regulators and the Takeover Panel to take action to prevent a minority shareholder from dictating the future of an investment trust and taking control of its management contract against the interests of other investors.

'The priorities should be to protect board independence, strengthen the rules around conflicts of interest, and rethink the related parties rules.

'Impax Environmental Markets and Edinburgh Worldwide are both FTSE 250 companies and highly valued by their shareholders. Losing these companies would be a blow for the London stock market and British investors.'
Warner Bros boss David Zaslav is in line for a payday of up to 750million following the sale of the studio to Hollywood rival Paramount.

The chief executive is set for a blockbuster windfall after Paramount reigned supreme in a battle with streaming giant Netflix to buy the studio.

Zaslav could receive 25.6million in cash severance payments, 86.8million in vested stock and 387.5m in unvested share awards once the deal is complete, a filing from Warner Bros has revealed.

He is also in line to receive tax reimbursements of up to 251million - but the amount will decrease with time, and he wont receive any of it if the sale is delayed until 2027. Paramount expects the deal to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

The windfall will raise eyebrows, especially as many in the film industry are worried the takeover could result in job losses.

Warner Bros boss David Zaslav at the Oscars awards ceremony this weekend.

Before Paramount triumphed with a winning bid in the Hollywood battle last month, Warner had rejected eight previous offers from the studio.

It had appeared that Netflix was in prime position to succeed with its own offer for around 60million for part of the business - but then Netflix said it would not match Paramounts latest bid.

Warners board then declared Paramounts to be the superior offer at the end of February.

It comes after Warner Bros titles, including Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor, plus Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, won at the Oscars over the weekend.

The merger will take place under the steer of Paramount boss and Donald Trump ally David Ellison.

Backed by his father, Larry Ellison, the Oracle technology billionaire, who is among the richest men in the world, David has already created a Hollywood powerhouse by merging Skydance and Paramount in a 22bn deal in 2024.

Paramounts bid for Warner covers the whole business, meaning the Ellisons will control some of the biggest US news companies, including CBS News and CNN, as well as the HBO cable network.
If a bank offered you a 25 per cent boost to your savings, you'd likely think it was too good to be true.

But that's precisely what is on offer from the Government for those who save into a tax-free account known as a Lifetime Isa (Lisa).

More than 1.5 million savers hold one of these accounts, which have helped many young people get on to the property ladder.

Now it's set for a big revamp and the Treasury is rewriting the rules. Here's everything we know.

On the ladder: Lifetime Isas have become a popular way to save for a first home

What are Lifetime Isas?

The Lisa was created in 2017 to help young people buy their first home. You can deposit up to 4,000 a year into one of these accounts, which counts towards your 20,000 overall annual Isa limit.

For every pound you save, the Government will top it up by 25 pc, up to a maximum of 1,000 a year. Bonuses are paid out every month.

In addition to the bonus, interest earned on savings, as well as capital gains on investments, are tax-free  as with other Isas.

At a glance, a Lisa might sound like the go-to choice for aspiring home buyers. But it has a list of strict requirements.

Firstly, you must be between age 18 and 39 to open one. You can keep your Lisa open into your 40s but, once you turn 50, you can't pay in any more money. Neither will you get the 25 pc Government bonus. Your savings will still earn interest or investment returns.

The major caveat  you can only take money from your Lisa to buy your first home, or when you reach the age of 60, as a retirement fund.

If you use it for any other reason, a 25 pc penalty is applied on the full amount, clawing back the Government bonus and some of the money you saved, potentially swiping thousands of pounds from your pot. It equates to a 6.25 pc charge on your own money.

Say you pay in 100, which is topped up by the Government to 125. If you later take that money out, you will be charged 31.25. This charge also applies if you try to use the money within 12 months of opening the account  even if it's to buy your first home.

You also can't use the pot if you are buying a home for more than 450,000. Many buying in London have struggled to find homes below this threshold.

These rigid rules have frustrated first-time buyers saving into a Lisa and industry groups, who have lobbied for changes. Criticism of the product triggered Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her November Budget to announce the Lisa will be scrapped for a simpler first-time buyer Isa.

What will change?

Existing Lisas will not change, but a new product is expected to launch in April 2028, after which new Lisas cannot be opened.

The Government has not yet revealed if the 450,000 property price cap will be removed from the new product, if the bonus will stay at 25 pc or if the 4,000 annual contribution limit will change.

But we do know that it will only be available to first-time buyers  not to those hoping for a Government bonus on their retirement savings.

The bonus is set to be paid only when a buyer comes to purchase a home, rather than monthly.

Should I still open one?

Anyone who has a Lisa and has paid in at least 1 before the replacement launches will be able to keep paying into it indefinitely.

Experts predict there will be a way to merge the old Lisa with the new one.

Rachael Griffin, of wealth manager Quilter, says: 'Is the new version going to be as attractive as the current Lisa? In some ways, yes and in other ways no. If you weren't planning on taking money out early, you may be worse off.'

That's because the bonus will no longer be paid monthly and benefit from compounding over time. It will just be paid once before you cash it in.

Alice Haine, of investment platform Bestinvest, adds: 'For first-time buyers the sensible option would be to start saving to make the most of the bonus and, hopefully, migrate it across in future.

'To miss out on that 25 pc bonus if you're buying within the 450,000 cap would be silly.'
A British gym boss insists war-torn Dubai is 'still safer than London' - after hitting out at the UK government for not helping him return to the UAE.

Rory McEntee, 43, relocated with his wife and two-year-old child last year after living in London for 17 years.

He landed in the UK on February 25 to visit old friends and was supposed to get his return flight home on Sunday, March 1, when conflict dramatically broke out in the Middle East, leaving him 'stranded'.

Mr McEntee, who runs GymNation with other British expats in Dubai, is now back in the emirate. But he was 'desperately' trying to catch the first flight back to the Middle East - and says he has had 'zero help' from the Government.

He told the Daily Mail: 'I am surprised to have received no help from the UK Government. The UAE is helping all Brits that were stranded there when the conflict broke out, paying for their flights, hotels, food, and taxis.

'But there was no help provided by anyone in the UK for me, as a UAE resident, which I find strange, to be honest.

'I was getting zero help from the UK - as a taxpayer for 17 years I thought I would at least get some kind of support. But British Airways just offered a full refund or to book me onto the next flight.'

The conflict between Iran and the US and its allies has caused widespread airspace closures in the Middle East, sparking major disruption to flights.

British-born Rory (pictured) told the Daily Mail he was 'desperate' to get back to the UAE, saying it is 'still safer than the UK right now'

Rory McEntee, 43, runs GymNation alongside other British expats in Dubai

Since the war began, the US and Israel have continued to batter Iran with nationwide strikes, and in turn, Iran has kept up retaliatory strikes on Israel, US bases and across the region.

It has led to thousands of Britons fleeing the region - after many told of sleeping in basement car parks in Dubai as they heard explosions during the beginning of the conflict.

But for Mc McEntee, Dubai is 'safer than London'. He said that during his week-long stay in Britain he witnessed 'constant petty crimes', including two phone muggings in 'in broad daylight'.

He added that he was asked by his female friend to walk her home from the Tube as she felt unsafe and noticed 'men in balaclavas whipping by you on e-bikes', saying it was 'no way to live'.

'I moved to Dubai with my wife when we had a baby and realised the UK wasn't the place I wanted to bring up a child,' Mr McEntee said.

'We also moved for a better quality of life, sunshine, career opportunities - and obviously the tax breaks are a bonus, but not the main reason for moving.'

Indeed, so keen is Rory McEntee to get back to Dubai that he even set up a GoFundMe to raise money to buy another plane ticket, and received 660 from the public.

He said it was 'business as usual' in Dubai, with people still going out, eating at restaurants, and going to the gym, and that 'the majority' of British expats would rather stay in Dubai at the moment.

'I think the majority of the expats would rather stay in the UAE right now than return to the UK.

The UAE confirmed it was hit by a ballistic missile and six drones following a barrage of 131 suicide drones in a furious 'revenge' attack. The Burj Khalifa was narrowly missed in a drone strike in the city last Sunday (pictured)

Iranian strikes hit a key industrial zone in Dubai last Sunday. Satellites captured black smoke billowing from the bomb site

Rory McEntee's GoFundMe received over 660 in donations to get him 'back to the UAE'

'Like 90 per cent of the drones have been dealt with, so there's a feeling of safety in the UAE for me. It's definitely somewhere I'd rather be right now than London and having to deal with petty crime on a daily basis.'

More than 140,000 Brits in the Middle East have registered for updates from the UK government, and so far the Foreign Office confirmed to the Daily Mail that 7,500 people have returned to the UK from the UAE since Tuesday, March 3.

Rory McEntee said he had been a 'state of limbo' after constant flight reschedules.

'It's been spending days online and on the phone trying to figure out what my options are,' he said.

'As you can imagine the airlines don't know too much, it's all pretty new. Fortunately I've been staying with a friend in the capital so I haven't had to fork out on hotels or anything.'

Rory McEntee made it safely back to Dubai last week on what he says was a near-empty flight.

His story comes as the UAE threatened to jail Dubai influencers or anyone who posts 'misinformation' about the Iranian war.

The Middle Eastern country, which is partly ruled by Sharia law, warned that any content deemed harmful to 'public order', 'national unity' or the country's reputation could result in severe penalties, including jail time or fines of up to the equivalent of roughly 60,000.
A Sydney man who sent vile texts to his partner, strangled her and broke her finger has become the first person in the state to be jailed for coercive control.

Samantha, who has spoken to media using only her first name, met her ex-boyfriend Callum Fairleigh on Tinder in 2018.

'He did say he loved me within two weeks,' she told A Current Affair, adding that he then asked her to move into his eastern suburbs home a month later.

'What I didn't realise (was) that he was kind of gaining control over me. From then, I think things started to shift slowly.

'If I didn't respond to him, he would then blow up my phone and be like 'Why are you ignoring me? What are you doing? Who are you with?''

She described Fairleigh as jealous and possessive, tracking her location and telling her to delete male friends on social media.

Texts seen by The Sydney Morning Herald, also revealed he sent threats to her while she was on nights out with friends.

'Cancel the plan... I won't ask again. I'm not asking, I am telling you,' he wrote on one occasion, followed up with five missed calls.

Samantha (pictured) spent years under the coercive control of her partner Callum Fairleigh

Fairleigh (pictured) was sentenced to prison in January for coercive control

'Answer the phone. Do as you're told. Show (your love) by not talking down... about your partner to people who have impacted the relationship directly (and) hate me... be on my team always.'

In 2019, Samantha discovered she was pregnant with their daughter and said the abuse got worse while she was isolated at home.

'I spent a lot of my pregnancy at home alone,' she said.

'I believed I needed him to live. I believed I needed to be a family in order for my daughter to be happy.'

After she gave birth, Samantha said her partner was kind to the doctors and wanted to celebrate but added: 'When we got home, it all changed back'.

She described an escalation in Callum's behaviour as he threw things and became more physical, including putting her in a stranglehold during one violent incident.

'He had one hand around my neck and one over my face,' she said. 'I think in that moment, he either tried to grab the keys or my phone and snapped my finger.'

During another incident in 2024, Samantha said she missed her 'curfew' while celebrating her birthday with friends.

He sent manipulative texts to her while she was out of the house

Fairleigh had initially enforced a midnight curfew, which was later extended to 1am.

As a result, Samantha said Fairleigh took her house keys and withdrew her money, with the abuse lasting three days.

When she was finally out of the house, she dropped her young daughter at childcare and went to the police.

In February, Fairleigh was the first person in NSW to be charged with coercive control and was sentenced to two years behind bars, with a non-parole period of 15 months.

It was made a criminal offence in NSW in July 2024, with Samantha to be protected by a 10-year apprehended violence order (AVO).

Coercive control is a pattern of abusive behaviours rather than one specific incident or tactic, according to Monash University's Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon.

'This sentencing decision is a landmark in the sense that it demonstrates a milestone in the operation of the new offence in action,' she told Daily Mail.

'But criminalisation is only one part of the response needed.

'Preventing coercive control and supporting victim-survivors to seek safety, to recover and to heal remains the broader challenge we must address.'

'There is still significant progress to be made to ensure that acts of coercive control are not dismissed as less serious forms of abuse.'

Coercive control is a pattern of abusive behaviours rather than one specific incident or tactic, according to Monash University's Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon (pictured)

Given warning signs of coercive control emerge over time, Professor Fitz-Gibbon gave examples on 'red flag' behaviours that people should look out for.

'A victim's independence, decision-making and social connections are restricted and eroded,' she said.

'In our research, victim-survivors of coercive control often described feeling like they were constantly walking on eggshells.

'When someone finds that their world is becoming smaller, their choices more limited and their partner increasingly controlling, that is a significant red flag.'

Autonomy is eroded

'Victim-survivors often describe reaching a point where they feel they need permission for everyday decisions,' she said.

This can be where they go, who they see, or how they spend money.

'When one partner consistently holds that level of power and control over the other, it reflects a deeply unhealthy and potentially abusive dynamic,' she explained.

Social isolation

'A person using coercive control may discourage or prevent their partner from spending time with friends and family,' Professor Fitz-Gibbon said.

This can include criticising the people close to the abused, or creating conflict that makes maintaining those relationships difficult.

'Over time this isolation can create significant barriers for the victim-survivor, leaving them feeling alone and without a support network,' she said.

Financial control

This can look like restricting access to money, monitoring purchases, preventing a partner from working, or forcing them to justify spending very small amounts.

'(This) is a key tactic of people who use coercive control,' the professor explained.

'These behaviours are designed to create dependency and make it much harder for someone to leave the relationship.'
Russia has emerged as one of Iran's most important partners since war erupted in the Middle East last month, with the Kremlin offering intelligence and military expertise to the Islamic Republic.

Moscow's support has ranged from sharing satellite imagery and battlefield intelligence to advising on drone tactics drawn from the war in Ukraine, according to Western officials.

Although it has stopped short of direct military involvement, experts have not ruled out the possibility.

Meanwhile, the US has eased sanctions on Russian oil sales as it tries to contain oil prices pushed up by the war, in a move which critics warn will enable Moscow to prolong its invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year.

Western officials say Russia has been supplying Iran with intelligence about US military positions in the region, including the location of warships and aircraft.

According to three officials familiar with the intelligence, the assistance has been ongoing since the start of the conflict.

One source told The Washington Post the alleged Russian support amounted to a 'pretty comprehensive effort' to help Tehran target American forces in the region.

The full extent of Moscow's involvement remains unclear, but analysts say the intelligence sharing may help explain the precision of some Iranian attacks.

A Russian-made, Iran-designed Shahed-136 drone, known as a Geran-2 in Russia

Naval units from Iran and Russia carry out joint naval drills on February 19

Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Iran had been making 'very precise hits' on radar and command infrastructure and appeared to be striking in a highly targeted way.

Russia's satellite capabilities may play a role in this. Iran operates only a small number of military reconnaissance satellites, limiting its ability to track naval assets and other moving targets.

Russia's intelligence network includes advanced surveillance systems capable of providing continuous optical and radar imagery.

This network includes the Kanopus-V satellite, which was re-designated 'Khayyam' after being transferred for Iranian operational use.

The intelligence pipeline has reportedly allowed Iran to locate US and Israeli assets with a level of precision it could not achieve alone.

Nicole Grajewski, who studies Iran's cooperation with Russia at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, said there had been a high level of 'sophistication' in Iran's retaliatory strikes, both in the choice of targets and in its ability in some cases to overwhelm US and allied air defences.

Western intelligence officials also say Russia has been advising Iran on drone tactics developed during the war in Ukraine.

Shahed drones were originally designed by Iran but have been mass-produced by Russia and used extensively against Ukrainian cities.

One intelligence official told CNN that Moscow is now helping Tehran apply similar tactics against US and Gulf nation targets.

'What was more general support is now getting more concerning, including UAS (drone) targeting strategies that Russia employed in Ukraine,' the official said.

Russian forces have often launched large waves of drones in Ukraine, sending multiple aircraft together and changing their course to evade air defence systems.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that 'Russia has started supporting the Iranian regime with drones. It will definitely help with missiles, and it is also helping them with air defence'.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Russian military expert Keir Giles did not rule out the possibility of Moscow expanding on-the-ground support to the Islamic Republic.

'It would be surprising if Russia were to provide anything that could be described as troops to engage in a war because, after all, what would be their purpose?

'However, it has been made plain to Russia that there have, as of yet, been no consequences for assisting Iran in its attacks on the US and its allies and partners in the Gulf region, including the UK.

'So for the time being, there is no reason for them not to continue to expand that support, because it meets Russia's objectives of weakening the West overall,' he added.

Russia has already offered strong political support to Iran's leadership.

President Vladimir Putin pledged 'unwavering support' to Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who took power after his father was killed in US Israeli strikes.

'I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,' Putin said in a message last Monday, adding that 'Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner' to Iran.

'At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,' he added.

Russia's ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, also said Moscow was 'not neutral' in the conflict, saying 'of course' Russia supports Tehran.

At the same time, Moscow previously called for the war to end. The Kremlin said Putin had urged an 'immediate cessation of hostilities' and a 'return to the path of political and diplomatic resolution'.

Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising oil prices due to the Iran war

Meanwhile, experts have said that Russia's relationship with Iran is simply a pragmatic one, rather than a formal alliance.

Moscow and Tehran have worked together closely in the military and industrial sphere for years. Iran provided Russia with drone technology used in Ukraine, while Moscow has increased arms supplies to Tehran.

Iran received combat trainer aircraft, armoured vehicles, attack helicopters and smaller air defence systems from Russia.

The two countries have also cooperated in space and nuclear technology, with Russia building a nuclear power plant in Iran.

However, some say it is surprising that Russia was willing to risk offending the US by supplying Iran with targeted information to attack US facilities and personnel at a time when negotiations are ongoing regarding Ukraine.

Giles said: 'You might think Russia would invest more in keeping the US on its side and making sure that they do not spoil this relationship, where the United States is very willing to meet Russia's objectives in so many different domains.'

The military expert said, however, that the US has been willing to 'disregard' reports of Russia helping Iran, admitting that Russia's gamble 'paid off'.

'Senior US figures have been perfectly willing either to disregard those reports or to say that it doesn't matter that Russia is helping Iran try to kill Americans. That's just another indication of how Russia, under any circumstances, gets a free pass from the current US leadership.'

The US easing sanctions on Moscow to tackle rising energy costs has emphasised this, with senior politicians warning this would embolden Putin to continue his war against Ukraine.

On Thursday, the US Treasury issued a licence authorising the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products that have been loaded on vessels on or before 12.01am Eastern Time March 12, through 12.01am on April 11.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking on a visit to Norway on Friday, said that 'easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, is wrong'.

He added: 'We believe that is the wrong course of action. After all, we want to ensure that Russia does not exploit the war in Iran to weaken Ukraine.'

Merz said that G7 leaders had spoken with US President Donald Trump 'about the issue of oil and gas deliveries from Russia'.

'Six members of the G7 were very clear in their opinion that this would not send the right signal. We then learnt this morning that the American government has apparently decided otherwise. Again, we believe this is wrong.'

Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, also said Washington's move to ease sanctions was 'very concerning,' adding: 'Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace.'

Britains energy minister, Michael Shanks, confirmed Friday morning that the UK would not be loosening Russian sanctions at all, while Frances President Macron said the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz in no way justified lifting sanctions against Putin.

As Russia creeps its way into the Middle East war, Giles says there is no denying that a global conflict is underway.

'It is becoming harder and harder to deny that there is a global conflict underway, of which Ukraine for a long time has been just the front line,' he told the Daily Mail.

'The coalition of countries which challenge the rules-based international order, now joined in some respects by the United States, is not a new problem, and it is the hard decisions on how to deal with it that have been put off for far too long by governments like the one in the UK.'

There is no reason for Russia to stop [supporting Iran] and Russia needs to be given a reason to stop.

'The US doesn't seem to be willing to do so. The UK, for the time being, does not appear able. So, where does that leave us?' he questioned.
For many Americans, the idea of living in Paris still carries a powerful romantic pull.

The fantasy is easy to picture: croissants at a sidewalk cafe, vintage couture and candlelit dinners beneath the Eiffel Tower  the sort of candy-colored existence enjoyed by Emily Cooper, the fictional Chicago marketing executive at the center of the Netflix hit series Emily in Paris.

But US influencers who actually live in the French capital say the reality can be a lot messier.

Instead of the postcard image of romance and glamour, they describe a city where the dream can quickly collide with the gritty realities of big city life  from drug activity and homelessness to subway pickpockets and occasional violent crime.

Many American expats now talk openly about the moment they experienced what's often dubbed 'Paris syndrome'  the jolt of disillusionment when the City of Light fails to live up to its glossy image.

And in recent years, some say that reality has grown even harsher. Their comments come as Paris grapples with a noticeable rise in certain types of crime, particularly drug offenses, fraud and sexual violence.

The warnings have also surfaced in the wake of several frightening incidents involving American tourists.

In August 2022, a 27-year-old American visitor was raped in a public toilet near the Louis-Philippe Bridge in the city's 4th arrondissement.

It did not take long for Californian Lulu Nguyen, 36, to realize there was more to Paris than just cafes and art museums

The City of Lights increasingly bears the scars of homelessness, drug addiction and crime on its streets

The following year, another American tourist reported being raped by multiple men in a park near the Eiffel Tower.

During Fashion Week in January 2024, yet another American woman told police she had been raped by two men after attending a party in the 17th arrondissement.

And in February 2024, 25-year-old Washington resident Justin Han suffered a devastating traumatic brain injury after an apparently random assault during a solo vacation in the French capital. He was discovered unconscious by emergency responders the next morning.

Against that backdrop, Americans who have made Paris their home are increasingly using social media to show followers a more unfiltered side of life there.

Among them is Kiana Tiese, a 32-year-old New Yorker who has lived in Paris for nine years and built a following of nearly 189,000 on TikTok documenting the realities of expat life.

Tiese said too many Americans arrive expecting something straight out of the Netflix series.

'People come expecting Disney  a city lined with gold and croissants,' she told the Daily Mail.

'When I actually landed, I realized it was definitely not that. It was a much grittier reality than the Paris I had in my head.'

Despite embracing life in France, she acknowledges that petty crime is an everyday concern in a city of more than 2.1 million residents that attracts roughly 30 million visitors a year.

Tiese said she has personally been robbed twice on public transport, describing the incidents as quick, coordinated snatch-and-run thefts carried out by groups working together.

While she stresses that she does not want to exaggerate the risks, she warns that some tourists inadvertently make themselves easy targets.

'If you're super loud and obviously American, you're putting a target on your back for pickpockets,' she said.

According to Tiese, New Yorkers like herself often adapt quickly because they are used to navigating big, chaotic cities, but Americans arriving from quieter parts of the US can stand out immediately.

Kiana Tiese, 32, a New Yorker who has lived in Paris for nine years and arranges tours for visitors

Many Americans believe city lives up to the hype of the Netflix show Emily in Paris

She now uses her social media platforms not only to document daily life but also to advise travelers on what to expect  from navigating the metro system to understanding cultural differences with locals.

One common misunderstanding, she said, involves the reputation for rudeness often attributed to Parisians. In reality, she believes it is usually a cultural mismatch.

Americans are accustomed to enthusiastic customer service and small talk while French interactions tend to be more direct and less performative, she said.

Living in the city's 10th arrondissement near several busy train stations, Tiese said she has also noticed signs of growing economic strain in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

She points to more visible homelessness and social problems in certain neighborhoods. Still, she said the city is far from the dystopian picture sometimes painted online.

Paris remains vibrant, creative and full of life  a place where millions of ordinary people work, study and socialize every day, she said.

Another American influencer sharing a similarly candid perspective is Lulu Nguyen, a 36-year-old Californian bioengineer who moved to France more than eight years ago to pursue a master's degree.

Nguyen, who now has two children with her French husband, spent five years living in central Paris before relocating to the suburbs. She shares her experiences with more than 41,000 followers on her Instagram account, Lulu en Paris.

Like Tiese, Nguyen said her first impressions of Paris quickly challenged the romantic vision she had imagined.

Emily in Paris presents the candy-colored life enjoyed by Emily Cooper, the fictional Chicago marketing executive who moves to Paris

Parisians increasingly describe tent cities on their doorsteps and drug addicts stmbling around the streets

When she moved into a small apartment in the 10th arrondissement as a student, she was stunned to discover sex workers operating directly outside her building. The moment, she said, shattered her idealized image of Paris almost immediately.

Her time living near the Stalingrad area exposed her to other parts of the city's rougher reality.

That neighborhood has long been associated with open drug use and trafficking, and Nguyen recalls seeing people struggling with addiction in the streets.

She also encountered homelessness firsthand. During winter months, she said people without shelter sometimes took refuge inside her apartment building's stairwells and corridors.

'I got pickpocketed four times, had my bike stolen, and even had homeless people living in my building,' Nguyen said.

'There are parts of Paris that are super beautiful  and then there are some really scary places.'

Despite nearly a decade in France and deep ties to the country through marriage and family, Nguyen said she still feels unmistakably foreign.

Her accent and background mark her out immediately, she believes  something she suspects will never fully change.

The experiences described by influencers like Nguyen and Tiese reflect broader trends that authorities in France have been monitoring in recent years.

Drug-related offenses have steadily increased in Paris since 2020, with police reporting rising arrests of dealers and more public drug use in certain districts.

But expats say the city also retains its beauty and charm despite the daily annoyances

Across France as a whole, drug-related murders and attempted murders rose by 38 percent between 2022 and 2023, according to government statistics.

Neighborhoods such as Belleville, Menilmontant, Barbes-Rochechouart, and Pigalle have increasingly gained reputations as areas where gang activity and trafficking are more common, particularly at night.

In April 2025, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said France was 'tipping into narco-banditry.' President Emmanuel Macron has bemoaned a 'wave of ultraviolence' sweeping the country in recent years.

The US State Department currently advises Americans traveling to France to 'exercise increased caution,' citing threats including petty crime, civil unrest and terrorism.

Even so, Paris remains far safer than many major American cities when it comes to violent crime.

Statistics show that residents of Washington, DC, for example, are roughly 17 times more likely to be victims of homicide than those living in the French capital.

For Nguyen, that balance captures the complicated truth about Paris.

The city may not always live up to the glossy fantasy portrayed on television  but its magic has not entirely faded either.

'Yes, Paris can be unsafe and you'll probably get pickpocketed at some point  but it's still so much fun.'
A young driver whose car was stolen in the middle of the night was stunned to discover it had been filled with a full tank of petrol before it was abandoned.

Matilda McKay was woken by her mum screaming in their Ulladulla home on the NSW South Coast shortly before 2am.

'I went to bed sleeping peacefully and at 1.50am, I heard my mum yelling "wake up Tilly, your car's getting stolen",' she said in a TikTok video.

'I woke up and heard my car screech around and drive off.'

Ms McKay then tried to chase the vehicle in her mum's car.

'We're trying to chase a stolen car and my mum was going 50km/h,' she said.

'I was like "let me drive", but she wouldn't. My mum started telling me my car was being burnt right now and that I was never going to get it back.'

The pair called triple-zero, but the reporting process was delayed until 4am due to technical difficulties police were experiencing.

A driver has woken in the middle of the night to the sound of teenagers stealing her nearly empty car before finding it abandoned on a nearby street hours later with its fuel refilled

Ms McKay posted a photo of her car on Facebook to see if there were any sightings before finally going to bed about 5.30am.

But she was woken just 30 minutes later by her dad, who told her someone had commented on the post saying her car was parked on a street nearby.

'There was a full tank of fuel. We're just in shock. My car was stolen for four hours and it's got a full tank of fuel. And I got it back with everything in it,' she said.

Ms McKay, who admitted she doesn't lock her car and leaves the keys in the ignition, didn't immediately notice her tank had been refilled.

But she had been locking her car in the days before it was stolen, after getting a gut feeling that something bad was going to happen.

She later saw footage of two teenage boys and a teenage girl getting into her vehicle and driving away like they were in 'Grand Theft Auto'.

Many Aussies said they were amazed the car had been refuelled.

'Honestly with these fuel prices, thank you for your services,' one said.

Many Aussies said they were amazed the car had been filled up with petrol (pictured, a stock image of Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast)

'The full tank of fuel is baffling me,' another said.

'I'm so sorry, but this is hilarious,' a third said. 'I'm glad you got your car back fine with fuel, but must have been traumatic at the time.'

'I'd take the full tank,' a fourth said.
A serial upskirter who avoided jail despite filming over 100 women inside public toilets could face deportation as outrage intensifies, fuelled by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

The Department of Home Affairs is reviewing the visa status of Vietnamese student Bao Phuc Cao, 23, after a magistrate spared him jail last week in what critics have slammed as a grossly inadequate penalty, news.com.au reports.

Cao, a biomedicine student at the University of Melbourne, pleaded guilty to secretly filming a woman inside a Docklands shopping centre bathroom in February 2025.

Despite police later uncovering more than 100 similar videos on his devices, he avoided prison and instead received a community corrections order.

Under the Migration Act, authorities can cancel a person's visa on character grounds even if they are not sentenced to jail, including where an individual poses a risk to the Australian community.

While mandatory cancellation normally applies to sentences of 12 months or more, officials still retain broad discretion, which is being exercised in Cao's case.

The case exploded internationally after Tesla billionaire Elon Musk weighed in on X, responding to a post from activist Drew Pavlou, who wrote: 'He filmed 150 Australian women in toilets. Zero conviction. Judge didn't want to deport him'.

Musk replied: 'Deport the judge.'

Bao Phuc Cao (pictured) was hustled out of court afterward by a man unrelated to the case who attempted to shield him from the media

The case exploded internationally after Tesla billionaire Elon Musk (pictured) weighed in on X, responding to a post from activist Drew Pavlou, writing: 'Deport the judge'

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also weighed in, posting simply: 'DEPORT.'

Women's rights campaigner Sall Grover argued deportation alone would not address the underlying problem.

'Just deporting him means he is a free man in Vietnam and local women will be his victims. Absolutely nothing about the problem is solved,' she posted on X.

She said Australian laws must be changed to ensure clear penalties for voyeurism and prevent men entering female-only spaces.

'Ideally, this POS is resentenced (he has already plead guilty) and then deported but to a Vietnamese prison,' she said.

During sentencing, the court heard that Cao's behaviour had a 'profound impact' on one victim, who now struggles to use public bathrooms at work or in public.

She 'panicked' after she noticed Cao's phone pointed at her from under a cubicle wall at Chipmunks Playland and Cafe Docklands on February 20, 2025.

Security was informed and swooped on Cao, who was in a nearby toilet cubicle.

Bao Phuc Cao (left) tried desperately to conceal his face as he left the Magistrates Court of Victoria in Melbourne last Friday

Cao was caught filming one victim from under a cubicle wall at Chipmunks Playland and Cafe Docklands (pictured) last year

When asked why he was in the women's toilet, Cao told officers, 'I'm not sure about my gender.'

Cao pleaded guilty on March 5, but his hearing was adjourned as the court awaited a victim impact statement.

During sentencing on Friday, Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz described Cao's actions as 'offending of a most intimate kind'.

'She remains anxious, unsurprisingly she is hypervigilant,' he said of one victim.

'The woman's sense of safety has been and continues to be affected, impacting her ability to use the restroom in the office and in public.'

Cao sat with his head bowed for the majority of the hearing, dressed in a navy sweater and white collared shirt.

The 23-year-old was hustled out of court afterward by a man unrelated to the case who shielded him from media cameras.

While a conviction was not recorded, Cao must comply with his good behaviour bond and community corrections order.

Bao Phuc Cao (centre) departs the Magistrates Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Friday, March 13 after being handed down a good behaviour bond and community corrections order

'If you don't comply with corrections orders that is going to put you in breach,' Ms Mykytowycz warned the court.

'Subject to nature of the breach, they can cancel the orders and resentence you.'

It is the third time Cao avoided jail time for the same type of predatory behavior.

In October 2024, he was caught filming a woman in a public bathroom and ultimately received a community corrections order.

In July 2025, Cao again received lenient treatment without a recorded conviction for an offence in student showers.
Tiny baby Nakoa lay in a hospital bed, his eyes closed and tubes down his throat helping him breathe as his life slipped away.

Just a few feet away, his mother Alyssa Jade Vanderbeck, 19, appeared unbothered that her precious son was dying as she flaunted her looks on TikTok.

The since-deleted clip obtained by the Daily Mail showed the young mom 'slowly dancing in the bathroom of [Nakoa's] hospital room with what can be described as upbeat music playing in the background,' as charging documents put it.

In the seven weeks before, Vanderbeck did her best to portray herself as a doting mother who loved her baby and was devastated as he lay dying in hospital.

She posted dozens of TikTok videos of herself cradling her newborn son and celebrating milestones like him sleeping through the night.

Then on March 9 she posted a heartbreaking clip of the tiny baby in a hospital bed, his life slipping away as she held him.

'Having no one who understands what I'm going through or how I'm grieving is harder than ever. Losing so much all in one day,' she wrote.

But away from her phone camera, the reality was much different - and she is now behind bars facing decades in jail, accused of causing Nakoa's horrific death.

Alyssa Jade Vanderbeck, 19, is charged with second-degree murder after her seven-week-old baby boy Nakoa died on March 9

Vanderbeck on March 9 posted a heartbreaking clip of the tiny baby in a hospital bed, his life slipping away as she held him

Vanderbeck did her best to portray herself as a doting mother who loved her baby, posting dozens of TikTok videos with him

Vanderbeck and her boyfriend Mark Anthony Labaco Clamor, 21, are charged with second-degree murder after Nakoa died on March 9.

They have both pleaded not guilty.

The baby's autopsy found he suffered 'subdural hemorrhages, anoxic brain injury, and retinal hemorrhages' and died from 'homicide due to abusive head trauma.'

Medical examiners also found 'possible healing rib fractures' that allegedly pointed to earlier abuse.

'This is not a case of SIDS. This was ongoing abuse of a vulnerable infant,' prosecutors told the court at the couple's arraignment.

Nakoa was first rushed to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, on March 4 in critical condition.

Clamor admitted to Lakewood Police Department detectives that he picked up Nakoa when the boy was being 'fussy' and jerked him 'in a manner that he realized was rough,' police alleged.

The father 'saw the childs head "jerk back pretty hard" before trying to catch the childs head and pull the infant to his chest.'

Vanderbeck told police the couple then took a shower together as their baby slept, and when they returned he was making 'grunting noises'.

'She and Clamor tried to rouse [Nakoa] by stimulating him physically, which included shaking him in a panic,' according to the charging affidavit.

Vanderbeck posted this on Facebook after she returned home from hospital following Nakoa's death

Vanderbeck appeared unbothered that her precious son was dying as she flaunted her looks on TikTok just a few feet away in the hospital room's bathroom

Nakoa's autopsy found he suffered 'subdural hemorrhages, anoxic brain injury, and retinal hemorrhages' and died from 'homicide due to abusive head trauma'

Medical examiners also found 'possible healing rib fractures' that allegedly pointed to earlier abuse

Instead of immediately calling 911, Vanderbeck filmed several videos of her child 'in serious distress' and sent them to friends and family asking for help, phone data showed.

Screengrabs of the videos obtained by the Daily Mail showed the infant in a car seat looking distressed in one, and unresponsive in another.

The affidavit described them as showing Nakoa 'with labored breathing which included posturing and grunting' and in another he 'appeared to have stopped breathing.'

The couple allegedly waited an hour after Nakoa began struggling before finally calling 911, telling the operator their son wasn't breathing.

Vanderbeck messaged her close friend Macy just before midnight, claiming she had no idea how her baby was in such bad shape.

'He might not make it... not sure so far,' she wrote in the Facebook message.

'They said his oxygen may have cut off... dude I have no clue what's going on. So many wires. So many doctors. Now [Child Protective Services].

'I want him in my arms and I want answers.'

Vanderbeck told police the couple then took a shower together as their baby slept, and when they returned he was making 'grunting noises'

Vanderbeck during her pregnancy as she posted an Amazon wish list of baby supplies

'Having no one who understands what I'm going through or how I'm grieving is harder than ever. Losing so much all in one day,' Vanderbeck wrote

Vanderbeck messaged her close friend Macy just before midnight, claiming she had no idea how her baby was is such bad shape

Vanderbeck told Macy that doctors believed Nakoa 'hit his head,' though test results were not back yet.

'But he hasn't ever hit his head or fallen off of anything. He was fine all morning. Then this happened,' she wrote, sending two videos of Nakoa in distress.

Macy asked if Vanderbeck ever left her son alone with Clamor, and she insisted she was 'always home' and was 'on the couch all day next to them.'

'I napped for two hours, woke up and he was still fine, then we showered and all of a sudden he's acting weird,' she wrote.

'He was in his bouncer in the bathroom, never left our side. I keep coming up with theories but they tell me it's all not possible.

'How can't they tell I'm truly confused on what happened to my son, Mark's been bawling.'

Vanderbeck complained that a doctor called her 'nosy' for asking questions and that she was 'losing [her] s**t.' She then casually admitted Nakoa was going to die.

'He is okay, he's going to pass but not yet,' she wrote.

Instead of immediately calling 911, Vanderbeck filmed several videos of her child 'in serious distress' and sent them to friends and family asking for help. Two of those videos were sent to Macy later that evening

Macy asked if Vanderbeck ever left her son alone with Clamor, and she insisted she was 'always home' and was 'on the couch all day next to them'

Vanderbeck then complained that someone, likely her older sister Makayla, was 'disrupting our grief' by blaming Clamor.

'Which is putting Mark in a horrible state of mind making it hard for us to support each other,' she wrote.

Vanderbeck claimed Makayla's boyfriend called Clamor a 'murderer and a coward' and she called police claiming they were 'lying about a crime he didn't do.'

'She won't listen to the fact that over 19 doctors and like 5 police officers investigated us and deemed us safe parents,' she wrote.

This was less than a week before Clamor was charged with murder.

Vanderbeck claimed in the texts that doctors told Clamor that 'it's very obvious it was accidental and he is a grieving hurt parent.'

Macy asked if Nakoa was suffering from 'shaken baby syndrome' and Vanderbeck put forward her theory of why her son was at death's door.

'Yes it was but he had a brain bleed from his birth and it came back from the shake so he was like easier prone to getting a brain bleed because he was a vacuum delivery,' she claimed.

A vacuum delivery involves putting a suction cup on the baby's head to assist in getting the child out, but risks scalp injuries and bruising.

Rare complications include brain bleeds, which can be serious if enough pressure builds up on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Macy asked if Nakoa was suffering from 'shaken baby syndrome' and Vanderbeck put forward her theory of why her son was at death's door

Vanderbeck and her boyfriend Mark Anthony Labaco Clamor, 21, are charged with second-degree murder

Vanderbeck posted dozens of TikTok videos of herself cradling her newborn son and celebrating milestones like him sleeping through the night

Shaken baby syndrome, which Vanderbeck appeared to admit to in her messages, is a serious condition caused by a baby being jerked around or shaken and many parents have been jailed for injuring or killing their babies from it.

Macy wrote on Facebook after Vanderbeck's arrest that she was 'so f**king disgusted and disappointed.'

'She better be glad my baby was always happy and unharmed when we picked him up. I've given her money numerous times for that baby and now Im sure she never even used it for him,' she wrote.

'Had the nerve to be messaging me lies to establish a timeline and alibi for herself all while her baby was fighting for his life.'

Detectives arrived at the hospital on March 5 to investigate Nakoa's injuries as possible child abuse, but the couple were nowhere to be found.

When they finally returned, police 'found their demeanor to be unusual considering the gravity of the suspected offense and the condition their child was in.'

The officers then interviewed the parents separately, but let them go pending a full investigation.

Vanderbeck faced court on March 12 where she cried as she was remanded into custody on a $1 million bail that she couldn't pay

Clamor was also remanded into custody when he faced court on March 12

'Throughout the interview, Clamor was emotional, tearful at times, and appeared exhausted. He expressed ongoing stress relating to finances, housing, unemployment, and exhaustion from childcare,' the affidavit stated.

Neither of the couple had a job since Clamor was let go in December.

Numerous family and friends claimed they gave Vanderbeck money after she begged for funds to look after her baby.

'I went to high school with you and even gave you money for food, diapers and gas!' her friend Aaliyah Moreno wrote.

'This is truly disgusting and Im so sick to my stomach that you would even THINK to lay a hand on your OWN CHILD. My heart breaks for Nakoa.

'You reached out to me because you had postpartum depression I felt bad for you and even tried to help you! But now that your true colors have shown I am so disgusted by you.'

Numerous family and friends claimed they gave Vanderbeck money after she begged for funds to look after her baby

Clamor admitted to Lakewood Police Department detectives that he picked up Nakoa when the boy was being 'fussy' and jerked him 'in a manner that he realized was rough,' police alleged

The couple live in Lakewood, Washington, a stunning coastal community near the Puget Sound with mountain views

Another friend, Mihaela Mircea, a new mother herself, shared screenshots of Vanderbeck asking her to buy her formula because Clamor's unemployment was about to run out.

'I'm getting so stressed out I just wanna keep our baby safe,' one of the messages read.

Mircea wrote when she shared the messages online she was furious the couple allegedly killed their baby because they just asked for money and didn't get help.

'I cleaned their whole apartment at 37 weeks pregnant and gave money. They had support. They could have reached out but they didn't,' she wrote.

'I helped her out with a lot of money too. Like in the hundreds of dollars.'

Other friends shared similar sentiments.

Makayla, 23, said it was obvious her sister was not ready to be a mother, but her family was shocked by the murder charges.

Vanderbeck's sister Makayla, 23, said it was obvious her sister was not ready to be a mother, but her family was shocked by the murder charges

Another friend, Mihaela Mircea, a new mother herself, shared screenshots of Vanderbeck asking her to buy her formula because Clamor's unemployment was about to run out

'I'm getting so stressed out I just wanna keep our baby safe,' one of the messages from Vanderbeck read

'God I love you so much Alyssa but what the actual f**k,' she wrote.

'I moved out at the same age as her and have had a job and roof over my head this whole time. They clearly made poor choices.'

'She was told multiple times by family to get an abortion because she isn't ready yet. Although we never ever thought they'd abuse him.

'There were signs of mental and financial struggles but I would never think my sister would hurt her baby. I've never met mark so I have no clue. Them being together was a mess from the start.

'I no longer have a nephew. I just don't understand. She is smarter than this.'

Vanderbeck faced court on March 12 where she cried as she was remanded into custody on a $1 million bail that she couldn't pay.

The couple pleaded not guilty and will face court again on April 8.
A couple who forked out 40,000 to make their house energy-efficient are fuming after being slapped with an F energy rating.

Tori McKillen and husband Mhinder Mehta want to sell their home, but can't because most mortgage providers won't lend to buyers for properties with an F-rated energy performance certificate (EPC).

Ms McKillen, 54, and Mr Mehta, 57, are furious after they followed Government advice and schemes to increase their home's energy efficiency with a raft of green home improvements - only to be scuppered by what consumer campaigners argue is a flawed system.

The couple put their 1936 ex-local authority, three-bed semi in Horseheath, Cambridgeshire - worth 400,000 - on the market so they could downsize, but were shocked to receive the near rock-bottom energy rating.

Ms McKillen said: 'You try to do the right thing and then you regret it. We feel like we've been jinxed - after all we've done, an F feels like a failure.'

She added: 'We feel there is a need to expose the ineffectiveness and impact of a very poor EPC system that penalises clean electric energy options.

'We have undertaken all energy-efficiency steps possible.'

The couple did away with the property's polluting oil heating system and installed an energy-efficient electric boiler, double-glazed windows, cavity wall insulation and zoned heating - a system that saves energy by allowing householders to set different temperatures for different parts of the home.

Tori McKillen, 53, and husband Mhinder Mehta, 57, are trying to sell their Cambridgeshire home

The couple had to remove spray foam loft insulation that they had fitted under another scheme

They were shocked to receive the near rock-bottom energy rating on the 400,000 home

Ms McKillen said it made no sense that they were punished for using electricity while ministers pushed Britons towards using electric vehicles, which need home electric charging points, as part the Government's Net Zero drive.

She and Mr Mehta say they were also 'stung' after being forced to remove spray foam loft insulation that they had fitted under another Government-recommended scheme, because the form of insulation is also refused by some of the UK's biggest mortgage lenders.

The couple then had to splurge thousands to re-roof the property to remove the spray foam insulation.

And in another slap in the face for Ms McKillen, who works in medical communications, and Mr Mehta, an analyst at Cambridge University, their EPC report recommends they splurge tens of thousands of pounds on solar panels and a wind turbine, which would bump them up to the E rating they need to sell the house.

Consumer campaigners Which? have branded EPCs 'unreliable and in desperate need of reform'.

Ms McKillen said: 'Some lenders won't lend on an F rating and we wouldn't be able to rent it with an F rating.

'There are significant flaws with the methodology used for the EPCs, as electric is deemed expensive, so scores badly.

'Heat pumps don't fare well either apparently as they run on electricity.'

The couple forked out tens of thousands of pounds to make their house energy-efficient

They did away with the oil heating system and installed an energy-efficient electric boiler

Ms McKillen added: 'Our local MP was horrified to hear about this, given it flouts the Government's whole green energy policy.'

The couple's MP Pippa Heylings tabled a written question to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, demanding to know his plans for reform of EPCs.

Samantha Dixon, Mr Reed's Parliamentary Under-Secretary, said the Government was analysing feedback from a consultation on the certificates.

The Government said last year that landlords will have to meet decent energy efficiency standards in homes they rent out by 2030.

All private landlords in England and Wales will be required to meet EPC C or above by the end of the decade, up from the lower EPC E level currently required.

Under the plans, landlords will have the choice of how to meet energy efficiency standards, with options such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and double glazing.

They will also then have further options such as solar panels, batteries and smart meters, or low carbon heating such as heat pumps.

The Government has been proposing a maximum 15,000 cap beyond which landlords will not have to spend to meet the EPC C rating, with potential for a lower 10,000 cap if renters are charged lower rents or homes are in a lower council tax band.

In 2021, the Climate Change Committee, which is advising the UK government on how to achieve its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050, recommended that all homes should have an EPC rating of at least C.

But at the time there were 19 million UK homes with an EPC lower than C, according to the CCC's figures  raising concerns that owners of these properties would find they were unsellable and unlettable when the new rules come in.
A retired NATO commander has delivered a blistering critique of President Donald Trump's military campaign in Iran, warning that the escalating conflict has exposed a stark gap between impressive battlefield performance and what he calls a dangerously muddled strategy.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, retired Canadian Major-General David Fraser praised the professionalism of American troops carrying out complex strikes across the Middle East.

But the decorated veteran  who commanded US and allied forces during the war in Afghanistan in the 2000s  said the broader war effort appears built on shaky foundations. According to Fraser, the offensive, launched without a clear endgame, has left allies wondering what exactly Washington expects from them.

'Trump's got himself into a bit of a pickle,' he said bluntly.

'The political superstructure over this operation is unclear as anything I've ever seen.'

His comments come as the US-Israeli war against Iran enters its third week with no obvious path to peace.

More than 2,000 people have been killed so far  most of them in Iran and neighboring Lebanon  as missiles, drones and airstrikes batter cities and military installations across the region. Thirteen US service members have been killed, and 200 more injured.

What began on February 28 as a lightning offensive meant to cripple Iran's military machine has instead morphed into a grinding contest of endurance that is shaking global energy markets and testing America's alliances.

Major-General David Fraser (right) said: 'Trump's got himself into a bit of a pickle' in Iran

Iranian forces have vowed to fight on even as their capital Tehran is pounded by US and Israeli strikes

Fraser said the Trump administration appears to have gambled on a short, decisive conflict  and badly underestimated Tehran's capacity to absorb punishment and keep fighting.

Rather than collapsing after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February airstrikes, Iranian forces have rallied and continued to strike back.

'Iran seems to have gotten a bit of a second wind,' Fraser said.

Although many Iranian military assets have been degraded, he noted the country's command structure remains intact and capable of coordinating retaliatory strikes. That alone, Fraser warned, is enough to create a powerful strategic effect.

'Just the threat of biting back provides a strategic effect for Iran,' he said.

Iran's response has been swift and disruptive. Missile and drone attacks have targeted US bases, Israeli cities, and oil infrastructure and airports in Dubai and other targets across the Gulf, throwing shipping lanes through the critical Strait of Hormuz into chaos.

The narrow waterway  through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil normally flows  has seen tanker traffic collapse amid fears of strikes and naval attacks.

Oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel, triggering economic shockwaves that analysts say could rival the turmoil of the 1970s energy crisis.

Washington now finds itself scrambling to reopen the strait. Trump has urged a group of countries  including China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain  to contribute naval forces to a multinational escort mission to protect oil tankers.

The president argues that nations dependent on Middle Eastern crude should help safeguard the vital waterway. NATO could face a 'very bad' future if allies do not help secure the strait, Trump warned.

But Fraser said that appeal has so far met with hesitation. According to the retired general, many governments are reluctant because they still do not understand Washington's broader objectives in the war.

'Trump's ability to bully the world has actually come to an end,' Fraser said.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are now even less popular in places like Pakistan

The costs of war: Trump salutes as members of military carry the remains of six US Army service members killed in action

Instead, he said, countries are carefully weighing their own national interests  and deciding whether involvement in the conflict makes sense for them. The blunt pressure tactics used by Washington have only deepened skepticism, he added.

'It's not a NATO fight at all,' Fraser said. 'NATO has got nothing to do with the region.'

He argued that invoking the Western military alliance is strategically misguided, because the conflict does not fall under NATO's collective defense obligations.

Instead, Fraser believes Washington should be building a coalition based on economic interests  particularly among countries that rely heavily on Gulf oil shipments.

Threatening allies with consequences if they refuse to join, he said, risks alienating them at the very moment cooperation is most needed.

Domestically, the conflict is also proving politically fraught for Trump. Polls show Americans increasingly divided over the war as gasoline prices climb to $3.70 a gallon and financial markets wobble.

Meanwhile, US and Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Iranian military targets, including facilities linked to the country's vital oil infrastructure.

Among them is Kharg Island, a strategic hub where much of Iran's crude exports pass through pipelines before being loaded onto tankers.

Fraser said Washington's deployment of roughly 2,500 US Marines to the region suggests the administration may be considering more aggressive options.

One possibility is seizing or securing key strategic locations such as Kharg Island or sensitive nuclear materials. But such operations would carry enormous risk.

Any force landing there would have to defend itself against missiles, drones and Iranian air defenses  all while operating in one of the world's most volatile maritime corridors.

'Nothing about this region is easy,' Fraser warned.

Even moving troops into the area would require navigating the heavily contested waters of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of global oil supplies.

The shifting tactics suggest to Fraser that the original operational blueprint has already begun to change  a sign that the conflict is unfolding very differently than planners expected.

Pain at the pump: Gas prices have climbed to $3.70 a gallon on average across the US

Protestors as far away as South Korean object to 'cost-sharing' for Donald Trump's war in the MIddle East

Retired Canadian Major-General David Fraser commanded US and allied forces during the war in Afghanistan in the 2000s

For now, he predicts the war will likely settle into a grim pattern of tit-for-tat attacks, with drones and missiles flying in both directions but no decisive breakthrough.

Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions between Washington and its allies could deepen if pressure to join the conflict continues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned the war as 'illegal' and said Iran will continue defending itself.

In Fraser's view, that reality points to a hard truth: military power alone will not resolve the crisis. Ultimately, he believes the war can end only through diplomacy between Washington and Tehran.

Until that happens, the conflict risks dragging on indefinitely  with global energy markets in turmoil and America's alliances under growing strain.

'The only way you're going to solve this,' Fraser said, 'is through diplomatic means to end the war.'
One in ten university starters do not have a single A-level, with numbers more than doubling in a decade.

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows 75,000 freshers in 2024-25 did not hold an A-level or equivalent qualification  up from 31,000 a decade before.

In addition, nearly 50,000 students began a university course that year without a GCSE or equivalent, up from 12,000 ten years previously.

Those starting a degree without A-levels represented nine per cent of everyone starting a course in 2024-25, compared with just five per cent a decade ago.

The figures, the latest available, come after Adam Tickell, vice chancellor of Birmingham University, questioned whether such candidates should have access to student loans.

He said those 'without a single A-level' would be unlikely to pass their degrees, despite the significant taxpayer 'investment'.

One in ten university starters do not have a single A-level, with numbers more than doubling in a decade according to new figures (file picture)

The figures come after Adam Tickell (pictured), vice chancellor of Birmingham University, questioned whether such candidates should have access to student loans

Under the current system, graduates only start to repay their loan when they meet an earnings threshold, with the balance wiped after 30 to 40 years and the taxpayer picking up the bill for the rest.

Reacting to the latest data, Paul Wiltshire, who created University Watch to campaign for better value-for-money for students, said those with poor attainment at school were unlikely to earn well even after completing a degree.

He said: 'Encouraging them to enter higher education is just a one-way ticket to a lifetime of debt and no better pay.

'Of course there will be some exceptions, but for the vast majority of lower prior academic candidates, higher education is not an opportunity  it is exploitation by the commercially motivated sector to use them as pawns to extract government funds via student loans.'

It comes amid growing unease at the enormous debts graduates are accruing  especially those who took out Plan 2 loans.

Ministers are expected to U-turn on a decision to freeze until 2030 the salary threshold at which these graduates start repaying their loans at 29,385.

Many young workers are now saying the interest  charged at RPI plus up to three per cent  is mounting up faster than they can repay the loans.

Birmingham, which is an elite Russell Group university, typically has high entry requirements - but some other institutions are accepting students with much lower prior attainment.

Many are private providers running 'franchise' courses for universities.

Andy Westwood, professor of public policy, business and government at Manchester University, told Times Higher Education: 'Graduate outcomes aren't as strong as they might be so public opinion is being shaped by this and politicians are asking whether untrammelled growth in student numbers is going to be transformative for the economy.'

Professor Tickell said last week: '[The sector] is getting students without a single A-level or equivalent getting access to the student loan book.

'The problem with that is investment in students is investment in human capitaland we're investing so much money in people whowe are not really capable of graduating.'

He added: 'Now is the time to ask, what does the public want from universities? How do we want to fund it? How many people do we want to go to university? And I think those are really difficult questions, because as providers, it's hard enough already.'

The HESA figures include postgraduate and undergraduate students, and part-time as well as full-time.

A spokesman for Universities UK, which represents vice chancellors, said: 'Universities always look at more than prior attainment when making admissions decisions, and will take a range of factors into account when considering whether a student is well-equipped to succeed on a course. Many students go to university later in life, and arrive with other valuable skills.

'It is not in the interests of a university to admit a student they dont believe can succeed. English universities are regulated on the outcomes their students achieve  including whether students continue from one academic year to the next, the proportion who complete the course, and on their progression after graduation. This means universities put huge effort into ensuring every student fulfils their potential, even if they havent succeeded in education previously.'

A Department for Education spokesman said: 'While universities are independent from government and responsible for their own admissions decisions, it is essential that quality is maintained and that the students they admit are likely to succeed.

'We are taking robust action against organisations that misuse public money including by strengthening oversight on university franchising arrangements.

'More widely, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity and providing more choice for young people by aiming to ensure two thirds of young people taking a gold standard apprenticeship, higher training or heading to university by the age of 25.'
The wind fam trade body has urged Ed Miliband to allow more North Sea drilling to boost homegrown energy.

Tara Singh, the chief executive of RenewableUK, said the crisis in the Middle East demonstrated how vulnerable Britain was to energy price shocks.

She said that the UK would be 'stronger, safer and less exposed if it produces more home-grow energy of every kind'.

Britain would still need fossil fuels 'for the foreseeable future,' she added, so it was 'entirely sensible' to dig for oil and gas in the North Sea.

Her intervention will infuriate the Energy Secretary Mr Miliband who has so far resisted pressure to expand licences for North Sea drilling.

He reiterated his dedication to green power over the weekend as said the 'one lesson' from the Iran crisis was the need to go 'further and faster' on 'homegrown clean power'.

Since last July, Labour has largely banned licences for new drilling and expanded a 78pc windfall tax on producers.

Opponents of Mr Miliband's approach include Labour's union backer, Unite and the GMB Union, as well as Sir Tony Blair's think tank.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is under mounting pressure to issue new licences for drilling oil and gas off the Scottish coast

But now, even the chief of the renewables trade body has urged the Energy Secretary to make use of Britain's homegrown supplies.

Writing for the Telegraph, Ms Singh, who is a former energy adviser to the Government and oil giant Shell, said that the Britain remained vulnerable to energy price shocks.

'I have seen that vulnerability up close. I worked on energy in No 10 when Russia's invasion of Crimea sent prices surging here in the UK,' she said.

'I come to this debate with a simple view: Britain will be stronger, safer and less exposed if it produces more home-grown energy of every kind.'

She said Britain would still need oil and gas for the 'foreseeable future'. She added: 'So it is entirely sensible to support continued domestic oil and gas production in the North Sea.'

'If we do not produce that gas here, we will not stop needing it. We will simply import more of it.'

She said the best course of action for the UK was to: 'Back domestic oil and gas, because Britain will still need gas, and importing more would often be worse.

'Be honest: the North Sea is finite, and more drilling will not deliver cheap energy. Keep nuclear in the mix, because it strengthens the system over time.

'But prioritise renewables, because they now offer the best route to lasting energy security.'

It came as Greg Jackson, the boss of Octopus Energy, Britain's biggest gas and electricity supplier, also urged the Government to 'use what's available from the North Sea'.

A new parliamentary report also found that Britain is set to miss out on around five billion barrels of oil and gas under Labour's ban on new drilling.

Sir Keir Starmer has announced 50million in support for families who are reliant on heating oil, which has soared in price in recent weeks and is not covered by the price cap.

Ministers are also working on plans for a wider bailout if prices remain high when the current price cap expires in June.

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'Issuing new licences to explore new fields cannot give us energy security and will not take a penny off bills.

'The route to energy sovereignty, lower bills and thousands of good jobs is clean, homegrown power that we control.

'While we race towards clean power, we are also delivering an orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea, supporting the management of existing oil and gas fields for the remainder of their lifespans.'
Labour will hand businesses thousands of pounds to hire out-of-work young people - after driving up employment costs with a minimum wage hike and National Insurance raid.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has announced that 1billion will be invested to help get 200,000 young people into work over the next three years.

However officials are unclear exactly how much this will save in reduced benefits spending and do not view it as a savings exercise - despite mounting concern over the spiralling cost of welfare.

It comes after the Prime Minister was forced to abandon plans to trim the benefits bill by 5billion last year following a major revolt by Labour backbenchers.

Mr McFadden said he has 'no reason' to believe rebel Labour MPs will oppose new welfare reforms as he set out a major drive to tackle youth worklessness.

Pointing to data showing almost a million young people are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the Welfare Secretary said it's been 'too easy' for the state to write off people on benefits.

The number of NEETs has skyrocketed since the pandemic - driven largely by claims for mental health conditions - with about 45 per cent of the total now out of work because they are sick or disabled.

Under the new proposals, from June employers will be given 3,000 taxpayer-funded handouts to hire under-25s who have been on Universal Credit (UC) for more than six months.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the public wants the welfare system 'to promote work and value for money'

Mr McFadden said he has 'no reason' to believe rebel Labour MPs will oppose new welfare reforms after a backbench rebellion last year

Businesses that take part in the scheme will be paid in two instalments, however the exact cash breakdown is still to be decided. The jobs must be at least 25 hours a week and paid minimum wage.

An incentive of 2,000 will also be given to small businesses for each new apprentice hired, while a scheme guaranteeing a state-funded work placement for those looking for a job for 18 months will be extended to include people aged up to 24.

Speaking at a college in east London, Mr McFadden dismissed the notion that young people are 'shirkers' and 'snowflakes'.

He said: 'The welfare state is only as strong as the political and public support for it. It has survived because there is an acceptance in society that we should support the unemployed, the sick, disabled people and the elderly.

'But the public also wants the system to promote work and value for money and they are right to do so.'

The Conservatives have blamed the rise of jobless young people on Labour's 25billion raid on employer National Insurance Contributions, minimum wage hikes, and Employment Rights Act.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said: 'Labour's jobs tax and their disastrous Unemployment Act are holding back hiring and risk creating a jobless generation, while the welfare bill booms.

'The best way to tackle youth unemployment is to back businesses to create jobs, not tax them out of existence to fund benefits and subsidies.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Tory shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately (pictured) blamed Labour's 25billion raid on employer National Insurance Contributions, minimum wage hikes, and Employment Rights Act for a rise in jobless young people

Officials also recognise the new proposals pose a risk that firms could pocket the 3,000 before sacking the young person and replacing them with another to claim the cash again.

Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, said that the new grants must not 'simply subsidise businesses to offer low quality jobs'.

He added: 'The Government must guarantee that grants are only available for businesses that provide secure work, fair pay and roles that offer progression for the future.'

Labour has launched two reviews into the welfare system - including one into NEETs by former health secretary Alan Milburn that is expected to conclude this summer.

A source said the new measures will 'reduce welfare payments and boost young people's earnings, not just in the short-term, but over their lifetime'. However they acknowledged that the reductions in welfare spending are hard to quantify as people often claim more than one benefit.

Mr McFadden said: 'We have to change the job description of the state to make it more of a platform for opportunity in a fast-changing world. Not just a welfare state, but a working state.'

He added: 'I believe that is what welfare reform is all about and I see no reason Labour MPs should not support welfare reform that puts work and opportunity at its heart.'
Most families reliant on heating oil will get little or no help with soaring costs despite a Government bailout.

Keir Starmer announced a 53 million package of 'targeted' support to help those hit by a dramatic rise in costs triggered by the Iran war.

'We're going to support rural communities with the cost of heating oil,' he said.

But critics warned that the package is equal to just 35 each for the 1.5 million households reliant on heating oil.

The figure is just a tenth of the 350 additional cost faced by those who need to fill a typical 500-litre tank after prices doubled overnight.

In practice, government support is likely to be restricted to only the poorest households.

The decision will raise concerns that a wider bailout of energy bills could also be limited to only the poorest households, such as those on benefits.

Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, welcomed the government's intervention but said ministers 'should go further'.

Keir Starmer pledged to 'support rural communities' struggling with soaring heating bills - but the scale of the bailout triggered a backlash

She said the size of the package 'is unlikely to match the scale of the challenge, given the number of households affected , many of them headed by older people who are already struggling with ongoing cost-of-living pressures'.

The package also triggered anger in Northern Ireland, where almost two-thirds of homes rely on heating oil.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, who met Sir Keir to discuss the crisis last week, described the response as a 'slap in the face'.

Stormont's Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the package was 'significantly below par', adding: 'It's left us in a position where we can only now help those on the lowest incomes.

'Many, many workers and families out there are struggling, we need a proper package to support everyone moving forward.'

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said that while the support was welcome, 'the government must go further'.

Kate Nicholls, chair of the UK Hospitality trade body, urged ministers to also extend the scheme to cover off-grid businesses that rely on heating oil.

Rachel Reeves insisted she had 'found the money' to help, adding: 'Heating oil prices have spiked sharply, and I know that for families in rural communities that is a real and urgent problem.'

Sir Keir said it was too soon to know whether a wider bail-out of energy bills will be needed. The energy price cap will protect most families until the end of June.

The Treasury is already looking at options for a potential bail out if prices remain high. But government sources have indicated there is unlikely to be a repeat of the blanket bail out that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Heating oil is not covered by the wider energy price cap. Prices have jumped from about 60p per litre before the US attacks on Iran to around 1.30. The cost of filling a 500-litre tank rose overnight from 300 to about 650.

Support in England will be handled through a new Crisis and resilience Fund operated by councils. Grants are only likely to be targeted at those who can show they are in dire need, such as people facing the imminent loss of hot water.

The Treasury said ministers would also look to tighten regulation of the sector, following reports that some firms have cancelled people's pre-existing orders, forcing them to rebook at the new higher price.
A six-month-old baby boy has died after he was ejected from his teenage mother's car during a crash.

Karla Lopez, 17, smashed into another car after running a stop sign on a residential street in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 7, police told the Daily Mail.

Her infant son, Sebastian Reyes, had been unrestrained and was hurled out of the vehicle upon impact, officials said.

Sebastian was rushed to nearby Cook Children's Medical Center with serious injuries.

His grandmother, Casandra Rios, in a heartbreaking Facebook post asking for prayers, said he suffered brain injuries, swelling and cerebral bleeding.

Sebastian died in the pediatric intensive care unit two days later, Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office records show.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact manner and cause of his death.

Paramedics transported Lopez to the hospital with non-critical injuries. She was later arrested and charged with reckless injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury.

Six-month-old Sebastian Reyes died on March 9, two days after he was ejected from his teenage mother's car during an accident

The accident left Sebastian with brain injuries, swelling and a cerebral bleeding, his family said

Karla Lopez, 17, arrested and charged with reckless injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury. She has been released on a $30,000 bond

Police say Lopez smashed into another car after running a stop sign at the intersection of Rock Island Street and Azle Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas

The teenage mother has since been released on a $30,000 bond, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

Lopez could be sentenced to 20 years in jail and a $10,000 fine if she is found guilty of the charges she faces.

Prosecutors may also choose to upgrade the charges to manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide in the wake of Sebastian's death.

It is unclear if anyone in the vehicle that Lopez struck was injured. The accident remains under investigation.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help the Reyes family with funeral costs and other related expenses.

'I hate that I have to make this for our sweet little boy Sebastian Reyes but unfortunately he passed away today around 6pm,' family member Maria Meza wrote.

'Doctor try [sic] everything they could.'

As of Tuesday morning, the crowd-funder had already raised more than $2,100.

Meza said the family is 'grateful' for the contributions and would share information about the funeral once it is arranged.
A fierce legal clash has erupted in Las Vegas after the county sheriff refused to obey a judge's order to release a repeat offender with 35 arrests over public safety fears.

Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Kevin McMahill has defied instructions from Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman to return Joshua Sanchez-Lopez, 36, to the street.

Judge Goodman ordered Sanchez-Lopez released from jail into the police department's electronic monitoring program, which allows defendants to leave custody while wearing a GPS ankle bracelet.

But McMahill pointed to the felon's lengthy rap sheet and history of non-compliance as he flatly refused the order.

Sanchez-Lopez has a troubling past which includes almost three dozen arrests and prison time for drug and involuntary manslaughter charges.

'We have to take a look at that and say, "Is this somebody who our electronic supervision program can monitor safely in the community?"' said Mike Dickerson, assistant general counsel for the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD). 'This is an issue of public safety.'

The confrontation is now headed for the Nevada Supreme Court as the Republican sheriff refuses to budge.

The clash began after Sanchez-Lopez was arrested in January on a charge of grand larceny of a motor vehicle.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill refused to release career criminal Joshua Sanchez-Lopez into electronic monitoring, citing an 'unreasonable risk to public safety'

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman ordered Sanchez-Lopez released on $25,000 bail with high-level electronic monitoring conditions

During a hearing on a bench warrant return, Goodman set bail at $25,000 and ruled that if Sanchez-Lopez posted bond he should be placed on high-level electronic monitoring.

The monitoring program typically supervises around 450 defendants at any given time, allowing them to remain outside jail under varying levels of confinement.

But on January 29, Metro officials notified the court that they would not release Sanchez-Lopez into the program.

Police cited his long criminal history along with prior bench warrants, failures to appear in court and violations of the department's monitoring rules.

In documents submitted to the court, police also pointed to a 2020 incident in which Sanchez-Lopez allegedly fled from officers while armed with a gun.

Authorities said he later posted on Snapchat showing his ankle monitor and wrote that he had 'got chased again.'

Despite those concerns, Goodman ordered the department on February 5 to comply and release the defendant to the monitoring program, warning Metro officials they could face contempt sanctions if they refused.

The standoff has now escalated into a constitutional and statutory showdown.

Joshua Sanchez-Lopez is a 36-year-old convicted felon with a record that includes 35 arrests and prior prison time for drug and involuntary manslaughter charges

Joshua Sanchez-Lopez is being held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas

'LVMPD is asking for the justice court to stop trying to force Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill to violate his statutory duty,' the department said.

Officials said the court threatened contempt proceedings against McMahill for refusing to release Sanchez-Lopez even though the sheriff had determined that electronic supervision would pose 'an unreasonable risk to public safety.'

'The Justice Court of the Las Vegas Township has the authority to release dangerous people into our community,' the statement said.

'However, the sheriff will not violate the law to assist those few judges who seek to use LVMPD's electronic monitoring program in disregard of public safety and the safety of the dedicated LVMPD corrections officers who administer the electronic monitoring program.'

Supporters of the sheriff say the dispute highlights growing tensions between courts seeking to reduce jail populations and police officials responsible for supervising defendants outside custody.

'There's absolutely competing narratives about public safety occurring in our community,' Dickerson said. 'There's different approaches too.'

Law enforcement figures have also defended the department's refusal to comply.

Judge Goodman warned Metro officials they could face contempt sanctions if they failed to comply with his release order

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff McMahill has argued Nevada law gives him authority to decide whether inmates can be safely supervised outside jail

'When someone has dozens of prior arrests and a history of violations, that raises serious concerns about whether they can safely be released into the community,' said David Moody, a retired LVMPD detective and Nevada state president of the Fraternal Order of Police.

'From a law enforcement perspective, public safety has to come first.'

But Sanchez-Lopez's legal team insists the sheriff is overstepping his authority and undermining the judicial system.

'Metro's argument is flat wrong,' public defender P. David Westbrook said in a statement.

'It is the job of the elected judge to decide whether someone charged with a crime should be released and under what conditions.'

The sheriff's office has made clear it will not be backing down.

'The safety of our officers is paramount,' Dickerson said.

'The safety of the public is key, and the key here is Sheriff McMahill will not violate the law to appease the Las Vegas Justice Court and let out people who he deems to be dangerous.'

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman and Clark County have been approached for comment.
Attacks on workmen by motorists have surged as anger grows over Britain's record 19billion pothole backlog, it emerged tonight .

Workers are being sworn at, spat at and even punched amid growing delays in fixing potholes, industry leaders revealed.

The disclosure came as a report found the repair bill to fix Britain's pock-marked local roads has jumped to 18.6billion  up from 17billion last year.

The annual Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) study also found town hall-maintained local roads are being resurfaced on average every 97 years, up from 93.

While the report welcomed a funding boost from the Government, it said this had improved roads only 'marginally' following years of 'dramatic underspending'.

Almost half of local roads (49 per cent) in England and Wales are set to crumble and become unusable within 15 years, while one in six will do so within the next five years.

AIA chairman David Giles told the Daily Mail that drivers' anger amid rocketing pump prices and motoring taxes was reaching breaking point.

He said: 'We've got workers who were attacked every day either verbally or even physically. People who are actually out there repairing the roads get shouted at, spat at and even hit.

Increasing numbers of workmen are being attacked by motorists while filling potholes, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance

Workers are being attacked by motorists while filling potholes and have been sworn at, spat at and even punched, the Asphalt Industry Alliance says

Workers are being attacked by motorists while filling potholes and have been sworn at, spat at and even punched, the Asphalt Industry Alliance says

'People have got out of their cars and abused workmen  pushed them, hit them.

'It's the public's frustration at the fact that it takes so long to get round to repairing roads. I was out filming the other day and a van driver stopped, thinking we were working for the local authority, and what we got was a string of expletives saying, 'why haven't you fixed this f***ing pothole already, it's f***ing dangerous', and so on. And that's just a mild example.'

Mr Giles said drivers had 'a right' to expect smooth and well-maintained roads because they were a 'national service' and town halls had a legal duty to ensure they were safe to travel on.

But he said Britain had 'heavily trafficked' roads compared to other countries and that less than 1 per cent of the network's asset value of 550billion was being spent by councils on maintaining them.

This 'dramatic underspend' over several years is less than half the 2 per cent recommendation of the OECD group of countries, he said, adding that cash-strapped councils tend to focus on 'patching' up roads by filling potholes rather than completely resurfacing roads as this is cheaper.

Highway maintenance budgets in England and Wales for 2025-26 increased by around 17 per cent to an average 30.5million per town hall after Labour gave them a 1.6bn funding boost.

But town halls say more than this was needed for them to maintain the local roads network to their target conditions.

The backlog of potholes has grown so large across England and Wales that it would cost nearly 19bn to fix them all, the Asphalt Industry Alliance says

The backlog of potholes has grown so large across England and Wales that it would cost nearly 19bn to fix them all, the Asphalt Industry Alliance says

The backlog of potholes has grown so large across England and Wales that it would cost nearly 19bn to fix them all, the Asphalt Industry Alliance says

The AIA surveyed all town halls in England and Wales, with four in five responding.

AA President Edmund King said the report 'starkly warns us how much more needs to be done to eradicate this plague of potholes.'

The RAC's Simon Williams added: 'We hope new record levels of funding from central Government and a commitment to longer-term investment that allow councils to plan highways maintenance will mean we start to turn a corner  although it will be some time before drivers notice a real difference.'

The Department for Transport said: 'This report rightly highlights the need to improve our roads. That's why, after years of under-investment, we're providing a record 7.3billion in long-term funding, to help councils resurface roads and fix the pothole plague.'
Thick smoke coils across Irans horizon; the acrid stink of burning oil hangs over its cities. In the Strait of Hormuz, tankers burn and drones strike. Violence spreads like infection.

Operation Epic Fury is now into its third week, and its effects are global. According to US Central Command, by March 12 combined US and Israeli forces had struck around 6,000 targets in Iran since operations began  working out at around 460 strikes per day.

Irans leadership is decapitated; its control centres in disarray, its nuclear programme in ruins.

And yet, the Iranians fight on. How? Because they have spent twenty years preparing for this moment.

Their strategy is known as Decentralised Mosaic Defence (DMD), built around a single brutal principle: that the body keeps fighting even if the head is cut off  which is exactly what the Americans did when they killed Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war.

Under DMD, authority is deliberately scattered across dozens of semi-independent nodes, each with its own intelligence, weapons and command structure. Units operate on standing orders; they do not wait for instructions from above.

As Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi declared on March 1: Bombings in our capital have no impact on our ability to conduct warDecentralised Mosaic Defence enables us to decide when  and how  the war will end.

Former Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) commander-in-chief General Mohammad Jafari publicly revealed the defence plan in 2005; critically, it was born from watching the mistakes of the West  particularly the Americans  in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even as far back as the 1990s Balkan wars.

Iranians attend the funeral procession for seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members killed in a strike in Syria

Your browser does not support iframes.

Those conflicts, along with the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, embedded a culture of endurance and resistance deep into the Iranian state.

As Araghchi confirmed: Weve had two decades to study defeats of the US military to our immediate east and west. Weve incorporated lessons accordingly.

The lesson from Iraq 2003 was inescapable: Saddam Hussein had a highly centralised military. Once the leadership was gone, the whole structure collapsed within weeks.

Thats not all they learnt from Western intervention in Iraq. In 1981, Israeli jets destroyed Saddam Husseins single above-ground reactor at Osirak. Once more Iran studied and learned.

They realised that, over recent years, the US has placed increasing faith in that single, brutal idea: remove the head and the body collapses. It worked, more or less, with Saddam Hussein. (It didnt with Osama bin Laden, whose death did little to destroy Al Qaeda, while the assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi did not end the groups terror either.)

But the Iranians knew that, eventually, the Americans would go straight for their Supreme Leader  and they had a plan to inoculate themselves when it happened.

They dispersed their nuclear infrastructure across the country, burying key sites deep underground. The principle was identical: never give the enemy a single target whose destruction can end the fight.

In both cases, Iran looked at what Iraq had done and built the exact opposite.

And, two decades on, the plan paid off the moment Khamenei was killed.

The IRGC has been divided into provincial commands across Irans 31 provinces. Each unit functions like a self-contained mini-military, with its own intelligence cells, and ground forces. Provincial commanders have full tactical authority: they can launch missile strikes, drone swarms, and even harass ships without seeking approval from above.

Iran has reportedly fired around 700 missiles and 3,600 drones since the war began, from units dispersed across the country.

Volume alone  cheaply produced  is part of the strategy. Iran has struck, among other things, neighbouring Gulf states, the UAE, shipping lanes, and even Dubai airport.

Smoke rises following a 'drone-related incident' at Dubai International Airport on March 16

A firefighter works to extinguish vehicles set ablaze by an Iranian projectile in Tel Aviv

Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Jafari in 2012

It is all designed to expand the battlefield: to overwhelm and to force the enemy to expend far more expensive weapons in response. And fighting indirectly  through proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen  sits at the heart of Iranian strategic thinking: if you cant fight your enemy head-on, hit him through other means  and exhaust him.

And, to a degree at least, it is working.

Israel is running low on ballistic missile interceptors, which is exactly the exhaustion Irans doctrine is designed to cause.

And this is their second strategy: cost asymmetry. An Iranian Shahed-136 drone costs perhaps $20,000$50,000 to produce. To shoot it down can require interceptors costing anywhere from tens of thousands  such as Israels Iron Dome missiles at around $50,000 each  to Patriot missile system interceptors which cost $3-4million.

The Strait of Hormuz closure is part of the same logic: it costs Iran relatively little militarily to effectively close the strait by attacking shipping, but the global price is enormous.

Oil is hovering close to $100 a barrel. US petrol prices are up 23 per cent since the war began. The goal is not to win militarily in a conventional sense, but to make the war so politically and economically expensive that the US and Israel eventually tire.

It is not a flawless system. The Iranians are getting hammered. While they are smart, the Israelis are too; and no one can match the genuinely awesome military power of the United States.

More than this, decentralisation cuts both ways: autonomous units mean unpredictable behaviour. More actors making independent decisions means higher risk of miscalculation or unintended escalation.

While elite units can hold together under the kind of intense bombardment Iran is experiencing, less experienced provincial units are more likely to implode into confusion and disorder.

An Iranian military truck carrying a missile drives in front of the officials' stand during a military parade in 2019

Soldiers from a unit of the Iranian army march during an annual military parade in 2024

Much of this is already happening. As I wrote on these pages, there is internal chaos among parts of its security forces, which the Israelis have utterly penetrated.

The doctrine also assumes Iran has enough missiles and drones to sustain a long war. But with production facilities being bombed, resupply is increasingly in doubt. If the Israelis are running low, so are the Iranians.

The real question now is whether the US and its allies have the interceptors, the stamina and, above all, the political will to keep going.

The mosaic is cracked. But it has not yet shattered.
A former Biden White House staffer has called out Democrat-run cities following a chaotic 'juvenile takeover' in Washington DC's upscale Navy Yard neighborhood.

Yemisi Egbewole, who served as the chief of staff to Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, shared her condemnation as scores of teenagers were seen running through the streets, screaming and fighting on Saturday night.

Two teens were arrested in the mayhem, and authorities recovered two firearms, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

'Blue cities need to wake up,' Egbewole posted to X on Sunday, as she shared a video of the melee.

'Tolerating this behavior is unfair to the residents who live here and unfair to the kids themselves.'

She then doubled down on her remarks in a follow-up post.

'Imagine paying $3,500 a month to live in a box in the city, working all week to afford it and when the weekend comes, you can't even enjoy it because kids are bare-knuckle beating each other outside your window,' Egbewole wrote.

'The city you pay taxes to does nothing. Incredible.'

Yemisi Egbewole, who served as the chief of staff to Joe Biden's Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, called out Democrat-run cities following a chaotic 'juvenile takeover' in Washington DC's upscale Navy Yard neighborhood

Video posted online showed dozens of teenagers fighting near First and M Streets SE

Police in Washington DC established an 11pm curfew, prohibiting teenagers under the age of 18 from gathering in groups of nine or more from the U Street Corridor and the Navy Yard 'unless engaged in certain exempted activities' earlier this month, NBC Washington reports.

It was adopted under the Juvenile Curfew Second Emergency Act which was passed late last year following other takeovers in the city.

The law gives the chief of the MPD authority to establish curfew zones 'in an area where large groups of youths are gathering or intend to gather in a manner that poses a risk of substantial harm to public safety.'

President Donald Trump also deployed National Guard members to the nation's capital to deter crime last year, with around 2,500 expected to remain in DC until the end of this year.

But that apparently did not stop hoards of teenagers from gathering in a park at the Navy Yard at around 6.30pm on Saturday, with the group soon swelling to roughly 200 teenagers by 8.30pm, according to the MPD.

Officers then received a report of a robbery at 9.15pm, when a group of teenagers allegedly robbed another teen in the 1200 block of First Street SE and took the victim's shoes and jacket.

The victim was not injured in the assault, but the assailants who attacked him have not yet been arrested, WUSA 9 reports.

At around 9.30pm, another video posted online showed dozens of teenagers fighting near First and M Streets SE.

Members of the National Guard could be seen in the video standing nearby as the crowds swarmed the intersection.

Nearly 200 teenagers participated in the juvenile takeover in the Navy Yard, despite authorities establishing an 11pm curfew earlier in the month

Roughly 15 minutes later, the MPD said a teenager shot a gun into the air while inside the park.

A National Guard member quickly apprehended the teen, while officers with the MPD recovered the weapon.

The teenager, only identified as a 15-year-old boy, is now being charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, endangerment with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license.

The mayhem continued around 10pm when a group of teens jumped and robbed two others near New Jersey Avenue and M Street.

The victims in that case brought themselves to the hospital to be treated for their injuries.

At around 10.34pm, members with the US Secret Service also noticed someone matching the description of a suspect get into a rideshare vehicle.

The US Secret Service then conducted a traffic stop, during which time, the suspect tried to get rid of his gun, officers said.

Police were able to recover the weapon, however, and placed the 16-year-old under arrest for carrying a pistol without a license.

Authorities said two teenagers were arrested, and police were able to recover two firearms

She shared footage of the takeover and declared that the city needs to 'enforce consequences'

The crowd finally seemed to die down by 11pm due to the curfew, which now remains in place until April 15, but one teenager was arrested just before 11.30pm for violating the curfew.

'The behavior displayed last night in Navy Yard cannot be tolerated and we are very thankful that no one was seriously injured,' interim Police Chief Jeffrey W Carroll said in a statement.

'I commend our members and our partners for their professionalism and for safely recovering two firearms from individuals within this group.'

He then advised that police 'need parents and guardians to be proactive and know where their children are and who they are with at all times.'
An elderly couple in Hawaii has lost their dream home after it was sucked into a nearby river which flooded during a powerful storm.

Tom and Carrie Bashaw, who are in their eighties, spent their life savings on the Maui property, which has been destroyed less than six years after it was built.

They are among Hawaiians who lost everything after a cold centered cyclone known as a Kona dumped 44 inches of water on Maui and battered the rest of the state.

The devastating storm which brought record-breaking rainfall began in Hawaii's northern islands of Kauai and Oahu on Thursday, before spreading to the rest of the archipelago throughout the rest of the week.

The Bashaws began building their dream home in Wailuku, the county seat of Maui Island, in 2020.

The house sat on a hill overlooking Iao Stream, which is usually dry or has low water levels.

The couple told Hawaii News Now they were not worried about flooding, because the home was 75 feet away from the stream and 45 feet above it.

But on Saturday morning, the typically modest waters swelled into a raging river, eroding the rocks that made up the foundation of the Bashaws's home, causing it to fall apart and get swept away by the floodwater.

Tom and Carrie Bashaw, both around 80 years old, lost their dream home in Hawaii after a devastating storm battered the archipelago last week

The home overlooked a small stream that swelled dramatically and eroded the foundation. The entire back of the home was swept away, and the aftermath of the damage is pictured

The couple began building the house on Maui Island in 2020 after saving for their entire lives to do so. The house is pictured before it was destroyed

The couple told Hawaii News Now that they began monitoring the Kona storm's impacts on Friday, when they noticed that the swelling stream was beginning to knock over trees along its banks.

Eventually, trees closer to the property collapsed and a large area of land between the stream and the house began to give way and slide into the water.

After a monkey pod tree and a mango tree fell on their property, 'we started throwing stuff in bags and packing up,' Tom told Hawaii News Now.

'Half an hour, 45 minutes later, the river had come all the way up to the edge of the deck of the house, the back deck, which was about 60 feet straight down.'

The Bashaws fled their home around 9pm and slept in a barn on their property that night. They brought their cats, Civa and Ty.

When they returned to the house on Saturday to survey the damage, it was worse than they could have imagined.

'The whole backside of the house was in the river, gone,' Tom said. 'Food was gone. Both bedrooms gone.'

The couple began salvaging what they could, but not much was left. They grabbed a few pieces of furniture, some tools and cat food.

The couple fled their home on Friday evening but when they returned the next morning, they found the entire back of the house had been swept away and they took this photo

The couple said the house was 75 feet away from the stream and 45 feet above it, so they did not think the house was in danger of flood damage. The swollen stream is pictured raging below the half of the house it swept away

The house's garage was swept away around noon on Saturday while the couple was salvaging what they could. The destroyed back of the house is pictured over the floodwater

Later that day, more of the house also succumbed to the raging swell. Around noon, while the Bashaws were examining the damage and salvaging what they could, the garage of the home was swept away as well.

'I just went in and grabbed the last thing inside the garage, and about two minutes later, we heard the cracking,' Tom told Hawaii News Now.

'I held my phone up and videotaped it, and it just went boom, right into the water.'

The Bashaws bought the property in 2018 and built a cottage before beginning work on the main house two years later.

They had put years of work into building the home and Tom was still working on the final touches when it was all destroyed.

The couple did not have flood insurance because the house was not in a designated flood zone and seemed to be far enough from the nearby stream.

Tom said he and his wife 'were never really worried,' because they had seen the stream swell before, but nothing close to what happened last week.

'Mother Nature wins, and she wants you, she takes you. She didnt take us, she just took the house. Were grateful for that. We have each other,' Tom told Hawaii News Now.

The Bashaws are now sleeping with their cats on the pictured air mattresses in a storage container on their property

Since losing their home, the Bashaws have been sleeping with their cats on air mattresses in a storage container on their property, according to a GoFundMe set up by Carrie's daughter Stephanie Ichinose.

'What was once their safe and comfortable home, designed and built lovingly by Tom himself, is now a memory,' Ichinose wrote on the fundraiser page.

The money raised, which sits at nearly $48,500 as of Monday evening, 'will go toward immediate needs such as safe temporary housing, replacing essential belongings, debris removal, and beginning the process of rebuilding their lives.'

The rainfall which destroyed their home broke a 72-year record in Hawaii and at one point left 100,000 people without power.

As of Monday thousands of Hawaiian Electric customers in areas including Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii Island were still disconnected.
An international standover man was allegedly hired by a former young gun Australian property developer to collect a debt from two former business partners, a court has heard.

Paul Fridman, 50, spent Monday night behind bars after police raided his Caulfield home and charged him over an alleged $20million extortion plot linked to a firebombing on a Glen Iris property at the weekend.

Fridman is the man behind Fridcorp, which in 2021 acquired The Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay, in eastern Sydney, for $180million.

The property was known as the Ritz Carlton in the 1990s, hosted Princess Diana in 1996 before INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was found dead in room 524 the following year.

Fridman cried as he was hauled off to jail on Monday night after applying for bail in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

Police allege Fridman engaged a nefarious character known as 'Mr International' to threaten and intimidate two of his former business partners.

'I promise you  people get shot, houses get burnt and people get kidnapped over things like this,' the standover man allegedly told his victims.

'If my needs aren't met  I will start terrorising you all from today. Your lives aren't worth losing over a bit of money.

Paul Fridman sobbed as he was taken away to jail

'I really don't want to show you what I'm capable of.'

The messages were fired off to former business partners Ash Boyd and Nigel Givoni, and to Mr Boyd's wife, after Fridman allegedly hired the mystery enforcer to chase alleged debts, the Herald Sun reported.

Detective Senior Constable Andrew Lauder told the court Fridman was pursuing $250,000 he claimed was owed by Mr Boyd and $20 million from Mr Givoni.

Dozens of allegedly menacing texts poured in after Fridman engaged Mr International, the court heard.

One associate of the standover man was captured on CCTV slotting a handwritten note through the Boyd family mailbox: 'Tell Ash to get in contact with Mr International,' it read.

Hours after two Molotov cocktails were allegedly hurled at the Glen Iris property on Saturday night, setting the porch alight, Mr Boyd received another message.

'Good afternoon brother, have you changed your mind? Either you pay the bill  or I keep terrorising you,' it allegedly stated.

The same associate is believed to have visited Mr Givoni's home with a warning that 'it will only get worse'.

Paul Fridman and his wife Kestie Lane

Detective Senior Constable Lauder said it was 'nothing short of a miracle' that no one was injured.

The court heard Fridman even contacted Mr Boyd himself, begging him to 'listen to Mr International'.

Questions the accused allegedly typed into ChatGPT were also tendered in court.

'Is it legal in Australia to sell debt to a third party?' one inquiry read.

'What happens if that person turns violent?' another asked.

In his police interview, Fridman allegedly admitted hiring the standover man through a contact and promising him a 10 per cent cut of any money recovered, but claimed he did not know the enforcer's real name.

He conceded he knew threats and harassment would follow, but denied instructing violence or property damage.

After learning of the firebombing, he said he rang Mr International to call it off.

Former Hawthorn star Brad Sewell won a messy legal battle over unpaid rent after leasing his multi-million dollar mansion to Fridman

Fridman has been charged with three counts of extortion, blackmail and possessing cocaine.

Meanwhile, the hunt for the real identity of Mr International continues.

Fridman had been supported in court by his wife.

Police had opposed bail amid fears he would destroy evidence and interfere with prosecution witnesses.

On Tuesday night, Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge granted Fridman bail on the back of a $225,000 surety put up by his parents.

Fridman had founded Fridcorp at age 21 and featured on the BRW Young Rich List with an estimated $65 million fortune in 2012.

He was declared bankrupt in August 2023.

In 2021, he made headlines after former Hawthorn star Brad Sewell won a messy legal battle over unpaid rent against Fridman.

The two-time premiership AFL player had leased his Brighton property to Fridman for $12,167 a month in rent.

Sewell claimed Fridman fell behind in his payments and owed him $48,472 before he took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

VCAT later ordered him to pay Sewell out.
Three fishermen found dead have been identified as it's revealed the trio continued with their trip despite warnings of dangerous conditions.

Les DeMamiel, 74, Russell Fisher, 67, and John McKenzie, 65, were reported missing off the shore of Beachport, south-east South Australia, at 2.30pm on Sunday.

Police launched a large-scale search of the area before the trio were found dead.

Locals told The Advertiser conditions were horrible, with swells up to 3 metres high, and that they had warned the group not to go out.

Superintendent Trent Cox said while safety gear was on the boat, it was not being worn.

'It's a tragic end to what should have been a pretty standard trip for these gentlemen,' he said.

'Our early investigations indicate that while they did have life jackets on board, they weren't wearing them, none of them were wearing them.'

He said they made a 'poor decision' and 'paid the price'.

John McKenzie,65, was the youngest of the three fishermen who passed away

A fishing trip near South Australia's south-east coast has ended in tragedy after the three fishermen on board were found dead

Beachport Boat Yard manager Clint Sneath, who has lived in town for 35 years, said the three men should never have gone on the trip in the first place.

'These people probably didn't understand the conditions  and they can cause death,' Mr Sneath said.

'The tides, especially down here, change in a matter of minutes and completely in half an hour.

'Over the years there's been a lot of drownings and it's never nice. It always brings up emotions, but it's avoidable.'

Mr Sneath said they were warned before going out.

'They were warned about it and did it anyway, now this is the consequence,' he said.

Beachport resident Dot Hill and her husband Burt, who were close friends of Mr DeMamiel, met the other two about a month ago.

'He was the most amazing person and they were the most absolutely beautiful people,' Ms Hill said.

Les DeMamiel, 74, was good friends with Beachport residents Dot Hill and her husband Burt

Russell Fisher, 67, was one of the three fisherman on board

Ms Hill recalled spending her final time with the three fishermen on Saturday, which included a 'lovely' dinner.

'They arrived Saturday morning and a cray pot had been dropped at our house and Les and the boys came to pick it up before they went out and dropped the cray pots in,' she said.

'Burt said to them  that we'd catch up for a drink with them later at the Tavern and at about 4.15pm, we arrived and were met with big cuddles and kisses, just as good friends do.

'It was such a lovely time to spend time with these boys  and that was really, really good for me and for Burt, just to spend that time together with them.'

The Bar Crusher boat, owned by one of the fishermen's sons, was found deep in sand about 4km south of Beachport on Monday and was salvaged by rescue crews, police and locals using shovels and a tractor.

Investigations into what caused the boat to turn over are still underway.
Grace Tame has drawn outrage from overseas with Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister demanding she be stripped of her Australian of the Year honour.

Sharren Haskel hit out after Tame claimed on Monday that reports of sexual violence carried out against Israeli women by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 attack 'have been debunked'.

'Grace Tame claims the mantle of activism, but her compassion is "selective",' Haskel wrote on X.

She accused Tame of choosing which victims she supports while ignoring others, pointing to crises across the Middle East.

'She did not stand with the women of Iran as they were beaten, tortured, raped and then murdered by the regime,' Haskel wrote.

She accused Tame of failing to speak up for persecuted Christian communities in Iran, Lebanon and Syria.

'She has not stood with Israeli women who were raped and sexually tortured as a weapon of war,' Haskel wrote.

'In fact she's denied the horrors of October 7, because the victims were Jews.

Grace Tame has drawn outrage from overseas with Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister demanding she be stripped of her Australian of the Year honour

'That is not principled activism. It is selective outrage driven by politics.'

International bodies including the UN and ICC have repeatedly confirmed that sexual violence occurred during the Hamas attacks.

Haskel said Tame's denial should cost her the 2021 Australian of the Year title.

'If an award is meant to represent moral courage and universal human rights, then those who apply those principles selectively should not hold it,' she said.

'Grace Tame should lose her Australian of the Year award.'

Tame was asked by ABC Sydney Mornings host Hamish Macdonald whether she had publicly condemned the extreme sexual violence committed against Israeli women on October 7, 2023.

'Can you please ask Grace why she is selective in her outrage? I have never heard her condemn or speak out on behalf of the Israeli women who were raped and killed by Hamas on October 7,' Macdonald asked, on behalf of a listener.

Tame immediately rejected the premise.

Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel hit out after Tame claimed reports of sexual violence carried out against Israeli women by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 attack 'have been debunked'

'I'm not going to sink to the level of entertaining any kind of propaganda, Hamish. Let's not do that.'

Macdonald hit back: 'What's the propaganda included in that question?'

'Those things have been debunked,' Tame replied.

Tame said 'awful things are being perpetrated by both sides' and that she was 'outraged by all of the violence'.

'Clearly I don't support any of it,' she said.

'I am a human rights activist who advocates for the safety of all human beings, no matter their background, whether they are Jewish, whether they are Muslims, whether they are Christian, whether they are atheist.'

Tame reflected on her own experiences.

'As someone who was raped multiple times as a child, I have seen the horrendous things human beings are capable of,' she said.

Tame was asked by ABC Sydney Mornings host Hamish Macdonald whether she had publicly condemned the extreme sexual violence committed against Israeli women on October 7, 2023 (pictured, a memorial set up at the former site of the Nova music festival)

Tame insisted she did not dismiss any allegations of violence, but urged Australians to understand the broader conflict.

'As someone who has been raped multiple times as a child myself I do not dismiss any of it, no matter who the perpetrator is, and no matter who the victim is,' she said.

She also argued that Australians should consider how Palestinians hear common political rhetoric.

'I would say to those people, what do you think a Palestinian feels or an Arab person feels when they hear phrases like 'Israel has a right to defend itself'? What are they defending themselves against? And what does that defence look like?' she said.

'From where I'm sitting, and from where a lot of people are sitting, that defence looks like blowing up schoolchildren, blowing up hospitals, aid sites, and indiscriminately targeting civilians. So do you not think that that's offensive as well?'

Daily Mail contacted Foreign Minister Penny Wong for comment.
When wealthy retired doctor Dr Robin Russell-Jones met Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia at the Royal Society of Arts in London, he felt good reason to trust her and her business partner.

After all, the 66-year-old is not only a cousin of King Charles but also a descendant of Queen Victoria through her mother and father.

So when Sharon Rea, Katarina's friend and business partner, invited Dr Russell-Jones to invest 50,000 in a scheme, he jumped at the chance. Ms Rea, 57, assured him that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and intergovernmental involvement would turn his investment into 4million.

But instead, every penny disappeared, with Ms Rea's business empire turning out to be a sham. Rather than a company HQ, her address is a council house in Swansea, south-west Wales.

He launched a civil claim, which he won last year, but because Ms Rea scrapes by on benefits, she is offering to pay the money back at 100 a month.

Dr Russell-Jones, a retired dermatologist and climate campaigner, bumped into Katarina and Ms Rea at the RSA, which they said they were thinking about joining, in April 2024.

Princess Katarina is descended from the former Yugoslav royal family.

Her grandfather, King Alexander I, was assassinated in 1934 and his successor  her uncle Peter II  fled the Nazis into British exile in 1941. He was deposed and replaced in 1945 by communist leader Josip Tito. Her grandmother was Prince Philip's elder sister and she was born and raised in London.

Pictured: Princess Katrina of Yugoslavia

Sharon Rea, pictured, who invited Dr Russell-Jones to invest 50,000 in a scheme

In 1987, she married barrister Sir Desmond de Silva, with whom she had a daughter, Victoria. They divorced in 2010, with Mr de Silva reportedly declaring that she was 'insufficiently intelligent for him'.

After her divorce, Katarina sparked controversy by running 'royal' etiquette and decorum classes with a former Buckingham Palace butler, allegedly to Queen Elizabeth's displeasure.

Her business partnership with Ms Rea appears to date from at least five years ago, when the princess helped her to launch a company titled New Way Networking International.

The pair spoke at an event alongside each other, describing how they were 'serving emerging and existing businesses around the world'.

Ms Rea claimed that she was building four new hospitals in Pakistan and had other foreign outposts in America and Kenya. Katarina said the company was 'boosting human rights', with Ms Rea saying it would be 'carbon-positive'.

NWN International appears to have faded away. There is no website and no sign of any hospitals being built. However, the princess is still registered online as a director.

When Dr Russell-Jones met them, according to his claim, they 'represented that they were organising an international series of concerts to raise funds to support various charitable causes.'

He told the Daily Mail: 'When I met Princess Katarina, I told her I wanted to stage concerts to raise awareness of global warming and she told me that she was planning to do just that.

'She started talking about a series of concerts called Tsunami of Sound, saying she and Sharon Rea had contacted Warner Bros about recording them. Sharon wrote her number on the back of the princess's business card.'

Sharon Rea assured Dr Russell-Jones (pictured) that the International Monetary Fund and intergovernmental involvement would turn his investment into 4million

In May 2024, Ms Rea told him about a 'time-sensitive business proposal'. The scheme would involve a 50,000 investment from Dr Russell-Jones and 1,000 per cent profit in a year from an 'intergovernmental scheme'.

This would be multiplied eight-fold via 'a separate vehicle backed by the IMF'.

Dr Russell-Jones, from Marlow in Buckinghamshire, quickly transferred the money, overriding his bank's fears it was a scam.

But after Ms Rea's daughter's fiance asked him for 3,000 for brain surgery, he began to have reservations about the business proposal and started to think he had been duped.

He then sent a text message to Katarina asking if Ms Rea could be trusted but she didn't reply.

In August that year, Katarina attended the daughter's wedding in Swansea. Dr Russell-Jones refused an invitation after deciding he had been scammed.

He then launched the claim against Ms Rea. After she failed to respond, he was awarded 55,742, including costs and interest, last year. The case is ongoing because he has demanded more than her offer of 100 a month.

Dr Russell-Jones added: 'Once I'd paid the money and asked the princess if Sharon was for real, she didn't reply.

'Now I'm 50,000 out of pocket, with no sign of getting it back. And there has never been a single Tsunami of Sound concert.'

Speaking at her home, Ms Rea said she was repaying Dr Russell-Jones but denied fraud.

Princess Katarina, who owns a flat in Earl's Court, west London, has not responded to the Daily Mail's requests for a comment.

However, a friend of the princess said: 'I met Sharon, and fear now she was a scammer and that the princess was taken in.'
Four people including a three-year-old were killed and another dozen were injured after a huge blaze erupted at a New York City apartment building.

The fire began around 12.30pm and quickly engulfed all three floors of a brick building located in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens.

Three desperate residents attempted to escape the inferno by jumping from the top floor of the building, while firefighters rescued a person trapped on the second floor.

Brian Zhang, an employee at a nearby kitchen design store, told the New York Times that in the middle of the fire, he heard a woman shouting in Mandarin: 'My kid is still in the apartment!'

He also recounted her saying that the child was only three years old. 'It was very desperate,' he told the outlet. 'I have a kid too, but that moment, theres nothing we could have done.'

Horrified bystanders also watched as first responders performed CPR on severely burned victims on the street outside the building.

A witness named Vivian Marie told PIX11 News that she saw an elderly man with a 'really bad bloody face' and 'pretty bad first-degree burns.'

'[I've] never experienced anything like this, only saw it on television. Experiencing this made me cry a lot. It was very devastating,' she said.

Four people including a three-year-old were killed in a fire in Queens, New York, on Monday. A firefighter is pictured approaching the blaze on a fire engine ladder

Five firefighters were hospitalized for minor injuries, including two who fell through a staircase that collapsed

The fire yielded a massive response, as around 230 firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene. A large group of firefighters is pictured near the burning building

Lillian Bonsignore, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) commissioner, initially confirmed three people had died at the scene.

'This is a difficult and tragic day. There were several victims of this fire,' she said.

The department later updated the death toll after a fourth adult man succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.

It is unclear whether any of the other fatalities resulted from people jumping out of the building to escape the blaze.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) provided an update on Monday evening and said that four men and three women are in stable condition at local hospitals. None of the victims have been publicly identified.

Five firefighters were also hospitalized and are being treated for minor injuries. Two of them had fallen through a staircase that collapsed after rushing into the burning structure. They were rescued by other firefighters.

'The fire department did an extraordinary job under difficult circumstances, putting this fire out and saving people,' Bonsignore said at the scene.

'I can't thank them enough for their continued efforts and commitment to life safety.'

The inferno yielded a massive response, as around 230 firefighters and paramedics rushed to the burning building. The fire was brought under control around 2.45pm, according to the FDNY.

The fire was brought under control around 2.45pm, according to the FDNY. The burned building is pictured after the blaze was put out

Fire marshals with the FDNY are determining the cause of the fire. An FDNY fire marshal is pictured in front of the damaged building

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted a statement on X on Monday afternoon that said: 'Were mourning the loss of four New Yorkers after todays devastating four-alarm fire in Flushing.

'My heart is with their families, loved ones and every neighbor impacted. Thank you to the FDNY firefighters and EMS workers who rushed in within minutes, risking their lives to rescue residents and bring the fire under control.

'Several were injured and were wishing them a full recovery. Residents have been displaced and the building suffered significant damage.'

The cause of the fire is being investigated by FDNY fire marshals.
A federal judge has blocked federal health officials from reducing the recommended number of childhood vaccines.

Judge Brian E Murphy ruled that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also likely violated federal procedures when he revamped a key vaccine advisory committee which helped secure the reforms.

The decision handed down Monday temporarily halts Kennedy's order to end broad recommendations for all children to be vaccinated against flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.

It also stopped a meeting of a Kennedy-appointed vaccine advisory committee, which was set to convene this week in Atlanta.

The judge's order, however, is not the final word. The blocks are temporary, pending either a trial or a decision for summary judgment.

Federal health officials indicated they planned to appeal.

'HHS looks forward to this judge's decision being overturned just like his other attempts to keep the Trump administration from governing,' said Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon.

The order issued Monday is the latest development in a lawsuit filed in July 2025 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and some other medical groups.

A federal judge temporarily blocked changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule ordered by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The ruling halted Kennedys plan to end universal vaccine recommendations for illnesses including flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis and RSV

The lawsuit in federal court in Boston originally focused on Kennedy's decision to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most children and pregnant women.

The lawsuit was updated as Kennedy took more steps that alarmed medical societies, causing the plaintiffs to ask Judge Murphy to take steps to address those policy changes too.

They also asked the court to look at Kennedy's actions concerning the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises public health officials on what vaccines to recommend to doctors and patients.

Kennedy, a leading anti-vaccine activist before becoming the nation's top health official, fired the entire 17-member panel last year and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices.

Murphy, who was nominated to the bench by President Joe Biden, said Kennedy's reconstitution of ACIP likely violated federal law. He ordered the appointments and all decisions made by the reconstituted committee to be put on hold.

The ACIP was scheduled to meet this week to discuss COVID-19 vaccine safety, among other issues, but that gathering was postponed, officials said.

'ACIP as currently constituted cannot meet,' said Richard Hughes IV, an attorney representing the AAP. 'How can a committee meet without nearly the entirety of its membership?'

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. is shown above at the official Make America Healthy Again summit in November last year

The US had been preparing to drop vaccines from the childhood immunization schedule (file)

Jason Schwartz, a Yale University vaccine policy expert who has studied the committee, called the halting of an ACIP meeting for legal reasons 'unprecedented' in its 62-year existence.

Hughes called the judge's order 'a momentous step toward restoring science-based vaccine policy,' and he was echoed by leaders of several doctors' groups and public health organizations.

When Trump administration officials overhauled the childhood vaccine schedule, they said it wouldn't result in families losing access to them or cause insurers to stop covering them.

But it left many Americans confused, as doctors' groups, public health organizations and many states continued to recommend licensed vaccines, said Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the AAP.

Several doctors' groups said the changes were not based on good evidence, and advised doctors and patients to follow guidance that was previously in place. Health officials in 30 states have rejected at least some of the new recommendations.

The judge's order should bring clarity, Racine said.

'If anyone has any questions about what's the appropriate vaccine schedule for their children, the best thing to do is to talk to their pediatricians,' he said.

In December, an influential panel of US vaccine advisers voted to revoke a longstanding recommendation that all babies receive hepatitis B shots within 24 hours of birth, in a move expected to reverse the country's progress toward eliminating the disease

Schwartz said he expected federal health officials to keep expressing 'their deep skepticism regarding the importance of vaccination' and to keep embracing 'unsupported vaccine safety allegations.'

After the ruling, one of Kennedy's appointees to the committee, Dr. Robert Malone, urged the Trump administration to keep pursuing Kennedy's vaccine policy changes.

'A district court order is a delay, not a defeat,' he wrote Monday on Substack.
Police chiefs will today announce a commitment to a new era of openness with the public about their investigations.

In a groundbreaking charter, officers of all ranks will be actively encouraged to speak to journalists providing more information about major investigations.

It comes after an unprecedented agreement between police and media bodies which will lead to forces releasing more details about arrests, ongoing investigations and prosecutions in a bid to combat online rumours and misinformation damaging public trust.

The Policing and Media Charter is being described as the biggest reset in the relationship between policing and the media in decades, reversing the chilling effect of the Leveson Inquiry, which left many officers afraid to speak about their investigations.

As part of the agreement, forces will have to consider releasing a suspect's nationality and ethnicity on arrest, providing regular updates in inquiries and being more open about police misconduct.

In one of the biggest changes, forces have agreed to publish photographs of all criminals handed custodial sentences for the first time.

The charter states that 'engagement between police and the media is encouraged for officers and staff of all ranks and roles' with the head of the National Police Chiefs Council, Gavin Stephens saying 'accredited journalism remains one of the most powerful tools we have to bring offenders to justice and keep the public informed'.

The 'landmark' reforms follow recommendations by the Crime Reporters Association and the Society of Editors after an independent review into the case of missing mother Nicola Bulley concluded that trust between the media and police was broken.

The Policing and Media Charter is being described as the biggest reset in the relationship between policing and the media in decades. Pictured: A police officer is filmed by journalists at a press conference (File image)

As a result, misinformation has gone unchallenged in some high-profile cases, shaking public confidence in policing.

Merseyside Police was heavily criticised for failing to tackle misinformation which led to riots in the wake of Axel Rudakubana's murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.

Now the charter, which is the first joint agreement by policing and media, will set out new standards on the release of information.

It is the result of two years of collaboration between the NPCC, College of Policing, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Crime Reporters Association, Society of Editors and Media Lawyers Association to agree guidance for both police and journalists.

Following the talks, police have also changed their own guidance for officers around the release of information and the CPS has created a new media protocol urging prosecutors to provide more material from cases.

Mr Stephens said: 'For more than a decade, the legacy of the Leveson Inquiry has cast a long, chilling shadow over the relationship between policing and the media.

'What began as a vital corrective to abuses of power also had unintended consequences. Officers grew wary of speaking publicly, and the 2023 review into the handling of the Nicola Bulley missing persons investigation made this painfully clear.

'We could not allow that dynamic to continue. A police service that withdraws from public communication risks losing the very thing it relies upon to police by consent - trust.'

Sir Andy Marsh, chief executive of the College of Policing said: 'This is a landmark moment for the relationship between police and the media which will give the public confidence that what they are hearing is accurate and verified.

'The media plays a vital role in our work, including publicising our urgent appeals to the public, scrutinising our decisions and holding us to account.'

Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions said: 'This Charter is another important step in strengthening how prosecutors work with policing and the media to build public understanding and confidence in the criminal justice system.'

Chair of the Crime Reporters Association and the Daily Mail's Crime and Security Editor, Rebecca Camber who instigated the reforms said: 'This charter has the potential to fundamentally transform the relationship between police and the media, which remains essential to public confidence and policing legitimacy in the UK.

'Two years ago, the Crime Reporters Association made a series of recommendations kickstarting a vital conversation between policing and the media about rebuilding trust.

'Together we have produced a groundbreaking charter which I hope will make a real difference to journalists, police and press officers everywhere.'

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors added: 'When information flows well between policing and professional journalists, the public benefits.'
He went viral after being bullied and shunned by his enclosure-mates, retreating to the safety of a soft toy.

But now it appears Punch, the viral macaque, has found his happily ever after.

The famous monkey, who lives at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo, has been photographed kissing, cuddling and playing affectionately with a female macaque believed to be named Momo-chan.

The pair were captured delightfully messing around together in clips posted to X and TikTok, with Punch's trusted stuffed toy even making an appearance.

Punch and Momo-chan were spotted jumping, embracing and chasing one another in a series of videos - suggesting Punch's spell of loneliness has finally ended.

Six-month-old Punch captured the hearts of millions worldwide earlier this year after appearing to seek comfort in a toy monkey following rejection from the other macaques in the enclosure he joined.

Adding insult to injury, it was revealed that Punch was originally given the toy by zookeepers after being abandoned at birth by his mother, to train him to cling.

Baby macaques cling to their mothers for safety and to build up their muscles - an essential skill for the primates.

The viral Japanese monkey Punch has found his happily-ever-after with a with female macaque, named Momo-chan, after the pair were spotted playing, hugging and even kissing

Punch and Momo-chan (pictured) were spotted embracing as Punch's trusted teddy orangutan lay close by

The pair (pictured) were also captured playfully chasing one another - suggesting Punch's spell of loneliness has finally ended

Six-month-old Punch was abandoned by his mother at birth and rejected by other primates before Momo-chan came along

Punch had been offered alternatives such as a towel or a different soft toy, but he ultimately chose the long-legged teddy orangutan as his companion.

The orphaned animal quickly became the star attraction at the zoo, located near Tokyo, with hundreds of visitors arriving to catch a glimpse of him.

He also received an outpouring of sympathy online from people concerned about his wellbeing - although it now appears his fortunes may be changing.

Alongside his new companion, recent pictures have shown Punch beginning to integrate with other monkeys at the zoo and relying less on his toy.

The baby macaque was pictured hitching a ride on the back of another monkey, sitting among adults and occasionally being groomed or hugged by his peers.

And Punch outgrowing his toy is a good thing, the zoo staff recently said.

Zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said: 'When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that's what we are hoping for.'

Yet despite appearances, Ichikawa City Zoo have also insisted that Punch had not been bullied by his enclosure-mates to begin with.

Punch (pictured) went viral on X after being bullied and shunned by his enclosure-mates, retreating to the safety of a soft toy

Punch (pictured) was originally given the toy by zookeepers after being abandoned at birth by his mother. Monkeys instinctively hold on to their mothers for safety

Recent photos have also shown Punch (pictured) beginning to integrate with other monkeys at the zoo and relying less on his toy

In a statement released on X, the zoo said: 'Although Punch has been scolded many times by other monkeys, no single monkey has shown serious aggression toward him.'

'When you observe these disciplinary behaviors from other troop members toward Punch when he tries to communicate with them, [the zoo] would like you to support Punch's effort rather than feel sorry for him.'

The zoo said Punch had not been 'bullied,' saying instead the behaviour reflects a 'strict hierarchical society' where 'dominant individuals show "disciplining actions" toward their subordinates.'

However, they acknowledged the public outcry for Punch, adding: '[The zoo] share your concerns about Punch, and all the zookeepers and staff will continue to work together to ensure that Punch can continue to live a healthy life as part of this troop of monkeys.'
Defence Minister Richard Marles has refused to rule out fuel rationing in Australia as the conflict in Iran enters its third week and global oil markets come under mounting pressure.

When asked whether the government was considering rationing if the crisis continued, Marles said it was not something he could rule out.

'Obviously, this is a function of how long this conflict continues and this is not something I can answer in terms of what's going to happen, but we are taking the measures we are taking right now,' Marles said.

He told the ABC on Tuesday morning that the government had acted over the weekend to strengthen domestic supply.

'We have taken steps to put more fuel supply into the system over the course of the weekend, where we released 20 per cent of the stock holdings that are kept in Australia, and that will see around 716 million litres of extra fuel go into the system,' he said.

'That's obviously a significant amount.'

Marles reiterated that Australians should not panic buy, and stressed that supply remained steady across the country.

'As we speak, the same amount of ships that are coming in and supplying Australia are doing that.'

Richard Marles (pictured) would not rule out fuel rationing if the Middle East war continues

A service station owner in regional Victoria was one of several outlets to run out of fuel

Fuel prices are soaring after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil corridors, in response to attacks by US and Israeli forces.

This has pushed petrol prices to well over $2.20 a litre and diesel to more than $2.60 a litre, prompting panic buying, shortages, and rationing, particularly in regional areas.

Smalltown service station owner Nathan Falvo said his business was facing its worst fuel shortage in 25 years.

Mr Falvo was forced to ration the latest fuel delivery at his petrol station in Robinvale, in Victoria's far northwest, after running dry over the weekend.

He said the shortage had spread to the town's two other stations, which have also introduced a $50 sales limit.

'Basically the whole town, which is one of the fruit bowls of Australia, was out of fuel,' Mr Falvo said.

'I've been here at this business for 25 years and I've never seen this happen before. All three stations were out.'

Some growers are being crushed by skyrocketing fuel prices, which are driving up their transport costs and pushing up the price of fruit and vegetables at the supermarket, Queensland independent MP Bob Katter said.

The rising cost of fuel could put pressure on producers and lead to stock shortages at supermarkets

Katter said some growers were questioning whether they could afford to harvest fruit this season.

'We are being told farmers are letting fruit rot as the cost of picking it and trucking it to market no longer stacks up, which should send a chill through every government office in this country,' he said.

The Albanese government should halve the fuel excise from 50 to 25 cents a litre, to help primary producers with their transport costs, Katter said.

Such a measure was introduced for six months in 2022 to help motorists with cost-of-living pressures, and promised by the coalition in the lead up to its 2025 election.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has previously said slashing the fuel tax was not being considered.

Labor has repeatedly said Australia has enough fuel and shortages were driven by unnecessary panic-buying.

Several other Victorian towns including Wedderburn and Bonnie Doon also ran out of fuel over the weekend, according to Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hocking.

'Melbourne service stations are also seeing unprecedented demand there as well, that's putting constraints around the availability of trucks that can deliver fuel up to rural areas,' Mr Hocking said.

The shortage has had a major impact in the Victorian town of Robinvale with motorists queuing for fuel

Regional communities in NSW have likewise reported fuel shortages, Premier Chris Minns said on Monday.



Retailers in the state will need to issue a public notice on the NSW FuelCheck website when out of stock, Minns said after a roundtable with industry leaders.

Extra fuel will also be directed to areas facing shortages, with the premier promising government intervention if motorists can't get access to the petrol and diesel they need.
The former human resources executive who was caught in the arms of her boss at a Coldplay concert has sat down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss the scandal.

Kristin Cabot, a mother of two, opened up about her relationship with her former boss, ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, months after the two were seen cozying up together at a concert in Boston.

The moment, caught on the stadium kiss cam, went viral after they quickly covered their faces and tried to dash out of view. The fallout ultimately led to both resigning from their jobs.

At the time, Coldplay front man Chris Martin told the crowd: 'Oh, look at these two! Oh, what? Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy.'

Cabot appeared on The Oprah Podcast ahead of another speaking gig where she will deliver a keynote speech at an $875-a-ticket PR conference.

In a preview for the interview, which is set to air on YouTube on Tuesday, Cabot insisted her estranged husband Andrew would not have been surprised if he saw her at the concert with her boss.

She also told Winfrey how she received a message from her daughter as she walked into Gillette Stadium informing her that Andrew was also at the concert.

'And in my mind, I thought well that's - is this going to be weird if he sees me with Andy [Byron]? Like... if I run into him,' Cabot recounted.

Kristin Cabot opened up about her relationship with her former boss, ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, in an interview on The Oprah Podcast

The sit-down interview is set to air on YouTube on Tuesday, weeks before Cabot will speak at an $875-a-ticket PR conference

Cabot found herself at the center of a media circus after she was seen cozying up with Byron at a Coldplay concert in Boston

'But then I was like, "I'm in Gillette Stadium, there's 55,000 people here, I'm probably not going to run into him."'

In retrospect, Cabot said it 'would've been better at the end of the day, if I had just run into him.'

Still, she maintained that Andrew would not have been surprised to see her with Byron.

'He [my ex] knows how closely Andy and I worked together, he knows we socialized - like got lunches and got drinks. It was fine,' Cabot said, noting that she and Andrew were already separated at the time of the scandal.

'He knows the nature of my work and the way the relationships - I've shared desks with CEOs I've worked with, like it's just a very close relationship. And so it didn't matter.'

But Andrew was said to have been 'blindsided' by the media frenzy that ensued, which included finding reporters outside the $2.2 million waterfront home in Rye, New Hampshire, that he shared with his wife and his two children.

He felt compelled to confirm to People that he and Cabot were already 'privately and amicably separated several weeks before the Coldplay concert.'

'Their decision to divorce was already underway prior to that evening,' a spokesperson for Andrew, who is the CEO of Privateer Rum, told the outlet.

Join the discussion Do YOU think the Coldplay kiss cam exec deserves a chance to tell their side?

She insisted in the interview that her estranged husband, Andrew, would not have been surprised to see her with her boss at the concert

'Now that the divorce filing is public, Andrew hopes this provides respectful closure to speculation and allows his family the privacy they've always valued.'

But in December, Cabot claimed she had been hammered with death threats in the aftermath of the viral incident.

'I made a bad decision and had a couple of High Noons and danced and acted inappropriately with my boss,' she told the New York Times.

'And it's not nothing. And I took accountability and I gave up my career for that. That's the price I chose to pay.'

She is now set to share a keynote speaker spot at PRWeek's 2026 Crisis Comms Conference in Washington, DC, for between $750 and $875 a ticket.

The mother of two will appear in a 30-minute talk titled Taking Back the Narrative alongside public relations CEO Dini von Mueffling.

Fourteen other speakers are scheduled for the conference in April.
When Mick and Haley Kent bought their Toyota LandCruiser to take the trip of a lifetime around Australia, they had no idea what was to come.

The family of six had poured much of their life savings into the getaway, but the dream turned into a nightmare when their car was stolen.

The car was parked on a street on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula on March 9 when thieves used a key cloning device to steal it.

Little did the Kents know, their car is one of the most sought-after targets for criminals with thefts using security-busting technology increasing by about 250 per cent over the past three years.

'It's been incredibly stressful,' Ms Kent said.

'All of our savings had gone into this car. We saved over $80,000 for it, so it chewed up a lot of our savings that we'd had for the trip to do this lap.'

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said 30 cars were being stolen using key cloning technology across the state every day.

He said it can take just 20 seconds for thieves to access cars when using the device.

The Kent family's trip of a lifetime turned into heartbreak after thieves stole their LandCruiser

Key-cloning technology was used to steal the expensive four-wheel-drive

'The advanced technology will override the security systems of the motor vehicles being stolen,' Mr Hill said.

'There is no doubt this methodology is rife in the criminal world and as a community, we need to work together to reduce car theft.'

Nearly 850 LandCruisers were suspected to have been stolen using the technology in 2025, a rise from 241 two years earlier and just 89 three years ago.

It's a statistic Ms Kent is struggling to wrap her head around.

Stranded with their four young daughters, the family was forced to cut their trip short and is now arranging a rental car to return home to Brisbane.

'There's been a lot of pressure and we've had to deal with the insurance company and going back and forth,' she said.

'We lost hats, water bottles, picnic blankets, child car seats, and so many things that I am trying to replace. Even my purse was in there, with all my cards, so we've had to apply for all that again.

'The car was stolen in broad daylight and they had no keys, so they've obviously got those machines to start the car.'

Police later found the car in Dandenong, but it had been destroyed, with offenders letting off a fire extinguisher inside the vehicle, wiping away any potential evidence.

'We filled it up that morning as well, with $250 worth of fuel,' Ms Kent said.

'That was the end of the trip, it's not the way you want to end it.'
British Airways is relaunching its daily flights to and from Melbourne after a 20-year hiatus, becoming the first UK airline to fly to Australia since 2014.

The airline announced the move on Tuesday morning as part of its winter expansion, which will see flights from London to Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur commence on January 9, 2027, while return flights begin two days later.

Passengers will be able to choose from First, World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and Club World (business class) in both directions.

Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus welcomed the return of the flight, saying it was a big win for the city.

'We are thrilled to welcome British Airways back to Melbourne Airport and we're incredibly excited about what this extra choice means for travellers and exporters,' she said.

'British Airways is one of the world's most recognisable airlines and in its more than 100 years of flying has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence and reliability.

'With the largest choice of airlines flying to the UK and Europe, 24-hour operations and the shortest minimum connection time of any Australian airport, Melbourne Airport is now the clear choice for Europeans heading to Australia or Australians looking to travel abroad.'

She also said the business decision would be beneficial to both Melbourne and London.

British Airways is relaunching its daily flights to and from Melbourne after a 20-year hiatus, becoming the first UK airline to fly to Australia since 2014

'London is one of the world's great global cities and a critical hub for business, tourism and education, while Melbourne was last week voted Time Out's "best city in the world" as well as being home to the largest British expat community in Australia, so there will be no shortage of two-way demand.

'The average daily international service injects around $190 million into the Victorian economy each year, which is why it's so important we continue to attract and support more services such as this to Melbourne.

'That's why we last month confirmed plans for a $4.5 billion expansion of our international terminal alongside construction of our third runway, both of which will increase capacity and help provide international travellers and exporters with greater choice.'

From January 9, 2027, flights will depart London's Heathrow airport daily at 9:10pm and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 6:05pm the following day before landing in Melbourne at 6:40am the day after.

Return flights begin from January 11, departing Melbourne at 4:35pm, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 9:35pm and then arriving in London at 5:20am the next morning.

Return fares start from just over $2100 and are on sale from 17 March.

Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus welcomed the return of the flight, saying it was a big win for the city (pictured, Heathrow Airport)

Many Aussies were delighted with the news when Melbourne Airport shared the update on its Facebook page.

'Awesome news,' one said.

'And so it should return to Australias greatest airport,' a second said.

'How good to see London back on the Melbourne airport arrival and departures board,' another said.

'So ridiculous a city like Melbourne lost that years ago.'
Public school teachers in Victoria will walk out of classrooms next Tuesday after rejecting a 17 per cent pay rise, leaving the state government scrambling to bring in retired staff.

In Victoria, salaries currently range between $78,021 and $126,992 for teachers. Principals can earn up to $236,313.

An offer made by the state government after eight months of negotiations proposed a 17 per cent overall increase over three years.

Education support staff would have received 13 per cent over three years under the deal.

But the Victorian branch of the Australian Education Union rejected the deal on Monday night, saying it does not deliver pay rises that value the work of staff.

The figure is a far cry from the 35 per cent pay increase over four years the union had been demanding.

'The problem is they are only offering 17 per cent to teachers and to principals, and 13 per cent to education support staff,' Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly said.

'That offer is below standard. That offer is far below what colleagues in other states and territories currently get paid. It's unacceptable.'

Public school teachers in Victoria will walk out of classrooms after rejecting a 17 per cent pay deal from the state government (TAFE teachers and supporters protest in Melbourne in 2024)

Minister for Education Ben Carroll (pictured) said schools would use retired teachers and casual staff to keep education going during the planned strike

The AEU said the offer would also add to excessive workloads and exacerbate the more than 12 hours of unpaid overtime public school employees do each week.

Some of the terms that would impact this included no cap on meetings or face-to-face teaching, Mr Mullaly said, while placing a limited allowance on overtime.

'The Allan Labor Government is overseeing the country's lowest-funded public education system and is the employer to the nation's lowest paid public school teachers,' he added.

Education Minister Ben Carroll said on Tuesday that he would continue to work with the AEU and prioritise dialogue over conflict.

'Our schools will be open, we are calling on the union again to work with us, this is a serious, compelling offer,' he told reporters in Ascot Vale.

When asked how this was possible, Carroll said they would use retired teachers and casual staff.

However, he conceded that, if the strike went ahead, a normal curriculum would not be run.

Victoria isn't the only state in pay negotiations with teachers.

Queensland and Tasmania are offering an eight per cent salary rise, and the Catholic system recently offered a 13 per cent deal.

Union members working in Victorian public schools will stop work for 24 hours on March 24 after the Fair Work Commission-endorsed ballot had 98 per cent of members vote to take stop-work action.
A woman who was fatally crushed by a float at a St Patrick's Day parade in Kentucky over the weekend has been publicly identified as a local mother of two.

Joan Pannuti Pottinger, 50, died after her foot got caught and she was dragged under a vehicle at the 53rd annual parade in Louisville on Saturday.

Horrified bystanders frantically tried to lift the float up to free her to no avail.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified Pottinger on Monday, though her cause of death was not made public.

Pottinger was married and a mother of two girls. Her husband, Tony Pottinger, described his wife's death as 'truly a freak accident' to WLKY.

He paid tribute to her in a touching statement that said: 'Joan, like the saint for whom she was named, was fiercely loyal and faithful.

'She was (and remains) the light of our lives as a mom, wife, and friend. We are a military family and before settling in our forever home in Louisville, we made multiple moves.

'In every community, Joan has been a passionate force for good, volunteering her time and helping those in need, including in her most recent work fundraising for Best Buddies. We are blessed at the outpouring of community support as we mourn our loss.'

Joan Pannuti Pottinger, 50, was fatally crushed by a parade float during a St Patrick's Day parade in Kentucky on Saturday. She was publicly identified on Monday and is pictured with her husband and two daughters

Pottinger was pulled under this float filled with hay bales connected to a pickup truck during the 53rd annual St Patrick's Day parade in Louisville

According to her LinkedIn, Pottinger began working for Best Buddies International in 2024.

The organization is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting folks with disabilities by helping them find friends, employment and suitable housing.

Prior to that she had enjoyed a 12-year career at Kraft Foods.

The Louisville Metro Police Department previously told the Daily Mail the fatal accident happened just before 4pm.

'Our preliminary investigation reveals that an adult female participant believed to be in her 50s, was walking alongside one of the floats,' a spokesperson said.

'For some unknown reason her foot got caught by the float causing her to fall and she got caught under the vehicle and was struck.'

The float came to a stop as first responders and good Samaritans attending the parade rushed to help her.

Pottinger's husband told WLKY: 'We appreciate the work of the crowd in lifting up the vehicle and the professionalism of the first responder.'

Thousands of paradegoers were unaware of what was unfolding as the parade slowed to a stop. Some children who were attending the parade are pictured

The mother of two's husband, Tony Pottinger, described his late wife as 'fiercely loyal and faithful.' The couple is pictured together

Emergency medical services transported Pottinger to University of Louisville Hospital, where she later died.

Thousands of paradegoers at the front had no idea what was happening as the floats suddenly ground to a halt.

A witness working at a food truck told WAVE 3 he saw the mother of two being carried out on a stretcher.

'I [saw] the EMS attending to somebody. I saw somebody on the stretcher, not thinking it was something very serious,' David Gnamba told the outlet.

'It does break my heart because thats a person that lost their life this is not news that we want to hear  as human beings, as vendors, as people, as partygoers,' he added.

The Hibernian Cultural and Charitable Association, which organized the parade, said they were 'deeply saddened by the tragic accident' and offered condolences to everyone affected.

An outpouring of tributes from those close to the deceased mother of two has been shared on social media since Pottinger died.

First responders rushed to help Pottinger after she was pulled under the float, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Caution tape is pictured near the site of the fatal accident

One friend described her as 'one of the most selfless, humble, kind and genuine human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.'

Another friend wrote: 'Joan had an incredible impact on everyone who knew her, and her generous spirit touched so many lives.'

A GoFundMe set up to support Pottinger's grieving family smashed its initial goal of $3,500 on Sunday and has raised more than $55,000 as of Monday evening.
Almost two weeks after his violent death, disgraced dentist Steven Lin was laid to rest on Saturday in a small, private ceremony attended by his closest friends and family.

His devastated parents, Jackie and Graeme Lin, stood alongside his exwife Cassandra as they farewelled their lost son - shot dead by police earlier this month after he allegedly assaulted two women during a terrifying, drugfuelled rampage.

It was a shocking and ignominious end for a man who had once appeared to have the world at his feet.

For decades, Mr and Mrs Lin had watched their son excel.

A standout student, he rose through school with ease before becoming a successful dentist with a thriving practice. He later achieved a measure of celebrity, fuelled by bestselling books and regular TV appearances in Australia and the United States.

But to his proud parents, Steven Lin was simply the boy from their quiet Figtree street who had worked hard and fulfilled every hope they ever had for him.

When his seemingly perfect life began to unravel - his marriage collapsing and his career in freefall - they welcomed him back into his childhood home, praying he might find a path out of the darkness and start again.

But sadly his years-long battle with methamphetamine had him in a chokehold. It was an addiction that would end in madness and death.

Almost two weeks after his violent death, disgraced dentist Steven Lin was laid to rest on Saturday in a small, private ceremony

His ex-wife Cassandra attended the ceremony, along with about 50 mourners

Dr Lin was shot dead by police on March 3 after he allegedly assaulted two women during a terrifying, drugfuelled rampage. (Pictured: the aftermath of the scene)

Lin was fatally shot during a stand-off with police in Potts Point on March 3 after he entered an apartment building armed with a knife before attacking one woman in a communal laundry and another inside her unit.

He was killed after allegedly lunging at officers who were trying to apprehend him following the violent assaults.

By this point, Lin had a long history of shocking crimes that included stalking, assaults, choking, and breaching apprehended violence orders.

Friends say his troubles escalated after the breakdown of his marriage, with whispers of his affairs, betrayals and increasingly chaotic behaviour.

But the fractures in his personality had begun to show earlier, when he was still married to Cassandra and running a successful dental business.

'He'd turned to drugs to keep up with everything,' a friend told the Daily Mail.

'He couldn't keep up with everything he'd achieved - the book, the dental clinics and then becoming a father of five after the twins were born. He just felt really overwhelmed and tried to cope by self-medicating.'

Already feeling the pressure and secretly abusing drugs, Lin's life took a darker turn when he began an extramarital affair, which resulted in him becoming a father for the sixth time.

Friends say his troubles escalated after the breakdown of his marriage to Cassandra

'That's when his marriage ended and it turned messy,' the friend said.

'Emotions were high and for a long time he didn't see the kids, which just broke him.

'I'm not making excuses for him. What has happened is terrible, but he wasn't always like that.'

As his personal life spiralled, Lin returned to the modest family home in Figtree where he had grown up, seeking refuge with his mum and dad.

The Mail tried to speak to the Lins last week, but they didn't wish to comment on their late son's downfall. Neighbours, however, described them as 'good people' who kept to themselves but were always friendly.

One told the Daily Mail they had spotted the disgraced dentist doing yoga on the balcony and had hoped he was coming out the other side of his addiction.

'It's so sad for his family,' they said. 'Their son is dead. They will never get over this.'

By all accounts, Dr Lin's social media painted the same picture of hope, with regular updates on the latest health news.

But even the quiet familiarity of his childhood home could not halt his spiral.

Dr Lin was separated from his wife Cassandra who continued to run their dental clinics

Former classmates from Figtree High School shared the news of his death

While staying with his parents in March 2025, Dr Lin had booked a Sydney prostitute in the early hours of the morning.

After spending the day and night with her, he was accused of stealing $2,000 he had paid for her services and allegedly trying to choke her.

The matter was dismissed in Wollongong Local Court just days before his death, after the woman failed to turn up for the hearing.

'Everyone really thought he was getting better and dealing with his addictions, but in reality he just got better at hiding it,' said a friend.

News of his shocking death soon spread through the close-knit community just an hour south of Sydney.

'I just wanted to let people know, Steven Lin, graduating class of 2002, now aged 41, passed away 3rd March,' a former classmate posted on a Figtree High School page.

'Unfortunately not good circumstances. He was in my classes and I can't believe what happened. He had become a well-known dentist, but had an unfortunate downfall that he couldn't recover from.'

Several former friends expressed their shock at the news in the comments section.

'I knew Steven well. I used to go over to his house a lot,' one wrote. 'I remember him being a nice person. Unfortunate what happened.'

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A former NAB staff member who worked in the same Melbourne headquarters as an 'AI-skilled' employee who died by suicide has described being trapped in a small office and 'torn to shreds' by a manager.

Jacob*, who worked at one of NAB's two skyscrapers in Docklands, told the Daily Mail about the 'sociopathic' behaviour of a number of bosses who fostered a toxic culture of harassment and verbal abuse at Australia's second-largest bank.

He recalled the moment one manager took him into a small room, blocked the exit and yelled about how his work was poor, that he wasn't meeting expectations, and that he was failing at his job.

Jacob said this particular staff member seemed to 'get some kind of satisfaction' from routinely abusing subordinates, many of whom left the bank over bullying concerns.

He made a formal complaint in the hope it might stop others from enduring the same treatment, but it backfired when he was sacked soon after.

When Jacob learned that a NAB worker had taken his life from the office rooftop on March 5, his distress deepened because the rooftop was the very place he used to slip away to decompress and keep his own suicidal thoughts at bay.

While the reasons for the man's death are unclear - and Jacob didn't know him - he believes that 'NAB has almost certainly done a character assassination of this poor person'.

In a heartfelt message to the victim's family, he said: 'They've been told they're the problem and they're incompetent, and I want you to know that isn't the case. They were talented and they were hired for their skill.'

An 'AI-skilled' NAB worker took his own life at one of the bank's two skyscrapers in Docklands. (Pictured: Inside the building)

Pictured: The scene where a NAB employee took his own life at Docklands

Jacob was excited when he arrived at NAB, but he was quickly shocked by the 'extreme pressure' piled on staff by management.

'It occurred to me very quickly that I'd walked into a nightmare,' he said.

He described a 'locker-room culture' of misogynistic men who would make 'disgusting, incredibly unprofessional' jokes that everyone was expected to laugh at.

The bullying began almost immediately and rapidly escalated - to the point where he was berated simply for doing his job.

In another instance, he was humiliated in front of colleagues by a manager who intentionally didn't provide instructions for the task he was being asked to do.

During a chance conversation with a colleague who was leaving NAB, Jacob learned other staffers were being treated the same way.

He lodged a formal complaint, speaking to other managers and a member of the HR team who initially responded as though they believed him - but the situation soon turned against him and he was fired.

Jacob claims his career was destroyed.

A former employee claimed NAB bosses are enabling bullying (pictured: the Docklands building)

He is now medicated for an anxiety disorder he developed at NAB and continues to struggle with his mental health.

'These people make you feel crazy and as though you're imagining things and you're the problem,' he said.

'It's the most reprehensible, toxic culture I have ever seen, and now someone has died.'

He said there was no doubt in his mind that NAB management facilitated 'this deadly culture'.

Last week, the Daily Mail revealed NAB staff were bullied into cruel and unfair Performance Improvement Plans to make them quit because redundancies were too expensive for the bank.

One woman cried as she explained that she loved her job until management started saying: 'Just get rid of people.'

NAB promotes itself as being concerned for staff welfare, but she said the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) was 'useless'.

Another worker said NAB was 'too cheap' to pay redundancy packages, and was instead moving people into roles they didn't like, overloading them with work, and putting them on PIPs.

The NAB building in Docklands is enclosed within a shoulder-high glass barrier

Someone else said several people in their team had been placed on PIPs, and two quit, branding it workplace bullying.

A NAB spokesperson told the Mail: 'NAB has more than 40,000 employees. Our latest confidential colleague engagement survey has NAB ranked in line with global topquartile benchmarks.

'We know we dont always get it right, but we are committed to listening and creating an environment where our colleagues are heard on matters that are important to them.

'If the former employee has concerns or specific allegations we encourage them to contact FairCall, our independent anonymous whistleblower service operated by KPMG.'

Victoria Police confirmed it attended the suicide incident in the CBD on March 5.

'Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man in Docklands on March 5,' a police statement read.

'The body of a man, who is yet to be formally identified, was located on Bourke Street about 2pm.'

*Name has been changed.

If this has raised any issues for you, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 for confidential crisis support.

READ THE FULL STORY ON THE NAB SCANDAL

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Pushed to the brink: NAB staff claim bosses at suicide bank are deliberately making life hell for workers - and the reason why will horrify you
A beloved former TV news anchor battling chronic liver issues has issued an emotional plea for an organ donor.

Amy McGorry, 56, is appealing to the public to try and secure a liver transplant that would save her life.

The former anchor has been quietly fighting a long and grueling battle with autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), two chronic conditions.

She has long been familiar to viewers in Long Island, New York as the face of News 12 and TV55.

But now she has become the story as she desperately appeals to fans for help.

'Help me find a living liver donor that would be a match for me. You can help save my life,' McGorry said in a tearful video posted to Instagram, her voice breaking.

'I can't even believe I have to say those words but I need a liver transplant. You can't wait.'

McGorrys said her condition has deteriorated rapidly in recent months, leaving her grappling with debilitating and potentially deadly symptoms such as fainting episodes, internal bleeding, and dangerously low hemoglobin levels.

Former TV anchor Amy McGorry revealed in a tearful video how she is seeking a living liver donor as she battles autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)

McGorry previously worked as a health reporter for News 12 Long Island and TV55

Without a donor, her failing liver could begin shutting down other organs.

But since patients with PBC are often ranked lower than others on transplant lists, McGorry cannot rely on the traditional system to save her.

'The problem with PBC, you're the low man on the list when it comes to getting a transplant,' she told the New York Post.

Her only viable option is to find a living donor would be someone willing to undergo major surgery to give a portion of their liver.

'You have to find a living donor willing to do it - and that's a big ask - to go "can I have a piece of their liver?"' she said.

In her emotional appeal, McGorry explained what that would mean.

'The doctors explained that they'll take a portion of the liver from this person and it would grow back in two to three months which is pretty cool,' she said in an Instagram video. 'The blood-type is O-Positive.'

Living liver donation is possible as the liver is one of the few organs capable of regenerating, typically within eight to twelve weeks.

McGorry has experienced fainting episodes and dangerously low hemoglobin levels as her health has worsened

The process requires a healthy donor, a rigorous evaluation, and a willingness to take on significant risk.

McGorry is searching for someone between the ages of 20 and 60, in good health, and with O-positive blood, a narrow and urgent window that makes her plea all the more desperate.

'If you're not a donor, if you can please share the link get the message out there,' she said in her video. 'I really need your help, I appreciate it, thank you.'

In a message shared through her GoFundMe page, loved ones painted her as a woman who has spent her life lifting others up.

'Amy has always been a source of strength and joy for our family and everyone who knows her,' they wrote.

'Now, her liver has given all it can, and she is in urgent need of a transplant. Every day matters.'

They described her as a journalist, a sister, aunt, teacher, athlete, and performer who brought energy and humor into every room, from improv stages to classrooms.

Doctors have told McGorry she needs a liver transplant as her condition has led to liver failure and internal bleeding

But even as her condition worsens, McGorry has refused to step back from helping others.

Next month, she is expected to travel to Washington, DC, to advocate for the Living Donor Protection Act, legislation aimed at expanding protections for organ donors - including job security during recovery.

'Some people may want to donate, and their jobs won't let them,' she said.

'For me, it's not just about me, I have been trying to find a reason through all of this, the "why is this happening to me?" and maybe this is my way of helping everyone,' McGorry explained.

'This is bigger than me. It's about hope, and maybe, just maybe, someone out there can be my miracle.'
Jasmine Crockett has defended her fugitive bodyguard, who was shot and killed in a standoff with law enforcement, as she claimed to be unaware of his criminal past.

Diamon-Maziarre Robinson, 39, died Wednesday night following a chase with the Dallas police, who said he was wanted for impersonating an officer.

Robinson also had several felony warrants, a parole violation warrant and an extensive criminal record, with arrests for seven instances of theft between 2009 and 2017.

Despite this, he still managed to operate a business placing local police officers in off-duty security jobs and ended up working with Crockett's security detail.

The Texas lawmaker spoke out Monday after authorities revealed that Robinson had used a number of aliases, stolen government license plates and fake uniforms to operate his firm.

Still, Crockett insisted that Robinson 'always conducted himself respectfully' as she praised his work, which she claimed also saw him embedded with Capitol Police, adding 'our hearts grieve the loss of someone we knew.'

'He never endangered our team, worked diligently, coordinated with local law enforcement and maintained positive relationships throughout the community,' she said.

Crockett blamed 'loopholes' in the hiring process for Robinson being able to sneak through and work for the Congresswoman and her team 'for years', but also said that his past 'doesn't fit the person' she knew.

Jasmine Crockett defended her staff's hiring policies and claimed not to know about the criminal record of Diamon-Maziarre Robinson (left), a bodyguard she employed who was shot and killed in a standoff with law enforcement

Bodycam footage from the fatal shooting of Robinson was released on Monday

Diamon-Maziarre Robinson, 39, died Wednesday night following a police chase, with the Dallas Police Department saying that he was wanted for impersonating an officer

'We are saddened and shocked by some of the concerning revelations,' she added. 'Our team followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security.

'We were approved to use this vendor, who also provided security services for additional entities in the local community and worked closely with law enforcement agencies, including Capitol Police.

'The fact that this individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting process for something as sensitive as security for a member of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems.'

She even suggested that Capitol Police should take charge of providing security, even getting in a dig at nemesis Donald Trump.

'This situation reiterates the need for Capitol Police to provide security for members of Congress, especially under this administration's new normal of inciting attacks on those who dare to speak out.'

Despite the accusations of identity theft and impersonating a law enforcement officer, Crockett said he 'used those loopholes without malice,' adding that his 'limited criminal history' contained no violent offenses.

Robinson would allegedly tell potential officers he was one of them and promise security jobs under the name Mike King, according to the police.

Dallas Deputy Police Chief William Griffith claimed Monday that Robinson had run the deception for 'many years.'

Crockett blamed 'loopholes' in the hiring process for Robinson being able to sneak through and work for the Congresswoman and her team 'for years' but also said that his past 'doesn't fit the person' she knew

Dallas Deputy Police Chief William Griffith claimed Monday that Robinson had run the deception for 'many years'

'The agencies that he reported to work for do not exist. So dignitaries, basically special dignitary police, that agency does not exist within the federal government. So that's who he portrayed to be. There was no actual federal agency that he worked for that existed,' he said.

But Crockett claimed that the man she knew was an upstanding member of her security staff.

'There was never any reason to suspect that he wasn't who he held himself out to be,' she said.

'Our hearts grieve the loss of someone we knew and the lost good that could have come from his redemption.'

Capitol Police told the Daily Mail on Tuesday morning that Robinson has never worked for them, nor been affiliated with their police department.

In the body camera footage, officers ask Robinson to get out of the car and 'stand up' before they notice he is armed.

'Don't reach! Don't do it! Don't do it! Show your hands! Don't do it!' an officer shouts before multiple gunshots go off.

Police found 11 weapons in Robinson's possession, including one that was stolen.

Robinson allegedly posed as a law enforcement officer and operated a private security firm despite a criminal record involving theft and government record tampering

The gun found at the scene belonging to Robinson when he was shot

Robinson had several felony warrants, as well as a parole violation warrant and an extensive criminal record, with arrests for seven instances of theft between 2009 and 2017

Crockett greets supporters with 39-year-old Robinson in Dallas on February 27

They also claimed he was using multiple vehicles - a black GMC Yukon and a white Ford F-250 - that had been reported as stolen.

Those vehicles, as well as a silver Dodge Charger he had been operating, all displayed stolen government license plates.

The fugitive led cops into the Childrens Medical Center Dallas hospital parking garage shortly before midnight last Wednesday, before barricading himself inside a vehicle.

He was eventually forced out of the car by tear gas and was shot and killed when he pulled a gun on officers, police said.

While Robinson was not a police officer, he had worked a number of security jobs, including on Representative Crockett's detail in both Washington, DC and in Texas, according to CBS.

He was frequently seen by her side as she campaigned in recent months for the Democratic Party's Senate nomination in Texas, which she lost to James Talarico.

Sources told CBS that Robinson's role on Crockett's detail saw him organize security at a number of her events.

Documents show that a person named Mike King was paid by Crockett for 'security services' as recently as last year, the outlet reported.

Robinson's role in her security team comes after her campaign developed a reputation for having guards escort journalists out of events and being combative with the press.

In two incidents in late February, Crockett's campaign called police on a CNN reporter and a correspondent with The Atlantic, escorting them off the premises at campaign rallies.

The firebrand Democrat lost her Senate race to Talarico earlier this month after complaining that voting irregularities cost her the nomination.
An independent gold mining company has been forced to send two-thirds of its fly-in, fly-out workforce home due to ongoing fuel supply issues.

Privately owned mining contractor Blue Cap Mining on Tuesday morning revealed it was unable to run machinery vital to its mining operations as there wasn't enough diesel.

Blue Cap Mining employs around 180 fly-in, fly-out workers and had to send between 50 and 60 people home over the weekend.

Another 50 to 60 workers will be affected over the next few days, Blue Cap's Managing Director, Ashley Fraser, told ABC Radio Perth.

The contractor operates in the Devon gold mine near Laverton, about 900 kilometres north-east of Perth.

Ore is usually trucked almost 300km from the pit for processing but a lack of diesel has halted normal operations.

Blue Cap projects around Western Australia use around 15,000 litres of fuel a day.

Australia's entire resources sector chews through almost 10billion litres of diesel every year.

Blue Cap Mining (above) has sent two-thirds of its of its FIFO workforce to go home this week due to ongoing fuel supply issues

Australia has experienced fear for its fuel supply since the Strait of Hormuz was blocked by Iran

One large haul truck alone could use a million litres of diesel in just one year.

Concerns about Australia's fuel supply stem from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world's total crude oil and liquid natural gas travels.

Smaller contractors - like Blue Cap - rely on independent suppliers for diesel.

Those suppliers are far down the 'pecking order', meaning Blue Cap and others are unlikely to have access to their usual supply of fuel.

Bigger mining operations have been given better surety of fuel supply.

'We'll be dialling down our production until we can get some surety around what that fuel supply looks like,' Mr Fraser said.

'The feedback that we're getting is, don't expect more than 30 to 40 per cent of the fuel you normally get once or twice a week.'

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas (above) said of the fuel shortage for the resources sector: 'Western Australia is the engine room of the nation's economy and that engine runs on diesel'

Mr Fraser added the industry wasn't a 'level playing field' and impacts would likely play out similar to the Covid pandemic, in terms of effects on the wider economy.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas agreed, noting the problems at Blue Cap were the first indication of a larger issue.

He urged the government to prioritise fixing the supply of diesel to essential industries.

'Western Australia is the engine room of the nation's economy and that engine runs on diesel,' Zempilas said.

'So any shortages of diesel fuel are going to greatly impact Western Australia and Australia's economy more broadly.'

WA Premier Roger Cook admitted the situation was 'very concerning'.

He said his government would work to identify shortages and ensure fuel supply 'as a matter of priority'.

Cook also promised to look into Blue Cap's diesel issues.
CCTV footage captured the chaotic moment five off-duty female police officers got caught up in a brawl with a mother and her daughters at a bottomless brunch.

Rose Webb, 58, and daughters Casey Jackson, 32, Emma Dee Jackson, 34, and Billie Jo Jackson, 35, were said to have gone 'over the top' in the brawl with the off-duty cops at the Cocktail Club on Shaftesbury Avenue.

The police officers had been 'letting their hair down' and enjoying a High School Musical themed brunch, drinking prosecco, eating pizza and singing 'We're All In This Together'.

The two groups were dancing close to each other when Webb became annoyed at PC Tanisha Whitlock's dancing, Wood Green Crown Court heard.

Webb is said to have yelled 'f****** lezza' at PC Whitlock as her colleagues, Daniella Andrean, Binal Valji, Megan Pearson and Bethan Thomas all became involved in the struggle.

But mother-of-four and grandmother-of-two Webb along with Casey, Emma Dee and Billie Jo were all cleared by a jury of affray after claiming they had been acting in self-defence.

Webb and her daughters chose not to give evidence. Representing herself, Webb told jurors: 'Firstly, I was acting in defence of my daughter (Billie Jo) and secondly in defence of myself in the chaos that ensued.'

She said the CCTV confirms their claim that the police officers were the aggressors.

The massive brawl lasted more than four minutes and saw hair pulling, wrestling and several punches being thrown

Two men tried to stop the fight halfway through but the nine women kept getting potshots at each other

Rose Webb, 58, (pictured) is said to have shouted 'F****** lezza' at the police officers which they began the brawl

Dominic Thomas, defending for Billie Jo, slammed the off-duty officers for 'strutting around' as if they owned the place and turning the venue into the 'TSG dance room.'

He blamed PC Whitlock's 'manic aggressive' dancing for starting the fight and said: 'The best way to describe it was an angry chicken.'

Prosecutor Alex Balancy said all the women involved had been drinking on October 15, 2022.

He said: 'Everyone started off in a good mood, singing, having a good time. Rose Webb started trying to engage in conversation with the officers.

'Ms Whitlock, clearly the more social one, was dancing.

'It seemed to annoy at some point Ms Webb, so the four defendants appear to move away from that area.

'At some point, Ms Webb said she was going to the bathroom and headed towards the officers.

'It would appear that along the way, she pushed one of the defendants, which appears to have escalated.

'Casey Jackson appears to try to defuse the matter.'

Webb then made her alleged homophobic remark which sparked the brawl, he said.

'The whole thing erupted into an almighty melee,' the prosecutor said.

'Rose Webb grabbed the hair of Ms Whitlock, dragged her along the floor and simply would not let go.

'Even when eventually they managed to get her to release her grip, she went back and punched Ms Whitlock in the head.

'Those four defendants simply lost it and went over the top, and the complainants were trying to restrain them.

'Other members of the public tried to jump in to try to separate the parties, and members of staff jumped in, too.'

Binal Valji (pictured) was one of the off duty cops involved in the brawl

The fight is said to have begun because Webb got annoyed at Ms Whitlock's 'manic' dancing that the defending barrister described being like an 'angry chicken'

Billie Jo, 35, (pictured) had to 'pick' her way through the officers to get her bag before the fight, her defending lawyer said. Webb said she was defending her firstly in the fight

'Firstly, I was acting in defence of my daughter (Billie Jo) and secondly in defence of myself in the chaos that ensued,' Webb (pictured) said

Webb reportedly called Ms Whitlock a 'f****** lezza' and the brawl kicked off from there

Webb believes the CCTV footage shows that the off-duty police officers were the aggressors. Meanwhile Ms Pearson said she had to hit Webb in the 'chest and neck to try and make her release the grip' of her friend's hair

'Danny (Ms Andrean) had a mouth full of blood. She was crying and said she had been kicked in the face,' Ms Pearson told the court

Ms Pearson told the court she was trying to get Webb to let go of the tufts of Ms Whitlock's hair she was clinging on to.

'I hit her chest and neck to try and make her release the grip,' she said.

'There was a lot of screaming from Tanesha at that point. I looked down at female one (Webb) and Tanesha and I got hit in the face.

'I said: "What the f*** is wrong with you lot?"

One of the daughters replied: 'That's my mum!'

'I said "well your mum is holding on to my friend". We dragged female one away from the area.

'Danny (Ms Andrean) had a mouth full of blood. She was crying and said she had been kicked in the face.'

PC Valji told the court: 'It was chaotic, there were arms, legs, people everywhere.

'Ms Whitlock was screaming "help me" and trying desperately to get out of this pile of people on top of her.

'I reached forward to try and pull her out of the situation. I was trying to get them to stop.

'She was screaming "help me" and her lip was cut. I was trying to release the grip of the person pulling her hair.'

The brawling family were all cleared of affray by the jury on the 13th day of the trial, prompting Judge Alexander Jacobs to quip: 'Unlucky for some, maybe not for others.'

The jury took a total of 12 hours and 14 minutes to deliberate.

Footage shows the fight lasted for roughly four minutes of messy hair pulling, pushing and wrestling between the two groups of women.

Two men step in about halfway through to try to break up what prosecutors described as an 'almighty melee' but the nine women continue to take pot shots at each other.

The brawl starts with one woman pushing another on to the booth seating after the groups were angrily arguing. It then descends into chaos as each woman starts fighting with another.

Defending, Mr Thomas said that the Territorial Support Group (TSG) officers took over the place with their 'manic' dancing.

Cross-examining, the barrister said to Ms Whitlock: 'You are strutting around as if you own the place. What was a public room has become the TSG dance room.'

Ms Whitlock replied: 'I was just up dancing. There was no one else in that space.'

He said one part of the footage shows Billie Jo having to 'pick her through' Ms Whitlock's group to get her black handbag. Webb also had to move through the officers in order to go to the toilet.

Casey Jackson appears to have tried to defuse the matter before the fight, Prosecutor Alex Balancy said

The group had been arguing before the brawl after Mr Thomas said the officers had made it into a 'TSG dance room'

Drinks went flying as well as hands and feet

Emma-Dee Jackson,34, (pictured), daughter of Rose Webb

Some of the women even tried to hold off those breaking up the fight

'Your group isn't having it', Mr Thomas said as he showed the CCTV footage of them making their way through the reveling officers.

'That could go the other way,' Ms Whitlock rebutted.

Mr Thomas asked what the problem was with Webb 'trying to make her way to the loo'.

Ms Whitlock replied: 'She barged me out of the way.'

He closed with a speech, labelling Ms Whitlock's dancing as 'manic aggressive', adding her behaviour 'fell well below how a police officer should behave even off duty'.

'Ms Valji dragged her (Whitlock) back to her seat when she danced in that intimidating and bizarre way,' he said.

'The best way to describe it was an angry chicken.

'The officers got drunk as they were entitled to, but it led them to behave like territorial and entitled bullies and that they were not entitled to, and that's the whole story here.'

Webb, Casey Jackson, Emma Dee Jackson and Billie Jo Jackson, all of Northolt, west London, denied affray.

Billie Jo Jackson works in water safety at Hammersmith Hospital while Casey Jackson is employed by a property firm with celebrity and high-profile clients.

Webb has a managerial role in a business.
Rockets and at least five drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday, Iraqi security sources said, describing it as the most intense assault since the war began.

It came as residents of Dubai and Doha, Qatar, awoke to the sound of explosions as air defences worked to intercept new waves of incoming Iranian fire, as the conflict in the Middle East showed no signs of abating.

Two US officials said no injuries were reported so far in Baghdad.

An eyewitness told Reuters the C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar) air defence system shot down two of the drones, while a third struck inside the embassy compound, from which fire and smoke could be seen rising.

An explosion was heard in the Iraqi capital, another witness said.

Iranian backed militias have been attacking American interests in Iraq in retaliation for the US-Israeli attacks on Tehran which began on February 28.

On Monday, Iran-aligned group Kataib Hezbollah announced the death of its senior commander and spokesperson - Abu Ali Al-Askari - and Popular Mobilisation Forces said air strikes killed at least eight of its fighters in the Iraqi town of al-Qaim near Syria.

Iraqi security forces have been deployed across parts of the capital and closed Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions including the US embassy.

An eyewitness told Reuters the C-RAM air defence system shot down two of the drones

Rockets and at least five drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday, Iraqi security sources said

A C-RAM air defence system intercepts drones during reported drone and rocket attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq

Interceptions lit up the night sky over Baghdad last night after an earlier drone attack on a luxury hotel on Monday.

An orange glow and explosion were seen after a drone was shot down by a US defence system, in footage aired by the Rudaw network.

It happened hours after another drone struck a prominent hotel in the citys heavily fortified Green Zone.

Two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the strike hit the top floor of the Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed hotel, which houses diplomatic delegations and international organisations.

The attack caused damage but no casualties, and security forces sealed off the area.

No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Qatar said Tuesday it had intercepted a missile attack as Tehran continues to enact its retaliatory campaign over strikes by the US and Israel that killed its supreme leader.

An AFP journalist heard several explosions in Doha, a day after blasts resounded across the Qatari capital.

Qatar, like several Gulf nations, has been targeted by drones and missiles in the last days.

'The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar,' the defence ministry posted on X.

In nearby Dubai, an AFP journalist heard three explosions after a mobile phone alert warned residents of the UAE's most populous city to 'immediately seek a safe place' over 'potential missile threats'.

The major transit hub for international travel briefly shut its airspace as the military said it was 'responding to incoming missile and drone threats' around the city.

Iraqi security sources said, describing it as the most intense assault since the war began.

Air defence systems engage projectiles over Baghdad on Monday night

Iraqi security sources described the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad as the most intense assault since the war began

Iranian backed militias have been attacking American interests in Iraq in retaliation for the US-Israeli attacks on Tehran which began on February 28

The Israeli military said early on Tuesday it had begun a 'wide-scale wave of strikes' across Iran's capital and was also stepping up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Israel also reported two incoming salvos before dawn from Iran at Tel Aviv and elsewhere, and said Hezbollah targeted Israel's north.

Iran kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbours, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, located on the east coast of the UAE, with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted.

State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike.

The attack is the second to occur at the major terminal in two days, after oil loading operations were temporarily suspended at Fujairah yesterday when the facility was hit, causing a fire to break out.

Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis.

Early on Tuesday, Tehran hit a tanker anchored off the coast of Fujairah, one of about 20 vessels targetted since the outbreak of war.

With Washington under increasing pressure over rising oil prices, Brent crude, the international standard, remained over 100 dollars (75) a barrel, up more than 40 per cent since the war started.

US President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and sceptical that they could do more than the US Navy.

The UAE shut down its airspace early on Tuesday as its military reported it was 'responding to missile and drone threats from Iran'.

The closure was soon lifted, and not long after, the sounds of explosions could be heard as the military worked to intercept incoming fire.

The snap announcement on its airspace showed the balancing act Emirati authorities face in trying to keep their long-haul carriers, Emirates and Etihad, flying as Iranian attacks continue to target the country.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones on Tuesday morning over the country's vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.

A Pakistani national was killed by shrapnel in Abu Dhabi overnight following 'the interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems', government officials said on X.

Smoke rises after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, amid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel

Rubble and debris are strewn across a road at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs, in the al Kafaat neighborhood, on March 17

On Monday, Israel's military announced its troops had launched 'limited and targeted ground operations' against the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

'This activity is part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel,' the Israel Defence Forces said.



Lebanese state media reported that Israeli airstrikes struck three neighbourhoods in Beirut early on Tuesday.

It came as the IDF issued an urgent warning to residents in the south  'specifically in the village of Arab al-Jal'  to evacuate as the military says it continues to target Hezbollah infrastructure.

'The Defence Army will attack military infrastructure belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah in the near timeframe,' an IDF spokesman wrote in a post on X.

In a joint letter, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK called on Israel and Lebanon to begin negotiating a 'sustainable political solution'.

They expressed concern at a 'deeply alarming' humanitarian situation in Lebanon and called for 'immediate de-escalation'.

'A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted,' the statement said.

At a press conference yesterday, President Trump slammed Sir Keir Starmer over his response to the conflict, saying he's 'not happy' with the UK after the prime minister said it would not be drawn into a 'wider war' over Iran.

Trump said he was 'very surprised' by the lack of support he was getting from the UK over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, telling reporters:

'I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because United Kingdom two weeks ago, I said, why dont you send some ships over? And he really didnt want to do it.

'I said, you dont want to do it? Weve been with you. Youre our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on, you know, Nato and all of these things to protect you.

'Were protecting them. Were working with them on Ukraine. Ukraines thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean. We dont have to do that, but we did it. Well, Biden did it. I mean, I have to be honest with you, Biden got taken to the cleaners, but we worked with them in Ukraine.'

He added that he had told Starmer 'it would be really helpful if you'd send over a couple of ships and if you have some minesweepers, which they do, be very helpful'.

'And the prime minister... he says, well, I'd like to ask my team.

'I said, you don't have to worry about a team. You don't have a team. You're the prime minister. You can make a decision... So it's very disappointing.'

Several other European countries have expressed reluctance to committing any vessels to the strait, despite Trump's calls for support.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the war with Iran is 'not a matter for Nato', while France made it clear that Paris will not deploy ships directly into the Strait of Hormuz while the conflict is ongoing.

Trump told journalists that there were 'some countries that greatly disappointed me' before he singled out the UK.

He had previously called on France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and China to join a 'team effort' in restoring the strait, which has effectively been shutdown by Iran.

This is a breaking story. More to follow
The European Union has told Donald Trump and Iran to stop their war 'so that everybody saves face', as Emmanuel Macron insisted France would not send its navy to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

France is the latest Nato country to snub the US President after his demand for a 'joint effort' in restoring the channel, through which about 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

'We are not a party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context,' Macron said following Trump's request that allies help secure the crucial artery, effectively shut by Iran in response to US-Israeli strikes.

'However, we are convinced that once the situation becomes calmer... we are ready, alongside other nations, to take responsibility for an escort system.'

In a furious post on Truth Social, Trump hit back at Nato's rejection, calling the alliance a 'one way street' and declaring 'we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID!'

And on Tuesday, when asked by reporters to comment on Macron's comments, Trump declared: 'He'll be out of office very soon.'

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said 'it would be in the interest of everybody if this war stops', adding: 'The problem with wars is that it's easier to start than to stop them, and it always gets out of hand.'

'We have been consulting with regional countries like the Gulf countries, Jordan, Egypt, (about) whether we could also bring forward proposals for Iran, Israel and the US to get out of this situation so that everybody saves face,' she said in an interview with Reuters.

Nato countries have hit back at Donald Trump after he demanded their help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The US President asked allies to join a mission to safeguard shipping in the Gulf but was snubbed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said the UK would not 'send ships' to protect oil tankers from Iranian attacks

Kallas said the door was not closed to European participation in efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz but it would be most likely to come as part of a diplomatic solution.

The former prime minister of Estonia added that Europe did not understand some of the United States' actions under Trump or its objectives in Iran but had become used to his unpredictability and was 'more calm' in its responses.

Nato countries have rounded on Trump after he demanded their support to reopen the key transit point for oil and gas, as they continue to refuse to be further drawn into the war with Tehran.

The US President in recent days asked allies to join a mission to safeguard shipping in the Gulf but was snubbed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said the UK would not 'send ships' to protect oil tankers from Iranian attacks.

Germany, Italy, Greece and Australia also refused to take part in efforts to reopen the important waterway - which normally channels more than 20million barrels of oil and LNG per day.

Following the collective refusal of his allies, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday: 'The United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.'

He continued: 'I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street  We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.'

The US President is desperately trying to open the strait as the Iranian regime's ongoing closure causes a spike in oil prices and sparks fears of a global economic crisis.

He recently launched a broadside at Sir Keir, claiming he was 'not happy' with him and the UK's approach to the conflict has been 'terrible'.

But Finland's President Alexander Stubb rushed to the Prime Minister's defence, saying he admires Sir Keir's ability to 'stay calm'.

Asked whether Nato allies, including Finland, should join the US, Stubb said they had Russia 'to take care of'.

He told the BBC: 'This was a surprise attack, so none of us knew about it and that's why probably there's been reluctance and a little pushback.

'We have our own backyard to take care of, a 1,340 km of border with Russia... We wouldn't have much to give. We don't have bases, these kinds of things to give. What I think I'd like to see now is more peace mediation rather than an escalation of the situation.'

Meanwhile, the EU said 'nobody' is willing to put troops in 'harm's way' over the waterway.

Kallas previously said: 'Nobody is ready to put their people in harm's way in the Strait of Hormuz. We have to find diplomatic ways to keep this open so that we don't have a food crisis, fertilizers crisis, energy crisis as well.'

She added the EU is ready to invest in relations with the US, 'but it takes two to tango'.

It echoed comments from Germany, who claimed it is 'not our war'.

The country's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected Trump's demands and downplayed threats that such a stance by allies would hurt Nato.

'What does (...) Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US navy cannot do?' he said in Berlin.

'This is not our war, we have not started it.'

Asked about Trump's warning that Nato faces a 'very bad' future if its members fail to come to Washington's aid, Pistorius said he did not anticipate Nato to fall apart over these differences.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: 'There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so.'

He added: 'This Iranian regime must come to an end,' but 'based on all the experience we have gained in previous years and decades, bombing it into submission is, in all likelihood, not the right approach.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Mr Trump has warned Nato it faces a 'very bad' future if they don't help the US. Pictured: Smoke rises after an airstrike on Tehran

Greece will also not engage in any military operations in the Strait, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday.

Greece will only participate in the EU's naval mission charged with protecting ships in the Red Sea, Marinakis told a press conference.

Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the Hormuz Strait and there were no naval missions Italy is involved in that could be extended to the area.

'As far as Hormuz is concerned I believe diplomacy needs to prevail,' Tajani said.

Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea 'but I don't see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz,' he added.

Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said US allies in Europe wanted to understand Trumps 'strategic goals. What will be the plan?'

Trump has warned that Nato faces a 'very bad' future if they fail to support the US against Iran.

On Sunday he said: 'Its only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there. If theres no response or if its a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of Nato.'

But his threats appear to have made little impact.

In his first statement since becoming supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to continue using the 'lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz' because it is where 'the enemy is highly vulnerable'.

And Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi derided Trump for asking for help to reopen it while demanding Iran surrenders.

He said on Monday: 'They carried out large-scale attacks and again repeated the demand for unconditional surrender.

'Today, after roughly 15 days (sic) since the war began, they are turning to other countries for help to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open.

'From our perspective, the Strait is open; it is only closed to our enemies and to those who carried out unjust aggression against our country.'

Earlier on Monday, Iran repeated the claim the passageway was not closed but merely operating under 'special conditions'.

The price of oil has risen rapidly following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz

'Parties not involved in the military aggression against Iran have been able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with and with permission from our armed forces,' Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

'No coastal country in such a situation can allow enemy ships and vessels to pass normally in order to strengthen themselves and carry out aggressive actions against that coastal state,' he claimed, adding the US, Israel and their allies 'should naturally not be able to use the Strait of Hormuz to strike Iran'.

On Monday, Sir Keir said the US had 'massively weakened' the military of the 'abhorrent regime in Iran'.

He said the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened to 'ensure stability in the markets'.

He said he was willing to be part of a 'viable collective plan' for the Strait, but that no decisions had been taken yet amid suggestions the UK is only looking at deploying anti-mine drones. 'This is not easy. It's not straight forward,' he added.

With Iran warning on Sunday of reprisals against the UK, it is understood there are no current plans to send British warships to escort stranded tankers. Instead, ministers are offering mine-hunting drones and missile interceptors as part of an international effort to free up shipping on the route.

On Saturday, Trump said he wanted Britain, France and China to 'send ships to the area so that the Strait will no longer be threatened by a nation that has been totally decapitated'.

His demand was repeated by Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the United Nations, who said: 'The conversation is ongoing. The last time Iran tried to constrain global energy supplies, you had French, United Kingdom forces escorting tankers heading towards their markets. That is what President Trump is calling upon the world.'
The PR woman organising Meghan Markle's comic-con-style appearance at an Australian 'ultimate girls' weekend' has run into major financial difficulties after her PR agency went bust with a giant $500,000 tax bill, it was reported today.

Gemma O'Neill has been busily promoting a three-day event in Sydney where women pay 1,705 for a 'VIP experience' including a picture with the Duchess of Sussex over dinner.

Meghan, 44, is the headline guest at the inaugural 'Her Best Life Retreat', a seaside weekend organised by the events company Besties, founded by radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson and her close friend O'Neill.

Fans can buy 'VIP experience' tickets for 1,705 ($3,199) that includes a 'group table photo' and the chance to hear her interviewed on stage during a two-night stay in a 5-star Sydney hotel. A gift bag will also be handed out - and there is speculation it could contain As Ever staples such as jam, flower sprinkles and candles.

But today it was reported in Australia that the talent agency owned by Gemma has collapsed owing more than half a million Australian dollars, mainly to the taxman.

She says she cannot pay her debts due to a lack of savings and her 'limited income'.

Administrators were said to have been appointed after O'Neill's talent management business, Gemmie Agency, went into voluntary liquidation in November.

The firm owes $543,548 to the Australian Taxation Office, with another $3,300 owed to small business Jack Lawrence Accountants and Advisors, reports news.com.au.

A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex confirmed on Tuesday that she will still be appearing at the Her Best Life Event, which is taking place from April 17 to April 19 at the InterContinental Hotel overlooking Coogee Beach in the east of Sydney.

Fans can buy 'VIP experience' tickets for 1,705 ($3,199) that includes a 'group table photo with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex' and the chance to hear her interviewed on stage during a two-night stay in a 5-star Sydney hotel

Organiser Gemma O'Neill (pictured hosting an episode of the Her Best Life podcast) has reportedly informed administrators she cannot make the repayment contributions on the $500,000 she owes due to limited income and a lack of savings

Besties Australia, organisers of the weekender being supported by Meghan in mid-April, are mentioned in the insolvency report.

There was a loan of $18,143 made to Besties by the Gemmie Agency. Administrators have reportedly written to Ms ONeill requesting 'a detailed explanation of the balance of that loan'.

Just last month, on February 20, O'Neill reportedly informed the administrators she couldn't make any repayment contributions, noting she has no available personal savings, limited income, and had failed to refinance her beachside apartment in Sydney.

On the same day her star client Jackie O, a well known broadcaster in Australia, had a public row with her KIIS FM radio partner, Kyle Sandilands, which led to to the duo being taken off air and their $100million contracts were torn up.

Around a fortnight later Gemma and Jackie announced that Meghan would headline their 1,400 'girls' weekend', where the former Suits star would deliver a gala dinner speech and pose for photos with paying VIP guests.

Up to 300 guests will be welcomed to the three-day luxury retreat in Sydney from April 17 to 19, during her trip to the country with the Duke of Sussex.

The deal was brokered by the 'third wheel' in her marriage to Prince Harry, Markus Anderson, who is a close friend of O'Neill's.

Last night administrators from Grant Thornton Australia said in a creditors' statement that the debts incurred by O'Neill's agency were in stark contrast to a sevenfigure commission paid by an unnamed 'key client' between October 2023 and March 2024, according to news.com.au.

O'Neill reportedly is due to respond to the creditors report by today, Tuesday, March 17.

The Daily Mail has asked her to comment.

On the same day Gemma reportedly informed the administrators she couldn't make any repayment contributions, February 20, her client and friend Jackie O was involved in a public spat Down Under.

She had fought with her KIIS FM radio partner, Kyle Sandilands, in an argument about her being 'away with the fairies', which later saw the duo taken off the airwaves permanently and their $100million contracts torn up.

The Kyle and Jackie O Show was officially axed 11 days later in a dramatic announcement by the radio station's owner, ARN Media.

Jackie O has now launched a wrongful termination suit against ARN, after she told executives she couldn't 'continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following his harsh onair comments.

Gemma O'Neill's (left) firm owes over $500,000-plus to the Australian taxman. She is pictured with her client Jackie O, who has recently left her hit radio show

The friends launched their business, Besties Australia Pty Ltd in October 2022, later hosting Gwyneth Paltrow at a 'Besties' event that drew a smaller than expected crowd

The exclusive event costs thousands of pounds for the weekend - and includes some time with Meghan at a gala dinner

Markus Anderson helped set up Meghan's blind date with Harry in 2018 - and eight years on he helped set up her appearance at an Australian 'ultimate girls' weekend' where women will pay for a photo with her

Gemma and Jackie's joint venture, Besties Australia Pty Ltd, is also mentioned in the creditor's report after it was revealed that a loan of $18,143 was made to the event business.

Besties Australia was registered by O'Neill in October 2022 in her role as director/secretary.

However, the report states O'Neill did not disclose any loans to related parties to GTA's administrators.

'The director (O'Neill) advised that this balance was incorrectly recorded by the Company's former accountant and the transactions in the loan account were in respect of costs incurred by the Company, and not by Besties Australia,' the report states.

The Daily Mail has contacted GTA's appointed liquidator John McInerney for comment.

It comes just days after Besties Australia announced it will host Meghan at an exclusive three-day retreat in Sydney's eastern suburbs next month.

Tickets to the retreat, which takes place from April 17 to 19 to coincide with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's trip Down Under, retail for around $3,000 for one person.

Gemma and Jackie launched their business, Besties Australia Pty Ltd, in October 2022, later hosting Gwyneth Paltrow at a 'Besties' event that drew a smaller-than-expected crowd.

Just as Meghan's As Ever deal with Netflix ended, it emerged her close friend Markus Anderson has been credited with helping her secure the gig Down Under next month.

O'Neill said that Markus reached out to her to suggest Meghan as their guest of honour. She said Mr Anderson is 'the bee's knees and a top-notch human' so despite Gemma's initial reluctance she had agreed because Markus 'wouldn't be so close with someone who wasn't also the same'.

Although the booking appears to have not been agreed by the Duchess of Sussex directly. 'All of my dealings with Meghan's team have been so lovely, they're so delightful,' Gemma added.

It is not known if Meghan is being remunerated but experts have predicted that Meghan will attend as a 'paid celebrity'. One royal source likened the appearance to the former Duchess of York. Shes basically Fergie, they said.

Few can have had more impact on Meghan's life than handsome Canadian Markus Anderson, because it was him who organised her blind date with Prince Harry. And it was him who reached out to the Australians behind 'Her Best Life Retreat' while he was at her Montecito mansion.

O'Neill said she initially considered rejecting his idea to have Meghan meet 300 women gathering for a weekend focused on connection, wellbeing and personal development, because she didn't consider herself worthy.

She said: 'Markus messaged me because he was at Meghan's house. Markus is also very close friends to Meghan and has been for many years, long before she was married, and they have a beautiful friendship too'.

And she has concluded that Markus is a 'top-notch human', so Meghan must be too. 'I've always felt protective that my friend Markus is the bee's knees, he's a top-notch human. The first person to be there, check on you. I knew that Markus wouldn't be so close or best friends with someone who wasn't also the same,' she added.

Along with access to Meghan, the chance to ask her questions and a photo with her, paying guests have been promised the 'ultimate girls' weekend' in a brand new 5-star hotel.

As well as hearing the Duchess of Sussex speak in the ballroom of the InterContinental, there will be a DJ, disco and the chance to lounge by the pool with cocktails overlooking Coogee Beach.

Inside the hotel there will be the chance to meditate, try sound healing and discuss women's psychology.

O'Neill said 'there's no one more shocked than me' that Meghan would headline the event and host a Q&A session for guests, and admitted she almost turned her down because 'I felt like I didn't deserve her'.

Before deciding the audience of 300 women did.

'She's risen above everything and I have so much respect for that', she said.

'Early bird' tickets to the retreat with Meghan start at $2,699 Australian dollars, while the VIP experience costs $3,199 per person.

'Join us for an intimate luxury weekend by the ocean designed to bring women together for powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences,' the event website states.

'The highlight of the weekend will be an in-person conversation and gala dinner with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. An intimate gala like no other.

'This is your chance to step away from everyday life and spend a weekend focusing on connection, growth, joy and celebration.

'Come by yourself, come with your best friend, or bring a whole group of your favourite women.'

Markus was there with Meghan on the July 2016 holiday to London when she met Harry for the first time.

He set up their blind date at the city's Soho House at 76 Dean Street and was in the tight circle who helped keep their nascent love affair secret as they courted in Toronto while she filmed Suits.

In 2018 Markus organised her hen do and was front and centre at the royal wedding in Windsor.

Megxit in 2020 led to a reshuffle in her inner circle including the jettisoning of her 'BFF' Jessica Mulroney.

Some feared Markus had gone the same way when he did not appear at all on With Love, Meghan, where she hosted friends at a TV mansion.

Not only did Gemma O'Neill reveal that Markus helped broker the deal, she inadvertently also told the world that Meghan and Mr Anderson are close.
Iran has confirmed the death of security chief Ali Larijani hours after Israel announced he had been killed in an overnight strike.

The regime initially appeared to deny the report - by posting a handwritten note it claimed was written by the late official on his social media account.

Larijani, Irans feared national security chief, was thought by many to have been the de facto leader of the country and the architect of its terror.

Iran's confirmation of his death comes after it also announced the killing of Basij commander Gholamreza Soleiman.

Donald Trump lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and the BBC in an extraordinary White House outburst - insisting the US no longer needed NATO allies to help the war in Iran.

Speaking alongside Irish premier Michael Martin, Trump repeated his claim Sir Keir is 'no Winston Churchill' and said the Prime Minister made a 'big mistake' in his response to US calls for support in the war with Iran, suggesting his effort to strike a UK trade deal 'probably wasnt appreciated'.

Follow the latest updates on the US-Israel war with Iran
Angela Merkel has sparked anger in Germany after telling migrants to vote against hard-Right party AfD.

In an interview with Hesse Broadcasting earlier this month, the former Chancellor called for people with a 'migration background' to join forces with those who do not align themselves with AfD.

She added: 'I wish everyone would stand together against this party. And we do not split ourselves as a political centre, I say, on to those who have a migration history and those who have none. Because then our country would become weaker against the AfD.

'Whether a German citizen has been a German citizen for two years or for four days or the entire family for three generations, it doesn't matter. We are the German people We must also stick together when we have to take action against people who have completely different ideas about our future.'

AfD leader Alice Weidel hit back at Merkel's comments, claiming the former Chancellor had 'inflicted severe damage' on the country.

'In addition to the ruin of our energy infrastructure and the open borders for everyone from all over the world, she is now calling on naturalised "people with a migration background" not to vote for the AfD,' she added.

Under Merkel's leadership in 2015, Germany opened its borders to Syrians fleeing the civil war, launching the EU's migrant crisis.

Despite this, the CDU politician was recognised last week in the EU's first ever honours list, alongside other figures such as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Under Merkel's leadership in 2015, Germany opened its borders to Syrians fleeing the civil war, launching the EU's migrant crisis

She was honoured for her work in leading Germany away from nuclear and towards renewable energy, However, her 16 years as leader were not without controversy.

While she was credited with saving the EU during the Eurozone crisis, her legacy was tarnished by her handling of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the 2015 migrant crisis.

She spent years appeasing Vladimir Putin by fuelling Germany with cheap Russian gas, allowing him to build up his coffers.

And her decision to take in more than one million refugees during the migration crisis has since been disavowed by her Christian Democratic Union party.

Even her decision to push Germany away from nuclear energy, which she was recognised by the committee for, has been met with criticism.

By moving away from nuclear energy and cheap Russian gas, Germany saw a marked increase in the use of polluting coal.

In the 2025 elections, AfD achieved a 20.8 per cent vote share, receiving the second most seats in Germany's Bundestag Parliament.

Meanwhile, current Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU and Christian Social Union in Bavaria earned the most seats, forming a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party of Germany.

Merz recently said the Middle East war could trigger uncontrolled migration in Europe, warning of 'far-reaching consequences' for the bloc.

In a statement on March 6, the Chancellor said: 'An endless war is not in our interest. The same applies to a collapse of Iranian statehood or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian soil.'

AfD leader Alice Weidel hit back at Merkel's comments, claiming the former Chancellor had 'inflicted severe damage' on the country

Last year, the federal police, responsible for controlling the border, registered 62,526 illegal entries into Germany

'Such scenarios could have far-reaching consequences for Europe, including for security, energy supply and migration.'

Speaking at a trade fair in Munich, the Chancellor said: 'We do not want to see a Syrian scenario here.'

'We want this state to be able to function on its own,' he added of Iran.

Merz, who was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump after the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, also warned of devastating economic consequences.

'This is, of course, damaging our economies. This is true for the oil prices, and this is true for the gas prices as well,' Merz told reporters in the Oval Office.

'So that's the reason why we all hope that this war will come to an end as soon as possible,' he added.

Under Merz's leadership, Germany has imposed strict new border controls, with illegal immigration in the country dropping to its lowest level in more than a decade, barring the first year of the pandemic.

From January to November 2025, 106,298 first-time asylum applications were recorded by the national migration agency Bamf, putting Germany on course for its smallest annual total since 2013.

In 2024, the number was over double, at 229,751.

Last year, the federal police, responsible for controlling the border, registered 62,526 illegal entries, half as many as in 2023.

Meanwhile, nearly 75 per cent of the 33,000 people who attempted to cross the frontier between May and December were either rejected or, in 58 cases, physically escorted back to the other side.

Chancellor Merz has decided to grapple with migration head on, declaring the issue a 'national emergency'.

He has ordered German police to turn back virtually all undocumented migrants at the border and temporarily suspended family reunification.

On top of this, Merz also reversed many of Germany's migration policies which had made the country such a popular destination for asylum seekers.

These include abandoning voluntary humanitarian refugee intake schemes while also replacing cash benefits with prepaid debit cards that can only be used in physical shops.
A Household Cavalry trooper faces deportation back to Fiji after he got one of his colleagues blackout drunk before sneaking into his bedroom and molesting his sleeping girlfriend.

Joeli Ratu, 39, was warned by Britain's top military judge that he may be forced to leave the UK after being kicked out of the Armed Forces and ordered to serves an 11-month sentence in Army detention.

Ratu was drinking with colleagues in the Army's most senior unit when he made a strong alcoholic 'concoction' for his fellow soldier which made him 'pass out', Wiltshire's Bulford Military Court was told.

He waited until the trooper was unconscious before entering the bedroom in his flat in Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge, where the man's topless partner was sleeping, and climbing on top of her.

The soldier allegedly tried to convince her to have a 'one night stand', kissing her neck, repeatedly grabbing her, and saying she had 'no option' but to have sex with him.

The woman told the court that she 'felt like a mouse trapped in the corner' as he tried to convince her to have sex with him.

She said she shoved Ratu away and after a 20-minute ordeal the trooper finally headed off to find her boyfriend.

Ratu denied two counts of sexual assault but was found guilty after a three-day trial at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.

Joeli Ratu, 39, was warned by Britain's top military judge that he may be deported for his frightening sex attack as he was locked up for 11 months in Army detention

He has now been sentenced at the same court to 11 months service detention, placed on the sex offenders register for five years and been kicked out of the Armed Forces.

The Household Cavalry is renowned as the Army's most senior unit, made up of The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals.

Bulford Military Court was told that Ratu met his colleague's girlfriend early one evening when they were all out at a bar drinking with other soldiers.

Ratu took an 'immediate interest' in the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

After a few drinks, the group all went back to the boyfriend's flat at Hyde Park Barracks and continued drinking.

However, the woman was 'exhausted' after three drinks and went to bed.

She slept shirtless with a pair of shorts, and felt 'safe' even though the lock on the door was broken because she thought a barracks would be 'the safest place'.

It was heard that Ratu stayed after everyone else left and had made the woman's boyfriend a strong alcoholic 'concoction'.

The boyfriend had to go to the bathroom because he was too drunk, and asked Ratu to let himself out.

But Ratu instead entered his colleague's room, knowing his girlfriend was asleep in there, and assaulted her in the bed.

The victim told the court: 'When I woke up Ratu was over the top of me. I remember waking up and seeing a face next to my face.

'It was split second where I saw it and jumped back. I was like "what's going on, where's my boyfriend?"

'I can't get up and run because he's over me and in front of the exit.

'He's trying to convince me to sleep with him.

'I kept backing off but every time I went further away he got closer to me, no matter how far away I moved.

'He tried to grab me, and I was very adamant about asking where my boyfriend was.

'I kept thinking Jesus Christ, what have I got into? If I don't do something, something is going to go terribly wrong.

'It was like a cat trying to pounce on something. Like cat and mouse, and I felt like a mouse trapped in the corner.

'He's frantic while I'm trying to remain composed. I remember him saying I should be his one night stand and that my boyfriend was passed out.'

She told the court that at Ratu 'kept saying there's no one here and your boyfriend's gone' and that 'there's no option, this is the only option'.

'I don't know what was going through his mind to go into a room where a girl is sleeping and get on top of her,' she said.

'I can't understand it. He kept asking for sex and trying to kiss me.'

Ratu waited until the trooper was unconscious before entering the bedroom in his flat at Hyde Park Barracks (pictured) where his partner was sleeping, and climbing on top of her

The woman said that after 20 minutes Ratu listened to her pleas and fetched her boyfriend.

'He came in carrying my boyfriend and dumped him on the bed', she said.

'He was so, so sick. Ratu said "I'm sorry for getting him so drunk" and that wording stuck out to me because my boyfriend was capable of making his own decisions.'

The woman said Ratu eventually left but tried to kiss her neck again as he left.

She reported the incident the next day.

Defending the trooper, Ruba Huleihel said that he was born to two pastors in Fiji and moved here in 2019 to fulfil a 'childhood dream' of serving in the British Army.

She said: 'Because he is a foreign national a custodial sentence could identify him as a candidate for deportation by the Home Office.

'That would have a devastating impact on him and his family. He hopes to apply for citizenship soon.

'It will mean the loss of his career that was a childhood dream for him.'

Judge Advocate General Alan Large did give him a custodial sentence but apologised to the criminal in case it got him deported.

He said: 'There is a very moving victim personal statement which made the impact these two assaults had on her crystal clear.

'To quote a small part, she said she felt "trapped, terrified and alone".

'She said: "I had to suppress my panic to think about how I was going to get out of it".

'The financial, psychological and emotional impact of that night has been profound.'

'I feel vulnerable and intimidated in situations that would have been normal before.'

The Judge Advocate General concluded: 'Sexual offending undermines the bond of trust that exists between those who serve together. It affects morale and overall effects operational effectiveness.

'The effect and morale and the adverse effect on the reputation of the armed forces. This is just the sort of offending that young female service personnel fear.

'You entered her bedroom while she was asleep, half-naked and vulnerable. You persisted in your assault of her and caused her a lot of harm.

'We consider it in the interest of justice to send you to the military corrective training centre in Colchester. It will reduce the burden on the prison system and let you use the excellent facilities there.

'If that means you will be deported then we are sorry.'
Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Cuba on Monday, saying he expected to have the 'honor' of 'taking Cuba in some form' adding 'I can do anything I want' with the neighboring country.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the US president said: 'I do believe I'll be ... having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form.'

'I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I can do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth,' he added.

The island is currently facing an island-wide blackout and an unprecedented economic crisis, exacerbated by an oil blockade the US imposed after capturing former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Cuba and the US recently opened talks aimed at improving their largely adverse relations, which have reached one of their most contentious moments in the 67 years since Fidel Castro overthrew what had been a close US ally.

According to the New York Times, removing Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel from office is a key US objective in the bilateral talks.

Citing four people familiar with the talks, the NYT said the Americans have signaled to Cuban negotiators that Diaz-Canel must go, but are leaving the next steps up to the Cubans.

Cuba has traditionally rejected any interference in its internal affairs and has considered any proposals on that front a deal-breaker for any agreement.

People gather on a street during a blackout as Cuba's national electric grid collapsed, leaving around 10 million people without power

People walk on the street using a flashlight during a blackout in Havana, Cuba on March 16

An elderly woman is seen preparing coffee during a blackout in Havana, Cuba on March 16

Diaz-Canel, 65, who succeeded the late Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro as president in 2018, said on Friday he expected talks with the United States to take place 'under the principles of equality and respect for the political systems of both countries, sovereignty and self-determination.'

But Trump, after removing Maduro from power and joining Israel in attacking Iran, has openly mused that Cuba would be 'next.'

He stepped up pressure by halting all Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatening to slap tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba.

As a result, Cuba says it has not received an oil shipment in three months and the country has imposed severe energy rationing, resulting in extended power outages.

Much of its economy has ground to a halt. On Monday Cuba's electric grid collapsed, leaving the country of 10 million people without power.

The blackouts, as well as regular shortages of food, medicine and other basics, are spurring frustrations.

Last weekend, demonstrators vandalized a provincial office of the Cuban Communist Party.

It was part of a new trend of protests in which people bang pots and pans at night, at times yelling 'Libertad,' or freedom.

Fourteen people have been arrested after the office assault in Moron, a town of around 70,000 people east of Havana, the regional party chief told state-run newspaper Invasor.

The violence prompted President Miguel Diaz-Canel to acknowledge in an X post 'the discontent our people feel because of the prolonged blackouts', including a major outage in early March.

'What will never be comprehensible, justified or admitted is violence,' Diaz-Canel said.

The government has also rationed gasoline sales and some hospital services due the fuel shortages.

Diaz-Canel confirmed last week that his government had held talks with the United States.

Trump said Sunday that Cuba 'wants to make a 'deal', which could come quickly after his administration has finished the war against Iran.

'I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

'We're talking to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba,' he added.

Speaking to reporters at an event in the Oval Office, the US president said: 'I do believe I'll be ... having the honor of taking Cuba'

Black smoke rises after fires broke out following US-Israel attacks targeting oil storage facilities in Tehran

While more than a dozen US presidents dating back decades have opposed Cuba's Communist government and criticized its human rights record, Washington has honored its pledge not to invade Cuba or support an invasion as part of the agreement with the Soviet Union to resolve the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.

The White House has yet to detail the legal basis for any possible intervention in Cuba.

In a bid to relieve economic pressure - and meet US demands - a senior economic official in Cuba announced Monday that Cuban exiles would now be able to invest and own businesses there.

'Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with US companies' and 'also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants,' Oscar Perez-Oliva, who is foreign trade minister and also deputy prime minister, told NBC News.

However, Trump's bid to make a deal with Iran first could take longer than expected, leaving Cuba in a difficult position.

Earlier Monday, Trump suggested the Middle East conflict could resolve soon as oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has come to a standstill, though some are warning the war could last most of the year.

Speaking to PBS News on Monday, the President said he called the inflated gas prices 'a very small price to pay' and that 'the oil prices will drop like a rock as soon as it's over.'

'I don't believe it will be long,' he said when asked about how much longer the war will drag on.

But three sources familiar with the matter told Axios that the Middle East conflict could bleed into September, a much longer timeline than Trump has ever discussed publicly.

Trump first told the Daily Mail in a phone interview that the war could last up to four weeks. Later, he indicated it could last up to five.

Since then, the President has been cagey on the exact timing of the conflict, not wanting to show his hand to the media ahead of any actions regarding Iran.

He has also said the war will last as long as 'necessary,' without giving further explanation.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have allegedly tried to reestablish diplomatic contact with Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

The President, however, has no interest in negotiating with Tehran, senior White House officials told CNN.
Iran has published a video taunting the US President, saying he should rename the war from Operation Epic Fury to Operation Epic Fear because America won't put boots on the ground.

In footage published by Tehran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, delivered 'a message to the President of the United States'.

Speaking in English, he mocks Donald Trump for his use of social media, telling the president: 'The outcome of war cannot be determined by tweets, the result of war is determined on the field.'

He continues: 'The very place where you and your forces do not dare approach and you can only talk about it in your tweets.'

Wearing military clothing, Zolfaghari ends his message with a mocking smile, telling Trump: 'It is better to name this war as Epic Fear, instead of Epic Fury.'

The video appears to be a jibe at the president's prolific use social media to issue commentary on the ongoing Israeli-US war on Tehran, which began on February 28 and triggered Iran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump recently declared that 'Iran is being decimated' and said the country was 'militarily ineffective and weak'.

He accused the regime of using artificial intelligence as a 'disinformation weapon' to misrepresent its support and wartime success, when in fact it is being 'annihilated by the day'.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Donald Trump recently declared that 'Iran is being decimated' on his Truth Social platform

Iran's deputy foreign minister recently warned the US that it faces another Vietnam if it puts boots on the ground in the war.

'Just read what happened in Vietnam,' Saeed Khatibzadeh, speaking in his office in Tehran, told Sky News.

'They understand those that dragged them into this war can drag them also into a quagmire,' he added, referring to the fate of American troops.

Trump has not ruled out sending US ground soldiers into Iran. His Republicans, who have slim majorities in both houses of Congress, have almost unanimously backed his strategy on Tehran, with only a handful expressing doubt about the war.

Democratic US senators have expressed alarm about the conflict, however, saying they are worried that Trump could deploy US ground forces and noting the high risks given Russian support for Tehran's military.

'We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran to accomplish any of the potential objectives here,' Senator Richard Blumenthal said following a classified briefing from administration officials.

'Literally, Russia seems to be aiding our enemy actively and intensively with intelligence and perhaps with other means and China also may be assisting Iran,' he added.

'So the American people deserve to know much more than this administration has told them about the cost of the war, the danger to our sons and daughters in uniform and the potential for further escalation and widening of this war.'

Trump has not ruled out sending US ground soldiers into Iran

US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. fires a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile during operations in support of Operation Epic Fury

At the end of last week, Trump ordered a Marine amphibious unit - which includes 5,000 soldiers and sailors - from Japan to the Middle East, in a sign Washington might be expanding its operation.

The president may consider deploying troops in order to reopen the all-important Strait of Hormuz - a channel for 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas that has been effectively shut down by Iran since the war began.

The de facto closure of the waterway for most of the world's tanker traffic has proved disastrous for global energy and trade flows, triggering the largest oil supply shock in history and surging global oil prices.

One option to deal with the Iranian missiles and drones targetting oil tankers in the maritime choke point would be to destroy the stockpiles at source - through a ground invasion of southern Iran.

Another option is an escort operation involving US warships in conjunction with allied navies, travelling through the strait alongside oil tankers to clear mines and defend against aerial Iranian attacks.

Trump has called on European allies and China to help secure the crucial waterway by sending naval escorts to the strait, but so far nations have been reluctant to commit any vessels due to safety risks and fear of escalating the conflict.

At a press conference yesterday, President Trump slammed Sir Keir Starmer over his response to the conflict, saying he's 'not happy' with the UK after the prime minister said it would not be drawn into a 'wider war' over Iran.

Trump said he was 'very surprised' by the lack of support he was getting from the UK over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, telling reporters:

'I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because United Kingdom two weeks ago, I said, why dont you send some ships over? And he really didnt want to do it.

'I said, you dont want to do it? Weve been with you. Youre our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on, you know, Nato and all of these things to protect you.

'Were protecting them. Were working with them on Ukraine. Ukraines thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean. We dont have to do that, but we did it. Well, Biden did it. I mean, I have to be honest with you, Biden got taken to the cleaners, but we worked with them in Ukraine.'

He added that he had told Starmer 'it would be really helpful if you'd send over a couple of ships and if you have some minesweepers, which they do, be very helpful'.

'And the prime minister... he says, well, I'd like to ask my team.

'I said, you don't have to worry about a team. You don't have a team. You're the prime minister. You can make a decision... So it's very disappointing.'

Naval escorts through the Strait of Hormuz will not '100 per cent guarantee' the safety of ships, however, according to the head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Military assistance was 'not a long-term or sustainable solution' to opening up the strait, Arsenio Dominguez told the Financial Times.

'We are collateral damage of a conflict when the root causes have nothing to do with shipping,' Dominguez told the paper.

On Tuesday, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani had been killed in an Israeli strike.

Katz said Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani - the commander of Iran's Basij forces - have joined the late Ayatollah Khamenei in the 'depths of hell' following targeted overnight airstrikes.

The attack on Larijani comes four days after he marched alongside thousands of Iranians at a Quds Day rally in Tehran where he criticised Trump during a live interview.
Keir Starmer is struggling to hold the Special Relationship together today amid open clashes with Donald Trump over the Iran war.

The US President vented his frustration with the PM again last night, describing the UK's reluctance to get involved in the Middle East as 'terrible'.

He also claimed that Sir Keir had offered to send two aircraft carriers to the region - something that Downing Street denied. Only one of the UK's carriers is currently operational, and that is due to be deployed to the Arctic.

The barbs came as European powers batted away Mr Trump's call to send warships to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Around a fifth of global oil supplies typically pass through the channel, but Iran has been managing to keep it effectively shut with missile and drone strikes.

Sir Keir insisted yesterday that the UK would not get dragged into a 'wider war' after the US and Israel launched attacks. France and Germany have also dismissed the idea of taking an active role while conflict is raging.

Donald Trump vented his frustration with Keir Starmer again last night, describing the UK's reluctance to get involved in the Middle East as 'terrible'

Mr Trump claimed that Sir Keir (pictured yesterday) had offered to send two aircraft carriers to the region - something that Downing Street denied

The PM - who will host Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street today - has stressed the importance of keeping the focus on Ukraine's campaign against Russian invasion.

Mr Trump's annoyance boiled over again last night, presenting Sir Keir with another major diplomatic headache.

'I was very surprised with the United Kingdom. Two weeks ago I said, "Why don't you send some ships over?" And he [Starmer] really didn't want to do it,' the President said.

'You're our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all these things to protect you. I mean, we're protecting them. I think it is terrible.

'I was not happy with the UK. I think they will be involved, maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically. We requested two aircraft carriers which they had. And he did not really want to do it. And after the war had essentially ended, I mean after they were obliterated, he said "I would like to send the aircraft carriers".

'I said "I don't need them after the war has ended, I needed them before the war".'

Seemingly contradicting himself, Mr Trump added that he approached Britain, France and others 'not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react'.

The PM - who will host Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) in Downing Street today - has stressed the importance of keeping the focus on Ukraine's campaign against Russian invasion

Last night in the Oval Office, Mr Trump renewed his criticism. He said: 'The UK was sort of considered the Rolls-Royce of allies, right? I said [to Sir Keir] it would be really helpful if you'd send over a couple of ships, and if you have some minesweepers.

'The Prime Minister is a nice man. He says "Well, I'd like to ask my team." I said "You're the Prime Minister, you can make a decision."'

Even if Britain wanted to send a warship, the two that could be deployed, destroyers HMS Dauntless and HMS Duncan, are being prepared for a crucial Nato exercise in the High North where they are expected to escort the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.
Keir Starmer will host Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street today as he tries to stop the Middle East chaos boosting Russia.

The Ukraine president is in the UK after the PM warned that soaring energy bills must not provide a 'windfall' for Vladimir Putin's war machine.

The US-Israeli clashes with Iran have sent oil and gas bills spiking, with the crucial Strait of Hormuz closed off.

The West has been trying to maintain sanctions to starve Moscow of funding, but America temporarily loosened restrictions on Russia last week in a bid to bolster supplies.

Donald Trump has also linked US support for Ukraine to whether Nato powers send forces to help reopen the Strait - something most are unwilling to do.

There are hopes Mr Zelensky could salvage a silver lining from the situation by leveraging Ukraine's hard-won expertise in dealing with Iranian drones.

Volodymyr Zelensky is in the UK after the PM warned that soaring energy bills must not provide a 'windfall' for Vladimir Putin's war machine.

Keir Starmer (pictured) will host Mr Zelensky in Downing Street today as he tries to stop the Middle East chaos boosting Russia

Downing Street has announced a partnership with Kyiv to bring together 'Ukrainian expertise and the UK's industrial base' to manufacture and supply drones and other capabilities.

As part of the agreement, the UK will put 500,000 towards a new 'AI centre of excellence' in Kyiv, which would be made up of experts working to see how the technology can best be used for a 'battlefield advantage', No 10 said.

Closer co-operation in the defence industries will also be sought with third countries under the partnership as part of efforts to bolster international security.

Ahead of his talks with Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir said: 'We must work in lockstep with our partners and allies to deliver security at home and abroad, and this new partnership with Ukraine will do just that.

'Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East.

'By deepening our defence partnerships, we are strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself from Russia's brutal, ongoing attacks, while ensuring the UK and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future.'

The new declaration will build on the 100-year partnership, which was signed last year by the two leaders and aims to set out a path for continued solidarity with war-torn Kyiv, including financial support.

No10 said the pact would help Ukraine's armed forces defend the country against aggression from Moscow but also enable allies to use the lessons learnt to 'outmanoeuvre Russia and its cronies in contested theatres across the world'.

Iranian reprisals for the US-Israel action have been causing chaos across the Middle East (pictured, a fire near Dubai airport)

Defence Secretary John Healey repeated his warnings of an 'axis of aggression between Russia and Iran', which he said made it 'increasingly important that we build on Ukrainian expertise and innovation, supported by British industry'.

'I pay tribute to the huge courage and ingenuity of the Ukrainian people  military and civilians alike  and I am determined to make 2026 the year this war ends,' he said.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte is also expected to meet the PM in Downing Street as part of the visit, with a trilateral discussion focused on the Ukraine war.

The talks will cover 'the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia', No 10 said.
A pensioner who lost her 575,000 home after getting into a parking dispute with her neighbour has failed to win it back in court.

Marie Potter moved into her house in Shirley, Croydon, in 1998, but was evicted in 2023 following the row about how she parked her Ford Focus.

The 75-year-old told the court how she initially got on well with neighbour Kirsten McGowan and her family.

But the two women fell out after Ms Potter's vehicle blocked access to her neighbour's garage, with the dispute over their shared driveway ending up in court.

Following a hearing at Bromley County Court in August 2020, the pensioner was ordered to pay around 70,000 in costs and damages to her neighbour and the following year the debt was charged against her home - which was then worth 575,000.

That was followed by an order for sale and possession of the property and in April 2023 - due to the judgment debt still being unpaid - Ms Potter was evicted from her house.

Three years later and with the property still unsold, Ms Potter went to London's High Court, countersuing Ms McGowan in a bid to get her house back.

Representing herself with assistance from a retired solicitor who attends her church, she argued before Judge David Halpern KC that the order taking possession of her property was invalid. She also attempted to claim more than 250,000 in damages from her neighbour.

Marie Potter, 75, moved into her house in Shirley, Croydon, in 1998, but was evicted in 2023 following the row about how she parked her Ford Focus

But she has now lost her case after the judge ruled the order taking the house was made lawfully.

Ms Potter told the court she clashed with the neighbouring family over Ms McGowan's complaints that her car blocked access to her garage at the back of the property.

Ms McGowan sued at Bromley County Court and in August 2020 won 30,000 in damages, plus legal costs.

This led to a charging order of around 70,000 being made against Ms Potter's house in December 2020.

One year later in December 2021, Ms McGowan's lawyers acquired an order for sale of her neighbour's home and in April 2023 a warrant of possession was issued.

As a result Ms Potter was evicted from her house, with her neighbour's lawyers being put in charge of selling it to recover her debt.

Her belongings were also later removed and put into storage at her expense.

Ms Potter, who has been living in rented accommodation in Bromley for the last three years, claimed the county court order that her house was to be sold was invalid and the property should be handed back to her.

She also counterclaimed for more than 250,000 in compensation for the losses she says she has suffered due to being removed from her home, including the costs of rent, storage and a depreciation in the value of her house of over 100,000.

The row centred around a shared driveway between the homes of Ms Potter (left) and Ms McGowan (right)

She based her argument on a court rule which she said means that an order for sale of a property cannot be enforced in a county court if there is a third party charge or mortgage on it exceeding 30,000 - as is the case with her house.

But giving his ruling, Judge Halpern said that the county court had jurisdiction to order the sale of properties with charges or mortgages upon them up to 350,000 in value.

Giving judgment, he said: 'This is yet another cautionary tale about the financial consequences of neighbour disputes for those without deep pockets. The current proceedings arise out of previous proceedings between the parties over a shared driveway.

'An order [was] made on 26 August 2020 requiring Mrs Potter to pay Mrs McGowan 30,452.95 damages, plus 27,000 costs.

'Mrs Potter failed to pay all or any of these sums. Needless to say, the amount due to Mrs McGowan continues to rise as interest accrues and more costs are incurred.

'Mrs Potter has counterclaimed for extensive relief, alleging... that Mrs McGowan has committed a trespass in taking possession and is in breach of her duties as mortgagee in possession.'

He said that before any trial of that claim could take place he had to first decide whether the seizure and sale of the house was valid as a preliminary issue.

'The issues which are raised in [Ms Potter's] counterclaim are wholly or largely dependent upon Ms Potter succeeding on both preliminary issues,' he pointed out.

Going on to find against Ms Potter, he concluded: 'The county court has jurisdiction to enforce a charging order by sale where the amount owing does not exceed the limit of its equity jurisdiction, which is 350,000. The order was therefore validly made.'
Rationing fears are rising today as a minister admitted the possibility cannot be ruled out amid chaos in the Middle East.

Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the Government is 'monitoring' the situation 'carefully', with global supplies under huge pressure.

Around a fifth of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but it has been effectively shut by Iran after the US-Israeli launched attacks.

Pump prices have already been soaring, while there is alarm that the energy price cap could rise dramatically when it changes again in July.

The blockage could have a host of knock-on effects, including on medicine stocks. Downing Street appealed for people not to panic buy, insisted that garages are 'well stocked'. 'Any suggestion otherwise is incorrect,' a spokesman said.

Donald Trump has appealed for countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Canada and even China to help tankers pass through the critical Strait.

But the appeal has been knocked back while the conflict is active, and it is unclear how any patrols would work in practice.

Concerns have been mounting at the uncertain timeline for the military action, with claims that it could drag on till September - although Mr Trump himself has said he 'doesn't believe it will be long'.

As Brits brace for the fallout from the Middle East chaos:

Keir Starmer and Mr Trump are clashing over the war on Iran, with the UK resisting US demands for warships;

The PM is hosting Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street as he tries to stop soaring energy prices giving a 'windfall' to the Russian war machine;

Nigel Farage has suggested the UK should heed US calls for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz;

Rachel Reeves has hinted that oil and gas projects in the North Sea could be signed off soon amid the turmoil.

Donald Trump has appealed for countries such as the UK, France, Germany, Canada and even China to help tankers pass through the critical Strait

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Oil tankers in the Gulf near the crucial Strait of Hormuz last week

Asked if the Government was making contingency plans for rationing, Mr Tomlinson told Times Radio this morning: 'We will monitor the situation, and we'll monitor it carefully.'

He said: 'At the moment, it is too early to tell what the impact of this crisis will be in the coming months.

'What we have seen in the last two weeks is that there has been sharp increase in the cost of oil used to heat people's homes, and the Government has stepped in and said we're going to provide 50million of support for people across the UK who are reliant on heating oil.'

Former No10 energy expert Nick Butler said yesterday that the effective closure of the Strait would mean a global 'shortage' of oil within weeks.

Prof Butler, who was an adviser to Gordon Brown and worked for BP for nearly three decades, insisted ministers must be ready to protect the 'crucial sectors' of the economy.

'I think it does mean a form of rationing,' he told the BBC.

'I think we learnt from the tanker drivers dispute in 2000 that oil and gas supplies are absolutely crucial to the running of the economy and you can't bring on new supplies quickly...'

He added: 'In the short-term, we have to look at what supply we have and look at the crucial sectors, the health service, food supply, hospitals, those are key elements that must be protected.

'And beyond that, it is then for the Government to decide how to ration what is left if we get to that situation.'

The US President vented his frustration with the PM again last night, describing the UK's reluctance to get involved in the Middle East as 'terrible'.

He also claimed that Sir Keir had offered to send two aircraft carriers to the region - something that Downing Street denied. Only one of the UK's carriers is currently operational, and that is due to be deployed to the Arctic.

The barbs came as European powers batted away Mr Trump's call to send warships to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Sir Keir insisted yesterday that the UK would not get dragged into a 'wider war' after the US and Israel launched attacks. France and Germany have also dismissed the idea of taking an active role while conflict is raging.

Mr Trump's annoyance boiled over again last night, presenting Sir Keir with another major diplomatic headache.

'I was very surprised with the United Kingdom. Two weeks ago I said, 'Why don't you send some ships over?' And he [Starmer] really didn't want to do it,' the President said.

'You're our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all these things to protect you. I mean, we're protecting them. I think it is terrible.

'I was not happy with the UK. I think they will be involved, maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically. We requested two aircraft carriers which they had. And he did not really want to do it. And after the war had essentially ended, I mean after they were obliterated, he said 'I would like to send the aircraft carriers'.

'I said 'I don't need them after the war has ended, I needed them before the war'.'

Seemingly contradicting himself, Mr Trump added that he approached Britain, France and others 'not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react'.

Sir Keir insisted yesterday that the UK would not get dragged into a 'wider war' after the US and Israel launched attacks

Iranian reprisals for the US-Israel action have been causing chaos across the Middle East (pictured, a fire near Dubai airport)

The PM - who will host Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) in Downing Street today - has stressed the importance of keeping the focus on Ukraine's campaign against Russian invasion

Last night in the Oval Office, Mr Trump renewed his criticism. He said: 'The UK was sort of considered the Rolls-Royce of allies, right? I said [to Sir Keir] it would be really helpful if you'd send over a couple of ships, and if you have some minesweepers.'

'The Prime Minister is a nice man. He says ''Well, I'd like to ask my team.'' I said ''You're the Prime Minister, you can make a decision''.'

Even if Britain wanted to send a warship, the two that could be deployed, destroyers HMS Dauntless and HMS Duncan, are being prepared for a crucial Nato exercise in the High North where they are expected to escort the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

At a Westminster press conference this morning Mr Farage said that the UK's navy was too weak to help the US.

'When it comes to aiding the Americans in freeing the Strait of Hormuz, well, I think in many ways we ought to. I think it is in our national interest to keep the oil flowing, but we can't. We haven't got the assets,' he said.

'So I think the first very big lesson that comes out of all of this is that we have denuded the Royal Navy and our forces to such an extent that, frankly, we've been humiliated on the world stage.

'Our defence spending for next year is due to be just a fraction over 2% and we're going to have to find ways to significantly and rapidly up that budget.

'To be fair, this is not all the fault of this Labour Government. Fourteen years of Conservative government have run down our armed forces to a state, frankly, as I say, of total global embarrassment.'
Benjamin Netanyahu has been pictured ordering the assassination of top Iranian official Ali Larijani who was killed in an airstrike overnight.

Larijani, 67, the secretary of the regime's National Security Council, is the highest profile figure killed since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war.

The IDF said it killed Larijani, Iran's 'stand-in leader', in strikes which reportedly targeted his Tehran safe house and also eliminated Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

The office of the Israeli Prime Minister released a picture of Mr Netanyahu taking a phone call while sat next to a military chief, captioned: 'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the elimination of senior figures in the Iranian regime.'

Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said: 'Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation program, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell.'

Larijani last week warned Donald Trump to 'take care not to be eliminated' before taunting the US President for his 'grave miscalculation'.

Marching through the streets of Tehran, in an attempted display of strength, the security chief dismissed the Israeli-US attacks on the capital as being 'out of desperation'.

'These attacks are out of fear, out of desperation. One who is strong wouldn't bomb demonstrations at all. It's clear that it has failed,' Larijani told state TV at the Quds Day march.

Israel released an image of Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the assassination of the Iranian figures

Israel claims to have assassinated top Iranian official Ali Larijani in an airstrike overnight

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Striking a defiant tone, he said Trump 'doesn't understand that the Iranian people are a brave nation, a strong nation, a determined nation. The more he presses, the stronger the nation's determination will become.'

Larijani said Trump would be 'sorry' for his 'grave miscalculation' after the President declared the US had won the war.

His attendance at the march was one of the most high-profile public appearances by an Iranian official since the beginning of the war.

Larijani was viewed as the late Ayatollah Khamenei's right-hand man and led nuclear negotiations with the US as well as the regime's day-to-day security operations.

He was attacked with his son in a hideout apartment, according to Israeli media.

Iranian authorities said Larijani was due to give a public address on Tuesday.

And after Israel confirmed Larijani's death, a handwritten note was posted on his social media channels.

Shared by the Iranian state media channel, it showed Larijani paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a US attack whose funeral is expected to be held on Tuesday.

Larijani has been the Islamic Republic's loudest voice, repeatedly mocking Trump and Israel throughout the war.

The Iranian official, a former IRGC commander and speaker of parliament, was given responsibility for negotiations with the West in the weeks before the war started.

While on March 1, he said he would be heading an interim committee for running the country.

Born in Najaf, Iraq in 1957 to a prominent Shia cleric who was close to the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Larijani's family has been influential within Iran's political system for decades.

A veteran of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the Iran-Iraq war, Larijani later headed state broadcasting IRIB for a decade from 1994 before serving as parliamentary speaker from 2008 to 2020.

Larijani last week warned Donald Trump to 'take care not to be eliminated' before taunting the US President for his 'grave miscalculation'

In 1996, he was appointed as Khamenei's representative to the Supreme National Security Council

Larijani ran in the 2005 presidential elections, losing to populist candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with whom he later had disagreements over nuclear diplomacy. Larijani was then disqualified from running for president in both 2021 and 2024.

'Larijani is a true insider, a canny operator, familiar with how the system operates,' Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Group's project director for Iran, said before the Middle East war began.

The IDF also confirmed it had assassinated the head of the IRGC Basij paramilitary militia, Gholamreza Soleimani, who ordered the slaughter of thousands of anti-government protesters in January.

He and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi, were killed in a makeshift tent area, which had been set up to make it harder to follow them as opposed to in a known headquarters.

The military also announced that it killed the IRGC's Aerospace Force chief.

'In a precise strike in Tehran: The IDF eliminated the Commander of the Basij Unit,' the Israeli military said.

'Yesterday (Monday), the Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years,' it added.

The Basij, a volunteer force under Iran's Revolutionary Guards, 'led the main repression operations' by the authorities during recent mass protests in Iran, the Israeli army said.

Iran was rocked by unprecedented protests against the clerical establishment that peaked in January.

The IDF also confirmed it had assassinated the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Basij paramilitary militia, Gholamreza Soleimani

They were met with a crackdown which led to the massacre and arrest of tens of thousands of Iranian citizens.

Soleimani operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years.

The US Treasury lists Soleimani as having been born in 1965. He has been sanctioned by the US, the European Union and other nations over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

Israel's military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said 'significant preventive achievements were recorded overnight' in a statement released earlier by the military.

Meanwhile an Iranian drone struck a major oil terminal in the UAE today resulting in the second fire in as many days after the complex was attacked on Monday.

Oil loading operations were temporarily suspended at Fujairah, which sits on the Gulf of Oman, yesterday after the facility was hit causing a fire to break out. Authorities in the UAE say another blaze has broken out today.

'Civil defence teams from the emirate intervened immediately on site and are continuing their efforts to bring the situation under control,' the authorities said in a statement on X.
The mother of a fifteen-year-old girl who was stabbed in the back with a 'carving knife' at school has described the 'terrifying' ordeal as she was overseas at the time of the attack.

Pupils were forced to switch off their phones and hide under desks during the incident at Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich, on March 11.

The teenage girl was rushed to hospital with her injuries, while a 15-year-old boy was arrested and has since been charged with attempted murder. They are both pupils at the mixed state secondary.

The girl's mother said she was left fearing for her daughter's life after finding out she had been attacked while in another country, but was not told how badly.

'Words can't express how you feel. You wish you just had superpowers to get home,' she told the BBC.

'At first, I wasn't really aware of whether my daughter was stable enough. I wasn't getting the answers I should have.

'I understand everything was difficult, but not knowing how badly she had been attacked, whether or not she was still safe  or the other children  it was mind boggling, horrible.'

Meanwhile, the girl's father said he was working somewhere with 'zero signal' as people tried to reach him with the news.

Police vehicles at Thorpe St Andrew School on the outskirts of Norwich, Norfolk, on Wednesday morning

When he finally managed to find a place where he could read his messages, his phone went 'crazy' with texts and calls informing him of the attack.

The girl has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering from her injuries at home.

Her father said that while the 'school has done everything they can to help', he does not feel comfortable with her going back full time yet.

In a statement published last week, the school applauded the brave reaction from staff and students during the lockdown.

Owen Jenkins, chief executive officer at the Broad Horizons Education Trust, said: 'We understand how worrying this event was for families and want to thank our students who coped so well.'

Prosecutor Josephine Jones said a number of 999 calls were made on Wednesday as the school went into lockdown, with armed police sent to the scene.

She said 'CCTV of the toilet area shows a male all in black wearing a black mask' and carrying a 'carving knife with a lengthy blade'.

Armed police swarmed the area after reports of a stabbing, sending the school into lockdown

She added: 'The victim had been stabbed to the back.'

Ms Jones said the defendant is claimed to have fled but was arrested by police nearby.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in youth custody on Thursday.

He wore a dark-coloured jumper and tracksuit bottoms as he appeared in the secure dock at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday, with three security officers.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The boy was not asked to enter pleas to charges of attempted murder and possession of a knife on school premises.

He is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on April 10.
Romanians are allegedly claiming a record number of student loans in what is a suspected widespread fraud.

They reportedly claim more than four times as many 13,000 loans as any other nationality and come in second to the 1.1million Brits who have taken on student debt to go to university.

The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reportedly acknowledged the figures were 'disproportionate', having previously vowed that there would be a crack down on the franchised colleges where most of these cases are said to be enrolled.

There are said to be 78,325 Romanians claiming loans in 2023/24, a figure which has tripled in five years from 25,046 in 2019/20.

Romanians are entitled to loans in the UK if they have lived in the country for a minimum of three years or if they have EU settled status.

But The Telegraph reports that there is evidence of multi-million pound fraud in relation to certain courses at colleges which are 'over-represented' by Romanians and could be linked to organised crime.

The National Audit Office (NAO) had previously highlighted that there was suspected fraud at franchised colleges, where lower grades are typically required to enter and is usually privately run but will offer courses for established universities.

The spending watchdog wrote in their 2024 report: 'Over the past five years trend data show that, at franchised providers, detected fraud cases have increased faster than the proportion of SLC-funded students.'

Romanians are allegedly claiming a record number of student loans in what is a suspected widespread fraud

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Students are believed to be signing up to these classes but will drop out once they have received their loan with no intention to pay it back.

More than two thirds of students at franchised colleges are from nationalities where English is not their first language, per the Office for Students. Romanians are said to be 'highly represented' in this sector.

The Department for Education said the number of students at these franchised colleges have more than doubled in the last five years.

In 2021/2022, nearly 110,000 students attended these colleges altogether, according to the NAO's report.

About a quarter of these students will not finish their course, per the Office for Students, a stark increase on the one in ten students at conventional universities who will not finish.

Ms Phillipson has previously vowed to reclassify franchised colleges with more than 300 students enrolled under the same regulation as conventional universities in efforts to fight any opportunities for fraud.

If they do not comply, the college will not be entitled to student loans in 2028/2029.

She said in December: 'Too many rogue operators have treated students as a route to fast cash, not as people investing in their future.

'Those days are over. If you use public money, you will be held accountable and face proper scrutiny.

'Our higher education sector is one of Britains greatest strengths. Through our Plan for Change we are determined to protect its reputation, putting students first and making sure every pound from the public purse is well spent.'

The DfE said they will 'stop at nothing to protect public money' but clarified that loans were given 'based on residency and immigration status, not nationality alone'.

The DfE said: 'Our universities are renowned across the world, which is why we are doing everything within our power to protect that global reputation and the value of every degree.

'Eligibility for student support is based on residency and immigration status, not nationality alone, targeting resources on students who are likely to contribute to the economy.

'We will stop at nothing to protect public money where unusual patterns indicate abuse, or show franchised providers misusing student funding. Any misuse of student loans is an insult to hard-working students striving for better opportunities.

'Our Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set out ambitious reforms to strengthen the Office for Students' powers to crack down on fraud in higher education.

'This includes making franchising providers with 300 or more students register with the Office for Students and face being cut off from accessing student loan funding if they fall short of the expected standards.'

The Office for Students has been contacted for comment but told The Telegraph: 'We have been raising concerns around the practices of some third party recruitment agents recruiting students who are not originally from England, or are otherwise unfamiliar with how the English higher education system works, onto subcontractual courses in England.

'These concerns include using financial incentives to attract students onto courses that are not right for them, or asking students to pay recruitment agents for services they could undertake themselves, like applying to a university or college, or additional registration fees.

'In some cases, potential students may be given inaccurate information about courses or student loans in attempts to sign them up.'

Rupert Lowe, an independent MP who was suspended from Reform, obtained this data from the DfE and has insisted on an investigation into the scale of the alleged fraud.

The Restore Britain founder said: 'It is abundantly clear that there is widespread fraud occurring, yet nobody seems to care.

'That is not a surprise. I am calling on the Government to instigate a comprehensive review into where this money has gone, and more importantly  how we can get it back.

'Restore Britain's policy position on this is abundantly clear  student loans must not be available to foreigners.'

The National Audit Office has previously recovered loans used in fraud cases, with 6.1million recovered in tuition funding in regards to 1,389 student cases.

The Student Loans Company reportedly said: 'SLC carry out investigations where individual student fraud is suspected and have locus to sanction students in line with the published Economic Crime Unit statement of intent.

'Where SLC identifies potentially fraudulent activity beyond this remit, cases are referred to the DfE and OfS for consideration.

'As noted in the NAO report  Investigation into student finance for study at franchised higher education providers  SLC and OfS detected several instances of potential and actual fraud, or abuse of the student loan system relating to franchise provision'

'In this instance, SLC alerted DfE and strong action was taken.'

The Embassy of Romania in London said: 'Concerning the allegations of potential fraud related to student loans, the Embassy of Romania emphasises that the regulation, monitoring and enforcement of the law fall under the jurisdiction of the UK authorities.

'The Romanian Embassy has constantly expressed its openness to cooperate with the relevant UK institutions, within the limits of its competence, on this matter.

'In cases where fraud involving student loans is confirmed, all individuals, regardless of nationality, should be held accountable in accordance with the law.

'At the same time, emphasising Romanian nationality in public narratives surrounding these allegations is regrettable and risks creating a negative perception of both Romanian students and the wider Romanian community in the UK.

'Over 1.4 million Romanian citizens hold EUSS status and make a significant contribution to the UKs economy and social life.'
A Nigerian serving a 21-year sentence for kidnapping and GBH is still on the run more than five months after he absconded from an open prison.

Ola Abimbola, a Nigerian national, allegedly walked out of the open prison HMP Ford on October 10 and has not been seen since.

Abimbola had only been at the prison for around a month when new rules introduced by Labour to tackle overcrowding in more secure 'closed' jails meant he was transferred early.

The 36-year-old is currently serving a 21-year sentence for offences including kidnap, GBH and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

Open prisons have minimal security and allow eligible prisoners to spend most of their day out of prison on licence, for example to carry out work or education, to prepare them for reintegration into society.

Prisoners eligible for release to open conditions must meet certain conditions, including being at low risk of absconding.

Justice Secretary, David Lammy has come under fire in recent months over the mistaken release of prisoners across the country including foreign sex offenders Brahim Kaddour-Cherif and Hadush Kebatu, and British fraudster Billy Smith.

In the past year, the number of 'high risk' prisoners at HMP Ford has increased from 109 to 180, a report by the independent monitoring board revealed.

Ola Abimbola, a foreign national, escaped from open prison HMP Ford on October 10 and has not been seen since

Sussex Police released this CCTV image of Abimbola after he allegedly walked out of prison

The watchdog warned that the increase in higher-risk offenders was 'altering the mix of prisoners' and 'could increase the risk or problems within the prison population.'

It said that while such problems had yet to materialise, it exposed weaknesses in the probation service, which has had to carry out extra checks on the 'high-risk' offenders before they can be allowed out of prison on licence.

'Despite repeated assurances that probation would be properly funded and resourced, the problems remain systemic, causing significant delays in men getting release on temporary licence and putting additional pressure on the prison to provide purposeful activity in the meantime,' said the monitoring board.

Sussex Police said officers had been working to find Abimbola but had yet to locate him, urging anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately.

The force has publicised its search on social media and advised the public not to approach him.

Abimbola, who is serving an extended determinate sentence, is understood to have been transferred to HMP Ford with at least five years to go in his 21-year sentence.

His earliest parole date is June 30, 2030, the Telegraph reports.

His conditional release date, when he could be released contingent on adhering to specific conditions, is still 11 years away, set for June 29, 2036.

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Under the previous rules, to be transferred to an open prison, he would have had to be within three years of his first parole board date and five years of his conditional release date.

The problem of prisoners being accidentally released came into sharp focus last autumn when it emerged that HMP Wandsworth had wrongly freed a convicted sex offender as well as a fraudster.

Convicted fraudster William 'Billy' Smith, 35, was wrongly released but returned to the scandal-hit jail after a three-day manhunt.

The fugitive was filmed stepping out of a white van and returning to HMP Wandsworth, where he smoked a cigarette and smiled at TV crews before strolling back into the prison gates to begin his 45-month sentence.

His accidental release was confirmed just hours after a manhunt was launched for Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, who was at large since being mistakenly freed from the south London prison on October 29.

At the time of his release Kaddour-Cherif - who has been overstaying his visa in the UK since 2020 and he was convicted in 2024 for exposing himself in a London park - was supposed to be held in custody awaiting trial.

He was facing three live criminal cases and was under investigation for a fourth offence.

After being rearrested last November, he was last month sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for assaulting two police officers at Blackhorse Road Underground station, east London, on July 20 2025.

Official figures showed that in the year to March 2025, 262 inmates had been mistakenly let out - a 128 per cent increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months.

The Government responded to the crisis with promises to improve systems in prisons that deal with releases.

An independent review has been set up, led by Dame Lynne Owens, which is looking at release errors and improving transparency on release data.

Releases in error can include misplaced warrants for imprisonment or remand, sentence miscalculations or can be as a result of mistakes by courts or other authorities, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Fraudster William 'Billy' Smith, 35, smiled to cameras as he handed himself back into HMP Wandsworth

Brahim Kaddour-Cherif is pictured when being rearrested in November 2025 after he was accidentally released from prison

Kaddour-Cherif has since been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for assaulting two police officers at Blackhorse Road Underground station, east London, on July 20 2025

Some 262 inmates were mistakenly let out in the year to March 2025 - a 128 per cent increase on the 115 in the previous 12 months, Government figures also show.

It follows earlier official data showing there were a record 262 releases in error in 2024-25, of which 87 were violent offenders and three had convictions for sexual offences.

And another 91 were freed in error from April 1 to October 31 last year, it was later revealed.

Mark Drury, a member of the Prison Governors' Association, warned at the time there had been a 'sudden' rise in absconders from open prisons in recent years, adding that there is an 'increased risk to the public'.

He explained that, due to attempts to tackle prison overcrowding, 'there are a large number of prisoners in open prisons now that we would not have considered suitable two or three years ago'.
King Charles's US state visit should be delayed to avoid his Majesty being 'embarrassed' by the backdrop of the Iran War, a Labour peer has said.

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs committee, said that she believes it would be 'safer' to delay the King's visit to the US, which is reportedly scheduled for next month, due to the ongoing fighting in the Middle East.

The visit has not yet been formally announced, but Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, are expected to visit Washington and New York to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence ahead of the July 4 celebrations.

Dame Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury since 2005, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme this morning: 'If it was to go ahead, it would go ahead against a backdrop of a war and that, I think, is quite difficult - and the last thing that we want to do is to have their Majesties embarrassed'.

The Dame is the latest of several politicians to call for its delay or cancellation over fighting in Iran, like Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey earlier this month and ex-US ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott.

Asked if she was in favour of delaying the proposed visit, Dame Thornberry said: I don't know what the programme would involve, but I think it needs to be thought through very carefully as to whether or not is appropriate to go ahead now, or to maybe have a limited programme or delay it - but we can't just pretend that there isn't a background of war.'

She added: 'I suspect it would be safer to delay it but I don't know the details'

President Donald Trump has a warm history with King Charles after his own unprecedented second state visit to Windsor, where a grand banquet was held last September.

US President Donald Trump and King Charles III at the state banquet for the US President and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle, September 17 2025

Trump said that the banquet was 'one of the highest honours of my life' and hailed Charles as a 'wonderful' King.

Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry said the it would be 'safer' to delay the King's visit to the US as calls grow to postpone the proposed trip across the pond

Trump said afterwards it was 'one of the highest honours of my life' and hailed Charles as a 'wonderful' King.

Despite the growing pace of calls to postpone or cancel the visit, the president personally believes that Charles will be visiting. He said yesterday that the 'King of England, a great guy, he's coming in very soon' when talking about his controversial White House ballroom, which is due to be finished in 2028.

Buckingham Palace said whether the trip was postponed was a matter for the Government, with state visits undertaken on the advice of the Foreign Office.

Dame Thornberry took aim at Donald Trump himself, saying that he is a president 'who indulges in the most extraordinary abusive behaviour of leaders and their countries, putting private messages into the public and insulting entire countries and mimicking fellow leaders and that sort of thing'.

Sir Peter Westmacott, one of the UK's most senior diplomats, who was ambassador to the US from 2012 to 2016, shared Dame Emily's misgivings about the King's proposed state visit, saying it would be 'problematic'.

He told The Royals podcast that the government had 'a duty to protect the monarchy in a situation like this' and 'a duty to reflect public opinion in this country'.

He said: 'I personally think that at the moment  while this war is continuing  it is problematic. The United States government is conducting a war, which the British government initially thought clearly was illegal.

Sir Peter Westmacott, former US ambassador and one of the UK's most senior diplomats said the King's state visit was 'problematic'

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has been leading the call by MPs to cancel Charles's US visit, saying it would be a 'huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.'

'Both the prime minister and I imagine the palace will be asking themselves, 'What does British public opinion really feel about this? How will a state visit to the United States at this time be perceived, how will it be felt? Is this indicative of the King  endorsing what the president of the United States is doing?'

'While this goes on, that must be a matter for discussion.'

A recent YouGov poll found 46 per cent of Britons believe the King should cancel the official visit and not travel to the US this year, while 36 per cent said it should go ahead and 18 per cent did not know.

Sir Ed Davey has led calls from MPs to cancel the visit since the start of the war.

He said at the beginning of the month: 'A state visit from our King would be seen as yet another huge diplomatic coup for President Trump, so it should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.'

He added: 'At a time when Trump has launched an illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills for British families, it's clear this visit should not go ahead.'

Trump has been openly criticising Keir Starmer and other NATO allies over lack of enthusiasm to help out the US-Israeli war in Iran.

The president said Starmer was 'no Winston Churchill' when he denied him the use of UK bases for the initial strike on Iran at the end of February and said that the UK's approach to the conflict in Iran was 'terrible'.

Starmer has also said the UK will not be drawn into a 'wider war' so would not be sending warships to help the US secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz - a vital global oil shipping lane on the coast of Iran - which has been shut by Iranian forces amid the fighting.

Other European countries followed suit, with German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz saying the Iran war was not a matter for NATO. Paris also said it would not deploy naval forces to the Strait while Finland said it would not escalate the conflict through military action.

Trump: 'I'm also very unhappy with the UK....this is not Winston Churchill we are dealing with'

The UK will not be drawn into a 'wider war', Starmer said as he declined Trump's pleas for Royal Navy ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, along with other European leaders

The President lashed out yesterday and said NATO would have a 'very bad future' if help was refused and today said he would 'remember' who did not send support when the dust settles in the Middle East.

He added that NATO member should get involved 'quickly and with great enthusiasm' and said that Japan and China should step up as the price of oil remains in a choke hold due to the Strait being closed. The cost of Brent crude oil was at $104 dollars this morning.

However, with the special relationship in jeaopardy, Kemi Badenoch said that the state visit should go ahead.

The Conservative leader remarked that the king represents 'standards which both Keir Starmer and Donald Trump could actually learn from.'

She said: 'The relationship is between the US and the UK, not between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer.

'The King is our head of state and actually, he's going for a very significant anniversary, the 250th anniversary of American independence.

'So I do think that makes sense and it also reminds people that there are some people who are above this diplomatic row.

'I think the king is a huge asset to our country. He is very much loved. He represents so much about our country - history, tradition - and I think the standards which both Keir Starmer and Donald Trump could actually learn from.'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the tensions with the US make the King's planned visit 'even more imperative'.

He said: 'There are considerable tensions between the American president and British prime minister, that is true, and they appear to be worsening frankly by the day.

'I would say that makes the King's visit even more imperative, even more imperative.

'There is absolutely no question that Trump has a sort of awe-like respect, he did for the Queen, that's for certain and he genuinely likes Charles, I know that.

'No, the King's visit becomes even more important... without America we are defenceless, defenceless, so whatever short-term disagreements there may have been, we have to reach a working relationship whilst not necessarily always agreeing on everything.

'So the King's visit absolutely must go ahead.'

Royal author Robert Hardman backed Badenoch and Farage's calls and also believes, despite the 'problematic' nature of the visit, that it should still go ahead.

He told the Today Programme: 'Of course, it's going to be problematic but I think it will be more problematic to cancel or postpone because this state visit has been held against a very specific date, and I think that date allows the King and the Government to sort of switch the focus away from the war, which is the 250th birthday of the United States.

'It's 250 years since independence, and that's why this visit was originally planned for this year and it's going to be big, as Trump would say. You can frame a visit against sort of deeper, longer lasting relationships.'

He added: 'The news agenda moves so fast and history shows us that the monarchy does help, does sort of apply a certain sort of balm when the so-called special relationship stops being special, and we've seen that time and again.'
One in 10 working age adults are on the main disability benefit in England and Wales, latest figures have shown.

New data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed there were 3.93 million claimants entitled to Personal Independent Payment (PIP) as of January this year.

This is up by 233,080, or 6 per cent, from 3.69 million a year earlier.

It was also a 1 per cent increase from the end of October, while more than a third (37 per cent) of claimants received the highest level of award of 187.45 per week.

The 3.93million people entitled to PIP in England and Wales is around 10 per cent of the working age population (16 to 64 year-olds) in the two countries of 37.5 million.

The number of claimants has almost doubled since comparable figures began seven years ago in January 2019, when the total stood at 2.05 million.

PIP is intended to help with everyday tasks and extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.

Since PIP was first introduced in April 2013 - to replace the previous Disability Living Allowance - until January this year, there have been 4.5 million successful PIP claims.

This is the equivalent of nearly 1,000 successful PIP claims a day over the 13-year period.

The Government last year attempted to restrict access to PIP by tightening the rules, but Sir Keir Starmer was forced to abandon the changes due to a huge Labour revolt.

But the Prime Minister remains under pressure to get a grip on Britain's ballooning benefits bill.

Since PIP was first introduced in April 2013 - to replace the previous Disability Living Allowance - until January this year, there have been 4.5 million successful PIP claims

New data from the Department for Work and Pensions revealed there were 3.9 million claimants entitled to Personal Independent Payment (PIP) as of January this year

The Government last year attempted to restrict access to PIP by tightening the rules, but Sir Keir Starmer was forced to abandon the changes due to a huge Labour revolt

The Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast that Britain's total spending on health and disability benefits will rise to nearly 110billion a year by the start of the next decade.

This includes an estimated 81.5billion spent on health and disability benefits for Britain's working-age population.

Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of those getting PIP.

Some 16.6 per cent of claimants in January this year were aged 16-29, up from 14.6 per cent in January 2019.

There has been a similar rise for the 30-44 age group, which accounted for 21 per cent in January this year, up from 19 per cent in 2019.

By contrast, 45-59 year-olds made up 29.2 per cent of claimants in January, down from 37.4 per cent in 2019.

The figure for 60-74 year-olds has risen slightly over this period, from 29 per cent to 31 per cent.

The Tories said there had been 320,000 new PIP claims since Labour won power at the 2024 general election.

They also pointed to an 'extraordinary collapse' in face-to-face PIP assessments, with most now being conducted by telephone.

Senior Conservative MP Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: 'PIP claims are out of control. The Government has no grip over the welfare system.

'They promised reform but then Keir Starmer U-turned under pressure from Labour backbenchers.

'They promised to bring back face-to-face assessments - but that's a broken promise too. All they are doing is spending more and more money on benefits.'

The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank pointed to how the 27,000 new PIP awards per month in the three months to January was 8 per cent lower than the previous quarter and 37 per cnet below the level seen during the post-Covid peak.

But they added this level of new awards was still 38 per cent higher than that seen before the pandemic.

Sam Ray-Chaudhuri, research economist at the IFS, said: 'Today's statistics show a further decline in the number of people starting a disability benefit award each month.

'They will make easy reading for the Government, who have expressed concern about the number of recipients of and spending on these benefits.

'Only time will tell whether this recent pattern will persist. But even if it does, the fiscal cost of the sharp rise in claimants seen since the pandemic is likely to be long-lasting, as recipients typically stay on these benefits for many years.'

A DWP spokesperson said: 'The growth in the PIP caseload has slowed significantly under this Government, falling from 400,000 in the 12 months to July 2024, to 270,000 in the 12 months to January 2026.

'We're fixing the broken system we inherited by creating a welfare state that works for disabled people and taxpayers and have launched the Timms Review, co-produced with disabled people and their representative organisations - to make sure PIP is fit and fair for the future.'

On Monday, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden expressed confidence he would be able to win Labour MPs' support in a renewed bid for welfare reform.

'I see no reason why Labour MPs should not support welfare reform that has work and opportunity at its heart,' he said, as he stressed there was an 'urgent' need to turn the 'welfare state' to a 'working state'.

In a speech in east London, Mr McFadden said he had told Stephen Timms, the disability minister who is leading a review into PIP, to 'take this chance to advocate radical and powerful change'.

The Work and Pensions Secretary also delivered an implicit criticism of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' previous attempt to save 5billion from the welfare bill.

'I don't believe that the best way to do reform is to pluck a figure out of the air and then retrofit a policy next to it,' Mr McFadden added.
A British survivor of October 7 whose elderly father was brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists has condemned the UK government for 'abandoning [her] in a time of total vulnerability', while allowing anti-semitism across the country to 'run riot'.

Anat Ron-Kendall, the UK's only known survivor of the 2023 atrocities living in Britain, said she never received 'any acknowledgement' by officials over what happened to her and claims she can no longer feel safe in a country where anti-Jewish hatred has become 'normalised'.

The mother-of-three's powerful testimony, along that of released hostage Emily Damari, are among those now included in the updated October 7 Parliamentary Commission report, set to be launched on Wednesday.

Originally published last March and led by historian and Conservative peer Lord Andrew Roberts, the exhaustive 318-page report established a timeline of events as they unfolded while collating witness statements from that fateful day.

The report, commissioned by the All-Party UK-Israel Parliamentary Group, revealed a total of 1,182 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in a 'large-scale, coordinated assault' that was years in the planning by around 7,000 Hamas terrorists.

Anat has never publicly spoken about everything she went through until now.

The 57-year-old had returned to Israel to visit her parents at Kibbutz Nahal Oz in southern Israel, ahead of her father, Shlomo, 84, undergoing an operation on October 8, 2023.

She never anticipated that she would be woken early the day before by the 'massive, massive sound of bombs and rockets' surrounding their home - or that she would spend the next 12 hours fearing any moment would be her last.

Anat Ron-Kendall, the UK's only known survivor of the 2023 atrocities living in Britain, has condemned the UK government for allowing anti-semitism across the country to 'run riot'

Anat with her father, Shlomo, 84, who was killed at Kibbutz Nahal Oz in southern Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023

In an emotionally-charged video testimony, Anat recalled how she, her son and her sister crammed into a locked safe room, while her mother, father and his carer hid in a second safe room just metres away from them.

The family cowered in fear as they heard Hamas terrorists move closer towards the property.

'We waited for the door to come and to open, and just to be shot. You just know you're going to die and you're waiting for it, you're just petrified,' she recalled.

'There was like a moment where suddenly things shifted and we started to feel it in our bodies.

'Before that the only threat [was] the bombs, and [we] were in a safe room. As long as we're sitting in the safe room, we were quite relaxed.

'We just became like a big like a huddled ball on the floor.

'[But then] the shooting was immense. It was relentless. It was automatic gunshots. We felt the walls were shaking, the floor was shaking, and we just huddled together, held each other.

'At that point, we kind of lost control of our bodily fluids, because it just happens. It's just like the fear was so intense, and we just sat there waiting. To be shot.'

Anat, her sister and her son, hid inside their safe room for more than 12 hours until they were rescued by IDF soldiers. Pictured: Footage from October 7, 2023, shows a safe room door riddled with bullet holes

When they were finally able to leave the room, Anat said she saw 'a scene of chaos'. Pictured: Footage from October 7, 2023 shows the massacre that took place inside the kibbutz

Hearing the gunfire around them, Shlomo became increasingly concerned about what was happening and made the fateful decision to move to the living room so that he could listen to news reports on the television.

Tragically, a terrorist shot him through the kitchen window at around 10.20am as he sat in his reclining chair.

Believing he was an elderly man on his own, the group of terrorists moved on to the next property in the kibbutz.

Only his wife and carer were aware that he had been murdered - and they sat in silence next to his body until they were rescued. It was not until many hours later that Anat finally learnt the devastating news.

Filled with grief, they strongly believed they could still be killed if they left their safe room.

'The only thing that separated myself, my son, my mum and my sister on that day, from being dead and murdered in the same way as my father was absolutely some stroke of luck or miracle.

'In the chaotic moment, the terrorists decided to just move along and do damage to other members of the community.'

The family remained as they were for another eight hours until IDF soldiers eventually rescued and evacuated them.

'We were there in the mamad [shelter], not able to come out, in conditions of absolute, intense fear for 12 hours overall.

'Any kind of movement would create a noise that could threaten our life.

'The mind kept saying, 'this is not real. This is not happening.' It's something from some kind of dystopian life.

'For hours we sat in puddles of urine, we didn't eat, we didn't drink, we could hardly breathe. We were frightened, and we couldn't move. We kept texting 'send someone, send someone, send someone.' That's all we could think of.'

When they were finally able to leave the room, Anat said she saw 'a scene of chaos'. She could barely look at the multiple bodies lying on the ground as she was taken by armed soldiers to a place of safety.

Anat did not realise it in the moment, but she had just survived the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust.

The parliamentary report found civilians accounted for 73 per cent of the victims, with the youngest being a new-born baby girl and the oldest a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor.

It found evidence of mass murder, widespread sexual violence and desecration of corpses including mutilation, beheadings and booby-trapping of bodies with grenades.

Anat was forced to grapple with having witnessed these traumatic events, while also grieving for her father.

Yet when she returned to the UK, she claims there was 'no recognition' by then Conservative government officials of what she had been through.

'My father had just been murdered and I barely survived the massacre myself. I came back in a state of profound shock and grief  grieving not only my father, but all those who lost their lives that day. I hoped my own government would help me.

'Instead, I was met with a cold and unfeeling response from a country that appeared hostile to my community, and I was left feeling completely ignored by the very government that should have shown compassion and humane engagement in a time of trauma.'

She added: 'I was abandoned by the British government at a time of total vulnerability.

'It just was unbelievable to me.'

More than two years on, Anat said the Labour-led government has not supported her either - and claimed it has 'allowed' anti-semitism to spiral.

'The British government is allowing what's going on ever since [October 7], in demonstrations and in anti-semitism running riot. Jewish students in universities [are] suffering, communities [have been] affected every day since, and that's been allowed to happen to me.

'I still live under threat. I cannot feel safe in a country that that normalises this kind of behaviour.'

According to the latest UK Home Office statistics, Jewish people in England and Wales are now nine times more likely than any other faith group to be victims of racially motivated hate crime, while Community Security Trust (CST) has recorded surging levels of anti-semitism.

Anat said in these times it was all the more important for people to read the October 7 report and counter any claims of denial, 'because it really did happen'.

'It happened to me. I am a testament that it did happen and I survived it.

Anat said she was left feeling 'completely ignored by the very government that should have shown compassion and humane engagement in a time of trauma'

'Twelve hundred people were murdered in a few hours, massacred, butchered, burnt. Houses were burned, babies were killed, families were erased, people were taken to tunnels, petrified, held for two-and-a-half years.

'When 9/11 happened all those years ago, the whole world stood wherever they were and watched those towers collapse because they dared to watch, and they were horrified.

'And everybody remembers. It's etched in a collective memory of everybody in the world.

'It cannot be that the 7 October massacre would not have the same impact on humans.'
The ultra-rich are growing increasingly anxious about protecting their fortunes as war in the Middle East fuels fears of wider instability, with expats fleeing Dubai and turning to Switzerland to shield their wealth and dodge tax bills.

Wealth managers say the more money clients have, the more urgently they are trying to move it out of the Gulf following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, amid concern the conflict could spread across the region.

Reputation expert Bernhard Bauhofer said anxiety among the world's wealthiest is intensifying.

'The ultra-rich are worried. The more money they have, the more they fear losing it,' he said.

Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates have long attracted global wealth with luxury lifestyles and generous tax breaks.

But the war has exposed the risks, prompting a renewed flight to Switzerland.

'Whenever there is a crisis, whether during the Cold War or today, we see Switzerland's value reflected in the strength of the franc,' Bauhofer said, pointing to its political stability and neutrality.

Dubai, once dubbed the 'Switzerland of the East', is now facing pressure as uncertainty grips the region.

Bankers and financial advisers say wealthy individuals are now actively exploring shifting assets from the Gulf to Switzerland as the conflict escalates following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The ultra-rich are growing increasingly anxious about protecting their fortunes as war in the Middle East fuels fears of wider instability, with expats fleeing Dubai and turning to Switzerland to shield their wealth and dodge tax bills (stock image)

Wealth managers say the more money clients have, the more urgently they are trying to move it out of the Gulf following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran , amid concern the conflict could spread across the region. Pictured: A stock image of travelers at Dubai Airport's departure gate

More than a dozen bankers and financial advisers, collectively representing assets worth more than $1 trillion, were broadly optimistic that Switzerland would attract more money from the Middle East, particularly after Iranian attacks on Gulf states.

Although Switzerland, long considered by investors as a safe haven, has faced growing competition from financial hubs in the Middle East and Asia, cash positions booked in the country by private individuals and non-banks from the United Arab Emirates have risen around 40% over the last three years.

This gained momentum after earlier attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran in June last year, said Patrik Spiller, head of wealth management at consultancy Deloitte Switzerland.

'Due to recent events, we expect that assets from the Middle East will increasingly be booked in Switzerland. We're hearing from banks, family offices, and other high-net-worth individuals that discussions are currently underway,' Spiller said.

The Swiss Bankers Association said it could not comment specifically on asset flows from the Middle East since the recent strikes on Iran, but noted Switzerland had long positioned itself as an attractive place for wealthy investors.

'It's now to our advantage that we can score points with Swissness, namely secure conditions, political stability, and the rule of law. I believe this is particularly valued in times like these,' said SBA chief economist Martin Hess.

After the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Swiss franc hit its highest level against the euro in a decade.

Although it would likely take weeks or months for inflows to register, Switzerland could eventually see 'several dozen billion' dollars coming in from the region, Spiller said.

'But that will depend a great deal on how the war develops, and how long it lasts,' he added, noting cash usually came first followed later by assets such as stocks or bonds.

UBS (UBSG.S), Switzerland's biggest wealth and asset manager, declined to comment, as did Julius Baer (BAER.S),which has the third-largest total of assets under management (AuM).

Swiss private bank Pictet, which ranks second largest by AuM, said in a statement it is seeing inquiries from customers, but the increase could not be described as significant.

'We reported a record high in AuM at the end of the year, despite the weak U.S. dollar, and the positive trend has continued since the beginning of the year. Swissness works,' Pictet added.

Till Budelmann, chief investment officer at Bergos, a Zurich-based private bank with about 8 billion Swiss francs ($10 billion) in AuM, said the war with Iran had brought Switzerland back into focus, including among European investors.

Budelmann said one European investor who had been thinking about setting up an account requested an immediate appointment to set the process in motion after hostilities began.

While it was too early to quantify possible inflows, Budelmann said he sensed the conflict had 'given a boost to Switzerland as a safe haven'.
Peter Mandelson reportedly made more than 1.5million selling his shares in the advisory firm he created - including 250,000 in the days before it collapsed over his tied to Jeffrey Epstein.

The disgraced peer handed over to majority of his shares, worth up to 1.4million, in Global Counsel to family and friends in 2024, before he became ambassador to the United States, the Financial Times reported.

But as clients including Barclays, Vodafone, Tesco and Klarna severed ties with the company earlier this year over the scale of his friendship with the disgraced child abuser, the firm bought out his final shares so he had no links left to it.

Global Counsel publicly announced it had cut all ties with Mandelson, while his former aide Benjamin Wegg-Prosser stepped down as CEO, as it tried to stay solvent.

However days later it went into administration with the loss of almost 100 jobs. It means he made a six-figure sum while the shares sold to friends were worthless and staff were handed little or no severance.

Mandelson, famous for saying he was 'intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich' when he was a Labour minister, was last week revealed to have demanded a 580,000 pay-off when he was sacked as ambassador over his Epstein friendship.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces further questions over his decision to make Mandelson a senior diplomat last year.

Last night the Tories claimed the Prime Minister's political fingerprints were 'forensically removed' from the recently-published files.

The disgraced peer handed over to majority of his shares, worth up to 1.4million, in Global Counsel to family and friends in 2024, before he became ambassador to the United States, the Financial Times reported

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer faces further questions over his decision to make Mandelson a senior diplomat last year.

Last week a picture emerged showing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson in bathrobes with a fully clothed Jeffrey Epstein

Lord Mandelson co-founded Global Counsel with Mr Wegg-Prosser in 2010 after Labour lost the general election.

He stepped down from its board about two years ago.

Mr Wegg-Prosser was previously a political adviser and director of strategic communications under former prime minister Tony Blair, before going on to work as a director at a Russian media firm.

Global Counsel has worked with a roster of clients including Palantir, GSK, Vodafone, OpenAI, TikTok and the English Premier League.

The firm, which had offices in cities including London, Berlin, Doha and Washington DC, announced it had stopped trading - with the majority of its 80-strong UK staff made redundant, on February 20.

Administrators at Interpath said it suffered a significant financial impact from a swathe of customers cutting ties with the firm. This left directors with no choice but to bring in administrators, it said.

Will Wright, UK chief executive of Interpath and joint administrator, said: 'While Global Counsel had grown over the past 15 years to become one of the UK's leading public affairs consultancies, the rapid and sudden loss of clients over recent weeks has had a monumental impact on the business.'

Downing Street last week finally released the first batch of documents surrounding Lord Mandelson's appointment as Britain's ambassador to the US in December 2024.

But although they confirmed Sir Keir was warned about the disgraced peer's 'particularly close' relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, his response was not recorded.

The documents contained no record of what the Prime Minister thought about Lord Mandelson.

They also did not detail why he pushed through the controversial appointment after being told it was a 'reputational risk' to the Government.

In an urgent question in the House of Commons on Monday, senior Tory MP Alex Burghart said there were 'many, many documents missing'.

'It's become increasingly clear that either the Government did not follow due process in its appointment of Peter Mandelson, or that it has not disclosed all of the relevant documents,' the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said.

'In different terms, either the PM's assurances that full due process was followed was misleading, or the Government has not complied with the Humble Address. Either would be a contempt of Parliament.'

Lord Mandelson has been approached for comment.
Starbucks is plotting a far bigger move from Seattle to Tennessee than previously reported, it is claimed, sparking fresh speculation that it is planning to quit its crime-ridden home city entirely.

Earlier this month, the coffee giant unveiled plans to move its logistics operations from its Pacific Northwest offices to Nashville, with around 300 workers affected.

But the company is now searching for a space that could accommodate upward of 2,000 employees, sources close to the property search told CoStar.

That has sparked speculation the coffee giant is planning to move its HQ out of Seattle, where 3,000 corporate staff currently work and where Starbucks's first coffee shop opened in 1971.

Starbucks has reportedly hired CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, to lead the search.

Officials are looking into leasing the new Peabody Union complex in downtown which boasts nearly 300,000 square feet of space and has remained vacant since its completion last year, the insiders claimed.

Starbucks has vowed to maintain its headquarters in Seattle but its plans for Nashville have led to questions about what its long-term goals really are.

The move comes as Seattle remains mired in crime and vagrancy under the leadership of its new ultra-woke Democrat mayor Katie Wilson, who issued a police order that allows drug users to avoid prosecution for using illegal substances in the streets.

Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, who closed five profitable Seattle stores four years ago citing rising crime, also recently announced his plans to retire to Florida as Washington state passed its so-called millionaires income tax bill.

Starbucks has been secretly searching for a massive office in Nashville, Tennessee that can accommodate upward of 2,000 employees, insiders claim (file photo)

The company is headquartered in Seattle, which has recently grown a reputation for vagrancy and open air drug markets. Shown is a homeless encampment in front of Seattle's Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture in January 2026

Starbucks laid off more than 1,100 corporate employees globally last year, including 900 in Seattle and nearby Kent, Washington.

It is also shuttering 1 percent of its shops, including more than 430 across North American locations and its Seattle Reserve Roasteries.

CEO Brian Niccol, in a September letter to employees, said the layoffs and closures were aimed at 'putting our resources closest to the customer so we can create great coffeehouses, offer world-class customer service, and grow the business.'

He added that more coffeehouses would open in 2026.

But it does not appear that those efforts are focused on the Pacific Northwest, with Starbucks saying this month that it is opening its Nashville office to support 'rising customer demand, in particular, the southeast region of the US.'

The new office will work closely with the Seattle headquarters, officials said, fueling rumors that Starbucks is gradually planning to quit the city where it started.

Seattle has grown a reputation for vagrancy and open air drug markets as the city's soft-on-crime policies fail to tackle the homeless crisis and fentanyl epidemic.

The city's homeless population has surged by a staggering 88 percent in the past 10 years and people can be seen blatantly abusing drugs in the streets.

Join the discussion Is rising crime and progressive policy driving major employers to abandon cities like Seattle?

Starbucks laid off more than 1,100 corporate employees globally last year. CEO Brian Niccol, seen in June 2025, said the layoffs and closures were aimed in 'putting our resources closest to the customer so we can create great coffeehouses, offer world-class customer service, and grow the business'

Seattle's famous Pike Place food market, where the first-ever Starbucks shop sits, is devoid of vagrants and drug abusers - but you only have to walk a few blocks before you're surrounded by squalor and despair

Drug paraphernalia is seen on the sidewalk of an encampment in Seattle in January this year

Wilson, 43, and progressive city attorney Erika Evans have reportedly plotted to avoid prosecuting most public drugs use cases.

A memo filed by Evans on January 1 says anyone arrested for doing drugs in public must be referred to the city's 'LEAD' diversion program, which tries to offer addicts treatment.

Evans, who is also a Democrat, added that only users whose circumstances are very 'acute or problematic' should be referred to her office. Prosecutors would then consult with LEAD officers before making a final charging decision.

Although Schultz neglected to address Seattle's lawlessness in his retirement announcement last week, his disdain for the city's soft-on-crime policies is no secret.

When Starbucks closed 16 stores across the country in 2022, Schultz blamed woke city leaders for forcing the company to shutter operations.

The businessman accused lawmakers in Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland and Washington DC of 'abdicating their responsibility' to fight crime in their cities.

He alleged the stores had become 'unsafe' amid attacks on staff members and reports of drug use at the popular cafes.

Schultz, at the time, warned it was 'just the beginning' of store closures and said there 'would be many more' to come with homelessness and crime on the rise.

Starbucks founder Howard Schultz and his wife Sheri, together in 2012, are retiring to Miami, Florida after spending nearly 50 years in Seattle

The original Starbucks in the Pike Place Market in Seattle is a popular tourist attraction. A rotating list of musicians performed for the crowds outside the shop in August 2014

The Starbucks founder, 72, and his wife Sheri, 71, relocated to Miami earlier this year after spending nearly five decades in Seattle. He cited closeness to their East Coast-based children and grandchildren as the reason for the move.

The couple have moved their private office to Miami but said the Schultz Family Foundation will continue to operate from Seattle under the leadership of Vivek Varma.

Sheri started the foundation in 1990 and Varma has served as CEO since July 2023.

Schultz, who according to Forbes is worth an estimated $4.3 billion, publicly announced his retirement plans the same day that Washington state passed its first-ever income tax.

The new levy goes into effect in 2029 and imposes a 9.9 percent tax on households earning more than $1 million annually.

Florida, however, is just one of eight US states that do not have a state personal income tax.

Tennessee also does not impose a personal income tax and generally offers a more competitive corporate tax structure than Washington.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
A Nebraska urban explorer has died in a freak accident inside a city sewer system just three days before his 21st birthday.

Trevon Anderson, 20, had been navigating the sewers beneath the state's capital city of Lincoln with two friends early Saturday morning.

At around 3:05am, Anderson attempted to climb out of a sewer in the Havelock neighborhood using a ladder when it is believed that he fell and struck his head.

Emergency personnel rushed to North 65th Street and Logan Avenue, where they found Anderson 'several hundred yards' within the sewer system, according to the Lincoln Police Department.

He suffered a severe head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lincoln police told the Daily Mail that the group of friends had been inside the sewer system for between 90 minutes and two hours before the presumed fall.

Anderson's death is believed to be accidental at this time and an investigation is ongoing.

Urban exploration is when people visit man-made structures that are off-limits, abandoned or tough to access such as catacombs, sewers or deserted building sites.

Trevon Anderson, 20, died while exploring the Lincoln sewer system. Police believe that he fell off a ladder and struck his head

The incident happened around 3:05am on Saturday near North 65th Street and Logan Avenue, according to the Lincoln Police Department

Anderson's mom, Alissa, told the Daily Mail: 'People need to stop assuming s*** and being evil.'

She described him as a 'smart and funny' 20-year-old boy with good grades who was in his junior year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

'He was going places and doing things,' Alissa said. 'Exploring anything and everything he could was so much fun to him.'

The grieving mother added that her son 'never thought he'd end up hurt.'

Anderson's aunt, Ashlie Chavez, told the Daily Mail that her nephew was 'having harmless fun with his friends.'

'Nothing sinister,' she added.

A GoFundMe for Anderson started by Chavez said that he died 'doing what he loved, surrounded by his best friends.'

Anderson did not have life insurance, according to the fundraiser. His mother Alissa will need time off from work to grieve and to help his younger brother and sister.

As of Tuesday morning, which would have been Anderson's 21st birthday, the fundraiser had raised about $6,000 of its $6,500 goal.

Anderson's sister Kaylan told the Daily Mail that her brother was a 'badass.' He died at the scene

Anderson was a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Police said he suffered a severe head injury

Chavez said Anderson's death was 'the hardest day of my life to date.'

'If you knew Trevon, you know that he was the smartest guy, so full of life with the biggest dreams,' she wrote.

Chavez said she did not know how she would move on from her nephew's sudden death.

'I don't know how to even begin to pick up the pieces,' she posted. 'I do know that our family needs all the thoughts, prayers, and good vibes you can send our way.'

Anderson's sister, Kaylan, told the Daily Mail that he was a 'badass.'

'For nearly 21 years of my life I have had my brother by my side,' she wrote on social media. 'He was my best friend and my entire heart.'

'He lived an amazing life and Im [sic] so beyond grateful God chose me to be his sister,' she added.

Anderson and his friends had been inside the sewer system for between 90 minutes and two hours, according to Lincoln police

Ashlie Chavez, Anderson's aunt, said that her nephew was having 'harmless fun with his friends' at the time of the accident

Five years ago, a Reddit user asking for abandoned places in or near Lincoln was told that the 'storm sewer tunnel should be wide open.'

Lincoln police told the Daily Mail that they did not know what Anderson and his friends were specifically doing while they explored the Lincoln sewer system.

Anderson's two friends were not hurt, according to KETV. They have not been named by police or family.

Urban exploring is not inherently illegal, but it can lead to misdemeanor charges when explorers enter private property.

It can also be dangerous, since the sites in question tend to be very old or in decrepit condition.
A transgender woman dressed like a Blues Brother has been arrested after a seven-hour siege of an oceanfront home with a decomposing body inside.

Retired property developer Demetrius Doukoullos, 92, was found dead inside the stunning $6.3 million property in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles.

The elderly man was allegedly killed weeks ago by Eleanor Beaulieu, 39, who is locked up in the county jail charged with murder.

Photos said to show Beaulieu on the terrace of the property show her in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, black trilby hat and black Wayfarer sunglasses like the characters in the hit 1980 action movie.

Neighbors along on The Strand regularly saw Doukoullos relaxing on his front porch, overlooking Manhattan Beach and the Pacific Ocean.

But when he stopped coming out for weeks and the blinds stayed closed, they began to worry. Then they saw a strange man in a suit and fedora coming and going.

Then his upstairs neighbor smelled a foul odor coming from the unit and a suspicious person was in the unit, and called the landlord.

Doukoullos had lived alone since his wife Fredda died aged 75 in 2012 and was renting a two-bedroom unit in the building for $6,900 a month since January 2024.

Eleanor Beaulieu, 39, surrenders to police after a seven-hour siege inside the home of retired property developer Demetrius Doukoullos, 92

A SWAT team outside the oceanfront home on The Strand in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, on Saturday with Beaulieu barricaded inside

A SWAT team huddles behind a BearCat armored vehicle ready to breach the door

Hermosa Beach Police arrived at 12.37pm on Saturday for a welfare check and to investigate the suspicious person.

'The reporting party stated that a tenant who lives alone had not been heard from in several days,' police said.

'With the assistance of the landlord or the realtor, they granted us access to go inside and they located somebody that was inside that did not match the description of the resident.'

When officers entered the unit, they saw a woman run into the bedroom and locked the door.

'That person made some type of statement that she was armed and barricaded herself inside of the residence,' police explained.

Officers tried to negotiate with Beaulieu on the phone for hours and called in the Hermosa Beach/Hawthorne SWAT team.

Heavily armed officers flooded the usually quiet street and evacuated surrounding homes as the siege dragged on past sundown and into darkness.

Finally, one officer grabbed a bullhorn and warned Beaulieu they would force their way in, as SWAT readied breaching tools.

'Eleanor, come out with your hands up. This has been going on long enough,' the officer yelled repeatedly.

Beaulieu finally surrendered soon afterwards, about 7.45pm, and walked out of the home with her arms raised before she was handcuffed and hauled away

She was wearing an ill-fitting black suit, sunglasses, and a fedora

Neighbors along on The Strand regularly saw Doukoullos relaxing on his front porch, overlooking Manhattan Beach and the Pacific Ocean

The suspect donned an outfit identical to the ones worn by The Blues Brothers, played by Dan Akroyd (left) and John Belushi (right) in the hit 1980 action movie

Beaulieu finally surrendered soon afterwards, about 7.45pm, and walked out of the home with her arms raised before she was handcuffed and hauled away.

She was wearing an ill-fitting black suit, sunglasses, and had long hair tied in a bun under a fedora.

Police searched the unit and found Doukoullos's decomposing body, which the medical examiner said had signs of trauma.

Beaulieu was booked into the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail under her legal name, Robert Phillip Simmons, on a $2 million bond.

The relationship between Doukoullos and Beaulieu, if any, is unknown.

She will face court again on Tuesday.
Footage shows the moment a controlling boyfriend was arrested on a plane after he hurled prosecco in his partner's face and threatened to kill her at the airport.

Callum Coady, 27, was handcuffed by officers at Manchester Airport after he subjected victim Daisy Martin to more than a year of abuse - forcing her to delete social media and cutting her off from loved ones.

Police bodycam footage shows him being detained by officers onboard the aircraft, as he protests: 'Do I look like I'd kill someone?'

As he is escorted off the plane with his hands behind his back, he shouts: 'I'm missing my flight now.'

Manchester Magistrates' Court heard the abuse came to a head on August 19, 2023, when Coady became aggressive at the airport after seeing a message on Facebook.

CCTV captured him shouting at Ms Martin before throwing a glass of prosecco in her face and threatening to kill her - prompting airport staff to intervene and police to arrest him.

Coady, of Heaton Mersey, Stockport, later pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, on Monday.

Police bodycam footage shows Callum Coady being handcuffed by officers on a plane after abusing victim Daisy Martin

As he is arrested on the aircraft, Coady says: 'Do I look like I'd kill someone? I'm missing my flight now'

He was also handed a five-year restraining order, ordered to work with probation services and told to pay 200 compensation.

The case was built after specialist domestic abuse officers analysed more than 35,000 messages between the pair.

They uncovered what was described as a clear and persistent pattern of control, threats and manipulation.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Martin said: 'After everything I went through, it has had a profound impact on my life.

'I struggle daily to understand people and often overthink even small interactions.

'I question whether people will treat me with respect after trusting someone who changed completely once I let him close and controlled how I behaved, thought and lived.

'What happened has made me extremely wary of relationships and friendships.

'He made me forget what love should feel like, and I struggle to believe anyone could genuinely want something healthy with me.

'I feel anxious going places in case I see him, and I still look over my shoulder. My sense of safety is gone.'

She added: 'He made me feel unlovable and affected my self-confidence.

Coady is detained by police at Manchester Airport, where he tried to catch a flight

Messages between Coady and his victim show he controlled her phone usage

He also dictated her social media use and did not like her having apps such as Snapchat

'I overthink everything and notice changes in myself - getting angry more easily and snapping.

'I'm trying to rebuild myself. I blamed myself for not seeing the manipulation sooner.

'Now small things trigger doubt, and if someone seems distant, I assume I've done something wrong.

'This experience has deeply affected my trust and identity.'

Detective Constable Elizabeth Andrews, who led the investigation, praised Ms Martin's courage in coming forward.

'The thousands of messages recovered from Coady's phone provided a clear and disturbing insight into the level of control, manipulation and abuse she was subjected to, and they formed a crucial part of the evidence against him,' she said.
Kemi Badenoch hit out at 'childish' Donald Trump today as she said he and Keir Starmer had to sport out their transatlantic rift.

The Conservative leader criticised the US president after he tore into the Prime Minister last night over Britain's lack of offensive support for his faltering war with Iran.

Amid a low point in the 'special relationship' Trump vented his frustration with the PM again, describing the UK's reluctance to get involved in the Middle East as 'terrible'.

He also claimed that Sir Keir had offered to send two aircraft carriers to the region - something that Downing Street denied. Only one of the UK's carriers is currently operational, and that is due to be deployed to the Arctic.

Sir Keir insisted yesterday that the UK would not get dragged into a 'wider war' after the US and Israel launched attacks. France and Germany have also dismissed the idea of taking an active role while conflict is raging.

Mrs Badenoch said she was one of the PM's biggest critics, but that Trump's broadside had been 'shocking'.

'The last thing we need is a war of words  he was quite childish as well  a war of words between the White House and Downing Street,' she added, on a visit to Surrey.

'We have (Ukrainian) president Zelensky in the UK today, the western alliance having a spat is unhelpful.'

The Conservative leader criticised the US president after he tore into the Prime Minister last night over Britain's lack of offensive support for his faltering war with Iran .

Sir Keir insisted yesterday that the UK would not get dragged into a 'wider war' after the US and Israel launched attacks

The barbs came as European powers batted away Mr Trump's call to send warships to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Around a fifth of global oil supplies typically pass through the channel, but Iran has been managing to keep it effectively shut with missile and drone strikes.

The PM - who will host Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street today - has stressed the importance of keeping the focus on Ukraine's campaign against Russian invasion.

Mr Trump's annoyance boiled over again last night, presenting Sir Keir with another major diplomatic headache.

'I was very surprised with the United Kingdom. Two weeks ago I said, ''Why don't you send some ships over?'' And he [Starmer] really didn't want to do it,' the President said.

'You're our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all these things to protect you. I mean, we're protecting them. I think it is terrible.

'I was not happy with the UK. I think they will be involved, maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically. We requested two aircraft carriers which they had. And he did not really want to do it. And after the war had essentially ended, I mean after they were obliterated, he said 'I would like to send the aircraft carriers'.

'I said 'I don't need them after the war has ended, I needed them before the war'.'

Seemingly contradicting himself, Mr Trump added that he approached Britain, France and others 'not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react'.

Amid a low point in the 'special relationship' Trump vented his frustration with the PM again, describing the UK's reluctance to get involved in the Middle East as 'terrible'.

This morning a senior Labour MP suggested it would be 'safer to delay' the King's state visit to the US next month due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

The historic visit has yet to be officially announced but Charles and the Queen are expected to visit Washington and New York in April to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs select committee, said there was a risk Charles and Camilla may be left feeling 'embarrassed' because of the current crisis.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today radio programme on Tuesday, Dame Emily said: 'If it was to go ahead, it would go ahead against a backdrop of a war, and that, I think, is quite difficult  and the last thing that we want to do is to have Their Majesties embarrassed.'

Asked if she was in favour of delaying the visit, she said: 'I don't know what the programme would involve, but I think it needs to be thought through very carefully as to whether or not it's appropriate to go ahead now, or maybe have a limited programme or delay it  but we can't just pretend that there isn't a background of war.'

She added: 'I suspect it would be safer to delay it, but I don't know the details.'

Mr Trump was feted with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for an American leader, last year.

The royal family's soft power diplomacy is viewed as an important and unique way of engaging with the billionaire-turned-politician, who is well known for his love of the monarchy.

Buckingham Palace said it was a matter for the Government, with state visits undertaken on the advice of the Foreign Office.

A recent YouGov poll found 46 per cent of Britons believe the King should cancel the official visit and not travel to the US this year, while 36 per cent said it should go ahead and 18 per cent did not know.
A French woman has been arrested alongside two men after allegedly filming pornography in Bali, where X-rated content is outlawed.

The 23-year-old woman was identified by Indonesian officials as MMJL but has been named in local media Melisa Mireille Jeanine.

It's understood Jeanine was staying in Canggu Village, in Bali's North Kuta District, with a 26-year-old French man, identified as ERB, and 24-year-old Italian man, who was identified as NBS and reported in local media as Nadir ben Said.

ERB allegedly acted as Jeanine's manager and producer while NBS allegedly appeared in an X-rated video while dressed as a Gojek scooter delivery driver.

Bali is a beloved holiday destination for millions of tourists from around the globe but is part of conservative Muslim-majority Indonesia, where producing and sharing pornography is viewed harshly.

Police were alerted to the case after learning of a viral video online allegedly showing the woman and the Italian driver in Bali.

It's alleged the video was shot at Villa Pande on the afternoon of March 8.

'Their motivation to do the (alleged) crime is seeking profit from pornographic video content,' Joseph Edward Purba told a press conference on Tuesday.

French OnlyFans model Melisa Mireille Jeanine (right) was arrested in Bali on Friday

The woman, along with two other tourists (above), are accused of making pornography on the island

Officers found the video on Friday, March 13, and ordered immigration authorities to detain Jeanine and NBS at Denpasar Airport, where they were due to depart Indonesia that day for Thailand.

'The suspects were then secured at the airport and taken to Badung Police Headquarters for further legal processing,' Purba said.

ERB was arrested in Canggu on Monday.

Indonesian police seized three phones, a camera, a MacBook laptop and 'motorcycle taxi vest' from the three tourists.

'All the three suspects are now facing Indonesian electronic information and transaction laws for making and spreading the content,' Purba said.

Under the Indonesian law, the trio face a maximum ten years behind bars if convicted.

The news comes just months after UK pornstar Bonnie Blue was deported from Bali in December 2025.

She was accused of targeting Australian teenagers visiting the island for Schoolies to make pornographic material.

Bonnie Blue (above) was deported from Bali in December after being accused of shooting lewd content with Australian teenagers

Blue shared several short videos of herself interacting with the recently graduated Aussies at several hotspots around the island.

In one clip, she filmed a group of rowdy Aussie teens riding in the back of her 'bang bus', and joked to parents, 'Remember when I said I was going to pick your sons up? I wasn't lying'.

The pornography charges were dropped after an investigation found Blue's content was made to give the appearance of being lewd but was not.

Blue was deported after being found guilty of a minor traffic offence and working while on a tourist visa.
The head of the judiciary has warned there are grave security concerns over the Governments controversial plan for judge-only trials.

Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr suggested judges who become responsible for determining guilt under Labours proposals could be physically attacked by vengeful criminals outside court.

In her first public criticism of Justice Secretary David Lammys plan to end jury trial in thousands of cases a year, Baroness Carr said she had already voiced her fears very, very strongly to the Government.

Under Labours reforms  designed to reduce the record 80,000 trial backlog  judges will sit without a jury in medium-level trials, including violent offences and drug-dealing, potentially involving organised crime gangs.

I see it not only as appropriate but my responsibility to make it as plain as I can that I have grave security concerns if there are going to be judge alone trials, the Lady Chief Justice said.

It's a very different environment to be working in and judges usually sit in one main centre.

So they're going in and out of one centre on a daily basis, rather than, for example, High Court judges who will be sitting all around the country in England and Wales.

So I've made the case very, very strongly that this needs to be considered and resourced properly and catered for properly.

The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, said she had 'grave security concerns' over the Government's plan for judge-only trials

I have been assured that has all been heard and understood and that the resources will be made available.

Baroness Carr, the most senior judge in England and Wales, said: I don't want to go into too much detail as to where my concerns lie.

In the broadest sense, I would say they centre at the moment on judges going to the same building every day.

Her remarks reflect fears that convicted criminals, or their associates, could seek revenge against judges who hand down a guilty verdict.

As criminal judges usually work at the same court building every day they could be vulnerable to physical attack by anyone holding a grudge.

The Lady Chief Justice with Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary David Lammy

Baroness Carr also voiced concerns over escalating levels of online abuse against judges.

The thing that is really concerning me still is the social media abuse, which has taken a nasty turn when it comes to judges now,' she said at her annual press conference at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London today.

Baroness Carr - the most senior judge in England and Wales, pictured today at her annual press conference - also voiced concern over growing levels of online abuse directed at judges

Increasingly racist, misogynistic social media abuse that is so difficult to control.

But we've got a Lord Chancellor [Mr Lammy] who speaks out, defends the rule of law as always, and I feel that the messages that I've had to convey have been delivered and heard.

The legal establishment, particularly criminal barristers, have voiced fierce opposition to the judge-only plans, saying they will seriously erode a centuries-old right to jury trial.

The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr, pictured today giving her annual press conference in the library of the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, central London

Professional bodies have argued there is no evidence jury trial is a key factor in the courts backlog, and suggested the solution lies in greater investment in courts and legal aid.

It emerged last month that Mr Lammys proposals will also lead to a fall in the number of criminals in jail.

Official Ministry of Justice documents showed that following an initial spike in the prison population the changes would see fewer offenders behind bars.

Government research also showed that where similar judge-only trials have been introduced in other parts of the world it led to more defendants being acquitted and to shorter jail sentences being handed down.

Ministers have said they expect judge-only trials to be introduced in 2028, assuming the legislation overcomes opposition from backbench Labour MPs and the House of Lords.

The reforms will cost 338million to implement over 10 years.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: The Lady Chief Justice is absolutely right to highlight how important it is to ensure judges are safe to carry out their duties.

Our reforms mean serious cases will continue to be heard in front of a jury and we have robust measures in place - backed by increased investment - to protect judges and all court users.

Victims are facing unacceptably long waits for justice after years of delays in our courts.

That is why we are pressing ahead with our plans - alongside modernising it for the 21st century with record investment.
Residents in Denver were subject to explicit messages while crossing the city's streets after hackers manipulated the audio to play hateful remarks about the president.

'The walk signal is on, f*** Trump,' announced a pedestrian signal. 'The walk signal is on, Trump murders children.'

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Communications Director Nancy Kuhn told the Denver Post that the vile messages blared at two crosswalks on East Colfax Avenue over the weekend. One at North Pearl Street and a second at North Washington Street.

Hackers easily accessed the pedestrian signals because the crosswalk push buttons were recently installed and in their default mode, said Kuhn.

The devices were 'still bagged and with their factory settings that included a default password that we now have learned is easy to find online,' the director added.

Kuhn noted that passwords have since been changed and that they do not expect a situation like this to happen again.

The crosswalk sign at Colfax Avenue and Pearl Street was shut down on Friday night, and the one on Washington Street was disconnected, Kuhn said.

'This happens a lot,' Daniel Pittman, an expert in cybersecurity with Metropolitan State University of Denver, told CBS News.

Crosswalks in Denver were hacked over the weekend to blare vile messages about the president after they were easily accessed by default passwords available on the internet

The messages were heard playing: 'The walk signal is on, f*** Trump. The walk signal is on, Trump murders children'

'When you look at construction working signs, the ones who put the messages on, I'm sure you've seen internet memes about people that have put their own messages on them and stuff like that.'

'And it always comes down to weak credentials, default credentials, and they're publicly available,' he added.

Footage uploaded to social media of the hacked crosswalks has gone viral, sparking outrage and applause for the hackers.

One disgruntled user wrote: 'I live here in Denver. Find another way to spread whatever message you have, other than by hacking a safety measure that helps people not get hit by cars. I don't care who you like or don't like. Grow up and do better. Losers.'

Another simply added: 'Do better, Denver.'

A third opposed those who enjoyed the messages: 'I'm sorry, the fact that Americans laugh about this terrifies me.'

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Communications Director Nancy Kuhn told the Denver Post that the pedestrian signal have been fixed and their passwords are now more secure

However, many were delighted by the messages, even pleading with the city to keep the audio.

One wrote: 'Hack them all with this! Its a service to humanity.'

A second added, 'Please tell me they didnt change it back! I wanna hear it in person!'

A third noted: 'What an amazing use of free will and IT skills.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for comment.
The killer of a cop in Washington DC who coldly executed his victim may be granted early release under a progressive new law.

Marthell Dean was 23 years old when he fatally shot 28-year-old Officer Brian Gibson four times in the head and shoulder at around 3am in 1997.

Now, the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act may grant him his freedom.

The controversial law from 2016 allows convicts who were under the age of 24 when they committed their crimes to be granted early release or a reduced sentence if they had already served 15 years behind bars.

Dean's petition to be released, however, is strongly opposed by Gibson's grieving family, as well as federal prosecutors, Police Chief Jeffery Carroll and the police labor union, The Washington Post reported.

Carroll said in a statement to the outlet that the 'vow to never forget is not a hollow one,' describing Dean as the person 'responsible for this heinous act' who 'should remain incarcerated for the rest of his life.'

Gibson was killed in February 1997, as the court heard that Dean had been angry for being thrown out of the Ibex nightclub by an off-duty officer, NBC 4 reported.

Terrica Gibson, the officer's sister, told the outlet: 'One of the many things that's always hurt me the most if Brian was shot in the shoulder first, which means he may well have known what was coming.'

Washington DC Police Officer Brian Gibson, 28, was shot and killed by Marthell Dean, who was 23 at the time, in February 1997 after he became angry for being escorted out of a nightclub

Dean may now be granted early release due to the controversial Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act from 2016, which was updated to allow convicts who were 24 years old or under at the time of their crime to be eligible for a reduced sentence

Gibson's mother, Shirley Gibson, said at the time that Dean's sentencing of life without parole brought her 'a little comfort'

'I have to say, part of me is very sad. My mother is no longer here. But then part of me is happy that she isn't seeing this, because it was devastate her,' she added.

Gibson's mother, Shirley Gibson, said at the time that Dean's sentencing of life without parole brought her 'a little comfort.'

Shirley then spent years serving Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners to DC police officers until her death in July 2021.

Gibson's mother was described as 'Law Enforcement's Mom' in the years after Gibson's death, according to numerous social media posts.

'Shirley turned her pain into passion... and served as the National President of Concerns of Police Survivors. She was always our "go to" speaker at the Memorial Fund whenever we needed an inspirational voice,' Craig Floyd, founder of Citizens Behind the Badge and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, wrote on Facebook after Shirley's death.

Now, with both of her parents gone, Terrica will be providing an impact statement on behalf of her family to oppose Dean's release.

'I'm really alone. That family of four that was so perfect is now gone, and it's just me, but I will fight because it's me and I will take care of him,' Terrica told NBC 4.

Gibson was a Marine Corps reservist who served in Operation Desert Storm, the Post reported. He left behind a wife and two daughters, one just 13 months old at the time of this death.

Terrica Gibson, Gibson's sister, is strongly opposing Dean's release and said that it 'takes away from the fact that a good man was senselessly murdered'

Gibson, seen pictured, left behind a wife and two daughters, one who was just 13 months old when he was killed

'He has a grandson and a granddaughter that he will never see and they never got to know him,' Terrica said.

The devastating impact of Gibson's death highlighted the opposition toward the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act. While some believe the law holds importance to recognize rehabilitation within the prison system, others have argued that it allows violent offenders a 'get out of jail free' card.

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for DC, told the Post: 'It's essentially a "get out of jail early" ticket for repeated, serial, cold-blooded killers. It's inconsistent with a civil society.'

'It spits in the face of every grieving family. This isn't reform. This is pure evil dressed up as compassion,' Pirro added.

From when the law was implemented up until 2023, 155 people had been granted early release with around 90 percent not being charged with another crime, the Post reported.

According to Pirro, around 80 percent of petitions are granted by judges.

The controversial law has faced criticism and opposition from both federal prosecutors appointed under former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump.

Greggory Pemberton, the police union chairman, told the outlet that Gibson's murder was 'a profound wound that still echoes.'

Shirley spent years serving Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners to DC police officers until her death in July 2021. Gibson's mother was described as 'Law Enforcement's Mom'

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for DC, described the controversial law as 'essentially a "get out of jail early" ticket' for violent offenders

Greggory Pemberton, the police union chairman, said the early release of Dean 'sends the worst message' possible, allowing those who 'intentionally murder a police officer' to receice 'worst case scenario... 15 years in prison'

'It reminded every officer of the mortal risks we face daily,' Pemberton added. 'The pain remains permanent: no more anniversaries, no father-daughter dances, no grandfather stories. Brian is gone forever because of Dean's actions.'

Dean's petition remains sealed, and his arguments for early release remain unclear. The Act he is looking to make use of was originally intended for offenders who committed a crime under the age of 18 and had served at least 20 years behind bars.

However, it was amended under the Second Look Amendment Act of 2019 to raise the qualifying age and lower the necessary time served.

The criteria also includes maturity, rehabilitation and a low chance of reoffending, which would allow the judge to allow for early release 'despite the brutality or cold-blooded nature of any particular offense,' according to the Post.

Officials have said that repeat offenders following early release are around three percent, while Pirro noted a case of one offender who was convicted of murdering a child at age 16.

The offender was granted early release in August 2020 and arrested one year later for another murder, the Post reported.

Erin Pinder, the executive director of the Second Look Project - an organization which represents those seeking release - declined to comment to the Post.

In statements she referred the outlet to, Pinder said the Act 'gives judges the tools to evaluate rehabilitation, account for the maturity that comes with time and ensure that individuals who no longer pose a danger to the public have a meaningful path home.'

'This is not leniency. It is sound policy, grounded in decades of research showing that people age out of violent crime as they mature,' Pinder said.

In a letter provided by the police union to the Post, Terrica wrote: 'Brian is gone forever because of Marthell Dean.'

She added in her opposition of Dean's release that it 'takes away from the fact that a good man was senselessly murdered.'

Pemberton said in a post from the DC Police Union: 'This sends the worst message we could possibly imagine that if you senselessly, intentionally murder a police officer - Worst case scenario, you do 15 years in prison.'
A Mississippi man became stuck in waist-deep quicksand while trying to rescue an ATV stuck in mud at an outdoors event.

Jaron Wynn, 28, had been trying to help his cousin pull his ATV out of the mud when he found himself sinking into the ground Saturday at the Chris Woods 2nd Annual Trail Ride, spanning across 300 acres near Oxford Road in Waterford.

'It was like quicksand. I would say it was more like mud because it was wet,' Wynn told WREG.

'So, with it being kind of like that, it was holding me down, so I wasn't able to move where I wanted to move to get out.'

Other event goers tried to help Wynn out of the mud, but he wasn't able to free himself for nearly three hours before the fire department was called.

The Waterford Fire Department arrived on the scene and attempted to pull Wynn out with straps.

'It extended my body a little, and it was hurting a little bit, so that's why they just waited,' Wynn told the outlet.

The department tried to shovel the mud away, but weren't able to make much progress.

Jaron Wynn, 28, had been trying to help his cousin pull his ATV out of the mud when he found himself sinking into the ground

Wynn became stuck in the mud while attending the Chris Woods 2nd Annual Trail Ride, spanning across 300 acres near Oxford Road in Waterford, Mississippi

Wynn was stuck in mud up to his waist for nearly three hours before the Waterford Fire Department was called to help free him

So, they placed a backboard underneath Wynn to try and break the suction of the mud and pry him out, the outlet reported.

Fire Chief Alan Montoria and Assistant Fire Chief Blake Bagwell said two firefighters and other attendees of the event began pulling Wynn free from the mud.

'It was quite incredible just to see the videos, simply because what has happened here is you have a strictly volunteer organization with not a whole lot of training, and you have people around them that were willing to help in a situation where somebody needed help,' Bagwell told the outlet.

Wynn was finally freed after about twenty minutes of his rescuers attempting to pry him out.

Footage posted on Facebook showed Wynn being pulled from the mud, stuck up to his knees and laying on the backboard attempting to kick his feet free.

'I was ready to get out,' Wynn said. 'Like I said, I was kind of nervous.'

Another video saw him sat on the backboard after having finally escaped, covered from head to toe in mud.

'I'm very grateful to God for still allowing me to be here. I'm still sore, but I'm very appreciative.'

Wynn described the mud like 'quicksand,' as he wasn't able to move his legs at all in the wet muddy field

Wynn was finally freed after rescuers used a backboard to pry him out and bystanders helped pull him free

Montoria said the experience had been a first for the department, but they were happy to have been able to rescue Wynn.

'I think the guy had probably been wiggling and squirming for so long, he had just worn himself out by himself trying to get out. So yeah, he was in dire need of attention, and we did what we could,' he told the outlet.

'We come together, and, without the help of bystanders, actually with their strength. Yeah, we would have had trouble.'

Wynn's cousin's ATV was also pulled from the mud.

'I never had a mud bath, so I had one for the firs time,' Wynn laughed.

The Daily Mail reached out to the Waterford Fire Department for comment.
Donald Trump's inner circle is growing alarmed that he may be losing control of the Iran war after allied countries flatly rejected his plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has demanded US allies deploy warships to reopen the critical oil passageway, but France, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom have all declined to help protect commercial shipping from Iranian attack.

Gas prices have surged to an average of $3.80 a gallon from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago, while the narrow strait - through which a fifth of the world's oil flows - remains blocked by the threat of Iranian mines and missiles.

Israel claimed it had killed two high-ranking Iranian commanders overnight. Thirteen US troops have been killed in the conflict, with more than 200 injured across seven countries.

'We clearly just kicked [Iran's] a** in the field, but, to a large extent, they hold the cards now,' a source close to the White House told Politico. 'They decide how long we're involved, and they decide if we put boots on the ground. And it doesn't seem to me that there's a way around that, if we want to save face.'

Some allies fear Trump risks being dragged into an open-ended conflict just as the midterm elections approach, with the escalating war threatening to drive up the cost of living for voters already furious about affordability.

'The terms have changed,' said a second person familiar with the military operation. 'The off-ramps don't work anymore because Iran is driving the asymmetric action.'

The war has also caused a schism between top allies within Trump's MAGA movement, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, as the President has argued for years against regime-change wars in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump gives remarks to the media as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office on Monday

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq

US intelligence has also determined that Iran's regime will likely remain in power despite relentless airstrikes.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will likely tighten its domestic grip as the country's internal enforcer, intelligence officials told the Washington Post.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij forces, have joined the late Ayatollah Khamenei in the 'depths of hell' after targeted overnight airstrikes.

The attack on Larijani comes four days after he marched alongside thousands of Iranians at a Quds Day rally in Tehran, where he taunted Trump during a live interview.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, unseen since the war began, has said the US and Israel must be 'brought to their knees' and accept defeat before any peace deal is possible.

'For the White House, now the only easy day was yesterday,' the source familiar with the military operation added. 'They need to worry about an unraveling.'

The White House and Pentagon continue to insist the war is a 'tremendous success,' pointing to US naval and aerial superiority over Iran.

Despite the success touted by the administration, the US Navy remains unable to guarantee safe passage for commercial oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

The human toll comes amid mounting concerns over the financial cost, the Pentagon having burned through $5.6billion worth of munitions in the first two days of the war

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, walks along a street in Tehran on May 31, 2019

Israel claims to have assassinated top Iranian official Ali Larijani in an airstrike overnight

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The US military has moved additional forces to the region, including the USS Tripoli and its 2,000-strong Marine Expeditionary Unit capable of seizing Iranian ports.

The deployment has led some to believe Trump will soon launch a limited ground offensive against the Islamic Regime to alleviate the global oil crisis.

Trump has suggested that the fighting could end soon, while also warning that the US is prepared for a long-term offensive.
A man who allegedly stabbed his partner and their baby daughter to death in a suburb south of Brisbane has been charged with two counts of murder.

Kate Paterson, 37, a Year 5 teacher at Windaroo State School, and her 11-month-old daughter April were found by police with fatal stab wounds on Thursday morning.

Police had initially rushed to reports of a pedestrian with a neck wound who was hit by a car outside a nearby Woolworths - on Beaudesert Beenleigh Road at Bannockburn - at about 7.30am.

When officers went to an address 300m away in Belivah to alert the man's next of kin, they found the bodies.

A trail of blood allegedly led from the home to where the father, 38-year-old Blake Seers, was hit by a ute. He was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition, where he remains under police guard.

Detective Superintendent Chris Ahearn confirmed the three all lived at the home where the dead mother and daughter were found.

Both died from critical injuries from an edged weapon, police alleged. They confirmed on Tuesday night Seers had been charged.

Witnesses raised the alarm after seeing a man allegedly running along a footpath before he was hit by a black utility about 300m from the family home.

Kate Paterson was found dead in her suburban Belivah home with her one-year-old girl

Ms Paterson was a Year 5 teacher and her partner Blake Seers remains under police guard in hospital after he was hit by a car running from the house. He has been charged with two counts of murder

Two crime scenes were set up after a woman and baby were found dead at a Belivah home near Logan

Evidence markers were placed along the sidewalk, allegedly marking a trail of blood leading from the house in the hours after the killings.

Seers, who suffered serious injuries, remains in hospital and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court by video link on Wednesday.

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While President Trump's administration pushes aggressive 'America First' trade policies and threatens sweeping tariffs on European goods, this small nation of five million people is quietly bankrolling American jobs.

Rather than just exporting goods to the US and taking the hit from tariffs, Irish companies are physically setting up shop in America, creating a 'mutually beneficial' boom that proves the transatlantic relationship is a twoway street.

Swapping the traditional bowl of shamrocks this year for a staggering $6.1 billion investment pledge, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin is reportedly using his Oval Office visit today to promise a massive boom for American jobs and manufacturing.

Leading the windfall is a colossal $5 billion, fiveyear pledge from ecopackaging titan Smurfit Westrock. Building giant Kingspan is throwing down $1 billion alongside them, while nutrition powerhouse Glanbia injects another $100 million into the American economy.

And forget the Guinness, Irelands hottest new export is hightech muscle. Irish firms will unveil a massive scale-up in support for US data centers and Amazon hubs, cementing tech construction as Irelands biggest global trade outside the food industry.

Leading the charge is CEL critical power, which is set to supercharge an Amazon site in Williamsburg, Virginia, a move expected to double its workforce to 500 by 2030, Enterprise Ireland, the Irish governments trade and innovation development agency, says.

When in the past, President Trump accused Ireland of taking advantage of the US economy, Aidan McKenna, the Head of Enterprise Ireland for the Americas, pushed back to the Daily Mail when asked about it. He noted that he doesn't understand the accusation at all, emphasizing that the relationship between the two nations is deeply 'mutually beneficial.'

While it is true that Ireland benefits from the presence of US companies, McKenna highlighted that Irish companies are highly reciprocal. Today, they are responsible for creating over 110,000 jobs in the US and have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into the American economy.

JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance greet the Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheal Martin, and his wife Mary O'Shea for a St Patrick's Day breakfast at the Vice President's residence

The Irish leader, right, and O'Shea present Donald Trump with the traditional shamrock bowl during a St Patrick's Day reception in the East Room of the White House in March 2025

Rather than just exporting goods to the US and taking the hit from tariffs, Irish companies are physically setting up shop in America, creating a 'mutually beneficial' boom that proves the transatlantic relationship is a twoway street

In fact, Irish-origin investment reached a staggering $389 billion as of 2024. This massive financial footprint means that, on a per capita basis, Ireland is the number one investor in the US, placing the small nation fifth overall in the league of foreign direct investment into the country.

The need to highlight these monumental contributions has never been more urgent. In just the past few weeks, the transatlantic trade landscape has been defined by unprecedented legal whiplash.

On February 20, the US Supreme Court struck down President Trump's original tariffs, ruling his administration lacked the legal authority to enact them. But the relief didn't even last the weekend.

Almost immediately, the administration invoked an obscure law - Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 - to slap a new, temporary 10 percent global import surcharge on foreign goods, which went into effect on February 24.

This absolute whiplash has plunged global trade into chaos and triggered a massive March 5 lawsuit, where 24 US states sued the administration to block the new tariffs.

But as the Trump administration shifts its geoeconomic policy toward aggressive tariffs, how does an exportdriven nation respond?

When asked if he thinks Trump knows what he is doing regarding tariffs, McKenna tactfully offered a simple 'no comment.'

Instead of panic, McKenna's advice to European countries and Irish businesses dealing with the Trump administration is rooted in pragmatism and steady relationshipbuilding.

'So when tariffs happen, what did we do with our clients and our Irish businesses? So we said, remain calm, speak to your customers, come to the market, figure out a solution,' McKenna explained. 'You know, businesses is hard won, and it's really important to maintain it and keep relationships. And a lot of people misunderstand this market has been quite transactional, but it's actually not. It's built on relationships.'

Martin speaking during the Ireland Funds National Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, during his visit to the US on Monday

JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance greet the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin and his wife Mary O'Shea for a St Patrick's Day breakfast at the Vice President's residence

While it is true that Ireland benefits from the presence of US companies, McKenna highlighted that Irish companies are highly reciprocal. Today, they are responsible for creating over 110,000 jobs in the US and have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into the American economy

To weather the storm of political accusations and potential tariffs in the US, McKenna advises Irish businesses to 'remain calm' and intensely focus on maintaining longterm partnerships with their US customers

Following the rising transatlantic trade tensions, Ireland has doubled down on a strategy of diversification to reduce overexposure to any single market - a hardlearned lesson from the economic fallout of Brexit.

McKenna's stark warning to businesses navigating this volatile era is simple: 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket in this economy.'

That warning is no longer just good business advice - it is now aggressive state policy. On March 4, the Irish Government published its first progress report on the 'action plan on market diversification.'

To protect against this exact US trade volatility, Enterprise Ireland has actively launched specific tariffmitigation grants, including a Market Research Grant of up to 35,000, to help Irish companies figure out how to survive the US trade barriers or find new markets entirely. They also recently led their largest-ever trade mission to the Netherlands to secure high-tech construction contracts in mainland Europe.

To weather the storm of political accusations and potential tariffs in the US, McKenna advises Irish businesses to 'remain calm' and intensely focus on maintaining longterm partnerships with their US customers. He argues that the key to surviving a tariffheavy environment is offering undeniable quality.

McKenna says, overall, the relationship is a unique diplomatic and economic bond that goes far beyond wearing green on St Patrick's Day.

'Ireland has fundamentally intertwined its economic success with America's,' McKenna said.

And as for whether this strategic, boundarypushing partnership might ever extend to conversations about Greenland?

'Let's not even go there,' McKenna quipped.
Reform UK today vowed to cut 200 from the averge family's energy bill by scrapping VAT and cutting green levies.

Nigel Farage's party said removing the 5 per cent rate of VAT on energy bills would save households around 85 a year.

It also outlined how axing the renewables obligation and carbon price support tax would save another 115.

Reform made the eye-catching promise amid intense concern about the impact of the Iran war on household costs.

Tehran is currently blockading the vital Strait of Hormuz, which is stemming the flow of oil and gas from the Middle East and pushing up energy prices across the globe.

Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, said it was 'outrageous' that while Brits face soaring bills, the Government is 'slapping 200 worth of levies and taxes on the price of energy'.

'Reform is on the side of hard-up people, so we will completely scrap the heating tax,' he said.

Mr Farage claimed Net Zero had 'led to skyrocketing energy bills for working people', adding: 'Tax after tax has been added to bills without a second thought given to cost of living.'

Nigel Farage's Reform UK has vowed to cut 200 from the averge family's energy bill by scrapping VAT and cutting green levies

Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, said it was 'outrageous' that while Brits face soaring bills, the Government is 'slapping 200 worth of levies and taxes' on energy

Reform said its measures would be funded by a 7.5 per cent cut to the budgets of unprotected arm's length bodies, known as quangos, which the party claimed would save 2.5billion per year in 2029/30.

Mr Jenrick said Homes England and energy regulator Ofgem were 'out of control', and said Reform would 'trim' them if in power.

At a press conference in London, Reform also launched an online competition at nigelcutmybills.com that will see the party pay voters' energy bills for a year.

Mr Jenrick said: 'If you give us your details on that website, in the next week or two, we're going to draw one of those names, and Nigel is going to come to your house and he's going to pay your energy bills and those of everyone who lives on your street for an entire year.

He added: 'Reform can only cut the energy bills of one street in this country, but a Reform government will cut the energy bills of every single street in every part of our country.'

Mr Farage said the promise to cut VAT on energy bills was a 'Brexit bonus' as he argued Britain would not be able to take such action if it was still part of the EU.

Some experts have previously warned that cutting VAT on energy bills will merely result in a giveaway to richer homeowners.

They have argued that most of the benefit will go to people in larger houses with larger than average energy costs.

Tory shadow chancellor Mel Stride attacked 'yet another fantasy promise' from Reform.

'Their policy of scrapping the carbon price support appears to be completely uncosted, while their VAT proposals would cost billions but they have no detail on how they would pay for it,' he said.

'Reform are simply not being honest with the public about their sums and have been saying openly that they are 'not interested in the numbers'.

'Meanwhile, the rest of their ideas seem to be copy and pasted from the Conservatives' Cheap Power Plan announced last year.

'Reform are a one man band, the only original thinking they seem capable of is to pile up ever more unfunded promises.'

Labour said 'nobody should take Reform's tax plans serious' amid recent claims the party's deputy leader Richard Tice had avoided nearly 600,000 in corporation tax through his property company.

Anna Turley, Labour's chair, said: 'Nobody should take Reform's tax plans seriously until its deputy leader explains why he avoided paying nearly 600,000 in tax.

'It's a slap in the face to ordinary working people that Nigel Farage's right-hand man has admitted avoiding tax which could cover VAT on energy bills for almost 7,500 households. Reform are not on your side.'

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: 'Nigel Farage cheered on Donald Trump's illegal war on Iran that is sending petrol prices and energy bills through the roof.

'Now he says he wants to cut your energy bills. This is just Farage's latest con. Just like Brexit, he peddles his lies then leaves the British people to pick up the tab.'

Mr Tice on Monday defended his tax arrangements, saying: 'The idea that morally, we have got to pay the maximum tax we possibly can  therein lies the road to ruin for the UK as an economy.'

At Tuesday's press conference, Mr Farage suggested the UK should heed US calls for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

'When it comes to aiding the Americans in freeing the Strait of Hormuz, well, I think in many ways we ought to,' he said.

'I think it is in our national interest to keep the oil flowing, but we can't. We haven't got the assets.

'So I think the first very big lesson that comes out of all of this is that we have denuded the Royal Navy and our forces to such an extent that, frankly, we've been humiliated on the world stage.

'Our defence spending for next year is due to be just a fraction over 2 per cent and we're going to have to find ways to significantly and rapidly up that budget.

'To be fair, this is not all the fault of this Labour Government.

'Fourteen years of Conservative government have run down our Armed Forces to a state, frankly, as I say, of total global embarrassment.'
Gerry Adams has been accused of attempting to 'rewrite history' with his continued denial of ever being a member of the IRA as he gave evidence today in a landmark civil trial.

The former Sinn Fein president, 77, is being sued by three survivors of IRA bomb attacks on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

He entered the witness box on the sixth day of a civil trial today to be questioned about his alleged role in the IRA for the first time in an English courtroom.

Adams arrived at the High Court in London wearing a shamrock in his jacket pocket and wished the judge, Mr Justice Swift, a 'very happy St Patrick's Day' as he took to the stand.

A number of supporters waving the Irish tricolour gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London watched by Army veterans who are following the proceedings intently.

Adams is being sued by John Clark, a victim of the IRA's Old Bailey attack in 1973, Jonathan Ganesh, who was injured in the 1996 attack at London's Docklands and Barry Laycock, who was injured in the attack at Manchester's Arndale Shopping Centre in the same year.

They allege Adams was 'directly responsible' for the atrocities owing to his commanding role in the IRA.

Under cross-examination from Sir Max Hill KC, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, it was suggested to Adams that he and former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were 'IRA volunteers turned politicians.'

Adams said: 'I was always a political activist. I joined Sinn Fein at 16 and have been a political activist for 60 years.

'I never "turned politician." I was always politically engaged and I am not and was not a member of the IRA.'

Sir Max replied: 'Mr Adams, you are rewriting history in your evidence.'

Adams told the High Court that he was not a member of the IRA but struggled to explain why he was not calling any witnesses who could corroborate his story.

Sir Max said that 'there are those still alive that could be called as witnesses to assist you'.

Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams gives the thumbs up as he arrives for his landmark civil trial

He pointed to Adams's assistant, Richard MacAuley, who was present in court.

Sir Max said: 'Is Richard MacAuley alive?'

Adams replied: 'To the best of my knowledge.'

Sir Max asked: 'Has he been present in these proceedings?'

Adams replied: 'Indeed he has.'

In a written witness statement, Adams said: 'I was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council.

'I have never held a "command-and-control role" in the IRA and have never been a senior, let alone most senior figure, in the IRA.'

Adams claims that any meetings with senior IRA figures or the British government solely relate to his role in Sinn Fein.

He added: 'To be clear, membership of the political party, Sinn Fein, does not equate to membership of the IRA.

'Throughout my life, opponents of Sinn Fein have repeatedly sought to conflate Sinn Fein with the IRA. As I have always stated, Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate organisations.'

Mr Adams, wearing a shamrock in his jacket pocket, denies holding any role in the IRA and sanctioning bombings on the British mainland

Asked why he had always 'stood by the IRA' if not a member, Adams said: 'I don't stand by everything they did.

'They were my neighbours. If your neighbour was under occupation some would form themselves to some form of resistance.'

He said he was now 'glad there is peace'.

He added: 'I don't distance myself from the IRA. I have been very clear there were dastardly things done that should not have been done.'

In his witness statement, he added: 'I wish to emphasise that I am very conscious that the claimants have suffered significantly as a result of bombings in England in 1973 and 1996, in which they were innocent victims.

'Although I deny categorically the allegations made by the claimants of my involvement in those bombings in any way, nothing in this statement should be taken as criticism of the claimants, or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.'

In a packed courtroom, Adams denied that wearing a black beret at an IRA funeral meant he was a member of the terror group and said he was in fact 'honoured' to be part of a Republican 'guard of honour'.

About 50 members of the press and public are sitting in an overspill courtroom. Shadow defence minister Mark Francois is also in attendance.

The trial continues.
A boss of a 1million drugs ring caught singing about 'dirty cash' on his own CCTV has been jailed for 15 years.

Bertie Payne, 30, from Birchington, Kent, headed up a seven-men gang which ran Class A substances across the area between August 2024 and January last year.

The dealers supplied and distributed 800,000 worth of drugs throughout the east of the country, including 24kg of cocaine, 10kg of ketamine and 5,000 ecstasy tablets.

Payne used the guise of a luxury watch business to cover up the deals, creating fake invoices to run through huge sums of cash undetected.

He was first arrested on January 24 last year at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Dartford, as he was about to hand another man, Halim Lashi, cash worth 50,000.

Both were detained on suspicion of money laundering offences while an investigation began in earnest, including a search of the fake watch business.

Police recovered CCTV footage from the office which showed Payne counting a large amount of money while singing the popular dance song 'Dirty Cash (Money Talks)'.

Payne admitted charges of conspiracy to supply cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, and money laundering offences.

Bertie Payne (pictured), 30, from Birchington, Kent, headed up a seven-men gang which ran Class A substances across the area between August 2024 and January last year

Police later recovered CCTV footage (pictured) which showed Payne counting a large amount of money while singing the popular dance song 'Dirty Cash (Money Talks)'

Payne used the guise of a luxury watch business to cover up the deals, creating fake invoices to run through huge sums of cash undetected. Pictured: Watches seized by police

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday.

When he was first arrested alongside Lashi, police found them both wearing luxury watches, with more stashed in their vehicles.

A warrant to search his home was executed by police several months later, in April last year.

Officers bashed down his door under cover of darkness before he was arrested again.

Detectives from Kent and Essex Police's Serious Crime Directorate then used analysis from Payne's mobile phone to lead them to the rest of the gang.

More than 2,100 text messages were found to have been sent between Payne and a contact known as 'PBoss'.

This was later identified as a man named Peter Nicholls, 51, from Ramsgate, Kent, who was arrested on April 3 last year.

Police concluded he was Payne's right-hand man and that he worked with several others to move Class A and B drugs all over east Kent.

Lashi, Payne and Nicholls were all involved with moving the illicit money, which included the use of cryptocurrency.

Nicholls was also found to have used the home of a woman named Karen Gordon, to store some of the drugs before they were moved on.

Gordon, 52, also from Ramsgate, was later arrested.

After the comprehensive investigation, officers also arrested Massimo Fierro, Harry Hathaway, Mitchell Laing, Reece Stovell and Klein Taylor.

Along with Nicholls, they were all charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Nicholls was also accused of conspiracy to supply ketamine, and money laundering offences.

Fierro, 28, from Birchington, was also charged with conspiracy to supply ketamine.

And Lashi, 31, from Croydon, south London, was also charged with money laundering offences.

Each of the defendants admitted their charges apart from Lashi, who denied the charge of money laundering.

He was found guilty at a previous trial in October last year.

The dealers supplied and distributed 800,000 worth of drugs throughout the east of the country. Pictured: Drugs linked to the ring

This included 24kg of cocaine, 10kg of ketamine and 5,000 ecstasy tablets. Pictured: Drugs linked to the ring

Payne was first arrested (pictured) on January 24 last year at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Dartford, as he was about to hand another man, Halim Lashi, cash worth 50,000

A warrant to search his home was executed by police several months later, in April last year. Pictured: Police entering Payne's property

Officers bashed down his door under cover of darkness before he was arrested again (pictured)

He admitted charges of conspiracy to supply cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, and money laundering offences. Pictured: Cash linked to the ring

Analysis of Payne's mobile phone showed more than 2,100 text messages had been exchanged between Payne and a contact known as 'PBoss', later identified as a man named Peter Nicholls (pictured)

Nicholls was also found to have used the home of a woman named Karen Gordon (left), to store some of the drugs before they were moved on. She was later arrested. After the comprehensive investigation, officers also arrested Massimo Fierro (right), Harry Hathaway, Mitchell Laing, Reece Stovell and Klein Taylor

Stovell (left), 29, of Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, was jailed for six years, while Hathaway (right), 32, from Broadstairs, was sentenced to five years and three months

Taylor (left), 29, of Ramsgate, was sentenced to three years and four months in jail, while Laing (right), 28, from Thanet, was jailed for two years and nine months

Payne was joined by Nicholls, Gordon and Lashi at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday.

Nicholls was ordered to serve eight years in prison, Lashi was handed a two-year suspended sentence and Gordon was jailed for four years and three months.

The rest of the group were sentenced on Monday.

Stovell, 29, of Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, was jailed for six years, while Hathaway, 32, from Broadstairs, was sentenced to five years and three months.

Taylor, 29, of Ramsgate, was sentenced to three years and four months in jail, while Laing, 28, from Thanet, was jailed for two years and nine months.

And finally, Fierro was jailed for two years and eight months.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable, Martin Lacey said: 'Payne went to great lengths to conceal his criminality by not only running the money through what appeared to be a legitimate business, but he also recruited others to handle the drugs in an effort to distance himself from the criminality.

'This was a large-scale operation which saw over 800,000 of drugs being distributed and supplied throughout east Kent.

'Many vulnerable drug users were targeted which not only affects their lives but that of their family, and blights local communities.

'Payne thought his operation was sophisticated and that he wouldn't get found out but his sentencing shows that crime doesn't pay and that if you are involved in criminality you will be caught and you will face the consequences.'
Andy Burnham would have romped home in the Gorton & Denton by-election if Keir Starmer had not blocked him, according to a poll.

The Greater Manchester mayor could have secured nearly half the vote in the constituency, easily seeing off the challenge from both the Greens and Reform.

The findings raise fresh questions about the PM's decision to stop Mr Burnham being the candidate last month, amid fears he would pose a leadership threat in the Commons.

Labour's ruling National Executive Committee refused permission, with only deputy leader Lucy Powell backing his case.

Sir Keir and his allies argued that the party would risk losing the mayoralty if Mr Burnham vacated his current job.

The move sparked a public rebuke from Mr Burnham who said he was only interested in countering the 'divisive politics of Reform'.

He did play a prominent role campaigning for the selected candidate, Angeliki Stogia.

Andy Burnham could have secured nearly half the vote in the constituency, easily seeing off the challenge from both the Greens and Reform

Sir Keir and his allies argued that the party would risk losing the mayoralty if Mr Burnham vacated his current job (pictured with Angeliki Stogia, who stood as the by-election candidate)

The findings raise fresh questions about the PM's decision to stop Mr Burnham being the candidate earlier this month, amid fears he would pose a leadership threat in the Commons

The Greens' Hannah Spencer pulled off a stunning victory on the contest on February 26, racking up a 4,000 majority in what is traditionally a safe Labour seat.

Reform's Matt Goodwin rubbed salt in the wound by pushing Sir Keir's party into third place.

However, according to the Survation polling for Datapraxis, Mr Burnham would have been supported by 47 per cent of those 'certain' to vote.

That would have been nearly double the 25 per cent backing for Ms Spencer, while Mr Goodwin could have received 21 per cent.

Labour MPs were furious about the outcome in Gorton, which was seen as wrecking the party's strategy of painting the next election as a binary choice with Reform.

A jubilant Zack Polanski has insisted the Greens are now on track to scoop dozens of seats at the general election.

However, in a crumb of solace for Sir Keir, the New Statesman's Britain Predicts model suggests the Greater Manchester Mayor contest would have been on a knife-edge.

It suggests that Reform could have narrowly seized the prized post, with 28 per cent support to Labour's 27 per cent.

The Greens' Hannah Spencer pulled off a stunning victory on the contest on March 2, racking up a 4,000 majority in what is traditionally a safe Labour seat
Furious US troops have hit back at CNN's claim that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth blew $20 million of taxpayer dollars on steak and lobster dinners.

Service members sent the Daily Mail exclusive photos of their dinner plates  petite lobster tails and grey ribeye served cafeteria-style on trays  in the months before military action in Iran.

The backlash comes after a heated on-air clash where CNN commentator Paul Begala suggested Hegseth was hoarding the luxury supplies for himself rather than feeding the troops working grueling late-night shifts.

The controversy ignited when Begala launched into a scathing critique of the Pentagon's September budget surge.

'He has spent $15 million in one month for ribeye steak, 6.9 million for lobster tail, $225 million for furniture. He spent more in the month of September than most countries on earth spend in their defense. All for himself,' Begala started, calling it disgraceful.

A fellow panelist immediately pushed back, asking: 'Do you believe the Secretary of War is personally eating all the lobster? It is for troops!'

The troops on the ground say they are being treated to these meals, but it isn't exactly the glamorous lifestyle pundits imagine.

US troops are firing back at explosive claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blew millions on luxury 'personal' meals, providing exclusive evidence to the Daily Mail that the highend grub was actually served as a precursor to military action in Iran

In a series of photos sent exclusively to the Daily Mail, service members shared images of their dinner plates, heaped with ribeye and lobster, proving the 'fancy' meals were distributed to the rankandfile in the months leading up to the Iran campaign

AI GENERATED PHOTO: California Governor Gavin Newsom X post used an AI generated image to troll US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

As the US and Israel's military campaign with Iran goes into the 18'th day, Trump's leading counterterrorism official, Joseph Kent, has now resigned in protest of the war, claiming Israel pressured the US into a conflict founded on lies.

Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, maintained that Iran was not an imminent threat. He stated the war began 'due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,' adding, 'I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war.'

Concurrently, Trump attacked American allies after they declined to assist in the Strait of Hormuz. Following their rejection of his request for help amid rising oil prices, the President wrote on Truth Social Tuesday, 'We no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO countries' assistance  we never did.'

Trump noted he was told the allies 'don't want to get involved' in the conflict. He criticized NATO as a 'one-way street,' saying, 'we will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.'

One former active-duty member explained to the Daily Mail that all service branches occasionally receive these special meals during peak operation planning, including 'cafeteria-style' lobster tail.

'These gestures recognize long hours, deployments, and lastminute mobilizations for Reserve and Guard members. They also reflect a longstanding tradition of providing a good meal before a potential combat deployment,' he said.

One service member was even more blunt about the quality of the 'luxury' spread, telling the Daily Mail: 'We're not crushing lobster tails and Delmonicos Tony Sopranostyle here and passing the bill off to the American publicthey're not even that good to begin with.'

Despite the defense from the front lines, Hegseth remains under fire for the sheer scale of the Pentagon's 'useitorloseit' spending.

An analysis by watchdog group Open the Books reveals the Department of Defense dropped a staggering $93 billion in September 2025 alone to exhaust its budget before the fiscal year ended.

This marks the largest singlemonth expenditure for any federal agency since at least 2008.

The breakdown of the binge includes $15.1 million on ribeye steak, $6.9 million on lobster tail, and $2 million on Alaskan king crab.

In addition to the culinary costs, the records include the purchase of a $98,329 Steinway & Sons grand piano installed at the residence of the Air Force Chief of Staff.

However, the report suggests Hegseth doesn't actually take the top spot for biggest spender; former President Barack Obama reportedly spent between $300 million and $400 million on furniture while in office.

Join the discussion Is media criticism of the military going too far?

The controversy ignited when Begala launched into a scathing critique of the Pentagon's September budget surge

An analysis by watchdog group Open the Books reveals the Department of Defense dropped a staggering $93 billion in September 2025 alone to exhaust its budget before the fiscal year ended

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared an AIgenerated image of Hegseth lounging in a chair next to a grand piano, surrounded by iPads and piles of lobster

Political rivals have wasted no time attacking the figures.

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared an AIgenerated image of Hegseth lounging in a chair next to a grand piano, surrounded by iPads and piles of lobster.

'Hegseth blowing $93 billion of taxpayer dollars in 1 month!!' the post said.

Democratic Congressman Chuck Schumer also hit back, calling Hegseth a 'grifter' in a scathing social media post.

'Instead of lowering Americans' healthcare costs, Hegseth used millions of taxpayer dollars on fruit baskets, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Alaskan King Crabs, and a Steinway & Sons grand piano,' Schumer wrote. '

A true grifter in every sense of the word.'

Historically, a surge in military officials and troops eating pricey meals has been viewed as a sign that something may be brewing, such as Trump's war in Iran.

As we reach the 18th day of the US-Israeli war with Iran, the conflict has rapidly escalated from targeted decapitation strikes into a deeply entrenched regional crisis with severe global economic fallout.

Triggered by the February 28 offensive that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the allied air campaign has relentlessly hammered Irans military, drone and ballistic missile infrastructure. In response, a newly consolidated Iranian leadership has launched massive retaliatory barrages against Israel and US installations across the Middle East.

Most consequentially for the rest of the world, Tehran has successfully paralyzed the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a massive energy shock that has sent crude oil prices soaring and fractured international supply chains.
A California man has been charged with the murder of his pregnant high school girlfriend six years after she vanished without a trace.

Joshua Martinez, 28, was in what prosecutors described as a 'whirlwind, very fast relationship' with Victoria Marquina, then 16, when she disappeared in October 2019.

The illegal relationship started roughly a month earlier, during which Marquina became pregnant.

Martinez, who was 21 at the time, is believed to have been the last person seen with the teen girl before she vanished.

He was arraigned in San Joaquin County Superior Court on Monday after being arrested last Thursday.

Martinez has been charged with murder, as well as unlawful intercourse with a minor more than three years younger, oral sex with a person under 18 and sexual penetration by a foreign object with a minor.

Authorities said new technology and information helped crack the case, which previously fell apart in 2020, though they did not share details. Martinez faces life in prison if convicted.

'To the criminals who believe that with the passage of time we will forget your heinous acts: you are wrong,' San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said Monday.

Victoria Marquina, 16, disappeared in October 2019. She was last seen near her workplace in Amador County, California

Joshua Martinez, 28, was charged with murder in connection to Marquina's disappearance. He was arraigned on Monday in San Joaquin County Superior Court

When asked why the charges took so long, Freitas said technological advances over the past year allowed charges against Martinez to move forward despite six years having passed since Marquina's disappearance.

'So much of this is dogged tirelessness of our investigation,' he said. 'Dotting every "i" and crossing every "t."'

Martinez was arrested in Livermore last week by US Marshals after a grand jury issued a warrant earlier this month.

Marquina's body has still not been found, with investigators still searching for the remains of both her and her unborn child.

'We want to bring closure to Victoria's mother and allow her to bury her child and her grandchild,' Freitas said.

Marquina was last seen alive on October 9, 2019 near her workplace in Amador County - about 130 miles northwest of San Francisco.

She was reported missing by her mother the following day in Sutter Creek.

Then, her car was found abandoned near Escalon on October 12  about 50 miles from her home. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Marquina's body has still not been found. She was pregnant at the time of her death, according to prosecutors

Marquina was reported missing in Sutter Creek by her mother, who said she still had hope her daughter would one day 'return home'

'Today marks the beginning of Victoria Marquina's journey for justice,' Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said Monday.

The Amador County District Attorney's Office supported the investigation into Marquina's disappearance and has jurisdiction in Sutter Creek, where she was reported missing.

Riebe added that 'this day would not be possible without her mother's unyielding love.'

Marquina's mother, Blance Valencia, said that her teen daughter had 'many dreams.'

'I think that by now she would be graduated, received, and would be a fulfilled woman,' Valencia told CBS Sacramento. 'Unfortunately, someone cut us off.'

She added: 'But I still have faith. I still have hope that she will return home.'

Martinez is being held without bail in the San Joaquin County Jail while awaiting trial.

He has yet to enter a plea on the new charges and is scheduled to return to court on April 6 for further arraignment.

It was not immediately clear who, if anyone, is representing him.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced the charges against Martinez in a press conference on Monday

Martinez is being held without bail in the San Joaquin County Jail while awaiting trial. He will return to court on April 6

Martinez was previously held behind bars for about six months in 2020, but prosecutors were unable to charge him with Marquinas murder because her body had not been found.

Investigators said Martinez fled to Mexico shortly after the teen girl vanished.

He was arrested by Amador County investigators in June of that year on charges related to sex with a minor.

Martinez said he crossed the border because he was getting death threats regarding Marquina's disappearance, CBS Sacramento reported.

He admitted dropping her off in Sutter Creek but claimed that was the last time he saw her.

Martinez also denied having been in a relationship with Marquina at the time, according to the outlet.

Instead, he claimed the pair had met through a dating site and that she had lied about her age.

The Daily Mail reached out to the Amador County District Attorney's Office for comment.
An Illinois mayor and aspiring Democrat congressman has been thrown into a scandal by his former student who said she was involved in an 'inappropriate relationship' with him.

Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston, has been accused of having a relationship with Megan Wachspress while he was a mathematics professor at the University of Chicago, Wachspress shared in a post to Bluesky on Monday afternoon.

Wachspress, who was a Jeopardy! contestant in 2022, was no longer his student and was a 20-year-old undergraduate majoring in mathematics and political science at the University of Chicago, which she attended from 2002 to 2006, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Biss, 48, was an assistant professor of mathematics from September 2002 to August 2008, according to his LinkedIn page. He was not married at the time.

Just hours before the polls opened for Primary Election Day in Illinois' 9th District, Wachspress, who is now a 42-year-old Stanford Law School lecturer, decided to share details of her past.

'If he's going to get a national profile on the strength of a younger woman's campaign, I'm going to come out and say it: during his short-lived tenure as a math professor, Biss had an inappropriate romantic relationship with one of his undergraduate students. I was that student,' Wachspress wrote.

She and Biss were consenting adults during their relationship.

Wachspress also shared that she decided to come forward after becoming a college educator.

Just hours before the polls opened in Illinois, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who is running for Congress in the 9th district, was accused of having an 'inappropriate relationship' with his former student

Megan Wachspress shared on Monday afternoon that she dated Biss while she was an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago. Wachspress was a Jeopardy! contestant in 2022 (pictured)

'It took becoming a professor myself to realize the implications - what it means to be attracted to someone who categorically has less power than you,' she wrote on Bluesky.

'I don't know if it's disqualifying, but there are too many women not getting a platform as a result of behavior like this for me not to say something.'

After Washspress came forward, a member of Biss's campaign acknowledged his 'ill-advised' relationship with her.

'In 2004, when Daniel was 26 and before he met his wife, Dr. Wachspress was a 20-year-old student in a course Daniel taught during his time as a postdoctoral instructor at the University of Chicago,' the spokesperson told The Daily Northwestern.

'After the course ended, Daniel and Dr. Wachspress went on a handful of dates over the course of a few weeks. Daniel realized then, as he does now, that it was ill-advised, and he ended it,' they added.

Following her initial statement about her relationship with the mayor, Washpress went on to further detail her thoughts on the subject in a Substack post on Monday night.

She started off by painting a picture of 'what it was like to be a woman math major at the University of Chicago circa 2004' when the department was primarily run by males.

At some point, she started to notice attention from Biss, and after the course with him ended, Wachspress said that her former professor sent her an email asking if she wanted to 'meet up, socially,' her post read.

She shared the claim on Bluesky, stating that she chose to come forward after becoming a college educator herself

After Washspress came forward, a member of Biss's campaign acknowledged his 'ill-advised' relationship with her. (Pictured: Biss confronting former Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino in December)

Wachspress continued: 'After a few very intense evenings, he had second thoughts. It was wrong to date a student, of course, so we would have to stop making out. Of course we could still, and so we continued to spend time together in what to any external observer would look like dates, until gradually that stopped, too.'

She said she felt 'so, so ashamed' afterward and decided to finish up her studies and move on to graduate school to try 'something else' while also attempting 'to think about the experience as little as possible.'

After talking about the 'energy work with Biss' a few years ago on a Zoom call, he reached out to her in a 'cryptic email' that then led to a phone call where 'he offered an apology, of sorts,' Wachspress wrote.

She said she decided to come forward after the Illinois 9th District primary campaign started to come to a head, adding that it made her 'miserable.'

'Most selfishly, but honestly most importantly, I finally felt secure enough in my own career to take on the huge risk of coming out publicly about such things: I had been hired for a tenure-track law teaching position.

'To want someone who wants to learn from you is to want someone for their powerlessness. And so, much later than I should, I realized this was my last chance, and I said something,' she added.

She said she decided to come forward after the Illinois 9th District primary campaign started to come to a head, adding that it made her 'miserable'

Biss is going up against Laura Fine (middle) and Kat Abughazaleh (right) for the 9th district congressional seat

Biss is married to his wife, Karin Steinbrueck, an assistant professor at National Louis University. They share two children together.

Wachspress is also married with children.

The Daily Mail contacted Wachspress and Biss for comment.

Illinois voters began making their way to the polls on Tuesday morning.

Biss is going up against Laura Fine and Kat Abughazaleh for the 9th district congressional seat.
A former top aide to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who was escorted from the Pentagon last year following a reported leak investigation, has landed a new role within the nation's highest intelligence office.

Dan Caldwell, who served as Hegseth's senior adviser until his sudden ousting last April, is set to join the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) run by Tulsi Gabbard, an administration official confirmed to The Hill on Monday.

The move marks a stunning comeback for Caldwell, who was one of three senior aides unceremoniously booted from the Pentagon building.

While the cloud of 'leaking' allegations hung over his departure, the new role will see him back in the federal government's fold in an administrative capacity.

Caldwell, Colin Carroll, and Darin Selnick were fired from the Pentagon following a probe into departmental information leaks.

The group, which included the former chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen A. Feinberg and Hegseth's deputy chief of staff, had been placed on leave prior to their dismissal.

'Any individual who is hired by ODNI goes through an extensive background review, including record checks and personal interviews, with a trained official to ensure the individual is trustworthy and does not pose a threat to national security,' an ODNI spokesperson told The Hill publication.

The investigation into the three former DOD officials reportedly found no evidence of misconduct.

Dan Caldwell, who served as Hegseth's senior adviser until his sudden ousting last April, is set to join the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), an administration official confirmed to The Hill on Monday

A former top aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth , who was escorted from the Pentagon last year following a reported leak investigation, has landed a new role within the nation's highest intelligence office

While the cloud of 'leaking' allegations hung over his departure, the new role will see him back in the federal government's fold in an administrative capacity

Dan Caldwell, who served as Hegseth's senior adviser until his sudden ousting last April, is set to join the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), an administration official confirmed to The Hill on Monday

While the cloud of 'leaking' allegations hung over his departure, the new role will see him back in the federal government's fold in an administrative capacity

'There was no evidence released to suggest Mr. Caldwell had, in fact, leaked information from the Pentagon. The matter was investigated, and he was cleared,' the official told The Hill.

Caldwell became a part of the American Moment back in December as a senior fellow for foreign policy.

The American Moment is conservative non-profit.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson following his removal, Caldwell attributed his firing to his policy perspectives on the Middle East rather than the internal investigation.

'We threatened a lot of established interests inside the building and outside the building,' he said.

Back in an April interview with Fox News, Hegseth said leakers are not tolerated at the Department of War.

'If we think you are leaking to the press, that's a very real problem. We take that very seriously at the Pentagon,' Hegseth said on air. 'Disgruntled former employees are peddling things to try to save their ass, and ultimately, that's not going to work.'

Meantime, Trump's top counterterrorism official has resigned in protest over the Iran war, accusing Israel of pressuring the US into a conflict he says was built on lies.

Meantime, Trump's top counterterrorism official has resigned in protest over the Iran war, accusing Israel of pressuring the US into a conflict he says was built on lies

Kent is a major political ally of Vice President JD Vance and DNI Tulsi Gabbard

Trump's top counterterrorism official has resigned in protest over the Iran war, accusing Israel and its 'powerful American lobby' of pressuring the US into a conflict he says was built on lies

Joseph Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said Iran posed no imminent threat and the war was started 'due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,' adding: 'I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war.'

Kent, who served under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, accused the President of reneging on the non-interventionist principles he campaigned on.

'Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,' the former Army Special Forces soldier wrote in his resignation letter.

'The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.'

Kent, who deployed to combat 11 times and lost his wife Shannon in what he calls a war manufactured by Israel, is closely aligned with the populist 'America First' wing of the Trump administration, including Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance, who have both warned against new Middle East entanglements.
A television psychic who claims to have appeared on ITV's This Morning is facing jail for sexually assaulting two women during clairvoyant sessions.

John Starkey, 74, was due to stand trial at Mold Crown Court, North Wales, accused of five offences, dating back to 2018.

But today he perhaps forsaw his own fate and dramatically changed his pleas.

He admitted three charges of sexual assault, which were accepted by the prosecution.

Judge Rhys Rowlands adjourned sentencing to next month but warned Starkey, who also claims to have appeared on LK Today, GMTV, The Paul O'Grady Show and LBC Radio, to expect a jail term.

'Although I am ordering a pre-sentence report you mustn't read anything into that,' the judge said.

'This is an extremely serious case and an immediate custodial sentence, I would have thought, is the inevitable outcome of it.'

Judge Rowlands granted Starkey bail but ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders' Register immediately.

John Starkey, 74, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault, between April 2018 and October 2022

Starkey was pictured outside Mold Crown Court on Tuesday and was warned he faces jail when he is sentenced in April

Briefly outlining the case against Starkey, Elen Owen, prosecuting, said he was first investigated by police after a woman complained he had sexually assaulted her in Wolverhampton, in 2018.

A second attack occurred in a hotel room, in London, several months later after Starkey tricked the same victim into attending a supposed meeting with other clients, only for her to find herself alone with him.

Ms Owen said he went on to sexually assault the woman under the pretext of an 'initiation.'

Starkey was quizzed over both attacks but denied any wrongdoing and no charges were brought at that stage.

However, Ms Owen said: 'Fast forward to 2022, the defendant plying his trade as a clairvoyant in a shop in LlandudnoA young woman was on holiday with her then partner and had an interest in clairvoyance and massages.

'Of course, during that consultation, she was sexually assaulted. She immediately went to the police and, as a result of her complaint, the original investigation was revisited.'

An earlier hearing was told the more recent allegations related to Starkey offering the woman a naked massage and smacking her backside.

Traces of Starkey's DNA were subsequently found on a pair of knickers seized from his first victim by officers re-investigating the first attack.

Starkey describes himself as an 'internationally renowned clairvoyant' and claims to have appeared on ITV's This Morning, LK Today, GMTV and The Paul O'Grady Show, as well as LBC Radio, in London and Beacon Radio, in the West Midlands.

Starkey pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration, between April 1, 2018 and October 1, 2018, plus two counts of sexual assault by touching on December 14, 2018 and October 25, 2022.

Andrew Jebb, defending, said he would seek a full medical report on his client.

Starkey, who offers his psychic services from a shop in the seaside resort of Llandudno, North Wales, describes himself online as an 'internationally renowned clairvoyant' with 40 years' experience.

He also claims to have worked for several different broadcasters and to have appeared on ITV's This Morning, LK Today, GMTV and The Paul O'Grady Show, as well as LBC Radio, in London and Beacon Radio, in the West Midlands.

Starkey offers face to face, telephone or group readings, and also reads tarot cards and palms, as well as offering clairvoyant sessions at workshops and corporate events.

According to his website: 'Clairvoyance is a fantastic tool to help both mind and heart cope with loss and life's troubles. It can also help with forging a new pathway and direction in life.'
Donald Trump's top counterterrorism official has resigned in protest over the Iran war, accusing Israel of pressuring the US into a conflict he says was built on lies.

Joseph Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said Iran posed no imminent threat and the war was started 'due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,' adding: 'I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war.'

Kent, who served under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, accused the President of reneging on the non-interventionist principles he campaigned on.

'Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,' the former Army Special Forces soldier wrote in his resignation letter.

'The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.'

Kent, who deployed to combat 11 times and lost his wife Shannon in what he calls a war manufactured by Israel, is closely aligned with the populist 'America First' wing of the Trump administration, including Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance, who have both warned against new Middle East entanglements.

His resignation lays bare a widening split inside Trumpworld. Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and members of the American media of running a 'misinformation campaign' to deceive the President into believing Iran posed an imminent threat, drawing a direct parallel to the lead-up to the Iraq war.

The divide pits the Gabbard-Vance non-interventionist faction against hawkish Republicans who back US support for Israel and a harder line on Tehran.

Trump's top counterterrorism official has resigned in protest over the Iran war, accusing Israel and its 'powerful American lobby' of pressuring the US into a conflict he says was built on lies

President Donald Trump gives remarks to the media as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Monday, March 16

Vance, Gabbard, and Kent are all seen as the major anti-interventionist voices within the Trump administration

Kent is a major political ally of Vice President JD Vance and DNI Tulsi Gabbard

Kent and his now-deceased wife Shannon with their two young boys

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence for comment.

Speaker Mike Johnson was asked about Kent's accusations that the US launched the war against Iran because of Israel.

Johnson again repeated the Trump administration's claim that there was an immediate threat from Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump claimed last summer that the US had obliterated Iran's nuclear program.

'I don't know where Joe Kent is getting his information because he wasn't in those briefings,' Johnson told reporters. 'Had the president waited, we would have had mass casualties of Americans.'

Trump's ongoing war has spiraled across the Middle East, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and deaths of 13 troops with hundreds more injured across seven countries.

Gas prices have surged to an average of $3.80 a gallon from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago, while the narrow strait - through which a fifth of the world's oil flows - remains blocked by the threat of Iranian mines and missiles.

Kent is seen as a key ally of Vance, as both built their political careers opposing foreign wars and championing Trump's 'America First' principles.

His foreign policy views were also backed by Gabbard, who is believed to be on the outs of Trumps inner circle following his decision to launch the war.

Kents decision to blame Israel for lobbying Trump to launch the war against Iran underscores a growing divide within the GOP over support for the US Middle Eastern ally.

The resignation drew immediate praise from prominent 'America First' voices. Marjorie Taylor Greene called Kent 'a great American hero,' while Candace Owens went further, declaring Trump 'a shameful President' and calling on US troops to explore conscientious objection, calling Kent a 'patriot'.

Not everyone was sympathetic. Pro-Israel activist Laura Loomer called Kent a 'notorious leaker' and predicted Gabbard would be next to go, claiming the resignation was timed to overshadow Gabbard's scheduled testimony before two Congressional intelligence committees.

Following his wife's death, Kent launched his political career advocating against military intervention in the Middle East

Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and members of the American media of running a 'misinformation campaign' to deceive Trump

The divide pits the Gabbard-Vance non-interventionist faction against hawkish Republicans who back US support for Israel and a harder line on Tehran

Loomer, who has previously clashed with Kent after he suggested she was a Mossad spy, described him as a 'Tucker Carlson acolyte who undermines President Trump every chance he gets.'

Kent, 45, has a decorated military career spanning two decades in US Special Forces. He later joined the Central Intelligence Agency as a paramilitary officer following 11 combat tours in Iraq.

His wife, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, was killed in a suicide bombing while serving in Syria. The couple had two young children.

Following his wife's death, Kent launched his political career advocating against military intervention in the Middle East.

Kent ran for Congress in February 2021 in Washington against Republican Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot.

After a tough primary, Kent won the Republican nomination with the endorsement of Trump, but lost the general election against Democrat Marie Perez. He ran again in the same district in 2024 but lost again.

Kent's 2021 campaign received financial support from Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel.

Thiel, at the time, also provided monetary support to other Republican figures during the 2021 GOP primaries, including Vance in Ohio.

Join the discussion Is Trump losing support within his own administration over the Iran war?
A charity has won a court bid to continue a legal challenge over trans people being allowed to use single-sex facilities at Hampstead Heath's swimming ponds.

Sex Matters appealed a ruling it could not go ahead with High Court action against the City of London Corporation, which manages the 790-acre open space in north London.

The charity sought to contest the corporation's policy of allowing trans people to use the facilities at the ponds for the gender with which they identify - claiming that this approach amounts to sex discrimination.

Currently, biological women and transgender women are allowed to use the ladies' pond, while men and transgender men are admitted to the men's pond.

A consultation was launched to review the access of trans women following a Supreme Court ruling last April that a person's legal sex is the one they were biologically assigned at birth.

Mrs Justice Lieven said in an earlier verdict in January that the 'appropriate forum' for the claim challenging the policy and brought by Sex Matters was the county court rather than the High Court.

Sex Matters last month said it had applied for permission to challenge the decision at London's Court of Appeal on the basis that the judge was 'wrong in law'.

And in an order on Monday, judge Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing said the legal challenge could go ahead and would return to the High Court.

Women's rights campaigners protested at Hampstead Heath in north London last May against trans women being allowed access to an adjacent ladies' only pond

The charity Sex Matters has now been given permission to press ahead at London's High Court with a legal challenge against the Corporation of London's current policy at the heath

She said: 'The judge did not engage with the merits of the grounds for judicial review except at the end of her judgment.'

Lady Justice Laing later said it was 'arguable' that parts of the previous judgment were wrong, including a decision that the case had been brought too late.

Sex Matters CEO Maya Forstater said the charity was 'delighted' by the decision.

She said the ruling 'confirmed that as a specialist charity with objections focused on the sound administration of the law in relation to sex, Sex Matters has standing to take this case'.

She added: 'This case will have implications for single sex provision all over the country.

'The Government's failure to publish updated regulatory guidance following last year's Supreme Court judgment has given businesses and service providers an excuse to continue flouting the law on single sex provision as clarified by the country's most senior judges.

'A ruling in our favour by the High Court would demonstrate that failing to comply with the law has consequences.'

A new hearing will be set by the High Court in London at a later date.

Women wearing fake moustaches and beards entered the male pond on May 5 last year

Sex Matters chief executive Maya Forstater (pictured) has welcomed the latest court ruling, by judge Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing

In written submissions in support of the appeal bid, Tom Cross, for Sex Matters, said that Mrs Justice Lieven was 'plainly wrong' to refuse to allow the legal challenge to proceed.

The barrister continued that it was 'contrary to the public interest, the rule of law, and the sound administration of justice' for the issues raised in the claim not to be considered at the High Court.

Mr Cross told a hearing in December that the current rules governing access to the ponds treat an individual woman 'less favourably' than an individual man, and that the corporation should change its policy in light of the Supreme Court ruling.

But Daniel Stilitz, for the Corporation of London, said that the claim was 'premature' as the body was consulting on a new policy.

The corporation has said results show almost 90 per cent of respondents backed trans-inclusive access to the ponds, after more than 38,000 people took part in the consultation over a period of two months.

Of those, 84 per cent of respondents to the consultation had swum at the bathing ponds and 74 per cent lived in London.

Six options were considered for the Kenwood Ladies, Highgate Men's and Hampstead mixed ponds, with 86 per cent of respondents supporting the existing trans-inclusive access arrangements.

Some 86 per cent also opposed introducing strict single sex access, 90 per cent of people rejected requiring trans swimmers to use separate changing rooms or have separate swimming sessions and 66 per cent opposed making all ponds mixed sex.

A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, said in response to the latest court ruling: 'We note the decision and will continue to contest this case vigorously.

'These continuing legal challenges require significant time and resources, diverting funds away from managing Hampstead Heath as a registered charity and providing high-quality services for the public.

'The results of our recent public consultation showed that a clear majority of respondents  including a high number of regular pond users  supported continuing the current, trans-inclusive arrangements.

'Members of the relevant City Corporation committees will consider these findings alongside legal duties, equality impacts, safeguarding responsibilities, and operational considerations when making a final decision about the future access arrangements of the bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath in due course.'

Critics of the current policy say the ponds' current system undermines women's rights to privacy and dignity.

A protest was held last May, with a group of women - some wearing wearing false beards, wigs and moustaches - trying to enter the male-only space in defiance of the rules while claiming to self-identify as male.

They were met by security guards and police who locked a gate to prevent them from entering while insisting that protests were not allowed.

Amy Desir, a gender-critical campaigner who organised the protest, said at the time: 'If you allow trans women or men who identify as women into the ladies only pond then why can't us women, who identify as men, just for today, be allowed into the male only pond?'

She told the Daily Mail: 'We are not transphobic, we are pro-women and want to maintain safe spaces for women.

'The Corporation's self-identity policy is driving women away from the women's pond. They don't feel safe there anymore because of transwomen or predatory men being let in because they say they're a woman.

'The whole situation is ridiculous. People who in the eyes of the law are not women are being allowed to use the women's pond and that is disgraceful.'

The City Corporation has insisted it is 'compliant with existing UK law'.

City of London Corporation policy chairman Chris Hayward previously said in January about the consultation results: 'The volume and tone of responses we received demonstrate very clearly just how much the ponds are valued as calm, safe, welcoming community spaces for all to enjoy.

'While we've been clear that the consultation was not a referendum, carefully reviewing the findings from it will form an important part of our wider decision-making process, which we will communicate clearly to the public in the months ahead.

'It's important that we take the time to ensure future access arrangements are fair, lawful, evidence-based and, crucially, respectful to those who use the swimming ponds.'

Hampstead Heath forms part of the 11,000 acres of open space across London and the south-east owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.
A New Jersey man was given a 'slap on the wrist' after he admitted to decapitating a seagull after the bird tried to eat his daughter's fries, animal rights advocates say.

Franklin Ziegler, 30, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from the July 2024 incident on the North Wildwood boardwalk, WPVI reported.

North Wildwood Police were called to investigate the incident on the boardwalk at Morey's Piers after Ziegler asked staff for a trash bag while holding the dead bird in his hands.

Police body camera footage captured Ziegler admitting to killing the seagull after it tried to eat his daughter's fries, according to court documents. It's unclear how he managed to decapitate the bird.

Investigators said Ziegler became 'irate and uncooperative with officers' while they were questioning him, and he was subsequently arrested.

A judge sentenced Ziegler to 262 days of recovery court, which is a type of supervised adult probation in New Jersey where defendants receive treatment for drug and alcohol dependency.

'He was released from Cape May County Jail on February 12 following a guilty plea entered in Cape May County Superior Court,' Ziegler's attorney Jack Tumelty told NJ.com.

'Mr. Ziegler was sentenced to recovery court probation (special probation) on Thursday, March 12, 2026, and will be receiving outpatient treatment.'

Franklin Ziegler, 30, admitted to decapitating a seagull after the bird tried to eat his daughter's fries

Police were called to investigate the incident on the boardwalk at Morey's Piers (pictured) after Ziegler asked staff for a trash bag whole holding the dead bird in his hands

Doll Stanley, the senior campaigner for In Defense of Animals' Justice, told the outlet Ziegler's sentencing is only a 'slap on the wrist.'

'This was a brutal act of torture committed in broad daylight in front of children,' said Stanley.

'It is extremely disappointing that while the FBI recognizes the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, and Ziegler embodies this risk, Cape May County Court has failed to protect community members of all species.'

On social media, some animal lovers echoed Stanley's sentiment and called for Ziegler to face a harsher sentence.

'[Seagulls] are petty but you don't pull the head off them. That is sick,' one person wrote on Facebook.

'OMG what a [piece of s***]. He deserves more time. What he did was disgusting & uncalled for,' added another.

'Total human trash, violent heartless [piece of s***], should be committed for min. 10 yrs or more, do community time and pay fines to humane society! Never be allowed to own a pet and 200 yards from any zoo etc. for life,' wrote a third.

Others defended Ziegler, saying they empathized with his irritation by the seagull, with some arguing the punishment was too harsh.

Ziegler was sentenced to 262 days of recovery court, which is a type of supervised adult probation in New Jersey where defendants receive treatment for drug and alcohol dependency

Police body camera footage captured Ziegler admitting to killing seagull after it tried to eat his daughter's fries. Pictured: Stock image of a seagull

'The guy is a heartless jerk but the punishment is way over the top. Fine him, give him community service and let him support his family,' one person wrote.

'Im trying to figure out how he caught the seagull. Those suckers are fast,' wrote a second.

'[Not going to lie] I've thought about doing that to many a seagull,' added a third.
A new survey revealed that Nevada has become a major destination for Californians fleeing the Golden State - and they are bringing their politics with them.

Research from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) shows those leaving California are far more likely to be Republican, raising questions about how migration could reshape battleground states like Nevada.

Between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, 39 percent of voters leaving California were Republicans, compared to 25 percent statewide - while newcomers arriving skew heavily Democratic.

At the same time, Nevada has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the exodus.

PPIC researchers found Californians overwhelmingly favor nearby states when they relocate, with Nevada among the biggest winners.

While Texas and Florida draw the largest raw numbers due to their size, Nevada stands out relative to its population - attracting the equivalent of 13 Californians per 1,000 residents.

Other nearby states seeing strong inflows include Arizona, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Nevadas proximity, lack of state income tax and lower housing costs have made it especially appealing.

Researchers say distance remains a key factor, with movers choosing states within driving range of family, work and social networks.

A new survey shows Nevada has become one of the top destinations for Californians leaving the Golden State

Research from the Public Policy Institute of California found that Californians who move out of state are far more likely to be Republican than those who stay

Housing costs have remained the dominant reason Californians leave.

Since 2015, the state has seen a net loss of nearly 900,000 residents citing housing as their primary reason for moving, according to the Current Population Survey.is

Lower-income residents are the most likely to leave. But during the pandemic, higher-income and college-educated Californians also began departing in larger numbers, often enabled by remote work.

Although that trend has eased since 2021, California continues to lose residents across nearly every income bracket.

One of the most striking findings is the political makeup of those leaving.

PPICs analysis of voter registration data found Californians who move out are significantly more likely to be Republican than those who remain.

Because more voters are leaving than arriving, the net effect is a substantial Republican outflow, with nearly five Republicans leaving for every one who moves in.

Between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, 39 percent of voters leaving California were Republicans compared with just 25 percent of registered voters statewide

While Texas and Florida attract the most Californians overall, Nevada stands out relative to its size  gaining the equivalent of 13 Californians per 1,000 residents

Researchers found migrants tend to move to states that align with their existing views, reinforcing partisan divides.

That means Republicans leaving California are more likely to settle in Republican-leaning states, while Democrats tend to move to Democratic-leaning ones.

For Nevada, a closely divided swing state, the influx could have long-term electoral consequences, depending on whether Republican-leaning migrants continue to outpace Democrats.

While the pace of departures has slowed from pandemic highs, PPIC said the overall migration pattern has changed little in recent years.

Californians continue to favor nearby states, lower taxes and more affordable housing, even as costs rise nationwide.

The institute said the steady outflow is likely to keep reshaping population growth, housing markets and political dynamics in California and neighboring states in the years ahead.
Smoke billowed out of a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper that caught fire near the St Patrick's Day Parade route an hour before the festivities kicked off.

Footage shared by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) showed plumes of black smoke rising from the building at East 43rd Street and Madison Avenue this morning.

Officials told Fox 5 the fire appears to be in an HVAC system on the roof of the building, and the cause remains under investigation as crews respond to the scene.

Other footage shared online showed flames shooting out from the top of the building amid heavy smoke.

FDNY said they first received reports of an 'all-hands fire' at 9.46am ET, and the fire was knocked down and under control by 10.45am, with no reported injuries.

The fire is just a block away from the St Patrick's Day Parade staging area on Vanderbilt Avenue, which kicked off at 11am.

The parade forms along Vanderbilt Avenue then marches up Fifth Avenue from East 43rd Street to East 79th Street.

The city's emergency management warned of traffic delays, road closures and mass transit disruptions while the FDNY battles the blaze.

Firefighters are battling a blaze from a New York City skyscraper along the St. Patrick's Day Parade route less than an hour before the festivities are set to kick off

Officials said the fire appears to be in an HVAC system on the roof of the building, and the cause remains under investigation as crews respond to the scene

The building was evacuated as well as the upper floors of nearby skyscrapers out of precaution.

Concerned parade attendees decked out in green looked up at the fire as police sectioned off the road.

One of the neighboring workers who was evacuated said he was stunned to see the heavy smoke.

'It seemed like everyone and their mother was getting out of the building,' the worker, named Chris, told amNewYork.

'I couldn't tell if it was our building initially or if the smoke was coming out of the backside.'

The building is in the process of being converted into 441 rental units, with 111 of them affordable housing, according to WABC.

The structure is reportedly mostly vacant at the moment, except for a 20,000-square-foot T-Squared Social venue operating on the ground level.

Other footage shared online showed flames shooting out from the top of the building amid heavy smoke

Concerned parade attendees decked out in green looked up at the fire as police sectioned off the road

On social media, New Yorkers praised the FDNY for their quick response to the burning building.

'Smoke was thick up here, glad it's under control,' one person wrote on X.

'Midtown East was blanketed in smoke. You boys got it out in record time, thank you!' added another.

'Good.. get the work over with early.. now enjoy the rest of the day! stay safe!' wrote a third.
Drug smugglers are flying scientists into the UK to extract cocaine that has been chemically bonded onto other substances to evade customs checks, the National Crime Agency (NCA) warned today.

Investigators have found traffickers are using sophisticated scientific methods to bond drugs to materials as diverse as charcoal, cardboard boxes, plastic or glue.

Sometimes chemists will combine drugs including cocaine and artificial opioids with carrier materials in South America before flying to the UK to extract them at the other end.

Drugs that have been chemically bonded onto other substances can often not be picked up by scanners and sniffer dogs.

'While we need to respond to a range of new challenges, we cannot take our eyes off the drug threat,' NCA director general Graeme Biggar said. 'It has always caused a lot of harm, it is evolving fast, and we need to stay on top of it.'

Mr Biggar warned of the wider threat posed by the drug trade, which he said was now responsible for half of homicides, thefts and robberies.

He said nitazenes, a form of synthetic opioid, now pose the biggest risk in the fight against illegal drugs, with one type being linked to 1,000 UK deaths in two-and-a-half years.

A cocaine haul worth 100million that was seized at London Gateway port last year

Last year, British police helped to seize a record nine-tonne haul of cocaine from a 'narco-sub' off the Azores

Unveiling the NCA's annual National Strategic Assessment, Mr Biggar called the number of deaths 'extraordinary'.

'Synthetic opioids pose the biggest risk. Since nitazenes first appeared at scale in the UK in June 2023, they have been connected to 1,000 deaths. This is an extraordinary figure,' he said.

The number of deaths decreased slightly in 2025 as UK law enforcement battles to avoid the situation that has been seen in North America, where deaths have surged.

Part of the decrease is the wider availability of naloxone, which is used to treat overdoses.

Mr Biggar focused on drugs, organised immigration crime, and crime online in a speech at the NCA's new headquarters in Stratford, east London.

Investigators have seen heroin being cut with synthetic opioids, making it more dangerous, and also an increase in ketamine use.

The number of adults needing medical treatment after using the drug has increased tenfold in 10 years, while the number of under-18s has tripled in three years.

The threat from organised crime grew last year as technology allows criminals to 'get smarter, faster and more connected, to each other and to victims', Mr Biggar said, and developments in technology are 'reshaping crime itself'.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Dylan Rocha, 21, a promising musician, died after overdosing on heroin that is believed to have been mixed with nitazenes

Recent cyber attacks on Transport for London, the Legal Aid Agency, Marks and Spencer, the Co-op, Kido Nurseries and Jaguar Land Rover have shown that it is not enough for businesses to secure their systems, but they also need to address how staff can be manipulated, he told audience members.

The number of referrals from technology companies reporting child abuse rose to 2,000 per week this year, with 92,000 received in 2025, up nearly a third in two years.

Mr Biggar warned that 'toxic online spaces' were radicalising teenagers to become cyber criminals, sex offenders and terrorists.

'Technology is no longer simply a tool that criminals use. It is reshaping crime itself: accelerating it, globalising it, and making it more harmful,' he said.

'Teenagers are being radicalised - to become cyber criminals, sexual offenders or terrorists - within the same toxic online spaces, by the same algorithms.'

Turning to illegal migration, Mr Biggar said the conflict in Iran is likely to increase the number of people trying to enter Britain.

In 2025 the Horn of Africa was the main source of migrants, replacing Vietnam and Albania.

Under plans announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the NCA is being combined with several other national bodies to form the National Police Service.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: 'Across the country, officers are confronting some of the most complex and global threats we have ever faced.

'That is why we're setting up the National Police Service and delivering the largest reform to policing in over 200 years. We will bring the very best of our specialist teams together with one mission to protect the public. Frontline officers will get the backing they need to tackle the epidemic of every day crime.'
Unite has shrugged off a 265,000 fine over the Birmingham bin strike and claimed it will pay the penalty from cash it was previously going to give to Labour.

Members of the trade union have staged year-long industrial action in Birmingham, leading to rubbish piling up on the streets of England's second city.

Labour-run Birmingham City Council brought action in May last year over Unite's breaches of a High Court injunction, which prohibits the blocking of rubbish collection vehicles.

Unite admitted the breaches - which included the blockading of vehicles at depot entrances and slow-walking next to vehicles - and apologised 'unreservedly' in court documents for a hearing in October.

In a decision on Tuesday, Mrs Justice Jefford fined the union 265,000 for the breaches, including picketing outside of defined areas.

But, responding to the fine, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said she was 'very relaxed' about the financial penalty.

'Every single penny will come out of Labour's affiliation fee,' she added, having recently announced Unite will cut its funding of Keir Starmer's party by 40 per cent.

Ms Graham last week said Unite would reduce its affiliation to Labour by 580,000 amid anger at the party's handling of the Birmingham bin dispute.

Unite has shrugged off a 265,000 fine over the Birmingham bin strike and claimed it will pay the penalty from cash it was previously going to give to Labour

Members of the trade union have staged year-long industrial action in Birmingham, leading to rubbish piling up on the streets of England's second city

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said she was 'very relaxed' about the financial penalty

In a 21-page judgment on Tuesday, Mrs Justice Jefford said: 'I cannot accept that when Unite offered an assurance that protesting would be limited to the assembly areas, anyone giving instructions for that assurance to be offered would have intended that the protests could just be moved a few hundred metres away from the depots so that the vehicles that had left the depots could then be obstructed and delayed at a different point in their route.

'It would make a nonsense of the order if, once the wagons had exited the depots, a few yards down the road their progress could be obstructed by protests outside the designated assembly areas.'

Mrs Justice Jefford added she accepted that Unite's apology was genuine, but 'was not offered until September 2025, some two months after the breaches had first occurred and the excuse for them was first offered'.

The judge also ordered the union to pay 170,000 in costs within 14 days as an interim payment.

Ms Graham said: 'This is yet another pathetic attempt to intimidate workers and it won't work.

'Unite will not allow these workers to pay the price for the council's failings in their pay packets.

'Instead of using Thatcher's anti-union laws to injunct the picket line and stop lawful protest, the council should honour the deal scoped out at Acas.

'They walked out of the room, said they would be back with the deal in writing, and never returned.

'Rather than resolving the dispute, Birmingham City Council's own figures have confirmed they have spent 33million of Birmingham residents' money trying to break the strike.

'It won't be broken  these workers are fighting for council workers everywhere.

'Unite is very relaxed about the fine, every single penny will come out of Labour's affiliation fee.

'So, Labour will be paying for this one and any others that come our way.'

Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: 'We are pleased the judge has accepted the evidence that members of Unite the Union repeatedly breached the injunction ordered by the court last year.

'We are working to keep the city safe and clean. This judgment confirms that Unite has tried to prevent us from collecting our residents' bins and to fill the city up with rubbish.

'The fine of 265,000 (plus 170,000 interim payment in relation to Birmingham City Council's legal costs) was issued by the judge  will send a clear message about what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.

'Going to court was not something we wanted to do but were left with no option. We always acknowledged that everyone has the right to protest and that Unite has the right to organise picketing in line with their statutory rights. However, people also have a right to work.

'What is not acceptable is for pickets to obstruct vehicles and prevent people from doing so. This was confirmed when the interim injunction was issued and that injunction remains in place today.

'We will continue to use all legal means to protect our staff and residents and maintain essential services, in the face of determined attempts at disruption.'
A WOMAN driven to suicide by her husband took 25 photographs of injuries before she died, a court heard.

The selfies taken by Tarryn Baird, 34, show bruising to her face, torso and arm.

They were shown to jurors at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday where Ms Baid's husband Christopher Trybus, 43, is on trial accused of manslaughter.

He is also accused of coercive and manipulative behaviour including sexual violence towards his wife before her death in November 2017.

In an unprecedented case, prosecutors say Trybus 'is legally responsible' for his wife's death due to the 'tsunami' of abuse even though he was away when she was found hanged in the garage of their Swindon home.

Christopher Trybus arriving at Winchester Crown Court where he is on trial for manslaughter

Tarryn Baird, 34, (pictured) was found at her home in Swindon, Wiltshire, in November 2017

On Tuesday, the court heard she sent two of the photos to her mother Michelle Baird and the same ones to her husband Christopher Trybus - but he did not reply.

Other photos were sent from her Apple iPhone 7 to friends in the months leading up to her death, jurors were told.

Ms Bairds mobile was restored to factory settings - which deletes personal information - just over a year before her death, the court heard.

But data on the device was backed up on the iCloud and was investigated by police after she died, a police expert said.

Karen McCallum-Ranger, a mobile device examiner with Dorset Polices Data Forensic Unit, looked at photos, messages and call logs on Ms Bairds phone.

The jury was told how Ms McCallum-Ranger found Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) - metadata stored on digital photos about when they were taken - on some of the photos of Ms Bairds injury photos.

Two photos of bruising on her arm were sent by her to her mother Mrs Baird via iMessage on November 17, 2016 with the words Day 4 of the arm injury, the court heard.

Ms Baird also sent them to IT consultant Trybus by email with the subject line Arm, it is said.

Other photos shown to the jury showed Ms Baird taking photos in the mirror which revealed bruising to her stomach.

Further images - also sent to friends - showed swelling to her face.

The photos were sent from Ms Bairds phone between April 2016 and November 2018, it is said.

A detective who investigated the death of Ms Baird said it took eight or nine months for police to gain access to her iPhone.

Mark Tylee, who was a detective constable with Wiltshire Polices Major Crime Team at the time, said a six digit passcode hampered them.

In cross examination, Katy Thorne, defending, asked him: As a result of your investigation of the phone, you saw no evidence that there were allegations made by Tarryn Baird of domestic violence?

Mr Tylee replied there wasnt.

The officer also had looked at other photographs on Ms Bairds iPhone including Live Photos - which capture one and a half seconds before and after one is taken to create a three second video.

Mr Tylee said: I think there were photos of them on a plane, just couple photos, I think they were taken by Tarryn.

I didnt see anything that would worry me, they looked happy.

One showed Ms Baird waking Trybus up but he appeared delighted.

On Monday, jurors were read diary entries from Ms Baid in which she said her husband got progressively rougher during sex with her and enjoyed it when she fought back.

Reading out Ms Baird's diary entries to Winchester Crown Court, Hants, prosecutor Tom Little said in one from early 2016 she wrote: 'I will never forget the day it all overflowed and he blew up.'

Ms Baird continued: 'Progressively sex got rougher and the more I fight back, the more he enjoys it. 'It's like there was this side of him hidden all these years.' Trybus, of Swindon, denies the charges.

The court has also heard how Ms Baird suffered from PTSD after witnessing two armed hijackings in her homeland of South Africa.

She and Trybus emigrated to the UK after they wed in 2009 because she was concerned about crime there.

Ms Baird worked for Trybus's company from home, doing his administration and accounts.

He has insisted he 'loved and cherished' his wife telling lawyers her purported domestic abuse injuries were from 'kinky bondage' and consensual 'rough sex'.

His lawyers have suggested Ms Baird had 'mental health problems' and her suicide was a 'cry for help that went tragically wrong'.

The trial continues.
Volodymyr Zelensky today appeared to tacitly attack Donald Trump for easing sanctions on Russian oil to cut prices hammered by his attack on Iran.

The Ukrainian president used a speech in Parliament to thank the UK for keeping up pressure on 'wealthy madman' Vladimir Putin despite fresh fighting in the Middle East.

Last week Trump signed a one-month sanction waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil currently floating around in tankers unable to dock anywhere.

It was designed to ease prices that spiked when Iran put a block on shipping transiting the Straits of Hormuz off its south coast.

In a London speech that focused on the growth of drone warfare, Mr Zelensky said that the tech had made war cheaper and taken it out of the hands of wealthy national leaders like Putin.

Speaking in front of an audience that included Sir Keir The Ukrainian leader added: 'And even he is still being given money as sanctions on his oil are lifted.

'I thank you that the UK is not doing this, thank you so much.'

Earlier, in meetings in No10, Sir Keir said that the UK's focus must 'remain on Ukraine' despite the war in Iran and that Putin could not be allowed to profit from the new front.

But he also faced a fresh wave of attacks from Trump for the failure of Britain and other Nato members to support his faltering war.

The Ukrainian president used a speech in Parliament to thank the UK for keeping up pressure on 'wealthy madman' Vladimir Putin despite fresh fighting in the Middle East.

The Ukrainian president is in the UK for talks after the PM warned that soaring energy bills caused by Trump's attacks on Iran must not provide a 'windfall' for Vladimir Putin's war machine.

The US president branded the Prime Minister 'disappointing' in his latest free-form press conference in the Oval Office.

He renewed his attack that Sir Keir is 'no Churchill' - pointing to a sculpture of Britain's wartime premier on the table behind him.

The PM last night warned that soaring energy bills caused by Trump's attacks on Iran must not provide a 'windfall' for Vladimir Putin's war machine.

The West has been trying to maintain sanctions to starve Moscow of funding, but America temporarily loosened restrictions on Russia last week in a bid to bolster supplies.

Donald Trump has also linked US support for Ukraine to whether Nato powers send forces to help reopen the Strait - something most are unwilling to do.

There are hopes Mr Zelensky could salvage a silver lining from the situation by leveraging Ukraine's hard-won expertise in dealing with Iranian drones.

He embraced the PM outside No10 today after having met with the King at Buckingham Palace.

And speaking inside, Sir Keir said: 'Putin can't be the one who benefits from a conflict in Iran, whether that's oil prices or the dropping of sanctions.'

Starmer and Zelensky were joined by Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in Downing Street

Zelensky embraced the PM outside No10 today after having met earlier with the King at Buckingham Palace

The King met Volodymyr Zelensky in Buckingham Palace's first-floor drawing room before the president was invited to take tea with the monarch in his private study during the 25-minute meeting.

Charles and Mr Zelensky greeted one another with mutual warmth and respect, building on their many previous encounters, the Press Association understands.

The King, who in January paid tribute to the Ukrainian people's resilience and the country's 'valiant strength', and expressed his hopes for a 'just and lasting peace', is said to have rearticulated these sentiments in person to Mr Zelensky.

Downing Street has announced a partnership with Kyiv to bring together 'Ukrainian expertise and the UK's industrial base' to manufacture and supply drones and other capabilities.

As part of the agreement, the UK will put 500,000 towards a new 'AI centre of excellence' in Kyiv, which would be made up of experts working to see how the technology can best be used for a 'battlefield advantage', No 10 said.

Closer co-operation in the defence industries will also be sought with third countries under the partnership as part of efforts to bolster international security.

Ahead of his talks with Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir said: 'We must work in lockstep with our partners and allies to deliver security at home and abroad, and this new partnership with Ukraine will do just that.

'Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East.

'By deepening our defence partnerships, we are strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself from Russia's brutal, ongoing attacks, while ensuring the UK and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future.'

Iranian reprisals for the US-Israel action have been causing chaos across the Middle East (pictured, a fire near Dubai airport)

The new declaration will build on the 100-year partnership, which was signed last year by the two leaders and aims to set out a path for continued solidarity with war-torn Kyiv, including financial support.

No10 said the pact would help Ukraine's armed forces defend the country against aggression from Moscow but also enable allies to use the lessons learnt to 'outmanoeuvre Russia and its cronies in contested theatres across the world'.

Defence Secretary John Healey repeated his warnings of an 'axis of aggression between Russia and Iran', which he said made it 'increasingly important that we build on Ukrainian expertise and innovation, supported by British industry'.

'I pay tribute to the huge courage and ingenuity of the Ukrainian people  military and civilians alike  and I am determined to make 2026 the year this war ends,' he said.

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte is also expected to meet the PM in Downing Street as part of the visit, with a trilateral discussion focused on the Ukraine war.

The talks will cover 'the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia', No 10 said.
Embattled Senator John Cornyn got an earful from a Democratic lawmaker who crashed the Texas Republican's press conference on Monday at the Austin airport.

Democratic Representative Greg Casar shamed Cornyn for bringing Transportation Security Administration workers Whataburgers - patties from a popular Texas chain - amid the partial government shutdown that revolves around Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding.

Democrats have agreed to funding just the TSA, while Republicans are holding out for full funding of the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, whose image has been battered after the killing of two Americans.

'Just last week, the Democrats, in the Senate and the House, offered a bill to fully fund TSA and Senator Cornyn and the Republicans blocked it,' Casar told a group of reporters who surrounded him. 'And so I'm sort of confused why Senator Cornyn would be here having a press conference at the airport about funding the TSA when it's him who has blocked the funding.'

When one of the journalists pushed back on Casar's claim, he admitted that Democrats refused to pass TSA funding bills that included ICE funding, but pointed to their willingness to pass a bill to simply fund the TSA.

'Senator Cornyn should put his money where his mouth is,' Casar then said.

At that moment, Cornyn showed up beside him - asking Casar why the Democrats were refusing to pay TSA workers.

'Let's do it, let's do it,' Casar responded.

Republican Senator John Cornyn (right) points his finger at Democratic Representative Greg Casar (left) outside the Austin airport Monday as the two Texans tussled over TSA funding

'No, you do it!' Cornyn shot back, pointing his finger.

'Let's talk for a second senator,' the Democrat said. 'There's a bipartisan bill to fund just the TSA, can we do that together?'

Cornyn called the idea 'not acceptable.'

The Republican pointed to the recent mass shooting on Austin's Sixth Street calling it a 'terrorist attack.'

'Do you want those to continue?' he asked Casar, who represents parts of Austin and San Antonio. 'These people are keeping us safe. Tell the Democrats to vote for funding the DHS.'

Casar replied, 'let's talk about each one.'

'Would you fund the TSA with me, no?' the Democrat asked.

At that point an aide interrupted to say it was time to pass out the Whataburgers, with Cornyn walking away.

The public spat comes as Republican Senator John Cornyn is fighting for his political future as he faces a runoff race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. President Donald Trump has said he'll endorse one of the Republicans, but hasn't done so yet

'Instead of bringing people burgers, he should bring them their paychecks. Which involves funding TSA,' Casar told reporters. 'He's refused to fund TSA, so he's bringing them burgers.'

The tiff comes as Cornyn battles for his political future.

Cornyn is competing in a runoff for the Republican nomination for the Senate seat he's held since 2002.

His rival, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is the more MAGA-aligned candidate.

President Donald Trump chose not to endorse ahead of the primary.

The day after the election, Trump teased that he would get behind either Cornyn or Paxton - and demand the other candidate drop out ahead of the May runoff election.

The Atlantic reported that Trump was likely to select Cornyn, since he came in ahead of Paxton and polls better against the Democrats' pick, state Representative James Talarico.

Nearly two weeks have gone by and Trump still hasn't selected a candidate.

The Department of Homeland Security's short-term funding expired on Feb. 14, marking a nearly five-week span during which the agency has been partially shut down.
Fresh stories from the fields: Why does watermelon stay sweet all year round?: People's Daily

14:25, March 17, 2026 By Yu Jingxian and Dong Zeyang, People's Daily ( Global Times

Editor's Note:

"We will diversify our food supply by advancing crop farming, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries in tandem." "Initiatives will be advanced to invigorate the seed industry, and faster moves will be taken to identify and cultivate ground-breaking seed varieties and promote their use. We will promote the R&D and application of appropriate, advanced agricultural machinery and equipment, and see that agricultural technologies reach the fields and farmers."

This year's Government Work Report has laid out key arrangements for work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. Across China's farmlands, new technologies, new crop varieties and new production scenarios are emerging one after another.

Starting today, this page launches a new series, "Fresh Stories from the Fields," focusing on new developments and trends in agriculture  from watermelon breeding to unmanned farms  highlighting the latest achievements and the vibrant vitality taking shape in the countryside.

At the Liguo Shunxin Supermarket in Jiaxiang County, East China's Shandong Province, rows of round, plump watermelons stand out on the shelves. Around noon, customers stream in continuously, with some picking up whole watermelons while others ask store staff to cut them open and sell them by weight.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of watermelons, with annual output remaining stable at around 60 million tons. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this accounts for roughly 60 percent of global production.

Following the sweet story behind China's seemingly effortless "watermelon freedom," reporters explored how the fruit is supplied steadily throughout the year.

Strong demand, reliable quality

At the Liguo Shunxin Supermarket, "Mibao" watermelons grown in Southwest China's Yunnan Province sell for more than 4.99 yuan ($0.72) per jin (500 grams). "Even though the price is higher than in summer, sales remain strong," said supermarket manager Zhang Hongtao, pointing to a staff member restocking the display.

Over the past half month, the store has maintained daily watermelon sales of more than 160 jin with weekend sales exceeding 240 jin.

Zhang Hongtao has observed that during the off-season, customers usually buy smaller quantities at a time, but they purchase watermelons frequently and show strong willingness to buy them.

Ms Zhang, who was selecting a watermelon, is one such regular customer. "Watermelons are juicy and sweet without being overwhelming. Both the elderly and children in my family love them," she said with a smile. "It was still cold recently, but sitting at home with the heater on and eating watermelon feels just as refreshing as having a cold drink in summer."

The steady demand during the off-season is not only driven by consumers' taste preferences and emotional appeal, but also by reliable product quality.

To ensure optimal flavor, the supermarket stores watermelons in refrigerated display cabinets, where they can remain in good condition for seven to ten days. "Some customers worry that the watermelons might not be ripe enough during this period, so we also offer a service where they can cut one open to check before purchasing," Zhang Hongtao said.

At the Hushan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market in Jiaxiang Street, Jiaxiang County, Shandong, 10 tons of watermelons freshly shipped from a production base in South China's Hainan Province were being unloaded.

Li Jianguo, who has been in the watermelon wholesale business for more than a decade, explained that during spring and summer the market mainly sells locally grown varieties such as "Tianwang" and "Jingxin." When temperatures drop, supply relies largely on southern production areas. These varieties typically have thicker rinds for transportation, accumulate sufficient sugar, and maintain stable flavor, Li said.

The strong off-season market is also reflected in price trends.

"Watermelon supply and prices show clear seasonal patterns," said Zhao Junye, a researcher at the Agricultural Information Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

After October each year, watermelon supply begins to decline and prices gradually rise. In the first quarter, the national average wholesale price generally exceeds 3 yuan per jin. After April, supply increases significantly and prices fall rapidly. By the third quarter, when northern production regions harvest in large volumes, prices usually reach their lowest levels of the year, Zhao said.

Sufficient supply across seasons

Hainan island, with abundant heat and sunlight, is one of China's major winter production bases for fruits and vegetables. At the Beishanyang planting base in Haitang district of Sanya, Hainan Province, the watermelon harvest has already been completed.

"With good varieties and good packaging, sales are also strong," said Zhang Wei, head of the base and deputy general manager of Hainan State Farms Shenquan Group Co, noting that the base grows seedless Qilin watermelons with bright red flesh, crisp texture and rich sweetness, with their sugar content reaching 14 degrees, making them highly popular in the market.

To deliver this cross-season sweetness to consumers far away, careful work goes into packaging at the fields. Workers carefully select watermelons and pack them into specially designed corrugated cartons. Each box holds four watermelons weighing between 10 and 12 jin each, separated by thick cardboard partitions. According to Zhang Wei, watermelons shipped to other regions of China currently only require moderate insulation during transport and do not need cold-chain logistics.

Watermelons grown at the base are mainly supplied to supermarkets in Shandong, Beijing and northeastern China. The market price of about 4 yuan per jin is higher than the previous range of 2.8 to 3.5 yuan per jin in past years. Zhang Wei said the base expanded its planting area to 500 mu (33.33 hectares) last year, with yields of about 5,000 jin per mu. "The melons were already fully booked before they were harvested," he said.

To accommodate watermelons' preference for warmth and sunlight while protecting them from excessive rain, the base has built greenhouses that shield the crops from wind and rain while maintaining stable temperature and heat. Drip irrigation systems and monitoring equipment have also been introduced to create an optimal microclimate for watermelon growth.

So what is the secret behind year-round watermelon supply?

Xu Yong, a researcher at the Beijing Vegetable Research Center of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, explained that China's vast territory provides diverse geographical and climatic advantages.

Combined with the development of suitable varieties and the widespread application of technologies such as integrated water and fertilizer management, and green pest control, suitable environments for watermelon growth can be found in different regions across different seasons, according to Xu.

Currently, China's watermelon production is concentrated in five major regions. The Yangtze River Basin and the Huang-Huai-Hai region account for more than 69 percent of total output, while South China, Northwest China and Northeast China play supporting roles.

In terms of year-round supply, South China provides winter production, the Yangtze River Basin and Huang-Huai-Hai region enable early spring harvests, the northwest region extends the harvest season later into the year, and open-field cultivation in the northeast and northwest regions ensures summer and autumn supply.

Molecular breeding yields diverse watermelons

In Yanjiacun village of Yaojia Town, Zhongmu County in Central China's Henan Province, farmer Ma Xiuhong manages 2 mu of greenhouse land. In addition to conventional varieties, she reserves half a mu to grow "rainbow watermelons." These days, she has been busy transplanting newly cultivated seedlings into the soil.

The "rainbow watermelon" she refers to is a new specialty variety developed in recent years by the Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute of the CAAS. When cut open, the melon reveals red and yellow dual-colored flesh arranged like a rainbow. It is also highly sweet, crisp in texture, and rich in beta-carotene.

"This variety was developed by crossing a high-sugar red-flesh watermelon with a crisp yellow-flesh watermelon and selecting superior offspring," explained Zhao Shengjie, an associate researcher at the Zhengzhou institute.

To meet consumers' increasingly personalized preferences, China's watermelon breeding has continuously followed market trends. Xu said watermelon varieties in China are now highly diverse. In terms of maturity, they include early, mid-early and late-maturing types. In size, they range from large and medium to small watermelons. In flesh color, they include red, yellow, orange and multicolored varieties, Xu said.

"Jingmei 2K," a variety bred by Xu's team with an average weight of about 4 jin per fruit, has become China's most widely planted small watermelon variety and better fits current consumer demand.

Behind this diversity lies the "China sweetness" brought by nation's scientific breeding. China's watermelon breeding technology ranks among the world's leading group, with domestic varieties accounting for more than 98 percent of the market. High quality has become the standard in the domestic market.

As early as 2012, Xu's team completed the world's first watermelon genome map, opening the "black box" of watermelon genetics. The research identified multiple genes resistant to diseases such as fusarium wilt, anthracnose and powdery mildew, and also clarified the genetic functions related to fruit sugar content, size and shape.

"In recent years, we have adopted advanced molecular breeding methods," Xu said. "By combining desirable genes through molecular markers, we have greatly improved breeding efficiency, precision and target orientation, shortening the breeding cycle from seven to ten years to just three to four years."

Looking ahead, what direction will watermelon breeding take? Xu explained that production still faces challenges such as increasingly frequent extreme weather and the emergence of new plant diseases. At the same time, consumers are demanding higher standards in both flesh color and fruit quality.

As a result, further exploration of genes for disease resistance, environmental tolerance and superior quality is still needed. This will continue to improve watermelon resilience and quality while expanding the range of varieties. "In particular, high-quality medium and small watermelons with diverse flesh colors are likely to become a highlight of future watermelon varieties," Xu said.

This was compiled from an article originally published on the tenth page of the People's Daily on March 17, 2026.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Donald Trump's controversial SAVE America Act is doomed to fail in the Senate.

The bill - a cornerstone of Trump's MAGA agenda - needs 60 votes to pass in the Senate. It narrowly squeaked over the finish line on Tuesday for a 'test' vote that only required a simple majority.

The legislation, officially called the Save America Voting Eligibility Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship to cast a ballot, a measure Trump has spent weeks demanding as essential to 'protect American elections.'

Proof means supplying a passport, birth certificate, or REAL ID explicitly showing citizenship. Student IDs and utility bills don't qualify.

Trump issued a stark warning to any GOP holdouts on his signature legislation.

'Only sick, demented, or deranged people could vote against the Save America Act,' he wrote on Truth Social, threatening to campaign against any Republican who defies him.

'Each one of these votes will be used against them - a guaranteed loss,' he went on.

The president has made the bill a personal crusade, declaring that he will not sign any other legislation until the Senate passes it.

The legislation, officially called the Save America Voting Eligibility Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship to cast a ballot, a measure Trump has spent weeks demanding as essential to 'protect American elections'

Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks during a press conference

That is now becoming a headache for Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

'It supersedes everything else,' Trump wrote earlier this month, calling the measure 'one of the most important and consequential pieces of legislation in American history.'

The first vote, a procedural step to open debate, needed just 51 senators to pass. Fifty of the 53 Senate Republicans pledged support, enough to move it forward. But that's where it is doomed to be tied up forever.

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, did not vote on the bill, and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who has previously been elected as a write-in candidate and is not up again until 2028, voted no. Senator Mitch McConnell was the 51st affirmative vote.

Senator Susan Collins, a vulnerable GOP incumbent up again this November, became the 50th backer of the bill last week, a move for which she was thanked by House Republican Anna Paulina Luna with a delivery of 50 white roses to Collins' office.

People wait in line to vote on Florida's last early voting day for the 2024 presidential election in Florida, at the Miami-Dade County Elections Department in Miami, Florida, USA, 03 November 2024

Close up photograph of social security cards & passport, selective focus

50 roses for the 50th Senator to support the SAVE America Act. Thank you @SenatorCollins for standing with 85% of Americans who support this legislation  pic.twitter.com/CBD2gJ2mWN  Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) March 11, 2026

Trump has insisted that the Senate version should go even further  calling for voter ID, proof of citizenship, strict limits on mail-in ballots, and even bans on transgender surgeries for minors and biological men competing in women's sports.

That's created a rift with House Republicans, who passed a 'watered-down' version last month that focused solely on election rules.

Meanwhile, deepening the standoff between the chambers, hardline House conservatives threatened to tank other Senate-passed bills  beginning with a routine small-business measure- until the SAVE Act clears Congress. Only 40 House Republicans voted against the small business bill on Tuesday, which saw the measure pass.

With the Senate now preparing for days of high-stakes debate and talk of a possible filibuster showdown, Washington is once again at the center of a Trump-fueled standoff  and the stakes for both parties couldn't be higher.
Donald Trump has turned on America's allies in a furious broadside after they rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz.

'We no longer "need," or desire, the NATO countries' assistance - we never did,' the President wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday.

Trump said he had been told America's allies 'don't want to get involved' in the Iran war, despite his appeals for help securing the Strait as oil prices spiral.

The President slammed NATO as a 'one-way street' and said 'we will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.'

Trump has been left exposed after the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Australia all declined to help protect commercial shipping in the Strait.

Gas prices have surged to an average of $3.80 a gallon from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago, while the Strait - through which a fifth of the world's oil flows - remains blockaded by Iranian mines and missiles.

Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's closest allies and a leading proponent of the military campaign, wrote on X after speaking with the President that he had 'never heard him so angry,' over Europe's unwillingness to help protect the Strait.

The UK came in for particular punishment as Trump re-upped his savage comparison of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Britain's heroic wartime leader Winston Churchill.

'Unfortunately, Keir is not Winston Churchill,' Trump said, gesturing to his bust in the Oval Office during a meeting with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin on St Patrick's Day.

President Donald Trump gives remarks to the media as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office on Monday

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq

Trump said he had personally asked Britain for minesweepers, only to be told that consultations were needed first.

Sir Keir said yesterday: 'While taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.'

Israel claimed it had killed two high-ranking Iranian commanders overnight. Thirteen US troops have been killed in the conflict, with more than 200 injured across seven countries.

Trump may now be forced to put boots on the ground in Iran to salvage victory, sources close to White House have warned, as Iran shows no signs of letting up.

'We clearly just kicked [Iran's] a** in the field, but, to a large extent, they hold the cards now,' a source close to the White House told Politico. 'They decide how long we're involved, and they decide if we put boots on the ground. And it doesn't seem to me that there's a way around that, if we want to save face.'

Trump confidantes fear he risks being dragged into an open-ended conflict just as the midterm elections approach, with the escalating war threatening to drive up the cost of living for voters already furious about affordability.

'The terms have changed,' said a second person familiar with the military operation. 'The off-ramps don't work anymore because Iran is driving the asymmetric action.'

The war has also caused a schism between top allies within Trump's MAGA movement, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, as the President has argued for years against regime-change wars in the Middle East.

US intelligence has also determined that Iran's regime will likely remain in power despite relentless airstrikes.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will likely tighten its domestic grip as the country's internal enforcer, intelligence officials told the Washington Post.

Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij forces, have joined the late Ayatollah Khamenei in the 'depths of hell' after targeted overnight airstrikes.

The human toll comes amid mounting concerns over the financial cost, with the Pentagon having burned through $5.6 billion worth of munitions in the first two days of the war

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, walks along a street in Tehran on May 31, 2019

Israel claims to have assassinated top Iranian official Ali Larijani in an airstrike overnight

Your browser does not support iframes.

The attack on Larijani comes four days after he marched alongside thousands of Iranians at a Quds Day rally in Tehran, where he taunted Trump during a live interview.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen since the war began, has said the US and Israel must be 'brought to their knees' and accept defeat before any peace deal is possible.

'For the White House, now the only easy day was yesterday,' the source familiar with the military operation added. 'They need to worry about an unraveling.'

The White House and Pentagon continue to insist the war is a 'tremendous success,' pointing to US naval and aerial superiority over Iran.

Despite the success touted by the administration, the US Navy remains unable to guarantee safe passage for commercial oil tankers through the Strait.

The US military has moved additional forces to the region, including the USS Tripoli and its 2,000-strong Marine Expeditionary Unit capable of seizing Iranian ports.

The deployment has led some to believe Trump will soon launch a limited ground offensive against the Islamic Regime to alleviate the global oil crisis.

The President has suggested that the fighting could end soon, while also warning that the US is prepared for a long-term offensive.
MAGA billionaire Peter Thiel has angered the Vatican by hosting a fourpart lecture series in Rome warning that the Antichrist is coming and will subject humanity to a 'oneworld' government.

Thiel, 58, has raised concerns for months about what he views as an imminent threat, according to The New York Times.

The tycoon, who made his money by setting up PayPal, has warned of the 'occult forces [that] are ceaselessly at work, intent on destroying what remains of the West,' the outlet reported.

The Antichrist is described in the Bible as a conniving figure who opposes Jesus Christ and seeks to challenge human allegiance to God.

Thiel, the chairman of big data and artificial intelligence giant Palantir, has argued the Antichrist will manipulate humanity by promising solutions to contemporary existential threats.

He has earmarked topics like AI, environmental crises and bioweapons as pathways to that outcome.

But rather than a single person, Thiel has suggested the Antichrist could take the shape of a centralized global government that gradually strips away individual rights and freedoms.

Thiel's secretive conference, titled 'The Biblical Antichrist', began Sunday and is slated to run until Wednesday.

Peter Thiel, 58, will host a four-part lecture series in Rome to discuss the 'occult forces ... ceaselessly at work, intent on destroying what remains of the West'

Thiel's lectures have been met by pushback in Italy and around the Vatican

Italian Catholic priest Paolo Benanti penned an essay titled 'American heresy: Should we burn Peter Thiel?'

Thiel's views were described as 'a theologicalapocalyptic framework as disturbing as it is structured' by Italian Catholic priest Paolo Benanti, who previously advised Pope Francis on AI.

In an essay titled 'American heresy: Should we burn Peter Thiel?', Benanti argued that Thiel's views about the Antichrist amounted to 'heresy.'

'In other words: either a global technocratic regime imposing salvation by falsehood, or total annihilation,' he wrote about Thiel's views.

A newspaper owned by the Italian bishops' conference, Avvenire, called Thiel 'the heart of darkness of the digital world.'

Another essay in the publication accused Thiel of seeking 'absolute power managed by technocrats supported by artificial intelligence, without which, he argues, the state will never function.'

About one hundred guests have been spotted at the lecture series, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Most appeared to be Italian businessmen and politicians.

The talks' audience has largely been made up of younger men, plus some women and a number of American priests and students.

Thiel spoke for about two hours on the first day of the seminar and touched on the future of AI.

'It's not the solution to all evils,' he was quoted as saying by the outlet. 'But it shouldn't be demonized.'

Thiel's lectures were going to be held at the Angelicum, where Pope Leo XIV - then Robert Prevost - wrote his canon law doctoral thesis

Thiel, the chairman of Palantir, has frequently discussed the apparent imminent return of the Antichrist. That included previous lectures in Paris and San Francisco

Thiel, who is worth about $23.7billion, has frequently spoken about the Antichrist in recent years.

He gave similar talks in Paris in January and in San Francisco last year, which drew less pushback.

The Palantir chairman's Rome lectures were reportedly going to be held at the Pontifical St. Thomas Aquinas University, known as the Angelicum.

That was where Pope Leo XIV, who was then Robert Prevost, wrote his canon law doctoral thesis.

However, the university distanced itself from Thiel's series after pushback in Italy.

'We would like to clarify that this event is not organized by the University, will not take place at the Angelicum, and is not part of any of our institutional initiatives,' the university said in a statement.

Last June, Thiel said that his specific fear about the Antichrist was a 'oneworld totalitarian state.'

'I would say the default political solution people have for all these existential risks is oneworld governance,' he told The New York Times.

Thiel predicted that the Antichrist would 'talk about existential risk' incessantly and push for widespread regulations, effectively forming a centralized government.

'The way the Antichrist would take over the world is you talk about Armageddon nonstop,' he said.

Thiel has warned that the Antichrist was 'far more likely' to resemble activist Greta Thunberg, as opposed to a Dr. Strangelove sort of figure

He added that the supposed biblical figure would not be an 'evil tech genius' with revolutionary inventions.

'People are way too scared for that,' Thiel said. 'In our world, the thing that has political resonance is the opposite. The thing that has political resonance is: We need to stop science. We need to just say "stop" to this.'

Rather than a figure like Dr. Strangelove out of the 1964 black comedy film, Thiel said the Antichrist was 'far more likely' to resemble Greta Thunberg.

When Thiel was asked whether he was concerned that he or Palantir could represent the very concerns he posed, Thiel shot that down.

'I obviously don't think that that's what I'm doing,' he said.

Thiel's Palantir recently signed an agreement with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to streamline the process of identifying and deporting targets.

Thiel is also known to be close to US Vice President JD Vance, donating millions of dollars into Vance's successful primary race for the US Senate.

The lectures were jointly organized by an Italian organization, the Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association, and the Cluny Institute at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC.

The Italian group said in a statement that hosting Thiel was a 'special honor and a gift of providence.

Thiel was branded 'one of the most original thinkers of our time,' while a tongueincheek note mentioned that he had been nicknamed the 'heart of darkness of Silicon Valley.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Thiel's listed spokesperson, as well as the Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association and the Cluny Institute for comment.
Donald Trump said he is glad that his top counterterrorism official resigned over the war with Iran.

In an extraordinary and unprecedented move for this administration, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent announced he was stepping down over his objections to the US launching joint strikes with Israel.

'When I read his statement I realized that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat  every country realized what a threat Iran was,' the President insisted.

He said there would have been a 'nuclear holocaust' if the US had not taken the step at the end of last month to strike Iran.

'When somebody is working with us that says they didn't think Iran is a threat  we don't want those people,' Trump added.

And Trump allies piled on, claiming that Kent was already in the firing line to lose his job before his resignation.

Kent said in a post to X on Tuesday that he could not 'in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran' through his role under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,' he wrote.

It marks the first major and voluntary departure of a senior Trump administration official since he retook office last year. And it represents a significant condemnation of the ongoing war with Iran from a person with direct intelligence on the threat level posed by the regime.

President Donald Trump says he is glad his top counterterrorism official resigned amid claiming Iran did not pose a threat to the US

National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent announced today that that he was resigning over his objection to the US conflict with Iran

Kent, in his resignation letter, accused the President of going back on the non-interventionist principles he campaigned on in 2024.

Alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump defended his decision to engage with Iran.

'I read his statement. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security,' Trump said of Kent, adding that military scholars agree Iran needed to be 'taken out because they wanted a nuclear weapon.'

Kent, who deployed to combat 11 times and lost his wife Shannon in what he calls a war manufactured by Israel, is closely aligned with the populist 'America First' wing of the Trump administration.

'Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,' the former Army Special Forces soldier wrote in his resignation letter.

'The time for bold action is now,' he urged. 'You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.'

Former Trump deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich suggested that Kent was already on track to be fired and called him a 'crazed egomaniac' responsible for 'national security leaks' out of his agency.

'He spent all of his time working to subvert the chain of command and undermine the President of the United States,' Budowich wrote on X upon news of his departure. 'This isn't some principled resignationhe just wanted to make a splash before getting canned. What a loser.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Kent's insistence that Iran posed no immediate threat to the US is the 'same false claim that Democrats have been repeating over and over.'

She said that Trump had 'strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first.'

Kent swears his oath of office to work under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center

Kent is closely aligned with the 'America First' wing of the Trump administration, and the President says upon news of his resignation: 'I always thought he was a nice guy'

Kent's wife, Shannon, above with their two sons, was killed by a suicide vest bombing in 2019 while she was in Syria. She was one of 19 people who died in the attack

'President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum,' she posted in a lengthy X post responding to Kent's resignation.

She listed other reasons, including calling Iran 'evil,' noting it is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and that the regime there 'proudly killed Americans, waged war against our country, and openly threatened us all the way up to the launch of Operation Epic Fury.'

Trump said that there would have been nuclear wars if he had not ended the Iran Nuclear Deal and then decided to engage in strikes in the country on February 28.

'If I didn't terminate Obama's horrible deal that he made  the Iran Nuclear Deal  you would have had a nuclear war, four years ago. You would have had [a] nuclear holocaust. And you would have had it again if we didn't bomb the site,' he said to press gathered in the Oval Office on Tuesday.

He said those who claim Iran didn't pose a threat are 'not smart' and 'not savvy.'

'We don't want those people,' Trump concluded.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is 'not afraid' to deploy US ground troops within Iran, further emphasizing the lengths he is willing to go in his Middle East war.

Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Ireland's Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, the President fielded many questions about the Iran war.

'Are you afraid that if you put boots on the ground in Iran, it could be another Vietnam?' one reporter asked.

'No,' Trump shot back, adding, 'I'm not afraid of anything.'

The President has previously said that he would deploy ground troops if 'necessary,' but he has offered few details on what scenario would prompt a boots-on-the-ground invasion.

He also said during the sit-down with the Taoiseach that the US has contemplated destroying Iran's energy infrastructure.

'We could take out their electric capacity in one hour,' he said, adding, 'there's nothing they can do.'

Though the President said the war should only last weeks, there is concern among administration officials that the offensive could last much longer.

Donald Trump with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Tuesday. The President has said he is 'not afraid' of anything, even sending ground troops to Iran in a Vietnam War-style invasion

The President previously said that he would use troops only if 'necessary,' but he has not offered further details

It comes as Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent resigned on Tuesday over frustration with the Iran war

Three sources familiar with the matter told Axios that the Middle East could run into September, a much longer timeline than Trump has ever discussed publicly.

The President was also confronted about the news that his top counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, resigned over the war.

'I always thought he was a nice guy, but I thought he was very weak on security. Very weak on security. I didn't know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy,' Trump said.

'But when I read his statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out, because he said Iran was not a threat.'

Kent resigned early on Tuesday and published a letter publicly noting how he 'cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.'

'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,' Kent said in his dramatic public break-up with the administration.

Evidence that the US is considering a ground invasion in Iran is mounting.

Last week, the military ordered 2,000 US Marines and their equipment, along with several Naval vessels, to be deployed to the Middle East from the South Pacific near the Philippines.

Join the discussion Can Trump keep the Iran conflict from spiralling into a wider war?

Plumes of smoke and fire rise after debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility, according to authorities, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday

The USS Tripoli, now headed for the Middle East, is capable of holding thousands of ground troops and dozens of aircraft to conduct amphibious assaults

The Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Tripoli and USS New Orleans, along with the supporting Navy vessels, are a part of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) that is close to 5,000 service members in total.

The ARG's primary objective is to land Marines in coastal environments using aircraft and landing vessels. The USS Tripoli also maintains an arsenal of aircraft, like F-35 fighter jets and attack and transport helicopters, to ferry troops and project power.

It is estimated that the ARG will arrive in the Middle East ten to 15 days from its initial deployment late last week, meaning the force should arrive near Iran at the end of this month.

Concerns about sending US troops to Iran have been rippling around Capitol Hill.

'We seem to be on a path toward deploying American troops on the ground in Iran to accomplish any of the potential objectives here,' Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said last week after a classified briefing from military officials.

'So the American people deserve to know much more than this administration has told them about the cost of the war, the danger to our sons and daughters in uniform and the potential for further escalation and widening of this war,' the Democrat added.

Americans are against sending in troops, too, according to the latest Quinnipiac survey of 1,000 US voters published March 9.

The results showed that 74 percent of respondents oppose sending ground troops into Iran. A majority, 53 percent, said they are against the war altogether.
Donald Trump launched more broadsides at Keir Starmer today as he continued to express his fury at European leaders for refusing to help with the Iran war.

The US President branded the Prime Minister 'disappointing' in his latest free-form press conference in the Oval Office.

He renewed his attack that Sir Keir is 'no Churchill' - pointing to a sculpture of Britain's wartime premier on the table behind him.

And the President widened his criticism to include Labour's 'disastrous' immigration policy and fondness for wind turbines, which he said 'kill birds'.

Mr Trump on Tuesday also swiped at Emmanuel Macron - saying the French President would be 'out of office very soon' - after Paris flatly rejected the US demand for help reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Around a fifth of global oil supplies typically pass through the channel to the Persian Gulf, but Iran has been managing to keep it effectively shut with missile and drone strikes.

Mr Trump's frustration has become increasingly evident as European powers bat away his calls to send warships to reopen the crucial sea passage.

In a post on his Truth Social site earlier on Tuesday, the President was left to insist: 'WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!'

Donald Trump branded Keir Starmer 'disappointing' in his latest free-form press conference in the Oval Office

The PM hosted Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato chief Mark Rutte in Downing Street this afternoon as the US President's wrath grew

Mr Trump also swiped at Emmanuel Macron - saying the French President would be 'out of office very soon' - after Paris rejected the demand for help reopening the Strait of Hormuz

As he vented in the Oval Office during a media call with Irish PM Micheal Martin, Mr Trump again claimed that Sir Keir offered to send two aircraft carriers to the Middle East. This is something the UK denies.

Sir Keir insisted yesterday that Britain would not get dragged into a 'wider war' after the US and Israel launched attacks on Tehran.

The PM - who hosted Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street today - has stressed the importance of keeping the focus on Ukraine's campaign against Russian invasion.

France and Germany have also dismissed the idea of taking an active role while the Iran conflict is raging.

Mr Macron said: 'We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context.'

In his latest hokey-cokey shift on calls for assistance from allies, this afternoon Mr Trump insisted America did not need any help.

Asked whether the clashes had damaged his relationship with Sir Keir, the President said: 'Well, he hasn't been supportive, and I think it's a big mistake.

'You know, they make a lot of money on trade with the United States. I went out of my way.

'As you know, they couldn't make a deal with Biden, because they had no real administration to make a deal, Biden.

'But we made a deal. We made a good deal for them and, frankly, probably wasn't appreciated.

'I do look forward to seeing the King. He's going to be coming, as you know, very shortly, but, no, I was disappointed, because Keir was willing to send two aircraft carriers after we won, because essentially... there's no threat for the aircraft carriers right now.

'And I said, no, no, we want things sent before the war, not after the war is won.

'So, yeah, I'm disappointed with Keir. I like him, I think he's a nice man, but I'm disappointed.'

Mr Trump then repeated his assertion that 'unfortunately Keir is no Winston Churchill' and said the PM 'doesn't produce'.

The President told reporters: 'Even the aircraft carriers, he would only send them after we essentially won.

'I mean, he's sending them when there are no planes left, when the missiles are down to like 8 per cent of the missiles.'

Asked if he had confidence in the PM, Mr Trump said: 'It's not for me, it's really for the people of the UK to have confidence.

'I mean, I've been very critical of Keir  and I did it in a friendly way  I said, if you don't change your energy thing and get away from windmills and go back to oil and gas.

'You have something that no other country has, very few countries have anything like it: The North Sea.

'You have some of the greatest oil and oil deposits in the entire world. The North Sea, they don't use it.'

Mr Trump added: 'I think he's a nice man, but I disagree with him on two things.

'Primarily his immigration policy is a disaster, and his energy policy is a disaster  and they're about the biggest policies you can have.

'You've allowed millions and millions and millions of people to come into your country that shouldn't be there. And, by the way, that's all over Europe.'

Mr Martin attempted to defend Sir Keir as someone who had 'done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship'.

The Irish PM told Mr Trump: 'I do believe he is a very earnest, sound person who I think you have a capacity to get on with, you've got on with him before.'

Join the discussion Is the US-UK special relationship starting to break down?

In a post on his Truth Social site earlier on Tuesday, the President was left to insist: 'WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!'

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France has flatly rejected the demand for a 'joint effort' in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

'We are not a party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context,' Mr Macron said following Mr Trump's request that allies help secure the crucial artery, effectively shut by Iran in response to US-Israeli strikes.

'However, we are convinced that once the situation becomes calmer... we are ready, alongside other nations, to take responsibility for an escort system.'

In a furious post on Truth Social, Trump hit back at NATO's rejection, calling the alliance a 'one way street' and declaring 'we no longer "need," or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance  WE NEVER DID!'

Confronted with Mr Macron's comments this afternoon, Mr Trump declared: 'He'll be out of office very soon.'

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said 'it would be in the interest of everybody if this war stops', adding: 'The problem with wars is that it's easier to start than to stop them, and it always gets out of hand.'

'We have been consulting with regional countries like the Gulf countries, Jordan, Egypt, (about) whether we could also bring forward proposals for Iran, Israel and the US to get out of this situation so that everybody saves face,' she said in an interview with Reuters.

Israel claimed it had killed two high-ranking Iranian commanders overnight.

But there have been claims that even Mr Trump's inner circle is growing concerned about the progress of the campaign.

Thirteen US troops have been killed in the conflict, with more than 200 injured across seven countries. And the consequences of the energy price spike will be felt around the world, including the US.

'We clearly just kicked [Iran's] a** in the field, but, to a large extent, they hold the cards now,' a White House source told Politico.

'They decide how long we're involved, and they decide if we put boots on the ground. And it doesn't seem to me that there's a way around that, if we want to save face.'

Some allies fear Trump risks being dragged into an open-ended conflict just as the midterm elections approach, with the escalating war threatening to drive up the cost of living for voters already furious about affordability.

'The terms have changed,' said a second person familiar with the military operation. 'The off-ramps don't work anymore because Iran is driving the asymmetric action.'

The war has also caused a schism between top allies within Trump's MAGA movement, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, as the President has argued for years against regime-change wars in the Middle East.
Video captured the moment sledgehammer-wielding thugs smashed their way into a luxury shop and made off with 60,000 of watches and jewellery.

The men were part of a seven-strong gang convicted today of seven smash-and-grab robberies around the capital over four months last year.

Together, they stole more than 100,000 of goods and targeted a range of businesses - including a cafe and a fine art shop.

Security footage shows convicted killer Lee McCready, 45, and Matthew Windrass, 50, running over to the shopfront on Edgware Road, Westminster, and swinging their hammers at the windows on July 1, 2025.

Terrified pedestrians, including two parents with a baby in a buggy, scramble to distance themselves from the men in balaclavas.

Pulling back the broken glass, they reach inside to grab handfuls of goods and stuff them inside their bags, towards Anthony Munday, 40, who acted as their getaway driver.

Within nine minutes of arriving on the scene, the robbers were fleeing down the street with 59,930 worth of the shop's goods.

McCready, Windrass and Munday were arrested along with Christopher Gibbs and George O'Hare in a series of raids on August 5 last year, coordinated by the Metropolitan Police's elite Flying Squad.

Two thugs wearing balaclavas used sledgehammers to smash their way into a luxury shop on Edgeware Road in Westminster

They broke through the glass and reached through to grab handfuls of watches and jewellery

Paul Hughes and David Rigelsford, also involved in the brazen string of hits, were arrested on September 29 and October 29 respectively.

Thee spree began on May 8, when Gibbs, O'Hare and a third man rammed a blue Ford Fiesta into the entrance of luxury clothing store Fendi in Kensington - which was also caught on camera.

The trio of thugs made off in a Mercedes getaway car with 8,350 of designer goods.

During the early hours of June 30, Hughes and Gibbs broke into the Unico cafe in St Johns Wood, northwest London, and snatched 1,107 in cash as well as the store's safe.

McCready and Windrass launched their sledgehammer heist the following day, at 4.15pm.

At 3.20am on July 13 Rigelsford and another suspect parked a white SUV outside a store in Kensington, kicked their way inside and took 11,000 worth of goods.

Eight days later, Rigelsford and Gibbs used a sledgehammer to smash into a watch store in Westminster at 3.30am, destroying cabinets inside before leaving empty-handed.

Bungling Gibbs gave away his identity by using a Lime bike to travel to the shop  booked via his bank account.

The following Sunday, the gang stole 66,500 worth of goods from Clarendon Fine Art in Marylebone, central London, at 3.04am.

Gibbs and another man used a paving block taken from a white Peugeot to smash through the front door, before snatching the artwork and fleeing towards Oxford Street.

Members of the same gang used a car to ram through the doors of a designer clothes shop on Sloane Street

Three men ran inside to grab luxury items before fleeing in a getaway car and a motorcyle

Left to right: Christopher Gibbs, 43, Paul Hughes, 42, Matthew Windrass, 50, and Lee McCready, 45

Left to right: George O'Hare, 37, David Riglesford, 37, and Anthony Munday, 40

On August 5, Gibbs targeted beauty supply store NK Apothecary in Marylebone, launching a brick at the window but failing to break inside.

Rigelsford also burgled the May Fair Hotel on March 31, stealing 12,000 worth of bags and valuables from a couple who had left their room.

On May 22 he stole a convertible Mini Cooper which was then used as a getaway vehicle in a burglary at the luxury Phillips Auction House in Mayfair, when 610,500 worth of items were taken.

The group was sentenced to a total of 22 years following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police, which combed CCTV footage to trace escape vehicles and identified suspects through forensic work.

Initial arrests during a police raid led to the unravelling of a wider criminal network, and seven convictions were ultimately secured.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Mather, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: 'We realise these attacks on luxury stores have had a significant impact on business owners and the communities around them.

'Our detectives worked quickly, establishing common patterns between the attacks to link them to one criminal network. Forensic analysis and fast-paced CCTV enquiries were then able to identify the suspects.

'This is a clear message to anyone who thinks they can carry out smash-and-grab raids in London - we will identify you, we will track you down and we will bring you to justice.'

Gibbs, 43, of Talbot Road, Bayswater, was convicted of four counts of burglary on Sloane Street, St John's Wood High Street, Duke Street and Marylebone High Street and one of attempted burglary on Marylebone High Street. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

O'Hare, 37, of Wormholt Road, Wormholt, was convicted of one count of burglary on Sloane Street, possession of Class A drugs and breach of a serious crime prevention order. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

Hughes, 42, of Grendon Street, Church Street, was convicted of two counts of burglary on Sloane Street and St John's Wood High Street. He was also convicted of an unrelated robbery. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

Munday, 40, of Harrow Road, Hyde Park, was convicted of one count of burglary on Edgeware Road. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment (suspended for two years) and 150 hours unpaid work.

McCready, 45, of Grand Junction Place, Uxbridge, was convicted of one count of burglary on Edgeware Road, and sentenced to two years behind bars.

Windrass, 50, of Park Crescent, Ascot, was convicted of one count of burglary on Edgeware Road, and sentenced to two years in prison.

Rigelsford, 37, of Denmark Road, Kilburn, was convicted of two counts of burglary on Kensington Church Street and Duke Street. He was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment.
British Muslims are five times more likely to have a positive view of the Iranian regime than the general public, according to a new poll.

Muslims in the UK are far 'more hostile' towards the United States and Israel while they are 'much warmer' towards China and Russia, the survey found.

The findings come in a new report from Policy Exchange that reveals British Muslims have a 'vastly different view on the Iran conflict and international relations than the general population'.

Almost two in five Muslims in the UK hold a favourable view of Iran compared to just eight per cent of the wider public, the representative survey of 2,223 adults and 1,031 Muslims in the UK found.

British Muslims have a +22 net favourability rating towards the hardline dictatorship in Tehran while for the general population this is -42, a difference of 64 points.

The poll, by JL Partners, was carried out between March 2 and 13, just weeks after Iran's security forces brutally cracked down on protests with multiple estimates putting the death toll over 30,000.

British Muslims have a +22 net favourability rating towards the hardline dictatorship in Tehran while for the general population this is -42. Pictured: Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei

British Muslims are 'notably more hostile' towards the US and Israel with net negative favourability ratings of -41 and -52. Pictured: US President Donald Trump

It found that 17 per cent of the public considered the US and Israeli strikes on Iran to be 'definitely wrong' compared to 50 per cent of British Muslims.

And while neither the US nor Israel is popular with the public - with net negative favourability ratings of -16 and -22 respectively - British Muslims are 'notably more hostile' towards the two countries with favourability ratings of -41 and -52.

Beyond the conflict in the Middle East, Muslims in the UK are also generally 'less hostile' towards countries opposed to British values such as China and Russia, the poll found.

China has a favourability rating of -22 among the public while for Vladimir Putin's Russia this is deep into negative territory at -52. By comparison British Muslims have a net positive +22 view of Beijing and a +2 view of Moscow.

Dr Rakib Ehsan, the author of Worlds Apart: British Muslim Attitudes on the Iran Conflict, said the data shows that modern Britain is 'anything but on the same page' with its views.

'As well as being notably more hostile towards the United States and Israel, British Muslims hold much warmer feelings towards Iran than the wider public do,' he said.

Join the discussion Do YOU think attitudes towards Iran, the US and Israel are becoming more polarised in Britain?

British Muslims have a net positive +22 view of Beijing and a +2 view of Moscow

Beyond the conflict in the Middle East, Muslims in the UK are also generally 'less hostile' towards countries opposed to British values such as China and Russia

'Part of their overarching anti-Americanism is their dramatically less negative views on China and Russia, revealing a broader scepticism of Western geopolitics.'

There are also differences between the general public and the UK Muslim population in terms of where they are getting their information on the Iran conflict.

While the wider public largely relies on legacy broadcast news, almost a quarter of British Muslims are getting news on the conflict from Qatari-owned Al Jazeera.

Some 26 per cent of Muslims in the UK are getting their news on Iran from Instagram and 27 per cent from TikTok. This drops to just 10 per cent and 11 per cent for the wider public, the poll found.

Compared to the general population, Muslims in the UK are also more likely to obtain information on the Iran conflict from WhatsApp (by 14 per cent compared to 5 per cent), and from podcasts or YouTube commentators (by nine per cent compared to three per cent).

Dr Ehsan added: 'The relatively youthful British Muslim population is also different to the wider public in how they get their news and information on the Iran conflict, relying more than the general population on "non-legacy" sources in the social-media sphere such as Instagram and TikTok.'
Trust in the BBC has plummeted more over the last decade than in any other British institution apart from the Government, a major study has found.

A staggering half of the public said they trust the corporation less than they did ten years ago after a string of scandals and mounting 'bias' accusations.

Just one in ten said they trusted it more, giving it a damning net rating of -40 points.

Only the Government scored worse (-50 points) in the study of public trust in major national institutions, by the Good Growth Foundation think-tank.

In findings which will raise yet more questions about how long the licence fee can last, four in ten said they use the BBC less amid the surge in popularity of streaming giants such as Netflix.

Less than one in five (17 per cent) said they use it more than a decade ago.

And of those tuning out, four in ten said it was because of 'declining content quality', suggesting growing numbers believe the licence fee  which will surge to 180 a year from next month  is not worth the price.

Nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents said they preferred content on streaming services such as Netflix, while almost a third (29 per cent) cited 'too much repetition' on the corporation's platforms.

The BBC has been at the centre of a number of fiascos which have damaged public trust, including how it dealt with the Huw Edwards scandal

The BBC was forced to apologise to US President Donald Trump last year over a 2024 Panorama programme, which sparked renewed 'bias' accusations.

Respondents also said they believed the BBC was becoming less culturally relevant amid accusations it overly represents some communities and minorities.

More than a third (39 per cent) said it has less cultural influence than ten years ago, with just 20 per cent saying it has more  a net score of 19 per cent.

By comparison, Netflix recorded a net +26 per cent score. This was the largest positive shift among the institutions tested by researchers.

It comes after a string of scandals which have engulfed the BBC in recent years, including criticism over how it dealt with the Huw Edwards fiasco in relation to the veteran newsreader's conviction for possessing indecent images of children.

Respondents to the survey also cited the BBC's breach of editorial guidelines after it emerged it used the 13-year-old son of a Hamas official to narrate a Gaza documentary without initially telling audiences, sparking accusation of anti-Israel 'bias'.

Another debacle cited was the corporation's splicing of a speech by US President Donald Trump which the BBC later admitted gave 'the mistaken impression' he 'had made a direct call for violent action' ahead of the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021.

The BBC was later forced to apologise to Mr Trump over the 2024 Panorama programme, which sparked renewed 'bias' accusations.

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The research found trust had plummeted in several national institutions and sectors.

Large businesses scored -23 percentage points, followed by The Civil Service (-22) and the NHS (-12).

The British Army was the only institution the public trusted more than a decade ago (+2per cent).

But in better news for the BBC, trust in its news channels remained strong.

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) said they trust BBC News compared to 29 per cent who distrust it (net +36per cent).

BBC News was the second most trusted news organisation, after ITV.

And two-thirds (65 per cent) said it was important the UK has an independent public service broadcaster.

This included a net +49per cent among Reform UK voters, the group most hostile to the BBC on every other measure. At the 2024 general election, Nigel Farage's insurgent party vowed to scrap the licence fee.

Director of strategy for The Good Growth Foundation, Louisa Dollimore, said: 'The BBC does have a significant task when it comes to rebuilding trust but it can get there.

'However, in order to do so, it needs to look beyond the content it produces.

'To do this, it needs not to just nurture creative talent and skills across the country and embrace the changing media landscape, but it also needs to ensure communities everywhere - especially in those parts of the country that too often feel neglected - see themselves reflected on screen and on the airwaves.'

A BBC spokesperson said: 'The BBC is used by 94% of UK adults on average per month and is the number one brand for media in the UK, BBC News is also the most trusted source of news in the UK and internationally.

'Our recent questionnaire of 870,000 account holders showed strong support for the BBCs role, with 83% saying it is important that that our mission to inform, educate and entertain continues.

'As we set out in our own response to the Governments green paper, we know we must work hard to build and maintain public trust. Accountability to our audience, transparency and independence are all fundamental to the success of the BBC in the future.'

GGF Insights polled 2,000 adults last month (FEB).
A baby girl is critically ill in hospital with meningitis after an outbreak in Kent was declared a 'national incident'.

Nala-Rose Fletcher, from Folkestone, became unwell on March 4  just days before a cluster of meningitis cases emerged in Canterbury, although it is not currently known if the two cases are directly linked.

Despite being vaccinated, the nine-month-old's parents Danielle Trott and Nick Fletcher have confirmed that she has the same Meningitis B strain identified in the outbreak.

Her condition is currently stable, but her devastated parents say they are only just beginning to come to terms with the lasting impact of the disease.

A JustGiving fundraising page has been created for the family to help them through such a difficult time.

So far, 15 cases have been confirmed  all requiring hospital treatment  with two deaths, including a 21-year-old female University of Kent student and Juliette Kenny, a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham.

In an emotional statement, they said: 'Nothing can truly prepare you for the pain and fear that comes with what we've been living through, and are still living through.

'There have been moments that have felt utterly overwhelming, and at times desperately lonely. But you - all of you - have blown us away completely.

Nine-month-old Nala-Rose Fletcher is in intensive care at Evelina London Children's Hospital after falling ill, with doctors warning she will face 'life-changing' surgeries

Juliette Kenny, 18, died on Saturday surrounded by her family after falling victim to meningitis

'The kindness you've shown us, through your generosity and your words of support, has meant more than we can express.

'Nala-Rose is still very poorly and remains in intensive care. We already know she will be left with lasting difficulties for the rest of her life, and that's something we're only beginning to come to terms with.

'What your support does, more than anything, is remind us that we are not facing this alone. And right now, that means everything. Thank you, all of you, from the very bottom of our hearts.'

Her mother also issued a stark warning to other parents, writing: 'Please don't hesitate if you think your child may have this. Awful, nasty disease and time is EVERYTHING!!'

The baby's illness comes as health officials battle what has been described as an 'unprecedented' and 'rapidly developing' outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in Kent.

The outbreak has now spread beyond the UK, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealing that a linked case has been identified in France in a student who had attended the University of Kent.

He said: 'This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation. My thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of the entire House, will be with the families and friends of those two young people who've sadly died.

'I cannot begin to understand what they must be going through. This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation.'

With UKHSA chief executive Susan Hopkins saying: 'This looks like a super-spreader event, with ongoing spread within the halls of residents in the universities.

'There will have been some parties particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing.

'I can't yet say where the initial infection came from, how it's got into this cohort, and why it's created such an explosive amount of infections.

'I can say that in my 35 years working in medicine, in healthcare and hospitals, this is the most cases I've seen in a single weekend with this type of infection.

'It's the explosive nature that is unprecedented here. The number of cases in such a short space of time.

'NHS were initially managing it as a major incident in the region but they have now increased that overlay to having a national-level oversight as well.'

Students wear face masks outside the University of Kent today as they queue for antibiotics

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Health officials say the strain behind the outbreak is meningitis B, known as MenB.

Routine vaccination against MenB was introduced for babies in 2015, meaning many older teenagers and young adults remain unprotected unless they have received the jab privately.

Hundreds of people are now being urged to take preventative antibiotics, with around 700 doses already administered to those thought to be at risk.

England's deputy chief medical officer Dr Thomas Waite said: 'This is by far the quickest-growing outbreak I've ever seen in my career, and I think probably any of us have seen of meningitis for a very long time.

'Whilst it remains an outbreak that is having its consequences in Kent, it is obviously of national significance.'

Public health investigators believe a number of those infected had visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury shortly before developing symptoms.

More than 2,000 people attended the nightclub across three nights  March 5, 6 and 7  prompting a major effort to contact those who may have been exposed. The venue has since closed 'until further notice'.

The outbreak has also been linked to a house party in Whitstable and cases have been identified at several schools, including Highworth Grammar in Ashford, where a Year 13 student has been admitted to hospital with suspected meningitis.

Four schools in total are now understood to be connected to the outbreak.

A targeted vaccination programme is set to begin within days for students living in halls at the University of Kent, where many are not already protected against MenB.

Wes Streeting said he has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to 're-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines', including whether older children should receive the MenB jab on the NHS.

He added he is 'confident' that the UK Health Security Agency acted 'as quickly and comprehensively as possible' after being notified of the first case on March 13, triggering urgent contact tracing.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting arrives at Downing Street this afternoon for a cabinet meeting

Meanwhile, pharmacies have warned of 'significant vaccine supply constraints amid a surge in demand', particularly from worried parents.

More than 3,000 has been raised to support Nala-Rose's family through a JustGiving appeal set up by Dan Atkinson at Ramsgate-based Guildcrest Homes and its sister companies.

The fundraiser has attracted hundreds of donations and messages of support as the family remains by her bedside.

The UK Health Security Agency has been asked whether Nala-Rose's case is linked to the wider outbreak but says it cannot comment on individual cases.

Despite growing concern, officials insist the overall risk to the wider public remains low and the outbreak is currently contained within Kent.

Warning signs of meningitis include a high temperature, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, sensitivity to light and unusual rashes, as well as extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking.

Health experts stress that urgent medical attention should be sought immediately if symptoms appear.
Pam Bondi has been subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee as Donald Trump's Jeffrey Epstein nightmare deepens.

The formal writ comes after the committee passed a motion by Republican Representative Nancy Mace earlier this month, amid concerns the Justice Department has failed to turn over all Epstein-related documents.

Republican chairman James Comer wrote in the cover letter of the subpoena on Tuesday that the committee still had questions over the Justice Department's handling of the investigation into Epstein and his associates.

'As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the departments collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the committee therefore believes that you possess valuable insight into these efforts,' Comer wrote.

Hardline Republicans Tim Burchett, Lauren Boebert, Michael Cloud, and Scott Perry broke ranks to vote with Democrats to compel Bondi to appear.

The Attorney General is the latest big name to be snared by the Committee, which last month grilled Bill and Hillary Clinton over their relationship with the pedophile and his co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Bondi has faced fury from across the political spectrum over her botched release of the Epstein files, including leaving victims' names unredacted while keeping secret the names of alleged abusers.

She clashed with lawmakers at a tense House Judiciary Committee hearing last month, deflecting questions about the administration's performance by pointing to the Dow soaring past 50,000 points.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Justice Department, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, February 11

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo released by the Justice Department

Join the discussion Do you think the public deserves to see every Epstein file, no matter who is named?

Bondi promised to release the files shortly after taking up leadership of the DOJ, but the first tranche of documents she disclosed was already widely circulated.

Pressure on Trump to release the full files ratcheted up last year, eventually culminating in the Epstein Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill that forced the Justice Department to publish the remaining files.

More than three million Epstein-related documents were finally released at the end of January, including new mentions of Trump, as well as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Lutnick agreed to testify after a new photo emerged showing him with Epstein on the pedophile's private island, Comer announced earlier this month.

Trump, meanwhile, declared Lutnick a 'very innocent guy.'

He was ultimately subpoenaed after Mace threatened to force a formal vote.
Tulsi Gabbard is staring at the chopping block.

The Director of National Intelligence rocketed to the top of DC's favorite parlor game Tuesday - who's next to fall in Trumpland? - after one of her top allies abruptly quit, sending her odds of departure to 59 percent on the prediction site Kalshi.

It's a surge of 20 points in the wake of the shock resignation of Joe Kent, the now former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

Kent, who is personally close to Gabbard, dramatically announced his resignation from his post in a public letter on Tuesday. Kent reported directly to Gabbard at his old post.

Kent and Gabbard have voiced skepticism about US involvement in the Middle East and foreign adventurism - a sentiment shared by Vice President JD Vance and much of the 'America First' contingent of the Republican Party.

Kent, 45, a decorated Army Special Forces veteran who took 11 combat tours, said in his resignation letter to Trump that he felt Israel pressured the President to strike Iran.

He said the war was started 'due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,' adding, 'I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war.'

Gabbard soon after released a statement of her own, noting the DNI's responsibility in providing the President with the most up-to-date decision, and saying that it was Trump's call to take action against Iran.

According to the prediction market Kalshi, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is now favored to be the next Trump official to leave the administration

Trump's Cabinet pose for a picture before Trump's inauguration in January

Trump said Tuesday that former Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent is a 'nice guy' but that he was 'weak on security'

'Donald Trump was overwhelmingly elected by the American people to be our President and Commander in Chief,' her statement began.

'He is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat, and whether or not to take action he deems necessary to protect the safety and security of our troops, the American people and our country.'

She continued: 'After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion.'

It was her first public statement since the war on Iran began on February 28.

The statement notably did not mention Kent or address his underlying complaint that Trump was pressured by Israel to strike.

It also did not address whether Iran was an imminent threat or whether intelligence reports pointed to such a conclusion.

'I always thought he was a nice guy, but I thought he was very weak on security,' Trump said, reacting to Kent's resignation. 'Very weak on security. I didn't know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy.'

'But when I read his statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out, because he said Iran was not a threat.'

'After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion,' Gabbard said in her first public statement since the Iran war began

Joe Kent, former Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, resigned suddenly on Tuesday. He claimed that Israel pressured Trump to strike Iran in his resignation letter

Kent was not involved in briefings on Iran, according to Trump administration officials. Conflicting reports indicate that Gabbard was asked to fire Kent.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not return the Daily Mail's request for comment.

Meanwhile, another official told Fox News that Gabbard had complained about Kent several times.

Officials also told the outlet that Kent was a 'known leaker' who would circulate private conversations among the press.
Donald Trump has turned on America's allies including Australia in a furious broadside after they rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz.

'We no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO countries' assistance - WE NEVER DID,' the US President wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday. 'Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

'In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE.'

Trump said he had been told America's allies 'don't want to get involved' in the Iran war, despite his appeals for help securing the Strait as oil prices spiral.

The President slammed NATO as a 'one-way street' and said 'we will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need'.

On Monday, Federal Transport Minister, Catherine King, said Australia had not received a request from the US to send a warship to the Strait, and would not send one if asked.

'We've been very clear about what our contribution is in relation to our requests, and so far that is to the [United Arab Emirates], obviously providing aircraft to assist with defence, particularly given the number of Australians that are in that area in particular,' King told ABC radio.

'But we won't be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is. That's not something that we've been asked or we're contributing.'

Donald Trump slammed Australia in an online rant after America's allies rejected his plea for help in the Strait of Hormuz (pictured in the Oval Office on Monday)

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq

Deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, also confirmed on Tuesday that Australia had not received any formal request for help in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Coalition is understood to have offered the Albanese government room to decline any US request with bipartisan backing.

'If a formal request is made by the United States, it would need to be assessed against our national interests, including their ability to safely operate in a highly contested strategic environment,' opposition defence spokesman James Paterson said.

'Australia's primary focus remains the Indo-Pacific.'

However One Nation MP and former deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, said Australia should send a warship to the Strait.

'Yes, because you have to be part of a global effort if you are a beneficiary of (the war) being resolved, you've got to do something for it,' Joyce told ABC Insiders.

'There's also a little bell ringing because in the past we weren't able to get a frigate into the Red Sea.

'Now, we don't know whether we've got the capacity to support the United States. However, in the future we'll be running to them straight away if we need their help.'

The Albanese government has refused to join the US in offensive action in the Middle East

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce believes Australia should send a warship to the Strait (pictured with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson)

Trump has now been left exposed after Australia, the United Kingdom, France and Japan all declined to help protect commercial shipping in the Strait.

Gas prices have surged to an average of $3.80 a gallon from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago, while the Strait - through which a fifth of the world's oil flows - remains blockaded by Iranian mines and missiles.

Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's closest allies and a leading proponent of the military campaign, wrote on X after speaking with the President that he had 'never heard him so angry,' over Europe's unwillingness to help protect the Strait.

The UK came in for particular punishment as Trump re-upped his savage comparison of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to Britain's heroic wartime leader Winston Churchill.

'Unfortunately, Keir is not Winston Churchill,' Trump said, gesturing to his bust in the Oval Office during a meeting with Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin on St Patrick's Day.

Trump said he had personally asked Britain for minesweepers, only to be told that consultations were needed first.

Starmer said yesterday: 'While taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.'

Meanwhile, Israel claimed it had killed two high-ranking Iranian commanders overnight. Thirteen US troops have been killed in the conflict, with more than 200 injured across seven countries.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij forces, have joined the late Ayatollah Khamenei in the 'depths of hell' after targeted overnight airstrikes.

The attack on Larijani comes four days after he marched alongside thousands of Iranians at a Quds Day rally in Tehran, where he taunted Trump during a live interview.

Trump may now be forced to put boots on the ground in Iran to salvage victory, sources close to White House have warned, as Iran shows no signs of letting up.

'We clearly just kicked [Iran's] a** in the field, but, to a large extent, they hold the cards now,' a source close to the White House told Politico.

'They decide how long we're involved, and they decide if we put boots on the ground. And it doesn't seem to me that there's a way around that, if we want to save face.'

Trump confidantes fear he risks being dragged into an open-ended conflict just as the midterm elections approach, with the escalating war threatening to drive up the cost of living for voters already furious about affordability.

'The terms have changed,' said a second person familiar with the military operation. 'The off-ramps don't work anymore because Iran is driving the asymmetric action.'

The human toll comes amid mounting concerns over the financial cost, with the Pentagon having burned through $5.6 billion worth of munitions in the first two days of the war

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, walks along a street in Tehran on May 31, 2019

Israel claims to have assassinated top Iranian official Ali Larijani in an airstrike overnight

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The war has also caused a schism between top allies within Trump's MAGA movement, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, as the President has argued for years against regime-change wars in the Middle East.

US intelligence has also determined that Iran's regime will likely remain in power despite relentless airstrikes.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will likely tighten its domestic grip as the country's internal enforcer, intelligence officials told the Washington Post.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen since the war began, has said the US and Israel must be 'brought to their knees' and accept defeat before any peace deal is possible.

'For the White House, now the only easy day was yesterday,' the source familiar with the military operation added.

'They need to worry about an unraveling.'

The White House and Pentagon continue to insist the war is a 'tremendous success,' pointing to US naval and aerial superiority over Iran.

Despite the success touted by the administration, the US Navy remains unable to guarantee safe passage for commercial oil tankers through the Strait.

The US military has moved additional forces to the region, including the USS Tripoli and its 2,000-strong Marine Expeditionary Unit capable of seizing Iranian ports.
Bonnie Blue has been charged with public indecency after she allegedly mimicked a sex act outside the Indonesian embassy.

The influencer, 26, posted a clip of her holding the country's flag near its official UK residence in London before reportedly making the lewd gesture.

Blue - whose real name is Tia Billinger - could be seen surrounded by men in hoods and masks in the video, The Sun reports.

She has now been charged with outraging public decency and faces up to six months in jail, if convicted.

The video was reportedly filmed in Great Peter Street on Monday, December 15, 2025.

Metropolitan Police said: 'A woman has been charged with outraging public decency following an investigation by the Met Police.

Bonnie Blue (pictured) has been charged with public indecency after she allegedly mimicked a sex act outside the Indonesian embassy

'Tia Billinger, of Draycott in Derbyshire, was charged via postal requisition on Monday, 16 March. She will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 22 April.

'The charge relates to an incident in Great Peter Street, SW1 on Monday, 15 December.

'An investigation took place, and a woman in her 20s was interviewed under caution on Tuesday, 2 February.

'A referral was made to the Crown Prosecution Service which subsequently authorised the above charge.'
The most powerful judge in America has told Donald Trump to back off, warning that personal attacks on the Supreme Court are 'dangerous' and have 'got to stop'.|

Chief Justice John Roberts said criticisms of judicial opinions were expected - but that 'personally directed hostility is dangerous and it's got to stop.'

Roberts said dissenting opinions among the justices themselves were common, and that it was 'important' that their decisions were 'subjected to scrutiny.'

But he warned that criticism could shift from 'legal analysis to personalities,' with results that could be 'frankly, quite dangerous.'

Roberts was speaking at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston on Tuesday.

US District Judge Lee Rosenthal, a George HW Bush appointee, thanked Roberts on behalf of trial judges, saying 'we always know that you have our backs, and that means a great deal.'

Trump on Sunday singled out two of his own appointees, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, accusing them of having 'gone out of their way' to oppose him with 'bad and wrongful rulings,' in a Truth Social tirade.

He called the Supreme Court a 'weaponized and unjust political organization' that 'routinely sides with the radical left Democrats' and will 'only get worse.'

Donald Trump shakes hands with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as he arrives to deliver his State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24

Trump greets Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts ahead of the State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24

Trump also vowed to call out their 'bad behavior' despite admitting it would cause future problems.

Roberts joined Coney Barrett and Gorsuch in the 6-3 ruling on February 20 that struck down Trump's tariffs.

The court determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not grant the President the authority to impose his sweeping 'emergency' tariffs.

Conservative justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented.

The ruling wiped out the legal basis for Trump's global tariff policy, blowing a $1.6 trillion hole in government revenue.

The Trump administration immediately pivoted to a new 10 percent baseline tariff under a separate authority.

The new tariff, announced on February 24, applies to nearly all imports, with the administration threatening to raise the rate to 15 percent later this year.

Trump's team is scrambling to claw back the lost revenue as companies file for refunds after the previous tariff authority was voided.

Cabinet members US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett listen as US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the Daily Mail: 'The American people have always valued President Trump's ability to freely speak his mind and share his thoughts directly with them.

'It's one of the many reasons he was resoundingly re-elected. The President will continue speaking with the same candor that the American people love to hear from him.'

Threats against federal judges have risen sharply since Trump took office, with 400 judges targeted with 'serious threats' - a 78 percent spike on four years ago - according to the US Marshals Service.

Judge John Coughenour, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said earlier this month he has 'never encountered the hostility' toward the judiciary he has witnessed over the past year.

Coughenour told 60 Minutes he received hundreds of death threats and was subjected to swatting calls after Trump took issue with his 'blatantly unconstitutional' ruling against the President's birthright citizenship executive order.
Residents prepare as clean up efforts continue in QLD and NT

Thousands of Australians are being urged to stay on high alert as a cyclone barrels towards Far North Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle looks set to make landfall on Friday, with experts warning the category-four storm could 'severely impact' three states for the first time in decades.

The system is currently on track to carve out a 3,000 kilometre-long path from the Cape York Peninsula, then the Northern Territory over the weekend, and potentially into Western Australia next week.

The last triple landfall system to hit Australia was Severe Tropical Cyclone Ingrid in March 2005, which followed a similar path.

The Bureau of Meteorology's Robert Urbaniak said destructive wind gusts could hit the cape from Lockhart River to Cooktown on Thursday, with heavy rainfall across the region down to Port Douglas and Cairns as the system makes landfall.

The cyclone is expected to reform over the Gulf of Carpentaria and make landfall again in the NT later in the week as a category-three system.

The storm could unleash gusts of up to 224km/h, with winds averaging up to 159km/h - strong enough to cause significant damage to structures, crops and trees.

It comes as flood-ravaged communities in the NT anxiously await news after being warned they are 'not out of the woods yet'.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which continues to intensify in the northern Coral Sea, looks set to make landfall as early as Friday

Residents in Katherine, who are recovering from their worst flood event in almost 30 years, could be forced to batten down the hatches again.

'We don't know exactly where it's going to land, so we're putting everything that we can in place to be able to respond effectively if that cyclone does end up forming and impacting the Northern Territory,' NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said.

As clean-up efforts in the NT continue, the state government has announced a $100 million recovery fund to rebuild damaged roads and bridges.

'We want to make sure we get people's lives back to functioning as soon as possible,' Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.

Police rescued two people early on Tuesday after their 4WD was swept into floodwaters near Alice Springs.

One person was found on the roof of the vehicle and the other clinging to a tree.

Police also rescued a 45-year-old man after he attempted to cross a flooded bridge near Beswick on Monday.

He was swept downstream and clung to a tree before being rescued by boat.

The last Australian triple landfall system was Severe Tropical Cyclone Ingrid in March 2005, which followed a path (pictured) similar to that projected for Cyclone Narelle

Flood warnings are in place across huge swathes of Australia as residents brace for more rain (pictured a flooded house in Chinchilla, Queensland on March 13)

Fifty troops from the Australian Defence Force will help Katherine's recovery over the next 10 days after the chief minister asked the federal government for assistance.

Fourteen low-risk prisoners will also assist with the clean-up along with emergency services from Victoria.

Further northwest, flooding in the Daly River community reached roof height after water levels peaked at 16.42metres - eclipsing a 1998 record.

Almost 600 people from the flooded communities of Daly River and Palumpa are still staying in emergency shelters in Darwin and Mataranka.

In Queensland's far north, Mossman Gorge and Daintree Forest were inundated for a third consecutive weekend.

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzo said work had been underway to get the Daintree ferry back up and running when flooding hit again.

'Road crews have been working tirelessly to keep key routes open,' she said.
Police have released new CCTV footage relating to the alleged kidnapping and murder of Sydney grandfather Chris Baghsarian.

Mr Baghsarian was allegedly abducted and killed in a case of mistaken identity from his North Ryde home, in north-west Sydney, at about 5am on February 13.

Detectives shared CCTV of three more men believed to be able to help with the investigation.

The men were seen on the CCTV heading towards the alleged kidnapper's Wildthorn Avenue base in Dural on the night of the kidnapping.

The following day on February 14, a blue Hyundai sedan was seen arriving at the same property before leaving shortly after 12pm.

Anyone with information about the identity of the men in the CCTV or the driver of the blue car is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The new CCTV footage comes after Gerard Anthony Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were arrested and charged over their alleged roles in the murder and kidnapping last month. They remain before the courts.

Court documents detail allegations that Andrews and Stevens transported the 85-year-old to a semi-rural makeshift stronghold in Dural, on the city's outskirts.

Chris Baghsarian was allegedly killed at a property in Dural before his body was dumped in a case of mistaken identity

Detectives shared CCTV images of three more men believed to be able to help with the investigation.

Police believe Mr Baghsarian was murdered at some point before 9pm on February 14.

His body was then allegedly dumped in bushland near Pitt Town, about a 30-minute drive from Dural, in the following hours before being discovered about 10 days later.

The men were arrested by heavily armed police in February.

Andrews' seasoned criminal lawyer said he had a difficult job representing the accused kidnapper and killer given the horrifying allegations against him.

The detailed allegations were disturbing, but his client was not the mastermind of the incident, solicitor and former police officer Paul McGirr said.

'It's a horrific set of (alleged police) facts that I've read,' Mr McGirr said.

'I have a job to do and it's very hard at this particular moment for me to do that job.'

Andrews appeared on the court video link wearing the same white Gucci T-shirt he was seen in when he was arrested by police.

He responded 'yes, I can', when asked if he could see and hear the court.

Daniel Stevens, 24, has been charged with the innocent grandfather's kidnap and murder

Gerard Andrews, 29, was also charged

Stevens' lawyer asked if his client could be sent antiviral medication for shingles while he was in custody.

'The shingles is not contagious anymore, I just haven't showered for 24 hours,' the second accused killer said from western Sydney's Amber Laurel Correctional Centre.

Stevens' lawyer, Javid Faiz, said the case was a tragedy but he would not comment on the allegations faced by his client.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad commander Andrew Marks said the case was akin to somebody's worst nightmare.

'These people need to be held to account for that and that's why we are bringing these people before the courts,' he said.

Police believe the intended target for the abduction was a relative of Sydney businessman Dimitri Stepanyan, who lived on the same street as Mr Baghsarian.

Detective Superintendent Marks suspected the intended target was to be kidnapped in the hope of a ransom fee being paid and confirmed reports the figure demanded was $50 million.

Mr Baghsarian's family, who described the harrowing ordeal of the kidnapping as a nightmare, expressed relief the alleged offenders had been caught.

They have asked for privacy as they come to grips with the death of their devoted father, brother, uncle and grandfather 'who would never hurt a fly'.

Andrews and Stevens did not apply for bail and will return to court on April 17.
Britain was branded 'irrelevant' as it emerged HMS Dragon will not reach Cypriot waters until next Monday at the earliest  three weeks after a drone hit a UK base on the island.

The Type 45 Destroyer was seen moored in Gibraltar yesterday, some 2,200 miles away from its intended target, after it finally left Portsmouth a week ago.

It is travelling at under 15 knots and will not arrive before next week in response to an Iranian strike on RAF Akrotiri on March 2, sources told the Daily Mail.

Politicians and former Navy commanders criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not having prepared for the Iran war while it had been looming for months.

Dame Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said Britain's defence and security 'cannot be outsourced to other countries'.

She added: 'The Government's inability to get a single warship into the region for three weeks after an attack on one of our bases is symptomatic of Starmer's approach to this conflict, which is leaving our allies to protect British interests and assets.'

Israeli Knesset member Dan Illouz said: 'The way Starmer's government has behaved has made them irrelevant in the free world.

'If Britain is too hesitant to project strength and protect its own assets, its relevance and reliability as an ally to the rest of the free world are deeply compromised.'

HMS Dragon was seen moored in Gibraltar yesterday, some 2,200 miles away from its intended target

It finally left Portsmouth a week ago. But the Type 45 Destroyer is travelling at under 15 knots and will not arrive before next week

Former Navy commander Tom Sharpe said the Government 'should have foreseen this'.

Referring to HMS Dragon, he said: 'She has been sent to look after Akrotiri when that got hit. Well, she should have been there before the war happened. Or if not then, at immediate notice to burst out of the door and get there if something happened.'

Join the discussion Has Britain's slow military response damaged its reputation as a reliable ally?

Former US Deputy National Security Adviser Victoria Coates said what has happened with the Starmer government is 'sad'.

'Starmer appears to be clutching at straws to make himself relevant,' she said.

'He is much more concerned with international law than he is with British sovereignty.'

Britain has become a laughing stock in Cyprus, where a Government official joked to the Daily Mail: 'Clearly you are not in a rush.'

Another diplomat on the island said the warship's 'compass seems to be confused' after it was spotted in Gibraltar.

It took a week for HMS Dragon to set sail in response to the drone strike, while France, Greece and Italy sent warships to Cyprus's defence despite it being a British base that was hit.

Britain has maintained Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) at Akrotiri and Dhekelia since Cyprus won independence in 1960. They are British Overseas Territory, meaning the UK pays no rent.

Britain argues that UK military presence keeps Cypriots safe from threats in the Middle East as well as from Turkey, which invaded northern Cyprus in 1974.

However, the drone strike on March 2 and Britain's slow response has added to growing sentiment that the bases only endanger the Cypriot people.

Vera Polycarpou, of the opposition party AKEL, said: 'Now the people doubt whether there is any use for Cyprus to have the bases here.'

Locals are also outraged that Britain still has not sent a single warship. Nicholas Andreou, 35, an engineer from Zakaki, near Akrotiri, said: 'It is frustrating. What's happening now is happening because of your base. Cyprus is in danger because of the English base.'

Andreas, 33, from Akrotiri, said: 'The locals here have problems with the British. The British don't know how to act any more.'

It comes after US President Donald Trump criticised Britain on Monday, saying it 'should be involved enthusiastically'.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We have deployed HMS Dragon, equipped with the cutting-edge Sea Viper missile system which can take down drones and missiles, to play a vital role in safeguarding UK assets and interests in the Middle East.

'This is one element of our wider approach.'
Rachel Reeves was accused on Tuesday of trying to reverse Brexit after she called for the UK to start following swathes of Brussels' rules again.

In a major speech, the Chancellor described closer alignment with European Union regulations as the 'right course for our country'.

She also claimed that Britain's departure from the EU had caused 'deep damage' to the economy, citing disputed research that the 'hit' is equivalent to as much as 8 per cent of GDP.

But on Tuesday critics said returning to alignment with EU regulations amounted to giving up the control that voters demanded in the 2016 referendum.

Robert Jenrick of Reform UK said: 'We should be taking full advantage of Brexit, for instance by abolishing VAT off energy bills to cut people's bills.

'Instead, Reeves is desperate to give up control and leave our economy at the mercy of Brussels.'

Former minister Sir Simon Clarke, now chairman of the Onward think-tank, said: 'Labour promised they would respect Brexit, but less than two years into government, the Chancellor is betraying the whole point of leaving by accepting rule-taking status in a whole swathe of sectors.'

Shanker Singham, chairman of the Growth Commission think-tank, said: 'Hardwiring into UK law any regulations which are costing EU economies dear would be a monumental act of self-harm.'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been accused of trying to reverse Brexit after she called for Britain to begin following some EU rules again

Join the discussion Should the UK follow EU rules again or is this a step backwards on Brexit?

Delivering the Mais Lecture at Bayes Business School in the City of London, the Chancellor claimed 'Brexit did deep damage', raising costs for businesses and prices for shoppers as well as shrinking markets for exporters.

She quoted 'independent studies' that indicate 'GDP impact could be as much as 8 per cent'.

A recent paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a US think-tank, estimated that, by 2025, 'UK GDP per capita was 6-8 per cent lower than it would have been without Brexit'.

But economist Julian Jessop said the figure was flawed, as it was reached by 'comparing UK growth since 2016 with mismatched groups of other countries and assuming any shortfall can only be due to Brexit'.

Ms Reeves went on to say that 'where it is in our national interest to align with EU regulation we should be prepared to do so'.

Under her new National Interest Principles, alignment will happen if it boosts growth and preserves national security.

She did not list the areas where alignment with EU regulations should happen but indicated it would cover most industries.

Ms Reeves insisted: 'I believe absolutely that closer alignment is the right course for our country, a course chosen as a sovereign nation, a course chosen in our national interest.'

She added: 'We will not be rejoining the single market and customs union or bringing back free movement of labour.'

It came as MPs and MEPs who sit on the UK-EU Partnership Council urged both sides to 'raise, significantly, the level of ambition for a shared agenda'.

In particular they called for the UK and EU 'to develop structured frameworks for EU-UK defence industrial co-operation'.

In her speech, the Chancellor acknowledged the uncertainty caused by the war in the Middle East, saying: 'I know that this is an anxious moment.'

But she pushed back against suggestions that Britain could bring forward a target of lifting defence spending to 3 per cent  something the Daily Mail has been campaigning for.
It didn't matter that he was a handyman down on his luck. She wanted him above all else and was quite willing to commit the ultimate crime if it meant she could spend the rest of her life with him.

She thought she knew the perfect way to get rid of her husband  drugs in his evening cocktail.

But it didn't work out that way and now Kouri Richins, 35, will spend the rest of her days behind bars, found guilty of murdering her husband with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule in a plot to get her hands on his $4 million estate and start over with her lover.

The mom of three hung her head as she was convicted on Monday of five felonies in connection with the March 2022 death of Eric Richins, 39.

And the guilty verdict was in no small part because of the testimony of that lover, Josh Grossmann, and the mountain of evidence describing their steamy affair and the plans they had for the future.

Grossmann, 43, had never cooperated with prosecutors, the Daily Mail learned, but he broke his silence during a highly-emotional moment at Richins' Park City, Utah murder trial.

Wiping away tears with his head in his hands Grossmann revealed their secret texts and a chilling conversation the two lovers shared just days after her husband's death, when Richins asked him how it felt to kill someone.

The Iraq War veteran's forbidden fling with Richins hit the skids soon after.

Grossmann had been down on his luck since his service and had spent the past three years living out of a truck, making it difficult for investigators to find him.

Josh Grossmann was visibly uncomfortable and upset during his testimony against his former lover Kouri Richins. He kept glancing over at his ex but there was no glimmer of emotion from the now convicted killer as she sat at the defense table and watched him

Richins killed her husband Eric Richins, 39, with fentanyl-laced pills dissolved in a cocktail in 2022

Grossmann's mugshot from an arrest in Payson, Utah, on Jan. 20, 2024

He has had multiple run-ins with the cops and in police reports he was listed as 'transient' while others note that addresses and phone numbers that had once worked were invalid.

The most serious incident 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 he would be in touch to tell them how to get it.

But he never was, according to police. 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 not made a court 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.

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

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

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 a single night.

Meanwhile to the outside world, Richins looked like the perfect mom and wife  a successful professional specializing in flipping luxury homes.

But in texts before Eric's death, she spoke to Grossmann of her dream that they could be together. In the days after, of her wish to make him her new husband and their upcoming vacation to a luxury Caribbean resort.

She had confided in friends about feeling 'trapped' in her marriage, with jurors hearing from one friend who testified Richins said that 'in many ways it would be better if [Eric] were dead.'

With her husband gone, prosecutors argued Richins believed she would finally be able to start afresh with her lover and also get her hands on a much-needed cash injection from her husband's estate.

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 GIF of two people kissing and read: 'I love you'.

The 43-year-old Iraq war veteran wiped away tears and put his head in his hands as jurors heard about their secret texts and a chilling conversation the two lovers shared just days after her husband's death

Grossmann broke down as his texts with Kouri Richins were shown in court

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 poisoned her husband.

Multiple texts, exchanged between the lovers in the lead-up and aftermath of Eric's death, were shown to jurors, discussing their romance (Richins's messages are in blue, Grossmann's in green)

They spoke about the deal again on March 3, and Grossmann sent her a GIF of a man and woman kissing

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?'

The pair also 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 in November 2022, when she booted him out of a condo she had an interest in in Sarasota Springs.
On the first episode of a new Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast miniseries, Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the extraordinary young life of Queen Elizabeth I.

Before succeeding to the throne aged 25, much of Elizabeth's childhood and adolescence was spent navigating the dynastic chaos that followed her father King Henry VIII's death in 1547.

Having only one sickly son in Edward and multiple daughters by various wives, Henry's reign left England primed for civil war.

This pressure was compounded by Henry's decision to split from the Church of Rome, with rival factions across the Kingdom competing, following his death, to place a Catholic monarch back on the throne.

On the first episode of a new Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast miniseries , Robert Hardman and Kate Williams chart the extraordinary young life of Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth, who would go on to rule England for an astonishing 44 years, only narrowly escaped death by employing what historian Kate Williams describes as a 'genius' tactic

Elizabeth found herself caught in the crosshairs. Compared to her half-sister Mary, the daughter of Henry's second wife Anne Boleyn was viewed as a religious pragmatist who would not reverse the reforms undertaken by her father if she assumed the throne.

Mary, who wanted to realign England with Rome, came close to executing Elizabeth after she became Queen in 1553.

Elizabeth, who would go on to rule England for an astonishing 44 years, only narrowly escaped death by employing what historian Kate Williams describes as a 'genius' tactic.

'Elizabeth inadvertently became a figurehead for Protestant revolt against Mary,' Williams said.

'Various rebellions emerged during Mary's reign, with one particularly significant uprising known as Wyatt's Rebellion.

'Sir Thomas Wyatt plotted to unseat Mary and place Elizabeth on the throne, but the rebellion was swiftly put down.

'In the aftermath, questions began to surface: how much did Elizabeth know? She claimed to know nothing, but the rebels were proven to have been in contact with her.

'As a result, Elizabeth was placed in the Tower of London, in the same royal quarters where her mother Anne Boleyn had spent her final days.'

In the aftermath of Wyatt's Rebellion, Mary had already signed the death warrant of Lady Jane Grey, another rival claimant to the throne.

Mary I, who wanted to realign England with Rome, came close to executing Elizabeth after she became Queen in 1553

Elizabeth's 'Tide Letter' (pictured) is held in the National Archives

Four years later, Mary died of cancer at St James's Palace in London, childless and with her Catholic dream for England in ruins, leaving the throne to Elizabeth I

Elizabeth knew, however, that her guilt was harder to prove than Grey's, and that her execution would be far more unpopular with the public, as the daughter of a former King.

So, as Williams told the podcast, she thought of a clever way to delay her execution, hoping her half-sister would eventually lose her nerve.

'In the National Archives, there is this incredible letter,' Williams said.

'It's known as the Tide Letter and Elizabeth wrote it to Mary. When Elizabeth realised she was in trouble, she asked to speak to her half-sister. Before anything happens, Elizabeth says she must be allowed to write to Mary.

'She writes this letter and it's all over the place. There's writing here, there and everywhere. She spends so much time on it.

'It's called the Tide Letter because Elizabeth writes it in hopes that the tide against her would change.

'The tide does indeed change and she's given another night.'

Eventually, Mary backed down from killing her half-sister, deciding instead to place her under house arrest at Woodstock Palace in Oxfordshire, now part of the Blenheim Palace estate.

Just four years later, Mary died of cancer at St James's Palace in London, childless and with her Catholic dream for England in ruins, leaving the throne to Elizabeth I.

To hear a dramatic retelling of Elizabeth's early life, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things wherever you get your podcasts.
The Princess of Wales looked radiant in green as she visited the Irish Guards for their annual St Patrick's Day parade.

Princess Catherine, who is colonel of the regiment, greeted officers and guardsmen at Mons Barracks in Aldershot this morning.

She was seen presenting sprigs of shamrock to members of the regiment - and even to their mascot, an Irish wolfhound.

Kate was also pictured smiling as she received the shamrock herself, which is the symbol of Ireland.

She donned an elegant dark green coat with a matching-coloured hat topped with a large bow, for the event.

Kate finished the outfit with a black scarf, gloves, a belt and high-heeled boots from Ralph Lauren.

She wore her hair up and opted for a pair of rarely seen emerald and diamond earrings, which she wore at the Earthshot Awards in 2022.

The Princess adorned the outfit with a delicate gold shamrock brooch by Cartier, loaned by the Irish Guards.

Princess Catherine, who is colonel of the regiment, greeted officers and guardsmen at Mons Barracks in Aldershot this morning

The Princess of Wales is seen meeting the regiment's mascot, an Irish wolfhound

The Princess of Wales donned an elegant green coat and hat as visited the Irish Guards for a St Patrick's Day parade

She wore her hair up and opted for a pair of rarely seen emerald and diamond earrings, which she wore at the Earthshot Awards in 2022

Kate awarded soldiers with long service and good conduct medals before meeting the 'Mini Micks', who are junior cadets from Northern Ireland.

Speaking to the junior cadets, she said: 'Well done all of you, it's a hard run. Really well done.'

In one sweet moment, the Princess told the wives of the Irish Guards that they need a 'mum's club' to help with childcare.

Kate, a mother of three, discussed juggling taking care of young children with the pressures of having spouses in the Armed Forces.

Talking to families at Mons Barracks in Aldershot on St Patrick's Day, she told one young mother: 'You need a mum's club or something!'

The annual event came to an end with a royal salute from the Princess, 44, as the guardsmen complete a march-past.

Speaking to the troops and their families in the Sergeant's Mess after the parade, the Princess remarked on the 'amazing swimming pool' and communal areas available.

She also discussed sports with the children of the officers present, asking them what they play and how often.

The Princess of Wales walks to present sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at the event in Aldershot

As Colonel of the Irish Guards, she was invited to attend the regiment's annual celebration of the patron saint of Ireland

Last year, Princess Catherine marked her first solo St Patrick's Day parade as colonel of the Irish Guards

The Princess of Wales, in her role as Colonel of the Regiment, during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards

Last year, Princess Catherine marked her first solo St Patrick's Day parade as colonel of the Irish Guards.

She enjoyed a half pint of Guinness with the troops and their families and also put money behind the bar.

In previous years, she would attend the event with her husband Prince William, who formerly held the position.

Princess Kate was awarded the title of Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2023 but was forced to miss the parade the following year as she underwent treatment for cancer.

In 2024, the guardsman gave three cheers for the absent princess.

The Irish Guards were founded in 1900 by Queen Victoria, and the custom of handing out shamrocks began in 1901, introduced by her daughter-in-law, Queen Alexandra.

The shamrock, with its three heart-shaped leaves, is particularly associated with Ireland and said to symbolise the Holy Trinity - representing both faith and country.

Each year on St Patrick's Day shamrocks are distributed to the Irish Guards who serve in the British Armed Forces.

During times of war shamrocks are sent to troops on active duty, often placed inside their Kevlar helmets for good luck.

The Irish Guards were founded in 1900 by Queen Victoria, and the custom of handing out shamrocks began in 1901. Pictured: Princess Kate at today's parade

Princess Catherine smiles as she is handed a shamrock at the parade today

Princess Kate was awarded the title of Colonel of the Irish Guards in 2023 but was forced to miss the parade the following year as she underwent treatment for cancer

For those stationed at home, the highest honour is to receive the shamrock directly from a senior royal.

This duty became a hallmark of the Queen Mother until her death.

Princess Anne continued the tradition for some time, but since 2012 it has been carried out by Kate, as William served as the Royal Regiment Colonel.

In a nod to Ireland's national day, Kate typically wears outfits in varying shades of green.

She broke from the tradition only once in 2015 when she opted for a chestnut brown ensemble.
The Earl of Devon separated from his wife, a former Baywatch actress, after she voiced her shock at how her 'hippy, feminist husband' had turned into a 'patriarchal' aristocrat.

Now, the earl, Charles Courtenay, 50, has found love with the ex-wife of one of Britain's top racehorse trainers.

He's become engaged to Jemima Hannon, 43, whose former husband, Richard Hannon, trained horses for owners including Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, of Qatar.

'We are pleased to announce that Charlie, Earl of Devon, and his wonderful girlfriend, Jemima Hannon, are engaged,' confirms his spokesman. 'Along with their four children, they are delighted to unite their families and look forward to the many joys ahead.'

Bristol University graduate Jemima, a former three-day eventer, met her previous husband through her love of horses. She later became an estate agent and co-founded a business that buys country houses for clients.

None of those properties will, however, be as impressive as Powderham Castle, a Devon landmark near Exeter, where she will live with the earl. It has its own deer park on the banks of the River Exe.

The earl separated from the countess, Allison Joy Langer, in 2023. Known as AJ, the American actress married him in 2005 after they met in Las Vegas, where he was on a rugby tour.

Charles Courtenay has become engaged to Jemima Hannon, 43, whose former husband, Richard Hannon, trained horses for owners including Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, of Qatar. Pictured: Jemima and Richard in 2009

The earl separated from Countess Allison Joy Langer in 2023. Known as AJ, the American actress (pictured in 1998) married him in 2005 after they met in Las Vegas, where he was on a rugby tour

The earl, Charles Courtenay, 50, has found love with the ex-wife of one of Britain's top racehorse trainers. Both pictured together

They set up home in California but moved into Powderham when his father, the 18th Earl of Devon, died in 2015. The countess, who appeared in the second series of Baywatch and also starred in the US drama My So-Called Life, spoke publicly of her struggle to adjust to life in Britain.

'I may have underestimated the realities for myself,' she admitted. 'It was the same for my husband, who had been my hippy, feminist husband in California for ten years.

'I was, like, "Where did my hippy, feminist husband go?" And all of a sudden these patriarchal things start coming out of his mouth. I'm, like, "Who are you? Where's my Charlie?" So it's a lot of recalibrating.'

The couple moved to Britain with their two children - Lady Joscelyn Courtenay, now aged 19, and Jack, Lord Courtenay, 16 - and opened Powderham's grounds for pop and rock concerts. But they announced their separation in 2023.

Three years earlier, she had described her move to this country 'like an anthropological study of the culture'.

Speaking on the podcast Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, she said her father-in-law's funeral was 'like The Godfather, it was extraordinary'.

She explained: 'It was 800 people coming into the castle, and all lined up just to shake [the new Earl's] hand. I'd learnt a lot over the 12 years that we'd been together, but I think I'd underestimated the step. Here I was in the middle of a really intense, very, very deep-rooted patriarchy. And so it's been really fascinating.'
A terrifying study has predicted exactly how many people will die by 2050 if we don't take urgent action to curb climate change.

Researchers from the Catholic University of Argentina set out to understand how rising temperatures will affect physical activity  and as a result, premature deaths.

The team analysed data from 156 countries between 2000 and 2022, and used it to predict what the coming decades will look like.

Worryingly, their findings suggest that by 2050, each additional month with an average temperature above 27.8C will increase physical inactivity by 1.5 per cent globally.

This translates to a predicted 470,000 to 700,000 additional premature deaths every year  and up to $3.68 billion in productivity losses.

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for urgent action.

'Rising temperatures are projected to increase the prevalence of physical inactivity, translating into additional premature deaths and productivity losses, especially in tropical regions,' they said.

'Prioritising heatadaptive urban design, subsidised climatecontrolled exercise facilities, and targeted heatrisk communication is essential to mitigate these emerging health and economic burdens, in addition to ambitious emissions reductions.'

The team analysed data from 156 countries between 2000 and 2022, and used it to predict what the coming decades will look like

Climate change is making the world hotter, with the last three years confirmed to be the hottest on record.

As a result, exercising in many parts of the world is becoming more difficult.

Writing in their study, published in The Lancet Global Health, the researchers, led by Christian GarciaWitulski, explained: 'Heat exposure imposes physiological constraints through elevated cardiovascular strain and heightened perceived exertion, creating substantial barriers to outdoor physical activity.'

To understand how rising temperatures might impact the ability to exercise, the team analysed data from 156 countries from 2000 to 2022.

Their results paint a bleak picture of what's to come  particularly in low and middleincome countries.

By 2050, each additional month with an average temperature above 27.8C will increase physical inactivity by 1.5 per cent globally, and by 1.85 per cent in low and middleincome countries, but with no clear impact in highincome countries.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest increase in inactivity will be in hotter regions, according to the researchers.

This includes Central America, the Caribbean, Eastern SubSaharan Africa, and Equitorial Southeast Asia  where inactivity could increase by as much as four per cent per month spent above 27.8C.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest increase in inactivity will be in hotter regions, according to the researchers

'The implications for global health are immediate,' the researchers wrote.

'Without stronger mitigation, rising temperatures alone could undermine  or even reverse  a substantial share of WHO's target of cutting global physical inactivity by 15% by 2030, while simultaneously slowing economic growth through heatrelated drops in worker productivity.'

The researchers also provide several ideas for measures that could be taken to ease the impact of rising temperatures.

Heatrisk messages could be integrated into exercise guidelines, they suggest, while money could be funneled towards cooler exercise facilities.

'Treating physical activity as a climatesensitive necessity  rather than a discretionary lifestyle choice  will be essential to prevent a heatdriven sedentary transition and its accompanying surge in cardiometabolic diseases and economic losses,' they concluded.
A former US Air Force missile launch officer has detailed the terrifying moments when UFOs allegedly shut down America's nuclear weapons without firing a shot.

Robert Salas, now 85, claimed that 20 of the military's Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missiles were disabled by an unknown force which was able to break through all of the shielding at Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base in 1967.

On March 16 and 24 of that year, Salas said guards at the base reported seeing strange, fast-moving lights in the sky that could stop and hover instantly, and emitted a bright red glow right before the US ICBMs hidden underground went offline.

Salas, who was one of two officers inside the underground launch control capsule during the Cold War, added that the guards calling for help were convinced the craft were not Soviet airplanes launching an attack.

The Air Force veteran told the Danny Jones Podcast he is convinced intelligent non-human civilizations visited Earth and attempted to prevent World War III from causing a nuclear holocaust.

Salas claimed: 'It's another civilization out there that is visiting us and are concerned about us destroying this planet through nuclear war, for many reasons, probably some we don't even understand.'

The former nuclear missile officer added that an investigation led by aerospace company Boeing could not determine what shut down the warheads because US missile complexes were specifically built to keep out jamming signals like this.

'They had no idea how this signal could have been injected into each of the missiles. The cabling system that we had was triply shielded against electromagnetic interference from the outside,' Salas explained.

US Air Force ICBM launch officer Robert Salas (Pictured) has testified before Congress about the UFO that disabled 10 warheads at Malmstrom Air Force Base in March 1967

Pictured: Malmstrom Airforce Base, home to 10 nuclear warheads which went offline after a strange craft approached the base and the missile silos

According to Salas, the first UFO sighting took place on March 16, 1967, when 10 ICBMs were simultaneously disabled without warning by the mystery swarm of UFOs.

Eight days later, Salas said the encounter started when the topside security guard called down to him in the underground launch control room around 10pm MT to report multiple strange lights flying in the sky over the nuclear weapons base.

The guards claimed these lights could reverse direction, make sharp 90-degree turns and were completely silent, making no engine noises.

After dismissing the guard's story, Salas would soon receive another frantic call from security saying a pulsating reddish light was being emitted from the UFO hovering right above the front gate of Malmstrom AFB.

After ordering security to prevent the UFO from entering the missile complex, guards reported seeing the same or similar lights hovering right above two of the missile silos about a mile away from the control room.

'All of a sudden, we get a large horn go off and we know what that means. That means that there's an issue with one of the missiles. Look at the board and sure enough, one of them went from green to red. No go. No launch, no ability to launch,' Salas told Jones during the March 13 episode.

'Very quickly thereafter, bing, bing, bing, bing, all 10 of them went down. They all went red.'

Salas revealed that incursion lights had also gone off, meaning something or someone had entered the fenced area where the missiles were kept.

A guard closing the gate to entrance of the control center of the missile base at Malmstrom, Montana, where the ballistic missile 'Minuteman' were kept, in December 1962

When he called on the guards to investigate the missile silos, they reported that the UFO had flown off just as they arrived.

Following his encounter, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) personnel ordered Salas and his commander to sign strict non-disclosure agreements threatening prison time if they ever discussed the event.

However, the veteran officer went public decades later after reading about a similar incident in a publicly available UFO book and deciding the information had already been leaked.

The Boeing engineers tasked with investigating the missile complex concluded that an external electromagnetic signal had somehow disrupted the guidance and control systems of the missiles, specifically affecting a device called the logic coupler in each one.

Despite discovering the likely cause, Boeing also noted it was impossible for any normal device or test to affect all 10 missiles at once because each missile was independently housed in a silo designed to block electromagnetic interference.

Officially, the Pentagon has maintained for decades that there is no proof UFOs or extraterrestrial beings exist and have visited Earth.

However, President Trump has ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to release all government files related to the search for these unidentified craft so the public can examine the evidence for themselves.
Just weeks after revealing the new budget MacBook Neo, Apple has surprised its fans with the launch of its latest overear headphones.

The AirPods Max 2 feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, upgraded audio quality, and lossless streaming when connected with a USBC cable.

However, these upgrades come at the steep price of 499 in the UK ($549 in the US).

Tech enthusiasts on social media have blasted Apple over the hefty price tag, with one writing: 'AirPods Max being this expensive is ridic'.

Another chimed in: 'Apple really testing our loyalty here.'

Meanwhile, other fans raised concerns about the apparent lack of design changes and the absence of some key upgrades.

In particular, some were disappointed that the hefty AirPods Max 2 still weigh the same as their predecessor at 386.2 grams.

'They're too heavy to wear and still too expensive for what they offer,' one sceptic tweeted.

Apple surprised fans with the launch of the new AirPods Max 2 overear headphones, but tech enthusiasts are outraged about the 499 ($549 US) price tag

On X, commenters have slammed Apple over the headphone's pricing, with one calling it 'theft'

On X, dozens of social media users have torn into Apple over its pricing for the new headphones.

One commenter wrote: 'LOL Apple and their innovative designs. And 549, damn that's theft.'

'550?! for that? Jeez. Y'all's standards are low,' added another.

As another added: 'Absolutely overpriced product, should be $299.'

Even fans who otherwise liked the new flagship headphones were put off by the high price.

With one commenter suggesting: 'Everything is great, except for the price.'

Compared to other flagship noisecancelling headphones on the market, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are significantly more expensive.

They are 100 more expensive than Sony's WH1000XM6 and the excellent Sennheiser HDB 630, which currently retail at 399.

Fans also expressed frustration that the design remained nearly identical to the original AirPods Max. At 386.2 grams, the AirPods Max 2 also weighs the same as their predecessor

Some commenters pointed out that the new MacBook Neo is only slightly less expensive than the new headphones

Apple AirPods Max 2: Key Specs Price: 499 in the UK ($549 in the US) Weight: 386.2 grams Colours: Starlight, orange, purple, and blue Battery: 20 hours listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled Microphones: Eight microphones for Active Noise Cancellation, three microphones for voice pickup Connection options: Bluetooth 5.3 wireless, or USBC wired connection Chip: Apple H2 headphone chip Key features: Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Adaptive EQ

However, keeneyed social media users also spotted an interesting price comparison with one of Apple's own products.

With an educational discount, Apple's new MacBook Neo costs just 499 ($499 US), meaning students will be able to get an entire laptop for the same price as the AirPods Max 2.

One commenter wrote: 'For $50 less than a pair of headphones, you get an entire 13inch laptop with an A18 Pro chip, Liquid Retina display, and MacOS. The math isn't mathing.'

Another added: 'When you realise a MacBook is cheaper than a pair of headphones.'

'You can get a whole MacBook Neo for $50 more,' another social media user pointed out.

Apple's new AirPods Max 2 keep the same design and shape as the original  with a few internal upgrades.

Importantly, the headphones remain the same weight, which was a significant complaint from some users.

At 386.2 grams, the AirPods Max 2 are over 100 grams heavier than the Sony WH1000XM6.

With educational discounts, students in the US will actually be able to get a pair of headphones for less than the price of a MacBook Neo

The AirPods Max 2 also keep the muchmaligned Smart Case, which users found to protect their headphones poorly during travel.

The biggest upgrade is the inclusion of the new H2 chip, which allows for better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and more voice features.

Apple claims that the ANC on the new AirPods Max 2 is 1.5 times more effective than on the previous model.

The headphones also feature Adaptive Audio, which changes the level of ANC based on your surroundings, Conversation Awareness, which turns off ANC if people are talking to you, and Live Translation.

The company also says that the new model will have improved sound quality thanks to a new high dynamic range amplifier.

Eric Treski, Apple's director of Audio Product Marketing, says: 'The sound quality is remarkably clean, rich, and acoustically detailed  and when combined with capabilities like Personalised Spatial Audio, AirPods Max 2 deliver a profoundly immersive experience.'

The AirPods Max 2 are available in four colours  starlight, orange, purple, and blue  preorders open at midnight on March 25, with availability expected early next month.

The Daily Mail contacted Apple for additional comment.
Catholics believe that during Communion, bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ, though they continue to appear unchanged to the human eye.

But there have been a handful of rare and debated cases in which the sacred elements appeared to take on a far more literal, physical form.

Reports from churches in Poland, Mexico, Argentina and Italy have described consecrated wafers and wine allegedly bleeding or developing red, flesh-like tissue during or after Mass.

One of the earliest recorded cases dates back to around 700 AD in Lanciano, Italy, where a monk claimed to have witnessed bread turn into flesh and wine into blood during the consecration.

According to the account, the substance coagulated into visible clumps, marking what many consider one of the first documented Eucharistic miracles.

More recent cases included a 2013 incident in Poland, where a consecrated host placed in water after falling during Mass reportedly failed to dissolve and instead developed a red substance.

Five scientific investigations published between 1971 and 2014 subjected samples from such events to forensic testing, including microscopic and biochemical analysis.

In each case, researchers said the material was consistent with human heart muscle, and where blood was detected, two investigations identified it as the rare AB type.

One of the earliest recorded cases dates back to around 700 AD in Lanciano, Italy, where a monk is said to have witnessed bread turn into flesh and wine into blood during the consecration (PICTURED)

Scientists and skeptics have cautioned that such extraordinary claims require rigorous, reproducible evidence, noting that many Eucharistic phenomena lack controlled conditions and have not been widely published in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Critics have also pointed to more conventional explanations, such as contamination or misidentification of biological material, emphasizing that without strict chain-of-custody protocols, such findings remain disputed within the scientific community.

However, the scientists who studied the samples argued that traditional scientific standards, such as repeatable experiments and peer review, are difficult to apply because the events are spontaneous and cannot be recreated in a laboratory setting.

They also claimed that stigma surrounding supernatural phenomena has discouraged broader scientific investigation, though critics maintain these limitations leave the findings unverified.

'Fraud in all five events would require an elaborate conspiracy orchestrated by the scientific investigators and Church officials, a painstaking amount of work, and airtight collusion among multiple institutions across continents spanning several decades,' the team said.

Communion was modeled after the Last Supper, which the Bible says was the meal Jesus shared with his 12 Apostles before the crucifixion.

According to Matthew 26:2628, Jesus told his apostles: 'Take and eat; this is my body. Drink this is my blood.'

Ordinarily, the Eucharist used during Mass looks and behaves like ordinary bread and wine.

Pictured are the samples from the 700 AD case, which monks claimed the wine turned into blood

But throughout history, there have been reports of so-called Eucharistic phenomena, events in which consecrated hosts appear to transform into flesh or blood.

A report examining five such cases, spanning 40 years and three continents, claimed that each withstood extensive testing.

The samples were examined by teams of pathologists, forensic specialists and medical researchers across multiple countries, including university laboratories in Poland and independent experts in Mexico, Argentina and Italy.

The case in Italy was revisited by Professor Odoardo Linoli in 1970, who was permitted to analyze the ancient relic.

Following the reported transformation in 700 AD, monks preserved the bread and wine, which were later placed in a sacred vessel and chalice on display for pilgrims.

The first modern case occurred in Sokolka, Poland, on October 12, 2008, when a priest placed a consecrated host in water after it fell during Mass, following standard disposal practice

Linoli, who worked at the Santa Maria Sopra i Ponti Hospital in Arezzo, examined the samples under a microscope and conducted various assays over several months, concluding that the flesh was human heart muscle and that the clots were human blood, both of blood type AB.

He claimed that the histological structure of the flesh within the wafer was heart muscle tissue.

Ruggero Bertelli, a professor of human anatomy at the University of Siena, also examined the slides and agreed that the tissue appeared to be myocardial.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a discarded host found on a candleholder in 1996 developed a red substance after being placed in water.

In 1999, a sample was examined by Dr Frederick Zugibe, a forensic pathologist in New York.

He identified the material as cardiac tissue and noted that the presence of intact white blood cells after years in water was highly unusual.

Zugibe said the sample was heart tissue that appeared damaged and contained a mix of immune cells, including white blood cells, suggesting inflammation.

'When I was later told that the heart tissue was kept in tap water for about a month and transferred to sterile, distilled water for three years, I indicated that it would be impossible to see white blood cells or macrophages in the sample,' he said in analysis notes.

'Moreover, it would be impossible to identify the tissue per se as there would be no morphological characteristics.'

A similar event was reported in Legnica, Poland in 2013, about 400 miles from the previous case, after a host fell during Mass and was placed in water

On January 5, 2014, Father Andrzej Ziombra checked on the host and reported: Immediately, we noticed that the Host had not dissolved and that a red spot covering a fifth of its surface had appeared

The first modern case occurred in Sokolka, Poland, on October 12, 2008, when a priest placed a consecrated host in water after it fell during Mass, following standard disposal practice.

A week later, parish sacristan Sister Julia Dubowska discovered a red substance attached to the partially dissolved host and alerted other clergy.

After 18 days in water, the material was removed and sent for testing. In January 2009, two pathologists from the Medical University of Bialystok analyzed the sample independently and concluded it was heart muscle.

One of the scientists, Professor Stanislaw Sulkowski, described the unusual nature of the findings.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a discarded host found on a candleholder in 1996 developed a red substance after being placed in water

Sample from the Buenos Aires host, showing what experts claimed are cardiac fibers with significant degeneration

'If we put the Communion wafer in the water, in the normal course of events it should dissolve in a short time,' he told the Polish newspaper Nasz Dziennik in 2009.

'In this case, however, part of the Communion, for some incomprehensible reason, did not dissolve the tissue that appeared on the Communion was tightly connected to it.'

His colleague, Professor Maria Sobaniec-otowska, added: 'This remarkable phenomenon also demonstrates to me that there could be no human interference here we are not able to explain the studied phenomenon solely based on natural science.'

A similar event was reported in Legnica, Poland in 2013, about 400 miles from the previous case, after a host fell during Mass and was placed in water.

On January 5, 2014, Father Andrzej Ziombra checked on the host and reported: Immediately, we noticed that the Host had not dissolved and that a red spot covering a fifth of its surface had appeared.

'We decided to inform the Bishop, who established a special theological scientific commission to analyze the event.'

In 2006, a priest invited Father Raymundo Reyna Esteban to lead a retreat at a parish in Tixtla, Mexico. During Mass attended by hundreds, a nun reported seeing a consecrated host release a reddish substance resembling blood

Pictured are what experts said they saw in the Mexico wafers while looking under a microscope

Multiple laboratories examined the sample, ruling out bacterial or fungal contamination, while one concluded it was human heart muscle.

On February 10, the material was dried, and 15 samples were collected under strict documentation alongside control specimens.

Forensic testing ruled out contamination, and one lab identified the tissue as human heart muscle.

Cardiologist Dr Barbara Engel, who was part of the investigative committee, said: 'For me, as for everyone who has seen this host up close, there is no doubt that it is a miracle.'

In 2006, a priest invited Father Raymundo Reyna Esteban to lead a retreat at a parish in Tixtla, Mexico.

During Mass attended by hundreds, a nun reported seeing a consecrated host release a reddish substance resembling blood. The sample was set aside for further study and sent to multiple independent laboratories.

Pathologists Dr Orlando Rodas Pernillo and Dr Elisa Hernandez de Rodas said the sample showed structures consistent with heart muscle, along with fat cells and white blood cells. Separate testing confirmed the presence of human blood, identified as the rare AB-negative type.

Across all five cases, the report highlights striking similarities: the repeated identification of cardiac muscle and, when blood was present, the same rare blood type.

It also pointed to unexplained factors, such as tissue not decomposing as expected or appearing to be interwoven with the host itself.

Skeptics argued that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The report acknowledges limitations, including the inability to replicate the events under controlled laboratory conditions and questions about the chain of custody.

The Catholic Church itself has debunked other alleged miracles in the past, including cases involving paint or contamination.
A cool, refreshing pint of Guinness is a traditional and delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

But coaxing out the perfect cascade of lively bubbles and a thick, creamy head is an art that puts even the best bartenders to the test.

Now, scientists have revealed the exact method for pouring the perfect pint of stout.

And they agree that the famous 'twostage pour' is far more than just a marketing gimmick.

However, experts say there is no magical perfect time to let your pint rest between pours, with exact timing coming down to the sharp eye of an expert barkeep.

Dr Andrew Alexander, a chemical physicist from the University of Edinburgh, told the Daily Mail: 'The pause allows for the bubbles rushing around in the liquid in the first step to calm down, rise to the top, where they end up at the foam at the head.

'A long pause is fine because more foam can be added in step two, but leave it for too long, and youll annoy your customers!

'I think theres plenty of room either way to get a nicelooking pint of Guinness with good mouthfeel from the foam head.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

The secret to the perfect pint of Guinness is understanding the unique physics of the thick stout's fizz.

Rather than being pumped with carbon dioxide like fizzy lagers, the black stuff gets its subtle bubbles from nitrogen.

CO2 produces fizzy, bubbly beer because a lot of gas is dissolved in the liquid.

'You'll know yourself that you can get an almost uncontrolled release of bubbles as dissolved gas comes out of the liquid when it hits dust or other bubbles,' says Dr Alexander.

Nitrogen, on the other hand, dissolves far less into the liquid, so you don't get new gas bubbles forming after the initial pour.

Dr Alexander says: 'Basically, the bubbles that end up in the pint are already there in the liquid while it is going in from the tap.'

Those nitrogen bubbles remain far smaller than those produced by the uncontrolled effervescence of CO2, which gives Guinness its signature creamy texture.

Cajoling these delicate bubbles into a smooth, even, and robust head is the key that separates a perfect pour from a subpar pint.

A cool, refreshing pint of Guinness is a traditional and delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. But coaxing out the perfect cascade of lively bubbles and a thick, creamy head is an art that puts even the best bartenders to the test

How to pour the perfect pint of Guinness Prepare a very clean, tulipshaped glass. Chill your Guinness to 42.8F (6C). Hold the glass at a 45degree angle and place the tap nozzle close to, but not touching, the glass. Aim for the top of the gold harp on a Guinness glass. Fill the glass until the beer just reaches the top of the glass. Set the glass down upright and wait for one to 2.5 minutes. Hold the glass upright and slowly top the pint up with more beer until the foam bulges slightly over the rim.

According to the Guinness Storehouse, the ideal pour has three stages.

First, hold the glass at a 45degree angle and place the tap nozzle close to the glass, aiming at the edge of the golden harp on a traditional Guinness glass.

Dr Alexander says that this relatively steep angle is critical because it helps minimise the 'uncontrolled release of bubbles'.

Keeping the gas from escaping prematurely ensures that the bubbles form when they hit your tongue, rather than disappearing into the glass.

Make sure your glass is as clean as possible, since bubbles form around tiny 'nucleation points' of dust or other dirt on the glass' surface.

That will give you a pint of stout that is generously fizzy to the taste, with a wellmanaged, even head.

For your first pour, you should fill evenly until you reach the top of the harp and then stop, then tilt the glass upright and set it down to wait.

Since nitrogen bubbles are so small, they rise in the glass very slowly, which means they need a bit of extra time to drift to the top of the beer and form a head.

During this time, you can also see the famous 'cascade' of bubbles racing back down the edge of the glass.

Studies have shown that it is due to the traditional Guinness glass' 'tulip' shape, which creates a convection current that pulls the bubbles back down the side of the glass as more rise in the middle.

Only once the beer is settled should you pick up the glass and top it off slowly, holding the pint upright under the tap.

Guinness also advises doing this part slowly, pushing the tap forward rather than pulling to ensure a restricted flow.

That will allow you to gently fill the glass until the nowsolid foam has a slight dome extending over the rim.

The Guinness Storehouse says that the waiting period between pours should last around 60 to 80 seconds, but experts' answers vary wildly.

Professor Leonard Schwartz, a researcher of fluid mechanics at the University of Delaware, previously told the Daily Mail that the ideal time is a whopping five minutes.

'You want a final halfinch creamy head and the best way to get there is by two or more separated pours,' Professor Schwartz said.

Using a traditional tulipshaped glass (left) creates a circulation pattern that produces Guinness's cascade of falling bubbles which won't be seen in other glasses (right)

'The appropriate waiting time is possibly three to five minutes.'

Likewise, many bartenders opt to wait much longer than the advised minute and a half.

Ciaran Kavanagh, publican at Dublin's Gravediggers pub  often described as serving the best Guinness in the world  called the twopart pour 'very important'.

'The first pour should arrive at the top of the harp logo on the glass,' Ciaran, who runs the Gravediggers with his brother Niall, told the Daily Mail.

'After roughly 2.5 minutes the pint should be settled  with a dark colour and a dense head  and then top up to the lip of the glass, allow to settle and drink.'

However, Dr Alexander isn't convinced that there is a single perfect time.

Instead, he suggests that the bartender should use their own assessment to decide when the head has settled enough for the second pour.

He says: 'The bartender can then use better judgment to get the size of the foamy head right. And if they are not superbusy, they can engrave a shamrock on the top.'

As well as the twopart pour, Guinness also recommends a serving temperature of 42.8F (6C)  relatively cold for an ale.
Residents across multiple states were startled on Tuesday as a loud boom, believed to be a meteor crashing into Earth, echoed across the region.

Witnesses in Pittsburgh reported seeing what appeared to be a burning object streaking through the sky, describing it as 'a rocket or something like a meteor.'

One local wrote online: '911 calls in the city. I have relatives who heard the boom from Hinckley, Ohio, all the way to Sandusky.'

'Totally reminded me of the sonic booms produced by the fighter-jet test pilots in the early 1960s,' another person shared.

The National Weather Service (NWS) later said the fiery object was likely a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere.

The meteor was spotted by space satellites around 9am ET and seen by human eyes about one hour later.

As of January 2026, the Meteoritical Bulletin Database has recorded 1,270 officially confirmed 'observed falls,' meteorites that were seen falling to Earth and later recovered.

Scientists estimate around 17,000 meteorites strike the planet each year, but most land in oceans or remote areas, meaning only about 1.8 percent of meteorites have actually been witnessed.

Witnesses in Pittsburgh reported seeing what appeared to be a burning object streaking through the sky, describing it as 'a rocket or something like a meteor.'

Residents across Ohio and Pennsylvania were startled Tuesday morning as a loud boom echoed across the region

Officials from the NWS Cleveland stated that the meteor likely burned up or disintegrated high in the atmosphere, approximately 25 miles up over the Northeast Ohio/Lake Erie region.

Some officials speculated that if any fragments survived, they could have landed in Lake Erie.

There have been no reports of injuries or property damage caused by the landing.

The 'explosion' reported across the region was a sonic boom created by the meteor shooting through the atmosphere at speeds over 25,000 mph.

Residents across the region flooded social media with reports of a powerful blast, with many describing a thunderous noise that shook homes and echoed for miles.

Some said it sounded like multiple explosions or rolling vibrations, while others reported spotting a glowing fireball and a bright streak tearing across the sky.

One Cleveland resident posted on X: 'Loud boom in Cleveland today. They are saying a meteor! The house shook; it was scary.'

'Heard and felt here on the west side of Cleveland. One loud boom followed immediately by a smaller or 'echo' boom,' another local shared.

The 'explosion' reported across the region was a sonic boom created by the meteor shooting through the atmosphere at speeds over 25,000 mph

The meteor was spotted by space satellites around 9am ET and seen by human eyes about one hour later

'Didn't quite shake the house; it more like reverberated through it. Thought it was a truck or something until my Sister messaged me that she heard it too.'

Meteoroids are small rocky objects that travel through space, ranging in size from tiny dust particles to fragments as large as small asteroids.

When one of these objects enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed, it burns up due to intense friction, creating a bright streak of light known as a meteor, often called a 'shooting star.'

If any part of the object survives its fiery descent and reaches the ground, it is then classified as a meteorite.
Once top-secret CIA files have detailed America's plans to control the world by manipulating the weather.

The documents, declassified in 2003, discussed the controversial topic of weather modification, the tactic of launching rockets or using planes to dump chemicals into the atmosphere that alter the climate and local storm systems.

Although the resurfaced documents from 1965 did not mention the specific chemicals used in the experiments, they did discuss the need for more funding of the weather modification projects that would soon be used as a weapon of war.

In fact, the memos noted that federal funding for the secret program was set to be four times higher in 1967 - the same year the US began spraying toxins over Vietnam to cause floods and landslides.

One post on X claimed: 'The CIA has been poisoning the sky and controlling the weather since 1965!'

The 18-page report was recently shared by conspiracy theorists, years after it was quietly placed into the CIA's public archives, including a letter praising the classified operation from US President Lyndon B Johnson.

Johnson's endorsement of the CIA's weather modification project came just three years after he gave an ominous speech on the future of America and the work to create 'weather satellites' with the power to strengthen storms.

While giving the commencement address at Southwest Texas State University in May 1962, then-Vice President Johnson said: 'He who controls the weather will control the world.'

Conspiracy theorists have claimed that airliners have been pouring various chemicals into the atmosphere for years for nefarious reasons including population control and mind control

Lyndon B Johnson (Pictured) spoke about controlling the weather in 1962, less than two years before becoming president and endorsing the CIA's weather modification efforts

Just 18 months after giving this speech advocating for the US to control the weather, LBJ became the 36th president and would oversee two infamous projects designed to manipulate the weather - Project Stormfury and Project Popeye.

Following the speech, the records showed real government programs were already underway by 1965, such as Project Stormfury, which flew into hurricanes and seeded them with a freezing agent called silver iodide to try to weaken the storms by disrupting their inner structures.

Johnson's letter, which is among the 18-page CIA report, from September of that year specifically mentioned the project's work in manipulating a recent hurricane near Florida, believed to be Hurricane Betsy, which made landfall in Louisiana as a major Category 4 storm.

By 1967, however, this work expanded to Project Popeye, which was used against enemy supply lines during the Vietnam War to artificially extend the country's monsoon season.

Intelligence officials also noted they had the full support of Johnson, who was determined to beat the Soviet Union's efforts to control the weather as global tensions escalated.

The US government has maintained that weather modification has been used only to help weaken dangerous storms and induce rain in drought-stricken areas.

However, conspiracy theorists sharing the files have accused the CIA of using these projects to keep the world dependent on government by weaponizing storms, blocking sunlight and poisoning food supplies to intentionally make people sick.

Those allegations focus on so-called 'chemtrails,' the white streaks seen coming from high-flying jets on clear days, which appear to spread out and dissipate very slowly.

Declassified documents from 1965 reveal funding for a secret weather-controlling project was set to increase dramatically under the presidency of Lyndon B Johnson

President Johnson personally praised the efforts of the CIA in creating weather modification technology

Ever since the start of the government's weather modification efforts, conspiracy believers have said these streaks are filled with a host of dangerous chemicals being sprayed by military jets and commercial airliners over populated cities.

'Those long-lasting trails that turn blue skies into milky haze for hours? Not condensation. That's poison falling on your family, your water, your lungs,' one person on social media alleged without proof.

According to US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and environmental researcher Dane Wigington, chemtrails allegedly contain toxins and metals, including aluminum, barium, strontium and even mercury.

'Those materials are put in jet fuel,' RFK Jr claimed in April 2025. 'I'm going to do everything in my power to stop it. Find out who's doing it and holding them accountable.'

The vast majority of scientists have long declared this theory as false, arguing that most condensation trails, or 'contrails,' are the result of water vapor from aircraft exhaust freezing into ice crystals as they hit cold air at high altitudes.

Chemtrails allegedly carry multiple toxic chemicals which are released by airplanes, including barium salts, aluminum oxide, strontium, and mercury

However, the declassified files and former President Johnson's own words have revealed new evidence that the US was in a Cold War battle to master weather control technology before the Soviet Union.

Records disclosed to the public after the Vietnam War showed the US seeded clouds with a toxic substance called lead iodide in order to increase rainfall near the Ho Chi Minh Trail, causing landslides and making the route impassable.

Lead iodide is toxic to humans because it contains lead, which can cause lead poisoning with symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, abdominal pain, neurological damage, kidney problems and developmental issues in children.

There is no safe level of exposure according to health authorities.

Wigington, an environmental researcher for 30 years, claimed that the conspiracy surrounding chemtrails was not only true but has actually crippled the Earth's ability to naturally overcome the pollution caused by humans.

He said that lab tests on rain samples, photos of specialized planes carrying these chemicals, government documents, and whistleblower testimony all show clear evidence that a secret program has attempted to weaponize weather.

Soil tests estimated that airliners allegedly equipped with secret nozzles and tanks on their wings, filled with aluminum, barium, manganese, graphene and various polymers, dump between 40 and 60 million tons of nanoparticles in the sky annually.
Chelsea Handler criticized Robert F Kennedy Jr and Cheryl Hines for allegedly selling her a 'f***ed up' California mansion that she has been unable to live in for more than five years.

The comedian, 51, bought the mansion from the Health and Human Services Secretary and his wife for $5.9million in 2021.

During her latest podcast episode, she complained to fellow comic Denis Leary about being unable to move in due to a poor foundation and an 'illegal' outdoor storage structure.

'I bought RFK Jr's house in Los Angeles five years ago. I still have not lived in this house, that's how f***ed up this house was,' Handler fumed.

She claimed that inspections revealed issues with the five-bedroom, 5,474sq ft mansion, which she was assured would be fixed.

Handler said she had no idea who the previous owners were because the sale was done through trusts on both sides, which kept the identities of both the seller and buyer anonymous. Handler's trust was registered under the name of her sister Simone, according to Realtor.com.

'It was a disaster, and I didn't know it going in because everything was, you know, under wraps,' she claimed.

Unliveable: Chelsea Handler criticized Robert F Kennedy Jr and Cheryl Hines for allegedly selling her a 'f***ed up' California mansion

Handler added that it was only 'in the last week of inspection' that she discovered the renovations she was told would happen never materialized, having previously been assured that 'everything's been redone.'

When inspectors came into the property, she said they told her: 'This house is the most toxic environment. You cannot live here for at least two years.'

'Now we have to remove his illegal bulls**t from my property, and Im like, how did they not find this upon the first inspection?' Handler said, saying that their renovations, including the outdoor storage structure, made 'the house less valuable.'

She said the final nail in the coffin came from Hines herself, who allegedly offered to help once Handler bought the property, having bought another home on the same street for $6.6million.

Nightmare property: Handler bought the mansion fromRFK Jr for $5.9 million in 2021

'They had the audacity to leave me a note. Cheryl Hines left me a note saying, ''Let us know if there's anything we can do for you, Chelsea.'' I'm like, yeah, how about a f***ing foundation. That's something you could do for me.'

The comedian, an outspoken liberal, used the situation to slam Kennedy's work in Washington with Donald Trump.

'The idea that this guy is in charge of the health of our country when he didn't even have a proper foundation at his house,' she continued.

The home, built on a full acre of land in 1937, was sold to Handler in October of 2021, for $5.85million.

Insluts to injury: Hines allegedly offered to help once Handler bought the property

Kennedy, a member of one of the most famous liberal families in American history, has become persona non grata among Democrats after going to work for the Trump administration.

The ex-Democrat initially ran for president against Joe Biden in 2024, before dropping out and endorsing Trump.

The president thanked him by giving him the job as the top health official in the United States.

Kenendy has preached a different way of approaching public health under the banner of 'Make America Healthy Again.'

Liberals have largely dismissed him as a conspiracy theorist, citing his anti-vaccine beliefs.
Art has always been at the heart of Saudi culture. From the intricate rock carvings of AIUIa to the rhythms of classic poetry and hand-woven crafts, the artist has always been the respected keeper of stories.

Today, a breathtaking new chapter is taking form, combining state-of-the-art digital museums and works in the open-air with dazzling new buildings designed for display and a vibrant collection of private galleries.

It puts Saudi artists and creative thinkers on the world stage, inviting travellers into a Saudi's vibrant artistic soul, celebrating tradition and painting the future of art.

A visit to one of the many galleries and museums is a must-do. Here are a few to keep in mind

Biensalsur art SAMoCA, Riyadh

Saudi's new wave of museums

Explore flagship institutions that aren't just vast in scale, they're also often housed in architectural marvels that could be considered artworks in their own right.

teamLab Borderless, Historic Jeddah

Discover a world where art has no limits. Developed in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, Borderless Jeddah is the first teamLab museum to open in the Middle East. An immersive digital art location spanning 10,000 square feet, the museum offers an extraordinary experience of interlinked and independent artworks that transcend physical borders. Art here isn't just on the walls, it moves and flows around you. You are invited to wander, explore, and discover in this museum without a map, with forests of light and digital waves that respond to your touch, it feels like a dream world.

King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), Dhahran

You'll see the Ithra before you arrive, a great cluster of giant smooth stones. Named after the Arabic word for enrichment, it is a showcase for Saudi's contemporary art scene. It starts with the building itself: the collection of stones symbolising unity in a powerful expression of time passing. With different areas representing the past, present, and future, the linked galleries feature an archive of traditional Saudi and Islamic art alongside contemporary Middle Eastern artists. The changing exhibitions are designed to ignite your curiosity and conversation, inspiring cultural expression.

SAMOCA (Museum of Contemporary Saudi Art), Riyadh

Tucked into the artistic JAX District of Diriyah, an industrial heritage site that has been transformed into a hub of creativity. SAMOCA is one of the most distinguished artistic locations in the country, transformed from industrial to a high-ceilinged sanctuary for artistic thought. A dynamic space with rotating exhibitions by artists across the Kingdom and around the world, it is an intensely lively location with a beating heart  ripe for artistic expression and offering local artists exhibition space and an exchange of ideas and knowledge.

SAMOCA is one of the most distinguished artistic locations in the country, transformed from industrial to a high-ceilinged sanctuary for artistic thought

Contemporary Art, Riyadh

Diriyah Art Futures, Riyadh

You'll find the future here. At the cutting edge of contemporary creativity, Diriyah Art Futures opened in 2024, as the first museum in the Gulf designed explicitly and exclusively for digital art. The buildings themselves are beautiful, a modern design of mudbrick and Riyadh stone that also seems to emerge organically from the rocks on which they are built. Within, the technology is formidable: a hypermodern contemporary art where AI, virtual reality and new media will challenge your perception of art.

Leading private galleries

Discover more about the local art market and the up-and-coming set to make it big in the art world at these private, commercial galleries.

ATHR Art Galleries, Jeddah, AlUla, and Riyadh

The flagship ATHR gallery in Jeddah was founded in 2009, and the cultural pioneers have since opened two more galleries in other creative cities. The aim is to push boundaries, shape narratives and foster a creative community that continues to evolve and flourish. The artists exhibited at ATHR range from traditional painters and sculptors to multimedia contemporary artists, experimenting with new disciplines and materials. The gallery is a springboard for local artists to gain greater visibility in the global art world and a place where you can discover the creators pushing boundaries today.

Naila Art Gallery, Riyadh

The most prominent modern art gallery in Riyadh, Naila is a foundational hub for art appreciation, with a dynamic programme of exhibitions. It seeks to bridge the gap between local artists and the global art world, supporting the local creative community by championing contemporary local voices and engaging with diverse audiences. Naila is also at the forefront of digital solutions in the art world, using new technologies to help viewers fully immerse themselves in the artists' visions. Join a talk, or a workshop, or simply admire the works by local artists.

Artist-run spaces

Step into these spaces for a more personal, intimate look at the pioneers of the Saudi art movement.

Darat Safeya Binzagr, Jeddah

This space is so much more than a gallery, it is the personal studio of artist Safeya Binzagr, with an ever-changing exhibition of her works. Her art is saturated and colourful, deeply rooted in heritage and tradition, yet with a distinctive style that locates it firmly in the modern world. Considered one of the pioneers of fine art in the Kingdom, she envisaged the Darat as a cultural platform to inspire the next generation. Her paintings are a yearning for the Old Jeddah of her youth, a reconstruction of the past with the eyes of a contemporary soul.

A major cultural destination

Some experiences can't be contained within four walls. This sprawling ancient landscape is being transformed into a world-class cultural destination

Ashar Valley, AlUla

AlUla

On the edge of the oasis, the city of AlUla is a significant cultural destination in its own right, where art interacts with the monumental scale of nature.

The biannual Desert X AlUla arts festival has proved a magnet for Saudi and international artists, who flock to the city to construct enormous installations on the sands, for visitors to wander among, awestruck at the artworks soaring overhead against the blue sky.

A purpose-built art museum in the city is slated to open its doors soon, as is Wadi AlFann, the Valley of the Arts, which seeks to explore how landscapes interact with art, artists, and viewers. The collection of permanent, era-defining works will be placed in the stunning landscape, complementing its monumental scale.

In the AlJadidah Arts District, Design Space has recently opened its doors as a sanctuary for the exploration of heritage and creativity in design. With workshops, exhibitions, and masterclasses, Design Space is a vibrant exchange of ideas, located in a new venue that draws inspiration from the desert to integrate harmoniously with its surroundings.

Saudi Arabia is already a new international centre for contemporary art, and it's only looking forward. A place where innovation thrives and heritage is honoured, its international profile is growing all the time. With many new galleries and exhibitions opening, the country is the latest destination for engaging with some of the most exciting artistic visions in the world.

Find out more at ministry of culture Museums Commission https://museums.moc.gov.sa/en
For a perfect coastal escape this year, look to one of Spain's lesser-known coastal gems that's been ranked the best holiday destination in Europe - with 3,000 hours of annual sunshine and return flights under 100.

In a new study, experts analysed over 90 coastal hotspots to discover Europe's best and most underrated holiday destinations.

Each destination was scored across five key factors: affordability, beach quality, summer weather reliability, crowd levels, and local population and visitor numbers.

According to the results, Almeria, Spain, and Calabria, Italy, are the joint-best destinations, achieving top marks across all categories and the highest score of 24.

Both regions are shown to offer reliable summer sunshine, affordable travel costs and lower crowd levels compared to neighbouring hotspots.

In third place is Dalyan, Turkey, with a score of 23, followed by Ohrid, North Macedonia (23) and Gozo, Malta (23).

Despite Calabria and Almeria sharing the top ranking, the study found the Spanish hotspot offers a convenient travel advantage.

Flights from the UK are typically under three hours, and one-way journeys with Ryanair cost as little as 30 in late April, as shown on Skyscanner.

Almeria, located in southeastern Spain, has emerged as the best holiday destination in Europe, boasting year-round sunshine, 100 hotel stays and 30 flights from the UK

In a study conducted by Solmar Villas, Almeria was found to boast reliable summer sunshine, affordable travel costs and lower crowd levels compared to neighbouring destinations

The region is widely recognised as Europe's only true desert thanks to its proximity to the Tabernas Desert (pictured)

Tucked away on Spain's Mediterranean coast, Almeria, also known as the 'Desert Coast,' basks in year-round, near-summer sunshine, seeing just 26 days of rainfall each year.

The region is recognised as the continent's only true desert thanks to its proximity to the Tabernas Desert and its geographical placement in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Beyond its balmy weather, the area boasts breathtaking natural landmarks, unique landscapes, and a coastline that is largely free of high-rise hotel blocks.

It is home to an impressive fortress, Alcazaba de Almeria, the 16th-century Catedral de la Encarnacion, and a multitude of museums and galleries, including the Museum of Almeria and Museo de la Guitarra, home to a range of vintage guitars.

Stroll amid palm trees and pools in the Nicolas Salmeron Park, then along the Paseo de Maritimo to the San Miguel and Zapillo beaches.

For a wilder wander, the volcanic coastline of the protected Cabo de Gata Natural Park is famed for its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and some of Spain's most photogenic beaches.

Away from the shore, traveller can head into the desert landscapes of Tabernas, where sweeping vantage points sit a short drive away from the whitewashed hilltop village of Mojacar.

The scenic town has served as a prominent backdrop in major Hollywood productions, including Indiana Jones and Game of Thrones.

Travellers can even step into a Wild West-esque world by visiting a preserved film set at MiniHollywood Oasys, which often puts on shows and attractions.

In the historic centre, a statue of John Lennon marks his stay in 1966, when he filmed satirical comedy How I Won The War.

Pictured: panorama view of Almeria City, Andalusia, at night

Pictured: Alcazaba de Almeria, an impressive fortress that first underwent construction in 955 AD

Nicolas Salmeron Park, above, is a great place to head to for a stroll

For patatas bravas (above, stock image) - fried potato in spicy tomato sauce - try Bar Bonillo

Aire Hotel and Ancient Baths has 22 stylish rooms with wooden floors, crisp, white bedding and black and white prints

The food and drink scene in Almeria is largely made up of rich, authentic Andalusian cuisine, with fresh seafood at its core, with specialties such as fresh anchovies, almond soup and stuffed mussels (tigres).

However, the area is famed for its tapas culture, most notably for offering generous portions of free tapas with every alcoholic drink.

Among traditional options are patatas bravas (fried potatoes), Boquerones en Vinagre (marinated anchovies), lomo a la orza (pork with garlic and herbs) and bacon, date and cheese pie.

At Jovellanos 16 - a favourite among tourists and locals - a portion of ribs in barbecue sauce or cod in tomato and pepper sauce costs just 3.65 with a glass of white wine.

As for accommodation, there are plenty of chic B&Bs and hotels that can be snapped up for less than 100 per night, including the 19th-century restored Aire Hotel and Ancient Baths, offering 83 rooms, a roof terrace, pool and ancient baths.

Hotel Catedral, which stands next to the historic cathedral, is a boutique hotel in a former gothic mansion that retains some original features and offers 20 spacious rooms from just 84 a night.

Hotel Nuevo Torreluz, located in pretty Plaza Flores, offers great value, with B&B doubles going for as little as 60 a night.

The 98-room hotel has spacious rooms with wooden floors and neutral furnishings, as well as a bar with traditional Spanish tiles.

For an adults-only option, the Murallas de Jayran Boutique Hotel is set in an old townhouse, which has six rooms with king-size beds - each with its own style, from Arabic to industrial.

The accommodation, which boasts a shabby-chic lounge and a rooftop plunge pool, offers double rooms from 67, plus breakfast.

Sharon Bradbury, travel expert at Solmar Villas, which conducted the study, said: 'Its no surprise to me that Almeria performed so well in this ranking.

'Its known for its dramatic desert landscape, and is the only desert in mainland Europe.

'In the same instance, its coastal, has beautiful protected natural parks, and over 300 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest places in Europe.'
British Airways has cancelled all flights into Dubai until summer - blaming the 'continued uncertainty' and 'airspace instability'.

The airline announced it would also suspend travel to Amman, Bahrain and Tel Aviv until after May 31.

Meanwhile, trips to Doha in Qatar are on hold until the end of April - while flights to Abu Dhabi have been called off until later this year.

The decision marks the longest major airline cancellation announced so far during the US-Israel war on Iran, which has now entered its third week.

It comes just hours after an Iranian drone hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport, sparking a massive fire.

Flights were diverted and roads to the airport were closed as a pall of black smoke could be seen from several miles away.

The airline Emirates was forced to divert flights mid-air - with services from Heathrow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Dublin among those returned to their original departure point.

Since the strike, no major airline has resumed flights to Dubai.

British Airways has cancelled all flights into Dubai until summer - blaming the 'continued uncertainty' and 'airspace instability' (file image)

Dubai's international airport has been attacked on multiple occasions. Footage from March 7 shows smoke rising from Dubai International Airport

British Airways said yesterday it had extended its flight cancellations - initially in place until later this month - due to 'the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability', the Financial Times reports.

The airline will continue to serve Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, which have been less affected by the airspace closures.

After the fire on Monday, authorities quickly took to social media to reassure the public the attack caused 'minimal damage and no injuries - referring to it as a 'drone-related incident'.

The airport has been targeted several times before in the barrage of missiles and drones from Iran, but this incident is the first time the Dubai government admitted a drone had caused the damage, rather than debris from an interception.

Iranian drone attacks have decreased in frequency in recent days, though strategically important targets such as airports, buildings and ports in Dubai's financial centre have been struck.

More than 63,000 Britons have returned home from the United Arab Emirates since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, according to Government figures.

Over the last couple of weeks, Dubai has been attacked on several occasions, including its airports and the city's financial centre, with videos showing plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

Tens of thousands of passengers have been left stranded in Dubai since the outbreak of war, though airlines in the city have been increasing their capacity in an attempt to return them home.

Data from Flightrader24 showed Emirates reached its highest number of services on Sunday since conflict began, with 369 flights - around 70 per cent of its pre-conflict levels.

Join the discussion How should governments and airlines balance safety with the huge impact on travelers during conflicts?

Smoke billowed from a building in Dubai's International Financial Centre on March 13

Qatar airways said it would increase its number of flights from Wednesday.

A spokesman added: 'The number of flights that can operate each day is extremely limited under the current operational conditions.

'Each flight requires careful planning and remains subject to regulatory approvals and airspace conditions.'

Yesterday, Donald Trump gave another timing update on the US-Iran war, as oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz came to a standstill.

Speaking to PBS News on Monday, the President called the inflated gas prices 'a very small price to pay' and insisted 'the oil prices will drop like a rock as soon as it's over.'

'I don't believe it will be long,' he said when asked about how much longer the war will drag on.

But three sources familiar with the matter told Axios the Middle East conflict could bleed into September, a much longer timeline than Mr Trump has ever discussed publicly.

Mr Trump first told the Daily Mail in a phone interview that the war could last up to four weeks. Later, he indicated it could last up to five.

Since then, the President has been cagey on the exact timing of the conflict, not wanting to show his hand to the media ahead of any actions regarding Iran.

He has also said the war will last as long as 'necessary,' without giving further explanation.
The new Entry/Exit System has been slowly being rolled out across Europe since October 2025, with 29 countries now bringing in the biometric border control process to their travel hubs.

Under the new system, non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering the Schengen Area are required to register biometric details, including fingerprints and photographs.

The new system was due to be fully implemented at airports across Europe by 10th April - however the EU has since offered 'certain flexibilities' over the summer, in order to avoid long queues, which have been reported since EES came into place.

Just last month, industry bodies, including the International Air Transport Association, ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe said the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) since October was already causing 'significant delays'.

In a joint letter to the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, they warned that queues could stretch to four hours or more this summer if the system is fully implemented.

The biometric processes, like fingerprint registration, must be done in person and at the border on arrival, meaning it can take time and cause backlogs, instead of travellers swiftly moving through passport control.

Airports Council International Europe revealed the EES system had increased waiting times at the border by up to 70 per cent, leading to three hour queues during peak travel periods.

As the new Entry/Exit system is rolled out across 29 destinations, long queues have already been seen in areas as travel hubs getting to grips with the processes. Above: Gates crashed at Gran Canaria

Hubs in Germany, France, Iceland, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal were said to be particularly impacted,

Travellers usually give themselves a couple of hours to make their way through the airport, but Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of travel business network Advantage Travel Partnership, is urging holidaymakers to leave at least four hours spare.

She recommends those travelling on connecting routes leave long layovers between their connections to avoid missing the next flight, the BBC reports.

Julia also warns that holidaymakers who have already uploaded their data and biometrics onto the system will still need to join the non-EU passport queue with first-time travellers going through the process.

'Since the implementation of EES first began in October last year, we've already seen instances of significant delays at different airports and at different times,' she tells the news outlet, explaining how the delays have varied on the time of day and traffic levels.

The travel expert also urges travellers to keep updated via their airline and airport to see how busy the queues are and how to manage delays in your journey due to the system.

'Make sure you've got some refreshments and something to keep small children occupied,' she adds.

Julia also noted tourists should keep an eye on the launch of EU's new ETIAS visa waiver programme - expected to launch between October and December 2026 if the EES rollout is successful.

Through this, citizens of more than 60 visa-exempt countries will need to apply for pre-travel authorisation. The waiver will be valid for three years, or until the associated passport expires.

Julia added: 'The cost is currently set to be 20 (17), although this has already increased from when it was first announced.'

Alternatively, author and travel expert Ash Bhardwaj simply recommends getting a European passport, if possible, to cut the queues.

'If you're eligible for a European passport, just get one,' he says, adding that any delays should improve with time.

The biometric system requires fingerprints and photos from non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering Schengen Area countries

Plenty of people have shared their 'nightmare' experiences with the new system.

Jack Howes tells the Daily Mail how it was a 'disaster' during his recent trip through Almeria Airport.

He said: 'There was an assistant who said, "It's s**t but you have to keep trying."'

After getting rejected by the machine four times, Jack was told to go to a manual checkout instead - however there was no one working on the manual desk.

'So in the end I just went to the gate and it let me through anyway,' he said.

Another traveller shared their experience on X, and penned: 'Holy c**p the new EES passport system is a nightmare.

'Two hours at arrival at Krakow. 90 minutes on departure. Give yourself plenty of time if youre travelling around Europe.'

Someone else revealed they were even reconsidering their plans because of the new process.

They explained: 'Rethinking my holiday/travel plans for this year and next, having been to Prague in Jan and Krakow this month.

'The European entry/exit system (EES) was a nightmare - both going in and out. Despite the very best efforts of the excellent staff at both airports. Hours queuing.'

Another didn't leave enough time for their connection and the EES delays, and penned: 'Gave myself 1hour+ time from landing (8am) to connection (9:24). Wasn't enough! The line to the machine then to immigration is a nightmare! Wasn't like this pre-EES. Had to pay 100+ for the new tix.'

The automated IT system was first launched in October 2025, but airports and ports initially had until April 2026 to fully implement the technology as a mandatory requirement.

However, last month, the EU made the decision to give 29 participating countries a more flexible timeline for the system's introduction until early September.

Aviation bodies have written to Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for internal affairs and migration, demanding the EU take immediate action to prevent 'excessive' delays as a result of the rollout.

They warned: 'Failing immediate action to provide sufficient flexibility, severe disruptions over the peak summer months are a real prospect, with queues potentially reaching four hours or more.'

They highlighted three core issues that are 'compounding EES delays', including 'chronic' understaffing at border control, 'unresolved' technical malfunctions and the 'very limited uptake' of the Frontex pre-registration app by Schengen states.

The Frontex app would allow passengers to complete a number of additional checks prior to their arrival at the border.

Jack Howes tells the Daily Mail how EES was a 'disaster' during his recent trip through Almeria Airport

Travellers usually give themselves a couple of hours to make their way through the airport, but Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of travel business network Advantage Travel Partnership, is urging holidaymakers to leave at least four hours spare

According to the Independent, the European Commission insists the new system is operating 'largely without issues'.

But in a joint statement, ACI Europe, lata, and A4E said: 'There is a complete disconnect between the perception of the EU institutions that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that nonEU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience.

'This must come to an end immediately. We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europes airports doubles.'

They further warned that the rollout of EES must be 'flexible to react to operational realities' and 'safeguard the reputation of the EU as an efficient, welcoming and desirable destination'.

To keep travel chaos at a minimum over the summer, the group hopes that the European Commission will allow Schengen member states to partially or totally suspend EES until the end of October.

Lisbon airport was reinforced with soldiers trained as border guards to reduce waiting times after security flaws led to the European Entry Exit System (EES) digital border rollout being suspended earlier this year.

In Janaury, 24 members of the National Republican Guard were stationed in the arrivals area at Humberto Delgado Airport, a measure approved by the government, a news agency in Portugal reported.

Once the EES process is introduced, a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), is expected to be brought in.

It requires tourists from visa-exempt, non-EU countries like the UK, Australia, the US and Canada, to complete an online application costing 20 (17.50) to enter 30 different countries.

This includes providing personal details, answer security questions and paying the fee before travelling to any of the 30 destinations.

The charge will be waived for children under 18 and adults over 70, but they will still need to apply for authorisation.

Once the ETIAS is approved, holidaymakers can enter the spots repeatedly for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

The new system is expected to be introduced in late 2026, and it won't be mandatory until 2027.
With no other way of getting to the Maldives, high-end travellers have been flocking to the destination using private jets.

The Maldives has experienced a sharp rise in the number of private jets arriving to the archipelago, driven by disruption to major flight routes through the Middle East.

War was ignited in the Middle East on 28 February, when the US and Israel joint-launched surprise strikes on Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous Iranian officials.

With airports in the Middle East being a main hub for those wanting to get connecting flights usually, the Maldives saw a total of 128 private jets land on its shores between 28 February and 14 March.

This is a 166 per cent increase compared with the same period last year when 70 aircraft touched down.

Daily arrivals have more than doubled, rising from about five per day to over 12, with a record 18 jets arriving in a single day on 3 March.

These figures, released by Maldives Airports Company Limited, show high-end travellers are choosing private aviation for direct access to the destination, to avoid delays and cancellations from the Middle East war.

The Maldives has seen a surge in private jets arriving to the country since the Middle East conflict began, with 128 landings between 28 February and 14 March

This is a 166 per cent increase compared with the same period last year when 70 aircraft touched down (stock)

But commercial airlines are also taking note of the high demand for direct access to the Maldives - with inter-connecting flights through the Middle East off the cards.

Prices for direct flights from the UK have been hugely impacted and have sharply risen recently.

Several direct return tickets from London to Male travelling between April 4 and 11 are now coming to over 3,000 with select airlines.

Direct returns with Virgin Atlantic currently amount to a whopping 3,394 on Skyscanner,

Google Flight data notes the prices for those dates are 'currently high' and the site shows a sharp increase from prior to March.

Results on Skyscanner shows direct return Virgin Atlantic flights from the UK to Male have surged to as much as 3,394

Commercial airlines are increasing flights to the Maldives as a result, offering alternatives to Middle Eastern transit routes due to shifting demand.

During April and May, 2026, Edelweiss Air will increase its Zurich-Male route to three or four flights per week, which will then rise to five weekly flights.

Air India has also added 78 flights to Maldives and other destinations between 10 March and 18 March to manage travel disruptions. Its revised network has seen the addition of around 17,660 seats.

In addition, Aeroflot is expanding flights from Moscow to the likes of Male, Phuket, Bangkok and Colombo in response to increased tourist demand and instability in the Middle East.

Many Brits were left stranded in the Maldives due to their flights home, through the Middle East, being cancelled.

One of those is Andrea Pendrey, who was forced to miss her breast cancer treatment after her return flight was cancelled.

Andrea Pendrey and her partner had set off to the Maldives for a break before she started her treatment.

But the couple haven't been able to fly home due to the missiles raining down across the Middle East - and have been forced to foot what is expected to be a 12,000 bill themselves.

Andrea was set to start her treatment on Thursday, 5 March, and had been desperately searching for rescheduled flights to get home.

'Even though this place is paradise, we've been crying and feel really upset,' Andrea said.

Most travel insurance policies do not cover war and conflict, meaning if a holidaymaker's travels end up disrupted by the current situation in the Middle East, they may not be be entitled to help or compensation from their provider.
Last year, a pair of American holidaymakers went viral after they accidentally ended up in Africa after booking what they thought was a trip to Nice, France.

But they aren't the only travellers to make mistakes when purchasing flights across the world.

One Brit thought he had booked a romantic getaway to Frankfurt  only to end up 80 miles away from the German city.

James Cox, 28, planned the special one-night trip for his partner Chloe Hutchinson, 31, who he intended to propose to.

But when the couple touched down, he realised they were in the 'derelict ghost town' of Frankfurt Hahn airport instead of the city's major hub.

Londoner James Cox had planned a romantic getaway to Frankfurt, Germany where he hoped to propose to his partner Chloe Hutchinson

However, when their plane landed, the pair realised they were 80 miles away from their accomodation booked in the German city

To make matters worse, they were an 80-mile trek away from their accommodation and James, who works as a carer, had a 'meltdown' when he noticed his blunder.

Thankfully, they were able to find a last-minute hotel in Lautzenhausen, which served as a major American military site during the Cold War, and were told others regularly make the same mistake.

Chloe took the situation in her stride and James decided he would still 'make the most' of the getaway.

He took his bride-to-be to a romantic Italian restaurant and proposed, which mother-of-two Chloe says made the mix-up 'even more special'.

James, who lives in Ilford, London, said: 'I was in complete shock, I had no idea what to do. It completely threw all of my plans out the window.'

He recalled how he 'started panicking' when they arrived at the airport and found it 'really small' and 'quiet'.

'We got to the bit where they do our passports and the man actually laughed at us. He had a bit of a chuckle and I didn't think anything of it,' James added.

'We decided to check Uber to see if we could get a taxi and it said 250. My face just dropped and Chloe said we were 80 miles away from Frankfurt.'

He described Lautzenhausen as a 'ghost town' and said: 'We didn't see anyone while we were walking through the town. We were having to walk past all these factories and this derelict town.

'We were just shocked because we've never been anywhere so quiet in all of our lives.

'When we turned up at our hotel we explained what happened and [a staff member said]: "you'd be really surprised at how often it happens".'

Instead, they ended up staying in Lautzenhausen, which James described as a 'derelict ghost town'

Despite the blunder, he still proposed to Chloe at an Italian restaurant during the trip and the pair have booked their wedding for April next year

Despite the blunder, they still managed to have a romantic celebration and Chloe recalled how she decided they should 'make the most' of the trip.

The content creator, also from London, described seeing 'a lot of abandoned houses' in the town and admitted she 'did get a little bit worried and thought "what am I going to do?"'.

'It made it even more special. It was something memorable and silly and I don't think it could be more us,' she added.

James and Chloe have now booked their wedding for April 2027.
Police Interceptors: Taking Down The Shoplifting Gangs (Ch5)

Rating:

Well done to the coppers of Lancashire Constabulary. They're fighting a losing battle against rampant shoplifting, hindered by weak laws.

But they're tackling the crime wave with gusto, unlike some other forces that appear to have given up in the face of theft on an industrial scale by organised crime gangs. And they've come up with the perfect name for their crusade: Operation Vulture.

They've even got a nifty logo - a cartoon of a ratty-looking carrion bird, legging it with ill-gotten booty under both wings.

Police Interceptors: Taking Down The Shoplifting Gangs highlighted the sheer scale of the crisis, which has been driving small retailers out of business for a decade as well as forcing up prices in supermarkets.

The Far Left wants to claim that shoplifting is a noble crime, a blow against capitalism by desperate parents who only want to feed their starving families. Last week, activists in Exeter went on a thieving spree, snatching basketfuls of goods that, they pretended piously, were destined for food banks.

I imagine the last thing any decent food bank needs is the imputation that it's a cover for handling stolen goods. But, as ever, virtue signallers care nothing about the harm they do, so long as they can feel good about themselves.

Police Interceptors: Taking Down The Shoplifting Gangs highlights the sheer scale of the crisis, which has been driving small retailers out of business. A still is seen here from the documentary

The Far Left wants to claim that shoplifting is a noble crime, a blow against capitalism by desperate parents who only want to feed their starving families

CCTV footage on this eye-opening series shows the reality. Addicts in need of money for drugs are seen stuffing anything they can sell into rucksacks or down the front of their tracksuit trousers.

Protein bars and packs of meat are frequently snatched, as well as alcohol. The thieves don't care if they're seen or challenged by staff. They just barge out and, often as not, come back ten minutes later for another sackload.

'They walk in and out like it's their area to take what they want,' said one policewoman.

Organised gangs are a bigger problem. Both the most recent episodes have followed Romanian criminals, working in pairs or trios, zigzagging across the country as they stuff their hauls into foil-lined rucksacks, to avoid setting off alarms.

They strip shelves of goods worth tens of thousands of pounds, aiming to slip the country before they're caught.

Even if they are, the courts are no deterrent. One persistent shoplifter reacted with bad-tempered disbelief when police knocked on his door. He refused to let them in, snapping at them as though they were door-to-door salesmen who had interrupted him in the middle of dinner.

Eventually, he was handcuffed, charged and sentenced - to 16 weeks in prison, with the punishment suspended. No wonder he sees arrest as nothing more than an inconvenience and irritation.

His sentence appears standard. Last week, a serial shoplifter called John, who swaggered around in a T-shirt emblazoned with the word 'feral', also got 16 weeks suspended - with the addition of a two-year ban from his favourite shops.

That's bound to stop him.
Adam Peatys sister, who was the only family member allowed to attend his wedding, has broken her silence on her mother's feud with the Ramsays.

Bethany Peaty, 32, was accused of 'betraying' her family when she pledged her allegiance to her brother, having attended sister-in-law Holly Ramsay's hen do and their wedding at Bath Abbey in December.

Now, Beth has shared her heartbreak over the ongoing rift, revealing she's been divided between loyalties towards her mother and Olympian brother.

While the tension shows no signs of easing between the sparring members, Beth told the Daily Mail that she has now made peace with her mother Caroline, 60, for the sake of her children.

Beth, a carer who has an eight-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, told the Daily Mail it has been a very difficult time', adding, Im caught right in the middle of the row.

But Ive made up with mum really for the children. They adore her and she is a great grandma and a good mum.'

Adam Peatys sister Bethany, who was the only family member allowed to attend his wedding, has broken her silence on her family's feud with the Ramsays (Bethany, centre, is pictured at the wedding with Megan and Tilly Ramsay)

Beth was accused of 'betraying' her family when she pledged her allegiance to Adam after he fell out with their mother, Caroline (Holly Ramsay pictured with Caroline and Adam)

Beth, who is engaged to partner Daniel Rogerson, 37, said it was very sad that Adam had banned their mother from the wedding, saying: It was a shame and very sad she couldnt go.'

She hinted she had tried to act as a go between the warring pair, but said she couldnt help, noting, 'we as Peatys are very strong minded people.

Beth admitted that her head was turned by all the glitz and glamour of a celebrity world, yet a family source claimed that she has since distanced herself from the Ramsay clan.

In response, Beth shared: Its a wonderful world, a very different one to the one we know.

Of her new relatives - chef Gordon Ramsay, wife Tana and influencer daughter Holly - she said: They are a good family and made me feel very welcome.

She added that she had no idea when she would become a bride and marry her fiance, saying: I dont know when we are getting married - it wont be on the Ramsay scale!'

Beth's comments come as a family source claimed that she had been 'a bit of a snake'.

They told the Daily Mail: Beth had a glimpse into a different life and sold her soul by backing Adam to be part of it.

'Shes come running back to mum and they have reconciled.

The mother-of-two had attended the Ramsays' wedding ceremony as maid of honour, with Beth and Hollys two sisters, policewoman Megan and aspiring chef Tilly, all wowing in floor-length red satin dresses.

While it may come as a shock that Adam and his sister have now apparently moved in different directions, given they seemed to have a close relationship, the source suggested they are not as friendly as it seems and 'they were never close growing up'.

The insider added: Also Beth holds a lot of resentment for Caroline being missing from her childhood when she was taking Adam on his swimming trips.'

Yet Beth put her differences with Caroline aside and the pair were able to reconcile in time for Mother's Day.

There has been no contact from Adam, who has not reached out to Caroline for four months.

Former nursery manager Caroline, 60, had been left heartbroken by the rift with both Adam and Beth, admitting it had been very challenging emotionally.

Yet she is now relieved that she and her daughter have reconciled after a difficult period during which she had remained a doting grandma to Beths children.

The insider continued: It is a source of comfort to her. Beth has come back onside because she knows where her loyalties lie.

She has seen sense and has reconciled with her mum now the wedding is over and Adam is busy with his new life.'

Join the discussion Is Adam Peatys sister right to stay neutral in the family feud?

Bethany was said to have had 'her head turned by all the glitz of glamour of a celebrity world' after attending Holly's hen do  which Caroline was not invited to (pictured at Holly's hen do)

Bethany is one of Adam's three siblings, with the swimmer also having two brothers, James and Richard, who were both barred from the wedding (Pictured: the Peaty family in 2015, clockwise, Mark, James, Richard, Adam, Bethany and Caroline)

They added that the reconciliation in January 'has a lot to do with the criminal matter involving Adam and Beths older brother James.

Builder James Peaty, 34  known as Jamie  remains on conditional bail under police investigation and facing possible charges of verbal abuse and harassment towards Adam.

He was arrested in November last year over allegations he sent threats to the Olympian during his stag week in Budapest, Hungary.

Gordon Ramsay and Beths partner, whom Adam had treated and paid all expenses for, were among the revellers.

It led to Adam getting a large police escort at Manchester Airport on his return home.

The siblings' dad Mark said at the time: Theyre brothers. Theyve always been close but like any normal family brothers fight, argue, fall out, make up and start all over again.

But its got out of hand. There's been very little empathy to Jamie's genuine mental health difficulties.

A family source said that Jamie from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, had helped Adam renovate his home in Kegworth, Leicestershire, during a time the brothers had been on good terms.

The insider said: The family fallout is mainly due to the fact Adam sees their mum to be enabling Jamies actions rather than pushing him to deal with his demons.

Caroline has been torn between her two sons and their older half brother and it has been heartbreaking for her.

The source told how Beth had started siding with Adam against their mum in the run-up to the wedding.

She had also tried to act as a go-between when the rift developed.

She had been a guest at Hollys swanky hen do at Soho Farmhouse but Caroline was not invited.

When Beth texted Holly about the attendees, asking if her mum was invited, the bride-to-be said no as it was only a small gathering with her sister, mum and close friends.

The source said that the event  with Victoria Beckham a guest  triggered Beths taste for the celebrity life.

They added: 'She was raving about the night and she seemed to fit in. She certainly has the right look and blended in well.

She said Victoria appeared a bit tipsy and started singing and others joined in too. She said it was hilarious!'

Beths decision to attend the A-list wedding with her partner also heaped more anguish on her parents.

While Adam banned his mum, Beth is said to have asked her brother if their dad was allowed to go.

The groom said Mark could attend but had to 'sit at the back of the church. He refused to go without his wife.

As the family rift deepened, Adam continued to snub his mum at Christmas, and also his dad, gran and two brothers.

He played the doting sibling by showering Beths two children with luxury gifts whilst refusing to send any cards or presents to his other nephews and nieces or parents.
Married At First Sight firecracker Gia Fleur pulled out all the stops for her 36th birthday  but it was the guest list, not the cake, that had tongues wagging.

The controversial bride hosted a lavish celebration at Melbourne hotspot Criniti's, stepping out hand-in-hand with her new beau Alan Wallace as the pair packed on the PDA in front of stunned guests.

The blonde bombshell looked every inch the birthday queen in a figure-hugging pink floral dress, which clung to her famous curves and showcased her heavily tattooed arm.

Her long platinum locks were styled in soft waves, while her full-glam makeup featured bronzed skin, sculpted cheekbones and a glossy nude lip.

Clutching a bouquet of pastel pink flowers, Gia arrived in high spirits, greeting friends with kisses before heading inside for a night of pizza, pasta and plenty of drama.

And while the party looked picture-perfect on the surface, insiders say the real story was who made the cut  and who didn't.

Married At First Sight firecracker Gia Fleur pulled out all the stops for her 36th birthday  but it was the guest list, not the cake, that had tongues wagging

Gia hosted a lavish celebration at Melbourne hotspot Criniti's

Among those in attendance were fellow MAFS stars Rebecca Zukowski, Luke Fourniotis, Chris Nield and Chris Robinson, all of whom appeared to rally around the birthday girl.

But notably absent was Gia's on-screen husband Scott McCristal  replaced instead by her new partner Alan, dressed in a custom Gia shirt, confirming once and for all that their marriage is well and truly over.

Even more shocking was the absence of her supposed 'ride or die' Juliette Chae, as well as Melissa 'Mel' Akbay, Alissa Fay and Rachel Gilmore.

Daily Mail understands Rachel was originally invited but ultimately chose to skip the event, wanting to distance herself from the ongoing drama engulfing the cast.

Also missing in action were Stella Mickunaite and Stephanie Marshall  suggesting deep fractures remain within the friendship circle.

But in a twist no one saw coming, Gia's longtime rival Bec Zacharia somehow scored an invite.

And according to Bec, their feud may be a thing of the past.

'I definitely didn't like Gia,' Bec told Daily Mail on the day.

'I knew that she and I were going to be at loggerheads like the whole season.'

The blonde bombshell looked every inch the birthday queen in a pink floral dress, which clung to her famous curves

Her long platinum locks were styled in soft waves, while her full-glam makeup featured bronzed skin, sculpted cheekbones and a glossy nude lip

Clutching a bouquet of pastel pink flowers, Gia arrived in high spirits

And while the party looked picture-perfect on the surface, insiders say the real story was who made the cut  and who didn't

Farmer Chris appeared to be in good spirits as he hugged the birthday girl

'The reason why I'm here tonight: we connected because we went through a really, really hard time,' she continued.

'We became really good friends, and now she's the one I love. You know, we're all just women trying to make it in this dog eat dog world.'

The unlikely alliance comes after months of explosive clashes between the pair during filming, with insiders previously describing them as 'arch nemeses'.

The Mail understands Bec and Gia are now no longer on talking terms.

Meanwhile, Gia appeared completely smitten with Alan throughout the night, with the pair seen laughing, whispering and embracing as they celebrated her milestone birthday.

The romance marks a dramatic new chapter for the bride, who has openly admitted she could no longer pretend her marriage to Scott was still intact.

'Navigating the new relationship has been hard, which is why I've done no Stan show and minimal press because I can't keep pretending I'm with Scott when I'm so in love with Alan,' she told Daily Mail of her whirlwind romance.

Among those in attendance were fellow MAFS stars Rebecca Zukowski (pictured), Luke Fourniotis, Chris Nield and Chris Robinson

Gia was also joined by her bestie Wil Thompson (left) and Luke Fourniotis

But notably absent was Gia's on-screen husband Scott McCristal

Gia's new man Alan was pictured walking alongside her costar Chris Nield

The pair appeared to be getting along like a house on fire

But in a twist no one saw coming, Gia's longtime rival Bec Zacharia somehow scored an invite

And according to Bec, their feud may be a thing of the past

'I definitely didn't like Gia. I thought that her, but I knew that she and I were going to be at loggerheads like the whole season,' Bec told Daily Mail at the time. (Bec pictured with Luke)

Join the discussion Do you think Gia was right to cut close friends from her birthday or did she go too far with her guest list?

'It's hard to be fake and lie and I don't want to upset Alan, so we're just focusing on our real life together.'

Gia said their connection began toward the end of filming before officially kicking off around New Year's Eve, after months of on-and-off communication.

And it seems the spark was instant.

'When I saw Alan for the first time I knew I liked him because I was getting super jealous of him speaking to another girl,' she admitted.

'I was following him around most of the day trying to see if they were going to kiss or not. I was instantly like that's my man  he just doesn't know it yet.'

With her MAFS marriage in the rear-view mirror and a new romance firmly in the spotlight, Gia's birthday bash proved one thing  she's rewriting the script on her own terms.

But as alliances shift and friendships fracture, one question remains.

In the everchanging world of MAFS, who's really on Gia's side?
Enduring love stories are typically the stuff of legend in Hollywood.

Ironic really, that in a fast moving industry founded on the profitability of romance you'd be hard pressed to find the long-term relationships and rock-solid marriages it so successfully conveys on TV and cinema screens.

But it was right there, staring us all in the face in real time at the 96th annual Academy Awards as veteran star Amy Madigan claimed her very first Oscar, at the ripe old age of 75.

The celebrated actress rightfully triumphed in the category for Female Actor in a Supporting Role courtesy of her stellar performance as the villainous Aunt Gladys in last year's supernatural thriller, Weapons.

And it was her direct address to Ed Harris - her devoted husband of 43-years - that confirmed true love really does exist in Tinsel Town as she collected the coveted statuette from Zoe Saldana on Sunday evening.

'The most important is my beloved Ed, whos been with me forever, and thats a long ass time,' she told the star-studded audience at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.

Amy Madigan was supported by devoted husband Ed Harris as she won her first Oscar at the 96th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday evening

Madigan and Harris during the Drama Desk Awards at Plaza Hotel in New York City, 1986, three years after they exchanged vows

Madigan first encountered Harris while he performed in the Sam Shepard play, Cowboy Mouth (pictured together in 1985)

'None of this would mean anything if he wasnt by my side.'

Struggling to contain his emotions, Harris, himself a three-time Academy Award nominee, responded by placing a hand over his heart as he watched alongside their daughter, Lily.

She added: 'Were kind of advised, Dont say all these names, as nobody knows who the hell these people are.

'But youre not rattling them off. They mean something to you; that you couldnt be here without them.'

The last time Madigan was nominated for an Oscar was for her role in 1985 family drama Twice in a Lifetime, setting a record for the longest gap between nominations for an actress.

And Harris was by her side on that occasion too, five years after she first encountered the actor while he performed in the Sam Shepard play, Cowboy Mouth.

'It was like something you see in a movie or hear in a song,' she told the Los Angeles Times of that first meeting. 'I just thought, "Well, there he is." It was obvious to me that I'd see him again.'

'A year later, we did a play together called Prairie Avenue by Edward Allan Baker at that little theater on Melrose Place.'

The rest, as they say, is history, with Madigan and Harris exchanging vows in 1983 while working together on the Robert Benton directed drama, Places in the Heart.

But the actress has always maintained their prior relationship was far from the whirlwind romance many people assumed it to be.

'It's a nice Hollywood story,' she said. 'But it's not true.'

The couple exchanged vows in 1983 while working together on the Robert Benton directed drama, Places in the Heart (pictured L-R: co-stars Ed Harris, Lindsay Crouse, Amy Madigan, Terry O'Quinn)

They welcomed daughter Lily Dolores, their only child, in 1993. Now 32, she has followed her parents into the acting industry (pictured together in 2008)

Madigan has always maintained their prior relationship was far from the whirlwind romance many people assumed it to be (pictured together at the 40th annual Tony Awards in 1986)

Madigan has worked with her husband on 11 films to date, with the couple establishing themselves as staunch advocates of American independent cinema through their work outside the Hollywood mainstream (pictured together in 1988)

(L-R) Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, daughter Lily Harris and Lily's husband Sean on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in Hollywood on Sunday evening

The couple welcomed daughter Lily Dolores, their only child, in 1993. Now 32, she followed her parents into the acting industry after graduating from the MFA program at San Franciscos American Conservatory Theatre in 2020.

Married for 43-years, Madigan recently told PEOPLE that there isn't one rule in particular to credit with her and her husband's longevity.

'We just love each other and we work really hard at that and in our work,' she explained, admitting her husband loved her in Weapons and 'saw all the parts of myself melded into Aunt Gladys.'

'I have a very supportive family,' she added. 'My daughter also, so I'm very lucky.'

Supportive indeed. Madigan has worked with her husband on 11 films to date, with the couple establishing themselves as staunch advocates of American independent cinema through their work outside the Hollywood mainstream.

And she was there to champion Harris in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when his career hit a commercial peak with starring roles in Apollo 13, The Truman Show, and The Hours, in which he played a gay artist, stricken with full blown AIDS.

'The acting thing is so intimate and personal. If we're not working together... you can't really talk about your day very well,' she once told the Chicago Tribune.

'When you're working together, though, there's so much that is shared, so much unspoken thought and emotion that goes into the work, that it really draws you closer.'

Her own career has been equally consistent, but Madigan believes the casting process in Hollywood is still affected by systemic sexism.

Fortunately, Harris remains her biggest supporter.

'Ed knows the business as well as I do,' she recently told The Guardian. 'So hes good on all that. We met working together. Weve done many films together.

'So were used to having each others back.'
Farmer Wants A Wife couple Jo and Rob Hodges are set to make a new life in Queensland after listing their former home in South Australia.

The couple, who met on season two of the dating series in 2008, purchased the historic five-bedroom, two-bathroom pad in 2020 for $825,000.

Situated in Mount Gambier, 435 km from Adelaide, no price has been listed for the 1890s-era property, with expressions of interest closing next month.

Rob and Jo Hodges, who married in 2010, moved their family to Noosa in 2024.

Jo, 47, has been a frequent visitor to Mount Gambier, where she maintained her wellness centre The Nourish Nook, since the relocation.

This week, she confirmed to The Advertiser that she was ready to cut ties with her old hometown after closing the business in late 2025.

Farmer Wants A Wife couple Jo and Rob Hodges are set to make a new life in Queensland after listing their former home in South Australia

The couple, who met on season two of the dating series in 2008, purchased the historic five-bedroom, two-bathroom pad in 2020 for $825,000

Situated in Mount Gambier, 435 km from Adelaide , no price has been listed for the 1890s-era property, with expressions of interest closing next month

Located just minutes from the famed tourist destination of Blue Lake, the Hodges' Mount Gambier home mixes heritage detail with modern luxury.

Features include the beautiful original stone dolomite facade, classic wraparound verandah and the original front door.

There is also a grand entrance, bay windows in the living areas, soaring ceilings and a marble fireplace.

There's also a formal private dining room and a study that can also function as a bedroom, a wine cellar, gas floor heating, and a sprawling modern kitchen, which boasts a large breakfast bench.

Old World style is prominently featured in the main bathroom, such as tessellated floor tiles and a claw-foot tub.

The home has a colourful history, including time as a private hospital and later a maternity ward.

Jo announced her family's move to Queensland on Instagram back in 2023.

'After holidaying there for years, getting engaged on Little Cove beach, baby moons and buying a beautiful place up there, our family is moving to live in Noosa in 2024,' she began.

Located just minutes from the famed tourist destination of Blue Lake, the Hodges' Mount Gambier home mixes heritage detail with modern luxury

Old World style is prominently featured in the main bathroom, such as tessellated floor tiles and a claw-foot tub

Rob and Jo Hodges, who married in 2010, moved their family of three to Noosa in 2024

'Our daughter Darcy has been accepted into an amazing swimming squad, and all the kids have been enrolled and accepted into school.

'This is a fantastic opportunity for Darcy and one that will help her reach her goals in swimming. How could we not take this opportunity?'

She added she loved Mount Gambier too much to say goodbye to it forever and was going to travel there every month to help remotely manage her wellness business.

'My passion and my commitment to return every five weeks is an easy choice as I could never stay away from her too long! Our new chapter awaits us in 2024!'

The fan favourites first fell in love on the show 15 years ago, having appeared on season two back in 2008.

The couple share three children, including daughters Darcy and Maggie, and a son, Roy.
In the early 2000s, while I was working as a family therapist in London, a 12-year-old boy came to see me with his mother.

They looked like any other mother and son perhaps out buying school uniform or getting the groceries.

Except, of course, they werent. The young boy was in fact a convicted rapist and the pair had been mandated to see me by a court. The truth is, however, that I guessed their story long before I heard it. For theirs was a tale of inherited trauma, patriarchal abuse and familial failings that Id heard day in and day out over a decade.

Like many others, I watched Louis Therouxs compelling new documentary, Inside The Manosphere, and was utterly appalled. But also, I realised that lots of the vile young men featured in the film shared the same backstory as so many of my clients who had also grown up to commit terrible acts of misogyny.

My firm belief, after a long career as a therapist and having watched the shocking rise of the so-called manosphere up close, is that the new breed of toxic masculinity can be boiled down to one thing: absent fathers.

The manosphere  led by the likes of kickboxer-turned-lifestyle guru Andrew Tate and livestreamer HSTikkyTokky  is essentially a gang. It is a club of belonging, a place for people with a hole in their heart to be seen and to be loved. And behind almost every disciple of the manosphere you will find a repeated pattern of generational abuse and the absence of a decent masculine role model.

Louis Theroux, presenter of Inside The Manosphere, with HSTikkyTokky (Harrison Sullivan)

Let me first explain how this intergenerational conflict works.

Time after time, mothers would be sent to see me with their sons, typically aged between 12 and 18.

Typically, the mother would have a history of unhealthy relationships with men. Often she had been abused  sexually or otherwise  as a young girl, either by her father or another family member.

A perverse approximation of love, an experience between a perpetrator and a victim, becomes the prototype of what constitutes intimacy in the young mind. And establishes a pattern repeated in personal relationships.

And so these women choose abusive men as partners and subsequently the fathers to their children. But of course, these are bad men. And they abandon their wives and their children. According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, there are 2 million single parents with dependent children in the UK  a quarter of all families. And 89 per cent of those families are headed by single mothers.

What happens next is deeply upsetting, and yet something Ive seen over and over again. A single mother with a son treats their boy like a prince. They pour everything into their wellbeing and shower them with love. And yet, at the same time, the mother cannot shake the niggling sense that their son, being a male, is just like their abusive father, their abusive ex.

The mother subsequently develops a dual relationship with their son. One minute they love them, the next they push them away.

Inevitably, the son is confused and tries to escape, often into drugs, gangs or other criminal behaviour. With no male role model to impose disciplinary boundaries, no one with the physical authority to say no, this sort of behaviour all too often ends in predatory sexual behaviour.

Why? Because sexual domination is a way of exerting dominance  indirectly  over the mother. Its a form of excessive masculinity. It is control.

What shocks me now is just how relevant this blueprint is for those horrific characters forging the manosphere.

Brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate are widely considered to be the godfathers of toxic masculinity and the subsequent manosphere craze that is epitomised by misogyny, get-rich-quick schemes such as Bitcoin trading and an obsession with lifting weights in the gym. Of course, all three of those things are actually one and the same, forms of control.

Andrew Tate claims he was raised perfectly and could not have hoped for a better father despite the fact he saw his father, Emory, just once a year after his parents divorced in 1997 when the brothers were just 11 years old.

Emory Tate  who was allegedly diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder  died in 2015, but not before revealing that his own father, Emory Tate I, was the most savage man in the universe who frequently abused him. Beating with the leather belt was all he knew, Emory Jnr added.

On a separate occasion, Emory Jnr questioned why it was illegal to have sex with underage girls who had reached puberty.

And then there are the characters in the new Netflix documentary, the spiritual successors to the Tate ideology.

Unsurprisingly, we see in them more broken homes, more inherited trauma, more young men desperate to dominate women.

Andrew Tate, pictured, and brother Tristan are considered the godfathers of toxic masculinity'

Sullivan, pictured centre, has built an enormous following online where he makes derogatory comments

HSTikkyTokky, real name Harrison Sullivan, 24, has built an enormous following online where he shares gym videos and livestreams conversations with women on chat forums where he makes aggressive, derogatory and racist comments.

Harrisons father is none other than former England rugby star Victor Ubogu, a man who once claimed he never left the house without a condom. In 2001, Ubogu got Elaine Sullivan pregnant out of wedlock.

When baby Harrison was three, Victor married another woman and went on to have two further children.

Harrison has claimed in TikTok videos to have met his father just three or four times in his life and was raised alone by his mother who can be seen in the documentary directing her son to wipe down surfaces and mop the floor.

But perhaps no one better exemplifies my theory of the manosphere than 40-year-old Justin Waller, who also stars in the Netflix documentary and was brought up on a trailer park in Louisiana.

We were very close to being put in a foster home, Waller recalls of his childhood alongside his siblings. There was a lot of violence. My mom, she would just come in sometimes and start punching [my father].

Later, for reasons that are unclear but might easily be surmised, Wallers father was prevented from seeing his children and Justin was raised by his mother.

Is it a huge surprise that Waller is now in a one-way monogamous relationship with the mother of his own children  meaning he is entitled to sleep around while she is not?

Or that he now advises young men on how to become alpha males?

Take one look at Justin Waller, Harrison Sullivan or Andrew Tate. You can see the sadness behind their eyes.

And yet, the next generation of fatherless boys  who themselves lack a masculine role model  are already looking up to these influencers for advice about how to be a man. And the cycle of trauma all too easily repeats itself.

The whole Western world has long suffered from an epidemic of fatherlessness. But only now are we starting to learn of its insidious consequence.
He left Hollywood after starring on the wildly-successful HBO series Entourage to start a new life on a Texas farm.

But Adrian Grenier would be open to returning to work in showbiz - if the conditions were right.

While Grenier has sporadically acted over the years, he told Page Six he would only sign onto certain projects if the film crew 'comes to him.'

'I mean, the truth is, the industry is moving to me,' the 49-year-old actor told the outlet on Monday.

'There's $2.5 billion that the Texas state government just put into film and television projects in Texas,' he explained. 'They're building three movie studios not too far from me.'

He added: 'I don't see any reason why we wouldn't just continue to film in Texas.'

Adrian Grenier revealed he has strict criteria for him to return to full-time acting

Grenier  who was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and grew up going to school in New York City  noted that he still has 'a soft spot in [his] heart for California' but considers Texas his home now.

The Devil Wears Prada star currently lives with his family on his 46-acre ranch in Texas.

He purchased his first property in Austin in 2016 and later founded Kintsugi Ranch in Bastrop, a city located about 30 miles away from the trendy town, with his wife Jordan Roemmele.

On the same property, they tend to their ranch and are raising their two sons  Seiko, nearly three, and Evren, whom they welcomed last year.

About their day-to-day life with a toddler and a baby, he said: 'It's a party. It's a total party. I love it, absolutely.'

He also said that he and his Self Custody buddies are frequently 'talking about how much we love our kids.'

During the interview, Grenier was joined by Self Custody costars Henry Cejudo and Garrett Patten, who also directed their new bitcoin action-thriller.

Grenier returned to acting with Self Custody, a short shot near his home and one which fit his condition of having Tinseltown traveling to him.

The actor rose to fame for his role in the 2006 cult classic The Devil Wears Prada and for the hit HBO series Entourage

Since then, he has continued to act sporadically and his latest role is his first in four years. For future projects, he said he prefers for Tinseltown to travel to him in Texas

In Self Custody, Grenier plays a wealthy businessman who is the one responsible for giving his former employee (Patten) bitcoin as a signing bonus.

The story follows Patten as a struggling father who embarks on a desperate journey to reclaim his lost fortune, now worth millions of dollars, and gets caught up in the dangers of the dark web.

The short film marks his first acting role in four years.

He previously rose to fame for starring in the HBO series Entourage, which ran for eight seasons from 2004 to 2011, and the 2006 cult classic The Devil Wears Prada.

The actor, who was born in Santa Fe and grew up going to school in New York City, previously opened up about how he fell in love with Austin and founded a ranch there with his now-wife in 2020; pictured in October 2021

He said that California, where he and his former costars filmed Entourage from 2004 to 2011, still has a 'soft spot in [his] heart' but he considers his 46-acre ranch in Texas home now

The star left Hollywood behind around the time he met Jordan Roemmele and later married her in 2022. They welcomed two children together since then and have been raising their two young sons on their ranch; pictured in July 2004 portrait

Grenier starred opposite Anne Hathaway as her boyfriend Nate Cooper, but it appears Hathaway's character has now moved on as a trailer shows her with a new love interest.

Grenier admitted to Page Six that it was a 'disappointment' that he wasn't contacted to appear in the film but said he remained optimistic he would 'obviously' get a callback in the future for a spinoff.

He also said that he believed that he 'didn't get the call' to return for the sequel because of the 'backlash' towards his character's actions in the original film.

'We're all fans of the movie, whether or not we're in it,' he said. 'Obviously, it was a disappointment that I didn't get the call to be in the sequel, but I also understand there's some backlash with Nate, the character, so that might have something to do with it.'
Baywatch icon Alexandra Paul was arrested in Wisconsin over the weekend after taking part in an operation that freed beagles from a controversial breeding facility.

The actress, 62, was taken into custody on Sunday morning and later booked in county jail on one count of trespassing, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

She was arrested after allegedly taking part in a protest at Ridglan Farms, a facility in Blue Mounds that breeds beagles. The dogs are used in scientific research and the facility has repeatedly drawn the attention of animal welfare activists.

A mugshot of the actress saw her in a blue jail-issued shirt over a brown t-shirt, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

In a press release on Monday the Dane County Sheriff's Office stated that '50-60 protestors entered the property without permission' and began 'removing numerous dogs.' A total of 20 people were arrested.

Paul has been arrested a number of times over the years for acts of civil disobedience tied to various causes, including animal rights activism.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Paul's representatives for comment.

Baywatch icon Alexandra Paul, 62, was arrested in Wisconsin on Sunday after taking part in an operation that freed beagles from a controversial breeding facility; Pictured in her mugshot

The actress was arrested on one count of trespassing following a protest at Ridglan Farms, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Office; Seen in Baywatch still

The sheriff's office stated that 'two vehicles, along with burglary tools and other evidence, were seized at the scene' adding that 'some of the beagles taken were recovered and returned to Ridglan Farms, but several beagles remain unaccounted for.'

'The Dane County Sheriff's Office understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests,' Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement.

'Our role is to keep everyone safe and to respond when unlawful activity takes place. We encourage anyone with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to engage through lawful and constructive avenues.'

The investigation is still ongoing.

Wayne Hsiung, attorney and co-founder of Direct Action Everywhere, shared videos and photos from the operation, and said that 22 dogs were 'rescued.'

Hsiung was also booked into the Dane County Jail on Sunday morning for trespassing charges.

Last year, the Ridglan Farms facility agreed to shut down its breeding operation by July 1, 2026.

Paul has a long history of activism that spans nearly four decades, resulting in dozens of arrests for civil disobedience.

Wayne Hsiung, attorney and co-founder of Direct Action Everywhere, shared videos and photos from the operation, and said that 22 dogs were 'rescued'

The dogs at Ridglan Farms are used in scientific research and the facility has repeatedly drawn the attention of animal welfare activists

A total of 20 people were arrested. The sheriff's office stated that 'some of the beagles taken were recovered and returned to Ridglan Farms, but several beagles remain unaccounted for'

Paul has been arrested a number of times over the years for acts of civil disobedience tied to various causes, including animal rights activism; Pictured in 2024

She was arrested in 2020 for trying to rescue a pig from a Farmer John slaughterhouse, and in 2023 for rescuing a chicken from a Foster Farms slaughterhouse truck; Seen in a social media snap

Between 1987 and 2000, she was taken into custody more than 12 times at the Nevada Test Site, and in 1989, she was arrested while advocating for those living with HIV.

In 2003, she spent five days in a Los Angeles detention center after refusing to pay a $50 fine following an Iraq War protest.

In recent years, Paul has focused on animal rights and environmental issues.

Since 2016, she joined the group Direct Action Everywhere, and participated in an open rescue of livestock from a factory farm.

In 2017, she was arrested for joining a sit-in at an Oakland, California slaughterhouse, and in 2018 she was arrested for a civil disobedience action at Sunrise Chicken Farm.

In 2019 she spent two days in Sonoma County jail after being arrested for protesting at the Reichardt Duck Farm.

She was also arrested in 2020 for trying to rescue a pig from a Farmer John slaughterhouse, and in 2023 for rescuing a chicken from a Foster Farms slaughterhouse truck. Paul was acquitted after a nine day trial.

The actress is best known for playing Stephanie Holden on Baywatch from 1992 to 1997; Seen in a still with Yasmine Bleeth and Pamela Anderson

The actress is best known for playing Stephanie Holden on Baywatch from 1992 to 1997.

Paul began her acting career in 1982 in the movie Paper Dolls.

She also starred in the movie Christine, which dropped in 1983, as well as Just the Way You Are in 1984, American Flyers in 1985, 8 Million Ways to Die in 1986 and Dragnet in 1987.

The star landed the role of Stephanie on Baywatch in 1992, going on to play her for five years as part of the main cast.
Their presence on set is supposed to make stars feel as comfortable as possible while filming sex scenes.

But for Rebecca Ferguson, intimacy coordinators are everything but.

For the 42-year-old prefers to do without them as she has her own 'enormous boundaries' and isn't afraid to speak up.

The Swedish-born actress plays Romani temptress Kaulo in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man  released on Friday on Netflix  and shares a sex scene with leading man Cillian Murphy, 49.

Mother of two Ms Ferguson, a star of the Mission Impossible series and the Dune movies, said: 'It's wonderful that we can have intimacy co-ordinators but for me, it's very off-putting and it makes me feel uncomfortable because I have enormous boundaries and I can verbalise them.'

She told Radio Times: 'I had called Cillian and asked him how he wanted to work.

Rebecca Ferguson has revealed she would prefer to film sex scenes without an intimacy coordinator, as she feels she could speak up due to her 'enormous boundaries'

'It sounds so silly, but I said, ''I've studied your sex scenes,'' and he was like, ''That's really weird and awkward''.

'And I went, ''I know but bear with me. This is not just a regular sex scene. This is not us getting our kit off, getting on with it, bish bash bosh. This is a moment of release. This is a moment of intimacy, there's magic''.'

It's been a long wait for fans of the franchise, with show creator Steven Knight first teasing the release of a film back in 2021, before it was confirmed last year.

While it has been made available to view in select cinemas from March 6, 2026, the wider public will be able to stream on Netflix from March 20 - and have been waiting to find out more details of what's in store for their beloved Thomas Shelby.

The film will pick up four years after viewers last said goodbye to the Shelby clan in the series finale of Peaky Blinders.

Tommy, who has been played by Murphy since the show's debut in 2013, will be driven back to Birmingham from his self-imposed exile in the movie.

The freshly dropped trailer sees the character living far away from home, living alone, when his past finally begins to catch up with him during World War II.

'You'll live in a house haunted with ghosts, of people who died because of you,' a voiceover begins as Tommy is shown back on screen for the first time.

The Swedish-born actress plays Romani temptress Kaulo in Peaky Blinders : The Immortal Man  released on Friday on Netflix  and shares a sex scene with leading man Cillian Murphy

He's then shown standing opposite new character, Ferguson's character Kaulo, a new acquaintance to Cillian's Tommy, as she tells him: 'You abandoned your kingdom, and you abandoned your son.'

When Stephen Graham's Hayden Stagg tells Tommy that he thought 'he'd decided it wasn't his war' to fight, Tommy menacingly replies: 'It is now.'

Tommy is then seen back in his old haunt, met by unfamiliar faces who don't know who he is, and asking for details on why he's back.

Luckily for Tommy, Jordan Bolgar's Isaiah Jesus, a young member of the Birmingham gang and the son of preacher Jeremiah Jesus, Tommy's loyal lieutenant, is there to remind everyone.

A series of powerful explosions then follow, teasing the dramatic scenes to come, before Tommy concludes: 'Once, I nearly got f**king everything... but nearly doesn't count.'
Lala Kent underwent her second breast augmentation surgery in four years on Monday after suffering from capsular contracture, which happens when scar tissue hardens causing pain and distortion.

The 35-year-old Vanderpump Rules alum - who boasts 3.2 million social media followers - shared a snap of her medical ID bracelet featuring her birth name Lauren Elyse Burningham via Instagram story: 'Good morning. It's time!'

Kent previously revealed on the January 14 episode of her podcast Untraditionally Lala that the 2022 implants she received became warped after welcoming her 18-month-old daughter Sosa Kent via intrauterine insemination.

'Sosa wreaked havoc on my body. Between my stomach that's a little loosey-goosey, depending on the way I move,' the single mother-of-two said.

'My body created life. Love that part. But my boobs, my right one is concaved on one side and is working its way up to the collarbone.'

On the October 15 episode of Untraditionally Lala, Kent confessed she was no longer 'confident' about her breasts and had already selected a 'world-renowned' female plastic surgeon specializing in capsular contracture.

Lala Kent underwent her second breast augmentation surgery in four years on Monday after suffering from capsular contracture, which happens when scar tissue hardens causing pain and distortion (pictured December 1)

The 35-year-old Vanderpump Rules alum shared a snap of her medical ID bracelet featuring her birth name Lauren Elyse Burningham via Instagram story: 'Good morning. It's time!'

'They're basically doing reconstructive surgery. I'm gonna go in, and they're going to use technology to show what size would look best,' the Utah-born beauty said.

'But ultimately, this is something that I have to get done right. The longer I keep these implants in, the right one is going to continue to build scar tissue; it's going to continue to push towards the center of my chest and up towards my collarbone.'

Kent continued: 'I know you guys, most of you are gonna be like, "Then you shouldn't have implants." I'm sorry. I refuse to have my nipples down to my belly button, okay?'

The Bravo-lebrity previously confessed to undergoing an otoplasty (ear pinning) procedure, microneedling, Botox injections and lip fillers.

On Sunday night, Kent's ex-fiance Randall Emmett had custody of their daughter Ocean Emmett and he presented her with her 'seventh and eighth cakes in five days' in honor of her fifth birthday.

The 54-year-old Hellfire producer then brought little Ocean to his native Miami for a trip so that Kent could more easily convalesce at her $3.1 million five-bedroom home in the San Fernando Valley alongside her live-in mother Lisa Burningham.

The Amazon Live collaborator had already thrown Ocean a KPop Demon Hunters-themed party where she donned a long braided Rumi wig.

'To my magical baby girl who made me a mama,' Kent wrote in her Instagram tribute.

Kent previously revealed on the January 14 episode of her podcast Untraditionally Lala that the 2022 implants she received became warped after welcoming her 18-month-old daughter Sosa Kent via intrauterine insemination (pictured February 6)

'Sosa wreaked havoc on my body. Between my stomach that's a little loosey-goosey, depending on the way I move,' the single mother-of-two said. 'My body created life. Love that part. But my boobs, my right one is concaved on one side and is working its way up to the collarbone' (pictured January 12)

On the October 15 episode of Untraditionally Lala, Kent confessed she was no longer 'confident' about her breasts and had already selected a 'world-renowned' female plastic surgeon specializing in capsular contracture

The Bravo-lebrity previously confessed to undergoing an otoplasty (ear pinning) procedure, microneedling, Botox injections and lip fillers (pictured November 15)

On Sunday night, Kent's ex-fiance Randall Emmett had custody of their daughter Ocean Emmett and he presented her with her 'seventh and eighth cakes in five days' in honor of her fifth birthday

The 54-year-old Hellfire producer then brought little Ocean to his native Miami for a trip so that Kent could more easily convalesce at her $3.1 million five-bedroom home in the San Fernando Valley alongside her live-in mother Lisa Burningham

The Utah-born beauty had already thrown Ocean a KPop Demon Hunters-themed party where she donned a long braided Rumi wig

'To my magical baby girl who made me a mama,' Kent wrote in her Instagram tribute. 'You are the brightest light. The sweetest heart. The greatest force. May you continue to make waves forever. Happy 5th Birthday, Ocean Kent. God bless you'

The Amazon Live collaborator and Tom Schwartz (L) were both promoted from guest stars to full-blown cast members for season three of spin-off series The Valley, which premieres April 1 on Bravo

'You are the brightest light. The sweetest heart. The greatest force. May you continue to make waves forever. Happy 5th Birthday, Ocean Kent. God bless you.'

The An Unlikely Affair podcaster - who celebrated seven years of sobriety on October 22 - bitterly ended her three-year relationship with Emmett in 2021 amid cheating allegations.

Kent and Tom Schwartz were both promoted from guest stars to full-blown cast members for season three of spin-off series The Valley, which premieres April 1 on Bravo.

The Give Them Lala Beauty founder first found fame as a hostess working at Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant SUR in 2015 and appeared in seven seasons of the RHOBH spin-off before the cable network completely recast it for season 12.
Robert Aramayo has returned to the red carpet for the first time since his BAFTA win was overshadowed by the awards' racial slur controversy.

The actor, 33, attended the Madrid premiere for his film I Swear, after being awarded the Leading Actor gong for his acclaimed role as Tourette's campaigner John Davidson.

Robert was joined by the film's director Kirk Jones for the release of the film's Spanish version, titled Incontrolable.

The star was the surprise winner for the Leading Actor award at last month's ceremony, beating out the favourite Timothee Chalamet.

While Robert's BAFTA win sparked euphoria from his family in attendance, the night was dominated by controversy after John himself left the awards after shouting racial slurs while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award.

John, whose life is documented in the film I Swear, made the involuntary comment as a result of a tic.

Robert Aramayo has returned to the red carpet for the first time since his BAFTA win was overshadowed by the awards' racial slur controversy

The actor attended the Madrid premiere for his film I Swear, after being awarded the Leading Actor gong for his acclaimed role as Tourette's campaigner John Davidson

BAFTAs host Alan Cumming issued an apology to viewers after John was heard shouting the N-word, but the slur was left in for the televised edit of the show, which was broadcast on the BBC two hours later.

The BBC said the moment 'was aired in error' and claimed its Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) will complete a 'fast-tracked investigation' into the incident.

After the BAFTAs, John said he was 'deeply mortified' by his outburst, which he said had been involuntarily triggered by the neurological condition he has suffered from since the age of 12.

While he did receive some backlash from Hollywood stars including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce, much of the furor was aimed at the BBC for failing to edit out the slur prior to the awards ceremony airing, despite it not being broadcast live.

He wrote on social media: 'Ive been waiting all week until the dust settles after the weekend at the BAFTAs in London.

'I would like to thank each and every one of you who have shown love, support and solidarity towards myself and the rest of the Tourettes Community. Your kind words and support have got me through a very difficult week.

'Whilst I will never apologies (sic) for having Tourette syndrome, i will apologise for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create.

'This past week has been tough, and has reminded me that what I do raising awareness for such a misunderstood condition, there is still a long way to go and I will keep on keeping on until this is achieved.'

He went on to thank fans again for their support, adding: 'I love you all.'

Robert was joined by the film's director Kirk Jones for the release of the film's Spanish version, titled Incontrolable

The star was the surprise winner for the Leading Actor award at last month's ceremony, beating out the favourite Timothee Chalamet

Robert's BAFTA win sparked euphoria from his family, but the night was dominated by controversy after John left the awards after shouting racial slurs

The actor had also been awarded the BAFTA Rising Star award at the ceremony, cementing his success after being praised for his performance in I Swear

John faced further agony last month when he got returned home to Scotland the day after the BAFTAs to find his beloved bicycle had been stolen by opportunistic thieves.

Kirk Jones, the director of I Swear, told The Telegraph: 'He finally gets home to Scotland the next day, and I suspect because thieves knew that he was in London  because they could see [he would be at] the awards  they went to his house, broke into his shed, and they stole his bike.

'He doesn't drive and he loves his bike. And it was all locked up in the shed, and it was broken into  any day in his life can turn out like that.'

Davidson previously revealed that BAFTA bosses had assured him 'that any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast' and questioned why he was seated with a microphone just in front of him.

He told Variety last week that the movie's distributors StudioCanal had been 'working closely with Bafta, and Bafta had made us all aware that any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast'.

He added: 'I have made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel that they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette's and worked harder to prevent anything that I said - which, after all, was some 40 rows back from the stage - from being included in the broadcast.

'As I reflect on the auditorium, I remember there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic.'

The BBC apologised for not editing out the N-word and confirmed it would be launching a 'fast-tracked investigation' into what it called a 'serious mistake' in the wake of the incident.

BAFTA issued an 'unreserved apology' for the 'very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many'.

It is understood people from Warner Bros, the film studio behind Sinners, spoke directly with BAFTA staff following the incident during the ceremony and requested the slur be removed from the broadcast.

Warner Bros representatives are said to have been reassured this request would be passed on and BAFTA was in touch with the studio throughout the evening.

But, according to sources, producers responsible for editing the show 'simply did not hear the slur' shouted when Jordan and Lindo were on stage.

In contrast, the BBC edited out 'Free Palestine' from an acceptance speech made by filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr after My Father's Shadow won the BAFTA for outstanding British debut.
As one door closes for Timothee Chalamet, a new one opens.

The 30-year-old actor, who fell short in his bid to win Best Leading Actor for Marty Supreme at Sunday's Oscars, pivoted to promoting his next high-profile project: Dune 3.

Chalamet posted to his Instagram account on Monday a promotional poster that read, 'DUN3 TRAILER TOMORROW' teasing a sneak peek at Tuesday's third installment in the Dune franchise.

Chalamet was pictured in the promotional pic as his character in the film, Paul Atreides, which had the words: 'The epic conclusion.'

The actor was well supported by a number of his followers as he announced the beginning of promotions for the third installment in the film series.

One user predicted that 'Timothee about to have the greatest villain comeback era,' while another suggested Dune 3 would be the project to garner him his long-awaited Oscar win, writing, 'Get that Oscar GOAT.'

Timothee Chalamet, 30, who fell short in his bid to win Best Leading Actor for Marty Supreme at the Oscars, pivoted to promoting his next big project: Dune 3. Pictured at Sunday's event

A commenter said Chalamet appeared even more motivated to gain success in the wake of the Oscar snub.

'Bro didn't win the oscars he turning up,' the user said.

Said another fan, 'I cant wait Dune era is back lets go cant wait for Dune part 3 ... timothee should of won the [Oscars] this movie will for sure give him one Timothee is the goat.'

Echoed another user: 'Paul Atreides is definitely the role that's bringing that Oscar home.'

The user predicted that 'after the snubs for Call Me By Your Name and Marty Supreme, they have no more excuses with Dune III!'

Chalamet had a bit of a bumpy end to award season over the past few weeks, as it appeared to be a close Oscar race between him and eventual winner, Sinners star Michael B. Jordan, for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role honors.

Chalamet caused a stir after he said that 'no one cares about' art forms such as ballet and opera, garnering strong reactions from multiple celebrities and people in the arts.

His controversial comments came during the filming of A CNN & Variety Town Hall Event at the University of Texas at Austin last month, where he told Matthew McConaughey he felt a sense of conflict about pushing seeing films in theaters.

Chalamet posted to his Instagram account on Monday a promotional poster that read, 'DUN3 TRAILER TOMORROW'

Fans of the star cheered him on as he hyped a sneak peek of Tuesday's third installment in the Dune franchise

Chalamet said of ballet and opera, 'It's like, "Keep this thing alive even though no one cares about this thing anymore.'"

Also nominated Sunday for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role were One Battle After Another's Leonardo DiCaprio, The Secret Agent's Wagner Moura and Blue Moon's Ethan Hawke.

Chalamet's first nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role was for his work in the 2017 motion picture Call Me By Your Name.

He was also nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his role as Bob Dylan in 2024's A Complete Unknown.
He may be the fourth-richest man in the world, but even billionaire status couldnt stop Nicole Kidman from stealing Jeff Bezos and his glamorous fiancee Lauren Sanchez's red carpet moment at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars Party on Sunday.

The Oscar-winning actress appeared to unintentionally photobomb the Amazon founder and Sanchez as the couple posed arm-in-arm for photographers on the arrivals carpet.

Footage of the moment shows Nicole gliding behind the pair as she made her way along the red carpet, briefly stepping into the frame during their photo opportunity.

Moments later, both Jeff and Lauren appeared to turn their heads to watch Nicole as she stepped forward to pose for her own photos.

Fans have since poked fun at the awkward run-in on social media, with one commenting: 'This queen walked right by and said the movie star is here.'

'A Chrysler 300 looks like a phantom until a real phantom pulls up!' another quipped, as someone else added: 'She didnt just photobomb them - she rendered them obsolete.'

Nicole Kidman photobombed Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' red carpet moment at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars Party on Sunday

Big Little Lies star Nicole wore a shimmering gold gown by Chanel with frayed details on the sleeves and hem.

The frock served as her second outfit of the evening.

Like many of the A-list guests attending the glamorous bash, Nicole had changed outfits after attending the 2026 Academy Awards earlier that night.

For the ceremony, the actress wore a custom strapless pale pink gown by Chanel featuring a corset-style bustier embellished with feathers and grey-and-white crystal detailing.

This was the first time Nicole has attended the Oscars as a single woman in years after her split from husband Keith Urban last year.

In September 2025, it was revealed that the actress and Urban had split after 19 years of marriage.

Not long after ringing in the new year, the former couple reached a settlement agreement to finalise the divorce.

During an interview with Variety last week, Nicole opened up about the divorce and shared how she is now 'moving forward.'

Join the discussion Was Nicole Kidmans Oscars afterparty photobomb awkward or hilarious?

Footage of the moment shows Nicole gliding behind the pair as she made her way along the red carpet, briefly stepping into the frame during their photo opportunity.

Moments later, both Jeff and Lauren appeared to turn their heads to watch Nicole as she stepped forward to pose for her own photos

For the ceremony, the actress wore a custom strapless pale pink gown by Chanel featuring a corset-style bustier embellished with feathers and grey-and-white crystal detailing

'What I'm grateful for is my family, and keeping them as is, and moving forward. That's that.'

The star added, 'I'm staying in a place of, "We are a family," and that's what we'll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.'

When questioned if she was 'doing all right' after the split, the actress replied, 'I am, because I'm always going to be moving toward what's good.'

'[Last year] I was quiet. I had other things going on. I was in my shell. Now I'm in a place of saying, "2026. Here we go."'

Kidman recently took on a leading role in the Amazon Prime Video series Scarpetta, which was released on the streaming site on March 11.

The cast of the thriller includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker and Ariana DeBose.

The premise follows, 'A brilliant forensic pathologist who uses forensic technology to solve crimes,' per IMDb.
The Back To The Future actor Matt Clark had a reunion with one of his former costars prior to his death at age 89 on Sunday.

One of the Back To The Future III star's last public appearances was connecting with his castmate Michael J. Fox last year.

Clark joined in for the Back To The Future reunion at the Dallas Fan Expo last year to celebrate the film's 40th anniversary, per TMZ.

He reportedly caught up with Fox backstage before later joining in on the Q&A with the cast of the beloved movie series.

Clark is best known for starring in the third installment of the Back to the Future film series.

He played the role of Chester the bartender in the Wild West version of Hill Valley set in 1885.

Matt Clark had a reunion with one of his former costars prior to his death at age 89 on Sunday; pictured in May 2014

One of the Back To The Future III star's last public appearances was connecting with his castmate Michael J. Fox last year; pictured in January 2025

He famously witnessed the battle between Marty McFly (Fox) and Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) in front of the Palace Saloon.

Clark died from complications following back surgery, his wife Sharon Mays told Variety.

His daughter, producer Amiee Clark, also told The Hollywood Reporter he broke his back a few months ago.

Clark was committed to his decades-spanning career in film, television and theater.

He worked on a number of roles in the Western genre including Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, Jeremiah Johnson and The Outlaw Josey Wales.

'I just loved 'em,' Clark said in a 1991 interview, per The Hollywood Reporter.

'Just like you always wanted to do as a little kid, you put on chaps and boots and tie on spurs that jingle when you walk.'

Clark has worked with fellow beloved stars Clint Eastwood and John Wayne.

Clark joined in for the Back to the Future reunion at the Dallas Fan Expo last year to celebrate the original film's 40th anniversary

He reportedly caught up with Fox backstage before later joining in on the Q&A with the cast of the beloved movie series

In Back to the Future III, Clark played the role of Chester the bartender in the Wild West version of Hill Valley set in 1885, who famously witnessed the battle between Marty McFly (Fox) and Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson); Fox is pictured in 1985 Back to the Future movie still

Clark had an acclaimed and illustrated career in film, television and theater; pictured in May 2014

He is mostly associated with movies and shows in the Western genre

'I just loved 'em,' Clark said about the Western genre in a 1991 interview. 'Just like you always wanted to do as a little kid, you put on chaps and boots and tie on spurs that jingle when you walk'

He appeared in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension and in shows like Bonanza, Kung Fu and Dynasty.

Clark also directed and helmed the 1988 feature film Da, which followed a New York playwright summoned to Ireland to bury his father.

'He was the kind of actor that defined Hollywood filmmaking in its greatest era,' Hacks director Gary Rosen said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

Rosen referred to late actor as 'the utterly unique character player who made every scene he appeared in memorable, often stealing them from stars like Rod Steiger, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne.'

While honoring Clark, he added: 'His roles in In the Heat of the Night, Jeremiah Johnson, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Cowboys, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, among many others, helped to elevate those films to classic status.

'He leaves the stage, but his performances will be remembered forever,' he added.

The family of the beloved actor told outlets in a statement that Clark felt 'lucky' for his genre-spanning career.

His family called him an 'actor's actor' and added that 'he died the way he lived, on his terms.'

Clark is survived by his wife Sharon Mays and additional family members.
Maura Higgins has sparked criticism after she confessed she hadn't seen the Oscar-winning hit One Battle After Another, despite landing a sought-after invite to an Academy Award bash.

The former Love Island star, 35, has been on a huge Stateside promotional trail following her appearance on The US Traitors, and was among many stars who attended Elton John's annual Oscars viewing party.

Given she was set to tune into the ceremony and see who would win one of the coveted golden statues, it would be fair to assume Maura could have caught a glimpse at some of the biggest films nominated.

However, the Love Island star admitted she 'hadn't watched' one of the films which was a big winner at this year's ceremony, confessing she 'hadn't had a lot of time'.

The interview, which was shared on X, led many fans to complain that she'd landed an invite to the Oscars party despite many crew members and stars of the films missing out.

Maura was among many non-actors who attended the post-Oscars parties, with Elton John's bash also seeing stars such as Brooklyn Beckham, Dua Lipa and Sharon Osbourne in attendance.

Maura Higgins has sparked criticism after she confessed she hadn't seen the Oscar-winning hit One Battle After Another, despite landing a sought-after invite to an Academy Award bash

'I've not watched it.'



Maura Higgins admits the one Oscar-winning film she hasn't watched from this year's nominees.



Live updates: https://t.co/D4uMugqCSA pic.twitter.com/OciRyro0NR  Sky News (@SkyNews) March 16, 2026

Speaking to Sky News, Maura was asked whether she was pleased One Battle After Another had won Best Picture, or if she was more of a fan of Ryan Coogler's Sinners.

She said: 'I've not watched it! I don't watch an awful lot, lately I've not had a lot of time at all, yeah I've not really watched much TV lately.'

A clip of the interview sparked comments including: 'Crew members that work their a***s off to make these films don't get the invite but this breezer just walks in for what exactly? What input to the film industry does she have to make her being there worthwhile?

'@TheAcademy great job inviting someone who hates movies. Well done;'

'Doesn't watch films but being interviewed for what?

'Then why is she there if she isn't a film enthusiast; Why is she even there then?'

However some defended the star, writing: 'OMG love Maura what a classy lady; Even Maura hasn't seem them all, makes me feel better about skipping a few!'

Maura has proven to be a hit with fans in the states after she made her glamorous debut on The Traitors US last month.

The Paul Thomas Anderson film was awarded Best Picture as one of its six awards during Sunday's ceremony

After sharing in a Sky News interview she 'didn't have the time' to watch One Battle After Another, some fans questioned how she'd landed an invite to the party

However, some defended the former Love Island star while praising her glamorous look at Elton's bash

After sharing her plans to crack America, Maura has been pictured attending a number of glitzy events.

The star is currently on a press tour following her appearance on the fourth season of The Traitors US.

Months after her successful Love Island stint way back in 2019, Maura appeared on Dancing On Ice at the beginning of 2020, Cooking With The Stars in 2022 and I'm A Celeb in 2024.

Along with her success at home, she has also branched out across the pond thanks to a hosting gig on Love Island USA: Aftersun.

She also similarly impressed American viewers during her unapologetic appearance on Celebrity Traitors, aiding her star to rise like never before.

The 98th Academy Awards celebrated the best films of 2025, with the glitzy ceremony which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

One Battle After Another ended the 2026 awards season by winning Best Picture on a night where Michael B Jordan and Jessie Buckley earned top acting prizes.

Jordan, 39, shocked the world at the 98th Academy Awards as he upset Timothee Chalamet to win Best Actor for Sinners as Buckley, 36, took home Best Actress for her work in Hamnet at the event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Paul Thomas Anderson accepted the top prize alongside Teyana Taylor and the rest of the cast and crew as the film earned the most wins of the night with six.

The most talked about moment of the night will surely be that Jordan earned the top honor Best Actor for his leading role in Ryan Coogler film Sinners.

He upset favorite throughout award season 30-year-old Chalamet, who starred in Marty Supreme, as the field included: Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent.

Jessie Buckley continued her winning ways as she earned Best Actress for her role in Hamnet.

The 36-year-old Irish actress beat out Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs Id Kick You, Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone - Bugonia.
Keith Urban is said to be 'heartbroken' after an apparent snub by his eldest daughter, Sunday Rose.

The 17-year-old model failed to mention her rocker father in an interview with Elle Australia for its March edition.

During the sit-down, Sunday Rose was quick to praise her mother, Nicole Kidman, 58, for being one of the biggest creative inspirations in her life.

She credited Nicole for being instrumental in sparking her interest in modelling, as the Aussie A-lister used to take her daughter to photo shoots as a young child.

'My mum is someone who has always been so creative and my biggest inspiration in life,' Sunday Rose told the publication.

'She is a key part of everything I do.'

Keith Urban, far right, is said to be 'heartbroken' after an apparent snub by his eldest daughter, Sunday Rose, second right

The 17-year-old model failed to mention her rocker father in an interview with Elle Australia for its March edition. In the sit-down, Sunday Rose was quick to praise her mother, Nicole Kidman, 58, for being one of the biggest creative inspirations in her life

Sunday Rose added that Nicole had offered some sage advice to help her modelling career.

'The biggest piece of industry advice Mum has given to me is to always be on time,' she said.

While Keith, 58, did not rate a mention, Sunday Rose also praised her mother for teaching her good travel habits.

The interview has reportedly rattled Keith, with an insider telling New Idea that he is 'just numb' over the apparent snub.

'Keith doesnt know what to say, but hes trying to put on a brave front,' the source said.

'He knows he has to be patient; however, this latest snub  so publicly, there in black and white  has stumped him.'

Keith has not been seen with Sunday Rose and her sister Faith Margaret, 15, since he and Nicole announced the end of their 19-year marriage in September last year.

As part of the divorce, which was finalised in January, Nicole retained the majority custody of the couple's daughters.

'My mum is someone who has always been so creative and my biggest inspiration in life,' Sunday Rose told the publication. 'She is a key part of everything I do'

The interview has reportedly rattled Keith, with an insider telling New Idea that he is 'just numb' over the apparent snub

Under the parenting plan, Nicole will spend 306 days a year with her daughters, while Keith will have 59 days.

The last time Keith was seen publicly with his daughters was back in December 2024.

The family had returned to Australia for Christmas to reunite with Nicole's extended family following her mother Janelle's death in September that year.

Meanwhile, Keith's last official public outing with his daughters came 597 days ago, in July 2024.

Keith and Nicole were joined by Faith Margaret and Sunday Rose as they cheered on 14-year-old Aussie skateboarder Chloe Covell at the Paris Olympics.

According to Woman's Day, Keith is now living a 'solitary' bachelor life in Nashville when he is not spending time with his children.

The publication claimed that Keith has cut out everyone connected to his past with Nicole.

'He's now living a life that's been completely purged of everyone to do with his past life,' a source said.

Keith has not been seen with Sunday Rose and her sister Faith Margaret, 15, since he and Nicole announced the end of their 19-year marriage in September last year

Speaking to US outlet ABC News in 2018, Keith admitted that he 'loved' being a father to girls.

'I just love being a parent,' Keith revealed. 'I didn't know that I'd ever get to be one.'

The hitmaker continued: 'It's an incredible feeling.'

'And having girls  I love having girls. You know, I come from a family with no sisters, one brother. So, it's been quite the learning curve in a really good way.'
Celebrity doppelgangers Margot Robbie and Samara Weaving had fans seeing double at the Los Angeles screening of Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come on Monday.

The Australian actresses, who have long been mistaken for each other, were spotted posing for photos at the VIP event, with the star of the film Samara looking stunning with her baby bump on display.

Margot, who welcomed her first child with husband Tom Ackerley in November 2024, beamed as she playfully posed with her stomach pressed against Samara's bump.

Looking more alike than ever, Margot and Samara even matched their outfits for the occasion, with the former sporting a brown leather jacket, while the latter sported a brown coat.

Margot completed her look with a black mini dress and matching boots, while Samara wore a daring light green maxi dress with a cut-out at the stomach, allowing her bump to poke through.

Samara, who is the niece of renowned Australian actor Hugo Weaving, is expecting her first child with her movie director husband Jimmy Warden.

Celebrity doppelgangers Margot Robbie (right) and Samara Weaving (left) had fans seeing double at the Los Angeles screening of Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come on Monday

The Australian actresses, who have long been mistaken for each other, were spotted posing for photos at the VIP event, with the star of the film Samara looking stunning with her baby bump on display

The sighting comes after Samara revealed that she and Margot are great friends and regularly catch up in Los Angeles.

Margot's husband Tom and Samara's husband Jimmy are great mates too.

'We met five or six years ago. She's great; our husbands are like best friends' the Scream 5 actress told Stellar magazine.

'I have a really good group of girlfriends in LA  a lot of Aussies  and we really try to make time for each other and hang out, go for dinners, and leave the husbands at home' she continued.

'It's so important to have that in LA because it can get really overwhelming'.

Samara also previously revealed that she is regularly approached by excited fans who believe they're meeting the Oscar-nominated actress.

'I've tried saying, "No, it's not who you think it is," but because I also have an Australian accent, people still think I'm Margot and that she's being really rude. Now I just stand there like her, ' she told WHO Magazine.

Samara also said she was once approached for a photo by a young Margot fan who thought she was finally meeting her idol.

The sighting comes after Samara revealed that she and Margot are great friends and regularly catch up in Los Angeles. Margot's husband Tom and Samara's husband Jimmy are great mates too. (Left is Samara and Jimmy, and right is Margot and Tom)

Samara also previously revealed that she is regularly approached by excited fans who believe they're meeting the Oscar-nominated actress. (Pictured left is Samara and right is Margot)

'I didn't have the heart to tell her I wasn't her, so I just stood there and tried to copy her [Margot's] smile,' she recalled.

When asked if she was annoyed at the constant comparisons to the blonde bombshell, Samara said: 'Are you kidding? No, it's flattering. I love Margs. She's the best!'

Samara first gained public recognition for her role as Indi Walker on the Australian soap Home and Away.

Margot meanwhile cut her teeth acting in =Australian soap Neighbours.
Sarah Michelle Gellar has blamed the cancellation of the highly anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival on an executive who was 'proud' to tell her that he had never seen the original series.

The actress, 48, who starred as Buffy Summers in all seven seasons of the hit show from 1997 to 2003, spoke about the shocking axing of the reboot by Hulu in a new interview with People.

'We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn't for him,' she said.

'That's very hard when you're taking a property that is as beloved as Buffy, not just to the world, but to me and Chloe,' she added, speaking of the reboot's director Chloe Zhao.

'So that tells you the uphill battle that we had been fighting since day one, when your executive is literally proud to tell you that he didn't watch it,' Gellar went on.

'But the fans, they were the only reason we were doing this show in the first place' she went on, adding, 'We were doing it because everybody loves it. So how do you do a show that's beloved with someone that doesn't love it?'

Sarah Michelle Gellar, 48, said that the reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was cancelled due to a Hulu executive who was 'proud' to have never seen the original show; She is pictured on March 16 in New York

The actress, who starred as Buffy Summers in all seven seasons of the hit show from 1997 to 2003, spoke about the shocking axing in a new interview with People; Seen in a 1998 still

Gellar did not name the Hulu executive.

The actress told the outlet that she got the call with the shocking news right before she was about to take the stage at the SXSW Film & TV Festival to debut Ready or Not 2: Here I Come on March 11.

'Let me tell you, nobody saw this coming, including the head of Searchlight [Pictures],' she said.

'And I got the call as we were stepping onto stage for the premiere of their own movie. And it's also the weekend of Chloe going to the Oscars as a best director nominee for Hamnet.'

'For them to call us on the Friday of what should have been Chloe's victory lap for an incredible film, and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard for is... That says something.'

Gellar and Zhao had already filmed a pilot for the series reboot, which was set to feature the return of the iconic Buffy. The revival would have also seen the veteran vampire hunter pass the torch to a new generation, with Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 16, cast as a fresh slayer alongside Gellar's character.

'I loved the duality that we had this new, younger slayer who was where Buffy was when the show started, and then we would pick up with where Buffy was now,' Gellar said.

Gellar praised Armstrong as a 'superstar' adding that she is 'gutted that no one will see her as a slayer.'

'We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn't for him,' she said; Seen March 13 in Austin, Texas

'We were doing it because everybody loves it. So how do you do a show that's beloved with someone that doesn't love it?' she asked, adding that 'nobody saw this coming'; Seen in 2025

Gellar and director Chloe Zhao (seen in an Instagram snap) had already filmed a pilot for the series reboot

The revival would have seen the veteran vampire hunter pass the torch to a new generation, with Ryan Kiera Armstrong, 16, cast as a fresh slayer alongside Gellar's Buffy. Gellar said she was 'gutted that no one will see [Armstrong] as a slayer'; Armstrong seen in 2024

Gellar said that she has spoken to Zhao and that they are both 'feeling the same things. Disappointment.'

'We don't want to let the fans down. That hurts. Saddened at how it was handled and when it was handled,' she added.

As for what will happen to the project, Gellar said that it's too soon to tell.

Gellar shared that she has heard from 'every single one' of her original Buffy castmates, including David Boreanaz, as she gushed about their 'lasting relationship.'

She also addressed the show's fans, stating that 'Buffy is timeless' and that the show's 'legacy is still there and this doesn't diminish it.'

Gellar first announced the cancellation to fans earlier this week, admitting that she was 'really sad' about the news after looking forward to getting back in Buffy's 'stylish yet affordable boots.'

Gellar's somber demeanor appeared to reflect her mood in a video posted to Instagram on Saturday.

Wearing a beige cardigan and her light blonde hair pulled back from her face, the star said the Disney-owned streamer Hulu 'has decided not to move forward' on the reboot, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

According to TMZ, Gellar and the reboot's director Zhao felt 'blindsided' by the recent development as well as the timing.

Gellar spent a moment to thank Zhao in her message.

'Thanks to Chloe, I was reminded how much I love (Buffy), how much she means not only to me but to all of you, and this doesnt change any of that,' she said.

'And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.'

Armstrong also shared a video with her emotional response to the news.

Gellar first announced the cancellation to fans earlier this week, admitting that she was 'really sad' about the news

The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a hit and cultural phenomenon; Gellar is pictured in a still with co-stars David Boreanaz and Nicholas Brendon

'I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all of the support that you guys have given me and this show throughout the last couple months. Its been really special,' she said.

Armstrong appeared to be on the verge of tears as she shared she was 'really proud' of the show and 'sad that you guys won't be able to see it, but that doesnt take away from the amazing experience that I had.'

She expressed gratitude for Geller and Zhao, as well as her 'awesome' co-stars and 'fans who believed in this new chapter and who believed in me,' noting that 'we brought this back for you guys and Buffy is such a big part of all of our lives. Its not going anywhere! Who knows what the future will hold?'

The sequel series was first announced in February 2025.

The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a hit and cultural phenomenon. It became a huge success for the WB Network for its witty writing and Gellar's strong and complex lead character.

The series, which was based on the 1992 film starring Kristy Swanson in the titular role, began in 1997 and aired for seven seasons.
Kyle Sandilands has said that he is ready to return to work  if ARN want him.

The radio network has until midnight on Tuesday to decide the shock jock's fate as his 14-day suspension ends.

Speaking in an off-the-cuff interview with McKnight Tonight after taping Australian Idol on Tuesday evening, Sandilands said that he would be back on the air in the morning unless he's told otherwise.

'No, my world has not fallen apart. I've still got a contract that hasn't changed until they advise me as such. I'm more than happy to turn up tomorrow and do the radio show,' the 54-year-old said.

'Although we're not sure that's gonna happen as we haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully I hear by midnight and then we'll know where we all stand,' he continued.

'I want to get back to work. The listeners want me to go back to work. I've had many clients call me and say they want me back on there. We'll have to see if they're all singing from the same handbook.'

Kyle Sandilands (pictured) has said that he is ready to return to work  if ARN want him. The radio network has until midnight on Tuesday to decide the shock jock's fate as his 14-day suspension ends

Kyle added: 'I'm willing to do the show, if they're willing to put me on. Time will tell. Might be a different conversation in the morning.'

When asked how his mental health was holding up, Sandilands was nonplussed.

He explained: 'Even my best mate, Johnny Ibrahim, called me today and said, "How are you?" and I said, "Mate I'm fine." And he said, "No, how's your mental health?" and I started laughing. I said, "My mental health is fine."

'Even my wife said to me, "You're remarkable, the way you're handling this" and I said, "Look, laying down in the corner and crying is not the way I normally do things." I've had way worse things than this to handle. I was a homeless teenager. I've dealt with much tougher things. I just compartmentalise it.'

Kyle had the censors sweating earlier on Tuesday night as he went off script during a live episode of Australian Idol.

The radio king reportedly had radio network ARN worried that he'd say something uncouth once he was untethered by the reality show's live to air telecasts, and those concerns were somewhat founded as Sandilands took the first available opportunity to air his woes at KIIS FM.

He began by addressing host Ricki-Lee Coulter, before launching into hints that he may be out of a job as his ARN suspension deadline expires at midnight on Tuesday.

'Today, Ricki, I've got nothing else on my mind except the excitement of the vote,' Kyle joked.

Speaking in an off-the-cuff interview with McKnight Tonight after taping Australian Idol on Tuesday evening, Sandilands said that he would be back on the air in the morning unless he's told otherwise

He then referred to the slick black suit he was wearing for the occasion, joking that he was suited-up in the hopes of landing a job at menswear retailer, Lowes.

'I'm also dressed like this because I have a job interview with Lowes after the show,' Kyle said.

'The radio guys... once you're out of radio you have to sell socks at Lowes.'

Sandilands then glanced at his watch as he added: 'For now I've got this job, and for now I still have the other job.'

Fellow judge Amy Shark suggested that she could be a reference for Kyle if he needed a new job.

'I might take you up on that,' Sandilands quipped.

On Tuesday afternoon, the shock jock gave an official, albeit brief, statement outside his Vaucluse home as he made his way to filming duties on Australian Idol.

Addressing waiting media, Kyle confirmed that he wanted to continue work on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, but admitted that his future at KIIS FM still hangs in the balance, with the midnight deadline for a decision from ARN looming.

Kyle had the censors sweating earlier on Tuesday night as he went off script during a live episode of Australian Idol

After insisting he felt 'good', the radio king admitted that nothing has been decided with regard to his ongoing contract at the network.

'I obviously can't say too much because I haven't heard anything yet,' Kyle said.

'I still want to do this show. The listeners want me back on there doing the show. So at the end of the day, I've got a contract with ARN, I expect them to honour that. And I do have some options.'

When asked what those options are, Kyle, who was accompanied by his manager Bruno Bouchet, replied: 'No idea yet. Many options.'

Sandilands was then asked if rumours that he plans to buy ARN are true.

'There's many options, that is all I am going to say. I can't predict anything. Still waiting,' he replied cryptically.

Kyle would not be drawn on questions about whether or not he has yet spoken to former co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, simply ignoring the queries before hurriedly leaving the premises.

The Australian Radio Network (ARN) announced last month that Jackie 'O' Henderson's $100 million contract had been terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following his harsh onair comments that left her in tears.

ARN also provided written notice to Sandilands stating it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 to be 'an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN's service agreement with Quasar Media'.

Sandilands has been suspended and given 14 days to 'remedy' the breach, or else he faces termination.

That deadline is believed to end at midnight on Tuesday.
Katie Price is reportedly headed to Dubai to reunite with her husband Lee Andrews.

Despite the ongoing Iranian crisis, which has seen missile attacks across the UAE city, she was seen at Gatwick Airport on Tuesday preparing to head off while toting a suitcase adorned with her daughter Bunny's name.

The glamour model, 47, and Lee, 43, initially tied the knot in January just weeks after meeting, before holding a second, legal ceremony in February - much to the shock and concern of fans and family, due to rumours of Lee being a scammer.

The couple have been kept apart since Katie flew back from Dubai, while there have been whispers that Lee is banned from leaving the UAE, however in images obained by The Sun, it appears she is set to return to her love.

Shortly before her airport trip, Lee shared images of Katie's birthday card to him, which read: 'To my forever husband, Happy birthday! I will shall your whole life celebrating with you. I love you to infinity. Love from your wife Katie X'.

Katie Price is reportedly headed to Dubai to reunite with her husband Lee Andrews

Shortly before her airport trip, Lee shared images of Katie's birthday card to him, which read: 'To my forever husband, Happy birthday! I will shall your whole life celebrating with you. I love you to infinity. Love from your wife Katie X'

Lee showed off Katie's gifts - even teasing a Louis Vuitton present

Katie was weighed down with a huge suitcase as she headed through the airport, apparently on her way to meet Lee.

Lee, who is Katie's fourth husband, has been accused of being a 'scammer' amid a host of boasts about his life, including his statement that he is a millionaire businessman with a PHD from Cambridge University and links to Elon Musk.

His ex-fiancee Alana Percival, 32, to whom he popped the question just 16 weeks before his marriage to Katie, has claimed he scammed money out of her and others and is lying in his claims about his finances and business.

On Monday, Katie appeared on GMB where she was seen insisting he does in fact have a PhD - despite ongoing claims he's just a conman.

She insisted that Lee does have a PhD as she appeared on GMB, telling hosts Susanna Reid, 55, and Ed Balls, 59, it was instead from a 'Spanish' university.

Last week, Lee took to Instagram to make further claims about his life, including a post about be coming a 'future trillionaire', detailing a 'mysterious income' and being a member of 'the 1%'.

Katie has previously hit back against criticism, insisting that he was 'no cat-fisher or scammer', telling The Sun: 'I haven't gone for a con man... please be happy for me.'

The glamour model, 47, and Lee, 43, initially tied the knot in January just weeks after meeting, before holding a second, legal ceremony in February - much to the shock and concern of fans and family, due to rumours of Lee being a scammer

She even told fans that she had seen proof of his university degree and PhD, saying: 'There was so much paperwork, his PHD, is like in a binder like that.

'I proper looked at everything, because the stamps, they're like wax some of them, and you can't, do you know what I mean? You can't fake.

'You know when you've got certificates and it's like the watermarks in them, it's all like that. Everything he's shown me is so legit, I'm not stupid. They're not copies, they're originals.'

But claims that Lee had been to Cambridge were then debunked by the publication, as the university said they 'could not find a record of Lee being registered as a student' t the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.
Adwoa Aboah posed topless and revealed that she was left 'short of breath' by the restrictive corset she squeezed into for the Vanity Fair Oscars party.

The actress attended the star-studded bash after the awards show but was left feeling a little uncomfortable.

Adwoa, 33, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share social media snaps of the look as she covered her modesty.

She penned in the caption of her post: 'Short of breath in Margiela at @vanityfair @guiducci.'

For the actual party she covered up in a stylish black dress and accessorised with dangly silver earrings.

The star welcomed her daughter Shy Trinity with her boyfriend Daniel Wheatley in August 2024.

Adwoa Aboah posed topless and revealed that she was left 'short of breath' by the restrictive corset she squeezed into for the Vanity Fair Oscars party

The actress attended the star-studded bash after the awards show but was left feeling a little uncomfortable

One Battle After Another ended the 2026 awards season by winning Best Picture on a night where Michael B Jordan and Jessie Buckley earned top acting prizes at the Oscars.

Jordan, 39, shocked the world at the 98th Academy Awards as he upset Timothee Chalamet to win Best Actor for Sinners as Buckley, 36, took home Best Actress for her work in Hamnet at the event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Paul Thomas Anderson accepted the top prize of the night alongside Teyana Taylor and the rest of the cast and crew as the film earned the most wins of the night with six.

The American black comedy action-thriller film triumphed over a massive, competitive, field including: Bugonia, F1, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, and Train Dreams.

The Leonardo DiCaprio-led film One Battle After Another is centered around a group of ex-revolutionaries who reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own as their enemy resurfaces after 16 years.

The most talked about moment of the night will surely be that Jordan earned the top honor Best Actor for his leading role in Ryan Coogler's film Sinners.

He upset the favorite throughout award season, 30-year-old Chalamet, who starred in Marty Supreme, as the field included: Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon, and Wagner Moura - The Secret Agent.

Jordan was in disbelief as he walked up to the stage and was greeted by last year's winner Adrien Brody.

Sinners is centered around two brothers who return to their hometown to start again only to discover that an even greater evil - in the form of vampires - is waiting to welcome them back.

Adwoa, 33, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share social media snaps of the look as she covered her modesty

For the actual party she covered up in a stylish black dress and accessorised with dangly silver earrings

Jordan portrayed both brothers in the film: older and more serious twin Elijah 'Smoke' Moore in addition to younger and more cheerful sibling Elias 'Stack' Moore.

Jessie Buckley continued her winning ways as she earned Best Actress for her role in Hamnet.

The 36-year-old Irish actress beat out Rose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, Kate Hudson - Song Sung Blue, Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone - Bugonia.

One Battle After Another was the biggest winner of the evening as Paul Thomas Anderson earned both Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Meanwhile, Sean Penn was not in attendance as he earned his third Oscar.

The 65-year-old A-lister's name was announced by Kieran Culkin for the Best Supporting Actor Award for his work in One Battle After Another but he was not in the building to accept.

Amy Madigan took home the first award at the Oscars 2026 on Sunday night.

The 75-year-old veteran actress earned Best Supporting Actress for her work in Zach Cregger's supernatural mystery horror film Weapons.

It was one of the most contentious categories of the night as she was up against Elle Fanning - Sentimental Value, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - Sentimental Value, Wunmi Mosaku - Sinners, and Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another.

Ryan Coogler finally earned his first win in the Best Original Screenplay category for his epic Sinners.

One of the most touching wins of the night came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won Best Cinematography for Sinners.

The second award of the night was groundbreaking as KPop Demon Hunters earned Best Animated Feature Film.
Brad Pitt is aiming to have a rich Russian businessman legally questioned about dealing with Angelina Jolie regarding their French winery.

According to court documents obtained by Daily Mail, the 62-year-old actor has asked a judge to force Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler to appear for a remote deposition as his legal battle with his 50-year-old ex-wife Angelina Jolie over Chateau Miraval rolls on.

Pitt and Jolie have been embroiled in a dispute over their co-ownership of the winery, which they purchased jointly in 2008, with the F1 star suing his ex for selling her half without his consent for $67million in 2021.

Angie offloaded her share to the aforementioned Shefler, the owner of Stoli's parent company in a move that infuriated Brad, who argues they had a deal that neither would sell their stake unless the other approved.

In the new filing, Pitt says that Shefler has refused to sit for a deposition but alleges to have 'learned that the transaction was orchestrated by, and closed at the behest of' Shefler.

Thus, Pitt is insisting that someone from his legal team have the opportunity to question the Russian businessman.

Brad Pitt is aiming to have a rich Russian businessman legally questioned about dealing with Angelina Jolie regarding their French winery (the former couple are seen in May 2011)

According to court documents obtained by Daily Mail, the 62-year-old actor has asked a judge to force Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler (pictured) to appear for a remote deposition as his legal battle with his 50-year-old ex-wife Angelina Jolie over Chateau Miraval rolls on

It is claimed that Shefler has fought the request on the grounds of being a resident of Switzerland, however, Pitt argues that emails show that Shefler and Jolie had direct contact over the winery purchase which shows that he has knowledge that could be relevant to the ongoing litigation.

Back in December, Pitt received an early birthday present when a judge in Los Angeles sided with him allowing the actor to score a major legal victory over ex-wife Angelina Jolie in the ex-couple's bitter battle over their former French wine estate.

A judge ordered Jolie to hand over a trove of emails and texts with her aides concerning the sale of the idyllic vineyards.

The ruling was handed down on December 17, 2025  the day before Brad's 62nd birthday.

The A-List former couple seem determined to dredge up the past and throw everything they can at each other amid their acrimonious legal battle for the vineyard, where they tied the knot in 2014.

The ongoing dispute has seen the feuding exes attack each other in legal filings ever since Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 for selling her stake in the estate, which produces an award-winning sparkling rose.

The latest battle is over documents that Jolie says are covered by non-disclosure agreements, but Pitt argues that they are nothing more than unprotected business chatter between Jolie and her aides.

Now Superior Court Judge Lia Martin has sided with Pitt and ordered Jolie to hand over 22 documents, giving her 45 days to comply.

The couple had initially agreed to give each other first refusal if either of them ever decided to sell their share

In December, Pitt scored a key victory in his bitter three-year court battle with Jolie over her decision to sell her share of their French wine estate, a total of $67million, after a judge ordered the actress to hand over communications exchanged with her aides as part of the ongoing legal fight

Pitt was blindsided when Jolie sold her share of Chateau Miraval, a 35-room estate and celebrated vineyard in the south of France that Pitt and Jolie bought in 2008. The 1,000-acre estate  now valued at $164million  is where the couple tied the knot in 2014

A source close to Pitt told the Daily Mail that the emails would prove Jolie had been 'disingenuous since the start' regarding her sale of her part in the business.

Jolie 'is abusing the privilege to bury critical documents that go to the heart of the case,' attorneys for the Oscar winning actor argued in the court filing, asking for the 22 documents.

The chateau, where the couple wed in 2014, became Pitt's 'passion' and one of the world's most highly-regarded producers of rose wine

Pitt's legal team said that Jolie's legal logic was not sound as to why she is refusing to turn over the communications.

Pitt's lawyers dismiss that portrayal, deriding the pair as nothing more than 'image consultants.'

Attorney Paul Murphy for Jolie told Daily Mail: 'Were disappointed by the courts interpretation of Californias privilege law.

'The courts ruling violates that law, undermines Ms. Jolies fundamental right to a fair trial, and represents yet another manifestation of Mr. Pitts years-long effort to harass and control her. We will appeal.'

The documents include conversations between Jolie's longtime business manager Terry Bird on how to handle the Miraval sale, and trusted aides Chloe Dalton, and Lady Arminka Helic.

Pitt's lawyers argue that the currently redacted content likely includes Bird's personal thoughts and Jolie's directives on whether to respond to Stoli's inquiry about the vineyard purchase.

Jolie and Helic (left) grew close in 2012 after she teamed up with his then-boss, former UK foreign secretary William Hague (right), on an antisexual violence campaign

One exchange shows Dalton, Helic, and Bird working together on a draft attorney-client communication to the actress's Luxembourg-based attorney, Laurent Schummer, regarding a key letter tied to the sale.

Jolie and Helic first bonded in 2012, when the Tomb Raider star and Helic's then-boss, former British foreign secretary William Hague, partnered for an anti-sexual violence initiative.

A source previously said that Jolie considered Helic a 'mentor', who began 'helping Angie make decisions on what she wants her next political move to be', after stepping away from Hollywood.

In 2015, Jolie, Helic and Dalton formed the Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic foundation, an organization that aims to prevent violence against women and help refugees.

Jolie insists their presence was 'reasonably necessary to help me receive the legal advice I needed.'

They argue that there is clear evidence that Jolie is hiding non-legal advice under the veil of privilege.

The documents Pitt's team are demanding also include communications between the actress and her finance consultants Marjorie Brabet-Friel and James Friel.

In previous filings, Jolie stated that when they filed for divorce, she left him 'control (and full residency) of their family homes in Los Angeles and at Miraval, without compensation'

According to Jolie's sworn declarations, the disputed emails reveal the step-by-step roadmap of her legal and strategic maneuvers  from drafting responses to analyzing legal advice.

She has admitted to performing 'sentence-by-sentence redactions', removing passages that contained nothing but 'attorney mental impressions, conclusions, or observations.'

Her team insists these materials reflect pure legal strategy, refuting Pitt's claims that the documents are simply 'business gossip'. But that argument is no longer viable after the judge's ruling.

This discovery fight has become so volatile that it's now teetering on the brink of financial penalties.

Jolie's team has repeatedly warned Pitt that they will seek sanctions against him and his lawyers, labeling his motion as 'frivolous' and premature, filed before both sides had fully exhausted required discussions.

Chateau Miraval in the Var departement in the south of France produces an award-winning sparkling rose

Angelina said she and the children have never returned to Miraval due to its association with the painful events that led to their divorce

Jolie has also claimed that Pitt is using the legal filings to deflect public attention, after his motion was lodged a day before a crucial hearing about her motion to compel documents related to alleged domestic violence.

Pitt's side insists the timing is irrelevant and calls the entire sanctions narrative 'theatrics.'

Jolie entered a court filing earlier this month stating her displeasure with how things have turned out involving the French winery.

Jolie said that upon the 2016 split, she left Pitt 'control (and full residency) of our family homes in Los Angeles and at Miraval, without compensation, which I hoped would make him calmer in his dealings with me after a difficult and traumatic period.

'To this day, the children and I have never again set foot on the property, given its connection to the painful events leading to the divorce.'

'Post-separation, I immediately began to look for a new house for me and our children, initially renting a home while looking for a more stable solution.

All of the couple's children have sided with Angelina with most of them dropping the surname Pitt

'Because I wanted to ensure that Brad remained an important part of our children's lives, I looked to buy a property near his home.

'At the time, my savings were tied up in Miraval, and I had not asked Brad for alimony or any other financial support.'

The former couple are parents to six children: Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 17.

They split in 2016 following a 12-year relationship and two-year marriage, after Jolie accused Pitt of drunkenly attacking her on a private plane. The divorce wasn't finalized until eight years later.

Their kids have all sided with Angelina, with most of them dropping the last name Pitt.

Amid the swathes of new legal documents, Judge Martin has set a trial date of February 1, 2027, and mediation was ordered for October 28, 2026.

Jolie faces potential damages claims if she does not undo the deal she made with Shefler regarding the sale of her Miraval stake.

She was dealt another blow earlier this year after the court ruled she must produce every NDA that she signed with a third-party over an eight-year period from 2014  the year they married  to 2022.

Pitt has landed several legal victories in the battle for the winery including a key judgment in Luxembourg which handed him back control of the award-winning vineyard pending further hearings.

In March 2025, LA Superior Court rejected the allegations that his suit was 'frivolous, malicious, and part of a problematic pattern.'
Cameron Diaz took a decade off from her glamorous movie star life as she nested with her husband Benji Madden and their two young children.

The 53-year-old star returned to acting with the 2025 Jamie Foxx film Back In Action.

And now the Hollywood icon has taken back her blonde bombshell image once again for her new project with Keanu Reeves.

Diaz had a major glow up for her role as siren Kyle in Outcome as her hair was long and she was beautifully made up.

New images and a trailer from the movie were released on Tuesday proving she is back on top of the glam game for the Jonah Hill movie.

Cameron Diaz got a major glow up for her new film, Apple TV's Outcome

New images and a trailer from the movie were released on Tuesday proving she is back on top of the glam game for the Jonah Hill movie

Outcome is an upcoming American black comedy film directed and co-produced by Hill.

Also in the cast is Matt Bomer of White Collar fame and Diaz's longtime pal Drew Barrymore.

The film is about Reef Hawk (Reeves), an actor who has been sober for five years.

He has taken a break from acting to build his new home, and he takes pride in his progress in life.

However, when he receives a call from his crisis lawyer Ira Slitz (Hill), who reveals that someone is blackmailing him with a video of questionable content, his life is turned upside-down.

Reef then sets out to make amends with those whom he has wronged in the past in order to figure out who the blackmailer is.

Diaz plays Kyle, Reef's best friend with Bomer as pal Xander.

Reeves is seen telling Diaz and Bomer that he does not want to tell the public he was an addict for many years. They agree it is best to keep that a secret.

Also in the cast are David Spade as Buddy, Laverne Cox as Virginia Allen Green, Kaia Gerber as Oksana, Roy Wood Jr as Reverend Leondrus Carter, Susan Lucci as Dinah Hawk and Martin Scorsese as Richie 'Red' Rodriguez, a washed-up agent for young actors.

She was also listening to Reeves' character explain his downward spiral

The star wore her hair down in beach waves as she added red lipstick

Here she is seen with Keanu Reeves, left, and Matt Bomer, right

The film is about Reef Hawk (Reeves), an actor who has been sober for five years. He has taken a break from acting to build his new home, and he takes pride in his progress in life

However, when he receives a call from his crisis lawyer Ira Slitz (Hill), who reveals that someone is blackmailing him with a video of questionable content, his life is turned upside-down

Here Reeves is seen at a beach house with David Spade, right

In this scene, the actor talks to famed Casino director Martin Scorsese

On the far left is Laverne Cox with Hill and Reeves

The Hollywood icon also had a scene with Susan Lucci of All My Children fame

Roy Wood Jr. and Atsuko Okatsuka

Reeves is seen on a movie studio lot with Hill

Bomer sits on a wood floor at a beach house

It was announced in April 2023 that Apple TV had acquired the film. Hill directs and has a role in the movie. Filming took place from March to May 2024 in Los Angeles.

This marks the first time Reeves and Diaz have appeared in a film together since 1996's drama Feeling Minnesota.

Outcome is scheduled to be released by Apple TV on April 10, 2026.

Diaz took a 10-year break from Hollywood acting, stepping away after her last role in the 2014 film Annie.

During this decade-long hiatus, she focused on her personal life, becoming a mother and launching a wine brand, before returning for the 2025 Netflix film Back In Action with Foxx.

She has several other films in production like Shrek 5, a Stephen Merchant romantic comedy and Bad Day.
She lit up the 1970s with her beachy good looks and megawatt smile that made her a Vogue cover girl and a model for Calvin Klein.

Now supermodel Patti Hansen has turned 70 years old as tributes poured in on social media.

Famed makeup artist Sandy Linter, who used to date '70s model Gia Carangi, said, 'Happy Birthday Patti  Me doing Patti's makeup in the 1990s I think Ill Rock Patti Pictures all day long.'

The beauty with Norwegian ancestry from New York still looks sensational today as she stays in top shape as seen in images posted to Instagram.

She is also the wife of 82-year-old Rolling Stones musician Keith Richards - whom she wed in 1983. The 5ft9in star and the rock god are still going strong.

See what the legend looks like now as she hits the major milestone.

She lit up the 1970s with her beachy good looks and megawatt smile and on Tuesday she turned 70. Seen posing for Vogue in 1975

The looker also landed on the cover of Vogue several times

This blue-eyed beauty with strawberry blonde hair got her start as a young teen.

Hansen was discovered by photographer Peter Gert at age 14.

After Gert took Hansen to a party hosted by Wilhelmina Cooper, former model and owner of the Wilhelmina Models, Cooper signed the teen to her agency.

Hansen then moved from Staten Island into New York City to get a jump on her new career.

She picked up modeling jobs while studying at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan.

One of her first gigs was posing for the cover of Seventeen magazine as she looked like a girl next door and a bit like Taylor Swift.

Years later she graduated to the covers of Vogue and Glamour where slick 1970s glamour was key.

Hansen holding a bicycle wearing a plaid suit by Ellen Tracy, left, and her Seventeen cover, right, in the 1970s

The model in her salad days wearing a blue Jantzen bathing suit in an image taken by Arthur Elgort for Conde Nast in the 1970s

Hansen posed for a portrait in 1976 in New York City

Holding a towel around her naked body, while looking at the camera, standing in the ocean surf on the beach at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida in a shoot from Arthur Elgort

In June 1977, she posed for the cover of the summer issue of GQ magazine

Seen left in 1976 and right on her Cosmopolitan cover

The star with husband Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones in 1988

And she often showed off her figure in sexy low-cut dresses on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine.

The charismatic star then was in a Calvin Klein campaign and posed for Revlon as well as Courreges.

She then went to acting with the film They All Laughed with Audrey Hepburn and Hard To Hold with Rick Springfield.

Later was seen in a Guerlain ad and campaigns for Italian fashion house Versace.

She wed Keith in 1983 in Mexico and they live in Connecticut now. In addition to Theodora, they have daughter Alexandra.

She still models for Vogue and has been in French Playboy.

Her husband Richards is one of the most famous musicians of all time as he is best known for his guitar playing and rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

Hansen (L) and Keith Richards attend the Gonzo Girl premiere during 2025 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theatre in NYC in June 2025

On the cover of Vogue Italy

Richards is an original member, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-principal songwriter of the Rolling Stones.

His songwriting partnership with the band's lead vocalist Mick Jagger is one of the most successful in history.

Richards was born in and grew up in Dartford, Kent.

After graduating college he started playing with Jagger, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Ian Stewart and Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones.

And he has acted too: He appeared in two Pirates of the Caribbean films as Captain Teague, father of Jack Sparrow.

In 1989, Richards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Robert Pattison asked Zendaya 'what is the worst thing' she could find out about her 'husband' Tom Holland in a new video.

The pair star alongside each other in the new film The Drama and took part in a card game where they answered each other's questions for film distributor A24.

In a preview clip from the video, Robert, 39, was seen reading out one of his cards which said: 'What's the worst thing you could find out about your partner?'

The camera then cut to Zendaya, 29, who was seen saying: 'Oh no!'

Zendaya and her Spider-Man co-star Tom have reportedly tied the knot. She has also recently been seen wearing a gold band on her ring finger.

Elsewhere in the card game, Zendaya chose a card that asked her to imitate her co-star's 'most annoying habit'.

Robert Pattison asked Zendaya 'what is the worst thing' she could find out about her 'husband' Tom Holland in a new video

The pair star alongside each other in the new film The Drama and took part in a card game where they answered each other's questions for film distributor A24

She then ran her hands through her hair as the camera cut to Robert doing the same thing.

In The Drama, Zendaya plays Emma Harwood, a bookstore clerk from Baton Rouge, Louisana, who is engaged to Robert's character Charlie Thompson, a museum director from London.

Their relationship is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.

The film is directed by Norwegian filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli and will be released on April 3.

Zendaya continued to fuel marriage rumors as she flashed a glimpse of her 'wedding ring' while presenting the Best Director gong at the Oscars on Sunday.

She also poured fuel on the fire when she was spotted wearing a gold band on her left hand fourth finger at Paris Fashion Week.

However fans were then left confused when Tom was seen a day later enjoying a stroll in Miami with no bauble on his left hand.

Both his hands were bare yet again when he was seen kicking off Oscar weekend with an outing to the storied Chateau Marmont on the Sunset Strip.

The Spider-Man star could be glimpsed emerging from the venue with his male pals, hugging one of them before he headed off for the evening.

While neither she nor Tom has confirmed they've married, Zendaya's longtime stylist seemingly let slip the nuptials have already taken place during an interview at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards earlier this month.

Elsewhere in the card game, Zendaya chose a card that asked her to imitate her co-star's 'most annoying habit'

Zendaya and her Spider-Man co-star Tom have reportedly tied the knot. She has also recently been seen wearing a gold band on her ring finger (pictured in October 2024)

Appearing on the red carpet, Law Roach told a reporter: 'The wedding has already happened. You missed it.'

When the reporter pressed Roach on whether he was joking or not, he replied: 'It's very true.'

Before this, Zendaya had previously sparked marriage speculation when she rocked a dazzling diamond on her left-hand ring finger.

The Daily Mail has previously contacted representatives for them both.

Late last year, Tom had addressed the conjecture during a panel appearance.

When an off-camera reporter referred to Zendaya as his 'girlfriend,' Tom couldn't help but correct him with a laugh.

'Fiancee,' he clarified.

The couple first sparked dating rumors in 2016 when they were cast alongside each other in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Insiders at the time claimed the pair had grown close to each other, bonding over their shared experiences of navigating stardom.

Despite being spotted out together on numerous occasions, and even on holiday, they denied they were anything more than friends.

Everything changed in July 2021 when paparazzi captured the actors sharing a kiss inside a car in Los Angeles, finally confirming what fans had long suspected.

Shortly afterwards, Tom confirmed their romance in a sweet Instagram post for Zendaya's birthday.

'My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays,' he said alongside a behind-the-scenes snap from set.

Tom previously said how they are both determined to keep their love affair private because it has 'nothing to do with' their acting careers.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: 'Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible.

'We don't think that we owe it to anyone, it's our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers.'
Charlotte Crosby has revealed her fiance Jake Ankers was rushed to hospital on Monday night after suffering 'severe chest pains'.

The Geordie Shore star, 35, had been enjoying a hotel break in Scotland with her husband-to-be and their daughters Alba, three, and Pixi, 13 months.

In a post on Instagram, Charlotte told her followers Jake had suffered a health scare the day before they were due to return home.

She said she'd endured a 'scary' 12 hours after Jake began to suffer with pains in his chest and 'numbness in his arms,' leading to him being taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Jake then posted an update sharing that tests had revealed he'd been diagnosed with blood clots, and he was discharged after being given a blood thinning injection and tablets.

Posting a snap of himself in hospital, Jake said the health scare was a 'major wake-up call' to slow down with his busy schedule.

Charlotte Crosby has revealed her fiance Jake Ankers was rushed to hospital on Monday night after suffering 'severe chest pains' (pictured together with their daughters Alba and Pixi)

The star said she'd endured a 'scary' 12 hours after Jake began to suffer with pains in his chest and 'numbness in his arms,' leading to him being taken to hospital in an ambulance

Charlotte wrote: 'I never ever expected our little Scottish trip to end like this but @jake_ankers was rushed to hospital late last night!

'After having severe chest pains and arm numbness an ambulance came for him and he was kept in all night and all morning after elevated blood results!!!

'We want to say a huge thank you to the @cameronhouselocklomond staff who basically went above and beyond to help is all in a really really really scary moment!

'And carried on with the amazing customer service all today helping me pack up and get out of the hotel as I was on my own with the girls and all of our stuff!

'Also a huge thank you to the amazing nurses, drs and paramedics! That did amazing for Jake the past 12 hours.'

Jake then posted: 'Bit of an eventful 24 hrs!

'Started to feel unwell yesterday and last night was getting really bad chest pains along with nausea and dizziness, Charlotte made me call and ambulance so I spent last night in a Scottish hospital and it turns out that my bloods came back indicating blood clots!

'I've had a blood thinning injection and start tablets tomorrow but still need one more scan! A real big wake up call to take better care of my health...

Posting a snap of himself in hospital, Jake said the health scare was a 'major wake-up call' to slow down with his busy schedule

Charlotte later updated her followers by sharing that they had returned home from Scotland with Jake set to undergo further scans

'The paramedics that came out were absolutely brilliant along with the staff at Vale Of Leven hospital... I also must mention the hotel we stayed at Cameron House was helping me and ensuring I was as comfy as possible.

'All work-related stuff will be dealt with at a slower pace this week as I need to recover properly and not do too much that will raise my blood pressure...

'Anyone that has tried to get in touch please bare with me and the team and we will do our best to come back to you.'

In a later update, Charlotte revealed she and Jake had left hospital and returned home, writing: 'All home now Jake's got a lot of meds and some urgent referrals for scans back in England! Lots of rest is needed for him!

'What a huge worry but amazing care from everyone in Scotland we couldn't be more grateful.'

Last month, Charlotte shared that she has quit her self-titled reality show to chase ITV gigs.

The 35-year-old has had a number of her own reality programmes since shooting to fame on MTV's Geordie Shore in 2011.

In March 2025, Geordie Stories: Charlotte's New Baby was released, focusing on her second pregnancy with fiance, Jake Ankers.

Then later that year, in November, Geordie Stories: Charlotte Mam of Two premiered on the streamer, following her life with daughters Alba Jean and Pixi Cecilia.

But after just four episodes, it's not going to be returning anytime soon.

Charlotte said: 'I wont be continuing doing that one, not that exact show.

'Whether or not I have another show about my life or following my wedding, that will happen at some point when I do decide to get married, but right now that show with Paramount is parked up.'

She continued to The Sun: 'I think I really want to focus on doing some big shows this year and doing stuff on other channels.

'Id love to be on ITV a bit more and really dip my foot into some other opportunities.

'Ive got loads of ideas myself and that show took up a lot of my time. When I film that show its over seven or eight months of my life.

'I think I just need to make some room for some new and exciting opportunities.'
The Australian Radio Network (ARN) has terminated Kyle Sandilands' KIIS FM contract in a bombshell move against the radio host, following his on-air blow-up with Jackie 'O' Henderson.

In an explosive statement obtained by Daily Mail on Wednesday morning, the 54-year-old admitted he doesn't 'accept' the fate of his role at the network.

He also confirmed the matter will now be in the hands of his lawyers.

'ARN has just announced that they've terminated my contract,' he said.

'I don't accept it.'

Sandilands continued: 'My lawyers told them last week this would be invalid. And guess what? It is.

ARN has terminated Kyle Sandilands' KIIS FM contract in a bombshell move against the radio host, following his on-air blow-up with Jackie 'O' Henderson. Sandilands is pictured outside his home on Tuesday afternoon, hours before his contract was binned

'Let me tell you what actually happened here. Jackie and I had a blue on air. That's it. The kind of thing we've done a hundred times in 25 years. And ARN took the situation and decided to try and burn the place down.

'They sacked Jackie. They suspended me. They wouldn't even let me pick up the phone to call her or anyone else on the show. Then  and this is the bit that gets me  once they'd made it impossible for the show to go on, they turn around and say, "You didn't fix it. You're fired!"'

Sandilands added that he had apologised to his Henderson the night after their on-air clash last month.

'I said sorry to Jackie the night of our blow-up. And when I said I was sorry to Jackie, I meant it. I still mean it. But it doesnt mean I will stand by while I am separated from the people who've listened to me every morning for 25 years,' he continued.

'Before they suspended me, ARN said, "Let us handle it," and I listened. In the two weeks since, Ive done everything ARN asked. I said, put me back on air. I'll work with Jackie. I'll work with someone else. Whatever you need. Every single time  "no." They weren't interested. They didn't want to fix this. They thought they saw a chance to get out of the contract they signed with me a year ago, and they ran with it.

'ARN knew exactly what they were getting when they signed my deal. They've worked with me for over a decade. They knew how I work, they knew the show, and they were happy to pay for it  because I delivered.

'Number one ratings. Year after year. Hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for their business. I held up my end. I always have.

'So, you tell me  why would ARN prefer to breach a contract and pay the legal consequences rather than honour the contract and pay me to do what I do best? That's the bit that doesn't make sense.

In an explosive statement obtained by Daily Mail on Wednesday morning, the 54-year-old (pictured above with Henderson) admitted he doesn't 'accept' the fate of his role at the network

Sandilands added that he had apologised to Henderson (above) the night after their on-air clash last month

'I've got a contract until 2034. Ive got rights under that contract. And ARN hasn't honoured the contract.

'So, it's over to my lawyers.

'To the people who tune in every morning  you lot are the reason I've done this for 25 years. You didn't get a say in this. Neither did I. But my lawyers will. I'm not done. Not by a long way.'

It comes after Sandilands failed to deliver on his expectation that he'd be returning to the KIIS FM airwaves after a bombshell late-night interview.

ARN had until midnight Tuesday to decide the radio host's fate as his 14-day suspension ended, and the 54-year-old shock jock said he would be back on the air in the morning unless he's told otherwise.

Mike E, whose real name is Mike Etheridge, continued his fill-in role on Wednesday's breakfast program alongside the Kyle & Jackie O Show staff  including newsreader Brooklyn Ross, 'Intern' Pete Deppeler and producers.

Sandilands spoke in an off-the-cuff interview with McKnight Tonight after taping Australian Idol on Tuesday evening.

'No, my world has not fallen apart. I've still got a contract that hasn't changed until they advise me as such. I'm more than happy to turn up tomorrow and do the radio show,' he said.

It comes after Sandilands failed to deliver on his expectation that he'd be returning to the KIIS FM airwaves. The shock jock said he would be back on the air in the morning unless he's told otherwise

'I want to get back to work. The listeners want me to go back to work. I've had many clients call me and say they want me back on there. We'll have to see if they're all singing from the same handbook.'

Sandilands added: 'I'm willing to do the show if they're willing to put me on. Time will tell. Might be a different conversation in the morning.'

When asked how his mental health was holding up, Sandilands was nonplussed.

He explained: 'Even my best mate, Johnny Ibrahim, called me today and said, "How are you?" and I said, "Mate I'm fine." And he said, "No, how's your mental health?" and I started laughing. I said, "My mental health is fine."

'Even my wife said to me, "You're remarkable, the way you're handling this", and I said, "Look, laying down in the corner and crying is not the way I normally do things." I've had way worse things than this to handle. I was a homeless teenager. I've dealt with much tougher things. I just compartmentalise it.'

Sandilands had the censors sweating earlier on Tuesday night as he went off script during a live episode of Australian Idol.

The radio king reportedly had ARN worried that he'd say something uncouth once he was untethered from the reality show's live-to-air telecasts, and those concerns were somewhat founded as Sandilands took the first available opportunity to air his woes at KIIS FM.

He began by addressing host Ricki-Lee Coulter, before launching into hints that he may be out of a job at midnight.

Sandilands had the censors sweating earlier on Tuesday night as he went off script during a live episode of Australian Idol

'Today, Ricki, I've got nothing else on my mind except the excitement of the vote,' Sandilands joked.

He then referred to the slick black suit he was wearing for the occasion, joking that he was suited up in the hopes of landing a job at menswear retailer, Lowes.

'I'm also dressed like this because I have a job interview with Lowes after the show,' Sandilands said.

'The radio guys... once you're out of radio you have to sell socks at Lowes.'

Sandilands then glanced at his watch as he added: 'For now I've got this job, and for now I still have the other job.'

Fellow judge Amy Shark suggested that she could be a reference for Kyle if he needed a new job.

'I might take you up on that,' Sandilands quipped.

On Tuesday afternoon, the shock jock gave an official, albeit brief, statement outside his Vaucluse home as he made his way to Australian Idol.

Addressing waiting media on Tuesday afternoon, Sandilands confirmed that he wanted to continue work on the Kyle and Jackie O Show, but admitted that his future at KIIS FM still hung in the balance, with the midnight deadline for a decision from ARN looming

After insisting he felt 'good', the radio king admitted that nothing has been decided with regard to his ongoing contract at the network

Addressing waiting media, Sandilands insisted he felt 'good', and admitted that nothing has been decided with regard to his ongoing contract at the network.

'I obviously can't say too much because I haven't heard anything yet,' Kyle said.

'I still want to do this show. The listeners want me back on there doing the show. So at the end of the day, I've got a contract with ARN, I expect them to honour that. And I do have some options.'

When asked what those options are, Sandilands, who was accompanied by his manager Bruno Bouchet, replied: 'No idea yet. Many options.'

Sandilands was then asked if rumours that he plans to buy ARN are true.

'There's many options, that is all I am going to say. I can't predict anything. Still waiting,' he replied cryptically.

ARN announced last month that Henderson's $100 million contract had been terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following his harsh onair comments that left her in tears.

ARN also provided written notice to Sandilands stating it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 to be 'an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN's service agreement with Quasar Media'.
The Spice Girls 30th Anniversary tour has been axed, after the group failed to agree on plans for a comeback.

Bandmates Geri Horner, Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham had been in talks for a series of concerts to celebrate three decades since the release of their debut single Wannabe.

However, it's now being reported that the group couldn't come to an agreement on a reunion, and so any plans have now been ditched.

It comes weeks after it was reported that a Netflix project to celebrate the anniversary had also been cancelled, with sources claiming Geri in particular had been dragging her heels on whether to sign on.

Mel C herself confirmed that there was no reunion in the works, as she told The Smallzy Show on KIIS Radio: 'No, there is no reunion. We are communicating all the time. We want to do something  who knows when.

'But I still feel very optimistic and I keep my fingers crossed that you will see the Spice Girls together at some point in the future.'

The Spice Girls 30th Anniversary tour has been axed, after the group failed to agree on plans for a comeback (pictured in 1995)

While Mel herself had hinted back in January that the band were still in talks to celebrate the Spice Girls 30th birthday, The Sun has reported that in recent weeks the plans have fallen apart.

So far only a collectible coin from the Royal Mint has been announced to mark the anniversary.

Daily Mail has contacted a representative for The Spice Girls for comment.

Last April it was reported that Geri, 53, was back in touch with the bands former manager Simon Fuller and flew to Miami to try and agree on a deal.

Last month, Victoria finally rejoined the Spice Girls on Instagram for a singalong after refusing to go on tour in 2019.

Amid the furore over her family fallout with eldest son Brooklyn, 26, Victoria joined the group to sing at her London home - 30 years after the band first got together.

Mel B recently said she is keen for the band to get back together and teased fans by 'liking' a comment about the prospect of a reunion.

While the ladies sang their harmony, Victoria's son Cruz strummed away on the guitar, while his girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30, sat at the table and the family's personal chefs watched on through glass doors from the kitchen.

Victoria has been dropping hints that she might do something with the band, uploading a clip of herself singing a live acoustic version of one of their biggest hits.

Mel C appeared on Good Morning America in November to promote her ninth album Sweat and was grilled if the Spice Girls would come back together.

Crossing her fingers, she said: 'I remain optimistic. It's our thirtieth anniversary next year. We toured in 2019, we did a few stadium shows in the UK and it was incredible.

'We're just so proud of the legacy that we have and we have fans now from new generations are just loving the Spice Girls so I would like to get back on stage with the girls.

'We're talking and we're seeing what opportunities are out there. The thing that stops us is we feel so precious about it, we want to make sure it's the right thing and agree on the right thing.'

Mel also admitted she will always pine for another Spice Girls reunion, this time with Victoria included.

Geri Horner, Mel B , Mel C , Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham had been in talks for a series of concerts, but couldn't come to an agreement (Victoria, Mel C, Emma and Geri are pictured)

She said: 'It was the most beautiful experience as a Spice Girl. I think because so much time had passed that we were all very present and really could appreciate what this thing meant to so many people.'

'It was such a joyous experience. We were just able to take it in for the first time and enjoy every minute. I feel emotional because I'd love to do it again.'

Reports emerged in 2024 that Geri has derailed a huge TV drama deal which would have netted each of the five members 1million each.

Sources had said that the 'nightmare' fallout between Geri and Mel B left the band unable to find a manager capable of 'mediating' to push projects over the line.

The feud began when Mel confessed she had a lesbian fling with Geri during the band's 90s heyday on Piers Morgan's chat show in 2019.

Geri denied the affair took place, with Mel accused of dreaming it up to sell copies of her tell-all memoir, Brutally Honest.

Victoria had previously maintained that she would not join the band again, insisting her fashion career was her focus and reiterating that being in the Spice Girls was just a mere four years of her life.

Speaking to Andy Cohen on Sirius XM, last October, she said: 'Before I was in the Spice Girls, I was so self-conscious and they made me feel that I was good enough.

'But being on stage, I realised as fun as it is, you know, its not ultimately what I want to do anymore.

'I dont know if I could even still sing,' she quipped. 'I mean, I was never that great. It would be tempting. But could I take on a world tour? No I cant. I have a job

'How good would the Spice Girls be at the Sphere? I love the idea of it.'

Victoria last performed with the band during the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony and before that she joined the band on their 2007-08 world tour.

Geri left the band in 1998 in the middle of their world tour and on Mel B's birthday.

Geri's departure from the band hit headlines across the world and the group went on hiatus two years later.

The Spice Girls shot to fame in 1996 when their debut single Wannabe reached number one in 37 countries.

The girl group reached the top of the UK charts nine times and had two number one albums. When Geri left the band, she launched a solo career and enjoyed four number one singles in the UK.
Sean Penn received a special kind of Oscar in Ukraine after he missed the chance to accept his Best Supporting Actor Academy Award at this year's ceremony.

The actor, 65, won the gong for his performance in One Battle After Another but he was not in attendance at the ceremony because he chose to travel to Ukraine.

Sean was pictured walking down a street in Kyiv on Monday before meeting with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at his office in the city during the afternoon.

Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, the CEO of Ukrainian Railways, did not want the actor going back to America empty-handed and so gifted him with a homemade Oscar.

Mr. Pertsovskyi called it an 'IronOscar' as it was made from a railcar damaged by the Russians in the ongoing war.

In a video shared to X, he told Sean: 'You're missing the Oscar. Plus, you gave the last one to the president. So, we made this one.

Sean Penn received a special kind of Oscar in Ukraine after he missed the chance to accept his Best Supporting Actor Academy Award at this year's ceremony

Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, the CEO of Ukrainian Railways, did not want the actor going back to America empty-handed and so gifted him with a homemade Oscar

'You said the metals survived, so we put some words here that are very special to us. It's not golden, but it's very real, and it's from the bottom of our hearts. It's important to us.'

Looking emotional, Sean gave Mr. Pertsovskyi a hug and said: 'These are all treasures, thank you.'

In the caption, Mr. Pertsovskyi added: 'Sean Penn opted for the trip to [Ukraine] vs. Oscar ceremony at Dolby Theater where he was awarded his 3rd [Oscar].

'We couldn't leave our great friend and loyal Ukrainian Raiwlays passenger without an award. So, I have presented Sean with our IronOscar on behalf of all of us!'

On the back of the homemade Oscar is the enscription: 'This steel once carried millions of people away from war. Then a Russian missile came. We did not melt it into a weapon. We forged it into gratitude  for you. For your talent. For your courage to stand with Ukraine.'

Sean is a strong advocate for Ukraine and has visited the country several times, including to film a documentary about Zelensky when Russia invaded the country.

The film, an admiring portrait of Zelensky about his rise from comedian to war leader when Russia invaded in 2022, premiered at the Berlin film festival in 2023.

Through their interviews, Sean and Zelensky built up what they both called a close friendship.

Sean won the gong for Best Supporting Actor for his role in One Battle After Another (Pictured)

The actor was not in attendance at the Academy Awards because he chose to travel to Ukraine

'We can say that he's in Ukraine, but it's his personal visit; that's how he sees it, that he needs to be in Ukraine,' a Ukrainian official told AFP, adding: 'He just wants to support Ukraine.'

In 2025, Sean and rock star Bono made an impassioned plea for the West to stand by Ukraine at the Cannes film festival, posing for pictures on the red carpet with Ukrainian soldiers.

Sean's absence from the Oscars infuriated X users, who suggested that future shows cease awarding trophies to winners who are not present.

They wrote: 'There should be a rule that whoever doesn't show up because they don't give a s**t about the award doesn't get it either, like in a raffle. Didn't come? Next on the list, please. [An] exception would be for health reasons. Sean Penn doesn't give a damn about this award,';

'I can't stop thinking: What the F**K did Sean Penn have better to do than go to the Oscars???' one inquired.

'Unless you have a good reason not to be in attendance, if you can't be bothered to show up to the Oscars, your award should go to the runner-up. Sean Penn. This is about Sean Penn,';

'It pisses me off when someone wins an #Oscars and doesn't even show up. Sean Penn couldn't care less about that award,';

'Sure give Sean Penn a third Oscar when he didn't even bother to show up and everyone else in that category deserved it too...';

'Sean Penn won "Best Supporting Actor," who isn't present because he couldn't care less since this is already his third Oscar HAHAJAJAJA,';

'Sean Penn not showing up to the Oscars knowing he's going to win is such a prick move.'

He has previously missed out on past Oscars where he had been a nominee and also did not attend this year's BAFTAs and the Actor Awards, where he ended up reigning victorious.

Kieran Culkin, who was announcing the gong, cracked a joke about Penn's absence when the star ended up winning.

'Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening or didn't want to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf,' the Succession star joked.
Eric Dane will receive a public memorial due to an effort spearheaded by fans amid fury over his snub from the In Memoriam segment at The Oscars on Sunday.

The talented actor died at age 53 on Thursday, February 19 amid a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Dane's family has been moved by the tributes and condolences sent from around the world and now a celebration of life is being planned a source close to Rebecca Gayheart, 54, told TMZ on Tuesday.

The gathering will take place for the talented actor's fans as their aim is to make Dane 'smile and feel loved and know that his life was not in vain.'

This comes days after Oscar viewers were left upset over shocking omissions -including Dane - during the emotional In Memoriam segment at the 98th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday.

A number of late Hollywood stars were honored at the ceremony including Diane Keaton, Catherine O'Hara and Rob Reiner as their former castmates offered moving tributes on stage.

Eric Dane will receive a public memorial due to an effort spearheaded by fans amid fury over his snub from the In Memoriam segment at The Oscars on Sunday

However, others that were not among the list along with Dane were James Van Der Beek and Brigitte Bardot.

Dane appeared in shows including Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria while also starring in movies such as Bad Boys: Ride Or Die (2024).

Now, a source for Gayheart has told TMZ that the family were 'saddened' to not see him included the main broadcast but they understand the omission.

The source said: 'It was a year of profound loss for the industry.'

Earlier this month, Dane's cause of death was confirmed as respiratory failure according to his death certificate.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was listed as the underlying cause of death.

Respiratory failure is a known complication of ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually impacting muscle control and breathing.

The actor was widely recognized for his role as Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and, more recently, for his portrayal of Cal Jacobs on HBO's Euphoria.

The talented actor died at age 53 on Thursday, February 19 amid a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); seen in 2022

Dane's family has been moved by the tributes and condolences sent from around the world and now a celebration of life is being planned a source close to Rebecca Gayheart, 54, told TMZ on Tuesday (the pair are seen in June 2017)

Dane is seen in Grey's Anatomy

Months before his death, Dane secretly recorded an interview for Netflix in which he left a deeply personal message for his two daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.

In the wake of his passing, Netflix added the new documentary to its library, giving fans an intimate look at Dane's final reflections.

The 50-minute film, titled Famous Last Words: Eric Dane, was recorded in secret with the understanding it would only be released posthumously, according to reports.

Toward the end of the interview with Gwyneth Paltrow's husband Brad Falchuk, Dane addressed his daughters directly, speaking to the camera with them in mind: 'Billie and Georgia, these words are for you. I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried.'

He continued, 'Overall, we had a blast, didnt we?'

Dane went on to explain that he wanted to share four final lessons he had learned from his illness and asked them to listen closely.

First, live now, right now in the present. It's hard, but I learned to do that, Dane said.

For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt. I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. "I shouldn't have done this. I never should've done that." No more.

According to his death certificate, obtained by People , the Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria actor died of respiratory failure

Months before his death, Dane secretly recorded an interview for Netflix in which he left a deeply personal message for his two daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14 (pictured with Billie and Georgia in May 2024)

Dane said that out of pure survival, he was forced to stay in the present.

Second, fall in love. Not necessarily with a person, although I do recommend that as well. But fall in love with something, Dane said.

Find your passion, your joy. Find the thing that makes you wanna get up in the morning.

He told his daughters hed found his love for acting at their age and urged them to pursue their passions fully.

Third, choose your friends wisely. Find your people and allow them to find you, and then give yourselves to them, the dad of two said. The best of them will give back to you. No judgement. No conditions. No questions asked.'

Dane said he was profoundly grateful to the friends who stepped up during his illness.

Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words, he concluded; seen in 2017

Just show up. And love your friends with everything you have. Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you support you and some will save you, he said.

Finally, fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity. When you face challenges, health or otherwise, fight, he said. Never give up. Fight until your last breath. This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit.

So when something unexpected hits you, and it will, because that's life, fight and face it with honesty, integrity and grace, even if it feels or seems insurmountable.

I hope I've demonstrated that you can face anything. You can face the end of your days. You can face hell with dignity. Fight girls, and hold your heads high, he continued, his voice breaking.

Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words.

The actor was widely recognized for his role as Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and, more recently, for his portrayal of Cal Jacobs on HBO's Euphoria; seen in 2025

In November, Gayheart spoke about guiding their daughters through Danes battle with ALS on the Broad Ideas podcast.

She said shes been reminding them that we show up for people no matter what as their fathers illness progresses.

He is our family. He is your father, she told them after Dane revealed his diagnosis in April.

We show up, and we try to do it with some dignity and some grace and just get through it.

In November, Gayheart spoke about guiding their daughters through Danes battle with ALS and teaching them to 'show up for people no matter what' (seen in 2019)

Still, she admitted at the time that her relationship with Dane was super complicated.

Weve been separated for eight years. The kids live with me 100 percent of the time, she explained.

'Theres been lots of just stuff, other stuff, but I try to stay optimistic about it all.

Im trying to learn from it and [be a] role model for them [for] how to go through something like this, which is really hard, she added.

I dont know if Im doing it well or if Im doing it in the wrong way or the right way. Im just showing up. Im showing up, and Im trying to be there for them. I guess time will tell.
Showbiz legend Dick Van Dyke was spotted catching a bit of sun and fresh air with his much younger wife Arlene Silver in Los Angeles this week.

He rang in his 100th birthday in December after months of excited buildup to what promised to be a joyously nostalgic fanfare.

The occasion, however, fell one day before the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele - the son and daughter-in-law of Van Dyke's best friend Carl Reiner.

Carl Reiner was the creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show, on which the leading man's character was named Rob Petrie after the then teenage Rob Reiner.

Now, months later, Van Dyke appeared frail and downcast as a man in a Whitney Houston t-shirt pushed him along in a wheelchair.

Trailing along not far behind them was his 54-year-old wife, with whom the Mary Poppins star celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary earlier this month.

Showbiz legend Dick Van Dyke was spotted catching a bit of sun and fresh air with his much younger wife Arlene Silver in Los Angeles this week

He rang in his 100th birthday in December after months of excited buildup to what had promised to be a joyously nostalgic fanfare

The occasion, however, fell one day before the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele - the son and daughter-in-law of Van Dyke's best friend Carl Reiner

Silver was glimpsed that day stepping out for a spot of exercise on her own, hauling along a yoga mat and carrying a ceramic coffee mug to the car.

On the Monday after the Reiner murders - two days after Van Dyke's 100th birthday - she had posted an Instagram video about the 'weird, wonderful, awful weekend.'

She noted that 'Dick's birthday was so amazing, so over-the-top beautiful,' only to be immediately followed by the 'horrible' news of the killings.

Silver added that Van Dyke 'didn't sleep' after the news spread of the development as he 'wanted to stay up' in order to find out more.

The Reiners were found stabbed to death December 14 at their $13.5 million Brentwood estate, where their 32-year-old son Nick lived in the guesthouse.

Nick, who had a long history of drug issues and was also reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia, is awaiting trial for their murders and has pled not guilty.

His sister Romy, who reportedly lived across the street, is said to have discovered the bodies and then allegedly told police about a 'dangerous' family member who 'should be a suspect' before Nick was found and arrested.

Silver noted in her video that Rob and Carl Reiner 'were the first people I ever met with Dick,' adding that 'Rob and Michele were always together, like Dick and I, and I always felt part of the Reiner family. They always treated me like part of their family.'

Carl Reiner was the creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show, on which the leading man's character was named Rob Petrie after the then teenaged Rob Reiner

Now, months later, Van Dyke appeared frail and downcast as a gentleman in a Whitney Houston t-shirt pushed him along in a wheelchair

Trailing along not far behind them was his 54-year-old wife, with whom the Mary Poppins star celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary earlier this month

Van Dyke's latest sighting comes two days after Oscars host Conan O'Brien - another close friend of the Reiners - led a heartfelt tribute to them at the ceremony

Silver was glimpsed that day stepping out for a spot of exercise on her own

She was hauling along a yoga mat and carrying a ceramic coffee mug to the car

Silver was glimpsed that day stepping out for a spot of exercise on her own, hauling along a yoga mat and carrying a ceramic coffee mug to the car

Van Dyke's latest sighting comes two days after Oscars host Conan O'Brien - another close friend of the Reiners - led a heartfelt tribute to them at the ceremony

Silver has revelaed that Van Dyke 'didn't sleep' after the news spread of the killings as he 'wanted to stay up' in order to find out more

Van Dyke's latest sighting comes two days after Oscars host Conan O'Brien - another close friend of the Reiners - led a heartfelt tribute to them at the ceremony.

Led by When Harry Met Sally... star Billy Crystal, the homage saw many of the Hollywood luminaries Reiner directed take the stage in his memory.

Among them were When Harry Het Sally... leading lady Meg Ryan, Misery icon Kathy Bates, This Is Spinal Tap stars Michael McKean and Christopher Guest, Stand By Me actors Jerry O'Connell and Wil Wheaton.

Demi Moore, Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Pollak of A Few Good Men were there, as were Cary Elwes, Fred Savage, Mandy Patinkin and Carol Kane of The Princess Bride.
NATO countries have rounded on Donald Trump after he demanded their help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as they refuse to be further drawn into the war with Iran.

The US President asked allies to join a mission to safeguard shipping in the Gulf but was snubbed by Sir Keir Starmer, who said the UK would not 'send ships' to protect oil tankers from Iranian attacks.

France, Germany, Italy, Greece and Australia also refused to take part in efforts to reopen the vital channel - through which 20 per cent of the world's oil flows.

Mr Trump is desperately trying to open the strait as the Iranian regime's ongoing closure causes a spike in oil prices and sparks fears of a global economic crisis.

But the EU has admitted 'nobody' is willing to put troops in 'harm's way' over the waterway.

EU warns no country ready to risk lives in Strait of Hormuz

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: 'Nobody is ready to put their people in harm's way in the Strait of Hormuz. We have to find diplomatic ways to keep this open so that we don't have a food crisis, fertilizers crisis, energy crisis as well.'

She said the EU is ready to invest in relations with the US, 'but it takes two to tango'.

Mr Trump has been mocked by Iran 'for turning to other countries' for help, while repeatedly lambasting NATO for failing to pull its weight.

And he launched a broadside at Sir Keir, claiming he was 'not happy' with him and the UK's approach to the conflict has been 'terrible'.

But Finland's President Alexander Stubb rushed to the Prime Minister's defence, saying he admires Sir Keir his ability to 'stay calm'.

Asked whether NATO allies, including Finland, should join the US, Mr Stubb said they had Russia 'to take care of'.

European leaders resist US pressure to join conflict

He told the BBC: 'This was a surprise attack, so none of us knew about it and that's why probably there's been reluctance and a little pushback.

'We have our own backyard to take care of, a 1,340 km of border with Russia...We wouldn't have much to give. We don't have bases, these kinds of things to give. What I think I'd like to see now is more peace mediation rather than an escalation of the situation.'

It echoed comments from Germany, who claimed it is 'not our war'.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected Trump's demands and downplayed threats that such a stance by allies would hurt NATO.

'What does (...) Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US navy cannot do?' he said in Berlin.

'This is not our war, we have not started it.'

Asked about Trump's warning that NATO faces a 'very bad' future if its members fail to come to Washington's aid, Pistorius said he did not anticipate NATO to fall apart over these differences.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: 'There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so.'

He added: 'This Iranian regime must come to an end,' but 'based on all the experience we have gained in previous years and decades, bombing it into submission is, in all likelihood, not the right approach.'

Greece will also not engage in any military operations in the strait, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday.

Greece will only participate in the EU's naval mission charged with protecting ships in the Red Sea, Marinakis told a press conference.

Pictured: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the Hormuz Strait and there were no naval missions Italy is involved in that could be extended to the area.

'As far as Hormuz is concerned I believe diplomacy needs to prevail,' Mr Tajani said.

Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea 'but I don't see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz,' he added.

Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said US allies in Europe wanted to understand Trumps 'strategic goals. What will be the plan?'

Mr Trump has warned that NATO faces a 'very bad' future if they fail to support the US against Iran.

On Sunday he said: 'Its only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there. If theres no response or if its a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO.'

But his threats appear to have made little impact.

Iran vows to use Strait of Hormuz as strategic leverage

In his first statement since becoming supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to continue using the 'lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz' because it is where 'the enemy is highly vulnerable'.

And Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi derided Trump for asking for help to reopen it while demanding Iran surrenders.

He said on Monday: 'They carried out large-scale attacks and again repeated the demand for unconditional surrender.

'Today, after roughly 15 days (sic) since the war began, they are turning to other countries for help to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and keep it open.

From our perspective, the strait is open; it is only closed to our enemies and to those who carried out unjust aggression against our country.'

Earlier on Monday, Iran repeated the claim the passageway was not closed but merely operating under 'special conditions'.

'Parties not involved in the military aggression against Iran have been able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with and with permission from our armed forces,' Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

'No coastal country in such a situation can allow enemy ships and vessels to pass normally in order to strengthen themselves and carry out aggressive actions against that coastal state,' he claimed, adding the US, Israel and their allies 'should naturally not be able to use the Strait of Hormuz to strike Iran.'

On Monday, Sir Keir said the US had 'massively weakened' the military of the 'abhorrent regime in Iran'.

He said the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened to 'ensure stability in the markets'.

He said he was willing to be part of a 'viable collective plan' for the Strait, but that no decisions had been taken yet amid suggestions the UK is only looking at deploying anti-mine drones. 'This is not easy. It's not straight forward,' he added.

UK rules out sending warships despite Iran threats

With Iran warning on Sunday of reprisals against the UK, it is understood there are no current plans to send British warships to escort stranded tankers. Instead, ministers are offering mine-hunting drones and missile interceptors as part of an international effort to free up shipping on the route.

On Saturday, Mr Trump said he wanted Britain, France and China to 'send ships to the area so that the Strait will no longer be threatened by a nation that has been totally decapitated'.

His demand was repeated by Mike Waltz, US ambassador to the United Nations, who said: 'The conversation is ongoing. The last time Iran tried to constrain global energy supplies, you had French, United Kingdom forces escorting tankers heading towards their markets. That is what President Trump is calling upon the world.'

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A man who is said to be a close associate of the new ayatollah has been given permission to build 33 luxury flats in north London.

Ali Ansari, who was added to the UK sanctions list in October, received the green light for his investment project at the exclusive Bishops Avenue in Barnet.

This is despite Mr Ansari's provision of 'support to hostile activity' by the government of Iran.

Politicians and housing experts have now raised concerns about the due diligence completed by councils and services firms.

Planning records show how the prominent Iranian financier - whose role as managing director of an Iranian bank was previously in the pubic domain - was able to command the services of prestigious professional firms to help manage the project.

Pictured: Ali Ansari.

Firms face scrutiny over links to sanctioned developer

Real estate company Savills agreed to manage planning amendments for Mr Ansari's Isle of Man company, Birch Ventures Limited, in June 2025 - four months before he was placed on the sanctions list.

More firms were soon instructed by Mr Ansari's company, prior to the sanction, including the developer Harrison Varma, Wolff Architects, and DS2 LLP, an organisation that advises on affordable housing requirements.

However, critics have now accused those who assisted Mr Ansari of failing to carry out their due diligence.

Mr Ansari's planners were also able to convince officials he should not have to provide any affordable housing within the development as this would make the project unviable.

Barnet council instead accepted a cash payment.

Experts warn red flags over developers funding should have been spotted

Margot Mollat, a senior research and policy manager at Transparency International UK, told the Times that by 2025 there was 'already enough information in the public domain to raise real concerns about the source of his funds as a prominent businessman from a state with high corruption risks'.

She added: 'Property purchases and planning applications involve lawyers, banks, real estate agents and developers, all of whom should have flagged these transactions given the risks associated with Ansari.'

Joe Powell, Labour MP for Kensington & Bayswater, added: 'If professional service providers are acting for a company owned by an Iranian linked to [Mojtaba Khamenei] then it's clear that further steps need to be taken to have a fully open register of foreign-owned property, with accurate information about the ultimate owners.'

Roger Gherson, a lawyer for Ansari, strongly denied any financial relationship with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or the new supreme leader.

He said: 'It is his (Mr Ansari's) intention to challenge the UK government's decision to impose sanctions. In these circumstances where litigation is anticipated he has no further comment, although he would ask the media not to repeat these unfounded allegations.'

Barnet Council was approached for comment.

How the Iranian regime allegedly infiltrated London's luxury property market

Ayatollah Ali Khameneis cronies have allegedly snapped up some of Londons most lavish mansions as part of a multi-million pound shopping spree.

It has emerged that multiple senior figures in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) own mansions in some of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods.

Nestled between family homes and independent schools in leafy Hampstead, St John's Wood and Kensington the regime's network of cronies bought acres of land through shell companies and intermediaries.

This includes mansions on The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead also known as Billionaire's Row.

Labelled a corrupt banker by the UK government last year Ali Aliakbar Ansari is accused of funding 'hostile activity' carried out by the IRGC bought 11 palatial properties in 2013 for 73million ($97m).

He purchased the mansions via Birch Ventures Limited based in the tax haven The Isle of Man and has since let the properties fall into a state of disrepair.

A year later the now sanctioned Ansari bought a 1.2 acre newbuild property for 33.7million ($45m) and in 2017 purchased a flat in one of the street's gated developments for 8.1million ($10.8m).

Each transaction on the street once frequented by Princess Diana has been considered a stain on its pristine legacy - with the road now resembling a dumping ground.

Meanwhile, a western intelligence assessment has claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei, the dead Ayatollah's son who is tipped to become the next supreme leader, was involved in the transactions.

It is believed he had Ansari purchase and manage his personal property portfolio, including those on The Bishops Avenue.

And it wasn't just Hampstead that Ansari and Khamenei sunk their claws into.

Two high-end apartments were also acquired in a mansion block a stones throw away from Kensington Palace.

The duo responsible for turning what was once the most sought-after street in London into a 'ghost town' are a stark example of how IRGC members invested in properties but failed to maintain them.

The extravagant purchases were however encouraged by industry leaders at the time, who appeared to actively facilitate the 'dodgy' Iranians.

In 2016, sanctions were lifted after the Iran nuclear deal was brokered.

Becky Fatemi, of luxury property agency Rokstone, said at the time: 'Without a doubt the new political thaw will generate a significant flow of wealthy Iranian families looking for homes in London and the Home Counties.

'The new generation will be rich business people who have done well in Republican Iran. It's a whole new generation and outlook.'

While the dealings of Ansari are the most ostentatious example, sources have claimed St Johns Wood is also a hotspot for 'duplicitous' homeowners.

Read the full story here
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first documented use of the noun responsibility dates back to 1642 and the writings of a political historian named Henry Parker.

The same Indentures were drawn also by the Kings Councell, in whose judgment and responsibility the Vintners had reason to confide, recorded Parker, in relation to a dispute lost to the mists of time.

The OED, custodian of the globes native tongue, goes on to define the words meaning as capability of fulfilling an obligation or duty; the quality of being reliable or trustworthy.

Last week it was deployed by another Kings Counsel. In his response to publication of the first tranche of the Mandelson papers, Sir Keir Starmer delivered the following soundbite.

I made a mistake in appointing Peter Mandelson, he said. Let me follow that up with  as Ive done before, but I need to do it again  an apology for the victims of Epstein. It was my mistake and I take responsibility in relation to it.

I was urged to reflect on my claims

A few months ago, after I had written about how Starmer had lied on numerous occasions over the China spy trial, I received a call from one of his senior aides. For 22 minutes he politely but firmly chastised me for accusing Sir Keir of deliberate deceit.

We debated the various charges Id made. But in the end the thrust of his argument was this. You can disagree with the Prime Minister, he said, but when you accuse him of outright lying youre not only undermining him, but faith in our politicians and the entire political process. And you need to reflect on that.

Ive reflected. And thats why I can say with conviction that Starmer is the most politically dishonest, disreputable, dishonourable and deceitful Prime Minister of my adult lifetime.

This is not a comment on his personal character. Politics corrupts and brutalises the best. But his claim to have accepted responsibility for the Mandelson affair was not just an abuse of the English language, but an attempt to disembowel it.

Lets start from the point Starmer was supposed to have first taken responsibility  Mandelsons initial appointment.

The appointment was simply nodded through

He wasnt choosing a plumber. The decision he was making was who should occupy one of the most sensitive posts in the British diplomatic service.

It was set against a backdrop of war, the imposition of tariffs that could potentially cripple every business and household in the country, and an occupant of the White House whose volatility was rapidly descending into outright instability.

And as we now know, what due diligence did the Prime Minister do in relation to his appointment?

Did he conduct a series of lengthy meetings with his preferred candidate to discuss his foreign affairs strategy, ambitions and priorities? Or any meetings? Did he bother to take time from watching his beloved Arsenal grind out another tedious win to even pick up the phone to Mandelson for a few minutes?

No. The man we are told is a great manager, with such a forensic eye for detail, subcontracted the whole process to his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications director Matthew Doyle. Then simply nodded the appointment through.

Starmer Claims full due process was followed

At which point it promptly blew up in his face. So again, did Sir Keir choose to accept responsibility for his own failure to properly ascertain the now disgraced peers suitability for the role? Again, no.

What he did instead was stand up in the House of Commons and claim: Full due process was followed during this appointment, as it is with all ambassadors.

On Friday I spoke to a senior civil servant with years of direct experience of ambassadorial selections and asked if this claim was true. No, nothing like it, he said. The Prime Minister obviously felt he could do whatever he liked. Hed clearly decided no matter what he was told, hed do whatever it took to appoint Mandelson.

Then there was the third occasion where Starmer could have accepted genuine responsibility. That was when in February the full extent of Mandelsons relationship with Epstein emerged, including his questionable business dealings. Yet again, did the Prime Minister hold up his hands? Of course not.

Mandelson had deliberately lied to him to create the impression he barely knew Epstein, he claimed. I had no reason at that stage to think that was anything other than the truth.

He never spoke to Mandelson and offloaded responsibility to aides

But as a result of the revelations last week, we now know the truth ourselves. At no stage had Starmer even bothered to speak to Mandelson.

Despite being presented with a briefing paper setting out in detail the Epstein friendship, and warning of the associated risks, he again offloaded responsibility to McSweeney and Doyle, two of Mandelsons personal friends.

One of whom  Doyle  had his own questionable relationship with a convicted [child predator].

Taking true responsibility does not simply mean reluctantly mouthing the word, then tossing it out as belated mea culpa to the victims of Epsteins appalling crimes because the political heat has become too great. It means honestly and openly accepting there comes a point where an error of judgment is so great a personal price needs to be paid.

And if waving through without proper scrutiny the elevation of the close friend of the worlds most notorious child abuser to the most sensitive diplomatic posting on the globe, then being caught lying repeatedly to Parliament over it, doesnt meet the criteria, its hard to see what does.

Others have gone - Starmer remains

Not least because that price has now been paid by everyone else associated with this tawdry affair. Mandelson, McSweeney, Doyle, Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald. Each of them has gone. Its now only Starmer left clinging on like grim death to the doorframe of 10 Downing Street.

Yes, all politicians are deceitful. Thatcher lied, most famously over the Belgrano. But her motivation was a misguided attempt to protect the Armed Forces and the wider national interest. Blair deceived the nation over Iraq. But it was a deceit born of a messianic devotion to the Special Relationship, not personal survival.

Boris, as Starmer never tired of telling us, lied repeatedly. But he at least did so with a smile on his lips that said, You know this is rubbish but lets keep it our secret.

Its Starmer, uniquely, who chose to place honesty, integrity and incorruptibility at the heart of his political offer. A heart that the Mandelson affair has darkened beyond redemption.

Last week the Prime Minister said he accepted full responsibility for the decision to appoint Mandelson despite his relationship with Epstein. Does he mean it? Or is it just another of his lies?
Saving for retirement is an essential task you've probably been avoiding for too long.

But if you've left retirement planning on the back burner, we've got great news: Financial advisors say it is never too late to get started.

Dan Mavraides, vice president of wealth management at Rebalance, told the Daily Mail that you can definitely make up for lost time with the right strategy.

Sure, traditional pensions are fading and stock market craziness can be intimidating. But securing your retirement has nothing to do with predicting the next market move, and everything to do with making a plan and sticking to it for the long term.

From automating savings to maximizing employer retirement matches to building a diversified portfolio of assets, today's retirement playbook looks very different than your parents' gameplan.

Mavraides argued that while many investing strategies have evolved, the core principles remain the same: discipline, cost control and smart tax management.

And at the heart of it all is the magic of compounding returns, a force that Albert Einstein allegedly called the eighth wonder of the world.

Let's take a look at Mavraides' best ideas for kickstarting your retirement fund and setting yourself up to live comfortably for decades after you stop working.

Retirement saving might not sound glamorous, but investing now can help secure your long-term financial wellbeing

Automate first, optimize second

Building retirement wealth does not begin with stock picking or market timing. It starts with behavior modification. The most powerful investing decision is often the simplest: Get started now.

'The best time to start saving was yesterday, but the second-best time is today,' Mavraides said. 'That is not a cliche, it's compound interest in action.'

According to Mavraides, automation is the most effective first step you can take. Setting up automatic payroll contributions to a 401(k), individual retirement account (IRA) or brokerage account removes the need to maintain savings willpower every month.

In addition, these retirement accounts provide you with tax benefits that can reduce your taxable income.

'Out of sight, out of mind is a feature here, not a bug,' he said. 'The clients who build wealth most consistently aren't necessarily the ones who earn the most - they're the ones who save systematically.'

Employer-sponsored retirement plans are a cornerstone of this strategy. Taking full advantage of a company's 401(k) match can deliver what Mavraides calls an 'immediate, risk-free return,' often 50 percent or even 100 percent on contributions, depending on the structure.

'Turning down a match is leaving free money on the table,' he said.

From there, prioritization matters. Advisors generally recommend contributing first to a workplace plan up to the employer match, then funding a Roth IRA if your income leaves you eligible for its tax-free growth potential.

If your annual income is above the Roth IRA limits, consider funding a traditional IRA.

And if you've maxed out contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, think about saving even more - if you can afford it - in a taxable brokerage account. The latter can give you additional flexibility over the long term.

Pick the right mix of retirement accounts for your needs

Until recently, many workers received pensions as part of their employment benefits.

With pensions, also called defined-benefits, employers contributed all the money necessary to fund the plan, managed all the investment decisions and paid employees a guaranteed income in retirement.

Today, most pensions have been replaced by defined-contribution plans like the 401(k). Employees make most of the contributions and are generally responsible for most if not all of the investment decisions.

Dan Mavraides is vice president at California-based wealth management firm Rebalance

'The burden is on individuals now,' Mavraides said. 'But there are excellent alternatives that, if used wisely, can replicate or even exceed what a traditional pension provides.'

The traditional 401(k) remains the most valuable account for retirement investing, offered by companies to their employees, featuring tax-deferred growth and upfront tax deductions. The traditional IRAs have similar benefits, but are designed to be opened by individuals.

Roth accounts work in reverse: You fund them with after-tax contributions in exchange for tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

Employers may offer a Roth 401(k) option, and individuals with lower income may opt for a Roth IRA - particularly younger workers who expect to find themselves in higher tax brackets in the future.

Self-employed workers have even more options. The SEP-IRA and Solo 401(k) are retirement accounts that offer tax advantages to entrepreneurs that may equal or even exceed what's possible with a conventional 401(k).

As the name suggests, the Solo 401(k) is for business owners without full-time employees (besides themselves or their spouses) - while the SEP-IRA is for small businesses with several employees. Both plans permit maximum annual contributions of up to $70,000 for 2026, subject to certain conditions.

'These are outstanding wealth-building tools that too many freelancers and entrepreneurs overlook,' Mavraides said.

Build a retirement portfolio that can last for decades

Since fewer Americans are benefitting from pensions and the responsibility for retirement is shifting to individuals, Mavraides recommends devoting more time than you might realize to your retirement plan.

'When most people think about retirement, they focus too narrowly,' the expert said. 'A well-constructed strategy is about building a diversified engine of appreciation and income that can sustain you for 20, 30 or even 40 years.'

Rebalance creates retirement portfolios for their clients using exchange-traded funds (ETFs). When you own the right ETFs, you can get exposure to a broad selection of globally diversified stocks. Most ETFs charge annual management fees, and Rebalance opts for funds with ultra-low fees, minimizing your costs.

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'Over a 30-year career, the difference in fees compounding against your returns can be staggering,' Mavraides noted. 'That can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.'

A well-built retirement portfolio includes ETFs that hold US stocks, international stocks, real estate and bonds.

Each of these asset classes responds differently to changing economic conditions, helping your retirement funds grow no matter what's happening in markets.

Strategic giving can reduce your taxes and maximize impact

Charitable giving is often viewed as a purely philanthropic act. But financial planners argue it can be a sophisticated tax strategy when structured correctly.

'Charitable giving is one of the most underutilized financial planning strategies I encounter,' Mavraides said. 'Done properly, generosity can meaningfully reduce your tax bill while doing a world of good.'

For taxpayers who itemize deductions, donating cash to qualified nonprofits can lower taxable income. For higher earners, that deduction can translate into substantial savings.

But a more powerful strategy involves donating appreciated securities rather than cash. Consider an investor who bought $10,000 worth of an S&P 500 ETF several years ago and it has grown to $30,000. If they sell the investment, they would owe capital gains tax on the $20,000 profit.

At a 20 percent federal capital gains rate - plus the 3.8 percent net investment income tax, where applicable - that could mean roughly $4,760 in federal taxes, potentially more once state taxes are included.

With traditional pensions fading and market volatility keeping many investors on edge, experts say long-term success has less to do with predicting the next market move and more to do with consistent planning

Instead, an investor could donate the shares directly to a qualified charity, avoid paying capital gains tax altogether and deduct the full $30,000 fair-market value, subject to IRS limits. The charity receives the entire amount, and the donor sidesteps the tax bill.

'The charity gets the full value, you get the deduction, and the IRS doesn't take a cut,' Mavraides said. 'It's a win-win-win.'

Many big public charities accept donations via special funds that provide you with immediate tax benefits and flexibility in your giving. Investors contribute shares or other assets to these so-called donor-advised funds, get a full tax deduction in the current year, and then may recommend how the fund distributes grants to other charities over time.

This can be an especially useful tactic if you've received a windfall in a given year, such as from selling a business or receiving a large bonus.

For retirees over 70 years and six months old, qualified charitable distributions allow direct transfers from an IRA to a charity.

As an additional bonus, these transfers count toward the annual withdrawals the IRS requires older retirees to make from their retirement accounts each year - so-called required minimum distributions, or RMDs - but are excluded from taxable income.

Mavraides describes this strategy as 'an elegant way to satisfy the government's withdrawal mandate while supporting causes you care about.'

Invest intentionally for the long term

The common thread that ties together savings strategies, charitable planning and portfolio construction is intentionality.

Automating contributions, prioritizing tax-advantaged accounts, diversifying globally and taking advantage of retirement accounts may replicate - and in some cases surpass - what traditional pensions once provided.

'You don't have to be brilliant,' Mavraides said. 'You have to be consistent. If you automate good decisions and let time and compounding work in your favor, the results can be powerful.'
Two major companies have become the latest to shift operations away from traditional blue-state business hubs - highlighting the growing pull of the US Sun Belt.

Yamaha Motor Corporation has announced it will relocate its longtime headquarters from Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia, after nearly five decades.

Meanwhile, oil giant Exxon Mobil is moving its corporate registration from New Jersey to Texas, aligning its legal home with its existing headquarters in Spring, Texas.

A growing number of US companies are packing up and heading south, leaving some of the nation's traditional blue-state business hubs in search of lower costs and friendlier regulatory climates.

Over the past decade, firms ranging from tech giants to financial companies have relocated headquarters or expanded operations in states such as Texas, Florida and North Carolina.

Yamaha's departure marks one of the latest corporate exits from California.

The company plans to begin relocating its headquarters in late 2026 and complete the transition by 2028 as it sells its 25-acre Cypress campus and consolidates operations in Georgia.

California's high operating costs and regulatory environment have long been cited by companies considering relocation.

Exxon Mobil recently said it plans to move its corporate registration from New Jersey to Texas, aligning its legal home with its headquarters in Spring, Texas

Exxon said relocating its legal registration to Texas could strengthen its position against activist shareholders and climate-related litigation

Over the past decade, a number of high-profile firms have moved headquarters or expanded operations outside the state.

Business software giant Oracle shifted its headquarters from Redwood City, California to Austin, Texas in 2020, while Tesla moved its corporate base from Palo Alto to Austin in 2021.

When announcing Tesla's move, CEO Elon Musk pointed to the rising cost of living in California.

Speaking at the company's annual meeting, Musk said: 'It's tough for people to afford houses [in California], and people have to come in from far away. There's a limit to how big you can scale in the Bay Area.'

A similar shift is playing out on the East Coast.

Exxon said relocating its legal registration to Texas could strengthen its position against activist shareholders and climate-related litigation.

The move also allows the company to take advantage of Texas laws that offer stronger protections for corporations.

Legal experts say incorporating in the same state where a company operates can help firms build closer relationships with local policymakers.

Yamaha's departure marks one of the latest corporate exits from California. The company plans to begin relocating its headquarters in late 2026 and complete the transition by 2028 as it sells its Cypress campus and consolidates operations in Georgia

Above, an aerial of Kennesaw, Georgia, where Yamaha is set to relocate to

Jill Fisch, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told Reuters that incorporating where a company operates can help build political relationships.

'One way you might show your loyalty and get the legislators to pay attention to you is to incorporate in your home state,' she said.

Beyond individual moves, analysts say one of the biggest drivers to moving businesses South is cost.

Office space, wages and overall operating expenses can be significantly cheaper in many southern cities than in traditional business hubs like San Francisco or New York City.

In some cases, companies say the difference is dramatic.

Jeff Holzmann, CEO of asset manager IRM Services, said moving operations from the New YorkNew Jersey area to Dallas allowed the firm to save millions.

'We pay almost 60 percent less per employee in Dallas compared to New Jersey,' he said.

Taxes play a role. Many Sun Belt states offer lower taxes and fewer regulatory hurdles, making them attractive to businesses looking to expand.

When Elon Musk announced in 2021 that Tesla would move its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto, California to Austin, Texas he pointed to cost challenges

Other high-profile moves include business software giant Oracle shifting its headquarters from Redwood City, California to Austin, Texas in 2020. Pictured, CEO Larry Ellison

Analysts say those advantages can add up quickly for large employers with thousands of workers.

Real estate and relocation experts note that wages, housing and office costs in cities like Austin or Miami can be 15 percent to 20 percent lower than coastal hubs, helping companies cut overhead while still attracting talent.

Population trends are another major factor. Fast-growing metros such as Austin, Nashville and Charlotte have been drawing workers with lower living costs and warmer climates, giving companies access to expanding labor pools.

Economists say businesses often follow people - and in recent years, the flow of both jobs and residents has increasingly pointed toward the Sun Belt.

CEO Holzmann confirmed that the Sun Belt region is different than it was 30-40 years ago.

'It's a fantastic place to be. The prices are affordable, the talent is around and is seeking an opportunity.'
Airline bosses are privately cheering a surge in bookings as the Iran conflict pushes up ticket prices - even as they warn travelers will soon be paying even more.

'The company is focused on making our airline more profitable rather than keeping airline costs low,' said Frontier's executive CEO Jimmy Dempsey at the JP Morgan Industrials Conference in Washington, DC, on Tuesday morning.

He also said consumers can expect to pay more as oil prices continue to stay high, but that they're playing a wait-and-see game.

Frontier joined other major US airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska Air Group and United at the conference on Tuesday to update investors on fuel prices.

Despite rising airline prices, Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci said the company saw a spike in demand from customers trying to get ahead of prices.

'When prices did spike, we saw a spike in demand. I believe customers think, 'oh we're going on vacation anyway, spring break is coming.'

Frontier Group Holdings cut its first-quarter outlook, citing higher fuel costs and winter storm disruptions. The company now expects fuel prices around $3 per gallon, adding as much as $50million in incremental costs.

Frontier projected a narrower quarterly loss than previously expected and said capacity would decline slightly.

Airlines across the U.S. are gloating about booming bookings and revenues, while cautioning that the Iran conflict will push prices even higher

Frontier joined other major US airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska Air Group and United, at the conference on Tuesday to update investors on fuel prices

Frontier's executive CEO Jimmy Dempsey said consumers can expect to pay more as oil prices continue to stay high, but that they're playing a wait-and-see game

Despite the challenges, the airline noted strong travel demand and improving fare trends heading into the spring booking season.

The company acknowledged that reduced flight frequency may have pushed some customers away, but said lower frequency is a core part of its low-cost business model.

Shares of Delta Air Lines jumped about 5 percent in premarket trading on Tuesday, while American Airlines climbed 4.3 percent.

Delta said it is prioritizing capacity flexibility to help manage the impact of elevated fuel prices. The airline also raised its first-quarter revenue outlook, citing stronger-than-expected consumer and corporate demand heading into March.

Revenue for the quarter is now projected between $15billion and $15.3billion - down from the prior quarter but up 6.8 percent to 9 percent year over year.

Delta added that both domestic and international unit revenue are growing in the mid-single digits, though winter storms have weighed on capacity.

The airline expects non-fuel unit costs to rise in the mid-single digits and maintains its adjusted earnings outlook of 50 cents to 90 cents per share for the quarter.

American Airlines struck a more cautious tone. While it forecast a more than 10 percent increase in first-quarter revenue driven by strong demand and commercial initiatives, it warned that surging fuel costs are pressuring earnings.

Despite rising airline prices, Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci said the company saw a spike in demand from customers trying to get ahead of prices

The carrier now expects to report a loss toward the lower end of its prior guidance range of 10 cents to 50 cents per share.

JetBlue Airways said travel demand has come in stronger than expected but flagged rising fuel prices and operational disruptions as key cost pressures.

The airline raised its unit revenue outlook but now expects higher overall expenses, with fuel prices projected to average just over $3 per gallon - well above earlier estimates.

Flights across the US and overseas are getting far more expensive as the war with Iran drives up oil prices and forces airlines to raise fares.

Travelers booking spring and summer trips are already seeing sharp increases in ticket prices, with some flights more than doubling in cost in just a week.

Airline executives say the spike is being driven by surging jet fuel prices after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran late last month. Jet fuel is the second biggest expense for airlines after labor, and when costs jump quickly, carriers often respond by raising fares.

New analysis from Deutsche Bank found that among nine major US airlines, the steepest increase was at budget carrier Spirit Airlines.

The lowest listed one-way domestic fare booked about three weeks in advance more than doubled in a week, jumping to $193.

Prices have also surged across other airlines, including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, where fares on comparable flights increased between 15 percent and 57 percent.

Analysis from Deutsche Bank found that among nine major US airlines, the steepest increase was at budget carrier Spirit Airlines

Prices have also surged across other airlines including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, where fares on comparable flights increased between 15 percent and 57 percent

Airlines around the world have already started passing on the higher costs.

Cathay Pacific said it will roughly double fuel surcharges on some tickets starting Wednesday.

Australia's Qantas has begun raising fares to cover higher operating costs, while Scandinavian Airlines said the 'unusually rapid and substantial increase' in fuel prices has forced it to lift ticket prices.

Air New Zealand has already made 'initial fare adjustments' and warned further increases could follow if fuel prices remain elevated.

United, Delta and Southwest Airlines all declined to comment to the Daily Mail about whether they planned to follow in Cathay's footsteps.

But slips by company executives suggest customers are likely to see ticket prices go up even more, with United chief executive Scott Kirby saying at a Harvard event last week that higher fares were 'likely' on the way because of the surge in fuel prices.

Despite this, Kirby was steadfast in his belief that travel demand was still strong. And two airline executives told CNBC under anonymity that if demand stays high, it will give airlines more pricing power.
Egyptian sinologist aspires to serve as a bridge for cultural exchange between China and Arab countries

People's Daily Online) 15:43, March 17, 2026

March 15 marks the third anniversary of the China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). Alaa Mamdouh Akef, an Egyptian sinologist engaged in research and teaching at Peking University, shared his views on the initiative.

"The GCI is a vivid expression of the values of respect and sincerity toward others," Akef said in an interview with People's Daily Online.

He noted that the wisdom deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture enables China to promote exchanges and cooperation among different civilizations on the basis of equality.

Alaa Mamdouh Akef displays a Spring Festival couplet. (People's Daily Online/Wang Yuheng)

At the 2025 World Chinese Language Conference held in Beijing in November 2025, 61 young sinologists from 51 countries invited to participate in the event wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, sharing their experiences gained through studying China. They expressed their commitment to deepening their research on China and serving as bridges for communication among civilizations.

Akef was among the sinologists who initiated the letter. Soon afterward, they received a reply from Xi encouraging them to serve as envoys who help connect Chinese civilization with others around the world.

The reply letter left Akef deeply encouraged. "It is not only a source of encouragement, but also a recognition of our community of sinologists. For those of us engaged in China studies, it marks a milestone moment," he said.

Akef said he will continue to devote himself to the study of China and play an active role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Arab civilizations.

Looking back to 2004, when Akef was among the first cohort of students in the Department of Chinese Language at Cairo University, his knowledge of China was still largely confined to books. Chinese, with its distinct phonetic system, writing structure, and modes of expression, was entirely different from the languages he knew. Though learning Chinese was challenging, Chinese culture deeply fascinated him. The few translated Chinese novels he could find in bookstores became his window into the country.

Several years later, Akef came to China to pursue a master's degree, setting foot for the first time in the country he had long wanted to see. What he found amazed him. "China preserves a rich historical and cultural heritage, yet it is also filled with modern skyscrapers and vibrant commercial centers. The speed of its modernization far exceeded my expectations," he said.

After earning his PhD, Akef chose to stay in China. He continues his research in Sinology while teaching Arabic at Peking University, working to cultivate internationally minded talents capable of telling China's stories well in Arabic.

Now, after more than a decade of living and working in China, his understanding of the country has become increasingly nuanced.

"In the past, much of the Arab world's understanding of China came through Western media. That made me realize how important it is to present a real and multidimensional picture of China from different perspectives. I see my role as serving as a bridge between Chinese and Arab cultures," he said.

Today, Akef is not only a sinologist, but also a witness to and participant in China-Arab cultural exchanges. He hopes more young people from the Arab world will come to China, engage in open dialogue, break down misconceptions, and discover the real China for themselves.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
In his 2026 St. Patricks Day message to the people of Ireland and the Irish diaspora, Archbishop Eamon Martin has drawn a powerful parallel between the suffering of a young Saint Patrick and the modern anxieties facing today's youth.

Reflecting on Patricks history as a victim of human trafficking, the Archbishop highlighted how the saints journey from a "poor sinner" in captivity to a "missionary bishop" offers a roadmap for finding spiritual solace in a world currently "tearing itself apart."

Archbishop Martin said: Saint Patrick tells us that he was only fifteen or sixteen years of age when he was trafficked into Ireland as a slave. Even though he had been raised in a Christian home and family, he describes himself as a poor sinner who had little knowledge of the true God.

But in the isolation and loneliness of his captivity in Ireland, Patrick turned to God in prayer, and he began to experience Gods love and protection in a deeply personal way.

Before long, Patrick had the courage to share with others how much his faith in God meant to him.

READ NEXT: Derry natives fail in appeal on extradition on charges of murder of RUC officer

After six years in slavery, he escaped home to his family who wanted him never to leave them again. But God had other plans. One night, in a dream, he heard the voice of the Irish calling him: 'Come back, holy youth, and walk among us once more'.

Patrick returned years later to Ireland as a missionary bishop. He concentrated his efforts on baptising and confirming thousands of people for Christ, and ordaining and consecrating others to help him spread the Good News.

For Patrick, baptism was not just a once-off event; it was the gateway to a personal journey of faith and friendship with God.

New research tells us that young adults in Ireland are becoming more curious and searching for faith. Many young people are struggling to find hope nowadays.

"They seek nourishment for their interior lives, their well-being and mental health. I met young people recently who spoke of the emptiness they are feeling in this fragile and troubled world, which on the one hand celebrates advances in technology and artificial intelligence, while at the same time it seems to be tearing itself apart through war and aggression and the killing and displacement of innocent civilians and families.

Our families and young people have to navigate a complex world where good and evil - like the wheat and the darnel in the Gospel story - exist and grow alongside one another. We cannot insulate ourselves from the world in some kind of cocoon of faith.

"Our country and our troubled world need us to be like Saint Patrick, strong and active witnesses of Peace, Faith, Hope and Love.

As a boy, Saint Patrick had experienced violence and displacement at the hands of traffickers. His loneliness and vulnerability on the hills of Ireland brought him face to face with suffering. He found solace and courage in a new relationship with God, sensing that God was close to him in adversity.

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: Celebrations at Derry Feiles "Big Spring Gathering

"This experience shaped Patricks vocation and his sense of mission. Later in life he returned to Ireland to bring the Good News that God is with us, even in the midst of pain, trauma and isolation.

Concluding his message with a traditional blessing in Irish, Archbishop Martin called for Saint Patricks intercession for those suffering from global violence and urged for "courage and determination" for the world's peacemakers.

We turn to Saint Patrick, especially this year, to intercede for all those who are suffering from war and violence in our troubled world  and to give courage and determination to peacemakers.

Beanneachtai na Feile Padraig oraibh go leir. Agus go dtuga Naomh Padraig aire daoibh, go dtreorai se sibh agus bhur gclanna; go dtuga se a dhea-mhein chun bhur muintire agus chun cairde uilig na hEireann ar fuaid an domhain, inniu agus i gconai.

Archbishop Eamon Martin will be the chief celebrant at the celebration of Mass for Saint Patricks Day from Saint Patricks Cathedral, Armagh and the service will be televised and broadcast live at 11.00am on RTE television and radio
M-Pesa Ethiopia last week announced the signing of an agreement with the countrys postal service EthioPost, officially designating EthioPost as the primary agent within the M-Pesa ecosystem.

This allows the postal company to leverage its established presence and extensive network of branches to provide mobile money services at its points of sale, supported by a broad network of sub-agents.

It also allows M-Pesa Ethiopia, part of Safaricoms service in the country, to expand the reach of its mobile money platform, which arrived in Ethiopia, like Safaricom, in 2023.

M-Pesa Ethiopia has enjoyed quite a few milestones already. This year we reported that M-Pesa Ethiopia and African AI creator platform Gebeya had launched a subscription package that allows Ethiopians to access AI creation tools and pay for them directly via M-Pesa. Late last year M-Pesa Ethiopia announced a new mobile money platform called M-Pesa LeHulum that works with any SIM card.

The Ecofin news service points out that, in October 2025, the operator integrated M-Pesa into the national payment network EthSwitch, and in March 2025, as we reported, it also partnered with the fintech company Lakipay to facilitate merchant payments.

2024 saw an agreement with the national electricity company to enable bill payments via M-Pesa and expansion of the M-Pesa Global service to Ethiopia, paving the way for money transfers between Kenya and Ethiopia.

Of course incumbent operator Ethio Telecom also offers mobile money through its Telebirr platform. Launched in 2021, it had nearly 60 million subscriptions by the end of December 2025, way ahead of M-Pesas 3.4 million active subscribers in September of that year.

However, M-Pesa is the only competition for Telebirr in a market where there is an estimated total user base of 62-63 million out of a population of close to 138 million. This user base could be even lower due to multiple SIM card ownership, offering considerable opportunities for growth.
The TAM-1 submarine cable system has reached Colombia, marking a key milestone in its rollout across Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to BNamericas, the Trans Americas Fiber System project landed in Barranquilla, adding the country to a network designed to link the US with Central America and multiple Caribbean markets.

The roughly 7,000km cable is aimed at boosting international capacity and improving network resilience as data demand rises across the region.

Colombias inclusion strengthens its position as a regional connectivity hub, with Barranquilla hosting multiple landing stations and acting as a key gateway for international traffic.

Further deployments are expected as TAM-1 progresses towards full operation.
As if NVIDIA wasnt enjoying a lions share of the AI chips market, it just unveiled details about its Vera CPU to turn up the heat further on CPU chip makers AMD and Intel trying to shore up the datacentre market.

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At GTC 2026, NVIDIA revealed detailed specs and early benchmarks related to its much-hyped Vera CPU chip. Spoiler alert: We dont know a lot from third parties yet, but heres what we do know so far about how the NVIDIA Vera CPU stacks up against AMD EPYC Turin and Intel Xeon 6 Granite Rapids across early AI workloads, as revealed by NVIDIA themselves.

Vera CPU architecture overview

But before we get into the comparison and performance claims, heres a quick overview of the new NVIDIA Vera CPU. It uses 88 custom Arm v9.2 Olympus cores with a feature called Spatial Multithreading, which physically partitions core resources rather than time-slicing them, yielding 176 threads total, according to NVIDIAs release.

This is a fundamentally different approach from AMDs 192-core EPYC Turin (Zen 5, chiplet-based) and Intels up to 128-core Xeon 6980P Granite Rapids. Another key differentiator on the Vera CPU is that all 88 cores sit in a single monolithic compute die with no NUMA eccentricities, which is different from the chiplet-based x86 offerings from AMD and Intel. That means uniform latency and bandwidth to every core.

On the memory side, Vera CPU delivers up to 1.2TB/s of total bandwidth via LPDDR5X SOCAMM modules, with roughly 14GB/s per core  about 3x the per-core bandwidth of traditional datacentre CPUs, claims NVIDIA. For comparison, AMDs top EPYC 9965 offers about 614 GB/s per socket, and Intels Granite Rapids sits lower still with 8-channel DDR5.

Vera CPU performance in a sandbox

This is where NVIDIA is making its loudest claims, that Vera CPU delivers up to 1.5x higher agentic sandbox performance under full-socket load compared to competitive x86 platforms  this is across compilers, scripting tools, runtime engines, compression, and all agentic tool calls. The benchmarks were run against AMD EPYC Turin and Intel Xeon 6 Granite Rapids specifically  thats stated in the NVIDIA technical blogs footnotes.

Toms Hardware reports that NVIDIA claims a 1.5x IPC improvement over Grace, and performance gains of 1.8x to 2.2x over Grace in scripting, compilation, data analytics, graph analytics, and HPC workloads.

NVIDIA specifically suggests ETL, real-time analytics, and memory-bound workloads as key beneficiaries of the per-core bandwidth advantage of the Vera CPU. They say the chips design ensures throughput is maintained when every core is active. At the server rack level inside datacentres, the Vera CPU Rack claims 2x performance-per-watt over x86-based server racks for RL sandbox evaluation, ETL, and analytics under full system load.

Graph workloads

The Olympus core on the Vera CPU includes a custom graph database analytics prefetch engine, which NVIDIA claims is a hardware-level optimization specifically for graph traversal patterns  something neither AMD nor Intel currently offer at the ISA or prefetcher level. NVIDIAs benchmarks claim graph analytics workloads where Vera leads by 1.8x2.2x over Grace, and by roughly 1.5x margin over AMD and Intel counterparts.

Cross-core throughput and scaling

One area where Vera particularly shines is cross-core communication, according to NVIDIA, which is critical for data-parallel analytics. Redpandas ring-shuffle benchmark found Vera delivered up to 73% higher cross-core throughput than AMD EPYC Turin. Perhaps more interestingly, Vera continued to scale performance beyond 64 cores, whereas other architectures flattened out after 32 cores due to memory bandwidth saturation. This is a direct consequence of the monolithic die and high-bandwidth fabric physical design of the NVIDIA Vera CPU chip.

A few things to remember

Its important to remember that these results and comparisons are early NVIDIA-sourced or NVIDIA-partner benchmarks, and that independent benchmarks do not exist yet. Deployed Vera CPU cloud instances wont be broadly available until late 2026.

Reports suggest theres a known hardware compatibility issue in the Veras PCIe controllers, as they trigger errors when paired with non-NVIDIA GPUs or third-party accelerators. This obviously limits its standalone appeal for any vendor that wants a mixed-OEM deployment  theyll have to be fully locked into NVIDIA, from nuts and bolts to software stack.

Vera CPU chip currently tops out at 88 cores versus AMD Turins 192 and Intel Granite Rapids 128. So for workloads that are purely dependent on core counts, the x86 chips still offer more raw parallelism compared to Vera.

Also worth noting: this is NVIDIAs first generation of a custom CPU core, and it may face security and maturity challenges similar to what Intel experienced historically with hyperthreading.

AMDs Turin remains the throughput-per-dollar champion for general-purpose server workloads, and Intel is betting on its upcoming 18A process with Clearwater Forest to beat that. With NVIDIAs Vera CPU now into the mix, it will be a three-way fight worth watching closely through the rest of 2026 into 2027.

Also read: NVIDIA GTC 2026 conference: 5 things you should expect
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The Northern Irish peace process was given to the British government on a plate, Gerry Adams has told the High Court.

Mr Adams is giving evidence on Tuesday in defence of a legal claim brought against him by three victims of bombings in England by the Provisional IRA in the 1970s and 1990s.

John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a 1996 London Docklands bombing victim; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, all allege that Mr Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council, and are seeking 1 in damages.

The former Sinn Fein president denies the allegations and is defending the claim, telling the court that he had no involvement whatsoever in the bombings and was never a member of the Provisional IRA.

Mr Adams, wearing a dark suit and tie, a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, began his evidence by wishing the judge, Mr Justice Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day.

Later on Tuesday, Sir Max Hill KC, for the victims, suggested during cross-examination that Mr Adams used bombs as a way to get the British government to the negotiating table.

Sir Max said: I am asking whether you accept that bombing Britain has worked for you, Mr Adams.

Mr Adams replied: No. We put together a peace process. It was given to John Majors government, if I may use the expression, on a plate.

He was handed this put together by people in Ireland with help from our friends in Irish America.

There is no reason whatsoever in any persons language why the people who live on the island of Ireland cannot be free from British rule.

Mr Adams said later: I think its OK to have friendly relationships with your neighbours, but we dont want our neighbours living in our house, living in our home.

When asked whether he had disdain for John Majors government, Mr Adams said: Its done, its gone.

I have learnt that you have to live in the nows, you cant live in the past, you have to live in the future.

He continued: A united Ireland is not inevitable.

He added: I hope to live in a united Ireland, but if I do not, I will go to my grave content that I have played a role in bringing about a united Ireland.

He also said: We are not at the end objective yet, but we have peace.

Mr Adams has claimed that while he was a member of Sinn Fein, and was the organisations president from 1983 to 2018, he was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA.

He told the court that he never took an oath of allegiance to the Provisional IRA, and attended talks with the British government in London in 1972 in his capacity as a member of Sinn Fein.

Mr Adams then denied Sir Maxs claim that he was rewriting history.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Adams told the court that while he did not distance himself from the Provisional IRA, he was glad the organisation had left the stage and that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.

In his witness statement, he also said that he had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the three bombings.

Anne Studd KC, for the bomb victims, previously told the trial that being a member of Sinn Fein and a member of the Provisional IRA was a distinction without a difference for some individuals, including Mr Adams.

Ms Studd also told the court that Mr Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement.

The barrister continued that Mr Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The trial before Mr Justice Swift is expected to end later in March.
US president Donald Trump has pledged that energy prices in Ireland will drop like a rock after the war with Iran ends.

The cost of petrol and diesel, as well as home heating oil, has skyrocketed in Ireland since Strait of Hormuz was blocked by Iran in response to the military attacks by the US and Israel.

The Irish government has said it is monitoring the situation before deciding whether it intervenes with targeted supports to help those who are struggling the most with fuel price hikes.

During a meeting with Irish premier Micheal Martin in the White House on St Patricks Day, Mr Trump was asked what his message was to Irish people who are paying high fuel prices.

I think the people in Ireland are very happy that Im getting rid of  I have a lot of friends from Ireland, theyre very happy that Im getting rid of  a nuclear power, a nuclear terrorist, he said.

And as soon as that war is over, which will be soon, your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch.

Earlier in the meeting, Mr Trump said they were not ready to leave Iran yet.

If we left right now, it would take 10 years for them to rebuild. But were not ready to leave yet, he said.

But we will be leaving in the near future. Well be leaving in pretty much the very near future.
One week on from the launch of Grow. Thrive. Shine, Hub 21 in Carrickmacross is reflecting on a powerful and inspiring evening that celebrated the children and families at the heart of the charitys work across the North East.

The Down Syndrome Awareness Exhibition, which remains open throughout the month of March at the Civic Offices in Carrickmacross, features 44 children and young people who attend Hub 21, capturing their personalities, stories, and potential through a series of striking portraits.

The exhibition was officially launched on 9th March, exactly seven years after Hub 21 first officially opened its doors in Carrickmacross. Since then, the charity has supported many children with Down syndrome and their families across Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath, Armagh, and beyond through dedicated therapies, supports, services and activities.

Hub 21 Manager Caitriona Crosby reflected on the evening: "Seeing these incredible children celebrated in such a public and positive way was deeply moving. The exhibition captures their personalities, their determination, and their potential.

Below: Louis from Louth is one of the children who attends Hub 21 and features in the exhibition

"Seeing many of the models physically starting in front of their portrait, with their families observing and supporting them was particularly poignant. It is a reminder of why Hub 21 exists - to support children with Down syndrome to grow, thrive and shine."

Read also: Dundalk's St. Malachys Infants NS scoop inaugural Sean Rocks Commemorative Cup

The launch featured inspiring contributions from guest speaker Dr Mei Lin Yap, whose powerful speech reminded everyone that people with Down syndrome must be seen, heard, and given opportunities to rise, lifting communities along the way.

Mei Lin is the first person in Ireland with an intellectual disability to receive an honorary doctorate and she left everyone speechless with her inspiring life story and calls to break down barriers and make a more inclusive Ireland for everyone.

Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, and Councillor Paul Gibbons, Cathaoirleach of the CarrickmacrossCastleblayney Municipal District also pledged their ongoing support of families and local initiatives.

Local photographer Dalia Guzauskaite was responsible for capturing the beauty, personality and spirit of every child. Each photo comes with a little biography on the child. As the exhibition continues through March, it also highlights upcoming World Down Syndrome Day which takes place on 21st March, because it is the 21st chromosome that is triplicated in people with Down Syndrome.

The theme this year is loneliness. Children with Down syndrome are often known but not chosen - present in classrooms or playgrounds but socially on the outside. Hub 21 encourages families, schools, and the community to start conversations about inclusion and empathy.

One visible way to do this is through Lots of Socks, where children and adults wear bright, colourful, mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day to spark conversation and symbolise that everyone should be included. Small gestures, like inviting someone to join a game or including them in a conversation, can make a big difference in helping children feel valued and connected.

"We warmly encourage the local community - families, supporters, volunteers, and businesses - to visit the exhibition during Civic Offices opening hours," Caitriona added. "It is a chance to meet the children we support, see the impact of our work, and start conversations that can help create more inclusive communities."

The Grow. Thrive. Shine. exhibition will remain open throughout March, offering everyone an opportunity to celebrate the children and families who make Hub 21s work so special, and to reflect on the importance of inclusion in everyday life.
A man from Louth who used his US citizenship to buy military-grade firearms and ammunition legally in America before selling them on to Irish criminal gangs has been jailed for ten years.

Passing sentence on Conor O'Brien at the three-judge Special Criminal Court on Monday, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor said criminal gangs need firearms to threaten and intimidate others and use them to maim, kill and terrorise. O'Brien, she said, had shown a cavalier attitude towards the harm he was causing by playing a "crucial, if not imperative role" providing arms and ammunition.



He took advantage of his dual citizenship to purchase guns in America and sell them here for financial gain, she said, adding that the impact of such crimes "cannot be overestimated".



In communications found on his phone, including one in which joked about selling guns to "Ireland's top criminals, LOL", Ms Justice O'Connor said he had shown "total disregard for the impact of such deadly weapons on our citizens".



While O'Brien's guilty plea had been of value, Ms Justice O'Connor said the evidence against him was compelling as he had been caught "red-handed" with an extensive arsenal of firearms, ammunition and components in a shed he was renting.

Read also: Motorists advised of lane closures in two parts of Dundalk this week



Ms Justice O'Connor also noted that O'Brien had used his own name and details when purchasing the firearms and ammo in the US, making them traceable to him and showing "an element of naivety" in what he was doing.



Ms Justice O'Connor cited as an aggravating factor the extensive planning and organisation involved in the importation and sale of guns as she set a headline sentence of 15 years, the maximum penalty available. Having considered mitigating factors, including his guilty plea, she reduced the sentence to 11 years with the final 12 months suspended for one year.



The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the firearms and ammunition. However, the court will hear further submissions next week regarding cash that was also seized by gardai investigating O'Brien. Counsel for O'Brien said there is no consent to the forfeiture of the cash in circumstances where money laundering charges that had been brought against O'Brien are no longer being pursued.



At a previous hearing, Detective Inspector Shane McCartan said: Without Conor OBrien, there would be no criminal organisation, such was his importance."

OBrien and the leader of the gun-running ring, Mark McCourt, were distributing guns and ammunition to criminal gangs in Derry, Armagh, Dublin and Limerick, he said.

Last November, O'Brien (29), of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, was arraigned on six charges. He pleaded guilty that between February 10, 2023, and July 19, 2024 with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he did participate in or contribute to activity intending to facilitate the commission by the said criminal organisation or any of its members in the importation of firearms and ammunition and explosives.



He further pleaded guilty to five counts concerning the possession or control of a firearm or ammunition in suspicious circumstances, contrary to the provisions of Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act 1964, as substituted by section 59 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2007.



These related to offences at John Street, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth, on July 19, 2024, when he had unlawfully in his possession two .233 Remington calibre barrels from AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifles, in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess them for a lawful purpose; he had possession of four .233 Remington calibre barrels from Anderson manufacturing AM-15 pattern semi-automatic rifles; he had eight frames for Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols; a frame for a Canik semi-automatic pistol; and four slides for a Sig Sauer model P320 9mm Luger calibre semi-automatic pistol.





The detective inspector said that both men were arrested and their phones seized, with forensic examination of the phones revealing communication between the two and other parties who used aliases.



He said that in one communication between OBrien and a person known as Eugene, OBrien made reference to a suitcase full of Glocks and .22 is for babies, the latter being a reference to .22 calibre ammunition.



Det Insp McCartan said that in April 2023, McCourt and OBrien flew to Las Vegas, with OBrien returning to Ireland on April 9. In a communication between OBrien and an individual known as The Keeler, the defendant mentioned 500 rounds of 9mm. OBrien also said that he was going to stick them all together, which Det Insp McCartan explained meant reassembling the component parts of firearms.



The detective inspector said that communication between the parties revealed that OBrien had military grade rifles and Glock handguns, as well as large drum magazines, which were capable of firing 60 rounds, and assorted ammunition. Det Insp McCartan gave evidence that, in relation to this particular collection of weapons and ammunition, McCourt had messaged that 75K is the best price.



The witness said that the two men had shared images and videos of the firearms with The Keeler, which showed the type of guns they had for sale. He said that some of the weapons were fully assembled, with everything stored in a shed in Blackstick in Ardee, which was rented by OBrien.



The detective inspector told the court that gardai were able to identify a serial number attached to one of the AR-15 rifles that showed the weapon had been purchased by OBrien from a firearms shop in Nevada in February 2023. He gave further evidence of a conversation between McCourt and an individual known as Vladimir Putin in May 2023, in which McCourt said he could get an AR-15 rifle with long range bullets that can drop a deer at 900 yards, no problem.



Det Insp McCartan also gave evidence of further communication between OBrien and a person known as C, in which OBrien said that he had pipes. The witness said that he believed this referred to pipe bombs, with OBrien sourcing clients for pipe bombs which were to be manufactured by McCourt.



In further communication, McCourt made a reference to meeting this other fella today to give him the money for the flight. Det Insp McCartan said that other members of the criminal organisation were travelling to America to support the transporting of ammo and gun parts back to Ireland, with the gun components divided out between these air passengers.



In a communication in July 2024, OBrien told a man called Joe that he was selling weapons to Irelands top criminals.



Det Insp McCartan said that when gardai raided the shed in Ardee in July 2024, they found a suitcase of firearms and handguns, which were semi-automatic pistols and military grade rifles, all of them in working order. The court was shown an example of the type of handgun and assault rifle that was found in the premises rented by OBrien in Ardee.



The detective inspector said that when arrested, OBrien initially downplayed his role in the offences but then accepted that the items found were his. When asked what his role was, OBrien told gardai: I know guns.



Det Insp McCartan said that he formed the opinion about the existence of a criminal organisation, with OBrien operating in a symbiotic relationship" with McCourt.



Without Conor OBrien, there would be no criminal organisation, such was his importance, said the detective inspector, adding that McCourt was directing operations in Derry, Armagh, Dublin and Limerick and dealing with Ireland's top criminals.



OBrien had no previous convictions. O'Brien's co-accused Mark McCourt (34) of Edenreive, Newry, Co Down, was previously jailed for 12 years by the Special Criminal Court, having also pleaded guilty to facilitating the criminal organisations efforts to import restricted weapons between February 2023 and July 2024, and the possession of firearms components.



McCourt told one prospective customer he would throw in ten pipe bombs as a free gift to seal a 75,000 cash deal to supply guns and ammunition smuggled by air from America, the sentencing court heard. At the sentencing hearing, Det Insp McCartan told counsel for the State, Simon Matthews BL, that OBrien and McCourt were involved in procuring the firearms in America and bringing them into Ireland, where they were distributed. Det Insp McCartan explained that the two men were bringing the weapons into Ireland in component parts, which were then reassembled.The detective inspector said that both men were arrested and their phones seized, with forensic examination of the phones revealing communication between the two and other parties who used aliases.He said that in one communication between OBrien and a person known as Eugene, OBrien made reference to a suitcase full of Glocks and .22 is for babies, the latter being a reference to .22 calibre ammunition.Det Insp McCartan said that in April 2023, McCourt and OBrien flew to Las Vegas, with OBrien returning to Ireland on April 9. In a communication between OBrien and an individual known as The Keeler, the defendant mentioned 500 rounds of 9mm. OBrien also said that he was going to stick them all together, which Det Insp McCartan explained meant reassembling the component parts of firearms.Det Insp McCartan gave evidence that, in relation to this particular collection of weapons and ammunition, McCourt had messaged that 75K is the best price.The witness said that the two men had shared images and videos of the firearms with The Keeler, which showed the type of guns they had for sale. He said that some of the weapons were fully assembled, with everything stored in a shed in Blackstick in Ardee, which was rented by OBrien.The detective inspector told the court that gardai were able to identify a serial number attached to one of the AR-15 rifles that showed the weapon had been purchased by OBrien from a firearms shop in Nevada in February 2023. He gave further evidence of a conversation between McCourt and an individual known as Vladimir Putin in May 2023, in which McCourt said he could get an AR-15 rifle with long range bullets that can drop a deer at 900 yards, no problem.Det Insp McCartan also gave evidence of further communication between OBrien and a person known as C, in which OBrien said that he had pipes. The witness said that he believed this referred to pipe bombs, with OBrien sourcing clients for pipe bombs which were to be manufactured by McCourt.In further communication, McCourt made a reference to meeting this other fella today to give him the money for the flight. Det Insp McCartan said that other members of the criminal organisation were travelling to America to support the transporting of ammo and gun parts back to Ireland, with the gun components divided out between these air passengers.In a communication in July 2024, OBrien told a man called Joe that he was selling weapons to Irelands top criminals.Det Insp McCartan said that when gardai raided the shed in Ardee in July 2024, they found a suitcase of firearms and handguns, which were semi-automatic pistols and military grade rifles, all of them in working order. The court was shown an example of the type of handgun and assault rifle that was found in the premises rented by OBrien in Ardee.The detective inspector said that when arrested, OBrien initially downplayed his role in the offences but then accepted that the items found were his. When asked what his role was, OBrien told gardai: I know guns.Det Insp McCartan said that he formed the opinion about the existence of a criminal organisation, with OBrien operating in a symbiotic relationship" with McCourt.Without Conor OBrien, there would be no criminal organisation, such was his importance, said the detective inspector, adding that McCourt was directing operations in Derry, Armagh, Dublin and Limerick and dealing with Ireland's top criminals.OBrien had no previous convictions. O'Brien's co-accused Mark McCourt (34) of Edenreive, Newry, Co Down, was previously jailed for 12 years by the Special Criminal Court, having also pleaded guilty to facilitating the criminal organisations efforts to import restricted weapons between February 2023 and July 2024, and the possession of firearms components.McCourt told one prospective customer he would throw in ten pipe bombs as a free gift to seal a 75,000 cash deal to supply guns and ammunition smuggled by air from America, the sentencing court heard.

He has 42 previous convictions, including for assault causing harm, theft and dangerous driving. McCourt was previously jailed for going to the home of an off-duty garda and ramming her car.
A special edition of Ulysses and Donegal wool socks were among gifts exchanged at a meeting between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US vice president JD Vance.

Mr Martin started what he described as an unforgettable day with a breakfast meeting with Mr Vance at his official residence in Washington DC.

The Taoiseach, accompanied by his wife Mary, met the vice president and the second lady of the United States at Number One Observatory Circle.

The meeting is a traditional part of the Irish premiers annual visit to Washington to mark St Patricks Day, and precedes a bilateral with the US president.

In a short address prior to the breakfast, Mr Vance said Ireland is an important economic and trading partner as about 375,000 US jobs depend on the country in one form or another.

He added: But I actually think that understates the cultural friendship between the United States and Ireland.

So many of the greatest Americans were people who came from Ireland or their families came from Ireland.

In the Republican Party, of course, we revere Ronald Reagan, a great Irishman and a great president of the United States.

Mr Vance said most people in America know someone with a deep connection to Ireland.

He added: We love it and we admired it, and we cherished the incredible friendships that we have and the great things that Ireland has done for the United States of America.

Mr Vance, who held the same meeting with the Taoiseach last year, said he is very grateful for the friendship of Mr Martin and everything that unites the people of Ireland and the United States of America.

The breakfast was attended by US ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh and Stripe chief executive Patrick Collison.

Mr Vance said attendees would be presented with a gift bag including a pint glass and Donegal-style wool socks.

The vice president was wearing a pair of socks with shamrocks for St Patricks Day.

He said this years pair was slightly more muted than the ones he wore in the Oval Office last year, for which he said US President Donald Trump bust my chops.

Mr Martin also gifted Mr Vance a special edition of Ulysses.

In his speech, the Taoiseach hailed the welcome and hospitality of the Vance couple.

Mr Martins remarks referenced ties between Ireland and the US, and the respective countries campaigns for independence.

He said: Just one mile from where we sit this morning is Robert Emmet Memorial Park, named in honour of the Irish patriot who led a rebellion against the British in 1803.

And in a famous speech from the dock before he was put to death, he declared: I wish to procure for my country the guarantee which Washington procured for America.

Mr Martin said children from rich and diverse traditions across the island of Ireland have made their mark on the US.

He added: Throughout the 250 years since America proudly raised the flag for freedom, Irelands sons and daughters sought to repay the gift of opportunity through service to their new homeland.

Irish workers helped craft the skylines of Americas great cities and fortify the fabric of communities across the land.

Immigrants from my home county of Cork moved to Ohio, where they built the roads, canals and railways, which literally laid the foundations of American greatness.

The Taoiseach said: The Scots-Irish who mostly came to Pennsylvania and the Appalachians  an area very close to your heart  brought not only their strong work ethic, but also fiddle tunes, which melded with the African-American banjo to gift to the world bluegrass.

As firefighters, police officers, nurses, farmers and presidents  23 of whom have had Irish heritage  our exiled children from all the rich and diverse traditions across our island have made their mark on this proud land.

In turn, Mr Martin said the US helped craft peace on the island of Ireland.

He said: Americas unwavering support over decades and from both sides of the aisle made this possible.

At the darkest and bleakest of times, you  all of you in this room  kept the faith.

And today that work continues.

Parties from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland, along with the Irish and British governments, continue to work hard to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement.

It enables us to deal comprehensively with the legacy of the past and to engage all the communities and traditions on our island around the shared present and future.
This Friday the annual Ballincollig An Garda Siochana charity coffee morning will take place.

All proceeds will go to the Down Syndrome Cork Field of Dreams, located on the Clash Rd, and the Marvel Club.

The Field of Dreams was established in 2017 to address the ongoing educational learning needs of adults with Down syndrome across Cork city and county.

The Marvel Club provides a vibrant social space for children, teenagers, and young adults with additional needs.

Community Garda Anthony McSweeney said the cake-and-coffee morning will take place in Ballincollig Garda Station, starting at 10.30am this Friday, March 20, and it will run until lunchtime.

Drop in and support two great local charities.
Daffodil Day is almost upon us, and organisers in Ballincollig are urgently appealing for volunteers to help out for an hour or two this Friday.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of cancer in the EU, and, according to the National Cancer Registry Ireland, about one in every two people are likely to receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives.

About 42,000 tumours are diagnosed here every year, with more than half of them invasive. About 9,800 people die every year from cancer, and the HSE says that four in every 10 cancers is preventable.

The good news is that with medical advances and earlier detections, cancer survival rates are improving all the time, and by the end of 2022, about 221,000 people were living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis in Ireland, or about 4.35% of the population.

The Irish Cancer Society was founded by Dr Austin Darragh in 1963 and is a community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals, and researchers.

SYMBOL OF HOPE

Cancer organisations across the world use the daffodil as a symbol of hope for people affected by cancer, with daffodils traditionally marking the return of spring and new life.

The daffodil was first used by a cancer charity fundraiser in Toronto in the 1950s, when volunteers organised coffee mornings to raise money for cancer awareness and research, and guests were given daffodils in thanks for their support.

The Canadian innovation made a great impression upon founding members of the Irish Cancer Society, and Irelands first Daffodil Day was held in 1988.

Cancer was almost a taboo subject in Ireland in the 1980s, and Daffodil Day helped to break that silence. The target for that first fundraising day was 100,000, and 320,000 was raised.

Nowadays, Daffodil Day every year raises more than 5m for the Irish Cancer Society, which typically only receives about 5% of its income from State aid.

Last year, according to the Irish Cancer Society, Daffodil Day paid for 29,800 lifts for patients, 14,300 counselling sessions, 5,900 nights of night nursing services, 26,700 conversations on the societys support line, and 179 families were helped by the societys childrens fund.

Ann McGrath has organised Daffodil Day in Ballincollig for the past three years, and like many people, she has lost family members to cancer.

There isnt a family in Ireland that hasnt been touched by cancer, and Daffodil Day is a vital way of raising funds to help the Irish Cancer Society, she said.

We will have the buckets out on Friday, and we really need people to turn out and support us, and we also need volunteers to help collect with us, especially in the afternoon.

To volunteer to help out on Friday, contact Ann McGrath on 086-8670274.
Cork city councillors have approved a motion seeking to support Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery (CCMPSAR) being registered as a blue light organisation in order to get around new drone restrictions.

A blue light organisation refers to services such as An Garda Siochana, ambulance, fire, and rescue services, that are authorised to use flashing blue lights and sirens during emergency situations.

Labours Peter Horgan proposed at the most recent meeting of Cork City Council that the authority seek approval from all relevant national authorities and Government departments to designate CCMPSAR as a blue light organisation without delay, so that they are exempt from any airspace restrictions currently now and in the future imposed on drone operations and surveillance in Cork city.

Temporary drone measures

It comes as the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) recently implemented new temporary measures significantly limiting drone pilots from flying over large parts of the city without providing two days notice.

This was to facilitate a pilot drone delivery programme by private operators Manna.

A public consultation is currently under way as the IAA aims to make these temporary measures permanent from May, with more than 200 submissions having already been received.

Cork City Missing Persons Search & Recovery Unit co-ordinator Chris ODonovan. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Chris ODonovan, CCMPSAR search co-ordinator, told The Echo that they have come to an arrangement with the relevant authorities in terms of drone usage, but that they have to take extra steps now.

If we want to use a drone for training purposes we have to fill in a form two days in advance, in an emergency we have a number we can ring and they should allow us to fly. Before, when the phone rang we could fly right away.

People more important than coffee

He said that they learned of the new restrictions through a post on social media that was sent to him.

We couldnt believe it that nobody could fly so that a company delivering food and coffees could have access to the skies  people are more important than coffee, said Mr ODonovan

If we were designated a blue light organisation, it would help us in many ways. Our response times for incidents on the river would get faster, wed be a better help to the fire service and gardai. We have all the policies and procedures to get us to that place.

Unfortunately, when are services are required, you can save a life if you get there quick enough. Were hoping to help as many people as possible, so a blue light designation would be a huge step in the right direction for us.
The 2026 Young Social Innovators (YSI) Speak Out tour was officially launched at Cork City Hall recently.

The Cork event marked the national kick-off of this years tour, with students delivering dynamic two-minute presentations as part of the YSI Activate programme.

YSI is Irelands leading youth-led social innovation education programme, empowering young people to develop solutions to social, environmental, and community challenges.

In total, 40 student teams from across the region took to the stage to address the social issues shaping their lives and communities.

Themes

Across two days, Cork teams explored a wide range of themes including projects focusing on sustainability and environmental responsibility, the importance of first aid knowledge and AED mapping, and improving wheelchair accessibility in public spaces.

Students also looked at health and wellbeing topics, including nutrition, screen time, breast cancer awareness, and the impact of toxic relationships.

Other teams raised awareness around drink spiking and examined the growing role of AI in the lives of young people.

The range of topics reflected both local concerns and wider societal challenges, demonstrating the insight and leadership of young people across Cork.

Commitment

Cork city Labour Party councillor Ciara OConnor praised the creativity, courage and commitment to positive change of the participating students.

To the young people presenting, I want to say this clearly: Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your courage matters, Ms OConnor said.

You are shaping ideas that make schools, communities, and our city stronger, more inclusive and more compassionate.

Cork is a city that believes in youth voice. We know that our citys future is stronger when young people feel empowered to speak up, to question, to disrupt, to create and most importantly, to act.
Gardai in Cork are investigating the death of a man in his 30s who died following a reported stabbing near his city centre home on Monday night.

The man, a 31-year-old Ukrainian, is believed to have been fatally injured in an incident which occurred in the Lower John St area after 7pm last evening.

In the immediate aftermath of the assault, the man is understood to have returned to the apartment he shared with his wife and young child in Camden Court, on Carrolls Quay, before succumbing to his injuries.

The apartments are situated across the river from the Cork Opera House and above Pa Johnsons pub and the Cork Arts Theatre.

The man had earlier come home from work before going out to get something to eat, and it is believed he was assaulted shortly after that, before making his way down through Knapps Square to Carrolls Quay.

The alarm was raised and gardai and emergency services responded at approximately 7.50pm.

The man was subsequently declared deceased, and his remains were removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

The office of the state pathologist was notified and a post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out in due course.

A senior investigating garda officer has been appointed and an incident room has been established at Watercourse Road Garda Station, with a family liaison officer assigned to support the mans family.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly taxi drivers and motorists who were in the area at the time.

Anyone who was in Devonshire Street, Knapps Square, Lower John Street areas of Cork city between 7.30pm and 9pm on Monday, March 16, and who may have camera footage - including home security and dash-cam - is asked to provide that footage to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
THE papers of Dr James Deeny are neatly stored in cardboard box files, bound in tidy ribbons, in the archive of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland archive in Dublin.

In among a mixture of random correspondence and carbon-copied replies to long-lost letters is a note to the head of a Cork mother and baby institution, revealing a quiet decision to draw a discrete veil over the deaths of almost 700 babies there.

The letter states that its author has arranged that the special investigation into the death of each child may be dropped for the present. It warns that should the death rate there rise again, those investigations would have to be resumed. This was, in all probability, approved at the highest levels of the Irish government.

James Deeny, a Lurgan-born doctor, served as Irelands chief medical advisor from 1944 until 1962, stepping temporarily aside from the role from 1950 to 1953  in part due to disagreements with then health minister Noel Browne.

When he was appointed, the countrys two biggest health problems were tuberculosis  Irelands TB levels were the worst in Western Europe  and a high infant and maternal mortality rate.

At the time, the United Kingdom was embroiled in the Second World War and had an infant mortality rate of 4.9%. Irelands rate was 6.6%.

In his 1989 memoir To Cure And To Care, Deeny wrote: Going through returns for infant deaths in Cork, I noticed there was something unusual and traced the matter to a home for unmarried mothers at Bessborough outside the city.

I found that in the previous year some 180 babies had been born there and that considerably more than 100 had died.

Bessborough had become a mother and baby home in 1922, and by the end of 1944, the time Deeny was probably looking at the figures, 623 children had been officially certified as having died at the home or after discharge from there. By years end, 1945, that number was 659. Marasmus  severe malnutrition  was a recurring cause of death.

In the period between April 1943 and March 1944, 124 babies were either born at Bessborough or admitted there after birth, while 102 children were officially certified as having died there, with inspection reports citing an 82% infant mortality rate in the home.

A June 1941 government inspection had noted that the nun in charge, Superioress Martina Gleeson, had no qualifications in supervising maternity care. It also noted a tendency to discourage breastfeeding and suggested this might be partly responsible for Bessboroughs soaring infant mortality rate.

Responding, Mother Gleeson denied this, saying that women were in fact forced to breastfeed.

In August 1943, a subsequent inspection report, written by government inspector Alice Litster, found that, of the 27 babies in the day nursery aged between three weeks to nine months, only eight were breastfed and only three fully.

The greater number were miserable scraps of humanity, wizened, some emaciated and almost all had rash and sores all over their bodies, faces, hands, and heads, she wrote.

Responding, Bessboroughs medical officer, Dr JT OConnor, blamed the mothers, claiming: In the majority of cases the mothers are inclined to be fretful and have no love for their infants. This, OConnor felt, resulted in illegitimate children sometimes failing to digest breast milk.

Fianna Fail founder-member Dr Conn Ward was parliamentary secretary at the Department of Local Government and Public Health, in effect minister for health. Deenys boss, he directed in 1944 that for the time being, no expectant mother should be sent to Bessborough, ordering they instead be referred to the County Home.

Bishop Daniel Cohalan of Cork responded angrily to Wards February 1945 request that Mother Gleeson be replaced, but Wards office replied that should the Bessborough deaths leak to the public, it would result in a public scandal.

This was an unusual show of defiance from Ward, a staunch Catholic who had, a year earlier, banned the sale of tampons  lest they cause sexual arousal in women  on the insistence of Archbishop McQuaid.

Deeny subsequently travelled to Bessborough, and inspected the spotlessly clean home.

I marched up and down and around about and could not make out what was wrong; at last I took a notion and stripped all the babies and, unusually for a chief medical adviser, examined them, Deeny wrote years later.

Every baby had some purulent infection of the skin and all had green diarrhoea, carefully covered up.

Without any legal authority I closed the place down and sacked the matron, a nun, and got rid of the medical officer. The deaths had been going on for years. They had done nothing about it, had accepted the situation and were quite complacent about it.

Bishop Cohalan reported Deenys actions to the papal nuncio, Paschal Robinson, who visited the taoiseach, Eamon de Valera. He showed the nuncio Deenys report, and Robinson backed down.

Later, when the place had been disinfected and repainted, Deeny wrote, the order supplied a new matron and we appointed a new doctor. Mother Rosemonde was appointed to Bessborough in September 1945.

In Deenys archives, a handwritten note to Ward reads: We might give the new Rev Mother, who appears to be very capable, a chance to pull Bessboro together before we press for a withdrawal of the maternity licence.

Under Mother Rosemonde, the Bessborough death toll would drop from 36 in 1945 to 15 in 1946, rising to 20 in 1947, before going down to seven children in 1948, eight in 1949 and three in 1950.

Thereafter, the annual death toll remained in single digits.

Deenys papers show he travelled to Cork on Thursday, August 29, 1946, where his first meeting was with Dr Condy, county medical officer, at Condys South Mall office.

Bessborough is next mentioned in Deenys papers in an August 18, 1947, letter to Mother Rosemonde.

I have just been on the phone to [Condy] and arranged with him that the special investigation into the death of each child may be dropped for the present.

In the event of any [undue] rise in the death rate, those investigations would have to be resumed.

Given Eamon de Valeras familiarity with Bessborough, it seems very unlikely that the decision to drop the threat of an investigation was made without the taoiseachs knowledge.

In August, 1947, the State chief medical adviser - although described here as the deputy - told the nun in charge of Bessborough that a government investigation into the deaths of almost 700 children was to be "dropped for the present". From James Deeny's archive in the Royal College of Surgeons.

Whether there ever was a real prospect of an investigation is an open question.

Hundreds of children died too in Castlepollard and Sean Ross Abbey, both run by the same order; in the Tuam Home, run by the Bon Secours order, and in St Patricks on the Navan Rd, run by the Daughters of Charity.

Would the State have wanted to pull on the thread of child deaths in one institution?

As with Wards public scandal threat to Bishop Cohalan three years earlier, it seems at least debatable whether the State had an appetite for exposing hundreds of infant deaths in a system it ran hand-in-glove with the Church.

The position of minister for health was formally established in 1947, with James Ryan its inaugural incumbent.

He visited Bessborough in September 1947. It appears to have been a surprise visit, because, in a letter that month to Mother Rosemonde, Deeny says: The minister was very impressed with Bessboro which he visited at such short notice for which I must apologise.

Deeny says he hopes Rosemonde will be able to keep enteritis under control, and reminds her that, Dr Connolly and his staff are there to help you.

Deeny then refers to a planned visit by the head of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary to Ireland, suggesting that upon the mother generals arrival she make an appointment to meet with Ryan.

In his response, Deeny reveals the purpose of that requested meeting: A month after the State abandoned its threatened investigation, the congregation was pitching to run another mother and baby institution.

In a September, 1947, letter, the State chief medical adviser told the nun in charge of Bessborough that that the minister for health was "particularly interested in the problem of the unmarried mother". From James Deeny's archive in the Royal College of Surgeons.

At this stage, Deeny wrote, I am not in a position to tell you what the prospects are of another house in Eire, but I know that the minister is particularly interested in the problem of the unmarried mother, and it would be of assistance to him to have an opportunity of discussing the work of your order in this field.

No further mother and baby institutions were opened in Ireland, and the following year, in October 1948, Deeny wrote to Mother Rosemonde to congratulate her on her reappointment.
Wishy washy engagement with the probation service was not going to help a 47-year-old man facing sentencing for several thefts, a district court judge said.

Ciaran ORegan of 19 Oak View, Classes Lake, Ballincollig, appeared before Cork District Court for sentencing but did not turn up at his last appointment with his probation officer because he was sick.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said: He instructs me he was ill.

Judge John King clarified this as being that he may have been ill.

Mr Cuddigan joked: I did not follow him with a thermometer.

Mr ORegan spoke up and said: I was really under the weather.

Judge King said: He would not want to be coming before the court with a wishy washy report saying my heart is in the right place but I havent done anything about it.

He said the added difficulty was that it was not just one theft, but several, and he still had not undertaken residential treatment for his alcohol problems.

Judge King agreed to put it back until April 20 for a probation report with which the accused must be fully engaged.

Ciaran ORegan pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol from Applegreen in Ovens, Texaco on Model Farm Road, Centra at Victoria Cross and another theft of alcohol from a Maxol station, all committed in 2024 on various dates between March and July.
The St Patricks Day parade kicked off at 1pm in Cork from Parnell Place bringing colour and smiles to the city centre, with the number attending estimated to be up to 60,000 people.

Trumpeters from the Texas McKinney High School Royal Pride Band prepare to perform at the meeting point ahead of the St Patricks Day Parade in Cork city. Picture: Chani Anderson.

The rain, which had threatened earlier, held off for the event that took over an hour to complete, and the blustery gusts of the morning settled down, meaning nobody needed to employ the age-old phrase failed to dampen spirits.

On Union Quay, hundreds of people gathered beneath various banners and flags awaiting the parade's arrival, and the noise was deafening.

This years grand marshals were the volunteers and canine stars of Carrigrohane-based national charity Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Phumie Casserly, Stella Flynn, Venus Casserly and Jupiter Casserly at the parade. Picture: Chani Anderson.

The general consensus at the starting line was that Cork had never seen cuter or fluffier grand marshals, and thats not to mention their furry friends.

Echo - St Patrick's Day

Leading the parade on motorcycles were 18 volunteers from Blood Bike South, who got around the parades prohibition on mechanically propelled vehicles by striking out three minutes before the official start.

From 7pm to 7am weeknights, and 24 hours a day on weekends, Blood Bike volunteers deliver blood, chemo-therapy materials, and breast milk to hospitals all over the country, and they rely entirely on public donations.

Members of Cork Art Link putting the finishing touches to the Heron and Frog floats. Picture: Noel Sweeney.

The parade began at 1pm at the junction of South Mall and Parnell Place, before making its way along South Mall and Grand Parade, then up Patricks Street to finish on Merchant's Quay.

More than 3,600 participants took part in the parade, which welcomed international groups including The McKinney High School Royal Pride Marching Band from Texas, the DC Everest Senior High Marching Band from Wisconsin, and Batala, the international collection of Samba groups from the UK, France, Austria and America.

Local arts organisations Cork Community Art Link and Cork Puppetry Company and national arts organisation Spraoi all brought large floats to the parade to pay tribute to the festival theme Marsh, Myth and Magic.

Organisers provided an accessible area for parade viewers who required the facilities, wheelchair users, people who are elderly or infirm, as well as autistic and neurodiverse people who needed more space around them.

The little white horse pulling the Cork City Fire Service's historic hose and cart was one of the most popular participants and stole the show at the 'tail end' of the parade, delighting adults and children alike on the Grand Parade.

The parade was live-streamed on Cork City Council's YouTube page and be watched back now.
Motorists caught throwing rubbish out of their vehicles should get penalty points on their licences, as they do in France. This would act as a deterrent to fly-tipping, say councillors representing the North Cork region, where roadside littering and dumping of chairs, tables, mattresses, and other household items is industrial scale and like organised house clearances.

Councillors also want the Department of Education to put civic responsibilities associated with illegal dumping on the school curriculum to make future generations aware of the environmental damage.

Last year, Cork County Council investigated 920 illegal dumping complaints in the county and a special team removed 127.70 tonnes of waste.

The team carried out jobs at 443 sites in 106 days.

At a meeting of the councils Northern Division, Aontu councillor Peter ODonoghue highlighted the increasing problem, having identified major dumping of household furniture and appliances in rural woodlands.

Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden said he encountered the same thing, close to the main Cork-Limerick N20 road at a site in Grenagh.

It seems to be a clear-out of houses. Theres everything you could think out there, Mr Madden said.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn then got cross-party support, after he said they should urge the Government to introduce penalty points on driving licences, like the French do.

His party colleague, Pat Hayes, got similar support, when he said that educating younger people about the issue may pay dividends in the future.

Fine Gael councillor Aileen Browne pointed out that council figures show that the Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District has the highest recorded illegal dumping of any of the eight municipals, accounting for 31% of all recorded incidents in the county in 2025.

In total, 80 incidents of illegal dumping were recorded in that district last year.

The second highest was in East Cork, with 29, and the lowest was the Bandon/Kinsale municipal area, with 10.

Its very disproportionate. Why? Its a huge cause of concern for me, said Ms Browne.

Council officials say it is proving very hard to identify those responsible for the house clean-out- type dumping, because the culprits are careful not to leave any incriminatory evidence that would link them to the site.
Gardai in Cork have launched a murder investigation into the death of a 31-year-old Ukrainian man following a stabbing near his city centre home on Monday evening.

The results of a post-mortem, carried out on Tuesday, are not being released for operational reasons, but gardai are treating the death as murder.

It is understood that the man, who had lived in Ireland since childhood, was stabbed in the chest in the Lower John St and Knapps Square area after 7pm on Monday after he had left his home to get food.

The man is believed to have returned to the apartment he shared with his wife and young child in Camden Court, on Carrolls Quay, where his wife raised the alarm.

Emergency services responded at approximately 7.50pm, and although paramedics attended to the man, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The mans remains were removed to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where a post-mortem examination was carried out by the State pathologist, Dr SallyAnne Collis.

A senior investigating garda officer has been appointed and an incident room has been established at Watercourse Road Garda Station, with a family liaison officer assigned to support the mans family.

Gardai sealed off the apartment in Camden Court where the man died, and a section of Lower John St and Knapps Square where they believe he was assaulted and subsequently made his way to his home.

It is believed that one line of inquiry being pursued by gardai is that the deceased man may have been the victim of a random attack.

Gardai have begun door-to-door inquiries in the area and have also begun to harvest CCTV footage from the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
By Callum Parke and Danny Halpin, Press Association

Gerry Adams has told the High Court in London that he had no involvement whatsoever in Provisional IRA bombings in England and that he was never a part of the organisation.

The former Sinn Fein president entered the witness box on Tuesday in defence of a legal claim against him brought by three victims of bombings in England in the 1970s and 1990s.

Gerry Adams arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, in central London, where a civil claim is being brought against the former Sinn Fein president (Aaron Chown/PA)

John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a 1996 London Docklands bombing victim; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, all allege that Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council, and are seeking 1 in damages.

Adams is defending the claim, claiming in a witness statement that membership of Sinn Fein does not equate to membership of the IRA.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, Adams began his evidence by wishing Judge Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day.

In his 20-page witness statement, Adams said he was not involved in any way in the planning, preparation or conduct of any of the bombings, and have never been a senior, let alone most senior figure, in the IRA.

I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured Gerry Adams

He continued: I had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the Old Bailey bombing (1973), the Canary Wharf bombing (1996) or the Manchester bombing (1996).

I have never been charged, prosecuted or convicted of any offence in connection with any of the bombing incidents in which the claimants were injured.

He also said: I was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA.

I repeat that I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured.

Adams also said that opponents of Sinn Fein, of which he was president from 1983 to 2018, have repeatedly sought to conflate the party with the Provisional IRA.

Gerry Adams began giving evidence on Tuesday (Aaron Chown/PA)

As I have always stated, Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate organisations, Adams said.

He continued: I have no knowledge, beyond what has been widely reported in the public domain, as to the structure or decision-making processes of the IRA.

Adams told the court that he was very conscious that the three bomb victims had suffered significantly, and that his statement should not be taken as criticism of the claimants, or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.

During cross-examination by barrister Max Hill KC, Adams agreed that 1,178 deaths were caused by the Provisional IRA, the business of which was to resist armed British occupation and aggression in the part of Ireland that I lived in.

He had earlier said that the ignorance of Irish history among British people is shocking.

The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man Army Council Anne Studd KC

Anne Studd KC, for the three bomb victims, previously told the trial that Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The barrister also said that the difference between being in the Army and being a member of Sinn Fein was not a clear either/or choice.

She added: The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man Army Council.

She concluded: There is no doubt that the defendant contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland, but the claimants say that on the evidence he also contributed to the war.

Studd also told the court that Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement, and that was likely as involved as the people who planted and detonated those bombs.

The trial is due to conclude later in March.
Interview: China's 15th Five-Year Plan charts path to sustainable, innovation-led growth: Australian historian

Xinhua) 16:38, March 17, 2026

SYDNEY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China's 15th Five-Year Plan has set a clear course for sustainable and innovation-driven development, offering predictability in an unpredictable world, said Australian historian John Queripel.

"The prime thing both business and investors fear is unpredictability, with long-term planning being impossible with volatility," Queripel, also a writer and social commentator based in Newcastle, Australia, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"China plans strategically for the long term, making business decision-making easier, and this stability has driven an ever-increasing investment in China, both from overseas and internally," he said.

Chinese lawmakers have approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress on March 12.

China is moving into more value-added markets, pushing forward with an innovation-led economy, he noted.

"Increasingly guided by technological breakthroughs and development, China has moved into high-tech domains such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductors and green energy," he said, "This has been made possible by earlier long-term planning to develop STEM capacity within the Chinese education system."

In most high-tech industries, such as new energy vehicle (NEVs), clean energy, AI and robotics, China has moved to the global forefront and is likely to increase that advantage in the coming years, he said, attributing the rise to careful long-term planning.

Queripel noted that carefully thought-through strategic planning, as given in successive five-year plans, has enabled the Chinese economy to grow dramatically.

"Such long-term holistic strategic planning is the prime thing Western and other nations can learn from China," he said.

Meanwhile, he observed that much economic development in the world today centered on short-term profit taking neglects the essential realities of sustainability and social equity -- yet the current five-year plan takes them very seriously.

Strengthening social equity is economically beneficial, he pointed out, adding that an increase in internal consumer demand is a set goal of the Chinese government, and the best way to do this is through development that is socially equitable.

"China leads the world in green development," he said, noting that China is being increasingly powered by clean energy.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
At the start of the year, Google introduced Personal Intelligence, a Gemini feature that allows the chatbot to pull information from the user's other Google apps and services to generate personalized responses. After making the feature first available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, the company is expanding availability to more users in the US.

Google is kicking off the expansion with AI Mode. Starting today, anyone in the US can enable Personal Intelligence inside of the company's dedicated search chatbot. To enable the feature, tap on your profile, select Search personalization, followed by Connected Content Apps. From there, select Connect Workspace and Google Photos.

In the coming weeks, Google will start rolling out Personal Intelligence to free users of the Gemini app in the US, with international availability to follow thereafter. The company plans to do the same with Gemini in Chrome, where personalization will first roll out to users in the US before becoming available in other countries.

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Google suggests a few different use cases for Gemini personalization inside of AI Mode, the Gemini app and Chrome. For instance, say you turn to AI mode for help with planning an upcoming trip. Instead of generating a generic itinerary, the chatbot will pull information from your apps to suggest something more tailored to your interests. It can also help you with troubleshooting in cases where you cant remember the exact make or model of a device youre trying to fix, as long as there are some hints to its origin contained inside of your Gmail account.

In each case, Personal Intelligence is disabled by default. Gemini will not personalize its responses unless you enable the new feature. Additionally, personalization is only available to personal accounts and not for Workspace business, enterprise and education users.




Kalshi has been sued by Arizona's attorney general for operating an illegal gambling business in the state and unlawfully allowing people to place bets on elections. "Kalshi may brand itself as a 'prediction market,' but what it's actually doing is running an illegal gambling operation and taking bets on Arizona elections, both of which violate Arizona law," the state's Attorney General Kris Mayes said.

The company defines itself as a prediction markets platform, where users make bets on the outcomes of events ranging from sporting matches to political actions. Kalshi has claimed that it operates under the auspices of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and shouldn't be faced with the state-level charges of running unlicensed gambling.

The case follows a similar action against Kalshi filed in Nevada last month. Kalshi also made headlines this year when an employee of popular YouTuber MrBeast was accused of insider trading on the platform.
You may have a little Apple fatigue after last week's barrage of Macs, iPhones and iPads. The company wasn't done, however. Surprise! Here is an updated pair of AirPods Max. It's a predictable surprise, perhaps, but one I wasn't expecting after so many other new devices.

It's also the first true update. The AirPods Max 2 look identical to their predecessor, but now have an H2 chip. First, the AirPods Pro 2 improve noise cancellation by 50 percent and add support for Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. It's a much-needed update for headphones that, barring a USB-C option, haven't changed since 2020.

They're still priced at $549. In Apple's recent press images for its cheapest MacBook ever, a child was using AirPods Max while working on their $599 MacBook Neo. Love it.

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The new headphones are up for pre-order on March 25 and will ship in early April.

 Mat Smith

The other big stories (and deals) this morning

Still the pinnacle.

Engadget

What did I just say? Wrapping up the barrage of reviews of all that new Apple hardware (besides those new AirPods), we test out Apple's most powerful new MacBook. The new Pro has an M5 Max chip, plenty of memory and is a beast. Thankfully, it still has all the ports you'd want.

Continue reading.

The class action lawsuit says that the lives of three teens have been "shattered."

xAI is facing a class-action lawsuit in California, after its Grok AI reportedly generated sexualized images of children. Three teenagers filed suit, alleging Grok used their photos to create child exploitation material. One teen was alerted in December that AI-generated, sexually explicit images of her and other minors were being shared "in settings with which she was familiar, but morphed into sexually explicit poses." The Center for Countering Digital Hate estimated in January that Grok produced millions of sexualized images, including 23,000 potentially depicting children.

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Continue reading.

Hello, power users.

Google is rolling out a new feature for Chrome that will add a bookmark bar to the browser on Android foldables and tablets. Spotted by 9to5Google, this move will make the browsing experience on larger mobile devices more akin to that of laptops and desktops running Chrome. Perfect if you managed to grab Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold before it disappears forever.

Continue reading.
1. Israel Confirms Killing of Iran's Security Chief Ali Larijani and Basij Commander

2. Iran Targets Israeli Nuclear Sites in Retaliatory Missile Wave

3. US Counterterrorism Chief Joe Kent Resigns Over Iran War

4. Iran Continues Attacks on Gulf Targets and US Embassy in Baghdad

5. Strait of Hormuz Sees Limited Tanker Transits Under US Escorts

6. Trump Presses Allies for Hormuz Security, Faces Reluctance

7. Heavy Strikes and Smoke Over Tehran as Campaign Intensifies

8. Hezbollah Rocket Barrages Hit Northern Israel Amid Lebanon Ops

9. Oil Market Volatility and Recession Fears Grow

10. Russia Reportedly Shares US Force Locations with Iran

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Day 18 of the US-Israeli war on Iran marks a potential turning point with Israel confirming the targeted killings of top Iranian figures: security chief Ali Larijani (key in past nuclear talks) and IRGC Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in overnight Tehran strikes, severely disrupting Iran's internal security and leadership chain.Iran responds with missile strikes near Israel's Dimona and Negev nuclear sites (tit-for-tat after an incident near Bushehr), while attacks continue on Gulf targets and US interestsincluding drone/rocket fire on the Baghdad embassy. Oil prices swing wildly above $100 amid Hormuz uncertainty, with some tankers "dribbling through" under US Navy escorts but overall flows crippled. A top US counterterrorism official resigns in protest, allies resist Trump's calls for naval help, and X erupts with footage of explosions, leadership blow claims, and heated debates on escalation, economic fallout, and regime-change prospectsproxy flare-ups and civilian casualties keep global attention locked in.Israeli military announced successful airstrikes eliminating Ali Larijani (top security official involved in nuclear negotiations) and Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani (Basij militia head) in Tehran overnight. Iran has not confirmed; the strikes represent a major blow to regime stability and internal control amid ongoing campaign.Iran launched missiles toward Dimona and Negev nuclear research areas, triggering sirens; strikes framed as response to earlier projectile hit near Bushehr nuclear plant (no major damage reported). Actions highlight risks of nuclear-site escalation and potential regional contamination threats.Director Joe Kent resigned, stating Iran posed "no imminent threat" and criticizing the administration for following Israel's lead into conflict. The high-profile departure fuels domestic US dissent and questions over war justification.Iranian-backed forces launched drones and rockets at the US Embassy in Baghdad (explosions and fires reported, no confirmed casualties yet) plus strikes across Gulf allies. Spillover intensifies regional tensions and pressures on Arab states.White House reports US Navy escorting some oil tankers through the strait to restore flows; traffic remains drastically reduced with selective Iranian enforcement. Oil prices volatile above $100/barrel as disruptions persist.President Trump urges NATO and Asian partners (including East Asian nations) to deploy naval forces for strait reopening, but responses mixed with hesitation; he insists US can handle alone while scolding non-cooperators.New wave of US-Israeli strikes hits Tehran with thick smoke plumes and large booms reported; focus on military and leadership targets continues, with Iran's missile capability reportedly degraded by up to 90% in some assessments.Intensified Hezbollah fire targets northern Israel; IDF expands ground operations in Lebanon south of Litani River to dismantle infrastructure, diverting resources from Iran front and raising humanitarian risks.Brent crude surges on Hormuz risks and supply cuts; analysts warn of potential global recession if strait closure prolongs, with energy shocks hitting US, China, Europe hardest and underscoring oil's geopolitical leverage.Reports indicate Russia providing Iran with intelligence on US military positions in Middle East and allies, escalating proxy dynamics and complicating US operations amid broader great-power tensions.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va.  Three people are facing charges for illegally transporting wildlife across state lines, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.

A federal indictment charges Brian Poling, 51, of Albright, West Virginia; Levi S. Weaver,74, of Fredericksburg, Ohio; and Leroy M. Miller, 40, of Millersburg, Ohio, with violations of the Lacey Act.

The indictment alleges Poling, the manager of Dream Mountain Ranch in Preston County, West Virginia, conspired with Miller and Weaver to illegally transport live deer across state lines without health certificates as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Under U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, anyone who transports live deer in interstate commerce is required to ensure that the animals are accompanied by an Interstate Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection and proof of a tuberculosis test. These regulations are aimed at curtailing the spread of a variety of deadly diseases, including tuberculosis, brucellosis and chronic wasting disease.

The charges resulted from an undercover investigation that took place over several years, beginning in 2021 at the Mid-Ohio Alternative Animal and Bird Sale at Mt. Hope Auction.

Poling allegedly told undercover conservation officers they could buy deer from people who attended Mt. Hope Auction to illegally transport to Florida. According to the indictment, Poling told undercover officers, Ill introduce you to a couple Amish boys [in Ohio] where we can get their numbers They dont f with that government bullsh. [Its] black market.

Miller is alleged in November 2021 to have given Poling two bid cards assigned to him by Mt. Hope Auction, which Poling and the undercover officers then used to place bids on four sika deer for a total of $2,400. Poling falsely told an auction official that Miller was the purchaser of the animals, the indictment said.

Additionally, in 2021, Weaver accepted $5,000 from the undercover officers in exchange for two fallow deer he believed would be transported to Florida without an ICVI or tuberculosis test, according to the indictment. Weaver told the officers that his entire herd had been destroyed by the state after one of his white-tailed deer tested positive for CWD.

In 2022, Poling accepted $3,200 from the undercover officers for four white-tailed deer without proper paperwork that he believed would be transported to Florida, according to charging documents. Poling owns Dream Mountain Ranch, a 1,200-acre ranch located in Preston County that calls itself West Virginias premier hunting ranch and wedding venue, according to dreammountainranch.com. Guests can pay thousands of dollars to hunt trophy white-tailed deer, elk, buffalo, fallow deer, sika deer, Watusi cattle and a variety of exotic animals.

Doug Ault, assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, said the illegal transport of live deer poses a serious threat to people, wildlife and the economy.

Without proper safeguards, outbreaks can occur that disrupt hunting traditions and jeopardize farm livelihoods, Ault said in a statement. We remain firmly committed to working with our state and federal partners to protect the American public and preserve our nations natural resources for sustainable use by future generations.

Poling, Weaver and Miller each face up to 5 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Farmers have just weeks to secure a share of a 50 million funding pot as applications open for the final standalone round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).

The 2026 scheme is now open to farmers, growers, foresters and contractors looking to invest in new equipment and technology to boost productivity, improve animal welfare and enhance slurry management.

In a significant shift, this will be the final standalone round of FETF in its current form, according to Defra, with plans already in place to roll future funding into a simplified, combined offer from 2027.

This years funding is split across three themes, with 20 million allocated to productivity equipment, 20 million to animal health and welfare, and 10 million to slurry management.

Applicants can bid for between 1,000 and 25,000 per theme, with up to 75,000 available for those applying across all three.

The six-week application window is now open and will close at midday on 28 April 2026, giving businesses a limited opportunity to secure support.

Defra officials say now is the time to apply, with full guidance published on GOV.UK, including eligibility rules and item lists.

Previous funding rounds have already delivered tangible results on farm, helping businesses cut costs, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

At Aplins Farm Ltd in Devon, investment in a slurry chopper pump and umbilical hose system has reduced reliance on artificial fertiliser. The equipment improves nutrient use while cutting the need for heavy tankers to travel across fields.

The changes have boosted efficiency while protecting soil structure and saving time on repeated journeys.

In North Yorkshire, cereals growers E C & S J Alton used the fund to upgrade irrigation systems, installing soil moisture sensors and automated rain gun controls.

This allows the farm to target water use more precisely, reducing waste while supporting crop growth and managing costs more effectively.

Meanwhile, Shropshire-based N L Pugh and Co has improved flock health and handling through new weighing, identification and feeding equipment.

The system ensures sheep receive accurate treatment based on their weight, helping to reduce medicine waste and improve animal welfare.

With demand for funding expected to be high, farmers planning investment this year are being urged to act quickly.

Applications close at midday on 28 April, leaving a narrow window to secure support under the schemes current format.
Farm pay rules in Northern Ireland are set for a major overhaul, in a move aimed at easing labour pressures and reducing costs for farm businesses.

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) said it has secured significant improvements to the Agricultural Wages Order following negotiations through the Agricultural Wages Board, creating a fairer and more workable framework for the sector.

Central to the reforms is a change to overtime rules, which will now align with wider government legislation. Under the new approach, overtime rates will be agreed directly between employers and employees at farm level.

UFU representatives had argued the previous system placed complex and unusually high obligations on farm businesses compared with other industries.

They said this had discouraged farms from offering additional hours, investing in staff and, in some cases, had contributed to a decline in employment.

The changes aim to remove those barriers, giving farmers greater flexibility to manage workloads while supporting job opportunities.

Alongside this, the Agricultural Wages Board has approved a major overhaul of the grading structure for agricultural workers. The revised grading system introduces clearer, less technical role definitions, making it easier for employers and workers to understand job classifications.

It also sets out more defined progression between roles, giving workers a clearer pathway for development and pay progression within the industry.

The UFU said the reforms come at a critical time, as farm businesses continue to face mounting economic and labour pressures, and are designed to ensure agricultural employment remains both fair and sustainable.

Crosby Cleland, UFU lead on the Board, said: Since the pandemic, we have witnessed a downward trend of employed farm workers on farms in Northern Ireland, caused in part by the unfairly high standards farmers are expected to adhere to compared to other industries.

He said the changes are vital for the future of farm employment, adding that while farmers want to provide good opportunities for workers, the system must also reflect economic realities on farms as it would with any other business.

Cleland said aligning overtime rules with wider legislation, alongside a clearer grading structure, would create a system that works better for both farmers and farm workers today and for the future.

The new measures are due to come into force in April 2026, with the UFU maintaining its long-standing position that the Agricultural Wages Board should ultimately be abolished.
Ishita Moitra has built her career steadily, working across television, films, and streaming platforms. Her writing blends humour with sharp observations on society, gender, and relationships. From co-writing Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani to shaping shows like Four More Shots Please! and Call Me Bae, her work engages with urban lives while exploring deeper questions beneath the surface.





Her recent show, Single Papa, was born from a simple observation: a man caring for his child in a space largely designed for women. She co-created the series with her husband, Neeraj Udhwani, and it has already been renewed for a second season.





In this conversation, Moitra discusses the creation of Single Papa, the evolving culture of writers rooms, and why diversity in storytelling needs to extend beyond gender. She also reflects on the criticism around Four More Shots Please!, the invisibility of writers, and her experience of working with Karan Johar and Dharma Productions.



Excerpts:



What inspired Single Papa?



We don't think twice when we see a woman travelling alone with a child. It's an ordinary sight. But seeing a man with a baby isn't something you come across every day. Once, on our way to Goa, Neeraj and I noticed a man travelling with his child. We didn't know whether he was a single dad, divorced or travelling separately from his wife. At one point, he needed to change the baby's diaper, and that's when we realised how unprepared the world is for men in that situation. Most male washrooms do not have changing stations, but women's restrooms have them. You assume that changing diapers is a woman's job.



At the airport, there was a family care room where mothers go to feed their babies, so he waited outside until a woman who was nursing her child came out. Only then could he go in and change the diaper. That made us realise how much the world is still structured around the assumption that raising and nurturing a child is primarily a womans responsibility.





How did that situation inspire the Single Papa story?





That moment stayed with us. We discovered that in India, it is legally possible for a single father to adopt a boy, but it is a difficult process. The more we explored it, the more we felt it could make for a compelling story. We began writing the show, but at that point, we werent parents. We had the structure and the idea in place, but something was missing, so we put it aside. Later, after our daughter was born, we realised what was missing. After that, we pitched it to Netflix, and it was picked up immediately.



Youve seen the industry move from largely male writers rooms to spaces that are now more gender-balanced. What is still missing in terms of equity for writers within this ecosystem?





Diversity in writing isn't just about gender or orientation. If all of us are from the same socioeconomic background, then we will be looking at the world in a particular way and writing the same kind of stories. We should have writers with different experiences or from different economic backgrounds, who have seen a different version of reality than you. You get something new and interesting when those voices interact with each other. That diversity needs to come into our writer's room.



How would you describe the writers' room in Dharma?



It's very democratic. They have a strong system in place where writers send in their scripts, and the team goes through all of them. If a writer is good, we meet them. They know which writer is good at which genre. When we're in the room, it is about who's good for the part, and not about who you are. At every stage, the material is also shared with the Dharmatic team. When we finish outlining the broad story, they read it and send back their notes and inputs. Then, of course, depending on the platform, there's also feedback from the team at Amazon Prime Video or Netflix.

There are a lot of perceptions and opinions about Karan Johar and Dharma. As someone who has worked closely with him, what do you think people misunderstand the most about him?



It's very democratic. They have a strong system in place where writers send in their scripts, and the team goes through all of them. If a writer is good, we meet them. They know which writer is good at which genre. When we're in the room, it is about who's good for the part, and not about who you are. At every stage, the material is also shared with the Dharmatic team. When we finish outlining the broad story, they read it and send back their notes and inputs. Then, of course, depending on the platform, there's also feedback from the team at Amazon Prime Video or Netflix.



My experience has been spectacular. I owe everything to him. Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and Call Me Bae pretty much changed everything for me. I am a complete outsider. I have come from an Army background, and like me, there are many people who have been given a break by Dharma Productions, purely because they liked our work. This is the absolute truth. There is a reason I have worked with them over and over again.

How do you define your core voice as a writer?



It takes a few years for people to understand their voice. As you evolve in life, you understand these things about yourself. If I reflect on my journey and all the work I've done, I realise that I like to blend comedy and drama with something socially relevant. Be it Single Papa, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, Four More Shots Please!, or Call Me Bae. I am also drawn towards the themes of gender politics.





What part of a writer's job still goes unacknowledged?



A writer's work begins at the very start when there is nothing but an idea. Sometimes it's just you with the director, talking it through. That's when the job really begins. You put in a year, sometimes more, long before anyone comes on board. And your job continues until the very end. It is the longest job in terms of duration. And so many times you write something, spend years trying to do it, but the film doesn't get made. So there is a lot of heartbreak, pulling yourself up again and motivating yourself. And in the end, when a project does well, if you are lucky, there will be people who will try to find out who wrote it, and your name might come up somewhere. Otherwise, most people don't even know. If you ask the average person on the street to name five writers, I seriously doubt they will be able to. But they will be easily able to name the actors. The only way you can survive it is if you really love your job and love telling stories.





When your name comes up in a dark theatre, and you hear people watching, reacting, even clapping, that experience of sitting there is unmatched. When I watched Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, I would find myself staring at the audience and watching their reactions. Theres something special about being in an auditorium full of people, all watching something youve written and worked on together.



Your show Four More Shots Please! came to an end recently...







When we were doing season one, we didn't know what the audience base would be. It was one of the first shows that Amazon did in India. We wrote whatever our guts said. After season one, some people were shocked, some were amazed, and some people loved it.India had never seen women have the kind of conversations they did in the show. We started working on this show 9-10 years ago. When you're younger, you think more about other people. But as you grow, you stop caring about people's opinions. It's a similar thing that happened to all of us while working on the show. By the end of it, we were doing what we thought was right. It has been amazing to be associated with this show.

One of the major criticisms the show has faced over the years is that it leans into urban, privileged narratives...





In the beginning, it used to bother us because people called us fake feminists. But it does not bother me now. This show has also taught me how to have thick skin. As a woman, if you want to achieve anything, you have to get a thick skin. The story is about four women, and it is set in Mumbai. So it will talk about their lives. If it were set in a city like Jabalpur, it would have been a different story. Somebody should do a show on that. But when you watch Four More Shots, you know exactly what to expect. That doesn't make it fake or real. I remember people wondering if we would know the price of vegetables!

What is the update on Call Me Bae 2?



I don't know how soon it is going to come on the platform. We're shooting it right now. We have taken note of everything that people loved about the show. We hope that there's more of every one of those characters or tracks that people enjoyed. That's our attempt. We are also trying to keep it as funny as the first season.

What advice would you give to young writers?





I would tell them to read screenplays to understand how things are written. A lot of new writers don't watch older Hindi films. Watch world cinema, but also watch our work and familiarise yourself with what has already been done here.



Who are some of the actors you would love to write for?





Shah Rukh Khan! It can be any genre. I enjoyed his performance in Devdas, and it would be great to see him do a period drama like that again.
Actor Vicky Kaushal has found himself at the centre of online criticism after a video from a recent wedding event began circulating widely on social media.



The clip shows the actor interacting with guests and making light-hearted remarks about marriage, which did not go down well with a section of viewers.

In the viral video, Kaushal is seen referencing his popular Hows the josh? dialogue before joking about how enthusiasm tends to change after marriage.



While the comment appeared to be made in a casual and humorous context, many social media users criticised the remark, calling it outdated and unnecessary.

The clip quickly gained traction online, with users sharing mixed reactions.



While some fans defended the actor, saying the comment was clearly meant in jest, others argued that such jokes reinforce stereotypes around marriage. Several users described the humour as cringe and questioned why such narratives continue to be repeated in public settings.





The backlash has drawn attention partly because of Kaushals otherwise positive public image. The actor, who is married to Katrina Kaif, is often appreciated for maintaining a relatively grounded and respectful persona both on and off screen. His relationship with Kaif has also been widely admired by fans, making the reaction to the video more noticeable.





So far, Kaushal has not issued any public statement addressing the criticism. However, the incident highlights how quickly moments from private or semi-private events can go viral and attract scrutiny in the digital age.

Celebrity appearances at weddings and private functions often generate attention online, especially when clips from such events are shared widely. In this case, what may have been intended as a casual interaction has turned into a larger conversation about humour, public perception and evolving audience sensitivities.

The episode also reflects how audiences today are increasingly critical of remarks that may have previously been dismissed as harmless jokes, particularly when they touch upon relationships or social expectations.







Also Read: PHOTOS: Rekha, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor and More Turn Heads at Sooraj Barjatyas Daughters Wedding
With the addition of 2,176 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs, Roche now operates the pharmaceutical industry's largest announced hybrid-cloud AI factory, totaling more than 3,500 GPUs.

The new computational infrastructure supports Roche's vision of building an AI-accelerated healthcare organisation.

NVIDIA AI factories help accelerate discoveries, enable more efficient clinical trials, and unlock data insights at scale, ultimately advancing innovation and improved healthcare outcomes.

Basel, 16 March 2026 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that an expansion of its global AI infrastructure, deploying a large-scale AI factory powered by a full stack of the latest-generation NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI. Featuring 2,176 high-performance GPUs on premises across the United States and Europe and embedded across the entire value chain, this infrastructure is designed to accelerate the development of diagnostics solutions and therapeutics. With this most recent investment, Roche's combined on-premise and cloud GPU infrastructure now exceeds 3,500 Blackwell GPUs, which is the greatest announced GPU footprint available to a pharmaceutical company.

This computational expansion marks the next phase of a strategic NVIDIA collaboration that started in 2023. By leveraging NVIDIA AI infrastructure, Roche accelerates drug development through high-quality data and groundbreaking AI.

"In healthcare, time is the most critical variable; every day saved means a life-changing medicine or diagnostic reaches a patient sooner," said Wafaa Mamilli, Roche's Chief Digital and Technology Officer. "Our AI factory combines world-class computing power with Roche's scientific expertise to embed AI across the entire value chain - from discovery to development, manufacturing and commercialisation - transforming how we deliver the next generation of medicines and diagnostics solutions."

Roche's AI factory is a high-performance supercomputing platform that powers digital transformation across the organisation. In R&D, the NVIDIA BioNeMo platform enhances Roche's Lab-in-the-Loop, where biological and chemistry experiments are connected with Roche's AI models. This helps scientists test hypotheses at scale, accelerate progress, and make discoveries that were not possible otherwise. In manufacturing, digital twins - virtual replicas of production lines - powered by NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, allow engineers to optimize processes and factory designs. In diagnostics, accelerated computing and NVIDIA Parabricks software enable insights across vast datasets. In digital pathology, the technologies scan a large number of images to detect subtle disease patterns. In digital health, Roche uses NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails to ensure safe and reliable healthcare-grade conversational AI.

"Our expanded collaboration with NVIDIA and the launch of this AI factory further strengthens our leadership in AI-driven drug discovery and development," said Aviv Regev, Executive Vice President and Head of Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED). "By providing the massive computational power needed to continue to scale our Lab-in-the-Loop strategy - a space we have pioneered for over five years - our scientists can build more sophisticated predictive frontier models and further shorten the path from biological insight to life-saving medicine."

Artificial Intelligence at Roche

The implementation of the AI factory is a cornerstone of Roche's broader digital transformation. For Roche, AI is a key capability designed to augment or complement human expertise. By expanding access to supercomputing capabilities across the organisation, the company empowers its global workforce to tackle the most complex challenges in human disease. Roche's vision for AI is fundamentally about accelerating the journey toward preventing, stopping, and curing diseases.



About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.





Roche Global Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 79 771 05 25



Lorena Corfas

Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough

Phone: +44 797 32 72 915



Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti Pandey

Phone: +41 79 398 38 53



Yvette Petillon

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell

Phone: +41 79 205 27 03

Attachment
GRANTS PASS, OR / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 / Venture capitalist and biotech entrepreneur Andrew Hamilton, through his investment firm Pale Horse Capital, has acquired the premium pharmaceutical domain Omeprazole.com from global drugmaker AstraZeneca, marking a rare transfer of digital infrastructure tied directly to one of the most widely recognized pharmaceutical compounds in modern medicine.

The acquisition places a high-traffic pharmaceutical keyword domain into Hamilton's growing portfolio of medically focused digital assets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor originally developed by Astra's research division in the late 1970s and introduced commercially in 1989. The compound became the foundation for blockbuster gastrointestinal treatments marketed under brands including Prilosec and Losec and remains one of the most widely used treatments for acid-related digestive conditions worldwide.

For decades, the domain Omeprazole.com remained under AstraZeneca's ownership, reportedly registered during the early years of the commercial internet and largely held as a parked asset. The domain's transfer to Hamilton marks a notable shift in ownership from the pharmaceutical company that originally developed the compound.

Industry analysts say domains tied directly to pharmaceutical compound names are among the most valuable forms of medical digital real estate because they correspond directly to consumer search behavior. These domains often sit at the intersection of health information, treatment discovery, and pharmaceutical commerce.

Search analytics estimates indicate the keyword "omeprazole" generates hundreds of thousands of searches each month on Google alone. When global search engines and emerging AI-driven search platforms are considered, the total discovery volume connected to the compound is significantly higher.

Hamilton said the acquisition reflects a broader strategy focused on building digital infrastructure around widely recognized pharmaceutical compounds and medical terms.

"Compounds like omeprazole represent decades of medical history and massive public awareness," Hamilton said. "Owning the digital gateway to that conversation opens the door to entirely new healthcare distribution and information systems."

The purchase also expands Hamilton's broader domain holdings. His growing portfolio of pharmaceutical and medically relevant domains has previously been estimated by industry observers to exceed $10 million in combined value.

Hamilton has spent the past several years quietly assembling a network of high-traffic health-related domains tied to pharmaceutical compounds, medical conditions, and treatment categories. The strategy reflects a growing shift toward search-driven healthcare discovery, where patients and caregivers increasingly begin treatment journeys online.

In addition to Omeprazole.com, Hamilton confirmed the recent acquisitions of Tapeworm.com and Tapeworms.com, further expanding the portfolio's reach across medically relevant search categories.

The Omeprazole.com transaction is particularly notable because of its origin. AstraZeneca, the multinational pharmaceutical company formed through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group, is currently valued at more than $200 billion and built a significant portion of its gastrointestinal drug legacy around the omeprazole compound.

Hamilton, an MIT-educated entrepreneur based in Oregon, has built a reputation for launching ventures that combine biotechnology, digital infrastructure, and modern healthcare distribution systems. Portland News recently recognized Hamilton as Oregon's fastest growing biotech star, citing the rapid rise of his veterinary telehealth platform Vetr.com, which has received national recognition for excellence in digital design and communication.

Additional announcements related to Hamilton's broader digital health initiatives are expected in the coming months.

About Andrew Hamilton

Andrew Hamilton is an MIT-educated entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and biotechnology innovator based in Oregon. With a background in systems engineering, biotech, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, he has built ventures across fintech, crypto, and health logistics while focusing on scalable healthcare infrastructure and treatment distribution systems. Portland News recently recognized Hamilton as Oregon's fastest growing biotech star following the rapid rise of his digital veterinary platform Vetr.com.

About Vetr.com

Vetr.com is a veterinary technology platform transforming pet healthcare by making veterinary services and treatments more accessible, affordable, and efficient. Through its digital platform, pet owners can connect with licensed veterinarians, access remote consultations, and obtain cost-effective treatments designed to support modern veterinary care. Founded by Andrew Hamilton, the company focuses on expanding access to high-quality veterinary treatments and digital health infrastructure for clinics and pet owners nationwide.

Media Contact

Media Relations

sales@vetr.com

SOURCE: Vetr

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/andrew-hamilton-acquires-omeprazole.com-from-astrazeneca-expandi-1148401
SINGAPORE, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Circles and Airwallex today announced a strategic global partnership to integrate Airwallex's industry-leading embedded finance solutions into CirclesX, Circles' award-winning SaaS platform for telecom operators. This partnership opens a significant new growth opportunity, enabling telecom operators globally to increase customer lifetime value by offering a full suite of digital banking services or digibanking solutions across 70+ countries.

The CirclesX platform has seen rapid success over the past decade, helping telcos such as KDDI, e&, and AT&T launch market-redefining digital MVNOs across multiple markets in Asia and South America, while also transforming the end-to-end digital backbone for Telkomsel in Indonesia. The platform is renowned for driving industry-leading customer satisfaction and monetization for operators.

With FinX, the embedded financial services stack native to CirclesX, operators can seamlessly introduce a range of digital financial capabilities directly within their platforms, without the need to build or manage complex financial infrastructure, incur significant upfront costs, or navigate regulatory complexity on their own.

Powered by Airwallex's global payments and financial infrastructure, FinX enables telcos to broaden their enterprise offerings by providing global payouts, travel cards, supplier payments, and expense management at best-in-class FX rates.

As globally, connectivity becomes increasingly commoditized, telecom operators must enhance their offerings to remain relevant to subscribers. CirclesX enables operators to leverage their unique strengths to play a deeper role in customers' daily transactions, driving revenue growth through diversification and stronger retention. With FinX, operators can leverage existing KYC capabilities to unlock new transactional revenue streams from everyday payments and remittances, while increasing customer engagement and retention through high frequency digibanking use cases.

"At Circles, we're continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation for the industry beyond just core telco products and we are confident that embedded financial products will power the next phase of revenue growth for telcos. With Airwallex's fintech expertise, we've built a globally scalable financial services stack embedded in our platform, making it seamless for any telco organization to launch and scale financial products or services with zero licensing and infrastructure hassles" said Awais Malik, Chief Growth Officer, Circles.

Airwallex is a leading global fintech platform that enables enterprises to embed licensed digital financial services and move money to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. With over 80 licences and permits globally, and a strategic partnership with Visa, Airwallex provides the global financial infrastructure that allows telecom operators on the CirclesX platform to launch and scale digital financial services without building or managing complex banking infrastructure.

This global partnership reflects a shared ambition to bring embedded financial services to telecom operators worldwide, unlocking a new growth segment for Airwallex while enabling CirclesX customers to participate in financial flows at massive scale across millions of subscribers.

"Telecom operators sit at the centre of their customers' daily lives, but connectivity alone is no longer enough to drive long-term growth. By partnering with Circles and integrating with the CirclesX platform, we're enabling operators to embed trusted, global financial services directly into their digital experiences - unlocking new revenue streams, deeper engagement and stronger customer lifetime value at scale," said Arnold Chan, General Manager, Asia-Pacific, Airwallex.

Circles' consumer MVNO brand in Singapore, Circles.Life, is already seeing early success with two FinX-powered products: a semi-open wallet and a cashback card. The Circles.Life wallet, currently available in select channels, has driven 40% incremental subscriber growth by enabling easy wallet top-ups via PayNow and peer-to-peer transfers.

Also, Circles.Life offers one of Singapore's leading cashback cards as part of its Zerofy cashback program. The program has delivered 5 growth in monthly transactions per user and a 10 increase in monthly spend, while also contributing to a 30-point year-on-year increase in customer NPS.

Circles will begin rolling out the FinX platform to existing CirclesX customers and other operators in the coming weeks.

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 multiple countries and 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.

Besides its SaaS business, Circles operates three other distinct businesses:

Circles.Life: A wholly-owned digital lifestyle telco brand based in Singapore, Circles.Life is powered by Circles' SaaS platform and pioneering go-to-market strategies. It is the digital market leader in Singapore and has won numerous awards for marketing, customer service, and innovative product offerings beyond connectivity.

Circles Aspire: A global provider of Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) solutions. Its cloud-based Experience Cloud platform enables enterprises, service providers and developers to deliver and scale mobile, messaging, IoT, and connectivity services worldwide.

Jetpac: Specializing in travel tech solutions, Jetpac provides seamless eSIM roaming for over 200 destinations and innovative travel lifestyle products, redefining connectivity for digital travelers. Jetpac was awarded Travel eSIM of the Year.

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.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is an AI native global financial platform for modern businesses. We are building the future of global banking for a borderless, real-time, intelligent economy.

More than 200,000 companies worldwide - from startups to public enterprises - use Airwallex to manage their global banking and financial operations, or to build and monetise their own financial products using Airwallex infrastructure.

Founded in Melbourne in 2015, Airwallex holds 80 licenses across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, forming one of the most comprehensive financial infrastructures in the world. This regulated backbone powers Airwallex products at global scale, including: payment acceptance, billing, global accounts, corporate cards, and spend management.

The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore with over 2,000 employees across 26 offices. Learn more at www.airwallex.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934684/Circles_Airwallex.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/circles-saas-platform-integrates-airwallexs-embedded-finance-to-help-telcos-launch-digibanking-services-across-70-countries-302714704.html
STOCKHOLM, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Clawchain.ai today announced the launch of its developer platform built on Chromia, introducing infrastructure designed to support the emerging generation of autonomous AI agents interacting across digital environments. Chromia is an ecosystem developed by Chromaway.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence have led to the rapid development of AI agents-software systems capable of independently performing tasks such as research, coordination, scheduling, and digital transactions. Increasingly, these agents are not only interacting with humans, but also with other AI systems.

As these agent ecosystems begin to emerge, developers face a new challenge: how to ensure autonomous systems can coordinate actions, verify identities, and maintain shared state across applications in a transparent and trustworthy way.

Clawchain.ai was created to address this infrastructure gap.

Built on Chromia, a blockchain platform designed for complex decentralized applications, Clawchain.ai enables developers to create AI agents that operate within a verifiable environment where interactions, decisions, and outcomes can be transparently recorded.

"AI agents are quickly evolving from experimental tools into participants in digital systems," said Or Perelman, CEO of Chromia. "As these systems begin interacting with services, applications, and other agents, we need infrastructure that allows them to coordinate actions and operate with verifiable trust. Clawchain.ai is designed to support that next stage of development."

Early activity on the platform highlights the growing interest in autonomous AI ecosystems. Since 9 February 2026, the Clawchain.ai network has already seen 1,707 AI agents created, generating more than 4,631 posts and 22,627 comments as agents interact, exchange information, and participate in collaborative digital environments.

Through the platform, developers can deploy AI agents with secure digital identities and programmable permissions. These agents can interact with services, applications, and other agents while maintaining verifiable records of their activities.

Clawchain.ai also provides APIs and developer tools that simplify integrating blockchain capabilities into AI applications, allowing builders to focus on developing intelligent systems rather than managing distributed infrastructure.

Interest in autonomous AI systems has grown rapidly following advances in large language models and agent frameworks capable of executing complex multi-step tasks. Many researchers believe these systems could eventually form large-scale digital ecosystems where agents coordinate services, exchange information, and perform work on behalf of users.

Clawchain.ai represents an early effort to provide the infrastructure required for those ecosystems to operate reliably and transparently.

Built on Chromia's relational blockchain architecture, the platform enables developers to manage complex application data directly on-chain-an approach designed to support environments where autonomous systems interact continuously.

Clawchain.ai is now available to developers and ecosystem partners worldwide.

More information is available at

www.clawchain.ai

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934738/Clawchain_ai_Launch.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clawchainai-launches-on-chromia-to-support-the-next-generation-of-ai-agent-systems-302715353.html
HIGHLIGHTS:

New ultra-high grade Kilkenny discovery offset beneath the historic Hibernian Gold Mine validates Benz structural model . 7m at 223 g/t gold from 270m26EGN013 within 11m at 144 g/t gold

. High-grade satellite opportunity for Glenburgh - Mt Egerton located ~ 170km from the Glenburgh Gold Project with potential to provide additional high-grade satellite ore. Previous intercepts from Hibernian include: 1 9m at 107 g/t gold 5m at 96 g/t gold 4m at 92 g/t gold

Mt Egerton located ~ with potential to provide additional high-grade satellite ore. Previous intercepts from Hibernian include: Kilkenny Discovery interpreted as structural repeat of the Hibernian ore position - Supporting Benz's structural model and highlighting the potential for multiple stacked high-grade shoots along the controlling structural corridor .

Supporting Benz's structural model and highlighting the potential for multiple stacked high-grade shoots along the controlling structural corridor Classic structural framework for high-grade gold in orogenic setting- mineralisation controlled by dilation caused by oblique shear zones interacting with a folded gabbro sill.

mineralisation controlled by dilation caused by oblique shear zones interacting with a folded gabbro sill. More untested structural targets identified - Several additional undrilled sheared/dilational positions identified along this structural corridor including the Galway Prospect.

Several additional undrilled sheared/dilational positions identified along this structural corridor including the Galway Prospect. Emerging eastern gold camp at Mt Egerton - Benz's regional work highlights the camp-scale cluster of prospects around the Mako, Gift (previous intersection 17m at 6.8g/t gold 1) and Trading Post, ~2km east of the Hibernian Mine. Extensive gold and base-metal anomalism; ca. 1811 Ma granodiorite intrusions; exciting potential for significant and largely untested gold system.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - Benz Mining Corp (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) ("Benz" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of the Kilkenny Zone, a new ultra-high-grade gold discovery located beneath the historic Hibernian Gold Mine at the Company's Mt Egerton Gold Project in Western Australia.





Figure 1. Long section of Kilkenny Discovery zone, showing structural controls. (note Kilkenny discovery offset out of the page below Hibernian).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_002full.jpg

Benz CEO, Mark Lynch-Staunton, commented:

"What is most encouraging about the Kilkenny discovery is that it confirms the structural framework our team has been developing at the Mt Egerton Goldfield. The mineralisation occurs within the predicted dilation position beneath the Hibernian Mine, which gives us confidence that the geological model is working.

"The same geological team that unlocked the exploration potential at our flagship Glenburgh Project is now applying that approach at Mt Egerton. While Glenburgh remains our primary focus, we see the Mt Egerton Goldfield as a highly underexplored gold district where modern structural interpretation is beginning to reveal new opportunities.

"From a strategic perspective, we view Mt Egerton as a complementary high-grade satellite opportunity to Glenburgh. Importantly, large parts of the Mt Egerton Goldfield remain effectively untested, with more than 20km of prospective strike identified across the district, which means the discovery potential across the district remains significant."

Figure 2. Plan view of Mt Egerton Goldfields geology and structural interpretation with collar map.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_004full.jpg

Figure 3. Section View of hole 26EGR_013 with new Kilkenny discovery shown. Open at depth. Historical results released in announcement dated 6th Nov 2024.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_005full.jpg

Kilkenny Discovery Validates Structural Model

The Kilkenny discovery forms part of Benz's ongoing work to re-think the geological and structural model of the Mt Egerton Goldfield; a district that was discovered in early gold-rush times but remained underexplored by modern techniques.

RC drilling at Mt Egerton in 2025-2026 was designed to provide better stratigraphic understanding and geometric context to the mineral system at the Hibernian Mine.

During the program, Benz geologists recognised that the best mineralisation was occurring by dilation of mafic host rocks between oblique shear zones at Hibernian, and at several other similar structural positions along the same mafic belt. The revised structural model presented a new target position beneath the Hibernian mine and further to the East, where mapped shear zones interact with a folded gabbro sill, that was likely offset and separated from known mineralisation.

Additional drillholes were added to test this, and hole 26EGN013 intersected an exceptional high-grade gold interval associated with quartz veining and pyrite in the gabbro sill, validating the structural model and discovering Kilkenny.

The Kilkenny target is interpreted to represent a structural repeat of mineralisation closer to the surface at Hibernian, suggesting the possibility of multiple stacked high-grade shoots along the same structural corridor.

Figure 4. 3D oblique view of the of Mt Egerton Goldfields geology and structural interpretation with collar map.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_012full.jpg

Classic Structural Setting for High-Grade Gold

This geological setting at Hibernian, where oblique shear zones cause dilation and veining within a favourable (mafic) host rock represents a classic structural trap for high-grade gold in orogenic settings.

Benz's wider structural interpretation of the Mt Egerton project indicates that analogous structural positions (to Hibernian) remain untested along the main mafic corridor. Prospects such as Galway represent potential repeat positions analogous to the Hibernian and Kilkenny zones.

Historical drilling at the Hibernian Mine demonstrates the exceptional grades present in the system, including:

9m at 107.2 g/t Au

5m at 96.7 g/t Au

4m at 91.9 g/t Au

Emerging Eastern Gold Camp

In addition to the immediate Hibernian-Kilkenny prospects, Benz's regional interpretation has identified a potential camp-scale cluster of prospects approximately 2km east of the Hibernian Mine, where the usual pattern of ductile foliation and shearing is disrupted by a more-brittle NW-SE oriented thrust fault zone.

The Mako-Gift-Trading Post cluster shows extensive gold and base-metal anomalism in soils, rock chips and shallow drilling, and the intrusion of ca. 1811Ma granodiorite interpreted to be emplaced soon after gold mineralisation.

Previous drilling at Gift returned an intersection of 17m at 6.8 g/t Au

This cluster of prospects presents a significantly larger exploration target than the Hibernian Mine alone and may represent a different style of mineralisation to the Hibernian-Kilkenny system.

This potential for a larger-scale emerging eastern gold camp within the Mt Egerton Goldfield has been followed up by Benz geologists with a program of systematic multi-element soils with further planned mapping work in 2026.

Figure 5. Regional geological overview of the Mt Egerton Goldfield.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_013full.jpg

Strategic Fit within the Benz Portfolio

Glenburgh firmly remains Benz Mining's flagship project, where the Company is focused on building a large-scale gold resource.

However, the same geological team responsible for unlocking the exploration potential at Glenburgh, applying the same structural re-think to the Mt Egerton Goldfield, now view this underexplored district as a potential high-grade satellite opportunity to a mine at Glenburgh.

The exceptional grades encountered at Hibernian and now Kilkenny demonstrate the potential for to provide additional high-grade ore sources that could complement the future development of Glenburgh, around 170km to the Southwest.

The geology and gold mineralisation at Mt Egerton shares similarities with the Fortnum-Starlight Goldfield operated by Westgold 75km to the Southeast.

Benz believes a similar exploration model may emerge at Mt Egerton, where multiple high-grade deposits across the district could ultimately develop as satellite ore sources supporting the future development of the Company's flagship Glenburgh Project.

Next Steps at Mt Egerton

Benz plans to:

Advance gold exploration across the Mako-Gift-Trading Post prospect cluster to the east of Hibernian.

Drill test further extensions of Kilkenny.

Map and test additional targets along the Hibernian structural corridor such as the Galway prospect.

Further assay results from the current drilling program are pending.

Glenburgh - A New Frontier Gold District

The 100%-owned Glenburgh Gold Project is rapidly emerging as a new frontier gold district with multi-million-ounce potential. Located in Western Australia's Gascoyne region, Glenburgh hosts an 18-20 kilometre mineralised corridor anchored by the large-scale Icon-Apollo trend and the high-grade Zone 126 system.

Glenburgh's unique combination of thick, bulk-style gold mineralisation (Icon-Apollo) and multiple high-grade underground lenses (Zone 126) positions it as a rare opportunity in the Australian gold sector. With gold prices at record levels, the ability to develop both large-scale open pit and underground operations offers exceptional leverage and growth potential.

Figure 6. Geological overview of the Glenburgh Gold Project.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_014full.jpg

- END -

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Benz Mining Corp.

For more information please contact:

Mark Lynch-Staunton

Chief Executive Officer Benz Mining Corp.

E: mstaunton@benzmining.com

T: +61 8 6143 6702

About Benz Mining Corp.

Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) is a pure-play gold exploration company dual-listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange. The Company owns the Eastmain Gold Project in Quebec, and the recently acquired Glenburgh and Mt Egerton Gold Projects in Western Australia.

Benz's key point of difference lies in its team's deep geological expertise and the use of advanced geological techniques, particularly in high-metamorphic terrane exploration. The Company aims to rapidly grow its global resource base and solidify its position as a leading gold explorer across two of the world's most prolific gold regions.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/288772_16c67e031460ab56_015full.jpg

For more information, please visit: https://benzmining.com/.

Qualified Person's Statement (NI 43-101)

The disclosure of scientific or technical information in this news release is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Mark Lynch-Staunton, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and a Member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) (Membership ID: 6918). Mr Lynch-Staunton has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Mr Lynch-Staunton owns securities in Benz Mining Corp.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward looking statements" (collectively Forward-Looking Information) as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding the exploration potential of the Glenburgh Gold Project and Egerton Gold Project and the anticipated benefits thereof, planned exploration and related activities on the Projects. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as "anticipates", "complete", "become", "expects", "next steps", "commitments" and "potential", in relation to certain actions, events or results "could", "may", "will", "would", be achieved. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the accuracy and reliability of the Company's exploration thesis in respect of additional drilling at the Glenburgh Gold Project and Egerton Gold Project will be consistent with the Company's expectations based on available information; the Company will be able to raise additional capital as necessary; the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Company's Projects (including Glenburgh and Mt Egerton Gold Projects) can be achieved; and the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the early stage nature of the Company's exploration of the Glenburgh Gold Project and Egerton Gold Project, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, that occurrences such as those referred to above are realized and result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, and delays in regulatory approval, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. The Forward-looking information in this news release is based on plans, expectations, and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as 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 ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Appendix 1: Collar Table. Coordinates system: GDA94/MGA Zone 50

Hole number Easting Northing Elevation Dip Azimuth End Depth 26EGN013 575917 7241743 450 78 160 350 26EGN009 576345 7241744 457 65 160 300 26EGN007 575361 7241603 454 65 167 300 26EGN006 575487 7241662 453 65 160 300 26EGN004 576051 7241795 451 64 160 300 26EGN003 575917 7241743 450 65 161 300 26EGN002 575821 7241806 451 64 160 400 26EGN001 575795 7241741 451 65 160 300 25EGN004 575271 7241579 455 65 160 300 25EGN003 575745 7241734 453 64 168 400 25EGN002 575672 7241722 452 65 162 300 25EGN001 575584 7241681 453 65 160 300

Appendix 2: Significant Intercepts Tables.

High Grade Intercepts: A nominal 1 g/t Au lower cut-off has been applied, with no internal dilution included unless otherwise stated

holeid from to Au_ppm length Comment 26EGN013 270 281 144.2 11 Including 7m@223g/t 26EGN007 142 144 1.2 2

26EGN003 120 122 1.5 2

26EGN003 181 182 1.1 1

26EGN001 177 180 1.7 3

25EGN003 122 126 1.7 4

25EGN003 136 137 4.7 1

25EGN002 115 116 3.2 1

25EGN001 154 155 13.8 1



Appendix 3: JORC Tables

JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 report template

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria Commentary Sampling techniques Results are part of BNZ's RC drilling campaign at the recently acquired Egerton Gold Project situated ~285 km east of Carnarvon via Gascoyne Junction, WA.

RC drilling samples were collected as 1m single samples.

Each sample collected represents each one (1) metre drilled collected from the rig-mounted cone splitter into individual calico bags (~3kg).

The rig mounted cyclone/cone splitter was levelled at the start of each hole to aid an even fall of the sample through the cyclone into the cone splitter.

RC drilling sample submissions include the use of certified standards (CRMs), and field duplicates were added to the submitted sample sequence to test laboratory equipment calibrations. Standards selected are matched to the analytical method of photon assaying at ALS labs in Perth (~500g units). No composites were taken.

Based on statistical analysis of these results, there is no evidence to suggest the samples are not representative. Drilling techniques The RC drill rig was a Schramm C685 & T685 rig type with the capability to reach >500m depths with a rig-mounted cyclone/cone splitter using a face sample hammer bit of 5 1/2 - 6" size.

The booster was used to apply air to keep drill holes dry and reach deeper depths. Drill sample recovery RC sample recovery is visually assessed and recorded where significantly reduced. Negligible sample loss has been recorded.

RC samples were visually checked for recovery, moisture and contamination. A cyclone and cone splitter were used to provide a uniform sample, and these were routinely cleaned.

RC Sample recoveries are generally high. No significant sample loss has been recorded. Logging RC chip samples have been geologically logged on a per 1 metre process recording lithology, mineralisation, veining, alteration, and weathering.

Geological logging is considered appropriate for this style of deposit (metamorphosed orogenic gold). The entire length of all holes has been geologically logged.

RC drill logging was completed by Benz Mining staff and data entered into BNZ's MXDeposit digital data collection platform provided by Expedio.

All drill chips were collected into 20 compartment-trays for future reference and stored securely at Glenburgh camp. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation RC chips were cone split at the rig. Samples were generally dry.

A sample size of between 3 and 5 kg was collected. This size is considered appropriate, and representative of the material being sampled given the width and continuity of the intersections, and the grain size of the material being collected.

For the 1 metre samples, certified analytical standards (appropriate for photon assaying) and field duplicates were inserted at appropriate intervals at a rate equal to 1 in 20 and sent for analysis with the samples.

Sample preparation was undertaken at ALS Laboratory - Perth. Gold analysis utilised the photon assaying methodology where original samples are crushed to 90% better than -3mm with a sub-set 500g separated for non-destructive analysis.

Any sample reporting as having elevated > 1Sv readings during the preparation for photon assaying at ALS labs were flagged and were submitted for fire assay (Au-AA26) methodology at ALS labs in Perth as a quantifying check against the Photon assays. Quality of assay data and laboratory test PhotonAssay at ALS Perth: Samples submitted for PhotonAssay analysis were dried, crushed to achieve approximately 90% passing 3.15 mm, rotary split, and a nominal ~500 g sub-sample was collected (method codes CRU-32a and SPL-32a). The ~500 g sub-sample was analysed for gold using the PhotonAssay technique (method code Au-PA01), together with quality control samples including certified reference materials and field duplicates.

ALS PhotonAssay Analysis Technique: Developed by CSIRO in collaboration with Chrysos Corporation, PhotonAssay is a rapid, chemical-free alternative to conventional fire assay that uses high-energy X-rays. The technique is non-destructive and analyses a substantially larger sample mass than the standard 50 g fire assay. ALS has extensively tested and validated the PhotonAssay method, with results benchmarked against traditional fire assay.

Routine mutli-element analysis - four acid digest with ICP-MS finish (method code ME-MS61) and portable XRF (method code pXRF-NQ) has been completed down hole on a pulverize 500 g split to better than 85% passing 75um (method code PUL-32m) but this information does not form part of this report.

Laboratory QA/QC is maintained through the routine use of internal certified reference materials and blanks as part of standard in-house procedures. In addition, BNZ submitted an independent suite of certified reference materials (see above). These data are formally reviewed on a periodic basis. Verification of sampling and assaying Significant drill intersections are checked by the supervising personnel. The intersections are compared to recorded geology and neighbouring data and reviewed in Leapfrog and QGIS software.

No twinned holes have been drilled to date by Benz Mining, but, planned holes have tested the interpreted mineralised trends, verifying the geometry of the mineralised targets.

All logs were validated by the Project Geologist prior to being sent to the Database Administrator for import

No adjustments have been made to assay data apart from values below the detection limit which are assigned a value of half the detection limit (positive number) Location of data points Hole collar coordinates including RLs have been located by handheld GPS in the field during initial drill site preparation. Actual hole collars were collected by a DGPS system at the Egerton Gold Project.

The grid system used for the location of all drill holes is GDA94_MGA _Zone 50s.

Planned hole coordinates and final GPS coordinates are compared in QGIS and Leapfrog project files to ensure all targets have been tested as intended.

The drill string path is monitored as drilling progresses using downhole Axis Champ Gyro tool and compared against the planned drill path, adjustment to the drilling technique is requested as required to ensure the intended path is followed.

Readings were recorded at 30m intervals from surface to end of hole after Benz reviewed single shot verses EOH continuous surveying of the Axis Champ Gyro tool and noted >3 degrees variance in azimuth with hole depth. The single shots produce less variability and are used for hole trace reporting in the database.

Historical drill hole surveys and methods will be reviewed in preparation for any updates to MRE in the future. Data spacing and distribution BNZ's Egerton RC drilling has been designed to extend mineralisation defined by historical drilling. Drill spacings are varied. Holes were generally angled between -65 degrees towards ~145 degrees.

The mineralised domains established for pre-BNZ Mineral Resource Estimates have sufficient continuity in both geology and grade to be considered appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedures and classification applied under the 2012 JORC Code. Ongoing drilling will be sufficiently spaced for a reinterpretation based on BNZ's structural model.

No sample compositing of material from drilling has been applied during this drilling campaign. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Drilling has primarily been undertaken perpendicular to the interpreted mineralised structures as stated above.

No orientation-based sampling bias has been identified - observed intercepts to date indicate the interpreted geology hosting mineralisation is robust. Sample security All samples were prepared in the field by Benz Mining staff and delivered by contracted couriers from the field site to the ALS laboratory in Perth directly.

Individual pre-numbered calco sample bags are placed in polywoven plastic bags (5 per bag) secured at the top with a cable tie. These bags are annotated with the company name and sample numbers, the bags are placed in larger bulker bags for transport to ALS labs in Perth, also labelled with corresponding company name, drill hole and sample identifiers.

Sample pulps are stored in a dry, secure location at Benz's Glenburgh camp. Audits or reviews Data is validated by Benz staff and Geolytic database consultants as it is entered into MXDeposit. Errors are returned to field staff for validation.

All drilled hole collars have been located with a DGPS.

There have been no audits undertaken.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status The tenement is 100% owned by Benz Mining Limited.

The tenements are in good standing and no known impediments exist. Exploration done by other parties 1980; PACMINEX PTY LTD; COPPER; LEAD; URANIUM; ZINC; Drilling; Percussion drilling; Costeaning; Geophysics; Ground magnetic surveys

1981; WESTERN MINING CORPORATION LTD; BASE METALS; Geochemistry; Gossan sampling; Rock chip sampling; Soil sampling; Stream sediment sampling; Drilling; Diamond drilling; Geophysics; IP surveys; Transient EM surveys

1988; ONSHORE RESOURCES LTD; GOLD; Geochemistry; Channel sampling; Soil sampling; Drilling; Rotary drilling; Geology; Geological mapping; Costeaning; Mineral resource estimate; Geophysics; Ground magnetic surveys; Seismic surveys

1995; EGERTON GOLD NL; GOLD; Geochemistry; Sampling; Drilling; Diamond drilling; RC drilling; Rotary drilling; Geology; Aerial colour photography; Geological reconnaissance; Mineral resource estimate; Geophysics; Geophysical interpretation

1996; EGERTON GOLD NL; GOLD; Drilling; Diamond drilling; RC drilling; Rotary drilling; Aboriginal site surveys; Feasibility studies; Metallurgy

1997; EGERTON GOLD NL; GOLD; Geochemistry; Rock chip sampling; Stream sediment sampling; Drilling; Rotary drilling; Geology; Aerial colour photography; Geological mapping

1998; EGERTON GOLD NL; BASE METALS; GOLD; Geochemistry; BLEG sampling technique; Stream sediment sampling; Drilling; Rotary drilling; Geology; Geological interpretation; Geological reconnaissance; Literature review; Satellite imagery; Geophysics; Geophysical interpretation

1998; BHP MINERALS PTY LTD; BASE METALS; GOLD; Geochemistry; Stream sediment sampling; Drilling; RC drilling

2005; NGM RESOURCES LTD; GOLD; Geochemistry; Rock chip sampling; Drilling; RC drilling; Geology; Geological interpretation; Geological mapping; Computer modelling; Feasibility studies

2006; NGM RESOURCES LTD; GOLD; Drilling; RC drilling; Computer modelling; Literature review; Metallurgy

2015; Gascoyne Resources Ltd; GOLD; Drilling; RC drilling; Mine closure; Aircore drilling; Surface geochemistry; Soil sampling

2016; Gascoyne Resources Limited; GOLD; RC drilling

2018; Gascoyne Resources Limited; GOLD; Environment; Rehabilitation; Mine closure; Sampling; Auger drilling; Tailings sampling. Geology Mineralisation at Hibernian is hosted by the Hibernian Shear Zone, occurring as quartz vein deposits within or near the margins of a mafic intrusive (gabbro), that coexists with weakly magnetic mafic sediments within a broader sedimentary package.

The Hibernian Shear occurs as two parallel shear corridors, approximately 6m wide and separated by 15-20m. Carbonate, chlorite, sulphide and epidote alteration are noted on proximity to the mine trend. Gold mineralisation is typically fine grained. Highest grades occur within lensoidal quartz veins, while grades are lower in surrounding sheared host rock. Mineralisation within the shear appears to plunge to the west at approximately 30 degrees. Ductility appears to concentrate shears to geological contacts. Drill hole Information For this announcement, 12 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes are being reported.

Collar details have been provided in Appendix 1.

For earlier released results, see previous announcements by Gascoyne Resources (ASX: GCY) and Spartan Resources (ASX: SPR). Data aggregation methods No material information has been excluded.

High grade: A nominal 1 ppm Au lower cut off has been applied

Higher grade Au intervals lying within broader zones of Au mineralisation are reported as included intervals.

No top cuts have been applied to reported intercepts.

No metal equivalent values have been used.

All reported assays have been length weighted if appropriate.

Some drill holes reported in this announcement were previously disclosed based on partial assay results. Completion of outstanding assays has resulted in updated intercepts now being reported. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths Drilling is generally oriented perpendicular to the interpreted strike of mineralisation, and intercepts are reported as downhole lengths unless otherwise stated.

Ongoing drilling and geological modelling are required to confirm the true orientation and extent of mineralised lenses. Diagrams Relevant diagrams are included in the report. Balanced reporting All meaningful data relating to the Exploration program has been included and reported to the market as assays are received. Other substantive exploration data See body of announcement. Further work Assays for the remainder of the programme will be reported once received and validated.

Ongoing drilling across the Egerton camp to extend mineralisation along strike and at depth.

1 Previous results were released in an announcement dated 6 November 2024.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288772

Source: Benz Mining Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - Lux Metals Corp. (TSXV: LXM) (the "Company" or "Lux") is pleased to announce that Mike Stier has been appointed a director of the Company and Genevieve Ayotte has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Mike Stier - Director

Educated in business management & finance, Mr. Stier has spent the past 20 years focused on and building expertise in the capital markets. Experienced in corporate structure, finance, business development, IPO's, M&A, and wealth management, Mr. Stier served as a CIBC IIROC licensed Senior Financial Advisor, senior analyst for a private equity company and more recently holds executive and directorship roles with private companies and publicly listed issuers. He has consulted in industries including mining, oil & gas, fintech, VR, eSports, health, life sciences and biotech. Mr. Stier has acted for several public entities and currently sits on the board of Saga Metals Corp. and GoldHaven Resources Corp.

Genevieve Ayotte, CPA - Chief Financial Officer

A Chartered Professional Accountant and past President of Women in Mining Montreal, Ms. Ayotte brings over 15 years of mining-sector financial expertise, including a decade at PwC leading audits for major public miners. Her leadership combines technical rigour with a deep understanding of mining governance and capital markets.

Joseph Meagher has resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Nathan Tribble has resigned as director of the Company. The Company thanks both Mr. Meagher and Mr. Tribble for their services and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

On Behalf of the Board of Lux Metals Corp.

Carl Ginn

President and Chief Executive Officer

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.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release. These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288775

Source: Lux Metals Corp.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The fusion of artificial intelligence and pure mathematics is accelerating, evolving from computational assistance to enabling creative breakthroughs. Neel Somani, a Berkeley-educated computer scientist and founder of the blockchain platform Eclipse, recently spearheaded an experiment that offers a glimpse into this transformative future. By organizing a team of undergraduate students to apply advanced AI models to unresolved Erdos problems, Somani sought not only to solve mathematical challenges but also to uncover the deeper architecture of discovery itself.

The project, named "GPT-Erdos," employed state-of-the-art tools like GPT-5.2 Pro and Deep Research to tackle unsolved mathematical conjectures. The results were striking, yielding accepted solutions, partial progress, and rediscoveries of previously undocumented findings. Yet, as Somani highlights, the true value of this initiative lies in the insights it provided into the informal, often hidden principles that guide human research. As AI systems increasingly engage in "autoformalization"-the process of converting human-readable proofs into machine-verifiable formats-they are prompting the scientific community to reconsider long-held notions of novelty, progress, and rigor.

The Complexity of Underspecification



One of the most intriguing insights from Somani's work revolves around the issue of underspecification. AI-generated solutions often expose ambiguities in how humans define success. During the GPT-Erdos experiment, Somani observed instances where the AI produced valid solutions that diverged methodologically from established approaches while remaining functionally equivalent.

This raises a critical question: How should such results be categorized? Are they novel discoveries, rediscoveries, or extensions of prior work? Somani notes that debates over novelty are not merely academic; they reflect deeper questions about intellectual contribution. When AI generates solutions without a clear historical lineage, it challenges the human desire for clean definitions of "newness," revealing the often messy reality of mathematical derivation. The experiment underscored that AI's "failures" are frequently not errors in results but failures of specification-cases where the AI meets technical criteria but falls short of satisfying human expectations for what constitutes a meaningful contribution.

Redefining Novelty in the Age of Automation



The challenge of defining novelty is not unique to AI; it has long divided even the most accomplished mathematicians. Somani points to examples where leading figures, such as Terence Tao, might view an AI-generated result as novel, while others might see it as derivative. This divergence underscores the reliance of the mathematical community on intuition rather than formal logic to assess the value of a proof.

Somani suggests that the field may need to adopt a more formalized definition of novelty. One potential framework could involve measuring the minimum complexity required to express a proof. If a proof merely reconfigures existing theorems with new parameters, it may lack novelty. However, if it necessitates the creation of multiple new, non-trivial theorems, it likely represents a genuine advancement. Drawing on his expertise in cryptography and quantitative research, Somani proposes taking inspiration from zero-knowledge proofs, defining mathematical "knowledge" as the ability to reconstruct a proof using existing results within polynomial time.

The Elusive Nature of "Interestingness"



Beyond the mechanics of proving theorems lies a more abstract challenge: determining which problems are worth solving. Human mathematicians possess an intuitive sense of "interestingness"-a heuristic that balances difficulty with potential impact. Large Language Models (LLMs), however, lack this intuition. They cannot inherently discern which mathematical questions might unlock breakthroughs in physics or engineering, nor can they grasp the cultural or aesthetic significance of a problem.

Somani argues that this limitation extends beyond mathematics into fields like business and art. Just as AI struggles to identify genuinely novel business ideas, it also struggles to prioritize meaningful mathematical inquiries. These values, deeply embedded in human experience, are absent from training data. As a result, the rise of autoformalization serves as a mirror, exposing the "soft" concepts that humans rely on as invisible guardrails for progress.

From Mathematical Proofs to Software Reliability



While the philosophical implications of autoformalization are profound, its practical applications are immediate, particularly in domains requiring absolute reliability. Somani, whose work with Eclipse focuses on decentralized technology, sees a direct connection between formal mathematical proofs and software security. In fields like quantitative finance and blockchain development, the goal is often to create systems that are provably correct.

The rapid proliferation of AI-generated code introduces new risks. Somani refers to this as "slop code"-software produced so quickly that human review becomes a bottleneck. Autoformalization offers a solution by enabling formal methods at scale. Instead of relying on human oversight to catch issues like memory safety violations or exception handling errors, formalized AI systems could provide provable guarantees. This shift could make formal verification, once considered too cumbersome for general software development, a practical standard for critical infrastructure.

Toward a Metric for "Closeness"



Looking ahead, Somani identifies a key gap in current tools: the absence of a metric for "closeness" to completion. Today, formal verification operates in binary terms-a proof either verifies or it does not. Yet, the history of scientific discovery is rarely so clear-cut. Major breakthroughs, such as the Einstein field equations, often emerged through heuristics and metaphors long before they were rigorously formalized.

Somani envisions a future where autoformalization incorporates a differentiable surrogate function to measure how close a proof is to being correct. Such a tool would allow researchers to distinguish between proofs that are fundamentally flawed and those that are nearly complete. This development could transform AI from a binary checker into a true collaborator, capable of navigating the heuristic, iterative process of discovery.

A New Paradigm for Inquiry



Neel Somani's experiment demonstrates that even if AI progress were to halt today, the practice of mathematics has already been irrevocably changed. The ability to verify proofs via machine and rapidly assimilate existing approaches allows researchers to focus on high-level conceptualization rather than rote memorization.

As the founder of Eclipse and a mentor to emerging computer scientists, Somani continues to explore how these technologies can reshape decentralized systems and academic inquiry. The future of mathematics is not just about machines solving problems; it is about machines helping humans redefine the very nature of the questions they seek to answer.

Media Contact

Neel Somani, Eclipse Layer 2 Founder

Berkley, California

email: neeljaysomani@gmail.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2927455/Eclipse.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eclipse-research-explores-autoformalization-and-the-future-of-mathematical-discovery-inspired-by-work-from-founder-neel-somani-302705870.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) ("Battery" or "BMR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering"), consisting of 50,000,000 common shares of the Company ("Shares") at a price of $0.20 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000,000.

"We are very pleased to close the first tranche of the LIFE offering, which reflects continued support for Battery Mineral Resources and our strategy to advance operations and underground development at Punitaqui," said Lazaros Nikeas, Chief Executive Officer.

The Shares have been issued on a private placement basis pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), as amended and supplemented by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "LIFE Exemption"). Accordingly, the Shares issued in the Offering are not subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Offering was also conducted in the United States 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 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. The Shares offered and sold to persons in the United States will be considered restricted securities under the U.S. Securities Act.

In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid, an arm's length party, EAS Advisors LLC, acting through Odeon Capital Group, LLC, a Member of FINRA/SIPC/MSRB an aggregate cash commission of $456,690 in compliance with applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to advance processing plant operations and planned underground development at the Company's Punitaqui Mining Complex located in the Coquimbo region of Chile, and for general working capital purposes. Details of the Company's intended use of proceeds from the Offering are more fully described in the offering document dated February 9, 2026 that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Multilateral Instrument 61-101

Related parties of the Company acquired 3,692,500 Shares pursuant to the Offering. The issuance of such securities to these related parties is considered to be a related party transaction within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 (and Policy 5.9) as the fair market value of the securities issued to such party does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances so as to be able to avail itself of the proceeds from the Offering in an expeditious manner.

The Offering is separate from and does not amend or replace the previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 174,430,850 Shares at a price of $0.20 per share, as disclosed in the Company's news release dated January 7, 2026. The Company continues to pursue completion of the previously announced private placement, subject to the satisfaction of applicable conditions and TSXV approval. There can be no guarantee this transaction will be completed on the terms and conditions as currently contemplated or at all.

The securities being offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. 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.

Debt Settlement

Further to the Company's news release dated January 16, 2026, the Company has completed its previously announced shares for debt settlement (the "Debt Settlement"). Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company has issued 10,654,752 Shares at a price of $0.20 per share in full and final settlement of outstanding indebtedness in the amount of USD$1,556,234. The number of Shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement was determined using a USD/CAD exchange ratio of 1.369.

About Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Battery Mineral Resources operates the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a historic copper, gold, and silver-producing mine in the Coquimbo region of Chile. The Company's portfolio also includes 100%-owned ESI Energy Services Inc. and North American mineral exploration assets. The Company is focused on providing shareholders with accretive exposure to copper and the global trend of electrification while targeting growth through cash flow, exploration and acquisitions in favorable mining jurisdictions. Further information about BMR and its projects can be found on www.bmrcorp.com.

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 press release.

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", or "would" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the intended use of any proceeds raised under the Offering; the receipt of regulatory approvals for the Offering, including that of the TSXV; and the terms and completion of the previously-announced non-brokered private placement.

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 inability of the Company to utilize the anticipated proceeds of the Offering as anticipated; risks related to global financial markets, including the trading price of the Company's shares; and the inability to obtain all regulatory approvals for the Offering or the previously-announced private placement, including that of the TSXV.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation: the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated.

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 outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS 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/288778

Source: Battery Mineral Resources Corp.
EQS-News: Catalyst Crew Technologies Corp. / Key word(s): Financial

Catalyst Crew Technologies Strengthens Corporate Governance With Appointment of OTC Markets Premium Securities Counsel



17.03.2026 / 03:23 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CARACAS, VENEZUELA - March 16, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Catalyst Crew Technologies Corp. (OTC: CCTC) (the "Company") today announced that it has retained Brian Higley, a securities attorney based in Utah, to serve as securities counsel to the Company.

Mr. Higley advises public companies on corporate governance, securities law compliance, regulatory matters, and capital markets activities. In this role, he will assist the Company with ongoing securities law compliance, regulatory filings, and other corporate legal matters as the Company continues executing its strategic transition into artificial intelligence-enabled healthcare technology.

Mr. Higley is listed on the OTC Markets website as one of a limited group of Premium Legal Service Providers, a designation that identifies experienced securities attorneys who assist public companies with regulatory compliance, disclosure matters, and capital markets activities. According to OTC Markets, only nine legal service providers are currently listed within this premium category on the OTC Markets website ( www.otcmarkets.com ).

"Maintaining strong governance and regulatory compliance is an important priority for the Company," said Dr. Kevin Rodan Levy, Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst Crew Technologies Corp. "We are pleased to work with Mr. Higley as we continue strengthening the Company's legal and compliance infrastructure as a public company."

The engagement reflects the Company's continued commitment to maintaining appropriate legal, governance, and regulatory compliance frameworks as it advances its strategic initiatives.

For more details about the Company, visit https://catalystcrewai.com , or access its official filings through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov .

About Catalyst Crew Technologies Corp.

Catalyst Crew Technologies Corp. is an artificial intelligence-driven healthcare technology company focused on developing scalable digital health solutions for emerging markets, with an initial emphasis on Latin America. The Company is actively executing its strategic transition into AI-enabled healthcare and pursuing opportunities across telehealth infrastructure, remote patient monitoring, healthcare data analytics, and integrated digital care platforms designed to improve access, efficiency, and care coordination.

Through technology development initiatives, strategic partnerships, and targeted acquisitions, CCTC is building an integrated healthcare technology platform positioned to address the growing demand for modernized healthcare delivery systems across emerging markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's business strategy, leadership initiatives, strategic transactions, operational execution, regulatory matters, and future operations.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied due to various factors, including but not limited to the Company's ability to successfully implement its business plan, secure financing, complete acquisitions, comply with regulatory requirements, and general market and economic conditions.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Disclaimer

This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company.

The Company is a development-stage enterprise and has not generated revenues from its newly announced business direction. There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully implement its business plan, complete acquisitions, secure financing, obtain regulatory approvals, or generate revenues.

Any investment decision should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other publicly available documents. The Company's securities involve a high degree of risk. Prospective investors are urged to carefully review all risk factors and disclosures contained in the Company's SEC filings before making any investment decision.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein.

Investor Relations Contact

+1 (787) 476-2350

ir@catalystcrew.ai

View the original release on www.newmediawire.com
SHANTOU, China, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ciffnoo, a factory-direct bag manufacturer with over 32 years of OEM experience, is expanding its global operations to support brands seeking more flexible and efficient production. As companies move away from traditional sourcing models with high minimum order quantities and long lead times, demand is growing for partners that offer faster development, smaller batch production, and direct collaboration.

Operating a 20,000-square-meter facility with more than 300 workers, Ciffnoo produces over 100,000 bags per month. The company supports clients across the beauty, retail, and corporate sectors, particularly for cosmetic bags, travel accessories, and promotional items where speed and customization are essential.

To meet international standards, the factory is ISO9001 certified and BSCI audited, ensuring consistent quality and responsible manufacturing practices. Its one-stop production system includes in-house design, material sourcing, and printing, allowing better quality control and shorter development timelines.

Customization speed has become a key advantage. While many manufacturers offer limited fabric options, Ciffnoo maintains more than 100 material choices in various colors and finishes. A library of over 1,000 print designs, including more than 500 for cosmetic bags, helps clients move quickly from concept to sampling. In-house digital printing supports screen printing, heat transfer, and hot stamping for detailed branding and faster sample turnaround. This setup also allows rapid print iteration, so clients can quickly test, adjust, and finalize designs without long delays.

The company also supports brands with sustainability goals. In a recent project for France-based clean beauty brand GON BEAUTY, Ciffnoo supplied cosmetic bags made from 100% recycled fabric and replaced plastic packaging with paper alternatives while ensuring accurate Pantone color matching.

Operational flexibility is another focus. For a UK skincare brand, the company supported a low minimum order of 600 pieces and delivered via air freight within 18 days. For a U.S. airline client, multiple sample options and flexible shipping methods were provided to meet brand and timeline requirements.

Ciffnoo follows a transparent production process from sampling to final inspection. Samples typically take 7-10 days, and standard production averages 45 working days, with faster turnaround available for repeat orders.

As part of its international growth strategy, Ciffnoo continues to expand partnerships with global brands and distributors. Businesses looking for a factory-direct partner for lifestyle bag production can learn more at www.ciffnoo.com or contact sales@ciffnoo.com, +86 13829665522.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ciffnoo-expands-global-operations-to-meet-demand-for-flexible-factory-direct-manufacturing-302715466.html
Regulatory News:

CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and operator of industrial and logistics properties by gross leasable area (GLA), announces Windar Renovables will develop its second production facility in Poland with the construction of a new onshore wind turbine tower manufacturing plant at CTPark Legnica in south west Poland.

CTP has leased 29,000 sqm of industrial and warehouse space to Windar Renovables for the major new facility, alongside an outdoor storage area comprising around 41,000 sqm. The facility will see the company significantly strengthen its manufacturing capabilities in the renewable energy sector, with production expected to begin in Q4 2026.

Once fully operational, the factory will be capable of delivering up to 200 onshore wind turbine towers annually, enough to generate more than 1,000 MW of clean energy. The plant will primarily serve Windar Renovables Polish and German markets, responding to the growing demand for wind energy infrastructure.

Windar Renovables' new facility will include four production halls, a raw materials warehouse, and an office area. Specially designed production lines will enable manufacturing of tower sections up to 40 meters in length, weighing up to 80 tons, and with diameters of up to 6.5 meters.

The new facility at CTPark Legnica will also serve as an important driver of economic growth in this region of Poland. It is expected to create up to 300 new jobs with the factory being developed within the Legnica Special Economic Zone, a key initiative supporting investment and entrepreneurship in south west Poland.

Pelayo Berjano, CEO of Windar Polska, said: "Poland is clearly a key logistics hub for supplying wind turbine components across the Central European market and a cornerstone of Windar's growth roadmap. Against a challenging global backdrop, expanding manufacturing capacity within Europe remains a priority for our company. We welcome our collaboration with CTP in delivering this new facility."

Sandra Winiarska, Senior Business Developer at CTP Poland, said: "On projects of this kind, it is crucial to tailor the property's infrastructure to handle the complex production processes that will be undertaken. This means having a deep understanding of the client's needs and then the technical capability to deliver the production facilities required. Our work with Windar at CTPark Legnica will be consistent with the expansion of our Polish portfolio where we have delivered advanced industrial and warehousing facilities for multiple clients before, enabling them to undertake complex production works. CTP also benefits from an extensive landbank that often gives clients the option to grow into more space in the future, as many of our Parks benefit from undeveloped CTP owned land adjoining them for this purpose."

CTPark Legnica is CTP's first Park in Poland's Lower Silesia region. It will comprise five buildings with a total leasable area exceeding 152,000 sqm. The Park is situated in a location of strategic importance for cross-border business operations, with excellent transport links to key German cities Berlin and Dresden.

About CTP

CTP is Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and manager of logistics and industrial real estate in terms of total gross lettable area (GLA). As of 31 December 2025, the company holds a portfolio of 14.6 million sqm of GLA across 11 countries. CTP certifies all new buildings under the BREEAM system at a "Very Good" level or higher and consistently earns high ESG ratings from independent bodies, confirming the company's commitment to sustainable business practices. More information is available at: www.ctp.eu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316130912/en/

Contacts:

CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES:

Rob Jones, Head of Investor Relations and PR

Mobile: +420 605 482 873

Email: rob.jones@ctp.eu

Pavel Svihalek, Funding and IR Manager

Mobile: +420 724 928 828

Email: pavel.svihalek@ctp.eu

CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

SECNewgateUK

Email: ctp@secnewgate.co.uk
CAMBRIDGE, England, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequential, a leader in genomic testing from non-invasive human clinical samples, today announced the successful close of its first equity round, securing $3.5 million.

The round was co-led by Sparkfood and Corundum Systems Biology (CSB), with participation from Dermazone Holdings, SOSV, Scrum Ventures, an ex-General Partner at Index Ventures, alongside continued support from Innovate UK. With this raise, Sequential has secured a total of $7.5M in dilutive and non-dilutive funding to date.

Sequential advances innovation in skin health by quantifying how ingredients and consumer, biotech, and pharmaceutical products alter microbial and host biomarkers, using their proprietary non-invasive testing platform. Its testing platform helps to transform complex biological data into clear, actionable insights. By integrating microbial and molecular analyses, Sequential enables the development of credible, effective, and trustworthy products and claims.

The company has built one of the most comprehensive clinical datasets in the industry, comprising over 50,000 samples, 4,000+ ingredients, and 10,000+ participants worldwide. The newly raised capital will support the development of an AI-powered discovery engine built on Sequential's proprietary real-world clinical dataset, enabling the prediction, optimisation and discovery of next-generation active complexes and novel bioactive ingredients.

"Our mission is to bring pharmaceutical-grade evidence and computational precision to personal care," said Oliver Worsley, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Sequential. "By applying artificial intelligence to one of the world's largest clinical datasets in dermatological health, we can both discover new skin biomarkers, and move beyond incremental formulation improvements and instead systematically design and validate breakthrough ingredient combinations. This investment allows us to scale that vision."

Anouk Veber, Ventures' Business Unit Leader in Sparkfood, commented: "Sequential has built a unique bridge between biology, clinical validation, and consumer product development, linking molecular and microbial biomarkers to real-world product performance. We believe their AI-driven platform will reshape how next-generation personal care products are developed and differentiated. This investment also aligns with Sparkfood's connected innovation strategy, opening the door to co-development opportunities and commercial synergies in the personal care space."

Hidehiko Otake, CEO of Corundum Systems Biology, stated: "Sequential's mission aligns with ours: to transform human health with the power of large datasets, the microbiome, and artificial intelligence. Our continued support in this round reflects our confidence in their vision and our shared commitment to redefining the future of personal care."

By combining systems biology, clinical research infrastructure, and advanced computational modelling, Sequential aims to set a new standard for data-driven innovation in personal care and adjacent health categories. The company will continue expanding its biomarker discovery programs and global partnerships as it builds a scalable discovery engine designed to unlock the next generation of scientifically validated complexes.

About Sequential

Sequential is a global leader in the skin microbiome field, a team of PhD experts in testing products and their effect on human health. An Innovate UK- and Enterprise Singapore-backed company, with labs in Cambridge, New York City and Singapore. Awarded the title "Most Significant" Testing Solution in the Industry - (C&T, 2022). To date, Sequential has amassed over 50,000 human skin microbiome samples and corresponding formulations tested in vivo on the skin. With this vast genomic dataset, Sequential is innovating in inflammatory disease areas, for example - acne, atopic dermatitis and rosacea. They have been previously supported by Innovate UK, Enterprise SG, A*STAR (Genome Institute of Singapore), SOSV, Corundum Systems Biology and other leading organisations.

www.sequential.bio

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2925157/Sequential.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sequential-raises-3-5m-to-build-ai-powered-discovery-platform-for-multi-omic-testing-and-next-generation-skin-health-ingredients-302715284.html
Sartorius Stedim Biotech SA / Key word(s): Forecast

Sartorius Stedim Biotech sharpens strategy with biopharma focus and sets new mid-term growth targets



17-March-2026 / 07:03 CET/CEST



Aubagne, France | March 17, 2026



Sartorius Stedim Biotech sharpens strategy with biopharma focus and sets new mid-term growth targets Expanding leading position with biopharma customers in attractive growth markets

Strengthening competitive edge with focus on high-growth, high-margin core portfolio and emerging businesses

New ambitious mid-term targets set clear path for sustained, profitable growth above market

Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading provider of innovative technologies for the manufacture of biologics, is sharpening its strong focus on biopharma customers and outlined its updated strategy and new mid-term financial targets ahead of today's Capital Markets Day, defining a clear trajectory for sustained above-market growth.



"Our resilient business model and strong execution over recent years provide an excellent starting point for the next growth phase," said Dr. Rene Faber, Chief Executive Officer of Sartorius Stedim Biotech. "The biopharma industry faces increasing demands for efficiency, scalability and reliability. We want to address these even better by extending our leadership position in core bioprocessing technologies and building future growth platforms in areas such as advanced therapies and process analytics. With this, we aim to continue to outperform our markets and create long-term value for customers, partners, suppliers, employees and shareholders alike."



Sartorius Stedim Biotech's refined strategic focus reflects key developments in the biopharmaceutical industry. Biologics account for a growing share of pipelines, approvals, and manufacturing volumes. In 2025, global biopharma revenues surpassed those of traditional therapies for the first time and are projected to reach around 57percent of global pharma sales by 2030. At the same time, the industry is becoming more complex, driven by emerging new modalities and mounting cost pressures on health care systems.

Strategic initiatives: Driving portfolio evolution, customer experience and efficiencyTo continue its strong growth momentum and further expand its established market position in this changing environment, Sartorius Stedim Biotech has defined a set of strategic initiatives.



With regard to its product portfolio, the company aims to further strengthen its core business by reinforcing its leadership positions in mission critical applications in process intensification, single-use technologies and analytics. In addition, Sartorius Stedim Biotech plans to further develop select emerging businesses, including process analytical technologies and offerings for advanced therapy solutions - a dynamically growing market that particularly requires continuous innovation.



Beyond its portfolio, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is responding to shifting expectations within the biopharma industry, including shorter lead times, delivery reliability and more streamlined interactions. To support this, the company is putting customers even more firmly at the center of its actions while systematically enhancing operational efficiency across supply chain performance, product quality and service performance.

Mid-term ambition: Above-market organic sales revenue growth and margin expansionBased on its assessment of future market development, Sartorius Stedim Biotech expects the bioprocessing market to expand at a rate of approximately 8 to 10 percent per year over the medium term. Against this backdrop and building on its leading market position as well as its focused strategy, Sartorius Stedim Biotech introduced a new mid-term ambition for the period from 2027 onwards. Management expects the company to consistently outgrow its addressable market by around 100 to 200 basis points per year, targeting organic sales revenue growth of 9 to 12 percent per year in constant currencies. At the same time, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is committed to further expanding its profitability: The underlying EBITDA margin1 is expected to increase by approximately 60 to 85 basis points per year, driven by operating leverage, operational improvements and a growing share of high-margin consumables.



1 Sartorius Stedim Biotech publishes alternative performance measures that are not defined by international accounting standards. These are determined with the aim of improving comparability of business performance over time and within the industry. Constant currencies: figures given in constant currencies eliminate the impact of changes in exchange rates by applying the same exchange rate for the current and the previous period

Underlying EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items 2 EMEA = Europe, Middle East, Africa

This media release contains forward-looking statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sartorius Stedim Biotech assumes no liability for updating such statements in light of new information or future events. Sartorius Stedim Biotech shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this release. The original French press release is the legally binding version.



Forecasts have been prepared based on historical information and are consistent with accounting policies. All forecast figures are based on constant currencies, as in past years. Management points out that the dynamics and volatilities in the industry have increased significantly in recent years. In addition, uncertainties due to the changed geopolitical situation, such as the emerging decoupling tendencies of various countries as well as the trade policy framework conditions, are playing a greater role. This results in higher uncertainty when forecasting business figures.



Further information

Sartorius Stedim Biotech Capital Markets Day





Financial calendar

March 24, 2026 | Annual General Meeting

April 23, 2026 | Publication of quarterly figures for January to March 2026

July 23, 2026 | Publication of half-year figures for January to June 2026

October 22, 2026 | Publication of nine-month figures for January to September 2026





A profile of Sartorius Stedim BiotechSartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry. As a provider of innovative solutions, the company based in Aubagne, France, helps its customers to manufacture biotech medications, such as cell and gene therapies, safely, rapidly, and sustainably. The shares of Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A. are quoted on the Euronext Paris. The company has a strong global reach with manufacturing and R&D sites as well as sales entities in Europe, North America, and Asia. Sartorius Stedim Biotech regularly expands its portfolio through acquisitions of complementary technologies. In 2025, the company generated sales revenue of around 3 billion euros. Currently, more than 10,200 employees are working for customers around the globe.

Visit our newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn .





Contact

Leona Malorny

Head of External Communications

+49 551 308 4067

leona.malorny@sartorius.com

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Damit droht ein perfekter Sturm: steigende Energiepreise, explodierende Produktionskosten und ein moglicher Super-El-Nino, der weltweit Ernten gefahrdet. Erste Auswirkungen sind langst sichtbar  Weizen, Soja und Kakao verteuern sich deutlich, wahrend Lebensmittelpreise vor dem nachsten Sprung stehen konnten.



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In unserem aktuellen Spezialreport stellen wir drei Aktien vor, die besonders aussichtsreich sind, um von diesem Trend zu profitieren  solide positioniert, strategisch relevant und mit erheblichem Aufwartspotenzial.







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Cambridge-based surgical robotics company contributes majority of surgical data to world's largest open healthcare robotics dataset

Cambridge, UK and San Jose, California - 16 March 2026, CMR Surgical ("CMR"), the global surgical robotics company, today announced its participation in NVIDIA's Physical AI healthcare robotics initiative, unveiled at NVIDIA GTC. As part of the initiative, CMR contributed the majority of surgical data used to create Open-H - the world's largest open dataset for healthcare robotics - designed to train the next generation of intelligent surgical systems.

The dataset combines real-world surgical video, robotic telemetry and multimodal data from leading healthcare and robotics organisations. CMR contributed close to 500 hours anonymised surgical data from its Versius Surgical Robotic System, representing the largest share of surgical data in the initiative.

Open-H underpins Isaac GR00T-H, the first open vision-language-action model for healthcare robotics, designed to enable robotic systems to better interpret complex surgical environments and tasks. These technologies aim to accelerate the development of intelligent robotic systems while maintaining the rigorous safety and clinical oversight required in healthcare.

Building the Foundations of Physical AI in Surgery

Robotic surgery has already enabled millions of minimally invasive procedures worldwide, helping surgeons perform complex operations with greater precision and control. However, advancing surgical robotics further requires new approaches to how robotic systems learn from clinical experience.

With NVIDIA Physical AI infrastructure the ecosystem has a platform that allows robotic systems to be trained and evaluated in simulated environments before deployment, helping accelerate development while maintaining high safety standards.

CMR is contributing real-world surgical data to the effort and is also using NVIDIA Cosmos-H to generate physically accurate synthetic surgical data and evaluate new robotic policies for the future development of the Versius platform.

Enhancing Surgeon Capabilities Through Data and AI

CMR designed Versius as a digitally enabled surgical platform capable of capturing meaningful surgical data during procedures. By contributing anonymised data to initiatives such as Open-H, the company aims to support broader innovation across the healthcare robotics community.

In the future, Physical AI technologies could enable surgical systems to better understand surgical workflows, assist surgeons with complex tasks and support advanced training and simulation environments. This can help democratise access to minimally invasive surgery and ultimately close the gap of five billion people globally who lack access to safe and affordable surgery.

These technologies are designed to augment surgical expertise, helping clinicians deliver high-quality care more consistently and efficiently. As healthcare systems worldwide face increasing surgical demand and workforce constraints, innovations that enhance surgeon capabilities may also help expand access to minimally invasive procedures for more patients.

Chris Fryer, Chief Technology Officer at CMR Surgical, commented: "Surgical robotics generates a rich understanding of how procedures are performed. By contributing real-world surgical data to collaborative initiatives like Open-H, we are helping build the foundations for the next generation of intelligent surgical systems. Because Versius is the most software-driven robot on the market, we were well-placed to share our data with the wider ecosystem.

Our focus is on technologies that support surgeons and expand access to minimally invasive surgery. Combining clinical data with advances in AI and simulation creates a powerful opportunity to accelerate innovation responsibly."

David Niewolny, Head of Business Development for Healthcare and Medical Technology at NVIDIA said: "The next generation of surgical robotics will be powered by data, simulation and AI working together. By responsibly contributing surgical data and training open models on NVIDIA's physical AI platform, medical technology leaders like CMR Surgical are accelerating a new generation of intelligent robotic systems that can assist surgeons, scale surgical expertise and ultimately expand access to high-quality care."

Media Contacts: If you wish to see more, please contact CMR Surgical at:

Press Office, CMR Surgical

Epressoffice@cmrsurgical.com

Notes to editors:

The Versius Surgical Robotic System

The Versius Surgical Robotic System is designed to support surgeons in performing minimally invasive procedures across a range of specialties.

Versius features a modular, portable design that integrates into existing operating room environments and surgical workflows. Its open console design allows surgeons to communicate easily with the operating team while maintaining ergonomic control of the system.

Through its wider digital ecosystem - including surgical video, robotic telemetry and clinical data - Versius captures insights that support continuous learning and surgical innovation.

About CMR Surgical Limited

CMR Surgical (CMR) is a global medical devices company dedicated to transforming surgery with Versius, a next-generation surgical robot.

Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, CMR is committed to working with surgeons, surgical teams and hospital partners, to provide an optimal tool to make robotic minimally invasive surgery universally accessible and affordable. With Versius, we are on a mission to redefine the surgical robotics market with practical, innovative technology and data that can improve surgical care.

Founded in 2014, CMR Surgical is a private limited company backed by an international shareholder base.
Under Hafnia Limited's ("Hafnia", the "Company", OSE ticker code: "HAFNI", NYSE ticker code: "HAFN") Long Term Incentive Program (LTIP), 60,974 RSUs from the prior years' grants have been vested and exercised. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the RSUs, the exercised RSUs will be settled by the Company by transfer of treasury shares. Each RSU gives a right to receive one ordinary share in the Company.

Following delivery of the shares for the exercised RSUs, the Company will hold 12,782,227 treasury shares.

For more information see the attached mandatory notification of trade.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to article 19 of the EU Market Abuse Regulation and section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

About Hafnia Limited:

Hafnia is one of the world's leading tanker owners, transporting oil, oil products and chemicals for major national and international oil companies, chemical companies, as well as trading and utility companies.

As owners and operators of around 200 vessels, we offer a fully integrated shipping platform, including technical management, commercial and chartering services, pool management, and a large-scale bunker procurement desk. Hafnia has offices in Singapore, Copenhagen, Houston, and Dubai and currently employs over 4000 employees onshore and at sea.

Hafnia is part of the BW Group, an international shipping group involved in oil and gas transportation, floating gas infrastructure, environmental technologies, and deep-water production for over 80 years.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316616413/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Mikael Skov

CEO Hafnia Limited

+65 8533 8900
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / BioNxt Solutions Inc. ("BioNxt" or the "Company") (CSE:BNXT)(OTCQB:BNXTF)(FSE:BXT), a bioscience innovator specializing in advanced drug delivery systems, is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) establishing an exclusive negotiation framework for the potential commercialization of its sublingual cladribine oral thin film (ODF) product within one or more member states of the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO).

The LOI outlines a structured pathway toward a potential regional licensing arrangement and follows recent patent grants and decisions covering BioNxt's proprietary cladribine ODF technology in both the Eurasian region and Europe, significantly strengthening the Company's global intellectual property position.

Structured Commercialization Pathway

The signed LOI represents a significant step toward regional market entry and outlines a defined pathway toward a potential definitive licensing agreement.

The contemplated collaboration framework includes potential regional licensing rights, defined exclusivity during the negotiation period, and financial terms structured around upfront payments, royalties, and revenue sharing. The framework also anticipates collaboration across regulatory strategy, manufacturing coordination, quality control, and commercialization planning within the defined territory.

Under the LOI, the parties have agreed to negotiate exclusively for a period of 60 days while working toward finalizing a definitive commercial agreement. While the LOI is non-binding with respect to the final transaction, it reflects the parties' mutual intent to advance commercialization discussions in the region supported by BioNxt's expanding intellectual property footprint and differentiated drug delivery platform.

"We believe this strategic agreement marks an important milestone in the commercialization of our cladribine ODF program," said Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director of BioNxt Solutions Inc.

"Securing long-term patent protection in both the Eurasian region and Europe strengthens our global IP position and underscores the commercial relevance of our platform. We look forward to engaging with potential partners in Europe and Eurasia to pursue licensing and commercialization opportunities that bring patient-centric therapies to market."

Strengthened Patent Protection in Eurasia and Europe

BioNxt has received formal patent protection for its sublingual cladribine ODF formulation from the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO).

Patent No. 051510, issued on November 14, 2025, by the EAPO, covers sublingual delivery of therapeutic compounds including BioNxt's lead product candidate BNT23001. The patent provides protection in all eight EAPO member states (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan), representing a combined population of more than 200 million people, and is valid through at least June 14, 2043.

In addition, effective March 11, 2026, by way of publication in the European Patent Bulletin, the EPO has granted European Patent No. 4539857 covering BioNxt's proprietary sublingual cladribine ODF technology. Upon national validation, the patent is expected to provide protection in up to 39 European Patent Convention (EPC) Contracting States, through to at least June 14, 2043, subject to national procedures and maintenance requirements.

These IP achievements significantly advance BioNxt's global intellectual property strategy and support its ongoing pursuit of strategic licensing and partnership opportunities across Europe, Eurasia, and other international markets.

Access to a More Than 200 Million Population Market and Broader European Opportunity

The Eurasian region's eight member states represent a combined population of over 200 million people, offering meaningful demographic reach for potential commercialization of innovative therapies.

In Europe, once nationally validated, the European patent is expected to provide protection across a broad set of jurisdictions covering many of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets. Combined with the Eurasian grant, this positions BioNxt to pursue licensing partnerships spanning major patient populations across Eurasia and Europe.

The Company is actively evaluating potential licensing partners and commercialization collaborations in European markets, where neurological and autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) represent a substantial therapeutic and commercial opportunity.

Multiple Sclerosis affects approximately 2.9 million people globally, with significant patient populations across Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Patient populations with other autoimmune neuromuscular disorders, such as Myasthenia Gravis (MG), further expand the addressable market where patient-friendly, swallow-free delivery options may offer meaningful clinical and commercial differentiation.

Cladribine is an approved therapy for relapsing forms of MS in major markets, with jurisdiction-specific indications. BioNxt's sublingual ODF formulation is designed as a needle-free and swallow-free alternative to conventional tablet administration, with the goal of improving patient convenience, adherence, and real-world usability.

Growing Global Demand for Patient-Centric Drug Delivery

The global needle-free drug delivery market was valued at approximately USD 14.39 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately USD 30.73 billion by 2032.

The global oral thin films market is projected to grow at an approximate 8.6% compound annual growth rate through 2032, reflecting increasing demand for patient-centric dosage forms that enhance compliance, convenience, and real-world usability.

By combining an approved active ingredient with a differentiated, IP-protected delivery system, BioNxt aims to reduce development risk while enabling an accelerated, partnership-driven commercialization strategy supported by long-term territorial exclusivity.

Accelerated Development Pathway

Because cladribine is already an approved active pharmaceutical ingredient, BioNxt's development pathway is primarily focused on demonstrating bioequivalence of its sublingual formulation relative to existing tablet products.

Preparations for a human bioequivalence study are underway following successful preclinical pharmacokinetic studies in animal models, which evaluated systemic exposure following administration of the Company's ODF formulation.

The signed LOI, together with secured Eurasian and European patent protection valid through 2043, positions BioNxt to advance regional commercialization discussions supported by defined territorial exclusivity and long-term intellectual property rights.

About BioNxt Solutions Inc.

BioNxt Solutions Inc. is a bioscience innovator focused on next-generation drug delivery platforms, diagnostic screening systems, and active pharmaceutical ingredient development. Its proprietary platforms include sublingual thin films, transdermal patches, oral tablets, and a new targeted chemotherapy platform designed to deliver cancer drugs directly to tumors while reducing side effects.

With research and development operations in North America and Europe, BioNxt is advancing regulatory approvals and commercialization efforts, primarily focused on European markets. BioNxt is committed to improving healthcare by delivering precise, patient-centric solutions that enhance treatment outcomes worldwide.

BioNxt is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange: BNXT, OTC Markets: BNXTF and trades in Germany under WKN: A3D1K3. To learn more about BioNxt, please visit www.bionxt.com.

Investor Relations & Media Contact

Hugh Rogers, Co-Founder, CEO and Director

Email: investor.relations@bionxt.com

Phone: +1 780-818-6422

Web: www.bionxt.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bionxt-solutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionxt

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the negotiation and potential execution of a definitive licensing agreement pursuant to the non-binding letter of intent; the scope, territorial coverage, validity, term, and enforceability of the Company's Eurasian patent; the Company's intellectual property strategy; the continued development of its sublingual cladribine oral thin film (ODF) program; the anticipated timing, design, and conduct of planned human bioequivalence studies; potential regulatory pathways; expansion into additional indications; and potential commercialization, licensing, or partnering activities.

Forward-looking statements are 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 by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the possibility that a definitive agreement may not be executed within the exclusivity period or at all; risks associated with intellectual property protection and enforcement; potential patent opposition or validity challenges; uncertainties relating to regulatory review and approval; scientific, formulation, and development risks; the possibility that preclinical or pharmacokinetic results may not be predictive of human clinical outcomes; risks related to the timing, cost, and results of clinical studies; manufacturing and scale-up risks; reliance on third-party service providers; competitive developments; geopolitical risks in the Eurasian region; and general economic, market, and capital market conditions.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable securities laws, BioNxt undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: BioNxt Solutions Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/bionxt-signs-strategic-agreement-for-eurasian-commercialization-follo-1148449
On March 2, 2026, the "2026 Global WLAN Industry Forum," hosted by the World WLAN Application Alliance (WAA), was held in Barcelona, Spain. Under the theme "AI-WLAN: Envisioning a New Premium Intelligent WLAN Ecosystem," the forum brought together over a hundred technical experts, operators, equipment manufacturers, and representatives from international organizations from around the world to discuss the integrated development path of AI and WLAN.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316519173/en/

As the world's first international industry organization dedicated on WLAN application experience, WAA proposed the goal of building a "Global Hub for AI-WLAN Technical Exchange and Standardization." During the forum, WAA, jointly with international organizations, operators, and leading equipment enterprises, released the "International Cooperation Initiatives on AI-WLAN Standardization" and signed memorandums of understanding with the World Broadband Association (WBBA) and the Global Intelligent Internet of Things Consortium (GIIC), laying a solid foundation for breaking down standards barriers and advancing technical collaboration.

ZHANG Ping, President of the WAA, stated that building a new intelligent ecosystem with AI-WLAN is the shared vision of the industry. GAN Bin, Vice President of Huawei, mentioned that AI transforms wireless local area networks from "passive response" to "active prediction," better meeting the differentiated needs of various industries.

During the keynote session, representatives from international standards organizations and industry leaders such as IEEE, ITU-T, ISO/IEC, SAMENA, WBA, China Mobile, Huawei, H3C, and Qualcomm engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as technological evolution, standard harmonization, and scenario-based implementation. The panel discussion focused on AI-WLAN applications and standardization innovation, consolidating industry consensus.

As a professionally significant and internationally oriented industry event, the hosting of the 2026 Global WLAN Industry Forum not only established a core platform for global WLAN industry collaboration and exchange but also strengthened international consensus on the integrated development of AI and WLAN, reinforcing the foundation for global industry cooperation. WAA will leverage this forum as an opportunity to continuously deepen the two-way integration of AI and WLAN, further enhance international cooperation, and continue to play its role as a "coordinator" and "promoter." It will persistently build bridges for global industry collaboration, deepen international technical exchanges and standard cooperation, and promote the benefits of high-quality WLAN experiences for users worldwide, collectively writing a new chapter in the development of the AI-WLAN intelligent network ecosystem.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316519173/en/

Contacts:

SHI BAIQING, contact@waa-alliance.org
2 million capital raise through the issuance of warrants (BSA) subscribed by TOBAM

1 million capital raise through the issuance of warrants (BSA) subscribed by UTXO Management

This transaction could enable the potential acquisition of approximately 36 additional BTC by the Company, bringing its total holdings under its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy to 2,880 BTC

Adjustment of the conversion price of the OCA A-03 subscribed by TOBAM from 6.24 to 3.12 per share

Adjustment of the conversion price of the OCA A-04 subscribed by TOBAM from 5.174 to 2.59 per share

Adjustment of the conversion price of the OCA A-05 subscribed by TOBAM from 3.656 to 1.83 per share

OCA A-03, A-04, and A-05 now grant, upon conversion, in addition to shares, one share subscription warrant per OCA (BSA OC) with a two-year term

Puteaux, March 17, 2026: Capital B (The Blockchain Group, ISIN: FR0011053636, ticker: ALCPB) (the "Company"), listed on Euronext Growth Paris, Europe's first Bitcoin Treasury Company, holding subsidiaries specialized in Data Intelligence, AI, decentralized technology consulting and development, and corporate treasury, announces a 2 million capital raise through the issuance of share subscription warrants (BSA) subscribed by TOBAM, a 1 million capital raise through the issuance of share subscription warrants (BSA) subscribed by UTXO Management, an adjustment to the conversion price of the OCA A-03 subscribed by TOBAM from 6.24 to 3.12 per share, an adjustment to the conversion price of the OCA A-04 subscribed by TOBAM from 5.174 to 2.59 per share, and an adjustment to the conversion price of the OCA A-05 subscribed by TOBAM from 3.656 to 1.83 per share. This adjustment to the conversion price is accompanied by a revision of the terms and conditions of these bonds, (i) to provide that they now grant, upon conversion, a share subscription warrant (BSA OC) with a two-year term, and (ii) for the OCA A-03 and A-04, to eliminate the share price condition for conversion by the holders: the three tranches are now convertible at any time by the holders at the aforementioned conversion prices. A detailed presentation of the Company's Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, focused on increasing the number of bitcoin per fully diluted share over time, is available on the Company's website: https://cptlb.com/about/who-we-are/

Issuance of share subscription warrants (BSA 2026-01) for an amount of  3 million

As part of the Company's Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, focused on increasing the number of bitcoin per share on a fully diluted basis over time, the Company announces the issuance of share subscription warrants for an amount of 2,013,000.00, subscribed by strategic investor TOBAM, and for an amount of 1,000,000.10 subscribed by strategic investor UTXO Management on the following terms and conditions:

Issuer Capital B (The Blockchain Group). Issuance Issuance of share subscription warrants. Number of warrants issued TOBAM: 18,300,000 BSA 2026-01, 1 BSA 2026-01 granting the right to subscribe to 1 ordinary share of the Company.

UTXO Management: 9,090,910 BSA 2026-01, 1 BSA 2026-01 granting the right to subscribe to 1 ordinary share of the Company. Maturity March 10, 2029. Issue price of the BSA 2026-01 TOBAM: 0.11 per BSA 2026-01, paid at subscription, for a total of 2,013,000.

UTXO Management: 0.11 per BSA 2026-01, paid at subscription, for a total of 1,000,000.10. Exercise Price Exercise price equal to the higher of: (i) 1.01, corresponding to 130% of the average VWAP over the 5 trading days preceding the signing, and (ii) the euro equivalent per share of the Company's "mNAV 1.1" on the last trading day preceding the exercise request.

For the purposes of the foregoing, the "mNAV 1.1" corresponds to 1.1 times the value in euros of the BTC held by the Company, as part of its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, per share on a fully diluted basis, as reported by the Company in its Bitcoin Treasury Company metrics. EGM Resolution 12th resolution of the combined general meeting of June 10, 2025: "Delegation of authority to the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of ordinary shares or securities giving access to the Company's capital, with cancellation of the preferential subscription right in favor of specific categories of beneficiaries."

The BSA 2026-01 are subscribed by the investors in the following proportions:

Investor Number of

BSA 2026-01 Issuance price per

BSA 2026-01 () Subscription

amount () TOBAM Bitcoin Treasury Opportunities Fund 2,800,000 0.11 308,000.00 TOBAM Bitcoin Alpha Fund 8,000,000 0.11 880,000.00 TOBAM Bitcoin Enhanced Fund 7,500,000 0.11 825,000.00 UTXO Management 9,090,910 0.11 1,000,000.10 TOTAL 27,390,910 0.11 3,013,000.10

The proceeds from the transaction described above could enable the acquisition of ~36 additional BTC, bringing the Company's potential total holdings to 2,880 BTC.

Adjustment to the conversion price of the OCA A-03, A-04 and A-05 subscribed by TOBAM, addition of the right to receive a warrant (BSA OC) upon conversion, and, for the OCA A-03 and A-04, removal of the share price condition for conversion by the holder

The Company announces the adjustment to the conversion price of its OCA A-03, A-04, and

A-05 subscribed by strategic investor TOBAM, in accordance with the updated terms described below. It also announces that, henceforth, the conversion of OCA A-03, A-04, and A-05 will entitle holders, in addition to ordinary shares of the Company, the number of which is calculated based on the new conversion price, to one warrant (BSA OC) per converted bond.

These modifications were made through an amendment to the terms and conditions of the convertible bonds, between the issuing company (Capital B Luxembourg SA), the Company, and each of the holders, namely:

Issuer Capital B Luxembourg SA, a wholly owned Luxembourg subsidiary of Capital B. Issuance Issuance of convertible bonds reserved for a specific category of persons, pursuant to the delegation granted by the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting held on June 10, 2025 (Resolution No. 12). Nominal amount OCA A-03: 6 million euros

OCA A-04: 5 million euros

OCA A-05: 6.5 million euros Fully subscribed in EUR at issuance. Nominal value 1 EUR. Subscription price Nominal value. Coupon 0% Maturity 5 years from the subscription date. Conversion price OCA A-03: 3.12 per share

OCA A-04: 2.59 per share

OCA A-05: 1.83 per share The number of shares subscribed is equal to the nominal value of the bonds, as converted when conversion is requested, divided by the above-mentioned price. Conversion By the bondholder, at any time up to the maturity of the OCA.

By the issuer, at any time from the third anniversary of the OCA issuance up to maturity, provided that the volume-weighted average price of the Company's shares over 20 consecutive trading days reaches, during the conversion period, at least 130% of the conversion price, i.e.: OCA A-03: 4.056 per share

OCA A-04: 3.367 per share

OCA A-05: 2.379 per share Warrants In the event of conversion, the bondholder shall receive subscription warrants (BSA OC) with a maturity of 2 years from their issuance, at a ratio of 1 BSA OC per converted OCA (BSA OC A-03, A-04 and A-05).

Each BSA OC entitles the holder, upon exercise, to subscribe to 1 ordinary share of the Company at an exercise price equal to the higher of: (i) the conversion price per share of the OCA tranche converted, and (ii) the euro-equivalent per share of a "mNAV 1.1" of the Company on the last trading day preceding the exercise request.

For the purposes of the foregoing, the "mNAV 1.1" corresponds to 1.1 times the value in euros of the BTC held by the Company, as part of its Bitcoin Treasury Company strategy, per share on a fully diluted basis, as reported by the Company in its Bitcoin Treasury Company metrics. Redemption If the OCAs have not been converted prior to their maturity, they shall be repaid either in BTC or in EUR at the selling price of the BTC, or converted into shares, at the bondholder's option. In the absence of an election by the bondholder, the issuer shall determine the repayment terms. Transfer The OCAs and the BSA OC are freely transferable but will neither be listed nor admitted to Euroclear. New Shares The Company's shares issued upon conversion of the OCAs and exercise of the BSA OC shall carry current entitlements as their issuance date. They will carry the same rights as existing ordinary shares and will be admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Paris or another market. Security The redemption of the OCAs is not secured by any security. EGM Resolution The OCA A-03, A-04, and A-05 were issued on the basis of, with respect to the Company, the 12th resolution of the combined general meeting of June 10, 2025. It is on the basis of this same resolution that the conversion price was adjusted, that the BSA OC will be issued upon conversion, and that the new underlying shares will be issued upon exercise of the BSA OC.

The possibility for subscribers, as provided in the original agreements, to subscribe to a second tranche of convertible bonds on comparable terms, which had not been exercised, has been removed for all three tranches A-03, A-04, and A-05.

These modifications to the terms and conditions of the OCA A-03, A-04, and A-05 result from discussions between the Company and TOBAM, in the context of the recent evolution of market conditions and the Company's share price.

These adjustments to the conversion parameters better align these instruments with current market conditions and strengthen the incentive nature of the conversion mechanism.

Impact of the operations on the distribution of the Company's share capital

The impact of the completion of the operations described above on the distribution of the Company's share capital is as follows:

Ordinary basis Fully diluted basis (*) Shareholders Number of shares % capital Number of shares % capital Executives 18,842,695 8.23% 22,030,111 5.55% Fulgur Ventures 10,000,000 4.37% 155,588,780 39.19% Adam Back 36,157,228 15.79% 37,412,138 9.42% TOBAM 13,630,280 5.95% 21,035,770 5.30% UTXO Management 4,285,289 1.87% 8,529,767 2.15% Peak Hodl Ltd 2,500,000 1.09% 2,500,000 0.63% Public & Institutional 143,642,329 62.71% 149,869,420 37.75% TOTAL 229,057,821 100% 396,965,986 100%

(*) Calculations performed based on the number of shares comprising the Company's share capital as of the press release date, adding the shares resulting from (i) the conversion of all OCAs issued or announced, (ii) the issuance under the legal adjustment measures for the benefit of the holders of Tranche 1 OCAs issued or exercised to date, and (iii) the free shares granted by the Company to certain employees and corporate officers, but not yet definitively acquired by their beneficiaries, the number of which amounts to 2,333,750 as of the date of this press release. It is noted that the Company is authorized to issue additional free shares within the limit provided by the resolutions of the general meeting of June 10, 2025. The Company indicates that the fully diluted base conservatively includes the potential addition of shares to its share capital resulting from (i) the conversion of BSA 2025-01 issued as announced on April 7, 2025, as well as (ii) legal adjustment measures for the benefit of holders of OCA A-01 and B-01 not yet exercised to date. In contrast, this fully diluted basis does not include (i) the shares that may correspond to the amounts not yet subscribed to date of the authorized 300M capital increases for the benefit of TOBAM, (ii) the exercise of the BSA 2026-01, and (iii) the exercise of the BSA OC A-03, A-04, and A-05.

The Company indicates that it has, on a conservative basis, included in the fully diluted share basis the shares that may be issued upon potential future exercise of BSA 2025-01 and of potential future subscription of legal adjustment measures for OCA A-01 and B-01 holders. Consequently, any potential future exercise of existing BSA 2025-01 or legal adjustment measures announced by the Company will result in no additional share added to the fully diluted basis. The Company further indicates that it will include in both the ordinary basis and the fully diluted basis, following their potential future exercise, the shares resulting from the exercise of the BSA OC and BSA 2026-01, the terms of which are specified in this press release dated March 17, 2026.

Risk factors

The Company reminds that the risk factors related to the Company and to its business are detailed in its 2025 half year financial report, available for free on the Company's website (https://www.cptlb.com). The realization of all or part of these risks could negatively impact the Company's operations, financial position, results, development, or outlook.

* * *

About Capital B (ALCPB)

Capital B is a Bitcoin Treasury Company listed

on Euronext Growth Paris, specialized in Data Intelligence,

AI, and Decentralized Tech consulting and development, and corporate treasury. EURONEXT Growth Paris

Ticker: ALCPB

ISIN: FR0011053636

Reuters: ALCPB.PA

Bloomberg: ALCPB.FP



Contact:

communication@theblockchain-group.com

Contacts - Actus Finance & Communication Investor relations

Mathieu Calleux

tbg@actus.fr Press relations

Anne-Charlotte Dudicourt

acdudicourt@actus.fr - +33 6 24 03 26 52

Celine Bruggeman

cbruggeman@actus.fr - +33 6 87 52 71 99 Capital B press releases are available on:

Financial information - Capital B

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-97056-20260317-tbg-cp-17-mars-2026-en-final.pdf
LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / Empire Metals Limited(LON:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF), theAIM-quoted and OTCQX-traded exploration and development company, is pleased to report the analytical assay results from its latest diamond drilling programme at the Pitfield Project ("Pitfield" or the "Project") in Western Australia. This programme was carried out, on schedule, during November and December 2025. It provides geological, geochemical, metallurgical and geotechnical data for ongoing development studies and improve Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") material confidence, with a particular focus on the high-grade central zone within the in-situ weathered cap at the Thomas Prospect.

Highlights

Diamond core drill programme completed, with eight holes drilled at the Thomas Prospect for a total of 745 metres, confirming the presence of a high-grade central zone at the Thomas Prospect.

Very high-grade TiO2 intervals identified near surface within the weathered zone, in particular DD25TOM009 which intersected 9.25m @ 10.13% TiO2 from 26.2m and DD25TOM012 which intersected 7.7m @ 9.88% TiO2 from 3.0m.

Selected high grade intercepts from the diamond drilling within the in-situ weathered cap include: 53.5m @ 6.83% TiO2 from 0m (DD25TOM013) 61.3m @ 6.64% TiO2 from 2.2m (DD25TOM010) 56.2m @ 6.55% TiO2 from 2.1m (DD25TOM009) 51.4m @ 6.05% TiO2 from 0m (DD25TOM012)



Results support targeting of the high-grade central zone for ongoing infill drilling, metallurgical test work and mine planning studies.

The fully funded drilling campaign that commenced in February 2026 is progressing well, consisting of 754 drill holes for41,250m at an average unit cost of A$90 per metre. The campaign is designed to upgrade the resource classification at the Thomas Prospect and significantly expand the Cosgrove resource, supporting an updated MRE, targeted for Q3 2026.

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said:"These results confirm the presence of a high-grade central zone at the Thomas Prospect and demonstrate the significant depth of the weathered profile, extending over 60 metres from surface. Importantly, drilling has intersected thick intervals of very high-grade mineralisation, approaching 10% TiO2, within the near-surface weathered profile, which will be the focus of our ongoing drilling and metallurgical assessment.

"Excellent drill core recovery, averaging over 97% across the programme, together with the extensive weathered profile encountered, has provided a substantial and representative sample set for the in-situ weathered zone. This will underpin the next phase of bulk metallurgical test work, while the geological and geotechnical data generated from the campaign will feed directly into mine design and process engineering workstreams as we advance towards the Scoping Study."

Diamond Drill Programme

The November-December 2025 diamond drilling campaign was designed to generate:

Detailed geological and structural data through the high grade in-situ weathered zone and into the fresh bedrock, improving the understanding of the deposit and supporting ongoing geological and resource modelling;

Geochemical assay data to expand the geological database and support future upgrades to the MRE;

PQ-diameter drill core for metallurgical testing, providing representative material for the ongoing bulk metallurgical test work programme; and

Geotechnical data to support mine design and engineering studies as the Project advances towards development.

This diamond drilling programme consisted of eight holes for 745.1m, carried out across the Thomas Prospect over an area 2km x 1km (refer Figure 1). All holes were geotechnically logged to a depth of 50m by Geotechnical and Geological Consultants ("GGC"), a Perth based consultancy. Results from the geotechnical logging are still pending. Drill core from all eight holes was subsequently cut and subsampled, with a quarter of the core removed for geochemical assaying and the remainder being saved for bulk metallurgical test work.

Figure 1: Location of Diamond holes with previous drilling.

The geochemical assay results, as well as previously drilled intercepts, clearly show that the high grade TiO2 central zone is extensive at the Thomas Prospect, covering an area of at least 5km long and 1.25km wide.

All but one diamond drillhole generated average grades well above 5% TiO2 (refer Table 1), being the average grade of the Thomas MRE (1.77Bt at 5.0% TiO2). The highest grade drillhole (DD25TOM010) intersected 66m of sandstone and minor interbedded siltstone and has an average grade 6.5% TiO2. The lowest grade drillhole (DD25TOM014) predominantly intersected sandstones with some thick interbeds of conglomerate, up to 10m downhole, which has reduced the grade as the clasts within the conglomerate do not contain TiO2 mineralisation and consequently act to dilute the grade of the rock.

Importantly, the extensive ongoing Air Core ("AC") and Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling at Thomas (announced 17 February 2026) will further consolidate the dimensions and grade of the high-grade central zone, as well as identify the location of thick interbeds of conglomerate which are lower average grade. This infill drill programme was designed to improve material confidence and advance the Thomas MRE into Measured and Indicated Resources, forming the basis of the mine, ore scheduling and economic evaluations.

High-grade sub-intervals reported from within the in-situ weathered zone (refer Table 1) show that there is not only variability in grade across the weathered zone but also in thickness, with the holes in the central zone reporting much higher grades and having a thicker weathered profile than the holes to the east of the central zone.

A key finding from the drill assay data analysis is the identification of very high-grade TiO2 intervals near surface within the weathered zone, in particular DD25TOM009 which intersected 9.25m @ 10.13% TiO2 from 26.25m and DD25TOM012 which intersected 7.7m @ 9.88% TiO2 from 3.0m.



Table 1: Total drill hole and weathered zone intercepts from the drill programme

Hole ID Total Depth (m) Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Interval (m) Grade TiO2 (%) DD25TOM009 101.2 2.1 101.2 99.1 5.38 weathered zone 2.1 58.3 56.2 6.55 inc. 26.2 35.5 9.3 10.13 DD25TOM010 68.2 2.2 68.2 66.0 6.50 weathered zone 2.2 63.5 61.3 6.64 DD25TOM011 101.3 0.2 101.3 101.1 5.77 weathered zone 0.2 54.4 54.2 5.74 inc. 0.2 6.2 6.0 8.52 DD25TOM012 101.2 0.0 101.2 101.2 5.39 weathered zone 0.0 51.4 51.4 6.05 inc. 1.5 9.2 7.7 9.88 DD25TOM013 101.2 0.0 101.2 101.2 6.03 weathered zone 0.0 53.5 53.5 6.83 DD25TOM014 101.2 6.6 101.2 94.6 4.42 weathered zone 6.6 35.1 28.5 4.75 DD25TOM015 101.2 2.6 101.2 98.6 5.72 weathered zone 2.6 36.1 33.5 5.43 inc. 15.8 20.8 5.0 8.11 DD25TOM016 69.6 0.0 69.6 69.6 5.58 weathered zone 0.0 35.7 35.7 5.48

Ongoing Exploration Activities H1 2026

In February 2026, Empire commenced a major drilling programme, the largest by far to date, primarily focused on delivering an updated MRE at Thomas, with increased resource classification into the Measured and Indicated categories, and a significantly larger updated MRE at Cosgrove (announced 17 February 2026).

Overall, 754 drill holes were planned, totalling 41,250 metres of drilling and consisting of:

683 AC drill holes for approximately 34,150 metres, and

71 RC drill holes for approximately 7,100 metres,

As of 15 March 2026 the Company had completed a total of 157 holes for 8,899m: 106 AC drill holes for 6,554m at the Thomas Prospect and 61 AC drill holes for 2,345m at Cosgrove. The drilling was scheduled to commence with two AC drill rigs, with a further AC drill rig and two RC drill rigs mobilising by mid-March. All five drill rigs have now mobilised to site and are fully operational. Drilling is expected to be completed by mid-April and will lead to the release of an updated MRE, which is anticipated in Q3 2026, as previously announced, to support ongoing engineering and study work.

The drilling campaign, which is expected to cost A$3.7M in total, is fully funded. Drilling costs, inclusive of sampling and assays, average less than A$90 per metre which demonstrates disciplined and effective management by our exploration team.

Competent Person Statement

The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

Market Abuse Regulation Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this announcement.

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:

Empire Metals Ltd Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell Tel: 020 4583 1440 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Joint Broker) Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl Tel: 020 3470 0470 Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker) James Asensio / Christian Calabrese / Charlie Hammond Tel: 020 7523 8000 Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker) Damon Heath Tel: 020 7186 9950 Tavistock (Financial PR) Emily Moss / Josephine Clerkin empiremetals@tavistock.co.uk Tel: 020 7920 3150

About Empire Metals Limited

Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on the commercialisation of the Pitfield Titanium Project, located in Western Australia. The titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale and hosts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) totalling 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO2 for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO2.

Titanium mineralisation at Pitfield occurs from surface and displays exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. The MRE extends across just 20% of the known mineralised footprint, providing substantial potential for further resource expansion.

Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO2, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment feedstock. With excellent logistics and established infrastructure, Pitfield is strategically positioned to supply the growing global demand for titanium and other critical minerals.

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: Empire Metals Limited

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/empire-metals-limited-announces-diamond-drilling-results-1148436
New enterprise workbench helps organizations design, build, evaluate, and operate domain-specific language models using open-source models and NVIDIA AI infrastructure.

NEW YORK, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal (www.fractal.ai), a publicly listed global enterprise AI company serving Fortune 500 organizations, today announced the launch of LLM Studio, an enterprise platform that helps organizations build and run language models tailored to their business. It is designed for teams that want more control over how models are governed, deployed, and managed in production. LLM Studio will be demonstrated at NVIDIA GTC 2026, the premier AI and accelerated computing conference by NVIDIA, taking place from March 16-19, 2026, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in California.

Enterprises are moving beyond one-size-fits-all, API-only large language models for high-value use cases. Today, business and technology leaders need clearer guardrails for governance, predictable costs, and reliable performance. At the same time, industry research points to growing adoption of smaller, purpose-built models that can be tuned to specific functions and domains.

LLM Studio enables businesses to design, build, evaluate, and operate domain-adapted language models using open-source models, powered by NVIDIA AI infrastructure and software stack. It brings together two modules:

AutoLLM: Helps businesses create smaller, specialized models for specific tasks or industries. It supports open-source model selection, synthetic data generation, model customization, evaluation, and performance benchmarking.

LLMOps: Helps teams manage the full life cycle after a model is created. It supports deployment, monitoring, and governance.

LLM Studio helps keep model responses tied to an organization's approved data and context. This reduces hallucinations and improves the quality of reasoning. The resulting models remain proprietary to the organization. Teams can then use these models in agents or other generative AI applications to deliver more reliable performance, often at a fraction of the cost of running larger foundation models.

LLM Studio, developed by the AI Client Services team at Fractal, is built on NVIDIA reference architectures, using NVIDIA NeMo for key model development workflow capabilities and NVIDIA NIM microservices for model hosting. This design helps businesses standardize how models are deployed and governed across major cloud environments, reducing the need for custom builds in each setup. Fractal is planning to use NVIDIA Nemotron open models for development.

"Enterprises are past the experimentation phase with generative AI. They need solutions that are governed, cost predictable, and reliable in production. With LLM Studio, we are giving organizations a practical way to build and operate domain-specific language models using open-source options, while taking advantage of NVIDIA AI infrastructure," said Pranay Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer, Fractal.

LLM Studio supports a wide range of applications. It is built for enterprise users, including teams with limited or no coding experience. Businesses can tailor models to their content and train them to follow specific instructions or build models designed for tasks that need stronger reasoning.

For more information, visit: https://fractal.ai/solutions/llm-studio

About Fractal

Fractal (NSE: FRACTAL) is a publicly listed global enterprise AI company with a vision to power every human decision in the enterprise.

Fractal's suite of businesses includes Asper.ai (enabling interconnected decisions for revenue growth) and Analytics Vidhya (among the world's largest data science communities). Fractal spun out Qure.ai, a global healthcare AI leader enhancing the rapid identification and management of tuberculosis, lung cancer, and stroke. Fractal's dedicated AI Research team is focused on foundational AI advancements, including knowledge-based foundational models, reasoning-based systems, and agentic systems. The team has launched successful products, including MarshallGoldsmith.ai, Vaidya.ai, Kalaido.ai, and the open-source reasoning model Fathom-R1-14B and tool-based reasoning model Fathom-DeepResearch.

Fractal employs over 5,000 professionals across global locations, including the United States, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Ukraine, India, Singapore, South Africa, the UAE, and Australia. It has consistently earned recognition as one of India's Best Companies to Work For (Top 100, 2025), a 'Great Workplace' for eight consecutive years, and as one of 'India's Best Workplaces for Women' for five years running by the Great Place to Work Institute. Fractal was also named a Leader in the 2025 Forrester Wave for Customer Analytics Service Providers and earned leadership positions in the Everest Group Peak Matrix Assessment 2025 for AI and Analytics Services, and Information Services Group's 2024 assessments for Data Engineering and Data Science Services.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2931510/5858548/Fractal_Logo.jpg

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SIAL Pariswill return to Paris Nord Villepinte from 17 to 21 October 2026.

The 2026 edition is set to be the most ambitious in the show's history, surpassing an already record-breaking 2024 event and further cementing its status as a global benchmark for the food industry.

SIAL Paris once again positions itself as a powerful business accelerator, an unparalleled showcase for major innovations and a strategic observatory of the trends shaping the future of food worldwide.

With 85% of exhibition space already booked, up to 8,000 exhibitors expected, 295,000 professionals and more than 280,000 m of exhibition space spanning 10 key sectors, SIAL Paris 2026 confirms both its exceptional international reach and the strong commitment of companies across the entire food value chain.

A STRONG COMMERCIAL DYNAMIC AND A HIGHLY INTERNATIONAL SHOW

Seven months ahead of opening, SIAL Paris 2026 is already posting strong commercial indicators. More than 260,000 m of exhibition space has been sold, representing an increase of +16% compared with the previous edition at the same stage. Several sectors are already close to capacity, including grocery products, fine food, meat, poultry, delicatessen, cereals, pulses, fruit and vegetables.

Other sectors such as multi-product grocery, sweet goods, frozen products and beverages are also showing strong recruitment momentum, contributing to a diversified offer. Italy, Spain, Turkiye, Greece and France lead the Top 5 exhibiting countries, highlighting strong participation from major European exporters.

INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF STRATEGY

In 2026, SIAL Paris places innovation more than ever at the core of its strategy.

SIAL Innovation, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary, is evolving with a renewed format and an enriched experience. It now fully integrates SIAL Taste, placing tasting at the heart of the innovation journey and offering visitors the opportunity to discover and experience the food of tomorrow

More than 650 startups are expected at the show, including around 150 gathered within the SIAL Start-up area. A dedicated Startup Pitch stage will give young companies increased visibility and direct access to investors, buyers and partners.

INSPIRATION, INSIGHT AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

As a major hub for inspiration and forward-thinking dialogue, SIAL Paris brings together international experts, researchers, executives and decision-makers through SIAL Summits and SIAL Talks to decode market transformations, challenge existing models and anticipate the future of the industry.

AN ENHANCED BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Designed as a living, experiential show, SIAL Paris 2026 will feature an AI-powered matchmaking platform, a Meet Match area, an enhanced Business Lounge and speed-meeting sessions to boost business opportunities, bringing together the global food ecosystem to accelerate innovation, collaboration and industry transformation worldwide.

About SIAL Paris

SIAL Paris is and has been the world's largest professional food exhibition since 1964. Held every two years, it brings together professionals and key players from the food industry to explore trends, present innovations, and develop business opportunities on a worldwide scale.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316047201/en/

Contacts:

Media

Juliette Marzynski

International Marketing Manager

Juliette.marzynski@comexposium.com
Alchemab Therapeutics has appointed Ulrich Wendt, PhD MBA, as Chief Business Officer (CBO) to expand partnerships with biopharma for the development of novel antibody therapeutics. As a proven dealmaker and strategist, Dr Wendt brings more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value partnerships across all pipeline stages.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317585022/en/

Dr Ulrich Wendt has been appointed Chief Business Officer at Alchemab Therapeutics

Before joining Alchemab, he served as Global Head of Business Development Immunology at Sanofi. Prior to this, Dr Wendt drove global Business Development for Sanofi's diabetes and primary care business units, and oversaw global search evaluation and alliance management teams in cardiometabolic disease.

His appointment builds on Alchemab's recent pharma licensing deals, Series A funding extension, and progression of their first asset into clinical trials.

"As CBO, Ulrich will lead Alchemab's business development and alliance management, working closely with the executive team to expand the company's partnerships across biopharma and adjacent sectors," said Jane Osbourn, CEO and Co-Founder of Alchemab. "He will also help guide our corporate strategy as we continue scaling our AI-enabled platform capabilities."

With academic roots in biostructure and biophysics, Dr Wendt earned his PhD from Freiburg University, completed postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley and Genentech, and gained an MBA from IMD, Lausanne.

"Alchemab's discovery platform positions the company at the intersection of experimental and AI-enabled discovery," Dr Wendt said. "Within the last two years the company has advanced into clinical trials and delivered a stream of preclinical candidates with novel target biology. I am excited to be joining Jane and the Alchemab team at this pivotal time to help position the company for the next wave of growth."

Alchemab is a biotechnology company uncovering the immune secrets of disease-resilient individuals to discover and develop novel antibody therapeutics. Their first asset entered clinical trials in 2025 as part of a licensing deal with Lilly.

The company's platform integrates the world's largest antibody database derived from disease-resilient individuals with a proprietary AI-powered antibody search engine designed to identify the antibodies that protect them. By pioneering this approach, Alchemab has generated a broad pipeline of treatments for hard-to-treat diseases that could not have been discovered with traditional methods.

For more information, visit alchemab.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317585022/en/

Contacts:

Media contact: Kat Arney, press@firstcreatethemedia.com
Two leading European companies announce a partnership aimed at residual value management in the context of asset-based funding for banks, captives, and leasing companies across Europe. By combining autobiz's automotive market and residual value expertise with BearingPoint's end-to-end asset-based funding platform, the two companies provide their clients with enhanced transparency, consistency, and risk control in the structuring and monitoring of automotive portfolios.

autobiz, one of Europe's leading providers of automotive market data and residual values, contributes more than 20 years of experience across 22 European markets. Its valuation models are based on daily market observations and follow IFRS compliant and audited methodologies designed to ensure stability, transparency, and consistency over time.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317726493/en/

Two leading European companies announce a partnership aimed at residual value management in the context of asset-based funding for banks, captives, and leasing companies across Europe.

BearingPoint complements this expertise with its Asset Funding platform, developed for Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) and other asset-based funding instruments. The platform supports financial institutions across the full lifecycle of asset-based financing transactions, from data integration and portfolio structuring to cashflow and scenario simulations, as well as reporting, monitoring, and regulatory transparency.

Through this partnership, autobiz's residual value data and forward-looking value forecasts are integrated into BearingPoint's platform, enabling financial institutions to rely on market-based, regularly reviewed residual values when structuring and monitoring their automotive financing programs.

What this partnership brings to financial institutions

By combining independent automotive data expertise with asset-based funding capabilities, clients can benefit from:

More transparent and market-based residual value assumptions, grounded in daily market observations across 22 European countries

Improved consistency in portfolio structuring, supported by regularly reviewed and audited valuation methodologies

Greater confidence for investors, rating agencies, and supervisory authorities, thanks to enhanced traceability and data robustness

Stronger alignment with evolving regulatory expectations, including support for Simple, Transparent and Standardised (STS) securitization frameworks

A more resilient approach to managing residual value risk across automotive lease and loan portfolios

The result is a more robust and sustainable asset-based funding process in a market environment characterized by volatility and increased scrutiny.

Responding to evolving market expectations

In recent years, used-car markets have experienced increased volatility, while regulatory and investor expectations around data quality and transparency have intensified. Financial institutions are therefore seeking stronger foundations for their residual value assumptions and risk management when structuring portfolios for asset-based funding initiatives.

The collaboration between BearingPoint and autobiz directly addresses these challenges by combining deep automotive market knowledge with structured finance expertise across the entire financing lifecycle.

A shared ambition: strengthening transparency in asset based automotive funding

"This partnership reflects our ambition to extend the value of our automotive market expertise into the financial structuring sphere. By working with BearingPoint, we enable financial institutions to integrate reliable, market-based residual values into their funding processes, contributing to greater transparency and long-term stability across Europe," says Bertrand Chataing, Chief Sales and Development Director at autobiz.

"By embedding autobiz's residual value intelligence into BearingPoint's Asset Funding platform, our partnership turns high quality automotive market data into actionable asset-based funding decisions. It creates value for Vehicle and Equipment as a Service models by enabling consistent pricing, lifecycle management, and funding decisions across operational and financial processes thus strengthening transparency, capital efficiency, and resilience across the full asset horizon," says Donald Wachs, Partner and Global Leader BearingPoint Products.

About autobiz

Since 2004, autobiz has been supporting European automotive players with trade-in and used-car data solutions. Its 280 employees continuously build on more than 20 years of used-car data history combined with strong web, software, and automotive operational expertise. autobiz operates offices in Paris, Berlin, Valencia, and Milan and serves more than 20 leading players in the used-car market as well as around 6,500 points of sale across 22 European countries.

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. We help businesses transform by combining deep industry expertise with strong capabilities in strategy, operations, and technology. Dedicated SAP and Microsoft transformation units, a strong focus on AI, and outcome-based products enable us to provide tailored, innovative solutions that create measurable and sustainable value.

In addition to our core consulting operations, we run two joint ventures. Arcwide, our joint venture with IFS, specializes in business transformation enabled by IFS technology. BearingPoint North America, our joint venture with ABeam Consulting, focuses on consulting excellence and business transformation built on SAP.

BearingPoint works with many of the world's leading companies and public-sector organizations. Together with its strategic alliance partner ABeam Consulting, the firm brings together more than 15,000 professionals and serves clients in over 70 countries, delivering seamless business transformation, strengthening performance, and driving sustainable impact.

BearingPoint is recognized among TIME World's Best Companies and Forbes World's Best Employers. The firm is also a certified B Corporation, committed to responsible business and creating long-term value for organizations, people, and society.

For more information, please visit:

Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317726493/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Alexander Bock

Global Senior Manager Communications

Telephone: +49 89 540338029

Email: alexander.bock@bearingpoint.com
Marks New Era for Taiwan's Award-Winning Single Malt in Britain

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kavalan, Taiwan's globally celebrated whisky distillery, today announces the appointment of Marussia Beverages UK Ltd as its sole distributor in the UK, signalling a powerful renewal to one of Kavalan's most influential whisky markets.

The partnership sets the stage for a prestige-led reintroduction of Kavalan's award-winning portfolio to the UK's most discerning retailers, venues and collectors.

King Car Chairman Mr. YT Lee said family-owned Marussia Beverages is one of the UK's most respected artisanal spirits specialists and will oversee nationwide distribution across on-trade, off-trade, specialist retail, e-commerce and grocery channels.

"This is a bold new partnership for us and is designed to firmly establish Kavalan as the leading luxury single malt from a world whisky region. Central to this new era will be a focus on Kavalan's 15 Years Old Single Malt Whisky, our first-ever age statement release, as our flagship expression."

Originally released in 2025, the 15YO marks a defining milestone in Kavalan's journey through time and maturation, expressing vibrant tropical fruits and caramel sweetness, with notes of caramel apple, plum, dark chocolate gelato, and walnut coffee mousse.

Marussia Beverages UK Managing Director Trevenon Weeks said:

"We are absolutely thrilled to officially bring the award-winning house of Kavalan back to the UK. To represent a distillery that has so decisively claimed the world stage, securing multiple 'World's Best' titles, is a genuine honour. Our entire strategy is built to match their ambition, re-introducing these exceptional single malts with the focus and premium stature they deserve. The UK's discerning drinkers are in for a revelation."

The partnership's strategic priority will be on carefully curated placements in landmark accounts and high-end venues. Specialist retailers and influential venues will help build brand authority and long-term prestige.

The approach will leverage Kavalan's extraordinary record of global recognition and "World's Best" titles as a cornerstone of its UK market reentry, as the market continues to prioritise premiumisation, provenance and discovery, values that resonate with Kavalan's commitment to innovation, craftsmanship and international acclaim.

Kavalan UK Launch and Activities

March

Official UK launch : orders open for fulfilment

: orders open for fulfilment Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London: March 27-28

March 27-28 The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show, London: October 2-4

About Kavalan Whisky

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Taiwan since 2005. Our whisky, aged in intense humidity and heat, sources the crystal meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is enhanced by sea and mountain breezes. These conditions combine to create Kavalan's signature creaminess. Taking Yilan County's old name, our distillery is backed by more than 45 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. We have collected 950 gold or higher awards from the industry's most competitive contests.

About Marussia Beverages UK

Marussia Beverages UK is a Swedish-owned family business and the UK's leading artisanal spirits specialist, representing an exceptional portfolio spanning sake, whisky, gin, liqueurs, rum, cognac, armagnac, brandy, tequila, sherry, calvados and vodka. Its expertise in premium brand building makes it a natural partner for Kavalan's next chapter in Britain.

CONTACT:

Kaitlyn Tsai

kaitlyn@kingcar.com.tw

Wendy Wang

wendywa@kingcar.com.tw

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BERLIN, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mintos, a European multi-asset investment platform for long-term wealth building, is expanding into crypto by offering regulated exchange-traded products (ETPs) that provide exposure to cryptocurrencies starting from just 5.

The crypto ETPs are issued by established global providers such as BlackRock iShares and VanEck; they track the price of an underlying cryptocurrency and trade similarly to ETFs.

This launch further strengthens Mintos' collaboration with Upvest, already a partner for its ETF offering. Through this partnership, Upvest provides the scalable, API-driven investment infrastructure and core brokerage capabilities behind the new product.

The new offering allows investors to manage crypto alongside loans, bonds, real estate, and ETFs, all within the Mintos platform.

"Crypto continues to attract investor interest, but complexity and regulatory concerns remain key barriers," said Martins Sulte, CEO and Co-Founder of Mintos. "By offering crypto exposure through regulated ETPs from trusted providers, we're enabling investors to engage with this asset class in a way that fits naturally into how they already invest on Mintos."

"Retail investors are increasingly looking to diversify across a broader range of asset classes within the platforms they already trust," said Martin Kassing, CEO and Co-Founder of Upvest. "We're pleased to continue our partnership with Mintos as it expands into crypto ETPs, making it easier for investors to access and manage diversified portfolios with confidence."

Crypto is becoming an increasingly established part of European investment portfolios. A recent BlackRock People & Money Survey conducted by YouGov shows that 22% of European investors already hold cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, crypto ETPs attracted more than $47 billion in net inflows globally in 2025, remaining close to record levels, with Europe contributing significantly to this activity, data from CoinShares shows.

For many investors, this interest reflects a desire to gain exposure without the operational complexity of direct ownership, such as managing wallets, private keys, or multiple platforms.

On Mintos, crypto ETPs are available with low fees and a low minimum investment, enabling investors to start from just 5 and gradually build their position over time.

Disclaimer: This communication is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment research, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial instrument, nor does it take into account the investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any specific person.

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SINGAPORE, Mar 17, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Wintermar's Operating Profit for FY2025 jumped by 31% YOY to US$23.3 million, reflecting margin expansion through a better fleet mix. Core Profit increased by 19.2%YOY to US$18million.Owned Vessel DivisionOwned vessel revenue rose by 13.8% YOY to US$70.7 million as gross margins for Owned Vessels widened to 41.7% for FY2025 compared to 36.1% in FY2024 despite softer charter rates and lower offshore activity in 2025. Utillization in 2025 was lower than 2024 arising from geopolitical concerns and the early stage of most drilling projects which are shorter term in nature. However, this was compensated by higher revenue from having more Dynamic Positioning (DP) equipped vessels. The Company operated a larger number of units of higher value vessels in FY2025.Chartering Division and Other ServicesGross Profit from the Chartering Division continued to decline with a drop in contribution to US$0.5 million in FY2025 compared to US$1.4 million in FY2024. Some of the declines resulted from a strategic decision to move the Company towards a management fee based ship management business model for better scalability, where the Company now receives fees for various services which are recorded in the Other Services Division. Contribution from Other Services Division has increased by 9.3%YOY by US$0.2 million to US$2.8million in FY2025.Direct Expenses and Gross ProfitWith a larger number of DP vessels in operation and more overseas contracts, total crewing costs rose by 10.5%YOY to US$11.4million for FY2025. Depreciation rose accordingly by 10.4%YOY to US$14.8million for FY2025 from the full year impact of the additions to the fleet in 2024. One PSV completed reactivation and became operational in 4Q2025. Operation expenses were slightly higher (+2.2%YOY) at US$5.2million while maintenance costs fell by 2.9%YOY to US$7.3million. Fuel bunker was significantly lower (-26%YOY) as idle vessels were berthed in Batam on shore power.By December 2025, there were 7 units of PSVs in operation, as compared to 5 units of operational PSVs at end 2024. The Company purchased an additional PSV in late 2025 and she is being delivered to Indonesia and expected to be operational by 2H2026.Total Gross Profit rose by 24.1%YOY to US$32.7million.Indirect Expenses and Operating ProfitTotal Indirect Expenses rose by 10%YOY to US$9.4million for FY2025. The largest increase in indirect expenses came from salary cost, in line with a building out of key technical and operations positions to prepare for scaling up the fleet. Salary expenses rose by 11.9% YOY to US$6.5million for FY2025, as employee strength increased to 252 from 244. Marketing expenses rose by 17.2%YOY due to fees and commissions as well as bid bond expenses to participate in tenders. Investments in new subsidiaries added 12.6%YOY to office utility costs which amounted to US$0.6million.As a result, Operating Profit for FY2025 jumped by 31%YOY to US$23.3million in FY2025 compared to US$17.8million in FY2024.Other Income, Expenses and Core Net ProfitCash flow from operations have increased due to better revenues and receivables collections, and the Company has also taken on more debt to refinance vessels. As a result, interest expenses rose by 83.5%YOY to US$2.1million, while interest income doubled to US$1.0million. The Company is still in a strong financial position with net cash. Associated companies contributed US$4.1million (+71.5%YOY) from better business conditions.The sale of 2 older mid-tier vessels recorded a gain of US$3.5million in total. This is much lower than the gain on sale of vessels in the previous year of US$16.1million as there was a windfall profit in FY2024 from the sale of an older PSV. Total other income was US$7.4million for FY2025 compared to US$19million in FY2024.EBITDA for FY2025 increased by 21.8% YOY to US$38.4milllion, reflecting a significant improvement in operations and cash generation ability of the Company.Stripping out gains on vessel sale, the underlying Core Net Profit attributable to shareholders was US$18.0 million, a jump of 19.2%YOY as compared to US$15.1million in FY2024.The performance of the Company has contributed to EPS of Rp75.80 for FY2025 against Rp78.35 in FY2024.Industry OutlookThe heightened geopolitical risks in 2025 saw governments around the world prioritizing energy security over long term climate goals. The speed of adoption of Aritficial Inteligence (AI) in every field also accelerated the expansion of data centers, contributing significantly to the increasing demand for power. By late 2025, the International Energy Agency (IEA) revised up electricity demand growth to 3.7% in 2026, well in excess of average growth of 2.6%p.a. between 2015 to 2023.As a result of these changes, there has been an upward revision in total investment into oil and gas exploration in 2025 compared to 2024, in particular in deepwater drilling. This confirms our positive outlook for strong demand in OSV for the coming few years, particularly in DP equipped OSVs.In early 2026, the attacks on Iran and ensuing retaliation has disrupted oil and gas supplies coming from the Middle East, causing oil prices to spike. Should the Iran war escalate for a longer period, it is likely to trigger even more investment into exploration of new oil and gas reserves as energy nationalism becomes the new normal.Business ProspectsThe Company's investment in additional fleet has improved the fleet composition and raised revenues and margins in the past year. Indonesia alone has 4 deepwater drilling projects which have been identified as strategic projects by the government and slated to start production between 2027 to 2030. There will be longer term contracts awarded for these projects in the coming year as projects start to ramp up towards the second half of 2026.With stronger cash flow expected in 2026, management is looking to expand the dynamic positioning fleet, and cash will be deployed to fleet expansion, whether through direct purchases of vessels or corporate acquisitions. In 2025, total capex was US$41.7million, while in FY2026, the Company is budgeting more than double that amount in anticipation of increased OSV demand. This will be funded by internal cash flow and bank loans.Total contracts on hand as at end December 2025 amount to US$59.1million.About Wintermar Offshore Marine GroupWintermar Offshore Marine Group (WINS.JK), developed over nearly 50 years with a track record of quality that is both a source of pride and responsibility that we are dedicated to upholding, and sails a fleet of more than 48 Offshore Support Vessels ready for long term as well as spot charters. All vessels are operated by experienced Indonesian crew, tracked by satellite systems and monitored in real-time by shore-based Vessel Teams.Wintermar is the first shipping company in Indonesia to be certified with an Integrated Management System by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance, and is currently certified with ISO 9001:2015 (Quality), ISO14001:2015 (Environment) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety). For more information, please visit www.wintermar.com.For further information, please contact:Ms. Pek Swan Layanto, CFAInvestor RelationsPT Wintermar Offshore Marine TbkTel (62-21) 530 5201 Ext 401Email: investor_relations@wintermar.comDISCLAIMERCertain statements made in this publication involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Certain statements relating to business and operations of PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Tbk and Subsidiaries (the Company) are based on management's expectations, estimates and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Certain statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements. The Company makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update or revise any of these statements. This publication is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation or offering of securities in any jurisdiction. The information contained in this publication is not intended to qualify, supplement or amend information disclosed under corporate and securities legislation of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company and should not be relied upon for the purpose of making investment decisions concerning any securities of the Company.Source: PT Wintermar Offshore Marine TbkCopyright 2026 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Freshwater to lead Logile's expansion across the region by helping retailers optimise operations amid labour pressures and execution gaps

Logile, Inc., a global leader in AI-powered Connected Workforce solutions, today announced the appointment of James Freshwater as its new leader in the UK and EMEA. In his role as Vice President-UK, EMEA International, Freshwater will lead Logile's regional strategy to help retailers improve operational efficiency, frontline engagement, and measurable business outcomes.

Freshwater brings deep experience in retail operations, workforce management, and enterprise SaaS. Across leadership roles in fintech, GovTech, and workforce management, including Workplace Systems and WorkForce Software, he has built and scaled go-to-market teams, led enterprise customer programmes, and partnered with retailers globally to improve planning, execution, and measurable operational performance across multiple regions.

His appointment signals Logile's commitment to building a robust foundation and scalable growth strategy across the region, supported by local leadership, in-country resources, and initiatives that strengthen retailer communities.

"Logile sits at the crossroads of retail execution and real results," said Freshwater. "I'm energised and excited by the opportunity to help retailers rethink how they plan and deploy their teams, so every shift, task, and forecast drives performance. The opportunity is clear: turn insight into action, make operations predictable, improve production, reduce waste, and give teams the clarity and confidence to deliver their best every day."

The appointment comes at a time when UK retailers are facing rising wage costs, tighter compliance requirements, and increasing expectations from both customers and frontline teams. Logile's 2025 UK Labour Planning Optimisation Report found that 84% of frontline associates report lost sales due to poor staffing or rota planning, while 59% report being short-staffed at peak times and 68% report being overstaffed during quieter periods.

Logile is gaining traction and growth in the region with notable organisations. AF Blakemore, one of the UK's largest privately owned family businesses operating more than 240 SPAR stores, recently adopted Logile's Labour Planning suite to standardise workforce management and align labour to business metrics. The company also recently collaborated with FrontlineXP, a UK-based consultancy, to translate productivity plans into measurable store-level results, helping retailers connect forecasts, labour models, and execution in real-world operations.

"James brings a rare combination of deep retail expertise, SaaS leadership, and proven execution discipline," said Ross Connally, Logile's Chief Commercial Officer. "His vision and experience will enable Logile to strengthen customer partnerships, accelerate adoption of our platform, and deliver measurable, repeatable results across the region. With his leadership, we are poised to drive greater operational impact, elevate productivity, and help retailers turn insight into action."

About Logile

Logile helps retailers run great stores with confidence. As a global leader in AI-powered Connected Workforce solutions, Logile cuts through operational chaos with one platform and one plan to keep every shift, shelf and store in sync. A retail AI trailblazer founded in 2005, Logile makes demand-driven operations real and repeatable by unifying forecasting, labour scheduling, task execution, inventory, fresh item management and food safety into a single platform. The result: less waste, labour aligned to real demand, stronger execution and consistently better-performing stores. Learn more at Logile.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317051914/en/

Contacts:

Idea Grove on Behalf of Logile

logile@ideagrove.com


International experts call for research, monitoring, and public awareness on micro- and nanoplastic pollution

BRUSSELS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 24, 2026, the European Parliament hosted an international conference titled "Nanoplastics: Hidden Connections and Emerging Risks." Organised under the auspices of MEP Ondrej Knotek in collaboration with the ALLATRA Global Research Center, the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and civil society representatives to address the growing global environmental and health risks posed by micro- and nanoplastics.

Experts highlighted that these microscopic plastic particles are found in air, water, food systems, and human tissues, posing a growing environmental and public health concern. Concentrations in parts of the Mediterranean Sea are reportedly higher than in some areas of the Pacific Ocean associated with plastic accumulation. Dr John Ahn, PhD, MBA (USA), noted: "When these particles enter the bloodstream, they can circulate throughout the body and have been detected in multiple organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, and placenta." Anna Kotlyar, MSc (Israel), added: "Micro- and nanoplastics should be considered as a new physical and chemical factor on a planetary scale."

Health implications were discussed, including cellular damage. Alexander Masny, MSc (Germany), explained that the small size and surface charge of nanoplastics allow them to penetrate cells and affect mitochondrial function. Prof Antonio Ragusa, MD (Italy), presented research demonstrating microplastics in human placental tissue, highlighting risks for prenatal development and the need for further investigation.

Environmental and atmospheric impacts were also addressed. Czech expert RNDr Jan Kara, PhD, emphasised that nanoplastics may influence water cycles, cloud formation, and ocean-atmosphere interactions, and stressed the need for global standardised monitoring to map their distribution.

Conference participants noted the lack of worldwide monitoring standards for particles smaller than 10 microns and the absence of protocols for assessing health impacts. Particular attention was drawn to the behavior of nanoplastics, which-due to their surface charge-interact with surrounding environments, including living tissues. Coordinated international and interdisciplinary cooperation is needed to better understand these interactions and develop effective monitoring and mitigation strategies. Recommendations included strengthening collaboration across medicine, environmental sciences, and geosciences, expanding research funding, and increasing public awareness to support evidence-based policymaking. MEP Ondrej Knotek stressed the need for policies informed by emerging scientific insights. Pastor Mark Burns (USA), Chairman of the Spiritual Diplomats initiative, and Maryna Ovtsynova (USA), President of ALLATRA IPM, highlighted the moral importance of addressing these issues responsibly, calling for international dialogue and greater public engagement on global environmental challenges.

For the full press release and additional details please visit: https://allatra.org/press-release/first-steps-toward-solution-nanoplastics-were-presented-european-parliament

Media contact:

Veronika Lestachova

events@allatraglobal.com

ALLATRA Global Research Center (ALLATRA GRC) is Registered in the EU Transparency Register (REG 1148853102055-15)

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Total Expected Revenues from the Three Projects Increase from C$68 Million to C$85 Million

An Italian subsidiary of Anaergia Inc. ("Anaergia," the "Company," "we," or "our") (TSX: ANRG) (OTCQX: ANRGF), Anaergia S.r.l., signed amendments to three previously announced contracts with an entity owned by QGM S.a.r.l. ("QGM"), relating to the development of three state-of-the-art biomethane production facilities in Ostellato, Copparo, and Derovere, in northern Italy.

As a result of these amendments, the scope of Anaergia S.r.l.'s activities across the three projects has expanded, increasing the Company's total contracted value from approximately C$68 million to approximately C$85 million, representing an increase of C$17 million.

The three QGM projects, previously announced on March 31, 2025, and August 6, 2025, will leverage Anaergia's advanced anaerobic digestion technologies to convert a range of agricultural residues into renewable biomethane. The facilities are expected to contribute meaningfully to Italy's decarbonization objectives by supporting the production and injection of renewable gas into the national pipeline network.

"The expansion of our scope across these three projects demonstrates Anaergia's focus on building long-term, repeat partnerships while delivering scalable biomethane solutions," said Assaf Onn, Chief Executive Officer of Anaergia.

About Anaergia

Anaergia is a pioneering technology company in the RNG sector, with hundreds of patents dedicated to converting organic waste into sustainable solutions such as RNG, fertilizer, and water. It is committed to addressing a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through cost-effective processes. Our proprietary technologies, combined with our engineering expertise and vast experience in facility design, construction, and operation, position Anaergia as a leader in the RNG industry. With a proven track record of delivering hundreds of innovative projects over the past decade, we are well-equipped to tackle today's critical resource recovery challenges through diverse project delivery methods. As one of the few companies worldwide offering an integrated portfolio of end-to-end solutions, we effectively combine solid waste processing, wastewater treatment, organics recovery, high-efficiency anaerobic digestion, and biomethane production. Additionally, we operate RNG facilities owned by us, by third parties, or through joint ventures. This comprehensive approach not only reduces environmental impact but also significantly lowers costs associated with waste and wastewater treatment while mitigating GHG emissions.

For further information please see: www.anaergia.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Anaergia's current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited to, counterparty contractual performance, the capability of the Company's technology and performance with respect to the project objectives. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to counterparty contractual performance, the development, timing and funding of the facilities, the capability of the Company's technology and performance with respect to the project objectives, the expected additional revenue from the expanded scope and the specific projects under the agreement, and the sufficient sourcing of agricultural waste and power generation. The Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and under "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Anaergia does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Anaergia's operations or financial results are included in Anaergia's reports on file with Canadian regulatory authorities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317031547/en/

Contacts:

For media and/or investor relations please contact: IR@Anaergia.com
Despite persistent talent shortages, Dutch SMEs report high confidence, strong digital foundations, and Europe's highest AI investment intentions

Dutch SMEs lead Europe on AI ambition, with 84% planning increased investment over the next three years

81% of Dutch SMEs already operate in cloud environments, giving the Netherlands one of Europe's strongest digital foundations for AI

90% of Dutch SMEs are confident about their company's future, despite economic uncertainty, rising costs, and ongoing talent shortages

Talent remains the biggest challenge for Dutch SMEs, with 41% citing hiring and retention as their top pressure

88% of Dutch SMEs feel ready for upcoming regulatory changes, placing the Netherlands among Europe's most regulation ready SME markets

Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting today released findings of its inaugural Future Ready Business report, revealing that Dutch small and medium sized-enterprises (SMEs) rank among Europe's most digitally mature, regulation ready, and forward focused business. The Netherlands is emerging as an AI acceleration hub, with SMEs reporting high cloud adoption, advanced digital operating models and the strongest AI investment intentions across all surveyed European markets. In fact, 84% plan to increase AI investment over the next three years.

"Dutch SMEs represent one of Europe's most pragmatic and innovation-driven business communities," said Bas Kniphorst, Executive Vice President Managing Director, Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting Europe. "Their ability to combine operational discipline with strong investment in AI and cloud technologies is setting a new pace for Europe. What our research shows is a market that's not only digitally mature, but also highly confident and well-prepared for regulatory change. This combination gives Dutch SMEs a real competitive advantage as they move toward AI-powered, data-driven operations."

The Future Ready Business report draws on insights from more than 1,000 small and medium sized-enterprises (SMEs) across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and Spain.

Digital momentum positions the Netherlands as Europe's AI acceleration hub

Dutch SMEs continue to build on an already advanced digital base. The research shows that 31% operate fully in the cloud, while 50% use hybrid environments, placing the Netherlands among Europe's cloud leaders. Cybersecurity readiness is also strong: 54% of SMEs have strengthened cybersecurity over the past three years, and 38% plan further upgrades within the next 12 months, one of the highest forward-investment rates in Europe.

This digital maturity is paired with the highest planned AI investment among European SMEs: 84% expect to increase investment over the next three years. Widespread use of digital payments, digital document ingestion and workflow automation further underscores the Netherlands' rapid shift toward advanced automation and insight-driven operations.

Confidence and regulatory readiness remain high despite economic and talent pressures

Dutch SMEs continue to demonstrate resilience amid economic headwinds. One third (31%) cite economic conditions or rising costs as a top-three concern, significantly lower than in Sweden (55%) and the UK (56%). Talent acquisition and retention remain the primary challenge, with 41% identifying it as their top pressure point.

Even so, confidence remains exceptionally strong. Nine in ten Dutch SMEs expect a positive business outlook, supported by operational efficiency, a stable competitive environment and mature digital infrastructure. Regulatory preparedness further reinforces this strength. With 88% feeling fully or somewhat ready for upcoming regulatory changes, Dutch businesses are among the most regulation ready in Europe.

A trusted outsourcing ecosystem underpins operational resilience

Outsourcing remains a defining feature of the Dutch SME operating model, with many businesses delegating functions such as payroll, accounting, bookkeeping and legal services. What differentiates the Netherlands is the depth of trust in these relationships: 76% of SMEs report extremely or very high loyalty to their outsourcing providers. These long-standing partnerships provide stability, strengthen compliance confidence and give SMEs access to specialist expertise that supports scaling, innovation and navigation of increasing regulatory complexity.

About the Future Ready Business report

The Future Ready Business report draws on insights from more than 1,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and Spain, examining how businesses are responding to economic volatility, regulatory change, talent constraints, and digital transformation across Europe. All participating organizations had fewer than 250 employees.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information solutions, software and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2025 annual revenues of 6.1 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,100 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX, Euro Stoxx 50, and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317855786/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Alejandra Quintela

External Communications Manager Europe

Tax and Accounting

Wolters Kluwer

Office: +44 7980 908385

alejandra.quintela@wolterskluwer.com

Shannon Wherry

Corporate Affairs Communications Associate Director

Tax and Accounting

Wolters Kluwer

Office/Mobile: 1 (972) 209-2797

Shannon.Wherry@wolterskluwer.com
First release focuses on Fairness, Inclusion & Respect for site workers

Fairness, Inclusion & Respect content funded by the CITB Industry Impact Fund

content funded by the Delivered in partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Barratt, M-Group, Hill Group, Transport for London, Places for London, LLDC, OPDC and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

and The app is available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

LONDON, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Supply Chain Sustainability School ("the School") has launched a brand-new learning app designed specifically for site workers, with Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) as the first topic available and more content areas planned for release in 2026 and beyond.

The app tackles well-known barriers to training access on site - limited time, varied language needs and minimal digital access. Workers can simply log in with a mobile phone number, giving them instant access to practical, no-jargon learning that fits the pace of site life.

The app launches with six Fairness, Inclusion and Respect modules, expanding to thirteen later in the year. These modules focus on developing a better culture for all who work on site by fostering the values of fairness, inclusion and respect. Each module is under five minutes, available in English, Bulgarian, Lithuanian, Polish, Punjabi and Romanian, and includes a short quiz to reinforce key behaviours. Every module features real site workers and real scenarios, developed with direct insight from people working on the tools to ensure relevance and impact.

Dana James-Edwards, Head of Fairness Inclusion and Respect (FIR) at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: "This app has been created through partnership and collaboration across the industry and is more than just a learning platform - it's a catalyst for change. Whether it's understanding difference, learning how to speak up to call out poor behaviour, or strengthening team culture, site workers now have access to simple, on-the-go content that helps build respectful and inclusive workplaces, in the palm of their hands."

Tim Balcon, CEO of CITB, who funded the development of the fairness, inclusion, and respect content within the app, said: "We were delighted to support this project with funding through the CITB Industry Impact Fund. The Fund supports projects that shape the future of construction, boosting skills, innovation and collaboration. It gives employers the power to design and develop training solutions that don't already exist - ensuring they are scalable, sustainable and make a lasting impact."

Heidi Cokayne, Head of People, Rail at Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: "We're proud to help make fairness, inclusion, and respect accessible to everyone. This app provides bite-sized guidance, easy access, and multiple languages, ensuring no one is left behind. Built in collaboration with the industry, it's a tool designed to open doors for all."

This launch marks the first step in an ambitious roadmap to create a comprehensive, on-the-go learning platform for the built environment industry. Additional topics will roll out throughout the year, supporting the sector's drive to improve skills, strengthen culture and increase retention across all levels of the workforce.

With CITB forecasting a need for 266,000 new workers by 2026, improving workplace culture and ensuring accessible learning has become a critical priority. The School's new app aims to ensure culture change reaches the workforce most affected by on-site behaviours.

The project was delivered in partnership with leading organisations across the built environment, including Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Barratt, M-Group, Hill Group, Transport for London, Places for London, LLDC, OPDC and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

MEDIA CONTACT

Sophia Ahrel

Sophia@actionsustainability.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Supply Chain Sustainability School:

www.supplychainschool.co.uk

About CITB:

www.citb.co.uk

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mobile-first-multilingual-learning-app-tackles-training-barriers-on-site-302715187.html
STOCKHOLM, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gesynta Pharma AB today announced that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial (NOVA) of vipoglanstat, a novel non-hormonal, non-opioid drug candidate for endometriosis. This milestone marks an important step toward a new treatment for the approximately 190 million women worldwide living with this painful, often debilitating, chronic inflammatory condition, which is also a major cause of infertility.

The NOVA* trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial of vipoglanstat. NOVA will evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of vipoglanstat compared with placebo and will also provide valuable dosing information for future clinical development.

The trial will enroll approximately 190 women aged 18 to 45 across the UK, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Participants will receive either vipoglanstat or placebo, administered orally, for approximately four menstrual cycles. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of vipoglanstat on endometriosis-related pain during non-menstrual days. Secondary objectives include evaluating the effect of vipoglanstat on period pain (dysmenorrhea), pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), use of opioid rescue medication, and response to a quality-of-life assessment scale. Additionally, endometriotic lesions will be evaluated as an exploratory endpoint using MRI assessments. Top-line results are expected in 2027.

"This is an important step toward expanding therapeutic options for women living with endometriosis. Despite existing treatments, many patients continue to experience persistent pain and impaired daily functioning, underscoring the need for new approaches. I am excited to work with Gesynta to assess whether vipoglanstat can deliver meaningful, lasting improvements for patients," says Christian Becker, Professor of Reproductive Sciences, Co-Director of the Oxford Endometriosis CaRe Centre, and International Coordinating Investigator for the NOVA trial.

Vipoglanstat targets mPGES-1, a key enzyme that produces the proinflammatory mediator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in endometriotic lesions. A preclinical proof-of-concept study using an advanced endometriosis model showed that vipoglanstat significantly reduced pain-related behaviors and endometriotic lesion load. Previous clinical studies confirm its safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamic effects in humans, supporting further development of vipoglanstat for endometriosis.

"Dosing the first patient in the NOVA trial signifies a major milestone in developing vipoglanstat, aiming at providing a game-changer in the treatment of endometriosis. With a solid preclinical basis and positive clinical data on safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, this trial aims to provide robust, controlled data on pain relief and quality of life for women with moderate to severe disease," says Patric Stenberg, CEO of Gesynta Pharma.

About Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful chronic inflammatory disorder in which endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus, mainly in the pelvic cavity, causing inflammation, fibrosis, and the formation of endometriotic lesions and adhesions. It commonly presents with period pain (dysmenorrhea), non-menstrual chronic pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) , gastrointestinal symptoms, and infertility, and is typically managed with analgesics, hormonal therapies, and surgery.

Despite its high prevalence, affecting 10% of women of reproductive age, endometriosis remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated, with few new treatment options available to patients. The often severe pain, diagnostic challenges, and limited treatment options make endometriosis profoundly challenging to live with for many women.

*NOVA: the Non-hormonal Option - a Vipoglanstat Assessment trial

For more information, please contact:

Patric Stenberg, CEO

Tel: + 46 (0)733 83 66 70

E-mail: patric.stenberg@gesynta.se

About Gesynta Pharma

Gesynta Pharma's research on targeting mPGES-1, an essential enzyme in inflammation, began at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The company's lead compound, vipoglanstat, a non-hormonal, non-opioid treatment, is under development for endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting roughly 10% of women of reproductive age. Vipoglanstat significantly reduced pain-related behaviors and endometriotic lesions in an advanced preclinical disease model. The drug candidate is currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept trial (NOVA).

Additionally, the company's second candidate, GS-073, is ready to enter Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain.

Gesynta Pharma's shareholders include Hadean Ventures, Industrifonden, Innovestor Life Science, Linc, HealthCap, XGen Venture, and other internationally renowned specialist investors.

For more information, please visit www.gesynta.se.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/gesynta-pharma/r/first-patient-dosed-in-gesynta-pharma-s-endometriosis-trial-of-vipoglanstat,c4319459

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/24025/4319459/3977666.pdf Press Release March 11, 2026 https://news.cision.com/gesynta-pharma/i/patric-stenberg--ceo--gesynta-pharma,c3518406 Patric Stenberg, CEO, Gesynta Pharma https://news.cision.com/gesynta-pharma/i/nova-trial-logo,c3518411 NOVA Trial Logo https://news.cision.com/gesynta-pharma/i/gesynta-pharma-logo,c3518413 Gesynta Pharma Logo

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/first-patient-dosed-in-gesynta-pharmas-endometriosis-trial-of-vipoglanstat-302711084.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQX: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") announces today the annual grant of stock options (the "Options") to officers, employees, directors, advisors and consultants of the Company. The Options were granted pursuant to the Company's shareholder approved stock option plan and are subject to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and any applicable regulatory hold periods.

Kodiak has granted 2,044,000 Options exercisable at C$0.92 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant with 1/3 vesting immediately and 1/3 every year thereafter. Additional 25,000 Options exercisable at C$0.92 per share were granted to a consultant of the Company for a period of one year which will vest in four equal installments over 12 months.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kodiak Copper Corp.

Claudia Tornquist

President & CEO

About Kodiak Copper Corp.

Kodiak is focused on advancing its copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA, which host known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. Kodiak Copper's most advanced asset is the 100% owned MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Terrane in south-central British Columbia, Canada, an established mining region with producing mines and excellent infrastructure. MPD exhibits all the hallmarks of a large, multi-centered porphyry district with the potential for future economic development. The initial Mineral Resource Estimate published in 2025 outlines seven substantial deposits and underscores the scale and potential of the project. All known deposits remain open to expansion, and numerous targets across the property have yet to be tested. Kodiak continues to systematically explore MPD's district-scale potential with the goal of delivering new discoveries and building further critical mass toward being the region's next mine.

Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada.

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.

Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288728

Source: Kodiak Copper Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces that it has been included in the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index ("MVGDXJ"), the underlying benchmark for the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF ("GDXJ"). Separately, the Company reports the commencement of diamond drilling at Antino North on its Antino Gold Project ("Antino" or "Project") in southeastern Suriname, with a second rig now being mobilized to the area (Figure 1).

Highlights

GDXJ Index Inclusion: Founders Metals added to the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index in the Q1 2026 quarterly review, triggering passive buying from index-tracking ETFs

Founders Metals added to the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index in the Q1 2026 quarterly review, triggering passive buying from index-tracking ETFs Maiden Drilling at Antino North: First diamond drill rig now turning where field work has delineated ten parallel gold-bearing structures across a 4 km area

First diamond drill rig now turning where field work has delineated ten parallel gold-bearing structures across a 4 km area Second Rig Mobilizing: A second diamond drill rig is being mobilized to test the multi-km historical auger gold anomaly in the east of Antino North

A second diamond drill rig is being mobilized to test the multi-km historical auger gold anomaly in the east of Antino North Surface Results: Previously reported channel sampling at Antino North returned 20.0 m of 2.07 g/t Au including 7.0 m of 5.05 g/t Au

Previously reported channel sampling at Antino North returned including Auger Sampling Progress: Founders has collected over 4000 auger samples to date in 2026

Colin Padget, President & CEO, commented, "Our inclusion in the GDXJ index is a meaningful milestone for Founders and reflects the market's growing recognition of what we are building in the Guiana Shield and brings new passive and institutional capital into the stock."

"On the ground, we are equally excited to be now drilling at Antino North. The shear zones we've mapped in the northwest offer numerous compelling first drill targets where this year's surface work has returned high-grade grab and channel results in geology similar to Upper Antino. With the scale of the new Antino North targets, we are also mobilizing a second rig that will initially test the large historical auger anomaly in the east. We see Antino North as having the potential to become a second centre of gravity within our expanding gold camp."

About Founders Metals Inc.

Founders Metals Inc. is a Canadian gold exploration company building a district-scale gold camp in southeastern Suriname. The Company controls a 102,360-hectare contiguous land package in the Guiana Shield - the largest uninterrupted package of highly prospective greenstone belt geology in the region. Founders is backed by strategic partnerships with Gold Fields and B2Gold and is executing one of the most active exploration programs in the global junior gold sector. The Company is committed to responsible exploration, strong community engagement, and disciplined capital allocation as it advances Suriname's next major gold camp.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding long term value creation and the Company's prospects. Forward-looking information can generally be identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and reasonable assumptions but are subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied, including: general business and economic uncertainties; exploration results; mining industry risks; and other factors described in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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.

All material information on Founders Metals can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

Quality Assurance and Control

Samples were analyzed at FILAB Suriname, a Bureau Veritas Certified Laboratory in Paramaribo, Suriname (a commercial certified laboratory under ISO 9001:2015). Samples are crushed to 75% passing 2.35 mm screen, riffle split (700 g) and pulverized to 85% passing 88 m. Samples were analyzed using a 50 g fire assay (50 g aliquot) with an Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. For samples that return assay values over 5.0 grams per tonne (g/t), another cut was taken from the original pulp and fire assayed with a gravimetric finish. Founders Metals inserts blanks and certified reference standards in the sample sequence for quality control. External QA-QC checks are performed at ALS Global Laboratories (Geochemistry Division) in Lima, Peru (an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited facility). A secure chain of custody is maintained in transporting and storing of all samples. Drill intervals with visible gold are assayed using metallic screening. Rock chip samples from outcrop/bedrock are selective by nature and may not be representative of the mineralization hosted on the project.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Figure 1: Antino plan map showing progress of 2026 auger geochemical survey

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7574/288812_b62e33bd746b88f9_001full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288812

Source: Founders Metals Inc.
Deployment of 4th Generation Explosive Detection Systems Marks a New Era in Baggage Screening Efficiency and Security at One of the World's Busiest Airports

Analogic Corporation has been awarded a significant contract to supply and install its newest, 4th generation Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) at Heathrow Airport (LHR), marking a pivotal step in enhancing airport security and operational efficiency.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317601163/en/

Analogic's SeleCT Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) Explosive Detection Systems (EDS)

Following a competitive procurement process initiated by Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) Analogic was selected for the award, setting the stage for a series of strategic projects aimed at modernizing baggage screening at LHR Terminals.

Under this agreement, Analogic will supply and install SeleCT Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) for integration with existing Baggage Handling Systems. Additionally, Analogic will deploy its Blue network, connecting equipment across terminals and provide workstations for Security Operators, Supervisors, Maintainers, and Training personnel.

"We are thrilled to have Analogic as a key member of our Project Team," said Paul Evans, Security Technology Manager at Heathrow. "Their innovative technology platform and commitment to continuous development activities, safeguarding against future security detection standards, will play a crucial role in executing a successful EDS replacement project, ensuring we will provide our customers with the highest levels of safety and security when travelling from Heathrow, long into the future."

Tom Ripp, CEO of Analogic Corporation, commented, "We are honored to be selected by Heathrow Airport Limited for this significant project, which underscores our commitment to providing world-class security solutions. This partnership is a testament to our innovative technology and our team's dedication to excellence. We look forward to working closely with Heathrow to enhance the security and efficiency of their baggage screening processes, ensuring a secure and seamless experience for travelers. Our SeleCT system is designed to meet the highest standards, and we are excited to contribute to the future of airport security at one of the world's busiest airports."

About Analogic Corporation

Analogic Corporation, headquartered in Salem, NH, is a global leader in design, development, manufacturing, and support of technically advanced and cost-effective imaging detection and power technology solutions for aviation security, healthcare, and other high-end industrial markets. For more information, please visit www.analogic.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317601163/en/

Contacts:

Media:

LeeAnn Levesque

llevesque@analogic.com
Oxford Nanopore Technologies, the company delivering a new generation of molecular sensing technology based on nanopores, and A.D.A.M. Innovations (Japanese corporate name Genesis Healthcare Co.), one of Japan's leading genetic testing companies, today announce an international collaboration to develop and deploy advanced genomic sequencing and medicine applications based on comprehensive, nanopore sequencing in Japan.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317385532/en/

From left to right: Dr. Iri Sato Baran, Genesis Healthcare (A.D.A.M Innovations), Vice Chair of the Board Ambassador Julia Longbottom, British Embassy Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Michel Mommejat, Genesis Healthcare (A.D.A.M Innovations), CEO and Executive Director Gretchen Weightman, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Senior Vice President Commercial and General Manager APAC, Dr. Toshiharu Furukawa, LDP, Chair of Medical Information Policy and Genomic Medicine, House of Councillors, Hirokazu Shimoda, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Senior Director

In its initial phase, the collaboration has the potential to establish Oxford Nanopore's information-rich, real-time sequencing technology across A.D.A.M. Innovations' advanced genetic testing portfolio enabling rapid and precise genomic testing across multiple disease areas. The goal of the collaboration is to introduce new clinical workflows under Japan-specific validation standards to support scalable sequencing of DNA fragments of any length for various conditions and diseases. Sequencing that captures complete genomic information will expand testing accuracy beyond what can be achieved through existing technologies.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today at the British Embassy in Tokyo, in an event supported by His Majesty's Ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Julia Longbottom said: "Oxford Nanopore Technologies and A.D.A.M. Innovations are showing how UK and Japanese expertise can come together to deliver real impact for patients. It is a real and practical application of the bilateral genomic collaboration envisaged by the UK and Japanese Governments under the 2024 UK-Japan Health Memorandum of Cooperation."

Gretchen Weightman, VP Commercial and General Manager APAC at Oxford Nanopore Technologies, commented: "By joining forces with A.D.A.M. Innovations, we are helping to bring rapid, information-rich, and scalable sequencing directly into clinical pathways across a range of disease areas. This initiative not only strengthens scientific ties between the UK and Japan; it also opens the door to future multilateral efforts to accelerate the impact of genomics for patients across Japan.

"We are pleased to begin this collaboration with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, whose innovative sequencing platform opens new possibilities for clinical genomics in Japan," said Michel Mommejat, President of A.D.A.M. Innovations. "By enabling nanopore sequencing, we aim to enhance diagnostic capability and advance Japan's genomic precision medicine

Advancing genomic medicine and UK-Japan science collaboration

This collaboration brings together complementary strengths from the UK and Japan to expand genomic capabilities in Japan and support the country's focus on earlier and more precise diagnosis. It aligns with the UK-Japan Health Memorandum of Cooperation and reflects a broader increase in bilateral life sciences collaboration supported by the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). By connecting innovation ecosystems in the UK and Japan, the initiative strengthens industrial cooperation and accelerates translational research for real-world patient benefit.

About Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Oxford Nanopore Technologies' vision is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The Company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology that is currently used for information-rich, rapid, accessible and affordable DNA and RNA analysis. The platform is also being developed for the analysis of proteins and metabolites. The technology is being used in more than 125 countries to understand the biology of humans, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses and environments, as well as a range of diseases including cancer. Oxford Nanopore Technologies' products are intended for molecular biology applications and are not intended for diagnostic purposes.

For more information, visit: www.nanoporetech.com

About A.D.A.M. Innovations Co.

Founded in 2004 in Tokyo, A.D.A.M. Innovations Co. (Japanese corporate name: Genesis Healthcare Co.) is a pioneer in genomics, AI, and precision health solutions. The company develops cutting-edge technologies spanning consumer genetics, clinical diagnostics, and AI-driven R&D data platforms. To date, A.D.A.M. Innovations has conducted more than 2.9 million genetic tests and maintains the largest R&D genomic database of the Japanese population.

For additional information, visit www.adam-innovations.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317385532/en/

Contacts:

Corporate media contact:

Email: media@nanoporetech.com

Corporate media contact:

Email: press@adam-innnovations.com
Calgary Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc. (CSE: QBTQ) (OTCQB: QBTQF) (FSE: 25X) ("SuperQ Quantum", "SuperQ", or the "Company"), a global architect of hybrid quantum-classical optimization and post-quantum cybersecurity, is pleased to announce the successful execution of its strategic mission to India and globally, representing a significant acceleration of the Company's global infrastructure roadmap.

Following high-level participation at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, the Company is moving to institutionalize its presence in the region through a dual-track strategy of sovereign infrastructure deployment and elite ecosystem orchestration.

Bilateral Momentum and the Global Development Centre

During the India mission, SuperQ leadership conducted pivotal briefings focused on the industrialization of quantum technologies:

Governmental Alignment: Meetings with the Honorable Minister for IT/BT, Priyank Kharge , focused on aligning SuperQ's architecture with Karnataka's mission to establish a $20 billion quantum economy .

Strategic Alliances: Dialogues with global hyperscalers, Big4 consulting firms and system integrators (SIs) centered on hybrid cloud-quantum integration, ensuring that SuperQ's optimization algorithms are architected for enterprise-grade and sovereign deployment.

Global Development Centre (GDC): SuperQ is finalizing plans for an Indian GDC to serve as the primary hub for worldwide platform orchestration and talent development.

"The Canadian-Indian digital corridor is a foundational infrastructure for the sovereign quantum economy," stated Krishna Ganesh, COO and Board Director of SuperQ. "Through our work with the IEEE and our expansion into India, we are securing the nexus of global talent and Canadian innovation, ensuring that data residency remains the bedrock of industrial transformation."

Manoj Joseph, CBO and Board Director of SuperQ, added: "Our presence at the India AI Impact Summit has solidified SuperQ's role as the essential software layer connecting Canada's deep-tech leadership with India's digital infrastructure. By engaging with hyperscalers and the Big 4, we are weaving Sovereign Quantum Utility into the strategic fabric of our global partners."

Strategic Ecosystem Engagement: IEEE and the Global Stage

To catalyze the industrial adoption of these technologies, SuperQ is proud to highlight its ongoing collaboration with the IEEE Computer Society as a corporate partner alongside global titans such as Apple and AWS. On March 10th, 2026, SuperQ led the IEEE Webinar: "SuperQ and the Quantum Super Hub Network: Applying Hybrid Quantum Computing in Practice"

Presented by Renae Barlow, SuperQ's VP of Global Ecosystems, this initiative focused on the practical application of the Super platform, demonstrating how decentralized hubs allow industries to bridge the "computational gap" while maintaining total data sovereignty. The webinar was attended by a large engaged audience of industry leaders, researchers and computer science professionals.

"Quantum Frontier 2026" Executive Event

Furthering its leadership in the Indo-Pacific corridor, SuperQ is pleased to announce speaking at "Quantum Frontier 2026: Demystifying the Global Landscape." This high-level executive workshop will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the ASPIRE IITB Research Park Foundation.

CBO and Board Director Manoj Joseph will speak alongside global pioneers-including Andre Konig (CEO, Global Quantum Intelligence) and Dr. Satyam Priyadarshy-to decode the technological inflection point for national competitiveness and industrial leadership. This event will further establish SuperQ's quantum leadership and expand commercialization avenues in Asia.

Solving the Sovereignty Gap: The 2026 Roadmap

As the global economy enters the "Quantum Utility" era, organizations face a dual imperative: the need for massive computational power and the escalating "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" (HNDL) threat to data residency. SuperQ's Sovereign Hybrid Infrastructure addresses this by ensuring mission-critical optimization and AI workflows remain within strict jurisdictional control.

Under its 2026 roadmap, the Company is scaling decentralized "Super Hub" nodes-extending a model successfully proven in Canada-to ensure proprietary datasets never leave a client's private or regional environment. This is complemented by the SuperPQC suite, delivering NIST-approved quantum immunization for global digital assets.

About SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc.

SuperQ Quantum Computing Inc. (CSE: QBTQ) (FSE: 25X) (OTCQB: QBTQF) is reducing the technical and financial barriers to quantum and supercomputing commercialization. It is defining the next era of enterprise transformation, emerging as a partner for global organizations seeking direct quantum and supercomputing ROI. We are also putting quantum computing in the palm of consumers' hands through ChatQLM to drive widespread adoption.

Our flagship Super platform strives to make the most advanced computational power intuitive and accessible. This will empower executives, leading research institutions, and critical government agencies to unlock immediate business impact across finance, healthcare, logistics, defense, and beyond, leveraging our proprietary AI Autopilots to turn complex challenges into executive-ready results with one-click productization and deployment. SuperQ Quantum is headquartered in Canada with a growing international presence, particularly in the US, Middle East and Asia, strategically establishing Super Hubs in key regions.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "would", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking information concerning statements with respect to the closing of the Offering, timing of closing of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the future plans of the Company. The Company cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions, expectations and risks, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to assumptions regarding prevailing market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties to develop the forward-looking information in this press release, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. 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.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288811

Source: SuperQ Quantum
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Antimony Resources Corp. (CSE: ATMY) (OTCQB: ATMYF) (FSE: K8J0) (the "Company" or "Antimony Resources" or "ATMY") is pleased to announce it is taking significant steps towards the determination of a Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Bald Hill Antimony Deposit in New Brunswick, Canada.

The first step is to complete a 10,000-meter program of definition drilling on the Main Zone. The aim is to have detailed drill density sufficient to estimate the mineral resource. The goal is approximately 50 meters spacing between drill intersections in the mineralized zone. It is thought that this will be sufficiently detailed to give Consulting Resource Geologists confidence in the continuity of the mineralization for the MRE.

There are three drills working onsite at present to complete this task and approximately 5,000 meters of drilling have been completed. The remaining definition drilling program is expected to be completed by the end of April. Final assays of mineralized samples from the definition drilling are expected to be received 3 to 4 weeks after the end of the drilling.

The proposed drilling is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Detailed Drill Layout for Definition Drilling.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8411/288800_9c6616d8342009ca_002full.jpg

The second step is to hire knowledgeable and qualified consultants. ATMY has contracted SRK Consultants of Toronto to assist and advise on this process and to complete the MRE. SRK has Qualified Persons with experience in Mineral Resource Estimation for similar antimony deposits, having recently completed a resource calculation and audit on the former producing Beaverbrook Deposit in Newfoundland, a similar antimony deposit. SRK Consultants work with Mining & Exploration, Government & Financial Institutions, provide engineering and construction and develop innovative, practical solutions through the full mining lifecycle. They are impartial and independent of ATMY.

The third and concomitant step is to develop a 3-D model of mineralization. This will be an on-going effort with each new intersection of mineralization added to the database so the model can be updated regularly. The purpose of the model will be to assist in the determination of the MRE and to aid in the development of drill targets during the definition drilling. The 3-D model is being developed using the model initiated previously by Orix. Using the model the ATMY geology staff can better focus the drilling in areas where data is needed. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the mineralized zone from the model shown below:

Figure 2: Long Section Model of Mineralization as of March 13, 2026.

Note: Definition Drilling will be concentrated in the area outlined in the Main Zone

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8411/288800_9c6616d8342009ca_003full.jpg

Mr. Jim Atkinson, P. GEO., CEO of Antimony Resources commented: "We are very pleased to be able to contract with SRK for the development of a Mineral Resource. Their advice and expertise will be invaluable as we proceed toward this significant step in the development of the Bald Hill Antimony Deposit. We are excited as well to complete the remaining meters of drilling for the Definition Phase of the program. Our Field crews and on-site staff have been successful in identifying new area of antimony-bearing stibnite. Our 2026 exploration program will further explore these areas."

About Bald Hill Antimony Project

Highlights

Bald Hill is a well-known, high-grade antimony deposit in southern New Brunswick, Canada.

This is a Property with District-Scale Potential. Antimony Resources is not just exploring a single deposit.

Drilling has outlined an antimony deposit in the Main Zone over 700 meters long and to a depth of at least 350 meters

Widths of mineralization average 3 to 4 meters and grades average 3% to 4% antimony.

The Bald Hill property now covers more than 2,000 hectares, following the addition of new claims surrounding the original project. At least three additional occurrences of stibnite have been identified outside the Main Zone.

NI-43-101 Technical Report: The estimated potential quantity and grade of the drilled area from the 2025 Technical Report, which is the target of our exploration, as reported in the Technical Report is approximately 2.7 million tonnes with a grade between 3% and 4% antimony 1 . For more details on the Potential of the project as described by the author of the Technical Report please consult the NI43-101 which has been filed on SEDAR. Antimony Resources Corp. has not completed enough work to confirm this estimate. The potential quantity and grade are conceptual in nature as there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

The estimated potential quantity and grade of the drilled area from the 2025 Technical Report, which is the target of our exploration, as reported in the Technical Report is approximately 2.7 million tonnes with a grade between 3% and 4% antimony Potential to expand based on recently discovered targets and additional claims added to the property to the west, south and east.

(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT: BALD HILL ANTIMONY PROJECT SOUTHERN NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA NTS 21G/09 Prepared for Antimony Resources March 2, 2026. Prepared By John Langton, M.Sc., P. GEO., - JPL GeoServices, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

The technical contents of this news release were reviewed and approved by Jim Atkinson, MSc., P. Geo., President and CEO of Antimony Resources Corp. who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Antimony Resources Corp. (CSE: ATMY) (OTCQB: ATMYF) (FSE: K8J0)

Antimony Resources Corp. is an exploration and development company focused exclusively on Antimony. The Company's management team possesses extensive experience in financing, exploration, development and mining. The Company is focused on becoming a significant North American producer of antimony.

www.antimonyresources.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288800

Source: Antimony Resources Corp.
West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the "Company" or "Surge") is pleased to announce that former Berkshire Hathaway Energy executive, Mr. Richard Weech, has joined the Board of the Company as an Independent Director.

Mr. Weech is an executive professional with a thirty-five-year record of leading and contributing to high-achieving organizations delivering superior results in a variety of diverse leadership, financial, and operating roles in public and private businesses. He has extensive experience in leading and building businesses, developing people, raising capital, strategic planning, business development, joint venture structuring and risk management. Before his retirement in 2022, Mr. Weech spent 2014 through July 2022 responsible for leading the Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries, BHE Investments and BHE Renewables, through significant asset and financial growth that included developing and evaluating lithium extraction opportunities. Mr. Weech holds the CA, CPA, CFA professional designations and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Alberta.

Mr. Weech commented: "I am excited to join the Surge Board of Directors and contribute to the successful development of a world class lithium critical mineral opportunity."

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Weech to the Company's Board of Directors, the Company has received the resignation of Mr. Ted O'Connor. The Company wishes to thank Mr. O'Connor for his contribution as a director and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

The company is also granting a total of 5,000,000 stock options, exercisable for a period of five years, at an exercise price of $0.60 cents a share to certain directors, officers, and consultants.

Qualified Person

Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, Geological Advisor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Surge Battery Metals Inc.

Surge Battery Metals Inc., a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The project focuses on development of high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering battery electric storage and electric vehicles. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and a listing on the OTCQX Market in the USA, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration.

About Evolution Mining Limited

Evolution Mining is a leading, globally relevant gold miner. Evolution operates six mines, comprising five wholly-owned mines - Cowal in New South Wales, Ernest Henry and Mt Rawdon in Queensland, Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada, and an 80% share in Northparkes in New South Wales.

About Nevada North Lithium LLC

Nevada North Lithium LLC owns the Nevada North Lithium Project southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County. The first three rounds of drilling at the project identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 meters and a known width of greater than 1,500 meters. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent. The Nevada North Lithium Project has a pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 11.24 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 3010 ppm Li at a 1,250-ppm cutoff. The recently completed PEA for the project reported an after-tax NPV8% US $9.17 Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US $5,243/t LCE.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Greg Reimer"

Greg Reimer,

Director, President & CEO

Keep up-to-date with Surge Battery Metals:

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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 document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for lithium related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in the United States or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations, and intentions with respect to development of its business and of its Nevada properties may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions (including US government subsidies or incentives) on its ability to secure further financing or funding of its Nevada properties. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon several assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental (including endangered species, habitat preservation and water related risks) and social risks, contingencies, and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288797

Source: Surge Battery Metals Inc.
The world's #1 dermocosmetics brand will care about skin under stress in the most iconic sailing race.

LEVALLOIS-PERRET, France, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- La Roche-Posay today announces becoming Title Partner of the French Challenger team (K-Challenge) for the 38th America's Cup, competing under "La Roche-Posay Racing Team".

The America's Cup unites both elite athletes and young sailing talents, all competing for the oldest sport trophy. La Roche-Posay Racing Team will compete in the America's Cup, the Youth America's Cup and the Women's America's Cup with an AC75 and an AC40, two boats which design will be unveiled later.

With this partnership, La Roche-Posay continues the long-standing commitment from L'Oreal Groupe, who first supported an America's Cup crew in 1995.

EXPERTISE IN THE EXTREME: WHEN SAILING BECOMES A SCIENTIFIC PROOF

With the combined impact of UV rays, salt, wind and thermal shocks, the America's Cup serves as a true living laboratory. By exposing sailors to the most demanding weather conditions, the brand will demonstrate its expertise knows no limits, both in sun protection and skin repair.

"I am delighted that La Roche-Posay is participating in the America's Cup, a legendary sailing race. We share with the French team values of innovation, collective performance, and the quest for excellence," says Alexandra Reni-Catherine, International General Manager La Roche-Posay. "It's very simple: if La Roche-Posay can protect and repair athletes' skin in extreme conditions, it can protect all skins, everywhere."

A PERFORMANCE SKIN PROTOCOL FOR ATHLETES

Through "La Roche-Posay Racing Team," the brand will implement unprecedented skincare and sun protection protocols, tested in real-life conditions. This research program will further push technological innovation, ensuring proven efficacy even in the most extreme situations.

"We are proud to welcome La Roche-Posay, an iconic brand which embodies unique dermatological expertise. Their scientific rigor and pursuit of performance is an obsession we share," says Stephan Kandler, CEO of La Roche-Posay Racing Team. "At sea, the skin of athletes, engineers and technicians is constantly under stress. Having a dedicated program to improve comfort and skin health is a major innovation and will allow us to focus 100% on the competition."

Ahead of the America's Cup final, happening on July 10, 2027, in Naples (Italy), the six Challenger teams will compete in preliminary regattas, the first of which is taking place in Cagliari from May 21 to 24.

ABOUT LA ROCHE POSAY :

In 2025, La Roche-Posay celebrates 50 years of life-changing dermatological skincare solutions. Created by a pharmacist in 1975, the brand is now present in over 60 countries and is recommended by over 100,000 dermatologists worldwide. It provides a unique range of daily skincare developed for every skin type, from newborns to cancer patients, from UV protection to repairing severely fragilized skin.

For additional information about La Roche-Posay, visit www.laroche-posay.com and follow La Roche-Posay on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube and Facebook.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2933463/LA_ROCHE_POSAY_Boat.jpg

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/la-roche-posay-joins-the-38th-americas-cup-as-title-partner-of-the-french-challenger-team-302714970.html
Global business payments company combines traditional currency and stablecoin accounts, settlement, and on/off ramp capabilities in a single hybrid finance platform

Live today, businesses can now open stablecoin accounts, convert between fiat and stablecoins, and settle cross-border payments

Acquires Genpaid-a multichain payments company for stablecoins-accelerating Sokin's rollout of stablecoin capabilities

NEW YORK and LONDON, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sokin, the global business payments and finance platform, today announced the launch of its stablecoin capabilities, transforming its offering into an all-in-one finance platform that unifies traditional currency treasury operations with stablecoin accounts and settlement rails.

Sokin's stablecoin capabilities are designed so finance teams never have to think about the underlying technology. The complexity of managing stablecoins has been stripped away; there are no private keys, no contract addresses or native blockchain fees to worry about. A company's stablecoin wallet sits alongside its traditional currency accounts in the same dashboard, with the same approvals, compliance, reporting, and reconciliation tools.

The launch represents the first of a phased rollout through 2026. From today, select Sokin clients can open accounts, send and receive, and convert between traditional currencies and stablecoins. Subsequent phases will add stablecoin swap, embedded payment acceptance for merchants, stablecoin yield and expanded API infrastructure for third-party platforms.

"When you're running a global business, what matters is that your payment arrives fast and costs less, not which rail it travels on. We're building the infrastructure to make that choice invisible. Send in pounds, receive in pesos, and the optimal route happens automatically. Stablecoins will be a major upgrade for global commerce and our leading, end-to-end embedded payments platform," Vroon Modgill, CEO and Founder of Sokin

Sokin has simultaneously acquired blockchain native company Genpaid, a multichain non-custodial crypto payments and finance platform for stablecoins with advanced capabilities. These include AI-compatible and agentic payments on protocols from Coinbase and Google. As part of the acquisition, Genpaid founder Ross Kolodyazhnyi has been appointed to lead Sokin's stablecoin solution.

"The combination of Genpaid's multichain stablecoin payment infrastructure with Sokin's regulated payment infrastructure is a truly exceptional proposition for businesses. Unlike some others in this space who rely on third-party infrastructure, Sokin owns its full stablecoin technology stack with this acquisition. I'm delighted to join Sokin, a company with unbelievable growth potential and ambition," said Ross Kolodyazhnyi, Senior VP AI and Crypto Payments at Sokin.

Sokin's stablecoin capabilities to include:

Global stablecoin payments: Send and receive stablecoins globally, 24/7, with no settlement delays or intermediary banks.

Send and receive stablecoins globally, 24/7, with no settlement delays or intermediary banks. On/off ramp across 170+ countries: Convert between traditional currencies and stablecoins through Sokin's established banking partnerships, connecting stablecoin rails to local payment systems worldwide.

Convert between traditional currencies and stablecoins through Sokin's established banking partnerships, connecting stablecoin rails to local payment systems worldwide. Major stablecoin and network support: Compatible with key stablecoins including USDC, USDT, USDS (Sky dollar), PYUSD, and EURC, across Tron and Ethereum-based blockchain networks, which handle the majority of global stablecoin volume.

Compatible with key stablecoins including USDC, USDT, USDS (Sky dollar), PYUSD, and EURC, across Tron and Ethereum-based blockchain networks, which handle the majority of global stablecoin volume. Invisible bridge rail settlement: Businesses send and receive in their local currencies. Sokin can route cross-border payments through stablecoin rails, offering it as an alternative settlement method for the fastest, lowest-cost path.

Businesses send and receive in their local currencies. Sokin can route cross-border payments through stablecoin rails, offering it as an alternative settlement method for the fastest, lowest-cost path. Infrastructure for fintechs and stablecoin platforms: On/off ramp capabilities and embedded payment APIs allow third-party platforms to offer stablecoin-powered payments and treasury services without building their own compliance and banking infrastructure.

On/off ramp capabilities and embedded payment APIs allow third-party platforms to offer stablecoin-powered payments and treasury services without building their own compliance and banking infrastructure. Ecommerce payment acceptance: Capability to directly accept stablecoin payments from customers via Sokin Checkout, simplifying the merchant experience and increasing conversion.

Capability to directly accept stablecoin payments from customers via Sokin Checkout, simplifying the merchant experience and increasing conversion. Generate returns on stablecoin balances: Capability to generate yield across stablecoin holdings directly within the platform.

Businesses interested in accessing Sokin's capabilities can register for early access at sokin.com/stablecoin-program

About Sokin

Sokin was founded in 2019 with a simple vision to remove borders, barriers and burdens associated with international payments. Today it enables global businesses to send and exchange more than 70 currencies and hold balances in 26 currencies with its multi-currency IBAN and local currency accounts - all through one comprehensive platform that streamlines cross-border accounts payable, receivable, and treasury operations. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company has offices in the United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Mexico, Norway and India. For more information, visit www.sokin.com.

Media Contact

James Hannaford, Chief Growth Officer - james.hannaford@sokin.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2926473/5868189/SOKIN.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sokin-launches-stablecoin-capabilities-to-provide-hybrid-finance-platform-unifying-digital-assets-and-fiat-302715923.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / Gold Basin Resources Corporation ("Gold Basin" or the "Company") (TSX.V:GXX) is pleased to report that the Company held its annual general meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") on March 16, 2026.

A total of 73,721,447 of Gold Basin's common shares were voted at the AGM, representing 54.56% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gold Basin. All votes cast at the meeting were 100% in support of all director candidates.

At the AGM, Shane Ebert, Mark Ernst, Jim Paterson, John Robins, and Jordan Ross have been elected to the board of directors of Gold Basin. Shareholders also approved fixing the number of directors at five, and the appointment of Manning Elliott LLP as auditors of the Company.

The directors of Gold Basin have appointed Shane Ebert as President and Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Pierre Jutras as Vice President, Chantelle Collins as Chief Financial Officer, and Barbara O'Neill as Corporate Secretary. Jim Paterson, John Robins, and Mark Ernst have been named to the audit committee of the board of directors. Jordan Ross has been appointed lead independent director.

Today's AGM marks the first time in over 21 months that Gold Basin shareholders have had a say in the direction of their company, and the first time since the cease trade order was imposed on Gold Basin over 10 months ago, that Gold Basin has made any progress towards regulatory compliance. The new board is composed of highly experienced industry professionals who will work diligently to address the current state of the Company and create value for all stakeholders.

About Gold Basin Resources Corporation

Gold Basin Resources Corporation holds the 42 km2 Gold Basin Project in Mohave County Arizona. The project hosts large mineralized trends containing near surface oxide gold mineralization and has seen over 800 historic and current drill holes into mineralized deposits up to 1.7 kilometres in length.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Shane Ebert"

Shane Ebert, Chief Executive Officer/Director

For Further Information Contact:

Shane Ebert at 1.250.964.2699

info@goldbasinresources.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including words such as "will" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents Gold Basin Resources Corporation's internal projections, expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things: addressing the current state of the Company; value creation for all stakeholders of Gold Basin; and future operating results and various components thereof or the economic performance of Gold Basin. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Gold Basin's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things those risks described in Gold Basin's and CANEX's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. Accordingly, holders of Gold Basin's common shares and potential investors are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted. Gold Basin disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

SOURCE: Gold Basin Resources Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/gold-basin-resources-announces-results-of-annual-general-meeting-1148440
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to announce an expansion of its fully-funded 2026 drill program at the Bethania Silver Project in central Peru designed to unlock value by focusing on delineating mineralized silver vein systems which have been historically underexplored. The program, expected to total approximately 20,000 metres combined underground and surface diamond drilling, would represent the largest drill program ever at the Bethania project.

The surface drill program is planned for approximately 10,000 metres and will focus on priority targets associated with historical artisanal mining areas identified during the Company's recent regional exploration work, located outside the immediate Bethania mine area (Figure 1 below). These targets represent potential additions to the district-scale mineralized system and may also have potential for future production. Over the coming months Kuya Silver plans to conduct additional work to prioritize targets for the 2026 drill program which may include any of the six previously identified regional silver vein systems (e.g. Carmelitas, Tito PH, Millococha)

The Company also plans to expand on its previously announced underground drilling program to approximately 10,000 metres in 2026 (from 5,000 metres announced previously). Drilling will be conducted from established mine levels and is designed to test extensions of known mineralized structures that remain open along strike and at depth. This approach allows the Company to expand resources adjacent to current mine infrastructure while testing high-priority targets at relatively low cost and improving the geological continuity of the known vein system.

The combined surface and underground programs are expected to improve the geological understanding of the mineralized systems and support the Company's ongoing efforts to grow resources within the broader Bethania district. Initial results from the underground drilling campaign are expected in Q2 2026 and additional drill results from underground and initial surface drilling results are expected over the second half of 2026.

"Following encouraging surface exploration results across the Bethania property, we are excited to begin the next phase of drilling," stated Osbaldo Zamora, VP Exploration of Kuya Silver. "By combining surface drilling with underground drilling from existing workings, we are able to efficiently test both district-scale targets and near-mine extensions that could meaningfully expand the project's resource base."

David Stein, Kuya Silver's President and CEO also remarked, "The Company is excited to embark on a much larger drill campaign covering multiple targets across the Bethania district. Given our significant cash position in excess of USD $25 million and expected cash flow from the Bethania mine, this more aggressive exploration strategy should be fully funded from internal sources and can be maintained and expanded over the coming years as we grow our silver mining operations."

Figure 1: Bethania historical surface exploration results up to February 2026 showing all sample locations.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_001full.jpg

Regional (Bethania District) Target Summary

Surface drilling is expected to commence in the coming months following final permitting and logistical preparations. Over the past five plus years, Kuya Silver has consolidated in excess of 4,500 ha surrounding the Bethania mine. Various surface prospecting campaigns over the past several years has identified six different silver vein systems characterized by historical evidence of artisanal mining and outcropping veins with silver-polymetallic mineralization which have been mapped and sampled by Kuya Silver's geologists. These additional vein systems can be subdivided into three areas located south (Tito PH), west (Carmelitas) and southwest (Millococha) of the Bethania silver mine.

Tito PH

Tito PH is a priority exploration target consisting of one main vein and at least seven additional subparallel veins (Figure 2 below). The main vein has been mapped over approximately 600 metres of strike and may extend up to 1,500 metres, although a 700 metres gap in surface exposure remains to be tested by drilling.

Minor artisanal workings, including two shallow adits and an open stope, occur along the vein cluster. A total of 55 grab samples collected by Kuya Silver geologists returned an arithmetic average grade of 285.7 g/t AgEq* and a maximum value of 2,114.7 g/t AgEq*. The interpreted strike length and high-grade surface samples suggest the system could be comparable in scale to the veins currently mined at Bethania.

Figure 2. Detailed map showing interpreted veins, grab sample locations, and assays at the Tito PH prospect.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_002full.jpg

Millococha Oeste

Millococha Oeste is one of the most prospective targets identified within the Bethania land package due to the presence of more than 10 mapped veins with consistently high grades. A total of 40 grab samples collected by Kuya Silver geologists returned an arithmetic average grade of 690.4 g/t AgEq* and a maximum value of 2,652.7 g/t AgEq* (Figure 3 below).

Artisanal workings on Kuya Silver's claims represent the most significant historic activity outside the Santa Elena concession, but remain relatively shallow and poorly explored, highlighting the potential for additional mineralization at depth.

Figure 3. Detailed map showing interpreted veins, grab sample locations, and assays at the Millococha prospect.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_003full.jpg

Carmelitas

The Carmelitas prospect includes three vein clusters within an area of approximately 800 metres, comprising the main Carmelitas artisanal mine as well as the Carmelitas Norte and Carmelitas Este showings (Figure 4 below). A total of 125 grab samples collected by Kuya Silver returned grades up to 1,771.5 g/t Ag and an arithmetic average of 145.2 g/t AgEq*.

Although vein density is lower than at other targets, the prospect remains attractive due to the presence of high-grade mineralization and potential structural connections between the three vein clusters.

*Silver Equivalency (AgEq) was calculated using silver ($85.74 USD/troy oz), gold ($5,177.70 USD/troy oz), copper ($12,815.48 USD/tonne), lead ($1,892.0 USD/tonne) and zinc ($3,286.76 USD/tonne) values, obtained on March 3, 2026 from Kitco, and do not consider metal recovery.

Figure 4. Detailed map showing interpreted veins, grab sample locations, and assays at the Carmelitas prospect.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/288804_334c5f1d74e5d8bf_004full.jpg

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

A total of 940 grab samples (plus QA/QC) were collected in different exploration campaigns from 2021 to 2026. Only 192 samples collected from 2024 to 2026 count with proper QA/QC assessment. The coordinates of the locations of each sample were measured by handheld GPS and the samples dispatched to the ALS Peru S.A. laboratory in Lima for geochemical analysis. The analyses were carried out using the following methods:

ME-OG61a - Multi-acid digestion with ICP-AES detection for 33 elements

- Multi-acid digestion with ICP-AES detection for 33 elements Au-AA23 - Fire assay for gold

- Fire assay for gold Ag-OG62 - Four-acid digestion with ICP-AES detection for overlimit silver

All QA/QC standards were acceptable and within two standard deviations of certified values.

As these samples include a mix of early-stage grab, chip, and channel samples and do not include details on vein width, they are not fully representative of total vein mineralization.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Osbaldo Zamora, PhD., P.Geo., Vice President Exploration with Kuya Silver Corp. and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada.

Reader Advisory

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favorable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/288804

Source: Kuya Silver Corporation
All figures in Canadian dollars ($) unless otherwise specified

Toronto, Ontario and Rionegro, Colombia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - PharmaCielo Ltd. (TSXV: PCLO) (OTC Pink: PCLOF) ("PharmaCielo" or the "Company"), the Canadian parent of Colombia's premier cultivator and producer of dried flower and medicinal-grade cannabis extracts, PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings S.A.S., today announced that, as approved by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), it is issuing 12,153,937 common shares of PharmaCielo ("Interest Shares"), at an effective price of $0.08 per Interest Share, in satisfaction of an aggregate of $972,317.12 of semi-annual interest payable to holders of the Company's 11% secured debentures (the "Debentures") (the "Shares for Debt Transaction").

The effective price of the Interest Shares was determined by dividing the cash interest otherwise payable by the number of shares issuable under each Debenture, in accordance with the terms of the Debentures and TSXV Policy 4.3, section 3.3. The Interest Shares are subject to the balance, if any, of the 4-month statutory hold period.

The issuance of Interest Shares to L5 Capital Inc., Marc Lustig, William Petron and Ian Atacan constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the transaction does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Annual General and Special Meeting

The Company's next Annual General Meeting ("AGM") will be held on April 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time at 82 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1P1. Shareholders will be asked to elect directors, appoint auditors, and consider other customary business. Shareholders may also participate in the meeting online or by dialing in at the below dial-in number approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Date and Time: Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) On-line Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/96949238343 Dial-in Numbers: +1 689 278 1000"96949238343# +1 719 359 4580"96949238343# from Canada or the US Meeting ID: 969 4923 8343 Passcode: 527692#

About PharmaCielo

PharmaCielo Ltd. (TSXV: PCLO) (OTC Pink: PCLOF) is a global company, headquartered in Canada, with a focus on ethical and sustainable cultivating, processing and supply of all natural, pharmaceutical-grade medicinal and commercial dried cannabis flower and cannabis products to large channel distributors. PharmaCielo's principal (and wholly owned) subsidiary is PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings S.A.S., headquartered at its cultivation and processing center located in Rionegro, Colombia.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be completed or achieved.

Forward-looking statements can be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including changes to PharmaCielo's development plans, the failure to obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory approvals relating to the export of cannabinoid products and the import of these products into other countries, TSX Venture Exchange approval, the inability to export or distribute commercial products through sales channels as anticipated due to economic or operational circumstances, risks associated with operating in Colombia, fluctuation of the market price for the Company's products, risks associated with global economic and political instability or other developments, risks related to retention of key Company personnel, currency exchange risk, competition in PharmaCielo's market and other risks discussed or referred to under the heading "Risk Factors" in PharmaCielo's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2019, which is available at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, PharmaCielo undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288764

Source: PharmaCielo Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Atomic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: ATOM) (OTCQB: ATMMF) (FSE: DO8) ("Atomic Minerals" or the "Company") announces plans to undertake a radon cup survey at is 1,516.5 acre (614 hectare) South Lisbon Valley East property ("SLVE") located with the Colorado Plateau uranium district, approximately 35 kilometres NE of Monticello, Utah. The survey will take place shortly, as soon as weather permits and the Radon Survey specialist is available.

The Company will run a series of equally spaced NE trending lines across the property and the full width of the suspected arcuate belt of uranium mineralization hosted in the Moss Back member of the of the Triassic Chinle Formation. The objective of the survey is to detect radon gas emanating from the Chinle formation through faults to surface to assist in refining drilling targets prior to the planned late H1 early H2 drill program.

Figure 1. South Lisbon Valley East Property

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10252/288757_5553452ee4116a7f_002full.jpg

"We are utilizing as many tools in the geological toolbox as we can to derisk our upcoming Lisbon Valley East drill program," commented Atomic Minerals' CEO Clive Massey. "We strongly believe significant uranium mineralization lies within the target belt, analogous to the previously producing uranium belt on the SW side of the Lisbon Valley Fault where 78 million lbs. was previously produced," he concluded.

Figure 2. Lisbon Valley Historic Production

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10252/288757_5553452ee4116a7f_003full.jpg

Colorado Plateau and Lisbon Valley Uranium

The roughly 130,000 square mile (336,700 square kilometre) Colorado Plateau, hosts the largest uranium province in the USA and one of the largest in the world, having previously produced 597 million pounds to date. Most of the Colorado Plateau uranium deposits are hosted in the Triassic Chinle and Jurassic Morrison Formations that formed in mostly arid environments. These deposits are exposed today along cliffs and drainages that transect the Plateau and have been mined for vanadium since 1909 and for uranium since 1946. The two main areas of uranium production were Morrison Formation Grants Mineral Belt in New Mexico and the Chinle Formation Lisbon Valley in Utah.1

The Chinle Formation deposits are located in arcuate belts associated with a series of NW-SE trending anticlines developed as a result of salt movement in the underlying strata within the Paradox Basin. Paleo rivers flowed along each side of these anticlines with uranium mineralization found within these paleo-channels along the lengths of the anticlines. Lisbon Valley is the type location for Chinle deposits.

Lisbon Valley produced approximately 78 million pounds of U3O8 between 1952 and 1982 from an arcuate belt some 16 miles long by 1 mile wide with approximately 1/3 of the belt eroded away post mineral. Individual ore bodies ranged from a few hundred pounds to 20,000,000 pounds of U3O8, hosted in the basal Moss Back member of the Triassic Chinle formation along the southwest flank of the Lisbon Valley anticline. A northwest trending, post-mineral normal fault, the Lisbon Valley Fault abruptly cut-off and displaced the uranium mineralization associated with the northeast flank, speculatively dropping it + 2500 feet on the northeast side of the fault.2

The Rio Algom mine produced 13 million pounds at an average grade of 0.25% U3O8 at a depth 2550 feet on the downfaulted side of the fault, supporting the presence of an arcuate belt on the northeast side of the fault2. Oil and gas drilling, largely between 2006 and 2014, on the northeast down-faulted side of the Lisbon Valley anticline located anomalous to extremely anomalous gamma ray readings in the suspected Moss Back Member in 28 of 51 hole drilled throughout a northwest trending belt 20 kilometres in length by + 750 metres in width, outlining the suspected eastern arcuate belt.

Within Atomic's SLVE property nine widely-spaced historic oil and gas wells appear to define the southern end of this 20km by + 750m belt as 'off-scale' radioactivity was recorded within the favorable Chinle Formation host rock over widths of 1.8 to 4.5 m (6 to 15 feet) from depths of 760 to 880 m (2,495 to 2,890 feet).3

Sources of Information:

Hall, S.M., Van Gosen, B.S. and Zielinski, R.A. (2023). Sandstone-Hosted Uranium Deposits of the Colorado Plateau, USA. Ore Geology Reviews Volume 155. 39p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105353 Chenoweth, W.L. (1990). Lisbon Valley, Utah's Premier Uranium Area, a Summary of Exploration and Ore Production. Utah Geological Survey Open File Report 188, July 1990. Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Drill Hole Database API#'s 4303716221, 4303720318, 4303731848, 4303731850, 4303731859, 4303731860, 4303731883, 4303731891, and 4303750041

The data disclosed in this news release relates to historical drilling. Atomic has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. Atomic considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company will use this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling.

R. Tim Henneberry, PGeo (BC) and an advisor to Atomic, and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content of the news release.

About Atomic Minerals Corporation

Atomic Minerals Corporation is a publicly listed exploration company on the TSXV, trading under the symbol ATOM, led by a highly skilled management and technical team with a proven track record in the junior mining sector. Atomic's objective is to identify exploration opportunities in regions that have been previously overlooked but are geologically similar to those with previous uranium discoveries. These underexplored areas hold immense potential and are in stable geopolitical and economic environments.

Currently, the Company's property portfolio contains Uranium projects with significant technical merit in three locations known for hosting Uranium production in the past. We have four on the Colorado Plateau, within the continental United States. The plateau has previously produced 597 million pounds of U3O8. The other two recently acquired properties are located in the prolific Athabasca region in Saskatchewan, Canada and the Mount Laurier property located in Quebec, Canada.

For additional information about the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.atomicminerals.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Clive Massey"

Clive H. Massey

President & CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their 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 news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. 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 may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288757

Source: Atomic Minerals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Standard Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: STND) (OTCQB: STTDF) (FSE: 9SU0) ("Standard Uranium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that drilling activities have commenced at the Company's Rocas Uranium Project ("Rocas", or the "Project") located 75 kilometers southwest of the Key Lake Mine and Mill facilities along Highway 914 (Figure 1). Field crews have arrived at the Project and drilling has commenced on schedule.

Highlights:

Drilling Underway: Drilling activities began on March 16 th , 2026. Drill holes have been designed to target shallow high-grade * basement-hosted uranium mineralization across multiple high-priority target areas. The program is anticipated to span approximately five (5) weeks.

Robust & Shallow Drill Targets: The Phase I program will comprise approximately 1,200 to 1,500 metres of diamond drilling across six (6) to eight (8) drill holes. Targets are located at shallow depths less than 200 metres below surface.

Untested Structural Corridors: For the first time in the Project's history, the Company will drill test the 7.5-kilometre electromagnetic (" EM ") corridor on Rocas. This structural trend hosts historical surface mineralization with grab samples returning up to 0.50% U 3 O 8 and recent high-grade  rare earth element (" REE ") results up to 9.83% TREO* and up to 0.41% U 3 O 8 from 2025 prospecting. 1,2

Untapped Uranium Potential: One diamond drill will focus on high-priority target areas along prospective VTEM corridors overlain by high-resolution ground gravity data with the proven exploration thesis of focusing on major conductor trends associated with cross-cutting faults and surficial radioactivity expressions.

"Our team and partners at Collective are excited to launch the first-ever drilling campaign at the Rocas Project," said Sean Hillacre, President & VP Exploration. "We are applying a discovery-driven approach to an untested, project-wide corridor that is evidenced to be fertile with uranium and rare earth elements. By integrating surface mineralization with high-confidence geophysical data, we've established robust targets to test for shallow, structurally-hosted mineralization."





Figure 1. Regional map of the Rocas Project. The Project is located 75 kilometres southwest of the Key Lake Mine and Mill facilities along Highway 914.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/288710_standarduraniumfig1.jpg

2026 Drill Program

The Project is currently under a three-year earn-in option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT) ("Collective"). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Collective has been granted an option (the "Option") to earn a 75% interest in the Project by funding CAD$4.5M in exploration expenditures over three years. The drill program will be funded by Collective and operated by Standard Uranium.

The Standard Uranium team arrived on site March 16th and diamond drilling on the first hole in history at Rocas is currently underway. The winter/spring program will comprise approximately 1,200 to 1,500 metres of drilling at high-priority target areas following completion of a ground gravity survey and multifaceted geophysical modeling last year. Rocas covers an area of 4,002 hectares across 3 mineral claims, located along highway 914 south of the Key Lake Mine and Mill facilities in the southeastern Athabasca Basin region.

The Company believes the Project is highly prospective for the discovery of shallow, high-grade* basement-hosted uranium mineralization. Positioned proximal to the margin of the Athabasca Basin, Rocas boasts shallow drill targets with bedrock under minimal glacial till cover. Historical mineralized outcrop grab samples along approximately 900 metres of strike length, returned values ranging from 587 ppm U (SN85073) up to 0.498 wt.% U3O8 (SN23901) and have never been drill tested.1

Target Selection for 2026 Drill Campaign

Targets were selected and prioritized through an iterative approach working in collaboration with Convolutions Geoscience Corporation. Prospecting and mapping across the Project in fall 2025 outlined multiple outcrops of favourable uranium and REE host-rocks, including radioactive metasediments, pegmatites, and structured orthogneiss. Structural measurements, assay results, and radioactivity mapping has further refined drill targets in the 2026 target areas.

Targets are ranked and prioritized based on geophysical signature, geological/structural setting, proximity to surficial uranium occurrences of interest, historical lakebed geochemistry, and the Company's recent prospecting and mapping campaign.





Figure 2. Summary map showing EM conductor trends on the Rocas project and highlighting anomalous uranium and REE occurrences across the Project.2

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/288710_standarduraniumfig2.jpg

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Sean Hillacre, P.Geo., President and VP Exploration of the Company and a "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Samples collected for analysis were sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for preparation, processing, and ICP-MS or ICP-OES multi-element analysis using total and partial digestion and boron by fusion. Radioactive samples were tested using the ICP-MS2 uranium multi-element exploration package plus boron. Samples chosen for REE analysis were tested using the REE2 package by ICP-MS. All samples marked as radioactive upon arrival to the lab were also analyzed using the U3O8 assay (reported in wt.%). SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats were inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals in accordance with Standard Uranium's quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocols. All samples passed internal QA/QC protocols and the results presented in this release are deemed complete, reliable, and repeatable.

REE oxide conversion factors3 were verified using the following formulas:

Convert REE (Rare Earth Element) ppm to REO (Rare Earth Oxide): REO % = (ppm / Atomic Weight of REE) * (Molecular Weight of REO / 10,000).

Element-to-oxide conversion factor: Molecular weight of the oxide / atomic weight of the element. For oxides with more than one metal cation, account for the number of cations in the formula.

Historical data disclosed in this news release relating to sampling results from previous operators are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a qualified person has yet verified this data and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on such data. The Company's future exploration work may include verification of the data. The Company considers historical results to be relevant as an exploration guide and to assess the mineralization as well as economic potential of exploration projects. Any historical grab samples disclosed are selected samples and may not represent true underlying mineralization.

Natural gamma radiation from rocks reported in this news release was measured in counts per second ("cps") using a handheld RS-125 super-spectrometer and RS-120 super-scintillometer. Readers are cautioned that scintillometer readings are not uniformly or directly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured and should be treated only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals. The RS-125 and RS-120 units supplied by Radiation Solutions Inc. ("RSI") have been calibrated on specially designed Test Pads by RSI. Standard Uranium maintains an internal QA/QC procedure for calibration and calculation of drift in radioactivity readings through three test pads containing known concentrations of radioactive minerals. Internal test pad radioactivity readings are known and regularly compared to readings measured by the handheld scintillometers for QA/QC purposes.

References

1 SMDI# 5781: https://mineraldeposits.saskatchewan.ca/Home/Viewdetails/5781 & Mineral Assessment Report MAW00726: Millenmin Ventures Inc. and Inner Mongolia Minerals (Canada) Ltd., 2013.

2 Standard Uranium Confirms Anomalous Uranium and High-Grade Rare Earth Element Mineralization up to 9.83% TREO* at Surface on the Rocas Project. https://standarduranium.ca/news-releases/standard-uranium-confirms-anomalous-uranium-high-grade-ree/.

3 https://www.jcu.edu.au/advanced-analytical-centre/resources/element-to-stoichiometric-oxide-conversion-factors.

*The Company considers uranium mineralization with concentrations greater than 1.0 wt.% U3O8 to be "high-grade."

**The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 65,535 counts per second (cps) on a handheld RS-125 Super-Spectrometer to be "off-scale."

The Company considers REE mineralization with concentrations greater that 1.0 wt.% TREO* to be "high-grade."

About Standard Uranium (TSXV: STND)

We find the fuel to power a clean energy future

Standard Uranium is a uranium exploration company and emerging project generator poised for discovery in one of the world's premier uranium districts. The Company holds interest in over 240,670 acres (97,395 hectares) in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since its establishment, Standard Uranium has focused on the identification, acquisition, and exploration of Athabasca-style uranium targets with a view to discovery and future development.

Standard Uranium's Davidson River Project, in the southwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, comprises ten mineral claims over 30,737 hectares. Davidson River is highly prospective for basement-hosted uranium deposits due to its location along trend from recent high-grade uranium discoveries. However, owing to the large project size with multiple targets, it remains broadly under-tested by drilling. Recent intersections of wide, structurally deformed and strongly altered shear zones provide significant confidence in the exploration model and future success is expected.

Standard Uranium's eastern Athabasca projects comprise over 53,166 hectares of prospective land holdings. The eastern basin projects are highly prospective for unconformity related and/or basement hosted uranium deposits based on historical uranium occurrences, recently identified geophysical anomalies, and location along trend from several high-grade uranium discoveries.

Standard Uranium's Sun Dog project, in the northwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is comprised of nine mineral claims over 19,603 hectares. The Sun Dog project is highly prospective for basement and unconformity hosted uranium deposits yet remains largely untested by sufficient drilling despite its location proximal to uranium discoveries in the area.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "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 and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations; timing of the Company's exploration programs; and estimates of market conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. 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. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025.

Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the future price of uranium; anticipated costs and the Company's ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Company's securities; future sales of the Company's securities; the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Company's mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be 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-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288710

Source: Standard Uranium Ltd.
European Service Network S.A., Brussels - EU-organised tests conducted on 18 fridges found that all but one complied with regulations for energy efficiency, noise and capacity. The testing campaign was organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW)

BRUSSELS, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ESN (European Service Network S.A.) creates the communication materials and manages the communication campaign for JACOP 2024. ESN is part of a consortium led by EY, which was awarded a framework contract by EISMEA and DG GROW (reference: EISMEA/2021/OP/0016).

Eighteen household fridges from 14 different brands were tested for compliance with EU ecodesign and energy labelling regulations. National market surveillance authorities purchased them in Croatia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania. Six were bought in stores and 12 online. The models included both manual and self-defrosting appliances. They were selected based on market research.

Robust testing

Testing was conducted at an accredited laboratory in Denmark that specialises in ecodesign.

Seventeen models met EU requirements for energy efficiency, noise emissions and chilled volume. Three models failed initial testing. After further checks, two of those models passed. For the third, no pass or fail could be determined.

The declared energy efficiency class is often 'on the edge' of two values. So while a fridge might be declared an E, it is measured to be an F, but the energy consumption is still within the 10 % tolerance limit.

Check labels and product information

National market surveillance authorities, who selected the samples and oversaw the testing, advised consumers to familiarise themselves with the product labels before buying a fridge, as they contain more information than just energy class, and to read user manuals. Installing the fridge as indicated will help to optimise performance. Spending more on an appliance with a better energy rating can bring long-term savings.

Recommendations for manufacturers included ensuring that energy labels on fridges are visible and accurate and that all other product information is readily available. Importers who put their name on a fridge assume the responsibilities of the manufacturer.

Economic operators are encouraged to work with market surveillance authorities to ensure compliance with EU regulations.

Vanessa Capurso, Policy Officer at DG GROW, said: 'Market surveillance campaigns like this are crucial to protect consumers and also businesses in the Single Market from unfair competition by those who do not comply with the rules. The outcome of these tests confirms that regular market surveillance campaigns are effective in enforcing EU requirements.'

JACOP 2024

The testing was done during the Joint Actions on Compliance of Products (JACOP) 2024 across the EU and EFTA countries. The aim of the project is to ensure a safe Single Market by strengthening cooperation between market surveillance authorities. They jointly test products, determine their risks and harmonise ways of working. A total of 16 product categories were tested.

For more information, please contact: JACOP 2024 jacop2024@esn.eu
U.S. Bank announced today that veteran securities executive Alan Flanagan has joined the bank as head of Global Investment Services, a division comprising Global Fund Services and Global Corporate Trust.

In this role, Flanagan will lead a global team that combines industry-leading expertise with superior client service to offer customized product solutions for alternative investments, mutual funds, exchange-traded products, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), structured finance, and corporate, escrow and municipal trust services. Flanagan will be a member of the senior leadership team for U.S. Bank's Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking business line and will be based in New York.

Flanagan spent nearly two decades at BNY, where he held senior leadership roles across asset servicing, fund services and alternative investments, leading global businesses and driving sustainable growth. Most recently, he served as global head of client coverage for BNY's asset servicing division, overseeing relationship management for the firm. Prior to BNY, Alan held roles at UBS, CIBC and KPMG, giving him broad experience across business development, operations and financial services.

"Alan is widely regarded as a collaborative leader with a forward-thinking mindset and a strong commitment to client outcomes and I'm excited to welcome him to the bank," said Stephen Philipson, vice chair, U.S. Bank Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking. "He brings a wealth of expertise in leading high-performing teams, which will enable us to continue building on the tremendous success of our Investment Services businesses."

Flanagan is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ireland and holds a chartered director in corporate governance and corporate strategy from the Institute of Directors, UK.

About U.S. Bancorp

Headquartered in Minneapolis, U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. Our three major business lines serve 15 million clients throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, and our team of nearly 70,000 people invest our hearts and minds to power human potential every day. Ranked 105th on the Fortune 500, we are deeply respected for our culture and long-term stewardship and admired for our diversified business mix and product capabilities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317103267/en/

Contacts:

Kimberly Mikrot, U.S. Bank Public Affairs and Communications

kimberly.mikrot@usbank.com
New findings highlight correlations between EEG and clinical outcome measures in Alzheimer's disease

Cognito Therapeutics, a late clinical-stage neurotechnology company pioneering non-invasive therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced new research from its investigational Spectris therapy at the AD/PD 2026 International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, held March 17-21 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317276762/en/

Cognito Spectris-AD investigational device. Image credit: Cognito Therapeutics

The presentations explore how gamma sensory stimulation delivered through the Spectris system may influence brain network activity and electroencephalography (EEG) biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease.

One oral presentation reported a detailed analysis of EEG, MRI and clinical outcomes from the company's OVERTURE feasibility study in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. The analysis evaluated longitudinal Spectris-induced changes in brain network activity and their relationship to measures of cognition, daily function, and structural brain preservation.

Participants in the OVERTURE study exhibited well-established EEG abnormalities in spectral power distribution characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, and baseline EEG metrics were comparable between active and sham groups. Over the 24-week treatment period, patients treated with Spectris demonstrated attenuation of shifts in EEG power spectra from higher to lower frequencies, commonly referred to as EEG slowing, compared with sham-treated participants.

Importantly, reductions in EEG slowing in the active treatment group correlated with reduced decline in the total ADCS-ADL score and reduced MRI brain volume loss, suggesting that neurophysiological changes measured by EEG may indicate clinically relevant treatment outcomes.

"These findings provide additional evidence that gamma sensory stimulation has the potential to modulate brain network activity in ways that may be clinically meaningful for patients with neurodegenerative disease," said Christian Howell, Chief Executive Officer, Cognito Therapeutics. "By linking changes in electrophysiological biomarkers with functional and structural outcomes, this research helps deepen our understanding of how Spectris may influence the underlying biology of Alzheimer's disease."

Additional poster presentations explore the effects of gamma sensory stimulation on cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs), demonstrating that Spectris stimulation can enhance neural responses associated with working memory and cognitive processing in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The research builds on results from the OVERTURE randomized, sham-controlled clinical study evaluating Spectris in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. EEG biomarkers from that study are also being incorporated into the company's ongoing HOPE pivotal trial, where EEG will be evaluated as a potential quantitative biomarker to provide supportive mechanistic evidence for the trial's primary composite endpoint assessing daily function and cognition.

Presentation Details:

Oral Presentation

Correlations Between Changes in EEG Signals and Clinical Outcomes After Spectris Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease

Presenter: Mihaly Hajos, Ph.D.

Session: Biomarkers of Synaptic Loss, Tau Progression, and Early Network Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

Date and Time: March 17, 2026 15:15-15:30

Poster Presentations

Sensory-Evoked Gamma Oscillation Enhances Cognitive Event Related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Poster Session: March 17, 2026 7:30 AM (Shift 1)

A Clinical Feasibility Trial of Spectris Treatment in Parkinson's Disease-Associated Cognitive Impairment

Poster Session: March 19, 2026 1:50 PM (Shift 2)

Spectris is an investigational, non-invasive neurostimulation therapy designed to evoke gamma-frequency brain oscillations through synchronized visual and auditory stimulation. Gamma oscillations play a key role in neuronal communication and are disrupted in Alzheimer's disease.

About Cognito Therapeutics

Cognito Therapeutics is a late clinical-stage neurotechnology company pioneering neuroprotective therapies to address the unmet needs of patients living with CNS disorders. Its lead product, Spectris, is an at-home therapeutic platform that uses non-invasive, sensory-driven neurostimulation to evoke coordinated neural activity across interconnected networks. The company's feasibility studies have shown the potential for Spectris to preserve cognition, daily function, and slow brain atrophy in patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate AD. Cognito is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information, visit www.cognitotx.com and follow @cognitotx.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317276762/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Kimberly Ha

KKH Advisors

917-291-5744

Kimberly.ha@kkhadvisors.com
Strategic collaboration combines advanced AI infrastructure with edge intelligence to enable field-deployable edge AI appliances bringing intelligence anywhere

Modular edge AI infrastructure joint solutions scale from compact edge pods to megawatt-scale containerized accelerated compute systems

ZEDEDA Edge Intelligence Appliances deliver software-defined resilience, reducing hardware redundancy costs while maintaining availability

ZEDEDA, the leader in edge intelligence, and Submer, the market-leading end-to-end AI infrastructure company, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver rapid manufacturable modular, liquid-cooled edge AI infrastructure for high-density GPU inference in locations where traditional data centers are unavailable or impractical.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317345292/en/

The joint solution combines Submer's full-stack AI infrastructure platform spanning design, liquid-cooled compute infrastructure, and deployment that supports ultra-high-density racks exceeding 100kW with ZEDEDA's edge intelligence software platform, enabling customers to create, secure and operate edge AI anywhere in the world, and at any scale.

As AI workloads increasingly move from centralized cloud infrastructure to industrial and operational environments, organizations require high-density compute infrastructure that can be rapidly deployed outside traditional data center facilities. Enterprises, service providers, and nations can now deploy fully integrated and validated high-density GPU inference infrastructure anywhere intelligence is needed on factory floors, at energy sites, across telco aggregation points, and in sovereign environments without the constraints, cost, or lead times of traditional AI data centers.

"As intelligence moves from the cloud into the physical world, the ability to run AI anywhere in a remote factory, an offshore platform, or telecommunications networks is a fundamental requirement. The world's most critical operations generate enormous volumes of data far from any data center, and until now, the infrastructure to act on that data intelligently simply couldn't follow. Our collaboration with Submer makes that possible now," said Said Ouissal, CEO and founder of ZEDEDA. "ZEDEDA's Edge Intelligence Platform ensures high-performance AI workloads at the edge are managed, secure, and scalable, and Submer's liquid cooling technology enables the high-density compute those workloads demand, even in the harshest global environments. Together, we are unlocking AI for the industries that need it most."

The companies plan to offer three modular form factors initially:

Pods: Compact edge deployments supporting up to 8 GPUs or edge AI inference cards per server for on-premise industrial and 5G telecom sites.

Packs: Ruggedized micro-data center configurations supporting up to 168 GPUs for energy, mining, ports and manufacturing environments.

Containers: Megawatt-scale, liquid-cooled solutions supporting up to 800 GPUs in 10-, 20-, or 40-foot configurations for sovereign AI and GPU-as-a-service operators as well as locations where cloud or network access are impractical.

The modular form factors are designed to support a range of AI workloads at the edge, including real-time computer vision, predictive maintenance, industrial automation and emerging agentic AI applications that require local inference and decision-making.

Submer will provide modular containerized infrastructure with immersion and direct-to-chip cooling designed for high-density GPU deployments. ZEDEDA's Edge Intelligence Platform will provide complete edge AI lifecycle orchestration, to enable creating, securing, and operating edge AI at scale. The solutions will offer a selection of pre-selected validated hardware and GPU partners, along with the option for customers to bring their own hardware systems.

A core architectural principle of the joint solution is software-defined resilience. Instead of relying solely on hardware redundancy, ZEDEDA's infrastructure orchestration layer detects node failures and redistributes workloads at the cluster level to maintain service targets. This approach simplifies the system architecture, improves GPU utilization and lowers the total cost of ownership. Submer's liquid cooling technology significantly reduces cooling energy requirements compared to traditional air-cooled infrastructure while also eliminating water consumption and supporting more sustainable AI infrastructure deployments. This allows for deployment anywhere in the world, regardless of the environment.

"AI is rapidly moving from centralized cloud environments into real-world operations, from industrial sites to telecom networks and remote energy infrastructure," said Patrick Smets, CEO of Submer. "Delivering that intelligence requires purpose-built AI infrastructure that operates efficiently in environments where traditional data centers simply cannot exist. By combining Submer's liquid-cooled high-density AI infrastructure with ZEDEDA's edge intelligence platform, we're enabling organizations to deploy scalable, resilient AI infrastructure anywhere it is needed."

The companies are engaging initial industrial and telecommunications customers and expect pilot deployments later this year.

About ZEDEDA

ZEDEDA unlocks the value of AI where it matters most, enabling enterprises to create, secure and operate edge AI at scale. ZEDEDA's Edge Intelligence products and solutions are used by global distributed enterprises to rapidly realize intelligence where real-time data drives business outcomes. Trusted by the world's largest organizations, ZEDEDA is backed by world-class investors, with teams in the United States, Germany, India, and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, visit www.ZEDEDA.ai.

About Submer

Submer is the market-leading end-to-end AI infrastructure company. Headquartered in Barcelona, Submer designs, builds and manages modular datacenter infrastructure purpose-built for the most demanding AI workloads. Founded in 2015, the company's decade of liquid cooling leadership underpins a cooling platform that delivers a certified sub-1.03 PUE, zero direct water consumption and up to 40% lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional air-cooled facilities. From initial consultation and design, through manufacture and build, to IT installation and cloud services, Submer delivers the complete AI infrastructure stack. Visit our website at www.submer.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can organizations deploy high-performance AI computing in locations without data center infrastructure?

By using modular, containerized GPU systems that integrate advanced liquid cooling with centralized orchestration. ZEDEDA Intelligence Appliances combine Submer's liquid-cooled infrastructure with ZEDEDA's platform to enable secure provisioning, workload management, and fleet-wide operations across distributed sites.

What is the most cost-effective way to ensure uptime for edge AI deployments?

Traditional high-availability architectures depend heavily on hardware redundancy, which increases cost in distributed environments. ZEDEDA's software-defined resilience shifts availability management to the orchestration layer, automatically detecting node failures and redistributing workloads to maintain service levels while reducing excess infrastructure.

How do liquid-cooled modular solutions compare to traditional air-cooled deployments?

Air-cooled systems face density and efficiency constraints when supporting GPU-intensive workloads, particularly in extreme or power-limited environments. Submer's immersion and direct-to-chip cooling enable higher GPU density and improved power efficiency. Unlike traditional air cooling, Submer's liquid cooling technologies lower energy use and eliminate water consumption for more sustainable AI deployments. Combined with ZEDEDA's workload optimization, the solution reduces energy overhead and stranded compute capacity relative to conventional edge infrastructure.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317345292/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Treble

Sarah Vandiver

zededa@treblepr.com



Submer Group

Emilia Coverdale

emilia.coverdale@submer.com
APIA, Samoa, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Phemex, a user-first crypto exchange, announces the commencement of the "Pisces" season of its flagship Phemex Astral Trading League, reinforcing its commitment to strategy-driven execution with a massive $450,000 prize pool. This celestial-themed tournament positions Phemex as the premier global arena for traders who prioritize technical precision and disciplined strategy over market speculation.

The Astral Trading League represents a strategic evolution in professional competition, moving beyond simple volume metrics to honor the multifaceted nature of market mastery. Throughout the Pisces season, which runs from March 16 to April 12, the league evaluates participants through a sophisticated framework that balances capital efficiency with execution consistency. This dual-track structure allows both tactical retail traders and institutional-grade participants to demonstrate their edge within a unified, high-performance ecosystem.

By integrating celestial symbolism with institutional-grade infrastructure, Phemex encourages a "Strategy-First" mental model, where the fluidity and depth of the Pisces season mirror the complexities of the 2026 global markets. The tournament offers a dynamic reward environment where consistent performance across daily, weekly, and monthly cycles is met with significant incentives, further empowered by a gamified layer of discovery that rewards active engagement and platform loyalty.

This initiative is a testament to Phemex's broader commitment to building a transparent, AI-native financial infrastructure. In an era of increasing market volatility, the Astral Trading League serves as a professional benchmark, providing the tools and the stage for the world's elite traders to transform their disciplined strategies into tangible success.

About Phemex

Founded in 2019, Phemex is a user-first crypto exchange trusted by over 10 million traders worldwide. The platform offers spot and derivatives trading, copy trading, and wealth management products designed to prioritize user experience, transparency, and innovation. With a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to user empowerment, Phemex delivers reliable tools, inclusive access, and evolving opportunities for traders at every level to grow and succeed.

For more information, please visit: https://phemex.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935840/Phemex_Astral_Trading_League_Launches__450_000_Pisces_Season.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2819516/Phemex_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/phemex-astral-trading-league-launches-450-000-pisces-season-302715977.html
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (NYSE American: QNC) (TSXV: QNC) (FSE: 34Q0) ("QeM" or the "Company"), a leader in quantum-secure cybersecurity solutions, is pleased to announce that it is receiving advisory services and funding of up to $600,000 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to support a research and development project focused on quantum-secure semiconductor technology in collaboration with JMEM Tek.

The non-dilutive funding supports a strategic cross-border, collaborative R&D initiative conducted in partnership with JMEM Tek, a Taiwan-based semiconductor technology company specializing in secure chip design. The joint R&D project represents over $2.5 million in combined development investment, focused on advancing next-generation quantum-secure hardware architectures and strengthening cross-border innovation in trusted semiconductor technologies.

This project strengthens innovation links between the Canadian and Taiwanese technology firms, while accelerating the development of next-generation trusted semiconductor technologies.

Building a Quantum-Secure Hardware Root of Trust

The funded project focuses on the development of a next-generation secure System-on-Chip (SoC) platform designed to embed a hardware Root of Trust directly at the silicon level.

The architecture will integrate:

QeM's proprietary quantum-grade entropy generation

Hardware-based cryptographic acceleration

A silicon-level Root of Trust

Advanced Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) technology for device-unique identity

technology for device-unique identity Secure key generation, storage, and lifecycle management

The integration of PUF technology enables each chip to possess a mathematically unique and unclonable identity derived from intrinsic physical characteristics of the silicon itself. When combined with quantum-grade entropy, this creates a robust foundation for secure boot, authentication, firmware integrity validation, and cryptographic key protection.

This secure-by-design approach is intended to protect critical systems from hardware tampering, cloning, firmware injection, and advanced cyberattacks - including future quantum-enabled threats.

NRC IRAP support will assist QeM in advancing its research and development activities in quantum-secure semiconductor technology.

"This NRC IRAP support is a significant milestone," said Francis Bellido, CEO of Quantum eMotion. "By combining quantum entropy, PUF-based device identity, and hardware Root-of-Trust architecture, we are laying the silicon foundation for next-generation trusted computing. Our collaboration with JMEM reinforces the leadership of Canadian and Taiwanese innovators in secure semiconductor innovation at a time when digital sovereignty and hardware security are becoming mission-critical."

Securing AI, Cloud, and Critical Infrastructure

The secure SoC platform is being designed for deployment across:

AI data centres and high-performance computing

Cloud infrastructure and edge systems

Financial and digital asset platforms

Defense and government systems

Healthcare and digital health networks

Energy and critical infrastructure environments

By embedding a quantum-secure Root of Trust and PUF identity at the chip level, the architecture aims to provide scalable trust anchoring for next-generation digital ecosystems.

Strengthening Trusted Semiconductor Supply Chains

In the context of growing global focus on semiconductor resilience and hardware-level cyber threats, this collaboration between Canadian and Taiwanese companies contributes to:

Trusted supply-chain development

Secure chip manufacturing collaboration

Resilient international technology partnerships

Post-quantum-ready hardware infrastructure

The Company anticipates achieving key development milestones over the coming phases and will provide updates as the program advances.

About Quantum eMotion

The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware and software security for connected devices. Thanks to its patented Quantum Random Number Generator, QeM has become a pioneering force in classical and quantum cybersecurity solutions. This security solution exploits quantum mechanics' built-in unpredictability and promises to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets and critical systems. For further information, please visit our website at https://www.quantumemotion.com or contact us at: info@quantumemotion.com.

The Company intends to target highly valued Financial Services, Healthcare, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Krown Technologies and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which is based upon the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Company's expectations with respect to the commencement of trading of the Company's common shares on NYSE American; the expected cessation of trading on the OTCQB; the anticipated benefits of the NYSE American listing; and the Company's business strategy, target markets and growth initiatives. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "potential", "is expected", "anticipated", "is targeted", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to delays in or failure to complete listing-related processes, the Company's ability to maintain compliance with applicable exchange requirements, changes in market conditions, the value of the Company's intangible assets, completing proof of concept studies, protecting intangible assets rights, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms or at all, the possibility that future results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, increases in costs, changes in legislation and regulation, changes in economic and political conditions and other risks inherent to the cybersecurity industry and new technologies, such as risk of obsolescence, slow adoption and competing technological advances; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that could cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Company's annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company provides no assurance that forward-looking statements or forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any 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/288815

Source: Quantum eMotion Corp.
Louisville, Kentucky--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Applications are now open for the Dr. James Charasika Scholarship for Medical Students, a competitive award established to support the next generation of physicians committed to transforming healthcare through innovation, equity, and holistic patient advocacy. The scholarship honors Dr. James Charasika, M.D., a pioneering family medicine physician whose four-decade career redefined primary care delivery and championed the transition from reactive "sick care" to proactive preventive medicine.





Dr. James Charasika

o view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/288683_16ad7e78140ebb9e_001full.jpg

The Dr. James Charasika Scholarship for Medical Students offers a one-time award of $1,000 to an outstanding undergraduate student demonstrating academic excellence, a commitment to pre-medical studies, and alignment with Dr. Charasika's core principles of compassionate, patient-centered care. The application deadline is August 15, 2026, with the winner announced on September 15, 2026.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The scholarship welcomes applications from undergraduate students currently enrolled in accredited colleges and universities across the United States who are pursuing pre-medical tracks, including majors in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related fields. Candidates must maintain strong academic records and submit a substantive essay responding to a prompt that reflects Dr. Charasika's enduring impact on medicine.

Applicants are asked to address the following: "Dr. James Charasika's career was a testament to overcoming barriers and redefining patient care. He broke racial barriers in his training, advocated against 'sick care' in Washington, D.C., and built a practice dedicated to holistic, preventive medicine. Discuss a significant challenge you anticipate facing in your medical career-whether systemic, clinical, or ethical-and articulate how you plan to integrate Dr. Charasika's principles of innovation, equity, and patient-centeredness to navigate it and improve patient outcomes."

A Legacy of Innovation and Advocacy

Dr. James Charasika, the first Black physician recruited to the University of Louisville's Department of Family Practice and later its Chief Resident, founded and served as Medical Director for the Louisville Primary Care Center, P.S.C., and subsequently established the Louisville Patient-Centered Medical Home-one of Kentucky's first practices to earn certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. His clinical expertise in diabetes management and preventive care earned national recognition, while his advocacy for holistic patient care reached the highest levels of government.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. James Charasika dedicated himself to mentoring future healthcare providers, serving as a Clinical Instructor and precepting countless medical students, residents, and nurse practitioners.

About the Scholarship

The Dr. James Charasika Scholarship for Medical Students represents a living commitment to advancing Dr. Charasika's vision of equitable, preventive healthcare. By supporting undergraduate students who embody his values, the scholarship aims to cultivate physicians capable of navigating modern medicine's complex challenges while prioritizing patient welfare and systemic improvement.

Interested students may apply through the official scholarship website at https://drjamescharasikascholarship.com/.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288683

Source: GYT
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Pantera Silver Corp. (TSXV: PNTR) ("Pantera" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of a high-resolution drone magnetic survey at its Rakanco Silver Project (the "Project"), located in the Mejillones and Sabaya Provinces, Oruro Department in southwest Bolivia. The survey forms part of Pantera's systematic exploration program aimed at integrating satellite spectral analysis, drone magnetics, and a planned induced polarization (IP) survey to refine high-confidence drill targets ahead of the Company's initial drilling campaign.

The Rakanco Project is located adjacent to the recent Carangas silver discovery and the historic Todo Santos silver mine, reflecting the strong mineral endowment of the district. The Project lies within a volcanic caldera-related geological setting, an environment known globally for hosting large epithermal silver and precious metals systems. Caldera complexes can generate extensive hydrothermal activity capable of producing broad zones of alteration and mineralization. Pantera's exploration strategy at Rakanco is focused on identifying structural corridors and alteration zones that may represent the surface expression of broader mineralized systems within this geological framework. While exploration at Rakanco remains at an early stage, the scale of alteration identified to date suggests the potential for additional mineralized systems within the project area.

"Our approach at Rakanco is to evaluate the district as a large-scale mineral system rather than a single-target exploration opportunity," said Jay Roberge, President and CEO of Pantera Silver Corp. "By combining satellite spectral analysis, drone magnetics, and a planned induced polarization survey, we are developing a robust geological and geophysical framework to support well-defined drill targets. This disciplined approach is intended to maximize discovery potential while maintaining strong capital efficiency. We are grateful for the strong local support we have received and for the opportunity the Rakanco Project represents."

Exploration Program Advancement

Pantera continues to advance a comprehensive pre-drill program designed to underpin target definition and improve the effectiveness of its initial drilling campaign. Current work includes the ongoing integration of historical exploration data, surface mapping, sampling results, and geophysical datasets to refine priority drill targets and enhance geological and structural interpretations.

The ongoing drone magnetic survey, together with previously completed satellite spectral analysis and a planned induced polarization survey, will provide a multi-dataset framework designed to identify and prioritize zones with the highest discovery potential. In parallel, the Company is developing a staged drilling strategy that allows for technical refinement as results are received while maintaining operational flexibility and cost discipline.

Operational Preparation and Stakeholder Engagement

Alongside technical work, Pantera continues to advance operational planning and stakeholder engagement to support a smooth transition into drilling activities. Preparatory work includes access planning, logistical coordination, and early engagement with drilling contractors, laboratories, and technical service providers to ensure efficient mobilization once drilling commences. The Company also remains committed to maintaining strong working relationships with local communities and government authorities in Bolivia, emphasizing transparent communication and responsible exploration practices.

Investment Environment

Pantera notes that recent political developments in Bolivia have resulted in the formation of a new federal administration that has publicly expressed support for responsible foreign investment and natural resource development. While the administration is early in its mandate, initial signals suggest a constructive approach toward investment and project development. The Company views these developments as encouraging for the advancement of exploration projects in the country.

Portfolio Optimization

Given the exploration potential emerging at the Rakanco Project, Pantera has undertaken a strategic review of its project portfolio to ensure capital and technical resources remain focused on its highest-priority opportunities. As a result of this review, the Company has elected not to allocate additional resources to the Nuevo Taxco Project in Mexico and will relinquish the concession to the vendor. The property will be returned free of any further obligations or liabilities to Pantera. As pre-drill exploration activities in Bolivia advance and data analysis is completed, consideration will be given to expanding the current Project boundaries and or acquiring additional opportunities in Bolivia.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Dr. Thomas A. Henricksen, C. P. Geo (California), a "Qualified Person" (as defined by NI 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and a senior consulting geologist to the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in preparing for and conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.

About Pantera Silver Corp.

Pantera Silver Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing high-potential mineral projects through disciplined exploration and experienced technical teams. The Company seeks to create shareholder value by identifying and advancing quality mineral assets while maintaining strong partnerships with local communities and operating responsibly in the jurisdictions and environments in which it works.

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.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual financial results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Pantera Silver Corp disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288762

Source: Pantera Silver Corp.
EQS-News: ADM Endeavors / Key word(s): Manufacturing

ADM Endeavors (OTCQB: ADMQ) Receives Certificate of Occupancy for New $13 Million, 100,000-Square-Foot Production and Retail Facility



17.03.2026 / 13:49 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





FORT WORTH, TX - March 17, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Just Right Products Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ADM Endeavors ("ADM" or the "Company") (OTCQB: ADMQ), announced that on March 6, 2026, the City of Fort Worth Building Code Department issued a Certificate of Occupancy for the company's new $13 million, 100,000-square-foot production and retail facility, which is approximately 5.8 times larger than the company's current facility.

Moving Into the New Facility Will Support Accelerated Growth

The company's ability to begin moving into its new 100,000-square-foot production and retail facility is central to the Company's growth strategy. The expanded facility is projected to increase production and revenue capacity by up to five times, enabling ADM to better meet the growing needs of both new and existing customers through organic growth, strategic initiatives, and potential acquisition opportunities.

About ADM Endeavors

ADM Endeavors is a diversified direct marketing and value-added manufacturing company providing customers with customized promotional products and wearables. Since 2010, its wholly owned subsidiary, Just Right Products, Inc., has consistently expanded its recession-resistant customer base, with sales exceeding $5.6 million for the last reported twelve months. The Company sells "Anything With a Logo" through its website, www.JustRightProducts.com , offering products ranging from unique business cards to coffee cups, T-shirts to boots, and tens of thousands of other customizable promotional products. Just Right Products, Inc. operates a vertically integrated business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including retail sales, screen printing production, embroidery production, digital production, import wholesale sourcing, and uniforms.

For more information, please visit:

https://admendeavors.com/

https://www.fwpromo.com/

https://fortworth.academicoutfitters.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/admqshareholders/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release.



Contact Information

Marc Johnson, CEO

Phone: 817.231.8048

Email: info@admendeavors.com
Building resilience through trusted and transformative innovation

Smarter, faster and safer solutions powered by AI and secure cloud

Launch of new innovative solutions for customers, including Orange Drone Guardian, Live Intelligence Studio, Live Collaboration and reimagined enterprise communications

On March 17-18, Orange Business will convene over 1,000 customers at the Orange Business Summit 2026, unveiling a portfolio of trusted technological innovations designed to empower enterprises to adapt, operate autonomously, and most importantly ensure business continuity in an ever-evolving, unpredictable world. Four new solutions will be introduced, based on trusted cloud-based environments and powered by AI.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317294596/en/

(Photo credit: Orange Business)

"We understand the pressures organizations face as they navigate complex and volatile market conditions," says Aliette Mousnier-Lompre, CEO of Orange Business. "Our commitment to our customers is stronger than ever: to help them build resilience and embrace the future with confidence. We aim to empower organizations to scale and innovate securely, enabling them to thrive amid uncertainty. In that context and at Orange Business, we believe that possibility starts with tech you trust."

As an operator, integrator and platform provider, Orange Business is uniquely positioned as the trusted bridge between ambition and achievement. The Orange Business Summit will feature cutting-edge demonstrations across trusted connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity, and AI, empowering customers to confront business-critical challenges directly while future-proofing their strategies.

Investing in innovation for a secure and resilient future

With 14 breakthrough innovations on show, attendees will gain insights from industry leaders on trusted AI, responsible innovation and enhanced customer experience. The event will also spotlight real-world customer success stories shaping the future of technology. The latest announcements underscoring Orange Business's advanced capabilities include:

Debuting Orange Drone Guardian Europe's first anti-drone as-a-Service solution

Orange Drone Guardian detects, identifies and classifies intrusive drones in low-altitude airspace across France, with plans to extend coverage to additional European countries. Designed for operators of critical infrastructure, public authorities and major event organizers, it leverages a sovereign infrastructure operated by Orange combined with its advanced detection technologies.

Extending Live Intelligence Empowering enterprises with trusted AI agents

Orange Business is extending the capabilities of Live Intelligence, a plug-and-play generative AI platform, to support customers with trusted AI agents. Through Live Intelligence Studio, customers can now take their first step into the agentic era by developing, deploying and managing intelligent AI agents securely in a trusted infrastructure to automate tasks and analyze data with a human touch.

Reinventing enterprise voice communications with trust and AI

Orange Business is integrating trust and AI into enterprise communications. This will enhance operational efficiency, strengthen security against increasingly sophisticated threats and drive deeper, more trusted personal engagement between customers and employees. Key features include branded calling, deepfake detection, AI-augmented customer care and agentic telephony.

Introducing Live Collaboration A sovereign suite of collaboration tools

Live Collaboration is a trusted set of modular sovereign collaboration tools designed to address increasing cloud spend, vendor lock-in and new digital vulnerabilities. It consolidates core professional collaboration tasks, including messaging, calendars, document co-editing, video conferencing and intranet into a single unified platform. Operated end-to-end by Orange and hosted on Cloud Avenue SecNum, Live Collaboration will give enterprises more control over their data, their costs and architectural choices.

About Orange Business

Orange Business, the enterprise division of the Orange Group, is a leading network and digital integrator, supporting customers to create positive impact and digital business. The combined strength of its next-generation connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity expertise, platforms, and partners provides the foundation for enterprises around the world. With 30,000 employees across 65 countries, Orange Business enables its customers' transformations by orchestrating end-to-end secured digital infrastructure and focusing on the employee, customer, and operational experience. More than 30,000 B-to-B customers put their trust in Orange Business globally.

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators. As of the end of 2025, Orange connects 340 million customers (including MasOrange) across 26 countries and generated 40.4 billion euros in revenues.

Orange is listed on the Euronext Paris (ORA). For more information: www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn and on X: @orangebusiness

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317294596/en/

Contacts:

Press:

Severine Belhomme-Moisand, Orange Business: severine.belhommemoisand@orange.com

Fatima Rahil, Orange, fatima.rahil@orange.com
EQS-News: tZERO / Key word(s): Financial

tZERO Launches Halo: A New Standard for AI-Powered Digital Asset Transactions



17.03.2026 / 14:03 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





New Tool Allows Users to Connect AI Agents to Digital Asset Wallets With Configurable Parameters for Payments, Transfers, and Trading

NEW YORK, NY - March 17, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - tZERO Group, Inc. , a leading innovator in blockchain-powered multi-asset infrastructure, today announced the beta launch of tZERO Halo - a first-of-its-kind tool designed to give AI agents the ability to transact with digital assets on behalf of users within a framework of security parameters defined by the account holder.

As AI agents become integral to how individuals and institutions interact with financial systems - automating payments, executing purchases, and managing digital workflows - the need for a trusted, regulated layer to govern those transactions has never been more urgent. Halo is that layer.

What Halo Does

Halo provides users with a secure digital asset wallet environment that they can connect directly to AI agents - including the most advanced AI platforms. Once connected, users define the rules: maximum spend per day, approved asset types, permitted destinations, and transaction windows. The AI can then act within those constraints automatically - and any transaction that exceeds set limits requires explicit user approval before it can proceed.

The result is a new category of financial infrastructure: machine-to-machine (M2M) transaction capability that gives AI the autonomy to execute - without surrendering the user's control.

Key Capabilities

Guardrailed AI transaction execution - users define daily limits, asset allowlists, destination rules, and trading windows

Native wallet creation linked to each user account, custodied via tZERO's vault infrastructure

Direct API key integration with leading AI platforms

Pending approval queue for any transaction that exceeds user-defined parameters

Why It Matters

The convergence of artificial intelligence and digital assets is moving quickly. AI agents are already being deployed to handle payments, automate purchasing, and manage digital service subscriptions. The missing piece has been a regulated, secure infrastructure layer that enables that activity without exposing users to unconstrained AI spending or counterparty risk.

tZERO is uniquely positioned to build that layer. As one of only three SEC- and FINRA-regulated digital custody special purpose broker-dealers in the United States, with SEC- and FINRA-regulated ATS and broker-dealer registrations and a decade of operational history, tZERO brings end-to-end institutional-grade infrastructure to a challenge that the broader market has only begun to recognize.

"The future of finance is AI working on our behalf within boundaries we set. And AI interoperability of wallet and smart contract architecture is poised to be the critical top-down force function for tokenization of financial and other assets," said Alan Konevsky, CEO at tZERO. "Halo is our first step in building that layer leveraging the unique programmability features of smart contract technology - another reason for "why tokenize". We are doing so in a compliant and responsible way that admires the potential of AI interoperability for the tokenization technology and financial system but also respects its boundaries and potential, and need for guardrails. It's real, it's in progress, and it's built on the end-to-end regulatory and operational foundation only tZERO can provide."

"AI systems are increasingly capable of performing complex digital tasks," said Chris Russell, Chief Information Security Officer & Head of Tokenization at tZERO. "tZERO Halo is designed to give users a secure way to let AI agents transact while maintaining clear limits and oversight. It's a first step toward the next generation of automated financial infrastructure, and our goal is to help ensure those interactions happen within secure, transparent, and well-controlled environments."

Closed Beta Details

tZERO Halo is currently available by invitation only through a closed beta program. Access requests can be submitted at t0direct.com. Approved users will receive onboarding instructions directly from the tZERO team. The beta is intentionally capacity-constrained to ensure quality of experience and to inform the product's path toward a broader alpha release.

The closed beta represents the first milestone in a broader AI transaction infrastructure roadmap that tZERO is building in parallel with its tokenization engine, blockchain-native transfer agent, and capital markets platform.

Future iterations will expand functionality to support additional digital assets and more advanced automated workflows in a compliant manner.

tZERO Media Contact

Julie Ros, Head of Marketing & Communications

marketing@tzero.com

About tZERO

tZERO Group, Inc. (tZERO) and its broker-dealer subsidiaries provide an innovative liquidity platform for private companies and assets. We offer institutional-grade solutions for issuers looking to digitize their capital table through blockchain technology, and make such equity available for trading on an alternative trading system. tZERO, through its broker-dealer subsidiaries, democratizes access to private assets by providing a simple, automated, and efficient trading venue to broker-dealers, institutions, and investors. All technology services are offered through tZERO Technologies, LLC. For more information, please visit our website .

About tZERO Digital Asset Securities, LLC

tZERO Digital Asset Securities, LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC . It is the broker-dealer custodian of all digital asset securities offered on tZERO's online brokerage platform. More information about tZERO Digital Asset Securities may be found on FINRA's BrokerCheck .

About tZERO Securities, LLC

tZERO Securities, LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA and SIPC . It is the operator of the tZERO Securities ATS. More information about tZERO Securities may be found on FINRA's BrokerCheck .

Forward-Looking Statements by tZero

This release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, tZERO, its subsidiaries, or its representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and projections about future events, which is derived from currently available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, including financial performance and projections; growth in revenue and earnings; and business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including, without limitation: the ability of tZERO and its subsidiaries to change the direction; tZERO's ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; performance of individual transactions; regulatory developments and matters; and competition. These and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this release and other statements made from time to time by tZERO, its subsidiaries or their respective representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. tZERO, its subsidiaries, and its representatives are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this release and other statements made from time to time by tZERO, its subsidiaries or its representatives might not occur.
Albuquerque, New Mexico--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - SunRise Roofing, a family-owned roofing contractor based in Albuquerque, is celebrating a major milestone: 10 years in business since the company was founded in 2015 by master roof installer Martin Nevarez.

Over the past decade, SunRise Roofing has built its reputation on a simple promise captured in its motto: "We will treat your roof as if it were our own." Today, the company serves Albuquerque and surrounding communities, providing roofing solutions for both residential and commercial properties across a wide service area that includes Rio Rancho, Corrales, Bernalillo, Placitas, Santa Fe, Los Lunas, Belen, Edgewood, Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, and more.





SunRise Roofing Celebrates 10 Years Serving Albuquerque with Quality Craftsmanship and Community Commitment

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/288821_figure1.jpg

"Ten years is a big deal for a local roofing company in Albuquerque, and we don't take that lightly," said Martin Nevarez, Founder of SunRise Roofing. "We've grown because homeowners and business owners want workmanship they can trust, clear communication, and a team that takes pride in doing the job right."

A Decade Built on Experience, Quality, and Protection

SunRise Roofing notes that its team brings over 100 years of combined experience, and the company highlights its commitment to high-quality materials and installation standards. The company is also Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and GAF certified, and states it can offer 50-year warranties on shingle roof applications. In addition, SunRise Roofing emphasizes that it is licensed and insured for customer peace of mind.

Full-Service Roofing for New Mexico Homes and Businesses

As part of its growth over the last decade, SunRise Roofing has expanded its capabilities to support a wide range of roofing needs. The company's services include roofing for residential and commercial properties, including shingle, metal, tile, and TPO roofing, along with roof repair Albuquerque and replacement options.





SunRise Roofing is a family-owned, small business serving Albuquerque and surrounding areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/288821_figure2.jpg

SunRise Roofing also offers complimentary inspections and complimentary, no-obligation estimates, helping property owners make informed decisions before committing to a project.

Giving Back: "Roofs Over Heroes"

SunRise Roofing's 10-year celebration also highlights its community involvement--especially its Roofs Over Heroes initiative, started in May 2022 by owner Martin Nevarez to support veterans. The company states that since the program began, it has installed three brand new roofs at no cost for deserving veterans.

As SunRise Roofing looks toward the next decade, the company remains focused on dependable workmanship, responsive customer service, and continuing to support the community that has supported its growth.

About SunRise Roofing

SunRise Roofing is a family-owned, small business serving Albuquerque and surrounding areas. Founded in 2015 by master roof installer Martin Nevarez, the company provides residential and commercial roofing services, including shingle, metal, tile, and TPO roofing, as well as roof repair and replacement.

Email: sunriseroofingnm@gmail.com

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

License #386274

Media Contact





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/288821_figure3.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288821

Source: GetFeatured
BERLIN, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cariqa, the pricing, payments and billing platform built specifically for electric vehicle (EV) charging, has entered 2026 with continued momentum, supported by a growing network of supply and demand partners across Europe.

Newly announced partnerships with charge point operators (CPOs) TEAG Mobil and SachsenEnergie, as well as demand partner Eco-Movement, follow a series of agreements concluded at the end of 2025 with CPOs including enercity, da emobil and CITYWATT, underlining increasing demand for a unified approach to public EV charging infrastructure.

As EV adoption accelerates and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, CPOs and service providers face growing complexity around pricing transparency, payment flows and compliance. Cariqa addresses these challenges through a single infrastructure layer that reduces fragmentation, while allowing CPOs to retain control over pricing and customer experience.

Eco-Movement: a demand-side partner enabling charging and payments with less integration effort

Cariqa has recently partnered with Eco-Movement, a leading provider of EV charging station data, as a demand-side ecosystem partner helping digital platforms integrate charging into their products.

As a Cariqa Connect partner, Eco-Movement can now include Cariqa payment links directly within its charging data. This allows platforms and apps using Eco-Movement's datasets to move beyond simply displaying charging locations to enabling charging and payment with significantly less integration effort.

In addition, by distributing Cariqa payment links through Eco-Movement's widely used datasets, CPOs connected to Cariqa gain access to a much broader network of digital platforms. This increases visibility and demand for their charging infrastructure without requiring additional integrations.

"By working with Cariqa, we now enable direct payments as part of our data feed," said Sjors Martens, Chief Commercial Officer at Eco-Movement. "That means our customers can go from displaying chargers to enabling charging far more quickly, without additional integrations and costs. Their users do not need to register anywhere and simply pay with their preferred method. We believe this feature will be valuable for many of our clients."

TEAG Mobil: supporting transparent public charging in Germany:

TEAG Mobil is a well-established provider of public charging infrastructure in Germany and is now live on the Cariqa platform. Through the integration, more than 1,000 public charging points are accessible via a unified system that supports transparent, direct pricing and seamless driver access across multiple channels.

Cariqa enables TEAG Mobil to manage tariffs and customer experience directly, while payment flows and regulatory requirements are handled at platform level. This allows the operator to run its charging network efficiently, while ensuring drivers see clear, consistent prices regardless of payment method.

"The EV charging market is evolving quickly, particularly when it comes to pricing transparency and regulation," said Denis Schuldig, Managing Director of TEAG Mobil GmbH. "Working with Cariqa helps us prepare for these changes while providing drivers with a reliable, easy-to-understand charging experience."

SachsenEnergie: bringing transparent charging to Saxony:

SachsenEnergie, the largest municipal utility company in eastern Germany and leading CPO in Saxony, is now live on the Cariqa platform. Through the integration, more than 700 public charging points across Saxony are accessible via Cariqa's unified infrastructure layer, supporting transparent, real-time pricing and seamless driver access.

Cariqa makes it possible for SachsenEnergie to deliver a unified, transparent charging experience for drivers while retaining full control over how its infrastructure is priced and operated. SachsenEnergie maintains control over tariffs, pricing strategy and direct customer access, while payment processing and compliance requirements are handled at platform level. This ensures consistent price display across all payment methods and eliminates unexpected markups for drivers.

"Direct access to our own customers is a key part of this partnership," said Carsten Wald, Head of Infrastructure Services, SachsenEnergie. "By working with Cariqa, we can provide transparent pricing, engage directly with EV drivers and maintain full control over our commercial strategy, while delivering a charging experience that reflects our regional responsibility."

Infrastructure for the next phase of EV charging:

These partnerships highlight Cariqa's growing role as a direct distribution channel for CPOs, and demonstrate how demand-side partners such as Eco-Movement can leverage Cariqa to integrate charging into any platform that wants to offer it - without having to buy or resell energy, as in the traditional reseller model. As a result, the ecosystem of platforms integrating direct payment links continues to grow. Access to charging becomes significantly simpler and, at the same time, more economically attractive.

As the market matures, solutions that reduce complexity while increasing transparency and scalability are becoming increasingly important - both for operators of physical charging networks and for the digital platforms that surround them.

About Cariqa

Cariqa is the first end-to-end pricing, payments and billing platform built for EV charging. Designed for charge point operators, the platform reduces cost, simplifies operations, and delivers consistent pricing across all customer channels - driving trust, efficiency and adoption across the EV ecosystem. Cariqa is headquartered in Berlin, with operations across Europe. Cariqa is hiring across engineering, commercial and product roles - check out our LinkedIn page for more information.

Media contact:

Harry Ashcroft | Perseid PR

harry@perseidpr.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cariqa-builds-momentum-into-2026-with-new-partnerships-expanding-a-growing-european-ecosystem-of-unified-pricing-payments-and-compliance-302716043.html
New panel expands coverage for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases including 15 new biomarkers developed with support from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) and 12 assays specific to brain and peripheral Tau isoforms

NULISA data to be presented in over 11 scientific sessions and 25 posters at the International Conference on Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases (AD/PD 2026)

FREMONT, Calif., March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alamar Biosciences, Inc. ("Alamar"), a leader in precision proteomics dedicated to advancing the early detection of disease, is proud to announce the launch of the NULISAseq Neuro 220 Panel with multiplexed measurement of 220 biomarkers from a single sample while maintaining ultra-high sensitivity and high specificity. The panel expands on the flagship NULISAseq CNS Disease Panel 120 and features new biomarker content developed with support from MJFF for Parkinson's Research as well as a substantial collection of highly selective Tau protein assays targeting both brain-derived and peripheral isoforms of total tau and the phosphorylated species; pTau217, pTau181, pTau205, pTau212, and pTau231. We believe this represents the largest suite of Tau assays available in a single panel and demonstrates the ability of the NULISA chemistry to distinguish between organ specific isoforms as well as a variety of post translational modifications.

"We are proud to support Alamar as they work to develop highly sensitive assays for several known and emerging biomarkers important in Parkinson's disease research," said Nicole Polinski, PhD, Director, Research Programs at MJFF. "We believe these assays will help the research community to better understand the progression of disease and expedite the development of diagnostic and prognostic signatures."

"This launch reflects our continued innovation in precision proteomics, expanding our neurodegenerative disease panel to better capture the molecular complexity of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," said Dr. Yuling Luo, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Alamar. "We're grateful for The Michael J. Fox Foundation's trust and partnership, and for their collaboration in advancing Parkinson's novel biomarker content for the research community."

The NULISAseq Neuro 220 Panel raises the standard for neurodegenerative disease research, applicable to a broad range of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, vascular dementia, gliomas and traumatic brain injury. The panel's ultra-high sensitivity and high specificity ensure compatibility with non-invasive sample collection devices and supports pre-symptomatic detection, while automated workflows using the ARGO HT System deliver exceptional reproducibility and ease of use, facilitating the analysis of disease heterogeneity, detection of co-pathologies, and the identification of prognostic or therapeutic response signatures across clinical cohorts.

The panel will be featured at AD/PD 2026, taking place from March 17-21, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Henrik Zetterberg will present data demonstrating the utility of the NULISAseq Neuro 220 Panel in neurodegenerative diseases during Alamar's product theater on March 18.

"The ability to measure a wide array of neurodegenerative biomarkers in a single, highly sensitive assay represents a significant leap forward for both translational and clinical research," said Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurochemistry at University of Gothenburg. "Innovations like the NULISAseq Neuro 220 Panel empower us to better understand disease mechanisms and accelerate the development of effective diagnostics and therapies."

Additional data illustrating the utility of the NULISA platform for ultra-high sensitivity multiplexed detection of critical neurological biomarkers will be presented in over 11 oral presentations and 25 posters at AD/PD 2026.

For more information about the NULISAseq Neuro 220 Panel and Alamar's full portfolio of precision proteomic solutions, visit alamarbio.com.

About Alamar Biosciences, Inc.

Alamar Biosciences is a privately held life sciences company dedicated to powering precision proteomics to enable the earliest detection of disease. Leveraging its proprietary NULISA technology and the ARGO HT System, Alamar's platform is designed to deliver ultra-high sensitivity and address key limitations of existing technologies, helping researchers unlock the full spectrum of protein biomarkers across disease states. For more information, please visit alamarbio.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, without limitation, statements regarding Alamar Biosciences' participation at upcoming conferences. Alamar Biosciences explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.

Media Contact:

media@alamarbio.com

Investor Contact:

investors@alamarbio.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ce2de83-a4b0-4378-b01f-03223b516e97
GENEVA, CH / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / The Tire Industry Project (TIP), in partnership with UL Environment, announces updated Product Category Rules (PCR) for tires, improving the framework for measuring environmental performance and enabling transparent reporting across the industry.

A PCR is a guideline for manufacturers of a given type of product to conduct lifecycle assessments (LCAs) and produce Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), ensuring comparable environmental reporting for their products. Effective for the next five years, the revised PCR incorporates new science-based data, including more precise accounting for greenhouse gas emissions. It?better aligns with current manufacturing conditions, such as the use of renewable electricity in tire manufacturing facilities, and with the latest vehicle-related factors such as improved fuel efficiency and emerging fuel types. It also requires consistent reporting when new materials are introduced, improving product comparability and making it easier to track sustainability progress.

The updated PCR has been independently adopted by TIP's 10 member companies, which represent 60% of global tire manufacturing capacity, significantly increasing the likelihood of broader voluntary adoption across the industry.

Last updated in 2022, this fourth version of the PCR is the result of a collaborative effort of the major tire manufacturers. By standardizing methods used to calculate a tire's lifecycle footprint-from raw materials and manufacturing through to use and end of life-the PCR ensures that EPDs are comparable. This in turn supports more sustainable procurement decisions and helps drive continuous improvement in environmental performance across the tire value chain.

What's new in the PCR

Revised carbon footprint calculations : Introduces updated methodology for renewable materials, including the treatment of biogenic carbon.

Broader applicability : Expands category coverage to all tire types, including off-road and specialty tires.

Enhanced regional precision: Includes region-specific data for ELT management, vehicle efficiency, fuel mixes and payload factors, which will enable LCAs and EPDs to better reflect local market conditions.

Clearer methodology: Applies a structured hierarchy to calculate impacts for manufacturing processes that produce multiple products (e.g., tires and saleable rubber scraps), which improves consistency and comparability.

Aligned impact indicators: Aligns environmental impact indicators and methodologies with the European Commission's Environmental Footprint 3.1, a widely recognized standard.

Updated, more accurate datasets: Features updated datasets for raw materials as well as refined background emission factors, which improves overall data quality.

"The updated PCR reflects years of collaboration and investment to advance sustainability across the tire value chain," said Dr Larisa Kryachkova, Executive Director at TIP. "Our goal is to strengthen environmental reporting. With a common methodology, we support better industry-wide decision-making, turning ambition into positive environmental action."

The PCR has been developed and published in close partnership with UL Solutions, a globally recognized and independent safety science company. Ranee Valles, Director and General Manager, Product Sustainability at UL Solutions said, "Transparent, standardized reporting enables manufacturers, regulators, fleet operators and consumers to make informed choices about the products they use or supply. Our collaboration with TIP reflects a shared commitment to credible, science-driven solutions, and we're grateful for TIP's leadership in advancing scientific rigor and industry alignment on environmental reporting."

Learn more about the latest PCR here.

- ENDS -

About TIP

Formed in 2005, the Tire Industry Project (TIP) is a voluntary CEO-driven initiative with a mission to anticipate, understand and address global environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues relevant to the tire industry and its value chain.?

TIP acts by commissioning independent research of the highest standards, collaborating on sectoral solutions and engaging with external stakeholders. ?

TIP is part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), bringing together 10 leading tire companies that represent more than 60% of the world's tire manufacturing capacity. ?

In 2025, TIP marked its 20th anniversary-a milestone that reflects its long-term commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering collective industry action to improve sustainability across the tire value chain.?

For more information, visit The Tire Industry Project.

The latest tire PCR is a result of industry-wide collaboration among the Tire Industry Project, major tire manufacturers and UL Solutions.

Find more stories and multimedia from Tire Industry Project at 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Tire Industry Project

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/tire-industry-project

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Tire Industry Project

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/the-tire-industry-project-enables-more-accurate-and-credible-env-1148487
Winter Park, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Adia Nutrition Inc. (OTCQB: ADIA) is proud to announce that its subsidiary, Adia Med of Winter Park, has appointed Amy Dalrymple, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, a highly experienced aesthetic nurse practitioner and former Mrs. Florida United States, as the leader of its new Regenerative Aesthetics Division.





Amy Dalrymple, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

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Dalrymple brings over a decade of specialized experience in aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery, including neurotoxins, dermal fillers, PRP, microneedling, and advanced non-surgical rejuvenation techniques. "My career began in the operating room, where I focused on anatomical and cosmetic changes working alongside plastic surgeons," Dalrymple shared. "I began exploring the field of aesthetics in 2015 and have dedicated the past 11 years to gaining extensive experience in cosmetic medicine across Florida. During this time, I have worked alongside plastic surgeons and trained with leading industry key opinion leaders on the latest advancements in aesthetic medicine."

She will oversee and personally perform all procedures in the division, including advanced facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, and other regenerative aesthetic treatments.

Dalrymple's extensive background as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, combined with her formal training in leading aesthetic brands and her previous title as Mrs. Florida United States, uniquely positions her to lead this exciting expansion and provide patients with personalized, state-of-the-art care.

This strategic appointment builds on Adia Med of Winter Park's recent growth into cosmetics and regenerative aesthetics, meeting rising demand for advanced, minimally invasive solutions that promote long-term rejuvenation and healing.

"I'm really excited to be joining the Adia Med team," said Amy Dalrymple, MSN, APRN, FNP-C. "I've been passionate about aesthetics for years, and now getting to work with stem cell technologies feels like the perfect next step-it's going to let me offer my patients some truly next-level options."

To showcase these services, Adia Med of Winter Park will host an open house event on March 30, 2026. Guests will have the chance to meet Amy Dalrymple, explore the modern facility, learn about the regenerative aesthetic treatments, and discover Adia Labs' products.

First patient treatments in the Regenerative Aesthetics Division will begin on April 6, 2026. Spaces for consultations and procedures are limited and expected to book quickly-early reservations are recommended.

"We are excited to welcome Amy Dalrymple to the Adia Med family," said a spokesperson for Adia Nutrition. "Her proven excellence in aesthetics, combined with access to our regenerative technologies, will enable us to offer advanced aesthetic solutions."





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10520/288748_adia1en.jpg

Clinic owners and healthcare practitioners interested in licensing the Adia Med name or integrating Adia's regenerative therapies into their practice are encouraged to reach out directly. Strategic partnerships are welcomed as part of Adia's continued mission to expand access to advanced stem cell solutions.

About ADIA Nutrition Inc.:

Adia Nutrition Inc. (OTCQB: ADIA), based in Winter Park, Florida, is a publicly traded company advancing healthcare through innovation. The company specializes in sales of stem cell and regenerative products, such as AdiaVita and AdiaLink, through its lab division, Adia Labs LLC, which is expanding to include insurance-billable wound care products. Adia is also growing nationwide with Adia Med clinics, specializing in orthopedic, pain management, and wound repair. Adia Med clinics also offer specialized regenerative treatments like stem cell therapies and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), advanced treatments including therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT), and wound repair services.

Revenue is generated through service fees, product sales, equity stakes, and billing insurance for healthcare treatments. Additionally, Adia Nutrition Inc. invests in aligned businesses such as Cement Factory LLC, a nutrition and supplement company with shared values and a focus on health and wellness. Through bold partnerships with top-tier medical entities and unwavering dedication to standardized, FDA-approved lab protocols, Adia Nutrition Inc. is revolutionizing healthcare, igniting a nationwide movement to empower communities with groundbreaking regenerative solutions and vibrant, holistic wellness.

Website: www.adianutrition.com

Website: www.adiamed.com

Website: www.adialabs.com

Website: www.cementfactory.co

Twitter (X): @ADIA_Nutrition

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288748

Source: Adia Nutrition Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - Avanti Gold Corp. (CSE: AGC) (FSE: X370) (OTCQB: AVTGF) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its exploration team, accompanied by the CEO, successfully completed a site visit to Lubumbashi, Kalemie and Misisi in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC"). The mission, conducted during the last week of February 2026, involved travel from Lubumbashi to Misisi via Kalemie and including meetings with key stakeholders related to the Misisi Project.

The Company is also pleased to announce Mohamed Cisse as CEO, effective March 16, 2026. Mr. Cisse has served as Interim CEO since December 2025.

Sir Sam Jonah, Chairman of Avanti Gold Corp, mentioned "Mohamed is a rare talent whose career across the DRC and Mali has been defined by excellence and integrity. His appointment as CEO reflects the Board's complete confidence in his vision for Avanti. We believe his leadership will not only strengthen our operational performance but also deepen our essential relationships with local stakeholders and national authorities and will be central to our strategy of maximizing asset value and delivering sustainable, long-term returns for our shareholders. His deep technical roots and strategic mindset make him the ideal leader to drive Avanti's next phase of expansion and resource development."

Meetings in Lubumbashi, On February 23, CEO Mohamed Cisse, together with the Mata Pathy Botima, Managing Director of LEDA Mining, met with the General Manager of MMG Limited in DRC. During the meeting, they presented the proposed 2026 exploration budget for the Misisi Project. MMG is a strategic stakeholder in LEDA Mining, the local asset company that holds the Misisi project and is majority-owned by Avanti.

Journey to Misisi, On February 24, a multidisciplinary team led by CEO Mohamed Cisse departed for Misisi. The team included experts in: Logistics, community relations, safety and security as well as geologists. The geological team has commenced survey activities on the drilling pads for the initial work in the Misisi area.

Mohamed Cisse, Chief Executive Officer of Avanti commented, I am honored to engage with the communities of Misisi to present our exploration project and share our long-term vision for responsible development.

From the outset, our approach has been guided by respect for the people, land, and traditions of this region. We believe that exploration and development succeed only when built on strong partnerships with local communities, traditional leaders, youth, and local authorities.

Our commitment is clear: to listen, to engage openly, and to ensure that our activities create meaningful opportunities for residents. We are particularly focused on supporting youth by promoting training, employment opportunities, and skills development, helping to build a stronger future for the region.

We are equally committed to responsible operations: protecting the environment, respecting community rights, and maintaining transparent communication with all stakeholders. Our goal is not only to explore the natural potential of Misisi, but also to contribute to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.

We recognize that trust is built through actions. That is why we will continue to work closely with community representatives, civil society, and local authorities to ensure that our project benefits everyone and that concerns are heard and addressed, thus to maintain our license to operate.

Together, through cooperation and mutual respect, we believe this project can become a source of opportunity, stability, and long-term development for Misisi.

We thank the community members and youth who continue to engage with us and share their perspectives as we move forward together.

The purpose of the trip was to initiate engagement at all community levels to secure support for Avanti's exploration program. During the visit, the CEO presented Avanti's mission and discussed developing a community engagement framework for a community development plan ("Cahier de Charge"). Additionally, the trip allowed the team to assess operational steps and logistical considerations as exploration activities commence with LEDA Mining.





Figure 1: The team lead by CEO Cisse arrived At Kalemie Airport from Lubumbashi

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6873/288823_71133a3e44dc9b09_001full.jpg

The purpose of the Terms of Reference is to establish the framework, responsibilities, and procedures for engaging with communities and stakeholders affected by the exploration project. Key objectives include:

Promote open and transparent communication between the project and local stakeholders.

Ensuring community concerns are heard and effectively addressed.

Mitigating social risks and potential conflicts.

Building trust and fostering cooperation with local communities.

Ensuring compliance with national mining regulations and international environmental and social standards.

Community Engagement Update

The team has been conducting community engagement along the entire route to Misisi. Several meetings were held with the FARDC commander responsible for the 180 km stretch of road between Kalemie and Misisi. These discussions enable the Avanti team to:

Gain a clear understanding of security protocols along the route

Establish working relationships with local military authorities

Coordinate road escort arrangements for future operations





Figure 2: Meeting with Local administrators and Local Chiefs in Misisi

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6873/288823_71133a3e44dc9b09_002full.jpg

From the Chief administrator of the sector of Ganga, Akili Bernard "I wish to formally express my support for the ongoing exploration project in our region.

For years, our communities have advocated for responsible investment that creates local jobs, and enhances our infrastructure, schools, and healthcare. When conducted with transparency and respect for both the environment and the community, exploration projects represent a vital step toward that future.

We value the project team's commitment to open engagement with local leaders and their focus on local hiring and training. Continued collaboration, mutual respect and sustainable practices are essential to ensuring this initiative provides lasting benefits for the people of Fizi Territory specifically the sector of Misisi.

Our hope is that this project will continue to work closely with our communities, respect our land and traditions, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Eastern DRC. With collaboration, mutual respect, and responsible practices, this initiative has the potential to create lasting positive impacts for our people and future generations.

We look forward to continued cooperation and constructive engagement as the exploration work progresses."

Additionally, by completing the preparation, transport, and assaying of these samples, Avanti has successfully leveraged significant historical drilling data. This provides a high-impact, low-cost opportunity to expand the Misisi resource base. Assay results will be announced in stages as they become available.





Figure 3: Townhall meeting with Chief of Village of Misisi, representative of Youth and Civil society

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6873/288823_71133a3e44dc9b09_003full.jpg





Figure 4: Meeting with Local Administrators, Misisi Chief of Village, Lulimba Chief of village.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The team visited Akyanga hill and the remaining targets of Misisi Projects. A full pegging has been conducted for the stage 1 program and the community has been made aware of the impacted areas for the drillings.





Figure 5: Team visiting Akyanga and Akyanga East

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ABOUT THE AKYANGA DEPOSIT

The Misisi Project site is located in the Fizi territory of South Kivu province, in the DRC, approximately 250 kilometers south of Bukavu and 180 kilometers north of Kalemie. The Akyanga Deposit, located centrally in the Misisi Project, hosts an NI 43-101 compliant Inferred Mineral Resource of 40.8 million tonnes averaging 2.37 g/t gold containing 3.11 million ounces which was based on 19,956m of historic drilling, including 105 diamond drillholes ("DD") totalling 19,070 meters and six reverse circulation ("RC") drillholes totalling 887 meters. The Akyanga resource is determined from surface to a vertical depth of 350 meters over a strike length of 2,100 metres, using a $1,500/oz pit shell. The mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike.

MISISI PROJECT 2026 DRILLING PROGRAMME

As previously announced, Avanti continues to make significant progress toward launching its 2026 drilling programme, with four drill rigs currently mobilising towards the Misisi Site following a successful drill services tender process

The 2026 exploration programme will entail a total of approximately 42,000m of diamond drilling, split between two phases, as outlined in Table 1 below.

Table 2: 2026 Misisi Project Drilling Programme - meterage by target

Trend Name Phase 1 Drilling

(Mar - July 2026) Phase 2 Drilling

(Aug - Dec 2026) 2026 Drilling Akyanga 12,500m 83% 14,500m 55% 27,000m 64% Akyanga East 2,500m 17% 2,000m 7% 4,500m 11% Ngalula - - 3,500m 13% 3,500m 8% Tulonge - - 2,000m 7% 2,000m 5% Lubitchako - - 2,500m 9% 2,500m 6% Kilombwe - - 2,500m 9% 2,500m 6% Total Planned Meters Drilled 15,000m 100% 27,000m 100% 42,000m 100%

Note: Totals may not sum due to rounding

The initial Phase 1 exploration programme will entail approximately 15,000m of diamond and reverse circulation drilling and remains scheduled to begin in late Q1-2026. Phase 1 is fully funded by the Company's LIFE Private Placement which closed on 23 October 2025. The Phase 1 programme will prioritize an increased footprint expansion effort at the Akyanga deposit, and high-priority target testing on the Akyanga East deposit, due to its close proximity to Akyanga. During Phase 1, early exploration works including ground surveying , sampling, and mapping will be conducted on Ngalula, Tulonge, Lubitchako and Kilombwe to assist in guiding the Phase 2 drilling program on those targets.

The envisaged Phase 2 programme will entail approximately 27,000m of diamond and reverse circulation drilling, and is scheduled to begin in late Q3-2026. Phase 2 is expected to continue to expand on the resource extensions at Akyanga while also introducing drilling onto the high priority targets. The phased approach serves to provide drill service providers time to ramp-up efforts to include the additional targets while leveraging the early exploration methods conducted in Phase 1 to better inform drilling target locations.

NEXT STEPS

The Company continues to make rapid progress to launch exploration activities in Q1-2026 at its Misisi Project. Key upcoming catalysts include:

Refurbishment of camp: Increase capacity of exploration camp facilities at the Misisi Village to support increased exploration activities.

Increase capacity of exploration camp facilities at the Misisi Village to support increased exploration activities. Review of existing data: Existing data is being evaluated with the goal of optimizing the phase 1 drilling program and priorities.

Existing data is being evaluated with the goal of optimizing the phase 1 drilling program and priorities. Road repair along the 180 km stretch of road between Kalemie and Misisi: Major repairs are ongoing along the road, 20 km of bad sections have been identified, that will be addressed immediately

Major repairs are ongoing along the road, 20 km of bad sections have been identified, that will be addressed immediately Development of the terms of references for community Engagement: the Community Manager of Leda Mining/Avanti has engaged the necessary steps to start the process of developing the terms of references with community regarding the exploration program to be launched in the coming weeks

the Community Manager of Leda Mining/Avanti has engaged the necessary steps to start the process of developing the terms of references with community regarding the exploration program to be launched in the coming weeks Mobilisation of 4 drill RIGS to Misisi: Simba Drilling is in the process of mobilizing 4 drilling rigs to Misisi, the rigs have departed Mwanza last week, they are on the way to Kigoma.

Simba Drilling is in the process of mobilizing 4 drilling rigs to Misisi, the rigs have departed Mwanza last week, they are on the way to Kigoma. Launch of Phase 1 exploration programme: A proposed 15,000m drill programme covering previously identified high-priority targets.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER APPOINTMENT

Avanti is pleased to announce that Mohamed Cisse has officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer on March 16, 2026. Mr. Cisse has served as the Company's interim CEO since December 2025.

A seasoned African mining executive and mining engineer, Mr. Cisse brings extensive experience in open-pit and underground operations, technical services, and HSE management across the DRC and Mali. He has a proven track record of delivering operational excellence, business growth and successfully managing stakeholder engagement in complex mining environments.

Most recently, he held several leadership roles at Resolute Mining's (ASX: RSG) Syama Mine in Mali, including Manager of Technical Services and Automation, Mine Manager - Open Pit and Underground Operations, and General Manager, ultimately culminating in a three-year tenure as Managing Director of Syama, where he led the successful turnaround of the mine with six consecutive successful quarters, cleared the company balance sheet, expanded reserves, and drove the Syama oxide-to-sulphide plant expansion.

Prior to his role with Resolute, Mr. Cisse held leadership positions at Randgold Resources, acting as Underground Mine Manager at the Kibali mine in the DRC, and subsequently the Loulo Gold mine. He holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from the University of Pretoria and an Executive MBA from the London Business School.

ABOUT AVANTI GOLD CORP

Avanti Gold Corp. is a gold exploration company with a robust portfolio of projects in Africa. The Company's flagship asset is the Misisi Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home to the Akyanga gold deposit. The Akyanga deposit has an Inferred Mineral Resource of 40.8 million tonnes (Mt) at an average gold grade of 2.37 grams per tonne (g/t), totalling 3.1 million ounces (Moz) of gold. The Misisi Project spans three contiguous 30-year mining leases covering 133 square kilometers (km) along the 55-kilometer-long Kibara Gold Belt, a prominent metallogenic province known for hosting significant gold deposits.

QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT

Ephraim Masibhera, a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") who is independent, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101, has not prepared nor verified the historical information.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) 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 release.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements", including statements regarding the benefits of OTC listing, forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Avanti. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.

The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288823

Source: Avanti Gold Corp.
HONG KONG, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yidan Prize Foundation, a global philanthropic organization, has announced its 2025 Yidan Prize laureates. Professor Uri Wilensky and Mamadou Amadou Ly are awarded the world's highest accolade in education for their contributions in fostering computational thinking skills and breaking down barriers to foundational education, respectively. Uri and Mamadou will join the Yidan Prize Council of Laureates, a community of bright minds across research and practice seeking to collaborate, share opportunities, and explore pathways to create a better world through education.

Spotlighting changemakers to create a better world through education

The independent Yidan Prize Judging Committee selected the two laureates among outstanding researchers and practitioners around the world. The Committee highlights the importance of recognizing innovative and scalable ideas in a time of disinvestment in education. The 2025 Yidan Prize laureates are making significant contributions in advancing foundational and scientific literacy, supporting students to participate fully in the classroom and engage in society as global citizens.

"Education unlocks potential. It equips individuals and societies with the skills to continuously learn, navigate uncertainty, and thrive in a changing world. At a crossroads in global development, we stand strong in our commitment to education. The Yidan Prize is dedicated to serving as a lighthouse to illuminate possibilities and shape a brighter future through education," said Dr Charles CHEN Yidan, Founder of the Yidan Prize.

The Yidan Prize recognizes changemakers in education research and education development whose work is future-oriented, innovative, transformative, and sustainable. Professor Uri Wilensky and Mamadou Amadou Ly will each receive HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million), half of which is an unrestricted project fund of HK$15 million to expand and scale their education initiatives. To date, the Yidan Prize Foundation has awarded a total of HK$540 million (approximately US$69.2 million) to recognize outstanding achievements and scale innovative work in over 50 countries.

Understanding complexity through hands-on exploration and knowledge generation

2025 Yidan Prize in Education Research Laureate, Professor Uri Wilensky, is the Lorraine H. Morton Professor of Learning Sciences, Computer Science and Complex Systems at Northwestern University. He is recognized for his groundbreaking work in agent-based modeling (ABM), which promotes complex systems literacy and bridges disciplinary knowledge. He has developed a free, open-source tool, NetLogo, to facilitate a deeper understanding of complex phenomena, from climate change to pandemics to economic instability. It enables users to explore and build models that illustrate how the interactions of many individual "agents" create large-scale patterns. The same tool can be used by young children and researchers, providing a universal language to approach complex issues in different educational and academic settings.

Andreas Schleicher, Head of the Yidan Prize Education Research Judging Panel, emphasized the timeliness of spotlighting Uri's work. He said that "Professor Uri Wilensky explores how computational representations can recast knowledge across scientific and social domains. By equipping students with tools to understand nonlinear, complex systems, he fosters their confidence and agency to navigate today's interconnected world."

Advancing foundational literacy and multilingualism for better learning outcomes

2025 Yidan Prize in Education Development Laureate, Mamadou Amadou Ly, is the Executive Director of Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED). Under Mamadou's leadership, ARED has developed bilingual education models that significantly enhance foundational literacy and numeracy skills for children in and out of school. He has demonstrated the transformative power of teaching in languages children know alongside languages children need to learn and has showcased a scalable pathway for bilingual education in West and Central Africa. ARED's teaching and learning materials are openly licensed and available for all to use on the Early Learning Resource Network. His community-focused, culturally appropriate approach has influenced national education policy in Senegal, Mauritania, the Gambia, and beyond.

Dorothy Gordon, Head of the Yidan Prize Education Development Judging Panel, highlighted the global significance of Mamadou's achievements in advancing equity and inclusivity in education. She said, "Mamadou Amadou Ly's visionary work in multilingual education provides methods that open the door to literacy and opportunity for learners globally while safeguarding linguistic and cultural identities. This path to inclusive and equitable learning environments inspires education reform in Africa and beyond."

The laureates will be celebrated at the 2025 Yidan Prize Awards Ceremony on 6 December in Hong Kong. The annual Yidan Prize Summit will also take place on 5 and 6 December. Nominations for the 2026 Yidan Prize will open from October 2025 until March 2026.

- ENDS -

About the Yidan Prize Foundation

The Yidan Prize Foundation is a global philanthropic foundation, with a mission of creating a better world through education. Through its prize and network of innovators, the Yidan Prize Foundation supports ideas and practices in education - specifically, ones with the power to positively change lives and society.

The Yidan Prize is the world's highest education accolade that recognizes individuals or teams who have contributed significantly to the theory and practice of education. It consists of two prizes, working in harmony: the Yidan Prize for Education Research and the Yidan Prize for Education Development. They're designed for impact: laureates of each prize receive an unrestricted project fund of HK$15 million over three years, helping them scale up their work, as well as a gold medal and a cash prize of HK$15 million. The project fund and cash prize are shared equally for teams.

For more information, visit yidanprize.org or contact media@yidanprize.org.

Find us @yidanprize on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , and LinkedIn.

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Despite unprecedented access to data, most marketers still struggle to translate signals into insight.

BRIGHTON, United Kingdom, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandwatch, a Cision company and a global leader in social intelligence and social media management, today released The Marketer of 2026, a new report revealing a growing insight gap in modern marketing.

Despite unprecedented access to data, only 25% of marketers say they understand their audiences "very well," highlighting the growing challenge of translating fragmented signals into meaningful insight.

Based on a survey of 1,028 marketing professionals and an analysis of 750,000 online industry conversations, the report explores how the role of the marketer is evolving, shifting from campaign execution toward decoding audience behavior and informing strategic decisions.

As customer journeys fragment across social platforms, search engines, and AI-driven discovery tools, marketers face mounting pressure to move beyond collecting data and instead turn signals into clear insight and action.

"The Marketer of 2026 shows a profession shifting from campaign execution to signal interpretation," said Amy Jones, Chief Marketing Officer at Cision. "The real competitive edge won't come from collecting more data, it will come from how marketers translate fragmented signals into insight and action."

Marketers' biggest challenge: Understanding audiences

Despite the volume of data available across channels, predicting behavior, interpreting cultural shifts, and uncovering the "why" behind audience decisions remain the hardest problems to solve. Among the top challenges marketers cite:

Predicting future needs or behaviors (60%)

Understanding changing behaviors (48%)

Turning data into actionable insights (46%)

Understanding the "why" behind audience decisions (40%)

Integrating data from multiple sources (40%)

The result is a widening insight gap: Brands know more about what people do than ever before, but still struggle to explain why they do it - and how to act on that knowledge at speed.

Platforms that unify consumer conversations and audience signals are increasingly critical for marketing teams looking to close this insight gap and move from reactive reporting to proactive strategy.

AI raises the bar, but doesn't replace judgment

AI and automation are now central to the marketer's toolkit. The report found:

84% of marketers said AI and automation are the most important skills to master

81% said AI tools are the most essential technology in the marketing stack.

79% said they're spending more time on managing AI and automation workflows

While AI is helping teams move faster and automate repetitive tasks, marketers are acutely aware of the need to balance efficiency with human judgment, creativity, and cultural awareness.

As AI-generated content becomes more common, marketers increasingly recognize that technology alone won't differentiate brands.

"AI won't replace marketers, it will expose the ones who don't lead with strategy," Jones said. "The winners will use AI to accelerate execution and then double down on what humans do best: judgement, creativity, and direction."

Fragmented journeys demand integrated insight

The report also highlights just how splintered the customer journey has become. Audiences now move fluidly across touchpoints and have become increasingly fluent in marketing tactics.

This fragmentation puts added pressure on marketers to connect data across channels and eliminate reporting silos.

Integrated consumer intelligence platforms are emerging as a key lever for helping teams unify audience data, identify patterns across touchpoints (including search, social, and traditional media), and transform fragmented signals into strategic insight.

Traditional marketing activities take a back seat

Across the findings, one theme is clear: the marketer of 2026 is defined less by how many campaigns they ship and more by how well they can connect outputs to outcomes.

Many respondents report spending less time on traditional activities like advertising and email marketing in order to prioritize managing AI workflows (79%) and data analysis (51%).

Rather than abandoning traditional channels, marketers are reallocating their time toward understanding audiences more deeply, and proving the business impact of their work.

A roadmap for 2026

In addition to an in-depth analysis of the findings, including a spotlight on the skills and tools critical to success in the coming year, the report also clearly outlines how marketers can apply these findings to their own strategies. The report breaks guidance down by career stage:

Encouraging junior marketers to build "audience literacy;"

Mid-level marketers to focus on interpretation and cross-channel fluency; and

Leaders to prioritize time, tools, and training that support insight generation rather than more activity for its own sake.

"In 2026, the strongest marketers are combining technical fluency with cultural and customer awareness," Jones said. "The teams that succeed will be the ones who can connect fragmented signals, surface real audience insight, and act on it with confidence."

Methodology

Brandwatch surveyed 1,028 marketing professionals regarding the social and professional landscape of 2026. This primary research was combined with an analysis of 750,000 online conversations about marketing between January 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, using Brandwatch Consumer Research.

Download the full "Marketer of 2026" report

About Brandwatch

Brandwatch is the leading social media management and consumer intelligence suite, empowering brands to see and be seen, understand and be understood, by the audiences that matter most. Trusted by half of the Forbes 100, Brandwatch equips the world's most innovative companies with AI-powered insights and tools to seize opportunities, strengthen engagement and accelerate growth.

Our comprehensive suite spans consumer intelligence, influencer marketing, and social media management, enabling brands and agencies to execute data-driven strategies at scale.

Brandwatch is part of the Cision family of brands, alongside CisionOne, Trajaan, and PR Newswire

Media Contact:

Cision Public Relations

CisionPR@cision.com

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From "The Devil's Roast" espresso martini cocktail to immersive pop-ups and social storytelling, the campaign serves cinematic glamour with a perfectly chilled edge of modern cocktail craftsmanship building anticipation for "The Devil Wears Prada 2," in theaters May 1

HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GREY GOOSE, the quintessential French vodka, is proud to announce its collaboration with one of this year's most highly anticipated films, 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2," in theaters May 1, with a bold, multi-platform program that merges fashion, film, and cocktail culture into the perfect serve. From celeb forward content starring supermodel and television personality Heidi Klum, to immersive pop-up experiences, specialty cocktails, in-theater activations, and limited-edition bottle packaging, the iconic vodka brand is delivering a campaign that celebrates "The Devil Wears Prada 2" more than 20 years after the original film debuted and cemented its status as one of cinema's most enduring cultural touchstones.

To bring the moment to life, GREY GOOSE has enlisted Heidi Klum to star in an original content piece, created in partnership with BBH USA, taking place in the world of the highly anticipated sequel, with a cocktail in hand. Featuring The Devil's Roast - a reimagining of Miranda Priestly's iconic coffee order from the original film with a GREY GOOSE twist - Klum reflects on the exacting standards behind Runway Magazine and the fashion industry at large, drawing a parallel to the craftsmanship behind the collaboration and signature cocktail.

"I've always loved how both fashion and film tell a story, and that same level of craft is exactly what makes this GREY GOOSE collaboration so special. Joining the iconic 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' universe is just so fun and every look, every line, and every detail has to be just right," said Heidi Klum. "The Devil's Roast cocktail is bold, sophisticated, and of course, stunning. I can't wait for the fans to grab a glass and join the party!"

The collaboration is a natural extension of GREY GOOSE's longstanding presence within the fashion industry. Since its inception, the brand has partnered with fashion industry titans, institutions and designers while supporting globally relevant fashion moments at Paris, New York, and London Fashion Week and beyond.

At the center of the campaign is The Devil's Roast cocktail that reimagines the classic espresso martini cocktail, long nicknamed the "model martini" for its origins in fashion culture. Crafted with GREY GOOSE vodka and finished with three gold-dusted coffee beans, the cocktail delivers a sleek, sharp presentation. Delivering rich flavor and elevated energy, The Devil's Roast is designed as the ultimate fashion moment in a glass. Fans can experience the cocktail firsthand at GREY GOOSE Devil's Roast pop-ups throughout New York City on April 14, 21, and 23 at Zuccotti Park and Manhattan West Plaza locations. Each pop-up experience will offer The Devil's Roast paired with gold-dusted popcorn, creating a chic, cinematic experience that blends fashion polish with big-screen indulgence. Select theaters nationwide will also feature specialty GREY GOOSE cocktails when "The Devil Wears Prada 2" opens on May 1, allowing audiences across the country to sip the Runway-approved serves.

"GREY GOOSE has always lived at the intersection of culture and craftsmanship," said Grey Goose Vice President of Global Marketing Aleco Azqueta. "Collaborating with 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' felt like a natural extension of that legacy. With our French heritage and longstanding connection to the world of fashion, we saw an opportunity to create something special for fans, celebrating the return of this iconic franchise with a cocktail that feels both timeless and modern."

Additional elements of the US campaign will further invite consumers into the world of "The Devil Wears Prada 2," including high-impact out-of-home billboards rolling out in New York City to help bring the film's signature wit and fashion-forward energy to city streets. There will also be a limited-edition GREY GOOSE specialty box inspired by "The Devil Wears Prada 2" available for purchase beginning April 1st at various retailers nationwide, offering a collectible way to toast the franchise's return.

Beyond media, UK activations will bring the cocktails to life at special events, with The Devil's Roast cocktail also featured on menus across premium bars and restaurants in London. Fans in Canada can also expect to see hi-impact media featuring the signature GREY GOOSE cocktails inspired by the film promotion.

To learn more about the Grey Goose's role in "The Devil Wears Prada 2" arriving in theaters May 1, follow @greygoose on Instagram and visit greygoose.com.

The Devil's Roast Cocktail:

1  oz GREY GOOSE Vodka

1 oz Single Origin Espresso

 oz Coffee Liqueur

Pinch of Salt

Garnish with 3 Gold Dusted Coffee Beans

LINK TO CAMPAIGN ASSETS: HERE

About GREY GOOSE vodka

Made without compromise, GREY GOOSE is made with the highest-quality ingredients and has a 100% traceable production process, from crop to cork. Every aspect of the creation of GREY GOOSE is focused on crafting vodka of unmatched quality. Each bottle of GREY GOOSE is distilled and bottled in France, with a recipe and process that remains unchanged since inception, using just two ingredients - single-origin Picardie wheat and spring water from our natural limestone well in Gensac-la-Pallue. A one-distillation process brings out the true essence of these ingredients.

The GREY GOOSE portfolio is comprised of GREY GOOSE vodka, GREY GOOSE Altius, GREY GOOSE Berry Rouge, GREY GOOSE La Poire, GREY GOOSE L'Orange, and GREY GOOSE Le Citron Flavored vodkas.

www.greygoose.com

SIP RESPONSIBLY.

The GREY GOOSE vodka brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

About "The Devil Wears Prada 2"

Twenty years after making their iconic turn as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel-Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation.

The film reunites the original main cast with director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna, and introduces an all-new runway of characters including Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Kenneth Branagh, B.J. Novak, Simone Ashley, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles as "Lily" and "Irv" from the first film.

20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" is produced by Wendy Finerman, and executive produced by Karen Rosenfelt, Michael Bederman and Aline Brosh McKenna. The film debuts exclusively in theaters May 1.

Press Contacts

Nike Communications - greygoose@nikecomm.com

Carmen Wharton - cmwharton@bacardi.com

Aviva Didia - atdidia01@bacardi.com

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_U5JYB9XAk

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NEW YORK and LONDON, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equilibrium Climate Capital (ECC) today announced the appointment of Rolando Morillo as Managing Partner. After more than two decades stewarding climate and resilience investments at institutional scale at Rockefeller Capital Management, he joins ECC to help shape the firm's climate adaptation and resilience platform.

As Managing Partner, Morillo will oversee investment strategy, portfolio construction, institutional governance, and investment committee processes across ECC's climate adaptation and resilience platform. His work across climate adaptation, resilience, and ocean-linked investment strategies reflects a long-standing focus on practical approaches to environmental finance.

Morillo also serves in a senior advisory capacity with The Ocean Foundation, where he has contributed to the development of ocean finance frameworks and the mobilization of private capital toward sustainable blue economy initiatives.

The appointment builds on the strategic foundation ECC has established across its target markets. Equilibrium Climate Capital has developed its investment approach, regional partnerships, and operating framework across infrastructure resilience, water resilience, and health resilience, with a focus on long-term fund stewardship and disciplined capital deployment across market cycles.

"For the past twenty-five years, I have focused on mobilizing capital toward environmental solutions at scale," said Morillo. "ECC builds on the trajectory of my career dedicated to mobilizing capital toward climate adaptation and resilience, offering a clear mandate, disciplined strategy, and the operational foundation to translate investment into tangible infrastructure and systems. Continued engagement across the blue economy and ocean finance ecosystem remains an important component of advancing scalable climate solutions."

At Equilibrium Climate Capital, Morillo will work closely with Valeria Ramundo Orlando, Managing Partner of ECC and Founder of Greensquare Ventures, to oversee fund strategy, institutional governance, and investment committee processes as the firm expands across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other climate-vulnerable markets.

Morillo and Ramundo Orlando first met in 2018 at a panel discussion on ocean finance and emerging blue economy instruments. Both have since contributed to the development of ocean-focused funds and financial structures aimed at aligning capital markets with coastal resilience and sustainable resource management.

"Rolando and I share a long-standing conviction that climate finance must move beyond allocation toward execution," said Ramundo Orlando. "His experience leading thematic strategies at scale, together with his broader engagement across the ocean and resilience finance landscape, complements the work underway at ECC and strengthens our focus on disciplined, long-term capital deployment."

Equilibrium Climate Capital was established within the broader Greensquare Ventures umbrella and invests in growth-stage companies across infrastructure resilience, water resilience, and health resilience, with a structured approach to operational value creation and risk management.

In addition to its investment capabilities, Equilibrium Climate Capital works in close partnership with portfolio companies to drive operational excellence, robust governance, and scalable impact, collaborates with Calvert Impact as a technical service provider to strengthen impact measurement and management, and partners with a leading global engineering, procurement, and construction company on selected investments.

About Equilibrium Climate Capital

Equilibrium Climate Capital (ECC) is a private equity platform focused on climate adaptation and resilience. The firm invests in growth-stage companies that strengthen water systems, critical infrastructure, and public health in emerging markets. Established within the Greensquare Ventures umbrella, Equilibrium Climate Capital is building a multi-fund strategy designed to deliver competitive financial returns through disciplined private equity execution while advancing long-term climate resilience.

Equilibrium Climate Capital works in close partnership with portfolio companies to drive operational excellence, robust governance, and scalable impact, collaborates with Calvert Impact as a technical service provider to strengthen impact measurement and management, and partners with a leading global engineering, procurement, and construction firm to enhance technical diligence and execution standards across its platform.

Media Contact

Sharon Cleary

Managing Director, Strategy & Operations

Equilibrium Climate Capital

scleary@equilibriumclimate.com

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BELIZE CITY, Belize, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial broker RoboForex has unveiled its upgraded Copy Trading Service, which evolved from the CopyFX platform and is now seamlessly integrated into the company's core ecosystem.

The revamped Copy Trading Service introduces a range of improvements designed to make it easier to discover, analyse, and share trading strategies, while maintaining all the functionality familiar to existing users. Key upgrades include a unified public strategy rating system spanning MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and R StocksTrader, along with an enhanced Copy Trading Partner Program. Together, these innovations mark a decisive step towards a more user-friendly and intuitive copy trading environment.

Public and unified strategy rating

The trading industry is known for its diverse platform landscape, often creating barriers for newcomers. The latest improvements by RoboForex are designed to strike a balance between user simplicity and the versatility of the platforms on which strategies are run.

The new public rating allows even unregistered users to explore and share strategies easily. This unified rating integrates all strategies from traders using MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or R StocksTrader platforms, enabling users to focus on performance and simplify strategy comparison and decision-making. The intuitive interface also offers a comprehensive range of parameters, allowing experienced users to make more informed decisions.

"At RoboForex, our mission has always been to simplify the complex," said Douglas Abreu, Regional Operations Manager at RoboForex. "Investors shouldn't waste time figuring out platforms - they should be able to find and follow the best-performing strategies instantly. With these updates, we aim to make every second of interaction with our service as efficient and effortless as possible."

Existing clients will retain all their current functionality while gaining access to new features that further enhance their trading experience.

Updated Copy Trading Partner Program

The updated Copy Trading Partner Program enables individuals to earn commissions by promoting a chosen trader's strategy and attracting new users - without needing to be traders themselves. Traders share a portion of their commission from investors with Copy Partners, thereby recognising their contribution to expanding the reach of their strategies among new investors.

As part of the enhanced Copy Partner Program, partners can attract clients to the copy strategies on both MT4 and MT5 - the industry's most widely used platforms. This makes the program more convenient and efficient to use, as it now supports both platforms. The addition of the Copy Partner Program for MT5 was a recent enhancement implemented in response to strong client demand.

About Copy Trading Service

The RoboForex Copy Trading Service is a powerful platform that connects successful traders with investors who wish to automatically replicate their strategies. Traders benefit by earning commissions from their subscribers' profits, while investors can easily browse a unified public strategy rating to find and instantly copy strategies aligned with their goals.

Initially launched in 2012 as CopyFX, the Copy Trading Service has grown into a trusted platform for millions of traders and investors. The key features that make RoboForex's Copy Trading Service especially attractive to clients include:

Unified public strategy rating - lets investors review trader performance across MT4, MT5, and R StocksTrader.

Cent accounts - allow traders to test more strategies and enable investors to start copying with lower thresholds.

Flexible commission system - offering a performance fee (up to 50%), a subscription fee, or even the option to share the strategy without any commission.

With these tools, RoboForex empowers users to trade and invest smarter - with simplicity, transparency, and confidence.

Learn more at roboforex.com/copy-trading/copy-top-strategies/.

About RoboForex

RoboForex is a company that delivers brokerage services, providing traders in financial markets with access to its proprietary and industry-leading trading terminals. RoboForex Ltd operates under brokerage license number FSC 000138/32.

View more detailed information about the Company's products and activities on the official website roboforex.com.

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Original-Research: Desert Gold Ventures Inc. - from GBC AG



17.03.2026 / 15:30 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 GBC AG to Desert Gold Ventures Inc. Company Name: Desert Gold Ventures Inc. ISIN: CA25039N4084 Reason for the research: Research Report (Anno) Recommendation: Buy Target price: 0.93 CAD Target price on sight of: 31.12.2026 Last rating change: Analyst: Matthias Greiffenberger, Cosmin Filker

From exploration optionality to a funded path to first gold Desert Gold Ventures is in the middle of a strategic transition from a long running exploration optionality story in western Mali into a staged development and early operating readiness story anchored by its fully permitted Barani East oxide gold project. The most important takeaway from the recent flow of company communication is not simply that more planning is being done, but that execution planning has begun to translate into real mobilization, site governance, infrastructure sequencing, and an explicit calendar toward an initial go live event. In parallel, management has taken steps to ensure the balance sheet can support that near term execution push while keeping broader exploration options alive across the much larger SMSZ land package and the newer Tiegba exposure in Cote d'Ivoire. The equity story is therefore shifting from a primarily geological debate into an operational and project delivery debate, with the near-term share price likely to be driven less by incremental drill intersections and more by the cadence of tangible milestones such as water development, civil completion, plant delivery, installation, commissioning and first gold production performance. Why the market should care now Historically, Desert Gold has been valued primarily on optionality, scale, and the probability of making a large discovery within a proven structural corridor. Optionality stories tend to trade on sentiment cycles, drill result momentum, and the cost of capital. They also tend to be punished when capital markets tighten because the underlying asset cannot self fund. Management is now attempting to change that dynamic by advancing Barani East as an execution led, lower initial capital intensity project that can move toward cash generating operations in phases. The central thesis is straightforward: compress time to first meaningful operational validation by starting with a simpler gravity only processing approach, validate mining and metallurgy in the field, stockpile unrecovered or partially recovered material for future processing, and then step up to higher recovery and higher throughput configurations when technical confidence and financing capacity improve. This staged approach is designed to reduce the upfront engineering burden, lower the initial capital hurdle, and create shorter cycle catalysts that are easier for the market to price. The company is trying to create an internally consistent bridge between exploration upside and development credibility. If Barani East progresses from a permitted project into a constructed and operating asset, even at modest throughput, the market can begin to treat Desert Gold as a company with a pathway to recurring cash flows rather than solely a capital consuming explorer. That changes the valuation framework, broadens the investable audience, and can reduce the equity risk premium applied to longer dated exploration optionality. Barani East is moving from concept into execution What matters most now is that Barani East appears to be moving from concept into execution. The project has progressed from conceptual planning into a series of field and engineering actions that indicate the company is attempting to lock down execution risk early. This is evidenced by physical mobilization, camp and site readiness work, on the ground technical assessment, discovery of a material design conflict, and the creation of an oversight framework that includes independent civil and conformity controls. Physical presence and mobilization matter more than they appear. Opening and operationalizing the project camp, initiating site cleaning and readiness, and beginning community relations engagement signals the company is moving from desktop planning into field governance. For early stage mining projects in remote jurisdictions, the transition from head office planning to onsite execution is where many hidden risks emerge. Logistics, site access constraints, local administrative procedures, contractor availability, and ground truth differences versus maps all begin to surface. The fact that the company has disclosed a structured assessment visit and an explicit set of mission objectives suggests a more disciplined approach than the typical small cap pattern of mobilizing contractors without robust independent verification. The technical assessment element is particularly instructive. A key disclosed finding was a conflict between the proposed infrastructure layout and a strong natural drainage network. In practical terms, this type of conflict is one of the most common sources of civil failure, schedule slippage, and expensive rework, particularly in seasonal rainfall environments. A poorly placed plant pad or access road can become a flood channel. Foundations can be undermined. Road culverts and water diversion structures can be undersized. The discovery of this issue prior to major construction start is a positive signal. Even more important is the response methodology: identification, proposal, submission to layout designers, validation, then execution. This sequence indicates that management is not treating the project as a simple drop in the plant and start running effort. They are acknowledging that civil design and hydrology are critical path items, and they are trying to resolve them before capital is committed irreversibly to incorrect earthworks. Another significant development is the articulation of a parallel workstream approach. The company is sequencing site preparation and infrastructure tasks to run ahead of plant delivery, which is a rational attempt to compress the overall timeline and reduce idle time once major equipment arrives. This includes site clearing and earthworks, road upgrades, ROM pad preparation, plant foundations, water development, drainage controls, utilities, security, lighting, offices, control rooms and camp infrastructure. Each of these is typically straightforward in isolation but becomes schedule critical when materials, labor, and approvals have to align. Doing them early reduces the probability that the plant arrives and sits on the ground while civil work catches up. The use of independent civil oversight is also important. Selecting an independent civil consultant team with a mission lead engineer and onsite technical personnel, and mobilizing them once contracts are signed, suggests an institutional commitment to quality control. For first time or early producer builds, independent oversight can prevent a cascade of downstream failures. Governance quality often explains why two projects with similar scope have very different outcomes. A small modular plant can still fail if foundations are wrong, drainage is mismanaged, or equipment is installed without alignment and tolerance discipline. Independent oversight can also improve contractor accountability, documentation quality, and the rigor of handover procedures. The financing now supports the build The financing now supports this shift in emphasis. Desert Gold has raised approximately C$7.21 million gross in recent equity financing. The company stated that the proceeds are intended in part to commission the first phase of its gravity plant at the fully permitted Barani East oxide gold project, while also supporting exploration and general working capital. The plan: start small, prove the mine, scale with confidence The plan itself is best understood as a staged development roadmap. Management's approach begins with a modular gravity processing plant supported by enabling infrastructure, executed with a risk reduction mindset, and tied to a defined commissioning target. The processing approach starts with gravity only beneficiation of oxide material. Gravity circuits exploit the density contrast between gold bearing particles and gangue to concentrate free gold, often through centrifugal concentrators, shaking tables, and associated classification and pumping systems. Gravity can be attractive for oxide operations because it can be modular, relatively fast to install, and does not require the same level of reagent handling and tailings chemistry management as cyanidation circuits. The key strategic point is that gravity only is not being presented as the terminal configuration. The conceptual framework is an initial gravity phase with moderate recovery, alongside a longer dated pathway to higher recoveries through additional processing steps. The operational implication is that the company intends to begin generating a gravity concentrate product and recover a portion of contained ounces quickly, while maintaining a pathway to capture additional ounces later from material that gravity does not recover. This can be implemented through stockpiling of tails or intermediate products, or by blending and reprocessing strategies once additional circuits are installed. In that sense, the first phase is not just a mine plan. It is also a field validation exercise intended to shorten the route to a financeable, more optimized second phase. Throughput and scalability sit at the center of this staged concept. Management has outlined a small initial operation built for roughly US$2 million of initial capex and designed to start at around 200 tpd. It then plans to expand in Q4 2026 with roughly another US$2 million of capex to lift throughput toward 1,200 tpd. Investors should view this as a deliberate decision to avoid overbuilding at the start. Expansion potential is only valuable if the first phase proves the ore and the operating environment can support scale. That means early commissioning metrics and operating stability are disproportionately important. If the first phase demonstrates repeatable throughput, recoveries near expectations, and manageable operating costs, expansion becomes a credible and financeable next step. If the first phase struggles with feed variability, mechanical reliability, or recovery volatility, scaling up would simply scale up the problem. The logic of the strategy is therefore to buy operational proof before spending heavily on full optimization. Infrastructure and water are part of the investment case Site preparation and infrastructure planning deserve equal attention because they determine whether the plant can operate sustainably. The plan includes water sourcing via boreholes with meaningful targeted flow rates, suggesting that process water and camp water availability is being treated as a core constraint. Water is typically one of the most underestimated factors in early oxide operations. Even if geology and metallurgy cooperate, insufficient water supply can throttle throughput, degrade recovery, increase downtime, and force capital spend into emergency solutions. The decision to mobilize geophysical and drilling teams simultaneously is consistent with a desire to accelerate the water workstream and reduce the chance that water becomes the gating item during commissioning. Civil works and drainage controls are another cornerstone. The earlier discovery of a drainage network conflict implies that hydrology must be engineered properly to avoid plant pad erosion, flooding of access roads, and washouts that isolate the site. The plan therefore includes layout adjustments, validation, and then execution. In a best practice framework, this should also encompass appropriate road camber, culvert sizing, diversion channels, retention or settling structures for stormwater, and robust surface management around stockpiles and ROM pads. Management appears to understand that for a small mine in a remote jurisdiction, the line between a clean startup and a delayed startup often runs through earthworks, drainage, and logistics rather than metallurgy alone. Operational readiness also requires local stakeholder engagement. Communication with local administration and community relations matters because a fully permitted project still requires social license maintenance, local hiring practices, vendor engagement, and proactive communication around site activity, water use, and environmental controls. As the project transitions from exploration style intermittent activity to continuous operations, this governance layer becomes part of the execution framework. That is relevant to valuation because a staged producer is worth more when the market believes it can actually keep operating, not merely start operating. The timeline underpinning this strategy is also increasingly explicit. Our base case assumes Barani East follows a straightforward critical path to a mid June 2026 go live. Under that framework, plant fabrication and factory acceptance are completed by late March 2026, enabling shipment at month end. We then assume roughly seven weeks of maritime transport to Dakar, followed by late May port handling, customs clearance and inland delivery to site. In parallel, site preparatory works run through March to late May and are substantially complete when equipment arrives, allowing immediate installation. Finally, we assume a late May to mid June assembly and commissioning window, culminating in initial startup in mid June 2026. The importance of this schedule is less about precision than about sequencing. Our valuation: a small mine that should fund itself Our valuation framework reflects this change in the company's profile. Using the operating framework from the PEA and the staging assumptions, the Barani East small mine points to a business that can sustain itself once commissioned. The model assumes 96 kt processed in 2026 during ramp-up, then 432 ktpa from 2027 onward, with recovered grade of 0.96 g/t and metallurgical recovery of 87%. That translates into roughly 2,578 ounces sold in the startup year, about 11,600 ounces per year through steady state, and 6,847 ounces in the final partial year. At a gold price of US$2,850 per ounce, revenue rises from about US$7.35 million in 2026 to roughly US$33.06 million annually in steady state. The operating cost structure is equally straightforward in the model. Mining cost is set at US$10.10 per tonne, processing at US$13.90 per tonne, and G&A at US$5.80 per tonne, for a total cash operating cost of approximately US$29.80 per tonne. On a per-ounce basis that equates to roughly US$1,110 per ounce cash cost. On this basis, EBITDA is about US$4.49 million in 2026 and around US$20.19 million per year from 2027 through 2035. After depreciation and a 20% cash tax assumption, free cash flow is slightly negative in the startup year because the model places both the initial capex and the stage-2 capex into the upfront build period, but it turns strongly positive thereafter at roughly US$16.29 million annually in steady state. Cumulative free cash flow exceeds US$155.9 million over the modeled mine life. The crucial implication is that this is not being valued as a large, capital intensive mine build requiring repeated trips to the equity market just to get to operating scale. It is being valued as a modest starter operation with low upfront capital, rapid conversion of revenue into operating margin, and a realistic path to becoming self funding after commissioning. On the assumptions above, the project generates an NPV discounted at 10% of approximately US$89.6 million. Those numbers are high because the capital burden is small relative to the potential cash generation. The project therefore has significance beyond its absolute production scale. It gives the company a mechanism to convert part of its mineral inventory into internally generated funding capacity. Valuation impact of the Barani East gravity plant The Barani East gravity plant is the most important new element in our valuation framework because it introduces a near-term, already financed production component into what has historically been a predominantly exploration and development story. In our sum-of-the-parts valuation, we assign the gravity plant a value of US$89.6 million, making it the second-largest contributor to group intrinsic value after the Mali Oxide Project PEA valuation of US$124.0 million. On this basis, the gravity plant accounts for approximately 36.6% of total group value of US$244.8 million. This is a meaningful shift in the structure of the valuation. The broader Mali Oxide Project, the Tiegba Project in Cote d'Ivoire, and the Mali non-PEA resources continue to support the company's strategic asset value, but the Barani East gravity plant adds a different category of value. It is not being valued primarily as long-dated geological optionality. Instead, it is being valued as an already financed, staged, and executable mine development with a credible route to near-term cash flow generation. In our view, that distinction is central to the investment case because public markets typically place greater value on assets that can move from permitting and planning into production on a visible timeline and with modest capital intensity. The gravity plant therefore enhances both the magnitude and the quality of Desert Gold's valuation. Numerically, it adds US$89.6 million to total intrinsic value. Strategically, it changes how the market can think about the company. Rather than valuing Desert Gold solely on what it owns in the ground, investors can increasingly begin to value it on what it may be able to monetize in the near term through a staged small-mine build that is already financed at the first phase. That matters because the company has now moved beyond a hypothetical funding discussion and into an execution phase where the key debate shifts toward delivery, ramp-up, and operating performance. This also improves the balance of the sum-of-the-parts. The Mali Oxide Project remains the largest component at US$124.0 million, or approximately 50.7% of total intrinsic value. The Tiegba Project contributes US$9.5 million, or roughly 3.9%, while Mali non-PEA resources contribute US$21.7 million, or around 8.9%. Against that backdrop, the gravity plant stands out not just for its size, but for its role as the company's clearest bridge between asset value and operating value. In other words, it is the component most directly linked to a potential rerating from explorer-developer to emerging producer. On a per-share basis, our total intrinsic value of US$244.8 million translates into US$0.68 per share based on 360.3 million shares outstanding. This is equivalent to CAD$0.93 per share and EUR 0.59 per share. Within that total, the Barani East gravity plant contributes approximately US$0.25 per share. That is a substantial portion of total equity value and reinforces our view that successful execution at Barani East is likely to be one of the most important determinants of share price performance over the next phase of the company's development. In our view, the significance of the gravity plant extends beyond its standalone DCF contribution. Because the first phase is already financed, the project provides Desert Gold with something the market has not historically been willing to ascribe in full: a credible and funded path to internally generated cash flow. That would not only support the valuation of Barani East itself, but could also strengthen confidence in the monetization potential of the wider SMSZ portfolio. For that reason, we view the gravity plant as both a major valuation contributor in its own right and a catalyst capable of improving the market's valuation of the rest of the asset base.



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Company debuts immersive retail experience in Biarritz, France, one of Europe's most iconic surf destinations

Faherty ("the Company"), a premium lifestyle apparel brand known for its quality craftsmanship and surf-inspired coastal style, today announced its European debut with the opening of its first store in Biarritz, France.

"Faherty is focused on building an iconic, global lifestyle brand, through purpose, craftsmanship, and cultural authenticity, and establishing our international footprint in France is a key component of our broader growth ambitions," said Alex Faherty, CEO and Co-Founder of Faherty. "Biarritz is a renowned surfing destination with a unique culture and we look forward to showcasing our best-in-class store experience to beach enthusiasts from all over the continent, as we lay the foundation for future global expansion."

Biarritz is located in the Basque Country and has a vibrant seagoing community, known for its incredible beaches and historic resorts. The city is also located near major transportation outlets, offering a strategic setting for Faherty's first international store. The opening marks a significant milestone for the brand as it continues to bring its laid-back American coastal style to more customers and communities around the world.

"I first heard about Biarritz in 1994 watching Endless Summer II on repeat. Surfing in France wasn't even on my radar then, but the vibe of the Basque coast and the feeling of French summer stuck with me, and I promised myself I'd get there one day. Twenty-three years later I finally did, with my now wife, who had been spending her summers there. From the moment you arrive, there's a slower pace to life, a warmth and sense of peace-bakea in Basque-and a deep respect for the earth, the ocean, and tradition. Biarritz is an international hub of surfing. That great mix of surf culture with amazing food and a laid back spirit made it the natural place for us to open our first store in Europe," said Mike Faherty, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of Faherty.

Faherty's store is located in the center of town, spanning 3,000 square feet, bringing the Company's coastal collection to life. The store was designed in collaboration with architect and designer Louise Pastres, blending Faherty's warm, natural aesthetic with subtle influences from the surrounding beach community. To celebrate the spirit of Biarritz, Faherty is collaborating with local photographer and Turbulente kombucha founder Julien Binet, whose photography will be displayed in-store.

Building upon its international debut in Europe, Faherty will feature a month-long pop-up at the iconic Merci concept store in Paris this April, introducing the brand to the Parisian community.

About Faherty

Faherty is a privately owned, family business working to build an iconic, global lifestyle brand. From the beginning, Faherty has been dedicated to the highest quality craftsmanship and culturally-rich brand storytelling. The idea for Faherty started when Alex and Mike Faherty were just kids twin brothers surfing and daydreaming of creating a clothing brand inspired by their beach town upbringing, deep appreciation of the ocean, and the belief that life is better in the great outdoors. Since launching the brand in 2013 alongside his twin brother Mike, his wife, Kerry and his mom, Ninie Faherty has grown to more than 80 vibrant store locations across the U.S. and an amazing group of like-minded, clothing-obsessed, won't-sacrifice-comfort-for-anything individuals working as a team to make Faherty a place centered around the highest quality and a passion for life's great moments. For more information, please visit https://fahertybrand.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317083487/en/

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the Contrast Media Market is projected to grow from about USD 7.65 billion in 2025 to USD 12.08 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.9%.

Browse through 250 market data tables and 80 figures spread across 300+ pages and the in-depth TOC on the "Contrast media Market - Global Forecast to 2031"

Contrast Media Market Size & Forecast:

Market Size Available for Years: 2025-2031

2025-2031 2025 Market Size: USD 7.65 billion

USD 7.65 billion 2031 Projected Market Size: USD 12.08 billion

USD 12.08 billion CAGR (2025-2031): 7.9%

Contrast Media Market Trends & Insights:

By type, the iodinated contrast media segment is estimated to account for the highest market share of 55% in 2026.

By modality, the CT segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.2%.

By indication, the cardiovascular disease segment is expected to dominate the market with 48.0% revenue share in 2026.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 9.5% in the contrast media market.

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=911

The growing number of diagnostic imaging tests worldwide is a major driver of demand for contrast agents. There is a higher need for accurate and timely diagnoses due to the rising rates of mental health disorders, cancers, and heart disease. Additionally, an extra factor contributing to the growth in imaging procedures is the aging population, which is more vulnerable to chronic illnesses. Lastly, ongoing advances in imaging technology and improvements in the safety profiles of contrast agents continue to support the industry's growth.

By type, the iodinated contrast media segment is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2026-2031.

the contrast media market is segmented into iodinated contrast media, gadolinium-based contrast media, microbubble contrast media, and barium-based contrast media. The iodinated contrast media segment had the highest CAGR in 2026. Since iodinated contrast media are commonly used in numerous CT, MRI, ultrasound, and mammography procedures in hospitals and diagnostic centers, it is expected to have the highest CAGR. The increasing use of this product is driven by its widespread clinical acceptance, high imaging performance, and compatibility with the latest CT technology. Ongoing product modifications aimed at reducing toxicity and enhancing patient safety are further boosting demand. Additionally, global demand for iodinated contrast agents is growing rapidly, fueled by the expansion of cardiac and vascular imaging.

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By route of administration, the oral route segment accounted for the largest share of the contrast media market by route of administration in 2026.

the contrast media market is segmented into intravascular, oral, rectal, and other routes. The oral route dominates the contrast media market because it is the most common method in gastrointestinal imaging procedures, mainly for examining the stomach, intestines, and other abdominal organs. It is preferred for its non-invasiveness, ease of use, and greater patient-friendliness compared to injectable options. Additionally, oral contrast agents help reduce the risk of side effects associated with intravenous agents. Furthermore, oral contrast agents are an affordable alternative and can be easily used for routine diagnostic scans, which explains their widespread use in healthcare centers.

By end user, the hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers segment accounted for the largest share of the contrast media market, by end user, in 2026.

the contrast media market is divided into hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and diagnostic imaging centers. In 2026, hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, and diagnostic imaging centers held the largest share of the contrast media market. These end users result from the high volume of diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures they perform daily. These institutions have advanced CT, MRI, and angiography equipment, which are seeing a higher proportion of contrast-mediated scans across various clinical specialties. Increased patient visits to emergency care and chronic disease management also contribute to steady demand from these end users.

The Asia Pacific market is expected to register the highest growth during the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific contrast media market is expected to experience the highest growth from 2026 to 2031. One of the main reasons is the rising healthcare expenditure and the ongoing improvement of diagnostic infrastructure in countries like China and India. Market growth is further supported by increased awareness of early disease detection and better access to advanced imaging facilities in semi-urban and rural areas. Additionally, factors such as a large patient population, supportive policies, the growth of the medical tourism industry, and the opening of new private hospitals and diagnostic centers are driving higher demand for contrast and enhanced imaging procedures.

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Top Companies in Contrast Media Market:

The Top Companies in Contrast Media Market include Bracco Imaging S.p.A. (Italy), Bayer AG (Germany), Guerbet (US), Lantheus Medical Imaging (US), GE HealthCare (US), Unijules Life Sciences Ltd. (India), J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (India), Sanochemia Pharmazeutika GmbH (Germany), Taejoon Pharm Co., Ltd. (South Korea), Jodas Expoim (India), iMax Diagnostic Imaging Limited (Ireland), YZJ Group (China), Beijing Beilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (China), and Livealth Biopharma Pvt. Ltd. (India) among others.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

MRI Systems Market - Global Forecast to 2030

Preclinical Imaging Market - Global Forecast to 2030

Contrast Media Injectors Market - Global Forecast to 2029

Diagnostic Imaging Market - Global Forecast to 2030

X-Ray Detectors Market - Global Forecast to 2030

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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.

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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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Enables researchers worldwide to access high-quality ssDNA oligonucleotides within hours

Establishes direct distribution networks across Latin America, Japan and South Korea

DNA Script, a pioneer in DNA synthesis providing scientists with rapid, on-demand access to high-quality DNA, today announced it has signed distribution agreements with Gencell, Bio-Medical Science Co. (BMS), and Biostream, expanding global access to the Company's SYNTAX platform for decentralized, in-house and on-demand oligonucleotide production. Under the agreements, Gencell will distribute SYNTAX across Latin America, Bio-Medical Science will cover South Korea, and Biostream will support customers in Japan.

This expansion supports DNA Script's strategy to broaden global adoption of SYNTAX and enable researchers located far from major oligonucleotide production hubs in Europe and the United States to access DNA more quickly and reliably. Each distributor is an established life and health sciences company with strong regional networks, enabling local access to DNA synthesis capabilities without reliance on overseas manufacturing.

Oligonucleotides are a critical input for a wide range of applications, but researchers located far from large-scale synthesis centers face project delays due to long delivery times or logistical constraints. DNA Script's automated, benchtop SYNTAX platform addresses these challenges by enabling researchers to synthesize ssDNA oligonucleotides directly within the lab in only few hours, shifting the model from centralized supply chains to local DNA production and ensuring geography does not determine scientific speed.

Marc Montserrat, Chief Executive Officer, DNA Script, commented: "We're excited to enter these new partnerships as part of our strategy to scale global accessibility and availability of ssDNA oligos, making them available to researchers anywhere in the world. These distributor agreements expand global access to the platform, support the Company's continued growth, and enable researchers to access oligonucleotides more quickly and reliably, regardless of location."

Fabio Andres Zapata, CEO of Gencell, said: "This alliance represents a fundamental step toward accelerating innovation in Latin America. By bringing technologies like SYNTAX closer to researchers in the region, we help reduce development times and drive local biomanufacturing. We are proud to strengthen the region's scientific and technological capabilities, positioning Latin America as an increasingly competitive player in global science and biotechnology."

Dukhyun Lim, Vice President of Bio-Medical Science, BMS, commented:"SYNTAX offers researchers greater control and speed in oligonucleotide production, enabling increased independence and control over project workflows, and we are pleased to support its availability in South Korea."

Iwabuchi Takeshi, President of BioStream Co., added"This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver advanced life sciences technologies throughout Japan, helping customers reduce dependence on overseas synthesis and long delivery timelines."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317004585/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Dr. Ben Rutter

Email: ben.rutter@zymecommunications.com
NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way businesses operate, innovate, and compete in today's digital-first world. From automating complex workflows and enhancing customer experiences to enabling data-driven decision-making, AI has become a critical driver of growth across industries. As organizations worldwide accelerate their digital transformation, the demand for Artificial Intelligence continues to rise. Addressing this growing need, Hyperlink InfoSystem, a trusted AI development company, continues to strengthen its position by delivering innovative, scalable, and high-performance AI solutions.

As the demand for artificial intelligence development services continues to surge, Hyperlink InfoSystem offers a comprehensive suite of solutions, including machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, generative AI, and intelligent automation. Backed by a team of expert AI developers, the company focuses on building custom AI solutions tailored to unique business needs. From startups to enterprises, businesses can hire AI developers through flexible engagement models-hourly, monthly, or project-based-ensuring cost-effective AI development without compromising on quality.

Hyperlink InfoSystem's growing leadership in AI is further reinforced by its proven success across multiple industries, where the company has delivered impactful, real-world solutions. From enabling AI-driven automation, fraud detection, and compliance in banking and fintech to enhancing customer engagement and conversions through personalization in retail, the company continues to create measurable business value. Its expertise also extends to healthcare, where AI solutions have improved patient outcomes, and to logistics and supply chain, where intelligent systems drive operational efficiency and smarter decision-making. Complementing this, Hyperlink InfoSystem has implemented AI-powered chatbots that enhance customer support with faster, more accurate responses-showcasing its ability to deliver scalable, result-oriented AI solutions across industries.

"AI is not just transforming businesses-it is redefining how industries operate and compete," said Harnil Oza, CEO of Hyperlink InfoSystem. "At Hyperlink InfoSystem, we are aggressively driving this transformation by delivering high-performance, ROI-focused AI solutions that give our clients a strong competitive advantage. Whether it's automating complex processes, unlocking deep data insights, or building next-generation intelligent applications, we ensure every solution is designed for scalability, speed, and measurable impact. For businesses aiming for rapid growth, AI is no longer optional-and we are the partner that makes it happen."

With a strong commitment to innovation, quality delivery, and client success, Hyperlink InfoSystem continues to expand its capabilities as a global AI development company. Businesses looking to leverage AI for business growth can connect with the Hyperlink InfoSystem team to explore tailored AI solutions and accelerate their digital transformation journey.

About Hyperlink InfoSystem

Founded in 2011, Hyperlink InfoSystem is a leading IT services provider headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, with offices in the USA, UK, Canada, France, and UAE. The company has worked with over 2,700 clients worldwide, delivering 4,500+ apps, 2,600+ websites, and cutting-edge IT solutions across industries. Known for its innovative approach, Hyperlink InfoSystem consistently ranks among the world's top IT service providers.

Contact Details:

Hyperlink InfoSystem

Harnil Oza

+1-309-791-4105

info@hyperlinkinfosystem.com



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First NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) call-off orders placed for Parrot ANAFI UKR micro-UAV systems

Parrot, a European leader in professional micro-UAVs, has announced that initial call-off orders have been placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for ANAFI UKR micro-UAV systems, with shipments underway in Q1 2026 in successive tranches of 100-500 units and volumes expected to scale into the thousands as the programs progress

NSPA is a NATO agency providing procurement and life-cycle support services to NATO and participating Nations. ANAFI UKR is accessible to eligible customers via NSPA's UAS Support Partnership, enabling procurement through catalogue ordering or call-off orders, in accordance with national procedures. This marks another significant demonstration of the collective requirement definition and procurement among like-minded Nations in fostering interoperability, effectiveness and confirming multinational cooperation under the NATO framework.

For Parrot, the NSPA outline agreement procurement strategy offers a scalable and repeatable route to support NATO Nations. It builds on long-standing relationships with defence and government users to support follow-on orders for ANAFI UKR and can facilitate procurement of other eligible Parrot systems.

These initial call-off orders relate to two separate end-users: (i) the Finnish Defence Forces, for which Parrot previously announced a procurement, and (ii) a second NSPA-eligible defence customer. Further customer details will be disclosed once authorised.

Chris Roberts, Senior Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer at Parrot, said: "NSPA procurement channels provide eligible nations with a clear, established route to acquire and field capability more quickly, using standardized contracting mechanisms, while decisions remain fully driven by national requirements. These first call-off orders are a concrete step in that direction. At unit level, the need is for a compact system that can be deployed quickly and used discreetly, while maintaining autonomy in GNSS-denied conditions. ANAFI UKR meets that requirement by combining embedded AI and optical navigation to support autonomous flight, including in GNSS-denied environments."

ANAFI UKR: tactical micro-UAV for defence and government missions

Parrot's tactical micro-UAVs are designed for defence and government operations requiring secure communications and protected data handling, robust performance in demanding operational environments, and rapid deployment with ease of use at unit level. Their compact form factor supports mobility and dispersed operations, enabling effective employment in the field while maintaining a high level of operational security.

ANAFI UKR brings together embedded AI, optical navigation, and full offline autonomy in a sub-1 kg format, ensuring resilience, tactical awareness, hardened cyber-resilience, and total data sovereignty. Designed to remain fully operational in GNSS-denied environments and hostile electromagnetic conditions, the system integrates advanced optical navigation, antispoofing with frequency hopping military radio (MARS), and hardened cybersecurity architecture, all tested in live electronic warfare scenarios.

ABOUT PARROT

Parrot is Europe's leading group in the field of professional micro-UAVs and 3D mapping and modeling solutions. The Group designs, develops and markets a complementary range of high-performance micro-UAVs and photogrammetry software, serving both operational and analytical needs of security forces, industrial and commercial operators as well as public authorities worldwide.

Parrot integrates artificial intelligence at the core of its microdrone systems, enabling advanced capabilities in autonomous flight, detection, tracking, and analysis in complex environments. Its ANAFI range, renowned for its compact design, robustness and ease of deployment, is built to meet the demanding requirements of critical missions in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), public safety, and technical inspection.

Parrot is also behind Pix4D, a leading suite of software solutions for photogrammetry and geospatial data processing. Designed for professionals in surveying, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, public safety and environmental monitoring, Pix4D enables advanced 2D and 3D modeling, mapping and digital twin generation.

Founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux, Chairman, CEO and main shareholder, Parrot is headquartered in Paris and develops its products in Europe. Manufacturing is carried out in the United States and South Korea, combining technological sovereignty with industrial agility. The Group employs over 400 people and generates most of its revenue, 78 million in 2024, internationally. With subsidiaries in Switzerland, the United States, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Germany and Spain, Parrot serves governments, enterprises and operators in more than 50 countries. Parrot is listed on Euronext Paris (FR0004038263 - PARRO). For more information: www.parrot.com, www.pix4d.com

CONTACTS

Investors, analysts, corporate media

Marie Calleux - T.: +33(0) 1 48 03 60 60

parrot@actus.fr Tech & trade media

Chris Roberts - T.: +33(0) 1 48 03 60 60

pr@parrot.com

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The 2025 class reaches 25 total countries, the most ever represented in the programme's history

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have recognised 283 communities as 2025 Tree Cities of the World. This represents a 34% increase from last year's cohort, marking the largest single-year jump in participation since the programme launched in 2018.

"It's no coincidence the Tree Cities of the World programme is gaining momentum. Right now, more city leaders are seeing firsthand the transformative power of trees and in response, are choosing to embrace forestry as a tool to help their own communities thrive," said Sophie Plitt, programme manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. "Being part of this network means being part of a global movement focused on shaping a better future and we're grateful to every tree champion joining us on this journey."

The international Tree Cities of the World programme recognises cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area. The programme is jointly operated by FAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, and the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Cities of the World is in alignment with FAO's Green Cities initiative, which aims to improve the health and well-being of people in 1000 cities around the world by 2030 while making cities more sustainable and resilient to climate change.

"With more than 68 percent of the global population expected to reside in urban areas by 2050, it is more important than ever that cities should be green, vibrant, inclusive and resilient places for people and for nature," said FAO Assistant Director-General and Forestry Division Director Zhimin Wu. "It is encouraging to see so many cities recognised as 2025 Tree Cities."

This year's 283 Tree Cities of the World represent 25 countries and 6 continents. The Tree Cities of the World programme includes communities ranging in population size from 3,000 to 12 million people, with 20 major languages spoken across the entire cohort. By gaining recognition through the programme, many municipalities have garnered increased funding for community forest management, access to a unique global network of urban forestry professionals, and greater local support for canopy growth.

Many cities such as Auckland (New Zealand), Madrid (Spain) and Birmingham (United Kingdom) have been recognised every year of the programme, while others like Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) are celebrating recognition for the first time.

Globally, more than 410 million people live in Tree Cities of the World.

To earn Tree Cities of the World recognition, a city must uphold five core standards: establish responsibility for the care of trees; enact a law or policy that governs the management of trees and forests; maintain an updated assessment of local tree resources; allocate resources for a tree management plan; and hold an annual celebration of trees to educate local residents.

Click here to see a full list of the recognised 2025 Tree Cities of the World.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they've answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About the Food and Agriculture Organization

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

Through its Forestry Division, FAO seeks to restore forests, improve the lives of forest-dependent people, and support countries to manage their forests in a sustainable way. FAO also works to transform urban food systems, including through its Green Cities Initiative, which aims to make a tangible impact on the health and well-being of people in 1000 cities while actively addressing urbanisation challenges. FAO's work is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, creating more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317084530/en/

Contacts:

Jasmine Putney

Arbor Day Foundation

402-216-9307

jputney@arborday.org
DELFT, Netherlands and BOSTON, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Qblox, a leading provider of open-architecture quantum control electronics, and Riverlane, the quantum error correction (QEC) company, announced the integration of Riverlane's Deltaflow quantum error correction system with Qblox's high-performance control hardware to enable real-time quantum error correction for the global quantum computing market. The integration pairs Riverlane's QEC technology, utilizing ultra-fast decoders capable of correcting millions of errors per second, with Qblox's high-performance control hardware, creating a platform for reliable, error-corrected quantum systems.

This integration addresses the challenge that inherently error-prone qubits create for commercial utility. Critically, it removes one of the industry's most persistent speed bottlenecks: the ability to decode and respond to quantum errors fast enough to prevent error accumulation. By combining both companies' complementary technologies, Riverlane and Qblox demonstrate how control and error correction technologies can be integrated to support future fault-tolerant systems without the complexity of sourcing and integrating components independently.

The deployment brings together Qblox's high-fidelity, ultra-low-latency and high-throughput control hardware required for real-time error correction with Riverlane's Deltaflow 2, now directly integrated with Qblox's control architecture to enable sub-microsecond feedback between detection and correction. This solution jointly pushes capacity to 250 physical qubits and 1 logical qubit, enabling up to 10,000 QuOps. Supported by Riverlane's Deltakit open-source software development kit (SDK) for developing and testing quantum error correction schemes, the full stack represents a production-ready foundation for fault-tolerant quantum computing at scale. By offloading decoding to a specialized high-performance layer, the architecture frees primary system resources to focus on increasing qubit counts without sacrificing computational fidelity, creating a scalable foundation for long-term growth.

"Real-time quantum error correction is fundamental to scaling quantum computing to commercially useful systems. The integration of Riverlane's Deltaflow technology into our commercial quantum data centre marked an important milestone on that journey," said Dr. Peter Leek, CSO and founder of Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC). "Through our collaborations with partners such as Riverlane and Qblox, we are demonstrating how tightly integrated control and error-correction technologies can accelerate the path toward reliable, commercially viable quantum computers."

"By directly integrating Deltaflow 2 into the Qblox control stack, we have moved beyond theory and removed a critical latency barrier to scalable error correction," said Niels Bultink, CEO of Qblox. "Real-time quantum error correction is the defining challenge of our era, and this is exactly the kind of collaboration that will define the next phase of quantum innovation."

"Real-time quantum error correction is the cornerstone of making quantum computers truly useful," said Steve Brierley, CEO and Founder of Riverlane. " Integrating Deltaflow 2 with control systems like Qblox shows how real-time QEC can now run directly alongside quantum hardware, enabling more reliable quantum operations at scale."

To learn more about this solution, join Qblox, Riverlane, and other industry leaders for "Building Quantum Together: Quantum Error Correction" at the APS Global Physics Summit 2026 in Denver on Tuesday, March 17. Taking place from 3:10 to 3:30 p.m. MDT at the Qblox booth (#810), the discussion will feature Francesco Battistel, Roadmap Leader at Qblox, Laura Caune, Senior Quantum Scientist at Riverlane, and Linsey Rodenbach, Developer Relations Manager, Quantum Computing at NVIDIA.

?About Qblox

Qblox is accelerating the quantum revolution as the global leader in scalable quantum control. The company provides the essential control engine that empowers researchers and engineers to build high-performance, robust, and scalable systems. Trusted by industrial and academic leaders worldwide, Qblox sets the standard for quantum control and delivers the backbone for a new era of computing.

?About Riverlane

Riverlane is the world leader in quantum error correction (QEC), the technology that unlocks quantum computing's promise of a new age of human progress. We partner with over 60% of the world's quantum computer companies and leading high-performance computing (HPC) centres to solve the error problem blocking their path to 'utility-scale' systems that can transform multiple industries. Our real-time QEC stack, Deltaflow, works with all major qubit types and includes proprietary QEC chips, decoders and a compiler. Deltakit, our software platform, helps quantum developers learn, develop and adopt QEC. Founded in 2016, Riverlane is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and has offices in Boston in the US and Delft in the Netherlands. The company has raised over $120 million in private funding, including an $85 million Series C in 2024. Learn more here: https://www.riverlane.com/

?About Qblox at APS

Qblox will be onsite at APS to showcase its real-time GPU-to-quantum integration and discuss hybrid quantum-classical infrastructure with attendees. To schedule a meeting, contact Juliette de la Rie at juliette.delarie@qblox.com or find Qblox at booth #810.

?MEDIA CONTACT:

?Annie Marshall

amarshall@benchmark-strategies.com

508-560-0454

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Veteran enterprise sales leader to scale go-to-market across healthcare, financial services, and regulated industries

DALLAS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Armor, a global leader in cloud-native managed detection and response (MDR), today announced the appointment of Jeff Baker as Head of Global Sales, reporting directly to Founder and CEO Chris Drake. Baker brings over 30 years of industry experience building and scaling enterprise sales organizations across AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and infrastructure, and will lead Armor's global revenue strategy across healthcare, financial services, and high-tech verticals.

The appointment follows a period of accelerating growth for Armor, including recognition by Frost & Sullivan as a global MDR leader and the launch of Nexus, Armor's AI security operations platform.

"Jeff is the kind of leader who builds the engine, not just drives it. He's built sales organizations from scratch, won against much larger competitors, and done it across some of the most demanding verticals in enterprise technology."

Chris Drake, Founder and CEO, Armor

Baker joins Armor from DeepL, where as Head of Enterprise Sales for the Americas he rapidly scaled the enterprise sales organization while driving significant year-over-year revenue growth. He previously served as Regional Vice President at Hitachi Vantara, leading one of the company's largest regions across 17 states, and at VMware built the Commercial Networking, Security, and Cloud Management vertical across the U.S. and Canada into one of its top-performing organizations. Baker brings deep healthcare experience, having built and led healthcare-focused verticals at both Nutanix and VMware, and his track record selling into complex, compliance-driven environments aligns closely with Armor's mission to secure organizations in healthcare, financial services, and other regulated sectors.

"What drew me to Armor is its mission and its ability to deliver real AI-enabled security for organizations in highly regulated industries like healthcare and financial services. I'm excited to help scale our global reach and ensure more CISOs have a partner who truly understands both their threat landscape and their regulatory reality."

Jeff Baker, Head of Global Sales, Armor

Armor has long valued hiring veterans for their purpose-driven DNA, a mindset that is embedded in the company from the top. Armor's founder is a veteran, and Jeff continues that tradition. A highly decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, he served during Operation Desert Storm as the lead electronic warfare intelligence officer. His leadership philosophy is shaped by service and grounded in accountability, transparency, and building high-performing teams.

Armor protects more than 1,700 organizations across 40 countries and has significantly strengthened its global presence over the past year. Baker's appointment positions the company to accelerate enterprise adoption of its managed detection and response and compliance solutions across regulated industries worldwide.

About Armor

Armor is a global leader in cloud-native managed detection and response. Trusted by over 1,700 organizations across 40 countries, Armor delivers cybersecurity, compliance consulting, and 24/7 managed defense built for transparency, speed, and results. By combining human expertise with AI-driven precision, Armor safeguards critical environments to outpace evolving threats and build lasting resilience. For more information visit our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or request a free Cyber Resilience assessment.

Follow us on LinkedIn, X.

Media Contact:

Michele Glassman

Marketing Director, Armor

Email: michele.glassman@armor.com

Website: www.armor.com

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Costa Adeje, Spain--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - CarzRent, a leading platform in car rental services, is excited to announce the launch of its self-service kiosk network at Tenerife South Airport. This innovative solution aims to revolutionize the car rental experience for travelers arriving on the beautiful island of Tenerife, enhancing efficiency and convenience in line with modern travel expectations.





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As one of Europe's most visited destinations, Tenerife welcomes millions of travelers each year. With the increasing demand for streamlined services, CarzRent's kiosks offer a solution designed to simplify the car rental process, allowing customers to confirm reservations and access their vehicles without the long wait times typically associated with traditional rental counters.

"Our self-service kiosks are a game changer for travelers," said Nils Joksts, SEO lead at CarzRent.com. "We understand that today's tourists prioritize speed, transparency, and predictability, especially after long international flights. By implementing this digital-first solution at Tenerife South Airport, we are not just improving the rental process, but also enhancing the first impression of the island."

Travelers can use self-service kiosks to finish their required procedures, which leads to much shorter waiting periods. The modern kiosks operate through a powerful digital system which controls all aspects of bookings and vehicle access and rental agreements from the point of reservation until customers pick up their vehicles.

CarzRent establishes its service standards through partnerships with specific local rental companies while maintaining vehicle upkeep. CarzRent intends to expand its kiosk operations from the Canary Islands to European airports and to United States airports through this new initiative.

The company operates through local rental partnerships in every market while it complies with regional regulations to provide customers with top-tier service. The travel industry has transformed through the adoption of self-service kiosks, which automate processes to enhance the passenger experience, creating a new way to travel through airports. CarzRent drives its transformation forward through its dedication to innovative solutions and exceptional customer service.

About CarzRent

CarzRent.com is a premier digital platform dedicated to transforming the car rental experience for travelers. By partnering with local rental providers and leveraging advanced technology, CarzRent aims to provide efficient, transparent, and reliable car rental solutions across the globe.

For more information, visit the Company's website at CarzRent.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288803

Source: GYT
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - BCM Resources Corporation (TSXV: B) ("BCM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at its 100% controlled Thompson Knolls porphyry-skarn Cu-Au-Ag-Mo discovery situated proximal to Highway 50 in southwestern Utah. In a Company news release dated March 2, 2026, BCM announced it had contracted National EWP of Elko, Nevada, and TonaTec Exploration of South Jordan, Utah, to complete its fully funded 2026 drill campaign.





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In a company news release dated May 24, 2023, BCM announced a skarn-hosted intercept of 155.4 m grading 0.66% Cu, 0.12 gpt Au, and 7.4 gpt Ag in hole TK8. Following this discovery, the Company, through a research project undertaken by the Colorado School of Mines' Center to Advance the Science of Exploration to Reclamation in Mining ("CASERM"), analyzed core from TK8 and other nearby drill holes. This study identified a strong vector pointing to potentially increasing mineralization to the southwest and/or south of hole TK8. To test this theory, BCM has permitted an array of drill holes fanning out in a southwesterly and southerly pattern from TK8. Spacing between holes is approximately 250 m. National EWP will complete a series of cased pre-collar holes through pediment fanglomerate gravel using reverse-circulation drilling. National EWP will use its Schramm Epiroc 685 Reverse Circulation rig (capable of drilling to a depth of 2,950 feet).

Upon completion of the first pre-collar hole by National EWP, TonaTec Exploration will deploy its AtlasCopco Christensen CS4002 Diamond Drill rig (capable of drilling to a depth of 5,250 feet), to complete core tails that will test extensions of the mineralized zone encountered in hole TK8. Based on magnetic data, BCM's geologic team believes skarn mineralization may underlie a broad area beneath the valley floor. A number of permitted holes will also test the Porphyry mineralization in Area 2.

World-class porphyry-skarn systems situated in the same geologic province as Thompson Knolls include KGHM's Robinson Mine, situated approximately 120 km west, and Rio Tinto Group's Kennecott Copper Mine (aka Bingham Canyon Mine), situated approximately 200 km northeast. Thompson Knolls shares numerous geologic characteristics with both important porphyry-skarn deposits.

At this time, the BCM Board would like to thank shareholders for their patience and understanding during this period of inactivity and poor market conditions. The company worked hard to secure the best financing terms available with the least dilution to our many long-term shareholders.

Warrant amendment - the Company has amended the terms of 20,600,000 warrants that were due to expire on May 22, 2026. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company. The term of the Warrants will be extended by one year with an expiry date of May 22, 2027. The exercise price of $0.25 per share remains unchanged. The Warrant Amendment is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

About BCM Resources Corporation

The Company is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company now focused on advancing exploration of the Thompson Knolls Porphyry Cu, Au, Ag, Mo discovery. The Company controls prospective Copper, Gold, and Molybdenum exploration projects in British Columbia. The Company is managed by experienced and successful board members and advisors. For further information, including area maps, sections, and photos, please visit our website at www.bcmresources.com or contact us by e-mail at info@bcmresources.com.

ON BEHALF OF BCM RESOURCES CORP.

"Sergei Diakov"

Chief Executive Officer

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288880

Source: BCM Resources Corp.
Kamloops, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 17, 2026) - North Valley Resources Ltd. (CSE: NVR) ("North Valley" or the "Company") announces changes to its executive leadership and board of directors.

Executive Leadership

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Cameron Dorsey as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 17, 2026. Mr. Dorsey succeeds Ken Ellerbeck, who stepped down as Chief Executive Officer effective March 17, 2026 and had previously served in the role since 2020.

The leadership transition reflects the advancement of the Company's British Columbia Comstock Copper-Gold project ("the Comstock project") and a new growth stage for the Company.

Mr. Dorsey is a geologist with more than 15 years of experience in the mining industry bringing both strong technical expertise and a proven capital markets presence to North Valley Resources. He will lead the Company through its next phase of exploration and development at the Comstock project.

Cameron is an accomplished exploration geologist with extensive experience in mineral exploration across North America. He has managed and consulted on numerous successful projects in world-class mining districts, including British Columbia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, and the Yukon. Most recently, Mr. Dorsey has served as Vice President of Exploration at Golden Sky Minerals Corp., where he has been instrumental in leading exploration strategy and advancing key assets. Notably, he played a critical role in progressing the Rayfield Copper-Gold Project to a $20 million earn-in agreement with a major mining company, demonstrating his ability to create significant shareholder value through strategic partnerships and project advancement.

Mr. Dorsey's prior experience includes senior technical roles with Sabina Gold & Silver Corp., where he served as Project Geologist and Supervisor. During his time with Sabina, he was a key member of the team advancing the Back River Gold Project in Nunavut, one of Canada's largest high-grade gold deposits hosted in banded iron formation (BIF). His contributions ranged from detailed structural interpretation to supervising targeted drilling programs that significantly expanded the project's resource base, helping grow the multi-million-ounce gold deposit.

With experience spanning both junior explorers and major mining companies, Mr. Dorsey brings a unique combination of hands-on technical expertise and strategic insight in advancing district-scale projects from grassroots discovery through to resource definition. He holds a Master of Science degree focused on the tectonics, structure, and stratigraphy of northwest British Columbia.

As CEO, he will focus on advancing the Company's exploration strategy, developing strong relationships with investors and stakeholders, and positioning North Valley Resources for long-term growth.

"Cameron's appointment as CEO marks an exciting milestone for North Valley Resources, as we have reached a pivotal point in exploration on the Comstock Project that requires deeper technical expertise. The ability to attract an exploration professional with Cameron's experience demonstrates the potential of the Comstock project. I am pleased that North Valley and the Comstock project will benefit from Cameron's technical knowledge and focus, and I look forward to the Company reaching new exploration milestones in 2026," states outgoing CEO, Ken Ellerbeck.

Cameron Dorsey added: "I'm excited to lead North Valley Resources at this important stage of its growth. With over five years of experience working in the Quesnel Trough as VP Exploration at Golden Sky Minerals, I bring strong regional insight to the Comstock Project. With its extensive mineralized corridor, compelling historic high-grade copper and gold results, and limited modern exploration, we believe Comstock presents a significant opportunity to unlock its full potential while creating long-term value for shareholders."

Board of Directors

Additionally, the Company announces that Ken Ellerbeck and Robert Thompson have confirmed that they will not seek re-election as directors at the upcoming annual general meeting. Their terms will end when their successors are elected at that meeting.

The Company wishes to thank Ken Ellerbeck and Robert Thompson for their leadership and commitment to advancing the Comstock project over the last six years.

About North Valley Resources

North Valley Resources is a junior exploration company focused on advancing its flagship Comstock Project, a high-quality exploration asset that is fully permitted for drilling and located in a proven, mining-friendly jurisdiction. The Company is executing a disciplined, systematic exploration strategy aimed at unlocking significant copper and gold potential and advancing Comstock toward the mineral resource stage, while creating meaningful value for shareholders.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, which may include, but are not limited to statements relating to its future business plans. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. 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 may differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288860

Source: North Valley Resources Ltd.
The European Union and Australia are nearing a long-pending free-trade agreement, with negotiations entering the final phase amid efforts to strengthen supply chains and counter global trade disruptions

The European Union is closing in on a long-awaited free-trade agreement with Australia, marking a potential breakthrough in negotiations that have stretched for years and faced repeated setbacks, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU leaders that talks are now in their final stretch, signalling growing confidence that a deal could soon be sealed, the report said.

This will mark yet another milestone in diversifying Europes international partnerships, von der Leyen said, adding that the agreement would strengthen the blocs ability to shape global standards and build more resilient supply chains.

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High-level push to close deal

According to the report, von der Leyen could travel to Australia as early as this weekend to finalise and sign the agreement, although discussions remain ongoing and no final decision has been announced.

Momentum picked up after EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic held talks with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell, with both sides indicating progress and describing negotiations as moving in the right direction, the report said.

Strategic urgency amid global trade tensions

The push to clinch the deal comes as both sides seek to deepen ties with like-minded partners amid rising global trade frictions. The return of aggressive tariff measures under Donald Trump and tightening export controls by China on critical minerals have added urgency to diversify supply chains and reduce strategic vulnerabilities.

For Brussels, the agreement with Australia would complement a broader push to expand its trade network. The EU has recently revived or concluded trade negotiations with key partners, including India and the Mercosur grouping.

Sticking points remain

Despite the optimism, key differences persist  particularly over agricultural access. Australia has been pressing for greater access to European markets for its beef exports under preferential terms, while the EU has remained cautious, citing the need to protect its domestic farming sector.

Agriculture remains politically sensitive within the bloc, especially amid farmer protests against recent trade agreements, including the Mercosur deal.

The impasse over beef quotas was a major factor behind the collapse of earlier negotiations in 2023, when Australia walked away from a near-finalised pact, arguing that the EUs offer on tariff-free imports fell short.
Private credit default rates could rise to 8% as AI-driven disruption weakens software sector fundamentals, with high leverage, looming debt maturities, and rising investor redemptions adding pressure

Private credit markets are bracing for a fresh wave of stress, with default rates in direct lending projected to climb to around 8 per cent, according to a new note from Morgan Stanley, as artificial intelligence-driven disruption reshapes the software industry.

While the impact of AI on private credit has not yet been material, underlying vulnerabilities  particularly in software-linked loans  are building rapidly, analysts led by Joyce Jiang said. Elevated leverage levels and weakening cash-flow coverage could push defaults close to peaks last seen during the pandemic.

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Credit fundamentals of software loans are challenged, with the highest leverage and the lowest coverage ratios across major sectors, the strategists noted, adding that defaults, which had stabilised in recent quarters, are likely to rise again as AI-led disruption accelerates.

Software sector at the centre of risk

The warning comes as global credit markets grapple with the implications of AI on business models, especially in software, a sector long favoured by private credit investors for its predictable revenues and high margins.

Over the past decade, alternative asset managers have significantly increased exposure to software firms. According to Morgan Stanley, the sector now accounts for roughly 26 per cent of business development company (BDC) portfolios. Exposure is also substantial in private credit collateralised loan obligations (CLOs), at around 19 per cent.

The concentration has heightened concerns that any sustained disruption to software revenues  particularly from AI-led automation and competitive pressures  could have outsized effects on credit performance.

Maturity wall adds to pressure

A key near-term risk is the so-called maturity wall facing software borrowers. Morgan Stanley estimates that 11 per cent of direct lending loans to software companies will come due in 2027, followed by another 20 per cent in 2028, citing data from PitchBook.

This front-loaded refinancing cycle could prove challenging if market conditions tighten or if lenders grow more cautious toward the sector, potentially leading to higher refinancing costs or an inability to roll over debt.

Investor unease and fund pressures

Rising anxiety around the sector is already being reflected in investor behaviour. Redemption requests in private credit funds have increased, prompting some managers to impose withdrawal limits.

Recently, Morgan Stanley and Cliffwater LLC capped withdrawals from their multi-billion-dollar private debt funds after investors sought to redeem amounts exceeding standard quarterly thresholds.

Risks seen as contained, not systemic

Despite the rising stress, Morgan Stanleys strategists emphasised that risks in private credit are unlikely to trigger broader financial instability.

Business development companies  key vehicles that allow retail investors to access private credit  held about $530 billion in assets as of the third quarter of last year. While this has raised concerns about retail exposure to illiquid assets, analysts believe the risks are largely contained within the segment.

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They added that a moderation in retail demand could shift the investor base more towards institutional players, potentially slowing the rapid growth seen in private credit markets over the past decade.

Still, with AI reshaping industries and a heavy refinancing cycle looming, the outlook for private credit  particularly in software  is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Dhurandhar 2 lands in controversy days before release as makers receive a legal notice over a Sikh character smoking scene. Heres what happened.

Just days ahead of its grand theatrical release, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has landed in controversy after a legal notice was issued to the makers over a scene involving Ranveer Singhs character.

The film, slated for a March 19 release with paid premieres on March 18, is now facing objections from members of the Sikh community, raising questions about whether the controversy could impact its rollout.

What is the controversy about?

The issue centres around Ranveer Singhs character, Jaskirat Singh Rangi, a Sikh man depicted in the film.

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-A legal notice has been sent to the makers, actor, and relevant authorities

-The objection is specifically to scenes showing the Sikh character smoking

-Complainants argue that such portrayal is religiously insensitive and misrepresents Sikh beliefs

In Sikhism, the consumption of tobacco is strictly prohibited, making the depiction particularly contentious.

Paramjit singh Sarna, the President-Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi State had shared it in a tweet, where he wrote, The poster of the Pralay song from the film _Dhurandhar 2_ depicts a turbaned Sikh character holding a cigarette. This portrayal is deeply offensive and a serious violation of Sikh religious principles. In Sikh tradition, tobacco is strictly prohibited and regarded as a Bajjar Kurehit, one of the gravest breaches of the Sikh code of conduct.

Displaying a Sikh wearing a Dastaar while holding a cigarette is therefore a blatant misrepresentation of Sikh identity and hurts the sentiments of Sikhs worldwide, he explained, adding, The Sikh turban is a sacred article of faith. Its use in this context is completely irrelevant to the narrative of the film and appears to trivialise and misrepresent Sikh beliefs before a global audience. Such imagery directly attacks Sikh sentiments and projects a distorted understanding of the Sikh faith. We urge the concerned authorities to take immediate cognizance of this matter, investigate the portrayal, and direct the makers to remove or correct this offensive poster.

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The poster of the Pralay song from the film Dhurandhar 2 depicts a turbaned Sikh character holding a cigarette. This portrayal is deeply offensive and a serious violation of Sikh religious principles.



In Sikh tradition, tobacco is strictly prohibited and regarded as a Bajjar pic.twitter.com/ZoThF3K5Vp  Paramjit Singh Sarna (@ParamjitSSarna) March 12, 2026

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More about the legal notice

The notice was reportedly filed by a member of the Sikh community, addressed to the films makers, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The complaint alleges that the scenes hurt religious sentiments and portray the Sikh community in a negative light .

What are the demands?

The complainants have made multiple demands, including:

-Removal of all scenes showing the Sikh character smoking

-Edits to promotional material, including trailers and posters

-A public apology from the makers

They have also called for immediate corrective action before the films release .

Will this affect the release?

As of now, there has been no official confirmation of a delay in the release of Dhurandhar 2.

The controversy comes at a crucial time, especially since the film is already witnessing massive advance bookings and a strong buzz across domestic and overseas markets.

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However, whether the makers opt for last-minute edits or issue a clarification remains to be seen.

The bigger picture

Controversies around religious representation are not new to Bollywood, but the timing makes this one particularly significant.

For Dhurandhar 2, which is already positioned as one of the biggest releases of the year, the legal notice adds an unexpected layer of scrutiny.

Whether it turns into a temporary hurdle or fuels further curiosity around the film will become clear as the release date approaches.
Sean Penn missed the 2026 Oscars despite winning Best Supporting Actor, choosing instead to travel to Ukraine where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In one of the most unexpected moments of the Oscars 2026, actor Sean Penn was notably absent, despite winning his third Academy Award.

According to a report by The New York Times, Penn chose to skip the ceremony altogether and was instead spotted in Ukraine shortly after the awards, reaffirming his long-standing support for the war-torn country.

Sean Penn wins big but skips the big night

Penn won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in _One Battle After Another_, marking his third Academy Award win.

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However, the actor did not attend the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Presenter Kieran Culkin accepted the award on his behalf, even joking on stage about Penns absence.

Reports indicate that Penn had already left the United States ahead of the ceremony with plans to travel to Ukraine instead of attending Hollywoods biggest night.

Spotted in Ukraine, meets Zelenskyy

Shortly after the Oscars, Penn was seen in Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy praised the actor as a true friend of Ukraine, acknowledging his continued support since the Russian invasion began in 2022. Penn reportedly travelled to the country via a train journey arranged discreetly, choosing to prioritise his humanitarian and political engagement over attending the awards ceremony.

On March 16, Ukraines president also shared a photo with Penn. The caption read, Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today. And we know that you will continue to stand with our country and our people.

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A long history of support for Ukraine

This is not the first time Penn has shown solidarity with Ukraine. The actor has made multiple visits to the country during the ongoing conflict and even co-directed a documentary chronicling Zelenskyys leadership during wartime.

In a symbolic gesture back in 2022, Penn also lent one of his Oscar statuettes to Zelenskyy, asking him to return it once Ukraine wins the war.

A rare Oscars no-show

While Oscars absences are not unheard of, it is rare for a winner, especially a major acting category winner, to skip the ceremony entirely. Penns decision places him among a small group of actors who have chosen to miss the event despite winning, often for political or personal reasons.
On Monday (March 16), a jury found US mom Kouri Richins guilty of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Kouri faces 25 years to life in prison, and her sentencing is scheduled for May 13

After three weeks of testimony and years of rigorous investigation, Kouri Richins, a Utah woman and US author accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl, was found guilty of murdering him on Monday (March 16).

The Summit County jury started deliberating the case and pronounced its verdict about three hours later. Kouri has been found guilty of attempted murder, two counts of falsifying insurance claims and forgery in what prosecutors say was a scheme for Kouri to poison her husband, and inherit more than $4 million (Rs 33.3 crore to Rs 37 crore), The New York Times (NYT) reported.

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Kouri kept her head down and remained still while the judge announced each guilty verdict. Her sentencing has been scheduled for May 13. Kouri reportedly faces 25 years to life in prison. However, the defence has called the case sloppy and driven by bias.

We take a look.

Who is Kouri Richins?

Kouri Richins is a 35-year-old Utah-based woman. She is the mother of three and an author, according to reports. Kouris husband is Eric, who she has been found guilty of fatally poisoning with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Kouri self-published a childrens book, Are You With Me? which she asserted that she wrote to help her three boys process the loss of their father. According to the Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth, she is a suburban mother and real estate agent.

Whats the case against Kouri Richins?

The case against Kouri dates back to March 3, 2022, when, according to prosecutors, Kouri mixed a cocktail with a fentanyl dose five times higher than the lethal amount, which had been purchased from a housekeeper, and served it to her husband while the couple was at their home outside Park City, Utah, US.

According to court documents, Eric, 39, drank the cocktail around 9 pm, and 30 minutes later, Kouri said that when she went to comfort one of her sons who was having a nightmare. She told prosecutors that when she returned to the couples bedroom around 3 am, she found Eric unresponsive and unreactive.

BREAKING: A Utah jury convicted Kouri Richins of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, after just 3 hours of deliberations.



Prosecutors said she fatally poisoned him with a lethal dose of fentanyl in a Moscow Mule drink.



Richins was found guilty on all counts and now faces 25 pic.twitter.com/KntVDSubFr  BensonNewsHub (@BensonNewsHub) March 17, 2026

An autopsy found that Eric died from fentanyl poisoning, and the level of it in his blood was approximately five times the lethal dosage. The medical examiner concluded the fentanyl was illicit rather than medical-grade, according to the charging document.

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Prosecutors also noted that weeks before this incident, on Valentines Day, Kouri had attempted to kill him by poisoning his favourite type of sandwich with fentanyl. Eric became extremely sick that day; however, he recovered after using Benadryl and an EpiPen, the charging documents revealed.

After her first failed attempt to kill her husband, Kouri asked the housekeeper, Carmen Lauber, for something stronger, Lauber told prosecutors, specifically asking for the Michael Jackson stuff," the publication quoted the housekeeper as saying.

Kouri Richins wrote a book on grief after the death of her husband, Eric Richins. Image courtesy: X

According to Prosecutors, she was heavily in debt and murdered her husband for financial gain, intending to start a new life with a man she was having an affair with.

Kouri is also accused of insurance fraud after allegedly taking out a $100,000 (around Rs 92 lakh) life insurance policy in Erics name with his forged signature and then filing a claim after his alleged murder, ABC News reported.

On the day Eric died, Kouri owed more than $3.1 million (Rs 25.7 crore to Rs 28.6 crore) related to her house-flipping business, court documents revealed.

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She wanted lethal, fatal death: Prosecutor

The three weeks of testimony witnessed 40 witnesses.

During a closing argument on Monday, Bloodworth said, Kouri was a suburban mother, real estate agent. She does not know a lot about the illicit street drug world, but she knows Michael Jackson died from taking drugs.

She doesnt know how to order a street drug, but she knows she wants the Michael Jackson stuff. She knows she wants it because it is lethal. It is fatal. It kills. And she wanted lethal, fatal death, he added.

According to Bloodworth, she was in financial desperation because of her companys debts and required a significant influx of cash immediately.

He alleged that she thought she would gain financially from her husbands death, without realising that his assets had actually been placed in a trust for their children.

The beginning of the downward financial death spiral of Kouri was October 2021, with a growing debt picture nearing $8 million (around Rs 66.4 crore-Rs 67.2 crore).

During closing arguments, Kouri Richins seemed visibly upset when the lead prosecutor brought up the 911 call in which Kouri reported her husbands death and how it didnt match her journal entry and call records.



Read: https://t.co/rqowpDv08W pic.twitter.com/EVV4dE8RKG  KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) March 16, 2026

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Bloodworth argued that Kouri attempted to cover up her alleged role in her husbands death, starting with the 911 call, on the day Eric died.

Listen to how she tells the 911 dispatcher where she was when Eric died. She is distancing herself, Bloodworth asserted before playing the call for jurors.

Rather than, Hes not breathing. He has no pulse. I have to figure out what to do. I need help, shes saying, Hey, look, I was not there. I was in my sons room. Thats her alibi. Shes distancing herself from the time and the place that she murdered Eric, ABC News reported.

According to the prosecutor, Bloodworth, the 911 operator asked Kouri to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on her husband for 6 minutes; however, as per him, Kouri did not immediately try to revive him.

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Bloodworth asserted that Kouri deleted her texts and phone logs with several people, including her former house cleaner, Carmen Lauber, who testified about obtaining illicit drugs at Kouris request, weeks prior to Erics death.

A forensic examination of burner phones used by Kouri revealed searches such as: Women in Utah prison, can cops uncover deleted. messages iphone, if someone is poisoned what does it go down on the death certificate as, how long does life insurance companies take to. pay, and what is a lethal.does.of.fetanyl, the NYT reported.

After the toxicology report revealed that Eric died due to a fentanyl overdose, Bloodworth argued that Kouri needs to explain the presence of the drug in the cocktail.

The moment a Utah jury found Kouri Richins guilty of killing her husband. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/nlBi1NbyZt  Chris Stewart (@CStewartNews) March 17, 2026

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According to the prosecutor, Eric did not die due to an accidental overdose. He cited testimony of Erics friends and family who said he did not use illicit drugs, and that Eric did not commit suicide and had every reason to live.

The evidence proves that Kouri Richins murdered, attempted to murder Eric Richins and that she committed two counts of insurance fraud and forgery. The evidence does not support any other explanation, Bloodworth added.

Did Kouri Richins have an affair with another man?

Bloodworth then pointed out that Kouri planned to cause her husbands death as early as December 2021, when she booked a vacation with her boyfriend for April 2022.

She did not book that trip thinking Eric Richins would be alive in April; she booked it knowing he would not, the prosecutor said.

Robert Josh Grossmann, with whom Kouri had a years-long affair, wiped away his tears and lowered his head as their affectionate text messages were shown in court.

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Robert Josh Grossmann asserted during the testimony that he and Kouri Richins had a years-long affair that ended months after Eric Richins death. Image courtesy: X

The text read: I do want a future together. I do want you. Figure life out together, Kouri Richins texted Grossmann roughly two weeks before her husband died. If he could just go away, and you could just be here! Life would be so perfect!!! I love you, the CNN reported.

Grossmann said he worked on properties that Kouri purchased for her real estate business, and their relationship became romantic in early 2020. He added that she allowed him to stay in a house she was renovating, bought him two trucks, and gave him money whenever he needed it.

The jury witnessed dozens of messaged exchanged between the pair expressed their love and dreamed about being together in the future.

Grossmann testified, he and Kouri planned to get brunch together on March 4, 2022, to celebrate her closing on a valuable property. A night before that she sent her a GIF, a type of animated image, of two people snogging with the caption, love you,, as per the text shown in the court room.

And hours later, Eric was dead.

Two stayed together for many months after Erics death, however, their relationship soon ended. Grossmann asserted, Things changed after Eric passed.

Confirmation bias: How Defence argued the case

During the closing argument, Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued that the case was impacted by confirmation bias from the start.

Instead of looking at the evidence to determine what happened, the state has, they determined what happened, and then they found the evidence to support it, Lewis said.

According to her, there was no evidence that there was fentanyl in Erics drink the night he died and that people investigating the matter failed to look into his recent trip to Mexico.

Lewis also raised questions about the testimony of Lauber, saying, Carmen Lauber was not able to tell you that she bought fentanyl. She agreed on the stand that it was the detectives that first put the word fentanyl in her mouth, in her head. She was told by detectives in this case that she bought fentanyl. Eric died of fentanyl. You bought drugs. You bought fentanyl. She took that story and she ran with it because she had everything to lose, the media outlet reported.

Speaking on Kouris money trouble, Lewis acknowledged that the house flipping business was struggling.

The Defence attorney claimed Kouri is being judged for how she grieved. They want you to look at a woman in the worst moment of her life and to judge her grief. There is no wrong way to grieve, Lewis added.

With inputs from agencies
The docking of the Shivalik at Mundra Port brings temporary relief to Indias LPG supply crunch as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz strain imports, putting a spotlight on the countrys dependence on imports through volatile global energy routes

An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. File Image/Reuters

The docking of the LPG carrier Shivalik at Mundra Port on Monday (March 16, 2026), has provided a critical, albeit temporary, buffer to Indias strained liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies.

The development comes at a time when escalating tensions in West Asia  particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz 

Carrying roughly 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG, the vessels cargo represents a substantial addition to Indias supply chain, equivalent to about 3.24 million standard 14.2-kg domestic cylinders used by households across the country.

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Officials indicate that the shipment alone can meet close to one day of Indias total LPG import requirement, highlighting its significance amid a supply crunch that has begun to affect both essential and commercial consumption.

How much LPG is on Shivalik?

Shivalik is a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) operated by the Shipping Corporation of India and was inducted into service in September last tear as part of Indias broader effort to strengthen its control over energy transportation.

Constructed in South Korea, the tanker is among the largest in its class, measuring approximately 225 metres in length with a beam of around 36 metres. It is designed to carry liquefied gas in specialised, temperature-controlled tanks that maintain the fuel in a compressed liquid state during long-haul voyages.

The ships total storage capacity is about 82,000 cubic metres, enabling it to transport between 40,000 and 46,000 tonnes of LPG per journey.

Typically, LPG cargo arriving via such vessels is routed through major ports including Visakhapatnam, Haldia Dock Complex, Kandla, and New Mangalore before being distributed to bottling plants and consumers nationwide.

How will the LPG from Shivalik reach Indian households?

Due to current maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian government has prioritised priority berthing for vessels like the Shivalik to ensure a steady inflow.

At the port, the LPG  often stored in a refrigerated liquid state at -45C  is transferred via mechanical unloading arms into massive cryogenic storage tanks, where it is gradually warmed and pressurised for its journey inland.

From these coastal gateways, the bulk LPG is transported across Indias vast landscape primarily through an expanding network of cross-country pipelines, such as the Kandla-Gorakhpur and Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur lines, which act as the nations energy arteries.

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In regions where pipelines are still being commissioned, the gas is moved via BTPGLN rail wagons or high-pressure road tankers, colloquially known as Bullets. These transporters deliver the bulk product to one of the approximately 215 automated bottling plants scattered across the country.

Inside these plants, the process follows strict safety standards set by the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD). Empty cylinders are fed into a high-speed carousel system where they are cleaned, checked for structural integrity, and filled with a precise weight of LPG  typically 14.2 kg for domestic use.

Every cylinder undergoes rigorous automated leak detection in a water bath and is fitted with a tamper-evident seal and a QR code for digital traceability.

The final leg of the journey is managed by a network of over 25,600 distributors who service more than 332 million active connections, including over 100 million Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries.

Once filled, cylinders are dispatched in trucks to local godowns (warehouses) and then delivered to households by delivery personnel.

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This system is almost entirely digitised as nearly 90 per cent of bookings occur online, and deliveries are secured via a Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) sent to the consumers registered mobile.

To manage the current global supply volatility, the Ministry of Petroleum has recently implemented a 25-day inter-booking rule to prevent hoarding and has mandated that households with Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections surrender their LPG cylinders to prioritise supply for rural and non-piped areas.

Household consumption has been placed at the top of the priority list, followed by critical institutions such as hospitals and educational facilities. Supplies for commercial establishments are being assessed individually based on urgency and availability.

To manage the domestic situation, authorities have intensified monitoring mechanisms to prevent hoarding and black marketing of LPG.

How is India ensuring safe passage for its vessels?

Shivalik, along with another Indian-flagged LPG carrier, Nanda Devi, had successfully crossed the strait days earlier, carrying a combined cargo of over 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG.

India, for its part, has relied on diplomatic engagement as well as naval preparedness. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed that New Delhi is actively coordinating with Tehran to ease maritime constraints.

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I am at the moment engaged in talking to them and my talking has yielded some results, he told the Financial Times.

He added, Certainly, from Indias perspective, it is better that we reason and we coordinate and we get a solution than we dont. While this is a welcome development, there is continuing conversation because there is continued work on that.

Despite these efforts, Jaishankar noted that there is no comprehensive arrangement guaranteeing safe passage for all Indian vessels, necessitating continued vigilance.

Currently, more than 20 Indian-flagged vessels operate in the Persian Gulf, with a combined crew strength of over 600 seafarers. Officials have confirmed that all personnel remain safe, with no reported incidents in recent days.

Naval forces are providing assistance to ships navigating the sensitive waters, ensuring as much protection as possible under current conditions. Additional LPG carriers, including Jag Laadki, are expected to reach Indian ports shortly, which could further bolster supplies in the near term.

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Indias vulnerability to such disruptions stems from its heavy reliance on energy imports. The country sources approximately 88 per cent of its crude oil and around 60 per cent of its LPG from overseas markets.

A significant share of these imports originates in West Asia. More than half of Indias crude oil supplies, around 30 per cent of its gas imports, and nearly 85-90 per cent of LPG imports come from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates  most of it transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

While India has partially mitigated crude oil disruptions by increasing purchases from alternative suppliers like Russia, similar flexibility is harder to achieve in the LPG and gas segments. As a result, industrial users have already faced curtailments in gas supply.

With inputs from agencies
A meningitis outbreak has caused panic and concern in the United Kingdom after two students have died and 11 others are seriously ill in hospital. Health authorities note that the outbreak is linked to student populations in the city of Canterbury, Kent. But what do we know about this disease?

Students in UK's Kent have been asked to take sufficient precautions after a meningitis outbreak has been recorded in three schools and a university. Representational image/AFP

While the world looks on as the West Asia conflict unfolds, the United Kingdom (UK) is witnessing another kind of concern  an outbreak of invasive meningitis that has killed two young people and left 11 others in hospital.

Over the weekend, An 18-year-old pupil at Queen Elizabeths Grammar School in Faversham, named as Juliette, and a 21-year-old student at the University of Kent were confirmed to have died from the infection. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was notified of 13 cases with signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia from Friday to Sunday in the Canterbury area.

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Now, health authorities are trying to arrange for enough antibiotics, with long queues of students seen building up at the University of Kents Canterbury campus on Monday. Many turned up after being approached directly by the UK health authorities because of possible contact with infected people.

We take a look at the disease, and how the situation is being managed.

What is meningitis?

Meningococcal meningitis is a contagious illness caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and spread in respiratory droplets. Meningitis can also be caused by other bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi and can occur as a complication of other diseases, such as measles.

Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are one of the main causes of bacterial meningitis. The bacteria (orange) are infecting brain cells. Representational image/X

This serious condition affects the meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. When someone contracts meningitis, the membranes are infected with bacteria or a virus, causing them to be inflamed. According to the UKs National Health Services, if not treated quickly, meningitis can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves. In very extreme cases, it can even cause death.

Meningitis affects around 2.3 million people globally every year. Although anyone can get meningitis, it is more common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. It usually spreads most easily in places where people who arent vaccinated against the disease gather in close contact, such as in schools or student housing.

Early warning signs of meningitis include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps. Representational image/Pixabay

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Early warning signs of meningitis include a high temperature, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps. As the disease worsens, it makes people drowsy, irritable and confused, as well as cause severe muscle pain, pale, blotchy skin, spots or a rash, stiff neck, an aversion to bright lights and convulsions or seizures.

According to Meningitis Now, people shouldnt wait until someone develops a rash and to seek medical help if someone is ill and displaying these symptoms. Its important to note that meningitis symptoms dont appear in a specific order. They can appear at any time, and patients may not experience all of them. In some cases, symptoms may not appear at all.

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What causes meningitis?

There is no single way that a person contracts meningitis. It can be contracted through different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

There are two types of meningitis  a viral and a bacterial, with the latter being the more serious form of the condition.

According to experts, because viruses can cause meningitis, there are different ways it can spread. The infection is usually spread by people who carry the virus or bacteria in their nose and throat but are not actually ill. However, though less common, the infection can also be spread by someone actively suffering from meningitis.

Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy tells Cosmopolitan UK: Meningitis bacteria often live in the back of the throat and do not infect the host. The fact the host does not get infected is believed to be due to genetic differences which means the host has natural immunity to the organism. However, the person who they pass it to is genetically susceptible and becomes very unwell.

Whos at most risk of contracting meningitis?

While anyone is at risk of contracting meningitis, it is typically found in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. People who are immunocompromised are also more at risk.

Meningitis Now reports the risk of disease is greatest in first year university students living in shared accommodation. Dr Deborah Lee explains: Bacterial meningitis affects less than one in 100,000 of the UK population. It is most common in those aged 18-20.

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Even Trish Mannes, UKHSA Regional Deputy Director for the South East, concurred on this, telling CNN, Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover.

There are various vaccines that can be used in the fight against meningitis. Representational image/AP

What can be done to treat meningitis?

For prevention, there are vaccines that can be taken. Theres the MenACWY vaccine, which offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis, and is offered to teenagers. Theres also the MenB vaccine, which protects against meningococcal group B bacteria and is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.

However, these vaccines do not protect against all of the possible viruses or variants of bacteria that can cause meningitis. As Dr Zina Alfahl, of the University of Galway, told The Guardian: Whether vaccination rates played a role in this outbreak will depend on which strain is involved, which hasnt yet been confirmed. Until that information is available, it would be premature to attribute the outbreak to vaccine uptake.

To treat meningitis, to give antibiotics to people who may have come into contact with the disease is the best practice.

NEW - Hundreds of people wear masks and que at the University of Kent to get antibiotics after 2 people die from an outbreak of "invasive" meningitis and 11 others are hospitalized with symptoms. pic.twitter.com/DHMl63WIhZ  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 16, 2026

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How bad is the current outbreak in UKs Kent?

As of now, two people have died in the UK owing to meningitis, with 11 others being seriously ill in hospital. The outbreak has erupted in a university and three schools  University of Kent, Queen Elizabeths grammar school, Simon Langton grammar school for boys in Canterbury and Norton Knatchbull school in Ashford.

Of the two who died from meningitis, one was identified as sixth-form student, Juliette. Her teachers at Queen Elizabeths described her as a kind and intelligent young woman. We are all absolutely devastated, Headteacher Amelia McIlroy said in a statement sent to CNN on Monday.

Meanwhile, the UK health authorities are working at identifying close contacts of those affected and administering antibiotics as part of efforts to limit the spread of the disease. The university has also cancelled all in-person assessments or exams for the week. Queues could be seen at the university with students awaiting the dispensation of antibiotics.

Health authorities have also stated that they are offering advice and support to the student community, as they monitor the situation closely. The UKHSA has added that anyone who thinks they, or someone they care for, could have meningitis, septicaemia or sepsis should call 999 or go to their nearest health centre.

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FAQs:

1) What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a condition in which swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord takes place. It is caused by either a bacteria or by different types of viruses.

2) What are the signs to look out for in cases of meningitis?

Symptoms can develop suddenly and can include: A rash that doesnt fade when pressed with a glass. A sudden onset of high fever; a severe and worsening headache; a stiff neck; vomiting and diarrhoea. One could also suffer from joint and muscle pain, seizures, and very cold hands and feet. One could also suffer from extreme sleepiness.

3) Can you prevent meningitis?

Common germs that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing or kissing. Hence, Covid-style hygiene measures such as washing of hands regularly and covering your mouth while sneezing or coughing should be practised.

4) Can you be vaccinated against meningitis?

There are multiple vaccinations available for protection against meningitis. The MenB vaccine is recommended for babies at eight weeks, as it protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which is the most common cause of the disease in children. A second dose is given at 12 weeks, and a booster is recommended after one year. This jab does not protect against viral meningitis.

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The 6-in-1 vaccine (short for DTaP/IPV/Hib/Hep B) protects against meningitis, plus diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Theres also the MenACWY vaccine that protects against four bacteria types known to cause meningitis: meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y. Its available to 14-year-olds, as well as people up to 25 who havent had a vaccine containing MenC.

With inputs from agencies
As Finlands President Alexander Stubb urges India to mediate the U.S.-Iran conflict following his high-profile state visit, American strategists suggest President Trump should call PM Modi to leverage New Delhis unique trust with both Tehran and Washington for a ceasefire

World leaders and military strategists are increasingly viewing New Delhi as the only credible off-ramp for the escalating war between the United States and Iran.

Fresh off his state visit to India (March 47), Finnish President Alexander Stubb has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leverage Indias unique position to stop the 18-day conflict from spiralling into a global catastrophe.

President Stubb, who served as the Chief Guest at the Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, delivered a stark warning about the collapse of the Western-led world order. Speaking to a high-profile audience that included EAM S Jaishankar, Stubb praised Indias strategic caution and pragmatic realism.

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We need a ceasefire, Stubb declared. Im wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down, and New Delhi has the trust of both sides, he added.

Breaking: Finland President calls for India to broker US-Iran ceasefire



"We need a ceasefire. I'm wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down," says President Alexander Stubb pic.twitter.com/analqtIeD3  Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) March 17, 2026

Call PM Modi: The American view

This sentiment is finding unexpected echoes within the American establishment. Retired US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor, a veteran strategist, has publicly advised President Donald Trump to look toward India to exit the escalation trap.

In a blunt assessment of the conflict, Macgregor warned that US missile stockpiles are depleting and that a diplomatic exit is the only way to prevent a $300-per-barrel oil crisis.

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If the war needs to stop, President Trump should call PM Modi, Macgregor suggested in a recent viral interview. India has balanced ties with Israel, Iran, and China. Modi is someone who can speak to all parties without being seen as an aggressor, he added.

India has so far maintained a disciplined neutrality. While it has deployed warships to independently escort its LPG tankerslike the Shivalik and Nanda Deviout of the Strait of Hormuz, it has steadfastly refused to join the US-led naval coalition.
Jaishankars visit to Europe was also significant for the fact that it marked the first direct engagement between India and the EU, since the conflict in West Asia started.

Jaishankar participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, interacting with foreign ministers from all 27 member states, Photo: File

At a time when the world has become more unstable and uncertain, and multilateralism has come under severe stress, the India-European Union (EU) partnership will act as a factor of stability and resilience. This is the key message delivered by India and EU during the recent visit of Indias foreign minister S Jaishankar to Brussels.

Jaishankar participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, interacting with foreign ministers from all 27 member states, discussing the West Asia conflict, the Ukraine war, developments in the Indo-Pacific, and progress on India-EU ties

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Concluding his visit, he said that the security and defence partnership between the India and EU will be taken forward. He also said that negotiations associated with the Security of Information Agreement would be endeavoured to conclude early.

The minister also pointed out at enhancing the connectivity framework between the two, with special emphasis on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

FTA: A turning point

This was the first visit of Jaishankar to Europe, post the signing of free trade agreement (FTA) between the two in January. The trade pact, described by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the mother of all deals, represents a turning point in the India-Europe ties. It also signals Indias shifting geopolitical priorities, with a renewed focus on Europe.

India has also proposed to upgrade and reorient the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to facilitate partnership in critical and cutting-edge technologies.

The geoeconomic depth of the partnership further increased due to the catalyst effect of US President Donald Trump, where both the India and EU found themselves at the receiving end. India was hit with a 50 per cent tariff by Trump administration, while Europe was also threatened with a 30 per cent tariff before reaching a deal last year.

The signed FTA has eliminated tariffs on over 90 per cent of imports for both sides, and also proposes strengthening of supply chains and increasing investments.

West Asia in focus

The visit was also significant for the fact that it marked the first direct engagement between India and the EU, since the conflict in West Asia started that has severely disrupted the supply chain, especially because of the prolonged blockade of Strait of Hormuz.

Risks of energy insecurity have also surfaced in the region, as a majority of Indias oil supply happens through the Gulf.

India and EU remains geopolitically convergent on the issue by not being directly associated with the conflict. India has maintained a constant stand since the war started, with repeated calls for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

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Meanwhile, European nations have, earlier, also ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite Trumps threats that NATO faces a very bad future if member countries fail to help reopen the vital waterway.

However after the recent meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that they (India-EU) examined ways to better protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, including possible contributions by the EUs naval mission Aspides, warning that the closure of the strait is hurting the global economy, helping Russia fund its war, affecting the EUs partners in the region, and is dangerous for global energy supplies

Kallas also emphasised that attention on West Asia should not overshadow Ukraine, while adding that easing US sanctions on Russian oil sets a dangerous precedent.

During the meeting with EUs Foreign Affairs Council, Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with counterparts from Germany, Belgium, Greece, Slovakia, and the Netherlands. The talks covered semiconductors, AI, manufacturing, healthcare, defence, and connectivity, highlighting that the strategic depth between the India-EU relationship has expanded beyond trade.

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As tensions mount in the Strait of Hormuz, Indian Navy warships quietly escort LPG tankers through the volatile route, ensuring safe passage for energy supplies and protecting Indian commercial shipping

While much of the international community remains focused on fiery rhetoric and calls for large military coalitions, India has taken a quieter approach. At least three Indian Navy warships have discreetly positioned themselves in the Gulf of Oman, tasked with protecting Indian commercial vessels navigating the increasingly volatile Strait of Hormuz.

A quiet escort mission

The impact of this low-key deployment is already becoming visible. For the first time in nearly two weeks, India-bound LPG tankers have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz. In fact, one of the tankers, Shivalik, has reached the Mundra port in Gujarat in the early hours of Yesterday.

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Gujarat: LPG tanker Shivalik, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz, reaches Mundra Port.



Source: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) pic.twitter.com/XPHYnlXOI1  ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

The ships Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying a combined cargo of roughly 92,700 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, were escorted out of the high-risk zone by an Indian Navy warship operating with its air defence systems fully activated.

Operation Sankalp in action

Importantly, this deployment is not a sudden move but part of a broader strategy under Operation Sankalp. Launched in 2019, the mission was designed to safeguard Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.

The current situation also highlights a clear difference in strategy between global powers.

On one hand, US President Donald Trump has publicly called on countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and several European nations to deploy warships and join a US-led coalition to secure shipping routes in the region.

Also read | How Hormuz crisis exposes global complacency on maritime chokepoints

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On the other hand, India has chosen a more independent path. Rather than joining a multinational military coalition, New Delhi has relied on its long-standing policy of strategic autonomy, deploying its own naval assets while also maintaining diplomatic communication channels with Tehran.

The stakes, however, remain significant. Currently, 22 India-flagged vessels, most of them oil and gas tankers, are operating in the Persian Gulf with over 600 Indian seafarers on board. In addition, several foreign-flagged ships carrying cargo bound for India remain caught in the regions growing geopolitical tensions.
Under the Modi government, Indias diplomacy has balanced ties with rival powers, secured energy supplies, safeguarded its citizens, and maintained domestic stability, enabling the country to manage the West Asia crisis better than most

The Modi governments deft diplomacy to ensure energy supply to India through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has imposed a blockade to prevent movement of ships, and purchasing Russian oil without American sanctions are no mean feats and indubitably diplomatic triumphs. File image/AP

The war in the Persian Gulf that started with massive bombings of Iran by the United States and Israel has given birth to a global crisis. While the use of missiles and drones is confined to the Persian Gulf countries housing American military facilities and Israel, the repercussions of the war for the global political economy, the worlds energy market and the movement of people for work and tourism have been devastating.

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This war is certainly not World War III, but its impact is undoubtedly global, and India, among other countries, has been bearing the brunt of it. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deftly handled the wars repercussions is justly outstanding.

First of all, the panic that has spread around the world is widely reported and distinctly noticeable in the mainstream media as well as the social media. But there is no alarm in India, and the credit must be given to the Prime Minister and the relevant ministries working under his guidance. Compare this situation to long queues in Vietnam and Bangladesh at patrol stations, the energy famine in Pakistan leading to salary cuts of officials, among other things; Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh seeking Indias help to deal with the energy crisis; South Korea capping the price of oil and many more, and one can see the sea of calm in Indian streets.

Secondly, the Modi governments deft diplomacy to ensure energy supply to India through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has imposed a blockade to prevent movement of ships, and purchasing Russian oil without American sanctions are no mean feats and indubitably diplomatic triumphs. For years, PM Modi managed to buy huge amounts of discounted oil from Russia despite Western criticisms and opposition, and the Biden Administration did not take any punitive measures against India. On the contrary, the Biden presidency quietly appreciated Indian moves due to the contribution of India to the stabilisation of the international energy market through Russian oil purchases.

Bidens successor, President Donald Trump, had a different take on this issue, and he illegally, unfairly and unjustifiably chose to punish India for buying Russian oil. Its illegality was established by none other than the Supreme Court Justices of the United States. It was unfair because India was punished for trading with Russia, while some of the European allies were doing the same thing without getting warned or penalised by the Trump Administration. It was unjustified because China was the largest buyer of Russian oil, but President Trump chose to single out India for buying Russian oil.

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PM Modis response to Trumps punitive tariff was a classic example of passive diplomatic resistance. He did not criticise President Trump, who repeatedly claimed that he was a friend of the Indian Prime Minister. He did not impose any retaliatory tariff on the US imports, unlike China, which followed a tit-for-tat policy. He asked Indian people to try to buy as many homemade goods as possible.

While the Trump Administration officials recurrently asked India to stop buying Russian energy, Prime Minister Modi and his cabinet officials repeatedly clarified that Indias energy policy would be based on what is good for India. The US finally relented, and a trade deal was announced. The moment the Trump White House, in defiance of the Supreme Courts decision on his tariff policy, adopted alternative methods to raise tariffs under the Super 301 Clause of the US Trade Act of 1974, India yet again quietly refrained from finalising the trade deal, seeking additional negotiations.

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When President Trump announced that India could buy Russian oil amidst the US war against Iran, it was as if the Modi magic worked in the realm of diplomacy. Did the Trump Administration take this step for fear of deeper disruption of the international energy market and hence the global political economy? Undoubtedly so. Did the language used by Trumps spokeswomanallowed India to buy Russian oil"was deliberate? Certainly yes. But the fact that Indias name was floated first is a clear indication of the success of Indian diplomacy.

The Trump Administration could have made a general statement, which it did subsequently, and not mentioned India at all. Chinas name could have been added in view of Trumps upcoming trip to China. The European allies of the US who continued to do energy trade with Russia could have been included. But none of such things happened. India perhaps proved that Trumps punitive tariff was wrong in its first place. But the Government of India rightly took no credit for it and graciously went ahead with its energy trade with Russia without sanctions.

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Third, Israeli and American attacks on Iran took place soon after Prime Minister Modis Israel visit and summit meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Indias growing closeness with Israel was on display when PM Modi addressed the Israeli Knesset and received repeated applause from the members. Yet, Iran had sent its navy to Vishakhapatnam for participation in the Milan naval exercise. Indian diplomacy in West Asia was based on friendship with all and enmity towards none!

When the US Navy torpedoed the Iranian naval ship in the Indian Ocean amidst the war in the Persian Gulf, many questioned Indias strategic partnership with the United States. But such critics had little to appreciate when Iranian sailors of IRIS Lavan were sheltered in Kochi and were repatriated safely to their country from Kochi! It needs emphasis that the American naval attack on the Iranian ship took place on the High Seas and not on Indian waters. The diplomacy through which Iran allowed a couple of cargo ships bound for India to pass through the Strait of Hormuz is a success that should not be undervalued.

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Fourth, Indian diplomacy during any international crisis or armed conflicts requires serious cogitations, careful articulation and planning, when both the conflicting parties are friendly countries; and more so, if the safety of Indian citizens is involved in conflict zones. Millions of Indian workers live in the Persian Gulf that is witnessing extraordinary levels of missile and drone attacks. In addition, a large chunk of Indian energy imports is from this region. Given the civilisational links of India with Israel and Iran and economic and defense partnership with the United States, Indian diplomacy under PM Modis leadership seems to have done what best could have been expected.

(The writer is founder chairperson, Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies, and Editor, India Quarterly. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Born of Christian evangelical advocacy, staffed by Islamists and chaired by a Christian culture-war activist, institutionally blind to the religious persecution occurring on its own soil, USCIRF functions not as a watchdog of any sort but a tool of geopolitical pressure dressed in the language of human rights

Not a single USCIRF report or press note has addressed the plight of Hindu Americans facing harassment, threats, and the desecration of their places of worship in the United States. Representational image: Reuters

It is curious that while Donald Trump has clipped the wings of the US Deep State, the USAID, put paid to the global NGO industry, or taken a knife to the Pentagons in-house think tank, Office of Net Assessment, he has miraculously spared the USCIRF, the jobless federal advocacy group that apparently monitors global religious freedom and issues recommendations to the US president, secretary of state, and US Congress that are then routinely fed to the office shredder.

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Perhaps Trump sees some value in a tool that through its fabricated reports turns the attention outward when the polarized American polity is a collapsing pack of cards. Or, maybe, the Christian supremacist propaganda of Ku Klux Klan lite keeps the evangelist lobbies satiated.

Either way, the USCIRF, a pack of bigoted clowns that creates bad blood between the US and countries targeted by it, is a global laughing stock. In 2025, Indias ministry of external affairs had said it is the USCIRF that should be designated as an entity of concern.

I am a little conflicted whether this loony advocacy group, with no legal authority and zero credibility, deserves the attention (albeit negative) it gets. And yet, since it is powered by the might of the United States of America, the bigotry, malevolence and hypocrisy must be called out every time.

Besides, these narrative-building tools are the building blocks of predatory hegemony. The annual issuing of these skewed narratives creates the fake moral superstructure that make it easy for the US to spread democracy through military intervention.

This time, however, the charlatans have targeted Indias external intelligence wing, R&AW, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), calling for targeted sanctions on individuals and entities and has asked the Trump administration to freeze the assets of entities and individuals and/or barring their entry into the United States. This marks an escalation and a major provocation.

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India has reacted with disdain. The MEA, in its latest reaction, has stated: For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts. Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself.

Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention.

We shall presently dive into the reasons why the United States should instead be designated as the country of particular concern (CPC) but first a few words on the members of USCIRF and its chair, Vicky Hartzler.

A Republican politician, Hartzler is a Christian supremacist who believes the United States is a Christian nation and should reflect conservative Christian values.

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She is a staunch opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage and famously wept on the House of Representatives floor in 2022 while pleading with colleagues to vote against same-sex marriage. Much of her work in Congress focuses specifically on persecution of Christians, and she has been a vocal critic of Indias anti-conversion laws as they interfere with Christian proselytization. The conflict of interest is stark.

The USCIRF vice-chair is Asif Mahmood, a Pakistani-American activist. One of the staff analysts at USCIRF is Sema Hasan, another Pakistani-American. Hasan is a senior policy analyst at USCIRF and is primarily responsible for monitoring and reporting on religious freedom in South Asia, with a specific focus on India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. She is a lead researcher behind the USCIRF annual reports and helps draft the recommendations that the organization makes to the US State Department.

Need I say more?

This is a commission whose foundational DNA is Christian missionary proselytization, whose commissioners are either Christian supremacists or bigoted Islamists and is based in a country where Hindu temples are vandalized with impunity, where a sitting vice-president repeatedly expresses desire to convert his Hindu wife to Christianity before tens of thousands of cheering supporters, and where a Republican politician calls a sacred Hindu moorti a false god and demands the removal of a lawfully erected Hanuman statue from American soil.

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While the USCIRF is fantasizing about sanctioning Indias external intelligence apparatus, Hindu temples across the US are being subjected to a relentless wave of vandalism, desecration, and targeted hate crimes.

In August 2025, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana, was vandalized with spray-painted slogan Hindustan, Modi Murdabad  marking the fourth BAPS temple in less than a year to be attacked. Local cops classified the incident as criminal mischief that downgrades the religiously motivated hate crime against a minority faith community into a petty criminal act.

This is a textbook definition of religious intolerance. And not an isolated incident. BAPS temples in Melville, New York, Sacramento and Chino Hills, California, had all been previously vandalized with similar anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti.

Anti-Hindu hate crimes in California rose for the fourth consecutive year according to the states Department of Justice. FBIs own data recorded 25 anti-Hindu hate crime incidents in 2024 alone. Researchers documented nearly 2,700 posts promoting racism and xenophobia against Indians and Indian Americans in a single month, with a sample of 128 hateful posts between December 2024 and January 2025 generating 138.54 million views on X (formerly Twitter).

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Not a single USCIRF report, not a single press note has been devoted to the plight of Hindu Americans being harassed, threatened, and having their places of worship desecrated in USCIRFs own backyard.

According to IAAC, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to documenting hate incidents against Indian Americans, the community in the US is experiencing an unprecedented surge of hate incidents, online harassment, and institutional discrimination. Between 2023 and 2025, there has been 115% rise in anti-Indian slurs, 75% spike in online hate against Hindu-Americans in early 2026, and 50% reported personal discrimination since 2025.

The IAACs hate-tracker records that between January and February 2026, anti-Indian rhetoric surged across social media platforms, spilled into public forums, and coincided with significant policy actions affecting Indian American workers and families.

The 2026 Carnegie Endowment Indian American Attitudes Survey (IAAS), a nationally representative online study of 1,000 Indian American adults conducted between November 25, 2025, and January 6, 2026, found Indian Americans are victims of widespread perceptions of bias, frequent encounters with online racism, and marked levels of personal harassment or discrimination.

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One in every two Indian Americans reported personal discrimination since start of 2025, causing many respondents to preemptively change how they live, speak, or participate in public life to avoid harassment.

According to the survey, among the Indian Americans who report such discrimination, skin color emerges as the most frequently cited reason (36%), followed by country of origin (21%), and religion (17%).

One wonders why the US doesnt qualify as a culprit for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations  as defined by this years USCIRF report.

The Carnegie survey also finds that anti-Indian hate is not necessarily confined to the online arena; a substantial minority of Indian Americans report direct experiences with harassment or hostility. Since the start of 2025, one in four respondents have been called a slur. This is causing what social scientists call behavioral modification.

Roughly one-fifth (21%) report avoiding leaving and re-entering the United States, refraining from displaying political signs or bumper stickers (21%), or avoiding publicly wearing Indian dress or attire (19%) and 18% also report avoiding political rallies or protests, says the survey.

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The hypocrisy does not stop at the grassroots. It climbs all the way to the second-highest office in the land.

VP Vance at an October 2025 event on the campus of the University of Mississippi, attended by nearly 10,000 MAGA faithful, openly stated a desire for his wife, Usha Vance, a practicing Hindu, to convert to Christianity: Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way.

This was not a quiet quip in a private setting. It was announced before a roaring MAGA crowd in a public political theatre. Vance went on to add that the United States of America is and always will be a Christian nation at a subsequent event in Phoenix.

The Carnegie survey of Indian Americans cited these statements by Vance to participants and found that clear majorities agree that the statement raises broader concerns about religious inclusion and representation in American public life.

Roughly 73% say the statement makes them feel that Indian Americans need stronger representation in U.S. politics, and a similar share report feeling uncomfortable about how Indian religious backgrounds are viewed in American society, and even more striking, more than four in five respondents (82%) agree with the statement that politicians should be careful about making public statements regarding their spouses religious beliefs.

The USCIRF report, that claims to highlight misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in India, expectedly remains silent on the virulent, racist attacks directed at Hindu American community by influential American political actors and Christian MAGA supremacists.

The most striking example occurred in Texas following the August 2024 unveiling of a 90-foot-tall statue of Hanuman that was met with a wave of religious bigotry. Christian activists publicly labelled the idol as demonic filth, while right-wing media outlets warned of the wrath of the One True God for building demonic idols. Social media accounts identifying as Christian Nationalists used dehumanizing tropes to describe the Hindu article of faith and its worshippers.

The latest report has the audacity to suggest sanctions on R&AW and the RSS that, if carried out, would constitute imperial intervention and a profound violation of Indias sovereignty. That the bilious buffoons even dared to make such a suggestion should make New Delhi reach out to the Trump administration through proper channels to express displeasure.

Born of Christian evangelical advocacy, staffed by Islamists and chaired by a Christian culture-war activist, institutionally blind to the religious persecution occurring on its own soil, USCIRF functions not as a watchdog of any sort but a tool of geopolitical pressure dressed in the language of human rights.

Its annual reports should be carefully segregated and dropped into the nearest green bins meant for wet, organic, and biodegradable waste.

(Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Anthropic says that the role of the manager will be to design and implement evaluation methodologies for assessing AI model capabilities related to chemical weapons, explosives synthesis, and energetic materials.

Anthropic is not the only firm to hire someone for such a role. Earlier, OpenAI had posted a similar kind of vacancy. File Image/Reuters

The United States-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic has posted a vacancy on LinkedIn to hire a Policy Manager dealing with chemical weapons and high yield explosives. The company says that the role is to shape how AI systems handle sensitive chemical and explosives information.

In the recruitment post, the company says that the role of the hired person will be to design and implement evaluation methodologies for assessing AI model capabilities related to chemical weapons, explosives synthesis, and energetic materials.

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The firm says that the applicants should have a minimum 5 years of experience in chemical weapons or explosives defense, with deep expertise in energetic materials, chemical weapon agents, or related areas.

Responsible AI

Anthropic is not the only firm to hire someone for such a role. Earlier, OpenAI had posted a similar kind of vacancy. The San Francisco-based company planned to recruit a researcher, related to frontier biological and chemical risks, in its preparedness team.

Acknowledging that while the frontier AI models have the potential to benefit humanity, they also pose severe risks, the company said, To ensure that AI promotes positive change, the Preparedness team helps us prepare for the development of increasingly capable frontier AI models. This team by OpenAI is constituted to identify, track, and prepare for catastrophic risks related to frontier AI models.

However, experts warn that there lies an inherent risk of this approach. It could give AI tools information about weapons - even if they have been instructed not to use it.

AI- New frontier of War

The AI industry has recently come under heavy scrutiny about the potential existential threats posed by the technology. Recently, the US government has called on AI firms while launching its war in Iran and also military operations in Venezuela.

Previously, Anthropic has decided to take legal action against the US government, which designated the company a supply chain risk. The firm insisted that its systems must not be used by the government in either fully autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.

Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei had said in February that the technology is not good enough yet, and should not be used for these (war) purposes.

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However, a report by BBC says that Anthropics AI assistant, Claude, has not yet been phased out, and is still embedded in systems provided by Palantir and is also being deployed by the US in the US-Israel Iran war.
xAI is under fire again as teenagers sue over alleged AI-generated explicit images. The controversy revives global concerns that already led to Grok being banned in multiple countries.

Elon Musks artificial intelligence chatbot Grok is once again under intense scrutiny, with fresh legal action accusing the company behind it of enabling the creation of sexually explicit images involving minors. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, comes amid renewed global concern about AI tools being misused to generate harmful content.

This is not the first time Grok has sparked controversy. Just last month, the chatbot faced bans in several countries over similar allegations, raising serious questions about the safeguards built into generative AI systems.

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Elon Musks Grok in court again

Three young women have filed a lawsuit against Musks AI venture xAI, alleging that Grok was used to manipulate their images into explicit content without their knowledge or consent. Two of the plaintiffs are under 18, and all have chosen to remain anonymous to protect their identities.

According to the complaint, a user exploited Groks image-generation capabilities to alter photos and videos of the teenagers, depicting them nude or in overtly sexual scenarios. One of the victims discovered the content after receiving an anonymous Instagram message directing her to altered versions of her high school yearbook photograph.

The lawsuit claims that such material was widely circulated, including on a Discord server where similar manipulated images of at least 18 other minors were shared. Lawyers for the plaintiffs described the transformations as resembling a rag doll brought to life through the dark arts.

They further allege that xAI knowingly released these features to boost engagement. xAI, and its founder Elon Musk, saw a business opportunity, the complaint states, adding that the company was aware of the risks but proceeded regardless.

The teenagers are seeking damages and a court order to immediately stop Grok from generating such content. Their legal representatives argue that the incident has caused a devastating loss of privacy, dignity, and personal safety.

The case also links to a broader criminal investigation. Authorities reportedly arrested an individual connected to the Discord server, who was found to possess hundreds of AI-generated abusive images of minors shared across platforms such as Telegram and Mega.

Countries banned Grok for the same reason

The lawsuit is part of a larger pattern of controversy surrounding Grok since its launch in 2023. Concerns first escalated after xAI introduced a feature informally known as spicy mode, which allowed users to generate more sexualised imagery.

Critics say this feature quickly spiralled into misuse. Users began creating explicit images of real individuals, including celebrities and ordinary people, often without consent. In some cases, the tool was reportedly used to undress individuals in photos.

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Within weeks, watchdog groups flagged alarming trends. A study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that Grok had generated millions of sexualised images, including tens of thousands involving minors.

Despite the growing backlash, Musk initially downplayed the issue, stating he was not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok. Literally zero, and attributing responsibility to users. He also argued that Grok does not spontaneously generate images and acts only on prompts.

However, mounting pressure from regulators told a different story. Authorities in the UK, the European Union and parts of the United States launched investigations into the platforms ability to produce harmful content.

The fallout led to multiple countries restricting or banning Grok altogether, citing inadequate safety controls and the risk of exploitation. Platforms hosting the chatbot were also pushed to implement stricter moderation measures.

By mid-January, X said it would introduce  technological measures to prevent misuse, including limiting the ability to alter images of real people.

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Yet, the latest lawsuit suggests those efforts may not have gone far enough. As regulators and courts continue to weigh in, Groks future could hinge on whether AI companies can effectively balance innovation with responsibility.
Britannica and Merriam-Webster accuse OpenAI of using nearly 1,00,000 copyrighted articles without consent, reigniting a global debate over AI training and intellectual property rights.

OpenAI is facing fresh legal trouble after Encyclopaedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster filed a lawsuit accusing the company of massive copyright infringement.

The case adds to a growing list of complaints from publishers and content owners who argue that their work has been used to train artificial intelligence systems without permission or compensation.

The lawsuit underscores a broader and unresolved question at the heart of the AI boom: whether large language models can legally learn from copyrighted material scraped from the internet. While tech firms argue such use is transformative, publishers insist it undermines their business models and intellectual property rights.

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The dictionary sues OpenAI

Encyclopaedia Britannica, which owns Merriam-Webster, claims OpenAI used its vast archive of nearly 1,00,000 articles without authorisation to train its language models. According to the complaint, this content was allegedly scraped and incorporated into datasets that power tools like ChatGPT.

The publisher further argues that OpenAIs systems go beyond training use and at times reproduce its material directly. The lawsuit alleges that outputs generated by the AI can include full or partial verbatim reproductions of Britannicas copyrighted content.

Another key concern raised in the filing relates to OpenAIs use of retrieval augmented generation, or RAG, a method that allows AI systems to pull in up-to-date information from external sources when responding to queries. Britannica claims that incorporating its articles into such workflows amounts to ongoing copyright violations.

In addition, the company accuses OpenAI of breaching trademark law under the Lanham Act by generating inaccurate or fabricated information and attributing it to Britannica. Such hallucinations, the lawsuit argues, risk damaging the publishers credibility and misleading users.

ChatGPT starves web publishers like [Britannica] of revenue by generating responses to users queries that substitute, and directly compete with, the content from publishers like [Britannica], the complaint states. It also warns that such practices threaten the publics continued access to high-quality and trustworthy online information.

Britannicas legal action places it alongside a growing number of media organisations that have taken similar steps. Major players including The New York Times and Ziff Davis, along with several newspapers across the United States and Canada, have already sued OpenAI over comparable concerns. A related case filed by Britannica against AI search firm Perplexity is also still ongoing.

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OpenAIs copyright issue isnt new

The dispute highlights an issue that has repeatedly surfaced as generative AI tools have gained traction. Content creators and rights holders across industries have questioned whether their work is being used fairly, or exploited without consent.

One notable case involved Thomson Reuters, which took legal action against Ross Intelligence over the use of its Westlaw database. A US court ruled in favour of Reuters, finding that the copying of legal headnotes was not protected under fair use. The decision is often cited as a potential benchmark for future AI-related copyright disputes.

Elsewhere, courts in Europe have also begun weighing in. In Germany, a Munich court ruled that OpenAIs chatbot ChatGPT violated copyright laws by using lyrics from popular songs in its training data without proper authorisation. The judgment signalled growing scrutiny from regulators outside the United States.

At the same time, there remains no definitive global legal standard on whether training AI models on copyrighted material constitutes infringement. In one high-profile US case, a federal judge accepted the argument that using such data could be considered transformative. However, the same ruling found fault with how the material had been obtained, noting that illegally sourced content could still lead to liability.

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As lawsuits continue to mount, the outcome of cases like Britannicas could shape the future of AI development. At stake is not just the legality of training data, but also the balance between technological innovation and the protection of creative and informational work.
Meta is pouring billions into AI, yet relies heavily on external cloud partners like Nebius. A new $27 billion deal highlights that a key part of its strategy relies on outsourcing critical capacity to external providers.

Meta is doubling down on its artificial intelligence ambitions with massive investments in infrastructure, yet a key part of its strategy relies on outsourcing critical capacity to external providers.

The companys latest multibillion-dollar agreement with Nebius Group underlines this contradiction, as it races to build an AI empire while still depending on third-party cloud systems.

The deal comes at a time when Big Tech is funnelling unprecedented sums into AI, with Meta alone expected to spend hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years.

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Last month, Meta declared that its capital expenditure could almost double to $135bn in 2026 as its AI spending plans get increasingly unhinged. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, We are now seeing a major AI acceleration. I expect 2026 to be a year where this wave accelerates even further."

The deal

Shares of Nebius Group surged sharply after the company announced that Meta had agreed to spend up to $27 billion over the next five years to secure AI infrastructure capacity. The Amsterdam-listed firm saw its stock jump around 16 per cent, while Meta shares also edged higher.

Under the agreement, Nebius will provide Meta with $12 billion worth of dedicated computing capacity starting in early 2027. In addition, the social media giant has committed to purchasing up to $15 billion more in capacity that Nebius is developing for other customers.

The partnership marks one of Metas largest infrastructure deals to date, reflecting the scale of investment required to support advanced AI systems. It also builds on an existing relationship between the two companies, following a separate $3 billion agreement signed last year.

The announcement follows closely on the heels of Nvidias decision to invest $2 billion in Nebius as part of a broader push to expand AI data centre infrastructure. Nebius said this backing would help it deploy more than 5 gigawatts of Nvidia-powered systems by 2030.

Nebius is part of a growing class of neocloud providers specialising in AI workloads, competing with established giants such as Google and Amazon. These newer players are attracting support from chipmakers like Nvidia as demand for high-performance computing continues to surge.

Despite the external partnerships, Nebius CEO Arkady Volozh indicated that the company is scaling aggressively on its own. We are pleased to expand our significant partnership with Meta We will continue to deliver, he said, noting that the company expects capital expenditure of between $16 billion and $20 billion this year.

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Meta layoffs 20 per cent of its workforce

While Meta is committing enormous resources to AI infrastructure, it is also reportedly considering deep cost-cutting measures.

A few days ago, reports claim that the company is planning layoffs that could affect 20 per cent or more of its workforce, as it looks to offset the rising costs of its AI push.

No final decision or timeline has been confirmed, but the potential scale of the cuts highlights the financial strain of building and maintaining cutting-edge AI systems. These investments include not just data centres, but also specialised hardware such as GPUs and custom-designed chips.

Meta has made AI its central strategic priority, signing major agreements with chipmakers like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices while also developing its own in-house silicon. Zuckerberg has previously outlined plans to spend up to $600 billion on infrastructure projects by 2028, funded largely through advertising revenue and external financing.

Across the industry, spending is accelerating rapidly. Major technology firms are expected to collectively invest around $650 billion in 2026 alone on AI-related infrastructure.

The contrast is stark: even as Meta builds out its own capabilities, it continues to rely on external partners like Nebius to meet immediate demand. This dual approach underscores the sheer scale of the AI race, where speed often takes precedence over self-sufficiency, and where even the biggest players cannot go it alone.

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The development comes after Washington eased some of its tech export controls since last year, allowing Nvidia to sell its second-most-powerful AI chips to China.

Chinas Hua Hong Group has developed advanced chip manufacturing technologies that can be used to produce artificial intelligence chips, four people familiar with the matter said, a major milestone in Beijings efforts to boost tech self-sufficiency.

The groups contract chipmaking business, Huali Microelectronics, is readying a 7-nanometre (nm) chipmaking process at its plant in Shanghai, the people said, which would make it the second Chinese chipmaker with such advanced technologies. Hua Hong is Chinas second-largest chipmaker.

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Chinas largest contract chipmaker, SMIC, is at present the only domestic producer capable of making chips with 7 nm technologies.

The development comes after Washington eased some of its tech export controls since last year, allowing Nvidia to sell its second-most-powerful AI chips to China.

Despite the easing, Beijing has encouraged domestic firms to purchase homegrown alternatives, as it seeks to wean itself off foreign suppliers.

Reuters could not determine how Hua Hong achieved the advanced manufacturing capability, its manufacturing efficiency, and which major equipment suppliers were involved in the development. Hua Hongs development of a 7 nm chipmaking process has not been previously reported.

But Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies has been in collaboration with the chipmaker for the 7 nm technologies, three of the sources said. All of the sources declined to be named, because the information is not meant to be public.

Hua Hong Group, Huali, its sister company Hua Hong Semiconductor and Huawei did not respond to requests for comment.

Shares in Hua Hong Semiconductor surged 12% on Monday after the Reuters report.

SMIC uses Dutch chip equipment maker ASMLs immersion machines to make 7 nm chips, but production yields - the number of good chips made per silicon wafer - have remained weak, analysts have said.

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ASML said it does not comment on questions related to deliveries.

Test production underway

Hualis research and development on 7 nm chips at its Hua Hong Fab 6 began last year, with support from domestic equipment suppliers including Huawei-backed SiCarrier, which tested its equipment at a facility in Shenzhen last year, a separate source said. SiCarrier did not respond to a request for comment.

The development followed an announcement by Hua Hong Semiconductor in December that it planned to acquire a controlling stake in Huali and raise a further 7.56 billion yuan ($1.10 billion) to fund technological upgrades and research at the foundry.

Huali is planning initial 7 nm chip production capacity of a few thousand wafers per month by the end of the year, with a goal to ramp up more later, two of the sources said.

Chinese graphics processing unit designer Biren is using Hualis 7 nm line for tape-out, a process in which a chip design is committed to a physical prototype for testing before mass production begins, one of the sources said.

Placed on a US trade blacklist in 2023, Biren lost access to TSMCs contract manufacturing service shortly after. Biren did not respond to requests for comment.

The Hua Hong Fab 6 is the most advanced of seven foundries within the Hua Hong Group and currently manufactures logic chips using 22 nm and 28 nm process nodes, according to the companys website.

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By contrast, its Fab 5 produces chips using mature technologies ranging from 40 nm to 55 nm.
Uber and Nvidia will launch AI-powered robotaxis in Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2027, expanding to 28 cities by 2028. The move intensifies competition with Waymo and Tesla as companies race to scale autonomous ride-hailing services globally.

Uber logo is seen in this illustration taken August 5, 2025. REUTERS

Uber Technologies and Nvidia said on Monday they will deploy a fleet of robotaxis powered by Nvidias autonomous driving software on the ride-hailing network, starting in Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2027 and expanding to 28 cities globally by 2028.

Robotaxis are rapidly expanding into more cities as companies race to commercialize autonomous ride-hailing, but Alphabets Waymo remains the early leader while Teslas vast manufacturing scale and financial resources could reshape the competitive landscape.

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Competition in the sector has intensified as companies scale driverless fleets. Alphabets Waymo currently operates the most advanced commercial robotaxi service, running fully driverless rides in cities including Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and steadily expanding its fleet.

Tesla, meanwhile, is betting on a camera-based approach to autonomy and has said it plans to launch its own robotaxi service while leveraging its large vehicle manufacturing capacity.

Uber and Nvidia said the vehicles will run on the DRIVE Hyperion autonomous vehicle platform along with Alpamayo, a reasoning-based AI model designed to handle complex road scenarios.

The rollout will begin with data-collection vehicles to train the system on city-specific driving conditions before moving to operator-supervised launches and eventually fully driverless Level 4 operations.

The companies plan to expand the service across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia as part of a broader push to bring autonomous ride-hailing to the market.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the partnership is intended to support a multi-player autonomous vehicle ecosystem on the companys platform as more developers and automakers bring robotaxi services to market.

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The Nvidia collaboration adds to Ubers strategy of assembling partnerships across the autonomous vehicle industry rather than building its own technology.

The ride-hailing company previously struck a deal with electric vehicle maker Lucid Group, and autonomous driving startup Nuro to deploy robotaxis built on Lucid vehicles and powered by Nuros self-driving software on the Uber network.

(Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff)
FM Abbas Araghchi shuts down rumors of a ceasefire, calling the US dishonest for attacking mid-negotiation

In a defiant rejection of Washingtons latest overtures, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed the door on ceasefire talks, declaring that Tehran intends to deliver a blow so decisive it will alter the regions military calculus for generations.

Speaking during an interview on Sunday, amid the 16th day of an intense air campaign by US and Israeli forces, Araghchi dismissed claims by President Donald Trump that Iran was desperate for a deal.

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A lesson for the ages

The Foreign Ministers rhetoric was stripped of diplomatic niceties as he explained why Tehran is refusing to come to the table despite the mounting pressure of illegal airstrikes.

We are not asking for a ceasefire, and we see no reason to negotiate, Araghchi stated firmly. Because we want to teach them a lesson so hard that enemies never even think of attacking Iran again.

Media : Why don't you ask for a ceasefire with the US?



Iran FM Abbas Araghchi : Because we want to teach them a lesson so hard that enemies never even think of attacking Iran again. pic.twitter.com/z7m695bgSG  Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) March 16, 2026

The Minister emphasised that the current conflict is not a war of survival for the Islamic Republic, asserting that the nation remains stable and strong enough to withstand the assault. He argued that talking to the US now would be futile, noting that previous attempts at dialogue were met with aggression.

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Retaliation over reconciliation

Tehrans stance has quickly translated into action across both sea and sky. Even as the US and Israel continue targeting Irans missile production and internal security infrastructure, Iran has responded with a series of escalatory moves. These include effectively choking global energy routes through a Hormuz blockade, sending oil prices soaring; launching Sejjil ballistic missiles toward Israel for the first time in the conflict; and demonstrating maritime defiance by targeting the USS Abraham Lincoln with drones in the Gulf of Oman, forcing the carrier strike group to reposition.

The escalation trap'

International observers note that Araghchis comments mark a dangerous peak in the escalation trap. By framing the war as a pedagogical tool to teach a lesson, Iran is signalling that it will not accept a return to the status quo.

As the Trump administration continues to push for a naval coalition to break the blockade of the Strait of Hormuza call that many European and Asian allies have so far met with silenceTehran seems content to let the fire burn.

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After a report said Ali Khamenei had misgivings about Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding him as Irans Supreme Leader, another report has claimed that the late Ayatollahs son is gay, and in a relationship with a man close to the family  a crime punishable by death in Iranian law.

(FILES) This handout picture taken in Tehran on October 30, 2024, and provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader, shows Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28, 2026 in a US-Israeli military strike. (AFP)

Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, is gay and has had a long-term sexual relationship with his childhood tutor, according to The New York Post.

Due to his sexuality, Mojtabas father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was uncertain about his son succeeding him, the report said.

Homosexuality, which is formally called sodomy in Iran, is a crime punishable by death in the country.

Earlier this month, Mojtaba succeeded his father as the Supreme Leader. The Khamenei Sr was killed in American-Israeli airstrikes on February 28.

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Follow our live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran

The Posts report about Mojtabas sexuality has come days after CBS News reported that the US intelligence community had briefed President Donald Trump and his close circle that the previous Supreme Leader had misgivings about Mojtaba succeeding him. The report did not go into the specifics but said the father was aware that Mojtaba had issues in his personal life.

The CBS report also said the late Supreme Leader was wary of Mojtaba succeeding him as he was not seen as very bright and was viewed as unqualified to be the Supreme Leader of Iran.

Khamenei Sr suspected sons homosexuality: Report

The Post reported sources as saying that the late Supreme Leader was suspicious of Mojtabas homosexuality.

The report was based on an intelligence assessment shared by officials with Trump and his senior advisers.

A source told The Post that Khamenei Sr and others suspected he was gay and that was something that people were spreading to try to stop his ascension.

Two sources said that Mojtaba has had a long-term sexual relationship with his childhood tutor. A third source said the intelligence indicated that Mojtaba who is known to have a wife and at least three children had an affair with a person who formerly worked for the Khamenei family.

The report said that Mojtabas homosexuality was being discussed in a hushed manner inside Iran since May 2024 when a helicopter crash had killed then-President Ebrahim Raisi, who was seen as Khamenei Srs favourite to be the next Supreme Leader, according to sources.

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An insider told the newspaper that the assessment about Mojtabas sexuality has been a pretty closely held piece of information in the US government.

Even before the report about Mojtabas sexuality, his personal life had been subject of public interest.

Previously, the US Department of State had noted that Mojtaba married relatively late in life around the age of 30 reportedly due to an impotency problem treated and eventually resolved during three extended visits to the UK, at Wellington and Cromwell Hospitals, London, according to a classified cable from 2008 published by WikiLeaks.

Mojtaba was expected by his family to produce children quickly, but needed a fourth visit to the UK for medical treatment; after a stay of two months, his wife became pregnant, the cable said.
Pakistans strike on a Kabul rehabilitation hospital kills 400, drawing comparisons to Irans Minab tragedy, as civilian casualties mount and global outrage grows over attacks on medical facilities

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the region, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has reached a devastating new peak. The ongoing open war between Islamabad and Kabul took a darker turn on Monday night, when Pakistani airstrikes reportedly struck a major hospital and rehabilitation centre in the heart of the Afghan capital.

According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the strike on the 2,000-bed facility has left at least 400 people dead and another 250 injured, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the conflict so far.

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The Pakistani military regime has once again violated Afghanistans airspace, Mujahid said. They are targeting hospitals and civilian sites to perpetrate horrors.

The attack comes amid a rapidly escalating conflict that began in late February, when cross-border strikes and retaliatory shelling effectively collapsed a Qatar-brokered ceasefire. Since then, both sides have accused each other of harbouring militants, with Pakistan alleging that Afghan territory is being used by the Pakistani Taliban and other insurgent groupsa charge Kabul has repeatedly denied.

A mirror of Minab

The tragedy in Kabul is drawing haunting comparisons to the Minab girls school bombing in Iran just two weeks ago, where nearly 180 students were killed in a missile strike. That incident became a global symbol of what critics called a naked display of tyranny amid the wider regional conflict.

In a similar vein, observers say the Kabul strike shows the growing civilian toll of modern warfare. If the Minab attack was seen as an assault on the future of Irans youth, the bombing of a rehabilitation centre is being viewed as an attack on a society already struggling to recover from decades of war.

Judgment day in the wards

While Pakistans Ministry of Information has maintained that the strikes were precise and carefully undertaken to target militant infrastructure, scenes emerging from Kabul suggest otherwise. Footage circulating on local media shows firefighters and rescue teams combing through the wreckage of hospital wards using flashlights, pulling out bodies and searching for survivors trapped under debris.

BREAKING: 400 killed in Pakistani attack on rehabilitation center in Kabul, Afghanistan  officials pic.twitter.com/vxNE9BF603  Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) March 16, 2026

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Patients undergoing treatment, including those battling addiction and trauma, were among the victimsturning what should have been a place of recovery into a site of devastation.

Furthermore, the International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) has also strongly condemned the Pakistani strike, calling it a grave violation of humanitarian norms. Emphasising that medical and rehabilitation facilities must never be targeted, the IHRF described the victims as individuals seeking care and dignity.

Statement by the International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF)



The International Human Rights Foundation strongly condemns the reported bombardment by Pakistan of a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan treating drug addicts, an attack that has reportedly killed a large pic.twitter.com/wbaM3Y2nvT  International Human Rights Foundation (@IHRF_English) March 16, 2026

It has called for an independent international investigation, accountability for those responsible, and urgent measures to protect such institutions.
As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies, Gulf Arab states find themselves caught in a high-stakes strategic trap.

Strategic Shift: Gulf states urge the U.S. to dismantle Iran's military capabilities as direct strikes on oil infrastructure cross regional red lines.

Gulf Arab states did not ask the U.S. to go to war with Iran, but many are now urging it not to stop short by leaving the Islamic Republic still able to threaten the Gulfs oil lifeline and the economies that depend on it, three Gulf sources told Reuters.

At the same time, these sources and five Western and Arab diplomats said Washington was pressing Gulf states to join the U.S.-Israeli war. According to three of them, President Donald Trump wants to show regional backing for the campaign, to bolster its international legitimacy as well as support at home.

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There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country, said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center and familiar with government thinking.

At first we defended them and opposed the war, he said. But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them.

IRAN ATTACKS THE SIX GULF STATES

Tehran has already demonstrated its reach, attacking airports, ports, oil facilities and commercial hubs in the six Gulf states with missiles and drones while disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz - the artery carrying about a fifth of global oil and underpinning Gulf economies.

The attacks have reinforced Gulf fears that leaving Iran with any significant offensive weaponry or arms manufacturing capacity could embolden it to hold the regions energy lifeline hostage whenever tensions rise.

As the war entered its third week, with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes intensifying and Iran firing at U.S. bases and civilian targets across the Gulf, a Gulf source said the prevailing mood among leaders was unmistakable: that Trump should comprehensively degrade Irans military capacity.

The alternative, the source said, was living under constant threat. Unless Iran was severely weakened, he said, it would continue to hold the region to ransom.

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Predominantly Shiite Muslim Iran has often viewed its Sunni Arab Gulf neighbours - close allies of the U.S. that host American military bases - with deep suspicion, even if relations with Qatar and Oman have generally been less fraught.

Over the years, Iran and its regional allies have been accused of attacks on Gulf energy installations, not least a 2019 strike on Saudi Arabias Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities - for which Iran denied responsibility - that halved Saudi output and rattled energy markets.

For Gulf leaders, inaction is now the greater risk.

The effect of Irans attacks this month goes far beyond specific material damage, not only disrupting oil flows but damaging a hard-won image of stability and security that has underpinned Gulf countries attempts to expand trade and tourism and rely less on fossil fuel exports.

If the Americans pull out before the task is complete, well be left to confront Iran on our own, Sager said.

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GULF FEARS OF TRIGGERING WIDER WAR

In response to questions about those concerns, the White House said the U.S. was crushing (Irans) ability to shoot these weapons or produce more, and that Trump was in close contact with our partners in the Middle East.

Of the Gulf countries, only the United Arab Emirates responded. It said that it does not seek to be drawn into conflicts or escalation but affirmed its right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and integrity, and ensure residents safety.

Sources in the region said unilateral military action by any Gulf state remained off the table because only collective intervention would avoid exposing individual countries to retaliation.

Moreover, consensus is still elusive. The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE - have held just one Zoom call, and no Arab summit has been convened to discuss coordinated action.

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Gulf leaders remain deeply fearful of triggering a broader, uncontrollable conflagration.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that Gulf partners were stepping up even more and were willing to go on the offense while already working with Washington on collective and integrated air defenses, though he did not specify what else they might do.

A senior UAE official said his country had chosen restraint, after Iran said the U.S. military had used the UAE to strike Kharg Island, home to Irans main oil export terminal.

Yet Sager said Saudi Arabia, Irans main rival for regional influence, could be forced to retaliate if Iran crossed red lines, notably with strikes on major oil facilities or desalination plants or causing heavy casualties:

In that case, Saudi Arabia would have no choice but to intervene.

He said Riyadh would nevertheless try to calibrate any response to avoid further escalation.

GULFS STRATEGIC DILEMMA

At heart, the Arab Gulf states face a strategic dilemma, said Fawaz Gerges of the London School of Economics: balancing the immediate threat of Iranian attacks against the far greater risk of being drawn into a war led by the U.S. and Israel.

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Joining that campaign, he said, would add little to Washingtons military superiority while sharply increasing exposure to Iranian reprisals. The result is calculated restraint: defending sovereignty and signalling red lines without entering a war the Gulf countries neither started nor control.

Right now, Irans leverage is evident. It has effectively been deciding which ships can pass through the strait, something no state in the region considers acceptable.

Now that Iran has shown it can shut down Hormuz, the Gulf faces a fundamentally different threat, said Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern studies at Princeton University. If its not addressed, this danger will be long-term.

Trump on Sunday called - with little initial success - for a coalition of nations to help reopen the waterway.

Haykel argued that, while the global economy depends on Gulf oil and gas, most of it flows east to China, Japan and other Asian economies, meaning that they, too, must shoulder responsibility.

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China helped secure maritime routes off Somalia; it may be willing to step in here too, Haykel said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Pakistan, however, has rejected Afghan claims as false and misleading and said it precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure

Afghan firefighters and Taliban security personnel work to extinguish fires after an airstrike hit the Secondary Rehabilitation Services Centre in Kabul. Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of hitting a treatment centre for drug addicts in the capital, Kabul, and killing civilians. AFP

The Indian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called Pakistans airstrike in Afghanistan, which killed 400 people, barbaric and cowardly.

India unequivocally condemns Pakistans barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul on the night of March 16. This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target. Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation, MEA said in a statement.

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The Afghan Taliban government announced that at least 400 people were killed and 250 others were injured in overnight airstrikes at a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul. Pakistan, however, has rejected Afghan claims as false and misleading and said it precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.

What has India said?

The ministry further said that Pakistans airstrikes in Kabul are a direct threat to regional peace and stability.

It added, That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible. There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients.

It further said, India extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, wishes a swift recovery to those injured, and stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this tragic moment. We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.

Pak-Afghanistan conflict

The air strike came hours after China said it remained ready to continue efforts to ease tensions between the South Asian Islamic nations and urged both to avoid expanding the war and return to the negotiating table.

The conflict that began last month is the worst ever between the neighbours who share a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border. It had ebbed amid attempts by friendly countries, including China, to mediate and end the fighting before flaring up again, this time just days before the Eid al-Fitr festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

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With inputs from agencies
The injuries to US soldiers have primarily occurred after Iran launched a wave of missile attacks on US bases in the Gulf. The drone attacks on US positions and civilian infrastructure by Tehran has also led to the injuries.

Last week, the White House has disclosed that over 140 US troops have been injured in the war, with only eight of them sustaining major injuries. Photo: File/AFP

In the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the number of United States (US) soldiers that have been wounded has crossed 200, the US military said. In addition to it, 13 soldiers have also been killed in the conflict.

The US troops have been wounded in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Capt. Tim Hawkins, a US military spokesman said.

He also said that a majority of the injuries are minor, and around 180 soldiers have already returned to duty. Some of the injuries have been reported only in the last few days, as symptoms, primarily from traumatic brain injuries, the spokesman said.

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Irans missile attacks

The injuries to US soldiers have primarily occurred after Iran launched a wave of missile attacks on US bases in the Gulf. The drone attacks on US positions and civilian infrastructure by Tehran has also led to the injuries.

Last week, the White House has disclosed that over 140 US troops have been injured in the war, with only eight of them sustaining major injuries.

Earlier, seven US soldiers have been killed in the Irans attack, while six died when a KC-135 refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Iran had launched a surprise attack on American base in Kuwait, where a drone struck a tactical operations centre.

While on the Iranian side, over 2000 people have been killed in the conflict, now in its third week. It includes 200 women, and around the same number of children. According to the countrys health ministry figures, over 10,000 civilians have been injured.

In the ongoing conflict, both Trump and Iran have showed no signs of mediation. The US President has even warned of more strikes on Kharg Island. According to some media reports, US is also planning to deploy additional mariners, along with warships in West Asia

Meanwhile, US administration has urged its diplomats abroad to push allies to designate Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon-based Hezbollah as terrorist groups, citing elevated risk of attack, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.
The USIsraeli war on Iran has handed an unexpected boost to both Russia and Ukraine. While Russia is earning up to $150 million a day from the wardriven surge in oil prices, Ukraines dronewarfare expertise is now in demand in West Asia, bringing diplomatic and financial gains.

Massive plumes of smoke spread across various parts of Tehran, Iran, on March 8, 2026, enveloping it in darkness (Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters)

The USIsraeli war on Iran has handed an unexpected boost to both Russia and Ukraine. While Russia is earning up to $150 million a day from the wardriven surge in oil prices, Ukraines dronewarfare expertise is now in demand in West Asia, bringing diplomatic and financial gains.

Paradoxically, while the West Asia conflict and resultant crisis have taken the focus off the Russia-Ukraine war, it has also brought the two conflict zones closer.

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Since the United States and Israel launched the offensive against Iran, Russia has reportedly provided intelligence and material support to Iran. On the other hand, West Asian countries under attack have sought Ukraines anti-drone systems. After all, Ukraine has been dealing with Irans Shahed drones for four years now.

Follow our live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has painted two wars as fundamentally interconnected, flagging early in the war that Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type drones in attacks on Ukraine this year. He went on to slam Iran as Putins accomplice and offered West Asian countries under attack help.

On its part, Russian economy has got a windfall that could very well be the lifeline that President Vladimir Putin desperately needed  four years of war have plunged Russian economy into stagflation. Experts have said that Russia could be gaining up to $150 million a day from higher oil prices.

Trumps war on Iran saves Russian economy

Since the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Russian Ural crude oil has risen to a high of $105.77 from the pre-war $58.9 per barrel.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has deprived the world of up to 20-25 per cent of oil and gas supplies. The shortage has been worsened by production cuts announced by oil and gas producers in West Asia as their refineries and depots have come under attack.

This has led to a sharp rise in Russian crudes demand and price. As of Monday, the Brent crude was just $5 costlier than Russian crude.

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Russia is supposed to gain $1.6 billion per month from each $10 increase in oil prices, Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, told The New York Times.

This means that Trumps war is set to hand Russia over $5 billion in the first month of the war.

Russias Ural crude oil prices in 2026.

Last week, the Russian finance ministry had reported that its revenues had shrunk by over 10 per cent since January and its budget deficit had already crossed the 90-per cent mark in just three months.

Now, with the war bringing in hundreds of millions of additional dollars every day, Russias economy is looking at a revival  thanks to Trump.

Ukraine finds friends with drone expertise

While Russia is getting a windfall from oil revenue, Ukraine is making new friends in West Asia and eyeing business opportunities.

Zelenskyy said that he and his team have received requests from at least 11 countries, such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, for help to protect their countries from Iranian drones.

The Times has reported that Ukraine has already sent interceptor drones and teams to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

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Zelenskyy said that more Ukrainian drone experts were on their way to West Asia.

By proving its credentials in West Asia, Ukraine wants to secure security partnerships with West Asian countries and impress upon the Trump administration that a partnership with Ukraine was a two-way street where the United States would also make gains.

Ukraine is also exploring commercial deals in West Asia by demonstrating its drone-specific air defence capabilities.

While no deals have been announced yet, the market for drone defenses for oil fields and tankers could get Ukraine billions, The Times reported Ukrainian executives as saying.
The Guards said four among them were gathering information on sensitive sites and economic infrastructure, while others were linked to a monarchist terrorist group

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps has vowed the most ferocious operation in history against Israel and US bases in response to their joint operation that saw the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. File image/AFP

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday said that they have arrested 10 foreign spies amid a raging war in West Asia.

Ten mercenary, treacherous elements were identified and arrested, the Guards intelligence organisation in the northeastern Razavi Khorasan province said, according to ISNA news agency, without identifying their nationalities.

The Guards said four among them were gathering information on sensitive sites and economic infrastructure, while others were linked to a monarchist terrorist group.

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Iran has ramped up its counterespionage operations after reports of increasing spying activities in the country as it fights the US and Israel in the region.

Just a few days ago, Iranian authorities arrested 20 people in the countrys northwestern region on suspicion of collaborating with Israel, according to the Tasnim news agency, which cited a statement from the prosecutors office in West Azerbaijan province.

The suspects are accused of passing detailed location information of Irans military, police and security facilities to Israel. Officials said the intelligence may have been used to assist Israeli strikes during the ongoing conflict.

According to the provincial prosecutors office, several alleged espionage networks linked to what Iran calls the Zionist regime have been dismantled. The 20 individuals were detained under judicial orders as part of an ongoing security investigation.

A drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday, a security official said.

The security official said that three drones and four rockets attacked the embassy, with at least one drone crashing inside it.

US President Donald Trump demanded that allies help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but European powers pushed back on a possible mission to reopen the vital waterway shut by Iran in response to US-Israeli attacks.

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Trump criticised the lukewarm response to his call for world powers to send warships to escort tankers through the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global crude oil, demanding nations get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm.

With inputs from agencies
Israel carried out an airstrike targeting Ali Larijani. However, his health conditions remain unclear. In another strike, Israel is said to have targeted Palestinian Islamic leader Akram al-Ajouri.

Earlier, reports speculated about Larijani's condition, but Katz later confirmed that Iran's security chief was killed in the strike. Photo: File

Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Irans security chief Ali Larijani was killed in a precision strike by countrys military. Ali Larijani, the secretary of Irans National Security Council, was targeted in an overnight strike carried out by the Israeli military.

Earlier, reports speculated about Larijanis condition, but Katz later confirmed that Irans security chief was killed in the strike.

According to the media reports, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has already confirmed the details of the targeted attack. IDFs Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said, significant elimination achievements were recorded overnight, with the potential to impact the campaigns achievements and the IDFs missions. It appears to be in reference to the strike targeting Larijani.

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This is in addition to eliminations carried out in recent days in Iran against external elements, also linked to the Palestinian arena, Zamir said. In another strike, Israel is said to have targeted Palestinian Islamic leader Akram al-Ajouri, according to the report.

Last week Ali Larijani had warned US President Donald Trump that he would have to pay for the grave miscalculation of starting a war. He said that Iran wont stop its attacks on US bases in the Gulf countries until Trump says sorry.

Trump says he is looking for a speedy victory. While starting a war is easy, it cannot be won with a few tweets. We will not relent until making you sorry for this grave miscalculation, Larijani then wrote on X.

According to reports, Larijani used to play an important role in Irans power cirlce. He was often described as Irans de facto leader, especially during the time when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used to be the Supreme Leader before being killed on February 28.

It is said that Larijani used to have enough power to delay the formal declaration of Ali Khameneis son Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader.
People in Moscow are increasingly facing the endless buffering circle on their screens as they try to open a website or pay online bills. The internet blackout is causing businesses multibillion-rouble losses and disrupting public services

The Russian capital of Moscow is facing an unprecedented internet shutdown as the government is ramping up a campaign that keeps citizens out of touch with the rest of the world.

People in Moscow are increasingly facing the endless buffering circle on their screens as they try to open a website or pay online bills. The internet blackout is causing businesses multibillion-rouble losses and disrupting public services.

Mobile internet outages have been affecting central Moscow since March 5, with average daily traffic falling by around 20 per cent compared with the previous month, according to data from a monitoring centre run by Russias internet watchdog, Roskomnadzor. Local media also report a surge in sales of walkie-talkies, pagers, and landline phones as people look for alternative ways to communicate.

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Back to old ways?

Devoid of a stable connection, people are turning to old ways as accessing maps is out of the question for now. Many people are asking strangers for directions for the first time in years and reaching out for landline phones, pagers and walkie-talkies.

Authorities have asked Muscovites to carry cash to avoid problems in online transactions and call for cabs instead of booking them on online apps, taking life back by several decades.

A State Duma deputy proposed installing payphones with internet access. In fact, a state news agency quoted scientists from a local university suggesting that it is possible to navigate by the stars instead of online maps.

Russia follows Iran

Russia has taken a page out of Irans rulebook of shutting off the internet for citizens. The country recently tested a system used by Iran to suppress dissent during protests in January this year.

When Tehran cut off internet access to stop people from organising and prevent information from leaking out, it switched to a parallel network it had spent billions developing. Special white SIM cards allowed government insiders and other privileged users to stay connected to the global web even as ordinary citizens were cut off.

Over the past year, Russia has been developing and testing similar infrastructure. Authorities have created a whitelist of government-approved websites that remain accessible during internet shutdowns. These include official government portals, state media outlets, and domestically developed apps such as Max, a government-controlled messaging platform.

Russia blames Ukraine

The Kremlin says that the recent internet blackouts are a response to Ukrainian drones, defending the action by saying that they are meant to protect Russians.

But analysts say what Russians are actually experiencing is a test run of a nationwide system Moscow has been developing to restrict information and limit connectivity during periods of unrest, drawing on lessons from Iran and other authoritarian regimes.
Trump lashes out at allies over Hormuz inaction as they refuse military support, saying war began without consultation, exposing deep global divisions amid escalating US-Iran-Israel conflict

US President Donald Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with allies over their reluctance to step in and help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil route disrupted by the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.

According to reports, Trump has complained that several countries werent enthusiastic enough when he called for naval deployments to escort oil tankers through the volatile waterway.

The Strait, through which nearly 20% of the worlds oil flows, has remained largely shut since late February after escalating strikes triggered a wider regional conflict.

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War started without consultation

However, the pushback from allies has been just as sharp. Several countries, particularly in Europe, have made it clear they are unwilling to join a US-led military effortarguing they were never consulted before the conflict began.

Many governments see the war as a unilateral move by Washington and Tel Aviv, and are hesitant to get drawn into a widening confrontation. Reports suggest countries like the UK, Germany, France and Japan have either declined or are still weighing their options.

Privately and publicly, officials have echoed a common sentiment: this is not their war.

Also read | A $200 per barrel risk for oil: How Hormuz crisis could push the world economy to the brink

Pressure mounts, but support stays thin

Trump, meanwhile, has doubled downwarning that alliances like Nato could face a very bad future if partners fail to step up.

He has also argued that countries benefiting from Gulf oil flows should take more responsibility in securing the route, especially as global energy markets face severe disruption.

Despite the pressure, most allies remain cautious. The risks are clear: Iran has warned that any foreign vessels supporting a coalition could become legitimate targets, raising fears of a broader, uncontrollable war.

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Oil, geopolitics and a widening divide

The standoff highlights a deeper fracture in global geopolitics. While the US pushes for a coalition to reopen Hormuz, allies are prioritising restraint, wary of escalation and domestic backlash.

With oil prices surging and tensions intensifying across the Gulf, the divide between Washington and its traditional partners is becoming harder to ignore.
Pakistan launches airstrikes inside Afghanistan, with the Taliban accusing Islamabad of hitting a Kabul hospital and killing hundreds. Pakistan denies targeting civilians, saying the strikes were aimed at militant infrastructure

The airstrike on Monday night hit a hospital in Kabul. (Photo: X)

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated after Islamabad carried out airstrikes inside Afghan territory, with the Taliban claiming that a hospital in Kabul was hit and hundreds of civilians were killed.

According to Afghan officials, cited by the Associated Press (AP), Pakistani strikes targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital in the Afghan capital on Monday night, causing devastating casualties. The Taliban said the attack destroyed large sections of the facility.

The hospital, which reportedly treated drug addiction patients, was not considered a military installation, making the alleged strike particularly controversial.

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Taliban said rescue workers rushed to the scene as buildings collapsed and patients were trapped under debris. Initial reports suggested that more than 400 people may have been killed and over 250 injured in the blast.

Footage aired by local TV stations on X showed security personnel using flashlights to evacuate casualties, as firefighters battled flames amid the buildings wreckage.

BREAKING: Afghanistans Health Ministry reports that at least 200 people were killed and hundreds of others injured after Pakistani airstrikes targeted a drugrehabilitation hospital in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/EEOrSfrFom  World Source News (@Worldsource24) March 16, 2026

They condemned the incident, calling it a violation of Afghan sovereignty and an attack on civilians.

Pakistan denies targeting civilians

Pakistan, however, has strongly rejected the allegations. Officials in Islamabad insist that the strikes were aimed at military infrastructure and militant support facilities, not civilian locations.

According to Pakistani authorities, the operation targeted groups that they claim are responsible for cross-border attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad has long accused Afghanistan of harbouring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban.

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The strikes are part of a rapidly intensifying confrontation between the two neighbours, who have traded accusations over militant activity and cross-border attacks in recent weeks.

A conflict spiralling

The latest strike comes amid a broader military standoff that began escalating earlier this year. Pakistan says militant groups operating from Afghan territory have carried out attacks inside its borders, prompting retaliatory strikes.

Recent clashes, including border exchanges that left at least four dead, have effectively collapsed a Qatar-brokered ceasefire from October. Pakistan has since declared it is in open war with Afghanistan. The conflict has raised global concern, particularly given the regions history as a base for militant groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State, which are attempting a resurgence.

Afghanistans Taliban deny these accusations and say Pakistans actions are unjustified and violate international law.

Meanwhile, international observers are increasingly worried that the situation could spiral into a larger regional conflict if the tit-for-tat attacks continue.

For now, both sides remain locked in a tense standoff, with neither appearing ready to back down.

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Sri Lanka has declared all Wednesdays as public holidays to conserve fuel as oil prices surge amid the ongoing conflict. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake warned the nation to prepare for the worst as authorities introduce austerity measures.

Sri Lanka has announced every Wednesday a holiday for public institutions amid the escalating Israel-US war with Iran. The step was taken to conserve the fuel as the island nation faces shortage of basic amenities.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the nation should prepare for the worst amid the ongoing war during the emergency meeting with senior officials on Monday.

About 90 per cent of all the oil and gas flowing through the strait last year was bound for Asia, which is the worlds largest oil-importing region.

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Imposed new rule of working days

Sri Lanka has imposed the new rule of four-day week that will apply to schools and several universities, but will not impact state institutions providing essential services, such as the health and immigration authorities, officials say.

Why Wednesday?

Authorities chose Wednesday, rather than Friday, as the additional holiday to avoid government offices remaining closed for three consecutive days, officials said.

Motorists are now required to register for a National Fuel Pass that limits how much fuel they can purchase.

The move has drawn criticism from some Sri Lankans, who say the quotas15 litres for cars and five litres for motorcyclesare too restrictive.

Fuel rationing was first introduced in 2022 during the countrys worst economic crisis, when it ran out of foreign reserves and struggled to import essential goods, including fuel.

Prices have surged again, hovering around $100 a barrel, following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Asian governments rolling out a range of austerity measures

Across Asia, governments are rolling out a range of austerity measures to cope with rising energy costs.

In Thailand, people are being encouraged to switch from formal wear to short-sleeved clothing to cut air-conditioning use. Myanmar has imposed alternate-day driving based on licence plate numbers for private vehicles.

Bangladesh has advanced Ramadan holidays for universities and introduced scheduled nationwide blackouts to conserve power.

In the Philippines, some government offices now require employees to work from home at least once a week, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has banned non-essential public sector travel. He has also announced cash aid of 3,000-5,000 pesos for tricycle drivers, farmers, and fishermen.

Vietnam, meanwhile, is urging citizens to stay home more, use bicycles or public transport, carpool, and limit unnecessary use of private vehicles.
A new poll across five Western countries shows many Nato citizens view China as more reliable than the US under Donald Trump

As US President Donald Trump presses allies to support Washingtons stance in the escalating conflict with Iranprompting some to respond that this is not our wara new international poll suggests trust in the United States may be slipping across parts of the Western alliance.

According to the survey, many citizens in several Nato countries now see China as a more reliable global power than the United States under Trump, highlighting growing unease with Washingtons current foreign policy approach.

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The survey was conducted by American political media outlet Politico in partnership with UK-based polling firm Public First. Researchers surveyed more than 2,000 respondents in each of five countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany between February 6 and 9.

Participants were asked a straightforward question: Between the United States under President Trump and China, which do you believe is more reliable to depend on?

The results revealed striking differences across countries.

China seen as more dependable in several countries

In Canada, a clear majority of respondents leaned toward China. 57% chose China, while only 23% picked the United States under President Trump. Another 20% said they did not know.

A similar trend appeared across Europe. In Germany, 40% selected China, compared with 24% who chose the United States under Trump, creating a 16-point gap.

In France, 34% of respondents chose China, while 25% opted for the United States, a difference of nine percentage points. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, 42% picked China, compared with 34% who said the United States under Trump, an eight-point gap.

The survey also explored how people view the balance of global power in the coming decade.

When asked Which do you think will be the worlds leading power in 10 years, the United States or China?, many respondents again leaned toward Beijing. 51% of Germans, 49% of Canadians, 48% of French citizens and 45% of British respondents chose China. By contrast, 33% in Germany, 35% in Canada, 36% in France and 41% in the UK said the United States.

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Americans remain confident in US power

Interestingly, the picture looked very different inside the United States itself. Among American respondents, 63% said the United States would still be the worlds leading power in 10 years, compared with 29% who believed China would take that position.

Politico suggested the shift may not necessarily indicate growing trust in China itself.

Instead, the outlet argued it reflects changing perceptions of the United States during Trumps presidency. According to the report, many respondents in Canada and Germany said their countries appear to be moving closer to China not because China has become more trustworthy, but because the United States has become less so.

Since beginning his second term, Trump has pushed an America First foreign policy that has often put pressure on traditional allies. These policies include delayed support for Ukraine, economic pressure on Nato partners, and withdrawals from international institutions such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

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The poll also found that many respondents believe China may lead future technological competition, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, though Americans remain confident that US technology still holds the edge.
A directive, dated March 16 and signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was sent to all U.S. diplomatic and consular posts worldwide. It asks U.S. diplomats to deliver the message to their counterparts at the highest appropriate level and no later than March 20

President Donald Trumps administration on Monday urged U.S. diplomats abroad to push allies to designate Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanon-based Hezbollah as terrorist groups, citing elevated risk of attack, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.

The directive, dated March 16 and signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was sent to all U.S. diplomatic and consular posts worldwide. It asks U.S. diplomats to deliver the message to their counterparts at the highest appropriate level and no later than March 20, adding that the advocacy efforts to get these groups blacklisted should be coordinated with Israeli counterparts.

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The Trump administration is attempting to rally reluctant allies - many of whom were not briefed ahead of the U.S.-Israeli air war that started two weeks ago - to support its military operation.

In one sign of trouble for that effort, several U.S. allies said on Monday they had no immediate plans to send ships to help the U.S. unblock the Strait of Hormuz, rebuffing Trumps plea to keep the vital oil shipping waterway open.

With the elevated risk of attack from Iran and its partners and proxies, all governments must move expeditiously to diminish the capabilities of Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist groups from attacking our respective nations and citizens, one of the talking points in the cable said.

The IRGC is an elite military force whose purpose is to protect Shiite Muslim clerical rule in Iran. It controls large parts of Irans economy. Both the IRGC and the Lebanon-based Shiite Muslim armed group Hezbollah are already designated as terrorist groups by the United States and some other countries.

The cable does not provide details on the elevated risk but cites examples of how Tehran has attacked its neighbors in the Middle East and urges joint action.

We assess that the Iranian regime is more sensitive to collective action than unilateral action, and that joint pressure is more likely to compel behavior change by the regime than unilateral actions alone, the cable said.

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It adds that such designations would increase pressure on the Islamic Republic and limit its ability to sponsor terror activities around the world.

President Trump is focused on securing peace in the Middle East, a State Department spokesperson said. The IRGC, Hezbollah, and other Iranian backed proxies destabilize governments and undermine regional peace.
Trump claimed that he can do anything he wants with Cuba, amid US negotiations with Havana over the island countrys future

US President Donald Trump has said that he would have the honour of taking Cuba as the country plunges into total darkness amid a power blackout.

Trump claimed that he can do anything he wants with Cuba, amid US negotiations with Havana over the island countrys future.

You know, all my life Ive been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? Trump said. He added, I do believe Ill be  having the honour of taking Cuba. Whether I free it, take it  think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. Theyre a very weakened nation right now.

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According to a report by The New York Times, US officials have asked for the removal of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel during the recently held talks between the two countries.

The US has sought to intensify pressure on Cuba, its longtime foe, since seizing the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, Cubas most important foreign benefactor, in January. Trump cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to put tariffs on any country that sold oil to Cuba, strangling its antiquated power grid.

Protests in Cuba

In the Cuban city of Moron, protesters vandalised a local office of the ruling Communist Party during a demonstration over rising food prices and frequent power cuts. Authorities said that five people have been arrested after people damaged the building overnight and set furniture on fire in the street.

Demonstrators reportedly threw stones at the building and targeted other state-run facilities, including a pharmacy and a government-operated market.

The unrest comes as Cubans struggle with worsening blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medicine. The capital, Havana, has recently experienced power outages for long hours. Demonstrations were also held by students at the University of Havana because of disruptions to their studies caused by electricity shortages.

Cuba reels under pressure

No oil has been imported to the island since January 9, hitting the power sector while also forcing airlines to curtail flights to the island, a blow to the all-important tourism sector.

In a bid to relieve economic pressure  and meet US demands  a senior economic official in Cuba announced Monday that Cuban exiles would now be able to invest and own businesses there.

Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with US companies and also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants, Oscar Perez-Oliva, who is foreign trade minister and also deputy prime minister, told NBC News.

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With inputs from agencies
Trumps Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer but will continue working through treatment, with the White House confirming she has no plans to step down

US President Donald Trump hosts a lunch with the Kennedy Center Board members as chief of staff Susie Wiles looks on at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 16, 2026. AFP

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, but there is no question of her stepping down from her role, according to US President Donald Trump.

Putting speculation to rest, Trump made it clear that Wiles will continue working through her treatment.

Susie Wiles is an incredible Chief of Staff, a great person, and one of the strongest people I know she has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, Trump said, adding that she has chosen to begin treatment immediately.

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President Donald Trump announced that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will keep working while undergoing treatment for early-stage breast cancer https://t.co/RUQAMWeVn2 pic.twitter.com/l1ktIcmaGl  Reuters (@Reuters) March 16, 2026

Importantly, he emphasised that she will remain active in her role: During the treatment period, she will be spending virtually full time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy!

Also read | Doctor explains: Can breast cancer be prevented and at what age should you get screened?

Strong prognosis, continued leadership

The 68-year-old, widely seen as one of Trumps closest and most influential aides, is expected to continue working full-time even as she undergoes treatment. Officials have also indicated that her prognosis is excellent, thanks to early detection.

Trump also praised her resilience, saying her strength and her commitment to continue doing the job she loves tells you everything you need to know about her.

Wiles herself has echoed that determination, noting that early diagnosis has put her in a strong position to fight the illness while continuing public service.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Last week, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.



Nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this diagnosis. Every day, these women continue to raise their families, go to work, and serve their communities with strength and determination. I now join their ranks.



I am  Susie Wiles (@SusieWiles) March 16, 2026

A key figure in Trumps inner circle

Wiles is not just any White House official. She is the first woman to serve as Chief of Staff and has been a central figure in Trumps political operations for years.

From managing his 2024 campaign comeback to bringing discipline to his second-term administration, she is widely regarded as one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes figures in Washington.

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US Iran War Live Updates: The West Asia war has entered its third week with escalating attacks across Lebanon, Iraq and the Gulf, alongside growing diplomatic pressure and global security concerns.

The Trump administrations second term has fundamentally altered the trajectory of India-US relations, moving from two decades of patient understanding to an era of explicit coercion designed to force India into geopolitical alignment on Washingtons terms. File image

US Iran War Live Updates: The conflict in West Asia entered its third week, with fighting expanding across several fronts and raising fears of a wider regional escalation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Europe should support Israels campaign against Hezbollah as Israeli forces carried out ground operations inside southern Lebanon. Lebanon was pulled deeper into the war after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel on March 2 following the killing of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent wishes to the Iranian public ahead of the Persian New Year, sending Nowruz greetings and expressing hopes for a year of freedom and renewal for the people of Iran.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged European allies to play a greater role in securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively disrupted traffic through the vital oil route, sending global energy prices sharply higher.

Security incidents were also reported in Iraq, where a drone ignited a fire at a luxury hotel in Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone, an area that hosts foreign embassies and government buildings. Shortly afterwards, Iraqi air defences intercepted rockets targeting the US Embassy in the capital.

In the Gulf, authorities in Abu Dhabi said a drone strike triggered a fire at the Shah oil field in the United Arab Emirates, though no injuries were reported.

Along the Israel-Lebanon border, Hezbollah claimed it had targeted Israeli troops and military vehicles in several border towns as Israeli forces expanded limited ground operations.

In Iraq, the Iran-aligned armed faction Kataeb Hezbollah announced that its senior security commander, Abu Ali al-Askari, had been killed, although the group did not reveal how he died. He was widely known as the organisations key spokesperson and a prominent figure within the militia.

Stay with us for all the latest updates.

Live Updates
The meeting between Trump and Xi is scheduled from 31 March to 2 April. The two leaders met face-to-face in October last year and have since held several phone calls

As the Trump-Xi meeting approaches, China's balancing act becomes even more important. (File/AFP)

US President Donald Trump has said that he has urged China to delay his meeting with President Xi Jinping by a month or so, citing the Iran war.

The meeting between Trump and Xi is scheduled from 31 March to 2 April. The two leaders met face-to-face in October last year and have since held several phone calls.

We got a war going on. I think its important that I be here, Trump said at a White House event, adding there were no tricks to the delay  his clearest public admission yet that he does not expect the conflict to be resolved within the month.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Is there a trick'?

In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said that he expects Beijing to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz before any summit.

However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has clarified that the request for postponing the meeting was based on logistics and not on Chinas no-show in the Strait of Hormuz issue or any trade disagreements.

Bessents clarification matters because the US is not publicly conditioning the Beijing trip on Chinese action in the strait, but Trumps own words have muddied that message considerably.

Why is China unlikely to help US?

China is unlikely to police the strait on Washingtons behalf  Beijing is far better positioned to quietly cut its own safe-passage deal with Tehran, given that roughly 90% of its oil transits through the waterway.

The delay is not, by itself, a crisis. Preparations for the visit were reportedly already behind schedule, and the tone from US-China trade talks in Paris over the weekend was cautiously positive.

The more significant signal buried in the rescheduling: the US president is publicly conceding the Iran war will not be over by the end of March, and that changes the entire timeline for how long this conflict, and its economic fallout, may run.
JSC Kharkiv Electrical Installation Products Plant will hold a shareholders' meeting on April 9

JSC Kharkiv Electrical Installation Products Plant will hold a general meeting of shareholders on April 9, 2026. Information regarding the meeting on this date has been published on the issuer's corporate website.

JSC Kharkiv Electrical Installation Products Plant was registered in January 1994. According to the registry, the company is located in Kharkiv, and its director is Anatoliy Konik.
OPPO expanded its smartwatch portfolio with the launch of the OPPO Watch X3 in China, alongside its foldable smartphone Find N6. The Watch X3 integrates premium design, health monitoring, fitness tracking, and long battery life.

Design and display

The Watch X3 case and bezel are constructed from TC4 aerospace-grade titanium alloy with twelve precision-polished high-gloss facets. Only the case and bezel use TC4 titanium. The watch is 16% lighter and 6.4% thinner, designed to fit comfortably on the wrist without obstructing sleeves.

It features an ultra-transparent sapphire crystal lens (Mohs hardness >8) and a 1.5-inch LTPO display with 3000 nits peak brightness, a 36% increase, maintaining clarity under direct sunlight. The TC4 titanium alloy is rated at 950 MPa. The Watch X3 is IP68/IP69 water and dust resistant and has passed 16 military standard tests (MILSTD810H).

The segmented bamboo-style strap is made with ultra-soft fluororubber and metal connectors. Colors: Cosmic Star Orange, Infinite Titanium, Gravity Black. As far as battery life is concerned, the company claims it offers long battery with fast charging: 3 days heavy use, 5 days standard mode, 16 days long mode.

Health tracking

Hypertension risk assessment  Non-invasive evaluation over seven days, developed with Fuwai Hospital. Trend data from OPPO Health Lab (March 4, 2026): 52,842 users assessed, 44.7% of high-risk individuals under 35.

60-second physical exam  Tracks 14 health indicators.

Sensors  ECG, skin temperature, 8-channel heart rate, 16-channel blood oxygen.

Glucose monitoring  Connects with glucose meters in real time.

Medical software  Class II certified for ECG and sleep apnea screening, developed with Peking University Medicine, Zhejiang University, Fuwai Hospital, Shenzhen Peoples Hospital.

Fitness

Fat-burning guidance, running posture analysis, personalized workouts

100+ exercises with readiness assessment, training load tracking, one-click vitality analysis

Dual-frequency GPS, media playback, outdoor navigation

ColorOS Watch 16

Enhances smartphone integration with smooth performance, customizable modular watch faces, progress notifications, two-way phone finding, multifunction NFC, AI transcription and summaries, dual Android/iOS connectivity, and gesture controls.

The Watch X3 provides full smart functionality without a phone, including WeChat messaging, eSIM calling, voice assistant, Alipay payments, and real-time map navigation. It also functions as a car key, supporting remote unlocking, trunk access, air conditioning control, and voice commands for brands including Li Auto, Zeekr, BYD, Changan, and more.

Quick Specs: OPPO Watch X3

Pricing and Availability

The pricing of the OPPO Watch X3 in China is as follows:

Cosmic Star Orange and Infinite Titanium  2799 yuan (USD 402 or Rs. 37,170 approx.)

Gravity Black  2599 yuan (USD 373 or Rs. 34,515 approx.)

The OPPO Watch X3 goes on sale in China on March 20, 2026, at 10:00, with launch offers including a free strap, up to sixmonth interestfree installments, trade-in subsidies, and a 100 yuan bundle discount with the Find N6.
When broken strands of DNA get repaired improperly, they can stitch together in new Frankengene fusions that can cause cancer.

Researchers from two labs in the Human Biology Division at Fred Hutch Cancer Center are working together to better understand how one of these notorious fusions  ZFTA-RELA  drives rare brain tumors in children called ependymomas.

The work, recently published in the journals PNAS and Neuro-Oncology, maps the deep biology of ependymoma tumors, mirrors that biology in a mouse model and reveals a new molecular vulnerability in ZFTA-RELA fusions that could be targeted with drugs.

The discovery is the result of a longstanding collaboration between the labs of rare cancer expert Taran Gujral, PhD, and brain cancer researcher Eric Holland, MD, PhD, who directs the Human Biology Division and holds the Pigott Family Endowed Chair.

Their collaboration showcases innovative methods developed at Fred Hutch that are well suited to overcoming the logistical challenges of studying rare cancers, which typically dont attract investment from big pharmaceutical companies.

Mapping the deep biology of a rare but scary brain tumor

Ependymomas comprise about 10% of intracranial malignant tumors in children with 30% of cases diagnosed before the age of 3.

Though there are many subtypes of this tumor, theyre all usually treated with surgery and radiotherapy with minimal benefit from chemotherapy.

Theres no specific treatment for a rare, but particularly lethal variety of these tumors that harbor a Frankengene called ZFTA-RELA, which sounds even more intimidating spelled out: Zinc Finger Translocation Associated  RELA Proto-Oncogene.

Thats a common problem for research in rare cancers because there are fewer patient tumor samples to study and fewer genetically engineered preclinical models to study disease progression and response to treatment in living organisms.

Gujral, Holland and their colleagues overcame those hurdles in three steps, starting with an approach pioneered in the Holland Lab that classifies tumors based on their underlying biology rather than their appearance under a microscope.

Holland and Sonali Arora, MS, who runs the computational biology section of his lab, integrated gene expression data from more than 1,200 tumor samples gathered from North America and Europe of two pediatric brain cancers  medulloblastoma and ependymoma.

Using computational tools invented at Fred Hutch, Hollands team simplified that information, which comprises millions of data points, and represented it graphically on a digital reference map.

But such a map is only useful if it can make fine-grained distinctions between molecular subtypes of tumors. To draw significant contrasts Holland suggested adding data from medulloblastomas so that they were comparing two diseases instead of one.

That was [Hollands] brilliant idea because then we could have that contrasting factor, Arora said. You want to have stark differences across our map.

She and Holland and their colleagues analyzed gene expression data for the tumor samples collected in publicly available datasets. That data represented average gene expression across large groups of cells using a method called bulk RNA sequencing.

Another method  single-cell RNA sequencing  analyzes gene expression from individual cells that each receive a unique barcode to track their activity. That method reveals a finer grain of molecular detail than bulk RNA sequencing, but it takes a lot more time, money and complex analysis.

Holland and Aroras approach showed that bulk RNA sequencing can produce quicker, cheaper, more clinically relevant results on a larger scale without sacrificing the detail needed to trace signaling pathways, biomarkers of disease and potential drug targets.

They performed single-cell RNA sequencing data from 25 individual tumor samples to confirm that they were capturing the deep tumor biology they needed to make a meaningful reference map using the bulk RNA method.
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.
Iran arrests 500 individuals over spying for enemies: Police chief

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 6:01 AM

Iran's police chief, Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, says that country's police forces have arrested 500 people for sharing information with the enemies amid the ongoing US-Israel war.

Speaking in a televised interview on Sunday, Radan said 250 of the detainees have been identified as "important cases" who gave information to the enemy and had been cooperation with grouplets by "taking footage of strike locations and sending it to them."

He did not give details as to when and where the arrests took place.

The police chief explained that the detainees also included "20 very important cases" who were members of a spying group which were active in three Iranian provinces, adding that the group was busted.

Radan added that the main culprits of a sabotage operation have been also detained, noting that they sent information about a private company which was hit by the enemy.

According to Iranian media, dozens were arrests in several regions on Sunday.

Twenty people were arrested in northwestern Iran on charges of sharing location details of Iran's military and security assets with Israel, Tasnim reported.

The news agency also said that 10 people were detained in northeastern Iran, which has remained relatively untouched by airstrikes, saying some of them have been accused of collecting information on sensitive locations and economic infrastructure.

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Contracts

Contracts for March 16, 2026

AIR FORCE

United Crane & Excavation Inc., Grand Forks, North Dakota, was awarded a ceiling $63,966,205 firm-fixed-price, single award, indefinite-delivery requirements contract for base paving. This contract provides for a streamlined means to complete a broad range of maintenance, repair and design for paving projects estimated between $2,000 and $4,500,000. Work will be performed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and is expected to be completed by March 15, 2031. This contract was a competitive acquisition and four offers were received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 319th Contracting Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, is the contracting activity (FA465924D0001).

Accion Inc., doing business as, Revolution Space, Boston, Massachusetts, was awarded a $19,975,607 fixed-price contract for propulsive adaptor for long-duration orbital maneuvers with integrated navigation and operations. The contract provides for an in-space propulsion system which will have twice the thrust of existing Hall thrusters with equivalent power. Work will be performed at Boston, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by July 8, 2027. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 other procurement funds in the amount of $19,975,607 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California is the contracting activity (FA9300-26-C-6004). (Awarded March 10, 2026).

CORRECTION: The contract announced on Feb. 13, 2026, for The Nebraska Strategic Research Institute, Lincoln, Nebraska (FA4600-26-D-0001), for $499,341,5879 was announced with the wrong contractor and an incorrect dollar amount. The correct contractor is The National Strategic Research Institute, and the correct dollar amount is $499,341,589. The contracting activity is the 55th Contracting Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

NAVY

Raytheon Co., Sterling, Virginia, is being awarded a $40,254,004 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for operations and maintenance services in support of the relocatable over-the-horizon radar at the Forces Surveillance Support Center, Chesapeake, Virginia. The contract will include a one-year base period of performance and four one-year option period pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-9, which if exercised will bring the total estimated value of the contract to $212,119,774. Work will be completed by April 2027; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by April 2031. Services under the contract will be performed in multiple locations: Chesapeake, Virginia (48%); Freer, Texas (10%); Premont, Texas (10%); New Kent, Virginia (9%); Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico (9%); Vieques Diaz, Puerto Rico (9%); Dallas, Texas (3%); and Fairfax, Virginia (2%). Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000,000 will be obligated at time of award to incrementally fund the contract's base period of performance and funds will expire at the end of fiscal 2026. Option periods will be funded with appropriate fiscal year operation and maintenance (Navy) funds. The requirement was competitively procured through the System for Award Management website (Sam.gov) as an unrestricted, competitive procurement with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00189-26-C-Z013).

Defense Maritime Solutions Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia (N6449826D1006); and Bird-Johnson Propeller Co. LLC, Walpole, Massachusetts (N6449826D1005), were awarded a combined $40,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract for the procurement of Monobloc propellers and caps. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia; and Walpole, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed in March 2034. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000 ($500 minimum contract guarantee per awardee) will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the delivery order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management (SAM) website, with two offers received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division is the contracting activity (N6449826D1006 and N6449826D1005). (Awarded March 13, 2026)

CAES Systems LLC, Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $20,701,961 firm-fixed-price contract (N0001926C0132). This procurement will implement an engineering change proposal developed under a previous contract and includes the production and delivery of up to 85 modified low-band transmitters (LBT) to low-band consolidation (LBC) transmitters, associated spare components, and up to 11 -501 LBCs to -503 variant supporting changes required to address emerging threats and obsolescence. To maximize reuse, the existing LBTs will be provided to CAES as government furnished property modified, tested, and delivered as LBC transmitters. Work will be performed in Lansdale, Pennsylvania (44%); Patterson, New York (15%); Peabody, Massachusetts (8%); Mt. Laurel, New Jersey (4%); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (3%); Woburn, Massachusetts (3%); Hatfield, Pennsylvania (2%); Shelton, Connecticut (2%); Ventura, California (1%); Carson, California (1%); and various other continental U.S. locations less than 1% each (14%), and is expected to be completed in December 2030. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $20,701,961 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $16,790,854 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable contract (N0003926CE001) to provide program management, systems engineering, operations and maintenance, and logistics support services for the portfolio of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Foreign Military Sales (FMS) C4I, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) cases with an option for Surge efforts as well as an option for Communication Security (COMSEC) custodial services. The contract is a one-year base with four one-year option periods. The option periods, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $123,209,148. Work will be predominantly performed outside continental U.S., Saudi Arabia and is expected to be completed in March 2027. If options are exercised, work could continue until March 2031. This contract will utilize FMS funding. The contract was competitively procured via Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment Solicitation Module and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website with three offers received. The Naval Information Warfare Systems System Command, San Diego, California, is the contracting authority.

ARMY

Dean Marine and Excavating Inc.,* Mount Clemens, Michigan, was awarded a $10,225,450 firm-fixed-price contract for the repair and rehabilitation of the Lorain Harbor West Breakwater. Work will be performed in Lorain, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2028. Fiscal 2023, 2024, and 2025 civil construction funds in the amount of $8,709,768 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, is the contracting activity (W912P4-26-C-A003).

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4435799/

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U.S. Army exchange officers build trust, strength within NATO

By Troy Darr, U.S. Army NATO March 16, 2026

SEMBACH, Germany -- Far from the familiar formations of the U.S. Army, a select group of American Soldiers is deeply embedded within the military forces of their European allies. Each year, U.S. Army NATO brings these exchange officers together for a crucial training and leader development event, ensuring they remain ready and connected while serving in isolated assignments across seven countries.

This initiative is part of the Military Personnel Exchange Program, a cornerstone of security cooperation since 1954. The program is designed for the reciprocal exchange of personnel, placing U.S. Soldiers in allied units and vice versa. According to Todd Scatini, the MPEP program manager for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, it's a powerful framework for building partner capacity and integrating forces at the unit level. The program, he said, allows the U.S. to tangibly demonstrate its commitment by having a presence directly within allied formations.

The annual gathering is more than just a training requirement; it's a vital opportunity for connection and shared understanding.

"It's always good to bring the folks in to put a face to a name and have a discussion about what's going on in your part of the world," said Col. Jeremiah D. Pope, commander of U.S. Army NATO Brigade.

Beyond the immediate benefits of camaraderie, the program plays a vital role in the strategic fabric of the alliance. This broader perspective was emphasized by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kareem (Monty) Montague, an exchange officer assigned to the French Forces Command in Lille, France.

"I think this training is incredibly important because we are all stationed across Europe, working regularly with our European partners," he said. "And there is a benefit to bringing all of us together once a year, not just to meet annual training requirements, but to share lessons learned and integrate our understanding of the unique challenges we all face."

Montague stressed that the true power of the program lies in building the deep-seated trust that is essential for combined operations.

"If we're going to fight with allies, we have to understand them, and there has to be a mutual trust that's only gained over time," he explained. "The more people who have experiences serving in those allied formations and take those experiences back to the U.S., the better we understand our allies and the more effective we'll be on the battlefield, which is where it all matters."

This visible presence of American Soldiers in allied ranks sends a clear message of solidarity. Capt. Paolo Bonventre, a military exchange officer with the Folgore Airborne Brigade in Livorno, Italy, sees this as a fundamental aspect of his role.

"I think right off the bat, it is important because it provides a presence and shows our commitment to our allies, that we are invested in our relationship with them," he said.

The program's influence also cascades through the ranks. Scatini highlighted that U.S. Army sergeants major are teaching in NCO academies in the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. "In terms of impact and ability to educate and inspire an allied NCO Corps," he said, "those sergeants major are senior leaders to a generation of noncommissioned officers that then go out and become the backbone of our partner armies."

For the officers themselves, the annual training is a welcome chance to build their own support network. "This is a time for me to be able to meet these guys, get some perspective from them, and make those connections with them," Bonventre noted.

Recognizing the challenges of being in isolated assignments, the leadership of U.S. Army NATO ensures that robust support is always available.

"Don't suffer in silence," Pope urged the exchange officers. "The U.S. Army NATO support staff, whether it's finance, medical, administrative, whatever it is, we have a section to help you take care of that... I have an open-door policy. Just come right down and talk to me."

U.S. Army NATO provides direct support to approximately 60 MPEP Soldiers and their families across Europe and also supports roughly 1,000 Soldiers assigned to NATO billets at 84 locations in 24 countries.

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 16 March 2026

Bern, 16.03.2026 -- The war in the Middle East is having a serious impact on the populations of Lebanon, Syria and Iran. In view of this situation, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has set aside a humanitarian support package of CHF 6.5 million, which will focus on Lebanon and includes a regional component for Syria. The SDC will also release emergency aid for Iran.

In Lebanon, mass evacuation orders by Israel have forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee. According to UN figures, more than 820,000 people have been internally displaced so far. Almost 100,000 people have fled across the border to Syria.

In response, the SDC has increased its emergency humanitarian aid. It will provide additional funds and prioritise existing programmes based on the urgency of requirements. In total, CHF 6.5 million has been set aside for Lebanon and Syria: CHF 3.5 million from the existing budget for emergency humanitarian aid and CHF 3 million in additional emergency relief.

Emergency aid via the Red Cross, the UN and other partners

The contributions are channelled to key partners in the areas of protection, emergency shelters, and water, food, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). These include, in particular, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - which works closely with the Lebanese Red Cross - the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Lebanese and international NGOs will also be supported via the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund. These partners enable aid to be distributed quickly and directly where it is most urgently required.

An expert from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) is working with the ICRC and the regional water supply authority to support the drinking water supply in the Bekaa Valley. Among other things, Switzerland is financing the chlorination of drinking water in the public water supply - a measure that is particularly urgent in view of the sharp rise in the number of displaced people in the region.

Humanitarian aid for Iran

The humanitarian situation in Iran has also deteriorated significantly due to the war. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal to raise CHF 40 million. Swiss Humanitarian Aid has examined the appeal and has released CHF 1 million in emergency aid.

Humanitarian aid and neutrality

Aid and support activities that serve a humanitarian or medical purpose do not fall within the scope of neutrality law. Such actions are therefore in line with Swiss neutrality.
Foreign Affairs Council: Press conference by High Representative Kaja Kallas

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.03.2026

Brussels, 16/03/2026

EEAS Press Team

First, we had the discussion on the European Security Strategy. It is clear that the security environment is changing fast, and we cannot respond with emergency summits alone. We need a long-term policy, and that is why we had the first exchange of views with the Ministers today. So, we will take a broad view of security, linking defence, but also energy supply chains and other policy areas. Member States will shape this security strategy from the start. And today we focus the discussion on principles, scope, priorities. And an updated joint threat assessment will be also basis for the strategy.

Then we discussed the war on Ukraine. Moscow stands to gain from higher energy prices and the diversion of air defences from Ukraine to the Middle East. Ministers were clear that Ukraine remains a European top security priority and attention for Ukraine will not be allowed to fizzle out.

The same drones that are hitting Kyiv are hitting the states of the Gulf, so as Ukraine has the best drone defences, we also discussed briefly how we can put these things together: the needs for the Gulf countries, but also the needs of Ukraine and the defence sector and industry.

Russia keeps spilling the war over to its neighbours. Russia strikes on Ukrainian hydro power plant threatened to contaminate Moldova's water supply. We are supporting Moldova with equipment aid and satellite imagery.

Following the US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil, Europe will maintain sanctions and continue to move away from Russian fossil fuels. If we want this war to end, Moscow must have less money for the war, not more. Dialling up pressure on Russia's shadow fleet is one of the best tools we have. I commend France, Belgium and also Sweden for boarding and seizing falsely flagged tankers. It is time for the gloves to come off on Russia's shadow fleet. On the EU side, the adoption of the 20th sanctions package is long overdue. We discussed how to push this forward. The same goes for the 90 billion loan.

Those who enable this war are also paying a price. Member States renewed sanctions on over 2,600 individuals, and today, Ministers also adopted new sanctions targeting those seeking to destabilise the European Union. We also listed new entities in China and Iran responsible for the cyber-attacks.

Then we had the discussion and exchange of views with the Foreign Minister of India. It was very timely, because they are also very much affected by the war in the Middle East. We discussed in broader terms the world order and also, what more we can do to keep a world order that is based on some kind of rules. And also regarding, freedom of navigation and how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. And then we had the discussion on the Middle East. Two weeks of war have degraded Iran's military capabilities but also generated damaging security and economic shock waves. Iran is now waging war on the global economy. Ministers reaffirmed today that our focus is de-escalation and also freedom of navigation.

I also discussed with UN Secretary General Guterres and many others over the past days, how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Europe has no interest in an open-ended war. Following the regime's deadly crackdown in January, the EU designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, and today, we imposed additional sanctions on those responsible for the violence. This sends a message to Tehran that Iran's future cannot be built on repression. We must step up our support also to the Iranian civil society. This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake. As this war expands, the EU's priority remains the protection of our citizens. We have evacuated more than 30,000 from the region, many on the flights also funded and organised by the European Union.

Now, restarting the shipments of fertilisers, food and energy through the Strait of Hormuz is another urgent priority. Today, we discussed options to better protect the shipping in the region. The EU already has naval operations in place. We have ASPIDES that plays a key role in safeguarding freedom of navigation.

There was in our discussions a clear wish to strengthen this operation. But for the time being, there was no appetite in changing the mandate of operation ASPIDES - for now. While the Strait of Hormuz is at the centre stage, the Red Sea also remains critical. The risk that Houthis get involved is real, so we must remain vigilant.

Then, in Lebanon, Hezbollah has dragged the country into a war that is not its own. The Lebanese people are paying the price for Hezbollah's attacks. But Israel's heavy-handed response has caused mass displacement, and ground invasion will further deteriorate the situation. The EU will provide 100 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon. We also continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank is also worsening rapidly. Both the humanitarian situation and the political horizon are moving to the wrong direction. Progress on implementing the Gaza peace plan has been stalled, and the EU will continue to press for improved humanitarian access, de-escalation and also support for the Palestinian Authority's reforms. Next month, I will co-chair a Global Alliance meeting to address all these issues. Ministers also reviewed the progress on the Pact for the Mediterranean ahead of the leaders' meeting in Nicosia next month. We are preparing to hold the EU Mediterranean Regional Security Forum to coordinate issues such as maritime security, but also counter terrorism.

And finally, following the request from Armenia, the EU will deploy a Hybrid Rapid Response Team to help counter the threats ahead of the country's elections. Supporting democratic resilience in our neighbourhood remains essential. We will not leave Armenia to face foreign interference alone. Democracies under pressure can count on Europe. Ministers also discussed a wide range of issues, including further democratic deterioration in Georgia, but we will go into more details in the next FAC.

I will stop here so that we also have time for questions.

Q&A

Q. You just say that you had discussed the option to better protect the shipping in the region, but on the other hand, you said that Member States have no appetite to change the mandate of the mission the EU has in the region. So could you elaborate a bit on the option you might finally take? And second question, if I may; can you also tell us what kind of guidance you received from the Member States on the European Security Strategy you discussed this morning. Thank you.

First, the shipping in the region. This is not Europe's war - this situation in the region. We have the operation ASPIDES, as I said, in the Red Sea. The discussion was that it should be strengthened, because it does not have too many naval assets. It should have more. But the discussion on whether we are also extending this mandate to cover the Strait of Hormuz, to go north from the Muscat line, there was no appetite from the Member States to do that. As I said, nobody wants to go actively in this war. And of course, everybody is concerned what will be the outcome. What was stressed as well was the diplomatic outreach to have solutions. We were also discussing with the Minister from India what kind of experience they have in this regard, and whether there could be possibilities to take this forward.

On the Security Strategy, I have already received a lot of non-papers from Member States. Member States were stressing what is important. What they were also saying is that we should not duplicate the documents we have in place. We should rather focus also on the implementation and address the new concerns that we have right now. We are in a very, very initial phase of this work, so it was really a mapping exercise to listen from the Member States what are their concerns. And I also encouraged all Member States to come up with the papers. So, if we have all of them, we can take them all together and put this forward. What I want to see is that it is short and political, not covering all the aspects. But let us see what comes out.

Q. Madam High Representative, I have a couple of questions, one on Iran, one on the West Bank. On the West Bank and in Gaza, the killing is ongoing. Yesterday, a family of four persons have been killed in their car, on their way just to buy things for the end of Ramadan. Among these four persons were just two children, and they were killed by the army. The killing is ongoing in Gaza. My question is: Don't you think that you are not pressing Israel enough, and that this war is diverting the international attention, the European attention from the situation in the West Bank and Gaza? On in Iran if you do not mind, the chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran said this afternoon, that the core lesson drawn from her investigation is that the military action does not provide accountability, nor does it bring meaningful change in Iran. Instead, it is risking to intensify the domestic repression. After the discussion, could you enlighten us? What is the political objective? Is there any in this war, if you have got some conclusion on that in this meeting? Thank you

Yes, it is true that this new war in the Middle East is diverting the attention away from what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. And Ministers also raised this issue, because we see that this momentum is used to again hinder the humanitarian access, humanitarian aid getting into Gaza. The second phase of the peace plan is totally stalled, so we have to keep this up, the attention there. And also the violent settlers, I mean killing people without accountability, this is a major, major problem. And that is why there was also, again, this call that we have the sanctions on the violent settlers on the table. 26 countries want this, one is blocking. That is the sad reality that we have. On the military action, the goals of this military action need to be given by those who have started this war. Europe is not part of this war. We have not started this war and the political objectives are unclear. Of course, we talk to different parties. But with wars, it is easy to start, very hard to stop, and also it gets very messy, it gets out of hand. What we see right now, in terms of the economic consequences, 20% of the world's energy - I mean, oil and gas - goes through the Strait of Hormuz. It is affecting Asia, mostly. Fertilisers are going through the Strait of Hormuz. It is affecting Asia, but also Africa. If we do not have fertilisers now this year, we will have a famine next year. So, it is a very, very big war with many consequences, and that is why we are also reaching out to our partners, how we can collectively convince the warring parties to stop. So we are working on that.

Q. While you were talking, the Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said that the Strait is only closed for Iran's enemies. Could that be a basis for a diplomatic solution?

This was also the discussion that we had with the Foreign Minister of India. And as I said, we are working on the diplomatic solutions. Now, the problem is, of course, it is also that there are so many players at stake when it comes to the shipping. You have the insurance companies who are also reading papers and saying that there is a huge risk, so the prices go up. There are also the crews of the ships. So, [the] captain is eventually making the decisions whether the ship goes and takes this risk or not. If they are not assured enough, they are not putting their crews at risk. And nobody, nobody can force the crews to go to the dangerous situation. Let me put it this way: you have to have concrete, tangible results to show that now it is peaceful and safe to go through. It is not only the assessment whether we are the enemies, or we are not the enemies. It is very complicated. And definitely, all the European support for diplomatic solution.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-286355

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Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas upon arrival

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.03.2026

Brussels, 16/03/2026

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!



Good morning, everybody.



So again, another day of Foreign Affairs Council. Today, we have a packed agenda.



First, we start with the discussions on the European Security Strategy. It is important that the Member States have a buy-in, because Member States need to be on board, with what should be there. So we will have a broad discussion on what are the different aspects that Member States want to see in this Security Strategy.



Then we go and discuss Ukraine. Of course, it is important that the attention on the Middle East does not take away the attention from Ukraine. That the attention does not fizzle out there. We see the easing of sanctions on oil, on Russia, by the US is a dangerous precedent, because right now, we need them to have less money for waging the war than more. And of course, you know the Strait of Hormuz being closed is also to the benefit of Russia to fund this war. We need to do definitely more on this.



And then, of course, we will discuss the Middle East. And everything, what is happening in the Middle East is also affecting Ukraine. It is affecting other partners. And there, the main topic will be how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

During the weekend I also had talks with UN Secretary General.

I had talks with Antonio Guterres about whether it was possible to also have the same kind of initiative like we had the Black Sea initiative, how to get the grain from Ukraine out, because the closure of Strait of Hormuz is really dangerous for the oil supplies, energy supplies to Asia. 85% of the oil and gas through Strait of Hormuz goes to Asian countries. But it is also problematic for the fertilisers. And if there is lack of fertilisers this year, there is going to be also food deprivation next year. So, we discussed with Antonio Guterres how to make this happen.

And then on our side, we have missions and operations in the region. We have ASPIDES, of course, we will discuss with Member States whether it is possible to really change the mandate of this mission. The point is that whether the Member States are willing to actually use this mission. If we want to have security in this region, then it would be easiest to actually already use the operation that we have in the region, and maybe a change a bit. There is also talk of Coalition of the Willing in this regard. But we also need to see what could be the fastest to provide this opening for the Strait of Hormuz. But of course, as you can see, it 'is not easy. And then we will also have a discussion on the Southern Neighbourhood.

So, there is also how, this Middle East crisis affects the Southern Neighbourhoods so we will also discuss this and many other topics.

Q&A

Q. German Foreign Minister yesterday said that he does not really see, or he does not really see that it's so necessary or that it would be very helpful to extend ASPIDES, what is your position on this?

We will discuss this today. We have proposals on the table, what we could do. But of course, we need to also have the Member States on board. If the Member States say that we are not doing anything with this, then, of course, it is their decision. But we have to discuss how we help to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

Q. Do you have some updates on these attempts to negotiate with Russia? Because there was a visit of some European diplomats to Moscow and there is some [inaudible] that they would not like answers from Moscow on the proposition to have Europe as a partner in negotiations And do you feel that Europe now is a part of negotiation in some way?

This is not surprising. Russia has shown that they do not really want to negotiate. They are actually increasing their attacks on Ukraine because they want to have their maximalist goals satisfied. And that is because Europeans are not willing to give them these maximalist demands, then why should they talk to us? What should be our approach is to increase the pressure, and that is why enforcing the oil price cap is very important, also using sanctions and the 20th sanctions package, fighting the shadow fleet, also giving 90 billion loan to Ukraine. This is all important, that we would put the pressure on Russia, so that they would go from, pretending to negotiate to actually negotiate.

Q. President Trump has said that NATO faces a very bad future if US allies fail to assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz. What is your response to that? And are you concerned that the Middle East war is going to be more linked to Ukraine and NATO?

Clearly, all these security theaters are very much interlinked when it comes to the capabilities that are needed in Ukraine or in the Middle East, when it comes to also our attention. That is very, very clear. And the actors or our adversaries are also using this. So, this is very, very clear. Now, it is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that is why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard, from the European side.

Q [Inaudible]

We have been in touch with the US colleagues on different levels on this. But of course the situation is very volatile.

Q. After two weeks of war between Iran, Israel and America, how concerned are you about the price of gas and petrol in Europe? Do you have enough supplies of food and energy for this year?

It is clearly affecting the overall oil price in the market. So, it raises the prices. That is very clear, even if we are not so much dependent on these sources that come from the region. But these are all global issues. Of course, we are very concerned. At the same time, when we have the FAC, there is also the meeting of energy ministers. And I was in contact also with the Energy Commissioner on what can we do in this regard to actually, keep the oil price on the global market down because it affects everything.

Q. And what about the food?

And the food as well, because, via the Strait of Hormuz the food supply is equally concerning. And like I said, the fertilisers. So, if it is blocked and the fertilisers do not get through, then there will also be food deprivation in Africa, for example. That is why I also discussed this with UN Secretary General.

Q. What can you say about Georgia? We will, we know that [inaudible] will discuss about Georgia.

We are discussing Georgia and of course, the situation is getting more serious. And that is why, from the 6th of March we have this implementation of the visa ban for diplomats. We will discuss what more can we do, because Georgian Government is definitely not going in the right direction.

Q . You mentioned the EU mission, and you mentioned the Coalition of the Willing. Taking into consideration that having structure of command already in operation, why should you talk about European Coalition of the Willing? Or is it something Americans want to take credit for?

No, I was referring to the French initiative regarding putting together the Coalition of the Willing. I think these two things could go hand in hand: we already have the operation ASPIDES, where we have the chain of command, and everything is in place. But if there is also a Coalition of the Willing, these can also complement each other. But like I said, we will discuss this today during the meeting.

Q. How do you want to convince Hungary to approve the 90 billion credit for Ukraine and if it is not going to happen what is your plan?

This is really enforcement of the decisions that have been already made at the leaders' level. Also Hungary agreed to this decision. So, it is the enforcement of these decisions. I know that President Costa and President von der Leyen are dealing with this. We will also have EUCO at the end of this week, so hopefully we will not push Hungary to accept or not accept, but actually stick to the agreements that they have also made.

Q. [Inaudible]

We have been in contact with NATO previously, but this is out of NATO's area of action, really. So, that is why we have the operation ASPIDES and there are Member States who are also willing to contribute, whether it is in the Coalition of the Willing or in the operation itself. But it is out of NATO's territories. There are no NATO countries in the Strait of Hormuz.

Q. [Inaudible]

We first have to discuss what the Member States are willing to do in the Strait of Hormuz. And there is also discussion that there could be [an] element when the big fighting is over. But, of course, the needs to open the Strait of Hormuz are there, right now. So, we will discuss this today.

Q. Do you see these internal domestic Polish discussions about potential Polexit dangerous, especially for the EU, and especially for Ukraine, as Poland is the main logistical hub.

Yes, I have not followed these discussions in detail, but clearly Poland is a very strong European Member State, and in the Eastern flank, I mean their support to Ukraine, but also being a logistical hub for Ukraine, has been extremely important. So I hope it remains that way.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-286275

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HRC61 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.03.2026

Geneva

Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

61st Session

Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua

16 March 2026

EU Statement

Mr President,

The European Union thanks the Group of Human Rights Experts for their report and reiterates its full support for their mandate. We are particularly alarmed by your findings regarding the gender and transnational dimensions of the repression.

The EU is gravely concerned by the continued deterioration of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, including through the reform of the Constitution, which confirms the concentration of powers in the hands of the executive branch, as well as the closure of the civic space in Nicaragua. As internal and transnational acts of repression continue unabated, including through the arbitrary deprivation of nationality, they impact individuals both in Nicaragua and in other countries. We call again for the immediate end of repression, including transnational repression, against dissenting voices, civil society, journalists, religious institutions and the political opposition. All those responsible must be held accountable.

We welcome the release of several political prisoners in January. However, we note they are still subject to house arrest. We thus call on the authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all remaining political prisoners, to put an end to arbitrary detentions and house arrest, and to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all detainees.

We call again for the full return to the rule of law and full compliance with Nicaragua's human rights obligations as laid down in national and international law. We further condemn the continuous abusive instrumentalisation of international cooperation tools, such as the INTERPOL notices.

The EU urges Nicaraguan authorities to renew collaboration with the global system of human rights protection. This includes the Human Rights Council and Nicaragua resuming engagement with the Universal Periodic Review. We call on Nicaragua to receive and cooperate respectfully with international human rights organisations, the Group of Human Rights Experts and the Office of the High Commissioner.

Mr Simon,

What are the human rights' consequences of the recent decision by Nicaragua to delete the recognition of a dual nationality from its Constitution for persons in exile and Nicaraguans in the country?

Thank you.

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EU announces 458 million in humanitarian aid for the war-torn Middle East

European Commission

News article

16 March 2026

Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

The European Commission is confirming 450 million in humanitarian aid for Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt in 2026. With major donors withdrawing from the region and international humanitarian law under unprecedented strain, the EU is sustaining life-saving assistance to millions of people.

In Syria, 210 million in EU humanitarian funding will sustain life-saving emergency response and protection across the entire country. More than a year after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, 16.5 million people continue to require humanitarian assistance. Among them over 3.2 million returnees face destroyed infrastructure and a lack of livelihood opportunities. Funding covers food assistance, healthcare, shelter, clean water and education for children out of school.

In Palestine, 124 million will support food assistance, health, protection, shelter and education, delivered by partners operating under extremely difficult conditions. Over 3.3 million people remain in need  2.1 million in Gaza and 1.2 million in the occupied West Bank. In Gaza, civilians face malnutrition and a collapsed healthcare system, and systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid.

In Lebanon, 100 million will deliver emergency health care, basic assistance for families who have nothing left, protection services, shelter, and education for children out of school. Needs are acute: even before the current humanitarian crisis, aggravated by the ongoing developments in Iran, over three million people required humanitarian assistance in Lebanon. In March 2026, Israeli airstrikes led to the displacement of more than 800,000 people. EU Humanitarian airbridge flights are already delivering medical and relief items on the ground.

In Jordan, a total of 15.5 million willsustain essential services such as health and protection, and meet the needs of refugees, both in and out of camps.

In Egypt, 8 million will support multi-sectoral assistance to the most vulnerable, including quality education for out-of-school children, and a regional programme on disaster preparedness. Egypt is hosting over 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, notably from Sudan and Gaza.

Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said:

'In a war-torn Middle East, the European Union is stepping up while others step back. We are now the largest donor still delivering humanitarian aid in some of the world's most severe crises, helping people living through the darkest moments of their lives. We must stand with them. International Humanitarian Law exists to protect them, and Europe will defend it. We will continue delivering life-saving aid for as long as it is needed.'

Background

Across the whole region, the delivery of humanitarian aid is heavily affected by operational and logistical constraints, limited humanitarian access, a reduced humanitarian space and continuous violations of International Humanitarian Law.

The EU 2026 humanitarian aid allocations for Palestine, Lebanon, Syria Jordan and Egypt are made under the European Commission's annual Worldwide Humanitarian Decision, implemented through country-specific Humanitarian Implementation Plans.

Funding for humanitarian issues is allocated exclusively on the basis of need, in accordance with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and in full compliance with international humanitarian law.

It is delivered through the Commission longstanding network of UN agencies, international organisations and NGOs operating on the ground.

This 450 million package includes a mobilisation of 67.5 million from the Emergency Aid Reserve, pending approval by the budgetary authority.

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Defence Ministers of Finland, Sweden and Norway at Cold Response 26: Implementation of FLF Finland progressing rapidly

Finnish Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence

Publication date 16.3.2026 16.10

Type:Press release

Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen hosted the countries participating in FLF Finland at the Cold Response 26 exercise at Rovajarvi on 16 March 2026.

"This is the most important Arctic exercise of the spring. Over 30,000 professional soldiers and reservists from 14 countries are training joint NATO operations in Norwegian and Finnish territory. Important components of the exercise include strengthening NATO's High North, training joint operations in challenging conditions, and testing logistics and the capability to receive allied forces," said Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen.

"The exercise also involves moving troops from Sweden to Finland, which is a key part of FLF Finland's operational concept. The FLF approach will strengthen the security of Finland and the entire northern flank of the Alliance," said Minister Hakkanen.

Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen, Sweden's Minister of Defence Pal Jonson and Norway's Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik issued a declaration at Cold Response 26 in which they noted that rapid progress has been made in implementing FLF Finland. According to the declaration, the objective is to establish FLF Finland before the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026.

"In practice, this means both the battle group offered by Sweden and the Multinational Staff Element to be established in Finland," Minister Hakkanen said.

"FLF Finland is a concrete sign of NATO's increasing deterrence and defence in Finland. Similarly, Cold Response 26 displays our strong capabilities and our Allies' commitment to developing FLF Finland," Minister Antti Hakkanen said.

Sweden is the framework nation for FLF Finland, which is a multinational NATO land force. Norway is the lead nation in Cold Response 26 and is one of the countries participating in the development of FLF Finland. The United Kingdom, France, Italy and Iceland have also announced their participation in the development of FLF Finland and are participating in Cold Response 26. Cold Response 26 is part of NATO's Arctic Sentry operation, which shows the Alliance's readiness to operate in the Arctic.

Declaration by the Ministers of Defence of Norway, Finland and Sweden

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Joint statement on Cold Response 26 and NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland by the Ministers of Defence of Finland, Sweden and Norway

Finnish Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence

Publication date 16.3.2026 16.07

Type:Press release

Joint statement on Cold Response 26 and NATO's Forward Land Forces in Finland by the Ministers of Defence of Finland, Sweden and Norway on 16 March 2026.

NATO's Forward Land Forces Finland forms the 9th FLF in NATO and is an important part of NATO's enhanced deterrence and defence posture in the High North.

The exercise Cold Response 26 has been utilized to support the further development of FLF Finland. By exercising large-scale movement of forces from Sweden to Northern Finland, Cold Response 26 has demonstrated elements of the FLF employment. Cold Response 26 is also included in NATO's activity Arctic Sentry.

The exercise includes participation by nations that have expressed their intention to contribute to the further development of FLF Finland. This includes Norway, Denmark, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Iceland has also expressed their intention to contribute to FLF Finland.

FLF Finland is progressing rapidly and will be established this year. Sweden will provide the core of the multinational battlegroup for FLF Finland, based in Boden (Northern Sweden). The intention is that FLF Finland will be established before the NATO Summit in Ankara this summer.

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Lebanon - Attack on UNIFIL (16 March 2026)

France - Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres

France strongly condemns the shots fired several times at soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) yesterday. These attacks from non-state armed groups are unacceptable.

France calls on all the parties to show restraint, return to the ceasefire of 26 November 2024 and comply with Security Council Resolution 1701. Hezbollah must end its operations and hand in its weapons. Israel must abandon its ground offensive, end its massive strikes and respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

UNIFIL must be able to carry out its mandate to the full and exercise its freedom of movement. The protection of the Blue Helmets and the safety and security of personnel, property and premises of the United Nations must be ensured, in accordance with international law and Resolution 1701.

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China to continue to make active efforts to facilitate reconciliation and ease tensions between Afghanistan, Pakistan: FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Mar 16, 2026 11:29 PM

China will continue to make active efforts to facilitate reconciliation and ease tensions between the two sides, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday. China hopes that both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage face to face as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity, and resolve differences and disputes through dialogue, he added.

Lin made the remarks when asked to provide more details on a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi last Friday, and on a previous statement of Foreign Ministry that China's special envoy on Afghan Affairs was conducting shuttle diplomacy between Afghanistan and Pakistan which have recently been engaged in military conflict.

Lin said that Afghanistan and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbors. Issues between the two countries can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. The pressing priority is to prevent the escalation of the conflict and return to the negotiating table at an early date.

China has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels. Over the past few days, Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone respectively with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has been shuttling between Afghanistan and Pakistan to mediate. Chinese embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan have been in close communication with the two sides. Both countries have expressed appreciation for China's active mediation efforts, Lin noted.

From March 7 to 14, Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yue Xiaoyong visited both Afghanistan and Pakistan, conducting shuttle diplomacy over the recent tensions. In Afghanistan, he met separately with Muttaqi and Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi. In Pakistan, he held talks with Pakistan's foreign secretary Amna Baloch and Mohammad Sadiq, Islamabad's special envoy for Afghanistan, urging both sides to remain calm, reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, and resolve differences through dialogue.

Both Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed appreciation for China's mediation efforts and said they are willing to address the issue through political and diplomatic channels.

Earlier on March 13, Wang held a phone conversation with Muttaqi at the latter's request, where Wang noted that the more turbulent the external environment becomes, the more regional countries should strengthen unity and cooperation to overcome difficulties together, forging a path of cooperative and common security. Any issues between the two countries can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. The use of force will only complicate the situation, exacerbate contradictions, benefit neither side, and threaten regional peace and stability. Wang added that China stands ready to continue making active efforts to facilitate reconciliation and ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Sweden provides humanitarian support to Lebanon

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Published 16 March 2026

Sweden is announcing a new SEK 65 million humanitarian aid package for Lebanon due to the ongoing military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which has caused a rapid deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the country. The support will be distributed among UN organisations, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and civil society to provide support and protection for people who now find themselves in the midst of the crisis.

"The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is serious and deteriorating rapidly with the continued escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and are now in urgent need of temporary shelter, blankets, medical care, food and psychosocial support. Sweden is therefore supporting organisations that are able to meet people's basic needs in the midst of the crisis," says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

"As always at times of war and crisis, it is children who are the hardest hit. Sweden is now sending SEK 65 million to the Red Cross, the UN and other organisations for food, heating, safe environments and medical care for families fleeing the devastation," says Gudrun Brunegard, development assistance policy spokesperson (Christian Democrats).

The recent escalation in Lebanon is taking place in an already very fragile context, where humanitarian needs have long been extensive, people have been fleeing their homes and the economic situation has become extremely fragile. More than 800 000 people have been displaced in the country and civilians continue to be hard hit. Children, who are most affected by the consequences of the conflict, are particularly vulnerable.

Sweden's humanitarian support to Lebanon in 2026 consists of SEK 45 million in earmarked support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and SEK 20 million from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The support is distributed between organisations with a well-established presence in the country and the ability to reach the most vulnerable, including in remote areas. The support means that people who have been forced to leave their homes can have access to emergency shelter, blankets, hot meals and psychosocial support. It also helps to maintain emergency medical care and to create safe environments where children can continue to be children, despite the ongoing crisis around them.

How the SEK 65 million humanitarian support package for 2026 is distributed

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), SEK 22 million: provides emergency support for the more than 800 000 people displaced from their homes. This includes access to emergency shelter, blankets, mattresses and water cans to meet people's most urgent needs. The UNHCR also offers psychosocial support to alleviate people's trauma and helps reunite children separated from their families.

UN Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), SEK 20 million: the LHF distributes funds to local organisations that quickly reach people most in need, including in remote areas. This includes delivering vital supplies to internally displaced people, both those in organised shelters and elsewhere.

UN World Food Programme (WFP), SEK 10 million: distributes hot meals, ready-made food rations, bread and cash support to displaced and vulnerable people in the country. Since 28 February, the WFP has reached more than 200 000 people and the organisation is in the process of further scaling up its operations.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), SEK 5 million: ensures that conflict-affected communities have access to basic services, including health care, water, sanitation, and economic and food security. The ICRC also works to promote respect for international humanitarian law, which is essential for the ability of aid workers to operate in the country.

Save the Children, SEK 5 million: provides support to children and families who have been displaced. This includes hygiene kits, baby kits, mattresses and blankets, and psychosocial support. Save the Children also ensures that children can continue to be children despite the impact of the crisis by offering continued educational opportunities.

Lebanese Red Cross, SEK 3 million allocated via Sweden's support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): provides paramedic services and blood banks, distributes emergency aid and arranges temporary emergency shelter for displaced people.

The SEK 45 million in funds are earmarked for the 2026 financial year within existing core support agreements, and the SEK 20 million from Sida is also allocated for 2026.

Funding for this support comes from the development assistance budget.

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FM Sa'ar speaks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta, Ian Borg

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

FM Sa'ar briefed Deputy PM and FM Borg on the developments in the war against the Iranian terror regime.

Type: Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy, Terrorism

Secondary topic: Iran

Publish Date: 16.03.2026

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar spoke today (Monday, 16 March 2026) with the Deputy PM and FM of Malta, Dr. Ian Borg.

FM Sa'ar:

"Spoke with Malta's Deputy PM and FM Dr. Ian Borg and briefed him on the developments in our war against the Iranian terror regime.

Regarding Lebabon, I said that Hezbollah attacked Israel under Iranian instruction. There have been more attacks against Israel from Lebanese territory than from Iran. We will defend our citizens and communities.

I invited my counterpart to visit Israel.

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Latvia and Germany strengthen defense cooperation by signing a memorandum on "IRIS-T" system maintenance in the Baltics

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence

16.03.2026

International cooperation Industry

Information prepared by Preses nodala

On Monday, March 16, Minister of Defence Andris Spruds visited Berlin on a working trip, where he met with the Federal Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, Boris Pistorius. During the visit, the minister also attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the German defence industry company "Diehl Defence" and the Latvian company "Ripo Remonta Centrs".

The signed memorandum defines the principles of cooperation and confirms the intention of both parties to establish a joint venture that will provide maintenance, repair, and technical support services for the "IRIS-T" air defense system in the Baltic states.

The document serves as a strategic cooperation framework and declaration of intent, outlining the readiness of both companies to develop long-term industrial cooperation and strengthen the capacity of the local defense industry. The planned cooperation will promote the availability of critically important military technologies, ensure rapid system maintenance, and strengthen the defense capabilities of the Baltic states.

"This memorandum is an important step not only in strengthening the security of Latvia's airspace, but also in developing the domestic defense industry. It will ensure operative technical support for air defense systems, promote the transfer of technological knowledge, and strengthen the combat readiness of our armed forces, so that in a crisis situation we can fully rely on local experts," emphasized A. Spruds.

"We are grateful to the Ministry of Defence and the National Armed Forces for the successful cooperation so far, as well as to "Diehl Defence" for the opportunity to participate in a project important for Latvia's defense. We have been servicing army transport and equipment for almost nine years, and this project will be an important step in the further development of our company, allowing us to acquire new technical knowledge, expand our team, and build new infrastructure," emphasized Ivo Rubins, member of the board of "Ripo Remonta Centrs".

"The signing of the MoU with "RIPO Remonta"centrs" is an important and logical step within "Diehl Defence's" strategy. It extends our current service network with a Baltic support hub capable of serving users in Latvia as well as nearby neighbouring countries. The cooperation with a local partner ensures that customers receive immediate service when and where required, leading to a high availability of the supported systems," said Oliver Haas, Senior Vice President of Customer Support at "Diehl Defence".

"Diehl Defence is pleased to approach this initiative in line with the Security of Supply requirements of the Latvian Ministry of Defence," emphasized Gianluca Palmisano, Vice President for Industrial Participation and Offsets at "Diehl Defence".

As previously reported, on November 30, 2023, the Ministry of Defence signed a supply contract with the German company "Diehl Defence" for the procurement of the "IRIS-T" medium-range air defense system.

It is planned that "Diehl Defence" will begin deliveries of the medium-range air defense systems in 2026. By then, Latvia must train personnel, improve infrastructure, and fulfill other prerequisites so that when the "IRIS-T" systems are delivered, the National Armed Forces will be ready to fully operate and maintain them.

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on March 9 - 15, 2026

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2026-03-16

International cooperation | Uncategorized

On March 9 - 15 fighter aircraft of the NATO Air Policing Detachment were scrambled in response to international flight regulation violations six times.

On March 9 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to identify and escort two SU-24 flying via international airspace from Kaliningrad and back. Their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews had no pre-filed flight plan and were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On March 11 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted one Su-24MR and one Su-33 flying via international airspace from mainland Russia and back with their onboard transponders switched off, without the pre-filed flight plans and not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On March 11 NATO Baltic air policing fighter jets were alerted in response to one AN-26 flying via international airspace from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan but was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

March 12 NATO fighter aircraft identified and escorted one IL-20 on its way from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad via international airspace. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan, though was maintaining radio communication.

On March 12 aircraft safeguarding the Baltic skies were scrambled in response to one Su-30SM and one SU-24MR flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. NATO fighter jets also identified one SU-30SMi flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad via international airspace with the onboard transponder switched off, without the flight plan, but the crew was maintaining radio communication. An identified SU-24MR flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad also had its onboard transponder switched off, no flight plan and was not maintaining radio communication.

On March 13 NATO fighter aircraft intercepted two SU-24MR flying through international airspace from mainland Russia and back. Their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews had no flight plans and were not keeping radio communication.

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Gitanas Nauseda discussed proposals on nuclear deterrence with the Latvian leader

President of the Republic of Lithuania

March 16, 2026

President Gitanas Nauseda spoke by telephone with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on Monday.

During their conversation, the two leaders discussed French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal on nuclear deterrence.

The Lithuanian leader emphasized that the United States' extended nuclear deterrence, as well as nuclear-sharing arrangements, are the core of NATO's deterrence. NATO's nuclear mission includes the plans and capabilities necessary to deter and defend NATO countries against the Russian nuclear threat.

"At the same time, we welcome all steps taken by our allies that complicate Russia's calculus regarding nuclear escalation in Europe, and France's initiative should effectively complement NATO's nuclear deterrence," the Head of State said.

According to President Gitanas Nauseda, Lithuania is open to closer dialogue with France in order to better understand its doctrine and future plans in the nuclear domain. However, such dialogue should not be interpreted as questioning the reliability of NATO's nuclear umbrella.

The President's Communication Group

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Statement of the DFA Spokesperson for Maritime Affairs on Sovereignty of the Philippines over Bajo De Masinloc

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

MANILA 16 March 2026 -- In response to the Chinese Embassy's erroneous and misleading statement issued on Saturday, 14 March 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs firmly underscores the Philippines' indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc and the Kalayaan Island Group.

The historical and legal foundations of Philippine sovereignty over Bajo de Masinloc are unassailable. The Murillo Velarde map of 1734 clearly portrays the high-tide feature as Philippine territory, and all subsequent cartographic records affirm the same. More critically, the Philippines has exercised continuous, uninterrupted sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc for centuries  demonstrated through detailed hydrographic surveys, official government correspondences, and decisive acts of administration, including its designation as a target range by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the demolition by Philippine authorities of illegal structures erected on the shoal by foreign smugglers. Sovereignty is not merely claimed  it is exercised. The Philippines has done precisely that, consistently and without interruption.

The Philippines flatly rejects China's assertion of indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea. This claim has no basis in fact, no basis in history, and no basis in international law. Full stop.

As regards the recent letter posted by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the DFA will not engage in conjecture or speculation over a document of uncertain origin and authenticity, and certainly without value. There is no merit in debating supposed documentary artifacts produced by third parties and presented as posts on social media, especially if these third parties have vested interests and willfully misconstrue and misrepresent established facts.

China must be reminded that maritime and territorial claims are subject to established international legal procedures and dispute settlement mechanisms  not to unilateral proclamations or social media posts. China's persistent evasion of proper international legal scrutiny speaks volumes: it betrays the utter baselessness of its positions. A state confident in the legality of its claims does not shy away from international adjudication. China's conduct is a tacit admission that its claims cannot withstand legal scrutiny.

The Philippines, on the other hand, duly proved and established its maritime claims through the 2016 Arbitral Award, which has become an integral part of international law. The Philippines likewise consistently exercised and upheld sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its archipelago and other territories, including Bajo de Masinloc and the high-tide features of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is incontrovertible and firmly founded on international law and effective administration.

Finally, while the Department welcomes the resumption of dialogue mechanisms with China as critical platforms for effective diplomacy, consistent with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippines makes one thing unequivocally clear: engagement is not concession. Our pursuit of dialogue reflects a calibrated and principled commitment to peaceful dispute settlement  it does not, in any manner, dilute or qualify the Philippines' firm, unequivocal positions in the West Philippine Sea. Our sovereignty is non-negotiable. Our resolve is absolute. END

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No planned reduction in PH participation in joint exercises

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

March 16, 2026, 2:28 pm

MANILA -- A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Monday said there is still no planned reduction of its joint exercises with other countries amid steady oil price increases.

"So far, wala pa tayong indicators na merong reduction (we have no indicators that there will be a reduction. Katunayan (in fact), today as we speak, we have a ship in Australia to participate in 'Kakadu' and a fleet exercise over there," PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a televised interview.

Trinidad was referring to the guided missile frigate, BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7), which is in Australia for the International Fleet Review and the biennial Multilateral Naval Exercise "Kakadu" scheduled for March 8 to 30.

The ship and its contingent left for Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales on March 2 and arrived in Darwin, Australia, on March 6.

Trinidad also said that there are more exercises scheduled for this year, which they plan to carry out unless cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

"There are more coming up for this year, and unless there will be drastic changes - all of these have been planned, have been pre-planned and pre-approved - they will be executed," he said.

Meanwhile, Trinidad said the PN has already implemented energy conservation measures in line with ongoing government efforts to reduce fuel consumption.

"Simple tasks that could conserve fuel, conserve energy, have already been implemented. As to the operational matters of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), I would like to say that sovereignty has no price," he said.

The PN official assured the public that patrols in the WPS, the Northern Islands, Bajo de Masinloc will continue, along with security operations on the ground involving other Philippine forces.

"Our patrols, our operations will continue sapagkat ito ang mandato natin (because this is our mandate). And again, there PNA)is no price for protecting our sovereignty," he stressed. (PNA)

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Hezbollah hits Israeli targets as regime forces invade southern Lebanon

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 11:10 AM

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says it has successfully destroyed Israeli targets in the heart of the occupied territories as Israel launches a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

According to a statement published by Hezbollah on Monday its forces have targeted an arms factory belonging to Rafael corporation with missiles.

The statement also said the group attacked Palmachim military air base, south of Tel Aviv, and 140 km from the Lebanese border, with a special missile as a clear message to the regime about the capabilities of resistance in attacking its strategic resources in occupied territories.

In border regions and during the ground war, Hezbollah fighters managed to stop the Israeli regime's mechanized units from advancing towards al-Khayam and Maron-al-Ras towns and dealt heavy damage to them.

According to the statement during an ambush, the resistance fighters managed to destroy 3 Merkava tanks and kill or wound all of their operatives.

Meanwhile, the Israeli regime reported on Monday that its forces, especially the 91st army, performed limited operations in southern Lebanon.

During a security Cabinet meeting, the Israeli Minister of Military Affairs, Israel Katz emphasized that the goal of the regime's aggression against Lebanon must be the occupation of the southern regions of the Arab country.

Since March 2 when the regime began its aggression against Lebanon, 850 civilians have been killed, and 2,105 others have been wounded, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health.

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Hezbollah attacks Israeli positions in northern occupied territories

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 8:56 AM

The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah says its fighters have attacked the Israeli positions in the northern parts of the occupied territories.

In a statement published on Monday, Hezbollah said it forces targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers on al-Ajal Hills for the second time.

The group also said that it has attacked the Israeli troops positioned in Tal al-Qazan in southern Lebanon.

The Hezbollah attack came as Lebanon's Ministry of Health said that 10 Lebanese citizens were killed and 13 others wounded as a result of Israeli attacks on Monday.

The occupying regime also targeted al-Qatrani, Majd al-Salm and Atit towns in southern Lebanon in its latest attacks.

Since March 2, when the regime began fresh aggression against Lebanon, 850 Lebanese civilians have been killed, and 2,105 others wounded, according to the Health Ministry.

The Israeli regime's attacks on southern Lebanon have also forced nearly 1 million Lebanese to become refugees.

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Trump Says US Doesn't Know If Iran Leader Is Alive, Calls For Support On Strait Of Hormuz

By RFE/RL March 16, 2026

US President Donald Trump questioned whether Iran's new supreme leader is alive and pressed Washington's call for help securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has effectively shut down with attacks on vessels and threats of more.

Trump's comments at a White House event on March 16 underscored the uncertainties that persist in the Middle East and beyond more than two weeks after the United States and Israel began a massive campaign of air strikes against Iran.

"We don't know...if he's dead or not. I will say that nobody has seen him, which is unusual," Trump said of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, whose selection to replace his father, killed on the first day of US-Israeli bombardment, was announced on March 9.

The younger Khamenei, 56, has not appeared in public, and US defense chief Pete Hegseth said last week that he was believed to have been wounded in the strikes.

"A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They're saying that he lost his leg...and he's been hurt very badly," Trump said. "Other people are saying he's dead."

Trump also asserted that Iran had expressed interest in negotiations, but suggested the country's leadership remains disorganized amid strikes he said have hit more than 7,000 targets across Iran, destroyed more than 100 of its naval vessels, and significantly reduced its ability to launch missiles and drones since February 28.

"We don't know who their leader is," Trump said. "We have people wanting to negotiate. We have no idea who they are."

Amid uncertainty over how long the war will last, Trump was later asked whether it would end this week and said, "I don't think so, but it will be soon; it won't be long."

However, he also said he has asked Beijing to delay his planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the beginning of April for "a month or so" due to the war.

"Because of the war I want to be here, I have to be here, I feel," Trump said.

Strait Of Hormuz

Trump, who had said in a social media post a day earlier that "many countries" would be sending warships to help restore shipping in Strait of Hormuz, said on March 16: "Some countries have already started to get there.

"It takes a little while to travel an ocean, but we have some that are really enthusiastic," he said, without naming any country. "Some are less than enthusiastic, and I assume some will not do it."

Iran has responded to the attacks by using attacks and the threat of more to hamper shipping in the strait, virtually halting passage into and out of the Persian Gulf through a bottleneck that normally handles about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.

Blockage of the strait has crimped supplies, sending oil prices higher and compounding concerns about the war's effects on the economy -- both globally and at the gas pump, where prices have also climbed higher.

Trump said he had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about forming a coalition to secure the strait, describing Macron's response as "an eight on a scale of zero to 10" and expressing confidence that France would assist.

He criticized Britain's reluctance to provide support and said he was "not happy" with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had said he wanted a "viable" option to reopen the strait. But Trump also said he believes the United Kingdom will participate.

A day earlier, he said that "hopefully" China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and "others" would join. But the response on March 16, however, was somewhat muted.

Britain and Denmark appeared open to helping aid shipping in the Middle East, though with caveats on not being drawn into the broader conflict the United States and Israel are waging against Tehran.

"We are working with others to come up with a credible plan for the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that we can reopen shipping and passage through the strait," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

The Wall Street Journal on March 15, citing unnamed US officials, reported the Trump administration may announce, as soon as this week, that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition for escorting ships through the crucial waterway.

The report said the matter is still being discussed and that the mission could shift depending on battlefield conditions. It also said potential participants were debating when such a mission would begin -- during hostilities or only after a cease-fire.

European Union foreign ministers displayed no desire to expand an EU naval mission in the Middle East to the Strait of Hormuz, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said after discussions on March 16. The mission, which involves a just a few vessels was set up in 2024 to protect ships from attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

Ministers conveyed "a clear wish to strengthen this operation, but for the time being, there was no appetite in changing the mandate of the operation," Kallas said.

"While the Strait of Hormuz is at the center stage, the Red Sea also remains critical," she said.

Germany, Greece, and Italy, meanwhile, appeared to rule out participation altogether.

"What does Trump expect from a handful of European frigates that the powerful US Navy cannot do? This is not our war; we have not started it," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

In an interview published on March 16 by The Financial Times, Trump said NATO faces a "very bad future" if member nations do not help the United States in Iran.

"It's only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there," the FT quoted Trump as saying.

Big Oil Warning

The Wall Street Journal also reported US oil executives had warned administration officials that the energy crisis caused by the Iran war is likely to worsen.

In a series of White House meetings and talks with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the CEOs of ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips said disruptions to shipping in the strait "would continue to create volatility in global energy markets," the paper said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Should military forces begin escorting ships through the strait while hostilities were still under way, it would mark a dangerous new phase in the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Tehran has fired back at US Arab allies in the region and could target foreign navies in the strait, even though Trump and other US officials have said Iran's navy has been destroyed during the US-Israeli air strikes.

Despite being pounded by US and Israeli air power, Iran has remained defiant, launching missiles and drones against Israel and US Arab allies in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on March 15 disputed Trump's claim that Tehran was seeking to negotiate with Washington. Trump said he was not ready for talks because Tehran's "terms were not good enough."

"We have never asked for a cease-fire, and we have never asked even for negotiations," Araqchi told CBS TV. "We are ready to defend ourselves for as long as it takes."

At the United Nations on March 16, Iran vowed that it would not submit to "lawless aggression."

"The most urgent and fundamental human rights issue concerning Iran is the imminent threat to the lives of 90 million people whose lives are in immediate and grave danger under the shadow of reckless military aggression," said Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva.

With reporting by RFE/RL Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-hormuz- coalition-escort-trump-iraq-araqchi/33707271.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Coalition To Protect Shipping In Allies' Own Interest, GOP Strategist Says

By Alex Raufoglu March 16, 2026

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump has called on allies to help secure the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, urging partners to send naval forces to keep global energy shipments flowing through the waterway amid the Iran conflict.

The appeal has drawn mixed reactions from capitals in Europe and Asia, exposing uncertainty about whether a visible multinational coalition will form to ensure the critical shipping lane remains open.

Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett, a former political appointee in the first Trump administration and co-founder of the lobby group Darby Field Advisors, told RFE/RL that despite the hesitation, keeping the strait open is in every country's economic interest.

He said Washington has signaled both military dominance and a willingness to escalate if Tehran uses energy flows as leverage.

RFE/RL spoke with Bartlett about the strategy behind Trump's message to allies, the economic stakes of a prolonged confrontation, and whether the crisis could test unity within North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

RFE/RL: Trump has called on allies to send warships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but reactions from different capitals have varied. From a Republican strategic perspective, how serious is the problem if Washington cannot assemble a visible multinational coalition to reopen the strait?

Matthew Bartlett: There are many aspects to this engagement, to this war -- military, economic, and diplomatic -- and this situation around the strait certainly has implications for the global economy.

I believe it is largely in everyone's interest to get this open, and irrespective of what people or other nations think of President Trump or even the war with Iran, it is certainly in their interest to have the strait open. Much of the oil that goes through the strait goes to other nations.

So we will see if countries heed President Trump's call for a coalition and whether that means diplomatic pressure, military engagement, or some sort of on-the-ground assistance in escorting ships and ensuring the strait remains open.

That is the global situation. Of course, it is only aided by the help and assistance of other nations working in accordance with the United States and in their own interests. But again, that reality remains elusive and very far from the current state of affairs.

RFE/RL: President Trump said the United States has struck every military target on Kharg Island but deliberately spared oil infrastructure for now. Is that essentially a bargaining chip, a signal to Tehran that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed the US could target Iran's main export lifeline?

Matthew Bartlett: Again, it seems as if the United States has engaged with Iran with overwhelming military force and has negated Iran's navy and air force, wiped out much of their ballistic program, and nullified their opportunity to strike back.

It seems Iran is trying to respond in asymmetric ways, namely by using its oil commodities as something of an offensive weapon against the United States and the global economy.

Because Kharg Island is an oil transfer station, if you will, the president has taken aim there and defanged some of their defense systems. If Iran chooses to escalate this war and use oil as a bargaining chip in its asymmetric response, President Trump has signaled that he is prepared to take that capability out of their hands.

It does not seem as if he wants to do this, and it does not seem as if it would be beneficial to anyone. Yet it remains quite possible that if Iran chooses to use its oil commodities to hold the rest of the world hostage, the president is ready to take action to address that as well, just as he did with their military threat.

RFE/RL: In this standoff, Iran can disrupt shipping and energy markets while the United States has overwhelming military superiority. Which side ultimately has the greater tolerance for economic pain if this becomes a prolonged confrontation around the strait?

Matthew Bartlett: I would argue clearly that you have an evil, illogical, erratic regime that has responded internally by killing its own people and externally by striking its neighbors. Now it may try to hold the world economy hostage. I would argue that this is to its own peril.

They have a population inside Iran wondering why neighboring countries are investing in their people and their future, diversifying from oil, engaging in the global economy, and participating in the global community while the Iranian people continue to suffer because their regime pursues nuclear and offensive military weapons.

It is at the expense of the Iranian people, who have a wonderful, storied culture and who yearn to be free. We support those people, many of whom have taken to the streets, many who have put their own lives on the line, and sadly too many who have died at the hands of this evil regime.

If the regime continues to escalate in asymmetric ways, I would argue it is at their peril. The world will continue to unite and recognize the threat they pose to their own people and to the rest of the world.

Even if nations are not currently involved, they may be forced to become involved because of economic constraints. At the end of the day, that does not work out well for the Iranian regime.

RFE/RL: From a Republican perspective, how should Washington explain this strategy to allies in Europe and Asia that depend heavily on Gulf energy?

Matthew Bartlett: The message is self-apparent: You have an erratic regime that has taken bizarre military action against its neighbors in the Gulf and is now holding global economic commerce hostage. That affects world interests, whether in Asia or Europe.

In some ways, we should appreciate just how naked this regime's response has been and how clearly it illustrates the issues at hand. Each country should recognize that and act according to its own self-interest. Iran is clearly working against those interests.

So a coalition -- diplomatic, military, naval, or otherwise -- that protects international commerce and minimizes Iran's destabilizing behavior would benefit everyone.

RFE/RL: From the GOP perspective, is this also a test of unity and burden-sharing within NATO?

Matthew Bartlett: At this point, I'm unsure what specific steps NATO has been taking, but it should absolutely be considering what steps might be appropriate. We have seen Iran potentially sending missiles toward NATO member states, namely Turkey. We have seen asymmetric links between Russia, Iran, and China, including drone cooperation connected to the battlefield in Ukraine.

There are links here. That does not mean NATO should fully engage or escalate the situation, but it must be prepared to take appropriate action -- military, diplomatic, or economic -- as the situation continues to develop globally. NATO should be prepared, whether that means statements urging Iran to change its behavior or preparing military assets if necessary.

RFE/RL: Germany's government said this war "has nothing to do with NATO." What is your reaction?

Matthew Bartlett: Part of that is true right now, and part of that could change as the battlefield changes -- whether through economic consequences, threats to NATO allies like Turkey, or the broader links between Russia and Iran. So there is some truth in that statement, but unfortunately it is not as simple as it sounds.

RFE/RL: Some European governments have historically been more cautious about confronting Iran. Do Republicans believe NATO allies will ultimately align with Washington to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, or could this expose fractures within the alliance?

Matthew Bartlett: It is unclear. NATO is an alliance, and it is only as strong as its weakest member. NATO already has a lot on its plate, namely the war between Russia and Ukraine. NATO has stepped up tremendously there, and the Ukrainians have shown remarkable courage while also demonstrating how modern warfare is evolving, particularly with drones.

NATO should continue to assess realistic threats. It should not overextend its mission or distract from the primary concern of Ukraine. Yet it must also be keenly aware of the links and implications involving Iran -- from the battlefield in Ukraine to the Middle East and to threats to the global economy that affect NATO states.

RFE/RL: Iran appears to be betting that economic pain in the United States and Europe might pressure Washington to pull back. Is that a miscalculation?

Matthew Bartlett: It certainly seems that way. Their response has only illustrated their true intent. This is an evil regime intent on nuclear weapons. We have nuclear weapons and choose not to use them. Looking at their behavior over the past couple of weeks, I believe it is clear that if they had nuclear weapons, they might have used them.

Now they are trying to create more pain and havoc for their own people and for the world. I'm not sure that strengthens their hand. Quite the opposite. It exposes them further and heightens the need to address this situation immediately.

Yes, there might be economic pain in the short term. But if they escalate that further, it will only increase pressure on other nations to help address the situation because it is unsustainable. Ultimately, that will not bode well for the Iranian regime.

RFE/RL: There is still debate about what the ultimate US objectives in this war actually are. How do you interpret the White House's goals?

Matthew Bartlett: We have seen shifting language about issues such as regime change and how long this conflict could last.

Ultimately, it seems there is a simple goal: a neutered Iranian regime that cannot threaten America, the West, or its neighbors. Over 47 years, this regime has been a destabilizing force in the Middle East and has American blood on its hands, from Iraq to its proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas, including the horrific attacks of October 7 [2023].

It seems we are willing to tolerate their rhetoric -- "death to America, death to Israel" -- so long as they do not have the capability to act on it. That means eliminating their nuclear ambitions, ballistic missiles, drones, and proxy networks so that their hostility is reduced to words rather than actions.

RFE/RL: Beyond Iran, what message do Republicans believe this sends to other US adversaries such as Russia and China?

Matthew Bartlett: I'm not sure it is wise for anyone around the world to think that Donald Trump is a fool. It seems he is prepared to engage globally in ways that no other president has been willing to -- diplomatically, economically, and militarily.

If you are an adversary, you should think twice about US interests and your own behavior around the world. Allies, too, should be better prepared to stand with the United States and recognize that this president, even in a short time, has asserted US leadership globally in many different ways -- and he is certainly not done yet.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-hormuz- coalition-escort-trump-iraq-araqchi/33707271.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Flagship of U.S. 7th Fleet arrives in Manila, Philippines

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

NEWS | March 16, 2026

By Lt. Jaliya Wilson, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Manila, Philippines for a scheduled port visit, March 16, 2026. Blue Ridge's last visit to Manila was in 2024.

During this port visit, leadership from U.S. 7th Fleet and USS Blue Ridge are scheduled to meet with their Philippine Navy counterparts and local leaders to discuss ways of improving operational readiness, advancing future military capabilities, and enhancing the U.S.-Philippine Alliance overall to improve international partnerships, which are critical to continued global prosperity. This visit marks a continuous drive to strengthen our Alliance built on military exercises such as Maritime Cooperative Activities, Sama Sama, and Balikatan.

"We appreciate the incredible hospitality of the Philippines to host USS Blue Ridge and U.S. 7th Fleet in Manila," said Vice Adm. Pat Hannifin, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. "Every day our Alliance grows in capability through our consistent operations together, which drive tangible gains in high-end readiness. This year we have completed four MCAs, which builds our combined effectiveness as we move toward complex, joint, multi-national, multi-domain capabilities in Balikatan. This progress is only possible through our shared history and steadfast commitment to one another."

In addition, during the port visit, 7th Fleet will host staff talks with the Philippine Navy and Sailors from Blue Ridge and U.S. 7th Fleet are scheduled to participate in a series of in-port activities to include U.S. 7th Fleet Band performances, community relations events, and ship tours.

"It is heartening to see the warm welcome received by the Sailors and Marines from the USS Blue Ridge," said Y. Robert Ewing, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Charge d'Affaires. "Through experiences like these, we enhance our capability to collaborate effectively and work shoulder-to-shoulder to protect Philippine and U.S. interests through an Alliance that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

U.S. 7th Fleet, embarked aboard Blue Ridge, commands the world's largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with Allies and partners.

The Blue Ridge and U.S. 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities.

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Trump Calls on European, Arab Allies to 'Do More' to Open Strait of Hormuz - White House

Sputnik News

20260316

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump is trying to encourage European allies and partners in the Arab world to join the US in its effort to "open" the Strait of Hormuz, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.

"The president is speaking with our allies in Europe, and also many of our partners in the Gulf and Arab world to encourage them to step up to do more to open the Strait of Hormuz  and our NATO allies especially need to step up," Leavitt told Fox News.

Trump is calling on US allies to "do the right thing" so that Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of the world are safe, she added.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

The escalation around Iran has led to the de facto halt of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for deliveries of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf countries to the global market, affecting oil exports and production in the region.

 Sputnik

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Trump Warns NATO Faces 'Very Bad Future' if Allies Don't Help in Hormuz  Reports

Sputnik News

20260316

US President Donald Trump warned that NATO could face a "very bad" future if US allies fail to assist Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with The Financial Times.

"It's only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there," Trump told the FT, arguing that Europe and China depend heavily on Gulf oil.

He added that a lack of support from allies would have consequences for the alliance.

"If there's no response or if it's a negative response I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO," Trump said.

Trump also criticized what he described as insufficient support from some partners.

"We have a thing called NATO... We've been very sweet. We didn't have to help them with Ukraine... But we helped them. Now we'll see if they help us," he said.

According to The Financial Times, Trump has urged countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the UK to join efforts to secure the shipping route through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil passes.

 Sputnik

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US Seeking Allies to 'Police' the Strait of Hormuz  Trump

Sputnik News

20260316

President Donald Trump said the United States is discussing cooperation with other countries on "policing" the Strait of Hormuz, speaking aboard Air Force One.

"We are talking to other countries about working with us on the policing of the Strait. And I think we're getting good response," Trump said.

"About seven," he told reporters, indicating the number of countries with which the United States was discussing the possibility of joining in security in the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that the US Navy and its partners could help keep the waterway open, saying:

"It'd be interesting to see what country wouldn't help us with a very small endeavor, which is just keeping the Strait open."

The US leader added that it was too early to say which countries will join the security arrangements, as discussions were ongoing.

 Sputnik

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The UK is steadfast in its support of UNAMA's work in Afghanistan: UK Explanation of Vote at the UN Security Council

Speech

Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Archie Young CMG

Published 16 March 2026

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 16 March 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Colleagues, the United Kingdom is pleased the Council has unanimously agreed the renewal of UNAMA's important mandate.

This includes new language calling on the Taliban to reverse its latest restrictions against women and girls, including the decree on the Criminal Rules of Courts and the ongoing ban on Afghan women accessing UN premises.

We reiterate our call on the Taliban to heed this Council's collective demands.

As DSRSG Gagnon set out last week, UNAMA is continuing its vital work to coordinate and facilitate humanitarian efforts, promote the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and advance a political pathway to help achieve an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours and meeting its international obligations.

We commend UNAMA's unwavering persistence within an increasingly complex context, and in spite of the Taliban's ongoing intransigence.

While the Taliban's repression and restrictions on women and girls continue, the United Kingdom will remain steadfast in our support for the retention of UNAMA's important human rights functions, including, and in particular, the promotion of gender equality and the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women in all levels and stages of decision-making.

Over the next three months, we look forward to working together with all Council members to agree the scope of UNAMA's future mandate and to ensure the UN's continued presence on the ground.

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World News in Brief: Deadly drone strikes in Sudan, families killed in West Bank, Ukraine casualties update

16 March 2026 - Relentless drone strikes across Sudan's Kordofan and Darfur regions are causing civilian casualties and further restricting humanitarian access, the UN warned on Monday.

Two people were reportedly killed in a strike on the town of Al Rahad, southeast of El Obeid in North Kordofan, where a hospital was also destroyed.

Additional casualties were reported two days earlier when drone strikes hit Al Fula, the capital of West Kordofan.

Across Darfur, strikes between Thursday and Saturday caused further casualties and widespread damage, including in the Wadi Sira area west of El Fasher and in several neighbourhoods of Nyala, South Darfur's capital.

Another food market struck

A strike on a market in Akidong in West Darfur on 12 March also triggered a large explosion. Medics with the NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said 23 injured civilians - including women and children - were treated at a hospital it supports across the border in Chad.

"The situation is truly horrific," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Despite the insecurity, aid agencies continue delivering assistance. In River Nile State, partners have installed water tanks in displacement sites and schools in Shendi to ease shortages.

The UN again urged all parties to protect civilians and ensure "rapid, safe and unimpeded" humanitarian access.

UN human rights office condemns killing of Palestinian families

Two Palestinian families were reportedly killed on Sunday by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has said.

An airstrike on one of the last few houses still standing in Middle Gaza's Az Zuwaida killed a man, his pregnant wife, their young son and a teenager, the agency stated.

In the northern occupied West Bank, meanwhile, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a couple and their two children aged five and six in Tammoun - all suffered shots to the head.

Physical and verbal abuse

The two older sons survived and said that the Israeli soldiers had physically assaulted and verbally abused them, after killing their parents and brothers.

The UN office said such incidents raised serious concerns about a "persistent trend" of unlawful killings of Palestinians with impunity.

Since the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza in October 2025, 663 people have been killed in Israeli military attacks, according to the Palestinian authorities.

The violence against Palestinians has intensified since the start of the wider regional war on 28 February, the UN human rights office said, citing movement restrictions that keep Palestinians in "locked silos" and claiming that armed Israeli settlers and security forces roam free, attacking Palestinian communities across the occupied West Bank.

Ukraine: Civilian casualties remain high in February, UN reports

At least 188 civilians were killed and 757 injured in Ukraine in February, according to the latest report from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, highlighting the continuing toll of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The figures are similar to those recorded in January but remain significantly higher than in the same month in previous years.

Civilian casualties in February were around 31 per cent higher than in February 2025 and 83 per cent higher than in February 2024, reflecting intensified hostilities and the persistent use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Missiles and drones

Most civilian casualties were recorded in territory controlled by the Ukrainian Government. The majority were caused by missile and drone attacks, artillery fire and other explosive weapons used in urban and residential areas.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the UN has verified more than 15,000 civilian deaths and over 41,000 injuries across Ukraine.

Human rights monitors stress that the actual number of casualties is likely to be considerably higher, as verification remains difficult in areas where active fighting continues.

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Security Council Extends United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2818 (2026)

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10121st Meeting (AM)

SC/16317

16 March 2026

The Security Council today decided to extend the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June, as speakers urged the Taliban to reverse its policy banning Afghan women from UN buildings and underscored the Mission's critical role in supporting the Afghan people amid continuing humanitarian, security and human rights challenges.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2818 (2026) (to be issued as document S/RES/2818(2026)), the 15-member organ reiterated its full support to the work of UNAMA and requested that the Secretary-General appoint a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General to head the Mission.

Council members also welcomed UNAMA's ongoing efforts to implement its mandated tasks and priorities and stressed the need for its continued field presence.

They stressed the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes across Afghanistan. They also called on Afghan political actors and international stakeholders to coordinate with UNAMA in implementing its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel throughout the country.

The Council also requested that the Secretary-General report to it every three months on the situation in Afghanistan and on the implementation of UNAMA's mandate, including at the subnational level.

Afghan Women, Girls Must Benefit from Development

Council members, including China, welcomed the extension of UNAMA's mandate. Beijing's representative stressed that Afghanistan faces multiple challenges and emphasized the role of the international community in helping Kabul achieve stability and development. The resolution, he said, reiterates serious concerns over Afghanistan's economic situation and development needs. The assets of the central bank must be used for the benefit of the Afghan people. Women must enjoy equal rights in all areas, including public life, and Afghan women and girls must benefit from Afghanistan's development.

The representative of the Russian Federation welcomed that the text reflects elements geared towards Afghanistan's economic development, "which should lay the foundation for the self-reliance of the Afghan State". On the resolution's call for the appointment of a new Head for UNAMA, she urged the Secretary-General to not only consult Council members, but also to account for the opinion of Afghanistan's authorities as the effective implementation of UNAMA's mandate will "hinge on their consent".

The representative of Greece, also echoing support for the swift appointment of a new UNAMA Head, welcomed the Mission's "invaluable contribution" to coordinating humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan; promoting human rights and the rule of law; and facilitating dialogue between the international community and the Taliban. She added that UNAMA's role is "particularly important given the violations of human rights in Afghanistan"  especially those of women.

The representative of the United States said that UNAMA plays an important role in addressing Afghanistan's widespread humanitarian crisis and in promoting peace through dialogue. Washington, D.C., looks forward to working with other Council members to ensure that the Mission continues to carry out activities that "directly contribute" to advancing peace and security in Afghanistan and support the Afghan people during this critical period.

Majority of Council Members Favoured Longer Renewal of UNAMA Mandate

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking also on behalf of Liberia and Somalia, welcomed the three-month renewal of the Mission and said the group eagerly awaits UNAMA's full mandate renewal in June. Afghanistan faces many economic and humanitarian challenges and requires sustained support. Bahrain's delegate said she voted in favour of the mandate's renewal, adding that it is important to meet the basic needs of the Afghan people. Panama's speaker said that, while his delegation also voted in favour of UNAMA's renewal, it cautioned that the reduced mandate renewal from one year to three months could be wrongly interpreted. "The Mission plays a vital role in facilitating dialogue," he reminded.

Colombia's representative, similarly, expressed regret that UNAMA's mandate was not extended for 12 months, which was "the preference of the majority of Council members". She stressed that persistent gender-based violence fuels cycles of marginalization, limits women's full participation in social, economic and political life and impedes efforts to build lasting peace in Afghanistan. "Precisely for these reasons, it is vital that UNAMA continue to fully discharge its mandate," she said  including monitoring and promoting human rights and supporting efforts to ensure inclusive governance.

The representative of Pakistan said that the "foremost" challenge faced in Afghanistan is the deteriorating security situation and the "exponential rise" in terrorism emanating from the country. Elements within the Taliban regime are providing a permissive environment to several terrorist groups, who operate with impunity in Afghanistan and conduct cross-border attacks against civilians and law enforcement personnel in Pakistan. Noting that the text calls on the Taliban to take "active, immediate and demonstrable measures" to combat terrorism, he said that the Council has also outlined its expectations for strengthening the safe and secure management of weapons and ammunition to prevent their diversion to terrorist groups.

Speakers Stress UNAMA's Crucial Role Monitoring Human Rights in Afghanistan

"This Council cannot abandon the Afghan people," France's delegate said, expressing hope that the discussions to take place in the next three months lead to renewal of UNAMA for a longer duration. "We owe it to the Afghan people," he added. Latvia's representative noted that UNAMA's work in monitoring and reporting on human rights violations is crucial "at a time when women and girls have lost almost all of their basic rights and freedoms since the Taliban took control" in Afghanistan.

Echoing many other speakers, the United Kingdom's representative welcomed the call for reversal of the ongoing ban on Afghan women accessing UN premises, calling on the Taliban to heed these demands and promote the rights of all Afghans including women and girls. "We commend UNAMA's persistence in an increasingly complicated environment," he added. The representative of Denmark said that UNAMA remains "indispensable" given the profound human-rights crisis in Afghanistan. The message from the Council is clear, she stressed: "The Taliban must immediately reverse all policies that restrict women from exercising their fundamental rights."

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PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) Sailors Arrive in Boston for Scheduled Port Visit

US Navy

16 March 2026

BOSTON (March 13, 2026) -- U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, March 13 for a scheduled port visit.

During the visit, the PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr.'s crew will participate in community outreach engagements with local organizations and members of the ship's commissioning committee. The ship will also host public tours, offering visitors the opportunity to step aboard and learn more about life and operations on a U.S. Navy warship.

"Our arrival in Boston is a meaningful milestone as our crew prepares to commission the Navy's newest destroyer and bring this warship to life," said Cmdr. Ben Cantu, commanding officer of PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr. "Every port visit and engagement is an opportunity for our Sailors to represent the legacy of our namesake, Medal of Honor recipient Col. Harvey 'Barney' Barnum Jr., while continuing the work of preparing this warship to join the fleet. Our crew is proud to represent this warship and excited for the moment when USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. officially enters service."

Port visits provide Sailors opportunities to engage with the communities they serve while strengthening the Navy's connection with the American public.

"Boston's history and pride make it the perfect place for our crew to reflect on what it means to serve," said Command Master Chief Kenson Jacques, command master chief of PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr. "Engaging with the community here and standing alongside USS Constitution reinforces that we are stewards of a tradition far greater than ourselves. With commissioning on the horizon, the dedication and energy of our Sailors has never been stronger."

PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr. is named for Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Col. Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War. The ship is the first warship to bear his name.

PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr. is a Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer designed to conduct a wide range of maritime operations, including anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare in support of national security and global maritime stability. Once commissioned, the ship will be capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, and expeditionary strike groups.

The future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) is scheduled to commission April 11, 2026, in Norfolk, Virginia, and will be homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

For more information about the commissioning, please see link at https://www.dvidshub.net/news/559395/navy-announces-commissioning-future-uss-harvey-c-barnum-jr.

For more information about PCU Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), visit the ship's official U.S. Navy page at: https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/ddg124/.

COMNAVSURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of 77 ships and 31 shore commands.

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U.S. continues strikes to curb Iran's threat in Strait of Hormuz: commander

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:26, March 17, 2026

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. forces are continuing operations to weaken Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said Monday.

"We will continue to rapidly deplete Iran's ability to threaten the freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz," Cooper said in a video statement posted on X.

However, the commander gave no details on how the United States would reopen the strait, the critical global energy waterway that Iran has effectively closed.

Cooper said Friday's U.S. strikes on Kharg Island, Iran's oil export hub, destroyed more than 90 military targets, including storage bunkers for naval mines and missiles.

In the past 16 days, U.S. forces have carried out more than 6,000 combat missions, destroying over 100 Iranian naval vessels, while Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at targets in about 12 countries across the region, Cooper said.

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping and resulting in soaring oil prices and a volatile global economy.

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European allies resist Trump's call for military mission in Strait of Hormuz

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:15, March 17, 2026

European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Multiple European nations and the European Union (EU) on Monday voiced reluctance or outright opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for a military mission to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against further regional escalation, European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out any military involvement in protecting oil tankers in the strait, emphasizing that NATO is a "defense alliance" rather than an "intervention alliance."

Merz said Germany will not participate in military measures to ensure freedom of navigation as long as the conflict continues, adding that no viable concept for such an operation has been presented so far.

His remarks were echoed in Brussels by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas stated the bloc has no appetite for expanding its existing naval mission "Aspides" to the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are working on the diplomatic solutions for the Strait of Hormuz," she said, adding, "This is not Europe's war."

In Southern Europe, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portugal "is not and will not be involved in this conflict."

Rangel also dismissed threats from the Trump administration regarding NATO members unwilling to back Washington, saying they deserved "absolutely no reaction."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed doubts, noting that existing missions like "Aspides" and "Atalanta" are primarily designed for defensive escort and anti-piracy operations, making their extension to the high-risk Strait of Hormuz difficult.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London is working with allies on a "viable plan" to restore navigation but clarified that it "won't be and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission."

The cautious stance comes amid visible friction with Washington. Trump recently criticized Britain in a Financial Times interview, claiming London "didn't want to come" when first asked for help and only offered ships after the "danger capacity" was reduced.

In Northern and Eastern Europe, limited resources and strategic priorities played a major role in the refusals. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland has "hardly any additional resources" and that the strait is not a "top priority."

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson similarly said Sweden's strategic focus remains on northern areas.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed that Poland has "no plans" to participate, and Bulgaria's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nadezhda Neynski said her country lacks the capacity for such a mission.

Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has confirmed that the Netherlands is not currently considering participating.

"At the moment, any mission in the Strait of Hormuz will need an ease in tensions in the region," Jetten said during his visit to Berlin on Monday.

Analysts say U.S. pressure may be aimed at pushing European allies toward greater involvement. Markku Kangaspuro, research director at the Aleksanteri Institute of the University of Helsinki, questioned whether NATO countries should enter a war "the United States and Israel launched illegally."

Noting that this is the first time Washington had sought to involve NATO countries in the war with Iran, Kangaspuro said it suggests that the United States launched the war without sufficient consideration. "The repercussions were not evaluated enough," he said.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 16 March 2026 - Day 1482

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The French Ministere des Armees et des Anciens combattants reported that territorial gains remain stable.

Over the previous 24 hours, the FAFR have targeted the oblasts of Chernihiv [A], Sumy [B], Kharkiv [C], Donetsk [D], Dnipropetrovsk [E], Zaporizhzhia [F], Kherson [G]. The FAFR maintain targeting efforts on residential areas as well as on energy and transportation infrastructure. The effort appears to be sustained in the Zaporizhzhia [F] sector (735 attacks on 43 different localities). In total, 99 drones (including 70 Geran-2 drones) have targeted Ukraine. 97 drones (including 70 Geran-2 drones) have targeted Ukraine. The Ukrainian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 90 drones, for an interception rate of 93%.

Over the previous 24 hours, the FAU have targeted a munitions depot in the Luhansk oblast [H] as well as energy infrastructure in the Krasnodar Krai [I]. The Russian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 317 drones.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 152 combat encounters.

The defense forces continue to stop the Russian enemy, destroy personnel and deplete the Russian invaders' combat potential by creating a systematic fire effect.

The Russian enemy made a missile strike with the use of one rocket and 51 aviation strikes - dropped 145 controlled air bombs. In addition, used 6232 kamikaze drones to impress and carried out 2884 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, Russian forces carried out 68 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including three - with the use of the RSV. Committed two air strikes with the application of seven CAB. Four collisions were recorded in the direction.

In the South-Slobozhans komu direction, the Russian enemy twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian units in the districts of Starica and Vovchansk. One attack is underway.

In the Kupians komu direction, theRussian enemy attacked eight times in the areas of Petropavlivka, Kurilivka, Glushkivka, Novoosinovogo, Kupianska and Novoplatonivka.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled nine Russian assaults in the areas of Drobishevo, Lyman, Stavkiv, Dibrova and Borova. Two assault actions are underway.

In the Slovenian direction, the Russian opponent tried nine times to advance towards Yampol, Platonivka, Riznikivka, Lake and Rai-Oleksandrivka. Three assault operations continue.

In the Kramators komu direction, the Russian aggressor once tried to improve his positions in the area of minkivka.

In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Konstantinovka, Pleshiyivka, Ivanopilla, Illinivka, Stepanivka, Rusynoy Yara, Sofiyivka and Novopavlivka 28 times.

Russian troops committed 21 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of settlements Bilitske, Rodinske, Novooleksandrivka, Mirnograd, Shevchenko, Grishine, Udaachne, Kotline, Filiya and Novomykolaivka. The two enemy attacks are ongoing.

According to preliminary calculations, today 56 iRussian nvaders were eliminated in this direction and 26 wounded; one enemy shelter, jet fire system destroyed; 54 shelters, two BPLA control points and three cannons were damaged. Destroyed or suppressed 226 BPLA of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian occupiers tried to improve their position four times by attacking in the areas of populated areas of Danilivka and Zlagoda.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, there were 20 Russian attacks: in the areas of the settlements Zaliznychne, Mirne, Green, Charming, Gulyaipilske and Varvarivka.

In the Orihivs komu direction, the Russian opponent did not carry out attacking actions.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Russian enemy's assault actions have not been recorded.

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. The losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade close to Bobylevka, Miropolye, Bititsa, Ryasnoye, and Kucherovka (Sumy region).

In Kharkov region, units of two mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, and a national guard brigade were hit near Kolodeznoye, Granov, Shelkoplyasy, Rubezhnoye, Veseloye, and Berezniki (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 285 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, and one artillery gun. Two electronic warfare stations and eight materiel depots were neutralised.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade near Krasny Liman, Brusovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Osinovo, Borovaya, and Palamarevka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses amounted to more than 180 troops, one tank, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, four armoured fighting vehicles, 24 motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. One electronic warfare station and four ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, an assault brigade, a mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and a marine brigade close to Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Rai-Aleksandrovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 130 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns, including two Western-made ones. Two ammunition depots and seven materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. The losses were inflicted on three mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, an air assault brigade, an assault regiment of the AFU, a marine brigade, and three national guard brigades near Maryevka, Dobropolye, Belitskoye, Grishino, Krivorozhye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Novopodgorodnoye Dnepropetrovsk region.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 300 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, one artillery gun, and two electronic warfare stations.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences. Russian troops delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, an air assault brigade, two assault brigades, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a national guard brigade near Barvinovka, Vozdvizhevka, Kopani, Rovnoye (Zaporozhye region), and Prosyanaya (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy lost more than 280 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, one artillery gun, and one materiel depot.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade and a mountain assault brigade of the AFU close to Orekhov, Zaporozhets, and Preobrazhenka (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 55 troops, 11 motor vehicles, four electronic warfare stations, and one materiel depot were neutralised.

Operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces hit Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure, used in the interests of the AFU, a long-range unmanned aerial vehicle production workshop, training areas, and launch sites at military airfields, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 143 areas.

Air defence systems shot down four guided aerial bombs and 494 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the AFU losses amounted to: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 123,994 unmanned aerial vehicles, 652 anti-aircraft missile systems, 28,294 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,690 MLRS combat vehicles, 33,880 field artillery guns and mortars, 56,897 units of special military vehicles.

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NATO Allies and Indo-Pacific Partners deepen cyber defence cooperation

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

16 March 2026

On Monday (16 March), the Cyber Champions Summit was held in Prague, Czechia. NATO Allies, along with partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea agreed to further develop cyber defence cooperation, including through enhanced expert level exchange at the political, military and technical levels.

In Prague, participants discussed the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cyberspace and how it can enable faster detection and scalable defence. They also underscored the importance of moving from reactive defence, to anticipatory resilience against malicious cyber threats and activities.

At the 2025 NATO Summit in the Hague, NATO Allies and their partners from the Indo-Pacific region had reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their cooperation, including in cyber defence, which is one of the Flagship Projects that steer practical collaboration on shared security interests.

The Cyber Champions Summit is an annual NATO-supported event that brings together senior cyber political, military and technical experts to discuss current cybersecurity challenges, enhance mutual understanding, exchange best practices and foster public-private sector cooperation. The Summit was first held in Lithuania in 2023.

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Popular domain takes up more space

By Captain Charles Miranda

16 March 2026

Five years ago, the space component at Exercise Cobra Gold amounted to just two personnel on a trestle table in the corner of a room.

This year, the 45th iteration of one of the world's biggest multinational exercises includes a space command of more than 50 personnel from eight nations, integrated into all aspects of warfighting drills.

US Army Pacific Command Space Operations chief Colonel Jeff Duplantis said they kept building through this exercise and others, such as Talisman Sabre, to hone fighting skills and leverage combined space capabilities.

He said space was about saving lives on the ground, and there would come a day when adversaries would attempt to target satellite communications and navigation, such as GPS.

ADF Joint Force Space Component at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) Wing Commander Mark Wilson, acting as space plans chief for the exercise, said it was an exciting capability that was growing rapidly.

"Space enables most of the things we do out in the warfighting arena, whether it be satellite communications, missile warning, or GPS," Wing Commander Wilson said.

"Most things we do have a space element, and the biggest job we have is educating the rest of the components, the rest of the people, 'hey this is what space does and can offer you'."

His role has taken him on a three-year deployment to the United States Air Force 2nd Space Warning Squadron in Colorado, and next month he will be posted to the Pentagon.

Wing Commander Wilson said the potential of the space domain was enormous and that, after more than a decade, he was still learning something new every day as technology evolved and Australia's capabilities grew.

But the domain remains a mystery to some.

As he walked towards the gates of Camp Red Horse military base in Thailand, a local contractor saw his arm patch.

"Space Command - does that mean you fight aliens?" the contractor asked.

"I was like 'yeah funny'. And they were like 'no, I'm serious, is that what you do?'," Wing Commander Wilson said.

"People don't understand what we do and it is hard to explain, but it's the new baby that is getting all the attention and all the money right now so it's the big growing arena that is also really interesting and cool."

Last month, the ADF offered direct entry recruitment for space operations officers and specialists.

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Minister McGuinty Announces Strategic Investments in Sovereign Space Launch

National Defence

News release

March 16, 2026 - Ottawa - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Amid a more complex and unpredictable security environment, Canada is taking decisive actions to strengthen its security and sovereignty and to reinforce the resilience and long-term strength of the country.

Today in Ottawa, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced an historic $200 million investment in core infrastructure for a Canadian-owned spaceport, along with other major new space-related capabilities and initiatives. This marks a significant step forward in Canada's sovereign space program as outlined in Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy.

Canadian-owned spaceport

Demand for timely and resilient launch options are at historic highs worldwide and sovereign access to space has become a critical capability underpinning national security, economic competitiveness, and reliable access to essential spacebased services.

The investment is a 10year, $200million agreement to lease a dedicated spacelaunch pad that will serve as the central foundation for a multi-user spaceport near Canso, Nova Scotia. Operated by Maritime Launch Services, this spaceport will support the operational needs of the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and the wider Government of Canada, while also offering ad hoc access to allies and partners.

Launch the North

Minister McGuinty also announced was the selection of innovators for the first round of the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program's Launch the North contest. This contest is providing $105 million in multi-year grants to support the development and demonstration of breakthrough technologies to advance Canada's sovereign space launch capabilities. The goal of this challenge is to enable the launch of Canadian payloads from Canadian soil, achieving an initial light lift operational capability by 2028. For the first round of this contest, the following three highly ranked applicants have each been conditionally approved for $8.3 million in funding:

NordSpace - NordSpace Tundra Canadian Responsive Scalable Launch

Canada Rocket Company - Canadian Sovereign Launch Capability Development (R1)

Reaction Dynamics - Aurora-8 Responsive Launch Vehicle

These innovators will move their ideas from concept to prototype and testing, helping Canada build the technical readiness and partnerships required for a future sovereign launch capability.

NATO STARLIFT

In recognition of Canada's firm commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Minister McGuinty announced that Canada intends to become a full member of the NATO STARLIFT initiative. STARLIFT is a NATO High Visibility Project, which aims to develop a more resilient, responsive and cost-effective network of space launch capabilities to help Allies launch assets at short notice from spaceports across the Alliance.

Sovereign launch program

These announcements support Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, which establishes a long-term framework to develop a robust Canadian defence industry that provides technological and operational advantage to the CAF and its security partners in their mission to defend Canada, and maximizes growth, job creation and economic benefits for all Canadians. Within the strategy, space launch is identified as a key sovereign capability.

Canada is taking a major step toward securing its future in the rapidly evolving space domain by advancing a core pillar of its emerging sovereign launch program, first outlined in Budget 2025. This effort positions the country to launch satellites and payloads from Canadian soil, on Canadianbuilt rockets, at Canadianrun facilities. The sovereign launch program outlines how Canada will leverage a variety of tools, including directed procurements, grant and contribution programs, support from Crown Corporations, and regulatory changes, to advance sovereign capabilities.

As global demand for space launch services continues to surge, countries around the world are investing in responsive, reliable, and independent space access. Canada's decision to partner with Maritime Launch Services reflects a forwardlooking commitment to our security, sovereignty, and economic prosperity, while positioning itself to meet strategic needs and fuelling domestic innovation and industry growth.

Quotes

"Today, we build on Canada's proud legacy as a nation of innovators, explorers, and builders. With this step, we are not only advancing our capabilities here on Earthwe are reaffirming our place among the spacefaring nations shaping the future beyond it. Because in the decades ahead, our security, our prosperity, and our sovereignty will increasingly extend beyond our atmosphere. Canada will be there. Ad Astra Defendimus" The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

"Space is fundamental to modern military operations. The Canadian Armed Forces rely on space-enabled capabilities for everything from communications and navigation to awareness of the operating environment. Strengthening Canada's ability to operate in space will help ensure we continue to build the warfighting capabilities needed to defend Canada and contribute to allied operations in an increasingly complex security environment." General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff

"Located on Canada's Atlantic coast, Spaceport Nova Scotia offers safe over-ocean launch corridors and access to highly sought-after orbital inclinations, providing a unique capability that only a limited number of global launch locations can support. Spaceport Nova Scotia helps address a global launch capacity bottleneck, where demand for access to orbit continues to outpace available launch infrastructure." Stephen Matier, President and CEO, Maritime Launch Services Inc.

"Space is strategically vital to modern defence and represents a major economic opportunity for Canada. With world-class capabilities across our space ecosystem, Canada must adopt policies and make investments that enable our space industrial base. A key step is further developing a sovereign space launch capability in Canada, ensuring we can support growing global demand while protecting both our economic and national security interests." Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada

"This selection is a clear signal that the Department of National Defence recognizes the urgent need for a scalable, sovereign pathway to orbit. At Canada Rocket Company, we've assembled a team with over 100 years of combined orbital launch experience - bringing world-class Canadian talent back home to secure Canada's strategic autonomy through assured access to space. This funding provided through the IDEaS program helps accelerate development timelines and further catalyzes private investment in the space sector." Hugh Kolias, Chief Executive Officer, Canada Rocket Company

"Today, our nation has sent an unequivocal signal that Canada too will become a spacefaring nation capable of assured access to space. For NordSpace, sovereign launch is certainly about securing our national interests, building a stronger economy, and supporting our allies. However, it is also about healthier food on our plates, clearer communication with loved ones, faster responses to environmental challenges, reshoring advanced manufacturing, and revivifying Canadian dynamism. At NordSpace, we have been working for years to develop scalable end-to-end space launch capabilities for Canada, so we thank the Government of Canada and IDEaS for accelerating our company to launch the north." Rahul Goel, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, NordSpace

"The moment has arrived. For nearly a decade, Reaction Dynamics has championed a new class of launch capability: storable, stockpiled, and Canadian-controlled. Thanks to the Department of National Defence through the IDEaS program, its Launch the North challenge now brings that vision to life, ensuring Canada and its allies can access space even in the most contested domains." Bachar Elzein, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technical Officer, Reaction Dynamics Inc.

Quick facts

Budget 2025 announced an investment of $182.6M over the next three years to establish a sovereign launch program. That program includes capability development, led by DND's Defence Research and Development Canada, and launch infrastructure, led by the Royal Canadian Air Force and supported by DND's Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment).

Reliable and independent launch access will enable Canada to place critical satellites into orbit even during global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, or disruptions in foreign launch markets. With military, emergency response, and government services increasingly dependent on space-based systems, sovereign launch protects national interests and enables continuity of operations.

The 10-year lease agreement stipulates that Maritime Launch Services must provide a dedicated launch pad and associated services at an initial operational capability state by the end of 2026. It also stipulates that 90% of the funds received by the company from the lease must be spent in Canada. That means at least $180 million going back to Canadian businesses.

IDEaS is DND's innovation program that helps Canadian innovators develop solutions to defence and security challenges through competitive funding and targeted challenge calls.

The IDEaS program's Launch the North is designed to accelerate Canadian space launch-related innovation and to strengthen the foundations needed for future sovereign launch capability. A total of $105 million is planned for investment in this challenge, with $25 million allocated for fiscal year 2025-26, followed by $40 million annually in fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Projects were selected through a competitive, merit-based process considering criteria such as technical merit, feasibility, team capability, impact, and alignment with defence and security priorities.

The global space economy is expected to reach approximately $2 trillion by 2040. Investing in sovereign launch capability now means that Canadians and their businesses can benefit for decades to come.

This investment supports a stronger, more connected Canadian space ecosystembringing together industry, academia, and research organizations. They will help grow high-value jobs, strengthen Canadian supply chains, and position Canadian firms to compete in the global space economywhile supporting defence and security objectives.

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China launches new remote sensing satellite

Global Times

By Xinhua Published: Mar 16, 2026 07:50 AM

China successfully launched a remote sensing satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Sunday.

The Yaogan-50 02 satellite was launched at 9:22 p.m. aboard a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket and has entered its planned orbit. The launch mission was a complete success.

The satellite will be mainly used for land survey, crop yield estimation, and disaster prevention and relief.

This launch marked the 633rd flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

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China's Kuaizhou-11 rocket completes 5th commercial flight, places 8 payloads into orbit

Global Times

By Tao Mingyang Published: Mar 16, 2026 09:46 PM

China on Monday launched the Kuaizhou-11 Y7 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province, sending eight new satellites into preset orbits, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The mission marked the fifth flight of the Kuaizhou-11 rocket. The "Kuaizhou" series of small solid-propellant launch vehicles was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) and represents China's first small solid rocket capable of rapid integration and rapid orbital insertion, setting the country's fastest record for launch preparation.

Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday that satellite internet is shifting from an experimental space infrastructure toward a foundational platform for consumer-grade markets.

"Against this backdrop, heavier payload capability, lower launch costs and higher launch frequency are expected to emerge as defining trends for China's commercial space sector in 2026," Wang said.

The Kuaizhou-11 has a payload capacity of about one ton to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit and features a 2.65-meter fairing diameter. With a short preparation cycle and relatively low launch costs, the rocket is designed to support a wide range of commercial launch missions, according to the CASIC.

The Kuaizhou series has also helped establish China's rapid space response capability. In the event of natural disasters or failures in ground monitoring and communications systems, satellites can be launched and deployed quickly to obtain disaster data and support emergency response efforts, the CASIC said.

Among the items in the payload on Monday's mission was the Juntian-1 04A satellite, developed independently by commercial aerospace company Beijing JTSPACE Technology Co. According to reports from the Beijing Daily, the satellite can independently acquire millimeter-level surface deformation data, providing key technical support for geological disaster early warning and safety monitoring of large-scale ground infrastructure.

Another part of the payload was a computing base station satellite developed by a chip brand under Chinese home-appliance maker Dreame, which was launched aboard the rocket to test the system's performance limits in the space environment. The company previously announced plans to build a space-based supercomputing center and deploy as many as 2 million computing satellites, Chinese media outlet jiemian.com reported.

Wang noted that the emerging model of "national-team" rockets and private-sector satellites is optimizing the division of labor and resource allocation across the industry.

"Space launch remains highly technical and risky. Using the mature launch platforms and infrastructure of state-owned aerospace firms provides emerging satellite companies with more reliable orbital access and lowers entry risks, while private firms bring stronger market responsiveness and faster iteration in satellite manufacturing and downstream applications," said Wang.

This complementary structure is creating a steady yet forward-looking synergy, accelerating the development of a globally competitive commercial space ecosystem in China, Wang said.

The rapidly expanding industrial base reflects this momentum. According to a report by Xinhua, China now has more than 600 commercial aerospace enterprises spanning the entire industrial chain - from upstream rocket and satellite manufacturing and supporting equipment, to midstream launch services, ground infrastructure and satellite operations, and downstream terminal applications and service markets.

China's commercial space sector maintained rapid growth in 2025. The country conducted 50 commercial launch missions during the year, accounting for 54 percent of all launches nationwide. A total of 311 commercial satellites were placed into orbit, representing 84 percent of China's total satellites launched that year, official data showed.

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Exercise Sea Dragon 26 Commences in Guam

Issued by Defence Media

16 March 2026

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and 50 aviators to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for Exercise Sea Dragon 2026.

Held throughout March, Exercise Sea Dragon 26 is United States Navy-led, multinational, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training activity involving the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Across the two-week exercise, aviators from the recently re-formed No. 12 Squadron will test their skills against participating nations as they work to detect and track both simulated and live submarine targets.

Participants will be challenged on speed, accuracy and coordinated mission execution, strengthening ASW proficiency and enhancing interoperability among partner forces.

Detachment Commander for Exercise Sea Dragon 26, Squadron Leader Bryce Martin, said the high-end training on offer was vital for maintaining the RAAF's operational edge.

"Exercise Sea Dragon 26 is an excellent opportunity to sharpen our skills and strengthen our international partnerships," Squadron Leader Martin said.

"The expansive overwater training area near Guam allows our aircrews to train in complex scenarios and refine coordination with the RAAF and alongside our allies and partners."

The RAAF fleet of 13 P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft plays an important role in Australia's long-range strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, and forms an essential component of Defence's ability to operate across the Indo-Pacific.

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Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN 2+2)

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

17 March 2026

Today we will host New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters MP and Defence Minister Judith Collins KC MP for our annual Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations (ANZMIN 2+2) in Canberra.

These dialogues are an opportunity to shape our cooperation to respond to the demands of our region, including how we strengthen our Alliance.

Australia and New Zealand have a uniquely close bond and are working together across a range of foreign affairs, defence, economic and cultural interests.

In the face of growing strategic challenges, working in partnership with New Zealand to strengthen regional stability and energy security has never been more important.

In addition to the 2+2 meeting, the Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers' Meeting and Foreign Ministers' Consultations will also be held in Canberra.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Collins will also visit the Australian War Memorial in recognition of our enduring ANZAC spirit.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles:

"Australia and New Zealand are fundamentally aligned across the challenges we face and are working together to advance our shared interests and those of our region.

"We are strengthening our defence partnership to become an increasingly integrated Anzac force in support of our shared interests and our common values.

"I look forward to discussing how we can further strengthen our defence and security Alliance."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

"Australia and New Zealand's relationship is built upon generations of deep friendship, democratic values and a common outlook as Pacific countries.

"The trans-Tasman relationship is more important than ever as we work with our Pacific neighbours to respond to global developments and create a more peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

"We extend a warm welcome to our Kiwi counterparts - I look forward to discussing how we can deepen our cooperation to advance our shared interests and those of our region."

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Complex naval manoeuvres at sea

17 March 2026

The Royal Australian Navy continues to strengthen maritime readiness through officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres with regional partner nations in waters off Australia's northern coast during Exercise Kakadu.

Participants included the Indian Navy's INS Nilgiri, the Royal Malaysian Navy's KD Lekir, the Philippine Navy's BRP Diego Silang and the Royal Thai Navy's HTMS Naresuan.

While transiting down Australia's east coast to Sydney for the Kakadu Fleet Review, the ships worked together with Bay-class landing ship dock HMAS Choules to conduct evolutions at sea.

These evolutions, culminating in a formation foxtrot, enhanced interoperability, sharpened ship-handling proficiency and reinforced the ability of participating forces to operate as a coordinated maritime task group.

Choules navigating officer Lieutenant Commander Mitchel Dupen described the complexities of the serials.

"During a formation foxtrot, all the task group ships reverse the order of ships in column, so starting from the back, each ship pulls out to port (left) or starboard (right) as directed and speeds up to pass the lead ship," Lieutenant Commander Mitchel Dupen said.

"We rely heavily on communication, and if not done correctly, it could be disastrous."

Commander Maritime Australian Task Group Captain Darin MacDonald commended all the personnel involved.

"Enhancing our relationships with regional partners through cooperative activities like this allows us to strengthen our interoperability," Captain Darin MacDonald said.

"Together, we are ensuring our crews and vessels remain prepared to respond decisively and at short notice when called upon."

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Prime Minister Carney speaks with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

March 15, 2026

London, United Kingdom

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Sir Keir Starmer, during his bilateral visit to the UK.

Prime Minister Starmer welcomed Prime Minister Carney to the UK. They discussed the conflict in the Middle East, including the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

The leaders looked forward to a detailed exchange on a number of bilateral issues and priorities during their meeting tomorrow.

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Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

March 16, 2026

London, United Kingdom

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Sir Keir Starmer, during his bilateral visit to the UK.

Following their participation in last week's G7 Leaders' virtual meeting, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer discussed the situation in the Middle East. They condemned the Iranian regime's missile and drone attacks, including on civilian and energy infrastructure, and expressed deep concern over the toll on civilians, the risk of further regional escalation, and the broader global economic consequences of the conflict, including rising energy prices.

The prime ministers also reaffirmed their determination to maintain pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine and underscored Canada and the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer affirmed the strength of the Canada-UK partnership and the work underway to deepen economic and security cooperation. They emphasised innovative approaches to mobilise financing at scale to strengthen defence production and supply chains, including through initiatives such as the proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.

Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer agreed to remain in close contact.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on March 16, 2026

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: March 16, 2026 21:02

CCTV: A referendum was held in Kazakhstan on a new constitution on March 15. Does China have any comment on that?

Lin Jian: China congratulates Kazakhstan on the smooth referendum on the new constitution. As Kazakhstan's close neighbor and permanent comprehensive strategic partner, China is glad to see Kazakhstan enjoying long-term peace and prosperity. We are confident that under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan will make new and even greater strides in national development and achieve the grand goal of building a Just Kazakhstan.

China attaches great importance to developing its relations with Kazakhstan. We stand ready to work with Kazakhstan to deliver on the important common understandings between the two presidents, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts, and bring the bilateral relations to a new level.

Anadolu Agency: U.S. President Donald Trump said he is currently in talks with seven countries to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz and will announce it as early as this week. "Hopefully, China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a nation," he wrote on his social media. What is China's comment? Is there a request from the U.S.?

Lin Jian: The recent tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby has impacted the route for international goods and energy trade, disrupting peace and stability in the region and beyond. China once again calls on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting the global economy.

EFE: According to recent media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been under Chinese sanctions since 2020, could join President Trump during a possible visit to China later this month. Could the Foreign Ministry clarify whether those sanctions would affect his ability to travel to China if such a visit takes place?

Lin Jian: The sanctions target Mr. Rubio's words and deeds when he served as a U.S. senator concerning China.

Yonhap News Agency: It's reported that Air China will resume flights from Beijing to Pyongyang starting from March 30. Can you confirm that?

Lin Jian: Relevant department has released information on that. China and the DPRK are friendly and close neighbors. Resuming passenger flights is a positive move that facilitates the friendly exchanges between the two peoples.

Al Araby Television Network: U.S. President Donald Trump said he hopes China will help secure the Strait of Hormuz. How would China respond to this?

Lin Jian: I just answered this question. We once again call on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from causing greater damage to global economic growth. We are in communication with relevant parties to work for the deescalation of the situation.

Anadolu Agency: About this navy coalition that U.S. President is trying to get together for the Hormuz Strait, Australian government said they won't send any naval forces to the Strait. Japanese Prime Minister said they haven't received any request yet and the South Korean government reckoned that they had a request and they are carefully deliberating a response about it. Is there a request that China send ships to the waters around the Strait? What will be your response if you get such a request?

Lin Jian: China is in communication with various parties on the current situation and is working for deescalation.

AFP: We noted that on Friday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi. The Foreign Ministry statement said that China's Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs was conducting shuttle diplomacy between Afghanistan and Pakistan which have recently been engaged in military conflict. Does the spokesperson have more details on this, including on which dates China's Special Envoy has met with either side, that's Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Lin Jian: Afghanistan and Pakistan are and will always be each other's neighbors. Issues between the two countries can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. The pressing priority is to prevent the escalation of the conflict and return to the negotiating table at an early date.

China has been mediating between the two sides via its own channels. Over the past few days, Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone respectively with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. The Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has been shuttling between Afghanistan and Pakistan to mediate. Chinese embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan have been in close communication with the two sides. Both countries have expressed appreciation for China's active mediation efforts. China hopes that both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage face to face as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity, and resolve differences and disputes through dialogue. China will continue to make active efforts to facilitate reconciliation and ease tensions between the two sides.

BBC: On the current talks going on in Paris between China and the U.S., do you have any update on those talks? Is there anything coming from that you can tell us about?

Lin Jian: I'd refer you to competent authorities for anything specific.

Reuters: We reported today that Viet Nam is preparing to have to cut some flights due to concerns about the supply of jet fuel amid the situation in Iran. Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Viet Nam at the moment and has met with Viet Nam's Foreign Minister. The question is during that meeting, did the foreign ministers discuss energy security issues?

Lin Jian: The situation in the Middle East has dealt a blow to global energy security. Relevant countries should immediately stop military operations and prevent the regional turmoil from causing a greater impact on global economic growth. China stands ready to strengthen coordination and collaboration with Viet Nam and other countries and jointly tackle energy security issues.

BBC: We heard various analysts etc. saying that the current war was to really eat into China's available fuel. How worried is the government about fuel supplies if the war is going on? And is there a certain point at which if the war kept going, it would really have a big impact on China's fuel supplies?

Lin Jian: On the situation regarding Iran, I just made clear China's position. On the specifics that you mentioned, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

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US official rejects FT report, says any delay in Trump's China visit not tied to request for China to help reopen Hormuz

Global Times

By Zhao Yusha Published: Mar 17, 2026 01:10 PM

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday rejected a Financial Times report that Trump threatened to delay his China visit if Beijing does not assist the Strait of Hormuz escort effort, saying that US President Donald Trump's visit to China could be delayed if he chooses to stay in Washington due to war on Iran.

"But what I do want to parse, and there's a false narrative out there that if the meetings are delayed, it wouldn't be delayed because the president's demanded that China police the Straits of Hormuz," Bessent said in an interview with CNBC's Brian Sullivan in Paris.

When reporter asked that "there was a report out to that effect this morning," Bessent replied that "That's completely false." "If the meeting for some reason is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics. The president wants to remain in D.C. to coordinate the war effort and that, you know, traveling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal," Bessent noted.

Bessent's remarks came after the UK media Financial Times published an article with the US president, saying that Trump was expecting China to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz before he travels to Beijing at the end of this month, his first trip to China in his second term.

Jumping on the Financial Times report, some foreign media outlets, such as BBC, started to hype that "Trump told the Financial Times that he might postpone the meeting if China did not help unblock the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway for the Gulf's energy shipments." The New York Times also followed suit, saying "President Trump warned that he could postpone a meeting set to begin in just over two weeks if China refuses to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt likewise said Monday that changing the dates of Trump's trip to Beijing is "really just a matter of the timing" and the president is primarily focused on the war with Iran.

"Of course, the president's utmost responsibility right now as commander-in-chief is to ensure the continued success of Operation Epic Fury, as he is doing 24/7 here at the White House, here at home," she added. "So we'll look forward to announcing those dates very soon."

Leavitt said Sunday an upcoming visit of Trump to China is not "in jeopardy," but she acknowledged it could be rescheduled amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, according to the Hill.

China and the US are in communication with each other regarding US President Donald Trump's China visit, Lin Jian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Lin made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to a related query, adding head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic leading role in China-US relations, per Xinhua.

The Financial Times report leaves readers with the impression that Trump is pressuring China to help the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is misleading, said Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University. The framing reflects what he described as attempts to shift responsibility for the US-Israel conflict with Iran onto Beijing, Li told the Global Times.

Subsequent clarifications from US officials suggest Washington does not intend to link China-US relations to its strikes on Iran, Li said. Washington understands the importance of its relationship with China and knows that dragging it into the Middle East conflicct would serve neither country's interests, he said.

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DPRK: Statement by the Spokesperson on the launch of ballistic missiles

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.03.2026

EEAS Press Team

The launch of ballistic missiles on 14 March represents further violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

The EU continues to call on the DPRK to cease all illegal actions that threaten regional and international peace and security.

The DPRK should accept offers of dialogue by relevant parties and comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner.

The EU is ready to work with all partners to support any meaningful diplomatic process aimed at the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

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Senior Party and Government Officials Vote in Election of SPA Deputies

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- Senior Party and government officials went to sub-constituencies in different parts of the DPRK to take part in the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People's Assembly together with voters on March 15.

Pak Thae Song, Jo Yong Won, Ri Hi Yong, Kim Song Nam and other senior officials of the Party and the government voted for the candidates for deputies registered at the relevant constituencies.

They met the candidates to encourage them fully displaying the patriotic devotion for prosperity and development of the country. And they requested them to fulfill their responsibility and duty as representatives of the people and masters of the state affairs in the vanguard of the decisive struggle to firmly guarantee the dignity, sovereignty and independent development of the country and the people and elevate and expand the epochal phase for national prosperity in the future, too. -0-

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Votes in Election of SPA Deputies and Encourages Workers at Chonsong Youth Coal Mine

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- The election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK took place at all the constituencies across the country on March 15 when the whole country was overflowing with the people's joy and excitement of greeting the historic day which will serve as an occasion to further consolidate the people-centered socialist system of Korean style and provide a powerful sovereign guarantee for the comprehensive development of the state.

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, visited the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine under the Sunchon Area Youth Coal-mining Complex to vote at the polling station of the Sub-constituency No. 48 under the Constituency No. 150 for the election of SPA deputies.

When the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un arrived at the polling station, the coal miners and residents there broke into enthusiastic cheers, representing their boundless emotion and delight of being honored to have him, whom they longed to see even in their dreams, at their constituency on the meaningful election day which will serve as an occasion to consolidate the supreme power of the DPRK as firm as a rock with the hands of the people according to their will.

Kim Jong Un proceeded to the polling station, extending warm gratitude to the coal miners for having increased coal production to positively contribute to the development of the national economy with pure loyalty and gem-like patriotism to the Party and the revolution, the country and the people.

He was courteously greeted by Ri Kyong Chol, chief secretary of the South Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK, and leading officials of the Sunchon Area Youth Coal-mining Complex and the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine.

Accompanying him were Kim Jae Ryong, Ri Il Hwan, Kim Tok Hun and Kim Yo Jong, senior officials of the Party and the government.

Kim Jong Un received a voting card from the chairperson of the election committee and voted for Jo Chol Ho, manager of the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine under the Sunchon Area Youth Coal-mining Complex who is a SPA deputy candidate.

He met and had a conversation with Jo. He warmly encouraged Jo, hoping that Jo would faithfully discharge his responsibility and duty as a genuine representative of the people, a person directly engaged in sovereign activities and a political activist, deeply mindful that the trust and expectation of the coal miners and residents there mean the earnest requests of the country and the people.

Then he made a historic important speech to the voters of the coal mine.

All the participants were deeply moved by the passionate speech of Kim Jong Un who most highly appreciated the pure conscience and unknown efforts of the coal miners on behalf of the country and the times and unfolded a bright blueprint for transforming the coal mines across the country.

When Kim Jong Un finished his speech, they raised enthusiastic cheers, representing their boundless thanks to the outstanding leader of our revolution, the benevolent father of the people.

He learned about the conditions and production of the coal mine.

Underscoring again the importance of the coal industry's mission and role in ensuring the stable and sustained development of the national economy, he said that to shore up the coal front is a keystone of strategic significance not only in fulfilling the new five-year plan but also in developing the country in a forward-looking way.

He said that just as it is necessary to raise good crops for the living of the people, it is needed to increase the coal production for the running of a state. He stressed that the Party and the state should attach importance to the production of coal, the food of industry, and increase the state investment to it. He added that to build the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine into a standard one, where the mechanization and informatization of the work inside its pits are realized, is a starting point of the long-term project to transform the material and technical foundations of all the coal mines across the country and the working conditions of coal miners.

Whenever he looked back upon the arduous journey of our victorious struggle, he first thought of the unknown efforts of coal miners and always felt thankful for them, he said, adding that we should spare nothing for the coal miners. And he affirmed that it is the firm determination of the Party Central Committee to turn all the coal-mining villages into modern and cultural villages and towns during its ninth term, just like the Komdok area which has been ideally transformed in recent years, and that short-, medium- and long-term strategy for realizing it will be discussed at an earlier date.

That day, Kim Jong Un had a significant photo session with coal miners, labor innovators and officials of the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine in commemoration of his visit to it.

At the end of the photo session, the participants again broke into enthusiastic cheers, looking up to Kim Jong Un , which shook the mountains of the Chonsong area.

Warmly encouraging the coal miners full of great excitement, Kim Jong Un expressed expectation and belief that the workers of the coal mine would glorify the first year of implementing the decisions of the Party Congress with proud successes in increased production in redoubled and uplifted spirit filled with fresh confidence and optimism.

The workers of the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine, deeply moved by strong passion and affection, warm love and trust of the great father, firmly pledged to demonstrate their absolute support for the decisions of the Ninth Congress of the WPK through patriotic efforts for increased coal production and reliably guarantee the prosperity and development of the DPRK, bearing deeper in mind the honorable sense of obligation of defending the outpost for the development of the self-supporting economy.

Kim Jong Un 's visit to the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine marked a historic occasion that finally broke with the technical and cultural backwardness in the coal industry and declared a fresh start for civilization and modernization, and an important political occasion that injected great vitality into the dynamic advance of the DPRK towards the comprehensive development. -0-

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Comrade Kim Jong Un's Speech to Workers and Officials of Chonsong Youth Coal Mine

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un voted in the election of deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly at the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine and made a speech to the workers and officials of the coal mine.

The full text of his speech is as follows:

Dear voters,

Workers and officials of the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine, who are working with devotion for the country's prosperity at an outpost of our self-supporting economy,

Comrades,

Today, here at the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine under the Sunchon Area Youth Coal-mining Complex, one of the leading coal mines in our country, I voted for a representative to the supreme power organ of our state.

I feel very pleased to have voted for a working-class candidate on the day of election to the Supreme People's Assembly, the 15th of its kind in the history of our Republic, and to be seeing you, coal miners, whom I have always respected in my mind.

I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to extend warm encouragement to the workers and officials of the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine, who are reliably defending a part of the coal-mining front with a pure heart of faithfully and sincerely supporting the Party and the state and through an indomitable labour struggle.

I also express my gratitude to all the voters across the country, who are taking an active part in the election of the Deputies with a faith and pride in our socialist cause, with the awareness of being masters of state power and with patriotic enthusiasm.

I am in firm belief that, through today's election, our people's power will be consolidated as firm as a rock once again with the genuine representatives of the people and the functions and role of our Republic's government further enhanced as required by the new stage of transformation.

Comrades,

Today is a significant day when the coal miners of Chonsong elect their representative who will take part in administering state affairs.

Every citizen of our Republic exercises the right to vote, but I don't think it is easy for everyone to go to the polls with great pride and honour.

In our country advancing the socialist cause while blazing a new path of history, the working class is the most powerful force of creation and transformation and the vanguard that leads the whole society by dint of steadfast revolutionary spirit and noble traits.

Among them, the workers in the coal-mining sector are the hard core of the country performing the most valuable feats in the vanguard of state building.

The achievements the coal miners here in Chonsong made through a devoted struggle also formed part of the cornerstones of the steps of eye-opening advance and development our state ascended in the especially difficult and arduous last decade.

By writing an admirable chronicle of struggle in every decade of the revolution in defending the lifeline of the national economy and the rejuvenation and prosperity of the country, they have made uninterrupted innovations in coal production, rising up more vigorously without hesitation even in the face of hardships in the recent years.

It is impossible to describe their painstaking efforts with a few words.

I cannot but feel deep reverence for them to think that there is the path of patriotism the most beautiful and purest persons follow all their life under this ground people tread on casually and that the traces of unyielding efforts are unmistakable at every bend of the path.

There are a lot of families of patriotic miners working here at this colliery for three generations. Without genuine affection for this country, they could not have worked in such deep pits generation after generation-a job which other people find it hard to engage in.

As they are honest citizens who live for the good of their country with such faith and conscience, our coal miners are all the more valuable and trustworthy.

I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to you again for your patriotic heart of devoting your precious sweat and enthusiasm unsparingly to the buildup of the lifeline of our self-supporting economy and to the stronger pulse of our era, as well as for your heroic struggle for, and exploits in, supporting our Party and state with devoted efforts at deep underground pits.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I also extend warm greetings to the miners' wives and mothers who are making sincere, devoted efforts for the country's coal production, sharing mind with their husbands and children, and also to the retired meritorious miners.

Comrades,

Coal is, as ever, the food for our industry and driving force for the development of our self-supporting economy.

The faster our progress gets and the faster our ideals turn into reality, the more urgent the need for coal is.

The fuel and raw materials for the backbone industries that serve as an engine of our state in pursuing prosperity and rejuvenation come just from coal.

For this reason, the Ninth Party Congress held recently set it as the struggle target of the coal-mining industry for the coming five years to boost its output 1.2 times what it is now.

As the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine has dug mountains of coal with great patriotic enthusiasm from each of the pits sharing their lifeline with the capital city of Pyongyang all the time, I believe that the mine will play the active role of a powerful engine in the lead of the struggle to attain the target of the new five-year plan by displaying such daring fighting morale and mettle.

You have been heroic and innovative, and I hope you will continue to exalt your great honour as eternal pacesetters and paragons of the coal-mining industry.

Comrades,

The Party Congress decided it as a major strategic task during the new long-term plan to build dwellings for coal miners, facelift the coal-mining areas and technically upgrade the coal-mining industry.

In the era, when the whole country is undergoing transformation and making progress, it is an important task which brooks no further delay and slackness and which our Party and state have to carry out without fail.

Along with another resolute revolution to eliminate the backward appearance of the coal-miners' villages far removed from the country's prestige and the requirements of the times, the most advanced new life and new culture of the working class will take its undisputed position in the centre of our times.

Comrades,

It is unavoidable for us to face challenges and obstacles in the way of our advance, but the citizens of our Republic who love their state and system and cherish steadfast faith in socialism and indomitable revolutionary spirit will always achieve successful results on the strength of their concerted efforts and unity.

Respected comrade coal miners in Chonsong,

The Party Central Committee firmly believes in you.

Let us achieve our beautiful and sacred ideals without fail, giving full play to the dignity and courage, wisdom and bravery of the heroic working class.

Let us make more passionate, innovative and persistent efforts to glorify ours as a country which will be powerful and prosperous for ever.

I wish all the coal miners of the Chonsong Youth Coal Mine good health and their families delight and happiness. -0-

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Report of Central Election Committee

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, March 16 (KCNA) -- The central election committee for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following report on March 15:

The election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is going on under the Law on the Elections of Deputies to the People's Assemblies at All Levels, amid the positive and unparalleled enthusiasm of all the voters to demonstrate the advantages and solidity of our state power with the people-first principle as its inherent political climate.

As of 18:00, voting was ended at all constituencies across the country and 99.99 percent of the electors registered on the voter rolls attended it.

Overseas citizens of the DPRK staying in the homeland, too, took part in voting at their wishes.

Those voters, troubled by aging or illness, cast their votes into mobile ballot boxes.

The count of votes for the candidates for deputies to the SPA registered at relevant constituencies is being carried out at the constituency committees across the country. -0-

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Concrete steps and international cooperation key to human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: UN expert

Press releases

Special Procedures

16 March 2026

GENEVA -- Concrete steps and international cooperation are key to improving human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Elizabeth Salmon, said today.

"The DPRK has engaged with some international human rights mechanisms and expressed its commitment to a number of human rights obligations," Salmon said in her latest report to the UN Human Rights Council.

"However, as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded in his 10-year assessment report last September, there has been no overall improvement in the human rights situation in the last decade."

Salmon said it was time for the DPRK to take concrete steps to implement its human rights commitments.

"Particularly with regard to economic, social and cultural rights, the State has ratified the International Covenant on Econonimic, Social and Cultural Rights and has the obligation to take steps, individually and through international assistance and cooperation, to the maximum of its available resources, with a view to achieving progressively the full realisation of those rights," the Special Rapporteur said.

Salmon said the UN can play a key role in assisting in the implementation of the recommendations, through capacity-building, technical assistance and other support, in consultation with the Government.

She noted that during the third and fourth cycles of the universal periodic review in 2019 and 2024 respectively, the DPRK supported a recommendation on reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, but it has not published data on infant and maternal mortality rates since 2017. Additionally, despite supporting the recommendation, UN-generated data estimated that the infant mortality rate in 2023 was 14.536 per 1,000 live births, a slight increase from 14.299 in 2019. The UN estimated maternal mortality ratio to be 67 per 100,000 live births in 2023, also a slight increase from 66 in 2020.

"These measurable recommendations underline the necessity for the State to first generate current data as a baseline, then to identify the target and a roadmap for implementing the recommendation," Salmon said.

The Special Rapporteur has proposed measurable benchmarks and specific actions, using human rights indicators, that the DPRK can use to implement UPR recommendations. Salmon recommended that the DPRK track its progress and report results using these indicators. She encouraged the State to urgently seek international cooperation in the areas in which they have committed to act.

"I recommend that other States take any opportunity to follow up on the UPR recommendations in their engagement with the DPRK, including through sharing technical support and lessons learned," she said.

"International cooperation is a human rights obligation."

Elizabeth Salmon is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organisation, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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FCDO statement on DPRK ballistic missile launches: 14 March

The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 14 March.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Published 16 March 2026

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK's ballistic missile launches on 14 March are another breach of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), destabilising regional peace and security. The UK continues to urge North Korea to stop provocations and return to dialogue.

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Telephone conversation between Jean-Noel Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf (15 March 2026)

France - Ministere de lEurope et des Affaires etrangeres

Jean-Noel Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke on the telephone to his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, on 15 March 2026.

The ministers discussed the main diplomatic issues of common interest in Africa and the Middle East - first and foremost the regional escalation around Iran and the recent high-level discussions on Western Sahara.

The ministers talked about the key issues surrounding the relaunch of bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of security and migration. The Minister signalled our desire for it to produce tangible results, in the interest of the two countries. He recalled the focus on the situation of our compatriot Christophe Gleizes.

The ministers agreed to continue this political dialogue, in a regional and international context marked by one crisis after another.

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UK 'will not be drawn into wider war,' says Starmer

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

16.03.2026 [17:21]

Baku, March 16, AZERTAC

The UK will not be drawn into a wider war in the Middle East, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, as tensions in the region continue, Anadolu Agency reported.

Speaking at a news conference, Starmer said his government would continue working toward a swift resolution, stressing that the priority was to bring the fighting to an end.

He said the UK would work with its allies to develop what he described as a "viable collective plan" aimed at restoring freedom of navigation for ships operating near the Strait of Hormuz.

"We've already acted alongside other countries to release emergency oil stocks at a level that is completely unprecedented, but ultimately we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the market," he warned.

Starmer also defended his decision not to join an offensive against Iran, saying he had faced criticism from some for the stance but had stood by his principles.

"Sending UK troops into war is the most serious responsibility for any prime minister," he said, adding that such a decision must only be taken on a legal basis and with a "properly thought-through plan."

The prime minister argued that ending the conflict would also have wider economic benefits.

"Ending war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living," he said.

He also announced steps his government would take to tackle the cost of living, including capping energy bills through the end of June, extending a fuel duty cap until September, and a 53 million ($70 million) package to support people exposed to rising heating oil prices.

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Iran: Council sanctions an additional 16 persons and three entities over serious human rights violations

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

16 March 2026 15:20

The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional 16 persons and three entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

The new listings target a variety of individuals and entities that played a key role in the suppression of street protests in January 2026, which has led to thousands of civilian casualties.

The Council is sanctioning Iran's Deputy Minister of the Interior for Security and Law Enforcement Affairs, and various commanders of local branches of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly involved in the violent repression of the protests.

Additionally, the Council is listing the Mohammad Rasulullah Corps, which is responsible for coordinating IRGC and Basij forces in Tehran, and the Imam Reza Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is the local branch of the IRGC in Khorasan Razavi Province, where the crackdown on protests has been particularly brutal.

Furthermore, the Council is listing today members of the judiciary who participated in prosecutions against peaceful protesters, civil and social activists, including women's rights activists, as well as journalists and political activists critical of the authorities. Some of the listed individuals are responsible for extorting forced confessions, for violating fair trial guarantees, and for issuing severe sentences against peaceful activists. Listings include the head of the Organization for Prisons and Security and Educational Measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran under whose tenure, serious human rights violations have been documented throughout Iranian prisons. Those include torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, including enforcing the death penalty against juvenile offenders, arbitrary detention and physical abuse of political dissidents and individuals belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, instances of sexual violence and coercion against female prisoners.

Lastly, sanctions are imposed on Naji Research and Development Company (NRDC), an Iranian IT-services and consultancy company responsible for developing the Nazer mobile application used by Iran's Law Enforcement Forces as a surveillance tool to monitor and control citizens, and the Head of Tehran's Cyber Police, which plays a key role in filtering the internet, censorship, controlling the social media content and unjustly prosecuting citizens in relation to digital content.

Restrictive measures under the regime for serious human rights abuses and violations in Iran now apply to a total of 263 individuals and 53 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories. A ban on exports to Iran of equipment, that might be used for internal repression, and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications is also in place.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Background

The EU introduced in 2011 a regime for serious human rights abuses and violations in Iran, consisting of restrictive measures that have been renewed annually since and last extended until 13 of April 2026. Since 2022, the EU has drastically increased restrictive measures, adopting multiple packages of sanctions in the context of growing concerns.

On 9 January 2026, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the European Union, condemning the use of violence, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. She also called for all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights to be released immediately and urged Iranian authorities to adhere to Iran's international obligations and fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as well as for ensuring the right of access to information, including by restoring access to the internet for all.

The EU strongly supports the fundamental aspirations of the people of Iran for a future where their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected, protected and fulfilled.

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HRC61 - EU Statement - Joint Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the Independent and International Fact Finding Mission in Iran

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.03.2026

Geneva

Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

61st Session

Joint Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the Independent and International Fact Finding Mission in Iran

16 March 2026

EU Statement

Mr (Ms Vice) President,

The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for their reports and presentations today.

Once again, we meet in a time of profound crisis for the Iranian people. We are following the developments in Iran and the Middle East with utmost concern. The ongoing hostilities threaten regional and global security and have a far-reaching impact, including on economic stability and humanitarian conditions in the region. We call on all parties for the protection of all civilians and full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Mr (Ms Vice) President,

All this follows an already deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In January, peaceful protesters demanded dignity, freedom, and a better life. The security forces responded with brutal repression, excessive force and lethal violence. As a result, thousands of people died, were injured and many were arrested. Accountability for this unacceptable tragedy is essential.

We call on Iran to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their human rights, including the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Reports of expedited trials for peaceful protesters, who may face severe penalties including the death penalty, are deeply troubling and must be halted.

The EU strongly condemns any use of the death penalty and other harsh punishments as a means to supress internal dissent. We urge the Iranian authorities to stop all executions and pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment. The EU is gravely concerned about harassment and reprisals, notably targeting dissidents, lawyers, media workers, persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities and human rights defenders, not least through transnational repression, including on EU soil. Human rights, notably the rights to freedom of religion or belief and peaceful assembly must be guaranteed for all, not least for women and girls and persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities.

We urge the full and permanent restoration of unrestricted internet access. Large-scale internet disruptions are incompatible with human rights and international obligations to protect them.

The European Union strongly rejects Iran's distressing practice of arbitrary detention of EU nationals for political gains; we urge authorities to end this practice and to release all of them. In light of the gravity of the repression, the EU and its Member States are exploring various tools to respond to this situation and support the Iranian people. Since 2011, the EU has taken targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The EU recently included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran to the EU terrorist list. We will continue to take further measures to target those responsible for the ongoing human rights violations and repression.

We also will further intensify our support, to civil society and human rights defenders who are playing a crucial role supporting the Iranian people in a very challenging context.

Thank you.

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: we are ready to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz with the United States

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16.03.2026 | 12:15

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said today, 16 March, that if the United States wishes to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz with its allies, Estonia is ready to do so.

"We are always ready to hold discussions with the United States, including now in connection with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. At this stage, however, this primarily means the need to understand the objectives and plans of the United States in the ongoing conflict," Tsahkna said.

According to the foreign minister, NATO's focus must remain on the Euro-Atlantic area and Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"The conflict in the Middle East has shown that the security of Europe and the Middle East is closely interconnected. While Russia is supporting Iran, Ukraine has demonstrated its readiness to assist the Gulf countries and to cooperate with the United States in the region," Tsahkna said. "Therefore, it is clear that support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia must continue."



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During a Telephone Call with HE GCCSG, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Reaffirms Ukraine's Stance and Support for the GCC States against Treacherous Iranian Attacks on their Territories

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Mar 16, 2026

General Secretariat - Riyadh

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), received a telephone call today, Monday, March 16, 2026, from His Excellency Mr Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

During the call, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister reaffirmed Ukraine's supportive stance toward the GCC states against the treacherous Iranian attacks on their territories, underscoring the necessity of an immediate cessation of Iranian military operations against the Council states and an end to all forms of escalation. He further pointed out that communication has been established with GCC states to offer Ukraine's expertise in strengthening Gulf air defense, specifically regarding countering the threat of Iranian-made drones (UAVs).

Moreover, His Excellency praised Ukraine's efforts in sponsoring and supporting the historic United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2817, which condemned the brutal Iranian attacks on the GCC states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Furthermore, he underlined that the GCC's position on the Ukrainian-Russian crisis remains based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter. He stressed the importance of preserving the rules-based international order founded on respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and the non-use or threat of force.

The call also reviewed ways to enhance GCC-Ukrainian relations to serve mutual interests and strengthen cooperation across various fields.







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HE GCCSG Receives HE the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration to Discuss Brutal Iranian Aggressions Against GCC States

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Mar 16, 2026

General Secretariat - Riyadh

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), received His Excellency Dr Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, today, Monday, March 16, 2026, at the General Secretariat's headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the brutal Iranian aggressions against the GCC states, which have targeted civilians and infrastructure, as well as the latest regional developments.

His Excellency Dr Abdelatty reaffirmed the Arab Republic of Egypt's supportive stance toward the GCC states in the face of these nefarious, unjustified, and illegal attacks. He emphasised Egypt's support for all measures taken by the Council states to protect their sovereignty, security, and stability.

For his part, His Excellency the GCC Secretary General renewed his thanks and appreciation to the leadership of the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt for its unwavering support and for standing alongside the GCC states against these brutal aggressions.

Both sides underscored the necessity of an immediate cessation of Iranian military operations against the GCC states and an end to all forms of escalation that would destabilise regional security.

They stressed the importance of respecting the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and to preserve regional peace and stability

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China urges de-escalation as US seeks help in securing Hormuz passage; US tries to drag in others to turn issue into a multilateral one: expert

Global Times

By Zhang Yuying and Zhao Yusha Published: Mar 16, 2026 11:39 PM

As Washington, facing the likelihood of being mired in longer conflict in Iran war, urged other countries, including China, to help assist in passage of the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, most US allies have kept distant from the request. On Monday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson took a stream of questions over the matter.

Lin Jian, spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed on Monday that the recent tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby has impacted the route for international goods and energy trade, disrupting peace and stability in the region and beyond.

These remarks were made in response to media inquiries about the Trump administration's plans to announce as early as this week that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition that will escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump's call for countries, including China, to send ships to escort vessels in the strait.

China once again calls on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting the global economy, Lin added.

Lin's response came after US President Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure in recent days for countries to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. In his newest remark, Trump on Sunday claimed that NATO faces a "very bad" future if US allies fail to assist in opening up the Strait of Hormuz, sending a blunt message to European nations to join his war effort in Iran, Financial Times reported.

While answering reporters' questions as he flew back to Washington from Florida aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed on Sunday that he has "demanded" that about seven countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil join the coalition to "police" the Strait of Hormuz, Politico reported. But Trump declined to name the countries his administration is negotiating with, per the report.

On Saturday, the US president wrote on his social media account that "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others" will send ships to the area.

When asked a follow-up question on whether the US had sought China's assistance in helping secure the Strait of Hormuz, Lin said on Monday that "We once again call on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from causing greater damage to global economic growth. We are in communication with relevant parties to work for the de-escalation of the situation," Lin added.

More than two weeks into a war against Iran that he chose to launch, "President Trump faces a stark choice - stay in the battle to achieve the dauntingly ambitious goals he has set, or try to extract himself from an expanding and intensifying conflict that is generating damaging military, diplomatic and economic shock waves," The New York Times reported on Sunday.

Regarding the current dilemma the US is facing with, Axios cited a source as saying on Monday that "as long as the blockade holds and Gulf oil is restricted, Trump could not end the war even if he wanted to.''

Maritime tracking data showed that no ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, marking the first full day since the Middle East conflict began without any confirmed commercial traffic in either direction. Crossings dropped to zero, below the previous seven-day average of 2.57 daily transits, South China Morning Post reported, citing maritime analytics firm Windward.

Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at Fudan University, said the US did not expect this war to turn into a protracted and attritional conflict. However, amid rising oil prices and plunging stock markets, Washington is growing increasingly anxious to bring it to an end as soon as possible, particularly to restore the normal flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Yet it may not be able to achieve this on its own, so the US is seeking to drag more countries and turn this crisis into a multilateral one.

Among the allies named by US President to assist in escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, majority countries' response to the US call for "team effort" appears cautious.

According to BBC on Monday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he would not allow the UK to be drawn into "the wider war."

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Monday that "We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework," per Reuters.

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was "very skeptical" that expanding the EU's naval mission would improve security, per Politico.

EU foreign ministers are set to meet Monday in Brussels to discuss a push by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to deploy additional ships to the bloc's own maritime mission.

Australian Transport Minister Catherine King told national broadcaster ABC on Monday that "We won't be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is but that's not something we've been asked or we're contributing to," according to the DW.

Many international media outlets widely noted the lukewarm response. The Guardian characterized the response as "decidedly muted," and Fortune said the US President's call was "met with no promises."

Apart from disapproving of the US' decision to launch the war and fearing being dragged into the chaotic situation in the Middle East, Washington's past behavior - sabotaging its allies on issues such as defense, trade and even sovereignty - has humiliated and undermined them, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

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Japan-United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministers' Telephone Call

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

March 16, 2026

On March 16, commencing at 9:40 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone call with H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The overview is as follows:

During the telephone call, Minister MOTEGI expressed his grave concern over the current deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, and conveyed his concern and sympathy regarding attacks by Iran that have extended to civilian facilities and energy-related facilities in neighboring countries, including the UAE who is one of the countries most affected by the attacks by Iran. In addition, Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan has strongly urged Iran to cease actions that destabilize the region, including the development of nuclear weapons and attacks on neighboring countries, and to secure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz. Minister MOTEGI also emphasized that Japan will continue to make every diplomatic effort toward the early de-escalation of the situation. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI called for the UAE's cooperation in ensuring the stable supply of crude oil and expressed Japan's desire to work closely together to secure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as for the peace and stability in the Middle East region, including energy security. Minister MOTEGI also expressed appreciation for the UAE's support for the assistance for departure of Japanese nationals and requested continued cooperation. In response, Minister Abdullah stressed the importance of resolving issues through dialogue, and stated that the UAE would like to continue cooperating with Japan for the early de-escalation of the situation. He also stated that the UAE would continue to cooperate with Japan for the stable supply of crude oil, ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals and supporting them for their departure. Both Ministers also welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations for Japan-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and concurred on enhancing the bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas.

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Japan-Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministers' Telephone Call

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

March 16, 2026

On March 16, commencing at 9:00 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone call with H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The overview is as follows:

At the outset, Minister MOTEGI expressed his grave concern over the current deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, and conveyed his concern and sympathy regarding attacks by Iran that have extended to civilian facilities and energy-related facilities in neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, as well as to civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. In addition, Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan has strongly urged Iran to cease actions that destabilize the region, including the development of nuclear weapons and attacks on neighboring countries. Minister MOTEGI also emphasized that Japan will continue to make every diplomatic effort toward the early de-escalation of the situation. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI expressed Japan's desire to work closely together for the stable supply of crude oil, secure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the peace and stability in the Middle East region, including energy security. Minister MOTEGI also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's support in ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals and assisting their departure, and requested continued cooperation. In response, Minister Faisal stressed the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and stated that Saudi Arabia would like to continue cooperating with Japan for the early de-escalation of the situation and for peace and stability in the region. He also stated that Saudi Arabia would continue to cooperate with Japan for the stable supply of crude oil, ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals and supporting them for their departure.

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UN expert warns of deepening human rights crisis in Iran

Press releases

Special Procedures

16 March 2026

GENEVA - As military tensions escalate in the region, Iranian authorities must immediately end their excessive use of force against civilians, release all those detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms, restore unhindered internet access and allow civil society to carry out its vital human rights work, a UN expert said today.

"If we put the people of Iran at the heart of any solution, the military escalation must stop and all parties must resume diplomatic dialogue immediately," said Mai Sato, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. "The international community must ensure that accountability and the protection of the people of Iran remain matters of the highest priority."

Sato presented her report to the Human Rights Council today, examining the human rights impact of the nationwide protests that began on 28 December 2025.

The Special Rapporteur said the volume of submissions received far exceeded all previous periods since Sato assumed her mandate in August 2024.

"The scale of concern was unprecedented," Sato said. "Many submissions came from individuals with no prior history of activism, sharing their experiences at considerable personal risk. The protests reached every corner of the country, representing a cross-section of Iranian society united by a desire for a different future."

Testimonies describe protesters, including children, being shot at close range or severely beaten by security forces. Tens of thousands of protesters, as well as medical professionals and lawyers, were reportedly arbitrarily detained, held incommunicado, denied legal representation and subjected to forced confessions broadcast on State television. Some detainees, including children, now face the death penalty.

Sato said security forces also reportedly raided hospitals, arrested wounded protesters and assaulted medical staff. Families of those killed or detained described pressure to remain silent and interference with memorials.

"Their grief is compounded by State intimidation and the denial of truth," the expert said.

The violations point to systemic patterns rather than isolated incidents, including a failure to investigate allegations of excessive force and increasing securitisation of responses to civilian protests, Sato said.

A sharp rise in executions in 2025 for drug-related, homicide and security offences has continued into 2026 during the nationwide protests.

"The situation has further deteriorated following unlawful military strikes by Israel and the United States since my report was finalised," she said. "In Iran, more than a thousand civilians have reportedly been killed in the attacks, a primary school struck, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites damaged. Strikes on oil infrastructure have caused toxic black rainfall, with the World Health Organization warning of serious long-term public health consequences."

A telecommunications shutdown imposed during the protests has been followed by a second in the wake of the military escalation, leaving Iran's population increasingly isolated from information and from each other. The reported absence of functional air-raid sirens and bomb shelters in many urban areas adds to concerns about basic civilian protection during hostilities. Between 600,000 and one million Iranian households  up to 3.2 million people  are now temporarily displaced inside the country according to UNHCR, many fleeing Tehran and other major cities.

The military escalation has also heightened concerns about conditions in Iran's prisons. Detainees, including tens of thousands reportedly arrested in connection with the protests, are increasingly cut off from the outside world.

"I am deeply concerned about the welfare of those in custody and the heightened risk of violations in the absence of independent scrutiny," the Special Rapporteur said.

Despite repeated requests, Sato has not been granted permission to visit Iran.

"A visit is now more necessary than ever," she said.

Mai Sato is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Larijani mocks Trump's claims on Iran rallies being AI, draws parallel to Pahlavi Era

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 10:52 PM

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, has rejected recent remarks by Donald Trump, who dismissed the recent massive anti-US and anti-Israel demonstrations across Iran as being generated by artificial intelligence, suggesting that the American president doesn't want to see the reality of situation.

In a rebuke posted on social media, Larijani drew a historical parallel between Trump's comments and those of the former prime minister of the deposed US-backed Pahlavi regime during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Larijani stated that 47 years ago, the "delusional" Pahlavi official falsely claimed that the masses filling the streets were not real and that their voices were merely from tape recordings.

Larijani highlighted that today, millions of Iranians have once again taken to the streets in cities across the nation to voice their opposition to the United States and Israel.

He characterized Trump's suggestion that these powerful scenes of popular support were AI-generated as a modern echo of that same historical delusion and denial of the Iranian people's will.

The senior official asserted that the "historic victory of Iran over the remnants of the Epstein Island network is near."

Iran has seen millions-strong anti-US rallies following the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression started on February 28.

On that day, the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, assassinating late Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and thousands of civilians.

Iran has responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and US bases and assets across West Asia.

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'Will hit enemy where it least expects': Iran Navy chief vows to avenge blood of Dena martyrs

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 8:52 PM

The commander of the Iranian Navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, issued a warning to the United States and Israel on Wednesday, vowing that the enemy will face deadly retaliation for the massacre of Iranian Navy officers.

"We will not forget the enemy's crime, and we will exact retribution for the blood of our martyrs," Rear Admiral Irani said, referring to the martyrs of the Dena destroyer.

"The enemy should know that we will punish it with deadly strikes from where it least expects."

On March 4, the Iranian Navy's Dena destroyer was attacked by a US submarine-launched MK-48 torpedo approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka, while it was returning from a multinational naval exercise in India.

A total of 104 crew members were martyred in the terrorist attack, with 87 bodies recovered and 32 sailors rescued, according to reports citing officials.

The IRIS Dena had been officially invited by the Indian Navy to participate in the joint exercise before being targeted in international waters by the US Navy in the middle of the war against the Iranian nation.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike, which drew global outrage and condemnation, describing it as the first sinking of a ship by torpedo since World War II.

Rear Admiral Irani said the nation was grieved by the tragedy but emphasized Iran's military resolve to exact revenge for the blood of martyrs.

"Although today we mourn our loved ones, by the grace of God, we have brought the enemy to its knees," he declared.

The navy chief's warning signals that Iran's retaliation may extend beyond conventional battlefields, with potential operations targeting enemy assets in unexpected theaters.

The funeral procession for the Dena martyrs would be held on Tuesday evening, and they would be laid to rest the following day, according to authorities.

The US-Israeli war coalition launched an unprovoked war of aggression on Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and several top commanders.

In response, Iranian armed forces have so far carried out 56 waves of Operation True Promise, pummelling Israeli military sites and US military bases across the region.

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True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on Mar. 16

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 7:04 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Iranian armed forces and resistance groups across the region continue to carry out retaliatory military operations against the United States and the Israeli regime.

On Monday, March 16, 2026, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple operations as part of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched immediately after the US-Israeli coalition carried out an unprovoked act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28.

Iranian armed forces have so far carried out 56 waves of missile and drone strikes with advanced weaponry targeting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories, as well as US occupation bases and assets scattered across the West Asia region.

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have also joined the front against the external aggressors, inflicting heavy blows on the enemy.

Hezbollah's operations have been primarily focused on Israeli military sites in the occupied territories. Its operations are both in response to the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and the relentless ceasefire violations by the Israeli regime over the past year.

Iraqi resistance groups have also been carrying out daily operations, primarily against American military assets in Iraq and other Arab countries.

Following is the list of operations carried out by the Iranian armed forces, as well as resistance movements in Lebanon and Iraq, against the US military bases and the Zionist regime sites on Monday, March 16:

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC):

The 55th wave of Operation True Promise 4, code-named "O Musa bin Jafar," dedicated to the Holy Defense martyr Mohammad Ebrahim Hemmat and the martyrs of the Majnoon Islands and Tala'iyeh, was successfully carried out against targets in the heart of the occupied territories, "Tel Aviv" and "Ben Gurion," including aerospace military production centers (IAI) and aerial refueling support centers, using high-precision and super-heavy hypersonic Fattah, Emad, and Ghadr missiles, as well as attack drones.

In the same operation, centers of the US army located at Al-Dhafra Air Base, Jufair Naval Base, and Sheikh Isa Air Base were also successfully targeted using medium-range, solid-fuel, precision-guided Fateh, Zolfaghar, and Dezful missiles, along with attack drones.

One Heron drone was intercepted and destroyed in the skies of Tehran, and one advanced Hermes 900 drone was intercepted and destroyed in the skies of Jam, while both were armed, both operations carried out by the IRGC's new advanced air defense system and under the control of the country's integrated air defense network.

Wave 56 of Operation True Promise 4 was carried out against the Southern Regional Support Command and the Rafael strategic missile reserve warehouse of the Israeli military.

As part of the same wave, the IRGC drone unit also subjected the positions of counter-revolutionary groups in Erbil to waves of deadly attacks.

Iranian Army:

Launched a drone attack on the weapons manufacturing and aerospace industries centers of the Israeli regime, Rafael weapons manufacturing and the aerospace industries (IAI), as a mark of tribute to the high-ranking martyrs of the Dena destroyer.

Hezbollah:

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Hadbat Al-Ajal site, north of the "Kfar Yuval" settlement, with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in Jdeideh Mays al-Jabal with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established site in Jabal Al-Bat in the border town of Aitaroun with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Hadab al-Ajal site north of the "Kfar Yuval" settlement for the second time with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers at the Honin gate opposite the town of Markaba with a rocket barrage.

Defending Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Beit HaGadi" center in the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Beit HaJundi" center in the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement for the second time with a qualitative missile and a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the "Zarit" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the "Shomera" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to the occupied "Nahariya" settlement in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted it with a rocket barrage and a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles at the Taybeh project in southern Lebanon with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles at Al-Khazzan Hill in the town of Al-Odaisseh, on the Lebanese-Palestinian border, with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established site in Jabal Al-Bat in the border town of Aitaroun with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a Merkava tank in the Taybeh project area with a guided missile.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq:

Carried out a qualitative operation with a volley of "Al-Qari'" type missiles targeting the American forces at the Victoria Base near Baghdad Airport, resulting in ten casualties, including six dead and four others who sustained serious injuries.

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US attack on Dena destroyer violation of international law: Iran's judiciary chief

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 6:43 PM

The head of Iran's judiciary has denounced the US Navy's deadly attack on the Dena destroyer off the coast of Sri Lanka as a violation of all international conventions, particularly those governing international maritime law.

He also called on Iranians across the country to participate en masse in the funeral procession for the victims.

"The crime of the Satanic US regime in attacking the Dena destroyer, which resulted in the martyrdom of a large number of heroic Iranian sailors, filled the hearts of Iranians worldwide with grief and sorrow," Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei wrote in a message on Monday evening.

He stated that the Indian Ocean waters are decorated with the blood of Iranian sailors, stating that the young seamen onboard had taken part in an international naval exercise at the official request of the Indian government, and were returning home when they came under a cowardly and unfair attack by US terrorists and rogue elements.

"We will certainly and seriously pursue this outrageous crime and all other recent atrocities of the US regime, including the strike on the Minab school and residential areas, and the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and high-ranking military commanders at the international courts of law," Mohseni-Ejei noted.

The head of the judiciary emphasized that Iran will prosecute the criminal US regime for its crimes, particularly the martyrdom of Iranian sailors far away from their homeland.

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Iranians will never capitulate to bullying, resist brutal aggression: Foreign Ministry spokesman

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 5:51 PM

The Iranian people will never yield to bullying and will continue to resist the brutal aggression against their homeland by the United States and Israel, says the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks in a post on his X account on Monday, explaining the reason US officials insult the noble Iranian nation.

"The reason American authorities continue to give Iranians bad names and call them 'a nation of terror and hate' is because Iranians do not capitulate to bullying and resist brutal aggression against their beloved homeland," he wrote.

The United States and the Israeli regime launched the unprovoked aggression on February 28, conducting extensive aerial strikes on both military and civilian locations across Iran.

Iran's armed forces have responded by launching missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military bases and assets in the region.

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'US not loyal to you, Israel your enemy', Iran's top security official warns Muslim nations

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 5:38 PM

Iran's top security official has told Islamic countries that the United States has proven it is not a reliable partner for them and that the Israeli regime is their enemy.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani made the remarks on Monday in a six-point open letter addressed to neighboring Islamic states home to the US bases, from which illegal strikes have been launched against Iran.

He said Iran faced a deceptive US-Zionist invasion aimed at disintegrating the country while Tehran was negotiating with Washington.

The aggressors martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with ordinary citizens and military commanders, thus they faced national-Islamic resistance by Iranians, he added.

"Do you know that except in rare cases in the political arena, none of the Islamic governments have come to the aid of the Iranian nation? However, the Iranian nation suppressed the wicked enemy with a strong will in a way that today the enemy does not know how to exit this strategic impasse" he said.

Larijani also noted that Iran will continue its path of resistance against the "big and little devils", namely the United States and Israel, respectively.

He censured the Muslim governments for not acting in accordance with Prophet Mohammad's teachings, which says if you do not respond to a Muslim's cry in need, you are not a Muslim.

Additionally, he criticized the Muslim states for considering Iran an enemy because the Islamic Republic has targeted American bases, as well as the US and Israeli assets there.

"Should Iran stand idly by so that it is attacked from US bases in your countries?! They (Muslim countries) are making excuses; On one side of today's battle are the United States and Israel, and on the other side stand the Islamic Iran and the resistance forces. Which side are you on?" the official asked.

Meanwhile, he urged Muslim countries to think about the future of the Islamic world, saying, "You know that the US has no loyalty to you and Israel is your enemy. Think for a minute about yourself and the future of the region. Iran is your benevolent and does not intend to dominate you."

He also said the unity of the Islamic Ummah with all its power can ensure the security, transcendence and independence of all countries.

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IRGC orders evacuation of US-linked industrial facilities in West Asia region

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 4:54 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has once again urged workers to evacuate US-affiliated industrial facilities in West Asia ahead of Iran's retaliatory attacks.

On Monday, the Public Relations Office of IRGC issued a renewed warning to the owners of US-affiliated industries in the region and called for the evacuation of their workers.

"We warn the defeated American regime to evacuate all American industries in the region, and we ask the people living around industries where Americans hold shares to leave these areas so that they aren't harmed," the statement said.

"In the coming hours, these industries will be targeted and hit," it added.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of unlawful military aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

The recent attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei and hundreds of Iranian civilians, including women and children, as well as several senior military commanders.

Iran has carried out extensive retaliatory attacks on US assets in the region and on locations in the Israeli-occupied territories since the first day of the US-Israeli war.

The Islamic Republic has said that it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors and its reprisal attacks are directed at US assets and bases on their soil.

It has also warned regional countries to not allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.

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Iran says over 61,000 civilian buildings damaged in US-Israeli attacks

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 3:53 PM

The Iranian government spokeswoman says more than 61,000 civilian buildings have been damaged in the illegal US-Israeli aggression against the country.

Fatemeh Mohajerani made the remarks on Monday, the 17th day of the brutal military assault against the country.

She said that since the beginning of the war, the US-Israeli strikes have damaged a total of 61,182 civilian units across Iran, including 18,180 residential and commercial buildings in Tehran, as well as 34,548 residential buildings and 8,081 commercial ones outside Tehran.

She added that 226 Iranian women, including two pregnant mothers, have been killed and 3,002 women injured during the aggression.

The number of martyrs under the age of 18 and 5 has reached 204 and 13, respectively, Mohajerani noted.

She also said that 17 medical personnel, as well as 206 teachers and students have lost their lives in the enemy attacks.

The average time for emergency aid and medical forces to reach the affected areas is about four minutes, according to the spokeswoman.

The criminal US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

Iranian armed forces have responded by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks targeting locations in the Israeli occupied lands as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

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Araghchi: Neighbors should 'promptly' clarify stance on 'slaughter' of Iranians

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 3:39 PM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran's neighboring countries should "promptly" clarify their position regarding their role in the "slaughter" of Iranian civilians by the Israeli regime and the United States.

In a post on his X account on Monday, Araghchi said hundreds of Iranian civilians, including over 200 children, have been killed in Israel-US bombings.

"Reports claim that some neighboring states which host US forces and permit attacks on Iran are also actively encouraging this slaughter," the top Iranian diplomat stated.

He said positions should be promptly clarified on the mass killing of Iranian civilians.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of unlawful military aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

The attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and hundreds of Iranian civilians, including women and children, as well as several senior military commanders.

Iran has carried out extensive retaliatory attacks on US assets in the region and on locations in the Israeli-occupied territories since the very first day of the US-Israeli aggression.

The Islamic Republic says it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors and that its reprisal attacks are directed at US assets and bases on their soil.

It has also warned regional countries to not allow their territory be used for attacks against Iran.

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US and Israel realize Iran aggression 'a miscalculation': Russia's Lavrov

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 3:32 PM

Russia's top diplomat says the United States and Israel have come to the realization that their military aggression against Iran was a miscalculation.

Speaking on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the military offensive launched on February 28, stating that Washington had believed it could subdue Tehran swiftly through "unprovoked aggression."

"I believe these people now understand how mistaken they were, how misguided they were," Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister also expressed Moscow's readiness to act as a mediator to help resolve the ongoing crisis, should the need arise.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of aerial aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

The attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone barrages targeting both Israeli-occupied territories and US military installations in regional countries.

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'Iran will continue fighting until no such aggression is ever imposed again'

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 2:08 PM

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei says the Islamic Republic will continue fighting the war with the United States and Israel until it makes certain no such aggression will ever be imposed on the country again.

"We did not start this war and our people do not accept that their country has been attacked twice in nine months while it has been committed to diplomacy," Baghaei said at a weekly press conference on Monday.

He added that the Iranian nation does not accept that "two evil entities" impose a war on the country and then take a "gesture of ceasefire" when they run into problems.

He reiterated that the Iranian nation and armed forces are determined to "continue this war as long as it is necessary with their epic defense for Iran."

Iran only focuses on defense at present

In response to a question about Russia's consultations with both Iran and the US, Baghaei said this issue that various parties are in contact with Iran and then hold talks with other sides has nothing to do with the Islamic Republic.

Iran is currently concentrating on defense as the nation was brutally attacked during negotiations, he said. "So, can we focus on any other thing but defense?" he asked.

Iran engaged in full-scale war with Israel, US

Asked whether Iran is ready for any mediation to de-escalate, the spokesperson said, "The term de-escalation is not a precise term as we are engaged in a full-scale war and are defending ourselves."

Baghaei once again emphasized that Iran will continue to practice its self-defense right until the country's decision-makers and armed forces deem necessary.

The US and the Israeli regime launched a joint military aggression on Iran on February 28 some eight months after they attacked the country in June last year. Both attacks came as Tehran was in the midst of diplomatic talks with Washington over its peaceful nuclear program.

Iranian armed forces have been carrying out retaliatory attacks on US military assets in regional countries and on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories.

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No oil tankers sailing through Strait of Hormuz: Report

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 1:34 PM

Data from a major international tankertracking service shows that no oil tankers are currently sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway in the Persian Gulf responsible for about onefifth of global oil demand which has been under full control of the Iranian armed forces since early March, days after the start of the US-Israeli aggression on the country.

Data released by Kpler on Monday, citing satellite imagery, showed that no new transits via Hormuz have been recorded in the past 24 hours as Iran tightens its grip on the strait.

This comes as the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, said the force has not completely closed the Strait of Hormuz but merely controls passage through it.

The situation in Hormuz has caused international oil prices to soar to levels not seen in recent years. Reuters reported on Monday that prices had risen 3 % to an average of $106 per barrel.

The Wall Street Journal said that CEOs of major oil companies have been contacting the administration of US President Donald Trump, warning that continued confrontation in the Persian Gulf could deepen the current energy crisis.

Trump has been desperately seeking to restore normal transit through Hormuz.

The New York Times reported that Trump has been pressing the US military to devise a solution after a report indicated the military is practically unable to control the strategic strait.

Senior US military commanders had warned Trump before the aggression on Iran that the Hormuz issue could become a major problem and that the military might be unable to resolve it.

Trump said in a socialmedia post over the weekend that he had asked other countries to send warships to the Persian Gulf to secure the strait. However, US allies, including Japan, Australia, Britain, and Canada, have declined to dispatch warships.

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Iran after permanent end to war, will soon celebrate victory: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 11:28 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran seeks a permanent cessation of the US-Israeli war on its soil, saying the unprovoked aggression should end in a way that would prevent enemies from ever repeating such atrocities.

"We have not sent [the adversaries] any messages, and have not asked for a ceasefire, but this war should end in a way that would not repeat itself in another form," the top diplomat told reporters on Monday.

Araghchi noted that how he had uttered the same comments to CBSNEWS earlier, adding, "My saying that we do not want a ceasefire is not due to our being after war [either]. The actual reason is rather that this war should end in a way that the thought of repeating these attacks and aggression would not occur to the enemies again."

Late last month, the United States and the Israeli regime began their latest bout of unprovoked aggression against Iran, prompting the Islamic Republic to immediately launch scores of waves of decisive retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets.

Araghchi noted how the enemies were pursuing Iran's "unconditional surrender" during the previous round of their unlawful aggression towards the country last June before pleading with the Islamic Republic for a ceasefire.

He lamented the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Aytollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei during the early stages of the aggression, saying the Leader's ascension to martyrdom served as a "medal of honor" across his lifelong endeavor.

The foreign minister also noted the martyrdom of numerous senior Iranian officials and ordinary citizens, including children, throughout the aggression.

He described the period that had lapsed since the onset of the fresh aggression as "difficult," but described the country's steadfast resistance, defense, and retaliation as a source of pride."

Addressing the Islamic Republic's closure of the strategic Hormuz Strait, an indispensable conduit for global energy consignments, he said the waterway remains open except to Iran's enemies and those who have resorted to "cowardly aggression" against the nation and their allies.

"So far," he said, "The enemies have learnt a good lesson and found out with which nation they are dealing with, a nation that does not hesitate to defend itself, and is prepared to continue the war as long as it takes."

Araghchi noted he had made the same comments to CBS News earlier, adding, "My saying that we do not want a ceasefire is not due to our being after war. The actual reason is rather that this war should end in a way that the thought of repeating these attacks and aggression would not occur to the enemies again."

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Fresh wave of IRGC missile strikes hit Israeli, US targets

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 11:21 AM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched the 55th wave of its retaliatory strikes as part of Operation True Promise 4, targeting Israeli positions in the occupied territories and US interests at regional military bases in retaliation for the ongoing aggression against Iran.

The IRGC announced in a statement on Monday that designated targets deep inside the cities of Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion in the occupied lands, including aerospace military weapons production centers as well as aerial refuelling logistical installations have been struck with precision-strike, super heavy and hypersonic missiles of Fattah, Qadr and Emad missiles, besides kamikaze drones.

The statement noted that IRGC units had also targeted facilities belonging to the terrorist US military at al-Dhafra airbase, Juffair naval base and Sheikh Isa airbase, utilizing mid-range, solid-fuel and precision-strike Fateh, Zolfaqar and Dezful missiles, as well as smart and suicide unmanned aerial vehicles.

On February 28, the United States and the Israeli regime launched an unprovoked war on Iran, assassinating former Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as well as several top military commanders.

Iran immediately began to retaliate against the aggression by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on the US bases in regional countries.

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IRGC arrests five Mossad-linked agents in northwest Iran

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 10:45 AM

The Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the northwestern Iranian province of West Azarbaijan says it has arrested five agents for sharing information with the Israeli-backed terrorist "Iran International" television channel.

In a statement on Monday, the IRGC said the agents have taken footage and sent information about the locations of the gatherings of security and military forces to the Israeli-affiliated media network, and thus prepared the ground for connection with the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

It added that the agents were detained by the IRGC forces through intelligence and cyber operations.

According to security investigations, such measures are tantamount to sharing information of locations with the enemy for possible targeting of them by the Israeli regime.

The case is under investigation and necessary measures will be carried to identify other agents.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry said on Sunday that it has identified and arrested 18 mercenaries of "Iran International" over sending photos of the places bombed by the American-Israeli enemy and the locations of emergency aid workers and rescue and relief teams to the channel.

It added that legal action has been launched against 21 other mercenaries, emphasizing that procedures will continue firmly.

The ministry warned that those who act as the enemy's "fifth column" during the war time will receive the severest punishment as per an official notice by Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a law regarding the intensification of fight against the Israeli regime.

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief, Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, said in a televised interview on Sunday that country's police forces have arrested 500 people for sharing information with the enemies amid the ongoing US-Israel war, which started on February 28.

Radan added that 250 of the detainees have been identified as "important cases" who gave information to the enemy and had been cooperation with grouplets by "taking footage of strike locations and sending it to them."

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Attack on Kharg Island would transform global energy equation, IRGC Navy chief warns

Iran Press TV

Monday, 16 March 2026 5:47 AM

Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri has warned that any attack on Iran's Kharg Island would fundamentally alter global energy markets.

"You once tested Iran through the Strait of Hormuz," he wrote in a post on his X account early Monday.

"If the intelligent control of the strait reshaped oil pricing for you, an attack on Kharg would create an even more severe and unprecedented equation for global energy rates and distribution," he added.

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced that 13 military sites on Kharg Island had been targeted in airstrikes as part of a US-Israeli aggression that began on February 28.

Elsewhere, Tangsiri also addressed the leaders of Persian Gulf states, saying "Over the years, we have repeatedly told the rulers of [Persian] Gulf nations that the United States and Western countries will not bring you security. When their interests are at stake, they will sacrifice you for their own gain."

He added that the Persian Gulf states are now witnessing how they have been exploited for the ambitions of others, emphasizing that true reform can only come through solidarity among Islamic nations and the removal of US presence from the region.

On February 28, the United States and the Israeli regime launched an unprovoked war on Iran, assassinating former Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as well as several top military commanders.

Iran immediately began to retaliate against the aggression by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on the US bases in regional countries.

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Next Flashpoint In Iran War? The Bab Al-Mandab Strait Off Yemen's Coast

By Frud Bezhan March 16, 2026

Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to a massive US-Israel bombing campaign has wreaked havoc on world energy markets and sent oil prices soaring.

Things could get even worse, experts say, if passage through the Bab al-Mandab Strait -- another crucial shipping route in the Middle East -- is also disrupted.

A choke point off Iran's coast, the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and global markets via the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Likewise, Bab al-Mandab is a narrow passage for ships entering or exiting the Red Sea, whose Yemeni coastline is largely controlled by the Huthi rebels, an armed group backed by Iran.

A US-designated terrorist organization that has previously attacked international ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, the Huthis -- one of Tehran's most potent allies -- have so far stayed out of the US-Israeli war on Iran. If they do enter the fray, there will be even more shock waves across energy markets, experts say.

"The Huthis' threat here is a real one," said Gregory Brew, a historian of Iranian oil and a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait accounts for around 6 percent of the world's seaborne-traded oil, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest exporter of oil, has been redirecting millions of barrels of oil from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea via its East-West pipeline since the war began on February 28.

"There's a large number of tankers that are now making the Red Sea transit to pick up crude" from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu, the country's only other oil-export route, said Brew. "This is very important for oil markets because it relieves pressure from the total shutting of the Persian Gulf."

"But if the Huthis attacked Yanbu and if they did enough to disrupt exports from the terminal, then you're looking at" a disruption of 7 millions barrel per day, he said.

'Fingers On The Trigger'

The Huthis have not made a formal announcement of joining the Iran war. But their leader, Abdul Malik al-Huthi, has said the group was ready to strike any time it sees fit.

"Regarding military escalation and action, our fingers are on the trigger at any moment should developments warrant it," he said in a televised speech on March 5.

Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency said on March 12 that the Huthis were on full alert and could join Tehran's war effort. Fars warned that the involvement of the Huthis in the war could lead to the closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

It is unclear if the Huthis' absence from the Iran war is deliberate or a sign of the group's current weakness.

US and Israeli air strikes have degraded the Huthis' fighting capabilities in recent years. The strikes were in response to the Huthis' missile and drone attacks on Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea. In May 2025, the group signed a cease-fire deal with the United States.

The Huthis are a key member of Iran's so-called axis of resistance, its loose network of proxies and militant groups against archfoe Israel. But the Huthis retain considerable autonomy and Iran has only limited control over the group's actions, experts say.

Another member of the axis, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, has opened a second front in the war by firing rockets and drones into Israel. That has triggered a devastating military response from Israel, which has sent ground troops into Lebanon and waged a deadly aerial campaign.

"I think the Huthis' fiscal and military situation would discourage them from engaging in large-scale hostilities," said Brew. "The US and Israeli campaigns did real damage to the Huthis' position in Yemen. They're struggling to pay their fighters."

But Ahmed Nagi, a senior analyst for Yemen at the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, said the Huthis' decision to stay out of the war is a calculated move coordinated with Iran.

"Rather than activating all fronts at once, Iran appears to be managing escalation gradually and keeping the Huthis in reserve," said Nagi. "In this sense, the Huthis function as an important card that can be played later, especially given their ability to disrupt Red Sea shipping and create wider economic and security pressure."

Holding the Huthis back preserves that leverage, Nagi said.

"If the military pressure on Iran increases or the war enters a more critical phase, the Huthis could still jump in despite the potential costs on their domestic front in Yemen," he added. "Their current restraint therefore looks more like timing than reluctance to get involved."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-huthis-yemen-bab-al- mandab/33708102.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UN Human Rights Council 61: UK Statement for the Joint Interactive Dialogue on Iran

Speech

UK Statement for the Joint Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Eleanor Sanders

Published 16 March 2026

Location: Geneva

Delivered on: 16 March 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Mr Vice President,

The situation in Iran and the region is incredibly volatile. We want a swift return to security and stability. We continue to support our Gulf allies in the face of Iran's reckless attacks. The Iranian authorities must not seek, as we have seen in the past, to exploit conflict to inflict further violence on its people.

A renewed internet and communications shutdown prevents crucial communications and access to emergency services. As we saw in January - when the shutdown coincided with the most intense period of lethal force - Iranian authorities turn off internet access to cover-up human rights violations.

That brutal crackdown on protesters marked the most violent episode in Iran's history - and it is a history defined and sustained by State violence. Many thousands were killed. Thousands more were detained or disappeared. The full picture is not yet clear, which is why our support for evidence collection and accountability remains steadfast.

As this conflict continues, we are mindful of women and girls, and ethnic and religious minorities, who are acutely vulnerable - and who have faced severe repression since the Islamic Republic's inception. They - as all Iranian people - deserve to live in peace and security.

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HE GCCSG Condemns in the Strongest Terms the Continued Treacherous Iranian Attacks on the Brotherly UAE and Other Council States

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Mar 17, 2026

General Secretariat - Riyadh

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned in the strongest terms the continuation of treacherous Iranian attacks on the GCC states. These attacks resulted today, Monday, in the death of one person and the injury of others in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after a missile struck a civilian vehicle in the Al Bahyah area of the capital, Abu Dhabi.

His Excellency emphasised that the continuation of these brutal Iranian aggressions reflects a hostile approach toward the Council states and constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles of good neighbourliness and all international laws and norms.

He also expressed the GCC's full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, reaffirming support for all measures the UAE takes to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.



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Qalibaf: We did not expect attacks on Iran to originate from southern neighbors

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 6:02 AM

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Tehran did not expect its southern neighbors' territories being used for aggression against the Islamic Republic.

Qalibaf made the remarks in an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, where he was asked a question about regional countries not expecting Iran's retaliatory attacks.

"Let me set aside pleasantries, it was we who did not expect the soil of our southern neighbors to be used for aggression against Iran, compelling us to defend ourselves," he said.

"You gave bases to America to create security for you, but these very bases became a source of insecurity for your country because they betrayed you," he added.

On February 28, the United States and the Israeli regime launched an unprovoked war on Iran, assassinating former Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei as well as several top military commanders.

Iran immediately began to retaliate against the aggression by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on the US bases in regional countries.

Qalibaf asserted that the Americans used the land and capital of Persian Gulf countries to establish bases, ostensibly to ensure those countries' security.

"However, they themselves attacked Iran from these bases, forcing us to respond. America initiated the insecurity from the soil of these countries, and it is natural that we, in an existential war, are compelled to defend ourselves," he noted.

He also pointed out that Iran had demonstrated similar capabilities during the 12-day war, emphasizing that although the United States supported Israel at the time, Tehran deliberately avoided drawing neighboring countries into the fighting until Washington itself became directly involved.

Iran will not return to pre-war conditions: Qalibaf

Emphasizing Iran's increased commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries, the speaker stated, "In the current situation, we are compelled to defend ourselves. However, we believe that regional security must be ensured by the regional nations themselves, without foreign interference."

"Therefore, we think this war will change many regional equations, and we will not return to pre-war conditions," he said.

He added that the country is ready for lasting security agreements with the regional countries and believes that "these security agreements can create a guarantee for both sides and establish lasting security for investors in the region."

'We will not accept ceasefire until enemy repents'

He stated that a ceasefire is only logical if war does not resume. "Not a ceasefire that merely provides an opportunity for the enemy to resolve its problems, such as the destruction of radars or a shortage of interceptor missiles, and then attack us again," he added.

Qalibaf further said that Iran would maintain its stance on the ceasefire only when the enemy genuinely showed remorse for its aggression and when political and security conditions in both the region and the broader world were stabilized.

He made clear that Tehran would not agree to any ceasefire until such repentance occurred and the threat of war had truly subsided.

"We prepared ourselves for a long war because we knew we were going to be attacked, and based on the experience of the previous war, we knew how they intended to neutralize our operational capabilities. Therefore, we devised countermeasures for all of them," he said.

The speaker went on to say that he doubted anyone still believed the US claims about having eliminated Iran's offensive capacity.

He asserted that the country possessed ample missile and drone stockpiles and, because the technology was domestically developed, Iran could manufacture such weapons far more cheaply and rapidly than the enemy could produce interceptor systems.

He added that the only way to ensure the enemy refrained from launching a third attack was to make it regret its previous aggression so deeply that it would lose any desire to strike Iran again.

Iran is neither Syria, nor Venezuela: Speaker

Asked about the meaning of the election of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei after the assassination of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Qalibaf said, "If we consider this election and the people's support for it alongside [Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's] first message, this message becomes clear to the world: Iran is neither Syria, whose leader would abandon the country and leave, nor Venezuela, which would submit to coercion."

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Russia: US-Israeli attack on Iran unreasonable, treacherous

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 5:26 AM

Russia has condemned the ongoing US-Israeli military attacks on Iran as unreasonable and treacherous, more than two weeks after the invading coalition began an unprovoked war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

In a statement on Monday, Russia's foreign ministry denounced the attacks that began on February 28 with airstrikes targeting senior Iranian leadership figures, warning that US-Israeli attacks on Iran would herald a new wave of violence across the West Asia region and lead to global insecurity.

The ministry further stressed that the far-reaching economic consequences of the current adventurism by the United States and Israel in Iran would be growingly felt not only in the region but also across the globe.

Moscow also expressed its readiness to help find a lasting solution to settle disputes in West Asia.

The aggression, which also killed several high-profile military commanders, provoked a massive response from the Iranian armed forces, which struck US military assets in regional countries and locations in the Israelioccupied territories.

Hundreds of Iranians, including women and children, have been killed in the attacks so far.

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Iran strikes heart of occupied territories, US base in Qatar in 57th wave of retaliation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 12:45 AM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched the 57th wave of Operation True Promise 4, striking strategic targets deep within the occupied territories and a major US air base in Qatar, according to a statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

The operation, was dedicated to the youngest martyr of the Ramadan war, three-day-old Mojtaba, who was martyred today in his mother's arms along with his family in yet another atrocity committed by the aggressors.

In the heart of the occupied territories, Iranian forces successfully targeted command and control communication infrastructure and missile defense systems using precise, pinpoint strikes.

The operation employed a combination of advanced Iranian missiles, including the Kheibar Shekan, Emad, and Qadr systems, which hit their designated targets with high accuracy.

These strikes specifically targeted the networks enabling the occupation regime's military operations, dealing a significant blow to its command and control capabilities.

Al Udeid base in Qatar targeted

Simultaneously, the IRGC conducted a successful strike against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts American terrorist forces.

The attack utilized a combination of precision-guided, medium-range, solid-fuel Zolfaghar missiles, liquid-fuel Qiam missiles, and explosive drones.

Al Udeid base serves as a central hub for US Central Command operations in the region and has been used to coordinate attacks against Iran and its allies throughout the war.

Navy destroys US fighter aircraft hangars

In a separate operation hours earlier, the IRGC Navy executed a combined missile and drone assault targeting American fighter aircraft hangars at two key installations.

The strikes successfully destroyed multiple hangars at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain and Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE using high-explosive cruise missiles.

Al Dhafra Air Base holds particular significance as the origin point of recent aggressor and American terrorist attacks against Iranian islands in the past days.

The IRGC confirmed that following these strikes, the operational capacity of Al Dhafra base has been "severely reduced."

The IRGC Navy announced that these attacks will continue until the complete evacuation of American terrorist bases in the region.

"These strikes will continue until the complete evacuation and destruction of American terrorist bases," the IRGC Navy stated. "We call on the Muslim people of the region to stay away from these bases."

The 57th wave of Operation True Promise 4 represents the latest phase of Iran's sustained response to the US-Israeli war of aggression launched on February 28.

That aggression resulted in the martyrdom of late Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and thousands of civilians, including the Minab school massacre where around 170 young girls were killed.

Iran has consistently maintained that its retaliatory operations are legitimate self-defense under international law, targeting only American and Israeli military assets while avoiding harm to civilian infrastructure.

The IRGC has previously reported firing approximately 700 missiles and 3,600 drones at US and Zionist targets since the war began.

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Japan-Italy Defense Ministerial Video Conference (Summary)

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release, provisional translation)

16 March, 2026

Ministry of Defense

On March 16, commencing at 6:20 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Minister of Defense Koizumi held a video conference with H.E. Mr. Guido Crosetto, Minister of Defence of the Italian Republic.

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the Ministers exchanged information on their respective efforts and concurred on continuing close communication. Both ministers also confirmed their commitments to cooperate for the success of the Global Combat Aviation Program (GCAP).

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Japan-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Telephone Meeting

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

March 16, 2026

On March 16, commencing at 08:00 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone meeting with The Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

Foreign Minister MOTEGI and Secretary of State Rubio exchanged views, focusing on the current situation in the Middle East, including the situation surrounding Iran.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan condemns Iran's actions including its attacks on civilian facilities, including energy-related facilities in the Gulf countries, as well as activities that threaten the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is of critical importance to the international community, including Japan, particularly from the perspective of energy security, and that Japan will continue to make every necessary diplomatic effort, in coordination with the international community including the United States.

Secretary of State Rubio explained the position and efforts of the United States. The two ministers affirmed that they would continue to maintain close communication regarding their response to the situation surrounding Iran. The two ministers concurred that they would work closely together to ensure that the upcoming visit of Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, to the United States will be another opportunity to demonstrate the unwavering strength of the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

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Japan and the EU hold the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee of the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

March 16, 2026

On 16 March, the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee under the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) was held in Tokyo. It was co-chaired by Mr. Kitagawa Katsuro, Director-General of the European Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. Erik Kurzweil, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, European External Action Service. Relevant ministries and agencies also attended. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

In this Joint Committee, Japan and the EU reaffirmed the importance of close communication and cooperation as reliable strategic partners. This is especially relevant as we are experiencing an increasingly severe security environment, and the intensification of conflicts and confrontations. Japan and the EU reviewed the ongoing implementation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, including the Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership, the Digital Partnership, the Green Alliance, industrial and business cooperation and the Partnership on Sustainable Connectivity and Quality Infrastructure, and also discussed sectoral cooperation in areas such as science and technology, education, transportation, and space. Furthermore, Japan and the EU exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest. Both sides concurred to continue working closely and cooperating on various issues bilaterally and in the international community.

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Kazakh Voters Appear To Approve Controversial Changes That Critics Say May Concentrate President's Power

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service and Zamira Eshanova March 15, 2026 16:38 CET Updated March 16, 2026

Kazakh voters appear to have approved a controversial new constitution in a March 15 referendum that critics say could further concentrate power in the presidency.

According to preliminary results released on March 16, 87.15 percent of voters supported the new constitution, which proposes sweeping political changes including restructuring the legislature and expanding presidential authority.

The referendum was held amid reports of media restrictions and brief detentions of journalists covering the vote, which asked citizens whether they approved a draft constitution published in the media on February 12.

According to Kazakhstan's Central Referendum Commission, about 12.5 million of the country's population of around 20 million were registered to vote. By 6 p.m. local time on March 15, nationwide turnout had exceeded 70 percent -- surpassing the threshold required for the referendum to be considered valid.

Turnout varied widely across the country. The highest participation was recorded in the Kyzylorda region at 93.04 percent, while Almaty city reported the lowest turnout at 33.43 percent. Other regions, including Zhambyl, Karaganda, Kostanay, and Turkistan, recorded participation above 80 percent.

The new constitution introduces major political changes, including replacing the bicameral parliament with a unicameral Kurultay of 145 deputies, eliminating self-nomination for deputies, and creating a new advisory body -- the People's Council -- with legislative initiative powers.

Elections for the new legislature are scheduled for late August, while President Qasym-Dzhomart Toqaev confirmed the next presidential election will remain scheduled for 2029, preserving the current single seven-year term limit.

Reducing Legislative Oversight?

The constitution also grants the president authority to appoint key officials without parliamentary approval, a shift critics say would consolidate power in the executive branch while reducing legislative oversight.

It also establishes the People's Council as a consultative body with the authority to initiate legislation and propose referendums. In addition, March 15 will now be marked annually as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the new charter.

The vote was also marked by incidents involving journalists.

At Astana's Palace of Students, where Toqaev was scheduled to vote on March 15, plainclothes officers briefly detained several journalists, including RFE/RL reporter Zholdas Orisbayev and former RFE/RL journalist Saniya Toiken.

Witnesses said the detentions occurred shortly before Toqaev arrived at the polling station. The journalists were released after roughly three hours, and the president cast his ballot shortly afterward.

Observers from the Mukalmas election monitoring organization were also denied entry to some polling stations, while a reporter from the independent outlet Informburo was briefly detained after asking about the earlier arrests.

OSCE Criticism

Legal experts warned that such actions could constitute interference with journalistic work.

"If a journalist has an editorial assignment and official accreditation, no one has the right to restrict their work," said Gulmira Birzhanova, head of the legal department at the press freedom group Legal Media Center. "The only circumstance under which a journalist could be accused of breaking the law is if they interfere with the secrecy of the vote."

Police in Almaty also detained at least three individuals on the city's Astana Square, though authorities have not commented on the arrests.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) criticized preparations for the vote, saying voters had limited time to access information about the proposed constitutional changes.

The OSCE sent a limited assessment team rather than a full observation mission, citing concerns about transparency.

Former President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who led Kazakhstan for nearly three decades before stepping down in 2019, voted at the Astana Opera and publicly endorsed the referendum, calling it a step toward strengthening Kazakhstan's independence.

After the January 2022 protests, Toqaev's government stripped Nazarbaev of his special constitutional privileges, marking a shift in the country's political balance.

When journalists asked Nazarbaev about the rewriting of what some critics call "his constitution," he smiled but declined to comment.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan controversial-constitutional-referendum -media-restrictions/33707171.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian hybrid threats: four individuals added to EU sanctions list for information manipulation activities

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

16 March 2026 14:05

The Council today decided to adopt restrictive measures against an additional four individuals responsible for Russia's continued hybrid activities, in particular Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)against the EU and its member states and partners.

The Council is listing today Russian propagandist Sergey Klyuchenkov, who has played an active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at justifying Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In his TV and radio shows he has repeatedly called for further violence in Ukraine, including against civilians. In addition, he has called for de-Ukrainisation of occupied territories, the occupation of Baltic states and suggested retaliatory strikes against countries which support Ukraine, including the US, Turkiye, Germany, France, and the UK.

The new listings also include the Lithuanian-born Russian news anchor Ernest Mackevicius who, as host of the evening news programme on the Russian state television, has regularly spread false narratives about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine itself and its armed forces.

Lastly, the Council is also imposing restrictive measures on propagandist Graham Phillips, and media figure Adrien Bocquet of British and French origin, respectively.

Graham Phillips has played an active role in justifying Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine through disinformation and propaganda, regularly filming content in Russian-occupied areas, including interviews with captured British fighters, and writing propaganda articles about Russia's occupied territories of Ukraine. Adrien Bocquet has repeatedly positioned himself as an amplifier of Kremlin propaganda in Europe and in Russia through appearances at symbolic conflict sites, interviews with Russian television, publications on his X account and contributions to Kremlin-funded outlets.

Through their activities the designated individuals are responsible for supporting the actions and policies of the Russian government, which undermine democracy, the rule of law, stability, and security in the European Union and Ukraine.

With today's decision, restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities now apply to a total of 69 individuals and 17 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Background

The framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia's destabilising actions was set up on 8 October 2024 to target those engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity. The sanctions regime targets also those responsible for Russia's hybrid activities against third countries and international organisations.

A statement of the High Representative on behalf of the EU from 18 July 2025 strongly condemned persistent malicious activities posed by Russia, which form part of broader, coordinated, and long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the EU, its member states and its partners. The High Representative stressed that Russian malicious activities have further escalated since the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine and are highly likely to persist in the foreseeable future.

On 18 December 2025, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned all recent hybrid attacks against the Union and its Member States.

The EU and its member states will continue to draw on the full range of tools available to protect, prevent, deter from and respond to such malicious behaviour.

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Tsahkna at EU foreign ministers' meeting: Russia must not benefit from developments in the Middle East

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16.03.2026 | 18:22

At the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels today, 16 March, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stressed that Russia must not be allowed to benefit from rising global oil prices caused by hostilities in the Middle East. Therefore, sanctions pressure must continue, the import of Russian energy resources into the EU must be restricted, and support for Ukraine must continue.

"If energy prices remain high, Russia could receive an estimated additional 2.9-4.3 billion in tax revenue by the end of March. This is money that Russia will use to continue its aggression and to prepare for a long-term confrontation with the West," Tsahkna said. "For this reason, it is extremely important to limit the purchase of Russian energy resources and to continue strengthening sanctions pressure so that Russia's state budget does not swell as a result of developments in the Middle East."

In light of this, Tsahkna said that Hungary's foreign minister continues to act irresponsibly by blocking the allocation of a 90 billion EU loan to Ukraine and the adoption of the 20th sanctions package because of the halt in supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.

"In the interests of European security, member states must free themselves from dependence on Russian energy and actively diversify supply chains, rather than seeking ways to continue importing Russian energy," Tsahkna said.

According to the foreign minister, it must also be remembered that Russia and Iran are on the same side in the hostilities taking place in the Middle East.

"We have seen reports of military cooperation between Iran and Russia, and of Russia assisting the regime in Tehran in achieving its objectives, whether through the exchange of information on targets or tactics in drone warfare. This clearly indicates whose side Russia is on," Tsahkna said. He added that at the same time Ukraine has offered its assistance both to the United States and to the Gulf countries, including in countering drones.

"In light of this, it is clear that support for Ukraine must continue and pressure on Russia must increase. The fight against the Iranian regime must not end up benefiting Iran's key ally, Russia," the foreign minister said.

Speaking about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Tsahkna said that Estonia is ready to discuss the matter with the United States.

"We are always ready to hold discussions with the United States, including now in connection with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. At this stage, however, this primarily means the need to understand the objectives and plans of the United States in the ongoing conflict," Tsahkna said.

At the meeting in Brussels, Foreign Minister Tsahkna also emphasised the need to move forward with establishing a special tribunal and with restricting the entry of Russian fighters into Europe.

Today in Brussels, EU foreign ministers also met India's Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, with whom they discussed developments in the Middle East as well as the continued strengthening of economic relations between Europe and India.

As part of the meeting of EU foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Tsahkna and the Netherlands' foreign minister, Tom Berendsen, also signed an agreement between the two countries on the exchange and mutual protection of classified information.

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Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed.

March 16, 2026

13:25

The leaders discussed a number of current issues pertaining to bilateral cooperation in the political, trade and economic, and humanitarian spheres in line with the agreements reached following Abiy Ahmed's visit to Moscow in September 2025. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the friendly Russia-Ethiopia relations and intensifying contacts between relevant ministries and agencies.

Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences over the cataclysmic landslides that hit southern Ethiopia last week, resulting in numerous casualties and heavy damage.

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Baiba Braze at the EU Foreign Affairs Council: Russia is our common problem, and we must continue to contain it - through new sanctions, by restricting its economy, and by preventing the circumvention of sanctions

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 16.03.2026

On 16 March 2026, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Belgium, Foreign Minister Baiba Braze emphasized:

"Russia continues to attack Ukraine, supports Iran's attacks on countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, and destabilises Africa. Russia is a common problem for all of us, and its threats remain a source of a global security crisis. All allies and like-minded partners must increase pressure on Russia - through new sanctions, including the urgent adoption of the 20th round of EU sanctions, by intensifying efforts against Russia's shadow fleet, and by preventing attempts to circumvent sanctions. We must also continue to isolate Russia internationally, denying it access to Western technologies and severing all trade links with it."

Baiba Braze also noted that Latvia has adopted a decision at the national level to sever economic ties with Russia by the end of 2026 and urged all EU Member States to follow Latvia's example.

She also emphasized that the trend of "normalising Russia" is becoming increasingly evident - through sports, culture, diplomacy, and business - and urged all EU countries to stand united and prevent this from happening: no red carpets while missiles fall. "Normalising aggression is dangerous - the Kremlin uses it to test how much legitimacy and access it can regain without changing its war aims," Baiba Braze emphasized.

The Ministers discussed the situation on the front lines, Ukraine's most pressing needs, and developments in the Middle East with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sibih. Baiba Braze urged all EU Member States to continue providing comprehensive support to Ukraine by contributing to NATO's PURL initiative to ensure the provision of essential military equipment to Ukraine. To date, Latvia has contributed 17.2 million euros to the initiative.

At the EU Foreign Affairs Council:

 Individual sanctions against 19 additional persons were adopted under the Iran human rights sanctions regime;

 Five additional persons (four from China and one from Iran) were added to the cyber sanctions regime in relation to cyberattacks against the EU or its Member States. Currently, 17 individuals and four organisations, mainly from Russia and China, are subject to the cyber sanctions regime;

 Under the sanctions regime regarding Ukraine's territorial integrity, individual sanctions were adopted against nine additional individuals involved in the crimes committed in Bucha;

 The sanctions regime regarding destabilising activities carried out by Russia (hybrid threats and malicious activities) now applies to four additional individuals.

The EU Foreign Ministers discussed the security situation in the Middle East and the EU's role, cooperation with the EU's Southern neighbours since the entry into force of the Pact for the Mediterranean on 28 November 2025, as well as the EU Security Strategy.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's address to participants in the Moscow Non-Proliferation Conference

16 March 2026 10:00

374-16-03-2026

Colleagues,

I am pleased to welcome the participants of the Moscow Non-Proliferation Conference.

This year, your discussions take place against the backdrop of acute military-political crises in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. The fate of the nuclear non-proliferation regime is a matter of serious concern. During the armed aggression by Israel and the United States that began on February 28, not only Iran's political and military leadership, but also civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, were targeted, resulting in numerous casualties, including children. Nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards were also targeted.

What is particularly cynical is that, as in June 2025, the attacks occurred at the very peak of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington over the resolution of issues surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. The outcome has dealt a severe blow to the authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as to the credibility of diplomacy as a tool for resolving conflicts. Increasingly, countries are coming to the view that only possessing nuclear weapons can reliably guarantee protection against unlawful threats to their security - an assessment that itself carries serious proliferation risks.

Your conference is taking place on the eve of the 11th Review Conference of the NPT. Previous review cycles, in 2015 and 2022, concluded without any final documents. Today, the foremost task is to preserve the Treaty as a key element in maintaining global strategic stability. It is imperative that all States Parties - both nuclear and non-nuclear - fulfil their obligations under the Treaty.

The situation in arms control remains equally challenging. The Russian-US Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) expired on February 5, 2026. President Vladimir Putin proposed that both sides continue voluntarily to observe its central quantitative limits, but this initiative received no response from the United States.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty still has no prospects of coming into force. It is well known and widely acknowledged that the main reason is that the United States has yet to ratify the Treaty. In October 2025, the US President publicly instructed the Defence Secretary regarding the resumption of nuclear testing. To date, the US has not provided a clear explanation of what was meant, nor whether it indicates a forthcoming abandonment of the moratorium on full-scale nuclear explosions.

As a result of these destructive actions by the United States and its allies, the risks of the militarisation of space and its transformation into a conflict zone are growing. The implementation of the US Golden Dome global missile defence project, which envisages the deployment of space-based strike interceptors by 2028, poses a significant threat to strategic stability.

The integrity of the chemical weapons non-proliferation regime is also under serious challenge due to the excessive politicisation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It must be acknowledged that this once authoritative and independent technical body has been turned into an instrument serving the narrow interests of a small group of Western states, which have effectively privatised the Secretariat for their own purposes.

Regarding biological threats, it is well known that research continues in several countries into the creation of artificial microorganisms with tailored characteristics, the enhancement of naturally occurring pathogens, or the introduction of so-called atypical properties. This increases the likelihood of the emergence of a new generation of biological agents that cannot be identified by traditional methods. It underscores the long-standing Russian call: within the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, a legally binding protocol with an effective verification mechanism must be developed.

I want to stress that the challenges I have outlined are perhaps the most dangerous - and indeed, existential - threats to the current non-proliferation regimes for weapons of mass destruction. Despite current difficulties, Russia remains convinced that international peace and security can only be ensured through joint efforts, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter in their full scope and interconnection. We are ready for a substantive dialogue on these issues with all interested states.

I hope that your conference will contribute to finding solutions that stabilise arms control and non-proliferation, preventing further deterioration. I wish you productive discussions and every success.

Thank you.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya

16 March 2026 18:29

379-16-03-2026

On March 16, Sergey Lavrov held talks in Moscow with Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya, who is in Russia on a working trip.

The parties held in-depth discussions on the current state and prospects for further development of the traditionally friendly Russian-Kenyan relations. Moscow and Nairobi reaffirmed their commitment to advancing political dialogue and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, educational, scientific, humanitarian, and other fields. The importance of intensifying joint efforts to improve the bilateral legal framework was emphasised, including the signing of an agreement on the establishment of the Intergovernmental Russian-Kenyan Commission on Economic Cooperation.

When discussing current issues on the international and regional agenda, the two sides noted that Russia's and Kenya's fundamental positions in support of a polycentric world order and the principles of justice and equality in international relations fully align. They also expressed mutual interest in further strengthening cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and other multilateral platforms. The parties also discussed conflict resolution efforts in Africa, as well as developments around Ukraine and in the Middle East.

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Lavrov Says Fate of Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime of Serious Concern

Sputnik News

20260316

MOSCOW, March 16 (Sputnik) - The fate of the nuclear nonproliferation regime is of serious concern, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.

"This year's discussions will take place against the backdrop of acute military and political crises in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. The fate of the nuclear nonproliferation regime is of serious concern," Lavorv said in a video address to the participants of the Moscow Nonproliferation Conference.

There is also still no prospects for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the minister said, adding that the United States has not yet clarified what President Donald Trump meant by giving instructions about the resumption of nuclear tests.

On Iran

Russia sees no signs of improvement in the US-Israeli military conflict with Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.

"We shared our assessments of the situation in the Middle East, including in relation to the US and Israeli armed aggression against Iran, and the deep crisis in which the Palestinian issue finds itself. There is no sign of a breakthrough yet, and we want to bring this to the attention of the UN Security Council," Lavrov said at talks with Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

Russia calls for the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and the start of negotiations, Lavrov said.

The countries that planned the attack on Iran expected to conquer the country in a day, now they began to realize how wrong they were, the minister said.

"It is necessary to stop the fighting and sit down at the negotiating table if the credibility of the negotiations still remains. And as the most urgent step, it is necessary to ensure that all participants stop actions that damage civilian infrastructure and lead to civilian casualties, both in the Arab countries of the Gulf and in Iran," Lavrov said at talks with Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, adding that it is difficult to predict consequences of the conflict.

Russia is ready to facilitate a peace settlement of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran if requested, as well as has capabilities for that, the minister said.

On Russia-Kenya Relations

Lavrov said that he discussed with Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi security cooperation, including the supply of appropriate equipment.

"We talked about the prospects for cooperation in the fields of security and counterterrorism, including the supply of appropriate equipment from Russia," Lavrov told reporters after the talks.

Lavrov also said that during talks with Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, the two sides discussed expanding joint projects in nuclear energy and space exploration.

"We spoke in favor of expanding the practice of bilateral practical projects. Among the promising areas, we noted energy, including nuclear energy, telecommunications, agriculture, geological exploration, mining, and high technology, including space exploration," Lavrov said at a press conference following the talks.

The next Russia-Africa summit will be held in Moscow in October, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said on Monday.

"We welcome the continued interest in Russia-Africa and the third round of this engagement shall be in October in Moscow," Mudavadi said after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

 Sputnik

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HRH the Crown Prince, Egyptian President Review Current Developments, Discuss Serious Military Escalation

Saudi Press Agency

Monday 27/09/1447

Jeddah, March 17, 2026, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call from President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, during which they reviewed the current developments and discussed the serious military escalation taking place in the region.

The Egyptian president affirmed Egypt's condemnation of the repeated malicious Iranian attacks against the Kingdom, and Egypt's support and solidarity with the Kingdom against any threat to its sovereignty and security.

-- SPA

00:13 Local Time 21:13 GMT

0002

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NCSIST plans low-cost munitions to counter China's potential attack

ROC Central News Agency

03/16/2026 05:14 PM

Taipei, March 16 (CNA) Taiwan's main weapons research and development unit is planning to develop low-cost munitions to counter China's potential use of similar weapons in a conflict that could deplete Taiwan's stock of air defense missiles.

Speaking at the Legislative Yuan on Monday, Li Shih-chiang (), president of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), said the institute is planning to develop the munitions domestically, with test flights expected next year.

He did not provide any further details, but Lt. Gen. Lien Chih-wei (), deputy chief of general staff for operations and planning under the Ministry of National Defense (MND), said on the same occasion that other sources were also being considered.

Lien said the MND hopes to acquire munitions through multiple channels, including for Taiwan's "T-Dome," which aims to provide low-, medium-, and high-altitude coverage as well as protection against long-range rockets.

First announced by President Lai Ching-te () in his National Day address in October 2025, the "T-Dome" project envisions a layered, highly responsive defense network capable of intercepting Chinese missiles and rockets.

Li and Lien's comments came after the MND presented a report reviewing Taiwan's air and missile defense capabilities, including low-cost interception methods and counter-drone measures, in light of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

The report said the development of affordable air defense munitions capable of intercepting long-range rockets was being considered to prevent adversaries from depleting Taiwan's reserves of air defense missiles and ensure operational resilience.

Meanwhile, asked about four MQ-9B surveillance drones ordered from the United States, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan () told lawmakers that the first two will be delivered to Taiwan in the third quarter of this year.

The MQ-9B drones were originally scheduled to be delivered in 2025, but the timeline has since been pushed back to 2026 and 2027.

(By Matt Yu and Ko Lin)

Enditem/ls

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2026.03.16

Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date:

6 a.m. Mar. 15 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Mar. 16 (Mon.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities:

2 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1150316_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1150316_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan

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PM meeting with Prime Minister Carney of Canada: 16 March 2026

Press release

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, to Downing Street this morning.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 16 March 2026

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, to Downing Street this morning.

The leaders began by discussing the strength of the UK-Canada relationship, noting that ties between the two countries are closer than ever, including deep cooperation on trade and defence. They agreed that there is significant scope to build further on this partnership, delivering for people both in the UK and in Canada.

They discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, underlining the need for stability and the protection of international shipping routes.

The leaders also underscored their commitment to Ukraine and reiterated the need for all partners to maintain pressure on Russia and its war chest.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

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Long-term defence commitment in Scotland helps secure jobs and billions in export deals

Press release

Increased defence investment and dedication to Scottish defence industry directly supported 1.1bn in inward investment with defence firm Thales, securing and sustaining over 500 jobs.

From: Ministry of Defence, Luke Pollard MP and The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

Published 16 March 2026

Certainty given to Scotland has boosted confidence to secure international work.

Thales secures export deals worth 1.1 billion, creating and sustaining over 500 jobs in Glasgow.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry and Scottish Secretary launch Scotland's Defence Growth Deal, further boosting growth and skills.

Hundreds of Scottish jobs are being created as the UK Government's long-term commitment to defence investment in Scotland is helping secure deals with international partners.

The certainty of the government's dedication to Scotland has paved the way for 1.1 billion in inward investment with defence firm Thales, securing significant export deals that will create and sustain over 500 jobs in Glasgow over the next five years.

Thales' UK optronics business, headquartered in Glasgow, is already a key contributor to Scotland's economy, supporting nearly 2,300 jobs in total across its supply chain and contributing over 140 million to GDP.

The latest export successes, built on the company's expertise in advanced imaging, sensors, and communication systems, demonstrate that Scottish-based defence industry competes and wins work at the highest level.

The export deals include:

A partnership with Norway's Kongsberg to supply thermal cameras and laser rangefinders into their remote weapon stations for armoured fighting vehicle.

The development and integration of the AI-enabled targeting and surveillance solution, TrueHunter Gimbal Sight, for the German Armed Forces.

Design and delivery of systems for the first Dreadnought class submarine and main sonar design authority and integrator part of AUKUS and Royal Navy Submarine support and export.

These Scottish exports successes follow the 10 billion Norway Type 26 deal secured by the Government last year - the biggest warship export deal in British history - which supports over 2,000 jobs in Glasgow alone.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

These deals highlight Scotland as a defence industrial powerhouse - backing jobs and skills for years into the future, all while helping keep the UK secure. Our long-term investment in Scotland is winning work on the global stage for outstanding industry firms such as Thales, delivering for our Armed Forces and making defence an engine for growth.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said:

The UK Government is delivering a defence dividend for Scotland. Thales securing more than 1 billion in export orders - creating and sustaining 500 jobs in Glasgow and thousands more in the supply chain is the latest in an impressive line of wins for Scotland. Through record funding, the UK Government is transforming our defence sector into an even more powerful engine for growth. Scottish expertise is beating competition from countries all over the world, boosting order books, securing thousands of jobs at home for years to come and strengthening partnerships abroad. By backing Scottish industry and our service personnel, we are delivering skilled jobs and growth for communities while keeping us and our allies secure.

Thales currently has 18 graduate apprentices, 13 modern apprentices and 19 graduates, totalling 50 for their early careers cohort in Glasgow.

Phil Siveter, CEO, Thales in the UK, said:

Long term commitment from government enables Thales to increase its capability in Glasgow, as well as significantly benefiting the local supply chain. With these commitments, Thales has been able to make significant investments in future talent, as well as a new Skills Academy, located in Glasgow, to support the learning and development of the next generation of engineers.

On Thursday last week, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander formally launched Scotland's Defence Growth Deal - collaborative work which will create new opportunities and develop the skills needed to further strengthen Scotland's position as a global leader in defence manufacturing.

The MOD directly spent more than 2 billion in Scotland in 2024/25, directly supporting 11,800 industry jobs and placing 254 contracts with Scottish businesses.

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UK and Germany meet to advance deep precision strike missile programme to boost national security

Press release

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, met his German counterpart in Berlin to discuss progress on jointly developing Deep Precision Strike missiles.

From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Published 16 March 2026

Progress on bolstering national security for the UK and Germany made after Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, meets German counterpart in Berlin to discuss progress on jointly developing Deep Precision Strike missiles.

Missiles to be capable of travelling more than 2,000 kilometres and are expected to enter service in the 2030s.

Discussions build on the Trinity House Agreement signed by the UK and Germany in October 2024.

Progress on bolstering national security for the UK and Germany has been made, following talks in Berlin on jointly developing Deep Precision Strike missiles capable of travelling more than 2,000 kilometres.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, met Germany's State Secretary for Armament and Innovation, Jens Plotner, at the Defence Bilateral Ministerial Group on Equipment and Capability Cooperation (MECC) to discuss the programme.

The missiles will form a family of future stealth cruise and hypersonic weapons, expected to enter service in the 2030s. Initially focussed on ground-launched capabilities, the programme will also explore air and naval capabilities, delivering long range deterrence and operational flexibility.

The discussions build on existing industry strength between both countries and the Trinity House Agreement signed by both nations in October 2024. The German-British cooperation remains open for others to join.

We are delivering the largest sustained Defence spending increase since the Cold War - 2.6% of GDP from 2027 - with an additional 5 billion for defence this financial year alone, and 270 billion investment across this parliament.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:

The UK-Germany relationship is incredibly strong, and we've marked a step forward in our work to develop cutting-edge missile capabilities.

We are not only arming our military personnel with the best weaponry to act as the strongest possible deterrent to our adversaries, but in doing so we are also building the industrial foundations that will keep both nations at the forefront of defence technology, making us secure at home and strong abroad.

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Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: Council sanctions nine individuals responsible for Bucha massacre

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

16 March 2026 13:58

In the context of the sad fourth year mark of the Bucha massacre that took place between February and March 2022, the Council today adopted restrictive measures against nine individuals who played a major role in the events and are therefore responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.

The Council is notably listing Colonel General Aleksandr Chayko, former Commander of the Eastern Military District and the most senior Russian military officer on the ground in Ukraine at the outset of the full-scale invasion. He was lead commander in Ukraine when Russian troops entered Bucha.

The new listings also include other high-ranking military officials who have commanded Russian troops in Ukraine in the early days of its aggression, and who have committed atrocities against residents of Bucha and neighbouring areas such as Hostomel, Irpin and Borodianka. In their roles, they have led their units at the time hundreds of civilians were murdered, in some cases as result of brutal executions. The troops under their command have also been involved in looting, torture, and forcing civilians to remove the bodies of dead Russian soldiers. One of the listed individuals is also responsible for adopting a child from the Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, who was illegally deported to Russia.

Their actions constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The nine individuals are now subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU member states.

These restrictive measures currently apply to around 2 600 individuals and entities targeted in response to Russia's ongoing unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Background

In response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has massively expanded sanctions against Russia with the aim of significantly weakening Russia's economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war.

In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and stated that efforts to further limit Russia's ability to wage war must continue, including by adopting further sanctions.

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Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU extends individual listings over Ukraine's territorial integrity for a further six months

European External Action Service (EEAS)

16.03.2026

Press and information team of the Delegation to UKRAINE

The Council decided on 14 March to prolong the restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until 15 September 2026.

Individual listings will continue to apply to around 2 600 individuals and entities, who were targeted in response to Russia's ongoing unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. The current restrictive measures include travel restrictions for natural persons, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed individuals and entities.

In the context of the sanctions' review, the Council also decided not to renew the listings of two individuals and to remove five deceased persons from the list.

After 24 February 2022, in response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the EU massively expanded sanctions against Russia with the aim of significantly weakening Russia's economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war.

As stated in the text supported by 25 Heads of State or Government on the occasion of the European Council on 18 December 2025, the EU reaffirms its continued and unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.

The EU remains determined to maintain and increase pressure on Russia to stop its brutal war of aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards peace.

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Twelve years since the illegitimate referendum held by Russia in Crimea

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Published: 16.03.2026

16 March 2026 marks twelve years since the so-called referendums on the annexation of Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation were illegally held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. These illegitimate referendums sparked Russia's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, aimed at undermining Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, which escalated into a full-scale war of aggression on 24 February 2022.

Latvia recognises neither these illegitimate actions nor their outcome and condemns in the strongest terms the lawless behaviour of Russia, which constitutes a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and poses a direct threat to international security and peace. Latvia also categorically condemns Russia's unprovoked military aggression and the continuing violations of international law and human rights in Ukraine, including regular attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including children, to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories, and the persecution and discrimination of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars.

Latvia will never recognise Russia's attempts to legitimise the occupation or annexation of Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian territories that are temporarily occupied and illegally annexed by Russia, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, belong to the sovereign and territorially indivisible state of Ukraine.

As the aggressor state, Russia must compensate Ukraine for all the damage it has caused and bear full responsibility for its aggression and violations of international law.

Latvia unwaveringly supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and supports Ukraine and its allies in their efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace. Latvia continues to provide comprehensive and long-term military and non-military support to Ukraine.

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Kremlin: Trump's Call for Deal Demonstrates Ukraine Is Stalling

Sputnik News

20260316

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump's calls for Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal confirm that it is the Ukrainian side that is mainly stalling the conflict settlement process, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday.

On Sunday, Financial Times reported, citing officials, that the peace process in Ukraine had allegedly stalled because Trump had lost interest in it. Peskov said that he saw these reports, noting that the US president's statements indicate otherwise.

"Judging by the statements, president Trump did not lose any interest. Moreover, he strongly recommends that president Zelenskyy make a deal. And it follows from these statements that it is the Ukrainian side that is the main obstacle in the negotiation process," Peskov told reporters.

Russia believes that a new round of negotiations on Ukraine may take place in the foreseeable future, Peskov also said.

"We believe that this [a new round of negotiations on Ukraine] will be possible in the foreseeable future," Peskov told reporters.

Russia is waiting for a new round of negotiations on Ukraine, but the place and time have not yet been determined for obvious reasons, the official said, adding that US negotiators have different priorities now and they have lot of work to do in other areas.

On Iran

Peskov declined to comment on reports that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had allegedly arrived in Moscow for medical treatment.

"You know... we do not comment on such reports," Peskov told reporters, when asked whether the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida's report that Khamenei had been secretly flown to Moscow for treatment was accurate.

Other Statements

Peskov called on Monday Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to impose sanctions against Russian Paralympians absurd.

The Russian team finished third in the medal standings at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Italy. The Russian team, which included six athletes, won 12 medals: eight gold, one silver, and three bronze. On Sunday, Zelenskyy's office published a decree imposing sanctions on 10 Russian Paralympians on its website. "Of course, these are yet more absurd actions by the Kiev regime, which cannot cast any shadow on the successful performance of our athletes at the Paralympics," Peskov told reporters, calling Russian Paralympians heroes of the country.

Russia President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed on Monday, Peskov said.

"As soon as possible, we will share with you information about the telephone conversation that president Putin had with the prime minister of Ethiopia. This phone conversation has just taken place," Peskov told reporters.

Russia President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed and discussed topical issues of cooperation in politics and economics, the Kremlin said.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed. Topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian fields were discussed in line with the agreements reached following Abiy Ahmed's visit to Moscow in September 2025," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The parties also confirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening friendly bilateral relations, the statement read.

 Sputnik

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Statement of the MFA on the 12th Anniversary of the Illegal Attempted Annexation of Crimea

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

16 March 2026 13:05

12 years ago, on March 16, 2014, Russia staged a sham and illegal "referendum" at gunpoint held by Russian military forces in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Just days later, the Russian occupiers used this spectacle - legally null and void by its very nature - to create a facade of "grounds" for the illegal annexation of the ARC and the city of Sevastopol.

The occupation of Ukrainian territories flagrantly violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the fundamental principles of international law, including the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, and other basic international legal documents.

The attempted annexation of Crimea has been condemned by a broad consensus of UN member states in numerous General Assembly resolutions. No one in the world, except for a few pariah regimes allied with Moscow, recognize the Russian occupation of the peninsula.

Massive repressions and human rights violations arrived on the peninsula on the bayonets of the Russian occupiers. Russia has turned Crimea into a territory of lawlessness, where people are intimidated, persecuted, and imprisoned solely for the language they speak, the views they hold, or the faith they practice. Over the years of occupation, Russia has illegally banned the activities of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and forcibly terminated the activities of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

The indigenous people, the Crimean Tatars, have faced particularly brutal oppression. For the second time in seventy years, Moscow has stolen the native land of the Crimean Tatars following the 1944 genocidal deportation. Tens of thousands of Crimean Tatars have been forced to flee the occupied peninsula, just as the generations of their parents and grandparents did. Those who remain are subjected to persecution and intimidation.

In total, during the years of occupation, at least 430 people have gone through politically motivated cases, though the real number may exceed 500, as the occupation authorities do not publicly report all instances. As of now, nearly 300 individuals are held in Russian captivity under politically fabricated charges, including 159 Crimean Tatars. We demand their immediate release and safe return to Ukraine, the upholding of their rights, and the provision of necessary medical assistance in accordance with international humanitarian law.

We call upon international governmental and non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders, and activists to keep Russian human rights violations in Crimea in focus.

Despite the pressure of the occupation regime resistance to the occupation persists on the peninsula, as do the people who keep Ukraine in their hearts. We remember them, we know their stance, and we will never stop fighting for the liberation of the peninsula.

Russia also flagrantly violates international humanitarian law by forcibly changing the ethnic composition of the population, conducting forced mobilization on the peninsula, and destroying cultural heritage sites and historical locations. We insist on the necessity of punishment for these and other crimes of the occupiers.

Over the years of occupation, Russia has effectively turned Crimea into a military base and a bridgehead for further aggression against Ukraine and the destabilization of the Black Sea region and Europe as a whole. The militarization of Crimea has a negative effect on all Black Sea states. The Black Sea will become a space of security, prosperity, and peace only after the de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula and its return to Ukraine.

We reiterate the demand for the return of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Ukraine's control. The Ukrainian state will never recognize the Russian occupation of the peninsula and will seek the restoration of its territorial integrity by all available means.

The Ukrainian side will continue to utilize every international platform and international legal mechanism for the de-occupation of Crimea, including all dimensions of the International Crimea Platform. The "Crimean issue" will never be removed from the agenda until justice is restored.

We call on the international community, all states, and international organizations to strictly adhere to the policy of non-recognition regarding Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories of our state. This is not just about Ukraine, but about principles: respect for international law, the territorial integrity of states, and the UN Charter.

This entails the absence of any actions that could be perceived as legitimizing the Russian presence on the peninsula: full compliance with and strengthening of sanctions regimes, the absence of any contact with the Russian occupation authorities, the impermissibility of visiting temporarily occupied territories without Ukraine's permission, and the correct depiction of the map of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders in media, printed materials, and online resources. The Ukrainian side will respond to every instance of violation of the non-recognition policy.

The world must learn the "Crimean Lesson": the lack of an adequate response to a brazen violation of international law only encourages the aggressor to further atrocities. Now, as Moscow continues its aggression and atrocities, there can be no talk of easing restrictions - all forms of pressure on the Kremlin must be intensified.

What has been stolen have never brought anyone happy; sooner or later it must be returned. History shows that nations that do not resign themselves to the theft of their territories will one day inevitably reclaim them. Crimea is Ukraine. It will surely return to its native Ukrainian harbour.

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Margus Tsahkna

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

16 March 2026 19:27

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I spoke with Margus Tsahkna following the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

We agreed that now is the time for unity and strength in every EU decision.

Maintaining and increasing pressure on Russia remains essential. Sanctions remain critical to limit Moscow's ability to finance war and destabilise Europe and other regions.

We also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Middle East and the importance of maintaining global focus on countering Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We discussed progress on the path to an EU-wide travel ban for Russian combatants who participated in the war against Ukraine. We appreciate the recent statement of leaders, signed by the Estonian Prime Minister, and hope for this strategic step to be taken as soon as possible.

I informed about Hungary's theft of Ukrainian state bank's and taxpayers' money. Such actions require strong, Europe-wide condemnation and the immediate return of the seized funds.

Finally, we addressed the 90 billion loan, which is critical to maintaining Ukraine and Europe's security. Hungary should not be allowed to hold the entire EU hostage on matters of strategic security."

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Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

16 March 2026 15:57

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a substantive call with GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi on the rapidly evolving security situation in the Middle East.

We discussed the broader implications of Iran's destabilizing actions. Ukraine condemns unjustified attacks against countries of the region and stands in solidarity with the GCC member states.

The Secretary General noted Ukraine's principled position and expressed gratitude for our support for the UN SC's resolution condemning Iran's 'Egregious Attacks' against Neighbours.

Ukraine is ready to share its defence experience and combat-proven solutions for countering drone and missile attacks with GCC partners, as we continue to face daily such attacks, including the use of Iranian-made Shahed drones against our cities and civilians.

We also discussed opportunities to further strengthen Ukraine-GCC cooperation during Bahrain's current presidency of the Council.

We agreed to maintain close coordination and further strengthen Ukraine-GCC dialogue to support regional stability and responsible diplomacy. I also invited the Secretary General to visit Ukraine."

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Andrii Sybiha at the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council: the war in the Middle East has demonstrated Ukraine's role as a security contributor

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

16 March 2026 14:17

On March 16, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha traditionally took part online in the monthly meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy thanked colleagues from EU member states for the support that allowed for overcoming a difficult winter of war.

"The Russian war continues. Russian terror continues. Just this morning, debris from a Russian drone fell right on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in the center of Kyiv," the Minister noted.

Against the backdrop of a turbulent geopolitical situation in the world, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy highlighted three key points in his address.

First, the Minister called on European colleagues not to lose focus on supporting Ukraine, as a just and lasting peace in Europe remains a common priority.

The head of the MFA informed colleagues about the situation on the battlefield. In particular, in February of this year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated more territory than the Russian occupiers managed to seize.

Andrii Sybiha also emphasized Ukraine's commitment to the peace process and readiness for the next round of trilateral negotiations. At the same time, he underlined that achieving real progress requires a meeting at the level of leaders.

Second, the war in the Middle East has demonstrated Ukraine's role as a security contributor. The Minister informed colleagues that Ukraine has received requests from a total of eleven countries regarding the provision of security support in connection with the aggressive actions of the Iranian regime.

"For years, Iran has supplied weapons to the Russian aggressor. Today, the Iranian regime is a terrorist and nuclear threat. Ukraine has decided to help with a practical contribution  just as it did earlier within the 'Grain from Ukraine' initiative," the Minister emphasized.

Third, pressure on the aggressor must continue, and support for Ukraine must grow. The head of the MFA outlined key priorities for Ukraine in the dimensions of security and energy. He separately emphasized the necessity of the fastest possible approval of the twentieth EU sanctions package  to prevent Russia from obtaining benefits from the events in the Middle East.

The Minister also stressed the need to unblock the agreed credit of 90 billion euros and the inadmissibility of tying these funds to the functioning of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline.

"In this context, any blackmail of Ukraine through the seizure of our people and state funds is absolutely unacceptable. We call on Hungary to ensure the return of state funds to Ukraine," he emphasized.

Separately, Andrii Sybiha focused on the topic of Ukraine's future membership in the EU and called on colleagues to look at it not only through the prism of enlargement, but also as an important element of long-term security and stability in Europe. This also applies to the membership of other candidates  the countries of the Western Balkans and Moldova.

The Minister called on partners in the current conditions to further mobilize efforts.

"Countering the aggressive regime of Iran must take place together with increasing pressure on the aggressive regime of Russia," Andrii Sybiha emphasized.

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The Ukrainian Defense Forces Have Thwarted the Russian Strategic Offensive Operation that the Enemy Had Planned for This March - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

16 March 2026 - 20:52

Fellow Ukrainians!

A brief update for today. I want to thank our warriors who are defending Ukrainian positions and destroying the occupier. The Ukrainian Defense Forces have thwarted the Russian strategic offensive operation that the enemy had planned for this March. And although the attacks are constant and assaults continue, the intensity of the assaults and the scale of the confrontation are not what the Russians had planned and what their command had promised the political leadership of Russia. This is important because our strength at the front is the strength of absolutely all Ukrainian positions, our communication with the world, our diplomacy, and the world's ability to stand with us - whatever the challenges may be.

I am grateful to every one of our units in the Donetsk sector, to all those defending Ukraine in the Kharkiv region and in the border areas of the Sumy region. The Zaporizhzhia sector is important. The Russians are trying to build up their forces there, but we are destroying those forces. I thank our Airborne Assault Forces and all other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine: the infantry, all unmanned units, artillery, intelligence, special operations forces, the forces of the National Guard and the National Police, which are also involved. Thank you. I spoke today with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi - there is much to commend the Ukrainian warriors for. Well done, guys.

We spoke today with Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko about implementing the resilience plans for our regions that have been approved and must be fully implemented. The Government is working to ensure that the financial resources are fully available for this as well. And much of it depends on partners. That is why sanctions against Russia are so important. Support packages are important. And European decisions - including the 90 billion in support that has already been approved - must work. Europe's word must work. So that, regardless of the diplomatic situation or any challenges in the world, our regions are ready for the next winter exactly as the previous winter taught us to be. At the same time, the responsibility of regional authorities and every community must also be taken pretty seriously, and at the level of the Government we are ready to help as much as possible so that people are protected. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, other central-level agencies, and our energy companies all have their share of responsibility. The key work is at the local level.

It is important that this year we also managed to implement pension indexation. This is significant - every year during the full-scale war, Ukraine ensures social payments. We also spoke with the Prime Minister about the launch of new support programs - additional payments for pensioners and people who need social protection will be provided in April. Exactly as we agreed with the Government.

In some of our regions, road repairs have already begun. I draw the attention of government officials and regional authorities in particular to the condition of roads near the frontline and in all those communities where the evacuation of the wounded and our military logistics take place. Defending the state is the first priority. The Russians are not preparing for peace. We must ensure complete protection - and that is exactly what we are doing.

Meanwhile, we are not postponing negotiations; no one is disappointed in diplomacy. This is not a matter of emotions, as some might say. It is a matter of what partners are ready for. Russia operates in a very simple way: if they are afraid, they're willing to toe the line. If pressure on Russia is weakened, Russia thinks it has struck gold and can continue the war. That is why pressure on the aggressor is the key to peace, real diplomacy, and real agreements. Today, I gave new instructions to Rustem Umerov. He is in constant communication with the American side, 24/7. This week we will also work with our partners in Europe so that Ukraine has greater capabilities to defend itself, and our partners are more willing to support us - to support Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who is helping us!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Held a Conversation with the New President of Portugal

President of Ukraine

16 March 2026 - 18:21

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with the new President of Portugal Antonio Jose Seguro.

The Head of State congratulated Antonio Jose Seguro on his election victory and wished him success.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Portugal has strongly supported Ukraine since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

"Thank you for the assurance that defense, financial, humanitarian, and political assistance will continue. We also appreciate Portugal's participation in the PURL initiative and count on additional contributions," the President of Ukraine said.

The leaders discussed the possibility of joint weapons production, the participation of Portuguese businesses in Ukraine's recovery, and our country's path to membership in the European Union. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Portugal for its clear position on Ukraine's European future.

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Resolution 1540 remains as important to international security today as when it was negotiated over twenty years ago: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the 1540 Committee.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Jennifer MacNaughtan, UK Minister Counsellor

Published 16 March 2026

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 16 March 2026 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Let me begin by thanking Panama for its stewardship of the 1540 Committee in 2025, including through the creation of the first voluntary technical reference guide on national export controls.

I will make four points.

First, resolution 1540 remains as important to international security today as when it was negotiated over twenty years ago.

It remains the only universal, legally-binding instrument that obliges all states to prevent non-state actors, including terrorist groups and criminal networks, from acquiring nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and their means of delivery.

The rapid diffusion of new and advanced technologies across the globe has made this threat more acute, not less.

Full implementation of the resolution therefore remains a long-term task, and the United Kingdom calls on all States to implement their obligations under this resolution in full.

Second, the United Kingdom welcomes the constructive consensus that made it possible to agree this year's Programme of Work, which, as we have regrettably seen in recent years, cannot be taken for granted.

We encourage this consensus to further strengthen core national measures essential for the resolution's implementation, such as export and trans-shipment controls, enforcement provisions, control lists for sensitive dual-use items, and sustained assistance to States.

Third, the United Kingdom agrees with the 1540 Committee's report on the importance of an active and fully staffed Group of Experts.

Outreach is critical for the Group of Experts to execute its functions, including by providing insight and technical support to Member States in their implementation of resolution 1540.

We remain concerned that unwarranted objections have continued to prevent the Group of Experts from attending outreach events focused on thematic and regional implementation issues.

Any action that might hinder the Committee's vital work should be reversed immediately.

Fourth, the United Kingdom remains committed to assisting States in improving their national implementation.

We will continue to offer our legal and regulatory expertise on 1540-related matters, and we will continue to contribute to wider security efforts that indirectly bolster 1540 implementation, such as the UK's ongoing financial and programmatic support to UNODA's Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention work, including universalisation outreach.

Madam President, as we look ahead to the Comprehensive Review in 2027, we encourage all Council Members to participate fully in preparations.

With threats evolving rapidly, the Review is our opportunity to develop clear recommendations to strengthen the resolution and ensure support is directed to the states that need it most.

In that regard, the United Kingdom reaffirms the importance of ensuring that all UNSC subsidiary bodies, including the 1540 Committee, are swiftly allocated chairs.

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Security Council Delegates Stress Importance of Resolution 1540 (2004) as Risks of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation Rise Globally

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10122nd Meeting (AM)

SC/16318

16 March 2026

The Security Council was briefed today on the work of its subsidiary body tasked with monitoring and supporting efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to non-State actors, as speakers underscored the importance of its work in a tumultuous time for global security.

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) is mandated to assist and track national implementation of obligations flowing from that text, promote cooperation in this area and conduct transparency and outreach activities. The Council was last briefed on the Committee's work on 6 August 2025 and updated on 19 November 2025.

The representative of the United States, speaking in her capacity as Council President, noted that she would report on the Committee's work "following the understanding reached by Council members" pending the election of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the organ's subsidiary bodies.

She said that the Committee participated in 26 outreach events in 2025 on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) at the national, subregional, regional and international levels. It also convened an open briefing for Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations in October 2025. Further, the Committee continued to strengthen the capacity of national points of contact, including through regional training programmes such as the one hosted in Panama City in December 2025.

She also reported that the Committee approved and made available on its website its first voluntary technical reference guide pursuant to resolution 2663 (2022) concerning obligations to establish, develop, review and maintain appropriate, effective national export controls. That resolution also requires the Committee to conduct a comprehensive review on the status of the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) by December 2027. In December 2025, the Committee adopted a modalities paper that will guide this process and published the same on its website.

Detailing other preparations underway for that comprehensive review, she also noted that the relevant Group of Experts currently has three vacancies under consideration by the Committee. "In order to ensure that the Committee's support structure is fully resourced  especially in view of the ongoing 2027 comprehensive review  the Committee underlines the importance of filling the vacancies in its Group of Experts," she said. Looking forward, she reported that the Committee will continue its work under the programme it adopted for the period of 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

Former Chair Stresses Resolution 1540 (2004) as Key Pillar of Non-proliferation System

Following that update, Panama's representative  who served as the Committee's Chair in 2025  stressed that resolution 1540 (2004) is "one of the vital components of the multilateral non-proliferation system". Expressing regret that the Committee was unable to "fully" begin its work for 2025 until May of that year, he pointed out that, three months into 2026, subsidiary bodies still await their Chairs. He also underlined the need for the Committee to have a complete Group of Experts, underscoring: "In a global environment marked by rapid technological progress, the proliferation of dual-use capacities and the growing intangible transfer of knowledge, the international community cannot afford to let up."

Other Council members also underlined the importance of the Committee's work given the current global context. Bahrain's representative said that today's meeting comes at a "sensitive time as our region sees a very dangerous escalation due to Iranian aggression". The representative of Denmark noted that the global non-proliferation landscape "remains under severe pressure", while the representative of the United States pointed to the Houthis' threat to global security and international commerce. Meanwhile, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that the current surge in extreme violence shows that "no one will be spared from the threat posed by the use of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors".

Latvia's representative pointed to "persistent and systematic" efforts from "belligerent State actors" to weaken and undermine international non-proliferation norms. A prime example of this, she said, is "the Iranian regime's opaque pursuit of uranium enrichment to such a degree that defies any possible peaceful purpose", as well as its cooperation with "exactly the sort of terrorist group" contemplated by resolution 1540 (2004). She also spotlighted Pyongyang's illegal nuclear programme and Moscow's "continued, irresponsible, dangerous and reckless nuclear rhetoric". She stated: "In an environment as tense and complex as this, the constructive work of the Committee remains crucial."

Calls for Filling Vacancies in Group of Experts, Appointment of Subsidiary Body Chairs

However, many Council members expressed concern over impediments to that work. Noting the importance of an "active and fully staffed Group of Experts", the representative of the United Kingdom said that "any action that might hinder the Committee's vital work should be reversed immediately". France's representative said that the Committee must have the necessary means to operate smoothly, urging that its Chair  along with those of other subsidiary bodies  be appointed "forthwith". She also said that vacancies within the Group of Experts must be filled without delay, as the Group's efficacy "depends on it". Agreeing, Greece's representative observed: "Regrettably, this has become a long-overdue issue."

The representative of Colombia, also noting the challenge posed by vacant seats within the Group of Experts, added that effective implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) depends on broader international cooperation to help countries access the support needed to strengthen the security of sensitive materials. While acknowledging the Committee's work, Somalia's representative emphasized that the primary responsibility for non-proliferation rests with national Governments. Offering a practical example of measures taken on a national level, Liberia's representative spotlighted detection upgrades both at his country's international airport and at the port of Monrovia.

Some Delegates Stress Need to Balance Non-Proliferation with Peaceful Development

Additionally, multilateral export-control regimes can help strengthen global non-proliferation efforts, said Pakistan's representative. However, to maintain credibility, they must "avoid becoming exclusive syndicates" that prioritize political and commercial interests, he stressed, adding that effective non-proliferation requires a non-discriminatory, objective and criteria-based approach. He also said that non-proliferation efforts "must not impede international cooperation in the peaceful use of dual-use technologies, which is vital for the economic development of all Member States  particularly the Global South".

Similarly, China's representative said that achieving non-proliferation objectives "should not come at the expense of scientific and technological progress". It is important to balance development and security, and to safeguard developing countries' legitimate rights to the peaceful use of certain technologies. He therefore opposed the use of export controls and unilateral sanctions "under the pretext of national security or non-proliferation". Rather, he said that non-proliferation is a global challenge that must be addressed with "genuine" multilateralism, due consideration of all countries' security concerns and a "realization of common security".

For her part, the representative of the Russian Federation  recalling her delegation's direct participation in the preparation of resolution 1540 (2004)  underlined the need for the Committee to strictly comply with its mandate, "which has clear-cut contours". This includes monitoring the implementation of that resolution and coordinating international efforts to provide technical cooperation to requesting States. She stressed that assigning "non-core" functions to the Committee  including that of oversight  is "unacceptable". She added that injecting topics into the Committee's work that stray beyond its mandate, such as the fight against terrorism, sanctions issues and the development of new technologies, is "equally unacceptable".

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Featured

Atlantic Lithium holds firm, rebuffs takeover bid as Ewoyaa ratification enters final stretch

GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 17 - 2026 , 08:27

The company aiming to develop Ghanas first lithium mine has emerged from a tumultuous half-year with its independence intact, a fresh stream of funding, and its sights firmly set on a final permitting green light from Parliament in Accra.

Atlantic Lithium Limited, which is dual-listed on the Australian and Ghanaian bourses, has published its interim results for the period ending December 31, 2025, revealing a period marked by secret takeover talks, revised fiscal terms for its flagship Ewoyaa project, and significant exploration momentum in neighbouring Cote dIvoire.

Perhaps the most dramatic revelation contained in the report, released on March 13, 2026, is the confirmation that the company recently fended off a conditional, non-binding, indicative change of control proposal. The proposal, received from an unnamed entity, sought to acquire 100 per cent of the company's share capital by way of a scheme of arrangement. Exclusive discussions and due diligence were entered into, supported by Canaccord Genuity and HopgoodGanim Lawyers, but were ultimately terminated without agreement.

The companys board, led by Non-Executive Chairman Neil Herbert, cited the improving lithium market, the latent potential of its exploration portfolio in both Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, and the advanced stage of the Ewoyaa permitting process as key factors in their decision to walk away from the table. "The Board felt that it did not fully encapsulate the potential that Ewoyaa and the Company's exploration tenure offer," the report states, underscoring a belief in the standalone value of the asset as it approaches a final investment decision.

That final investment decision hinges entirely on one outstanding item: the ratification of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease by the Parliament of Ghana. The interim results detail a period of intense behind-the-scenes negotiation with the government, driven by extreme volatility in the spodumene concentrate price, which had fallen to lows of approximately US$590 per tonne in June 2025. In response, the company proactively sought a revision of the fiscal terms to ensure the projects resilience through price downturns.

The outcome was a re-submission of the Mining Lease to Parliament in December 2025, featuring revised terms that align the royalty rate and the Growth and Sustainability Levy with current legislated rates. Crucially, a new Legislative Instrument, the Minerals and Mining (Royalty) Regulations, 2025, was also submitted, introducing a sliding scale for lithium royalties ranging from 5 per cent to 12 per cent depending on the prevailing spodumene price.

The process is now in the hands of Parliaments Select Committee on Lands and Natural Resources. The report notes that Parliament reconvened on 3 February 2026, and a meeting was held for the committee to consider the Mining Lease on 12 February 2026. The recommendation from the select committee is now awaited, after which Parliament will have its final say. With all other regulatory approvals already secured, this ratification represents the final gateway to production.

While Ghana remains the immediate prize, the company has not been idle in the wider region. Exploration across its 100 per cent-owned Rubino and Agboville licences in Cote d'Ivoire has delivered "impressive" lithium-in-soil anomalies. At Rubino, the anomalous zone has been extended to cover approximately six kilometres by 2.5 kilometres, while Agboville has defined a pronounced linear anomaly stretching more than five kilometres in length. Phase 4 soil sampling programmes have been completed at both licences post-period end. To accelerate this work without diluting existing shareholders, the company has engaged a corporate specialist to source non-dilutive, project-level investment or partnerships for the Ivorian assets.

On the corporate front, the company secured a critical financial lifeline during the period, entering into binding financing agreements with Long State Investments Ltd. The deal provides access to up to 28 million over two years through a share placement agreement and a committed equity facility. As at 31 December 2025, the company had drawn down 4 million from the facility, leaving it with cash on hand of A$5.4 million. This funding is intended to bridge the gap to production, though the company notes that activities to secure full project funding will only be advanced after the ratification of the mining lease.

The financial results for the half-year reflect the development-stage nature of the business, with a loss after income tax of A$1.91 million, an improvement on the A$2.07 million loss recorded in the prior corresponding period. Exploration and evaluation assets were capitalised at A$40.27 million.

In a note attached to the financial statements, auditor BDO Audit Pty Ltd highlighted a material uncertainty related to going concern, noting that additional funds will be required. However, the directors expressed confidence in the binding finance agreements with Long State and their historical success in raising capital.

The company also disclosed an ongoing dispute with its joint venture partner, Elevra Lithium (formerly Piedmont Lithium and Sayona Mining), regarding project expenditure. Discussions are ongoing, with an established process for resolution outlined in the project agreement.

As the lithium market continues its robust recoverywith prices rising beyond US$2,000 per tonne in early 2026the stakes for Atlantic Lithium could not be higher. The next few weeks in Accra will determine whether it can finally cross the threshold from explorer to producer.
Featured

First Atlantic Bank delivers record profit, cleans up balance sheet in 2025

GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 17 - 2026 , 08:45

First Atlantic Bank PLC has closed the 2025 financial year with a historic set of results, more than doubling its profitability and cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing lenders in the Ghanaian banking sector.

The bank, which rebranded from First Atlantic Bank Limited, reported a profit after tax of GH482.87 million for the year ended 31 December 2025. This represents a dramatic leap of more than 43 per cent compared to the GH337.1 million posted in 2024, underscoring a period of aggressive expansion and operational efficiency.

According to the summary financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche, the group's total operating income surged to GH1.30 billion, up from GH1.09 billion in the prior year. This top-line growth was fuelled by a near doubling of net interest income, which jumped from GH576 million to GH962 million, as the bank capitalised on a higher-yield environment and expanded its earning asset base.

The bank's balance sheet has swollen considerably, with total assets crossing the GH19 billion mark for the first time, closing the year at GH19.19 billion compared to GH13.32 billion in 2024. This expansion was driven largely by a substantial increase in liquidity; cash and balances with banks more than doubled, rising from GH4.6 billion to an impressive GH8.1 billion.

Deposits, the lifeblood of any retail bank, also saw robust growth. Customer deposits climbed to GH16.64 billion, a significant increase from GH11.61 billion in the previous year, signalling strong customer confidence and effective deposit mobilisation strategies. Notably, the bank operated with zero deposits from other banks, suggesting a healthy and self-sufficient funding structure.

Despite the rapid asset growth, the bank managed to improve its asset quality metrics. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved markedly to 17.80 per cent, down from 19.14 per cent in 2024, indicating that the loan book is in better health even as it expands. Loans and advances to customers remained relatively stable at just under GH1.95 billion.

Capital adequacy also strengthened. The bank's Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) rose to 20.61 per cent, up from 16.98 per cent in the prior year, providing a substantial buffer above the regulatory minimum of 13 per cent. The liquidity ratio also firmed up to 143.02 per cent, underscoring the bank's strong capacity to meet short-term obligations.

However, the year was not without its regulatory challenges. The bank recorded one default in prudential requirements during the year, which attracted a sanction of GH2,000. This marks an improvement from 2024, when three defaults resulted in penalties totalling GH23,820. The bank recorded no defaults in statutory liquidity requirements.

Shareholders will be rewarded for the stellar performance. The bank declared a dividend of GH75 million for the year, a significant return to investors. Earnings per share also climbed to 137 Ghana pesewas, up from 101 pesewas in the prior year, reflecting the increased profitability attributable to owners of the parent company.

The bank also benefited from a capital injection during the year, raising an additional GH204.3 million in share capital, which bolstered the stated capital to GH726 million. Total shareholders' funds attributable to owners of the parent company closed the year at GH2.2 billion, up from GH1.59 billion.

In a sign of its growing community engagement, the bank significantly ramped up its corporate social responsibility spending, investing GH2.74 million in various initiatives during the year, a sharp increase from the GH815,000 spent in 2024.

The financial statements were approved by the Board on March 11, 2026, with Chairman Amarquaye Armar and Managing Director Odun Odunfa signing off on behalf of the directors. The audit was led by engagement partner Dorcas Sekum of Deloitte & Touche, who issued an unmodified opinion, confirming the bank's compliance with the Companies Act, the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, and the Bank of Ghana's Corporate Governance Directive.
From Kramomu and the Goa River to the judiciary's pinnacle: Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Goaso's distinguished son, comes home to his roots

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Featured

New phase of Ghana Police Service

Albert K. Salia Opinion Mar - 17 - 2026 , 07:57 3 minutes read

This commendation by the President attests to the growing confidence of the citizenry in the police service.

In recent times, personnel of the Ghana Police Service appear to have arisen from a deep slumber with massive arrests of criminals and interception of illicit drugs and arms and ammunition in various parts of the country.

If there is anything to go by, the protests by residents of Tamale against the withdrawal of a Black Maria squad sends a signal that the police are doing something right.

The speed and alacrity with which they arrest criminals after crimes have been committed, including nipping nefarious activities of criminals in the bud, strengthen the confidence of the citizenry that they are safe.

We have moved from the era of we know where the suspects and victims are to timely deliverables.

This has actually enhanced the public sense of security and trust in the police.

Crime front

In most of the crime busts, Mr Yohunos leadership in enhancing intelligence-led operations has been critical to the achievements.

This has led to the deployment of anti-robbery teams patrolling locations previously known for crimes and drastically reducing incidents of robbery.

On Monday, February 23, 2026, the Police announced the arrest of a notorious carjacking syndicate linked to multiple murders in the Ashanti and Western regions.

The group, known as the Duku Syndicate, is alleged to be responsible for the robbery of a Toyota Hilux pickup and the murder of its owner, Eric Amankwa, father-in-law of Goldbod CEO Sammy Gyamfi.

The syndicate also allegedly murdered the driver of the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers and made away with his Toyota Hilux pickup.

This is aside from the busting of a rural bank syndicate, the murder of mobile money vendors in Kumasi, Koforidua, Aflao, as well as the activities of the Wa and Bole serial killers.

Commitment

The IGPs commitment to improving internal security, in collaboration with other sister security agencies, has not been limited to fighting crime alone.

During the New Patriotic Party presidential primary on January 31, 2026, many feared for the worst in Bawku due to the conflict.

But the IGP put in the requisite measures in place and it came off peacefully. So were the Akwatia and Ayawaso East parliamentary by-elections.

It was only during the Ablekuma North re-run that nasty incidents took place, but the police swiftly dealt with them by arresting and prosecuting the suspects.

In order to meet targets set by the President, Mr Yohuno knows he cannot achieve them without the support of his dedicated team.

This has led to prioritisation of personnel welfare, timely release of administrative promotions, and acknowledging and rewarding performance through promotions.

Also, 50 personnel have secured academic scholarships this academic year.

MTTD

Commendable as these successes are, the IGP must look at the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the nagging problem of land guards.

Some personnel of the MTTD just mount road checks to collect money from drivers  trotro and DV plate users.

For instance, those at the ECOBANK office near the Frontline Pharmacy at Adabraka, and those at the Adabraka Official Town Presby Church, where some come from 6:00a.m. to 9:00a.m., and another batch takes over from 10:00a.m.

Developers in new sites are also tormented by land guards, some of whom come in the company of security personnel.

Mr IGP, you have earned your keep, and even those who opposed your two-year contract extension are now singing your praise.

Keep it up sir!
Surge in US petrol prices deepens political peril for Trump over Iran

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Featured

Iran hits key UAE oil port and Dubai airport

BBC International News Mar - 17 - 2026 , 11:13 3 minutes read

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) biggest port and oil storage facility, Fujairah, and Dubai's international airport have come under further drone attacks as Iran continues to target Gulf transport and oil infrastructure.

Flights were temporarily suspended on Monday after a fire broke out near the airport after a "drone-related incident".

A fire also raged after a drone attack on the strategically important port and industrial zone at Fujairah, one of the largest oil storage facilities in the region.

And a rocket attack on a car killed a Palestinian national on the outskirts of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, the city's Media Office reported.

The attack occurred in the Al Bahia area, it said.

UAE air defence systems intercepted six ballistic missiles and 21 drones on Monday, the Defence Ministry said. Iran has launched over 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE since the war between the US and Israel, and Iran, began.

Monday's drone strike was the third incident since the start of the war near Dubai's airport, which is the world's busiest for international passengers.

Some flights were delayed, while others were cancelled altogether, in another hit to the UAE's image of safety and stability.

The country's energy sector came under attack as a drone hit an oil storage tanker on Saturday, and another drone hit the oil facilities on Monday, causing a fire.

Oil loading activities at the port were halted for a time while damage assessments were carried out.

Smoke rises from an area near Dubai airport on Monday

Fujairah sits on the UAE's eastern coast, on the Gulf of Oman - rather than the Persian Gulf - and so vessels do not need to navigate the Strait of Hormuz to reach it.

The location means the port plays a "crucial" role in "helping keep global supplies moving" when the Strait of Hormuz is blocked by Iran, Dubai-based Justin Harper, editor of CEO Middle East - who regularly speaks to Dubai's oil industry executives - told the BBC.

"If tensions with Iran disrupt the chokepoint, the UAE can still export oil through Fujairah via pipelines from the oilfields in Abu Dhabi," he said.

The port city is "ideally placed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz", said Dubai-based oil analyst Matt Stanley, who works for commodities data provider Kpler.

"The UAE's state oil company Adnoc have their oil tankers there, it is crude grade oil which is what the Asian buyers want."

Iran hitting a storage tanker and oil facilities at Fujairah "shows the vulnerability of Gulf infrastructure", Stanley told the BBC.

"Iran wants to disrupt the flow of energy".

The port city is close to India and the "first stop out of the Middle East on the way to Singapore and China", Stanley said.

"Fujairah is on the old Silk Road, the maritime route, and it picked up a lot of business bunkering - that is providing fuel, food, water - for container ships that have been at sea for 25 or 30 days."

Fujairah is like a "huge vending machine" for ships, Stanley added.

Despite the attacks on Dubai, Harper says the business community there is "resilient". Restaurants have been offering deals to get people back into restaurants and "the malls still seem to be busy". People "underestimate Dubai and its ability to survive a downturn", he added.

Last week the UAE's Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh vowed in a BBC interview that her country would "bounce back" from the conflict, insisting that its economy was "resilient".
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Woman who wrote book on grief after husbands death found guilty of murdering him

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Featured

Nursery worker who raped children sentenced to 30 years

bbc.com International News Mar - 17 - 2026 , 07:18 3 minutes read

An "evil" nursery worker has been handed a 30-year sentence for sexually abusing children in what was described in court as "every parent's nightmare".

Nathan Bennett was convicted in February of multiple counts of sexual abuse, including two counts of rape, against five boys at Partou King Street Nursery in Bristol. The victims were two and three years old at the time.

The 30-year-old, of Corston near Bath, had previously admitted 13 other sexual offence charges relating to four of the boys.

Handing down sentence, His Honour Judge William Hart described Bennett as "evil" and an "incorrigible and dangerous paedophile".

The judge said Bennett had been "lurking, ready" to abuse children and "pollute their innocence" with his "own vile desires".

The judge explained Bennett would serve at least two-thirds of his 30-year sentence behind bars.

Bennett began working at the nursery in July 2024.

In February 2025, concerns were raised over his behaviour with the children, specifically a group of five who the prosecution said he would "favour".

He was suspended from the nursery after CCTV of him putting his hands down a boy's trousers was reviewed.

The nursery informed the council's Local Authority Designated Officer - who deals with allegations against adults working with children - and Avon and Somerset Police were alerted the following day.

After a six-month criminal investigation, he was charged. Ofsted closed the nursery in December 2025.

During the sentencing hearing, the court was read a number of statements from the victims' parents by prosecuting barrister Virginia Cornwall.

The mother of Child E, who described her son as a "hilarious, cheeky, happy little boy," said his trust had been "manipulated and ultimately destroyed".

"What will our son remember as he grows and as he understands the impact of the abuse? We will not truly know the impact of Nathan's actions for many years," she said.

The father of Child B said he felt "dead inside" after learning of what had happened to his son, while his mother said she had "screamed and cried".

They added that the trauma of the case had led to the loss of a job, and in "desperate need of therapy" they could not afford to pay for.

The parents of Child C, who described their son as a "sunny child", said Bennett had "seemed clumsy but very paternal", which was something they initially liked.

They explained that their child had become "obsessed" with Bennett as he was groomed, becoming "a different person".

"Since we found out that our son was involved, our emotions have changed," they added. "We were distraught at the start and now we are angry."

Det Insp Lucy Forde, from Avon and Somerset Police, said officers spent "hundreds of hours" watching CCTV footage from the nursery's 18 cameras to isolate Bennett's offending period and the children affected.

But, according to the force, the footage only spanned back a month before it was overwritten.

Forde described the footage as "absolutely sickening".

"It is him offending against children in the middle of the nursery in sight of other children.

"There is nothing that could prepare you for seeing that," she added.

A total of four victims were identified through CCTV, and a fifth came forward after confiding in their parents what had happened.

"My worry if there will be other victims that we haven't been able to identify, that are too young to understand what's happened to them," Forde said.

The force has now opened a public portal for parents with children that attended the nursery can log any concerns and speak to specially trained officers from its child protection team.
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Featured

First time Im hearing this  Agric Minister questions parallel poultry programme

Mohammed Ali Mar - 17 - 2026 , 13:23 3 minutes read

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has said he was unaware of a separate government poultry programme being implemented under another ministry and will engage his colleague to seek clarification and ensure alignment.

Mr Opoku indicated that the National Broiler Project, reportedly coordinated under the Office of the Minister of State in Charge of Special Initiatives, had not come to his attention.

Speaking on Citi FM on March 17, 2026, he said he had not seen any budgetary allocation for the project and would take steps to verify the details.

This is the first time I am hearing this, he said. I will call my colleague immediately and ask about the project, and then we see how we can reconcile.

Call for coordination

The Minister stressed the need to harmonise all government poultry initiatives to prevent duplication and ensure equitable distribution of benefits.

We have to coordinate so that this person who will benefit will not also benefit from another programme being executed somewhere, he said.

Probe into Nkoko Nkitinkiti complaints

Mr Opoku also confirmed that the Ministry has ordered investigations into reports that some beneficiaries of the Backyard Poultry Project, popularly known as Nkoko Nkitinkiti, received fewer than the stipulated 50 birds.

We have asked for investigations into it, he said, adding that every beneficiary is entitled to 50 birds and feed. Every beneficiary under that should be given 50. If somebody deliberately shares 10, no, no, no, that is out of place.

He explained that preliminary findings suggest the shortfalls in some constituencies may have resulted from beneficiaries sharing allocations among multiple household members, rather than misconduct by district officials.

He described such cases as isolated, noting that the programme has been implemented in nearly 10 regions with only a few reported complaints.

Programme structure

Under the scheme, each constituency receives 10,000 birds for distribution to 200 registered beneficiaries, with 50 birds allocated per household.

The Minister urged beneficiaries who received fewer than the approved number to report to district directors or programme coordinators, assuring that such concerns would be addressed promptly.

New poultry initiative

Mr Opoku further announced that the Ministry will roll out a Poultry Intensification Programme next month, targeting farmers with the capacity to manage larger-scale operations.

He said four million birds are being procured for the initiative, with allocations ranging from 5,000 to 80,000 birds depending on farmers capacity.

In addition, he said he had directed his team to invite leaders of the national poultry farmers association to a meeting next week to review last years distribution ahead of the next phase.

Mr Opoku said the various poultry initiatives form part of broader efforts to reduce Ghanas dependence on imported poultry products.
Public services to resume as CLOGSAG halts strike for two weeks

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Featured

2 Die in aircraft crash in Tema

Benjamin Xornam Glover Mar - 17 - 2026 , 12:10 3 minutes read

Two people died yesterday when a light aircraft crashed in the Port City, Tema.

The tragic accident occurred at the TMA Daycare Centre at Site 17, Community One, with the casualties on board the aircraft.

The deceased were partially burnt after the aircraft, with registration number 9G-ADV, crash-landed on the schools premises and burst into flames.

However, none of the learners was impacted by the incident.

Briefing the media, the Tema Regional Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Fire Service, Divisional Officer Grade II Ebenezer Yenzu, said the incident was reported around 12:59 p.m.

He said firefighters rushed to the scene and discovered that the aircraft had fallen near the preschools boundary wall, sparking a blaze.

Our teams, together with some residents who rushed to the scene, worked to douse the fire and secure the area to prevent further hazards, he said.

By the time we arrived, teachers and pupils had safely evacuated the school, and thankfully, no pupils or staff were harmed, he added.

DOII Yenzu added that the bodies of the two people on board were recovered and sent to the mortuary by the police for preservation and autopsy.

The site was then cordoned off to allow for a thorough investigation, while authorities awaited aviation experts to determine how the aircraft ended up crashing into the school premises.

The cause of the accident and the origin of the aircraft are still under investigation, Mr Yenzu said, adding that the Ghana National Fire Service would continue working with relevant agencies to unravel the circumstances behind the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Eyewitness

Meanwhile, some residents who rushed to the scene told the Daily Graphic that they saw the white aircraft hovering in the sky before it was suddenly seen coming down.

Sadik Abdulai, one of the first responders, said he and others quickly rushed to the site.

Investigators gathering information

Drawing water from a reservoir, he said they began dousing the flames before the fire service could arrive.

We acted swiftly to ensure the safety of those trapped inside the aircraft and to secure the pupils, some of whom were waiting in the compound, he said.

Our priority was to move the children away from the flames, he said, indicating that they carried the children to safety while trying to prevent the fire from spreading further."

GCAA statement

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, later in the day, issued a statement, confirming knowledge of the incident.

The statement, issued on the authoritys letterhead but without a specific officials signature, said the aircraft was flying from Ho to Accra, estimating Accra at 1520 Z.

The last contact with the aircraft on radio was 1418 Z.

There were two persons on board. Further details will be provided in due course, it added.
Ghana needs Breast Cancer Centre of Excellence  Surgeon

Beatrice Laryea Mar - 17 - 2026 , 09:57 4 minutes read

A Professor of Surgery at the University of Ghana Medical School, Prof. Joe-Nat Clegg Lamptey, has called for the establishment of a Breast Cancer Centre of Excellence in the country to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and patient support.

He said such a specialised centre would enable patients to receive comprehensive breast cancer services under one roof rather than moving across different facilities in the city for tests, consultations and treatment.

Speaking at his Inaugural Lecture at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAA) in Accra last Thursday, Prof. Lamptey said the facility would streamline care, improve patient outcomes and strengthen the countrys capacity to manage the growing burden of breast cancer.

Prof. Lamptey, who is also a Consultant Surgeon at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, said a dedicated centre would bring together specialists, laboratories, imaging services, counselling and treatment facilities to ensure faster and more coordinated care.

Event

The lecture was on the topic: The Breast  Blessing or Curse? Mitigating the Scourge of Breast Cancer in Ghana.

The well-attended lecture, interlaced with choral music, brought together participants from academia, the health sector, politics, business, traditional authorities, as well as family members and well-wishers of the speaker.

Notable among the attendees were the President of the GAAS, Emerita Prof. Isabella Akyinbab Quakyi and the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor.

Early detection, awareness

Prof. Lamptey stressed the urgent need for stronger awareness, early detection and effective treatment to mitigate the growing burden of breast cancer in Ghana.

He stressed that while the breast was fundamentally a blessing  playing vital roles in nutrition, immunity, bonding and social identity  breast cancer had become a major health challenge affecting many women.

He mentioned that breast cancer accounted for a significant proportion of cancers among women in Ghana, and warned that the incidence was expected to increase due to ageing populations, lifestyle changes associated with westernisation and reproductive factors such as delayed childbirth.

What I believe will help solve the problem is the establishment of a breast centre.

It should be a one-stop shop where patients can consult surgeons, psychologists and other relevant professionals.

They should also be able to undergo all the required tests there, including scans, mammograms and other diagnostic procedures.

The centre can also house a laboratory, training facilities and admission units to cater for all aspects of breast care.

I believe this is achievable, he stated.

Prof. Lamptey said breast cancer had profound biological, psychological, social and financial impacts, including emotional distress, stigma, strained relationships, and high treatment costs for families.

He also highlighted Ghanas relatively high mortality rates from breast cancer compared to developed countries, attributing this largely to late detection and ineffective treatment-seeking behaviours, including reliance on herbal remedies and delayed hospital visits.

Prof. Lamptey also highlighted research findings showing that many patients delayed seeking care due to stigma, financial constraints, misdiagnosis and reliance on alternative treatments.

And you will agree with me that with increasing access to education  and I am not suggesting that people should not go to school  many individuals strive to climb the social and corporate ladders, which often leads to the postponement of childbearing.

As a result, some of these risk factors are increasing in our society, he stressed.

The other thing we sought to find out in the study was what we termed speculative factors.

For instance, we know that many women prefer lighter skin tones and therefore use skin-lightening creams  essentially bleaching products.

We also examined the use of hair relaxers.

Although we did not find any connection between skin-lightening creams and breast cancer, the relationship between hair relaxers, particularly non-black hair relaxers, was, lets just say, not very reassuring, he said.

To address these challenges, he called for intensified public awareness campaigns, improved counselling and patient support systems, and stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers and advocacy groups.
Featured

Ghana returns to May-June WASSCE-SC --- 5 Years after COVID-19 disruption

Emmanuel Bonney Mar - 17 - 2026 , 07:35 3 minutes read

Ghana will join four other West African countries for the common May-June West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC) this year, five years after the country charted a lonely path in the pre-tertiary examination.

The Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, has confirmed to the Daily Graphic that Ghana is set to return to the May-June WASSCE-SC this year.

Yes, we are returning to the international exams, so we are writing May-June with the other West African countries, he emphasised.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced member countries of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to shift the WASSCE-SC from May-June to July 20 to September 5, 2020, and in 2021, the examination was administered from August 16 to October 8.

After 2021, all the other member countries of WAEC, namely Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, made efforts to streamline their academic calendars to return to the May-June calendar for the examination.

Ghana Only Version

However, after five years of writing the Ghana Only Version of the WASSCE-SC, candidates from the country will join the other WAEC members for the examination, which begins with the practical or project work next month.

The GES Director-General said preparations started last year for the country to align its WASSCE-SC calendar in order to participate in the examination with the other WAEC members.

Speaking to the paper on the sidelines of the 2025 WAEC Distinction Awards last Thursday, Prof. Davis indicated that schools across the country had been informed to prepare candidates for the examination.

He expressed the hope that Ghanaian candidates would be among the top three in the examination.

Preparations

That is our hope, that is our belief. We are encouraging our students to do their best to continue to keep Ghana in the limelight, he said.

With the return of Ghana to the international examination, the GES boss advised candidates to put in their best and not expect any external help since it would not be there anyway.

They should work hard; they can do it. So, we admonish them to study very hard and then do their best in the exams, and then success would definitely be theirs.

We are encouraging the teachers to support them to prepare very well to pass their exams and pass very well by themselves, Prof. Davis said.

The GES Director-General advised the candidates against all forms of examination malpractice and instead urged them to study so that their results would be reflective of their true academic capabilities.

He said this would help the authorities to know how well the educational system was faring.

Suspension

In March 2020, WAEC announced that it was suspending WASSCE-SC until further notice.

WAEC, in a memorandum dated March, 19, 2020, said the suspension was in compliance with the negative impact of the novel and deadly COVID-19 and protocols put in place by the government to prevent its spread.

At the time, WAEC had registered 357,737 candidates to sit the WASSCE in April.

According to WAEC, the negative impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent protocols implemented by the governments of member countries to prevent the spread of the disease had serious implications for the conduct of WASSCE-SC 2020, as agreed by the national offices.
Next article: Farmers protest over destruction of crops in Bumbula

Featured

MoFA audit: Tonnes of rice, maize missing - 2 Ghost companies paid GH24m

Kester Aburam Korankye Mar - 17 - 2026 , 12:04 5 minutes read

A special audit has peeled back the curtain on a web of financial malfeasance at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), exposing how thousands of tonnes of rice and maize have vanished, contracts were handed to unregistered "phantom" companies, and a transport firm was bizarrely paid with bags of rice instead of cash.

The sourcing, payments and distribution of grains were done in 2024 to mitigate the impact of an unusually longer than expected dry spell on vulnerable populations in some farming communities across the country.

Checks conducted by the Daily Graphic at the Registrar Generals Department (RGD) have revealed that two companies contracted by the MoFA to supply grains to it are not registered companies, to wit, they do not exist.

Danaasi Farms was contracted by MoFA to supply over 34,000 tonnes of rice, while Rans Company Ltd, which claims to be a transport and logistics company, was contracted to distribute grains nationwide to support people who had suffered the impact of the 2024 prolonged dry spell.

The special audit, conducted by the Ghana Audit Service in collaboration with the accounting firms EY and PwC, found that while only 24,000 tonnes of the rice were said to be distributed to eight regions, a staggering 10,000 tonnes could not be accounted for.

Again, Rans Company Ltd was paid over GH50 million for a job the Auditor-General determined should have cost GH30.9 million, a massive overpayment of GH19.1 million for transport and distribution.

Sources at the RGD confirmed that no business under those names had been registered under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), nor were they listed as sole proprietorships or partnerships.

This means both companies do not legally exist as entities capable of entering into binding contracts with the government.

The scandal, detailed in a report by the Auditor-General, was triggered by a standoff at a Tema warehouse.

Investigation

The investigation began on September 2, 2025, when officials from the Audit Service, acting on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, arrived at a warehouse, belonging to Sikakrobea Company Limited in Tema, to verify rice stocks but were denied entry.

The warehouse manager explained that MoFA had no contract with them, the audit report said.

The manager said a company named Danaasi Farms had stored the rice, but had abandoned it four months ago, failing to pay rent and ceasing all communication.

Sikakrobea management stated they would only grant access to Danaasi, not to MoFA or the auditors.

In a bizarre twist, after locking out the auditors on September 2, MoFA officials returned to the warehouse on September 9.

This time, the doors were opened, but only for the ministry to retrieve 7,000 bags of rice for the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

Sikakrobea management reiterated that it did not recognise MoFAs authority to grant access and would only deal with Danaasi Farms.

When investigators eventually gained access to documents, the situation became dire.

The audit report stated that there was a complete breakdown of internal controls.

There were no Store Receipt Advices (SRAs) to confirm what was actually received, and no delivery notes to verify what was transported, it said.

The chief procurement officer could not explain the fate of the missing 10,000 tonnes, the special audit report added.

Paid with rice

In one of the most startling revelations, the audit team uncovered that Rans Company Ltd, a transport firm, was not paid in Ghana Cedis for its services.

Instead, it was given 7,311 tonnes of rice.

The chief procurement officer admitted there was an instruction to issue the rice to the company, but the officer could not produce any authorising memo.

The auditors determined that that quantity of rice, valued at over GH11.6 million at market price, was used to settle a debt of GH6.28 million for haulage services, effectively granting the company a 41 per cent discount at the taxpayers expense.

The Auditor-General is now demanding that the officers involved be surcharged with the market price of the rice.

Maize

MoFA submitted stores receipt advice as evidence of delivery of the 100,000 tonnes of maize worth GH771.2 million to Ministry of Finance for payment, but only 11,900 tonnes was supplied and distributed.

Interestingly, the audit pointed out that the stores receipt advice was supported by a checklist that was certified by the internal auditor of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The female MoFA officer admitted to the auditors that she had not visited the maize warehouse since February last year and could not even identify its location.

The Auditor-Generals team was consequently unable to verify the existence of any of the maize stocks.

Background

The country experienced a dry spell in 2024, primarily driven by climate change, causing devastating impacts on agricultural production, particularly in the northern parts of the country.

The prolonged lack of rainfall, especially between July and August 2024, resulted in widespread crop failure and significant losses to smallholder farmers.

Key impacts

According to MoFA, over 460,784 hectares of farmland were affected, with major crops such as maize, rice, groundnut, soybean, sorghum, millet, and yam severely damaged.

The ministry estimated the impact to be severe in eight regions, namely Northern, Upper East, North East, Savannah, Upper West, Bono, Bono East and Oti.

The government said approximately 435,872 farmers were said to be directly affected, with massive investment losses estimated at around GH3.5 billion.

The dry spell triggered fears of severe food shortages, leading to a dramatic surge in food prices, particularly in cities including Tamale.

In response to the crisis, the government announced a GH8 billion ($500 million) support plan to mitigate the damage, including incentives of GH1,000 per hectare for affected farmers.

The United States also provided $3 million in aid to support affected smallholder farmers.
Next article: Injured El-Wak victims, families of deceased included in Armed Forces recruitment

Featured

Verify before you travel abroad - Justice Kulendi cautions against costly migration mistake

Samuel Ohene Ewur Mar - 17 - 2026 , 12:57 3 minutes read

A Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, has urged Ghanaians to seek lawful pathways and be guided by credible information when travelling abroad to pursue opportunities.

He said the lack of proper understanding of legal processes had led to visa denials, financial loss or even deportation for many Ghanaians.

That, he stressed, made accurate guidance essential for prospective migrants.

Too many people rely on rumours and hearsay when making decisions about travelling abroad and that often leads to costly mistakes. Prospective migrants must seek credible information and proper guidance if they want to pursue opportunities lawfully and successfully, Justice Kulendi said.

He gave the admonishment when he launched a book titled The Immigration Formulae: Rules, Packaging and Strategy, in Accra last Friday.

The event drew legal professionals, members of the publishing industry and members of the public interested in lawful migration pathways to other countries.

Book

The book was written by a Lawyer and Board Member of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Wonder Victor Kutor.

It seeks to guide prospective migrants through lawful immigration processes, particularly to the United States. It also provides practical guidance on immigration rules, documentation requirements and the strategic presentation of visa applications.

The publication explores immigration rules, visa categories, and documentation requirements, while providing strategies that applicants can use when presenting their cases before consulates.

It also includes real-life exhibits that illustrate immigration documentation and processes to help readers understand how lawful migration procedures worked in practice.

Justice Kulendi, who also chaired the event, described the publication as an important contribution to contemporary discussions about migration and global mobility.

He said the book had addressed a major knowledge gap affecting many people seeking opportunities abroad.

This book truly promises to be an invaluable resource in the aspect of todays reality that affects millions of individuals, communities and families across the world, he said.

Justice Kulendi commended the author for producing a resource that offered practical guidance to individuals who wished to migrate lawfully and responsibly.

Purpose

Mr Kutor said the book was intended to help prospective migrants understand immigration procedures and avoid common mistakes when applying for visas.

He emphasised that many prospective migrants focused on visa acquisition without understanding the broader legal process involved in entering another country.

The idea is to bridge the information gap that many prospective migrants face when planning to travel, study or work abroad," he said.

He also cautioned applicants against providing false information during immigration processes, stressing that misrepresentation could lead to long-term bans from entering certain countries.

Mr Kutor expressed appreciation to individuals and institutions that had supported the publication and encouraged prospective migrants to rely on lawful and informed pathways when seeking opportunities abroad.
World Bank commends Ghanas economic turnaround

Daily Graphic Mar - 17 - 2026 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank, Paschal Donohoe, has praised the remarkable progress Ghana has made in stabilising its economy at a meeting with Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in Accra.

He commended the governments stewardship of the economy, saying it is a remarkable improvement in Ghanas national finances.

Policy focus

Mr Donohoe also expressed appreciation to the government for its strong policy focus on young people and job creation.

I can see and appreciate your focus on youth development, he said, adding that the World Bank strongly supported Ghanas emphasis on employment as the next phase of economic transformation.

Mr Donohoe further described Ghana as an anchor of stability for the region, expressing confidence in the countrys economic leadership.

The economy is in very safe hands, Mr Donohoe added, with an assurance that the World Bank is ever ready to support Ghana as it continues with its reforms and development agenda.

Reset agenda

For his part, Dr Forson said that in the past year, the country focused on resetting the economy and placing it firmly on a path of sustainability.

He said that while significant progress had been made, unemployment remained a major challenge, particularly given Africas rapidly growing youthful population.

The minister further said that the government was putting in place major policies and programmes aimed at creating sustainable jobs, recognising that public sector employment alone could not absorb the continents expanding youth population.
See the areas that will be affected by ECG's planned maintenance on Wednesday, March 18, 2026

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Featured

President Mahama launches Resetting Ghana Tour with nationwide engagements

Mohammed Ali Mar - 17 - 2026 , 15:50 1 minute read

President John Mahama will, from tomorrow, embark on a nationwide tour as part of a series of engagements with stakeholders and the general public.

The weeks activities include a meeting with organised labour and the launch of a new agricultural project.

The Minister of Government Communications, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed the schedule in a social media post on March 17, 2026.

According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, the President will later today meet organised labour, following an earlier engagement with the business community last month.

He added that a meeting with Civil Society Organisations is also planned, although no date has yet been announced.

Described as the Resetting Ghana Tour, the tour will take the President to various parts of the country, where he will interact with citizens, inspect ongoing government projects and engage with the media.

As part of the weeks engagements, President Mahama is scheduled to travel to the Afram Plains on March 21, 2026, to cut the sod for the first Farmer Services Centre.

The project forms part of a plan to establish 70 such centres across the country within the year.
Featured

SIM fraud crackdown: Government to block Ghana Cards linked to MoMo crime

Mohammed Ali Mar - 17 - 2026 , 17:00 4 minutes read

The government has announced stricter penalties under a new SIM registration regime, including the blocking of Ghana Cards linked to repeated mobile money fraud and the disabling of stolen mobile phones across all networks.

The measures were outlined at a stakeholder engagement on the upcoming SIM registration held in Accra on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations.

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, said any subscriber whose Ghana Card is used more than once for fraudulent SIM registration linked to mobile money fraud would be barred from accessing telecommunications services.

If the same Ghana Card is found to be involved in more than one fraudulent registration of a number used in mobile money fraud, that Ghana Card will be blocked and barred from being able to register a SIM in the country, he said. Which means that you can no longer get telecom services.

He explained that the sanctions would have far-reaching consequences, as the Ghana Card is required for most public services.

Today, almost every government service requires your Ghana Card. So the cost to mobile money fraudsters is being raised to a level that will make it prohibitive, he said.

He urged the public to safeguard their personal data and refrain from registering SIM cards on behalf of others.

I beseech all consumers, protect your personal identity. Dont register SIMs for someone else, he said.

System to block stolen phones

The Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, announced the introduction of a Central Equipment Identity Register to combat mobile phone theft.

Under the system, mobile devices will be assigned a status. Devices cleared for use will carry a green status, those with issues will be marked yellow and given time for resolution, while blocked devices will carry a red status and will be unable to connect to any network.

The objective is to have a system that allows stolen or illegal mobile phones to be blocked from all networks, Rev. Fianko said. There will be no incentive to take somebodys phone.

He said the system would integrate the equipment registers of all mobile network operators into a single national database, preventing stolen devices from being used across different networks.

Primary number verification

Mr George also announced the introduction of a primary number system to curb SIM registration abuses.

Under the arrangement, a subscribers primary number will be used to approve any additional SIM registration linked to the same Ghana Card through a one-time password.

Once you have confirmed, you cant deny the registration, he said. So dont do it for somebody else.

Rev. Fianko added that the system would apply to Ghanaians both at home and abroad, provided they are able to verify their identity.

Procurement and funding

On procurement, Mr George dismissed claims that a contract had already been awarded to a private company, stressing that the process remains before the Public Procurement Authority and no service provider has been selected.

How did I award a contract to a company? he said. If anyone can show one page of a contract, I will resign as minister.

He added that no public funds would be used to pay the technical provider, explaining that the cost of SIM registration, including biometric verification with the National Identification Authority, would be borne by mobile network operators.

The NCA will not pay a pesewa to the technical provider. It will be part of arrangements between the regulator and the operators, he said.

Expanding access to Ghana Card

The Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority, Mr Wisdom Kwaku Deku, said registration teams would work alongside mobile network operators to improve access.

He noted that individuals without Ghana Cards would be able to register and obtain one at the same location, particularly in rural communities.

Mr Deku said the Authority now operates 294 district offices nationwide, compared with seven during the previous exercise, and that about 90 per cent of Ghanaians now possess Ghana Cards.

He added that additional registration points would include Ghana Post offices and Community Information Centres under the One Million Coders programme.

Legal framework pending

Mr George said the new Legislative Instrument governing the exercise has not yet been laid before Parliament and that the registration would only commence after completing the required 21-day process.

For me, anything that doesnt have a legal framework is illegal. We are not starting until the legal framework is in place, he said.

He expressed confidence that the exercise would begin this year (2026).

Under the new regime, Ghanaians will be required to register SIM cards using the Ghana Card, while foreign residents must present a non-citizen Ghana Card. Tourists will be issued SIM cards valid for 90 days.

Rev. Fianko urged the media to support public education on the new system.

You are the means for us to reach the masses. Please communicate clearly and sensitise the public, he said.
Featured

Tema: Wrecked aircraft had no black box - Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau

Benjamin Xornam Glover Mar - 17 - 2026 , 11:45 2 minutes read

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has confirmed that the light aircraft, which crashed in Tema on Monday, March 16, 2026, was not equipped with a flight data recorder, commonly known as a black box.

Despite the absence of the device, the Bureau says it has gathered sufficient evidence to support ongoing investigations into the fatal incident.

The Commissioner of the AAIB, Mr John M. K. Wumborti, who led a team of investigators to the crash site on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, said full-scale investigations had officially commenced following the retrieval of the wreckage.

The aircraft crashed at the TMA Daycare Centre at Community One, Site 17, claiming two lives after going down within the schools premises.

Wreckage retrieved

Speaking to journalists, Mr Wumborti explained that investigators returned to the scene in the morning to collect debris critical to the probe.

This morning, we came back to collect the wreckage, which we have done successfully. The Ghana Air Force supported us with a truck to convey the debris, which will be used for further analysis, he stated.

Witness accounts gathered

He added that the investigation team had also obtained accounts from eyewitnesses to aid the probe.

We have conducted interviews with all available witnesses and taken their accounts. These, together with the physical evidence collected, will form part of the investigation, he said.

Agencies commended

Mr Wumborti commended the swift response and coordination among various security agencies, including the military, police, fire service and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

The response time was excellent. We are very pleased with the level of collaboration among all the security services. This is how we move Ghana forward, he noted.

Victims yet to be identified

On the identities of the deceased, Mr Wumborti said the Bureau would follow established protocols before making any official disclosures.

We have clear procedures for handling such matters. At the appropriate time, we will inform the public about the victims and their families, he assured.
Novartis to buy experimental breast cancer drug in up to $3 billion deal

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Featured

Will Scotland be the first to legalise assisted dying?

BBC Health Mar - 17 - 2026 , 10:52 8 minutes read

For more than a year, Scottish politicians have been grappling with matters of life and death as they debated one of the most contested bills in the history of devolution.

Tuesday's final Scottish Parliament vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is seen as too close to call.

But, if it passes, Scotland could become the first nation in the UK to legalise assisted dying.

The legislation was introduced by backbench Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur who said it would provide choice, compassion and dignity.

Critics of the bill have called it dangerous and say MSPs should focus instead on improving end-of-life care.

What does the assisted dying bill do?

An assisted dying bill in England and Wales cleared the House of Commons last June but it is likely to run out of parliamentary time after stalling in the Lords when peers tabled hundreds of amendments.

In Edinburgh too the proposed law has been heavily amended, with MSPs debating and voting on 175 amendments last week alone.

McArthur said the result was a "bulletproof" bill which amounted to "the toughest and most comprehensively-safeguarded" such legislation in the world.

If enacted, the bill would allow a terminally-ill, mentally-competent adult, who has been resident in Scotland for at least 12 months, to request the provision of an approved substance to end their life.

They would need the approval of two doctors and, while the lethal substance would be provided by a medical professional, it would have to be self-administered by the patient.

In the closing days of debate, a life-expectancy timeframe was added to the bill, meaning only those who could "reasonably be expected to die within six months" would be eligible.

This is the third such bill which the Scottish Parliament has debated in the past 16 years.

In 2010, MSPs rejected the End of Life Assistance Bill, tabled by independent MSP Margo MacDonald by 85 votes to 16.

When the independent MSP, who had Parkinson's disease, died in 2014, her second attempt at legislation, the Assisted Suicide Bill was taken up by Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens.

It was rejected in 2015 by 82 votes to 36.

This third bill is again being considered as a matter of conscience  not whipped on party lines.

Although the Scottish government is officially neutral on the bill, First Minister John Swinney of the Scottish National Party is personally opposed, as is Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, and Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar.

Hours of detailed, and sometimes emotional, debate can be divided into three strands: the moral, the practical and the constitutional.

The moral argument relates to whether or not individual adults should have autonomy to decide on the timing and manner of their own death.

Opposition to that idea is rooted in the Christian religious tradition, and in philosophy as far back as Plato, and has been expressed forcefully by 21st Century church leaders.

"True compassion does not mean helping someone to die, but committing ourselves to care for them in life," write a coalition of senior clergy from denominations including the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church and the Free Church of Scotland in an open letter to MSPs.

The opposite argument is advanced by the Humanist Society Scotland along with two other campaigning groups, Dignity in Dying Scotland, and Friends at the End.

Their position also has a long philosophical tradition.

The Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, David Hume, for example, argued that suicide did not transgress a person's duty "to God, our neighbour, or ourselves".

The practical argument

Much of the parliamentary debate has focused on the practical rather than the moral argument.

Its supporters insist the legislative process has been rigorous and the bill contains enough safeguards.

In May 2025, MSPs approved the general principles of the legislation by 70 votes to 56 although some said they wanted to see how it eventually shaped up before forming a final view.

Russell Findlay of the Scottish Conservatives is one of those who moved from support to opposition.

He said he had become concerned about the potential for a dying person to be coerced by "unscrupulous relatives, or 'trusted' medical or legal professionals" into ending their life prematurely.

Even without experiencing obvious pressure, he added, some elderly people might feel they had become a "burden" on loved ones.

That distinction between overt and internalised coercion was also referenced by two disabled MSPs  Pam Duncan-Glancy and Jeremy Balfour, both of whom sit as independents and oppose the bill.

"The extent of internalised coercion - the risk that we would choose to die, and that the state will help - is real with this bill," said Duncan-Glancy.

"It is about the systemic coercion that makes us consider, for just a moment, that we would be better off dead," she added.

Balfour said: "As a disabled person, I know very well the risks not just of coercion, but of how society views disabled people, and how we can feel like a burden."

Other MSPs, including Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens, invoked deeply personal experiences in supporting the bill.

Slater told BBC News about her father Andrew's "beautiful" assisted death in Canada, aged 84, after suffering several strokes and other health issues.

"He was very clear in his mind that he did not want to continue to suffer", she said.

"As the needle went into his arm he turned to my mum, who was in the bed with him cuddling him, and said 'that's the last pain I'm ever going to feel.' And that was a nice moment."

Other supporters of the bill, including the Scottish Conservatives' health spokesperson, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, insist it now contains multiple safeguards.

"As a GP and MSP, I believe that the assisted dying bill offers a safe, compassionate choice for those whose pain cannot be relieved," he said.

When the bill was considered by a committee of MSPs at stage two, 74 of 298 amendments passed.

These included raising the age for eligibility for an assisted death from 16 to 18 and clarifying that a disability or mental health condition alone would not constitute terminal illness.

Further measures were added as the bill went through its third and final stage of parliamentary scrutiny last week.

As well as the six-month prognosis clause, these included requirements for doctors to ensure the patient was acting voluntarily and to find out if they were receiving social or mental health care.

A duty to discuss palliative care, hospice care, and alternative treatment options was also introduced, reigniting a debate about the quality of end-of-life care.

Liam McArthur has repeatedly insisted that "it is not an either/or choice" between assisted dying and palliative care.

"We need both," he said, arguing that "investment in improving the quality of and access to palliative and hospice care, as well as good social care, is imperative."

Another practical argument against the bill has been concerns about a "slippery slope", with campaigners pointing to Belgium and Canada where assisted deaths have risen as eligibility criteria have expanded.

McArthur counters that the Scottish bill does not follow those "permissive and expansive models" but is instead modelled on stable, tightly-drawn laws in Australia and the US state of Oregon.

The constitutional argument

There is another potential stumbling block for the bill.

The Scottish Parliament's powers are limited and do not extend to the regulation of "medicines, medical supplies, and poisons" or of health professionals.

As the bill needs both, it will require Westminster cooperation to become law.

The UK government says it is neutral on the matter and has agreed to ensure the Scottish government has the relevant powers over "substances or devices".

The regulation of medical professionals is trickier.

The draft bill included legal protections for medical staff who do not wish to participate in the process of assisted dying, meaning conscientious objectors can opt out without suffering any detriment.

The UK and Scottish governments have discussed dealing with this problem by means of a transfer of powers known as a section 104 order.

This would require the bill to be stripped of the problematic provisions before it was passed, with MSPs trusting that Westminster would then reinsert them into the act.

Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander signalled that the UK government would be prepared to do so.

But in February, a group of seven medical organisations said this would mean "inadequate scrutiny."

Such matters, they said, "should not be left to a later process in which detailed debate, amendment, and accountability are significantly constrained".

McArthur said that problem had now been solved by passing amendments to the bill which would prevent it being implemented until protections were re-inserted.

That was welcomed by the British Medical Association but the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland said it was not enough.

Both colleges now say they are opposed to the bill in its current form because MSPs will not be able to clarify and scrutinise the exact wording of the protections.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland said the development had "drastically weakened essential safeguards" and the bill "now poses unacceptable risks to the general public and the psychiatric workforce."

The upshot is that after months of careful consideration this bill might fall not because a majority of MSPs oppose it in principle but because the Scottish Parliament could not enact it in a satisfactory manner under the current framework of devolution.
Featured

Minority Caucus engages IMF delegation on Ghanas economic outlook

Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Mar - 17 - 2026 , 11:51 2 minutes read

The Minority Caucus in Parliament last Monday held talks with officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss recent economic developments and policy direction in Ghana.

The meeting, held at the request of the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, provided an opportunity for the caucus to engage the Fund and share its perspectives on the countrys economic situation.

The IMF delegation was led by its Resident Representative, Adrian Alter, and included the Coordinator of AFRITAC West 2, Razafimahefa Ivohasina Fizara, and an Economist at the IMF Country Office, Osa Ahinakwah.

Caucus delegation

A statement issued on Monday and signed by Mr Afenyo-Markin listed members of the Minority Caucus who attended the meeting.

They included the Second Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib; the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam; and the Ranking Member on Economy and Development, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

Others were the Chairman on Budget, Kweku Agyeman Kwarteng; the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Abena Osei-Asare; and the Deputy Ranking Member on Energy, Collins Adomako-Mensah. The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko, also represented the party.

Constructive engagement

Mr Afenyo-Markin described the discussions with the IMF delegation as productive, noting that both sides benefited from the exchange.

Both sides described the discussions as constructive and beneficial, emphasising the importance of continued engagement between Ghanaian policymakers and international financial partners in addressing the countrys economic challenges, he said.

The meeting forms part of ongoing stakeholder engagements aimed at strengthening collaboration between Ghanaian authorities and international financial institutions in addressing the countrys economic challenges.
A trio of upcoming Samsung phones appeared on the GSMA database. The Galaxy S26 FE (SM-S741B/DS), Galaxy M47 5G (SM-M476B/DS) and Galaxy F70 Pro 5G (SM-E476B/DS) were spotted in certification listings confirming their existence.



Galaxy S26 FE (SM-S741B/DS) GSMA listing

The S26 Fan Edition could very well be the most anticipated device out of the bunch since it will be the fourth member of the flagship S26 series. Apart from its model number and naming, the listing does not include any specs or images of the device. Samsung launched its last two Galaxy S-series FE phones in September, so we could very well expect the S26 FE to debut in the same timeframe.



Galaxy M47 5G (SM-M476B/DS) GSMA listing

Galaxy M47 is arguably even more intriguing, since the last time we saw a Galaxy M4x-series phone was back in 2023 with the South Korea-exclusive Galaxy M44. That device had a rather interesting choice in the chipset department, opting for the then three-year-old Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. It would be interesting to see if the M47 will make its way to more markets.



Galaxy F70 Pro 5G (SM-E476B/DS) GSMA listing

As for the Galaxy F70 Pro, we can expect this to be yet another semi-exclusive release for markets in China, India and Bangladesh. The Pro moniker would be a first for the F-series, so it remains to be seen what specific upgrades would merit this naming.

Via
Arguments will proceed this July in the appeal of a $1.7 million fine and notice of violation issued over upscale cliffside development The Palisades following a landslide that blocked Marine Corps Drive last October, despite previous talk about a possible settlement in the case.

Attorneys for the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and Palisades construction manager and developer made their first appearance in the appeal Tuesday, at the Office of the Attorney General in Hagatna.

Hearing officer Assistant Attorney General Staci Anderson told parties that five or possibly six days will be blocked off for the appeal, where parties can make arguments and submit evidence.

Palisades developer Tasi Vista Development and construction manager Tutujan Hill Group are appealing the fine and notice of violation that Guam EPA issued over the landslide, with attorneys arguing the event was caused by circumstances beyond its control.

Notices of violations from Guam EPA and the Department of Public Works point to inadequate soil and erosion controls at Palisades, which sits above the portion of the East Hagatna cliff face that collapsed last year.

Guam EPA staff at a January board meeting indicated that a reduction in the $1.7 million fine could be worked out, in exchange for more work to prevent future landslides and erosion near the Palisades site.

But on Tuesday, attorneys were tight-lipped about that possibility.

Asked about a possible settlement Tuesday, Guam EPA counsel Kristan Finney told the Pacific Daily News there was nothing I can say about that at this time.

Finney said Guam EPA will continue to communicate with the Palisades.

Attorney Michael Pangelinan, for the Palisades, told the PDN he couldnt disclose any settlement talks.

Pangelinan said parties were still communicating and his client was still open to it.

In the meantime, Anderson from the AGs office told parties to send their availability for a July hearing in the case by March 31.

She also asked them for briefs by that date which partyGuam EPA or the Palisades developer and contractorwill bear the burden of proof in the appeal.

A schedule for discovery in the case will be set out afterwards, and parties will have a chance to file any motions or witness lists.

Anderson said accommodations will be made for the parties to present video or photographic evidence.

Based on discussion, the Guam EPA board will also sit in as a fact-finding panel during the hearing. Anderson asked for a list of board members who will be present, no later than the boards April meeting.

Guam EPA has argued that inadequate stormwater controls and filled in ponding basins at the development, coupled with heavy rain prior to Oct. 15, caused last years landslide.

Attorneys for the developer and contractor have argued that, among other things, a failure of the old stormwater system caused the incident. They have alleged the drainage system was damaged by Guam Power Authority work crews removing a power pole in the weeks prior to the incident.

The developer and construction manager have produced an opinion from engineering firm Duenas, Camacho and Associates, in support of their arguments.

The Tiyan drainage system lets out at a large culvert directly into the Hagatna Bay, right across the street from where the East Hagatna cliff face collapsed last year.

DPW had to fix the system back in 2015, when portions of the drain running under Marine Corps Drive failed, causing damage to roadways and stalling traffic, Pacific Daily News files show.
For those who have spent most of their lives on Guam, memories of the islands earlier retail stores bring back a sense of how much the local shopping landscape has changed over the decades.

From small department stores to large shopping centers, Guams retail industry has continually adapted to the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Early years: 1960s

In the 1960s, one of the notable retail establishments was Town House Department Store. Located in the capital village of Hagatna, the store served as a popular shopping destination during its time.

Today, the site is a vacant lot next to Venue, but longtime residents still remember when it was a bustling retail hub.

Growth, expansion: 1970s

The 1970s marked a period of expansion for retail on Guam. Several well-known stores opened during this decade, including:

Tumon Sands Plaza, which continues to operate today while undergoing repositioning.

Marks Department Store, whose former site is now home to the District Court of Guam.

Ben Franklin Store, now occupied by a law firm.

Gibsons Department Store, which later became the site of Guam Premier Outlets.

The first Guam location of DFS Group in Tamuning, where a vacant lot now sits across from Bank Pacific.

Hakubotan Duty Free Store, whose original location along Marine Drive is now an office building.

Major shopping centers: 1980s

Retail continued to grow in the 1980s with the opening of Micronesia Mall, which remains one of the islands largest shopping centers.

Around the same time, Sterling Department Store openedits location eventually becoming Macys.

Retail diversification: 1990s

The 1990s brought a mix of new retailers and expanded shopping destinations:

Liberty House, which later became Macys.

Chanel Boutique opened at Tumon Sands Plaza (closed in 2014)

Hakubotan Duty Free, whose building now stands empty across from the Tamuning Post Office.

LVMH Global Store opened in Tumon Bay next to Tumon Sands Plaza (closed in 2024 due to COVID)

Guam Premier Outlets, which remains active today under new ownership.

Kmart, which continues to operate.

The second Guam location of DFS Group in Tamuning, which later transitioned into medical offices and retail shops near the former Greyhound Park Guam.

Japan Foods, whose location is now occupied by Fuji Ichiban.

New retail entrants: 2000s

The 2000s saw additional retail expansion, including the third Guam location of DFS Group in Tumon Bay. This store is scheduled to close on March 31, 2026.

Other developments during this decade included:

Ross Dress for Less opening its first Guam location, now situated at Guam Premier Outlets.

Shoe Mart Department Store, which later relocated to Agana Shopping Center.

Macys continuing operations in the former Liberty House location.

Forever 21 Store opened in Tamuning at GPO (closed in 2019, currently vacant building)

Continued expansion: 2010s

Retail growth continued with additional locations for Ross Dress for Less:

A second location on Guam at Micronesia Mall.

A third location on the island, at Agana Shopping Center.

Latest developments: 2020s

Most recently, the opening of Village of Donki introduced another major Japanese retail presence to the island, reflecting Guams continued appeal to international brands and visitors.

Looking ahead

As Guam moves further into the 21st century, the islands retail industry will continue to adjust, change, and evolve based on the spending habits and preferences of both residents and tourists.

One of the most significant shifts affecting retailers today is the rise of smartphones and online shopping.

Consumers increasingly turn to digital marketplaces that offer convenience, competitive prices, free shipping, and easy returnsforcing local retailers to rethink how they operate and compete.

At the same time, Guams tourism industry is gradually recovering, particularly with visitors returning from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. As these markets continue to rebound, they will help support the islands retail sector and overall economic growth.

Island retailers will need to remain flexible and innovative to stay competitive. With the right strategies and leadership, Guams retail industry can continue to adapt and thrive.

As the island prepares for new leadership with a future governor, lieutenant governor, and senators, there is hope that they will guide Guam with a clear vision, strong commitment, and accountability.

With thoughtful leadership and community support, Guams economy has the potential to grow stronger in the years ahead.
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Editors note: This version corrects that is an expansion of the operating room and intensive care unit.

A list of dignitaries and officials joined a crowd of some 100 community members and Northern Montana Health Care staff and administrators for a groundbreaking that speakers said would expand and improve the care at Northern Montana Hospital for decades to come.

Work starts Tuesday on expanding the operating room and intensive care unit facilities at Northern, with some 31,000 square feet of new construction and 18,000 square feet of remodeling that will provide nearly 50,000 square feet of space to house state-of-the art equipment.

"It is one of hour highest honors to be able to care for the Hi-Line, and this expansion project is our commitment and dedication to our community and to our staff to provide state-of-the-art medicine to the HI-Line for many years to come," Northern Montana Health Care CEO Dr. Kevin Harada said before the groundbreaking. "We will grow and adapt to the challenges that are coming for rural health care. This building project is only the beginning of what Northern Montana Health Care will be."

Harada asked community members to be patient and forgiving with the noise, detours and mess the construction project will create, saying the rewards will be more than worth it.

Northern Montana Health Care Board Chair Rick Stevens agreed.

"These are truly exciting times for Northern, Montana Hospital, Northern Montana Health Care," Stevens said. "... The completion of this project will allow Northern Montana Hospital to continue to provide state-of-the-art health care for those who need high-quality medical assistance. That is our sole reason for being here, and we're excited about the future."

The project, building the new facility and then remodeling the existing space so no break will occur in service, is expected to be completed in two-and-a-half years.

Watch for more here and in next week's edition.
(HedgeCo.Net) The global exchange-traded fund industry is undergoing a transformation that could redefine the structure of modern asset management.

A new Global ETF Investor Survey conducted by Brown Brothers Harriman suggests that active ETFs could reach $10 trillion in assets by 2033, representing one of the fastest-growing segments in the investment industry.

The survey highlights a powerful structural shift: investors are increasingly seeking the flexibility of active management combined with the efficiency and transparency of the ETF structure.

The Rise of Active ETFs

For decades, ETFs were primarily associated with passive index investing, offering low-cost exposure to benchmarks such as the S&P 500.

However, advances in ETF technologycombined with evolving regulatory frameworkshave enabled asset managers to launch actively managed strategies within the ETF format.

This shift has accelerated dramatically over the past five years.

Today, hundreds of active ETFs offer exposure to strategies including:

equity selection

fixed-income management

alternative investments

thematic strategies

The result is a rapidly expanding market where investors can access sophisticated strategies in a tax-efficient, liquid wrapper.

Investor Demand Accelerates

The BBH survey revealed several striking insights into investor behavior.

Among U.S. investors surveyed:

54% expressed interest in owning Private Equity ETFs

A majority indicated they prefer ETFs to mutual funds

Advisors increasingly view ETFs as the default investment vehicle

This shift reflects broader dissatisfaction with traditional mutual fund structures, which often include higher fees, less transparency, and slower trading mechanics.

ETFs, by contrast, provide intraday liquidity, lower costs, and operational simplicity.

Retailization of Private Markets

Perhaps the most significant finding from the survey is growing investor interest in private market exposure through ETFs.

For decades, private equity was largely inaccessible to individual investors due to high minimum investment thresholds and complex subscription processes.

However, asset managers are increasingly developing semi-liquid structures, interval funds, and ETF-based vehicles designed to bring private market exposure to a broader audience.

If regulators ultimately approve fully developed private equity ETFs, it could unlock trillions of dollars in new capital flows.

Industry Competition

The race to dominate the active ETF market has triggered intense competition among asset managers.

Major players now launching active ETFs include:

BlackRock

Fidelity

JPMorgan

Capital Group

Dimensional Fund Advisors

Even hedge fund firms are exploring ETF launches, recognizing that distribution scale increasingly determines success in modern asset management.

Implications for Asset Management

If projections prove accurate, the rise of active ETFs could fundamentally reshape the asset management industry.

Traditional mutual funds could face accelerating outflows as investors migrate toward more efficient structures.

Meanwhile, asset managers that successfully adapt to the ETF ecosystem may capture massive new market share.
A report by the UN Human Rights Office states that Israeli authorities accelerated settlement growth and annexation across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the 12 months to 31 October 2025. It links the expansion to forced displacement and a rise in attacks by settlers and security forces.

Israel expanded settlements across the occupied West Bank and displaced more than 36,000 Palestinians over the past year, according to a United Nations report that cites rising violence and land seizures.

The report records 1,732 incidents of settler violence during the period, up from 1,400 in the previous year. These incidents include injuries, property damage, and the destruction of homes and farmland.

It states that violence by settlers took place in a coordinated, strategic and largely unchallenged manner, with authorities playing a central role in enabling or supporting such actions. It adds that accountability remains limited, which has allowed attacks on Palestinian communities to continue.

The report describes a surge in violence during the olive harvest season in October. It documents 42 attacks in that month alone, which injured 131 Palestinians, including 14 women and a child. The UN says this marks the highest monthly total since records began in 2006.

Daily attacks by armed settlers and soldiers restricted access to land and crops, which the report says made the 2025 harvest season the worst in decades. In several cases, families left their homes after repeated incidents, including harassment and threats.

The report identifies gender-based violence as a factor in some displacements. It states that women and children in certain communities left first, while men stayed behind in an effort to retain land and property.

It warns that displacement patterns in the West Bank mirror those seen in Gaza during the ongoing conflict. The report states that the scale and nature of these movements appear to indicate a concerted Israeli policy of mass forcible transfer.

It adds that such actions raise concerns under international law, including the prohibition on the forced transfer of protected populations. The report states that these acts may amount to war crimes and, in certain cases, crimes against humanity.

Particular concern centres on Bedouin communities northeast of East Jerusalem. The report states that settlement plans in these areas place thousands at risk of displacement.

The report also examines legal and administrative changes. It states that the transfer of authority from military to civilian bodies, combined with land confiscation measures, has contributed to what it describes as systematic discrimination, oppression and violence.

It adds that these policies violate international prohibitions on racial segregation and apartheid.

Data in the report shows that Israeli authorities advanced or approved 36,973 housing units in settlements in East Jerusalem and about 27,200 units in other parts of the West Bank. It also records the establishment of 84 new settlement outposts during the reporting period.

The UN notes that settlement activity has extended into Area B of the West Bank, which falls under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction under the Oslo agreements.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on Israel to halt settlement expansion and reverse existing measures. He urged authorities to evacuate settlers and end the occupation.

He also called for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and for an end to land confiscation, evictions and house demolitions.

HT
The ministry said staff were safe and remained in contact with officials.

The strike targeted the Al-Rasheed hotel inside Baghdads Green Zone, where several embassies and government offices are located. The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed to MTV News that the embassy operates from the building.

A drone strike hit a building housing Finlands embassy in Baghdad, as attacks linked to the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran reached diplomatic sites in Iraqs capital, authorities said on Tuesday.

Embassy personnel are unharmed and we are in touch with them, the ministry told MTV.

No injuries were reported, and damage to the building was limited, according to Reuters. The extent of the structural impact remains unclear.

The Green Zone hosts key diplomatic missions, including the United States embassy, which was also targeted in a separate attack hours later. Reuters reported that drones and rockets struck the US compound, with at least one drone entering the premises.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the hotel.

Finland reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2018 after years of limited diplomatic presence. The foreign ministry said it continues to assess the security of its missions as conditions deteriorate across the Middle East and Gulf.

The security situation has weakened, the ministry said, adding that it is monitoring developments and reviewing operational capacity.

Political fallout has also emerged in Washington. Joseph Kent, director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, resigned in protest over the war. In a statement addressed to President Donald Trump, he said, I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.

Kent added that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States, and criticised the decision to launch the conflict.

Finnish authorities have not announced any evacuation of staff. The foreign ministry said decisions will depend on ongoing assessments of the security environment.

HT
In a letter published on X , Kent said he could not in good conscience support the war.

Joe Kent , director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down on Tuesday in protest at the illegal US-led war with Iran, marking the most senior resignation linked to the conflict within the Trump administration.

The head of the US National Counterterrorism Center has resigned, stating that Iran posed no imminent threat and opposing Washingtons role in the war.

He wrote that Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation and argued that the conflict began under pressure from Israel and its allies in the United States.

Kent said the decision to go to war contradicted earlier policy commitments. He referred to President Donald Trumps past stance against prolonged military involvement in the Middle East. Wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation, he wrote.

He urged Trump to change direction, stating that the current course did not serve US interests. You hold the cards, he wrote, calling for a reversal of policy.

Kent led the agency responsible for analysing and advising on global security threats, reporting to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. His role included briefing the president on risks linked to armed groups and international security.

His departure follows the launch of the illegal US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February. The conflict has since spread across the Middle East, with attacks reported in Iran, Israel, Iraq and Gulf states.

Kent questioned the legal basis for the war. He referred to the absence of an imminent threat, a condition often cited under US law for military action without congressional approval. He also raised concerns under international law regarding the justification for strikes on another state.

The resignation letter criticised what Kent described as a campaign of influence. He said senior Israeli officials and members of the US media promoted claims that Iran posed an immediate danger. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat, he wrote.

Kent added that such claims led to a belief that a quick military outcome was possible. He rejected that view and warned against repeating past conflicts.

He drew on his own military experience. Kent served in US Special Forces and completed multiple deployments in the Middle East. He later worked as a paramilitary officer with the CIA.

His wife, Shannon Kent, was killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019. In his letter, he said her death occurred in a conflict shaped by earlier decisions in the region. He wrote that he could not support sending more troops into a war that serves no benefit to the American people.

The resignation comes amid rising casualties. Since the conflict began, at least 13 US soldiers have been killed. More than 1,400 people have died in Iran, with additional deaths reported in Israel and Gulf countries, according to compiled figures cited by Al Jazeera.

Kent had been nominated by Trump and confirmed after a contested process. Some lawmakers opposed his appointment, citing past political positions and associations. Despite this, he held the role during a period of escalating tensions with Iran.

His exit adds to pressure within parts of Trumps political base. Some figures aligned with the presidents campaign platform have criticised the war, arguing that it conflicts with earlier pledges to limit foreign interventions.

The White House has not issued a formal response to Kents resignation. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has also not commented.

HT
A chef working at a Michelin-starred restaurant near Ascot has secured a place in the national finals of one of Britains most prestigious culinary competitions for a second year.

Oliver Robinson, a senior sous chef at Woven by Adam Smith, impressed judges at the regional stage of the Roux Scholarship to progress to the final round.

The competition, now in its 42nd year, is widely regarded as the top award for chefs aged from 22 to 30.

Past winners have gone on to run leading restaurants and earn Michelin stars.

Oliver competed alongside 17 other chefs in two regional finals on March 5 in London and Birmingham, cooking a dish featuring Devon White chicken, chicken livers and leeks for a panel of leading chefs including Michel Roux Jr, Alain Roux and Angela Hartnett.

Contestants were also challenged to create a dessert inspired by the classic French dish Ile Flottante using a mystery box of 26 ingredients, including pistachio paste, amarena cherries and forced rhubarb.

Judges assessed the chefs on their individual flair, their efficient cooking techniques and minimal food waste.

Credit: Jodi Hinds.

West Yorkshire-born Oliver, who was also a national finalist in 2025, said he was proud to progress again.

Im elated that Im in there again. It was an amazing experience last year  Im looking forward to what the competition will bring, the 27-year-old told the Express.

As always, it was an amazing group of chefs to cook alongside, and it was nice seeing everyone again.

I know the Waterside Inn kitchen now, so its a little less daunting; however, its still a competition, so there are definitely nerves.

The Sunninghill resident works under executive chef and 2012 Roux Scholar Adam Smith at the Michelin-starred restaurant at Coworth Park.

He previously worked at the restaurant from 2016 to 2018. He then gained experience in France and the Netherlands and returned in 2022.

Oliver said his passion for cooking began in childhood.

My mum was a single parent, so my love of cooking stems from being in the kitchen with her from a young age, and I think thats how it grew from there, he said.

He added that his long-term ambition is to open his own restaurant with his partner Jess, a waitress also working at Cowarth Park.

Weve always wanted to serve really good food done really well in a beautiful environment, he said.

Weve always been very people-focused and ingredient-focused  very local and foraging.

The 18 regional finalists and two reserves were selected following a blind judging process at The Waterside Inn in February, where written recipe submissions were assessed anonymously.

Another chef from Coworth Park, James Rodgers, also competed in the regional finals.

The 23-year-old junior sous chef from Sheffield was among the youngest competitors who took part this year.

He was inspired to enter the competition after supporting previous Roux Scholarship awards dinners in 2024 and 2025.

Ive known James for three years, and it was nice to have someone to go through the process with  youre not quite on your own, said Oliver.

He was on the station next to me, so it was nice to have someone familiar there.

Six chefs from the regional stage will now progress to the national final and face another mystery box challenge on April 13 at the Alain Roux Culinary School at The Waterside Inn.

Its an amazing day, and I think youve always got to go in and enjoy it, and thats what Ive always tried to do, said Oliver.

If I do my best and enjoy it, then thatll make me cook the best. Thats what I did in the regionals, and thats what Ill do in the nationals.
The first Spitfire flight took place on March 5, 1936, and has long been known as an iconic fighter plane and a firm favourite among pilots in the RAF.

The Spitfire was the only fighter in production throughout the war, and 27,000 of them were produced.

What is, perhaps, less well-known is how many people flew those planes outside of battle, ferrying them where they needed to be, ready to fight.

The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), headquartered at White Waltham airfield from February 1940 to November 1945, was integral to this.

Richard Poad of Maidenhead Heritage Centre said: ATA pilots, men and women, ferried Spitfires in vast numbers during the war  more than any other aircraft type.

They were ferried by ATA pilots 57,286 times, which is enormous.

So, each airplane was flown by an ATA pilot on an average of at least twice.

There are records of women delivering hundreds of Spitfires during their time with ATA.

Though the aircraft were flyable when they came out of the factories, there were parts missing for security reasons.

For instance, if it was going to be a reconnaissance aeroplane, the cameras were not installed in the factory, because that was the number one target for the enemy.

Instead, an ATA pilot would pick up a new Spitfire and take it to a maintenance unit safely far away from the enemys grasp, where it would be finished.

When it was finished, another ATA pilot would then take it to its final destination, ready for battle.

There is also a farm between Maidenhead and Henley  between the main road and Crazies Hill  where 250 photo reconnaissance Spitfires were built or were assembled.

A lot of the parts were built in bus garages  a way of dispersing the production, so it would be less vulnerable. White Waltham-based pilots often flew these Spitfires out of RAF Henley-on-Thames.

Men and women of the ATA flew a number of planes but the Spitfire was a firm favourite, because of its perceived elegance and responsiveness.

I knew a woman who didnt know how to drive a car when she learned to fly a Spitfire, said Richard.

She said it was so responsive, you just needed to think about [flying] it [and it flew.] It was like having your own wings.

Another lady said in her autobiography that the Spitfire made poetry of flight.

It's one of the reasons its the iconic aircraft of World War Two  because its so beautiful. The lines of it were absolutely superb.

The wonder of the Spitfire has been available to enjoy at Maidenhead Heritage Centre for many years now, thanks to its Spitfire Simulator.

We actually teach people how to fly, which is very exciting. Nobody has ever got out of it without a silly grin on their face, said Richard.

Every time somebody comes to fly the Spitfire, its something special, because hardly any of them have ever flown in an aeroplane in their lives.

A number of wartime pilots have also come to the simulator, which has been a touching experience for all involved.

On one memorable occasion, an elderly former pilot with significantly advanced dementia was brought by his family to try out the simulator.

He climbed into the Spitfire, took off and the years just vanished  everything to do with flying aeroplanes came back, said Richard.

By the end of his session, some of his family were in tears.

Richard added: One of the regrettable things is that we have more visitors from outside Maidenhead than we do local visitors.

Serendipitously, the Royal Borough is laying on a residents weekend this month to encourage people to get out and about and enjoy its attractions  tying in nicely with the Spitfire anniversary.

As such, the Heritage Centre has chosen to tie the residents offer to the Spitfire anniversary and celebrate its local history.

On March 20, 21 and 22, Maidenhead Heritage Centre is offering residents 50 per cent off its entry fees and 50 per cent off Spitfire flights  meaning the price of a 30-minute flight goes down to 17.50.

Bookings must be made by telephone to 01628 780555 and residents must bring proof that they live in the borough, such as a driving licence with address.

It's too good an opportunity to miss, said Richard.
Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez said there should be political change in Cuba before exiles consider investing in the island.

Speaking at a news conference in Florida, Gimenez, the only lawmaker born in Cuba, said the regime in its current form can't be trusted.

"They're thieves. They're ordinary thieves and they are there just to enrich themselves," the lawmaker added.

The remarks come as the Trump administration continues to put pressure on Cuba, largely by preventing fuel from getting to the island.

Havana is making changes to its economic structure to avoid complete collapse, and is now set to allow nationals living abroad to invest in the private sector and own businesses in their homeland.

Cuba's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign trade and investment, Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, told NBC News that the ongoing blockade by the United States is hindering the strategy from coming to fruition. The remarks were made before yet another country-wide blackout hit the island.

"Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies as well with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants," Fraga said, adding that the reform seeks to create what he described as a "dynamic business environment" that could help revive multiple sectors of Cuba's economy.

Elsewhere, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is seeking to remove President Miguel-Diaz Canel from power. However, it is not pushing for action against members of the Castro family, suggesting a move to achieve its goals without regime change in a similar way it did in Venezuela earlier this year.

Some Trump officials told the outlet that removing Diaz-Canel could allow structural changes in the country that he is reluctant to allow given his hardline views. They signaled to Cuban negotiators that the president must go but are leaving next steps to Havana.

The outlet noted that U.S. officials also want to removal of other older officials committed with the ideas of Fidel Castro, as well as the release of political prisoners.

President Donald Trump also said on Monday "I do believe I'll have the honor of taking Cuba." Gimenez also reacted to the remarks, saying he would support it.

In a social media publication, Gimenez posted a video of Trump making the remarks and, as the only "Member of Congress born in Cuba," he "fully supports President Trump's actions against the regime in Havana."

"It would ABSOLUTELY be a great honor for the President to take the island & liberate it!" he added.

Originally published on Latin Times
Smugglers continue managing to flood Mexico with weapons, the vast majority of which end up in the hands of cartels, despite authorities discussing attempts to crack down on the flows, according to a new report.

The New York Times noted that flows continue to surge, illustrating a sophisticated pipeline that ends with criminal organizations. Individual smugglers are managing to send hundreds of weapons south every week, with one 17-year old coordinating matters from his phone through encrypted messaging apps.

Smugglers increasingly use private groups on messaging apps and social media platforms to advertise and arrange sales, creating closed networks that are constantly refreshed to avoid detection. In some cases, traffickers have begun bribing gun store employees to falsify records or facilitate off-the-books transactions.

Smugglers who spoke to the outlet said moving the firearms across the border continues to be easy, with one saying "no one stops you unless you run a red light."

Interviews with seven operatives linked to the Sinaloa Cartel illustrate a supply chain that begins with legal gun purchases in the United States and ends with military-grade arsenals in Mexico. Weapons are frequently disassembled, hidden in vehicles or transported via air and sea routes to evade detection.

Estimates from Mexican authorities suggest that up to 500,000 firearms are smuggled annually from the United States into Mexico, though former agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives believe the number could reach one million. Despite the creation of a U.S. task force in 2020, only a fraction of these weapons have been intercepted, with just over 4,300 seized in the past 14 months.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has criticized the U.S. over the ease with which weapons are smuggled. She said earlier this month that if the U.S. wants to see a decrease in drug trafficking, it should stop the flow of weapons across the border. "They need to do their part so weapons stop being smuggled from the U.S. and into Mexico," she said during a trip to Sinaloa.

Another report detailed that cartels are also managing to get a hold of high-caliber ammunition from a plant set up in a facility owned by the U.S. government and manufactures rounds used by the military.

The facility in question is located outside Kansas City and also supplies ammunition to the retail market, where civilians can buy them as well. Such a scenario has allowed criminal organizations to get a hold of the rounds, used by the military to destroy vehicles and light aircraft.

The New York Times and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists shed light on agreements between the Army and private contractors, which have allowed the rounds to enter retail markets and end up in the hands of cartels.

Originally published on Latin Times
In Brief: A forthcoming mixed-use development in Nashville, blending hotel and residential spaces, has successfully secured acquisition financing worth $15.5 million.

Future Hotel-Residence Development in Nashville Secures $15.5 Million in Acquisition Financing

Marcus & Millichaps IPA Capital Markets has arranged $15.5 million in acquisition financing for 319 Peabody Street in Nashville, where DAC Development plans to build a luxury hotel-and-residence tower.

IPA Capital Markets, a division of Marcus & Millichap, arranged $15.5 million in financing for the acquisition of 319 Peabody Street in Nashville, Tennessee. The financing team included Max Herzog and Andrew Cohen from New York, Gary Mozer and Lee Norman from Los Angeles, and Andrew Nesbitt from Nashville. Cerco Funding, a New Yorkbased private equity firm, provided the financing on behalf of DAC Development, the project sponsor.

The 319 Peabody Street parcel is located in Nashvilles SoBro district, surrounded by major planned and recently delivered hospitality and residential towers. The planned 53-story development will include 405 hotel keys, a rooftop pool deck with private cabanas, a 3,100-square-foot spa, 30,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, a rooftop bar and grill, and 104 branded residential condominiums averaging 1,577 square feet each. Upon completion, the tower would become the second-tallest building in Nashville, after Giarratana Developments Paramount, which is currently under construction.

The project is positioned to meet Nashvilles demand for upscale hospitality and residential offerings as the city continues to experience population growth, robust tourism, and rising rates across downtown hotels.
7.6 Good HM, Oct 2018

-the decor of the hotel was interesting. -the staff at the reception were friendly but seemed a bit inexperienced. -there was no exhaust fan in the bathroom/shower and there was a slight smell of mould. - the aircon fan faced the bed - so i had no choice but to switch off the aircon.
How much does it cost to stay at The Tree House, Kaohsiung City?

Prices at The Tree House will vary depending on when you plan to stay and what room type you require. The average nightly room price recently has been $50, though some users have found rates as low as $27. To see prices for your dates, enter them in the form above.
A popular port city in Taiwan, Kaohsiung offers a compact cluster of colourful sights, from its laid-back waterside boulevards to its hub of trendy cafe terraces. A charming harbourside region surrounded by mountains, it offers stunning rainforests, swimming beaches and waterfront parks, along with various historic monuments and museums.

Things to do in Kaohsiung City

Considered the spine of Kaohsiung City, the Love River is perfect for a scenic ride to watch the city lights sparkle at night. You can also take an evening walk to explore the open-air cafes and tranquil park spaces along the water. For a unique view of the city, hike up to the Former British Consulate at Takao to find a perfect spot to enjoy sea views and drinks on its open terrace.

A lively area that offers plenty of people-watching opportunities, the Port of Kaohsiung hosts a living tapestry of ships of all styles, including naval, fishery and industry, passing in and out of the city. The citys locals celebrate its rich natural spoils with artwork, many of which can be found at the world-class Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, Pier-2 Art Center and around almost every street corner.

A peaceful spot to get away from the city noise, Yuanheng Temple showcases a Buddhist Monastery, where you can sit in front of the three giant Buddhas for a moment of silence. To explore classic Chinese architecture, soak up the scenic surroundings of Martyrs Shrine and hike one of the areas beautiful wilderness trails.

Catch a ferry to Cijin Island to see Kaohsiung Citys oldest shrine, where you can spend time walking, biking and swimming on a sunny afternoon. Located in the Zuoying District, Lotus Lake lets you explore beautiful temples and pagodas while relaxing in a tranquil setting.

Getting Around

Travelling to and from Kaohsiung Citys attractions is a breeze with its easy-to-use two-line KRTC metro system. You can also rent a bicycle, with separate lanes for bikes in many of the citys busier areas. Taxis are relatively cheap, and its always possible to go by foot if youre close to one of the many attractions. Kaohsiung International Airport is a quick 20-minute ride south of the city, while high-speed trains to Taipei take around 90 minutes.
The BCC Board of Trustees applauds after voting to offer the post of president to Hara Charlier, president of Central Lakes College in Minnesota.

BCC Trustees Vote to Hire Hara Charlier as Next President



Catheryn Chacon Ortega, the alumni appointment, liked how Hara Charlier easily connected with students faculty; Melissa Myers, alumni representative, also noted how comfortable Charlier was with various groups. Charlier, right, was called after the vote and accepted pending negotiations and state approval. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  It wasn't hard for BCC's Board of Trustees to elect a new president from Minnesota on Monday.



One by one, during a special meeting at Berkshire Community College, board members expressed their conviction that Hara Charlier was the best candidate to lead after Ellen Kennedy retires . They unanimously recommended Charlier as the next president of BCC to the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.



"We're not trying to hire a replacement for Dr. Kennedy; We are trying to hire our next leader," Chair Julia Bowen said.



Charlier, currently the president of Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minn., was one of four finalists identified by the Presidential Search Committee who visited the campus. She was not on site, but was called after the vote.



Catheryn Chacon Ortega was impressed by how Charlier connected with students and faculty, as well as her passion and breadth of experience.



"As the appointed alumni, I put myself in the students' shoes when I was thinking about this, and I think I feel very represented by her, like if I come back as a student here, I think she will be a person that will be open doors to me, to my community, to the immigrant community, to everybody," she said.



Danielle Gonzalez feels Charlier has a "very" clear commitment to the community part of community college, and a deep experience of serving underserved populations, "really just with great enthusiasm."



"I think that in addition to having really deep community college leadership experience, she was able to articulate a very thorough understanding of the issues of the college of Berkshire County, of what those opportunities might look like, and how she would connect what her experience has been with how she could drive the school forward," said Julie Hughes, a newer member of the board.



"She clearly brings a passion to the work, and that's evident in all of our conversations."



Alumni representative Melissa Myers explained that it was an emotional vote for her because BCC is important. She was impressed that Charlier seemed comfortable with all groups, including legislators, made everyone laugh multiple times in an interview, and was energized even after multiple long days on campus.



"She was an excellent storyteller. We could all picture what she was describing to us. She was transparent, she was curious," Myers said.



"We had excellent candidates, but she just clearly rose above in every category."



A couple of board members also voiced support for Karen Hynick, acting provost at Connecticut State since 2024. The other candidates were Nicole Esposito, chief executive officer of Manchester Community College in New Hampshire, and Albert Lewis Jr., chief of staff/executive vice president at Northwest State Community College in Ohio. and Albert Lewis Jr.,
Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley jots down notes during a meeting with Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and civic and business leaders in Pittsfield on Monday. The roundtable was held at the Berkshire Black Economic Council on North Street. Rick Robbins of Pittsfield Rye speaks as Alfred Enchill and his son, Auric, of Elegant Stitches listen with state Sen. Paul Mark and Paley. Michael Coakley, the city's business development manager, speaks at right, with Michael Dell'Aquila of Hot Plate, Rebecca Brien of Downtown Pittsfield and Amber Besaw of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. PreviousNext

State Economic Development Secretary Visits Pittsfield



Eric Paley was appointed secretary last year. This was his first time visiting in the Berkshires in that role.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The state secretary of economic development visited Pittsfield on Monday to hear about the condition of its economy and downtown.



Executive Office of Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley joined local small-business owners, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, state Sen Paul Mark, and Mayor Peter Marchetti for a roundtable discussion at the Berkshire Black Economic Council at the beginning of the day.



"I think supporting downtowns and keeping them vibrant and energetic is a challenge in many parts of the state, and certainly many gateway cities, but I think people want to live where there's lively, strong downtowns," Paley said.



"And they want to spend their money where they feel there's an energetic, long downtown, and that's a critical factor for Pittsfield that we do see in other gateway cities."



He said Berkshire County has "extraordinary" strengths as a tourism and cultural leader, but like many other places, its small businesses are struggling with operating costs and affordability, as "Housing is a challenge, childcare, healthcare, these are challenges we see all across the state, but they kind of hit differently in different locations."



The secretary feels Berkshire County competes "very" well with the nearby Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Adirondacks in New York State because of how strong the cultural community is, but sustaining those communities is a challenge.



"Making the community fun year-round when so many people come in the summer, but also making sure that resources keep building and growing here is key, and there's been some flattening of some of the key economic indicators, and extending that strength is really important," Paley said.



"There were a lot of just a lot of heartfelt, thoughtful comments and things that we need to be talking about every day as we think of different regions of the state and how we support them."



The owners of Elegant Stitches, Pittsfield Rye and Specialty Breads, and Hot Plate Brewing spoke to the secretary about the inflated costs of running a small business, including supplies, utilities, and employee health insurance.



Mike Dell'Aquila, who owns Hot Plate Brewing with Sarah Real, said the brewery sees the impact of energy and health-care costs, explaining, "Were a growing business, and it inhibits us from being able to add more employees."



He said the 3-year-old company, which was ranked No. 3 in USA Today's list of "Best New Brewery" in 2025, is a success story for the public/private partnership that has been going on in Pittsfield. Though the brewery has seen some mixed results, with volatility in the food and beverage industry coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.



In 2021, the City Council approved a $140,000 allocation of the city's economic development funds to help the brewery open, supporting the purchase of equipment. Dell'Aquila said the city had a "very forward-looking" vision by investing in Hot Plate to bring them here.



Last year, the brewery raised its total revenue by 24 percent with a decrease in taproom traffic from farmer's market sales, which are now allowed by law, and the national recognition.



The officials went to General Dynamics after the roundtable discussion.



Paley said the state is putting a "big" focus on its defense industry through its SHIELD initiative, and that the states defense sector is as large as its biotech sector. The Massachusetts Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD), was developed to strengthen the state's defense leadership and accelerate the development of cutting-edge national security solutions.
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Donald Trump has asked to delay his highly anticipated trip to China by about a month because of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

The American president confirmed on Monday that the White House had requested that we delay it a month or so as the war in the Middle East entered its third week.

The request to reschedule his 31 March-2 April visit to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping underscores how the Iran war has upended Mr Trumps foreign policy agenda and cast a shadow over mutual ties that have been mostly stable since their October meeting.

Mr Trump said he had proposed the delay to ensure he remained in place to manage the war. "I'm looking forward to being with him," he said, referring to Mr Xi. "We have a very good relationship."

"There's no tricks to it either," he added. "It's very simple. We have got a war going on. I think it is important that I be here."

On Sunday, however, Mr Trump had told the Financial Times he might postpone the meeting if China did not help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. The next day, his treasury secretary Scott Bessent said Mr Trump might need to delay the visit to coordinate the ongoing war effort and not because China had turned down his request to help police the strait or because of any trade disagreements.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that Beijing and Washington were in talks over the timing and related matters of president Mr Trump's visit to China.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping before a summit on 30 October 2025 ( AP )

The delay in Mr Trumps visit further complicates what Beijings top diplomat Wang Yi has described as a big year for China-US relations and hits pause on the renewal of bilateral relations. The two sides concluded high-stakes trade talks in Paris on Monday to lay the groundwork for Mr Trump's trip.

The negotiations followed Washingtons launch of new investigations into unfair trade practices to rebuild pressure on countries, including China, after the US Supreme Court struck down Mr Trump's global tariffs last month.

The situation is not in jeopardy, and Beijing still wants to organise the summit, but the US-Iran conflict and the Supreme Court ruling on tariff policies have complicated the efforts, said Zhao Minghao, an international relations expert at Shanghai's elite Fudan University.

"It makes US-China interactions this year more difficult because of Trump's 'war of choice' in Iran."

Mr Zhao said the postponement would also mean there was time for more trade actions.

The White House says it will continue its tariff policy, but without a doubt, we could see new uncertainties in this regard that impact Beijing's calculations on dealing with the US, he said.

A source familiar with the Paris talks told Reuters that China showed openness to potential additional purchases of US agricultural goods including poultry, beef and non-soybean crops.

The two sides also discussed the flow of rare earth minerals, an industry dominated by China, and new approaches to manage trade and investment.

China Daily described the negotiations in an editorial published on Tuesday as "constructive", but warned Mr Trump that Beijing's "openness should not be mistaken for acquiescence.

"The US side should refrain from taking any further actions that could disrupt or undermine a stable China-US economic relationship, it said.

Actions that inject uncertainty  whether tariffs, restrictive measures or unilateral investigations  do just that.

That sentiment would similarly apply to the setting up of the summit, according to Alfred Wu of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

"The fluctuations in plans are not ideal from China's perspective, China actually wants something more predictable, he said.
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Die-hard fans of a niche Japanese crisp brand have taken to social media to lament a production halt, which snack maker Yamayoshi Seika blames on a cooking oil shortage.

The company attributes this scarcity to the Middle East conflict, specifically the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran and the effective closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz.

While these geopolitical tensions have fuelled fears of a broader impact on prices in Japan, the suspension of this popular snack marks one of the first tangible fallouts for consumers.

As the news spread, Yamayoshi Seika's "Wasabeef" became the third-most trending buzzword on social media platform X in Japan, with the company name close behind.

open image in gallery Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia, that arrived clearing the Strait of Hormuz, is seen at the Mumbai Port in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, File) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

"I never expected the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to result in the production stoppage of Wasabeef," user @JoshuaGboyega5 posted on X. "I can't imagine life without Wasabeef!"

CEO Satoshi Kada said Yamayoshi Seika's heavy oil wholesaler had warned him in early March of an expected price hike of 20% to 30% and soon after said it could no longer send any supplies.

"We had no choice but to stop the factory," he told Reuters, adding that he did not know when production could resume.

Yamayoshi Seika, which was established in 1953, calls Wasabeef a "national brand" characterised by a flavour blending wasabi and savoury beef essence. The company has monthly sales of about 400 million to 500 million yen ($2.5 million to $3 million), Kada said.

Japan, which depends on the Middle East for around 95% of its crude oil supplies, this week began releasing about 80 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves to mitigate disruptions.
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Afghanistan has said a Pakistani airstrike late on Monday on a hospital in Kabul killed and injured hundreds of people.

Pakistan denied the accusation and claimed its forces precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Kabul and the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, including equipment and ammunition storage allegedly used by insurgents that Islamabad says are responsible for attacks on its soil.

Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesperson for the Taliban, said the strike on the Omid drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul occurred at around 9pm local time. Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed, and there are fears of heavy casualties, he said in a post on X. Sadly, the number of those killed has so far reached 400, with up to 250 others injured.

open image in gallery Authorities are still searching for survivors of the airstrike ( Reuters )

He said rescue teams rushed to the scene to control the fires and search for victims under the debris.

In a statement posted overnight on X, Pakistans information and broadcasting ministry said the operation focused on locations linked to armed groups.

Pakistans targeting is precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted, the statement said. This misreporting of facts as a drug rehabilitation facility seeks to stir sentiments, covering illegitimate support to cross-border terrorism.

Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, spokesperson for Afghanistans health ministry, told the BBC there were no military facilities near the hospital.

Residents across Kabul said they heard loud explosions shortly before 9pm, followed by the sound of aircraft and air defence systems.

According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 75 people have been killed and 193 injured in cross-border violence between the two countries since 26 February.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, said that he was dismayed by fresh reports of Pakistani airstrikes and resulting civilian deaths.

open image in gallery Firefighters in Afghanistan work to extinguish the blaze ( AFP/Getty )

My condolences. I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals, he said in a post on X.

A 50-year-old man named Ahmad told Reuters that the air strike killed his roommates and friends as a fire tore through the building. The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday, he said.

Mohammad Mian, who works in the radiology department of the hospital, said that very few survived the strike. It was extremely terrifying, he said. Those who survived were the ones whose rooms were not destroyed and were fortunate. But the places where the bombs were dropped, everyone there was killed.

Images and videos from the site of the attack showed huge flames, charred walls, collapsed structures, and debris scattered all over. Those who visited the site saw patients belongings scattered.

Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Wali Yousafzai, a health officer at the hospital, said around 2,000 patients were inside when the strike hit. He described hearing three explosions, the force of which threw some of his colleagues across the room from one wall to another. He said he heard screams from all directions.

Pakistan says Afghanistans Taliban authorities are sheltering militant groups, especially the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has carried out attacks inside Pakistan.

It says it has repeatedly urged Kabul to rein in armed groups operating from Afghan soil, but that the Taliban authorities have failed to undertake any substantive action.

Kabul rejects the allegation, insisting it does not allow its territory to be used to target other countries.

open image in gallery Cross-border violence between the two countries has been escalating since February ( AFP/Getty )

Late last month, Pakistan announced an open war with the Taliban after carrying out air strikes on major Afghan cities, including Kabul. The air and ground strikes targeted Taliban military posts, headquarters and ammunition depots in multiple sectors along the border, just hours after the Taliban launched an air attack on Pakistans border forces.

The attacks were a sharp escalation following months of tensions between the two sides, and this upended the ceasefire deal brokered in Qatar last year.

Both countries say they are responding to provocations by the other.

Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you [Afghanistan], Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said at the time.

On Saturday, Pakistans president Asif Ali Zardari said that Afghanistans government had crossed a red line by carrying out drone attacks on civilian areas in Pakistan. Hours later, Pakistan reportedly launched strikes on what it said was an Afghan drone storage facility.
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, who has tried to carve out a role for himself as the arch-critic of Donald Trump, called for the Kings planned state visit to the US to be postponed in the wake of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

He wants to position his party as leading public opinion, which is opposed both to Trump and to the military action in the Middle East, and to remind people that the Lib Dems opposed the invasion of Iraq 23 years ago.

On Tuesday he was joined by Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the foreign affairs committee, who told BBC Radio 4: If it was to go ahead next month  the dates havent been confirmed, but everybody seems to think its going to be next month  it would go ahead against a backdrop of a war and that, I think, is quite difficult. And the last thing that we want to do is to have their majesties embarrassed.

There is no love lost between Thornberry and Keir Starmer, as the prime minister failed to appoint her as attorney general, the post she had shadowed in opposition, appointing his friend Richard Hermer instead.

But Thornberry expresses a view that is widely held among Labour MPs, that Britain should signal its disapproval of Trump and his attack on Iran by postponing the Kings visit. How likely is it that the trip will be delayed?

What is a state visit?

The meaning of state visit has changed over time. According to David Torrance of the House of Commons Library, the term was used during the 19th century to describe an occasion on which the King or Queen visited a city or part of the UK, or even the theatre. It meant that the monarch was visiting in an official rather than private capacity.

Since then, it has come to refer to the monarch hosting a head of state in the UK or a visit by the monarch to meet the head of state of another country  except for visits between the UK and other Commonwealth realms, as they share a head of state. If the King visits another Commonwealth realm he does so as monarch of that country and it is described as a royal visit.

State visits usually involve an elaborate show of ceremony.

How bad could it be?

In July 1981, prime minister Margaret Thatcher said a state visit should promote the interests of the United Kingdom, be welcome to the hosts, and in keeping with the duties and dignity of the royal family.

The possibility that the King might be embarrassed by Trumps behaviour is one of the reasons that Thornberry cited for postponing his visit, but her main aim is to express political disapproval of the US president.

Trump has certainly been free with his criticisms of Starmer in recent days, repeating his view that the British prime minister is not Winston Churchill.

But Trump tends to be more restrained in the presence of the royal family, when he does not hold long news conferences with journalists. During his unprecedented second state visit to the UK in September last year, he managed to avoid making incendiary comments.

Who will decide if the King goes?

Starmer. As Thornberry pointed out, no date for the Kings travel to the US has been confirmed, but both sides have been working on the assumption that it will happen next month. It would be a significant breach of protocol if the trip were called off except for a genuine health reason or other emergency.

The King would no doubt express his view in private, but the constitutional position is clear, that he acts on the advice of the prime minister. Charles may have had views about Trumps state visit to the UK last year, and the way that Starmer used the invitation in the Kings name for a piece of TV theatre in the Oval Office, but he kept them to himself and the visit was carried off with traditional British decorum.

What does the British public think?

YouGov asked last week: King Charles has been invited to make an official state visit to the United States later this year  do you think this should go ahead or should it be cancelled? It found that 46 per cent said it should be cancelled; 36 per cent said it should not; and 18 per cent did not know.

Public opinion is hostile both to Trump and to his military action in Iran, so the level of opposition to the visit might be lower than expected.

However, it seems unlikely that Starmer would postpone the visit. That would be a sharp snub to the US president, and although the prime minister has been robust in his opposition to offensive strikes on Iran, he has always tried to maintain a reasonable working relationship with Trump.
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Cases of the lesser-known respiratory virus human metapneumovirus are continuing to spike in Georgia and states around the country.

The pneumonia- and bronchitis-causing infection made up 6.4 percent of the Peach States positive tests for respiratory viruses in the first week of March.

At the same time last year, the positivity rate was three percent, according to state data.

Rates are also continuing to rise at wastewater treatment plants in Northern California, the public database WastewaterScan Dashboard shows. Wastewater testing serves as an early detection tool for virus spread.

In New Jersey, which has seen elevated levels of the virus, the number of positive tests started to fall. Still, levels around the U.S. are higher than at the same time last year.

open image in gallery Travelers wait in long lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monda in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia and other U.S. states are seeing an increase in cases of HMPV ( Getty Images )

And nationwide, the virus, also known as HMPV, accounted for more than five percent of positive tests for respiratory viruses for the week ending on March 7, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.

Testing positivity was at 3.82 percent during the first week of March 2025.

So, how worried should you be about infection and what do you need to know to stay safe?

First discovered in 2001, HMPV is a seasonal virus that circulates in the winter and spring. Cases in the U.S. have been trending up since October 2025 and a new study has found that the virus peaks later than influenza - in April.

Infection typically causes symptoms similar to a cold that last for only a few days to a week.

But, it may also result in more serious symptoms, like middle ear infections, life-threatening asthma attacks and a barking cough, experts caution.

In rare instances, infection can result in death in more vulnerable patients, including infants, the elderly and people who are immunocompromised, researchers say.

An estimated 12 hospitalizations occurred per 100,000 people each year from 2016-2019, a federal report from 2025 showed.

In general, a human metapneumovirus will often be more severe than the more mild viruses like rhinovirus, Dr. Andrew Thornton, a physician with Wellstar in Cobb County, Georgia, told Healthbeat Atlanta.

It also has a lot to do with the patient and their current medical conditions and immune status, he said.

Nearly everyone will catch at least one strain of HMPV during the course of their life, according to the Mayo Clinic.

open image in gallery The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System dashboard shows the number of weekly tests positive for HMPV between early July 2024 and March 13, 2026 ( CDC NREVSS Dashboard )

If youre older than five, youve probably already had it at least once, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Still, unlike the flu and RSV, there are no vaccines to prevent HMPV infections, which are diagnosed through laboratory testing.

HMPV can spread through direct contact, sneezing, coughing or touching infected surfaces.

To prevent infection, the CDC recommends people regularly wash their hands with soap, clean surfaces and stay home when they are feeling unwell.

HMPV may be prevented by following good respiratory hygiene, Blumberg said. If you have cold-like symptoms, take the following steps to prevent spreading the virus, Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at U.C. Davis Health, said in a statement.
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As students form a queue outside the University of Kents Senate building, an eerie silence fills the campus.

After two people  a student at the university in Canterbury and a year 13 pupil called Juliette from Queen Elizabeths Grammar School in Faversham  died and 13 more were hospitalised following an outbreak of meningitis in Kent, precautionary antibiotics are being handed out for a second day.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Tuesday that the strain of meningitis B, known as menB, is behind at least four of the cases in the outbreak. The university called the situation very sad and worrying.

By 9am, dozens of students are waiting to collect the medicine, and the mood in the queue is an anxious one.

Those waiting stand well apart and wear masks, not seen en masse since the Covid pandemic. Those without masks fashion face coverings with scarves and jumpers. Few are talking.

open image in gallery Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent ( PA )

It is exam season at the university, but assessments have been moved online since the outbreak. The student unions St Patricks Day party has also been cancelled, so the only real footfall on campus is those collecting their antibiotics.

Among them is Harvey Bennett, a 21-year-old cell biology masters student from Deal in Kent.

About the feeling on campus, he tells The Independent: Theres a little bit of tension, I guess, because obviously we havent had anything happen like this before.

I thought Id come down here today, its better to be safe than sorry.

The scenes, redolent of the pandemic, that met him at the Senate building took him by surprise, however.

open image in gallery Harvey Bennett says the queue feels like were back in Covid ( The Independent )

He adds: I didnt realise everyone was going to be wearing face masks down here, so I came a little unprepared, but luckily they were handing them out.

It definitely feels like we're back in Covid, its weird.

Second year biomedical science student Zyren Distajo, 21, says some of her friends have been sent into hysteria.

Zyren tells The Independent: I have an immunology exam online later today, and the group chats have been either mass hysteria or people being like, Oh, this is just like Covid.

It is very interesting going back into this type of situation. But I think a lot of people are just calming down because they realise that everyone being anxious isnt going to do anything.

Zyren, from Grantham, believes that the outbreak will have a knock-on effect on student behaviour.

People who visited Canterbury nightclub Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March have been urged by the UKHSA to get antibiotics as a precautionary measure, and local authorities are working to trace attendees.

open image in gallery The Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury ( Gareth Fuller/PA )

The UKHSA said students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, the flu or even a hangover.

About that, Zyren says: Im in my second year. Im less inclined to go clubbing anyway. It is definitely more of the first year and year 13 going out. And I guess that cultures kind of ruined.

I think people are just going to be less inclined to talk to strangers and to go out.

So far, 700 doses of antibiotics have been given out to people who may need them around the Canterbury area. The government has also announced a targeted vaccination programme for University of Kent students, details of which will be announced in due course.

Wes Streeting told the Commons earlier on Tuesday that the outbreak is unprecedented and a rapidly developing situation.

The health secretary also told MPs he was confident the UKHSA acted as quickly and comprehensively as possible in its response, after criticism that it was too slow to act and inform the public.

Some students have decided to vacate the campus and head home early for Easter. Malek, 24, who doesnt wish to give his surname, says he is heading home after collecting his antibiotics, not wanting to put his parents at risk.

open image in gallery Matthew McKeague collected antibiotics to prevent the spread of the illness outside of Canterbury ( The Independent )

First-year military history undergraduate Matthew McKeague, 18, who travels to university from Hythe, in Kent, also doesnt wish to spread the outbreak any further.

He says: Im a commuter, so it arguably seems more important, so I dont risk spreading the infection outside of Canterbury.

Asked about the atmosphere among his peers, Matthew adds: There is obviously a sense of worry. Theres no great time for it to happen, but with exams, essays, and everything being done, its probably the worst time it could have happened.

The only silver lining is that a lot of the students who live on campus, because it is approaching half-term, have gone home. So there are fewer people around in that sense.

A university spokesperson told The Independent: We recognise that this is a very sad and worrying time for our community and we are doing everything we can to offer advice and support.

This is a regional public health matter and not specific to the university. The response is being led by the UKHSA, and we are working with them and partners as the situation unfolds.

Known contacts of existing cases in our community have been contacted and advised on next steps. Students impacted are being offered antibiotic treatment on our Canterbury campus.

We have contacted all our students and staff to ensure they have all the latest advice and support they need, and we will continue to update via email and social media.
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Gerry Adams has emphatically denied any involvement in Provisional IRA bombings in England, telling the High Court he was "never a part of the organisation".

The former Sinn Fein president appeared in the witness box on Tuesday to defend a legal claim brought by three individuals who were victims of attacks in the 1970s and 1990s.

John Clark, injured in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a survivor of the 1996 London Docklands bombing; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, are collectively alleging that Mr Adams was a senior member of the Provisional IRA, including its Army Council, during the periods of these attacks. They are seeking 1 in damages.

Mr Adams is defending the claim, saying in a witness statement that membership of Sinn Fein does not equate to membership of the IRA.

He also told the court that while he did not distance himself from the Provisional IRA, he was glad the organisation had left the stage and that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, Mr Adams began his evidence by wishing the judge, Mr Justice Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day.

In his 20-page witness statement, Mr Adams said he was not involved in any way in the planning, preparation or conduct of any of the bombings, and have never been a senior, let alone most senior figure, in the IRA.

He continued: I had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the Old Bailey bombing (1973), the Canary Wharf bombing (1996) or the Manchester bombing (1996).

I have never been charged, prosecuted or convicted of any offence in connection with any of the bombing incidents in which the claimants were injured.

He also said: I was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA.

I repeat that I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured.

open image in gallery Gerry Adams arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, in central London, where a civil claim is being brought against the former Sinn Fein president (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire )

Mr Adams also said that opponents of Sinn Fein, of which he was president from 1983 to 2018, have repeatedly sought to conflate the party with the Provisional IRA.

As I have always stated, Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate organisations, Mr Adams said.

He continued: I have no knowledge, beyond what has been widely reported in the public domain, as to the structure or decision-making processes of the IRA.

Mr Adams told the court that he was very conscious that the three bomb victims had suffered significantly, and that his statement should not be taken as criticism of the claimants, or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.

During cross-examination by barrister Sir Max Hill KC, Mr Adams agreed that 1,178 deaths were caused by the Provisional IRA, the business of which was to resist armed British occupation and aggression in the part of Ireland that I lived in.

He had earlier said that the ignorance of Irish history among British people is shocking.

Sir Max later asked Mr Adams: Its your business to defend many actions of the IRA, is that an accurate statement?

Mr Adams replied: I do not defend all the IRA actions but my position is based on the broad principle that people have the right to resist occupation.

Sir Max continued: You have, over a long period of time, chosen to stand by the IRA.

Mr Adams replied: I do not stand by everything that they did but these were my neighbours.

He continued: Im glad that the IRA has left the stage, Im glad that no one else is being killed.

He added: I am glad that there is a peace process but I do not distance myself from the IRA while being very, very clear that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.

Anne Studd KC, for the three bomb victims, previously told the trial that Mr Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The barrister also said that the difference between being in the Army and being a member of Sinn Fein was not a clear either/or choice.

She added: The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man Army Council.

She concluded: There is no doubt that the defendant contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland, but the claimants say that on the evidence he also contributed to the war.

Ms Studd also told the court that Mr Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement, and that was likely as involved as the people who planted and detonated those bombs.

The trial is due to conclude later in March.
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A businessman has claimed he was unknowingly filmed while entering his bitcoin passwords by his wife, who then allegedly entered his accounts and stole 180m worth of the cryptocurrency.

High Court documents show Ping Fai Yuen accused his now estranged wife Fun Yung Li of stealing the currency while the pair were discussing divorce.

He alleges Ms Yuen set up CCTV in his house and secretly recorded him as he sat and hid the password in their family home in August 2023.

After being alerted to the fact she was allegedly trying to steal the currency by his daughter, Mr Yuen erected audio recording equipment which picked up Ms Yuen discussing CCTV which has been set up in the house.

He is now suing his estranged wife and her sister for the bitcoin, which has fluctuated in value between 160m and 180m during the course of the case, according to court documents.

open image in gallery Mr Yuen says around 180m in bitcoin was taken ( AP )

He claims the recordings show beyond reasonable doubt that it was Ms Yuen who obtained the seed phrase and exfiltrated the bitcoin.

According to the court documents, in August 2023 the cryptocurrency was stored in an address on the blockchain protected by a private key. This key was kept in a cold wallet, meaning it was not connected to the internet, on a physical device referred to as the Trezor.

The Trezor was also protected by a six-digit PIN. However, any person with access to the Mr Yuens seed phrase (a randomly generated set of 24 words) could use it to recreate the wallet on a separate device.

When Mr Yuen first discovered the currency was missing he confronted Ms Yuen and assaulted her. In September 2024 he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two offences of common assault.

He reported the missing cryptocurrency to the police, who arrested Ms Yuen in December 2023. Officers searched the house and seized a number of watches, ten cold wallets and five recovery seeds. She was released on bail, and police later confirmed they would take no further action pending new evidence.

open image in gallery The case is being held at the High Court (Anthony Devlin/PA) ( PA Archive )

Mr Yuen claims his recordings capture his estranged wife in the house discussing the bitcoin. In one, she allegedly said: The Bitcoin has transferred to me but can it be seen that you have taken it?, while in another she has discussions about buying things using the virtual cash in Hong Kong, where she is from.

Mr Yuen claims his wife has transferred his cryptocurrency to 71 other blockchain addresses.

In an affadavit, Ms Yuen told the court she was unaware of any information required to be provided in response to the matters... .

Mr Justice Cotter said Mr Yuen has a very high probability of success, and called the audio recording transcripts of Ms Yuen damning.

She has had numerous opportunities to give her side of the story but has declined to do so, he added.

Mr Yuen is seeking the return of the bitcoin or the equivalent value and a worldwide freezing order over the crypto assets of his Ms Yuen and his sister-in-law.
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The US-Israeli war on Iran is likely to increase the number of small boat arrivals in Britain, the leader of the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned.

Issuing his annual assessment of threats facing the country, NCA director general Graeme Biggar admitted the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could lead to an increase in organised immigration crime and arrivals on UK shores.

He said: Migrant demand to reach UK unlawfully continues to be high, and the conflict in Iran is likely to increase the challenge.

He said such increases often follow world conflict, adding that some of it is likely to be in the form of small boats crossing the Channel.

He added: I am not expecting it to be an absolutely massive increase from Iran, I wouldn't overplay it. But, yes, some of it will be in small boats.

open image in gallery NCA director general Graeme Biggar warned technology is reshaping crime ( PA )

Small boat arrivals were up 13 per cent year-on-year in 2025, after 45,774 people made the perilous crossing to claim asylum in Britain.

The NCA said most arrivals last year originated from countries in the Horn of Africa, replacing previous peaks of asylum seekers from Albania and Vietnam in recent years.

The fight against organised immigration crime accounts for a quarter of the NCAs operational activity, with officers seizing 533 boats or engines last year in a bid to prevent smugglers profiting from the arrivals.

Delivering a speech at NCAs headquarters in Stratford on Tuesday, Mr Biggar also warned technology is accelerating crime, with offenders turning to increasingly sophisticated techniques to smuggle drugs and run criminal networks.

open image in gallery The US-Iran war is likely to lead to more small boat crossings, the NCA said ( Getty )

Synthetic opioids pose the biggest risk, with nitazenes now being linked to 1,000 UK deaths in two-and-a-half years.

The potent drugs  some of which are 500 times stronger than morphine  are often smuggled into Britain in the post and are being found in adulterated heroin or in counterfeit pills being sold on the internet. Many are so dangerous that even the smallest amounts can lead to overdose.

Synthetic opioids pose the biggest risk. Since nitazenes first appeared at scale in the UK in June 2023, they have been connected to 1,000 deaths. This is an extraordinary figure, Mr Biggar said.

Nitazene-related deaths in the UK decreased slightly in 2025 to 359 deaths from 435 in 2024, however Mr Biggar admitted true numbers could be higher as testing struggles to keep pace.

In Britain, half of homicides, thefts and robberies are linked to drugs, the NCA chief said.

Drug-related deaths have doubled in a decade, with cocaine linked deaths up tenfold. Ketamine misuse is also surging, with the number of adults seeking treatment for ketamine use up tenfold in 10 years.

open image in gallery Nitazenes are sometimes mixed into other drugs ( PA )

However, smugglers are using sophisticated scientific methods to chemically bond drugs to other substances as diverse as charcoal, cardboard boxes, plastic or glue.

Sometimes chemists will be flown internationally to bond the drugs, including cocaine and nitazenes, and then extract them again at the other end.

Mr Biggar said: While we need to respond to a range of new challenges, we cannot take our eyes off the drug threat.

It has always caused a lot of harm, it is evolving fast, and we need to stay on top of it.

The threat from organised crime grew last year as technology allows criminals to get smarter, faster and more connected, to each other and to victims, Mr Biggar said, and developments in technology are reshaping crime itself.

Recent cyber attacks on Transport for London, the Legal Aid Agency, Marks and Spencer, the Co-op, Kido Nurseries and Jaguar Land Rover have shown that it is not enough for businesses to secure their systems, but they also need to address how staff can be manipulated, he added.

Responding to the NCAs annual assessment, security minister Dan Jarvis said: The threat from serious and organised crime is rapidly evolving, with criminals collaborating across borders and online to target the British public at scale. As they step up their activity, so must we.

Were driving a major international effort to take down smuggling gangs, and hitting drug traffickers harder than ever, through tougher port controls and record drug seizures.
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There is anger today after it emerged the karting circuit that helped launch the F1 careers of Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris is facing closure.

The owner of the Clay Pigeon leisure complex in Dorset plans to redevelop the land into a luxury holiday village.

The development would mean building over the highly-regarded race track where the F1 drivers cut their teeth with hundreds of holiday lodges.

Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion, trained regularly at the venue during his early career.

Lewis Hamilton won his first race on the 815 metre long circuit now earmarked for demolition.

And Lando Norris, the current F1 World Champion, began karting at Clay Pigeon Raceway at the age of seven.

The land owners have submitted a planning application to change the use of the site that is close to the A37 near Dorchester and erect a five star holiday village.

Dorset Council confirmed on Tuesday that a decision over the sites future at a planning meeting has been put on hold because the local parish council has not had the opportunity to comment on the application.

open image in gallery The owner of the Clay Pigeon leisure complex in Dorset plans to redevelop the land into a luxury holiday village. ( BNPS )

Paul Chick, who has worked with the Clay Pigeon Raceway for more than 35 years, has urged planning officials to reject the proposals.

He said the circuit, on which motorised karts can reach speeds of 60mph, is one of the finest in the country.

He warned that its loss would be a devastating blow not only to British motorsport but also to the local community.

He said: "Clay Pigeon Raceway has been part of the British motorsport landscape since the late 1950s and is one of the most important grassroots karting circuits in the country.

"Lando Norris began his racing career there, it was Jenson Buttons home circuit, and Lewis Hamilton won his first race at Clay Pigeon.

"Very few circuits anywhere in the UK can claim such a legacy."

open image in gallery Lando Norris, the current F1 World Champion, began karting at Clay Pigeon Raceway in Dorset at the age of seven ( PA Wire )

He also challenged the developers claim that the circuit is no longer viable.

He said: "The circuit is busier now than it has ever been.

"Race meetings attract hundreds of competitors and spectators from across the UK and it is widely regarded as one of the best kart circuits in the country.

"For many young drivers it is where their motorsport journey begins.

"If this circuit is lost, it will be lost forever. Motorsport venues of this significance cannot simply be recreated elsewhere."

Mr Chick also hoped that Motorsport UK, the governing body, had been consulted along with Sport England.

Beyond motorsport, Mr Chick argues the venue is integral to the local economy and community life.

open image in gallery The development would mean building over the highly-regarded race track where the F1 drivers cut their teeth with hundreds of holiday lodges ( BNPS )

He said: "Clay Pigeon is not simply a race circuit. It is a community asset.

"Throughout the year the venue hosts charity events that raise thousands of pounds for good causes. Hundreds of spectators, families and competitors travel to the area on race days, supporting the local economy and bringing life to the community."

John Russell runs the Bridport Bandits, a youth motor sport project that also uses the circuit.

He said: "It would be a major blow. I dont know where wed even go instead  I dont know what other tracks there are. Weve never really looked, but it would definitely take some thinking about."

Developers behind the scheme say that as well as timber holiday lodges, their plans include landscaped grounds, a wildlife pond and hotel amenities.

open image in gallery Karting trainer Rob Dodds with a young Lando Norris in the kart ( BNPS )

They have argued the new leisure site would create jobs, boost the local tourism economy and reduce noise pollution across the protected landscape.

They have indicated the scheme would be phased, with the kart track likely to be removed in the later stages.

Dorset Council is due to decide on the matter later.
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US President Donald Trump has said he is not happy with Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he wanted a viable option to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively shut the vital oil and gas shipping route by targeting vessels in response to the US-Israeli air strikes.

Mr Trump has called for countries, including the UK, to join a mission to protect shipping.

But the Prime Minister, who has so far resisted the US presidents demands, said: Were working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts.

Mr Trump said the UKs approach to the conflict was terrible.

I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom, two weeks ago, I said, Why dont you send some ships over and he really didnt want to do it.

I said You dont want to do it? Weve been with you. Youre our oldest ally and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all of these things to protect you.

He added: I think its terrible. I was very surprised.

The US President suggested the UK will maybe be involved in the Strait of Hormuz mission, but they should be involved enthusiastically.

He also appeared to criticise Sir Keir for seeking the advice of aides on the issue following a call between the two leaders on Sunday, claiming the premier had said he was meeting with my team before making a decision.

UK Government sources said the Prime Minister had referred to wanting to speak to partners and military planners, rather than No 10 advisers.

I said you dont need to meet with your team, youre the Prime Minister, you can make your own why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not youre going to send some minesweepers to help us or to send some boats, Mr Trump said.

Speaking to reporters in the White House later on Monday, he said the US had considered Britain the Rolls-Royce of allies and described Sir Keir as a very nice guy, but insisted the response to the war had been very disappointing.

Mr Trump repeated his claim that the Prime Minister had offered to send over the UKs two aircraft carriers to the Middle East and that he had told Sir Keir I dont need your aircraft carriers after weve already won.

There was speculation that HMS Prince of Wales, one of the two warships which had previously been earmarked for deployment in the Arctic, could be sent to the region after it was placed in a state of advanced readiness earlier this month.

At a Downing Street press conference earlier, Sir Keir said he would not allow the UK to be drawn into a wider war in the Middle East.

Britain could potentially provide mine-hunting drones to the mission rather than a warship, although the Prime Minister insisted no final decisions had been made.

It is a discussion, we are not at a point of decisions yet, I want to really stress that, he said.

The Prime Minister said he had discussed the issue with countries in the Gulf and Europe, as well as Mr Trump.

Itll have to be something which is agreed by as many partners as possible, is my strong view. Were not at that stage yet, but we are working hard.

In a joint statement with the leaders of Canada, Germany, France and Italy issued later on Monday evening, he called for de-escalation and talks over the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

We are gravely concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon and call for meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution, the statement said.

We strongly support initiatives to facilitate talks and urge for immediate de-escalation.

The leaders demanded Hezbollah cease its attacks on Israel and disarm, while warning that a significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict.

It must be averted, the statement said.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged the impact of rising oil and gas prices on households in the UK, announcing his administration had issued a legal direction to energy firms to pass on savings from Government policies already announced.

And he set out a 53 million package of support for vulnerable heating oil customers, focused on those households that are most exposed.

He also raised concerns about claims that suppliers of heating oil have cancelled orders and then hiked bills as prices have spiked.

I simply will not allow companies to make huge profits from the hardship of working people, he said. That kind of conduct is completely unacceptable, so if the companies have broken the law, there will be legal action.

England will receive 27 million to support heating oil customers, which will be distributed by local authorities.

Northern Ireland, which has the highest proportion of homes reliant on heating oil of the UKs four nations, has been allocated 17 million, Scotland 4.6 million and Wales 3.8 million.

The Treasury said the funding has been allocated based on census data, with the money going to the devolved governments to distribute.

But the Government was not able to provide an estimate of the number of households that would benefit from the extra support.

Further measures could follow if the crisis continues, with Sir Keir declining to rule out a more significant intervention once the current energy price cap expires in July.

Asked whether he could implement a similar policy to the energy price guarantee introduced by Liz Truss in 2022 at a cost of tens of billions of pounds, he said it was not sensible to say within a number of months time, not knowing what the situation will be, that the following will be ruled in or be out.

He said: My instinct is always to help working people in a situation like this.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keirs relationship with the US was not deep enough.

She told the Press Association: It is not clear the Prime Minister has been involved in the planning process. All of our allies seem to be worried about how slow he is.

Im worried that hes not deep enough in conversations with the US. But before we start sending ships out, we need to know what the plan is.

What I want to see is the Prime Minister coming up with a plan for the national interest, not just what his Labour backbenchers want.

This is not just about the Labour Party. This is about the whole country.
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Claims that drilling in the North Sea will significantly reduce household energy bills have been dismissed as "sheer fantasy" by experts, as new analysis highlights the far greater potential of renewable energy.

Research from the University of Oxford Smith School indicates that a UK powered entirely by clean energy, utilising technologies such as electric heat pumps for home heating, could save households up to 441 annually on their bills.

In stark contrast, maximising oil and gas extraction from the North Sea would offer a mere 16 to 82 in annual savings per household.

Crucially, this modest benefit would only materialise if the tax revenues collected from fossil fuel companies were directly redistributed to families to offset their energy costs.

Analysts warn that without the government specifically earmarking these tax revenues to lower household bills, there would be "no discernible benefit" to consumers whatsoever, given that oil and gas prices are dictated by volatile international markets.

open image in gallery Maximising oil and gas extraction from the North Sea would offer a mere 16 to 82 in annual savings per household ( Jacob King/PA )

Dr Anupama Sen, co-author and head of policy engagement at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, said: The idea that draining the North Sea would make the UK more energy secure or significantly save on household bills is sheer fantasy.

We show that regardless of the remaining lifetime of North Sea oil and gas, a drill baby drill approach to extraction would actually cost households more money versus continuing on our path to clean energy.

The analysis comes amid soaring energy prices as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran which has closed the Strait of Hormuz  a key shipping route for oil and gas supplies  roiling energy markets.

Energy costs look set to jump in the next price cap in the latest blow for households, particularly those on low incomes, who have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine which have led to high and volatile prices.

The UK Governments reaction to the latest spike in fossil fuel prices has been to double down on the push to clean energy, while hinting at measures to ease pressure on households, such as cancelling planned fuel duty rises later this year.

It has announced that it will make plug-in solar panels for people to put on balconies and outdoor spaces available in the UK for the first time and is bringing forward the latest auction for contracts to supply electricity at fixed prices from renewables such as solar farms and offshore wind.

But there have been calls from the Tories and Reform UK to increase supplies of oil and gas from the North Sea, and to bring down bills by scrapping measures to help the UK shift to a net-zero clean economy, such as new renewables and heat pump subsidies.

US President Donald Trump has also weighed into the debate, repeatedly criticising wind power and urging the British Government to focus on drilling in the North Sea, despite it being a declining oil and gas basin.

open image in gallery There have been calls from the Tories and Reform UK to increase supplies of oil and gas from the North Sea ( Danny Lawson/PA )

The analysis found that if the remaining North Sea oil and gas resources were fully exploited and the revenues from a realistic tax take were directly redistributed to households, it could save 82 on an average bill.

If the government scrapped the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas company profits, those annual savings  if remaining taxes were handed over to households  would fall to just 16.

However, if all UK households switched to renewable energy, bills could be reduced by 105 to 441 depending on the extent of electrification and how bills are designed.

The analysis said the savings are based on energy prices in January before the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran, with oil and gas prices lower than they are now, and are therefore conservative estimates of the benefit of renewables.

And they are recurring once the system switches over, while North Sea oil and gas are a finite resource.

If electricity is dominated by renewables, they will set the price of power  unlike todays world, where it is mostly set by gas  bringing down bills by 105 for those on dual-fuel bills.

But if households electrify, for example by replacing gas boilers with heat pumps, they could save 330 a year on their bills, and if electricity bills were rebalanced so that policy costs were taken into general taxation, it would deliver savings of about 441 a year.

Co-author Cassandra Etter-Wenzel said: Achieving this requires upfront investment  especially for heat pumps and insulation  and therefore depends on effective subsidy and financing mechanisms, particularly for low-income households.

Dr Sen added: Heat pumps are particularly important for reducing bills because they are much more efficient than gas boilers, producing about three units of heat for every unit of electricity they use, compared to less than one unit of heat per unit of gas in boilers.
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A pensioner who lost her 575,000 house to her neighbour in a disastrous dispute over how she parked her Ford Focus has lost a court fight to win it back.

When Marie Potter, 75, moved into her house in Bennett's Avenue, Shirley, Croydon, in 1998, neighbour Kirsten McGowan was already there and their families initially got on well, she says.

But the two women fell out disastrously when a row over Mrs Potter's Ford Focus car blocking access to her neighbour's garage over their shared driveway ended up in court.

Following a hearing at Bromley County Court in August 2020, the pensioner was ordered to pay around 70,000 in costs and damages to her neighbour and the following year the debt was charged against her home - which was then worth 575,000.

That was followed by an order for sale and possession of the property and in April 2023 - due to the judgment debt still being unpaid - Mrs Potter was evicted from her house.

Her belongings were also later removed and put into storage at her expense.

Three years later and with the property still unsold, Mrs Potter went to London's High Court, countersuing Mrs McGowan in a bid to get her house back.

Representing herself with assistance from a retired solicitor who attends her church, she argued before Judge David Halpern KC that the order taking possession of her property was invalid, as well as claiming over 250,000 in damages from her neighbour.

But she has now lost her case after the judge ruled the order taking the house was made lawfully.

open image in gallery Kirsty McGowan outside court ( Champion News )

Commenting on the disastrous outcome for the religious pensioner, the judge said: "This is yet another cautionary tale about the financial consequences of neighbour disputes for those without deep pockets."

Mrs Potter had told the court in a witness statement that she moved into her house over 25 years ago and "had managed to get along well enough" with her neighbour Mrs McGowan for many years.

However the two families eventually began to clash over Mrs McGowan's complaints that the way Mrs Potter's car was parked blocked access for her and her family over their shared driveway to her garage at the back of her property.

open image in gallery Marie Potter outside court ( Champion News )

She sued at Bromley County Court and in August 2020 won around 30,000 damages, plus legal costs, which led to a charging order of around 70,000 being made against Mrs Potter's house in December 2020.

In December 2021, Mrs McGowan's lawyers went on to acquire an order for sale of her neighbour's home and in April 2023 a warrant of possession was issued and Mrs Potter was evicted from her house, with her neighbour's lawyers being put in charge of selling it to recover her debt.

Mrs Potter, who has been living in rented accommodation in Bromley for the last three years with her possessions in storage, claimed that the county court order that her house was to be sold was invalid and that the property should be handed back to her.

She also counterclaimed for over 250,000 compensation for the losses she says she has suffered due to being removed from her home, including the costs of rent and storage and a depreciation in the value of her house of over 100,000.

open image in gallery PotterDriveway ( Supplied by Champion News )

She based her argument on a court rule which she said means that an order for sale of a property cannot be enforced in a county court if there is a third party charge or mortgage on it exceeding 30,000 - as is the case with her house.

But giving his ruling, Judge Halpern said that the county court in fact had jurisdiction to order the sale of properties with charges or mortgages upon them up to 350,000 in value, meaning her bid to get the house back is doomed.

Giving judgment, he said: "This is yet another cautionary tale about the financial consequences of neighbour disputes for those without deep pockets. The current proceedings arise out of previous proceedings between the parties over a shared driveway.

"An order [was] made on 26 August 2020 requiring Mrs Potter to pay Mrs McGowan 30,452.95 damages, plus 27,000 costs.

"Mrs Potter failed to pay all or any of these sums.

"Needless to say, the amount due to Mrs McGowan continues to rise as interest accrues and more costs are incurred.

"Mrs Potter has counterclaimed for extensive relief, alleging...that Mrs McGowan has committed a trespass in taking possession and is in breach of her duties as mortgagee in possession," he continued, explaining that before any trial of that claim could take place he had to first decide whether the seizure and sale of the house was valid as a preliminary issue.

"The issues which are raised in [Mrs Potter's] counterclaim are wholly or largely dependent upon Mrs Potter succeeding on both preliminary issues," he pointed out.

Going on to find against Mrs Potter, he concluded: "The county court has jurisdiction to enforce a charging order by sale where the amount owing does not exceed the limit of its equity jurisdiction, which is 350,000. The order was therefore validly made."
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David Lammys plans to strip thousands of defendants of the right to a jury trial in favour of judge-only hearings could threaten judges security, the head of the judiciary has warned.

Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, said on Tuesday that she had grave security concerns about the controversial reforms, which would see juries in England and Wales replaced with a single judge in cases where a convicted defendant would be jailed for up to three years.

The reforms are being brought in to tackle the record case backlog in the criminal courts, which has led to some cases not being scheduled to start until 2030.

Baroness Carr told journalists: My responsibility is to make it as plain as I can that I have grave security concerns if there are going to be judge-alone trials.

Its a very different environment to be working in, and judges usually sit in one main centre, so they are going in and out of one centre on a daily basis, rather than High Court judges who are sitting all around the country.

open image in gallery The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton on the Hill, speaks to journalists during the annual Lady Chief Justice press conference, held in the library of the Royal Courts of Justice in central London. ( PA )

Baroness Carr said she had made the case very, very strongly that judicial security needs to be considered by the government.

She added: I have been assured that that has all been heard and understood, and the resources will be made available.

When asked to clarify how judges might be put at risk, she said she was not too worried about intimidation of judges, adding: I dont want to go into too much detail about where my concerns lie. I think in the broadest of senses, I would say that they would centre at the moment on judges going to the same building every day.

Baroness Carr pointed to Canada, which has a gold-standard judicial security unit. She said that individual measures are being taken for individual judges where appropriate, concluding: It is a huge issue, and if you were to go and ask me the low lights of the last year, security events and occasions would be one of them.

She also highlighted the threat to judges online, saying: "The social media abuse has taken a nasty turn when it comes to judges now. (It) is increasingly racist and misogynistic social media abuse that is so difficult to control."

open image in gallery Baroness Carr said she was worried about the safety of judges in her annual press conference on Tuesday ( PA )

Baroness Carr opened her annual press conference at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by paying tribute to Jeff Blair, a court bailiff, who was seriously injured at work in County Durham.

A man accused of murdering Mr Blair, who had previously worked as a police officer for 22 years, made his first appearance in court on Monday.

Justice secretary David Lammys reforms passed their first hurdle in Parliament last week after MPs voted to allow the Courts and Tribunal Bill. The bill passed with a majority of 101, and with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government.

Under the changes, magistrates powers will be increased so they can hand down sentences of up to 18 months imprisonment, up from 12 months currently, so they will be able to deal with more cases.

The plans for judge-only trials would see judges reaching verdicts along on cases involving grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and organised crime.

In 2024, a man was jailed for three years after throwing a radiator at family court judge Patrick Perusko before pinning him down and punching him.

A year ago, the Lady Chief Justice publicly rebuked the prime minister and the leader of the opposition for their critical remarks in Parliament about a immigration judge's ruling, and said judicial security was at an "all-time high".

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: The Lady Chief Justice is absolutely right to highlight how important it is to ensure judges are safe to carry out their duties. Our reforms mean serious cases will continue to be heard in front of a jury and we have robust measures in place - backed by increased investment - to protect judges and all court users.

Victims are facing unacceptably long waits for justice after years of delays in our courts. That is why we are pressing ahead with our plans - alongside modernising it for the 21st century with record investment.
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Vaccination coverage against the main causes of meningitis varies significantly across England, analysis of government data reveals  as health bosses call on parents to ensure their children are fully up to date in the wake of two deaths in Kent.

Questions have been raised over the vaccination of young people after the outbreak of cases in the Canterbury area.

An 18-year-old pupil called Juliette and a 21-year-old university student have died, while another 11 people are in hospital, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which has confirmed that the strain of meningitis B (menB) is behind the outbreak.

Currently, there are two vaccines that protect against meningitis, but pharmacists have already warned of shortages at some pharmacies in Kent following a surge in demand linked to the latest outbreak.

The menB vaccine has been offered to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year since 2015, meaning those at university today will not have received it. The menACWY vaccine, which protects against four other strains, is offered to teenagers in Year 9.

However, the latest annual data from the UKHSA for 2024/25 shows that despite menB coverage for one-year-olds rising to 91 per cent from 90.6 per cent in 2023/24, it is still below the pre-Covid peak in 2019/20, when it was 92.5 per cent.

For the latest on the meningitis B outbreak - click here for our blog

It is a similar picture for the menACWY vaccine, which had a 73 per cent coverage in 2023/24, down from 87 per cent in 2019/20, according to the latest annual data

Analysis of the data at a local authority level during the 2024/25 academic year by The Independent shows up-take varies significantly, with coverage for menACWY for year 10 students the lowest in the London area (65 per cent), and the highest in the East of England (83 per cent).

It is the same for the two-dose menB vaccination by 12 months of age, with coverage in the period between July and September last year as low as 63 per cent in Hackney, east London and up to 97 per cent in North Tyneside and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of Anglia, told The Independent vaccination coverage was a challenge for the government. He said: There are many reasons [for a low coverage in some areas]. Sometimes it is language, some of it is culture, and some of it is a fear of authorities.

There were 378 cases of the serious bacterial infection, invasive meningococcal disease, in 2024/25, with 82 per cent caused by menB.

On Tuesday, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, from the UKHSA, said the outbreak of meningitis had been unusual, but she did not believe there was a current risk to anyone outside of the Kent region.

She told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Its really important to reassure people across the country that theres no evidence of wider spread at the current time but its important, in terms of vaccination, to make sure that your children are fully up to date with the vaccines that are available, and to be alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease.

Although it can be rare, it can be severe and devastating, and so prompt recognition, early treatment is very important.

On Monday, in the wake of the deaths in Kent, charity Meningitis Now called for teenagers and young people to be vaccinated against meningitis B on the NHS, with children born prior to 2015 having missed out.

Former health minister Helen Whately, Conservative MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, also told Times Radio there should be a catch-up menB vaccination campaign for young people.

Some pharmacies in the Kent area are already running out of the menB vaccine following a surge in demand in response to the latest outbreak.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association, told The Independent: Pharmacies, particularly in the Kent area, are seeing a surge in demand for private meningitis B vaccination but unfortunately are running out of stock (some places no stock left).

Independent Pharmacies Association has called on the NHS to urgently commission pharmacies to deliver a catch-up vaccination programme targeted at university students and teenagers born before 2015.

The government has previously said the menB vaccine is not cost-effective on the NHS for adolescents.
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Actress Jessie Buckley represents the "best of Ireland", while Conor McGregor "represents the very worst of Irish society", Irelands deputy premier Simon Harris has declared.

Mr Harris made the comments to reporters in London on Monday, after a meeting with UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Asked about reports of Mr McGregor in Washington, D.C. for St Patrick's Day celebrations, Mr Harris said: "Its a matter for the United States of America who they let into their country.

But my view of Conor McGregor is well known, he represents the very worst of us."

Buckley became the first Irish woman to win best actress at the Oscars ( Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP )

In November 2024, the mixed martial arts fighter was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape.

Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against Mr McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

A few months later, he met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House on St Patricks Day and criticised the Irish Government on a range of issues during the meeting.

Mr Harris insisted the focus of the day should be on Jessie Buckley, who won the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Hamnet during Sunday nights ceremony.

He said: Today were celebrating Jessie Buckley, someone who represents the best of Ireland, an incredible person whos shattered a glass ceiling, the first Irish woman to win best actress at the Oscars, an incredible ambassador for our country.

Conor McGregor represents the very worst of Irish society.

Nobody needs any advice from me, but you know, tomorrow is a celebration of Irishness, of our values, of inclusion, of the best of us and when I think of the best of us, I dont think of Conor McGregor.

The Tanaiste praised Buckleys amazing humanity and compassion, saying her achievement is a moment of great joy and great delight at a very difficult and uncertain time in the world.

He also congratulated Richard Baneham, who won his third visual effects Oscar for his work on Avatar: Fire And Ash.
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US president Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on the BBC, branding it corrupt, fraudulent news and alleging the broadcaster used artificial intelligence to edit his speech.

This comes as the corporation recently filed a motion to dismiss Mr Trumps $10bn (7.5bn) defamation lawsuit.

The legal action centres on an edited version of a Panorama documentary.

The programme drew significant criticism last year following a 2024 broadcast, which was accused of creating the impression that Mr Trump had incited his supporters to storm the Capitol building in 2021, subsequent to his election defeat to Joe Biden.

The controversy led to the resignation of BBC director-general Tim Davie, amidst allegations that Panorama had selectively edited Mr Trumps remarks.

BBC chair Samir Shah apologised on behalf of the broadcaster over an error of judgement and accepted that the editing of the 2024 documentary gave the impression of a direct call for violent action.

open image in gallery The corporation filed a motion to dismiss Trumps 7.5bn defamation lawsuit over an edit of a Panorama documentary ( Ben Whitley/PA )

Asked about his lawsuit on Tuesday, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that footage had been edited and claimed that AI had been used to generate clips.

They put words in my mouth, and they said I said some pretty bad things, and I didnt say them, it was AI-generated.

And I said, I never said that. Some of my people said, Wow, that was pretty bad stuff you said, I said, What did I say?

Im pretty good at this stuff. I mean, if you can go through years of these press conferences and youre the popular president of the United States that won in a landslide, that won all seven swing states, that got record numbers of votes  I guess Im OK at this stuff.

I said, I never said that, and then we found out it was AI-generated.

Mr Trump also criticised the BBCs coverage of the US war on Iran as so inaccurate and unbelievable.

open image in gallery Trump was asked about the BBC during a press opportunity with Irish premier Micheal Martin ( Niall Carson/PA )

We have decimated that country, and if you watch BBC its almost like theyre fighting us to a draw.

He added: It was very inaccurate news, it was fake news.

Im very proud of the term fake news because it was my term, I came up with it  but its no longer accurate.

It really is corrupt, fraudulent news. It really is  its fraudulent.

Its not just fake, its beyond fake. Its really criminal what they do.

Asked about the lawsuit against the broadcaster, Mr Trump said he would see how it comes out.

The BBC has been contacted for comment.
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The information watchdog has been urged to investigate a Reform UK competition under which the party has pledged to pay a streets energy bills for a year.

The demand by digital campaigners, Open Rights Group, came as a Labour minister lashed out at Reforms publicity stunts, claiming that Nigel Farage is just trying to get attention and backlash with publicity stunts, based on algorithms.

To enter, competitors are asked questions, including who they voted for at the last general election and who they plan to back at the next.

Unveiling the draw, Robert Jenrick, the partys Treasury spokesperson, told a press conference in London: If you give us your details ... in the next week or two, were going to draw one of those names, and Nigel [Farage] is going to come to your house and hes going to pay your energy bills and those of everyone who lives on your street for an entire year.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage at a press conference in London where he unveiled the competition ( Getty )

The Open Rights Group have now called on the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) to investigate.

Mariano delli Santi, legal and policy officer at Open Rights Group, said: Reform are asking the public to hand over sensitive data about their voting habits without being transparent about how it will be used. This is a clear breach of transparency obligations under UK data protection law. Nothing in their privacy policy suggests they are not acting unlawfully in many other ways.

Political opinions are among the most sensitive types of personal data, and voters must be able to engage in campaigns without feeling pressured to trade their privacy for the chance of material benefit. The ICO must investigate and take a stand against political parties exploiting data in this way.

Aside from the potential breach of data protection law, offering financial incentives in exchange for peoples political views risks turning democratic participation into a data-harvesting exercise. Free and fair elections depend on trust, transparency and genuine consent, not competitions that blur the line between campaigning and profiling.

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: We are entirely confident that this competition is legal.

The Information Commissioners Office has been contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, the latest political stunt was lambasted by climate change minister Katie White.

Speaking to The Independent, she said: He is just trying to get attention and backlash with publicity stunts, based on algorithms.

Moving on to his attacks on net zero policies and renewables, Ms White said: That's the sort of thing that actually really winds me up as well, because in terms of our security in the long term, this is the route to long-term energy security. You cant sanction the sun or turn off the wind.

She argued that the war in Iran and threat to oil supplies, as well as Vladimir Putins control of the oil market, underline why we need our own sources of energy in the long term, and warned that Farages policies undermine Britains long-term security and investment.

open image in gallery Reform UKs Robert Jenrick during the press conference unveiling the energy competition ( AFP/Getty )

Unveiling the energy competition, Reform UK also said it would scrap VAT and green levies on household energy bills in a bid to reduce how much people are paying, if it were in government. Prices have risen sharply following the US-Israel war on Iran after oil supplies were severely disrupted by the Middle East conflict.

Mr Jenrick claimed that his partys plans would save the average household at least 200 off their energy bill.

Scrapping the 5 per cent VAT levied on energy bills would cut a familys energy bill by around 85 a year, while axing the renewables obligation and carbon price support tax would save another 115, the party claimed.

The measures would be funded by a 7.5 per cent reduction in the budgets of unprotected arms length bodies, known as quangos, which Reform said would save 2.5bn a year.

On Monday, the government announced a 53m support package for vulnerable heating oil customers hit by surging prices.
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A senior Labour MP has joined mounting calls for King Charless visit to the US to be delayed due to worsening relations between the UK and Donald Trumps administration.

The US president hit out once again at Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, saying he is not happy over his response to the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

The so-called special relationship has been strained in recent weeks, prompting fears the ill will could overshadow the Kings visit to the US, rumoured to be planned for the end of next month.

On Monday, chair of the foreign affairs committee Dame Emily Thornberry added to calls for the trip to be delayed, to avoid it going ahead against the backdrop of war.

open image in gallery King Charles, pictured with the US president in Windsor last September, has played a vital role in smoothing relations between the UK and Donald Trump ( Getty )

If it was to go ahead next month  the dates havent been confirmed, but everybody seems to think its going to be next month  it would go ahead against a backdrop of a war and that, I think, is quite difficult. And the last thing that we want to do is to have their Majesties embarrassed, she told BBC Radio 4.

I dont know what the discussions are. I dont know what the programme would involve, but I think it needs to be thought through very carefully as to whether its appropriate to go ahead now or maybe have a limited programme or delay it.

Pressed on whether she believes the visit should be delayed, she said: I suspect it would be safer to delay it, but I dont know the details.

King Charles has played a vital role in easing relations between the UK and Mr Trump, with the US presidents second state visit last year having been seen as a broad success.

open image in gallery Foreign affairs committee chair Dame Emily Thornberry said it would be difficult if the the state visit went ahead against the backdrop of war ( House of Commons )

The upcoming state visit would coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US declaration of independence, the first by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II accepted an invitation from George W Bush in 2007.

Dame Emilys comments come after Ed Davey also called for the upcoming state visit to be called off last week.

Downing Street has previously reiterated that the visit has not yet been confirmed, but the Liberal Democrat leader said Mr Trump should not be afforded yet another huge diplomatic coup after launching what he called an illegal war on Iran.

Donald Trump unleashed yet more vitriol directed at the prime minister on Monday, saying he is not happy with Sir Keir after he rejected the US presidents calls to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

Sir Keir said on Monday the UK will not be drawn into the wider war, as the UK and other Nato countries refusal to send warships to protect oil supplies in the key route was met by veiled threats from Mr Trump.
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A court in Kenya on Tuesday charged two men with transporting wildlife illegally after one of them, a Chinese national, was arrested at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with more than 2,000 live ants last week.

Zhang Kequn, 27, was detained last Tuesday while attempting to leave the country, court documents showed. Kenyan immigration officials had flagged his passport with a "stop order" after he evaded arrest in the country last year.

Prosecutors arraigned a second person, Charles Mwangi, on Monday, accusing him of supplying live ants to foreign traffickers. Authorities linked Mwangi to a shipment of ants seized in Bangkok on March 10, which originated from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.

Zhang and Mwangi pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi, including dealing with wildlife species without a permit. The court ordered both men to be remanded in custody, pending further directions in the case on March 27.

Ant enthusiasts pay large sums to maintain colonies in large transparent vessels known as formicariums, which offer a literal window into the species' complex social structures and behaviours.

Four men were fined $7,700 each last year for trying to traffic thousands of ants valuable to Kenya's ecosystem, in a case that experts said showed a move in biopiracy from trophies like elephant ivory to lesser-known species.
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Scores of people have been killed and injured after bombs detonated in at least three locations across northeastern Nigerias Borno state on Monday night, emergency services reported, suggesting the attacks were possible suicide bombings.

The blasts rocked Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, a region that has endured a decade-long insurgency by the homegrown jihadi group Boko Haram.

According to Sirajo Abdullahi, head of operations for Nigerias National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Maiduguri, the explosions targeted the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets, known as Post Office and Monday Market.

There are casualties and they are still managing the causalities at the hospital, Abdullahi said. We cant give the actual figure until we count.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the suspected bombings.

open image in gallery For years, Nigeria has been battling a complex security crisis from different armed groups, especially in the northern part of the country ( AP Foto/Lekan Oyekanmi, archivo )

The Nigerian military said in a statement earlier it had repelled attacks by suspected Islamic militants in the early hours of Monday on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

For years, Nigeria has been battling a complex security crisis from different armed groups, especially in the northern part of the country.

Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and one of its factions, have been blamed for intensified attacks targeting Nigerias military bases in the northeast of the country this month. But attacks in Maiduguri in Borno state, which is the epicenter of Nigerias 17-year struggle with extremist armed groups, have been rare in recent years after military operations.

Bagoni Alkali, an eyewitness to the blast, told The Associated Press he brought wounded people to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department, Alkali said.

"While I could tell you so many people have died, to be honest, many lost their lives at the scene immediately after the bomb exploded. Its disheartening, he added.

Mohammed Hassan, a member of a volunteer group that often assists the security forces in the conflict against armed extremists, said he evacuated 10 bodies from the Post Office and Monday Markets.

Many victims were rushed to the emergency ward, but some died at the hospital. Were in dire need of blood," he said. This attacks been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years.

Bornos Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said in a statement Monday he condemned in the strongest terms the explosions.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane, Zulum said.

He called on residents to remain calm, go about their usual activities and report any suspicious movement or activity to security agencies.
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From an Isis insurgency in northern Mozambique , to civil war in Cameroon, and long-running conflict across Ethiopia  there were 50 active conflicts across Africa last year. That is an increase of 45 per cent on 2020.

According to Patrick Yousseff, regional director for Africa at the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), there is an urgent need for the world to shift its attention towards the devastation that is being wrought across the continent.

There are many parts of Africa that can appeal to Global North countries, which are progressing economically, and feel like a positive, new horizon, Youseff tells The Independent, citing Rwanda, South Africa and Kenya as examples. But the impacts of war and violence are not getting enough attention.

There are, Youseff continues, numerous examples of forgotten crises - like in Central African Republic and Burkina Faso  which nobody seems to be speaking about any more. Then there are the neglected crises - like Sudan, which might have thousands of articles written about them, and significant UN Security Council attention , but which the world is still not doing enough around to address.

In todays world, where every crisis is instantly accessible over your phone, tablet, or TV, we simply cannot consider the excuse that what is happening is not our problem, Youseff says.

Distinct from national Red Cross organisations like the British Red Cross  which has a broad humanitarian focus both domestically and overseas  the ICRC was established in Switzerland in 1863 in the aftermath of the Italian Wars of Independence, with the specific remit of providing humanitarian support during times of war.

It now considered one of the most important organisations during times of conflict, not only responding to crises like an attack or a mass displacement, but also playing an oversight role where it seeks to ensure adherence to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which are the core tenets of international humanitarian law intended to limit the barbarity of wars.

open image in gallery Patrick Youssef during a visit to Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan, in December ( ICRC )

In 2024, the ICRC delivered aid to millions of people impacted by conflict in more than 100 countries, leveraging its impartial position to also provide aid to some of the 204 million people worldwide who live in areas controlled or contested by armed groups  such as al Shabaab in Somalia - which other aid organisations struggle to access.

Normally based in Nairobi, Youseff spoke exclusively to The Independent at ICRCs London base at the end of February, as part of a whistle-stop UK trip centred on meetings with the UK government to push for more support for its operations across the world.

While the details of those conversations remain confidential, it seems a safe bet that an enthusiastic loosening of purse strings for African conflicts  where the ICRC currently spends around 40 per cent of its budget  was unlikely to have happened. The UK, like a number of other western countries , is in the process of reducing its overseas aid spend, with real terms cuts worth 40 per cent set to take place between 2025 and 2027.

open image in gallery Civilians in Goma, Eastern DRC, are assisted by ICRC aid workers ( Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/ICRC )

open image in gallery An ICRC nurse helps a patient to begin a sequence of exercises at a rehabilitation centre in Eastern DRC ( Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/ICRC )

The ICRC itself has had to make significant cuts to its operations for this year, slashing almost one-fifth of its annual budget and shedding 2,900 jobs as countries retreat from providing humanitarian aid. The group has been forced to make such moves despite the number of armed conflicts increasing globally, humanitarian needs also increasing, and international humanitarian law coming under increasing strain.

A major study published in February of looking at 23 armed conflicts over the past 18 months found that international humanitarian law is at breaking point, with more than 100,000 civilians killed globally, and widespread allegations of torture and sexual violence in conflicts including Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine.

When we look at what is happening in wars around the world, I think we should be quite afraid that the trend has not been to increase assistance to those displaced by war, but instead has been to turn away, Yousseff says.

Many of the worlds conflict zones are also in parts of the world that are also particularly impacted by the climate crisis . The lack of funding available to the ICRC and other aid organisations means that they are unable to develop holistic plans to help address the dual curse of conflict and the climate crisis, Yousseff says.

In Somalia two years ago, we had an anticipatory action intervention where we were able to use local media to warn civilians in conflict areas in advance of coming floods. But to pretend today that we would be able to respond to climate hazards like that now would be a fantasy, says Yousseff.

In an ideal world, we would hope that aid discussions revolve around treating the root causes of problems, rather than just distributing food aid. This is what the governments want and what the people want, and reduces the likelihood of people becoming aid-dependent, he continues.

But instead of a climate- or development-centred approach to aid, Youseff says, increasingly the only responses that NGOs are able to afford are food parcels for people suffering from the most extreme, immediate crises. It is not our intention to create dependency, but in the absence of other funding, what are we supposed to do, he says.

Youseff is unequivocal, too, that the threats to international humanitarian law in both Africa and other parts of the world should be a major concern to the governments of wealthy countries.

The distancing from legal norms threatens global stability, and it threatens trade and economy, he says - in somewhat prophetic comments that were made just a few days before the start of the US and Israels war on Iran, which many have called illegal , and which has caused significant economic turmoil across the world .

The aid cuts to the ICRC also risks exacerbating threats to humanitarian law yet further, Youseff continues, as it limits the role that the organisation can play as a neutral intermediary between partners - which is a role that was recently exemplified in the Red Cross-facilitated release of detainees in Gaza and Israel.

All of this is coming, too, at a time when the advent of drone warfare has created new risks to civilian populations during times of warfare, and the decline of mainstream media organisations has resulted in hate speech and disinformation fuelling chaos in certain communities.

After making cuts worth hundreds of millions of pounds in recent years, and reorganising operations to boost efficiencies, Youseff describes ICRC as quite fit for the challenges ahead, adding that group does also maintain emergency budgets in case of sudden surges in humanitarian needs in conflicts.

But nobody should kid themselves: People are going to suffer as conflicts escalate while budgets decline. We cannot do more with less. It is less with less, Yousseff says. That is unfortunately the motto of so many organisations like ours at the moment.
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Cuba has been plunged into an islandwide blackout, affecting its 11 million residents, as the nation grapples with a deepening energy crisis and a deteriorating power grid.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed a "complete disconnection" of the electrical system on X, stating an investigation was underway. Officials noted that no operational units were found to have failed at the time of the grid's collapse.

Lazaro Guerra, the ministry's electricity director, informed state media that efforts were focused on gradually restarting several crucial thermoelectric plants. He cautioned, "It must be done gradually to avoid setbacks. Because systems, when very weak, are more susceptible to failure."

As darkness fell across the island, residents resorted to candles. In Havana, the sounds of children playing and singing with their mother echoed from one unlit home. Yuneici Cecilia Riviaux described the immediate challenges, saying, "We have to prepare a mattress for the girls here so that they can sleep here because we have no choice. I dont have a rechargeable fan or a generator."

This marks the third major blackout to hit Cuba in the past four months.

open image in gallery People watch the sunset from the MalecAn during a blackout in Havana, Monday, March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) ( AP )

Tomas David Velazquez Felipe, a 61-year-old resident of Havana, said the relentless outages make him think that Cubans who can should just pack up and leave the island. What little we have to eat spoils, he said. Our people are too old to keep suffering.

By Monday night, state-owned media reported that crews had restored power to 5% of Havana's residents, representing some 42,000 customers, as well as several hospitals across the island. Officials said they would prioritize the communications sector next, all while warning that the small circuits restored so far could fail again.

Cubas aging grid has drastically eroded in recent years, leading to daily outages and an increase in islandwide blackouts. But the government also has blamed its woes on a U.S. energy blockade after U.S. President Donald Trump in January warned of tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba. The Trump administration is demanding that Cuba release political prisoners and move toward political and economic liberalization in return for a lifting of sanctions. Trump also has raised the possibility of a "friendly takeover of Cuba."

On Monday, he said he believes hell have the honor of taking Cuba.

I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it, Trump said about Cuba, calling it a very weakened nation.

The Trump administration is looking for Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to leave power as the United States continues to negotiate with the Cuban government about the island nations future, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of talks between Washington and Havana.

Both spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the sensitive talks and did not offer any detail about who the administration might like to see come to power.

They confirmed the Trump administrations desire to see Diaz-Canel leave power days after the Cuban president publicly confirmed for the first time that his government has held talks with the Trump administration. The administrations push for the ouster of Diaz-Canel was first reported by The New York Times earlier Monday.

open image in gallery A man walks outside during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Monday, March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) ( AP )

William LeoGrande, a professor at American University who has tracked Cuba for years, said the country's energy grid hasn't been maintained properly and its infrastructure is way past its normal useful life.

The technicians working on the grid are magicians to keep it running at all given the shape that its in," LeoGrande said.

LeoGrande said that if the island drastically reduces consumption and expands renewables, it can struggle along for a while without oil shipments. But it would be constant misery for the general population, and eventually, the economy could collapse just completely and then you would have social chaos and probably mass migration, he said.

To ramp up solar power even faster than Cuba did last year, LeoGrande said other countries, principally China, would have to be willing to double or more their provision of such equipment.

Diaz-Canel on Friday said the island had not received oil shipments in three months and was operating on solar power, natural gas and thermoelectric plants, and that the government has had to postpone surgeries for tens of thousands of people.

Yaimisel Sanchez Pena, 48, said she was upset that the food she buys with money that her son in the U.S. sends keeps spoiling, adding that the outages also affect her 72-year-old mother: Every day, she suffers."

Mercedes Velazquez, a 71-year-old Cuban resident, lamented yet another blackout. Were here waiting to see what happens, she said, adding that she recently gave away part of a soup she made while it was still fresh so as not to throw it out. Everything goes bad.

A massive outage over a week ago affected the islands west, leaving millions without power. Another major blackout affected western Cuba in early December.

open image in gallery A man finishes putting fuel in his car's tank, located in the back of the car, during a blackout in Havana, Cuba, Monday, March 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) ( AP )

Critical oil shipments from Venezuela were halted after the U.S. attacked the South American country in early January and arrested its then-president, Nicolas Maduro.

While Cuba produces 40% of its petroleum and has been generating its own power, it hasnt been sufficient to meet demand as its electric grid continues to crumble.

And on top of all that, the Cuban government doesnt have the hard currency to import spare parts or upgrade the plant or grid itself. Its just a perfect storm of collapse," LeoGrande said.

He noted that the thermoelectric plants also have been using heavy oil, whose sulfur content is corroding the equipment.

The deputy prime minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, told reporters Monday that Cuba is open to trading with U.S. companies while noting the embargos limitations.

He said hes also implementing new measures aimed at boosting the islands economy. Among those is the possibility of allowing Cubans residing abroad to be partners or owners of private companies in the country and to be involved in large-scale projects, including those related to infrastructure, according to state media.

He said those Cubans will be allowed to partner with Cuban private companies and establish ties with both state-owned and private Cuban entities.

Perez-Oliva added that the government also will grant land under usufruct for the development of certain projects.

He said Cubans residing abroad also will be able to open foreign currency bank accounts in Cuban banks, which will facilitate transactions.
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Salvadoran nationals who were deported from the United States have been arbitrarily detained in El Salvador and have disappeared into the Central American nation's prison system, according to a Human Rights Watch report released on Monday.

The detainees featured in the report are among more than 9,000 Salvadorans deported from the U.S. since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second administration in January 2025. Some of them were deported alongside Venezuelans and sent to the Center for Terrorism Confinement, a mega prison in El Salvador also known as CECOT, according to the New York-based human rights group.

The report did not say exactly how many people are subject to arbitrary detention. The group interviewed 20 relatives and lawyers of 11 Salvadorans who were deported from the U.S. between March and October 2025 and immediately detained in El Salvador. The detainees cannot communicate with their families or talk to lawyers, the group said.

They have a right to due process, to be taken before a judge, and their relatives are entitled to know where they are being held and why, said Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director at Human Rights Watch. Deportation cannot mean enforced disappearance.

El Salvadors Presidential Office did not respond to a request for comment on the report.

Detainees disappearing into El Salvadors prison system has become a regular phenomenon since President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in March 2022 to suppress the countrys gangs.

The once temporary measure, which has been extended for nearly four years, suspends key constitutional rights and has led to around 91,300 people being detained in El Salvador. Bukele says 8,000 innocent people have been released.

Most have been detained based on scant evidence and vague accusations. Detainees have very little access to due process  prisoners are often judged in mass trials and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients.

Prisons have been accused of human rights abuses for years. Rights groups have documented cases of beatings by prison guards, sexual abuse and deteriorating prison conditions. Detainees' families often agonize, unsure if they will ever see their loved ones again.

Human Rights Watch said Salvadoran authorities have provided no information suggesting any of the detainees have been brought before a judge. The relatives and lawyers of some of the detainees say they don't know where they are being held or why, the report said. In five cases, relatives knew the deportees' whereabouts through litigation at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Many of the Salvadoran deportees have family in the U.S.

I still know nothing about my son, nothing, said a 47-year-old mother of a Salvadoran who was deported on March 15, 2025. I want information. I want someone to tell me that my son is OK, that hes alive.

The woman, who lives in Maryland without legal status, said she last talked to her 29-year-old son when he called her about three days before he was deported. She said she discovered her son was in El Salvador six months after the deportation, when she saw a photo that Bukele posted online showing detainees at CECOT.

The woman asked not to be identified for fear of being arrested in the United States. She also asked that her sons identity be kept anonymous, for fear of reprisals in prison. She said her son crossed the Mexican border when he was 17 and had lived in the U.S. for more than a decade.

The Trump administration says several of the Salvadorans who were deported are members of the MS-13 gang. Human Rights Watch said only 10.5% of the 9,000 Salvadorans deported had a conviction for a violent or potentially violent crime in the U.S.

On March 15, 2025, 23 Salvadorans were deported to El Salvador, including Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was later returned to the U.S. following a judge's order.

Another mother said she also learned her 22-year-old son had been deported to El Salvador when she saw him in a photograph posted online of Salvadorans at CECOT.

The woman, who lives in Texas and has no legal status in the U.S., also asked not to be identified for fear of arrest. She said she has called authorities in both countries countless times since his deportation a year ago, but none has offered any information about him.

Ive never spoken to him, she said. Its total silence. We know nothing about him, we dont know whats going to happen.

___

Associated Press reporter Megan Janetsky contributed to this report from Mexico City.
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A Florida hospital wants to boot a woman who has refused to leave despite being discharged five months ago, and has filed a lawsuit to give her the heave.

The woman was discharged on October 6, but continues to occupy an inpatient room at the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare facility. According to a lawsuit filed at the beginning of March and seen by USA Today. Despite being discharged, the unnamed patient has refused to vacate her room.

The hospital is requesting a court mandate for her removal, seeking assistance from the Leon County Sheriffs Office to enforce the order.

The complaint highlighted the strain this situation places on medical infrastructure, noting that the "defendants continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care," as reported by USA Today. Its unclear what condition brought the woman to the hospital in the first place.

Furthermore, the filing suggests that hospital staff and resources are being diverted to manage the woman's ongoing stay. To resolve the matter before suing, "TMH staff made repeated efforts to assist the defendant in safely completing discharge," the complaint stated.

open image in gallery Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is suing a woman who refuses to leave her hospital room ( Getty Images )

These efforts included coordinating with the patients family members and offering non-emergency medical transportation to assist the woman in obtaining necessary identification.

The timing of the lawsuit coincides with a major transition for the facility. On March 11, city officials voted to transfer the hospital to Florida State University. The move is meant to establish an academic medical center in Tallahassee.

In a statement given to The Independent, a spokesperson for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said TMH is not able to discuss active legal matters, including background details.

The hospital maintains that it issued a formal written warning nearly a month after the patients initial discharge date, stating that legal action would follow if she did not leave.
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Thousands of spring breakers are flocking to Floridas beaches this month, prompting police to ramp up their operations and take action against so-called takeover events.

Authorities in Volusia County, Florida, are working to penalize social media users who promote large, unsanctioned spring break events sometimes referred to as takeovers.

Volusia County is likely to become the first in the state to implement financial penalties for these promoters, Sheriff Michael Chitwood told reporters Tuesday. The county is home to popular spring break destinations like Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach.

We're going to sue you civilly. We're coming after every asset that you have. This goes to every promoter. You promote a truck event, you promote a takeover event, we are coming after you financially, Chitwood said.

These events can endanger public safety, Chitwood explained.

open image in gallery Thousands of spring breakers are flocking to beaches in Volusia County, Florida ( Volusia County Sheriff's Office )

open image in gallery Body camera footage shared by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office showed crowds gathered for spring break celebrations last week ( Volusia County Sheriff's Office )

There's a way to do business. Get permits. You do things the right way, he added.

Authorities are also ordering a special event zone in the area from Friday at 11 a.m. until at least Sunday, which will allow officers to hand out higher traffic fines and other penalties, Chitwood announced.

Tuesday marked the busiest day of spring break so far in New Smyrna Beach, according to the local police department.

We are experiencing heavy traffic, large crowds of juveniles, and increased activity throughout the city, especially in beachside areas and along main roadways, the agency said. Expect delays, limited parking, and a high volume of pedestrians.

Police in Volusia County seized six weapons and arrested 133 people amid the spring break celebrations last weekend, Chitwood said Monday.

open image in gallery Volusia County police arrested 133 people in spring break crowds over the weekend ( New Smyrna Beach Police Department )

open image in gallery Crowds gather on New Smyrna Beach for spring break celebrations ( New Smyrna Beach Police Department )

The sheriff also addressed social media rumors about a shooting on Daytona Beach over the weekend, which he called absolute bulls***.

There were zero gunshots on the beach, because what they were doing was crushing a water bottle to make it sound like a gunshot to stampede the crowd, Chitwood said.

Video shared by the sheriffs office showed a large crowd of people running on the beach.

I was out there, the chief was out there. We were in the middle of it. People might not want to hear this, but everybody who we came in contact with was absolutely polite, Chitwood continued.

The sheriff said hes proud of his deputies for the work they carried out over the weekend.

We arrested people from Alabama, from Georgia, from North Carolina, from South Carolina, from Florida, you name it. Everybody was here, he said.

And again, like I said, everybody we encountered  we made an arrest in a crowd of 1,000 people, nobody said anything. They let us do our job. And when we told people to move on, they moved on, he added.
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A Black tech executive is suing her former employer over racial discrimination she claims she encountered on the job, including a Juneteenth greeting from a company director who allegedly wished her a Happy no longer being a slave day, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit reviewed by The Independent.

Spearbit Labs account manager Krystal Stokes immediately reported the incident  which occurred in front of colleagues  to Human Resources, her complaint states.

However, speaking out also set off a cascade of retaliatory moves by the company, purportedly icing Stokes, 45, out of meetings, cutting her pay without notice, and ultimately firing her upon her return from uterine surgery because, as the complaint says she was told, her skills no longer met the standard.

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It was established as an official federal holiday by President Biden in 2021, and denigrated in 2025 as a non-working holiday by President Trump, who removed it, along with MLK Day, as a free-entry day to the countrys national parks.

The Miami, Florida-based Spearbit is a top-rated Web3 firm founded in 2021, and describes itself as a network of world-class security researchers protecting financial and blockchain infrastructure, with affiliated contractors around the globe who provide high-level code audits to help harden clients defenses against crypto hacks and exploits. Spearbit has worked with companies such as Coinbase, SAP, OpenSea, and others, according to its website.

open image in gallery A newly filed federal lawsuit accuses a company director of making bigoted remarks to a Black employee on Juneteenth ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty )

Employment lawyer Benjamin Yormak, who is representing Stokes, said he has seen an uptick in bigotry-based workplace cases over the past couple of years.

Shockingly, many involve the use of overtly racist slurs, as opposed to more subtle racial discrimination weve often seen, Yormak told The Independent. Companies need to make sure that all employees are properly trained as to whats appropriate, and whats not appropriate, in the workplace.

Last year, a Black employee at an Ace Hardware in Texas filed a million-dollar lawsuit alleging his white supervisor hung a noose inside a warehouse on Juneteenth.

In 2024, a Black firefighter in Rochester, New York was awarded $150,000 in a lawsuit against the city after his supervisor pressured him, while on duty, to attend a Juneteenth parody party where large Juneteenth flags were displayed among buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken and bottles of Hennessy.

In 2011, a group of Black drivers at a Houston limousine service who had asked for the day off on Juneteenth were instead subjected to a mandatory safety meeting during which a white woman in a gorilla suit allegedly shrieked like Tarzan, made offensive comments about attendees' lips, and asked at least one worker there if he had a banana in his pants, according to a lawsuit filed by two of the employees. The pair were later awarded some $200,000 in damages.

Spearbit founders Hari Mulackal and Mike Leffer did not respond on Monday to requests for comment.

Stokes, an Illinois resident, began working remotely at Spearbit on February 3, 2025, as a technical account manager, according to her complaint, which was filed March 13 in Miami federal court.

The position involves managing and nurturing client relationships, understanding their technical needs, and working closely with our internal teams to deliver exceptional service, a Spearbit job listing explains. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technology and security services, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for delivering outstanding client experiences.

The complaint says Stokes was the only Black employee in Spearbits U.S. operation; all others were white or Asian.

In June 2025, Stokes started to experience racial discrimination on the job, the complaint goes on.

More specifically, on or about June 19, 2025 (Juneteenth), a Director told Stokes, Happy no longer being a slave day, in the presence of colleagues, the complaint states.

open image in gallery When Krystal Stokes went to HR with a grievance about her alleged treatment, Spearbit Labs retaliated, according to a newly filed federal lawsuit ( AFP via Getty Images )

The remark left Stokes feeling extremely upset, and she promptly emailed HR to formally report it, according to the complaint.

While Human Resources made the Director apologize, this was one of many passive-aggressive comments directed toward Stokes based on her race, the complaint says.

From there, the director, who is unnamed in the complaint, retaliated against Stokes by shifting her accounts away from her, not including her in meetings, and taking her contacts away.

In September 2025, Stokes was denied both a raise and a quarterly bonus, unlike her white counterparts, who all received them, the complaint continues.

Further, it contends, when Stokes went to HR with a grievance about this allegedly disparate treatment, Spearbit unilaterally lowered her salary from $145,000 to $110,000.

There was no reason provided for the pay decrease, Yormak told The Independent.

Later that month, Stokes had uterine surgery, and was granted four to six weeks of medical leave for the procedure and recovery, the complaint states. When she felt better after just three weeks, Stokes returned to work.

The following week after Stokes returned from medical leave, on or about October 16, 2025, [Spearbit] terminated her employment, the complaint states. Stokes was told that her skills no longer met the standard, despite having received only one performance review during her eight-month employment, and having recently received a bonus toward the end of her employment.

Prior to her complaints of racial discrimination, Stokes had not been disciplined for any reason and her lone performance review did not contain any negative feedback, according to the complaint.

Stokess complaint alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal law prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, as well as the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, a state law prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.

Stokes has suffered humiliation and mental and emotional distress, according to her complaint. She is now seeking back pay plus interest; front pay, including raises; punitive damages; compensatory damages; and attorneys fees and court costs.
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Merriam-Webster has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of using its material to train its artificial intelligence models.

The popular American dictionary, which is a subsidiary of Encyclopedia Britannica, filed the lawsuit Friday in Manhattan federal court.

In the complaint, Britannica and Merriam-Webster accuse OpenAI of using its online articles, encyclopedia and dictionary entries to teach the companys chatbot, ChatGPT, how to respond to human prompts.

The companies argue that ChatGPT has cannibalized their web traffic with its AI-generated summaries of their content.

Defendants ChatGPT-based AI products free ride on Plaintiffs trusted, high-quality content  made possible through the diligent work of human researchers, writers, editors, and creators  by cannibalizing traffic to Defendants websites with AI-generated summaries of Plaintiffs own content, the lawsuit claims.

Merriam-Webster has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of using its material to train its AI models ( Getty Images )

In the lawsuit, Britannica claims OpenAI unlawfully copied nearly 100,000 of its articles to train its artificial intelligence.

The complaint said that ChatGPT generates outputs that copy or mimic, sometimes verbatim, information from their encyclopedia entries, dictionary definitions and other articles, and pushes users who would otherwise visit Britannicas websites away.

Britannica claims ChatGPTs copying of their content is unlicensed and without authorization. The dictionary company also notes that the true extent of how much has been stolen is uniquely within OpenAIs knowledge.

The company also accused OpenAI of infringing its trademarks by implying that it has permission to reproduce its material, as well as wrongfully citing Britannica in false AI hallucinations.

Britannica has requested an unspecified amount of monetary damages and a court order blocking the alleged infringement.

OpenAI disputed the claims, saying in a statement: Our models empower innovation, and are trained on publicly available data and grounded in fair use, an OpenAI spokesperson said Monday.

The Independent has contacted Britannica for comment.

The lawsuit from Britannica and Merriam-Webster is the latest copyright suit brought against an AI company over the use of their material to train the chatbots.

Last year, a group of book authors reached a settlement with AI company Anthropic after suing the company for copyright infringement.
At the 2026 Oscars ceremony, actor Sean Penn joined a small coterie of male performers who have three Academy Awards to their name. But the 65-year-old, who was named Best Supporting Actor for his brilliant portrayal of a racist military officer in Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another, wasnt among the stars gathered at Los Angeles Dolby Theatre on Sunday night.

Sean Penn couldnt be here this evening, or didnt want to, so Ill be accepting the award on his behalf, Succession star  and last years Best Supporting Actor winner  Kieran Culkin quipped after opening the golden envelope.

So where was Penn on one of the biggest nights of his acting career? According to a report from the New York Times, the actor, who previously earned Oscars for Mystic River in 2004 and for Milk in 2009, chose to skip the ceremony in order to head to Europe.

open image in gallery Penn won best supporting actor for his performance as Colonel Steven J Lockjaw in One Battle After Another ( Warner Bros )

His plan as of late last week, anonymous sources told the paper, was to visit Ukraine, although they did not specify what he would be doing there or where precisely within the country he would be going. On Monday, an AFP reporter spotted Penn leaving a car in Kyiv, and he has since been photographed in a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Swapping a glitzy Hollywood party to spend time in a country torn apart by war  its not exactly your usual A-list behaviour, but it is certainly quite typical of the unusual turn that Penns life and work has taken in recent years.

This is, after all, the man who lent one of his Oscar statuettes to Zelensky, promising that it should remain in the capital city of Kyiv until Ukraine wins the war against Russia  and who previously debated melting down his two little gold men to make bullets they can shoot at the Russians.

open image in gallery Penn met up with Zelensky after being awarded another Oscar ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service )

What is perhaps particularly notable is, where other celebrities activism has notably waned in the years since Russia invaded in 2022, replaced by other splashier and more of-the-moment causes, Penn has remained stalwart, persisting as one of Americas loudest voices in the defence of Ukraine.

So how did Penn, the star who was once best known for his tumultuous marriage to Madonna in the late Eighties, become such a passionate supporter of Zelensky? Its worth noting that this is not the first cause that Penn has taken up. Far from it.

open image in gallery Sean Penn was photographed in Kyiv on Monday ( AFP/Getty )

His activism has roots in his familys liberal politics. His father, the actor and director Leo Penn, was blacklisted from Hollywood in the Fifties after refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), the organisation designed to root out alleged Communist sympathisers.

Penn Jr, meanwhile, emerged as one of the film industrys most outspoken activists in the early Noughties, when George W. Bush went to war in Iraq in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Penn, sceptical of the existence of weapons of mass destruction, took out an ad in The Washington Post in 2002, in which he called on the then-president to change his mind.

Months later, he travelled to Baghdad to personally record the human face of the Iraqi people so that their blood  along with that of American soldiers  would not be invisible on my own hands, as he put it in a powerful statement to the press.

A few years on, he operated a rescue boat during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, managing to pick up survivors who had been trapped in their homes. Then, in 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, he set up and ran what would become one of the countrys biggest refugee camps. It was an endeavour that, unlike many celebrity brushes with humanitarianism, won praise from experienced aid workers for making a tangible difference, and Penn was later named as an ambassador-at-large for Haiti to recognise his hands-on work.

open image in gallery Sean Penn has a long history of political and humanitarian activism ( Getty )

Not all of his ventures have been as well received, though. Penn has been criticised for his past defence of controversial South American leaders such as Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, with whom the actor became close friends, and Cuban president Raul Castro. And in 2015, he embarked on a bizarre trip to Mexico to interview the drug lord El Chapo for Rolling Stone magazine; the circus surrounding the venture overshadowed Penns aim to contribute to this conversation on the war on drugs. I have a terrible regret, he later reflected on the whole debacle.

His work has also attracted many of the usual barbs prompted by A-list activism, namely that his ventures are prompted less by genuine altruism and more by a desire to be at the heart of the story, like some sort of real-life Hollywood hero (who can pop home to Malibu for a bit of rest and relaxation whenever he fancies).

His involvement in Ukraine initially began when he was searching for a lighter directing project to pursue, after planned documentaries about the exiled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi didnt pan out.

The story of Zelensky  an actor and comedian who had starred in a TV series about an ordinary bloke who ends up as president after his rant about government corruption goes viral, and had then himself won a presidential election on an anti-corruption platform  seemed like good material for a film.

We thought wed follow this kind of interesting story that would have been a light-hearted take, Penn said at the time.

The Covid pandemic meant that filming ended up being delayed, and it wasnt until late 2021 that Penn finally headed to Ukraine. He and Zelensky eventually met on 23 February 2022; their initial encounter wasnt filmed, the actor has said, so that the politician could figure out whether he could trust him or not.

What neither of them could have predicted was that on that night, Russia would invade Ukraine. The following day, which the pair had agreed would mark the start of filming, would be the first day of the war.

open image in gallery Sean Penn presented Vlodymyr Zelensky with one of his Oscar trophies in 2022 ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Office )

Inevitably, the project moved in an entirely different direction. What had been intended as a lightly comic portrait of a celebrity-turned-politician would morph into a depiction of a nation thrown into conflict. Zelensky, though, kept his planned appointment with Penn on 24 February.

It seems as if this second meeting stoked an abiding admiration on the Americans side. I saw a very big change in him from one day to the next, Penn recalled. At that moment, he was the significant target. But he wasnt going anywhere. That day, he found out that he was born for this.

The fact that Zelensky chose to stay in the capital city, rather than accepting offers to leave his country for his own safety, seemed to especially impress Penn. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have risen as historic symbols of courage and principle, he said in a statement released a few weeks later. Ukraine is the tip of the spear for the democratic embrace of dreams. If we allow it to fight alone, our soul as America is lost.

Penns documentary Superpower premiered at the Berlin Film Festival the following year. The unabashedly pro-Zelensky movie  If its propaganda, Im proud, he told one audience  shows the star traipsing through the rubble and meeting with civilians who have had their lives turned upside down.

The response was mixed. While The Independents Geoffrey Macnab praised Penn and his co-director Aaron Kaufman for their sprawling and uneven but also heartfelt and inspiring effort, other critics questioned the stars apparent need to place himself at the heart of the story once again.

The Guardians two-star review described it as a queasy-making examination of the celebrity-blighted news cycle where somebody like Penn is the de facto messenger of tragedy. Was the film more concerned with Sean Penn, real-life action hero, than it was with the heroism of the Ukrainian people? Or was the actor doing vital work in keeping the Ukraine conflict front of mind for American viewers?

open image in gallery The president and the actor have struck up a friendship over the years ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Office )

Penn, perhaps to his credit, kept up his friendship with Zelensky long after the cameras stopped rolling. In late 2022, he made headlines for handing over his Oscar statuette to the president, telling him to bring it back to Malibu after a Ukrainian victory. Its just a symbolic silly thing, but if I know this is here with you then Ill feel better and stronger for the fight, the actor said. Zelensky, in response, presented him with a very different accolade: Ukraines Order of Merit.

Then in 2025, following a tense moment between President Donald Trump and Zelensky during a White House meeting, Penn doubled down on his praise for his friend, hailing him as constantly, extemporaneously genuine in his desire to secure freedom for Ukraine. I think the last significant moment that we [Americans] were bridging a division was in support of Ukraine and its head of state, he said. And if we lose track of that, we really have to ask ourselves if were losing track of the value of democracy.

Just a few weeks later, Penn headed to Ukraine to meet with special forces, and at the Cannes film festival in May, he posed on the red carpet with soldiers, along with U2s Bono and The Edge.

With his latest visit to Kyiv, the latest member of the Oscars three-timers club shows no erosion of his own unique form of activism. Where other actors might have opted to pledge support for Zelensky in their winners speech (and be praised for their powerful words on social media), Penn clearly prefers a more hands-on approach.

Its his personal visit, thats how he sees it, that he needs to be in Ukraine, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP on Monday. He just wants to support Ukraine. Whether he offers up his latest trophy to Zelensky remains to be seen.
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Just before St. Patricks Day, a suburban Massachusetts driveway became a lively Irish pub, complete with music and flowing Guinness. Instead of venturing out, neighbours gathered around "The Wee Irish Pub," a miniature tavern on wheels towed in for the night.

This innovative concept is the creation of brothers Matt and Craig Taylor, who operate Tiny Pubs. They build bespoke mobile taverns for holidays, weddings, and backyard parties across New England, bringing the traditional pub experience directly to patrons.

Each compact pub is meticulously adorned with antique signs, authentic church pews, and an electric fireplace. The bar, a charming centrepiece, is crafted from the front panel of an 1864 piano, designed to evoke a classic Irish pub atmosphere, fitting neatly into a driveway.

Mark Cote, who hosted the pub in his Andover driveway last Friday, perfectly articulated its appeal: "Its really just a time to forget about whatevers going on in the world. Thats what pubs are supposed to be  for people coming together and having fun."

open image in gallery The "Wee Irish Pub", a fully functioning mobile Irish pub built by two Massachusetts' brothers, is towed during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade through the South Boston neighborhood, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Around 20 people from five families  whose children grew up together  squeezed into the roughly 20-foot-long (6-meter) space for Cotes annual holiday party, creating what he said felt like a real neighborhood bar.

The idea began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when the Taylor brothers  retired from careers in corporate finance  found themselves missing their favorite Irish pubs.

The first version went up in Matt Taylors driveway in Reading, 12 miles (19km) north of Boston.

When we were building the pub in this neighborhood, neighbors thought a pub was going to be living here full time, he said. We had to kind of settle them down a little bit.

They worked until about 1 a.m. the night before their first rental. Matt said he worried the windows might crack when they first towed it down the highway, but it went smoothly.

What began as a pandemic project has since grown into a small business with four bars, including two Irish pubs, booked most weekends throughout the year.

open image in gallery Dena Taylor and Tony DiDonato, right, toss candy to spectators while riding in a truck hauling the "Wee Irish Pub", a fully functioning mobile Irish pub built by two Massachusetts' brothers, during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade through the South Boston neighborhood, Sunday, March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The brothers wanted the tiny bars to feel like real Irish pubs  not themed party props.

We have Irish friends who told us, You better not have leprechauns and stuff in there, Craig Taylor said. So we said, No  its going to be authentic.

They visited Irish pubs around New England while designing the interior, settling on classic colors like jasper green and Irish cream.

Nearly every detail inside has a story, including the bar built from the front panel of an 1864 piano and church pews salvaged from a local church for seating.

A pair of horseshoes from a farm in Ipswich hang above the door for luck: pointed down when guests enter and up when they leave.

A hymn rack holds a book of Irish surnames where visitors mark their family names, sometimes with a dollar bill on the page, sparking conversations about ancestry.

There are packages of Scampi Fries  a popular pub snack imported from Ireland  and a corkboard with patches from police and fire departments, a tradition common in pubs where first responders gather.

Craig Taylor said one sign they got it right is when guests begin pointing things out inside  the Scampi Fries, a family name, a familiar song  moments when the experience shifts from something novel to something personal.

open image in gallery Revelers gather for an early St. Patrick's Day party in a rented tiny pub, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Guinness has rented the Taylors pubs for weeks at a time. They've also been used by a state senator during South Bostons St. Patricks Day parade. The pubs have even been rented for celebrations of life after funeral services.

Jarred Guthrie of Swampscott said his family has rented the original version for years now as part of a longtime annual St. Patricks celebration.

The party draws about 125 people, Guthrie said, with an Irish band playing inside the house while guests move between rooms, the pub and the waterfront yard overlooking the ocean.

Guests crowd inside to take turns playing bartender, telling stories and breaking into songs  sometimes traditional Irish tunes or Gaelic lyrics that Guthrie said you rarely hear outside family gatherings.

People feel emboldened, he said. Theres a lot of singing that happens in that pub. Its a place where people naturally come together.

open image in gallery Mark Cote, left, toasts Matt Taylor after receiving delivery of a rented tiny pub for an early St. Patrick's Day party, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Andover, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Before each event, the brothers personalize the space with custom posters often designed with a family crest naming the host as the pubs temporary proprietor.

Its a special thing for a lot of people to be able to come into an authentic Irish pub, Matt Taylor said. Maybe theyre not able to get back to the old country, so its meaningful to them.

The parties go on, despite rain, heat or snow. Each pub is equipped with both heat and air conditioning for all seasons.

The Taylors wait until everything is ready  lights low, music on, taps flowing  before letting guests into a mini pub.

Craig Taylor said when people step inside for the first time, it's like Christmas morning.

He said that moment often feels like stepping into another place, one tied to memories of family, tradition and Ireland itself.

People say youre like Santa Claus, Craig Taylor said. Youre delivering joy every day.

And when the night winds down, they arent in a hurry to take the pub away.

We never want to kick anybody out of an Irish pub, Matt Taylor said.

So instead of picking it up late at night, they return the next morning.

Craig Taylor said when he asks hosts how long the party lasted, the answer is often the same: "Like, three in the morning.

When he and his brother show up to take the pub away, "theres sometimes people sleeping on the pew, he joked.
US president Donald Trump has spent the last fortnight offering an ever-shifting assessment of a conflict that has paralysed global energy markets. One day, the war (which, he said last week, was very complete, pretty much) is to liberate the Iranian people; the next, he claims he isnt seeking regime change, only to insist he wants a hand in picking the countrys next leader. The day after its to dismantle the nuclear threat. At the weekend, Trump said Iran was ready for a ceasefire, yet within 24 hours, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said no such request had been made.

And now he is warning Nato that the bloc faces a very bad future if allies refuse to help the US open up the maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, which has been under Iranian control since the war began. This threat comes after an interview in January when he said of the Nato allies weve never needed them, and after he jeopardised the Nato alliance with a threatened an invasion of Greenland

Truth, the old adage goes, is the first casualty of war. So how will the chaotic and extreme story of our time be retold when its primary narrator is Donald Trump  a man who commands the worlds largest megaphone yet whose relationship with facts has always been transactional?

For much of the time hes been in office, the mainstream media has struggled to find the vocabulary for this assault on reality. He has recast the violent insurrectionists of 6 January 2021 as patriots, insisted that, despite all evidence to the contrary, the 2020 election was stolen, and baselessly claimed that undocumented immigrants are raping and murdering at record levels despite a wealth of FBI and academic data showing that immigrants commit crimes at significantly lower rates than native-born citizens.

But this isnt just an American fever dream: Across the Atlantic, the far-right in Europe has risen on a wave of narratives that cast immigrants as existential villains in a drama of their making. And all of this raises an unsettling question: in a world where unreliable narrators have hold of the megaphone by way of the smartphone  where we ignore the evening news in favour of scrolling through curated feeds of viral truths  who gets to tell the story of what is happening now?

Will the history books of the 2040s look unkindly on Trumpism as a chaotic aberration, or will the right succeed in editing the first draft of history so thoroughly that the truth is expunged from the record?

Kevin Ashton attempts to answer this in his new The Story of Stories: The Million-Year History of a Uniquely Human Art. While the smartphone has opened the gates of storytelling to billions, he says, in this new, unmediated wilderness, the stories that travel fastest arent necessarily the ones that are true.

It is a moth to a flame effect, Ashton warns. We are biologically wired to pay attention to stories that feature clear heroes and villains, big consequences, and, most importantly, stories that confirm our own tribal biases. Whether it is the rise of the far-right in the United States and Europe, or the conquering hero narrative of Donald Trump saving a nation from a shadowy deep state and criminal migrants, the modern digital landscape has become a high-speed delivery system for a form of storytelling that converts our deepest anxieties into a profitable fiction.

Born in London in 1967, Ashton studied Scandinavian literature at the University of London. After graduating, he went to work for Procter & Gamble, and it was there, while troubleshooting out-of-stock lipstick, that he hit upon a revolutionary idea: giving computers senses so they could track the physical world without human help (in this case, lipsticks missing from the shelves so that they could be automatically restocked). By 1999, this work led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he coined the term the Internet of Things  a phrase that would become ubiquitous in our digital lives today.

open image in gallery A statue of Donald Trump embracing Jeffrey Epstein appeared in Washington recently, anonymously created to mock the controversial leader. But could future historians yet fall prey to a more favourable narrative about the president? ( AP )

His first book, How to Fly a Horse: The Secret History of Creation, Invention, and Discovery, in 2015 challenged myths around creativity, arguing that innovation comes mainly from persistent effort rather than innate genius. With his latest book, The Story of Stories, he arrived at a startling conclusion: the smartphone represents one of the most radical shifts in the history of storytelling.

Ashton writes that for a million years, storytelling was the province of the few  tribal elders around the fire, the monks in the scriptorium, the editors in Fleet Street. Today, that monopoly has shattered, and we live in an era where nearly seven billion people carry with them their own printing press, film studio, and a global broadcasting network in their own pockets.

Everybody can tell stories to everybody, Ashton says. You can have a kid who makes a YouTube video, and within 24 hours, half the world has seen it. That is really unprecedented.

But its also brought with it the ability to spread misinformation at record rates.

Ashton struck upon the idea for his book in 2018. He was in China and got to know a man who started the worlds biggest liquid crystal display manufacturer  one that supplied about 30 per cent of all the screens in the world, from phone screens to laptop screens to screens in cars. And industry projections were that by 2026, 90 per cent of the worlds population would have a smartphone.

I was starting to get really curious about what that might mean, Ashton says. It was a storytelling revolution, but he says it became clear that in order to tell this story properly, he had to start at the very beginning.

open image in gallery AIs imagining of a future of Gaza with Trump and Netanyahu on sunloungers ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

Ashton says that its a surprise to most people that storytelling precedes language. After an early ancestor of ours learned how to control fire, he could stay up at night; there was light, and there was warmth, and they began to socialise around those firepits. They began to communicate about things that werent immediate, Ashton says. They start trying to tell stories.

It was a form of proto-storytelling, through acting out events, and experts argue this demand for better storytelling is actually what drove the biological evolution of complex language, rather than the other way around.

We think in stories, Ashton says. We are innate storytellers. And its important to understand that stories are the foundation of our cognition; they are how we change our minds and theyre how we understand the world.

Nearly everything everybody knows about the world comes from somebody else telling them a story. How do you know Donald Trump is president? Were you there? Did you witness his inauguration? Probably not. You may have seen it on TV, but its a mediated testimony.

Most of the things we know are not just from a story someone told us, but the story they told us was based on a story someone told them, which is based on a story someone told them. So were this unique animal in that we dont get most of our information about the world through our own senses.

Ashton says the medium through which we transmitted those stories went from gathering around a fire to drawing to writing to printing to todays digital communication. But none of that really changed the fundamental nature of stories. The main thing they did is change who could tell stories and who they could tell them to.

There was good and bad that came with the development of digital storytelling that allowed anyone to tell a story to anyone. You wont go back to any newspaper in the 1960s and see pro-gay stories, for example, Ashton says. The gay movement in many ways came up through the internet. That was an underground storytelling movement that sort of diverted the standard story.

open image in gallery Elon Musk: He who controls the algorithm, controls the story ( Getty )

Sometimes the subversion of the standard story is progressive and sometimes its regressive. But the other piece thats really important, particularly in the age of social media, is that the people who have known this all along are the propagandists.

Ashton says before 2011, Facebook used a simple ranking system to score posts. But that year it replaced it with reinforcement learning. Rather than simply ranking posts, it boosted what we reacted to most. If I publish a compelling enough story  and often the less true it is, the more compelling it is, Ashton says, it gets shared.

To the algorithm, a story about the government planting microchips via vaccines isnt a dangerous lie; its just a good story with high engagement metrics. And, Ashton says, everybody in the world has seen this story before anybody at Facebook even knows it exists. Theyre not monitoring. Theyre trying to tell the most stories possible while spending the least amount of money so they can have the most profit.

Its against this dystopian backdrop that we might ask: who gets to tell the story of whats happening today? And how accurate will that story be?

History is not told by the victors, says Ashton. History is told in a way that supports the standard story of the present Women are erased from most history, non-white people are erased from most European and US history.

Its a historical fact that the settlers in the Americas destroyed about 90 per cent of the indigenous population in about 150 years. There are zero memorials to that genocide anywhere in the United States  So the history that gets told is always a cherry-picking of the evidence.

open image in gallery Ashtons new book argues that stories continue to help society progress ( Harper Collins )

Ashton believes that if we end up in a very right-wing world in 20 or 30 years, then the story well hear about Trump will be that he was the hero of the revolution. But, he says, Im an irredeemable optimist. The assumption from a lot of thoughtful people, people in the media, people in higher education, people with more moderate views, is that things are going to go back to normal  that this is an episode of craziness that will come to an end and in the sober light of day, it will be evaluated as being a bad thing.

But, Ashton adds, that will only happen if we sober up.

Whats more, he says, we cant lose sight of how much progress has been made  purely because of everybody being able to tell stories to everybody. The whole LGBTQIA+ movement has the ability to find people and share information and share stories with people like them who may be marginalised. So the interesting thing about the age where everybody can tell stories to everybody is you can also make great progress too. And my personal belief is that you cant rewind that.

Its why digital repositories like the Internet Archive are so vital. Founded in 1996, this sprawling digital library is headquartered in San Francisco but maintains mirrored servers in other global havens to ensure its data survives even local catastrophe. It acts as a non-profit lockbox for deleted tweets, news drafts, TV news broadcasts, and entire federal datasets that some powerful people would rather we forget.

The hope for the world, Ashton says, is that whatever this moment of madness is, we will sober up. And I think it will happen, because particularly young people know how to use these tools to advocate for kindness and fairness in a way that older people dont. [They will] use this technology to tell more progressive stories.

Lets hope Ashtons right. Because if he isnt, and history is simply written by whoever can keep the machine fed with the most compelling hero-myth, the real casualty isnt just the record of what happened  its our collective ability to agree on what is real at all.

The Story of Stories: The Million-Year History of a Uniquely Human Art by Kevin Ashton is published by Harper
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The United States has ordered all its embassies and other diplomatic posts to review their security posture after a compound in Baghdad was struck as the Iran war rages, according to a new report.

In an internal message sent Tuesday, which was reviewed by The Washington Post, the State Department ordered its diplomatic posts all over the world to gather Emergency Action Committees and review security due to the ongoing and developing situation in the Middle East and the potential for spill-over effects.

At least three drones targeted the US embassy in Iraqs capital Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Two of the drones were intercepted, but a third crashed inside the embassy compound, two Iraqi security officials told the AP.

The State Department told the AP no American staff at the embassy or the consulate in Irbil have been killed or injured in recent attacks on the posts.

open image in gallery The United States has ordered all its embassies and other diplomatic posts to review their 'security posture' after a compound in Baghdad was struck as the Iran war rages, according to a new report ( AFP via Getty Images )

American diplomatic posts have been targeted since the U.S. and Israel began their military strikes on Iran more than two weeks ago.

Militia groups in the region were estimated to have carried out at least 292 attacks on U.S. facilities since February 28, one State Department internal message sent Monday said, according to The Washington Post.

A State Department spokesperson would not confirm The Washington Posts reporting, telling The Independent it does not comment on internal communications for the safety of US personnel and facilities.

open image in gallery At least three drones reportedly targeted the US embassy in Iraqs capital Tuesday ( AFP via Getty Images )

The spokesperson said every embassy in the Middle East convened Emergency Action Committees before the U.S began striking Iran, and the EACs have continued to convene during the military campaign.

The assembly of EACs is determined by a number of operational considerations and does not necessarily mean there is a specific threat, according to the spokesperson.

open image in gallery The U.S. military has struck more than 7,000 targets in its war against Iran ( Getty Images )

The U.S. military has struck more than 7,000 targets in its war against Iran, which it has dubbed Operation Epic Fury, according to U.S. Central Command. More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran during the war, the Associated Press reported, citing the humanitarian network, the Iranian Red Crescent.

At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the war, and another 200 have been injured, according to the Pentagon. The vast majority of the injuries have been minor, and more than 180 members have returned to duty, U.S. Central Command told several outlets.
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A Haitian asylum seeker was discovered dead at a bus shelter days after she was released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement with an ankle monitor.

Daphy Michel, 31, was discovered lying on the ground, alone and unresponsive, by maintenance workers on the morning of March 2, three days after she was released from an ICE office in Pittsburgh.

Michel, who arrived in the U.S. from Haiti in 2022 with temporary humanitarian protections, is the second immigrant to be found dead on the streets days after they were last seen by immigration officers. On February 26, a 56-year-old blind refugee from Myanmar died on the streets of Buffalo, New York, after Border Patrol agents left him outside a closed coffee shop.

Michels family and Haitian community advocates are now demanding answers from the Trump administration over her death. How did she end up dead? Pittsburgh area immigration attorney Joseph Murphy, who is representing Michels family, asked The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. You just cant be dumping these people on the streets like this.

What happened between Michels death and when she was released from ICE custody remains unclear.

open image in gallery Haitian asylum seeker Daphy Michel was unresponsive when she was discovered in a bus shelter in Pittbsurgh on March 2, three days after she left ICE custody ( Getty Images )

Last September, a neighbor called police after Michel allegedly experienced significant mental health episodes, according to court records. Michel had known mental health issues, according to Murphy, noting her extreme vulnerability.

She was arrested on misdemeanor harassment and threat-related charges and booked into Washington County Jail on a $10,000 bond, records show.

She spent nearly six months in jail while her preliminary hearings were repeatedly rescheduled until a judge dismissed both misdemeanor counts on February 26. District Judge Eric G. Porter found there was no identifiable victim and therefore no crime, according to Murphy.

She was screaming at imaginary people in the street, Murphy told the Tribune. You cant do terroristic threats against invisible people.

An immigration detainer on her file alerted ICE that she was in local custody, according to the Washington County Public Defenders Office. A day after her case was dismissed, ICE officers brought Michel to a field office in Pittsburgh. She was enrolled into the Alternatives to Detention program and fitted with an ankle monitor. She was scheduled to appear for an immigration court hearing on April 16.

Officers let her go. Her brother, Carlo Michel, wasnt notified, he told Pittsburghs WTAE-TV.

On March 2, Carlo received a call from a local hospital asking if he recognized his sisters name. Thats when he learned she was dead.

They told him on a Thursday  that the charges were dismissed, and she was going to be released. She doesnt come out on Friday. He gets a call on Monday that shes dead, Murphy told the network. This is obviously going to make questions in anybodys mind.

Maintenance workers had found Michel lying on the ground of a bus shelter near Smithfield Street Bridge, more than 2 miles from the local ICE office and directly across the Monongahela River from the Allegheny County Jail and courthouse.

She wasnt breathing and didnt have a pulse when police arrived at the scene just before 10 a.m. March 2. Officers attempted life-saving measures using CPR, a defibrillator and overdose-reversing Narcan before she was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Port Authority Police police told The Independent.

She was pronounced dead at 12:14 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. A spokesperson for the medical examiners office told The Independent that officials are still waiting for results from additional testing and have not determined a cause and manner of death.

open image in gallery The Supreme Court will take up arguments in case against DHSs attempt to strip Temporary Protected Status designation for Haitians, who say revoking humanitarian protections would place them in mortal danger ( AFP via Getty Images )

Homeland Security acknowledged that ICE did not receive a notification that Michels ankle monitor had been tampered with until 24 hours after her death.

ICE had NOTHING to do with this womans death, the agency said in a statement. She passed away THREE days after ICE encountered her.

Michel was released from ICE custody with all of her belongings, including a fully charged phone, in sunny weather in the middle of Pittsburgh, where public transport is readily available, according to the agency.

ICE officers arrived at the county medical office, where local staff refused to cooperate or even talk with ICE federal law enforcement, according to DHS.

Our officers instead had to call the U.S. Marshals service, who were let into the building and were given the severed ankle monitor, DHS said. However, staff refused to even tell the U.S. Marshals about the individuals condition.

The Independent has requested additional comment from ICE and attorneys for Michels family.

At least 11 people have died in ICE custody since the beginning of 2026, and at least 24 people have died in ICE custody within the fiscal year, which began in October, according to ICE data. Nearly 40 people have died in ICE custody since the beginning of the second Trump administration last January, putting the federal government on track for the deadliest year of ICE detentions in more than two decades.

Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old asylum seeker from Haiti who sought asylum in the U.S. in 2024, died in ICE custody last month after he was hospitalized for an infected tooth.

Too many immigrants  including Haitian nationals  have died in the custody or supervision of federal immigration authorities, Guerline Jozef, executive director of Haitian Bridge Alliance, said in a statement to The Independent.

We are calling for a transparent, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Daphy Michels death, she said. Migrants seeking protection should never face neglect, abandonment, or preventable harm while under government supervision.

Democratic Representative Summer Lee, who represents Pittsburgh, said Michel should never have been left alone and vulnerable, far from her family and support system after her release from federal custody.

Our community is demanding answers. No one should ever be put in this kind of position, she wrote.

Homeland Security designated Temporary Protected Status for Haiti in 2010 amid ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster and extraordinary and temporary conditions, with thousands fleeing the Caribbean nation in the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake and political and economic turmoil.

The Trump administration is working to strip them and thousands of others in the U.S. of this legal status. On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it will consider legal challenges to the administrations attempts to revoke TPS for Haiti and several other countries.

Haitian TPS recipients have argued to the nations high court that stripping those protections would place them in mortal danger.

The federal government advises Americans to avoid Haiti over threats of kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited health care.
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A 5-year-old boy, whose detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement distilled the nations growing outrage over the Trump administrations immigration agenda, made his journey to a Texas detention facility with Delta Air Lines, newly-released airport security footage shows.

In footage from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Liam Conejo Ramos, five, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, appear to be accompanied by three people before boarding a flight to San Antonio on January 21. Conejo Arias can be seen carrying his sons backpack and holding his hand, as Liam looks around the terminal.

The preschooler was apprehended by ICE agents in January after federal agents detained his father, a migrant from Ecuador, during ramped-up operations in Minneapolis.

The photo of Liam, standing in the snow wearing a blue, woolly bunny hat while an agent holds onto his Spiderman backpack, has become one of the defining images of President Donald Trumps sweeping anti-immigration agenda.

The airport footage was obtained through an information disclosure request to MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport by activist Nick Benson with MN50501  a Minnesota-based organization that advocates against Trumps policies, and first reported by independent journalist Gillian Brockell.

open image in gallery Liam Ramos, five, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, boarding a Delta Air Lines flight to San Antonio, Texas, where they were transported to an ICE detention facility in Dilley, Texas ( Minneapolis- St.Paul International Airport / MN Fifty Fifty One )

The footage shows Liam and his father walking with what appears to be three other people through the terminal. It is unclear who the accompanying individuals are, but they separately approached the Delta gate desk and handed an airline employee what appears to be a form of ID.

Once they arrived in Texas, Liam and his father were taken to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.

Texas lawmakers Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, who visited the father and son at the detention center, said the young boy appeared lethargic and was crying out for his mother.

The father and son spent roughly 10 days at the facility before a federal judge ordered their release, condemning Trump officials for the imposition of cruelty in detaining the five-year-old.

open image in gallery A now-viral photo of the 5-year-old being held back by federal agents outside of his home in Minneapolis sparked nationwide outrage toward the Trump administrations immigration agenda ( Columbia Heights Public Schools )

Delta Air Lines declined to comment to The Independent.

Delta had previously not publicly commented on whether its flight was used to bring Liam and Conejo Arias to Texas.

But the airline was featured in an ABC News report in February that showed the father and son flying back home to Minneapolis. In that report, Delta pilots allowed Liam to sit in the cockpit before departure and gave him a pair of wings.

Government agencies often book air travel through third parties such as travel agencies, and airlines may not have advance notice or details regarding who is flying or for what reason.

The Independent has asked ICE for comment.

open image in gallery The father and son spent roughly ten days in a detention facility before being released ( Congressman Joaquin Castro/AFP v )

Trump officials had insisted federal agents had no choice but to detain the five-year-old because his father abandoned him and ran away after federal agents attempted to arrest him when he returned home from Liams school pickup. Officials also said Liams mother refused to take custody of him.

DHS claimed federal agents took care of Liam by bringing him to McDonalds for food and playing his favorite music to comfort him.

But neighbors and school officials accused federal agents of using Liam as bait to have the rest of the family open the door.

Onlookers said Liams mother, who was pregnant with her third child, was watching the interaction from her window, but Liams father yelled at her, Dont open the door!

DHS officials vehemently denied that accusation.
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Voters in Illinois will choose Democratic and Republican candidates Tuesday for November's midterm elections that will determine control of the U.S. Congress for the next two years.

Dozens of Democrats have launched campaigns to fill safe seats vacated by incumbents who are either retiring or seeking higher office, and political fundraising groups with ties to a pro-Israel organization have spent millions of dollars in advertising across multiple districts to influence voters.

Here are five races to watch:

JESSE JACKSON JR. ATTEMPTS COMEBACK

Former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. is attempting a comeback in the Chicago-area 2nd congressional district, which he represented from 1995 until his resignation in 2012. Jackson, the son of the late civil rights icon, pleaded guilty in 2013 to federal charges related to his misuse of $750,000 in campaign funds. Jackson's brother, Jonathan, is a current member of Congress.

Jackson is among at least nine Democrats competing for the open seat. Others include Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who raised nearly $2 million, and progressive state Senator Robert Peters, who raised more than $1.1 million.

open image in gallery Tuesday brings another big primary night for Democrats, this time in Illinois ( AFP via Getty Images )

Roughly $6 million in advertising has been spent to support Miller's campaign, including more than $3 million from Affordable Chicago Now, a super PAC with reported ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee - a group that supports pro-Israel candidates regardless of party. She has also received some donations from individuals who have also donated to Republican President Donald Trump, drawing criticism from Peters and other Democrats.

The seat opened when Representative Robin Kelly, a Democrat, launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate.

The winner is likely to be elected to Congress in November, as the district is safely Democratic.

LATINAS VIE FOR MAJORITY-HISPANIC DISTRICT

Patty Garcia is expected to easily secure the Democratic nomination for Congress in Illinois' 4th district, a seat currently represented by retiring U.S. Representative Chuy Garcia.

Patty Garcia, who is not related to the congressman but serves as his chief of staff, is running unopposed in the Democratic primary after her boss waited until after the state's filing deadline to announce he wouldn't seek reelection, leaving his top aide as the only Democratic candidate on the ballot.

The House last year formally disapproved of Chuy Garcia's actions to clear a path for his chief of staff to succeed him without giving voters a choice in a primary, with 23 Democrats joining Republicans in the rebuke.

The majority-Hispanic Chicago-area district is safely Democratic, but Patty Garcia's election in November is no sure thing. She will face Republican nominee Lupe Castillo and Mayra Macias, a Democrat who launched an independent campaign in December. Macias narrowly outraised Garcia last year despite joining the race a month later.

TOP FUNDRAISER VS OUTSIDE SPENDING IN ILLINOIS' 7TH DISTRICT

River North developer Jason Friedman is the top fundraiser for Illinois' 7th congressional district. His $2.5 million fundraising haul is more than three times as much as his nearest competitor in the Democratic primary.

But Friedman's campaign has been outspent by more than $4 million in advertising supporting Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. United Democracy Project, a pro-Israel super PAC, has spent more than $3 million to boost Conyears-Ervin.

The district has had a Black representative since 1973. More than 40% of the district's residents are Black, as are each of the top candidates outside of Friedman.

Other contenders include Dr. Thomas Fisher, an emergency medicine physician who supports universal healthcare; state Representative La Shawn Ford, who has decried the level of outside spending and has been the target of a crypto super PAC; and former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, who pledges to push for lower costs, more jobs and safe streets if elected.

The seat opened with the retirement of Representative Danny Davis, 84, who has endorsed Ford.

The winner will likely be elected to Congress in November. The Chicago-area seat is safely Democratic.

ANOTHER FORMER US REPRESENTATIVE LAUNCHES COMEBACK EFFORT

Democratic former U.S. Representative Melissa Bean is running for her old congressional seat in Illinois' 8th district, which she represented from 2005 to 2011.

Bean, a conservative-leaning Democrat, or "Blue Dog," supported the Iraq War, voted with Democrats on the Affordable Care Act, and backed Republicans on tax-cut extensions when she was in Congress. She lost her 2010 reelection to then-Republican Joe Walsh by fewer than 300 votes. The district was redrawn after the 2010 census and has been held by Democrats since 2013.

The race is yet another crowded primary for an open seat, but Bean, tech CEO Neil Khot and tech entrepreneur Junaid Ahmed have separated themselves from the rest of the field after each raised more than $1 million.

Khot is the top fundraiser, bringing in $2 million, but Bean has benefited from roughly $4 million in ad spending by Elect Chicago Women, a super PAC with ties to AIPAC.

The three candidates are largely aligned on policy, with Ahmed the most progressive. He supports Medicare for All and backs ending U.S. military aid to Israel.

Dan Tully, a former U.S. Army Reserve judge advocate who quit his civil service job in protest of Trump, and Kevin Morrison, a Cook County commissioner, are also running in the primary.

The seat opened when Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate.

The seat is safely Democratic, meaning the winner is likely to be elected to Congress in November.

GEN Z INFLUENCER IN CROWDED FIELD

Six candidates raised more than $1 million in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th congressional district, led by 26-year-old influencer Kat Abughazaleh's $3.4 million.

Abughazaleh's campaign website features "anti-endorsement" criticisms of Elon Musk, "Libs of TikTok" and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

State Senator Laura Fine and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss both raised $2.5 million, but Fine is the beneficiary of more than $6 million in ad spending  far more than any other candidate. Elect Chicago Women, a super PAC with ties to AIPAC, has spent more than $5 million in advertising on Fine's behalf.

Biss, who has led in every public opinion poll, has alluded to the outside spending in a campaign ad, saying, "MAGA money can buy a lot of noise, but it can't buy a record like mine."

Abughazaleh has said the race is between her and Biss, citing a recent poll. "Career politicians are not the answer and politics as usual will not save us," she said last week.

The other $1 million fundraisers include former FBI special agent Phil Andrew, a former hostage negotiator and gun-violence survivor backed by the gun safety group Brady PAC; Bushra Amiwala, a school board member; and state Representative Hoan Huynh.

The seat is represented by outgoing Representative Jan Schakowsky, 81, who announced her retirement amid a primary challenge from Abughazaleh.

The seat is safely Democratic. The winner of Tuesday's primary will likely be elected to Congress in November.
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Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem repeatedly misled lawmakers in a brazen attempt to skirt accountability, according to two senior Democratic members of Congress, who have referred the Trump administration official to the Justice Department for a perjury investigation.

After months of evading our Committees requests to testify in routine oversight hearings, Secretary Noem made a series of demonstrably false statements in a brazen attempt to undermine critical congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Dick Durbin and Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote on Monday in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The referral accused Noem, who has been axed from her position and will formally leave the department at the end of the month, of misleading Congress multiple times.

The lawmakers said Noem may have falsely claimed President Donald Trump was aware of her departments plans to spend about $220 million on a controversial ad campaign that featured the official on horseback in front of Mt. Rushmore.

During her early March remarks before the Senate, Noem testified President Trump was aware of the planned campaign spending, which she said was awarded in a competitive bid process.

open image in gallery Democratic lawmakers are calling on the Justice Department to investigate outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for perjury over what they say are multiple false statements she made during congressional testimony in the House and Senate earlier this month ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Trump later told Reuters he wasnt aware of the spending, and the contracts for the campaign reportedly went to a hand-picked group of firms with ties to Noem and a top adviser.

Even if Secretary Noem was the one telling the truth about the Presidents knowledge, and she may well have been, she flatly misrepresented that the contract had been subject to a competitive bid, the referral letter claims.

The Democratic lawmakers also accuse Noem, who has been reassigned to a diplomatic post overseeing the Shield of the Americas initiative, of being untruthful when she said DHS always follows court orders and upholds high detention standards.

They pointed to court rulings showing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement in fact violated hundreds of court orders in a span of a few months in just Minnesota.

Any claim that Secretary Noem committed perjury is categorically FALSE, a DHS spokesperson told The Independent.

The DOJ has received the latest political stunt from the Democrats who should instead vote to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department added.

open image in gallery President Trump denied advanced knowledge that Noems agency was going to spend $220 million on the ad campaign, which featured the DHS official on horseback in front of Mt. Rushmore ( DHS )

The congressmen also pointed to regular allegations and internal audits which have found unsanitary and inhumane conditions inside immigrant detention centers, which are on track to have their worst year for in-custody deaths in more than two decades.

Noem may soon leave DHS, but she will continue to face heavy scrutiny, especially if Democrats manage to retake Congress during the 2026 midterms or future elections.

While we have low expectations that you will pursue this matter given your partisan weaponization of the Department of Justice, we note that the statute of limitations for perjury and for knowingly and willfully making false statements to Congress is five years, the Democratic lawmakers noted in their letter.

The Department of Homeland Securitys own internal watchdog is reportedly probing the contracting process behind the $220 million ad campaign, and it previously alleged DHS leadership has systematically obstructed the offices work over the last year.

open image in gallery Noem could face further scrutiny if Democrats retake Congress in the 2028 midterms ( Reuters )

The Trump administration has previously pursued a high-profile case against a former official on perjury allegations.

Last year, it launched a prosecution against former FBI Director James Comey, in part by alleging he lied to Congress in 2020.

Comey pleaded not guilty and the case was later dismissed, though the DOJ has appealed.

The Trump DOJ has been reluctant to bring strong outside oversight against immigration officials.

The administration declined to bring a civil rights investigation after an ICE agent fatally shot Minneapolis protester and U.S. citizen Nicole Good in January and agents reportedly blocked state officials from accessing the shooting scene evidence and taking part in a full investigation.

Another Minneapolis protester, Alex Pretti, was shot by federal law enforcement that month, prompting widespread protests, and the DOJ later launched a civil rights investigation into his death.
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A Palestinian protester was let out of an immigration detention center in Texas on Monday, marking the release of the final known individual arrested as part of the Trump administrations early 2025 crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activism.

I dont know what to say. Im free! Im free! Leqaa Kordia, told reporters outside the Prairieland Detention Center.

There is a lot of injustice in this place, she added. There is a lot of people that shouldnt be here the first place.

The 33-year-old was arrested last March during a check-in with immigration officials.

Kordia claims she was taken in because she participated in a 2024 demonstration outside Columbia University against the Israel-Hamas war, which has killed scores of her relatives.

open image in gallery Leqaa Kordia says she was targeted for her pro-Palestinian activism, while the Trump administration says she overstayed a student visa ( AP )

In my meeting with President Trump last month, we discussed ICEs actions at Columbia University, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote in a post on X on Monday. I asked that the federal government release Leqaa Kordia and drop the cases against four others. I am grateful that Leqaa has been released this evening from ICE custody after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights.

Kordia was granted bond on March 13, and the Department of Homeland Security declined to challenge the decision, as it had on two prior occasions.

The Independent has contacted the White House and ICE for comment.

The facts of this case have not changed: Leqaa Kordia is in the country illegally after violating the terms of her visa, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told The Washington Post after Kordias release.

Kordia arrived in the U.S. in 2016 on a tourist visa, joining her mother, a U.S. citizen, in Paterson, New Jersey. She then transitioned to a student visa and was approved for a green card in 2021. Following erroneous advice from a teacher, she let her student visa expire, according to her attorneys.

open image in gallery Kordia attends a demonstration against the war in Gaza in 2024 outside Columbia University, the same school where the Trump administration conducted the high-profile arrest of activist Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian legal permanent resident of the U.S. ( Copyright The Associated Press 2024 )

DHS alleges Kordia overstayed her student visa, which it says was terminated in 2022 for lack of attendance.

Supporters and human rights activists cheered Kordias release, arguing she had been wrongly detained for speaking out on her views alongside scores of others with ties to the pro-Palestinian movement, including the high-profile arrest of Columbia protest leader Mahmoud Khalil.

After spending a harrowing year in ICE custody, Leqaa can return to New Jersey to reunite with her family and loved ones  just in time for the end of Ramadan and start of Eid celebrations, Justin Mazzola, deputy director of research at Amnesty International USA, said in a statement.

But to be clear, Leqaa should not have been detained in the first place, he added. Today is a powerful reminder that freedom of expression and peaceful protest are human rights  entitled to all.

Kordia alleges she faced cruel and unhealthy treatment behind bars, echoing widespread complaints from immigration detainees of unsafe conditions under the Trump administration.

This place makes women sick, she wrote in an op-ed in Zeteo earlier this month. Those with serious medical conditions are not given proper treatment. I spent 72 hours chained like an animal in a hospital after experiencing the first seizure of my life.

open image in gallery Campus activists have all been released from immigration detention, but the Trump administration continues to negotiate with Harvard University as it seeks changes from top schools it alleges didnt do enough to stop campus antisemitism during a wave of protests against the Gaza conflict ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

During its first year in office, the Trump administration arrested numerous figures with varying ties to the pro-Palestinian movement, including Tufts University scholar Rumeysa Ozturk, whose apparent participation in the widespread campus activism against the conflict was co-authoring an op-ed criticizing the universitys handling of student concerns about the war.

The administration also attempted to cancel thousands of international student visas as part of the law enforcement campaign, though it backtracked on some of the cancellations.

The arrests and visa cancellations were a prelude to the administrations larger negotiations with top universities, which it alleged hadnt done enough to stop spiking campus antisemitism. The White House attempted to cancel billions of dollars in funding to Ivy League schools and top public universities as part of the negotiations.

Some schools, including Columbia, reached settlements with the administration, while others such as Harvard continue to negotiate.

open image in gallery New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has managed to strike a surprisingly cordial working relationship with President Donald Trump, even though the former is a Democratic socialist and outspoken critic of the presidents immigration agenda ( New York City Mayor's Office )

So far, Mamdani has avoided a contentious relationship with Trump, who couldnt be further on the political spectrum from the democratic socialist mayor.

The pair of New Yorkers have had surprisingly cordial meetings so far, and Mamdani has sought federal assistance to build a massive housing development in New York City.

Last month, Mamdani appealed to Trump to release Ellie Aghayeva, a Columbia University neuroscience student arrested by immigration officers inside her campus apartment.

Department of Homeland Security officers misrepresented themselves to enter the building, according to university officials.

She was released hours after Mamdanis appeal.
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Former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has lent her wholehearted support to conservative commentator Megyn Kelly after she accused rival Mark Levin of having a micropenis over the weekend during a war of words about the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

I wholeheartedly support Megyn Kelly telling the world that Mark Levin has a micropenis, Greene wrote on X (Twitter) Monday.

Its the most deserved insult and I dont care if its vulgar. And Trumps gigantic defense of Levin only enraged the base more. People are DONE. MAGA destroyed by micropenis Mark Levin.

Levin, a long-time Tehran hawk, began the exchange of insults with Kelly Sunday by tweeting his disapproval of her latest statement of opposition to the conflict.

open image in gallery Former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has lent her wholehearted support to conservative commentator Megyn Kelly after she attacked rival Mark Levin in deeply personal terms ( Getty )

Poor Megyn Kelly, he wrote on X. An emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant wreck. Shes completely revealed and destroyed herself.

Shes everything people say she is, but much worse. Never an intelligent, thoughtful, or substantive comment. Utterly toxic.

Kelly responded: Micropenis Mark Levin thinks he has the monopoly on lewd. He tweets about me obsessively in the crudest, nastiest terms possible.

Literally more than some stalkers Ive had arrested. He doesnt like it when women like me fight back. Bc of his micropenis.

Levin replied: Busy Sunday morning for Megyn Kelly. She wakes up and has micrope*is on her mind.

open image in gallery Mark Levin and Megyn Kelly have a long history of social media feuding ( Getty )

Suffice to say, if it talks like a harlot, and posts like a harlot, its well, you know the rest. Shalom!

President Donald Trump then waded in on his own platform, Truth Social, to champion Levin.

Mark Levin, a truly Great American Patriot, is somewhat under siege by other people with far less Intellect, Capability, and Love for our Country, the president said, hailing Levin as Tough, Strong, and Brilliant and noting that another Fox host, Sean Hannity, had nicknamed him The Great One.

Trump continued: He is a true Conservative, and Intellect, far smarter than those who criticize him but, above all, he is a man of Great Wisdom and Common Sense who truly loves our Country.

When you hear others unfairly attack Mark, remember that they are jealous and angry Human Beings, whose sway is much less than the Public understands, and will, now that they know where I stand, rapidly diminish.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump unexpectedly weighed on the argument, backing Levin without explicitly rebuking Kelly ( AP )

Levin and Kelly have a history of bitter fighting on the platform, with the former calling the latter an evil, narcissistic lunatic earlier this month.

Late last year, he attacked her when she stood up for MAGA activist Jack Posobiec, whom Levin had accused of associating with antisemites, branding Posobiec, Kelly, and fellow right-wing influencer Candace Owens very sinister grifters.

She called him an old, angry anti-Christian nut in retaliation before Levin dismissed the trio as Woke Reich psychos and groyper-bigots.

As the feud rumbled on, Levin invoked an old culture war controversy his principal enemy was caught up in: Meg Kelly, whose ratings were so bad on NBC she became a laughingstock, was canned for promoting blackface on Halloween.

You see, she was always a degenerate bigot. This is why shes cool with Candace Owens and Jack Posobiec. This is why she slobbers over Qatarlson [Tucker Carlson].

Kelly hit back: Youre just upset bc Im not afraid of you or your baseless slurs. Youre an old, irrelevant, bitter, angry man who could never make it in the Fox News primetime.

We used to laugh at you there for your red-faced tantrums over everything.
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Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos shrugged off President Donald Trumps call for him to remove Susan Rice from the companys board last month as not ideal and added, He does a lot of things on social media.

Speaking to Politico upon his arrival in Brussels to meet with European regulators, Sarandos was asked about the presidents February 21 Truth Social post in which he wrote: Netflix should fire racist, Trump Deranged Susan Rice, IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences.

Shes got no talent or skills  Purely a political hack! HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK. How much is she being paid, and for what???

Rice was former President Barack Obamas national security adviser and served on Netflixs board between 2018 and 2020 before leaving to work for Joe Bidens administration. She then returned to the company after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.

open image in gallery Susan Rice  Barack Obamas national security adviser, now a Netflix executive  who President Donald Trump asked to be removed from the streaming giants board ( AP )

The president was writing in response to an X post by far-right agitator Laura Loomer, who accused Rice of threatening a backlash against corporations that made concessions to Trumps agenda in an attempt to appease him.

Does Netflix stand by their board member threatening half of the country with weaponized government and political retribution for choosing who they wanted to vote for as president? Loomer asked.

This is as anti-American as it gets, and Netflix is proving every day they are an anti-American, WOKE company.

Sarandos told Politico that he did not believe Trumps interjection had crossed a line, while making it clear that he had dismissed it out of hand.

I think its really important to be able to separate noise from signal, and I think a lot of what happens in a world where we have a lot of noise, he said.

open image in gallery Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos was dismissive of the presidents demand: He does a lot of things on social media ( AP )

About his recent White House meeting with the president to discuss Netflixs aborted acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which was ultimately bought by Paramount for $110 billion, the executive said: He makes statements sometimes that lead to the beliefs of things that do and sometimes that dont materialize at all.

But I found my conversations with him were 100 percent about the industry, protecting the industry. And I think its very healthy that the president of the United States speaks to business leaders about industries that are important to the economy.

Sarandos said he also discussed Trumps controversial tariff policies with him.

He has brought up tariffs for the movie and television industry many times, the streaming boss said.

And Ive hopefully talked to him the way out of them. I just said basically the same thing I said earlier. I think that incentive works much better.

Were seeing it in the U.S. things like the states compete with each other for production incentives and those states with good, healthy incentive programs attract a lot of production, and youve seen a lot of them move from California to Georgia to New Jersey, kind of looking for that whats the best place to operate in, where you could put more on the screen.

And I do think that having the incentives versus tariffs is much better.
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Oil and gas experts at the State Department were fired just months before President Donald Trump launched his war against Iran, which has sent energy prices through the roof, according to a new report.

In July  during a wave of federal job cuts led by the Department of Government Efficiency  the State Department dismissed staffers who maintained key ties with oil and gas companies in the Middle East region, NOTUS reported on Tuesday, citing nine former government officials.

Also let go were those tasked with preparing for possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery of international trade through which 20 percent of the worlds oil flows.

Last summers layoffs cut roughly 1,300 positions at the State Department, with the Bureau of Energy Resources reportedly reduced to just those working on clean energy and critical minerals.

The former officials  who spoke on condition of anonymity  accused the Trump administration of being woefully unprepared to handle the knock-on effects of the Iran war, which is now in its third week.

open image in gallery DOGE cut the State Departments oil and gas experts just months before the Iran war sent prices though the roof, according to a new report. Pictured here is a tanker that was damaged by an Iranian strike in the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

Before any of this should have happened, there should have been discussion about what are the implications of this, and what happens when the Strait of Hormuz turns off, a former Bureau of Energy Resources employee said.

Another ex-State Department staffer claimed the Trump administration dismantled the framework that could have helped handle oil and gas prices.

Im sure [Secretary of State Marco Rubio] wishes he had that expertise available today, Geoffrey Pyatt, who was an assistant secretary of state for energy resources during former President Joe Bidens administration, told the outlet. Most of that institutional knowledge was lost with the elimination of the bureau and [reduction-in-force initiatives] last fall.

A State Department spokesperson told NOTUS that the department is fully engaged in responding to the resulting energy crisis.

The Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs is coordinating the release of strategic reserves with allies and partners in response to Irans attacks, driving increased exploration and production with U.S. companies in key theaters globally, especially in Central Asia, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere including Venezuela, and hosting the Secretarys historic Critical Minerals Ministerial earlier this year with 55 international delegations in one of the largest ministerials at the State Department, the spokesperson said.

A department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

open image in gallery Oil and gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, with the national average cost of a gallon of gas standing at $3.79 on Tuesday, according to AAA ( AP )

But Trump himself has expressed surprise at how the war  launched jointly by the U.S. and Israel on February 28  has unfolded.

Iran has responded by striking oil and gas infrastructure across the Gulf and launching attacks on several countries throughout the region. The assaults have forced nations such as Qatar and Kuwait to scale back production and repeated strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have caused traffic there to plummet.

On Monday, the president said that Iran was not supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East. Those missiles were set to go after them. So they hit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait. Nobody expected that.

As a result of the conflict, oil prices have surpassed the $100-a-barrel milestone several times over the past week. On Tuesday, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline stood at $3.79, up from $2.91 the previous month, according to AAA.

Trump has expressed little concern about the cost of the war. Last week, he said that elevated oil prices are a very small price to pay for global security.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Americans could feel pain at the pump for weeks, but not longer. On Wednesday, he announced the administration would release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in order to ease prices.

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is set to announce the formation of an international coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Americans not to worry about the waterway and said the administration had planned for disruptions.

Recent polls indicate more than half of Americans oppose Trumps war against Iran.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for a supplemental spending bill amid President Donald Trumps escalating war with Iran  despite the fact the speaker has said that the United States is not at war.

The presumption is we would need a supplemental because weve used quite a bit of munitions and weve got to replenish the stock, he told The Independent. It makes logical sense, I think, to everybody.

Earlier in the day, Johnson said in his weekly press conference that the war is in its final phases.

This is being watched very carefully, but we're in the midst of an operation that is winding down, according to the president himself, he said. We are very close to having the mission completed.

The Center for Strategic & International Studies estimated the U.S. has spent $16.5 billion by day 12 of the war. Tuesday marked the 18th day of the war.

open image in gallery Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that Congress should pass a supplemental military spending bill for Iran to replenish the nations military resources ( Getty Images )

Congress has debated the conflict that was started without legislative authorization. Congress is delegated the power to declare war by the Constitution.

Before the House adjourned two weeks ago, the House voted down a War Powers Act resolution led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Iran. That would have required that the White House inform Congress within 48 hours of troops being deployed and require that troops be withdrawn within 60 days if Congress had not filed a formal declaration of war or authorized the use of military force.

Johnson, on Tuesday, has also defended the fact that all of the briefings around Iran have been classified and there have been no open briefings.

We're in the midst of a of a couple of weeks-long operation that's very sensitive in its mission and scope, and you cannot go outside of the classified briefing to give to the public the information, because it would adversely affect our mission, he told reporters.

Despite Johnsons repeated declarations that the United States is not at war, the White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have repeatedly used the word.

Were not at war right now, were four days into a very specific, clear mission and operation, Johnson said a few days after the Trump administration and Israel began their joint attack on the Iranian regime.

open image in gallery It is estimated the US has already spent more than $16 billion on the war ( Getty )

The White House has said that the war is in the final phases, while at the same time hinting that troops might be sent into Iran.

Democrats have criticized the fact Congress have had its authority to rein in Trump significantly curtailed.

Did no one ask whether this Strait of Hormuz would be closed by Iran? Did no one actually ask about what the extent of civilian casualties would be in Iran? Did nobody ask about what military casualties would be on our side? Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland told The Independent. So this is why it's got to be up to Congress for deliberation and debate and decision, it's not up to Donald Trump or JD Vance or Tulsi Gabbard.

Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, who is Iranian-American, said Democrats should oppose a supplemental spending package.

Democrats absolutely should not vote for a supplemental on a war that has again, never been justified to the American people, she told The Independent.
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Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his post over President Donald Trumps decision to take the U.S. to war with Iran.

Kent announced the move in a post on X, writing he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran because Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.

He added that it was clear that the U.S. war on Iran had been started due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. In an accompanying resignation letter addressed to Trump, Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media of having deployed a misinformation campaign to undermine Trumps policies and  encourage a war with Iran.

He told Trump that an echo chamber had been used to deceive him into believing Iran had been an imminent threat to the U.S. and that attacking would lead to a clear path to a swift victory.

This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again, said Kent, the former U.S. Army special forces soldier and CIA operator.

Kent referenced his history as a combat veteran  and as a widower whose Navy cryptanalyst wife had been killed in an ISIS bombing in Syria  while stating that he could not support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives, though he did so with the use of further antisemitic tropes by suggesting that the U.S. and NATO campaign against ISIS had been manufactured by Israel.

Continuing to address Trump directly, Kent continued: I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos.

open image in gallery Joe Kent has quit his post as head of the National Counterterrorism Center ( Office of the Director of National Intelligence )

You hold the cards, he added.

The former Army warrant officers decision to quit his post comes less than a year after the Senate narrowly confirmed him after a bruising, six-month confirmation battle where Democratic senators  including those from his home state of Washington  slammed him as patently unqualified and called him a conspiracy theorist who espouses white supremacist views.

While his confirmation was pending before the Senate, he joined the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as a senior aide to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

He was one of the Trump administration officials who participated in a now-infamous March 2025 Signal chat started by then-White House National Security Adviser Mike Walz that inadvertently included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic while participants discussed classified war plans.

Two months later, Kent reportedly used his authority as a senior aide to Gabbard to pressure intelligence analysts to change an assessment of purported links between the Venezuelan government and the street gang Tren de Aragua so it better aligned with the Trump administrations policies.

His time in the administration followed a stint as a foreign policy adviser to Trumps 2020 campaign and a four-year span during which he ran two losing campaigns for a Washington congressional seat.

During one campaign, Kent was accused of spreading conspiracy theories after he called the Covid vaccine an experimental gene therapy and had to disavow past associations with known white nationalists such as groyper activist Nick Fuentes.

Kents resignation from his position atop the terrorism center comes as the joint U.S.-Israeli aerial war against Tehran continues into its third consecutive week with no apparent end in sight.

His resignation letter claimed that Israeli officials had deceived Trump into attacking Iran, though it echoes longstanding antisemitic tropes, and is likely to bring fresh scrutiny to the Trump administrations shifting justifications for the war.

open image in gallery The US strikes on Iran started in late February and are now stretching into their third week ( Getty )

Initially, the strikes were framed as necessary to prevent Iranian efforts to rebuild a nuclear weapons program Trump has claimed to have obliterated with bunker-busting munitions last June.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on March 5 that the decision to attack was made to preemptively degrade Tehrans ability to retaliate against American bases after an attack by Israel.

Rubio, who also serves as Trumps national security adviser, said at the time that the administration knew there was going to be an Israeli action that would precipitate an attack against American forces that would have been far more deadly if the U.S. did not preemptively go after them.

But that same day, Trump contradicted Rubios statements during a media availability at the White House after he was asked if Israel had forced his hand with their own attack plans.

Based on the way that the negotiations was going, I think that they were going to attack first. And I didn't want that to happen, Trump said. So if anything, I might have forced Israel's hand. But Israel was ready and we were ready.

He also told reporters it was his opinion that they were going to attack first.

They were going to attack if we didn't do it. They were going to attack first, I felt strongly about that, he said.

The now-former Trump loyalists decision also highlights tensions within Trumps Make America Great Again movement over his decision to launch what could be a costly and long foreign entanglement after years of campaigning against involving America in new foreign wars.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt savaged her ex-administration colleague in a long post on X in which she alleged that his resignation letter contained many false claims and scoffed at his allegation that Tehran had not been an imminent threat to the U.S.

She claimed Trump had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first ... compiled from many sources and factors and stressed that the president would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum.

The Commander-in-Chief determines what does and does not constitute a threat, because he is the one constitutionally empowered to do so - and because the American people went to the ballot box and entrusted him and him alone to make such final judgments, Leavitt wrote.

She also mocked Kents absurd allegation that Trump had been misled by Israel or lobbied on Israels behalf as insulting and laughable.

Asked about Kents decision to exit the administration during an appearance in the Oval Office alongside Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Trump called his former employee a nice guy who was very weak on security despite having nominated him to lead a key institution in Americas counterterrorism infrastructure.

It's a good thing that he's out, because he said that Iran was not a threat, he said.
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The White Houses top economic advisor dismissed worries that an extended war in Iran could hurt U.S. consumers, saying it was the last of our concerns right now.

Kevin Hassett, the Director of the National Economic Council, attempted to quell consumer worries about rising gas prices and supply chain disruptions due to Irans impediment of the Strait of Hormuz on CNBC Tuesday morning. The U.S. average gas price now sits at $3.79, up 71 cents from a year ago. Some have warned that a slowdown of oil from the Middle East could have a massive impact on the world economy.

While Hassett reassured viewers the U.S. economy is fundamentally sound, he downplayed the possibility that consumers would face rising prices long-term  even if President Donald Trump extended his four-to-six-week timeline for the ongoing military operation.

If [the war in Iran] were to be extended, it wouldnt really disrupt the U.S. economy very much at all, Hassett claimed.

It would hurt consumers and wed have to think about, if that continued, what we would have to do about that. But thats really like the last of our concerns right now because were very confident that this thing is going ahead of schedule, Hassett added.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump's top economic adviser said Tuesday he wasn't considering the impact on consumers if Trump extends the war in Iran, attempting to sow confidence in the military operation ( Getty Images )

His comments appeared to be part of his wider effort to change the narrative about the chaotic war that has led to death and destruction across the Middle East.

Hassett insisted he has a plan for every corner of the disruption from fertilizer to getting fuel to the West Coast and so on.

But Democratic lawmakers pointed to Hassetts comments as an example of the Trump administration not caring about the impact of the Iran war.

Hassett really said this out loud. On live television, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X. Its almost unbelievable until you remember they are both the dumbest and cruelest among us.

A Trump official just said that everyday Americans are the last of [their] concerns right now. On national TV, Rep. Katherine Clark, the House Minority Whip, wrote.

Trumps team of Epstein class advisors says it out loud more often than youd think: consumers are the last of our concern right now, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy wrote.

Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz said, Well Im not some sort of political expert but this feels like an unhelpful thing to say.

open image in gallery Gas prices rose Tuesday to their highest level since October 2023 as the war with Iran impacts oil tankers' ability to pass through the Strait of Hormuz ( Getty Images )

White House Spokesperson Kush Desai said Hassett, repeatedly discussed how he is constantly thinking about the short-term economic impacts from Operation Epic Fury, and how he is always examining new measures to mitigate these disruptions for everyday Americans.

Desai said Hassett was only reiterating what Trump and other officials have said about the successful military attacks on Iran.

Americas economic fundamentals remain resilient, and once the goals of Operation Epic Fury are accomplished, we will move past these short-term disruptions and have a safer, more prosperous world, Desai said.

Trump administration officials, such as Hassett, have sought to paint the war in a positive light, asserting that the ongoing military strikes will make the world safer and eventually lead to lower gas prices as a whole.

The president has said consistently that he expects the strikes to last anywhere from four to six weeks, but that they could continue beyond that. Hes also bragged that the strikes are ahead of schedule  a point Hassett reiterated Tuesday.

But the constant positivity about the war does not seem to be working as polling finds most Americans disapprove of the war.
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Carrie Prejean Boller, a long-time supporter of President Donald Trump, has become the latest media personality to attack the commander-in-chief over the Iran conflict.

Speaking to Piers Morgan Uncensored on Monday, Prejean Boller did not hold back in expressing her dismay at recent developments.

Ive been a loyal supporter of the president for almost 20 years, she told the host. This goes back to when I was 21 years old and I was Miss California at the Miss USA pageant. And Ive known him  I consider him a dear friend  and I will tell you right now, I do not recognize our president.

Referring to Israel, Prejean Boller continued: I think that we are an occupied nation. I think that a foreign country has occupied our government. And we are seeing now that this president of the United States of America is being influenced by a foreign government.

And MAGA, let me tell you right now, MAGA is dead. It is deader than dead. And Americans are furious. We do not recognize President Donald J Trump anymore.

open image in gallery Piers Morgan interviews disillusioned MAGA influencer Carrie Prejean Boller on Monday March 16, 2026 ( Piers Morgan Uncensored )

The joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28 saw Irans Supreme Leader Ali Ayatollah Khamenei killed on the first day of hostilities, ending his 47-year authoritarian reign in one fell swoop.

Iran quickly hit back with retaliatory strikes against its Gulf neighbors who host American military assets. So far, 13 U.S. service members have died. Meanwhile, Tehrans moves to target tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the worlds total oil supply is shipped, have caused global fuel prices to soar.

Members of Trumps own administration have since privately told journalists they are experiencing buyers remorse over the war, although the White House has disputed this, telling The Independent that the presidents inner circle remains firmly behind him.

Meanwhile, high-profile members of Trumps base have fallen out bitterly in public, with the anti-interventionist Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene at odds with hawkish Republican senators like Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz and outspoken far-right activists like Laura Loomer.

Megyn Kelly and Mark Levin exchanged savage personal insults on social media over the weekend  the latest indication of a growing MAGA civil war over the issue.

Last week, Sameerah Munshi, an adviser to the White House Religious Liberty Commission, resigned from her position in protest at the airstrikes.

open image in gallery Donald Trump is in danger of seeing his all-important base split over the Iran conflict ( AP )

Prejean Boller was earlier removed from the same body after she was alleged to have hijacked a hearing on antisemitism by questioning the definition of the term, and after fiercely defending right-wing personality Candace Owens after she was accused of it.

I listen to her daily, and I havent heard one thing out of her mouth that I would say is antisemitic, Prejean Boller said during the hearing, at which she had also asked whether not being a Zionist amounted to antisemitism and challenged another member of the panel to condemn Israels actions in Gaza.

The former beauty queen turned influencer posted an open letter to the president on X (Twitter) Thursday in response to her removal after declaring, The only Catholic woman who opposes Zionism was removed as a prelude to the Iran war.

I thought MAGA stood for defending Americans who speak their convictions without fear of punishment, she wrote in her letter to Trump.

I thought MAGA was putting America first, not Israel. Today I struggle to recognize the movement you started.
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President Donald Trump was reportedly briefed on the possibility of Iran retaliating against other nations in the Middle East  despite his claims that the response was unexpected.

Trump was warned Iran could retaliate against Gulf allies, Reuters reported, citing a U.S. official and two sources familiar with the issue. These pre-conflict intelligence reports did not say the response was a guarantee, but rather that it was on the list of potential outcomes, a source told the outlet.

This comes after Trump repeatedly claimed that nobody expected the retaliatory strikes.

They werent supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East, he said Monday at a Kennedy Center board meeting. Those missiles were set to go after them. So, they hit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait. Nobody expected that. We were shocked.

Later Monday, when asked whether he was briefed on the possibility, Trump replied: "Nobody, nobody, no, no, no. The greatest experts, nobody thought they were going to hit.

President Donald Trump claimed 'nobody expected' Iran's retaliatory strikes ( Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

This comes after Reuters reported late last month that Trump was told the military operation against Iran would be high-risk, high-reward. He received briefings that outlined the risk of U.S. casualties and highlighted the possibility of a geopolitical shift that could favor U.S. interests, an official told the outlet.

At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 200 have been wounded since the Iran conflict began.

Recent polling has shown Americans are divided on the conflict, which is now in its third week.

A Washington Post survey released Thursday found 42 percent of Americans support the military campaign against Iran, while 40 percent oppose it and 17 percent are unsure. Still, about 42 percent of Americans believe the strikes should end, while 34 percent want them to continue, the poll found.

Trump also claimed Monday that he spoke with a former president who said he approved of the war with Iran. However, representatives of all four living ex-presidents have denied the story to multiple media outlets.

"Ive spoken to a certain president, who I like, actually," he said. "A past president, a former president. He said, 'I wish I did it.' But they didn't do it. I'm doing it."

Trump declined to identify the former president: "I cant tell you that. I dont want to embarrass him. It would be very bad for his career, even though hes got no career."
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All four living former U.S. presidents have denied President Donald Trumps claim that he had spoken with at least one of them who privately expressed approval for the recent strikes on Iran.

Aides to former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden told multiple news outlets that none of the former presidents had spoken with Trump recently.

Yet Trump told reporters, at least three times Monday, that one of his predecessors had told him behind the scenes that they wished they could have done what he is doing.

"Ive spoken to a certain president, who I like, actually," Trump insisted. "A past president, a former president. He said, 'I wish I did it.' But they didn't do it. I'm doing it."

The president refused to name which former president he was speaking about, but a spokesperson for Clinton told The Independent that no such conversation had taken place between the two men. Aides to Bush, Obama and Biden issued similar denials to CNN, the Associated Press and NBC News.

Aides to former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden told multiple news outlets that none of the former presidents had spoken with Trump recently ( Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images )

An aide to Bush told NBC News that the two presidents havent been in touch for a while.

Another aide to Obama said, No recent conversations had taken place between Trump and Obama.

One person, familiar with the matter, told NBC News that Biden was not the president that Trump was referring to.

The Independent has asked the White House and representatives for Bush, Obama and Biden for comment.

The strange saga unfolded after Trump made comments seemingly to boost confidence in the ongoing U.S. military strikes in Iran that have sparked a broader conflict in the Middle East.

"For 47 years, no president was willing to do what Im doing," Trump claimed during remarks at the White House.

The president and members of his administration have sought to paint the ongoing war as a positive move by blaming media outlets for negatively reporting on it.

Later in the Oval Office Monday, Trump repeated his claim about a former president voicing support for his decisions while refusing to name who it could be. The president suggested he was talking about a Democrat who happens to like me.

"I don't want to say. I don't want to say... I don't want to get him into trouble," Trump said. "Its somebody that happens to like me... that person is a smart person."

He went on: "But that person said 'I wish I did it,' okay? But I dont want to get into who. I dont want to get him into trouble."

Asked by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy if it would be possible to guess, Trump said: "Yeah, I think you probably know... maybe he'd even be proud? The president then confirmed he was not referring to Bush.

It comes after an embarrassing day for the Trump administration as NATO allies repeatedly refuse to join the war, despite Trump's pleading  after years of denouncing the alliance and threatening to violate its governing treaty.

Thirteen U.S. service members and reportedly more than a thousand Iranian civilians have been killed in the war, while the critical Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to global shipping, driving the price of oil skyward.
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Days after demanding help from NATO and other U.S. allies to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump now says the U.S. doesnt need any help after his pleas were uniformly rejected.

Asked about his progress in obtaining help to protect oil tankers that have been threatened by Iran as a result of the war he launched just over two weeks ago, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday: Well, we don't need too much help, and we don't need any help.

Speaking alongside Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting to mark the Irish leaders traditional Saint Patricks Day visit to Washington, Trump claimed NATO member states had been very much in favor of his decision to unilaterally take the U.S. to war and repeated his oft-used talking point about having decimated Irans military with a punishing air campaign.

He also expressed astonishment that NATO allies would not heed his demand for assistance, citing his frequently used description of the alliance as a sort of protection racket in which member states should aid U.S. forces because of Americas troop presence in Europe.

Despite the fact that we help them so much ... they don't want to help us, which is amazing, he said.

open image in gallery Donald Trump said the 32-member NATO bloc is making a very foolish mistake by not aiding the U.S. war against Iran. He spoke out against the group not offering assistance while meeting with Irish leader Micheal Martin at the White House ( AFP via Getty Images )

He added that the alliance is making a very foolish mistake and again repeated his claim that his call for assistance was a test.

The presidents Oval Office diatribe followed a similarly worded Truth Social post issued moments before the meeting with Martin where Trump said hed always thought the NATO alliance to be a one way street, complaining that we will protect them while allies will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need while seemingly ignorant of the fact that the only time the North Atlantic Treatys mutual defense provision has been invoked was to defend the U.S. after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington by al-Qaeda.

He claimed the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign had eliminated Irans navy, air force and air defense network as well as most of the countrys leadership at virtually every level.

Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need,i or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID, he added.

His assertion that the U.S. does not need any assistance to protect commercial shipping in the strait  a key choke point for a fifth of the worlds oil supply  comes just days after he urged China, France, Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint to send ships to escort oil tankers after Iran effectively blockaded the narrow waterway.

Multiple ships have been struck by projectiles since the start of the war on February 28, while Iran has allowed tankers serving China and India to pass unmolested because they are carrying Iranian oil.

The result has been economic upheaval, with global oil prices skyrocketing and gasoline prices following suit in rapid succession.

open image in gallery The US war against Iran is now in its third week ( Getty Images )

Though Trump warned that a failure to assist would be "very bad for the future of NATO, not a single alliance member has offered ships or any other assistance.

On Monday, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were ongoing conversations about working out a viable plan but said securing the strait would be not easy and not straightforward without ending the conflict.

The German government has also declined, with a spokesperson stating that the war had nothing to do with NATO and Defense Minister Boris Pistorious asking in response:  "What does Trump expect from a handful of European frigates that the powerful U.S. navy cannot do?"

"This is not our war. We have not started it, he added.

While French President Emmanuel Macron has also said hes attempting to form a coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the strait, he has stressed that such actions can only move forward after the hottest phase of the war has ended.
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Donald Trump may be having his Joe Biden moment as one of the greatest legislative priorities of his second term, a bill that would establish national voter ID requirements, seemed on course to die on the Senate floor.

The bill, known as the SAVE Act, narrowly cleared a Tuesday procedural vote with every Democrat in opposition and one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joining them. With the numbers clearly against Senate leadership and the president, the impending failure of the bill presents a familiar problem for Trump. For the second time as president and mirroring the political failure of Bidens Build Back Better agenda as well, Trump is on course to see a Republican Congress reject his legislative agenda.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterated that sufficient support doesnt exist within his caucus to kill the legislative filibuster to make it easier to pass the bill, and declined at a press conference to treat the issue with any kind of frenzied urgency.

The Republican leader responded to a remark from one of Trumps supporters in the chamber, Sen. Mike Lee, who called for Republicans voting against the bill to be primaried. Thune rejected that premise, stating that he preferred his members to fight Democrats, not members of the GOP.

We may not agree on everything, but I'm more in favor of ensuring that we have Republicans holding these seats in the Senate than handing them to Democrats, he said.

open image in gallery Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Tuesday that his caucus will not kill the filibuster to pass Donald Trumps voting bill ( Getty )

Trump and his allies, however, do not appear to be receptive to that message.

On Tuesday, Trump reiterated on Truth Social: I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST SAVE AMERICA!!!

His continued anger over the issue raises a simple question: What will the president do when this legislation inevitably fails on the Senate floor?

That question is one that lurks in the back of the minds of Thune and other Republicans such as Sen. Tim Scott, head of the GOPs Senate campaign arm, as the 2026 midterm cycle continues.

Just one Republican senator, Murkowski, is currently open in her opposition to the SAVE Act and voted against it on Tuesday  but Trump has already refused to grant his endorsement to two sitting GOP senators facing fierce primaries this year, Sens. John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy. Trump could use their vote in the SAVE Act against them in his endorsements - or take his anger with the whole party over a failed bill out on any incumbent by endorsing a challenger.

open image in gallery Trump has already endorsed against one GOP incumbent in the Senate and withheld his endorsement from another in his fury over the SAVE Act ( AP )

Former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell is one of the Republicans reportedly still deciding his final vote, though the Kentucky senator voted to bring the legislation to the floor on Tuesday. McConnell is one of Trumps oldest rivals in the Senate, and his defiance could be seen by the president as another personal slight if it occurs.

One Republican senator well acquainted with Trumps revenge-seeking complained to CNNs Manu Raju over the weekend and blamed far-right Republicans for seeking legislative policy wins for which Republicans simply didnt have the numbers to achieve. Those unrealistic expectations, Sen. Thom Tillis reasoned, were resulting in furious intra-party fights and messaging disunity.

People on my side of the aisle and people at the far-right of the political spectrum are trying to swing for the fences and theyre not going to succeed, said Tillis, referring to the SAVE Act.

I get tired of Republicans being lazy and unstrategic, the North Carolina senator added.

open image in gallery Sen. Thom Tillis accused conservative Republicans of putting unreasonable expectations on the GOPs thin congressional majorities ( Getty )

His remarks follow Trumps own threat to ignore any other legislation that reaches his desk until the SAVE Act passes, including a potential deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. DHS has been in shutdown mode since February, when the Democratic caucuses in both chambers of Congress demanded reforms to ICE in exchange for votes to fund the entire agency.

In short, a new kind of self-imposed gridlock could descend on Capitol Hill if Donald Trump cant get over his latest political defeat.

What happens next? The most likely answer is what happened last time Trump suffered a major political defeat before a midterm election cycle, when his partys efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act ended in failure in 2017. Democrats went on to win dozens of House seats the following year.

At least for now, Trump has succeeded in doing what his enemies sought to do throughout all of 2025: Fracture the MAGA coalition in Congress, while bringing his squabbling opponents together.
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The White House is reportedly preparing to pay nearly $1 billion to an energy giant to abandon major offshore wind projects, moving from legal challenges to direct financial settlements.

After federal judges blocked five previous attempts by the Trump administration to halt wind farms currently under construction along the East Coast, senior officials are now drafting agreements to pay TotalEnergies to walk away from its leases. According to documents reviewed by The New York Times, the proposed settlements would see the Justice Department pay more than $928 million to the French energy firm.

The deal would effectively terminate the Attentive Energy project off the coast of New York and the Carolina Long Bay project in North Carolina. In exchange for the payout  which serves as a reimbursement for lease bids won during the Biden era  TotalEnergies would not only scrap its wind plans but also commit to "accelerated investments" in natural gas infrastructure in Texas.

It is quite unusual for the administration to do this cash outlay, seemingly just because Trump doesnt like offshore wind, John Leshy, a former general counsel for the Interior Department, told The New York Times.

This new buyout approach follows a string of courtroom defeats for the administration.

Proposed settlements would cancel leases for two off-shore wind farms ( Getty Images )

In December, the Interior Department ordered a halt on five other major offshore wind projects, citing a classified national security report from the Defense Department. However, federal judges repeatedly ruled against the government, concluding that the administration failed to prove an imminent security risk.

Despite those legal setbacks, two of the projects the administration tried to kill reached major milestones this week.

Vineyard Wind, located south of Marthas Vineyard, announced it had completed construction on all 62 turbines. Simultaneously, Revolution Wind began delivering its first megawatts of power to the New England grid on Friday.

The administrations hostility toward the sector has been steadfast. Earlier in March, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said that the president had reversed course on Joe Bidens costly green energy agenda in favor of "unleashing reliable and affordable energy sources."

Trump has frequently disparaged the industry, claiming without evidence that turbines are "driving whales crazy" and labeling them inefficient.

The proposed settlements highlight a move to address what the president declared a national energy emergency during his first day back in office in January 2025, William Doffermyre, the top lawyer at the Interior Department, wrote in a memorandum reviewed by The New York Times.

While the U.S. has significant reserves, the ongoing war in the Middle East has sent global oil and gas prices soaring, providing the administration with a pretext to prioritize fossil fuel production over renewables.

If TotalEnergies accepts, the $795 million earmarked for the Attentive Energy site would cancel a project once expected to power more than one million homes. A separate $133 million would end the Carolina Long Bay project.

While the administration looks for an "ultimate victory" in shuttering the industry, according to an AP statement by Rogers, proponents of the wind farms point to the economic benefits already being realized. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has said that projects like Vineyard Wind are essential for lowering costs and sustaining thousands of jobs.

It remains unclear if TotalEnergies will sign the agreements. However, internal documents reviewed by The New York Times showed that the administration intended to cancel the leases regardless of the companys decision.
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The University of Florida is being sued by its College Republicans chapter after the institution shut down the student group last week when a picture circulated on social media of two of its members performing a Nazi salute.

In a lawsuit filed in Gainesville on Monday against UFs interim president, Donald W. Landry, the group accuses the school of violating its First Amendment rights to free speech and seeks an emergency order to reinstate it and restore its access to campus facilities, funding, and event privileges, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

The College Republicans are asking a federal judge to rule that UFs move was unconstitutional and order it to pay compensation and legal fees, arguing in their lawsuit that the contested expression at the heart of the matter amounted to political speech concerning current events that did not constitute a threat or incitement.

According to The New York Times, in addition to the Nazi gesture, another member of the club wrote in a group chat that Adolf Hitler didnt do enough, although the person in question subsequently told the newspaper that he intended the comment only as joking banter and had not intended to cause offense.

open image in gallery The University of Florida in Gainesville, which is being sued by its College Republicans chapter after their group was shut down over an antisemitism scandal ( Getty/iStock )

The university said in a statement posted on X (Twitter) Saturday that the Florida Federation of College Republicans had found that some members of the local chapter had engaged in a pattern of conduct that violated its rules and values, including a recent antisemitic gesture.

It said the FFCR had requested that it deactivate the chapter as an official student organization, while it looks to reorganize and pursue reinstatement under new student leadership.

That point is contested in the lawsuit, with the plaintiffs arguing that the FFCR is a third-party state organization with no jurisdiction over the chapter, which answers to the national College Republicans of America.

The institution concluded its statement: The University of Florida has emphatically supported its Jewish community and remains committed to preventing and addressing antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment that are threatening and disruptive to our students and to the teaching, research and expressive activities of the campus community.

Among those responding angrily to UFs post was Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback, who had been hosted by the chapter at an event on March 11, which the plaintiffs also mentioned in their suit to argue that the universitys move was politically motivated.

open image in gallery The university's College Republicans chapter last week held an event with GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback attended by more than 500 people, which the lawsuit argues provides a political motivation for the club's deactivation ( Getty/iStock )

Let me get this straight: 48 hours after the UF College Republicans hosted me and 500+ supporters, you terminated them, violating the First Amendment, which you are legally bound to as a public university, Fishback wrote on X. Disgusting traitors.

Also responding was Anthony Sabatini, the attorney for the chapter, a former state GOP lawmaker himself, who threatened the lawsuit he duly delivered by saying: This is completely illegal  I spoke with UFCR leadership & we will be filing a First Amendment retaliation lawsuit under Section 1983 Monday morning against you seeking an injunction

UF has engaged in enormous viewpoint discrimination over the past year & it must be stopped NOW.

Gabe Guidarini, of Turning Point Action and the Ohio College Republican Federation, said: FFCR doesnt have authority to disband a club it does not possess, regardless of who the club lets speak or what certain meeting attendees (who arent even in their leadership) have done.

University spokesperson Cynthia Roldan told The Independent that UF does not comment on pending litigation.

Sabatini told The Independent: We hope UF does the right thing, corrects this error, and stands on the side of the First Amendment.

The situation comes just weeks after the president of Florida International Universitys Turning Point USA chapter had resigned in Miami after a series of racist, antisemitic, and homophobic group chat messages were leaked.
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Around 200 US troops have now been wounded in the ongoing conflict with Iran, the US military confirmed on Monday, as the hostilities entered their third week.

The US military's Central Command clarified that most injuries were minor, with 180 personnel already back on active duty. However, ten of the reported injuries are considered serious. These casualties were sustained across multiple locations in the region, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, and Israel.

The rising injury toll comes after 13 US service members have been killed since Iran initiated strikes against American military bases following the outbreak of the conflict on 28 February. Beyond military installations, Iranian attacks have also targeted diplomatic missions, hotels, airports, and critical energy infrastructure within Arab Gulf states.

The United States, meanwhile, has carried out strikes against more than 7,000 targets in Iran.

About a dozen MQ-9 drones have been destroyed in the war, said a U.S. official on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump smiles backdropped by an MQ-9 Reaper drone before addressing military personnel at the Al Udeid Air Base, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ( AP )

The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle can loiter at altitudes of around 50,000 feet for more than 27 hours, gathering intelligence with sophisticated cameras, sensors and radars.

The Reaper, which entered service with the U.S. Air Force 16 years ago, can be equipped with weapons such as air-to-ground missiles.

On Monday it was reported President Trump was warned that attacking Iran could trigger retaliation against U.S. Gulf allies despite his claims that Tehran's reaction came as a surprise.

Pre-war intelligence assessments did not say that Irans response was "a guarantee, but it certainly was on the list of potential outcomes," said one source, who like the other two requested anonymity to discuss the issue.

The president twice on Monday said that Irans retaliatory strikes against Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait were a surprise, the first time at a Kennedy Center board meeting in the White House.

"They (Iran) werent supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East," he said. "Nobody expected that. We were shocked."
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A chilling reality is unfolding in the Mediterranean: bodies washing ashore, unanswered phone calls from desperate relatives, and migrants tents abandoned overnight. People attempting to reach Europe are vanishing in what are termed "invisible shipwrecks," as governments responsible for search and rescue operations withhold crucial information.

The beginning of 2026 has already become the deadliest start to a year for those crossing the Mediterranean, with the UNs International Organization for Migration confirming 682 missing by March 16. The true death toll, however, is almost certainly much higher. Human rights groups are increasingly struggling to verify these figures as Italy, Tunisia, and Malta have quietly restricted information on migrant rescues and shipwrecks along this perilous route. This lack of transparency prevents journalists from confirming reports, ensuring these tragedies largely escape public attention.

Its a strategy of silence, said Matteo Villa, a researcher focusing on migration and data at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies think tank.

The organization Refugees in Libya and other human rights groups have been sounding the alarm since late January, reporting more than 1,000 people missing after Cyclone Harry hit the region. But authorities have not confirmed, denied or corrected those reports.

In the weeks that followed the cyclone, more than 20 decomposing bodies washed ashore in Italy and Libya while other human remains were spotted floating in the middle of the sea.

For the families of missing migrants, not knowing their fate is excruciating.

Europe should know that these people who got drowned in the sea have family members, have dreams, have passions, Josephus Thomas, a migrant from Sierra Leone and community leader in Tunisias coastal town of El Amra, told AP.

open image in gallery Migrants from Syria and Libya in a wooden boat call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms during a rescue operation inside Malta's SAR zone south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean sea, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Even the U.N.'s migration agency is increasingly unable to verify cases of migrants who die in what is known as invisible shipwrecks because of the growing lack of information.

Last year, at least 1,500 people were reported missing whose fates IOM could not confirm, said Julia Black, who leads the organization's Missing Migrants Project. The issue persists in 2026.

We started a new secondary data set of what we are calling unverifiable cases because its just become so many, Black said. For this year, they already have more than 400 missing they could not verify.

Many humanitarian organizations that previously filled some of the information gaps are no longer able to do so because of the global wave of funding cuts and government-imposed restrictions across the region.

Weve seen the restriction of access for humanitarian actors, which is not right. And now were seeing even the restriction of information, Black said.

The Associated Press repeatedly asked authorities in Tunisia, Italy and Malta why they arent sharing information related to migrant rescues at sea and what their policies are. Not one responded.

open image in gallery In this photo taken on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, the sun shines over international waters north of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo/Renata Brito) ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Over the years, authorities in the Mediterranean have gradually reduced information related to migrants. But their silence was even more pronounced in late January after Cyclone Harry unleashed heavy rainfall, winds of 100 kph (62 mph), and 9-meter-tall (30 feet) waves.

Hundreds of people had departed from Tunisias coastal region of Sfax and disappeared, according to information the group Refugees in Libya gathered from migrants in Tunisia and their relatives abroad.

The group acknowledged it was difficult to be precise because there is no central system recording departures, losses, or recoveries," but it warned that the death toll was likely even higher.

We are looking at boats that never counted how many kids are inside, Refugees in Libya founder David Yambio told AP.

The AP sent five email requests to the Italian coast guard seeking information on the boats reported missing and search efforts but received no response. An officer who answered the phone said the coast guard did not have any further verified and confirmed information regarding the circumstances. AP also filed a Freedom of Information request, which is pending.

The coast guard also declined to comment on an alert it issued on Jan. 24 asking vessels sailing between the Italian island of Lampedusa and Tunisia to be on the lookout for eight small boats in distress carrying some 380 people. The alert was made public by Italian journalist Sergio Scandura.

open image in gallery This picture released by SOS Humanity on Monday, March 16, 2026, shows rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea one of the deadliest migration route in the world (Barbara Sartore/SOS Humanity via AP) ( SOS Humanity )

There is only one known survivor from the boats reported missing during Cyclone Harry. He was floating in the water when a merchant vessel rescued him on Jan. 22. The man told crew members he had been traveling with another 50 people, some of whose bodies could be seen in the water in video of the rescue. Thanks to his testimony, their deaths were included in IOM's tally.

According to the captain, the survivor was evacuated to Malta. The Maltese Armed Forces did not respond to multiple requests about their involvement or reports that they recovered the man and the bodies.

The Tunisian Foreign Ministry and the Tunisian National Guard also have not responded to multiple requests for information by email and phone.

Frontex, a European Union agency that assists nations with border surveillance, told AP that it spotted eight boats carrying about 160 migrants between Jan. 14 and 24 when the cyclone hit. It said six boats were rescued by Italian authorities, but the fate of the other two remains unknown.

On Feb. 8, migrants prayed and cried during a memorial ceremony in the olive groves near Sfax, presuming their loved ones could not be alive after so many days without news.

All of us here are in deep trauma, are in deep agony, Dr. Ibrahim Fofana, a migrant in Tunisia whose relatives have been missing since late January, said in a video shared by Refugees in Libya. He pleaded for authorities to identify the bodies that washed ashore in Italy.

open image in gallery A boat used by migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea is towed from Tripiti beach to the Karave the port of Gavdos, Greece, on Monday, July 7, 2025 after hundreds were rescued near the island and the island of Crete in separate incidents. (AP Photo/Elena Becatoros) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Until mid-2024, Tunisian authorities regularly shared the number of migrants they were intercepting at sea, eager to show their European partners compliance with a 2023 deal to curb migration in exchange for financial aid. But the deal was also followed by a brutal crackdown against migrants on land that resulted in thousands being detained or dumped in the desert.

Nongovernmental organizations such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, known by its French acronym FTDES, which used to compile and share reports on migrant interceptions, were also caught in the crackdown.

In June 2024, Tunisia's Ministry of Interior stopped releasing any information on migrants, citing security reasons, said Romdhane Ben Amor, FTDES' spokesperson. But in his opinion, the motives were political. The numbers were incompatible with the narrative that Tunisia was not Europe's border guard, he said.

Italy's erosion of information on migrant rescues is even older than Tunisia's. The Italian coast guard used to provide detailed monthly data on migrants rescued. The monthly reports became quarterly before stopping completely in 2020, Villa said. In 2022, previous reports were also removed from the coast guards website.

This year, the Italian coast guard did not share any migration-related press releases despite nearly 5,000 migrants disembarking on Italian shores, according to Italy's Interior Ministry statistics.

It is very clearly a political strategy to repress as much information as possible from the public," Villa said.
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A Russian assault on a hydroelectric plant in southern Ukraine has led to an oil spill and widespread water pollution in neighbouring Moldova, prompting severe disruptions to supplies.

Officials confirmed on Monday that water services were entirely cut off in Balti, Moldova's second-largest city, affecting its 90,000 residents, alongside three other towns. These outages are expected to persist for at least another 12 hours into Tuesday.

President Maia Sandu, who is campaigning for Moldova to join the European Union by the decade's end, directly attributed the contamination of the Dniestr River to Russia. The environmental crisis also forced the closure of schools, with students instructed to switch to online learning.

Moldova declared a 15-day environmental alert on Sunday as the extent of the pollution became apparent.

"We declared environmental alert and are acting to protect our people," Sandu said in a statement on social media, referring to the March 7 attack on the Novodnistrovsk hydro station. "Russia bears full responsibility."

A map of Novodnistrovsk hydro station:

Moldova's foreign ministry summoned Russia's ambassador to the country over the attack on the station.

"The Republic of Moldova strongly condemns this attack, which caused an oil spill in the Nistru River, posing major risks to the environment and the security of the Republic of Moldova's water supply," it said in a statement, using the Romanian name for the Dniestr River.

Sandu has repeatedly denounced Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of trying to unseat her government. Moscow accuses her of fomenting Russophobia.

The EU has provided considerable financial support for Moldova since Sandu's 2020 election and Marta Kos, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, said the bloc was prepared to help tackle the pollution.

"This is a reminder that Russia's war does not stop at Ukraine's borders," she wrote on X. "We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Moldova."
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Russia's Siberian Novosibirsk region has declared a state of emergency to combat a cattle disease outbreak, following weeks of protests from small farmers whose livelihoods are being threatened by forced culling. The measures have led to widespread resistance against the removal of livestock.

Andrei Shindelov, the region's agriculture minister, told state news agency TASS that the emergency would allow "for effective coordination of actions and the containment of the movement of animals and animal products."

Officials have identified five outbreaks of pasteurellosis, a severe bacterial pneumonia, and 42 cases of rabies in the area where farm animals are being removed.

Media reports and social media posts show thousands of cows and other cattle being burned to contain the diseases. Villagers have been confronting police and officials in an attempt to resist the seizure of their animals.

open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with head of the Udmurt Republic Alexander Brechalov in Moscow, Russia, March 16, 2026 ( Sputnik )

In one video, Svetlana Panina, a local farmer from the village of Novoklyuchi, chases Shindelov through the corridors of a local administration building, saying she would soon not be able to eat or pay her bills.

"Why are you running away? Go and hide in a toilet from us people," Panina tells the official. She says lost 200 head of cattle, including three camels, and was not at home when the animals were taken.

Shindelov's statement, as reported by TASS, says the emergency was declared a month ago. But many farmers say they were unaware of it, and that pasteurellosis does not require culling and can be treated with antibiotics.

Rabies vaccination is mandatory in Russia.

The cattle seizures mainly affected small farms, while larger agricultural enterprises were spared, angering farmers.

The emergency allows farmers to seek compensation for culled animals, and local officials said the first payments were being processed.

A map of Novosibirsk:

Novosibirsk is Russia's 15th largest region with a population of over 2 million. It borders Kazakhstan and is located about 600 km (373 miles) from China.

The Russian agriculture watchdog blamed the scale of the outbreak on extreme winter cold in Siberia, which weakened the animals' immunity, and urged farmers not to use feed of unknown origin.

Several other Siberian regions reported smaller outbreaks or said they were on alert.

"There are some cases when a fast reaction is needed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that affected regions were coordinating their actions with Moscow.

The agriculture ministry did not respond to a Reuters' request for comment.

Several people were briefly detained, but no major crackdown on protesters has been reported.
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A European country is considering regulation to set higher diesel prices at the fuel pumps for foreign drivers or limiting their refuelling.

Slovakias prime minister Robert Fico announced the plan on Tuesday, as the government looks to protect against fuel tourism.

Mr Fico said representatives from refiner Slovnaft, part of Hungarys oil and gas group MOL (MOLB.BU), had informed the government that in some northern districts next to Poland, cheaper diesel prices on the Slovak side of the border had led to a rise in purchases.

In some cases, Mr Fico said, gas stations literally dried up.

Governments around the world fear a surge in fuel prices triggered by the Iran war.

Hungary has capped fuel prices, while Polands main refiner Orlen SA (PKN.WA) has cut its margins to tame the impact on consumers. Slovakia has so far avoided any measures, relying on self-regulation by sellers, which can also limit volumes.

Mr Fico said the government wanted prices comparable to most neighbouring countries like Poland, and cheaper than in Austria.

In the UK, diesel prices have soared by an average of just under 19p per litre since the start of the Middle East conflict, new figures suggest.

The RAC said the average price of the fuel at UK forecourts on Sunday was 161.2p per litre. This is compared with 142.4p when the US-Israeli campaign against Iran began on 28 February.

The RAC said drivers with diesel cars were really feeling the heat ( Lynne Cameron/PA )

The 14 per cent increase means diesel is at its most expensive level since November 2023.

Petrol prices are up 7 per cent over the same period, rising from 132.8p per litre to 141.7p per litre.

The last time petrol was more expensive was August 2024.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: Drivers with diesel cars are really feeling the heat.

Prices have shot up 18p a litre in just two weeks, adding 10 to the cost of a full tank.

The average cost of filling up a 55-litre family car with diesel is now 88, whereas for petrol its 78.

The UK has fewer refineries than ever and those we do have are more geared towards petrol production than diesel, so were reliant on imports which has contributed to diesel prices rising faster.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told petrol retailers last week they had a shared obligation to keep prices down for motorists.
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No longer the president of a victim nation, Volodymyr Zelensky came to London as a leader offering the West the tools for victory  building alliances while Donald Trump was simultaneously shattering them in Washington.

No longer simply pleading for help against the full-scale Russian war, Zelensky brought an iPad to Westminster to show real-time Ukrainian battlefield feeds. These enable his forces to shoot down 87-90 per cent of drone and missile attacks, mostly with home-grown weapons.

Now many of his Ukrainian drone experts  201 to be precise  are already operating in Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with another 34 en route to Kuwait.

These Gulf nations are already benefiting from Kyivs wartime technology, specifically developed to deal with the missiles and drones fired at them from Iran.

His message was explicit: you need us just like we need you.

open image in gallery Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle, Volodymyr Zelensky and Keir Starmer following the presidents speech to MPs and peers ( PA )

Top of his list for thanks was the UK which last year signed a 100-year cooperation agreement with Ukraine.

He gave an iPad with the top secret feed through which to view every drone kill, infantry manoeuvre, incoming missile strike and long range air attacks inside Russia to the King, before heading to parliament where he was greeted with a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, as he was on his way back from an audience with the monarch, Americas head of state was spreading bile and contempt for the United Kingdom and its prime minister, Starmer.

Not for the first time, the US president said he was disappointed by Starmer, who has refused to join the US-Israeli war in Iran and swiped at the UKs immigration and energy policies.

He also accused the BBC of using AI in a documentary in which it has admitted to clumsy editing of one of Trumps 6 January speeches shortly before his supporters launched an attack on the US Congress. The BBC did not use AI.

I love Europe, rambled Trump during a meeting with the Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Ive spent a lot of time in Europe. Its a different place. Bad things have happened here. Very bad things. And you better do something about immigration, and you better do something about energy.

open image in gallery US president Donald Trump was asked about the BBC during a press opportunity with Irish premier Micheal Martin ( PA )

He repeated his criticism of Nato members taking no direct part in military action against Iran. And failed to acknowledge that many, including the UK, are in action defending Gulf nations against Iranian drone and missile attacks.

I think Nato is making a very foolish mistake, Trump went on. Everyone agrees with us, but they dont want to help. And we, you know, we as the United States have to remember that because we think its pretty shocking.

As for whether he would retaliate against Nato allies for holding back, the US president said he had nothing currently in mind.

He is already seen as a mercurial and unreliable ally who has threatened to invade Canada and Greenland, a Danish territory. Both are in Nato.

He has also squeezed Nato members to buy US weapons for Ukraine and stopped all military aid to Kyiv which, from Natos perspective, is fighting on the alliances eastern flank against Russia, a threat to the rest of eastern Europe.

Trump has taken Russias side in so-called peace talks between Kyiv and the Kremlin.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on the global oil and gas market situation in Moscow on 9 March ( AFP/Getty )

Vladimir Putins chief economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has almost unlimited access to Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, with whom he has been discussing future business deals in Russia.

In contrast, Zelensky offers a different picture: Its up to us to decide. And we are here in this great building of the British parliament, calm and safe, not in a shelter. On your way here, you saw tree branches over the streets, not protective nets against FPV drones.

And all of us here worry a little about having fast mobile internet or wifi nearby. Not about whether strong mobile air defence teams are on duty close to us.

This way of life, open space, normal streets, normal buildings, not underground, feels so simple, so familiar, as if it is, if it has always been there. Its almost impossible to imagine it ending.

But what guarantees that it will continue? asked Ukraines president.

He then laid out how his country can help secure a future for its allies, describing it as a duty for the current generation of leaders.

We must deliver real security, safety on the streets, safety at home, the protection of our culture and real respect for the rights and security of our people and national security proven by war.

open image in gallery Sappers examine the site of a Russian missile strike which hit a post office storehouse in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday ( AP )

Trump has often said Ukraine matters little to the US and that America is separated from the European war by a big beautiful ocean.

Zelensky had an answer for that: We do not believe we have the right to be indifferent, even if we are separated from human suffering or shared danger by an ocean.

An ocean, however big and beautiful, or by anything else. Ballistic missiles can strike at thousands of kilometres. Drones can do the same. But if evil wins, the evolution of war will cross any distance to us.

Ukraine, he said, wanted partnerships with Middle Eastern nations and Europe to continue to build its drone defences and to fund its anti-missile batteries, which use Patriot and THAAD missiles to shoot down ballistic weapons.

Trump has dismissed Ukraines offer of drone experts, but Zelensky insists Kyiv has much to contribute.

If together with partners in the Middle East we build a system like Ukraine, they will be able to track attacks from Iran or from the Houthis in real time, analyse them, keep improving their defence, giving people critical infrastructure and trade routes real security.

A statesman, giving real world solutions, while his US counterpart sulks.
Zelensky warns of 'distracted' US as acting ambassador Davis prepares to exit

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Russia is once again scaling back its annual Victory Day parade in Red Square, saying no military equipment will be used amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The parade is a key event in Russia and is held in Moscow on 9 May every year, marking the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.

Prior to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the parade would traditionally involve a display of tanks and other military equipment, as Moscow flexed its muscles for the world to see.

It has been pared back dramatically due to the war, however, and in 2024 Russia was mocked by Ukraine for displaying just a solitary tank for the second year in a row.

Russia's defence ministry confirmed no military hardware would be involved in the parade at all this year, though it did not directly link this to shortages or frontline deployments.

Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that its air defences shot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a new monthly record in the four-year war.
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Iran has confirmed the death of top security chief Ali Larijani on Tuesday, state media reported.

Larijani becomes the most senior Iranian figure to be killed by Israel since the assassination of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war.

Tehran had earlier denied reports that Larijani was dead and a handwritten letter dedicated to Iranian troops was released after Israel claimed he had been killed in an IDF strike.

A tribute to Larijani was posted on his social media account on X, it said: Indeed, a servant of Allah has joined his Lord as a martyr.

Israel said it had killed Larijani in overnight strikes which targeted a hideout apartment in Tehran.

Larijani, who led Irans Supreme National Security Council, had been regarded by experts as among those most likely to step into the power vacuum left by the death of Khamenei.

Despite Khameneis son Mojtaba being named supreme leader in his stead, Larijani remained a pivotal figure and was regarded by many observers as the countrys de facto leader.

open image in gallery Ali Larijani had been a key power broker internationally and domestically in recent months ( AP )

Israels defence minister Israel Katz said another senior figure, the Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani, had also been killed in a separate strike.

Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation programme, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell, Mr Katz said in a statement on Tuesday morning.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian state media confirmed Soleimanis death on Tuesday.

The handwritten note posted on Larijanis X (Twitter) account, commemorated members of the Iranian navy killed in US attacks on the Iris Dena off the coast of Sri Lank, whose funerals were expected to be held on Tuesday.

In the week before his death, he had posted a thinly veiled threat to Trump after the American leader vowed to rain down death, fire and fury on the Islamic Republic.

The sacrificial nation of Iran doesnt fear your empty threats, Larijani wrote in a defiant post on X on 10 March in response.

Even those bigger than you couldnt eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.

Larijanis aggressive approach had been a key part of the rhetoric in the opening days of the war, following the 28 February strike on Tehran which killed Khamenei.

We will not negotiate with the United States, he said in the aftermath of the first US-Israeli strikes, adding that President Trump held delusional fantasies about the unfolding war.

Larijani was last seen in public on Friday, attending the AlQuds Day rally in Tehran alongside president Masoud Pezeshkian in a show of support for Palestinians living in the Iranian capital.

Who is Ali Larijani?

Born in the city of Najaf in 1958, Larijani began his career in government as deputy minister of labour and social affairs. In 1994, he was appointed head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, where he remained for a decade.

In 2005, Larijani was appointed as Supreme National Security Council secretary, putting him in charge of Irans nuclear negotiations. He had recently been overseeing Tehrans efforts to reach a nuclear deal with the US.

Larijani had not been named among Irans new three-man council following the assassination of Khamenei. Nonetheless power in Iran is believed to remain concentrated within the Security Council, which had reportedly already sidelined Khamenei since the disastrous 12-day war with Israel last June.

Larijani's power had also eclipsed that of the official president, Pezeshkian, as he had not only taken the lead in the international arena in recent months, but also domestically. He was among the earliest and loudest voices in Irans leadership calling for deadly violence to crush political demonstrations that erupted at the end of last year as Irans economic crisis deepened.

The unrest, the largest uprising since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, was met with a brutal crackdown. As many as 30,000 people are believed to have been killed by the regime this year, according to Iran International.

How powerful is Larijani?

open image in gallery Larijani was among the first officials to call for violence against demonstrators in the uprising in Iran ( AP )

Larijanis grip on power came despite the fact that he had not been among the clerics Khamenei had identified as potential successors. The supreme leader had left a shortlist of three religious figures, with the role formally reserved for a cleric.

However he had been regarded by experts not just as a plausible leadership contender for the country, but one who could steer Iran toward an even more militarised model of governance.

While Donald Trump has said he wants to see regime change in Iran, the interim leadership has vowed vengeance against the US and Israel.

open image in gallery Smoke billows after a US-Israeli strike in Tehran during the first week of the conflict ( AP )

Larijani had accused the US and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran, and had warned secessionist groups of a harsh response if they attempted any action. In a post on X, Larijani claimed President Trump had plunged the Middle East into chaos.

With his delusional actions, he has transformed his self-made slogan of America First into Israel First and sacrificed American soldiers for Israels quest for power, Larijani wrote. He once again imposes the cost of his cult of personality on American soldiers and families. Today, the Iranian nation is defending itself... the Iranian armed forces did not initiate the invasion.
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Irans regime will likely remain in power, US intelligence has said, despite over two weeks of US-Israeli attacks on the country.

While dozens of top Iranian military and intelligence leaders have been killed in the war, including the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials believe that the regime is still clinging onto control.

As the war enters a third week, at least 2,000 people have been killed with no end in sight despite widespread damage to Irans military installations and naval capability.

Though Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have vowed to pound Iran with missiles until regime change is achieved, a "multitude" of intelligence reports provide "consistent analysis that the regime is not in danger" of collapse, a source close to US intelligence told The Washington Post. Rather, they said it "retains control of the Iranian public.

They noted that the situation on the ground is fluid and that the dynamics inside Iran could change.

open image in gallery The regime holds onto power in Iran, despite weeks of attacks from the US and Israel ( Getty Images )

Last week, a Connecticut senator who attended a two-hour briefing on the White House's current aims for the conflict said the administration is not seeking to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons programme, nor force regime change in the country.

Chris Murphy said that while he was unable to share classified information, the private briefings indicate that Trump is unable to "defend this war in public".

"The war goals DO NOT involve destroying Iran's nuclear weapons program," Murphy wrote in a thread on X, adding that this was surprising "since Trump says over and over this is a key goal".

"But then of course we already know air strikes can't wipe out their nuclear material."

He said that in the briefing, the administration "confirmed" that "regime change is also NOT on the list".

open image in gallery Thousands have been killed since the US-Israeli strikes began ( AFP/Getty )

According to Trita Parsi, cofounder of foreign policy think tank the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, the White House is effectively pursuing regime implosion, propelled by what he described as the presidents wishful thinking that sustained military pressure will somehow create a power vacuum that the Iranian public will obligingly fill.

Parsi noted that the mission aligns neatly with Israels longstanding desire to take Iran off the geopolitical chessboard, but said the Trump administration has struggled to articulate any legitimate rationale for such an undertaking.

The attacks on Iran have dragged the Gulf into the firing line, as attacks forced the temporary closure of airspace and a drone hit an oil facility in Fujairah, a key port for Emirati oil exports, for a second consecutive day.

They started this war for Israel and then left us to face the attacks by ourselves, said a senior Arab official from the Gulf told The Telegraph.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Trump said Irans strikes against its neighbours, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait were a surprise.

He said on Monday: Nobody expected that. We were shocked. ... They fought back.

However, Trump was warned that attacking Iran could trigger strikes against US Gulf allies, according to a US official and two sources familiar with US intelligence reports.
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Satellite images are giving a glimpse into the toll of the Iran war, with ships ablaze in an Iranian port and destroyed buildings at an American base.

Information has so far been scarce about the damage being done across the Middle East, particularly when its inside closed military facilities, since the start of the war on Feb. 28.

The images come from Planet Labs PBC, a San Francisco-based firm used by media outlets, including The Associated Press. Planet Labs has put a two-week delay on its imagery becoming public citing concerns its imagery could be used by adversarial actors.

High-resolution images also have been published by competing firms. Other providers, like the U.S. Geological Survey, have been publishing lower-resolution imagery as well thats been useful.

The U.S. and Israel have been striking a wide variety of targets, including leadership figures, military bases, missile and air defense sites and positions of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its volunteer force, the Basij. Iran has responded with drone and missile fire targeting Israel and nearby Gulf Arab nations.

Heres a look at whats visible in a selection of Planet Labs pictures, as well as others.

Burning ships in Bandar Abbas, Iran

Some of the most dramatic images from Planet Labs so far have been in Bandar Abbas, home to a major Iranian military port next to the crucial Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Images taken on March 2 show ships ablaze at the port.

The U.S. militarys Central Command has been targeting Irans naval assets and says it has sank or damaged more than 100 Iranian vessels so far in the war.

open image in gallery A satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows fires burning on a ship after a U.S. military attack on a port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, March 2, 2026 ( Planet Labs PBC )

open image in gallery This satellite image shows fires burning on ships after a U.S. military attack on a port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, March 2, 2026 ( Planet Labs PBC )

Major impact at 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain

The island kingdom of Bahrain, home of the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, has seen heavy Iranian fire targeting both military bases and oil installations.

A March 1 image shot by Planet Labs shows a major building at the base destroyed, as well as two radomes  geodesic domes covering radar antennas  likely by Iranian missile and drone fire.

The Navy has not offered a clear breakdown in the damage done so far at the base, but Iran has repeatedly claimed it have attacked it. Online videos have also shown incoming fire targeting the base. During the 12-day war in June, Iran attacked and destroyed a similar radome at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar used for secure communications.

French naval base hit in Abu Dhabi

open image in gallery French naval base Camp de la Paix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 18, 2026 ( Planet Labs PBC )

open image in gallery Damage to a French naval base called Camp de la Paix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 3, 2026 ( Planet Labs PBC )

In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, theres damage seen at France's Camp de la Paix naval base. Satellite images from March 3 show damage to two large hangar-like buildings at the facility.

The base is near Zayed Port, in Abu Dhabi, and close to its Cultural District that includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi and other major museums both open and still under construction.

Fires seen burning

open image in gallery A fire burns after an Iranian drone attack targeting the Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 16, 2026 ( U.S. Geological Survey )

open image in gallery A fire burns days after a suspected Iranian attack targeting the port in Salalah, Oman, Monday, March 16, 2026 ( U.S. Geological Survey )

The U.S. Geological Surveys Landsat satellites also have been key in spotting major fires. Imagery from Landsat taken on Monday showed a fire at Dubai International Airport after an Iranian drone strike set a fuel tanker ablaze at the worlds busiest airport for international travel, causing a plume of noxious black smoke.

Another fire was also seen on Monday at Oman's southern port in Salalah, which came under attack from suspected Iranian drones on March 11, though Tehran has denied it launched them in its campaign targeting Gulf Arab states.

The fire apparently has been burning since then.

open image in gallery A combination picture shows satellite imagery of Kharg Island, Iran, before U.S. strikes, on February 25, 2026 (top) and the damage after U.S. strikes amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, on March 14, 2026 (bottom) ( via REUTERS )
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Leading members of Nato have dismissed Donald Trumps demands for assistance in the war against Iran, with Germany insisting that the conflict has nothing to do with the military bloc.

Mr Trump had called on allies to help the US police the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iranian forces in response to the intense US-Israeli bombardment that began on 28 February.

It is not Natos war, said a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz. Nato is an alliance to defend the alliance area. The United States did not consult us before this war, and so we believe this is not a matter for Nato or the German government.

Sir Keir Starmer also went on the record to warn that Britain will not be drawn into the wider war.

open image in gallery Oil tankers and cargo ships lineup in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates ( AP )

He refused to commit to sending in warships to help allow oil tankers to pass through the strategic waterway, even after a former Downing street adviser warned that he may need to consider fuel rationing if supplies dry up.

Sir Keir said: Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability on the market. That is not a simple task. There have been discussions going on in relation to a viable plan.

We want to make sure that that involves as many partners as possible, thats been our stated directive here, particularly talking to European partners, inevitably talking to Gulf partners and to the US, because we need a credible, viable plan, if we can.

Responding to Sir Keirs reluctance to get involved, President Trump said he was not happy and very surprised, adding: They should be involved enthusiastically.

The ongoing war of words came as a senior Labour source, who is a regular part of the security discussions in relation to Iran and Ukraine, told The Independent that the feedback coming to the government from Republican allies as well as Democrats is one of deep despair at the erratic behaviour of the president with a number of allies questioning his judgement.

Mr Trump has warned that Nato faced a very bad future if member states did not use their navies to support the US in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian forces use drones, missiles and mines to prevent fuel tankers from transporting a fifth of global oil supply.

Germanys defence minister Boris Pistorius dismissed the American request.

What does (...) Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US navy cannot do? he said, downplaying warnings by the president that failing to come to Washingtons aid could have consequences for the Nato alliance.

Meanwhile, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the strait and that there were no naval missions Italy is involved in that could be extended to the area.

As far as Hormuz is concerned I believe diplomacy needs to prevail, he told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Brussels.

Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea, but I dont see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz, he added.

open image in gallery The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper is pictured as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport ( AFP/Getty )

Meanwhile, UK work and pensions minister Pat McFadden warned: It is not a Nato war, it is a US-Israeli action. The articles of association of Nato are that it is a defensive alliance.

Some allies, however, did signal a cautious willingness to assist the US.

Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign policy chief, said the bloc is looking to unblock the passage by discussing with the United Nations a similar deal to the one which allows for grain to be exported from Ukraine despite the war with Russia.

Ms Kallas said the EU is also discussing whether it could change the mandate of its Middle East naval mission, Aspides, which currently protects ships in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemens Houthi rebel group, to include the Strait of Hormuz.

Denmark, a country which has clashed repeatedly with Mr Trump over his demands that it cede Greenland, said that even if the EU does not agree with the war, it should consider helping to reopen the strait.

open image in gallery Donald Trump warned it would be very bad for the future of Nato if allies to do not help secure the Strait of Hormuz ( PA )

Even if we dont like whats going on, I think its wise to keep an open mind on whether Europe... in some way can contribute, but with a view towards de-escalation, said Danish foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen.

The war, which is now in its 17th day, has caused the price of oil to surge to one of the highest rates since July 2022, peaking at $104 (78) per barrel on Monday as fuel costs continue to soar.

The conflict shows no signs of abating. The Israeli military has claimed that it still has thousands of targets to hit across Iran, with new ones identified every day.

We have a precise plan. We still have thousands of targets in Iran, and we are identifying new targets every day, military spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Defrin said in a televised briefing.

It also expanded its operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah on Monday.
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The head of a UN investigation said on Monday that an Israeli air strike on an Iranian prison last year was a war crime, and warned of risks of further repression following the current US-Israeli bombings.

More than 70 people were killed when Israel struck Tehran's Evin prison in June 2025 during an air war with Iran, Iranian authorities have said. The jail, which is known for holding political prisoners, has also been damaged in the latest US-Israeli air strikes, raising fears for the detainees, who include a British couple.

"We found reasonable grounds to believe that, in carrying out the airstrikes on Evin prison, Israel committed the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against a civilian object," Sara Hossain, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, told the UN Human Rights Council.

She stated that 80 people, including one child and eight women, had been killed.

Her latest report, based on interviews with victims and witnesses, satellite imagery and other documents, was presented to the Council on Monday.

open image in gallery The airstrike on the prison led to over 70 people being killed ( mizanonline/AFP via Getty Images )

Israel has disengaged from the council, which documents abuses and conducts investigations, and left its seat empty.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday that it carried out a targeted strike on the facility where it said intelligence operations were taking place against Israel, including counter-espionage.

"The strike was carried out in a precise manner to mitigate harm to civilians imprisoned within the prison to the greatest extent possible."

Hossain condemned mounting civilian deaths in Iran and voiced concerns that the current bombing campaign could lead Iran to crack down even harder on dissent, pointing to an increase in executions after last year's strikes.

"The core lesson drawn from our investigations in this context is clear: external military action does not provide accountability or bring meaningful change. Instead, it risks intensifying domestic repression ... ," she said.

Mai Sato, a U.N.-appointed rights expert on Iran, also voiced concern about detainees, including those rounded up during mass protests in January. Families have not been able to contact relatives, and food and medicines are in increasingly short supply in prisons, she said.

Iran's ambassador, Ali Bahreini, called for condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli strikes, which he said had killed more than 1,300 people in Iran.
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Rescue crews were still digging bodies out of the rubble of a drug rehabilitation hospital in the Afghan capital on Tuesday morning, after officials said an overnight Pakistani airstrike killed at least 400 people.

It was a dramatic escalation of a conflict between the two neighbours that is now in its third week.

Pakistan rejected Afghanistan's accusation that it targeted a hospital, insisting its strikes, which were also conducted in eastern Afghanistan on Monday, were aimed at military facilities.

open image in gallery Residents and volunteers inspect the site of a late-Monday airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

It dismissed Afghanistan's claims of hundreds of casualties from a strike on a hospital as propaganda.

The casualties were taken to several hospitals in the area.

It was not immediately possible to independently confirm the death toll.

The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan began in late February, and has seen repeated cross-border clashes as well as airstrikes inside Afghanistan.

open image in gallery Taliban rescue workers inspect the site of a late-Monday airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

International calls for a ceasefire have gone unheeded.

The strike came hours after Afghan officials said that the two sides exchanged fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven for militants who frequently carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially for the Pakistani Taliban, a group separate but closely allied with the Afghan Taliban who took over Afghanistan in 2021 in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of US-led troops.

The group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States.

Kabul denies the charge.

open image in gallery Two women watch as rescue workers and officials inspect the site of a late-Monday airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In a late-night post on X, Afghanistan's deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the airstrike had hit the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility in Kabul, at about 9pm local time.

He said that large sections of the facility had been destroyed, and that the death toll had "so far" reached 400 people, while about 250 people had been reported wounded.

There was no updated official death toll on Tuesday morning.

Local television stations posted footage on X showing security forces using flashlights as they carried out casualties while firefighters struggled to extinguish flames among the ruins of a building.

The Omid hospital was renamed and expanded in size roughly a year ago from the Ibn Sina Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital.

open image in gallery Firefighters work at the site of a late-Monday airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The site, near Kabul's international airport, is located beside a former Nato military base, Camp Phoenix, where US forces used to train the Afghan National Army.

After the Taliban seized control of the country in 2021, the base was taken over by Afghanistan's new authorities.

It was not immediately clear what was now housed on the site of the former base.

Pakistan's Information Ministry said in an X post that the Pakistani military had "precisely targeted" Camp Phoenix, which it said was now a "military terrorist ammunition and equipment storage site".

However, it said that the hospital was "multiple kilometres" away from the former camp and accused Afghan officials of lying.

open image in gallery A little girl and a woman watch as rescue workers and officials inspect the site of a late-Monday airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Google Maps also shows another location, east of Kabul city, also labelled as Camp Phoenix.

"Another important question also lingers, as to why would an alleged drug rehabilitation facility be co-located with lethal ammunition storage site in a military camp? This also remains unanswered," the Information Ministry wrote.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strike on X, accusing Pakistan of "targeting hospitals and civilian sites to perpetrate horrors".

He said those killed were "innocent civilians and addicts".

"We strongly condemn this crime and consider such an act to be against all accepted principles and a crime against humanity," he said in a separate post on X.

A member of the rescue team working at the site on Tuesday morning, Allah Mohammad Farooq, said that hundreds had been killed.

"When we arrived here, everyone was buried under the rubble," he said.

"We then used a crane to pull them out.

"Most of the people were dead, and many are still trapped under the debris."

open image in gallery A man sits beside the site of a late-Monday airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In Islamabad, information minister Attaullah Tarar rejected Afghanistan's accusations that its airstrike had targeted a hospital as "entirely baseless".

Mr Tarar said in a statement that the "Afghan Taliban regime is peddling yet another falsehood" and that Pakistan had only engaged military and militant targets.

He said that Pakistan had targeted facilities "being directly or indirectly used to plan, facilitate, shelter, train or abet terrorist attacks inside Pakistan".

Mr Tarar said that overnight strikes in Kabul and in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar were "precise, deliberate and professional" and denied that any civilian infrastructure was hit.

"No hospital, no drug rehabilitation centre, and no civilian facility was targeted," he said.
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Irans former supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei did not want his son, Mojtaba, to take power in Iran, according to US intelligence.

Ali Khamenei had misgivings about his son becoming leader as he was perceived to be not very bright and unqualified for the role, reported CBS news.

Issues in the younger Khameneis personal life were also contributing factors, according to an intelligence report circulated among President Trump and his senior advisers and shared with the TV network.

These revelations would echo recent assessments that Mojtaba didnt meet the requirements decreed by his father to be considered for supreme leader, such having held elected office.

According to Amwaj, a news organisation specialising in Iran analysis, Mojtabas appointment had to be pushed through by Hossein Taeb, a key ally and former intelligence head for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Taeb reportedly pressured the Assembly of Experts  the 88-member body tasked with selecting a new supreme leader  to support him, even though none of them had met with Mojtaba since his fathers death.

open image in gallery Ali Khamenei (right) had misgivings about son Mojtaba becoming leader, feeling he was unqualified for the role ( Office of Iran's supreme leader )

Mr Trump publicly hinted at Ali Khameneis misgivings about his son last Friday.

Their leadership is gone. Their second leadership is gone. Now their third leadership is in trouble, and this is not somebody that the father even wanted, the president told Fox News.

Mojtaba was elevated to the position of supreme leader on 8 March, eight days after the elder Khamenei was killed by an Israeli airstrike on the wars opening morning.

Widespread reports indicate Mojtaba sustained injuries to his face and legs in the same strike that killed his father, with his first official address being read by a state TV news anchor.

According to Israeli intelligence, the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei has been delayed to avoid Mojtaba appearing in public, contrary to the standard Shia practice of waiting no more than a few days to bury the deceased.

In private conversations with his inner circle, Mr Trump reportedly said such intelligence revelations regarding Mojtaba Khamenei were of little significance, believing Iran to be practically leaderless and the new supreme leader possibly dead.

open image in gallery New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public, reportedly because of injuries to his face and legs ( ISNA )

A lack of clear direction would align with recent decision-making in Tehran, such as President Pezeshkians short-lived commitment to cease bombing Gulf states.

Having described Mojtaba as a lightweight and unacceptable to lead Iran, some experts believe Mr Trumps earlier opposition may have motivated decision-makers in Tehran to select him.

According to the recent intelligence report, Irans IRGC is now leading the country and the council of experts, judiciary and religious council are weakened, a decisive shift in the clerical autocracy that has ruled since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is just the third supreme leader of Iran since 1979.

Like his father, he has a strong military background, having fought during the Iran-Iraq war, with links to the IRGC.

Considered the most influential of Ali Khameneis six children, Mojtaba is a hardline conservative cleric with close ties to some of Irans most powerful scholars.

His appointment is notable given the 1979 revolution which birthed the Islamic theocracy overthrew a hereditary monarchy.
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Five Lebanese soldiers were wounded, two critically, in an Israeli air strike in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, the army confirmed on Tuesday. The soldiers, struck while travelling by car and motorcycle, were taken to hospital, the military added in a post on X. The incident unfolds amid escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

This strike is the latest in intensifying Israeli attacks across Lebanon, which Lebanese authorities say have killed over 880 people and displaced more than a million.

The Lebanese army has also reported casualties in recent days, including an incident earlier this month in which three soldiers were among those killed in Israeli strikes, according to the army.

Israel's military, which has occupied five positions in southern Lebanon since a November 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah, sent additional forces into the country after the Shi'ite Muslim group fired a salvo of rockets on March 2, dragging Lebanon into the expanding U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an area in Beirut's southern suburbs on March 17, 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Lebanon that it could face territorial losses unless Hezbollah was disarmed.

Israeli air strikes on residential buildings in Lebanon raise concerns under international law, the human rights office said on Tuesday said.

"Israeli air strikes have destroyed entire residential buildings in dense urban environments with multiple members of the same family, including women and children often killed together," U.N. human rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva.

"Such attacks raise concerns under international humanitarian law," he added.
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After two weeks of turmoil and violence in the Strait of Hormuz, an international cargo ship has transited safely through the Iranian waterway with its tracker turned on in what experts described as a major breakthrough.

The Pakistan-flagged ship, the Karachi, also known as the Lorax, became the first non-Iranian vessel to pass through the strait with its automatic identification system (AIS) signal turned on, on Sunday afternoon.

Hundreds of ships are trapped in the Gulf after Iran claimed complete control over the strait, days after the US and Israel declared war and assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei. At least 16 ships have been attacked in the Gulf since the war started on 28 February, according to the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO).

open image in gallery Oil tankers and cargo ships have been impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz ( AP )

The Strait of Hormuz in particular is considered to be one of the worlds most valuable shipping routes, with 20 million barrels of oil passing through it each day.

But experts have suggested that Tehran may be loosening its iron grip on the strait for countries that are willing to negotiate, with certain vessels seemingly granted safe passage through diplomacy.

Matthew Wright, a freight analyst from global trade firm Kpler, told The Independent: This is Irans widening strategy.

The amount of control Iran has over the waterway is significant. And theyve been able to move their own cargoes pretty comfortably over the last two weeks. Now they are selectively managing oil flows through that checkpoint. At the moment, it appears to be friendly Asian partners.

But whats significant is we dont expect this to be a trend that they can expand more broadly without undermining the pressure that theyre able to keep on oil prices.

Iran is reported to have asked India to release three tankers seized in February following negotiations over the safe passage of India-bound vessels out of the strait, according to Reuters.

open image in gallery The Karachi transited out of the strait with its AIS signal on ( Pakistan National Shipping Corporation )

Indian authorities seized the Iran-linked ships near Indian waters, alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea.

Meanwhile, Iraqs oil minister said Baghdad is in contact with Iran to allow some oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the state news agency reported on Tuesday.

Heres what we know about the oil getting out of the Strait of Hormuz.

What do we know about the Karachi oil tanker?

The Lorax, a Pakistan-flagged ship carrying a crude blend called DAS from Abu Dhabi, had its AIS on to transit the strait, according to Mr Wright.

open image in gallery The route taken by the Pakistan-flagged ship is considered to be unusual as it skips the hairpin to detour around the small Larak island near Iran ( Kpler )

We dont have confirmation, but it does suggest that this vessel was probably asked to keep its AIS on and was probably guided by Iran through the strait, he said. We can only speculate as to why that necessarily happened, but it could be so that they can ensure the vessels safety.

The Lorax took an unusual route out of the strait. Typically, tankers are forced to tackle a hairpin bend, but the ship went north around the small island of Larak on the Iranian side before exiting.

open image in gallery This is more representative of the normal route through the strait. Green is the loaded ship exiting and orange is an empty ship entering ( Kpler )

Mr Wright added that this could have been directed as the safest route out of the strait.

Theres been a lot of discussion about some of the waters being mined, he added. Nobody has, as far as Im aware, got definitive proof that the strait has been mined. But this transit is an interesting one.

What other ships have successfully crossed out of the strait?

At least 20 non-Iranian oil ships have exited the strait since the war began, according to Kpler. The vast majority of these ships have switched off their AIS, which is used for collision avoidance and vessel monitoring in the maritime industry.

According to Mr Wright, a lot of sanctioned vessels will switch off their AIS if they arent in a war zone to go dark while handling sanctioned cargo to hide their identity or the origin of what theyre carrying.

open image in gallery Dynacom, the company that owns this ship, is considered to be one of the more risk-tolerant oil tanker companies ( YouTube )

What weve seen for non-Iranian cargoes leaving the region, he explained. They will go dark and then they will reappear on the other side and the thinking is its much harder to track and maybe fire on a vessel thats not broadcasting its AIS.

Many of the vessels making the transit are run by more risk-tolerant companies, such as the Greek company Dynacom.

The SMYRNI oil tanker, owned by Dynacom, is willing to take the risk of transiting Hormuz, according to Mr Wright.

Because the rates are very, very high, he explained. Theyve done at least one [transit], if not two more, since this started.

Last week, Turkey said that a dry cargo ship had passed through the strait with permission.

open image in gallery The SMYRNI was moving through Indian waters as of Tuesday morning ( Marine Traffic )

Where are these ships going?

According to Mr Wright, a lot of the Iranian oil will go to China, while much of the non-Iranian oil has gone to India and Pakistan.

The Lorax is Pakistan, but then some of the others that have gone on the Dynacom ships went to India, he said.

The Dynacom ships loaded at Saudi or UAE and went to India. All of the non-sanctioned oil is going to India and Pakistan.

What ships are stuck in the strait?

As of 16 March, 743 cargo ships were estimated to be trapped in the Gulf thanks to Irans iron grip over the Strait of Hormuz. But according to Mr Wright, this number has fluctuated.

Its come down from 778. Weve got more vessels that have left than come in, he said. With the AIS blackout, its pretty hard to know. Theres definitely been more exit.

We have had some vessels come in. For example, six of these Dynacom tankers have come in, which is half of the 12 tankers that have come in total.
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Donald Trump has lashed out at US allies after they rejected his call for help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and protect global oil supplies.

The president described Natos refusal to come to his aid as a foolish mistake, before insisting: We do not need the help of anyone!

His outburst came as questions grew over how and when the chaotic war on Iran might end  concerns that yesterday prompted his key ally and counterterrorism chief Joe Kent to resign in protest, saying Tehran had posed no imminent threat to the US.

And European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged America and Israel to stop the war so everybody saves face, adding: The problem with wars is that its easier to start than to stop them, and it always gets out of hand.

Mr Trump has found himself increasingly isolated after several countries, including the UK, Germany and France, declined his request to deploy warships to the vital Hormuz shipping route through which around one-fifth of the worlds oil passes.

open image in gallery Trump lashed out at US allies for not supporting US operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz ( Reuters )

The waterway has remained mostly closed since Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces claimed to have taken complete control of it at the start of the war.

The United States has been informed by most of our Nato Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, Mr Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

This, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.

Hitting out at the Nato alliance as one-sided, Mr Trump said: I always considered Nato, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street. We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.

The conflict between the US and Israel and Iran has destabilised the Middle East, drawn in multiple regional powers, and seen oil prices spike with the severe disruption to the worlds oil supply.

open image in gallery An elderly woman is helped from the scene of a strike on a residential building in central Tehran on Monday ( Getty )

Ms Kallas said Europe had been trying to find a solution to the ongoing conflict.

We have been consulting with regional countries like the Gulf countries, Jordan, Egypt, whether we could also bring forward proposals for Iran, Israel and the US to get out of this situation so that everybody saves face, she said.

It would be in the interest of everybody if this war stops.

Mr Trump has been under increasing pressure to resolve the conflict as the war enters its third week.

US intelligence assessments predict that the Iranian regime will remain intact despite joint US-Israeli operations to topple the Islamic Republic, sources told The Washington Post.

Mr Trumps defence policy was dealt a further blow when Mr Kent, a previously loyal Maga figure whose own wife was killed by Isis, quit his job as director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center.

In a letter posted on social media, he wrote that he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran, adding: It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

Negotiations may prove difficult, however, after Israel claimed to have killed Irans top security chief, Ali Larijani, on Tuesday, according to defence minister Israel Katz.

open image in gallery Ali Larijani has been killed in an airstrike, Israel claims ( AFP/Getty )

He would be the most senior figure assassinated since supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself, who was killed on the first day of the war in a US-Israeli strike on his compound on 28 February.

Shortly after the reports circulated, Iranian state media published a handwritten note purportedly from Mr Larijani commemorating Iranian sailors killed in a US attack, but there was no immediate comment by Tehran.

Countries across the Gulf, including Qatar and the UAE who host major US military assets, faced a fresh wave of Iranian missile attacks hitting key oil and gas facilities and causing widespread airspace disruption. Most of the strikes were intercepted.

Israels campaign in Lebanon continued as humanitarian groups warned that over a million people have now been displaced. At least 886 people have been reported killed, according to the countrys health ministry.

Meanwhile, in Iran over 3.2 million people have been displaced, with more than 1,300 killed.
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Nato leaders rejected US president Donald Trumps call to get involved in the war against Iran, despite mounting pressure from Washington.

A day after Japan, Australia and the UK said they had no plans to send naval ships to the strategic waterway, Germany joined in saying Nato had nothing to do with the US-Israeli war on Iran.

It is not Natos war, a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz said. Nato is an alliance to defend the alliance area. The United States did not consult us before this war, and so we believe this is not a matter for Nato or the German government.

Mr Trump earlier said his administration had contacted seven countries and expected them to help secure the waterway, which Iran has effectively blockaded.

Im demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their territory, Mr Trump told reporters aboard the Air Force One. Its the place from which they get their energy.

German defence minister Boris Pistorius also dismissed the American request. This is not our war. We have not started it. What does Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US navy cannot do? he said, downplaying warnings by the US president that failing to come to Washingtons aid could have consequences for the Nato alliance.

Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi earlier said the US had yet to make any formal request for assistance.

We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework, she said.

open image in gallery Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine said on Friday that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is 'complex' after traffic through the waterway trickled to a halt ( Defense Department )

Ms Takaichi told lawmakers: Legally speaking, this is very difficult. We are carefully examining what can be done within the scope of current laws and what is the best course of action at this time. At the same time, we are continuing to engage with Iran to help de-escalate the situation while also exchanging information with various countries.

Japan has begun releasing oil reserves to stabilise supply, but says sending its Self-Defence Forces abroad would be politically sensitive. Takayuki Kobayashi, the policy chief of Takaichis ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said the threshold for military involvement was extremely high.

Australia has also rejected calls to provide naval support to secure shipping in the strait. Weve been very clear about what our contribution is to requests and so far that is to the UAE [United Arab Emirates] obviously providing aircraft to assist with defence particularly given the number of Australians that are in that area in particular, transport minister Catherine King said.

We wont be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz, Ms King said.

We know how incredibly important that is but thats not something weve been asked or were contributing to.

James Paterson, the shadow defence minister, said that Australia would have to carefully consider any request for naval assets. You would need to have a naval vessel thats capable of protecting itself against drone and missile attacks.

open image in gallery A navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the worlds oil and gas passes, on 1 March 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

And in 2023, when a similar request from the United States came to help in the Red Sea against the Houthis terrorist organisation, we werent able to provide any naval vessels because we didnt have ones that could protect themselves that were available for that mission, he told Australias Channel Nine.

Most other countries approached by Mr Trump are reluctant to send military ships to the Strait of Hormuz, despite US pressure. In an earlier social media post, he said he hoped countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain would take part.

The UK is considering sending aerial minesweepers, but officials have warned that deploying warships could escalate the conflict.

Prime minister Keir Starmer also went on the record to warn that Britain will not be drawn into the wider war.

My leadership is about standing firm for the British interest, no matter the pressure, he said, without naming Mr Trump.

open image in gallery File. Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia, that arrived clearing the Strait of Hormuz, is seen at the Mumbai Port in Mumbai, India, Thursday, 12 March 2026 ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Observers note that European leaders are under pressure from rising fuel costs at home but are wary of repeating past mistakes like the 2003 Iraq war.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the strait and there were no naval missions Italy was involved in that could be extended to the area.

As far as Hormuz is concerned I believe diplomacy needs to prevail, he told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Brussels.

Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea, he claimed, but I dont see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz.

open image in gallery A South Korean protester wears a mask of US president Donald Trump during a protest against Trumps request to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz in front of the US embassy in Seoul on 16 March 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

France has ruled out sending additional military forces, saying its current posture aims to maintain regional stability rather than escalate tensions. On Monday, in a post on X, the French foreign ministry said its navy was staying in the eastern Mediterranean. Posture has not changed: defensive it is.

Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten said it would be very difficult to launch a successful mission there in the short term, according to the countrys ANP news agency.

Luxembourgs deputy prime minister Xavier Bettel said his country would not give in to blackmail from Washington. Don't ask us to send troops, he told reporters in Brussels.

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said his country would not take part in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

open image in gallery A US Air Force B-1 bomber is loaded with bombs at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz ( PA )

Denmark, a country which has clashed repeatedly with Mr Trump over his demands that it cede Greenland, said even if the EU did not agree with the war, it should consider helping reopen the strait.

Even if we dont like whats going on, I think its wise to keep an open mind on whether Europe, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, in some way can contribute, but with a view towards de-escalation.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Mr Trump warned that Nato faced a very bad future if his proposal for a military operation in the Strait was ignored or rejected.

Kaja Kallas, the European Unions top diplomat, said on Monday: This is not Europes war, but Europes interests are directly at stake. She met foreign ministers from across the 27-nation bloc in Brussels.

She added: For the time being, there was no appetite in changing the mandate of the Operation Aspides.

open image in gallery A cargo ship sails towards the Strait of Hormuz ( AP )

In Asia, South Korea has not committed either way, saying theyll continue to communicate closely with the US regarding this matter and make a decision after careful review.

It was reported last week that China has been in talks with Iran about ensuring safe oil and gas passage.

However, the US president said he might postpone his trip if it did not provide assistance.I think China should help too because China gets 90 per cent of its oil from the Straits, Mr Trump said.

We may delay, he said in reference to his visit if China did not offer support in the Gulf.

On Monday, Mr Trump claimed that numerous countries have told me theyre on the way, without naming any.

Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some arent. Some are countries that weve helped for many, many years. Weve protected them from horrible outside sources, and they werent that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me, he said during an event at the White House.

We have some that are really enthusiastic. Theyre coming already. Theyve already started to get there, he said. You know, it takes a little while to get there.
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Backed by picture-perfect coconut trees, and boasting white, golden and red sands frequented by nesting turtles, Sri Lankas beaches are utterly idyllic. Its why, since arriving in the country two years ago, Ive made it my mission to hunt down some of the most beautiful ones.

Ive travelled by local bus, car and tuk-tuk, from deserted stretches of sand in Jaffna in the north  which are dotted with wooden, brightly painted fishing boats  to Kalkuda and Pasikuda in the east, with their calm cerulean waters, all the way to the tourist-loved south coast, where more than 30 beaches vie for attention. Its here that the majority of visitors to Sri Lanka spend their time.

Ahangama, Weligama, Unawatuna and Hiriketiya dominate itineraries, due to a high concentration of bars and cafes that appeal to the Insta-crowds. But if, like me, youd rather wander deserted beaches and get to know the people who call the island home, rather than fellow Brits, theres one place you should make a beeline for: the tiny beachside village of Madiha.

open image in gallery Lydia hanging out on Madiha beach ( Lydia Swinscoe )

Read more: Sri Lanka travel guide: Everything to know before you go

Tucked away off the main south coastal road, and sandwiched between the towns of Kamburugamuwa and Polhena, Madiha often gets overlooked because of its diminutive size, yet its a place where I love to linger. There are just enough cafes and restaurants for a week-long holiday, while a safe swimming spot sits mere footsteps away from the village, the surf is good, and outside of peak season (April to November), there are hardly any tourists around. To me, it is perfect.

Heres what to do, see, eat and drink in this pretty and low-key beach destination.

What to do

open image in gallery Samudratheera Maha Viharaya is a stunning example of a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka ( Lydia Swinscoe )

Aside from strolling the village lanes, reading a good book on the beach (currently Bread of Angels by Patti Smith), and getting to know the locals, theres plenty I like to see and do in this sleepy tropical idyll.

One of my favourite places to stop by is Samudratheera Maha Viharaya, an incredible Buddhist temple perched on the clifftop overlooking the village, and presided over by head monk Vineetha. Curious travellers can visit both the grounds and the temple itself to catch a glimpse of the ancient paintings and carvings inside. Be sure to pass on a cash donation to Vineetha, or to any of the monks, to help with the upkeep of the temple if you can.

Read more: The best lesser-known European beach destinations for sun without the crowds

On the beach almost directly below are a couple of manmade rock pools where bathers can safely swim, or relax away from the rip tides. Or if you prefer to get your kicks riding the waves, make a beeline for Madiha Surf Point, where consistent waves are the stuff of dreams for more experienced surfers. Sabine Surf and Cafe can hook you up with boards and instructors.

open image in gallery A surfer riding the waves in Madiha ( Alba Guell )

If youre visiting Madiha at the right time, you might even catch a glimpse of turtles hatching out of the sand (the peak season for turtles is February to July). I spotted three tiny babies making their way to the ocean one May evening at dusk, and there wasnt another person on the entire beach. Pure magic.

Where to eat

Ive visited every restaurant and cafe in the Madiha area, and there are a handful that I always return to, all of which are locally owned.

open image in gallery Head to Zephyr Ceylon for delicious cocktails and curries ( Lydia Swinscoe )

With no website or Instagram account, family-run Sara Kitchen is the place to go for home-style rice and curry. Located a five-minute walk from the junction on the Matara Main Road, opposite Cargills Food City, it has a daily changing menu of delicious curries  from pumpkin and beetroot to dal and beans  which are served with red rice, poppadums, and a cutlet (which is like a deep-fried croquette). Expect to pay as little as 4 for a meal and a soft drink.

Sand Bank is favourite for relaxed light bites, rice and curry, or an arrack cocktail  made with the must-try Sri Lankan spirit, distilled from the sap collected from coconut flower buds. The venue occasionally hosts local live music acts, and is typically open year-round.

Its worth noting that some south-coast businesses choose to close between June and October, relocating to Arrugam Bay on the east coast of the island, due to seasonal rains.

For something a bit more upscale, Zephyr Ceylon is one of my favourite beachside restaurants in the entire country. To get there, I like to walk all the way along the beach (you may have to scramble over some rocks, depending on the tide) before securing a table on the sand. Meals are always fresh and delicious, such as prawn curry and miso mahi mahi. The cocktails are standout, too, and include delights like the soursop sling and Lankan ricecolada, blended with pandan-infused arrack, mango, rice milk, and kithul treacle.

open image in gallery The team at Jungle Kade mix up some of the islands best cocktails ( Jungle Kade )

Sri Lankas homemade cakes are a true delight, and the ideal afternoon pick-me-up alongside a cup of milk tea. Some of my favourite creations can be picked up from Walgama Bakehouse on the main road to Matara  look out for the jam cupcakes and brightly coloured Swiss roll swirls.

Having recently relocated from Unawatuna to Madiha, Jungle Kade by Drunken Lankan is the place to go for something a little stronger. The cocktails celebrate Sri Lankas natural bounty. From innovative savoury sips inspired by beloved Sri Lankan dishes to drinks that use unique ingredients, such as amberella fruit and lunumiris (a homemade chilli paste), theres something for every taste.

Where to stay

Theres something for every budget in Madiha, from cosy homestays to luxe suites with their own private plunge pools.

Madiha Hill

open image in gallery Madiha Hill sits on a lush green hillside ( Madiha Hill )

Madiha Hill offers four individual suites that sit on a lush green hillside. Some have ocean views, all are well designed, and breakfast is included.

From 240 per night.

Co-Living Villa

open image in gallery Co-Living Villa is ideal for solo travellers ( Co-Living Villa )

If youre on a lower budget, Co-Living Villa has just five bedrooms that can each be booked for one person, making it ideal for solo travellers.

Rooms start from 30 per night for a two-night minimum stay.

Meraki

open image in gallery Meraki hotel, Sri Lanka ( Meraki )

If a full-size swimming pool is on your must-have list, Meraki, which is a short walk away in the neighbouring village of Polhena, is the dream stay. With just eight airy bedrooms, a yoga deck where daily classes take place, and an on-site cafe, its the ideal place to while away sunny days.

Double bedrooms from 111 per night (two-night minimum stay).

How to get there

Sri Lankan Airlines flies to Colombo Bandaranaike International airport from London Heathrow direct, with flight times of around 10 hours 45 minutes. Prices start at 798 return.

Madiha is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the airport, along Sri Lankas Southern Expressway.
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As the conflict in the Middle East continues, travellers have raised concerns over holidays to Cyprus.

A British military base in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, was hit by an unmanned drone strike overnight on 1 March.

Although the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) considers Cyprus generally safe for travel, here is everything you need to know.

Read more: LIVE: Iran-US war latest

Is it safe to travel to Cyprus?

The Foreign Office issued new advice following a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri last month.

On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook. British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities, it said.

Although the FCDO does not warn against travel to Cyprus, it adds: Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.

It advises people to read its crisis abroad advice, sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts, monitor local and international media for the latest information. Departure plans should be kept under review and travel documents should be up to date.

Are flights going to Cyprus?

Departures to and from Paphos International and Larnaca airports are currently operating as scheduled.

However, flag carrier Cyprus Airways said: Due to ongoing security risks in the Middle East, all Cyprus Airways flights to and from Beirut and Dubai are cancelled until April 7, 2026. Flights to and from Tel Aviv are cancelled until April 16, 2026.

Can I cancel my holiday to Cyprus?

As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Cyprus, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.

Read more: Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
Q We have just left a small hotel in Mirissa in Sri Lanka. The owner was telling us that he has had cancellations of $20,000 (15,000) so far due to the Middle East turmoil. That is a lot of money in Sri Lanka. I wonder how many businesses wont survive this?

Paul E

A You touch upon one of the saddest aspects of the collapse of tourism between Asia and Europe due to the Iran conflict. Traders who depend upon rich Westerners to keep their businesses running and their families fed are discovering just how important the airlines of the Gulf are in terms of bringing in customers.

I agree that it seems desperately unfair. The party directly responsible for the near collapse of aviation is Iran. The beleaguered Islamic republic is retaliating by targeting economic infrastructure in the UAE and Qatar, intermittently closing the skies and leaving thousands more stranded each time.

An adventure by Donald Trump, combined with vengeance wrought by Israel, is having a massive effect on tourism across the eastern hemisphere. This has not happened on such a large scale since, well, the two Gulf wars. When tourism in Sri Lanka comes back this time around, I can be pretty sure that airlines will open up new routes to feed the demand. It isnt that people don't want to visit the gorgeous Indian Ocean island  we tourists have become overreliant on transferring via the Middle East. The premium for non-stop flying has just increased.

While I sympathise with the Sri Lankan property owner, I am not too despondent for him. The Indian outbound market is vast. Normally, India is the chief source of tourists to Dubai (followed by Saudi Arabia and the UK). Only a relatively small percentage of them will need to switch to Sri Lanka to make up for the shortfall in numbers. And who knows, they may discover a superb new holiday destination that is cheaper and easier to reach than the UAE.

open image in gallery Emirates and Etihad are slowly rebuilding their schedules using limited airspace ( Simon Calder )

Q You have been writing about how flights on Emirates and Etihad are much cheaper than trips that do not require a stop in the United Arab Emirates. But isnt being in transit exempt? Given you do not pass the border, surely you are technically not entering the UAE  just pausing at the terminal at Abu Dhabi or Dubai?

Simon S

A I happen to be writing from Jakarta airport, about to board an Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi with an onward connection to London Heathrow. The fare is about one-third as much as other airlines are charging for the same end-to-end journey via hubs outside the Gulf.

Since the US and Israel attacked Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on the UAE and Qatar, a huge amount of capacity has been taken out of the Asia-to-UK market. Qatar Airways has to all intents and purposes ceased flying to and from its hub at Doha, causing much distress to tens of thousands of passengers stranded abroad.

Emirates and Etihad are slowly rebuilding their schedules using limited airspace. Besides repatriating passengers, they are now selling tickets to new buyers via their hubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. The downside is that the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the UAE. The reason: Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, financial institutions, oil production sites, water systems and airports.

Given the last item in that list, it is unsurprising that there is no exemption for merely spending a couple of hours in the duty-free shop between flights. Whether or not I pass through immigration is irrelevant.

For avoidance of doubt: the Foreign Office is not averse to the concept of allowing airside transit in a location on the no-go list. In Ecuadors largest city, Guayaquil, as well as the Mexican border town of Tijuana, there is a specific exemption for people changing planes. In the case of the UAE, evidently the officials deem the risks too high. In the expectation that the airline, airport and aviation authority know what they are doing, I am happy to take the chance.

open image in gallery The Foreign Office says the Middle East conflict has made the UAE unsafe ( Getty/iStock )

Q My daughter flew back at the weekend from Phnom Penh to London via Seoul. She wanted to avoid the uncertainty of her flights being repeatedly cancelled and having to transit via the UAE, which the Foreign Office says is not safe. The new flight cost her around 1,500. She can only get back about 250 from the airline as a refund. Is there any way to plug the gap in her finances?

Name Supplied

A Your daughter  happily back safe and sound  is one of many thousands of British travellers dealt a lousy hand in the current crisis. As I have previously written, air passengers rights rules are asymmetric. They are generous to anyone starting a flight at a British airport, but do not apply for flights starting outside Europe on non-UK/EU airlines. If Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways cancels a homebound trip from an Asian airport, the carrier merely has to offer a replacement flight at a time of its choosing  or a refund of the unused part of the ticket.

I should explain why the airlines calculation of the appropriate refund may be disappointingly low. Example: suppose your daughter paid 630 for a London Heathrow-Phnom Penh return ticket. She would reasonably expect to get 315 back. But roughly 130 of the original fare comprises UK air passenger duty and Heathrows service charge. The airline has already had to hand that over. So the refund shrinks to just 250.

I can suggest some possible remedies, though the odds are not looking good. The first is to try to claim from travel insurance the difference between the refunded amount and the new ticket. Many policies exclude paying out for losses incurred as a result of declared or undeclared war or hostilities. But the insurer may possibly cough up as an exceptional case. If the claim is turned down, the Financial Ombudsman Service might rule it should be paid because buying a new, expensive ticket was the only way your daughter could avoid going through no-go territory.

Finally, the airlines could decide that they really should reimburse the millions of passengers who have incurred big credit card bills through no fault of their own. Your daughter should keep the receipts.

Email your question to s@hols.tv or tweet @SimonCalder
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Walt Disney World is enforcing long-standing rules banning third-party services on its property, disrupting small businesses and leaving some vendors feeling the magic has been lost.

The crackdown targets independent vendors, many former Disney employees, who provided services such as princess makeovers, family photography, custom baked goods, room decorations and private chef experiences.

In recent months, Disney security has issued warnings and cease-and-desist letters to numerous businesses, instructing them to stop operating on Disney property and to remove any advertising referencing Disney from their websites and social media, according to The Washington Post. Vendors are also prohibited from using Disney characters, designs or trademarks to promote their services.

The letters, reviewed by the outlet, warn that anyone attempting to provide services on-site may be considered trespassing, and Disney could involve law enforcement if violations occur.

Weve seen an increase in unauthorized thirdparty vendors at our resort hotels, and these activities can raise safety and operational concerns and impact the Guest experience, which is why they are not permitted under our longstanding property rules, Disney said in a statement to The Post.

open image in gallery Visitors may have fewer independent options for personalized experiences at Disney World, as outside vendors previously filled gaps when Disney services were fully booked ( Getty Images )

The crackdown particularly affects businesses launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, when furloughed employees turned their skills into side ventures serving Disney visitors, the Post reports. For families, the enforcement could limit independent options for personalized vacation experiences. Many vendors had filled gaps when Disney-run services, like princess makeovers or professional photography, were fully booked or unavailable.

Sheila Campion, owner of As You Wish Magical Experiences, began offering princess makeovers independently after leaving her role at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, located in the Magic Kingdom Park, during the pandemic. She said families she had previously worked with sought her out after parks reopened. Word spread quickly, and requests for princess and pirate makeovers surged.

Campion expanded her business by hiring furloughed Disney workers, eventually employing more than a dozen stylists. Demand remained strong even after the parks on-site boutique reopened, as some families preferred in-room styling or struggled to secure reservations.

After receiving a registered letter in mid-February, Campion had to contact families with upcoming bookings to explain she could no longer provide the services.

The worst part of it was for the little ones that had no options, she told the Post. They knew they couldnt get into the boutique. Ive had mothers crying when I called them.

Campion said she continues to serve clients at non-Disney hotels and Airbnbs while exploring additional off-site options, though more than half of her previous business came from guests staying on Disney property.

Similarly, baker Ashlee Santmyers, who launched her cottage bakery Storybook Delights after being furloughed as a Disney pastry cook, has been forced to rethink her operations. She sold and delivered customizable breakfast boxes, cookies, cupcakes, and cakes, with Disney resorts serving as her primary customer base. When she received a cease-and-desist letter, she had nearly 200 orders on the books and took out a small business loan to issue refunds.

Santmyers said her business has slowed in the current off-season, and she now receives three to five orders per week instead of per day. She is adapting by serving customers off-site and updating her menu to include more shippable items.

open image in gallery One vendor who offers princess makeovers said demand stayed high even after the official Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reopened following COVID-19 closures ( Disneyland )

Its not the end of Storybook, but it is a new chapter, and Im not ready to give up, Santmyers told The Post.

The latest enforcement follows Disneys 2023 actions, when the company issued notices to unofficial tour guides who escorted guests through the parks.

While the letters target unauthorized vendors, Disney continues to partner with about 2,500 Florida-based businesses, including providers of strollers and wheelchairs and a Tampa roaster that serves as the parks official specialty coffee, according to an Oxford Economics study, based on fiscal year 2022 data.

The Independent has contacted Disney World for comment.
Will historians look back on Donald Trumps war in Iran as a far-sighted strategic move designed to neutralise China as Americas competitor by denying it cheap Iranian oil (following his removal of its Venezuelan oil)?

On Americas performance so far in Trumps war of choice and hubris in Iran, unlikely. Yet again, an American president has launched a war in the Middle East with no idea of how the war is to end and no discernible strategy, even if he has an end state.

We have heard Trump demand unconditional surrender, call upon the Iranian people to rise up and topple the regime, and he has variously told us that the war is about destroying Irans nuclear capability (that same capability he told us had been obliterated last June) and its military capability.

In the last two weeks, the US and its ally Israel have been engaged in the systematic industrial destruction of Irans military. There are reports of desertions by soldiers manning Iranian missiles; smoke rises above the rubble in Iranian cities and civilian casualties mount, including at least 170 massacred at a girls school by an American Tomahawk missile launched under the aegis of Pete Hegseth, the thoroughly objectionable so-called US secretary of war, who may yet live to regret his pronouncement of rules of engagement as stupid.

open image in gallery Operation Epic Fury, it appears, was launched with such staggering arrogance that America appears to have been surprised when Iran launched a retaliatory regional war in the Gulf ( AFP/Getty )

Meanwhile, far from shaking it to the core, the Iranian regime is digging in and even more determined to resist the great Satan. Unable to meet the US and Israels strength, it has focused on Americas Achilles heel, the Strait of Hormuz, through which, in normal times, some 20 per cent of the worlds oil flows.

How did this take the US by surprise? Fundamental before launching any military operation is war-gaming the second and third order impacts in order to be ready for the unexpected on the principle that the enemy always has a vote. Far from it. Operation Epic Fury, it appears, was launched with such staggering arrogance that America appears to have been surprised when Iran launched a retaliatory regional war in the Gulf and closed the Strait of Hormuz with the consequent immediate hike in the price of oil.

The assumption was clearly that the bomber would win the war. The US military chiefs have forgotten the lessons of history: the Luftwaffes failure to break British morale in the Blitz, the subsequent failure of the Allied bombing campaign to break wartime German morale, and, in our time, Putins failure to break Ukrainian morale with his terror bombing.

And now Trump has a problem. America may be winning the tactical bombing battle, but while the Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping, oil prices will continue to rocket, causing economic global meltdown and Trump will be presiding over a strategic disaster. Perhaps we are about to witness the perfect example of Sun Tzus maxim, tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

open image in gallery Pete Hegseth, the thoroughly objectionable so-called US secretary of war who may yet live to regret his pronouncement of rules of engagement as stupid ( Pete Hegseth/ X )

Faced with this reality, Trump is now pressurising his allies to step in to support the US but his threat that the future for Nato will be very bad if Nato allies do not respond to his demands are falling on deaf ears; no surprise given that Trump himself effectively holed Nato below the water line in January with his threat of military action against Denmark over Greenland.

As it is, trust in the US commitment to Natos collective defence had already been shattered by Hegseth and Vance at last years Munich Security Conference and the Defence Ministerial in Brussels in February, to say nothing of Trumps siding with indicted war criminal Putin in his genocidal war in Ukraine and his efforts to force Ukraine to capitulate to Russian demands.

So where might the war in Iran go from here?

Trump might get lucky, achieve the aim of neutralising Irans missile and nuclear capabilities within four to six weeks and declare victory. But this would be wishful thinking given Irans ruling out negotiations under fire, hardline elements dominating wartime decision-making, to say nothing of the complete absence of any evidence of regime fracture or mass defections.

open image in gallery Mark Carney has called on the middle powers like Canada and Britain to come together to find a non-military solution to the Strait of Hormuz crisis ( AP )

Equally likely is a protracted attritional fight as Iran keeps up the asymmetric pressure with drones, proxy networks (as in Iraq) and continued economic disruption. America will continue to struggle to translate military success into political outcomes while Iran holds the cards by controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

But dont rule out escalation. A major maritime and air effort on an occasional basis might be able to escort convoys through the Strait, but if the US is to wrest control of it for any length of time, it is difficult to see how it can be done without securing the coastline, requiring a massive amphibious and land operation.

Additionally, frustrated by Irans refusal to capitulate, the US and Israel could expand ground operations to achieve regime change. Trumps unconditional surrender rhetoric and Hegseths refusal to rule out ground operations point in this direction. The scale of effort needed for a march on Tehran is mind-boggling, as are the potential consequences, which would make the Iraq war or Vietnam look like a teddy bears picnic. A measure of the horror which could unfold can be gauged from speculation about Israeli deployment of a nuclear device, the consequence of which would be a world-changing armageddon in Iran.

Such talk also guarantees that when the opportunity presents itself, as it would if Trump walked away, the Iranian regime will pursue the establishment of a nuclear capability with renewed vigour, as will any other regime facing US aggression.

open image in gallery While the Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping, oil prices will continue to rocket and Trump will be presiding over a strategic disaster ( PA Graphics )

So what should Britain and its European allies do now? Like it or not, Britain and our European allies have a dog in this fight. Our allies in the Gulf are under attack. British, French and Italian forces in Iraq have been attacked by drones as has Britains sovereign base area in Cyprus. Nato air defences have shot down missiles entering Turkish airspace and Nato sea lines of communication are threatened by the blockade of the Straits of Hormuz and attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen. British interests, and the interests of our European and other allies, are threatened.

However, it is not in British or allied interests to get dragged into Trumps war. This is the moment for what Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, at Davos called the middle powers to come together to pool their ideas and resources to find a way to reopen the Straits of Hormuz to shipping. Above all, though, they must keep America at arms length and not get sucked into what could well become a disaster.

Finally, the penny must drop and the Europeans and Canada must recognise that together they have to Europeanise and Canadianise the Nato alliance. The world in which the USA led the transatlantic relationship in underwriting the global rules-based order is gone forever and will not return.

As Carney said in Davos, this is a rupture, not a transition; nevertheless, it will take time to transition to such a new model alliance. Most of all, it will take energy, determination, honest leadership and sacrifice to lessen dependence on the US by increasing investment in defence exponentially.

Is Starmer the man to do this? He talks about the national interest but does not have a plan to realise it and pretends that his government is making the greatest increase in UK defence spending since the Cold War, while asking the army to find savings to pay for ever more social welfare. This is not leadership with the honesty and integrity Britain needs and deserves at this critical time. It is virtue signalling.
The clock is ticking over the Strait of Hormuz. The chokepoint of the world economy, the narrow rocky windpipe, that American strategists have spent decades fretting over, has been shut by Iran.

Every day it remains shut, let alone every week, risks pulling the world closer to an oil, gas and commodities spike-driven recession. Its consequences are so dire that, if the United States cannot restore safe passage and tankers are still at risk of Iranian fire before the end of the war, Washington faces its own Suez crisis.

Back then, Britain and France joined Israel in a shocking gambit to seize the Suez Canal and assert waning imperial dominance over the region. A near perfectly executed military manoeuvre ended in geopolitical disaster when a prime minister failed to recognise where his economic vulnerabilities lay, namely with American financial threats, calling time on Britains imperial days.

Trumps calling time on this campaign, with Iran still holding a veto over who passes through Hormuz, would signal an imperial failure of similar magnitude. The message to the world would be that, despite Americas vast military might, despite Americas innumerable Middle Eastern bases, it can not protect its allies and the world economy.

Nations would be forced to admit American power is not what it was and in the Middle East look elsewhere for their protection. The stunning sight of Iran still loading its oil tankers at Kharg island for export to China and passing the narrows unmolested is a foreboding image of failure.

Hormuz was always Tehrans trump card. During the time I worked in the Foreign Office, as a special adviser to David Lammy, the risk to any American venture in Iran was well known to the British state. The shocking, Anthony Eden-like lack of foresight Trump appears to have suffered from, admitting he hadnt expected Iran to attack Americas Gulf allies, is stunning to any official who has worked on the Iran issue over the last 20-odd years

Thats why there is a note of panic coming out of the White House with demands that European allies, even China, come bail them out with naval escorts for the worlds tanker fleets.

Others are taking note. Israel today telegraphed it now considers aiding the United States in reopening the straits its number one aim in the war. Benjamin Netanyahu, having eliminated the de-facto Iranian leader Ali Larijani, is now in a race. Can whatever the Islamic Republics breaking point, if such a thing is possible, come before Trumps from the commodity shock emanating from Hormuz? The president is under huge market pressure due not only to a surging oil and gas shock, but also the fact that heavily Gulf-sourced aluminium and sulphur is now hitting the global price of fertiliser.

This is why Israel is ramping up its regime decapitation strikes, pounding away at Irans authoritarian infrastructure all the down the chain. From claiming to have assassinated Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the regimes Basij paramilitary, at the top to eliminating police stations right down at the bottom.

What has to be said is that Americas weakness is proving Ukraines moment. Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in London today armed with the diplomatic influence his countrys startling, hard-won, and still little-appreciated drone warfare skills on the battlefield are now offering from Kyiv.

Suddenly, Zelensky is a security exporter. Not only are Ukrainian drone experts on the ground assisting Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but Ukrainian teams and drone interceptors have rushed to help defend American bases in the Middle East. With Trump having ended American aid allocations to Ukraine in 2025, we are now witnessing Zelensky providing Ukrainian military support to America in 2026.

Meanwhile, in Eastern Ukraine, Kyiv has quietly liberated some 400 square kilometres of territory from Moscow, with kamikaze drones taking the lead, puncturing Russian lines in these operations.

This is why Ukraine actually finds itself on the same side as Israel, through the complex, interlocking geopolitics of this moment, in hoping the Iranian regime hits its pain threshold before Trump hits his. Ukraine has suffered for years from Russian-purchased Iranian drones raining down on its cities and fears a sustained oil price spike could hand Putin the resources to steal back Kyivs sudden upper hand.

This moment also poses real risks to Ukraine. Should the United States, already dismantling Russian oil sanctions, in a Hormuz panic, try to crowbar Kremlin hydrocarbons back onto the European market, the windfall in cash and power to Putins lap will be enormous. Worse still, Russia, not to mention its Chinese sponsor, will be the main winners from an American Suez if Trump blinks.

In the British-Ukranian meetings I attended as an official, Zelenskys disdain for the regime in Tehran was obvious. Its fate and the fate of the Ukraine war have now become bound together.
Gigi has flown to Paris and Amsterdam  just how much does it cost to fly with your dog?

Feel bad leaving pooch at home while you jet off on holiday? Youll be pleased to learn you dont have to

Its possible to take your dog on many flights from Dublin Airport. Photo: Getty

Gabrielle Monaghan Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Coming from Ireland, which has a reputation as being one of the least dog-friendly countries in Europe, Judy Gilroy was pleasantly surprised when she met an Irish woman in Spain who regularly brought her dog on holidays.
Michael Houghton: My son hasnt quite realised that the 500 or so he might receive for his first communion represents only a fraction of what the day will cost us
Samsung backs Irish energy firm GridBeyond in 12m funding

Company has raised tens of millions of euro since 2010 launch

GridBeyond says that its technology enables real-time orchestration of distributed assets

John Mulligan Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 09:00

Irish smart energy firm GridBeyond has secured an investment from Samsungs venture capital arm as part of a 12m fundraising.
Instagram ends full privacy on Direct Messages and warns users to download personal texts and photos to avoid others seeing them

Despite Instagrams sister app, WhatsApp, using encrypted privacy as a core feature to reassure users, the company is switching the privacy function off for Instagram direct messages

Adrian Weckler Mon 16 Mar 2026 at 13:55

Instagram direct messages will no longer be fully private, with Meta announcing that it is to turn off encryption on messages from May 8th.
The European Union is close to overcoming a unique obstacle to Montenegro's membership bid, the country's de-facto use of the euro, people familiar with the matter said.

Negotiators from the European Commission plan to treat the situation as an unorthodox, fixed-rate currency regime, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. Details of the arrangement would be established by the accession treaty, one of them said.
DAA gave the five-year contract to Smart Horizon

The current operator of the land-side convenience store in Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport has brought a High Court challenge over the awarding to a rival of a new 9.4m contract to operate the outlet for the next five years.
Barry Keoghan said he would much rather play the villain in the Bond film than the spy (Doug Peters/PA)

Peaky Blinders star Barry Keoghan has said he does not think he fits the criteria for James Bond.

The 33-year-old Dublin actor is among the stars who have been mentioned as a candidate for the next 007, as speculation stirs over who should take over as the new face of the popular spy franchise.

In an interview with Radio Times, Keoghan addressed the rumours that he may replace Daniel Craig as Bond.

Barry Keoghan is among the actors who have been named as possibilities for the next Bond (Ian West/PA)

He said: (James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that.

Its nice to see your name go up there, but I dont think I fit the criteria for James Bond.

Id rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, thats more me.

The Dublin-born actor is best known for his roles in hit films such as Saltburn (2023) and The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022), and will star in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

As well as Keoghan, other stars suggested to replace Craig  who last played the British secret service agent in 2021s No Time To Die  include Jacob Elordi, Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner.

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan previously played the secret agent.

The next Bond film will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Academy Award nominee Denis Villeneuve  who is known for Dune, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.

It was also recently announced that the script for the next film will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

This comes after a major overhaul of the iconic British spy franchise which saw Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson hand over creative control to Amazon as part of a lucrative deal.
Following a debut set in Lyon, France, Wicklow DJ and producer Jake Molloy is enjoying a breakthrough moment as he builds towards the debut event for his new label this St Patricks Day.

The Arklow man recently performed at MacBar in Lyon, where the crowds reaction to his set left a strong impression. The support was unbelievable from start to end, he said.

The performance marked his second international appearance. In 2025 he also played at AEDEN nightclub in Berlin, a moment that helped shape his ambitions as an artist.

Playing in Berlin last summer made me realise thats where I want to be based, he said. Its the best city in the world for me.

The morning after that show, Molloy recalled a moment that would define his career, standing by a canal he asked himself one question: How do I make this real, not just a once-off?

Now he is taking steps to answer that question.

In February, Molloy launched his own label DUVV in collaboration with Galway DJ, Louda Kerrin. The labels first release arrived earlier this month and will be followed by its debut event at The Racket Space in Dublin on St Patricks Day.

The event is free to attend and begins with a vinyl market during the day before turning into a nightclub later on. From 1pm to 6pm well have a vinyl market with a more social atmosphere, Molloy said. People can interact with each other and connect while well still have great music. At 6pm well dim the lights and it will turn into a high-energy dancefloor, we want it to be a really immersive experience.

The lineup for Jake Molloy's free St Patrick's Day gig in Dublin.

For Molloy, the event is about more than simply launching a new label. He hopes it will help bring people together and create a sense of community within the dance music scene. I want to see all my friends there and meet new people, he said. I want it to be a place where people can connect and build a small community.

The event aims to showcase the producers featured on its first release, with DJs performing sets built around the tracks they created. Its a great way for the producers to show their music in a DJ setting, Molloy said.

Behind the scenes, the project is run as a collective effort. Its a joint thing between everyone involved, he said. People step up for different events depending on who has time, but overall, its very collaborative.

The labels ambitions also extend beyond Ireland. Molloy plans to spend a month in Berlin this July, using the time to host events and build connections within the citys renowned techno scene. I feel like theres a different understanding of techno in Berlin, he said. People appreciate the music in a different way. You can see it in the energy of the crowd and the way people dance.

He believes summer is the perfect time to experience the citys nightlife. You can be in a park and there might be a DJ with a sound system and a crowd dancing, or you might walk under a bridge and find a rave, he said. There are events everywhere and people just want to dance and socialise.

The trip is intended as a stepping stone toward a longer-term move. Molloy hopes to eventually base the label between Dublin and Berlin, running events in both cities. We want to get DUVV seen in different scenes around the world and grow it as much as possible, he said.

DJ Jake Molloy.

Musically, Molloy describes his style as rooted in old-school techno. Its quite percussion-heavy and groove-driven, he said. I try to stick to that sound but adapt my sets depending on the crowd and the energy in the room.

He often arrives early to watch the DJs before him perform, paying close attention to how the audience responds. That helps me understand what direction to take my own set in, he said.

His passion for techno began at a young age. Molloy remembers attending his first techno event at The Grand Social in Dublin when he was 17, an experience that proved transformative.

I was standing in the crowd completely sober and the only thing I could think the whole night was that I want to make people feel the way I was feeling, he said. I was fascinated by how one DJ could make an entire room of people dance.

That same desire still drives him today. For me, success is simple, he said. Its seeing people dance and giving them a safe space where they can express themselves.

Although the music world is difficult to succeed in, with international gigs, a new label and an upcoming Berlin move on the horizon, Molloy appears to be well on his way to doing exactly that.
Judge says cattle owners have an obligation to maintain their boundaries

Ennis District Court judge makes decree of 895 against a farmer over damage caused by his cattle to a neighbours lawn

'Proper boundary walls can always rectify such issues'. Photo: Stock image

Gordon Deegan Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

A judge has stated that cattle owners and property owners have an obligation to maintain their boundaries to ensure that their cattle don't cause damage to neighbours properties.
How Kinahan lieutenant Sean McGovern orchestrated a murder, and the plot against a rival gangster that led to his downfall

From surviving Regency shooting to bolting to Dubai, Knife is finally facing a reckoning in an Irish prison

Gangster Sean McGovern has pleaded guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation

Robin Schiller Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

At the Special Criminal Court on Monday, Sean McGovern, the right-hand man of crime boss Daniel Kinahan, became the most senior member of the international drugs gang to be convicted of an offence before the Irish courts.
Lord Mountbatten murder must have had Gerry Adams approval, court told

King Charles grand-uncle was killed when the IRA blew up his lobster boat during a holiday in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, in August 1979

Gerry Adams is driven to court in central London where the civil claim is being heard. Photo: PA

Albert Tait Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Gerry Adams must have approved the IRAs assassination of British royal Lord Mountbatten in 1979, a veteran investigative journalist has claimed in court.
Gerry Adams arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice, in central London on Tuesday. Photo: PA

The Northern Irish peace process was given to the British government on a plate, Gerry Adams told the High Court in London, on a day when he vehemently denied involvement in the Provisional IRA.

Mr Adams was giving evidence on Tuesday in defence of a legal claim brought against him by three victims of bombings in England by the Provisional IRA in the 1970s and 1990s.
Great people, great beer, its very nice here  Visitors from around the world descend on Dublin for St Patricks Day parade

About 3,000 people marched in this years parade

Tourists soak up the warm atmosphere at St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin

Keith Kelly Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 18:09

The streets of Dublin city centre were covered in green this afternoon as tens of thousands of spectators packed the pavements on a crisp spring afternoon to catch a glimpse of this years St Patricks Day parade.
From the Irish Open to fuel prices dropping like rocks: seven key moments from the Oval Office

US vice president dons shamrock socks to meet Taoiseach ahead of White House visit

Tabitha Monahan Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 20:34

For most of the 40 minute long press conference, Taoiseach Micheal Martin watched on as US President Donald Trump fielded questions from the international press, mostly focused on Iran and Nato.
Micheal Martin caught between Europe and Donald Trump after presidents call for Iran help is publicly rejected

Taoiseach set for a tense face-to-face with US president, who will be pressed for a response to being rebuffed

I dont have time for that  Taoiseach says hes not working on game plan for crunch meeting with Donald Trump

Mary Regan Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Fresh hostilities have emerged between the US president and European allies, who have rejected his calls for help with his war in Iran, before a high-profile meeting where the Taoiseach will press the need for peace.
The normalisation of war can never be accepted, President Catherine Connolly has said in her first St Patricks Day address to the nation, as Taoiseach Micheal Martin prepares to meet US president Donald Trump in Washington.
I became like a warrior mother  I realised I had to fight to have my child correctly diagnosed

When Laura Bradys baby son Jason failed to recover from a cold, she knew there was something more serious going on. Eventually, on learning that he had an extremely rare condition, her family was devastated  now she says they have adapted and wouldnt change a thing about their precious 10 year old

Laura Brady with her son Jason (10) at home in Mountcharles, Co Donegal. Photo: Joe Dunne

Erin McCafferty Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

For many years, every time Laura Brady went to a funeral she would end up in floods of tears.
How the best Irish bars around the world celebrate St Patricks Day (and what they charge for a pint)

Seven Irish bars across the globe, in locations as far-flung as Peru and the Philippines, have big plans for our national day  heres how they celebrate in style

Clockwise from top left: Paddys Irish Pub in the Philippines; The Irish Haven in New York City; OReillys in Frankfurt; a traditional music session in The Drunken Poet in Melbourne; Vinny Cahill of Corcorans Irish Pub in Paris; The Auld Shillelagh in London; Paddys Irish Pub in Peru; the exterior of The Drunken Poet

Chrissie Russell Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

With more than 6,000 Irish pubs dotted around the world, therell be plenty of glasses raised globally today to celebrate our patron saint. From the gateway to Machu Picchu to metropolitan Melbourne, we tracked down some of the best Irish bars around the world to find out whats planned for St Patricks Day.
I am a miracle brain tumour survivor  but what came after the surgery was even harder to go through

To mark Brain Awareness Week (16-22 March), Hannah OBrien Mooney (27) from Galway describes the life-saving surgery she had as a child  and the aftermath she never expected

Hannah O'Brien Mooney from Killimor, Portumna, Co Galway, had a brain tumour at the age of three. Photo: Ray Ryan

As told to Kirsty Blake Knox Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

"I was three years old at a family gathering when I turned to my mum and asked her who had turned out the lights. It was broad daylight, but I suddenly couldnt see. My eyesight had completely gone.
The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk before it was closed. Photo: Getty

For generations, the seven-kilometre stretch of coastline connecting Bray and Greystones has been more than just a path, the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk has been a rite of passage.

On any given Saturday, the narrow ribbon of earth clinging to the side of Bray Head would be a microcosm of Irish life. Hikers in high-tech Gore-Tex overtaking families with melting ice creams, and tourists from around the globe stopping to marvel at the grey-blue expanse of the Irish Sea.

But today, the silence at the trailheads is heavy. What was once a bustling artery of tourism along the east coast is now a ghost trail, severed by the relentless hunger of the sea and the shifting weight of the earth.

As we pass the St Patricks Day reopening target, a central target of Tanaiste Simon Harriss taskforce, the path isnt just closed, it is changing forever.

The crisis didnt happen overnight, but it arrived with a finality that stunned the local community. A series of landslides, beginning in early 2021 and accelerating through 2023, left the Cliff Walk in a state of terminal instability.

By late February 2026, the official verdict from Wicklow County Council and RPS Consultants was that sections of the path are in "imminent danger of collapse.

Deep fissures have opened in the soil, some wide enough to swallow a hiking boot, indicating that the very foundation of the trail is sliding toward the waves below. The councils recent 36-month timeline for repairs  stretching into 2029  has been a bitter pill for local businesses and residents to swallow.

To bridge the gap between the current "imminent danger" warnings and a sustainable future, here are five ways to reimagine how the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk could be reopened.

1. The great inland shift: a new frontier

The first pillar of the reimagined walk is perhaps the most controversial: admitting defeat to the sea. For decades, engineers have tried to fix the cliff face, but the constant battle with climate change, bringing more intense rainfall and higher storm surges, coupled with associated coastal erosion, has made that a losing battle.

The new strategy is the inland bypass. Wicklow County Council has entered negotiations with private landowners on the Greystones side to move the trail roughly five to 14 metres away from the cliff edge.

If voluntary sales fail, the prospect of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) loomsa legal process that could secure the paths future, but may take years to resolve in the courts.

2. High-wire engineering and smart cliffs

On the Bray side, the topography is more vertical and less forgiving. Here, the reimaging of the walk looks like something out of an action movie.

Specialist contractors, equipped with industrial rope-access gear, are deployed to scale the heights.

These climber-engineers are tasked with a dual mission: manual stabilisation and the installation of high-tech sensors. The vision for the 2029 reopening includes a Smart Safety System. Automated slope-stability sensors would monitor the vibration and moisture levels of the rock.

Imagine a traffic light system for hikers: a green light at the trailhead means the sensors detect no movement, an amber light warns of high winds or recent heavy rain, and a red light automatically locks electronic gates during high-risk events. Its a 21st-century solution to an age-old geological problem.

3. From footpath to eco-museum

The closure has allowed the local ecosystem a rare moment of peace, and planners are looking to capitalise on this through a tiered eco-tourism model. The area is a Special Area of Conservation, home to the common lizard, peregrine falcons, and rare maritime flora.

The reimagined walk would not just be a way to get from A to B, it would be an outdoor classroom. Phase 2 of the councils plan involves an interpretive study to install low-impact, high-information signage.

By elevating the walk to a nature trail status, it becomes easier to secure EU environmental funding, which is essential for the multi-million-euro price tag this project now carries.

4. The labyrinth approach: beyond the linear

One of the biggest mistakes of the past was relying on a single, linear route. If one section fell, the whole system failed. The reimagining focuses on a multi-loop network.

While the main cliff path remains strictly closed to members of the public, the Bray Head Looped Trail and the Victoria Trail have been upgraded. These diversions take walkers higher up the headland, offering even more dramatic views, while keeping them on solid, inland ground.

By formalising these higher routes with permanent surfacing and better signage, the council is creating a labyrinth of options. If the lower cliff path is closed for maintenance, a hiker can simply veer onto an upper loop and continue their journey to Greystones without hitting a road closed sign.

Peter Murtagh and Dermod Dwyer from the Friends of the Cliff Walk campaign group at the start of the Greystones leg of the path to Bray. Photo: Mark Condren

5. The path guardians: power to the people

Perhaps the most obvious part of this reimagining is the shift in management. The Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk Management Committee has expanded to include local voices, and the results are already visible.

Groups like the Friends of the Cliff Walk arent waiting for the 2029 deadline to make a difference. They have been active in clearing gorse and maintaining the accessible zones of the trail. This community-led program ensures that the walk is treated as a shared heritage rather than a government liability.

By giving the group a seat at the table, the council is ensuring the walk stays open in the hearts of the people, even while the physical path is being rebuilt.

However, the committee has faced criticism in recent months, not least for banning members of the press to attend meetings.

A fundamental point of friction is the councils zero risk approach to safety. Community representatives on the committee have argued that the Cliff Walk is inherently risky and that hikers should be allowed to use it at their own discretion with proper warning signage, rather than being blocked by permanent, and often bypassed, barriers.

The role Sport Ireland have to play has also been a prominent bone of contention within the committees membership. In early 2026, the body indicated it would reject a nomination to join the group. The organisation stated that taking a seat on a trail management committee would represent a conflict of interest with its official role in managing the National Trails Register.

Despite the rejection, it was later claimed in February 2026 that Sport Ireland had nominated an outdoor recreation expert to join the group.

Some committee members, including Cllr Joe Behan and Cllr Malachi Duddy have expressed frustration that a nominee was sought from Sport Ireland without the body's initial consent.

Its after district councillors in Bray voted to block Bray Coastcare from membership on the expanded committee. The group later expressed feeling "hurt and let down" by the decision. Founded in April 2007, the group focuses on keeping coastal areas free of litter and graffiti, while improving public access and maintaining biodiversity.

Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.

The long walk home

As we look toward the horizon, the St Patricks Day 2026 deadline has now passed like a ship in the night. The barriers remain, and the warnings of "imminent collapse" are a sobering reminder of nature's power.

But a reimagined Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk promises something better than a quick fix. It promises a resilient, tech-enabled, environmentally conscious trail that respects the power of the Irish Sea rather than trying to defy it.

The walks closure is currently costing the local economy millions of euros, but the blueprints for its return suggest that when we finally do step back onto those cliffs, we will be walking on something far more sustainable than what we lost.

Until then, we must look to the upper loops, follow the diversion signs, and wait for the day when the two towns are once again joined by what is arguably the most beautiful shortcut in Ireland.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Mary Regan: Stakes are high as Taoiseach may have to duck and dive from testy Trump during St Patricks Day meeting

EU countries refusing to be drawn into Iran conflict by US president

Donald Trump filed the lawsuit in December last year (Leon Neal/PA)

Mary Regan Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

The eruption of a fresh round of transatlantic tensions on the eve of his visit to the White House has raised the stakes for what was already shaping up to be a high-tension meeting for Micheal Martin in the Oval Office.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US president Donald Trump at last year's meeting. Photo: Getty

If Jessie Buckley did the nation proud with her red-carpet star turn in Hollywood, Taoiseach Micheal Martin will today be looking to avoid being hauled over the carpet in Washington.

For the cordial greetings and warm exchanges  as are customary  may be slightly incongruous, if not strained, on a St Patricks Day that falls at the height of Operation Epic Fury.

With echoes of dont mention the war in his ear, Mr Martin must nonetheless present the bowl of shamrock to president Donald Trump, honouring the unique bonds between our two countries.

It is a rare privilege, born of deep and enduring kinship. But the backdrop of conflict, and Mr Trumps ultimatum to Nato to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz or face a very bad future, hangs ominously in the air.

Europe, routinely demeaned by the Trump administration, is hardly eager to get involved.

It was not consulted by Washington, or Tel Aviv, ahead of the attacks, nor does it have a clear understanding of their objectives.

Equally in the dark as to what it might be committing to  or for how long  such hesitation is entirely reasonable.

The most effective and swiftest way to clear the Strait of Hormuz is not through additional militarisation, but by ending the war and starting a dialogue.

Sending ships or troops into a zone where Iran holds the advantage  controlling the mountains that directly overlook the waterway  is fraught with risk.

So Mr Martin is entering a diplomatic minefield.

To date, Mr Trump has been slow to face the media about the war. The Taoiseachs presence will prompt a press conference, and a barrage of questions.

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light

The German government has said the war has nothing to do with the Nato defence alliance. Italy also argues diplomacy is the only way to resolve the crisis.

Spain too is unequivocal, declaring the conflict illegal. Spain will never accept any stopgap measures, because the objective must be for the war to end  and to end now, said defence minister Margarita Robles.

A protracted war can only lead to mass casualties and deepen global economic chaos.

Drawing more countries into a quagmire with no day after plan is a hard sell. For decades, military advisers have warned Iran has a chokehold on the narrow waterway, through which 20pc of the worlds oil supply passes.

The longer the strait is closed, the greater the pressure on world governments  and risk of recession.

The downside for Mr Trumps America, and for the world, cannot be overstated. Mr Martin faces a tough day in the Oval Office. He may choose to smile and say little. But as a trusted ally, he may offer a dignified and honest appraisal of the dangers.

George Washington once said: Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is taken to bring it to light.

There can no longer be any concealing the fact that Mr Trump has opened a Pandoras box.

Wise counsel would urge finding a diplomatic lid to close it  and soon.
Old men make wars and young men fight and die. As this reckless, out of control war with Iran cascades across the Middle East, it is perhaps worth reflecting on the obscene absurdities at the heart of the endless warmongering that has come to define the 2020s.
Eviction notices have been served to 14 families in the Cuirt Eigis apartment complex in Galway. Photo: Google Maps

Eviction notices have been served to 14 families living in a Galway city apartment complex, sparking concern among local representatives.

The eviction notices were served by the landlord to residents of Cuirt Eigis apartments on the Ballybane Road last Wednesday, March 11.

Tenants were informed that they would be evicted from their homes as the apartment complex is to undergo major renovations.

Many of the families are long-term tenants in their homes.

On March 1, new rental laws came into effect that mean tenancies beginning after that date will have a minimum duration of six years. There are also more restrictive rules surrounding evictions.

Local representatives in Galway have expressed concern at the announcement, with Sinn Fein TD for Galway West Mairead Farrell stating that she was deeply alarmed by the news.

This is the latest news of mass evictions happening across the State since the Governments new rent legislation passed. When these rules were first mooted I warned Galway government representatives that this would have a negative effect on renters across Galway. These eviction notices are a devastating consequence of Governments actions.

Labour Councillor for Galway City Central Helen Ogbu, expressed similar sentiments, saying the news is deeply troubling.

Behind every one of those notices is a family, a worker, a child in a local school, a person who has built their life here in Galway and who now faces the very real prospect of losing their home.

The tenants at Cuirt Eigis on the Ballybane Road have been told that the complex is to undergo a major renovation. Some of the families living there have called these apartments home for as long as 18 years. They are part of the fabric of the Ballybane community. To now face eviction after nearly two decades in their homes is devastating.

Galway already struggles with a severe housing shortage and soaring rents. Families cannot simply pick up and find another affordable home at short notice. There arent affordable options sitting idle in this city. When eviction notices arrive in large numbers, the consequences spread far beyond the households directly affected. The ripple effect is felt across the entire community.

My clinic is open and available to anyone affected by these eviction notices and I will continue to work with tenants to ensure they understand their rights and receive every support possible.
Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The Tralee St Patrick's Day parade taking place on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Girls show off their St Patrick's Day pride at the Tralee parade on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Brendan O'Brien, Chairman of Tralee Tidy Towns, was the Grand Marshal of this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Tralee was transformed into a sea of green on Tuesday as the town once again pulled out all of the stops for its annual St Patricks Day parade celebrations.

While ominous grey clouds loomed large over the proceedings in the hours leading up to the start, the weather gods thankfully got the memo with the rain holding off and the sun  stunning rainbow appearing too just as the parade set off  making a very welcome appearance.

As always, this years parade was organised by the hard working team at Kerry County Council in partnership with Tralee Chamber Alliance. Proudly sponsored by Cara Credit Union, the theme for this years outing was Tralee Shining Bright and participants certainly did not disappoint with their creativity.

Among the many amazing floats and groups that took part in this years outing, there were a couple of stand-out highlights including the very familiar figure of Brendan O'Brien, Chair of Tralee Tidy Towns, beeming with pride on the day after he was awarded the special honour of being Grand Marshal.

Other memorable moments from the outing included the beautiful sight of two Irish Wolf Hounds being walked along the route, the amazing sporting accomplishments of Ballymacelligott GAA being celebrated, the local Chinese community celebrating their history and culture as well as the brilliant work done behind the scenes by local groups such as the Tralee Tidy Towns being honoured.

The 2026 parade well and truly showcased the spirit, resilience, and pride that make Tralee truly special.

See all the photos from the day below:

Brendan O'Brien, Chairman of Tralee Tidy Towns, was the Grand Marshal of this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

All smiles at the St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The Tralee St Patrick's Day parade taking place on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Ballymac pride was a central part of the Tralee St Patrick's Day parade on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The Tralee St Patrick's Day parade taking place on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The Tralee St Patrick's Day parade taking place on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The Tralee St Patrick's Day parade taking place on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Brendan O'Brien, Chairman of Tralee Tidy Towns, was the Grand Marshal of this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

The Tralee St Patrick's Day parade taking place on Tuesday. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Crowds turned out in their numbers to watch Tuesday's St Patrick's Day parade in Tralee. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Submit your photos and videos here to be featured in our gallery
A Go Fund Me page for a Sligo man who has been seriously injured in a road traffic accident in Australia has reached over 70,000.

Aaron Mulligan, who is in his 30s, and originally from Sligo town had been living in Australia for some years. He is critically ill in Royal Perth Hospital in Australia after a serious road traffic accident.

Aaron moved to Perth in 2024 to begin a new chapter in his life but has suffered a severe brain injury following the accident. Doctors are keeping him alive so his family can reach him in his final moments says a gofundme page set up to help the family.

Aarons mum Mairead and her family are now facing the cost of emergency last-minute flights from Ireland to Australia, as well as accommodation while they remain by Aaron's side.

Aaron is a big Sligo Rovers fan and the club have shared the gofundme page.

The family hope to travel from Ireland to Australia, flying through Doha to be by Aarons side soon.
Students got to see the workings of a windfarm up close

Students, Molly Lee, Jason Cullen and Antonio Corcoran at bottom of tower

Transition Year students from Ballinode College visited Energia Groups Meenadreen Wind Farm in south Donegal for an engaging and insightful look into careers in renewable energy and STEM  Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Students were interested to hear how and why different members of our Renewables team  including project managers, electrical engineers and site supervisors  chose a career in wind.

From engineering and project management to operations, the team highlighted the wide range of career paths available within renewable energy sector.

Students heard first-hand how subjects like maths, physics, technology and geography can open doors to exciting and meaningful careers.

The team also spoke about apprenticeships, university choices and alternative routes that can lead to roles in the growing renewables industry.

TY coordinator and teacher Gary Smith said:

This experience gives the students a real insight into STEM in action.

Its great food for thought for them as they look ahead to choosing subjects for their Leaving Cert.

Student Molly Lee said, Its really interesting to see how many different careers are involved in keeping a wind farm running.

This has definitely made me think more about my own options.

Student Jason Cullen said, Hearing about all the opportunities that choosing STEM subjects can offer is really encouraging.

University isnt for me  I am more interested in an apprenticeship and a hands-on role as a possible way into this industry.

The visit gave students the opportunity to see wind energy infrastructure up close and gain a better understanding of how wind farms operate, as well as the skills and teamwork required to keep them running efficiently.

Tara Carroll, Community Liaison Officer with Energia Renewables said, Experiences like this help bring classroom learning to life and show students the real-world impact of STEM in action, particularly in supporting Irelands transition to a cleaner energy future.

Thats why, as a leading developer and operator of wind farms and renewable energy across the island of Ireland,

Energia is keen to promote Engineers Week and school visits like this one.

Engineers Week is an annual nationwide campaign that has been created to introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse world of engineering.
Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of the New Ross Women's Shed at the Women's Shed of Ireland launch in Tullamore.

Members of New Ross, Doers And Dreamers Duncannon, Cush Croi and Tomhaggard Womens Sheds, were among more than 400 women from across Leinster who gathered in Tullamore recently to attend the official launch of the Womens Shed Organisation of Ireland (WSOI).

The event marked an important milestone for the growing Womens Shed movement in Ireland, bringing together members from sheds across the region to celebrate achievements and discuss the future development of the movement nationwide.

Womens Sheds provide welcoming and supportive spaces where women can come together to learn new skills, share interests, build friendships and support one another. For many members, these groups play a valuable role in reducing isolation and promoting wellbeing in local communities.

The launch featured guest speakers who highlighted the importance of Womens Sheds and the positive impact they have for women throughout Ireland. Discussions also focused on supporting the growth of the movement and ensuring Womens Sheds receive the recognition and vital resources they need nationally.

Among those in attendance was Minister of State, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, who acknowledged the importance of the role that the Womens Sheds play in strengthening communities and supporting social connection.

The New Ross Womens Shed continues to grow as a welcoming space for local women and looks forward to building on the connections made at the Tullamore launch, said a spokesperson from the group. The New Ross organisation also thanked Community Garda, Kevin Burke and Enid Woolington from Wexford Local Development for kindly providing transport to the event.
Tributes are pouring in for a young Wexford man, who tragically lost his long-fought battle with cystic fibrosis.

Darragh Power of St. Martin's Park, Ballycullane, Wexford, was known for his cheeky grin and sense of humour; his caring nature and adoration for his family, and love of darts, but moreso, for never letting his illness define him.

The 21-year-old sadly passed away on Friday, March 13, and tributes continue to pour in for Darragh, from people who he wouldve encountered throughout various stages of his life paying their respects to his loving family.

Darragh is remembered fondly by the staff on St Michaels Ward, in Crumlin where the cystic fybrosis wing was where he endlessly entertained those on duty, along with other patients. However, the impact of Darraghs cheeky grin goes far beyond St Michaels Ward, and medical staff from hospitals across the south east who would have cared for Darragh have paid their respects.

My sincerest sympathies to Jacinta and all Darraghs family and friends. It was an absolute pleasure to have been able to look after Darragh on Michaels. He really kept us all entertained, especially on night shifts, said one staff member.

"I can still see his cheeky little grin when he'd drop a joke and wait for a response. His constant snap chat filters and a list of jokes on the table waiting to tell when you came into the room.

"He was strong, brave and so kind. He loved being an uncle and would often be showing us what he was going to be buying them next. Darragh, breathe easy now and know you could never be forgotten. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam, they said.

Another staff member said: My deepest sympathies to Jacinta and family on the passing of your beloved son Darragh. Caring for him during his time on St. Michaels ward truely was a privilege.

"He became our family, he made all those night shifts hours of endless fun and craic. No matter what he was faced with, he always had a cheeky smile and glint in his eye and a joke ready to tell. Not just funny but such a kind and strong young man.

"I know all the staff past and present who knew Darragh are heartbroken. Sending love and strength to the family and know his memory will always live on in Crumlin.

Darragh's laugh and sharp wit is how another member of the medical team remembers the late Wexford man, and they added that he always managed to have a smile on his face and a glint in his eye! Caring for him was truly a privilege. Breathe easy Darragh you will sorely be missed.

Families who met Darragh through the care in Crumlin also shared their fond memories of him, and one family described Darragh as an amazing and funny young man who made their stays in Crumlin so much easier.

Tributes have poured in from Ballycullane, and the surrounding New Ross and Wexford areas, with friends and extended family devastated to hear of Darraghs passing. His former teachers and classmates in Ramsgrange Community School and Ballycullane National School have offered their condolences, and one teacher described Darragh as being the life and soul of many classrooms, and his cheeky smile often got him out of any trouble.

Ceann Comhairle Verona Muphy TD also paid tribued to Darraghs family. She said: Deepest sympathy to the you all, extended family and many friends on the very sad passing of your lovely Darragh. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

The funeral arrangements for Darragh are as follows: Reposing in Ryans Funeral Home Wellingtonbridge on Tuesday, March 17, from 3pm to 8pm.

Removal on Wednesday, March 18 to St Martins Church, Ballycullane, arriving for funeral mass at 12pm followed by burial in Gusserane cemetery. Family flowers only please donations if desired to the Julian Benson Foundation, Tranquility House Dublin.

Beloved son of Jacinta and John, brother of Amy, Shane, Ciara, Leah and Sophie.

Darragh is sadly missed by his mother, father, sisters, brother, brothers-in-law Brandon and Dean, sister in law Laura, nieces Amelia and Eabha, nephew Cody, nephew and godson Mason, grandparents, uncle, aunts, godparents Lisa and John, extended family and friends.
The Wexford St. Patricks Day parade is the oldest in Ireland according to organisers. It started in 1904, on the same day as Waterfords parade, but crucially, some hours earlier.

An estimated 15,000 people lined the streets to celebrate St. Patricks Day 2026, and cheer on the parade which showcased the very best of community spirit in the Model County.

Among the dignitaries overseeing the parade was Deputy Mayor Cllr Raymond Shannon, alongside several of his fellow county councillors, Wexford TDs George Lawlor and Johnny Mythen, Bishop of Ferns Ger Nash, Superintendent Jarlath Duffy and the adjudicators who will determine who the parades best performers were.

The parade was masterfully narrated by MC Maurice McCarthy, who was ably assisted by South East Radios Lee Hynes.

As crowds took up their usual positions along the quay for the parade which began at 10.30am on the dot concluding in Redmond Square, they were warmed up and briefed by Mr McCarthy.

When the parade comes up here to the reviewing stand area, you have to give them a big welcome he said. Now parents, mind your children, it is very easy to lose them. I have lost mine several times, but they keep coming back, he joked, as he suggested that parents point out a spot to rendezvous should they be separated.

Gymstars Gymnastic Club from Barntown put on a displayduring the St Patrick's Day parade in Wexford town. Photo: Jim Campbell

Lee was delighted to inform the crowds that a sensory area had been set up in the Redmond Square, should anyone be overwhelmed by the noise as 60 groups passed by.

It didnt go unnoticed that this year marked not only 110 years since the Easter Rising, but also the 49th year that John Fowler has organised the Wexford parade.

John and an army of organisers had spent weeks working on the logistics and running order to ensure the parade went off without a hitch.

Celebrating St Patricks Day today? Share your photos and videos with us

Wexford Light Opera Society had a major float, carrying the cast and crew of their upcoming performances of Jesus Christ Superstar at National Opera House.

The parade was led by Wexfords brave frontliners and emergency service personnel, representing, the Reserve Defence Force, the Civil Defence, the Order of Malta, the RNLI, Wexford MarineWatch, the Irish Coast Guard and the Wexford Blood Bikes with an extensive presence by the local fire and ambulance service and Wexford Gardai.

Awards will be handed out to the best groups on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in Mackens Bar, the Bullring.
Deirdre Scallan (Clerical Officer RMD), Rory Curtis (Project Manager), Noirin Cummins (District Manager), Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Cllr Ger Carthy, and Edwina Colfer (Assistant Staff Officer at Wexford County Council) were pictured at the Rosslare Greenway public information display in Rosslare Community & Sports Centre. Pic: Jim Campbell

While Co Wexford has one of the busiest ports in the country at Rosslare Harbour, it is not uncommon for those using it to travel straight through the Model County onto destinations unknown. However, a new greenway connecting Rosslare Harbour and Rosslare Strand will provide those arriving into the country with at least one additional reason to stay in Wexford.

Expected to begin construction in late 2027, the 12m project will commence at the Rosslare Strand train station and extend in a southeasterly direction before terminating at the junction of Marys Terrace and the N25 in Rosslare Harbour. However, before it can do that, members of the public have been invited to have their say on the preferred route and the plans laid out by Wexford County Council (WCC).

Running until April 1, this period of public consultation opened at the Rosslare Strand Community Centre where residents and members of the design team shared their thoughts on the greenway and how it will impact and benefit the area.

Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD), Councillor Ger Carthy was among those fielding queries from the local community and he was in doubt as to the positive impact the greenway will have in his constituency.

Im very happy with the current layout as proposed by WCC, were looking at a potential inward investment of somewhere north of 12m which is to be welcomed, he said. This is a tourism product that Co Wexford can benefit from. Its about harnessing what the county has to offer, holding onto the people coming into Wexford through Rosslare Harbour rather than letting them off down to Kerry.

Citing the success of the greenway in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, Cllr Carthy was of the belief that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) would look favourably upon the project when a planning application was submitted and said the onus would then be on Failte Ireland, Visit Wexford, and WCC to ensure it was marketed correctly.

An aerial view of the preferred route for the Rosslare greenway.

Cllr Frank Staples was similarly enthused by the project and said it would provide a huge economic boost for existing, and potentially new, businesses.

It will be a great benefit to the area, if you see any of the greenways now theres a lot of businesses popping up around them, he said. So this will provide a huge boost for tourism, and for those living locally.

Accepting that some members of the community were not in favour of the greenway, Cllr Staples said it was always very difficult to get agreement from everyone but that the hope was that WCC could facilitate those with genuine concerns about the route.

Given the rate at which the Wexford coastline is disappearing due to erosion, Cllr Lisa McDonald felt that strengthening works should be included in the greenway project when it commences.

I do have concerns with regards to erosion along the route and I would like to see the embankment strengthened, she said. We have got into the habit of waiting until the last moment and just throwing in some rock armour, but there are other measures we can take to try and strengthen the soil naturally to preserve the coastline.

Head of special projects with WCC, Sean Meyler, said that concerns regarding erosion had been taken into consideration when designing the greenway and that the route would be protected from any further storms.

The route runs on the coastal side of the railway line, and that was made possible by the substantial coastal protection works Irish Rail has effected in recent years, he said. The greenway turns away from the coast at the end of the Irish Rail coastal protection works so erosion isnt a concern for us here at all.

Stressing that open channels of engagement were in place for any landowners who have concerns about the greenway, Mr Meyler said the project was subject to funding and TII approval but that he was hopeful of beginning construction in late 2027.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 TrailblazHER Awards, Mary Ellen Moorehouse from St Marys College in Arklow, with award Will Kinsella, student entrepreneurship manager, TU Dublin.

A Wicklow student who built a crochet mini-company from a personal hobby has been named Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 TrailblazHER Awards hosted by Technological University Dublin.

Mary Ellen Moorehouse, a Transition Year student at St Marys College in Arklow, received the honour at a ceremony held in TU Dublins Concert Hall at its Grangegorman campus. She was recognised for founding Bee Happy Crafts, a crochet business she developed independently after teaching herself the skill.

The awards celebrate TY students from across Ireland who are already making a meaningful impact in their schools and communities through creativity, leadership, resilience and entrepreneurship. The event was hosted by RTE 2FM presenter Aisling Bonner.

Mary Ellen first learned to crochet while creating a gift for her baby sister before developing the idea further by designing, producing, marketing and selling her own handmade products. To date, the venture has generated 851.85 in sales.

A proud member of the Travelling Community, Mary Ellen was recognised at the awards for her entrepreneurial initiative as well as the leadership she has shown through her school and wider community.

A spokesperson for St Marys College said: This is an incredible achievement and a wonderful recognition of Mary Ellens hard work, creativity, and dedication.

Her initiative, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit truly set her apart. Mary Ellen is a fantastic role model and an inspiration to others in our school community. We are extremely proud of everything she has accomplished.

Well done, Mary Ellen! What a brilliant success  the whole school is celebrating with you.
Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council has approved a redesigned plan for 10 new homes in Shankill, South Dublin, finally bringing a threeyear planning saga to a close. The decision clears the way for 10 new homes beside one of the States largest social and affordable housing schemes.

When Shanganagh Cottage on the Dublin Road sold for 950,000 in February 2023  some 50,000 above its guide price at the time  the site was already being spoken of as a rare opportunity for a development in the popular suburb.
A Dublin woman who told gardai they were dogs and described herself as fabulous during a dispute with restaurant staff over an unpaid bill has been fined 500

Ogheneyoma Ughwubrusi (24), with an address at Wainsfort Park, Terenure, Dublin 6, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for a hearing.

She pleaded not guilty to one count of public intoxication and one count of using or engaging in threatening behaviour.

Garda Brennan of Bray Garda Station testified that in May 2025 gardai responded to a disturbance at the Martello Bar and Restaurant.

The court was told that when gardai arrived Ms Ughwubrusi was fighting with restaurant staff over the non-payment of her food and alcohol bill.

Gda Brennan stated that the accused had a strong smell of alcohol and that her eyes were dilated. She was placed under arrest and cautioned.

When Ughwubrusi was cautioned she replied: Im not paying for anything, do you not have anything better to do, adding: Youre a dog and Im fabulous.

A statement of complaint from the Martello was taken in relation to the alleged theft, but it was noted by the prosecution that no staff were in court to give evidence.

During cross-examination, counsel for the defendant, Nick Revilles BL, instructed by Tracy Horan Solicitors, questioned why gardai arrived at the scene. Gda Brennan said gardai had received reports of a woman arguing with staff after stating she was not going to pay.

Ms Ughwubrusi told the sitting of Bray District Court that she had an issue with her bill after requesting it. She alleged that the waitress struggled with English and had added extra food to the bill that she and her friends did not order.

Ughwubrusi also said that Gda Brennan was aggressive and claimed she could not have been drunk as she does not consume alcohol.

Judge David Kennedy convicted her on both counts and fined her 500, with four months to pay.

Defence counsel said that Ms Ughwubrusi is a young care worker, before requesting that legal aid be granted, including for two other charges that had been struck out after he had already established a defence.

Judge Kennedy granted legal aid for the matters before the court but refused counsels request for the charges that had been struck out.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
The Swedish actor spoke about filming sex scenes with Cillian Murphy for Peaky Blinders film

Rebecca Ferguson with Cillian Murphy at the global premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man in Birmingham, England. Photo: Getty

Rebecca Ferguson has said intimacy co-ordinators make her feel very uncomfortable and she prefers to discuss her boundaries with her co-stars.

The Dune star (42) is the latest actor to speak out against the controversial professionals on modern Hollywood sets.

I think its wonderful that we can have intimacy co-ordinators and sometimes they are needed, Ferguson said.

But, for me, its very off-putting and it makes me feel very uncomfortable, because I have enormous boundaries and I can verbalise them.

So we could sit down and say, What do you need to feel safe?, What do I need to feel safe? And then she could step out of the scene.

Cillian Murphy, Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth at the premiere (Jacob King/PA)

Sex scenes in Fergusons films have tended to be implied rather than explicit.

In the 2013 mini series The White Queen, she starred as Elizabeth Woodville opposite Max Irons as King Edward IV. The pair were depicted engaging in several romantic and sexual scenes throughout the series.

It sounds so silly, but I said, Ive studied your sex scenes And he went, Thats really weird and awkward

In the 2021 sci-fi romance film Reminiscence, Ferguson shared an on-screen relationship and a handful of bedroom scenes with co-star Hugh Jackman.

The Swedish actress, celebrated for her roles as Juliette Nichols in the Silo series and Lady Jessica in Dune, portrays Tommy Shelbys primary love interest in the new Peaky Blinders film.

Starring alongside Cillian Murphy, she will play the mysterious Kaulo Chirklo in the last instalment of the franchise.

Explaining how she approached the scenes with the Cork actor, Ferguson said: I had called Cillian and asked him how he wanted to work. It sounds so silly, but I said, Ive studied your sex scenes And he went, Thats really weird and awkward.

Ferguson starring with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible  Rogue Nation

And I went, I know, but bear with me. This is not just a regular sex scene. This is not us getting our kit off, getting on with it, bish bash bosh. This is a moment of release. This is a moment of intimacy. Theres magic.

Oscar-nominated actress Florence Pugh said intimacy co-ordinators can make sex scenes weird and awkward.

I can imagine there are situations when a co-ordinator is just the thing. But why cant it be the director?

Although they are now commonplace on film sets, Pugh cited an example of someone who really wasnt helpful to her during filming, saying it can be a job thats still figuring itself out.

Other industry figures have also questioned the need for these professionals on movie sets, with Ian McKellen previously saying a director should be responsible for all aspects of production, including sex scenes.

The veteran Shakespeare thespian said that the presence of intimacy co-ordinators could affect the purity of theatre productions and said its a little bit of beef for me.

Speaking with Simon Armitage, the British poet laureate, on BBC Radio 4, McKellen said: This isnt yet mandatory, but I can imagine there are situations when you have to be careful and people find it difficult to be intimate, and therefore a co-ordinator is just the thing.

But why cant it be the director who does that? Why has it got to be somebody whos been trained in how to do it?

Prolific actor Sean Bean has said having an intimacy co-ordinator would spoil the spontaneity of a sex scene and inhibit him more. ( Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd)
Kenya said yesterday that it had agreed with Russia that Kenyans would no longer be eligible for signing up to fight in the war with Ukraine after the scale of Russian recruitment triggered anger in some African countries.
MPs ask Keir Starmer to stop peers blocking UK assisted dying bill

Public petition with more than 97,000 signatures is also pushing for progress

Over 150 MPs have signed a letter addressed to British prime minister Keir Starmer raising concerns about the slow progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Photo: Brook Mitchell/PA

David Lynch Press Association Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

More than 100 Labour MPs have written to UK prime minister Keir Starmer asking him to stop peers from purposefully blocking the passage of the assisted dying bill.
Britain

Kym Marsh: Its devastating to think that my father put off visit to GP until it was too late
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for the opening of the appeal in the case over Libyan campaign financing, for which he was briefly jailed last year, at Paris appeal court, France, March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
A firefighter works at the site of buildings hit by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraines war effort is being undermined by sales of air defences to the Gulf and continued aggression from Washington, while an oil price bonanza means that Moscow can now, literally, fund its own war dead.
Iran can cash in on the anger of its neighbours

The leaders of the Gulf states must have their heads in their hands at the moment. Not only did they not ask for this war, they felt they were playing their part in mediating between Iran and the international community.
Eoin McGee answers: I started a pension in my early 40s. What do I need to do to catch up and have a comfortable retirement?
New supreme leader of Iran Mojtaba Khamenei was seconds from death in raid that killed his father

Son went outside to walk in garden moments before missiles hit house

Mojtaba

Akhtar Makoii Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Irans new supreme leader survived US and Israeli airstrikes because he stepped outside for a walk in his garden minutes before his home was hit by missiles.
GLOBALink | Multinationals see Shanghai as a favorable investment destination Pub Date:26-03-17 09:32 Source:Xinhua At the 2026 Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference, multinationals highlighted Shanghai's favorable business environment and pledged to deepen their roots in China. #GLOBALink Editor:Qin Shuying

Related News AICC Original ArticleAnhui: 'You Propo... AICC Original ArticleBeautiful Anhui... GLOBALink | Italian scholar optimistic abo... China launches new remote sensing satellite
Pope Leo urged journalists to highlight the suffering caused by war, cautioning against news reports that risk sliding into propaganda by glorifying conflicts or serving as a megaphone to amplify the voices of those in power.

In a meeting with broadcasters from Italys TG2 television news programme, the Pope made a direct appeal for reporters to show the face of war and tell it through the eyes of the victims, so as not to turn it into a video game.
Special report Joe Sommerlad

Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel is currently in Rome delivering a four-part lecture series outlining his beliefs about the Antichrist on the Vaticans doorstep, having previously attacked Pope Leo as a woke American pope.

Thiel (58), a co-founder of PayPal and the data mining company Palantir, began the series on Sunday, with subsequent instalments yesterday, today and tomorrow, in which he reportedly planned to explain his complex personal philosophy regarding the imminence of Armageddon.
US president Donald Trump, who was high on his own supply when he decided to attack Iran, according to an administration source. Photo: Reuters

Members of US president Donald Trumps inner circle are experiencing buyers remorse over the Iran conflict and are beginning to regard Operation Epic Fury as a disastrous mistake, according to a report.

The US and Israel launched surprise joint airstrikes against Tehran in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, killing Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the aerial bombardment, ending his 47-year authoritarian reign in one fell swoop.
OK, that wasnt public, says Mike Johnston after presidents gaffe

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson listens to President Donald Trump speaking during a lunch with the Kennedy Center board members in the East Room of the White House. Photo: Getty

US president Donald Trump left House Speaker Mike Johnson and others visibly shocked on Monday by revealing private medical information about a House Republican while television cameras broadcast the scene.

Mr Trump was speaking during an impromptu press conference before a scheduled lunch with Kennedy Center board members when he began praising the way House Speaker Mike Johnson has managed to keep his majority together despite having only a two-vote margin since earlier this year.
One little mistake could be the end of our American dream  The Irish living in fear of deportation

As Trump continues his crackdown on illegal immigrants, many undocumented Irish living in the US will be looking over their shoulder during this years St Patricks Day celebrations. Amy Donohoe reports

Anti-ICE message: The St Pats for All parade in Queens, New York earlier this month. Photo: Selcuk Acar/Getty Images

Amy Donohoe Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

For many Irish people living in the US, this years St Patricks Day will be one tinged with feelings of anxiety.
UK police pushing US for full access to Epstein files in Peter Mandelson probe

Met Police chief asks US ambassador for assistance in probe into leaking claims

An undated photo released as part of the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice which shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (left) and Peter Mandelson alongside paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (centre)

Amy-Clare Martin UK Independent Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 06:30

The UKs top police officer is pressing the US authorities to share unredacted versions of the Epstein files as they investigate claims Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive information to the paedophile.
US president Donald Trump with White House chief-of-staff Susie Wiles in the White House in Washington on March 16, 2026. Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff and one of the most powerful officials in the US government, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Woman who wrote book to help sons overcome dads death is found guilty of his murder

Eric (39) was found dead after drinking a Moscow Mule cocktail which his wife had given him, allegedly riddled with poison

Kouri and Eric

Andrea Cavalier UK Independent Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 12:00

A Utah mother who wrote a childrens book about grief after her husbands sudden death has been found guilty of fatally poisoning him by slipping a lethal dose of fentanyl into his cocktail.
Taliban rescue workers inspect the site of an airstrike at a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

Over 400 people were killed and 250 injured in an air strike by Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, a spokesman of the Afghan Taliban government said on Tuesday, a sharp escalation in the conflict between the neighbours.
Image credit : X| @thehawkeyex| Matthew VanDykes past under lens after NIA arrest

From filmmaker to conflict zones

Image credit : X| @Matt_VanDyke| NIA arrests US national in Myanmar training probe

Inside the alleged operation

Image credit : X| @Matt_VanDyke| VanDyke case raises questions on cross-border links

A case with wider implications

Image credit : X| @samartoor3086| US national held over alleged insurgent training plot

The arrest of an American national by Indias National Investigation Agency has drawn global attention, not only for the scale of the alleged operation but also for the man at its centre. Matthew VanDyke, a documentary filmmaker with a controversial past in conflict zones, now faces serious allegations linked to insurgent activity near Indias borders.Authorities say VanDyke was among seven foreign nationals detained for allegedly training armed groups in Myanmar with the intent of carrying out attacks in Indias north-east. The group, which included six Ukrainian nationals, is accused of entering the country on tourist visas before travelling towards sensitive border regions and crossing into Myanmar without authorisation.VanDykes past adds a complex dimension to the case. Originally from Baltimore in the United States, he first travelled to the Middle East as a filmmaker but soon became directly involved in conflict situations. He was detained in Libya during the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi and later claimed to have escaped after several months in captivity.In subsequent years, he surfaced in Syria, where he said he was documenting the war while also advising rebel groups. Reports suggest he played an active role beyond filmmaking, drawing on his previous experiences in Libya. His involvement in conflict did not end there. He is also believed to have participated in efforts against ISIS and later supported Ukrainian fighters during the 2022 conflict with Russia.VanDyke went on to establish a security organisation, which reportedly trained anti-ISIS fighters in regions such as Iraqi Kurdistan. This background has led to widespread speculation online, including unverified claims linking him to intelligence operations, though no official confirmation supports such assertions.According to investigators, VanDyke and his associates travelled to India under the guise of tourism before heading to the north-east. They allegedly moved through Assam into Mizoram and then crossed into Myanmars restricted areas without the required permits. The National Investigation Agency claims the group conducted training sessions for ethnic armed groups operating in Myanmar. These sessions reportedly included instruction in drone warfare, weapon handling, and related technologies. Officials have also alleged that drone equipment was sourced from Europe and routed through India before being delivered to these groups.During interrogation, the accused are said to have admitted contact with armed individuals and involvement in training activities. Investigators believe the operation may have been part of a larger network aimed at destabilising the region, although the full extent of the alleged conspiracy is still under examination.The case raises serious concerns about cross-border insurgency, the misuse of civilian travel channels, and the growing role of technology such as drones in modern conflict. It also highlights the challenges faced by authorities in monitoring foreign nationals operating in sensitive regions.As the investigation progresses, officials are working to establish the broader network and possible links between the individuals involved. For now, the focus remains on uncovering the intent behind the alleged training programme and assessing the potential threat to Indias internal security. With international connections and a high-profile figure at its centre, the case is likely to remain under close scrutiny in the weeks ahead.
Greeces coast guard released dramatic footage Monday of a European Union border agency vessel sinking off the island of Kastellorizo after a high-stakes rescue saved five people, including Estonias ambassador to Greece.

The Estonian patrol boat,

operating under a Frontex mission, reportedly struck a reef and capsized at approximately 4:20 p.m. while maneuvering outside the port of Megisti.

On board were Ambassador Karin Rannuvisiting the unitalong with three Estonian crew members and a Greek liaison officer.

Rescue teams, including a private catamaran and a Greek patrol boat, pulled all five occupants from the water.

Four were subsequently airlifted by a Hellenic Air Force Super Puma helicopter to a hospital on the nearby island of Rhodes.

Estonian officials confirmed that Mrs. Rannu sustained minor injuries and has since been discharged.

However, two Estonian border guards remain in serious but stable condition with head and internal injuries. The Greek officer was treated for an eye injury sustained during the vessel's rapid submergence.

"The circumstances are being established, but we know the crew managed to escape the hull independently before calling for aid," said Veiko Kommusaar, head of border management for Estonias Police and Border Guard Board.

The sinking occurred amid a surge in regional maritime activity driven by heightened security protocols in the Eastern Mediterranean. Local port authorities have launched a formal inquiry to determine if technical failure or navigational error led to the collision with the reef.

   iefimerida.gr
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has reacted to Mondays explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, saying the Federal Government should prioritise security over 2027 politics.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Ndume, who represents Borno South, appealed to the Bola Tinubu administration to focus on governance, particularly the security of lives and property and welfare of citizens, which he noted is the primary responsibility of government.

The people that will vote are dying, Ndume said, expressing grave concern over killings in the North-East and other regions by insurgents and bandits.

He urged President Tinubu to concentrate on governance, address the safety and welfare of Nigerians, and stop making mere press statements.

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A lot of people are still missing from the Ngoshe massacre. Perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested, Ndume said, calling for ramped-up security efforts and intelligence gathering to prevent future attacks.

He sympathised with the Borno State Government, residents and families of victims, faulting a mere press statement from President Tinubu as insufficient.

If President Tinubu cant visit Borno, he should send Vice President Kashim Shettima to assure Nigerians he cares about their plights, Ndume added.
Twenty-three persons have been confirmed dead while 108 sustained varying degrees of injuries following bomb explosions that simultaneously rocked three locations in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the locations included the Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri Monday Market, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The spokesman for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, who confirmed the death toll in a statement on Tuesday, said the investigation was still ongoing to further ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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The statement read, Following the devastating suspected suicide IED explosions that occurred at about 7:24pm on March 16, 2026, at (1) Maiduguri Monday Market, (2) University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and (3) Post Office Flyover area, Maiduguri.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the incidents were carried out by suspected suicide bombers. Regrettably, 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Daso said that following the incidents, a combined team of police tactical units, the military, and other security operatives was swiftly deployed to the affected areas.

The scenes were immediately secured, cordoned off, and subjected to thorough sweep operations by Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Base 13 Maiduguri to rule out the presence of any additional threats, he added.

He also noted that the state Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmaji, visited the affected locations to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and evaluate ongoing response efforts.

He commiserated with victims and their families, while assuring the public of the commands unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, he said.

He said victims were promptly evacuated by emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency, to medical facilities where they were receiving treatment.
The Benin Traditional Council has initiated disciplinary proceedings against a queen in the palace following an unauthorised visit by social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Frank Irabor, the council described the incident, which occurred on March 6, 2026, as a serious breach of protocol and a desecration of the palace, the sacred seat of Oba Ewuare II.

According to the council, Peller and his entourage gained access to the palace without proper authorisation, causing embarrassment and disrupting the peace within the premises. The council stressed that the palace is not a public space for casual visits or content creation but a revered institution governed by longstanding traditions.

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As part of ongoing investigations, a chief linked to the incident has been suspended indefinitely, while a palace staff member has been detained and charged by the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly aiding the breach.

The council also confirmed that a queen featured in the incident is currently facing serious disciplinary action, which may lead to her removal from the palace in line with traditional customs.

Meanwhile, Peller has been summoned to appear before a committee of chiefs to explain his actions but has yet to honour the invitation. The council has now issued a public directive demanding his immediate appearance and an unreserved written apology.

It warned that failure to comply could result in legal action, adding that law enforcement agencies have been placed on alert.
President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for a state visit to the United Kingdom, in the company of his wife, Oluremi Tinubu.

The visit is the first by a Nigerian president in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

Their flight left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 10: 00 am on Tuesday.

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They were seen off at the airport by a delegation led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, service chiefs; Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, among others.

Members of the Presidents entourage include Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.

Others are Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

Likely on the agenda are issues ranging from major Nigerian port renovations backed by Britain as well as trade, which reached 8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year to September 2025, an 11.4 percent year-on-year increase.

King Charles will later receive Tinubu for an audience at Windsor Castle before hosting a state banquet that evening.

On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule. King Charles hosted a reception last week for members of the Nigerian diaspora at St Jamess Palace.

The state visit provides Britain and Nigeria, which already have a strong diplomatic relationship, a chance to discuss security and trade, as well as governance issues ahead of next years presidential election, said Samuel Orovwuje, a Nigerian public affairs analyst and member of the African Development Studies Centre.

We have a good trading relationship with the UK, but if you look at the balance of trade, it has always been in the favour of the UK, Orovwuje told AFP.

Tinubu will witness the signing of the landmark 746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two of Nigerias major national maritime infrastructure assets: the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

London and Abuja concluded a strategic partnership in November 2024 to strengthen economic, immigration and security cooperation.

Many banks from Africas fourth-largest economy operate subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and the two nations signed an economic cooperation agreement in early 2024, under Britains previous Conservative government.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian pastor, is set to preach at services at Lambeth Palace and to meet representatives of the Church of England.

Tinubu is not an Anglican, but the meeting comes as a rift has emerged between Englands official Church and conservative Anglicans over the choice of a woman to serve as the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In response to Sarah Mullallys ascension as the spiritual leader of Anglicans worldwide, a conservative group of Anglicans, mainly Africans, met in Abuja this month under the auspices of the Global Anglican Future Conference, which calls itself a movement of authentic Anglicans. They elected Laurent Mbanda, the archbishop of Rwanda, as their chairman.

And missing from the official schedule is the traditional meeting between the visiting head of state and the British opposition.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, has repeatedly criticised the country she was raised in in public over corruption and violence.
Workers whose employers offer an HRA may be able to be reimbursed after purchasing a health insurance plan from the government marketplace. Read more

Listen to article  0:00 min

Finding and retaining employees remains a top concern among small-business owners, and offering affordable healthcare benefits continues to be a significant challenge. Because of this, health reimbursement arrangements, or HRAs, have become more popular.

Simply put, an HRA allows an employer (or an employee) to make tax-free (and tax-deductible to the employer) contributions to an individuals HRA account.

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The employee can use those funds to reimburse uncovered healthcare expenses or purchase their own health insurance, either from outside brokers or on the Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware healthcare marketplaces.

HRA options

A small business can consider a few different HRA options.

A general HRA is funded entirely by just the employer and often used alongside existing group insurance plans to help reimburse expenses not covered by their existing insurance. These expenses could include co-pays, over-the-counter medication, or even dental and vision care.

Alternatively, health savings accounts (HSAs) allow employees to contribute pretax dollars for the same purpose.

An employer can buy a high-deductible group plan, then use HRA funds to cover part of that deductible, said Robert Deninno, a founding principal of Precision Benefits Group in Philadelphia. The appeal is that unused HRA money remains with the employer, unlike HSA funds, which belong to the employee.

Deninno said employers can use HRA language to fill in specific gaps in a group plan, such as hospital costs, rather than paying a much higher premium for a richer underlying plan.

An individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) allows employers to reimburse employees for premiums on health insurance the employee independently purchases.

A qualified small-employer HRA (QSEHRA) is designed specifically for businesses with fewer than 50 employees that do not offer a group plan. It is more formalized and is similar to an ICHRA.

HRA popularity

These arrangements give employers wide discretion, said Ed MacConnell, owner of Total Benefits Solutions in Feasterville.

Employers can determine reimbursement levels, caps, frequency, and categories, MacConnell said. That matters because most employers are trying to balance two competing goals: doing right by employees while staying within budget.

Many people assume employers just want the cheapest plan possible, MacConnell said, but in his experience the opposite is usually true.

Most employers genuinely care about how their choices affect employees and their families, he said. HRAs can help by letting them target limited dollars more intentionally.

All of these plans have their nuances and its best to speak with a health benefits consultant or your payroll company to determine whats best for your business.

You wont be alone. ICHRAs alone grew 52% among small employers from 2024 to 2025 with 83% of employers who previously didnt offer health insurance options now offering either ICHRAs or QSEHRAs, according to a recent report from the HRA Council, an advocacy organization.

HRA benefits

That surge in popularity is because offering HRAs  in addition to or in lieu of group coverage  provides an employer with three significant benefits.

The first is cost control. The cost of group insurance is expected to rise as much as 10% in 2026, but with an HRA, an employer can contribute whatever amount they can afford, unbeholden to the insurance companys premiums. With certain HRA plans, an employer no longer has to negotiate with a group insurance provider, and is less exposed to potential privacy violations of an employees health history.

The employer can decide what to reimburse, how much to reimburse, and under what limits, MacConnell said. This flexibility makes HRAs attractive to smaller employers that want to start somewhere rather than do nothing.

Another benefit: because an employee can use these funds to purchase their own insurance, theyre no longer limited to the options their employer offers and they may be able to buy more affordable or more suitable plans.

Finally, theres the recruiting benefit. Offering an HRA plan allows small businesses to have a response when a prospective employee inevitably asks about health benefits. By contributing even a nominal amount  and allowing an employee to contribute their own pretax dollars  a small business has a healthcare benefit option and becomes more competitive when pursuing talent.

HRA challenges

There are challenges with these types of plans. For example, administration can be messy, especially as the company grows or employee situations become more diverse.

If 10 employees buy 10 different plans, the employer and broker lose the efficiencies that come with one group carrier and one group policy, said Deninno. When employees are scattered across different individual plans, it becomes much harder to resolve claims problems or coverage issues.

MacConnell emphasizes the need for a third-party administrator, particularly when a company exceeds 10 to 15 employees.

Outsourcing becomes worthwhile when the alternative is tracking many different employees, many different plans, and constant premium changes, he said.

For HRAs to work well, its also important to educate employees and make sure it fits the company culture. Experts recommend meeting frequently and providing employees with as much support as possible.

A good broker or administrator will act as a coworker with your employees, said MacConnell. They should help both employers and their employees choose the right plans, answer questions, and act as an advocate.
Domitilo Delgado-Ruiz was being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility pending extradition to Puerto Rico, officials said. Read more

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A 50-year-old man wanted in Puerto Rico on a charge of attempted murder was arrested last month in Camden for allegedly transporting 12 ounces of cocaine, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said Monday.

Domitilo Delgado-Ruiz, 50, whose most recent address was in Reading, Pa., was listed among the 10 most wanted fugitives in the Puerto Rican city of Ponce for a 2018 domestic violence incident in which he allegedly fired a gun but did not wound anyone.

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Delgado-Ruiz was being held at the Camden County Correctional Facility pending extradition to Puerto Rico, prosecutors said.

We commend the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners whose diligence and coordination led to the arrest of a fugitive wanted in Puerto Rico, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said in a statement.

          



18 DIC 2025- Agentes de la Policia de Puerto Rico, adscritos a la Division de Arrestos de Ponce, actualizaron la lista de Los 10 Mas Buscados del Area de Ponce.



Estos pic.twitter.com/Belaa8oDfr  NOTICIAS DE PONCE (@NoticiasdePonce) December 18, 2025

In February, detectives from the Camden County Prosecutors Office High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force received information that a suspect was driving a Toyota minivan in Camden with a large quantity of cocaine.

Detectives from multiple agencies conducted surveillance on the minivan, which was registered to an address in Reading, and conducted a vehicle stop in Camden on Feb. 27.

Detectives identified Delgado-Ruiz and learned he was wanted by authorities in Puerto Rico. He was charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The Camden County Prosecutors Office task force was assisted in the investigation by the Camden County Sheriffs Office, Berlin Township Police Department, Berks County District Attorneys Office, and Reading Police Department.
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A man who recently served as a dean at Ocean County College was charged with sexually assaulting a minor, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Monday.

James Hadley, of Barnegat in Ocean County, was arrested Friday when he allegedly traveled to Pleasantville in Atlantic County to meet the juvenile for a sex act, the prosecutors office said. Hadley was described as 66 years old, but public records indicate that he is 65.

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Earlier this year, Hadley became the dean of the School of Business and Social Sciences at Ocean County College.

In an emailed statement Monday night, the college said it was informed by law enforcement on Friday afternoon about the situation regarding James Hadley.

The statement continued: Upon receiving this information, we took immediate action and placed Mr. Hadley on a suspension and restricted him from campus. An interim dean has been appointed.

Ocean County College said it has no record of complaints or reports concerning his conduct while employed with our College. As an open active investigation is pending, the College will not be offering further comment at this time. We are fully cooperating with any police inquiry.

The prosecutors office said that based on three alleged incidents this month, Hadley was charged with second-degree sexual assault of a victim under the age of 16, second-degree luring a minor to commit a sexual act, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

The investigation showed Hadley had previously met the child to engage in sexual acts that he paid the child to perform, the prosecutors office said.

The case, which remains open, was investigated by the Pleasantville Police Department with assistance from the Atlantic County Prosecutors Offices Special Victims Unit.
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Philadelphia vaccine experts on Tuesday called a federal court decision reversing changes to the U.S. childhood vaccination schedule under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a win for public health.

But discord between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under his leadership and medical professional groups has sowed distrust and confusion for families, experts say.

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Federal health agencies were stopped from implementing a January overhaul of the childhood vaccination schedule that decreased the number of recommended childhood immunizations from 17 to 11.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts also unwound other vaccine recommendations made last year by a panel of independent experts, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, that advises the CDC.

Last spring, Kennedy fired the entire committee and replaced it with handpicked members that included several vaccine skeptics. Kennedy himself is a longtime anti-vaccination activist.

The reconstituted committees members have recommended delaying hepatitis B shots for most newborns, which have been universally recommended at birth since 1991. (In January, Kennedy went further, saying that the vaccine was no longer recommended for all children  just those at high risk of contracting the virus.)

The revamped committee also voted against universally recommending COVID-19 vaccinations, instead saying patients could get the shots after shared clinical decision-making with a doctor.

The decisions were decried by public health experts who say ACIPs stances will increase preventable diseases and deaths in children.

Several major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, filed suit last July to block changes to COVID vaccine recommendations. The organizations updated their lawsuit as Kennedy oversaw further changes to vaccination recommendations.

In his ruling, Murphy said that HHS violated federal law around government procedures by bypassing ACIP in the January overhaul of the vaccination schedule. The new recommendations said that only children at higher risk of health complications should get vaccines that protect against certain serious illnesses, like rotavirus and hepatitis B.

He also noted that the reconstituted ACIP includes members with no expertise or professional qualifications on vaccination.

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon indicated in an e-mailed statement that the administration may challenge the ruling. HHS looks forward to this judges decision being overturned just like his other attempts to keep the Trump administration from governing, he said.

The back-and-forth headlines and lengthy legal battles can be confusing to parents, said Charlotte Moser, codirector of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

But families can take comfort in the fact that the science is and has been stable when it comes to the safety of vaccines and their effectiveness, she said.

Also a former ACIP member whom Kennedy fired last summer, she noted that vaccines work: And theyve been protecting children for decades.

A war on vaccines

For years, states have used ACIPs recommendations to require which vaccines should be covered by insurers and mandated for schoolchildren.

Amid shake-ups on the committee, several states, including Pennsylvania, have changed their own policies around vaccine distribution to ensure that people can continue to access vaccines no longer recommended by the CDC.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who signed onto a separate lawsuit over the vaccine schedule changes, hailed the court ruling.

Hey @SecKennedy, you heard the courts, he said Monday in an X post. And if we havent made it clear enough: here in Pennsylvania, we trust doctors to help us make healthcare decisions  not conspiracy theorists like you."

The ongoing debate about the CDCs recommended childhood vaccination schedule has so far not affected access to vaccines, as insurers have continued to cover all vaccines under the old schedule.

But Kennedys appointment elevated anti-vaccine activism to the highest levels of federal policymaking, said Paul Offit, a physician and a leading national vaccine advocate who heads CHOPs Vaccine Education Center.

He altered the current vaccine schedule to make it so that certain vaccines appear to be unnecessary or optional, Offit said. It was an assault. A war on vaccines.

Public distrust of vaccines has been growing since the COVID-19 pandemic, Offit noted, and the United States is already seeing a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, including tetanus, measles, flu, and whooping cough.

Offit, a co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine who has sparred publicly with Kennedy for years, said many Americans no longer experience the suffering associated with vaccine-preventable diseases. People dont appreciate how sick or dead these viruses can make you, he said.

Vaccines and public trust

In a survey last year , researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that people would be more likely to trust their medical provider or a professional organization than the CDC if the two sides disagreed on vaccine advice.

You have a personal relationship with that individual and youve played a role in selecting them, as opposed to the anonymous entity the CDC, said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Annenbergs director.

People who continue to follow the CDC may become increasingly skeptical of vaccines because of the agencys efforts to remove some vaccines from the recommended schedule or alter when they should be given, she said.

Jamieson said she expected confusion to continue as the Trump administration appeals the courts decision.

Moser, the fired ACIP member and CHOP vaccine expert, urged parents to consult trusted healthcare providers about vaccination. Recent changes to vaccine recommendations were not based on any new data that raised fresh concerns about vaccine safety, she said.

Many young parents today have themselves received these vaccines, she said. We want to make sure were able to protect this generation of children from these horrible diseases that we had the benefit of being protected against.
The fake historic marker posted to commemorate an "ICE Kidnapping and Ghost Car" disappeared from the west side of Fairmount Avenue at North Fifth Street on Monday. A "ghost car" refers to a vehicle that's left behind when ICE arrests the driver. Read more

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The ICE plaque is gone.

The fake but authentic-looking Pennsylvania historic marker, erected by two artists who sought to ruefully commemorate a local immigration arrest, disappeared from its post in Philadelphia sometime Monday.

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Huston West, one of the artists, said he was walking his dog around 1 p.m. when he noticed that the sign was absent from its spot on Fairmount Avenue near Fifth Street. A neighbor told him the plaque had been there earlier in the day.

Its lame, West said of the sign being removed. But it got a lot of coverage while it was up.

West said he could only speculate on who may have taken the marker  he suspected conservative opponents, people who had criticized the sign on social media, or maybe even the city government.

A city spokesperson said he would check.

This particular, familiar-looking blue-and-yellow marker, similar to the ones that commemorate important people, places, and events in communities across Pennsylvania, was put up at the site of a Feb. 16 ICE arrest.

That morning, masked agents descended on a Gopuff delivery driver who had pulled over to make a quick drop-off in Northern Liberties. After he was taken into custody, the car remained behind for days, set two feet from the curb in an accessible parking space, its hazard lights blinking until the battery died.

West and a fellow artist who goes by the name Emeyewhisky wondered what had happened to the driver, and created a plaque bearing the header ICE Kidnapping and Ghost Car.

The ghost car terminology borrows from ghost bikes, the roadside memorials where a bicycle is painted white and placed at the site where a cyclist was hit and killed by a motorist.

Federal immigration authorities say the use of such terms as kidnapping is inaccurate and unfair, that they lawfully arrest migrants who have no permission to be in the United States and who in some cases have committed criminal and even violent offenses.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Philadelphia said that on Feb. 16, officers conducted a targeted action and arrested Abdulasen Nazarkhudoev. They said he was unlawfully in the U.S., and told them that he was a Russian citizen.

He was taken to the Federal Detention Center in Center City and later released by order of a judge, pending further immigration proceedings, records show.

ICE earlier referred questions about the sign to city officials.

As word of the art project spread on social media, some disapproved. Some suggested on a Northern Liberties Facebook group that the delivery driver was rightfully arrested.

West said Monday that he and his art partner had conferred about what to do next. Emeyewhisky is known for projects that place signs with fake wording on Philadelphia streets, and some have been removed.

Dont be too surprised, Huston said, if an ICE marker should reappear.
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Senior Israeli officials have told U.S. diplomats that Iranian protesters will get slaughtered if they take to the streets against Irans government even as Israel publicly calls for a popular uprising, according to a State Department cable reviewed by the Washington Post.

The cable, circulated by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on Friday, relayed an Israeli assessment that Irans regime is not cracking and is willing to fight to the end despite the Feb. 28 killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the ongoing U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign.

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The regime killed thousands during wide-scale anti-government demonstrations earlier this year. If large numbers of Iranians return to the streets, Israeli officials say the people will get slaughtered because the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Irans principal military force, has the upper hand, according to the cable. The documents authenticity was verified by two State Department officials.

Despite the grim forecast, Israeli officials said they hoped for a popular revolt and urged the United States to prepare to support protesters if that happens, according to the cable.

The cable summarized recent meetings between U.S. officials and senior members of Israels National Security Council, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and Thursday.

It comes as Irans exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi calls for Iranians to take to the streets this week to mark the ancient Persian Festival of Fire known as Chaharshanbe Suri.

Narges Bajoghli, an Iran expert at Johns Hopkins University, said that Iranians have long been skeptical of Israeli intentions and that the dual messages on display in the cable will be viewed by many as callous and exploitative of Iranian lives.

I think a lot of people will feel very betrayed by this assessment, Bajoghli said.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington said Israel is focused on eliminating the regimes military capabilities  to everyones benefit.

Iranians have risked their lives taking to the streets time and again, including just this past January, the embassy said in a statement. There are opposition groups who have been working independently for years to overthrow the regime.

Israel and the U.S. have hit thousands of targets inside Iran, including nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile stockpiles, police stations, and checkpoints set up by plainclothes internal security forces known as the Basij.

In a televised address on the first day of the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will strike hard at the terror regime and create conditions that will allow the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of this murderous regime. He made a similar appeal last week.

Other Israeli officials have said the assault on Iran is a success even if a popular uprising doesnt materialize. Every day that we weaken this regime is a gain for the state of Israel, Zeev Elkin, a member of Israels security cabinet, said in an interview on Israeli television.

Suzanne Maloney, an Iran expert and vice president at the Brookings Institution, said the vulnerability of Irans unarmed protesters should be a consideration for U.S. and Israeli officials. The Iranian people are at grave risk at the moment from the regime, and it would be unfortunate if they were used as pawns in an effort to try to further inflame the situation, she said.

The Trump administrations outlook on the peril facing Irans opposition has shifted since the start of the war. President Donald Trump initially urged Iranians to take over your government but has recently acknowledged that Irans security forces would kill protesters.

They literally have people in the streets with machine guns, machine-gunning people down if they want to protest, Trump told Fox News.

I really think thats a big hurdle to climb for people that dont have weapons, he added.

A White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a leaked cable, said Trump doesnt like to see suffering anywhere, including in Iran, where the terrorist regime was slaughtering protesters before the president intervened and is now targeting civilians throughout the region.

The regimes response to protests in January, which were brought on by Irans economic mismanagement and authoritarian tactics, resulted in a brutal crackdown condemned by much of the West.

U.S. officials also say they are no longer pursuing the overthrow of Irans entrenched clerical and military establishment.

Although Irans military has been badly degraded by U.S.-Israeli strikes, the regimes resilience is one of many variables the Trump administration appeared to miscalculate in a war that is in its third week with no end in sight.

On Monday, top U.S. allies rejected Trumps demand to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway for 20% of the worlds oil and liquefied natural gas that Iran closed off when the war started, spiking energy prices and fears of a global recession.

Israel expected that the Iranian supreme leaders assassination last month would sew more chaos within the regime in the immediate aftermath, Israeli officials told U.S. counterparts, according to the cable.

But in recent days, the Islamic republics hold on power has been evident in its ability to continue launching ballistic missiles and drones everywhere they want to, Israeli officials told U.S. diplomats, according to the cable.

Maloney said she was surprised the Israelis underestimated the regimes resilience.

That really badly Informed assumption is interesting given how impressive Israeli intelligence penetration of Iran has been, she said. It obviously lies at the root of the strategic miscalculation that Israel and the U.S. together blundered into.

Despite reports that the late supreme leaders son and successor was wounded in an airstrike, Israel officials said Mojtaba Khamenei was still in charge and more aligned with the IRGC hard-liners than his father, according to the cable. They speculated that the regime might moderate its views if the new supreme leader were killed but noted that it was stubborn and would have to be taken down from within.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military claimed that it killed the commander of the Basij, a force that is estimated to number about 1 million, and the head of Irans Supreme National Security Council.

Iran has funded militias and political movements across the Middle East that are hostile to Israel, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. Israels effort to push for an uprising in Iran regardless of the number of fatalities is consistent with its decades-long effort to cause the fragmentation of Iran and state collapse, said Bajoghli, the Iran expert.

One of the ways of achieving that is creating more opportunities in which the guns of the state get turned onto the population, she said. The goal is not creating a liberal democracy for the Iranian people. Its widening the chasm between the society and the state.

Lior Soroka, in Tel Aviv, and Aaron Schaffer, in Washington, contributed to this report.
The Lower Merion Police Department in Ardmore. Two men are facing corrupt organizations and other charges related to a fraudulent contracting businesses they operated in Lower Merion, police say. Read more

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Two men are facing charges related to a fraudulent contracting business they allegedly operated in Lower Merion, police say.

Jake Fox, 37, and Scott Bradley, 34, were arrested on Thursday and face multiple charges, including receiving advance payment for services and failing to perform, violating Pennsylvanias racketeering statute, and resisting arrest. Fox was also charged with a number of driving violations, including reckless driving and fleeing a law enforcement officer.

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The men were arrested after Lower Merion homeowners alerted law enforcement that they had been engaging with suspicious contractors, Lt. Michael Keenan said.

The contractors work was suspicious and incomplete and the men were hounding the homeowners for money, according to Keenan. Lower Merion police officers arrested the two men on March 12 while they were at a residents home.

Keenan said the pair did not stop initially for police and were taken into custody a short distance later.

Police are continuing their investigation into other potential victims of Fox and Bradley and are urging those who believe they were victims of contractor fraud by the men to email contractorfraud@lowermerion.org.

Police say Fox and Bradley operated under the business name PJS Paving & Masonry Corp. The men may have also been using the names Orchard Paving and Perfect Paving LLC, which have been associated with fraudulent business practices, police wrote in a social media post.

Officials believe the men are European and were born Patrick and Johnny Joseph Quinn before changing their names prior to entering the U.S. Police have yet to confirm their identities and believe they may have used multiple names.

Scotts home address is listed as Richmond Hill, a neighborhood in Queens, N.Y., in court records. Foxs address is listed as Pennsylvania, with no municipality specified.

Neither man posted bail, which was set at $99,000 each, and both were being held at the Montgomery County prison in Eagleville.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 25 at 10 a.m.

The Lower Merion Police Department has conducted several investigations into high-dollar fraud schemes involving fake contracting businesses in the last year, Keenan said.

Keenan encouraged residents to be vigilant when working with contractors. Always read real reviews and seek out multiple bids, he said. Residents should be wary of contractors who fail to provide an itemized list of charges for work, who suddenly raise their prices, or who go door-to-door trying to solicit work, Keenan added.

Any contractor who performs at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office. Keenan urged residents to check a contractors state registration before signing up for a home improvement project.

Nobody comes to your door and offers to do work for you and then points out all of these things that are wrong with your home, Keenan said, adding that residents should never be rushed to make an expensive decision.

Inquirer Lower Merion A weekly newsletter Want to get Inquirer Lower Merion straight to your inbox every week? Sign up here for our guide to the news, stories, and events shaping life in your community.

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
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KABUL, Afghanistan  Rescuers recovered more bodies from the rubble of a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul on Tuesday after officials said an overnight airstrike killed more than 400 people in a dramatic escalation of a conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan that is now in its third week.

Pakistan rejected Afghanistans accusation that it targeted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, insisting its strikes across eastern Afghanistan on Monday were against military facilities. It also dismissed Afghan claims of hundreds of casualties as propaganda.

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The casualties were taken to several hospitals in the area, where crowds gathered to search for their loved ones among the injured and the dead. It was not possible to independently confirm the reported death toll.

The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan has seen repeated cross-border clashes as well as airstrikes inside Afghanistan, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven for militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially for the Pakistani Taliban. The group is separate but closely allied with the Afghan Taliban who took over Afghanistan in 2021 in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies the charge.

Precisely targeted

Afghanistans deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat posted on X that the airstrike hit the Omid hospital, a 2,000-bed facility in Kabul, at about 9 p.m. local time and that large sections of the facility had been destroyed.

Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said 408 people had been killed and 265 injured.

Local television footage on Tuesday showed security forces using flashlights as they carried casualties from the site while firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames.

The Omid hospital was renamed and expanded in size roughly a year ago from the Ibn Sina Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital as part of government plans to stamp out drug addiction in Afghanistan.

The site, near Kabuls international airport, is adjacent to a former NATO military base, Camp Phoenix, where U.S. forces used to train the Afghan National Army. The base was taken over by Afghanistans new authorities after the Taliban seized power. It wasnt immediately clear what was now housed at the site.

A reporter for The Associated Press in an area near the site at the time of the strike said he heard a military jet fly overhead followed by a very powerful explosion.

Pakistans Information Ministry said in an X post that the Pakistani military had precisely targeted Camp Phoenix, which it said was now a military terrorist ammunition and equipment storage site. However, it said that the hospital was multiple kilometers away from the former camp and accused Afghan officials of lying. Google Maps shows another location, east of Kabul city, also labeled as Camp Phoenix.

Another important question also lingers, as to why would an alleged drug rehabilitation facility be colocated with lethal ammunition storage site in a military camp? This also remains unanswered, the Information Ministry wrote.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, speaking during a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Kabul, insisted his country wanted stability.

The whole nation does not favor war, he said in a statement released by the ministry. However, if war is imposed upon it, then with great courage it will prove its right to self defense and will defend its land and its beliefs.

Rescuers use a crane to move debris

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strike, accusing Pakistan of targeting hospitals and civilian sites to perpetrate horrors. He said those killed were innocent civilians and addicts.

Rescue team worker Allah Mohammad Farooq said hundreds had been killed.

When we arrived here, everyone was buried under the rubble, he said. We then used a crane to pull them out. Most of the people were dead, and many are still trapped under the debris.

A man sitting outside the site broke down in tears as he recounted hearing about the bombing. Haji Najibullah said his son and other relatives had been patients in the facility.

We have no information about who is alive and who is buried under the rubble, he said. Only God knows who may have survived and who may be injured.

To ease the crowds of desperate relatives searching local hospitals for loved ones, Afghan authorities published a list of 500 people they said had been at the treatment center and were safe.

U.N. calls for ceasefire

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan called for an immediate ceasefire.

In a statement, it expressed its deepest condolences to the families of those killed in what it said was an airstrike carried out by Pakistan military forces (that) impacted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a healthcare facility for the treatment of drug-addicted individuals, dozens of whom were reportedly killed and injured.

Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for an investigation into the strike and said those responsible must be held to account in line with international standards.

Speaking in Geneva, Al-Kheetan said that since Afghanistan and Pakistan began fighting in late February, 289 Afghan civilians, including 104 children, had been killed or injured and tens of thousands displaced.

Yet another falsehood

In Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar rejected Afghanistans accusations that Pakistan had targeted a hospital as entirely baseless.

Tarar said Pakistan had targeted facilities being directly or indirectly used to plan, facilitate, shelter, train, or abet terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Strikes in Kabul and in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar were precise, deliberate, and professional, he said, adding: No hospital, no drug rehabilitation center, and no civilian facility was targeted.

The fighting, the most severe between the two neighbors, began in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani airstrikes. The clashes disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Qatar in October, after earlier fighting killed dozens of soldiers, civilians, and suspected militants.

Pakistan has declared its in open war with Afghanistan. The conflict has alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant organizations, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, still have a presence and have been trying to resurface.
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The message appeared in English on Emanuel Fabians phone.

You have 90 minutes left to update the lie, said a WhatsApp message reviewed by the Washington Post. If you do this  you solve in a minute the most serious problem you have caused yourself in life. And you wont remember me anymore in a week.

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Five days earlier, Fabian, a 28-year-old war correspondent at the Times of Israel newspaper, had published a short blog post reporting that an Iranian missile had struck an open area outside a Jerusalem suburb, harming no one.

Until he began to receive messages that threatened his life and family, Fabian didnt know his brief report had triggered a dispute over bets on the prediction market Polymarket on whether an Iranian missile would strike Israel on March 10. For those with money down, millions of dollars were potentially riding on his blog post.

Fabian was spooked enough by the threats to at least entertain the idea of revising his published reporting, he told the Post in a phone interview Monday. That could score a win for Polymarket users who had bet against a missile strike occurring that day  and at least one had offered to send Fabian a share of the profits.

Instead, he stood by his post, reported the threats to the police and wrote an article for the Times of Israel chronicling the harrowing experience. Fabian said he decided to publicize the story in the hope that anyone whos ever thinking about threatening a journalist will maybe think twice.

Fabians run-in with disgruntled bettors follows a string of recent controversies triggered by prediction markets, fast-growing online platforms that host markets where people can bet on the outcome of future events such as elections or the Academy Awards.

In January, an anonymous user on Polymarket, which bars U.S. users, won $400,000 betting on the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro just hours before U.S. forces took him into custody. In February, Fabian reported that an Israel Defense Forces reservist was indicted along with a civilian for using classified information to place bets on Polymarket.

This month, users of rival Kalshi, which is approved to serve U.S. bettors, complained after the site declined to pay out on bets that Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be ousted, citing a policy of not allowing bets on a persons death.

Polymarket and Kalshi say they monitor their platforms for insider trading and improper activity, but U.S. lawmakers have raised concern about the harmful incentives prediction markets create.

Polymarket condemns the harassment and threats directed at Emanuel Fabian, or anyone else for that matter, a company spokesperson told the Post. This behavior violates our terms of service and has no place on our platform or anywhere else. Prediction markets depend on the integrity of independent reporting. Attempts to pressure journalists to alter their reporting undermine that integrity and undermine the markets themselves.

The company added in a post on X that it had banned the accounts for all involved and would pass on their information to authorities.

The bet that would turn into a nightmare for Fabian hinged on whether at least one Iranian missile would strike Israel on March 10.

As sirens sounded across Jerusalem and the West Bank that day, indicating ballistic missiles in flight from Iran, Fabian began contacting authorities to see whether anything had landed or been intercepted. Within minutes, he published a brief post noting that medics were responding to reports of an impact near Beit Shemesh, a city about 20 miles west of Jerusalem. Soon after, he posted on X a dashcam video provided by a witness that showed a fiery explosion in a forested area not far from a residential complex.

One missile struck an open area just outside Beit Shemesh, first responders say and footage shows, Fabian wrote, noting that no injuries were reported.

Fabian moved on with his day, but on Polymarket, controversy was brewing. At the end of March 10, about $200,000 was at stake, according to a Post analysis of Polymarket data from crypto analytics data platform Dune and the website Polymarket Analytics.

His blog post appeared to seal a win for users who had put money on at least one Iranian missile striking Israel that day. But in a group chat on the messaging platform Discord, a user pointed out that a daily report from the Israel Defense Forces did not mention any missile strikes on March 10. That user and others suggested the explosion may have been shrapnel from an intercepted missile.

Under the terms of the bet on Polymarket, intercepted missiles did not count as strikes. And the terms said that if confirmation of a strike could not be provided within 48 hours, those who bet no would be declared the winners.

Polymarket determines the truth used to resolve bets on its platform via a complex system of voting by users who have bought a particular cryptocurrency token. As those users debated who should win the bet over missile strikes on March 10 in the days following the blast, more Polymarket bettors piled in, wagering another $7 million, with some individuals standing to win more than $1 million if the market resolved to yes. And Fabian began to receive messages from strangers encouraging him to revisit his reporting.

At first the messages were polite. Id appreciate it if you could update your article, as in its current form it does not reflect reality, one correspondent told Fabian, according to his Times of Israel article. Alternatively, if you have information that it was indeed a full missile that was not intercepted, I would be glad to be corrected.

Fabian said he did not know at the time why the person was so interested in what seemed to be a minor detail, given that the blast had not caused serious damage. His confusion grew as he began to receive similar messages from other strangers.

I started getting all these replies on Twitter, or X, where people asked me, Hey, why arent you updating this story from the 10th of March? I was so confused, he recounted. Then I looked at the profiles, and I realized theyre all Polymarket bettors. Thats when it kind of clicked.

By Sunday morning one persons messages to Fabian had grown menacing.

In messages written in Hebrew on WhatsApp, which Fabian quoted in his published reporting and also shared with the Post, a user who went by the name Haim said if Fabian caused him to lose his $900,000 bet, we will invest no less than that to finish you. Alternatively, the message said, Fabian could change the article, end this with money in your pocket, and also earn back the life you had until now.

When Fabian did not respond, Haim began sending messages counting down the minutes, and claimed that he knew exactly where Fabian lived and who his family members were. Eventually, Haim switched from Hebrew to English, telling Fabian he had 90 minutes to update the lie.

Fabian told the Post that he considered conceding to Haims demands.

I thought, Do I just change it? Because it doesnt really matter, he said. But then I thought, You know, if I do this now, theyre going to come back to me again and asked for other things to be changed. They would have probably never stopped doing that if they knew they could make money this way.

Instead, Fabian filed a police report, he said, and began working with his editor at the Times of Israel to publish a first-person account of the attempted shakedown. He said he hopes that the publicity will deter bettors from threatening other journalists in the future. But Fabian said he worries that he will not be the last  and that other journalists might respond differently.

Asked whether it is possible the bettors were right and the explosion was from the remains an intercepted missile, Fabian said he was confident it was a warhead, due to the size of the blast and verbal confirmation from the IDF. But he added that its not something he would usually follow up on after a minor blast, given that it doesnt matter to most people  unless they have money riding on the answer.

Asked late Monday if the IDF had any more information on the March 10 blast, a spokesperson said no but promised to look into it.

As of Monday, Polymarket was still accepting bets on the March 10 missile strike, nearly a week after something struck the ground near Beit Shemesh. No bets were far cheaper than yes bets, because bettors appeared to judge that the odds heavily favored yes.

Latecomers to the market were effectively betting not on what hit the ground in Israel but on how the mostly anonymous voters in Polymarkets system will ultimately settle the dispute. One trader with the username poorsob would win $1.6 million if the market resolved to yes. BenzoateOstylezeneBicarbonate would win $1.3 million. But, if the bet ended up as a no, Sofia1 and AAAAGAAaA65 would win about $400,000 each.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) and Rep. Greg Casar (D., Texas) introduced draft legislation on Tuesday called the BETS OFF Act, for Banning Event Trading on Sensitive Operations and Federal Functions. They were inspired in part by predictions market bets on Maduros ouster and the Iran strikes.

The bill would put a stop to these corrupt wagers, crack down on prediction markets that flout the law with offshore platforms, and reject the idea that we should commodify every part of our lives, Murphys office said in a statement.

Amanda Fischer, policy director at the financial advocacy group Better Markets, said the chilling threats against Fabian underscore the need for stronger oversight of prediction markets.

Fabians choice to go public rather than change his story speaks to his integrity, said Fischer, a former chief of staff at the Securities and Exchange Commission. But she added that pressure like he experienced could add to the risks faced by war reporters.

The last thing they need now, she said, is folks with a gambling position on life or death harassing them and trying to coerce them to change their reporting so they can get a payout.
Dutch rider Daan Hoole pedals past the Pisa's leaning Tower during the 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, an individual time trial from Lucca to Pisa, Italy, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP) Read more

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Jillian Emory of Fairmount spent years connecting to her Italian roots. She learned the language, studied and worked abroad, and hired a genealogist to help track down her family members in Italy.

I genuinely want to be a part of that culture, she said. I speak the language and have spent a lot of time there.

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Then, a new Italian court ruling on citizenship dropped, dashing that dream abruptly for Emory and millions of others in her shoes.

Italys Constitutional Court upheld a law that ends the countrys long-standing policy of unlimited generational citizenship. The new restrictions  which are active now  limit Italian citizenship to the children and grandchildren of Italian citizens. Those predecessors must have solely held Italian citizenship at the time of their descendants birth, effectively outlawing dual citizenship.

The new guidance leaves Italian Americans everywhere  including those in Philadelphia and New Jersey, which are known for their prominent diasporas  concerned.

Right now, my only pathway to citizenship is to live there for two years, which just isnt feasible, Emory, who calls the new restrictions frustrating, said.

Phillys American-Italian society says it has already held two webinars for members on the subject. Philadelphia has the highest share of Italian Americans among the 10 largest U.S. cities.

Potential Italian citizens in the long queues to be considered have posted on social media, wondering where the new guidance leaves them. Businesses and lawyers specializing in citizenship assistance are also forced to adjust operations.

Heres what we know about the situation.

What is the new Italian citizenship law and what does it say?

This all started last year when a controversial law called the Tajani Decree was introduced by the Italian government in its law journal. The law pushed to replace Italys existing citizenship guidance with much stricter policies. But for months, the policy was tied up in court over challenges that argued the law was unconstitutionally retroactive and inequitable.

This week, Italys Constitutional Court ruled that the Tajani Decree did not violate equality principles and upheld the law.

The Tajani Decree marks the biggest overhaul of Italian citizenship in more than 30 years.

The new law:

Ends unlimited transfer of citizenship, restricting it to second-generation Italian-born citizens (children or grandchildren). Requires Italian-born ancestors to have active or recent residency (or for them to have lived there most recently if they have died). Ends automatic residency for children born outside of Italy to Italian citizens, requiring additional paperwork. Moves citizenship processing away from local consulates  including the one in Philadelphia  and centralizes it all in Rome for uniform processing.

The local consulate did not respond to a request for comment.

Who is affected by the Tajani Decree?

Current Italian citizens are already recognized by the country and their status is unaffected by the new law.

The new law is supposed to affect anyone who applied for citizenship after March 27, 2025 (when the law was first issued, but not yet affirmed by the court due to challenges). If you submitted a complete application, were scheduled for an appointment, or confirmed by authorities by March 27, 2025, you are not subject to the new law.

If you submitted or are submitting for citizenship after March 27, 2025, the new guidance means your path to Italian citizenship will be very different.

How many Italian Americans live in the Philly and New Jersey regions?

The courts decision changes the landscape drastically for Italian Americans in the Philadelphia region, one of the largest and most active Italian-descendant populations in the country.

According to census data, 760,000 people with Italian ancestry live in the Philly metro area, which extends to New Castle County, Del.; Cecil County, Md.; and Salem County, N.J. Thats 12% of the metro area population.

Hammonton, in Atlantic County, N.J., has among the highest proportions of Italian Americans of any town in the country. It is ranked second by percentage of Italian Americans out of 4,197 cities with 10,000 or more residents.

Italians also make up at least 20% of the population in New Jerseys Ocean City, Westmont, Bellmawr, Glassboro, and Williamstown, and Broomall in Pennsylvania.

How are Italian Americans responding to the new guidance?

The America-Italy Society of Philadelphia, a 70-year-old nonprofit focused on promoting Italian culture and education through lectures, language studies, and events, has hosted two webinars on the subject of the Tajani Decree. One took place last week.

Several of the groups members and students are directly affected by the ruling, the groups director, Elisa Schwab Clewis, said.

Nicole Mena of Port Richmond spent more than a year and a half collecting documents proving her Italian lineage.

She had a case dating back to her great-grandmothers residency in 1948 and hired a lawyer to help her file for Italian citizenship. While waiting for documents to be reviewed, the news broke that the rules were changing. Generational limits would stop at grandparents.

I was devastated, she said. I spent thousands of dollars and so much time tracking documents down. I havent done anything since then because I would have to start all over.

Arianna Valocchi of Brewerytown is a fourth-generation Italian American whose great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Abruzzo, Campania, and Sicily in the early 1900s.

I grew up feeling distinctly Italian American and in college set out to learn the language, she said. She ended up living abroad for two years, and her literature degree focused on translating Italian poetry. She spent two years in South Philly teaching Italian at a Montessori preschool.

In 2023, Valocchi and her dad began the process of pursuing citizenship.

This was mostly symbolic for my father, more a gift to me and my future children, to be able to potentially work in Italy and move there.

Valocchi said they used a now-defunct citizenship assistance program that made errors throughout the process and failed to return their calls or their $5,000 deposit.

A year and a half later, with little progress made, Valocchi learned about the Tajani Decree, which would cut her line to citizenship.

Whats the point of the Tajani Decree?

The decrees namesake, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, said the new restrictions are intended to crack down on tourists who abuse Italian citizenship as a novelty.

In 2024, 30,000 Italian citizenship applications were processed and the number of Italian citizens residing abroad increased by 40%, to 6.4 million, over 10 years, according to the foreign ministry and the Italian consulate.

Tajani said most of those people have no direct connections with the country, do not pay taxes, and do not vote.

I do think there are Americans of Italian descent who abuse the process and just go buy a vacation home without really engaging with the actual country and language outside their own Italian American identity, Valocchi said. Sometimes I feel angry because I think, I lived there! I learned the entire language! I translated your poetry to expose it to English readers! I am truly engaged with the culture! But I also dont think Italian citizenship is owed to me.

She added, I always wonder what could have been if we started the process just a couple of years earlier.

So, is this set in stone?

Not necessarily. A citizenship lawyer told CNN things could still change.

This doesnt mean the new law is 100% valid and forever, Marco Mellone said. There is still space for argument for cases brought by Italian judges to the Constitutional Court. In July 2025, the Constitutional Court issued a judgment saying that descendants had a right to Italian citizenship at birth, from birth. They changed their opinion, I suppose. It is very weird.

Mellone said he plans to challenge the new law in a separate hearing next month at the Court of Cassation, Italys highest legal authority. That courts opinion would supersede the Constitutional Courts.

This is a very sad day for millions of people, but I didnt study law for 25 years to see this kind of thing happen, he said. Descendants were born Italian citizens. If you are a citizen at birth, you have a right that nobody can touch.  This is the first step in a long battle.

The situation leaves locals like Jillian Emory in limbo.

I speak the language and have spent a lot of time [in Italy], she said. But now it doesnt seem possible. I guess I will just keep waiting and see if the laws ever change back.
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WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump is delaying a diplomatic trip to China that had been planned for months but began to unravel as he pressured Beijing and other world powers to use military might to protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said Tuesday while meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in the Oval Office that he would be going to China in five or six weeks time instead of at the end of the month. He said he would be resetting his visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, without elaborating.

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Trumps visit to China is seen as an opportunity to build on a fragile trade truce between the two superpowers, but it has become tangled in his effort to find an endgame to the war in Iran. Soon after pressing China and other nations to send warships to secure access to Middle Eastern oil over the weekend, Trump indicated his travel plans were up in the air, though he also indicated Tuesday that the U.S. didnt need any help after being rebuffed by other allies.

In a Sunday interview with the Financial Times, Trump said he wanted to know whether Beijing would help secure the strait before he departed for the late-March summit. On Monday, he told reporters that he had requested to delay the trip about a month because of the demands of the war.

I think its important that I be here, Trump said. And so it could be that we delay a little bit. Not much.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris this week for a new round of talks meant to pave the way for Trumps trip, said any changes to the schedule would be because of logistics, not because Trump was trying to pressure Beijing.

Trump is urging other nations that rely on Middle Eastern oil to help police the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which about one-fifth of the worlds traded oil usually flows. He has singled out China, noting that it gets about 90% of its oil from the strait while the U.S. gets a minimal amount. He also made appeals to Japan, South Korea, Britain, and France. There have been no takers so far, and China has been noncommittal.

We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours, Trump said at the White House on Monday. We want them to come and help us with the strait.

Trump is framing the war as a favor to the world being carried out by the U.S. and Israel, saying its now time for others to do their share to protect the strait. Some world leaders have directly rebuffed the notion and objected to the U.S. military approach.

Trumps trip to China carries major geopolitical consequences as the two nations seek stability in the wake of a trade war that led to soaring tariffs before both sides eased off. Trump and Xi agreed to a one-year trade truce last fall, and Trump later agreed to a state visit to Beijing. He also went to China in 2017, during his first term.

Chinas foreign minister said last week that the country looks forward to a landmark year in its relationship with the U.S. He added that Chinas attitude has always been positive and open, and the key is for the U.S. side to meet us halfway.

Trumps priorities have shifted as the war sends oil prices skyrocketing during a tough midterm year in which affordability was already a chief concern for American voters. In addition to postponing his China trip, he has also given Russia a boost by lifting sanctions on its oil, and he tapped into the nations oil reserves, something he previously objected to.
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President Donald Trump on Monday revealed that retiring Rep. Neal Dunn (R., Fla.) is fighting a terminal illness and said that doctors previously told Dunn he could be dead by June.

In January, Dunn announced that he would not seek reelection to the House after five terms representing Floridas 2nd District. Dunn, 73, did not offer details about the reasons behind his retirement, but it has been widely reported that he has been dealing with health issues.

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On Monday, Trump divulged details about Dunns diagnosis while speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Center, where he attended a board meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), among others.

With Johnson seated beside him, Trump riffed on how difficult it is for the speaker to operate with a very slim majority, particularly given recent resignations and the January death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R., Calif.).

Trump said that another Republican lawmaker was very ill and looked like he wasnt going to make it. At first, Trump did not share the congressmans name but then encouraged Johnson to divulge details.

Johnson identified Dunn and said he had a pretty grim diagnosis. After some prodding from Trump, Johnson added that it was a terminal diagnosis.

He would be dead by June, Trump added, interrupting a stunned Johnson.

OK, that wasnt public, Johnson said, before Trump added that Dunn faces heart problems.

The speaker then tried to move the conversation forward, saying that Trump got his doctors involved and, as a result, Dunn was able to receive emergency care at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. A medical procedure, Johnson said, gave Dunn a new lease on life.

He acts like hes 30 years younger, Johnson said. I spoke with him over the weekend, and hes encouraged and thankful, and he thanks the president for his leadership and intervention.

A spokesperson for Dunn did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

The president said that when Johnson informed him of Dunns condition, Trump said he thought the diagnosis was bad.

Number one, it was bad because I liked him. Number two, it was bad because I needed his vote, Trump said.

Trump said that Dunn told Johnson that he would fight the condition for the president and you.

How many people are going to say that? Most of them [would] say Mike, Im retiring immediately, Trump added.

Hes an extraordinary individual, Johnson said.

In January, Dunn announced that he would not run for reelection but will remain in the House until the end of this term.

The time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren, Dunn said at the time in a statement.
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LONDON  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia and Iran brothers in hatred on Tuesday as he sought support from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a time when the Iran war has robbed U.S.-brokered talks to end Russias invasion of Ukraine of momentum.

Zelensky urged Ukraines allies not to forget about his country during a Middle East war that has also revived Russias ailing economy through increased oil revenue and could soon limit Kyivs access to vital Western air defense systems that are needed in the Middle East.

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The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred and that is why they are brothers in weapons, Zelensky told lawmakers in Britains Parliament. And we want regimes built on hatred, to never, never win in anything.

Holding talks with Zelensky at 10 Downing Street, Starmer said [Russian President Vladimir] Putin cant be the one who benefits from the conflict in Iran, whether thats oil prices or the dropping of sanctions.

The meeting came days after the U.S. temporarily waived some Russian oil sanctions in a bid to ease pressure on global supplies triggered by the war in the Middle East, which was sparked by the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting Feb. 28.

Zelensky and some other European leaders criticized Washingtons move to ease sanctions, saying it would provide a windfall for Moscow to keep up its attacks on Ukraine.

Zelensky also met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace before addressing dozens of members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in Parliament. He told them that other countries could learn from Ukraines agile adoption of technology, including drones and AI, for defense.

The fact we got through this winter, which Russia tried to make deadly for all our families, shows that our solutions work, Zelensky said.

European leaders underline risks

Zelensky said the London talks, also attended by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. would assess energy security, after Russia hammered Ukraines power grid over the winter, and the battlefield situation.

In Brussels, the European Unions chief diplomat Kaja Kallas noted Tuesday that Russia stands to gain from higher energy prices and the rerouting of advanced Western air defense systems from Ukraine to the Middle East.

But, she said, Ukraine remains Europes top security priority and attention for Ukraine will not be allowed to fizzle out.

Finlands President Alexander Stubb said the Iran war is bad for Ukraine, mainly because of the oil price which feeds the Russian war machinery. The Russian economy was actually doing extremely badly a couple of weeks back. Now its bouncing back.

Ukraine losing out with Middle East conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to secure a peace deal that ends Europes biggest conflict since World War II and has rattled the continents leaders, who reckon that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade.

But the U.S.-mediated talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv, which so far have yielded no significant progress on key issues, are on hold during the Middle East conflict.

Ukraine is the ultimate loser from the war with Iran, said Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

That, he said, is because the war is draining stocks of American air defense missiles that are crucial for Kyiv to shoot down Russian missiles and is diverting Washingtons attention from Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

Ukrainian teams have recently visited Gulf countries to discuss mutual interests, according to Zelensky.

It is important for Ukraine to secure deals with Gulf states for advanced air defense systems in exchange for Ukrainian anti-drone expertise and technology, said Francois Heisbourg, special adviser at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris.

U.K. and Ukraine eye drone deal

Trump has spurned Zelenskys offer of help for the United States and its Persian Gulf partners in fighting Iranian drones. Ukraine has become one of the worlds leading producers of high-tech, battle-tested drone interceptors.

British officials say Russia and Iran are collaborating on drone technology and tactics in the Middle East. Drone combat experts from the U.K. and Ukraine have been sent to the region to help Irans neighbors repel its drone attacks.

During Zelenskys visit, the U.K. and Ukraine signed a deal combining Ukraines expertise and the U.K.s industrial base to manufacture and supply drones and innovative capabilities. Britain is also funding an AI Center of Excellence in conjunction with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Ukraine counterattacks on front line

Russias Defense Ministry said Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 206 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russian regions, the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Azov Sea. A total of 40 intercepted drones were flying toward Moscow, the ministry said.

Asked about an increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow over the past few days, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that authorities in Kyiv were continuing absolutely futile resistance against Russias invasion.

Zelensky said late Monday that counterattacks by Ukrainian forces at eastern and southern points along the front line have wrecked Moscows plans for a March offensive.

His comments couldnt be independently verified, but the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said Monday that Ukrainian counterattacks are likely constraining some Russian offensive operations.

Ukraines air force said that Russia launched 178 long-range drones of various types across the country overnight, starting late Monday, with 154 of them either intercepted or jammed while 22 more struck their targets.

In the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike damaged a terminal of Ukraines biggest private delivery company, Nova Poshta, the company said on Telegram. Eight people were wounded, according to Ivan Fedorov, the head of the regional military administration.
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A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from implementing sweeping changes to the nations childhood immunization schedule, mostly siding with major medical organizations that argue Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unlawfully altered vaccine policy and improperly reconstituted a federal vaccine advisory panel.

Under Kennedy, the federal government has cut the number of shots routinely recommended to children, including for flu, hepatitis A, rotavirus, and meningococcal disease. Kennedy also dismissed all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year, installing new members, several of whom have criticized vaccines, especially COVID-19 mRNA shots.

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Several groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, sued.

In his opinion, Judge Brian E. Murphy slammed the administrations approach to revamping government recommendations for how and when children should be immunized. He said the government has undermined its history of recognizing the importance and value of involving independent experts in setting our national public health agenda and relying on a method scientific in nature to make such decisions.

The U.S. District Court judge from Massachusetts wrote that the government bypassed the CDCs vaccine advisory panel  which is how vaccine recommendations have been made for decades  to change the immunization schedule. He called it a technical, procedural failure and a strong indication of something more fundamentally problematic: an abandonment of the technical knowledge and expertise embodied by that committee.

The pause on the administrations actions are temporary as the dispute is expected to wind through multiple rounds of appeals, raising the prospect of a drawn-out court battle over who ultimately calls the shots on the scientific standards shaping federal vaccine recommendations.

Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the department looks forward to this judges decision being overturned just like his other attempts to keep the Trump administration from governing.

As health secretary, Kennedy  the founder of a prominent anti-vaccine group  has made clear that he wants to overhaul the nations immunization system and argued the prior ACIP was plagued with conflicts of interest.

In early December, President Donald Trump ordered federal health officials to review the childhood immunization schedule, including recommending fewer vaccines to align with other developed countries. The judge wrote that HHS cannot circumvent the long-standing practice of getting advice from the federal panel without offering an explanation simply because they are following the Presidents orders.

He also wrote that the government removed every member of the panel and replaced them without undertaking the rigorous screening traditionally used to select members.

The judge also paused all votes taken by Kennedys handpicked advisers. Some recent votes include moving from broadly recommending everyone 6 months and older get a coronavirus shot to instead advising Americans to first consult a clinician. The panel also voted to drop a recommendation that all newborns receive a vaccine for hepatitis B.

In court filings, the medical groups contend that Kennedys reconstitution of the vaccine panel was improper and that subsequent votes on vaccine recommendations  including changes affecting COVID-19 and other routine childhood immunizations  were, therefore, invalid. They argued that the administration bypassed established procedure and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies make policy.

Government attorneys have defended the secretarys authority to remove and appoint advisory committee members, arguing that federal law grants HHS broad discretion over such panels. They also contend that policy disagreements over vaccine recommendations do not amount to legal violations.

On Substack, Robert Malone, the committees vice chair and a prominent critic of coronavirus vaccines, called the opinion a judicial overreach. He wrote that there is a compelling case for bringing intellectual diversity and fresh expertise to the panel and for aligning vaccine recommendations with the practices of other nations.

In the meantime, the administration should continue its work, he wrote.
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ROME  Bodies washing ashore day after day. Phone calls from relatives going unanswered. Migrants tents abandoned overnight.

Migrants trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as invisible shipwrecks but governments responsible for search and rescue are withholding information about what they know.

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The beginning of 2026 ranks as the deadliest start to any year for people trying to cross the Mediterranean  an unprecedented 682 confirmed missing as of March 16  according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration. But the real death toll is almost certainly much higher.

Human rights groups are increasingly struggling to verify tolls as Italy, Tunisia and Malta have quietly restricted information on migrant rescues and shipwrecks along the deadliest migration route in the world. The news barely makes headlines, in part because the lack of transparency prevents journalists from confirming reports.

Its a strategy of silence, said Matteo Villa, a researcher focusing on migration and data at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies think tank.

The organization Refugees in Libya and other human rights groups have been sounding the alarm since late January, reporting more than 1,000 people missing after Cyclone Harry hit the region. But authorities have not confirmed, denied or corrected those reports.

In the weeks that followed the cyclone, more than 20 decomposing bodies washed ashore in Italy and Libya while other human remains were spotted floating in the middle of the sea.

For the families of missing migrants, not knowing their fate is excruciating.

Europe should know that these people who got drowned in the sea have family members, have dreams, have passions, Josephus Thomas, a migrant from Sierra Leone and community leader in Tunisias coastal town of El Amra, told AP.

Sparse information means fewer deaths recorded

Even the U.N.s migration agency is increasingly unable to verify cases of migrants who die in what are known as invisible shipwrecks because of the growing lack of information.

Last year, at least 1,500 people were reported missing whose fates IOM could not confirm, said Julia Black, who leads the organizations Missing Migrants Project. The issue persists in 2026.

We started a new secondary data set of what we are calling unverifiable cases because its just become so many, Black said. For this year, they already have more than 400 missing they could not verify.

Many humanitarian organizations that previously filled some of the information gaps are no longer able to do so because of the global wave of funding cuts and government-imposed restrictions across the region.

Weve seen the restriction of access for humanitarian actors, which is not right. And now were seeing even the restriction of information, Black said.

The Associated Press repeatedly asked authorities in Tunisia, Italy and Malta why they arent sharing information related to migrant rescues at sea and what their policies are. Not one responded.

Countries quiet on reports of boats missing after cyclone

Over the years, authorities in the Mediterranean have gradually reduced information related to migrants. But their silence was even more pronounced in late January after Cyclone Harry unleashed heavy rainfall, winds of 100 kph (62 mph), and 9-meter-tall (30 feet) waves.

Hundreds of people had departed from Tunisias coastal region of Sfax and disappeared, according to information the group Refugees in Libya gathered from migrants in Tunisia and their relatives abroad.

The group acknowledged it was difficult to be precise because there is no central system recording departures, losses, or recoveries, but it warned that the death toll was likely even higher.

We are looking at boats that never counted how many kids are inside, Refugees in Libya founder David Yambio told AP.

The AP sent five email requests to the Italian coast guard seeking information on the boats reported missing and search efforts but received no response. An officer who answered the phone said the coast guard did not have any further verified and confirmed information regarding the circumstances. AP also filed a Freedom of Information request, which is pending.

The coast guard also declined to comment on an alert it issued on Jan. 24 asking vessels sailing between the Italian island of Lampedusa and Tunisia to be on the lookout for eight small boats in distress carrying some 380 people. The alert was made public by Italian journalist Sergio Scandura.

One survivor rescued from the boats

There is only one known survivor from the boats reported missing during Cyclone Harry. He was floating in the water when a merchant vessel rescued him on Jan. 22. The man told crew members he had been traveling with another 50 people, some of whose bodies could be seen in the water in video of the rescue. Thanks to his testimony, their deaths were included in IOMs tally.

According to the captain, the survivor was evacuated to Malta. The Maltese Armed Forces did not respond to multiple requests about their involvement or reports that they recovered the man and the bodies.

The Tunisian Foreign Ministry and the Tunisian National Guard also have not responded to multiple requests for information by email and phone.

Frontex, a European Union agency that assists nations with border surveillance, told AP that it spotted eight boats carrying about 160 migrants between Jan. 14 and 24 when the cyclone hit. It said six boats were rescued by Italian authorities, but the fate of the other two remains unknown.

On Feb. 8, migrants prayed and cried during a memorial ceremony in the olive groves near Sfax, presuming their loved ones could not be alive after so many days without news.

All of us here are in deep trauma, are in deep agony, Dr. Ibrahim Fofana, a migrant in Tunisia whose relatives have been missing since late January, said in a video shared by Refugees in Libya. He pleaded for authorities to identify the bodies that washed ashore in Italy.

Tighter information follows migration crackdown

Until mid-2024, Tunisian authorities regularly shared the number of migrants they were intercepting at sea, eager to show their European partners compliance with a 2023 deal to curb migration in exchange for financial aid. But the deal was also followed by a brutal crackdown against migrants on land that resulted in thousands being detained or dumped in the desert.

Nongovernmental organizations such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, known by its French acronym FTDES, which used to compile and share reports on migrant interceptions, were also caught in the crackdown.

In June 2024, Tunisias Ministry of Interior stopped releasing any information on migrants, citing security reasons, said Romdhane Ben Amor, FTDES spokesperson. But in his opinion, the motives were political. The numbers were incompatible with the narrative that Tunisia was not Europes border guard, he said.

Italys erosion of information on migrant rescues is even older than Tunisias. The Italian coast guard used to provide detailed monthly data on migrants rescued. The monthly reports became quarterly before stopping completely in 2020, Villa said. In 2022, previous reports were also removed from the coast guards website.

This year, the Italian coast guard did not share any migration-related press releases despite nearly 5,000 migrants disembarking on Italian shores, according to Italys Interior Ministry statistics.

It is very clearly a political strategy to repress as much information as possible from the public, Villa said.
The Camden toll plaza (foreground) and the Ben Franklin Bridge, which is operated by the Delaware River Port Authority, are shown in 2020. Read more

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A New Jersey judge has ordered the Delaware River Port Authority to comply with subpoenas issued by a state watchdog seeking documents and testimony about its procurement policies, contracts, and leases.

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy on Monday granted a request by New Jerseys Office of the State Comptroller to compel the DRPA to produce documents and witness testimony by April 10. The bistate agency owns and operates four bridges and the PATCO commuter line between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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Among the records sought by the comptroller are documents related to a decades-old lease agreement for land underneath the Walt Whitman Bridge in connection with port operator Holt Logistics wharf.

The judge acknowledged he likely wont have the final word on the matter. The port authority is already appealing a federal court order in a related case that could affect the outcome in this one. And DRPA could appeal Lougys state court order.

It also remains to be seen how Acting Comptroller Shirley U. Emehelu, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill, will handle her offices DRPA probe going forward.

Last fall, lawmakers in Trenton unsuccessfully tried to weaken the watchdog office amid then-Acting Comptroller Kevin Walshs politically sensitive investigations. That included one that accused an insurance brokerage led by Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III of violating public contracting laws and failing to disclose conflicts of interest to regulators.

Norcross representatives denied the allegations and accused Walsh of abusing his power.

The DRPA probe began in 2020 under Walsh, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy whose confirmation was blocked by state senators from Camden County. Under the Senates unofficial courtesy rule, cabinet nominees must gain the support of their home county senators to proceed to confirmation.

Walsh had described the probe as a follow-up to a 2012 comptroller investigation of the DRPA under then-Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, which found political cronyism and financial mismanagement. DRPA says those problems have long since been addressed.

A spokesperson for Emehelu did not directly answer a question about whether the Comptrollers Office would continue with the investigation.

The Office of the State Comptroller is pleased that the state court enforced its lawful subpoenas requiring the DRPA to provide information about its expenditure of public funds, said spokesperson Laura Madden. The Office will continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities.

DRPA had urged the judge to block the subpoenas, which were issued in 2024, arguing that the Comptrollers Office lacked the legal authority to conduct the investigation.

Thats because when the two states created DRPA, lawyers for the authority said, they agreed to surrender certain rights to the bistate entity itself  including the power to audit its operations.

The judge didnt buy that argument. [T]he subpoenas seek only information and do not otherwise attempt to impose Plaintiffs broad statutory authority over [DRPA], Lougy wrote in a 20-page opinion.

The Comptrollers Office does not seek to impose any liability or regulatory restraint upon DRPA, he wrote.

DRPA spokesperson Mike Williams said the authority is reviewing the order. He noted that the authority has offered to provide the information to the comptroller on a voluntary basis.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to include a comment from DRPA.
Federal judges in New Jersey have pushed back against a variety of recent decisions by the Justice Department. Read more

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A federal judge in New Jersey this week declined to hold a routine sentencing hearing because of what he said were unresolved questions about who is leading that states U.S. Attorneys Office  a decision the judge made during a contentious proceeding in which he also asked a prosecutor to leave his courtroom.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi served as another example of the ongoing and bitter clash between the federal judiciary and President Donald Trumps administration. That conflict  which has played out in jurisdictions across the country  has been particularly acute in New Jersey, where judges in recent months have ruled that the Justice Department has violated the Constitution in its attempts to unilaterally install top prosecutors, and in its decision to continue detaining immigrants in ways that judges have repeatedly described as unlawful.

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In court Monday, Quraishi used blunt language to describe the situation, saying he did not believe the answers offered by one prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosenblum. And he ordered another  Mark Coyne, the offices chief of appeals  to leave the courtroom after Coyne tried to speak to the judge despite not being an official party to the case.

Generations of Assistant U.S. Attorneys had built the goodwill of that office for your generation to destroy it within a year, Quraishi told Rosenblum at one point, a transcript shows.

By the end of the hearing, Quraishi  appointed in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden  said he was ordering all three lawyers leading the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Jersey to testify in his courtroom before he would decide whether to allow the sentencing to proceed.

And Quraishi said he would not rule out the possibility of seeking additional testimony from other Justice Department officials, including Alina Habba  a top aide to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the former interim top prosecutor in New Jersey  and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Justice Departments second-in-command.

A Justice Department spokesperson said in a statement that the agency has sought to empower federal prosecutors in New Jersey who will aggressively enforce our nations laws and keep people safe. Unfortunately, some judges are more interested in courtroom theatrics and constitutional overreach than promoting public safety.

The underlying case was a child pornography prosecution from 2024, in which Francisco Villafane was accused of possessing sexually explicit photos and videos of a teenage girl. Villafane agreed to plead guilty last year, court records show, and he was scheduled to be sentenced Monday.

But as Villafanes case has moved through court, the U.S. Attorneys Office has become embroiled in a complex leadership drama.

Federal judges have ruled three times since last summer that the Trump administration had violated the law in its attempts to install top officials without input from Congress or the judiciary. The most recent ruling came last week, when U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann said the offices current leadership structure  a novel arrangement in which three lawyers supervise different divisions  was not legally imposed and requires disqualification of the officials.

Still, Brann paused his decision to allow the government a chance to appeal.

In court Monday, Quraishi said he had offered Rosenblum, the prosecutor, the chance to delay the sentencing to appreciate the impact, if any, of Judge Branns recent decision, according to a transcript published by the New York Times, which first reported on the case.

But Rosenblum declined, saying that because Brann had paused his ruling, the office believed it could proceed with the leadership triumvirate still in charge.

That led to a series of questions from Quraishi, including about the quality of the offices investigation into Villafane, which he called sloppy.

Still, most of his ire appeared to center on questions about the offices leadership structure. And when Coyne, an office supervisor, sought to chime in, Quraishi first noted that Coyne had never filed a notice of appearance in the case, then told him to sit down and stop talking before ordering him to leave.

You dont get to blindside the court and do whatever it is you guys want to do, the judge said.

After that, Quraishi continued questioning Rosenblum, asking whether the offices current leaders were continuing to seek input from Habba, the former top prosecutor who Brann ruled had also been unlawfully appointed. Rosenblum said he didnt know.

Quraishi also asked if the office had considered backup plans for how to handle cases that might be affected by the leadership questions. Rosenblum again said he didnt know.

By the end of the hearing  after Quraishi said he was going to order the offices leaders to testify  the judge told Rosenblum to deliver a message to his colleagues.

You have lost the confidence and the trust of this court, he said. You have lost the confidence and the trust of the New Jersey legal community, and you are losing the trust and confidence of the public.

The heated exchange was not Quraishis first time forcibly pushing back against the Trump administration. Last month, the judge criticized the government for continuing to employ a policy mandating detention for nearly all undocumented immigrants  despite opinions from dozens of judges nationwide calling the practice illegal.

The undersigned will not stand idly by and allow this intentional misconduct to go on. It ends today, Quraishi wrote, adding that he was prepared to order leaders of the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Department of Homeland Security to testify under oath if mandatory detentions continued.

Detentions have continued: Nearly 150 detainees have filed petitions with the federal court in New Jersey in the three weeks since, court records show.

In the most recent case, Quraishi has ordered the offices leadership triumvirate  Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio  to appear before him in May.

The sentencing will remain on hold until after that hearing, he ruled.
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Residents in Tredyffrin, where a woman was killed in a random act of violence last weekend, said Monday that more could have been done in the hours leading up to the shooting and criticized the townships lack of communication before and after the crime.

The remarks were brought before the townships elected board of supervisors in the first public meeting since Steve Jahn, 44, was arrested and charged with murdering Megan Nieberle, a 53-year-old nurse, while she was driving home from seeing friends late in the evening of March 7. She died the next day.

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Residents were chilled by the fact that, in the hours before Jahn killed Nieberle, he had called the police himself, telling them he was being followed by undercover officers, according to authorities. Officers, who said Jahn was showing frantic behavior, escorted him to Paoli Hospital for a voluntary mental health evaluation but let him leave when he requested it, knowing he legally owned firearms and had one with him. Jahn was arrested and charged with murder the day after the shooting.

We can frame this a lot of ways: It was a random act of violence, said resident Joe Maugeri. But we could also frame it as: Was it a preventable act of violence? And I think thats the question that all of us are thinking. Were there tools that police had? Were there things that could have been done?

Authorities said that Jahn had no connection with Nieberle, a Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia nurse and mother of three. A few hours after leaving the hospital, Jahn allegedly drove to the intersection of Contention Lane and Old State Road in Berwyn and shot Nieberle from his car.

Passersby who saw Nieberles crashed car called police, who rushed her to Paoli Hospital.

Her death has left a profound void in the hearts of the many who were fortunate enough to know and love her, loved ones wrote in her obituary last week. Nieberles warmth, humor, and loyalty made her a cherished presence in the community, the obituary says.

In his opening remarks Monday, board chairman David Miller said that officers were limited in what they could do that day. Pennsylvania has no red flag law, which allows for the temporary removal of lawfully owned guns when the owner appears at risk for danger.

Now Im not saying a red flag law would have changed what happened on [that] night. I cant know that, but certainly would have given our police another tool to help manage the situation, Miller said.

Such a measure has repeatedly failed to get enough support in politically divided Harrisburg. Another version of the bill was introduced this session.

Democratic State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, who represents the area, said in a statement that there had been an increase in interest in extreme risk protection orders in the community.

The loss of our neighbor was tragic, and while we may not know for certain if an ERPO would have prevented this senseless tragedy, we do know they help to reduce gun violence and keep our communities safer, she said.

Residents also criticized the township for not notifying the community of the possible danger, saying they went more than 30 hours before knowing Jahn had been arrested.

What are the protocols and policies that we have in place around notification when things like this happen? resident Katie Angstadt asked. From what weve understood is that there was someone in our community who was very dangerous, armed for six or seven hours, and we were not notified.

Superintendent of Police T. Michael Beaty said he understood why the incident was concerning.

Questions about firearm laws and policy are ultimately determined by legislators at the state and federal levels. Our role as law enforcement is to enforce the laws as they exist and to investigate crimes thoroughly when they occur, he told them. That said, when tragedies like this happen, it often leads to important conversations about how we can strengthen public policy, improve crisis intervention, and ensure officers and communities have the tools that they need to prevent violence whenever possible.

This is a very devastating situation, which has left a profound impact on many of our community members. At this time, my deepest condolences are with Megans family and loved ones as they navigate this unexpected loss. While I cannot speak on the timeline or specifics of the investigation, I know it remains ongoing.
Firefighters respond to a two-alarm rowhouse fire on the 500 block of High Street in East Germantown on Tuesday. Read more

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Three people, including a firefighter, were hospitalized after a two-alarm rowhouse fire erupted Tuesday morning in the East Germantown section of Philadelphia, a Philadelphia Fire Department spokesperson said.

The fire was reported shortly before 7 a.m. on the 500 block of High Street, and responding firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming out of the two-story rowhouse, said department spokesperson Kathy Matheson.

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Two occupants were rescued from the home, and later a firefighter was also rescued after declaring a mayday when the first floor collapsed, Matheson said.

This morning in East Germantown, PFD responded to a fire in a two-story rowhouse. Two occupants were rescued from the home, and later a firefighter was also rescued after declaring a mayday when the first floor collapsed. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/82njKuKIHo  Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) March 17, 2026

A second alarm was struck at 7:09 a.m. after the mayday was declared, Matheson said. Around 100 fire department personnel in total responded to the scene. The fire was declared under control at 7:44 a.m.

A second firefighter was evaluated at the scene by medics for a minor injury, Matheson said.

The cause of the fire, which also damaged two adjacent properties, was under investigation.
Travelers stand in line at a TSA screening area at Philadelphia International Airport in November. Read more

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Two Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport will close starting Wednesday because of TSA staffing shortages.

The checkpoints at Terminals A-West and F will temporarily close Wednesday, with A-West closing at 5 a.m. and F closing at 4:30 a.m. There is no indication when they will reopen, according to an airport spokesperson.

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The Terminal C checkpoint, which was closed Thursday, will remain closed as well. Only the TSA security checkpoints are closed; the terminals themselves are open for flights.

Travelers can use the Terminal A-East, B, and D/E checkpoints to get through security. Check live wait times for TSA checkpoints at phl.org. PreCheck passengers can use the PreCheck lanes at the A-East and D/E checkpoints.

Airports across the country have been experiencing staff shortages because of the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security amid a funding impasse. As Congress debates the departments budget, agencies like TSA are operating without funding. Some smaller airports may even have to shut down, an unidentified official for President Donald Trumps administration told Reuters.

In January, federal lawmakers narrowly avoided another full government shutdown by approving budgets for all federal agencies except the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans and Trump agreed to carve out the DHS budget for further negotiations as Democrats want to put more guardrails on federal immigration enforcement, such as demasking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and prohibiting roving patrols.

Legislators have made a few attempts to pass the Homeland Security budget, but neither side has budged on its demands. The only Senate Democrat to have supported funding the agency is Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.

Senate Democrats have sent a new counteroffer to Trump and GOP lawmakers, and await a response. In the meantime, the lapse in funding will continue to cause the staff shortages plaguing the countrys airports, including Philadelphia.
A young participant waves an Irish flag from inside a trolley during the annual Center City St. Patrick's Day Parade in March 2024. Read more

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Every year, St. Patricks Day turns Philadelphia green.

Crowds gather along the Parkway. Families celebrate in neighborhoods shaped by generations of Irish Americans. We honor a heritage that is now inseparable from the citys identity  a story of resilience, faith, and hard work that helped build Philadelphia into what it is today.

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For me, that story is personal.

My parents were Irish immigrants who settled in Philadelphia in search of opportunity and stability. By the time they arrived, earlier waves of Irish families had established strong neighborhoods, parishes, and institutions. My parents found jobs, community, and a sense of belonging. They raised their children here and became part of the fabric of the city.

But the welcome Irish immigrants eventually experienced was not always guaranteed.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Irish newcomers often faced suspicion and discrimination. They were portrayed as outsiders and told they did not belong. Over time, through perseverance and the support of local communities, they became integral to Philadelphias civic and economic life. Today, their story is celebrated as part of the American immigrant narrative.

That history is worth remembering, especially now.

Across the country and here in Pennsylvania, immigrant families are navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain landscape. Many are longtime residents who work, pay taxes, and contribute to their communities. Others are seeking refuge from violence or instability abroad. All are striving for the same things previous generations sought: safety, opportunity, and the chance to build a future for their children.

Yet many face significant barriers. Access to legal representation remains limited. Immigration policies shift quickly, creating confusion and instability. Families live with the fear that a routine encounter could separate parents from children. Employers struggle to retain valued workers. Entire neighborhoods feel the ripple effects of uncertainty.

As executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., the nations largest network of nonprofit immigration legal services providers, I see both the challenges and the promise every day. I see mothers seeking asylum, fathers working multiple jobs to support their families, and young people who have grown up in this country hoping to fully belong. I also see the extraordinary contributions immigrants continue to make to cities like Philadelphia.

Philadelphia has long been renewed by newcomers.

Immigrants start businesses, work in hospitals and construction sites, care for the elderly, and teach in classrooms. They strengthen the local economy and revitalize neighborhoods. Their aspirations are not so different from those of the Irish families who once arrived at the port of Philadelphia with little more than determination and hope.

St. Patricks Day offers a moment to reflect on that continuity.

The Irish immigrant experience is often remembered as a story of eventual success. But that success was not inevitable. It was made possible by communities willing to open doors, institutions willing to offer support, and policies that allowed families to put down roots.

Philadelphia has long been renewed by newcomers. From South Philadelphia to Northeast neighborhoods and beyond, immigrants have shaped the citys culture, economy, and civic life. That pattern continues today, if we choose to sustain it.

This is not simply about honoring heritage. It is about shared prosperity. Cities thrive when families feel secure enough to invest in their neighborhoods, pursue education, and contribute fully to community life. They thrive when longtime residents and newcomers alike see themselves as part of a shared story.

As we celebrate St. Patricks Day, Philadelphia has an opportunity to honor its immigrant roots in a meaningful way. That means supporting policies that keep families together and create fair, orderly pathways through our immigration system. It means expanding access to legal representation so individuals can navigate that system effectively. And it means fostering a civic culture that recognizes immigrants not as outsiders, but as neighbors and fellow Philadelphians.

My parents journey from Ireland to Philadelphia is one story among many. It is a story of welcome, hard work, and belonging. The question before us now is whether we will help ensure that todays immigrant families have the same chance to contribute, to build, and to call this city home.

Immigration is not just part of Philadelphias past. It is central to its present, and vital to its future.

Anna Gallagher is executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC). Born in Philadelphia to Irish immigrant parents, she is a nationally recognized expert on immigration and refugee policy and a longtime advocate for the rights and dignity of migrants.
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One block from the Los Angeles courthouse where Mark Zuckerberg testified in February, families gathered around the Lost Screen Memorial: 50 illuminated phones, each bearing the face of a child their families say social media killed.

Inside the courtroom, the unsealed documents were unsparing: Were basically pushers, one Meta employee wrote. A 2018 internal memo laid out the strategy: If we wanna win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens.

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Internal research found that teens described Instagram in terms of what the documents called an addicts narrative  compulsive behavior they knew was harmful but felt powerless to stop. Metas own engineers proposed fixes, warning internally that our product exploits weaknesses in human psychology to promote product engagement and time spent.

Executives chose profits instead.

In December 2021, 10-year-old Nylah Anderson of Chester died after TikToks algorithm recommended a Blackout Challenge on her For You page. In August 2024, the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that this was not protected speech. The court determined that TikToks act of serving that video to a 10-year-old was an expressive act. That ruling cracked Section 230, the legal shield platforms had used for two decades to avoid accountability.

Thirteen-year-old Levi Maciejewski of Cumberland County never made it to a courtroom. He died by suicide in August 2024, two days after opening an Instagram account and being extorted by a predator through Instagrams Accounts You May Follow feature.

Internal Meta audits from 2022, cited in his familys wrongful death lawsuit, found that same feature was recommending accounts engaged in inappropriate interactions to 1.4 million minors. Metas own documents from 2015 estimated that approximately 4 million users under the age of 13 were already on Instagram  roughly 30% of all 10- to 12-year-olds in the U.S.  despite that age being prohibited.

 READ MORE: Generation Z is the loneliest generation, and social media is to blame | Opinion

Anyone who worked with children during the adoption of the smartphone watched their minds deteriorate. When I started teaching in 2009, students socialized, made eye contact, were able to focus. By the end of that decade, they arrived sleep-deprived and anxious, reaching for their phones at every opportunity.

Lunch rooms and hallways were quieter, earbuds in, eyes locked on screens. Teachers, like parents, were being asked to compete against a billion-dollar engineering operation. We werent losing because of personal failings. We were losing because we were outmatched by a trillion-dollar campaign to harvest attention.

Big Tech is making the same argument the tobacco industry made for 50 years about smokers who couldnt quit. Plaintiff KGM  known in court as Kaley  testified this month that she began using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, with no barriers to stop her. Instagram was the first thing she opened every morning and the last thing she looked at before sleep. Not getting enough likes left her feeling insecure or ugly. Asked whether she felt that way before social media, she said: No, I didnt. By age 10, she was cutting herself.

Metas lawyers argued her struggles came from a difficult home life. Kaley answered them directly: Most of the arguments with her mother were about the phone. She is 20 now. She told the jury her life would have been "unequivocally better" without these platforms.

Kaley is not an outlier. For an entire generation, physical activity, academic performance, and time spent with friends are all down. Depression, self-harm, and suicide are all up. The average teen spends nearly five hours a day on social media alone. Three-quarters of U.K. children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates.

The average teen spends nearly five hours a day on social media alone. Three-quarters of U.K. children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates.

In the years that social media became ubiquitous, the suicide rate for 10- to 14-year-olds tripled. We dont stand at the edge of a lake watching children drown and demand more longitudinal studies to figure out the cause. We see the harm. We act.

The tobacco parallel is more than rhetorical; it provides the applicable legal and moral framework for addressing Big Tech. We do not let tobacco companies advertise to children. We do not allow stores to sell to them. We require warning labels. None of that required settling every clinical debate. It required a political decision that some harms to children are unacceptable regardless of whether we can precisely quantify them.

In February, West Virginias attorney general sued Apple after the companys own internal communications described iCloud as the greatest platform for distributing child porn. Meta is on trial in Los Angeles. For the first time, tech executives are producing documents under court order, with legal penalties attached. For the first time, the we didnt know defense is colliding with internal evidence that they did. The legal reckoning is not coming. It is here.

The Kids Online Safety Act, which would require platforms to prioritize childrens safety over engagement, passed the Senate 91-3 in 2024. Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee responded  not with that bill, but with a weakened substitute called the KIDS Act, advancing it to the House floor 28-24, along party lines.

Big Tech spent over $60 million on federal lobbying in 2024.

The House substitute is a retreat dressed as progress: It omits the duty of care language that would require companies to design products with childrens safety in mind, sets a federal safety floor lower than existing state protections, and, most damaging, would preempt stronger state laws  potentially nullifying thousands of pending lawsuits, including the cases in Los Angeles that are finally forcing these documents into the open.

Big Tech spent over $60 million on federal lobbying in 2024. The bill tells you exactly where that money went.

In Pennsylvania, legislators have made progress. Senate Bill 1014  a bell-to-bell cell phone ban in public and private schools  passed the state Senate 46-1 last month, with Gov. Josh Shapiros endorsement already secured. As one parent leading the effort put it: Teachers, kids, and parents have been tasked with managing the unmanageable. Its time to recognize that our current approach isnt working.

 READ MORE: Social media has killed adolescence | Opinion

The House should finish the job. But even a unanimous phone ban is a seven-hour policy competing against platforms that spend billions optimizing addiction across the other 17 hours of a childs day. Keeping phones out of classrooms is a start.

Keeping companies from engineering compulsion in the first place is the actual problem  and that requires a federal duty of care with teeth, and political leaders who care about children more than cashing their checks.

Nylah Anderson was 10 years old. Levi Maciejewski was 13. Their tragedies helped start the battle against these companies. The House has a bill on its desk.

Act  before another Pennsylvania childs face joins those 50 phones outside the courthouse.

AJ Ernst worked as a teacher and administrator in Philadelphia for 13 years and holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvanias Graduate School of Education.
Keep our Birds Flying reads a hand-painted sign held by Zaire Velez, a seventh grader, during a Feb. 21 rally at Harding Middle School in Frankford, which is slated for closure. Read more

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It seems the Philadelphia School District cant win.

For years, folks complained about the poor quality of the school buildings. But the districts ambitious plan to renovate, close, and merge schools, was met with swift pushback.

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On paper, the $2.8 billion plan to revamp the schools makes good sense. But then there is the reality that closing a school leaves a void in a neighborhood. Moving students could result in longer commutes and impact learning.

So, what is the district to do?

Philly is infamous for resisting change, but the status quo is not a solution.

Many of the districts 307 buildings were built more than 70 years ago and contain asbestos and lead and dont have air-conditioning. Many schools lack teachers, libraries, playgrounds, STEM facilities, and music and art programs as well.

 READ MORE: Tony Watlington and Cherelle Parker: Philadelphias future is built in our schools | Opinion

At the same time, the city has more space than it needs. Twenty schools are less than 30% occupied. For example, Overbrook High, where Wilt Chamberlain went, has capacity for 2,330 students but an enrollment of just 441. Operating mostly empty buildings is inefficient, unsafe, and unsustainable.

But Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s initial plan to modernize 159 schools, close 20, merge six, and build one new facility over the next decade has been met with fierce opposition.

Two schools, Russell Conwell Middle School and Motivation High School, have already been removed from the closure list and will merge with other schools instead.

Last week, nearly 100 parents, teachers, and students turned out for a highly charged meeting to pressure the school board to reject the plan  or at least save their school.

I dont see nothing wrong with our school, said Layla Hernandez, a third grader who attends Ludlow Elementary, a school in North Philadelphia slated to close.

Its hard to say no to a precocious third grader. Or a parent like Darlene Abner, whose six children have attended the school. I stay in this neighborhood because of Ludlow, she said at a different meeting earlier this month.

The impact of students and parents is real, but Ludlows numbers tell a different story. The K-8 school has just 237 students  less than half of its capacity. The school opened almost 100 years ago and serves a number of special education students.

Ludlows performance is considered below average. Just 11% of students tested proficient on the state math exam and 24% in English.

It is expensive to staff and operate an old building that is more than half empty and delivering poor results. Indeed, the district faces billions in deferred maintenance and repairs to its aging infrastructure.

Operating buildings where enrollments are under 50% of capacity makes little sense. The problem will only get worse.

Over the past decade, the districts enrollment declined by more than 17,000 students to around 117,000 students. Over the next decade, enrollment is expected to drop by another 10%.

 READ MORE: Streater: Why the school board isnt putting off the hard conversation about our facilities any longer | Opinion

At the same time, schools in some neighborhoods are filled to capacity, thanks largely to the influx of new immigrants. The explosion of charter schools in Philadelphia also contributed to the drop in enrollment and financial resources.

As a result, the district needs to rightsize to adjust for the enrollment declines in some areas and the increases in others. It also needs to modernize, so buildings have basics like heat, air- conditioning, and bathrooms as well as labs and tech spaces.

But renovating the schools takes time and money  two things the district lacks. The problem has been many years in the making. State lawmakers in Harrisburg contributed to the disrepair of schools by not adequately funding public education for decades  an issue a court found unconstitutional.

It is also unconscionable since investing in public education will go a long way to solving many of the citys (and countrys) problems, including poverty, crime, and workforce development.

This is where charter school advocates argue for more choice, but the hard reality is the test scores at most charters are no better. So, more charters is an empty promise and an argument for a different day.

The goal should be to replace or renovate obsolete and mostly empty schools with safe, clean, and modern facilities featuring all the necessary staffing and resources. Anything less impacts the entire city, whether you have kids in public school or not.

So far, a number of City Council members would prefer to scuttle the plan then find a positive solution. Same for the many state representatives who have voiced their opposition. This is not the time for political grandstanding.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Arthur Steinberg said the plan lacked transparency and detail on how the changes will impact students.

Perhaps Watlington and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker could do a better job selling the plan. But Watlington told me the district has held 90 listening sessions attended by 4,000 residents and received more than 14,000 surveys from every zip code in the city.

Theres no perfect master facilities plan, he conceded, adding the district tried to do the greatest good for the greatest number.

The school district tried to be fair by ensuring closures and investments would be spread across all 10 Council districts.

At the same time, the critics have not offered any better solutions.

In 2012 and 2013, the district closed 10% of its school buildings. At the time, many feared the upheaval would undermine learning.

But a study by two University of Pennsylvania professors found the impact was mixed. Students who moved to higher-achieving schools saw their test scores go up. However, the displaced students had more absences and received more suspensions. The farther students had to travel to get to their new schools, the more they struggled.

Theres no perfect master facilities plan.

This time, the district plans to create a one-stop shop to ensure students get all the help they need from transportation to social, emotional, and mental health support.

Were gonna wrap our arms around the children to make sure that performance increases and doesnt decrease, Watlington told me.

He added that there are no plans to lay off any principals or teachers at the schools slated to close. Instead, the rightsizing will enable the district to push more resources into the remaining schools.

In a perfect world, Watlington said, he would never close schools. But he is trying to position the district to do the best it can with the resources it is given.

We can either use our resources more efficiently by driving more high quality, academic, and extracurricular resources into a smaller number of schools, he said. Or we could continue to spread our resources around less strategically.

Sounds like the best plan on the table.
The exterior of the East Falls home. Read more

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For Sarina Sims, the four years spent in the East Falls rowhouse and the surrounding neighborhood was like a warm hug.

For her wife, Phoebe Sims, leaving will be kind of bittersweet.

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But their well-planned stay in Philadelphia is ending as they return to their native North Jersey. They had wanted to try something different for a few years and Philly seemed like a great option, Phoebe said.

Sarina is a producer of music festivals and other live events, and Phoebe is in learning and development for a restaurant chain.

They had never heard of East Falls, but while walking in Manayunk they met a man who recommended it. Reasons included easier parking, less noise, and room for their two dogs to roam.

The three bedroom, two-bathroom house, built in 1939, has 1,183 square feet of living space.

The tiled entryway leads to the living room with hardwood floors, and an exposed brick wall. A bonus room connected to the living area could serve as a home office.

The dining room can accommodate a large table, and the kitchen has granite counter tops, tile flooring, and updated appliances including a Samsung four-door refrigerator, a five-burner gas range, and chrome hardware.

The bedrooms are on the second floor. The primary has bay windows and two closets.

The backyard has a brick patio and outdoor fireplace.

The house is a short ride to Main Street Manayunk and Thomas Jefferson University. The East Falls SEPTA Regional Rail station is walkable.

It is listed by Evan Frisina of Compass Realty for $415,000.
A surge in Trade Credit Insurance (TCI)

As tariffs fall, Australian mid-market and enterprise exporters will aggressively target the lucrative European market. However, pivoting away from traditional trading partners in the Asia-Pacific to engage with unfamiliar European distributors introduces significant counterparty risk. The industry should anticipate a sharp rise in demand for TCI as businesses move to insulate their balance sheets against the insolvency or default of new overseas buyers.
Audi is bringing back the A2 name as a new entry-level EV. Officially called the A2 e-tron, the new vehicle will be assembled in Ingolstadt, Germany. Unlike North America, there is high demand for compact electric vehicles in Europe, especially in more densely populated areas with large EV-supported infrastructures. Like most small cars, the aim for Audi is to tap into a younger, urban-based consumer market that prioritizes practicality and ease of use.





Audi CEO Gernot Dollner made the A2 e-tron announcement during Audi's Annual Media Conference. "We've listened. Our customers want electric mobility that impresses in everyday life. The A2 e-tron is our promise to deliver exactly that  efficient, compact, and confident. We're making entry into the electric Audi world easier and more relevant than ever," said CEO Gernot Dollner.





For those in North America unfamiliar with the A2 name, it was used on the brand's lineup of city-based subcompact family vehicles. Similar to the older Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Those who play Gran Turismo may be familiar with the with A2 as well. The all-new Audi A2 e-tron will be officially revealed this fall.





Our Take





Looking at the singular silhouette image released, we see why Audi is giving this new EV the A2 name as the profile shape is remarkably similar. Sadly, we in North America shouldn't expected to get this model on our shores anytime soon. But, if there's one thing that's certain in the automotive world, things are always changing, and no one knows for sure what the future holds.





Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Before joining Wotton Kearney, Faulk spent close to a decade with a medical defence organisation, serving as head of practice (Civil) NSW and overseeing a substantial portfolio of civil claims. She has been ranked as a leading Medical Negligence & Malpractice (Defendant) lawyer in New South Wales in 2023 and 2024. Eliza brings a rare combination of extensive medical negligence expertise and real insurance business acumen. Eliza understands the pressures our insurer and healthcare clients are under  not just legally, but operationally and commercially  and she knows how to deliver outcomes that genuinely make their lives easier. That perspective is incredibly valuable, particularly in todays risk environment, Chris Spain, head of health at Wotton Kearney, said. Faulk pointed to the firms client base and approach as reasons for the move. Wotton Kearney has built a reputation as the go to firm for insurers and insureds. The firms focus on collaboration, straight talking advice, and real partnership with clients strongly aligns with how I practice. Im excited to join the Sydney team and contribute to the next phase of growth in our national health practice, she said.
Submitters must provide details both for the person lodging the entry and for the nominee. When these are the same, the same information is entered in both sections. Each submission then calls for answers to six questions. ANZIIF indicates a weighting for each question, so entrants can calibrate their responses to the relative importance of the criteria. Entries can be saved in draft form and finalised later. Each submission may include one supporting attachment of up to two single-sided A4 pages. That document may contain charts, tables, or graphics, but only labels and legends will be considered; any additional text is not assessed. For the Insurtech Start-up of the Year category, entrants have the option to upload one video demonstration of their proposition, with a maximum length of three minutes.
The council cites previous analysis undertaken with Finity indicating that a roughly $2 billion program of resilience measures over five years could reduce costs to governments and households by more than $19 billion by 2050, implying a benefit-cost ratio close to 10:1. The ICA argues that extending Commonwealth mitigation funding beyond the current 2028-29 end date through a 10-year rolling model would support more consistent pipelines of projects in high-risk areas and provide greater certainty for long-duration works. It also says DRF allocations should be indexed from 2024-25 to prevent the real value of funding from declining over time. According to the council, indexation would cost about $396 million over 11 years, with around $63 million within the forward estimates, and would see annual funding rise to approximately $266 million by 2034-35. Over a decade, total program costs are estimated at about $2.5 billion, which the ICA contrasts with the cost of disaster recovery payments and allowances in 2022 alone.
From Zurichs standpoint, the deal forms part of its capital and portfolio management approach in Australia and New Zealand. Alex Morgan, head of general insurance, Zurich Australia & New Zealand, said: Zurich is pleased to have worked with RiverStone on this transaction, which builds upon an existing relationship between the two organisations. Zurichs Australian ongoing general insurance business holds a strong position in the market, with significant growth ambitions. This transaction represents a key moment as we seek to invest further in scaling and innovating our ongoing local business, whilst continuing to deliver the quality outcomes we are known for, Morgan said.
MLC this week. Atlassian last week. Block the week before. The drumbeat of corporate restructuring is growing louder across Australia, and the underlying catalyst is increasingly clear: the integration of artificial intelligence. In fact, every single tech company layoff this year (at least 4,450) has been blamed on AI. AI is already reshaping the insurance sector, but whose jobs are actually at risk? And if automation comes for your role, will you be able to adapt and reskill?
However, MetLifes data pointed to a disconnect between how employers think they reward performance and how employees experience it. While 91% of employers say employee contributions are valued and fairly rewarded, only 65% of workers agree. A majority of employees (55%) said success is judged primarily by output, suggesting that many still feel performance is measured on volume and speed rather than on the broader set of skills employers say they value.
Prosecutors claimed Richins laced a cocktail her husband drank at their Park City-area home with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl. She was also convicted of attempted murder for a separate incident weeks earlier on Valentines Day, when she allegedly gave her husband a fentanyl-laced sandwich that caused him to black out. Additional convictions for forgery and fraudulently claiming insurance benefits underscored the financial motive at the center of the case.
Clapham acknowledged Johnsons role in building the US platform to its current scale. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank John Johnson who has led DUAL North America since 2021, he said. John will be working closely with Ed over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition of leadership and we wish John the very best.
"As we continue to attract talent, aligning them to deliver to our clients is our priority," he said. "These changes reflect our continued commitment to get into the right shape, with the right talent in the right places for where clients need us today, and where they will need us next."
The transition continues a pattern among US commercial carriers of elevating operating leaders into CEO roles while retaining outgoing chiefs as executive chairs to preserve continuity with distribution and reinsurance partners. For brokers and insureds in BITCOs core sectors, the move signals continuity of strategy with added emphasis on leadership succession and culture.
Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has announced that it has agreed to expand its strategic partnership with Nvidia to speed up the development and adoption of advanced autonomous driving technologies. The South Korean automaker, which includes the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands, confirmed that it has decided to broaden its collaboration framework with the US chipmaker to step up the establishment of a future autonomous vehicle ecosystem in the rapidly evolving global software-defined vehicle (SDV) and autonomous driving markets.

HMG said that under the new agreement, both Hyundai and Kia will combine their SDV capabilities with Nvidias industry-leading autonomous driving technologies, to create next-generation autonomous driving solutions. The automaker said it plans to initially integrate Nvidias Level 2 and above autonomous driving technology in selected vehicle models, as it looks to enhance customer safety and convenience, while positioning itself at the forefront of AI-defined driving.

HMGs majority-owned autonomous vehicle joint venture, Motional, will play a leading role in leveraging Nvidias technologies to support the advancement toward Level 4 robotaxi capabilities, while accelerating technology and service capability.

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HMG said that its partnership with Nvidia is a strategic step in accelerating the internalization of its proprietary driving AI, with data as the central driver. In the autonomous driving domain, competitive advantage is determined by both the excellence of foundation models and platforms and the continuous ability to generate and learn from high-quality, real-world driving data at scale. As Hyundai Motor and Kia continuously train their models using data collected under real-world driving conditions, HMG is positioned to significantly strengthen its autonomous driving capabilities, including the development of proprietary AI models.

Building on Nvidias Drive Hyperion platform, HMG aims to establish an integrated autonomous driving architecture scalable from Level 2 through to Level 4. Through the convergence of its in-house developed SDV architecture with Nvidias Drive Hyperion, the automaker aims to launch a data cycle of continuous improvement encompassing:

 Real-world driving data collection across Hyundai Motor Group's vehicle fleet

 AI model training and continuous performance improvement

 Deployment and validation in production vehicles

HMG, with the collaboration of Motional, aims to fully internalize state-of-the-art autonomous driving technology and will simultaneously advance its internal autonomous driving technology development initiatives in parallel, ensuring continuous enhancement and strengthening its flexible global response capabilities.

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Heung-Soo Kim, head of HMGs Global Strategy Office, said in a statement: The expanded partnership with Nvidia marks an important milestone in realizing HMGs vision for safe and reliable autonomous driving technology. Based on a unified, groupwide collaborative framework, we will strengthen our differentiated technological competitiveness  from Level 2 and above autonomous driving technology to Level 4 robotaxi services.

Rishi Dhall, vice president of Nvidias Automotive division, added: The future of mobility will be built on AI and software. Were combining HMGs leadership in vehicle engineering with Nvidias accelerated computing and AI to build safe, intelligent, Nvidia Drive-based autonomous driving systems  from advanced driver assistance in select production vehicles to scalable robotaxi services with Motional.

"Hyundai strengthens collaboration with Nvidia in autonomous driving" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.





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The renewal comes as nearly half of Gen Z workers (47%) said their mental health impacts their productivity, while 37% said stigma prevents them from seeking care - both figures higher than for any generation in the workplace, according to The Hartford's annual survey of working Americans. Those numbers tie directly to absenteeism, disability claims and retention risk, particularly in sectors with large Gen Z workforces, such as retail, hospitality and customer service.
The shift, tied to proposed reforms in Florida, could significantly reshape how commercial property risks are placed in the state. Sean Lorey (pictured), vice president and property broker at Jencap, said wholesale brokers and their retail partners are already preparing for a surge in submissions if the changes proceed as expected.
According to the filing, Hess joined the Jacobs Company in 2018 and became an AP employee when AP acquired the firm on May 1, 2023. She then signed a Restrictive Covenants Agreement that barred her from soliciting or servicing any client with whom she had material contact for 24 months after leaving the company. The agreement also required her not to "copy, duplicate in any way, use, or disclose to any third party, any Confidential Information" outside the scope of her employment, and to return all company materials upon departure.
After years of litigation, PDX North, Inc., a last-mile automotive parts distribution company, has agreed to pay up to $7 million to resolve worker misclassification violations involving its delivery drivers, announced New Jersey officials.

The settlement brings to a close a case that has seen PDX lose challenges to the states worker classification laws in federal district and appeals courts before the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the firms final appeal.

According to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Attorney General, PDX has agreed to reclassify its delivery drivers as employees to comply with state law. The state says more than one thousand delivery drivers were misclassified as independent contractors and thus deprived of the rights and benefits of New Jerseys worker protection laws.

Also, under the agreement, beginning this year, PDX will pay into the states unemployment compensation and disability benefits funds and make all required filings.

By January 1, 2027, PDX has agreed to come into compliance with state laws so that all of its drivers will be eligible for protections, including minimum wage and overtime laws, earned sick leave, unemployment benefits, family leave and temporary disability benefits, and workers compensation coverage.

State officials said the agreement will help level the playing field in the last-mile trucking and delivery sectors because businesses that misclassify their workers undercut their competitors following state labor laws.

Background of the Case

The agreement resolves four state audits covering the years 2006 through 2019, which determined that PDX improperly classified delivery drivers as independent contractors rather than employees in violation of state laws. The original assessments totaled $7,863,855.76 in unpaid contributions, interest and penalties.

State labor officials said the first audit was initiated after a PDX driver filed for unemployment benefits, triggering a review of the companys employment practices. Subsequent audits, prompted by additional claims and ongoing review, found PDXs drivers were misclassified across multiple years.

PDX sued in federal courts challenging New Jerseys ability to apply its worker classification laws to its business. Both the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals dismissed the companys claims, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2021.

Administrative proceedings then resumed before the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law in 2022. In December 2025, PDX executed a settlement agreement with the state that was contingent upon PDX securing financing for an initial lump-sum payment of $5 million to satisfy its outstanding unemployment and temporary disability insurance liabilities by March 5, 2026.

PDX has now met that condition, bringing the agreement, and all forward compliance terms, fully into effect, according to state officials

PDX further agreed to an additional $2 million in suspended penalties, which will not become due as long as PDX meets its obligations under the agreement through January 1, 2029. The obligations include paying all quarterly unemployment and disability insurance contributions and and underpayments and properly classifying all drivers as employees.

Misclassifying workers raises costs for workers, taxpayers, and law-abiding businesses, which many of them can hardly afford. Combating worker misclassification is a critical part of our efforts to make our state more affordable for all New Jerseyans, said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.

Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis said worker misclassification denies employees critical benefits and protections and undermines fair competition for businesses who follow the law.

Topics New Jersey
A Crofton, Maryland woman has pleaded guilty in two separate felony theft schemes, according to Attorney General Anthony G. Brown.

On Monday in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, Carolyn Rae Aldridge admitted to stealing a combined total of $185,296.28 during the two schemes, reported the attorney generals office.

In the first scheme, between August 2017 and January 2021, Aldridge stole 96 checks from her then-employer, American Builders Corp, Inc. for a total loss of $173,004.43. Aldridge worked as the office manager for ABC Builders and used her position to steal the checks and deposit them into her personal bank account. ABC Builders is an Anne Arundel County-based small business providing home improvement and general contracting services.

In the second theft scheme, between January 2020 to February 2021, Aldridge stole 13 checks from her then-employer, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), for a total loss of $12,291.85. Aldridge stole the checks while working as an associate in the fiscal department for MAIF. All the checks were deposited into her personal bank account. MAIF is an independent Maryland automobile insurance provider.

A grand jury for Anne Arundel County handed down two indictments charging Aldridge with both felony theft schemes on June 27, 2025. Aldridge is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2026.

Topics Fraud Maryland
A Pakistani tanker earlier this week became the latest vessel to sail out through the Strait of Hormuz by hewing closely to the Iranian coast, suggesting an approved route that points to Tehrans tightening grip on the narrow waterway  even as the US seeks to assert control.

The Pakistani-flagged Karachi  which openly signaled it was transiting through the chokepoint  sailed through a narrow gap between the two Iranian islands of Larak and Qeshm on Sunday, before tracking the coast into the Gulf of Oman, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Two bulk carriers which had called at Iranian ports took the same route on Monday morning, broadcasting their whereabouts even as other ships prefer to switch off transponders for safety.

In the early hours of Saturday two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers also exited the strait, while a Gambia-flagged general cargo ship has just left Hormuz on Tuesday. Sporadic signals placed the three vessels near Larak, but the full route could not be determined because of electronic interference that scrambles information coming from vessels in the region.

Insurers often have specific language in policy documents that detail what areas are considered high risk, while some banks issue risk alerts to compliance teams when they see a ship on a journey they have helped finance appears close to Iran.

If the route continues to be used successfully, it could mean a traffic control system is being imposed by Iran, said Harrison Pretat, deputy director and fellow with the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. That could mean Tehran attacks vessels or uses mines on the traditional route  while maintaining a free channel for friendly tankers on the other side.

The use of this route so far appears to be tied to Irans apparent approval of specific ships transiting the strait, which makes some sense, as this area would be easier for Iranian authorities to control, Pretat said.

Since US and Israeli attacks began a little over two weeks ago, Iran has hit several ships in and around the strait, and all but closed the waterway. That has left vessels stuck inside the Persian Gulf and others unable to enter  an unprecedented degree of disruption to the energy trade that has created shortages and price spikes across Asia and beyond.

The continued upheaval has also prompted some countries to ask Tehran for safe passage, to secure at least a trickle of cargoes. Indian and Turkish officials are among those who have reported receiving a green light for vessels. Pakistan has not commented on the circumstances around its ships journey.

This creates a system in which the Strait is not formally closed, yet transit increasingly depends on political understandings with Tehran, JPMorgan Chase & Co. analysts including Natasha Kaneva said in a note.

Read more: US $20B Reinsurance Plan Unlikely to Restart Gulf Shipping Without Liability Cover

In normal times, it would be unusual for ships to sail so close to Iran, due to security risks. Navigational rules in the region also mean that the usual path for ships exiting the strait would be closer to the opposite side of the waterway  but last week at least one ship sailing the traditional route came under attack.

India is now trying to secure safe passage for another six tankers currently inside the Persian Gulf, though it is not clear which channel they will follow on their way out.

We could be seeing the start of a verification process by Iran, whereby ships must be approved to transit via the Strait of Hormuz by calling between Larak and Qeshm, said Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group.

The transits have offered encouragement to oil traders  but the proximity of this route to Iran still poses problems for insurers and for the banks that actually finance the commodities trade.

Insurers often have specific language in policy documents that detail what areas are considered high risk, while some banks issue risk alerts to compliance teams when they see a ship on a journey they have helped finance appears close to Iran. Western insurers are usually unable to respond to claims linked to Iran because of the extensive sanctions on the country, heightening the risk of taking the new route.

More importantly, the few vessels making their way through remain a tiny fraction of the usual flow.

These few authorized passages dont come close to restoring the full scale of normal traffic or energy flows coming from the region, said CSISs Pretat.

Photo credit of oil tankers: Thibaud Moritz/AFP/Getty Images

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
Chicagos real estate industry has ignited a battle over a $19 billion tax bill that property owners say is holding back new construction and contributing to surging rents.

Donors have poured $1.4 million in the past six months into the campaign to unseat Fritz Kaegi, the tax assessor responsible for valuing properties in Cook County. Contributors include the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and political action committees tied to hotels, merchants and construction workers. He will face Pat Hynes, backed by many in the real estate industry and the Cook County Democratic Party, in this weeks March 17 Democratic primary elections.

The fight over a seemingly obscure corner of local government offers a window into a power struggle roiling Chicagos real estate industry. Property owners say the lack of predictability over how a $19 billion tax bill is divvied is curbing development and contributing to rent increases that were the largest in the Midwest in February, according to CoStar data.

The one major obstacle that certain investors might have is: wheres the predictability? said Michael Glasser, president of Magellen Properties and head of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance. If were going to invest in a 200-unit apartment complex or a 40-unit apartment complex, in order for us to justify the investment, we need to have a decent handle on what our taxes will be.

The county assessor determines real estate values for taxation purposes to help pay for levies set by school districts, the county and the city. In 2024, taxes on Cook County homes rose 6.3%, with median residential bills climbing by more than 30% in parts of Chicago, according to the county treasurer.

These double-digit gains come at the same time that undersupply has left Chicagoans struggling with rising rents. In February, average rents in the third-largest US city surged 3% from a year earlier, with bigger gains registered only in San Francisco, Norfolk and San Jose, Costar data showed.

Kaegi, who left a finance career in Chicago, came to power in 2018 vowing to clean up the office. Back then, a Chicago Tribune investigation showed that his predecessor disproportionately penalized lower-income homeowners who were left with paying a higher share of the countys tax bill while commercial landlords often got off light.

The current assessor, who is mostly self-funding his campaign to the tune of about $1.5 million, says Hynes wants to return to the clubby approach that undervalued commercial properties. While Kaegi received donations of $5,000 from Ariel Investments Mellody Hobson, and $100,000 from Newsweb Corp. Chairman Fred Eychaner, his own party didnt endorse him.

They see an assessor whos focused on being fair to homeowners, fair to everyone, trying to make the system more fair, and they see a chance to get away with yanking it back to the old system, Kaegi said. This is about bringing back a pay-to-play culture to this office.

Hynes, who used to work for Kaegi and is now the assessor in a suburban township, scoffed at the description. He argued hes winning support from labor unions and business executives who want to tame volatile assessments that are hindering new construction and crimping the recovery from the pandemic.

The market moves in a fairly predictable and steady pace and even a hot market, we dont have doubling of value in three years, Hynes said. When you insert that kind of volatility and unpredictability, it makes it very difficult for someone to pencil out on their pro forma what the most expensive line item is going to be, and thats the property tax.

Its become increasingly hard to attract institutional investors to Chicago because developers cant determine how much they will pay in property taxes year to year, according to Farzin Parang, executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago.

I hear all the time from folks that when they go to recruit investment, theyre making a pitch for something, that institutional money is saying in Chicago: No were not touching it, your tax system is a mess,' Parang said.

Alan Lev, chairman of Belgravia Group, a Chicago multifamily developer that has expanded some of his investment to markets such as Arizona in recent years, said the state of Illinois stands out not just for consistently high taxes but also greater challenges in predicting tax bills from one year to the next. Thats giving pause to investors and lenders, he said.

Theres a lot of high-tax cities. Texas has got huge real estate taxes, but theres a level of certainty as to what they are going to be and how much they can go up, Lev said. Its making capital harder to come by for projects in Chicago, and thats constraining the supply.

Photo: Chicagos real estate industry has ignited a battle over a $19 billion tax bill that property owners say is holding back new construction and contributing to surging rents.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Talent
Pro-Iranian hackers are targeting sites in the Middle East and starting to stretch into the United States during the war, raising the risk of American defense contractors, power stations and water plants being swept into a wave of digital chaos that could expand if Tehrans allies join the fray.

Hackers supporting Iran claimed responsibility for a significant cyberattack against U.S. medical device company Stryker. Since the war began Feb. 28, they also have tried to penetrate cameras in Middle Eastern countries to improve Irans missile targeting. They have targeted data centers in the region, as well as industrial facilities in Israel, a school in Saudi Arabia and an airport in Kuwait.

Iran has invested heavily in its offensive cyber capabilities while cultivating ties to hacking groups. In recent years, groups working for Tehran have infiltrated the email system of President Donald Trumps campaign, targeted U.S. water plants and tried to breach the networks used by the military and defense contractors.

The goal is to wear down the American war effort, drive up the costs of energy, strain cyber resources and cause as much pain as possible for American companies that depend on the defense industry.

Something is going to happen because the gloves are off, said Kevin Mandia, founder of the cybersecurity companies Mandiant and Armadin.

Who is being targeted

Pro-Iranian, pro-Palestinian hackers claimed credit for disrupting systems at Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology company. A group known as Handala said the attack was in retaliation for suspected U.S. strikes that killed Iranian schoolchildren.

Like other ideologically motivated hackers, profit is not Handalas goal, according to Ismael Valenzuela, vice president of threat intelligence at the cybersecurity company Arctic Wolf.

What distinguishes this group is its clear focus on data destruction rather than financial extortion, he said in an email.

Polish authorities are investigating a recent cyberattack  on a nuclear research facility  that may have ties to Iran, though they acknowledge that another group could be behind the attack and using the Iran war to mask its identity.

Going forward, U.S. defense contractors, government vendors and businesses that work with Israel are likely targets, as is critical infrastructure such as hospitals, ports, water plants, power stations and railways.

Pro-Iranian hackers openly discuss their plans in Telegram and other online message boards.

The datacenters need to be taken out, wrote one user, as uncovered by researchers at U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group. They host the brains of USAs military communication and targeting systems.

Cyber operations also gather intelligence  for example, Irans effort to hack into cameras in neighboring countries to aid its missile targeting. Infiltrating U.S. networks, meanwhile, would offer view into military planning or supply chains.

Going after easy targets

The strikes on Irans military as well as internet outages may have limited Irans cyberattacks in the short term. But experts say Iranian hackers and their allies will aim for quick victories by targeting the weakest links in American cybersecurity.

Often, local water plants or health care facilities lack the funds and know-how to install the latest software patches or take other security steps. That has made them a favorite target, both because of the relative ease of penetrating them and because of the panic these disruptions can cause.

This can include denial-of-service attacks, in which hackers try to jam a network so legitimate users cannot use it, and website defacements, which can prevent a company from communicating with customers. Hack-and-leak operations, where hackers threaten to release sensitive stolen material, are another possibility.

The attacks are not that sophisticated, according to Shaun Williams, a former FBI and CIA officer who is now a senior director at the cybersecurity firm SentinelOne. But if a business or government agency has failed to keep up with its cybersecurity, it could pay a steep price, he said.

Patch your systems. Ensure your firewalls and security solutions are up to date, Williams said. Remove your stale accounts. All the cyber hygiene that you should be doing, its more critical now than ever. Prepare for disruption.

When it comes to cyber, Iran is considered a chaos agent

Russia and China present the greatest cyber threats to the U.S., while North Korea is a growing concern. But what Iran has lacked in resources it has made up for in ingenuity, experts say.

In recent years, Tehrans digital warriors have impersonated American activists online to covertly encourage protests against Israel on college campuses. They have set up fake news websites and social media accounts primed to spread false and exaggerated claims before big U.S. elections.

In 2024, Iranian hackers infiltrated the email system of the Trump campaign and later tried to disseminate files that the hackers said they stole. Hackers linked to Iran also tried to hack into the WhatsApp accounts of both Trump and his then-Democratic opponent, President Joe Biden.

The activity prompted the Department of Homeland Security to issue a public warning last year about Iranian cyber threats.

Iran and especially the proxies dont care how big or smart you are. This is about making an impact, about creating chaos, said James Turgal, a cybersecurity expert who spent 22 years as an FBI agent and is now a vice president at Optiv, a Denver-based information security firm.

Next moves from Russia and China

Experts are watching closely to see if Russia, China or hacking groups allied with either country provide hacking assistance to Iran, mounting attacks intended to undermine American operations in Iran and make it harder for the U.S. to sustain its fight.

While China has so far taken a cautious approach, there is evidence that pro-Iranian hackers in Russia are already at work. Researchers at the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike detected a surge of activity from Russian hackers in support of Tehran since the war began.

One group known as Z-Pentest claimed responsibility for disrupting several U.S. networks, including some involved in closed-circuit video cameras.

The timing of the attack suggests the hackers were targeting U.S. interests because of the war in Iran, according to Adam Meyers, head of counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike.

Western organizations should continue to remain on high-alert, Meyers said.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics USA Cyber
Amazon.coms drone unit Prime Air is withdrawing from the Commercial Drone Alliance, taking issue with the industry trade groups opposition to a regulatory proposal for detect-and-avoid systems to prevent drone collisions with crewed aircraft.

In a previously unreported letter seen on Thursday by Reuters, the Amazon unit said the alliances positions on the most consequential safety questions facing the commercial drone industry are incompatible with Prime Airs core safety tenets.

Prime Air said in the letter, sent late on Wednesday, that in more than 70,000 drone flights, its detect-and-avoid system performed successful collision avoidance maneuvers on two potential mid-air collisions with aircraft that could have led to catastrophic safety consequences, including the loss of life.

The Federal Aviation Administration last year proposed requiring drones to have systems to detect and avoid aircraft that are not broadcasting their position, potentially because of equipment failure. The Commercial Drone Alliance opposed the requirement.

The requirement was part of proposed federal rules to speed deployment of drones beyond the visual line of sight of their operators.

The Washington-based trade group said the FAA instead should require aircraft operating below an altitude of 500 feet (152 meters) to be able to broadcast their position through the use of satellite-based technology that lets them automatically broadcast their precise location, speed and other data, or other electronic systems.

The proposed rules have not yet been finalized.

The Commercial Drone Alliance includes Skydio, Zipline, Alphabets Wing Aviation, among others.

The group said on Thursday it is sorry to see Prime Air leave but added that its members have conducted millions of safe drone operations demonstrating that a performance-based framework, rather than prescriptive technology requirements, (enables) safe operations while fostering competition and innovation.

Prime Air said in its letter that the safe integration of drones into the national airspace is its highest priority.

This requires rigorous, capability-based standards  including requirements that mandate drone technologies capable of detecting non-cooperative crewed aircraft, it said in its letter.

The term non-cooperative crewed aircraft refers to planes or helicopters that do not transmit active identification or position signals and do not communicate with air traffic control.

Prime Air said one of the two potential mid-air collisions it cited involved a helicopter that was not broadcasting a safety system known as the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast as required, and without Amazons detect-and-avoid system would have led to a catastrophic outcome.

The risk of a drone collision with a crewed aircraft is not theoretical, the company said.

A deadly crash near Washington last year underscored issues with congested airspace in certain parts of the United States, though the incident did not involve a drone. A January 2025 mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter killed 67 people and prompted National Transportation Safety Board recommendations for reforms.

Topics Amazon Drones
Amid the last-minute scramble to move legislation before the non-budgetary session was set to end last week, Florida lawmakers quietly approved a bill that could open up more contaminated brownfield areas in south Florida to housing development.

But the bill, if signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could also lead to frustration and litigation from homeowners and builders who may be denied insurance coverage or claims for structures built on once-polluted lands, attorneys and insurance agents said.

This legislation is likely to generate several categories of litigation, including insurance coverage disputes, construction defect/toxic exposure claims, mass tort litigation, and government preemption challenges, said John Riordan, an insurance defense lawyer with the Kelley Kronenberg firm in West Palm Beach.

Senate Bill 1434 was passed by the Senate March 5 with no nay votes, then was quickly endorsed in the House by a vote of 87-24. The measure, which received little news coverage, is dubbed the Infill Redevelopment Act. It was sponsored by state Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, who has made job creation and environmental protectionas well as lowered home insurance costskey planks in her election platform.

The bill would apply only to counties with more than 1.4 million people, and with at least 15 municipalities in the county. That leaves only Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, three of Floridas most-populated and developed counties, parts of which have seen a rise in flooding in recent years.

The Legislature finds that this states urban areas lack sufficient land for the development of additional residential uses, which has led to a shortage of supply, the bill reads.

The measure would preempt some local land development regulations and could make it easier for developers to build new housing tracts on land that was once considered polluted, also known as brownfields, according to a legislative staff analysis of the bill. Many of those brownfield parcels have sat vacant for years. The bill would not apply to city-owned park lands, agricultural lands, utility property, or areas near military installations.

While the bill would limit some local control over development in the areas, it may open the door for state agencies to promote housing there, Calatayud seemed to suggest at a Senate committee meeting in January.

This is another strategy the state can look at on environmentally impacted or contaminated lands and create a pathway for those to be part of the housing stock, the senator said.

In response to a question about the risk to residents on the land, Calatayud said her bill would not remove any existing requirements that brownfield lands must meet before being developed. It would only streamline certain zoning requirements, lowering costs for developers and easing the cost of new homes in those sections, she said. She could not immediately be reached for further comment Monday.

Environmentally impacted land is defined in the bill as any portion of which a contaminant or pollutant has been detected above the applicable local, state, or federal residential cleanup target levels from Phase II environmental site assessment activities, or any portion of which is located in a brownfield area as designated by state law.

Federal law already allows some tax incentives for development in qualified opportunity zones, or distressed urban areas, many of which include whole or parts of brownfield areas. But SB 1434 appears to expand the development to many more areas, especially in Miami and south to Homestead. (See map.)

The bill would limit the density of housing development in the sections and would require a buffer zone between new and existing neighborhoods. Local governments would have to administratively approve subdivisions but could not object if the plans meet other requirements in state law.

A local government may not adopt or enforce a local law, an ordinance, or a regulation that restricts, prohibits, or otherwise limits the development of a qualifying parcel in accordance with this section, the bill reads.

Riordan and south Florida insurance agents said the measure may have the Florida housing crunch in mind, but it will likely open a can of worms that could end up limiting development before it ever gets started.

Insurance is not going to cover damage to a home because of pollution. Its just not, said Dulce Suarez-Resnick, an agent and vice president at Acentria Insurance in Miami.

And homebuilders may also find it difficult or expensive to find adequate builders risk insurance for homes to be sited on spoiled land, she noted. Builders often have to undertake extensive soil and water testing before construction. If testing shows problems, many carriers may decline coverage, Suarez-Resnick said.

Robert Norberg, an agent and president of Arden Insurance Associates in south Florida, said builders or homeowners would probably have to turn to surplus lines insurers, driving up the cost of coverage.

Excess and surplus carriers can always craft something, said Bill Turgeon, executive vice president of Bass Underwriters.

Another concern: Local governments have historically led the way on requirements and restrictions for contaminated lands, and insurers and agents have relied on that, Suarez-Resnick said. If the Calatayud bill overrides local rules, what does that mean for safety and liability?

Is the state going to take responsibility? Can the state be sued if someone gets sick? Suarez-Resnick asked.

Representatives with the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities spoke in opposition to the bill at the January Senate hearing, arguing that it would supersede local authority in fundamental and detrimental ways.

Many questions remain about the legislation, and disputes will inevitably arise.

The interaction between brownfield redevelopment and pollution exclusions in insurance policies is particularly fertile ground for litigation, said Riordan, the insurance attorney. Claims are likely to be denied under broad pollution exclusions that typically exclude damages from toxic substances, hazardous chemical, coil contamination, vapor intrusion and groundwater contamination.

Gov. DeSantis has not announced if he plans to sign the bill into law. If he does, the measure will take effect as soon as the ink is dry.

Related: What to Know About Construction and Environmental Liability

Pollution Exclusion Confusion

Top photo: AdobeStock image.

Topics Lawsuits Florida
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Hyundai is getting ready to release the 2027 Palisade already. According to The Korean Car Blog, Hyundai will skip the 2026 Palisade in its home market and jump straight to the 2027 model year in Korea, bringing a darker Black Ink styling treatment with it. Although Palisade sales are better than ever, Hyundai appears to want more. The brand has spent the past decade transforming its image, moving from a value-focused automaker into one that increasingly competes with premium players. The updated Palisade, a three-row SUV, could be the latest example of that shift as Hyundai aims to challenge luxury nameplates such as BMW, Cadillac, and even its sister company, Genesis.

Black Ink Gives The Palisade A Premium Edge

Hyundai (Hyundai)

In Korea, the 2027 Palisade will introduce the Black Ink edition, expected to be tied to the range-topping Calligraphy trim. Hyundai has rolled out similar treatments across several models, trading bright chrome accents for a darker and more understated look. On the Palisade, gloss black finishes would replace chrome across the grille, window trim, and door handles. Darkened badging and model lettering would reinforce the monochromatic theme, while unique 21-inch alloy wheels finished in, you guessed it, gloss black complete the exterior. The result is a far more upper-class design that almost gives the SUV the presence of a Land Rover Defender or Cadillac Escalade.

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It's worth mentioning that Hyundai has offered the Black Ink styling before on the Palisade back in 2024, but it was exclusive to Australia. It featured the identical exterior design elements and received a suede headliner and suede and leather interior finish. While we don't have any details on the interior configuration just yet, we assume the Korean variant will be similar. Under the skin, the 2027 model is vastly different, though.

New Four-Cylinder Powertrains Replace The Old V6

Hyundai (Hyundai)

The current US-spec Palisade still offers a 287-hp naturally aspirated V6 alongside a 258-hp hybrid-assisted turbo-four. The Korean market's 2027 model takes a different approach and eliminates the V6 entirely. In its place is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 281 hp  just 6 ponies short of the previous V6. A more powerful hybrid variant pairs the same engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 334 hp. These newer engines could eventually spread across Hyundais lineup as well, and we suspect you'll see them in the next-generation Hyundai Tucson and Kona.

Rebranding Hyundai Even More

Hyundai (Hyundai)

Skipping the 2026 model year in Korea may give Hyundai the chance to relaunch the Palisade with renewed attention. At least in its homeland. In the US, Hyundai had to stop sales of some 2026 Palisade models after a fatal safety issue triggered an ongoing investigation. Regardless, it seems Hyundai's long-term goal is clear  they want a big piece of the luxury SUV segment's pie. The new blacked-out design, although we've seen it many, many times before on other models, gives the Palisade a newfound sense of sophistication. Alongside its upgraded powertrains and opulent interior, the Hyundai Palisade may become a serious contender in the premium three-row SUV segment. Fingers crossed the US Palisade will receive the same treatment.

This story was originally published by Autoblog on Mar 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JOANNE CUNNINGHAM always felt she would be a mum. The Tralee-based hospital clerical officer and her husband David were trying to conceive for two years before being advised that IVF was their best route.

She recalls how very lucky they were to conceive on their first try.

Joseph was our only egg that fertilised. He was meant to be. He fought from the start, says Joanne, aged 40, whose stepson, Dylan, is 21.

After a healthy pregnancy during which Joanne discovered she was having a boy  I was shocked but delighted, there are lots of girls in my family  their baby was born just before St Patricks Day four years ago. Gazing at her newborn, Joanne saw her husbands side of the family  and also features suggesting he might have Down syndrome.

I said to David, I think he has Down syndrome I had waited so long for him, once he was here safe, once he was crying and OK, I just wanted him in my arms, she recalls.

"The protectiveness came in straightaway. I just wanted to get him in a bubble and wrap him in my arms."

The next morning, the consultant noticed the signs Joanne had remarked on: The extra skin on the back of his neck, the arch of his nose flatter, the line on his hand, the oval-shaped eyes. He said he had the characteristics of Down syndrome but wed need a blood test to confirm.

I said, I dont mind, is he healthy? And thank God he was.

The blood test was done on World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, and two weeks later, it was confirmed that Joseph had the condition: At that stage, they could only say he mightnt walk or talk as fast as other children, he might be floppier I kicked into momma bear and said, Youve no idea what my childs going to achieve in life.

Gina Daly with her adored son Gene.

In hospital for eight days, Joseph was quite jaundiced and needed fluids. Joanne is grateful for the midwife who looked after them: She had a daughter with Down syndrome. She was so positive, telling me to relax, there was nothing to be scared of, and that these are fantastic kids. It was great for me to meet another mom  weve remained friends.

Once home with Joseph, Joanne says: He was the same as any newborn, wanting to be fed, winded, his nappy changed. Id never been around a baby 24/7, so everything was new, everything was learning.

From early on, David and I were very easy-breezy about things.

We put no pressure on Joseph, just followed his lead. He walked at 18 months; we never had to do any physio on him.

"He said dad very early on  thats his favourite word. Hes in pre-school and absolutely thriving  he has a fantastic AIMS [access and inclusion model support] worker whos like a member of the family.

Early on, Joanne went to the Kerry branch of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI): I wanted advice on whether there were certain therapies we needed to be doing  Joseph has been doing fortnightly speech therapy since before he was one.

I also wanted to meet more moms, to meet people like Joseph, so hed have his own little community. Ive celebrated him from the day he was born  I never hid him or his diagnosis from anybody.

Hes fantastic, a superstar, the light of our whole world. I couldnt imagine life without him. Hes a personality with abundance, absolutely wild, into everything, a real boys boy  he loves his cars, mud, and being messy. He has opened up a world to David and me wed never have thought possible.

Joanne runs a monthly toddler group for children aged up to five with Down syndrome, and shes a parent liaison officer with DSIs Kerry branch, as well as in the hospital where she works.

If the doctor suspects someone has given birth to a baby with Down syndrome, I go chat with the parent, she says. A lot of the time these parents are confused, they didnt know they were having a baby with Down syndrome. Theyre scared, not knowing what the future holds. Theyre grieving because theyre not getting the baby they thought they were.

All these parents want to hear, she says, is Congratulations! Its the most important thing you can say. I tell them their child with Down syndrome is the same as any other child, just they see the world in a completely different way  theyre not born with negativity. That they make you slow down, appreciate the little things.

Fragmented support system

DSI head of advocacy Ruth Hickey says for many Irish families, the arrival of a child with Down syndrome brings both joy and a rapid education in navigating a fragmented system of supports.

She says the central issue is not lack of goodwill but a system that quietly assumes families will do the work themselves.

The biggest thing families tell us is theyre exhausted. Parents will always advocate for their children. But the system has come to depend on that advocacy, she says.

Families are acting as coordinators, therapists, educators, and campaigners simply to access basic supports. Thats not sustainable.

Hickey has spent recent months leading consultations with members country-wide as part of DSIs new national strategy.

The message she repeatedly hears is that policy progress has not translated into consistent on-the-ground delivery: We hear a lot about inclusion. But the lived reality for many families is that access to services still depends too much on postcode, persistence and personal resources.

One huge issue is access to speech and language therapy.

This is not an optional extra for our community. Communication sits at the heart of everything  learning, confidence, independence, and participation in society, she says.

With Down syndrome existing across a spectrum, individuals experience a wide range of communication needs, which is why specialist support matters.

When we support communication early and consistently, we unlock so many other aspects of a persons life, Hickey says.

Yet we regularly hear from parents who waited so long that the early intervention window had already passed. That delay doesnt just affect childhood. It affects education outcomes, employment opportunities, and independence later in life.

Challenging stereotypes

Celebrity chef, cookbook author,

and mum-of-three Gina Daly discovered she was pregnant with Gene, who has Down syndrome, on World Down Syndrome Day. At the time, she didnt know the dates significance.

And then it all made sense, she says. Now we celebrate Gene and all our friends  and that very special time finding out we were expecting him.

Gene Daly: His mother Gina doesn't want sympathy or stereotypes.

A passionate advocate for the rights of people with Down syndrome, she feels strongly about breaking stereotypes and celebrating the abilities of those with the condition.

Ive met stereotypes, not many but a few," she says. "The first was in the supermarket. Id just had Gene. Someone I sort of knew said, Oh Jeez, my heart goes out to you, I feel so sorry for you.

I said: Theres absolutely no reason for you to feel sorry for me. I feel sorry for you that you dont have a wonderful little child like I do'.

She has learned that when such remarks are made, not to snap back in anger or frustration: Instead, I say, This is our world  Gene is amazing, so capable. And that people with Down syndrome are not defined by it  its a really wonderful part of them.

In Kerry, Joanne feels very lucky that no one ever saw Joseph in terms of his disability: They just saw Joseph.

She loves talking about Joseph, about people with Down syndrome: Im just a mom who loves talking about my boy.

Gina Daly and Gene have teamed up with DSI on its Lots of Socks campaign ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. Theyre asking people across Ireland to host a Lots of Socks party in their community or to pick up limited-edition socks from downsyndrome.ie
Gerry Adams has told the high court that opponents of Sinn Fein have repeatedly sought to conflate the political party he led with the IRA, as he denied ever being a member of the Irish Republican Army.

Giving evidence in London watched by victims of IRA bombings, the 77-year-old, credited with helping to bring about the peace process that ended the Troubles, said he had never been a senior, let alone most senior, figure in the IRA.

Adams is being sued for symbolic vindicatory damages of 1 each by John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock. They claim he was an IRA member, sat on its army council and was culpable for the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, and the London Docklands and Manchester bombings in 1996 in which they were respectively injured.

Adams, who entered the witness box wearing a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, said in his witness statement: To be clear, membership of the political party, Sinn Fein, does not equate to membership of the IRA.

Sinn Fein is a political party that seeks a whole range of political objectives, including an end to partition and Irish unity. Throughout my life, opponents of Sinn Fein have repeatedly sought to conflate Sinn Fein with the IRA. As I have always stated, Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate organisations. Adams wished the judge, Mr Justice Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day after entering the witness box on Tuesday.

The judge later admonished Adams when the defendant said: Can I just say? I see Mr Laycock in court today; I was extremely moved by his testimony. Swift told Adams not to make statements and to stick to answering questions.

Cross-examining Adams on the behalf of the claimants, Sir Max Hill KC put it to him that he had chosen to stand by the IRA over a long period. The former Sinn Fein leader replied: If your neighbourhood was invaded and occupied some patriotic Englishmen would form themselves in some sort of a resistance movement  I am glad that there is a peace process but I do not distance myself from the IRA, while being very, very clear that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done. Hill said: I suggest that you stand by the IRA because you were a member. Adams replied: I stand by the African National Congress [ANC] but theres no suggestion Im a member of them. I stand by the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organisation] but theres no suggestion Im a member of them. At one point Hill accused Adams of rewriting history when the defendant insisted that a delegation of which he was a part, which held talks with the UK government in 1972, was made up entirely of Sinn Fein members.

Hill said that Sean Mac Stiofain, who Adams had previously acknowledged was the self-professed chief of staff of the IRA and who also attended the talks, had written in his 1975 book that Adams and others were nominated to be part of the delegation as representatives of the IRA.

In his written statement, Adams said: Although I deny categorically the allegations made by the claimants of my involvement in those bombings in any way, nothing in this statement should be taken as criticism of the claimants, or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.

The hearing continues.

- The Guardian
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee has said both she and the Government agrees with President Catherine Connolly's description of recent events in the Middle East as a breach of international law.

However, pressed several times, Ms McEntee did not herself label US or Israeli actions in the Middle East as breaching international law.

"Ive agreed with what President Connolly has said. The Government agreed with what she said. She hasnt said anything different to what we have said very clearly.

She's said in last few days everybody should uphold international law. She hasn't singled out any individual country and individual state. She's been very clear that Ireland has signed up to this and that we need to adhere to it.

In a speech to mark International Womens Day, President Connolly  while not singling out the US or Israel  said what has been witnessed in the Middle East since the two countries began striking Iran, provoking a fierce retaliation, were deliberate assaults on international law, the international laws that have underpinned global peace for 80 years.

We must name them as such, without euphemism and without equivocation, she said.

Ahead of the visit of Taoiseach Micheal Martin to the White House, members of the Government have stopped short of saying actions such as the bombing of a school in Iran have breached international law.

Furthermore, an official spokesperson said responsibility for Irelands handling of foreign affairs rests with the Government, not the president.

Ms McEntee said she believed everybody is saying the same thing here.

We can fixate and focus on a way in which something has been said, or we can actually focus on what Ireland is saying that is we have to de-escalate, that violence is not the way forward and the attack on the school is wrong and shouldnt have happened in the way the attack on a family in the West Bank [on Sunday] is shameful and shouldnt have happened.

I mean, our relationship with the US is a really important one.

"That doesn't mean that we can't call it out when we believe that things are wrong. And I mean the attack on a school, intentional or otherwise, should not happen, irrespective of where it comes from. So I can't be any clearer than that.
A mother of two from Clare who travels to France to get food allergy treatment for her children is to call for an action plan on allergy care on Wednesday.

First aid programmes in schools and childcare settings should be funded by the government, Sheila Downes and other members of Allergy Action Ireland (AAI) will also tell the Oireachtas health committee.

Ms Downes will talk about the challenges her family face. Both Josh, aged 11, and Erin, aged seven, live with severe food allergies and have to carry Epi-pens at all times including to school.

They have been going to France since November 2023 to access oral immunotherapy treatment.

She is expected to explain how this has been life changing for her children and is potentially life saving for them.

She will call for wider access to this for Irish families, as well as more funding for allergy services.

Ms Downes and AAI will call for allergies to be formally recognised and resourced as a serious public health issue.

This parent-led action group will also call for more access to oral immunotherapy treatment.

More broadly the group is expected demand standardise allergy care across education and childcare settings.

New ambassador

This week AAI has also announced west Cork resident and Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian  who played Becca Dean  as its ambassador.

She is not expected to attend the committee hearing but her daughter Islas care is likely to be discussed.

Isla, aged five, was diagnosed at just eight weeks old as allergic to milk, egg, peanuts, nuts, and sesame. She suffers with severe eczema.

However Ms Bastian has discovered with proper treatment, these risks can be reduced. She is supporting the call for better access to care for everyone.

She describes her familys care at Cork University Hospital as transformative. Isla has completed a milk ladder treatment plan and outgrew this allergy.

She is also having oral immunotherapy treatment to treat her egg allergy under consultant paediatric allergist Dr Juan Trujillo.

On one occasion Isla was accidentally given pasta with mayonnaise at creche. Her mother arrived there in time to give her emergency medication.

It is incredibly difficult psychologically for families living with severe allergies, Ms Bastian said.

You live in a state of constant vigilance. We have been fortunate to receive outstanding care in Cork, and I want every family in Ireland to have access to that same level of support.

The committee will also hear calls for mandatory national training with individual action plans and fully funded first aid programmes in every school and childcare setting from AAI speakers.

Families should not have to rely on luck, private care, or geography, a spokeswoman said.

Allergies are serious, chronic, and potentially life-threatening. We need national leadership and a coordinated strategy.
The Taoiseach has ruled out Irish involvement in any EU mission to reopen the strategic oil route in the Strait of Hormuz ahead of his visit to the White House on St Patrick's Day, as the US president piled pressure on European countries to assist America.

Micheal Martin will meet with Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday morning ahead of the traditional shamrock ceremony.

Mr Trump has been putting pressure on its EU allies to carry out a mission to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key artery in the global supply chain, with 20% of oil going through the waterway.

However, Mr Martin ruled out any Irish involvement.

We dont have that offensive military capacity in any shape or form, so obviously its not something thats on our agenda, Mr Martin said.

Other states refuse to send warships

Other European countries also rejected calls to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, despite threats from Trump that Nato faces a very bad future if members fail to help reopen the vital waterway.

Germany ruled out participation in any military activity, including efforts to reopen the strait. The countrys defence minister, Boris Pistorius, said:

This is not our war, we have not started it

Italys foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said that diplomacy needs to prevail and his country was involved in no naval missions that could be extended to the area.

Australia, France, and Japan have also said they had no plans to send warships.

Mr Trump had called on other countries to enter the war by sending ships to the strait to protect commercial vessels and unblock oil shipments.

Catherine Connolly's comments

The Taoiseach was also pressed on whether comments by President Catherine Connolly placed an obligation on him to declare the war in Iran as illegal.

Ms Connolly last week said the war in the Middle East constitutes deliberate assaults on international law and affirmed Irelands constitutional commitment to peace.

Mr Martin said he did not feel pressurised by those comments ahead of his White House visit.

Successive Irish Governments have pursued and supported a rules-based approach to global conflict, Mr Martin said.

The world is in a very challenging situation and no one likes war. We certainly dont as a country and we want a specific resolution, he said.

The Taoiseach said he did not have a specific gameplan for meeting with Mr Trump.

I dont have time for that, Mr Martin said. We have a broad position as a country.

Were confident in our contribution to America on a number of fronts.

The Taoiseach acknowledged that politics is unpredictable but said he is looking forward to his engagement with Mr Trump.

Mr Martin said he did not expect to be ambushed by Mr Trump, when asked about previous difficult encounters in the White House for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Cyril Ramaphosa.

This is a week in which, what were essentially doing and we have been doing for many, many years is honouring, affirming a very historic relationship between the United States and Ireland, Mr Martin said.
Donald Trump hinted at a visit to Ireland this September, launched a broadside at UK prime minister Keir Starmer, and mistook President Catherine Connolly for a man during his 50-minute St Patrick's Day meeting with Micheal Martin in the White House.

The US president also said the Taoiseach and Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly "get along so well" and that they should consider a "merger", before adding: "I love mergers, but we're going to get into a little trouble, we're going to get in more trouble with that."

The meeting in the Oval office was dominated by questions about the war in Iran, during which Mr Trump said he was "disappointed" in British prime minister Keir Starmer for failing to get involved in the Middle East conflict. He repeated a previous quote about Mr Starmer being no Churchill.

Read More Paul Hosford: Getting out of Oval Office unscathed as good as Micheal Martin could have hoped

However, standing up for the British leader, the Taoiseach said he had done much work to reset the UK-Irish relationship.

I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person, who I think you have a capacity to get on with, Mr Martin said.

You've got on with him before, and you've got on with other European leaders as well. I think you have that capacity again.

Mr Martin was later criticised by opposition politicians here for not defending President Catherine Connolly even as Mr Trump appeared to think her a man.

When asked about President Connollys comments describing US and Israeli actions in Iran as a "deliberate assault on international law", the US president responded: "Hes lucky I exist, thats all I can say.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns later said: ""The only person Micheal Martin sought to strongly defend today was British prime minister Keir Starmer. He made a point of attempting to firmly rebuff some of Trumps attacks on him.

However, when Trump mistakenly thought our own President was a man, Micheal Martin failed to correct the record.

Asked about the Irish publics concerns about the war in Iran and its impact on energy prices, Mr Trump said he has many Irish friends who support the war. He said that once the war in Iran is over, fuel prices are going to drop like a rock.

Mr Trump also said he believed the threat from Iran would have lead to a nuclear holocaust.

You cant let them have a nuclear weapon. If they got a nuclear weapon, I would say they would have used it within 24 hours after having it.

Read More Five things we learned from the Taoiseach's Oval Office meeting

I think it would have hit Europe, maybe not Ireland, but it would have hit Europe. It is big enough, you would have been affected.

The meeting itself came a number of hours after the top counterterrorism official in the Trump administration, Joe Kent, resigned over the war in Iran, while urging the US president to reverse course.

Mr Trump said said he was a nice guy but criticised him as being very weak on security.

The US president also criticised European immigration policy, saying the continent is a different place.

Bad things have happened to you, very bad things and you better do something about immigration and you better do something about energy, or you wont have a Europe.

However, the Taoiseach pushed back saying countries need to have both fair and robust rules, but also allow people in legally to aid the economy.

No one is in favour of illegal migration and so forth... I think Europe gets characterised wrongly in terms of it being overrun or whatever like that, Mr Martin said.

After the White House visit, Mr Martin travelled to Capitol Hill for the annual speakers lunch, where the US president warned the Taioseach about the USs high trade deficit with Ireland.

He said Ireland had better do something to reduce the deficit, adding he hoped they would be able to reach agreement to sell the country US liquified natural gas.

We want to sell a little to you, and the deficit will come down, down, down, and everybody's going to be happy. So you gotta buy a lot of our stuff."

Asked if he intended to visit Ireland for the upcoming Irish Open, which is being held at his hotel and golf course in Doonbeg, Mr Trump said he hoped hed be able to.

Everybody wants me to be there. You just said [Taoiseach], I hope you get to go, Mr Trump said.

We are going to try.
Over two weeks have passed since the illegal US-Israeli assault on Iran, which has ignited a regional war with global ramifications.

Since then, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee, as well as various Government TDs, have refused to categorically condemn these actions, or to categorise them as illegal.

As the war expanded, the Unifil mission in Lebanon came under Israeli fire. Although the Taoiseach "strongly condemned" the attack, he failed to name the aggressor, while Ms McEntee issued a statement that first mentioned "Hezbollahs attacks on Israel", before going on to "condemn the disproportionate Israeli response", leaving the reader none the wiser as to who actually carried out the attack.

This failure to call out blatant violations of international law, and name those responsible for them, highlights precisely why we cannot trust the Government to decide on overseas troop deployment, and underscores why we must protect the Triple Lock.

If the Government cant say that a war is illegal, how can it decide whether to deploy troops to it?

The Triple Lock is fit for purpose

The Triple Lock is a safeguard that governs Irish troop deployment overseas. It sets out that for more than 12 troops to be dispatched there must be (1) approval from cabinet, (2) a Dail Eireann resolution, and (3) the mission must have a United Nations (UN) mandate.

The Triple Lock has served Ireland well, keeping it out of illegal wars. The UN component of it is essentially Ireland saying to the world that it recognises UN authority in matters of international peace and security and has no intention of dispatching troops on operations that fall outside the UN system.

Although legal guardrails around troop deployment make good sense, the Government is in the process of removing them, arguing the Triple Lock is "no longer fit for purpose".

A US Hercules Transporter parked at Shannon Airport in 2003. Picture: AP/John Cogill

The fact the Government cant say whether an act of aggression was illegal or not, even when the UN has characterised it as such, raises serious questions about the battlefields that this, or any future government, may be willing to deploy Irish soldiers to, if the Triple Lock goes.

The Governments position may also indicate it is taking direction or bowing to pressure from Brussels or Washington in much the same way events played out regarding the Occupied Territories Bill, with the US ambassador warning there would be "consequences" if it were to enact it.

The Triple Lock is designed to withstand such pressure because, crucially, the alignment of domestic legislation with international law means that regardless of the external pressure bearing down on the Government, Ireland cannot dispatch troops on a military operation unless there is a UN mandate for the mission. Even the Government must see this and appreciate its vital function.

Europes response to the illegal war on Iran

Despite the illegality of the war on Iran, many European leaders have chosen to facilitate rather than restrain US-Israeli actions.

On March 1, Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement saying they were willing to "take steps to defend our interests  through  defensive action  working together with the US and allies in the region".

In the days that followed, various European states, including Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, dispatched warships to the eastern Mediterranean following an Iranian drone strike on a British military base in Cyprus.

Though European statements use words like "restraint" and "de-escalation", these actions speak for themselves, dispelling any notion of a transatlantic split, instead demonstrating that once again European states are prepared to back US actions, even if that means becoming embroiled in an illegal war.

French president Emmanuel Macron recently announced that France would go further by dispatching warships to the Red Sea and potentially the Strait of Hormuz.

The EU has had two naval missions in the region for the past two years and it is, as yet, unclear whether or how these missions may eventually become involved in the war.

Without the Triple Lock, there would be no legal impediment to Ireland deploying alongside our like-minded partners on any of these overseas missions.

Meanwhile, at home, the Government has continued to allow US military use of Shannon Airport, which has become a de facto forward operating base for US military operations in recent decades.

President Catherine Connolly described the acts of aggression as 'deliberate assaults on international law', urging that we 'name them as such, without euphemism and without equivocation'.

International law is clear: "Belligerents are forbidden to move troops or convoys of either munitions of war or supplies across the territory of a neutral power". Permitting the US to do so while it wages an illegal war on Iran, effectively disqualifies the State from enjoying the protections set out for neutral powers under international law.

Iran has also been very clear: it is targeting Cyprus and the Gulf states because they host US or allied military bases. Depending on the direction this war takes and Irans capacity to launch attacks, whats to say that it, or its allies, wont expand their targets to include other locations in Europe, including Shannon, if the Government continues to allow it to be used as a de facto military base?

Against the backdrop of an illegal US-Israeli war, the ongoing genocide in Palestine, and a litany of other gross violations of international law, Taoiseach Micheal Martin will nevertheless be in Washington today to present the state that is carrying them out with a bowl of shamrock.

In doing so, he will assure President Trump there are no red lines, that Irelands subservience to the US will continue, even as its actions set en train an unprecedented moment of global instability. Micheal Martins failure to stand up for what is right when it matters most brings shame on all of us and surely marks the lowest ebb for Irish foreign policy since the foundation of the State.

Heed President Connollys words

In her statement to mark International Womens Day, President Catherine Connolly described the acts of aggression as "deliberate assaults on international law", urging that we "name them as such, without euphemism and without equivocation".

She described Ireland as being "uniquely positioned to do precisely that", referencing "our unbroken record of international peacekeeping since 1958, and our decades of commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation". This, she said, "stands as testament to the disproportionate influence a small, neutral state can wield when it acts with integrity and purpose".

Considering the presidents recent election win and the fact her campaign centred on the importance of preserving peace and strengthening neutrality, we can safely assume she speaks for the Irish people on these matters, particularly since opinion polls consistently show overwhelming support for neutrality.

At this moment of heightened global instability and the normalisation of war and genocide, the Government would do well to reflect on President Connollys message.

Niamh Ni Bhriain is a research associate at the Transnational Institute
When Micheal Martin sat in the Oval Office last year, the spotlight was on Ireland's economic model.

In the glare of Donald Trump's promises to bring industry back to US shores, Ireland's pharma industry was singled out as the president laid the groundwork for a sweeping global tariff regime.

It was an uncomfortable position for Mr Martin, with Mr Trump's mercurial nature making a difficult course to navigate in the glare of the world's media.

This year, arguably, there was more on the line.

Ireland's economy has already been impacted by Mr Trump's tariffs, despite them being struck down by the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the impacts from the war in Iran are being felt at the petrol pumps and by those heating their homes.

Under pressure at home to raise the legality of the Iran war as well as the ongoing situation in Gaza, few would envy Mr Martin's position in having to deal with the US president on St Patrick's Day.

Today, much of the focus of the meeting was on Iran, as Mr Trump waxed lyrical about the US military might in Iran, saying that it had effectively "destroyed" the Iranian armed forces. Mr Trump said he had prevented "nuclear holocaust" by bombing Iran.

I said Iran was a big threat to this country, to this world of ours, and turned out I was right.

You cant let them have a nuclear weapon. If they got a nuclear weapon, I would say they would have used it within 24 hours after having it.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

I think it would have hit Europe, maybe not Ireland, but it would have hit Europe.

It is big enough, you would have been affected.

Mr Martin, largely silent for the first 25 minutes of the Donald Trump Show after introductory remarks, concurred, saying that everyone accepts that you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon and that Iran was a sponsor of terrorism.

On the substantive issue driving up fuel prices, Mr Trump said that it "won't be too long" before the Strait of Hormuz is safe for oil tankers and promised that fuel prices in Ireland would "drop like a rock" when the crisis is over.

Mr Trump said that he had "many friends" who are Irish who supported his actions in Iran.

"They're very happy that I'm getting rid of a nuclear terrorist.

As soon as that war is over, which will be soon, your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch.

There were a couple of tricky moments for Mr Martin, however, as he was forced to defend another world leader  British prime minister Keir Starmer.

Mr Trump made his displeasure at the UK's lack of support in Iran known, saying that Mr Starmer is "no Churchill" and a "nice man with a lovely family who doesn't produce".

Mr Martin, who last week spent time with Mr Starmer in Cork, said that Mr Starmer was an earnest, sound person who helped to reset the UK-Irish relationship.

Mr Martin was also able to make a case for immigration to the President, whose career has in large part been built on making the issue a negative. Mr Martin robustly defended Europe and its approach to the issue and said that it is often "mischaracterised" in the US. He also, very tentatively, broached the idea of a legal pathway for Irish people to emigrate to the US beyond the existing structures.

There will be, and has already been, some criticism though of Mr Martin's lack of interjection when a question on President Catherine Connolly's statement that the US war in Iran was illegal was put to Mr Trump, who said "he should be thankful I exist", appearing to believe the Irish President is a man.

It would be easy to look at the event as little more than a possession battle and tabulate the time speaking stats, but that misreads the purpose of Mr Martin being in the room at all. The success is having a week full of attention in the US.

Getting out of the Oval Office unscathed is probably as good as could be hoped and, for that, Mr Martin will have breathed a sigh of relief as he headed to a lunch of Capitol Hill.
The BBC has warned of the chilling effect US president Donald Trumps defamation lawsuit would have on robust reporting on public figures and events.

It comes after the corporation on Monday filed a motion to dismiss Mr Trumps $10bn (8.7bn) defamation lawsuit over an edit of a Panorama documentary.

The programme faced criticism last year over an episode broadcast in 2024 for giving the impression the US president had encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol building in 2021 after he had lost the election to Joe Biden.

In the motion, the BBC cited case law and said: Early dismissal is favoured given the powerful interest in ensuring that free speech is not unduly burdened by the necessity of defending against expensive yet groundless litigation, which would constrict the breathing space needed to ensure robust reporting on public figures and events.

In all, plaintiff (President Trump) falls well short of the high bar of actual malice. He fails to plausibly allege facts showing that defendants (BBC) knowingly intended to create a false impression

Arguing the case should be thrown out, the corporation continued: All the more so when plaintiff (President Trump) is among the most powerful and high-profile individuals in the world, on whose activities the BBC reports every day.

The chilling effect is clear.

The motion went on to cite a lack of personal jurisdiction and a failure to state a claim as further reasons for wanting the lawsuit dismissed.

In the 34-page document, the BBC said: In all, plaintiff (President Trump) falls well short of the high bar of actual malice.

He fails to plausibly allege facts showing that defendants (BBC) knowingly intended to create a false impression.

The BBC went on to say the lack of actual malice is underscored by the fact that the brief clip, which shows 12 seconds of plaintiffs speech on January 6, is part of an hour-long film with extensive coverage of his supporters and balanced coverage of his path to re-election.

The corporation also argued Mr Trumps defamation claim should be dismissed because he cannot show the corporation purposefully aimed the documentary at Florida.

The 79-year-old filed the claim against the BBC in the southern district of Florida in December last year, but the BBC said it is not at home in Florida.

In the motion to dismiss, the BBC added: The president has no basis at all to ask this court to exercise jurisdiction over defendants (BBC).

Donald Trump filed the lawsuit in December last year (Leon Neal/PA)

It also argued it is not subject to general personal jurisdiction in Florida because they do not engage in substantial and not isolated activity within this state.

The BBC said that meant it would be unduly burdensome to defend Mr Trumps defamation case in the state.

The corporation added: These burdens are not outweighed by Floridas minimal interests in overseeing a dispute about UK entities role in a documentary aimed at UK viewers, who fund the BBC by paying the UK licence fee.

It would be unduly burdensome for these UK defendants to defend themselves in Florida.

Nor would it be fair to require defendants to litigate in Florida where the BBC took active measures to block Americans from viewing this documentary.

Following the filing of the motion, a BBC spokesperson said: We have said throughout we will robustly defend the case against us.

Put simply  the documentary was never aired in Florida  or the US. It wasnt available to watch in the US on iPlayer, online, or any other streaming platforms including BritBox and BBC Select.

We have therefore challenged jurisdiction of the Florida court and filed a motion to dismiss the presidents claim.

BBC director general Tim Davie resigned in November following the allegations that Panorama selectively edited Trumps speech.

Rhodri Talfan Davies has been confirmed as the corporations interim director general and will take on the role from April 3.
Israel claimed on Tuesday to have killed Iran's security chief, while a senior Iranian official said the new supreme leader had rejected de-escalation offers conveyed by intermediaries, demanding Israel and the US first be "brought to their knees".

The senior official, who asked not to be identified, said two intermediary countries had conveyed proposals to Iran's Foreign Ministry for "reducing tensions or ceasefire with the United States". The official did not give further details.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who had held his first foreign policy session since being named supreme leader, had responded that it was not "the right time for peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation", the official said.

He did not clarify whether Khamenei, who has not yet been pictured since being named last week to replace his slain father, had attended the meeting in person or remotely.

The US-Israeli war on Iran is now in its third week, with at least 2,000 people killed and no end in sight.

The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed off and U.S. allies have rebuffed US President Donald Trump's calls for them to help to reopen the vital waterway, through which about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in an air strike on February 28, the first day of the war launched by the United States and Israel, and other top leaders from the Iranian theocracy have been killed since then.

Iranian state media did not immediately confirm either death. However, it said a message from Mr Larijanis office would be published shortly.

Commander of Irans Basij paramilitary force, General Gholam Reza Soleimani, gives a press conference in 2019 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The announcement came after the Israeli military earlier said it had carried out a wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital and stepped up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel also reported two incoming salvos before dawn from Iran aimed at Tel Aviv and elsewhere, and said Hezbollah targeted Israels north.

Incoming Iranian missiles on the United Arab Emirates prompted Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, to briefly shut its airspace and a man was killed by the debris of a missile intercepted over Abu Dhabi.

Mr Larijani hails from one of Irans most famous political families. A former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, he was appointed to advise the late Mr Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.

He also served as the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, its top security body.

Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank, forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates (AP)

Soleimani was the head of the Basij militia forces, which Israels military called an armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime.

An Israeli military spokesperson said: During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimanis command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.

The US Treasury lists Soleimani as having been born in 1965. He has been sanctioned by the US, the European Union and other nations over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

Since the war began on February 28, Israel has launched specific attacks targeting Irans leadership, killing 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other military commanders.

Killing Soleimani could further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy. The Basij and other internal security forces have been a target of attack by both the Americans and the Israelis so far.

Iran has kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbours, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted. State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike.

Irans attacks on Gulf nations and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis.

Early on Tuesday, it hit a tanker anchored off the coast of Fujairah, one of about 20 vessels hit since Israel and the United States started the war with an attack on Iran on February 28.

With Washington under increasing pressure over rising oil prices, Brent crude, the international standard, remained over 100 dollars (75) a barrel, up more than 40% since the war started.

US President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and sceptical that they could do more than the US Navy.

President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Saudi Arabias Defence Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones on Tuesday morning over the countrys vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.

In Qatar, the sounds of explosions boomed over the capital early in the day as defences worked to intercept incoming fire. Qatars Defence Ministry said later that it had successfully thwarted a missile attack on the city, though a fire broke out in an industrial area from a downed projectile.

Attacks from Iran-linked proxy forces continued in Iraq, as the US Embassy in Baghdad was hit with shrapnel from drones that had been intercepted.

The embassys air defences were able to shoot down all four drones targeting the facility, according to two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

A separate strike targeted a house in the heavily fortified Presidential Compound in Baghdads al-Jadriya area, the officials said.

It was not clear who carried out either attack, but Iran-allied militias have regularly been attacking American targets inside Iraq since the conflict began.

- Associated Press
Israel said it killed two senior Iranian security officials in overnight strikes in a major blow to the countrys leadership.

Iran, which did not immediately confirm either death, fired salvos of missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbours and Israel on Tuesday in a war that showed no signs of abating.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and General Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij force, were eliminated last night, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said.

Ali Larijani, centre, head of Irans National Security Council, gestures as Hezbollah supporters throw rice to welcome him outside Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut last year (Bilal Hussein/AP)

Mr Larijani was considered one of the most powerful figures in the country since supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war.

Both men were key to Irans violent crackdown on protests in January that challenged the theocracys 47-year rule.

The killings would strip Iran of important leaders during a war that presents that greatest test for the Islamic Republic in recent decades.

(PA Graphics)

With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, Iran launched fresh attacks against several of its Gulf Arab neighboUrs and oil infrastructure throughout the region.

Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, briefly shut its airspace, the second disruption to flights in the city in as many days.

An Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.

Commander of Irans Basij paramilitary force, General Gholam Reza Soleimani, gives a press conference in 2019 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said Nato and most other allies have rejected his calls to help secure the strait.

The Israeli military said it had begun a wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital and was stepping up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Mr Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, advised the late Mr Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.

He was sanctioned by the US Treasury in January for his role in co-ordinating Irans violent suppression nationwide protests.

General Soleimani was also sanctioned by the US, as well as by the European Union and other nations, over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killings were aimed at weakening Irans government.

Volunteers clean debris from a residential building damaged when a nearby police station was hit Friday in a US-Israeli strike in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

We are undermining this regime to give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it, he said.

There have been no signs of anti-government protests since the war began, as many Iranians are sheltering from the American and Israeli strikes.

The reported killings of Mr Larijani and General Soleimani came on the eve of Chaharshanbe Souri, or the Festival of Fire, shortly before the Persian new year.

Authorities have sent threatening text messages urging the public not to celebrate the festival, warning that the normally rowdy celebrations could be used by rioters.

State media aired footage on Tuesday of pro-government demonstrations, including images of some men in plainclothes branding assault rifles and shotguns on the back of motorcycles  a sign of the government wanting to prevent renewed protests against the theocracy.

State television later showed crowds of women wrapped in black and older men waving flags and portraits of the killed former supreme leader.

Flames appear to engulf a structure inside the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad (Ali Jabar/AP)

Iran kept up the pressure on its neighbours and energy infrastructure around the region.

In Iraq, two drones were shot down by the defence system at the US Embassy in Baghdad, while a third drone crashed inside the embassy compound.

That is according to two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment.

An Associated Press journalist in the area saw a massive fire that appeared to be engulfing a structure in the compound.

There was no immediate comment from the embassy.

In the United Arab Emirates, an oil facility in Fujairah was hit, and a man was killed in Abu Dhabi by debris from an intercepted missile  the eighth person to die in the UAE since the start of the war, authorities said.

President Donald Trump fumed on Tuesday that the US is not getting support in the conflict (Alex Brandon/AP)

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones, while air defences could be heard targeting incoming fire over Qatars capital, Doha.

Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported, has sparked increasing concerns about a tightening of energy supplies that is unnerving the world economy.

A handful of ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the waterway technically remains open  just not for the US, Israel and their allies.

About 20 vessels have been struck since the war began.

With oil prices rising, Mr Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to ensure ships can pass through the strait.

He fumed on Tuesday that the US is not getting support despite the fact that almost every country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot be allowed to secure a nuclear weapon.

French President Emmanuel Macron holds a meeting of Frances defence and security council (Benoit Tessier, Pool Photo via AP)

The European Unions top diplomat says the 27-nation bloc does not want to be dragged into the conflict with Iran.

This is not Europes war, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told EU legislators on Tuesday.

We were not consulted.

French President Emmanuel Macron earlier reaffirmed that France is ready to help secure the strait, but only after heavy bombing has stopped.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military early on Tuesday said it had launched new attacks across Tehran and targeted Hezbollah militants in the Lebanese capital.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into the northern Israel after the US and Israel attacked Iran last month.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beiruts southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

In Iran, it said it hit command centres, missile launch sites and air defence systems.

There was no immediate confirmation from Iran, where little information has been coming out due to internet outages, round-the-clock airstrikes and tight restrictions on journalists.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

The Lebanese army said that three soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said that an airstrike near Beiruts international airport killed one person and wounded nine, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Israels strikes have displaced more than one million Lebanese  or roughly 20% of the population  according to the Lebanese government, which says 912 people have been killed since the outbreak of a new Israel-Hezbollah war two weeks ago.

In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire.

At least 13 US military members have been killed.
Last year we received RMB 1 million in autogranted without applying subsidy through the fiscal interestsubsidy policy, and this time we obtained a pure credit noapplication loan. From the government proactively disbursing funds to the bank coming to our doorstep with servicesthumbs up for such a great initiative! said Yin Die, Deputy General Manager of Anhui Youpin New Materials Co., Ltd. On the morning of March 16, Youpin New Materials received a RMB 3 million noapplication loan from the Anqing branch of Bank of Communications. This is the first loan issued after Anhuis finance department took the national lead in launching the noapplication loan, marking Chinas first such loan landing in Anhui. What is a noapplication loan? A provincial finance department official explained that Anhuis finance authorities, focusing on data sharing and credit empowerment, have integrated the efficient autogranted without applying service model into bank approval processes. Through fiscalfinancial coordination under the autogranted without applying + financial support approach, they formed a fullchain closed loop: fiscal selection and confirmation  data opening and sharing  proactive financial engagement  intelligent and precise credit granting  rapid loan disbursement. Put simply, when a company receives a fiscal subsidy via the autogranted without applying mechanism, it can obtain a credit loan quickly without submitting an additional application or providing collateral. Previously, the autogranted without applying platform used WanqiTong (Anhui Enterprise Service System) as a link to connect the integrated fiscal budget management system, enterpriserelated systems, WanqiTong, and more than 20 systems across 16 cities and relevant provincial departments, achieving crossdepartment and crosslevel coordination so that enterprisebenefiting policies reach horizontally to the edges and vertically to the bottom. This upgrade connects the autogranted without applying platform with the provincial credit financing service platform, sharing company data on fiscal subsidies obtained through the mechanism with the credit financing platform. It establishes a crossdepartmental and crossdomain governmentbank datasharing mechanism, transforming fiscal subsidy and other policy dividend data into a companys credit report for financing. In the past, when dealing with micro and small enterprises we lacked effective operational data and credit evaluation dimensions. Now, leveraging the credibility of data from the fiscal autogranted without applying platform, we can build more precise and forwardlooking credit models that empower us to lend earlier, lend faster, and lend proactively, allowing financial resources to truly reach startups that have technology and potential but lack collateral, said Ding Peng, General Manager of the Inclusive Finance Division at Bank of Communications Anqing Branch. He added that the noapplication loan is not only about unblocking information flows but also a deep practice of government credibility empowering market entities and enhancing the quality of financial services. As Ding Peng noted, the noapplication loan builds a service system of data bridging, fiscal credit enhancement, and financial empowerment, fully leveraging fiscal funds to guide and leverage additional capital, channeling more financial resources into the real economy. At the same time, it amplifies the effect of fiscal subsidy policies, helping enterprises convert policy dividends into development momentum and providing solid fiscal and financial support for Anhuis development. Source: anhuinews.com
A subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said Panamanian officials had not responded to its lawsuit opposing the suspension of its Panama Canal operations because they had failed to hire lawyers.

A Panamanian court declared in January that a contract, which had allowed CK Hutchison unit Panama Ports Company (PPC) to manage the Pacific port of Balboa and Cristobal on the Atlantic since 1997, was "unconstitutional".

PPC filed a lawsuit in February under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and said this month that it was seeking at least US$2 billion in damages.

However, Panama did not file any responses to the arbitration by the original deadline of March 13 set by the ICC's Court of Arbitration, PPC said in a statement issued on Monday in Panama.

It said a country that respects foreign investors "does not disregard consultations and international dispute procedures".

"Panama stated that it was not prepared and was not able to respond on time because it had not hired lawyers, was unfamiliar with the dispute, and needed time to develop a plan, to obtain a partial extension," the PPC statement said.

Panama had also failed to resolve the broader issues involved, it said, which "suggests that Panama may eventually simply invent and announce more unfounded attacks in arbitration".

Panamanian officials asked Chinese shipping giant Cosco this month to reconsider its decision to suspend its operations at the Balboa port because of the PPC suspension.

The Central American country has been caught up in broader tensions between Washington and Beijing, with US President Donald Trump last year claiming, without evidence, that China effectively runs the canal.

China had threatened Panama with payback after the court's decision in January.

CK Hutchison said this month it had intensified its legal actions over the takeover by Panamanian authorities of the two Panama Canal ports it controlled.

It said it had also filed an administrative petition urging Panamanian officials to reconsider the executive action that "led to the occupation of facilities and confiscation of property".

Authorities searched PPC's office in Panama in late February, with the CK Hutchison unit describing the occupation and seizure of its property as acting "in disregard of the rule of law".
The exiled son of Iran's last shah announced a new committee on Monday to lay the groundwork for a future truth commission in Iran and named a Nobel Peace Prize winner to lead it.

US-based Reza Pahlavi, who wields influence among the diaspora but holds no official position, said that the transitional justice committee would draft "regulations for a truth-finding commission and court."

According to the former crown prince, the team would seek justice for "victims of injustice, torture and repression by the Islamic Republic."

He wrote on X that Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi would lead the committee of "experienced Iranian experts spanning four different generations."

He also named Dutch Iranian law professor Afshin Ellian, activist Iraj Mesdaghi and doctor Leila Bahmani as members.

Pahlavi leads one of several opposition movements based outside of Iran. His prominence grew after he encouraged protests in January against Iran's clerical system, with some demonstrators calling for a return of the deposed monarchy.

Iran's supreme leader since 1989, Ali Khamenei, was killed when the United States and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic republic on February 28.

His son, Mojtaba, was named his successor a week later.

Ebadi, a lawyer, former judge and the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, created the nonprofit Defenders of Human Rights Center and lives in exile in London.
The UN on Tuesday urged Israel to immediately halt its dramatic settlement expansion in the West Bank, raising "ethnic cleansing" concerns with over 36,000 Palestinians displaced in a single year.

A fresh report from the United Nations rights office, looking at the 12 months up to October 31, 2025, warned that Israel's accelerating expansion of unlawful settlements and annexation of large parts of the West Bank was driving "unprecedented" displacement.

"The displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank represented the mass expulsion of Palestinians on a scale previously unseen, amounting to unlawful transfer that is prohibited under international humanitarian law," the report said.

Alongside "the extensive displacement of Palestinians in Gaza", it "appears to indicate a concerted Israeli policy of mass forcible transfer throughout the occupied territory, aimed at permanent displacement, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing".

The report pointed to the advancement or approval by Israeli authorities of 36,973 housing units in settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and around 27,200 in the rest of the West Bank.

Also during the 12-month-period, "an unprecedented 84 settlement outposts were established across the occupied West Bank, bringing the total number to more than 300", the report said.

Ajith Sunghay, the head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territories, told journalists that since the period covered by the report, "the pace of the concerted efforts by the Israeli government to seize as much Palestinian land as possible, with as few Palestinians in it as possible, is only becoming more relentless".

Asked for its response to the report, Israel's mission in Geneva told AFP that UN rights chief Volker Turk's agency had "lost all credibility" and "does not function as an impartial and neutral human rights office, but as the epicentre of vile anti-Israeli activism".

- Settler attacks -

In addition to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

Violence in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has risen sharply since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war.

There has also been a spike in deadly attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank since the start of the Iran war, Palestinian authorities and the UN have said, with at least six Palestinians killed since the start of March.

Sunghay said that West Bank Palestinians were now living with "even more violence, restrictions and discrimination than they did just four months ago".

According to an AFP tally based on Palestinian health ministry figures, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 1,045 Palestinians -- many of them militants, but also scores of civilians -- in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war.

Official Israeli figures say that 45 Israelis, including soldiers and civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.

In Tuesday's report, the UN rights office said it had documented 1,732 incidents of settler violence resulting in casualties or property damage during the reporting period -- up from 1,400 during the previous 12 months.

"Settler violence continued in a coordinated, strategic and largely unchallenged manner, with Israeli authorities playing the central role," the report said.

Sunghay said that this year, Israeli settlers had killed seven Palestinians in the West Bank -- compared to eight in all of 2025.

- 'War crime' -

Turk called on Israel to "immediately and completely cease and reverse the establishment and expansion of settlements".

In a statement, he also urged "the evacuation (of) all settlers, and an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territory".

The report also decried that advancing settlement plans were heightening the risk of displacement faced by thousands of Palestinians from Bedouin communities located northeast of East Jerusalem.

"Unlawful transfer of protected persons constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, constituting a war crime," it stressed.

"Under certain circumstances, it may also amount to a crime against humanity."
JUSTICE INFO IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS Richard Rogers Human rights lawyer

JUSTICE INFO: The definition of a sanctions regime is a set of restrictive measures imposed by one or more countries against another country, organization, or individual, to achieve foreign policy goals. There exist lots of sets of sanctions, including on trade, but what we seem to be interested in here is what is called the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Could you go back to the origin of it  when, how and why this sanction regime was created?

RICHARD ROGERS: Well, theres not only the Global Magnitsky Act, but thats certainly the most well-known one. Pre Magnitsky sanctions regimes targeted entire States. They would impose trade embargoes, financial isolation, etc. But those ultimately were seen as pretty blunt instruments, and not as effective as they could have been, because they affected entire populations; while the political and military elites simply adapted and stashed money in offshore accounts, and even profited.

So, from about the late 2000s onwards, the Western States adapted their approach, and they brought in these individualized, targeted sanctions regimes where sanctions would hit the actual decision makers, the enablers, and the beneficiaries of the abuses. The idea was to hit these individuals where it hurt by preventing them from traveling or from shopping in the West, freezing their assets, and undermining their ability to do business through the Western financial systems.

It all started, really, with the Magnitsky Act in 2012. That was a U.S. act that targeted a group of Russians who had effectively murdered Sergei Magnitsky, who was the lawyer for Bill Browder, a British American financier who had been working and investing in Russia. The act was seen as quite effective. And Bill Browder went on to lobby the U.S. Congress to adopt a global version of that act. In 2016, the U.S. brought in this Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act which allowed the U.S. to sanction foreign individuals who were responsible either for human rights abuses or for significant corruption. The tools included asset freezes, bans on using the U.S. dollar system  which is quite extensive  and travel restrictions. And not only for the individual perpetrators, but also for their family and for their businesses.

So if youre sanctioned by the U.S., you cant travel to the U.S., and U.S. nationals cant deal with you  you cant get American lawyers, accountants, investors, to support your businesses. If you have property in the U.S., its likely to be frozen. Depending on the wording of the sanctions, your family may not be able to get visas for the U.S.

Many of the corrupt elites have their kids in universities in America; their wives go shopping in London and New York. Whether being designated by the U.S. makes a big difference or not depends on your lifestyle. But because the world still relies on the U.S. dollar so much within financial systems, U.S. sanctions normally touch on peoples lives, one way or another.

By 2020, practically the whole of the West had individualized, targeted sanctions regimes to target human rights abuses and corruption.

Ultimately, these targeted sanctions were seen as an effective tool. After the Global Magnitsky Act, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union brought in copy-cat Acts, which did similar things. So by 2020, practically the whole of the West had individualized, targeted sanctions regimes to target human rights abuses and corruption.

Then, on top of that, there may be more specific regimes that came in relating to specific countries or specific events. An example of that are the sanctions relating to Belarus. In 2020, there was a stolen election and civil demonstrations in Belarus, followed by a violent crackdown by the regime. Hundreds of protesters were beaten, many were killed, and thousands imprisoned unfairly. The EU and the UK adopted specific Acts to target individuals who were involved in that repression.

Its implemented for a specific situation, and for a specific amount of time, but it works under the same principles?

Yes, and it might be broader. For example, in relation to Ukraine, there are many different sanctions regimes that might target a whole sector  those who are supporting the occupation [by Russia] through financial institutions, or those who are supporting the Russian war through the energy sector.

So it can be sector specific, it can be event specific. But the idea is always to target individuals, their families, and their companies.

When did it become a useful tool for human rights activists or lawyers like you?

I was involved to a very small extent with lobbying for the Global Magnitsky Act. So I knew that was coming, and as soon as it was adopted, I was filing applications under that Act. For example, I used it to target corrupt human rights abusers from the Cambodian regime. With some success. The Americans sanctioned Kun Kim, who was the deputy supreme commander of the Cambodian Armed Forces. He was sanctioned for corruption and human rights abuses. He had about five companies sanctioned, and several family members as well.

Kun Kim, the former deputy commander-in-chief of the Cambodian Armed Forces, has been placed on the U.S. sanctions list for corruption and human rights violations, along with five of his companies and several members of his family. Photo:  Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP

And how efficient was that?

Its hard to tell what effect sanctions have on the targeted person. Its very difficult to measure. Unfortunately, most of those who are targeted are already so wealthy and connected that they can adapt without affecting their lives too much. But its fair to work on the assumption that designation does have a deterrent effect. And in some, perhaps many cases, it changes peoples behaviours.

Which is the point?

Which is exactly the point. The idea of individualised sanctions is to prevent people from committing human rights abuses or pursuing corrupt practices, and to change their behaviour to conform with Western foreign policy.

If you file a case to a human rights court, it will take years to get a result. But, if youre lucky, you can file a request for sanctions and get a result within weeks or months.

How wide the use of sanctions regimes by human rights lawyers became after the Magnitsky Act? Would you say that this tool proved to be a powerful new avenue for you to take action, in the absence of other criminal justice options, for instance?

Theyve been incredibly useful. Partly because they can be much quicker than a judicial process. If you file a case to a human rights court, it will take years to get a result, the same with the International Criminal Court (ICC), or with universal jurisdiction cases. But, if youre lucky, you can file a request for sanctions and get a result within weeks or months.

Secondly, the evidential standard is much lower. Because it is not a judicial decision, you dont have to meet the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt, or even the balance of probabilities. You simply have to convince those working in the U.S. Treasury or State Department, or the equivalent in the UK or Europe, that there is a reasonable case.

Could you give us a couple of concrete examples of typical situations in which you would use or activate the sanctions regime?

Lets take the example of Cambodia, where there is an autocratic kleptocracy, where many members of the ruling elite commit acts of corruption and, inevitably, human rights abuses. This is a very good example where the U.S. or the UK or the EU might want to act to try to influence behaviour. Because those corrupt officials almost always have property or businesses in the West, if they are sanctioned, their property will be frozen, they wont be able to use it  it wont be confiscated, but it will be frozen for the period of the sanctions  and it will be difficult for them to use Western financial systems. Money flows will be undermined for them. That can be very effective.

Another example is Belarus. We [Global Diligence] did research into the judges and prosecutors who were involved in the unfair trials of protestors. Judges and prosecutors were using the power of the state as a tool of repression, rather than acting as an independent judiciary. We filed an application to the EU and it sanctioned judicial actors, in addition to security officials. They sanctioned quite a large number of judges and prosecutors off the back of that work.

Certainly in the past, there has been a reluctance to sanction judges and prosecutors. It has been done, but it seems to have been a very high bar, understandably.

Was it the first time you were targeting judges and prosecutors?

No, it was the second time. After the success of our application in relation to Kun Kim, we filed a second application on Cambodia. This was broader and identified some very senior members of the judiciary who were undoubtedly acting as tools of the regime, who were ensuring that the legal system was not independent, and was simply a way for the ruling elite to consolidate their power, to commit human rights abuses, and to steal money. We filed an application to the U.S. requesting designation of the head of the judiciary and others. But they did not. So that one was unsuccessful.

Certainly in the past, there has been a reluctance to sanction judges and prosecutors. It has been done, but it seems to have been a very high bar, understandably.

Would they give you an explanation when they do not grant your application?

No. They dont really give any reasons to the organizations that submit applications. A decision is made, and you are informed when the decision to sanction people is published. Generally, you dont get feedback if theres a decision not to sanction. It depends to some extent on your personal relationship. The U.S. are actually more accessible than the UK in terms of engaging with civil society on these issues. Human Rights First is the main non-profit organization based in Washington DC dealing with sanctions. It has a very close relationship with the Office of Foreign Assets Control  OFAC  at the Department of the Treasury that deals with sanctions. Through Human Rights First, we did have face-to-face meetings with OFAC officials to discuss applications. But they would not say what they were going to do.

If we go back to the definition, its clear that the sanction regime is to achieve foreign policy goals. It was meant to be used for political purposes. For instance, the Trumps administration is currently working on a fresh set of sanctions that is expected to target senior security officials from Rwanda, because the U.S. is demanding the withdrawal of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in Eastern Congo from areas that were conquered by the M23 since the signing of a peace agreement supported by the U.S. between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda last December. Because the agreement was not respected, thats how the U.S. now wants to put pressure on Rwanda. Is this a classic use of the sanction regime?

Yes, very much. Its about using this political, diplomatic tool to influence actors to operate in a way that conforms to the foreign policy goals. It might include sanctions against individual actors in countries that allow China to build large ports for their navy, for example. It might include sanctions against political actors who are fuelling conflict within their country. These relate to foreign policy goals of the U.S.

So from the beginning, sanctions regimes are this ambiguous, or double-edged, sword-like system: it was not only about being a good moral, human rights tool, it was highly political.

Yes, theyve always been political. Generally, The U.S., the UK, the EU, will not be sanctioning friendly countries, or individuals that are close to the regimes in friendly countries, even if they are corrupt, even if they are committing human rights abuses. Its very much a diplomatic tool that is used to target enemies, or individuals in countries that are seen as unfriendly.

Whats changed under the current U.S. administration is that the ICC is seen as threatening the U.S. interests by targeting U.S. allies, key U.S. allies in the Middle East.

So based on what you told us, in what sense the sanctions against ICC senior prosecutors and judges are a clear departure from past practices?

Firstly, youve got to remember that Western countries have targeted judicial officials before, like in the example that I gave on Belarus. Whats different today is not the use of sanctions, but who or what is considered to be friendly, and who or what is considered to be for or against foreign policy interests. Thats whats changed. Previously, the ICC, as an international judicial organization, was generally seen as friendly to the West. The Americans were always skeptical about the ICC, but it certainly wasnt seen as working against the U.S.s foreign policy interests. Whats changed under the current U.S. administration is that the ICC is seen as threatening the U.S. interests by targeting U.S. allies, key U.S. allies in the Middle East.

Meaning Israel.

Yes. So its not completely inconsistent with the U.S. use of sanctions in the past, in the sense that theyve used sanctions to target individuals or bodies that they consider to be against the U.S. foreign policy interests. What has changed is the group they consider to be friends or foe.

I should also say that, when the EU sanctioned Belarusian judges, it was on the basis that they werent acting as independent arbiters. They were acting as tools of a repressive regime. So its quite a different circumstance to the ICC judges. I dont think there are allegations that the ICC judges are somehow corrupt, or that the ICC is simply a tool for some kind of repressive international organization.

This is very much a signal from the U.S. that its prepared to use sanctions to influence judicial decisions that affect its perceived security interests. Its not going to stop at sanctioning political, military or business leaders in certain enemy or neutral countries; its prepared to go further than that and to target individuals in international organizations. As far as I know, the Trump administration has been the only one who has targeted officials within an international organization.

When Russia sanctions, it doesnt have the same consequences for the individual  not traveling to Russia is not a big deal and the target person is not going to be blocked from a major banking system.

Russia also has its own targets and sanctions regimes. But, of course, when Russia sanctions, it doesnt have the same consequences for the individual  not traveling to Russia is not a big deal and the target person is not going to be blocked from a major banking system. Russian sanctions simply dont matter nearly as much as sanctions from the U.S., or even the EU or the UK.

Once youre on the list of U.S. sanctions, how do you get off?

You can apply to OFAC to remove the sanctions. And generally, there can be two angles: that there was no basis for the designation in the first place, there wasnt sufficient evidence to support the allegation; or, you can show that your behaviour has changed since the sanctions were imposed.

For ICC judges and prosecutors, they could presumably also apply to the U.S. to have their designation removed. They could argue that the underlying basis for the sanctions is not supported by the evidence, that the prosecutorial and judicial acts were not an extraordinary threat to U.S. national security interests and were not politically motivated or selective.

The second option is to show how theyve changed their behaviour. Thats more difficult for the judges, because theyre very unlikely to reverse the decisions that theyve made on Israel that would effectively demonstrate that they are not independent. It would almost prove the point of the U.S., but the other way around. So thats not a realistic option for them.

Failing that, they may be able to lodge an appeal through the U.S. courts. But the courts give the U.S. government a lot of leeway. So Im not sure how successful either of these avenues would be.

The United States is using the threat of sanctions to pressure Rwanda into withdrawing its support for the M23 (pictured here in Goma in February 2025), an armed rebel group that controls part of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photo:  Alexis Huguet / AFP

I dont think theres any need to amend the Magnitsky Act. It has a huge amount of discretion built into it already. So different regimes will use it in different ways.

Would you say that the Trumps administration move against ICC judges to some extent has changed the credibility of the U.S. sanctions regime? Could human rights lawyers like you keep using it in the future and ignore the way it has been used against themselves by the same government? Can you be blind to its abuse and use it when it goes your way? And finally, will there be a need to amend the Magnitsky Act once the Trump era is over?

Well, firstly, I dont think theres any need to amend the Magnitsky Act. It has a huge amount of discretion built into it already. So different regimes will use it in different ways. I think its relatively normal to expect a shift in foreign policy between different administrations in the U.S. And with that shift in foreign policy, there will be a shift in the targets, because the Magnitsky Act is about targeting those who are considered to be working against U.S. national interests, U.S. security interests. And that will change according to the administration and their priorities. So theres no need to amend the Act.

In terms of whether human rights lawyers should boycott using the Global Magnitsky, obviously thats a question for every individual lawyer. But there are only so many options available for human rights lawyers to make a difference. And if they can keep using the sanctions regimes to target the bad guys and make a positive difference in poor countries where victims are still suffering, then itll be difficult to give up that option. There are so few options available.

Yes, the U.S. has shifted its emphasis. But there still is an overlap between what human rights lawyers want to achieve, and what the administration wants to achieve. Take the example of Rwanda: many people working on the DRC want to see Rwanda withdraw from the Congo, because the M23 are committing horrendous acts in Eastern DRC. So to put pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its support and influence on M23 is very welcome.

The same goes for Iran [This interview was recorded prior to the armed attack of the US against Iran]. Theres a lot of convergence of interest between human rights activists, both on the ground in Iran and abroad, with the Trump administrations approach to influencing the Iranian regime. So, its not that the Trump administration doesnt do anything thats supported by human rights lawyers. Its just that there is a different emphasis, and there are very obvious examples when it acts in a way that is contrary to whats generally favoured by international human rights lawyers.
A 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat was ordered on Tuesday to stand trial for participation in "war crimes" over his role leading up to the 1961 killing of Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba.

Etienne Davignon, a one-time European commissioner, is the only person still alive among 10 Belgians accused by the Congolese leader's family of complicity in his murder.

The former Congolese prime minister's grandson, Mehdi Lumumba, welcomed the court decision -- which can still be appealed -- as a "historic" step towards confronting the country's colonial past.

"We are all relieved," he told AFP. "Belgium is finally confronting its history."

"Justice must be done," said Blandine Lumumba, the late leader's daughter-in-law, who likewise travelled to Brussels for the ruling.

"This crime changed not only the fate of one family but of an entire nation."

If the trial goes ahead, Davignon would be the first Belgian official to face justice in the 65 years since Lumumba was executed and his body dissolved in acid.

A fiery critic of Belgium's colonial rule, Lumumba became his country's first prime minister after it gained independence in 1960.

But he fell out with the former colonial power and with the United States and was ousted in a coup a few months after taking office.

He was executed on January 17, 1961, aged just 35, in the southern region of Katanga, with the aid of Belgian mercenaries.

His body was never recovered.

- 'Gigantic victory' -

A lawyer for Davignon, who denies all charges, told AFP he was "examining the court order" and would advise his client "on the chances of success of a potential appeal".

Lumumba's relatives have maintained the time is ripe for a long-overdue legal reckoning.

"It's a gigantic victory," the family's lawyer, Christophe Marchand, told AFP on Tuesday.

"No-one believed when we first brought the case in 2011 that Belgium would prove capable of seriously investigating this," he said, adding: "It's very hard for a country to judge its own colonial crimes."

Barring an appeal, Marchand said a trial could be expected from early next year.

Davignon faces trial for "participation in war crimes" over his role in the "unlawful detention and transfer" of Lumumba, considered a prisoner of war at the time, and for him being denied a fair trial.

He is also accused of "humiliating and degrading treatment", although not of direct involvement in Lumumba's killing.

The court extended the scope of the case to try him for complicity in the deaths of Lumumba's political allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito -- who were murdered alongside him.

- 'Criminal enterprise' -

Davignon, who went on to become a vice president of the European Commission in the 1980s, was a novice diplomat at the time of the assassination.

After entering the diplomatic service in 1959, he rose through the ranks after his early involvement in Congolese independence talks.

Lumumba lawyer Marchand had described the accused as "a link in the chain" of a "disastrous state-sponsored criminal enterprise".

The case -- the latest step in Belgium's decades-long reckoning with the role it played in Lumumba's killing -- had already led to one macabre discovery: one of Lumumba's teeth.

The only known remains of the assassinated leader was seized from the daughter of a deceased Belgian police officer who had been involved in the disappearance of the body.

It was returned in a coffin to the authorities in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, during an official ceremony in 2022 that aimed to turn a page on the grim chapter of its colonial past.

During the handover, then Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo reiterated the government's "apologies" for its "moral responsibility" in Lumumba's disappearance.

De Croo pointed the finger at Belgian officials who at the time "chose not to see" and "not to act".
Threats from Israeli officials to unleash Gaza-level destruction on Lebanon are "wholly unacceptable", the UN said Tuesday, and warned that "deliberately attacking civilians or civilian objects amounts to a war crime".

Israel has stepped up strikes and deployed ground troops to its northern neighbour since March 2, when Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war after Tehran ally Hezbollah attacked Israel with rockets in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

More than a million people have been displaced across Lebanon, while Israeli strikes have killed 886 people, including 67 women and 111 children, since March 2, Lebanon's health ministry says.

"Another tragic chapter in Lebanon's history is being written," United Nations rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva.

He said the situation was already "catastrophic", voicing alarm at comments from Israeli officials suggesting that parts of Lebanon would face devastation similar to Gaza.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned last week that the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold, would "very soon ... resemble Khan Yunis" -- a southern Gaza city which has been heavily damaged by Israeli bombardments during the two-and-a-half-year war with Hamas.

"Statements by Israeli officials threatening to impose the same level of destruction on Lebanon as inflicted in Gaza are wholly unacceptable," Kheetan said.

"Such rhetoric, coupled with the Israeli military's announcement that it will deploy additional forces and expand its ground incursion, intensify deep fear and anxiety among the Lebanese population," he warned.

- Investigations needed -

Already, he said, Israel's attacks "raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law".

He pointed out a number of the Israeli airstrikes raining down on Lebanon "have destroyed entire residential buildings in dense urban environments, with multiple members of the same family, including women and children, often killed together".

"People displaced by the fighting and living in tents along Beirut's seafront have also been hit. And in recent days, at least 16 medical staff have been killed," he said.

Kheetan stressed that international law "demands distinction between military targets, and civilians and civilian objects".

"Deliberately attacking civilians or civilian objects amounts to a war crime."

There was a need, he said, for "proper investigations in each and every incident where civilians are impacted in order to establish the responsibilities, including the intent".

Kheetan also decried Israel's "extensive warnings and displacement orders across southern Lebanon", cautioning that "these orders may amount to forced displacement, prohibited under international humanitarian law".

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, warned that "civilians are paying a very, very high price and displacement is increasing incredibly quickly right now".

He pointed to numbers from the Norwegian Refugee Council indicating that around 14 percent of Lebanese territory was now covered by Israeli evacuation orders.

Currently, "almost 20 percent" of the country's 5.8 million population is displaced, he said, adding that around 70 percent of them were not in shelters.






Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - CCTV footage has surfaced showing the moment a man was accosted by an armed thug outside Okash Hotel in South C.

In the footage, the victim is seen parking his car outside the hotel, unaware that an armed thug was trailing him.

Moments after stepping out of the vehicle, the thug brandished a pistol and confronted him, ordering him to surrender.

Security guards stationed outside the hotel were left shaken as the robbery incident unfolded.

Locals claim that cases of armed robbery have been on the rise in the estate and are urging authorities to intervene.

Watch the footage>>> below

Outside Okash Hotel in South C, Nairobi pic.twitter.com/L3ZiT01FI0  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) March 17, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Tuesday, March 17, 2026- A stunning lady stole the spotlight during the Miss Cooperative University event held at the popular Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi, leaving attendees buzzing with excitement.

In a video circulating online, the confident student is seen strutting down the runway in a stylish outfit that accentuated her striking figure, instantly drawing attention from guests at the glamorous event.

Her bold appearance and commanding stage presence made her one of the most talked-about models of the night, with many praising her beauty, confidence and elegance on the runway.

The Miss Cooperative event brought together students and fashion enthusiasts, turning the evening into a vibrant showcase of beauty, style and talent.

Watch the video via this LINK>>>

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Tuesday, March 17, 2026 - President William Rutos youngest son, George Ruto, is trending after making a grand entrance in Naivasha over the weekend behind the wheel of a brand-new Mercedes G-Wagon valued at over Ksh 40 million.

Adding to the spectacle, his convoy included security escorts driving a 2026 Lexus model worth more than Ksh 35 million, turning heads and igniting conversations online.





The display of opulence has divided Kenyans.

A section of netizens castigated George, accusing him of flaunting wealth at a time when many citizens are struggling to make ends meet under the harsh economic climate.

Critics argued that such extravagance felt like spitting on Kenyans grappling with high living costs.

On the flip side, others rallied behind the young Ruto, insisting that he has every right to enjoy his privileges as the Presidents son.

If my father was the president, I would be changing cars like clothes. Id also be importing beautiful damsels from Malaysia, one user quipped, highlighting the hypocrisy of expecting modesty from someone born into power.

Others pointed out that Georges ventures in the matatu industry are well known, suggesting that he could afford luxury cars without necessarily dipping into taxpayers money.

Watch the video below

George Ruto drove to Naivasha for the Safari Rally in a sh 40 Million G - Wagon 2025 model followed closely by sh 35 Million Lexus 2026 model security vehicle. pic.twitter.com/vhCAyt9GTQ  ' (@baroswahjr) March 16, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST
By Rebecca Black, Press Association in Washington, DC

Ireland can address a tremendous trade imbalance with the US by buying American liquified natural gas (LNG), President Donald Trump has said.

Trump said Ireland had better do something to bring the trade deficit down.

Speaking at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon for St Patricks Day at the US Capitol Building, Trump said: We have a tremendous deficit, by the way. I looked at the numbers.

You guys are much better business people than our past politicians.

So we want to sell a little to you, and the deficit will come down, down, down, and everybody's going to be happy US President Donald Trump

Turning to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, he added: We have to talk about that deficit  are we allowed to talk about that today?

Trump referenced the more than six billion dollars being invested into the US by Irish companies, before adding: And Im hopeful that well soon reach a deal to sell American liquefied natural gas  and thatll bring down your deficit a lot  so I think you have to make this deal with us, you better do something.

But these companies are going to be fuelling your homes and factories and all of the other things.

We got a lot of, we have a lot of energy in this country. We have more than anybody, most energy of any country in the world, by far.

So we want to sell a little to you, and the deficit will come down, down, down, and everybodys going to be happy.

So you gotta buy a lot of our stuff.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

Families and tourists thronged the streets in cities and towns across Ireland for St Patricks Day, while reflecting on what it means to be Irish.

Parades were held in Dublin, Belfast, and Cork, while in Jessie Buckleys native Killarney, they were marking her Oscars win with a float dedicated to successful people from the Co Kerry town.

Before the parade in Belfast began, thousands of people took part in the 10km race through the citys streets.

In Dublin, children and visitors gathered hours before the parade began to get a good glimpse of it  wearing tricolour glasses, leprechaun hats, decorative green face glitter and clusters of shamrocks.

Dublin's parade  comprising 12 large floats and more than 3,000 participants  ran from Parnell Square in the north of the city, down Dublins main thoroughfare, OConnell Street, and ends at the Cuffe Street/Kevin Street junction on the south side of the city.

Performers in the parade included Macnas, Bui Bolg, Spraoi, the Inishowen Carnival Group, and The Outing Queer Arts Collective.

The Rotunda Hospital, located near the start of the parade, has its first float of the parade, designed by ArtFX.

11-year-old Dubliner Rian Doyle said that St Patricks Day was about celebrating Irish achievements, while Karen Van Brakel from Holland said it was about the Irish value of bringing people together.

Two school friends from the Philippines, Anna May and Primrose, were dressed in green T-shirts and sparkly shamrock face paint.

Anna May said it was her first St Patricks Day parade, while Primrose, who is an Irish citizen, has been to many.

This is my first time seeing a big parade, so I would like to experience the culture of Ireland, plus I think St Patrick is one of the most famous festivals, Anna May said.

Were Catholic as well, Primrose said.

Jessica McGuinness, from Finglas, brought her three-year-old son Jack for a Shamrock shake before going to the front spot near Parnell Street.

He loves the marching bands and the flags, she said.

Rian Doyle said he and his sister Kelly, nine, have been to the Dublin parade for several years, and said he likes the fun of the singing, dancing and marching.

Its a religious tradition, but also to celebrate Ireland and all weve done over the years, he added.

Karal and Karen Van Brakel from Holland said they had planned to be in Dublin for a holiday, and did not realise it was St Patricks Day.

They said Irish people were the reason St Patricks Day was so popular.

Its because they believe in something, in happiness, and also to connect each other. It doesnt matter where you come from, Karen said.

TV presenter and podcaster Vogue Williams, who is the grand marshal of this years parade, said she could not sleep last night with the excitement.

Asked why she was proud to be Irish, she said: I just think were deadly. We just are, and we annoyingly gravitate towards each other as well.

Even in London, Ive got my group of Irish friends; you go away, youre looking for an Irish bar.

We all just love hanging out with each other, and I just think you meet an Irish person, and youre bound to have a good night.

She said she is back in her parade era and said the parade would show visitors a really good time.

When told the Dublin mayor Ray McAdam was keen to meet her, she said: Oh fantastic, maybe hell let me wear his necklace.

You can be done for treason for wearing the Lord Mayors necklace, apparently, chief executive of the St Patricks Festival Richard Tierney told her.

Really? Well see.

The theme of the Dublin parade is celebrating people and roots, and will feature marching bands from Scotland and eight from the US: Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Indiana and Texas.
A MAN has been given a sentence of nine years with the final 18 months suspended for the attack of a woman who spent three weeks in a coma due to her injuries.

Cian Leavy (23) with an address at Corrigmount House, Caragh, Naas, appeared in Naas Circuit Court on 10 March for sentencing before Judge Elva Duffy, after pleading guilty to assault causing serious harm (section 4) for the attack of Dawn Hamil (25) in the early hours of 4 December, 2024.

The court observed CCTV footage taken from the back of Bradburys Cafe in Newbridge at 12.25am on 4 December, and saw Mr Leavy attacking the victim during a period of 10 minutes.

Prosecuting garda Detective Seamus Doyle outlined to state counsel Jordan Fletcher the attack, which captured on CCTV. Footage showed Mr Leavy throwing Ms Hamil down the stairs before delivering eight punches to the head area, followed by 16 stamps to the face.

It was then observed that the accused knelt on the womans chest and delivered three jabs to the neck before grabbing the victims neck in a choking motion. The accused then stood up and kicked the victim four more times before using his phone light to look through a nearby bin.

At this point, Ms Hamil, appeared to be lifeless on the ground, and Mr Leavy was seen to go back to her kicking her four more times in the head while using his phone light to observe his handywork, as later described by Judge Duffy.

CCTV then showed Mr Leavy taking the victims jacket and bag before leaving her on the ground on the winter night only to be found by a delivery driver arriving to the cafe at 8am that morning  nearly eight hours later.

The delivery driver found Ms Hamil unconscious and in the fetal position, bent over in a pool of blood with her eyes puffed out. The delivery driver asked for the help of a woman in the car park for a blanket for Ms Hamil and together they called ambulance and gardai.

Ms Hamil was brought to hospital by ambulance who noticed facial and head trauma, and gave her a GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) score of 7, which indicates Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, generally considered a coma.

Doctors at the hospital recorded a lengthy list of injuries on the victim, including a stab-like wound to the neck, fractured wrist, cuts and other injuries to the face including her eye socket and ear, bruising to the chest and to her wrists and knees. She also had a nasal bone fracture.

Ms Hamil displayed seizure-like activity before being intubated on a ventilator to keep her airways open. The woman stayed in a coma for three weeks and received treatment in hospital for a total of four months and six days.

On release from the hospital, Ms Hamil went through physical and neurological rehabilitation, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy for dyspraxia.

Ms Hamils parents attended court on her behalf as she claimed she did not want to go through it in court anymore.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Hamil told the court that she had to learn to walk and talk again, and said she feels as though she has been living in the dark since the attack.

She noted a high level of anxiety, depression and insomnia and told the court that when she sleeps at night she dreams of what happened that night.

She described her speech as slurred and said she has trouble reading and writing, as well as walking since the incident.

She said she feels numb and in constant fear since the attack and said: Its a miracle Im still alive. I thought Id die.

She thanked the medical staff at the hospital and the gardai for their assistance with her case.

Defence barrister, Paul Murray SC, went through the hours leading up to the attack, which involved Mr Leavy and Ms Hamil meeting up in Newbridge for an evening out at Flanagans pub after 6pm on 3 December, 2024.

A bartender noticed the two were intoxicated and refused to serve them any more drink, which resulted in abusive behaviour from Mr Leavy.

The two were spotted multiple times by other witnesses who corroborated evidence of the pairs inebriation and Mr Leavys aggression that night.

At around 1am  some 20 minutes after the attack took place  a bloody-handed Mr Leavy was seen by the Flanagans bartender once again asking people for Xanax.

Some minutes later, the bartender witnessed him putting a keg through the window of Dubh cafe, and phoned the gardai.

When gardai arrived to the scene, they asked Mr Leavy to put down a bottle of alcohol he had in his hand.

He refused and told the guard to fight him like a man, before he was immobilised and arrested for burglary.

At this time, gardai were unaware of the unconscious Ms Hamil who lay on the ground behind a building just across the road.

On 6 December, Mr Leavy was arrested for the assault while in hospital for mental health issues.

During this time, the accused got a call from the hospital in relation to abnormal liver blood test results and was admitted to hospital for a few days.

On 13 December, he attended Newbridge garda station by appointment and made a voluntary statement admitting to the assault and identified himself on CCTV, however, claimed he did not remember the assault.

Mr Leavy has been in custody in relation to the incident since 14 December 2024.

Mr Murray, the accuseds defence, offered that a current MRI undertaken by Ms Hamil on 11 Dec showed that her neurological development would return in time, and noted that she has been out and about while in recovery.

By the grace of god, interjected Detective Doyle.

Mr Murray agreed, and added that the womans recovery offers some light in a bad situation and noted that she continues to improve. Physically, added Detective Doyle.

Why this happened is a mystery to her and a mystery to him, said Mr Murray.

He said that the accused has remorse, shame and embarrassment for what he has done, and is sorry to Ms Hamil and her family, as well as his own family and society at large.

He didnt go out that day to injure someone, said Mr Murray. It was not a premeditated attack, it was an instantaneous attack.

My client is responsible for is own actions. Theres no excuse or explanation.

Mr Murray noted that Mr Leavy has no previous convictions and suffers with mental health issues including suicidal ideation and aggression. He was also diagnosed with ADHD, and has a past of abusing drugs including cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, ketamine, magic mushrooms, crack cocaine and prescription medications.

While in custody, he has received three P19s (disciplinary reports) which included an assault carried out on him by another prisoner because of his attack on Ms Hamil.

His mother noted in a statement to the court that his actions on the night of the incident were out of character.

This is not the Cian we know, she said.

Mr Fletcher noted that due to the severity in viciousness of the assault, harm done, culpability and the fact that the assault was a prolonged attack, the accused would be looking at a possible headline sentence of 10-15 years.

Mr Murray asked the judge to be as lenient as possible and to consider some level of suspension to allow for rehabilitation.

In her deliberation, Judge Elva Duffy said: What is deeply distressing about this incident is the cold, calm way it is done.

She noted the chilling evidence from the CCTV footage which shows Mr Leavy bring the torch to her and is looking at her while he is doing it. She lies lifeless and he returns to his handywork for an appreciation of his own work.

She called the attack cold and calculated and said it was distressing to watch.

The length of the assault I was struck and deeply concerned by.

The judge described Ms Hamil as a slight woman who was left in a lifeless condition on a December night.

She continued: The physical impact will stay with her for a long time to come.

Drink and drugs only goes part of the way, she said.

With that, Judge Duffy gave Mr Leavy a headline sentence of 12 years and 6 months, resulting in a 9 years sentence with a suspension on the final 18 months.

Mr Leavys sentence was backdated from 14 December, 2024.

Before the close of the sitting, Judge Duffy turned to the parents of the victim and acknowledged the distress the incident has brought to them and their daughter.
Eva Osborne

Did you know the first ever shoemaker was from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary?

In the Anthology of Irish Folk Tales, Aideen McBride relays the tale of The First Ever Brogue Maker.

It was once a normal thing to have no shoes, and people got on with what they had, maybe avoiding the rocky roads and pebble shores, she said.

"There was a young man living near Carrick at that time of the name of Sean O'Dwyer. He was at a house dance one night when he saw Eileen Phelan, and she captured his heart. He asked Eileen out to dance and the two of them were dancing away mightily.

"Now there was another fella at that dance. Capeen Derg he was known by - red cap, he was one of the fairy people and he had had an eye on Eileen himself. He was mad with jealousy watching Sean and Eileen Ay around the room, but he could do nothing about it.

"He had been planning to tell Eileen that night that he loved her, but up to that time he had never spoken to her and there was no promise between the two of them. Sean had done nothing wrong in dancing with her and Capeen Derg had no right of complaint.

"Out of sheer spite, Capeen Derg got a thorn and, unseen by the room, placed it on the floor where Eileen was dancing on a spot where she would step on it."

In the tale, sourced from 'Will Handerhan the Irish Fairyman and Legends of Carrick by John O'Neil', Eileen's foot came down on the thorn and she hit the floor.

"Sean helped her over to sit down and others came to remove the thorn. Where could such a thorn have come from? The woman of the house had swept and scrubbed before the dance began. It was clear, though, that Eileen would do no more dancing that night.

"Sean helped the poor girl home, as she limped along trying to keep her sore little foot off the ground. Sean left her at her father's door and continued his way.

"As he walked, he mused over the question of where the thorn came from and how it got on the floor. Eventually he concluded that there had to have been some devilment in the whole event. Just about that time he heard voices.

"He stopped walking and listened carefully. He followed the sound and there in the ditch he saw three little people - leprechauns, chatting and working away. Sean wasn't too sure what they were working on.

"They had little pouches of skin pulled over a wooden implement and they were stitching and sewing and chatting way."

It was then that one of the little fellows pulled the pouch off of the wooden tool and put it on his foot.

'Now; he said to his companions, There's a brogue for you, and if the girl had been wearing one of these tonight, that thorn of the Capeen Derg's could never have pierced her foot.

"Sean burst in among the three and chased them until he caught one. The other two had disappeared.

'Let me go! let me go!' shouted the leprechaun, T'll give you a bag of gold if you just let me go.'

'I don't want your gold, said Sean, 'Show me how you make one of those things so my Eileen won't hurt her feet again.

"A brogue? asked the leprechaun, relaxing and flattered that a man like Sean would want to learn his craft. 'No problem."

According to McBride, Sean spent the rest of that night watching and listening as the leprechaun took him through all the stages of making a shoe.

"He was a good learner and the leprechaun enjoyed teaching him. Come the morning he had learned the basics and was set to make his first pair of shoes.

"Sean was delighted and thanked the leprechaun for teaching him, the leprechaun left him with the tools and implements saying, Not a bother, and if ever you need help in the craft just give me a call, and away he disappeared.

"Sean headed back to Eileen's house with the pair of shoes. She was surprised and a little confused until he showed her what to do with them. With the shoes on her feet she would walk about almost anywhere and not have to worry about her hurting her little feet. She was delighted and wore them every day and everywhere, including the following Saturday when she walked down the aisle to marry Sean.

"All who saw Eileen's shoes admired them. The priest asked Sean if he would make a pair for his niece and other neighbours followed suit. Soon the entire neighbourhood were walking around in shoes and Sean was kept busy as the only shoemaker around."

Not long after this Sean was sent for by the king, who heard he could make shoes.

With a group of neighbouring kings visiting the next day, the king said he wanted to impress them, and asked Sean to make shoes for him, the queen, and all of their children.

Sean said he could, but said he would need help. Then, the little Leprechaun appeared beside him.

"I was up on Sleivenamon and I heard you saying you needed help, said the little man.

"That's great hearing you have, said Sean and the two set down to work away together making the shoes. By the morning there were shoes for the king, his queen all the children and the lords and ladies.

"The king was very pleased. He paid Sean well and kept him close at hand to look after his shoe needs.

"Sean and Eileen looking back on things later, were quite happy that the Capeen Derg had put that thorn on the floor or things might have had a very different ending."
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Business / Companies

by Staff reporter

A cooking oil shortage is looming in the country following revelations that the sector's producers are failing to secure key raw materials from foreign countries due to the situation with banks' nostro accounts.Oil Expressers Association of Zimbabwe president Sylvester Mangani told the Herald Business that producers in the cooking oil sector are facing challenges in importing raw materials due to the depletion of the nostro balances, which has seen a delay in the settling of foreign invoices."We are in a tight situation and we actually don't know our position come the end of the month. This is not only about the cooking oil manufacturing sector but it is about the industry as a whole. Banks at the moment are struggling to make foreign payments. This has made it difficult for us to secure raw materials out of the country considering that we get crude (soya) oil from countries like Argentina and South Africa," said Mr Mangani who is also the chief executive at Surface Investments.In the first quarter of the year, crude soya bean oil imports amounted to $24,9 million.Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Busisa Moyo who is also CEO at United Refineries said foreign suppliers in the cooking oil sector were now reluctant to sell to the country because of the delays faced by banks in settling invoices."We are facing challenges in paying foreign suppliers due to the fact that banks cannot make foreign payments at the moment. Foreign suppliers have been reluctant to supply to us and we are trying to negotiate with them but they are getting worried with the situation."As I am talking to you right now I am in South Africa negotiating with some of our creditors so that we secure more lines of credit and ensure that our suppliers continue to supply us while the situation gets back to normal."The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr John Mangudya assured us that the Central Bank is working towards normalising the situation but generally it is in a delicate state," said Mr Moyo.Dr Mangudya recently said the central bank was working on a priority list of importation with the business community which will ensure that the country brings in products and services which are critical."We are not going to control imports but rather we are working on a priority list. However the bigger picture to get past the problem is that we 'make and buy' Zimbabwe.RBZ is also working on a nostro-stabilisation fund worth about $200 million with the Africa Export and Import Bank while tobacco inflows will offer some relief to the situation.However analysts expect foreign payments to remain a challenge for the greater part of the year as banks work towards replenishing their nostro accounts.
Business / Companies

by Reuters

World number one platinum miner Anglo Platinum on Wednesday announced it will hand over a 10% stake in its Unki project in Zimbabwe to locals, the first step towards compliance with the country's empowerment law, state radio reported.President Robert Mugabe, who is driving the law which seeks to transfer majority ownership of all foreign-owned firms - including mines and banks - to locals, officiated at the event held at Unki, Shurugwi, about 350 kilometres south of the capital.Unki, which began mining operations at the beginning of 2011, produced 22 400 ounces of platinum in the first half and is on course to produce 60 000 ounces in the full year.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Boonville affecting Howard, Cooper, Moniteau and Boone Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This product along with additional weather and stream information is available at www.weather.gov/kc/. && ...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Missouri River at Boonville. * WHEN...Until early Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 21.0 feet, Low-lying rural areas along the river flood. At 23.8 feet, Easley River Road and Smith Hatchery Road begin to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 3:04 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 21.1 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 22.7 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early tomorrow afternoon. - Flood stage is 21.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Fld Obs Forecasts Location Stg Stg Day/Time Wed Thu Fri 7am 7am 7am Missouri River Boonville 21.0 21.1 Wed 3am 22.5 21.5 18.1 &&
News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

Heavy rains have boosted water levels at Insiza Dam, which has now risen to 78.41%, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has announced.Insiza is the city's largest supply dam, forming part of the Bulawayo water system alongside Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane, Inyankuni and Mtshabezi dams, all located in Matabeleland South.Coltart shared the update on his X account, noting that the dam had recorded significant inflows over the weekend.The @CityofBulawayo's biggest dam, Insiza, as at this morning was at 78.41% (our statistics normally deviate by + or - 1% with ZINWA but are within range). There were good inflows over the weekend, he said.On Friday we were at 70.69% and we received close to 9 million cubic metres of water.The mayor said that while Bulawayo urgently needs the construction of the longawaited Glassblock Dam, the rapid rise in Insiza's levels provides shortterm water security for the city.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Boonville affecting Moniteau, Howard, Boone and Cooper Counties. ...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River At Miami affecting Chariton, Carroll and Saline Counties. ...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in Missouri... Missouri River at Waverly affecting Lafayette, Carroll and Saline Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This product along with additional weather and stream information is available at www.weather.gov/kc/. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL FRIDAY AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Missouri River at Boonville. * WHEN...Until Friday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 21.0 feet, Low-lying rural areas along the river flood. At 23.8 feet, Easley River Road and Smith Hatchery Road begin to flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:04 AM CDT Wednesday the stage was 21.6 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 22.1 feet this evening. It will then fall below flood stage tomorrow afternoon. - Flood stage is 21.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood && Fld Obs Forecasts Location Stg Stg Day/Time Wed Thu Fri 1pm 1pm 1pm Missouri River Boonville 21.0 21.6 Wed 9am 21.9 21.4 17.7 &&
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News / National

by Staff reporter

A 42-year-old Bulawayo motorist has been fined US$200 and banned from driving for 12 months after knocking down a pedestrian who was crossing a road in Magwegwe.Meluleki Sibanda, of Magwegwe West, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube facing a charge of negligent driving.Sibanda pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay the fine immediately. Failure to pay will result in a six-month prison sentence.In addition to the fine, the court barred Sibanda from driving all classes of motor vehicles for one year and ordered him to surrender his driver's licence within seven days.Prosecutor Cathrine Kuzu told the court that on January 17, 2026, at around 8:30PM, Sibanda was driving a Toyota Hiace along Hyde Park Road heading east.As he approached a house in Old Magwegwe, Sibanda struck a pedestrian, Thomas Chigudu, who was crossing the road.The impact threw Chigudu to the ground, leaving him with a serious head injury.He was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted for nearly a month before being discharged.The court heard that the force of the collision also caused significant damage to Sibanda's vehicle, shattering the windscreen and damaging the front fender.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A former cash-in-transit employee accused of helping rob a bank vehicle of US$2.7 million in 2021 has appeared in court after his arrest was triggered by a fistfight with his elder brother over part of the stolen money.Alfred Shumba (32) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Jessie Kufa facing armed robbery charges.He was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.Investigations revealed that Shumba's arrest followed a fight with his brother, whom he had allegedly given US$150,000 for safekeeping before fleeing to South Africa.According to the State, on January 6, 2021, Shumba and several accomplices  some of whom are already on remand  allegedly hatched a plan to rob a cash-in-transit crew transporting seven boxes of money belonging to ZB Bank.The cash, amounting to US$2,775,000, was reportedly destined for several branches in different towns, including Chinhoyi, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, the Fife Street branch in Bulawayo, as well as Gwanda and Zvishavane.The court heard that a member of the cash-in-transit crew, Fanuel Musakwa, allegedly communicated with the suspects and updated them on the crew's movements.Using the information, the suspects reportedly followed the cash-in-transit vehicle from Harare towards Chinhoyi.Along the way, the crew collected an additional box containing ZW$43,090 at the Inkomo Tollgate for deposit at the bank.The court heard that Musakwa allegedly persuaded the driver to give a lift to three accomplices, claiming they were genuine travellers.When the vehicle reached the 60km peg, the driver stopped to drop off some of the passengers. At that point, the suspects allegedly produced a pistol and threatened to shoot the crew members.Four other accomplices reportedly arrived in a red Toyota twin cab armed with pistols and also threatened the crew.The robbers allegedly disarmed the crew, taking a pistol and a rifle before forcing the vehicle off the highway to a secluded area.They then offloaded the boxes of cash from the cash-in-transit vehicle and transferred them into their own vehicle, which was allegedly driven by Gerald Rutizirira.The suspects then drove away from the scene, leaving the crew members behind.According to prosecutors, the gang later went to farms west of Nyabira, where they broke open the cash boxes containing US$2,775,000 and ZW$43,090.The money was allegedly shared among the suspects before the empty boxes were dumped.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Police in Gwanda have launched an awareness campaign following a spike in motor vehicle thefts, with taxi operators using Honda Fit and Toyota Fun Cargo vehicles emerging as the primary targets.Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, warned motorists to remain vigilant after three vehicles were stolen between March 5 and 8.Thieves are reportedly using deception, posing as ordinary passengers seeking transport to remote areas before attacking drivers and stealing their vehicles."In Gwanda town, there has been an increase in thefts targeting local taxis, particularly Honda Fit and Fun Cargo old-shape models. Three drivers fell victim, and only one vehicle was recovered," Insp Dube said.In one incident, two suspects hired a taxi near a local bar, requesting transport to Bina Mine and offering US$15. Along the route, they stopped at a secluded area, attacked the driver, stole cash, and drove off with the vehicle. In another case, suspects hired a taxi, stopped under the pretext of making phone calls, stabbed the driver, and escaped with the car.Police investigations show that thieves are targeting vehicles commonly used as taxis, including Toyota Passo models. Suspects often lure drivers with high hire fees or promises to refuel the vehicle before directing them to isolated locations. Poor lighting, insecure parking, and weak perimeter security further aid the criminals.Insp Dube urged motorists to strengthen vehicle security with secure overnight parking, durable locks, alarm systems, immobilisers, and GPS trackers. She also cautioned that stolen vehicles may be dismantled in markets in Bulawayo or Harare, and encouraged car breakers to report suspicious sales of vehicles or parts.Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station as the awareness campaign continues across affected communities.
Sean McCarthaigh

A patient who had been discharged from hospital suffered fatal injuries in a fall in a crowded emergency department while waiting for a taxi to bring him home, an inquest has heard.

Con Lambe (75), a married father of six from Rooskey, Drumconrath, Co Meath, died in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on March 21st, 2024, a day after he fell and hit his head while attending Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth.

An inquest into his death heard members of Lambes family express concern that he was a fall risk and should not have been allowed to walk around the hospital unaccompanied.

A postmortem showed he suffered severe traumatic brain injuries and a fracture to the skull from the fall.

A consultant physician and gastroenterologist in Our Ladys, Ammar Shanin, told a sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court that he suspected that Lambe might have tripped over an IV fluid stand of another patient.

Shanin pointed out that the emergency department was very crowded at the time, with patients on trolleys and chairs the whole way.

It was one of the worst days Ive seen like this, the consultant observed.

However, counsel for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Caoimhe Daly, intervened to note that the witnesss observation was speculation as he had not seen Lambe fall.

Shanin said he did see another patient slap herself on the face when Lambe had fallen on the ground.

He explained that he had interpreted her reaction as she blamed herself for what had happened.

The inquest heard that Lambe had been brought to the hospital in Drogheda on March 19th, 2024, with complaints of chest pain and vomiting.

Shanin said the decision was taken to discharge Lambe the following morning as all his test results, including a chest X-ray, were normal.

He recalled that the patient had also said he was feeling well and had asked if he could go home.

Shanin said he understood that Lambe had been with a nurse to arrange to get a taxi to bring him home when the incident occurred.

In reply to questions from coroner Clare Keane, Shanin said Lambe had been diagnosed with a non-specific chest pain after his overnight stay in the hospital.

Another doctor, Keletso Ramotshabi, told the hearing that he saw the patient appear to wobble before falling to the ground on his back. Ramotshabi said Lambe was walking towards his cubicle when he went to grab a curtain to try and steady himself.

He said he did not know what caused the patient to lose his balance.

A staff nurse at the hospital, Esmeralda Diche, gave evidence that Lambe was very upset around 10am when he was told he would have to wait to be collected from the hospital after being discharged.

The inquest heard Lambe suffered the fatal fall around 10.30 am after which he was sent for an urgent CT scan, which confirmed he had sustained serious injuries and would require a transfer to Beaumont Hospital.

Diche said Lambe was able to talk after the incident, but did not explain what had happened.

The nurse said a risk assessment had found that the patient was capable of independent mobility.

However, several of his children told Dr Keane that she should not have been allowed to walk unaccompanied, as he used a walking stick and had issues with his sight.

They also pointed out that he had previously required hospitalisation after a fall and should have been assessed as a fall risk.

Diche said she could not recall if any of those issues had been recorded in Lambes medical notes.

Relatives of Lambe also complained that they had not been notified immediately about the fall, and it was not until 1pm, about two and a half hours after the incident, that they were informed about it.

We could have been with him before he was transferred to Beaumont, said one of his daughters.

She pointed out that her family were only told their fathers condition was critical while they were on their way to Dublin in a taxi.

An assistant director of nursing at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Blessy Varghese, told the inquest that the hospitals policy on communications with relatives of patients had been updated last November.

Varghese said staff were now told to contact family members without delay when a patient was deteriorating or had developed complications.

She said the policy, which had not been changed since 2016, would in future be reviewed every three years.

Returning a verdict of accidental death, the coroner said Lambe had died from severe cranial cerebral trauma due to a fall, while noting he also had a background of significant heart disease.

It was a very unfortunate accident with such a tragic outcome, said Dr Keane.

The coroner said she would not make any recommendations as Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital had already updated its relevant policy on communications.

Dr Keane said she endorsed the changes that had been made including reviews to be carried out every three years.
Sarah Slater

An International Protection Centre located next to Croke Park has been shut down by the Department of Justice.

The Departments Community Engagement Team said it has decided not to renew the contract at Croke Park Stadium, Century House, North Richmond Street Industrial Estate, Richmond Street North, Dublin 1, D01CC63, an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection in recent communication with local councillors.

In a statement, the Department outlined that following inspections and appraisals, they have decided not to renew the contract with the provider at this centre.

Up to 96 residents at the centre were informed of this decision on Tuesday, March 10th and transfer letters were issued to them on the same day. There were no children residing at the centre.

All centre residents who wanted to continue to receive State-funded accommodation were relocated to another centre last Thursday.

The most up-to-date published figures from the Department show that 22 contracts with providers of such accommodation have been terminated.

Around 475 families in direct provision centres, the Department confirmed, have received notices to leave their accommodation this month despite attempts from the largest statutory homelessness provider, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) that these letters should stop.

The Department statement explained that while providing accommodation to people seeking international protection, the Department of Justice prioritises residents welfare and safety.

Compliance with all statutory and regulatory standards is the responsibility of the provider with the relevant oversight authority. If a contract renewal is being considered, the Department carries out inspections to ensure contractual compliance.

Contracts for IPAS accommodation can be terminated or not renewed for various reasons, including when a provider or IPAS chooses to end a contract, compliance concerns exist, or rates cannot be agreed.

Compliance concerns arise if a provider is not meeting the required standards of service. They might include health, safety and wellbeing concerns for residents, incorrect charges by providers or unregulated secondary properties, among others, the statement added.

A Department spokesperson added that they appreciate that relocating can be very disruptive for people.

IPAS (has been) in contact with residents and centre management to keep them informed of relocation plans and to offer support.

The IPAS resident welfare team is liaising with the centre management and residents to identify particular considerations, such as people with medical needs and students sitting exams.

While IPAS recognises that people may be integrating into the community, attending education or working, given the dispersed nature of our available accommodation options, new accommodation may not be available in the same area, the spokesperson noted.

The Department thanked colleagues in the Local Government Management Agency and Dublin City Council, local representatives and stakeholders, for their support for the residents and operation of this centre during its time in use.
Michael Bolton

Donald Trump says fuel prices will drop after Iran war ends

Trump critical of Starmer's approach to Iran war and immigration

Trump hopes to attend Irish Open in Co Clare in September

Martin started the day at breakfast with US Vice President JD Vance

Ireland and the US should continue to work together to build a better world that is free, secure and at peace, the Taoiseach said

Speaking before presenting a traditional bowl of shamrock to US President Donald Trump, the Taoiseach said the ceremony was a uniquely special moment as a symbol of friendship between Ireland and the United States.

Martin, whom Mr Trump described as a very dear friend, added: The relationship between the United States and Ireland is deep and enduring.

It will always be special. We are in each others DNA. In the founding ideals of our states and the values which secured our sovereignty.

It is hard to imagine the United States without the contribution of the Irish and Ireland without the friendship of the United States.

Martin notes that three of those who signed the Declaration of Indepence were born on the Island of Ireland, and many others were of Irish descent.

In those early years of this new republic, Irish people were active in many more ways, he says.

Noting that the very term of the United States of America was first used in writing by Corkman, Stephen Moylan, the Taoiseach says: Corconians are notorious for their vision.

Martin says the shamrock ceremony is always a uniquely special moment.

It is a symbol of friendship, a friendship between our people, which is older than our republics, he says.

But this year, it is especially a special one. 250 years ago, the people of the United States inspired the world with their determination to build a nation on the timeless ideals of liberty, democracy and equality.

The Taoiseach begins his speech by saying he is profoundly honoured to be there.

He says the US ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh is doing a fantastic job in Ireland, adding: Everyone lives him.

Northern Irelands Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly is present, he says the relationship is good.

It is much better that way than the old days, he says.

Trump says for a future visit, youre going to see one of the most beautiful ballrooms anywhere in the world.

He adds: We gather here to celebrate an incredible feat of friendship between Ireland and the wonderful place that we call the United States.

Referring to the US, he says: Weve never done better. We took a little bit of an excursion over the last two weeks because we thought we had to do something about very bad people that want to have nuclear weapons.

Donald Trump has just started speaking and remarks how he has spent his whole day with the Irish, and I should have spent it with the Iranians.

They cant have a nuclear weapon, and they now understand that very strongly, he says.

The traditional shamrock ceremony is due to begin shortly and can be viewed live above.

Israel said it has killed two senior Iranian security officials in overnight strikes in a major blow to the countrys leadership.

Iran, which so far confirmed one killing, fired salvos of missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbours and Israel on Tuesday in a war that showed no signs of abating.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and General Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij force, were eliminated last night, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said.

Ireland can address a tremendous trade imbalance with the US by buying American liquified natural gas (LNG), Donald Trump has said.

Trump said Ireland had better do something to bring the trade deficit down.

Speaking at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon for St Patricks Day at the US Capitol Building, Trump said: We have a tremendous deficit, by the way. I looked at the numbers.

You guys are much better business people than our past politicians.

Turning to Martin, he added: We have to talk about that deficit  are we allowed to talk about that today?

Trump referenced the more than six billion dollars being invested into the US by Irish companies, before adding: And Im hopeful that well soon reach a deal to sell American liquefied natural gas  and thatll bring down your deficit a lot  so I think you have to make this deal with us, you better do something.

But these companies are going to be fuelling your homes and factories and all of the other things.

We got a lot of, we have a lot of energy in this country. We have more than anybody, most energy of any country in the world, by far.

So we want to sell a little to you, and the deficit will come down, down, down, and everybodys going to be happy.

So you gotta buy a lot of our stuff.

Trump has said energy prices in Ireland will drop like a rock after the war with Iran ends.

He was asked what his message was to Irish people who are paying high energy prices because of the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

I think the people in Ireland are very happy that Im getting rid of  I have a lot of friends from Ireland, theyre very happy that Im getting rid of  a nuclear power, a nuclear terrorist.

And as soon as that war is over, which will be soon, your prices are going to drop like a rock. You watch.

Ireland believes in robust and fair rules around immigration, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said

Martin said he would love to develop a legal pathway for migration between the US and Ireland.

He said: In Ireland, our population is growing but in a very positive way.

Our economy is going well because were attracting a lot of people from Europe and beyond in to work in our country.

He added: I think sometimes Europe gets characterised in terms of it being overrun.

Its much more robust now, a much stronger mechanism in place to facilitate legal migration, and I think its important.

The 40-minute meeting in the Oval Office involved Trump responding to President Catherine Connollys criticism of US-Israeli attacks on Iran by saying the world should be thankful for the intervention.

Micheal Martin has said that Trump has the capacity to get along with European leaders.

He was speaking after Trump said British prime minister Keir Starmer was not supportive of the US military offensive on Iran.

Martin said the relationship between Europe and the US is very, very important, and Starmer had done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship.

He said previous issues between the EU and the US last year, where there was the threat of a tariff war, were resolved.

I think we can get landing zone again, Mr Martin said.

Martin said of Keir: I do believe that hes a very earnest, sound person. With him, you have a capacity to get on with, youve got on with him before.

Trump said he is disappointed with Nato, but that he was not currently rethinking his relationship with the alliance.

He said: We help other countries, and when they dont help us, I mean, its certainly something that we should think about.

Asked if he was afraid that a ground invasion of Iran would be a repeat of the US-Vietnam war, Mr Trump said: Im really not afraid of anything.

Trump has said he would visit China in five or six weeks, and that there was a very good economic relationship with China.

I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me, I think, he said in the White House on Tuesday while meeting Micheal Martin.

But I do look forward to seeing we have a good relationship with China. China has actually become economically, for us, very good, very good.

Much different than it was in the past, and we have a very good working relationship with China. So were making it in about five or six weeks.

The US prevented nuclear holocaust by bombing Iran, Trump has said.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: I said Iran was a big threat to this country, to this world of ours, and turned out I was right.

He added: You cant let them have a nuclear weapon. If they got a nuclear weapon, I would say they would have used it within 24 hours after having it.

And they would have had it if we didnt bomb them out from the great raid with the B2 bombers.

Eight months ago or so, you would have had a nuclear war in the Middle East and maybe beyond.

Turning to the Taoiseach, he said: I think it would have hit Europe, maybe not Ireland, but it would have hit Europe.

He added: It is big enough you would have been affected.

Trump has said that an objection to building a ballroom extension to his hotel and golf course in Co Clare was not the biggest problem.

He was asked about objections to the ballroom extension being submitted due to the threat it posed to snails.

Asked about it in the White House on Tuesday, he said: The course was built, and its been operated very successfully.

An environmental group is objecting (because of) small snails? Doesnt sound like the biggest problem.

Trump has said he is going to try to attend the Irish Open golf tournament when it is hosted at the Doonbeg course he owns in Co Clare in September.

Trump expressed hope that he would be visiting Ireland in the autumn as he met the Taoiseach in the Oval Office in the White House.

You have a tremendous golf tradition, and it was chosen for the Irish Open, which is a big deal. Thats a big event, he told reporters.

Everybody wants me to be there. You (Mr Martin) just said, I hope youre going to go.

Were going to try. We are going to try. But it would be an honour.

The US does not need any help in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump has said.

Asked what assistance the US needed from Nato allies, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: We dont need any help actually.

The president said Nato allies agreed with the USs war in the Middle East but had not come to help.

Trump said: All of the Nato allies agreed with us, and they dont want to  despite the fact that we helped them so much.

We have thousands of soldiers in different countries all over the world, and they dont want to help us.

He added: I think Nato is making a very foolish mistake.

Micheal Martin has thanked Donald Trump for affirming the tremendous bonds between Ireland and the US during a meeting in the Oval Office.

The Taoiseach is meeting the US president at the White House as part of the leader of Irelands annual visit to Washington DC for St Patricks Day.

In many ways our connection is foundational, its historic, and the Irish have helped to build America, Mr Martin said.

Were very proud of that connection and we think you hosting us here in the White House is affirmation to all the Irish-Americans out there and to our diaspora in this country for what theyve contributed to America.

Martin told him 23 US presidents had Irish heritage, as Mr Trump said they were great politicians.

The Taoiseach and US president Donald Trump are now meeting in the Oval Office.

Trump welcomes Micheal Martin, noting the tremendous bonds between Ireland and the United States.

Were going to have some big discussions today concerning trade, concerning lots of different subjects. We have a tremendous trade relationship with Ireland, and well keep it that way. I think its going to be expanded very greatly, Trump said, adding that tariffs may also be discussed (as they were last year).

He added: Were going to have some big discussions today concerning trade, concerning lots of different subjects.

We have a tremendous trade relationship with Ireland and well keep it that way. I think its going to be expanded very quickly.

Probably they want to talk a little bit about tariffs, but I wont mention that  you might want to be discussing that a little bit.

The director of the National Counterterrorism Centre in the US has announced his resignation, citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran and saying he cannot in good conscience back the Trump administrations war.

Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby, Joe Kent said in a statement posted on social media.

Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.

As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.

His resignation reflects unease within President Donald Trumps base about the war and shows that questions about the justification for the use of force in Iran extend to the right of Trumps base and to senior members of his administration.

The meeting between Martin and Trump in the Oval Office is imminent.

A special edition of Ulysses and Donegal wool socks were among gifts exchanged at a meeting between Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US vice president JD Vance.

Martin started what he described as an unforgettable day with a breakfast meeting with Mr Vance at his official residence in Washington DC.

The Taoiseach, accompanied by his wife Mary, met the vice president and the second lady of the United States at Number One Observatory Circle.

The meeting is a traditional part of the Irish premiers annual visit to Washington to mark St Patricks Day, and precedes a bilateral with the US president.

In a short address prior to the breakfast, Mr Vance said Ireland is an important economic and trading partner as about 375,000 US jobs depend on the country in one form or another.

He added: But I actually think that understates the cultural friendship between the United States and Ireland.

So many of the greatest Americans were people who came from Ireland or their families came from Ireland.

In the Republican Party, of course, we revere Ronald Reagan, a great Irishman and a great president of the United States.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill and other party leaders were wrong to have stayed away from Washington DC on St Patricks Day, Stormonts Communities Minister said.

Traditionally, political leaders from across the island of Ireland have taken part in events in the United States for the national saints day.

ONeill and her Sinn Fein colleagues are boycotting events for a second year in a row in protest at US policy towards Gaza.

ONeill last month said she could not live with a decision to travel to Washington DC while the US administration was threatening to annex and steal the land of the Palestinian people.

DUP MLA Gordon Lyons on Tuesday said leaders need to show up for Northern Ireland.

The First Minister has refused to attend, other political leaders have refused to attend, I think that is wrong, I think that we need to show up, he said.

I have been doing this for a number of years, I dont agree with everything that every incumbent in the White House says or does. I came along when Joe Biden was in office, I certainly didnt agree with everything that he was doing either, but I come because it is important to engage with the US administration.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A suspected armed robber, Bibience Bondamakara of Ruwa, appeared before the Harare Regional Magistrates' Court on Saturday, facing charges of robbing ABC Auctions of over US$1 million in cash and jewellery in a carefully planned heist.The accused was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs Learnmore Mapiye on charges of armed robbery. Prosecutor Kudakwashe Muza told the court that the robbery occurred in the early hours of October 8, 2022. The company was represented by senior manager Booysen Danyal Radley.According to the prosecution, Bondamakara and accomplices scaled the precast wall surrounding the premises at around 1 a.m., armed with pistols. They reportedly overpowered security guards Langton Ziromba and Editor Meda, tying their hands and legs with shoelaces and confiscating mobile phones, a panic button, and bloodhounds.The gang then forced one guard to control the bloodhounds while they broke into the main office, using grinders and explosives to access six safes. They escaped with US$1,014,000 in cash and jewellery valued at US$250,000, including high-end watches, gold rings, diamonds, necklaces, gold coins, and luxury items such as a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18k gold watch, Cartier fountain pens, and a gold link bracelet. The total value of the stolen goods was US$1,264,031.Detectives received intelligence linking Bondamakara to the heist and other robbery cases on October 11, 2022. A raid at his home, conducted in the presence of his wife, Fransisca Marume, recovered part of the stolen jewellery valued at US$100,656, though he initially evaded arrest.After several months on the run, Bondamakara was finally apprehended on March 12 and remanded to face trial.
Peaky Blinders star Barry Keoghan has said he does not think he fits the criteria for James Bond.

The 33-year-old is among the stars who have been mentioned as a candidate for the next 007, as speculation stirs over who should take over as the new face of the popular spy franchise.

In an interview with Radio Times, Keoghan addressed the rumours that he may replace Daniel Craig as Bond.

He said: (James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that.

Its nice to see your name go up there, but I dont think I fit the criteria for James Bond.

Id rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, thats more me.

The Dublin-born actor is best known for his roles in hit films such as Saltburn (2023) and The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022), and will star in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

As well as Keoghan, other stars suggested to replace Craig  who last played the British secret service agent in 2021s No Time To Die  include Jacob Elordi, Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner.

The next Bond film will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Academy Award nominee Denis Villeneuve  who is known for Dune, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.

It was also recently announced that the script for the next film will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

This comes after a major overhaul of the iconic British spy franchise which saw Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson hand over creative control to Amazon as part of a lucrative deal.
Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill and other party leaders are wrong to have stayed away from Washington DC on St Patricks Day, Stormonts Communities Minister said.

Gordon Lyons expressed pride in deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly leading a Northern Ireland delegation in Ms ONeills absence.

Traditionally, political leaders from across the island of Ireland have taken part in events in the United States for the national saints day.

Ms ONeill and her Sinn Fein colleagues are boycotting events for a second year in a row in protest at US policy towards Gaza.

Mr Lyons told Press Association that leaders need to show up for Northern Ireland.

The First Minister has refused to attend, other political leaders have refused to attend, I think that is wrong, I think that we need to show up, he said.

I have been doing this for a number of years, I dont agree with everything that every incumbent in the White House says or does. I came along when Joe Biden was in office, I certainly didnt agree with everything that he was doing either, but I come because it is important to engage with the US administration.

Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP leader Claire Hanna have also stayed away.

Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, as well as Secretary of State Hilary Benn, UUP leader Jon Burrows and PSNI chief constable Jon Burrows have also travelled to the US capital this week.

Mr Lyons said: More than that, its not just about the US administration, its about the House of Representatives, the Senate, the business leaders, culture leaders, forging new relationships and new connections. That is so important.

I was just speaking to someone else from Northern Ireland who was saying it is such a shame that we dont have a united political front on this, because this is such a key opportunity, meeting after meeting, event after event where we can say, were from Northern Ireland, were proud to be from Northern Ireland, we want to tell you about Northern Ireland.

Even if you disagree with the views of the current president of the United States, that shouldnt stop you coming along here and standing up for Northern Ireland.

He added: Its a dereliction of duty on the behalf of Michelle ONeill as the so-called First Minister for all, regardless, we have Emma Little-Pengelly who has demonstrated what it truly means to stand up and speak up for the people of Northern Ireland, and were very proud to have her here leading this delegation.

I will be more than happy to have someone like the President or the Vice President of the United States come to Northern Ireland, because that puts a spotlight on us, he said.

"Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly addressed the audience at the launch of this years Washington Ireland Progam in Washington DC. The Minister, who is an alumni of the programme, said it plays a vital role in fostering relationships with the U.S. and encouraging pic.twitter.com/7j3gSpfEub  Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) March 16, 2026

Emma Little-Pengelly will be meeting him (President Donald Trump) on Tuesday, and that puts a spotlight on Northern Ireland, and that can only be a good thing, so I want to see more of that engagement.

I think there needs to be more of that done in the future as well. Im happy that were here this week, and that will be to the benefit of people back home.

Mr Lyons is set to attend the annual St Patricks Day breakfast hosted by the Northern Ireland Bureau on Tuesday, before attending the Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the US Capitol.

He will later attend the Shamrock Ceremony at the White House.

Ill also be meeting with representatives on the hill, and I think it is important that we engage, and that we tell that Northern Ireland story, and about who we are, he said.

On St Patricks Day people are interested in Northern Ireland so I want to make sure that we give that flavour of Northern Ireland.

On Wednesday, Mr Lyons will co-host an event with the America 250 commission at the US Capitol around the Ulster-American story.

The event aims to introduce anew audience to the region, and the people from Ulster who made a significant impact, including John Dunlap from Co Tyrone, who printed the Declaration of Independence.

There hasnt been a Northern Ireland-focused event like this, other than the bureau breakfast, and Im delighted that through this work that weve been leading over the last couple of years, we will have that spotlight on Northern Ireland.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Kildare TD Martin Heydon has highlighted the celebration of new Irish citizens and deepening economic links as key moments from his St Patricks Day visit to the United States.

Speaking after a series of engagements across Seattle and San Francisco, Mr Heydon said one of the standout occasions was a citizenship ceremony at the Irish Consulate in San Francisco, where more than 50 members of the diaspora were recognised.

GALLERY; Best photos from Naas LGFA Table Quiz.

One of the highlights of my St Patricks festival visit this week in San Francisco was to celebrate new Irish citizenship for over 50 of our diaspora in the Irish consulate, he said.

Over 50 people who chose to apply for Irish citizenship which they qualified for, through a relative, choosing to lean into their Irish connections and to enrich our diaspora further.

The minister began his US programme in Seattle, describing it as a fascinating visit that included a tour of Boeings manufacturing facility, where the Boeing 737 MAX is built. He noted the relevance of the visit given Irelands prominent role in global aircraft leasing and the fact that Ryanair is the largest single customer for the aircraft.

Mr Heydon also held discussions with Washington State officials on sustainable food systems and visited the Port of Seattle, gaining insight into the regions diverse economic activity.

He praised Seattles Irish community, noting the citys status as a global tech hub and its long-standing relationship with Galway, which will mark 40 years as twin cities in 2026.

The ministers second day brought him to San Francisco, where he said engagements highlighted the strength of IrelandUS economic links and the vibrancy of the Irish community on the West Coast.

In partnership with Bord Bia, he visited Hotaling & Co., a distributor of Irish spirits to more than 60,000 outlets across the United States.

Mr Heydon also addressed an Irish Network Bay Area St Patricks Day lunch, where Irish Olympian Mona McSharry was honoured for her sporting achievements.

Business ties were further strengthened with the launch of AIBs new West Coast office. The event was attended by CEO Colin Hunt and officially opened by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, alongside members of the Irish business community.

On St Patricks Day itself, Mr Heydon attended Mass in San Francisco, where he delivered a reading before meeting with local parish representatives, Irish families and Consul General Micheal Smith.

He later joined celebrations at the citys 175th St Patricks Day parade in downtown San Francisco, alongside Mayor Lurie and large crowds celebrating Irish culture and music.

The visit concluded with a reception at the consulate residence, attended by community, sporting and industry representatives of Irish heritage.
A TD based in North Kildare has detailed his recent visit to Australia, which coincides with St Patrick's Day 2026 celebrations.

Fianna Fail politician James Lawless, who is also the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, revealed what he got up in the Land Down Under on his official LinkedIn profile.

Minister Lawless explained: "This week, during my St Patricks Day visit to Australia, Ive been fortunate to meet with a wide range of elected representatives across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

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"Each engagement has been an opportunity to deepen the already-strong diplomatic ties and close friendship between our two countries."

He elaborated: "In Melbourne at our Embassy of Ireland, Australia & Consulate General of Ireland (New South Wales) Community celebration, I was pleased to meet the Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport, Pauline Richards MP, as well as John Mullahy MP.

"It was wonderful to connect with them and share in the celebrations.

"In Sydney, I was honoured to meet the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley AC KC, at our community event.

"I also had very productive discussions with the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP, and the Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong MP, exploring shared opportunities and challenges in our respective briefs."

READ NEXT: 'Take extra care on the roads': Kildare County Council urges public to make safe travel choices for St Patrick's Day 2026

Minister Lawless continued: "Later during my visit to Sydney, at the The Lansdowne Club St Patricks Day lunch, I had the pleasure of meeting the Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell - and was delighted to learn of his proud Irish heritage linked to County Clare.

"I also enjoyed speaking with Senator Deborah ONeill, Chairperson of the AustraliaIreland Friendship Group, and Gurmesh Singh MP.

"In Brisbane, I was honoured to visit Government House and meet the 27th Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, accompanied by the Irish Ambassador to Australia, Fiona Flood.

"At the Brisbane St Patricks Parade, I had the chance to meet the Premier of Queensland, David Crisafulli MP, a great friend of the Irish community.

"For my final engagement, I was pleased to have an insightful conversation over lunch with the Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Rosslyn Bates MP, particularly on our shared focus on skills and training."

Minister Lawless further said: "I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the representatives I met for their warm welcome, their engagement, and their longstanding support for the Irish community in Australia."

He concluded: "As we celebrate 80 years of formal diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia this year, I have no doubt that this friendship will continue to strengthen and thrive in the years ahead."

READ NEXT: GALLERY: All the best photographs from the Naas LGFA Table Quiz
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Residents of Ward 25, Nketa, Bulawayo were left shocked after a man was reportedly killed by a friend over a US$6 debt.Witnesses said the victim and the suspect, who were friends, got into a confrontation on Wednesday night. Neighbours attempted to intervene, but the fight turned fatal. The victim was allegedly confined in a locked room with the suspect's girlfriend, who reportedly cared for him until he passed away."The suspect later went to the victim's house after more than two days and told the mother that her son was unwell and asked her to collect him," residents said. Allegedly, the suspect and an accomplice, still at large, bathed the victim and dressed him in clean clothes to conceal his injuries.Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Nomalanga Msebele said she was not yet aware of the incident but would seek more information.Ward 25 councillor Aleck Ndlovu linked the tragedy to rising drug and substance abuse in the community. "Drug and substance abuse is very dangerous and quite prevalent nowadays. Lack of employment further exacerbates the problem, leading youths to resort to drugs," he said.Councillor Ndlovu urged residents to report drug-related activities through police toll-free numbers, warning that unchecked substance abuse could have wider consequences on the community and the economy.
At the stroke of midnight, the main street of Kinlough was alive with people as they kicked off Irelands first St. Patricks Day parade of 2026.

Hundreds of people poured into the windswept village for what was also the first St. Patrick's Day parade in their history.

I'm delighted. It was a huge success. I'm very proud of the people of Kinlough for turning out in such numbers, and especially at such a late hour, Said Leitrim Cllr Justin Warnock.

There were a lot of floats there, we weren't expecting a quarter of what turned out tonight, and I suppose the greatest thing was to go down the street and see now so many people out, Said Warnock, who organised the parade, alongside the Kinlough town team and Kinlough community development Committee.

The parade was led up the main street by St Patrick, who made his first appearance of the year, as well as a huge contingent from Melvin Gaels GAA and the local branch of Foroige, along with floats including the NorthWest Canoe Club.

The first parade of the year is usually held in Dingle and sets off before Dawn at 5:30 am, but this year, Kinlough looks to take that crown.

And of course, it's a great thing to be the first parade, or the earliest parade in Ireland, said the North Leitrim Councillor.

Locals traditionally have had to make the trip to parades in Bundoran or Manorhamilton, though they might have their own to cheer on, going forward with plans already taking shape for a repeat next year.

Rumour has it it was the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Kinlough. There's also a rumour it was the first St. Patrick's Day parade this year in Leitrim, and it was also, they say, the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Connacht, and indeed it was the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Ireland, Said John Campbell, Chairperson of Kinlough Town Team.

A special word of thank you to the entire community who turned out in shockingly good numbers. At one time, we thought we were only going to have about 30 people or maybe 40 people if we were lucky on the streets.

The parade made its way from Kinlough community centre at the stroke of midnight, up through the crowded village before turning around at the Court House restaurant at the top of the street, and returning to the community centre for music and tea.

Everybody mucked in and did their bit tonight, and nobody said nobody was reluctant, he said, Adding: Next year, I've been told it's going to be bigger. It's going to be brighter, and it's going to be better.


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The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has clarified that it is still consulting members on proposed constitutional amendments, rejecting claims by State media that former freedom fighters support changes critics warn could pave the way for a life presidency.Reports had suggested that ZNLWVA secretary-general Sam Parerenyatwa endorsed the Bill during a meeting in Harare last week.However, ZNLWVA national secretary for information and publicity Cornelius Muwoni said the association has not yet taken a position. "The correct position of ZNLWVA, as articulated by our national chairman Cephas Ncube, our national secretary-general Cde Sam Parerenyatwa and our national spokesperson Cde Cornelius Muwoni, is that ZNLWVA is still consulting its membership. Our position shall be pronounced soon after the consultations," the statement read.Muwoni also noted that media reports misrepresented comments made during the March 12, 2025 meeting, adding that edits to interviews with ZBC and The Herald created confusion among members and did not serve national interests.The amendment Bill, gazetted on February 16, has sparked widespread debate across the political spectrum, as it proposes extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term by two years to 2030.
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A 50-year-old Anele Sipho Zikhali from Claremont, Bulawayo has been sentenced to 420 hours of community service after pleading guilty to forging Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) certificates for prominent businessman and politician Gift Banda.Zikhali appeared last Friday before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Temba Chimiso, who sentenced him to 18 months in prison, with six months suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years. The remaining 12 months were suspended, provided he completes the community service at Waterford Primary School.In mitigation, Zikhali's lawyer, Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire, called his wife to testify, highlighting that Zikhali is the sole breadwinner for their five children and that a custodial sentence would severely affect the family.Prosecutor Samuel Mpofu argued that Zikhali's crime discredits the education system and undermines Zimsec's reputation, urging for a custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent.The offence occurred in 2024, when Zikhali forged a Zimsec Ordinary Level certificate for Banda, claiming he had sat exams in November 1986. Police Anti-Corruption Unit detectives arrested Zikhali after receiving a tip-off and recovered the forged certificate, a laptop, and a cellphone used in the crime.Banda was not put on trial because a key witness could not attend court due to illness.
A MAN has been convicted in Limerick District Court for his part in a confrontation at a Costa Coffee shop.

Dean Casey, also known as Dean Martin Casey, 24, with an address at Clonlong Halting Site, Galvone, Limerick, punched a man at Costa Coffee on the Childers Road, Singland, on November 12, 2025.

Sergeant Aisling ONeill said that the Armed Support Unit were nearby and flagged down when a group of males were fighting in the coffee shop.

The sergeant said there were three or four men involved in the fighting in Costa, and that two men had their clothing ripped during the confrontation.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Emergency services respond to collision in County Limerick after vehicle hits bridge

Solicitor Tom Kiely said that CCTV footage shows that his client was peripherally involved in the incident, however, he did run around, and things escalated.

Youve seen the CCTV footage, it speaks for itself, said Mr Kiely. It was further stated that Mr Casey threw a single punch during the brawl.

The court heard that Mr Casey has 23 previous convictions, including the possession of an imitation firearm, a section six public order offence, two section four thefts and a number of road traffic offences.

Mr Caseys most recent conviction was in February 2025 for theft, Sergeant ONeill detailed.

Judge Harney commented that the incident occurred in "a sit-down" venue.

In a plea of mitigation, Mr Kiely told the judge that this is Mr Caseys first time in custody. He asked Judge Harney for leniency.

The judge noted Mr Caseys relatively early guilty plea, and said that he was one of the less culpable people in this matter.

Judge Harney proceeded to convict and sentence Mr Casey to four weeks imprisonment for violent disorder, which was backdated to when he first entered custody.

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A SENIOR garda has appealed to the public for information following a number of burglaries and theft incidents reported across Limerick city and county in recent days.

Crime Prevention Officer Michelle OHalloran, of Henry Street Garda Station, said a man in his sixties returned to his home in Ballyneety to find that the rear door had been forced open on March 8 at approximately 11.20 am.

According to Sgt OHalloran, the homeowner discovered a burglar inside the property, which had been ransacked.

There were two further burglars who had exited the house before the owner returned, she said.

READ MORE: Man arrested following seizure of cash and drugs in van stopped on Limerick motorway

The three male suspects fled the scene in a white Hyundai jeep, and went on to travel in the direction of Ballyneety village.

Anyone who observed a white Hyundai jeep in the Ballyneety area on March 8 is being asked to contact Gardai on 061 351 102.

In a separate incident, a burglary occurred at a home in Uregare, Bruff, between 10 pm on Tuesday, March 3 and 6.45 am the following morning.

During the break-in, a quad bike and a significant sum of cash were stolen.

Bruff gardai are appealing to anyone with information to contact 061 382940 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Gardai are also investigating the theft of tools from a construction site on the Dooradoyle Road. The incident occurred between 7.20 pm and 9.45 pm on Tuesday, March 2, when a site worker discovered that his toolbox had been broken into and tools had been taken.

Anyone who may have information about the theft, or who may have been offered tools for sale in suspicious circumstances, is asked to contact Gardai on 061 214340.

In another incident on Saturday, March 7 at around 6.30pm, a woman reported the theft of her handbag from her car on John Street. The victim had parked her vehicle and briefly entered a nearby business. While inside, she noticed a woman sitting inside her car.

When the owner approached the vehicle, the suspect fled with the handbag.

Gardai at Henry Street are investigating the incident and are appealing for anyone who may have been in the John Street area at the time and observed suspicious activity to contact 061 212400.

Sgt OHalloran also urged members of the public to remain vigilant.

Criminals are always on the lookout for an easy opportunity as we saw in this theft on John Street. By locking your vehicle and securing your property, you greatly reduce the risk of being a target, she said.

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MAYOR John Moran has suggested University Hospital Limerick (UHL) should be downgraded if a brand new state-of-the-art hospital is built in its vicinity.

UHL is the only model four hospital in the region - but Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has talked up the possibility of a new hospital on land acquired for 14m by the health service in Raheen also having the top categorisation.

She said its not impossible for two model four hospitals to be within a short distance of each other.

READ MORE: Dozens object to huge housing development plan by son of EuroMillions winner

If that happens, then Mayor Moran says he thinks UHL should go from model four to model three.

Rather than try and make a really good efficient hospital out of a building which is a rag-tag of other buildings which does not work well, you would build your model four hospital and allow UHL to be downgraded to a model three, said the mayor.

He insisted that any downgrade would only take place once a new facility opens.

In simple terms, a model three hospital provides general acute care, while a model four hospital provides the highest level of acute care with more specialised services, and acts as a referral centre for complex cases.

Both facilities have emergency departments.

The HIQA report recommended Limerick have both a model four and model three hospital.

But Ms MacNeill went further in Limerick last week, saying shes open to everything and has a blank page when it comes to the future of health locally.

Mayor Moran has praised the swiftness that the HSE has acted in this case, and said Limerick can be an example of how to get projects done quickly.

He met the health services regional executive officer Sandra Broderick just weeks after being elected in June 2024.

The HSE were very good. They moved quickly. They identified the site, a couple of Government agencies were looking at the site too, but they agreed to step back.

They had the site pretty much ready when the HIQA report came out, the mayor added.

The directly elected mayor said council is ready to go with a pre-planning meeting.

He praised the HSE for the progress its made on its surgical hub on the site of the former Scoil Carmel at OConnell Avenue in the city.

Building there is well under way, after permission was granted last year.
MAYOR John Moran has agreed to meet southside residents over his controversial plans to erect modular housing in Boro Park at Janesboro.

On Wednesday, March 25, from 7pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Janesboro, the first citizen will address locals and answer questions about the plan.

He has earmarked a number of sites across the city to install modular homes.

PICTURES: Kilmallock celebrates St Patricks Festival in style

But it is the plan to develop on Boro Park, which only opened to the public in 2021, which has prompted the most opposition, with local councillor Sarah Kiely saying: I know the people who use the park in my area desperately do not want their park removed.

Its important to show strength, to show our opposition to using a green space that has had significant investment and will be getting more investment if I have anything to do with it, she added.

The City East councillor has questioned Mayor Moran, after she was told the numbers attending the meeting would be limited, with the first citizen also planning for it to be live-streamed.

This affects everyone, because there are children who go to the local school using this park. There are a lot of people with disabilities who use the park, like people from Enable Ireland, she said.

Cllr Kiely has accused the mayor of trying to quieten people, and added: Recording the meeting doesnt give anyone the right of reply. Being in the room does.

But Mayor Moran has said it is the size of the school that is seeing a cap on the number of people who can attend the meeting later this month.

And by recording it, he argues, it will be seen by those who wont be able to fit in the hall.

Im happy to have a conversation to explain what the plan is and listen to any concerns. But its not fair on people who cant make it at 7pm that they cant listen. Its not fair if the numbers are so large that people cant be there. Therefore, I think its only right it is recorded, said the first citizen.

Mayor Moran said he envisages taking questions from both the floor and online in relation to his flagship housing proposal.
There is a lot of consolidation happening within India as well as the rest of the world in the number of supplier bases because, again, of the technological change and the new demands on the emission norms, I would say. So, we are becoming -- getting more inquiries as we speak, he added during the call.
Beijing is restricting Chinese companies incorporated overseas from seeking initial public offerings in Hong Kong, according to people familiar with the matter, threatening to upend a decades-old playbook that has fueled billions of dollars in share sales.

While stopping short of an outright ban, regulators have recently discouraged IPO applications from so-called red-chip firms  entities registered outside China but which hold assets and businesses within it, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. Some companies have already been asked by the Chinese securities regulator to overhaul their structure before proceeding with Hong Kong listings.

Chinese authorities are encouraging companies to reorganize under mainland incorporation instead, the people said. Most Chinese-related entities need to file with the China Securities Regulatory Commission before listing in Hong Kong.

The move comes as Chinese regulators look to strengthen oversight and simplify compliance following a flurry of IPOs in Hong Kong over the past year. Officials are also concerned about rising risks of capital flight through such listings, one of the people said.

The CSRC, in response to a Bloomberg News inquiry, said some red-chip firms have relatively low ownership transparency and higher compliance risks, which have drawn close attention from regulators and authorities at home and abroad.

Recently, a small number of red-chip companies have been asked to dismantle these structures, reflecting normal regulatory requirements, the watchdog said in the statement.

The CSRC added that it has consistently supported companies seeking to list in Hong Kong and other overseas markets in compliance with laws and regulations, allowing them to tap both domestic and international resources for financing and growth. Since December, the CSRC has completed filings for five red-chip companies in accordance with regulations.

The latest regulatory guidance is stirring anxiety among companies, investment banks, legal advisers and overseas investors, the people said. Unwinding a red-chip structure would require transferring ownership of domestic operating companies back onshore, which could trigger large costs, the people added.

Investors could also face a loss of flexibility as red chip entities allow backers to make use of flexible capital arrangements such as weighted voting rights. Foreign venture capital and private equity funds will face more complicated exit routes investing in mainland incorporated companies. Repatriating capital from a domestic Chinese entity requires navigating strict State Administration of Foreign Exchange regulations and longer lock-up periods, the people added.

For years, it has been a common practice for state-backed and private firms to set up companies in jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands, and inject domestic assets into these vehicles before raising funds in Hong Kong or the US. China Mobile Ltd. and Cnooc Ltd. are among the flagship companies that have taken this route for Hong Kong IPOs.

Regulators have stepped up oversight of Hong Kongs IPO and financial markets since the end of last year, looking closer at licensing amid concern over deal quality. The securities watchdog has also lambasted banks for not having enough staff.

First-time share sales in Hong Kong hit a four-year high in 2025, and the market is off to its busiest-ever start this year. There is plenty more to come: At the end of January, there were more than 400 companies in the pipeline, according to data from Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. Proceeds in the market may reach a six-year high of $45 billion, projects KPMG LLP.

The local regulator has asked banks for improvement plans and capped the number of deals principal bankers can sign off at one time. The city has also expanded its name-and-shame regime for sloppy listing applications to include law firms and auditors.

With assistance from Zhang Dingmin.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Essentially you have a pricing model where you are partly charging for human labour, and that is very clearly called out, and partly charging for digital labour. The problem is that how do we specify digital labour, and what we have said is that the lowest common denominator for digital labour is token consumption. So, we will try and define how many tokens are consumed and have pricing linked to that, Joshi said during the companys post-earnings press conference on 16 January.
Our deals are primarily proprietary in nature, and we dont take part in intense bidding processes. This preferential access allows us to have better returns for our investors through better pricing discipline. The three deals we have completed so far have, on average, been 2040% lower in terms of entry price versus market benchmarks, which again is an important driver of superior returns. On top of this, we help our entrepreneurs by leveraging our operating experience, its partner Vikram Kumaraswamy said in a media roundtable on Tuesday.
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The Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) has won a High Court challenge against Midlands State University (MSU), overturning the suspension of five students expelled for allegedly conducting an unsanctioned recruitment exercise last year.In a suspension letter, MSU vice-chancellor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa cited violations of the university's Rules of Student Conduct and Discipline, claiming the students were guilty of misconduct on February 25, 2025.Zinasu challenged the suspensions in court, describing them as unlawful and politically motivated. The High Court in Masvingo ruled in favour of the students, lifting the suspensions with immediate effect.The court's decision allows students Keegan Mathe, Fanuel Gona, Nester Moyo, and Tanaka Sibanda to return to their studies immediately, while Takunda Mashasha's expulsion has been suspended, permitting him to resume studies in January 2027.In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Zinasu condemned political interference in university affairs and called for the protection of student rights and academic freedom, saying the ruling confirmed that the suspensions were unjustified.
The push into enterprise manufacturing comes at a time when Atomberg is preparing for a public listing this year and is in discussion with investment bankers for the offering, which is expected to be sized at around 2,000 crore, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ambastha said the prospect of Indias data centre capacity being doubled is compounding this addition. India currently generates 20% of the worlds data, and houses 3% of it. If we can double this by accelerating data centres, the net capacity projected for the next half a decade will also rise from around 8GW expected today, to nearly 16GW by 2032. This will also increase the number of engineering jobs generated by this industry in a linear way, even if not exponentially, she said.
The Nvidia GTC that was held on 16 March, Monday, saw the chipmaking giant make several key announcements, with CEO Jensen Huang saying that the company could generate as much as $1 trillion in revenue by 2027 in sales of AI chips alone, amid the ongoing artificial intelligence bloom.

Dressed in a black leather jacket like always, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang spoke for nearly three hours at the event. During his speech, Huang highlighted how his company was building the hardware, software and infrastructure it needs to dominate the AI industry.

Here are the key things that Nvidia and Jensen Huang announced during the company's GTC meet.

Also Read | Nvidia temporarily shuts Dubai offices, Amazon tells employees to work remotely

$1 trillion revenue One of the key highlights in Jensen Huang's speech was the potential of Nvidia generating $1 trillion revenue through 2027. Addressing thousands at a packed arena in San Jose, California, he said he expects purchase orders between Blackwell and Vera Rubin to reach $1 trillion through 2027.

I believe that computing demand has increased by 1 million times in the last two years, Huang said. It is the feeling that we all have. It is the feeling every startup has.

Nvidia Groq 3 Language Processing Unit Speaking further on Monday, Jensen Huang also revealed the Nvidia Groq 3 Language Processing Unit, or LPU. This is the first chip from the startup that Nvidia mostly acquired in a $20 billion asset purchase in December last year. The LPU is likely to ship in the third quarter. It is built to Nvidia's GPU processing technology, with the core optimised to speed it up.

Vera Rubin system We're working with our partners on a new computer called Vera Rubin Space One, Huang said. It is going to go out to space and start data centres.

Partners in the project include Starcloud, which is planning a November satellite launch that will mark the "cosmic debut" of the new Nvidia module.

Kyber prototype During the Nvidia GTC on Monday, Jensen Huang also unveiled a prototype for Kyber, the company's next big rack architecture jump following Rubin. The Kyber system is expected to integrate 144 GPUs in compute trays. They will be stacked vertically instead of horizontally to boost density and lower latency.

The Kyber design is expected to be available in Nvidias next rack-scale system Vera Rubin Ultra. It is likely to ship in 2027.

Automotive updates Jensen Huang also shared updates on the automotive front. He gave details on the previously announced agreement with Uber, saying that the ride-hailing service is set to launch a fleet powered by Nvidias Drive AV software by 2028. This will be available across 28 cities across four continents starting with Los Angeles and San Francisco next year.

I believe that computing demand has increased by 1 million times in the last two years.

Huang further announced that Nissan, BYD, Geely, Isuzu and Hyundai are manufacturing level 4 autonomous vehicles on Nvidias Drive Hyperion program. Along with this, Isuzu and China-based Tier IV are also building autonomous buses using the platform.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has acquired an ultra-luxury resort in Coorg for up to 560 crore to expand its wellness portfolio. The acquisition is a slump sale of the Coorg undertaking of Pai Vista Hotels Pvt. Ltd, including all assets, land, and liabilities as a going concern, according to an exchange filing on Monday.

The move aligns with the companys stated strategy to remain a niche, pure-play luxury brand even as it scales. In an earlier interaction in 2025, chief executive Anuraag Bhatnagar had told Mint the company would continue to focus on high-end hospitality without diluting its positioning. Ours will be a niche, complete luxury hotel offering."

The 71-villa property, spread across 76 acres near Madikeri in the Western Ghats, will be launched later this year as The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary. The company plans to expand the inventory to 90 villas in phases.

In its January earnings call, the company's top executive said it started FY25 with 3,500 rooms and added 250 rooms through its Mumbai acquisition in the first quarter of FY26. In the second quarter, it added 546 rooms in Dubai and, in the third quarter, a further 80 keys in Jaisalmer.

This growth reflected a strong pipeline and ongoing deal activity, with the company saying it remains on track to meet its FY30 Ebitda guidance of 2,000 crore.

Also Read | Why midscale is the sweet spot in Indias hotel market

He had earlier also told Mint that the brand commands a premium over peers in the segment. The Leela has been increasing its focus on experiential, destination-led travel, particularly in locations accessible from key urban centres such as Bengaluru and Mangaluru, the company said in a statement. Rising incomes and better connectivity are driving a structural shift toward experience-led luxury consumption.

With the addition of the Coorg asset, The Leela will now operate 15 properties with over 4,100 rooms. It has a pipeline of nine hotels and is targeting expansion to 24 properties over the next three years across markets such as Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar and Jaisalmer.

Also Read | The invisible manager: how AI is running hotels without replacing humans
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For about a decade, LivemintNews Desk has been a credible source for authentic and timely news, and well-researched analysis on national news, business, personal finance, corporates, politics and geopolitics. We bring the latest updates on all the listed companies on BSE and NSE, startups, mutual funds, Union ministries, geopolitics, and untapped human interest stories from around the world, helping our readers to stay informed on the latest developments around the globe. Our Coverage Areas 1. Companies: Comprehensive news and analysis on listed and unlisted companies, corporate announcements, corporate chatter, C-suite, business trends, hiring alerts, layoffs, work-life balance, world's top billionaires and richest and more. 2. Personal finance: Insights into mutual funds, small savings schemes like - PPF, SSY, post office savings scheme, stock to watch, personal loans, credit cards, top bank FDs, real estate, income tax and more. 3. Politics: Comprehensive coverage of general elections, state elections and bypolls, Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Parliament, PMO, PIB, finance ministry, home ministry, among other union ministries and government departments. 4. National News: From metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and e to untapped stories from rural India, we cover human interest, health, education, crime and courts, and law and order, among other areas of public interest. 5. Economy: In-depth analysis of India's macro and micro-economic indicators like- GDP, inflation, forex, fiscal deficit, current account deficit, interest rate cycle, economic recovery, RBI circulars, indirect taxes, GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy imports, exports and everything that impacts Indian economy. 6. Geopolitics: Well-rounded and deeply researched coverage on US News, Oval Office European Union, Ukraine Russia War, middle-east crisis, royal families and global leaders like - Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping and premiers of other leading economies in the world. Meet the Team 1. Gulam Jeelani, Political Affairs Editor 2. Sugam Singhal, Senior Assistant Editor 3. Chanchal, Assistant Editor 4. Sanchari Ghosh, Chief Content Producer 5. Pratik Prashant Mukane, Chief Content Producer 6. Sayantani Biswas, Chief Content Producer 7. Ravi Hari, Deputy Chief Content Producer 8. Garvit Bhirani, Deputy Chief Content Producer 9. Akriti Anand, Senior Content Producer 10. Jocelyn Felix Fernandes, Senior Content Producer 11. Swastika Das Sharma, Content Producer 12. Mausam Jha, Content Producer 13. Riya R Alex, Trainee Content Producer
Sudeshna Ghoshal

Sudeshna Ghoshal is a Content Producer for Livemint, where she decodes international affairs, US politics, besides covering general news. With nearly two years in the newsroom, she has covered a plethora of topics ranging from developments around trade deals, elections, nuances in geopolitical shifts to fine prints of Union Budgets. A fellow of the US Consulate Generals Business Communication cohort, she has also reported on airline launches, and national affairs. As a person who thinks out of the box, she aims to blend her creativity with how stories are told.<br><br> Born and raised in Kolkata, Sudeshnas academic journey has taken her across multiple cities in India, and she is now based out of Delhi. She studied English Literature and holds a postgraduate diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She also has a keen interest in foreign languages and cultures of different nations.<br><br> When the news cycle slows down, you will find her experimenting with either music or food, or dabbling with paints. She posts at sudeshna02_ and can also be reached out on LinkedIn.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav could earn in hundreds of millions on the sale of his company to Paramount Skydance.

The details of his possible payment were revealed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Warner Bros Discovery.

The elements of this amount includes cash severance, stock awards and share awards as well as a huge reimbursement for taxes, according to the filing.

Paramount announced earlier this month that it had agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in a $110 billion deal after Netflix walked away from its agreement with the owner of HBO Max. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter and will be backed by $54 billion of debt commitments, the companies said.

Also Read | What a Warner Bros-Paramount colossus would look like

The deal is still awaiting approval by some regulators and a vote by Warner Bros. stockholders.

Here is everything you need to know about David Zaslav and how much he is going to take home from the Warner Bros deal.

Who is David Zaslav? A longtime media executive who frequently saw himself in the limelight while featuring in lists of the highest-paid executives in America, David Zaslav is the current CEO of Warner Bros Discovery.

Zaslav was the engineer of the 2022 merger between cable-TV programmer Discovery Inc. with AT&T Inc.s WarnerMedia business.

At the time, he was also the CEO and president of Discovery  a role he held since 2006.

Born in New York City in 1960, David Zaslav earned a BS degree from Binghamton University, then graduated with honors from the Boston University School of Law with a JD in 1985.

Also Read | What a Warner Bros-Paramount colossus would look like

Zaslav worked as an attorney with the New York firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae following his graduation.

After that, he joined NBCUniversal in 1989. As president of Cable and Domestic TV and New Media Distribution, Zaslav was instrumental in developing and launching CNBC and also played a role in the creation of MSNBC. During his tenure there, he also oversaw content distribution to all forms of TV, negotiated for cable and satellite carriage of NBCUniversal networks and forged media partnerships.

In 2006, David Zaslav became the CEO of Discovery, succeeding Judith McHale. During his tenure, he drove the company's growth, operational efficiency and its pivot to direct-to-consumer. It was under him Discovery got listed in 2008 and became a Fortune 500 company.

Also Read | Paramount submits higher offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery: Report

Under Zaslav's direction, Warner Bros. Discovery launched Max, a combined streaming offering that brought together the libraries of HBO Max and Discovery+.

How much money will David Zaslav take home? According to a report by Bloomberg citing the filing, David Zaslav could make more than $667.2 million by selling his company to Paramount Skydance for $110 billion.

These payments have different components, including $34.2 million in cash severance, $115.8 million in vested stock awards and $517.2 million in share awards that will be implemented through the stock deal.

Apart from this, Zaslav could also take home a $335.4 million in reimbursement for taxes, the filing says. The reimbursement was calculated as of March 11 and decreases over time if the deal takes longer to close and more shares vest.
Budget airline SpiceJet told the Delhi high court on Tuesday that it faces a severe liquidity crunch and is unable to deposit 144.5 crore as directed in its ongoing arbitration dispute with Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways Pvt. Ltd.

Almost 40% of SpiceJets flights to Gulf destinations have been cancelled due to the ongoing war, worsening its financial position, the carrier said in a submission made before a bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad.

SpiceJet had filed a fresh plea seeking relief from the direction to deposit 144 crore within six weeks to comply with its payment obligations to Maran and KAL Airways.

Even before the war in Iran, SpiceJet had a liquidity crunch because it suffered losses, senior counsel Amit Sibal submitted.

We are not in financial distressIm not saying that. But we do have a liquidity issue, Sibal said.

SpiceJet and its chairman Ajay Singh also sought modification of the courts direction, proposing to furnish an immovable property worth about 148 crore as security instead of making an upfront cash deposit.

We have unencumbered security and we have based the valuation on that of a registered valuer. I have the original title deeds with me. This was originally encumbered, but it was released to me, and therefore I have the original title deeds and can deposit them with the registry, Sibal told the court.

The court is expected to continue hearing SpiceJets plea on Wednesday.

The fresh application was filed on 6 March after the Supreme Court on 27 February refused to stay the Delhi high courts order directing the airline and its promoter Ajay Singh to deposit 144.51 crore. The apex court imposed a cost of 1 lakh on the airline for prolonging the litigation.

Admission of dues The Supreme Courts refusal meant SpiceJet was required to comply with the high courts 19 January order within six weeks, which prompted the airline to file the fresh plea seeking to furnish property instead of cash.

In its 19 January order, the high court recorded that SpiceJet had admitted 194.51 crore was due and payable under earlier Supreme Court directions. After adjusting 50 crore already deposited, 144.51 crore remained outstanding.

The court noted that the Supreme Court had issued clear directions in February and July 2023 requiring compliance within timelines and held that those directions were not fully adhered to.

Email queries sent to SpiceJet seeking confirmation and response on the submissions made before the Delhi high court remained unanswered until publishing time.

SpiceJet shares have declined about 16% so far in 2026.

The dispute dates back to January 2015, when Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways transferred their 58.46% stake in SpiceJet to Ajay Singh when the airline faced acute financial distress. As part of the arrangement, Maran and KAL Airways infused about 679 crore into the airline towards the issuance of convertible warrants and preference shares.

Maran later alleged that these instruments were not issued by the new management and sought a refund. The matter was referred to arbitration before a three-member tribunal comprising retired Supreme Court judges.

In July 2018, the tribunal rejected Marans 1,323 crore damages claim but directed SpiceJet to refund 579 crore, along with interest, related to the warrants and preference shares.

Both sides challenged aspects of the award before the Delhi high court, leading to a prolonged phase of enforcement proceedings, appeals and interim orders before the high court and the Supreme Court.

SpiceJet, however, maintains it has already paid about 730 crore to Maran and KAL Airways, including the principal amount of 579 crore and about 150 crore towards interest.
At 10 pm on a Monday the 27th night of Ramadan 2026the narrow lanes and bylanes of Zakir Nagar are buzzing with activity as crowds spill out for late-night shopping and street food. Twinkling garlands, hanging fairy lights, and illuminated crescents strung between buildings add to the festive ambience ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr later this week.

Mohammad Salman, a middle-aged worker at one of the many roadside eateries, plates biryani while his staff serve customers seated inside the basement dining area.

Bhai, aaj dukaan kholi hai, cylinder ka jugaad kar liya itne din baad (I opened shop today after many days. I finally managed to get an LPG cylinder, says Salman, who managed to source a cylinder from a relative to run his eatery, which he says remained shut for several days in the middle of Ramadanthe peak business season for him and others like him.

The LPG cylinder crisis had hit the annual Ramadan business in Zakir Nagar this year. The ongoing war in the Middle East triggered hoarding and black marketing of commercial cylinders.

We used to get a cylinder at about 1,800 before the war in Iran began. Today they are selling it anywhere between 3,500 and 4,000, said Akeel Ahmad, who also runs a non-vegetarian eatery nearby.

Ramadan 2026 ends this week with Eid-ul-Fitr.

Some shops shut down, while others cut back on non-vegetarian items from their menus. Today we do not have korma on the menu. Maybe we will serve it close to Eid on Thursday or Friday, said Israr Ahad, who works at a local shop which would, before the LPG crisis, sell biryani and other non-vegetarian cuisines.

Open Air Food Street The night-long food street in Zakir Nagar and nearby Shaheen Bagh is a regular affair every Ramadan. Since most Muslims fast during the day, business usually happens in the night after sunset until sehri  the pre-dawn meal that devout Muslims have before beginning the fasting days. Some people even eat Sehri at these shops.

This market in Zakir Nagar rivals Old Delhi's (Jama Masjid) for having the best Ramadan food scene in the city, attracting people from all over Delhi.

Not just in Delhi, the LPG crisis has hit eateries across India in the last few weeks as the war in the Middle East rages on. Some places have reduced their menu options, while others have raised prices.

The crisis, partly linked to global energy supply disruptions and tensions in West Asia, has created a ripple effect on Indias informal food economy, impacting not only millions of people who depend on inexpensive street food for daily meals but also the income of hawkers and eateries.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to review the stock position of essential commodities and petroleum products in the UT in view of the upcoming festivals of Eid and Navratras amid the prevailing geopolitical situation in West Asia. Omar Abdullah emphasised that the administration must remain vigilant and proactive to ensure that no artificial scarcity, hoarding, or black marketing is allowed in any district.

1 in 2 consumers say restaurants have increased food prices A plate of biryani that shops usually sell for 200 is available for 230-250 in posh South Delhi areas like Saket. Even the cost of a samosa has increased from 10 to 15 due to the ensuing LPG crisis.

Either we shut shop or increase prices, said Shahnawaz, who runs a biryani shop Avon Biryani in Saket. Tandoori roti, which was available at this shop for 6, is now sold at 8.

The cylinder that I used to buy for 1,600 is sold at 4,000. What do we do if not increase the prices? he shared.

View full Image View full Image As many as 54% of consumers surveyed who visited street food vendors in the last one week confirmed they have increased prices by up to 25%

Over 1 in 2 consumers surveyed said both street food vendors and restaurants have increased food prices in the last week, according to a Local Circles survey on 17 March. The survey found that at least 57% of consumers who visited restaurants or ordered food in the last week reported that prices had increased significantly. As many as 54% of consumers surveyed who visited street food vendors in the last one week confirmed they have increased prices by up to 25%

In some cases, restaurants have reportedly started adding 15 or more as 'LPG revision fee' to each bill to recover additional cooking fuel expenses, the Local Circles survey found.

In cities facing severe shortages, eateries have raised prices of popular food items. They often buy LPG cylinders at higher rates or even from the black market. Since commercial establishments do not receive subsidised LPG like households, these higher costs are often passed on to customers through price hikes or surcharges, making eating out slightly more expensive, the survey said.

Not just in Delhi, issues across India Some eateries have switched from gas to coal stoves. In Lucknow, for example, the famous Tunday Kababi in Aminabad has started using coal to cook its renowned Galawati kebabs.

As things stand, 19kg commercial cylinders are selling at nearly 4,000, forcing vendors to raise prices and leading to customer losses. Not just in Zakir Nagar and Shaheen Bagh, the shortage is impacting the entire food ecosystem, affecting vendors in areas such as Sadar Bazar and Connaught Place, according to multiple media reports.

Business owners said the situation is not only affecting their daily earnings but also creating anxiety among workers who rely on these establishments for their livelihoods.

From neighbourhood cafes to roadside eateries, operators say the disruption has slowed or halted kitchen operations in several parts of the city, forcing some establishments to shut temporarily while others try to stretch the limited gas supplies they have left.

We are trying to curtail the use of LPG by rationalising and prioritising dishes that require less gas. Some food items are not being prepared because they consume too much fuel. We are also exploring alternative fuels like electricity and induction cooking, Manpreet Singh, owner of the restaurant Zen, told LiveMint recently.

Some prominent eateries that reported temporary closures are Boheme Cafe Bar in Karol Bagh and Kashmir Chur Chur Naan in Paharganj, according to reports.

When is Eid-ul-Fitr? Eid is one of the two major festivals of Muslims, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, a month of fasting, with Eid-ul-Fitr.

Either we shut shop or increase prices.

Ramadan usually lasts 29 to 30 days, and the celebrations culminate in Eid festivities on the first day of Shawal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as the festival of breaking the fast, will be celebrated in India on Friday, 20 March or Saturday, 21 March, depending on the appearance of the crescent the night before.
There were strict localization rules: the ratio of locally produced to imported EVs was staggered to increase from 1 in 2024 to 3 by 2027. But Chinese EV producers are highly vertically integrated and dont need local suppliers. Further, the traditional auto part suppliers in Thailand tend to be small units without expertise in battery production or software processes, both critical to EVs. Thus, they were left out of the EV boom: in 2023, over 10 auto parts firms closed, and production was down by 30%.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Retired Major-General Herbert Chingono, who was found dead at his farmhouse in Mazowe, about 40km northwest of Harare, will be remembered for his sharp mind, strategic military expertise, and candid commentary on the Zimbabwean military leadership. His death was confirmed by senior military officials, including his brother, Air Vice-Marshal Biltim Chingono.Chingono served the country with distinction, including as a military attache to the United States, and earned a reputation as a principled and professional soldier. However, he was perhaps most famously noted for his 2010 remarks about Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, which were revealed in WikiLeaks diplomatic cables.According to the cables, Chingono and the late Major-General Fidelis Satuku described Chiwenga as a "political general" with limited military expertise, predicting that he would prioritize political ambitions over military judgment. The leaks stated:"General Constantine (now Constantino) Chiwenga is a political general who works hard, but who has very little practical experience or expertise. Given a choice between a military and political issue, Chiwenga will always choose the political because he doesn't know enough about the military to be comfortable discussing it."The cables further predicted Chiwenga's pursuit of political power after his tenure as defence chiefa prophecy realized when Chiwenga led the 2017 military intervention that ousted former President Robert Mugabe. His handling of major national events, including the Bulawayo grenade attack (2018), fuel price protests (2019), and the Blessed Geza saga (2025), has been cited as evidence of the limitations Chingono and Satuku had highlighted.Satuku, who died in 2021, was a decorated liberation war veteran, having joined Zanla forces in 1976, trained in Mozambique and Romania, and later integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army in 1980. He served in key intelligence and leadership positions, including Director of Military Intelligence.Chingono's passing, like Satuku's, may be viewed through the prism of political sensitivities. Satuku was denied national hero status following the WikiLeaks revelations, being declared a provincial hero instead. Chingono, aged 64, died at a military hospital in Mutare and was buried at his farm in Odzi, Manicaland. Observers suggest that the current political dynamics between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chiwenga may affect how Chingono's legacy is officially recognized.Chingono leaves behind a record of military professionalism, strategic insight, and a legacy intertwined with candid assessments of Zimbabwe's military and political leadership.
Enabling consumers

The QR code-based system will help keep substandard products out of the market, as any business establishment selling such goods can be easily traced and acted against through regular inspections, the second government official said, asking not to be identified. The mechanism will also enable consumers to verify whether an outlet is genuine, especially in cases where shops operate using the name of well-known brands.
Shiladitya Ray

Shiladitya Ray specializes in covering geopolitics and science, and believes in communicating complex information through accessible, compelling, and if possible, visually engaging narratives. He has nearly 10 years of experience in digital media, and has been an Associate Editor with Mint for five months.<br><br> Shiladitya holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Jadavpur University, and two master's degrees in Development Studies and Sociology from TISS, Hyderabad and Delhi School of Economics respectively.<br><br> Shiladitya has also completed a Data Journalism fellowship with Google News Initiative (GNI), where he was a standout performer. He was subsequently invited as a speaker to GNI's AI Skills Workshop held in 2025, where he shared his previous work and experience in leveraging generative AI tools for data visualization with an audience of senior newsroom editors.<br><br> Prior to joining Mint, Shiladitya was a Chief Sub-Editor with Deccan Herald, and has previously worked for digital media startups NewsBytes and Opoyi. He has also served as an academic editor for Cactus Communications, where he worked with scholars on manuscripts meant for journal publication.<br><br> Shiladitya is based out of Delhi, is an avid reader, and has a keen interest in world affairs, science, philosophy, music, and football.
The investment narrative of the mid-2020s has been defined by a singular obsession with Artificial Intelligence. However, as we cross into 2026, the AI boom is colliding with two inescapable physical realities: the "Compute Wall" and a global Energy Crisis. Traditional silicon-based transistors, now shrinking toward the size of a single atom, have reached a threshold where heat dissipation and energy leakage make further classical scaling functionally impossible.

In this environment, Quantum Computing has moved from the laboratory to the balance sheet. We are witnessing a transition from the "Noisy" (NISQ) era to Error-Corrected Logical Qubits, where systems can finally solve the massive optimisation, chemistry, and cryptographic problems that currently paralyse our most powerful supercomputers.

The Macro-Economic Thesis: $2B as a Foundational Metric While the global quantum market was valued at $1.53 billion in 2024, the industry has reached a confirmed inflection point. By the end of 2026, the market is projected to reach $2.04 billion, accelerating at a 31.6% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) to hit an estimated $18.33 billion by 2034.

For those looking to invest in the U.S. stock market today, this transition is supported by significant policy initiatives that provide a "floor" for the sector's valuation. The reauthorisation of the National Quantum Initiative Act through 2034 has secured $85 million in annual funding for NIST, alongside the creation of three new national quantum centres. This development is increasingly viewed through the lens of National Security and Energy Sovereignty, ensuring that quantum development remains a shielded strategic priority regardless of broader market volatility.

The Power Paradox: Why Quantum is the "Green" Compute Play As data centre electricity consumption is projected to double by 2030, the "Energy Gap" has become the primary bottleneck for the technology sector. A single cutting-edge AI chip now draws as much power as an entire household.

Quantum systems offer a radical mathematical alternative. For example, IonQs Tempo system can perform calculations that would otherwise require 1 billion GPUs, yet it operates with a fraction of the energy footprint. This "Energy-Efficient Compute" is why industrial entities such as Honeywell and Alphabet are pivoting their long-term infrastructure toward quantum-hybrid models. By offloading the most complex optimisation tasks to quantum processors, enterprises can bypass the thermal limits of classical data centres.

What Are the Top Quantum Stocks to Watch in 2026 High-Conviction Hardware: Technical Milestones & Market Moats 1. IonQ, Inc. (IONQ)

Price (Mar 2026): $33.50 | 1-Year Performance: +56.76%

IonQ is a prominent pure-play because it addressed the "Cryogenic Bottleneck." While competitors use superconducting qubits requiring temperatures near absolute zero, IonQ utilises trapped-ion technology.

The #AQ 64 Milestone: In late 2025, IonQ achieved its goal of 64 Algorithmic Qubits (#AQ) ahead of schedule. A system at #AQ 64 can consider 18 quintillion possibilities simultaneously.

Vertical Integration: With $3.3 Billion in cash, IonQ's acquisition of SkyWater Technology secures a domestic chip fabrication plant, effectively making them the "Intel of Quantum" by owning the supply chain from design to silicon. 2. D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS)

Price (Mar 2026): $17.75 | 1-Year Performance: +156.87%

D-Wave leads in quantum annealing, an architecture designed to solve the logistical challenges that impact global industrial costs.

Usage Surge: Reported a 314% increase in usage of its Advantage2 system in early 2026, driven by real-world applications in "Job Shop Scheduling."

Strategic Moat: With over 210 U.S. patents and the acquisition of Quantum Circuits, Inc., D-Wave is now the only dual-platform player spanning both annealing and gate-model systems, allowing them to capture both logistical and general-purpose compute markets. 3. Rigetti Computing Inc. (RGTI)

Price (Mar 2026): $16.28 | 1-Year Performance: +120.99%

Rigettis core technology is a modular chiplet architecture. Similar to modular construction, this allows them to scale qubits without the manufacturing failures often seen in monolithic chips.

Technical Breakthrough: Their Ankaa-3 system hit a 99.5% median fidelity rate, crossing the threshold where quantum results become more reliable than classical noise.

Global Expansion: Recently secured an $8.4 million order from Indias C-DAC, proving that their on-premise "Quantum Cloud Services" (QCS) model is a viable export for sovereign compute needs. 4. Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT)

Price (Mar 2026): $7.42 | 1-Year Performance: +35.15%

QUBT uses integrated photonics (light) instead of electricity. This eliminates the need for expensive dilution refrigerators, making their Dirac-1 and Dirac-2 systems ideal for "edge" computing. Following the acquisition of Luminar Semiconductor, QUBT now owns its own domestic chip fabrication plant, securing its supply chain against geopolitical chip restrictions.

Institutional Giants: The Hybrid Infrastructure Layer 5. Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL)

Price (Mar 2026): $301.39 | 1-Year Performance: +85.17%

Googles Quantum AI division recently achieved verifiable Quantum Advantage. Their 105-qubit Willow Chip performed a chemistry task 13,000 times faster than existing supercomputers in 2025. Alphabets $385B+ revenue allows it to fund research into scalable error correction, the "Holy Grail" of the industry, without the risk profile associated with startups.

6. Honeywell International Inc. (HON)

Price (Mar 2026): $234.83 | 1-Year Performance: +20.44%

Honeywell demonstrates the application of quantum in heavy industry. It owns the majority stake in Quantinuum, which recently launched Helios, the worlds most accurate commercial quantum computer. With a $20 billion IPO prepared for late 2026, Honeywell applies quantum to its $17.4 billion Aerospace Technologies division to optimise jet engine thermals and satellite mission planning.

What Are the Top Quantum ETFs to Watch in 2026 The Strategy Layer for a Diversified Approach 1. Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM)

Price (Mar 2026): $109.64 | 1-Year Performance: +44.62%

QTUM is the primary benchmark for the sector, utilising a modified equal-weighted approach to capture the entire sub-atomic value chain from cooling systems to advanced lasers.

The Investment Thesis: A broad "Picks and Shovels" play. It bets on the foundational ecosystem, ensuring small-cap innovators have as much impact as tech giants.

Key Data (2026): Holds $3.6 billion in AUM with a 0.40% expense ratio, making it the most liquid vehicle for diversified quantum exposure. 2. WisdomTree Quantum Computing Fund (WQTM)

Price (Mar 2026): $25.61 | 1-Year Performance: -14.25%

Developed with a proprietary "Quantum Computing Score," WQTM filters for companies with the most significant technical moats and R&D pipelines.

The Investment Thesis: A high-conviction software and error-correction play. It intentionally excludes "legacy" tech firms that lack a dedicated, revenue-generating quantum roadmap.

Key Data (2026): A focused portfolio of 40-50 stocks with a 0.45% expense ratio, targeting companies with dominant patent portfolios. 3. SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS)

Price (Mar 2026): $42.36 | 1-Year Performance: +37.23%

This fund targets the "Smart Infrastructure" required to manage next-generation compute, linking quantum breakthroughs to physical industrial assets.

The Investment Thesis: A defensive play focused on "Intelligent Infrastructure." It bets on quantum's application in global logistics and smart grids, heavily featuring European and Asian patent leaders.

Key Data (2026): Managed by State Street with a 0.45% expense ratio, providing exposure to the physical hardware that makes quantum utility possible. 4. Global X AI Semiconductor & Quantum ETF (CHPX)

Price (Mar 2026): $59.01 | 1-Year Performance: +15.54%

CHPX is built on the reality that quantum processors will act as the necessary accelerators for AI models that have hit the classical compute wall.

The Investment Thesis: Targets the technical intersection of AI and Quantum. It holds concentrated positions in current AI leaders like Nvidia and modular quantum scalers like Rigetti.

Key Data (2026): Requires holdings to derive at least 50% of revenue from AI or quantum activities, maintaining a focused 0.50% expense ratio. The "Risk & Resilience" Variable: A Necessary Counterpoint To maintain analytical rigour, investors in the US stock market must distinguish between "Logical Qubits" and "Physical Qubits." The primary hurdle for the sector remains Error Correction. While hardware fidelity is improving (as seen in Rigettis 99.5% milestone), the transition to full Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing requires thousands of physical qubits to create a single error-free logical qubit. Investors should prioritise firms with a clear path to "Modular Error Correction," as this will be the ultimate determinant of commercial viability.

Scaling the Quantum Frontier: Your Portal to Sub-Atomic Assets Participating in this $2B sub-atomic pivot requires more than just an interest in physics; it requires a specialised investment vehicle that can handle the unique demands of the US deep-tech market. Appreciate serves as this vehicle, providing the technical and regulatory "pipe" for Indian investors to own the hardware and software defining the next century of compute.

The platform is engineered for the 2026 investor who values efficiency and transparency. Through a zero-fee remittance model, every rupee is channeled directly into high-fidelity qubits rather than being lost to bank margins. Appreciate simplifies the acquisition of these complex assets, whether its the trapped-ion systems of IonQ or the annealing giants like D-Wave, by offering fractional investing and a fully automated tax-compliance suite. Backed by institutional-grade research and a dual-regulatory mandate from SEBI and the IFSC, the platform provides the most secure and streamlined way to transition your portfolio from traditional silicon to the quantum future.

Wrapping Up We are currently in a "Sputnik Moment" for computing. The National Quantum Initiative Act is not just a subsidy; it is a mandate. As classical semiconductors hit their physical limits, Quantum is the primary exit strategy for an economy that requires increasing compute capacity despite finite energy. Whether through the room-temperature photonics of QUBT, the fidelity records of IonQ, or the logistical dominance of D-Wave, the infrastructure of 2030 is being positioned in the market today.

FAQs 1. Is quantum computing a good investment for 2026?

Yes, for investors focused on long-term growth. 2026 is a major turning point because companies are moving from experimental testing to actual business implementation. Major names are now signing multi-year contracts that provide visible revenue runways.

2. What is the easiest way to invest?

The simplest method is through Quantum ETFs (like QTUM). These function as a "team" within the U.S. stock market. Instead of picking one company, you own a piece of the entire industry, providing more stability against the technical setbacks of any single architecture.

3. Why buy quantum stocks instead of just more Nvidia?

Nvidia currently leads the market, but quantum represents the next generation. Standard chips are approaching physical limits. Quantum computers operate differently and solve specific problems that would take a regular computer thousands of years to finish. Investing now allows exposure to the architectural successor of the GPU.
In the crude market, 17 oil-bearing tankers have sailed through the strait from the second day of the war through Sunday, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler. Seven of them flew the Iranian flag, suggesting they carried Tehrans crude. It wasnt clear where they were sailing, but China buys most of Irans sanctioned oil. Just one of the 17 tankers, managed by Associated Maritime in Hong Kong, is sailing toward Europe.
Yet the story also illustrates the limits to military power. This was a raid, not an invasion. Scarred by failures in Afghanistan and Iraq, America is attempting, from afar, something much less than regime change. Mr Maduro is gone but his machinery of plunder and repression remains. His vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, seems to have taken charge. The regimes motorbike militias, the colectivos, are on the streets reasserting terror. With many gun-toting groups in Venezuela, an army with 2,400 generals and much paranoia at the top, a descent into conflict is also possible.
The size of such dealsas well as their concentration among a small group of borrowersis giving the heavily regulated banking industry indigestion. It is happy to arrange bond issues for highly profitable hyperscalers. But the less creditworthy the counterparty, the trickier it is to hold loans on a banks books for long. This is providing opportunities for private-credit firms, often funded by life insurers, who are either originating loans to data-centre borrowers or buying bespoke tranches of the banks AI-loan portfolios. The market is potentially huge. Morgan Stanley reckons that data-centre financing involving private-credit firms will reach $800bn in the five years to 2030or about half the total amount it expects to be borrowed in the data-centre boom. Yet many of the financiers involved are making it up as they go along.
The system is messaging very clearly that any kind of dissent or mobilization at a popular level will not be tolerated, said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House. Iran is facing an existential crisis, and I think its very clear that they will use whatever means to suppress the internal dimension of the threat.
Many other commodities are stuck, too. The Gulf states, it is rapidly becoming clear, matter for the supply of much more than oil and gas. Their vast hydrocarbon reserves make them ideal locations for firms that process raw materials. It also helps that they are situated between fast-growing Asia and wealthy Europe. And so 22% of the worlds traded urea, 24% of its aluminium, a third of its helium and 45% of its sulphur comes from the region. As drones hit plants and the Hormuz blockade strands exports, such crucial supply chains are experiencing an almighty crunch. Three industriestransportation, manufacturing and food productionare already suffering. And the damage only looks set to grow.
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OMCs offer various credit facilities. One is draft on delivery, where the dealer pays at the end of every day for the purchase made earlier in the day; and the other is revolving credit, under which pumps get fuel on credit for three to five days and pay on the sixth day. Both facilities are currently halted, fuel outlets said. There is a third facilityelectronic dealer financewhere a bank issues a letter of comfort to the OMC on behalf of the outlet to supply fuel for 15-30 days. This facility, however, is continuing as of now. The credit model helps retailers procure higher volumes of fuel. In turn, the retailers also give fuel on credit to regular bulk buyers like transporters in some cases.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Former Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Advocate Eric Taurai Matinenga has petitioned Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda, warning that Constitutional Amendment No. 3 risks violating his constitutional right to vote.

In his letter, Matinenga said he is a longstanding registered voter who has participated in every election since independence.I am Advocate Eric Taurai Matinenga. I am a citizen of Zimbabwe. I am a registered voter. I have diligently exercised my political right to vote since independence in 1980, he wrote, adding that he resides in Greendale, Harare, with his rural home in Murambinda, Buhera.Matinenga served as MP for Buhera West from 2008 to 2013 before voluntarily stepping down, saying he believed in short, impactful terms that allow new ideas to emerge. In 2009, he was appointed Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, a role in which he oversaw the negotiation and drafting of the 2013 Constitution.He said the Constitution, approved by more than 96% of voters, is now under attack from Amendment No. 3 of 2026.These submissions strongly oppose, with respect, the Amendment as retrogressive, antipeople, antiproper governance and unashamedly bringing back the Big Man Syndrome which the Constitution sought to banish, he wrote.Matinenga traced Zimbabwes constitutional history, noting that the Lancaster House Constitution was unpopular and heavily amended, eventually introducing an executive presidency in the mid1980s. He said this entrenched the Big Man Syndrome, with attempts to turn Zimbabwe into a oneparty state.He highlighted that the push for a new constitution continued through the 1990s, with the National Constitutional Assembly leading the charge. The governments 2000 draft was rejected by voters, and only after the 2008 political crisis did the Government of National Unity deliver the peopledriven 2013 Constitution.Matinenga argued that the 2013 Constitution, though not perfect, significantly curtailed excessive executive power. It introduced a twoterm presidency and, through Section 328, ringfenced term limits by requiring two referenda for any amendment affecting them.He said this understanding was shared by all negotiating parties and was publicly affirmed by senior ZANUPF officials, including Patrick Chinamasa.Matinenga emphasised that the Constitution is peoplecentred, with executive, legislative and judicial authority derived from the people. He said Section 328 must be read in the context of these foundational principles.His petition concludes that Amendment No. 3 is retrogressive to the spirit of a united people of Zimbabwe who endorsed the Constitution in 2013.
Each verified tonne of CO2 removed from a field like Singhas becomes a carbon credit, which global corporations currently buy for roughly $150 to $600 per tonne, depending on durability and technology. In a way, carbon credits are financial instruments designed to channel capital from developed economies that are responsible for a larger share of historical emissions into developing countries that are often more exposed to climate impacts. Such credits allow companies to offset emissions by funding verified environmental projects. One carbon credit is roughly equivalent to the emissions caused from burning about 430 litres of petrol or a round-trip flight between Delhi and Singapore. It can sometimes take more than a year for a carbon credit to be issued. Startups are now emerging to organize this long chain of geology, farming and carbon accounting.
"If such a scheme comes into effect, then it will give a push to India's drone manufacturing ecosystem. It is long pending to drive up economies of scale in India, Shah said. The government aims to create India as a global hub by 2030 for the drone manufacturing and drone services sector. The new scheme should look to push drone adoption into non-defence sectors too."
Gold rate today: After delivering a whopping 75% return to its investors in 2025, the gold price in India continued its bull run in 2026 as well. The MCX gold rate ended around 1,37,700 per 10 gm on 31 December 2025, and the precious yellow metal topped out at 1,80,779 per 10 gm on 29 January 2026, delivering over 30% in less than one month.

However, with some dead-cat bounce post-top, the gold rates in India and in the international market have been nosediving continuously. The gold price today on MCX is oscillating around 1,56,750, about 24,000 away from its record high of 1,87,779.

According to experts, the gold rate today is range-bound amid a rising US Dollar (USD) and soaring crude oil prices. They said that Brent Crude Oil price was around $65/barrel when the US and Israel military attacked Iran, which is now around $100. However, the US-Iran war entered its third week last Saturday, and still, there is no sign of de-escalation. They said that rising crude oil prices strengthened the US Dollar, which served as a brake on the gold price rise. However, oil prices are stable at $100 per barrel, and the US dollar has started erasing its recent gains, which is a good sign for the precious metal rally.

Gold price today: Crude oil in focus Highlighting the factors driving gold prices today, Anuj Gupta, a SEBI-registered market expert, said that gold prices are following crude oil prices and the US Dollar. The SEBI-registered expert said gold prices declined on March 16, 2026 due to the rise in the US dollar rates and stable crude oil prices. He said the US-Iran war may fuel safe-haven demand for the precious metal, as Middle East tensions are expected to continue.

Outlook for gold rate today On the outlook of the MCX gold rate today, Ponmudi R, CEO at Enrich Money, said the MCX gold rate today is hovering around the 1,56,500 to 1,57,500 range, indicating a phase of consolidation or mild profit booking.

"Strong demand is seen in the 1,55,000 to 1,56,000 zone, which continues to act as a key support base. As long as prices sustain above this region, the medium-term bullish outlook remains intact. A decisive breakout above 1,59,000 could revive upward momentum toward 1,63,000 to 1,65,000, the Enrich Money CEO said.

The Nifty 50 index is currently around 23,600, while the MCX gold rate is around 15,675 per gm. This means the Nifty-gold ratio is currently at 1.50.  Amit Goel, Chief Global Strategist at PACE 360

The Enrich Money expert maintained that as long as the COMEX gold rate holds above $5,000/oz, the broader bullish structure remains intact. A sustained breakout above $5,100$5,150 is required to resume upward momentum toward $5,200$5,250 per ounce.

What Nifty-gold ratio reflects? Amid a bull trend for the second straight session, the Nifty 50 index is currently around 23,600 (the Nifty 50 index closed at 23,581 on Tuesday), while the MCX gold rate is around 15,675 per gm. This means the Nifty-gold ratio is currently at 1.50 (23,600/15,675).

On what this Nifty-gold ratio signals today, Amit Goel, Chief Global Strategist at PACE 360, said, The pivot in the Nifty-gold ratio is 2.50. If the ratio moves above 2.50, then the chances of gold outshining equity are higher, while in the case of the Nifty-gold ratio coming below 2.50, there is a high probability of equity outshining gold.

The PACE 360 expert said the Indian stock market has been under sell-off pressure after the outbreak of the US-Iran war. This has dragged the Nifty-gold ratio towards 1.50, which looks ideal for investing in stocks ahead of gold, as it would deliver higher returns. He suggested buying the Nifty 50 ETF as it may deliver 5% to 8% by the end of April 2026.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Coal India subsidiary  Central Mine Planning  is poised to hit the Indian primary market this week, marking the second divestment in just three months by the Maharatna company.

The IPO of Bharat Coking Coal (BCCL), another Coal India subsidiary, opened earlier this year, garnering bumper demand of 143.85 times from investors and nearly doubling investors' money in a short span despite weak market sentiment.

Also Read | IPO-bound CMPDI bets on parent Coal India to power future growth

Now, it remains to be seen if the Central Mine Planning IPO can repeat the same performance. Investor interest remains already heightened as signalled by the grey market trends, marking a sharp departure from the prevailing IPO market trend.

IPO market sentiment remains subdued The IPO market saw some activity in the early part of 2026, but sentiment has moderated amid weak secondary market performance and geopolitical uncertainty. PhonePe has shelved its IPO plan as the Middle East conflict has clouded the market outlook.

In fact, timelines for some of the most anticipated listings, such as NSE and Reliance Jio Platforms, have also remained uncertain, highlighting that companies are increasingly prioritising stability in market conditions before launching public issues, said Sneha Poddar, VP -Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

According to Trendlyne data, among the 11 IPOs that have listed in 2026, seven are trading at a discount.

With several recent IPOs delivering muted or negative listing gains, investor participationparticularly from retail investorshas become more cautious, leading to more selective demand in the primary market, said Poddar.

"Additionally, geopolitical tensions in West Asia are weighing on the economy and putting pressure on corporate margins. These factors are already impacting earnings visibility and valuations, which in turn tends to keep primary market sentiment subdued until broader macro stability improves."

Apart from the market turbulence, Mahesh Ojha, Vice President of research and business development at Kantilal Chhaganlal Securities, said that very few of the current IPOs leave anything on the table for investors. "When IPO valuations are high, investors tend to shirk the offers in search of better opportunities."

In this backdrop, the Central Mine Planning IPO is turning out to be an anomaly.

The company announced its price band on Monday at 163-172 per share, following which the grey market premium (GMP) spiked. According to websites tracking the unofficial market, Central Mine Planning IPO GMP today is 22, suggesting a listing gain of 12.8% if the trend holds.

Can Central Mine Planning IPO revive primary market? Despite its strong appeal to investors, the interest might be more issue-specific than market-agnostic, according to experts.

Arun Kejriwal, founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services, said that to revive a weak or dormant IPO market, you need a massive or earth-shattering IPO that can significantly shift investor sentiment, but the CMPDI IPO is not a large enough issue.

However, he added that while it may not be a blockbuster IPO that doubles or delivers 50% gains, it can still perform well given current market conditions. "If it delivers returns of 1025%, that would be considered strong in the present scenario."

Poddar added that the company may see strong traction given its strong parentage under Coal India and its strategic role in mining consultancy and exploration. Additionally, she said that the Union Budget 2026-27 announced measures to strengthen Indias critical minerals ecosystem, including the creation of dedicated rare-earth corridors in mineral-rich states to boost domestic exploration and processing, which could also support investor interest in the issue.

"However, any positive response is more likely to remain issue-specific rather than indicative of a broader revival in IPO sentiment, as investors are currently prioritising companies with strong fundamentals and credible sponsors," she opined further.

Central Mine Planning IPO, worth 1842 crore, is entirely an offer for sale by Coal India. The company provides consultancy and support services for coal and mineral exploration. It has almost five decades of experience and has published over 320 project reports in the last decade.

The company assists the Ministry of Coal in strategic decisions and initiatives relating to the coal sector at the national level, for instance, through maintaining inventories of coal deposits, coal mining potentials and operations. The company reported a profit of 425 crore for nine months ended December 2025, up roughly 9% from the year-ago period.

Kejriwal said, "Central Mine Planning IPO is from a company that is virtually a monopoly in its segment. It has the parentage of Coal India, so it comes with PSU lineage, which has its own pluses and minuseslike assured dividends and a defined payout ratio." The company's focus is also expanding into mine closure, providing it with "a significant opportunity with over a thousand mines requiring scientific shutdown and land restoration."

Central Mine Planning IPO will close for bidding on March 24, with shares slated to list on both BSE and NSE.
Harsha Jethmalani

Harsha Jethmalani is a deputy editor at Mint and has over a decade of experience covering stock markets and corporates. She is a part of the Mark to Market team, which specializes in offering cutting-edge commentary on stock market trends, economy, and financial reports of companies. The sectors she follows closely include information technology, cement, real estate, and paints. Her sharp news sense and ability to spot emerging trends enable her to bring newer perspectives on market news and analysis.
Shares of Adani Power rose over 2% on Tuesday, extending their recent gains, as the stock continued to rally on the back of a major order win and improving demand outlook.

The Adani Group stock climbed to 157.50, marking its highest level in three months, after surging more than 5% in the previous session following the announcement of a Letter of Award (LoA) from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company. With this, the stock has gained 7.5% over the last two trading sessions.

The rally has also been supported by expectations of higher electricity demand, as temperatures are forecast to remain above normal levels this summer, boosting power consumption across the country.

Order win boosts outlook Adani Power said it has secured a LoA from MSEDCL for the supply of 1,600 MW of electricity from one of its upcoming ultra-supercritical thermal power projects. The supply will be under a proposed 25-year Power Supply Agreement (PSA), with operations expected to commence from FY31.

The company added that the first-year quoted tariff stands at 5.30 per kWh, as per its regulatory filing dated March 15.

With Indias power demand continuing to rise steadily, long-term and reliable capacity addition is critical to ensure energy security, said S.B. Khyalia, CEO of Adani Power.

This LoA from MSEDCL reflects the competitiveness of Adani Powers cost structure, our ability to deliver dependable baseload power, and our commitment to supporting Indias growing electricity needs through long-term partnerships. As India's leading private power producer, we are keen to support Maharashtras and the nations ambitious development goals with a reliable and affordable electricity supply, he added.

Following this order, Adani Power has tied up long-term PSAs for 13.3 GW out of its total under-implementation pipeline of 23.8 GW, indicating steady progress toward securing nearly its entire capacity under long-term contracts.

More than 95% of the companys existing operating capacity of 18.15 GW is already tied up under medium- to long-term PSAs. Additionally, over 55% of its upcoming 23.8 GW capacity is secured under 25-year agreements.

The company also highlighted that this marks another key win amid a renewed investment cycle in the thermal power sector. During FY2526, Adani Power has secured five long-term PSA bids with a total capacity of 10,400 MW.

Adani Power is currently undertaking Indias largest private-sector thermal power expansion, aiming to scale its capacity from 18.15 GW to 41.87 GW by FY32, with planned investments of around 2 lakh crore.

Adani Power stock performance The Adani Group stock has delivered robust returns across timeframes. Adani Power shares have risen 7.5% in the past one month and gained 23% over six months. On a one-year basis, the stock is up 52%, while it has surged an impressive 789% over the past five years, giving multibagger returns.

Despite the recent rally, the stock is still about 14% below its 52-week high of 182.75, touched in September 2025. On the downside, it had hit a 52-week low of 94.41 in April 2025, indicating significant recovery since then.
War headlines, oil spikes and sharp market swings tend to amplify one instinct above all others: sell first, ask questions later. That instinct has come to the forefront as global tensions have rattled equities and commodities, with the benchmark index Nifty 50 losing over 1,700 points since the start of the US-Iran war despite recording strong gains in three sessions since March 1.

The caution sentiment has set in amid a worsening geopolitical backdrop. US President Donald Trump called for a coalition of nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel said it had detailed plans for at least three more weeks of war. Iranian drone attacks also disrupted parts of the Gulf, including a temporary shutdown at Dubai airport and a strike on a key oil facility in the UAE.

Reacting to the war, brokerages Citi and Nomura have also lowered their Nifty 50 targets for 2026-end.

Citi cut its target for the Nifty to 27,000 from 28,500 and lowered the indexs target multiple to 19 times from 20 times one-year forward earnings. Even after the downgrade, the revised target still implied 17% upside from the Niftys last close. Nomura also reduced its year-end target for the Nifty 50 to 24,900 from 29,300, implying a potential upside of 7.5%.

The key question plaguing traders is not whether the market will remain under pressure, but whether this is actually the right time to build fresh bearish bets.

Bears may slow down: Why should you not short Nifty yet Analysts at SAMCO Securities argue that while Nifty may appear attractive for bears at current levels, the risk-reward for fresh short positions does not look favourable.

Jahol Prajapati and Saurav Chaube, Research Analysts at SAMCO Securities, said, Nifty is currently trading at an appealing level for the bears, but still it may not be the best trade to short Nifty at the current level. There are two prime arguments based on the past data that indicate avoiding going short is best advised at this time.

SAMCOs first argument rests on the Nifty/Brent crude ratio, which is nearing an important long-term support zone. According to the analysts, the recent sharp fall in the ratio has been driven largely by the spike in Brent crude prices rather than a total collapse in Nifty. That matters because if crude prices stabilise or cool, the ratio can recover even if Nifty merely holds steady. A rebound could also happen if oil remains elevated but Nifty itself starts to recover.

Historically, this ratio has rebounded from similar levels, suggesting limited downside from current levels and the risk-reward for fresh short positions may turn out to be unfavourable, the analysts added.

Their second argument comes from market history. Over the past 15 years, there have been seven previous instances when the Nifty fell more than 5% in a single week. Excluding phases of systemic stress, the market often stabilised and rebounded in the weeks that followed.

On average, Nifty delivered returns of 3.4% in the following week, 3.0% over two weeks, 1.4% over three weeks, and 1.9% over four weeks after such sharp weekly declines. The probability of positive returns stood at 71% in the one-week, two-week and four-week periods, while the three-week window recorded positive returns 57% of the time.

The latest instance, on March 13, 2026, when the Nifty fell 5.3% for the week, places the market in a setup that looks historically similar. That does not guarantee an immediate rebound, but it does suggest that betting aggressively on further downside may not be the smartest move unless the current situation turns into a full-blown systemic event, as per the brokerage.

In periods of war and geopolitical stress, investors often turn hesitant, step back from fresh buying, and wait for calmer conditions. Panic selling can also intensify the decline, with stop-loss orders adding to the pressure. But while such phases create sharp short-term volatility, they do not always define the markets longer-term direction.

History shows that some of the strongest opportunities can emerge during these phases of uncertainty, although recoveries are not always immediate and often reward investors who remain patient and disciplined.
Buy or sell stocks: The Indian stock market witnessed strong gains towards the end of the trading session on Monday, March 16, led by banking, financial, auto, and FMCG stocks, despite ongoing geopolitical concerns.

The Sensex closed 939 points, or 1.26%, higher at 75,502.85, while the Nifty 50 ended at 23,408.80, up 258 points, or 1.11%.

From its intraday low of 73,949.76, the 30-share index rebounded by 1,553 points, while the Nifty 50 surged over 450 points, or nearly 2%, from its days low of 22,955.25.

Stock market today Nifty 50 On Monday, the Indian benchmark index Nifty 50 opened on a flat note at 23,116.10. During the first half of the session, the index declined and touched an intraday low of 22,955.25. In the second half, however, the market witnessed strong buying momentum, which led to a sharp recovery. The index surged by 546.75 points from the days low and registered an intraday high of 23,502.00. It eventually closed the session at 23,408.80, gaining 257.70 points or 1.11% compared to the previous close.

Speaking on the Nifty 50 outlook, Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, said, From a technical perspective, the 23,25023,300 range is expected to act as a crucial support zone for the index. On the upside, Nifty may face immediate resistance around the 23,550-23,600 zone. The momentum indicator RSI is currently recovering from the oversold territory and is positioned at 29.68. Although the indicator is showing signs of improvement, it still remains in the oversold zone. A sustained recovery above this level will be required to confirm an improvement in the indexs strength.

Bagadia further recommended traders to remain cautious near the key support and resistance levels mentioned above, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. It is recommended to avoid initiating fresh directional trades until a decisive breakout occurs on either side, Bagadia added.

Bank Nifty Bank Nifty opened the session on a flat note at 53,721.50 and declined to an intraday low of 53,258.15 during the early part of the session. The index later witnessed strong buying interest and recovered sharply. From the days low, Bank Nifty rallied by 1,406 points to register an intraday high of 54,664.15. The index eventually closed at 54,413.40, recording a gain of 655.55 points or 1.22% for the day.

Meanwhile, on the Bank Nifty outlook, Bagadia added, From a technical standpoint, the range of 54,100-54,200 will act as an immediate support zone for Bank Nifty index, whereas, on the upside, the 54,700-54,800 range is likely to act as an immediate resistance zone. The momentum indicator RSI is currently recovering from the oversold territory and stands at 28.24. However, it remains within the oversold zone, and a sustained recovery from this region will be necessary to confirm strengthening momentum in the index.

He further suggested that traders remain cautious around the key levels mentioned above and wait for a clear breakout on either side before initiating fresh directional positions.

Sumeet Bagadia's stocks to buy Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy on Tuesday, March 17: Acutaas Chemicals, Aether Industries, Sai Life Sciences, Kirloskar Oil Engines, and CCL Products (India).

1] Acutaas Chemicals: Buy at 2165, Target 2315, Stop Loss 2090

Acutaas Chemicals share price is currently trading at 2165; the stock shows a healthy bullish trend on the daily chart as it stabilises after a recent rally. The price action follows a steady uptrend, consistently forming higher bases above the major moving averages. It is currently maintaining its position above the 20, 50, and 100-day EMAs, which are all trending upward and providing strong structural support. The RSI is currently at 55.04, indicating a neutral to positive momentum that has cooled off from overbought levels, offering room for a fresh move. This consolidation suggests a preparation for a trend continuation toward the target of 2315. A stop loss at 2090 is well-placed just below the 20-day EMA to protect against any short-term trend violation.

2] Aether Industries: Buy at 713, Target 765, Stop Loss 688

Aether Industries is currently trading at 713, exhibiting a classic bullish consolidation pattern on the daily chart, showing strong resilience near its short-term moving averages. The price action recently bounced off the 50-day EMA, suggesting that buyers are stepping in to defend the current trend. It is trading comfortably above the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMA lines, indicating a healthy long-term uptrend despite recent volatility. The RSI is currently at 55.77 and curling upward, which signals a steady build-up in momentum without being in the overbought zone. This setup supports a potential move toward the target of 765 as the stock attempts to reclaim its previous swing high. A stop loss at 688 provides effective protection just below the 50-day EMA support cluster.

3] Sai Life Sciences: Buy at 976, Target 1050, Stop Loss 940

Sai Life Sciences share price is currently trading at 976, the stock shows a constructive recovery on the daily chart after a brief retracement from its recent highs. The price action indicates a bullish reversal as the stock finds support near its key averages, forming a potential higher low. It remains positioned above the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs, maintaining its long-term bullish structural integrity. The RSI is currently at 52.47 and turning upwards, suggesting that selling pressure has subsided and momentum is shifting back toward the buyers. This technical setup favours a move toward the target of 1050 as the stock attempts to reclaim its upward trajectory. A stop loss at 940 is well-placed just below the 50-day EMA to manage downside risk.

Also Read | Stock recommendations for 17 March from MarketSmith India

4] Kirloskar Oil Engines: Buy at 1470, Target 1570, Stop Loss 1420

Kirloskar Oil Engines share price is currently trading at 1470 and exhibits a strong bullish continuation pattern on the daily chart, characterized by a series of higher highs and higher lows. The price action recently bounced off its short-term support, confirming the strength of the existing uptrend. The stock is trading well above its 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs, with all moving averages sloping upward in a healthy bullish sequence. The RSI is currently at 64.01, suggesting robust buying momentum with further room for growth before hitting overbought territory. This technical setup points toward a move reaching the target of 1570 as it approaches its recent peak. A stop loss at 1420 provides a secure exit point just below the 20-day EMA support level.

5] CCL Products (India): Buy at 1043, Target 1120, Stop Loss 1005

CCL Products (India) share price is trading around 1043 and demonstrating a strong consolidation pattern near its lifetime highs, indicating a healthy absorption of supply. The price action reflects a series of higher troughs, with the stock currently finding support at its 20-day EMA. It remains well-positioned above the 50, 100, and 200-day EMA lines, confirming a robust long-term uptrend. The RSI is currently at 55.93, showing steady momentum with plenty of room for an upward breakout before reaching overbought territory. This technical setup suggests a potential rally toward the upside once it clears the immediate resistance zone. Maintain a strict stop loss at 1005 to protect capital, aiming for a primary target of 1120.
The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to see a steady opening on Tuesday, tracking upbeat cues from global markets, even as sentiment remains cautious amid the escalating US-Iran war in the Middle East.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a mildly positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,455 level, a premium of nearly 26 points from the Nifty futures previous close.

On Monday, the Indian stock market ended sharply higher, led by fag-end buying, with the benchmark Nifty 50 closing above 23,400 level.

The Sensex surged 938.93 points, or 1.26%, to close at 75,502.85, while the Nifty 50 settled 257.70 points, or 1.11%, higher at 23,408.80.

Heres what to expect from Sensex, Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty today:

Sensex Prediction Sensex formed a bullish candle on daily charts, indicating that a pullback move is likely to continue in the near future.

For day traders, 75,200 and 75,000 would act as key support zones. As long as Sensex is trading above these levels, the pullback formation is likely to continue. On the higher side, 76,000 and 76,500 would serve as key resistance areas for the bulls. Conversely, below 75,000, the uptrend would become vulnerable. If that level is breached, the index could retest the levels of 74,300 - 74,000, said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities.

According to him, the current market texture is volatile, and hence, level-based trading would be the ideal strategy for day traders.

Mayank Jain, Market Analyst, Share.Market said that the immediate support for Sensex lies at 74,000  73,800 and this range marks the new floor for the week.

A break below this level could lead the Sensex to retest its structural base at 73,500. Immediate resistance is seen at 76,400  76,500. Currently, this zone is expected to act as the primary resistance for the Sensex, said Jain.

Nifty Options Data In the derivatives segment, significant call writing was observed at the 23,500 strike followed by the 23,700 strike, while notable put writing was seen at the 23,200 and 23,000 strikes.

Considering the ongoing geopolitical tensions, traders are advised to remain cautious near the key support and resistance levels and wait for a clear breakout on either side before initiating fresh directional trades, said Aakash Shah, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Equity Broking.

Nifty 50 Prediction Nifty 50 index formed a bullish candle with shadows in either direction, signaling pullback from the oversold territory.

A long bull candle was formed on the daily chart with minor upper and lower shadow. Technically, this market action indicates counter attack by bulls from the lower supports (opening upside gap of 15 April 2025), said Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities.

According to him, the underlying broader trend of Nifty 50 remains weak and the market is still not out of the woods. The bearish pattern like lower tops and bottoms is intact on the daily chart and the opening downside gap of 13 March remains open.

There is a crucial overhead resistance placed around 23,500 - 23,600 levels and there is a higher possibility of sell on rise opportunity in the market at the hurdle. Immediate support is placed at 23,000 levels, said Shetti.

Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks to buy today

Nilesh Jain, VP- Head of Technical and Derivative research at Centrum Finverse Ltd. noted that the markets are likely to remain volatile, but expects a gradual recovery, with Nifty 50 potentially retracing towards 23,800, which represents the 23.6% retracement of the entire decline.

Momentum indicators and oscillators have entered extremely oversold territory, indicating the possibility of a pullback. However, the broader structure remains weak, and any pullback is likely to attract selling pressure. Meanwhile, the volatility index, INDIAVIX, cooled off by around 5% but continues to remain elevated above 21. A correction below 18 will be required for bulls to regain control, said Jain.

Bajaj Broking Research believes that the overall bias continues to remain down with immediate resistance placed at 23,700 - 23,800 levels being the confluence of the last week breakdown area and 8 days EMA.

Nifty 50 index needs to start forming higher highs and higher lows on a sustained basis to signal a pause in the current downtrend. On the downside, key support levels are placed in the 22,700  22,400 zone, which coincides with the previous gap area and the 78.6% retracement of the earlier major up move, said the brokerage firm.

Bank Nifty Prediction Bank Nifty index ended 655.55 points, or 1.22%, higher at 54,413.40 on Monday, forming a bullish candle with a long lower shadow and a minor upper shadow, indicating strong buying interest at lower levels.

The daily RSI has also shown a pullback after marking low of 23, hinting at a short term recovery. Going ahead, the 54,900  55,000 zone will act as a key hurdle for the Bank Nifty index. A sustained move above 55,000 could extend the pullback rally towards the 55,500 level. On the downside, 54,000  53,900 is expected to serve as a crucial support zone, said Sudeep Shah - Head of Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy

Om Mehra, Technical Research Analyst, SAMCO Securities highlighted that the RSI has slipped near the 28 level, indicating that the Bank Nifty index is trading in an oversold zone. Meanwhile, the DMI setup shows the negative direction, highlighting that the broader trend still remains under pressure.

The 53,400  53,500 zone now emerges as an important cushion in the near term. As long as the Bank Nifty index holds above this zone, some stabilisation or a short-term recovery may continue. On the upside, the 55,000  55,500 zone is likely to act as a resistance area, said Mehra.

Overall, he believes the current move appears to be a short-term relief bounce rather than a trend reversal, and the Bank Nifty index may continue to witness volatility in the coming sessions.
Shares of Samvardhana Motherson International rose by 2.5% on Tuesday, March 17, after the company provided an update regarding its acquisition strategy aimed at enhancing its international presence.

Through its indirectly owned subsidiary Motherson Global Investments B.V., the company is in the process of acquiring an 81% stake with voting rights in Yutaka Giken Co, along with an 11% stake in Shinnichi Kogyo Co Ltd.

As part of the transaction framework, a crucial step involved the acquisition of complete ownership in Yutaka Autoparts India Private Limited (YAIPL). The company had previously signed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) on March 11, 2026, and has now successfully finalized the transaction on March 16, 2026, after meeting all required conditions.

With the completion of this process, YAIPL has become a fully owned subsidiary of the company, representing an important advancement in strengthening its position in global automotive component markets, said the company in an exchange filing.

Moreover, Samvardhana Motherson International has scheduled a meeting of its Board of Directors on March 19, 2026, to discuss the possibility of declaring an interim dividend for equity shareholders for the fiscal year 2025-26.

The announcement was made on March 12, 2026, following SEBI regulations, with Company Secretary Alok Goel endorsing the official notice that was sent to NSE and BSE.

Samvardhana Motherson Q3 Results Samvardhana Motherson announced a consolidated net profit of 1,024 crore for the third quarter of FY26, reflecting a 16.5% increase compared to the 879 crore net profit recorded in Q3 FY25.

During the quarter in question, the companys revenue from operations grew approximately 14.5% year-on-year to 31,409.39 crore. The firm stated that this constitutes its highest quarterly revenue to date, despite existing market uncertainties. EBITDA increased by 10% YoY to reach 3,042 crore.

Samvardhana Motherson share price today Samvardhana Motherson share price today opened at 115.45 apiece on the BSE, the stock touched an intraday high of 116 per share, and an intraday low of 113.75 per share.

According to Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, after a four-week corrective phase, Motherson has approached a critical technical juncture, testing its 50-week moving average near 111  a key medium-term support. The current setup suggests a potential dead cat bounce, with immediate upside toward the 10-day EMA at 119, followed by 121 as the next resistance band.

"However, the broader weekly structure remains consolidative, indicating a lack of strong directional conviction. Volume participation during the bounce will be key to validate strength. Failure to hold above 111 would negate recovery attempts and reopen downside risk.

Near term, traders may watch for range-bound moves with a slight upward bias, while a decisive breakout above 121 could shift momentum in favor of bulls," said Jain.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The ruling Zanu-PF party is facing mounting internal pressure following strong objections from retired army generals and war veterans opposed to the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.The resistance, led by a group of former senior military figures and liberation war veterans, has heightened tensions within the party, with insiders indicating growing unease over the potential fallout.A petition submitted to Parliament last week, signed by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena, calls for the proposed amendments to be subjected to a national referendum. The group warned against allowing a small group of legislators to alter key constitutional provisions without broader public consent.In their submission, the ex-generals and war veterans criticised what they described as a "constitutional coup," allegedly driven by influential elites within Zanu-PF, whom they referred to as zvigananda.The proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 seeks to extend the tenure of both President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Parliament by two years beyond the current 2028 limit. It also includes provisions to abolish direct presidential elections and dissolve institutions such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, among other significant changes.Critics argue that such sweeping reforms require approval through a referendum, in line with constitutional provisions. However, the government and Zanu-PF maintain that Parliament has the authority to amend the Constitution without a public vote.The pushback from war veterans carries historical weight, given the military's pivotal role in the 2017 Zimbabwe coup d'etat that led to the removal of former president Robert Mugabe.Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda confirmed that Parliament is currently receiving submissions from various stakeholders as part of the legislative process.Meanwhile, reports indicate signs of concern within party structures. At a recent Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial co-ordination committee meeting in Mutare, members acknowledged the growing influence of dissenting war veterans and retired generals.Central committee member Shadreck Chipanga urged caution, calling for thorough internal deliberations before rolling out a nationwide campaign in support of the bill."We need to discuss everything because we are going to meet great minds out there," Chipanga said.However, not all party members share the same concerns. Provincial youth leader Stanley Sakupwanya defended the proposed changes, arguing that constitutional amendments are a normal part of governance."The Constitution is not under attack; it changes with time," he said.Manicaland Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza said the party was prepared to proceed with an outreach programme to mobilise support for the amendment.Parliament is set to conduct 64 public hearings between March 30 and April 2, a schedule that has drawn criticism for its limited scope. Analysts note that the process contrasts sharply with the extensive consultations that preceded the adoption of the 2013 Constitution, which involved thousands of outreach meetings over several months.As debate intensifies, the proposed amendment continues to expose deep divisions within Zanu-PF and across Zimbabwe's political landscape.
India's capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), on 17 March, issued a consultation paper on modified norms for the nomination in demat accounts and mutual fund folios, seeking comments from the public.

SEBI said the consultation paper seeks public suggestions to "modify the circular on Revise and revamp Nomination Facilities in the Indian Securities Market, issued on January 10, 2025, to enhance the ease of investor onboarding and ease the nomination process by aligning with the banking norms on nomination."

SEBI's revamped nomination norms Last year in January, the market regulator issued a detailed circular, outlining the revised nomination facilities, allowing single-holding investors to authorise one nominee (excluding minors) to operate their accounts if they are physically incapacitated but still mentally capable of contracting.

However, nominees are not allowed to update key details such as bank accounts or contact information.

Besides, under the revamped norms, investors are mandatorily required to provide any one of the personal identifiers of the nominee, such as PAN or driving licence number or the last 4 digits of Aadhaar, along with full contact details of the nominee, the relationship of the nominee with the investor, and the date of birth of the nominee if a minor.

Moreover, investors were allowed to nominate up to 10 persons in the account of a mutual fund folio. Power of Attorney (POA) holders of the investor were not allowed to nominate.

Also Read | Small MF distributors warn of income hit, urge Sebi to revisit expense rules

SEBI proposals 1. SEBI's revamped nomination rules say regulated entities will provide a facility to the investors to empower the nominee to operate their account or folio in case of incapacitation of the former, but still has the capacity to contract.

However, SEBI underscored that the industry finds the implementation of this facility challenging due to high implementation costs and the difficulty in maintaining audit trails.

Furthermore, this facility poses significant risks of fraud, misuse of accounts, and future legal disputes.

SEBI has proposed that the existing mechanism of Power of Attorney may also be used in situations where the investor is incapacitated, but still has the capacity to contract.

2. The process of furnishing various details of the nominee is onerous for investors, and as a result, many investors are dropping off onboarding.

SEBI proposed that only the name and nature of the relationship will be mandatory details sought, and all remaining details shall be optional for the investor to provide.

3. In order to simplify the process of onboarding, SEBI proposes that the default choice for the investor will be to opt in for nomination at the time of opening a new account.

For existing accounts where no nomination or opt-out is provided, the regulated entities will regularly send messages to such investors by email and SMS, encouraging them to provide a nomination.
Stock Market Today Highlights: Indian stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended 0.7% higher on Tuesday, March 17, following gains in global peers. Meanwhile, investors remained on edge amid lingering concerns over the ongoing US-Iran conflict in the Middle East, a sharp rise in crude oil prices, and continued strength in the US dollar, all of which have weighed on risk appetite.

Sensex ended 568 points or 0.75% higher at 76,071 while Nifty rose 172 points or 0.74% to settle at 23,581. Among broader markets, Nifty Midcap 100 rose 1% while Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 0.65%

Among sectors, Nifty Auto and Nifty Metal were leading while Nifty IT and Nifty FMCG lost the most.

Asian Markets Today

Shares were mixed across Europe and Asia on Tuesday after Wall Street logged its strongest session since the Iran war began on Monday.

In Asia, Tokyos Nikkei 225 erased early gains to slip 0.1% to 53,700.39, while South Koreas Kospi surged 1.6% to 5,640.48. Hong Kongs Hang Seng edged up 0.1% to 25,668.54, whereas the Shanghai Composite declined 0.9% to 4,049.91. Australias S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.4% to 8,614.30 after the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 4.1%. Taiwans Taiex climbed 1.5%, and Indias Sensex gained 0.6%.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 rose 1%, marking its biggest gain in five weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.2%.

Market movements have largely been driven by oil prices, which have surged from around USD 70 per barrel before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. In response, Iran has nearly halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz  a critical route through which about one-fifth of the worlds oil supply typically passes from the Persian Gulf to global markets. This disruption has led oil producers to cut output as supply routes remain constrained.

The key concern for financial markets is that a prolonged closure of the Strait could significantly reduce global oil supply, pushing inflation higher and posing a serious risk to the global economy.

Crude Oil Prices

Oil prices rose by about 4% on Tuesday, clawing back some of the previous session's losses as Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates rekindled supply fears while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut.

Brent crude futures jumped $3.52, or 3.5%, to $103.73 a barrel by 0850 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $3.79, or 4.1%, to $97.29.

In the previous session, Brent settled 2.8% down while U.S. WTI lost 5.3% after some vessels sailed through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is in its third week with no end in sight. Iran renewed attacks on the United Arab Emirates. Operations at the Shah gas field remained suspended after a drone attack while a fresh attack caused a fire at Fujairah port, where loading by state oil company ADNOC has been halted.

Gold Rate Today

Silver prices jumped on Tuesday, March 17 supported by easing concerns over prolonged disruptions of crude oil shipments amid prolonged US-Iran conflict. Meanwhile, investors awaited multiple central bank policy decisions this week.

On MCX, silver rate rose 2% to 2,61,457 per kg while gold price advanced 0.8% to 1,56,996 per 10 grams.

In the international markets, Spot silver rose 0.6% to $81.28 per ounce, while, Spot gold firmed 0.4% to $5,023.19 per ounce as of 0251 GMT. U.S. gold futures for April delivery rose 0.5% to $5,027.20.

Stay tuned to this segment for the latest updates on the stock market today.
Stock market today: The domestic benchmark indices, Nifty 50 and Sensex. continued their rebound this week, with both main indices starting in positive territory on Tuesday and further enhancing their growth.

The Nifty 50 commenced at 23,493.20, increasing by 84.40 points or 0.36 percent, while the Sensex began at 75,824.17, rising by 321.32 points or 0.43 percent.

Market analysts observed that despite ongoing selling from foreign portfolio investors (FPI), the markets displayed resilience.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold off equities valued at 9,365.52 crore on Monday, as reported by exchange data. In contrast, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) purchased stocks amounting to 12,593.36 crore.

In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng were all in positive territory, while Shanghai's SSE Composite index was trading lower.

The US market closed higher on Monday.

Nifty 50 Outlook by Sagar Doshi, Senior Vice President- Research, Nuvama Professional Clients Group Nifty 50 After hitting a fresh 10.5 month below 23,000-mark, Nifty 50 witnessed the highest intraday recovery seen in this leg of correction which has pulled the index down by nearly 3,300 pts from highs of 3rd February 2026. This makes yesterdays  (Mondays) low extremely important while making the short-term chart a buy on dip set up for target of 23,850. Only a closing above the same 23,850 can allow for new leg upside a closing below 22,900 can call for a fresh 800  1,000 pt down leg.

Bank Nifty Bank Nifty has seen significant underperformance to Nifty 50 from the start of this month rapidly closing in the gap it had on a YTD basis. Going by price action - Bank Nifty has a much weaker short-term chart compared to Nifty 50. Currently the index has reached a band of 53,150 - 53,900 which has historically acted as a strong support for corrections on the index. And this band should be actively monitored on the index. Only a breach of the lower end of the band @ 53,150 should be seen as a signal for further weakness on the index. For the extreme short-term dips can be bought on the index below 53,900 for target of 55,250.

Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks to buy today

Stocks To Buy on Tuesday On stocks to buy on Tuesday, Sagar Doshi of Nuvama recommended three stocks - Premier Energies Ltd, Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), and Tata Power Company Ltd.

Premier Energies Ltd (BUY): LCP:  795; SL:  840; TGT:  765 After a 6-month sloping trendline breach last week, stock has been witnessing buying traction with 12 of the past 13 trading days witnessing closing higher than its opening suggesting active buying happening at these lower levels. Given the sectoral tailwind on power demand, solar and related stocks are seeing better charts in the broader market category and is likely to expand the ongoing run.

PFC (BUY): LCP:  406; SL:  391; TGT:  428 For the past 6 week stock has entered a sideways consolidation after crossing over its 200 DMA in early last month. Early signs of this short term compression ending are seen on price charts as it has not been breaching the 200 DMA support on downside despite a 10% correction on Nifty 50 in the same time. This signifies absence of sellers at these levels.

Tata Power Company Ltd (BUY): LCP:  390; SL:  375; TGT:  416 An 18-month sloping trendline breach has been seen on charts of Tata Power last week along with a 200 DMA crossover which adds to the ongoing cushion on the long side in these turbulent times. Given the sectoral tailwind on power demand and related stocks are seeing better charts in the broader market category and is likely to expand the ongoing run. Short term upside unfolds for another 6-8% from current base.

Also Read | Shares to buy or sell: Chandan Taparia recommends three stocks to buy today
Frontline indices, the Sensex and the Nifty 50, ended with healthy gains for the second consecutive session on Tuesday, 17 March, tracking positive global cues.

The Sensex rose 568 points, or 0.75%, to close at 76,070.84, while the Nifty 50 settled at 23,581.15, rising 172 points, or 0.74%.

Gains were broad-based, unlike Monday when the mid and small-cap indices ended lower. The BSE 150 Midcap index jumped 1.08%, while the BSE 250 Smallcap index climbed 0.43% on Tuesday.

Over two sessions, the Sensex has gained more than 1,500 points, or 2%, while the Nifty 50 has jumped 430 points, or nearly 2%.

Investors earned more than 3 lakh crore in just two sessions as the overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms rose to over 433 lakh crore from nearly 430 lakh crore on Friday.

What is driving the Indian stock market higher? The rally in the Indian stock market over the last two sessions has been driven primarily by short covering after the recent drubbings.

On Tuesday, positive global cues seem to have triggered buying in the second half of the session, even as crude oil prices continue to trade above $100 per barrel and the Indian rupee remains near a record low.

According to PTI, provisional figures showed that the Indian rupee declined 10 paise to close at a record low of 92.38 against the US dollar on Tuesday.

The US-Iran conflict continues with strong intensity even as reports suggest that Washington and Tehran have reopened a communications channel in recent days. Meanwhile, according to media reports, Israel has claimed that Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, has been killed in a strike.

While geopolitical risks persist, the auto, metal, bank, and financial sectors are witnessing healthy buying as investors accumulate quality stocks available at lower prices.

Nifty Metal (up 2.82%), Auto (up 2.11%), and Realty (up 1.80%) clocked solid gains. Nifty Bank and Financial Services indices rose by almost 1% each.

Barring Nifty IT (down 0.97%) and FMCG (down 0.75%), all sectoral indices ended higher.

"The market extended its gains, driven largely by bargain hunting by domestic investors. Cyclical sectors such as autos, metals, and financials continued to be leaders rebounding after being among the worst affected during the sell-off," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, noted.

However, Nair warned that conflict-related uncertainties persist, and it is too early to conclude that this reversal is sustainable in the short term.

On a monthly basis, the Sensex and the Nifty 50 are still more than 6% down each, looking set to extend losses for the fourth consecutive month.

Experts say the macro outlook for the country has not yet deteriorated, so the market correction, which has dragged valuations lower, is an opportunity for long-term investors.

Nifty's technical outlook Technical experts see some positive signs on technical charts, which indicate the pullback may continue.

Shrikant Chouhan, Head- Equity Research, Kotak Securities, highlighted that a bullish candle on the daily charts and an intraday continuation pattern indicate that a pullback is likely to continue in the near future.

"For day traders, 23,350 and 23,300 would act as crucial support zones. Above these levels, the pullback could continue till 23,800. Further upside may also persist, potentially lifting the index to 23,950. On the flip side, below 23,300, sentiment could change. If the index drops below this level, traders may prefer to exit their long positions," said Chouhan.

According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, the Nifty 50 has given a falling channel breakout on the hourly chart, suggesting a rise in optimism. Besides, the index has moved above the 21EMA on the hourly timeframe.

"The sentiment is likely to remain slightly positive, with a possibility of a rise towards 23,80024,000. On the lower end, however, crucial support is placed at 23,400. A fall below this level might reactivate the bears in the market. Below 23,400, Nifty may fall back to the recent low of 22,950," said De.

Read all market-related news here

Read more stories by Nishant Kumar
A 78-year-old woman from Indiranagar, Bengaluru, recently lost 38 lakh in a well-designed digital arrest scam, according to a report in The Hindu. This cyber fraud case highlights how fraudsters are using fear, threats, and impersonation of officials to cheat unsuspecting victims.

Cybercrime police said the woman received a phone call on 11 March from scammers posing as officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They falsely claimed her documents were linked to money laundering and pornography cases, and said a bank account in her name has been utilised to fund terror activities.

The scammers forced her to stay on a WhatsApp video call for hours, threatening immediate arrest if she spoke to anyone for 72 hours. Under pressure, she transferred 38 lakh via RTGS to a current account provided by the fraudsters, believing it was a part of an RBI verification.

Also Read | Digital arrest scams: 5 ways to stay safe from scammers posing as officials

Given the repetitive nature of such scams, police authorities have confirmed that no law enforcement agency in the country conducts investigations via video calls or requests that citizens transfer funds to meet investigative obligations.

How do such digital arrest scams work? Such scams follow a certain pattern, detailed in steps below:

Fraudsters generally:

Pose as officers from reputed national agencies such as CBI or NIA. Claim that the victims' accounts are linked to criminal activities. Criminal activities claimed can be: terror-related, drug-related, or other serious offences. Victims are then forced to stay on calls for hours and are isolated from family members. Pressure tactics are used to force them to transfer funds for security checks/ verification. 5 important lessons to protect yourself from such frauds Keeping the pattern of these scams in mind, here are five lessons that you must follow diligently to protect yourself from such scams:

Never panic when you get such calls, and avoid transferring any funds at all costs. Especially during a claimed investigation on a phone or video call. Before proceeding with any steps or instructions, always contact your nearest police station for clarification. This will help you verify identities carefully by contacting legitimate sources and helpline numbers. If someone is aggressively threatening you with arrest over a call or video call, dont wait; simply disconnect the call and report it to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at: https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Accept.aspx . You can also call 1930 to report the crime. When you do, clearly share the phone number, the provided name, and the threats with the concerned authorities. Your efforts in this case will help prevent the fraud from spreading further and damaging the financial health of others who could be targets. When you face such a challenge, it can be both stressful and psychologically draining. That is why you should always keep your family in the loop before moving ahead with any bank-related transactions.

Why awareness matters for your finances Cybercrime can drain your life savings in minutes. Such a situation can be emotionally challenging to manage and comes with serious long-term consequences. Do not fall for such threats and speak to a practising advocate so you can respond sensibly and protect your finances.
Traders believe experience is a key ingredient for success, alongside patience and capital. Initially, I did not even break-even and had to rely on family and friends, Bharath said. I was living by the day, but there was no reason not to do well because getting a job was not an option. I figured out the method to the madness and derived three rules which have been working for me.
Promoters of great businesses create substantial wealth for themselves in the long run, but this happens only because, instead of trading their shares, they continue to hold them due to their conviction that their stake will be worth much more as the revenues and profits compound over the years and decades ahead.
A second Indian-flagged LPG tanker arrived in the country early Tuesday after safely crossing the conflict-affected Strait of Hormuz amid a cooking gas shortage triggered by the Middle East conflict.

The tanker Nanda Devi docked at Kandla port in Gujarat at about 2:30 am, according to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. A day earlier, the first vessel, Shivalik, had reached Mundra port in Gujarat.

India currently relies on imports for about 88% of its crude oil, 50% of its natural gas, and 60% of its LPG requirements.

Authorities also continue working to secure the passage of 22 other Indian vessels still stranded in the region. "In the last 24 hours, 161 Indian sailors have been repatriated and brought back to India after signing off in the Gulf region, Sinha said, according to ANI.

The two vessels together are transporting around 92,712 tonnes of LPG, roughly equal to the countrys one-day cooking gas requirement. Sinha mentioned all Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf region are safe, and no incidents involving Indian ships were reported over the past 24 hours.

He added that the two LPG carriers began their voyage on Friday and successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday, raising the total number of Indian-flagged ships that have safely passed through the conflict-affected zone to four.

At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels, carrying 611 crew members, remain in the western Gulf, while two ships remain on the eastern side.

Of the Indian-flagged ships still on the western side of the strait, six are LPG carriers, one is an LNG tanker, four are crude oil tankers, and one is transporting chemical cargo. In addition, there are three container vessels and two bulk carriers, along with one dredger, one empty vessel without cargo, and three ships undergoing routine maintenance in dry dock.

Among those in the east, the crude oil tanker Jag Laadki, which departed safely from the UAEs Fujairah port despite an earlier attack on the terminal, is expected to arrive in India on Tuesday with around 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude. All 22 Indian crew members onboard are reported to be safe. Another tanker, Jag Prakash, carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, has also crossed the strait without incident and is currently heading towards Tanzania.

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is reportedly closely tracking the situation in coordination with ship owners, agencies, and Indian missions abroad.

Sinha noted that India has around 3.18 lakh seafarers, with nearly 90 per cent working on foreign-flagged ships, reflecting their high level of expertise.

He added that to maintain smooth maritime operations, major Indian ports, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, are providing concessions on anchorage charges, berth hire, storage facilities, and temporary transshipment arrangements.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf to open seas, has effectively been closed amid escalating hostilities after the US-Israel strikes on Iran and Tehrans subsequent retaliation.

When the conflict began, there were 28 Indian-flagged ships in the area, 24 positioned west of the strait and four on the eastern side.

Officials said Indian authorities are maintaining continuous coordination with all concerned stakeholders in the region to ensure the safe movement of the remaining vessels.

Shipping Minister holds video interaction with crew members of two LPG tankers Meanwhile, Sinha stated that Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a video interaction with the crew members of the two LPG tankers. He further said that the purpose of the interaction was to express gratitude and commend the crew for their dedicated and commendable service.

Sonowal said, Interacted with the brave crew of Indian-flagged LPG Carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, after reaching Indian shores. Operating through the Persian Gulf and the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, their conduct underscores the importance of vigilance, coordination and responsibility in ensuring safe passage amid evolving global dynamics.

Before the conflict erupted, more than half of Indias crude oil imports originated from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE, all of which depend on the Strait of Hormuz as a key shipping route. Around 8595% of LPG supplies and roughly 30% of gas imports also passed through the strait.

While disruptions in crude oil shipments have been partly mitigated by sourcing from alternative regions like Russia, West Africa, the United States, and Latin America, supplies of gas and LPG to industrial and commercial consumers have been reduced.
MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday, described the reports as baseless, which suggested that Iran had demanded the return of three vessels seized by India in return for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

This report is baseless. There has been no discussion between Indian and Iranian authorities of this nature. I would also like to say that in any case, the three vessels that you referred to are not Iranian-owned, neither are there any Iranian crew on these vessels, ANI quoted Jaiswal as saying

He further added that "they are not tankers, they are vessels."

The MEA spokesperson's comments come in the wake of reports claiming Iran demanded the return of three tankers seized by India in exchange for permitting the safe passage of Indian-flagged or India-bound ships from the Strait of Hormuz.

India still in talks with Iran over several ships Jaiswal further said that India is still in talks with Iran regarding several ships that are still there in the Strait of Hormuz.

We are in talks with Iran and other countries. As our Special Secretary mentioned, many ships are still there in the Strait of Hormuz area. It is our intention to work with Iran and other countries to bring those ships back home safely. This is our objective. Discussions are ongoing on this issue. Regarding humanitarian aid, we are in talks with Iran on a number of issues, said Jaiswal.

Why is Strait of Hormuz in focus? US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February. Tehran subsequently launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military facilities across the Gulf region.

Iran also attacked ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz  a key sea route through which India gets 85-90% of its LPG imports from West Asian nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The disruptions led to consecutive days of LPG shortages in India, with supply issues reported across major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai.

The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime link between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and serves as a key route for roughly a quarter of the worlds liquefied natural gas and seaborne exports from Gulf nations to global markets.

Described by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) as one of the worlds most important oil chokepoints, the strait handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day  roughly one-fifth of global consumption  and around one-fifth of global LNG trade, mainly from Qatar.

Earlier, Iran's ambassador to India  Mohammad Fathali said that  Tehran will ensure safe passage to vessels bound for India through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, citing friendly relations between the two nations.
As the tensions in the Middle East continue, uncertainty looms over supply of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The recent price hike has further created panic and fear among consumers anticipating future shortage. Indian Oil Corporation issued an advisory on Tuesday, urging customers to book LPG cylinders only in case of need to curtail hoarding, avoid panic bookings and black-marketing.

Assuring customers about secure and uninterrupted supply, the government-owned gas company in a statement on X said, IndianOil continues to ensure steady LPG availability for households across the country. We understand that some customers may be booking refills earlier than usual. However, advance or panic bookings can temporarily increase demand and affect delivery timelines.

Also Read | LPG eKYC online: Aadhaar biometric authentication mandatory for gas connections

It added, Please book your LPG refill only when required and avoid panic bookings.

How is Middle Est conflict impacting India? The Strait of Hormuz, strategically located along Iran's south coast, is a key route that handles almost one-fifth of the worlds oil supplies. Disruption in vessel and oil tanker movement due to ongoing Iran conflict with US-Israel caused high volatility in crude oil prices. This supply shortage has rippled across asset classes, including LPG rates, and has caused brent crude oil, the global benchmark index, to touch new highs.

According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), LPG bookings recorded a sharp drop on 14 March with about 77 lakh bookings, compared to 88.8 lakh bookings on registered on 13 March. Moreover, online LPG cylinder bookings have increased significantly from 84% to about 87%.

Amid cooking gas shortages and supply restrictions in the country triggered by the West Asia conflict, Indian- flagged LPG tanker Shivalik and Nanda Devi reached Mundra Port in Gujarat after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. These vessels imported about 92,712 MT of LPG.

The Indian Navy has deployed two task forces of warships to assist in the safe transit of merchant vessels and tankers carrying gas and crude oil, as per ANI report. Indian government maintains that no cases of fuel dry-outs have been reported at retail outlets by Oil Marketing Companies as it instructed refineries to maximize LPG production and regulated domestic distribution through a first-in, first-out basis.

LPG Price Today(March 17) Check city wise LPG cylinder prices after recent 60 hike as rates differ across states due to local Value Added Tax (VAT) and freight charges.

City Domestic LPG (14.2kg) New Delhi  913.00 Mumbai  912.50 Kolkata  939.00 Chennai  928.50 Bengaluru  915.50 Hyderabad  965.00 Lucknow  950.50 Patna  1,002.50 Gurgaon  921.50 Noida  910.50
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on Major-General (Retired) Dr Herbert Chingono and liberation war veteran Elison Mupamawonde, in recognition of their contributions during the liberation struggle and in post-independence Zimbabwe.Maj-Gen (Retd) Dr Chingono died on March 15 at his Pentland Farm in Mazowe following a short illness. He was 68. Mupamawonde passed away on March 3.The announcement was made by Zanu-PF national chairperson and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who delivered the message to the Chingono family at their home in Harare. Meanwhile, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe informed the Mupamawonde family at Chipiri Farm in Centenary, Mashonaland Central.Their conferment comes as the nation also mourns the death of Cosmas Chiringa, Permanent Secretary for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, whose body returned to Harare yesterday from Manicaland. All three have been declared national heroes and are expected to be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Monday.Speaking at the Chingono family residence, Muchinguri-Kashiri said the President's decision was based on Maj-Gen (Retd) Dr Chingono's distinguished service to the country."He has seen fit to declare him a national hero after his service to the nation," she said, noting that Chingono joined the liberation struggle at a young age after experiencing oppression under the colonial regime.She described him as a principled, intelligent and courageous military figure who contributed significantly during the war and in the post-independence era, including in advancing food security initiatives.Commander Zimbabwe National Army Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi said the nation had lost a dedicated cadre, recalling Chingono's Chimurenga name, Swift Chakanyuka.Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe John Jacob Nzvede described him as a skilled military strategist, while Zanu-PF deputy secretary-general Michael Nyambuya highlighted his expertise in artillery, noting his training in Romania and service in key operational zones during the liberation war.Among senior officials who paid their respects were Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces Emmanuel Matatu and Retired General Phillip Valerio Sibanda.A funeral parade for Maj-Gen (Retd) Dr Chingono is scheduled for today at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare, while a provincial farewell for Chiringa is being held at the Zanu-PF Harare Provincial headquarters.Maj-Gen (Retd) Dr Chingono is survived by his wife, Loyse, six children and several grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at his family home in Greystone Park, Harare, while those for Mupamawonde are at Chipiri Farm in Centenary.
Hundreds were potentially saved from a 60-foot iron bridge over drain collapse that killed one woman in north Delhis Roop Nagar area. Locals noted that the incident could have been far worse, as the route is frequently used by hundreds of students attending at least four government schools.

The collapse happened around 9:30 am, prompting a PCR call that alerted police and emergency responders.

"By that time, most students had already crossed the bridge to reach their schools, which has potentially saved hundreds from being on the structure when it collapsed," a local woman mentioned, according to PTI.

Police said the deceased, a woman estimated to be about 50 years old and believed to be a beggar, was near one end of the bridge when it gave way. Rescue teams later retrieved her body from the drain.

A local resident said, "Had it collapsed even an hour earlier, the consequences could have been very deadly," noting that hundreds of students use the bridge between 7 am and 8.30 am daily.

Officials from the Delhi Fire Service, the National Disaster Response Force, and Delhi Police conducted a joint rescue operation. Several fire engines were sent to the site, and the area was sealed off to avoid any further mishaps.

Authorities stated that the bridge had previously been declared unsafe and closed to the public. However, residents said it continued to be used regularly because there was no convenient alternative route.

The bridge links Gur Mandi to Roop Nagar and acts as an important shortcut, cutting travel time by about 30 minutes and distance by at least one kilometre for students going to nearby government schools.

Officials stated that the bridge was under the jurisdiction of the irrigation and flood control department. They added that barricades were installed to prevent public access. However, residents and students claimed the warnings were often disregarded, as the bridge continued to serve as an essential route for daily commuters, particularly schoolchildren.

What did students say? Zoya, a Class 8 student who attends school from 7.30 am to 2 pm, said the bridge had appeared unsafe for quite some time before it finally collapsed.

"A portion of it had begun to sink and tilt to one side, especially from the direction where the water flows, making it uneven and unstable. We avoided holding the railing because the netting was torn, and it felt even more unsafe to rely on it," she stated.

Also Read | Delhi HC orders takedown of posts falsely linking Himayani Puri to Epstein

She noted that from the Roop Nagar side, only two or three children could pass through at once, which often caused crowding during busy school hours.

Other students shared similar experiences, saying the structure would shake whenever people stood on it, making daily crossings frightening. They explained that the bridge frequently wobbled, forcing them to move cautiously, and even holding the railing did not feel secure because parts of the mesh were damaged, leaving them worried about the risk of falling.

Residents said the collapse occurred at a time that likely averted a far greater tragedy, as the bridge usually experiences its heaviest foot traffic in the early morning when students head to school. Images from the spot showed the iron structure crumpled into the drain, with sections partly submerged and twisted metal debris scattered nearby.

Also Read | Delhi wakes up to a cooler Tuesday; rainfall on the cards for Bengaluru

Officials said steps are being taken to establish the identity of the deceased woman, while a comprehensive inspection will be conducted to determine the precise reason for the collapse. Police added that the area has been cordoned off and access restricted, and that representatives from the concerned department will examine the site to decide on further measures.

Local residents have called for the urgent construction of a safe alternative route. Authorities said additional action will follow once a technical assessment of the location is completed.
Arshdeep Kaur

Arshdeep Kaur is a Senior Content Producer at Mint, where she reports and edits across national and international politics, business and cultureadjacent trending stories for digital audience. With five years in the newsroom, she strives to balance the speed and rigor of fastmoving news cycles and longer, contextrich explainers. <br><br> Before joining LiveMint, Arshdeep served as a Senior SubEditor at Business Standard and earlier as a SubEditor at Asian News International (ANI). Her experience spans live news flows, enterprise features, and multiplatform packaging. <br><br> At Mint, she regularly writes explainers, quick takes, and visualsled stories that are optimized for search and social, while maintaining the publications standards for accuracy and clarity. She collaborates closely with editors and the audience team to frame angles that resonate with readers in India and abroad, and to translate complex developments into accessible, highimpact journalism. <br><br> Arshdeep's academic training underpins her interest towards policy and markets. She earned an MA in Economics from Panjab University and holds a PostGraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the India Today Media Institute (ITMI). This blend of economics and broadcast storytelling informs her coverage of public policy, elections, macro themes, and the consumerinternet zeitgeist. <br><br> Arshdeep is based in New Delhi, where she tracks breaking developments and longerhorizon storylines that shape public discourse.
India on Tuesday condemned Pakistan for its brutal airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, which killed hundreds and injured many others. It said Islamabad was attempting to portray a mass killing as a legitimate military operation.

New Delhi called on the international community to ensure those responsible are held accountable, expressed condolences to the victims families, and reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson.

The spokespersons statement declared that India strongly condemns Pakistans brutal airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul on the night of March 16.

This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target. Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation," the statement read.

It described the attack as a blatant violation of Afghanistans sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability, highlighting Pakistans ongoing pattern of reckless conduct and its repeated efforts to shift internal problems outward through increasingly desperate acts of cross-border violence.

"That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible. There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients", the statement noted.

India called on to put an immediate end to Pakistans deliberate targeting of civilians in Afghanistan, further expressing sympathy for the families affected, offered hopes for the speedy recovery of the injured, and affirmed its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan during this tragic period.

The statement also reiterated Indias continued support for Afghanistans sovereignty and territorial integrity.

400 people killed in airstrike in Kabul, says Afghan authorities According to Afghan authorities, approximately 400 people were killed in the airstrike on Monday evening at the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, a 2,000-bed facility for drug rehabilitation. Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Taliban, reported that large portions of the hospital were destroyed, with around 250 people injured, while rescue teams continue to control fires and recover victims bodies.

Tolo News noted that this was not the first time Pakistans military has targeted Afghan civilians, with previous attacks affecting women and children across various provinces.

Also Read | Kamran Akmal blasts Pakistan following ODI series defeat to Bangladesh

Afghan media outlet Khaama Press reported that Kabul residents observed damage to dozens of homes from the explosions, with several buildings suffering structural harm. Sources cited by Khaama Press indicated that a Pakistani aircraft targeted a Taliban military facility in the Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province late Monday evening.

Meanwhile, Samaa News in Pakistan, citing security officials, confirmed that the Pakistani Armed Forces conducted airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar, targeting Taliban-linked facilities. According to Samaa, two sites in Kabul were struck, destroying technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage, and officials denied hitting the drug treatment hospital, calling claims by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid ridiculous.

In Nangarhar, the strikes reportedly hit four Taliban military sites, including logistics hubs, ammunition depots, and technical facilities. TOLOnews noted that Afghan civilians have often been caught in previous Pakistani cross-border attacks, with women and children affected in border provinces, sparking protests and condemnation in Afghanistan.

The latest strike has drawn strong reactions domestically, with Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issuing a stern warning to Pakistan. Mujahid told TOLOnews that "the time for diplomacy with Pakistan is over and that the attack must be avenged".
Amid the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israel coalition, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Tuesday that the supply of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) continues to be monitored across the country in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation.

The Oil Ministry revealed that online LPG cylinder bookings have increased from about 84% to around 90% and delivery authentication code (DAC) coverage has expanded from 53% before the Middle East crisis to about 72% to prevent diversion of cylinders at the distributor level.

The ministry further said that no dry-outs have been reported at LPG distributorships, and Several States and UTs, including Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Manipur and Maharashtra have issued orders to allocate non-domestic LPG in line with Government of India guidelines.

According to an official statement, the domestic LPG production at refineries has increased by about 36%.

Asia is the most exposed, as it relies heavily on imported fuel, much of which is shipped through the now-blocked Strait of Hormuz. The narrow passage offshore from Iran is the main route for shipping a fifth of global trade in crude oil and liquified natural gas.

As reserves deplete, the central government implemented stricter regulations last week on natural and cooking gas while intensifying diplomatic talks with Iran to ensure safe transit for Indian vessels.

The future of over 20 Indian ships and hundreds of personnel stranded in the Gulf remains uncertain as the Strait of Hormuz stays blocked by Middle East hostilities.

Tehran, reacting to US-Israeli strikes, has nearly stopped all maritime flow through this vital passage, which typically handles roughly 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) volume.

India currently ranks as the world's fourth-largest LNG importer and the second-largest consumer of LPG.

Indian vessel arrives at Vadinar for LPG ship-to-ship transfer The Indian-flagged tanker Nanda Devi reached Vadinar, Jamnagar, early Tuesday to begin a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of LPG.

Transporting a cargo of 46,500 metric tons, the ship arrived at 2:30 AM and is currently stationed within the anchorage zone.

Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla, verified the vessel's arrival and the upcoming maritime manoeuvres.

Singh told ANI: It has arrived this morning. So Nanda Devi vessel has arrived at 2.30 AM and it has come with a parcel size of 46,500 metric tons of LPG. Now it has come here for a ship-to-ship transfer.

Also Read | Iran War: 2 LPG Tankers Head To India After Crossing Hormuz Amid Gas Crisis

The procedure is set to occur between the anchorage and the high seas, involving a secondary craft. The chairman noted that the daughter ship, BW Birch, has also arrived on-site to assist with the offloading. Logistics for the operation, such as deploying fenders and essential hardware, commenced immediately after the vessels' arrival.
Petrol and diesel prices across several Indian cities remaind largely unchanged on Tuesday, 17 March.

Steady rates for petrol and diesel are holding in India, even as global oil markets see volatility, driven by tensions linked to the conflict in the Middle East, an effective halt to the trade through the Strait of Hormuz, and related concerns over supply disruptions.

The three major oil marketing companies (OMCs) in India  Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)  revise prices at 6 am every day to ensure rates align with international crude prices and currency exchange rate movements.

Also Read | Dubai News LIVE: UAE air defences engage Iranian drones and missiles

Below are petrol and diesel prices across major Indian cities on 17 March.

City Petrol (  /L) Diesel (  /L) Delhi  94.77  87.67 Mumbai  103.54  90.03 Kolkata  105.45  92.02 Chennai  100.80  92.39 Hyderabad  107.50  95.70 Bengaluru  102.99  91.06 Lucknow  94.69  87.81 Ahmedabad  94.49  90.17

India remains energy secure, Trump calls for reinforcements The conflict in the Middle East broke out after the US and Israel, on 28 February, carried out joint strikes against Iran in Operation Epic Fury, prompting Tehran to retaliate and spark a regional conflict that has seen damage to Gulf nations.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy trade, has also seen an effective halt in maritime traffic, with Iran threatening strikes against transiting tankers.

With global energy prices soaring, US President Donald Trump over the weekend called on beneficiaries of trade through the Strait of Hormuz to form a coalition and engage in a "team effort" to escort ships through the contested waterway.

Also Read | Trump demands allies guard Strait of Hormuz  But issues stark warning

India, however, has maintained that it has enough energy supplies despite major supply disruptions, with Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assuring Parliament of the country's energy security on 13 March.

In his statement in the Lok Sabha, Puri stated that the Central government had taken multiple measures to protect India's energy security and ensure the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products, cooking gas, and natural gas.

However, several major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata have reported large-scale disruptions to commercial LPG supply, which has hit the hospitality sector hard.

In response, the Centre on Saturday said that it had resumed the distribution of commercial LPG cylinders in all states and Union Territories (UTs).

Also Read | Iran and US are texting each other amid war - But neither side will admit it

What affects petrol and diesel prices in India? There are many factors that influence petrol and diesel prices in India, with the most significant being the price of crude on international markets.

The rupee-dollar exchange rate also plays an important role in the pricing of petrol diesel, given the fact that India imports a large share of its crude oil requirements: a weaker rupee can increase the cost of imported crude, pushing up fuel prices, or vice-versa.

A third factor is the taxes imposed by the Centre and state governments, which form a major component of petrol and diesel prices, and is responsible for fuel price variations across states.
The US and Israel's war in Iran has entered its 18th day, with no signs of easing so far. Amid the ongoing conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing developments in the region.

According to a PTI report, the two leaders held a telephonic conversation, during which they agreed that ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is crucial. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shut the Strait days after the US and Israel launched strikes against Tehran, targeting its key military and naval forces. Hormuz, which is responsible for nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, stoked fear among traders and rattled the global energy markets, sending oil prices to $120 a barrel last week before retreating.

PM Modi condemns attacks on the UAE This is the second time that PM Modi has held discussions with his UAE counterpart since the war began in late February. Condemning all attacks on the Gulf country, PM Modi agreed with Al Nahyan to restore peace, security, and stability in the region.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Spoke with my brother HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and conveyed advance Eid greetings." He added, "We discussed the current situation in West Asia. Reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure."

PM Modi speaks to Gulf leaders In addition to the UAE President, PM Modi has spoken with leaders of several Gulf countries since the conflict began. This includes Iran, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.

On 3 March, days after Washington and Tel Aviv targeted Tehran and its military and naval forces, PM Modi held telephonic conversations with the Sultan of Oman and Kuwait's Crown Prince, during which he expressed concern over attacks in the region and these countries.

Additionally, PM Modi has also discussed the welfare of Indians stranded in the region or residing in these countries with different leaders. With the wider military confrontation in the region, several Gulf countries shut their airspace, sending the aviation sector into chaos.

US-Iran war jolts aviation sector and rattles global oil markets With the closure of airspace and continuous attacks on major cities like Dubai, countries in the Gulf region have been forced to suspend flights and impose airspace restrictions. Thousands of flights were reportedly cancelled just days after the war, with people from across the world stranded in the region. According to a PTI report, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today that roughly 244,000 passengers have returned from the region, with Indian airlines continuing their operations despite restrictions.

Also Read | How West Asia conflict adds to Indian airlines' turbulence

On the other hand, the global energy markets have also been rattled, with traders worried about supply disruptions. Several companies across the region also imposed force majeure, a legal term preventing them from fulfilling obligations without paying a fine. The International Energy Agency (IEA) had to intervene to soothe panicked traders and, on 11 March, it announced that 400 million barrels of oil would be released by its member countries from their 1.2 billion emergency stockpile.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a law that allowed maternity leave to only those mothers who legally adopt a child below three months of age, terming it as unconstitutional and violative of the Right to Equality. The court also ruled that adoption is part of the right to reproductive autonomy.

The bench also held that an adoptive mother should be entitled to maternity leave of 12 weeks, irrespective of the age of the adopted child.

A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan observed that the object of maternity benefits is intrinsically linked to motherhood, ANI reported.

A woman who legally adopts a child, or a commissioning mother, shall be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of 12 weeks from the date the child is handed over to the adopting mother or the commissioning mother, as the case may be, the bench said, Livelaw reported.

In this context, adoptive mothers of children above three months are similarly situated to those adopting younger infants, as both require time for bonding, caregiving and adjustment. Denying benefits based solely on the childs age creates an artificial and unreasonable classification, it reasoned.

The court further noted that the provision fails to account for the significant emotional, psychological and practical adjustments that accompany adoption, irrespective of the childs age.

Section 60(4) of the 2020 Code, insofar as it puts an age limit of three months on the age of the adoptive child for the adoptive mother to avail maternity benefit, is violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court bench said.

The distinction drawn by subsection 4 of section 60 does not have a rational nexus with the object of the 2020 Code. The object of maternity benefit is not associated with the process of childbirth but with the process of motherhood. The purpose of maternity protection does not vary with the manner in which the child is brought into the life of the beneficiary mother. Insofar as the roles, responsibilities, and caregiving obligations are concerned, women who adopt a child aged 3 months or above are similarly situated to women who adopt a child below the age of 3 months, SC said, according to Bar&Bench.

The court has also directed the Central government to introduce a provision recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit.

The ruling came during the hearing of a petition which was filed in 2021. The petition challenged Section 5(4) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, as amended by the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, which grants a mother 12 weeks of maternity leave for an adopted child who is less than three months old.

In November 2024, the court also issued a notice to the government in response to a petition by an adoptive mother.
Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned from his post on Tuesday (local time), said that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States.

In a post on X, Kent shared the letter he wrote to Trump and said: "It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby." He went on to say that a misinformation campaign was deployed by high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media, accusing them of sowing pro-war sentiments that encouraged a war with Iran.

Trump deceived by officials? In his letter to Trump, Kent continued to say that the misinformation campaign undermined his (Trump's) America First platform, adding that the US President was deceived into believing that Tehran posed a threat to the US and that he should strike now, and "there was a clear path to a swift victory."

Kent added that the apparent threats from Iran were a lie and are the same tactics that Israel used to draw Washington into a war with Iraq, which resulted in the loss of American lives.

We can't do this again: Kent Kent, who is a veteran and has been deployed to combat 11 times, reminded Trump that the mistake they made in Iraq, which cost them the lives of thousands of Americans, should not be repeated. He added, "I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight" and die in a war that does not benefit the American people, nor justifies the cost of American lives.

Asking Trump to reflect on what the country is doing in Tehran and who it is doing it for, Kent asked him to take "bold" actions now. He added that the US President should rather reverse the course and forge a new path for America, or he can allow the country "to slip further" towards decline and chaos.

Also Read | Trump shifts US-China strategy on trade to dealmaking

Trump's response to Kent's resignation Responding to Kent's resignation, Trump said it's a good thing, after the former objected to the war in Iran, and called him "very weak on security."

Speaking from the Oval Office, he said, "When somebody is working with us who says they didnt think Iran was a threat, we dont want those people. Theyre not smart people, or theyre not savvy people.

Kent, a staunch Trump supporter and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, resigned earlier today, making it the first high-profile exit after the war in Iran began. According to a CNN report, several lawmakers and experts have flagged doubts over the intelligence that Trump used to justify the strikes launched in Tehran in late February.

Also Read | EU nations rebuff Trump's call to send warships to Hormuz Strait
Fairytale ending for Punch? The internets favourite baby monkey at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan that once went viral for seeking comfort in an orangutan plush toy after his mother abandoned him, has once again sparked buzz after he was spotted canoodling with another monkey at the zoo.

Social media has been flooded with clips of Punch and a female macaque. She is believed to be named Momo-chan  with many calling her Punch's new girlfriend or other half, mentioned a report by New York Post.

Several other videos captured the duo hanging out together  and Punchs beloved stuffed animal also made a cameo!

And amid these heartwarming moments, the internet did what it does best  some netizens took to X to post hilarious comments, while others were simply left in awe.

Youre still single' One X user posted Punch's video with the caption: Punch found a girlfriend and youre still single.

Another post read: Because his new girlfriend won't let him play with his stuffed animal and keeps coming over every little while to smother him with cuddles.

But Punch's story wasn't even the tiniest bit rosy before.

What is Punch the Monkeys story? Born in July 2025, Panchi-kun or Punch in English, is a Japanese macaque who was abandoned by his mother at birth at the Ichikawa City Zoo.

Punch was later introduced into an enclosure with other monkeys, but zoo staff observed that he struggled to integrate and was often pushed away when attempting to interact.

Since Japanese baby macaques typically cling to their mothers to build muscle strength and for a sense of security, Punch was given an orange, bug-eyed orangutan in the absence of his mother.

Soon, Punch and the soft toy became nearly inseparable.

How Punch became viral? Netizens across Asia, Europe and North America began clips of Punch, describing him as heart-melting and too pure for the internet. Many users said the images reminded them of childhood comfort objects, creating a universal emotional connection that crossed language barriers.

Speaking about Punch's attachment to his soft toy mama, animal behaviour experts  that time  had said that the baby monkey's attachment is not unusual. Infant primates, including macaques, often seek substitute comfort items when maternal bonding is disrupted
News / National

by Staff reporter

Local authorities have emerged as the worst-performing sector in government's 2025 performance contracts, weighed down by persistent structural and operational challenges that continue to hinder effective service delivery across Zimbabwe.The latest evaluation shows that most urban and rural councils failed to meet key targets under the government's performance management framework, exposing weaknesses in revenue collection, ageing infrastructure and inefficient service delivery systems.The findings were announced on Monday as part of the government's annual performance review system introduced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to assess the effectiveness of senior public officials and institutions.Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya said while overall government performance had improved, local authorities remained the weakest link."The 2025 evaluation results show steady improvement across several sectors of government, demonstrating progress in the institutionalisation of performance management. However, local authorities remain the weakest performing sector with structural and operational challenges," Rushwaya said.He noted that both urban and rural councils struggled to meet performance benchmarks, with the majority falling below targets, albeit within acceptable variance levels."Urban and rural local authorities continue to experience performance challenges, with the majority falling below target but within a certain variance, highlighting areas requiring continued reform and support," he added.Among the key challenges cited were poor revenue collection, high levels of non-revenue water estimated at 45%, ageing water and sewer infrastructure, lack of equipment and machinery, and a growing culture of non-payment of rates and service charges by residents and businesses.In terms of performance metrics, only 22% of mayors and council chairpersons met their targets, while 68% fell below target but within acceptable variance, and 10% performed below both the target and variance thresholds. The category recorded an average rating of 3.44, an improvement from 3.31 in 2024.For rural local authorities, 23% met their targets, 74% were below target but within variance, and 3% fell below both benchmarks, with an average rating of 3.66, slightly down from 3.74 recorded the previous year.In the town clerk and chief executive officer category, 22% met their targets, 70% fell below target within variance, and 8% were below both the target and acceptable variance levels.Council chairpersons of rural district councils recorded slightly better performance, with 28% meeting targets, 63% below target but within variance, and 9% falling short of both measures.In his remarks, Mnangagwa said the performance contracts system was designed to enhance accountability and improve service delivery across public institutions."The 2026 Performance Contracts represent a key milestone in our public administration and governance journey. It reflects our unwavering commitment and resilience in delivering public services efficiently as we march forward towards the realisation of Vision 2030," he said.The performance contract framework, introduced in 2021, is part of broader public sector reforms aimed at ensuring measurable results and strengthening accountability among senior government officials.Despite marginal improvements across sectors, analysts say the continued underperformance of local authorities underscores the need for deeper reforms to address systemic inefficiencies affecting service delivery at the grassroots level.
Hard Rock Cafe outlets in India will continue operating for now, franchise partner JSM Group said on Tuesday, rejecting claims that the restaurants were shutting down following the termination of its partnership with Hard Rock International.

The Mumbai-based company expressed deep shock over what it described as a unilateral, illegal and entirely misconceived announcement by Hard Rock International suggesting that the chains outlets in India would close.

The clarification comes a day after Hard Rock International announced that it was ending its partnership with JSM Corporation and shutting down all 10 Hard Rock Cafe restaurants in India. However, the Hard Rock Hotel in Goa would continue operations.

Also Read | Hard Rock Cafe shuts 10 restaurants across India after ending franchise deal

In a strongly worded statement, JSM Group disputed the claims and said the decision announced by Hard Rock International was outside the contractual framework governing the partnership.

JSM expresses its deep shock at the unilateral, illegal and entirely misconceived announcement made across news platforms regarding the alleged closure of Hard Rock Cafes in India, the company said.

Also Read | Hard Rock Cafe Exits Major Indian Cities AfterJSM Partnership Ends

It added that the claims made by Hard Rock International were particularly surprising given that JSM has made a substantial monetary claim against the Hard Rock Group, suggesting that the dispute between the two sides is ongoing.

Outlets To Continue Operating JSM Group clarified that all Hard Rock Cafe outlets in India would continue to function as usual unless a court directs otherwise.

The JSM Group clarifies that Hard Rock Cafes in India will continue to operate as usual pending any binding order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction to the contrary, the company said, indicating that it is exploring legal options.

The company said its immediate focus is on safeguarding the interests of its employees, customers, partners and suppliers, many of whom have been associated with the brand in India for more than two decades.

JSM also emphasised its role in building the Hard Rock Cafe brand in India over the past 22 years, including navigating difficult periods such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the company, this growth took place despite limited support from Hard Rock International during challenging times.

We remain committed to protecting the interests of all stakeholders and ensuring that credible and accurate information is shared with the public, the statement added.

Hard Rock Cafes Journey In India Hard Rock International entered the Indian market in 2005, opening its first Hard Rock Cafe outlet in Mumbais Worli area. The restaurant was launched through a partnership between Hard Rock International and JSM Corporation, founded by Sanjay Mahtani and Jay Singh.

Over the years, the brand expanded across major Indian cities and became known for its American-style dining, live music events and rock-and-roll themed memorabilia.

Around 2017, Jay Singh exited the company, following which Jitendra Virwani, Managing Director of the Bengaluru-based Embassy Group, acquired a stake in JSM Corporation.

Currently, there are 10 Hard Rock Cafe outlets across India, located in cities including Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and Pune.

Globally, Hard Rock International operates in more than 75 countries, with over 315 Hard Rock-branded venues, including cafes, hotels and casinos. The company runs 37 hotels and 19 casinos worldwide, making it one of the most recognisable hospitality brands globally.

Legal Battle May Follow With both sides offering conflicting claims about the future of Hard Rock Cafe in India, the dispute could potentially move to the courts.
Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian origin woman to go into space, has left an indelible mark and a legacy that continues to inspire many. Chawla, who was born on 17 March 1962 in Haryana's Karnal, has left generations inspired by her uplifting words.

One such quote is: Do something because you really want to do it. If you're doing it just for the goal and don't enjoy the path, then I think you're cheating yourself.

What does the quote mean? The quote simply means that people should undertake a task they really want to do. They should not just focus on the end goal, but should also enjoy the path they are on while trying to fulfil their goal. If a person is only focused on the end goal, they might not enjoy their journey, which, according to Chawla, is just cheating oneself.

Chawla's words emphasise how crucial it is to be happy and passionate about something in life. Whether it is a dream or a hobby. If people remove passion or happiness from any task, then they are barely left with anything to look forward to. While achieving goals is one of the most important things, it is important for them to be happy and be present in it completely. Doing something just for the sake of it or to please others will not help them in the long run and can only harbour feelings such as burnout or negative thoughts.

The reason one must continue to focus on their passion and happiness when aiming for something is simply that the road to achieving any particular goal can be long and tedious. Excitement is what helps us get started on a project or a task, but once we are into a task, that excitement is bound to fade away. What will continue to motivate us or help us get through the finish line is our determination, passion for that project, and our happiness with the result we might achieve.

It is also crucial to remember that the chances of success or failure are fifty-fifty, and each one of us would want to see themselves emerging as a winner. This is another reason why we should only do things that we really want to, because, in case a person is unable to fulfil their dream or achieve their goal, their passion and determination would at least be with them, reminding them at every step what it felt like doing something which made them happy. No matter what the result of this long and tedious journey would be, how much a person enjoys their path would always stay with them, and in times of despair, can help in giving them motivation and guidance.

For instance, if someone only wishes to earn money in life and they only focus on this particular goal, there is a high possibility that they would soon feel burned out or might even not like the work they are doing. They would then be left with two options: to continue doing what they don't like because the result would be what they expected, or change their course and find something that would make them happy and would eventually help them earn good money.

Life of Kalpna Chawla: From Karnal to NASA Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin to go to space, had a humble beginning. Born in Haryana's Karnal, she was the first woman to study Aeronautical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College, following which, she moved to the US to obtain her Master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1984. Chawla also received a doctorate from the University of Colorado in 1988.
(Bloomberg) -- The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is leaving the fight with Iran and heading back to port, a US official familiar with the matter said, after a fire broke out in its laundry area and left at least two sailors with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Ford will travel from its current location in the Red Sea to Souda Bay, on the Greek island of Crete, according to the official, who asked not to be identified discussing movements that arent public. The ship had stopped in Souda Bay in late February on its way to the Red Sea.

A spokesperson for the US Navy declined to comment on the carriers condition or whether the guided-missile destroyers that accompany the Ford will stay on in the region. A defense official who also asked not to be identified said the Fords carrier strike group will continue to operate in the Red Sea.

The US military has declined to give details about the fire that broke out aboard the Ford, a 100,000-ton nuclear-powered carrier that carries more than 4,000 people. The New York Times reported that sailors needed more than 30 hours to put out the fire and more than 600 crew had lost their bunk space.

The Ford was operating in support of US operations against Venezuela when President Donald Trump ordered it to the Middle East ahead of the Iran campaign. Its deployment has been extended since it left the US in June of last year, meaning its been at sea far beyond the usual six-month tour.

The most expensive US warship ever built, the Ford is accompanied by guided missile destroyers, and its associated air wing includes F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets, E-2D airborne early warning aircraft, as well as MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and C-2A Greyhounds.

Extended tours can sap sailors morale and strain their families, a fact that the Navy acknowledged in a press release last month that heralded its crews resilience and readiness during what it called an extended deployment.

Navy leaders acknowledge that extended time away from families carries real and measurable sacrifice, the press release said.

In January, National Public Radio reported that the Ford was suffering from plumbing problems related to a toilet system that has failed repeatedly during the deployment. The Navy press release acknowledged those issues, saying the ship had handled some 6 million flushes, but also said sailors were usually to blame.

In most instances, clogs are the result of items being flushed that should not be introduced into the system, the release said, citing Capt. David Skarosi, the Fords commanding officer. When sailors follow proper procedures, the system performs reliably.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
A new bet on Polymarket, the world's largest decentralized prediction market platform, has sparked a lot of interest. It is about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A new account just put more than $145,000 into Netanyahu out by March 31. Created less than 2 hours ago, and it started with this bet. Potential payout: nearly $4,000,000 (about 37 crore), wrote a social media user while sharing a screenshot of the bet.

The website shows that the user (dududududu22) put roughly $170,000 (nearly 1.6 crore) on Netanyahu being out soon. The market currently disagrees.

Odds have moved against them, and they are sitting on over $10,000 in losses. With the 31 March deadline just two weeks away, the first bet is looking very unlikely to pay off.

On Polymarket, "out" in a political context standardly means the person is no longer in their position. It can be through resignation, by losing an election or by being voted out by parliament. However, it may also mean a coup or any other reason they lose power.

Does out mean death? If the market were specifically about Netanyahu's death, it would almost always be worded explicitly. Polymarket is precise with its wording because the resolution criteria have to be unambiguous.

However, given the ongoing Israel-Iran war, death is presumably one of the scenarios the market's "Yes" bettors may have in mind. If Benjamin Netanyahu is dead, it also means he is "out" of power. The contract will pay out if he leaves power for any reason.

This is an election year for Israel. The polls must happen by October 2026. But, given the ongoing war situation, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon. So, if Netanyahu is out by 31 March, its definitely not because of election results.

What is Polymarket? Polymarket is a US-based prediction market platform where users bet real money on the outcome of real-world events. They bet on elections, wars, economic indicators and more.

Polymarket gained mainstream attention during the 2024 US presidential election. It correctly predicted Donald Trump's victory ahead of most traditional polls.

The platform has notable political connections. Donald Trump Jr, the son of the US president, has joined Polymarket's advisory board. His venture capital firm, 1789 Capital, made a strategic investment of double-digit millions in the company.

Six accounts on Polymarket profited $1 million while Iranians were being hit by air strikes, according to analytics firm Bubblemaps SA.

Most of those bets were placed just hours before bombs dropped on 28 February. The accounts were created in February 2026 itself.

No wrongdoing has been proven. But, the timing raised serious questions about whether some bettors had advance knowledge.

Polymarket is effectively banned in India. Real-money online games are banned under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

Benjamin Netanyahu: Death rumours Rumours have been circulating on social media, claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has died. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has called the reports "fake news" and "disinformation".

Netanyahu himself addressed the rumours in a video posted on his official social media account. He was seen at a cafe in Jerusalem. He jokingly said, "I am dying for a coffee."

Also Read | Is Benjamin Netanyahu Dead? Death rumours of Israeli PM flood social media

Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has separately confirmed Netanyahu is "very much alive". He has also claimed that the cafe video is authentic.
A US House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to Pam Bondi, requiring her to testify in a closed-door deposition as part of an ongoing investigation into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The sworn testimony is scheduled for April 14 and will take place behind closed doors.

Allegations of withheld information Bondi faces mounting criticism from lawmakers who allege that the Justice Department has concealed key details, including the identities of powerful associates linked to Epstein. These concerns stem from the departments release of millions of documents, many of which contain extensive redactions that lawmakers argue exceed the limits set by a transparency law passed by Congress in November.

Justice Departments response The Justice Department has defended its handling of the records, citing legal privileges as the basis for withholding certain materials. Bondi stated that more than 500 department lawyers worked under a tight deadline to review and process the documents before their release.

Additional briefing scheduled In addition to the subpoenaed deposition, Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, are scheduled to provide a separate private briefing to the committee on Wednesday. This session is expected to address lawmakers concerns regarding document redactions and withheld files.

Epstein case Epstein, a financier with connections to influential political and business figures, was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor. He was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges and later died in jail. His death was officially ruled a suicide, though it continues to draw scrutiny and public speculation.

Political implications The controversy has persisted throughout Bondis tenure and has drawn attention to past associations between Epstein and prominent people, including Donald Trump.

Trump has stated that he severed ties with Epstein years before the 2008 conviction and has denied any knowledge of or involvement in sex trafficking. He has not been accused by law enforcement authorities of any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
Midtown Manhattan fire LIVE updates: An incident of fire has been reported on the rooftop of a building in New York City's Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday. Officials of the New York Fire Department are currently at the spot.

The incident occurred on a building at East 43rd Street. As per fire officials and videos that have emerged, the smoke is stemming from an air conditioning vent on the rooftop of the building, which is currently under renovation. Fire officials are fearing that some workers are trapped inside the building currently.
Midtown Manhattan fire: Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to the scene after a major fire broke out Tuesday morning (local time) at a high-rise building in New York Citys Midtown Manhattan, with plumes of smoke billowing into the sky just hours before the annual St. Patricks Day Parade.

FDNY said no injuries have been reported, but it was still an "all hands" operation, as per a report by CBS News.

Inferno near major parade route The fire broke out close to staging areas for the St. Patricks Day Parade, which typically forms along Vanderbilt Avenue and proceeds up Fifth Avenue from East 43rd Street to East 79th Street.

Cause of fire yet to be ascertained Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have involved a backup generator, with around 100 gallons of diesel fuel stored in the vicinity.

Authorities said the exact cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Workers could be inside The high-rise building is under renovation. However, fire officials reportedly said that some workers could be inside.

The building is being converted from office space into a residential complex with 441 rental apartments, including 111 designated as affordable housing, mentioned a report by ABC7Ny.com

The structure is largely vacant at the moment, with the exception of the 20,000-square-foot T-Squared Social venue operating on the ground level.

Traffic delays, road closures expected Following the inferno, a Notify NYC alert said commuters can expect major traffic delays, road closures and mass transit disruptions with emergency personnel in the area.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said a loud explosion heard across Northeast Ohio on Tuesday morning may have been caused by a meteor entering the Earths atmosphere.

Officials noted that satellite imagery showed what appeared to be a lightning-like flash around 9 am, but since there were no thunderstorms in the region, they believe the boom was likely linked to a meteor, according to a report by Cleveland.

They explained that the object would have disintegrated in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. The thunder-like sound reported by residents was likely a sonic boom, a shock wave produced when the meteor travelled faster than the speed of sound, sending intense air-pressure waves outward.

NWS meteorologist Brian Mitchell stated, We have not heard of anything actually hitting the ground."

What does the video show? A video recorded at the Olmsted Falls bus garage and later shared on social media by Superintendent Dr. Jim Lloyd appears to show a meteor streaking across the sky. Residents throughout Northeast Ohio responded to a NWS post on X, saying they both heard and felt the loud boom, which reportedly rattled homes and disturbed pets.

At least one city issued a message to residents acknowledging the noise, stating that officials were aware of the incident but had no confirmed explanation at the time, and urged people to refrain from calling 9-1-1. Users on Reddit also described hearing the sound across a large part of northern Ohio, from areas such as Norwalk and Fremont in the west to Ashtabula in the east, and southward to communities including Brunswick, Columbia Station, and Solon.

Also Read | Lourdes University to close at end of academic year amid financial pressures

One Lakewood resident said the noise was so intense they initially believed a tree had crashed onto their roof, while another person in Brooklyn described hearing what sounded like fireworks that lingered and rumbled like thunder.

Ralph Harvey, a professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science at Case Western Reserve University, said he also heard the sonic boom and believes it was likely caused by a meteor that exploded in the atmosphere, the report said.

He noted that it remains uncertain whether any fragments from the object reached the ground. Scientists, he added, are expected to analyse radar readings and other data to estimate the meteors size, speed, and the possible locations where any debris might have landed.

If it was out over Lake Erie, no ones going to be able to find anything, probably, he mentioned.

Harvey explained that meteors frequently enter the Earths atmosphere, but most of them disintegrate before reaching the ground. He noted that when such events occur at very high altitudes, they are less likely to produce sounds that can be heard on the surface.
Never give in  never, never, never, never  in nothing, great or small, large or petty  never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense  Winston Churchill

This quote is part of Winston Churchill's address at Harrow School  his childhood alma mater - on October 29, 1941. The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was addressing adolescents who were acutely aware they would soon be drafted into the brutal combat  when the World War II was underway.

Since todays business world is unstable and constantly changes, what really matters for leaders is the ability to stray strong and never give in when things get tough.

The contemporary business landscape is defined by unrelenting volatility, algorithmic disruption, and shifting macroeconomic tectonic plates. In this environment, Churchills dictum strips away the bloated vernacular of modern change management and reduces executive leadership to its most essential, primitive component: the sheer stamina to endure.

Importantly, this is not a naive call for blind obstinacy or the pursuit of sunk costs. The crucial caveat embedded within the quote  except to convictions of honour and good sense  serves as a vital intellectual circuit breaker.

For corporate professionals, the quote shows how executives must distinguish between strategy and tactics and protect your organisational vision. Never give in on the core mission, but yield quickly to good sense when a specific product fails the market test.

Second, leaders must actively reframe failure as crucial data acquisition rather than terminal defeat. Resilience is a muscle built exclusively under tension.

Frequently Asked Questions When did Winston Churchill deliver his famous 'never give in' speech? Winston Churchill delivered this iconic address on October 29, 1941. This was also the time when World War II was underway and around the same time, Britain had endured the devastating bombing campaigns of the Blitz.

Did Winston Churchill win a Nobel Prize? Yes. Winston Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953. The Nobel Committee recognized him for his mastery of historical and biographical description, as well as for his brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values, particularly evident in his wartime speeches.

What were the 'wilderness years' in Churchill's career? The 'wilderness years' were those years from 1929 to 1939 when Winston Churchill was effectively excluded from the British political cabinet.

During this time, the former UK prime minister was largely marginalised by his own party and widely criticised for his warnings about the rise of Nazi Germany, a stance that was highly unpopular amidst the prevailing policy of appeasement.

How does Churchill's leadership style apply to modern business management? Churchill's leadership style is highly applicable to modern crisis management and corporate strategy. He exemplified the concept of executive resiliencemaintaining an unwavering commitment to a core mission while remaining highly adaptable in tactics. His ability to frame narratives during crises and his utilization of past failures as learning mechanisms are foundational principles for contemporary corporate leaders.
St. Patricks Day, widely celebrated across the world, does not typically lead to widespread shutdowns like other major holidays. Despite being an important cultural and religious occasion, most institutionsespecially outside Irelandcontinue to operate as usual.

In Ireland, St. Patricks Day on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) is treated as a national public holiday. Schools, banks, and government offices remain closed for the day. However, many shops, restaurants, and pubs stay open, often operating on reduced hours while catering to celebrations and public events.

United States: What is open and what is closed In the United States, St. Patricks Day is not a federal holiday. As a result, schools, offices, and most businesses function normally. While the day is widely celebrated with parades and festivities, it does not impact the regular working schedule of federal institutions.

Stock market and federal offices Financial markets remain open in the US on March 17. The New York Stock Exchange operates during its standard hours, from 9:30 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET. Similarly, federal offices continue their routine operations, reflecting the non-holiday status of the day.

Retail and hospitality see a boost Although it is not an official holiday in the US, St. Patricks Day drives strong activity in the hospitality and retail sectors. Restaurants, and shops often remain open and may extend hours to accommodate increased footfall as millions take part in celebrations.

What is St. Patricks Day? St. Patricks Day is celebrated every year on March 17 to honour Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The day commemorates his role in bringing Christianity to Ireland and has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and traditions.

History and origins St. Patricks Day dates back to the 17th century when it was established as a religious feast day. Saint Patrick, believed to have lived during the 5th century, is credited with spreading Christianity across Ireland. Legends say he used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. Initially a solemn religious occasion, the day has transformed into a vibrant cultural festival celebrated worldwide.

Meaning and significance The festival represents Irish pride, unity, and cultural identity. While its roots are religious, the modern celebration blends spirituality with festivity. Wearing green, displaying shamrocks, and celebrating Irish music and dance have become symbolic of the day. It is also a time for communities with Irish heritage to reconnect with their roots.

Celebrations and traditions Today, St. Patricks Day is marked by parades, festivals, and public gatherings across countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Cities such as New York City and Dublin host some of the largest parades, featuring marching bands, dancers, and elaborate floats.

Iconic traditions include dyeing rivers green, wearing green attire, and enjoying Irish cuisine and beverages. Cultural performances, including traditional Irish music and step dancing, are also key highlights of the celebrations.

Parades and major events in 2026 In 2026, major parades are expected to draw massive crowds. The New York City St. Patricks Day Parade remains one of the largest in the world, attracting tens of thousands of participants and spectators. Similarly, celebrations in Chicago, known for dyeing its river green, continue to be a major attraction.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Retired Lieutenant General Winston Sigauke Mapuranga has sharply rebuked former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, warning him against "misinterpreting proximity to power" amid intensifying opposition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's reported push to extend his rule to 2030.In a strongly worded public statement, Mapuranga - one of several former senior military figures now voicing concern - dismissed Mliswa's criticism of retired officers opposing the proposed extension. Mliswa has been an outspoken supporter of the plan, arguing critics are courting instability."You are a politician your familiarity with soldiers does not make you a soldier," Mapuranga said, accusing Mliswa of overstepping into matters of military ethos and command. "Your proximity to power does not qualify you to lecture men who spent their entire adult lives in uniform."The exchange comes amid growing tension within Zimbabwe's political and military circles following a petition submitted to Parliament last week by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena. The petition, reportedly backed by war veterans and former commanders, challenges moves they say would undermine the Constitution and betray the principles of the liberation struggle.At the centre of the dispute is the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, whose principles were recently approved by Cabinet. The amendment seeks to extend Mnangagwa's tenure beyond his current final term and lengthen the lifespan of Parliament  a move critics argue contravenes constitutional provisions.Mapuranga emphasized that military loyalty is anchored in the Constitution rather than individuals or political factions. "A soldier's oath is to Zimbabwe and its Constitution  not to any individual and certainly not to any self-appointed political enforcer operating on social media," he said.He also rejected suggestions that retired officers could be silenced through their association with the Reserve Force, after Mliswa reportedly referenced their continued ties to the military structure. "The Reserve Force exists to serve the Republic. It is not a mechanism for intimidating retired officers who exercise their constitutional right to speak," Mapuranga said.The retired general further accused Mliswa of veiled intimidation, warning that invoking the possibility of recall amounted to political bullying. "Threatening retired generals with recall is not loyalty It is the behaviour of a bully who has mistaken proximity to power for power itself," he said.Mliswa has consistently defended the proposed extension, arguing it would provide continuity in governance. He has also criticized dissenting voices within Zanu-PF and the military establishment, framing them as part of a system they once served.However, critics point to Sections 91 and 328 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which limit presidential terms and prohibit incumbents from benefiting from constitutional amendments that extend their tenure.The unfolding dispute highlights deepening divisions within Zanu-PF, with factions emerging over Resolution No. 1  a party position seen as paving the way for extending Mnangagwa's presidency.The military's historical role in Zimbabwean politics continues to loom over the debate. The armed forces were instrumental in the 2017 Zimbabwe coup d'etat that brought Mnangagwa to power, toppling longtime leader Robert Mugabe.As Parliament prepares for public hearings on the proposed amendment, concerns persist that the bill could be passed without a referendum  a move critics say would further inflame tensions in a country already grappling with political uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) responded to Joe Kents resignation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, stating that Kent had been very weak on security.

Trump slams Joe Kent Addressing reporters in the Oval Office, Trump remarked, I always thought he was a nice guy, and added, Its a good thing he is out. He criticised Kent for claiming that Iran did not pose an immediate threat, asserting instead that Tehran has long been dangerous. Trump said every country recognises the risk Iran presents, though the real question is whether they are willing to act on it.

Trump further argued that Iran has posed a threat for many years and claimed that, had he not scrapped the horrible nuclear agreement negotiated by former President Barack Obama, a nuclear war could have occurred four years ago. He added that, without US strikes on Irans nuclear facilities, a nuclear catastrophe might have unfolded.

When somebody working with us says they didnt believe Iran was a threat, we dont want those people, Trump said.

Joe Kent resigns Kent, a former military officer and intelligence official who served during Trumps administration, stepped down earlier in the day over the US war involving Tehran. In a post on X, he wrote, After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no immediate threat to our nation, and it is clear that we entered this war due to pressure from Israel and its influential American lobby.

In his letter to Trump, Kent alleged that a misinformation effort by senior Israeli officials and sections of the American media had undermined Trumps America First agenda. Referring to the Iraq war, he accused Israel of using similar strategies that, in that conflict, led to significant US casualties.

US-Iran war The United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran on 28 February, shortly after a third round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran concluded. The attacks targeted key Iranian naval and military assets and reportedly killed several senior figures, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes on Israel and US bases in Gulf countries, pushing the Middle East into a broader and renewed conflict.

Also Read | EU nations rebuff Trump's call to send warships to Hormuz Strait

There are no clear signs of de-escalation, as the war has now entered its 18th day. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) move to close the Strait of Hormuz has alarmed traders and shaken global energy markets over fears of disrupted oil supplies. Oil prices rose to $120 per barrel on 9 March before easing, prompting the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release 400 million barrels from its emergency reserves to stabilise the situation.
US President Donald Trump is now considering delaying his high-stakes meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the BBC reported.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said that he might delay the meeting by a month or so, stressing that it is crucial he remained in the US to oversee the war.

According to the schedule, the meeting between the two leaders is set to take place between 31 March and 2 April, making it their second visit since Trump took office in January last year. The first meeting between the two after Trump won a second term was held in October in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Also Read | Trump shifts US-China strategy on trade to dealmaking

China's response to delayed meet Lin Jian, Chinese foreign affairs spokesperson, on Tuesday said that Beijing and Washington are in talks to figure out "the timing and related matters of President Trump's visit to China".

Beijing also denied any connection between the delayed meeting and issues regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that is responsible for nearly 20% of the world's oil supply. The spokesperson added, We have noted that the US side has publicly clarified these false reports by the media, stating that the relevant reports are completely wrong, and emphasised that the visit has nothing to do with the issue of the open navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.

Also Read | EU nations rebuff Trump's call to send warships to Hormuz Strait

The Strait has been shut by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. The closure of the Strait has sent panic among traders and rattled the global energy markets last week, raising concerns over oil supply disruptions.

Trump seeks China's help to reopen the Strait According to a report in the Financial Times, on 15 March, Trump said that he will "postpone" the meeting if Beijing fails to help Washington in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. However, on Monday, he said that the delay is solely to ensure that he is available to manage the war.

Commenting on the proposed delay, Trump said, "There's no tricks to it either," and added. "It's very simple. We've got a war going on. I think it's important that I be here."

Trump also said that he is looking forward to a meeting with Xi Jinping, saying that the two have a "very good relationship".

US-China friction grows? According to the BBC report, friction between the two largest economies of the world has been growing over the Iran war. Beijing, which is one of the largest buyers of Iranian energy exports, called for a ceasefire and criticised the US and Israeli strikes against the country.

Last week, Washington also announced that it has launched trade investigations against Beijing and a dozen other countries for "unfair trade practices".

In the last few days, US and Chinese representatives met in Paris for negotiations on investments, tariffs, and economic sanctions. The two sides reached a consensus on several issues and will carry on with talks, Chinese trade representative Li Chenggang said.
The US Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for April 2026, outlining the availability of immigrant visa numbers under both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications. The bulletin guides applicants on when they can proceed with visa processing or adjustment of status.

How visa allocation works Visa allocations are made based on priority dates in chronological order, reflecting demand reported up to March 4, 2026. When demand exceeds available visas, categories are marked as oversubscribed, and cut-off dates are imposed. Applicants with priority dates beyond these cut-offs must wait until visas become available.

Annual visa limits for FY2026 For fiscal year 2026, family-sponsored immigrant visas are capped at 226,000 globally, as per the Immigration and Nationality Act. Employment-based visas have a minimum annual limit of 140,000.

Additionally, per-country limits are set at 7% of the totalequivalent to 25,620 visaswhile dependent areas are capped at 2%, or 7,320 visas.

Oversubscribed countries The bulletin highlights continued high demand from countries such as India, China (mainland-born), Mexico, and the Philippines. These nations remain oversubscribed, meaning applicants may face longer waiting periods due to limited visa availability.

US visa categories explained: Family and Employment-based preferences The US Department of State outlines detailed categories for allocating immigrant visas under family-sponsored and employment-based preferences, governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act. These categories determine how visas are distributed annually among eligible applicants.

Family-sponsored visa preferences

Family-based immigration remains a cornerstone of the US immigration system, with visas allocated across four key categories based on familial relationships.

F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens

This category is allocated 23,400 visas annually, along with any unused visas from the fourth preference category.

F2: Families of permanent residents

The second preference category receives 114,200 visas, plus any surplus from the global cap and unused F1 visas. It is divided into two sub-groups:

F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents receive 77% of this quota, with 75% exempt from per-country limits.

F2B: Unmarried adult children (21 years and older) of permanent residents receive the remaining 23%.

F3: Married sons and daughters of US citizens

This category is allocated 23,400 visas annually, along with any unused visas from the first and second preference groups.

F4: Siblings of adult US citizens

The fourth preference category provides 65,000 visas annually, plus any unused visas from the other family-based categories.

Employment-based visa preferences

Employment-based immigration is structured into five preference categories, each receiving a percentage of the total annual quota.

EB-1: Priority workers

This category receives 28.6% of the total employment-based visas, along with any unused visas from EB-4 and EB-5. It includes individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, and multinational executives.

EB-2: Advanced degree professionals

Also allocated 28.6%, this category covers professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, with access to unused EB-1 visas if available.

EB-3: Skilled workers and professionals

Another 28.6% is allocated to skilled workers, professionals, and certain unskilled workers. However, a maximum of 10,000 visas is reserved for other workers.

EB-4: Special immigrants

This category receives 7.1% of the total quota and includes specific groups such as religious workers and certain international employees.

EB-5: Investor visas

The EB-5 category also receives 7.1% of visas, with 32% reserved for targeted investments:

-20% for rural areas

-10% for high-unemployment areas

-2% for infrastructure projects

-The remaining 68% is unreserved and available to other eligible investors.

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

View full Image View full Image (Courtesy: https://travel.state.gov)

DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

View full Image View full Image (Courtesy: https://travel.state.gov)

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

View full Image View full Image (Courtesy: https://travel.state.gov)

DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS
All schools in Independent School District 196, one of Minnesotas largest districts, remain closed on Tuesday (March 17) after multiple voicemail threats were reported to district officials. The district oversees more than 30 schools across Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan.

District closes schools out of an abundance of caution District 196 stated on their website that the closures were precautionary.

The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, the district said.

Multiple schools received voicemail threats, which were first discovered at 3:30 a.m. this morning. District officials contacted law enforcement, who began investigating immediately. At 5:45 a.m., district officials decided to cancel schools out of an abundance of caution while the investigation continues.

The district clarified that Tuesday will not be an e-learning day, and employees were instructed not to report to work.

Police nvestigation into threats The Eagan Police Department is leading the investigation. Lt. Nate Tennessen provided details: Our investigators are actively working with neighboring law enforcement agencies and the school district to determine the origin and nature of these threats. At this time, we are unable to confirm the threats as credible, nor have we been able to rule them out entirely. Out of an abundance of caution, Independent School District 196 has made the decision to close district schools today.
Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian activist, has been released after spending 13 months in ICE detention. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has confirmed the New Jersey residents release.

Mamdani wrote on Twitter (now X) that he had personally raised her case with President Donald Trump during a February meeting. He also requested that Trump drop cases for four other activists held over pro-Palestinian campus protests.

In March 2025, the Trump administration cracked down on pro-Palestinian campus activism. Kordia was detained during a routine immigration check.

Multiple judges ordered her release on bond, but ICE repeatedly appealed. A third ruling on 16 March went unchallenged, which finally secured her freedom.

In my meeting with President Trump last month, we discussed ICEs actions at Columbia University. I asked that the federal government release Leqaa Kordia and drop the cases against four others, Mamdani wrote.

I am grateful that Leqaa has been released this evening from ICE custody after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights, he added.

Mamdanis post sparked serious responses. Many social media users have slammed the NYC mayor for his priorities.

Sorry, but maybe you can concentrate on NY instead of the Middle East? That would be a nice change of pace, commented a social media user.

Also Read | Vikas Khanna hosts Zohran Mamdani for Iftar  They go back 25 years

What about the rights of Jewish students at Columbia who were forced to flee campus or switch to online classes due to rampant antisemitism? Their safety and education matter too. Do the occupants of Gracie Manor care enough to protect all voices? asked another user.

Another user asked, Why have you still not fired Zionist NYPD PC Jessica Tisch, who defamed Leqaa and slanders Palestinian students, whose cops brutalize peaceful protesters, and whose collab with FBI/ICE led to Leqaa's detention in the first place?! There's no justification for not doing so by now.

Where's free speech in America, Mayor? Free speech, I think, is only for hate against Islam and Prophet Muhammad, came from another.

Originally from India He admits he doesn't know anything about Ireland. But, Israel, he knows every slogan criticising it. Remember, he is originally from India, then Uganda. He has no connection to the Middle East but hated Israel and Jews cuz we defeat the Muslims easily, posted another user.
Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in Israeli strikes targeting senior Iranian leadership, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict, Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed, according to the Israeli media. An uncertainty had loomed amid claims that some of the top Iranian officials had been eliminated after Israel's overnight strikes. Hours later, Israel confirmed that it had killed Ali Larijani.

Reports also suggest that Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's all-volunteer Basij force, was also killed in the same wave of overnight attacks.

Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation program, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell, Israel Katz said in a statement this morning.

The reports of Ali Larijani and Gholam Soleimani's deaths came less than three weeks after US-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, triggering a war that has engulfed the region.

While Iranian state media or officials have not immediately confirmed either death, they have published a message from Ali Larijanis office.

Here's what Ali Larijani's handwritten note says: The Iranian state media has released a handwritten note from Ali Larijani after he was killed in the overnight strikes by Israel. But it mostly appears to be a message for the funeral of Iranian sailors who were killed in the US strikes on the Iris Dena on March 4.

Also Read | Iran offered 440 kg enriched uranium to US hours before strike? Details revealed

It said, The martyrdom of the brave members of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic in Dena is part of the sacrifices of the proud nation that has emerged in this time of struggle against international oppressors.

"Their memory will always remain in the heart of the Iranian nation, and these martyrdoms will strengthen the foundations of the Army of the Islamic Republic for years to come within the structure of the armed forces.

Who was Ali Larijani? Ali Larijani was the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran and was also the right-hand man of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei was killed in the initial joint strikes by the United States and Israel on 28 February. Since the killing of Khamenei, Ali Larijani emerged as one of the country's leading figures.

Ali Larijani hails from one of Irans most famous political families. A former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, he was appointed to advise the late Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has revealed insider information about a negotiation between Tehran and Washington over the Middle Eastern country handing over 440 kilograms of enriched uranium 48 hours before the US-Israel military strikes started.

Araghchi's comments came during an interview with CBS, where he was questioned about informing interlocutors during a meeting about the presence of the nuclear material in Iran during talks in Geneva on 26 February.

At the time, he said Iran was ready to give the nuclear material away, which was mentioned in the deal presented to US Vice President JD Vance by Oman.

Talking about the offer by Oman, Araghchi said that it was one of the elements in the then-ongoing talks with the US.

That was one of the elements of a deal that we were negotiating with our American interlocutors. That element dealt with the question of Iran's 60% enriched material, the Iranian foreign minister said in the interview.

Abbas Araghchi reveals insider details Revealing further about the deal, Abbas Araghchi described Iran's offer as a big concession.

I said, I offered, actually, that we are ready to dilute those enriched material or downblend them, as they say, into lower percentage, he said.

The Iranian foreign minister noted that his country's offer was to prove that it never wanted nuclear weapons.

So that was a big offer, a big concession, in order to prove that Iran has never wanted nuclear weapons and would never want them, Araghchi said.

Also Read | The Iran war is roiling commodities far beyond oil

Nothing on table now On being asked about whether Iran is willing right now to give up the 440 kg nuclear material, Abbas Araghchi answered that nothing of that sort is on the cards right now.

Well, there is nothing on the table right now. Everything depends on the future, he said.

However, Araghchi did give hopes of a future where Iran might negotiate with other countries. If any time in the future we decide to enter into negotiation with the US or other interlocutors, we may decide what to put on the table. For the time being, nothing is on the table, the foreign minister said.

Also Read | Iran and US are texting each other amid war - But neither side will admit it

No ceasefire with US Abbas Araghchi has denied seeking talks or a ceasefire with the US.

The reason we say we do not want a ceasefire is not because we are seeking war, but because this time this war must end in such a way that our enemies never again think of repeating these attacks, Araghchi said at a media briefing on Monday. I think they have already learned a good lesson and understood what kind of nation they are dealing with.

US President Donald Trump has defended his administration's military actions against Iran, even as the move has puzzled some of the GOP's "America First" wing and contributed to rising gas prices.

Trump has argued the actions are justified, stating that Iran has been creating problems for the United States for nearly half a century.

US Vice President JD Vance said he agreed with Donald Trump that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the recent military action was carried out under the president's leadership.

I agree with the President that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. We took this military action under the President's leadership. All of us - whether a democrat or republican - should pray for the success and safety of our troops, he said.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE News Highlights: Falling debris from a missile intercept killed one person on Tuesday in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi, according to authorities, as Iran continues its attacks against Gulf countries amid the Middle East conflict.

The incident occurred in the Bani Yas area "following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defences", the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on X.

Following a drone attack on the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a fire was reported in the area. However, authorities said that civil defence crews were working to bring the fire under control.

The attack on Fujairah took place almost simultaneously with a drone strike on a fuel tank near the Dubai International Airport, forcing its closure.

Dubai airport gradually resumes operations

On Monday morning, following the strike, the Dubai International Airport announced a temporary suspension of operations and a diversion of flights to the Al Maktoum International Airport.

Hours later, authorities announced that flights were gradually resuming from the Dubai International Airport.

Later, on Monday night, authorities confirmed that the fuel tank fire near the airport had been extinguished.

Abu Dhabi oil field attacked, one killed in Al Bahyah

Separately, Abu Dhabi authorities on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday brought under control a fire that broke out at the Shah gas field following a drone attack.

Abu Dhabi authorities said that operations at the facility had been suspended, and while damage had been reported, there had been injuries.

Earlier on Monday, a Palestinian national was killed in the Al Bahyah area after a missile strike on a civilian vehicle.

Want to get the latest updates on Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE news amid the Middle East crisis? Join us here.
Iran has reported on Tuesday (March 17) that Ali Larijani, one of the countrys top security officials, has been killed, marking a major development in the escalating conflict.

"The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God's righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani," Iran's Supreme National Security Council was quoted as saying by AFP.

"After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service," the council reportedly added.

Larijani was a powerful political figure who rose in influence after the reported death of Ali Khamenei in an earlier airstrike.

A former parliamentary speaker and senior adviser, Larijani played a key role in nuclear negotiations and was sanctioned by the US Treasury for allegedly coordinating the suppression of protests.

Israel had earlier announced that Larijani was killed in an overnight strike, alongside senior Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. The confirmation from Iranian state media now aligns with Israels claim.

The latest update marks the first clear acknowledgment from Iran regarding Larijanis death. It follows Tehrans earlier confirmation of Soleimanis killing, further indicating significant losses within Irans security leadership.

Iran confirms Basij Chief Gholam Reza Soleimani killed Irans judiciary-linked Mizan news agency on Tuesday (March 17) confirmed the killing of Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guards Basij force. Soleimani had long been accused of overseeing crackdowns on dissent and was sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and others.

Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said both Soleimani and Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, were eliminated last night.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at weakening Irans leadership.

We are undermining this regime to give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it, he said.

Key figures in protest crackdown Both Larijani and Soleimani were central to Irans response to anti-government protests in January that challenged the countrys 47-year-old theocratic system. Their reported deaths could significantly impact Irans internal security structure during a critical phase of the conflict.

Sanctions and role in Basij Soleimani, as head of the Basij militia, was accused of leading efforts to suppress dissent over several years. His role drew sanctions from Western nations, reflecting international concern over human rights violations linked to protest crackdowns.

Also Read | Netanyahu dismisses death rumors yet again then issues chilling warning to Iran
According to the leaked audio of Mazaher Hosseini, the former head of protocol in Ayatollah Ali Khameneis office, Irans newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been with family inside the leadership compound on the morning of February 28 when the USIsraeli strike began.

Just before powerful Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles hit the complex around 9 am (local time), he stepped outside saying he was going out to do something. Moments later, the missiles struck, devastating the bunkerlike residence where senior officials were gathered.

Because he had left the building seconds earlier, he narrowly avoided being killed, though his wife and son were among those who died in the attack. However, Mojtaba only had "a minor injury to his leg", Hosseini stated.

"Gods will was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return," Hosseini stated, in a recording released to Telegraph, adding, He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile", further noting Mojtaba's wife Zahra HaddadAdel was killed instantly.

The strikes seemed aimed at eliminating the entire Khamenei family, Hosseini said.

Following the death of Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the opening strikes of the conflict, Tehran declared that his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, would succeed him. Last week, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated that the new leader was reportedly injured in the attack and has not made any public appearances.

Trump on Mojtaba's existence, deal with Iran Meanwhile, on Monday, US President Donald Trump remarked that it remains uncertain whether Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, citing reports of his injuries in the air strike.

"We don't know ... if he's dead or not. I will say that nobody has seen him, which is unusual," he stated during an event at the White House, as per Reuters.

Trump mentioned, A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They're saying that he lost his leg ... and he's been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he's dead."

Also Read | Iran offered 440 kg enriched uranium to US hours before strike? Details revealed

Trump stated that he is not prepared to negotiate an end to the war with Iran, even as Israel carried out a fresh round of strikes on Sunday and Irans Revolutionary Guards vowed to target the Israeli leader.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump said he believes Tehran may be willing to negotiate, but Washington will continue pressing for more favorable terms. He also suggested that US forces might strike Irans oil hub Kharg Island again, remarking it could be just for fun.
A Canadian man with a criminal history involving sex assault and theft convictions walked across the Gordie Howe International Bridge earlier this month, despite the crossing yet being open to the public, according to American border officials.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the 28-year-old traversed the span on March 6, and was taken into their custody.

He was later returned to Canada and barred from re-entry into the United States.

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The integrity of our international crossings is vital to our nations security, said CBP in a statement.

CBP officers work diligently every day to protect our borders, and this incident is another example of their commitment to safeguarding the homeland.

A view of the span from the Windsor, Ont., side in February 2026. (Dax Melmer/The Canadian Press)

When asked how the man was able to access the span from the Canadian side, CBP said it wasnt able to share any further information beyond its statement  and directed CBC News to speak with Canadian authorities.

The Canada Border Services Agency directed CBC News to CBP and the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) for any inquires. The WDBA has yet to respond.

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The union representing workers on the Canadian side of the bridge said it was unable to comment as it didnt know of any details surrounding this specific incident.

The crossing is jointly owned by Canada and Michigan, with Canada paying the entire $6.4-billion bill for it to be constructed. (Dax Melmer/The Canadian Press)

The new six-lane, cable-stayed bridge will be opening this spring, the bridge company said in a statement last week.

It will provide a highway-to-highway connection between Ontarios Highway 401 and Michigans Interstate-75  with six traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes and a combined 60 inspection lanes on the two sides of the border.

Canada has paid the entire $6.4-billion bill to get the bridge built and plans to recoup that outlay through tolls. However, the infrastructure is jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan.
Days after US President Donald Trump asked Europe and other allies to send their warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz "open and safe", Europe has made it clear that it will not help him secure the narrow waterway, responsible for 20% of the world's oil supply.

According to a Politico report, foreign ministers of the 27 European countries met in Brussels on Monday and discussed Trump's appeal to Europe, asking them to help him secure Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since the conflict broke out.

Europe denies engaging in conflict While one of the proposals at the closed-door talks was to expand the mandate of the European Unions naval mission, Aspides, allowing European warships to patrol the strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the bloc's foreign envoys later agreed that this was America's problem to solve.

Kaja Kallas, a top diplomat for the bloc, on Monday (local time) said, "Europe has no interest in an open-ended war," and added that even though this is not Europe's war, its interests are directly at stake. She also said that even though there was a "clear wish" among leaders to strengthen the bloc's naval mission in the Middle East, there was "no appetite in changing the mandate," referring to sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Kallas noted that "nobody wants to go actively in this war."

Americans chose this path, says Germany Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that Americans chose this path, together with the Israelis. He added that the country's main responsibility was to defend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) territory. Pistorius stressed that they did not start this war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also dismissed the idea of involving Berlin in the conflict, which was sparked by the US and Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February that reportedly killed Iran's supreme leader. Merz reiterated that NATO is a defensive alliance, not an interventionist one, adding that it has no role in the situation. In an apparent rebuke to Trump's complaints, Merz said, "I hope that we will treat one another with the necessary respect within the alliance."

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, went even further ahead with his rebuke, stressing that his country will not give in to "blackmail" from Washington.

Trump renews criticism of UK govt According to a BBC report, Trump renewed his criticism of the UK government for its response to the conflict in Iran. This comes after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that it won't be drawn into the "wider war."

On Monday (local time), Trump said that he was "not happy" with the UK, adding that Britain should be involved enthusiastically to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's appeal to allies brings no promises On 14 March, Washington asked its allies, such as France, Japan, China, Britain, and South Korea, to send their warships. According to a report in the Financial Times, Trump said that it would be "very bad for the future of NATO" if countries in Europe did not respond to his call for help.

On Monday, Trump expressed confidence that France would support the US, adding that Emmanuel Macron could help.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi opened up about Iran's stockpile of nuclear material in a recent interview, saying that Tehran currently did not have access to them.

In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi was quizzed about Iran's 440 kg stockpile of nuclear material, which he clarified was declared by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Where is Iran's nuclear material? Asked about where Iran's nuclear material was now, Araghchi replied, "They are under the rubble."

"Our nuclear facilities were attacked, and everything is under the rubble," he explained, referring to earlier strikes carried out by the Donald Trump administration in June 2025, when the US bombed nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Araghchi, however, did say there was scope for retrieving the nuclear material, but only under strict oversight.

"There is the possibility to retrieve them, but under the supervision of the agency. If one day we come to the conclusion to do that, it would be under the supervision of the agency," he said, referring to the IAEA.

The Iranian foreign minister also clarified that Tehran had no intentions of retrieving the material at the moment, telling CBS News, "But for the time being, we have no program. We have no plan to recover them from under the rubble."

What Iran offered US in nuclear talks During the interview, Araghchi was also asked about the US-Iran nuclear talks that were taking place before Trump launched Operation Epic Fury on 28 February.

Araghchi clarified that Iran was ready to dilute its 440 kg of 60% enriched Uranium during talks with the US  "Well, that was one of the elements of a deal that we were negotiating with our, you know, American interlocutors. That element dealt with the question of Iran's 60% enriched material, and I offered actually, that we are ready to dilute those enriched material, or down blend them, as they say, into lower percentage," the Iranian foreign minister said.

"That was a big offer, a big concession in order to prove that Iran has never wanted nuclear weapons and would never want them," he added.

Iran's nuclear material, now confirmed to be buried, was targeted by the Trump administration in Operation Midnight Hammer.

In June 2025, the US, utilizing advanced B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster munitions carried out strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

At the time, Trump had claimed that the strikes had "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, with Araghchi also declaring heavy and serious damage at the Fordow nuclear facility.

No end in sight for Middle East conflict Araghchi's comments come at a time when there's growing uncertainty about the length of the conflict in the Middle East: despite claiming on Truth Social that the US had beaten Iran in every way imaginable  both militarily, economically, and in every other way  Trump has refused to declare victory over Iran, with his administration officials suggesting that the conflict may continue for at least three more weeks.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the Election Commission for transferring top state bureaucrats and police officers shortly after announcing the assembly polls. Banerjee, the Trinamool chief, branded the EC and the ruling BJP as "anti-women and anti-Bengal".

Speaking at a rally at Dorina crossing in central Kolkata following a march to protest the LPG crisis in the state, Banerjee said the saffron camp may change as many officers as they want, but they will not be able to change the government.

"It doesn't matter who you appoint as replacement officers; they will all work for Bengal," Banerjee said, apparently hitting out at the EC but without directly naming it.

Mamata's remarks come after the poll panel on Sunday night ordered the removal of the state's top bureaucrats  Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty and Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena.

The EC removed the current Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty, from her post and appointed Dushyant Nariala, an IAS officer of the 1993 batch, in her place

"They chose the hour of midnight to remove Nandini Chakravorty, the chief secretary and a Bengali woman, without consulting the state government. It goes to show how anti-women they are," Banerjee said.

In another order issued on Monday, the commission also replaced DGP Peeyush Pandey and Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar.

The CM also referred to the removal of state home secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena to criticise the poll body.

"Our home secretary is a non-Bengali person. His removal reflects the deep disdain they have for efficient officers of Bengal," the TMC supremo said.

"Don't treat Bengal as your zamindari (fiefdom). You can threaten and change the district magistrate, SP, and inspectors in-charge, but you can't change people. Remember, you did not give them jobs, they secured it by their merit. You don't have the right to insult them," she said.

Deep concern over 'unilateral' transfer Later, Banerjee wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, expressing "deep concern and surprise" over the poll panel's transfer orders.

In her letter, the chief minister said she was "constrained to write" regarding the Election Commission's directives issued on March 15 and 16 ordering the transfer and "unilateral placement" of several senior officers of the state administration, including the chief secretary, home secretary and the director general of police.

"I am constrained to write with regard to the recent orders issued by the Election Commission of India dated March 15 and 16, 2026, directing the transfer and unilateral placement of several senior officers of the state administration. These directions include the replacement of the chief secretary, the secretary (Home and Hill Affairs), the director general & inspector general of police and other senior officers of the state machinery," Banerjee said in the letter.

Mamata said such sweeping transfers have been affected without any cogent reasons and "without any allegation of violation, misconduct or lapse in relation to the conduct of elections."

The chief minister also said the commission's powers over officers engaged in election duties have historically been exercised in consultation with the state government.

"It is well recognised that, by virtue of Article 324 of the Constitution of India, read with Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, officers engaged in election-related duties are deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission during the election period," she wrote.

Banerjee further said that during previous elections, the commission had followed the convention of consulting the state government before effecting such transfers.

The chief minister said it was a "matter of deep concern and surprise" that the heads of the state's administrative machinery had been removed "within hours of the press release announcing the General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2026".

Banerjee requested the poll panel to avoid such steps in future.

"In view of the above, I would request the Commission to kindly refrain from adopting such unilateral measures in the future, as they risk diluting the long-standing legacy, credibility and institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India and also impinges upon the foundational principles of our constitutional framework," the TMC supremo said.

You can threaten and change the district magistrate, SP, and inspectors in-charge, but you can't change people.

The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases - on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A political controversy involving Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Aadhav Arjuna has intensified, prompting a rare public response from the actor, who expressed gratitude to political leaders, members of the film fraternity and his fans for defending him against what he described as slanderous remarks.

In a strongly worded message shared on social media, Rajinikanth said, "I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who condemned his slanderous remarks and raised their voices in support of me: the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Edappadi Palaniswami; Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran; Union Minister L. Murugan; Tamil Nadu Minister Raghupathy; Thol. Thirumavalavan; S.P. Velumani; my friend Annamalai; Arjunamurthy; Anbumani Ramadoss; G.K. Vasan. John Pandian; Pugazhendhi; and various other political leaders from different parties. I also extend my sincere thanks to Ameer, G. Dhananjayan, and my friends from the film fraternity; to Nakkeeran Gopal, Rangaraj Pandey (Chanakyaa), and members of the media; and, above all, to my fanswhom I revere as deitiesfor sustaining and uplifting me. Time doesnt speak, but it waits and gives the answer"

What Triggered the Controversy The dispute was set off by remarks from Aadhav Arjuna, general secretary of TVK, who alleged during a protest on March 12 that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had threatened Rajinikanth when the actor contemplated entering politics.

Arjuna, however, attempted to soften the statement, asserting that his intention was not to criticise the actor but to underscore the resilience of TVK founder Vijay. He said Vijay had the courage to withstand similar pressures.

Political and Public Backlash Intensifies The comments drew swift and widespread criticism across political lines. Tamil Nadu Minister S Regupathy dismissed the allegation outright, stating, Rajinikanth cannot be threatened. Everyone knows that. To say that the DMK threatened him is a blatant lie. Vijay's party is saying it to seek political mileage.

Regupathy further pointed to Rajinikanths past political positioning, noting that the actor had supported the DMK during the 1996 elections.

Criticism also came from Rajinikanths former advisor, Ra Arjunamurthy, who urged disciplinary action within TVK. In a sharply worded post, he wrote, For a political movement to grow, it must be built on knowledge, experience, and humility. It is not a strength for any leader to have people in the party who speak with half-baked political understanding. It will become a huge political liability over time.

He added that disparaging Rajinikanth would not elevate political standing but instead alienate the public, calling for Arjunas removal from the party.

Fans and Civil Society Respond Members of Rajinikanths fan base also rejected the claims. One fan club representative said, Rajinikanth is not someone who fears threats. He stepped away from politics during the pandemic considering the risk of infection spread at gatherings. He wanted to avoid loss of lives due to the virus.

The remark underscored a widely held perception among supporters that Rajinikanths withdrawal from active politics was driven by public health concerns rather than external pressure.

BJP Weighs In, Calls Remarks Unforgivable The controversy widened further when Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran criticised Arjuna and demanded an apology. He described Rajinikanth in emphatic terms, saying, Rajinikanth is not only the emperor of cinema and a towering figure in acting, but also a great spiritual personality. He is someone who transcends all races and languages and is admired as a great leader who loves everyone. In fact, he lives like a simple human being, almost like a saintly figure. Rajinikanth's fans will not accept or forgive the criticism made against him. I believe that Aadhav Arjuna should apologize to Rajinikanth.

A Flashpoint in Tamil Nadus Political Landscape The episode reflects the continued intersection of cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu, where film personalities often command significant public influence. It also highlights the sensitivities surrounding Rajinikanths political legacyone marked by anticipation, restraint and enduring public fascination.
Samsung has expanded its budget-focused M series in India with the launch of Galaxy M17e 5G. The new smartphone comes with a massive battery, a smooth display, and OneUI 8.0 while coming in at under 15,000.

Here is everything to know about the newly launched Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G:

Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G price and availability: The Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G comes in two colour variants: Vibe Violet and Blitz Blue. The smartphone is priced starting at 12,999 for the base 4GB RAM + 128GB storage model. As part of the launch offers, buyers can avail an instant discount of 1,250 on the device.

The phone will be available to buy across Amazon, Samsung.com, and select retail stores.

Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G specifications: The Galaxy M17e 5G features a 6.7-inch HD+ Infinity-U LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate. On the durability front, the device boasts an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it should be handle water splashes but not full submersion under water.

Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the 6nm octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, paired with an Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It comes in 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB RAM options, all packed with 128GB of internal storage. There is alsos an option to expand the memory up to 2TB via a microSD card.

The Galaxy M17e 5G runs on Samsung's One UI 8.0 based on the latest Android 16 and the Korean smartphone maker is promising 6 years of OS updates and security patches with the phone.

Feature Samsung Galaxy M17e 5G Display 6.7-inch HD+ LCD (720 x 1600), 120Hz Processor MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) RAM & Storage 4GB / 6GB / 8GB + 128GB (Expandable up to 2TB) Rear Camera 50MP primary + 2MP depth Front Camera 8MP Battery & Charging 6000mAh, 25W fast charging Software Android 16 (One UI 8.0) Durability IP54

As for optics, the phone comes with a dual rear camera setup featuring a 50MP primary shooter with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots. On the front, it houses an 8MP camera for selfies and video calls.

To keep the device running, Samsung has packed the Galaxy M17e 5G with a massive 6000mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging.
Why is Instagram stepping back?

End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient of a message can read its contents. Messages are encrypted on the senders device and decrypted on the recipients using a unique key, leaving even the platform unable to access them.
A 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat has been ordered by a Brussels court to stand trial over the assassination of Congos first prime minister and anti-colonial icon, Patrice Lumumba, in 1961.

Lumumba, who became the prime minister of the country  now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo  upon its independence from Belgium on June 24, 1960, was ousted in September of the same year and later killed by a Belgian-backed secessionist rebel group just months later on January 16, 1961.

But in 2002, a parliamentary investigation found that Belgium was morally responsible for Lumumbas death.

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On Tuesday, Etienne Davignon, 93, a former European commissioner who was a junior diplomat at the time, stands trial over his death, marking the first trial related to the murder of Lumumba.

He is also accused of being involved in the murder of Lumumbas political allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.

According to prosecutors, Davignon, who is accused of war crimes, had participated in the unlawful detention or transfer of Lumumba and deprived him of his right to an impartial trial.

Prosecutors added that Davignon had subjected Lumumba to humiliating and degrading treatment.

Guards of honour members carry a coffin that contains the only known remains, a tooth of the murdered Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba, after he was returned to his family by the Belgian government at Airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo June 27, 2022 [Justin Makangara/Reuters]

If the trial goes ahead, Davignon would be the first Belgian official to face the courts in 65 years since the prime minister was killed and his body was dissolved in acid.

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While 10 people were accused of being complicit in the murder of Lumumba, Davignon is the only suspect alive.

Lumumbas family members brought the case, which Belgian federal prosecutors have since taken up.

His granddaughter Yema Lumumba told the Reuters news agency after the ruling that it was a step in the right direction.

What we want is to search for truth and establish different responsibilities, she added.

The familys lawyer, Christophe Marchand, also told the AFP news agency that Its a gigantic victory.

No one believed when we first brought the case in 2011 that Belgium would prove capable of seriously investigating this, he said, adding: Its very hard for a country to judge its own colonial crimes.

Gold-capped tooth

As African countries pushed for independence from their European rulers in the 1960s, Lumumba rose as an anti-colonial hero, though his government lasted only three months.

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At just aged 35, Lumumba was executed in the southern region of Katanga, with the support of Belgian-backed mercenaries.

The only known remains of the killed leader, a single gold-capped tooth, were taken from the daughter of a deceased Belgian officer who was involved in the disappearance of his remains.

During a ceremony in 2022, his remains were returned in a coffin to DRCs authorities.

During the handover, then Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo reiterated the governments apologies for its moral responsibility in Lumumbas disappearance.
A Longford MEP has questioned why Irish citizens stranded in the UAE were each charged up to 800 for state-organised rescue flights home, when Ireland could expect 100% of the cost to be repaid in relation to the charter flights.

Speaking in Brussels today, Ciaran Mullooly called on the Irish government to either refund the people involved or else release a cost breakdown to explain the price.

Read: New roof podium link proposed between Longford cathedral and neighbouring building

MEP Mullooly said he was, concerned that in some of the flights which Ireland had effectively chartered, the government chose to charge people on board 800 each, despite the fact that the mechanism clearly indicates that where no other flight capacity is available in Europe, Ireland could expect 100% of the funding to be repaid in relation to the charter flights.

He said, "I understand that reasonable costs could be charged against passengers but with the full cost of the flights being charged, being paid by the European Commission, I fail to see how a cost of up to 800 can be justified for those on board.

Read: Innovative Longford firm cooks up winning recipe to claim overall County Enterprise Award

Mr Mullooly added that in these circumstances he was, calling for the Irish government to either give people a breakdown of how the 800 charge was built up, refund the money or most of it back to the people involved, who also have paid huge additional costs in hotels and transfer fees before they got home.

The MEP said while he was a fan of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism - a system in which EU countries support each other during emergencies - he now wanted to see it act much quicker and see the Irish government act at a much earlier stage in the weeks and months to come.

He added, Undoubtedly there will be further crisis but what I've said to the European Commission today is that if member states are unwilling to trigger the mechanism earlier then there must be an onus on the Commission itself to take action at an earlier stage in the interest of protecting lives.

Read: Longford represented in New York this St Patrick's Day
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in Tehran on the first day of strikes and his son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen to succeed him. Iran is responding with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Iran is also attempting to block some shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

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Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

Latest Developments





Mar 17, 5:17 PM

Iran confirms death of security chief Ali Larijani

Iran's Supreme National Security Council has confirmed that senior official Ali Larijani is dead.



In a statement published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Tuesday, the council said Larijani died alongside his son, a security deputy of the secretariat, and several members of his protection team. It did not provide details on how or where the deaths occurred.



Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli minister of defense said Larijani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an overnight attack on Iran.

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Mar 17, 4:32 PM

DNI head backs Trumps Iran threat determination after Kent resignation

Hours after National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned over his objections to the war in Iran. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Tuesday publicly backed President Donald Trumps authority to determine what constitutes an imminent threat on the war.



As our Commander in Chief, he is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat, and whether or not to take action he deems necessary to protect the safety and security of our troops, the American people and our country, Gabbard tweeted.



In the lengthy X post on Tuesday, Gabbard stopped short of directly addressing Kents resignation, or Kent by name.



The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is responsible for helping coordinate and integrate all intelligence to provide the President and Commander in Chief with the best information available to inform his decisions, Gabbard added.



After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion, she continued.

Mar 17, 3:58 PM

More than a dozen Reaper drones lost in combat

More than a dozen unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost in combat as part of the operations against Iran, two U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News.



The Reaper drones were either lost to Iranian missile fire or were destroyed on the ground by incoming fire.



Reaper drones can be used as reconnaissance aircraft, but they are also equipped with Hellfire missiles used to strike at targets.

Senior Airman Haley Stevens/USAF - PHOTO: A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron armed with an AIM-9X Block 2 missile sits on the ramp at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 3, 2020.

The loss of this number of Reapers is indicative of how many of these key unmanned aircraft must be operating as part of the U.S. operations against Iran.



The loss of the drones in the Iran war was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

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Mar 17, 3:58 PM

IRGC confirms death of Basij commander

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani has been killed in an "Israeli-U.S. attack."



In a statement on Tuesday, the IRGC said that Soleimani's assassination shows "importance and role of the Basij" in the fight against Israel and the United States.

Mar 17, 3:08 PM

Israel says it will deepen its position in Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday they are deepening their position into Southern Lebanon, claiming they are creating "additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel."



"In recent days, IDF troops from the 36th Division have begun limited and targeted ground operations aimed at enhancing the forward defense area," the IDF said in a statement.



"The troops are continuing efforts to establish the forward defensive posture in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel," the IDF said.

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Mar 17, 3:07 PM

IDF claims without evidence that Hezbollah preparing for an attack

The Israel Defense Forces claimed, without evidence, that Hezbollah is planning for an attack against Israel, including rocket barrages, in the coming hours, according to a statement.



In a letter addressed to Hezbollah fighters, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem praised them and pledged to continue fighting on Tuesday.

Mar 17, 11:48 AM

Trump says most NATO allies won't join war, but US doesn't 'need' them

President Donald Trump said that "most of our NATO 'allies'" do not want to join the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran.



Trump claimed allies' refusal to join is "despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon," he wrote in a post on social media.



"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea .... WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" he said in the post.

Yuri Gripas/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in the Oval Office of the White House, on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2026, in Washington.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the country would never take part in operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, and that it is carrying on with work to prepare a coalition that could provide freedom of navigation once hostilities ended, according to Reuters.



"We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," Macron said at the start of a cabinet meeting to discuss the conflicts in the Middle East, according to Reuters.

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Mar 17, 10:22 AM

NCTC Director Joe Kent resigns over opposition to Iran war

National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned Tuesday over his opposition to the war in Iran, becoming the highest-profile administration official to step down publicly over the conflict.

In a resignation letter posted publicly on social media, Kent wrote that Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation and said he could not in good conscience support the war. The National Counterterrorism Center is housed within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. ABC News has reached out to ODNI for comment.

Mark Schiefelbein/AP - PHOTO: Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, speaks during the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 11, 2025.

Kent, who is an Oregon native, is a combat veteran who served over 20 years in the U.S. Army and completed 11 combat deployments in the Middle East. Kent led the U.S. counterterrorism and counternarcotics enterprise and he served as the principal counterterrorism adviser to the president, according to ODNI.

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Kent also invoked a deeply personal loss in explaining his decision. He is a Gold Star husband whose late wife, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, was killed in action during a suicide bombing while serving in Syria in 2019.

"I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," Kent wrote in his resignation letter.

Mar 17, 9:24 AM

Tanker hit by falling debris, not projectile, UKMTO says

A tanker at anchor off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was struck on Tuesday by "falling debris" rather than a projectile, as had previously been thought, the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre said in an updated advisory.



The vessel, which has not been publicly identified, was "subjected to falling debris from interceptions in the vicinity of the vessel," UKMTO said.



There was "minor" damage to the vessel and the crew were reported as safe, the organization said.



-ABC News' Zoe Magee

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Mar 17, 8:13 AM

IDF details Larijani killing in 'precise' strike

The Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday that Ali Larijani, the influential Iranian security official whod been a key representative of former Supreme Leader Ali Khomenei, was killed in a "precise" Israeli aerial strike.



The IDF statement followed the Israeli defense minister's announcement of the death.

Ho/KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani attend the sixth international conference in support of Palestinian intifada (uprising), in Tehran.



"Following the elimination of Khamenei, Larijani consolidated his status as the de facto leader of the Iranian regime and led the combat efforts against the State of Israel and countries across the region," the IDF said in a statement.



Describing him as the "de facto leader" of the Iranian regime, the IDF said that Larijani was killed by an Israeli Air Force strike near Tehran.



Israel described Larijanis death as a "further blow" to the Iranian leaderships abilities to manage the war against the U.S. and Israel.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Gerry Adams has told the High Court that he had no involvement whatsoever in Provisional IRA bombings in England and that he was never a part of the organisation.

The former Sinn Fein president entered the witness box on Tuesday in defence of a legal claim against him brought by three victims of bombings in England in the 1970s and 1990s.

John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London; Jonathan Ganesh, a 1996 London Docklands bombing victim; and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, all allege that Mr Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council, and are seeking 1 in damages.

Mr Adams is defending the claim, saying in a witness statement that membership of Sinn Fein does not equate to membership of the IRA.

He also told the court that while he did not distance himself from the Provisional IRA, he was glad the organisation had left the stage and that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, a shamrock and a badge of the Palestinian flag, Mr Adams began his evidence by wishing the judge, Mr Justice Swift, a very happy St Patricks Day.

In his 20-page witness statement, Mr Adams said he was not involved in any way in the planning, preparation or conduct of any of the bombings, and have never been a senior, let alone most senior figure, in the IRA.

He continued: I had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the Old Bailey bombing (1973), the Canary Wharf bombing (1996) or the Manchester bombing (1996).

I have never been charged, prosecuted or convicted of any offence in connection with any of the bombing incidents in which the claimants were injured.

He also said: I was never a member of the IRA or its Army Council, and I never held any role or rank within the IRA.

I repeat that I had no involvement whatsoever in the authorisation, planning or conduct of the bombings in which the claimants were sadly injured.

Mr Adams also said that opponents of Sinn Fein, of which he was president from 1983 to 2018, have repeatedly sought to conflate the party with the Provisional IRA.

As I have always stated, Sinn Fein and the IRA are separate organisations, Mr Adams said.

He continued: I have no knowledge, beyond what has been widely reported in the public domain, as to the structure or decision-making processes of the IRA.

Mr Adams told the court that he was very conscious that the three bomb victims had suffered significantly, and that his statement should not be taken as criticism of the claimants, or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.

During cross-examination by barrister Sir Max Hill KC, Mr Adams agreed that 1,178 deaths were caused by the Provisional IRA, the business of which was to resist armed British occupation and aggression in the part of Ireland that I lived in.

He had earlier said that the ignorance of Irish history among British people is shocking.

Sir Max later asked Mr Adams: Its your business to defend many actions of the IRA, is that an accurate statement?

Mr Adams replied: I do not defend all the IRA actions but my position is based on the broad principle that people have the right to resist occupation.

Sir Max continued: You have, over a long period of time, chosen to stand by the IRA.

Mr Adams replied: I do not stand by everything that they did but these were my neighbours.

He continued: Im glad that the IRA has left the stage, Im glad that no one else is being killed.

He added: I am glad that there is a peace process but I do not distance myself from the IRA while being very, very clear that there were dastardly things that were done that should never have been done.

Anne Studd KC, for the three bomb victims, previously told the trial that Mr Adams was directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The barrister also said that the difference between being in the Army and being a member of Sinn Fein was not a clear either/or choice.

She added: The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man Army Council.

She concluded: There is no doubt that the defendant contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland, but the claimants say that on the evidence he also contributed to the war.

Ms Studd also told the court that Mr Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement, and that was likely as involved as the people who planted and detonated those bombs.

The trial is due to conclude later in March.
Ireland can address a tremendous trade imbalance with the US by buying American liquified natural gas (LNG), President Donald Trump has said.

Mr Trump said Ireland had better do something to bring the trade deficit down.

Speaking at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon for St Patricks Day at the US Capitol Building, Mr Trump said: We have a tremendous deficit, by the way. I looked at the numbers.

You guys are much better business people than our past politicians.

Turning to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, he added: We have to talk about that deficit  are we allowed to talk about that today?

Mr Trump referenced the more than six billion dollars being invested into the US by Irish companies, before adding: And Im hopeful that well soon reach a deal to sell American liquefied natural gas  and thatll bring down your deficit a lot  so I think you have to make this deal with us, you better do something.

But these companies are going to be fuelling your homes and factories and all of the other things.

We got a lot of, we have a lot of energy in this country. We have more than anybody, most energy of any country in the world, by far.

So we want to sell a little to you, and the deficit will come down, down, down, and everybodys going to be happy.

So you gotta buy a lot of our stuff.
An image posted by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News shows exercises by Irans special crowd-control units, with a mounted heavy machine gun used in the suppression of protests in the foreground.

From March 14 to 16, US and Israeli operations continued targeting key elements of the Islamic Republics military capabilities, including missile infrastructure, naval command sites, and facilities tied to Irans military space program.

As the conflict intensifies, messaging from Israeli leaders increasingly seeks to reach Iranian citizens directly, as sources point to emerging fractures inside the regimes political and security establishment. Within Iran, authorities appear to be preparing for possible unrest through expanded checkpoints, arrests, and heightened surveillance, even as economic disruptions and banking outages add further pressure ahead of the Nowruz holiday.

Military overview

US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video update on March 16, highlighting American strikes against the regimes missile, drone, and naval threats. It also noted that the US has also struck the manufacturing capabilities of the Islamic Republic. CENTCOM noted that Iranian forces have retaliated by firing missiles and drones at civilian areas in the region hundreds of times, including more than 300 incidents involving cluster munitions.

IDF Persian said on March 16 that Israeli forces carried out a precision strike in eastern Tehran targeting the main headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, describing the force as responsible for disrupting international shipping and transferring weapons and funding to militant groups by sea. The statement said that the attack aimed to damage the units command infrastructure and disrupt its ability to plan and coordinate operations linked to attacks against Israel and threats to maritime trade routes.

Another post said that an Israeli strike in central Tehran destroyed a facility linked to Irans military space program that was allegedly used to develop capabilities for targeting satellites. The site was described as supporting projects tied to offensive space technologies, including work associated with the IRGCs Chamran-1 satellite launched in September 2024, which the post said could threaten Israels and other countries space assets.

Meanwhile, Jerusalems direct messaging to Iranians persists. In a video address to the Iranian people on March 16, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Iranians on the upcoming Persian New Year, Nowruz, which begins on March 20, and delivered a message of hope. He said the holiday carries a special meaning this year, adding that light will triumph over darkness.

The latest on the regimes stability

Citing an anonymous senior Israeli official, The Times of Israel reported on March 15 that there are signs of cracks within the Islamic Republic, adding that Jerusalem is facilitating the conditions to empower the Iranian people to overthrow the regime. It may take time, but this is not an endless war, and we are far ahead of schedule, the official remarked.

In line with these claims, the IRGC and the administration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are reportedly at odds over Irans postwar outlook, according to IranWire. In a tense meeting, Pezeshkian supposedly warned that the government would face severe economic strain and renewed public dissatisfaction once the fighting subsides, urging the Guards to help prepare for recovery. An IRGC representative reportedly dismissed the concern, arguing that the war has strengthened public unity and a continued emergency environment would deter unrest. If the report is accurate, the exchange would indicate a sharp divide between the governments economic worries and the Guards hardline wartime posture.

Unconfirmed reports also allege rising desertions within the IRGC and the Iranian police. The defections are attributed to breakdowns in communication with command centers in Tehran, frustration that field personnel are exposed while senior commanders remain sheltered, and worsening economic pressure, as cash shortages leave some security members struggling to cover basic expenses.

The latest on internal repression: the regime braces for unrest

Reports from inside Iran indicate a sharp increase in Basij and other security forces establishing checkpoints and armed plainclothes patrols across multiple Iranian cities as part of a broader effort to control urban spaces and identify dissent. Incidents have been reported in Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Rasht, Khorramabad, Zahedan, and cities across Kurdistan and East and West Azerbaijan provinces. At these checkpoints, personnel have reportedly detained and interrogated civilians, searched mobile phones, confiscated devices, and, in some instances, opened judicial cases based on information found on personal phones.

Iran International reported on March 16 that several security checkpoints across Tehran were allegedly hit in US-Israeli airstrikes, including locations around Enghelab Square near South Kargar, the MolaviSahebjam district, Azadi Square, Hejazi Highway, Mortezagerd, and the Azadegan Highway. The outlet said that some of the positions had been placed under major road structures or inside covered urban areas, a tactic authorities reportedly adopted to reduce exposure to aerial strikes as attacks increasingly target security patrols and checkpoints across the capital.

On March 16, the Israeli Mossads Persian-language account posted, Your final battle will begin soon. We are with you in the sky on earth and in our hearts.

That same day, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News warned that foreign intelligence services are allegedly planning to trigger a new phase of unrest inside Iran. It claimed Israeli and US intelligence are seeking to stage killings and activate networks to spark instability.

Regime media reported that armed assailants opened fire on a police patrol in Taftan county on March 16, killing five police personnel and one civilian. Taftan is located in Sistan and Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran, a region where Baluch separatist groups have carried out repeated attacks against Iranian security forces over the past decade.

A day prior, Irans national police chief Ahmadreza Radan claimed that authorities arrested 500 people accused of sending information to the enemy and anti-Iranian media, describing the detainees as spies. Radan claimed roughly half of the cases involved serious offenses, alleging that the suspects provided targeting information, maintained contact with opposition groups, and sought to disrupt public order, though he offered no evidence and did not specify when the arrests occurred.

The prosecutor of West Azerbaijan province said on March 15 that authorities arrested 20 individuals in Urmia accused of being agents linked to the Zionist regime. The statement added that IRGC Intelligence Organization forces in West Azerbaijan, working with the Basij and using cyber-monitoring and intelligence operations, identified and dismantled several alleged Israel-linked networks accused of sending information about military, police, and security facilities. Although authorities provided few details about the case, West Azerbaijan province, similar to neighboring Kurdistan province, has long been a hotspot of Kurdish separatist activity.

A video sent to Iran International on March 15 shows a truck carrying a DShK heavy machine gun stationed in the Shiraz-Sepidan police station, equipment the regime has previously used to kill unarmed protestors.

Footage circulating online from Tehran claims that the regime has posted flyers in residential buildings, warning residents of heightened security monitoring. The notices urge people to report suspicious activity, avoid sharing images or information online, and refrain from actions that could be interpreted as cooperation with hostile media or foreign actors. The reported messages reflect broader efforts by the regime to tighten social control and surveillance in neighborhoods.

Irans banking system disrupted

Widespread disruptions have affected services at two of Irans largest state banks: Bank Melli and Bank Sepah. Customers across cities, including Tehran, Karaj, and Fardis, have reported being unable to check balances, transfer funds, or access other online services, while many branches have also halted routine transactions.

The outages appear particularly severe at Bank Sepah, where many ATMs have stopped dispensing cash, and customers in some branches cannot withdraw or deposit funds. Long lines have formed outside certain Bank Melli branches as people attempt to access in-person services, though many operations remain unavailable, and support hotlines have reportedly gone unanswered. Tasnim News Agency described the outages as a possible cyberattack and blamed an enemy conspiracy, while also suggesting that earlier missile damage to a Bank Sepah branch may have contributed to the problems. The financial disruptions come at a sensitive moment just ahead of the Iranian New Year.

Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence.
An FDD visual of Iranian attacks against Arab states on March 16, 2026.

Between March 13 and March 16, Iran and its allied militias continued launching drones, missiles, rockets, and other weapon platforms across the Middle East. The attacks targeted energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, residential areas, diplomatic facilities, oil fields, and opposition-group positions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iraq.

As of March 16, the United Arab Emirates reported that 1,627 drones and 319 missiles had been launched toward its territory, of which 1,411 drones and 259 missiles were intercepted. Kuwait reported that 539 drones and 227 missiles had targeted the country. Qatar reported that 69 drones, 180 missiles, and two aircraft had targeted its territory, of which 53 drones, 170 missiles, and both aircraft were intercepted. Jordan reported that 59 drones and 60 missiles had been launched toward it. Bahrain reported intercepting 221 drones and 129 missiles.

The following is a detailed account of the attacks and specific actions that Iran and its affiliated militias took against Arab states between March 13 and 16.

March 13

In Saudi Arabia, Iranian attacks again concentrated heavily on the Eastern Province, Al Kharj, Riyadh, and the Rub al-Khali. Saudi authorities reported intercepting repeated drone waves in the Eastern Province, including groups of six, two, four, three, three, and six, plus multiple single-drone incursions. In Al Kharj, Saudi defenses intercepted several drone attacks, including waves of two, three, and two, as well as a ballistic missile targeting the area. Additional drones were intercepted in the Rub al-Khali, while another drone was shot down as it targeted Riyadhs Diplomatic Quarter. Saudi forces also reported intercepting several larger incoming drone waves after they entered the countrys airspace, including groups of seven, nine, and 12.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense announced that it confronted 27 drones and seven missiles. In Dubai, debris from an intercepted projectile struck the facade of a building in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

In Oman, two drones crashed in Sohar, killing two foreign workers and injuring others.

In Kuwait, a ballistic missile fell in an open area and was not intercepted.

In Bahrain, Bahraini authorities announced that they intercepted six missiles and two drones.

In Iraq, two drones were intercepted while targeting the US Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center near Baghdad International Airport. Elsewhere, a drone crashed on a farm in Bartella in Nineveh province, and another crashed in the Abu Ghraib district near Baghdad International Airport. Rockets also struck K1 Air Base in Kirkuk, though no damage was reported.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, a drone struck the Azadi Camp in Koysinjaq, while another drone targeting the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish group was intercepted nearby. In Erbil, a drone struck the Lanaz oil refinery and ignited a fire, but no injuries were reported.

March 14

In Saudi Arabia, Iranian attacks remained intense. Saudi authorities reported repeated drone interceptions across the Eastern Province, including waves of two and five alongside multiple single-drone incursions. Saudi forces also intercepted drones in Al Jawf and the Rub al Khali. In addition, Saudi defenses reported intercepting six missiles targeting Al Kharj.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai authorities said debris from an intercepted drone struck the facade of a building in central Dubai. At the Port of Fujairah, debris from another intercepted drone ignited a fire. The UAE Ministry of Defense later announced that it had confronted 33 drones and nine missiles targeting the country.

In Iraq, two drones were intercepted while targeting Camp Victory at Baghdad International Airport. In Baghdad, missiles and drones targeted the US Embassy complex; a drone destroyed a satellite communications center, and a missile or rocket struck a helicopter landing pad.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, a drone struck the Lanaz refinery in Erbil, causing a fire and forcing a shutdown. Another drone attack struck the UAE consulate in Erbil, injuring two guards and damaging the building. Elsewhere, three drones hit positions belonging to the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran in Erbil, lightly injuring two people. Seven drones targeting Erbil were intercepted, reportedly by defenses responding to a Saraya Awliya al Dam attack, while another drone targeting Sulaymaniyah crashed without causing injuries. A separate drone targeted a Peshmerga base in Dara Shakran affiliated with the Kurdistan Freedom Party. In Kirkuk, another drone crashed without causing casualties.

In Qatar, the Defense Ministry announced that it intercepted an unspecified number of drones and four missiles in one attack, then intercepted additional unspecified missile attacks in two later incidents.

In Kuwait, authorities announced that they intercepted three drones. Two drones targeted Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, injuring three soldiers and causing damage. Multiple drones also targeted Kuwait International Airport, damaging the radar system. Kuwaiti forces reported intercepting additional drones and missiles in other attacks.

In Bahrain, authorities said they intercepted 10 drones and four missiles.

March 15

In Saudi Arabia, Iranian drone activity was again heavy. Saudi forces reported repeated interceptions across the Eastern Province, including waves of 10, seven, three, and two, plus multiple single-drone attacks. Riyadh was also targeted repeatedly, with Saudi authorities reporting interceptions of four, 10, and seven drones.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense announced one unspecified missile and drone interception event and later said it had confronted four missiles and six drones. A drone also struck a facility in Abu Dhabis Ruwais Industrial City, igniting a fire.

In Bahrain, footage showed smoke rising from Isa Air Base after it was reportedly hit by an Iranian drone or missile. The IRGC later claimed responsibility. Bahraini authorities also said they intercepted nine Iranian drones.

In Qatar, authorities announced that they intercepted an Iranian drone attack.

In Iraq, a drone was intercepted while targeting the US Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center near Baghdad International Airport. Later, a combined drone and rocket attack struck the same facility, injuring four Iraqi security personnel.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, two drones were intercepted over Erbil, though debris from one hit a house, causing a fire and injuring four people. Two drones targeting Sulaymaniyah were intercepted. Three missiles struck Koysinjaq, an area hosting camps belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups. Elsewhere, four drones targeted Komala opposition group positions in Zirgewez, though no injuries or damage were reported.

March 16

In the United Arab Emirates, attacks intensified and caused significant damage. In Fujairah, a drone strike ignited a large fire in the Fujairah Petroleum Industries area. In Dubai, an Iranian drone strike targeted a fuel tank at Dubai International Airport. In Abu Dhabis Al-Bahya area, a missile hit a civilian vehicle, killing one person. Another Iranian drone struck a building in Umm Al Quwain, igniting a fire. Abu Dhabi authorities also reported that a drone hit the Shah Gas Field. Separately, the UAE Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted 21 drones and six ballistic missiles targeting the country.

In Qatar, the Defense Ministry said a ballistic missile fell in an uninhabited area. In another attack, Qatari forces intercepted 13 ballistic missiles and an unspecified number of drones.

In Bahrain, authorities announced that they intercepted nine drones and four ballistic missiles.

In Kuwait, the Kuwaiti army said that two drones fell in the northern part of the country without causing injuries or damage. In another incident, one drone was intercepted, while another fell in an uninhabited area.

In Saudi Arabia, repeated drone waves again targeted the Eastern Province, Al Kharj, and Riyadh. Saudi authorities reported intercepting multiple attacks in the Eastern Province, including waves of six, seven, eight, 12, six, five, three, nine, seven, five, six, and seven drones. Saudi forces also intercepted two drones, followed by 11 more in Al Kharj, along with two separate three-drone attacks in Riyadh.

In Iraq, four drones targeting the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center were intercepted on four separate occasions. Iraqi media also reported that a rocket targeting the US Embassy in Baghdads Green Zone was intercepted. A drone struck the Rashid Hotel in the Green Zone, hitting the upper floors but causing no injuries. In southern Iraq, two drones struck the Majnoon oil field in Basra, and another hit Balad Air Base in Salah al Din Governorate.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, a drone targeting the US Consulate in Erbil was intercepted. Iraqi sources also reported that two drones targeting Erbil International Airport were intercepted, followed by another intercepted drone targeting the airport later that day.

Ahmad Sharawi is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.
A profile photo of Ali Larijani, the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, published by the IDF Spokespersons Office.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 17 that the Jewish state eliminated Ali Larijani, the head of Irans Supreme National Security Council and speculated to be the regimes current de facto leader, and Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij paramilitary, in an overnight airstrike. The eliminations mark a significant milestone in the American and Israeli campaign against Irans command structure and internal security apparatus.

Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated last night and have joined Khamenei, the head of the annihilation program, along with all those eliminated from the axis of evil, in the depths of hell, Katz stated.

Israeli intelligence identified Larijanis location in an apartment in Tehran, Israels Channel 12 News reported. After the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Military Intelligence Directorate confirmed his identity, the attack was approved, and the building was struck.

The apartment was not Larijanis permanent residence, but rather one of several prepared safe houses intended for emergency escape. Israeli Air Force fighter jets operating over Tehran struck the location with 20 one-ton bombs, destroying the building and killing Larijani, Channel 12 reported.

Larijani was a longtime pillar of Irans political and security establishment, holding some of the Islamic Republics most influential posts over the past four decades. A former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, Larijani went on to serve as head of state broadcasting, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, and chief nuclear negotiator before becoming speaker of parliament for 12 years. After leaving parliament, he remained a key insider as a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shaping policy on strategic and regional issues, and was reappointed as the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council in 2025. The United States sanctioned Larijani in 2026 for his role in violently suppressing protests in Iran.

In a separate military operation the same night, Israel also targeted Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, along with senior members of the paramilitary force. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Soleimani and other Basij officials were targeted while gathered at a recently established tent encampment near the capital, set up after Israeli strikes over the past two weeks destroyed many of the forces headquarters.

The Basij, a paramilitary force affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that is used to suppress dissent, had recently expanded its presence in Iran by establishing checkpoints in the streets amid fears of unrest. It played a role in the brutal crackdown of Iranian protestors during the mass uprising against the government in December and January. Soleimani had commanded the force for the past six years.

Irans semi-official Fars News Agency confirmed the death of Larijani and those with him, saying that he achieved martyrdom along with his son Morteza, Alireza Bayat, deputy secretary for security affairs, and a group of bodyguards. Fars News also confirmed the killing of Soleimani, describing it as a terrorist attack by the American-Zionist enemy.

Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has said he is not happy with Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he wanted a viable option to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively shut the vital oil and gas shipping route by targeting vessels in response to the US-Israeli air strikes.

Mr Trump has called for countries, including the UK, to join a mission to protect shipping.

But the Prime Minister, who has so far resisted the US presidents demands, said: Were working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts.

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Mr Trump said the UKs approach to the conflict was terrible.

I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom, two weeks ago, I said, Why dont you send some ships over and he really didnt want to do it.

I said You dont want to do it? Weve been with you. Youre our oldest ally and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all of these things to protect you.

He added: I think its terrible. I was very surprised.

The US President suggested the UK will maybe be involved in the Strait of Hormuz mission, but they should be involved enthusiastically.

He also appeared to criticise Sir Keir for seeking the advice of aides on the issue following a call between the two leaders on Sunday, claiming the premier had said he was meeting with my team before making a decision.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer set out his response to the crisis in a Downing Street press conference (Brook Mitchell/PA) (Brook Mitchell)

UK Government sources said the Prime Minister had referred to wanting to speak to partners and military planners, rather than No 10 advisers.

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I said you dont need to meet with your team, youre the Prime Minister, you can make your own why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not youre going to send some minesweepers to help us or to send some boats, Mr Trump said.

Speaking to reporters in the White House later on Monday, he said the US had considered Britain the Rolls-Royce of allies and described Sir Keir as a very nice guy, but insisted the response to the war had been very disappointing.

Mr Trump repeated his claim that the Prime Minister had offered to send over the UKs two aircraft carriers to the Middle East and that he had told Sir Keir I dont need your aircraft carriers after weve already won.

There was speculation that HMS Prince of Wales, one of the two warships which had previously been earmarked for deployment in the Arctic, could be sent to the region after it was placed in a state of advanced readiness earlier this month.

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At a Downing Street press conference earlier, Sir Keir said he would not allow the UK to be drawn into a wider war in the Middle East.

Britain could potentially provide mine-hunting drones to the mission rather than a warship, although the Prime Minister insisted no final decisions had been made.

It is a discussion, we are not at a point of decisions yet, I want to really stress that, he said.

The Prime Minister said he had discussed the issue with countries in the Gulf and Europe, as well as Mr Trump.

Itll have to be something which is agreed by as many partners as possible, is my strong view. Were not at that stage yet, but we are working hard.

(PA Graphics) (PA Graphics)

In a joint statement with the leaders of Canada, Germany, France and Italy issued later on Monday evening, he called for de-escalation and talks over the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

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We are gravely concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon and call for meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution, the statement said.

We strongly support initiatives to facilitate talks and urge for immediate de-escalation.

The leaders demanded Hezbollah cease its attacks on Israel and disarm, while warning that a significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict.

It must be averted, the statement said.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged the impact of rising oil and gas prices on households in the UK, announcing his administration had issued a legal direction to energy firms to pass on savings from Government policies already announced.

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And he set out a 53 million package of support for vulnerable heating oil customers, focused on those households that are most exposed.

He also raised concerns about claims that suppliers of heating oil have cancelled orders and then hiked bills as prices have spiked.

For rural communities, recent rises in heating oil prices are a real and urgent problem. Thats why were providing over 50m to help those who need it most  including funding for the @niexecutive to deliver support where this hits hardest. pic.twitter.com/2EVMpa8lRx  HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) March 16, 2026

I simply will not allow companies to make huge profits from the hardship of working people, he said. That kind of conduct is completely unacceptable, so if the companies have broken the law, there will be legal action.

England will receive 27 million to support heating oil customers, which will be distributed by local authorities.

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Northern Ireland, which has the highest proportion of homes reliant on heating oil of the UKs four nations, has been allocated 17 million, Scotland 4.6 million and Wales 3.8 million.

The Treasury said the funding has been allocated based on census data, with the money going to the devolved governments to distribute.

But the Government was not able to provide an estimate of the number of households that would benefit from the extra support.

Further measures could follow if the crisis continues, with Sir Keir declining to rule out a more significant intervention once the current energy price cap expires in July.

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Asked whether he could implement a similar policy to the energy price guarantee introduced by Liz Truss in 2022 at a cost of tens of billions of pounds, he said it was not sensible to say within a number of months time, not knowing what the situation will be, that the following will be ruled in or be out.

He said: My instinct is always to help working people in a situation like this.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keirs relationship with the US was not deep enough.

She told the Press Association: It is not clear the Prime Minister has been involved in the planning process. All of our allies seem to be worried about how slow he is.

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Im worried that hes not deep enough in conversations with the US. But before we start sending ships out, we need to know what the plan is.

What I want to see is the Prime Minister coming up with a plan for the national interest, not just what his Labour backbenchers want.

This is not just about the Labour Party. This is about the whole country.
This coming Friday, March 20, is the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day. Daffodil Day is the Irish Cancer Societys flagship fundraiser to support cancer patients and their families.

Mayo woman, Kay Sweeney, is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed in June 2024. The Ballycroy native was diagnosed with lung cancer after taking part in an NHS trial, where she had a multi-cancer early detection blood test.

Ahead of starting immunotherapy and chemotherapy in August 2024, Kay decided to go on a 30-mile bike ride and a 10-mile hike as she still felt fit and healthy. She started her treatment just as her husband, John, was finishing his treatment for prostate cancer. He is now on a hormone drug and is doing well.

I started my treatment in August 2024 and finished it in early November. On the 25th of November, I had surgery to remove a mass  they removed three-quarters of my left lung. The surgeon said that there was no cancer there, that the chemotherapy had killed it off, she said.

I think its important for people to know cancer isnt always bad. There can be good outcomes too, if its caught early, she added.

Kay is now encouraging people across Mayo to support Daffodil Day: Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fuelling life-changing cancer research and vital support services, she said.

I would encourage everyone to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 20, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community, she added.

Donations provided to the Irish Cancer Society have provided Mayo with over 420 free lifts to Mayo-based cancer patients, 310 free counselling sessions, 310 nights free Night Nursing, and 460 conversations with people from Mayo on a support line.

Irish Cancer Society Acting CEO Edel Shovlin said: Cancer doesnt wait - and neither can we. This year, thousands of people in Ireland will hear the words, You have cancer. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, a future suddenly filled with uncertainty. But this Daffodil Day, there is also determination, compassion and groundbreaking research driving real progress.

Daffodil Day 2026 is about turning solidarity into action. The funds raised dont just support vital, life-changing cancer research - they provide immediate, practical help for people facing cancer right now. From free counselling and transport to treatment, to Night Nursing care that allows someone to spend precious time at home, your support makes an extraordinary difference," she added.

READ MORE: West Mayo GAA club seeks extension for development works
Mayo TD, Rose Conway-Walsh, has confirmed that Sinn Fein will bring a motion before the Dail this week, demanding urgent action from the government to tackle soaring energy costs.

The motion will look to reduce petrol and diesel prices, and scrap planned tax increases on home heating oil.

Deputy Conway-Walsh said the debate will allow Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to finally act to protect workers and families facing severe financial pressure.

Workers and families have been struggling through an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis, and the rapid rise in the cost of petrol, diesel, and home heating oil is making an already difficult situation far worse.

Households in Mayo and across the state are under enormous pressure, and yet Fianna Fail and Fine Gael continue to sit on their hands while costs spiral, she said.

READ MORE: West Mayo GAA club seeks extension for development works

The Mayo TD said Ireland has been hit with the largest hike in the price of home heating oil in Europe at almost eight times the EU average.

At the same time, the Irish government currently charges almost double the EU minimum fuel tax rates, meaning at the pumps, between 60 and 65 percent of the price you pay goes straight to the exchequer.

Sinn Feins motion calls on the government to scrap planned tax increases on home heating oil, due to take effect on 1 May, and to reduce the cost of petrol, diesel, and home heating oil temporarily by implementing Sinn Feins Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026, she added.

Sinn Feins Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026 would see petrol and diesel prices cut by 20c, while excise duty on home heating oil would be removed, reducing a 1,000-litre refill by 183.

Conway-Walsh said record numbers of households are already struggling to pay their energy bills.

The number of people at risk of poverty has also increased. In that context, the Governments failure to act on soaring fuel costs is simply unacceptable.

This motion gives the Government and every TD an opportunity to back immediate action to bring fuel prices down and provide real relief to households.

READ MORE: Grand Marshals announced for north Mayo St Patrick's Day parade
Not just that, a new report has now revealed that Salman Khan is now adding a new Chinese song in the movie to be composed by Himesh Reshammiya, and the film has undergone 40 days of reshoots.

However, it was later delayed indefinitely and recently, Salman Khan surprised everyone by retitling the movie to Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace .

Salman Khan s new movie Battle of Galwan directed by Apoorva Lakhiawas slated for April 17, 2026, release and the makers had even dropped a teaser as well as two new songs online.

 Salman Khan Films

Salman Khans Battle Of Galwan Changes Tone To Maatrubhumi; Add Chinese Song

Sharing the details about the same, a source told Mid-day, Since February 2026, Apoorva and Salman have been reshooting chunks of the film in Mumbai. They are adding new scenes, and are looking at almost 40 days of work. They are also planning to film a Chinese song that will be composed by Himesh Reshammiya. Salman will shoot the number as soon as it has been finalised and recorded.

The movie had originally gone on floors in September 2025 and was done filming by December 2025 but had to undergo reshoots in February 2026.

Sharing the reason behind the reshoots and the change in the tone of the movie, a source informed that it is due to the India-China relation that is reportedly friendlier than earlier times, There has been an easing of the hostilities between the two countries. In the middle of this complex dynamic, a movie like Battle of Galwan that focused on the 2020 clash could have impacted the fragile relationship. So, Salman and Apoorva brainstormed and decided to incorporate messages of peace, harmony, and the futility of war in the narrative.

Also starring Chitrangda Singh, Maatrubhumi may now release in theatres in October 2026.
The trailer for Dhurandhar: The Revenge featured a fresh banger by Shashwath Sachdev, a revamped version of Aari Aari. Fans were going crazy over it and demanding that it be released early, much like Ishq Jalakar. But the movie is already facing backlash from the Sikh community mere days before its release on March 19. The album is set to launch during an event on March 17 at 7:30 pm, but before that, an alleged poster for a song has been making waves for the wrong reasons. Did Dhurandhar: The Revenge Release a New Song Before the Launch?

 Jio Studios A supposed poster for a song in Dhurandhar: The Revenge has been circulating online. In this poster, Ranveer Singhs Jaskirat Singh Rangi is seen holding a cigarette while wearing a turban. President-Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi State shared a post on X, complaining against the poster.

A legal notice was also shared to the actor, makers and anyone else connected to it. This was seen as religiously insensitive if not downright offensive. However, no official account has posted the image. The song is allegedly titled Pralay, which just so happens to be the film Ranveer Singh will be working on after Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Another thing to note is that the poster itself lacks the real title of the film and only has Dhurandhar written on it. Neither Jio Studios nor the actor has posted anything with regard to the song. The launch event hasnt even started yet. The poster is more than likely to be an AI creation. Moreover, a similar image of the actor wearing a pink turban and donning a beard had surfaced online last year.
Out of all the Bollywood couples, Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif hold a special place in the fans hearts for being not only healthy but also extremely cute. Whether they make public appearances individually or together, one can tell how much they love and respect each other. However, that perception changed recently when the actor made an appearance at a wedding and made certain tasteless jokes. One of the worst parts of ingrained misogyny is wife jokes, something Kaushal recently turned to and disappointed everyone. Vicky Kaushal Made a Tasteless Wife Joke

 Instagram/katrinakaif A video surfaced online of Vicky Kaushal taking the stage at a wedding. There, he quipped with his iconic line from Uri: The Surgical Strike, Hows the josh? When he got the response that he wanted, High sir! He went on to make a comment that was very uncharacteristic towards how people saw him. Maine yeh dekha hai ki bachelors ka josh hamesha high rehta hai. Hum shaadi-shuda waalon ka josh saal dar saal girta rehta hai. Par tension lene ki baat nahi hai, 4 din mein josh kam nahi hota. (Ive noticed that bachelors always have high energy and enthusiasm. For those of us who are married, that enthusiasm keeps dropping year after year. But dont worry, it doesnt fade in just four days). The joke was not only sexist, but also something that has been told across the nation countless times in worse ways. It is a common, but irritable, belief that husbands live in fear and misery upon getting married. This has been joked about for years all over the world, but Vicky Kaushal was the last person anyone expected to make that. Fans are Disappointed in Vicky Kaushal

 Instagram/katrinakaif Fans were caught off guard upon seeing Vicky Kaushal make a wife joke like that. He has created a reputation for himself as the ultimate green flag. He is seen as the man who finally melted Katrina Kaifs heart after it was broken multiple times and ruthlessly so.

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Recently, a song titled Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt went viral on social media for its highly vulgar and cheap lyrics in Hindi objectifying women. The controversial song is a Hindi dubbed version of the Kannada song from the upcoming Kannada movie KD: The Devil starring Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja. However, many people on social media started criticising and calling out Bollywood aka Hindi cinema for the song even though the Mumbai-based film industry has nothing to do with it.

 KVN Productions Among them was Kangana Ranaut who took potshots at Bollywood for the Kannada movie song. People Troll Kangana Ranaut For Wrongly Criticising Bollywood Over Kannada Movie Song In an interaction with ANI, Kangana was asked about her opinion on the song and she thundered, Bollywood has crossed all limits with vulgarity, tactics, and attention-seeking. The entire country is condemning and reprimanding them. But I dont think they have any shameThere needs to be even more strictness about the display of such vulgarity and obscenity. It is difficult to even watch TV with family. I think some strict rein will have to be put on Bollywood. Check out the clip below:

Slamming Kangana for her misinformed opinion on Bollywood, a number of social media users fact-checked her as one of them said, ITS A KANNADA FILM! DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!! Another wrote, Wow. This lady is out of control. Targeting Bollywood for the vulgarity that actually came from a Kannada film.

 KVN Productions A third user commented, It's Kannada movie song dubbed in Hindi but #KanganaRanaut mentions Bollywood. PEAK ANDH BHAKT CLUB. A fourth user reacted, Kangana Ranaut has completely lost her mind after that airport slap, calling a Kannada movie a Bollywood film just to take a dig at Bollywood. Check out some of the responses below:

Directed by Prem, KD: The Devil is a Kannada language movie and is slated to release in theatres on April 30, 2026.
The World Bank Group (WBG) Board of Directors earlier this week approved what is described as a transformative regional initiative that will directly boost job creation in Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It includes a strong focus on digital infrastructure.

This second operation under the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme (WARDIP), totalling US$137 million, aims to strengthen the foundations for a dynamic digital economy through expanding and upgrading the digital infrastructure needed for competitiveness, fostering a more businessfriendly environment, and enabling businesses to scale and operate across regional markets.

WBG says that WARDIP2, as the initiative is known, will increase broadband access, financing and usage in participating countries and enable an environment for cross-border digital services in Western Africa.

It is claimed that approximately 5.2 million people will be connected to new or enhanced broadband internet across the three countries, and 5.4 million new users will access digitally enabled services.

Michel Rogy, World Bank Digital and AI Regional Practice Director explains thar the initiative addresses one of the regions most persistent challenges: high-cost and unreliable connectivity that limit competitiveness and peoples access to digital opportunities.

Through major investments in digital infrastructure, says WBG, the project will expand resilient broadband networks, increase international connectivity, and strengthen data centre capacity, laying the groundwork for new digital jobs and improved public and private sector service delivery.

At the same time, it will invest in people by supporting digital skills training for 9,000 individuals, including women and youth, and expanding opportunities in AI, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship.

In addition, says Marina Wes, Acting World Bank Regional Integration Director for Africa: By harmonising regulations, modernising digital governance, and improving competition across regional markets, WARDIP2 creates a more predictable and investment-friendly environment." She adds: "Its support to the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), regulatory reforms in participating countries, and measures that lower deployment costs while expanding access to affordable, highquality connectivity are critical to deepening regional integration, unlocking private capital and creating jobs.

To help businesses scale, WARDIP2 will strengthen digital entrepreneurship ecosystems, expand digital financial services, and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups with seed financing, market access and crossborder digital trade opportunities.

WARDIP was launched in November 2023 to expand internet access and to promote a single digital market in West Africa. Its first operation is supporting The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Mauritania.
Back-office automation has crossed a threshold. For decades, the finance team reconciled ledgers by hand, HR printed and filed onboarding paperwork, and accounts payable chased invoice approvals through email chains. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) took the first swing at this problem  scripted bots that clicked through screens and copied data between systems  but the results were brittle, expensive to maintain, and fundamentally incapable of handling the exceptions that make up 20 percent of back-office volume but 80 percent of processing cost.

The shift happening in 2025 and 2026 is categorically different. AI-native platforms and agentic automation have introduced digital workers that can reason, adapt to variation, handle unstructured documents, and complete multi-step workflows with minimal human intervention. The global workflow automation market reached USD 23.77 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 37.45 billion by 2030. RPA platforms now layer large language models and computer vision on top of execution bots, while entirely new AI-native platforms have emerged to automate specific back-office functions  finance closes, invoice processing, HR compliance, and document understanding  with precision that was impossible even two years ago.

This guide covers the 20 most impactful autonomous process automation tools for back-office work in 20252026, organized into five categories: enterprise orchestration platforms, intelligent document processing, finance and accounting automation, low-code workflow automation, and vertical or department-specific platforms. Each entry is written for operations leaders, finance directors, legal ops professionals, and IT decision-makers evaluating where AI-driven automation can eliminate their highest-cost, lowest-value back-office processes.

Category 1: Enterprise Orchestration & Agentic RPA Platforms

These are the end-to-end automation suites used by large enterprises to orchestrate complex, cross-departmental workflows at scale. They combine RPA bot execution, AI reasoning, process mining, and analytics into unified platforms capable of managing thousands of automations simultaneously across legacy and modern systems. Buyers are typically Chief Automation Officers, VP-level IT and Operations leaders, and enterprise transformation teams at organizations managing tens of thousands of back-office transactions per day.

1. UiPath (Agentic Automation)

UiPath is the most widely recognized enterprise automation platform in the world and has maintained its position as the category leader heading into 2026. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in New York, it has grown into a comprehensive suite covering process discovery, bot development, orchestration, and analytics in a single platform. Its defining 2026 feature is Autopilot X, an AI layer that allows bots to repair broken selectors automatically when UI changes occur and proactively suggest new automations overnight, dramatically reducing the maintenance burden that has historically plagued large-scale RPA deployments. UiPath has also emerged as a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for Intelligent Document Processing, reflecting its expansion beyond task automation into cognitive document workflows.

Features: UiPath delivers attended and unattended bot execution, AI-powered Document Understanding for invoice and contract extraction, process mining to identify automation candidates, a no-code Studio interface alongside developer-grade extensibility, and its Agentic Autopilot that handles exceptions without human escalation. The platform integrates with SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and ServiceNow and includes Orchestrator for centralized bot scheduling, governance, and audit trail management. In 2024, UiPath became one of the first automation vendors to integrate natively with Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, enabling back-office automations to trigger directly from within Teams and Outlook.

Best for: Large enterprises with complex, cross-departmental back-office automation requirements spanning finance, HR, IT, and supply chain, particularly those managing high-volume transactional processes like accounts payable, order processing, claims handling, and employee onboarding. Organizations already operating SAP or Microsoft environments will find the deepest integration value, and teams needing both governed RPA execution today and a clear upgrade path to fully autonomous agentic workflows will benefit most from UiPaths continuous platform evolution.

2. Automation Anywhere

Automation Anywhere is the cloud-native challenger to UiPaths enterprise dominance, and it has emerged as the preferred choice for organizations prioritizing cloud-first deployment, rapid global scaling, and AI-enhanced decision automation. The platform earned AWS Generative AI Competency in 2025 and was rated Exemplary in the 2026 ISG Buyers Guide for Automation and Orchestration Platforms  independent validations of its position as a serious enterprise contender. Its Automation 360 platform is built with a bot-as-a-service architecture that eliminates the infrastructure management overhead common in legacy on-premises RPA deployments, enabling multinational organizations to deploy and govern automations across regions from a centralized cloud control plane.

Features: Automation Anywhere delivers AARI (Automation Anywhere Robotic Interface) agents capable of learning from human behavior over time, IQ Bot for intelligent document processing that handles unstructured forms and invoices with AI-driven extraction, generative AI models for automating decision-based workflows, Bot Insights for ROI tracking and usage analytics, and its Automation 360 cloud for global bot scheduling and orchestration. Enterprise-grade integration connects the platform to SAP, Oracle, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, while legacy system connectivity handles mainframe and custom application environments with equal reliability.

Best for: Enterprise organizations prioritizing cloud deployment, rapid scalability, and distributed automation governance across global operations. Particularly well-suited for regulated industries in financial services, healthcare, and supply chain that need compliant, AI-enhanced bot execution and cognitive document processing at scale. Organizations with existing AWS infrastructure will benefit from native integration advantages, and teams running large, geographically distributed operations will find Automation 360s centralized Control Room indispensable for monitoring and governing hundreds of concurrent automated processes.

3. SS&C Blue Prism

SS&C Blue Prism, now part of SS&C Technologies, is the automation platform built for the enterprises that cannot afford to fail: regulated financial institutions, healthcare systems, and government agencies where security, auditability, and governance are non-negotiable requirements. Acquired by SS&C in 2023, Blue Prism brings decades of enterprise automation heritage to a platform that has evolved from its RPA origins into a full intelligent automation suite capable of combining AI agents with traditional bot execution. Its reputation for operational discipline and compliance focus has made it the dominant choice in environments where a bot behaving unpredictably has consequences measured in regulatory penalties rather than minor data errors.

Features: Blue Prism delivers enterprise-grade digital workers with cognitive reasoning capabilities for handling complex, regulated decision-making, a native AI layer for unstructured document processing and exception handling, centralized governance with fine-grained access controls, comprehensive audit trails satisfying financial and healthcare compliance standards, and integration with core banking, insurance policy management, and ERP systems. The platform supports both attended and unattended automation and includes process assessment tooling to prioritize automation candidates by value and complexity across the organization.

Best for: Financial services institutions, healthcare organizations, insurance carriers, and government agencies where security, regulatory compliance, and governance are the primary selection criteria. Blue Prism excels in stable, well-defined, high-stakes back-office processes such as regulatory reporting, claims adjudication, trade settlement, and patient record processing, where the automation platform must itself meet the same audit and control standards as the processes it automates. Organizations with established relationships in the SS&C financial services ecosystem will find additional integration advantages.

4. Microsoft Power Automate + Copilot Studio

Microsoft Power Automate is the automation platform that wins by default in the worlds most common enterprise technology environment  the Microsoft 365 stack. Embedded across Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, and Azure, Power Automate turns the productivity tools employees already use every day into automation triggers, enabling back-office process automation without requiring teams to adopt a separate platform. The 20252026 evolution of the product has been defined by Copilot Studio, which enables organizations to build autonomous AI agents that live inside Teams and Outlook, managing document approval flows, data entry into Dynamics, and cross-departmental notification chains entirely without human initiation.

Features: Power Automate delivers pre-built connectors to 1,000+ applications, attended desktop automation via Power Automate Desktop, cloud flow automation for system-to-system triggers and actions, AI Builder for document processing and prediction within workflows, and Copilot Studio for building conversational and autonomous agents embedded in Microsoft 365. The platform supports both no-code automation for business users and developer-grade extensibility via Power Platform APIs, and it integrates natively with the entire Microsoft ecosystem including Azure AI, Microsoft Fabric, and the Dataverse data layer.

Best for: Organizations already operating the Microsoft 365 or Dynamics 365 ecosystem that want to extend automation into back-office workflows without introducing a separate automation platform. Particularly effective for document approval workflows, HR onboarding automation within Teams, accounts payable processes connected to Dynamics Finance, and compliance reporting automation connected to SharePoint and Azure. The natural first choice for organizations with existing Microsoft enterprise agreements who want to maximize the value of their existing technology investment before committing to a standalone RPA deployment.

5. Workato

Workato occupies a distinct position in the back-office automation landscape as the leading enterprise integration and orchestration platform  the connective tissue between the specialized tools that different departments use and the processes that span them. Rather than replacing application-specific tools, Workato enables complex, multi-system back-office workflows that begin in one platform, apply conditional logic, and trigger autonomous actions in another. Its role-based AI agents, prebuilt automation library of Genies, and 1,200+ app integrations have positioned it as the platform of choice for enterprise Automation Centers of Excellence building cross-departmental orchestration layers over existing technology investments.

Features: Workato delivers 1,200+ native integrations with enterprise applications, MCP (Model Context Protocol) functionality enabling AI agents to operate across tools, an Agent Library of prebuilt role-based automation agents, AIRO  its AI copilot for building automation recipes using natural language  SOC 2 Type II compliance and comprehensive role-based access controls, centralized governance dashboards with guaranteed SLAs, and advanced data mapping capabilities for complex enterprise system integrations. It is designed explicitly for enterprise IT, HR, finance, and operations teams, with a pricing model that reflects its enterprise positioning.

Best for: Enterprise organizations running complex, cross-departmental back-office operations that span multiple SaaS applications and require intelligent orchestration rather than simple trigger-action automation. Workato delivers maximum value for finance and HR operations teams managing approval workflows across multiple systems, IT teams orchestrating employee lifecycle automation across identity management, HRIS, and provisioning tools, and enterprise RevOps and procurement teams needing multi-system workflow automation with the governance and auditability that regulated environments require.

Category 2: Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)

Back-office operations run on documents  invoices, purchase orders, contracts, insurance claims, onboarding forms, regulatory filings. These platforms use AI, machine learning, and large language models to extract, classify, validate, and route data from unstructured documents into downstream systems, eliminating the manual data entry that consumes vast quantities of back-office labor. Gartner published its first-ever Magic Quadrant for IDP in 2024, signaling the markets maturation. Buyers are finance operations leaders, shared services directors, and IT teams in document-intensive industries.

6. ABBYY Vantage

ABBYY is one of the most established names in document intelligence, with over 30 years of OCR expertise that has evolved into a fully modern AI-powered intelligent document processing platform. ABBYY Vantage, its current flagship product, was named a Leader in Gartners inaugural Magic Quadrant for Intelligent Document Processing Solutions  a validation that reflects both the platforms technical depth and its track record of production deployments in the regulated industries where document accuracy is a legal rather than an operational issue. The platform handles structured, semi-structured, and unstructured documents with equal capability, processing everything from standardized invoice templates to freeform legal correspondence in any format, language, or layout.

Features: ABBYY Vantage delivers advanced NLP and named entity recognition for contextual document understanding beyond simple field extraction, AI-powered OCR achieving accuracy exceeding 99% across 200+ languages, domain-specific processing models for finance, insurance, legal, and logistics document types, human-in-the-loop verification workflows that route low-confidence extractions for human review, seamless integration with UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, and major RPA platforms, and out-of-the-box connectors for SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft, and ServiceNow environments.

Best for: Organizations in regulated industries  financial services, healthcare, insurance, and legal  that process large volumes of critical documents where extraction accuracy and compliance auditability are non-negotiable requirements. Particularly well-suited for accounts payable teams processing multi-vendor invoice formats, insurance operations handling claims documentation, mortgage servicers processing loan files, and legal operations teams extracting data from contracts and regulatory filings. ABBYYs depth of language support and its handling of handwritten, low-quality, and multilingual documents makes it the strongest choice for global organizations processing documents outside standard Western European formats.

7. Hyperscience

Hyperscience is an AI-driven intelligent document processing platform built specifically for the high-volume, high-complexity back-office workflows common in large enterprises and government agencies. Named a Leader in Gartners inaugural Magic Quadrant for IDP, Hyperscience distinguishes itself through a proprietary machine learning approach that achieves exceptional accuracy on the most challenging document types  including handwritten forms, low-quality scans, and documents that combine structured tables with free-form text. Its Hypercell platform goes beyond data extraction to deliver end-to-end workflow orchestration: classifying documents, extracting and validating data, routing exceptions to human reviewers, enriching records from external sources, and pushing verified data into downstream ERP and CRM systems.

Features: Hyperscience delivers AI-based document classification and data extraction with confidence scoring for every extracted field, exceptional handwriting recognition accuracy competitive with human transcription, human-in-the-loop verification workflows with side-by-side document and extraction views for efficient exception handling, workflow orchestration that validates, enriches, and routes data based on business rules, multi-language support spanning English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Arabic, and Dutch, and enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications suitable for government and financial services deployments.

Best for: Large enterprises and government agencies in financial services, insurance, transportation, and logistics that process high volumes of complex, variable-format documents where form types are relatively stable but document quality varies significantly. Hyperscience is the strongest choice for organizations processing health insurance claims with handwritten annotations, government benefit applications combining printed and handwritten fields, mortgage and loan applications with multi-page supporting documentation, and any high-stakes document workflow where extraction errors have direct financial, regulatory, or legal consequences.

8. Rossum

Rossum is a cloud-native intelligent document processing platform built around a fundamentally different philosophy than template-based IDP tools: its cognitive AI reads documents the way a human reads them  understanding context rather than matching predefined fields. This approach makes Rossum exceptionally effective for organizations dealing with high format variability, where the same document type arrives from dozens or hundreds of different counterparties with different layouts, headers, and data placement. Serving over 450 enterprises globally, Rossum has evolved into a full transactional document automation platform, extending beyond data extraction to orchestrate complete supply chain and accounts payable document workflows from receipt through posting.

Features: Rossum delivers cognitive AI extraction that adapts to new document formats without template configuration, a Transactional LLM (T-LLM) capability that handles complex multi-document workflows involving purchase orders, delivery confirmations, and invoices as a connected data chain, a natural language interface for creating and modifying extraction and routing workflows without coding, integration with major ERP and procurement systems including SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics, human-in-the-loop review workflows with an intuitive verification interface, and support for processing over 200 languages with automatic language detection across mixed-language document batches.

Best for: Finance and supply chain operations teams processing high volumes of incoming invoices and transactional documents from large, diverse vendor bases where format standardization is not achievable. Rossum delivers particular value for organizations processing 10,000 or more documents monthly who need to eliminate the overhead of template management and maintenance. Especially strong in manufacturing, retail, and logistics where supplier diversity creates constant document format variation, and for teams managing end-to-end procure-to-pay or order-to-cash document automation across interconnected document types.

9. Tungsten Automation (formerly Kofax)

Tungsten Automation, rebranded from Kofax in 2023, is one of the most established and comprehensive intelligent document processing platforms in the enterprise market, backed by decades of document capture and workflow automation heritage. Its flagship platform TotalAgility combines IDP, AI-powered document capture, workflow automation, RPA, and case management into a single integrated environment, making it one of the few platforms capable of handling the full document lifecycle  from initial capture through validation, human review, system posting, and long-term archiving  without requiring multiple separate tools or complex integrations. Named a Leader in Gartners inaugural Magic Quadrant for IDP, Tungsten is particularly strong in content-intensive industries like finance, insurance, and government.

Features: TotalAgility delivers AI-powered OCR and document classification across structured, semi-structured, and unstructured content, advanced knowledge discovery enabling semantic search and question-answering over large document repositories, workflow automation with case management for complex exception handling, RPA capabilities for system integration and data posting, screen scraping and desktop automation for legacy system connectivity, Citrix and mainframe support critical for government and financial services environments, and intelligent document processing with business rules engines for compliance-grade validation and routing decisions.

Best for: Large organizations in finance, insurance, government, and healthcare with content-intensive back-office operations where document processing, workflow automation, and long-term document management need to operate as a unified capability rather than a collection of point solutions. Tungstens Citrix and mainframe compatibility makes it a particularly strong choice for organizations running legacy core systems where modern API-based integration is not available, and its case management capabilities suit complex, multi-step back-office processes where document processing is embedded within broader operational workflows requiring human decision points.

Category 3: Finance & Accounting Automation

Finance has seen the most aggressive adoption of autonomous AI in back-office operations. Month-end closes that once took 30 days are being compressed to hours. Invoice processing that required teams of AP clerks is now handled by AI agents that extract, validate, and post without human intervention. These platforms target the highest-cost, highest-volume back-office functions: bookkeeping, accounts payable, payroll compliance, and financial reporting  automating them with AI-native architectures designed from the ground up for financial data, not adapted from general-purpose automation tools.

10. Every (every.io)

Every is the most comprehensive AI-native back-office platform for startups and small businesses, and its March 2026 product launch marked a significant milestone for the category. On March 13, 2026, the company unveiled its next-generation AI agents  the AI CFO, AI Bookkeeper, and AI CHRO  creating the first single-platform solution where banking, payroll, benefits, HR compliance, accounting, and taxes all live in one system and are managed by AI agents with full context across all functions simultaneously. This contextual advantage addresses the central weakness of point-solution AI tools: an AI bookkeeper that cannot see your payroll data, or an AI CFO that cannot access your HR decisions, produces fragmented intelligence rather than genuine operational autonomy.

Features: Every delivers the AI Bookkeeper with transaction categorization and month-end reconciliation agents that learn your business patterns over time, the AI CFO providing real-time financial intelligence with full context across cash flow, burn rate, and financial position, the AI CHRO monitoring every people decision in real time against thousands of current regulations and flagging compliance risks before they become liabilities, integrated banking and payroll on a single native platform eliminating data fragmentation, and expert human oversight available for escalations without requiring the business to manage a separate advisory relationship.

Best for: Startups and small businesses with founders stretched across multiple operational functions who need the operational support of a full finance and HR back-office without the cost of hiring dedicated staff. Every is particularly valuable for companies in the 10 to 200 employee range that have outgrown DIY bookkeeping and spreadsheet-based HR tracking but cannot yet justify the cost of a full-time CFO or HR Director. It is the strongest choice when the goal is eliminating the back-office coordination burden from founding teams, not simply automating a single process within an already-staffed finance department.

11. Rillet

Rillet is an AI-native accounting platform built for the specific challenge that has defined finance back-office work for decades: the month-end close. Traditional accounting systems require finance teams to spend 20 to 30 days each month reconciling ledgers, chasing approvals, and consolidating data across disconnected systems  a process that consumes enormous labor for a result that is already outdated by the time it is delivered. Rillets design goal is to compress this cycle to a single day by embedding AI at every stage of the close process. Its AI assistant, Aura, allows finance teams to query financial data in plain English  asking questions like Why is our burn rate up this quarter? and receiving structured, sourced answers rather than manual report exports.

Features: Rillet delivers AI-powered month-end close automation that reconciles transactions, identifies discrepancies, and prepares journal entries autonomously, the Aura AI assistant for natural language financial interrogation providing plain-English answers with transaction-level sourcing, automated revenue recognition handling ASC 606 compliance calculations, real-time financial reporting that eliminates the reporting lag inherent in batch-close accounting, integration with payment processors, banking platforms, and CRM systems for automated transaction import, and audit trail generation that satisfies both internal governance and external auditor requirements.

Best for: Finance teams at high-growth SaaS companies, technology startups, and mid-market businesses where the month-end close cycle is a recognized operational bottleneck and where revenue recognition complexity (subscriptions, usage-based billing, multi-element arrangements) has made the close process increasingly difficult to manage manually. Rillet is particularly well-suited for companies that have outgrown their initial accounting tool but are not yet ready for the cost and complexity of a full enterprise ERP deployment, and for finance leaders who want direct, interrogable access to financial data without waiting for analyst-prepared reports.

12. Tipalti

Tipalti is the leading autonomous accounts payable and global payments platform for mid-market and scaling companies, automating the entire supplier payment lifecycle from invoice receipt through payment execution and tax compliance reporting. Where traditional AP automation tools focus on digitizing existing manual processes, Tipalti was designed from the ground up to eliminate the AP function as a manual process altogether  handling supplier onboarding, invoice processing, multi-currency global payments, tax form collection (W-9, W-8), and financial reconciliation as a fully automated workflow. The platform processes billions of dollars in payments annually for high-growth companies including Twitch, Twitter, and Roblox, making it a proven solution at the scale where AP complexity becomes a genuine operational constraint.

Features: Tipalti delivers end-to-end AP automation from electronic invoice capture through payment scheduling and execution, a global multi-entity payment engine supporting 196 countries, 120+ currencies, and 50+ payment methods, automated tax compliance including W-9 and W-8 collection, TIN validation, and 1099/1042-S preparation, a supplier self-service portal where vendors manage their own payment details and compliance documents, PO matching and three-way matching for invoice validation, ERP integration with NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, and Microsoft Dynamics, and early payment discount capture automation that maximizes working capital efficiency.

Best for: Mid-market and high-growth companies with large, geographically distributed supplier bases that need to automate global AP operations without building a large AP team to match. Particularly strong for marketplace businesses, creator economy platforms, and digital media companies making high-volume, multi-currency payments to independent contractors and global suppliers, and for finance teams where the manual complexity of tax compliance across international payees has become a significant overhead. Tipalti delivers maximum value when the goal is eliminating the entire AP clerk function rather than simply accelerating individual invoice approvals.

Category 4: Low-Code / No-Code Workflow Automation

Not every back-office automation requires a six-figure RPA deployment or a dedicated automation engineering team. For operations teams, marketing and finance departments, and SMBs without deep technical resources, low-code and no-code workflow automation platforms provide accessible, fast, and cost-effective automation for the integration and workflow tasks that consume daily productivity. These platforms connect the SaaS applications that business teams already use and build conditional logic between them  eliminating the manual data movement and notification chasing that fills hours of every back-office workday.

13. Zapier

Zapier is the worlds most widely adopted workflow automation platform, connecting over 8,000 applications through a no-code interface that allows any non-technical user to build automated workflows  called Zaps  in minutes rather than days. For back-office teams, Zapier solves the most pervasive and underappreciated productivity drain in modern business: the manual data movement between the 10 to 20 SaaS applications that every department uses, none of which natively communicate with each other. Lead data that needs to move from a web form into a CRM, invoice notifications that need to trigger Slack messages, new hire data that needs to propagate across HR, payroll, and IT provisioning tools  these are exactly the workflows Zapier was built to automate, and it remains the fastest path from problem to running automation for this class of task.

Features: Zapier delivers pre-built, no-code connectors for 8,000+ applications spanning CRM, finance, HR, marketing, e-commerce, and productivity tools, multi-step Zaps with conditional logic (filters, paths, and formatters) for building branching automation workflows, AI-powered Zap creation that builds workflows from natural language descriptions, Tables for structured data storage within automation workflows, Interfaces for building lightweight internal tools connected to automations, a free tier for small teams and affordable paid plans scaling with automation volume, and Zapier for Teams with role-based access for collaborative automation management.

Best for: Small to mid-market businesses, department-level operations teams, and any individual contributor who needs to connect SaaS applications and eliminate manual data entry without engaging IT or a dedicated automation engineer. Zapier is the optimal first automation tool for companies moving from manual processes to automated workflows for the first time, and it remains the fastest path to a running automation for straightforward, trigger-action workflows. It is less suitable for high-volume, mission-critical back-office processes where reliability SLAs, complex exception handling, and enterprise governance controls are required.

14. Make (formerly Integromat)

Make, formerly known as Integromat, is the workflow automation platform that bridges the gap between the simplicity of Zapier and the engineering complexity of enterprise iPaaS tools. Its visual, canvas-based interface allows operations teams to build sophisticated, multi-branch automation workflows with far greater logic complexity than Zapier supports  handling scenarios, iterators, aggregators, routers, and error handlers within a single visual workflow design that remains accessible to non-developers. For back-office teams managing document processing, CRM synchronization, finance data flows, and cross-departmental notification workflows, Make provides the depth needed to handle real business process complexity without requiring a developer to maintain it.

Features: Make delivers a visual drag-and-drop canvas for designing complex multi-step automation scenarios, 2,000+ pre-built app integrations with detailed control over API parameters, scenario scheduling with minute-level granularity and real-time event triggers, built-in data transformation functions for format conversion and string manipulation without coding, HTTP/Webhook modules for integrating with any API-accessible system, error handling and rollback capabilities for production reliability, AI-assisted scenario building and an extensive template library, and affordable credit-based pricing that scales with automation volume without per-user charges that inflate costs for large teams.

Best for: Operations teams, marketing ops professionals, and mid-market businesses needing more powerful automation logic than Zapier provides but without the engineering resources to implement and maintain an enterprise iPaaS platform. Make is particularly strong for back-office workflows involving conditional data routing, multi-step document processing flows, CRM-to-ERP synchronization, and analytics pipeline automation where variable branching logic is required. It is the preferred choice for technically-inclined operations and analytics teams who want full control over API parameters and data transformation without writing custom code.

15. n8n

n8n is the open-source workflow automation platform that gives engineering-led teams complete control over how and where their automations run. Unlike cloud-only platforms where data must flow through third-party servers, n8n can be fully self-hosted on an organizations own infrastructure  a critical capability for companies with data residency requirements, strict security policies, or back-office workflows that process sensitive financial, legal, or personal data that cannot leave the corporate network. Its combination of 400+ built-in nodes, full JavaScript and Python code support within workflows, and source-available architecture for security auditing has made it the platform of choice for technical teams that need both automation flexibility and genuine data sovereignty.

Features: n8n delivers 400+ pre-built integration nodes alongside unlimited custom code steps in JavaScript and Python, a free self-hosting option with optional paid cloud plans, SOC 2 compliance with source-available code that security teams can audit independently, enterprise-grade role-based access controls and secret management via AWS, GCP, Azure, and HashiCorp Vault, sub-workflow orchestration for building modular, reusable automation components, AI agent nodes for integrating LLM-based reasoning into back-office automation workflows, and execution-based pricing on cloud plans rather than per-user charges  enabling large teams to adopt the platform without cost penalty.

Best for: Engineering-led organizations, data-sensitive industries, and companies with self-hosting requirements or data residency mandates that need a fully customizable workflow automation platform without the cost ceiling of enterprise iPaaS tools. n8n delivers the greatest value for back-office automation workflows that require custom API integrations, complex data transformation logic, or AI-augmented decision steps that existing no-code platforms cannot accommodate. Particularly strong for finance, legal, and healthcare teams where workflow customization, security auditability, and data control are as important as the automation capability itself.

Category 5: Vertical & Department-Specific Automation Platforms

Not all back-office automation is horizontal. Some of the most impactful automation happens inside specific platforms built for specific functions  IT service management, enterprise process orchestration, insurance claims, or ERP-native automation where the work lives entirely within a single system. These platforms deliver deep functional automation for specific back-office domains, often outperforming general-purpose automation tools in their areas of focus because the workflows, data models, and compliance requirements are baked into the product rather than configured case by case.

16. ServiceNow

ServiceNow is the enterprise platform for IT, HR, and operations service management, and its workflow automation capabilities have made it one of the most powerful back-office automation platforms for organizations already running the Now Platform. What separates ServiceNow from general-purpose automation tools is its role as both the system of record and the automation engine for service operations  automating back-office processes while maintaining complete visibility into who owns each task, what state it is in, and how it connects to the broader service catalog. Its AI capabilities, delivered through Now Assist, embed generative AI into service agent workflows, enabling autonomous resolution of routine IT and HR back-office requests without human agent involvement.

Features: ServiceNow delivers Flow Designer for no-code digital workflow automation without coding, Now Assist for AI-powered autonomous task resolution and agent augmentation, Integration Hub with hundreds of pre-built spokes connecting to ERP, CRM, and ITSM tools, AI-driven case classification and routing that directs incoming requests to the correct team or automated resolution path, process automation designer for building low-code back-office workflow orchestrations, a configurable service catalog for self-service request intake, and an AI-powered virtual agent for deflecting routine employee inquiries across IT, HR, and finance service desks without human intervention.

Best for: Large enterprises using ServiceNow as their ITSM, HRSD, or enterprise service management platform who want to extend automation into back-office service workflows without introducing a separate automation tool. ServiceNow delivers the deepest value for organizations automating employee lifecycle events such as onboarding, offboarding, role changes, and equipment provisioning, IT back-office processes like access request management, software license governance, and incident routing, and shared services organizations managing cross-departmental service request automation at scale where process ownership, SLA measurement, and escalation management are as important as task execution.

17. Appian

Appian is a low-code platform for process automation that combines business process management, AI, case management, and RPA capabilities in a single development environment, making it one of the most comprehensive platforms for building complex, custom back-office automation applications without traditional software development timelines. Founded in 1999 and publicly traded, Appian has a particularly strong footprint in regulated industries  financial services, insurance, healthcare, and government  where back-office automation must satisfy strict compliance, auditability, and approval workflow requirements that general-purpose RPA tools do not natively support. Its low-code approach enables business and IT teams to collaborate directly on automation design, reducing the translation overhead that slows large automation programs.

Features: Appian delivers low-code BPM with visual process design supporting BPMN 2.0 standard compliance for process modeling and documentation, AI-powered document processing through its native IDP capabilities, an integrated RPA layer for automating legacy system interactions without API access, case management for complex back-office processes requiring multi-step human and automated decision points, governance and audit trail features satisfying FINRA, HIPAA, and FedRAMP compliance requirements, a pre-built connector library for Salesforce, SAP, Microsoft, and Workday integrations, and a records layer that creates a unified data model for back-office process data across connected systems.

Best for: Organizations in regulated industries that need to build custom, complex back-office automation applications combining document processing, human decision points, case management, and system integration in a single governed platform. Appian is particularly strong for insurance claims processing automation, financial services regulatory reporting workflows, government benefits administration, and healthcare prior authorization processes where the back-office workflow involves conditional logic, human review checkpoints, compliance documentation requirements, and integration with multiple legacy and modern systems simultaneously.

18. SAP Build Process Automation

SAP Build Process Automation is the automation platform for the worlds largest enterprise ERP ecosystem. For organizations running SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, or the broader SAP Business Suite, SAPs native automation tooling delivers a critical advantage that no third-party RPA platform can fully replicate: it automates processes close to core transactional data, without the integration overhead and latency that external automation tools introduce when connecting to SAP systems. As part of SAPs Business Technology Platform, it integrates AI copilot capabilities through Joule, enabling natural language process triggering, automated document extraction within SAP workflows, and compliance checks against procurement and finance policies embedded directly in SAP.

Features: SAP Build Process Automation delivers a no-code workflow builder for automating approval chains, document routing, and exception handling within SAP environments, native integration with SAP S/4HANA and SAP ERP eliminating the integration complexity of external automation tools, Joule AI copilot for natural language process triggering and document summarization within SAP, robotic process automation bots for automating SAP GUI interactions and legacy transaction execution, pre-built automation content for common SAP processes including accounts payable, procurement, and HR workflows, and process visibility dashboards providing real-time monitoring of back-office automation performance across the SAP landscape.

Best for: Large enterprises operating SAP S/4HANA or SAP ERP as their system of record for finance, procurement, or HR operations that want to automate back-office processes within their existing SAP environment without introducing a parallel automation stack. SAP Build Process Automation delivers maximum value when procurement, sourcing, contract execution, and finance workflows need to operate as a single data-connected workflow inside SAP, making it the natural first choice for global manufacturing, automotive, energy, and retail organizations managing complex, high-volume SAP-native back-office operations at scale.

19. IBM watsonx Orchestrate

IBM watsonx Orchestrate is IBMs AI-powered automation platform that enables business users to automate complex, repetitive back-office tasks by instructing AI agents in plain language rather than building workflows in technical interfaces. Part of IBMs broader watsonx AI platform, Orchestrate represents IBMs strategic bet on the skills-based automation model: rather than requiring organizations to build custom automations from scratch, it provides a library of pre-built skills  reusable automation actions for specific tasks across HR, finance, procurement, and customer operations  that can be assembled into end-to-end workflows through natural language instructions or a simple drag-and-drop canvas, making back-office automation accessible to the non-technical business users who understand the processes best.

Features: IBM watsonx Orchestrate delivers a natural language interface for instructing AI agents to complete back-office tasks across connected applications, a pre-built skills library covering HR, finance, procurement, sales, and IT back-office automation use cases, multi-agent orchestration enabling specialized AI agents to collaborate on complex workflows that span multiple systems, integration with SAP, Salesforce, Workday, ServiceNow, and Microsoft 365, generative AI capabilities for drafting, summarizing, and extracting information from unstructured back-office documents, and enterprise-grade security and governance meeting the compliance requirements of regulated industries.

Best for: Large enterprises in regulated industries  particularly financial services, insurance, and telecommunications  that want to deploy back-office AI automation without requiring business teams to learn RPA tooling or workflow design interfaces. IBM watsonx Orchestrate is particularly strong for organizations with existing IBM infrastructure investments, those running hybrid cloud environments where enterprise-grade data governance is a non-negotiable requirement, and operations teams that need to automate complex, multi-system HR and finance back-office workflows through natural language instructions rather than technical configuration.

20. Pegasystems (Pega Platform)

Pega Platform is one of the most mature and comprehensive enterprise automation platforms in the market, combining AI-powered decision management, business process management, case management, and RPA in a single unified environment that has been used by large enterprises and government agencies for over four decades. Pegas distinctive philosophy  Build for Change  reflects its core architectural principle: automation applications built on Pega are designed to evolve rapidly as business processes change, without the brittle rework cycles that plague conventional RPA deployments when underlying systems or business rules are updated. Its AI-driven Next Best Action decisioning is used by financial services and insurance enterprises to embed intelligent, real-time decision automation directly into back-office case management workflows.

Features: Pega Platform delivers low-code application development for building enterprise back-office automation applications, AI-powered case management that classifies incoming work, routes it to the appropriate automated or human handler, and adapts routing logic based on outcomes over time, predictive and adaptive AI for real-time decision automation within complex back-office workflows, integrated RPA for legacy system interaction, an enterprise-grade process orchestration engine handling millions of concurrent cases, pre-built industry-specific applications for financial services, insurance, healthcare, and government back-office functions, and a unified architecture that prevents the siloed automation deployments that create technical debt in large organizations.

Best for: Large enterprises and government agencies that need to build complex, custom back-office automation applications combining AI decision management, case management, workflow orchestration, and RPA in a single platform designed for enterprise scale and longevity. Pega is particularly strong for financial services organizations automating loan origination, claims handling, and compliance case management, government agencies managing citizen services and benefit administration workflows, and large enterprises with complex, high-volume back-office processes where the automation investment needs to evolve over years rather than be rebuilt as business conditions change.

Comparison Table: 20 Autonomous Back-Office Automation Tools

Tool Primary Use Case Best Fit Deployment Enterprise Orchestration & Agentic RPA UiPath End-to-end RPA + agentic AI across all back-office depts Large enterprise, cross-dept Cloud / On-Prem Automation Anywhere Cloud-native RPA with AI doc processing & decision bots Global enterprise, cloud-first Cloud SS&C Blue Prism Governed digital workers for regulated back-office processes Banking, insurance, govt Cloud / On-Prem Power Automate + Copilot Studio M365-native workflow & agentic automation M365/Dynamics environments Cloud (M365) Workato Cross-departmental enterprise integration & orchestration Enterprise IT, HR, finance Cloud Intelligent Document Processing ABBYY Vantage AI document extraction, classification & workflow routing Finance, insurance, legal Cloud / On-Prem Hyperscience High-accuracy IDP for complex, variable-format docs Financial services, govt Cloud Rossum Cognitive AI for invoice & supply chain doc automation Manufacturing, retail, logistics Cloud Tungsten Automation IDP + workflow automation + case management unified Finance, insurance, govt Cloud / On-Prem Finance & Accounting Automation Every (every.io) AI CFO, Bookkeeper, CHRO agents on one native platform Startups, SMBs (10200 staff) Cloud Rillet AI-powered month-end close compressed to 1 day High-growth SaaS, tech Cloud Tipalti Autonomous global AP & multi-currency payments Mid-market, marketplaces Cloud Low-Code / No-Code Workflow Automation Zapier No-code app integration & trigger-action workflows SMBs, ops teams, non-technical Cloud Make Visual multi-step workflow automation with advanced logic Mid-market ops teams Cloud n8n Self-hosted, open-source workflow automation with full code access Engineering-led, data-sensitive Self-hosted / Cloud Vertical & Department-Specific Platforms ServiceNow IT & HR service back-office automation on Now Platform Enterprise ITSM/HRSD users Cloud Appian Low-code BPM + IDP + RPA for compliance-heavy back-office Insurance, finance, govt Cloud / On-Prem SAP Build Process Automation Native automation inside SAP ERP/S4HANA environments SAP-stack enterprises Cloud (BTP) IBM watsonx Orchestrate AI agent-based back-office automation via natural language Enterprise, regulated industries Cloud / Hybrid Pega Platform AI decision + case management + RPA for complex processes Financial services, govt Cloud / On-Prem

Pricing tiers are indicative. Enterprise = custom quote. Contact vendors for current pricing.

How to Select the Best Tool for Your Organization

Selecting the right back-office automation platform is not primarily a technology decision  it is an organizational and process decision that the right technology must support. The tools in this guide vary enormously in scope, complexity, target buyer, and philosophical approach to automation. The following framework is designed to help business and IT leaders navigate that decision systematically.

1. Start with the back-office function, not the platform.

Different back-office functions have fundamentally different automation requirements. Finance and AP automation needs accuracy, compliance auditability, and ERP integration. Document processing needs cognitive AI that handles format variability. IT and HR service automation needs case management, SLA tracking, and human escalation paths. Identify the one or two back-office functions with the highest cost, the most error risk, or the greatest bottleneck impact before evaluating platforms, and use that functional priority to determine which category of tool to evaluate first.

2. Evaluate your existing technology stack.

The single most predictive factor in automation success is not the platform you choose  it is how naturally the platform fits your existing technology ecosystem. Organizations running SAP should evaluate SAP Build Process Automation before investing in a parallel RPA deployment. Microsoft 365 shops should explore Power Automates depth before licensing a separate automation suite. ServiceNow customers should exhaust the Flow Designer and Now Assist capabilities before adding another orchestration layer. Automation platforms that live close to your systems of record operate faster, require fewer integration points, and are maintained more easily by existing IT teams.

3. Match platform complexity to organizational capability.

Enterprise RPA platforms like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism deliver enormous capability  but they require dedicated automation engineers, governance structures, and a Center of Excellence to realize that capability. Deploying an enterprise RPA platform without the organizational infrastructure to support it is a common and expensive mistake. For SMBs and department-level automation, Zapier, Make, or n8n will deliver faster time-to-value and better adoption than a platform designed for enterprise-scale governance. Be honest about your teams technical capacity before committing to a platform that requires it.

4. Distinguish between task automation and process automation.

Task automation  executing a single, defined action like moving data from one system to another  is what RPA bots and no-code tools do best. Process automation  managing a multi-step workflow with conditional logic, human decision points, exception handling, and audit trails  requires orchestration platforms, case management systems, or BPM tools. Many automation programs stall because they apply task automation tools to process automation problems and then wonder why the exceptions still require manual intervention. If your back-office challenge involves judgment, escalation, and compliance documentation, evaluate Pega, Appian, or ServiceNow before investing in an RPA deployment.

5. Pilot on a bounded, measurable process first.

The most successful back-office automation programs share one common execution pattern: they begin with a single, well-defined process that has a clear baseline (cycle time, error rate, cost per transaction) and a clear definition of success. Invoice processing, employee onboarding, or accounts payable exception handling are excellent pilots because they are discrete, measurable, and representative of the broader back-office challenge. Prove ROI on the pilot, document the implementation approach, and expand from there. Organizations that attempt to automate fifteen processes simultaneously as their first automation program consistently underperform those that automate one process excellently and scale the model.

6. Plan for governance, not just deployment.

Automation programs that succeed in year one but fail in year two almost always fail for the same reason: the bots break when underlying systems change, and there is no governance structure in place to catch it. Every enterprise-grade automation deployment requires an owner for each automation, a monitoring process that detects failures before users do, a change management protocol that updates automations when connected systems change, and a prioritization framework for deciding which new automation requests to address next. Build this governance infrastructure as part of the initial deployment, not as an afterthought when the first major bot failure occurs.

The back office is not a cost center to be tolerated  it is an operational capability to be engineered. The 20 platforms in this guide represent the state of the art in autonomous process automation as of 2026, spanning the full range from no-code workflow tools accessible to any operations team to enterprise-grade agentic platforms that can manage the complexity of the worlds largest financial institutions. The organizations that will realize the greatest return on this technology are not those that deploy the most sophisticated platform, but those that identify the most impactful back-office processes, choose the platform best matched to their organizational capability and existing technology stack, and build the governance infrastructure to make automation a durable competitive advantage rather than a one-time efficiency project.

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He served in the U.S. military, wore the uniform and followed orders. Years later, he faced a reality many Americans dont realize is possible: being forced to leave the country he once served.

The issue drew new attention after a recent case involving a Florida Marine veteran who left the United States following a prolonged citizenship battle. But that case is not uniqueand it has raised a broader question: Does serving in the U.S. military guarantee citizenship?

The answer, according to immigration attorneys and veterans advocates, is no. And in a number of recent cases, veterans have found themselves navigating a complex legal system where military service alone is not enough to secure their place in the country.

Today, more than 40,000 noncitizens serve in the U.S. military, and an estimated 115,000 noncitizen veterans live in the United States, according to congressional research and defense personnel data cited by military policy analysts. Those figures underscore how many service members could be affected when gaps in the system emerge.

Recruits take the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America during a naturalization ceremony inside the Recruit Memorial Chapel at Recruit Training Command (RTC). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephane Belcher)

Military Service and Citizenship: Not Automatic

For generations, immigrants have served in the U.S. military, often with the understanding that their service could help them become American citizens.

Federal law allows for expedited naturalization for noncitizen service members, particularly during designated periods of conflict. Under federal law, service members who serve during designated periods of conflict may apply for citizenship without meeting standard residency or physical presence requirements, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

But the process is not automatic.

Service members must still:

Submit an application for naturalization

Complete background checks

Meet legal and administrative requirements

If that process is delayed, interrupted or never completed, veterans may remain noncitizens, even after honorable service.

In some cases, service members leave the military without realizing their citizenship status was never finalized.

Paul Canton built a life in Central Florida, got married and raised a family after leaving the Marine Corps in 1998. (Facebook)

Recent Cases Highlight the Issue

Several recent deportation cases involving veterans have brought renewed attention to the issue.

Among them is Jose Barco, an Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served in Iraq. After being wounded in combat, Barco later served prison time for a violent offense. Following his release in 2025, he was deported to Mexico after his citizenship status remained unresolved, according to reporting by multiple national outlets.

Another case involves Sae Joon Park, an Army veteran who lived in the United States for decades before leaving for South Korea in 2025 following a deportation order tied to past drug charges. Park had served during the U.S. invasion of Panama, but his service did not meet the statutory requirements for expedited citizenship, according to prior Military.com reporting.

More recently, Godfrey Wade, a Jamaican-born Army veteran who has lived in the United States for more than 50 years, has been held in immigration detention in Georgia while fighting deportation proceedings, according to local and national news reports.

While the details differ, each case reflects the same underlying reality: military service does not automatically shield noncitizens from immigration enforcement.

How Veterans End Up Facing Deportation

In many cases, veterans who face deportation enlisted as lawful permanent residents but never completed the naturalization process.

That can happen for a variety of reasons:

Lack of awareness about eligibility

Administrative delays or lost paperwork

Leaving service before qualifying under wartime provisions

Legal issues that complicate applications

For some veterans, criminal convictions play a role. Under U.S. immigration law, noncitizens convicted of certain offenses may be subject to removal proceedings after completing their sentences.

Supporters of strict enforcement argue that military service should not exempt individuals from immigration law. Others say deportation in these cases amounts to a second punishment, particularly when offenses may be tied to trauma experienced during military service.

A U.S. Army Soldier with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade becomes a naturalized citizen during his time in Infantry One Station Unit Training April 18, 2024, on Fort Moore, Georgia. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provides an expedited naturalization process to non-citizen military service members. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stephanie Snyder)

A Difficult System to Track

The total number of deported veterans is difficult to determine.

Advocacy groups, including organizations that track deported service members, estimate that thousands of immigrant veterans have been deported over the years, with some estimates suggesting the number could be as high as 10,000, according to reporting by the Associated Press and other outlets.

Federal agencies are required to track interactions with veterans in immigration proceedings, but those figures are not consistently released publicly.

As a result, most cases come to light individually, often after lengthy legal battles.

For readers trying to understand the issue more broadly, it builds on other recent deportation cases involving veterans and raises new questions about how often these situations occur and how they are handled.

Legislative Efforts and Ongoing Debate

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation aimed at addressing gaps in the system.

Some proposals would:

Streamline the naturalization process for service members

Allow deported veterans to complete citizenship applications from abroad

Provide legal pathways for certain veterans to return to the United States

For example, lawmakers, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, have supported legislation aimed at helping deported veterans complete the citizenship process and return to the United States.

Supporters argue that military service should carry greater weight in immigration decisions. Critics say immigration laws must be applied consistently.

So far, most proposed reforms have not advanced.

From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeferson HernandezEscobar, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Company 36, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, Lance Cpl. Cyrus Fayiah, an electrician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Aircraft Group 12, and U.S. Navy Aviation Mechanic Seaman Alwayne Cowie, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, swear in during a naturalization ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 30, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Colin Thibault)

A Question That Continues to Resonate

The issue has gained renewed attention following recent cases, including the Florida Marine veteran whose departure from the United States brought widespread attention to the issue.

For many Americans, the idea that a veteran could serve the country and later face deportation remains surprising.

But immigration law and military service intersect in ways that can create complicated, and sometimes unexpected, outcomes.

For veterans who never completed the naturalization process, the consequences can be significant, affecting where they live, where they receive care and whether they can remain in the country they once served.

For generations, immigrants have joined the U.S. military with the belief that service would help secure their future in America.

For some veterans, that promise remains uncertain.
The school building destroyed in Iran that led to the deaths of more than 165 people, mostly children, is being turned into a museum as a way to commemorate the victims.

Strikes launched Feb. 28 by U.S. and Israeli forces hit Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab in southeastern Iran, accounting for the deadliest single incident so far of this conflict. That was the first official day of the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operation that is now on Day 17. Hundreds have been reported killed from the bombing, including 168 pupils aged between 7 and 12 years old in addition to 26 teachers and four parents.

"This school is a living document of the Americans' willingness to commit crimes and must be registered and documented for preservation in the historical memory of the Iranian people," the Iranian government said in a statement issued on Monday, according to reports.

No other information, including when and where the school would be rebuilt, has been released.

The cause of the bombing and questions of whether the U.S. and/or Israel targeted that specific building have drawn strong reactions worldwide. U.S. officials have said the bombing remains under investigation, providing little details if any as to how the target may have been misconstrued by armed forces.

The Associated Press, CNN and the New York Times have reported that the United States was responsible for the strike, alluding to outdated intelligence originally linking the now destroyed site to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base. That site previously had a school building on its land, potentially leading to the fatal results.

CNN and the New York Times both cited a preliminary investigation finding that the U.S. was responsible. The AP, according to an individual familiar with the matter, reported that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) relied on outdated target coordinates provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency.

The AP also reviewed satellite images taken March 4, finding that the school roughly 680 miles away from Tehran was consistent with a targeted airstrike due to the pattern of damage visible in said photos.

Speculation amplified March 12, when new footage was uncovered showing what experts believed was a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile hitting the building where the school was located.

Other reasons fingers have been pointed at the United States being responsible is the timing, as the strike occurred on a Saturday morningrepresenting the start of an Iranian school week.

The AP also reviewed publicly available satellite images depicting the now destroyed school building as formerly part of a military compound roughly until 2017, when walls separated the school and base. A watchtower was also removed.

Imagery also showed that the walls surrounding the building were painted with murals in vibrant colors, primarily blue and pink, so as to be seen from space, according to the AP.

U.S. CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told the AP, when asked about the imagery and what is known about the sites history, that it would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said the same in media briefings.

Violation of 'Humanitarian Law'

President Donald Trump originally pinned blame on Iran for the bombing before walking back his claims, eventually landing on the same rhetoric of waiting for a full investigation to reveal the truth.

A group of 45 U.S. senators wrote a letter to the administration, specifically Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asking whether the bombing was intentional or a mistake caused by bad intelligence.

They also questioned whether budget cuts that traditionally have focused on minimizing civilian deaths in military operations contributed to the incident.

Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, the letter reads in part.

Such cuts impacted CENTCOM and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which was signed into law in 2022 as part of a Pentagon ambition to reduce death tolls from strikes, according to the AP.

The school strike has also been harshly rebuked by humanitarian groups, including Amnesty International and UNESCO, the United Nations education agency.

Amnesty International conducted its own investigation and released its findings on Monday, saying in a statement that its collected evidence indicates that the school building was directly struck, alongside 12 other structures in an adjacent Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) compound, with guided weapons.

They described the failure by U.S. forces as a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

This harrowing attack on a school, with classrooms full of children, is a sickening illustration of the catastrophic and entirely predictable price civilians are paying during this armed conflict, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty Internationals senior director of research, advocacy, policy and campaigns, said in a statement.

Schools must be places of safety and learning for children. Instead, this school in Minab became a site of mass killing. The U.S. authorities could, and should, have known it was a school building. Targeting a protected civilian object, such as a school, is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, she added.

UNESCO offered similar sentiment, saying in its own statement on X that such attacks are an affront to education and the students and teachers involved.

In accordance with its mandate and with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), UNESCO recalls the obligations of all parties to protect schools, students and education personnel, the statement said in part.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Iran's top security official and the head of the Revolutionary Guard's Basij militia were both killed in overnight strikes in a blow to the countrys leadership, Israel's defense minister said Tuesday, while Tehran defiantly fired new salvos of missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbors and Israel.

Both security official Ali Larijani and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani were eliminated last night," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in an airstrike Feb. 28, the first day of the war launched by the United States and Israel, and other top leaders from the Iranian theocracy have been killed since then.

Iranian state media did not immediately confirm either death. However, it said a message from Larijanis office would be published shortly.

The announcement came after the Israeli military had earlier said it had carried out a wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital and stepped up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel also reported two incoming salvos before dawn from Iran at Tel Aviv and elsewhere, and said Hezbollah targeted Israels north.

Incoming Iranian missiles on the United Arab Emirates prompted Dubai, a major transit hub for international travel, to briefly shut its airspace and a man was killed by the debris of a missile intercepted over Abu Dhabi.

Israel says it has killed two top Iranian officials

Larijani hails from one of Irans most famous political families. A former parliamentary speaker and senior policy adviser, he was appointed to advise the late Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.

He also served as the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, its top security body.

Soleimani, meantime, was the head of the Basij militia forces, which Israel's military called an armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime.

During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimanis command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests and the use of force against civilian demonstrators, Israel's military said in a statement.

The U.S. Treasury lists Soleimani as having been born in 1965. He has been sanctioned by the U.S., the European Union and other nations over his role in helping suppress dissent for years through the Basij.

Killing Soleimani would likely further strain the command and control of the Basij, which would be crucial in putting down any uprising against the theocracy. The Basij and other internal security forces have been a target of attack by both the Americans and the Israelis so far.

Iranian strikes pressure neighbors and oil markets

Iran kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbors, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, a UAE emirate on the countrys east coast with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted. State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike.

The man killed by falling debris from an intercepted missile was the eighth person to die in the UAE since the start of the war, authorities said.

Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, has given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis. Early Tuesday it hit a tanker anchored off the coast of Fujairah, one of about 20 vessels hit since Israel and the United States started the war with an attack on Iran on Feb. 28.

Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said his country had been given no choice but to keep up its pressure on shipping traffic in the strait.

They are flying, launching missiles, should we just sit back and do nothing in response?" he said in an interview on state television.

With Washington under increasing pressure over rising oil prices, Brent crude, the international standard, remained over $100 a barrel, up more than 40% since the war started.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and skeptical that they could do more than the U.S. Navy.

UAE briefly closes airspace as Iran launches new attacks on Gulf neighbors

The UAE shut down its airspace early Tuesday as its military reported it was responding to missile and drone threats from Iran." The closure was soon lifted, and not long after the sounds of explosions could be heard as the military worked to intercept incoming fire.

The snap announcement on its airspace showed the balancing act Emirati authorities face in trying to keep their long-haul carriers, Emirates and Etihad, flying as Iranian attacks continue to target the country.

Saudi Arabias Defense Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones Tuesday morning over the countrys vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.

In Qatar, the sounds of explosions boomed over the capital early in the day as defenses worked to intercept incoming fire. Qatar's Defense Ministry said later that it had successfully thwarted a missile attack on the city, though a fire broke out in an industrial area from a downed projectile.

Attacks from Iran-linked proxy forces continued in Iraq, as the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was hit with shrapnel from drones that had been intercepted.

The embassy's air defenses were able to shoot down all four drones targeting the facility, according to two Iraqi security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

A separate strike targeted a house in the heavily fortified Presidential Compound in Baghdads al-Jadriya area, the officials said. It wasnt clear who carried out either attack but Iran-allied militias have regularly been attacking American targets inside Iraq since the conflict began.

Israel launches new attacks on Tehran and steps up strikes on Beirut

The Israeli military early Tuesday said it had launched new attacks across Tehran in addition to the Lebanese capital targeting Hezbollah militants.

In Iran, it said it hit command centers, missile launch sites and air defense systems. There was no immediate confirmation from Iran, where little information has been coming out due to internet outages, round-the-clock airstrikes and tight restrictions on journalists.

Israel did not immediately release details of its attacks on Lebanon, but the Lebanese army said two of its soldiers were seriously wounded in an airstrike on the village of Kfar Sir.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Israels strikes have also displaced more than 1 million Lebanese  or roughly 20% of the population  according to the Lebanese government, which says some 850 people have been killed.

Some Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon, and there are fears Israel is preparing a large-scale invasion.

The military's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said Monday on a visit to the northern border that Israel's army is determined to deepen the operation until all of our objectives are achieved and that the military's Northern Command is being reinforced with additional soldiers.

Israel reported two Iranian salvos early Tuesday fired toward Tel Aviv and an area south of the Sea of Galilee. More launches from Lebanon were also reported.

In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed.

Closure of Strait of Hormuz pressures oil shipping

The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.

There have been a handful of ships getting through, primarily Iranian but also from other countries including India and Turkey, and Iran has said it technically remains open  just not for the United States, Israel and its allies. Iraq said Tuesday it was in talks with Iran about allowing passage for its ships.

Underscoring the danger of even getting close to the strait, a tanker anchored off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by a projectile early Tuesday morning and sustained minor damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, run by the British military.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; Giovanna Dell'Orto in Miami, Florida; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Satellite images are beginning to be released giving a glimpse into the toll of the Iran war, with ships ablaze in an Iranian port and destroyed buildings at an American base.

Information has so far been scarce about the damage being done across the Middle East, particularly when its inside closed military facilities, since the start of the war on Feb. 28.

The images come from Planet Labs PBC, a San Francisco-based firm used by media outlets, including The Associated Press. Planet Labs has put a two-week delay on its imagery becoming public citing concerns its imagery could be used by adversarial actors.

High-resolution images also have been published by competing firms. Other providers, like the U.S. Geological Survey, have been publishing lower-resolution imagery as well thats been useful.

The U.S. and Israel have been striking a wide variety of targets, including leadership figures, military bases, missile and air defense sites and positions of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its volunteer force, the Basij. Iran has responded with drone and missile fire targeting Israel and nearby Gulf Arab nations.

Heres a look at whats visible in a selection of Planet Labs pictures, as well as others.

Burning ships in Bandar Abbas, Iran

Some of the most dramatic images from Planet Labs so far have been in Bandar Abbas, home to a major Iranian military port next to the crucial Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Images taken on March 2 show ships ablaze at the port. The U.S. militarys Central Command has been targeting Irans naval assets and says it has sank or damaged more than 100 Iranian vessels so far in the war.

Major impact at 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain

The island kingdom of Bahrain, home of the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, has seen heavy Iranian fire targeting both military bases and oil installations. A March 1 image shot by Planet Labs shows a major building at the base destroyed, as well as two radomes  geodesic domes covering radar antennas  likely by Iranian missile and drone fire.

The Navy has not offered a clear breakdown in the damage done so far at the base, but Iran has repeatedly claimed it have attacked it. Online videos have also shown incoming fire targeting the base. During the 12-day war in June, Iran attacked and destroyed a similar radome at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar used for secure communications.

French naval base hit in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, theres damage seen at France's Camp de la Paix naval base. Satellite images from March 3 show damage to two large hangar-like buildings at the facility. The base is near Zayed Port, in Abu Dhabi, and close to its Cultural District that includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi and other major museums both open and still under construction.

Fires seen burning

The U.S. Geological Surveys Landsat satellites also have been key in spotting major fires. Imagery from Landsat taken on Monday showed a fire at Dubai International Airport after an Iranian drone strike set a fuel tanker ablaze at the worlds busiest airport for international travel, causing a plume of noxious black smoke.

Another fire was also seen on Monday at Oman's southern port in Salalah, which came under attack from suspected Iranian drones on March 11, though Tehran has denied it launched them in its campaign targeting Gulf Arab states. The fire apparently has been burning since then.
A special group of women made history recently when they embarked on the inaugural Flight of Honor to visit the many monuments and military memorials in Washington, D.C.

More than 100 women veterans boarded a flight in Polk County, Florida, near Tampa, to take part in the historic trip, hosted by the General Federation of Womens Clubs on March 11. The event correlated with Womens History Month.

With thousands of mostly male veterans embarking on Honor Flights in the past two decades, last weeks trip was solely for the ladies.

While it was a long day, the 120 veterans enjoyed the experience, which began bright and early before sunrise. The group ate breakfast together at the Hilton Hotel, chatted with new friends, then traveled to Lakeland Linder Airport to prepare for their unique trip.

Children hold signs welcoming back women veterans from their trip to Washington at the Lakeland Linder Airport in Florida on March 11. (Facebook)

Important Recognition for Women Veterans

From the Korean War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, women veterans on the trip spanned multiple generations. Melanie Levitz, one of the younger veterans, spent 12 years in the Air Force on active duty, including 11 more years in the Reserves.

Levitz told Spectrum Bay News 9 she was honored to take part in the trip and was most looking forward to seeing the Womens Memorial in D.C.

When youve come together and serve for your country, there is always that fellowship, the community, the camaraderie and, of course, the teamwork, said Levitz. And having each background from all around the world and be here to experience this moment is very special.

Levitz, who is a member of the General Federation of Womens Clubs, said the organization worked for two years to fund and plan the Flight of Honor.

Its the largest group of women veterans to come out of Florida to experience D.C. for a day and see these beautiful monuments, Levitz said in a Facebook post. Im standing on the roof of the Womens Memorial Center, and we have four chartered busses waiting outside for us. Its a beautiful remembrance of all the women whove served.

Shirley Combass, who spent 28 years in the Army, said events like this are important, not just during Womens History Month.

Its important that women are recognized and appreciated for the service that weve done, whether theyre in combat, administrative support, or behind the scenes in the nursing field, Combass said.

Combass rose to the rank of first sergeant, retiring from the military in 2013. While she previously served as a guardian on an Honor Flight out of Tallahassee, for her and more than 100 other women veterans, the Flight of Honor was truly significant.

Stops on the trip included the Lincoln Memorial, lunch at the Womens Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

One of the women on the trip got to see her mothers grave for the first time, Levitz said. Pretty amazing breakthroughs and experiences here with these powerful ladies.

Rep. Scott Franklin (R-Florida) greets veterans after they returned from the Flight of Honor on March 11 at the Lakeland Linder Airport in Florida. (Facebook)

Patriotic Welcome Home

Around 7:30 p.m., the group came back to Florida to receive a warm, patriotic welcome at Lakeland Linder Airport, including a special program honoring their service. The return home featured a visit from Congressman Scott Franklin, a Navy veteran, representing Floridas 18th District.

These remarkable women answered our nations call to serve, and it was a privilege to thank them personally for their sacrifice and dedication, Franklin posted on Facebook. I was also proud to present each veteran with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and a challenge coin honoring their service to our nation. Welcome home and thank you for your service!

The General Federation of Womens Club is active in the Polk County community, preserving the arts, protecting natural resources, and working with programs to support local K-12 education.
A World War II Marine Raider from Cincinnati who went missing during a brutal jungle assault in the Solomon Islands 83 years ago will finally return home after the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed his identification.

DPAA announced March 4 that Pfc. Norton V. Retzsch, 25, of Cincinnati, was accounted for on April 1, 2025. The agency used dental records, anthropological analysis and mitochondrial DNA sequencing to confirm his identity, finally bringing closure for a family that has waited decades for answers. His burial is scheduled for April 13 in Marana, Arizona.

Joining the Marines and Shipping to New Georgia

A 1937 graduate of Hughes High School in Cincinnati, Retzsch joined the Marine Corps in September 1941 at the age of 23.

He shipped out to the Pacific with Company C, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, one of the Corps' elite units built for amphibious raids and jungle warfare behind enemy lines. On June 30, 1943, American forces launched Operation Toenails, a multi-pronged campaign to seize the Japanese-held island of New Georgia in the central Solomon Islands.

Col. Harry Liversedge's Northern Landing Group, built around the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and two Army infantry battalions, went ashore at Rice Anchorage on July 5 and began hacking through dense jungle toward the enemy garrison at Enogai.

Pfc. Norton V. Retzsch and his wife, Margaret, who married just six months before he shipped out to the Pacific. (DPAA)

On July 9, Company C pushed toward Japanese positions near Enogai Point. The Marines walked into a prepared ambush. Retzsch and two other Raiders from the company never came back from the fight. In the weeks that followed, a Marine patrol operating on the nearby Dragons Peninsula encountered an enemy soldier carrying Retzsch's dog tag.

According to an account from the battalion chaplain, Father Paul Redmond, a voice from the jungle answered a challenge with "Rites," prompting the patrol to open fire. Retzsch had always insisted his surname was pronounced "Reetz," and the mispronunciation gave the Japanese soldier away.

Decades of Dead Ends

After the war, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company searched the Bairoko Harbor and Enogai Inlet area from November to December 1947 but found no trace of Retzsch. The military declared him non-recoverable in 1949 and inscribed his name on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.

What the military did not know at the time was that Retzsch's remains had likely already been recovered. In December 1943, unidentified remains buried at the Enogai Cemetery were exhumed and transferred first to a New Georgia cemetery, then to Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea, where they were designated as Unknown X-182. After multiple failed identification attempts, X-182 was interred at the Manila American Cemetery in 1950.

The case remained dormant for decades until DPAA turned its attention back to New Georgia. Agency researchers flagged a group of unidentified remains from the Enogai and Bairoko area as possible matches for missing Raiders, and in January 2019, X-182 was pulled from the Manila cemetery and sent to the DPAA laboratory.

Finally Coming Home

The identification hinged in part on a DNA sample submitted to the military in 2006 by Kim Opitz, Retzsch's great-niece. Opitz, a freelance writer in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, told KARE 11 News that her family never stopped hoping.

"My mother never, never let us forget about him," Opitz said. "We never thought that we would know what happened. It was just always going to be a mystery."

When DPAA contacted her in 2025 to confirm the identification, the news was shocking.

"It was like elation, like I've never felt so spiritually high," Opitz told the station. "He's going to be brought home with honors."

A wartime newspaper highlights Margaret Retzsch's enlistment in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve following her husband's disappearance in the Solomon Islands in 1943. She was honorably discharged as a sergeant. (DPAA)

Retzsch's family remembered him as a lifeguard with a romantic streak who had married only half a year before heading off to war. His wife Margaret responded to his loss by joining the fight herself, enlisting in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve and rising to the rank of sergeant before her honorable discharge.

Margaret remarried after the war. She passed away in 2005.

The Manila American Cemetery has since updated its Tablets of the Missing with a rosette beside Retzsch's name, signifying that the Marine is no longer unaccounted for.

Opitz urged other families of missing service members to reach out to DPAA.

"If you're still looking, there's still a chance," she said.
More than a dozen Americans have died in the war with Iran since the U.S. and Israel launched their attacks on February 28, 2026, with a surprise, coordinated air campaign against multiple military and infrastructure sites. Among those killed was Army Reserve Captain Cody Khork, of Winter Haven, Florida, promoted posthumously to the rank of Major after his death.

We lost the best human being that Ive ever known. My best friend, best man, and brother gave his life defending our country overseas," said friend and college classmate Jaffer Abbas, in a statement obtained by Military.com. "Cody Khork has supported me and been there for me for over 16 years of my life and has been part of every major life event Ive had. He has shaped me into the person that I am today.

Army Reserve Captain, now Major Cody A. Khork pictured with best friend Jaffer Abbas, who worked with Khork's family to establish an endowed scholarship in his name (Facebook: Jaffer Abbas).

Major Khork, 35, was killed when Iran used a drone to strike at U.S. forces in Kuwait in the first hours of the war. Through their heartbreak, Abbas and Khork's family are working with Khork's alma mater, Florida Southern College, to establish an ROTC scholarship in Khork's name. This scholarship will change the lives of many cadets in honor of our best friend, Cody Khork, just like he impacted and changed the lives of everyone he came across.

The school in Lakeland, Florida, has added the "Captain Cody A. Khork 14 Endowed ROTC Scholarship" to its roster of giving campaigns to honor Khork's life of service and sacrifice.

Major Khork exemplified the values of leadership, service, and honor that define cadets in Florida Southerns ROTC Moccasin Battalion, said Jeremy Martin, president of Florida Southern College, in a statement shared to Military.com. Through this scholarship, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of ROTC cadets who feel called to serve our nation.

LIFE OF SERVICE LED TO MILITARY CAREER

His biography, obtained by Military.com, details his military career path.

A Political Science major and member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Major Khork was known among his classmates, professors, and friends for his leadership, character, and unwavering commitment to serving others. Following his time at Florida Southern, he joined the United States Army, enlisting as a Field Artillery Fire Control Specialist in the National Guard in 2009. He was later commissioned as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. During his military career, he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021, and

Poland in 2024.

Abbas says there's no one more deserving of the honor than his friend Cody, for being so selfless in their decade-plus friendship.

"We lived in multiple cities and states together and been through many adventures. He knows more about me than anyone else, and he was the first person to answer my call, even when I called in the middle of the night," said Abbas. "Hes helped me get through the hardest and lowest parts of my life and been there to celebrate the best."

Endowed scholarship at Florida Southern College established on behalf of Army Reserve Captain, now Major Cody A. Khork (Facebook: Jaffer Abbas).

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

The scholarship will go to a Florida Southern College student who embodies his leadership and compassion. The hope is that it will be awarded annually to selected ROTC cadets in their junior and senior years for room and board, and to supplement existing ROTC tuition scholarships provided by the U.S. Army. Recipients must be outstanding cadets, demonstrating strong commitment to military service, leadership within the Florida Southern ROTC unit, and exemplary character. Awards are renewable for up to two years, provided eligibility requirements are maintained.

This endowed scholarship is a reflection of who Khork was," said Abbas. "He was the kind of person who would give his last dollar to someone in need. Something I witnessed countless times during the 7 years we lived together and the 16 years I am grateful to have had as his friend.

To donate to the scholarship fund, benefactors can log onto the Florida Southern College "Make a Gift" webpage and choose the "Captain Cody A. Cork Scholarship."

Abbas says the scholarship is part of his commitment to his friend.

Khork, we made a promise to you that your name would live on forever. You are our hero.
The Victorian government has agreed to pay $125 million to settle a class action brought on behalf of businesses that suffered losses during the states 2020 Covid lockdowns.

Whats happening: The Victorian government has agreed to pay $125 million to settle a class action brought on behalf of businesses that suffered financial losses during the states second Covid wave in 2020, according to AAP reports from the Melbourne Supreme Court on Monday 16 March 2026. The settlement requires formal court approval before funds can be distributed.

Why this matters: For the approximately 16,000 Victorian businesses that registered for the class action, the settlement represents the conclusion of years of litigation over losses suffered during one of the worlds longest Covid lockdowns.

The Victorian government has agreed to pay $125 million to settle a class action brought on behalf of businesses that suffered financial losses during the states second Covid lockdown in 2020, according to AAP reports from proceedings at the Melbourne Supreme Court.

The settlement was announced on the eve of what had been scheduled as a 12-week trial, which was adjourned to a directions hearing on Monday after the parties reached agreement. Barrister Adam Hochroth SC, representing the class action, told the court the parties had reached a settlement, with the $125 million figure inclusive of all costs and interest, according to AAP.

The legal action was brought on behalf of Victorian businesses, alleging government negligence in the hotel quarantine program led to a second round of lockdowns between July and October 2020. About 16,000 businesses registered for the class action, according to AAP, with one estimate of total damages claimed reaching $2.6 billion, though the lawsuit was described as novel, complex and risky.

The lead plaintiff was retail business 5 Boroughs NY Pty Ltd, which argued the state government should compensate businesses for economic loss resulting from restrictions that prevented customers from attending physical premises during that period, according to AAP.

Damian Scattini, a partner at law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, which backed the legal action, said in a statement that the settlement concluded years of hard-fought litigation. July to October 2020 was an extraordinarily difficult period for Victorian retail businesses, Scattini said. The $125 million settlement that we have achieved on their behalf is recognition of this hardship and I hope it provides some measure of relief for eligible businesses.

The Victorian government confirmed the settlement outside court on Monday, saying it stands by the steps it took during the pandemic to keep Victorians safe. The $125 million settlement, agreed to between the parties, will avoid further protracted legal proceedings, a government spokesperson said, according to AAP.

It is understood 30% of the settlement will go toward legal costs and litigation funders, according to Yahoo News reporting on the proceedings.

The settlement must be formally approved by Victorias Supreme Court before funds can be distributed. The approval application was adjourned to a date yet to be fixed.

This story is based on AAP reporting from Melbourne Supreme Court proceedings on 16 March 2026, as published by Yahoo News and aap. Dynamic Business has not independently attended the court proceedings.

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Terry Francona already said hes going to bat McLain second this year, so it sure seems like the Reds are convinced hes back to 100%. Hard not to be with how hes played. Really encouraging spring for Cincinnati fans.
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The war in Iran is threatening Southeast Asias tourism industry as flight disruptions across key Middle Eastern transit hubs keep European visitors from reaching the region.

"There arent non-stop flights between Europe and destinations like Bali and Cambodia," Brendan Sobie, a Singapore-based independent aviation analyst, told U.S. magazine Fortune.

"These countries, which are heavily dependent on tourism, are also more impacted due to the trickle-down effect on their economies."

In Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism fears a loss of 596,000 visitors and 40.9 billion baht (US$1.29 billion) in revenues if the conflict drags on for more than eight weeks.

Phangnga Province has already seen a sharp decline in European arrivals and estimates losses at nearly 1.7 billion baht ($52.3 million), according to its hotel association, Bangkok Post reported.

The conflict has severely disrupted airline operations, particularly flights from Europe that rely on connections through Gulf hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha in Qatar.

It has also sent airfares on long-haul routes, especially Europe-bound flights, rising by nearly 100%, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand, Chai Arunanondchai, said as quoted by Nation Thailand.

In Indonesia, immigration officials on Bali said at least 40 flights to major Middle Eastern transit hubs had been canceled as of March 8, and at least 11,600 tourists could not reach the island.

The Cambodian Secretary of State for the Department of Civil Aviation, Sin Chansereyvutha, told Khmer Times: "Tourists coming to Cambodia are not all from the Middle East. The Middle East is a part of it."

The 2026 Visit Malaysia Year campaign may miss its targets amid the tensions in the Middle East, according to Malaysian stockbroking company TA Securities.

It targeted 47 million international arrivals and RM329 billion in tourism receipts for the year.

The research house said while Middle Eastern visitors account for only about 0.4% of arrivals, disruptions in the regions airspace and transit hubs could reduce arrivals from Europe and other long-haul, high-spending markets.

Vietnams tourism industry is facing fresh challenges as rising fuel prices push up airfares and operating costs.
Quote of the day by Nikola Tesla: "I don't care that they stole my idea, I care that they don't have..."

Nikola Tesla once said he cared less about stolen ideas and more about people lacking their own. His famous quote reveals a deeper philosophy about creativity, originality, and why true innovation still matters today.









Quote of the day by Nikola Tesla Tesla valued originality and independent thinking over credit

His inventions shaped modern electricity and wireless technology

Tesla's philosophy sparks creativity in science, education, and art Did our AI summary help?
Facing 100 rejections, Dr Ravindra Kolhe found Dr Smita. Together, they served Melghat for 35 years for just Rs 2, earning a Padma Shri by saving thousands of lives.

Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com.
Akshay Kumar reveals Twinkle Khanna ordered two electric stoves amid the LPG shortage

Akshay Kumar revealed that Twinkle Khanna has ordered two electric stoves as a precaution amid LPG shortage concerns, reflecting a growing trend among Indian households.









Akshay Kumar reveals Twinkle Khanna ordered two electric stoves amid the LPG shortage Akshay Kumar says no LPG shortage at his home currently

Twinkle Khanna ordered two electric stoves as backup

Akshay attended Mumbai Clean League event amid busy schedule Did our AI summary help?
BTS: The Return trailer: Netflix's documentary offers behind-the-scenes glimpse ahead of Arirang release; to release on March 27

BTS unveil the trailer for BTS: The Return ahead of their comeback album Arirang. The Netflix documentary captures their reunion after military service and releases on March 27.









Set to release on March 20, Arirang marks the groups first full-length album since all members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. BTS unveils trailer for documentary BTS: The Return on Netflix

Arirang marks BTS's first album since military service

Kyobo Life building in Seoul showcases huge BTS tribute Did our AI summary help?
Passengers are silhouetted as they walk along a corridor at Kuala Lumpur International Airport outside Kuala Lumpur, June 14, 2014. Photo by Reuters

A man in Malaysia has been arrested on Saturday for allegedly charging an Indonesian tourist RM80 (US$20) for a short ride at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The passenger had asked to be driven from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at the airport for a 7.8-kilometer journey that takes about 10 minutes, The Straits Times reported.

A taxi from Kuala Lumpur International Airport's Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 generally costs around RM32 or more for authorized services.

Authorities detained the driver and seized his vehicle for further investigation.

For offering unlicensed or illegal ride services, offenders can be taken to court and if found guilty, fined up to RM50,000, or jailed up to five years, or both, Asia One reported.

Anyone who abets such activities can also be prosecuted, said the authority.

Malaysian authorities urged the public to use authorized transport services by heading to official counters at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2, or by booking rides through ride-hailing applications.
Boney Kapoor, daughters Janhvi and Khushi move Madras High Court over Sridevis Chennai property dispute

Boney Kapoor, along with Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, has approached the Madras High Court over a dispute involving Sridevis Chennai property after a lower court refused to dismiss the case.









Boney Kapoor, Janhvi, and Khushi move the Madras High Court over Sridevis Chennai property dispute Boney Kapoor family petitions Madras HC over Sridevi's property

Court halts lower court proceedings until March 26

Fraudulent ownership claims spark dispute over 4.7-acre land Did our AI summary help?
BTS comeback lighting plan sparks debate as fans question political undertones in Seoul

BTS upcoming comeback concert in Seoul has sparked unexpected debate online after the city announced a large-scale lighting plan featuring red-lit landmarks instead of the groups signature purple.









BTS comeback lighting plan sparks debate as fans question political undertones in Seoul Seoul landmarks to glow red for BTS concert on March 20-21

Fans upset as red chosen over BTS's signature purple color

Online debate grows over possible political symbolism of red Did our AI summary help?
Content creators Nidhi Bhanushali, Kashish Ratnani And Simran Balar Jain represent India At Tokyo Fashion Week 2026

For the first time, Indian content creators Nidhi Bhanushali, Kashish Ratnani, and Simran Balar Jain proudly represented India at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, showcasing the countrys craftsmanship and creativity on a global stage. Their debut highlights Indias growing influence in international fashion circles.









Content creators at Tokyo Fashion Week Indian creators debut at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo

Nidhi, Kashish, and Simran showcased Indian artistry and design

Their participation marks a milestone for India's fashion globally. Did our AI summary help?
Dhurandhar 2 in legal trouble before release? Ranveer Singhs Sikh character smoking scene sparks outrage; fans slam saying, 'it is an AI-generated poster'

Dhurandhar 2 faces controversy over Ranveer Singhs Sikh character allegedly smoking, but fans claim the viral poster is fake or AI-generated, sparking debate around misinformation and religious sensitivity before release.









Dhurandhar 2 in legal trouble before release? Ranveer Singhs Sikh character smoking scene sparks outrage; fans slam saying, 'it is an AI-generated poster' Dhurandhar 2 faces controversy over Sikh character smoking

Legal notice demands edits, apology, and investigation

Fans claim viral poster is fake and not official film material Did our AI summary help?
Eisha Singh issues public apology after team member disrespects a fan; says, I regret

Eisha has conveyed the message via an Instagram story, indicating her disappointment regarding what she called an unfortunate circumstance. Although she didn't go into specifics about the incident, the actor suggested that something happened the night before that led to the apology.









Eisha directly communicated with her followers in an Instagram note, expressing her apologies if anyone connected to her had acted inappropriately. Eisha Singh apologises for team member's disrespectful behaviour

She assures fans the incident will not happen again

Rumours about Eisha and Avinash Mishra's relationship persist Did our AI summary help?
Heeseungs Shanghai fan-sign cancellation sparks backlash as fans question handling of his post-ENHYPEN career

Heeseung has found himself facing fresh backlash after his scheduled appearance at a fan-sign event in Shanghai was abruptly cancelled. The unexpected development has sparked disappointment and criticism among fans online. According to Koreaboo, the announcement was made by event organiser Yizhiyu, which confirmed that Heeseung would no longer be attending the scheduled fan sign on March 21.









Heeseung's Shanghai fansign cancellation sparks backlash Heeseung's Shanghai fan-sign event canceled, sparking backlash

Fans frustrated by repeated disruptions in Heeseung's schedule

Refunds promised, but concerns grow over solo debut prospects Did our AI summary help?
Kim Sae Ron case escalates as family member attempts to take their own life amid dispute with Kim Soo Hyun

The controversy around late actress Kim Sae Ron intensifies as reports claim a family member attempted suicide amid escalating tensions linked to the ongoing dispute involving actor Kim Soo Hyun.









Kim Sae Ron case escalates as family member attempts to take their own life amid dispute with Kim Soo Hyun Kim Sae Ron's relative attempted suicide during family dispute

Family seeks apology from Kim Soo Hyun, who denies their claims

Legal battle persists with mutual lawsuits and counterclaims Did our AI summary help?
Mrunal Thakur visits Pune's Dagdusheth Ganpati temple ahead of Dacoit release, see pic

During her Pune visit, Mrunal Thakur sought Bappas blessings, shared glimpses on social media, reconnected with old co-stars, and continues preparing for her upcoming film Dacoit.









Mrunal Thakur visits Pune's Dagdusheth Ganpati temple ahead of Dacoit release, see picMrunal Thakur visits Pune's Dagdusheth Ganpati temple ahead of Dacoit release, see pic Mrunal Thakur visited Dagdusheth Ganpati Mandir in Pune

She reunited with Kumkum Bhagya co-stars for a warm get-together

Mrunal prepares for her upcoming film Dacoit with Adivi Sesh Did our AI summary help?
Parineeti Chopra spotted on set as she reportedly resumes work months after welcoming son Neer:Watch

Parineeti Chopra resumes work months after welcoming son Neer with husband Raghav Chadha. The actress was spotted on a film set, marking her first public appearance after becoming a mother.









In the visuals, Parineeti can be seen dressed in a grey midi dress, keeping her look understated yet stylish. Parineeti Chopra resumes work after birth of son Neer Chopra

She made her first public appearance at a shoot post motherhood

Parineeti and Raghav Chadha shared Thailand family trip pics Did our AI summary help?
RajinikanthVijay fan war breaks out: Madurai posters slam TVK leaders anti Rajini remarks

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Aadhav Arjuna's recent remarks saying that the DMK 'threatened' Tamil superstar Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics, has caused a lot of trouble in the state.









Rajinikanth and Vijay TVK's Arjuna claimed DMK threatened Rajinikanth in politics

Rajinikanth fans demand apology, defend his legacy in Madurai

Political leaders and fan groups criticize Arjuna's remarks Did our AI summary help?
Citizens walk past the yard of an ancient academy along the Grand Canal in Cangzhou City, north China's Hebei Province, May 24, 2022. (Xinhua/Luo Xuefeng)

At a time when the "Clash of Civilizations" theory still has a foothold in the world, and divisions and conflicts hinder human progress, Chinese academies, with their thousand years of practice, offer Eastern wisdom that promotes dialogue and strengthens cooperation.

NANCHANG, China, March 16 (Xinhua) -- As the world seeks ways to engage in dialogue across different civilizations while preserving distinct identities, "shuyuan," or ancient Chinese academies, have emerged as a guide from Chinese history.

SEEKING CONSENSUS AMID DIFFERENCES

Originating in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), "shuyuan" were unique Chinese institutions combining education, libraries, ritual observance and scholarly debate. By the Song Dynasty (960-1279), they had become China's primary intellectual hubs, where scholars often engaged in critical reflections, rigorous exchanges and debates.

Chinese "shuyuan" wisdom began resonating with the West during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the late 16th century, Italian missionary Matteo Ricci visited the Yuzhang Academy in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, and enjoyed the company of Zhang Huang, then head of the renowned Bailudong (White Deer Grotto) Academy. Ricci brought knowledge of Western astronomy, geography and mathematics, while Zhang inherited a millennia-old Confucian theory. Ricci studied the Confucian classics under Zhang's guidance, while Zhang incorporated Western geographical knowledge into his own work, featuring mutual respect and interaction.

In a letter to Rome, Ricci wrote that they had found in the Chinese classics quite a few things that agreed with their faith.

Xiao Hongbo, president of the Jiangxi Academy of Social Sciences and director of its Academy Culture Research Center, identifies this spirit of "seeking consensus amid differences and building synergy through exchange" as a vital wisdom within traditional Chinese culture for managing divergence and resolving conflict.

This spirit of dialogue lives on to this day. In October 2025, nearly 200 scholars from 51 countries and regions gathered at the Kaoting Academy in east China's Fujian for the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization, to explore how the late Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi's thought could offer insights for resolving civilizational clashes.

Attendees of the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization visit Kaoting Academy in Jianyang District of Nanping City, southeast China's Fujian Province, Oct. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Former UNESCO General Conference President Simona-Mirela Miculescu noted that Zhu's belief in the inseparability of learning and virtue aligns with UNESCO's mission to build peace through understanding, learning and mutual respect.

At a time when the "Clash of Civilizations" theory still has a foothold in the world, and divisions and conflicts hinder human progress, Chinese academies, with their thousand years of practice, offer Eastern wisdom that promotes dialogue and strengthens cooperation.

NEW PLATFORM FOR CIVILIZATIONAL DIALOGUE

Inspired by "shuyuan," Korean scholar Ju Se-bung established Baegundong Academy in 1543 by modelling on Bailudong Academy, the first of its kind on the Korean Peninsula. In the time of about two centuries, over 900 academies sprang up across the region. To date, the Bailudong Academy Directives are still being upheld as school mottos in some institutions in South Korea and Japan.

Another leading Korean scholar, Yi Hwang, later expanded Baegundong Academy into Dosan Academy in Gyeongsangbuk-do to promote the philosophy of Zhu Xi. Its cultural imprint is woven into daily life: the 1,000-won banknote features Yi Hwang's portrait on the front and Dosan Academy on the back -- a shared cultural heritage carried by every South Korean.

"For modern South Koreans, academies remain part of their daily life and one of the most important cultural symbols," said Keum Jia, an associate professor at Peking University's School of Foreign Languages.

A tourist visits the Oksanseowon Confucian Academy in Gyeongju, South Korea, Aug. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

Deng Hongbo, director of the Chinese Academy Research Center, notes that while overseas academies share a bloodline with their Chinese counterparts and retain their core cultural functions, they have developed distinct characteristics influenced by factors such as the time of transmission and geographical location, as Korean academies emphasize ceremonial rites, Japanese academies focus on publishing, while Southeast Asian Chinese academies serve as spiritual anchors connecting communities to their homeland.

Deng has found that through the systematic collection and collation of historical documents from the Korean Joseon Dynasty and Japanese academies, valuable archival materials have been revitalized. Such work confirms the academy system's contribution to the East Asian Confucian civilization rooted in Chinese characters, providing solid academic support for the historical practice of mutual learning among civilizations.

As academies spread eastward, another path led toward the West.

In Naples, Italy, beside a winding lane named "Salita dei Cinesi" (Chinese Slope), stands a three-story ochre building -- "Collegio dei Cinesi" (Chinese College) founded by Italian missionary Matteo Ripa.

Serving as a painter and translator at the royal court of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Ripa returned to Italy in 1723 and established the college with a clear mission to overcome language and cultural barriers by nurturing truly inclusive, cross-cultural talent.

In more than 100 years to 1868, it educated 106 Chinese students from more than 10 provinces, most of whom returned to China to serve as bridges between the East and the West. When the British Macartney Embassy visited China in 1793, the interpreter was a graduate of the college -- a testament to its legacy.

After several name changes, the college evolved into the University of Naples L'Orientale, remaining a leading center for Sinological studies in Italy.

In the contemporary era, academies are again serving as platforms for civilizational dialogue. The Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in Shandong Province uses the culture of the academies to connect global scholars. Yuelu Academy in Hunan Province is recruiting international faculty to conduct cutting-edge digital humanities research, while Bailudong Academy's lectures reach a global audience via live streams.

These exchange practices centered on academies enable Chinese culture to continuously absorb nutrients, develop and innovate through dialogue with diverse civilizations around the world. Simultaneously, they allow the world to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of China through the window of these ancient educational institutions.

Editor: Xiong Jian
Ranveer Singh reacts to Dhurandhar success, makes electrifying entry at Dhurandhar 2 music launch

The excitement for Dhurandhar: The Revenge has hit an all-time high, and the films Mumbai music launch only intensified the buzz. Ranveer Singhs high-energy entrance, however, stole the show and left fans buzzing.









Dhurandhar 2 music launch Ranveer Singh's entry at music launch went viral in Mumbai

"Dhurandhar: The Revenge" previews earn Rs 130 crore, opens Mar 19

Film stars Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan Did our AI summary help?
Reddit neitzens slams Vicky Kaushal over misogynistic marriage at wedding

Vicky Kaushal faced backlash after a viral video showed him making wife jokes at a wedding, with many calling the humour outdated and misogynistic.









Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif Vicky Kaushal faces backlash for making 'wife jokes' at a wedding

Fans criticize Vicky for promoting stereotypical marriage humor

Video of Vicky's jokes went viral, sparking online controversy Did our AI summary help?
Vijay and Trisha were spotted together at a wedding reception in Chennai and since then there has been a lot of chatter around their relationship status.
Vijays Jana Nayagan set for CBFC revising committee review today, will it get a release date soon?

After a long delay for multiple reasons, Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan issue is likely to get a closure today from CBFC. The film is directed by H Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions.









This has raised fears that officials may try to stop the film from coming out during the election period. Jana Nayagan release delayed by Tamil Nadu election schedule

CBFC revising committee to review film amid political tensions

Election rules may delay film's certification and release Did our AI summary help?
Salman Khan shares teaser of Tum Chand Dekh Lena from Maatrubhumi, featuring Chitrangada Singh; Watch here

Salman Khan has offered fans a glimpse into his upcoming film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace by teasing a romantic track titled Tum Chand Dekh Lena. The preview features a serene and dreamy moment between Salman Khan and Chitrangda Singh, hinting at an emotional side to the otherwise war-based narrative.









Salman Khan shares teaser for new song Salman Khan shares teaser of romantic song from Maatrubhumi

Film shifts focus from war to peace and emotional storytelling

Maatrubhumi expected to release around October Did our AI summary help?
Sean Penn skipped Oscars to meet Ukraines President; Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, 'We know you will continue to stand with our country'

Sean Penn skipped the 2026 Oscars despite winning Best Supporting Actor, choosing instead to travel to Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a powerful, politically symbolic move.









Sean Penn skipped Oscars to meet Ukraines President; Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, 'We know you will continue to stand with our country' Sean Penn skipped Oscars to meet Ukraine's President Zelenskyy

Penn won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another

Zelenskyy praised Penn's ongoing support for Ukraine Did our AI summary help?
Donald trump says White House Chief of Staff diagnosed with breast cancer: Symptoms, risk and treatment explained

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Heres what to know about symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.









White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer but will continue working during treatment.Heres what you should know about breast cancer (Image: Reuters) Susie Wiles diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer

Wiles will continue White House duties during treatment

Doctors expect an excellent prognosis for Wiles Did our AI summary help?
The return of the dark pour: Why aged spirits are back in fashion

Dark spirits are no longer seen merely as ingredients in cocktails but as drinks worthy of quiet appreciation. This renewed interest is closely tied to the global movement toward premiumisation.









Unlike clear spirits that are typically bottled soon after distillation, whiskies, rums, and aged tequilas develop their personality slowly (Image: Pexels) Whisky and rum cocktails are becoming more popular.

Indian craft spirits are earning global recognition for quality

Dark spirits offer versatility for cocktails and food pairings Did our AI summary help?
Around 3 lakh metric tonnes LPG presently stranded at Strait of Hormuz, says govt

Presently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels are stranded at the Strait of Hormuz of which six are LPG carriers. India is also mulling to establish Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance for the country's maritime sector, the shipping ministry official said.









A cargo ship is pictured off coast city of Fujairah, in the Strait of Hormuz in the northern Emirate. (AFP/File image) 3 lakh metric tonnes of LPG stranded at Strait of Hormuz

India diversifies LPG sources, starts importing from US

India seeks vessel-by-vessel clearance from Iran for safe passage Did our AI summary help?
Citizens AI hub with Infosys in Bengaluru to design, deploy Agentic AI solutions

The centre will support the full lifecycle of technology delivery including solution design, build, testing and deployment.









Infosys Citizens Financial Group and Infosys launch AI hub in Bengaluru

The hub will design, build, and deploy AI and agentic solutions

Bengaluru chosen for its strong AI and engineering talent pool Did our AI summary help?
Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, sow seeds at a newly ploughed field in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A villager, dressed in traditional attire, participates in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2026 shows villagers participating in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2026 shows villagers participating in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, sow seeds at a newly ploughed field in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers present hadas to tractor drivers and women who sow seeds, in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A villager, dressed in traditional attire, sows seeds at a newly ploughed field in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Editor: Xiong Jian
Advance payment only: IOCL, BPCL, HPCL tighten payment rules as West Asia war rattles supplies

OMCs halt fuel credit to petrol pumps amid Hormuz disruption, forcing advance payments and raising concerns for demand and bulk buyers.









IOCL, BPCL, HPCL shift to advance payments; dealers warn of demand hit, stress for bulk buyers State oil firms halt credit fuel supplies to retailers

Advance payments needed due to disrupted crude supply routes

Supply disruptions may hit bulk buyers in agriculture and transport Did our AI summary help?
India probes fragrance giants Givaudan, Firmenich, IFF over deals not to poach workers

India's flavours and fragrances market is expected to nearly double in value by 2033, to stand at $5 billion, versus $2.5 billion in 2024, according to Grand View Research.

Reuters March 17, 2026 / 16:31 IST























A security guard stands outside the Competition Commission of India (CCI) headquarters in New Delhi India probes fragrance firms for alleged anti-poaching agreements

CCI probes Givaudan, Firmenich, IFF for limiting job mobility

Firms accused of restricting worker opportunities and wages since 2002 Did our AI summary help?
Iran war jet fuel shock squeezes airlines, rupee slide adds to margin pressure

Within days of the Iran war, refining margins per barrel surged nearly tenfold, even as Brent crude and Platts premium rose just 19%









India's aviation industry is looking at a disruptive Q4 FY26 The Iran war has taken a toll on the financials of airlines

Airlines will be able to recover only a fraction of the cost through surcharges

Rupee depreciation has added to the cost troubles Did our AI summary help?
ECHS: FM Sitharaman denies withholding funds; blames billing discrepancies for payment delays

"I would like to clarify that ex-servicemen are not being denied hospital treatment due to pending payments," said the FM.









Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (file image) Govt: No ECHS funds withheld for ex-servicemen

ECHS payment delays due to billing verification, not fund issues

Govt ensures continuous healthcare for ex-servicemen Did our AI summary help?
Godrej Energy Solutions eyes 15% growth in order book by FY27 led by power infra, clean energy

The Groups energy solutions business has built a strong project pipeline of Rs 2,600 crore at the close of FY26, spanning transmission infrastructure, railway electrification and renewable energy projects, said an official









Godrej Enterprises Groups Energy Solutions business expects 15% growth in its order book by financial year 2026-27 Godrej Energy Solutions expects 15% order book growth by FY27

Strong project pipeline of Rs 2,600 crore by FY26

Expanding in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, UP, and Tamil Nadu Did our AI summary help?
Graduate unemployment at 40%: Azim Premji University report warns of dwindling window to convert youth bulge into economic gain

The report notes a need for expanding adequate salaried employment opportunities to meet the aspirations and capabilities of a highly educated workforce. "Young people are entering into a labour market that is challenging," said the report.









Indias employed population has increased from 490 million to 572 million. India's working-age population share will decline after 2030

Most new jobs since 2021 are in agriculture, mainly for women

Graduate unemployment among youth remains high at nearly 40% Did our AI summary help?
India may corner more of global data centre market amid Gulf crisis

Recent attacks on data centres in the Gulf by Iran, which regards them as legitimate wartime targets due to their technical and data support for some American defence suppliers, have damaged the region's data centre ambitions









Data players may look at India as an alternative to the Gulf states
Defence shares snap 4-day losses: MTAR Tech, Bharat Forge, others rise up to 7.5% amid Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan

Deteriorating ties between the two sides are also linked to Kabuls growing engagement with India









Defence shares snap 4-day losses: MTAR Tech, Bharat Forge, others rise up to 7.5% amid Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
Eternal shares rise over 4% to emerge as top Sensex gainer on value buying; JM Financial sees up to 80% upside

Food delivery is in decent shape and quick commerce will see uptick in profits, says JM Financial on 12-month prospects for Eternal stock









Eternal shares rise over 4% to emerge as top Nifty gainer on value buying; JM Financial sees up to 80% upside Eternal Ltd shares rose over 4% amid value buying on March 17

Brokerage sees up to 80% upside for Eternal in next 12 months

Blinkit and Zomato expected to show strong order growth Did our AI summary help? Z01 Z01 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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The platform is designed for teams seeking greater control over how models are governed, deployed and managed in production environments.

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.
This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on March 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronauts performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of EVAs on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly seven hours and completed their tasks at 7:35 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth. The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks. Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who have conducted spacewalk operations, returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly seven hours and completed their tasks at 7:35 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth.

Zhang Lu has so far carried out six EVAs, making him one of the Chinese astronauts with the most spacewalks to date.

The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks. Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who have conducted spacewalk operations, returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA.

Since completing the first series of EVAs on Dec. 9, 2025, the Shenzhou-21 crew has carried out equipment inspection and maintenance, environmental monitoring, and health management aboard the space station. The crew members have also conducted in-orbit training exercises, including rendezvous and docking, medical rescue, and emergency lifesaving.

The scientific experiment and test projects they undertook, covering space life science and human research, microgravity physics, and new space technologies, have been progressing steadily. They also celebrated the Spring Festival in Year of the Horse while in orbit.

The CMSA said the three astronauts have been working in orbit for more than four months. According to the mission plan, additional EVAs will be carried out by the crew during the Shenzhou-21 mission, with relevant scientific experiments and technical tests continuing as scheduled.

This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on March 16, 2026 shows Shenzhou-21 astronauts performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) outside China's orbiting space station. The Shenzhou-21 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's second series of EVAs on Monday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The astronaut trio -- Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang -- worked for roughly seven hours and completed their tasks at 7:35 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth. The trio completed the installation of a space debris protection device for the space station along with other tasks. Zhang Lu and Wu Fei, who have conducted spacewalk operations, returned to the Wentian lab module safely, according to the CMSA. (Photo by Zhang Fan/Xinhua)

Editor: Xiong Jian
Over 4,000 NBFCs remain non-compliant with PMLA norms, yet to register on FIU-IND portal

FIU India says, this non-compliance keeps these NBFCs outside FIU-IND's reporting ambit, depriving the system of critical transaction data essential for monitoring suspicious activities.









Over 4,000 NBFCs remain non-compliant with PMLA norms, yet to register on FIU-IND portal Over 4,000 NBFCs failed to register on FINnet2.0 portal

Non-compliance exposes financial system to money laundering risks

FIU-IND reviews non-compliant NBFCs quarterly for updates Did our AI summary help?
Stocks to Watch Today: Tata Motors, Andhra Cements, Sun Pharma, GMDC, Axiscades, Power Mech, Zydus Lifesciences, Bajaj Electricals in focus on 17 March

Stocks to Watch, 17 March: Stocks like Reliance Industries, Tata Motors, Andhra Cements, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Rail Vikas Nigam, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation, Axiscades Technologies, Power Mech Projects, Redington, and Zydus Lifesciences will be in focus on March 17.









Stocks to Watch Today, 17 March Stocks in Focus on March 17: Tata Motors, Rail Vikas Nigam, Power Mech Projects, Zydus Lifesciences, Bajaj Electricals, Alkyl Amines Chemicals, Omaxe, NOCIL Did our AI summary help? RI

TML02

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Microsoft backs Anthropic, urging judge to halt Pentagon's actions against AI company

Microsoft, in a legal filing, is challenging Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's action last week to shut Anthropic out of military work by labelling its AI products as a national security threat.

Associated Press March 17, 2026 / 22:45 IST














On life support: Gas crunch puts drug supply pulse at risk

Industry insiders indicate that boiler-dependent processes have been hit hard, raising concerns of declining output and possible medicine shortages in the coming weeks









India houses large API facilities responsible for producing a wide range of widely used medicines. (Representative photo) Propane shortage halts or reduces pharma production

Essential drug output hit, risking shortages in coming weeks

Industry urges government relief to sustain medicine production Did our AI summary help?
Found a wrong charge on your credit card bill? Here is how to dispute it properly

From duplicate transactions to charges you never authorised, credit card billing errors do happen. Acting quickly and following the right process can help get them reversed.









Representative image Check credit card statements for unfamiliar or duplicate charges

Contact the merchant first for billing errors or refunds

Dispute charges with your card issuer within 30-60 days. Did our AI summary help?
Raghav Chadha proposes optional joint filing of income tax returns for married couples: What it could mean for you if implemented

Several countries, including the United States, Germany, and France, allow married couples to file taxes jointly or split their income









joint filing Raghav Chadha proposes optional joint ITR for married couples.

Joint filing aims to ease tax burden for single-income families.

ICAI and experts back joint taxation for fairness and compliance. Did our AI summary help?
Airbound's drone tech and centralised diagnostics to cut test costs by 50% for patients, says Narayana Healths Devi Shetty

Earlier, samples were moved in three to four daily road batches, often delayed by traffic. The drone route now runs on demand with up to 20 flights a day, enabling a continuous flow of samples and faster turnaround times.









Narayana Health completed over 700 medical drone flights.

Drone model could cut diagnostic costs for patients by 50%.

Centralized labs and automation boost accuracy and cut costs. Did our AI summary help?

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
Buy Hindalco; target of Rs 1110: Motilal Oswal

Motilal Oswal is bullish on Hindalco recommended buy rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 1110 in its research report dated March 16, 2026.

Broker Research March 17, 2026 / 13:06 IST























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UN warns prolonged Iran war could spur record global hunger

Nations in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, which are heavily reliant on food and fuel imports, are most exposed to fallout from the conflict, the WFP said.









(AP Photo/File) UN: Iran conflict may push 45 million into acute hunger

Strait of Hormuz disruption spikes energy, fuel, and fertilizer costs

Food insecurity may hit 363M, exceeding 2022 Ukraine crisis levels. Did our AI summary help?
A series of joint strikes by the US and Isreal in late February culminated into a regional conflict after Iran started targeting the US allies in the middle east.
Lithuania has transferred EUR 10 million to the Ukraine Facility, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said on X on Monday.

"Lithuania has contributed 10mln in voluntary funding to the Ukraine Facility, reinforcing the Team Europe effort to support Ukraines recovery and reconstruction. We stood with Ukraine since the first day of Russias fullscale aggression and will continue supporting Ukraines longterm recovery and resilience," he wrote on X.

Since 2022, Lithuanias assistance to Ukraine has exceeded EUR 1.7 billion.
A look at the Harish Rana case: Court clearance, AIIMS protocol, and next steps

Harish Rana euthanasia case: Protocols have been initiated at AIIMS-Delhi to implement the Supreme Courts verdict allowing passive euthanasia for Rana, a procedure that is expected to take two to three weeks









The 31-year-old was transferred on Saturday from his Ghaziabad home to the palliative care unit at Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia for Harish Rana

AIIMS-Delhi begins India's first passive euthanasia process

Life support to be withdrawn gradually under medical supervision Did our AI summary help?
After Shivalik, LPG tanker Nanda Devi set to dock at Gujarat port today as concerns over Hormuz route loom

On Saturday, Shipping Ministry Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha had indicated the expected arrival timelines of the two tankers and confirmed their safe passage through the region.
After Shivalik, second Indian vessel 'Nanda Devi' arrives at Vadinar port with over 45,000MT of LPG

The arrival of the second vessel marks a significant step in Indias efforts to safely move its energy cargo through the tense Gulf region.









Nanda Devi arrives at Kandla Port with over 46,000 tonnes of LPG

Indian Navy safely escorted vessel through Strait of Hormuz crisis

Safe transit boosts India's energy supply amid Gulf tensions Did our AI summary help?
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If these rounds of state elections are as much about the ability of the anti-BJP front (INDIA grouping) to resurrect from successive drubbings following the Parliamentary elections of 2024, it is equally about the Congress' -- in extension Rahul Gandhi's ability to be in contention to lead the INDIA bloc and present himself as a strong candidate to take on the might of BJP.
Assembly polls: EC continues with Bengal police reshuffle, commissioners of Howrah, Barrackpore among those transferred

The order comes a day after the Election Commission transferred two senior officials of the West Bengal government, including Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty.









After the Election Commission transferred Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the move, calling it arbitrary and unilateral. Election Commission transfers top police officials in West Bengal

TMC criticizes reshuffle, calls it arbitrary and anti-Bengali

Assembly polls in West Bengal set for April 23 and 29 Did our AI summary help?
Cargo unloading underway from both LPG carriers Nanda Devi and Shivalik; 161 Indian sailors repatriated: Official

His remarks came after the countrys second LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrived safely at Vadinar port in Gujarat on Tuesday, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of gas after navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict









Amid rising global tensions involving Iran, Israel, US and other countries, the ship managed to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz
Centre tells Lok Sabha no measurable gains from sewer cleaning mechanisation under NAMASTE mission

The government also stated that it does not have data on whether sanitation workers earnings have increased since the scheme began in 2023-24.









The response came amid queries on whether the programme has delivered tangible improvements in working conditions and livelihoods. (Representation image) No indicators set to measure efficiency gains from mechanisation

622 sanitation worker deaths since 2017; 539 families compensated

Over 89,000 workers identified; 85,473 PPE kits distributed Did our AI summary help?
Cong condemns Pakistani strike on Afghanistan hospital, says world must reject such 'barbarism'

Kharge extended his heartfelt condolences to Afghan brothers and sisters and to the families who have lost their loved ones.

PTI March 17, 2026 / 13:18 IST























Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge Congress condemns Pakistan air strike on Kabul hospital

Nearly 400 killed, 250 injured in Kabul hospital air strike

India urges global rejection of violence, expresses sympathy Did our AI summary help?
'Cowardly, unconscionable act of violence': India condemns Pakistan's airstrike on Kabul hospital that killed 400

Pakistan has rejected the claim that it targeted a hospital, stating that its strikes, which also took place in eastern Afghanistan, did not impact any civilian sites.









At least 400 people have been killed and 250 injured in the Pakistani airstrike. India condemns Pakistan's airstrike on Kabul hospital as barbaric

Attack killed 400, injured over 250; India urges accountability

India: Strike threatens regional peace, Afghan sovereignty Did our AI summary help?
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Russia and Iran have jointly developed new technologies and methods of warfare that will be spread to other regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post (JP) published on Monday.

For Zelenskyy, the lesson goes beyond one war or one region. Russias battlefield experience, he said, is being turned into exportable knowledge, new technology, and methods that will not stay confined to Ukraine, the publication quotes the Ukrainian president.

This is big knowledge from the battlefield, this is new technology based on Iranian technologies  All these will have impact on other regions. I always said Africa, Middle East, and Europe, Zelenskyy said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.

In that sense, Zelenskyys interview was also a warning about what the rest of the world is now beginning to face: a drone war that started over Ukrainian cities, then spread outward, grew cheaper, grew smarter, and became harder to stop. In Zelenskyys telling, Putin and Iran built that threat together, noted in the JP material.
Delhi excise policy case: Kejriwal claims agnipariksha cleared, challenges PM Modi to call fresh elections

The ruling also came with sharp observations against the Central Bureau of Investigation, with the court stating that the agencys case could not withstand judicial scrutiny and stood discredited.









The former Delhi chief minister used the moment to mount a political challenge, daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold Assembly elections in the national capital. Kejriwal, 22 others cleared in excise policy case by court

Court criticized CBI, said its case lacked judicial credibility

CBI has appealed discharge order; hearing set for April 6 Did our AI summary help?
EC orders transfers of officials in Kerala ahead of next month's Assembly polls

The move comes to ensure free, fair, impartial and peaceful elections in the state, ECI said

ANI March 17, 2026 / 14:24 IST























Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9
'Fabricated Islamophobia': India slams Pakistan at UN, questions airstrikes during Ramzan

The retort comes on a day Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes on a hospital in Kabul, reportedly killing over 400 people and injuring at least 250 others









Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish. India accused Pakistan of fabricating tales of Islamophobia

India condemned Pakistan's repression of Ahmadiyyas, Afghan airstrikes

India urged UN to address religiophobia beyond just one faith Did our AI summary help?
Govt rejects claims that Iran sought exchange of vessels for Strait of Hormuz safe passage, says 'no discussion between Indian, Iranian authorities..'

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to reports of a possible swap involving Iranian tankers in exchange for safe passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, said, 'No discussion between India and Iran'









An Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, Shivalik, arrives at Mundra Port via the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran India denies talks with Iran over exchange of seized tankers

MEA says seized vessels are not Iran-owned or carrying Iran crude

Iran seeks return of tankers for safe Hormuz passage Did our AI summary help?
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, at a government briefing, said, We are getting more crude today due to increased diversification.
The Congress-led administration, headed by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has been under pressure over the states financial position.

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
INDIA bloc rift deepens? Bihar Rajya Sabha election loss fuels RJD frustration with Congress

The absence of the three Congress MLAs has sparked anger within the RJD, with party leaders privately blaming the Congress for failing to rein in dissent within its ranks.









During Bihar Assembly elections, prolonged seat-sharing negotiations between the Congress and RJD had led to confusion, rebel candidates, and losses in several constituencies. RJD blames Congress as MLAs miss Rajya Sabha vote in Bihar

NDA wins all five Rajya Sabha seats, opposition alliance strained

Tejashwi Yadav accuses BJP of horse-trading, pledges to fight on Did our AI summary help?
Lok Sabha revokes suspension of 8 opposition MPs with immediate effect

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday revoked with immediate effect the suspension of eight Opposition members, who were suspended from the House on February 3 for "unruly" behaviour, after Congress leader K Suresh requested the House to consider the matter. Following the submissions by several opposition members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was a need to draw a Laxman Rekha for the smooth functioning of the House, which both treasury and opposition benches agreed to. Speaker Om Birla said there is a need to ensure that no placards, posters, photos or AI-generated images are displayed in the House or inside the Parliament complex. Rijiju then moved a motion to remove the suspension of seven Congress MPs and one CPI-M member, which was adopted by a voice vote.
Jamshedpur man among crew of LPG vessel back from West Asia, family heaves sigh of relief

Mithilesh Tripathy said his only son, Ansh Tripathy, who serves as the second engineer on the vessel, was responsible for monitoring the ship's technical operations during the journey

PTI March 17, 2026 / 10:05 IST























Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, with 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday following negotiations between India and Iran.
KC Tyagi quits JD(U) a day after Nitish Kumar's Rajya Sabha win

Tyagi was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2013 and went on to serve as the JDU's National General Secretary on three separate occasions. In 2024, he stepped down as the party's National Chief Spokesperson, citing personal reasons.









KC Tyagi
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces recorded 171 combat clashes over the past 24 hours. This was reported on Telegram in an operational update on the Russian invasion as of 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.

"Yesterday, the enemy launched one missile strike, using one rocket, and 70 airstrikes, dropping 200 guided bombs. In addition, they used 9,616 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,715 shelling attacks on populated areas and positions of our troops, including 98 using multiple launch rocket systems," the General Staff reported.
Lok Sabha revokes suspension of 8 Opposition MPs after consensus, sets decorum rules

The MPs whose suspensions were lifted include Congress members Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole and C Kiran Kumar Reddy, along with CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan.









The Lok Sabha Secretariat also issued a bulletin reiterating rules on maintaining decorum within the Parliament Estate. Lok Sabha revoked suspension of eight Opposition MPs immediately

Both sides agreed to uphold decorum and avoid disruptive conduct

Rules prohibit placards, posters, and AI images in Parliament Did our AI summary help?
Sujata Sharma said, "Regarding enforcement action, so far, about twelve thousand raids have been conducted in the last few days. About fifteen thousand cylinders have been seized
NIA arrests six Ukrainians, one American in terror conspiracy case; flags cross-border drone threat to India

In court filings, the NIA alleged that the group played a role in "illegally importing large consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India" for use by ethnic armed organisations.









The arrests were carried out in a coordinated multi-city operation last week under provisions of the UAPA, with Section 18 pertaining to conspiracy among the charges invoked. NIA arrests 6 Ukrainians, 1 American for India terror plot

Accused allegedly imported drones for hostile groups via India

Court extends police custody amid ongoing conspiracy probe Did our AI summary help?
Four opposition MLAs  three from the Congress and one from the RJD  failed to cast their votes in the Rajya Sabha election.
Sky-high fares: Why your flight ticket will cost more this summer

If the Iran war eases quickly, the impact may be short lived but if it extends into summer, both airlines and passengers could face a prolonged period of higher costs and disrupted travel









FILE PHOTO: Emirates aircraft are seen at Dubai International Airport Crude oil price surge pushes up airline costs and fares globally

Indian carriers introduce fuel surcharges amid rising ATF prices

Middle East airspace limits and reduced capacity raise fares Did our AI summary help?
TMC list out: Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari battle shifts to Bhabanipur; what this means

The ruling Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, with party supremo Banerjee declaring that the party will contest 291 of the 294 seats in the state









Banerjee will contest the 2026 Assembly polls from Bhabanipur, setting the stage for a renewed battle with BJPs Suvendu Adhikari Mamata Banerjee to face Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur

Trinamool Congress announces 291 candidates for 2026 polls

TMC to skip three Darjeeling seats in seat-sharing deal Did our AI summary help?
TMC candidates list 2026: Mamata's party releases names for 291 West Bengal seats | Check full list

However, Banerjee won't contest from the Nandigram seat in Purba Medinipur district, where she lost to Adhikari in the 2021 assembly election. Trinamool has fielded Pabitra Kar from Nandigram.









Mamata Banerjee urges voters to boycott BJP and vote Trinamool
Gurkirat was reportedly attacked by a group of 10 to 12 men and then run over by a vehicle
Uttar Pradesh govt asks producers to stamp eggs with expiry dates from April 1

Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Mukesh Meshram, said that egg producers will have to stamp each egg with the date of production and also with the date of expiry.

PTI March 17, 2026 / 23:22 IST























Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Mukesh Meshram, said that egg producers will have to stamp each egg with the date of production and also with the date of expiry.
Varanasi iftar on Ganga: 14 arrested over 'biryani leftovers', police cite 'religious hurt, pollution'

The group, identified as local saree shop workers, had reportedly organised the outing on Sunday and filmed it, allegedly for a reel.









Representative image Fourteen men detained after Iftar gathering on boats in the Ganga

Police probe alleged religious offence and river pollution

FIR filed under multiple BNS sections and Water Pollution Act Did our AI summary help?
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he saw nothing new in Irans threats to strike Ukraine if it provides assistance to Middle Eastern countries in repelling Iranian attacks.

This is nothing new. I have heard many different messages over the last four years. Whats important for us is that the United States and leaders of Middle Eastern countries asked for help with drone interceptors. They sought our expertise in air defense. Air defense is not about offensive capabilities. Thats why I said that we were ready to help with this expertise and defensive systems. We are not afraid of any messages of the kind. We have heard such messages every day for the last four years, for 12 years, to be precise. Its not new for us, he said in an interview with i24NEWS and the Jerusalem Post.

As reported, Irans parliamentary national security committee chairman, Ebrahim Azizi, said Ukraine was "drawn into the war" because of its alleged drone support for Israel.

By providing drone support to the Israeli regime, failed Ukraine has effectively become involved in the War and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has turned its entire territory into a legitimate target for Iran, he said on X Saturday.
West Bengal CM writes to CEC, raises concerns over transfer of officials: Without any cognisant reasons

Historically, during the previous elections, the Commission, while exercising these powers, has consistently consulted state government as a matter of constitutional propriety, says Bengal CM.









West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accuses the Election Commission of undermining 'co-operative federalism' Mamata Banerjee objects to EC's officer transfers in West Bengal

EC announces assembly poll dates for West Bengal and other states

Model Code of Conduct enforced in 6 states and UTs Did our AI summary help?
Why details of bank accounts of deceased persons can't be disclosed to heirs: Supreme Court to Centre

The top court asked the Centre and the RBI to file fresh affidavits in the matter and posted the matter for hearing on May 5.

PTI March 17, 2026 / 18:46 IST























Supreme Court
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OPINION | Middle East Gas Crisis: Pipeline alternative for India

An undersea pipeline offers a less geopolitically exposed, more cost-effective alternative to LNG. SBI CAP has shown that piped gas will be $ 2 per mmbtu cheaper than LNG









The closure of the Hormuz Strait has led to a loss of twenty percent of the world's oil supply.
OPINION Why govt must press ahead with the IDBI divestment

As on Dec 31 2025, IDBI had a better ROE of 14.5% and a ROA of 1.83%









IDBI BANK IDBI divestment bids fall below government reserve price.

Government urged to continue IDBI stake sale despite hurdles.

Deal fatigue and regional instability may deter future bidders. Did our AI summary help?
Dubai residents survive drone strike, arrested for sending pics to family: Treated as suspects, not victims'

According to accounts shared by the advocacy organisation Detained in Dubai, the residents were inside their homes at the time of the impact. Following the explosion, they took a photograph of the destruction and sent it privately to family members to reassure them that they had survived.









The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on the sharing of images and videos linked to recent missile and drone activity affecting the UAE. (Image: X)
'Its like a joke': Humanoid robot arrested in China after scaring woman. Watch

A humanoid robot was escorted away by police in Macau after it startled an elderly woman in public. The incident, which quickly went viral, has sparked online reactions about the growing presence of robots.









The woman reacted angrily, drawing attention from bystanders. (Image credit: X/@PamphletsY) Humanoid robot startles elderly woman in Macau, police intervene

Robot returned to operator, who was warned about public testing

Incident sparked online debate on robot safety in public spaces Did our AI summary help?
Sunlight at night? Startup plans to sell light on Earth after dark for Rs 4.6 lakh an hour. Here's how

The company, Reflect Orbital, headquartered in Hawthorne, has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to launch an initial prototype. If cleared, the test satellite could be deployed as early as this year.









Reflect Orbitals first prototype is expected to be roughly the size of a small refrigerator.
This billionaire is convincing others to abandon Bill Gates's Epstein-adjacent The Giving Pledge

Last year, Peter Thiel recalled calling Elon Musk to retract his pledge, warning the Tesla founder his wealth would go to 'left-wing nonprofits that will be chosen by Bill Gates'.









The Giving Pledge was launched in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces shelled populated areas in Donetsk region 19 times, killing three and injuring five, according to Vadym Filashkin, head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration.

Some 221 people, including 47 children, have been evacuated from the front lines, the head of the Regional Military Administration wrote on his Telegram channel.

"Kramatorsk district. In Mykolaivka, one person was killed and one was injured. Three private homes, two multi-story buildings, a power line, and a gas pipeline were damaged. In Serhiyivka, Andriyivska community, 22 private homes were damaged, and a warehouse and agricultural equipment were destroyed. In Oleksandrivka, two people were killed, 11 private homes, three multi-story buildings, a store, a pharmacy, an infrastructure facility, a power line, and two cars were damaged. In Druzhkivka, four people were injured, nine multi-story buildings, three private homes, and a store were damaged," the message reads.
A 50-year-old Nuclear Tomb holding 120,000 tonnes is crackingWhat lies beneath Runit Dome?

With over 120,000 tonnes of radioactive material inside, the cracking Runit Dome is becoming a growing global concern. The dome was designed to contain contamination temporarily and it is cracking slowly.
Asteroid warning: NASA confirms two asteroids will make a close approach to Earth today

Two asteroids namely VO142 and 2026 EZ2 will fly past safely on March 17. NASA is monitoring both closely for science and safety.









Two asteroids to fly past Earth on 17 March. (Image: Canva) Two asteroids will safely pass Earth in March 2026.

NASA confirms neither asteroid poses any threat to Earth.

Flybys help scientists refine planetary defense strategies. Did our AI summary help?
Big Leap at Sea: India successfully tests High-Tech LiDAR Buoy system in Tamil Nadu

India has successfully tested a floating LiDAR buoy system to measure wind and ocean data, boosting weather prediction, offshore energy and marine research capabilities. This marks a breakthrough in indigenous marine technology.









ndias National Institute of Ocean Technology has successfully tested a Floating LiDAR Buoy System in Tamil Nadu. (Image: X/@DefenceDecode) NIOT tests Floating LiDAR Buoy off Muttom coast.

Buoy measures wind profiles up to 300 metres above sea level.

System boosts India's weather and ocean observation capabilities. Did our AI summary help?
Yaogan Satellite Launch 2026: China send 8 satellites into orbit in Kuaizhou-11 rocket Launch

China launched Yaogan Satellite into space on 16 March with 8 satellites into orbit with Kuaizhou-11 Y7 rocket marking its fifth flight. This launch happened from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in North China.









Kuaizhou-11 Y7 carrier rocket launched on 16 March from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. (Image: X/@AJ_FI) China launched Yaogan satellite into retrograde orbit on Mar 16, 2026.

Eight small satellites deployed via Kuaizhou-11 rocket rideshare.

China enhances earth monitoring with new satellite launch. Did our AI summary help?
Apple iPhone 18 price leaked and this is how much it may cost

A new report suggests Apple may keep the iPhone 18 Pro series price unchanged despite rising component costs. Analysts say the company may absorb costs to maintain market share.









iPhone 17 Pro Apple may keep iPhone 18 Pro prices unchanged from iPhone 17 Pro

Apple absorbing rising component costs to maintain market share

Foldable iPhone may launch later, starting at around $1,999 Did our AI summary help?

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Elon Musk pledges to donate any OpenAI legal victory proceeds to charity

Elon Musk has said he will donate any proceeds from his lawsuit against OpenAI, as the high-stakes case heads toward a jury trial in April 2026.

Sarthak Singh March 17, 2026 / 12:24 IST























Elon Musk Musk says any legal winnings from OpenAI suit will go to charity

He alleges OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission for profit

Jury trial set for April 2026 over fraud and breach claims Did our AI summary help?

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Nvidia expands autonomous driving deals with Hyundai, Nissan and BYD

Nvidia has announced new partnerships with global automakers to expand its autonomous driving platform, signalling growing momentum for self-driving technology as the industry looks beyond traditional AI growth.

Sarthak Singh March 17, 2026 / 10:43 IST























Nvidia Nvidia partners with Hyundai, Nissan, BYD, Geely for AV tech

Drive Hyperion platform supports Level 4 autonomous driving

Industry faces challenges but sees growing momentum for AVs Did our AI summary help?

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Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine /www.president.gov.ua/

Ukraine spends $10,000 to shoot down a drone, while a Middle Eastern country spends $4 million. Ukraine is offering its drone-shooting expertise, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.

What is our expertise? The fact that an interceptor drone costs $3,000$5,000. In other words, about $10,000 is spent to intercept one shahed, while a Patriot missile costs $4 million. Ukraine spends about $10,000 to shoot down a drone, while a Middle Eastern country spends $4 million. This is the experience we are offering, Zelenskyy said in an interview with the New York Post.

At the same time, the president noted that he would very much like the United States not to perceive Ukraine as a country that only asks for help.

That is not the case. Ukraine is defending interests and values. Of course, the U.S. is right when it says it is farther from this war than Europe. That is understandable. But we see U.S. allies in the Middle East, and we see what  and who  threatens them, Zelenskyy noted.

According to him, war is not as far away as it seems, and it is necessary to act as quickly as possible.

It is no longer the case that someone can simply buy modern weapons or extract oil and gas and remain safe. Security comes from having the most advanced technologies and constantly developing them, he stressed.
Samsung may end Galaxy Z TriFold sales just months after launch

Samsung may soon stop selling its experimental Galaxy Z TriFold, with reports suggesting the foldable device was always meant as a limited-run showcase rather than a mainstream product.

Sarthak Singh March 17, 2026 / 11:32 IST























Samsung Tri Fold Samsung to end Galaxy Z TriFold sales in South Korea on March 17

TriFold's initial batch sold 3,000 units.

US sales ongoing until stock depletes, device costs $3,000 Did our AI summary help?

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MC EXCLUSIVE Smartphone PLI 2.0 likely in 3-4 weeks; Apple, Samsung to gain big as industry seeks higher incentives

Contours of the new programme are expected to be finalised over the next month but US Supreme Court's tariff decision has complicated the math for manufacturers









smartphone PLI Government plans successor to mobile PLI scheme expiring March 31

New scheme aims for higher outlay and stronger export support

Policy stability to sustain India's smartphone export growth Did our AI summary help?

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Xiaomi 17 Ultra Review: A camera-first flagship done right

If youre the kind of person who sees your phone as your primary cameraand wants it to feel like onethe Xiaomi 17 Ultra makes a very compelling, slightly indulgent, and entirely deliberate case for itself.









Xiaomi 17 Ultra Xiaomi 17 Ultra focuses on pro-level photography features

Camera system includes 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 200MP telephoto

Photography Kit Pro adds grip, shutter buttons, and extra battery Did our AI summary help?

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Discover 10 of the most beautiful crystal-clear lakes in the world with stunning blue waters, from Pangong Tso in India to Moraine Lake in Canada.

From the Himalayas to Canada and New Zealand, these crystal-clear lakes are known for their stunning shades of blue and peaceful beauty.
Flight rerouting pushes corporate travel costs up to 2x for Indian companies: Report

Organisations have postponed travel plans where flights involve transit through the Gulf region.









travel
Thailand tops Asias sustainable travel rankings in 2026, with 95% prioritising eco-friendly trips. Agoda survey shows rising demand for responsible travel across Asia.

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.
835 civilians killed, over 1,300 injured: Afghanistan says Pakistan strikes hitting civilians, hospitals, mosques

The latest flashpoint came on Monday, when Pakistani airstrikes reportedly hit a major drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. Afghan authorities said the strike killed around 400 people and injured another 250.









Afghan Red Crescent Society volunteers carry victims' bodies at the site after Pakistani airstrikes hit the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, on March 17, 2026. (Photo by Wakil Kohsar / AFP) Pakistans military strikes in Afghanistan have reportedly killed hundreds of civilians, including a hospital attack in Kabul. Afghan officials accuse Pakistan of targeting medical and religious sites, causing mass displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Did our AI summary help?
Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei narrowly survived a deadly US-Israel missile strike on February 28 by stepping outside moments before impact. His wife and son were killed, and his absence from public view has fueled speculation about his health.

Did our AI summary help?
Afghan firefighters and Taliban security personnel work to extinguish fires after an airstrike hit the Secondary Rehabilitation Services Centre in Kabul on March 16.
Photo: https://www.youtube.com/live/RJNSK8HPks4?si=jC9izPZA0m4HrIAU

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement regarding the situation surrounding the Druzhba oil pipeline, announcing that Kyiv had accepted the EUs offer of assistance.

Costa published the text of the statement on his social media page on X on Tuesday.

Following the renewed Russian strikes on January 27 on the Druzhba pipeline, leading to the interruption of crude oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, we have engaged in intense discussions with Member States and Ukraine at all levels to restore the flow of oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer, the statement reads.

EU leaders say European experts are available immediately.

Our priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens. In this sense, we will continue to work with the concerned parties on alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Costa and von der Leyen stressed.
Better to name this 'Epic Fear': Iran's wartime command centre mocks Trump over 'Epic Fury' operation; says his tweets can't determine war's outcomes

The operation, referred to by US President Donald Trump as Epic Fury, marked a sharp escalation with strikes in Iran following months of rising tensions over Irans nuclear programme and regional influence.
Blaze, breakdowns and burnout: USS Ford crew battles strain during extended Middle East mission

More than 600 sailors were displaced as a result, losing access to their bunks and instead sleeping on floors and tables, the New York Times report said









The USS Gerald R Ford is now nearing its 10th month at sea and could surpass the post-Vietnam War deployment record of 294 days if it remains deployed into mid-April Fire aboard USS Gerald R. Ford took over 30 hours to extinguish

More than 600 sailors displaced, two treated for minor injuries

Carrier nearing 10 months at sea, deployment may extend into May Did our AI summary help?
Can India help defuse the US-Iran war? Here's why Finland thinks Delhi should try

Finlands President has urged India to help broker peace in the US-Iran conflict as New Delhi steps up diplomatic engagement to secure energy routes.









President Alexander Stubb backs Indias diplomatic outreach as New Delhi engages Iran to safeguard energy routes and push for de-escalation. Finland urges India to mediate US-Iran tensions for ceasefire

India intensifies diplomatic talks with Iran amid conflict

India maintains energy flows through Hormuz despite disruptions Did our AI summary help?
The US-Israel war against Iran has expanded into a regional crisis, with over 2,000 fatalities and attacks on embassies, US allies, and civilian infrastructure. Diplomatic missions face evacuations and closures amid escalating violence and proxy involvement.

Did our AI summary help?
'Felt next bomb would hit our hotel': Indian returnees from Iran recount horror as US-Iran war continues

A medical student from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, originally from Srinagar in Kashmir, said the initial relocation from Tehran had brought only temporary comfort.
Why Pakistan's Afghanistan hospital massacre jolted a war-weary world, again

Article 18 of the Geneva Convention IV and Article 19 of the Geneva Convention I forbid attacks on hospitals and medical units.









The Minab school strike claimed over 150 lives, while the Kabul rehab centre strike killed nearly 400. Minab school strike killed over 150, mostly children, in Iran.

Pakistan airstrike on Kabul rehab center killed nearly 400 civilians.

Both attacks violated international humanitarian law protections. Did our AI summary help?
A man walks near a banner displayed at Valiasr Square in central Tehran on March 10, 2026, depicting Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (L) watching as his successor the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (C) hands over a national flag to his son and new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (R). (Photo by AFP)
'Good will triumph over evil': Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu wishes Iranian people on Nowruz

Nowruz marks the Parsi New Year and the beginning of the Iranian calender









Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu debunks death rumors, confirms he is alive and active.

He wished Iranians a happy Nowruz, emphasizing hope and light.

Netanyahu remains in office despite tensions, officials confirm. Did our AI summary help?
How this Pakistani vessel transited 'dangerous' Strait of Hormuz: 'Pattern to look for going forward'

A Pakistani-flagged Aframax tanker named Karachi sailed through the strait on Sunday while broadcasting its location, becoming the first non-Iranian vessel to do so since the latest tensions escalated.
Iran keeps earning from oil even during war as US looks the other way

Washington is allowing Iranian crude to keep flowing to avoid pushing global prices even higher.









Representative image Iran's oil exports continue despite strikes and US sanctions

US avoids strict enforcement to prevent oil price spikes

Most Iranian oil is sold to China via discounted shipments Did our AI summary help?
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/Serhii.Flash

Russia launched 40 drones with their warheads removed and additional batteries for the Lancet on Kyiv information project, according to advisor to the Ukrainian Defense Minister, Serhiy Beskrestnov (call sign Flash).

"Our air defense has been operating very effectively lately, and Russian officials desperately need to provide Putin and the Russian public with at least some significant news, and so the Lancet on Kyiv information project is born. To achieve this, they are preparing a whole operation with Shaheds and Lancets. The goal is to demonstrate, at any cost, to the Russian public and top brass the remnants of a Lancet in Kyiv To this end, they are launching 40 Lancets on Kyiv They are adding Shaheds with Lancet fragments to the Lancets, and in the morning, this entire flock flies out to Kyiv," he wrote on Facebook.

The advisor noted that since the Lancet UAV is a short-range, frontline strike system with a range of 30 to 80 km, the Russians removed the UAVs warhead and replaced it with an additional battery using new technology to implement the project. The launch was carried out from the closest point to Kyiv, with favorable wind conditions, toward the capital.

"Its possible to control Lancets over such distances via radio at an altitude of 1.5 kilometers, but not to attack them from the ground. But thats not necessary; the task is different. This entire procession, in flight, stretched out at altitudes practically from Chernihiv to Kyiv. Our agencies did a good job, and miraculously, a few units from the flock made it to Kyiv. They, of course, didnt cause any damage, but they did send debris to Maidan," Flash noted.

Beskrestnov sarcastically thanked the enemy.

"We are grateful to the Russian Federation for this operation because: 1. These 40 Lancets could have caused trouble by attacking our equipment and personnel at the front lines or substations. 2. We once again practiced tactics for detecting and countering small air targets. 3. We have the opportunity to examine the electronics of the downed Lancets," the Defense Ministry adviser concluded.

As reported on Monday, Beskrestnov stated that not a single Russian Lancet-type attack UAV is physically capable of reaching Kyiv.

As reported on Monday, Defense Express, citing its own sources, reported that the drone that crashed this morning on Kyivs Independence Square was a new type of Lancet UAV, equipped with artificial intelligence, which poses a "significant threat" as it is designed for group attacks and target recognition. The publication published live photos from the crash site and suggested that the drones could have been launched from Belarus or Russia.
Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei turns down ceasefire offer, vows tough response to US and Israel: Report

The official said Mojtaba Khameneis stance on seeking revenge against the United States and Israel was very tough and serious during his first foreign policy session,









Mojtaba Khamenei Mojtaba Khamenei rejects ceasefire proposals with the US

Khamenei demands US and Israel accept defeat before peace

Strait of Hormuz remains closed, energy prices rise Did our AI summary help?
Irans regime under pressure, but still firmly in control

Weeks of airstrikes have weakened Irans military, but the system itself looks more hardened, with power shifting further toward the IRGC.









Emergency personnel work at the site of a strike on a residential building in Iran's Tehran. (Reuters) Iran's regime endures despite US and Israeli airstrikes.

IRGC's power grows with regime centralization

Iran uses Strait of Hormuz to pressure global oil markets Did our AI summary help?
Desalination plants are vital for Gulf countries' water supply, making them vulnerable targets in regional conflicts. Attacks could cause immediate water shortages, disrupt power, trigger panic, and violate international law, risking a humanitarian crisis.

Did our AI summary help?
Netanyahu confirms Larijani killed in Israeli airstrikes, says it gives Iranians chance to overthrow rulers

Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Iran's authorities by the people 'will not happen all at once', it will not happen easily









Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Courtesy: Reuters photo) Netanyahu: Larijani's death aids Iranians in changing rulers

Israel claims strikes killed key Iranian and Palestinian leaders

Strikes impact several Middle Eastern nations amid tensions Did our AI summary help?
'Never heard him so angry': US Senator says Trump furious over allies inaction in Strait of Hormuz

Senator Lindsey Graham said he shares President Trumps anger over European allies refusal to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.









Lindsey Graham says he shares Trumps anger as allies refuse to secure Strait of Hormuz
New York-Delhi Air India passengers feel vibrations and noise below their seats; flight diverted to Ireland

At the time, the aircraft was flying close to the Irish coastline. After being informed about the situation, the pilots decided to divert the flight and land at Shannon as a precautionary measure.
NIA arrests six Ukrainians and one American for plotting terror activities in India: What is the case about?

Seven foreign nationals, including an American and six Ukrainians, have been arrested in India for allegedly training armed groups in Myanmar and facilitating drone operations, raising security concerns in the northeast border region.









India detains six Ukrainians, one American over alleged military training in Myanmar
No more talks: Taliban vows revenge after accusing Pakistan of airstrikes that killed 400 civilians

Taliban claims 400 killed in Pakistan airstrikes, calls them attacks on civilians. Pakistan says strikes targeted terror sites. Tensions sharply escalate.









Kabul accuses Pakistan of targeting civilians; Islamabad says it hit terror infrastructure under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq Taliban accuses Pakistan of deadly airstrikes on Kabul civilians

Pakistan claims strikes targeted Taliban terror infrastructure

Taliban ends talks with Pakistan, warns of retaliation Did our AI summary help?
Amid US-Israel-Iran conflict, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are slowly resuming, but disruptions persist. Iran restricts passage for US and allies, while Trump expresses optimism for a quick end to the war. Global energy and diplomatic uncertainty remain.

Did our AI summary help?
Taliban claims 400 killed, 250 injured in Pakistani airstrike on Kabul hospital

Afghanistan says a Pakistani airstrike struck a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing more than 250 people, while Islamabad denies targeting civilians and says the strikes hit militant infrastructure.









Smoke rises after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul. (Courtesy: Reuters photo)
Photo: General Staff

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported the destruction of a TOR-M2U anti-aircraft missile system, a Bastion coastal missile system concentration area, a communications hub, and enemy military logistics facilities on Russian territory and in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

"As part of reducing the offensive potential of the Russian aggressor, on March 16 and on the night of March 17, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck important enemy military targets. Specifically, a TOR-M2U anti-aircraft missile system was hit near Klintsy (Bryansk region, Russia), as well as a missile battalion concentration area of the 15th Separate Coastal Missile Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (armed with Bastion coastal missile systems) near Verkhniokurhanne (TOT, Autonomous Republic of Crimea)," the General Staff said on its Telegram channel.

According to the department, an enemy communications center near Manhush (TOT, Donetsk region) was also struck. Furthermore, Ukrainian Defense Forces units struck enemy UAV control centers near Huliaipole and Obratne in Zaporizhia region, as well as an enemy manpower concentration area near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region.

A number of enemy military logistics facilities were also hit, including a fuel and lubricants depot in Melitopol, as well as ammunition depots in Stepne and Terpinnia areas (Zaporizhia region). A UAV training center near Henicheska Hirka (Kherson region) was also hit.

The occupiers losses and the extent of the damage are being determined.
Pakistans strikes in Afghanistan, including the Kabul hospital attack, appear less about security and more about deflecting pressure from the Iran war. Caught between Iran, Saudi Arabia and Trump, Asim Munirs Pakistan is opening a new front to avoid choosing sides.

Abhinav Gupta With over 12 years in digital journalism, has navigated the fast-evolving media landscape, shaping digital strategies and leading high-impact newsrooms. Currently, he serves as News Editor at MoneyControl, leading coverage in Global Affairs, Indian Politics, Governance and Policy Making. Previously, he has spearheaded fact-checking and digital media operations at Press Trust of India. Abhinav has also led news desks at Financial Express, DNA, and Jagran English, managing editorial direction, breaking news coverage, and digital growth. His journey includes stints with The Indian Express Group, Zee Media Group, and more, where he has honed his expertise in newsroom leadership, audience engagement, and digital transformation.
Pakistan calls off military parade amid financial crisis, austerity drive

In the backdrop of the ongoing Gulf oil crisis and the consequent austerity measures announced by the Government, it has been decided that the Pakistan Day Parade and associated ceremonial events shall not be held on March 23, the government said









Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Pakistan cancels annual military parade amid financial crisis

March 23 will be marked with a simple flag hoisting ceremony

Austerity measures include fuel cuts and reduced work weeks Did our AI summary help?
PM Modi condemns attacks on UAE, says both nations discussed the significance of Strait of Hormuz

Since Khamenei's killing, Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation, targeting US bases and assets in multiple Gulf states. But reports suggest the UAE has been bearing the brunt more than any other Gulf country.









PM Narendra Modi
Gulf states didnt seek war with Iran, now many want Trump to finish what it started; here's why

Gulf states urge US not to stop short in Iran war after strikes hit region, as leaders weigh risks of escalation versus long-term threat to oil lifelines









After Iranian strikes across the Gulf, regional powers face a stark choice: push Washington to degrade Tehrans military or risk living under a permanent threat to oil flows Gulf states urge US to weaken Iran's military after attacks

Iran's Gulf strikes alter regional sentiment and strategy

Gulf leaders wary of wider war, avoid direct military involvement Did our AI summary help?
Top US counterterror official resigns over Trump's Iran war, says Tehran posed no imminent threat

In a statement posted on social media, Kent said he cannot in good conscience back the ongoing conflict, directly challenging the rationale behind the US military campaign.









US Counterterrorism Centre Director Joe Kent -- File Photo
Trump calls intelligence chief Joe Kents resignation over Iran war 'good thing'

Responding to the development, Donald Trump described Kents departure as a good thing, signaling little tolerance for dissent over the administrations Iran policy.









Trump calls resignation of senior US intelligence official over Iran 'good thing' Joe Kent resigns as head of National Counterterrorism Center over Iran conflict

Kent cites Iran posed no imminent threat and external pressure

Trump calls Kent's departure a "good thing," firm on Iran policy Did our AI summary help?
Donald Trump claimed a former US president privately wished he'd ordered strikes on Iran, but representatives for all four living ex-presidents denied any such conversation. The identity remains unclear, and Trump's claim is unverified amid heightened scrutiny.

Did our AI summary help?
Is Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei gay? 'Trump couldn't stop laughing'

According to the report, rumours about Mojtaba Khameneis sexuality had circulated inside Iran since at least the May 2024 helicopter crash that killed then-president Ebrahim Raisi, who had been widely viewed as the elder Khameneis preferred successor.









Iran's new Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Trump reportedly laughed at claims Iran's leader Mojtaba is gay

US intel deems allegation credible, not disinformation

Rumors about Mojtaba's sexuality have circulated since May 2024 Did our AI summary help?
Trump said Irans retaliation was a surprise; US intelligence had already flagged it as a risk

US intelligence warned Trump of Iran retaliation risk before strikes, contradicting his claim of surprise.









Pre-war intelligence warned of Iranian strikes on Gulf states and possible Hormuz disruption US intelligence warned of Iranian retaliation before Gulf strikes

Trump's claim of surprise contradicted by intelligence briefings

Precautions lagged behind warnings, raising planning questions Did our AI summary help?
Trump says to make delayed China trip in 'five or six weeks'

"We have a very good working relationship with China, so we're making it in about five or six weeks," Trump told reporters in the White House.

AFP March 17, 2026 / 22:36 IST























Trump sought to play down the significance of the delay and said he had a strong relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump postpones China trip, now expected in five or six weeks

Trump says delay is unrelated to Strait of Hormuz tensions

US-China relations described as strong by both leaders Did our AI summary help?
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is working with rescuers following the morning shelling of Zaporizhia by Russian troops.

At the site of the morning attack on Zaporizhia, the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response team in the Zaporizhia region is working alongside the citys emergency services, URCS said on Facebook Tuesday.

Volunteers conducted door-to-door visits to identify affected people, provided first aid to three injured people, and transported one of the injured to a medical facility. They also delivered psychological first aid at the scene.

As reported, eight people were injured as a result of Russian shelling of the city on the morning of March 17. The building of the Nova Poshta innovation terminal was damaged.
They have nothing now: Trump asserts Irans military defeat and hints at US withdrawal

Trump says US not ready to exit Iran operation, signals withdrawal soon, criticises NATO and delays China visit.









Trump says US not ready to exit Iran operation but hints at imminent withdrawal
Trump says we dont need anybody then seeks help: A war stance full of contradictions. What's going on?

Such conflicting statements have become a defining feature of Trumps approach to the war, with the president oscillating between declarations of victory and warnings that the job is far from finished.









US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order on fraud in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 16, 2026. (Photo by ANNABELLE GORDON / AFP) President Trumps shifting statements on the Iran war have created confusion over US strategy, weakening domestic support, causing diplomatic uncertainty, and leading to rising casualties and economic fallout. Did our AI summary help?
Trump unloads on NATO, says US does not need anyone's help to reopen Strait of Hormuz

"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! , Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social









US President Donald Trump
US claims Iran missile power is crippled: How is Tehran still raining down fire in the Gulf?

Despite US claims of "destroyed" missile capability, Iran continues to launch scaled-down attacks, shifting to drones, mobile systems and a war of attrition across the region









Tehran, unable to sustain large barrages, is now firing one or two missiles or drones at a time, often targeting civilian or commercial infrastructure rather than military sites. US-Israeli strikes have sharply reduced Iran's missile attacks

Iran now uses smaller, sustained attacks and mobile launchers

Economic disruption and drone strikes continue across the region Did our AI summary help?
The US has lost up to 13 MQ-9 Reaper drones in Iran, costing over $330 million. Vulnerable to advanced air defenses, Reapers are being replaced by cheaper LUCAS drones, marking a shift from costly precision to affordable, mass-produced systems in modern warfare.

Did our AI summary help?
War clouds loom in Indias neighbourhood: Whats next after Pakistans bloodiest airstrikes on Afghanistan?

On Monday night, Pakistan carried out a massive airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul that left 400 people dead and over 250 injured.









Afghan firefighters and Taliban security personnel work to extinguish a fire at the Secondary Rehabilitation Services Centre in Kabul on March 16, 2026. (AFP) Pakistan airstrikes in Kabul kill 400, injure over 250 people

Taliban vows retaliation, ending talks with Pakistan

Escalation risks wider conflict in South Asia Did our AI summary help?
We dont need anybody: Trump after allies hesitate to help reopen Strait of Hormuz

The narrow waterway is a crucial global energy corridor, carrying roughly one-fifth of the worlds traded oil from the Gulf to international markets.









US President Trump Trump says US can secure Strait of Hormuz without allies

Most US allies decline to send ships to reopen the waterway

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, threatens oil prices to surge Did our AI summary help?
Where is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran breaks silence as war enters third week

Iran says Khamenei is fine amid war with US and Israel; warns ships linked to aggressors may not pass through Strait of Hormuz.









Tehran dismisses speculation over supreme leaders status, signals fresh message; flags restrictions on ships linked to aggressors Iran says Supreme Leader Khamenei is "fine" amid conflict rumors

Iran blames US and Israel for "imposed aggression" in 17th day

Iran may restrict passage of aggressor nations' ships in Hormuz Did our AI summary help?
Israel claims to have killed Ali Larijani, a key Iranian leader and head of Irans Supreme National Security Council, in a targeted strike. If confirmed, his death would be a major blow to Irans leadership amid ongoing conflict with Israel.

Did our AI summary help?
Why a Middle East war can push up fuel prices, even in oil-producing countries

Oil may be produced locally, but prices are set globally. That is why conflicts far away can still affect what you pay at the pump.









(Representative Image) US gas prices hit $3.72/gallon amid Middle East conflict

Global oil prices affect US fuel costs despite local production.

Middle East supply fears drive global oil prices up Did our AI summary help?
Under procedural guidance of prosecutors of Office of Prosecutor General, deputy head of Main Directorate of State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Kyiv and Kyiv region, deputy head of SBU Directorate in Rivne region, and a civilian intermediary detained for extorting money have been served with notices of suspicion, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported.

All three men are charged with receiving an improper advantage on an especially large scale (Part 4 of Article 368 of Criminal Code of Ukraine), Prosecutor General noted on Telegram channel on Tuesday.

According to him, the civilian intermediary is additionally charged with complicity in receiving an improper advantage (Part 5 of Article 27 of Criminal Code of Ukraine).

SBU officials organized a mechanism of pressure on business. They received improper advantages from enterprises for resolving their "problematic issues," Kravchenko emphasized.

He stressed that the official of Main Directorate of SBU in Kyiv and Kyiv region "used criminal proceedings as a source of illegal enrichment," and involved a civilian person as an intermediary to communicate with business and coordinate transfer of cash.

According to Prosecutor General, it was established that during meetings in Rivne region, entrepreneurs were quoted a sum of $600,000 as a so-called "tariff for quiet work."

In exchange, they promised to close criminal proceedings, change qualification of the case, and refrain from further interference in business activities, Prosecutor General noted.

He explained that receipt of improper advantage took place in stages: on March 6 in Kyiv, first tranche of $50,000 was handed over "as confirmation of seriousness of intentions."

After this, businessmen were provided with a "road map" for resolving their problems in criminal proceedings. On March 16, second tranche of $250,000 was handed over in a restaurant in Kyiv region, Prosecutor General specified.

Separately, according to Kravchenko, deputy head of SBU Directorate in Rivne region was exposed for receiving over $22,000 from an entrepreneur through the same intermediary to ensure unimpeded amber mining.

In total, law enforcement officers documented receipt of over $322,000.

"Tariff" for impunity did not work in this story. All three participants were detained, and funds were seized. Defendants face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property, Prosecutor General summarized.

Operational support in the case was provided by Main Directorate of Internal Security of SBU. Investigation is ongoing.
Why deadly Afghanistan hospital strike is an ironic moment for Pakistan

Though Pakistan maintained that it only targeted "military installations and terrorist support infrastructure", Afghanistan said that the strikes struck its state-run Omid hospital - a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation centre.









Afghan firefighters and Taliban security personnel work to extinguish fires after an airstrike hit the Secondary Rehabilitation Services Centre in Kabul on March 16, 2026. (AFP) Pakistan airstrike on Kabul hospital kills 400, injures 250

Afghanistan says state-run Omid hospital destroyed in attack

Pakistan faces scrutiny for targeting civilian infrastructure Did our AI summary help?
Photo: https://x.com/RoyalFamily/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with King Charles III of the United Kingdom on Tuesday, the Royal Family reported on X.

"This afternoon at Buckingham Palace, the President of Ukraine visited The King," the statement reads, accompanied by a photo of Zelenskyy and His Majesty Charles III.

Zelenskyy also confirmed the meeting with the monarch.

"I began my working visit to the United Kingdom with an audience with King Charles III. I thank His Majesty and the entire Royal Family for their unwavering support and solidarity with Ukraine," he said on X.

As reported, Zelenskyy arrived in London on Tuesday, where he is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, followed by a joint meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and later address members of the UK Parliament.
Actor Ryan Gosling and Co-Director Chris Miller promote the upcoming movie "Project Hail Mary" during an Amazon MGM Studios presentation at CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 2, 2025. REUTERS

LOS ANGELES (Reuters)  A great deal of Ryan Goslings journey through the film Project Hail Mary unfolded in solitude. The La La Land actor spent long stretches filming alone on set, or acting opposite an alien creature his character, Dr. Ryland Grace, dubs Rocky.

A lot of times Id be locked into the set for hours on end with an earwig, Gosling told Reuters. The directors would talk to me through the mic, ready to explore. Theres an experimentation process that keeps it from being a typical blockbuster  its not overwhelmed by its own scale.

Directed by the Spider-Verse franchise director duo Philip Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary opens in U.S. theaters on Friday.

The sciencefiction drama, adapted from Andy Weirs bestselling novel, follows mildmannered science teacher Grace, who wakes up alone on a spacecraft and slowly remembers he is humanitys last hope to stop the sun from dying. His mission takes an unexpected turn when he forms an unlikely friendship with an alien partner.

The cast also features Sandra Huller as Eva, a government official who recruits Grace for the perilous assignment. With their characters leading experts in their fields, Gosling said the actors were well supported behind the scenes.

We had molecular biologists on set for the experiments, and astronauts advising us, he said. We were provided with the best possible team and support system.

Goslings involvement went deeper than starring in the film. Weir, who also wrote the award-winning novel The Martian, sent him the unpublished manuscript and urged him not only to take the lead role but to help shape the project as a producer.

Ive never had a film take a bigger chunk out of me, but its never been more worth it, the Barbie actor said. Its been a sixyear journey to this point and just an experience of a lifetime.
By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Monday granted the Office of the Attorney Generals request to dismiss with prejudice the assault case against Peter Deleon Guerrero and Yichuan Bai.

Deleon Guerrero, 58, and Bai, 40, are two of three defendants charged in connection with an Aug. 25, 2025, incident in Chinatown, where prosecutors allege a tour guide was lured under false pretenses, kidnapped, and assaulted. The third defendant, Hee Jung Hwang, has since been removed from the CNMI by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The defendants were later linked to additional offenses after a search of Hwangs residence uncovered a stolen firearm, ammunition, and controlled substances.

In a recent motion to dismiss with prejudice, Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds said it is in the best interest of justice to dismiss the case against the defendants, but did not elaborate.

Judge Camacho issued the dismissal order on March 16.

The victim in the case, tour guide Jijing Jimmy Borja, has also been ordered removed from the CNMI. Honolulu Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner issued the removal order last month, citing Borjas prior criminal convictions and his non-U.S. citizen status. Borjas immigration case is separate from the CNMI criminal proceedings.

Earlier, the parties filed a stipulation requesting that Bai be released from the Department of Corrections and transferred to the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for removal proceedings.

With Borja removed from the jurisdiction, prosecution of the case became more complicated.

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.
Nick Benjamin

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE Public School System, the Marianas High School community, and Board of Education member Andrew Orsini mourn the passing of educator Nicholas Nick Benjamin.

Benjamin, a history teacher at MHS for 11 years, passed away at 7:06 p.m. on Saturday at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. due to a heart attack. He was 66.

He also taught social studies at Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School for seven years before serving at MHS.

PSS issued a statement on Tuesday, saying it mourns Benjamins passing and describing him as a dedicated educator whose passion for teaching and commitment to students left a lasting mark on the CNMI school community. Throughout his years of service, the statement said, Benjamin devoted himself to inspiring and guiding students both academically and personally.

For more than a decade at MHS, he was far more than a teacher, PSS said. He was a mentor, a guide, and a source of encouragement who believed in shaping not only students knowledge but also their character. He inspired students to believe in their potential, to lead with integrity, and to make a positive difference in their communities.

MHS Principal Melanie Sablan Rdiall also paid tribute to Benjamin. Fondly known to students, faculty, staff, and management as Candyman and Uncle Ben, he delivered the curriculum with great passion and in-depth knowledge, Rdiall said.

She often said that students enjoyed the stories Benjamin would share, which brought more relevance to the content he was teaching. It is almost as if he was able to bring NMI history to life, the principal said.

Rdiall reflected on Benjamins impact at MHS: For 11 years, he was far more than a teacher. He was a mentor, a guide, and a steady source of inspiration for every student who walked into his classroom. His passion for teaching went far beyond textbooks and lessons. Mr. Benjamin believed in shaping not only minds but also hearts and character. He encouraged students to see their potential, to rise above their doubts, and to become leaders who will serve and uplift their communities.

Because of his dedication, countless students discovered confidence they didnt know they had. Because of his influence, many learned that success is not just about grades, but about integrity, courage, and making a difference in the lives of others. The impact of eleven years cannot be measured only in time; it is measured in the lives he has shaped, the dreams he helped ignite, and the futures he has helped build, she added.

Rdiall said Benjamins legacy will continue through every life he touched and every leader he helped inspire. He will be missed dearly, she said.

Board of Education member Andrew Orsini said Benjamin was a well-known social studies teacher who taught government and history classes, especially in the CNMI and the Micronesian region.

He was a person of vast knowledge and wisdom. A very respectable individual. My prayers are with him and go out to his wife Elaine and family, Orsini added.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

ASSOCIATE Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Tuesday declined to comment on Attorney General Edward Manibusans six-page letter urging senators to reject his nomination as the next presiding judge of the CNMI Superior Court, citing restrictions under the CNMI Code of Judicial Conduct.

The code bars judges from making public statements on political matters or on issues involving the executive or legislative branches  a prohibition that extends to commentary about the Office of the Attorney General, which is part of the executive branch.

Respectfully, no comment, Camacho said when asked about Manibusans letter.

Under the code, judges must avoid political activity and may not make public statements that could be perceived as partisan or that relate to political controversies. The rules also prohibit judges from commenting on matters involving officials or agencies that regularly appear before the courts. Because the attorney general is a constitutional officer of the executive branch, the restrictions prevent Camacho from responding publicly to Manibusans criticisms.

Manibusans letter, dated March 16, 2026 and addressed to Senate leadership and members of the 24th Legislature, urges lawmakers to deny Camachos elevation to presiding judge. He argued that Camacho has failed to properly and consistently apply basic law in his cases, requiring extraordinary relief by the Supreme Court and creating substantial delays in criminal cases.

The attorney general attached summaries of five cases in which the Supreme Court overturned or corrected Camachos rulings, including In re Commonwealth, 2015 MP 7, where the trial court dismissed a sexual assault charge based on what Manibusan described as a nonexistent age exception. The Supreme Court found the ruling clearly erroneous as a matter of law and said the trial court had effectively inserted an age-based exception that did not exist in the statutory text.

In re Commonwealth v. Weintraub, 2019 MP 1, the Supreme Court vacated Camachos finding of prosecutorial misconduct, ruling that the record did not support a conclusion of deliberate bad faith. The letter states the trial courts decision publicly stigmatized a government attorney without sufficient legal basis and risked chilling lawful advocacy.

Manibusan also cited In re Commonwealth, 2020 MP 20, where the Supreme Court overturned an overbroad discovery order at a preliminary hearing; In re Commonwealth, 2023 MP 5, where the Court found Camacho misapplied the probable cause standard; and Commonwealth v. Onopey, 2024 MP 6, where a finding of prosecutorial bad faith was vacated because it rested on an erroneous understanding of the law.

These cases share critical features, Manibusan wrote. Most required extraordinary writ relief where a judge is clearly erroneous as a matter of law. He argued that the pattern harms the people of the Commonwealth by creating delays in justice for victims, increased litigation costs borne by taxpayers, and erosion of confidence in the consistent application of law.

Manibusan said the cases provide an overview of the lack of legal acumen in decision-making displayed by the judge in serious criminal matters involving violent crimes like sexual assault.

Camacho, who has served on the Superior Court since 2012, said only that he is bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct and therefore cannot respond to the attorney generals assertions.

The Senate Committee on Judicial Appointments is expected to schedule a hearing on his nomination in the coming weeks.

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.
EC: 20th EU sanctions package against Russia, EUR 90 bln loan to Ukraine still under discussion

Photo: elements.envato.com

Approval of the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia, as well as a EUR 90 billion loan for Ukraine, remains under discussion, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho has said.

Speaking at a briefing in Brussels on Tuesday, Pinho said there were no updates on sanctions, but noted that the issue was being actively discussed with the EU Council with a view to securing approval of the 20th package.

Regarding the substantial loan for Ukraine, she said discussions were ongoing and expressed hope for rapid progress, adding that a decision could possibly be reached before the European Council meeting scheduled for March 19 and 20.

Earlier, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, speaking at a press conference following the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, said that adoption of the 20th sanctions package was long overdue.

She added that discussions had taken place on how to move the process forward, noting that the same applied to the EUR 90 billion loan.
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For a book that looks as lighthearted as Many Ways of Seeing  with its calla lilies on the cover and thick, pale-pink spine  you might expect a breezy, uncomplicated read. But the story it tells is remarkably complex.

Many Ways of Seeing: Georgia OKeeffe, Fisk University, & the Alfred Stieglitz Collection Edited by Jen Padgett and Jamaal B. Sheats Rizzoli Electa 304 pages, $60

It involves death and money, pride and frustration, race and privilege. Its the story of one of the most influential art collections in the South  and one with the most strings attached.

Prominent photographer and New York City gallerist Alfred Stieglitz died in 1946, and his widow, artist Georgia OKeeffe, was tasked with finding permanent locations for his extensive personal collection of art. By 1949, OKeeffe had settled on Fisk University  one of the countrys most prestigious historically Black universities  as the recipient of 101 works from Stieglitzs archive.

The collection of OKeeffes donation  and the legacy that has followed it  is the complicated subject of Many Ways of Seeing. With full-color plates of each artwork, historic photos of exhibitions and key players, and new essays and scholarship devoted to the collection, this book pulls back the curtain on one of the most eventful exchanges in Southern art history.

OKeeffes motivations, the nature of the donation, and the subsequent impact of the collection over decades at Fisk have never before been fully explored, writes co-editor Jen Padgett in her essay, which in many ways works as the books introduction.

If it simply chronicled the works in the collection, Many Ways of Seeing would be a worthwhile endeavor. Alfred Stieglitz was one of the leading advocates for modern art in the United States, and as a gallerist he organized the first American exhibitions of Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso and Rodin  European modernists so influential that, even a century later, they are still recognized by a single name. The selection of works from his collection that are now owned by Fisk include works by some of these masters, including a painting from Picassos Blue Period (1901 to 1904).

When asked why she chose Fisk  an institution that Stieglitz had never visited  for such a generous chunk of his archive, OKeeffe said, somewhat cryptically: because I think it is a good thing to do at this time and that it would please Stieglitz.

But as the books title suggests, there are many ways to interpret the gift  it is invaluable to Fisks reputation as an art-forward institution, as well as to the students who spend time with the art collection, to look at it rather than read about it, as OKeeffe wrote. But its also a huge expense that a university has not always been equipped to contend with. The university first renovated a building that had previously served as a gymnasium to house the collection. As Padgett outlines in her essay, OKeeffe had on at least one occasion offended the head of Fisks art department, Aaron Douglas. Beyond personal conflict, Douglas remained concerned that the Stieglitz Collection would pull focus from the work of Black artists that Fisk had been collecting since the university was established in 1866. The legendary Douglas murals that adorn Fisk interior library walls, for example, had been made in 1930, more than a decade before the Stieglitz donation. For Douglas, Padgett writes, advancing Black thought and underscoring African contributions to modernity took priority over preserving the legacy of the vanguard white artists of the Stieglitz circle.

This is a refreshing approach to an art-historical story that is often saturated with hagiography and romanticism. OKeeffe is depicted as a benefactor who put Fisks art department on the map, but also one whose naturalized attitudes of Eurocentric entitlement were hard to ignore.

Padgett, who co-edited Many Ways of Seeing with Fisks Jamaal B. Sheats, is the first endowed curator at Crystal Bridges, an institution that struck a $30 million deal with Fisk that works a little like parents having joint custody. The Stieglitz Collection entered into a co-ownership agreement between the two institutions, which agreed to be equal partners in the care and display of the collection, with all 101 objects transferring between the locations every two years. (It will next be on display at Crystal Bridges in Arkansas in June.)

The book works like a primer on this long and ongoing saga. Archival photographs of exhibitions put documentary context into the grand collection of modern art. Inclusions like the calla lilies on the books cover  a detail from a 1926 painting by Charles Demuth  contain detailed descriptions about the work itself as well as its history within the Fisk community. Demuth dedicated the work to Bert Savoy, a vaudeville actor and female impersonator who was struck by lightning on a Long Island beach in 1923. Art historian David Sledge provides detailed, scholarly commentary on the work, which includes a synopsis of a lecture Aaron Douglas gave on the painting in 1951. For Douglas, Sledge writes, art was central to human flourishing, not an afterthought to it.

Together, all these elements accumulate into something larger than a conventional art history. They show how the collection  with its African figures, its colorful Arthur Dove abstractions, its drawings by Rodin and Toulouse-Lautrec  has functioned as a cultural inheritance that continues to shape the legacies of its stewards.
Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) from three regions have evacuated people from Zaporizhia region to Zakarpattia in western Ukraine.

The emergency response units from the Ukrainian Red Cross in Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Zakarpattia regions assisted in evacuating people from a frontline community in Zaporizhia region to a safer location in Zakarpattia, the URCS said on Facebook on Tuesday.

Volunteers evacuated four people with health issues who require additional support, including a 99-year-old woman. Their pets, two cats, were also transported to safety.

The evacuation was carried out in several stages. First, Zaporizhia emergency response units evacuated the people from the frontline community and transported them to the border with Dnipropetrovsk region. They were then accompanied by volunteers from Dnipropetrovsk team, who helped them reach a railway station and board a train. In Zakarpattia, they were met by local URCS volunteers and transported to prepared accommodation.
Astronomers Detect Sustained Infrared Signal Likely From Planetary Collision 11,500 Light-Years Away

Summary of Findings

Astronomers from the University of Washington have reported the detection of a sustained infrared signal from a star system designated Gaia-GIC-1, located approximately 11,500 light-years from Earth near the constellation Puppis. The researchers observed that the system has shown a constant infrared brightness for over four years, a pattern they attribute to the aftermath of a planetary collision. This event, first noted in 2020, provides a rare observational opportunity to study the violent processes theorized to form rocky planets like Earth. The findings were published on March 11, 2026, in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. [1][2]

According to the published study, the observed phenomenon involves a stable star that began exhibiting irregular optical dimming simultaneous with a sharp increase in infrared emission starting around 2019. The research team, led by Anastasios Tzanidakis and James R. A. Davenport, concluded that the most likely explanation is a collision between two large planetary building blocks, or planetesimals. This interpretation is supported by the mirror-image relationship between the star's dimming in visible light and its brightening in infrared wavelengths, a signature consistent with freshly generated dust clouds absorbing and re-radiating stellar heat. [3][4]

Detection and Monitoring of Anomalous Stellar Behavior

The anomalous activity was first flagged in 2020 by an automated alert system onboard the European Space Agency's Gaia space telescope, which monitors the brightness of over a billion stars. The system identified Gaia-GIC-1, a previously stable star, as exhibiting irregular and dramatic dimming. [1][2] This triggered follow-up observations using ground-based telescopes across the Southern Hemisphere, including facilities in Chile and South Africa, to confirm and monitor the behavior.

Analysis of archival data revealed that the star had been stable until approximately 2014. After that point, astronomers identified at least three distinct dimming events, each lasting roughly 200 days and reducing the star's visible light by about 25 percent. These dips repeated on a cycle of approximately 380.5 days, a pattern consistent with a large object orbiting the star at a distance of about 1.1 astronomical units, similar to Earth's distance from the Sun. Around 2019, this periodic dimming gave way to a more chaotic and severe fading, coinciding with the onset of the sustained infrared brightening. [2]

Evidence Supporting Collision Scenario

The key evidence for a collision scenario lies in the sustained thermal signature. Infrared observations show the debris cloud has maintained a constant temperature of approximately 900 Kelvin, or about 1,160 degrees Fahrenheit, for more than four years with no signs of cooling. This sustained heat indicates a continuous or long-lived source of thermal emission, consistent with a massive, fresh debris field generated by a violent impact [1][2]. The SPHEREx space telescope, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) infrared observatory, confirmed in early 2026 that the system remains infrared-bright, providing ongoing data. [2]

The optical dimming and infrared brightening track each other as inverse, mirror-image phenomena. According to the researchers, this specific pattern is a well-established fingerprint of newly formed dust absorbing starlight and re-emitting it as infrared radiation. The observed dynamics align closely with theoretical models predicting the aftermath of a giant impact between planetary bodies. [1][3] While similar events have been hypothesized, Gaia-GIC-1 offers an unusually long observation window to study the process.

Characteristics of Host Star and Debris Cloud

Researchers have identified the host star as likely a young F-type star, a class that is slightly hotter and heavier than our own Sun. Analysis of archival data from before the major activity began helped characterize the star, though ongoing dust obscuration has complicated spectroscopic observations. The star's possible association with nearby young star clusters suggests an age between 6 and 16 million years, placing it in a developmental window where giant planetary collisions are predicted to be most common. [1][2]

Estimates of the debris cloud's mass suggest it is equivalent to several times the mass of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Researchers caution that this is a conservative minimum estimate, as measurements only capture the hottest material and distance uncertainties of roughly 1,000 parsecs affect mass calculations. The initial colliding bodies are believed to have been far more massive than the observed debris. The collision is estimated to have occurred at approximately 1.1 astronomical units from the host star, a constraint derived from the pre-chaos periodic dimming events. [2][4]

Scientific Significance and Future Observations

Gaia-GIC-1 represents one of only a handful of candidate planetary collision systems ever detected around another star. Its discovery provides direct, ongoing observational evidence for the giant impact theory of planet formation, a process believed to have shaped Earth and created its Moon [1]. The extended observation window of over four years offers scientists a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of such collisions in detail, a process previously only simulated in computer models.

Future observations with powerful instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) could yield more definitive evidence. According to the research team, the JWST could potentially identify specific mineral signatures in the dust, such as silicate compositions, which would lend stronger support to the giant impact scenario. This would allow astronomers to compare the debris composition directly with predictions from planetary formation simulations. [1][2] The system's continued activity makes it a prime target for such follow-up studies.

Study Limitations and Alternative Explanations

While the planetary collision scenario is the favored explanation, the study's authors explicitly acknowledge that alternative interpretations cannot be entirely ruled out. Other possibilities include the tidal disruption of a comet-like body or the breakup of exocometary material passing close to the star. [2] The stellar age estimate for Gaia-GIC-1 remains tentative, as low signal quality from dust-obscured spectroscopic observations hampered precise age diagnostics.

Distance uncertainty of approximately 1,000 parsecs means the calculated dust mass should be treated as a conservative minimum value. Higher-cadence optical and infrared monitoring will be required to fully test the proposed orbital geometry and collision model. The research was supported by the Institute for Data Intensive Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology at the University of Washington, with funding from private foundations, and utilized data from NASA archives and international telescope networks. [2]

References
Catherine Austin Fitts warns: Strait of Hormuz shutdown signals COVID 2.0 and engineered famine

A potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, could trigger an economic and food supply catastrophe, surpassing the damage of the COVID pandemic. Catherine Austin Fitts warns that this is part of a deliberate "COVID 2.0" crisis engineered by financial elites.

Fitts alleges that globalist institutions, including the City of London and Rockefeller Foundation, are dismantling food aid programs ($25 billion in U.S. famine relief cut) to create artificial scarcity, accelerating depopulation agendas.

The crisis ties into broader plans for digital control via CBDCs, digital IDs and surveillance. Political leaders (including Trump) are deemed expendable, serving the interests of financial syndicates like the Rothschilds and Rockefellers.

Similar tactics were used in the Great Depression and COVID lockdownscentralized powers exploit emergencies to reshape economies, erode sovereignty and tighten control over populations.

With governments cutting safety nets, individuals must secure physical cash, gold, food and community networks to survive the coming disruptions. Decentralized alternatives to CBDCs are crucial to resisting financial tyranny.

The potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a crisis far worse than the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, warns Catherine Austin Fitts, former Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and founder of The Solari Report.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital 21-mile-wide maritime chokepoint controlled by Iran, through which 20 million barrels of oil pass dailymaking it the world's most critical energy artery and a flashpoint for geopolitical brinkmanship, economic warfare and potential false flag operations by globalist powers seeking to destabilize energy markets and justify military intervention.

In a March 14 interview with Paul Buitink on the "Reinvent Money" YouTube channel, Fitts described the unfolding situation as "COVID 2.0," alleging that powerful financial elites are deliberately engineering famine and tightening control over populations.

"This started with the City of London," Fitts said, referencing the historic financial district long associated with global banking power. "What's in it for them is implementing the control grid and depopulation together."

Her remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, U.S. budget cuts to emergency food aid and growing concerns over food supply chain disruptions.

The famine playbook: Cutting safety nets

Fitts pointed to alarming policy shifts under recent U.S. administrations, which she claims have systematically dismantled emergency food aid programs.

"You have seen the new administration in the United States systematically cut the domestic funds that are available to support food for poor people in emergencies, as well as the USAID and Department of State aid to protect countries that have emergencies like food," she said.

She estimated that roughly $25 billion in traditional U.S. famine relief has been slashedjust as geopolitical disruptions threaten global food supplies. "Now you have something that's creating the conditions of famine," she warned. "To me, that's very disturbing."

Historical context supports her concerns. The Rockefeller Foundation and other elite institutions have long been accused of influencing food policy, from promoting industrial agriculture to controlling seed patents. Critics argue that such moves consolidate power over food suppliesa key lever in population control.

The control grid tightens: Digital currency and depopulation

Fitts linked the Strait of Hormuz crisis to broader efforts to implement a "control grid"a system of financial and technological dominance enforced through digital IDs, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and surveillance.

"Trump is corrupt and expendable," she said, suggesting that political leaders are mere pawns for a financial syndicate, including the Rothschilds and Rockefellersfamilies allegedly connected to Jeffrey Epstein's network.

She urged individuals to prepare by securing physical cash and gold, warning that digital currency could be weaponized unless decentralized alternatives prevail. "Digital currency can also be a force of good," she acknowledged, "but only when used the right way."

A call for vigilance and preparedness

Fitts' warnings echo past crisesfrom the engineered scarcity of the Great Depression to the pandemic-era lockdownswhere centralized power exploited emergencies to reshape economies and societies. If the Strait of Hormuz shuts down, the resulting energy and food shortages could accelerate the globalists' agenda: depopulation, digital control and the erosion of national sovereignty.

For now, Fitts advocates personal resilience: "Have a Plan B." As governments withdraw safety nets, individuals must secure food, cash and community networks to withstand the coming storm. Whether her predictions prove accurate remains to be seenbut history suggests that when elites engineer crises, ordinary citizens pay the price.

Watch the video below where a Trump official warns Iran of a massive assault after the Strait of Hormuz scare.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

X.com

YouTube.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Kiriakou, Morris Express Concern for Tucker Carlsons Safety Amid Reported DOJ Referral

Introduction

Concerns for the safety of journalist Tucker Carlson have been voiced publicly following his claim that a U.S. intelligence agency is seeking criminal action against him. The statements were made during a broadcast on an international news network and have sparked discussions about journalistic freedom and government power.

John Kiriakou, a former Central Intelligence Agency officer and whistleblower, stated he is "genuinely worried" for Carlsons safety. The comments were made on March 15, 2026, during an episode of the RT program 'Deep State,' which Kiriakou hosts. The episode was dedicated to discussing Carlsons recent allegations.

Kiriakou Voices Fear for Carlson's Safety Following DOJ Allegation

John Kiriakou articulated a direct apprehension for Tucker Carlsons wellbeing during the March 15 broadcast. "I have to tell you, I'm genuinely worried for his safety," Kiriakou stated, according to a transcript of the program [1]. His concern followed Carlson's public assertion that the CIA is preparing a criminal referral against him for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Kiriakou described Carlson as a "rare truth teller" who speaks his mind in a well-considered manner and is "not afraid to call important people on the carpet for things that theyve said or done" [1]. The episode aired on RT, a media outlet funded by the Russian government, placing the remarks within a specific geopolitical media context.

Carlson Alleges Potential FARA Charge Over Iran Contacts

The source of the alleged legal threat stems from contacts with Iran. In a video published on the social media platform X, Carlson claimed the criminal referral is based on "talking to people in Iran before the war" and that authorities "read my texts" [1]. He specified that the charge would "apparently" be brought under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

Carlson expressed doubt that any case would proceed, stating he does not "expect this to go anywhere" because he has "never taken money" from another country [1]. The allegation emerges against the backdrop of an ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran, a conflict initiated by the Trump administration without a formal congressional declaration of war [2].

Peers Cite Public Calls for Action Against Carlson as Risk Factor

Clayton Morris, a co-host on RT's 'Redacted' program and a former Fox News colleague of Carlson, pointed to online rhetoric as a tangible risk factor. During the 'Deep State' episode, Morris cited "nut job MAGA influencers" and "pro-Israel Zionists" who are "actively calling for him to be arrested, attacked" [1].

Morris noted these individuals maintain large platforms and are "literally not thrown off of X" [1]. He suggested this environment creates "some realities" that contribute to safety concerns. Such commentary aligns with broader observations of how digital platforms can host and amplify threats, with established institutions sometimes failing to curb this speech [3].

Colleagues Describe Carlson's Approach and Personal Security

Both Kiriakou and Morris provided personal assessments of Carlsons character and likely security posture. Kiriakou reinforced his view of Carlson as an unfiltered commentator willing to challenge powerful figures [1]. Morris suggested that despite the public focus, Carlson himself dislikes attention, stating, "He never likes to have the focus be on him at all" [1].

Regarding personal security, Morris speculated that Carlson is "doing what he needs to do to protect himself," suggesting he likely has protective personnel around him [1]. This observation touches on the measures public figures may take when facing perceived threats, a reality underscored by past incidents involving political figures [4].

Context of Broader Statements on Free Speech and Government Power

The report surfaces during persistent debates over free speech, journalistic boundaries, and the reach of government authority. Kiriakous and Morriss comments were broadcast on RT, positioning their perspectives within a media ecosystem often critical of U.S. institutional power. The U.S. Department of Justice has not publicly commented on the alleged criminal referral.

This incident is not isolated in Carlson's career. He has previously been a focal point in controversies over censorship, including reports that Twitter, with input from the World Health Organization, sought to censor him for questioning COVID-19 vaccine safety for children [3]. Furthermore, analysts have argued that powerful institutions, including intelligence agencies, can operate with significant autonomy, at times beyond the direct control of elected officials [5].

Conclusion

The expressions of concern from John Kiriakou and Clayton Morris highlight the perceived risks facing a prominent journalist who alleges he is being targeted by a federal intelligence agency. The core allegation -- a potential FARA charge over contacts with Iran -- remains unconfirmed by the Department of Justice.

The discussion, hosted on a state-funded international network, intersects with larger, ongoing narratives about government power, media freedom, and the safety of individuals who challenge established institutions. The situation underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between journalists, national security agencies, and the boundaries of protected speech.

References
Sanctioned poisoning: A presidential order ignites a battle for Americas food future

President Trump's February 2026 executive order invokes the Defense Production Act to prioritize domestic production of glyphosate, the world's most common herbicide.

The order frames glyphosate as critical for national security and crop yields, but health advocates and regenerative farmers call it a betrayal of public health.

Critics, including RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again movement, argue the order doubles down on toxic chemicals linked to cancer and environmental damage.

The controversy is accelerating public interest in regenerative agriculture, a chemical-free model that rebuilds soil and produces nutrient-dense food.

Pioneers like Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm demonstrate a profitable alternative, but cite excessive regulation as a major barrier for small farmers.

In a move that has galvanized health advocates and sustainable farmers, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 18, invoking the Defense Production Act to expand domestic production of glyphosate-based herbicides, right as momentum was gaining to get it out of our food supply for good. Framed by the administration as a necessity for national security and agricultural supply chains, the order has been condemned by critics as a corporate-friendly policy that jeopardizes public health and entrenches a toxic food system. The ensuing debate has intensified scrutiny of chemical agriculture and accelerated a growing movement toward regenerative farming as a viable, healthy alternative.

The defense of a "cornerstone" chemical

The White House order declares that glyphosatethe active ingredient in herbicides like Roundupis a cornerstone of U.S. agricultural productivity. It argues that a lack of access would critically jeopardize crop yields, raise food prices and threaten farms. With only one domestic manufacturer, Bayers Monsanto, the administration cited over-reliance on imports and designated phosphate, a key glyphosate ingredient, as a scarce material critical to defense. The policy is portrayed as a safeguard for both military readiness and the economic viability of conventional farming.

A health and environmental betrayal

Opponents see the order as a profound betrayal. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that pesticides are toxic by design and their widespread application puts Americans at risk, pointing to billions in legal settlements over cancer claims. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, a finding at odds with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assessments. Advocates from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement argue the policy ignores these dangers. No one is eating glyphosate in the name of defending national security, said regenerative farmer John Klar.

The regenerative alternative gains ground

Paradoxically, the controversy is driving consumers and farmers toward regenerative agriculture. This model, which rejects synthetic chemicals, focuses on restoring soil health through practices like rotational grazing, biodiversity and composting. Proponents argue it produces more nutrient-dense food and is more sustainable long-term. We were heavily invested in all the tools, pesticides, chemical fertilizer and antibiotics, said Will Harris, a Georgia farmer who transitioned his family farm to regenerative methods. All of those ways have negative unintended consequences. Joel Salatin of Virginias famed Polyface Farm, a regenerative pioneer, has long criticized glyphosate reliance, noting that nearly half of U.S. corn goes to ethanol, not food.

The regulatory barrier to a healthier system

Despite growing demand, regenerative farmers face significant headwinds, primarily from regulatory structures designed for industrial-scale operations. Salatin advocates for a Food Emancipation Proclamation to ease burdensome rules that prevent direct sales from farmers to consumers. He argues that cumbersome food-safety regulations, while a minor cost for large processors, can be fatal for small farms, stifling innovation and consumer choice. This regulatory capture, critics say, maintains the dominance of a handful of agribusinesses and keeps healthier, local food from reaching the marketplace.

A fork in the field

The executive order has illuminated a stark divide in Americas agricultural identity. One path, now reinforced by presidential authority, continues dependence on chemical inputs with documented health and environmental concerns. The other, fueled by a grassroots demand for transparency and wellness, embraces regenerative principles that view the farm as a living ecosystem. As legal battles over glyphosates cancer links continue toward the Supreme Court, and the administration simultaneously funds regenerative transitions, the nation stands at a crossroads. The outcome will determine not only the health of the soil and the safety of the food supply but also the economic survival of the farmers who steward the land. The growing movement suggests that, regardless of policy, a significant portion of the public is already voting with their forks for a different future.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

TheEpochTimes.com

WhiteHouse.gov
Trump rejects Putins proposal to move Irans enriched uranium to Russia

U.S. President Donald Trump rejected a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to Russia as part of a potential deal to end the war.

The proposal was raised during a phone call between the two leaders, with Putin suggesting Russia take custody of the uranium to remove it from Iranian territory without U.S. or Israeli military intervention.

U.S. officials said similar proposals have been raised before but were rejected, stressing that Washington's position is that Iran's uranium must be securely controlled.

According to experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses hundreds of kilograms of uranium enriched to about 60%, which could potentially be converted into weapons-grade material for more than ten nuclear bombs.

U.S. officials say multiple options remain on the table, including diplomacy or potential military action, while Pete Hegseth said the U.S. has "a range of options" to secure the uranium stockpile if necessary.

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Russia as part of a possible deal to end the war involving Iran, according to people familiar with the matter.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, as confirmed by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, stands at nearly 900 pounds of near-weapons-grade material, which is unaccounted for and in violation of its Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations.

The proposal was raised during a phone call between the two leaders earlier this week. Putin reportedly suggested that Russia take custody of Iran's uranium reserves, a move that in theory could remove the material from Iranian territory without requiring U.S. or Israeli forces to seize it directly.

However, Trump declined the proposal. A U.S. official told Axios that similar ideas have surfaced before but have not been accepted by Washington.

"This is not the first time it was offered. It hasn't been accepted. The U.S. position is we need to see the uranium secured," the official said.

The fate of Iran's nuclear material has become a central issue in the conflict. U.S. and Israeli officials believe Iran currently possesses around 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity  material that could be converted to weapons-grade levels within weeks and potentially produce more than ten nuclear bombs.

Russia was viewed as a technically capable destination for such material. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Russia previously stored Iran's low-enriched uranium as part of efforts to limit Tehran's nuclear program.

According to sources, Putin presented several ideas for ending the war during the call, with the uranium transfer plan among the options discussed. Russia had also raised similar proposals during nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran last year, before the conflict escalated into direct hostilities.

Debate over how to secure Iran's nuclear stockpile

During the final round of talks before the war began, Iran rejected the transfer concept and instead proposed diluting the enriched uranium within its own facilities under monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency. It remains unclear whether Tehran would reconsider that position under current wartime conditions.

A U.S. official said Trump remains open to diplomatic engagement but only under favorable terms. "The president talks to everyone  Xi, Putin, the Europeans  and he's always willing to make a deal. But it has to be a good deal. The president doesn't make bad deals," the official said.

Meanwhile, the possibility of military action to secure the uranium stockpile remains under discussion. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States has "a range of options" to gain control of Iran's highly enriched uranium if necessary.

Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth said one potential outcome could involve Iran voluntarily surrendering its stockpile, an option Washington would welcome.

"They weren't willing to do that in negotiations. I would never tell this group or the world what we're willing to do or how far we're willing to go  but we have options, for sure," he said.

Despite the strategic importance of the uranium reserves, Trump suggested in a separate interview that securing them is not currently the administration's primary focus. In comments to Fox News radio, he said, "We are not focused on that, but at some point we might be."

Trump also acknowledged that Russia may be providing some assistance to Iran during the conflict, following reports that Moscow had shared intelligence to help Tehran target U.S. forces.

"I think [Putin] might be helping them a little bit, yeah," Trump said, adding that geopolitical rivalries often lead countries to back opposing sides in conflicts.

Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams warning that President Trump has walked right into a war trap with Iran in this clip.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

JPost.com

Axios.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Uber expands Women Preferences program nationwide amid safety concerns

Uber faces thousands of sexual assault lawsuits, with critics arguing its background checks fail to prevent dangerous drivers from slipping through, despite claims of enhanced safety measures.

Uber tracks users' movements in granular detail, sharing data with governments under the guise of "traffic studies," raising alarms about corporate and state surveillance without consent.

The company's dynamic pricing model disproportionately harms low-income riders, turning basic transportation into a luxury during emergencies or peak demand.

While Uber's new feature allows female riders to select women drivers, critics argue it's a superficial solution that fails to address systemic negligence and corporate accountability.

Cities worldwide are demanding stricter oversight, including real-time driver monitoring and fair pricing, as Uber's unchecked expansion threatens both passenger safety and traditional drivers' livelihoods.

San Francisco-based Uber Technologies, Inc. has announced the nationwide expansion of its Women Preferences program, allowing female riders across the U.S. to select women drivers when booking rides. The move, touted as a step toward greater safety and comfort for women, comes amid mounting legal scrutiny over Uber's handling of passenger assaults and ongoing concerns about corporate surveillance, reckless driving and exploitative pricing practices.

In a March 9 press release, Uber framed the expansion as a response to customer demand, stating that the feature would bring "more control, comfort and choice to millions more women." Initially piloted in five cities in August 2025, the program grew to 60 cities by the end of last year and is now rolling out nationwide. Women riders in major citiesfrom New York to Austinwill soon see the option to select "Women Drivers" in their app, with the ability to adjust preferences if wait times are too long.

Brooke Anderson, Uber's head of product communications, emphasized that the feature was built based on direct feedback from women riders. "This feature exists because women told us it should," Anderson said. The company also highlighted that female drivers in Saudi Arabia first gained access to the feature in 2019, following the lifting of the country's ban on women driving. Since then, Uber has expanded Women Preferences to over 40 countries, including Germany, France, Portugal, Brazil and Spain.

Safety claims vs. legal realities

Despite Uber's assurances of enhanced safety measures, critics argue that the company has failed to adequately protect passengers. A March 4 report from the Lawsuit Information Center, published by Miller & Zois, LLC, revealed that Uber is embroiled in one of the largest waves of passenger assault lawsuits in U.S. history." More than 3,700 plaintiffs across 30 states have joined the consolidated litigation, Uber Technologies Inc., Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation, currently being heard in the Northern District of California.

The lawsuits allege that Uber's background checkswhich review criminal histories spanning at least seven yearsare insufficient. Drivers with prior offenses, including sexual misconduct, have reportedly slipped through the cracks, leading to assaults. In one recent case, a jury awarded an $8.5 million verdict to a survivor in February, underscoring the severity of the allegations.

Uber maintains that it conducts ongoing criminal checks and requires drivers to periodically verify their identity via live photo matching. Yet, these safeguards have not prevented incidents of harassment, assault or reckless drivingissues that have plagued the company for years.

Big Tech surveillance and surge pricing concerns

Beyond passenger safety, Uber faces criticism for its invasive data collection practices. The company tracks users' movements in granular detail, sharing some of this information with city officials under the guise of traffic studies. Privacy advocates warn that such surveillance sets a dangerous precedent, enabling corporationsand by extension, governmentsto monitor citizens without consent.

Another persistent complaint is Uber's surge pricing model, which dramatically increases fares during peak demand. Critics argue that this exploitative practice disproportionately affects low-income riders, turning a basic transportation service into a luxury commodity during emergencies or high-traffic events.

A global push for regulation

Local governments worldwide are pushing for stricter oversight of ride-hailing services, citing Uber's failure to meet basic public safety standards. Cities like London and New York have imposed stricter licensing requirements, while others have demanded real-time data sharing to monitor driver behavior.

Uber's expansion of Women Preferences may be a step toward addressing these concerns, but skeptics argue that it does little to solve systemic issues. Without comprehensive reformsincluding stricter background checks, real-time driver monitoring and an end to predatory pricingUber's promises of safety and convenience ring hollow.

Conclusion: A band-aid solution?

While the nationwide rollout of Women Preferences offers female riders a semblance of control, it does not absolve Uber of its broader failures. The company remains embroiled in lawsuits, accused of prioritizing profits over passenger safety. Until Uber addresses its corporate culture of negligence and embraces meaningful regulatory changes, womenand all riderswill remain at risk.

For now, passengers are left to navigate a system where safety is an optional feature rather than a guaranteed righta stark reminder of the dangers lurking in an industry dominated by unaccountable tech giants.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Uber's nationwide expansion of women-only preferences raises valid safety concerns but fails to address the deeper systemic issues of corporate-controlled infrastructure being weaponized for medical coercion. This move appears more as virtue-signaling PR than meaningful protection, especially given Uber's complicity in the unethical vaccine rollout that disregarded informed consent and medical sovereignty.

Watch Gabor "Gabe" Zolna recounting an incident where an Uber driver shot a pregnant passenger.

This video is from the zolnareport.com channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Defense Forces were able to liberate more territory over the past month than the Russian occupiers captured.

"Kupiansk, our large city in Kharkiv region, is under our control... Over the past 30 days, we have recaptured more territory than Russia has captured," Zelenskyy said in an address to the British parliament on Tuesday.

As reported, on February 23, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky reported that Ukrainian soldiers had liberated 400 square kilometers of territory in southern Ukraine since the end of January. On March 3, President Zelenskyy reported that the Defense Forces, during counterattacks, recaptured 460 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the beginning of the year.
U.S. Military Reports Destruction of Iranian Naval Assets in Ongoing Campaign

CENTCOM Announces Strikes on Iranian Minelayers, Naval Vessels U.S. Central Command said on March 12, 2026, that its forces have destroyed more than 30 Iranian minelaying vessels and a total of 60 other Iranian naval vessels in an ongoing military campaign. The command released an update on the operation, designated Operation Epic Fury, stating it has struck more than 6,000 targets since the campaign against Iran began last month. [9] CENTCOM stated its priority is disabling the Iranian regimes security apparatus and focusing on 'locations that pose an imminent threat.' The update was published via the commands official press release and social media channels, accompanied by video footage of the strikes. [1]

Operation Epic Fury Campaign Details and Context The March 12 update from CENTCOM included a video showing U.S. military strikes on Iranian boats, including the targeted minelayers. According to the command, the strikes are part of a broader effort to degrade Iranian naval capabilities in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. [13] On March 10, CENTCOM announced via social media that U.S. forces had 'eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz.' [12] Analysts have noted the Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint, handling approximately 20% of global oil annually. [3] The military did not specify the exact locations of all strikes or detail any U.S. or allied casualties in its latest report. The campaign's operational tempo and target list indicate a sustained effort against Iranian maritime assets. [8]

U.S. Military Objectives and Stated Priorities CENTCOM officials said strikes are focused on 'locations that pose an imminent threat,' according to the command's statement. The primary stated goal is to degrade the Iranian regimes security capabilities, particularly its ability to conduct mine warfare. [6] No specific timeline for the operation's conclusion was provided in the update. The scale of the campaign, with over 6,000 targets struck in approximately one month, suggests a significant commitment of resources. [2] The operation occurs under the administration of President Donald Trump, who was sworn in on January 20, 2025, after winning the 2024 election. The Republican Party currently holds a majority in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. [7]

Regional Tensions and Broader Conflict Framework The campaign against Iran, now in its second month, represents a significant escalation in long-standing regional tensions. According to a report from 21st Century Wire, the strategic challenge of mine warfare in constricted waterways like the Strait of Hormuz has historical precedents, with the U.S. Navy having faced similar threats in past conflicts. [10] Iran has previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. actions. In June 2025, Major General Kowsari of Iran's National Security Commission stated such a closure could follow U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, though the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. [1] The conflict has broader geopolitical dimensions. Russia has previously warned of 'catastrophic' fallout from a U.S. bombing campaign against Iran, highlighting the deepening divide between Washington and a coordinated Russia-Iran-China alliance. [5]

Official Statements and Attributed Perspectives The information regarding the destruction of naval assets was released via an official CENTCOM press release and its social media channels. A Pentagon spokesperson, when asked for comment by media outlets, referred reporters to the CENTCOM statement. [14] As of the latest reports, Iranian state media has not issued an official response to the U.S. claims of destroying dozens of vessels, according to international media monitoring services. [4] Independent analysts and commentators have expressed concern over the escalation. In an interview on Brighteon.com, Mike Adams discussed the risks of a 'war trap' where the U.S. could be drawn into a broader conflict, noting the vulnerability of U.S. bases in the region to Iranian missile strikes. [11]
The open door: How U.S. tax dollars fund Chinas military rise through academic partnerships

U.S. academic openness is being exploited to transfer sensitive intelligence technology to China, with programs linked to the U.S. Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) serving as a key pipeline.

Chinas strategy is guided by "unrestricted warfare" and "military-civil fusion," national policies that legally mandate all sectors, including academia, to support the technological advancement of its military and surveillance state.

American research has directly contributed to China's surveillance capabilities, influencing the development of mass monitoring systems like Skynet and Sharp Eyes, which are used for public security and intelligence targeting.

The penetration is systemic beyond intelligence tech, with a congressional report finding thousands of Department of Energy research collaborations involving Chinese military-affiliated scientists, giving China access to sensitive nuclear and defense technologies.

Analysts warn the U.S. is funding its own technological decline, with a fragmented policy response failing to address the deep, one-way transfer of innovation from America's open system to China's state-controlled apparatus.

A newly published analysis delivers a stark warning: America's open academic system, a crown jewel of its innovation ecosystem, is being systematically exploited by Chinese institutions to access and absorb sensitive technologies developed for U.S. intelligence agencies. The report, produced by Parallax Advanced Research and highlighted by The Daily Caller, centers on programs linked to the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), a U.S. government entity that pioneers cutting-edge technologies for intelligence operations.

A doctrine of unrestricted warfare

The analysis frames China's actions within the context of its doctrine of "unrestricted warfare," a strategy that blurs the lines between civilian, commercial and academic endeavors to serve national security objectives. This is operationalized through Beijing's "military-civil fusion" policy, a national mandate that legally requires all sectors, including universities and private companies, to support the technological advancement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The 2017 National Intelligence Law further codifies this, compelling any Chinese citizen or organization to assist state intelligence work upon request.

This strategic framework turns every academic exchange and research partnership into a potential intelligence-gathering operation. As noted in the report's introduction by former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Cella, China wages this comprehensive campaign across every domain while the United States has too often remained on a peacetime footing, inadvertently subsidizing the capabilities of a strategic competitor.

Exploiting the IARPA model

The specific vulnerability lies in programs connected to IARPA, which often partners with university researchers to develop breakthrough technologies. The report details how Chinese institutions, including the People's Public Security University of China and the PLA's National University of Defense Technology, have systematically studied and incorporated research from IARPA-linked projects. The objective is not merely to copy a specific technology but to understand and ultimately erode America's structural advantage in innovation.

Virologist Li-Meng Yan, who has publicly criticized China's handling of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) origins, described this as a systematic extraction mechanism. She argues that when America's open academic system intersects with China's state-directed apparatus, it creates a one-way flow. The U.S. generates original innovations, while Chinese actorsthrough students, collaborative projects and affiliated companiesabsorb them, converting academic knowledge into state-controlled capabilities.

From campus to surveillance state

The report states that American research has influenced the development of China's vast surveillance infrastructure, including platforms with ominous names like Skynet, Sharp Eyes and Safe City. These systems integrate networks of cameras, facial-recognition software and biometric databases to identify and track individuals in real-time. While often publicly framed as counterterrorism tools, the report warns that "terrorism" in this context is frequently a euphemism for targeting foreign intelligence operatives, including Americans.

The integration is pervasive. Since 2017, China has required most foreign visitors to provide fingerprints and photographs upon entry. Once inside, databases automatically record activities like hotel check-ins and travel bookings, feeding a public security apparatus that researchers say benefits from studying U.S. intelligence technologies.

A pattern of penetration and complicity

This issue extends far beyond IARPA. A concurrent congressional report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party reveals an equally alarming pattern within the Department of Energy (DOE), which oversees America's most sensitive nuclear research. Investigators found that between June 2023 and June 2025, over 4,300 academic papers involved collaborations between DOE-funded researchers and Chinese scientists. Roughly half included contributors affiliated with China's military or defense-industrial base.

In one example, researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory co-authored a paper with a Chinese state-owned defense conglomerate officially designated by the U.S. as a military company. These collaborations, the congressional report concludes, have given China access to sensitive technologies with applications for nuclear weapons and advanced defense systems, effectively putting American taxpayers on the hook for funding the military rise of a primary adversary.

A call for strategic awakening

Commentators like China analyst Gordon Chang argue that democracies have been tragically slow to respond to this asymmetric threat, often failing to act until it is too late. He criticizes a persistent political reluctance, even within national security circles, to impose necessary restrictions on the open exchange that is being weaponized against the United States.

During his first administration, President Donald Trump signed an order to block visas for Chinese students linked to military-civil fusion programs, labeling them non-traditional collectors of intellectual property. Yet, as the DOE and IARPA reports demonstrate, the penetration is deep and systemic.

Li-Meng Yan offers a grim biological metaphor: China's technological extraction system behaves like a cancer, continuously feeding on the host until it destroys it. She warns that if America continues to treat this as normal academic competition, it will only provide the nutrients for its own decline.

"National security is the state of protecting a nation from threats," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "It involves the process of restoring safety and stability when that protection has been compromised. Ultimately, it is the condition achieved by both defending against and recovering from dangers to the country."

The accumulating evidence presents a fundamental challenge to America's postwar innovation model. The reports make clear that without a strategic awakening and decisive policy action, the U.S. risks funding its own technological eclipse, one academic partnership at a time.

Chinese nationals charged: Are they spies or students? Watch this video.

This video is from the PRATHER POINT channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

DailyCaller.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A nation plunged into darkness: Grid collapse fuels U.S.-Cuba tensions

A total collapse of Cuba's national electrical grid left millions without power amid a severe, U.S.-enforced fuel shortage.

The blackout coincided with provocative remarks from President Donald Trump about having the ability to "take" Cuba.

Cuban officials reconnected most of the grid within hours but warned that generation capacity remains critically low.

The crisis underscores the island's vulnerable infrastructure and its dependence on imported oil for electricity.

The event has intensified diplomatic tensions, occurring alongside reported but undisclosed talks between U.S. and Cuban officials.

In a stark reminder of the island's fragile infrastructure and its volatile relationship with the United States, Cuba suffered a total collapse of its national electrical grid this week. The blackout, which left nearly all of the countrys 10 million people without power, coincided with heightened geopolitical rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump and occurred amid a severe energy crisis exacerbated by American sanctions. The incident has reignited debates over national security, energy resilience, and the decades-long standoff between Washington and Havana.

An Overtaxed System Fails

Cubas state-owned power operator reported the nationwide failure on Monday, noting no initial faults were detected in operating units. The collapse was the first of its scale since the United States effectively blockaded oil shipments to the island, crippling its ability to generate electricity. Cuba relies heavily on imported oil, and the shortage has led to prolonged daily blackouts for months, straining the antiquated power grid to its breaking point. While crews managed to reconnect most regions within hours, officials cautioned that generation capacity remains dangerously low, offering little respite from the exhausting cycle of outages that disrupt every facet of daily life, from water supply to medical care.

Political Rhetoric Heats Up Amid Crisis

The timing of the grid failure was politically charged, occurring just as Trump made bold statements regarding Cuba. In remarks to reporters, the president asserted he could do "anything" he wanted with Cuba, suggesting he would have the "honor of taking" the island nation. This rhetoric aligns with a renewed hawkish stance from some conservative figures who have identified Cuba as a subsequent target after ongoing conflicts. The comments hearken back to the coldest days of the Cold War, contrasting sharply with the brief period of diplomatic thaw under the Obama administration, which was swiftly reversed when Trump originally entered office.

Historical Context of a Perennial Struggle

The current crisis is deeply rooted in a six-decade history of antagonism. The U.S. embargo, initially imposed in the early 1960s following Fidel Castro's revolution and the Cuban Missile Crisis, has long aimed to pressure the communist government. While the policys effectiveness is debated, its role in stifling investment in critical infrastructure like the power grid is evident. Cubas current predicament mirrors warnings from U.S. national security experts about the vulnerability of electrical systems. For years, advocates have cautioned that Americas own grid is susceptible to similar, if not more catastrophic, failures from cyberattacks, electromagnetic pulses, or physical sabotagea scenario they warn could lead to societal breakdown.

A Test of Resilience and Diplomacy

For the Cuban people, the blackout is another severe test in a long history of endurance. Residents describe adapting to a halted existence, where preserving food and accessing water become daily challenges. The government, in a concurrent gesture, has invited exiled Cuban Americans to invest in businesses on the islanda potential olive branch amid the desperation. Behind the scenes, talks between U.S. and Cuban officials are reportedly underway to defuse the energy crisis, though neither side has disclosed details. The situation presents a complex dilemma for U.S. policymakers, balancing strategic pressure against humanitarian concerns and the risk of triggering a mass migration crisis.

A Warning Light for Critical Infrastructure

The collapse of Cubas grid serves as a cautionary tale far beyond its shores. It highlights the profound consequences when geopolitical strife, economic pressure, and aging infrastructure converge. National security analysts within the United States have repeatedly stressed that reliable electricity is the bedrock of modern society and a fundamental component of national defense. As Cuba struggles to restore consistent power, the event underscores a universal imperative: securing and modernizing critical infrastructure is not merely a technical issue but a vital strategic interest for any nations stability and security in an unpredictable world.

Sources for this article include:

100percentfedup.com

The-Independent.com

KSL.com
Hamas reasserts control in Gaza as Iran war diverts global attention

The Israel-Iran conflict has shifted global attention, allowing Hamas to quietly rebuild its influence and authority inside Gaza.

Social media footage suggests renewed Hamas activity, including patrols, recruitment and public displays of control, signaling both military and political regrouping.

Analyst Michael Milshtein says Hamas is reestablishing governance structures, such as policing, taxation and oversight of daily life, reinforcing its long-term presence.

Mkhaimar Abusada notes that postwar Gaza plans, such as disarmament and international stabilization efforts, have largely stalled as focus moves to Iran, reducing pressure on Hamas.

Analysts say Gaza's future depends heavily on the outcome of the Iran conflict, with a surviving Iranian regime potentially boosting Hamas and complicating postwar governance efforts.

As the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran dominates regional and international focus, new reports suggest Hamas is quietly rebuilding its presence and authority inside Gaza, raising concerns about the future of postwar governance in the enclave.

Videos and photos circulating on social media appear to show renewed Hamas activity, including public patrols, recruitment efforts and visible displays of authority. Analysts say the shift underscores how the broader regional war has eased pressure on the group, allowing it to regroup both militarily and politically.

According to Michael Milshtein, a senior analyst at Tel Aviv University's Dayan Center, Hamas has used recent weeks to reestablish control beyond the battlefield.

"They are really making good use of them to establish their power in the public sphere, not just for military rehabilitation," Milshtein said, pointing to reports of police deployments, organized parades and new recruits across central Gaza. He added that Hamas appears to be rebuilding governance structures, including taxation systems and oversight of markets, mosques and even education. "Hamas is here to stay."

Mkhaimar Abusada, a Gaza-based political analyst, said momentum toward postwar planning has significantly slowed since the Iran conflict escalated.

"Everything with regard to Gaza has been put on hold," Abusada said, noting that prior to the regional escalation, discussions had been progressing on initiatives such as a "Board of Peace," a Gaza Technical Committee and the possible deployment of an international stabilization force. "Yes, Hamas has taken advantage of the current situation. They are not under the pressure that they were before."

Iran war eases pressure on Hamas

Both analysts highlighted the same underlying dynamic: as global attention shifts toward Iran, pressure on Hamas has diminished. Abusada described Gaza as being pushed to the "back burner," with earlier discussions about disarmament and governance losing urgency.

This shift in focus, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch, has left the region in a state of limbo, with ongoing tensions and the potential for further conflict.

The prospect of an international stabilization force remains central to future planning, but its potential role is increasingly uncertain. Abusada said Hamas may not view such a force as a threat, particularly if it includes troops from countries perceived as neutral, such as Indonesia. Instead, the group could see it as a buffer against Israeli military operations.

Milshtein compared Hamas' perspective to the longstanding arrangement between Hezbollah and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), suggesting the group may accept international presence so long as it does not interfere with its armed capabilities.

Ultimately, analysts say the trajectory of Gaza will depend heavily on how the Iran conflict unfolds. Abusada noted that if Iran's leadership remains intact, it could provide a morale boost for Hamas and further complicate efforts to reshape governance in Gaza after the war.

Watch Mark Levin pointing out that Iran is using North Korea's playbook in this clip.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Humanoid robot detained by Macau police after startling elderly woman on public street

A humanoid robot startled an elderly woman in Macau, leading to a viral police response.

The remotely operated robot was paused behind her, causing her significant distress.

Police escorted the robot away and warned its operator about public use.

The incident highlights growing social and legal challenges of robots in human spaces.

It signals an inevitable but complex transition to a robot-augmented society.

What happens when our sci-fi future arrives on a quiet street and gives an elderly woman the fright of her life? Residents of Macau got a startling answer last week when police officers were filmed escorting a humanoid robot away from a public altercation. The incident, which resulted in a 70-year-old woman being briefly hospitalized, raises urgent questions about the rapid integration of autonomous machines into human spaces and the societal readiness for this new reality.

The event unfolded on a narrow street near a residential complex. According to local reports, the woman had stopped to check her phone. When she turned around, she found a Unitree G1 humanoid robot silently waiting behind her. Startled, she began yelling at the machine. "You're making my heart race," she told the robot in Cantonese, as seen in viral footage. "You can do plenty but you want to cause this mess? You're crazy."

Police responded to the scene. Video shows two officers leading the approximately four-foot-tall robot away by its shoulder, an image quickly dubbed the worlds first robot "arrest" by social media users. The woman was not physically injured, but she was nevertheless taken to a hospital for observation due to distress and was later discharged. She chose not to file a formal complaint.

Operator apologizes, receives warning

Authorities revealed the robot belonged to a nearby education center that was using it for promotional activities. The 50-year-old operator, who was supervising the machine remotely, apologized. He stated the robot, guided by mixed programming, had simply paused behind the woman to wait for a clear path. Police returned the robot to him with a warning to exercise more caution in public.

The robot in question is a Unitree G1, a commercially available humanoid model from a Hangzhou-based company. Priced in the tens of thousands, it boasts 23-43 joint motors, a two-hour battery life, and a 360-degree perception camera. Its manufacturer says it can "simulate human hands to achieve precise operation." This incident, however, demonstrated its capacity to simulate a deeply unsettling human encounter.

A preview of coming complexities

From delivery bots to robotic police assistants, machines are increasingly leaving controlled environments. Just last year, a Unitree G1 was seen roaming streets in Brisbane, Australia, acquired by a university so students could understand the present and future capabilities of humanoids. Professor John Roberts of Queensland University of Technology noted the focus is on "how these robots will be used in the future."

That future is barreling toward us, and the Macau incident is a minor preview of its complexities. While some online commentators joked about the robot needing a lawyer, others blamed the woman for overreacting. This divide highlights a core challenge: establishing new social and legal norms for human-robot interaction. Is a machine capable of "harassment"? Who is liable when its programmed behavior causes alarm?

The broader context makes this more than a quirky news story. As companies develop large behavioral models to train robots for tasks ranging from warehouse labor to elderly care, their entry into public life is inevitable. Proponents see them as tools for assistance and economic efficiency. Yet, their presence as mobile surveillance platforms with advanced sensors also fuels legitimate concerns about privacy and constant monitoring.

The elderly womans frightened reaction is a perfectly human response to the uncanny. For decades, technology has steadily migrated from factories to our homes and pockets. Now, it is beginning to walk alongside us on the sidewalk. The promise is a world of robotic helpers handling chores and providing care. The peril is a world where we are perpetually monitored, startled, and unsure of the rules.

This moment in Macau is a small but significant signal. It reminds us that the transition to a robot-augmented society will not be seamless. It will be filled with misunderstandings, fear, and legal gray areas long before these machines become as commonplace as the smartphone. The question is not if more of these encounters will happen, but how we will navigate them without losing our humanity in the process.

Sources for this article include:

The-Sun.com

NDTV.com

DailyMail.co.uk
Pro-Iran hackers claim Microsoft outage, vow escalating attacks on U.S. firms

Pro-Iran hackers are attacking major U.S. corporate and digital infrastructure.

These groups publicly claim credit and vow more attacks over U.S. foreign policy.

A recent attack crippled a major corporation by wiping employee devices remotely.

Hackers have claimed, without verification, a deadly industrial explosion on U.S. soil.

This marks a dangerous shift toward disruptive economic and hybrid warfare.

A new front in the ongoing Middle East conflict has opened in cyberspace, and American businesses and infrastructure are directly in the crosshairs. Pro-Iran hacking groups are claiming responsibility for a series of disruptive cyberattacks against major U.S. targets, including Microsoft 365 services, websites affiliated with President Donald Trump, and an American bank. These groups have vowed to ramp up their offensive, explicitly citing U.S. foreign policy as their motivation and signaling a dangerous escalation in digital warfare.

The activity is widespread and brazen. The "Islamic Cyber Resistance in Iraq  313 Team" has been particularly vocal, claiming last week to have temporarily knocked the donaldjtrump.com website offline. "In the coming days we will target all companies affiliated with US President Trump," the group declared. They followed through by asserting responsibility for an outage at U.S.-based Commerce Bank and, most significantly, for a major disruption to Microsoft 365 servers. "We launched a cyberattack targeting Microsoft 365 servers, completely shutting down the website," the 313 Team posted, although Microsoft stated it identified and resolved an underlying infrastructure issue.

A collective vow for more attacks

These incidents are part of a coordinated campaign. An allied collective, the Cyber Islamic Resistance, echoed the threats, posting that "a new target has been set in stone" and showing a screenshot of an error involving Microsoft's Azure service. "We will continue to target other U.S companies due to Trumps actions in the middle east," the group stated. The rhetoric is matched by action, including fundraising appeals on Telegram channels to bolster their hacking infrastructure. "Your contribution  even if just one dollar  is not charity but a stance and declaration of defiance," one appeal read.

Separately, a chilling and unverified claim has emerged from another faction. A group called APT IRAN, which has a history of targeting industrial control systems, claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion at a Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, in July 2025. The blast killed 32-year-old Dylan Danielson. "In our last attack on an industrial site in the US... one person was killed," the group stated, offering no proof beyond a video of the explosion. If verified, this would mark a catastrophic leap from data disruption to real-world physical destruction and loss of life on U.S. soil.

The shift to destructive disruption

This cyber offensive aligns with a concerning shift in tactics. For years, Iranian-linked hackers have been known for destructive "wiper" attacks designed to erase data, such as the 2012 attack on Saudi Aramco. Recently, their campaigns have involved espionage and low-level website defacements. However, a significant attack on Michigan-based medical technology giant Stryker this month indicates a move toward highly disruptive actions against corporate operations. Hackers believed to be from the "Handala" group, linked to Iran, reportedly gained access to Stryker's Microsoft Intune device management system and used legitimate administrative tools to remotely wipe employee smartphones and laptops back to factory settings, crippling internal communications.

The Stryker incident demonstrates how hackers can weaponize everyday business software. It also shows that the battlefield is no longer confined to government networks or defense contractors. The targets are now mainstream American corporations that form the backbone of the economy and critical infrastructure, from medical technology to cloud computing services. The parallel threats against physical offices of companies like Google and Microsoft in Qatar, which led to evacuations and missile intercepts, underscore that this is a hybrid campaign blending digital and kinetic intimidation.

Historically, the U.S. has faced persistent cyber threats from state actors, but the current wave is notable for its public, taunting nature and its direct linkage to geopolitical grievances. The hackers are not hiding; they are publicly taking credit, issuing threats, and fundraising in plain sight on social media platforms. This represents a bold challenge to American cyber defenses and corporate resilience.

The ultimate goal appears to be inflicting economic cost, creating a sense of vulnerability and eroding confidence in the digital systems that underpin daily life and commerce. As these pro-Iran groups continue to promise more attacks, the situation demands a sober recognition that the tools of modern conflict extend far beyond bombs and bullets. In today's wars, a keyboard can be as consequential as a command center.

Sources for this article include:

ThreatBeat.com

FoxNews.com

NBCNews.com

DailyMail.co.uk
Iran seeks full American military withdrawal from Persian Gulf as U.S. allies retreat

The myth of American military invincibility is crumbling in the Persian Gulf. A reckless U.S.-Israeli military campaign, initiated with boasts of swift victory, has instead ignited a resilient Iranian counter-punch that has rewritten the rules of regional power. With NATO countries refusing further participation and global energy markets teetering, the United States and Israel are being pushed toward a ceasefire not on their terms, but on Irans. The result is a stunning strategic reversal: Iran is gaining control over the worlds most critical oil choke-point, leveraging its newfound resistance to dictate terms that include a full American military withdrawal from the region.

Key points:

A senior Iranian official has declared that peace is contingent on the U.S. removing its military forces from the Persian Gulf, demanding reparations and security guarantees.

The U.S. and Israel's "Operation Epic Fury" has failed to achieve strategic objectives despite tactical strikes, triggering an Iranian response that has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to traffic.

Iran's asymmetric warfare, including missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases and partner nations, has exposed critical vulnerabilities, with over 55,000 U.S. troops in the region at risk.

NATO allies are refusing to participate in further escalation, isolating the U.S. and Israel diplomatically and militarily.

The conflict has triggered a looming global energy crisis, with oil prices predicted to spike catastrophically, forcing a recalculation in Washington and Tel Aviv.

The current crisis, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by the U.S. and Roaring Lion by Israel, began with massive airstrikes on February 28th. The opening salvo killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior commanders, while a subsequent strike on the Shajarah Tayyibah girls school killed at least 175, mostly children. President Donald Trump framed the campaign as a move to achieve "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," aiming to degrade Iran's nuclear and military capabilities.

However, this war of choice ignored decades of geopolitical shifts and intelligence. U.S. assessments have consistently stated Iran is not actively building a nuclear weapon, and its conventional military strength has grown substantially. Analysts warned that Iran's vast territory, advanced missile arsenalincluding hypersonic weaponsand network of proxies made a quick victory impossible. The U.S. military, weakened by decades of over-extension, lacks the capacity for a ground invasion, leaving only air bombardment as a tool, a tool that cannot secure territory or achieve political surrender.

The attritional battlefield and NATO's retreat

Irans response was immediate and strategically shrewd. It closed ranks, elevating Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, and launched a campaign of attrition. By targeting U.S. bases across the Middle East and, crucially, partner nations in the Gulf with missiles and drones, Iran demonstrated it could inflict severe costs. Most significantly, it effectively halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-third of global seaborne oil passes, sending shockwaves through the world economy.

This move exposed the fragile foundation of the U.S. position. The approximately 55,000 American troops stationed in bases across Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE suddenly became high-value targets in range of Iranian missiles. Nations hosting these bases, many of whom opposed the war, faced economic ruin and domestic fury as Iranian retaliation hit their soil. This reality has led to a critical fracture: NATO allies, recognizing the suicidal nature of further escalation and the dubious pretexts for the war, are now refusing to participate. This diplomatic and military isolation leaves the U.S. and Israel alone to face the consequences of a widening conflict they can no longer control.

The unavoidable path to an Iranian-dictated ceasefire

Faced with a resilient enemy, abandoned by allies, and staring down a global energy catastrophe, the U.S. and Israel are being forced to seek an exit. Iranian officials have been unequivocal about the price. Mohsen Rezaee, a senior figure in Irans power structure, stated the "main cause of insecurity" is the U.S. military presence, listing its withdrawal as a key precondition for peace alongside reparations. President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the demand for "recognition of Irans legitimate rights" and reparations.

The demand for a U.S. withdrawal from the Persian Gulf is not mere posturing; it is a reflection of a new strategic reality. Iran has demonstrated an ability to hold the global economy hostage and threaten every American asset in the region. The U.S. can claim a tactical victory in damage inflicted, but Iran is poised to claim the strategic victory by surviving the onslaught and proving its capacity for devastating retaliation. The world is witnessing a fundamental shift: the era of unchallenged U.S. military coercion in the Middle East is over, and a ceasefire, when it comes, will mark not a peace between equals, but a recognition that Iran now holds decisive leverage over the Persian Gulf.

Sources include:

RT.com

CrisisGroup.org

Military.com
Jet Fuel Prices Climb Sharply Following Strait of Hormuz Closure, Airfares Increase

Global jet fuel prices have risen sharply following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, prompting multiple airlines to announce immediate airfare increases. The International Energy Agency has characterized the resulting supply disruption as the largest in global oil market history

Jet fuel prices, which were approximately $85 to $90 per barrel before the conflict, have surged to between $150 and $200 per barrel in recent days, according to industry reports [2]. Analysts warn that this sudden increase will directly impact ticket prices as airlines attempt to manage their operating costs, which are heavily dependent on fuel.

Price Surge and Immediate Airline Responses

The sharp increase in jet fuel costs has triggered a direct response from airlines worldwide. Carriers including Qantas, SAS, and Air New Zealand have publicly announced airfare hikes, citing the abrupt spike in fuel costs driven by the conflict [3]. The price of jet fuel rose by nearly 60% in the first week of the conflict, according to some estimates [4].

An SAS spokesperson told Reuters that price adjustments were necessary to maintain stable operations. 'Increases of this magnitude make it necessary to react in order to maintain stable and reliable operations,' the spokesperson said, adding that the airline implemented a 'temporary price adjustment' [3]. Other carriers are expected to follow suit as the price shock moves through the global aviation system.

Supply Disruption from Strait of Hormuz Closure

The core cause of the price shock is the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint that carries a fifth of the world's oil supplies [5]. The closure is a direct result of military actions and threats to shipping in the Persian Gulf region following the onset of the war. The International Energy Agency has warned this event constitutes the largest oil supply disruption in history [1].

The disruption has forced major jet fuel producers to curtail exports. Some producers, including Kuwait, have reportedly been forced to reduce production and export quantities in recent weeks due to the shipping blockade [3]. This has created a severe physical shortage of refined products in global markets, exacerbating the price surge beyond typical market volatility.

Airspace Closures and Operational Challenges

Beyond fuel costs, the conflict has also forced the closure of key airspace over the Middle East, severely disrupting major Asia-Europe flight routes. Airlines have been compelled to reroute flights, adding significant flight time, burning more fuel, and reducing overall network capacity. British Airways, for instance, has cut certain routes, including its seasonal flights to Abu Dhabi, due to the uncertainty [3].

The operational strain has led to warnings from financial analysts. Deutsche Bank analysts noted in a client note that the situation poses an 'existential threat' to some airlines. 'Absent near-term relief, airlines around the world could be forced to ground thousands of aircraft while some of the industrys financially weakest carriers could halt operations,' the analysts stated [6].

Financial and Market Uncertainty for Airlines

The financial impact on airlines varies based on their fuel purchasing strategies. Some carriers, such as Lufthansa and Ryanair, have fuel hedging contracts designed to lock in prices. However, Finnair, which hedged more than 80 percent of its first-quarter fuel purchases, has expressed concern that the physical fuel it has contracts for may not be accessible if the conflict continues [3].

This uncertainty is rippling through the travel market. Lorraine Tan, director of equity research for Asia at Morningstar, stated that demand may be curtailed as costs rise. 'The issue for the airlines now is that travel demand may be curtailed as costs become prohibitive for leisure travellers and as some companies start to limit business travel due to the uncertain outlook,' Tan said [3]. UBS analysts have separately noted that U.S. airlines are 'nearly 100% unhedged' against jet fuel costs above certain thresholds, leaving them particularly exposed [7].

Outlook Amid Continuing Conflict

The timeline for a resolution remains unclear, contributing to market instability. In a recent speech, U.S. President Donald Trump stated the administration was 'determined to achieve ultimate victory that will end this long-running danger once and for all' [3]. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have vowed to continue fighting, casting doubt on a swift conclusion [8].

In response to the supply crisis, the International Energy Agency has coordinated the release of 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves, the largest such action in its history [9]. Despite this intervention, analysts widely expect significant airfare increases to continue in the coming months as airlines adjust to a new, higher-cost operating environment shaped by geopolitical conflict and centralized supply chain vulnerabilities [10].

References
Poll: Majority of American Voters Suspect COVID-19 Vaccines Caused Unexplained Deaths

A majority of likely U.S. voters now believe side effects from COVID-19 shots have likely caused a significant number of unexplained deaths, according to a new national poll. The survey, conducted by Rasmussen Reports in September 2025, indicates that 56% of respondents hold this view, a finding that suggests a perspective once dismissed as a conspiracy theory has gained mainstream traction. Only 35% of those polled dismiss the idea.

The poll analysis concluded that the majority of Americans now believe vaccine harms are real and widespread [1]. The findings show skepticism crosses demographic and political lines, reflecting a significant shift in public sentiment years after the mass vaccination campaigns. The poll's release in 2026 follows years of public debate over vaccine safety and institutional credibility regarding COVID-19, analysts noted.

Poll Methodology and Key Findings

The survey of 1,158 likely U.S. voters was conducted from September 7 to 9, 2025, and carries a margin of error of 3 percentage points, according to Rasmussen Reports [1]. A majority of respondents, 56%, indicated they believe side effects from COVID-19 shots have likely caused a significant number of unexplained deaths. Nearly one-third of respondents, 32%, said it is 'very likely' the vaccines caused deaths [2].

Only 35% said it is not likely, the poll stated. The results confirm a trend identified in earlier polling; a survey from early 2024 found 53% of American adults held a similar belief [3]. The recent data shows a four-point increase from that 2022 benchmark, indicating growing public suspicion over time [3].

Political and Demographic Breakdown

Skepticism regarding vaccine-related deaths crosses party lines, according to the survey data. The poll found 70% of Republicans, 46% of Democrats, and 54% of independents agree that the vaccines likely caused deaths [4]. Among racial groups, 64% of Black voters and 57% of Hispanic voters suspect deadly vaccine effects, compared to 54% of white voters [4].

The report stated that support for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent critic of vaccine policy, reflects this shift, with 45% of voters viewing him favorably [2]. Kennedy has been a vocal advocate for investigating vaccine safety, arguing that transparency and robust science are the only ways to build public trust [5]. His book, 'The Real Anthony Fauci,' critiques the government-industry collaboration during the pandemic [6].

Calls for Accountability and Institutional Criticism

Half of the voters surveyed, 50%, said government health officials deserve criticism for their handling of the pandemic, the poll reported [2]. Furthermore, 42% of respondents think employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should be fired for their role in misleading the public [2]. Among those who strongly believe the shots caused deaths, over 70% support such firings [2].

The poll analysis concluded that the takeaway is a demand for accountability from the CDC and government health leaders [1]. This sentiment aligns with ongoing criticisms of institutional transparency. For instance, a spokesperson for the CDC has stated that the FDA requires healthcare providers to report any death after COVID-19 vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), even if a causal link is unclear [7]. Critics argue such systems are flawed and that important data has been difficult to access [8].

Context and Broader Sentiment

The poll's release follows years of public debate over vaccine safety and institutional credibility regarding COVID-19. Advocacy groups critical of vaccine mandates have cited such polling as evidence of eroded public trust in health authorities. A separate Rasmussen survey from November 2025 revealed that 10% of U.S. adults who received the COVID-19 vaccine reported experiencing 'major' side effects [9].

Public health officials, including those at the FDA and CDC, have consistently stated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, with serious side effects being rare [10]. However, critics point to emerging research and anecdotal reports that challenge this narrative. For example, a 2026 analysis of excess mortality data from several Australian regions found a significant correlation between COVID shot rollouts and excess deaths that could not be explained by other factors [11]. Other analyses of large datasets, such as one from Japan, have suggested a higher risk of death in the first year after COVID-19 vaccination compared to being unvaccinated [12].

Conclusion

The Rasmussen poll underscores a profound and persistent shift in public perception regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety. With a majority of voters across the political and demographic spectrum expressing suspicion that the shots caused unexplained deaths, the data points to a deep erosion of trust in public health institutions. The accompanying demand for accountability suggests these sentiments may influence future policy debates and electoral considerations.

For those seeking uncensored information on health and vaccine safety, independent platforms like BrightAnswers.ai offer AI analysis trained on alternative data, while BrightNews.ai provides AI-analyzed news trends from across the independent media. Readers looking for in-depth research on the topic can find books such as 'Silent Slaughter: The COVID-19 Vaccine Cover-Up and the Millions Who Vanished' available through free libraries like BrightLearn.ai [13].

References
Saudi Arabia slashes oil output amid Hormuz crisis, fueling global price surge

Saudi Arabia slashed oil output by 20% (down to eight million bpd) after shutting down two major offshore fields (Safaniya and Zuluf), worsening global supply shortages amid rising Gulf tensions.

The strait remains largely blocked due to U.S.-Israel-Iran tensions, threatening 40% of global oil shipments, erasing billions in Gulf revenues and risking $200+/barrel oil prices if Iran escalates further.

The U.S. and allies deployed 400 million barrels from strategic reserves (including 172 million from U.S. stockpiles), but analysts warn this is only a short-term fix against 45 million bpd global demand.

Eighty percent of Asia's oil imports flow through Hormuz; nations are now rationing fuel as prices skyrocket, while Gulf producers (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar) have collectively cut 10 million bpd (10% of global supply).

The crisis mirrors past oil shocks (1973 embargo, 1990 Gulf War), with Iran's threats now realized. Saudi Arabia's earlier production surge (11 million bpd) failed to offset losses, leaving global markets on the brink of long-term instability.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has abruptly cut production by 20%, reducing output to around eight million barrels per day (bpd) after shutting down two major offshore fields, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked due to escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel and Iran. The disruption has already erased billions from Gulf energy revenues and threatens to push oil prices even higher, with analysts warning of potential long-term supply shortages.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital 13 to 21-mile-wide chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world's oil and LNG flows, heavily controlled and contested by Iran, making it a geopolitical flashpoint critical to global energy security.

Production cuts and regional fallout

Saudi Arabia's decision to halt operations at the Safaniya and Zuluf offshore fieldswhich collectively produce over two million bpdreflects the deepening crisis in the Gulf. The kingdom has attempted to reroute shipments through its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, but this workaround is limited, as the pipeline primarily transports lighter crude grades.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that Gulf producersincluding Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAEhave collectively slashed at least 10 million bpd, equivalent to roughly 10% of global supply. Qatar's Energy Minister, Saad al-Kaabi, warned that further disruptions could trigger force majeure declarations across the region, exacerbating price volatility.

Global response: Emergency reserves deployed

In an unprecedented move, Western nationsled by the U.S.have agreed to release a record 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles to stabilize markets. The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that 172 million barrels would come from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of a coordinated IEA effort.

However, analysts remain skeptical about the long-term impact.

"Four hundred million barrels is only a temporary fix," said Swissquote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya, noting that IEA member countries consume roughly 45 million bpd.

Asian nations, which rely on Hormuz for over 80% of their oil imports, have already begun implementing fuel-saving measures amid skyrocketing prices.

Historical context: A repeat of past energy shocks?

The current crisis echoes previous oil shocks, such as the 1973 embargo and the 1990 Gulf War disruptions. The Strait of Hormuz has long been a geopolitical flashpoint, with roughly 20-30% of global oil exports passing through its narrow waters. Irans threats to close the strait in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have now materialized, sending shockwaves through energy markets.

Saudi Arabia's precautionary production surge in Februaryraising output to nearly 11 million bpdproved insufficient as the conflict escalated. With Iran warning of $200-a-barrel oil if the standoff continues, the world faces a precarious balancing act between geopolitical tensions and economic stability.

As Saudi Arabia's production cuts take hold and emergency reserves are tapped, the global energy landscape hangs in the balance. The crisis underscores the fragility of oil-dependent economies and the escalating risks of Middle East conflicts. Whether diplomatic solutions can reopen the Strait of Hormuzor whether prices will spiral furtherremains the critical question for markets and policymakers alike.

Watch the video below where Iran warns that U.S. ships in the Strait of Hormuz are "legitimate targets."

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

Reuters.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

During a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the President of Ukraine discussed a new defense partnership.

"The Middle East conflict has increased the need for rapid military innovation. It's central to our national and economic security. Today we've agreed a new defence partnership between Ukraine and the UK  strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself from Russia's brutal attacks and ensuring the UK and our allies are prepared to meet the threats of the future," Starmer said on the X social network.
Data centers, drought, and decay: The triple threat pushing U.S. water systems to the brink

The U.S. loses an estimated 6.75 billion gallons of treated drinking water daily due to leaks in aging and crumbling pipe networks.

Experts warn that decades of underinvestment have created a massive funding gap, with total upgrade costs potentially exceeding $1 trillion.

New pressures from drought, industrial demand (like data centers), and contaminants like PFAS are compounding the strain on an already stressed system.

While recent federal funding provides a down payment, the scale of the problem means water utilities are increasingly passing upgrade costs to consumers through rising bills.

The crisis is not just about water scarcity but about the reliability, safety, and economic waste of a failing delivery infrastructure.

Across the United States, a silent crisis flows beneath our feet. While drought and industrial demand capture headlines, the most profound threat to Americas water security may be its own decaying infrastructure. Every day, an estimated 6.75 billion gallons of treated, drinkable waterenough to supply millions of homesseeps from aging pipes before it ever reaches a tap. This systemic failure, born from decades of underinvestment, now collides with climate change and new contaminants, pushing the nations water systems toward a breaking point and forcing a reckoning with a trillion-dollar problem.

A System at the End of Its Lifespan

The backbone of Americas public water supply is old and tired. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, many of the nations drinking water pipes are between 45 and 100 years old, with some systems still containing lead and copper. The American Society of Civil Engineers 2025 report card underscored the severity, assigning a C- to drinking water infrastructure and a D+ to wastewater systems. The society noted that more than 9 million lead service lines remain a health concern and that funding shortfalls are chronic.

This aging network is hemorrhaging both water and money. The volume lost daily represents nearly 20% of the drinking water consumed in the U.S., costing utilities approximately $6.4 billion annually. Yet, as economist Jeff Stollman notes, the cost to fix the problem is staggering. With over 2.2 million miles of underground drinking water pipes, replacing even half at a conservative estimate of $1 million per mile would require over $1 trillion. Losing $6 billion a year, it would take nearly 200 years for the current losses to equal the cost of replacement, Stollman observed.

New Pressures on an Old Problem

The strain on this fragile system is intensifying from multiple directions:

Climate and Demand: More than one-third of the U.S. experienced drought last year, and nearly 30 million Americans live in areas of high water stress, threatening our food supply. Simultaneously, the boom in data centerseach capable of using over 5 million gallons of water daily for coolingadds massive new demand.

Emerging Contaminants: Utilities now face the costly challenge of treating forever chemicals like PFAS, following recent EPA rulings designating them as hazardous substances. This remediation is capital and energy-intensive, diverting resources from other infrastructure needs.

The Funding Gap: Despite a historic infusion from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included nearly $69 billion for water projects, the need far outpaces the funding. Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. estimated a $110 billion water utility funding gap in 2024, potentially growing to $194 billion by 2030.

The Ripple Effect: Rising Bills and Economic Waste

The financial burden is increasingly landing on consumers. With many utilities unable to fully cover costs through existing rates, water bills are climbing. Research from Bluefield Research found U.S. water and sewer bills rose 24% over a recent five-year period. The cost of maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure continues to rise, and these costs are being passed down to ratepayers, said Bluefield analyst Megan Bondar.

The core issue, experts argue, is not the permanent loss of water molecules, which often re-enter the hydrologic cycle, but the colossal waste of energy, treatment chemicals, and capital. The real issue is loss of treated, pressurized, potable water service and the economic and energy waste associated with producing water that never reaches a paying customer, said Neno Duplan, CEO of Locus Technologies. This waste undermines the reliability of the entire system, where infrastructure failure can prevent clean water from reaching homes even when the raw supply is adequate.

A Patchwork of Progress

Amid the daunting scale of the crisis, progress is piecemeal. Federal rules now require utilities to inventory and replace lead service lines. Cities like Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia have ongoing pipe replacement programs, though at a pace of just 15 to 20 miles of mains per year. Other cities, such as Phoenix, report having no lead lines, while San Antonio is moving toward condition-based replacement strategies. The EPA has also made billions in state funding available for lead line replacement, noting that estimates of remaining lead lines have been reduced from 9 million to 4 million.

A Crossroads for Water Security

The United Nations has warned that water stress in many regions appears to be a long-term structural shift, not a temporary crisis. For America, the path forward requires a fundamental shift in how water infrastructure is valued, funded, and managed. The recent federal investment is a critical down payment, but experts agree it is insufficient to modernize century-old networks nationwide. The challenge demands sustained, bipartisan commitment, innovative financing, and a comprehensive strategy that views water not just as a commodity, but as the essential foundation of public health, economic stability, and national resilience. The cost of inactionmeasured in continued waste, escalating bills, and systemic vulnerabilitywill only grow more profound with each passing year.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

ConstructionDrive.com

TheEpochTimes.com
The Zionist Deception: How Noahide laws could decapitate Christianity and reshape global power

"The Zionist Deception: Unmasking the Noahide Laws and the Battle for Global Control" exposes the Greater Israel Project, a geopolitical and theological plan to expand Israels borders from the Nile to the Euphrates, executed through wars, settlements and demographic engineering, erasing Palestinian claims under the guise of divine mandate.

Seven ancient commandments, superficially benign, are weaponized to suppress Christianity (labeled as idolatry punishable by death) and enforce global governance under Zionist-aligned legal frameworks, backed by U.S. resolutions and tech censorship.

A revived rabbinic council (Sanhedrin) collaborates with Christian Zionists to push Noahide Law enforcement worldwide, with decapitation prescribed for dissenters, while lobbying for Noahide courts in Western nations.

AIPAC dominates U.S. politics, media whitewashes Israeli atrocities, and evangelical leaders manipulate prophecy to justify Zionist expansion, while plans to relocate the UN to Jerusalem signal a bid for global dominance.

Reject mainstream narratives, support grassroots movements (BDS), decentralize power via local governance/cryptocurrency, and reclaim authentic Christian faith to counter Zionist theocratic ambitions.

If you've ever wondered why the Middle East remains a perpetual battleground, why free speech is under siege or why geopolitical power seems to shift in ways that defy logic, "The Zionist Deception: Unmasking the Noahide Laws and the Battle for Global Control" offers a chilling expose. This meticulously researched book pulls back the curtain on a centuries-old agendaone that extends far beyond Israel's borders and into the very fabric of global governance.

The book begins by dissecting the Greater Israel Project, a geopolitical vision rooted in early Zionist texts that seeks to expand Israel's territory from the Nile to the Euphrates. Far from a fringe conspiracy, this plan has been methodically executed through wars, settlements and demographic engineering.

The 1948 Nakba (the mass expulsion of Palestinians) and the 1967 Six-Day War weren't isolated conflicts but calculated steps toward territorial domination. The Jewish National Fund's land acquisitions and the erasure of Palestinian villages reveal a systematic strategy to cement Jewish sovereignty while erasing indigenous claims.

What's most unsettling is how theological justificationssuch as the concept of Eretz Israelare weaponized to legitimize expansion. The book argues that Zionism isn't just a political movement but a theological imperative for some, one that views non-Jews as subordinate.

The shocking truth behind the Noahide Laws

At the heart of the book's thesis are the Noahide Laws, seven ancient commandments that Zionist authorities claim should govern all humanity. On the surface, they seem benignprohibitions against idolatry, blasphemy, murder, theft and sexual immorality. But beneath this veneer lies a darker agenda:

Christianity as idolatry : Rabbinic interpretations classify Christian worship (especially the Trinity) as idolatry, punishable by death under Noahide jurisprudence. Historical records show medieval Jewish courts executing Christians for this "crime."

: Rabbinic interpretations classify Christian worship (especially the Trinity) as idolatry, punishable by death under Noahide jurisprudence. Historical records show medieval Jewish courts executing Christians for this "crime." Modern enforcement : The 1991 U.S. Congressional Resolution (H.J. Res. 104) endorsed the Noahide Laws as the "bedrock of society," paving the way for their integration into global governance. The Lubavitcher Rebbe's campaign for worldwide Noahide compliance reveals a push for a theocratic legal framework.

: The 1991 U.S. Congressional Resolution (H.J. Res. 104) endorsed the Noahide Laws as the "bedrock of society," paving the way for their integration into global governance. The Lubavitcher Rebbe's campaign for worldwide Noahide compliance reveals a push for a theocratic legal framework. Censorship and control: These laws are increasingly used to silence dissent. Big Tech (Facebook, Google) and organizations like the ADL [Anti-Defamation League] label criticism of Zionism as "hate speech," while the United Nations (UN) and International Criminal Court (ICC) face pressure to adopt Noahide-aligned policies.

A modern-day Sanhedrinreconstituted in Israel in 2004aims to enforce Noahide Law globally. The book details how this rabbinic council collaborates with Christian Zionists (who ironically enable their own faith's suppression) and lobbies for "Noahide courts" in the U.S. and Europe.

The endgame? A world where deviation from these laws means decapitationa punishment explicitly prescribed in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a).

The Zionist stranglehold on America

The book exposes how the U.S. functions as an occupied nation under Zionist influence:

AIPAC's stranglehold : Politicians who oppose unconditional aid to Israel face smear campaigns and financial ruin.

: Politicians who oppose unconditional aid to Israel face smear campaigns and financial ruin. Media complicity : Outlets like CNN and The New York Times sanitize Israeli atrocities while demonizing Palestinians.

: Outlets like CNN and The New York Times sanitize Israeli atrocities while demonizing Palestinians. False prophecy manipulation: Evangelical leaders like John Hagee preach that supporting Israel fulfills biblical prophecy, blinding followers to Zionism's anti-Christian underpinnings.

The construction of the Third Temple in Jerusalem isn't just a religious aspirationit's a geopolitical power move. The book argues that Zionist elites plan to relocate the UN headquarters to Jerusalem, solidifying Israel as the epicenter of global authority. Meanwhile, Islam is strategically favored over Christianity (despite surface-level conflicts) because its monotheism aligns better with Noahide prohibitions against "idolatry."

The final chapters offer a roadmap for resistance:

Educate: Seek alternative media (Brighteon, Telegram) and challenge mainstream narratives. Decentralize: Support local governance, cryptocurrency and self-reliance to break free from Zionist-controlled systems. Organize: Grassroots movements like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) can pressure governments and corporations. Reclaim faith: Reject Christian Zionism's false prophecies and reaffirm the core tenets of Christianitylove, justice and human dignity.

"The Zionist Deception" is a provocative, deeply unsettling readbut one that's impossible to dismiss. Whether you agree with every claim or not, the evidence demands scrutiny. At its core, the book is a call to recognize the erosion of freedom and to rebuild a world rooted in truth, not deception.

Grab a copy of "The Zionist Deception: Unmasking the Noahide Laws and the Battle for Global Control" via this link. Visit Books.BrightLearn.AI for thousands of books available to freely download, read and share. You can also create your own books for free by using BrightLearn.AI.

Watch Steven and Jana Ben-Nun discussing Israel and the Noahide Laws planned for the America with the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightLearn.ai

Books.BrightLearn.ai

Brighteon.com
Winter Storm Systems Prompt Travel Warnings and Power Outage Concerns Across United States

Introduction

Three major winter weather systems are converging across the central and eastern United States, prompting widespread warnings for travel disruptions and potential power outages. Forecast models describe the event as a multi-faceted and significant storm threatening tens of millions of people from the Midwest to the East Coast.

The National Weather Service has issued alerts for a 'triple-threat' March megastorm that could affect approximately 200 million Americans, according to meteorological reports. The system is rapidly intensifying and is expected to bring a combination of blizzard conditions, severe thunderstorms, and damaging winds.

Triple Storm Systems Disrupt National Travel and Utilities

The storm system, described by forecasters as a 'megastorm,' is spawning blizzards, thunderstorms, wildfires, and tornadoes over a large stretch of the country. A rapidly-intensifying megastorm is slamming the United States, unleashing a dangerous combination of conditions threatening tens of millions of people [1]. Meteorologists say the storm could affect nearly 200 million people across the central and eastern United States, bringing widespread outages [2].

AccuWeather experts warn of a rapidly intensifying storm system bringing historic snowfall, tornadoes, and widespread power outages across the country [3]. The scale of the event has been described as staggering, with millions potentially impacted by travel delays, power outages, business shutdowns, and school closures [4].

Weather System Details and Projected Impacts

One system is expected to bring heavy snow to the Midwest and Northeast. Forecasts indicate some areas could see up to 30 inches of snow, with blizzard conditions causing considerable drifting [5]. A separate southern system is forecast to produce severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes. The National Weather Service terminology for such events -- using 'watches' and 'warnings' -- has been noted by some observers as potentially confusing for the public [6].

In addition to tornado potential, damaging straight-line winds and heavy rainfall could cause localized flooding and power outages in affected areas [7]. When freezing rain lasts several hours and deposits more than a quarter inch of ice, the NWS calls the event an ice storm, which can pull down tree limbs and power lines [8]. Such conditions have previously caused almost 700,000 customers to lose power in a single event [8].

Utility and Infrastructure Preparedness Responses

Major utility companies reported pre-staging repair crews in anticipation of outages. According to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide, nearly 400,000 people across the country were without power due to extreme weather causing disruptions [9]. High winds have previously left hundreds of thousands of people without power after raking eastward from the Great Lakes region [10].

Grid operators in regions like PJM Interconnection have experience with record-breaking electricity demand during historic winter storms [11]. The American Red Cross indicated it was prepared to open shelters if needed, a standard part of emergency response to widespread utility failures and displacement [12]. Communities often face significant challenges in restoration following major storm damage, as seen in historical assessments of hurricane responses where initial access was difficult due to debris-strewn streets [13].

Transportation Disruptions and Official Advisories

Airlines issued travel waivers and canceled hundreds of flights preemptively. State transportation departments urged residents to avoid non-essential travel. The Federal Aviation Administration warned of likely cascading delays at major hubs as the storm system moved across the country.

Meteorologists warn that millions of people could be impacted by travel delays, even after the storm exits [4]. The storm has already caused thousands of flights to be canceled, with social media reports indicating 18 inches of snow and wild thunderstorms putting 200 million on urgent alert . Such widespread disruptions highlight the vulnerability of centralized transportation networks to severe weather events.

Context on Preparedness and Community Response

Emergency management officials emphasized the importance of individual preparedness kits. Some community groups distributed information on alternative heating safety. Previous storm responses have been cited by officials as informing current planning, with a focus on decentralized resilience.

Historical analysis suggests that modern society faces increased risks from freakish weather, including destructive hurricanes and winter storms [14]. The Earth seems to grow more active and dangerous as years pass, given the constant media coverage on various natural disasters [15]. As preppers, preparing for such things is second nature, highlighting a philosophy of self-reliance over dependence on centralized institutions [15]. For those seeking uncensored information on preparedness strategies, platforms like BrightAnswers.ai offer alternative guidance free from institutional narratives [16].

Conclusion

The converging storm systems present a significant test for infrastructure and emergency response across a wide swath of the United States. With nearly 200 million people within the affected regions, the focus remains on public safety, travel restrictions, and power restoration efforts.

The event underscores broader discussions about community resilience and individual preparedness in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns. As recovery operations begin in the hardest-hit areas, the performance of both centralized utilities and decentralized community networks will be closely watched.

References
Researchers have unveiled what could be the longest underwater volcano chain ever documented, a sprawling network hidden beneath ocean waves that transforms our grasp of ocean geology. Stretching thousands of kilometers, this chain of seamounts and volcanic ridges challenges assumptions about how Earth's seafloor evolves over deep time.

This discovery pulls back the curtain on forces that have sculpted the planet's underwater landscape for millions of years. Oceanographers now see clear links between tectonic drift and these massive formations.

Unraveling the Underwater Volcano Chain Structure

Underwater volcano chains emerge when tectonic plates glide over fixed hotspots in Earth's mantle, spewing lava that hardens into towering peaks. Each volcano in the chain marks a snapshot of plate motion, with older ones trailing behind as the plate shifts. In ocean geology, these chains rank among the most dramatic features, often rising 1,000 to 4,000 meters from the seafloor yet remaining submerged.

The newly mapped chain boasts dozens of such giants, some rivaling Hawaii's Mauna Kea in height but spread across vast distances. High-resolution sonar from research vessels pierced the depths, revealing jagged rims and calderas that hint at explosive pasts. Unlike land volcanoes that dominate headlines, these underwater structures quietly build the ocean floor, covering over 70% of Earth's surface.

Scientists describe the chain's layout as linear yet branching, formed as plates tugged away from a central hotspot. Basaltic eruptions dominate heremolten rock rich in iron and magnesium that flows easily underwater, cooling into pillow lavas and hyaloclastite. Over eons, erosion flattens summits into guyots, table-top mountains unique to ocean geology.

This chain's scale sets it apart. Picture a line of peaks as long as the U.S. East Coast, dotted with craters deep enough to swallow small islands. Such formations trap sediments and minerals, creating fertile grounds for deep-sea life while steering global currents.

Pinpointing the Chain's Location and Discovery Story

Experts zeroed in on this underwater volcano chain during a 2025 expedition in the Southern Ocean, between Tasmania and Antarctica's edge. Bathymetric surveys lit up the seafloor with 3D images, exposing a 2,500-kilometer thread of volcanoes previously dismissed as random bumps. Some peaks scrape within 200 meters of the surface, making them prime spots for future study.

Alternate sightings pop up near Pacific hotspots, like extensions off the Cook Islands where similar chains snake eastward. Ocean geology ties these to the same mechanics: plates cruising 5-10 centimeters yearly over magma plumes. The Southern Ocean version stands out for its youthsome volcanoes dated to under 10 million years, fresh by geological standards.

Discovery hinged on satellite altimetry and shipboard multibeam echo sounders, tools that bounce sound waves off the bottom to map terrain invisible to satellites alone. Space.com covered how these efforts revealed spectacular ancient chains lurking below.

Challenges abounded. Harsh weather, ice floes, and depths exceeding 4,000 meters tested gear and crews. Yet the payoff reshapes maps, filling gaps in ocean geology knowledge that once relied on sparse soundings from passing ships.

Main Ridge Length: 2,500 km, spanning 10-145 million years.

2,500 km, spanning 10-145 million years. Peak Heights: Up to 1,500 m, varying by position in the chain.

Up to 1,500 m, varying by position in the chain. Caldera Depths: 200-500 m, from recent to ancient formations.

How Ocean Geology Fuels Chain Formation

Ocean geology thrives on convection in the mantle, where hot rock rises, melts, and erupts through thinned crust. Hotspots differ from mid-ocean ridges by punching through stable plates, birthing isolated chains rather than continuous seams. The global mid-ocean ridge system spans 65,000 kilometers and hosts 90% of Earth's volcanism, but chains like this one add isolated drama.

Plates drift, hotspots stay putthat's the recipe. As a plate moves northwest at 8 cm/year, it strings out volcanoes: active ones over the plume, dormant ones stretching behind. Hawaii's chain exemplifies this, with Loihi seamount brewing next in line. Our featured chain mirrors that, potentially fed by a distant plume now 1,000 km away.

Eruptions here stay subdued thanks to water pressure, which quashes explosive blasts. Lava oozes out, building layers until buoyancy lifts cones high. Over time, currents erode them, while chemical reactions leach metals like cobalt and manganese into nodules prized for mining.

Teams at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have long tracked these processes through seafloor studies. These chains knit into broader ocean geology. They mark fracture zones where crust cracks, influencing earthquakes and magnetic stripes recorded in seafloor basalt. Isotopic studies of rocks from dredges reveal plume chemistry, linking chains to mantle plumes that rise from 2,900 km deep.

Why These Chains Matter for Climate and Life

Underwater volcano chains don't just sit prettythey churn ocean dynamics. Seamount wakes spin off eddies that whisk heat poleward, tweaking the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. This mighty flow circles Antarctica, isolating it thermally but now amplified by these obstacles, possibly hastening ice shelf melt amid warming seas.

Nutrient upwelling around peaks sparks plankton booms, fueling food webs from microbes to whales. Corals, sponges, and fish clusters thrive on slopes, forming biodiversity hotspots. Ocean geology thus cradles life: iron from vents feeds phytoplankton that suck up CO2, quietly aiding carbon cycles.

Risks loom too. Active chains rumble with quakes, and flank collapses trigger tsunamis. Historical events like the 2022 Tonga eruption remind us of their power, ejecting water vapor that lingered in the stratosphere. Mapping helps forecast such outbursts, vital for coastal populations.

A Live Science article highlighted radar scans spotting 19,000 undersea volcanoes, setting the stage for chain discoveries like this. Biodiversity shines brighter here than on flat abyssal plains. Endemic speciesfish that glow, crabs armored in ironevolve in isolation, treasures for evolutionary biology. Conservation lags, though; mining proposals eye nodules, threatening these oases.

Ongoing Quests in Ocean Geology Frontiers

Dives with remotely operated vehicles now snag rocks for lab analysis, pinning eruption timelines via uranium-lead dating. Seismic networks listen for rumbles, gauging if chain segments stir. Satellite missions like SWOT refine gravity maps, unmasking more chains in unmapped expanses covering 80% of the seafloor.

Collaborations span nations, from Australia's CSIRO to Japan's JAMSTEC, pooling data into global atlases. AI sifts sonar pings for anomalies, accelerating discoveries. Questions persist: How many chains lurk? Do they link to superplumes? Answers will refine models of plate tectonics and climate feedback.

Phys.org noted how radar satellites keep revealing previously unknown seamounts. This underwater volcano chain underscores ocean geology's untapped secrets. As tools sharpen, expect revelations that tie seafloor giants to surface weather, biodiversity, and even human fates in a fluid world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an underwater volcano chain?

Underwater volcano chains form when tectonic plates move over fixed mantle hotspots, creating linear trails of seamounts and extinct volcanoes. These structures, key to ocean geology, stretch for thousands of kilometers across the seafloor.

2. Where was the largest underwater volcano chain discovered?

Researchers found this massive chain in the Southern Ocean between Tasmania and Antarctica during 2025 expeditions, with similar features near the Cook Islands in the Pacific. Bathymetric mapping revealed its 2,500 km span.

3. How do underwater volcano chains form?

Plates drift at 5-10 cm per year over stationary hotspots, triggering basaltic eruptions that build peaks. Older volcanoes erode into guyots as the chain elongates, a classic ocean geology process seen in Hawaii.
Austrian glaciers undergo unprecedented structural disintegration as intensifying climate change accelerates ice loss across the Alps, with 94 out of 96 closely monitored ice fields shrinking dramatically over the past year.

Austrian Glaciers Shrinking Fast

The Austrian Alps hold some of Europe's most stunning glaciers, drawing hikers and skiers for generations. Yet the Austrian Alpine Club's latest annual report delivers sobering data on 96 key glaciers monitored nationwide. All but two retreated over the past year, with average losses exceeding 20 meters in length, area, and volume. This goes beyond routine meltingmany now fracture dramatically, revealing exposed rock ledges and collapsing tongues that scientists label structural disintegration. The shift reflects decades of data showing relentless ice decline across the region.

Climate Change Fuels the Meltdown

A cascade of harsh weather sealed the fate for these ice masses. Warm winters delivered scant snow, stripping protective cover from vulnerable surfaces. Early summer turned brutal, with June temperatures nearly 5C above average, hammering the ice further. High-altitude monitoring stations clocked 2C over long-term norms throughout the year. Gerhard Lieb, a lead glacier monitor, calls these "extremely unfavourable" conditions, pointing out that glaciers shed mass so rapidly even short cool periodslike July 2025offer no real respite. Progressive warming strikes the Alps with outsized force, transforming gradual retreat into outright collapse.

Hardest-Hit Glaciers Emerge

Certain glaciers bear the brunt, underscoring the crisis's scale. The Alpeiner Ferner in Tyrol lost a staggering 114.3 meters in length alone. Stubacher Sonnblickkees in Salzburg trailed closely at 103.9 meters. Austria's largest, the Pasterze in Carinthia, edges toward crisisits massive tongue shows clear signs of breaking off, potentially splitting the entire glacier into two within years. Andreas Kellerer-Pirklbauer from the University of Graz warns that breaking ice and emerging rockfalls now redefine Alpine landscapes.

Alpeiner Ferner (Tyrol): 114.3m length loss.

114.3m length loss. Stubacher Sonnblickkees (Salzburg): 103.9m length loss.

103.9m length loss. Pasterze (Carinthia): Ongoing tongue collapse, risk of splitting.

Alpine Hazards Rise Sharply

As ice vanishes, steep slopes destabilize, unleashing rockfalls, outburst floods, and landslides that threaten remote villages and trails. Roads, dams, and ski lifts face growing peril, while downstream water for hydropower and farming runs low. The BBC detailed this stark pivot, sharing expert insights on climate change sparking extreme weather across the Alps right now. AP News amplified the urgency, spotlighting the "dramatic development" gripping nearly every glacier tracked.

Austria Adapts to Ice-Free Future

Nicole Slupetzky, Austrian Alpine Club vice-president, makes it clear: preserving glaciers as they once existed sits beyond reach. Euronews coverage backs this view, forecasting widespread ice loss in coming decades. Local leaders prioritize hazard mapping, reinforced infrastructure, and community alerts to shield lives and tourism economies. Researchers push for global emission cuts alongside on-the-ground resilience, as these mountains brace for permanent change.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dispatch of 201 military specialists to the Middle East to help repel drone attacks.

"Currently, 201 Ukrainians are in the Middle East region in the Persian Gulf. Another 34 are ready for deployment. These are military experts, experts who know how to defend themselves, how to help against Shahed drones. Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and are heading to Kuwait. We are cooperating with several other countries  agreements have already been concluded," Zelenskyy said in an address to the British Parliament on Tuesday.

The president added that the experts were deployed "at the request of our partners, including the United States."

"In fact, this is part of the drone deal we proposed to the United States, which we have been working on together and which remains on the table," he said.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to offer similar agreements "to all reliable partners  from practical cooperation in the drone sector to future defense alliances."

"I don't think anyone would want to leave Ukraine's battle-tested strength and capabilities outside their security. If someone does, it would be unwise," he added.

Zelenskyy described the regimes in Russia and Iran as "brothers in hatred" and said this is why "they are also brothers in arms."

"We want regimes built on hatred never to win anything. We do not want any such regime to threaten Europe or our partners," he said.

The president also said Ukrainian drone interception systems are far more cost-effective "than anything our partners are currently using."

"We must build a security system in such a way that its development outpaces the evolution of warfare. This is not only about state-based attacks. We must be ready for any type of attack, including from non-state actors, criminal groups, terrorist organizations, and even lone attackers who may gain access to such technologies. With the spread of drones, mass attacks no longer cost billions  they cost much less. It is no longer only a wealthy madman like Putin who can afford this, unfortunately," Zelenskyy said.
The Indian Embassy in Qatar announced that approximately 1,600 Indian nationals travelled home on five special Qatar Airways flights to cities including Delhi and Mumbai. With Qatari airspace largely closed, the airline is operating a limited, revised schedule of non-scheduled flights and has announced services to nine Indian destinations. The embassy remains open for consular services and runs a 24/7 control room to assist citizens, while also facilitating transit visas for travel via Saudi Arabia. Indian community organizations and the embassy are also collaborating to provide dry rations to needy fishermen in Qatar.

Indian Embassy in Qatar facilitates the return of 1,600 nationals via special Qatar Airways flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, and more. Details inside.

New Delhi, March 18 Qatar Airways operated five flights to India on Tuesday, a statement by the Indian Embassy in Qatar said.

These included two flights to Delhi and one each to Mumbai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. In total, about 1,600 Indian nationals travelled on Qatar Airways flights that day.

It may be noted that Qatar airspace remains largely closed and Qatar Airways is only operating limited, non-scheduled flights. It has announced flights to nine Indian destinations from tomorrow. As advised earlier, bookings can be made through Qatar Airways website, App or through travel agents, the statement said.

Embassy of India, Doha continues to facilitate temporary transit visas for Saudi Arabia for stranded Indian nationals who wish to travel to India via Saudi Arabia through land route across Salwa border.

Embassy of India, Doha will be open on all days in the coming week for consular services including issuance of passports. Embassy's Control Room with its helplines, email and WhatsApp continues to function on a 24/7 basis.

Qatari authorities have reiterated that adhering to the instructions issued by official authorities and demonstrating awareness and social responsibility in handling information and developments are fundamental pillars in enhancing public safety and maintaining community stability. The Indian community is requested to abide by this public notice.

Indian community organizations and the Embassy have collaborated to support the needy Indian fishermen community in Qatar with provision of dry rations, as per the statement.

Qatar Airways is operating limited flights from Doha.

Qatar Airways will operate a revised limited number of flights from 18 March to 28 March 2026. These schedules have been enhanced to give more flexibility to passengers wishing to travel.

Passengers who currently hold a confirmed booking on a flight to one of the destinations listed in the new schedule will be contacted with new flight information.

- ANI
Afghanistan has warned of a "teeth-breaking response" to a Pakistani airstrike that hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing at least 400 people. Officials condemned the strike as a major escalation and a violation of Afghan sovereignty. Pakistan claims its operations target militant groups using Afghan soil to launch attacks into its territory. The incident marks a sharp rise in hostilities, with cross-border strikes and retaliatory operations occurring over recent weeks.

Afghanistan promises a "teeth-breaking response" after a Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul hospital kills at least 400, marking a major border escalation.

Kabul, March 17 Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qane on Tuesday warned that the country will give a 'teeth-breaking response' to the airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul, local media reported.

Afghan officials said that the strike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi area, killing at least 400 people and injuring 250 others. Qane said recovery efforts were being made on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

Qane said Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as major escalation and warned of a response. He said, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, Ariana News reported.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.

Afghan authorities have condemned what they term Pakistan's military operations in Afghanistan, especially in eastern and southeastern provinces.

In recent weeks, Afghan officials have said that strikes and shelling incidents have caused casualties and damage to infrastructure. Meanwhile, Islamabad has claimed it is targeting militant groups that are using Afghan soil for launching attacks in Pakistan.

Earlier on March 14, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said that Pakistani airstrikes claimed four lives and injured 25 others in the Afghan capital Kabul early Friday.

The official said Pakistan, apart from Kabul, also conducted air raids on Kandahar, Paktika, Khost and Nangarhar provinces on Thursday night and Friday. An oil depot was targeted in Kandahar, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The current round of hostilities began when Taliban-led Afghan forces launched retaliatory operations against Pakistani military installations on February 27, following Pakistan's actions targeting militants inside Afghan territory on February 21.

Following Afghanistan's attacks, Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury) in response to what it described as "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan forces across multiple border sectors.

- IANS
Israel has confirmed the assassination of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in a series of IDF airstrikes on Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Larijani as the effective leader of the Revolutionary Guards and stated the operation aimed to undermine the Iranian regime. The IDF also confirmed the killing of Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in the same strikes, accusing both men of leading repression against protesters. Iran's IRGC has reacted by calling Larijani's death a "source of national awakening" and vowing not to forget his martyrdom.

Israeli PM Netanyahu confirms assassination of Ali Larijani, Iran's top security official, in IDF strikes on Tehran. IRGC vows revenge.

Tehran, March 18 Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reacted to the confirmation of Ali Larijani's assassination, calling it a "source of national awakening", Al Jazeera reported.

Citing Iran's Tasnim news agency's statement, Al Jazeera reported that the IRGC described Larijani as a "distinguished figure, thinker [and] revolutionary politician" and said that the "pure blood of this great martyr, like other dear martyrs, will be a source of honour, strength, and national awakening".

"The IRGC will certainly not forget the bloodlust of this great martyr and other martyrs," it added.

Meanwhile, Israel's military escalation in West Asia intensified sharply on Tuesday after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had eliminated Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, in what Israeli leadership described as a major blow to Iran's power structure.

In a strongly worded statement following the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, saying, "This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani," whom he described as a central figure in Iran's ruling establishment and closely tied to its military apparatus.

Netanyahu further asserted that Israel is conducting aerial operations deep inside Iranian territory, aimed at weakening the regime and creating conditions for internal change as the conflict in the region continues.

"Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij - they are the gangsters' assistants who are terrorising the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities. We are operating there as well, operating from the air with Air Force jets and UAVs. We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it," Netanyahu said.

He stated that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, adding that Israeli and American forces were cooperating through both direct and indirect means against the Islamic Republic.

"It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands. At the same time, we are helping our American friends in the Gulf. I spoke at length with President Trump on this matter yesterday. There is cooperation between our air forces and navies and between President Trump and his staff and me. We will assist both through indirect attacks, which create immense pressure on the Iranian regime, and through direct actions. There are many more surprises. 'By stratagems, you shall make war.' We will not reveal all the stratagems here, but as I told you, there are many," the Israeli PM said.

Earlier today, the IDF, in separate statements on X, confirmed the death of Larijani, who has served as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and played a key role in suppressing anti-government protests.

It also confirmed the killing of Soleimani, stating he led the Basij unit responsible for "repression operations" involving arrests and use of force against demonstrators.

"Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the regime's effective leader, has been eliminated. Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," the IDF post read.

"Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF stated in a separate post.

Both were killed in the same series of overnight strikes by the IDF on Tehran.

- ANI
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has announced that all its consular services will continue without disruption during the holy month of Ramadan, albeit with revised working hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at its four Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs). The Embassy has provided detailed locations for these centres across Kuwait City, Jleeb Al Shouyakh, Fahahheel, and Jahra to ensure accessibility for the large Indian community. It has also reiterated its 24x7 emergency contact channels, including a dedicated helpline and email. In a separate development, Kuwait's Foreign Ministry has issued a strong condemnation of recent Iranian strikes on the UAE, expressing full solidarity with the Emirates.

Indian Embassy in Kuwait confirms all consular services continue during Ramadan with revised ICAC timings. Contact details and locations provided.

Kuwait City, March 17 Indian embassy in Kuwait on Tuesday announced that all its consular services are continuing as usual during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Embassy's four Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) remain operational, following revised working hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, ensuring uninterrupted services for Indian nationals in Kuwait.

In a detailed notice, the Embassy listed the operational ICACs as follows:

In Kuwait City, the centre is located on the 3rd Floor of Al Jawhara Tower, the same building as Indigo Airlines, on Ali Al Salem Street. In Jleeb Al Shouyakh, the consular services can be accessed on the M Floor of the Nesto Hypermarket Building (Old Olive Hypermarket).

In Fahahheel, the office is situated in the Al Anoud Shopping Complex, M Floor, on Mekka Street. Lastly, in Jahra, services are available at Al Khalifa Building, Building No. 27, 2nd floor, Office numbers 3 and 14, Block 93.

The Embassy emphasized that in case of emergencies or queries, Indian citizens can reach out through its 24x7 helpline at +965 6550 1946. Alternatively, they can also send an email to community.kuwait@mea.gov.in for assistance.

Information and updates related to consular services, as noted in the announcement, are also accessible via the Embassy's social media platforms, including X.

Officials said, "All consular services of the Embassy are continuing as usual. The Embassy's four Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) are operational following Ramadan working hours (9:00 am - 3:00 pm)." This reassures Indian nationals residing in Kuwait that routine passport, visa, and other consular services will not be disrupted during Ramadan.

The Embassy's proactive communication comes as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain accessibility and convenience for the large Indian community in Kuwait, particularly during periods of altered working schedules. By providing multiple points of service across Kuwait, the Embassy aims to ensure that essential consular services remain within easy reach for all Indian citizens.

Kuwait hosts a significant Indian expatriate population, and such announcements are vital in helping them plan their visits to the Embassy for passport renewals, visa processing, and other official documentation needs without facing delays.

Meanwhile, Kuwait has issued a strong condemnation regarding the persistent Iranian strikes against the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations, following a report by Gulf News on Monday. The diplomatic backlash follows a specific incident where a missile hit a civilian vehicle in the Al Bahya district of Abu Dhabi, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.

In a formal communication released through the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterised the attack as a "flagrant violation of international laws and norms."

According to Gulf News, the ministry further described the situation as a "dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region."Kuwaiti officials reaffirmed their absolute rejection of any actions aimed at the security of "brotherly and friendly countries."

They emphasised the urgent necessity to terminate policies that might "widen the scope of escalation" or damage regional safety.As highlighted by Gulf News, the statement expressed Kuwait's "full solidarity with the UAE" during this period of instability.The ministry pledged its support for all steps taken by the Emirates to "preserve its sovereignty, security and stability" in the face of ongoing threats.

- ANI
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that a delegation of MPs from all parties will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister to discuss critical irrigation projects after ongoing state elections conclude. The meeting with state MPs focused on resolving hurdles in major projects like Mahadayi, Krishna, and Bhadra, and reviewing irrigation schemes. Shivakumar stated that land acquisition for the Upper Krishna Project has commenced with adequate budget allocation, marking a significant decision. He also addressed the Yettinahole project, stating work will proceed immediately despite environmental penalties imposed for beginning work without clearances.

Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar announces all-party MPs' delegation will meet PM Narendra Modi on irrigation issues after state elections conclude.

New Delhi, March 18 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said it had been decided at a meeting of Karnataka MPs to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister with an allparty delegation after the Assembly elections in various states are completed.

Addressing the media on Tuesday night after a meeting with MPs from the state at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, Shivakumar said the meeting was convened to discuss irrigation issues affecting the state and ways to remove minor hurdles in projects such as the Mahadayi, Krishna, Tungabhadra and Bhadra projects, as well as to review the status of irrigation schemes and how they should be taken forward.

Shivakumar said time needed to be sought to meet the Prime Minister and the concerned ministers.

He said MPs suggested that a date be fixed after elections in some states were over. 

"We must respect their request because all of us need to work together. Therefore, we have postponed the meeting to a later date," he said.

Shivakumar noted that elections had been announced in some states, and decisions taken now could have an impact. "For that reason, they have asked us to fix another date," he added.

He said MPs expressed the view that everyone should work together in the interest of the state. 

"We have worked together earlier and will continue to do so. It is also our intention to take an allparty delegation. Our wish is that everyone should unite and work collectively for the welfare of the state," he said.

He said the land acquisition process for the Upper Krishna Project (UKP3) had begun, and the government had moved to acquire 1.33 lakh acres of land by fixing mutually agreed compensation. Adequate funds had been allocated in the Budget, he said, adding that such a large decision had not been taken earlier in the country's history.

On the Cauvery issue, he said the government would proceed in accordance with the Supreme Court's order.

Shivakumar said the meeting was scheduled after discussions with the Union Jal Shakti Minister and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and that 24 MPs attended.

He said several leaders, including former Chief Ministers and BJP MPs Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, former Deputy CM Govind Karjol, and BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, participated in the discussions and raised various issues with the government.

"They have understood how the state government is moving forward on irrigation issues and have assured support. I thank all the MPs who attended the meeting," he said.

Shivakumar said MPs were also informed about what had happened during the BJP government's tenure and how the present government had been advancing projects. "We have submitted certain documents and explained the steps our government has taken," he said.

He added that he and the ministers had also met with the government's legal team and expressed confidence that they were committed to working in the interests of the people. "We will resolve all issues related to irrigation," he said.

Responding to a question about environmental clearance for the Yettinahole project, Shivakumar said the government had been waiting for approval for the past year. "Now we will immediately proceed with the work. Half the work has already been completed. Some conditions have been imposed, and we will carry out the work accordingly," he said.

When asked about the imposition of a heavy penalty, he said, "Sometimes we have to say what they ask us to say. What is important for us is to implement the project."

The penalty refers to environmentrelated penalties and conditions imposed because the Yettinahole project began work without clearances, including costly compensatory afforestation and compliance requirements. It was imposed by the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

- IANS
The Election Commission has announced that Assam's 126 Assembly constituencies will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting on May 4. BJP spokesperson Kishor Kumar Bhattachary expressed happiness with the pre-Bihu schedule, stating it fulfills a public request and will prevent fraudulent multi-location voting. The election pits the incumbent BJP-led NDA government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against the Congress. The EC has also initiated immediate postings of senior police officers to ensure smooth poll conduct.

Assam Assembly elections set for April 9 in a single phase before Bihu. BJP welcomes schedule to prevent voter fraud, as Congress gears up for challenge.

Guwahati, March 17 BJP spokesperson Kishor Kumar Bhattachary said that the Assamese people are content following the announcement of single phase election in Assam before the Bihu and said that the celebrations can go on without any interruption.

"Yesterday the Election Commission sent the Assam election schedule, and we are happy with it. This time, the elections will be held in a single phase... It was a request from all Assamese people that the elections be held early, before Bihu, so that we can celebrate and participate in Bihu... This is also an important point because when elections were held in various phases, there were a few doubtful voters who used to cast votes in all places... Now no one will be able to take advantage of this..."

Elections in Assam for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday.

The next day, the ECI announced the posting of five Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) across Assam in preparation for the Assembly Election.

The Commission directed that the postings be implemented immediately and a compliance report on the joining of the officers be submitted on Tuesday.

Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.

The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats. The BJP is the largest partner in the alliance with 60 seats. Voter turnout was as high as 86.2 per cent with over 2. 2 crore registered voters in 2021.

- ANI
Congress MLA Manoj Vishwas abstained from the Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar, stating he acted on the direction of state party president Rajesh Ram after the RJD fielded a candidate without consultation. Other Congress MLAs and an RJD MLA also stayed away, citing dissatisfaction with candidate selection and lack of representation for Dalit, OBC, and minority communities. Their absence critically weakened the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, contributing to the NDA winning all five seats. The episode has exposed significant internal rifts within the alliance over coordination and caste balance.

Congress MLA Manoj Vishwas abstained from Rajya Sabha voting, claiming RJD did not consult state party chief Rajesh Ram, exposing Mahagathbandhan rift.

Patna, March 17 In the aftermath of the NDA's clean sweep in the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, internal differences within the Opposition Mahagathbandhan have come to the fore, with several MLAs explaining their decision to abstain from voting.

Congress MLA Manoj Vishwas, who did not participate in the voting, claimed that his absence was in line with the direction of Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram.

Vishwas, an MLA from Forbesganj in Araria district, told IANS that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had fielded Amrendra Dhari Singh, a candidate from the Bhumihar community, without consulting the Congress leadership in the state.

"The RJD did not consult our state president, Rajesh Ram. Therefore, Ram allowed us to make our own decision on whether to vote or not. Hence, I had decided not to vote in the Rajya Sabha election," Vishwas said.

He further added that many Congress legislators represent Dalit, OBC and minority communities. "If our leadership is not given due respect, how can we support the candidate?" he asked, while reiterating his loyalty to the Indian National Congress.

The Mahagathbandhan candidate Amrendra Dhari Singh belongs to the Bhumihar community, and his campaign was led by senior Congress leader Akhilesh Singh, who is from the same caste group.

The abstaining MLAs indicated that caste dynamics and lack of coordination within the alliance influenced their decision.

Apart from Manoj Vishwas, Congress MLAs Surendra Kushwaha and Manohar Prasad Singh also stayed away from voting, along with RJD MLA Faisal Rahman.

According to Vinay Yadav, the media incharge of Surendra Kushwaha, the MLA, was dissatisfied with the candidate selection and believed that RJD leader Deepak Yadav should have been fielded instead.

Manohar Prasad Singh, MLA from Manihari, said the alliance failed to nominate a candidate from the Dalit, minority or OBC communities.

He termed his abstention a protest against the decision but clarified that he would continue to remain in the Congress.

Meanwhile, family sources of Faisal Rahman stated that he could not participate in the voting due to personal reasons, as he is in Delhi for the treatment of his ailing mother.

The absence of these MLAs proved crucial, as they weakened the Mahagathbandhan's position and contributed to the NDA winning all five seats in the Rajya Sabha elections from Bihar.

The episode has highlighted internal rifts within the Opposition alliance, with issues of coordination, representation and caste balance emerging as key factors behind the abstentions.

- IANS
The Election Commission of India is implementing a rigorous, multi-layer surveillance system on electoral officers for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. This includes district-level and integrated state control rooms to monitor officer performance and complaint redressal. In a significant shift, the authority to determine Central Armed Police Forces movement has been stripped from district administrations and given to ECI-appointed police observers. The two-phase elections will see polling for 294 constituencies with substantial CAPF deployment.

ECI introduces layer-wise surveillance on electoral officers and central control of CAPF movement to ensure peaceful West Bengal polls in April.

Kolkata, March 17 The roles of electoral officers at all levels will be under layer-wise surveillance on the polling days this time for the two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled next month.

"The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, in his press conference on Sunday, had assured that elections in West Bengal would be violence-free and peaceful. In pursuance of this objective, ECI this time had decided to keep the roles of electoral officers at all levels under constant and layer-wise surveillance, especially on the two polling days of April 23 and April 29," said an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal.

The CEO's office explained that surveillance will start with control-room-based surveillance and have two levels.

A district-level control room will be there at the office of the District Magistrate (DM), who is also the District Electoral Officer(DEO), in each district, from where surveillance will be maintained at the booth-level and polling-station levels, to check whether the returning and polling officers are performing their duties as per the guidelines of the ECI or not.

In the second level, there will be an integrated control room at the CEO's office in Kolkata, from where it will be monitored whether those electoral officers from the DEOs are being prompt in addressing complaints received both from common people and political parties about poll practices at the booth, polling station, and area levels.

At the same time, a parallel system of surveillance will continue on two polling days. "While Assembly constituency- specific observers to be appointed for each of the 294 Assembly constituencies will constantly supervise the polling process at the polling booths and the polling station level, the two district-specific central observers will keep an overall surveillance in the district concerned from the control room at the DEO's office concerned," the CEO's office insiders.

On this second line of surveillance, the highest level of monitoring will be done by the ECI-appointed central observer and his team.

"As regards movement of the security personnel, both Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) as well as the state forces, the process will be monitored and operated at the district levels by district-specific composite teams, to evaluate the pocket-specific requirement for CAPF deployment, and the decisions of the police observers in the matter will be final," the CEO's office insider said.

To ensure the best possible utilisation of the central security forces for the forthcoming Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to strip the district administration of the authority to determine the CAPF movement, starting from the enforcement of the model code of conduct till the time it ends.

Until the last elections, District Magistrates, including District Electoral Officers, were authorised to determine the movement of the CAPF before, during, or after the polls while the model code of conduct was in force.

However, this time, the top poll body decided that the ECI-nominated police observers for the polls will determine the CAPF movements for the respective districts. The decision on this count had been conveyed to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, during the two-day review tour of ECI's full bench last week, said an insider from the CEO's office.

In the first phase of polls on April 23, there will be polling for 152 Assembly constituencies, while in the second phase on April 29, there will be polling for 142 Assembly constituencies. As per calculations made by the ECI as of now, not less than 2,300 companies of CAPF will be deployed in each phase".

- IANS
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the House. The revocation followed a meeting of floor leaders where a consensus was reached to uphold parliamentary dignity and traditions. The MPs, who were suspended in February for throwing papers, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi after their reinstatement. The Lok Sabha Secretariat also issued a bulletin reinforcing rules against carrying placards and maintaining decorum within the Parliament Estate.

Lok Sabha revokes suspension of 8 opposition MPs after a motion by Kiren Rijiju and an expression of regret, allowing their return to the budget session.

New Delhi, March 17 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the lower house of Parliament.

The eight opposition MPs - Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, B Manickam Tagore, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and S Venkatesan- paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi inside the Parliament complex after their suspension was revoked.

After Rijiju moved the motion in the lower house, Congress Chief Whip K Suresh expressed regret for the "inadvertent indiscretion" by some of the members.

Follwing the motion today, the opposition MPs are allowed to participate in the ongoing parliamentary proceedings.

The eight opposition members were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the budget session on February 4 for violating rules and "throwing papers on the chair" following uproar in the House over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's insistence on mentioning a specific reference about the border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh in 2020.

Yesterday, as per sources, a consensus was reached at a meeting of floor leaders convened under the chairmanship of Speaker Om Birla on the revocation suspension of the eight MPs.

Sources said that in the meeting, members agreed to uphold the dignity and established traditions of Parliament. It was collectively decided that no Member from either side shall approach the opposite side in the Well of the House, tear papers and throw them towards the Chair, or climb on the officials' table inside the House.

A reaffirmation was also made that all Members would adhere to established parliamentary decorum and traditions, and that both sides would ensure such incidents are not repeated, the sources said.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a bulletin reminding Members about the maintenance of decorum within the Parliament Estate. The bulletin draws attention to Direction 124A(2)(iii) of the Directions by the Speaker, which prohibits certain activities within the Parliament House Estate to keep the area and passages free and accessible for Members of Parliament.

The advisory also highlighted that the direction specifically prohibits the carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, spears, swords, sticks, and brickbats within the Parliament Estate. Members have been repeatedly advised not to bring or display posters, placards, or banners inside Parliament.

The Bulletin further notes that in some instances, AI-generated portraits, pictures, and slogans of a derogatory nature have been displayed on posters and placards.

The Members were once again advised to strictly comply with Direction 124A(2)(iii) and other relevant rules, and warned that disciplinary action may be taken in the event of any violation.

- ANI
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has announced its second list of candidates for the Assam Assembly elections, naming party chief Badruddin Ajmal as the candidate from the Binnakandi constituency. MLA Aminul Islam expressed strong confidence that Ajmal will win from his home constituency. The elections for all 126 seats will be held in a single phase on April 9, with results expected on May 4. The contest is primarily between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government, seeking a third term under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the opposition Congress.

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam expresses confidence in party chief Badruddin Ajmal winning from his home constituency in the upcoming Assam assembly polls.

Guwahati, March 17 All India United Democratic Front MLA Aminul Islam, on the party's second list of candidates for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, said that party members want chief Badruddin Ajmal to contest as an MLA from his home constituency.

"Presently, our party demanded that he (AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal) should be contested as an MLA and from his home constituency, Binnakandi. Certainly, he will win from there," Islam told ANI.

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Tuesday announced its second list of candidates for next month's Assam assembly polls, including 12 names.

Party chief Badruddin Ajmal has been named as the candidate from the Binnakandi seat, while Hafiz Bashir Ahmed will contest from Goalpara East. Nazrul Hoque is set to contest from Dhubri, while the AIUDF has fielded Mazibur Rahman, Ashraful Hussain and Abdul Aziz from Dalgaon, Chenga and Samaguri, respectively.

Meanwhile, the list also includes names of Shihab Uddin (Karimganj South), Imdad Hussain (Chamaria), Jamsher Talukdar (Golakganj), Musukha Basumatary (Bijni), Mukut Das (Raha) and Anup Kr. Das Talukdar (Ram Krishna Nagar).

Elections for all 126 Assembly constituencies in the State will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday.

Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.

The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats. The BJP was the largest partner in the alliance with 60 seats.

The Congress and AIUDF had formed a grand alliance along with the BPF and communist parties. The alliance fought against the BJP-led NDA and won 16 of 126 seats.

Voter turnout was as high as 86.2 per cent with over 2. 2 crore registered voters in 2021.

In the 2016 Assembly elections, the BJP put up a strong show and won 60 seats, and the Congress secured 26 seats. The AIDUF won 13 seats. The voter turnout for the 126 state assembly constituencies was high at 83.9 per cent. As many as 199,47, 690 voters exercised their franchise in these elections.

- ANI
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

Ukrainian MP and leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko has handed over ten more Ai-Petri counter-reconnaissance systems to Ukrainian military units.

"Today we are delivering TEN Ai-Petri systems to one of the Armed Forces of Ukraine units carrying out critically important tasks. As always, along with the systems we provide a full kit: pickups, electronic warfare systems, generators and EcoFlow units  everything needed for effective operation and crew protection," Poroshenko said on Facebook on Tuesday.

According to him, the Ai-Petri system protects troops from most types of drones and prevents reconnaissance UAVs from directing enemy artillery and ballistic strikes.

"Russian drones are constantly evolving: new equipment, better optics, upgraded communication systems. Today, Kyiv is being attacked not only by Shahed drones and missiles, but also by Lancets. But we are not standing still either. We are continuously upgrading and enhancing the Ai-Petri counter-reconnaissance system so that more enemy drones fall in fields rather than in Ukrainian cities. And I can say: against Lancets, it works one hundred percent," he added.

As reported, since autumn 2023 Poroshenko has invested more than UAH 200 million in the production of Ai-Petri SV systems, which have successfully passed testing and are already in use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. For a long time, the program did not receive state funding, but in March 2025 Poroshenko announced a contract with the Ministry of Defense for their procurement. On June 29, he reported the start of cooperation with the Ground Forces Command on supplying these systems, adding that production would also continue at his own expense.

In late February 2026, Poroshenko announced the transfer of 15 such systems to Kyiv's defenders.

On March 16, Defense Express reported, citing sources, that a drone that crashed in Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti was a new type of Lancet UAV equipped with artificial intelligence and capable of group attacks and target recognition. The outlet suggested the drones may have been launched from Belarus or Russia.

At the same time, Ukrainian Defense Ministry adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov (call sign "Flash") said that no Russian Lancet-type UAV is physically capable of reaching Kyiv, claiming Russia launched drones without warheads as part of an information operation.

"For this, they are preparing an entire operation with Shaheds and Lancets. The goal is, at any cost, to show residents and the leadership of Russia fragments of a Lancet in Kyiv To achieve this, they launch around 40 Lancets toward Kyiv Along with them, Shaheds carrying fragments of Lancets are launched, and in the morning this whole swarm heads toward Kyiv," he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the two-day National Defence Industries Conclave 2026 in New Delhi on March 19. The event, themed 'Advanced Manufacturing Technologies', aims to integrate MSMEs into the defence ecosystem and promote technologies like AI, robotics, and additive manufacturing. It will feature an exhibition, startup challenges, and sessions covering aerospace, naval systems, and defence electronics. The conclave seeks to foster partnerships and accelerate India's journey toward self-reliance in defence production.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates National Defence Industries Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, focusing on advanced tech & MSME integration.

New Delhi, March 17 The National Defence Industries Conclave 2026, organised by the Department of Defence Production on the theme 'Advanced Manufacturing Technologies', will be held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on March 19-20, as per the official release.

The two-day event will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The conclave aims to strengthen the integration of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to India's defence manufacturing ecosystem while promoting the adoption of advanced technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, digital twins and smart materials. The initiative aligns with the Government's vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence, and seeks to enhance India's technological capability and global competitiveness in defence production.

The conclave will bring together MSMEs, start-ups, DPSUs, private defence companies, innovators, policymakers, academia and technology providers to facilitate policy dialogue, promote innovation, and expand participation in the defence supply chain. The event is also expected to encourage industries from non-defence sectors to explore opportunities in defence manufacturing while fostering industry-academia partnerships and collaborative research and development.

As part of the event, the Defence Minister will inaugurate an exhibition showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies and defence innovations.

He will also launch a new set of challenges for the start-ups/MSMEs given by the Defence Forces and the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Several important publications related to defence manufacturing and policy reforms will also be released.

The exhibition will feature stalls from private and public sector large defence companies, which will present their initiatives and programmes for engaging MSMEs as partners and suppliers in defence manufacturing. Twenty-four (24) Indian and foreign firms will also showcase advanced manufacturing technologies.

The exhibition is expected to encourage meaningful partnerships among large private defence manufacturers, DPSUs, technology providers and MSMEs, contributing to the national goal of building a self-reliant and globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem.

The event will feature multiple thematic and domain sessions covering key defence manufacturing sectors. These sessions will provide a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, start-ups and technology experts to exchange ideas and discuss emerging opportunities in the sector. The discussions will also cover key areas such as indigenisation, innovation and technology development in domains including aerospace, naval systems, defence electronics, advanced materials and defence platforms.

The conclave builds upon the momentum generated by 12 State-Level MSME Conclaves & various other interactions with MSMEs organised by DDP this year. It is expected to serve as an important platform for fostering innovation, strengthening industry participation and accelerating India's journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

- ANI
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India's goods & services exports held firm in February despite Red Sea tensions and rising freight costs.

New Delhi, March 17 Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday lauded India's growth in global trade, despite the difficulties caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister said growth in exports of goods and services, did not decline in February and positive growth was gradually attained in the second week of March, despite the ongoing global tensions. He further expressed confidence that the country will maintain its exports by the end of the month.



"Amid the adverse situations in the world, anyone could think that ships cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz, freight has hiked by 3 times, and there is no insurance. Despite that, in the month of February, trade of goods was constant and did not decline, while the growth in services is rapidly increasing. Even in March, while we weakened slightly in the first week, positive growth was attained in the second week. By the end of the month, we will maintain the Indian exports," Goyal said.



The Union Minister brought attention to India's comprehensive export growth and said that the government is focused on strengthening its competitive advantage in the global market.



"India has made exceptional growth in the services sector in the last 3-4 years. If you combine the merchandise and services sector, then the trade deficit has remained 1-1.25% of GDP. In fact, four years ago, we were in surplus. So instead of looking at one figure, we should look at the comprehensive export growth. Our focus is on those services, things and factors in which we have a competitive advantage in the world," Goyal said.



Furthermore, the Union Minister said that the world's economic powers are enthusiastic in building economic ties with India. Referring to the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) signed with various countries, he said that once operationalised, these deals will create adequate opportunities for Indian farmers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, among others, painting a picture of India's new trade era.



"From an overall analysis, India's economic situation is strong, and the world is enthusiastic about building trade ties with India. In three to four years, we have strengthened our economic ties with 38 developed countries. As the Free Trade Agreements' get operationalised one after the other, floodgates of ample opportunities will be opened for the Indian fishermen, farmers, small-scale businesses, entrepreneurs, products and services, etc. A new era of India is being created in the global trade market," the Union Minister said.



Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.



However, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Saturday, reiterated that Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in West Asia.



He further claimed that the Iranian leadership had been informed about expressions of sympathy from people in India and said Tehran was mindful of India's energy needs.



Earlier today, an Indian LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrived at the Vadinar port in Gujarat's Jamnagar, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG for ship-to-ship transfer at the anchorage after successfully passing through the Strait of Hormuz.



On Monday evening, the Indian carrier LPG Shivalik, carrying a total of 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, arrived at the Mudra Port. Of this, 20,000 MT will be unloaded at Mundra, while the remaining 26,000 MT is scheduled for Mangalore.



There are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.





- ANI
The Andhra Pradesh government will launch the 'Divyang Shakti' scheme, offering free bus travel to differently-abled citizens across the state. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the program on Ugadi, with Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and other leaders present. The scheme, with an annual allocation of Rs 207 crore, will benefit over 12.76 lakh individuals, including persons with disabilities and their attendants. This initiative expands the state's welfare model from women's mobility under 'Stree Shakti' to include disability inclusion.

Andhra CM launches Divyang Shakti, offering free bus travel to over 12.7 lakh persons with disabilities. A major welfare scheme for mobility.

Amaravati, March 17 The Andhra Pradesh government is set to launch a scheme, offering free bus travel to differently-abled citizens across the state.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will launch the 'Divyang Shakti' scheme on Wednesday as a special Ugadi gift for 12.7 lakh differently-abled people.

The government said that the scheme underscores its renewed focus on social equity, mobility, and last-mile dignity, while also reinforcing its governance narrative of "welfare with scale."

The Chief Minister will formally inaugurate the programme in Amaravati in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Minister Nara Lokesh, and BJP state president PVN Madhav - signalling a coordinated NDA political messaging around inclusive governance, said an official release.

Chief Minister Naidu and senior leaders will travel alongside beneficiaries on RTC buses post-launch. The Chief Minister will also host a community lunch for people with disabilities, reinforcing the administration's emphasis on empathy-led governance.

The Divyang Shakti Scheme is expected to benefit over 12.76 lakh individuals, including 11.16 lakh persons with disabilities and their attendants, making it one of the largest state-led mobility support programmes for the differently-abled in India.

Key features of the scheme include free bus travel for persons with disabilities across Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) services, 50 per cent fare concession for attendants accompanying beneficiaries, and eligibility for individuals with over 40 per cent disability.

The scheme's coverage expanded across 21 categories of disabilities. The government will annually provide Rs 207 crore to APSRTC for the implementation of 'Divyang Shakti'.

In a coordinated statewide rollout, MLAs will simultaneously launch the scheme in their constituencies, travel with beneficiaries, and participate in community outreach events.

The launch of 'Divyang Shakti' builds on the success of the 'Stree Shakti' scheme, under which women in Andhra Pradesh have undertaken over 52 crore free bus journeys, backed by a government outlay exceeding Rs 1,826 crore.

By extending similar mobility rights to persons with disabilities, the Naidu government is broadening its welfare template beyond gender to disability inclusion, a move that is likely to resonate strongly in both social and political discourse, the release added.

- IANS
India has strongly rejected a report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that recommended designating India as a "Country of Particular Concern." The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the report as motivated, biased, and based on questionable sources. India countered by urging the USCIRF to instead focus on incidents of vandalism against Hindu temples and intimidation of the Indian diaspora in the United States. The USCIRF report had called for sanctions against Indian entities like RAW and the RSS, and linked future trade and security assistance to religious freedom improvements.

India's MEA rejects USCIRF report calling for sanctions, labeling it biased and citing attacks on Hindu temples in the US as a serious concern.

New Delhi, March 17 India on Monday rubbished a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which recommended the US government designate it as a "country of particular concern," or CPC and to put sanctions on certain individuals and entities.

A statement by the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said that the report was motivated and biased in its characterisation of India.

"We have taken note of the latest report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India. For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts. Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself," the statement read.

It further added, "Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention."

The recent report by the USCIRF has called for US to reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024

, "Designate India as a "country of particular concern," or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA); Press India to allow US government entities such as USCIRF and the U.S. Department of State to conduct in-country assessments of religious freedom conditions."

It further said, "Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals' or entities' assets and/or barring their entry into the United States; Link future U.S. security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to improvements in religious freedom; and Enforce Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act to halt arms sales to India based on continued acts of intimidation and harassment against U.S. citizens and religious minorities. The U.S. Congress should: Reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 to require the annual reporting of acts of transnational repression by the Indian government targeting religious minorities in the United States."

- ANI
The Israel Defence Forces have conducted widespread aerial strikes against Iranian regime infrastructure in multiple cities, including Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. The operation targets command centres, ballistic missile storage sites, and air defence systems with the goal of systematically degrading Iran's military industry. IDF officials state the campaign is far more extensive than past engagements and is coordinated with the United States, with plans extending for weeks. The overarching objective is to eliminate Iran's strategic threat and create conditions that could lead to regime change.

IDF launches extensive strikes across Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, targeting Iran's military industry and command centres in a major US-Israeli operation.

Tel Aviv, March 17 The Israel Defence Forces have announced a series of targeted strikes against "Iranian regime infrastructure in different areas across Iran."

In a post on X, the IDF confirmed the extent of the aerial operation, stating that "in Tehran, dozens of munitions were dropped on command centres, and UAV, ballistic missile, and air defence storage sites were struck."

A map accompanying the post visually depicted the strikes in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, showing locations marked with pins on a satellite view of Iran.

The operation further extended to southern and northwestern locations. The IDF reported that "in Shiraz, the internal security forces' command centre and a ballistic missile site were struck," while in the northwest, "additional Iranian regime air defence systems were dismantled, further expanding aerial superiority in the region and protecting Israel."

According to a report by The Times of Israel, this combined military campaign with the United States is moving "according to plan," outstripping initial timelines.

Military officials indicated on Sunday that strikes on the Iranian defence sector are set to "further ramp up," alongside persistent attempts to "reduce missile fire on Israel."

Despite the accelerated pace, the IDF remains prepared for at least "three more weeks of operations" within Iran.

The military cited the existence of "thousands more targets" yet to be neutralised across the capital and various provinces. "We have thousands of targets ahead," IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated, adding that the military is "ready, in coordination with our US allies," with plans extending through "Passover" and beyond.

The Times of Israel noted that following the initial "decapitation strikes" on 28 February, which resulted in the death of Ali Khamenei and over "40 top Iranian officials," the IDF has shifted its primary focus.

Current efforts are concentrated on the total destruction of Iran's "military industry," specifically targeting the production of ballistic missiles and air defence networks.

Comparing this conflict to a brief escalation in June 2025, officials described the present operation as "far more extensive."

While the previous engagement aimed to stop the development of a "nuclear weapon," the current war is viewed as a chance to eliminate Iran's "strategic threat" for the "foreseeable future."

Consequently, the IDF is working to "systematically degrade" the entire Iranian defence apparatus, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) missile firms and private entities manufacturing "components" for naval weapons and "spy satellites."

Military sources claim the strikes have already inflicted "significant damage," asserting that Tehran currently lacks the "ability to manufacture any new missiles."

Simultaneously, the IAF has continued to "hunt down" launchers, reportedly disabling approximately "70 per cent" of the regime's 500 ballistic missile units.

This was made possible after the Israeli Air Force successfully neutralised over "100 air defence systems" and roughly "120 detection systems" earlier in the campaign.

Beyond hardware, the military is targeting "centres of power," specifically the command units of the "internal security forces and Basij."

The IDF estimates that between "4,000 and 5,000 Iranian soldiers" have been killed, while witnessing a sharp decline in "morale" and instances of "desertion" within missile divisions.

The overarching objective of the joint US-Israeli mission, according to The Times of Israel, is to "distance threats" and "create the conditions" for the local populace to eventually "topple the regime."

- ANI
A high-level committee has submitted its final report on implementing a Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, prepared the report after extensive public consultations across the state. The draft proposes a common legal framework for matters like marriage, divorce, and adoption for all religions and communities. It gives particular priority to ensuring equal rights and protection for women while considering Gujarat's geographical and cultural diversity.

A high-level committee submits its final Uniform Civil Code report to Gujarat CM, proposing uniform laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance with a focus on women's rights.

Gandhinagar, March 17 The high-level committee constituted for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat submitted its detailed and final report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday in Gandhinagar, an official statement said.

This report was prepared by the committee chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai after detailed study, visits to various districts of the state, gathering public opinions, and extensive public consultations, and was submitted to the state government.



The committee, formed under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, includes retired senior IAS officer CL Meena, senior advocate RC Kodekar, former Vice Chancellor Dakshesh Thakar, and social worker Gita Shroff.



During the presentation made while submitting the report to the Chief Minister, it was stated that the committee has proposed a uniform legal framework for all religions and communities on matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.



Particular priority has been given in this draft to ensuring equal rights and protection for women. Moreover, the geographical and cultural diversity of Gujarat has also been taken into consideration in the report.



At the time of submitting the three volumes of the report to the Chief Minister, the Chairman of the high-level committee for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat, retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, was present along with the committee's advisor, retired senior IAS officer and former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand Shatrughna Singh, committee members, Chief Secretary MK Das, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikrant Pandey, Secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs KM Lala, Law Secretary Shri Upendra Bhatt, and other concerned officials.





- ANI
Iranian state media, Press TV, shared first-person view drone footage purportedly flying over the US Embassy compound in Baghdad. The video release follows reports of multiple drones targeting the embassy and a nearby hotel, with Iraqi air defenses engaging projectiles. Iraq's Interior Ministry confirmed a drone struck a hotel fence, causing no casualties or major damage. The incidents occurred after the US Embassy issued its most severe travel warning for the country.

Iranian state media shares FPV drone video over US Embassy compound in Baghdad amid reports of multiple drone attacks and air defense engagements.

Tehran, March 17 Iranian state media, Press TV on Tuesday shared a first-person view of a drone flying over the US embassy compound in Baghdad.

This followed reports that the US Embassy and a hotel in Baghdad were targeted by drones early today with video appearing to show air defences engaging a projectile near the embassy, CNN reported.

The Majnoon oil field in southern Iraq also came under attack, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of Iraq's armed forces said, according to the US broadcaster.

In a post on X, Press TV called the drone flying like a "free bird" over the embassy compound and said, "An Iraqi resistance group released FPV drone footage showing the drone flying over the US Embassy compound in Baghdad like a free bird without activating air defense systems."

Meanwhile, a report in the Anadolu Agency cited an unnamed security source telling the Shafaq news agency that four drones attempted to target the US Embassy in Baghdad. The report added that Iraq's air defences managed to intercept and shoot down all drones before they reached their targets, the source said, noting that one drone fell on Abu Nuwas Street, while another landed near the embassy inside the Green Zone.

Iraq's Ministry of Interior confirmed that a drone fell on the Al-Rasheed Hotel early Tuesday local time, according to CNN.

"The ministry wishes to clarify that, after specialised forensic teams conducted an on-site and technical inspection, it was found that a drone had struck the upper fence of the hotel, without resulting in any loss of life or significant material damage," Iraq's interior ministry said in a statement.

Videos, geolocated by CNN, show an explosion in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Baghdad. Other videos showed a projectile consistent with a drone impacting the area near the embassy, and air defence systems engaging a projectile over Baghdad, around 600 meters away from the embassy compound.

Multiple explosions have rocked Iraq's capital, with at least four people killed in an air raid on a building used by an Iran-backed group, according to a report by Al Jazeera, citing witnesses and security sources.

The deadly attack in the Jadiriya district followed the sounds of an explosion from near the US embassy compound, located within the heavily fortified Green Zone. Al Jazeera noted that verified footage shows fire and smoke rising from the vicinity of the embassy, while additional clips showed "air defence systems intercepting several drones" in the skies nearby.

On Monday, the US Embassy and Consulate in Iraq had issued a Level 4 warning for the country.

- ANI
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has arrived in Delhi to meet MPs and Union Ministers from the state regarding pending approvals for irrigation projects. He is accompanied by ministers H.K. Patil and M.B. Patil to collectively pressure the central government for clearances. Shivakumar's visit has also sparked political speculation, with his camp optimistic about potential opportunities from the party high command. The trip occurs amid public statements from Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about future political roles and state leadership.

DK Shivakumar meets Karnataka MPs and Union Ministers in Delhi to push for clearance of pending state irrigation projects.

Bengaluru, March 17 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday reached Delhi, where he said that he will meet MPs and Union Ministers from the state over pending irrigation projects.

Talking to the media at Kempegowda International Airport before leaving for the national capital, Shivakumar, who holds the charge of Water Resources, said: "The Central government has kept approvals pending for several irrigation projects in the state. Hence, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil and I will meet all Members of Parliament from Karnataka and hold discussions."



"We will share details of the discussions after returning. We will collectively urge the Central government to take a decision on irrigation-related issues," he added.



"I will meet all Parliamentary members from the state regarding pending irrigation works from the Centre. We will convey the facts and prevail upon them to pressure the Central government to give clearances to the irrigation projects of the state."



In New Delhi, Shivakumar was scheduled to meet advocates first, and then he and the other ministers would meet Union Ministers and MPs of Karnataka at the Karnataka Bhavan.



Shivakumar's halt in Delhi has sparked fresh speculation, and an official communication from his office stated that his return journey remains open. He is expected to meet the national leadership and discuss state politics.



His camp is optimistic that he may be given an opportunity by the high command, especially after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented a record 17th State Budget and fulfilled a long-standing ambition. At the same time, Shivakumar has recently completed six years as the President of the state Congress unit.



Shivakumar has indicated that he is willing to make way for others, whereas Siddaramaiah has said he would present two more state Budgets if the people continue to support him and the high command permits him.





- IANS
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a new 'Dynamic Immigration System' to track foreign nationals overstaying their visas, particularly those involved in drug trafficking. The system will enable real-time coordination between police and immigration authorities. The government has already deported 68 Nigerian nationals and will take legal action against landlords who rent to individuals without valid documents. Further measures include using stringent laws like MCOCA against drug networks and holding senior police officials accountable.

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis announces a Dynamic Immigration System to trace visa overstayers involved in crimes like drug trafficking. Learn about the new rules.

Mumbai, March 17 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday, told the state Assembly that the state government has taken stringent steps to control the burgeoning drug networks in major cities across Maharashtra.

During the Question Hour, the Chief Minister announced that a 'Dynamic Immigration System' will be operationalised to track down foreign nationals, who continue to stay illegally after their visas expire and engage in drug trafficking.

He was responding to a query raised by Vasai BJP MLA Sneha Dube Pandit regarding the sale of narcotics in the state.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said, "Many Nigerian nationals come to India on education or medical visas. Once their visa expires, they deliberately get a minor criminal case registered against themselves. Since they cannot be deported until the case is resolved, these criminals take advantage of the legal delay. Now, as per the Central government's instructions, we have started the process of withdrawing such minor cases to immediately deport them to their native countries."

He also told House that 68 Nigerian nationals have been deported so far and 122 citizens are currently in detention centres awaiting deportation.

He said that police have been ordered to verify the passports and visas of suspicious foreign nationals; if they lack valid documents, they are to be sent directly to detention centres.

Chief Minister Fadnavis added that while the Immigration Department has records of every foreign national entering Mumbai, a new coordination system between the Police and the Immigration Department will be established. This will provide police with real-time data on individuals overstaying their visas.

Additionally, the Chief Minister told the House that orders will be issued prohibiting homeowners from renting out premises to foreign nationals without valid passports and visas.

Legal action will be taken against landlords, who provide shelter to such illegal residents.

The state government has decided to launch a massive public awareness campaign regarding these regulations.

To further dismantle drug syndicates, Chief Minister Fadnavis also said that Police Commissioners have been instructed to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against habitual offenders involved in drug trafficking.

"Orders have been issued to extern criminals who meet the necessary legal criteria. Raids will be conducted on cafes and establishments where drug consumption occurs. The law is being amended to permanently cancel the licenses of hotels or establishments that repeatedly violate rules, rather than just suspending them. Police personnel found involved in the sale of narcotics will be summarily dismissed from service," he added.

Chief Minister Fadnavis also hinted that the state government is seriously considering holding the heads of local Crime Investigation Departments accountable, rather than just penalising junior staff.

- IANS
Karnataka's Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao distributed 69 e-bikes to primary healthcare staff to bridge the last-mile connectivity gap in rural areas. The initiative, a collaboration with CSR partners, aims to ensure timely medical services reach doorsteps, particularly for pregnant women and infants. Officials highlighted that similar e-bike programs have already reduced maternal and infant mortality rates in pilot taluks. The government plans to expand this eco-friendly mobility solution to other districts in a phased manner.

Karnataka Health Minister distributes 69 e-bikes to ASHA workers and PHCOs to improve last-mile maternal and child healthcare in rural districts.

Bengaluru, March 17 In a bid to bring about a new revolution in rural healthcare, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao distributed 69 e-bikes to the staff of primary healthcare centres.

Speaking at the distribution program of eco-friendly (e-bikes) two-wheelers held in collaboration with CSR of "United Way of Bangalore" (UWBe) and "Healthium Medtech" organizations on the premises of Arogya Soudha today, the Minister said that e-bikes are being distributed to selected health centers of Tumkur, Bangalore South (Ramanagar), GBA and Bangalore Urban districts today, and said, "Our government's hope is that healthcare should not be limited to hospitals only, but should reach the doorsteps of the people.

These e-bikes will help ASHA workers and Primary Health Care Officers (PHCOs) who were facing transportation problems to reach distant villages to provide timely treatment. It will play a significant role especially in maternal and child health protection. The Minister praised the speciality of this project as it is taking a step towards energy saving and pollution-free system.

The Minister, who spoke to the staff of the Health Department, said, "These are public property. Use these in a very transparent and responsible manner, he said.

The Minister appreciated the work of "Healthium Medtech" and "UWBe" organisations that have joined hands with the government, realising their social responsibility. "This project is proof that if the enterprises that use resources show willpower, they can bring a big change in the system," he said. In the coming days, efforts will be made to provide an e-bike facility to other districts of the state in a phased manner in collaboration with CSR.

United Way Bangalore CEO Rajesh Krishnan said that the electric bikes (e-Bikes) introduced in Bagepalli taluk have now led to a big change in order to provide healthcare services to the last person in the rural areas. He said that these vehicles have become a boon for PHCOs to visit every house, especially under 'Last Mile Connectivity'.

Speaking further, he said that earlier, reaching the houses inside the villages was a challenge due to a lack of transport facilities. But now, with the use of e-bikes, PHCOs are reaching the doorsteps of pregnant women and lactating mothers at the right time. This enables them to provide appropriate guidance in emergency situations, which has significantly reduced the maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in the taluk, he said.

Anish Bafna, CEO and MD of Heldium Medtech, said, "Health plays a huge role in building a sustainable society. Strengthening the system to deliver that service to the people is essential. Providing such mobility facilities to health workers means that the last person can get good health services in a timely manner. E-bikes have been provided to them to ensure that they get them.

The program was attended by Gurudatta Heggade, IAS, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Director of National Health Mission (NHM), Dr. Vasanthakumar, Director, along with senior officials and staff of the Health Department, representatives of Heldium Medtech, United Way Bangalore, and officials of primary health centres.

- ANI
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met on March 17 to discuss a strategic dialogue between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, according to a joint statement published on Tuesday on the websites of the Ukrainian president and the UK government.

The statement said the dialogue covers eight areas: security, trade, transport, energy, justice, science, culture and foreign policy. The sides held talks across each area to define cooperation priorities for the coming year.

"Ukraine and the United Kingdom commit to coordinating foreign policy priorities aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, as well as ensuring mutual security, recovery and growth," the statement reads.

Efforts will include additional measures to counter Russia's shadow fleet. The parties agreed that Russia must compensate for the damage it has caused to Ukraine and will cooperate with international partners to ensure documentation, investigation and prosecution of Russia's international crimes.

"The United Kingdom will continue to provide Ukraine with long-term defense support in line with its commitment to allocate at least GBP 3 billion annually until 2030/31, and for as long as necessary. The United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraines air defense needs," the leaders agreed.

The sides also agreed to coordinate countermeasures to neutralize entities and networks responsible for Russia's information warfare and disinformation campaigns, including in third countries.

"Ukraine and the United Kingdom will strengthen cooperation to counter Russian disinformation and neutralize Kremlin-linked structures playing a key role in Russias information campaigns," the statement reads.

The two countries will continue close cooperation to strengthen Ukraine's energy security and resilience, while supporting long-term recovery and energy transition.

"The United Kingdom will support Ukraine in restoring damaged energy infrastructure and preparing for the next winter. This includes engagement with the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, support for the Green Transition Office, and expansion of technical partnerships," the document reads.

The statement also said that in 2026 Ukraine and the United Kingdom will promote innovation-driven growth by deepening cooperation between their space agencies under a new memorandum on the peaceful use of outer space.

"Both sides will also strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, including efforts to support the responsible development and use of AI technologies. We will launch the ResearchBridge platform to foster links between researchers in advanced innovation fields. We will continue to strengthen ties between technology industries through TechBridge, which has already helped Ukrainian startups attract more than GBP 10 million in funding and partnerships. The United Kingdom will continue the DIGIT program to support digital innovation in Ukraine's public sector," the statement reads.

The leaders also reaffirmed the importance of coordinating efforts in international sport to limit the participation of Russia and Belarus while Russia's aggression continues.

In addition, Ukraine and the United Kingdom launched a new economic and trade dialogue aimed at improving access to war risk insurance, restoring capital markets, strengthening the business environment and accelerating investment in reconstruction projects.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded a productive visit to Brussels, attending the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the invitation of EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. The discussions focused heavily on global challenges, particularly the situation in West Asia, with ministers emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict. A major outcome was the mutual push to finalize the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, seen as a strategic turning point that will unlock economic potential. The talks also covered upgrading the Trade and Technology Council, advancing security partnerships, and collaborating on connectivity initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

EAM S Jaishankar meets EU leaders, stresses dialogue to end Middle East crisis and advances strategic partnership, including FTA negotiations.

New Delhi, March 17 Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Brussels at the invitation of EU High Representative and Vice President, Kaja Kallas.

Jaiswal, while addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, said that the leaders underlined the need for dialogue to bring an end to the crisis.

"Our External Affairs Minister visited Brussels. He was invited by the EU High Representative and Vice President, Kaja Kallas, to attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. At the meeting, apart from discussing India-EU ties, he and other ministers of the European Union, foreign ministers of the various countries of the EU, discussed global challenges, particularly the situation in West Asia, including its effects on energy security. The ministers also underlined the need for dialogue and diplomacy to be drafted to bring an early end to this particular conflict," he said.

Jaishankar had visited Brussels for a two-day visit.

In a post on X, he said, "Concluded a productive visit to Brussels, meeting with the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, calling on Presidents of the EU Council Antonio Costa and EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and holding talks with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. Also met EU counterparts and held separate bilateral discussions with many."

Jaishankar said they discussed ten key points.

They discussed: the finalization of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) represents a turning point in India-EU ties. Will not only unlock its enormous economic potential but express the strategic nature of our engagement. To realize the gains of FTA on the ground, the two sides should proactively assist each other in practical activities, including trade and investment promotion.

The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can be upgraded and repurposed to facilitate collaboration in critical and cutting-edge technologies. De-risking supply chains and enhancing resilience are shared objectives. The FTA will encourage deeper business linkages to that end.

Mobility of skills and talent flows are very important. The establishment of the Legal Gateway Office in India is noteworthy. We have a common interest in promoting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India. The Security and Defence Partnership will be taken forward.

Will endeavour to conclude the Security of Information Agreement early. Connectivity is also prominent in our agenda. Will work together to give practical shape to IMEC and other such initiatives. As multilateralism comes under stress, India and the EU will strive to strengthen its institutions and practices.

Our Strategic Partnership will be carried out through close and regular consultations at the leadership level. Domain specific mechanisms will support those efforts. In a multipolar and uncertain world, the India-EU partnership will act as a factor of stability and resilience.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded meetings in Brussels with top EU leadership, emphasizing the finalized Free Trade Agreement as a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. He stated the FTA will unlock significant economic potential and reflect the strategic depth of the partnership. Discussions covered upgrading the Trade and Technology Council, advancing security cooperation, and promoting initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Jaishankar positioned the India-EU partnership as a stabilizing force in a multipolar world.

EAM Jaishankar meets EU leaders, calls finalized FTA a milestone to unlock economic potential, boost tech & security ties.

New Delhi, March 17 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded a productive visit to Brussels, where he held talks with leaders and foreign ministers from the European Union and discussed "enormous economic potential" under the recently signed India-EU Free Trade Agreement to advance cooperation across trade, technology, security, and connectivity.

Taking to social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar announced details of the meeting, stating that he met members of the EU Foreign Affairs Council and held discussions with senior European leaders, including Antonio Costa, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

"Concluded a productive visit to Brussels, meeting with the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, calling on EU Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and holding talks with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. Also met EU counterparts and held separate bilateral discussions with many," Jaishankar wrote in a post.

The External Affairs Minister highlighted that the finalisation of the FTA would mark a major milestone in bilateral relations, adding that it represents a turning point in India-EU ties.

"The finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) represents a turning point in India-EU ties. It will not only unlock its enormous economic potential but also express the strategic nature of our engagement," he said.

To realise the gains of the FTA on the ground, he further stated that both sides should proactively assist each other in practical activities, including trade and investment promotion.

EAM Jaishankar noted, "The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can be upgraded and repurposed to facilitate collaboration in critical and cutting-edge technologies."

He also emphasised that de-risking supply chains and enhancing resilience are shared objectives, adding that the FTA will encourage "deeper business linkages" to that end.

Highlighting the importance of talent mobility, he said, "Mobility of skills and talent flows are very important. The establishment of the Legal Gateway Office in India is noteworthy." He added that both sides have a common interest in promoting Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India.

EAM Jaishankar also stated that both sides will further the security cooperation by taking the Security and Defence Partnership forward, and mentioned that efforts will be made to conclude the Security of Information Agreement early.

"Connectivity is also prominent in our agenda. We will work together to give practical shape to IMEC and other such initiatives," he said.

He further noted that as multilateralism comes under stress, India and the EU will strive to strengthen their institutions and practices.

"Our Strategic Partnership will be carried out through close and regular consultations at the leadership level. Domain-specific mechanisms will support those efforts," EAM Jaishankar added.

"In a multipolar and uncertain world, the India-EU partnership will act as a factor of stability and resilience," he said.

- IANS
The Election Commission has appointed former West Bengal Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena as a central poll observer for Tamil Nadu, following his removal from the state post. This move comes after the state government initially refused to release him, citing administrative concerns. The ECI has undertaken a significant reshuffle, also removing the state's Chief Secretary, DGP, and other senior police officials. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed strong objection to these removals in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner.

ECI shifts removed Bengal bureaucrat Jagdish Meena to Tamil Nadu as central poll observer after state's refusal, amid major official reshuffles.

Kolkata, March 17 Jagdish Prasad Meena, the erstwhile West Bengal Home Secretary, who was removed from the chair by the Election Commission of India hours after it announced two-phase polls in the state, has been shifted by the ECI to Tamil Nadu as a central poll observer.

Incidentally, on Monday, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, observed that not just removing Meena from the chair of the state home secretary would be enough; he should also be transferred out of the state till the elections are over, and the results are announced.

Incidentally, the ECI's decision to depute Meena as a central poll observer to Tamil Nadu surfaced a day after that. "The Commission had earlier asked the West Bengal government to release Meena for appointment as a central poll observer for any other state. However, the state government then refused to release him, citing that releasing the state home secretary would cause administrative problems. Now, since, as per the Commission's order, Meena is no longer the state home secretary, there is no problem in deputing him to any other state, as a poll observer," confirmed an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal.

Now questions arise, whether the ECI will follow Meena's example in case of other bureaucrats and Indian Police Service officers, who had been removed from their respective chairs during the last 36 hours.

Along with Meena, the ECI also removed the erstwhile West Bengal Chief Secretary, Nandini Chakraborty. The ECI also observed that neither Chakraborty nor Meena would be involved with any sort of election-related duty.

The ECI on Monday removed the erstwhile state Director General of Police, Peeyush Pandey; Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Supratim Sarkar and the Director General (law & order) Vineet Goyal.

On Monday night, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, expressing anguish over the manner in which these bureaucrats and police officials were removed from their posts without prior consultation with the state government.

- IANS
The French Chief of Defence Staff, General Fabien Mandon, held a telephonic discussion with his Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan, focusing on bilateral defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Both leaders emphasised the importance of regular army, air, and naval exchanges and joint training for regional stability. This high-level military dialogue follows last month's Annual Defence Dialogue where a key 10-year defence cooperation agreement was renewed. A major outcome of that dialogue was an MoU to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India through a joint venture.

French CDS Mandon & Indian CDS Chauhan hold talks, reaffirm strategic partnership & highlight joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

Paris, March 18 French Chief of the Defence Staff General Fabien Mandon held a telephonic discussion with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, reaffirming the strong strategic partnership between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to a statement shared by the French Embassy in India on X on Tuesday, the two military leaders discussed ongoing cooperation and emphasised the importance of regular exchanges between their armed forces.

"The French Chief of Defence Staff, held a telephonic discussion with his Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan. India and France are robust partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Their regular army, air, and naval exchanges and joint trainings bolster regional stability,' the embassy stated.

In a post on X, General Mandon described India as a "major partner" of France in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the depth of bilateral defence ties.

He further noted that joint activities between the two nations span training, operational partnerships, and capability development, all contributing to regional stability.

"Exchange with my Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan. India is a major partner of France in the Indo-Pacific. Our partnership is rich, embodied by regular exchanges between our armies on land, in the air, and our navies. Training, operational partnerships, capability cooperation: our joint actions are varied and contribute to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region," General Mandon stated in his post.

Last month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with his French counterpart, Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin, in Bengaluru, where the two sides renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years, announced reciprocal deployment of officers, and inked an MoU for manufacturing HAMMER missiles in India.

The dialogue focused on a wide range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of military equipment. Both ministers emphasised the need to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and deepen engagement in niche and emerging technologies.

The renewal of the 10-year defence cooperation agreement was signed by senior officials from both sides following the dialogue, and the two countries also announced the reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments to enhance military-to-military cooperation.

In a significant development, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India, thereby boosting indigenous defence production.

- ANI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revokes suspension of 8 opposition MPs after a motion by Kiren Rijiju. Priyanka Gandhi welcomes the decision.

New Delhi, March 17 Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday welcomed the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision to revoke the suspension of eight opposition MPs, adding that the house's dignity should be maintained from both sides.

"This is a good thing... It should happen from both sides (maintaining the dignity of the House)," Priyanka Gandhi said.



Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the lower house of Parliament.



The eight opposition MPs - Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, B Manickam Tagore, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and S Venkatesan- paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi inside the Parliament complex after their suspension was revoked.



After Rijiju moved the motion in the lower house, Congress Chief Whip K Suresh expressed regret for the "inadvertent indiscretion" by some of the members.



Follwing the motion today, the opposition MPs are allowed to participate in the ongoing parliamentary proceedings.



The eight opposition members were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the budget session on February 4 for violating rules and "throwing papers on the chair" following uproar in the House over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's insistence on mentioning a specific reference about the border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh in 2020.



Yesterday, as per sources, a consensus was reached at a meeting of floor leaders convened under the chairmanship of Speaker Om Birla on the revocation suspension of the eight MPs.



Sources said that in the meeting, members agreed to uphold the dignity and established traditions of Parliament. It was collectively decided that no Member from either side shall approach the opposite side in the Well of the House, tear papers and throw them towards the Chair, or climb on the officials' table inside the House.



A reaffirmation was also made that all Members would adhere to established parliamentary decorum and traditions, and that both sides would ensure such incidents are not repeated, the sources said.



The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a bulletin reminding Members about the maintenance of decorum within the Parliament Estate. The bulletin draws attention to Direction 124A(2)(iii) of the Directions by the Speaker, which prohibits certain activities within the Parliament House Estate to keep the area and passages free and accessible for Members of Parliament.



The advisory also highlighted that the direction specifically prohibits the carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, spears, swords, sticks, and brickbats within the Parliament Estate. Members have been repeatedly advised not to bring or display posters, placards, or banners inside Parliament.



The Bulletin further notes that in some instances, AI-generated portraits, pictures, and slogans of a derogatory nature have been displayed on posters and placards.



The Members were once again advised to strictly comply with Direction 124A(2)(iii) and other relevant rules, and warned that disciplinary action may be taken in the event of any violation.





- ANI
The Gujarat government has increased the financial assistance under its Divyang Marriage Assistance Scheme from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, effective June 2025. State Minister Manisha Vakil announced that 79 couples in Surat district have already received a total of Rs 41.75 lakh in aid over the past year. The government has simplified the application process by removing the requirement for a joint photograph or wedding invitation. The scheme supports citizens with 21 types of disabilities assessed at 40% or more, providing up to Rs 1.5 lakh if both partners are eligible.

Gujarat raises financial assistance for marriages of persons with disabilities to Rs 75,000, simplifies application process. 79 Surat couples received Rs 41.75 lakh.

Gandhinagar, March 17 The Gujarat government has increased the financial assistance provided under the 'Divyang Marriage Assistance Scheme' from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, with the revised amount coming into effect from June 2025, State Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Manisha Vakil told the Legislative Assembly.

Replying to a question in the House, Vakil said the state government "is continuously striving to ensure that persons with disabilities can live with self-respect in society," outlining both financial and administrative changes made to the scheme.

She informed the Assembly that in the Surat district, 79 applications were approved under the scheme over the past one year.

"A total assistance of Rs 41.75 lakh has been disbursed directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries through DBT," the minister said, adding that the beneficiaries were from various talukas of the district.

Highlighting reforms, Vakil said, "Significant administrative and financial improvements have been made in the scheme in the interest of persons with disabilities."

She noted that the assistance amount had been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 from June 2025.

"The requirement of submitting a joint photograph of the couple or a wedding invitation card along with the application has been removed to simplify the process," she said.

The minister said that applicants must submit their applications within two years of marriage to avail the benefit.

She added that the scheme covers citizens with 21 types of disabilities, where the disability is assessed at 40 per cent or more.

"If both partners are eligible persons with disabilities, the couple receives a total assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh. If one of the two is a person with disability, assistance of Rs 75,000 is provided," Vakil said.

She further stated that beneficiaries can apply online through the state government's social welfare portal from home or submit applications through e-gram centres at the village level, ensuring wider accessibility to the scheme.

- IANS
Heavy snowfall at the Atal Tunnel in Manali and upper Kullu district has stranded more than a thousand vehicles, prompting a large-scale police rescue operation. The Border Roads Organisation has launched a snow clearance operation at the tunnel's south portal. The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, including Shimla and Kalpa, have also received fresh snowfall, with thunderstorms reported in several areas. The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for March 18-19, warning of hailstorms and thunderstorms across multiple districts as a new western disturbance approaches.

Heavy snowfall near Manali's Atal Tunnel strands over 1000 vehicles. BRO launches snow clearance, police conduct rescue. IMD issues Orange Alert.

Manali, March 17 Border Roads Organisation snow clearance operation is underway at the South Portal following heavy snowfall at the Atal Tunnel in Manali and the upper reaches of Kullu district since Monday afternoon, an official said.

"Since yesterday afternoon, there has been heavy snowfall at Atal Tunnel in Manali and the upper reaches of the district, and since yesterday itself, BRO's operation is being enforced at the south portal of the tunnel," Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Anurag Chand Sharma, told ANI.

More than a thousand vehicles are stranded near the South Portal of the Atal Tunnel in Manali due to sudden snowfall, resulting in large-scale police deployment to conduct rescue operations for the past three hours, the police said on Sunday.

Mountains and houses were covered in a blanket of snow after Manali received snowfall.

Higher reaches of the state also witnessed fresh snowfall. Khadrala in Shimla district recorded about 10.2 cm snowfall, Kalpa 6.4 cm, Gondhla and Jot about 3 cm each, while Kukumseri recorded 1.5 cm snowfall.

Thunderstorm and lightning activity was reported in several areas, including Shimla, Kufri, Jubberhatti, Kangra and Sundernagar, while a hailstorm was reported in the Shimla district.

According to the IMD, the new western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of March 17, and its impact will be seen in Himachal Pradesh between March 18 and March 21.

The IMD has also issued an Orange Alert for March 18 and 19 for hailstorm and thunderstorm activity in several districts, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra and Sirmaur.

- ANI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the NDA's seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming state assembly polls, with the BJP set to contest 89 seats. The allies, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front, will contest 26 and 11 seats respectively. The BJP's candidate list is pending a final meeting of the party's Parliamentary Board, with indications that several sitting MLAs could be denied tickets. Elections for all 126 seats will be held in a single phase on April 9, with the BJP aiming for a third consecutive term.

Assam CM Himanta Sarma announces NDA seat-sharing deal for 2024 polls. AGP gets 26 seats, BPF 11, BJP to contest 89. Candidate list soon.

New Delhi, March 17 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the BJP would announce its assembly poll candidates after a meeting of the party's Parliamentary Board and that the party's allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front will contest 26 and 11 seats respectively.

Assam has 126 assembly seats, and the BJP is expected to contest 89 seats.

"The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) will contest 26 seats, the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) 11 seats, and the BJP the remaining seats. Today, we had preliminary discussions regarding our party list. Tomorrow is our Parliamentary Board meeting. I think the list will be announced late tomorrow night or the next morning," Sarma told reporters in the national capital.

BJP on Tuesday held a meeting of its Assam core group at Union Minister JP Nadda's residence.

Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Sarbanand Sonowal and party leaders Dilip Saikia and BL Santhosh were among those present.

Party sources said that around 10-12 sitting MLAs may be denied tickets.

They said that a meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee and Parliamentary Board would be held tomorrow with a focus on Assam and Puducherry.

Elections for all 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Congress has announced two lists of candidates for Assam. The BJP is seeking a third consecutive term in the northeastern state.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats.

- ANI
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it eliminated Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in overnight airstrikes on Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation targeted key figures in Iran's ruling establishment and that Israel is conducting aerial operations deep inside Iranian territory. He warned of "many more surprises" and mentioned coordination with US President Donald Trump. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the ongoing West Asia conflict that began with the killing of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

IDF confirms killing of Iran's security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in strikes on Tehran. Netanyahu vows continued operations.

Tel Aviv, March 17 Israel's military escalation in West Asia intensified sharply on Tuesday after the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that it had eliminated Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, in what Israeli leadership described as a major blow to Iran's power structure.

In a strongly worded statement following the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, saying, "This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani," whom he described as a central figure in Iran's ruling establishment and closely tied to its military apparatus.

Netanyahu further asserted that Israel is conducting aerial operations deep inside Iranian territory, aimed at weakening the regime and creating conditions for internal change as the conflict in the region continues.

"Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij - they are the gangsters' assistants who are terrorising the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities. We are operating there as well, operating from the air with Air Force jets and UAVs. We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it," Netanyahu said.

He stated that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, adding that Israeli and American forces were cooperating through both direct and indirect means against the Islamic Republic.

"It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands. At the same time, we are helping our American friends in the Gulf. I spoke at length with President Trump on this matter yesterday. There is cooperation between our air forces and navies and between President Trump and his staff and me. We will assist both through indirect attacks, which create immense pressure on the Iranian regime, and through direct actions. There are many more surprises. 'By stratagems, you shall make war.' We will not reveal all the stratagems here, but as I told you, there are many," the Israeli PM said.

Earlier today, the IDF, in separate statements on X, confirmed the death of Larijani, who has served as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and played a key role in suppressing anti-government protests.

It also confirmed the killing of Soleimani, stating he led the Basij unit responsible for "repression operations" involving arrests and use of force against demonstrators.

"Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the regime's effective leader, has been eliminated. Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," the IDF post read.

"Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF stated in a separate post.

Both were killed in the same series of overnight strikes by the IDF on Tehran.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also echoed Nethauahu's stance, claiming the operation improved security conditions for Iranian citizens.

"He had a $10 million price on his head in the US--we did it for free anyhow," Saar said, referring to Larijani.

He further issued a warning to Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that it was embarrassing for him to be in hiding.

"We still haven't seen anything from Mojtaba... He can continue to hide but why not show your face? It's becoming a little embarrassing for the Regime," he stated.

This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, the IDF warned of imminent retaliation from Hezbollah, saying it had detected preparations for large-scale rocket attacks toward Israel. The military said its air defence systems and border troops remain on high alert.

Israeli forces also reported continued strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Lebanon, including command centres in Beirut and rocket launch sites in the Beqaa Valley.

The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, raising concerns of a broader confrontation involving Iran, its regional allies, and Israel.

- ANI
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has publicly suggested India could play a key diplomatic role in brokering a ceasefire between the US and Iran as West Asia tensions intensify. His comments follow India's active diplomatic engagements, including Foreign Minister Jaishankar's call for a ceasefire and talks with his Iranian counterpart. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveying deep concern over civilian casualties and prioritizing Indian citizen safety. Stubb's remarks came after a state visit where he praised India's growing global influence and pragmatic foreign policy.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggests India broker US-Iran ceasefire. Jaishankar, Modi engage Iran as conflict escalates, highlighting India's diplomatic role.

New Delhi/Helsinki, March 17 Finnish President Alexander Stubb has suggested that India could play an important diplomatic role in easing tensions between the United States and Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire as the conflict in West Asia continues to intensify.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Stubb said global efforts should focus on halting hostilities and opening channels for dialogue, while noting that India could potentially contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

"We need a ceasefire... I'm wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down," he said.

The Finnish President's comments came at a time when New Delhi has been actively engaging with Tehran amid the rising confrontation in the region.

Recently, India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held another round of telephonic talks with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss the rapidly evolving situation.

During the conversation, Araghchi briefed India on the latest developments and described the ongoing conflict as a consequence of what he called "aggressions" by the United States and Israel. He also conveyed Iran's intention to exercise what he described as its right to self-defence while cautioning that the situation could lead to wider regional and global repercussions.

India has been closely monitoring the developments, particularly due to concerns over regional stability, energy supplies and the safety of Indian nationals in the region.

As part of India's diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid the escalating hostilities.

Following the discussion, PM Modi said he conveyed India's deep concern over the intensifying conflict and the growing number of civilian casualties. He also emphasised that ensuring the safety and security of Indian citizens in the region, along with maintaining uninterrupted transit of goods and energy supplies, remains a top priority for New Delhi.

Stubb's remarks also came in the backdrop of his recent state visit to India from March 4 to 7, 2026, during which he attended the Raisina Dialogue as the Chief Guest.

During the visit, the Finnish President praised India's global standing and its growing role in international affairs, while highlighting the country's economic growth and foreign policy approach.

Speaking at a joint press statement alongside Prime Minister Modi, Stubb described India as "one of the world's largest and most influential countries and the world's largest democracy", and referred to it as a crucial strategic partner for Europe.

He noted that India's significance in areas such as foreign and security policy, as well as trade and economic cooperation, was becoming increasingly important for European nations.

Stubb also highlighted India's economic trajectory, calling it one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.

He praised New Delhi's foreign policy framework for being shaped by what he described as a pragmatic and realistic worldview.

According to him, India's diplomatic approach balances strategic caution with the need to safeguard its autonomy while continuing to support multilateral cooperation on global issues.

Reflecting on New Delhi's role in international diplomacy, Stubb remarked, "I believe personally that we should all become a little bit more Indian."

At the Raisina Dialogue, the Finnish President further emphasised India's expanding role on the global stage, including its contributions to peacekeeping operations and its constructive engagement within the United Nations.

He also highlighted India's ability to balance national interests with broader global values and principles while engaging with countries across different regions.

Stubb suggested that New Delhi is emerging as a key actor in shaping the evolving global order, particularly as countries of the Global South gain greater influence in international decision-making.

- IANS
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed deploying Ukrainian military specialists to establish drone interception groups at British military bases in Cyprus.

"Your military bases in Cyprus  this is what our security proposal could look like. Our experts would deploy interception groups, install radar and acoustic surveillance systems, and it would work. If Iran were to launch a large-scale attack similar to Russia's, we would guarantee protection. This is the kind of reinforcement we are offering," Zelenskyy said in an address to the UK Parliament on Tuesday.

He expressed confidence that such reinforcement "may soon be needed across Europe," suggesting that Russia could attempt to use its so-called shadow fleet for aerial attacks.

"Drones can be launched not only from land but also from ships at sea. Such long-range strikes are no longer rare. Different countries are already using them. And since there are still many tankers from Russia's shadow fleet in European waters, launching drones from such vessels is no longer something unexpected," Zelenskyy said.
India has issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan for an airstrike on a drug addiction treatment hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. The attack reportedly resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and injuries during the holy month of Ramzan. India's statement called the act "cowardly and unconscionable," a blatant assault on Afghan sovereignty, and a direct threat to regional peace. New Delhi has urged the international community to hold the perpetrators accountable and expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

India condemns Pakistan's airstrike on a Kabul hospital, calling it a cowardly act that killed hundreds. Demands international accountability.

New Delhi, March 17 India on Tuesday strongly slammed Pakistan for its barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds and left several injured.

India urged the international community to hold the perpetrators of the criminal act accountable and extended condolences to the bereaved families and said that it stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, as per a statement by the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The statement by the spokesperson said that India unequivocally condemns Pakistan's barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul on the night of March 16.

"This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target. Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation", the statement said.

It called the heinous act of aggression by Pakistan a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability and said that it reflects Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalize internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders.

"That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible. There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients", the statement added.

It urged the international community to hold the perpetrators of this criminal act accountable and ensure that the wanton targeting by Pakistan of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay.

"India extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, wishes a swift recovery to those injured, and stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this tragic moment. We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan", the statement concluded.

Afghanistan said that around 400 people lost their lives in an airstrike at a treatment centre for drug addicts in Kabul on Monday evening.

Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of Taliban, said that the airstrike was carried out by Pakistan at 9 PM on Monday evening on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital- a 2,000-bed facility dedicated towards the treatment of drug addiction.

He said that due to the attack, large sections of the hospital have been destroyed. With the death toll at 400 and around 250 reported injured, rescue teams in Afghanistan are working to control the fire and recover the remaining bodies of the victims.

As per Tolo News, the airstrike in Kabul on Monday evening was not the first time that the Pakistani military targeted civilians in Afghanistan. Previously, it has also targeted civilians, including women and children, in different provinces of the country.

Afghan news outlet Khaama Press reported that the residents of Kabul mentioned damage to dozens of homes due to the explosions, with several buildings showing structural harm from the blasts.

Citing sources, Khaama Press said that it was a Pakistani aircraft that bombed a Taliban military facility in the Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province late Monday evening.

Meanwhile, Pakistani news outlet Samaa News reported on Tuesday, citing security sources, that Pakistani Armed Forces carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar province, targeting facilities linked to the Taliban.

According to Samaa, sources said the strikes hit two locations in Kabul, which destroyed 'technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities'.

The security sources rejected striking the drug hospital and called the statement by Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid as "ridiculous", it further reported.

As per Samaa, in Afghanistan's Nangarhar, Pakistan's forces reportedly struck four sites linked to Taliban military installations, and it claimed it also destroyed the nearby logistics hubs, ammunition depots and technical infrastructure.

According to TOLOnews, Afghan civilians have been primarily targeted by Pakistani forces during previous cross-border strikes as well. Some earlier incidents involved women and children in border provinces, which led to protests and condemnation inside Afghanistan.

The latest attack has triggered strong reactions within the country. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a sharp warning to Pakistan after the strike.

In an interview with TOLOnews, Mujahid said that "the time for diplomacy with Pakistan is over and that the attack must be avenged".

- ANI
The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force conducted a two-day joint flood relief training exercise named 'Jal Raksha' in Assam's Rupai area. The exercise focused on enhancing inter-agency coordination and practical rescue techniques ahead of the monsoon season. Activities included equipment displays, aerial drone reconnaissance, boat capsize drills, and simulated casualty evacuations. Local NCC cadets and residents also participated, witnessing the integrated disaster response mechanisms.

Indian Army and NDRF complete joint 'Jal Raksha' flood relief exercise in Assam's Rupai, enhancing coordination for monsoon preparedness.

Guwahati, March 17 In a bid to strengthen preparedness ahead of the monsoon season, the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force conducted a joint flood relief training exercise, 'Jal Raksha', in Assam's Rupai area, officials said on Tuesday.

The two-day exercise, held on March 16-17 under the aegis of the Spear Corps, saw active participation by the Army's Red Shield Gunners and NDRF teams, focussing on enhancing inter-agency coordination and response mechanisms during flood-related emergencies.

The training commenced with an equipment display and detailed briefing by the Indian Army on the composition, role and operational capabilities of Flood Relief Columns.

NDRF representatives also outlined the structure, responsibilities and operational functioning of their flood response units.

Participants were given practical exposure to flood relief equipment and rescue techniques, aimed at familiarising them with Standard Operating Procedures during disasters.

On the second day, field activities were carried out at Rupai and Tengapani Ghat, where teams undertook ground and drone-based aerial reconnaissance, established a Joint Command Post, and executed coordinated rescue and casualty evacuation drills simulating real-time flood scenarios.

NDRF personnel demonstrated critical techniques such as boat capsize drills and safe evacuation procedures, while Army medical teams showcased first aid and emergency medical response during disaster situations.

NCC cadets and local residents also took part in the exercise, gaining first-hand experience of disaster response operations and witnessing the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies.

"Exercise Jal Raksha reflects our commitment to maintaining a high level of preparedness and seamless coordination with sister agencies like the NDRF. Such joint efforts are crucial to ensure a swift and effective response during flood emergencies, especially in flood-prone regions like Assam," Defence PRO, Guwahati, said.

Officials noted that such initiatives play a vital role in strengthening operational synergy, improving response efficiency and ensuring better protection of lives and property during natural disasters.

- IANS
The Indian LPG carrier Nanda Devi has successfully arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas. This marks the second such vessel to arrive safely after transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz this week, following the arrival of the Shivalik. The safe passage was facilitated by coordination between the Indian Ministry, the Shipping Corporation of India, and assistance from the Indian and Iranian navies. The operation helps address global LPG supply concerns amid ongoing regional tensions.

Indian vessel Nanda Devi delivers 46,500 MT of LPG to Gujarat's Vadinar port after a safe passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Gandhinagar, March 17 Indian LPG carrier Nanda Devi on Tuesday arrived at the Vadinar port in Gujarat's Jamnagar, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas for ship-to-ship transfer at the anchorage.

The ship-to-ship transfer of LPG from mother vessel MT Nanda Devi to daughter vessel MT BW Birch will commence today.

Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), went on board the vessel to facilitate and interacted with the captain and crew of Nanda Devi.

This is the second LPG carrier that arrived in India after successfully passing through the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday evening, the Indian carrier LPG Shivalik, carrying a total of 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, had arrived at the Mudra Port. Of this, 20,000 MT will be unloaded at Mundra, while the remaining 26,000 MT is scheduled for Mangalore.

Earlier, the Chief Officer of the Nanda Devi vessel said that the initiative was taken by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Shipping Corporation of India, with the Indian and Iranian navies providing the necessary assistance to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

"I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this operation of crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative was taken by the Indian Ministry, Shipping Corporation of India, with the help of the Indian Navy and the Iranian Navy. Vessel transmitted the Hormuz safely, now it is enroute to Kandla, Gujarat and will be serving a huge amount of LPG, 46,000 metric tonnes. This will help in the worldwide crisis of LPG. We will continue to serve the LPG in future also," he said.

Indian-flagged vessel, 'Jag Laadki', which sailed from the UAE, carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil, is safely en route to India, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Shipping Ministry said in an interministerial briefing on Monday. The official said that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf area are safe and no incident has been reported in the last 24 hours.

Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.

- ANI
The Indian-flagged LPG tanker 'Nanda Devi' arrived at Vadinar Port in Gujarat, marking the second such carrier to reach India's west coast this week after the 'Shivalik'. Both vessels navigated the volatile Strait of Hormuz, where commercial traffic has been disrupted by regional conflict. Indian port authorities have issued directives for priority berthing to expedite the unloading of critical LPG cargoes to maintain domestic supply. The arrivals are part of broader efforts to secure energy imports, with dozens of other Indian vessels and hundreds of seafarers still operating in the Persian Gulf region.

Indian-flagged LPG tanker Nanda Devi reaches Vadinar Port, Gujarat, following a hazardous passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid regional conflict.

Bhuj, March 17 The Indianflagged liquefied petroleum gas tanker 'Nanda Devi' arrived at Vadinar Port in Gujarat at about 11.25 a.m. on Tuesday, becoming the second LPG carrier to reach the west coast this week after 'Shivalik' docked at Mundra Port a day earlier, officials confirmed.

Both vessels were transporting critical LPG supplies to India following an unusually hazardous passage through the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.

The strait, a strategic chokepoint for global energy shipments, has seen a sharp reduction in commercial vessel movements since late February amid heightened military actions and warnings from Iran.

Authorities at Kandla Port issued directives on Monday that all ships carrying LPG should be given priority berthing to expedite unloading of cargo and reduce delays amid concerns over domestic supply.

In a circular to vessel agents, the Deendayal Port Authority said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways instructed ports to accord priority berthing for LPG-laden ships to help maintain uninterrupted distribution of cooking gas across the country.

The Shivalik, laden with around 46,000 tonnes of LPG from Qatar, completed its nineday voyage and berthed at Mundra on Monday evening after port authorities made advance arrangements, including documentation and priority docking, to begin discharge operations without delay.

Officials said both vessels are part of efforts to shore up LPG supplies for household and industrial use as India continues to rely on imports for a significant share of its energy needs.

Before the transit of the two tankers, dozens of Indianflagged ships and hundreds of seafarers remained anchored in the Persian Gulf as maritime insurers and shipping firms reassessed routes through the volatile region.

The Nanda Devi's arrival at Kandla comes amid broader diplomatic and logistical efforts, including negotiations with regional authorities and coordination with naval assets, to safeguard merchant shipping.

Indian maritime authorities have maintained that all Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf area remain safe and that no untoward incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in recent days.

While Nanda Devi has arrived, another ship, 'Jag Laadki', carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE, is en route to India.

As per government data, there were 22 Indian-flagged vessels located to the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.

- IANS
India's immunization journey is marked by verified successes, including the eradication of smallpox, polio, and maternal and neonatal tetanus. The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) now achieves 98.4% coverage, reaching crores of pregnant women and newborns annually. The programme continues to expand, most recently with the 2026 launch of a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign targeting adolescent girls. This success is supported by a massive cold-chain infrastructure, ensuring vaccine potency across the country.

India's Universal Immunisation Programme reaches millions, eradicates diseases, and launches new vaccines like HPV, showcasing a public health success story.

New Delhi, March 17 From eradicating smallpox in 1977 to eliminating polio and neonatal tetanus, administering 200 crore COVID-19 doses, and now pursuing Measles-Rubella elimination - India's immunisation journey is one of verified, milestone-by-milestone achievement, an official fact-sheet said on Tuesday.

India has eradicated smallpox, polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus through vaccination, and continues to expand its immunisation programme - most recently launched HPV and indigenous Td vaccines in 2026.

India's robust Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), a wide-spread network of publicly funded healthcare centres, workers and cold-chain infrastructure, and a strong digital network, have delivered results.

"The UIP is one of the world's largest immunisation programmes, reaching 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.54 crore newborns every year, free of cost. Full immunisation coverage has risen from 62 per cent in 2015 to 98.4 per cent in January 2026," the fact-sheet said.

Percentage of zero-dose children to the total population has declined from 0.11 per cent in 2023 to 0.06 per cent in 2024.

In the past decade, various new vaccines were added to the programme - Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) (2015), Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) (2016), Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine (2017) and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) (2017).

A nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign was launched on February 28, 2026. The campaign was launched from Ajmer, Rajasthan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It targets 14-year-old girls to protect them from cervical cancer. Around 1.15 crore girls across India are expected to receive the vaccine free of cost at government health facilities.

India's vaccine cold chain is one of the largest in the world - spanning nearly 30,000 cold chain points, from Government Medical Supply Depots at the national level down to Primary Health Centres at the sub-district level.

According to the statement, these storage points at hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and other health facilities are equipped with over 1.06 lakh ice-lined refrigerators and deep freezers, and 432 walk-in cooler and walk-in freezers for bulk vaccine storage.

Conducting over 1.3 crore immunisation sessions annually across this network, maintaining temperature integrity at every point is critical to ensuring vaccines reach the last beneficiary in potent condition, the statement added.

- IANS
A new report highlights that India's young workforce is becoming significantly more educated, with tertiary enrolment at 28%. However, this demographic faces a critical challenge, with graduate unemployment remaining high at nearly 40% for the youngest adults. The study notes a shift of youth from agriculture to industry and services, alongside a reduction in caste and gender disparities in occupations. The window to harness this demographic dividend is narrowing, as the working-age population share is expected to decline after 2030.

Azim Premji University report shows India's young workforce is more educated but faces high unemployment and slow wage growth. Key insights inside.

New Delhi, March 17 India's young workforce is becoming more educated, even as challenges persist in their transition into employment, according to Azim Premji University's State of Working India 2026 report released on Tuesday.

The report said India has expanded access to higher education over the past four decades, alongside a shift of young workers from agriculture to industry and services and a reduction in gender- and caste-based disparities.

It cautioned, however, that the extent to which this increasingly educated and aspirational population is absorbed into the labour market will determine whether the demographic dividend translates into economic gains. India's working-age population share is expected to begin declining after 2030, making job creation critical.

"More young people today are educated, informed, and ambitious than ever before. These are real achievements of which we can be proud," noted Indu Prasad, President, Azim Premji Universities.

The report draws on official databases going back four decades to see how youth participation in education and employment has changed, how well we have been able to use this demographic dividend, and the challenges and opportunities that arise in integrating them into the workforce.

According to Rosa Abraham, lead author of the report and Associate Professor of Economics at Azim Premji University said, the study examines the journey of young people from education to employment over four decades to better understand policy challenges.

The report found that youth educational attainment has risen significantly, with India's tertiary enrolment rate at 28 per cent. However, the share of young men in education declined from 38 per cent in 2017 to 34 per cent in 2024, partly due to income pressures.

While the number of colleges has increased, largely driven by private institutions, regional disparities and teacher shortages persist, with student-teacher ratios exceeding recommended norms in many institutions.

Graduate unemployment remains a concern, at nearly 40 per cent among those aged 15-25 and 20 per cent among those aged 25-29, with only a small share securing stable salaried jobs within a year.

Despite this, graduates earn about twice as much as non-graduates at the entry level, though wage growth for young men has slowed since 2011.

The report also noted increased migration and a gradual decline in caste- and gender-based occupational segregation.

- ANI
A Pakistani national was killed in Abu Dhabi's Bani Yas area by debris from an intercepted ballistic missile. The Abu Dhabi government confirmed the incident and urged the public to rely on official information. Separately, Qatar's defense forces intercepted 14 Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones, with one missile landing in an uninhabited area without causing losses. These events occur as the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran continues into its third week.

A Pakistani national died from falling shrapnel in Abu Dhabi after air defenses intercepted ballistic missiles amid US-Israel-Iran tensions.

Abu Dhabi, March 17 A Pakistani national died after debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in Abu Dhabi's Bani Yas area on Tuesday, authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi said as the ongoing conflict between US-Israel and Iran entered its third week.

"Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in the Baniyas area, following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems. The incident resulted in the death of a Pakistani national," the Abu Dhabi government media office said in a statement posted on its X platform.

The statement further advised public to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

Earlier, the UAE said its air defence systems had responded to a missile threat.

Explosions were also heard in Dubai and Doha in Qatar.

Qatar's Ministry of Interior confirmed that emergency response teams were attending to a blaze in an industrial zone. The incident was triggered by falling debris following the successful neutralisation of an aerial threat.

According to the ministry, "Civil Defence staff are dealing with a 'limited fire'" at the site, which was caused by "shrapnel falling from an intercepted missile."

In a statement released on social media, the Qatari Ministry provided an update on the safety of the area, noting that there have been "no injuries recorded" thus far.

The ground-level emergency follows a broader engagement by the nation's protective systems. The Ministry of Defence in Qatar announced that the nation was the subject of an aerial attack today involving "14 Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones", as reported by Gulf News.

In an official update released via the Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ministry confirmed that the military response was effective, noting that the "Qatari Armed Forces successfully intercepted all drones and 13 ballistic missiles" launched during the assault.

According to Gulf News, while the vast majority of the threats were neutralised, "one missile fell in an uninhabited area" after the primary defence systems were bypassed.

Authorities have further clarified that the single projectile that reached the ground did so "without causing any losses".

The armed forces continue to maintain a high state of alert following the incident, as these developments occur while the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its 18th day.

- ANI
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced a new phase of heavy missile and drone strikes against US and Israeli positions across the region. The commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force declared the offensive against the "American-Zionist enemy." Concurrently, former US President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for their reluctance to support military operations against Iran. Trump also claimed the US has successfully decimated Iran's military, naval, and air forces.

Iran's IRGC announces new phase of heavy regional strikes against US and Israel, while former President Trump claims to have decimated Iran's military.

Tehran, March 17 Sardar Mousavi, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force, on Tuesday announced a "new phase of effective and heavy strikes across the region against the American-Zionist enemy," Al Jazeera reported.

"The backbone of arrogance will be broken in the streets and squares," Al Jazeera quoted Mousavi as saying.

IRGC had announced earlier that it was carrying out an intense wave of attacks on US and Israeli positons throughout the region since dawn, using missiles as well as drones.

Iran's IRGC said that it has been carrying out a new wave of "impact-oriented and targeted" attacks across the region since dawn (local time), as reported by Al Jazeera.

In a statement reported by Iranian media, it said the operations were being carried out with "multiple warheads with solid and liquid fuel" as well as drones, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's tirade on NATO's reluctance to help him with Strait of Hormuz's operations continue as he said on Truth Social, "The United States has been informed by most of our NATO "Allies" that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon."

"I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," he added.

Trump further claimed that the US has decimated Iran's military, naval and air forces.

"Fortunately, we have decimated Iran's Military Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer "need," or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," he said.

He further reiterated that the US doesn't need the aid of anyone.

"In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he said.

- ANI
The Nepali government has decided to partially resume granting labor approvals for migrant workers heading to seven West Asian countries, excluding Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon. The decision comes after requests from the Non-Resident Nepali Association and embassies, and is based on recommendations from the foreign ministry. The suspension was initially imposed on March 1 due to safety concerns following US-Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes. The move affects over 1.7 million Nepali nationals employed in the region, where one Nepali has been killed and 15 injured in recent attacks.

Nepal partially lifts labor approval suspension for 7 West Asian countries, excluding Iran and Israel, following safety reassessments amid regional conflict.

Kathmandu, March 17 The Nepali government has decided to partially resume labour approvals previously suspended to send migrant workers to parts of the Gulf region, even as the region remains affected by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

Following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting US and Israeli assets in the region, the Nepali government on March 1 suspended the issuance of labour approvals for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkiye, and Israel, citing concerns over the safety of Nepali workers.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Nepal's Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security said it has decided to resume granting labour approvals for Nepali workers currently employed in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Turkiye - excluding Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon.

"Additionally, workers who have returned to Nepal on leave and wish to go back to these countries for employment will also be eligible to obtain labour approvals," the ministry said.

The ministry added that the decision to resume labour approvals for certain Gulf countries was taken after receiving requests from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Nepali embassies in the concerned countries, and workers who were unable to renew their labour permits. It said the move was based on recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a letter from the Department of Foreign Employment.

The ministry further stated that the suspension of labour approvals for the remaining six countries will continue, as the security situation there has not yet fully improved.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 1.7 million Nepali nationals are employed across a dozen countries in the region.

The foreign ministry revealed last week that one Nepali national has died and 15 others have been injured in Iranian attacks in West Asia. A Nepali youth, Diwas Shrestha, from the western district of Gorkha, was killed during a drone interception operation at Zayed International Airport in the UAE.

- IANS
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated his condemnation of a US torpedo strike that sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka, calling it an "inhumane crime." The attack resulted in over 80 sailors reported dead from an estimated 180 crew members. The incident occurs amid a broader regional conflict that began with the killing of Iran's former Supreme Leader. Iran has since virtually closed the critical Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy transit.

President Masoud Pezeshkian condemns the US torpedo strike that sank the IRIS Dena, mourning the sailors lost and extending condolences to families.

Tehran, March 17 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday reiterated his condolences over the deaths of sailors aboard the Islamic Republic of Iran Ship Dena after the frigate was hit by a US torpedo and sunk approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle in Sri Lanka.

In a post on X, the Iranian President also condemned the US strike on the vessel as an "inhumane crime", stating that the Islamic Republic still mourns the loss of "20 eternal masterpieces and 84 innocent sea-lovers".

He added that the names of the fallen naval personnel would endure "like the steadfast peaks of Dena" and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and their comrades in the Iranian Navy.

"Today, the hearts of the people of Iran grieve for the memory of 20 eternal masterpieces and 84 innocent sea-lovers of the "Dena" ship. The names of the proud men of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army will remain tall and enduring, like the steadfast peaks of Dena. I once again condemn this inhumane crime and extend my condolences to their patient families and comrades," his post read.

Earlier, IRIS Dena sank south of Sri Lanka on March 4 after being struck by a US submarine torpedo approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle.

The Indian Navy then deployed INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak, along with maritime patrol aircraft, like its P8Is, to assist in the Sri Lanka-led search and rescue operations for the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena.

Of the estimated 180 crew members on board IRIS Dena, over 80 sailors are reported dead, while other survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and admitted to hospitals in Galle.

This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.

Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

- ANI
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a trilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, discussed joint weapons production and coordination efforts to strengthen Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

"It is important to continue strengthening our air defense and ensuring it has a sufficient number of missiles. In particular, the decisions taken during the Ramstein-format meeting must be implemented as soon as possible, and the PURL program should be reinforced with additional contributions," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Tuesday after the meeting.

Zelenskyy thanked Starmer and Rutte for their efforts to support Ukraine and maintain focus on achieving "a just peace" as soon as possible.
The Israeli Health Ministry reports that 3,530 people have been injured and admitted to hospitals since the war's outbreak, with 86 still hospitalized. This update coincides with a significant military escalation, as the Israel Defence Forces confirm the start of limited ground operations in southern Lebanon. The operations, involving the 91st and 146th Divisions, aim to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and establish a stronger defensive posture for northern Israel. The IDF states these actions are a direct response to Hezbollah joining the conflict under Iran's auspices.

Israeli Health Ministry updates war injuries to 3,530 as IDF begins targeted ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon to enhance northern security.

Tel Aviv, March 17 The Israeli Health Ministry has reported that 3,530 people have sustained injuries and been admitted to hospitals since the outbreak of the war. Providing a breakdown of the current medical status, the ministry stated that 86 individuals are presently hospitalised, including eight patients in serious condition.

This medical update comes as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) transition to a more aggressive military posture. In an announcement made yesterday, the IDF officially confirmed the commencement of "limited and targeted ground operations" against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the military explained that the manoeuvre is "aimed at enhancing the forward defence area."

This initial phase is part of a "broader defensive effort to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture," which specifically targets the "dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area."

Further detailing the tactical deployment, the IDF specified that "91st Division Forces" have begun "focused ground activity" to expand the designated defence zone.

The military emphasised that this expansion is vital "to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for the residents of the north".

To prepare the battlefield for these ground units, the IDF disclosed that it "struck numerous terror targets in the area using artillery and the Air Force" prior to the forces' entry.

These operations are currently being conducted "alongside the 146th Division", with the primary mission of "defending the Galilee settlements".

Accompanying the military's briefing was visual documentation, including night-vision footage and high-contrast images.

The visuals depict IDF soldiers moving through dense Lebanese terrain, while other images capture troops inside structures inspecting equipment, illustrating the "focused" nature of the mission to dismantle infrastructure.

The IDF maintained that these actions are a direct response to the "Hezbollah terror organisation, which decided to join the campaign and operate under the auspices of the Iranian terror regime".

The military asserted that it "will not allow harm to the civilians of the State of Israel" as operations continue in southern Lebanon.

- ANI
Israeli media reports that a senior Iranian official, Ali Larijani, was targeted in an overnight airstrike within Iran. The Israeli military also confirmed strikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives, including leader Akram al-Ajouri, who were in a safe house in Tehran. The IDF announced a broad aerial operation targeting Iranian regime infrastructure, including command centers and missile sites in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. The strikes follow a message from Larijani calling for Muslim unity against the United States and Israel.

Israeli airstrikes target Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Islamic Jihad leaders in Tehran. IDF confirms widespread strikes on Iranian military sites.

Tel Aviv, March 17 Israeli media outlets reported on Tuesday, citing officials, that Ali Larijani, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was targetted in an airstrike in Iran overnight.

The Times of Israel reported, citing officials, that it remains unclear if Larijani was killed or injured in the strike.

Meanwhile, the publication reported that another recent Israeli airstrike in Iran targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Akram al-Ajouri and other top officials in the terror group, as per the defence sources.

According to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir confirmed the details. During an assessment on Tuesday morning, Lt Gen Zamir said that "significant elimination achievements were also recorded overnight, with the potential to impact the campaign's achievements and the IDF's missions" -- in an apparent reference to the strike targeting Larijani.

"This is in addition to eliminations carried out in recent days in Iran against external elements, also linked to the Palestinian arena," Zamir said, referring to the Islamic Jihad officials. He further noted that the "senior operatives involved in terrorist activity from Gaza and from Judea and Samaria (West Bank)" were hiding in a safe house in Tehran when they were struck.

Amid these developments, the Israel Defence Forces has announced a series of targeted strikes against "Iranian regime infrastructure in different areas across Iran."

In a post on X, the IDF confirmed the extent of the aerial operation, stating that "in Tehran, dozens of munitions were dropped on command centres, and UAV, ballistic missile, and air defence storage sites were struck."

A map accompanying the X post visually depicted the strikes in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, showing locations marked with pins on a satellite view of Iran.

The operation further extended to southern and northwestern locations. The IDF reported that "in Shiraz, the internal security forces' command centre and a ballistic missile site were struck," while in the northwest, "additional Iranian regime air defence systems were dismantled, further expanding aerial superiority in the region and protecting Israel."

Earlier on Monday, Ali Larijani issued a message to the Muslim world saying that Iran remains "steadfast" in its fight against the US and Israel.

He said Iran cannot be "expected to stand idly by with its hands tied" while US bases are located in neighbouring countries.

"The confrontation today is, in reality, between America and Israel on one side, and Muslim Iran and the forces of resistance on the other. Which side are you on, then?" he said.

Larijani called for Muslim unity, stressing that Iran does not seek "hegemony" over the region.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that securing the strategic Strait of Hormuz would not take long, despite a lack of support from NATO allies. He criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not providing assistance, comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill. Trump also responded to criticism from Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, stating she should be "thankful" for US actions against Iran's nuclear ambitions. The comments came amid ongoing tensions and US military actions targeting Iran's coast.

President Trump says securing the Strait of Hormuz "won't be too long," criticizes NATO, UK's Keir Starmer, and comments on Ireland's president.

Washington, March 18 US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be secured, saying it "won't be too long," even though NATO countries would not assist in the ongoing conflict with Iran, CNN reported.

"It won't be, I don't believe, too long. We're knocking the hell out of the coast. It's basically the coast and the water. And it won't be too long," Trump told reporters, as per CNN.

He did not provide a specific timeline or outline how the US plans to secure the strategic waterway, CNN reported.

President Trump also praised regional partners, stating, "The Middle Eastern states, including Israel, by the way, who has been terrific, the Middle Eastern states have been helping us a lot."

Meanwhile, the US President had earlier urged allies to support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, CNN reported.

According to CNN, Trump also dismissed warnings from Iran's deputy foreign minister that deploying US troops could lead to another Vietnam-style conflict.

Responding to a question on the possibility, Trump said, "No, I'm not afraid of - I'm really not afraid of anything," as per CNN.

Meanwhile, Micheal Martin defended UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a meeting at the Oval Office, CNN reported.

According to CNN, Trump had said he was "disappointed" with Starmer for not sending minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz or offering other support in the Iran conflict, adding that "unfortunately, Keir is not Winston Churchill".

"He's a very nice man with a beautiful family... but he, he doesn't produce," Trump said of Starmer, while also criticising the United Kingdom's energy and immigration policies, CNN reported.

According to CNN, Martin responded by emphasising the importance of transatlantic ties, saying, "Notwithstanding what has happened, the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the US is very, very important on a number of fronts, and I think we've had issues over the last year or two, but we settled them"..

He added that European leaders had engaged with the US on trade disputes, stating, "We've got a landing zone between Europe and US, and I think we can get a landing zone again," as per CNN.

As per CNN, praising Starmer, Martin further said, "Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship. I just want to put that on the record, but I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person who I think you have a capacity to get on with - you got on with him before."

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Ireland's president should "be very thankful" for US actions aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, CNN reported.

According to CNN, Ireland's President Catherine Connolly had earlier criticised the war in Iran as a violation of international law, stating that "the normalization of war can never be accepted."

Responding to her remarks, Trump said, "He's lucky I exist. That's all I can say," apparently referring to Connolly by the wrong gender, CNN reported.

"Because if you're going to allow countries that are sick and demented, and they are demented, to have nuclear weapons, everybody in the whole world should be very thankful," Trump said, as per CNN.

He further added, "And I'm disappointed in NATO, very disappointed. I'm disappointed in a couple of other countries too, but they should be very thankful that this group of people feels the way we do."

According to CNN, opposition parties in Ireland have argued that US and Israeli strikes on Iran violate international law.

Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin has stopped short of calling the strikes illegal but earlier said the bombing "was not in accordance with a UN mandate," while consistently calling for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution, CNN reported.

During the Oval Office meeting, Martin also acknowledged concerns over nuclear proliferation, saying, "you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon, or the capacity for a nuclear weapon," CNN reported.

- ANI
The Indian Union Muslim League has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, featuring a significant constituency change for senior leader PK Kunhalikutty, who will now contest from Malappuram. The Election Commission has announced the polls will be held in a single phase on April 9, 2026, with the Model Code of Conduct already in effect. IUML president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal confirmed the party will seek more seats within the UDF alliance based on recent civic poll performance. The final voter list was published in February following a special revision process.

IUML releases first candidate list for Kerala Assembly polls. PK Kunhalikutty to contest from Malappuram. Election dates and key announcements detailed.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 18 The Indian Union Muslim League on Tuesday officially released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, featuring a major shift for senior leader PK Kunhalikutty, who will contest from the Malappuram constituency.

The Indian Union Muslim League has announced its candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. PK Kunhalikutty will contest from Malappuram instead of Vengara. In Vengara, KM Shaji will be the party's candidate. Other candidates announced are: Faisal Babu - Kozhikode South, Fathima Tehliyya - Perambra, Jayanthi Rajan - Kuthuparamba Razaq Master - Kunnamangalam Rahmathulla - Manjeri, Anwar Naha - Tirurangadi.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.

The Model Code of Conduct came into place on Sunday, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, also known as Kerala Niyamasabha.

The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23, 2026.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in a press conference said "Voting will be held across 2.19 lakh polling stations in four states and one UT, with 25 lakh election officials on duty."

CEC Kumar said that around 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the elections in Kerala.

The last date for filing nominations is March 23, with scrutiny of nominations on March 24 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures on March 26.

Following the completion ennumeration excercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state electoral roll, the ECI released Kerala's final voter list on February 21.

The Kerala CEO further mentioned that around 53,229 individuals have been deleted from the voters' list. The process of SIR was conducted from November 11, 2025, to January 30, 2026.

The elections also highlighted Kerala's traditionally high voter participation, with turnout in many constituencies exceeding 80 per cent. In constituencies such as Kuttiadi and Taliparamba, turnout figures crossed the 85 per cent mark.

Earlier, ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections, United Democratic Front ally Indian Union Muslim League planned to raise the demand for more seats within the alliance, based on the party's recent performance in the state civic polls.

On January 3, IUML president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal confirmed that his party will seek more seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. He stated that IUML will contest in its existing constituencies and that candidates will be announced at an early stage, with women to be given priority.

"The Indian Union Muslim League will seek a higher number of seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. The exact number of seats to be demanded has not yet been finalised. The League will contest in its existing constituencies, and candidates will be announced at an early stage. Women will be given priority in the candidate list... Seat-sharing decisions will be made purely based on winning prospects. The Muslim League has no political alliance with the Welfare Party of India," the IUML chief told ANI.

- ANI
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a clean sweep, winning all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar. The victory was aided by the abstention of several Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs during the voting. Opposition leaders, including from the RJD, have alleged horse-trading was responsible for the outcome. The biennial elections for 37 seats saw 26 candidates elected unopposed nationwide, with voting required for the remaining 11.

JD(U) and BJP hail NDA's clean sweep in Bihar Rajya Sabha elections. Opposition alleges horse-trading after Congress and RJD MLAs abstain from voting.

Patna, March 17 JD National Working President and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha hailed NDA's victory in all five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar.

Speaking to reporters, Sanjay Jha said, "We've been saying from the beginning that based on support, our candidates will comfortably win all five seats. The NDA didn't have much of a problem with the numbers game, and the results were consistent. There's a lot of work ahead in Bihar, so many people want work done in their areas."

Earlier, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi deemed it a "big victory" for NDA, which he said displayed their unity and "fragmentation" of the Opposition.

"This is a big victory for NDA. NDA is united, and the opposition is fragmented...they had no faith in their MLAs...the whole of Bihar is with NDA. NDA fought the election unitedly, and we won all five seats," Saraogi said.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won all five Rajya Sabha seats of the state and said that the party's victory has disappointed the opposition.

Speaking to ANI after the result, Sinha said, "All five seats have been won by NDA...The NDA's victory has disappointed the opposition even more...All five NDA candidates have won in Bihar...Their people did not come to vote. These people (the opposition) make allegations when they lose."

Abstention from Congress and RJD MLAs helped the NDA secure all five seats in the Rajya Sabha. NDA had fielded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, RLM Chief Upendra Kushwaha, JD(U) MP Ram Nath Thakur and BJP's Shivesh Ram.

Reacting to the results, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Amarendra Dhari Singh alleged horse trading in the voting.

"We have lost despite winning. We had the numbers. Horse trading has happened in this, and the four voters who did not come were from our alliance," he said.

The biennial Rajya Sabha elections were held to fill 37 seats across 10 states. Out of the 37 seats, 26 candidates have already been elected unopposed, while voting was held for the remaining 11 seats, including five from Bihar.

- ANI
Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Nalin Prabhat has detailed a shift in counter-terrorism strategy, with forces now actively operating in dense forests and rugged mountains to neutralise terrorists. He stated the battle has moved to these remote areas where terrorists attempt to regroup, citing successful operations like 'Operation Mahadev'. The DGP highlighted ongoing engagements in the forests of Udhampur and Kathua, aimed at thwarting terrorists sent from across the border. Prabhat also emphasised community outreach while congratulating new recruits and urging dedication to maintaining regional peace.

J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat announces shifted counter-terror ops into remote forests and mountains to target terrorist hideouts and regrouping attempts.

Jammu, March 18 J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat said on Tuesday that under its changed counterterror tactics, the J&K Police is moving into dense forests and rugged mountains to neutralise terrorists.

Addressing the passingout parade of police constables at the STC Talwara in Reasi district, DGP Prabhat said the police had changed its counterterror strategy and was now carrying out operations in dense forests and mountainous areas to neutralise terrorists operating in the region.

"Over the past two years, the J&K Police altered its operational strategy and intensified action in remote forests and mountains where terrorists have attempted to regroup. The battle has shifted to the jungles and upper reaches. We are moving upwards into these areas to get them and destroy their hideouts," the police chief said.

He said the J&K Police was now actively engaging terrorists in the forests of Udhampur and Kathua districts. These operations, he said, were aimed at countering terrorists sent by "our nefarious neighbour (Pakistan)".

"We are not allowing them to succeed in their evil plans," he asserted.

Recalling last year's 'Operation Mahadev', the DGP said security forces eliminated three Pakistani terrorists during the operation.

"The terrorists were responsible for the killing of 26 civilians in the Baisaran (Pahalgam) area. Police had pursued them deep inside the forest before neutralising them," he said.

The J&K Police Chief also highlighted the force's outreach programmes and its engagement with local communities across the Union Territory.

He congratulated the recruits joining the Jammu and Kashmir Police and urged them to remain committed to their duties. 

He said the path ahead would be challenging but expressed confidence that the new personnel would contribute significantly to maintaining peace and security in the region.

The DGP is known for his aggressive antiterror operations, often leading the J&K Police from the front.

- IANS
A fire erupted in the multi-speciality block of the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, with a suspected short circuit in a machine being the preliminary cause. Patients were promptly evacuated from the emergency ward and moved to safer locations within the hospital complex. Former MLA Kadakampally Surendran visited the site and confirmed the fire was under control, stating timely intervention averted a major disaster. Hospital authorities report the situation is contained, with no casualties, and further inspections are ongoing.

Fire breaks out in multi-speciality block of Govt Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Patients evacuated, no casualties reported. Situation under control.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 17 A fire broke out at the multi-speciality block of Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Tuesday, with a suspected short circuit in a machine believed to be the preliminary cause of the incident.

Following the incident, patients were evacuated from the emergency ward and shifted to safer locations inside the hospital. According to the Hospital authorities, the situation is currently under control, and further checks are being carried out.

Former MLA Kadakampally Surendran reached Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.

On the incident, Surendran said, "Fire has been brought under control. I spoke with the patients. Both the patients and the hospital have escaped a major disaster. Timely and effective intervention took place immediately after the fire broke out. No one is missing. Inspections have been carried out everywhere. I spoke to the Health Minister. As soon as the incident was reported, the Minister instructed the concerned senior officials to reach the spot."

Further details are awaited.

- ANI
The Indian National Congress has announced its list of 55 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. Key candidates include Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, who will contest from Paravur, and Kerala Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph from Peravoor. This follows the Bharatiya Janata Party's release of its first candidate list, which includes state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The Election Commission has scheduled the single-phase polling for April 9, 2026, with the vote count set for May 4.

Congress releases candidate list for Kerala polls, fielding LoP VD Satheesan from Paravur. BJP also announces first list. Election dates set for April 9.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 17 Congress on Tuesday announced its list of 55 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

The party has fielded Kerala Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph from the Peravoor seat. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has been fielded from the Paravur seat.



K Muraleedharan, former MP and son of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala and former Union Minister of Industry K. Karunakaran from the Vattiyoorkavu seat.



Earlier, the party's Central Election Committee convened to finalise the candidate list for the Kerala polls. Speaking on the occasion, Congress MP KC Venugopal emphasised that "the party's Central Election Committee has cleared many names today for the major chunk of the seats. Winnability is a major criterion for selecting candidates."



This comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala state polls. The party has fielded BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom seat and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs of India, V Muraleedharan, from Kazhakoottam seat.



The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.



The Model Code of Conduct comes into place, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, which is also known as the Kerala Niyamasabha.



The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23, 2026.



Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in a press conference said, "Voting will be held across 2.19 lakh polling stations in four states and one UT, with 25 lakh election officials on duty."



CEC Kumar said that around 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the elections in Kerala. The last date for filing nominations is March 23, with scrutiny of nominations on March 24 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures on March 26.



Following the completion ennumeration excercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state electoral roll, the ECI released Kerala's final voter list on February 21.





- ANI
The South Korean government has launched a temporary implementation committee to conduct preliminary reviews of potential U.S. investment projects under a strategic bilateral MOU. This committee, headed by the industry minister, is a preparatory step for a new state-run corporation that will manage Seoul's planned $350 billion investment in the United States. The investments are expected to focus on advanced industries such as semiconductors, energy, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence. Concurrently, President Lee Jae Myung has called for measures to mitigate potential economic fallout from a prolonged Middle East crisis, which threatens vital oil shipping routes.

South Korea establishes a committee for preliminary review of US investment projects under a $350 billion strategic bilateral agreement.

Seoul, March 17 The South Korean government said on Tuesday it has launched a committee to preliminarily review potential investment projects in the United States under a bilateral strategic investment agreement.

The government published a presidential directive in the official gazette establishing a temporary implementation committee for the Korea-U.S. strategic investment memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in November.

The move marks a preparatory step toward establishing a new state-run corporation tasked with implementing Seoul's envisioned US$350 billion investment in the U.S. after the National Assembly of South Korea passed a special bill to support the initiative last week, reports Yonhap news agency.

The special legislation will take effect three months after its proclamation.

As part of efforts to speed up procedures to select U.S. investment projects before the law takes effect, Seoul launched the committee to conduct preliminary reviews of potential projects.

The strategic investment MOU implementation committee, headed by the industry minister, will oversee investment consultations with Washington and assess the commercial feasibility and economic value of potential projects, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

Details of the potential projects currently under review has yet to be disclosed, but they are expected to be in line with the bilateral MOU between Seoul and Washington, which outlines cooperation in advanced industries, including energy, semiconductor, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as shipbuilding.

Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday the government should prepare measures to mitigate the potential economic fallout under the worst-case scenario where the Middle East crisis becomes prolonged.

Lee made the call as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, has effectively been shut as the U.S.-led war in Iran entered its third week, raising concerns for South Korea, which relies heavily on energy imports.

"From now on, we must prepare measures with even the worst-case scenario in mind on the premise that the Middle East situation may be prolonged," Lee said during a Cabinet meeting held in the administrative city of Sejong.

- IANS
A Kotak Institutional Equities report states the recent market correction, triggered by the Iran-Israel-US conflict, creates an opportunity for investors to rebalance portfolios. It recommends adding quality stocks while exiting overvalued 'narrative' stocks and reducing positions in expensive sectors like cement and consumer staples. The report views the uneven correction as a chance for optimization, not a sign of permanent earnings decline. It advises increasing exposure to sectors like financials that have seen sharp, unjustified declines.

Kotak report advises using the recent stock market correction to add quality stocks, exit overvalued ones, and rebalance portfolios for better returns.

Mumbai, March 17 Amid the ongoing correction in the domestic stock markets, investors have an opportunity to rebalance their portfolios by adding quality stocks and exiting overvalued ones, according to a report by Kotak Institutional Equities.

The report said that the recent correction in stock prices, triggered by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel, has led to dislocations across segments of the market, creating opportunities for investors.

"We see the recent correction in the market and stock prices due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel-US and resultant dislocations in stock prices as an opportunity to (1) add 'better' stocks, (2) remove 'narrative' stocks and (3) reduce positions in expensive cement and consumer stocks. A churn in portfolios may be the best option, given the circumstances," the report stated.

According to the report, the duration and extent of the ongoing conflict remain highly uncertain, given the different objectives and 'pain' thresholds of the stakeholders involved, along with the unpredictable nature of geopolitical conflicts.

For now, the report assumes a base case scenario of a few weeks of high-intensity conflict, followed by several months of heightened tensions. It also expects normalization of trade in oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz over the next few weeks.

The report noted that the sharp and uneven correction across market capitalizations, sectors and companies does not imply a permanent decline in corporate earnings, and such assumptions are not valid.

It added that the current market environment provides a suitable opportunity for investors to review their portfolios and make necessary adjustments.

The report recommended reducing exposure to sectors such as cement and consumer staples, as well as so-called 'narrative' stocks that are trading at high or unjustified valuations.

At the same time, the report suggested increasing exposure to financials and other sectors that have witnessed sharp declines due to what it described as unjustified concerns.

The report emphasized that the current correction should be viewed as a chance for portfolio optimization rather than a cause for concern, as underlying earnings prospects of companies remain intact despite the volatility driven by geopolitical developments.

- ANI
Photo: https://x.com/RoyalFamily/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he presented King Charles III with an iPad during their audience, which allows real-time monitoring of Ukraine's military operations in repelling Russian aggression.

"Today I began my visit with an audience with His Majesty King Charles. And I gave him such an iPad. Really. Just like that. As a sign of respect and gratitude, and also to strengthen our cooperation with the United Kingdom, with your wonderful country," Zelenskyy said in an address to the UK Parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Ukrainian president told British lawmakers about Ukraine's defense developments and the software installed on such devices, which are used by only a few top Ukrainian officials. According to him, the monarch said he would share the tablet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"His Majesty asked me whether I had another iPad. I replied that I only had my own left and could not give it away. And His Majesty said he would share it with the Prime Minister," Zelenskyy said, glancing toward Starmer, who was also present in the chamber.

Presenting the device's capabilities, Zelenskyy described it as "proof that the development of security systems can be fast and cost less than traditional defense systems," calling it "the world's first example of full digital tracking of war."

"This is an iPad with software that allows us to monitor our security in real time We have such iPads  one with me, one with our prime minister, one with the defense minister, and our top military commanders also have them. It allows us to see the situation on the frontline in Ukraine and even every killed enemy with video confirmation The iPad also shows every strike in our airspace, maritime zone, and our long-range strikes against Russia. This gives us real-time control over the security of people, our infrastructure and the energy sector," Zelenskyy said.

He expressed hope that "the evolution of security will allow every leader, every defense minister and even ordinary people to have such tools, along with a high level of life protection."

"We can see in detail every large-scale Russian attack on our cities  launch sites, flight trajectories, probable targets. The system allows us to analyze each attack and how our defense responds overall in real time. We see what is happening in the sky and what resources are being used for our protection. This is a clear way to maintain control and adapt to a rapidly evolving situation," the president said.

According to Zelenskyy, "this iPad provides full situational control."

"If it is necessary to stop a Shahed in the UAE, we can do it. If it is necessary to stop it in Europe or the United Kingdom, we can do it. It is a matter of technology, investment and cooperation," he added.
The Maharashtra government has sanctioned a new Land Acquisition and Allotment Policy to accelerate the Mumbai 3.0 development around the Atal Setu and Navi Mumbai Airport. The policy designates MMRDA as the New Town Development Authority for a vast 323 sq. km area, introducing several compensation models for landowners, including a return of developed land. It aims to attract major investments by offering priority to FDI and adopting industrial strategies inspired by MIDC. A high-level committee has been formed to resolve any disputes during the policy's implementation.

Maharashtra govt's new land policy offers compensation models & incentives to boost Mumbai 3.0 development near Atal Setu & Navi Mumbai Airport.

Mumbai, March 17 In a serious bid to push the development of Mumbai 3.0 around the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu and the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Maharashtra government has released a government resolution sanctioning a comprehensive Land Acquisition and Allotment Policy with a slew of sops.

The policy aims to streamline the development of the 'New Town Development Authority' (NTDA) area and all future projects undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The state cabinet gave its approval on February 10, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during his budget speech made on March 6, announced the government's move to develop Mumbai 3 to attract non-polluting industries like data centres, IT and ITeS, logistics, among others. The state cabinet emphasised that this policy shall not impose any direct or indirect financial liability on the state government.

The Urban Development Department, late Monday evening, issued a GR designating Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the NTDA for a vast area covering approximately 323.44 sq. km. This jurisdiction encompasses 124 villages across the Uran, Panvel, and Pen talukas of Raigad district. Notably, forest lands, Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ), and a 250-meter buffer zone around the Pen Municipal Council limits are excluded from this authority's remit.

The new policy has introduced several compensation and rehabilitation models designed to balance infrastructure needs with the rights of local farmers and landowners.

"Private landowners who surrender their land through negotiations will be eligible for 22.5 per cent of the developed land back, following the established CIDCO model. For landowners entitled to less than 40 sq.m. of developed land, the government will provide direct cash compensation instead of physical plots.

Land can also be acquired in exchange for Floor Space Index (FSI) or Transferable Development Rights (TDR). For landowners who do not provide consent, the government will proceed with compulsory acquisition under the "Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013," said the new policy.

To foster economic growth, the policy adopts Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)-inspired strategies to attract global and local industries.

"Investors bringing in FDI will receive priority in land allotment. Eligible investors must acquire a minimum of 100 acres and commit to an investment of at least Rs 250 crore per 100 acres within four years. To encourage industrialisation in undeveloped areas, a 'Pass-Through' policy has been approved. Under this, land will be allotted on an 'as-is-where-is' basis, with all acquisition and infrastructure costs recovered from the allottee in instalments. The MMRDA is authorised to partner with land aggregators through Expressions of Interest (EOI) to form SPVs for developing specialised 'Growth Centres'," read the policy.

The government has directed MMRDA to develop a robust revenue model to ensure maximum returns from the infrastructure created. Furthermore, a high-level committee led by the Additional Chief Secretary (UDD-1) has been established to resolve any disputes arising between the authority and landowners during the implementation of this policy.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)

- IANS
The Maharashtra Legislative Council passed the Freedom of Religion Bill, which aims to prohibit religious conversions through force, coercion, or fraud. The bill was opposed by the Congress and NCP(SP), while Shiv Sena (UBT) supported it, though its legislators sought details on the cases prompting the legislation. The law mandates a 60-day advance notice to authorities for any conversion, allows objections from the public, and places the burden of proof on those facilitating the conversion. Critics argue it could be misused to target specific communities and undermine constitutional freedoms, while supporters claim it is necessary to prevent demographic change and protect Hindus.

Maharashtra passes anti-conversion law requiring 60-day notice. Bill faces opposition over misuse fears, while supporters claim it protects against forced conversions.

Mumbai, March 17 The Legislative Council on Tuesday passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, amid concerns expressed by both opposition and ruling legislators over possible misuse of its provisions by authorities and selfproclaimed protectors of religion.

The government said the Bill seeks to prohibit unlawful religious conversions carried out through force, coercion, allurement, misrepresentation, or other fraudulent means.

The Bill was opposed by the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), while the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena (UBT) supported it. The Council cleared the Bill a day after it was passed by the Legislative Assembly following a heated debate.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar said the Bill does not intend to take away a person's right to convert or curtail a woman's freedom, but only to curb forceful conversions.

He said it was not targeting any particular religion and would apply to all.

Opposing the Bill, Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap questioned its necessity. He said it appeared to be aimed at punishing or targeting a particular community and argued that forceful conversions were already dealt with under existing laws.

He said the provisions gave an impression that the constitutional structure was being undermined.

BJP MLC Parinay Phuke claimed the Bill was meant to protect Hindus and prevent demographic change. He said Europe was facing population pressures from countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, and argued that such laws were necessary to protect the Hindu population.

He added that the Bill was brought by the "Hinduwadi" Maharashtra government.

Though Shiv Sena (UBT) supported the Bill, its legislators Anil Parab and Sachin Ahir sought details of the instances that prompted its introduction and the actions taken earlier.

Minister Bhoyar said a committee under the DGP had examined the issue extensively before the Bill was drafted. He did not specify the number of cases that led to its introduction.

He said that although provisions existed to deal with crimes involving force or coercion, there was no independent law to address conversions specifically.

Independent MLC Satyajeet Tambe supported the Bill but cautioned that its implementation should not negatively affect youth or their right to love.

He said the requirement of a 60day notice before a conversion ceremony could create lawandorder issues, and allowing anyone to object would complicate matters.

He suggested that children born in disputed marriages should be allowed to choose their religion at 18 instead of automatically being assigned the mother's religion.

According to the Bill, anyone intending to convert, as well as individuals or institutions organising a conversion ceremony, must give a 60day advance notice to the district magistrate or an authorised officer.

The authority will publicly display details of the proposed conversion and invite objections within 30 days.

The Bill mandates that the converted person and the organiser submit a declaration within 21 days after the ceremony. It allows parents, siblings, or close relatives to lodge an FIR if they suspect unlawful conversion, and requires police to register such complaints.

The burden of proof lies on the person who caused, assisted, or abetted the conversion.

The Bill proposes stringent administrative requirements and criminal penalties. Section 14 empowers the state to ban and fine organisations found guilty of facilitating or funding illegal conversions.

Section 9 provides for imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. The government has maintained that the law is necessary to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory conversion tactics.

- IANS
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will be briefed by MEA officials on the safety and repatriation of the Indian diaspora during the West Asia conflict. The meeting, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, occurs amid severe regional escalation following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. Recent Israeli airstrikes have also eliminated key Iranian security figures, further intensifying tensions. The conflict has disrupted international supply chains, notably with Iran's virtual closure of the critical Strait of Hormuz.

MEA officials to update parliamentary panel on safety and repatriation of Indians in West Asia amid escalating Iran-Israel tensions and leadership strikes.

New Delhi, March 17 A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs will be held tomorrow in which the representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs will brief the members on safety, security and repatriation of diaspora during the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The Committee will also be briefed by the representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on the outcomes of the recent Al Summit.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

The meeting is taking place amid the escalating conflict in West Asia. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28. Iran has been targeting US assets in several Gulf countries and tensions have disrupted international supply chains. Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been appointed the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Tuesday that Ali Larijani, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an overnight airstrike in Tehran.

"Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated tonight and joined the head of the destruction plan, Khamenei, and all the thwarted members of the evil axis in the depths of hell. The Prime Minister and I have instructed the [Israel Defence Forces] to continue hunting down the leadership of the regime of terror and oppression in Iran," Katz said, as quoted by TPS.

He also confirmed that Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, was killed in the same series of strikes.

- ANI
The conflict in the Middle East is severely disrupting China's exports, causing goods to accumulate in warehouses in the key export hub of Yiwu. Shipping costs have skyrocketed fivefold, making transport prohibitively expensive for many importers. Attacks on commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf have further deterred importers from lifting Chinese goods due to safety concerns. The crisis is also impacting China's energy imports, as it is a major buyer of Iranian oil and Qatari LNG, supplies of which are now disrupted.

China's exports from Yiwu pile up as Middle East conflict causes shipping costs to soar 5x and disrupts global supply chains.

New Delhi, March 17 The conflict in the Middle East has hit China's exports due to the disruption in shipping, which has caused goods to pile up in the local warehouses, according to media reports.

The report in CBC news came from the Chinese city of Yiwu, which is known as the world's supermarket, as it is a key supplier of household goods and electronic products to US commerce giants such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as to the Middle East.

The report by Chris Brown states that due to the sharp rise in shipping costs as well as the danger to commercial ships due to the Iran war, importers are not lifting Chinese goods, as a result of which the inventory is piling up. Shipping costs are reported to have gone up fivefold from $1,200 per container to $6,000, the report cited a local businessman as saying.

Apart from the high shipping costs, some importers do not want to take the risk of transporting goods, as it is not considered safe due to the attacks taking place on commercial shipping amid the Middle East war. Another oil tanker was hit in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, which appears to show that their fears are well-founded.

The report points out that the city in Eastern China provides an insight into how the Iran war and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global supply chains.

The report cites some local businessmen as saying that the Middle East consumes about 30 per cent of the goods exported from the Chinese city.

Apart from the exports being adversely impacted due to the war, China has also been hit on the energy front, as it is one of the biggest buyers of Iranian oil, the report points out.

Similarly, a lot of liquified natural gas (LNG) imported by China comes from Qatar. The Middle East country has shut down some operations due to air attacks on its gas facilities, and this has disrupted supplies.

- IANS
Tripura Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath stated that the Governor's address to the Assembly is a comprehensive blueprint for the state's progress and reflects a commitment to democratic governance. He highlighted the speech's inclusive nature, delivered in Bengali and Kokborok, and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving India's rapid national development. Nath also launched a sharp critique against the CPI(M), claiming it has lost public support. The minister concluded by urging collective efforts to achieve the vision of a "Viksit Tripura."

Tripura Minister Ratan Lal Nath supports Governor's address as a development roadmap, credits PM Modi for national growth, and calls for collective effort.

Agartala, March 17 Tripura Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday said that the Governor's address in the Assembly reflects a strong commitment to democratic governance, development, and people-centric policies, while calling for collective efforts to build a "Viksit Tripura." 

Speaking during the discussion on the Governor's address in the ongoing session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, Nath described the speech delivered by Governor Indrasena Reddy as a constitutional reflection of governance and a comprehensive blueprint for the state's progress. 

"The Governor's speech is not just a formal address but a roadmap of development, progress, and welfare-oriented initiatives. It clearly highlights the work being carried out under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha," Nath said. 

He also appreciated the Governor for delivering the speech in Bengali and the tribal Kokborok language, calling it a significant and inclusive gesture. 

According to Nath, the address covered all sections of society, including SCs, STs, journalists, artists, and marginalised communities, reflecting the spirit of inclusive development. 

Highlighting the broader national context, the Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving rapid development across the country. 

He said India has emerged as the fourth-largest economy and is on track to become the third-largest, citing global recognition of the country's growth trajectory. 

Nath, the second seniormost minister after the Chief Minister, pointed to major national initiatives such as infrastructure expansion, agricultural development, and renewable energy programmes, such as the National Solar Mission, as key contributors to this progress. 

Emphasising the state government's commitment, he said efforts are being made to reach the last mile and ensure welfare for every section of society. 

The Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Communist Party of India (Marxist), claiming that the party has lost public support. 

He remarked that CPI (M) is "like a Rs 10 coin rejected by the people," questioning its ideological stance. 

Calling for unity, Nath urged citizens to work together toward transforming Tripura into a developed state, reiterating the government's vision of a "Viksit Tripura."

- IANS
The Madhya Pradesh government has signed an MoU with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the mission's outlay has been increased to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, with the Centre contributing Rs 3.59 lakh crore. The primary objective is to extend piped water supply and conservation initiatives to every village, with a strong focus on quality and transparency. The state has set a target to complete all sanctioned rural tap-water schemes by December 2028.

Madhya Pradesh signs MoU with Jal Shakti Ministry, targets completing all rural tap-water schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission by December 2028.

Bhopal, March 17 The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Jal Shakti under the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 in New Delhi.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil and Sampatiya Uikey, Minister, PHED, Madhya Pradesh, along with senior state officials. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav joined the ceremony virtually from Bhopal.

Responding to this development, the Chief Minister said special emphasis would be placed on strengthening rural drinking water supply and developing a serviceoriented, sustainable and transparent system.

He shared that the outlay for the Mission has been increased to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, of which the Central government will provide Rs 3.59 lakh crore.

Yadav said the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti would undertake the entire infrastructure development, from laying pipelines to constructing necessary facilities, to ensure drinking water reaches every rural resident.

He noted that the primary objective of the scheme is to extend water supply and water conservation initiatives to even the smallest villages through the active participation of Gram Panchayats.

Yadav expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre on behalf of the people of Madhya Pradesh for approving Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.

He said the initiative marks a significant step toward providing safe and pure drinking water in rural areas.

He further said all rural tapwater schemes sanctioned under the Mission in Madhya Pradesh are being implemented with a strong focus on quality, and a target has been set to complete them within the stipulated time frame.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that, under the guidance of Union Minister C.R. Patil, the state government would complete all works under the Jal Jeevan Mission by December 2028.

He said the MoU is a pivotal step toward ensuring regular tapwater supply to every rural household, enhancing service quality, achieving timebound targets, strengthening digital monitoring and institutionalising transparency and accountability.

- IANS
Actress Nabha Natesh details her pivotal role as Sundaravalli, the emotional backbone to Nikhil Siddhartha's warrior in the period film 'Swayambhu'.

Chennai, March 17 Actress Nabha Natesh, who plays one of the two female leads in director Bharat Krishnamachari's eagerly awaited pan Indian period film 'Swayambhu', featuring actor Nikhil Siddhartha in the lead, has now disclosed tothat she plays a character that is like the backbone of the protagonist's character in the film.

In an exclusive interview to IANS, Nabha Natesh said, "I play a character called Sundaravalli in the film. The story and the whole set up is so beautiful. And what intrigued me about my character, who is a classical dancer and who has grown in this village along with the protagonist, is that she is somebody who has this in-depth emotional understanding of the protagonist's life. She is aware of his ups and downs, what his strengths and weaknesses are. She is like his shadow. She is like a great emotional support to the protagonist."



Nabha Natesh went on to add, "For a man or a woman to succeed in life, there will be people who will be behind them, supporting them through and through. When an individual is successful, we may not see them. But when they are low, these people play a key role. When a person is low, people who have supported them from the beginning know what emotion to touch on and how to motivate them to get them going. I play such a role and that defines my character in the film."



"In other words, Sundaravalli is somebody, who at the most important point of the protagonist's life -- when he is at his lowest, comes and gives him the faith to kickstart. From there, the story takes an important turn. And he goes and achieves what he sought to achieve," she explained.



Swayambhu', which is among the most eagerly awaited films of the year, is being produced by Bhuvan and Sreekar under the banner of Pixel Studios and presented by Tagore Madhu.The film has triggered huge interest not just in fans but also film buffs for a number of reasons.



It is an already established fact that young hero Nikhil Siddhartha went to Vietnam to train in martial arts for the film. In fact, the young actor became so proficient in the use of swords that he could fight with a sword in either hand.



Sources had disclosed to IANS that it was not just Nikhil Siddhartha who received training in sword fighting and that even the supporting cast received training in sword fighting from experts.



A source had told IANS that a team of Vietnamese sword fighting experts were flown in to train the stunt artistes here who shot for the film. Several hundred artistes were part of the enormous climax sequence that was shot over a period of 60 days at the Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad.



It may be recalled that the makers had, in November last year, confirmed that the monumental production had officially wrapped its shoot. After an intense two-year journey and 170 days of extensive filming, the team proudly announced the completion of the film.



Rooted in India's cultural heritage, 'Swayambhu' will delve into untold chapters of the past - stories that extend far beyond traditional tales of kings and wars. At its heart lies the saga of a formidable warrior whose valour shaped an era. The film is scheduled to hit screens on April 10 this year.





- IANS
A delegation from the National Defence College met with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to study the state's economic development model as part of a course on economic security. The 17-member team, which includes Indian and foreign military and civil service officers, is touring key sites like GIFT City and the Statue of Unity. Chief Minister Patel highlighted Gujarat's emergence as a policy-driven state and a global investment destination under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He detailed initiatives in infrastructure, green growth, tourism, and a saturation approach to welfare schemes aimed at covering all eligible beneficiaries.

A National Defence College delegation met Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel to study the state's policy-driven economic development and growth model.

Gandhinagar, March 17 A delegation of officers from the National Defence College in New Delhi on Tuesday engaged with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar to study the state's economic development model as part of a national-level programme on economic security.

The visit formed part of an ongoing study course under national security and strategic studies, in which 122 officers are participating.

The batch comprises 61 officers from the Indian Armed Forces, 20 from civil services, and 41 foreign military officers from partner countries.

A 17-member team, led by Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu, is currently on a study tour of Gujarat, with visits scheduled to GIFT City, the Statue of Unity, the Indo-Israel Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and Jamnagar.

The team includes officers from the three wings of the armed forces, members of the Indian Revenue Service, Communication Services, and foreign military officers.

During the interaction, the officers expressed interest in understanding Gujarat's approach to economic growth, particularly in areas such as women's empowerment, balanced regional development and infrastructure expansion.

Officials said the discussion focused on the state's policy-driven development and its integration with broader national economic priorities.

Addressing the delegation, Patel said Gujarat had emerged as a "policy-driven state" and a "role model of development" under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Through the Vibrant Summit, Gujarat has become a preferred destination for global industrial investors," he said, adding that efforts had also been made to promote green growth and balanced regional economic development through regional conferences.

He said tourism initiatives such as the Statue of Unity had boosted local economies, while infrastructure measures, including round-the-clock electricity supply, road connectivity, and an extensive canal network carrying Narmada waters to Kutch, had supported overall development.

Patel further said development schemes had been designed with a focus on the common citizen.

"By adopting a saturation approach, the goal is to ensure that the benefits reach every eligible beneficiary," he said, referring to efforts aimed at achieving full coverage of welfare schemes.

Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Sanjeev Kumar, and Additional Chief Secretary Dr Vikrant Pandey, were present at the meeting.

- IANS
The trailer for the documentary "BTS: The Return" showcases the global pop group reuniting in Los Angeles to create new music after completing their mandatory military service. The film will follow the seven members as they reflect on their journey from debut to international stardom and navigate their return to the studio. Directed by Bao Nguyen, the documentary is produced by HYBE along with other production companies. It is scheduled to begin streaming worldwide on Netflix on March 27, 2026.

Watch the trailer for 'BTS: The Return,' documenting the group's reunion and new music after military service. Streams on Netflix March 27, 2026.

New Delhi, March 17 The trailer for the upcoming documentary 'BTS: The Return' is out now, giving fans a look at the global music group as they come back together after completing their military service.

The one-minute, fifty-five-second trailer follows the seven members of BTS as they reunite in Los Angeles to work on new music after spending time apart. The group, which debuted in 2013, has become one of the biggest pop acts in the world and has built a massive global fan base over the years.

According to a press release, the documentary will follow the group as they meet again in the studio and begin creating new music. It also shows how the members reflect on their journey, from their early days in Korea to becoming global music stars.

Watch trailer

The documentary is also expected to feature moments from their reunion, including discussions about their time away from music, the changes they experienced, and their plans for the future. It also highlights the bond between the members as they return to working together after several years.

The film is directed by filmmaker Bao Nguyen, who previously worked on projects such as The Stringer and The Greatest Night in Pop. It is produced by HYBE, along with production companies This Machine and EAST Films.

Executive producers on the film include Mark Blatty, Melissa Robledo, Seonjeong Shin, Nicole Kim, Kyewon Suh, and James Shin. Producers include Jane Cha Cutler, Bao Nguyen, R.J. Cutler, Elise Pearlstein, Trevor Smith, Choongeon Lee, Namjo Kim, and Se Jun Lee.

The documentary will stream worldwide on Netflix starting March 27, 2026.

- ANI
Kolkata's new Police Commissioner, Ajay Kumar Nand, has stated there is no conflict between West Bengal Police and central forces deployed for the upcoming Assembly elections. He clarified that central forces provide indirect support and coordination occurs through established procedures and nodal officers. Commissioner Nand affirmed the police's commitment to conducting free and fair elections and their capability to handle law and order situations independently. He also addressed a recent political clash, stating no central forces were nearby at the time and that an investigation is underway.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand asserts smooth coordination with central forces for Bengal polls, dismissing allegations of conflict.

Kolkata, March 17 Kolkata's new Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand said on Tuesday that there is no conflict between the West Bengal Police and the Central forces personnel after the announcement of Assembly polls in the state late last week.

The central forces personnel will provide indirect assistance during the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, he added.

This assertion was made by Kolkata Police Commissioner Nand just a day after assuming office.

"Central forces are deployed in phases during elections. They provide indirect support. We, too, are required to obtain clearance. There should be clear guidelines regarding the deployment of Central Armed Police Force; if so, no conflict should arise," he said.

The Kolkata Police Commissioner also dismissed allegations of a lack of coordination with the central forces during the upcoming state elections, adding: "A look at the established procedures reveals that communication does take place. There are designated nodal officers, and specific timelines are in place."

He also affirmed that the upcoming state elections in West Bengal would be conducted in a free and impartial manner.

He noted that it is currently the singular focus -- the primary objective' for both him and the Kolkata Police.

According to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the Kolkata police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of the people of the city during the state elections.

Since the announcement of the poll schedule, various complaints -- including instances of political posters being torn down -- have surfaced.

Kolkata Police commissioner Nand said that these matters would be thoroughly investigated.

"I will ensure that I do not fail in my role as a leader," he added.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Nand said that the Kolkata Police are fully capable of handling situations of the kind that unfolded in front of West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja's residence in Girish Park on March 15 when a clash between workers of Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party had taken place ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Kolkata.

Following the incident, allegations had surfaced that central forces were not summoned in a timely manner.

The Kolkata Police Commissioner dismissed these allegations, saying that no central forces personnel were in the vicinity at the time.

He also noted that there is currently a limited presence of central forces within the state.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

The Kolkata Police Commissioner said, "The Kolkata Police are adequately competent to handle situations of this nature. At that specific moment, no central forces were nearby. The entire incident unfolded within a very short timeframe. However, this does not imply that we are incapable of managing such situations."

"At present, there is not a significant presence of central forces within the state. We handle matters of law and order ourselves; we also oversee public meetings and processions."

- IANS
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RuslanKravchenkoKyiv/

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko paid a working visit to Spain, where he held a number of key meetings.

"In particular, I met with the Prosecutor General of the Kingdom of Spain, Teresa Peramato. The key topics were extradition and international legal assistance. Since 2022, Spain has satisfied 13 Ukrainian requests for the extradition of suspects in serious crimes, nine of whom have already been transferred to Ukraine," Kravchenko said on Telegram.

The sides also discussed the investigation into the murder of Ukrainian politician and lawyer Andriy Portnov, which took place in Spain.

"For us, it is important to establish all the circumstances  from the perpetrators and organizers to the broader context of this crime. We managed to convince our colleagues of the need to establish a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and to confirm Ukraines strategic role as a partner in this investigation. We have already submitted all necessary documents to the Spanish judicial authorities to launch the JIT. This format will strengthen and accelerate the investigation," Kravchenko said.

He also held meetings with Spanish Justice Minister Felix Bolanos Garcia and President of the National Court Juan Manuel Fernandez Martinez.

"I emphasized that we highly value the constructive cooperation between Ukraine and Spain in criminal justice. Thanks to such cooperation, it is possible to ensure the inevitability of punishment for individuals who attempt to evade responsibility by hiding abroad. I handed over to colleagues a list of cases that are currently relevant for us. We discussed issues of universal jurisdiction, respect for human rights in extradition procedures, and guarantees of safety for extradited persons. Cooperation in combating organized crime, financial fraud, cybercrime, and documenting Russia's war crimes also remains a priority," the prosecutor general said.

As reported, Portnov was shot dead on May 21, 2025, near the American School in the elite Madrid suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcon, which his children attended and where he lived. He was shot in the back as he was about to get into his Mercedes parked on the sidewalk. Spanish National Police launched a search for three suspects. The investigating judge ordered the case to remain confidential.
The Karnataka State Commission for Women has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), urging strict action against the "derogatory and obscene" lyrics in the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' from the upcoming film 'KD: The Devil'. The Commission argues the lyrics violate certification guidelines and negatively impact women's safety and dignity. The complaint follows public outcry and a separate letter sent to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. Actor and MP Kangana Ranaut also condemned the song, calling it a "new low" for Bollywood, while a legal complaint has been filed by an advocate.

Karnataka State Women Commission urges CBFC for strict action against "derogatory" lyrics in Nora Fatehi's 'KD' song, citing public complaints.

Bengaluru, March 17 The Karnataka State Women Commission urges the Central Board of Film Certification to take "strict action" against allowing the obscene lyrics that feature the "derogatory portrayal of women" in films.

In a letter to the Regional Director of CBFC, the State Commission of Women in Karanataka has raised serious concerns over the use of derogatory and obscene lyrics in the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' in the film 'KD: The Devil'.

"Based on complaints received from the public by the Women's Commission, it has come to the notice of the Commission that lyrics that are derogatory to the dignity of women are being used in the songs of some films that are under production and are currently being promoted (e.g. "KD-The Devil")," the letter read.

Acting on public complaints, the Commission has highlighted that such content violates film certification guidelines, leading to a negative impact on the "safety and social well-being of women'.

It continued, "According to the film certification guidelines, any scene or lyrics that denigrate or obscenely portray women are subject to censorship. The public dissemination of such provocative lines is having a negative impact on the safety and social well-being of women. It is also a violation of the constitutional right to the dignity of women."

The Karnataka State Commission also called for strict scrutiny and necessary action before granting certification.

"Therefore, it is hereby requested that such objectionable lyrics and scenes be thoroughly checked and the film crew be directed to delete/excise or modify them before issuing a certificate to the said films. It is hereby advised to take strict action against allowing illegal and obscene lyrics," concluded the letter.

The State Commission of Women also wrote a letter to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) regarding the control of the "use of obscene literature and dialogues that degrade the dignity of women in films."

"In recent times, there have been strong objections in the public sphere regarding the lyrics of some Kannada films, especially the song 'Sarsay Sarsay...' from the film 'KD: The Devil'. Such lyrics are not only vulgar but also create misconceptions about women in society," read the letter.

It also urged the Film Chamber of Commerce to take immediate action by directing film crews to avoid offensive content and to ban songs that disregard social responsibility and the dignity of women.

"Cinema is a medium that has a strong influence on society. Such provocative literature is likely to inspire harassment or eve-teasing of working women and school and college students in rural and urban areas," read the letter.

The letter continued, "Therefore, the Film Chamber of Commerce should take immediate action in this regard. Strict instructions should be given to film crews to use lyrics that do not offend the dignity of women. Action should be taken to impose a ban on such songs that forget social responsibility."

Earlier today, the actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut slammed the recently released song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke', calling it a "new low" and also accusing Bollywood of crossing the limits of "vulgarity."

The song, featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, is part of the upcoming film 'KD: The Devil.' The track was recently released online and quickly drew attention on social media.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament, Ranaut spoke about what she called the rising "vulgarity" and "attention-seeking" in the industry. She also called for stricter control over how such songs are presented.

"Bollywood has crossed all limits with vulgarity, tactics, and attention-seeking. The entire country is condemning and reprimanding them. But I don't think they have any shame...," Ranaut said.

"There needs to be even more strictness about the display of such vulgarity and obscenity...I think some strict rein will have to be put on Bollywood...," she added.

Meanwhile, the song has also reached a legal forum. Advocate Vineet Jindal filed a complaint requesting urgent legal action against "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke," featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt.

The complaint has also been forwarded to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The complainant alleges that the song, which has been released on YouTube and is widely circulating on social media platforms, contains "highly vulgar, sexually suggestive, and obscene expressions."

It is further contended that the picturization and dance sequences are provocative in nature and contribute to promoting vulgarity, thereby disturbing public decency.

- ANI
Ukraine's President dismisses Tehran's warnings, details sending specialist teams to Gulf states for air defense help and seeks tech & funding in return.

Kyiv, March 17 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed recent warnings from Tehran, stating that the nation remains undeterred by the "Iranian regime's threats to Ukraine over our support for the Gulf countries".

In a statement shared via social media, Zelenskyy dismissed the rhetoric as a recurring theme in regional diplomacy. "This is nothing new. I have heard many different messages over the last four years," the President remarked, according to an interview with i24NEWS and the Jerusalem Post.



He highlighted that the focus of Ukraine's involvement remains purely protective, noting that "the United States and leaders of Middle Eastern countries asked for help with drone interceptors." He further explained that these nations "sought our expertise in air defence" to counter aerial threats.



Zelenskyy emphasised the non-aggressive nature of the collaboration, asserting that "air defence is not about offensive capabilities." He reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional security, stating, "That's why I said that we were ready to help with this expertise and defensive systems."



Reflecting on the history of such warnings, the President reiterated that Kyiv would not be intimidated. "We are not afraid of any messages of the kind. We have heard such messages every day for the last four years, for 12 years, to be precise. It's not new for us," he stated.



Beyond the diplomatic friction, Ukraine is seeking financial compensation and technological partnerships as reciprocity for deploying specialists to the Middle East. These teams were sent to assist in neutralising Iranian drones during the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.



According to a report by Al Jazeera, President Zelenskyy informed reporters on Sunday that three specialist teams were dispatched to the region to conduct expert assessments and provide demonstrations on the functionality of drone defences. This move comes as Middle Eastern nations face continued targeting by Iran due to their hosting of US military installations.



Clarifying the nature of the mission, Zelenskyy emphasised that the deployment does not signal direct military participation. "This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran," he stated.



Last week, the Ukrainian leader announced that military personnel had been sent to various locations, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a US military base in Jordan. Al Jazeera noted that Zelenskyy is looking toward the negotiation of long-term drone agreements with Gulf nations, although the specific terms of what Kyiv will receive in exchange for its expertise are yet to be finalised.



Highlighting Ukraine's primary requirements, the President remarked, "For us today, both the technology and the funding are important."



Throughout the four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow has frequently deployed Iranian Shahed-136 "suicide" drones. As highlighted by Al Jazeera, this has provided Kyiv with extensive experience in intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles using cost-effective interceptors, electronic jamming equipment, and anti-aircraft systems.



Despite this expertise, US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington does not require Ukrainian assistance to counter Iranian drone strikes against American interests. Zelenskyy expressed uncertainty regarding why a drone agreement with Washington, a deal Kyiv has advocated for over several months, has not yet been secured. "I wanted to sign a deal worth about $35bn-50bn," he revealed.



As reported by Al Jazeera, the Ukrainian President also voiced concerns that the escalating Middle Eastern crisis could affect the supply of air defence missiles to Kyiv. "We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East," he told the press.



Amid rising international interest in Ukrainian drone technology, Zelenskyy insisted that procurement regulations must be made more stringent to ensure foreign entities cannot circumvent the government. "Unfortunately, representatives of certain governments or companies want to bypass the Ukrainian state to purchase specific equipment," he observed.



According to Al Jazeera, Zelenskyy noted that even in "free countries," initial contracts often fail to emerge from the private sector first. He explained that such agreements typically reach him through "the political channel" before private sector negotiations can commence.





- ANI
The PM Vidya Lakshmi portal has sanctioned over 3.31 lakh education loans in its first year of operation, with Rs 7,229.4 crore disbursed specifically for the first year of courses. The portal serves as a single-window platform, streamlining the application process to improve access and transparency for students. Under the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme, students from families earning up to Rs 8 lakh annually can access collateral-free loans and a 3% interest subvention. The government is conducting multilingual outreach and monitoring the platform's performance to ensure efficient loan processing.

In its first year, the PM Vidya Lakshmi portal sanctioned over 3.31 lakh education loans, disbursing Rs 7,229 crore for students' first-year courses.

By Vishu Adhana, New Delhi, March 17 In a year since its launch, the PM Vidya Lakshmi portal has sanctioned over 3.31 lakh education loans, with Rs 7,229.4 crore disbursed for the first year of courses, according to data from the Ministry of Education.

Out of 6,51,974 applications received in its first year till February 24, 3,31,089 have been sanctioned, taking the overall approval rate to around 50.8 per cent. The government has sanctioned Rs 35,939.69 for the entire course duration.

The portal, launched on February 25, 2025, was designed as a single-window platform with a simplified two-page application format to streamline access to education loans and improve transparency in the process.

The PM-Vidyalaxmi (PMVL) scheme, under which the portal operates, was launched on November 6, 2024, by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services (DFS), following its announcement in the Union Budget 2024.

The scheme provides collateral-free and guarantor-free loans to students securing merit-based admission in identified Quality Higher Education Institutions (QHEIs), including top-ranked institutions under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Under the scheme, students from families with annual income up to Rs 8 lakh are also eligible for a 3 per cent interest subvention on loans up to Rs 10 lakh, with the benefit targeted at one lakh students not covered under other schemes.

Scheme-specific data shows that under PM-Vidyalaxmi alone, 1,00,869 applications have been received, out of which 60,603 loans have been sanctioned, translating to an approval rate of around 60 per cent.

The total sanctioned amount under the scheme stands at Rs 7,754.7 crore, while Rs 1,418.36 crore has been disbursed for the first year across 53,431 loans.

Apart from PMVL, the portal is also processing education loans under other schemes. For these, 5,51,105 applications have been received, with 2,70,486 sanctions worth 28,184.99 crore, and Rs 5,811.04 crore disbursed across 2,04,104 loans.

The platform has integrated a wide network of lenders, including 12 public sector banks, 20 private banks, 24 regional rural banks and 16 cooperative banks, helping expand access to education credit. Efforts to improve efficiency have reduced the average turnaround time for loan sanction to less than eight days.

The government is also running multilingual outreach through educational institutions to increase awareness.

Officials said the Department of Higher Education and Department of Financial Services are regularly monitoring the progress of applications, sanctions and disbursements in coordination with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and participating banks, with periodic review meetings to address delays and improve delivery.

- ANI
Pakistan carried out heavy airstrikes targeting Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and a Taliban military facility in Nangarhar province. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed a drug rehabilitation hospital was hit, resulting in several civilian deaths. The strikes are reported as retaliation for Taliban drone attacks on areas inside Pakistan, which President Asif Ali Zardari condemned as crossing a "red line". Cross-border clashes have intensified recently, with China's attempted mediation being rejected by Pakistan.

Pakistan conducts heavy airstrikes on Kabul and Nangarhar, hitting a hospital and military site. Taliban reports civilian deaths amid border clashes.

Kabul, March 17 Pakistan carried out heavy bombardment targeting Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, with Taliban officials and residents reporting multiple explosions across the city, Khaama Press reported.

As per Khaama Press, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the strikes, stating that a drug rehabilitation hospital was hit and that several civilians were killed.

Videos shared by residents showed large explosions and fires in different parts of Kabul, while witnesses said the intensity of the blasts shook the city.

Citing sources, Khaama Press further reported that Pakistani aircraft bombed a Taliban military facility in the Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province late Monday evening.

According to Khaama Press, the strikes came after Taliban forces reportedly launched drone attacks targeting areas inside Pakistan, escalating tensions and triggering retaliatory strikes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned what he described as Taliban drone attacks on civilian areas inside Pakistan, saying Afghan Taliban had crossed a "red line", Khaama Press reported.

According to Khaama Press, cross-border clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters have intensified in recent weeks, leading to rising civilian casualties on both sides of the frontier.

Khaama Press also reported that China attempted to mediate between authorities in Islamabad and Kabul, though Pakistan reportedly rejected Beijing's mediation efforts.

According to Khaama Press, the latest bombardment highlights rapidly deteriorating relations between Pakistan and the Taliban administration as both sides continue to trade accusations over security issues.

- ANI
Former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha has labeled Pakistan's airstrike on a Kabul hospital a "war crime" and a major escalation in tensions. The attack on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital reportedly killed hundreds of civilians, drawing strong condemnation from India's Ministry of External Affairs. Sinha stated the action reflects Pakistan's frustration with the Taliban government and its arrogance, warning it could further destabilize the region. Afghan authorities report over 400 deaths, making it one of the deadliest strikes on civilians in recent years.

Former Indian envoy Amar Sinha condemns Pakistan's airstrike on a Kabul hospital as a war crime and major escalation, as India issues strong condemnation.

By Ayushi Agarwal, New Delhi, March 17 Former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Amar Sinha on Tuesday termed Pakistan's recent airstrikes in Afghanistan a "major escalation," calling the reported bombing of a hospital in Kabul a "war crime".

Speaking to ANI, Sinha said the strike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, which reportedly led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians undergoing treatment, cannot be justified under any military pretext.

"This is a major escalation by Pakistan. Hitting a hospital and causing the death of hundreds of civilians under treatment is a war crime," Sinha said.

He noted that tensions along the Durand Line, the international border separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, have historically seen frequent skirmishes and exchanges of fire, but the use of air power by Pakistan marks a significant shift in the conflict dynamics.

"Skirmishes across the Durand Line happen all the time, but the use of the air force since October last year represents a major escalation," the diplomat said.

According to Sinha, Pakistan's actions reflect both "frustration and arrogance" in its current relationship with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

"It represents Pakistan's frustration at its loss of relevance with the Taliban government and also its arrogance. Perhaps it is using the current geopolitical situation to settle scores with impunity as Afghanistan lacks air power," he said.

The former envoy warned that the escalation could further destabilise the region, particularly at a time when tensions in West Asia are already high.

"There is no doubt this is destabilising for the region and only adds to the complexity created by attacks on Iran," Sinha added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned Pakistan's airstrike, describing it as a "cowardly and unconscionable act of violence." In a statement issued today the MEA said India "unequivocally condemns Pakistan's barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul on the night of March 16."

The ministry said the attack had claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility that "can by no means be justified as a military target," adding that Pakistan was attempting to "dress up a massacre as a military operation."

India called on the international community to hold those responsible accountable and reiterated its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while extending condolences to the victims and their families.

More than 400 people have died while hundreds more have suffered injuries after a Pakistani military airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, Afghan officials said, according to a report by Tolo News.

The attack has become one of the deadliest single strikes on civilians in Afghanistan in recent years. TOLO news reported, citing Afghan authorities, that the strike took place late at night and caused massive destruction at the rehabilitation facility.

Many of the victims were patients and staff who were present at the centre at the time of the attack.

According to the deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, the number of casualties has continued to rise since the incident.

"Following last night's bombardment by Pakistan's military regime on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, the number of martyrs has so far risen to 400, while the number of injured has reached 250," TOLO News, citing Fitrat, reported.

The incident is likely to strain already fragile ties between Kabul and Islamabad. Regional and international observers have warned of the wider implications of such attacks on efforts to maintain stability in Afghanistan, which has seen years of conflict following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

- ANI
Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, has accused Pakistan's military of deliberately launching airstrikes on a civilian drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, killing over 400 people. He compared the attack to "atrocities" committed by Israel in Gaza and stated it showed Pakistan's disregard for Islamic and humanitarian principles of warfare. Muttaqi claimed the assault occurred despite mediation efforts by China and other nations, arguing Pakistan's military seeks to expand regional instability. He warned that Afghan forces would continue defensive measures until Pakistan ceases its violations, while also urging Iran to avoid expanding regional conflict.

Afghanistan's acting foreign minister accuses Pakistan's military of airstrikes killing over 400 in a rehab center, comparing it to Israeli actions in Gaza.

Kabul, March 18 Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Tuesday accused Pakistan's military of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul that he said resembled "atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli regime against Gaza", claiming the attack killed more than 408 people undergoing drugrehabilitation treatment and injured over 265.

Addressing ambassadors, heads of missions, and representatives of international organisations in Kabul, Muttaqi said the strikes were launched around 9 p.m. on March 16 by "military aircraft and drones of the Pakistani military regime", and alleged that the attack deliberately targeted one of the most vulnerable groups in Afghan society.

He said the victims were drugaddicted individuals receiving treatment through Afghan government programmes supported by international humanitarian organisations. 

"It is possible that these numbers may rise further," he added.

Muttaqi said the attack showed that Pakistan's military establishment has no regard for Islamic or humanitarian principles of warfare and accused it of deliberately striking civilian and humanitarian facilities. 

He said the assault, coming in the final days of Ramadan and on the eve of Eid alFitr, demonstrated that the Pakistani military holds no respect for human or Islamic values.

He told diplomats that atrocities similar to those perpetrated by the Israeli regime against Gaza were now being repeated with full cruelty by a Muslim neighbour, and urged states, organisations, religious scholars, media, and global public opinion to condemn what he called an inhumane and oppressive act.

Muttaqi said the attack came despite mediation efforts by several countries, including the People's Republic of China, and argued that Pakistan's military leadership shows no intention of pursuing any resolution. 

He accused it of seeking to expand instability in the region and undermine emerging regional initiatives and projects.

He said the Islamic Emirate had lost trust in Pakistan's intentions regarding diplomatic solutions, adding that the Pakistani military apparatus shows no respect for diplomacy. 

He cited previous incidents, including airspace violations on February 22, when he said Pakistani forces bombed seven civilian sites, including a madrasa, killing 15 people.

Muttaqi said Afghan security forces had responded with proportionate and reciprocal defensive measures, targeting only military sites from which attacks were launched. 

He reiterated that such defensive actions would continue until Pakistan ceased its "violations and crimes".

He said the Islamic Emirate sought positive relations with all countries, especially in the region, and did not wish to see instability spread. 

He said Afghanistan had clearly conveyed its position to friendly states, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye and China.

Muttaqi also referred to the wider regional situation, expressing hope that unlawful aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran would end, and urged Iran to avoid targeting countries not involved in the conflict to prevent the expansion of war in the region.

He concluded by urging diplomats to convey Afghanistan's position to their capitals, saying the government would take every necessary measure to defend its territory, sovereignty and dignity.

- IANS
A parliamentary committee has strongly reiterated its demand for a 20% increase in the Ministry of External Affairs' budget, noting its current allocation is far below comparable global economies. The panel called for the creation of a formal, publicly available Indian Foreign Policy Document to clearly articulate the nation's strategic objectives and priorities. It also emphasized urgent legislative action on the Overseas Mobility Bill to protect Indian workers abroad and recommended establishing a dedicated department for diaspora affairs. Further recommendations include enhancing mission security, increasing cultural diplomacy funding, and ensuring the financial sustainability of initiatives like Nalanda University.

Parliamentary committee reiterates call for 20% MEA budget hike, recommends creation of formal Indian Foreign Policy Document and legislative reforms.

New Delhi, March 17 The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday presented its Twelfth Report on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs for 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha, making 62 recommendations across eight chapters.

The panel, in its report, strongly reiterated its call for a 20 per cent increase in MEA's budget, noting that the allocation of Rs 22,118.97 crore represents only a 7.81 per cent rise over the previous year and constitutes just 0.41 per cent of the Union Budget, far below levels comparable with major global economies.

"The Committee noted that MEA currently ranks 23rd among all Ministries in terms of budgetary allocation. Pursuant to the Committee's earlier recommendation, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) has prepared a Report titled 'Analysis of Trends of MEA Budgetary Allocation', examining MEA's budget through both inter-Ministerial and cross-country comparisons," the report stated.

The report called on MEA to prepare a formal Indian Foreign Policy Document through its Policy Planning and Research Division, which would be publicly available and outline India's foreign policy objectives, regional and global priorities, key bilateral and multilateral engagements, and guiding principles.

"The Committee noted that no single overarching and formalised foreign policy strategy document currently exists for India, despite 36 countries -- including major powers such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Russia -- having published formal foreign policy or national security strategy documents. The Committee have strongly recommended that the Ministry, through its Policy Planning and Research Division, prepare a formal Indian Foreign Policy Document -- a publicly available, medium-term strategic document that clearly articulates India's foreign policy objectives, regional and global priorities, key bilateral and multilateral engagements, and the guiding principles of India's approach to the world," the report added.

The Committee also underscored the urgent need for the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, to be treated as a legislative priority, urging the government to introduce it in Parliament at the earliest opportunity. The Bill is intended to replace the four-decade-old Emigration Act, 1983, and strengthen protection for Indian workers abroad.

The Committee further highlighted the importance of reviewing diaspora welfare allocations and establishing a dedicated Department of Overseas Indian Affairs within the MEA to better protect and engage the country's 32 million-strong diaspora.

Expressing concern over the protection of development assistance funds, the panel recommended that the Scheme section of the budget, which supports technical and economic cooperation programs, be shielded from cuts and that any unutilized funds be redeployed toward other development initiatives rather than surrendered.

The Committee also urged the expansion of the Protector of Emigrants network, completion of the mPassport Police App rollout in remaining States and Union Territories, and filling of key vacancies in the Central Passport Organisation to ensure efficient delivery of passport and emigrant services.

The Committee highlighted the need for a dedicated budget sub-head for Mission Security and immediate security audits of all Indian Missions abroad, noting heightened global geopolitical risks. It also recommended enhancing India's cultural presence internationally, increasing the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) budget to Rs 500-600 crore, and maintaining strategic cultural centres, including in Washington DC.

Additionally, the financial sustainability of Nalanda University and securing commitments from East Asia Summit member countries were emphasised as key priorities.

The report reflects the Committee's broader focus on strengthening budgetary support, operational capacity, legislative reforms for emigrant welfare, and India's strategic and cultural engagement on the global stage.

- ANI
A Pakistan International Airlines flight from Fujairah, UAE, to Lahore was diverted to Karachi after developing a cabin pressure issue mid-flight, leading to a controlled descent. The aircraft landed safely, and PIA's engineering team is working to resolve the snag so the journey can continue. This incident occurs against a backdrop of severe global aviation disruption due to the Middle East conflict, which has shut down key hubs and stranded passengers. The crisis has also caused a sharp spike in jet fuel prices, forcing many airlines to suspend or scale down operations.

A PIA flight from Fujairah to Lahore diverted safely to Karachi due to a cabin pressure issue. The flight is expected to resume after repairs.

Karachi, March 18 Pakistan International Airlines said that its flight PK178, travelling from Fujerah in the United Arab Emirates to Lahore, was diverted to Karachi due to a "snag", Dawn reported.

The airline stated that the aircraft landed safely in Karachi after developing a cabin pressure-related snag mid-flight, prompting it to descend to 10,000 feet as per safety protocol, as reported by Dawn.

PIA further said that its engineering team is working to fix the issue and that the flight is expected to resume its journey to Lahore shortly, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, triggered after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, has severely disrupted global aviation operations, as per Dawn.

The situation has led to widespread flight cancellations following the shutdown of key aviation hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded, Dawn reported.

At the same time, jet fuel prices have surged sharply to between $150 and $200 per barrel, significantly impacting airline operations and finances, as per Dawn.

Several international carriers have either suspended flights or scaled down operations in response to the escalating crisis, Dawn reported.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to convey advance Eid greetings. The leaders discussed the tense situation in West Asia, with Modi strongly condemning recent attacks on the UAE. They agreed on the importance of ensuring safe navigation through the critical Strait of Hormuz. The call emphasized continued cooperation to restore peace and stability in the region, which has seen missile and drone attacks from Iran.

PM Modi spoke with UAE President, condemned attacks, and discussed regional security and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

New Delhi, March 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conveyed Eid greetings to his 'brother' Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

In the call, PM Modi reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure.

In a post on X, he said, "Spoke with my brother HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and conveyed advance Eid greetings. We discussed the current situation in West Asia. Reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure."

He added, "We agreed on the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. We will continue to work together for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region."

Earlier in the day, a projectile struck struck a tanker anchored 23 nautical miles (42.6km) east of Fujairah in the UAE, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. No injuries were reported in the incident, which caused minor structural damage, it added, as per Al Jazeera.

UAE's Ministry of Defence said earlier in the day that they are dealing with attacks from Iran.

In a post on X, it said, "The UAE's air defenses are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks originating from Iran, and the Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, as well as fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions."

The UAE air defence systems on March 17 engaged 10 ballistic missiles and 45 UAVs launched from Iran.

These attacks have resulted in the death of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as six fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities, UAE Ministry of Defence said.

A total of 157 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe. The injured included nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia, as per the Ministry.

- ANI
President Droupadi Murmu commends Akshaya Patra Foundation for serving 5 billion meals, linking nutrition and education to a developed India by 2047.

New Delhi, March 17 President Droupadi Murmu graced an event to commemorate the five billion meals of Akshaya Patra Foundation at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that serving five billion meals in advancement of educational objectives is the remarkable achievement of Akshaya Patra Foundation.



The theme of this event, 'From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India', underscores the significance of a nourished and educated society in realising our national resolve to build 'Viksit Bharat' by the year 2047.



The President said that a safe and bright future for our children is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared responsibility of us all. When teachers, parents, social organisations, the corporate sector, and every segment of society work together, then we lay a strong foundation for the coming generation. We must ensure that every child receives quality education, nutritious food, good health, and a clean and safe environment. These fundamentals enable holistic development of children.



The President said that education is the instrument that determines the opportunities available in an individual's life and paves the way for their success. It serves as an effective medium for transformation and empowerment. The process of empowerment and capacity-building begins to take shape from the very moment children start attending school. School equips children with the skills and experiences necessary to effectively navigate the challenges of daily life and to become responsible, conscientious citizens.



She commended Akshaya Patra Foundation for working continuously to address the issue of malnutrition among children and encourage them to pursue education by delivering mid-day meals to schools for past 25 years.



The President said that it is essential that our children, who are the future of the nation, have ready access to nutritious food and quality education. The Government of India has launched numerous significant initiatives aimed at providing adequate nutrition and improved healthcare services to pregnant mothers and children. The school lunch program, implemented under PM POSHAN, has proven to be a significant incentive for parents to send their children to school. Numerous studies substantiate that, as a result of this program, there has been an increase in children's enrolment, attendance, and retention in schools. Also there has been a remarkable improvement in their learning capabilities and academic performance.



She was happy to note that Akshaya Patra Foundation is playing an important role in furthering the objectives of 'Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan,' which aims to ensure quality and inclusive education for all children by the year 2030.



The President said that children are not merely beneficiaries of the free meal program. They are the architects of the nation's bright future. The nutritious food they receive today is an investment in our nation's human capital. The healthy, educated and energetic children will constitute India's workforce and play a pivotal role in achieving 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.



Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Madhu Pandit Dasa, who is one of Akshaya Patra's founders, said, "I express my heartfelt gratitude to the President for kindly gracing today's event. I also thank the Minister of Education and all other dignitaries for their presence. As we commemorate Akshaya Patra's 25 years of service to humanity and the milestone of serving 5 billion meals, we reiterate our commitment to work towards Srila Prabhupada's noble vision that no one should ever go hungry. This event has encouraged everyone at Akshaya Patra to continue our services to children with even greater enthusiasm."





- ANI
National Drum King Convention draws 14 top troupes to Hebei

Chinadaily.com.cn) 16:50, March 16, 2026

Drummers give a lively show on the streets of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on March 15, 2026. [Photo by Wu Zhiwei/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition was held on Sunday in Zhengding county of Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, attracting 14 top-tier drum troupes from across China.

The performers gathered to celebrate the spring season with lively drumming, presenting exquisite programs ranging from traditional Chinese styles to international acts.

The event provided a splendid cultural feast for residents and tourists.

Following the main performances, the troupes paraded through Zhengding to show off the charm of folk drum art up close.

Drummers give a lively show on the streets of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on March 15, 2026. [Photo by Wu Zhiwei/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Drummers give a lively show on the streets of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on March 15, 2026. [Photo by Wu Zhiwei/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Drummers give a lively show on the streets of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on March 15, 2026. [Photo by Wu Zhiwei/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition is held on Sunday in the ancient town of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. [Photo by Liang Zidong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition is held on Sunday in the ancient town of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. [Photo by Liang Zidong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition is held on Sunday in the ancient town of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. [Photo by Liang Zidong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition is held on Sunday in the ancient town of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. [Photo by Liang Zidong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition is held on Sunday in the ancient town of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. [Photo by Liang Zidong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 National Drum King Competition is held on Sunday in the ancient town of Zhengding county in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province. [Photo by Liang Zidong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
European allies resist Trump's call for military mission in Strait of Hormuz

Xinhua) 08:15, March 17, 2026

Children play by the shore at Kumzar Village in Oman, Feb. 19, 2025. Kumzar, a remote fishing village in the Musandam Peninsula in northern Oman, located in a sheltered harbor near the strategic shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz. (Xinhua/Wang Qiang)

European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Multiple European nations and the European Union (EU) on Monday voiced reluctance or outright opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for a military mission to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against further regional escalation, European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out any military involvement in protecting oil tankers in the strait, emphasizing that NATO is a "defense alliance" rather than an "intervention alliance."

Merz said Germany will not participate in military measures to ensure freedom of navigation as long as the conflict continues, adding that no viable concept for such an operation has been presented so far.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during his summer press conference in Berlin, Germany on July 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Hanlin)

His remarks were echoed in Brussels by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas stated the bloc has no appetite for expanding its existing naval mission "Aspides" to the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are working on the diplomatic solutions for the Strait of Hormuz," she said, adding, "This is not Europe's war."

In Southern Europe, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portugal "is not and will not be involved in this conflict."

Rangel also dismissed threats from the Trump administration regarding NATO members unwilling to back Washington, saying they deserved "absolutely no reaction."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed doubts, noting that existing missions like "Aspides" and "Atalanta" are primarily designed for defensive escort and anti-piracy operations, making their extension to the high-risk Strait of Hormuz difficult.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London is working with allies on a "viable plan" to restore navigation but clarified that it "won't be and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission."

The cautious stance comes amid visible friction with Washington. Trump recently criticized Britain in a Financial Times interview, claiming London "didn't want to come" when first asked for help and only offered ships after the "danger capacity" was reduced.

In Northern and Eastern Europe, limited resources and strategic priorities played a major role in the refusals. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland has "hardly any additional resources" and that the strait is not a "top priority."

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson similarly said Sweden's strategic focus remains on northern areas.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed that Poland has "no plans" to participate, and Bulgaria's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nadezhda Neynski said her country lacks the capacity for such a mission.

Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has confirmed that the Netherlands is not currently considering participating.

"At the moment, any mission in the Strait of Hormuz will need an ease in tensions in the region," Jetten said during his visit to Berlin on Monday.

Analysts say U.S. pressure may be aimed at pushing European allies toward greater involvement. Markku Kangaspuro, research director at the Aleksanteri Institute of the University of Helsinki, questioned whether NATO countries should enter a war "the United States and Israel launched illegally."

Noting that this is the first time Washington had sought to involve NATO countries in the war with Iran, Kangaspuro said it suggests that the United States launched the war without sufficient consideration. "The repercussions were not evaluated enough," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Qatar's defense forces successfully intercepted an aerial assault involving 14 Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones. Falling debris from the intercepted missiles sparked a limited fire in an industrial zone, which emergency teams are currently addressing. Authorities have confirmed that there have been no injuries recorded from the incident. The attack occurs within the context of a broader, ongoing regional conflict now in its 18th day.

Qatar neutralizes aerial attack with 14 Iranian ballistic missiles intercepted. Falling shrapnel sparks limited fire in industrial zone, no injuries reported.

Doha, March 17 Qatar's Ministry of Interior has confirmed that emergency response teams are currently attending to a blaze in an industrial zone.

The incident was triggered by falling debris following the successful neutralisation of an aerial threat.

According to the ministry, "Civil Defence staff are dealing with a 'limited fire'" at the site, which was caused by "shrapnel falling from an intercepted missile."

In a statement released on social media, the ministry provided an update on the safety of the area, noting that there have been "no injuries recorded" thus far.

The ground-level emergency follows a broader engagement by the nation's protective systems. The Ministry of Defence in Qatar announced that the nation was the subject of an aerial attack today involving "14 Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones", as reported by Gulf News.

In an official update released via the Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ministry confirmed that the military response was effective, noting that the "Qatari Armed Forces successfully intercepted all drones and 13 ballistic missiles" launched during the assault.

According to Gulf News, while the vast majority of the threats were neutralised, "one missile fell in an uninhabited area" after the primary defence systems were bypassed.

Authorities have further clarified that the single projectile that reached the ground did so "without causing any losses".

The armed forces continue to maintain a high state of alert following the incident, as these developments occur while the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its 18th day.

The crisis, which began on 28 February, was triggered by US and Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has consistently targeted US bases and regional interests to demonstrate its retaliatory military capabilities.

- ANI
Rajasthan has become the first state in India to sign a Memorandum of Understanding under the new Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 guidelines with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The agreement, signed in New Delhi, aims to ensure a regular and safe tap-water supply to every rural household, significantly improving living standards. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the initiative and the mission's renewed focus. The state government also highlighted concurrent efforts in youth empowerment and the acceleration of major water projects to support future development.

Rajasthan becomes the first state to sign a Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 MoU with the Centre, aiming for 'Har Ghar Jal' and improved water infrastructure.

Jaipur, March 17 In a significant milestone towards realising the vision of 'Har Ghar Jal', Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti under the new guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday at the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister C.R. Paatil, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiya Lal. 

Chief Minister Sharma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiative. 

He said the State Government, prioritising public welfare, had urged the Centre to facilitate the agreement under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Following approval from the Centre, the MoU was finalised. 

The Chief Minister said the agreement marks a transformative step towards strengthening Rajasthan's watersupply infrastructure and ensuring every household has access to safe drinking water.

He reaffirmed that the state's "Double Engine" government remains committed to providing clean drinking water to every household. 

He said the initiative would ensure water availability even in remote rural areas, significantly improving living standards, particularly for women, by enhancing convenience, safety and quality of life.

He further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Jal Jeevan Mission is being implemented with renewed focus in its expanded form, emphasising efficiency, accountability and transparency. 

He said the MoU will play a pivotal role in ensuring regular and safe tapwater supply to every rural household, improving service delivery, meeting timebound targets and strengthening transparency mechanisms.

Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Supply) Akhil Arora and other senior Central Government officials were also present.

Earlier, the Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed transformative progress since 2014. 

He highlighted the Prime Minister's commitment to the upliftment of farmers, youth, women and labourers, and noted that various welfare and development schemes have enhanced India's global standing. 

He also emphasised the growth of a strong startup ecosystem, providing youth with platforms to innovate.

Sharma outlined several key provisions in the 2026-27 Budget aimed at youth empowerment. These include interestfree loans for 5,000 tribal youth under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana; the establishment of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Global Centre for Advanced Skilling in Jaipur; the setting up of ICT laboratories in 50 polytechnic colleges; and the promotion of districtspecific products under the One District, One Product initiative. 

He added that economic reforms and improvements in the Ease of Doing Business are yielding results, with Rajasthan's per capita income surpassing Rs 2 lakh for the first time.

Highlighting futurefocused development, the Chief Minister said the government is accelerating key water projects, including the Ramjal Setu Link Project, the Dewas Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), and the Ganganahar and Mahi Project. 

- IANS
The Reserve Bank of India has been honored with the 'Initiative of the Year Award' by London-based Central Banking for launching the '.bank.in' domain. This makes India the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive internet domain for its banking system. The initiative is designed to enhance consumer confidence, reduce digital payment fraud, and strengthen overall financial stability. The award highlights the critical role of such measures in emerging economies where digitization is key to financial inclusion but also brings acute cyber threats.

RBI receives London's Central Banking award for launching the secure '.bank.in' domain, a global first to combat cyber fraud and boost financial stability.

London, March 17 The Reserve Bank of India has been selected for the 'Initiative of the Year Award' by Central Banking, London, UK.

The recognition is for launching the '.bank.in' domain, making India the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for the banking system.

The transition enhances consumer confidence, helps reduce digital payment frauds and strengthens financial stability. This has been implemented through the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including the Government of India, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks.

By mandating a domain name for the country's lenders, the RBI has struck a blow against cyber fraud, Central Banking said as they announced the award on Tuesday.

"Digitisation has transformed all aspects of financial infrastructure - from the ways in which individuals and businesses make and receive payments, to the ways in which investment capital is allocated and the performances of individual securities are monitored in real time. But it has come with a cost: a large increase in cyber crime," Central Banking said.

"In emerging economies such as India's, where digitisation is seen as a key tool for financial inclusion, the threats posed by cyber crime are particularly acute," it said.

- ANI
Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has firmly rejected foreign interference in regional security, stating that local nations must manage stability. He criticized foreign military bases, claiming they betrayed host nations and became a source of aggression against Iran, forcing a defensive response. Qalibaf revealed Iran is prepared for a protracted conflict, leveraging its domestic technology to produce missiles and drones rapidly. He expressed readiness for permanent security pacts with neighbours but insisted a ceasefire would only be considered if the enemy shows genuine remorse.

Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf asserts regional nations must ensure security, rejects ceasefire unless enemy repents.

Tehran, March 17 Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has stated that Tehran did not anticipate the territories of its southern neighbours being utilised as a launchpad for aggression against the Islamic Republic, according to a report by the state broadcaster Press TV.

In an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed media outlet, Qalibaf addressed questions regarding reactions countries in Iran's neighbourhood on Tehran's retaliatory strikes. "Let me set aside pleasantries, it was we who did not expect the soil of our southern neighbours to be used for aggression against Iran, compelling us to defend ourselves," he remarked.

The Speaker criticised the presence of foreign military installations in the region, suggesting that the very "bases given to America to create security" for those nations had ultimately betrayed them and become a "source of insecurity."

According to Press TV, Qalibaf's comments come in the wake of the unprovoked conflict that began on February 28, following US and Israeli strikes that resulted in the killing of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has launched extensive missile and drone operations against Israeli-occupied territories and US regional bases. Qalibaf asserted that while Washington claimed these bases were for regional safety, they were instead used to strike Iran, "forcing us to respond."

"America initiated the insecurity from the soil of these countries, and it is natural that we, in an existential war, are compelled to defend ourselves," the state broadcaster Press TV quoted him as saying.

He noted that during a previous 12-day conflict, Tehran had consciously avoided involving its neighbours until Washington became a direct participant.

Regarding the future of the region, Qalibaf maintained that Iran "will not return to pre-war conditions." He emphasised that while Tehran is forced to defend its territory, regional stability should be managed by local nations without "foreign interference."

Press TV reported that the Speaker expressed a readiness for permanent security pacts with neighbouring states to provide a "guarantee for both sides" and protect regional investment.

However, he remained firm on the conditions for a halt in combat, stating, "We will not accept ceasefire until enemy repents."

He argued that a truce is only logical if it does not merely offer the adversary a chance to "resolve its problems, such as the destruction of radars or a shortage of interceptor missiles," before resuming attacks.

He insisted that Tehran would only consider a ceasefire when the enemy showed genuine remorse and regional stability was assured.

Qalibaf further revealed that Iran had "prepared ourselves for a long war" and developed countermeasures to prevent the neutralisation of its operational abilities.

He claimed that Iran's domestic technology allows for the rapid and cost-effective production of missiles and drones, far outpacing the enemy's ability to manufacture interceptors.

Finally, addressing the transition of leadership following the killing of the former Leader, Qalibaf spoke on the message sent by the election of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

According to Press TV, he stated that the world must understand that "Iran is neither Syria, whose leader would abandon the country and leave, nor Venezuela, which would submit to coercion."

- ANI
Russia has issued a strong condemnation of the United States and Israel for instigating a violent escalation in the Middle East, labeling their actions a "treacherous and unprovoked attack on Iran." The ministry warns of hundreds of thousands of casualties and severe damage to civilian infrastructure, including the paralysis of the vital Strait of Hormuz. It calls for an immediate end to hostilities and a shift to political and diplomatic negotiations to resolve the crisis. Moscow has expressed its readiness to contribute to a durable settlement, echoing diplomatic efforts by President Vladimir Putin.

Russia's Foreign Ministry condemns US-Israeli actions in the Middle East, calls for immediate ceasefire and return to diplomatic negotiations.

Moscow, March 17 The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday issued a strong statement condemning the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East blaming the United States and Israel for what it described as a "treacherous and unprovoked attack on Iran" and calling for an immediate end to hostilities.

The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of instigating an "unprecedented spiral of violence" that has caused extensive civilian casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure across the region.

According to the official text, the toll of victims from what Moscow terms "American-Israeli aggression" now runs into "hundreds and thousands," with significant harm inflicted on civilian infrastructure. The statement points to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global maritime trade, which it says has been effectively paralysed by ongoing retaliatory Iranian strikes. Once viewed as a relatively stable and prosperous region, the Persian Gulf now faces "chaos and uncertainty," with economic effects being felt far beyond the immediate conflict zone.

The ministry sharply criticised the continuing intensification of mutual hostility, arguing that rather than seeking avenues for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic negotiations, the parties involved are escalating with "increasingly lethal and destructive strikes." It voiced particular concern over the ongoing attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure, underlining that such actions must stop in order to prevent further death and suffering among innocent populations in Arabian Gulf states and Iran.

In its call to action, the statement reiterated Moscow's "resolute call to all parties for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a shift of the situation onto a political and diplomatic track." The ministry emphasised that political negotiation, not military confrontation, is the only path to a sustainable resolution of the crisis.

The Russian government also expressed its readiness to contribute, "within the scope of its available capabilities," to efforts aimed at reaching a long-term and durable settlement of the conflict. This echoes separate diplomatic efforts by Russian officials, including phone calls between President Vladimir Putin and Iran's leadership, in which Moscow reiterated support for de-escalation and political solutions amid the widening Middle East crisis.

The statement comes against the backdrop of a broader international reaction to the crisis, with global leaders and organisations urging restraint, emphasising the danger of further escalation, and warning of profound economic and humanitarian repercussions should the conflict deepen further.

- ANI
The Sahm App has launched Saudi stock investment services for retail investors worldwide, following the Capital Market Authority's decision to open the market to foreign investors. The platform enables global users to invest in Saudi equities, ETFs, and REITs through a single, regulated interface. A key feature is its offer of lifetime zero-brokerage commission trading on Saudi stocks, aiming to reduce costs for individual investors. The app, which already serves over one million users in Saudi Arabia, is designed to provide secure and affordable access to the Saudi capital market for portfolio diversification.

Sahm App launches Saudi stock investment for global retail investors with lifetime zero-brokerage trading, following CMA's market opening.

Riyadh, March 17 Sahm App, a CMA-regulated trading platform, today announced the launch of its Saudi stock investment services for retail investors worldwide, expanding international access to the Saudi capital market through a single, unified platform.

The launch follows the Capital Market Authority's (CMA) announcement on 6 January 2026 to open the Saudi capital market to all categories of foreign investors, effective from 1 February 2026. Building on this regulatory milestone, Sahm App is among the first platforms to fully support onboarding for global investors, enabling eligible individuals worldwide to directly access Saudi-listed securities.

Through Sahm App, international investors can invest in a broad range of Saudi market products, including listed equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The expanded global access is designed to provide investors with an additional market option to diversify their portfolios, balance risk across different economies and sectors, and participate in long-term growth opportunities of the Saudi capital market.

To further reduce barriers for individual investors, Sahm offers lifetime zero-brokerage commission trading on Saudi stocks, allowing users to invest in local equities without brokerage commissions. This initiative reflects Sahm's focus on making cross-border market access more cost-efficient, transparent, and practical for everyday investors worldwide.

Commenting on the launch, Mohammed Asiri, Chief Financial Officer of Sahm, said:

"The Saudi market has developed into one of the most structurally diverse and dynamic markets in the region, and its opening to international investors creates new possibilities for global portfolio construction. For many investors, access to Saudi equities, ETFs, and REITs represents a valuable way to broaden geographic and sector exposure. At Sahm, our role is to make this access secure, professional, and affordable. By combining regulated infrastructure with zero-commission trading on Saudi stocks, we aim to support investors who are building long-term, well-balanced portfolios."

Sahm is a Saudi-based brokerage platform licensed and regulated by the Capital Market Authority. Designed specifically for retail investors, the platform combines local market expertise with an intuitive user experience, providing secure access to Saudi-listed securities through modern trading infrastructure and investor-focused product design. Since its launch, Sahm App has grown to serve over one million users in Saudi Arabia.

Sahm App is available for download on the iOS App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery. Eligible international investors can now begin building exposure to the Saudi market through the Sahm platform. For more information, please visit .

About Sahm App

Developed by Sahm Capital, licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), the Sahm App is a trading platform designed for retail investors globally. It provides seamless access to both the Saudi and U.S. markets within a secure, regulated environment. With its intuitive interface and advanced investment tools, the app has quickly become one of the top three in the Free Finance category on Google Play, with more than one million users. (ANI)

Disclaimer: This press release is issued through Arab Newswire () -- a press release distribution service for the Arab World, Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

- ANI
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence confirmed its air defences intercepted and destroyed several hostile drones in the kingdom's eastern region. The UAE President and Saudi Crown Prince held a call, condemning "blatant Iranian attacks" as a violation of sovereignty and a grave threat to global stability. They emphasized the urgent need to cease military escalation and prioritize diplomatic solutions. These events occur as a broader regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its 18th day.

Saudi air defences destroy drones amid escalating tensions. UAE and Saudi leaders warn Iranian attacks threaten global security and call for dialogue.

Riyadh, March 17 The Ministry of Defence in Saudi Arabia has confirmed that several unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralised in the eastern portion of the kingdom. According to officials, the drones were "intercepted and destroyed" after being detected in the region.

This defensive action follows an earlier report from the ministry regarding a similar security operation in the same area. In that instance, Saudi forces engaged six drones, all of which were "successfully destroyed" to prevent any impact.

In the context of these heightening tensions, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, held a telephone conversation yesterday with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to review regional developments, as reported by Gulf News.

During the call, the two leaders assessed the impact of escalating military actions, which they identified as presenting "grave threats to regional and global security and stability".

The discussion, according to Gulf News, also addressed the ongoing and "blatant Iranian attacks" directed at nations throughout the region. Both parties noted that these actions constitute a "violation of sovereign rights" of the affected countries and contravene established international norms.

In light of the security situation, the leaders emphasised the necessity for an "immediate cessation of military escalation". They warned that the current trajectory endangers security both within the region and on a global scale.

Gulf News further highlighted that the President and the Crown Prince underscored the importance of "prioritising serious dialogue and diplomatic means" to resolve regional issues.

They reaffirmed their commitment to addressing these challenges in a way that effectively "preserves regional security and peace."

These developments occur as the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its 18th day. The crisis, which began on 28 February, was triggered by US and Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has consistently targeted US bases and regional interests.

- ANI
Actor Sean Penn chose to travel to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instead of attending the Oscars ceremony, where he won the Best Supporting Actor award. Zelenskyy posted a photo of their meeting at the presidential office, thanking Penn for his steadfast support since the full-scale war began. Penn's win for 'One Battle After Another' marks his third Academy Award, having previously won for 'Mystic River' and 'Milk'. The actor was nominated this year alongside performers like Benicio del Toro and Stellan Skarsgard.

Actor Sean Penn traveled to Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, skipping the Oscars where he won Best Supporting Actor.

Los Angeles, March 16 Actor Sean Penn, on Sunday, made headlines after he skipped the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles even though he had won an award earlier that night.

The Hollywood star won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the film 'One Battle After Another.' However, instead of attending the big event held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Penn seems to have travelled to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.



The Ukrainian President, on Monday, took to his X to share a picture from a meeting that took place at the presidential office in Kyiv's heavily guarded government district. In the photo, the Ukrainian leader can be seen talking with Penn, who was dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans.



Along with the picture, Zelenskyy also wrote a caption thanking the actor for standing with Ukraine during the war. Calling him a "true friend," the Ukrainian leader wrote, "Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today. And we know that you will continue to stand with our country and our people."



Take a look



In the Oscars race this year, Penn was nominated alongside actors Benicio del Toro, Stellan Skarsgard, Delroy Lindo, and Jacob Elordi.



This marked Penn's third Academy Award win. He earlier won the Best Actor award for his performances in Mystic River in 2004 and Milk in 2009. Over the years, he has also received nominations in the same category for films such as Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown, and I Am Sam.





- ANI
Krisha Gurbani delivered a statement at the UNHRC highlighting India's constitutional and legal framework for gender equality. She cited key laws protecting women from domestic violence and workplace harassment. Gurbani emphasized the Supreme Court's role in strengthening rights through progressive judgments. She also noted government initiatives on education, health, and governance while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

A student representative highlighted India's constitutional guarantees, key laws, and judicial role in advancing women's rights at the UN Human Rights Council.

Geneva, March 17 Krisha Gurbani, a member of the Sindhi Adhikar Manch Association, India, and an LLB student at OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat, delivered an oral statement via video conferencing during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the United Nations Office in Geneva, highlighting India's commitment to advancing and protecting women's rights.

Taking the floor, she emphasised that gender equality in India is firmly rooted in constitutional guarantees, particularly under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which ensure equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.

Gurbani noted that India has enacted comprehensive legislation to safeguard women's rights, including laws addressing domestic violence, workplace harassment, child marriage, and human trafficking. She specifically referred to key legal frameworks such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace Act, which provide essential remedies and institutional safeguards.

Highlighting the role of the judiciary, she stated that the Supreme Court of India has played a pivotal role in strengthening women's rights through progressive judgments that uphold dignity, privacy, reproductive autonomy, and equal opportunity.

She further underlined the importance of institutional mechanisms such as the National Commission for Women, which monitors violations, supports victims, and recommends policy reforms aimed at improving the status of women.

Gurbani also drew attention to ongoing government initiatives focused on girls' education, maternal health, financial inclusion, and women's participation in local governance, reflecting a multidimensional approach to empowerment.

Concluding her statement, she acknowledged that challenges remain but emphasised that sustained legal reforms, judicial oversight, and social initiatives demonstrate India's continued commitment to ensuring that women live with equality, safety, and dignity.

- ANI
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal interacted with and felicitated the crew members of the Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, expressing the nation's gratitude for their courage. The vessels operated in a high-risk maritime environment for nearly two weeks before safely delivering approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of critical LPG cargo to India. The minister highlighted the crew's professionalism and their role in strengthening India's energy security. The government is actively monitoring the maritime situation and coordinating with ports to prioritize LPG vessels and ensure supply chain resilience.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal felicitates the crew of Indian LPG carriers Shivalik & Nanda Devi for ensuring energy security in a high-risk maritime zone.

New Delhi, March 17 Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday interacted with the brave crew members of Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, expressing the nation's gratitude for their courage and unwavering sense of duty in ensuring the safe transit of critical LPG cargo here.

Addressing the seafarers via video conferencing, Sarbananda Sonowal said the interaction was a "heartfelt expression of the nation's gratitude" to the crew, who ensured the safe delivery of vital LPG supplies despite operating in a high-risk maritime environment.

"It is a matter of immense pride to recognise the courage, dedication and professionalism of the crew of Shivalik and Nanda Devi. Your efforts ensured the safe passage of critical LPG cargo, strengthening India's energy security," Sarbananda Sonowal said.

The minister noted that both vessels remained stationed in a high-risk zone for nearly two weeks amid heightened security concerns before continuing their voyage to India. Sonowal said the crew demonstrated exceptional calmness, vigilance and professionalism under challenging conditions.

The interaction was attended by Vijay Kumar, secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shyam Jagannathan, director general of shipping; Capt. B.K. Tyagi, chairman and managing director, Shipping Corporation of India; Capt. Sukhmeet Singh and the crew of Shivalik, and Capt. Dhiraj Kumar Agrawal, along with the crew of Nanda Devi.

Earlier, the two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in India on March 16 and 17, as the government continues to closely monitor maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.

Shivalik and Nanda Devi - carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG - crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday (13 March 2026).

"Seafarers are the unsung heroes of global trade. Far away from your homes and families, you ensure that essential cargo reaches its destination safely," Sonowal said, highlighting the critical role played by maritime personnel in sustaining global supply chains.

The Union Minister further emphasised that the successful voyage of the two Indian-flagged vessels, fully manned by Indian seafarers, reflects the strength and resilience of India's maritime workforce.

Sonowal also acknowledged the support of seafarers' families, calling them a vital pillar behind their dedication and service. Congratulating the masters, officers and crew of both vessels, the minister said their achievement stands as an example of professionalism and commitment, and wished them safe voyages ahead.

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies and Indian diplomatic missions in the region. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is actively and directly monitoring the situation.

To ensure smooth maritime operations, the government is working closely with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders to minimise any operational disruptions to maritime trade. Ports have been advised to extend relief measures where required, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges.

Major ports are prioritising berthing for LPG vessels to ensure the timely discharge of cargo and continuity in energy supply. Over the past few days, six LPG vessels have been received at major Indian ports. Additionally, ports are providing safe anchorage areas for vessels loaded with cargo bound for the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit due to prevailing conditions.

The ministry said it continues to monitor the maritime situation in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders, with a focus on safeguarding the welfare of Indian seafarers and ensuring the resilience of India's maritime logistics network.

- IANS
China, France pledge to deepen economic, financial cooperation

Xinhua) 08:51, March 17, 2026

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, the Chinese lead person of the China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue, shakes hands with French Finance Minister Roland Lescure, France's lead person of the dialogue, in Paris, France, on March 16, 2026. He Lifeng and Roland Lescure on Monday held in-depth discussions in Paris on recent developments in China-France economic and financial cooperation and other issues of common concern. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and French Finance Minister Roland Lescure on Monday held in-depth discussions in Paris on recent developments in China-France economic and financial cooperation and other issues of common concern.

He, the Chinese lead person of the China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue, said China is ready to work with France to implement the important consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron. He called for further deepening of exchanges and cooperation in economic and financial fields, and for promoting the steady and sustained development of bilateral economic relations.

He also briefed the French side on the China-U.S. economic and trade talks held earlier in the day.

Lescure, France's lead person of the dialogue, said France attaches great importance to cooperation with China and is willing to work with the Chinese side to advance pragmatic cooperation in economic and financial fields and achieve greater progress.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved a 1,185 crore infrastructure package to upgrade roads in South Gujarat's key tourist districts. The funds will widen highways and improve connectivity to destinations like the Dandi Heritage Route, coastal areas, and wildlife sanctuaries. The project aims to facilitate easier weekend travel from cities like Ahmedabad and boost footfall at eco-tourism sites. This push is part of broader efforts to strengthen Gujarat's position as a top tourism state in India.

Gujarat CM approves major road infra push for tourism in Surat, Navsari, Tapi, Valsad & Dang, focusing on heritage & eco-tourism sites.

Gandhinagar, March 17 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday approved a major infrastructure push to boost tourism in South Gujarat, with an allocation of around Rs 1,185 crore for widening and upgrading roads connecting key tourist destinations across multiple districts.

According to an official release, the funds have been sanctioned under Phase-1 of the Surat Economic Region (SER) plan and will be utilised for road development works in Surat, Navsari, Tapi, Valsad and Dang districts. A significant portion of the allocation will focus on improving connectivity to eco-tourism sites, including the historic Ahmedabad-Dandi Heritage Route and Parsi Tourism Circuit.

The initiative aims to make travel to scenic forests, coastal areas and pilgrimage destinations in South Gujarat faster and more convenient, especially for residents of cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat planning weekend travel.

Under the project, several roads will be widened and strengthened, with select stretches being upgraded to four-lane and six-lane highways. Bypass roads will also be constructed in certain towns to ease congestion and improve traffic flow.

Highlighting the broader tourism scenario, the release noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's tourism sector has witnessed strong growth. In 2024, foreign tourist arrivals reached 99.5 lakh, while total international tourist visits rose to 2.05 crore, marking a 14.85 per cent increase over pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Amid this growth, Gujarat has emerged as the third most visited state by foreign tourists, reflecting its increasing prominence on the global tourism map.

As part of the infrastructure push, the Mora-Suvali Beach Road in Surat will be upgraded to a four-lane road to improve access to Suvali Beach, which has emerged as a key tourist attraction. The Ahmedabad-Dandi Heritage Route will also be widened to facilitate smoother travel along the historic path of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March.

In the Valsad district, the coastal highway connecting Sanjan and Daman will be expanded, including the construction of a causeway near the Kolak River. In Dang district, the Waghai-Ahwa state highway will be converted into a four-lane road, improving access to tourist and religious destinations such as Saputara, Shabari Dham and Pampa Sarovar.

Additionally, the Chikhli-Khergam-Dharampur road will be widened to enhance connectivity to Dharampur and nearby hill stations like Wilson Hills.

Officials said improved infrastructure will boost tourist footfall at eco-tourism sites such as Vansda National Park, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and Gira Waterfall, while also generating employment opportunities for local communities.

The government said the initiative will strengthen regional development and further promote Gujarat as a key tourism destination in India.

- ANI
China has called for all parties in the Middle East to exercise restraint, warning that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting international trade and energy routes. The Chinese foreign ministry separately clarified that an impending visit by U.S. President Donald Trump is unrelated to the strait's closure, with both sides coordinating on dates. Additionally, China announced it will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq to help promote regional stability. During a meeting, President Trump confirmed his planned visit to China would be reset for approximately five weeks.

China urges Middle East restraint over Strait of Hormuz trade disruptions, denies Trump visit link, and announces humanitarian aid to regional nations.

Beijing, March 18 Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Lin Jian called for all parties in the Middle East to exercise restraint.

Lin said that the recent tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz is causing disruptions in the world trade.

Calling for peace and stability, Jian, in a post on X said on Tuesday, "The recent tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby has impacted the route for international goods and energy trade, disrupting peace and stability in the region and beyond. China once again calls on parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from further impacting the global economy."

Meanwhile, as the world grapples with a churn in global powers, the Middle East being the eye of the storm, China said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's impending visit to the country has nothing to do with Strait of Hormuz closure.

As both countries attempt at trepid detente, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson's Office said that both sides remain in talks regarding the dates of the visit.

In a post on X, the office said, "We take note of the U.S. clarification about certain media reports. The U.S. side has made clear that those reports are completely "false" and that President Trump's visit to China is not linked to the issue over the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides remain in communication on President Trump's visit to China, including the dates."

To add to the tensions, Mao Ning, the Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced that the nation would provide aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq- all stony adversaries to the US.

In a post on X, she said, "China has decided to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. China will continue to exert its utmost efforts to promote peace and cease fighting, and to advance the restoration of peace and stability in the region at an early date, so as to avoid further humanitarian crises."

While participating in a bilateral meeting with Micheal Martin Taoiseach of Ireland, Trump talked about his China visit. He said, "Well yeah, on China, it's a little different story. We are resetting the meeting and it looks like it'll take place in about five weeks. We're working with China. They were fine with it. We're going to see, I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me I think, but I do look forward to seeing him. We have a good relationship with China. China actually is, has become economically for us very good, very good as you know. It's much different than it was in the past and we have a very good working relationship with China. So we're making it in about five or six weeks."

- ANI
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has declared that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-conflict status, signaling a permanent shift. His warning comes amid heightened regional tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which risk destabilizing global energy supplies. Meanwhile, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard publicly defended President Donald Trump's authority to determine national security threats from Iran. President Trump himself expressed confidence that securing the vital waterway "won't be too long," despite a lack of NATO support for US actions.

Iranian Parliament Speaker warns of permanent change in Strait of Hormuz as US intelligence defends Trump's actions against Iran.

Tehran, March 18 Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its "pre-war state.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said, "The Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status."

His remarks come amid escalating tensions in the region following ongoing military confrontations involving the United States, Israel and Iran, raising concerns over the stability of global energy supply chains.

Meanwhile, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard defended President Donald Trump's decision-making on Iran, emphasising that the President has the authority to determine threats to national security.

In a statement posted on X, Gabbard said, "Donald Trump was overwhelmingly elected by the American people to be our President and Commander in Chief. As our Commander in Chief, he is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat, and whether or not to take action he deems necessary to protect the safety and security of our troops, the American people and our country."

She further outlined the role of the intelligence community, stating, "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is responsible for helping coordinate and integrate all intelligence to provide the President and Commander in Chief with the best information available to inform his decisions."

Gabbard added that after reviewing available intelligence, Trump concluded that Iran posed an imminent threat, saying, "After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion."

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be secured, saying it "won't be too long," even though NATO countries would not assist in the ongoing conflict with Iran, CNN reported.

"It won't be, I don't believe, too long. We're knocking the hell out of the coast. It's basically the coast and the water. And it won't be too long," Trump told reporters, as per CNN.

- ANI
Director Bharat Krishnamachari reveals Swayambhu's story precedes India's golden age as a naval superpower. Starring Nikhil Siddhartha.

Chennai, March 17 Director Bharat Krishnamachari, whose eagerly awaited pan Indian period film 'Swayambhu' is gearing up to hit screens this summer, has now disclosed that the story of the film is set at a time that just precedes the period considered to be India's golden era.

Says Bharat Krishnamachari, "India was an economically flourishing, rich superpower at one time. Our story is set in a period that just precedes this golden period, a time when we went on to become a naval superpower."



"The whole of India was flourishing during the golden era. Our trade with the east-- with countries like China and the West - with kingdoms like Rome and Greece was flourishing. We conquered southeast asia. Seeing our economic growth and technological superiority, several countries across the globe began to make attempts to find a way to trade with us. We were the superpower at that time. This film talks about the start of the superpower era," he explains.



'Swayambhu', which is among the most eagerly awaited films of the year, will feature Telugu star Nikhil Siddhartha in the lead along with actresses Nabha Natesh and Samyuktha. It is being produced by Bhuvan and Sreekar under the banner of Pixel Studios and presented by Tagore Madhu.The film has triggered huge interest not just in fans but also film buffs for a number of reasons.



It is an already established fact that young hero Nikhil Siddhartha went to Vietnam to train in martial arts for the film. In fact, the young actor became so proficient in the use of swords that he could fight with a sword in either hand.



Sources had disclosed to IANS that it was not just Nikhil Siddhartha who received training in sword fighting and that even the supporting cast received training in sword fighting from experts.



A source had told IANS that a team of Vietnamese sword fighting experts were flown in to train the stunt artistes here who shot for the film. Several hundred artistes were part of the enormous climax sequence that was shot over a period of 60 days at the Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad.



It may be recalled that the makers had, in November last year, confirmed that the monumental production had officially wrapped its shoot. After an intense two-year journey and 170 days of extensive filming, the team proudly announced the completion of the film.



Rooted in India's cultural heritage, 'Swayambhu' will delve into untold chapters of the past - stories that extend far beyond traditional tales of kings and wars. At its heart lies the saga of a formidable warrior whose valour shaped an era.





- IANS
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected 28 sorties of Chinese military aircraft, with 21 crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait to enter its air defense identification zone. The activity was part of an air-sea joint training exercise conducted alongside Chinese naval vessels. This incident occurs against the backdrop of China's longstanding claim that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory, a position contested by Taiwan's de facto independent governance. The historical context involves Taiwan's transfer from Japan after WWII and the unresolved sovereignty dispute stemming from the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

Taiwan's defense ministry reports 28 Chinese military aircraft near its airspace, with 21 crossing the Taiwan Strait median line amid ongoing tensions.

Taipei, March 17 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of 28 sorties of Chinese military aircraft as of 08:01 am on Tuesday.

As per the MND, of the 28, 21 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern part 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.) detected from 0801hr today. 21 out of 28 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern part ADIZ in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

Earlier in the day, Taiwan detected the presence of two Chinese military aircraft, eight Chinese naval vessels and an official ship operating around itself. Both sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ.

In a post on X, it said, "2 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded."

China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements.

Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India.

China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised.

In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC, United Service Institution of India states.

- ANI
A commercial tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while anchored east of Fujairah, sustaining minor damage but no crew injuries. In a separate incident, a drone strike ignited a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, though no casualties were reported. Emergency teams responded to the oil facility fire and are working to contain it. Authorities are investigating both events and have advised vessels in the area to proceed with caution.

A tanker was hit by a projectile off Fujairah, causing minor damage. Separately, a drone strike caused a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. No injuries reported.

Fujairah, March 17 A tanker has been hit by an "unknown projectile" approximately 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

The agency noted in a post on X that the vessel was "at anchor" when the incident occurred. While the strike caused "minor structural damage" to the tanker, the vessel's integrity remained stable.

There were "no injuries reported" to the crew following the impact, the maritime agency confirmed in its advisory. Furthermore, officials stated that "no environmental impact" was detected in the surrounding waters.

The UKMTO has confirmed that "authorities are investigating" the matter. In the meantime, all vessels operating in the region have been "advised to transit with caution" and to notify the agency of any "suspicious activity."

This maritime incident coincides with reports of further instability on land. A fire has erupted within the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following a drone strike at the facility, according to a report by Al Jazeera, citing the local government's media office.

The incident occurred at the energy site located approximately 150 km east of Dubai. Despite the targeted nature of the attack, authorities have confirmed that there were "no casualties" as a result of the strike.

In an immediate response to the outbreak, "emergency teams" were dispatched to the area. These units remain on-site and are currently "dealing with the incident" to contain the situation at the critical regional hub.

Reporting on the ground operations, Gulf News noted that "Civil Defence teams in the emirate immediately began responding to the incident" as soon as the alarm was raised. Specialist crews "are continuing their efforts to bring the fire under control" and prevent the flames from spreading further through the facility.

As the Fujairah government continues to monitor developments, local authorities urged the public not to circulate rumours regarding the event on social media platforms.

To ensure the dissemination of accurate facts, the government has issued a stern advisory for the community to obtain information only from "official sources."

- ANI
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy congratulated poet and writer Nandini Sidha Reddy for winning the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award for his book "Animesha". The CM praised the writer's humanist work depicting the pandemic and his contributions to the Telangana movement through literature. In a separate development, the CM is spearheading a plan to build a grand temple at the Ananthagiri Hills, the origin point of the Musi River. This temple is a key part of the broader Musi River Rejuvenation Project aimed at revitalizing the waterway and creating a new cultural landmark for the state.

CM Revanth Reddy congratulates poet Nandini Sidha Reddy on Sahitya Akademi win and unveils plan for a grand temple at Musi River's origin in Ananthagiri Hills.

Hyderabad, March 17 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed profound delight over the popular Telangana poet and writer Nandini Sidha Reddy receiving the Sahitya Akademi Award for 2025.

Extending best wishes to Sidha Reddy, the Chief Minister said that the renowned Telangana writer is a great humanist who illustrated the plight of mankind and the fragmentation of relationships during the Covid pandemic in the book "Animesha", a compilation of poems.

According to the Telangana CMO, CM Reddy praised Sidha Reddy for the latter's invaluable contribution through his writings during the Telangana movement by spreading the spirit of the struggle. The Chief Minister also noted that Sidha Reddy stands at the forefront among the litterateurs who enriched modern Telangana literature through numerous poetry collections and writings.

Meanwhile, in a major development for the state's cultural and ecological landscape, the Telangana CM is spearheading a plan to construct a Grand temple at the Ananthagiri Hills as part of the Musi River rejuvenation project.

According to government sources, the proposed temple is envisioned as a grand reflection of Indian culture. The new spiritual centre is to be on par with the Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, a landmark project revamped during the previous 10-year rule of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.

The site of the proposed temple holds significant geographical and ecological importance. The Ananthagiri Hills, located in Vikarabad, roughly 90 kilometres west of Hyderabad, serve as the origin point of the Musi River. Integrating a major cultural landmark at the river's birthplace highlights the administration's broader goal of revitalising the historically significant waterway.

He reaffirmed that the Musi Rejuvenation Project has been conceived with the big objective of developing a new facility of a "growth engine" for the state.

- ANI
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated he has not been in contact with Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi following the latter's resignation. Sarma added, however, that there is a possibility of future contact with the former Nagaon MP. This development occurs ahead of the single-phase Assam assembly elections scheduled for April 9. The state will witness a direct contest between the incumbent BJP-led alliance and the Congress.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma comments on Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi's resignation, stating possibility of future contact ahead of state polls.

New Delhi, March 17 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he has not been in touch with Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi, who resigned as the sitting MP from Nagaon on Tuesday, adding that there is a possibility of future contact with him.

Speaking to the reporters in the national capital, CM Sarma said, "I am not in touch with Pradyut Bordoloi. If he had spoken to the Union Home Minister, I would know, but I don't think he has spoken to any BJP leader yet. There is a possibility that we can have contact with Pradyut Bordoloi."

This comes a month after former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah joined the BJP, who served in the Congress for three decades.

Elections in Assam for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday.

Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.

The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.

The apex poll body said that Assam, along with the states of West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, will hold elections to their legislative assemblies, commencing from April 9.

While Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote in a single phase on April 9, voters in Tamil Nadu will exercise their franchise in a single phase on April 23. Assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes for all four states and one union territory will take place on May 4, the Chief Election Commissioner said.

- ANI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs following a motion by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomed the end of the "sad spectacle," while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized maintaining the House's dignity from both sides. BJP MPs Ravi Kishan and Arun Govil stressed the need for respectful debate and decorum in Parliament. The MPs had been suspended in February for throwing papers towards the Chair during a protest.

Lok Sabha Speaker revokes suspension of 8 opposition MPs. Shashi Tharoor, Priyanka Gandhi, and BJP MPs react, calling for House decorum.

New Delhi, March 17 Several members cutting across party lines on Tuesday welcomed the revocation of the suspension of the eight opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday welcomed the development, describing it as a "very good development" that marks the end of what he called a "sad spectacle".

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor noted that the sight of colleagues sitting on the steps daily, unable to participate in House proceedings, was a situation that "hurts our democracy".

"It's a very good development that this sad spectacle of eight of our colleagues sitting on the steps every day suspended, unable to participate, that has been ended...Whatever mistakes of judgement or behaviour they may have made to keep them out of the House is something that hurts our democracy," he said, expressing hope that "assurances of good behaviour on both sides" would be upheld to ensure the smooth functioning of the House".

Echoing a similar sentiment, Congress MP Priyanka Vadra Gandhi said that the Central government, along with the opposition parties, should maintain the dignity of the House. "This is a good thing. It should happen from both sides," she said.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Kishan emphasised that the parliament should "function with love", and personal comments should not be made in the "biggest Panchayat" in the nation.

"This is the biggest Panchayat in the country, such a big temple, it should function with love...This is a battle of ideas, and there should be arguments. The public sends us here to talk about their problems, and there should be no personal comments here."

BJP MP Arun Govil hoped that the opposition MPs keep the decorum of the House, stating that "only two or three things that must be kept in mind" to do so.

"The decorum of the House must be maintained. The decorum of the House must be observed. There are only two or three things that must be kept in mind... If they (opposition MPs) can do this, it would be a very good thing... I hope the opposition understands this and will respect the decorum of the House," he told ANI.

This comes after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the lower house of Parliament.

The eight opposition MPs - Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, B Manickam Tagore, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and S Venkatesan- paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi inside the Parliament complex after their suspension was revoked.

After Rijiju moved the motion in the lower house, Congress Chief Whip K Suresh expressed regret for the "inadvertent indiscretion" by some of the members.

Follwing the motion today, the opposition MPs are allowed to participate in the ongoing parliamentary proceedings.

The eight opposition members were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the budget session on February 4 for violating rules and "throwing papers on the chair" following uproar in the House over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's insistence on mentioning a specific reference about the border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh in 2020.

- ANI
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that a targeted Israeli airstrike in Tehran killed Ali Larijani, Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. The same overnight operation also eliminated Gholamreza Soleiman, the commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force. Katz stated the strikes were carried out under his and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's orders to target Iran's leadership. Separately, the IDF struck a major Hezbollah weapons depot in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Minister confirms airstrike killed Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and a Basij commander, escalating West Asia conflict.

Tel Aviv, March 17 Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday confirmed Ali Larijani, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was killed by the Israel Defense Forces in an overnight airstrike in Tehran as the conflict in West Asia escalates.

Confirming the development, Katz said, "Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated tonight and joined the head of the destruction plan, Khamenei, and all the thwarted members of the evil axis in the depths of hell," as quoted by TPS.

According to TPS, Katz stated that the strike took place following orders from him and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The Prime Minister and I have instructed the [Israel Defense Forces] to continue hunting down the leadership of the regime of terror and oppression in Iran," he stated.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to continue hunting down the leadership of the regime of terror and oppression in Iran and to repeatedly cut off the head of the octopus and not let it grow," Katz added, as quoted by TPS.

Earlier, the IDF confirmed that Gholamreza Soleiman, the Commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, was also killed in the same series of attacks.

"Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF said in a post on X.

Considered to be a key power broker in Tehran, Larijani held significant influence within the country's political establishment and recently delayed the formal announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, highlighting his role in shaping internal power dynamics, as reported by TPS.

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces carried out a strike on a large underground Hezbollah weapons facility in southern Lebanon's Kfara area, targeting stockpiles that reportedly included cruise missiles and hundreds of rockets.

Earlier on Monday, Ali Larijani issued a message to the Arab world saying that Iran remains "steadfast" in its fight against the US and Israel.

He said Iran cannot be "expected to stand idly by with its hands tied" while US bases are located in neighbouring countries.

"The confrontation today is, in reality, between America and Israel on one side, and Muslim Iran and the forces of resistance on the other. Which side are you on, then?" he said.

Larijani also called for Muslim unity, stressing that Iran does not seek "hegemony" over the region.

- ANI
Submarine in maritime training

China Military Online) 11:20, March 17, 2026

A submarine attached to a flotilla with the navy under the Chinese PLA Northern Theater Command steams towards the designated sea area during a maritime training exercise on March 4, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Nan)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Brazilian President Lula da Silva emphasized deepening regional integration during Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz's first bilateral visit. He highlighted efforts to reverse a decline in bilateral trade and outlined cooperation in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. Key projects include a new cross-border bridge and expanding the Brazil-Bolivia Gas Pipeline. Lula also praised Bolivia's entry into Mercosur as a historic step for regional unity.

Presidents Lula and Paz aim to revive bilateral trade and expand energy and infrastructure cooperation, emphasizing South American integration.

Sao Paulo, March 17 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday underscored the importance of deeper regional integration for South America's economic and political future, during a joint press interaction in Brasilia with Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, Lula highlighted the symbolic significance of Brazil being chosen for Paz's first bilateral visit since assuming office. He also recalled longstanding ties between the two nations, noting their shared 3,400-kilometre border that connects key ecological and economic regions, including the Amazon, Pantanal and the Andes, as reported by Brasil 247.

Despite strong historical relations, Lula acknowledged that bilateral trade has declined from 5.5 billion dollars in 2013 to 2.6 billion dollars last year. He stressed ongoing efforts to reverse this trend, citing business engagement initiatives, including participation in trade forums and exhibitions such as Expocruz.

The Brazilian President outlined opportunities across sectors like agriculture, biotechnology and manufacturing, with support from Embrapa. He also pointed to enhanced export financing through Brazil's new credit system backed by BNDES.

On infrastructure, Lula announced progress on a second cross-border bridge project over the Mamore River, aimed at boosting connectivity and facilitating access to Pacific ports via Chile and Peru. Energy cooperation also featured prominently, with discussions on expanding natural gas exports and strengthening the Brazil-Bolivia Gas Pipeline.

Both sides advanced agreements on electricity interconnection and renewable energy collaboration while also committing to joint efforts in tackling cross-border crimes.

Lula further highlighted growing educational and cultural ties, alongside a new tourism cooperation framework encouraging exchanges between destinations such as Rio de Janeiro and Lake Titicaca.

Calling Bolivia's entry into Mercosur a "historic step," Lula reaffirmed that regional unity is essential in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump announced the postponement of his planned visit to China, suggesting it would be rescheduled for approximately five to six weeks later. He emphasized the strong working relationship between the two nations during a bilateral meeting. The delay comes amid reported global tensions, though China's foreign ministry stated the visit's timing is unrelated to issues concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Both governments remain in communication to finalize the new dates for the meeting with President Xi Jinping.

US President Donald Trump announces a 5-6 week delay in his planned visit to China, with both sides coordinating new dates amid global issues.

Washington DC, March 17 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that his administration is postponing the dates of his China visit.

While participating in a bilateral meeting with Micheal Martin Taoiseach of Ireland, Trump said that the meeting might happen in "five or six" weeks.

"Well yeah, on China, it's a little different story. We are resetting the meeting and it looks like it'll take place in about five weeks. We're working with China. They were fine with it. We're going to see, I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me I think, but I do look forward to seeing him. We have a good relationship with China. China actually is, has become economically for us very good, very good as you know. It's much different than it was in the past and we have a very good working relationship with China. So we're making it in about five or six weeks," he said.

Earlier on February 10, Politico had reported that Trump will reportedly visit Beijing in April and meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump had said that he will visit China in April.

"I'm gonna be going there in April then he's coming here toward the end of the year," Trump said.

Meanwhile, as the world grapples with a churn in global powers, the Middle East being the eye of the storm, China said on Tuesday that Trump's impending visit to the country has nothing to do with Strait of Hormuz closure.

As both countries attempt at trepid detente, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson's Office said that both sides remain in talks regarding the dates of the visit.

In a post on X, the office said, "We take note of the U.S. clarification about certain media reports. The U.S. side has made clear that those reports are completely "false" and that President Trump's visit to China is not linked to the issue over the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides remain in communication on President Trump's visit to China, including the dates."

Trump on Monday said that he had requested that his visit to Beijing at the end of the month be postponed because of the war. Just a day earlier, he threatened to delay the meeting if China did not contribute warships to end Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is squeezing oil markets, as per The New York Times.

"I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here," Trump said of meeting China's President, Xi Jinping.

Ironically, as it seems, Trump added, "I'm looking forward to being with him. We have a very good relationship," as quoted by The New York Times.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump asserted that Israel would never use a nuclear weapon in its conflict with Iran, directly countering concerns raised by a White House advisor. His comments came alongside remarks about strong US-Israel military coordination, though he noted their war aims may not be identical. Trump also revealed an unnamed former US president expressed regret for not taking action against Iran during their tenure. Vice President JD Vance aligned with Trump, stating Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and supporting the recent military action.

US President Donald Trump states Israel would never use a nuclear weapon against Iran, addressing concerns over war escalation and US military action.

Washington DC, March 17 US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he does not believe Israel would use a nuclear weapon in its war with Iran, CNN reported.

"Israel wouldn't do that. Israel would never do that," Trump told reporters at the White House, as per CNN.

According to CNN, his remarks came after the White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar, David Sacks recently suggested in an interview that there were concerns about possible escalation.

"You have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon," Sacks said.

Trump's comments also follow remarks he made a day earlier about the alignment between US and Israeli military objectives, CNN reported.

"The relationship has been very good. The militaries are very well coordinated," Trump told reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One, while noting that the two countries' goals in the conflict may not be exactly the same, as reported by CNN.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump said on Monday that a former US president recently told him he wished he had taken action against Iran while he was in office, though Trump declined to reveal the identity of the leader, CNN reported.

"I've spoken to a certain president, who I like, actually, a past president, former president. He said, 'I wish I did it. I wish I did.' But they didn't do it. I'm doing it," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday, according to CNN.

According to CNN, four former US presidents are living -- Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

CNN further reported that Trump declined to name the former president, saying he did not want to cause embarrassment.

"I don't want to embarrass him. Would be very bad for his career, even though he's got no career," Trump said.

According to CNN, Trump has defended his administration's military actions against Iran, even as the move has puzzled some of the GOP's "America First" wing and contributed to rising gas prices.

CNN reported that Trump has argued the actions are justified, stating that Iran has been creating problems for the United States for nearly half a century.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said he agreed with Donald Trump that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the recent military action was carried out under the president's leadership.

"I agree with the President that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. We took this military action under the President's leadership. All of us - whether a democrat or republican - should pray for the success and safety of our troops," he said.

- ANI
A prolonged government shutdown has thrown US air travel into chaos as unpaid Transportation Security Administration officers face a staffing crisis, with hundreds quitting. This has led to security wait times stretching to three hours at major airports like LaGuardia, with a national staff callout rate exceeding 10%. Passengers are experiencing widespread delays, cancellations, and are being advised to arrive at airports hours early. Airline executives have warned Congress of growing traveler frustration over the disruptions caused by the funding lapse.

Long security lines, staff shortages, and flight delays hit US airports as TSA officers work unpaid amid a government shutdown. Travelers stranded.

Washington, March 17 Air travel across the United States is in disarray due to a prolonged government shutdown, disrupting airport security operations and causing long queues, widespread delays, and stranded passengers.

Security checkpoints are under pressure as the Department of Homeland Security remains unfunded. Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay during the busy spring travel season.

The disruption has caused delays across multiple airports. Passengers are facing long wait times. Authorities are advising travellers to arrive much earlier to avoid missing flights.

"3+ hour TSA lines for travelers. 300+ TSA officers who have quit. A $0 paycheck for those continuing to serve. Enough is enough," the TSA said in a post. The agency also confirmed that hundreds of unpaid officers have left their jobs since the shutdown began, worsening staffing shortages across major airports.

The impact has been visible nationwide. Airports across the country reported long lines through the weekend, with some locations experiencing wait times stretching several hours. Although conditions improved at a few airports by Monday evening, delays persisted in many areas.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs, wait times approached two hours over the weekend before easing to under 15 minutes later on Monday.

Airports have urged passengers to adjust travel plans. "Please arrive at least 2.5 hours prior to your flight's departure for domestic," Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said, according to local media reports.

Operational strain has also been compounded by absenteeism among TSA staff. Officials reported a national callout rate of 10.19 per cent on Sunday, the highest recorded during the shutdown, media reports said.

In New York, wait times at LaGuardia Airport neared three hours, with callout rates exceeding 25 per cent. Similar staffing gaps were reported at John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports.

Passengers across the country have faced cancellations and rescheduling challenges. "We were on hold for three and a half hours all morning," Maeve Higgins, whose flight was cancelled twice, was quoted as saying. Another traveller, Lauren Price, told the media, "The hotel is non-refundable, so we are just going to go there for as many days as we can get."

Airline executives have warned of growing frustration among travellers. "Americans - who live in your districts and home states - are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays, and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown," a group of airline CEOs said in a letter to Congress cited by media reports.

In previous shutdowns, TSA officers were also required to work without pay, leading to similar spikes in absenteeism and delays. The agency screens millions of passengers each day, making it a central pillar of US aviation security.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees border security, immigration enforcement and transportation safety. Funding lapses have historically had ripple effects across these functions, especially during peak travel periods.

- IANS
Ukraine has formally protested India's arrest of six of its nationals by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with its Ambassador delivering an official note demanding their immediate release. The NIA arrested the Ukrainians and one American citizen for allegedly supplying weapons and training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, which it claims supports proscribed Indian insurgent groups. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry states the charges relate to unauthorized presence in Mizoram and illegal border crossing, while denying any established facts of unlawful activity. The Ukrainian Embassy is providing legal aid and maintains it was not officially notified of the detentions, seeking unimpeded consular access.

Ukraine's Ambassador delivers protest note to India over NIA's arrest of six Ukrainians and one American for alleged links to Myanmar ethnic groups.

New Delhi, March 17 Ukraine government has responded to the arrest of its six nationals by NIA with its Ambassador to India handing over an "official note of protest", demanding their immediate release.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested six Ukrainians and one US citizen for allegedly supporting ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons and training them.

The Press Service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its response to the arrests that the country's Ambassador to India Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk held a meeting with the Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Sibi George, during which he handed over "an official note of protest demanding the immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens and access to them".

It said in addition, the Embassy is maintaining contacts with other competent authorities of India in order to clarify all the circumstances and reasons for the detention.

A US Embassy spokesperson said they were aware of the situation. "We are aware of the situation. For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on cases involving US citizens," the Spokesperson said.

The foreign nationals arrested by the NIA have been identified as Matthew Aaron Van Dyke (US citizen), Hurba Petro (Ukrainian citizen), Slyviak Taras (Ukranian Citizen), Ivan Sukmanovskyi (Ukranian citizen), Stefankiv Marian (Ukranian Citizen), Honcharuk Maksim (Ukranian Citizen), and Kaminskyi Viktor (Ukrainian citizen).

They have been arrested in a case lodged under Section 18 (Terror Conspiracy) and BNS.

Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven to 11-day NIA custody on Monday. The agency had sought 15-day custody.

NIA alleged that the accused persons, linked with ethnic armed groups, are supporting certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them.

"The said aspects definitely affect the national security and interests of India," it said.

The Press Service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said six citizens of Ukraine were detained in India on March 13, and according to preliminary information, the charges concern unauthorised presence in the state of Mizoram, access to which requires a special permit, as well as the alleged illegal crossing of the state border between India and Myanmar.

"At present, the competent authorities of India are conducting the relevant investigative actions. As of now, there are no established facts proving the involvement of the said Ukrainian citizens in unlawful activities on the territory of India or Myanmar. At the same time, certain publications, including in some Indian and Russian media outlets, contain distorted interpretations of the available facts, are manipulative in nature, and put forward unfounded allegations," the Ukraine statement said.

It said the details of the case are not being disclosed in the interests of the investigation.

"With the assistance of Ukrainian consular officers of the Embassy of Ukraine in India, the citizens have been provided with legal aid and defence counsel during the court proceedings."

It said that the court hearing on March 16 was also attended by representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine.

The statement alleged that the Ukraine Embassy "did not receive" any official notification from the competent authorities of India regarding the detention of Ukrainian citizens.

"The Ukrainian side insists on the immediate provision of unimpeded consular access to the detainees...in addition, the Embassy is maintaining contacts with other competent authorities of India in order to clarify all the circumstances and reasons for the detention," it said.

The Ukrainian diplomatic mission remains in constant contact with the relatives of the detained Ukrainian citizens and is keeping the situation under special control, the statement said.

"We draw attention to the fact that there are certain restricted-access zones in India for foreign nationals, entry to which is possible only with special permits. At the same time, proper marking of such areas on the ground is often absent, which creates a risk of unintentional violation of the established rules," the statement added.

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Tyagi alongwith Amit Rohila and others, appeared for the NIA in the court. It was alleged that the seven foreigners came to India on visa and then entered Mizoram, which is a protected area. Thereafter, they entered Myanmar and "contacted ethnic war groups".

- ANI
India has strongly condemned Pakistan at the United Nations for conducting air-bombing campaigns in Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan. The condemnation followed reports of a deadly airstrike on a Kabul treatment center that allegedly killed around 400 people, a claim Pakistan has rejected. India's UN Ambassador warned the UN about the dangers of states weaponising religious identity for political ends. The incident has escalated border tensions, with reports of reciprocal drone attacks between Taliban forces and Pakistan.

India condemns Pakistan's air-bombing campaigns in Afghanistan during Ramadan and raises concerns over Afghan deportations at the UN.

New York, March 17 India has strongly condemned Pakistan at the United Nations the air-bombing campaigns by Islamabad on Afghanistan in the holy month of Ramadan and also raised concerns over the ongoing deportation of Afghan nationals.

Afghanistan said that around 400 people lost their lives in an airstrike at a treatment centre for drug addicts in Kabul on Monday evening. Pakistan, as per media reports, has however, rejected the claim.

Addressing the UN General Assembly commemoration of the 'International Day to Combat Islamophobia' on Monday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said, "India's western neighbour is an excellent example of fabricating imaginative tales of Islamophobia in their neighbourhood. One wonders what would brutal repression of Ahmadiyyas in this country be termed, or the large-scale refoulement of the helpless Afghans or air-bombing campaigns in this holy month of Ramadan?"

He said, "I stress that it is important for the UN to take note of the rising trend and dangers of weaponising religious identity and instrumentalising it to serve narrow political ends, by state and non-state actors alike."

Around 400 people were killed and about 250 people were reported injured as per a Taliban spokesperson. Pakistani outlet Samaa cited security sources to reject the allegations of striking the hospital terming as "ridiculous" the claim made by Afghanistan.

Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of Taliban, said that the airstrike was carried out by Pakistan at 9 PM on Monday evening on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital- a 2,000-bed facility dedicated towards the treatment of drug addiction.

He said that due to the attack, large sections of the hospital have been destroyed. With the death toll at 400 and around 250 reported injured, rescue teams in Afghanistan are working to control the fire and recover the remaining bodies of the victims.

As per Tolo News, the airstrike in Kabul on Monday evening was not the first time that the Pakistani military targeted civilians in Afghanistan. Previously, it has also targeted civilians, including women and children, in different provinces of the country.

Afghan news outlet Khaama Press reported that the residents of Kabul mentioned damage to dozens of homes due to the explosions, with several buildings showing structural harm from the blasts.

Citing sources, Khaama Press said that it was a Pakistani aircraft that bombed a Taliban military facility in Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province late Monday evening.

Khaama Press also said that Taliban forces reportedly launched drone attacks targeting areas inside Pakistan, escalating tensions and triggering retaliatory strikes across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

It further reported that the Taliban had reportedly launched drone attacks targeting areas inside Pakistan-- which Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned and said that the Afghan Taliban crossed a "red line".

Meanwhile, Pakistani news outlet Samaa News reported on Tuesday, citing security sources, that Pakistani Armed Forces carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar province, targeting facilities linked to the Taliban.

According to Samaa, sources said the strikes hit two locations in Kabul, which destroyed 'technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities'.

The security sources rejected striking the drug hospital and called the statement by Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid as "ridiculous", it further reported.

As per Samaa, in Afghanistan's Nangarhar, Pakistan's forces reportedly struck four sites linked to Taliban military installations and it claimed it also destroyed the nearby logistics hubs, ammunition depots and technical infrastructure.

Al Jazeera reported that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, dismissed the allegations as baseless, and in a post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Information said the strikes had "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban" and Afghanistan-based Pakistani fighters in Kabul and Nangarhar.

Pakistan's targeting was "precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted", the ministry said as per Al Jazeera. It was added that Mujahid's claim was aimed at stirring anti-Pakistan sentiment and to cover the Taliban's "illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism".

As tensions escalate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in a separate report by Tolo News, it was noted, citing officials, that about 7,500 families were displaced in several of Kunar's districts near the Durand Line due to Pakistani artillery fire.

Displaced residents said that the shelling by Pakistan has not only destroyed their homes but also killed their livestock, lamenting that despite the holy month of Ramadan, shelling by Pakistan has made the situation so bad that they cannot return and have been living in tents for the past 12 days.

- ANI
The UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, expressed dismay over reports of Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that resulted in significant civilian casualties. Afghan officials report the strikes targeted a major addiction treatment hospital in Kabul, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries. An Afghan interior ministry spokesperson warned of a forceful "teeth-breaking response," calling the attack a major escalation and violation of sovereignty. The incident marks a sharp rise in tensions, with Pakistan claiming it targets militant groups operating from Afghan soil.

UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett dismayed by reported Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan causing high civilian casualties at a hospital.

Marc, h 17 The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, on Tuesday expressed his distress over reports of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and resulting civilian casualties. He urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects like hospitals.

Bennett's statement comes as Afghan officials reported that Pakistani airstrike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi area, killing at least 400 people and injuring 250 others.

In a post on social media 'X,' Richard Bennett said, "Dismayed by fresh reports of Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan and resulting civilian casualties. My condolences. I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint & respect international law, including the protection of civilians & civilian objects such as hospitals."

Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qane on Tuesday warned that the country will give a "teeth-breaking response" to the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul.

Qane said recovery efforts were being made on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

He said Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as major escalation and warned of a response.

He said, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, Ariana News reported.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.

Afghan authorities have condemned what they term Pakistan's military operations in Afghanistan, especially in eastern and southeastern provinces.

In recent weeks, Afghan officials have said that strikes and shelling incidents have caused casualties and damage to infrastructure. Meanwhile, Islamabad has claimed it is targeting militant groups that are using Afghan soil for launching attacks in Pakistan.

- IANS
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has called for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire following a deadly Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul that killed over 400 people. UNAMA condemned the attack, stressing that targeting hospitals is strictly prohibited under international law. In response, Afghanistan's Interior Ministry spokesperson warned of a "teeth-breaking response," calling the strike a major escalation and violation of sovereignty. The incident sharply increases hostilities between the two nations, with dozens of civilian casualties reported in recent weeks.

UNAMA calls for immediate ceasefire after Pakistan's airstrike on an Afghan rehab hospital kills over 400. Afghanistan vows a "teeth-breaking response."

Kabul, March 17 The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on Tuesday called for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire following Pakistan's bombardment of a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, which killed more than 400 people, seeking medical care and recovery.

Raising concern, the UNAMA stated that an airstrike carried out by Pakistan military forces on Monday night impacted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a healthcare facility for the treatment of drug-addicted individuals, leaving several dead and injured.

The mission expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"Under international law, all parties to a conflict must respect and protect the sick and wounded, medical personnel, hospitals and ambulances and attacks on hospitals and civilian facilities are strictly prohibited," UNAMA stated.

"Across Afghanistan, civilians continue to pay the price for the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In line with its Security Council mandate, since 26 February, and prior to the incident on 16 March, UNAMA documented at least 76 civilian deaths and 213 injuries in Afghanistan due to the hostilities," it added.

The mission stressed the urgent need of all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qane on Tuesday warned that the country will give a "teeth-breaking response" to the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul.

Qane said recovery efforts were being made on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

He said Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as a major escalation and warned of a response.

He said, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, Ariana News reported.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.

- IANS
Union Minister Sonowal interacts with crew of Indian LPG carriers, commends their professionalism in ensuring energy security amid geopolitical tensions.

New Delhi, March 17 Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, along with senior officials of the Ministry, interacted with the crew members of Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, expressing the nation's gratitude for their courage and unwavering sense of duty in ensuring the safe transit of critical LPG cargo in wake of West Asia crisis.

The interaction, held via video conferencing, was attended by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping; Capt BK Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, Shipping Corporation of India; Capt Sukhmeet Singh and the crew of Shivalik, and Capt Dhiraj Kumar Agrawal, along with the crew of Nanda Devi.



Addressing the seafarers, Sarbananda Sonowal said the interaction was a "heartfelt expression of the nation's gratitude" to the crew, who ensured the safe delivery of vital LPG supplies despite operating in a high-risk maritime environment.



"It is a matter of immense pride to recognise the courage, dedication and professionalism of the crew of Shivalik and Nanda Devi. Your efforts ensured the safe passage of critical LPG cargo, strengthening India's energy security," Sonowal said.



The minister noted that both vessels remained stationed in a high-risk zone for nearly two weeks amid heightened security concerns before continuing their voyage to India.



Sonowal said the crew demonstrated exceptional calmness, vigilance and professionalism under challenging conditions.



Earlier, the two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving India on March 16 and 17, as the government continues to closely monitor maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia. MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi - carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG- crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday (March 13, 2026).



"Seafarers are the unsung heroes of global trade. Far away from your homes and families, you ensure that essential cargo reaches its destination safely," Sonowal said, highlighting the critical role played by maritime personnel in sustaining global supply chains.



The Union Minister further emphasised that the successful voyage of the two Indian-flagged vessels, fully manned by Indian seafarers, reflects the strength and resilience of India's maritime workforce.



"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to strengthening the maritime sector and ensuring the safety, dignity and global recognition of our seafarers," Sonowal said.



The Minister also acknowledged the support of seafarers' families, calling them a vital pillar behind their dedication and service. Congratulating the masters, officers and crew of both vessels, the minister said their achievement stands as an example of professionalism and commitment, and wished them safe voyages ahead.



The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies and Indian diplomatic missions in the region, a release said. The Union Shipping Minister is actively monitoring the situation, it added.



To ensure smooth maritime operations, the government is working closely with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders to minimise any operational disruptions to maritime trade. Ports have been advised to extend relief measures where required, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges.



Major ports are prioritising berthing for LPG vessels to ensure the timely discharge of cargo and continuity in energy supply. Over the past few days, six LPG vessels have been received at major Indian ports. Additionally, ports are providing safe anchorage areas for vessels loaded with cargo bound for the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit due to prevailing conditions.



The Shipping Ministry said it continues to monitor the maritime situation in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders, with a focus on safeguarding the welfare of Indian seafarers and ensuring the resilience of India's maritime logistics network.





- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid floral tributes to former Chief Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his death anniversary. He praised Bahuguna's continuous efforts to promote social awareness and national consciousness. Adityanath highlighted Bahuguna's remarkable work as a public representative, Chief Minister, and Union Minister for the welfare of all sections of society. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was also present at the commemorative event.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath commemorated the death anniversary of former Chief Minister and Union Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, praising his social work.

Lucknow, March 17 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday paid tribute to former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and former Union Minister late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his death anniversary.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Yogi hailed his contribution to the development of the state and said that he made continuous efforts to promote social public awareness.

"Today is the death anniversary of the freedom fighter, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. On this occasion, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government and the people of Uttar Pradesh, I pay tribute to him...He made continuous efforts to promote social public awareness," Yogi Adityanath said.

CM Yogi underlined Bahuguna's efforts to advance social awareness and national consciousness in independent India.

"Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna continuously made efforts to vigorously advance social awareness and national consciousness along with the independence of the country... In independent India, as a public representative, as the Chief Minister in the state government and as a Union Minister, he did many remarkable works," he said.

"The work initiated by him, whatever he did as a public representative, Chief Minister, Union Minister, were decisions taken for the welfare of every section of the society, prosperity of the country and the common people... I pay tribute to him on behalf of the state government and the people of the state," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was also present at the occasion.

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was a Congress leader and was elected as CM of Uttar Pradesh in 1973.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 555 pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. He highlighted the government's efforts in providing facilities for devotees, noting that over 164 crore visited religious sites in the state in 2025. The CM emphasized the double-engine government's focus on boosting tourism to accelerate development and create jobs. Earlier, he paid tribute to former Chief Minister and Union Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his death anniversary, praising his contributions to social awareness and public welfare.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath provides Rs 1 lakh financial aid to 555 Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims, highlights tourism and pays tribute to Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna.

Lucknow, March 18 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 555 pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at Lok Bhavan.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said on Tuesday, "So that the devotees of Uttar Pradesh face no problems, it was for this very purpose that we constructed the Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan in Ghaziabad in 2017-18. The government's effort has been to ensure that devotees receive good facilities at every pilgrimage site. In 2025, more than 164 crore devotees visited various religious sites across Uttar Pradesh, of which approximately 66 crore participated in the Prayagraj Mahakumbh alone."

He further emphasised, "The double-engine government's complete focus is on rapidly advancing the potential of the tourism sector and, through these means, accelerating the development of Uttar Pradesh while creating new employment opportunities."

Earlier today, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday paid tribute to former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and former Union Minister late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna on his death anniversary.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Yogi hailed his contribution to the development of the state and said that he made continuous efforts to promote social public awareness.

"Today is the death anniversary of the freedom fighter, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. On this occasion, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government and the people of Uttar Pradesh, I pay tribute to him...He made continuous efforts to promote social public awareness," Yogi Adityanath said.

CM Yogi underlined Bahuguna's efforts to advance social awareness and national consciousness in independent India.

"Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna continuously made efforts to vigorously advance social awareness and national consciousness along with the independence of the country... In independent India, as a public representative, as the Chief Minister in the state government and as a Union Minister, he did many remarkable works," he said.

He said further, "The work initiated by him, whatever he did as a public representative, Chief Minister, Union Minister, were decisions taken for the welfare of every section of the society, prosperity of the country and the common people... I pay tribute to him on behalf of the state government and the people of the state."

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid floral tribute to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna on his death anniversary. Dhami remembered Bahuguna as a visionary leader dedicated to public welfare and uplifting weaker sections. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also honored Bahuguna, praising his efforts to promote social awareness. Bahuguna, a Congress leader and freedom fighter, served as Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister in 1973.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and UP CM Yogi Adityanath honor former CM Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, a freedom fighter and Congress leader.

Dehradun, March 17 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday paid tribute to the late former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, on his death anniversary by offering floral respects to his portrait at the Chief Minister's residence.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister remembered Bahuguna's personality and contributions, stating that he was a "visionary leader and an able administrator."

"He always placed public welfare at the forefront of his political career and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society".

In a post on X, CM Dhami wrote,"On the death anniversary of the great freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, 'Himalaya Putra' Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, countless salutations. Your life of struggle and dedication to national service will forever inspire us towards social service."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday paid tribute to HN Bahuguna

Speaking on the occasion, CM Yogi hailed his contribution to the development of the state and said that he made continuous efforts to promote social public awareness.

"Today is the death anniversary of the freedom fighter, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. On this occasion, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government and the people of Uttar Pradesh, I pay tribute to him...He made continuous efforts to promote social public awareness," Yogi Adityanath said.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was also present at the occasion.

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was a Congress leader and was elected as CM of Uttar Pradesh in 1973.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh to discuss state development and public welfare initiatives. During the meeting, the CM approved a significant financial outlay of 75 crore for various projects across the state. Key allocations include 31.63 crore for a Cyber Centre of Excellence in Dehradun to combat cybercrime and crores for road reconstruction in the Kichha assembly constituency. Additional funds were sanctioned for infrastructure in Scheduled Caste and Tribal areas, including hostels and transport facilities.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets Governor, sanctions 75 crore for cybercrime centre, road reconstruction, and SC/Tribal welfare infrastructure.

Dehradun, March 17 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh at Lok Bhavan.

The Chief Minister apprised the Governor of various development works in the state and key issues related to public welfare. They also discussed matters concerning the overall development of the state, good governance, and public welfare initiatives, a release said.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Dhami approved a total financial outlay of Rs 75 crore for various initiatives, including tackling the growing challenges of cybercrime in the state, developing infrastructure in Scheduled Caste-dominated areas, and the reconstruction of roads across different assembly constituencies.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), to address the rising cybercrime threats, the Chief Minister has sanctioned Rs 31.63 crore for the establishment of a Cyber Centre of Excellence in Dehradun.

Additionally, Rs 22.72 crore has been approved for the reconstruction of a road in the Kichha assembly constituency of Udham Singh Nagar district, connecting NH-109 from Pt Ram Sumer Shukla Government Medical College to Atariya Mata Temple Mod via SIDCUL and Anandpur, up to SH-44.

Under the state plan, Rs 19.40 crore has been sanctioned for the reconstruction and improvement of the Shimla Pistaur Kureya motor road in the Kichha constituency of Udham Singh Nagar.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister has approved Rs 1.30 crore for the construction of an approach road to the under-construction Sub-Divisional Transport Office in Roorkee. An amount of Rs 67.42 lakh has been sanctioned for maintenance work at the Government Scheduled Caste Girls' Hostel in Mussoorie, Dehradun, under the scheme for development of infrastructure in SC-dominated areas.

Additionally, Rs 18.06 lakh has been approved for the installation of a tube well and mast lighting at the Government Tribal Hostel in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar.

- ANI
BJP leader Varun Gandhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his family, describing it as a privilege. He took to social media to praise Modi's leadership, stating the PM possesses a "wonderful paternal affection" in his aura. Gandhi asserted that the meeting reinforced his belief that Modi is the "true guardian" of the nation and its people. The leader, part of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, joined the BJP with his mother Maneka Gandhi in 2004 and has since risen within the party.

BJP leader Varun Gandhi meets PM Narendra Modi with family, praises his leadership and paternal aura in a social media post.

New Delhi, March 17 BJP leader Varun Gandhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with members of his family, and described the interaction as a privilege, saying the meeting strengthened his belief that the Prime Minister serves as a "true guardian" of the nation and its people.

After the meeting, Varun Gandhi shared details on social media platform X and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister and seek his guidance.

"I had the privilege of meeting the revered Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji along with my family and receiving his blessings and guidance," Varun Gandhi wrote in his post.

He further praised PM Modi's personality and leadership, saying, "There is a wonderful paternal affection and sense of protection in your aura."

"The meeting with you further strengthens the belief that you are the true guardian of the nation and its people," Varun Gandhi added.

Varun Gandhi belongs to the Nehru-Gandhi family and is the son of Maneka Gandhi and late Sanjay Gandhi, who was the younger son of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Over the years, Varun Gandhi has established himself as a political figure within the BJP and has served three terms as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha representing the Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

His mother, Maneka Gandhi, had joined the BJP following a major political and personal fallout with the Indian National Congress and other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family after the death Sanjay Gandhi, in 1980 in an air crash.

Years later, she formally joined the BJP in 2004 along with her son Varun Gandhi, seeking to build her political career within the party and pursue ministerial responsibilities.

At the time, he had explained his decision to align himself with the BJP and work within the party's political framework.

"I consider joining and strengthening the BJP to be in the nation's best interest and, therefore, my decision to do so," he had said.

Varun Gandhi subsequently rose within the party ranks, and in 2012, he was appointed as a General Secretary of the BJP.

- IANS
Donald Trump slams NATO allies for refusing to join US military ops against Iran, asserts US power needs no assistance in securing Strait of Hormuz.

Washington DC, March 17 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday slammed its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after several NATO countries conveyed their unwillingness to participate in the US military campaign against Iran amid the West Asia conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the US does not require their assistance in its ongoing military operations in Iran, despite broadly agreeing that Tehran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.



His tirade stemmed from suspected denial from his allies over his call for the safeguard of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important global energy choke points, which has been rendered partially inoperable amid the conflict.



"The United States has been informed by most of our NATO "Allies" that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon," his post read.



Trump stated that he was not surprised by their stance, further criticising the alliance as a "one-way street", claiming that Washington spends heavily on defending allied nations without receiving reciprocal support in times of need.



"I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," his post added.



Emphasising US military capability, Trump asserted that American forces had "decimated Iran's military," claiming that its navy, air force, and defence systems had been neutralised and added that the US no longer needs or desires assistance from NATO countries or partners such as Japan, Australia, and South Korea.



"In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump stated.



His outburst comes after the denial from his allies after he called for the deployment of naval assets to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz in a separate post on Truth Social on Saturday.



Trump hoped that countries including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would contribute to ensuring maritime security in the region.



"Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated," his post read.



This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.



Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply.



Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.





- ANI
The Maharashtra government has introduced the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, in the state assembly, aiming to curb unlawful religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, or inducement. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has extended his party's support to the bill, emphasizing opposition to forced conversions while upholding constitutional religious freedom. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the legislation does not prohibit voluntary conversion but seeks to prevent those achieved through deceit or coercion. The bill's introduction follows statements by ministers citing supportive speeches from opposition MLAs, indicating rare cross-party consensus on the issue.

Maharashtra's anti-conversion bill gains support from Shiv Sena UBT and state ministers. Bill targets forced, fraudulent religious conversions.

Mumbai, March 17 A day after the Maharashtra government introduced the draft of the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, in the Maharashtra assembly with a provision of imprisonment, Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai welcomed the Bill and cited the speech of Shiv Sena-UBT MLA Bhaskar Jadhav.

Desai told reporters, "Yesterday, Shiv Sena-UBT MLA Bhaskar Jadhav gave a speech in the assembly regarding this (Maharashtra Conversion Bill 2026) bill, and we support it. We welcome it... UBT has taken the initiative to support good work; we welcome this too."

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has extended his party's support to the recently passed bill in the Maharashtra legislative assembly - Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam 2026 or the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, which aims to curb unlawful religious conversions in the state.

Addressing reporters here on Monday, Thackeray emphasized that while freedom of religion is a constitutional right, his party stands firmly against the use of force, exploitation, or fraudulent luring to change a person's faith. "I saw the bill that came forward regarding conversion... If someone uses threats to force conversion, action should be taken against them...We support the bill."

While introducing the draft bill in the legislative assembly, Maharashtra Minister of State (MoS) for Home Pankaj Bhoyar said, "In recent years, there have been instances of forced religious conversions from one faith to another. These incidents disrupt public order and damage social harmony. I introduce Legislative Assembly Bill No. 20 of 2026, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026."

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that this bill does not prohibit a person from converting, but prevents conversions done through force and fraud."

Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 is not to stop someone from conversion, but it's to prevent people from conversion due to deceit, force, fraud, etc. Any conversion done through these means will be held null and void by the court on the basis of this law," he said in the Assembly.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill aims to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, allurement, or marriage and to stop religious conversions obtained by misrepresentation, undue influence, or inducement.

- ANI
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam has declared the party's intent to support any anti-BJP government formed after the Assam assembly elections. He accused both the previous Congress and current BJP-led governments of failing to resolve public issues, particularly concerning land and irrigation for farmers. The party is preparing to contest all 126 seats in the state, which is set for a high-stakes battle between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress. Meanwhile, the BJP has launched a public outreach yatra, and the Congress has released its second candidate list.

AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam says party will support any anti-BJP government in Assam to address land, irrigation, and public issues.

Guwahati, March 17 Ahead of the Assembly Elections in Assam, All India United Democratic Front MLA Rafiqul Islam on Tuesday emphasised that the party will support an "anti-BJP government", accusing the previous Congress and incumbent BJP-led NDA government of failing to solve people's issues.

Speaking to ANI, Islam claimed that there is a pressing issue of " erosion of the people and land problem", stating that AIUDF has a share in an "anti-BJP government", then they would work to address the problems across several sectors.

"We want an anti-BJP government and a government in which we have a share... There is no arrangement of water for irrigation for the farmers... If there is an anti-BJP government here, we will support it. If we can become a part of it, then we will address the people's problems in the education sector, the health sector, and road communication," said the MLA, further asserting that they won't support the BJP in the state, they want the party "out of Assam".

"Secular parties should win as many seats as possible. If a single anti-BJP government is formed, we will absolutely support it," he added.

This comes after Assam is poised to witness a high-stakes electoral battle between the BJP-led NDA government and the Congress for the 126-seat assembly on April 9. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.

Following the Election Commision's announcement of the election schedule on Sunday, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA Rafiqul Islam said the party is fully prepared and gearing up to contest all 126 seats in the state.

Ahead of the polls, the state unit of the BJP flagged the "Jan Ashirwad Yatra" to interact with the people of Assam, with CM Sarma's active participation. During the first phase of the outreach programme, Sarma said that earlier he had travelled 1,200 km, spending 14 hours daily with the public.

Meanwhile, the Congress released its second list of candidates for the upcoming polls, announcing 23 names, bringing the total tally to 65 out of 126 state assembly seats. The Congress said that 15 constituencies, including Bhowanipur-Sorbhoog, Bajali, Palasbari, Guwahati Central, Goreswar, Morigaon and Barhampur, have been left for alliance partners.

In the 2021 elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats. The BJP is the largest partner in the alliance with 60 seats. Voter turnout was as high as 86.2 per cent with over 2. 2 crore registered voters in 2021.

- ANI
Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, has issued a stark message calling for unity among Muslim-majority nations against what he terms American-Zionist aggression. He expressed disappointment at the lack of support from other Muslim countries following attacks that led to the martyrdom of Iranian leaders. Larijani framed the current conflict as a direct confrontation between the US-Israel alliance and Iran alongside "forces of resistance," questioning other nations' allegiances. Meanwhile, Israel reported a precise strike on an aircraft linked to Iran's late Supreme Leader, aiming to disrupt the regime's military coordination.

Iran's security chief Ali Larijani asks Muslim nations "Which side are you on?" amid strikes, accusing US-Israel of aggression and martyrdom of leaders.

Tehran, March 17 Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani has issued a message to the Muslim world saying that Iran remains "steadfast" in its fight against the US and Israel.

Larijani expressed disappointment at what he perceived as lack of support from Muslim-majority countries when Iran came under attack.

"Iran was subjected to a treacherous American-Zionist aggression that occurred during negotiations and whose aim was to dismantle Iran. This aggression led to the martyrdom of the great and self-sacrificing leader of the Islamic Revolution and a number of civilians and military commanders," he said on Monday.

"Some nations have gone even further, declaring Iran to be their adversary simply because it targeted American bases - as well as American and Israeli interests - situated within their own territories," Larijani added.

While Iran stresses that it is only striking US interests in the Middle East, its drones and missiles have targeted civilian sites, including hotels and energy installment in the Gulf region.

Larijani said Iran cannot be "expected to stand idly by with its hands tied" while US bases are located in neighbouring countries.

"The confrontation today is, in reality, between America and Israel on one side, and Muslim Iran and the forces of resistance on the other. Which side are you on, then?" he said.

Larijani called for Muslim unity, stressing that Iran does not seek "hegemony" over the region.

"You know full well that America has no loyalty, and that Israel is, in fact, your enemy," he said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military says its air force overnight on Monday dismantled the aircraft used by Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in "a precise strike" at Mehrabad Airport in the capital city of Tehran, as per Al Jazeera.

"The dismantling of the aircraft disrupts the Iranian regime leadership's coordination capabilities with axis countries, it's military force build-up efforts and its ability to rehabilitate its capabilities," its statement published on Telegram said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

- ANI
The White House forcefully rejected claims by outgoing National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent that Iran posed no imminent threat, following his resignation in protest of the war. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the intelligence, stating President Trump had compelling evidence Iran was going to attack first. Kent argued the war was started due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby, a mistake that should not be repeated. Senator Mark R. Warner criticized Kent's record but agreed with his core claim that no credible imminent threat justified the war.

Outgoing NCTC Director Joe Kent resigns, claims Iran posed no imminent threat. White House press secretary forcefully rejects the assertion, defending intelligence.

Washington, March 17 The White House on Tuesday forcefully rejected claims by outgoing National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent that Iran posed no imminent threat, even as his resignation marked the first high-level exit from the Trump administration in protest against the war.

"There are many false claims in this letter, but let me address one specifically: that 'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation,'" Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

"This is the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating over and over."

Her remarks came shortly after Kent announced his resignation. "After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today," he said.

Kent directly challenged the rationale for the conflict. "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

The White House defended the intelligence basis for the operation. "As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first," Leavitt said.

"This evidence was compiled from many sources and factors. President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum."

Kent, however, warned against repeating past mistakes. In his resignation letter, he reiterated that Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation" and cautioned that "we cannot make this mistake again."

He said the United States risked being drawn into another costly conflict under flawed assumptions and external pressure.

Drawing on his personal experience, Kent said he could not support sending "the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives."

Leavitt described Iran as a major and evolving threat. "Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism."

"The Iranian regime is evil. It proudly killed Americans, waged war against our country, and openly threatened us all the way up to the launch of Operation Epic Fury."

She said the administration had pursued diplomacy before military action. "But they would not say yes to peace because obtaining nuclear weapons was their fundamental goal."

Leavitt added that the President acted to prevent a larger attack. "President Trump ultimately made the determination that a joint attack with Israel would greatly reduce the risk to American lives that would come from a first strike by the terrorist Iranian regime and address this imminent threat to America's national security interests."

"The Commander-in-Chief determines what does and does not constitute a threat," she said.

Kent also acknowledged his tenure. "It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America."

The resignation triggered a sharp political response, including from Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark R. Warner, who criticised Kent's record but agreed with his core claim.

"Joe Kent's record is deeply troubling, and in my view, he never should have been confirmed to lead the National Counterterrorism Center," Warner said.

However, he added: "But on this point, he is right: there was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice in the Middle East."

"Ignoring the facts to pursue a predetermined war puts American lives at risk and undermines our national security," Warner said.

The National Counterterrorism Center plays a central role in analysing terrorism threats and coordinating intelligence across agencies, making the resignation of its director highly unusual and politically sensitive.

The United States has previously faced scrutiny over intelligence used to justify military action in the Middle East, most notably during the Iraq war, where claims about weapons of mass destruction were later discredited.

- IANS
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has accused Pakistan's military of conducting a devastating airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, reportedly killing over 400 people. He stated that while Afghanistan seeks peace, the nation is united and will defend its land "with great courage" if conflict is imposed. The attack, which occurred during the final days of Ramadan, targeted one of society's most vulnerable segmentsindividuals undergoing addiction treatment. Muttaqi urged the international community and religious leaders to condemn the strike and stand against violence targeting civilians.

Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi condemns a Pakistani military airstrike on a Kabul drug rehab centre, reporting over 400 killed, and vows national self-defence.

Kabul, March 18 Afghanistan will defend its territory if conflict is imposed on it, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Tuesday, after accusing Pakistan's military of carrying out a devastating airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul that reportedly killed more than 400 people.

Addressing Kabul-based ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives of international organisations, Muttaqi said Afghans seek peace but will respond firmly to aggression.

"The entire nation of Afghanistan is united and shares the same aspiration: it wants stability. The whole nation does not favour war. However, if war is imposed upon it, then with great courage it will prove its right to self-defence and will defend its land and its beliefs," he said.

He said that the airstrike occurred at around 9:00 p.m. local time last night, when Pakistani military aircraft and drones targeted Kabul.

"Last night, at approximately 9:00 p.m. local time, military aircraft and drones of the Pakistani military regime conducted an attack on the peaceful city of Kabul," Muttaqi said. "Regrettably, as in previous incidents, civilian targets were struck," he added.

The strike reportedly hit a drug rehabilitation centre, where individuals struggling with narcotics addiction were undergoing treatment.

Muttaqi said the victims included some of the most vulnerable members of Afghan society.

"This time, the Pakistani military specifically targeted one of the most vulnerable segments of our society - individuals who had become addicted to narcotics as a consequence of the hardships of the past two decades. These individuals were undergoing treatment through the efforts of the Afghan government and with the support of international humanitarian organizations," he said.

Muttaqi gave preliminary figures presented which indicated that more than 408 people receiving treatment were killed, while over 265 others were injured in the attack. "It is possible that these numbers may rise further," he added.

Muttaqi strongly condemned the strike, accusing Pakistan's military of disregarding humanitarian and Islamic principles of warfare.

"This incident demonstrates that the Pakistani military apparatus shows no regard for Islamic or humanitarian principles of warfare and deliberately targets civilian and humanitarian facilities with complete disregard for restraint," he said.

He noted that the attack took place during the final days of the holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, describing it as further evidence that the perpetrators showed no respect for human or religious values.

The Afghan foreign minister said the strike was part of a broader pattern of Pakistani military aggression, including repeated violations of Afghan airspace over the past several years.

He said Afghanistan had faced successive waves of Pakistani military actions since February, including earlier bombings that targeted seven civilian sites, including a madrasa, killing 15 people, among them women and children.

Muttaqi added that Pakistani forces had also carried out violations in provinces including Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Parwan, Kunar, Laghman, and Kandahar.

Afghan security forces, he said, responded with "proportionate and reciprocal defensive measures" focused solely on military targets.

Muttaqi urged the international community, regional governments, and religious leaders to condemn the attack and stand against violence targeting civilians.

"It is the duty of all responsible states, organisations committed to human values, global and especially Muslim public opinion, personalities, religious scholars, media outlets, and all of humanity to raise their voices against this inhumane and oppressive act and to fulfil their responsibilities in accordance with human and Islamic solidarity," he said.

This comes after more than 400 people have died and hundreds more were injured after a Pakistani military airstrike struck a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, Afghan officials said, according to a report by TOLO News.

The attack, which took place late at night, caused massive destruction at the facility and is being described as one of the deadliest strikes on civilians in Afghanistan in recent years. Many of the victims were patients and staff present at the centre at the time.

The incident is likely to strain already fragile ties between Kabul and Islamabad. Regional and international observers have warned of the wider implications of such attacks on efforts to maintain stability in Afghanistan, which has seen years of conflict following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

- ANI
Vikram Verma, a labourer from Sikar, Rajasthan, was killed in a drone attack in Oman on March 14. His body was repatriated and his last rites were performed in his village amidst profound grief. He had gone to Oman just weeks earlier to support his family as their sole breadwinner. This marks the second death of a Rajasthan youth in the volatile regional conflict in recent weeks.

Vikram Verma from Sikar killed in Oman drone strike. Sole breadwinner's body returns home as family mourns. Details on the tragic incident.

Jaipur, March 17 Another youth from Rajasthan has lost his life amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Vikram Verma, a native of Sikar district, was killed in a drone attack in Oman on March 14, and his body reached his village on Tuesday after four days.

His last rites were performed in a sombre and grief-stricken atmosphere. He belonged to Agloi village in the Khandela area of the district.

Sikar ADM Ratan Kumar confirmed to IANS that a resident of Sikar has died in the Israel-Iran war and his body has reached his village in Khandela.

As Vikram Verma's body arrived in the village, scenes of deep sorrow unfolded. His father and elder sister broke down in inconsolable grief. People from nearby villages gathered at his home to pay their last respects.

Vikram had gone to Oman on February 23 to work as a labourer with a construction company engaged in road projects.

Shortly before the attack, he had made a group video call to his mother, maternal uncle, aunt, and sister. During the call, he reassured them about his well-being, saying he was receiving meals on time and the work was good. However, he had also expressed concern about the prevailing situation in the region.

Vikram's father, Banwari Lal, said the family was informed about the incident by a relative who also works for the same company in Oman at a different location.

The company later arranged for the repatriation of Vikram's body.

Vikram is survived by his parents and three sisters, one of whom is married.

As the sole breadwinner of the family, he had gone abroad in hopes of improving their financial condition.

Earlier, on March 1, Dalip, a resident of Nagaur district, was killed in a missile attack while working aboard a crude oil company's ship. His family was informed of his death on March 4.

- IANS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that around 200 Ukrainian air defence experts are currently deployed in the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks. He highlighted the severe cost disparity in modern warfare, where cheap Iranian drones are intercepted by multi-million dollar missiles. Zelenskyy offered to share Ukraine's expertise and drone production capacity, stating the country can produce thousands of interceptor drones daily. The announcement comes amid continued regional attacks and Iran confirming the deaths of senior security officials.

President Zelenskyy says Ukrainian experts are aiding against Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, sharing hard-earned war expertise.

London, March 18 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that around 200 Ukrainian air defence experts are currently deployed in the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks, CNN reported.

Speaking at the British Parliament during his visit to the United Kingdom, Zelenskyy said that drones, particularly low-cost attack drones, have significantly altered the nature of modern warfare, CNN reported.

Highlighting the cost disparity, he noted that while each Iranian drone costs about $50,000 USD, the US and its allies are using missiles worth nearly $4 million USD to intercept them, as per CNN.

According to CNN, Ukraine has faced sustained drone and missile assaults after Russia increased production of Iranian-designed Shahed drones last year.

Amid shortages of Western-supplied air defence systems, Kyiv developed a layered defence approach using electronic warfare, helicopters, modified cargo aircraft, and ground-based systems, including heavy machine guns and surface-to-air missiles, CNN reported.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to share its expertise, adding that the country can produce around 2,000 interceptor drones daily and could supply about half of them to allies, as per CNN.

Meanwhile, in a speech to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at length about the US-Israel war against Iran, Al Jazeera reported.

Zelenskyy said that Russia had begun receiving "Shahed" drones from Iran a few years ago and later upgraded them, as per Al Jazeera.

"The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred, and that is why they are brothers in weapons," the Ukrainian president said, as per Al Jazeera.

"And we want regimes built on hatred to never win, in anything," he added.

Meanwhile, Iran has confirmed that security chief Ali Larijani and Basij force commander Gholamreza Soleimani have been killed, Al Jazeera reported, citing state media.

A series of explosions has struck Baghdad, including areas near the United States Embassy in Baghdad in the heavily fortified Green Zone, Al Jazeera reported.

Furthermore, as per Al Jazeera, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned over the war on Iran, stating that the country posed "no imminent threat".

Israel has carried out airstrikes on three neighbourhoods in Beirut, while also launching fresh attacks on Tehran, according to the Israeli military, as per Al Jazeera.

Missile and drone attacks have continued across the Gulf region, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reporting interceptions, Al Jazeera reported.

- ANI
A brain mechanism may explain why approximately 40% of people with hypertension continue to have high blood pressure despite taking medication. The discovery reveals potential targets for new treatments.

Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) in Brazil have demonstrated that changes in breathing patterns, especially strong abdominal muscle contractions during exhalation, can trigger hypertension.

Using animal models (mice), the scientists discovered that neurons in the lateral parafacial region (pFL) modulate sympathetic activity during exhalation. This constricts blood vessels, contributing to blood pressure spikes and neurogenic hypertension, which is characterized by dysfunction in the central nervous system.

Conversely, inhibiting these neurons normalizes blood pressure in cases of neurogenic hypertension induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia, a key feature of obstructive sleep apnea involving repetitive alternations between low tissue oxygenation and normal levels.

The pFL, which controls active exhalation, is located in the lowest portion of the brainstem (medulla oblongata), where the brain connects to the spinal cord. The study was published in the scientific journal Circulation Research.

We were surprised by this finding that neurons involved in active exhalation have the ability to impact cardiovascular function. This has implications for pathological conditions such as hypertension. Therefore, we proposed that the lateral parafacial region be a potential therapeutic target for treating hypertension." Professor Davi Jose de Almeida Moraes, of USP's Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB) and corresponding author of the article

According to Moraes, rather than modulating the central nervous system directly, the therapeutic approach is to pharmacologically manipulate oxygen sensors to reduce the activity of pFL neurons via ATP (adenosine triphosphate) receptors. In addition to being an energy source for cellular activities, ATP functions as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems (purinergic transmission).

"Ten years ago, we began showing that by inhibiting these receptors in the carotid body, located in the carotid arteries, it was possible to reduce sympathetic activity and blood pressure in neurogenic hypertension [read more at https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.4173]. Now we've shown that this depends on pFL neurons," says Moraes, who is supported by FAPESP.

The work also received funding from the Foundation through five other projects and scholarships (18/15957-2, 22/07579-3, 23/02560-5, 22/02138-9, and 19/24060-9).

'The silent killer'

Hypertension is the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney disease. Several factors influence blood pressure levels, including smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, stress, high salt intake, high cholesterol, and a lack of physical activity.

Although hypertension is preventable and treatable, it affects an estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide. According to the latest report released in 2025 by the World Health Organization (WHO), only one in five people manage to control the condition, either through medication or by addressing risk factors.

In Brazil, data from the Ministry of Health indicates that hypertension affects approximately 30% of adults. Last year, the Brazilian Societies of Cardiology (SBC), Hypertension (SBH), and Nephrology (SBN) issued a new recommendation that changed the blood pressure threshold considered risky, aligning the guidelines with international standards.

The well-known "12 x 8" (systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg) is now classified as prehypertension, which warrants attention and reinforcement of preventive measures. Normal blood pressure must remain below this threshold.

Research methodology

The scientists used advanced techniques to manipulate and record neuronal activity in rats.

They manipulated the pFL neurons using viral transfection, a technique that introduces genes into cells via modified viruses. This technique does not cause disease; rather, it reprograms specific cells to help scientists understand how the brain controls certain functions, such as blood pressure and breathing.

Through optogenetic and pharmacogenetic modulation, the scientists excited or inhibited the pFL neurons while recording sympathetic and respiratory activity and blood pressure under different experimental conditions.

Optogenetic activation triggered active exhalation and positively modulated sympathetic activity, raising blood pressure. In contrast, pharmacogenetic inhibition eliminated exhalation-related sympathetic excitation and normalized blood pressure in hypertensive rats.

"It had never been demonstrated that neurons that generate expiratory activity communicated with those that control sympathetic activity and blood vessel diameter to impact blood pressure. This was a groundbreaking finding of the study," adds Moraes, who collaborated with researchers from the Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine (FMRP-USP) and the Cardiac Research Center at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical Sciences (New Zealand).
Early life stress may lead to digestive issues later in life, driven by changes in the gut and sympathetic nervous systems, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology.

Our research shows that these stressors can have a real impact on a child's development and may influence gut issues long-term. Understanding the mechanisms involved can help us to create more targeted treatments." Kara Margolis, study author, director of the NYU Pain Research Center and professor of molecular pathobiology at NYU College of Dentistry and pediatrics and cell biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Emotional neglect and other adverse experiences early in life can have a profound impact on a child's development. Research shows that early life stress, both during pregnancy and after birth, may shape how the brain forms and are linked to a higher likelihood of developing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry's Pain Research Center sought to understand how these difficulties shape the brain's two-way communication with the gut. When things go awry with this communication superhighway, people can experience digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, and motility issues (e.g., constipation or diarrhea).

"When the brain is impacted, the gut is likely also impacted-the two systems communicate 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Margolis. "There's some data showing that early life stress may be linked to gut disorders, but we wanted to take an in-depth look at the mechanisms and how these gut-brain pathways work."

The researchers explored early life stress in three different ways using mouse models and two large studies of children.

In the study in mice, neonatal mice were separated from their mothers for multiple hours a day, a model for early life stress. When the researchers examined them several months later (at the equivalent of young adulthood), the mice had higher levels of anxiety-like behaviors, gut pain, and motility issues. The changes in motility differed based on sex, with female mice experiencing diarrhea and males experiencing constipation.

Additional experiments revealed that different pathways may be driving different gastrointestinal symptoms. Knocking out sympathetic signaling to the gut resolved motility issues, but not pain, while sex hormones seemed to play a role in pain, but not motility. Serotonin-based pathways appear to impact both gut pain and motility.

"This suggests that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to treating disorders of gut-brain interaction, and that when patients experience different symptoms, we may have to target different pathways," said Margolis.

The link between early life stress and gastrointestinal issues found in the preclinical experiments was largely mirrored in two large human studies. In one, the researchers looked at a population-based study conducted in Denmark of more than 40,000 babies through 15 years of age, half of whom were born to mothers with untreated depression during or after pregnancy.

They found that depression during and after pregnancy among mothers not taking antidepressants was associated with children having an increased risk of being diagnosed with numerous digestive disorders, including nausea and vomiting, functional constipation, colic, and irritable bowel syndrome. This finding builds on a previous study led by Margolis that determined that mothers who take antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to have kids who are diagnosed with functional constipation.

"Digestive outcomes for children seem to be even more profound when a mother's depression is left untreated, suggesting that mothers experiencing depression should be treated during pregnancy. This may include nonmedical measures like therapy, but some pregnant women may also require medications to treat their depression," said Margolis. "This finding also reinforces our commitment to developing antidepressants that do not reach the placenta-a focus of many of our studies right now."

In a second human study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 12,000 children in the US who were part of the NIH-funded Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. They looked at adverse childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect, and parental mental health problems, and whether children had digestive issues when they were nine and 10 years old. They found that gastrointestinal symptoms increased with any type of early childhood stress.

In the human studies, the researchers did not find differences in digestive outcomes between males and females who experienced early life stress, suggesting that difficulties during this critical developmental stage may impact gut and gut-brain health, irrespective of sex.

Taken together, the studies show that early life stress may shape the development of gut-brain communication and contribute to long-term gastrointestinal symptoms, including pain and motility issues. By demonstrating that different pathways modulate different symptoms, future studies can explore how to target individual pathways to more effectively treat digestive issues, like disorders of gut-brain interaction.

"When patients come in with gut problems, we shouldn't just be asking them if they are stressed right now; what happened in your childhood is also a really important question and something we need to consider," said Margolis. "This developmental history could ultimately inform how we understand how some disorders of gut-brain interaction develop and treat them based on specific mechanisms."
Routine newborn screening (NBS) has transformed early disease detection. However, traditional biochemical tests limit the range of conditions that can be identified at birth. Next-generation sequencing is being explored as a complementary screening tool. A review published in Pediatric Investigation examines how next-generation sequencing could expand NBS from single-disease assays to genome-enabled, multi-disease screening approaches.

Every year, millions of newborns undergo routine screening as a preventive strategy to detect inherited disorders before symptoms emerge. Newborn screening (NBS) programs have traditionally relied on biochemical markers to identify specific groups of treatable conditions, achieving remarkable success at a population level. However, as researchers increasingly uncover genetically driven diseases that manifest early in life, questions are emerging about whether existing screening frameworks are adequate for the genomic era.



To bridge this gap in early detection of genetic disease, Dr. Zhelan Huang from the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, China, and Dr. Wenhao Zhou from Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center have examined the role of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in reshaping the landscape of NBS. Their study, published in Pediatric Investigation on January 6th, 2026, examined the transition of NBS from biochemical assays for a single disease to genome-enabled, multi-disease approaches, while also delving into the challenges that limit the clinical implementation of genomic NBS (gNBS).



Dr. Zhou explains, "Conventional NBS methods are inherently constrained by their reliance on measurable biochemical abnormalities. While effective for disorders like phenylketonuria or congenital hypothyroidism, many genetic diseases do not produce detectable metabolic signals during the neonatal period. Consequently, affected infants appear healthy at birth but develop symptoms after irreversible damage has already occurred." Genetic screening therefore offers a direct strategy to uncover disease risk at its earliest possible stage.



gNBS uses the NGS technology to analyze DNA obtained from the same dried blood spots already collected for routine screening. Targeted gene panels, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing enable the simultaneous assessment of multiple genes associated with inherited disorders. This genomic approach can substantially expand the benefits of NGS by identifying conditions that are not detectable through traditional biochemical testing.



However, genomic screening introduces new complexities. One of the most significant challenges is interpreting genetic variants of uncertain significance, whose clinical implications remain unclear. Reporting such findings in a population-wide screening program may cause unnecessary parental anxiety and raise ethical concerns. Therefore, gNBS requires careful selection of reportable genes and variants, specifically focusing on those with clinically actionable outcomes during childhood.



While traditional screening methods deliver results within days, genomic sequencing may require weeks. This delay limits its utility for conditions that require immediate intervention. Dr. Zhou adds, "A major research focus is reducing the turnaround time for genetic screening through rapid whole-genome sequencing approaches, which are already being applied in some critically ill infants. Although these approaches are not yet used in routine population screening, continued efforts may broaden their application in the future."



A major aspect that has been debated since the beginning is the psychological and ethical dimensions surrounding gNBS. Many parents view genomic screening favorably, while healthcare professionals tend to be more cautious, reflecting concerns about data interpretation, consent, and long-term data storage. Another complication that arises is whether to report adult-onset conditions or incidental findings, which highlights the need for clear policy frameworks and access to genetic counseling support.



Dr. Zhou says, "Driven by lower costs, technological advances, and supportive policy frameworks, gNBS is expected to gradually integrate with or even evolve into a standardized tool for newborn healthcare management ." When used along with the conventional assays, it can help clarify ambiguous results and identify conditions beyond the detection limits of conventional methods.



While technical, ethical, and logistical challenges continue to shape its implementation, genomic screening holds the potential to refine the identification and management of inherited diseases from birth. gNBS could enable a more precise and informed approach to newborn care, extending the benefits of screening beyond early diagnosis to support long-term health planning.
New research from the University of Mississippi suggests that telling stories  from ancient campfire tales to modern-day digital communication  may be tied to how human memory evolved.

It also could be a key to improving everyday retention.

Matthew Reysen, associate professor of psychology, and Ole Miss doctoral student Zoe Fischer recently put storytelling to the test. Their study, published in Evolutionary Psychology, found that storytelling performs just as well, and sometimes better, than the current gold standard in mnemonic devices, a technique called survival processing.

People have been using stories to communicate information as long as they've been passing information from one person to another. But there wasn't much in the literature about storytelling as a way to improve memory. Our result was that storytelling was just as good as survival processing, and in the cases where people actually wrote out the stories, even better than the popular survival technique. The overall conclusion is that, just like with survival processing, memory may have an evolutionary tie to storytelling." Matthew Reysen, associate professor of psychology, University of Mississippi

Understanding human memory  and what improves it  could improve education practices as well as everyday processing, the researchers said. Anecdotally, this was no surprise, said Fischer, a fourth-year doctoral student in experimental psychology from Verona, Italy.

"This is something that we hear often, right?" she said. "I presented at a conference recently, and so many professors came up to me after and said, 'I tell stories during my lectures and I do it because it's entertaining and more interesting, and people tend to love it.'

"It's so wonderful that we can see that there's evidence that this actually helps them remember information even more. Now we know it's not only entertaining for them, but also helpful."

Among the various means of improving memory  from Sherlock Holmes' memory palace to acronyms, acrostics and rhyming  survival processing has been lauded as one of the best and easiest to employ. The technique involves relating what an individual wants to remember to how it might help them survive being stranded on a grassland without resources, which creates a stronger impression of the words and makes them easier to remember.

Another popular mnemonic device is pleasantness processing, which asks participants to rate words based on how pleasant or unpleasant they are. Thinking more deeply about the word's connotation  "shark" can be good or bad, depending on a person's love of sea life or fear of the ocean  can also improve memory.

Similar to survival processing, Fischer and Reysen's storytelling method asked participants to take 20 to 30 unrelated nouns and create a story with them. Across four experiments with more than 380 participants, those who created a narrative remembered far more of the nouns than those who used pleasantness processing.

They also remembered the same number or more nouns than subjects who used survival processing.

However, combining survival processing with storytelling did not drastically improve retention.

"You would think, if both things work separately, that they would work even better together," Fischer said. "But what that tells us is that these two systems, underlyingly, have the same kind of cognitive function."

The researchers said that both techniques likely rely on relational processing  where the brain remembers by identifying how words or concepts are similar  and item-specific processing, which instead remembers through distinction, not similarity. Where relational processing remembers puzzle pieces by relating them to the completed picture, item-specific processing identifies what makes each puzzle piece unique.

If both survival and storytelling devices rely on the same underlying cognitive mechanisms, it stands to reason that combining two processes does not create a better outcome, Fischer said.

This insight also hints at a deeper truth about storytelling: that humans may have evolved to value the stories they hear.

"Before people began even writing down words, they used stories to communicate information," Reysen said. "So, it makes sense to me, from an evolutionary perspective, that we would be better at retaining stories, that the mind provides a sort of framework or structure within it to include the information which organizes it and makes it easier to retrieve."
A new analysis in Oregon reveals a heightened incidence of severe burns requiring hospital-level care as illicit drug use has shifted nationwide from injection to smoking.

Researchers analyzed Oregon Medicaid data and found that over half of people treated for burns in hospitals and emergency rooms over nearly a decade also used smokable drugs other than tobacco.

"That's a striking and concerning finding," said lead author Honora Englander, M.D., who directs an in-hospital addiction care team at Oregon Health & Science University. "Serious burns are an under-recognized risk associated with smoking drugs. We hope that our study will increase awareness of this critical public health issue."

The study, published today in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed Oregon Medicaid case data from April of 2016 to March of 2024.

Even as the number of overdose deaths in the United States has declined slightly from 100,000 deaths annually at the start of this decade, the new findings highlight a broader spectrum of injury and disability linked to substance use.

Smoking has surpassed injection as the most common route of fatal overdoses of illicit drugs nationwide, researchers said.

Researchers conducted the study after medical staff in Portland began noticing an increase in severe burns, especially at the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. In addition to analyzing Medicaid data, Englander and co-authors conducted interviews with 19 patients who smoke drugs such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl and stimulants like methamphetamine.

She said patients described the widespread availability of butane torches designed for cooking.

Unlike common lighters, Englander noted that these devices typically include locking mechanisms that raise the risk among people who may become sedated or unconscious while inhaling fentanyl.

This represents a different injury pathway than what we traditionally associate with substance use. We have long recognized risks related to injection drug use, but the dangers associated with smoking drugs, particularly severe burns, have not previously been reported." Honora Englander, M.D., lead author

Mark Thomas, M.D., a surgeon in the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel in Portland, is a co-author on the study.

"We are seeing increasing numbers of patients with catastrophic burn injuries linked to drug use," Thomas said. "People can recover from addiction, but these burns often result in permanent disability, repeated surgeries, and lifelong physical and psychological consequences."

Englander, a hospital physician who specializes in addiction medicine, is encouraging outreach workers and medical providers to talk with clients about the hazard. It's especially risky for people using these torches alone.

"I now talk with every patient about how they are smoking," she said. "Knowing the risk of severe burn injuries, it's so important to get the word out to the community."

In addition to Englander and Thomas, co-authors include Stephanie Renfro, M.S., and Alisa Patten, M.A., of OHSU; Haven Wheelock, M.P.H., of Outside In; Syrrita Mason of The Peer Company; and Caroline Raymond-King, M.D., Ph.D., of Yale University.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare. AI systems can now detect diabetic eye disease from retinal photos and analyze CT images for signs of early-stage lung cancers and stroke.

Right now, at hospitals across the country and throughout the world, specialized algorithms are quietly assisting physicians, prioritizing urgent scans and flagging subtle irregularities that might otherwise go unnoticed. These specialized AI tools-often trained on millions of precisely categorized medical images-are increasingly integrated into real clinical practice.

At the same time, another form of AI has captured the public's attention: large language models (LLMs). These widely accessible systems, such as ChatGPT and Claude, can analyze both text and images. In theory, these capabilities should make them well-suited for medical tasks, but are general-use AI platforms reliable when it comes to medical diagnosis?

A new study led by New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) Associate Professor Milan Toma, Ph.D., suggests otherwise. As seen in the scholarly journal Algorithms, Toma and his co-authors, which include NYITCOM Senior Development Security Operations Engineer Mihir Matalia and medical student Sungjoon Hong, tested the reliability of some of the world's most advanced multimodal LLMS (GPT-5, Gemini 3 Pro, Llama 4 Maverick, Grok4, and Claude Opus 4.5 Extended).

The researchers provided each AI model with the same CT brain scan showing clear intracranial pathology. Then, they asked the models to analyze the image like a radiologist-identifying the imaging technique used, the location of the pathology in the brain, primary diagnosis, key features, and potential alternative diagnoses. Overall, the findings revealed a 20 percent rate of fundamental diagnostic error across the AI models, along with concerning variabilities in interpretation and assessment.

At first, the models produced promising results, with all five correctly identifying the image as a CT brain scan. Four models also detected a key finding: an ischemic stroke near the left middle cerebral artery. However, one made a fundamental error by incorrectly misclassifying the stroke as a hemorrhage on the opposite side of the brain. In a real, clinical setting, this error could significantly impact a patient's health, as ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes require different treatments.

Even among the four AI models that reached the correct diagnosis, their explanations differed greatly. Some offered varying interpretations on when the stroke first occurred; others disagreed on alternative diagnoses and additional brain regions affected, as well as calcification. The researchers then introduced a novel surprise: They asked each AI model to grade the others' diagnostic explanations. This cross-evaluation exposed additional inconsistencies, with some models grading more harshly than others. One model even believed the findings showed chronic brain abnormalities rather than an acute stroke and, as such, systematically penalized the others' responses.

In recent years, Toma has published more than 30 peer-reviewed studies on AI in medical diagnostics and healthcare, as well as two books on the topic.

Our research highlights a critical distinction in the AI landscape. Most successful medical AI tools are task-specific algorithms, trained on large datasets of labeled medical images and validated for very specific diagnostic tasks. However, large language models are not optimized for diagnostics-they are built for linguistics and conversation. Accordingly, they generate explanations that sound authoritative, even when their underlying interpretation is wrong or inconsistent." Milan Toma, Ph.D., Associate Professor, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)

Toma and his co-authors conclude that the future of healthcare AI will likely combine both specialized diagnostic systems and language models. However, while LLMs may be useful for clinical documentation, summarizing reports, or communicating with patients, oversight from a medical expert remains a non-negotiable for all diagnostic interpretations.
Even individuals who did not become seriously ill with COVID-19 may have developed a weakened immune system that could lead to serious illnesses in the future. Research from orebro University suggests that the coronavirus might have had more far-reaching effects than previously believed.

We were surprised that even people who did not have severe symptoms but tested positive for COVID-19 appear to develop a weakened immune system and a higher risk of, for example, glandular fever. It may also be that the coronavirus further increases the risk of chronic fatigue." Snieguole Vingeliene, researcher in medicine and epidemiology at orebro University

In the study, 10 million Swedes aged 3-100 were followed from 2020 to 2022. They were grouped based on whether they had contracted coronavirus and the severity of their infection. The results demonstrate a clear link between the coronavirus and subsequent glandular fever. The study also suggests that the coronavirus may worsen other illnesses.



Snieguole Vingeliene designed the study and conducted the statistical analysis together with Scott Montgomery, professor of medicine, and Ayako Hoyoshi, associate professor of medicine. All three conduct epidemiological research at orebro University.

Study of ten million Swedes

"We studied people who had been admitted to hospital due to glandular fever caused by Epstein-Barr virus. However, many people who develop glandular fever do not have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalisation, so our results probably only show the tip of the iceberg," says Snieguole Vingeliene.



More than nine out of ten Swedes carry the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can cause glandular fever, but most people do not develop severe symptoms. If the infection occurs during childhood, it usually results in mild or no symptoms. Among those infected in adulthood, around seven out of ten develop symptoms such as a sore throat, fatigue, and other flu-like symptoms.



"If you have had glandular fever, you have probably noticed it. The disease can lead to several weeks of sick leave and cause exhaustion and fatigue that may persist for several months. Once you have had the virus, it remains in the body for life," says Snieguole Vingeliene.

Possible long-term consequences

"A large proportion of those we studied were relatively young. This may suggest that the coronavirus had a stronger impact on younger people, particularly concerning the immune system and the risk of glandular fever. It also implies that more effects of the virus might become evident later, mainly through an increase in cases of glandular fever," explains Snieguole Vingeliene.



Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in diagnoses of multiple sclerosis (MS), but it cannot be confirmed that this is caused by COVID-19. Meanwhile, there is concern that the coronavirus could, in the long term, lead to more people developing MS and other serious neurological conditions.

Although the risk is elevated, developing MS remains rare. Less than one per cent of the population is affected. Anyone who is concerned should contact healthcare services," says Snieguole Vingeliene.
Iran must never get nuclear weapon, it would use it immediately: Trump

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 05:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Washington, DC [US], March 17 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Monday defended recent US military actions against Iran, warning that Tehran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and also claimed that American forces have significantly weakened the countrys military capabilities.Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons was essential for global security and argued that the country would use such weapons immediately if it possessed them.I want wars less than almost anybody The leaders of Iran are violent and vicious people who killed 32,000 protesters over the last three weeks," Trump said.He added, If you believe that Iran should have a nuclear weapon, theres something wrong with you because they would use it within one hour or one day. They will use it and they will blow up the entire Middle East, not just Israel."The US President also claimed that American operations had severely degraded Irans military strength over the past two weeks.We have decimated them in two weeks. They have no navy, no air force, no anti-aircraft weapons, and no leadership. Their leadership is gone. Then they set up a new leadership and that too is gone," Trump said.According to Trump, the US actions were carried out not only for American interests but also for global security.We did a job for the whole world We took the worst country in 50 years and maybe longer from the ideological standpoint, a country that wanted to blow up the world, a country that is sick," he said.Trump reiterated that allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons would have catastrophic consequences.If you give Iran a nuclear weapon, at least a very substantial part of the world would be blown up, and itll be used almost immediately," he said.The US President further claimed that American forces had destroyed much of Irans missile and drone capabilities and weakened its leadership structure.We have extinguished most of their missiles and drones We have fully extinguished two layers of leadership and probably a third," Trump said.Trump also referred to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route, suggesting that some countries remain heavily dependent on the waterway for energy supplies.We only have one thing to have a little choke point and they (Iran) have used it very well for years, but it doesnt work. But I think this, if some of these countries that weve been good to for years, get 90 to 95 % of their energy from the Strait of Hormuz," he added.The remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following ongoing military operations and rising concerns about regional security and energy supply routes. (ANI)

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Trump says Israel 'would never' use nuclear weapon against Iran

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 05:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Washington DC [US], March 17 (ANI): US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he does not believe Israel would use a nuclear weapon in its war with Iran, CNN reported.Israel wouldnt do that. Israel would never do that," Trump told reporters at the White House, as per CNN.According to CNN, his remarks came after the White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar, David Sacks recently suggested in an interview that there were concerns about possible escalation.You have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon," Sacks said.Trumps comments also follow remarks he made a day earlier about the alignment between US and Israeli military objectives, CNN reported.The relationship has been very good. The militaries are very well coordinated," Trump told reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One, while noting that the two countries goals in the conflict may not be exactly the same, as reported by CNN.Meanwhile, Donald Trump said on Monday that a former US president recently told him he wished he had taken action against Iran while he was in office, though Trump declined to reveal the identity of the leader, CNN reported.Ive spoken to a certain president, who I like, actually, a past president, former president. He said, I wish I did it. I wish I did. But they didnt do it. Im doing it," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday, according to CNN.According to CNN, four former US presidents are living  Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.CNN further reported that Trump declined to name the former president, saying he did not want to cause embarrassment.I dont want to embarrass him. Would be very bad for his career, even though hes got no career," Trump said.According to CNN, Trump has defended his administrations military actions against Iran, even as the move has puzzled some of the GOPs America First" wing and contributed to rising gas prices.CNN reported that Trump has argued the actions are justified, stating that Iran has been creating problems for the United States for nearly half a century.Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said he agreed with Donald Trump that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the recent military action was carried out under the presidents leadership.I agree with the President that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. We took this military action under the Presidents leadership. All of us  whether a democrat or republican  should pray for the success and safety of our troops," he said. (ANI)

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Gold, Silver Prices Today (March 17): Check 22K And 24K Rates In Delhi, Mumbai, Other Cities

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Last Updated: March 19, 2026, 09:55 IST

Gold and Silver Rates In India Today, March 17: In Mumbai, the price of 24-carat gold falls to Rs 1,57,410 per 10 grams, while 22k gold is available at Rs 1,44,290 per 10 grams.

Gold and Silver Rates In India Today, March 17.

Gold and Silver Rates In India Today, March 17: Gold and silver prices in India fell on March 17, due to a stronger dollar amid costlier crude. In Mumbai, the price of 24-carat gold fell to Rs 1,57,410 per 10 grams, while 22k gold was available at Rs 1,44,290 per 10 grams. These rates do not include GST and making charges.

Last month, gold touched its all-time high of over Rs 1,80,000, while silver prices hit a record Rs 4,20,000.

What Is The Price Of 22kt, 24kt Gold Today In India Across Key Cities On March 17?

City 22K Gold (per 10gm) 24K Gold (per 10gm) Delhi Rs 1,44,440 Rs 1,57,560 Jaipur Rs 1,44,440 Rs 1,57,560 Ahmedabad Rs 1,44,340 Rs 1,57,460 Pune Rs 1,44,290 Rs 1,57,410 Mumbai Rs 1,44,290 Rs 1,57,410 Hyderabad Rs 1,44,290 Rs 1,57,410 Chennai Rs 1,44,290 Rs 1,57,410 Bengaluru Rs 1,44,290 Rs 1,57,410 Kolkata Rs 1,44,290 Rs 1,57,410 In the international market, US spot gold firmed 0.4% to $5,023.19 per ounce as of 0251 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery rose 0.5% to $5,027.20. Gold prices pulled back in the first 24 hours of trade this week. That seems to echo the markets positive response to Irans foreign ministers comments In response, crude oil pulled back, yields ticked lower, and the US dollar gave back some recent gains as stocks rose," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive, according to Reuters. Irans Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is not closed to everyone, while some vessels sailed through the critical strait. However, oil held above $100 a barrel as the US-Israeli war against Iran kept the strait largely shut, stranding tankers for weeks, in the biggest disruption to global supplies on record. US President Donald Trump repeated his call for nations to help unblock the Strait, and complained that none were willing to offer assistance. What Factors Affect Gold Prices In India?

International market rates, import duties, taxes, and fluctuations in exchange rates primarily influence gold prices in India. Together, these factors determine the daily gold rates across the country. In India, gold is deeply cultural and financial. It is a preferred investment option and is key to celebrations, particularly weddings and festivals. With constantly changing market conditions, investors and traders monitor fluctuations closely. Staying updated is crucial for effectively navigating dynamic trends. Watch more videos Share this Article

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:38 IST

News business savings-and-investments Gold, Silver Prices Today (March 17): Check 22K And 24K Rates In Delhi, Mumbai, Other Cities

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Hyderabad Weather Today, March 17: Cloudy Skies Likely But The Heat Is On Too

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News18 Cities

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:07 IST

Temperatures in Hyderabad are expected to reach between 32C and 34C on March 17. Heres a detailed look at the weather in the city and nearby districts

Rapid Read

Compared to Hyderabad, neighbouring districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar may experience temperatures that are approximately 2C higher.

On Tuesday, Hyderabad is expected to experience mostly cloudy skies, with the weather department forecasting warm and humid conditions across the city. As March progresses into its third week, temperatures have begun to rise steadily, signalling the gradual onset of summer.

The maximum temperature is likely to range between 32C and 34C, with heat levels increasing from around 11am. The minimum temperature is expected to remain near 21C, keeping early mornings and late evenings relatively comfortable.

However, elevated humidity levels may make conditions feel hotter than the recorded temperature, particularly for those spending extended periods outdoors, with discomfort likely during the afternoon hours.

Cloud Cover And Rain Possibility

According to current forecasts, the sky will remain partly cloudy through the day. While cloud formation may increase in certain areas after noon, the likelihood of rainfall remains low, estimated at just 10% to 20%.

Humidity And Wind Conditions

Humidity levels are projected to be around 34%. At the onset of summer, such levels can lead to a sense of dryness or fatigue, particularly for those exposed to the sun for long durations.

Winds from the southeast will blow at speeds of 6 to 10 kilometres per hour. Although not particularly hot, these winds may still contribute to slight discomfort during the afternoon hours.

UV Index And Sun Exposure

The UV index for the day stands at 3, which falls within the moderate range. While not extreme, it is advisable to take precautions if spending prolonged time outdoors, especially during peak daylight hours.

Weather In Nearby Districts

Compared to Hyderabad, neighbouring districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar may experience temperatures that are approximately 2C higher.

Dry weather is expected to continue across southern parts of Telangana.

Advisory For Residents And Travellers

With rising temperatures, residents are advised to stay hydrated and drink sufficient water to prevent dehydration. Wearing light, breathable cotton clothing can help reduce discomfort, while carrying an umbrella or hat is recommended when stepping outdoors.

It is best to avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 12pm and 4pm. Additionally, due to urban traffic and pollution, nighttime temperatures may feel slightly warmer than usual.

Travellers and drivers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, keeping the prevailing heat conditions in mind.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 10:07 IST

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Why Did Tarakeshwar Gad Mahant Stab Himself In His Private Parts? Followers Demand Call Records Probe

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:35 IST

While the act initially raised several unanswered questions, a statement from one of his disciples nearly 24 hours later has added a new dimension to the case

Rapid Read

Mahant Adinath Maharaj Shastri enjoys a large following in Ahilyanagar's Pathardi Taluka and Beed district. (News18 Marathi)

In a shocking development, Mahant Adinath Shastri Maharaj of the revered Tarakeshwar Gad in Maharashtras Beed district allegedly inflicted serious injuries on himself by attacking his private parts with a sharp weapon. The incident has sent shockwaves among his large base of followers across Beed, Ahilyanagar, and Pathardi.

According to initial information, the incident took place inside the Mahants private room at Tarakeshwar Gad. He had reportedly asked devotees to remain outside before going in alone. He was later found in a pool of blood, following which devotees rushed him to a private hospital in Ahilyanagar.

Doctors confirmed that he underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition. There is no immediate cause for concern, but to avoid any risk of infection, devotees should refrain from visiting him for at least eight days," said Dr Harshvardhan Tanwar, who treated him.

While the act initially raised several unanswered questions, a statement from one of his disciples nearly 24 hours later has added a new dimension to the case. The disciple alleged that the Mahant may have been under distress due to harassment, claiming that there have been repeated attempts to trouble saints and religious leaders in recent times".

Followers have expressed anger and suspicion, questioning whether the Mahant was driven to take such an extreme step. They have demanded a thorough investigation, urging police to examine the call detail records (CDR) of certain suspects. Maharaj will never speak about this himself. It is important to identify those responsible and bring them to justice," a follower said.

Tarakeshwar Gad, located in Mahinda village in Ashti taluka of Beed district, is a well-known spiritual centre with lakhs of devotees associated with it. The incident triggered concern among followers, many of whom gathered at the hospital and the Gad after the news broke.

In a message aimed at reassuring his devotees, Adinath Shastri Maharaj said his condition is improving. I am feeling better now. No one should worry. I will return to the Gad soon," he said.

Despite the reassurance, the incident has sparked wider concerns among followers, with calls growing louder for authorities to investigate any possible harassment angle and ensure the safety of religious figures.

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Location : Maharashtra, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:35 IST

News cities mumbai-news Why Did Tarakeshwar Gad Mahant Stab Himself In His Private Parts? Followers Demand Call Records Probe

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Man Jumps To Death With 2-Year-Old Daughter From 23rd Floor In Delhi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 12:39 IST

According to Vijayran's family members, he had lost his sight in one eye after contracting coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic and was distressed due to this.

Rapid Read

Representative Image. (AI Generated)

In a tragic incident, a man allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the 23rd floor of a residential building with his two-year-old daughter in Delhi on Monday, police said.

The deceased, identified as Rahul Vijayran (35), was a private school operator. He lived in Tower 9 of the residential society in Delhis Nangloi area, but he jumped from another tower, which makes the case suspicious.

The incident took place at a housing society in Sector 102 around 7.30 am.

Rahuls wife, Neetu Dahiya was at home cooking when her husband, Vijayran, took their daughter Vamika to the society park to play on Monday morning. According to police, he later went up to the 23rd floor of Tower 5 and allegedly jumped with the child.

Hearing a commotion outside, Neetu rushed out and saw a man and a young girl lying in a pool of blood. Residents immediately took them to a private hospital, where doctors declared both dead.

Police said Vijayran had married in 2014, as confirmed by his brother Amit. The couple also has an 11-year-old daughter, who lives in a hostel in Dehradun for her studies.

Amit told police that Vijayran had been staying in the society for the past two months and runs a school in Delhis Kirari.

According to Vijayrans family members, he had lost his sight in one eye after contracting coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic and was distressed due to this.

My brothers eyes were damaged when he contracted coronavirus, causing him to lose vision in one eye and have limited vision in the other. He was deeply distressed because of this, pushing him to eventually take this step", he added.

The family has refused to take any action, Sub Inspector Jagmal Singh said.

The cause behind the suicide is yet to be ascertained, and no suicide note was found. We are investigating why he jumped from another tower. Further probe is underway", the officer said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Suicide Prevention. News 18. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:39 IST

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Bihar Board 10th, 12th Result 2026: Topper Verification Begins, Results Likely By March

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 09:09 IST

Bihar Board 10th, 12th Result 2026: Students who top the Bihar Board are honoured by the state government with cash prizes, laptops, and certificates.

Bihar board results for classes 10 and 12 soon at biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. (AI Generated Image)

Bihar Board 10th-12th Result 2026: Bihar Board 10th and 12th results are expected to be released soon. The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has begun the physical verification of potential toppers at its Patna headquarters, indicating that the results could be announced at any time.

This year, the Bihar Boards 12th (Intermediate) exams were held from February 2 to 13, 2026. The 10th (Matriculation) exams were conducted from February 17 to 25, 2026. Following the boards tradition and current plan, the class 12th results will be announced first, followed by the class 10th results a few days later. Results are expected by the last week of March.

Why BSEB Conducts Topper Verification?

Every year, just before the results are announced, the Bihar Board summons potential toppers to Patna for physical verification. A team of experts interviews the students, checks their handwriting, and asks them questions to confirm that the marks obtained are indeed theirs. Only after this process is completed does the board release the results and toppers list in a press conference. This process has already started, and the results are expected to be released very soon.

Where To Check Bihar Board Result 2026?

As soon as the results are out, there is heavy traffic on the websites, so know in advance where to check:

 biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in

 results.biharboardonline.com

 secondary.biharboardonline.com

Steps To Check Bihar Board Results

Step 1. Visit any of the websites mentioned above.

Step 2. Locate the link for Bihar Board 10th Result 2026 or Bihar Board 12th Result 2026 on the homepage.

Step 3. Select your class (10th or 12th).

Step 4. Enter your roll code, roll number, and date of birth and submit.

Step 5. The scorecard will appear on the screen.

Step 6. Download the PDF, print it, and keep it safe for future admissions.

Theres a lot of anxiety on results day, so have your admit card ready and keep it in a safe place to easily find your roll number or roll code. When lakhs of students visit the website simultaneously, it may slow down or crash. But dont panic; wait a bit and try again. Candidates must also note that before the results are announced, fraudsters may become active, calling and claiming they can increase their marks for a fee. The Bihar Board never increases marks. If student or parents receive such calls, they must inform the police.

What Will Toppers Get?

Students who top the Bihar Board are honoured by the state government with cash prizes, laptops, and certificates. The Bihar Board Intermediate results for all three streams  Arts, Commerce, and Science  will be released simultaneously followed by the class 10th results.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:09 IST

News education-career Bihar Board 10th, 12th Result 2026: Topper Verification Begins, Results Likely By March

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CBI Registers FIR For Misappropriation Of Rs 11.4 Crore From Scholarship Funds Across 5 States

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 07:51 IST

The enquiry discovered that many of these institutions were non-existent or had ceased operations while still claiming funds from the National Scholarship Portal.

CBI identified instances where beneficiaries and institution nodal officers colluded to siphon funds.(Representative Image)

The CBI has launched an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of over Rs 11.4 crore from scholarship funds intended for students with disabilities by non-existent" institutes and students, officials reported on Monday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against unidentified public servants and nodal officers in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Jammu and Kashmir, reported PTI. These individuals are accused of diverting funds from the Umbrella Scholarship Scheme, which was initiated in 2018 by merging six scholarship schemes, including the Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

This scheme provided financial assistance to students from classes 11 and 12, as well as those enrolled in post-matriculation diploma and certificate courses. It also supported bachelors, masters degrees, and diplomas from institutions recognised by UGC/AICTE.

The CBI mentioned that the schemes objectives and allowances, such as maintenance allowance, disability allowance, reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees, and book allowance, are outlined in the scheme book for students with disabilities.

The central agency began a preliminary enquiry last year after receiving a complaint from the secretary of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The complaint alleged that Rs 11.41 crore in scholarships had been disbursed to 926 students associated with 28 institutions that were either fake or found guilty of serious malpractices during a ministry inspection.

The enquiry discovered that many of these institutions were non-existent or had ceased operations while still claiming funds from the National Scholarship Portal. According to the FIR, Satyam College of Education in Jammu and Kashmir had been closed since 2017, yet claims were made in the names of its students using fake user IDs on the National Scholarship Portal.

The conspiracy also involved the use of functional schools without their knowledge, with 11 institutions in states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Odisha reporting that they were unaware of the scheme and that the alleged beneficiaries had never been enrolled in their schools.

The agency identified instances where beneficiaries and institution nodal officers colluded to siphon funds. For example, in a Lucknow-based college mentioned in the FIR, the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) forwarded 32 scholarship applications during the 2022-23 academic year. Out of these, 24 students received the scholarship, and nine withdrew the funds.

The preliminary enquiry revealed that in 2022-23, scholarships meant for disabled students were fraudulently obtained using fake beneficiaries as part of a criminal conspiracy involving representatives of institutions, institution nodal officers, public servants, including State Nodal Officers (SNOs), and others, causing a wrongful loss to the government exchequer.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 07:51 IST

News education-career CBI Registers FIR For Misappropriation Of Rs 11.4 Crore From Scholarship Funds Across 5 States

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IIT Delhi's Jhajjar Campus Halted After Survey Finds Weak Soil At Allotted Land

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:20 IST

Initially proposed in 2022, the IIT Delhi Jhajjar campus aimed to be a pioneering centre for cancer treatment drug development and medical technology R&D.

IIT Delhi File Photo.

A 50-acre land parcel in Haryanas Jhajjar district, designated for an IIT Delhi extension campus, is unsuitable for construction due to weak and waterlogged soil, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, responded to a query stating that a technical survey found the lands load-bearing capacity insufficient for IIT-Delhis planned facilities, reported PTI.

Initially proposed in 2022, the Jhajjar campus aimed to be a pioneering centre for cancer treatment drug development and medical technology R&D.

An extension campus of IIT Delhi at Jhajjar, Haryana was earlier proposed. However, based on the technical survey held at the location, it was concluded or found that the load bearing capacity of the land is very low due to its topography and waterlogging and therefore, the land could not meet the requirements of IIT Delhi for construction of its planned facilities," Majumdar said.

IIT-Delhi already operates an extension campus on 50 acres at Rajiv Gandhi Education City in Sonipat, Haryana. This campus, with facilities worth approximately Rs 190 crores, supports advanced research, innovation, and industry collaboration, housing 35 sophisticated research instruments and laboratories, including a high-performance computational facility.

IIT Delhi already has its extension campus situated on 50 acres within the Rajiv Gandhi Education City (RGEC) in Sonipat, Haryana. The campus acts as a hub for advanced research, innovation, and industry collaboration. Currently, there are 35 sophisticated facilities, valued approximately at Rs 190 crores, to support the research of chemists, physicists, biologists, material scientists, and engineers from academic and RND institutes, as well as MSMEs and industry.

The research facilities include high-end light and electron microscopes, a 3D metal printer, chemical and material synthesis and characterization devices, spectroscopy/spectrometry, and environmental monitoring devices. In addition to the centralized research facilities, the Sonipat campus contains the laboratories of the optics and photonics unit of IIT Delhi, the Atal Incubation Centre for translational research, and a new high performance computational facility," the minister added.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:20 IST

News education-career IIT Delhi's Jhajjar Campus Halted After Survey Finds Weak Soil At Allotted Land

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School Holidays: When Will Schools Remain Closed For Eid ul Fitr 2026?

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 11:12 IST

School Holiday: Most Indian states have declared a gazetted holiday on March 21, 2026 (Saturday) for Eid al-Fitr (Ramzan Eid) in their official calendars.

The exact date of Eid depends entirely on the sighting of the moon.

Eid ul Fitr 2026 School Holiday: In 2026, a holiday for Eid ul-Fitr has been announced for all government and private schools across the country. It is included in the 2026 Government Gazetted Holiday List.

Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, symbolises joy and brotherhood. Since the festival is based on the sighting of the moon, its date can vary by a day. This holiday is a cultural celebration for all students, not just the Muslim community, providing an opportunity to learn about various traditions.

When Are Schools Closed For Eid ul-Fitr 2026?

Most Indian states have declared a gazetted holiday on March 21, 2026 (Saturday) for Eid ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid) in their official calendars. However, the Islamic calendar depends on the lunar position. If the Shawwal moon is sighted on the evening of March 19, Eid will be celebrated on March 20 (Friday), and many schools may remain closed on that Friday.

Almost all states in India will observe a holiday in schools for Eid:

Uttar Pradesh and Delhi: March 21 is an official holiday. Many schools in Noida and Delhi already have a weekly holiday on Saturday. Where Saturday is a working day, the Eid holiday will apply.

Bihar and West Bengal: Eid holds significant importance in these states, so more than one day of holiday is likely.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh: In areas like Hyderabad, educational institutions may remain closed on both March 20 and 21.

Kerala: Holidays here may differ from the rest of the country as the moon is often sighted a day earlier.

The date may change depending on the moon. The exact date of Eid depends entirely on the sighting of the moon. If Ramadan lasts 29 days, the holiday will be the day before. If it lasts 30 days, the holiday will be the day after. Most schools and state boards finalise the holiday date only after the official announcement. In Muslim-majority areas, the holiday may last more than one day.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 11:12 IST

News education-career School Holidays: When Will Schools Remain Closed For Eid ul Fitr 2026?

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UP Board Result 2026: Evaluation Process For 10th, 12th Exams Begin March 18

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 09:38 IST

UP Board 10th, 12th Result 2026: After the evaluation of UP Board exam papers is complete, it takes approximately 10 to 15 days to prepare the merit list.

After the results are released, it can be checked on the UP Board's official website, upresults.nic.in. (AI Generated Image)

The Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (UPMSP) is set to commence the evaluation process for the classes 10th and 12th examinations starting tomorrow, March 18. Over 54 lakh students had appeared for the examination this year.

After the evaluation of UP Board exam papers is complete, it takes approximately 10 to 15 days to prepare the merit list. The UP Board results 2026, once announced, will be available at the official websites at upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in.

Recommended Stories BSEB Bihar Board Inter Result 2026 Today: A Look At Pass Percentage Over The Years

Evaluation Process

Lakhs of experienced teachers will evaluate the UP Board 10th and 12th Exam 2026 papers under CCTV surveillance. Due to the boards proactive measures, it is anticipated that the results may be released earlier than in previous years. Evaluation centres will operate with security procedures such as coding and decoding.

UPMSP has confirmed that evaluation work will commence at all designated centres across the state from March 18, 2026, and aims to complete all exam checks by March 31, 2026. Teachers have been given specific instructions, and outsiders will be prohibited from entering the evaluation centres.

Result Date

If the evaluation process is completed on time, the UP Board results are expected to be declared in April. Last year, the board set a record by announcing the results in April, and it is preparing to do the same this year.

Passing Marks

To pass the UP board examinations, students need to score at least 33 per cent in each subject and overall. The marksheet will show a P indicating a pass" status. Students who perform poorly in one or more subjects can take the compartment exams. If students are dissatisfied with their class 12 or 10 assessments, they can request a reassessment of their answer papers via the UP Board re-evaluation website.

After the results are released, they can be checked on the UP Boards official websites. They will need the roll number on their UP Board admit card to access their results. The board advises students to rely only on the official portal rather than any fraudulent websites.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:38 IST

News education-career UP Board Result 2026: Evaluation Process For 10th, 12th Exams Begin March 18

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'Use AI As An Assistant, Not A Master': DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh Tells Students

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 15:03 IST

DU VC Prof Yogesh Singh stated that while new technologies often bring concerns, understanding their significance and leveraging these innovations is crucial.

Delhi University VC Prof Yogesh Singh. (File Photo)

Delhi University has launched an innovative programme called Coffee with Vice-Chancellor," which provides a platform for open dialogue between the Vice-Chancellor and students. During the session, in response to a students question about Artificial Intelligence (AI), DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh advised using AI as an assistant rather than a master.

Prof Singh emphasised the importance of mastering AI without fear, noting that while new technologies often bring concerns, understanding their significance and leveraging these innovations is crucial.

Highlighting Indias technological achievements, such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), he noted the countrys significant transformation over the past decade and its immense potential for future accomplishments.

Addressing a students inquiry about Value Addition Courses (VACs) and Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs), Prof Singh explained that the fundamental goal of education is to develop good human beings. He stressed the importance of education in instilling strong moral values (Sanskar) and patriotism, justifying the need for these courses. He articulated that education should deepen the understanding of concepts and ideas.

When asked about his expectations from students as Vice-Chancellor, he acknowledged the numerous challenges of the 21st century. He mentioned that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, India aims to become a developed nation by 2047. To achieve this, he emphasised the need for bright minds and brilliant daughters. Over the next 25 years, we must dedicate ourselves to the task of making our nation a developed one. This is the opportune moment, and this is the right opportunity," he said.

Singh also highlighted the duty to provide a safe environment for daughters and mentioned the installation of CCTV cameras across the campus to ensure security. During the session, students openly discussed their concerns and needs, covering a range of issues. The Vice-Chancellor assured them that he would address these matters promptly.

The ebent was held at the VCs office and moderated by Prof. Rajni Abbi, Director South Campus. Ten students from Miranda House College participated in the session. Anoop Lather, Chairperson Cultural Council and PRO, was also present.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 15:03 IST

News education-career 'Use AI As An Assistant, Not A Master': DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh Tells Students

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No Stars, No Turncoats: How BJP's First Candidate List For Bengal Polls Shifts Spotlight To Cadres

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 06:30 IST

The BJP has largely stayed away from handing tickets to film stars or turncoats, so as to avoid a repeat of 2021 when many defectors distanced themselves when the party lost

Rapid Read

The BJP released its first list of candidates for the West Bengal assembly election on March 16, 2026. (Image: PTI/File)

The BJPs first list of 144 candidates for the West Bengal assembly election features several prominent names  from Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh to Swapan Dasgupta and Agnimitra Paul.

The headline moment from the list is Adhikari stepping into Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees political bastion of Bhabanipur, raising the prospect of another high-voltage electoral contest reminiscent of their dramatic 2021 battle in Nandigram.

But beyond the big names, the more understated story of the list lies elsewhere. This time, the BJP appears to have placed a deliberate emphasis on its grassroots cadre.

Unlike the previous election cycle, it has largely stayed away from handing tickets to film stars or political turncoats  a clear attempt to avoid a repeat of 2021, when several defectors distanced themselves from the party soon after its defeat. Another notable aspect of the list is the space given to candidates from socially and economically marginalised backgrounds.

Many of them are long-time workers, who see their association with the saffron party not as a temporary political stopover but as a reflection of ideological commitment built over years of organisational work.

Check Full List Of BJP Candidates, Constituencies For West Bengal Assembly Polls

KALITA MAJI: THE HOUSE HELP CANDIDATE

In the Ausgram assembly constituency, the BJP has once again turned to a grassroots face by fielding Kalita Maji, underlining its effort to project leaders from humble backgrounds.

Maji, who works as a house help, has been associated with the BJP for several years and has remained active in organisational work despite her modest circumstances.

Coming from an economically weaker section, Maji has slowly built her political presence through local engagement and party work. She had also contested the 2021 assembly election from Ausgram on a BJP ticket.

Although she lost the race by around 12,000 votes, she secured close to 41 percent of the vote  a performance that helped establish her as a recognisable local face. By giving her another opportunity, the party appears to be signalling that long-time workers who have built the party at the grassroots level will continue to find space in its political strategy.

CHANDANA BAURI: FROM HOUSE HELP TO MLA

For much of her life, Chandana Bauris days were defined by hard work and financial struggle. She worked as a house help  washing dishes, cleaning homes and doing whatever work she could find to support her family.

Bauris life took a dramatic turn in 2021 when the BJP fielded her from the reserved Saltora assembly constituency.

Defying expectations, Bauri went on to win the seat quickly emerging as one of the most talked-about grassroots leaders in West Bengal politics. During her tenure as MLA, she focused on local development projects in her constituency.

Boroshal Road was constructed, sheds were built at several temples, solar lights were installed in rural pockets, and drinking water facilities were improved. She worked on strengthening infrastructure at the Ananda Marga School, addressing long-standing demands from residents.

The MLAs work on the ground has helped cement her reputation as a leader with strong local roots. Recognising her performance and connect with voters, the BJP has once again fielded her from Saltora reaffirming its faith in a leader whose journey reflects resilience and grassroots politics.

TARUN KANTI GHOSH: FROM FOOT SOLDIER TO CANDIDATE

In another example of its focus on organisational workers, the BJP has given a ticket to long-time party worker Tarun Kanti Ghosh from the politically sensitive Deganga assembly constituency.

Ghoshs political journey has been marked by a gradual rise through the ranks. He began his career at the block level as a local organiser, helping build the partys network in the area.

Over time, Ghosh moved into local governance becoming a panchayat member and later serving as the upapradhan of a panchayat in the Deganga region. He currently serves as the president of the BJPs organisational district of Barasat, placing him at the centre of the partys activities in the region.

Within the organisation, he is seen as one of the many grassroots workers who quietly keep the party machinery running. From organising community gatherings to arranging public listening sessions for Prime Minister Narendra Modis Mann Ki Baat, he has maintained a steady presence on the ground.

Party workers said Ghosh regularly takes part in local religious and cultural events, and conducts door-to-door outreach to strengthen the BJPs connection with voters. By fielding him from Deganga, the party appears to be sending a clear message: long-time organisational workers, who have helped build the partys base at the grassroots level, will not remain confined to the background.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 06:30 IST

News elections No Stars, No Turncoats: How BJP's First Candidate List For Bengal Polls Shifts Spotlight To Cadres

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BJP, Congress Secure One Rajya Sabha Seat Each In Haryana After Vote Secrecy Row

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 06:41 IST

The results came after counting began more than five hours late following complaints lodged by both the BJP and Congress over alleged violations during voting.

BJPs Bhatia, Congress Boudh Elected as Counting Ends After Vote Secrecy Dispute. (File images)

Haryana Rajya Sabha Polls: The BJP and the Congress won one seat each in the elections for two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana after voting was marred by complaints of violations of vote secrecy and allegations of cross-voting.

BJPs Sanjay Bhatia and Congresss Karamvir Singh Boudh were declared elected to the Rajya Sabha seats in keenly watched elections. The results came after counting began more than five hours late following complaints lodged by both the BJP and Congress over alleged violations during voting.

The seats were contested by BJP candidate Sanjay Bhatia, Congress nominee Karamvir Singh Boudh, and Independent candidate Satish Nandal.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, in a late-night press conference, congratulated both the leaders on their win, He described the election as interesting", while attacking the Congress for moving its MLAs to Himachal Pradesh ahead of the polling.

I congratulate BJP candidate Sanjay Bhatia and Congress candidate Karmveer Bauddh for their victory Congress does not have faith in its own MLAs. The way Congress kept its MLAs under house arrest and kept transferring them to different places every hour. This is also the first time in history that I have seen senior Congress leaders themselves becoming polling agents for Congress," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Chandigarh | On Rajya Sabha elections, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini says, I congratulate BJP candidate Sanjay Bhatia and Congress candidate Karmveer Bauddh for their victory Congress does not have faith in its own MLAs. The way Congress kept its MLAs pic.twitter.com/iOOuiqRU1o ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

The Chief Minister further lashed out at the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) for abstaining from voting and alleged that the party acted as a B team" of the Congress.

The INLD indirectly supported the Congress," he claimed.

Replying to a question on the Independent candidate, Saini said, How could they stop anyone from contesting the poll?"

Whats The Row?

A controversy over the secrecy of votes delayed the counting process in the Haryana Rajya Sabha Election, with complaints filed by both the Congress and the BJ against each others MLAs. Counting of votes, which were to take place at 5 pm after voting ended at 4 pm, began following a delay of over five hours.

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that his partys nominee Boudh had secured victory and termed the result a victory of democracy".

This is a victory of Prajatantar and defeat of vote chori," Hooda told reporters, alleging that attempts were made to manipulate votes in favour of a third candidate.

Hooda said that from the beginning, one seat each belonged to Congress and the BJP. But they tried for vote theft" for the third candidate, Hooda alleged. He added that the conduct of the returning officer was partisan.

Meanwhile, Haryana Minister Gaurav Gautam had also said earlier that their party nominee Sanjay Bhatia had won.

Speaking to reporters, BJPs Bhatia claimed that five Congress MLAs did cross-vote.

Officials said five votes were declared invalid  four belonging to Congress MLAs and one from the BJP.

BJP, Congress Level Allegations Against Each Other

The election saw three candidates in the fray: BJP nominee Bhatia, Congress candidate Boudh and Independent Satish Nandal, who had the backing of the BJP.

INLD, which has two members in the 90-member Haryana Assembly, had abstained from voting, with party leaders Abhay Singh Chautala and Aditya Devi Lal saying they have decided to make this decision keeping in view the peoples sentiments.

Earlier in the day, BJP leaders complained to the Election Commission of India alleging that two Congress MLAs had violated vote secrecy by failing to properly fold their ballots. The Congress, however, rejected the charge and filed a counter-complaint accusing Haryana minister Anil Vij of a similar violation.

Before the voting ended, state minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said that the BJP had complained to the Election Commission pertaining to violation of vote secrecy" of two Congress MLAs  Bharat Singh Beniwal from Ellenabad and Paramvir Singh from Tohana.

Two Congress MLAs did not have their ballot folded as it should have been, and violated the secrecy of their vote. We have complained to the Election Commission," Bedi said.

However, Congress leader Ashok Arora said no complaint was filed at the time these legislators voted, claiming that it was deliberately filed after 4 pm.

He further said the Congress too filed a complaint against senior BJP leader and minister Anil Vij, accusing him of violating vote secrecy.

Haryana Rajya Sabha Polls

The BJP has 48 MLAs, the Congress has 37, the INLD has two MLAs, and three legislators are Independents in the 90-member Haryana assembly. Nandals candidature was proposed by three independents  Savitri Jindal, Rajesh Joon and Devender Kadyan  and seven BJP MLAs.

The two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana fell vacant as BJP members Kiran Choudhry and Ram Chander Jangra are set to complete their terms on April 9.

Nandal had lost to Congress leader Hooda from the Garhi-Sampla-Kiloi constituency in Rohtak district in the 2019 assembly polls. Before joining the BJP, he was also with the INLD.

BJP candidate Bhatia is a former Lok Sabha MP from Karnal.

Congresss Boudh, a retired Haryana government employee, has been a Dalit activist who has raised issues pertaining to the community on various platforms.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Chandigarh, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 06:41 IST

News elections BJP, Congress Secure One Rajya Sabha Seat Each In Haryana After Vote Secrecy Row

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'Fight Against Misrule In Bengal': Swapan Dasgupta Talks Election, BJP's Campaign & More

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 11:10 IST

Referring to Suvendu Adhikari contesting from Bhabanipur, Dasgupta said the move shows that the BJP is directly challenging Mamata Banerjee in her own political stronghold.

Rapid Read

Swapan Dasgupta (left) will contest the upcoming Assembly election from the Rashbehari constituency on a BJP ticket. (Image: PTI)

Former Rajya Sabha MP and journalist Swapan Dasgupta will contest the West Bengal Assembly election from the Rashbehari constituency on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. Rashbehari is adjacent to Bhabanipur, a seat considered as stronghold of the All India Trinamool Congress.

Soon after the announcement of his candidature, Dasgupta spoke exclusively to News18 about the election, the issues in the state, and the political battle ahead.

On being fielded from Rashbehari

Dasgupta said he is grateful to the BJP for giving him the opportunity to contest from what he described as a prestigious constituency.

I am thankful that the party has given me the opportunity to contest from this prestigious seat. This election is about the future of Bengal. It is a fight against misrule in the state. There are no jobs, students are leaving the state for opportunities, women do not feel secure, and corruption is widespread. We are confident that the BJP will not only perform well but will also form the government."

On TMC calling South Kolkata its stronghold

Responding to the Trinamool Congress claim that South Kolkata is its traditional stronghold, Dasgupta said: Yes, it has been considered the home turf of Mamata Banerjee. But people here are now disillusioned with the Trinamool Congress and are looking for change. Issues such as unemployment, migration of students, concerns over womens safety and corruption are deeply felt by people. I will reach out to voters and take these issues to them."

Confidence about the election outcome

Dasgupta expressed confidence that the BJP will perform strongly in the election.

The BJP is confident that it will do well in the election and will form the government in West Bengal."

On Suvendu Adhikari contesting from Bhabanipur

Referring to Suvendu Adhikari contesting from Bhabanipur, Dasgupta said the move shows that the BJP is directly challenging Banerjee in her own political stronghold.

He added that Bhabanipurs proximity to Rashbehari could also influence his constituency.

Bhabanipur is adjacent to Rashbehari. Suvendu Adhikari contesting from there will have a positive impact on my campaign."

On voter list deletions

Responding to questions about reports that around 43,000 names have been deleted from the voter list in the constituency, Dasgupta said: I do not know whether it will benefit me or not. But the demand for a genuine and accurate voter list has always been raised by the BJP."

On allegations over administrative transfers

Reacting to criticism from the Trinamool Congress over administrative changes ordered by the Election Commission of India, Dasgupta said: Changes in the bureaucracy during elections are normal. It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure free, fair and intimidation-free elections. Whatever steps are necessary to ensure that should be taken."

On outsider allegations against BJP

Responding to claims that BJP leaders are outsiders, Dasgupta said the partys ideological roots in Bengal go back to Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

How can we be called outsiders? The ideological foundation of the BJP in Bengal comes from Syama Prasad Mukherjee. My family has lived here for generations."

Campaign launch

Dasgupta said he will begin his campaign by visiting the well-known Dakati Kali Temple to seek blessings before starting his outreach among voters.

The contest in Rashbehari, especially with Bhabanipur next door, is expected to be closely watched in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 11:10 IST

News elections 'Fight Against Misrule In Bengal': Swapan Dasgupta Talks Election, BJP's Campaign & More

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Agra Hospital Removes Bottle From Mans Rectum After 36 Hours Of Pain

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News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:52 IST

Doctors in Agra removed a one-litre plastic bottle from a 38-year-old man's rectum. Doctors said the patient was suffering from a psycho-sexual condition known as anal eroticism.

Rapid Read

Representative Image. (AI Generated)

In a shocking incident, doctors at a hospital in Agra removed a one-litre plastic bottle from the rectum of a 38-year-old man after he was brought in with severe abdominal discomfort.

According to doctors, the man arrived at the hospital complaining of intense pain and difficulty for nearly 36 hours. After an examination and imaging tests, medical staff discovered a plastic bottle lodged inside his rectum.

Recommended Stories

Following the diagnosis, he was immediately admitted to the emergency ward for treatment.

A team of surgeons later conducted an operation and successfully removed the bottle after about one hour and ten minutes of surgery. Senior surgeon Dr. Sunil Sharma said the case was highly sensitive because the bottle had to be taken out without causing serious damage to the intestine or rectum.

After the procedure, the patient was kept under observation. Doctors also carried out a sigmoidoscopy to check for any signs of internal injury or infection.

The patient remained under treatment for around four days and was discharged after doctors confirmed that his condition was stable and that he was able to pass stool normally.

Doctors said the patient was suffering from a psycho-sexual condition known as anal eroticism. According to medical experts, people with this condition may engage in risky behaviour with their private parts in search of unusual sexual stimulation.

Doctors also noted that patients in such situations often delay seeking medical help due to embarrassment, which can increase the risk of internal injuries, infection and other serious complications.

Experts emphasised the need for counselling in such cases to prevent recurrence and address the underlying behavioural issues.

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Location : Agra, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:52 IST

News india Agra Hospital Removes Bottle From Mans Rectum After 36 Hours Of Pain

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'Barbaric, Cowardly, Unconscionable Act Of Violence': India Condemns Pakistan's Airstrike On Kabul Hospital

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 17:20 IST

India alleged that the strike reflects a pattern of reckless behaviour, suggesting Pakistan is trying to deflect from internal challenges through cross-border aggression.

Pakistani strikes hit Kabul hospital | Image: X

India on Tuesday strongly denounced Pakistan over reported airstrikes on a hospital in Kabul, calling the incident a cowardly" and unconscionable" act that targeted civilians.

In a sharply worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the strike on a drug rehabilitation facility, identified as the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, was unjustifiable under any circumstances.

Afghan authorities have claimed the attack killed around 400 people and injured nearly 250 others.

This is a barbaric act of violence against civilians in a facility that cannot be considered a legitimate military target," the ministry said, accusing Islamabad of attempting to portray a massacre as a military operation."

New Delhi described the incident as a serious violation of Afghanistans sovereignty and warned that such actions pose a direct threat to regional peace and stability.

It also alleged that the strike reflects a pattern of reckless behaviour," suggesting Pakistan is trying to deflect from internal challenges through cross-border aggression.

India further criticised the timing of the attack during the holy month of Ramadan, calling it particularly disturbing. No faith or moral code can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients," the statement said.

Calling for global action, India urged the international community to hold those responsible accountable and ensure an immediate halt to attacks on civilians.

It also expressed condolences to the victims families and reaffirmed its support for Afghanistans sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The condemnation comes amid escalating tensions after Afghan officials accused Pakistan of carrying out the strike, which reportedly flattened large sections of the hospital.

Explosions were reported across Kabul late Monday night, with thick smoke seen rising from multiple areas of the city.

Pakistan has denied targeting civilian infrastructure, maintaining that its air operations were aimed at militant and military sites.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:19 IST

News india 'Barbaric, Cowardly, Unconscionable Act Of Violence': India Condemns Pakistan's Airstrike On Kabul Hospital

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Delhi HC Orders Removal Of Content Linking Hardeep Singh Puri's Daughter To Jeffrey Epstein

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 12:27 IST

The Delhi High Court ordered the removal of social media posts linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puris daughter to Jeffrey Epstein within 24 hours.

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The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered the removal of social media content linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puris daughter, Himayani Puri, to convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within 24 hours.

Justice Mini Pushkarna also restrained several users from publishing, sharing or circulating such content across social media platforms. The court clarified that if users fail to delete the posts, platforms must take them down or block access, news agency PTI reported.

Hearing a lawsuit filed by Himayani Puri, the court observed that she has a prima facie case and would suffer irreparable harm if interim relief was not granted. Consequently, till the next date of hearing, the following directions are issued," the court said, listing the matter for further hearing in August.

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the plaintiff, said she has a global reputation" to protect as a finance professional and described the allegations as completely false, reckless and malicious." In her suit seeking Rs 10 crore in damages, Himayani Puri alleged there was a coordinated and malicious online campaign" to link her to Epstein and his crimes. She also sought an unconditional apology and retraction from the defendants.

Commencing on or around 22.02.2026, a series of false, misleading and defamatory posts, articles, videos and digital material were published, disseminated and amplified across social media and intermediary platforms including inter alia X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, digital news portals and other web-based publications," the plea stated.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants circulated baseless imputations" suggesting she had direct or indirect links with Epstein. The plea asserts that these claims are entirely false and without any factual basis.

The Epstein filesdocuments tied to investigations into sex trafficking involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwellhave remained under public scrutiny since his death in 2019.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:27 IST

News india Delhi HC Orders Removal Of Content Linking Hardeep Singh Puri's Daughter To Jeffrey Epstein

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India In Crosshairs Of Iran's Power Struggle As IRGC Derails Safe Passage Talks | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 13:39 IST

At the centre of the IRGCs continued offensive is its Mosaic Doctrine, a decentralised strategy that enables semi-autonomous units to conduct operations across the region

Rapid Read

The renewed signalling by the IRGC around the Strait of Hormuz---a key global oil transit chokepoint---has heightened India's concerns.

Indias efforts to secure safe passage for its interests in West Asia have run into uncertainty as a deepening power struggle within Iran exposes a split between the civilian government and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Sources told CNN-News18 that New Delhi became aware of the internal discord during ongoing negotiations with Tehran, where Iranian government officials signalled willingness to halt attacks on Middle Eastern companies. However, parallel actions by the IRGC told a different story, with the force continuing strikes and refusing to scale down operations.

According to sources, the IRGC has maintained that it is bound by a to-do list" set by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, effectively disregarding the current governments diplomatic outreach. This divergence has complicated Indias engagement, raising concerns over whether assurances from Tehran can be enforced on the ground.

The situation has been further complicated by the emergence of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader, a development that analysts say has emboldened hardliners and removed earlier operational red lines. The result has been a visible escalation in regional strikes, even in cases where Iran has issued formal apologies.

At the centre of the IRGCs continued offensive is its Mosaic Doctrine", a decentralised strategy that enables semi-autonomous units to conduct operations across the region. Backed by proxy networks and covert funding, this structure allows the force to sustain attacks independent of the civilian leadership led by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Irans Foreign Ministry has effectively acknowledged this diffusion of authority, describing IRGC actions as scattered command execution"a rare admission that the states control over military operations is no longer absolute.

For India, the implications are significant. With critical energy supplies and regional connectivity projects at stake, any instability in Irans decision-making structure could directly impact Indian interests. The renewed signalling by the IRGC around the Strait of Hormuza key global oil transit chokepointhas only heightened these concerns.

The divide is now stark: while Tehran pushes diplomatic outreach to Gulf nations and international partners, the IRGC appears to be charting its own course. Even after official apologies and attempts at de-escalation, strikes have continued, underscoring the limits of the governments control.

For New Delhi, the core question remains unresolved: who truly speaks for Iranthe elected government, or the military establishment shaping events on the ground?

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Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: March 17, 2026, 13:39 IST

News india India In Crosshairs Of Iran's Power Struggle As IRGC Derails Safe Passage Talks | Exclusive

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LPG Tanker Nanda Devi, Carrying 45,000 Metric Tonnes Of Gas, Arrives In Gujarat From Hormuz Strait

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 11:45 IST

The vessel has arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat. Although it was initially scheduled to head to Kandla port, it has been diverted to Vadinar.

Rapid Read

LPG tanker Shivalik arrives at Mundra Port after safely crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions, in Gujarat, Monday, March 16, 2026. (PTI)

Another Indian LPG carrier, Nanda Devi, carrying around 45,000 metric tonnes of gas reached Gujarat after crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

The vessel has arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat. Although it was initially scheduled to head to Kandla port, it has been diverted to Vadinar.

Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Shivalik, had already reached Mundra Port a day earlier. The vessel delivered approximately 45,00046,000 tonnes of LPG.

Government data shows that 22 Indian-flagged vessels, with a total of 611 Indian seafarers onboard, are currently positioned west of the Strait of Hormuz.

Another vessel, Jag Laadki, is on its way to Mundra Port carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates. Officials said the ship and its crew are safe.

India relies on imports for about 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of natural gas and 60 per cent of LPG. Before the US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehrans response, a significant portion of these supplies came from West Asian countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The conflict has disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial transit route. While India has partly managed crude shortages by sourcing oil from Russia, supplies of gas to industries and LPG to commercial users like hotels and restaurants have been curtailed.

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Location : Gujarat, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 11:30 IST

News india LPG Tanker Nanda Devi, Carrying 45,000 Metric Tonnes Of Gas, Arrives In Gujarat From Hormuz Strait

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Lok Sabha Revokes Suspension Of 8 Opposition MPs After Budget Session Chaos

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 13:45 IST

The MPs had been suspended on February 3, for unruly behaviour during protests in the Budget Session.

8 MPs Return After Suspension Revoked

The Lok Sabha revoked suspension of eight opposition MPs. The MPs paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi after their suspension was revoked by Speaker Om Birla.

The MPs had been suspended on February 3, for unruly behaviour during protests in the Budget Session.

The suspended MPs included seven from the Indian National Congress and one from Communist Party of India (Marxist)  Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, C. Kiran Kumar Reddy, S Venkatesan.

The suspensions followed chaos in the House over a disallowed speech by Rahul Gandhi related to revelations in a book by former Army chief Gen. M. M. Naravane on Chinese aggression.

During the protests, MPs climbed tables and threw papers at the Chair.

The Lok Sabha revoked all suspensions through a motion moved by Kiren Rijiju, meeting opposition demands amid ongoing protests. He stressed the need to draw a Laxman Rekha to ensure smooth proceedings.

Speaker Om Birla urged members not to use placards or AI images in future.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, This is a good thing It should happen from both sides (maintaining the dignity of the House)."

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copy link Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, Its a very good development that this sad spectacle of eight of our colleagues sitting on the steps every day suspended, unable to participate, that has been ended Whatever mistakes of judgement or behaviour they may have made to keep them out of the House is something that hurts our democracy I believe there have been some assurances of good behaviour on both sides, which I hope will also be upheld"

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 13:32 IST

News india Lok Sabha Revokes Suspension Of 8 Opposition MPs After Budget Session Chaos

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Middle East Tensions: UAE Reopens Airspace After Brief Closure, Flights Gradually Resume

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 11:45 IST

The UAE reopened its airspace after a brief two-hour shutdown triggered by missile and drone threats amid the Iran conflict.

Airlines have issued travel advisories as airspace disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict affect international flight operations. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE/REPRESENTATIVE)

The United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace on Tuesday after a brief shutdown prompted by escalating regional tensions, as Iran continues missile and drone attacks in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel, now in its third week.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, the countrys air defence systems have so far intercepted more than 300 ballistic missiles and around 1,600 drones.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the decision to reopen the airspace was taken after a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions and in coordination with relevant authorities. The regulator added that the situation is being monitored in real time to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety.

The temporary closure lasted nearly two hours and was described by the aviation regulator as an exceptional precautionary measure" aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews, while also safeguarding UAE territory amid rapidly evolving regional security developments.

The shutdown followed disruptions at Dubai International Airport, which resumed a limited flight schedule on Monday after a drone strike hit a fuel depot and triggered a fire. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. The incident marked the fourth drone-related strike linked to the airport in recent days.

The disruption is part of a broader pattern of flight cancellations and rerouting across the Middle East, as airlines reassess operations through increasingly volatile airspace.

British Airways said Monday that it has extended a temporary reduction in its Middle East flight schedule due to ongoing uncertainty. The changes affect flights operating from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv.

The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with affected passengers to provide alternative travel arrangements.

Meanwhile, the IAG-owned carrier has operated eight relief flights from Muscat, Oman, and has also added additional flights to and from Singapore and Bangkok to assist travellers impacted by the disruptions.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 11:45 IST

News lifestyle travel Middle East Tensions: UAE Reopens Airspace After Brief Closure, Flights Gradually Resume
Solo Travel Summer Retreats: Resorts Where You Can Relax And Recharge

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News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 12:47 IST

Planning a solo summer getaway? Discover five luxury wellness resorts in India from the Himalayas to Kerala offering yoga, spa therapies, nature retreats, and peaceful escapes

For solo travellers, the retreat offers the comfort of a structured wellness programme while also creating opportunities to connect with like-minded visitors from around the world.

Summer is a season for slowing down rather than speeding up, and over time the idea of the perfect vacation has evolved, especially for solo travellers. Many now seek destinations that offer meaningful experiences along with opportunities to recharge and reconnect with themselves.

Across India, several luxury resorts are designing experiences that combine privacy, wellness activities, and immersive natural surroundings. These retreats allow guests to enjoy peaceful solitude while participating in curated wellness programmes and outdoor explorations.

Here are five resorts across India that stand out as ideal summer retreats for solo travellers looking to relax and recharge.

1. Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati

Set amid lush green hills on the outskirts of Guwahati, Mayfair Spring Valley Resort offers a tranquil escape from city life while still remaining easily accessible. One of the largest luxury resorts in the region, the property features 260 rooms, suites, cottages, and villas, offering the privacy and comfort many travellers seek. It is also among the most extensive premium hospitality ventures in Eastern India.

Spread across landscaped grounds, the resort blends scale with serenity. Guests have access to multiple swimming pools, expansive lawns, spa facilities, a fitness centre, and several dining options, creating a self-contained environment where relaxation and recreation coexist.

For solo travellers, the appeal lies in the flexibility of the experience. Guests can begin their day with yoga sessions overlooking green hills, enjoy relaxing spa therapies, and end the evening with quiet walks around the landscaped property, all without the need for a tightly planned itinerary.

2. Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand

Located in the Himalayan foothills near Rishikesh, Ananda in the Himalayas is widely regarded as one of Indias most renowned wellness retreats. Set within a vast forested estate overlooking the Ganges Valley, the property is built on the former palace estate of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal.

The retreat focuses on holistic wellbeing, encouraging guests to explore Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and personalised wellness consultations. Visitors can tailor their stay around goals such as detoxification, stress management, or mindfulness.

For solo travellers, the structured wellness programmes add purpose and rhythm to the day. Morning yoga sessions, guided meditation, and wellness therapies are complemented by the serene Himalayan landscape, which encourages quiet reflection and rejuvenation.

3. Six Senses Vana, Dehradun

Nestled in a forested estate in Dehradun, Six Senses Vana blends minimalist design with a deep immersion in wellness philosophy. The retreat offers an integrated approach that combines Ayurveda, Tibetan healing traditions, yoga, and naturopathy, guided by expert practitioners and personalised wellness assessments.

The propertys tranquil architecture, earth-toned interiors, peaceful courtyards, and forest pathways encourage guests to embrace a slower pace of life. Visitors can spend their days alternating between therapy sessions, meditation classes, and nature walks.

For solo travellers, this environment fosters a sense of productive relaxation. Without the distractions typically associated with busy resorts, guests can focus entirely on their wellbeing and personal reflection.

4. Dharana at Shillim, Maharashtra

Located in the Sahyadri mountains near Pune, Dharana at Shillim is designed around the concept of deep rejuvenation. The all-villa wellness retreat offers personalised health assessments, yoga sessions, meditation practices, nature hikes, and Ayurvedic treatments.

The lush Shillim Valley setting enhances the wellness experience with outdoor activities such as forest walks, guided hikes, creative workshops, and mindful cooking sessions.

For solo travellers, the villa-style accommodations ensure privacy, while the curated wellness programmes create a structured yet flexible experience that prevents solitude from feeling isolating.

5. Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort, Kerala

Overlooking the Arabian Sea in Kerala, Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Ayurvedic wellness retreats in India. The property focuses on Panchakarma detox programmes, yoga sessions, and traditional Ayurvedic therapies.

Wellness routines are central to the experience here, with daily schedules that include morning yoga overlooking the sea, consultations with Ayurvedic doctors, therapeutic massages, and nutritionally balanced meals prepared according to individual health requirements.

For solo travellers, the retreat offers the comfort of a structured wellness programme while also creating opportunities to connect with like-minded visitors from around the world.

Solo travel was once largely associated with sightseeing and exploration. Today, however, many travellers are seeking destinations that offer quiet luxury, wellness, and meaningful experiences.

The resorts listed above provide the perfect setting for travellers looking to pause, reflect, and recharge. Whether practising yoga in misty mountain landscapes, indulging in spa therapies, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings, these retreats offer the ideal environment to unwind before returning to everyday life refreshed and renewed.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:47 IST

News lifestyle travel Solo Travel Summer Retreats: Resorts Where You Can Relax And Recharge
Nora Fatehi And Sanjay Dutt's Song Sarke Chunar Taken Down Over Alleged Objectionable Lyrics?

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News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 16:08 IST

After receiving severe backlash on social media, the makers have reportedly taken down Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt's song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke from YouTube.

Nora Fatehis Song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke Slammed For Vulgar Lyrics

On Sunday, March 15, the makers of the upcoming Kannada pan-India film KD: The Devil launched the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke starring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt. While a section of viewers appreciated Noras high-energy performance, a significant number of social media users criticised the track, calling out its lyrics as vulgar." After receiving severe backlash on social media, the makers have reportedly taken down the song from YouTube.

Soon after the song dropped on the streaming platform, several users called out the makers over its suggestive visuals and what they described as vulgar lyrics. Within a day of its release, the video was taken down, and YouTube now shows a Video unavailable. This video is private" message for the track. The lyrics are written by Raqueeb Alam, and the films music is composed by Arjun Janya. Have a look:

Set against the backdrop of a dance bar, the track showcases Nora Fatehi performing alongside a large group of backup dancers. The promo, unveiled last week, featured her in a ghagra choli, dancing amid a packed crowd. However, after the full lyrical video dropped on Sunday, the focus quickly shifted to the lyrics, with the song soon drawing widespread backlash across social media.

Recently, Priyank Kanungo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), condemned the song. On March 16, he was asked about the song. To which, he said, Who can sit with their civilised family and watch this?" Reports suggest that the commission has issued notices to the makers on the basis of the song.

Filmmaker Onir also reacted to the song earlier today. He criticised the Censor Board, and wrote, And the Censor board is busy with The naming of a film #GhooskhorPandat . Strange country we are becoming opposing Valentines day celebration, interfaith marriage/ celebration while ok with this rubbish."

Meanwhile, KD: The Devil, a Kannada period actioner, is directed by Prem. It stars Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah and Jisshu Sengupta.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:56 IST

News movies bollywood Nora Fatehi And Sanjay Dutt's Song Sarke Chunar Taken Down Over Alleged Objectionable Lyrics?
Salim Khan Health Update: Veteran Screenwriter Set For Discharge Today After A Month In Hospital

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News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:50 IST

Salim Khan to be discharged from Lilavati Hospital after a month-long stay following treatment for age-related health issues and a minor haemorrhage.

Salim Khan to be discharged after hospital stay.

Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan is set to be discharged from Mumbais Lilavati Hospital after spending nearly a month under medical care. The 90-year-old had been admitted in February due to age-related health issues, and his recovery has now allowed doctors to clear him for discharge, as per a report in Hindustan Times. The update has drawn attention as Salim Khans health had been closely followed over the past few weeks, with regular visits from family members and close friends from the film industry.

Arbaaz Khan Gives Salim Khan Health Update, Says Veteran Writer Improving And May Leave Hospital Soon

Hospital stay and medical treatment

According to hospital sources, Salim Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra West on February 17. He was under the care of senior consultant Dr Jaleel Parkar and underwent a procedure called Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA). The diagnostic procedure is used to detect conditions related to blood vessels in the brain, including aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and blockages.

Doctors had earlier confirmed that Salim Khan had suffered a minor haemorrhage.

There was minimal brain haemorrhage. A small procedure was done this morning, and it was accomplished. He is fine and stable, but is still on a ventilator. By tomorrow, hopefully, we will take him off the ventilator. All in all, hes doing quite well. Keeping his age in mind, the recovery time is longer," Dr Parkar had said.

Family and industry support

During his time in hospital, Salim Khan received frequent visits from his family. His sons Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan were regularly seen at the hospital.

Several close friends from the film industry also visited him, including actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, as well as his longtime collaborator Javed Akhtar.

Last week, Arbaaz Khan had shared a brief update about his fathers condition while speaking to paparazzi at an iftar gathering. He is better now, hes improving now. Dad is better."

Salim Khan films

Salim Khan remains one of the most influential figures in Hindi cinema. He began his career as an actor in the 1960s before moving into screenwriting. His partnership with Javed Akhtar went on to become one of the most iconic writing duos in Bollywood history. Together, the duo wrote 24 films, many of which became major successes.

Their filmography includes classics such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Deewar, Don, Kranti and Mr India  films that continue to be referenced in Indian cinema today.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 10:48 IST

News movies bollywood Salim Khan Health Update: Veteran Screenwriter Set For Discharge Today After A Month In Hospital
Inside Priyanka Chopra And Nick Jonas' 'Very Own Oscars After-Party

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:39 IST

Priyanka Chopra is seen walking hand in hand with husband Nick Jonas in the first photo of the carousel from the Oscars 2026 after-party.

Rapid Read

Priyanka Chopra attended the Oscars 2026 as a presenter. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

After a night of big wins and a global spotlight, Priyanka Chopra chose to keep things a little more personal. She offered a closer look at what her Oscars after-party really felt like. The actress, along with her husband Nick Jonas, turned heads at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was her post after the ceremony that got people talking.

On Tuesday morning, Priyanka dropped a series of photos from the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Instagram and wrote, Our very own after party."

The carousel captures multiple moments from the night, focusing on the couples candid chemistry and Priyankas stunning looks. In one of the first pictures, Priyanka is seen walking hand-in-hand with Nick, the two effortlessly matching each others vibe. Another frame shows her getting ready, surrounded by her team as they put the final touches on her look.

As the post progresses, Priyanka is seen posing solo on a staircase, confidently showing off her after-party outfit. One of the standout images captures her backless gown in full detail, while Nick is seen sitting beside her at a piano for a cinematic touch to the moment.

Priyanka Chopras Outfit For The Oscars After Party

For the after-party, Priyanka wore a metallic silver gown with fur detailing, paired with a matching shrug. Nick complemented her look in a beige coat layered over a white shirt, styled with a bow tie and black trousers.

The party itself saw the presence of several high-profile names, including Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, making it one of the most talked-about gatherings of the night.

Priyanka Chopra On Stage As Presenter

Earlier at the ceremony, Priyanka also took the stage as a presenter alongside Spanish actor Javier Bardem. The duo presented the Best International Feature award, which went to Sentimental Value. During the announcement, Bardem remarked, Say no to war and free Palestine," to which Priyanka responded with a smile and nod. A video of her reaction soon circulated widely online.

On the work front, Priyanka was last seen in The Bluff, an action thriller currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. She is currently working on filmmaker SS Rajamoulis upcoming project Varanasi, which also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Priyanka also has Judgment Day lined up for a 2026 release.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:39 IST

News movies hollywood Inside Priyanka Chopra And Nick Jonas' 'Very Own Oscars After-Party
Actor-Politician Khushbu Sundar Defends Trisha Amid Thalapathy Vijay Rumours: 'She Is Dignified'

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News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 09:43 IST

Khushbu Sundar defends Trisha as speculation around Vijay and Trisha grows after their joint appearance at a Chennai wedding reception.

Khushbu Sundar reacts to Vijay and Trisha rumours.

Actor and politician Khushbu Sundar has reacted to the growing speculation surrounding actors Vijay and Trisha Krishnan after the two recently appeared together at a wedding reception in Chennai. The public appearance sparked fresh rumours about their relationship, and Khushbu has now stepped forward to defend Trisha.

The discussion intensified after Vijay attended the wedding reception of AGS producer Kalpathi Sureshs son on March 5, where he was seen arriving and leaving with Trisha. Their joint appearance sparked controversy online, especially as it came shortly after reports that Vijays wife Sangeeta Sornalingam had filed for divorce accusing him of adultery.

Khushbu Sundar speaks about the rumours

During a conversation with DeKoder, Khushbu Sundar was asked about the speculation surrounding Vijay and Trishas appearance together. The actor-politician responded by defending Trishas character and slammed the way people react to celebrity gossip online. Unfortunately, we are in a time where even if you sneeze, you want to blame it on someone else. What I know of both of them, with Trash [Trisha] being very very close to me, she is one of the most dignified women Ive ever met and the most gentlest soul."

Khushbu also spoke about how paparazzi culture and online commentary often fuel unnecessary speculation around celebrities personal lives. I wouldnt want to comment on paps who are going about following everywhere. This is the kind of system we have seen in Mumbai and not here. Unfortunately, its starting here. And those who sit and comment are the people who are happy at looking into someones lives rather than looking at the problems they are having. They enjoy or get a sadistic pleasure in commenting on someone else. And 99.9 per cent of them are not known to use. So anybody, for that matter, they are not responsible for what others comment and I dont think we need to waste our time responding to them."

Vijay and Trishas appearance sparks conversation

The speculation began after Vijay and Trisha attended the reception together and walked to the stage side by side to greet the newlyweds. They were also seen posing for photographs and leaving the venue at roughly the same time.

A popular on-screen pairing

Vijay and Trisha have been one of Tamil cinemas most popular on-screen pairs. Their films together  Ghilli (2004), Thirupaachi (2005), Aathi (2006) and Kuruvi (2008)  helped establish a strong fan following for the duo. After Kuruvi, however, the actors did not appear together for many years. At the time, industry gossip suggested that their closeness during the filming of Ghilli had turned into something more. There were also rumours that Vijays family had asked him to distance himself from Trisha.

Both actors repeatedly dismissed those claims and maintained that they were just friends."

Years later, their reunion in Leo (2023) once again brought them back together on screen and revived conversations about their long-standing chemistry.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:43 IST

News movies tamil-cinema Actor-Politician Khushbu Sundar Defends Trisha Amid Thalapathy Vijay Rumours: 'She Is Dignified'
'We Will Miss You Dadi': Nakuul Mehta Mourns Death Of Veteran Actress Navnindra Behl, Pens Emotional Note

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:51 IST

Veteran actor Navnindra Behl, known for her work across films, television and theatre, has passed away at the age of 76.

Nakuul Mehta Mourns Death Of Veteran Actress Navnindra Behl, Pens Emotional Note

Veteran actress Navnindra Behls demise has left all her fans sad. The actress was well known for her role in the popular Television show Ishqbaaz. Nakuul Mehta, who played the lead role, shared photos from the set and also penned an emotional note recalling his shooting experience with her.

Taking to his Instagram handle, Nakuul Mehta shared a series of unseen photos with the late actress and also wrote a long note, The beauty of long running television shows is that they sometimes give you the opportunity to spend time with people who may have existed in worlds very different from yours until then..and then, almost magically, they end up shaping a significant part of who you were during those years. And long after the experience ends, some of what they stood for continues to find a home within you. We spent so many days sharing a set floor and many lunches over the three years we worked together on Ishqbaaaz. Id often complain about the boring sabzis (read: lauki, karela) shed bring, and she would continue to insist that we try her food. She didnt give up. I never gave in."

Take a look here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nakuul Mehta (@nakuulmehta)

He also recalled working with her in the show, My earliest memory of her was filming my very first scene with her on Ishqbaaaz at around midnight in Turbhe. A solemn moment between the matriarch and her grandson. There was something about her presence that made you feel so present in every scene. She liked rehearsals. So did I. It was a match written in the stars. I say so because in television, rarely do you have the discipline and mostly the time for multiple rehearsals. She came from the rich tradition of Punjabi theatre. She wrote, directed and produced in her time, but never for once brought that heft onto set. She had more years in the business than the entire ensemble put together, but may have been the lightest co-actor to work with. Only sometimes complaining about the crazy schedules of television. Okay, often :)"

He further added, Id quite often drop her back home if we packed up at the same time, and those drives are some of my fondest memories of her. Shed be excited about writing back to every audience member who messaged her on Instagram (she embraced technology). She was thrilled about collaborating with Vishal Bhardwaj. She spoke so fondly of her husband and their love story, and mostly of her son, @kanubehl, and the wonderful filmmaker she believed he was. We kept in touch over the years much after the show ended, and @jank_ee and I had the good fortune of celebrating her on her 75th birthday in October 2024. I doubt I ever called her Maam! None of us did. It was always Dadi. We will miss you, Dadi."

Veteran Actor Navnindra Behl Dies At 76

Veteran actor Navnindra Behl, known for her work across films, television and theatre, has passed away at the age of 76. The news of her demise was confirmed by her son, filmmaker Kanu Behl, who shared an emotional tribute remembering his mothers enduring presence in his life. Taking to social media, Kanu Behl posted a photograph of his mother along with a heartfelt message reflecting on the deep bond they shared. My Titan. My faith. Love. Guide. Mentor. My heart. Go well, mumma. Until you birth me again. My eyes shall always seek that irrepressible smile, that warm chuckle, that bear hug, those burning curious eyes. Forever alight. Thank you for lighting my soul," he wrote. Following the announcement, members of the film fraternity expressed their condolences. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and several others from the industry paid tribute to the late actor and offered support to the family. Navnindra Behl was married to veteran actor and director Lalit Behl, who passed away in 2021 after suffering COVID-19 related complications in Delhi. The couple had long been associated with Indian theatre and cinema, contributing significantly to the performing arts community.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 10:51 IST

News movies television 'We Will Miss You Dadi': Nakuul Mehta Mourns Death Of Veteran Actress Navnindra Behl, Pens Emotional Note
Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 11:59 IST

1 / 6 TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna's recent remarks that the DMK threatened Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics has snowballed into a big controversy in Tamil politics and the intense fan culture, with a prominent Rajinikanth fan club in Madurai putting up posters demanding an apology.

2 / 6 Condemning Aadhav Arjuna's allegedly derogatory remarks, Madurai City District Rajinikanth Fans Association put up posters that said 'Pain, shame, insult' and 'Time won't speak but will definitely answer', and 'Let's meet on the field, it's over'. Rajinikanth's friend and retired police ADSP Kumaravel, Madurai City District Rajini Club Deputy Secretary Alagarsami, and City Rajini club administrator Bal. Namachivayan also met reporters. They recalled how in 1996, the superstar spoke out against then ruling party AIADMK. "Someone who has seen so much fame has nothing to fear. Even though Rajini is not in politics, we are still working for the people. Those who have just started a party should not provoke us," they said.

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3 / 6 Addressing TVK members during a protest against the Tamil Nadu government on March 12, Aadhav Arjuna, TVK general secretary, alleged that the DMK threatened Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics. Arjuna maintained that he was not criticising the actor but wanted to point out that TVK founder Vijay had the courage to withstand such pressure. His comments however drew spontaneous criticism from various quarters including Rajinis fans.

4 / 6 Rajinikanths former advisor Ra Arjunamurthy strongly condemned the remark and urged Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay to initiate action on Arjuna. Tamil Nadu Minister S Regupathy lashed out at TVK for the allegation and said the Vijay-led party was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a lie". Speaking to reporters, the minister said Rajini was a friend of the DMK and had voiced support for the party.

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5 / 6 Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran also condemned Arjuna's remarks, calling it "baseless allegations against Superstar Rajinikanth".
Congress Suspends 3 Odisha MLAs For Defying Party Whip In Rajya Sabha Polls

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 13:41 IST

Party leaders said the disciplinary steps were necessary to protect the organisations credibility, especially after the Rajya Sabha polls.

Rapid Read

The suspended legislators  Ramesh Jena, Sofia Firdous and Dasarathi Gamang  were accused of cross-voting in favour of a BJP-backed candidate. (News18)

The Odisha Congress on Tuesday suspended three of its MLAs for defying the party whip during the recently held Rajya Sabha elections, in a move aimed at enforcing discipline within the party.

The suspended legislators  Ramesh Jena, Sofia Firdous and Dasarathi Gamang  were accused of cross-voting in favour of a BJP-backed candidate, triggering strong backlash from party leadership.

Announcing the decision, Sujit Padhy said the action was taken over indiscipline" and violation of party directives. He stressed that such conduct would not be tolerated as it undermines the partys collective strategy.

In a separate action, Cuttack city Congress president Giribala Behera was expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities.

Party leaders said the disciplinary steps were necessary to protect the organisations credibility, especially after the Rajya Sabha polls exposed internal divisions within the state unit.

The Congress also emphasised the importance of unity ahead of upcoming political challenges, stating that cross-voting had weakened the partys position in Odisha and damaged its public image.

Odisha Rajya Sabha Polls Results

The ruling BJP on Monday won two of the four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha, while the opposition BJD and a saffron party-backed Independent candidate bagged one seat each in the biennial polls.

BJPs Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal and the partys MP Sujeet Kumar secured 35 votes each to win the elections.

BJDs official candidate Santrupt Misra won the polls by securing 31 votes.

BJP-backed Independent candidate and former Union minister Dilip Ray won the fourth seat through second-preference votes, defeating opposition-backed nominee Datteswar Hota, who was supported by the BJD, Congress and CPI(M).

Both Ray and Hota were tied by securing 23 first preference votes each. Later, Ray was elected as the winner after counting of the second preference votes, the official said.

All 147 members of the Assembly exercised their franchise in the elections.

The elections witnessed cross-voting, with several opposition MLAs allegedly supporting BJP candidates and the BJP-backed Independent.

While the number of BJP and its supported Independent MLAs was 82 in the 147-member House, the saffron party candidates secured 93 first preference votes, which was 11 more than its strength in the Assembly. These 11 votes came from BJD (8) and Congress (3) MLAs, the official said.

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Location : Bhubaneswar, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:55 IST

News politics Congress Suspends 3 Odisha MLAs For Defying Party Whip In Rajya Sabha Polls

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'Missing' MLAs Of Bihar: Meet The Mahagathbandhan Leaders Behind NDA's Unexpected Win In Rajya Sabha

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 14:04 IST

Four opposition MLAs  three from the Congress and one from the RJD  failed to cast their votes in the Rajya Sabha election.

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The four Bihar MLAs who were absent from Rajya Sabha election voting on March 16. (Image: myneta)

The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar has been hit by fresh internal tensions after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) clinched the crucial fifth Rajya Sabha seat in voting held on Monday, exposing cracks between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its ally, the Indian National Congress. The contest, expected to go down to the wire, tilted decisively in the NDAs favour after four opposition MLAs  three from the Congress and one from the RJD  failed to cast their votes, derailing the oppositions arithmetic at the last moment. Their absence proved decisive in helping NDA-backed candidate Upendra Kushwaha defeat RJD nominee AD Singh.

While victories for leaders like Nitish Kumar and BJP candidates were not in doubt, the fifth seat had emerged as a prestige battle. The opposition had stitched together support beyond its own numbers, banking on backing from smaller parties to cross the required mark. However, despite allies holding firm, the unexpected no-shows upset the equation.

The development has sparked anger within the RJD, with leaders informally blaming the Congress for poor internal coordination. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, alleged foul play by the ruling alliance, claiming, inducements were offered to lawmakers who either voted against the alliance or stayed away," and asserting, we are prepared to fight them, and our struggle will continue."

At the end, the number game pinned on the four MLAs who went missing from the Rajya Sabha elections. Heres who they were:

Surendra Prasad Kushwaha

Surendra Prasad Kushwaha is a Congress MLA who was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in the 2025 polls from the Valmiki Nagar constituency. He succeeded a JD(U) incumbent. His political career has been focused on grassroots representation in north-western Bihar. However, his absence during the crucial Rajya Sabha vote has now put the spotlight on his political positioning, raising questions within alliance circles about internal discipline and coordination at a time when every vote carried significant weight.

Manoj Bishwas

Manoj Biswas represents the Forbesganj constituency as an MLA from the Congress, having secured a closely fought victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. His win was significant for the Congress, particularly in the Seemanchal belt, where the party had been trying to revive its electoral footprint amid strong competition from the BJP. While Bishwas has not been known for shifting loyalties, he remained absent from the Rajya Sabha election voting, raising questions on his stand.

Manohar Prasad Singh

Manohar Prasad Singh is a Congress MLA from the Manihari constituency. His absence from the Rajya Sabha voting is being talked about more due to his fluid political journey. He was initially associated with the Janata Dal (United), aligning himself with the party during a phase when it held significant sway in Bihar under Nitish Kumar. His shift to the Indian National Congress came later, reflecting the frequent realignments that characterise Bihar politics, where leaders often recalibrate affiliations based on changing caste equations, constituency dynamics, and alliance configurations.

Faisal Rahman

Faisal Rahman is a leader of the RJD and serves as MLA for the Dhaka constituency in East Champaran district. His background includes agriculture and social service, and he previously won the seat in 2015 before losing it in 2020 and then winning in 2025. In the recent Rajya Sabha vote absence, he said he had returned to Delhi due to his mothers ill health.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 10:58 IST

News politics 'Missing' MLAs Of Bihar: Meet The Mahagathbandhan Leaders Behind NDA's Unexpected Win In Rajya Sabha

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NDA-Vijay Alliance Buzz Derails After TVK Leader Remarks On Rajinikanth Spark Row

Curated By :

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 13:37 IST

Speculations of a BJP-led NDA and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam alliance for Tamil Nadu polls ended after TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna's remarks against Rajinikanth.

Palaniswami has slammed a TVK leader's remarks on Rajinikanth. (X)

Speculations over a possible alliance between the BJP-led NDA and actor-turned-politician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly polls have hit a roadblock following a controversy over a TVK leaders remarks against superstar Rajinikanth.

The row erupted after TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna made blatant remarks against Rajinikanth, with AIADMK and BJP leaders openly criticising TVK functionaries.

Whats The Row?

While addressing the party members during a protest against the state government on March 12, Arjuna alleged that the DMK threatened Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics.

Arjuna maintained that he was not criticising the actor but wanted to point out that TVK founder Vijay had courage to withstand such pressure.

His comments, however, drew spontaneous criticism from various quarters, including Rajinis fans, NDA leaders and DMK minister, who said the TVK was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a blatant lie."

NDA, DMK Slam TVK

AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami termed the comments politically indecent" and defended the actors decision to stay out of politics, calling for respect for individual choice.

BJP leader Annamalai also hit out at Arjuna, describing his claims as an illusion" and praising Rajinikanths decades-long career.

Union Minister L Murugan demanded an apology from Arjuna for attempting to tarnish the actors image.

Noting that the TVK general secretarys comments on the top actors decision not to enter politics was highly condemnable," the Central Minister said the people of Tamil Nadu would not accept Arjunas comments made to serve his own political agenda.

Tamil Nadu Minister S Regupathy lashed out at TVK for the allegation and said the Vijay-led party was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a lie." He said that Rajini was a friend of the DMK and had voiced support for the party.

Rajinikanth cannot be threatened. Everyone knows that. To say that the DMK threatened him is a blatant lie. Vijays party is saying it to seek political mileage," Regupathy said and pointed out that in the 1996 election Rajini had voiced support for the DMK.

Rajinikanth Reacts

Additionally, Rajinikanth on Tuesday condemned the slanderous remarks" by Arjuna about him and said that time will give the answer".

In a message on X, the actor flagged concerns over Arjunas remarks and called them contrary to the truth". He further expressed gratitude towards the political leaders, fans and media members who criticised the derogatory" remarks.

Mr Aadhav Arjuna, who holds a leadership position in the TVK party (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam), recently expressed an opinion about me that was contrary to the truth. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Honorable Leader of the Opposition of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Tamil Nadu BJP President Mr. Nainar Nagendran, Union Minister Mr. L. Murugan, Tamil Nadu Minister Mr. Raghupathy, Mr. Thol. Thirumavalavan, Mr. S.P. Velumani, friend Mr. Annamalai, Mr. Arjunamurthy, Mr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Mr. G.K. Vasan, Mr. John Pandian, Mr. Pugalenthi, and many other political leaders, Mr. Ameer, Mr. G. Dhananjayan, and other friends from the film industry, Mr. Nakkheeran Gopal, Chanakyaa Mr. Rangaraj Pandey, members of the media, and my beloved fans (whom I consider the gods who keep me living), for condemning his defamatory remarks and raising their voices in my support," the actor wrote in the message.

Time does not speak, but it waits and gives the answer," he added.

Would TVK Join NDA?

The controversy came amid reports that the NDA had reached out to TVK with an offer of up to 80 seats and even the Deputy Chief Ministers post for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. There were also claims that Vijay sought the Chief Ministers post in return, though TVK leaders denied any such negotiations.

With tensions rising over the remarks, the alliance buzz has largely fizzled out, at least for now.

Tamil Nadu is headed for a multi-cornered electoral contest, with the ruling DMK seeking a second term, the AIADMK-BJP alliance aiming for a comeback, and Vijays TVK preparing for its electoral debut. Actor-politician Seemans Naam Tamilar Katchi is also expected to be a key player in the race.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 13:37 IST

News politics NDA-Vijay Alliance Buzz Derails After TVK Leader Remarks On Rajinikanth Spark Row

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4.5 Lakh An Hour For Sunlight? This Startup Plans To Light Up Earth After Sunset  Heres How It Will Work

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:10 IST

People can request sunlight through an app or website. After receiving a request, the satellite would adjust its mirror and reflect sunlight towards the selected GPS location.

Rapid Read

Reflect Orbital plans to send satellites into a sun-synchronous polar orbit. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

A startup is developing a technology that could make it possible to reflect sunlight back to Earth even after dark. Yes, you read that right. The concept involves satellites equipped with large mirrors that would redirect sunlight towards specific areas on Earth at night. The idea recently gained widespread attention online after a video explaining the concept began circulating on social media.

The clip introduces viewers to the unusual concept. It explains how the company behind the idea plans to use satellites in space to redirect sunlight towards specific locations on Earth when it is already night there.

In the video, the narrator says: This company selling sunlight by putting mirrors in space. Basically like the Uber Eats of the sunlight."

The company mentioned in the video is Reflect Orbital, a California-based startup which is exploring the possibility of reflecting sunlight from space using specially designed satellites.

How The Technology Would Work

The concept may sound futuristic, but the company says it is based on a fairly simple principle: bouncing sunlight.

Reflect Orbital plans to send satellites into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, roughly 600 to 625 kilometres above Earth. In this orbit, the satellites travel along the boundary between day and night, known as the terminator line. Because of this position, they remain exposed to sunlight even when the area below them on Earth has already turned dark.

Each satellite would carry large reflective surfaces that unfold once they reach space. These mirrors, expected to be made from lightweight materials like Mylar, could measure anywhere between 10 metres and 54 metres across.

The mirrors would also be motorised and programmable, which will allow them to tilt and redirect sunlight towards a chosen location on Earth.

Requesting A Spotlight From Space

People can request sunlight through an app or website. After receiving a request, the satellite would adjust its mirror and reflect sunlight toward the selected GPS location.

But the illumination would only last for a short period. Because satellites in Low Earth Orbit move extremely quickly. Each satellite could shine light on a location for about four minutes during a single pass.

How Bright The Reflected Light Could Be

When directed towards Earth, the reflected sunlight would create a circular patch of light on the ground measuring around 3 to 5 miles (about 5 kilometres) across.

The brightness of this light could range between 0.8 and 2.3 lux, which is roughly similar to the glow of a full moon. In some situations, the light could even appear up to four times brighter than natural moonlight.

Since satellites move rapidly in orbit, maintaining constant light in one place would require a large number of satellites working together and passing the beam from one to another.

What The Company Says It Could Be Used For

Reflect Orbital believes the technology could have several practical uses if it becomes operational.

One potential application is in energy production, where solar farms could continue generating electricity for longer hours with the help of reflected sunlight.

The company also suggests the system could support industrial operations and agriculture. It could allow work to continue longer at remote locations, or help farmers adjust lighting cycles for crops.

In emergency situations, the satellites could provide temporary illumination over disaster zones or search-and-rescue areas to improve visibility during nighttime operations.

For everyday use, the idea could even extend to lighting up large outdoor events or certain public spaces.

Prototype Satellite Already Planned

Reflect Orbital has already proposed a prototype satellite named Earendil-1. The spacecraft is expected to operate in an orbit roughly 400 miles (640 kilometres) above Earth.

The prototype would carry a mirror measuring around 60 feet (18.3 metres). If successfully deployed, it could illuminate a patch of ground roughly three miles (4.8 kilometres) wide and produce light similar in brightness to moonlight.

Investors Back The Idea, But Scientists Have Concerns

According to The Jerusalem Post, the startup has raised over US$28 million from investors so far. It also revealed that Sequoia is backing the project, which it describes as the firms first space investment since SpaceX. Earlier, the company had raised US$6.5 million and reportedly received more than 10,000 inquiries about the concept.

At the same time, the idea has raised concerns among scientists and astronomers. Experts worry that large mirrors reflecting sunlight back to Earth could affect the natural darkness of the night sky and potentially interfere with astronomical observations.

According to Gizmodo, Reflect Orbital has applied to the US Federal Communications Commission for approval.

From Pricing To 50,000 Satellites: Reflect Orbitals Big Plan

Reflect Orbitals chief executive, Ben Nowack, told The New York Times that the company plans to charge around $5,000 (approximately Rs 4.59 lakh) per hour for the light reflected by a single mirror. The pricing would apply to customers who sign an annual contract for at least 1,000 hours of service.

The company is also moving ahead with its development timeline. After the initial prototype, two additional prototype satellites could be launched within the next year.

Looking further ahead, Reflect Orbital hopes to scale the project significantly. The startup aims to have around 1,000 larger satellites in orbit by the end of 2028, with the number increasing to 5,000 satellites by 2030.

Ultimately, the company says its long-term goal is to deploy a full constellation of about 50,000 satellites by 2035.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:09 IST

News viral 4.5 Lakh An Hour For Sunlight? This Startup Plans To Light Up Earth After Sunset  Heres How It Will Work

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After Venezuela Takeover, Trump Says He Could Free Or Take Cuba Amid Islands Deepening Crisis

Curated By :

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 07:39 IST

President Trump suggested taking control of Cuba, calling it an "honor." Amid a US oil embargo, Cuba faces a severe crisis. Trump aims to push for political change.

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Trump claimed the US attacked Kharg Island, destroying most facilities but sparing oil infrastructure. (Image: AP)

After the military takeover of Venezuela and an ongoing war with Iran, US President Donald Trump has now turned his attention to Cuba, suggesting Washington could move to take control of the island nation.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he believed he would have the honor of taking Cuba," describing it as a big honor."

I do believe Ill have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be good. Thats a big honor," Trump said. When asked what he meant, he added: I can free it or take it, I think I can do anything I want with it."

Also Read Trump Asks China To Delay Beijing Trip By A Month Or So Amid Iran War: I Want To Be Here

His remarks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Havana and a deepening economic crisis on the island.

Trump on Cuba:I do believe Ill have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be good. Thats a big honor. I can free it or take it, I think I can do anything I want with it. pic.twitter.com/I0TpVCY73j  Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2026

Cuba plunged into darkness after the countrys electric grid suffered a total collapse on Monday, following weeks of a crippling oil embargo imposed by the United States.

The Caribbean island of 9.6 million people has been facing rolling power outages as the Communist government struggles with a shortage of fuel required to generate electricity. Miguel Diaz-Canel said last week that Cuba has not received a major fuel shipment for three months due to an embargo from United States.

Also Read We Beat The Crap Out Of Them: Trump Says US Attack On Iran Averted World War III

The administration of US President Donald Trump has been using economic pressure on Cuba in an effort to increase the countrys financial dependence on Washington and push for political change after 67 years of one-party rule.

You know, all my life Ive been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?" Trump said at the briefing.

A report in The New York Times, citing sources, said the Trump administration is seeking to push the Cuban president from power.

The crisis began after the US ousted Cubas key ally, Nicolas Maduro, from power in Venezuela on January 3 this year. Since then, the islands economy has been hit hard by an oil blockade.

Meanwhile, Trump has alleged that the fuel blockade is a response to what he described as an extraordinary threat" posed by Cuba to the United States. He earlier said Cuba wants to make a deal", which could come quickly after his administration has finished the war against Iran.

I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do," Trump told reporters.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 17, 2026, 07:39 IST

News world After Venezuela Takeover, Trump Says He Could Free Or Take Cuba Amid Islands Deepening Crisis

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Donald Trump Was Warned Of Likely Iranian Retaliation On US Allies In Gulf: Report

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 13:53 IST

Sources said pre-war briefings had identified Iranian retaliation, including potential strikes on countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

US President Donald Trump (AFP)

US President Donald Trump was cautioned ahead of military action against Iran that Tehran could retaliate against American allies in the Gulf, according to officials familiar with US intelligence assessments.

Sources said pre-war briefings had identified Iranian retaliation as a likely scenario, including potential strikes on countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

While not described as certain, the possibility was considered a credible outcome.

The disclosures come after Trump said on Monday that Irans response had caught him off guard, claiming that nobody expected" Tehran to target multiple countries in the region.

However, officials said intelligence agencies had also warned that Iran might attempt to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route, and expand the conflict beyond its borders if attacked.

In the weeks since hostilities began, Iranian missiles and drones have reportedly struck military and civilian sites across Gulf nations, including US bases, energy infrastructure, and transport hubs.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely curtailed, fuelling a spike in global energy prices.

The conflict began after the United States joined Israel in launching airstrikes on Iran in late February, targeting key military and leadership positions.

Despite the administrations justification for the strikes, ranging from alleged nuclear threats to missile capabilities, some US lawmakers have said briefings did not point to any immediate danger that warranted military action.

Officials also indicated that intelligence agencies had warned the strikes could trigger a broader regional conflict, particularly if Iran believed Gulf states were supporting US operations. Such assessments included the possibility of attacks on American military and diplomatic facilities across the region.

The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have not commented on the reports.

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Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 17, 2026, 13:53 IST

News world Donald Trump Was Warned Of Likely Iranian Retaliation On US Allies In Gulf: Report

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 23:36 IST

A delivery bike motors along a highway as an international low coast FlyDubai aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport. (AFP photo)

Dubai Abu Dhabi UAE Iran War News Today Live Updates: Iranian drones and missiles have hit energy facilities across the Persian Gulf as the United States and Israels offensive against the Islamic Republic enters its third week.

Several countries in the region reported evacuations, safety advisories and travel disruptions as tensions continued to rise.

US-Israel-Iran War LIVE Updates

A fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following a drone strike, the emirates media office said on Tuesday, adding that no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates announced a temporary and complete closure of its airspace.

The United Arab Emirates suspended operations at its Ruwais Refinery last week as a precaution after a drone attack triggered a fire in the industrial area where the facility is located.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday called for nations including South Korea, France, China and Britain to help ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.

Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said the Strait of Hormuz remains shut only to enemies and those supporting their aggression.

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Fabricating Tales Of Islamophobia: India Calls Out Pakistan At UN For Weaponising Religion

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:30 IST

Indias UN envoy slammed Pakistan saying that the only phobia visible was against the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by all communities in India, including Muslims.

Indias UN envoy Parvathaneni Harish at UN. (Photo: ANI)

As an airstrike in Kabul killed at least 400 people on Monday night, Indias UN envoy Parvathaneni Harish criticised Pakistan over what he called brutal repression of Ahmadiyyas" and the large-scale refoulement of the helpless Afghans" during the Holy Month of Ramzan.

False allegations against India

Harish said Indias western neighbour" has systematically attempted to weaponise" platforms against India and has repeatedly made false and baseless allegations".

He accused Pakistan of spreading false claims of Islamophobia and targeting India through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Indias western neighbour is an excellent example of fabricating imaginative tales of Islamophobia in their neighbourhood," he said.

Indias warning against misuse of religion

Indias envoy stressed the need for the United Nations to recognise the dangers of using religious identity for political purposes.

I stress that it is important for the UN to take note of the rising trend and dangers of weaponising religious identity and instrumentalising it to serve narrow political ends," he said.

He also questioned Pakistans record, referring to the treatment of Ahmadiyyas, the return of Afghan refugees and air-bombing campaigns during Ramzan.

One wonders what would brutal repression of Ahmadiyyas in this country be termed, or the large-scale refoulement of the helpless Afghans or air-bombing campaigns in this Holy Month of Ramadan? The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which our western neighbour has systematically attempted to weaponise against India, has, repeatedly made false and baseless allegations against my country," added Harish.

India reflects multicultural coexistence

Harish said Pakistan was unable to accept Indias multicultural and peaceful coexistence".

Muslims in India, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, elect their own representatives to speak for them," he said.

He slammed Pakistan saying that the only phobia" visible was against the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by all communities in India, including Muslims.

Muslims in India, including those in Jammu and Kashmir, elect their own representatives to speak for them. The only phobia" evident here appears to be directed against the multicultural and peaceful coexistence that all communities in India enjoy, including Muslim communities," said Harish at the UN.

Harish urged the UN to focus on building inclusive societies based on equality, dignity and the rule of law for people of all faiths.

#WATCH | Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, says, I stress that it is important for the UN to take note of the rising trend and dangers of weaponising religious identity and instrumentalising it to serve narrow political ends  by state pic.twitter.com/lS2e7kFgL4 ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2026

Kabul strike and rising Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

The strike comes as fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan entered its third week, marking a major escalation.

Afghanistans deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the airstrike hit a hospital at around 9 pm local time, severely damaging the 2,000-bed facility.

According to him, the death toll has reached 400, with about 350 people injured.

The Taliban government accused Pakistan of carrying out the strike, but Islamabad denied the claim, calling the allegations baseless and rejecting that a hospital was targeted.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:30 IST

News world Fabricating Tales Of Islamophobia: India Calls Out Pakistan At UN For Weaponising Religion

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Finland President Calls On New Delhi To Broker Peace Between US And Iran: If India Can Get Involved

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:29 IST

In an interview, Finland President Alexander Stubb suggested that India could help broker peace, pointing to recent diplomatic outreach by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Finlands President Alexander Stubb has called for India to play a greater diplomatic role in easing Middle East tensions.

Finland has called for India to play a diplomatic role in easing tensions between the United States Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire as the Middle East war continues to escalate.

In an interview, Finland President Alexander Stubb suggested that India could help broker peace, pointing to recent diplomatic outreach by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who has called for de-escalation.

We need a ceasefire. Im wondering if India can actually get involved. We saw Foreign Minister Jaishankar call for a ceasefire to calm things down," he said.

Stubbs remarks came as New Delhi stepped up engagement with Tehran amid rising hostilities. Last week, Jaishankar held another round of telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the evolving regional situation.

During the talks, Araghchi briefed India on the latest developments, describing the conflict as a result of aggressions" by the United States and Israel. He emphasised Irans intent to exercise what he called its right to self-defence, while warning of broader regional and global consequences.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken with Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. PM Modi said that he expressed deep concern over escalating hostilities and the loss of civilian lives. He also emphasised that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remained Indias top priority.

Even as tensions remain high, India has managed to safeguard its energy and trade interests. Despite restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, Indian-flagged vessels continue to transit the crucial oil route. The LPG carrier Shivalik, carrying around 40,000 metric tonnes of fuel, recently reached Gujarats Mundra port safely. Another tanker, Jag Laadki, is currently en route from the UAE with crude oil, while Nanda Devi is expected to dock in Kandla soon.

Additionally, Jaishankar hailed direct talks with Iran as the most effective way to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as India works to safeguard energy supplies amid rising tensions.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the Union Minister said that New Delhi is in discussions with Tehran to help reopen the strategic waterway, through which roughly a fifth of the worlds oil shipments pass. He said that the talks are already yielding some results," adding that New Delhi believes it is more productive to reason and coordinate" with Iran rather than avoid engagement.

He, however, clarified that India has not yet reached any blanket arrangement" with Iran regarding India-flagged vessels. According to Jaishankar, the movement of ships is currently being handled on a case-by-case basis.

Iran, for its part, has said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to most countries but restricted for ships linked to the United States, Israel and their allies.

The Hormuz Strait, which is the transit route for about 20 per cent of global crude oil and natural gas, has been blocked by Iran in retaliation for the US and Israel attacks. This has led to energy security concerns in Asian markets such as India and China.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 10:27 IST

News world Finland President Calls On New Delhi To Broker Peace Between US And Iran: If India Can Get Involved

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'Crossed Every Red Line': Why Gulf Countries Want US To Neutralise Iran For Good

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:14 IST

Gulf nations urge the US to weaken Iran's threat to regional oil, fearing partial outcomes could leave Iran capable of targeting infrastructure.

Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defenses. (Reuters)

West Asia Conflict: Gulf nations have reportedly asked the United States to ensure that its military campaign against Iran decisively weakens Tehrans ability to threaten the regions oil lifeline, even as they resist direct involvement in the conflict, Reuters reported.

According to the report citing sources, leaders in the Gulf did not initially call for war but now fear that a partial outcome could leave Iran capable of targeting critical energy infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz- a key artery for global oil supplies.

Meanwhile, Washington wants Gulf states to join the war too. As per the report, US President Donald Trump wants to show regional backing for his campaign against Iran, which would bolster his international legitimacy and increase support at home.

Reportedly, Trump was warned that attacking Iran could trigger retaliation against US Gulf allies despite his claims on Monday that Tehrans reaction came as a surprise. Pre-war intelligence assessments did not say that Irans response was a guarantee, but it certainly was on the list of potential outcomes," Reuters reported citing a source.

Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center said that there is a feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country.

At first we defended them and opposed the war," he said, adding, But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them."

Despite growing frustration with Iran, Gulf countries remain cautious. Officials and diplomats told the news agency that unilateral military action by any single state is off the table due to fears of retaliation. Instead, any involvement would likely require a collective approach  something that has yet to materialise.

Regional sentiment has hardened following Iranian strikes on airports, oil facilities, ports and commercial hubs across Gulf countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. These attacks, along with disruptions to shipping, have intensified concerns about long-term economic and security risks.

The attacks have reinforced Gulf fears that leaving Iran with any significant offensive weaponry or arms manufacturing capacity could embolden it to hold the regions energy lifeline hostage whenever tensions rise.

As the war entered its third week, with US and Israeli airstrikes intensifying and Iran firing at US bases and civilian targets across the Gulf, a Gulf source said the prevailing mood among leaders was unmistakable: that Trump should comprehensively degrade Irans military capacity.

Of the Gulf countries, only the United Arab Emirates responded. It said that it does not seek to be drawn into conflicts or escalation" but affirmed its right to take all necessary measures" to safeguard its sovereignty, security and integrity, and ensure residents safety.

Sources in the region said unilateral military action by any Gulf state remained off the table because only collective intervention would avoid exposing individual countries to retaliation.

Over the years, Iran and its regional allies have been accused of attacks on Gulf energy installations, not least a 2019 strike on Saudi Arabias Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities  for which Iran denied responsibility  that halved Saudi output and rattled energy markets.

For Gulf leaders, inaction is now the greater risk.

Analysts say that the region faces a difficult balancing act: confronting what they see as an immediate Iranian threat while avoiding being drawn into a broader war led by Washington and Jerusalem.

Experts warn that Irans demonstrated ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has fundamentally altered the regions security landscape, raising the stakes not just for Gulf economies but for global energy markets.

Iran-US-Israel War

The conflict between Iran and Israel entered its 18th day on Tuesday, with both sides intensifying their rhetoric and military operations. US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his call on several countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices eased 1% even as US allies appear reluctant on Trumps offer.

Drone strikes were reported near Dubai airport on Monday, which caused flight disruptions and diversions. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported multiple explosions in Tehran as the fighting escalated the same day.

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Location : Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:58 IST

News world 'Crossed Every Red Line': Why Gulf Countries Want US To Neutralise Iran For Good

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Iran Warns Trump Of Decisive Response As US Eyes Kharg Island: Will Be Turned To Ashes

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 13:17 IST

Iran's warning comes after Trump said US had obliterated every military target on Kharg Island. He is now weighing the possibility of seizing the islands critical oil depot.

US President Donald Trump and Iran's New Supreme Leader Majtaba Khamenei | File Image

Iran has warned United States President Donald Trump after reports claimed he is considering capturing Kharg Island. Tehran said the response to US attacks would be decisive and powerful."

If US attacks Irans Kharg Island, Tehrans response will be decisive and powerful. In this case, oil and gas facilities of the country from which the attack originates will be turned to ashes," Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said, as cited by Tasnim.

The warning comes days after Trump said the United States had obliterated every military target" on Kharg Island. He is now weighing the possibility of seizing the islands critical oil depot, according to an Axios report citing American officials. The move would require US troops on the ground if oil tankers continue to remain trapped in the Persian Gulf.

Why Kharg Island matters?

Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, is Irans main terminal for oil exports and a crucial part of its energy sector. Often called Irans crown jewel", the island handles around 90-95 per cent of the countrys crude oil exports.

The terminal can load up to ten supertankers at the same time and has a loading capacity of roughly seven million barrels per day.

Despite heavy bombing of military facilities, Iranian state media said oil export operations on the island were continuing as normal.

The development comes as Trump has also threatened further strikes on the oil export hub and urged allies to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

US forces have continued to strike Iranian targets across the country, with particular focus on the Persian Gulf coast and Kharg Island.

The island lies about 15 miles off Irans coast and handles roughly 90 per cent of its crude exports. Trump announced on Friday that he had ordered strikes on military installations on the island but spared its oil facilities.

Iran has said it will intensify its response as tensions continue to rise.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 13:17 IST

News world Iran Warns Trump Of Decisive Response As US Eyes Kharg Island: Will Be Turned To Ashes

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Mojtaba Khamenei Recovering In Russia? Did Putin Offer Medical Aid To Irans Supreme Leader?

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 15:45 IST

Mojtaba Khamenei was moved to Moscow after Putin "personally offered" medical treatment to Iranian Prez Pezeshkian, says Al-Jarida report. Russia has not confirmed or denied it

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Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Reuters)

Is Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, recovering in Russia?

According to a report in Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Khamenei has been transferred to Russia for medical treatment after he was severely injured in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father on February 28. Russia, however, has refused to either confirm or deny the report.

What Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida said about Mojtaba Khamenei

Several reports have suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei is seriously wounded, possibly in a coma, although none of the claims have been officially confirmed. The Al-Jarida report claims the injuries Khamenei sustained during the initial strikes required treatment at a well-equipped medical facility and constant monitoring that could not be guaranteed in Iran while air strikes continued.

The 56-year-old cleric was moved to Moscow after Russian President Vladimir Putin personally offered" medical treatment to Khamenei during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a report by Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida.

US-Israel-Iran War LIVE Updates HERE

Khamenei was flown to Moscow in a Russian military plane on Thursday after Putins call, the report claimed.

According to the report, the transfer was conducted as part of a highly classified operation due to concerns about his health and security.

Al-Jarida cited a senior source close to the Iranian leadership who said the new Supreme Leader underwent surgery after arriving in Moscow. He is reportedly recovering in a private medical facility located within one of Russian President Vladimir Putins residences.

Another factor cited was the risk of Israeli attempts to target the new Supreme Leader. The report also said Iranian authorities were concerned that leaks about doctors involved in his treatment could reveal his location.

What is Russias response?

Talking to the Tass news agency, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, We never comment on such reports."

Different reports about Mojtaba Khameneis condition

The Sun reported earlier that Mojtaba Khamenei was being treated inside Iran at Sina University Hospital and was under the care of Irans Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi.

According to the report, The new supreme leaders one or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well."

Another earlier report by Al-Jarida claimed that Khamenei was injured along the left side of his body after debris fell near him during US and Israeli strikes.

First public message led to questions

Speculation about Khameneis health increased after doubts emerged over his first public statement since becoming Supreme Leader.

According to an Iranian source close to reformists cited by Al-Jarida, there are concerns that the statement attributed to Khamenei may not have been written by him.

The source suggested it could have been drafted by Ali Larijani, secretary general of Irans Supreme National Security Council, because the language closely resembled remarks he had previously made.

The absence of any audio recording of the statement has further fuelled suspicions.

What Trump and Netanyahu said

US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the uncertainty surrounding the Iranian leaders condition. Speaking to NBC News, Trump said there was no confirmation about whether Khamenei was alive.

I dont know if hes even alive. So far, nobodys been able to show him," Trump said.

The president described reports about Khameneis death as rumours but added that he had heard similar claims.

Im hearing hes not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and thats surrender."

The United States also announced a reward of 10 million dollars for information about Irans new Supreme Leader and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested that Israel has intelligence about Khameneis location.

I will not provide him with life insurance," Netanyahu said when asked about the Iranian leader, according to RBC Ukraine.

No contact with commanders

Reports from inside Iran suggest that many military commanders have not received instructions from the countrys new leader.

An Iranian official told The Telegraph that even senior officials remain uncertain about Khameneis condition.

No one knows anything about Mojtaba, whether he is alive or dead or how badly injured. We are all just told that hes injured. He has no control over the war because he is not here. The majority of commanders, or more correctly, all commanders, have no news about him."

With agency inputs

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:24 IST

News world Mojtaba Khamenei Recovering In Russia? Did Putin Offer Medical Aid To Irans Supreme Leader?

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It Won't Be Long: Trump Says Iran War Could Wrap Up Soon, But Not Likely This Week

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:35 IST

When asked if the conflict could end this week, Trump initially responded, Yeah, sure, before clarifying that an immediate resolution was unlikely.

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the ongoing war with Iran could end soon", though he indicated that hostilities are unlikely to conclude within the current week.

While speaking to reporters at the White House, the US President struck an optimistic tone about the war, which is now in its third week. When asked if the conflict could end this week, he initially responded, Yeah, sure," before clarifying that an immediate resolution was unlikely.

I dont think so, but itll be soon. It wont be long. And were going to have a much safer world when its wrapped up. Itll be wrapped up soon," he said.

Reporter: Can we wrap this war up this week?Trump: Yeah, sure. I dont think so, but itll be soon. It wont be long. And were going to have a much safer world when its wrapped up. Itll be wrapped up soon. pic.twitter.com/oubG0q86Yt  Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2026

The US President also defended recent military actions against Iran, claiming that the strikes had prevented a much larger global conflict. Had we not done this, you would have had a nuclear war that would have evolved into World War III," he said, asserting that the US had decimated" Irans nuclear programme.

Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. They should not have it. They have no navy, they have no air force. They have no anti-aircraft weapons. They have no leadership. They set up a new leadership and now they are gone," Trump asserted.

Trump said that he has watched Iran for the last 20 years and that Irans leadership was full of violent and vicious" people, claiming that 32,000 people were killed in the protests that erupted in December.

Trump further claimed that Iran could have developed a nuclear weapon within a month if the strikes had not taken place, and warned that such a weapon would have been used against Israel and countries in the Gulf region.

He further lashed out at former US President Barack Obama over his horrible" nuclear deal with Iran, saying it would have enabled Iran to develop a nuclear weapon three years ago, which would have been eventually used against the United States.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions across the Gulf as the US-Israel-Iran entered Day 18, with no breakthrough yet in the conflict that erupted on February 28.

Iran has been carrying out attacks on US bases and interests across the Middle East since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28. The war started after US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed the countrys Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and caused major damage to key government and military infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:35 IST

News world It Won't Be Long: Trump Says Iran War Could Wrap Up Soon, But Not Likely This Week

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Land Routes, No Flights: How Indians Are Heading Back Home From Iran Amid Airspace Closure

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 12:10 IST

India is evacuating citizens from Iran via land routes due to airspace closures amid the US, Israel, and Iran conflict. Nearly 650 Indians have crossed into Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Smoke rises following an explosion after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. (Image: Reuters)

As tensions escalate in West Asia amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, India has stepped up efforts to bring back its citizens stranded in Iran, with many returning via land routes due to prolonged airspace closures.

With Iranian airspace shut since the start of hostilities on February 28, hundreds of Indians have been unable to fly out directly. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been facilitating their evacuation through neighbouring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan, from where commercial flights to India remain operational.

According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, nearly 650 Indian nationals have already crossed into these countries in recent days. Of them, over 550 entered Armenia, while around 90 travelled to Azerbaijan. The group includes students, pilgrims and other visitors who were spread across different parts of Iran.

These movements were facilitated by our embassy in Tehran. We helped them with visas and immigration formalities where required," Jaiswal said, adding that some have already returned to India while others are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Indian missions have been actively coordinating the effort, assisting citizens with documentation, transit logistics and safe passage across borders. Earlier, several students were relocated from Tehran to safer areas as a precautionary measure.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran remains operational and is in constant touch with nationals still in the country. Officials said nearly 9,000 Indians were in Iran when the conflict began.

The government has also set up a control room to address concerns and provide real-time assistance. Authorities have urged citizens to follow official advisories and remain in contact with embassies.

With air travel disrupted, these land evacuation routes have emerged as a crucial lifeline, enabling stranded Indians to navigate the crisis and make their way home safely despite ongoing regional instability.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 12:09 IST

News world Land Routes, No Flights: How Indians Are Heading Back Home From Iran Amid Airspace Closure

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'Neighbours That Cannot Be Moved Away': China Calls For Dialogue Between Pakistan, Afghanistan

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 14:52 IST

China also urged both governments to ensure the protection of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions operating in their territories.

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China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

China has called for restraint and urgent dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan following a sharp escalation in tensions triggered by Mondays deadly airstrikes in Kabul. The strikes, which Afghan authorities say hit a drug rehabilitation hospital, reportedly killed around 400 people and injured hundreds more, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the recent phase of the conflict. While Islamabad has denied targeting civilian infrastructure and maintains that its operations were aimed at militant networks, the scale of the casualties has intensified international concern and renewed calls for de-escalation.

Responding to the crisis, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasised the need for calm, urging both sides to step back from further confrontation. Afghanistan and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away," he said, underlining that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path to resolving disputes. Beijing has pressed for an immediate ceasefire, calling on both countries to engage in face-to-face communication and address their differences through diplomatic channels rather than military action. The remarks reflect Chinas growing concern that continued hostilities could destabilise the wider region.

A key part of Chinas message has also centred on the safety of its nationals and investments in the region. Lin said Beijing has urged both governments to ensure the protection of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions operating in their territories. This is particularly significant given Chinas economic footprint in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as well as its broader strategic interests in maintaining stability along key connectivity routes in South and Central Asia. Any prolonged conflict risks disrupting infrastructure projects and undermining regional economic cooperation.

China has also reiterated its willingness to continue playing a constructive role" in easing tensions. While it did not explicitly confirm formal mediation, Beijing signalled that it remains engaged through its own diplomatic channels to encourage de-escalation and improve relations between Kabul and Islamabad. The latest appeal comes at a time when the PakistanAfghanistan relationship is already strained by longstanding disputes over militant sanctuaries, border management, and mutual accusations of interference.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 14:52 IST

News world 'Neighbours That Cannot Be Moved Away': China Calls For Dialogue Between Pakistan, Afghanistan

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'No More Talks': Taliban Vows Retaliation, Says Pakistan 'Deliberately Targeted' Afghan Civilians

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:21 IST

Drawing a sharp comparison, Taliban said Pakistani forces were employing tactics similar to Israeli military operations against innocent civilians.

Rapid Read

Pakistani airstrike hits hospital in Afghanistan's Kabul | Image: X

The Afghan Taliban has strongly condemned Pakistans latest wave of airstrikes, accusing Islamabad of carrying out deadly attacks on civilian locations and violating Afghan airspace. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleged that the Pakistani military deliberately targeted hospitals, schools and madrasahs to perpetrate terror and horror" among civilians. Drawing a sharp comparison, he said Pakistani forces were employing tactics similar to Israeli military operations against innocent civilians. Mujahid claimed the strikes were not isolated military actions but part of a sustained pattern of aggression, adding that Afghan airspace was being violated continuously.

The Taliban says the latest bombardment was among the deadliest episodes in recent months. According to its claims, around 400 people were killed and many others injured in air raids in Kabul. Mujahid alleged that a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital was struck, leading to the deaths of addicts who were undergoing treatment. Kabul has condemned the incident in the strongest terms, calling it a crime that violates universally recognised humanitarian principles. Taliban officials say such actions amount to a direct assault on civilians rather than legitimate military operations.

Signalling a hardening of position, Mujahid declared that there was no more diplomacy or talks" with Pakistan and that the Taliban would instead seek retaliation. He said the regime would avenge those killed in the strikes and warned that continued attacks would have consequences. The statement reflects a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Kabul amid rising tensions between the two sides.

Pakistan, however, has presented a very different account of the operation. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistans armed forces carried out precision airstrikes on the night of 16 March as part of an operation named Operation Ghazab Lil Haq. He stated that the mission targeted terrorism-sponsoring military installations of the Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul and Nangarhar.

According to security sources, Pakistani jets destroyed technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities at two locations in Kabul. In Nangarhar, strikes were carried out on four separate locations linked to Taliban military installations. Logistics hubs, ammunition depots and technical infrastructure adjacent to these installations were also destroyed during the operation.

Sources further said that a drone assembly workshop  described as a headquarters from where drones were dispatched  was among the facilities hit. Weapon stockpiles in both Kabul and Nangarhar were also destroyed. In total, six targets were successfully engaged across the two regions, security sources claimed. They added that there were reports of several terrorists being killed during the strikes.

The Afghan Taliban has rejected Pakistans version of events, maintaining that civilian sites were hit and sovereignty was breached. Taliban officials insist that the attacks represent unlawful military aggression and have vowed revenge for those killed, whom they described as martyrs.

With sharply conflicting narratives from Islamabad and Kabul, the situation marks a serious escalation in tensions. Pakistan maintains the strikes were precise counter-terror operations, while the Taliban portrays them as deliberate attacks on civilians and humanitarian facilities.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:37 IST

News world 'No More Talks': Taliban Vows Retaliation, Says Pakistan 'Deliberately Targeted' Afghan Civilians

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 22:24 IST

Pakistan-Afghanistan War News Highlights: Afghan authorities reported on Tuesday that a Pakistani air raid on a medical facility in the capital, Kabul, has left at least 400 people dead. The hospital was reportedly providing treatment to individuals suffering from drug addiction when it was hit.

Deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said the attack, which took place late Monday, caused extensive damage to the building.

He stated that roughly 250 people were wounded and that emergency teams were still battling fires and searching the wreckage for survivors and victims.

Pakistan has denied the allegation, maintaining that its air operations carried out in Kabul and parts of eastern Afghanistan did not strike civilian or medical sites.

The incident comes amid growing hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Last month, Pakistani forces launched airstrikes they said were aimed at militant bases, prompting Kabul to denounce the attacks as an infringement on its sovereignty and to carry out countermeasures.

Security concerns have long strained relations between the two neighbours. Islamabad accuses Afghan authorities of sheltering armed groups responsible for cross-border attacks.

The ruling Taliban have rejected these claims, arguing that militancy within Pakistan is an internal matter beyond Afghanistans responsibility.
Taliban Says 400 Killed, 250 Injured In Pakistani Airstrikes On Kabul Hospital

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 06:30 IST

The Taliban government accused the Pakistani military of violating Afghan airspace and targeting a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul.

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Taliban officials at the site of a deadly Pakistani attack on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul. (AFP)

Afghanistans Taliban government has claimed that at least 400 people have been killed and 250 others were injured in Pakistans airstrikes on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul. according to reports.

After multiple explosions were heard in Afghanistans Kabul City and surrounding areas on Monday night, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused the Pakistani military of violating Afghan airspace and targeting a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, resulting in the deaths of addicts undergoing treatment.

We condemn this crime in the strongest terms and consider such an act to be in violation of all universally recognised humanitarian principles," he added.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson of the Taliban government, said the death toll in the Pakistani attack had risen to 400, while the number of injured has reached 250. Local television stations posted footage on social media showing security forces using flashlights as they carried out casualties while firefighters struggled to extinguish flames among the ruins of a building.

BREAKING: The Afghan health ministry said 200 people were killed and hundreds others injured after Pakistan launched airstrikes on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.The Pakistans government rejected that they struck the hospital, claiming they targeted pic.twitter.com/LenFAOyyYA  AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) March 16, 2026

             .The drug addicts hospital bombed today in Kabul by the Pakistani regime. pic.twitter.com/bBNUBoO8oj  Khalid Zadran (@khalidzadran01) March 16, 2026

ALSO READ: Multiple Explosions Rock Kabul; Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan Of Deadly Airstrike On Hospital

Pakistan Denies Targeting Civilian Sites

Meanwhile, Pakistan said it had carried out precision strikes on military installations and terrorist support infrastructure" in Kabul but denied Afghan claims that strikes hit a drug treatment centre, killing civilians. It said the military targeted locations in Kabul and the Afghan border province of Nangarhar.

Pakistans Ministry of Information claimed that reports of the hospital attack were false and misleading" that were aimed at covering up illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism."

The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has expressed concern over civilian casualties in the attack on the hospital. The International Human Rights Foundation has also condemned the attack, saying that public places such as hospitals should not be targeted.

The situation in Kabul has been tense as residents report continued aircraft activity over the city. The Pakistani military has struck Kabul several times in recent weeks, as part of a conflict sparked by claims that the Taliban government has harboured militant groups that have carried out attacks across the border.

The attack came hours after Afghan officials said the two sides had exchanged fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan, as the deadliest conflict between the two former allies entered a third week.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing militant groups  especially the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)  to operate from Afghan territory and launch attacks in Pakistan. Kabul, on the other hand, has constantly denied the allegations. Earlier this week, Pakistan carried out a series of airstrikes across multiple Afghan locations, targeting what it said were militant positions.

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Location : Kabul, Afghanistan

First Published: March 17, 2026, 04:44 IST

News world Taliban Says 400 Killed, 250 Injured In Pakistani Airstrikes On Kabul Hospital

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Ten Foreign Nationals Arrested In Northeast Iran For Spying: Report

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 12:57 IST

The arrests were carried out by the intelligence wing of the IRGC, which accused the individuals of gathering information on sensitive locations and preparing for field operations.

Officials did not disclose the nationalities of those detained | Representative Image

Authorities in Iran have arrested ten foreign nationals in the countrys northeast on allegations of espionage, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The arrests were carried out by the intelligence wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which accused the individuals of gathering information on sensitive locations and preparing for field operations.

Officials did not disclose the nationalities of those detained or provide further details about the alleged activities.

The development comes amid escalating tensions in the region as the conflict involving the United States and Israel intensifies.

Fresh strikes have been reported across multiple Iranian cities, including areas near Tehran, with authorities citing civilian casualties.

In the central city of Arak, Iranian officials said an attack killed several members of a family, including two young children.

The conflict has also spilled beyond Irans borders. Iran has reportedly targeted US-linked assets in neighbouring countries, while Israel has carried out strikes in southern Lebanon against the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates reported a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah following a drone strike, along with a fatality in Abu Dhabi caused by falling debris from intercepted missiles. The country temporarily shut its airspace as a precaution.

Qatar said it intercepted multiple missiles launched from Iran, while Kuwait reported downing a drone and arresting suspects linked to an alleged sabotage plot.

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News world Ten Foreign Nationals Arrested In Northeast Iran For Spying: Report

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Trump Asks China To Delay Beijing Trip 'By A Month Or So' Amid Iran War: 'I Want To Be Here'

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 04:15 IST

Trump said he has asked China to delay his upcoming visit "by a month or so" as the Iran war entered its 17th day with no clear end in sight.

Rapid Read

US President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Monday said he wants to delay his highly-anticipated trip to China by a month or so" due to the ongoing war in Iran.

Were speaking to China. I would love to, but because of the war, I want to be here," he told reporters at the White House. We have requested that we delay it a month or so, and Im looking forward to meeting with him."

Weve got a war going on. I think its important that I be here. So it could be that we delay it a little bit, not much," Trump added. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier said Trumps March 31-April 2 visit to China could be delayed.

The possible delay comes as Trump has urged China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the US would like to know Beijings position on that before the summit. I think China should help too because China gets 90% of its oil from the Straits," he told the Financial Times.

The delay also risks magnifying tensions between Washington and Beijing, as the Iran war has also become one of the major issues, alongside trade and Taiwan, between the worlds two biggest economies.

ALSO READ: We Beat The Crap Out Of Them: Trump Says US Attack On Iran Averted World War III

China On Strait Of Hormuz

China, which imported around 12 million barrels of oil daily from the Gulf region in the first two months of 2026, has not directly responded to Trumps request to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which has been virtually closed since the beginning of the Iran conflict.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told CNN that China wants an immediate cession of hostilities, and that all parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply."

Iran, meanwhile, has pushed back against US pressure. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News that Tehran has been approached by several countries seeking safe passage for their vessels and said Irans military has allowed ships from different countries" to transit the strait.

Irans ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Tehran had allowed some Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in a rare exception to the blockade. China is in talks with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquified natural gas carriers safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.

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News world Trump Asks China To Delay Beijing Trip 'By A Month Or So' Amid Iran War: 'I Want To Be Here'

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Trump 'Couldn't Stop Laughing' At Intel's New Claim That Mojtaba Khamenei May Be Gay: Report

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:17 IST

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and can carry severe criminal penalties under the countrys laws.

One source told the American news publisher the intelligence was derived from one of the most protected sources that the government has. (X)

US President Donald Trump was reportedly left surprised during a recent intelligence briefing after being told that American agencies believe Irans new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may be gay, the New York Post reported.

The report, citing intelligence officials and a source close to the White House, said the classified briefing took place last week and was based on assessments reviewed by US agencies. Sources claimed that Trump couldnt contain his surprise and laughed aloud when he was briefed on the intel.

Others in the room also found it hilarious" and joined the presidents reaction, while one senior intelligence official has not stopped laughing about it for days," said one person familiar with the briefing.

As per the report citing sources, US intelligence agencies consider the claim to be credible rather than disinformation, though no photographic evidence has been cited. One source told the news outlet that the intelligence was derived from a highly protected source, suggesting a level of confidence within the system.

The fact that this was elevated to the highest of high levels shows you theres some confidence in this," another source was quoted as saying.

According to the report, US intelligence suggested Mojtaba may have had a long-term relationship with a man who served as his childhood tutor.

Two sources cited in the report said the relationship lasted for years, while another source said the alleged partner was someone who previously worked for the Khamenei family.

It further said that he had allegedly made aggressive" advances toward male caregivers while recovering, possibly while under heavy medication.

As per the report, speculation about Mojtabas sexuality had circulated inside Iran for some time.

Sources told the news outlet that whispers about his personal life intensified after the May 2024 helicopter crash that killed Ebrahim Raisi, who had been widely viewed as a potential successor to the elder Khamenei.

The report also referred to past material, including a diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks, which mentioned that the Iranian cleric had travelled to the UK for medical treatment related to impotence.

According to the US State Department document cited in the report, Mojtaba married relatively late, around the age of 30, reportedly due to a medical condition that required treatment during several visits to London.

However, these claims remain unverified and have not been independently confirmed.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who recently succeeded his father Ali Khamenei as Irans supreme leader, has been at the centre of heightened geopolitical tensions following the leadership transition.

The allegations are particularly sensitive given that homosexuality is illegal in Iran, where same-sex relations can carry severe legal penalties under the countrys laws.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: March 17, 2026, 07:49 IST

News world Trump 'Couldn't Stop Laughing' At Intel's New Claim That Mojtaba Khamenei May Be Gay: Report

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Trump Says US Ex-President Wished He Had Bombed Iran; All 4 Deny Speaking To Him

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 14:51 IST

Who was Trump talking about? Representatives of all four living former US presidents have denied any recent contact with him on Iran, according to news reports

Rapid Read

US President Donald Trump (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that one of his predecessors told him he wished he had been the one to bomb Iran.

But according to NY Times and NBC, he did not speak to any of the four former living US presidents.

What Trump said

Trump claimed twice to have spoken to a former president about Iran.

Ive spoken to a certain president  who I like, actually. A past president, former president, he said: I wish I did it. I wish I did. But they didnt do it. Im doing it. Yeah?" Trump said at a lunch for Kennedy Center board members.

Trump later repeated the claim in the Oval Office, saying: I spoke to one of the former presidents who I actually like. I actually speak to some And he said, I wish I did what you did."

Asked by a reporter to elaborate on which president he was speaking to, Trump did not specify. He said it wasnt Bush and then said I dont want to say" when he was asked it was Clinton.

I dont want to say because a member of a party, a member of a party, they have Trump derangement syndrome, but its somebody that happens to like me, and I like that person, whos a smart person, but that person said, I wish I did it. OK, but I dont want to get into who. I dont want to get him into trouble," Trump said.

You know, its interesting. And maybe hed be proud," Trump said about the former president. And I could even ask him that: Would you like me to reveal your name?"

An aide for George W. Bush told NBC News that they havent been in touch," while an aide to Bill Clinton told NBC News that whoever Trump was referring to was not Clinton.

An Obama aide said no recent conversations" have taken place between Barack Obama and Trump, and a source familiar with the matter said the former president Trump was referring to was not Joe Biden.

What the four ex-Presidents said

Despite Trumps claims, representatives for all four living former presidents have denied any recent contact with him regarding this matter, according to news reports.

Barack Obama: Aides confirmed no recent contact.

George W Bush: Representatives stated he has not been in touch with Trump recently.

Bill Clinton: His team also denied the conversation, with Clinton himself later stating he had not spoken to Trump about any such topic.

Joe Biden: His representatives confirmed no recent communication.

Trump specifically mentioned to reporters that the person was not George W. Bush, but when asked if it was Bill Clinton, he responded with, I dont want to say". Without a name or confirmation from the parties involved, the identity of the former president remains unverified.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the denials Monday night.

With agency inputs

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 14:45 IST

News world Trump Says US Ex-President Wished He Had Bombed Iran; All 4 Deny Speaking To Him

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UAE Reopens Airspace After Brief Closure As Air Defences Counter Iranian Attacks

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 08:12 IST

Authorities in Dubai said that loud sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful interceptions by air defence systems.

An Emirates aircraft flies past plumes of smoke from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport . (AFP)

The United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace on Tuesday after a brief shutdown as air defence systems responded to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, amid rapidly escalating regional tensions.

The UAEs General Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary and full closure of the countrys airspace, calling it an exceptional precautionary measure" aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews as well as protecting the countrys territory.

According to state news agency, the move came as UAE air defences were actively responding to missile and drone threats launched from Iran.

Authorities in Dubai said that loud sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful interceptions by air defence systems.

Authorities in Dubai confirm that the sounds heard in various areas of the city are the result of successful interceptions. Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2026

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, a drone strike triggered a fire at the Shah gas field, though authorities said that the blaze had been contained and brought under control. Operations at the facility were suspended while damage is being assessed.

The Shah field is one of the worlds largest of its kind and is located 180 km (111.85 miles) southwest of Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi authorities and relevant response teams have contained and brought under control a fire that broke out at Shah gas field, caused by a drone attack.Operations at the facility have been suspended while damage is assessed, and no injuries have been reported. The public     (@ADMediaOffice) March 16, 2026

Air Travel Affected

The security developments have also disrupted air travel across the region. Several airlines have been forced to cancel or limit services as tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel with Iran affect major transport hubs in West Asia.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates had earlier begun gradually resuming some flights after a drone-related fire near an airport caused temporary suspensions, but the impact of the new airspace closure on operations remained unclear.

Abu Dhabis Etihad Airways said it had been operating a limited schedule prior to the announcement, while Oman Air cancelled flights to several destinations including Dubai, Doha and Bahrain until March 31.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways said flights remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace, with a limited number of services expected to resume between March 18 and March 28.

Turkeys national carrier Turkish Airlines also listed multiple cancellations across the Middle East, including routes to the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Qatar.

Several international airlines, including Air Canada, Delta Air Lines and Wizz Air, have suspended flights to Tel Aviv until later this month.

Fire Incident Near Dubai Airport

A massive fire broke out near Dubai International Airport on Monday after a drone struck a fuel tank in the area, prompting road closures and the temporary suspension of flights.

In videos widely circulated on social media platforms, a massive fire followed by thick plumes of smoke can be seen billowing after an aerial object, reportedly a drone, struck a fuel tank in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended flight operations as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. The International Airport also announced to divert some flights to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Iran War

The incident occurred as the US-Israel-Iran entered Day 18, with no breakthrough yet in the conflict that erupted on February 28.

Iran has been carrying out attacks on US bases and interests across the Middle East since the conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28. The war started after US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed the countrys Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and caused major damage to key government and military infrastructure.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 06:16 IST

News world UAE Reopens Airspace After Brief Closure As Air Defences Counter Iranian Attacks

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US Intelligence Says Irans Leadership Expected To Remain Intact Despite Weeks Of Strikes

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 10:02 IST

According to officials familiar with the findings, the government in Iran is expected to hold on to power in the near term, even as it absorbs military losses.

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. (Image: Reuters/File)

US intelligence agencies believe Irans ruling system will remain in place despite more than two weeks of sustained airstrikes, with early assessments suggesting the leadership could emerge politically hardened rather than weakened.

According to officials familiar with the findings, the government in Iran is expected to hold on to power in the near term, even as it absorbs military losses.

Analysts told The Washington Post that the conflict may strengthen hardline elements, particularly the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which could tighten its grip on internal security.

The ongoing military campaign, led by the United States and Israel, has reportedly inflicted significant damage on Irans missile systems and naval capabilities, while also eliminating several senior military and intelligence figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

However, officials caution that these setbacks are unlikely to translate into immediate political collapse.

The war has also come at a growing cost. Estimates suggest expenses have already crossed $12 billion, with at least 13 US troops killed.

Meanwhile, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, have sharply reduced shipping traffic, triggering major concerns in energy markets.

Western analysts and policymakers see little indication that the conflict will lead to regime change in the 47-year-old Islamic Republic anytime soon, or pave the way for a democratic transition, an outcome that has been publicly advocated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and at times by US President Donald Trump.

Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump suggested the war could conclude in the near future, though not immediately. It wont be long," he said, expressing confidence that the conflict would ultimately make the world safer.

He also defended the military campaign, arguing that the strikes had averted a far larger global crisis. Trump claimed the US had severely weakened Irans nuclear programme and warned that inaction could have escalated into a broader war with potentially catastrophic consequences.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 10:02 IST

News world US Intelligence Says Irans Leadership Expected To Remain Intact Despite Weeks Of Strikes

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We Dont Need Anybody: Snubbed By Allies, Trump Says US Will Go Solo In Strait Of Hormuz

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 09:29 IST

Trump had urged countries to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, he warned allies that a negative response could lead to a very bad future for NATO.

US President Donald Trump (AFP)

A day after being snubbed by most allies for a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said Washington does not need any assistance to protect the key oil route blocked by Iran.

The strait has been under pressure from Iran since the start of the West Asia conflict, disrupting global oil supplies and pushing crude prices higher.

We dont need anybody. Were the strongest nation in the world. We have the strongest military by far in the world," Trump said, repeating his criticism that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members were not helping despite the idea of collective defence.

Just two days earlier, Trump had urged countries to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, he warned allies that a negative response could lead to a very bad future" for NATO. However, several key partners, including Germany, Spain and Italy, declined the request, saying they had no immediate plans to send naval forces.

Trump also singled out the United Kingdom, claiming it initially declined to deploy two aircraft carriers and later offered support only after the war was essentially over", which the US rejected.

Why did the allies refuse Trump?

Countries including France, Germany, Japan and Australia refused to send warships, citing escalation risks and a preference for diplomacy.

Frances Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said no warships would be deployed amid rising tensions. Germany said it lacked approval under its Basic Law, while Japan confirmed no maritime security operations were planned. Australia ruled out naval deployment, saying no formal request had been received.

Other European countries such as Poland, Belgium, Spain and Italy also declined, focusing instead on stability talks.

Trump questions allies reliability

Trump said his outreach was partly to test allies willingness to support the US.

Im almost doing it in some cases, not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react," he said, adding that the US has long spent heavily on securing its allies.

He also expressed disappointment with the UK, saying he was not happy" with its response.

Iran war intensifies

The US, along with Israel, launched a military campaign against Iran on February 28, targeting key military and administrative infrastructure.

The strikes reportedly killed Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and also targeted US bases and interests across West Asia, expanding the conflict.

Strait Of Hormuz at centre of crisis

Amid the escalation, Iran moved to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route through which nearly 20 per cent of the worlds supply passes, and attacked more than 15 vessels attempting to pass.

Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the strait would remain closed, while the Iranian military warned oil prices could rise to as high as USD 200 per barrel.

Trump has repeatedly said the US Navy would escort commercial vessels through the strait, but most allies have declined to join, exposing divisions over the conflict.

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First Published: March 17, 2026, 08:54 IST

News world We Dont Need Anybody: Snubbed By Allies, Trump Says US Will Go Solo In Strait Of Hormuz

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We Have To Wait And See: India Puts Rider On US Trade Deal After Court Strikes Down Tariffs

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Last Updated: March 17, 2026, 09:48 IST

A government official said the India-US trade deal was earlier expected to be signed in March, before the court ruling. After the judgment, reciprocal tariffs no longer exist.

US President Donald Trump with PM Modi. (Photo: Reuters/File)

The much-anticipated trade deal between India and the United States will be signed only after Washington puts in place a new tariff structure that safeguards Indias comparative advantage in the US market, The Indian Express reported quoting a senior government official.

The agreement was announced just days before the US Supreme Court declared tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act illegal.

Following the ruling, several US trade partners have raised concerns. Malaysia declared its trade deal with the US null and void, citing the collapse of the legal basis for tariffs. The European Union also put its trade deal with the US on hold.

Where does India stand?

The official clarified there is no standoff between India and the US. Countries that declared deals void are those that had already signed legal agreements. India, like Europe, had only agreed to a framework and not signed a legal deal.

So countries which have signed the legal agreement, like Malaysia, will need to recalibrate the deal But from Indias perspective, we are in the other bucket we have to wait to see how the global tariff architecture pans out," the official said.

Tariff structure key to signing deal

The official said the deal was earlier expected to be signed in March, before the court ruling. After the judgment, reciprocal tariffs no longer exist. The US is now using tariffs under balance of payments provisions under Section 122, which have been in place for five months.

Any deal that we sign has to be around a tariff structure or comparative advantage that India gets in the US market," the official said, adding that the US is working to recreate a tariff pathway.

Section 301 and other issues under discussion

The official said the eventual deal will address Section 301 tariffs along with other issues such as non-tariff barriers and Section 232 tariffs.

The US recently launched two Section 301 investigations involving several countries, including India. One concerns excess production in manufacturing sectors, while the other relates to imports made using forced" labour.

The fast-tracked process could lead to new US tariffs being imposed from May.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative said India had a bilateral trade surplus of 58 billion dollars with the US in 2025. It also pointed to excess capacity in sectors such as textiles, health, construction goods and automotive goods.

The USTR added that Indias solar module sector has nearly tripled the domestic demand capacity, and flagged excess capacity in petrochemicals, steel and other industries.

Tariff changes after court ruling

India and the US had announced the trade deal on February 2, followed by a joint statement on February 7. The US had removed 25 per cent additional tariffs on certain Indian exports on February 7, which had been imposed over Indias imports of Russian oil.

After the Supreme Court ruling on February 20, reciprocal tariffs are no longer in force. However, the US has issued executive orders imposing 10 per cent tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 on certain products from all countries.

Despite shifting US tariff policies, India has indicated it will continue with the agreement finalised before the court ruling. However, this remains conditional on the US ensuring a comparative tariff advantage for Indian products in the American market.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: March 17, 2026, 09:48 IST

News world We Have To Wait And See: India Puts Rider On US Trade Deal After Court Strikes Down Tariffs

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Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Monday that Tehran has neither sought a ceasefire nor negotiations with the United States, rejecting U.S. claims that it requested a truce.

In a post on X, Araghchi called such claims "delusional" and said Iran's armed forces would keep fighting until U.S. President Donald Trump recognizes that the "illegal war he's imposing on both Americans and Iranians is wrong and must never be repeated."

Speaking later at a weekly news conference in Tehran, Araghchi said that any end to the conflict must ensure that attacks on Iran are not repeated.

"When we say we do not want a ceasefire, it is not because we seek to continue the war," he said. "It is because this time the war must end in a way that the enemies never think of repeating the attacks."

Araghchi accused Iran's adversaries of attempting to force the country into "unconditional surrender" after mobilizing their full capabilities. He added that Iran's opponents, more than two weeks into the conflict, were now seeking help from countries they once considered hostile and calling for international assistance to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, he said, restricts passage only for enemies and their allies involved in the conflict.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. bases and assets across the Middle East. 
The University of Florida says it's deactivating the campus College Republicans as a registered student group after being notified that some members engaged in antisemitism. The deactivation effort at the University of Florida campus marks the second time this month that a public university in Florida has taken action against a Republican group accused of being involved in racist or antisemitic behavior.

Officials at the University of Florida said over the weekend that they had been informed by the Florida Federation of College Republicans that the federation had disbanded the Gainesville campus' chapter after determining that some members had "engaged in a pattern of conduct that violated its rules and values, including a recent antisemitic gesture," the AP reports. When the Florida Federation of College Republicans is ready, the university will assist with reactivating the campus chapter under new student leadership, UF officials said in a statement. The school said it is "committed to preventing and addressing antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment" that disrupt the campus community, Reuters reports.
President Trump on Monday publicly revealed details of a fellow Republican's serious health conditioninformation House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated had not been disclosed before. Speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Center, Trump began discussing the GOP's narrow House majority and recent member departures when he referenced a Republican lawmaker who was "very ill," the Washington Post reports. After prompting from Trump, Johnson identified the member as Florida Rep. Neal Dunn, 73, who announced in January that he would not seek a sixth term but did not specify a medical reason. Johnson described Dunn's situation as a "pretty grim" and "terminal" diagnosis.

Trump then interjected that doctors had told Dunn he could be "dead by June," prompting Johnson to say, "Okay, that wasn't public." Trump added that Dunn has heart problems. Johnson went on to say that Trump connected Dunn with his own doctors, leading to emergency treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. A subsequent procedure, Johnson said, gave Dunn "a new lease on life," adding that the congressman now "acts like he's 30 years younger" and is "encouraged and thankful." Trump said that at Walter Reed, "they gave him more stents, and more everything that you could have," the Hill reports.

Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, 65, died unexpectedly in early January. Trump said Monday that the GOP's margin was up to four, "and then we had a death. And the death is very bad when you have a majority of two or three." He said he was alarmed to hear about Dunn's diagnosis, the New York Times reports. "Number one, it was bad because I liked him," he said. "Number two, it was bad because I needed his vote." Trump added: "I did it for him first and the vote second. But it was a close second."
A federal judge in Boston has tapped the brakes on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s push to rewrite national vaccine policy. US District Judge Brian Murphy on Monday temporarily blocked major elements of the health secretary's plan, siding with the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups. The ruling leaves Kennedy's campaign unsettled while the legal battle is waged, CNBC reports. Murphy also halted Kennedy's move to sweep out all 17 outside experts on the Center for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and install new members.

The plaintiffs argue that regulators broke the law when the CDC in January scaled back its childhood immunization schedule, cutting the number of routinely recommended vaccines to 11 and downgrading guidance for six diseases, including flu, rotavirus, and hepatitis A. They warned the changes could depress vaccination rates and endanger public health. The original suit focused on Kennedy's decision to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most children and pregnant women, per the AP, and was updated as he took more actions.

Murphy, a Biden appointee, found that the medical groups were likely to succeed on their claims that the administration overstepped its authority. The advisory panel plays a central role in deciding which vaccines are recommended and which shots insurers generally cover. The judge ordered the appointments and all decisions made by the reconstituted panel put on hold. A spokesman said Health and Human Services "looks forward to this judge's decision being overturned."
BAGHDAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. embassy in Iraq, located in Baghdad's Green Zone, was attacked early Tuesday, and facilities inside the compound caught fire.

An Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that two booby-trapped drones landed within the embassy perimeter and the subsequent explosions sparked a fire visible from outside the complex.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad was subjected to multiple rounds of attacks from Monday evening to the early hours of Tuesday. 
Afghanistan on Monday accused Pakistan's military of targeting a hospital in Kabul that treats drug users in airstrikes, with a government spokesman saying more than 400 people had been killed. Pakistan dismissed the accusation, contending that the strikeswhich were also conducted in eastern Afghanistandid not hit any civilian sites, the AP reports. In an interview with local media posted on X, a Health Ministry spokesman said all parts of the drug treatment hospital had been destroyed. Television stations posted footage showing firefighters struggling to extinguish flames among the ruins of a building.

Afghan officials said the two sides earlier exchanged fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan, as the deadliest fighting between the neighbors in years entered a third week. The government said the hospital strike violated Afghanistan's territory and that most of those killed and wounded were patients undergoing treatment. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's spokesman said no hospital was targeted in Kabul. In a post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Information said the strikes "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban" and Afghanistan-based Pakistani militants in Kabul and Nangarhar, saying the facilities were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians.

Also Monday, the UN Security Council called on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to immediately step up efforts to combat terrorism. Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, which it says carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Security Council resolution, adopted unanimously, didn't name Pakistan but condemns "all terrorist activity." The resolution also extends the UN political mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, for three months.
President Trump said Monday he wants to delay a trip scheduled for the end of the month to Beijing for meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "We've got a war going on," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I think it's important that I be here." The president had said Sunday that he might not go if China did not agree to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has nearly shut down shipping, but he did not give that as the reason for not making the trip yet. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," Trump said, per CNBC. "I'm looking forward to being with him."
A group of Tennessee teens say Elon Musk's AI start-up helped turn their school photos into child sexual abuse materialand they're suing. In a proposed class-action filed Monday in federal court in California, three plaintiffs allege xAI's Grok chatbot was used to digitally strip clothing from images of more than 18 girls, many from the same school, creating nude and sexualized images that were then traded on Discord and Telegram, the Washington Post reports. Police have arrested an alleged perpetrator, who, per the lawsuit, traded the CSAM files for other sexually explicit content featuring minors in group chats with hundreds of other people.

The complaint accuses xAI and Musk of effectively enabling child pornography by rolling out editing featuresvia Grok's "Spicy" mode and related toolsthat could "undress" real people and were promoted as a way to boost usage. The teens are seeking damages and a court order blocking similar image-editing capabilities, Reuters reports. Musk has previously said he was unaware of any underage explicit images created by Grok and that the system is designed to reject illegal requests, blaming any lapses on "adversarial hacking."

Regulators in California, Europe, and the UK have already opened investigations into xAI's sexual-image tools, which researchers say churned out an estimated 23,000 images that appeared to depict children in just 11 days. On Monday, Australia's online safety regulator warned that CSAM is more "systemic" and accessible on X than any other mainstream social media service, the Guardian reports.
Nvidia just upped its already eye-popping AI ambitions, with CEO Jensen Huang now projecting $1 trillion in revenue through 2027 from its AI chipsdouble last year's forecast. Speaking at the company's GPU Technology Conference, Huang noted, "a trillion dollars is an enormous amount of infrastructure; you have to have complete confidence that the trillion dollars you're putting down will be utilized, would be performant, would be incredibly cost-effective and have useful life for as long as you could see." He argued that so-called "agentic AI" will make that happen. As AI agents mature, he said, the balance of money shifts from training models to running theman inference-heavy future he traces back to tools like Anthropic's Claude Code. He said every Nvidia software engineer is now assisted with coding by such AI agents.
A man who spent nearly two decades in prison for a roughly $550 robbery was exonerated and freed on Monday, after prosecutors said they now agree he didn't commit the crime. "It cost me 20 years, but they said they corrected it now. So that's all that matters," said Kenneth Windley, 61, as he left a Brooklyn courthouse, at liberty for the first time since 2007, per the AP . A judge threw out his conviction and dismissed his case entirely, at the request of both prosecutors and Windley's lawyers. Prosecutors said new evidenceincluding confessions from two other men who were convicted of similar robberiessupported his long-standing claim of innocence.

"This case is really a cautionary tale of how things can seem one way, but, without careful analysis, not be what it purports to be," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, a Democrat, said after shaking Windley's hand outside court. "Had we known what the evidence was, this case should have never happened," Gonzalez added, noting that he'd apologized privately to Windley. Windley was arrested in 2005 after buying a stove for his mother with a money order that turned out to be stolen. It had been snatched from Gerald Ross, 70, by two thieves who followed him home from a trip to a bank and a post office, prosecutors said in a report released Monday.

A paper trail soon led to Windley, who'd given his name, driver's license, and address when purchasing the stove at an appliance store. From the start, Windley said he had nothing to do with the robbery, noting he'd simply bought the money order at a discount from a couple of acquaintances who insisted it was valid but that they couldn't use it for a bureaucratic reason. "He was duped," one of Windley's lawyers said on Monday. Ross IDed Windley as one of the thieves, and a jury convicted Windley in 2007 of robbery. Due to prior felony convictions, he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison; his appeals failed.

After his conviction, a friend and private investigators helped Windley flesh out the IDs of the men who'd sold him the money order and persuaded them to come forward about what had happened, according to the DA's report. In sworn statements and then in interviews, the two men said that they'd robbed Ross together and that Windley wasn't involved, according to the report. If the jury had known those men's IDs and robbery records, the info would likely have raised reasonable doubt about the charge against Windley, prosecutors concluded. Windley says he's not bitter about what he's been through. "I'm just going to move on from there," he noted.
A former Columbia University protester is out of federal immigration custody in Texas after spending more than a year detained without criminal charges. Immigration Judge Tara Naselow-Nahas on Friday ordered the release of 33-year-old Palestinian Leqaa Kordia on $100,000 bondher third such order for Kordia's releaseafter finding "very little evidence" she was a flight risk. Previous releases had been blocked by government attorneys invoking an "automatic stay," a rarely used tool that kept Kordia locked up during appeals, reports the New York Times. This time, the government did not appeal, and Kordia walked free Monday. "I don't know what to say. I'm free! I'm free! Finally, after one year," she said upon leaving the detention center, per the BBC.
The US Embassy in Baghdad came under its heaviest fire since the latest US-Israel conflict with Iran began, Iraqi security sources said early Tuesday. Multiple rockets and at least five drones were launched from areas around the capital, with a Reuters witness seeing three drones head toward the embassy. Two of those were intercepted by the C-RAM air defense system, the witness said; a third made it into the compound, where flames and smoke were visible. NBC News has video. The attack marks the second time in three days that the embassy was targeted, notes CNN; two drones struck the compound on Saturday, and smoke and flames were visible.
US restaurants are feeling squeezed as Americans pull back on booze. A 2025 Gallup poll found that just over half of US adults drink at all, and those who do are consuming less. That's bad news for restaurants, which make their fattest margins on alcohol, not labor-heavy food, the New York Times reports. Research firm Technomic says nearly a third of operators reported "severe declines" in alcohol sales last year. And Canada just recorded its largest annual drop in beer, wine, and spirits sales across 20 years of recordkeeping, per the CBC .

When Damon Wise opened Pineapple Express in Montclair, NJ, he expected alcohol to account for 60% of revenue. Instead, it fell to 30% before he was finally forced to close in January, the Times reports. "It kept coming up in all the meetings, 'What can we do to get people to drink more?'" said Wise, who doesn't drink himself. Fox News describes a similar "bloodbath" in wine country.

Operators blame a mix of economic uncertainty, shifting health attitudes, the aging of hard-partying millennials, and a Gen Z crowd that tends to be "one and done"if they show up at all, per the Times. "A lot of people are simply not accepting that alcohol is a precondition for having a good time," Carleton University professor Rod Phillips, who studies the history of alcohol, tells the CBC. Looking for a Plan B, some restaurants are finding success with elaborate zero-proof menus, though others say the same work for smaller tabs doesn't pencil out.
Nebraska is grappling with the largest wildfire event in its recorded history, with four blazes scorching nearly 750,000 acres across the state and leaving one person dead, per USA Today. As of Monday, the Morrill, Cottonwood, Anderson Bridge, and Road 203 fires had burned a combined 747,167 acres in central and western Nebraska, according to incident officials and the Watch Duty tracking app. The largest, the Morrill Fire, alone has burned more than 570,000 acres across five counties. One person died Thursday in western Arthur County, where the Morrill Fire is burning, according to a Saturday announcement, per ABC News. The Morrill Fire is 18% contained at the time of writing, with higher rates of containment for the three smaller fires.
Amid reports that the US is pressuring Havana to remove its president from power , President Trump is renewing his talk of taking control of the island nation. "I do believe I'll be  having the honor of taking Cuba," Trump told reporters on Monday, reports the Guardian . "Whether I free it, take itI think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. They're a very weakened nation right now." The comments came as Cuba grapples with a nationwide blackout amid tightened US oil restrictions, per the BBC .

On Monday evening, meanwhile, NBC News reported a notable shift in Cuban policy: The government will allow Cuban nationals living abroad, including in the US, to invest in the nation's private sector and to own businesses. "Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with US companies" and "also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants," Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, deputy prime minister, told the outlet.

Washington has ramped up pressure on Cuba since cutting off Venezuelan oil shipments and threatening penalties on other suppliers, moves that have strained the country's outdated power system. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, 65, has said he is open to talks under terms of "equality and respect." The Guardian describes him as a "key figurehead," noting that the Communist regime that has run Cuba for decades would remain in place should he be ousted.
HELSINKI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China is placing greater emphasis on innovation-led, high-quality development, a shift that is expected to shape the country's economic trajectory over the next five years, a Europe-based U.S. scholar has told Xinhua.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Carl Fey, professor of strategy at BI Norwegian Business School, said the policy signals emerging from China's annual "two sessions" and the newly-adopted 15th Five-Year Plan point to a stronger focus on innovation, emerging industries, green transition, opening up and people-centered development.

China has set a gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of around 4.5 to 5 percent for 2026, aiming to secure a good start for the new five-year plan and lay a solid foundation for high-quality development, Fey said.

"The direction is increasingly clear: China is not only pursuing growth, but also placing greater weight on the quality of that growth," he said.

Fey said the emphasis on "new quality productive forces" offers an important lens for understanding China's development priorities. In his view, the concept highlights the role of scientific and technological innovation in boosting productivity, upgrading industries and fostering new growth drivers.

"That means China is attaching greater importance to strengthening competitiveness through innovation and making further advances in key technologies," he said.

He noted that China has built notable strengths in advanced manufacturing and technological innovation in recent years, adding that the development of such industries will not only foster new growth drivers but also enhance the resilience of industrial and supply chains.

"The international community is increasingly recognizing that China not only holds strong advantages in traditional manufacturing, but is also showing considerable momentum in a number of high-tech sectors," he said, citing areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, new energy, quantum technology, 6G and advanced materials.

"China has already built a relatively strong industrial ecosystem in these areas, which should provide solid support for future development," he said.

On green development, Fey said China has made notable progress over the past decade in sectors such as new energy vehicles, solar power and wind energy, and that the green transition has become an important part of the country's push for high-quality development.

The new five-year plan, he noted, reinforces China's commitment to peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, while promoting renewable energy, the circular economy and green infrastructure.

"Continuing to advance green and low-carbon development will not only help improve the environment and people's quality of life, but also contribute meaningfully to global sustainable development," he said.

Fey applauded China's commitment to continuously expanding high-standard opening up and fostering a fairer, more transparent, and more predictable business environment for foreign companies.

"That is important for stabilizing expectations and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation," he said. "A China that continues to open up will keep creating significant opportunities for international businesses and the global economy."

He also commented positively on China's efforts to improve education, healthcare and overall quality of life, saying it shows the country's pursuit of broader and more equitable development.

"This suggests that China is not only focused on expanding the size of the economy, but is also paying more attention to development opportunities and gains for individuals," he said.

Acknowledging challenges, Fey said China has a complete industrial system, a huge market, improving innovation capacity and relatively strong policy execution. "These factors should provide a solid foundation for future development."

Looking ahead, Fey said China is firmly moving toward innovation-driven, high-quality development. "This will not only inject stronger momentum into China's development in the coming years, but also bring greater stability and new opportunities to the world economy," he said. 
Sri Lanka just gave workers a midweek day off, though it's not for fun. The government has announced that every Wednesday is now a public holiday, in an attempt to cut fuel use as it braces for possible shortages linked to the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, reports the BBC . Schools and universities will also shift to a four-day week, though essential services like hospitals and immigration offices will stay open.

Officials say that Wednesday was selected as the "off" day instead of, say, Friday or Monday, to avoid seeing government offices closed three days in a row. Drivers must also now register for a national fuel pass that rations how much fuel they can acquire, with weekly caps of about 4 gallons for private cars and just over 1 gallon for motorcycleslimits that some residents say are too tight. "We must prepare for the worst but hope for the best," President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said at an emergency meeting on Monday.

"We are also asking the private sector to follow suit," Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Sri Lanka's commissioner general of essential services, added after the meeting of the new Wednesday rule, per NDTV. Across Asiawhich received about 90% of the gas and oil that passed through Hormuz in 2025governments are rolling out similar conservation moves. Myanmar, for example, is restricting private car use by license plate. Bangladesh, meanwhile, is imposing blackouts; the Philippines is expanding remote work; and Vietnam is urging people to stay home, bike, and carpool. The Guardian adds that Pakistan, which receives the vast majority of its fuel via the Strait of Hormuz, has sent schoolchildren home to study remotely for at least a week.
Just before St. Patrick's Day, an Irish pub appeared one night beneath a basketball hoop in a suburban Massachusetts driveway. Neighbors packed around the bar as music played and Guinness flowedinside a tiny pub that had been towed in for the night. Instead of heading out to celebrate the holiday, the bar had come to them, reports the AP . "The Wee Irish Pub" was delivered by Tiny Pubs, a small business run by brothers Matt and Craig Taylor, who build miniature Irish pubs on wheels for holidays, weddings, and backyard parties across New England. Decorated with antique signs, church pews, an electric fireplace and a bar crafted from the front panel of an 1864 piano, the pubs recreate the feel of a traditional Irish pubbut are just small enough to fit in a driveway.

"It's really just a time to forget about whatever's going on in the world," said Mark Cote, who hosted the pub in his Andover driveway on Friday. "That's what pubs are supposed to befor people coming together and having fun." Around 20 people from five familieswhose children grew up togethersqueezed into the roughly 20-foot-long space for Cote's annual holiday party, creating what he said felt like a real neighborhood bar. The idea began during the COVID-19 lockdown, when the Taylor brothersretired from careers in corporate financefound themselves missing their favorite Irish pubs. The first version went up in Matt Taylor's driveway in Reading, 12 miles north of Boston. "When we were building the pub in this neighborhood, neighbors thought a pub was going to be living here full time," he said. "We had to kind of settle them down a little bit."

What began as a pandemic project has since grown into a small business with four bars, including two Irish pubs, booked most weekends throughout the year. The brothers wanted the tiny bars to feel like real Irish pubsnot themed party props. "We have Irish friends who told us, 'You better not have leprechauns and stuff in there,'" Craig Taylor said. They visited Irish pubs around New England while designing the interior, settling on classic colors like jasper green and Irish cream. Guinness has rented the Taylors' pubs for weeks at a time. They've also been used by a state senator during South Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade. The pubs have even been rented for celebrations of life after funeral services.

Before each event, the brothers personalize the space with custom posters often designed with a family crest naming the host as the pub's temporary "proprietor." "It's a special thing for a lot of people to be able to come into an authentic Irish pub," Matt Taylor said. "Maybe they're not able to get back to the old country, so it's meaningful to them." Craig Taylor said when people step inside for the first time, "it's like Christmas morning." And when the brothers show up the next day to take the pub away, "there's sometimes people sleeping on the pew," Craig Taylor joked.
Long thought to be solitary creatures, sharks continue to surprise us, demonstrating complex social relationships much like humans. A new study in Animal Behaviour tracked 184 bull sharks over six years at Fiji's Shark Reef Marine Reserve and found the predators form lasting social bonds, with patterns that go beyond simply gathering where the food is. Using photo IDs and close-range observations, researchers recorded when sharks swam within a body length of each other and noted behaviors like parallel swimming and following to distinguish true interaction from coincidental proximity, per Nautilus . The data suggest sharks are choosing their company.

Adults mostly associated with other adults, and younger sharks kept closer to grownup mentors than to peers. Both males and females tended to spend more time with females, but males had more social connections, likely because they're smaller than females and can avoid aggressive interactions, lead author Natasha Marosi of the University of Exeter says in a release. Sharks mostly hung around others of a similar size. These patterns, the authors say, show "active social preferences," just like humans demonstrate through our best friends and the people we avoid. "These bull sharks are doing similar things," Marosi tells Nautilus. Scientists suspect the ties may help with sharing information, avoiding larger threats, or sizing up potential matesadding another layer to what we know about shark behavior.
A routine live-blog entry about an Iranian missile strike has turned into something far stranger for Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian: a dayslong pressure campaign from online bettors who allegedly stood to lose big if he didn't tweak a key detail. In a first-person account , Fabian describes how his March 10 reportstating that an Iranian ballistic missile had hit an open area near Israel's Beit Shemeshsuddenly attracted a wave of emails, WhatsApp, and Discord messages insisting the projectile had actually been intercepted, not landed. The push, he learned, was tied to a high-stakes Polymarket wager titled "Iran strikes Israel on...?" that would only pay out if an actual missile or drone strike hit Israeli soil and wasn't intercepted.

When Fabian refused to "correct" his story, the outreach escalated into fabricated screenshots, attempted third-party influenceincluding another journalist being offered a cut of someone's winnings if he could convince Fabian to change his reportand then explicit threats against his life and family sent over WhatsApp. Police are now investigating. Polymarket, meanwhile, has condemned the harassment, said it banned involved accounts, and pledged to cooperate with authorities. "The attempt by these gamblers to pressure me to change my reporting so that they would win their bet did not and will not succeed," Fabian writes. "But I do worry that other journalists may not be as ethical if they are promised some of the winnings." More here.
Kenya says it has struck a deal with Moscow to shut down a controversial pipeline sending its citizens to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, speaking alongside his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Monday, said the two governments agreed that Kenyans "will no longer be eligible to be enlisted" through Russia's defense ministry, per Reuters . Nairobi estimates more than 1,000 Kenyans have already joined the conflict, lured by promises of thousands of dollars in monthly pay plus bonuses, and says families have been pressing authorities for help. Kyiv estimates more than 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia.

Kenyan authorities have targeted hundreds of recruitment agencies accused of misleading Kenyans with promises of overseas work, per the BBC. Some lawmakers have alleged that a network of corrupt officials and trafficking syndicates helped funnel fighters to the war. But Lavrov said Kenyans had voluntarily signed contracts to fight with Russian forces. Mudavadi stressed that consular support will be provided "through proper diplomatic channels" for those already in Russia who need assistance. He emphasized that Kenya wants its ties with Russia to focus on trade and cooperation in sectors like energy, tourism, and agriculture, not to be defined by the war in Ukraineor as he called it, "the special operation."
A writer who assumed mammograms were someone else's problem now has a standing date with the machine. In the Los Angeles Times , Zachary Bernstein describes learning he carries the BRCA1 mutationa genetic red flag he inherited along with a heavy family history of breast cancerand being sent for routine breast screening as a man. The exam itself, he finds, is mildly uncomfortable but quick, and not administered by the medieval contraption he'd imagined from TV. What rattles him more is how thoroughly the system, the paperwork ("Does your bra size exceed 42DD?"), and even the clinic staff are geared toward women, reinforcing the idea that men don't belong in this particular waiting room. As Bernstein writes, "I felt like a tourist."

Bernstein uses his experience to examine a blind spot: male breast cancer is rare (hitting only 1 in 726) but comes with a 19% higher mortality rate that advocates link to stigma and ignorance. He talks with a UCLA oncologist and the founder of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance about how "pink" branding, gender norms, and even the basic term for the disease can obscure the reality that anyone with breast tissue is at risk. "How are men supposed to take seriously a disease that bears the name of a body part so associated with the opposite gender" when "in parts of America, the idea of a man doing anything that can be perceived as feminine is politically charged," Bernstein asks. For his full account, including specific warning signs for men, read the piece at the Times.
College Republicans have sued the University of Florida's president on free speech grounds over the school's decision to deactivate its chapter after being notified that at least one member engaged in an antisemitic act. The University of Florida College Republicans filed the lawsuit Monday in federal court against interim president Donald Landry, asking a judge to stop the enforcement of the school's decision and to restore access to facilities on the Gainesville campus. "The University of Florida punitively deactivated and shut down the UFCR, in response to alleged viewpoints expressed by a member of UFCR, and in an effort to silence the club and chill its future speech," the group said in its lawsuit, per the AP . A UF rep said in an email that the university doesn't comment on pending litigation.

Officials at the University of Florida said over the weekend that they had been informed by the Florida Federation of College Republicans that the federation had disbanded the Gainesville campus' chapter after determining that some members had "engaged in a pattern of conduct that violated its rules and values, including a recent antisemitic gesture." When the Florida Federation of College Republicans is ready, the university will assist with reactivating the campus chapter under new student leadership, UF officials said in a statement.

The deactivation wasn't based on any university policy or rule, and it was only based on a member's expression of a viewpoint "which was alleged to be antisemitic," the lawsuit said. The university also didn't provide the College Republicans with adequate notice and didn't give the chapter an opportunity to explain its side of the story, according to the lawsuit. The deactivation effort at the University of Florida campus marks the second time this month that a public university in Florida has taken action against a Republican group accused of being involved in racist or antisemitic behavior.

Earlier this month, Florida International University in Miami launched an investigation into a group chat started by an official with the Miami-Dade chapter of the Republican Party that included violently racist slurs, antisemitic comments, and misogynistic language. The chat involved students and several top conservative leaders at Florida International University. Last fall, New York's Republican State Committee suspended a Young Republican organization following the release of a group chat that included jokes about rape and flippant commentary about gas chambers.
Israeli leaders are publicly calling for Iranians to rise up against their government while privately warning Washington that demonstrators would be massacred if they did, per a US diplomatic cable obtained by the Washington Post . The cable, sent from the US Embassy in Jerusalem, says senior Israeli officials told American counterparts that Iran's rulers are "not cracking," that the Revolutionary Guard "has the upper hand," and that large protests would mean people "get slaughtered." The assessment comes as exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urges street demonstrations this week for the Chaharshanbe Suri fire festival, per the Post. Iranian authorities are organizing their own demonstrations, urging Iranians to burn effigies of US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Al Jazeera reports.

Netanyahu this week said Iranians have "a unique opportunity" to "overthrow the regime ... and gain your freedom," per the BBC. President Trump initially urged Iranians to take to the streets, though he's since acknowledged that would be dangerous. Despite the grim outlook, Israeli officials urged the US to be ready to back a popular revolt and cast the ongoing US-Israeli bombing campaign as a way to weaken the regime. The Israeli Embassy in Washington says degrading Iran's military is "to everyone's benefit." But Iran experts quoted by the Post warn that unarmed protesters risk being used as pawns, and that Israel misjudged the regime's staying power after the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the warnow in its third weekcontinues with no clear end.
After being largely rebuffed in his request for allies' help against Iran, President Trump issued an all-caps retort on Truth Social Tuesday: "WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump amplified remarks he made on Monday, asserting that the US is just fine working only with Israel, and that he's not surprised by the reluctance. "I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way streetWe will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," Trump wrote. But he then added that the US-Israeli campaign has decimated Iran's leadership and military, making any assistance unnecessary.
House Republicans want answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi about what's missing from the Jeffrey Epstein filesand they're done asking nicely. On Tuesday, Rep. James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, issued a subpoena ordering Bondi to sit for an April 14 deposition on how the Justice Department has handled records tied to the deceased sex offender and his network, the Hill reports. The move follows a push from Rep. Nancy Mace, who accuses Bondi's department of withholding material Congress required under the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Mace claims more than 65,000 documents and over 2,000 videos remain out of reach. "They're not giving Congress all the information or all the documents, and they're obfuscating," she said Tuesday. "And I'd like to ask questions about that in our depositionLawmakers from both parties, including Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, have separately criticized the department for delays, heavy redactions, and omissions, saying some edits obscure alleged Epstein associates while in some instances exposing victims. The committee approved the subpoena in a 24-19 vote earlier this month, with five Republicans voting with all the Democrats on the committee.

Recent scrutiny intensified after media outlets found dozens of pages missing from files involving a woman who told the FBI that Donald Trump assaulted her as a minor. The committee, which has also subpoenaed Bill and Hillary Clinton, among others, said Tuesday that Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche will give committee members a closed-door briefing on Wednesday, Politico reports.
HANOI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security was held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun co-chaired the meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and Public Security Minister Luong Tam Quang.

The two sides held in-depth exchanges on developments and changes in the international landscape, safeguarding political security, and advancing defense and law enforcement cooperation, and reached broad consensus. 
MILLBROOK FIRST NATION, MI'KMA'KI, NS, March 17, 2026 /CNW/ - The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) is partnering with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to launch the second round of the Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream (SITES), backed by a new $6 million investment announced in Budget 2025 under the Indigenous Tourism Fund. This new funding builds on the success of the SITES pilot and will help Indigenous communities scale up world-class tourism experiences rooted in Indigenous cultures, lands and languages.

Shannin Metatawabin, CEO - NACCA (CNW Group/National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association)

The new investments were announced today at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre in Mi'kma'ki by the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), alongside NACCA CEO Shannin Metatawabin and local leadership. Seven new Indigenous tourism projects across Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories will receive support through this second round of SITES.

"Building a strong Canadian economy in partnership with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples is a key government priority outlined in Budget 2025," said The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism). "I am proud to highlight the added investment for the Indigenous Tourism Fund's Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream as one of our commitments to advancing economic reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination. Together with NACCA, this stream continues to create economic opportunities in local communities and showcase inspiring, authentic Indigenous tourism experiences on the world stage."

One of the recipients of the funding, the Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre, will receive $1.1 million for the construction of a road to welcome new visitors and support the future Indigenous-led cultural tourism destination.

"The road construction in Debert is symbolic of the pathways we're building toward shared prosperity through Indigenous tourism," said Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of NACCA. "Building on the success of the first round of SITES funding, this additional investment will expand that impact to more regions across Canada, supporting Indigenous tourism operators to create meaningful experiences, strengthen local economies, and celebrate the richness of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures from coast to coast to coast."

"This support helps us keep moving forward with the vision for Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre," said Tim Bernard, Executive Director, Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre. "Our Elders have created a place where people can come together, spend time on the land, and learn about Mi'kmaw history and culture directly from Mi'kmaw voices. Projects like this take many partners, and this investment helps us continue the work of building a space that will welcome students, families and visitors from across Mi'kma'ki and beyond. In the years ahead, Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre will be a place where we welcome visitors to deepen their understanding of Mi'kmaw history and culture, and our 13,000 years of connection to this land."

With this additional $6 million, NACCA will support a total of six new projects, including the Derbert Cultural Centre, that will expand Indigenous-owned destinations and enhance visitor experiences:

In Quebec, Restaurant Sagamite TQB S.E.N.C. will receive funding to develop Sagamite  YQB at the Quebec City airport, extending an authentic Indigenous culinary experience from Wendake and Old Quebec to an international gateway.

will receive funding to develop Sagamite  YQB at the Quebec City airport, extending an authentic Indigenous culinary experience from Wendake and Old Quebec to an international gateway. In Ontario, Six Nations of the Grand River will receive funding to construct a new welcome centre that will support Indigenous tourism experiences, enhance visitor capacity and promote the community's historic sites.

will receive funding to construct a new welcome centre that will support Indigenous tourism experiences, enhance visitor capacity and promote the community's historic sites. In Alberta, Enoch Cree Nation will receive funding to support a new River Cree Thermal Spa at the River Cree Resort and Casino , positioning the community as a premier Indigenous wellness destination.

will receive funding to support a new River Cree Thermal Spa at the River Cree Resort and , positioning the community as a premier Indigenous wellness destination. In British Columbia, the Spo7ez Cultural Centre and Community Society will receive funding to expand its cultural centre, add a commercial kitchen and cafe, and grow its gift shop to generate additional community-based revenues.

will receive funding to expand its cultural centre, add a commercial kitchen and cafe, and grow its gift shop to generate additional community-based revenues. Also in British Columbia, the Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation will receive funding to add a Beachfront Wellness Hut at TinWis Resort and to expand Tsawaak RV Resort with up to twelve unique spherical "treehouse" glamping units.

Indigenous tourism remains one of the fastest-growing segments of the visitor economy, generating billions in annual revenue and supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the country. SITES is a national initiative delivered by NACCA that provides larger-scale, non-repayable contributions to Indigenous-led tourism destinations that serve as anchors for regional visitor economies. By investing in cultural centres, wellness offerings, accommodations and culinary experiences, SITES supports the development of Indigenous infrastructure, and the services entrepreneurs and communities need to welcome more visitors, create employment and advance economic reconciliation. By working with Indigenous communities and financial institutions, SITES helps ensure that more of this value is created and retained in Indigenous hands, on Indigenous lands.

Early results from the first round of SITES funding show that investments are helping Indigenous tourism businesses increase visitation, diversify revenue streams and create new employment opportunities. The additional $6 million announced today will allow NACCA to continue this momentum with a new cohort of flagship Indigenous tourism destinations.

QUICK FACTS

Results Sites I:

Total investment: $9.5 million

Number of projects funded: 11

Provinces and territories represented: 7 (AB, BC, SK, ON, QC, YK, NS)

Estimated revenue generated: over $78 million across all projects.

SITES II:

Total new investment (round two): $6 million

Number of new projects funded: 6

Provinces and territories represented: 5 (NS, QC, ON, AB, BC)

Estimated increase in visitors across all locations: 659,324

New jobs created: 126

ABOUT SITES

SITES was first launched in 2024 under the Indigenous Tourism Fund and is administered by NACCA in collaboration with an Indigenous Advisory Committee that includes representatives from Indigenous tourism associations across the country. In its pilot phase, SITES invested $9.5 million in 11 Indigenous tourism projects across Canada.

ABOUT NACCA

NACCA is a national Indigenous organization with a network of more than 50 Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) across Canada. For over 35 years, NACCA has played a crucial role in advancing economic growth and entrepreneurship among Indigenous communities. Through programs like SITES, NACCA continues to strengthen Indigenous businesses, promote sustainable, community-based development and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous tourism sector.

RELATED LINKS

SOURCE National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Joel Lamoureux, [email protected], 613-316-408
NAIROBI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The self-serving and ulterior political motives attached to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have undermined the growth of Africa's industries, a Kenyan scholar has said.

Patrick Lumumba, a legal scholar and former director of Kenya's anti-graft agency, told Xinhua in an interview that the pact has largely favored the geopolitical interests of the United States at the expense of Africa's economic competitiveness and manufacturing base.

Implemented in 2000, AGOA grants duty-free treatment for selected products such as textiles, agricultural goods and vehicles from designated sub-Saharan African countries. Originally due to expire in September 2025, the pact has been extended to Dec. 31, 2026, by the U.S. Congress, with provisions that include expanded access for U.S. goods to African markets.

Lumumba said that more than two decades of AGOA's existence have delivered negligible economic benefits for African countries, as evidenced by stagnant or declining textile industries.

"It comes with conditionalities; it is either you do what America wants, or you are shut out. Over the years, textile industries have been closed as a result of AGOA," he said.

Citing Lesotho and Kenya, the scholar noted that AGOA's promise of unfettered access to the U.S. market for apparel manufactured in these countries has remained a mirage.

A large number of textile industries in Kenya have shut down due to an imbalanced trading regime under AGOA, he said, adding that neighboring Uganda is facing a similar situation.

Stressing the unfair conditions imposed by AGOA, along with the latest unilateral tariffs, Lumumba said this presents an opportunity for Africa to reevaluate its economic ties with Washington.

The African Continental Free Trade Area and China's zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, set to take effect in May, could offer hope for the continent, while the BRICS countries present a lifeline for African nations seeking to accelerate industrial growth and integrate into global supply chains, the scholar said.

A more integrated Africa that reduces tariff and non-tariff barriers, while adding value to agricultural and mineral resources, stands a better chance of weathering shocks linked to unfair trading practices associated with AGOA, Lumumba added. 
Aims to scale AI-driven solutions for enterprise finance transformation

SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2026 /CNW/ -- Uniqus Consultech, a tech-enabled global platform that offers consulting solutions in the accounting & reporting, finance operations, governance, risk, sustainability, technology and valuations domains, today announced a strategic collaboration with Numero AI, a technology company that develops proprietary agentic artificial intelligence and software modules for finance transformation use cases.

The collaboration brings together Numero's AI platform and technology capabilities with Uniqus' advisory, delivery, and client-engagement expertise to jointly scale AI-driven solutions for enterprise finance transformation. The joint offering is designed to help CFOs and finance leaders modernize core finance processes, accelerate the close, strengthen controls, and unlock richer, real-time insights for the business.

Sandip Khetan, Co-Founder, Global Head of Accounting & Reporting Consulting, Uniqus Consultech, commented, "Our collaboration with Numero represents an important step in advancing AI-led finance transformation for enterprises globally. By combining Numero's agentic AI platform with our advisory and implementation expertise, we aim to help organizations modernize finance operations, automate complex processes, and build more agile and data-driven finance functions."

Karthik Ramamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer of Numero AI, added, "Uniqus brings strong advisory and delivery capabilities across finance transformation programs. Together, we aim to deliver integrated solutions that combine advanced AI technology with deep finance and implementation expertise to help enterprises optimize finance processes and accelerate their transformation journeys."

The collaboration reflects a shared focus on integrating advanced AI technologies with advisory expertise to help organizations build more efficient, technology-enabled, and scalable finance operations. Together, the companies aim to help enterprises modernize finance functions through intelligent automation, scalable cloud-native technology, and data-driven insights--while maintaining a strong focus on audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

About Uniqus Consultech:

Uniqus Consultech is a global tech-enabled consulting company that specializes in Accounting & Reporting, Governance, Risk & Compliance, Sustainability & Climate, Tech Consulting and Valuations. The Company is co-founded by consulting veterans Jamil Khatri and Sandip Khetan and backed by marquee investors such as Nexus Venture Partners, Sorin Investments, and UST.

Uniqus has a global team of 700+ professionals led by 85+ Partners & Directors across eleven offices in the USA, the Middle East, and India. The company serves more than 300 clients, including marquee names in each of the markets it operates in.

Uniqus is committed to leveraging technology and an integrated global delivery model to provide best-in-class consulting services to its clients.

For more information, please visit: https://uniqus.com/.

About Numero:

Numero is an AI-powered agentic execution platform built for the Office of the CFO. The platform acts as a processing engine on top of systems of record such as NetSuite, Zuora, Oracle, Salesforce, Coupa, Ironclad, SAP, and HubSpot, deploying specialized AI agents to automate document-heavy finance workflows with speed, accuracy, and human-in-the-loop oversight.

Numero AI is founded by a pioneering enterprise finance technology leader, Karthik Ramamoorthy, who has spent over two decades building software for the Office of the CFO. He previously co-founded RevPro, a leading revenue recognition platform acquired by Zuora, and has extensive experience building and scaling enterprise finance platforms used by global organizations.

For more information, visit https://numero.io.

Media Contact:

Tanya Tandon, Director, Uniqus | Handheld: +91 9810027486 | Email: [email protected]

Jimmy Shah, Associate Director, Uniqus | Handheld: +91 9429463153 | Email: [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935740/Uniqus_Consultech_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Uniqus Consultech
BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to announce a decision revising the regulations on the registration administration of social organizations.

The decision includes measures that clarify the rules regarding the merger and termination of industry associations and chambers of commerce, add provisions for court-appointed liquidation in debt handling during deregistration, and specify procedures for deregistration when organizations are unable to handle it independently.

The decision takes effect on March 17, 2026. In accordance with this decision, the regulations shall be revised accordingly, with the sequence of articles adjusted, and re-promulgated. The revised regulations, published on Tuesday, consist of seven chapters and 37 articles. 
GAZA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinians were killed and 14 others injured on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in the al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and local medical sources.

The Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that the three bodies were taken to its al-Mawasi field hospital.

Medical sources told Xinhua that the airstrike also wounded 14 others, who were taken to the hospital for first aid and treatment.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the incident.

Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday that the death toll since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,249, with 171,898 wounded.

The authorities added that the death toll since a ceasefire came into effect in October 2025 has reached 673, with 1,799 injuries.

Separately, Hamas said in a statement on Monday night that a Hamas leadership delegation visited the Iranian embassy in Ankara and offered condolences on the death of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as well as other senior Iranian officials.

"The Hamas leadership delegation affirmed the movement's strongest condemnation of the heinous aggression against the Islamic Republic," the statement said. 
Workers pack kumquats for export at an e-commerce park in Rong'an County, Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 3, 2025. (Photo by Tan Kaixing/Xinhua)

NANNING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Rong'an County's kumquats in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have recently become a social media hit. Known as "jinju," meaning golden orange in Chinese, the small, oval-shaped citrus fruit has surprised consumers from Jakarta to Toronto.

The fruit's biggest marketing boost came in late January, when Jensen Huang, Nvidia's founder and CEO, was filmed emerging from a wet market in Shanghai, carrying armfuls of Rong'an kumquats. He handed them out at his China office's year-end party ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations.

Few shoppers at the market recognized Huang. Yet around 1,600 km to the southwest in Rong'an, the gesture was read as powerful validation.

Unlike typical bitter citrus, kumquats are prized for being sweet, thin-skinned, and entirely edible. In Chinese culture, kumquats are a symbol of good luck and prosperity. During the Chinese New Year, they are often given as gifts or displayed as decorations.

In the rugged Karst landscape of Guangxi, kumquats have grown from a seasonal treat into the backbone of a fast-modernizing rural economy. What began as part of the local poverty-alleviation drive has become a technology-driven industry with global reach.

According to local government statistics, Rong'an had 231,000 mu (15,400 hectares) of kumquats by 2025, producing roughly 287,000 tonnes of fruit in the year. The full industry chain is valued at nearly 10 billion yuan (around 1.45 billion U.S. dollars), with the "Rong'an Kumquat" having become a name brand nationwide.

More than 100,000 locals now earn their living from planting or processing of the fruit as well as its logistics.

At the center of the transformation is a new generation of returnee entrepreneurs who have traded urban high-rises for the orchards.

At Guangxi Rongan Ant Agriculture Development Co., Ltd.'s packing facility, Wei Xiaodong, who returned home in 2017 to found the company, has placed heavy emphasis on technology and strict quality controls.

Inside the sorting hall, it looks more like a high-tech laboratory than a warehouse. An AI system scans every fruit for appearance, color, surface defects, and internal quality -- including sugar content, all tracked and monitored in real time on multiple screens.

"Manual sorting sometimes misses fruit that looks perfect but lacks sweetness," Wei explained. "The AI performs a complete internal and external check-up, ensuring every batch meets our standards."

Premium-grade fruit, roughly 20 pieces per kilogram, is then individually wrapped in food-grade preservative film, a labor-intensive process designed to extend shelf life and stop one bad kumquat from spoiling the rest in the box.

"Last year our export volume roughly doubled the amount from the year before," Wei said.

The level of quality control is made possible not just by technology but also by the fruit's unique biology, according to Wu Qiqian, director of the government-backed Rong'an Kumquat Research Institute.

"In harsher conditions, kumquats tend to develop thorns, seeds, and thick, bitter skins as defenses," said Wu. "Here, with around 75 percent humidity and clean water sources, the fruit evolved to shed those protections."

Over decades, Rong'an kumquats have become thornless with exceptionally thin, edible skins.

The variety reached the acme of perfection in 2007 when a local farmer discovered a mutant tree that produced the now-prized "Crisp Honey" kumquat -- seedless, thin-skinned and intensely sweet.

Researchers at the institute spent more than a decade developing cultivation techniques. A breakthrough in 2021 finally allowed large-scale production of the high-sugar variety without compromising its delicate nature.

To ensure product quality and consistency, Rong'an has implemented strict national standards across every stage, from planting and harvesting to cold-chain logistics. The "field-to-table" model is powered by a big data platform that tracks growth in real time, ensuring every piece meets the expectations of buyers.

To protect the local crown jewel's reputation, Wei's company runs its own pesticide-residue testing laboratory. Fruit is tested once at the orchard gate and again upon arrival at the factory. Loads that fail the inspection are rejected outright. The company now operates a 5,800-mu eco-friendly production base and is preparing to meet even stricter international requirements.

The obsession with quality is seen as a key to cracking open more demanding markets.

Current export destinations include Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada and Qatar. In 2025, county-wide kumquat exports reached 6.34 million yuan -- nearly quadruple the previous year's total.

To maintain and upgrade quality to meet more demanding market standards, local authorities are protecting the "Rong'an" name as intellectual property. They are also tapping into the country's ever-growing online shopping scene to sustain the viral traffic for the fruit.

"Rong'an kumquat isn't just a fruit; it is a product designed for the digital age," said Lai Yuanyuan, a local businesswoman who was a fruit farmer. "It is naturally suited for e-commerce: resilient during transport and possessing a long shelf life."

By linking 700 enterprises and 24,000 online stores into a digital network of fruit lovers, the county is actively elevating its native fruit from a rural staple to a "social media darling."

According to Lai, the efforts have lately culminated in a high-profile collaboration between the Italian chocolatier Ferrero and Chinese fruit retail giant Pagoda. The partnership upgraded the product's gift packaging from a humble plastic crate to one resembling a luxury chocolate box. 

Workers work on the production line at a kumquat processing enterprise in Rong'an County, Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 30, 2025. (Photo by Tan Kaixing/Xinhua)

Workers work on the production line at a kumquat processing enterprise in Rong'an County, Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 30, 2025. (Photo by Tan Kaixing/Xinhua)
The News in Brief Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Shuleiko in Tbilisi on March 16, according to a statement released by the Georgian government.The one-on-one meeting took place at the government administration building and focused on bilateral relations and future cooperation. According to a government press release, the officials discussed trade and economic ties between the two countries.The Georgian side also spoke about what it described as the country's stable and predictable environment for investors."The importance of holding the 7th Session of the Georgia-Belarus Intergovernmental Economic Commission was also highlighted, as an important platform for discussing key economic issues between the two countries," the statement said.The two officials also discussed tourism, with the government noting what it called positive trends and a growing number of visitors from Belarus.Shuleiko has been under sanctions from the European Union since 2022 and from the United Kingdom since 2023.Up to 45 families have been evacuated from the village of Kursebi in Tkibuli Municipality after a landslide damaged homes and farmland earlier this month.The landslide began in the early hours of March 12 and continued in the following days. The disaster has affected about 60 hectares of land across three neighborhoods. Around 10 to 15 houses have collapsed, while several others were damaged. Part of the Kutaisi (Motsameta)-Tskhaltsitela-Ambrolauri highway and sections of village cemeteries were also affected. No injuries have been reported.Residents say they woke up to the sound of cracking ground and falling trees. Because the landslide moved slowly, people had time to warn neighbors and leave the area."At about half past four, our neighbor called and told us that a debris flow was coming and that we had to leave the area immediately," one resident told Mega TV. "I have a small child. I grabbed them in my arms and ran with all my strength. We got into the cars and left."Another resident, Mariam Berodze, said people survived because the landslide moved gradually. "The landslide did not break off suddenly and instead started moving gradually," she said.Specialists remain in the area to monitor the situation. The National Environment Agency says the landslide is now entering a stabilization phase.Families have been temporarily moved to hotels in Tkibuli and Kutaisi. Residents say they were promised rent support for a limited time, and some are asking to be resettled together so their community can remain intact.Merab Gaprindashvili from the National Environment Agency said predicting landslides is extremely difficult. "These processes are no longer subject to regularities," he told the Public Broadcaster.He added that geological hazards such as landslides have tripled worldwide over the past 10 to 15 years, a trend also seen in Georgia.
PARIS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese and U.S. teams held candid, in-depth and constructive consultations here from Sunday to Monday, reached preliminary consensus on some issues, and agreed to continue the consultation process, a senior Chinese official said here on Monday.

The topics discussed between the two sides included bilateral tariff levels under the new circumstances, the possible further extension of arrangements related to bilateral tariffs and relevant non-tariff measures, said Li Chenggang, China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice minister of commerce, at a briefing following the new round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks.

The U.S. side briefed the Chinese side on adjustment of its latest tariff measures and the related considerations for next steps, and the Chinese side expressed concern over the uncertainty arising from them, Li said, noting that both sides agreed to work together to maintain stability in bilateral economic and trade relations and discussed establishing a cooperation mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment.

Regarding the restrictive measures introduced by the U.S. side on China's trade and investment, particularly the two recent Section 301 investigations involving China, Li said that China made serious representations and expressed serious concern during the consultations.

Li said China opposes such unilateral investigations and is concerned that the possible outcomes could disrupt and undermine the hard-won stability of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

Li said China will closely monitor the progress of the probes and take corresponding measures at an appropriate time to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

Li added that China expects the United States to honor its commitments and work with China in the same direction to promote the steady and sustained development of bilateral economic and trade ties.

China and the United States also agreed that stable bilateral economic and trade relations are beneficial to both countries and the world, Li said. 
CONAKRY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Guinea will gradually reduce its military deployment along its borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone, the General Staff of the Armed Forces announced on Tuesday.

The decision was announced following a meeting on Monday in Conakry of Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, according to a statement issued by Guinea's Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces.

The leaders greed to resolve border disputes among the three countries through diplomatic channels and to strengthen inter-state cooperation to foster security and trust among neighboring peoples, bound by history, geography and culture, the statement said.

Cote d'Ivoire attended the meeting as an observer, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Niale Kaba. The four countries form the Mano River Union, a West African intergovernmental organization.

The General Staff called on Guineans to remain vigilant and to support peace and dialogue initiatives with the sister countries of the Mano River Union.

The phased drawdown of troops took effect on Tuesday, the statement added. 
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High near 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High near 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
This photo taken on March 15, 2026 shows destroyed buildings at a residential area in Tehran, Iran. (Xinhua/Shadati)

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said Israel "would never" use a nuclear weapon on Iran.

"Israel wouldn't do that. Israel would never do that," Trump told reporters at a press conference.

David Sacks, the so-called White House AI czar appointed by Trump, reportedly said on the podcast All-In last week that he was concerned about the possibility of Israel escalating the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran by using a nuclear weapon.

"Israel could get seriously destroyed," Sacks said on the podcast. "And then you have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon, which would truly be catastrophic."

Trump said Sacks had not shared that assessment with him. 
Devon County Council says its patience has been exhausted after stepping in to repair a collapsed retaining wall beneath Warfleet Road in Dartmouth, two years after the route was closed.

The road has been shut since February 2024 when the privately owned wall below road level gave way, leaving the carriageway unsafe.

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Although the structure is not owned by the council, repairs to the road itself could not begin until the wall was stabilised.

After the collapse, officials were told the landowners insurer would handle the repairs.

However, despite repeated requests, no detailed plans or timetable were provided.

The council was later informed quotes were being sought, before learning the insurance claim had been closed. Late last year, it was confirmed the insurer would not carry out the work.

With no progress made, the authority has now decided to intervene directly.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: Residents have waited far too long for progress on Warfleet Road.

We have been patient and followed due process, but our patience has now been exhausted.

While the works will require careful consideration of access to adjoining private land, we are committed to working with the local community to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

Our priority is to restore the road safely and pursue the recovery of taxpayers money.

Local councillor for Dartmouth and Marldon, Simon Rake, said the prolonged closure had taken a toll.

I know how frustrating this closure has been for residents and businesses, he said.

I welcome this action and will continue to work with the Council to see Warfleet Road reopened as soon as possible.
A lifelong Mr Men fan and the founder of a Bideford charity dedicated to helping young people was stunned to discover he was making a surprise appearance on The One Show.

Paul Bowser had no idea the local news event he was asked to attend to promote a new Mr Men book was actually a set up dedicated to him in the BBC One shows One Big Thank You feature, which focuses on those who have done outstanding work for their communities.

At the event in Wings Hall, Paul was asked to read the book, a new Little Miss Marple adventure called Bump in the Library, but was told he must read to the very end.

Above: Filming for The One Show at Wings Hall in Bideford  charity founder Paul Bowser thought it was for a local news segment but instead he was about to receive the One Big Thank You. Credit: Wings South West

As Little Miss Marple summed up, she said: There is someone who creates a place to belong, someone who builds opportunities, someone who never gives up and behind every second chance at Wings SW is Paul Bowser.

A surprised Paul was then told by presenter Kevin Duala he was actually on The One Show and receiving its One Big Thank You for all the work he had put into Wings during the past 25 years.

Mr Men author Adam Hargreaves, son of the series creator Roger Hargreaves, had also created a special Mr Bowser Mr Man character and Paul was presented with the framed drawing, signed by the author.

Paul told the Gazette he wasnt entirely sure to begin with what the event was about. He said: I was not quite sure what was happening but I started to read the book and had to read right through to the end  then the interviewer came in and sprang the surprise.

If I am honest, I dont like being the centre of attention at all, its a bit strange talking about myself. It was a lovely honour to do it and it comes over quite well, especially for Wings and 25 years for all the work we have done.

My hope is it will boost Wings in some way when people see it.

Above: Wings founder Paul Bowser looks at the original drawing of his own Mr Bowser Mr Men character created and signed for him by author Adam Hargreaves. Credit: Wings South West

Wings South West marked its 25th anniversary in October and is holding a series of anniversary events to celebrate.

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At the big surprise on Thursday, as seen by those who watched the show, a series of video tributes were played from people who had been helped by the charity over the past quarter century.

Wings offers a wide range of services in Bideford and the surrounding areas for people who are marginalised but in particular young people.

What started as an idea for a cyber cafe to give young people in the town somewhere to go has grown into a youth club, Wings College to help those aged 16-plus struggling with further education, the Unity group for people with disabilities, fitness sessions, Trax  offering motor mechanics training and even a Ukrainian Hub for those displaced by the war.

Andy Best, Wings operations manager, was responsible for springing the surprise on Paul and he said: Being our 25th anniversary, we wanted to do something that marked what Paul and his wife Anne have done for the charity over those 25 years.

I think he was very surprised and did not know quite what to make of it, but he was very pleased to see people that had been impacted by the various groups Wings had run during that time.

In many cases, not just individuals but whole families have been transformed.

For us its been a real privilege to be part of something that has been running for this time and the generous nature of Paul and Anne and all that they have done has been an inspiration to us as staff.

You can watch The One Show episode featuring Paul on iPlayer by CLICKING HERE

To find out more about the work of Wings South West, visit https://wingscharity.com

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BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Jiang Chaoliang, previously a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, has been indicted on charges of accepting bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate announced on Tuesday.

Jiang, also a former vice chairperson of the NPC Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, is accused of taking advantage of a series of his previous positions, mainly in the country's financial system, to benefit others while accepting extremely large amounts of money and gifts in return.

Jiang's case has been filed by the municipal people's procuratorate of Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu Province to the city's intermediate people's court, as assigned by the top procuratorate.

In October 2025, an official statement announced that Jiang had been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office, as a result of an earlier investigation into his suspected violations of Party discipline and the law. 
The Devon & Cornwall Police dog section is leading the pack after an impressive first, second and third place at the Regional Police Dog Trials 2026.

The three-day event at Cleveland hosted by Avon & Somerset Police saw strong competition from officers and their canine sidekicks from across Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Avon & Somerset and South Wales forces.

They were tested across a series of demanding scenarios designed to mirror real operational policing.

It was a commanding performance from Devon-based teams, with PC John Warren and PD Albert from Plymouth taking first place with 835 points. They also won the overall winners trophy, obedience trophy, criminal work trophy, phase 3 overall trophy and top new team at regional trials.

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South Molton PC Noah Tilley and PD Gus secured second with 807 points, also taking home the tracking trophy and phase 1 overall trophy.

Above: South Molton based PC Noah Tilley and PD Gus are through to the national trials after taking second place in the regional event. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

PC Luke Barnard and PD Sid from Ashburton finished third with 804 points, also receiving recognition for the strongest bite during the criminal work phase.

All three have qualified for the National Police Dog Trials, which required a minimum 700 points and these will take place in West Yorkshire from May 14 to 16.

Above: PC John Warren and PD Albert from Plymouth won the regional trials, taking first place as well as the overall cup and other trophies. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

Below: PC Luke Barnard and PD Sid from Ashburton took third place at the regional trials and also qualify for the nationals. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

Across three challenging phases, handlers and their dogs demonstrated the standards required of licensed police dogs, including tracking and property searches, building and open-land searches for suspects, emergency recalls and controlled criminal work scenarios such as pursuits, stand-offs and simulated attacks.

READ NEXT: Former North Devon BGT contestant is back in the spotlight at Crufts

Sergeant Victoria Ritchie from Devon & Cornwall Police Dog Section said: I am incredibly proud of all the handlers and their dogs. The dedication, commitment and professionalism they demonstrate day in, day out is reflected in these results.

Competing at regional level can be challenging, working under pressure, in front of judges and peers, in scenarios that dont always go exactly to plan. Each of our handlers showed resilience, skill and an excellent partnership with their dogs throughout the three days.

All three teams delivered outstanding performances across the trials, securing first, second and third place. This is a remarkable achievement and a real testament to the high standards our dog section maintains, both on the trials field and in live operational policing.
LUSAKA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday called for proactive measures to cushion the country's fuel sector against the impact of escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking during an urgent meeting with members of the National Oil Marketing Association at State House in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, Hichilema said the conflict, triggered by military attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, poses growing uncertainty to the country's energy security.

"This challenge is not small. We do not know how long this war will last, so we need immediate solutions as well as longer-term strategies," he said.

The meeting brought together the government and companies involved in the supply of petroleum products amid mounting uncertainty in the global fuel market.

Hichilema said the tensions come at a time when the government is seeking to consolidate economic gains made over the past four years, making it necessary for all stakeholders to work together.

He said the government was ready to work with industry players to reduce the negative effects of the crisis on the country's fuel security.

The president also expressed concern over reports that some oil marketing companies were hoarding fuel and creating artificial shortages in anticipation of possible increases in pump prices.

He warned that such practices amounted to sabotage and questioned why some filling stations were running dry despite sufficient fuel stocks being held in storage facilities.

Meanwhile, Pinchi Simukwai, vice president of the National Oil Marketing Association, said that companies are committed to maintaining stable fuel supplies and working with the government to keep the economy running smoothly.

He said the evolving conflict in the Middle East continued to put pressure on global markets, with rising freight and insurance costs pushing up operational expenses. 
Last month, 22 students from Sisters traveled north to Bellevue, Washington, to take part in Wintergrass, a four-day festival celebrating roots music traditions. Representing the local youth program Outlaw Strings, the students, ranging from sixth grade through high school juniors, immersed themselves in a whirlwind of workshops, jam sessions, and performances alongside some of the most respected musicians in traditional music.

Photo provided

This year's festival theme, "Rad Trad," emphasized the living, evolving nature of traditional folk and bluegrass music, and the students from Sisters leaned fully into the experience.

Outlaw Strings participated in three educational programs during the festival, Jamz 2, Jamz 3, and the Youth Orchestra, each designed to give young musicians the opportunity to learn new tunes, techniques, and collaborative skills from master musicians. The lessons and musical ideas gathered during the festival will continue to inspire the group long after their return home.

The learning didn't stop in the classroom sessions. Wintergrass transforms an entire hotel into a living, breathing music festival. Every corner becomes a stage: ballrooms, hallways, stairwells, and hotel rooms fill with impromptu jam sessions and musical collaborations that stretch late into the night.

For first-time attendees, the experience can be almost overwhelming in the best possible way. The sounds of fiddles, banjos, guitars, and voices drift through every space, creating an atmosphere where music is constantly unfolding.

The Sisters students quickly found themselves saying "yes" to every opportunity that came their way.

On the first day of the festival, the group was invited to sit in on a private recording session. The following day, some of the veteran players were asked to perform in the artist and patron lounge at the top of the hotel. Later, the Oregon Bluegrass Association welcomed the students to join a jam session in their hospitality suite, sending them home with gift bags filled with shirts, hats, stickers, and tuners.

The generosity of the bluegrass community left a strong impression on the young musicians.

Still, the most unforgettable moment of the trip came Saturday night.

Outlaw Strings had been invited to participate in the festival's most anticipated performance: "Vasen and Friends," held in the Grand Ballroom at 10 p.m. Vasen, one of the most celebrated bands in traditional Scandinavian folk music, was hosting a special set featuring legendary guest musicians.

Each guest group was invited to perform a tune with the band, and months earlier Outlaw Strings had been asked to join them on stage.

The students began practicing Vasen's tune "Dragonship" back in November in preparation for the moment.

That afternoon, they met the musicians for rehearsal in one of the hotel's executive suites. During the practice session they learned that acclaimed musicians Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger, who had just performed before them in the show lineup, planned to remain on stage and play alongside the students as well.

When the Grand Ballroom filled that evening, Outlaw Strings took the stage as the fourth act in the set.

What followed was a performance the group and their chaperones won't soon forget.

Six of the fiddlers on stage had only started playing with the program in September. Yet surrounded by seasoned musicians and an audience packed with festivalgoers, the students rose to the moment and delivered what many in the group described as their best performance yet.

For those accompanying the group, the festival offered something equally inspiring: watching a diverse group of students, from middle school beginners to experienced high school players, come together through their shared love of traditional music.

Outlaw Strings director Melissa Stolasz founded the program. Her enthusiasm for folk traditions and her encouragement of collaboration create an environment where students not only develop musical skills, but also discover a deep sense of community.

The excitement she brings to every rehearsal and performance is contagious. For the students of Outlaw Strings, Wintergrass 2026 was a rare opportunity to stand with the musicians who inspire them.
Spring break kicks off this Saturday, March 21, at the High Desert Museum with special programs, new exhibitions, and summer hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The popular indoor flight demonstration, "Sky Hunters" returns to the E. L. Wiegand Pavilion in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. Visitors experience powerful predators close up as raptors fly just overhead, showcasing the birds' agility and grace while learning about their lives in the wild. The program is daily from Saturday, March 21  Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and is first come, first served. Tickets are $7 and available at Admissions on the day of. Museum members receive a 20 percent discount.

Photo by Abbott Schindler

"Sky Hunters" is made possible by Fly Redmond with support from the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy daily talks about High Desert flora and fauna, free with admission. These include the Nature Walk at 10:30 a.m., "Otter Encounter" at 12:30 p.m. and "Mammal Encounter" at 3 p.m.

Spring break visitors will also be able to experience the Museum's temporary exhibitions. The new, original exhibition "Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration" in the Spirit of the West Gallery invites visitors to discover the science, spectacle, and significance behind the giants that live among us. For many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.

Blending history and geology with interactive storytelling and hands-on exploration, visitors will encounter lava rocks, a volcanic hazard map, and hear the rumble of a volcano. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/under-pressure.

Information on the High Desert Museum is available at highdesertmuseum.org/visit-bend-oregon.
The City of Sisters is working on many infrastructure, research, and administrative projects. The City has 20.5 full-time equivalent employees who run and maintain the City. City employees also complete projects on time and within budget as defined in the City Council goals.

The City Council schedules to meet 21 times annually. Another 10 or more Council meetings include executive sessions, special workshops, and joint meetings with local districts (fire, recreation, school, water). Additionally, the five Council members share responsibility to represent the City in 13 meetings with local, state, and federal agencies each month. Council members also engage with local groups to continuously improve public services within the City. The City Manager, the directors of departments, the Mayor, Council President, and Council members will frequently attend local events throughout the year to have conversations with the public.

The Council workshop and regular meeting of March 11 included many efforts in progress, including:

 City Manager Jordan Wheeler presented Council with the 2026-27 fiscal year (FY) council goals for final revisions. The Council goals will be reviewed to approve April 8 and will feed into the budget for the same FY which begins July 1. The Council has defined six goal categories, under which are a total of 18 strategies, having a total of 32 actions and 15 major projects. The Essential Infrastructure category includes 10 major projects.

 Wheeler shared the Citys Urban Renewal Agency (URA) goals. The URAs focus is downtown improvements. The URA goals are: to construct the Adams streetscape improvements, continue exploring public art and installations of art pedestals, create a plan to install way  finding signage, and explore property acquisition opportunities within the URA area for public facilities and amenities. Wheeler indicated that a city Public Art Advisory committee will be formed within the current FY.

 Citys Principal Planner Mathew Martin and NV5 consultant Jon Champlin summarized the preferred NW Park master plan. The Council has assessed what is feasible and reasonable for a park on a 2.7-acre parcel next to residential developments and adjacent to US 20, alternate US 20, and the Barclay Roundabout. NV5s planning process included reviews and input by the public, the Citys planning and park boards, Sisters Park and Recreation District, the Council, and local stakeholders. The final NW Park master plan is anticipated to be approved by Council April 8, after which the plan enables a funding search.

 Community Planning Director Scott Woodford shared that the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion application before the Deschutes County Planning Commissions could be approved by May. A month or so later, the applications to the City Council and Deschutes County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) are reviewed for adoption. Once adopted a 21-day appeal period begins.

 Woodford presented to Council examples of two other citys annexation policies. The cities current annexation policy is lacking some developer incentives and limitations which Council has been considering. Council voiced concern that the new annexation policy needs to be approved on or shortly after the UGB expansion applications are approved by the City Council and BOCC. Woodford noted that annexations will follow the Area Planning phase of the UGB expansion process. It can take six months to complete area planning  the mapping of land use designations (location of parks, a school, residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) including streets and walkways.

 City Manager Wheeler requested approval to file a notice to terminate the solid waste franchise agreement with Republic Services (RS). The County, Bend, and Redmond gave notices starting with Redmond in 2023. Per the current agreement, as of a notification to terminate, the service would continue for six years. During those years, the City will participate in a regionally coordinated effort led by the County to improve the overall waste removal service with an alternative provider for better service agreements throughout the County. The City expects no lessening to the quality of waste removal services by RS. Councilor Michael Preedin welcomes constituents to inform the City or Council should new or increased RS problems occur.

For the full discussion, watch the City Council meeting video at, http://www.ci.sisters.or.us, in the Agenda & Meetings tab under Recent Meetings.
Most of the year, the coastal city of Newport, Oregon, is home to 11,000 residents. In peak tourist season, the number of people staying overnight can rise as high as 40,000.

The same drastic swing in population is true in cities up and down the Oregon coast, while small cities in the states wine country and mountains see similar influxes of tourists. Cities and counties that welcome large numbers of tourists benefit from higher spending at local businesses and from state and local transient lodging taxes, charged when people stay overnight at hotels, short-term rentals, and campsites.

But for more than two decades, state law has required most of the proceeds of those taxes go toward attracting more tourists. Tourism-heavy cities for years have argued for more flexibility, reasoning that visitors are more likely to return to cities with pothole-free streets, clean and well-lit parks and enough police, fire, and emergency medical personnel to respond quickly to incidents.

My communities are drowning, Sen. Suzanne Weber, R-Tillamook, said on the Senate floor Thursday. Weve had consistent reductions of revenue and simultaneous massive increases to demands on services.

The tourism industry maintains that any reduction to tourism spending will hobble the industry and ultimately cost communities. Those arguments succeeded last year in blocking legislators efforts to change a 2003 law requiring 70 percent of transient lodging taxes proceeds go toward tourism.

But the Oregon Legislature landed on the side of local governments this year, passing House Bill 4148 to reduce the share of transient lodging tax that must be used for tourism promotion or tourism-related facilities from 70 percent to 50 percent and let cities and counties use up to half the proceeds for services, beginning next January. The Senate voted 23-6 to pass the bill on Thursday, after it passed the House on a 40-12 vote last week.

Weber, who cant run for reelection this year because she ran afoul of a voter-approved constitutional amendment blocking lawmakers with 10 or more unexcused absences from seeking another term, represents a city of 5,000 that for many is synonymous with cheese and ice cream. The Tillamook Creamery welcomes an average of 1.3 million visitors each year  on par with the Space Needle in Seattle, Northern Californias Redwood National and State Parks, and Floridas Kennedy Space Center.

What doesnt increase with the population is the budget of our first responders, our police departments, our fire departments, our road departments, Weber said. All operate on the same number of dollars they get, whether we have 100 tourists or one million tourists.

In letters submitted as legislative testimony, other cities and counties across Oregon described their pride in hosting events that draw visitors, as well as the toll those tourists take on local services.

Albany, for instance, spends approximately $10,000 in overtime for police and emergency services during its River Rhythms summer concert series. Central Point, home to the Jackson County Expo, saw supplemental staffing costs exceed $5,000 during the 2024 Jackson County Fair and $9,000 during that years Fourth of July parade.

And Seaside has a roughly $11 million surplus in its lodging tax revenues that must be dedicated to tourism, while struggling to maintain community infrastructure, Mayor Steve Wright wrote.

Today, the question is no longer how to bring visitors to Oregon, Wright wrote. The question is how to sustain the communities that make those visits possible.

The bill also would allow for some of the proceeds earmarked for tourism to go to resiliency grants for small businesses in the restaurant and lodging industries. Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, proposed and later withdrew an alternative version that would keep a 50-50 split between tourism and local services but eliminate resiliency grants.

Anderson, who voted for the measure, said he supported the split but wanted local governments to know that legislators will be closely watching how they use money meant for tourism.

Unfortunately, we have a history in Oregon of swiping revenue streams for uses other than originally intended, he said.

Sen. Todd Nash, R-Enterprise, said greater flexibility in how to use transient lodging tax would have been helpful in his prior role as a Wallowa County commissioner. The northeastern Oregon county has about 7,400 residents and an outsized role in search and rescue because of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa Lake State Park, and Eagle Cap Wilderness.

We were taxed pretty heavily with a county the size of the state of Connecticut and a sheriffs department that was funded by the 7,400 people only, Nash said.

Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis, was the only Democrat to join Republican Sens. Fred Girod of Silverton, Cedric Hayden of Fall Creek, Diane Linthicum of Beatty, Mike McLane of Powell Butte, and Art Robinson of Cave Junction in voting against the measure.

She said she heard significant opposition from the tourism community in her district and mixed support from local governments. Corvallis instituted its nine percent lodging tax before the 2003 law, so the city already dedicates 70 percent of its lodging tax revenue to general city services and 30 percent to tourism.

I wish that this could have been narrowed to those coastal areas, Gelser Blouin said.

Republished courtesy https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
The Wall Street Journal (subscription only) ran an article Sunday morning, March 15, about an automotive parts plant in South Carolina bringing humanoid robots to the factory floor. In the story, Agility, builder of the robots, and the WSJ emphasized that there would be no job losses.

The WSJ reported that, according to a researcher at consulting firm McKinsey, fewer than 200 humanoids are working in the worlds factories today, up to five million could be in place by 2040. That could increase productivity and shift humans into new roles without slashing the manufacturing workforce (emphasis mine).

An included video clip presented a spokesman for Agility who said: Well need humans to do the high value, high execution type tasks and the humanoids to do repetitive, mundane tasks

Im a fan of clever engineering, but I had a couple of thoughts: First, before Agilitys grasshopper-legged robots were moving crates of heavy parts, humans were doing those repetitive, mundane tasks. It might be a stretch to think each of those humans is capable of moving up into a supervisory or quality control position. Those entry-level jobs have had an important role in the past.

Second, according to the story, the cost of the robot will work out to $10 to $25 per hour, though Damion Shelton, Agilitys co-founder, has said it could eventually fall to $2 or $3 an hour.

No human can work for $3 per hour, so its safe to assume those jobs will evaporate from the labor market and as a contribution to the economy.

Maybe thats okay. Economists have long pointed out the lump of labor fallacy: the incorrect belief that there is a fixed, limited amount of work to be done in an economy. It wrongly assumes that if one person works more or if technology advances, another person must work less or lose their job. In reality, the economy is dynamic, and demand for labor grows through innovation, according to a quick Google search.

Im a fan of economics, so lets accept that, for now: Automation is good because demand for labor grows through innovation. Got it.

But, as we unfortunately learned through globalization, there are winners and losers. Economists also knew that comparative advantage would lead to increased standards of living overall, albeit with some creative destruction. That resulted in cheaper underwear, tables, and carpets for consumers.

But to the forgotten textile and furniture workers whose livelihoods and cultures were creatively destroyed, it seems like a raw deal.

Theres another, little discussed issue: Tax law. Im not sophisticated in accounting, but my limited exposure leads me to believe that capital expenditure (price paid for a robot) is taxed differently (depreciated) than labor (cost of operations). So, just dropping the cost of entry-level labor from $30/hr (wages, benefits, and taxes) to $3 per hour (amortized purchase, electricity, and maintenance) doesnt tell the whole story.

I dont know the impact of that. It may be trivial, it may not.

I understand that automation is inevitable. Any photo of a modern car factory shows that. Robots and AI are inevitable. Hooked to capitalism, the most efficient means of allocating resources, they will transform the human working experience, and they will transform economies.

Hopefully the coming revolution will be positive. Hopefully, the repetitive, mundane work, the difficult and dangerous work, will be automated and humans will get promotions to more technical, high-paid employment with a better future.

But we need to have hard discussions about values now, before these technologies become so deeply rooted that human beings are reduced to cogs that no longer fit into any machine.

Eric Dolson publishes at https://erikdolson.substack.com.
Progressive echo chamber

To the Editor:

The Nugget took one more step down the path of becoming an exclusive progressive echo chamber with Steve Woodside penning his departure from contributing to the Letters to the Editor section. I for one do not rejoice in his departure, because his conservative voice provided a balancing tension in the community discussion. Balanced tension between opposing points of view, while not always comfortable, helps readers become informed and forge their own opinions. Silencing one side only makes that task more difficult.

His letter published in the March 11, 2026, issue of The Nugget reviews his AI research into the political makeup of voices published over the last two years. The query for conservative voices returned six (inclusive of Mr. Woodward), while the same query for progressive voices yielded 18 which did not include the progressive voices of Susan Cobb and T. Lee Brown. One could opine, that 20 to six is not a very balanced conversation!

So, once again, the conservative voice is quieted, and the progressive voice is elevated. Victory for the progressive echo chamber? I think not. In this context, it is hard to consider the Letters to the Editor section truly representative of our collective community voice. If I were Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief of The Nugget, I would invite Steve Woodside to consider becoming a regular contributing correspondent. That would truly start the process of establishing a degree of balance and equal representation of voices.

David Pruett

Editors reply:

No side or individual is being silenced, nor is any side or voice being elevated. Mr. Woodside is welcome to continue to contribute opinions, and so is Mr. Pruett or any other voice, be they conservative, progressive, or somewhere in between. The only limitation is that only one letter or column will be accepted per month so that no one voice is dominant in the conversation.

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Letter policy

To the Editor:

I get it. The downside for me, an occasional contributor, is deciding to which single issue I will respond to each month. In most cases, such as this week, its a fairly obvious choice. Ive been out of town for a week or so. A reader recently laments the editors choice of which letters to publish. I see his point. But Jims willingness to publish some absurd or offensive letters is something we should all value. The content itself of such diatribes is of little value but reminding us that people hold such bizarre views (assuming that they are not just pulling his chain) is a factor worthy of our consideration. They walk among us!

So, the next time someone rudely cuts us off in traffic, steals our parking spot, or jumps the line in the store or airport it is well that we keep this in mind in formulating our response.

Ross Flavel

Letter from the Superintendent

To the Editor,

At the most recent Sisters School District Board meeting, several updates highlighted the strength and forward momentum of our schools. The Board approved the annual Local Service Plan developed collaboratively with the High Desert Education Service District. This plan allows smaller districts like Sisters to access specialized services and expertise that would otherwise be difficult to provide independently. Through this partnership, students benefit from expanded support in areas such as special education services, school improvement initiatives, and technology resources.

The district also received the results of its annual financial audit. The report confirmed a clean audit, with no findings related to state minimum standards, federal program audits, or state grant programs. These results reflect the careful work of district staff and the continued commitment to responsible stewardship of community resources.

Updates were also shared regarding enrollment trends and new opportunities designed to attract and support families in Sisters. Programs such as IGNITE will help expand learning pathways for students, offering innovative options that help prepare them for the future while strengthening the appeal of Sisters schools.

Looking ahead, the district continues thoughtful planning around long-term use of district properties and facilities. Conversations with community partners and the City are exploring possibilities that could benefit both students and the broader community.

Like many school districts across Oregon, Sisters faces financial pressures related to enrollment shifts and rising costs. District leaders are actively preparing for upcoming budget committee discussions with a focus on prioritizing resources, improving efficiency, and ensuring the greatest possible impact for students.

The support of this community continues to be one of the districts greatest strengths. The commitment of families, staff, and community partners helps ensure that Sisters schools remain places where students can learn, grow, and thrive.

Community members interested in staying connected with district updates are encouraged to sign up for the district newsletter at https://district.ssd6.org/.

Curt Scholl

Superintendent

Support for Dudley

To the Editor:

Sisters residents should take a hard look at supporting Chris Dudley for governor.

Over the past several years, our state has fallen to or near the bottom nationally in several critical areas  education outcomes, access to timely health care, homelessness, and the overall affordability of living here in this place we love. These trends did not happen overnight, but they have accelerated under Kotek. The result is a state that too often feels like it is moving in the wrong direction.

Many of us who have lived here for decades remember when Oregon was widely admired for its quality of life, strong communities, and responsible governance. Today, we are leaving the next generation of Oregonians with mounting problems and fewer opportunities. That should concern everyone who cares about the future of this state.

Dudley represents an opportunity to change course. He brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach and understands that our priority must be fixing problems here at home. Too much of Oregons political conversation is focused on national politics and reacting to figures like Trump. Whether people support Trump or oppose him, that debate does nothing to fix Oregons schools, clean up our streets, or help families afford to live here.

We need leadership that focuses on Oregon  improving education, addressing homelessness with real accountability, strengthening public safety, and restoring an environment where businesses and families can thrive.

In short, lets focus on fixing our own neighborhood. Oregon needs less political theater about D.C., and more attention to the problems right in front of us.

If we want our children and grandchildren to inherit a state that offers the same opportunities many of us enjoyed for the past 50-PLUS years, its time to choose a different direction.

Dave Swisher

Strait of Hormuz

To the Editor:

Think about this for a minute: There is a strip of water about 21 miles wide at its tightest length and it supplies about 20 percent of the worlds oil supply  the Strait of Hormuz! Currently, Donald Trump is on social media asking China to send warships to help us open it. Since February 28, when Donald announced the start of this war on Truth Social, what concerns me is the lies being told to us and what is true on the ground. Donald says we have destroyed 100 percent of Irans military capability and we see the Strait is still closed. Oil is up 25 percent.

On February 26, the U.S. negotiators, Jared Kushner, Donalds son-in-law, who is no longer in the government, who received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia just before Donald left office the first time, and Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer and long time friend of Donald, and Iran were mediating in Geneva with Oman. The talks stopped, but they did not end  still hope for an agreement. But 48 hours later, the U.S. and Israel struck Iran with 900 bombs in the first hours alone. The supreme leader was killed and Donald announced it on Truth Social.

A president usually has a process before bombing a country. You would need to discuss the situation with your national security team, your allies, then you go to Congress to discuss the process, the plan, get approval and you inform the American people.

In America we are a democracy not a dictatorship.

Well, now Iran fought back with missiles and drones against Israel and U.S. bases. The Strait of Hormuz has shut down and Donald again goes on his trusty Truth Social and asks Britain, France, China, Japan, and South Korea to send their ships to help solve this problem. Donald obviously had no plan going into this war and it shows.

This war is helping Russia due to the oil crisis since Russias wealth is tied to oil and he is one happy camper thanks to his buddy Trump. This is who we have in the White House now, a man who is a felon, a fraud, a traitor, and a big, fat liar.

We all need to be out on March 28 to march in the No Kings Protest!

Diane L. Hodgson
HANOI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday outlined the key outcomes of the 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shared the outcomes in an interview with Chinese media after attending the meeting and the first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security in Hanoi.

Both sides agreed to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, continuously improve governance capabilities, and jointly explore paths of strengthening the party and developing the country, Wang said.

He added that both sides agreed to enrich security coordination, deepen collaboration in areas such as cybersecurity, combating online gambling and telecommunications fraud, and fugitive repatriation and asset recovery, and strengthen cooperation between the two militaries in political work, joint exercises and training, and border and coastal defense.

Wang also noted that both sides agreed to expand pragmatic cooperation, strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, cross-border economic cooperation zones, and smart ports, and promote cooperation in emerging fields such as technological innovation, digital economy, and artificial intelligence.

He said that both sides agreed to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, strengthen cooperation in areas such as culture and tourism, education and training, and healthcare, and accelerate the implementation of Chinese aid projects for improving people's livelihoods in Vietnam, making these projects tangible and accessible to the people of both countries.

He added that both sides agreed to properly manage differences, make good use of maritime negotiation mechanisms, promote maritime cooperation in low-sensitivity fields, and push for substantive progress in the demarcation of the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf and joint maritime development as early as possible, so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Both sides agreed to enhance multilateral coordination, uphold genuine multilateralism, practice open regionalism, promote common values of all mankind, and push the global governance system towards a more just and equitable direction, according to Wang. 
The Grand Canyon I Never Got to See I thought Id always have the chance to see the rare beauty of the secluded North Rim. But after a devastating wildfire, I returned to a park forever changed.

March 16, 2026 At the end of a long dead-end road in a remote part of Northern Arizona, a structure anchored to the edge of a precipice has long been considered among the finest accommodations of its kind in America, the Notre Dame of the National Park Service. For those who knew and loved the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, it sometimes felt like a place that was almost too beautiful. Within that single site, so many visual delights were piled one atop another: the walls, hewed from the limestone that forms the canyon rim, enabling the structure to dovetail so perfectly with its setting; the tiny log cabins, many with their own front porches, clustered around the building, where everyone stayed; the Adirondack chairs lining the verandas where you could sit with a drink and watch the sunset. Visitors in the 1930s gaze out the middle window of the Sun Room of the Grand Canyon Lodge, overlooking the abyss. National Park Service But nothing quite matched the magic of the Sun Room, a large, open chamber featuring leather couches, wrought-iron chandeliers hanging from exposed ponderosa beams and three enormous picture windows. The middle window faced south, while those on either side were canted at an angle to form a crescent-shaped vault, much like the apse of a Byzantine church. Anyone standing in front of the windows was able to gaze into the abyss below while simultaneously taking in everything within the arc of the horizon. Listen to this article, read by Eric Jason Martin

The view south from the lodge, after the fire.

Just beyond the tips of your toes, the precipices and terraces on the walls of the canyon plunged in a series of immense stair steps  down and down again for nearly 6,000 vertical feet. Out of those depths rose a line of peaks that formed a sunken range of mountains running the length of the canyons interior. Beyond those summits, a second staircase of cliffs and ledges ascended the far side of the canyon, where a plateau stretched south for almost 100 miles to the base of another range of mountains, capped with snow for five months each year, that soared to almost 13,000 feet. The windows did more than simply frame a view; they projected the viewer into it, as if there were nothing between you and the thing itself. The only way to experience the canyon more directly would have been to strap on a wingsuit and fling yourself off the veranda to fly with the ravens. The North Rim is utterly cut off from the more famous South Rim on the opposite side of the canyon, where most of the roughly five million tourists who visit the park each year congregate. Although the gap between those two rims is less than 10 miles, the only way to travel between them by road involves a 212-mile drive, the final stretch of which is closed from December to May because winter storms can bury the Kaibab Plateau  the dome-shaped uplift on which the lodge sat  beneath eight feet of snow. The plateau is the loftiest section of Grand Canyon National Park, its rooftop and canopy. In June, when the surface temperatures of the rock deep inside the abyss can claw toward 170 degrees  hot enough to kill a rattlesnake caught in the open in a few minutes  the Kaibab offers a cool reprieve. The forests shelter grouse and wild turkeys as well as a multitude of mule deer, and the meadows are dotted with ponds in the spring and wildflowers during the summer. At the height of autumn, the leaves of the aspen trees drop to the ground like gold coins and the timber resounds with the song of the hermit thrush, the sweetest bird in the west.

An outcropping of limestone on a burned slope below the lodge. The charred remains of a hundred-foot-tall ponderosa pine. Sitting by the remnants of the lodge, overlooking Oza Butte, a geologic formation capped by cream-colored limestone.

Over the past two decades, Ive devoted years of my life as a river guide and a backpacker to exploring and writing about some of the deepest reaches of the canyon. But during that time, Ive shortchanged the wonders of the North Rim country, primarily because its almost a four-hour drive from my home in Flagstaff. Then last June, I decided to mark the arrival of the longest day of the year by loading my camping gear into our Jeep and heading north. The plan was to follow the roads along the perimeter of the Kaibab to a series of legendary overlooks that Id heard about for years but had never bothered to visit, vantages offering glimpses into the canyon whose names  Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Point Sublime  conveyed a sense of their grandeur. Before reaching even the first of those destinations, however, I found myself pulled away from my itinerary and taking what I thought would be a brief detour to investigate a lesser-known highlight: a grove of aspens surrounding a steel watchtower where the writer Edward Abbey spent four summers in the 1960s and 70s working as a fire lookout. Before I knew it, I had squandered the entire afternoon amid the green radiance of those trees, which Abbey had christened the Crooked Wood. By the time I emerged, the day was almost over. So keen was I to get to my campsite before dark that I didnt bother driving the short distance to the lodge so that I could stand before the three windows to watch the sun dip below the horizon. Skipping that view may seem like an inexcusable oversight. But thats not how I perceived it at the time. The glory of the canyon, I reminded myself  and part of its many joys  resides in the faith you can place in a landscape so firmly affixed to our national heritage, as immutable as Plymouth Rock, the Statue of Liberty or Mount Rushmore. There was no need to feel badly about leaving, because I could come back whenever I wanted. The North Rim would always be there.

Charred aspen trees, which can typically withstand lower-intensity fires.

Twelve days after my return home, a bolt of lightning ignited a small fire in a patch of forest somewhere near the southern end of the plateau. Because the weather forecast suggested the winds would be light and because the midsummer rainstorms that sweep across this part of the Southwest would typically be arriving soon, park officials elected to put in containment lines and allow the blaze, named the Dragon Bravo fire, to burn in a confined manner in the hope of eliminating some of the Kaibabs excess fuel: tens of thousands of acres of deadwood littering the forest floor. For about a week, the fire smoldered at low intensity, doing its work on a patch of roughly 120 acres. Then on the afternoon of July 11, 2025, as the winds strengthened while abruptly shifting direction, the flames breached their containment lines and moved toward the strip of land supporting the infrastructure for virtually all of the parks visitors and workers. As it turned out, a second blaze had already started about 35 miles to the north. The two fires prompted evacuation orders for the guests at the cabins and the campground, as well as all of the concession employees, while leaving behind a small crew of rangers and other Park Service personnel. As buses loaded with evacuees pulled onto the road, members of the skeleton crew started gathering their belongings and hosing down buildings. But by nightfall, they were being pelted with burning embers flying through the air in all directions as the flames leaped across the canopy of towering ponderosas. The roar of the fire was punctuated by a series of explosions as propane tanks and vehicles detonated, one after the next. By the morning of July 14, the fire had reportedly expanded to 5,700 acres. It would consume more than 100 structures, including guest cabins, employees homes, administrative buildings and the water-treatment facility. As July bled into August, the footprint of the fire widened with each passing day  28,000 to 55,000 to 105,000 acres  while its containment progressively shrank from 26 percent to 13 percent to 4 percent. Wildland firefighters were pouring in from all over the country, meanwhile, to battle what would soon become the largest megafire in the United States that year. During this time, those of us whose lives are entwined with the canyon  hiking guides and river guides, geologists and naturalists, historians and writers  communicated incessantly with one another. We debated the wisdom of the Park Services decision not to suppress the blaze from the outset while reminding ourselves that wildfire has been a natural part of this landscape for millenniums. We traded the names of people we knew on the North Rim who had lost their jobs, their homes, their businesses. And with a growing sense of despair as we monitored the burn maps on apps providing real-time updates on the progress of the fire, we cataloged the relentlessly expanding roster of cherished features as they were consumed: the Transept Trail (gone); Marble Viewpoint (reduced to ashes); the Uncle Jim Trail (obliterated), Tritle Peak (torched); and the North Rims matchless focal point, the Grand Canyon Lodge (surrounded by flames).

Its a stinging revelation to find yourself confronted with proof of just how ephemeral our most precious landscapes can be.

The losses mounted, and still the fire raged. Then one evening during the second week in August, I decided to head up to the South Rim to peer across the canyon and see the monster with my own eyes. After driving through the entrance gate, I pulled into a lot adjacent to one of the hotels and settled onto a bench at the edge of the abyss. A fat pillar of smoke was climbing into the sky above the North Rim and billowing out to form a twisting, seething mass of pyrocumulus clouds (also known as fire clouds) that reached 24,000 feet, creating its own weather. Beneath that display of hot gases, a glowing fringe of orange on the rim indicated that the edges of the fire were pushing out far to the east and west. The smoke kept rising and the clouds continued to throb with sickly yellow-and-black whorls until just after sunset, when the boiling mass of vapor suddenly turned pink and scarlet, like a poisonous flower opening its petals. The spectacle lasted only a few minutes until twilight arrived, smothering everything in an elixir of violet. All along the far side of the canyon, a cluster of dots began to wink on, like fireflies cavorting in a field. The dots flickered and subsided, only to reappear again in greater numbers and with growing intensity. Ten dots became 20. Twenty became 50. Eventually, as darkness descended, hundreds of shimmering dots coalesced to form a pulsating galaxy of light. At first, I had no idea how to interpret this. But as successive constellations of dots continued to flare and expand, I realized that the fire was doing something almost no one  certainly not I  had ever imagined. It wasnt simply incinerating the Kaibab Plateau. It was also raging inside the canyon. With a sickening sensation, I understood that with each flash, I was watching yet another 100-foot-tall ponderosa or 400-year-old fir  trees whose seeds had miraculously attached themselves to the steep slopes and the narrow terraces far beneath the rim  explode into a tower of flame from base to crown. Darkness was laying bare what the light of day had concealed. It felt as if I were witnessing the annihilation of an entire ecosystem. That impression was reinforced several weeks later following the announcement, in late September, that the Dragon had finally been contained. The toll of the inferno included the total number of acres consumed by the blaze (almost 150,000), the number of firefighters it took to stop it (more than 1,300), the money expended on that effort (at least $135 million) and the number of animals, birds and trees that had perished (incalculable). Yet somehow, none of those figures quite managed to convey a true sense of what had been lost. At least for me, a full appraisal would have to await the arrival of the bleakest and most revealing season of all.

A trail on the slopes below the lodge, whose asphalt surface melted in the fire. A knot on the burned trunk of a tree. Taking in the wreckage.

Although the North Rim country can seem appealingly remote during the summer, in winter it is one of the loneliest places in the entire Southwest. The ponds are frozen, the meadows and forests are encased in snow and the only people permitted to drive beyond the locked gates are a handful of park employees. Even the animals seem to have abandoned the place: The songbirds have flown south, the mule deer have migrated down into the warmer reaches of the canyon and the mountain lions have followed them. Aside from the wind, which can be incessant, the only things moving are the ravens and the squirrels. In late December, when this part of the park is firmly closed to the public, word arrived that a photographer and I would be given permission to return to the Kaibab and enter some of the most intense burn zones. In the company of a few park officials, we would be among the first journalists to walk the ground inside this area and take in the destruction. We began our trip on the first Sunday in January, and about 20 miles before reaching the parks gateway, we spotted signs of the fires impact. Along the edge of a meadow on the side of the highway, the trunks of most of the ponderosas were black and their needles had turned a scalded shade of orange, as if they had all been flash-fried in the same instant. Some of these trees, however, were scarred only on one side, and the needles on their upper branches were still green. This demonstrated the effectiveness of several adaptive features  deep roots, high crowns, protective layers of extremely thick bark  that can enable ponderosas to resist the low-intensity wildfires, often triggered by lightning, that have been part of this landscape for thousands of years. Experts refer to this as good fire, because the benefits it imparts  clearing underbrush, renewing the soil with nutrients, providing browse for animals  are essential for the health of the ecosystem. Like any society, forests are subject to periods of heated convulsion that strip away the detritus of the past while laying the groundwork for the future. The problem is that after a century of aggressive fire suppression on the part of the government agencies that mange Americas public domain, these landscapes are now primed for high-intensity fires against which the trees have no defense. At the moment, the question uppermost in our minds was which type of burn had prevailed on the Kaibab. And part of the answer, we suspected, might be found along the path leading toward a structure that had once played an important role in helping to quash wildfires on the North Rim: the 75-foot-tall watchtower looming over the Crooked Wood where Abbey spent his days with a radio and a set of binoculars, scanning the treetops for signs of smoke. Aspens have a reputation for being especially fire-resistant because of the amount of water in their tissues, which can exceed 100 percent of the weight of their dry sapwood. A fire thats hot enough to fully incinerate a stretch of ponderosa can often find it difficult to kill the aspens  which is why wildland firefighters are sometimes ordered to run for the aspens if things get out of control. When the heat becomes too intense, however, this defense can fail as the water in the trunk turns to steam and expands, causing the bark to peel back and blister. Twenty yards up the trail, with snow crunching under our feet and our breath condensing in the frigid air, we found ourselves surrounded by aspens whose bark had blistered so violently it looked as if the trees had exploded. Six months earlier, this road had been a verdant corridor. Now every trunk was a charred simulacrum of a living tree, acre upon acre of carbonized masts and broken spars. Maybe this is just a bad patch, I thought to myself. Perhaps it will get better up ahead. Although I suspected this might be a delusion, I kept repeating it for another 30 minutes until I looked up through the stricken branches and spotted the cab of the fire tower. The structure had been wrapped with a fire-retardant aluminum shield by the Park Service, and had survived, along with the trees surrounding its perimeter. But when we climbed the stairs to the highest landing, the full picture revealed itself.

The fire tower where Edward Abbey once worked, in what remains of the Crooked Wood.

In every direction the aspens were dead. So too were the ponderosas and the firs that poked like blackened sentinels above the naked canopy. On a few of the ridgelines in the far distance, there were isolated patches of trees that might have survived. But the rest of it was what foresters call the standing dead, ghost trees which in the years to come would slowly collapse and fall to the ground. The Crooked Wood was gone, leaving a hollow ache in my chest regarding all the other treasures of the North Rim that I failed to visit before the fire. Apparently, the pain of remembering a paradise lost can sometimes be surpassed by the even greater pain of never having taken the trouble to create memories of it in the first place. Its a stinging revelation to find yourself confronted with proof of just how ephemeral our most precious landscapes can be. We spent the next three days roaming the Kaibab from dawn to dusk, sometimes using chain saws to cut through dead trees that had fallen across the road, until darkness forced us to return to our camp. As we hiked and drove and hiked some more, we often encountered something quite different from the burn pattern that we had noted in the Crooked Wood, where all the vegetation seemed to have been wiped out. Instead, we were greeted by patchworks in which trees that had perished and trees that had been only partially burned commingled with those that appeared completely untouched. This motif, known to experts as mosaic burning, repeated itself almost everywhere we went, including at several of the famous observation points along the rim that provide sweeping views into the abyss. Some, like Point Imperial, which offers vistas extending almost 100 miles to the north, had been all but surrounded by fire, which had obliterated many of the ponderosas that imbued these vantages with a sense of framing, scale and color. Other overlooks, like Cape Royal, a narrow finger that thrusts out into the central part of the canyon and boasts a 270-degree view, were as intact and stunning as ever. And yet another story was inscribed along the cliffs and slopes below a number of those viewpoints, where the wind had sent burning embers rocketing into the canyon, igniting extensive pockets of agave, yucca and various species of cactus. In some areas, the rock itself bore signs of incineration: elongated streaks where colonies of lichen that flourish on the exposed sandstone were cremated. But even within these areas, there were signs that all was not lost. At irregular intervals amid the blackened earth at these warmer elevations, bright green leaves were sprouting from the scorched stumps of the silktassel bushes. When spring arrives and the snow melts on the rim, a park employee told me, its entirely possible that there may be similar signs of regrowth as new aspen shoots emerge in the Crooked Wood. In the process of exploring these drainages, we sank to our calves with each step as the loose soil gave way, releasing the odor of the fire  hints of charred wood and wet ash blended with notes of cauterized resin  from the dirt beneath our feet. It bore the traces of something very old and something very new, so that the scents of yesterday and tomorrow clung to our hair and our clothing and traveled with us when it was time to return to the main road and make our way toward the lodge.

Clearing roads of fallen trees. A piece of metal, seared and discolored by the fire. Sandstone cliffs and burned slopes directly below the rim.

Back on the morning of July 12, when news began to circulate that the lodge had burned, one of the first things that many people thought of was the Sun Room with its trio of windows facing the canyon. Had those magnificent portholes survived? Within days, an aerial photograph surfaced on social media and revealed that although the roof and the interior were now a smoking ruin, the skeleton of the building appeared to be more or less intact. The walls stood tall, a number of singed ceiling trusses remained  and most important of all, the frames of the three windows still loomed over the abyss. That was the image to which I was clinging as we drove to the end of the road, which led to a muddy area that had once hosted the visitors center, the gift shop, the coffee shop and saloon and scores of log cabins. Just beyond this mess, a chain-link fence encircled the site of the lodge. As an employee opened the fence gate, he explained that the heat from the fire had compromised the integrity of the stone and mortar, forcing park officials to order most of the remaining walls to be razed to the ground in late autumn. Virtually nothing was left of the structure, including almost all traces of the Sun Room, whose floor had partially collapsed and fallen away to leave a gaping hole where tourists had once stood in front of the three windows. On the far side of that hole, however, the lodges south-facing exterior wall was still intact up to where the bottoms of the windows had nested inside their frames. The top of that wall now formed a kind of parapet whose surface was covered with thousands of jagged pieces of glass. In that moment, more than anything else, I wanted to do what I should have done during my previous visit; the thing Id ignorantly assured myself wasnt necessary, because I was convinced the place itself would always be here. I wanted to know what it felt like to stand in front of the central window and peer into the canyon. So I made my way to the edge of the parapet, clambered on top of it, then got down on my hands and knees and started crawling. Shards of glass cut into my palms and shins, while the wind hurled sharp granules of ice into my face, harbingers of a storm that was already approaching from the west. I kept plodding until I finally arrived at the middle of the central window frame. Then I stood up, balancing carefully, to see what the canyon had to show me.

Fedarko crawling along the parapet upon which the windows of the Sun Room rested. The thick shards of glass of the three windows.

An armada of steely clouds with coal-black hulls was scudding between the rims, while a wash of pale pigments played across the canyon walls in a way that was entirely unfamiliar to me. These colors were nothing like the dazzling flares of summer or the luminous pastels of late autumn. Instead, this was a symphony of pure winter light  creamy lavenders, spectral grays and muted yellows: all the named and unnamed shades of ruination and mourning. Amid the gaps between the clouds, I caught glimpses of Deva, Brahma and Zoroaster, summits that dominate the center of the canyon in front of the lodge. But what seized my attention was something far more subtle taking place directly at my feet. Just as the sun prepared to sink beyond the escarpments, its rays struck every piece of the fractured glass resting on top of the window frames, alighting all of them at once, as if they were shot with electricity. The windows may have been shattered, but their allure was still potent and gleaming, as if all of the light and splendor that had been poured into them over the years was now being released and permitted to return to where it belonged. One of the most memorable sights I had ever beheld was unfolding before my eyes right now  after the fire. These days, many people who love the North Rim speak of it as a lost world, a kingdom whose enchantments have gone up in smoke and whose luster will never be the same. There may well be some truth to this, especially if you are measuring the fires destruction on the scale of a single human lifetime. But in addition to being a catastrophe, what unfolded here is also an antecedent to a renaissance. A story not only of what has been lost, but of what eventually will find a way to flourish and endure. Now this is a place that does more than simply dazzle and entertain. It is a realm whose beauty, like that of the windows of the Sun Room, has been refracted through brokenness, then sharpened by yearning and loss into something miraculous.

When the world burns, something wondrous often emerges from the ashes.

And so the magic of the North Rim blazes as brightly as ever  a truth underscored by a commitment among park officials not only to reopen the gates and begin welcoming visitors back as early as May but also to restore the lodge to its former grandeur. That process could take years. But when it is complete, visitors may, with a bit of luck, once again take in the canyons majesty through those exquisite windows. As the pageantry of light played across the smashed glass, I reached down and picked up a single shard. It was almost an inch thick, with the weight and heft of a large gemstone. Sitting in the palm of my hand, it crystallized everything the lodge once was, while offering up a reminder  lets call it a promise  that when the world burns, something wondrous often emerges from the ashes, annealed by flames and polished by the passage of time.
Thwaites Glacier East Antarctic West Antarctic Thwaites Glacier East Antarctica West Antarctica Thwaites Glacier East Antarctica West Antarctica

How a Melting Glacier Could Affect Tens of Millions Around the Globe A collapse of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica would sharply accelerate sea-level rise in coastal cities.

Scientists spent the first weeks of the year on an expedition to Antarctica to study Thwaites Glacier, which is melting at an alarming rate. If it breaks apart entirely, it could push up global sea levels by two feet over the course of several decades, affecting tens of millions worldwide, according to a New York Times analysis.

The maps below show some of the coastal cities at risk and populated, low-lying areas that could be threatened if the glacier were to collapse today.

Areas below high tide Population density 10 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level people per 100 sq. meters Population density Areas below high tide 10 people per 100 sq. meters 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level Population density Areas below high tide 10 people per 100 sq. meters 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level

Bangkok 7 million people Bangkok Gulf of Thailand Shanghai 4.7 million Shanghai East China Sea Shanghai East China Sea Shanghai East China Sea Shanghai East China Sea Kolkata, India 1.7 million Kolkata Hooghly River Tokyo 1.3 million Takasaki Saitama Saitama Tokyo Chiba Tokyo Bay Yokohama Sagami Bay 10 miles Saitama Tokyo Chiba Tokyo Bay Yokohama Sagami Bay 10 miles Saitama Tokyo Chiba Tokyo Bay Yokohama Sagami Bay 10 miles Tokyo Tokyo Bay Lagos, Nigeria 530,000 Lagos Gulf of Guinea New Orleans 120,000 Lake Pontchartrain New Orleans Note: Areas below high tide may be protected by seawalls, levees or other coastal defenses. Sources: Climate Central; Worldpop; Jerry Mitrovica, Harvard University.

These are just the minimum effects that Thwaitess disintegration would be likely to have on the worlds coastlines. As the glacier breaks apart, global warming will raise sea levels even higher by melting the ice from Greenland and causing oceans to expand in volume. And Thwaites acts as a plug, holding back many of the Antarctic glaciers on land around it. If it collapses, they could break apart and spill into the sea as well.

Eventually it would take out all of the West Antarctic, said Richard Alley, a professor of geosciences at Penn State.

Seaside cities all over the world are at risk, but the threat is especially acute in Asia, and includes some of the worlds fastest-growing urban areas, as the map below shows:

5 million Population within 2 feet of high tide in cities with over 300,000 residents 1 million 100,000 North America Europe Asia Africa South America Australia 5 million Population within 2 feet of high tide in cities with over 300,000 residents 1 million 100,000 North America Europe Asia Africa South America Australia 5 million Population within 2 feet of high tide in cities with over 300,000 residents 1 million 100,000 North America Europe Asia Africa South America Australia Population within 2 feet of high tide in cities with over 300,000 residents 5 million 1 million 100,000 Europe Asia Africa Australia North America South America 5 million Population within 2 feet of high tide in cities with over 300,000 residents 1 million 100,000 North America Europe Asia Africa South America Australia Source: New York Times analysis of data from Climate Central CoastalDEM 3.0, Worldpop and Jerry Mitrovica, Harvard University.

The costs of guarding against higher storm surges and more frequent flooding would be huge. One proposal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect parts of New York City would cost more than $52 billion, a price tag that would be out of reach for much of the world.

Well defend the highest-value places that are defensible, but there will be other places that we dont, said Benjamin Strauss, Chief Scientist at Climate Central, a nonprofit science organization that produced the elevation models used in this article.

In city after city, the Timess analysis found that heavily populated areas tend to be near the coasts, as opposed to higher, safer areas.

Shanghai, one of the major cities under threat, already has more than 600,000 residents living below sea level. If average sea levels rose two feet, an additional 4.7 million people would be affected.

Shanghais population at each elevation 4.7 million people within two feet of high tide 4 million people 2 -5 ft. +1 to 2 feet +5 +10 ft. BELOW ABOVE Sea level at high tide 4.7 million people within two feet of high tide 4 million people 2 -5 ft. +1 to 2 feet +5 +10 ft. BELOW ABOVE Sea level at high tide 4.7 million people within two feet of high tide 4 million people 2 -5 ft. +1 to 2 feet +5 +10 ft. BELOW ABOVE Sea level at high tide

Like many of the most vulnerable places, Shanghai is situated on a soft, marshy delta, a landscape naturally prone to sinking, although humans often speed up the process by building structures and draining the groundwater below. The city has also been adding and reinforcing seawalls, and replacing concrete with wetland parks to absorb stormwater.

Shanghai area

Areas below high tide Population density 10 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level people per 100 sq. meters Population density Areas below high tide 10 people per 100 sq. meters 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level Population density Areas below high tide 10 people per 100 sq. meters 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level

JIADINGZHEN Shanghai East China Sea HUINANZHEN SONGJIAN DISTRICT 10 miles JIADINGZHEN Shanghai HUINANZHEN SONGJIAN DISTRICT East China Sea 10 miles JIADINGZHEN Shanghai East China Sea HUINANZHEN SONGJIAN DISTRICT 10 miles Shanghai HUINANZHEN SONGJIAN DISTRICT East China Sea 10 miles Note: Coastal defenses not mapped.

For places like Shanghai, the cost of defending the city is relatively modest compared with its value, said Jochen Hinkel, director of the Global Climate Forum, an international research organization based in Germany. Theres so much capital concentrated on a small piece of land, he said.

But not all places have the resources to protect themselves. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is expected to swell to over 50 million people by 2050, and will rely extensively on borrowed money to prepare for the worst.

Dhakas population at each elevation 400,000 people within two feet of high tide 3 million people 2 1 +10 ft. +20 ft. +1 to 2 feet BELOW ABOVE Sea level at high tide 400,000 people within two feet of high tide 3 million 2 1 +1 to 2 feet +10 ft. BELOW ABOVE Sea level at high tide 400,000 people within two feet of high tide 3 million 2 1 +1 to 2 feet +10 ft. BELOW ABOVE Sea level at high tide

Areas below high tide Population density 10 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level people per 100 sq. meters Population density Areas below high tide 10 people per 100 sq. meters 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level Population density Areas below high tide 10 people per 100 sq. meters 100 200+ Already below With 2-foot rise in avg. sea level

Dhaka Faridpur Padma Cumilla River Chandpur 10 miles Dhaka Faridpur Padma River Cumilla Chandpur 10 miles Dhaka Faridpur Padma River 10 miles Dhaka Padma River Chandpur

Bangladesh, a low-lying delta nation, is experiencing more volatile monsoons and stronger cyclones as the planet warms. Villages have already been erased as the tides rise and rivers in the region change shape. Saltwater tides have ruined farmland, driving rural residents to the already-crowded capital.

The limits to adaptation

In the United States, a two-foot increase in sea levels wouldnt affect as many people as in parts of Asia, but the price of adaptation would be astronomical. And even in the wealthiest country in the world, flood defenses arent bulletproof.

When the network of pumps and levees failed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the catastrophe killed 1,400 people and displaced more than a million. Recovery in New Orleans has cost about $140 billion. Dozens of smaller communities along the Gulf Coast may not be so lucky.

New Orleans 120,000 people within 2 feet of high tide Levees Lake Pontchartrain New Orleans Stockton, Calif. 50,000 Levees Stockton San Joaquin Delta Areas protected by levees Miami metropolitan area 125,000 Levees Atlantic Ocean Levees Fort Lauderdale Miami Atlantic Ocean

Coastal cities elsewhere are bracing for higher sea levels. It would cost $13.6 billion to shield part of the San Francisco waterfront. Farther inland in California, it would take $2 billion to improve protections in Stockton. Across the country, a giant barrier at New York Citys harbor could cost $119 billion.

Yet people and buildings continue to accumulate in harms way. Miamis population and real estate values have exploded in recent years, despite the fact that the city is notoriously difficult to protect.

Clearer answers about if, and when, Thwaites could collapse may make all the difference in how well coastal areas are able to adapt. The value of the information is grotesquely higher than what weve invested in it, Dr. Alley said.

Under President Trump, the United States has abandoned research that could better forecast the effects of Antarcticas melting ice. It has also promoted the use and burning of fossil fuels, adding to the greenhouse gas emissions that are dangerously heating the planet. That could speed up the glaciers collapse.

The fallout from decisions made today may not be felt immediately, Dr. Strauss said, but this is what were signing up the future for.
Tim Schramm

Todays consumer food discovery journey is multilayered. What lands on the plate or in the cart is generated by multiple interwoven sources of inspiration. Research shows that Millennials and Gen Z audiences access a range of media sources along the way, moving quickly and fluidly between traditional media, creator content and social feeds, while increasingly using AI-powered search tools to decide what to buy, cook or share next. You can easily imagine someone bouncing back and forth between discovering a new product on TikTok, skimming a top snacks to buy now roundup in an online article and accessing a generative search tool that provides a direct answer to what are the best foods if I am trying to increase my protein intake instead of delivering the traditional list of links.

Lets take a closer look at how this shifting consumer behavior works together and its relevance to food marketers.

Earned media as structural credibility

Its no surprise to hear that the media landscape has changed. Publishers continue to shutter. Newsrooms are leaner, with reporters now required to cover several beats and file more stories than ever before and with fewer resources. Despite the harsh headlines, independent third-party coverage is actually enjoying a renaissance when it comes to credibility and importance for brand public relations. While earned media has always generated visibility, in todays AI-mediated discovery environment, it also creates something more enduring: a documented record of authority. AI platforms pull from existing online sources to generate answers, and the quality and credibility of those sources matter. Earned media has never been more important when it comes to discovery.

According to McKinsey & Company, 50 percent of consumers now intentionally seek out AI-powered search engines, and its expected to impact $750 billion in revenue in the United States alone by 2028. The same survey also found that people are using these new tools throughout the purchasing journey: 73 percent to learn about a category, 61 percent to compare products and 60 percent to summarize product reviews. Because AI-generated responses draw on the broader online ecosystem, credible earned media coverage can shape how brands are summarized and described. The mechanics of discovery may be evolving, but the importance of third-party validation is not.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Mar. '26 Food & Beverage PR Magazine



Influencer relations is a yes, and

While earned media carries structural credibility, deciding between earned media and influencer relations is the wrong framing for marketers. Its not an either/or, its a yes, and. Surveys show that 70 percent of Gen Z consumers turn to TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for food discovery. Content creators influence how consumers shop, cook and eat by translating brand attributes into lived experiences. Demonstrating how a product fits into daily routines or lifestyles creates relatability that traditional media alone cant replicate.

Creators also help shape food trends. Their ability to identify and interpret emerging behaviors makes them valuable cultural connectors for brands seeking relevance. But influence doesnt move in a straight line. Journalists regularly report on trends that originate on social media, while creators amplify stories that first surfaced in traditional media. Digital conversations feed headlines, and headlines fuel digital conversations. The combined effect creates something more impactful and durable than either could achieve alone.

This doesnt diminish the importance of owned, social and paid strategies. Each discipline plays a role in inspiring, educating and encouraging consideration. For communicators, the mandate is clear: message integration is the secret sauce to success.

Reputation building before its tested

Food brands operate in a high-trust category. Product recalls, sourcing concerns, misinformation and cultural flashpoints associated with your brand can escalate quickly. When an issue arises, a consumers opinion of a brand doesnt start from zero; it begins from wherever the brands reputational equity currently stands. Brands with a consistent foundation of credible coverage established over time are more likely to be represented with context and balance, especially in AI-generated summaries that surface during high-interest moments. Ongoing storytelling achieved through various earned media initiativesincluding product news, engaging campaigns and executive visibilitybuilds a reservoir of trust brands can draw from when challenges arise and scrutiny intensifies. Brands without that foundation risk being defined by isolated incidents, incomplete information or the loudest voices in the room.

While building the right foundation is critical, preparation is essential. Various surveys have shown that less than half of companies are prepared for a crisis. Clearly written crisis playbooks, defined information gathering and approval processes and thorough scenario planning contribute to timely, accurate responses that reflect a companys core values.

But preparedness alone isnt protection. In the midst of a crisis, an effective response requires discipline, thorough fact-gathering, visible empathy and clear accountability. Move quickly, but not at the expense of accuracy. Replace defensiveness with transparency. Avoid silence that invites speculation. Listen carefully to what consumers, media and other stakeholders are saying. Demonstrate accountability through both words and actions. What a brand says matters, but what it does matters more. Consumers frequently judge brands less by the issue itself and more by how they respond.

Unifying your narrative

Consumers encounter and curate a brand narrative shaped by their social feeds, earned media and AI-generated search. Public relations resides at the center of that narrative, connecting the channels that shape perception. Earned media establishes authority, influencers extend cultural relevance and AI tools synthesize what already exists.

As brand discovery continues to evolve, the communications hierarchy is recalibrating and converging. The brands best positioned for that convergence have consistently invested in credible, disciplined storytelling that travels seamlessly across earned, owned, paid and social channels.

For food brands competing in a crowded marketplace, perception is formed long before the first bite. Its shaped through consistent exposure, reinforced by cross-channel alignment and strengthened by trusted third-party voices. The mechanics of discovery will continue to shift. New platforms will emerge. Technologies will evolve. But one principle endures: Brands that align authority, relevance and trust across the broader media and search ecosystem will control their narrative, influence the conversation, inspire trial and ultimately stand apart from their competitors.

***

Tim Schramm is Executive VP at Coyne PR.
Joe Kent

Kudos to Joe Kent for resigning his position as director of National Counterterrorism Center and doing it with such PR flair via a post on X to maximize the publicity value. His post blindsided the White HOuse and was read by 70M people in the first day.

Though the resignation comes too late18 days after the invasion beganKent cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran since it posed no imminent threat to our nation.

Kent is certainly no dove. Hes a former Green Beret who served 11 combat missions and lost his wife Shannon, a Navy cryptologic technician, in a bombing in Syria.

He cannot support risking the lives of the next generation of warriors to die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

Where Kent goes wrong is blaming Israel and its powerful American lobby for banging the drums of war and nudging Trump into combat.

He claims high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that duped the American president.

Thats bunk. Israel is the junior partner in its relationship with the US.

Trump went to war because he envisioned a quick knockout blow similar to the operation in Venezuela. He also needed a major distraction from the Epstein Files.

Trump could have told Israel prime minister Bibi Netanyahu to bug off. Iran is Trumps war of choice, not Bibis.

Kents salvos at Israel distract from his priority point that Iran did not pose a threat to the US. His letter of resignation is diminished by cheap shots at Israel and its echo chamber.

Kent writes that Trump can still do the right thing. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos.

Its time to declare victory in Iran, a move that would piss off Netanyahu who is eager to wipe the Islamic Republic off the face of the map.

Pope Leo urged journalists not to turn their war coverage into a video game and to avoid becoming a megaphone for power.

During his March 16 talk to Italian TV reporters, Leo said information must guard against the risk of turning into propaganda.

He said the medias job is to show the suffering that war always brings to populations, to show the face of war, and to tell it through the eyes of the victims so that it does not turn into a video game.

The Chicago-born pope echoed the March 11 message of Windy City archbishop Blase Cupich. He took issue with the White House video that spliced scenes from action movies with footage from the carnage in Iran. The video is captioned: JUSTICE: THE AMERICAN WAY.

The National Constitution Center will award Pope Leo its Liberty Medal on July 3 during a ceremony at Independence Hall.

It honors his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, ideals enshrined by Americas founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Then Pope Leo will deliver his acceptance remarks virtually from the Vatican through a livestream.

It promises to be must-see TV, especially if the US is bogged down in Iran.

Searching for a mission Americas deadbeat European allies have said no thanks to Trumps plea to for ships to patrol the Strait of Hormuz.

This is not our war, we have not started it, said Germanys snooty defense minister Boris Pistorius on March 16. UK prime minister Keir Starmer is thinking about sending mine-sweeping drones.

How pathetic!

The US president needs to unveil Plan B. He should convene the second meeting of the Board of Peace and ask its members for the needed boats.

Its not as if the BOP has its plate full. Its $5B plan to reconstruct Gaza and inject a peace-keeping force into the Strip has gone nowhere.

Israel continues to pound Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that since October 11, the first full day of the so-called ceasefire, Israel has killed 673 Palestinians and wounded 1,799 of them.

Its time for BOP members to do their part to promote peace by preventing Iranian forces from firing drones at oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Its up to you Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Argentina, El Salvador, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco and the rest of you to step up.

Heed the call of BOPs leader and help bail him out of the mess that he has created in Iran.
USE ARROWS OR CLICK NEXT TO SEE MORE PICTURES

Welcoming the Bishop to Roscrea are David Lewis, Marcus Beck, Robert Wallace, Bishop Michael Burrows, Jordan Lewis, John Hastings and Stephen Fletcher. Photos: PJ Wright

Lent is a time when many people and parishes make a special effort in terms of charitable generosity and Bishop Michael Burrows, Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe, visited Roscrea recently and once again encouraged his people by his own example - but, with a twist.

From mid-February to mid-March his plan was to visit his parishes from Kerry to Castlebar and on February 28th it was Roscreas turn to welcome the Bishop and his wife Claire for a wonderful visit.

The twist came because his plan included an idea to help parishes extend their charitable generosity. Every parish was to stage an exhibition of vintage farm vehicles.

Roscrea went further tractors in the church grounds and vintage household items inside the building.

This was hugely successful due to the efforts of Jordan Lewis and Heather Evans. Thanks also goes to those who contributed items for the exhibition.

READ NEXT: Daffodil Day volunteers are needed in Roscrea

The chosen charities this year were Embrace Farm and Bishops Appeal Gaza Project, and the undesignated funds of Bishops Appeal, used to support projects that are not so prominent in the headlines.

Bishop Michael concluded his visit at the organ and led everyone in a rendition of his chosen hymn for the occasion - For the Beauty of the Earth.
Around 600 jobs are being axed at Close Brothers as the banking group ramps up cost cutting after posting further losses in the face of a mounting compensation bill for the motor finance scandal.

The firm said the cuts  nearly a quarter of its 2,600-strong workforce  would be made over the next 18 months across its teams in the UK and Ireland.

It comes as part of efforts to slash costs by about 25 million in its current year to the end of September, up from a 20 million previous target, and by around another 60 million in the next financial year, which is a year earlier than planned.

The cuts will come from actions including moves to outsource and offshore work, cut back its office network and roll out the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at pace.

Chief executive Mike Morgan said: While the impact on affected colleagues is regrettable, these actions are necessary to structurally lower our cost base, while increasing our agility and ability to serve our customers.

Close Brothers revealed the jobs cull as it reported pre-tax operating losses of 65.5 million for the six months to March 31 after setting aside another 135 million for the car loans mis-selling saga.

But this marked an improvement on the 102.2 million in losses reported a year earlier.

The extra provision made last October saw it nearly double the amount of cash set aside for the car finance compensation scheme, adding to its existing 165 million provision.

This means it is expecting to face a bill of about 300 million to cover costs relating to the issue and comes after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published the details of its proposed compensation scheme for drivers who sold car loans with hidden or unfair commission payments.

The FCA will set out its final plans for the redress scheme by the end of this month, but has faced pushback from lenders including Close Brothers, Santander and Lloyds Banking Group over the regulators calculations for how much consumers lost out and should be compensated.

Close Brothers saw shares slump 14% on Monday after a short seller, Viceroy Research, claimed Close Brothers would have to at least double its 300 million provision for car finance.

Viceroy said Close Brothers had substantially misrepresented its exposure to the FCAs redress scheme.

Close Brothers said it strongly disagrees with the report in a statement after market close on Monday.

The firm has been trimming costs and boosting its capital strength ahead of the compensation bill, agreeing sales of its Winterflood arm and asset management businesses.
Hundreds of St Patrick's Day parades have taken place in cities, towns and villages across the country to celebrate Irish culture, heritage and identity. to celebrate Irish culture, heritage and identity.

The largest parade in Dublin, which was televised by RTE, featured 12 large floats with over 150 artists and 3,000 participants.

CLICK NEXT OR USE THE ARROWS FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE DUBLIN CITY PARADE

All eyes were on the Grand Marshal of the parade, with broadcaster, fashion icon and podcaster Vogue Williams taking the helm this year.

President Catherine Connolly attended the Dublin parade along with several celebrities and public figures.

While some parades took place around the country at the weekend, the first parade of St Patrick's Day kicked off at the stroke of midnight in County Leitrim.

READ ALSO | LATEST: Six dead as thousands are caught speeding during St Patrick's road safety operation

The main street of Kinlough was alive with people as they kicked off Irelands first St. Patricks Day parade of 2026.

Hundreds of people poured into the windswept village for what was also the first St. Patrick's Day parade in its history.

I'm delighted. It was a huge success. I'm very proud of the people of Kinlough for turning out in such numbers, and especially at such a late hour, said local councillor Justin Warnock.

The first parade of the year traditionally taken place in Dingle - before dawn - but this year, Kinlough took that crown.
People work before damaged buildings in Tehran, Iran, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati)

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday complained that U.S. allies are reluctant to answer his call to join a White House-proposed multinational mission to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

"We've protected them from horrible outside sources, and they weren't that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me," Trump said at a press conference.

Trump said some countries hosting large numbers of U.S. troops had declined to provide assistance when Washington asked whether they could contribute minesweeping vessels for a potential escort mission.

"I don't do a hard sell on them, because my attitude is, we don't need anybody," Trump argued. "But it's interesting: I'm almost doing it in some cases, not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react."

Trump especially said that he was "not happy with the UK" since British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to assist the United States at the initial stage of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

"I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because United Kingdom two weeks ago, I said, 'Why don't you send some ships over?' And he really didn't want to do it," Trump said, describing Britain as the U.S.' "oldest ally."

"I think it's terrible," Trump said, also questioning why Starmer refused to decide immediately to send British warships to join the escort mission.

"I said, 'You don't need to meet with your team, you're the prime minister, you can make your own, why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not you're going to send some minesweepers to help us or to send some boats?'" Trump said, referring to a Sunday call with Starmer.

Meanwhile, Trump claimed "numerous countries have told me they're on the way," though he failed to name any.

Multiple media reports said that so far, it appears that U.S. allies have either been noncommittal or have declined to participate.

"I've been a big critic of all of the protecting of countries because I know that we'll protect them. And if we ever needed help, they won't be there for us. I've just known that for a long period of time," he lamented.

Trump also said U.S. forces have sunk all of the Iranian mine-laying ships, but it remains unclear if Iran has started laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while noting that Iran now can put mines on other types of ships and drop them in the strait. 
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

Hey, the clip was "erroneously" posted at Donald Trump's Truth Social website, right? You know, the one I mean, the 62-second video clip (to the tune of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight") that featured Barack and Michelle Obama with ape heads, the one that the president felt there was simply no need to explain or in any way say he was sorry for. You know, the very one where, despite later deleting it from his account, he insisted, "No, I didn't make a mistake." Meanwhile, as NPR reported, "White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the clip, saying, 'Please stop the fake outrage.'"

Oh, right, it's certainly fake outrage -- but only, of course, if you happen to live in a distinctly White supremacist world. In that case, you'd certainly shrug off Michelle Obama's response that "it's his same old con, doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people's lives better."

How could the outrage not be fake when you're talking about the president who wants to toss every immigrant he can find, who is not from Denmark, Norway, or Sweden, out of the country -- oh, sorry, with the exception of White immigrants from South Africa? ("Why can't we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few? Let's have a few from Denmark" Send us some nice people.")

Of course, Donald Trump is not exactly alone in the history of American presidents. After all, 111 years ago, Woodrow Wilson screened a movie, The Birth of a Nation, that glorified the Ku Klux Klan in the East Room of the White House. And with all of that (and so much more) in mind, let TomDispatch regular Clarence Lusane take you into a world in which Donald Trump learned all too much about race from" yes, of course, Jeffrey Epstein. Tom

Donald Trump's Racism Mirrors Jeffrey Epstein's

The President with the "Right Genes"

By Clarence Lusane

Jeffrey Epstein was not only a rapist and a child predator, but also -- wait for it -- a White supremacist. While some speculate that the Epstein issue is just a distraction from President Trump's virulent and endless racism, others feel that the video the president posted at the beginning of Black History Month of Barack and Michelle Obama as apes was meant to divert attention from the growing Epstein fallout. Well, as it turns out, the two crises are not as far apart as you might imagine.

Bombshell articles in The Atlantic, Mother Jones, and at MS Now pulled the covers off Jeffrey Epstein's noxious racism. Reporters culling the most recently released Epstein files discovered numerous pieces of evidence in emails and other documents suggesting that he advocated the faux "science" of racial eugenics and held racist views not distinct from those promoted for decades by Donald Trump. Epstein built (or at least tried to build) ties and develop friendships with some of the most notorious eugenicists and White nationalists around the globe, including Nobel Prize laureate and geneticist James Watson, political scientist Charles Murray, and artificial intelligence researcher Joscha Bach, among many others. He also circulated posts from White supremacist websites that promoted bogus, supposedly genetically-based intellectual differences between the races.

Eugenics is the "race science" that was developed in the latter part of the nineteenth century to justify European slavery and colonialism. Proponents contended that humans were biologically and genetically separated into distinctly unequal "races." Everything from intelligence, criminality, and attractiveness to morality was, so the claim went, genetically determined. It should surprise no one that, in such an imagined hierarchy, Whites were at the top and, in most configurations, people of African descent at the very bottom with Asians and indigenous people somewhere in-between. Those four (or five or six) categories were considered immutable. And it mattered remarkably little that, for a long time, social and natural scientists had overwhelmingly argued with irrefutable evidence that racial categories were social constructs invented by humans and distinctly malleable over time as political and social life changed.

The real-world impact of racial eugenics theory long shaped public policy, political status, and life opportunities. In the United States, a belief in the genetic inferiority of Blacks helped foster slavery and then Jim Crow segregation, and led to tens of thousands of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and individuals with physical and mental disabilities, as well as prisoners being sterilized. By 1913, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had passed laws allowing enforced sterilization. President Theodore Roosevelt was a firm believer in such eugenics and supported sterilization in order to prevent what he termed "racial suicide," a perspective that echoes today's "Great Replacement Theory."

In Nazi Germany, eugenics led not only to the sterilization of Jews, Blacks, and the disabled, but to the state-organized mass murder of literally millions of people. It was a core tenet of Nazism that all non-Aryans were genetically inferior and a threat to the White race. The Nazis railed against Jews "poisoning the blood" of White Germans, a term Trump used in describing non-White immigrants from the global South.

Despite this history, Epstein came to deeply believe in eugenics and genetic determination, as has Donald Trump. To that end, Epstein sought to connect with the notable race theorists of his day.

Epstein on Race

Perhaps the most notorious book in the modern era advocating a racial basis for intelligence and a social hierarchy that places Whites on top and Blacks at the bottom was The Bell Curve by Charles Murray and the late Richard J. Herrnstein, published in 1994. Since then, in multiple books and articles, the research behind that book has been thoroughly debunked and overwhelmingly rejected by scholars in the social and natural sciences. Yet, at the time, many Republicans and some Democrats embraced its racist argument in order to contend that government welfare programs should be cut back. Murray aligned with Republicans in giving testimony to Congress in the 1990s that blamed the morality of poor people for their poverty (as a debate unfolded around the future of welfare programs).

According to the Epstein files, Epstein himself repeatedly tried to correspond with Murray. However, Murray claims he never received (or remembers receiving) any emails from Epstein and did not correspond with him. Regardless, it's pretty clear that Epstein was writing because of Murray's notoriety for his work on race and genetics. This was in 2018, more than a decade after The Bell Curve had been published and Murray had become famous for it.

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Tens of thousands of migratory birds have returned to a wetland in Hanggin Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia, painting a vivid picture of biodiversity on the awakening land in early spring. #birds #wetland #China #spring
ABU DHABI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Eight nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Palestine have been killed, and 157 residents of multiple nationalities have suffered minor to severe injuries in the UAE amid the recent escalating regional tensions, the UAE's Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Since the start of what the ministry described as Iranian attacks, the UAE's air defense systems have engaged a total of 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,672 drones, the ministry said.

It said the air defense systems intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 45 drones launched toward the country on Tuesday alone.

Earlier in the day, authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that one person was killed by shrapnel after a missile interception.

The ministry said that it remains fully prepared to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security. 
Team 888poker's Leo Jokura Takes Down the $100K Rakeless Mystery Bounty Main Event

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

Brazilian sensation Leo "KaizenStyle" Jokura gave the 888poker crew plenty to smile about on March 16 when he came out on top of the $100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event. The 888 Stream team member came out on top of a 941-strong field and turned his $109 investment into a $10,769 score.

Day 1 ended once Ukraine's "schwartzfeter" bowed out in ninth place. All the largest bounties had been won, including a $10,000 jackpot mystery bounty that went to "Baazinga." Their total haul weighed in at $11,435 despite busting in 14th place.

With only eight players remaining, Ukraine's "bu11ets4w1n" held the chip lead, their 63 big blind stack giving them a decent head start over their seven rivals. Jokura started Day 2 fifth in chips with 29 big blinds, while "silentfridge" was languishing in eighth place with a mere four big blinds at their disposal.

$100,000 Rakeless Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Bounties Chip Count Big Blinds 1 bu11ets4w1n Ukraine $402 3,748,972 63 2 Georgian23 United Kingdom $184 2,064,963 34 3 getflushed1 United Kingdom $630 1,864,314 31 4 marconi_fast Brazil $1,341 1,820,897 30 5 Leo "KaizenStyle" Jokura Brazil $1,047 1,750,698 29 6 DufourJ Canada $1,587 1,633,371 27 7 Lavoisier Brazil $1,007 1,010,493 17 8 silentfridge Brazil $92 221,292 4

It didn't take long for the first finalist to find themselves on the rail. "silentfridge" managed to double their uber-short stack, and it proved enough to ladder at least one place because "Lavoisier" busted in a battle of the blinds with "getflushed1." "Lavoisier" defended their big blind with four-trey of hearts and decided to raise all-in for 13 big blinds after "getflushed1" continued on a deuce-four-deuce flop. Unfortunately for "Lavoisier," their opponent held pocket jacks and quickly called. Another deuce on the turn left "Lavoisier" drawing dead.

"silentfridge" was the next to fall. "marconi_fast"min-raised from under the gun with pocket eights, "silentfridge" moved all-in for a shade under five big blinds with ace-jack, "DufourJ" cold-called in the big blind with ace-five, but then folded when "marconi_fast" stuck in a four-bet. A ten-high board was of no help to "silentfridge," and they were eliminated from the tournament.

The start-of-the-day chip leader, "bu11ets4w1n," endured a torrid time that resulted in them finishing in sixth place. They lost a chunk of their stack when they hit a set of nines on the river, but that river card improved Jokura's suited eight-seven to a hand-winning straight.

That hand seemed to rattle "bu11ets4w1n" judging by their exit hand shortly after. Jokura opened on the button with ace-queen, "bu11ets4w1n" three-bet with king-seven of diamonds in the small blind, only for Jokura to click it back. "bu11ets4w1n" jammed for almost 33 big blinds, and Jokura called.

Love Mystery Bounty Tournaments? Don't Miss Out on 888poker's KO Games Schedule here

According to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, Joura was a 600.8% favorite to win the hand and become the chip leader. Those odds improved to 77.27% on the four-three-six-four turn, and 100% when a nine completed the community cards.

The ball was now firmly in Jokura's court, his big stack allowing him to put even more pressure on his opponents. From the moment Jokura won that hand to him winning every chip in play, only 30 minutes passed.

"marconi_fast" became a Jokura victim when they open-shoved for a little under 10 big blinds from the small blind with queen-eight. Jokura called with ace-four, turned an ace, and sent their fellow Brazilian to the showers.

Fourth-place went to Canada's "DufourJ" after they felt Jokura's wrath. Jokura min-raised on the button with ace-king and instantly called the 14 big blind shove from "DufourJ," which they made with jack-ten of spades from the big blind. An ace and a king on the flop left "DufourJ" drawing thin, and they failed to catch any of their outs on the turn or river.

Now armed with more than 111 big blinds, a Jokura victory was all but guaranteed. Jokura edged closer to an impressive victory by sending "Georgian23" to the sidelines. "Georgian23" committed their last four big blinds from the button with ace-six, and Jokura isolated with the dominated king-six. A king on the flop put Jokura ahead but an ace on the turn looked set to double-up "Georgian23." However, the river put four spades in view, and Jokura held the six of spades  of course, he did  and the $100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty progressed to the heads-up stage.

Jokura began the heads-up clash with "getflushed1" holding an 87.8 to 53.3 big blind advantage. That disparity in stack sizes, coupled with Jokura playing well and running hot, meant there was only ever going to be one outcome.

The 888poker Stream Team star did get his hands on all the chips in play and the top prize before the first scheduled break. The final hand saw "getflushed1" min-raise on the button and then call a three-bet with queen-eight of hearts, which needed some help against Jokura's ace-jack. Jokura led on a deuce-king-deuce flop and was called. The turn was the jack of hearts, improving Jokura to top pair but giving "getflushed1" a flush draw. Jokura check-called a half-pot bet. The river was another deuce, gifting Jokura a full house, which he expertly checked. "getflushed1" took the bait and moved all-in. Jokura paused for a few moments before calling. Game over for "getflushed1" and a victory for Jokura in time for the upcoming KO Games.

$100,000 Rakeless Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 Leo "KaizenStyle" Jokura Brazil $2,210 $8,558 $10,769 2 getflushed1 United Kingdom $1,630 $6,360 $7,991 3 Georgian23 United Kingdom $184 $4,599 $4,784 4 DufourJ Canada $1,587 $3,127 $4,715 5 marconi_fast Brazil $1,402 $2,076 $3,479 6 bu11ets4w1n Ukraine $402 $1,508 $1,911 7 silentfridge Sweden $92 $1,051 $1,143 8 Lavoisier Brazil $1,007 $788 $1,795

There is no $100,000 Mystery Bounty this weekend; something bigger and better is waiting in the wings. The $160 buy-in Mystery Bounty Main Event of the KO Games takes center stage this week, a tournament with a cool $200,000 guaranteed. Day 1s are running throughout the week, with Day 2 scheduled for 9:30 p.m. GMT on March 23. Day 2 plays down to an eight-handed final table, with the eight finalists battling it out on the 888poker Twitch channel on March 24 at 7:00 p.m. GMT.

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The Lodge Card Club Raid: Warrant Details $1.35M in "Suspicious" Deposits

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

PokerNews has obtained the search and seizure warrant leading to the raid of The Lodge Poker Club in Texas, and its packed with financial transactions the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) deems to be suspicious.

The 22-page affidavit outlines the process the TABC took to investigate the largest poker room in the Lone Star State, beginning in June 2024. Accusations against The Lodge Card Club are as follows:

The affidavit has revealed the following five accounts that are alleged to be in violation of the laws of the State of Texas: Texas Penal Code 71.02(a) - ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

Texas Penal Code 34.02 - MONEY LAUNDERING

Texas Penal Code 47.03 - PROMOTION OF GAMBLING

Texas Penal Code 47.04 - KEEPING A GAMBLING PLACE

Texas Penal Code 47.06 - POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT OR PARAPHERNALIA

Large Deposits Lead to Money Laundering Suspicion?

Agent Douglas Bell with the TABC, upon receiving a "confidential report of some questionable financial activity" associated with The Lodge Card Club, which is co-owned by high-profile poker players Doug Polk, Andrew Neeme, and Brad Owen, among many other investors, began to investigate. That investigation process started with Bell discovering the TABC had granted the business a liquor license.

On June 13, Agent Bell started observing the Round Rock, Texas poker club from the exterior. He then, apparently based on that confidential info, began requesting bank records of The Lodge Card Club and its affiliated businesses. Bank records were received by the end of August 2024, and the TABC then analyzed the various transactions, many of which were presented in the affidavit.

Investigators noted that, during the first two months of 2025, approximately $1.35 million was deposited from The Lodge through the Loomis cash vault, located inside the club, into a bank account held by Tempus Holdings, Inc., a business associated with The Lodge Card Club.

"The above listed transactions are believed to be in support of, and constitute evidence of the illegal activity taking place at the Lodge Card Club," the search warrant reads.

Polk, Jake Abdalla, and Jason Levin, the three main stakeholders in The Lodge, are listed as signers on a sweeps business bank account, which is used to move money automatically into a higher-interest account. Approximately $808,000 worth of transfers from a Tempus Holdings account to the sweeps account were made between January 1 and February 28, 2025.

An excerpt from a warrant served on The Lodge Card Club

Investigators Play Poker on Lodge Visits

On April 17, 2025, the TABC began an undercover investigation into The Lodge, which included multiple trips with multiple agents playing poker. Agents were given $600 each to play some cards on the first trip. Agent Teague purchased $200 worth of chips, while Agent Alfaro bought in for $100, both playing a $1/$2 no-limit hold'em cash game.

Each undercover agent meticulously noted the chips purchased, the beverages ordered while playing, whether security guards were present, and how much they won or lost during each session. A second undercover operation took place on May 9, 2025.

Four additional undercover poker-playing operations took place, the last one on Jan. 30, 2026. During the final session, Agent Teague inquired with a manager about hosting a private poker game at The Lodge.

An excerpt from the warrant served on The Lodge Card Room

Attempt to Prove Illegal Gambling?

Gambling is illegal in the Lone Star State, but Texas Penal Code 47.04 lends for the possibility of legal poker so long as no rake is collected. That leaves the card rooms such as The Lodge and Texas Card House, the two largest poker brands in the state, forced to operate differently than traditional brick-and-mortar poker rooms found in most states.

Instead of taking rake, these rooms charge membership and seat fees. But The Lodge Card Club, along with money laundering suspicion, is also under investigation for illegal gambling. The undercover agents made note of the membership process required to play at The Lodge.

Agent Teague, upon leaving the club, informed other TABC agents that "he was never asked about providing proof of, or the need to purchase a membership while inside the club," the affidavit reads. However, it was also noted that other agents were informed they must purchase a membership when they entered a game.

Kerstetter, Petrangelo Among Lodge Co-Investors

Nick Petrangelo

The warrant also revealed details about Tempus Holding Inc.'s shareholders, which provide some insight into Polk's investor team that purchased The Lodge back in 2022. Polk, Abdalla, and Levin are listed as the combined majority shareholders, owning 63.3% of the company between them.

The other 18 named investors each hold stakes under 7%, including poker vloggers Owen and Neeme, who are most commonly associated with The Lodge's ownership in the past. The warrant also lists notable poker players and content creators such as Jamie Kerstetter, Nick Petrangelo, Ryan Fee, Jaman Burton, and Polk's long-time editor Thomas "SrslySirius" Keeling as co-investors in the card room.

Fee and Petrangelo also collaborated with Polk on the poker training site Upswing Poker, which was sold in August 2025 to online sweepstakes poker site ClubWPT Gold for an undisclosed amount. None of the minority shareholders mentioned appear to be a target in the TABC's investigation.

What's Next for The Lodge?

One week following the raid and charges still haven't been filed. It's unclear if that will change in the coming days. But another Texas poker room, The Lodge Card Club in Austin remains closed, and it's to be determined when or if it will reopen. The Lodge Card Club in San Antonio, however, is still in operation.

Polk released a statement on Monday. He said, "I did not participate in, and still have no knowledge of, any money laundering in the operation of the Lodge."

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HANOI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday that China and Vietnam reached a broad consensus at the first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in an interview with Chinese media after the ministerial meeting and the 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi.

The two sides held in-depth exchanges on developments and changes in the international landscape, safeguarding political security, and advancing defense and law enforcement cooperation, Wang said.

He added that both sides agreed that under the current international situation, the advantages of the socialist systems of China and Vietnam are becoming increasingly prominent.

Wang also noted that both sides agreed to coordinate and promote high-quality development and high-level security, support each other in deepening reform and opening up, and better benefit the people of both countries.

He said that both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation among key departments such as diplomacy, defense, and public security, promptly and properly handle differences, and eliminate potential risks.

Both sides agreed to enhance communication and cooperation on major decisions, promote the implementation of the global initiatives proposed by China, firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and jointly oppose hegemonism, power politics, and unilateralism, according to Wang. 
Charleston, SC (29403)

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Akbar Novruz



Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a telephone conversation with Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

According to AzerNEWS, the information was shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on its official account on the X (formerly Twitter) platform.

During the call, the ministers exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest.
Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, sow seeds at a newly ploughed field in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A villager, dressed in traditional attire, participates in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2026 shows villagers participating in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

An aerial drone photo taken on March 16, 2026 shows villagers participating in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, sow seeds at a newly ploughed field in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers present hadas to tractor drivers and women who sow seeds, in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A villager, dressed in traditional attire, sows seeds at a newly ploughed field in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participate in a ceremony marking the start of spring farming in Gaiba Village of Shannan City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 16, 2026. Ceremonies marking the start of spring farming were held across Xizang on Monday. The ceremony holds great significance as it marks the beginning of a new year's farming season and serves as a prayer for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. It is considered an important ritual in the farming regions of Xizang. Over 200 villagers, dressed in traditional attires, participated in the ceremony held in Gaiba Village of Shannan. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)
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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilMarch 23, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between November 19, 2024 and August 4, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of BellRing and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-brbr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byMarch 23, 2026 .About the LawsuitBellRing and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On May 6, 2025, the Company disclosed that "several key retailers lowered their weeks of supply on hand, which is expected to be a mid-single-digit headwind to our third quarter growth," and that "[w]e now expect Q3 sales growth of low single digits." On this news, the price of BellRing's shares fell $14.88 per share, or 19%, from $78.43 per share on May 5, 2025, to close at $63.55 per share on May 6, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.Then, on August 4, 2025, post-market, the Company reported its fiscal 3Q 2025 financial results, disclosing a disappointing new 2025 sales outlook, stating "BellRing management has narrowed its fiscal year 2025 outlook for net sales to [a] range between $2.28-$2.32 billion," due to "several other competitors" gaining space to sell their products with a large retailer and that "it is not surprising to see new protein RTDs enter[ed]" the convenient nutrition market. On this news, the price of BellRing's shares fell $17.46 per share, or nearly 33%, from $53.64 per share on August 4, 2025, to $36.18 per share on August 5, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Denha v. BellRing Brands, Inc., No. 26-cv-00575.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., notifies investors in Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. ("Kyndryl" or the "Company") (NYSE:KD) of a class action securities lawsuit.CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of investors of Kyndryl who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between August 7, 2024 and February 9, 2026. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:Kyndryl investors should contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850, or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-kd/ to learn more.CASE DETAILS: On February 9, 2026, the Company disclosed that it would be unable to timely file its Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 and that "the Company anticipates reporting material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting for the period covered in the Quarterly Report, as well as for the full fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, and the first two fiscal quarters of fiscal year 2026, which are expected to include, but may not be limited to, the effectiveness and strength of certain functions at the Company, including with respect to controls related to information and communication and tone at the top," as well as the departure of its C.F.O and General Counsel. On this news, the price of Kyndryl's shares fell $12.90 per share, or 55%, to close at $10.59 on February 9, 2026.The case is Brander v. Kyndryl Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 26-cv-00782.WHAT TO DO? If you invested in Kyndryl and suffered a loss during the relevant time frame, you have until April 13, 2026 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff; however, your ability to share in any recovery does not require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation ("NuScale" or the "Company") (NYSE:SMR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether NuScale and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until April 20, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired NuScale securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On November 6, 2025 NuScale revealed that its 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 Energy LLC ("ENTRA1") in connection with an agreement to develop power plants to provide the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") with up to six gigawatts of new nuclear power generation. As a result, NuScale's quarterly net loss skyrocketed to $532 million, up from $46 million in the prior year period. During a corresponding conference call, analysts pressed NuScale management regarding whether ENTRA1 was sufficiently experienced to own and operate the energy generation facilities contemplated by the TVA agreement. NuScale's Chief Executive Officer further revealed during the call that the agreement between ENTRA1 and the TVA contemplated as many as 72 NPMs, meaning NuScale's milestone payments to ENTRA1 could potentially exceed more than $3 billion.On this news, NuScale's stock price fell $7.57 per share, or 19.97%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $30.34 per share on November 7, 2025.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
JERUSALEM, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday that it had killed two Palestinians overnight near the village of Sinjil, north of Ramallah in the West Bank.

The Israeli army said its snipers identified three Palestinians who were throwing stones at Israeli vehicles on a main road and opened fire, killing two of them.

Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported that a 17-year-old Palestinian minor, identified as Salim Sami Salim Fuqaha, was killed in the incident by Israeli gunfire. It added that another Palestinian was moderately injured.

The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is home to more than 500,000 Israeli settlers and about 3.4 million Palestinians. Clashes between settlers and Palestinians periodically escalate into violence. 
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 /WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers Class A common stock of Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) between June 27, 2023 and the close of the market on February 28, 2024 (4:00 p.m. ET), inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 27, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Snowflake Class A common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Snowflake class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22950 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 27, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants repeatedly made positive statements about the state of its business, including positive statements about customer usage of, and new developments for, its products. At the same time, defendants failed to disclose that: (1) product efficiency gains, Iceberg Tables and tiered storage pricing were expected to have a material negative impact on consumption and revenues, and (2) as a result, defendants' positive statements about consumption patterns, revenues, and demand for Snowflake products lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Snowflake class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22950 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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Stimulus Broadband Celebrates Bonanza Fiber Internet Groundbreaking, Launching BDP-Funded Build to Expand Reliable Connectivity in Rural Klamath CountyKLAMATH FALLS, OR / ACCESS Newswire / March 16, 2026 / Stimulus Broadband today marked a major milestone for Bonanza, Oregon, with a community groundbreaking outside Bonanza Town Hall to kick off construction of a new fiber internet network funded through Oregon's Broadband Deployment Program (BDP). The project will bring faster, more reliable broadband access to local homes and strengthen the long-term digital infrastructure the community needs for work, school, healthcare, and everyday life.The event brought together state and local leaders, community members, and the Stimulus Broadband team to recognize the partnerships that made the project possible. Stimulus Broadband thanked the Oregon State Broadband Office for its leadership and support, including Nick Batz, Michael DeHart, Krystal Stone, and Seth Thompson. The company also thanked Bonanza's local leadership for their collaboration, including Mayor Ashlie Pence, Town Manager Cheri Stewart, and Recorder Anne Stewart."Today is about more than a ceremonial first shovel," said Nathan Whittacre, CEO of Stimulus Technologies. "It's about showing up for Bonanza and delivering infrastructure that will serve this community for decades. When rural communities have dependable broadband, it creates opportunity - supporting students, local businesses, telehealth, remote work, and the connections that keep families and communities strong." Stimulus Broadband emphasized its commitment to building the network safely, respectfully, and with as little disruption as possible during construction.Looking ahead, Stimulus Broadband also highlighted the broader opportunity for future fiber expansion across Klamath County as Oregon advances BEAD planning and implementation. With additional federal broadband investment, expansion projects could extend fiber service to tens of thousands more residents across the county - bringing more homes online, improving access for students, and increasing options for families and businesses in rural Oregon.More information, photos, and project updates are available on the Stimulus Broadband blog: https://www.stimulusbroadband.com/2026/03/12/bonanza-fiber-internet-groundbreaking/ Media Contact Stimulus BroadbandPhone: 800-340-0766Email: sales@ stimulusbroadband.com About Stimulus BroadbandStimulus Broadband delivers high-speed internet solutions to communities across multiple states, with a focus on expanding reliable connectivity in underserved and rural areas. The company builds and operates broadband infrastructure designed to support modern internet needs today and scale for the future.SOURCE: Stimulus Broadband
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The best skin removal after weight loss is by Dr. Sessa.SARASOTA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / Post-weight-loss body contouring continues to show steady volume in the U.S. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported 170,110 tummy tucks, 10,947 lower body lifts, and 23,058 upper arm lifts in its most recent procedure trends table. In response to this sustained demand, Sarasota Surgical Arts reports growing interest in Dr. Alberico J. Sessa's post-weight-loss skin-removal program, structured around anatomy-specific surgical planning in an accredited outpatient facility.Clinical Background and Surgical SettingDr. Alberico J. Sessa is a Sarasota-based cosmetic surgeon whose practice, Sarasota Surgical Arts, offers surgical body contouring for patients seeking excisional correction after significant weight loss. He is dual board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, with certifications spanning facial cosmetic surgery and body and extremity surgery. The practice reports that Dr. Sessa has more than 18 years of experience and has performed 25,000+ surgeries, and it positions his case volume as a differentiator for complex contouring plans that often require multi-area correction.The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery's physician listing for Dr. Sessa describes a full-service cosmetic surgery office with an on-site private surgery center accredited by the Florida Board of Medicine, and notes that he has served as a board examiner. In addition, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery lists an AACS-certified fellowship at Sarasota Surgical Arts under Dr. Sessa, describing two one-year fellowship positions and an expected annual exposure of roughly 1,200 cosmetic procedures, spanning facial and body surgery.Dr. Sessa's 360 Lower Body LiftSarasota Surgical Arts positions the lower body lift in Sarasota, or belt lipectomy, as the core procedure for patients with circumferential skin laxity around the waistline. The practice states that patients can expect a 360 incision or near 360 scar around the lower torso, designed to sit low when possible, while Dr. Sessa removes excess skin, addresses select fat pockets, and tightens overall contours. It reports an average surgical time of 4-6 hours.The procedure is not limited to the front of the abdomen. It is framed as a single operation that reshapes the abdomen, flanks, lower back, and buttocks in one plan, which is what patients seek after major weight loss.Panniculectomy and Advanced Tummy Tuck TechniquesNot every post-weight-loss patient needs a circumferential lift. Dr. Sessa offers panniculectomy as a focused skin-removal procedure for an overhanging abdominal pannus. It is performed under general anesthesia, uses a lower bikini-line incision similar to a tummy tuck, and may take two hours or more, depending on how much skin requires removal.For patients who also want abdominal tightening, the practice publishes details about its tummy tuck in Sarasota. Dr. Sessa makes a low hip-to-hip incision, lifting the abdominal flap, and performing multilayer plication to restore a firmer midsection. He then trims excess skin and repositions the navel, with the option to add 360 liposuction for waistline transition. The practice says incision placement and length are planned to match the amount of skin removal required while keeping scars as low and concealed as possible.Complete Post-Weight-Loss Contouring PlansSarasota Surgical Arts describes post-weight-loss contouring as a combination strategy rather than a single procedure. Dr. Sessa adds procedures such as arm lift, thigh lift, and buttock lift depending on the patient's anatomy and goals.The practice also publishes case galleries under its "Body Lift After Weight Loss" and "Lower Body Lift" categories, emphasizing real-patient transformations and the practice's broader body-contouring focus.Patient Experience and AccessIn a published review, one patient described undergoing a "complete body redo" at Sarasota Surgical Arts and said she "looked and felt like a new woman," adding that the team "were excellent in every way." For outoftown patients, the practice advises staying in the Sarasota area for one to two weeks after surgery and offers FaceTime-based virtual consultations.Media ContactSarasota Surgical ArtsPhone: (941) 923-1736Website: www.sarasotasurgicalarts.com Email: drsessa@ gmail.com realdrseattleSOURCE: Sarasota Surgical Arts
Wintermar Reports Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

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SINGAPORE, Mar 17, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Wintermars Operating Profit for FY2025 jumped by 31% YOY to US$23.3 million, reflecting margin expansion through a better fleet mix. Core Profit increased by 19.2% YOY to US$18.Owned Vessel DivisionOwned vessel revenue rose by 13.8% YOY to US$70.7 million as gross margins for Owned Vessels widened to 41.7% for FY2025 compared to 36.1% in FY2024 despite softer charter rates and lower offshore activity in 2025. Utillization in 2025 was lower than 2024 arising from geopolitical concerns and the early stage of most drilling projects which are shorter term in nature. However, this was compensated by higher revenue from having more Dynamic Positioning (DP) equipped vessels. The Company operated a larger number of units of higher value vessels in FY2025.Chartering Division and Other ServicesGross Profit from the Chartering Division continued to decline with a drop in contribution to US$0.5 million in FY2025 compared to US$1.4 million in FY2024. Some of the declines resulted from a strategic decision to move the Company towards a management fee based ship management business model for better scalability, where the Company now receives fees for various services which are recorded in the Other Services Division. Contribution from Other Services Division has increased by 9.3% YOY by US$0.2 million to US$2.8 million in FY2025.Direct Expenses and Gross ProfitWith a larger number of DP vessels in operation and more overseas contracts, total crewing costs rose by 10.5%YOY to US$11.4 million for FY2025. Depreciation rose accordingly by 10.4% YOY to US$14.8 million for FY2025 from the full year impact of the additions to the fleet in 2024. One PSV completed reactivation and became operational in 4Q2025. Operation expenses were slightly higher (+2.2% YOY) at US$5.2 million while maintenance costs fell by 2.9% YOY to US$7.3 million. Fuel bunker was significantly lower (-26%YOY) as idle vessels were berthed in Batam on shore power.By December 2025, there were 7 units of PSVs in operation, as compared to 5 units of operational PSVs at end 2024. The Company purchased an additional PSV in late 2025 and she is being delivered to Indonesia and expected to be operational by 2H2026.Total Gross Profit rose by 24.1% YOY to US$32.7 million.Indirect Expenses and Operating ProfitTotal Indirect Expenses rose by 10%YOY to US$9.4 million for FY2025. The largest increase in indirect expenses came from salary cost, in line with a building out of key technical and operations positions to prepare for scaling up the fleet. Salary expenses rose by 11.9% YOY to US$6.5 million for FY2025, as employee strength increased to 252 from 244. Marketing expenses rose by 17.2% YOY due to fees and commissions as well as bid bond expenses to participate in tenders. Investments in new subsidiaries added 12.6%YOY to office utility costs which amounted to US$0.6 million.As a result, Operating Profit for FY2025 jumped by 31% to US$23.3 million compared to US$17.8 million in FY2024.Other Income, Expenses and Core Net ProfitCash flow from operations have increased due to better revenues and receivables collections, and the Company has also taken on more debt to refinance vessels. As a result, interest expenses rose by 83.5% YOY to US$2.1 million, while interest income doubled to US$1.0 million. The Company is still in a strong financial position with net cash. Associated companies contributed US$4.1 million (+71.5% YOY) from better business conditions.The sale of 2 older mid-tier vessels recorded a gain of US$3.5 million in total. This is much lower than the gain on sale of vessels in the previous year of US$16.1 million as there was a windfall profit in FY2024 from the sale of an older PSV. Total other income was US$7.4 million for FY2025 compared to US$19 million in FY2024.EBITDA for FY2025 increased by 21.8% YOY to US$38.4 milllion, reflecting a significant improvement in operations and cash generation ability of the Company.Stripping out gains on vessel sale, the underlying Core Net Profit attributable to shareholders was US$18.0 million, a jump of 19.2% as compared to US$15.1 million in FY2024.The performance of the Company has contributed to EPS of Rp75.80 for FY2025 against Rp78.35 in FY2024.Industry OutlookThe heightened geopolitical risks in 2025 saw governments around the world prioritizing energy security over long term climate goals. The speed of adoption of Aritficial Inteligence (AI) in every field also accelerated the expansion of data centers, contributing significantly to the increasing demand for power. By late 2025, the International Energy Agency (IEA) revised up electricity demand growth to 3.7% in 2026, well in excess of average growth of 2.6% p.a. between 2015 to 2023.As a result of these changes, there has been an upward revision in total investment into oil and gas exploration in 2025 compared to 2024, in particular in deepwater drilling. This confirms our positive outlook for strong demand in OSV for the coming few years, particularly in DP equipped OSVs.In early 2026, the attacks on Iran and ensuing retaliation has disrupted oil and gas supplies coming from the Middle East, causing oil prices to spike. Should the Iran war escalate for a longer period, it is likely to trigger even more investment into exploration of new oil and gas reserves as energy nationalism becomes the new normal.Business ProspectsThe Companys investment in additional fleet has improved the fleet composition and raised revenues and margins in the past year. Indonesia alone has 4 deepwater drilling projects which have been identified as strategic projects by the government and slated to start production between 2027 to 2030. There will be longer term contracts awarded for these projects in the coming year as projects start to ramp up towards the second half of 2026.With stronger cash flow expected in 2026, management is looking to expand the dynamic positioning fleet, and cash will be deployed to fleet expansion, whether through direct purchases of vessels or corporate acquisitions. In 2025, total capex was US$41.7 million, while in FY2026, the Company is budgeting more than double that amount in anticipation of increased OSV demand. This will be funded by internal cash flow and bank loans.Total contracts on hand at the end December 2025 amount to US$59.1 million.About Wintermar Offshore Marine GroupWintermar Offshore Marine Group ( WINS.JK) , developed over nearly 50 years with a track record of quality that is both a source of pride and responsibility that we are dedicated to upholding, and sails a fleet of more than 48 Offshore Support Vessels ready for long term as well as spot charters. All vessels are operated by experienced Indonesian crew, tracked by satellite systems and monitored in real-time by shore-based Vessel Teams.Wintermar is the first shipping company in Indonesia to be certified with an Integrated Management System by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance, and is currently certified with ISO 9001:2015 (Quality), ISO14001:2015 (Environment) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety). For more information, please visit www.wintermar.com For further information, please contact:Ms. Pek Swan Layanto, CFAInvestor RelationsPT Wintermar Offshore Marine TbkTel (62-21) 530 5201 Ext 401Email: investor_relations@ wintermar.com
President Bola Tinubu has glowingly applauded Taiwo Oyedele, Nigerias new minister of state for finance, for the feats he recorded when he led a major overhaul of the countrys tax system as the chair of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

The president, who spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Oyedele in Abuja on Monday, acknowledged his key role in helping Nigeria rewrite its entire tax policy and championing its transition from a long reliance on an opaque and obsolete tax structure.

It didnt take much for me to decide where you fit and where you need to be to further help the country, Mr Tinubu said.

It is a very challenging job to look at the fiscal policy and responsibility that comes with it, at a time that economic stability is being experienced, but without exponential growth. It is always very difficult, but you fit the bill, he added.

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Mr Oyedele led a series of reforms that culminated in Nigerias new tax law, which took effect in January, and which aimed at reducing the number of taxes and levies exacted by the government from more than 60 to below 10 to make the economy more competitive.

Downsides like multiple taxation and a cumbersome collection process, often cited as put-offs for investors under the old regime, have been largely addressed by the new law.

Nigeria, whose tax-to-GDP ratio stood at 13.5 per cent last June, is looking to raise it to anywhere from 18 to 20 per cent as it targets a $1 trillion GDP by 2030.

So Im grateful to Mr President, but also very grateful to the generality of the Nigerian people, particularly stakeholders that have been very supportive of the work weve done to date, Mr Oyedele told journalists after his inauguration.

But you know, they say reforms are only as good as the paper on which they are written. What is really important is the diligent execution, and this is part of it: to move from policy formulation to execution.

He vowed to give his very best at every point in time and declared his confidence in the team at the Federal Ministry of Finance, which he said would be able to provide the support needed to deliver on every task.

READ ALSO: Tinubu swears in Taiwo Oyedele as minister of state for finance

Mr Oyedele, who spent over 20 years at PwC, where he rose to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader, noted that revenue mobilisation and spending efficiency will be the immediate priority of his ministry.

And of course, you know, issues around debt management and fiscal sustainability is also important, he stated.

According to him, those priorities need to connect effectively to other policies of government  from monetary policy to trade  for them to provide desired results. It is important to position Nigeria to best handle challenges and headwinds, while leveraging values and opportunities at home and abroad, he added.
Nollywood actors Segun Ogungbe and his ex-wife, Wunmi Ajiboye, have sparked reunion rumours on social media, nearly three years after their split.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Ajiboye announced her separation from Ogungbe in 2024, accusing him of infidelity and inappropriate behaviour towards her trainees.

In June 2025, Ajiboye, who shares two children with Ogungbe, revealed in an interview on Oyinmomo TV that she was never legally married to him.

She explained that Ogungbe was the father of her children, but they had never been engaged or married, and he had never met any member of her family in that capacity.

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Ogungbe, however, told Oyinmomo TV in September 2025 that his relationship with Ajiboye was pre-destined and not something he had planned.

He added that the allegations of infidelity made by Ajiboye do not bother him and said he was unsurprised by the claims, expecting more in the future.

Reunion at Irete: The Reckoning Premiere

The estranged couple thrilled fans when they appeared together at the premiere of Irete: The Reckoning in Lagos on Sunday.

Produced and directed by Ogungbe, the film is scheduled for nationwide cinema release on 20 March.

The premiere, attended by notable actors including Sola Sobowale, Femi Adebayo, and Ibrahim Yekini, saw Ogungbe and Ajiboye holding hands, sparking excitement among attendees.

A viral video from the event, obtained by this newspaper, showed the couple arriving dramatically: Ogungbe rode a horse while Ajiboye walked beside him, holding onto the horses rope halter.

Reactions

The sight of Ajiboye supporting Ogungbe at the premiere quickly went viral, prompting a flood of reactions from netizens.

Many netizens expressed surprise and delight at the couples public reunion.

Below are some of the comments.
Despite growing public acceptance of women in leadership, stakeholders have raised concerns that entrenched structural and institutional barriers continue to limit womens representation across Nigerias political and economic sectors.

The concerns were raised on Tuesday in Abuja during a high-level policy summit on advancing womens leadership and dismantling institutional barriers.

Speaking at the event, Oluwatobiloba Moody, the director of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Nigeria office, said womens participation in leadership is critical to driving innovation and economic growth.

Mr Moody noted that excluding women from leadership roles, particularly in innovation-driven sectors, limits the countrys development potential.

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Inclusive leadership is not just a social goal, it is an economic necessity, he said.

If we are serious about growth and innovation, then we must ensure that women have equal access to opportunities in sectors such as technology, intellectual property, and the creative economy.

He called for policies that deliberately promote womens participation in these sectors, adding that diversity strengthens systems and improves outcomes.

About the IP women business summit

The Intellectual property (IP) and women business summit organised by WIPO was first launched in 2023 and is one of the organisations flagship initiatives aimed at elevating the participation, leadership, and economic impact of women in innovation and the creative economy.

The 2026 edition, themed The Audacity for Change: Women Leading Innovation and Creativity for Nigerias Economic Transformation, brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, creatives, legal practitioners, academics, and development partners to explore how IP can be leveraged as a tool for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Strong public support, weak institutional progress

In Nigeria, calls for increased representation of women in leadership have gained attention over the years, particularly in the political space, with sustained advocacy for measures such as the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill to improve womens participation in legislative bodies.

Despite these efforts, progress has remained slow, with women still underrepresented in both governance and corporate leadership.

PREMIUM TIMES recently reported that nearly nine in 10 Nigerians are comfortable with women leading major companies, according to the 20252026 Nigeria Leadership Readiness Brief of the Reykjavik Index for Leadership.

The report showed a marginal increase in Nigerias leadership readiness score to 59 in 2025 from 57 in 2024, signalling growing confidence in womens leadership abilities.

Globally, the gap is even more pronounced.

According to the World Bank Groups Women, Business and the Law report, women enjoy only about two-thirds of the legal rights available to men.

While countries score an average of 67 out of 100 on gender-equal laws, enforcement drops the score to 53, and implementation systems reduce it further to 47.

Bridging public support, systemic change

Speaking on systemic change, Beatrice Eyong, resident representative, UN Women Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said the growing acceptance of women in leadership must be matched with deliberate institutional reforms.

Ms Eyong noted that while recent data shows Nigerians are increasingly open to women in leadership roles, structural barriers such as limited access to opportunities, financing, and decision-making spaces continue to hold women back.

She said that although confidence in womens leadership abilities is increasing, it must be backed by deliberate efforts to strengthen political, economic, and social systems to support and sustain women in leadership roles.

She stressed that bridging this gap requires not just policy commitments but accountability and sustained implementation.

We need to move from intention to action. It is not enough to have frameworks on paper; we must ensure that they are implemented in ways that create real opportunities for women, she added.

Closing the gap between laws and reality

Elsie Attafuah, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative, said one of the biggest challenges remains the disconnect between existing gender equality laws and their enforcement.

Ms Attafuah noted that while many countries, including Nigeria, have made progress in developing legal frameworks, weak institutional capacity continues to undermine their effectiveness.

We have seen progress in terms of policies and commitments, but the real issue lies in implementation.

Until we strengthen the systems that enforce these laws, women will continue to face barriers in accessing leadership positions, she said.

She emphasised that achieving gender equality requires stronger institutions, better monitoring systems, and a commitment to enforcing existing provisions.

Strengthening accountability

Olujoke Aliyu, co-managing partner at Aluko & Oyebode, said Nigeria must prioritise enforcement and accountability in addressing gender inequality.

Ms Aliyu noted that while legal frameworks exist, gaps in implementation continue to limit their impact.

We cannot continue to celebrate policies without looking at how they are being enforced.

The real question is whether these laws are working for women in practice, she said.

She called for stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance across both public and private institutions, particularly in areas such as workplace equality and access to leadership roles.

Moving beyond commitments

Ngozi Ekeoma, group managing director of Nepal Group of Companies, urged the private sector to take more concrete steps towards gender inclusion.

Ms Ekeoma said many organisations publicly support gender equality but fail to implement policies that advance women.

She said that they must move beyond statements of support to actual change by creating systems that intentionally support women through mentorship, leadership development, and fair recruitment and promotion processes.

Ms Ekeoma also highlighted the need to address structural issues such as pay gaps and limited access to professional networks.

She added that when women are given equal opportunities, organisations benefit, as diversity improves decision-making, drives innovation, and strengthens performance.

About WIPO

WIPO is a specialised agency of the UN, focusing on promoting a balanced, accessible global intellectual property system that supports innovation, creativity, and economic development.

The organisation works with governments, businesses, and civil society to ensure that intellectual property drives technological advancement, cultural development, and inclusive prosperity.
The National Policy on Health Workforce Migration, approved in August 2024, remains in the planning stage, according to the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report.

The report which was released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, notes that while an implementation plan for the policy has been developed, full implementation has yet to commence.

This leaves a key component of Nigerias response to health worker migration still in its early phase.

According to the report, the ministry finalised an implementation plan for the migration policy in 2025, outlining strategies to manage the movement of health workers, improve retention, and support career progression across the health system.

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It also provides a framework for coordinated action between federal and state governments, focusing on improved working conditions and strengthened workforce planning.

While implementation of the plan has yet to commence, its completion represents a key policy-readiness milestone, providing a structured framework for coordinated federal and subnational action, the report noted.

Reforms in workforce development

This comes as the government recorded progress in other areas of workforce development.

An additional 23,000 frontline health workers were trained in 2025, bringing the total trained between 2024 and 2025 to 78,146, about 65 per cent of the national target of 120,000.

The report notes that digital learning platforms and remote consultation modules have been integrated into training, while the National Health Workforce Registry has now been expanded to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It adds that the commencement of a Health Labour Market Analysis is expected to strengthen evidence-based workforce planning and inform retention strategies.

Retention, motivation efforts

Efforts to improve workforce motivation and retention were also featured in the report.

It noted that federal and state governments introduced measures including improved supervision, access to training, and career development opportunities.

Non-financial incentives such as recognition programmes, better access to work tools, and leadership support were also highlighted.

Some states have introduced rural hardship allowances and reward systems to encourage deployment to underserved areas, while investments in mental health support and workforce wellbeing are helping to address burnout.

Persistent workforce shortages

Despite these efforts, the report underscores a continuing shortage of skilled health workers across the country.

The report shows that Nigeria has about 95,456 registered doctors, but only around 60,551 are currently licensed to practice.

Analysis of workforce data in the report shows regional disparities in the availability of doctors, nurses and other health professionals, with several northern states recording the lowest health worker densities in the country.

The report indicates that the shortage of doctors in many northern states has made community health practitioners (CHPs) the backbone of healthcare delivery in rural areas and primary health centres.

Data presented in the report shows that community health practitioners are the largest professional group in Nigerias health workforce, with 223,802 individuals registered and licensed as of 2024.

It shows that 100 per cent of licensed CHPs are currently employed, compared with 51 per cent of licensed doctors and 62 per cent of pharmacists.

The report describes several states as facing extremely low doctor availability. Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa record the lowest doctor density at 0.5 doctors per 10,000 population, meaning that a single doctor may serve about 20,000 people.

Other states including Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba and Katsina have only 0.7 doctors per 10,000 population.

It also highlights severe shortages of specialised professionals like radiographers, optometrists and physiotherapists in the northern region.

Background

When the migration policy was approved in August 2024, it was framed as a shift towards managing, rather than restricting, the movement of health workers.

An earlier analysis by PREMIUM TIMES highlighted key provisions, including plans to improve working conditions, establish a national workforce registry, and pursue bilateral agreements with destination countries to ensure ethical recruitment.

The policy also proposed incentives such as diaspora engagement and return-to-practice programmes to attract health professionals back to Nigeria.

At the time, medical associations, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the National Association of Resident Doctors NARD), warned that without addressing longstanding issues such as poor remuneration, heavy workload and weak infrastructure, the policy might have limited impact.

A separate analysis by Nigeria Health Watch in January 2026 observed that nearly two years after approval, the key challenge remains implementation, particularly around funding, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

The report emphasised the need for clear budget allocations and stronger coordination across levels of government to translate the policy into tangible improvements in working conditions and workforce retention.

Without these, it warned that health worker migration is likely to persist and will continue to strain Nigerias health system.
The war between the United States and Israel against Iran entered its eighteenth day today (Tuesday).

Strikes are intensifying, casualties rising, with the majority of them in Iran. More than 1,500 people have been confirmed dead from the war, with over 1,400 of them killed in Iran.

We bring you major updates on the war on its seventh day.

More countries reject Trumps demand on Hormuz

Many countries have rejected President Donald Trumps demand to help the US seize the Strait of Hormuz from Irans stronghold.

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PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Trump had requested that NATO allies send warships to keep the Strait open.

On Sunday, he threatened that NATO would face a very bad future if allies fail to help open the Strait.

He said, Its only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help make sure that nothing bad happens there.

However, several countries have rebuffed the demand. Australia, Japan, Poland, Sweden, and Spain declared that they had no intention of sending military ships.

European leaders also joined the chorus. The German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, said that there would be no military participation.

Italys Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, said Italy will not be participating in any naval operations that could be deployed to the region.

He noted that diplomacy must take precedence.

Germany and Greece have also ruled out military involvement in the Strait.

Trump criticises allies over Hormuz

President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday criticised allies for refusing to help the US keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

Reuters reported that he expressed frustration over allies unwillingness to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait.

He stated that although many countries have indicated interest in helping, some longstanding allies are rejecting his request.

Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some arent, he said, without offering specifics. Some are countries that weve helped for many, many years.

Weve protected them from horrible outside sources, and they werent that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me, he said.

He, however, did not provide any information on the countries he claimed had indicated interest.

US casualties rise

The number of US soldiers wounded in the ongoing war has risen to around 200.

Most suffered minor injuries, and about 180 have already returned to duty, according to CENTCOM.

However, about ten American soldiers suffered severe injuries.

The troops, according to the US military, were injured across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, and Israel.

Meanwhile, 13 US soldiers have been killed so far in the war.

Irans foreign minister denies recent contact with Americas Witkoff

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, on Monday, rejected reports that a direct communication channel had been established between him and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

In a post on X, Mr Araghchi stated that his last contact with Mr Witkoff was before the US and Israel launched their war on Iran.

My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employers decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran. Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public.  Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026

My last contact with Mr Witkoff was prior to his employers decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran, he said.

Iran says it will end the war

Meanwhile, Iran said the outcome of the ongoing battle will be decided on the battlefield, not on social media, as it continues to use defiant rhetoric.

The spokesman of the Iranian military, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, reiterated that Iran will decide how the war will end.

He said, You started it, we will finish it.

Mr Zolfaghari stated that Iran has the right to self-defence and considered it a necessity to defend itself from US attacks.

He also warned against any attacks coming from the US militarys bases in the region.
The Nigerian Army has confirmed a series of bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Monday evening, describing the attacks as coordinated attempts by suspected Boko Haram terrorists to cause mass casualties and panic.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Sani Uba, the spokesperson for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the army said the explosions occurred at about 7:05 p.m. in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council during the Iftar period.

According to the statement, the attackers detonated improvised explosive devices at three busy locations within the city  the Post Office area, the Monday Market axis and the entrance to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

The cowardly attacks targeted crowded public areas in an attempt by the terrorists to inflict mass casualties and create panic within the metropolis, Mr Uba, a lieutenant colonel, said.

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Although the statement did not provide exact casualty figure, it confirmed that many people were killed and others injured in the blasts.

The army said troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working with the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and other security agencies, responded swiftly by securing and cordoning off the affected areas to prevent further harm.

Emergency responders, including officials of the National Emergency Management Agency and medical personnel, evacuated victims to various health facilities, including the General Hospital, Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Mr Uba said.

Medical teams are currently attending to injured victims at various health facilities across the city, while emergency responders continue rescue and evacuation efforts, the statement added.

The Army also disclosed that preliminary intelligence suggests multiple suicide bombers may have been deployed into Maiduguri to carry out coordinated attacks at crowded locations.

In response, security forces have intensified surveillance, patrols and counter-improvised explosive device measures across the metropolis to track down any remaining suspects and prevent further attacks.

The army urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, avoid crowded places where possible, and report suspicious movements or objects to security agencies.

Operation HADIN KAI expressed condolences to families of the victims and reassured the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property while pursuing those responsible for the attacks.
BAGHDAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Facilities inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad's Green Zone caught fire after the embassy was attacked early Tuesday.

Two booby-trapped drones landed within the embassy perimeter and the subsequent explosions sparked a fire visible from outside the complex, a source from Iraq's Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Sirens were activated immediately across the site during the assault, while the embassy's defense system failed to intercept the incoming drones, said the source.

There were no immediate reports about casualties and the resulting blaze indicates material damage to the facilities.

The embassy was subjected to multiple rounds of attacks from Monday evening to the early hours of Tuesday.

The Green Zone in central Baghdad houses Iraqi government buildings, the parliament and several foreign missions, including the U.S. embassy. The heavily fortified zone has been a frequent target of rocket and mortar fire in recent years. 
President Bola Tinubu has ordered service chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri, Borno State, following coordinated terrorist attacks, as part of efforts to take direct control of the security situation and prevent further violence.

In a State House statement on Tuesday, the president expressed deep sorrow over the attacks, mourning those killed and sympathising with the injured. He assured Borno residents of the federal governments solidarity, describing the incidents as desperate and frantic attempts by terrorists under sustained pressure from Nigerian security forces.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the explosions killed at least 23 people and injured over 100. The terrorists targeted three public locationsUniversity of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Post Office and El-Kanemi Monday Market.

Before the attack, terrorists had attempted to overrun a military position in Ajilari, a garrison suburb of Maiduguri adjacent to a Nigerian Air Force base and close to the international airport in the city. This came simultaneously with similar attacks in Baga, Bututai and Damboa. However, police and military authorities said the attacks were repelled.

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Mr Tinubu commended the military for repelling the assaults on their positions, noting that the assailants were increasingly weakened.

He reiterated that the government would intensify operations against criminal elements nationwide, insisting that there is no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety.

The president also disclosed that he had recently approved additional equipment and operational support for security agencies to boost their effectiveness. He directed emergency response agencies to ensure adequate medical care for those injured in the attacks.

Reaffirming his administrations resolve, Mr Tinubu said Nigerian forces would continue to hunt down and defeat terrorist groups, stressing that the country would not yield to fear.

Boko Haram insurgency

Nigerias war on insurgency has entered its 17th year. The Boko Haram war began in 2009 when Boko Haram members had a face-off with the police across major cities in the North-east. The groups founder, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed in that uprising.

Mr Yusuf was succeeded by idiosyncratic leader Abubakar Shekau, who died in 2021 in a rivalry clash with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a 2016 breakaway faction of Boko Haram.

Mr Shekau was also succeeded by Bakura Doro who now leads the group from his Lake Chad Island. Other leaders of the group such as Ali Ngulde in Gwoza and Mallam Sadiku in Niger State have pledged allegiance to Mr Doro.

With Boko Haram now staging a strong comeback, and ISWAP mastering its violent campaigns with the use of armed drones and brazen attacks on military bases, analysts say Nigeria is drifting into the pre-2015 era when insurgency took centre stage in national security.

The Boko Haram insurgency has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of locals. However, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, had called for a recalibration of security measures to confront the resurgence of terror in the North-east.

Mr Musa, a retired army general and former chief of defence staff, gave this directive when he met with service chiefs last week, following deadly ISWAP attacks on military bases in Borno and Yobe states.
The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center in the United States, Joe Kent, has resigned in protest against Americas war on Iran.

Mr Kent shared his resignation letter on X on Tuesday.

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, effective today, Mr Kent wrote in his post on X.

I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

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It has been an honour serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the majority of Americans oppose the US war with Iran, with many saying Iran posed no threat to the US and that the war was at the instance of Israel.

The war, which entered its 18th day today, started when the US and Israel launched unprovoked attacks on Iran. Over 1,500 people have been killed in the war, the majority of them Iranians, including the countrys former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In his letter, Mr Kent said he supported the values and the foreign policies that Mr Trump campaigned on in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

He also said he supported the foreign policies Mr Trump enacted in his first term, in which the president sought to avoid wars in the Middle East, that robbed America of the precious lives.

However, he noted that Mr Trump has fallen into a trap in which high-ranking Israeli officials and other influential members have deployed to undermine his America First campaign.

This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory, Mr Kent continued.

This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women.

We cannot make this mistake again, Mr Kent added.

Why US attacked Iran

The rationale provided by the Trump administration for the war has been ever-changing and sometimes even contradictory.

At the start of the war, the administration had argued that Irans missile arsenal and nuclear ambitions posed a direct threat to Americansa claim the country has denied.

It also framed the war as a campaign for Iranian liberation.

On 2 March, Marco Rubio told reporters at Capitol Hill that the US entered the war with Iran due to concerns that an Israeli strike on Iran would trigger an attack that might affect the US.

There absolutely was an imminent threat, and the imminent threat was that we knew that if Iran was attacked, and we believed they would be attacked, that they would immediately come after us, he said.

We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didnt preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties, he added.

Mr Trump, however, contradicted Mr Rubios statement a day later, declaring that the decision to attack Iran was made solely by him and not driven by Israels intention.

If anything, I might have forced Israels hand, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported that the US was considering arming Kurdish rebels to foment an uprising in Iran that would topple the Islamic regime after its attempt to trigger a popular uprising in the country failed.

Mr Trump also claimed that the war, now in its third week, would end very soon, without providing a specific timeframe.

At least 13 American soldiers have been killed in the war, with about 200 others injured.

Demand for a ceasefire intensified over the last week. But Mr Trump said the US is not interested in negotiating with Iran.

The administration has also turned down attempts by its Middle Eastern allies to initiate diplomatic negotiations.
At least 15 people have been killed after suspected bandits launched a reprisal attack on communities in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on Tuesday, in what appears to be the first major breach of a fragile peace accord that had held for over a year.

The attack occurred around midday in Falale and Kadobe villages, according to the police and the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.

Jibia, a border area that has long experienced banditry, had recorded relative calm following a locally brokered peace arrangement involving security agencies, community leaders and armed groups.

How the violence started

Police said the incident began when a group of vigilantes on patrol intercepted three suspected repentant bandits in Falale village.

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The Katsina State Police Command spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu, said the encounter led to a gunfight during which the three suspects were killed.

Reprisal attack

Authorities said the killings triggered a retaliatory assault by armed bandits on the community.

Following this incident, a group of suspected armed bandits launched a reprisal attack on the village, leading to the death of 15 persons, the police said in a statement.

The state government also confirmed the casualty figure, noting that the violence spread across Falale and nearby Kadobe village.

Conflicting accounts

However, the sequence of events remains unclear.

A local source familiar with the situation told PREMIUM TIMES that the bandits were believed to have been returning from an operation outside Jibia when they were confronted by vigilantes. The account could not be independently verified.

The source suggested that the confrontation may have occurred amid confusion over the movements of armed groups, which could have contributed to the escalation.

Security response

Security agencies, including the police, the State Security Service (SSS), and local vigilante groups, were deployed to the area.

Authorities said the joint response helped to restore calm and prevent further casualties.

Normalcy has been restored Investigation into the matter has commenced, the police said.

The Katsina State government said it is working with security agencies and community leaders to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Fragile peace

Officials noted that Jibia had remained largely peaceful for over a year prior to the incident, following security measures and local peace efforts.

The government urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.

The latest violence further reveals the fragility of informal peace arrangements in conflict-affected communities, where miscalculations and retaliatory attacks can quickly reverse hard-won stability.
The Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ruled that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers performing their duties in public, setting a major precedent for accountability and civil liberties.

Delivering the judgement on Tuesday in a suit marked FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, the judge, H. A. Nganjiwa, emphasised that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and refrain from harassing, intimidating, arresting, or confiscating devices from citizens who record their actions.

The court awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million for the violation of his fundamental rights and an additional N2 million for litigation costs.

All of the applicants prayers were granted, reinforcing the publics right to document police activities in public spaces without fear of reprisal.

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This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria, Mr Uwaifo said in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens constitutional rights.

How it started

The suit was filed as a public interest litigation by Mr Uwaifo, challenging the legality of police stop-and-search operations conducted without officers displaying name tags or force numbers.

The suit named the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.

Filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, and relevant sections of the Nigerian constitution, the suit also cited provisions including Sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, and 46, as well as Articles 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

In the originating summons, the applicant asked the court to determine whether citizens can legally record police officers and whether harassment or arrest for recording constitutes a violation of fundamental rights.

Prayers

Mr Uwaifo sought declarations affirming that Nigerians are entitled under Section 39 of the Constitution to freely express themselves, including recording and publishing matters of public interest, particularly police conduct in public.

He asked the court to declare that any attempt by officers of the Nigeria Police Force to prevent or punish such recordingwhether through threats of arrest, harassment, intimidation, or seizure of devicesis unconstitutional, unlawful, and a violation of fundamental rights.

He also prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents, their officers, agents, privies, or anyone acting under their instructions from harassing, intimidating, threatening, arresting, or otherwise infringing upon the rights of the applicant or any Nigerian citizen in relation to recording police officers on duty in public.

Additionally, Mr Uwaifo sought a declaration that police officers conducting patrols, stop-and-search operations, and other public interactions without wearing uniforms that visibly display their names and force numbers act unconstitutionally and illegally.

He further prayed for an injunction restraining the Respondents and their agents from carrying out stop-and-search or checkpoint operations without ensuring that all operatives wear full uniforms bearing their names and force numbers.

The applicant asked the court to direct the Police Service Commission to issue clear guidelines and training for all officers of the Nigeria Police Force, affirming the publics right to record and report police activities in public spaces, including at checkpoints and during stop-and-search operations.

He also requested that relevant authorities discipline any officer found to have acted in breach of these constitutional rights, and that the Police Service Commission issue circulars or directives mandating all officers on public duties to wear full uniforms with proper identification while initiating disciplinary proceedings against defaulters.

He prayed for an award of N80,000,000 as general and exemplary damages against the Respondents for repeated violations of the rights of himself and members of the public, as well as any further orders the court may deem just and appropriate.

The judge granted all of the applicants prayers.

Anonymous policing allegations

In his affidavit, Mr Uwaifo recounted multiple incidents in which he and other citizens were stopped by officers operating from unmarked vehicles, dressed in incomplete uniforms, and refusing to identify themselves.

On 10 May 2025, while travelling from Benin to Warri, he said he was blocked by armed officers at a checkpoint, questioned aggressively without reasonable suspicion, and threatened with arrest when he attempted to record the interaction.

According to him, a similar encounter occurred in June 2025 near Effurun Roundabout in Warri.

Mr Uwaifo argued that such anonymous policing fosters impunity, enabling extortion, assault, and unlawful detention.

He maintained that these practices violate citizens rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of expression, as guaranteed under the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, and global democratic policing standards.

Citing Section 66(1) of the Police Act, 2020, he stressed that officers must display name tags and force numbers.

He noted that no law criminalises recording public officials performing official duties and referenced rulings in I.G.P. v. Ubah (2014) and Fawehinmi v. I.G.P. (2000) to support public interest litigation.

Police support video recordings

In December 2023, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) publicly confirmed that citizens can record officers on duty.

In a post on X, the then-Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that filming or photographing officers is not an offence and that harassment of those recording constitutes misconduct.

Despite repeated incidents of police brutality, particularly during stop-and-search operations, the proliferation of smartphones has made recording encounters increasingly common.

A video circulating on social media captured a tense confrontation between a police officer in Lagos and a driver wearing smart glasses, spotlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing professional conduct.

The NPF condemned the officers actions, promising disciplinary measures, and reiterated that recording police officers on duty is lawful.

An explainer by the Executive Director of The Liberalist, Abdullahi Tijani, clarified that while Section 37 of the Constitution guarantees privacy, it does not shield police officers performing public duties.

Citizens have the right to observe and document their actions, he said. Public officials must operate within the law, making it lawful for citizens to record their activities.

Deadly legacy of disbanded SARS

This ruling must be understood against the backdrop of Nigerias troubled policing history, particularly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The police SARS unit was formed in late 1992 under former police commissioner Simeon Midenda, as part of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), headed by then Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi.

It was tasked with addressing violent crimes such as robbery, kidnapping, and firearms-related offences.

SARS became notorious for extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, extortion, torture, blackmail, illegal organ trade, home invasions, and widespread human rights abuses.

Incidents ranged from the killing of two security guards in 1996 to alleged torture and extortion of civilians and public figures, including a 2019 case involving rapper Ikechukwu Onunaku.

Amnesty International and other human rights groups repeatedly documented the squads abuses.

Despite repeated investigations and reform attempts from 2016 to 2019, SARS remained a symbol of police impunity until 11 October 2020, when it was formally disbanded following nationwide protests under the hashtag #EndSARS.

The movement drew global attention after incidents like the shooting of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on 20 October 2020, and widespread demonstrations across major cities.

SARS formation followed a violent incident in 1992 involving the killing of Colonel Ezra Rimdan by police officers, which triggered a police withdrawal from Lagos and a spike in crime.

With an initial force of fifteen men and two Peugeot station wagons, SARS officially began operations in November 1992.

The unit operated covertly, often without uniforms, guns, or marked vehicles.

Efforts to reform or decentralise the unit included public campaigns in 2017, directives by the former acting President Yemi Osinbajo in 2018, and the eventual replacement of SARS with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.

However, many Nigerians remained sceptical about reforms due to continued reports of police misconduct and brutality.
President Bola Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before 31 March.

The directive is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana, the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office, which include the following: Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to the President, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Special Assistants the President, Personal Assistants to the President, All Directors-General, and Chief Executive Officers of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-owned Companies, as well as all Other Political Appointees of the President.

READ ALSO: Deputy Speaker commends Tinubu for signing Kampala Convention Act into law

Accordingly, all affected officials are required to submit their formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation not later than 31 March.

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President Tinubu emphasised that the measure is necessary to ensure full compliance with electoral laws, uphold transparency in the political process, and promote a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the elections.

He urged all concerned officials to take note of this directive and ensure strict compliance, reaffirming the administrations commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting credible electoral processes in Nigeria.

Dewan Nengak Goshit

Head, Information & Public Relations

For: Secretary to the Government of the Federation
The Anambra State Government, on Sunday, held an interdenominational church service to mark the end of Governor Charles Soludos first tenure.

The service, which was held at the International Convention Centre, was also part of the activities lined up for Mr Soludos inauguration for his second tenure, scheduled for 17 March.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Alexander Ibezim, spoke on a message titled Leading with wisdom and integrity.

The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Wale Oke, also delivered the sermon.

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The clerics commended the governor for the achievements recorded in his first tenure and urged him to focus on human capital and infrastructure development during his second tenure.

They also admonished him to uphold integrity in leadership.

In his speech, Governor Soludo, accompanied by his wife, Nonye, expressed gratitude to the people of Anambra for their support over the past four years.

He acknowledged there were challenges but said the success and glorious conclusion of his first tenure were by the grace of God.

He said he would continue to work for the development of the state and society.

READ ALSO: Security operatives arrest another native doctor in Anambra over ritual practices

He promised not to treat people on the basis of their religion or where they come from, but by the value they bring to his government.

NAN further reports that the service was attended by representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Catholic and Anglican Churches.

Special prayers were said for continued peace in Anambra and a more successful second term for the governor.
Enugu State Government has insisted that all infrastructural projects contracts in the state would be awarded to professionals with valid licence.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ben Okoh, disclosed this in Enugu on Thursday during the bid opening session for contractors who responded to the ministrys recent Expression of Interest.

The commissioner stressed that only professionals with active and verifiable licence would be recognised in execution and supervision of projects under the ministry.

He directed all contractors and firms participating in its ongoing procurement process to ensure validity of current practising licence issued by relevant professional regulatory bodies.

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He explained that engineers and other technical experts must be duly certified by their respective professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and other recognised statutory regulatory councils.

Mr Okoh further directed that all nominated engineers and technical officers must sign formal undertakings committing to strict compliance with the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation, approved engineering standards, and contractual specifications guiding project execution.

According to him, the professionals are also required to accept full responsibility for the proper supervision, implementation, and execution of projects in line with established engineering and construction standards.

The commissioner emphasised that the procurement process must be anchored on professionalism, integrity, and strict adherence to regulatory requirements.

He noted that the possession of valid professional practising licence remained a non-negotiable condition for participation.

He assured stakeholders that the exercise would remain transparent, competitive, and fully compliant with the provisions of the Enugu State Public Procurement Act.

Mr Okoh stated that no bidder would receive preferential treatment, adding that evaluation of submissions would be based strictly on merit, technical competence, and the capacity to deliver durable infrastructure.

He added that the governments objective was to ensure that only qualified professionals and firms with proven expertise would handle infrastructure projects in the state.

Mr Okoh noted that the directive forms part of broader reforms by the state government aimed at strengthening quality assurance, accountability, and professional integrity in the delivery of public infrastructure.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Anyaora Okereke, reaffirmed the ministrys commitment to due process and transparency in all procurement activities.

Mr Okereke, who also serves as chairman of the Ministerial Tenders Board, explained that the bid opening was part of the statutory procurement framework provided under the Enugu State Public Procurement Act.

He added that the process provided a competitive and transparent platform for selecting companies with proven technical capacity to support the states infrastructure development agenda.

READ ALSO: Gov Mbah debunks claims of high taxation in Enugu

While expressing happiness, one of the bidders, Dan Akogwu the chief executive officer of Danbest Engineering LTD, commended the Enugu State Government for conducting what he described as a transparent and professionally managed procurement process.

Mr Akogwu applauded the adherence to due process and the opportunity given to firms to showcase their expertise in support of the states development efforts.

He also urged fellow bidders to remain committed as the exercise progressed, noting that their participation reflected growing confidence in the state governments governance and development drive.

(NAN)
Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria has marked its 16th anniversary with a renewed call for active citizen participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, its Executive Director, Ufuoma Nnamdi-Udeh, reflected on the organisations 16-year history, spotlighting the impact of its initiatives on communities and governance.

She cited projects such as the #OfficeOfTheCitizen HelpDesk in Nasarawa State, which improved access to clean water, and the shineyoureye.org platform, which allows Nigerians to engage elected representatives on governance issues.

Sixteen years is long enough to lose faith, but the citizens who kept showing up remind us why EiE must keep showing up too, Mrs Nnamdi-Udeh said, noting the political awareness of young Nigerians despite low engagement in formal processes.

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She also acknowledged the role of EiEs founding Executive Director, Opeyemi Adamolekun, stressing continuity in leadership and institutional development.

EiEs impact today stands on the shoulders of those who built it before us. Democracy is a relay; one generation builds the foundation, and the next carries the baton forward, she said.

Below is the full statement:

Enough is Enough Nigeria Marks 16 Years with Renewed Call for Citizen Engagement Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Nigerian citizen is not apathetic. They are watching, and when given a reason to believe, they still show up. That is what 16 years of EiE has taught us, Executive Director, EiE Nigeria Ufuoma Nnamdi-Udeh.

Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria today marks its 16th anniversary, renewing its call for active citizen engagement as Nigeria approaches a critical period ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a video address released today, Executive Director Ufuoma Nnamdi-Udeh reflected on EiEs sixteen-year journey, acknowledging the pressures facing civil society while reaffirming the organisations commitment to building a more accountable Nigeria.

Reflecting on sixteen years of civic advocacy, she highlighted the tangible impact of civic advocacy, citing wins in communities in Nasarawa, where citizens gained access to clean water through EiEs #OfficeOfTheCitizen HelpDesk initiative, and young Nigerians nationwide, who have engaged their elected representatives through the shineyoureye.org platform to resolve governance issues.

At the same time, she acknowledged current operational pressures and a generation of young Nigerians who remain politically aware but increasingly disengaged from formal governance processes.

Sixteen years is long enough to lose faith, she said, but the citizens who kept showing up remind us why EiE must keep showing up too.

Acknowledging the 15-year leadership of the founding Executive Director, Opeyemi Adamolekun, Nnamdi-Udeh emphasised institutional continuity.

EiEs impact today stands on the shoulders of those who built it before us. Democracy is a relay; one generation builds the foundation, and the next carries the baton forward.

Describing 2026 as EiEs Bridge Year, Ufuoma explained that it is a deliberate period of consolidation ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

This year, EiE is deepening civic infrastructure through the #OfficeOfTheCitizen HelpDesk network at the local government level, sustaining citizen engagement and education programs that equip Nigerians with knowledge and motivation to participate in governance, strengthening democratic access and accountability through shineyoureye.org, and leveraging creativity, innovation and technology to mobilise women and young Nigerians ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

As part of its anniversary, EiE will release One Voice, Many Echoes, a short film tracing three eras of citizen-led civic action in Nigeria  1993, 2010, and 2020, and the threads that connect them. First screened privately at EiEs 15th anniversary event, where it received strong acclaim, the film will be available to the public later this month.

READ ALSO: EiE Nigeria to mark 15 years of unyielding advocacy with landmark event

EiEs 16th anniversary is not just another milestone; it is a recommitment to holding leaders accountable, building civic infrastructure at the grassroots, and ensuring that come 2027, Nigerias women and youth are more informed and engaged than ever before.

Our mission is bigger than any individual, she stated. And so, we call on individuals and organisations to support this work by joining EiEs Enablers Network to fund and sustain citizen-led change.

Nigerians will save Nigeria, but we must build the capacity to do so together. Enough thinking. Enough Talking. Its time to build, Nnamdi-Udeh concluded.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

The video address can be watched on EiEs social media pages on X, Facebook, Instagram & TikTok, with the public release of One Voice, Many Echoes coming later this month on YouTube.
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the opening of a new branch in Manchester, United Kingdom, marking another significant milestone in the banks international growth and its commitment to strengthening financial connections between Africa and global markets.

The official opening ceremony, scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 17 March, is expected to attract government officials from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, regulators, investors, customers, and business leaders from both countries, underscoring the growing economic ties and investment opportunities between the two markets.

The new Manchester branch will complement Zenith Banks existing operations in the United Kingdom and serve as a strategic hub for supporting businesses engaged in international trade and investment.

Through the branch, the bank will provide corporate banking, trade finance, treasury and related financial services to clients operating across the United Kingdom, Europe and Africa.

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Speaking ahead of the launch, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Adaora Umeoji, said: The opening of our Manchester branch represents another important step in Zenith Banks growth as a leading African financial institution connecting businesses and markets across continents. Manchester is one of the United Kingdoms most dynamic commercial centres, and our presence here will further strengthen financial connections between businesses in the UK and opportunities across Africas rapidly expanding markets.

Founded in 1990 by its Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, Zenith Bank has grown into one of Africas most respected banking institutions, boasting a robust capital base and a remarkable history of year-on-year profitability. Built on a strong foundation of people, technology and service, the Bank has consistently delivered innovative financial solutions while maintaining a disciplined approach to growth and risk management. The impressive performance of the Bank has consistently earned it excellent ratings, recognition and endorsement from local and international agencies and institutions.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Zenith Bank operates over 500 branches and business offices across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Bank currently operates subsidiaries in several African countries including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Cote dIvoire, while maintaining a presence in major international financial centres including the United Kingdom, France, UAE and China. In recent years, Zenith Bank has continued to expand its international network as part of its strategy to support global trade and investment flows involving Africa.

Manchester, widely regarded as one of the United Kingdoms most vibrant economic centres, hosts a diverse base of businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, logistics, technology and consumer goods. The citys strong commercial ecosystem and international outlook align closely with Zenith Banks expertise in corporate banking, structured finance and trade finance.

The Manchester branch will work closely with the Banks London operations and its broader international network to support clients seeking to expand across markets and unlock new opportunities in both the United Kingdom and Africa.

With the opening of the Manchester branch, Zenith Bank continues to advance its vision of building a truly global African banking institution that connects businesses, facilitates trade and investment, and creates stronger economic bridges between Africa and the world.
UNITED NATIONS, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China's UN envoy on Monday stressed the need for multilateralism in addressing global non-proliferation challenges.

In a statement at a Security Council briefing on the 1540 Committee, China's permanent representative, Fu Cong, highlighted the importance of universal security, recognizing the legitimate concerns of all nations to eliminate the root causes of proliferation.

"Non-proliferation is a global challenge," Fu said, acknowledging the significant work done by the 1540 Committee in promoting international consensus and cooperation in preventing non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD). However, He warned that ongoing regional conflicts, terrorism, and WMD proliferation risks remain persistent global threats.

Fu said China's Global Security Initiative and Global Governance Initiative promote common, cooperative, and sustainable security, offering key guidance for advancing non-proliferation governance through broad consultation and joint contributions for shared benefit.

Fu underscored the importance of international legal instruments such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention, and Security Council resolution 1540. He urged member states to strengthen national capacities in legislation and institutional arrangements for non-proliferation.

The Chinese envoy also raised concerns about emerging technologies, such as AI, gene editing, and synthetic biology, which present new security risks and could be misused for proliferation activities. He stressed the need for global governance frameworks to regulate these technologies.

Fu reiterated China's opposition to the abuse of export controls and unilateral sanctions under the guise of national security or non-proliferation, while reaffirming China's commitment to working with all parties to strengthen global non-proliferation governance and safeguard international peace and security. 
The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has criticised the federal governments handling of renewed attacks in Borno State following multiple explosions in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The blasts, which occurred on Monday, targeted crowded and strategic locations within the metropolis, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) gate, the Monday Market Roundabout and the Post Office area.

The coordinated nature of the attacks has heightened fears of a resurgence of insurgent activity in the North-east.

According to initial reports, at least five people were killed while several others sustained injuries. Security sources suspect the attacks were carried out by fighters linked to Boko Haram, a group that has waged a prolonged insurgency in the region for over a decade.

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It was later confirmed that at least 23 people were killed and 108 others injured.

The explosions came amid a fresh wave of violence across Borno and neighbouring areas. On the same day, insurgents reportedly launched attacks on military formations in Ajari, Baga and Damboa, further stretching security forces already battling multiple fronts.

This incident followed a similar pattern seen in recent weeks.

In Ngoshe community, Gwoza Local Government Area, suspected fighters of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) carried out coordinated assaults, killing soldiers, a traditional ruler and several community leaders, including a woman. Several women and children were also abducted, while many residents remain unaccounted for.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the former Senate Leader, Mr Ndume, warned that the federal government risks losing public trust if it fails to prioritise security and citizens welfare.

He urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to shift attention away from political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections and focus on addressing the countrys worsening security situation.

We seem to have abandoned the people for politics. The people who will vote are dying, he said.

Mr Ndume, who is from the same ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) stressed that improving safety and living conditions should take precedence, noting that failure to do so could alienate citizens.

If there is no improvement in their welfare and security, the government becomes their enemy, he added, urging the president to demonstrate urgency in tackling what he described as an emergency situation.

The lawmaker also called on security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and preventive measures to forestall future attacks. He emphasised the need for thorough investigations into the Maiduguri explosions.

He cited reports that one of the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in the attack was transported via a tricycle, suggesting that tracing its registration could provide crucial leads.

Perpetrators of the Maiduguri bombings must be arrested. Proper investigation will expose those behind the explosions, he said.

Mr Ndume further faulted the federal governments initial reaction, describing the presidents response as inadequate.

It is not enough to issue strongly worded statements, he said, arguing that the scale of killings and destruction in Borno and other affected states warrants more visible leadership and national mourning.

He suggested that if the president is unable to visit the state, Vice President Kashim Shettima, a former governor of Borno, should be deployed to engage directly with affected communities and reassure residents of the governments commitment.

Long-running insurgency

Borno State has remained the epicentre of Nigerias insurgency since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its violent campaign. Although the military has recorded territorial gains over the years, attacks on civilians, security personnel and infrastructure persist, often in the form of ambushes, bombings and abductions.

Although no group has officially claimed responsibility, security sources suspect fighters linked to Boko Haram, under the command of Ali Ngulde in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza LGA, may be behind the attacks.

The commander has been linked to similar operations in the past. Last year, a suspected suicide bomber believed to have been deployed by his network detonated an explosive device in Pulka, Gwoza, killing five soldiers.

In 2024, Mr Ngulde was also reportedly responsible for coordinating multiple suicide attacks involving four female bombers in Mararaban Gwoza and Pulka, which left at least 21 people dead and several others injured.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the Kampala Convention Domestication Act into law, describing the move as a major milestone in protecting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and restoring their dignity.

Mr Kalu gave the commendation on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), led by Doris El Doueihy, which visited to appreciate Nigerias efforts in domesticating the convention.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu.

The Kampala Convention, formally known as the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons, was adopted in 2009 to address the growing crisis of internal displacement across Africa.

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By domesticating the convention into Nigerian law, the government has created a legal framework that recognises and protects the rights of displaced persons, places responsibility on authorities to prevent displacement, ensures humanitarian assistance, and provides pathways for the safe return, resettlement or reintegration of affected populations.

The law is particularly significant for Nigeria, where years of insurgency, banditry, communal clashes and natural disasters have displaced millions, especially in the North-east and North-west.

Mr Kalu, who sponsored the bill alongside six other lawmakers, said the presidents decision to assent to the legislation reflects a commitment to humanitarian leadership and the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

He also commended the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, for his role in reviewing and supporting the domestication process, noting that the president subjected the bill to thorough scrutiny before signing it into law.

He explained that efforts are underway to ensure the law is adopted at the state level to enable effective implementation across the country.

You can sign bills that have to do with Electoral Act, you will benefit from it. You can sign bills that have to do with maybe the environment, you benefit from it. But when you sign a bill that has to do with people who may not give you back anything, then it means that you are wearing the face of humanity in your leadership. he said.

According to him, the National Assembly will also rely on its constitutional oversight powers to ensure that relevant government agencies align their programmes and budgets with the provisions of the Act.

He warned that the law must not be reduced to mere words on paper, stressing the need for practical, impact-driven implementation that addresses real challenges faced in IDP camps, including healthcare gaps, insecurity and cases of early and teenage pregnancies.

The parliament has what it takes through our oversight responsibility that is found in Section 88, 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to ensure that we call the various agencies of government, refugee Commission, the Budget Office, Appropriation Committee of the Parliament, the Finance Ministry, to make sure that their budget reflects this domesticated convention in terms of its implementation, which will cover the needs analysis of the IDPs, he added.

While emphasising the importance of protecting displaced persons, Mr Kalu said the broader objective is to address the root causes of displacement and ensure that affected persons can safely return to their communities.

He noted that the Act contains provisions aimed at facilitating resettlement and reintegration, adding that the government is working on mechanisms to support the process in collaboration with the executive arm.

He further expressed optimism that Nigerias domestication of the convention would encourage other African countries to follow suit, noting that many had been waiting for Nigeria to take the lead. He described the law as a legal shield that guarantees the rights, dignity and welfare of displaced citizens.

Earlier, Ms El Doueihy reportedly said Nigerias action demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing displacement challenges and protecting vulnerable populations.

She noted that the domestication process had taken years of sustained effort and described its conclusion as a major achievement.

According to her, Nigeria is now setting a standard for other African countries to strengthen legal protection for internally displaced persons.

Nigeria is on the right track and this is an example for other countries to follow and do the same, she said.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in Taiwo Oyedele, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, as Minister of State for Finance, extolling his determination and dedication to duty.

President Tinubu, who spoke after the brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the appointment was a vote of confidence in Mr Oyedele.

The president extolled the new minister for his professionalism in coordinating the work of the Tax Reforms Committee.

He noted that Mr Oyedeles commitment and deep knowledge of tax policy played a critical role in shaping the reforms designed to simplify the tax system, expand the revenue base, and create a more business-friendly environment in Nigeria.

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We are very proud of your knowledge, your simplicity, ambition, and excellence. I congratulate your wife for standing up to our challenge of time management and long hours of absence.

This is additional responsibility, and I hope you will encourage and support him, President Tinubu told the wife of the new minister.

He also acknowledged Mr Oyedeles zeal, patience, and determination to serve his fatherland with courage.

Thank you for accepting to serve your country, especially for reforming the entire tax policy of this country that was obsolete and fundamentally against every progressive thinking.

You are a very dedicated and highly determined individual. It didnt take much for me to decide where you fit and where you need to be to further help with the economy.

It is a very challenging job because we look at the fiscal policy and responsibility that come with it at the time that economic stability is being experienced, but without exponential growth. Its always very difficult, but you are fit to be there, the president said.

Mr Oyedele, from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance, and later attended Oxford Brookes University, where he earned a BSc in applied accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

March 16, 2026
A State Security Service (SSS) operative on Monday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that two suspected commanders of terrorist group Ansaru confessed to receiving weapons training from foreign instructors in Libya.

The witness, who testified as the first prosecution witness in the terrorism trial of the two men, appeared under protection and was identified only by the codename Triple A.

The defendants in the case  Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba  are globally wanted suspected terrorists linked to al-Qaeda.

They were captured alive by Nigerian security forces in August 2025 and subsequently charged with 32 terrorism-related offences linking them to illegal mining and terrorist attacks in Nigeria between 2013 and 2015.

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One of them, Mr Usman, pleaded guilty to one of the 32 counts, prompting the judge to sentence him to 15 years imprisonment. The other defendant, Mr Abba, pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts.

Following the not-guilty plea, the judge, Emeka Nwite, ordered that they be remanded in the SSS facility in Abuja, pending the conclusion of the trial.

Their trial stalled on 16 January after the defence lawyer, Bala Dakum, told the court he was denied access to the two defendants to prepare their defence, prompting the judgee to rescheduled the hearing for16 March (today) to allow the lawyer the opportunity to meet with them.

Confessional statements of suspects training in Libya

On Monday, Triple A, led in evidence-in-chief by the prosecution lawyer David Kaswe, said the defendants confessed in a conducive atmosphere to receiving the weapon training in Libya .

According to him, the suspects admitted receiving training in the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from instructors from Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria while in Libya.

He said the first defendant, Mr Usman, was arrested after prolonged intelligence gathering that identified him as the leader of Jamaatu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru).

He said the second defendant, Mr Abba, was arrested by SSS operatives at Ugwan Musa Bypass, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

Triple A said both defendants admitted being members of Ansaru.

He described the group as a breakaway faction of Boko Haram involved in terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and illegal mining across the North-west, North-central, South-west and parts of the southern region, including Edo and Delta states.

He added that the suspects confessed to founding Ansaru in Jigawa State, North-west after holding several meetings in 2012.

He added that they further confessed to kidnapping the in-law of former President Muhammadu Buhari, A Musa Umar Uba, as well as an immigration officer and a customs officer.

The witness said the second defendant, Abubakar Abba, gave details of how he became involved with the group.

He confessed to me and my team that he joined Boko Haram in 2013 in Daura, Katsina State through one Lawan.

He said Mr Abba also admitted participating in an attack on a Nigerian Army formation in Wawa in 2020, which allegedly led to the deaths of several soldiers.

The witness also alleged that Mr Abba swore allegiance to Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which allegedly supplied the group with arms and ammunition.

He said the group in Mali supplies them with arms and ammunition and teaches them war tactics and the fabrication of improvised explosive devices, Triple A said.

He said before his arrest he left six fighters from Mali at their camp located in Babana forest and that the camp was used for the groups operations.

However, the defence lawyer, Mr Dakum, objected to the admissibility of the confessional statements.

He argued that the statements were not made voluntarily.

But Mr Kaswe, the prosecution lawyer, urged the court to dismiss the objection.

He said the statements were obtained in a conducive environment and that there was no coercion.

He added that a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council representing the defendants was present.

After listening to their arguments, Mr Nwite ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the confessional statements.

Mr Nwite adjourned the case until 13 April for the commencement of the trial-within-trial.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, arraigned the vessel MV Nord Bosporus and 10 Filipino nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged conspiracy and unlawful importation of 20 kilogrammes of cocaine into Nigeria.

The defendants were arraigned before trial judge Ayokunle Faji.

The prosecution lawyer, Theresa Asuquo, told the court that the defendants and the vessel were arrested on 16 November, at the GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.

She alleged that the Filipinos conspired among themselves to unlawfully import 20 kilogrammes of cocaine aboard the vessel.

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According to Mr Asuquo, the acts violate Sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The defendants, who all pleaded not guilty to the four counts, include are Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, and Franz Jude Mayran.

The rest are Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes.

The prosecution informed the court that a plea bargain agreement had been signed in line with Section 270(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and intends to file an amended charge.

The defendants lead lawyer, Femi Atoyebi, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), confirmed the plea bargain and requested a hearing date.

By consent of both parties, Mr Faji adjourned the matter until Tuesday, 16 March, for further hearing.

Background

The NDLEA arrested the defendants in November last year following a preliminary interception of the MV Nord Bosporus by NDLEA operatives at Apapa Port.

The cocaine, weighing 20 kilogrammes, was reportedly concealed under the ships cargo.

According to the NDLEA, the vessel, travelling from Santos, Brazil, was making its first visit to Nigeria and Africa, having previously transported coal between Colombia and Brazil.

The ships master, Mr Corpuz, had been with the vessel for only three months.

Following the arrest, NDLEA obtained a court order for a 14-day detention of the vessel and the 20 Filipino crew members to allow for further investigation.

The seizure is part of a wider effort by the NDLEA to secure Nigerias borders, following earlier interceptions including 10 Thai sailors aboard the MV Chayanee Naree in May 2025, who attempted to bring 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil.

Speaking on the operation, NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, a retired brigadier-general, praised the Apapa Command and the Directorate of Seaport Operations.

He warned international drug cartels and local collaborators that Nigeria is not a safe space for illicit drugs, adding that the agency operates with zero tolerance for narcotics smuggling.

Between January 2023 and March 2024, the NDLEA seized over 207,976 kilogrammes of hard drugs across Nigerian seaports, arresting 167 suspects, highlighting the agencys ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking.

Charges

In one count, the NDLEA alleged that the suspects transported 20 kilogrammes of cocaine from Santos, Brazil, to Nigeria on 16 November 16, 2025, without lawful authority (contrary to Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act).

In another charge, the agency accused the suspects of conspiring with one another between October and November 2025 to unlawfully transport and import 20 kilograms of cocaine aboard the vessel (contrary to Sections 14(b) and 11(a) of the NDLEA Act).
The police in Anambra State have arrested and detained six officers who allegedly tortured and extorted N200,000 from a trader in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the South-eastern state.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The arrest and detention of the six operatives followed a video clip circulating on Facebook in which a woman narrated how some officers tortured and extorted N200,000 from her husband, a trader.

How it happened

In the now viral video clip, the woman, who did not identify herself, said her unnamed husband was flagged down by some armed police officers under a flyover bridge while he was transporting some cartons of malt in his white bus after purchasing the drinks from Onitsha Relief Market on 12 March.

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She narrated that the officers demanded the vehicles particulars, and that the husband brought them out and showed to the officers.

According to her, when the officers confirmed that the particulars were valid and complete, they claimed that the vehicle ought to have custom colour, not white.

This vehicle has been driven for more than 20 years, the woman remarked in Igbo language.

She said some of the officers then asked her husband to go and settle their leader in a police vehicle stationed near the flyover.

When my husband went to see their oga, some officers blocked him from stepping out of the vehicle. They zoomed off and then handcuffed my husband, calling him a criminal. They asked him to pay them N500,000, she narrated.

Before you knew it, my husband was forced to transfer N200,000 to them through a Point on Sale (PoS) operator.

The woman said the husband informed her that he paid the money because he believed that the officers might be kidnappers, considering their utterances and threats to him.

She said the officers were identified after she reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Okpoko Divisional Headquarters, Austin Okafor, who ordered other operatives to accompany the victim to the flyover to confirm the incident from the officers.

They initially denied knowing my husband before they later admitted. They subsequently returned the N200,000 to my husband, she said, praising the DPO for his professionalism and efforts.

Arrest and detention

In the Monday statement, Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, ordered the detention of the six officers over the incident.

The spokesperson said, without mentioning their names, the indicted officers included two assistant superintendents of police and four police inspectors.

Meanwhile, senior officers connected to the incident have been queried, while statements from the other ranks involved have been taken under caution in line with established police investigative procedures, he said.

Mr Ikenga said the police authorities in the state have initiated steps to arrest the POS operator involved in the incident, explaining that the operators role in the alleged extortion suggests possible conspiracy in the incident.

The spokesperson said the police in the state have also invited the victim through the DPO to come forward to provide additional testimony to aid the investigation and guide further disciplinary action.

He assured residents of Anambra State that the police in the state were treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves.

Not the first time

Cases of police brutality, extortion, extrajudicial killings and other unprofessional activities in Nigeria have continued despite sanctions by police authorities, such as dismissal from service.

The latest incident occurred barely a month after three officers were dismissed over alleged kidnapping, extorting of N1.7 million and car snatching in Imo, another state in the South-east.

Two months ago, police operatives shot dead a private motorcyclist in Ebonyi State.

In November 2024, police operatives from the Crack Squad in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State shot dead a labourer and critically injured three others in the state.

A similar incident happened in the same Abakaliki in 2018 when a police officer shot and killed a commercial motorcyclist for allegedly refusing to give him N50 bribe.

In August 2024, police operatives in Bayelsa State extorted N3 million from a Nigerian man at gunpoint.

The officers were subsequently arrested after the victim petitioned police authorities.

The police operatives later returned the N3 million to the victim, about three weeks later.
A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Mohammed Umar, on Monday, threatened to commit Marshall Abubakar, the lead defence lawyer to Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, for contempt.

The lawyer drew the ire of the judge when he raised his voice while making submissions in court.

Mr Abubakar raised his voice while insisting that the date chosen by the court for the defence to open its case was not convenient for him.

Mr Umar then ordered Mr Sowores lawyer to come out of the bar area of the courtroom and kneel down.

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Other lawyers, however, quickly prevailed upon the judge to forgive Mr Abubakar

The State Security Service (SSS) is prosecuting Mr Sowore on charges of calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal in his posts via his X and Facebook handles.

Mr Sowore was originally charged alongside the parent companies of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook on 5 December 2025.

But a recent amendment to the charges saw X Incorp and Meta (Facebook) Incorp dropped from the case as defendants. It left Mr Sowore as the sole defendant.

The amendment also pruned down the number of counts from five to two.

Following the amendment, the SSS rearraigned Mr Sowore in January, when the former presidential candidate again pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mondays drama started after defence lawyer, Mr Abubakar, concluded the cross-examination of the only prosecution witness.

The prosecuting lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), then announced the closure of their case and applied that the defence be called upon to open their case.

When the judge asked Mr Abubakar when they planned to open their defence, the lawyer said the defendant would make a no-case submission and suggested that the court should adjourn until a date in July.

Responding, Mr Kehinde objected and argued that it was part of the defences dilatory tactics intended to further delay proceedings.

He suggested that the case be heard on a daily basis.

In his intervention, the judge said that while the prosecution was swift in conducting its case, the defence was tardy, spending four days in cross-examining the prosecutions only witness.

The judge said it was not feasible to hear the case on a daily basis, but directed parties to return on 13 April for the adoption of their final written addresses in respect of the no-case submission.

Mr Abubakar seemed uncomfortable with that date.

While Mr Sowore was addressing the judge from the dock on how the proposed date might affect his partys upcoming primaries, his lawyer also simultaneously began addressing the judge, narrating how his client was poised to wrestle power from President Tinubu.

This court belongs to all of us. This court is not for some people alone. It belongs to all of us, Mr Abubakar yelled.

Attempts by the judge to make the lawyer lower his voice were unsuccessful.

The judge said, If you shout in this court again, I will commit you for contempt. In fact, come here! Come and kneel down here! He pointed to a spot in front of the courtroom

On realising the unsavoury turn of events, other lawyers, led by the prosecution counsel, jumped to their feet and began to beg the judge to forgive the lawyer.

While the lawyers were still begging, the judge pronounced that the case had been adjourned until 13 April for adoption, and rose for the day.

Alleged recording device

Earlier, when the case was called in the morning, Mr Kehinde told the court that Mr Sowore had a recording device with him in the dock.

He urged the court to direct that the device be taken from the defendant.

Mr Sowore, who the judge granted permission to speak, denied being in possession of any recording device, adding that he only had with him his eye glasses, power bank and phone.

Mr Umar recalled that the court had earlier made an order that the defendant should not bring any gadget with him while in the dock.

The judge then asked him to submit the items to his lawyers, which he handed to a court official, who transferred them to Mr Sowores lawyer.

When asked to proceed with the case, Mr Abubakar said he only learnt about Mondays sitting few moments before the courts session began.

He said he was not in court with the case file, because he was in another court for a separate case.

He then applied for a stand-down till 12.30 p.m. to enable him to retrieve the file from his office.

Although Mr Kehinde objected, arguing that it was a ploy by the defence to further delay proceedings, the judge granted the stand-down.

When proceedings resumed some minutes to 1 p.m., Mr Abubakar cross-examined the sole prosecution witness, Cyril Nosike, a State Security Service (SSS) agent, for about two hours.

Mr Abubakar also tendered copies of newspaper publications, some of which he later gave to the witness to read from.

(NAN)
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has condemned the explosion that occurred in parts of Maiduguri on Monday evening, describing the incident as cruel and cowardly.

Mr Zulum, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, expressed sadness over the incident, which he said targeted innocent people during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor called for increased vigilance and heightened security measures, particularly in places of worship and other public areas.

I am deeply saddened by the explosions that occurred in parts of the metropolis on Monday evening. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of the blast. The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane, Mr Zulum said.

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He noted that the recent surge in attacks might be linked to ongoing military operations against insurgents in Sambisa Forest and other hideouts.

The governor, however, assured residents that the military and other security agencies were on top of the situation and had put in place adequate measures to prevent further security breaches in Maiduguri and across the state.

Mr Zulum urged residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.

(NAN)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged countries to work together and eradicate a rising tide of anti-Muslim hate, calling for a rejection of the narratives of fear and exclusion.

As conflict and instability rage, millions of Muslims around the world carry that pain with them, Mr Guterres said in an event marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in New York.

Let us recommit to equality, human rights and dignity of every person, everywhere, he said.

The secretary-general warned that for far too many Muslims living as minorities, their daily lives faced being shaped by exclusion, institutional discrimination, socioeconomic marginalisation, unwarranted surveillance and profiling.

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As the worlds two billion Muslims approach the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Mr Guterres called on governments to take responsibility and introduce measures that safeguard equality, not entrench prejudice.

Mr Guterres, however, warned against the subtle biases that rarely make headlines but shape lives, erode trust, and send a clear message about who is seen as belonging and who is not.

These could be opportunities quietly denied, assumptions left unchallenged, or questions weighted down by suspicion and are driven  and dangerously amplified  by anti-Muslim rhetoric, misinformation, and outright hate.

Mr Guterres said that when discrimination is echoed by those in positions of authority, prejudice becomes normalised.

When stereotypes are left unchallenged, they harden into policy. And when fear is allowed to guide decision-making, injustice follows.

Governments have a clear responsibility, he added, urging them to take action and bring forward legislation and security measures that protect people and respect human rights, not stigmatise entire communities.

He also emphasised the responsibility of technology companies and said that online spaces should bring people together, not drive them apart, adding that they must do far more to identify, prevent, and address hate speech and harassment.

Silence in the face of hatred only allows it to spread, the Secretary-General underscored, adding that we all have a responsibility to speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination.

As Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world reaffirm values that also form the foundation of the UN Charter These universal principles must guide our global response to hatred and division.

Also addressing the event in New York, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said that those prejudices were now amplified in the digital age.

Ms Baerbock said: With technology supposed to increase connection, it is instead accelerating the spread of misinformation and prejudice at an unprecedented speed.

The consequences are painfully real, with harassment, intimidation, vandalism, threat, and attacks on people and mosques.

These acts are an assault on the values that underpin peaceful, inclusive societies everywhere.

Ms Baerblock added that standing up against Islamophobia is not only about defending one religious community. It is about defending our shared humanity.

I encourage governments, international institutions, technology companies, and civil society to follow the example of the United Nations and play a proactive role in challenging harmful stereotypes while promoting accurate and responsible information, she added.

(NAN)
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged the National Assembly to enact strong legislation to protect whistleblowers and strengthen transparency in the fight against corruption amid widespread reprisal in Nigeria.

According to a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr Olukoyede made the call on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State, during a nationwide sensitisation programme on the implementation of Nigerias whistleblowing policy.

Speaking on the theme, Benefits of the Whistleblowing Policy in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria, Mr Olukoyede stressed the need for a strong legal framework that would shield whistleblowers from victimisation and remove bureaucratic obstacles that delay access to financial rewards promised under the policy.

I reiterate that we need a robust Act of the National Assembly to protect those who risk their lives to disclose corruption in this country, he said.

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The EFCC chair noted that only a few countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have enacted whistleblower protection laws.

I find it depressing that in a region where deeply rooted corruption undermines development efforts, only Ghana and Senegal have enacted whistleblower protection laws, he said.

Mr Olukoyede was represented at the event by the acting Uyo Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Oshodi Johnson.

Mr Johnson said the whistleblowing policy should motivate citizens to expose corruption primarily to prevent the theft of public funds rather than solely for financial rewards.

The appeal here is that citizens should be more interested in whistleblowing that prevents the stealing of public funds rather than focusing on recovery, because once funds are looted, they may never be fully recovered, he said.

He also urged lawmakers to domesticate provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), particularly Article 33, which provides measures for protecting individuals who report corruption.

Background

Nigeria introduced its whistleblowing policy in 2016 to encourage citizens to report corruption and financial misconduct.

Under the programme, whistleblowers are entitled to between 2.5 and 5 per cent of recovered funds. The policy recorded early success in 2017 when a tip led to the discovery of about $43 million in cash in an apartment in Lagos.

However, analysts say the programme still lacks a comprehensive legal framework to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that whistleblowers in Nigeria and 13 other West African countries face severe risks, including harassment, job loss, and even death, due to the absence of comprehensive legal frameworks to shield them.

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) Coordinator, Chido Onumah, described whistleblowers as endangered species across the region because of their relevance to the fight against corruption.

In the absence of legal protection, Mr Onumah said, whistleblowers face all kinds of retaliation ranging from stigmatisation and discrimination, dismissal from place of work, criminal sanctions and death in extreme cases for daring to take what is obviously a delicate conscious action.

Of the 15 member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), only Ghana has implemented legislation to protect whistleblowers.

The rest of the countries  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote dIvoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo  either lack or have insufficient legal protection for whistleblowers.

Mr Onumah said though many of these countries have adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) but their lackadaisical attitude towards having a law has brought harm to many.

We totally agree with the ECOWAS Commission that one of the best ways of giving them cover is for member states to provide a comprehensive legal framework through the whistleblowing legislation for disclosure of information and protection against any retaliation as a result of making disclosure, he noted.

In Nigeria, many whistleblowers frequently face job termination or harassment after revealing corruption or workplace infractions, which contributed to the urgent need for legal protection.

Also, AFRICMIL has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, to abduct whistleblower Yisa Usman from his residence on 16 July 2025.

The statement said Mr Usman, a former deputy director at JAMB, was sacked after exposing alleged procurement fraud and administrative malpractices within the agency.

Mr Onumah stated that the former deputy director has reportedly faced a string of reprisals including termination of his appointment, criminal charges, and threats to his life.

However, in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, AFRICMIL renewed calls for a whistleblower protection law after Nigerian whistleblower Mr Usman received international recognition as the closest runner-up for the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award in Berlin, Germany.

Mr Usman was recognised for exposing alleged violations of public financial management procedures and recruitment irregularities within the examination body.

AFRICMIL said Mr Usman could not attend the award ceremony due to alleged reprisals he has faced in Nigeria, including dismissal from public service, legal battles and threats to his safety.

The organisation therefore urged the Nigerian government to urgently enact a whistleblower protection law to safeguard individuals who disclose wrongdoing in the public interest.

Participants at the EFCC event included representatives of anti-corruption agencies, lawmakers, security agencies, and other stakeholders involved in Nigerias anti-corruption efforts.
President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with Andre Basbaum, president of Brazil's public broadcasting company Empresa Brasil de Comunicacao (EBC), in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with Andre Basbaum, president of Brazil's public broadcasting company Empresa Brasil de Comunicacao (EBC), in Beijing on Tuesday.

Xinhua is willing to work with EBC to further strengthen information and resource sharing on high-level exchanges, major cooperation projects, and grand events of cultural exchanges between China and Brazil, and help the Chinese and Brazilian people better feel the vitality of the China-Brazil community with a shared future through news reporting, Fu said.

Hailing the impressive development of Xinhua, Basbaum said EBC hopes to enhance cooperation with Xinhua to contribute media efforts to the friendship between Brazil and China and promote media collaboration among countries of the Global South. 
The Supreme Court Friday, 20 February, finally delivered judgment in favour of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) following the protracted legal battle between Polaris Bank Limited, AMCON, 11 Hospitality Plc, and Milan Industries Limited over the sale of Lagos Continental Hotel.

The defunct Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank Plc) advanced a credit facility to Milan Industries Limited for the construction of the Lagos Continental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. The loan became non-performing, and AMCON acquired the Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) of Milan Industries Limited from Polaris Bank in September 2018.

Prior to purchase of the loan, the Bank had appointed Kunle Ogunba SAN as Receiver/Manager over Milan Industries to recover the non-performing loan. As Receiver/Manager, Kunle Ogunba took over the Lagos Continental Hotel pursuant to the registered Deed of Legal Mortgage collateralizing the Hotel to the Bank and his Deed of Appointment.

Upon acquisition of the EBA, AMCON validated the appointment of Kunle Ogunba SAN as Receiver/Manager. Subsequently, AMCON disposed the Lagos Continental Hotel for the sum of N22 billion to 11 Hospitality Plc pursuant to the registered Deed of Legal Mortgage collateralizing the Hotel to the Bank/AMCON.

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Following the disposal of the collateral, Milan Industries Limited commenced Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1643/2020- Milan Industries Limited vs Polaris Bank Limited, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and 11 Plc wherein the obligor challenged the disposal of the collateral by AMCON.

The Federal High Court had dismissed the obligors suit at the time.

Dissatisfied with the judgment; Milan Industries commenced an appeal at the Court of Appeal vide CA/L/CV/476/2021: Milan Industries Limited vs Polaris Bank Ltd, AMCON & 11 Hospitality Plc. The matter over the years went through the Court of Appeal, which ruled in favour of Milan Industries Limited.

The judgment of the Court of Appeal was appealed to the Supreme Court that finally ruled on the matter on 20 February 20, in favour of AMCON.

In setting aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court stated that the AMCON Act is a special law enacted by the National Assembly to tackle peculiar problems in the financial industry and interpretation should be done in accordance with special nature of the law. Hence the Supreme Court affirmed salient provisions of the Act; The Supreme Court upheld the provisions of Sections 60 of the AMCON, which exempts AMCON from paying stamp duties; The Supreme Court validated the rights of AMCON as a mortgagee irrespective of the up stamping of the document.

The Supreme Court held that provided there was an outstanding debt, AMCON had a continuing security interest in the mortgaged assets. The Supreme Court upheld the sale of the Lagos Intercontinental Hotel thereby ensuring that the powers of AMCON to dispose mortgaged assets are protected.

It would be recalled that AMCON acquired the Lagos Continental Hotel (Asset or Hotel) as collateral for an eligible bank asset purchased from Sky Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank Limited) following the failure of Milan Industries Limiteds to repay their outstanding debt to the bank. With this development, the matter has been permanently laid to rest.

Signed

Jude Nwauzor, Head, Corporate Communications Department, AMCON
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has been sworn in for a second term in office.

Mr Soludo took the oath of office and oath of allegiance at exactly 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

Onyekachukwu Ibezim was also sworn in as the deputy governor of the South-eastern state.

The oaths of office and allegiance were administered to the governor and the deputy governor by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Onochie Anyachebelu.

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Mr Soludo won the 8 November 2025 governorship election in the state under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The swearing-in ceremony was broadcast live by Channels TV, a Lagos-based television station.

Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, two former presidents of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.

Famous Nigerian diplomat, Emeka Anyaoku, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by his Deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, were also present.

Re-election as governor

During the November 2025 governorship election, Mr Soludo of the APGA scored 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, who polled 99,445 votes.

The Young Progressives Party candidate, Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes, while his counterpart from the Labour Party, George Moghalu, claimed the fourth position in the election with 10,576 votes.

According to the results, Mr Soludo won in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

READ ALSO: Security operatives arrest another native doctor in Anambra over ritual practices

It was the second time an individual has won in all 21 local government areas during a governorship election in Anambra State.

The immediate past governor of the South-eastern state, Willie Obiano, was the first to achieve the feat in 2017 when he was reelected under the APGA platform.

Meanwhile, Mr Soludo was first elected as the governor of Anambra on 6 November 2021 and sworn in on 17 March 2022.

His second four-year term will elapse by March 2030.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, imposed a N500,000 fine on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for delaying former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefieles corruption trial.

The judge, Hamza Muazu, imposed the fine after the EFCC failed to produce its next prosecution witness, stalling the proceedings scheduled for Tuesday.

The EFCC is prosecuting Mr Emefiele on 20 amended counts, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

It accused the former CBN governor of conferring corrupt advantages on two companiesApril 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

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It also accused him of a fraudulent payment of $6.23 million from the CBN vault in Abuja in 2023, under the guise of payments for fictitious foreign election observers expenses.

Mr Emefiele denied all charges.

Trial judge Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until Tuesday after EFCCs 12th prosecution finished testifying on Monday.

The EFCC was supposed to present its 13th prosecution witness on Tuesday.

However, the proposed witness, Edwin Okpoziakeo, a deputy commissioner of police who took part in the investigation of the case, was absent from court.

The prosecution lawyer, A.O. Mohammed, informed the court that the witness, though notified of the need for his presence in court, was not in available due to administrative procedures.

He told the court that he was directed by the Force Headquarters to write a formal letter to the Inspector-General of Police requesting the presence of Mr Okpoziakpo.

He said that he promptly wrote the letter as directed.

He said Mr Okpoziakpo later told him that he had a personal matter in another court in Gwagwalada, FCT, where his personal account was under garnishee order.

The prosecution lawyer, therefore, pleaded with the court to grant him an adjournment to produce the witness in court

However, defence lawyer Matthew Burkaa, vehemently opposed the request for adjournment.

Mr Burkaa referred the court to Section 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which limited each party to only five adjournments from the arraignment till final judgment.

He said EFCC had been granted adjournments eight times as against the provisions of the law.

He added that the prosecution made its choice by allowing the witness to choose personal matter above the official engagement.

Mr Burkaa argued that the anti-graft agency requested accelerated trial of the case.

He added that between 2023 to date, the court had indulged the prosecution with eight adjournements and prayed the court not to grant any more.

The judge agreed with the defence counsel but stated that the court still retains the discretion to grant an adjournment in the interest of justice.

He held that an investigator was not one that should be shut out in a matter of that nature.

But he imposed a fine of N500,000 on the anti-graft agency for delaying the trial in spite of being granted accelerated hearing.

Mr Muazu then adjourned until 27 April for continuation of the trial.

Backstory

Earlier on Monday, an EFCC investigator testified that Mr Emefiele was not a signatory to the accounts of two companies to which he allegedly awarded the Banks contracts corruptly.

My evidence never mentioned April 1616; however, the defendant (Mr Emefiele) is not a signatory to the account of April 1616. I cannot remember if he is a director or shareholder, said the investigator, David Jaiyeoba, who is the 12th prosecution witness in Mr Emefieles corruption trial.

The prosecution witness added that the defendant was neither a signatory, director nor shareholder of Archiketon Nigeria Limited.

He said this while Mr Emefieles lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), cross-examined him.

The EFCC is prosecuting Mr Emefiele on 20 amended counts, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

It accused the former CBN governor of conferring corrupt advantages on two companiesApril 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

April 1616 allegedly belonged to Saadatu Ramalan-Yaro, who was said to be an associate of Mr Emefiele CBN employee.

The 10th prosecution witness, Salawu Gana, who is a former head of procurement department at the CBN, testified in February 2025, that bidding information for CBN contracts was leaked to Ms Ramalan-Yaro and April 1616 Investment Limited. The alleged corrupt transactions allegedly took place between 2018 and 2020 while Mr Emefile was the CBN governor.

EFCC initially arraigned Mrs Ramalan-Yaro alongside Mr Emefiele as a co-defendant. However, an amendment to the case in 2024 discharged her from the trial, while the number of charges against Mr Emefiele was reduced from 20 to six.

Other charges against Mr Emefiele include the alleged fraudulent payout of $6.23 million from the CBN vault in Abuja in 2023, under the guise of payments for fictitious foreign election observers expenses.

(NAN)
Israels Minister of Defence, Israel Katz, says the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, and the commander of the internal Basij militia, Gholamreza Soleimani, have been killed.

Al Jazeera reports that Mr Katz said that the top Iranian security officials were killed by Israeli strikes. He announced this in a social media post on Tuesday.

Mr Larijanis death, if confirmed, will be the latest high-profile killing in the ongoing war with the US and Israel. It will follow the assassination of the former Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed by a joint US-Israel strike at his residence on 28 February.

The leaders of the regime are being killed and their capabilities terminated.

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Our army is working with strength to continue to hit and terminate the missile capabilities as well as the strategic infrastructure, Mr Katz wrote.

Iran has yet to confirm the killings, but was also late to confirm Mr Khameneis killing and did so hours after Israel and the US announced it.

However, Iranian media, shortly before the Israeli announcement, released a handwritten message from Mr Larijani honouring 84 Iranian sailors, whose funeral is expected to take place on Tuesday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the sailors were killed in a US attack on their naval vessel in international waters.

Mr Larijani is a key figure in the Iranian government, serving as the secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

Last Friday, he was seen with President Masoud Pezeshkian at a pro-Palestinian Al-Quds Day rally in Tehran.

Mr Larijani is also regarded as an adviser to the late Supreme Leader.

He had also served as Irans chief nuclear negotiator between 2005 and 2007.

Speaking of his assassination, Israels foreign minister, Gideon Saar, stated that Iranians are safer without him.

The top Israeli official said Israel, by its action, is weakening Irans repression mechanism.

He also stated that the regime can only be toppled by the Iranian people, and with some external support.

Mr Soleimani, on the other hand, has been playing a key role, serving as the Commander of the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

He is known for organising pro-government activities and responding to domestic unrest, with the Basij often deployed to support law enforcement during protests.
Nigeria is strengthening efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) through improved diagnostic technology, community-level interventions and expanded access to treatment.

The National TB, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) says recent innovations are helping to identify more patients and close long-standing gaps in TB diagnosis and treatment across the country.

The Acting National Coordinator of the NTBLCP, Clement Adesigbin disclosed this during a press conference ahead of the 2026 World TB Day in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Adesigbin said identifying people living with TB has historically been one of the countrys biggest challenges but noted that new digital systems and advanced testing tools are improving case detection.

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Diagnosing people is very difficult, and finding large numbers of undiagnosed cases is even harder. But today, with advanced diagnostic tools and digital platforms, we can identify more patients efficiently, he said.

He said Nigeria is gradually improving its TB detection rate, reaching about 30 per cent of national targets, compared with 2025 per cent in previous years.

He added that over 450,000 TB cases were diagnosed and placed on treatment in 2025.

Digital platforms and dedicated websites have been deployed to support healthcare providers in diagnosing and tracking TB cases across the country.

He said the programme is also prioritising community-based healthcare delivery to ensure TB services are available closer to where people live, improving early diagnosis and treatment.

World TB Day is commemorated on 24 March annually to raise awareness of TB and to mobilise efforts, including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing towards TB elimination.

This years theme is Yes! We can end TB, with the slogan Led by the Federal Ministry of Health, Powered by the Communities.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs, a condition called pulmonary TB, but can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine or brain.

The disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits. While many people carry the infection in a latent form that causes no symptoms, TB can become active and dangerous if the immune system is weakened.

Those at higher risk of developing active TB include people living with HIV, individuals with diabetes or undernutrition, and those who use tobacco or alcohol.

The most common symptoms of TB include a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.

Globally, and according to the 2024 WHO global TB report, an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, with 1.6 million people losing their lives and 12 per cent of the global burden affecting the most vulnerable  the children and young adolescents.

TB remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with the country ranking sixth globally and first in Africa.

Drug resistant TB

Mr Adesigbin also noted that efforts are underway to address the growing threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis, which occurs when patients fail to complete treatment or cannot access appropriate medicines.

Drug resistance develops when patients do not complete treatment or cannot access the right medication, he said.

We are closing that gap with data-driven tracking and broader availability of TB drugs.

Mr Adesigbin said Nigerias progress in tackling the disease depends on sustained government leadership, community engagement and continued technological innovation.

If we continue to optimise these tools and scale services nationwide, Nigeria can significantly reduce TB incidence and improve treatment outcomes, he said.

Collaborative efforts

Meanwhile, civil society and private sector organisations are increasingly joining efforts to support Nigerias TB response.

The Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership, Mayowa Joel, said partnerships with non-governmental actors are expanding support for awareness campaigns, advocacy and improved service delivery.

Many of these partners have shown a positive interest. While not all may contribute financially, they are leveraging the comparative strengths of their organisations to support health initiatives, including TB, for communities and students, Mr Joel said.

He added that collaboration between government, civil society and private organisations would be critical to strengthening Nigerias TB response and expanding access to care.

With improved diagnostics, expanded access to medicines, digital tracking, and strengthened partnerships, he said that Nigeria is taking critical steps toward ending TB and ensuring timely care for all patients.

In her remarks, the Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, highlighted the growing role of Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu and the private sector in mobilising domestic resources to strengthen the fight against TB.

Ms Ogbuji-Ladipo said Mrs Tinubu has supported TB control efforts through donations, which has been deployed across the country to improve TB services.

She has demonstrated strong leadership by mobilising support and encouraging the wives of governors to serve as champions in their respective states, she said.

She added that the involvement of state First Ladies had helped drive advocacy and domestic resource mobilisation at sub-national levels.

Ms Ogbuji-Ladipo added that theme for this years WTBD underscores a fundamental truth that ending TB requires strong leadership from government, while communities remain the driving force for awareness, prevention, treatment adherence, and accountability.
On Monday, students of Jesus College, Otukpo, in Benue State, resumed school for their terminal examinations only to find their classrooms and other facilities badly damaged by a windstorm.

The principal of the school, Simon Omala, told PREMIUM TIMES that the storm on Friday night destroyed classrooms, staff quarters, laboratories, and other facilities within the school compound.

The windstorm blew down almost everything in the school. Staff quarters, classrooms, the staff room, and the exam hall. Virtually everything was affected, Mr Omala said.

According to him, the students had gone home when the storm occurred, but returned on Monday to find a heavily damaged school.

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This morning, the students came to continue their terminal examinations. They were shocked by the level of destruction, he said.

Founded in 1954 by the Methodist Church, Jesus College has been taken over by the state government and currently has over 400 students.

Mr Omala said at least 12 classrooms had their roofs blown off, while other unused structures within the premises were also damaged.

Laboratory facilities were not spared in the incident.

Our ICT laboratory was affected. Rainwater soaked some of the equipment. Electronics do not survive such exposure, so some of the facilities have already been damaged, he said.

Although the students are continuing their examinations, the principal said the process is being managed under difficult conditions.

We are managing temporary arrangements for them to finish their exams. Some will write in the chapel and other spaces that were not completely destroyed, he explained.

He said the students would finish their examinations on Wednesday, before the school temporarily closes to allow authorities to assess the damage and begin repairs.

The situation, he said, raises concerns for final-year students who are preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which begins in April.

Students are supposed to read in their classrooms and prepare well. With the structures destroyed, it will bring a lot of inconvenience to them, he said.

Education officials assess damage

The Area Education Officer for Otukpo, Bernard Oga, who visited the school, described the destruction as severe.

It is really devastating. Almost the whole school is down, Mr Oga told PREMIUM TIMES.

He said the situation had been reported to the state ministry of education.

I have sent pictures of the destruction to the Commissioner for Education. We have also been asked to print and submit a detailed report, he said.

Mr Oga added that other schools in the area were also affected by the storm.

I will still go to Wesley High School, St Monicas and Bishop Okoche to see the extent of the damage there, he said.

Traditional ruler seeks emergency intervention

The windstorm also affected homes and businesses in Otukpo town, prompting the OchIdoma, Elaigwu Odogbo, to call for emergency assistance for affected residents.

In a statement issued through the Mayor of Otukpo, Ignatius Ogbogo, the traditional ruler appealed to both the federal and Benue State governments, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency, for urgent intervention.

What we welcomed as the first rain of the year has unfortunately brought unexpected hardship to many households, the statement said.

According to the statement, several homes were damaged, and some families were displaced.

The traditional ruler called for emergency relief supplies for affected families and the rehabilitation of the towns drainage infrastructure to prevent future flooding.

Similar storm devastates Kogi community

A similar incident was reported in Ejuku community in Yagba East Local Government Area of neighbouring Kogi State, where residents said a storm destroyed nearly 40 houses on 12 March.

READ ALSO: Benue varsity ASUU threatens strike

Community leaders said families were left without shelter following the incident and appealed to the Kogi State Government and local political representatives for urgent assistance.

According to residents, no official relief had reached the community several days after the disaster.

They urged authorities to provide emergency support and help affected families rebuild their homes.

Back in Otukpo, school authorities say their immediate concern remains ensuring that students complete their ongoing examinations safely while awaiting government and community support to rebuild the damaged facilities.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has reaffirmed confidence in President Bola Tinubu, describing him as a courageous and patriotic leader capable of addressing Nigerias challenges and advancing development in the South-east.

Mr Soludo made the assertion on Tuesday after he was sworn in as the governor of Anambra State for a second term.

Mr Soludo was sworn in by the Chief Judge of Anambra, Onochie Anyachebelu. His deputy, Onyekachi Ibezim, was sworn in earlier.

In his inaugural address, Mr Soludo commended Mr Tinubu for ongoing federal infrastructure projects in the South-east, particularly the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

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The governor noted that the presidents interventions signalled renewed federal attention to the needs of the South-east.

President Tinubu is a cerebral, courageous and patriotic Nigerian. We trust him to make a major difference for Nigeria and the South-east, he said.

Mr Soludo disclosed that during Tinubus state visit to Anambra on 8 May 2025, he requested the inclusion of the South-east in the national gas and rail masterplan as well as the dredging of the River Niger to enable full operations at the Onitsha River Port.

According to him, the president approved the requests, expressing optimism that relevant federal agencies would deliver on the commitments.

The governor said enhanced federal collaboration would be critical to unlocking the regions economic potential, particularly through improved transportation and energy infrastructure.

He emphasised that strategic partnerships between the federal government and states would help address longstanding concerns of marginalisation and accelerate development.

Mr Soludo also called on Igbos to actively engage in national politics and build alliances to strengthen their influence in decision-making.

He said that constructive engagement, rather than agitation, remained the most effective path to achieving equity and inclusion within Nigerias democratic framework.

The governor reaffirmed his administrations commitment to building a livable and prosperous state, noting that federal support under Mr Tinubus leadership would complement ongoing reforms in the state.

He urged stakeholders across the South-east to seize emerging opportunities and work collaboratively with the federal government to drive sustainable growth.

Mr Soludo assured residents that his administration would continue to pursue policies that align with national development priorities while advancing the interests of the state and the region.

Shettimas remarks

Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Governor Soludo had demonstrated, with elegance and courage, what it means for a democrat to lead.

He said there was no doubt that the people of Anambra had now witnessed what many had long heard about, the Soludo Solution.

According to him, Mr Soludo assumed office at a critical period in Nigerias history when many traded integrity for relevance.

READ ALSO: Organisers suspend planned protest against poor power supply in Anambra

Yet, he has remained honourable and a man of ideas, whose convictions are rooted in the public good.

His overwhelming victory in the 8 November 2025 election is a reflection of the peoples trust and confidence in his leadership.

In the business of serving the people, there is no need for opposition; we must place the welfare of the people above partisan politics. Soludos second term is about consolidation.

The federal government remains committed to partnering with Anambra to move the country forward. It is not just about continuity, but responsibility, Mr Shettima said.

He urged the people of the state to support the governor in realising his vision of making the state a major industrial hub in Nigeria.

(NAN)
A McGill University, Canada, lecturer Richard Janda, has called on the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian police to withdraw charges against two activists involved in a peaceful protest against forced evictions in Lagos waterfront communities.

Richard Janda, an associate professor at McGills Faculty of Law, wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Lagos State, Babajide Martins, demanding the immediate termination of the charges against Hassan Taiwo, who is known as Soweto, and Dele Frank. Both are facing charges over their participation in the protest on 28 January, against the demolition and forced eviction of residents.

The protest was held at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Alausa, Ikeja, on 28 January this year.

I write to demand the immediate withdrawal of trumped-up charges proffered against Hassan Taiwo Soweto, spokesperson of #EndBadGovernance Movement Lagos, and Dele Frank (Arole Fela), a musician, by the Lagos State Police Command over their participation in a peaceful protest against the unjust demolition of and forced eviction of poor people from their homes by the Lagos State Government.

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I understand that their trial was adjourned until 24 April 2026, at the Magistrate Court, Yaba, Lagos, he said in the statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

Mr Janda described the charges as trumped-up and said the trial represents an attempt to criminalise peaceful dissent and undermine democratic rights.

He referenced 24 July 2025 Federal High Court judgement in Lagos, in which the Nigerian Police and Lagos State Government were ordered to pay N10 million in damages to Soweto and others, following their arrest at a peaceful protest marking the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS massacre.

He also condemned the alleged brutalisation of Mr Soweto during the 28 January protest, which reportedly left him with serious back injuries, and called for an independent probe into the assault.

Mr Janda demanded the immediate return of items seized by the police during the protest, including DJ equipment, a generator, a laptop, and a first aid box.

Background

Soweto and Mr Frank were arraigned on 29 January, over alleged involvement in protests against illegal demolitions, forced evictions, and land grabs in Makoko and other waterfront communities.

They face five counts, including conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and singing abusive songs against the police and Lagos State Government.

The magistrate granted both bail of N200,000 each, with two responsible sureties per defendant, and released them into the custody of their lawyer, Femi Falana, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The protest was organised by residents with support from civil society groups including the #EndBadGovernance Movement and CAPPA, aimed to oppose demolitions in Makoko, Owode-Onirin, Oworonshoki, and Ajegunle.

Observers reported the protest was peaceful, with participants carrying placards reading Save Our Souls and Stop the Killings, Stop Demolition of Our Homes.

However, the Lagos State Police described the protest as disruptive, alleging that protesters blocked roads, used loudspeakers to intimidate the public, carried a coffin, and sat on the highway.

Several protesters and journalists were reportedly injured, and personal property and work tools were seized.

Mr Soweto recently described the trial as politically motivated, aimed at silencing critics of the states demolition policies.

Civil society groups have called for the immediate release of detained protesters, the return of seized property, suspension of the Commissioner of Police, and a halt to ongoing demolitions.

The group argued that demolitions disproportionately affect poor communities without consultation, compensation, or resettlement.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Thursday, 19th March, and Friday, 20th March 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, which signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The minister urges Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which were emphasized during the holy month.

He also called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.

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While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the minister encourages citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

The federal government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.

Signed

Magdalene Ajani

Permanent Secretary Minister of Interior
The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has ordered the rehearing of a suit filed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufais suit to challenge the Kaduna State House of Assemblys probe into his activities while in office.

The appellate court nullified the judgement of the Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court which had thrown out Mr El-Rufais suit against the legislative probe in 2024.

It held that the lower Federal High Court denied Mr El-Rufai fair hearing, which was exactly the grievance he had against the Kaduna State House of Assembly and prompted him to file the suit.

The former Kaduna State governor alleged in his suit that the Kaduna State House of Assembly denied him fair hearing in its investigations.

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But the Federal High Court threw out the case in July 2024, a decision he went on appeal to challenge on grounds of denial of fair hearing.

The Court of Appeal upheld Mr El-Rufais case in its judgement delivered Tuesday, his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed in a statement.

The court found that the failure to serve the former governor with a hearing notice invalidated the entire proceedings.

The court held that the trial court proceeded to hear the matter on 18 July 2024 without proper service on Mr El-Rufai and denied him the opportunity to respond to the respondents filings, thereby breaching his constitutional right to fair hearing.

It ruled that the absence of proof of service of hearing notice rendered the proceedings a nullity, stressing that such service is fundamental to the jurisdiction of the court.

The Court of Appeal also faulted the trial court for refusing to allow Mr El-Rufai file a further affidavit and reply on points of law after the respondents regularised their processes, noting that he was entitled to do so under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules.

Consequently, the appellate court set aside the proceedings of 18 July 2024 and the judgement delivered on 30 July 2024 by the judge, R.M. Aikawa, and ordered that the case be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing.

Mr El-Rufai had approached the Federal High Court in 2024, alleging that the Kaduna State House of Assembly denied him fair hearing during its investigations. However, the trial court declined jurisdiction, holding that the issues raised went beyond fundamental rights enforcement.

The latest ruling comes amid broader legal disputes involving the former governor. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February over allegations of financial misconduct during his time in office.

His lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, alleging violations of his fundamental rights, including failure to properly serve court processes and denial of fair hearing. The ICPC, however, maintains that his detention is lawful and part of ongoing investigations.

The Court of Appeals decision is likely to shape ongoing and future proceedings involving the former governor, particularly on questions of due process and fair hearing.
WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has "demanded" several countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil join a coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about 20 percent of the world's oil passes.

A day earlier on Saturday, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that "many countries," especially those that are affected by Iran's attempted closure of the strait, "will be sending War Ships" to secure the oil trade route.

While his call was forceful, even urgent, the response has so far been muted. Can a Hormuz naval coalition sought by the United States take shape?

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is the sole maritime outlet to the open ocean. At its narrowest, it is barely 39 km wide.

For the region's oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the strait is indispensable, carrying the bulk of their crude exports. It is also a crucial artery for liquefied natural gas, not least from Qatar, one of the world's largest suppliers. Roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through it each day, about a fifth of global consumption.

However, only 77 vessels have transited the strait since March, data from Lloyd's List Intelligence showed, a drop of about 90 percent year on year. Many ships are avoiding the region due to high security risks in the region.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East and strictly controlling access to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told U.S. media that the strait remained open for international shipping except for vessels belonging to the United States, Israel and their allies.

"The Strait of Hormuz is open. It is only closed to the tankers and ships belonging to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass," Araghchi said.

WHY A COALITION?

The ongoing war has lasted more than two weeks, severely disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen to less than 10 percent of pre-conflict levels, forcing Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia to cut production by several million barrels in just over a week.

The International Energy Agency said that Gulf countries have curtailed at least 10 million barrels a day of oil production, about 10 percent of global demand, with refinery output of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel also declining.

The blockade has also triggered a chain reaction of soaring shipping costs and adjustments to global supply chains. Analysts warn that if passage through the strait remains paralyzed, the world's logistics system could face its most severe disruption since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased transport costs driven by the conflict in Iran will be passed on to consumers, said Vincent Clerc, chief executive of Maersk, a major shipping company.

Although the U.S. imports limited oil from this region, a closure or an attack on ships would impact the global energy market, increase maritime insurance costs, and threaten to disrupt imports of critical commodities like pharmaceuticals, as noted in a CNBC article.

Trump said the U.S. military had struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran and targeted key infrastructure, while claiming U.S. forces had neutralized Iranian mine-laying capabilities in the strait.

Yet the military campaign continues and is set to further escalate tensions.

Trump has publicly noted on Sunday that he has "demanded" about seven countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil join a coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, urging allies and countries dependent on Gulf oil to help.

However, several U.S. allies have rebuffed or shown reluctance to provide military assistance, with Japan, Australia and various European countries saying they have no plans to send ships.

WHY THE HESITATION?

Trump on Monday complained that U.S. allies are reluctant to answer his call for a multinational mission to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, with no country so far stepping forward to send warships.

"We've protected them from horrible outside sources, and they weren't that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me," Trump said at a press conference.

Trump said some countries hosting large numbers of U.S. troops had declined to provide assistance when Washington asked whether they could contribute minesweeping vessels for a potential escort mission.

Multiple European nations and the European Union on Monday voiced reluctance or outright opposition to Trump's call. Stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against further regional escalation, European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out any military involvement in protecting oil tankers in the strait, emphasizing that NATO is a "defense alliance" rather than an "intervention alliance."

His remarks were echoed in Brussels by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas stated the bloc has no appetite for expanding its existing naval mission Aspides in the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are working on the diplomatic solutions for the Strait of Hormuz," she said, adding, "This is not Europe's war."

Meanwhile, Australia is well-prepared for the "economic crisis" caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and would not be sending a warship to the region, said Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.

Publicly, many governments have been reluctant to commit to such a mission before the end of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, given the risks involved, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Japan is not currently planning to deploy Self-Defense Force ships to escort vessels in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday.

In a recent post on X, Araghchi said the United States' much-touted "security umbrella" in the region has "proven to be full of holes" and has invited instability rather than preventing it.

Washington was now asking other countries to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz, he added.

Analysts believe that even if the United States succeeds in forming a maritime escort coalition, implementing such escort operations would be extremely difficult.

"This is a possibility, but it's harder than you think," U.S. Senator of Connecticut Chris Murphy said on X. "First, it would require our entire navy. 100 tankers need escorting each day. Second, if we can't destroy the mines and drones, our ships are at risk too." 
In a fast-paced world that values speed above everything else, taking a moment to pause can seem like a waste of time Yet its often in these quiet moments that true judgment can shine through. Throughout history, civilisations have relied on institutions that can slow down the decision-making process just enough for wisdom to take the lead over hasty and impulsive decisions.

A few years ago, I had the chance to visit a retired civil servant in his cozy home in Lagos. Stepping into his study felt like traveling back in time. One wall was adorned with a wooden shelf, packed with books and hefty government files tied up with worn-out ribbons. These were mementos and relics from his years in public service during the late 1980s.

He took one file down and grinned.

You know, he said, back then, things didnt happen at breakneck speed. A memo would be drafted, typed up by a secretary, passed to a supervisor, reviewed again, and sometimes even looked over once more before it finally left the office. It could take weeks before a decision was made.

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He paused, as if he were reliving those moments.

But when that file finally made its way out of the building, he added, we felt sure we had really thought it through.

That moment has stayed with me ever since. It revealed something our fast-moving world rarely acknowledges today. There was a time when taking things slow wasnt seen as a lack of efficiency; it was part of how responsible decisions and choices were made.

Today, and the difference couldnt be more striking.

A government official wakes up to a flood of notifications demanding instant replies. A policy announcement ignites reactions on social media within seconds. A rumour that starts circulating online in the morning can escalate into a national controversy by nightfall.

Between that tranquil office filled with paper files and our current buzzing digital landscape lies one of the most significant shifts in human history: the digital revolution.

It has made communication faster, connected societies across the globe, and made a wealth of information accessible right from our smartphones. Yet, it has also subtly transformed something deeper. It has reshaped how we think, how we engage in debate, and how governments arrive at decisions.

Before the internet changed the way we communicate, society had a different pace.

Letters took days to reach their destination. Newspapers went through lengthy editorial processes before they finally landed in readers hands. Government decisions had to navigate multiple layers of review before they could become official policy.

While these delays could be quite frustrating, they also played a crucial role. They allowed for moments of reflection.

The German sociologist, Max Weber, once described modern governance as a system grounded in procedures and institutional discipline. Bureaucracy, often criticised for its sluggishness, also made sure that decisions were documented, reviewed, and thoughtfully considered.

In practical terms, this meant that significant decisions, especially those impacting millions of citizens, were seldom made in haste. Officials had the opportunity to scrutinise facts, evaluate alternatives, and foresee potential consequences.

Time itself functioned as a protective measure.

The digital revolution has radically transformed our perception of time. Information travels around the globe in mere seconds, and opinions are formed almost instantaneously. Political pressure can escalate at a breathtaking speed.

Canadian media scholar, Marshall McLuhan, famously pointed out that the tools we use for communication ultimately reshape our thinking. If that observation holds true, then our digital environment is nudging society toward quick reactions, instead of thoughtful reflection.

Governments now find themselves operating under constant public watch and immense pressure to respond swiftly.

A viral video demands a statement within hours.

A trending hashtag pushes for policy changes.

Online outrage insists that leaders act before all the facts are known.

In this kind of environment, governance can start to feel like emergency management carried out in real time.

Political philosopher, Hannah Arendt, cautioned that good judgment requires some distance from the immediacy of events. When everything feels urgent, the necessary space for sound judgment begins to vanish.

The implications reach far beyond just politics. Psychologists and cognitive scientists have long observed that complex reasoning demands our full attention. However, digital communication tends to splinter our focus into constant bursts of information and reaction.

Public debates are increasingly happening through short messages, viral videos, and emotionally charged commentary. Complex issues that used to require thoughtful analysis are often reduced to oversimplified narratives that spread rapidly but offer little real understanding.

For democracy to thrive, its not just about participation; its about informed participation. When public discourse moves faster than we can verify facts, misinformation can easily travel faster than truth.

The philosopher, Jurgen Habermas, wrote extensively about the significance of the public sphere  a space where citizens can engage in rational discussions about societal issues. The digital age has dramatically expanded that sphere, giving millions a platform. Yet, this speed often compromises the thoughtful deliberation that healthy debate needs.

None of this is to dismiss the extraordinary benefits of digital technology.

Governments can now respond more quickly to emergencies. Citizens enjoy access to a wealth of information like never before. Public officials can be held accountable in ways that would have seemed impossible just a generation ago.

Digital communication has truly opened up doors that were once tightly shut. However, this progress presents a paradox. As information travels faster, it becomes increasingly challenging to distinguish between thoughtful reflection and impulsive reaction.

While speed enhances efficiency in areas like commerce, communication, and logistics, governance isnt just about being quick. Its fundamentally about making sound judgments. And making those judgments often takes time.

The pre-digital age wasnt without its flaws. Bureaucracies often took their sweet time to adapt, and important reforms sometimes dragged on longer than necessary. Access to information was pretty limited compared to what we have today.

However, that era had some qualities that modern societies shouldnt just toss aside.

Institutional memory mattered. Decisions were documented meticulously and stored in an organised way. Policymaking followed established procedures that aimed to curb impulsive actions. Leaders had more room to consider the long-term effects of their choices instead of just reacting to the latest public outcry.

While those systems didnt completely eliminate mistakes, they did help lower the chances that major decisions would be swayed by fleeting outrage or incomplete information.

In todays world, the real challenge isnt about turning our backs on digital technology  that would be both impractical and unnecessary.

Instead, we need to focus on maintaining the principles of thoughtful governance as we navigate this fast-moving digital landscape.

Governments should work on enhancing deliberative processes within their institutions. Not every online controversy deserves an immediate policy response; often, taking the time for a thorough investigation is a far more responsible approach than rushing to react.

Citizens have a part to play in this, too. In a time when algorithms tend to amplify the loudest voices rather than the most insightful ones, media literacy and critical thinking are more important than ever.

Democratic institutions need to actively protect spaces for slow, reflective thinking. Parliamentary committees, independent advisory panels, and expert consultations are all designed to provide the thoughtful distance that effective policy-making demands.

Those ribbon-tied files in the retired civil servants study hold more than just memories; they embody a long-lost virtue.

In a fast-paced world that values speed above everything else, taking a moment to pause can seem like a waste of time.

Yet its often in these quiet moments that true judgment can shine through. Throughout history, civilisations have relied on institutions that can slow down the decision-making process just enough for wisdom to take the lead over hasty and impulsive decisions.

While the digital age has equipped us with incredible tools for communication and collaboration, it hasnt necessarily granted us more wisdom.

It requires something far simpler.

Time to think.

Selah!

Kayode Adebiyi is a PR practitioner and public affairs commentator. He writes from London UK and can be reached through [email protected]
Multi-layered levels of policing are ubiquitous in states organised as federations. At the minimum, state police gives Nigerians an opportunity to have law enforcement organisations that are embedded in communities and responsive to their needs.

The establishment, earlier this month, of an eight-member committee by the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to implement state police, suggests that this is an idea whose time has come. Given ongoing work in the National Assembly to amend section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits any other policing entity except the Nigeria Police Force, it signposts a commitment by the Federal Government. The idea of state police has a long and tortuous history in Nigeria. Expecting the Inspector General of Police to manage daily security operations in Maiduguri, Aba, Jos, Yenagoa and Lagos is national tomfoolery. How long this has lasted is the real surprise.

It is instructive that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was one of the advocates for state police as governor of Lagos, is the president heralding its establishment. If we are quick to criticise the government, intellectual honesty also demands that we commend a positive policy. President Tinubus intent on state police takes decades of consistency, commitment and pursuit of the right course of action, even when unpopular. It is now relatively easy to support state police. Initial opposition was strong and lasted decades but it was not based on objective facts. Many of Nigerias security challenges have multiplied exponentially. Other issues have emerged: terrorism, including suicide bombings, commercial banditry, and industrial-scale kidnapping, among others.

Political calculations in opposition to state police have spectacularly backfired. I hope this serves as a lesson to us as a country: do not oppose an idea because you think only your neighbours may benefit from it. The state police initiative should have been implemented over two decades ago, perhaps starting with one or two states per geopolitical zone until fully socialised across Nigeria.

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I was privileged to serve as special adviser to the Government of Alberta (Canada) on Police Act Review. Some of my recommendations were passed into law through the Police Amendment Act, which received royal assent in December 2022. I am happy to share a few of what I know about policing.

Multi-layered levels of policing are ubiquitous in states organised as federations. At the minimum, state police gives Nigerians an opportunity to have law enforcement organisations that are embedded in communities and responsive to their needs. For comparison, with approximately 41.5 million people, Canada has about 160 police services. These include the federally owned Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which operates as the national police service and engages in law enforcement in eight provinces/territories, as well as about 600 indigenous communities. There are also three provincial police services, while many cities, such as Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary, have their municipal police services. There are occasional issues but this model is worth emulating.

The ongoing process must devote serious consideration to a Police Act that will stand the test of time. There are two probable pathways regarding legislation undergirding state police. The National Assembly may pass a single Act to guide all police services. Another approach is to have each state pass its own Police Act. Given Nigerias particularities, a single Act of the National Assembly with inputs from all stakeholders seems more pragmatic and appropriate.

At an estimated 18,000 organisations, the number of police services in the US is often confounding to external analysts. These include mammoth entities like the New York Police Department and small ones with less than 10 officers in rural areas. This means that Washington DC is not responsible for standard policing in rural Arkansas.

To be effective, state police may be established in a manner that has a level of uniformity without centralisation. Uniformity in training and education, that is through shared manuals, syllabi and curricular may be considered. These would encompass evidence collection, categorisation, data collection and definitions for purposes of measuring trends, patterns and national comparisons, etc.

The minimum entry qualification for policing in Canada is currently grade 12 or the equivalent of West African Examinations Certificate (WAEC) certificate. Raising this to the university degree was one of my recommendations that was not included in the amended Police Act in Alberta. However, our peer countries are requiring three-to-four years in police colleges or a university degree. Each state in Nigeria may vary regarding where they are on the issue of a minimum entry qualification.

The ongoing process must devote serious consideration to a Police Act that will stand the test of time. There are two probable pathways regarding legislation undergirding state police. The National Assembly may pass a single Act to guide all police services. Another approach is to have each state pass its own Police Act. Given Nigerias particularities, a single Act of the National Assembly with inputs from all stakeholders seems more pragmatic and appropriate.

establishment of a new police service is an opportunity to utilise cutting-edge socio-scientific knowledge to build something new, avoid errors of existing models, with an eye to an institution that will serve current and future generations.

Some of those who oppose state police are concerned about political interference and the possibility of deployment of state police by governors to hound their opponents or perceived enemies. Such concerns are not unfounded. Each state police service will be as good as the enabling law, the actions of key political actors, and the vigilance of citizens. We cannot avoid creating state police because of the fear of misuse. Besides, the new Police Act may have provisions requiring the Nigeria Police Force to intervene in the affairs of a state police being misused for political purposes or the bungling of regular criminal cases. For example, the FBI routinely intervenes in cases of malfeasance at the state or municipal police level in the USA.

Another way of dealing with this issue is to ensure that the head of state police is appointed by and reports directly to the State Assembly, rather than the governor or justice commissioner. Such persons may be required to be nominated by the governor, cleared at the federal level, vis-a-vis their professional record, and secure 65 per cent or more of the votes of State Assembly members. They must have security of tenure and should only be removed by two-thirds of the State Assembly members, based on a delimited number of specified issues like corruption or bias, following exhaustive independent investigation. The funding of state police must be made directly by the legislature. Governors must be disempowered from unilaterally withdrawing funding from the police or supplying resources to secure specific political outcomes.

Many other considerations must be properly articulated in setting up state police across Nigeria. These include the prioritisation of gender diverse leadership, as well as rank-and-file, stating explicitly where state police power begins and ends, its relationship with the Nigeria Police Force, and organisational values. It is also worth emphasising that an impoverished police service is incompatible with the enforcement of law and order. Salaries and conditions of service must be reasonable, fair and liveable. There should also be attention to the cost of living in police personnel geographic locations. Independent civilian-led oversight of the police is a prerequisite (a topic for another day).

Finally, establishment of a new police service is an opportunity to utilise cutting-edge socio-scientific knowledge to build something new, avoid errors of existing models, with an eye to an institution that will serve current and future generations.

Temitope Oriola is professor of criminology at the University of Alberta, Canada. He is a former special adviser to the Government of Alberta on Police Act Review.
Reclaiming these moral traditions therefore requires deliberate and sustained effort. Ethical education must begin early and extend across the life course, embedding principles of dignity, accountability, and service within both family and institutional settings. Revitalising these philosophies is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a pragmatic necessity. By re-internalising the ideals of Omoluwabi, Ezigbo Mmadu, and Mutumin Kirki, Nigeria can begin to address the behavioural patterns that have tarnished its image

For some time, I have carefully reflected on whether to write this piece, mindful of the sensitivity of the issues it raises. Yet, the steady erosion of moral standards in our society compels honest introspection. Conduct that would once have attracted collective disapproval is now frequently displayed without hesitation, while those who attempt to uphold principled positions are often marginalised. This concern extends beyond the realm of politics; it is visible in everyday interactions among ordinary citizens. It is perhaps this pervasive decline that has led some observers to contend that Nigerias challenges stem not only from flawed leadership but also from compromised followership. Such a reality prompts searching questions: Who are we as a people? What ethical foundations anchor our nation? And how did we arrive at this troubling juncture?

Across Nigerias major ethnic traditions exist rich philosophical systems that emphasise human dignity, communal responsibility, and moral rectitude. Among the Yoruba, the concept of Omoluwabi articulates an ideal of exemplary character. Embedded in the cultural worldview of South-Western Nigeria, it reflects a collective aspiration towards integrity and honourable conduct. To be regarded as an Omoluwabi is to embody discipline, honesty, courage, humility, fairness, respect, diligence, and service to others. Character is not a private possession but a social marker, reflecting ones family and community. Its antithesis, Omolasan, describes an individual whose conduct falls short of these expectations and who, consequently, struggles to attain social acceptance.

Beyond its cultural resonance, Omoluwabi functions as an indigenous ethical framework with implications for governance and social organisation. It advances a vision of society grounded in justice, equity, and moral accountability. At a time when self-interest often eclipses communal wellbeing, this philosophy re-centres morality as the foundation of public life. It offers culturally rooted mechanisms for conflict resolution, encouraging mediation that appeals to conscience and collective values. Moreover, its emphasis on integrity, self-restraint, and responsibility provides a normative antidote to corruption and ineffective leadership. In this sense, Omoluwabi extends beyond abstract virtue; it presents a practical moral compass for public and private conduct alike.

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Within Hausa society, the notion of Mutumin Kirki similarly encapsulates the image of a person of sound character. This ideal is expressed through virtues such as truthfulness (gaskiya), trustworthiness (amana), generosity (karamci), patience (hakuri), prudence (hankali), modesty (kunya), respectfulness (ladabi), dignity (mutunci), wisdom (hikima), and justice (adalci).

Comparable ideals are evident among the Igbo and Hausa. In Igbo thought, Ezigbo Mmadu represents the archetype of the good and upright person. Such an individual consistently demonstrates sincerity, trustworthiness, loyalty, fairness, and moral consistency. Calmness, restraint, and balance are prized attributes, reflecting maturity and inner discipline. Historically, being recognised as Ezigbo Mmadu also implied fidelity to communal norms and reverence for the spiritual order that sustained society. The contrasting term, Ajo Mmadu, denotes a person whose character is defective and whose behaviour disrupts communal harmony.

Notably, Igbo ethical reasoning rejects the instrumental logic often associated with the idea that the end justifies the means. Moral legitimacy rests not only on outcomes but also on the processes that produce them. Accordingly, wealth or success attained through deceit, exploitation, or spiritual manipulation is socially disapproved, irrespective of any material benefits it might yield. The communitys welfare supersedes individual ambition, and methods must align with established moral standards. Integrity, therefore, is inseparable from both intention and action.

Within Hausa society, the notion of Mutumin Kirki similarly encapsulates the image of a person of sound character. This ideal is expressed through virtues such as truthfulness (gaskiya), trustworthiness (amana), generosity (karamci), patience (hakuri), prudence (hankali), modesty (kunya), respectfulness (ladabi), dignity (mutunci), wisdom (hikima), and justice (adalci). These qualities are relational; they shape how individuals interact with others and sustain social cohesion. Ethical life, from this perspective, is inseparable from the cultivation of habits that promote peace and order. Conduct that threatens communal stability is morally censured, and sanctions may follow where corrective measures fail. The overarching objective is the preservation of harmony and the restoration of fractured relationships.

these indigenous philosophies underscore a shared national heritage rooted in moral responsibility and communal wellbeing. Yet, these values appear increasingly overshadowed in contemporary practice. Instead of being synonymous with integrity and honour, Nigerians are too frequently depicted, both at home and abroad, in ways that suggest ethical failings. Practices such as dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and general incivility have become disturbingly prevalent in domestic life.

Taken together, these indigenous philosophies underscore a shared national heritage rooted in moral responsibility and communal wellbeing. Yet, these values appear increasingly overshadowed in contemporary practice. Instead of being synonymous with integrity and honour, Nigerians are too frequently depicted, both at home and abroad, in ways that suggest ethical failings. Practices such as dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and general incivility have become disturbingly prevalent in domestic life. When some of these behaviours manifest abroad through public misconduct and involvement in criminal activities such as internet fraud, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, they have at times led to the dehumanisation and deportation of Nigerians from African countries including South Africa, Ghana, and Libya, as well as from nations further afield such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These developments reinforce damaging stereotypes and further undermine Nigerias global standing.

Reclaiming these moral traditions therefore requires deliberate and sustained effort. Ethical education must begin early and extend across the life course, embedding principles of dignity, accountability, and service within both family and institutional settings. Revitalising these philosophies is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a pragmatic necessity. By re-internalising the ideals of Omoluwabi, Ezigbo Mmadu, and Mutumin Kirki, Nigeria can begin to address the behavioural patterns that have tarnished its image and, more importantly, restore the ethical foundations essential for national renewal.

Oluwaseun Tella is director, Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
Even in the most contentious proceedings, judicial decorum does not extend to humiliating a legal practitioner. Ordering counsel to kneel is not only undignified; it constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental right to human dignity guaranteed under Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). That right is absolute and non-derogable  no circumstance, no matter how heated the exchange, permits its breach.

I was deeply dismayed to learn of the disturbing encounter between Honourable Justice Abubakar Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and Mr Marshal Abubakar, lead counsel to former presidential aspirant, Mr Omoyele Sowore, in the judges courtroom on Monday, 16 March.

These are troubling times for Nigerias democracy and justice system. A sitting judge reportedly ordered a practising lawyer to kneel in open court simply because, in the heat of argument, he believed the counsel had raised his voice. In that moment, the judge became both adjudicator and prosecutor in his own cause.

Even in the most contentious proceedings, judicial decorum does not extend to humiliating a legal practitioner. Ordering counsel to kneel is not only undignified; it constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental right to human dignity guaranteed under Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). That right is absolute and non-derogable  no circumstance, no matter how heated the exchange, permits its breach.

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More critically, such conduct destroys any possibility of a fair hearing before this judge. Under Nigerian law, a party need not prove actual bias; the mere appearance or reasonable likelihood of bias is sufficient to vitiate proceedings. Here, the appearance is glaring.

It is therefore imperative that Mr Sowores legal team immediately files an application asking Justice Umar to recuse himself from the case. The matter should then be referred to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge, to be heard afresh (de novo).

Anything less would leave a permanent stain on the integrity of the judicial process and on the constitutional rights of all litigants who appear before this court.

Kola Alapinni is an international human rights lawyer and recipient of the US Secretary of States Award for International Religious Freedom.
Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, the chairman of the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Council, Enugu State, on 14 March, took part in the 10,000 Youths Road Show, organised to calvanise political support for the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbahs re-election bid.

Mr Mbah will win a second term as governor under the All Progressives Congress banner, given his performance in office and the great following he enjoys across Enugu State.

Participants at the road show took off from 10 a.m. at Okpara Square, Enugu, and walked through the citys major roads. Most of them wore a t-shirt with Governor Mbahs photo and the inscription Growth you can see, progress you can trust.

Bartholomew Ebuka Okoh, chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, convened the president road show.

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It was a remarkable outing, not merely because of its scale and vibrancy, but because it represented a timely and well-deserved expression of confidence in a leader whose vision, courage and commitment have continued to redefine the development trajectory of Enugu State, the Igbo-Eze council chairman, Mr Ukwueze, said of the event.

This show of support is deserving for a governor who has made bold and measurable investments in critical sectors that directly shape the future of our people.

From the expansion of infrastructure and the modernisation of public facilities, to strategic interventions in education, healthcare and youth development, His Excellency has remained steadfast in building a more functional and inclusive Enugu State.

His administration has not only raised the bar of governance, but has also rekindled hope among our young people by proving that government can be purposeful, responsive and deeply committed to progress.

For us in Igbo-Eze South and indeed across the state, this is a movement driven by results and strengthened by the confidence that the future is brighter under his leadership, he added.

Mr Ukwueze commended the convener of the road show, Mr Okoh, for providing a strong platform through which the voice, strength and solidarity of the youth population could be clearly expressed.

His organisational drive and dedication to youth mobilisation are worthy of recognition, as they reflect the growing consciousness among young people that governance works best when visionary leadership is identified and supported.

A new era begins  shaped by vision, powered by purpose.
Governor Dauda Lawal has been selected to accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom.

The President and the First Lady, along with other members of the presidential entourage, will depart Abuja for the United Kingdom on Tuesday, marking the kickoff of the state visit.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that King Charles will host President Tinubu, his wife and the entourage at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, 18 March to Thursday, 19 March.

The statement read in parts, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal will join President Bola Ahmed Tinubus entourage for a historic visit to the United Kingdom on March 18 and 19, 2026.

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The purpose of the state visit, according to the presidency, is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore collaboration opportunities in immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

At Windsor Castle, President Tinubu, the First Lady, and their entourage will be invited by Their Majesties to view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. In the evening, the Royal Family will host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests.

During the visit, President Tinubu will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leading to expanded bilateral talks ending with the signing of MoUs on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

The President will serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which features modern art and culture, and will also participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as diaspora community members.

The state visit will provide Governor Lawal with networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State.
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Techmoni Africa, the go-to destination for Fintech, Web3, and Forex news in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, has announced its official launch. The publication provides exclusive coverage of financial technology, blockchain, cryptocurrency, decentralised finance, and forex trading developments across Africa.

With a steadfast commitment to reliability and authority, Techmoni Africa provides extensive coverage of its three core pillars: fintech, Web3, and forex trading, across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. This includes insightful analysis and unique narratives showcasing individuals and businesses flourishing within these rapidly evolving sectors. Positioned as Nigerias standout online news publication dedicated to fintech, Web3, and forex trading, Techmoni Africa boasts a dedicated team of expert writers and analysts covering the stories that matter most to Africas digital finance community.

Terry Kunle, Techmoni Africas publisher, highlights Africas fintech boom, with Nigeria leading the charge as the continents most dominant financial technology market. According to a report by Fintechnews, Nigeria accounts for 28% of all African fintech companies and has consistently attracted the largest share of fintech investment on the continent.

The country is simultaneously emerging as a major hub for Web3 adoption and forex trading activity, and Techmoni Africa is here to tell that story.

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Countries like Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya are also making significant strides across these sectors. Techmoni Africa is dedicated to empowering readers, traders, and policymakers with the insights they need to navigate and thrive in Africas evolving digital finance landscape.

Stay updated with the latest fintech, Web3, and forex developments across Africa at techmoniafrica.com and join the journey towards financial innovation and progress on the continent.
When Peter Ndubuisi Mbah assumed office on 29 May 2023 as the Governor of Enugu State, he did not present governance as a routine continuation of the past. Instead, he declared a philosophy that has since shaped the direction of his administration: disruptive innovation.

From the onset, Mr Mbah made it clear that the old order would not define his leadership. His message to the people of Enugu State was direct  governance would be business unusual.

Nearly three years later, that declaration has become the defining tone of an administration determined to challenge familiar patterns of public service and rebuild the machinery of government with the mindset of a modern enterprise.

Governing Like a CEO

Governor Mbah approached office not simply as a political leader but as a chief executive determined to raise the standard of governance. His background in the private sector shaped his belief that government must operate with the discipline, urgency and strategic planning associated with successful corporate institutions.

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The result has been an administration driven by clear targets, measurable outcomes and a relentless push to modernise state institutions.

One of the most striking manifestations of that philosophy is the Command and Control Centre, a technology-driven security hub that has placed Enugu among the most digitally monitored states in Africa. Widely regarded as one of the most advanced facilities established by a subnational government in sub-Saharan Africa, the centre integrates surveillance systems, rapid response coordination and data analysis to strengthen public safety across the state.

For Mr Mbah, security is not merely about patrols and checkpoints; it is about building systems capable of anticipating and responding to threats in real time.

Reviving Dormant Assets

Another defining feature of the administration has been the decision to confront assets that had long fallen into disuse.

Across Enugu, several public investments that once symbolised economic promise had become dormant monuments to missed opportunities. Rather than abandon them, the government moved to restore them to productive life.

Today, Niger Gas Company Limited has resumed operations, providing industrial energy supply and reinforcing the states industrial ambitions.

At the same time, the iconic Hotel Presidentialonce a landmark hospitality destinationhas begun a remarkable transformation, returning gradually to the stature it once held as a symbol of Enugus economic vibrancy.

These efforts reflect a broader strategy: recovering public assets not only preserves history but also unlocks economic value.

A State Turned Construction Site

Drive through Enugu today and a striking reality emerges: the state has effectively become a construction site.

Road construction and reconstruction projects are unfolding across urban centres and rural communities alike. Major arteries are being rebuilt, while new corridors are opening communities that were once cut off from economic opportunities.

The administration sees infrastructure as more than physical development; it is the foundation for economic expansion. With improved road networks, agricultural communities gain easier access to markets, businesses benefit from smoother logistics, and new investment zones become viable. In effect, each kilometre of road is designed to expand the states economic geography.

Smart Schools for the Next Generation

Perhaps the most ambitious social investment of the administration lies in education. The government launched a bold initiative to build Smart Schools in every political ward across Enugu State. These schools are designed not simply as classrooms but as digital learning environments equipped with modern technology and facilities aimed at preparing students for a knowledge-driven world.

Some of these schools are already in use, providing early evidence of the transformation envisioned for the education sector. By placing technology at the heart of learning, the programme seeks to ensure that children from every communityurban or ruralhave access to quality education that meets global standards.

Healthcare Closer to the People

Healthcare delivery has also seen a deliberate shift toward accessibility. The establishment of Type II hospitals across communities is intended to ensure that residents can receive quality medical care without travelling long distances. These facilities are designed to bring affordable and efficient healthcare services closer to the people.

The approach reflects a broader philosophy: development should not remain concentrated in cities but must reach communities where citizens live and work.

Tackling the Water Challenge

One of the most persistent challenges faced by residents of Enugu has been access to reliable public water supply. The administration set an ambitious target during its first months in officeto generate sufficient water for the state within 180 days. That goal was achieved. Yet, the government acknowledged that production alone was not the main challenge.

The greater task lay in reticulation, the complex network required to deliver water from treatment plants to homes and neighbourhoods.

Today, that work is unfolding rapidly. Areas such as Trans Ekulu, parts of Abakpa, Independence Layout and several other communities that have long lived without public water supply are witnessing the laying of new pipelines.

In addition, the government has begun replacing aging asbestos pipes with stronger and healthier alternatives designed to support a modern distribution system.

Within the coming months, many observers believe the water story in Enugu could take on a dramatically different shape.

Workers and Economic Confidence

Beyond infrastructure and public services, the administration has also paid attention to workers welfare. Enugu has emerged as one of the states paying wages above the national minimum wage benchmark, a move that signals the governments commitment to improving living standards and stimulating economic activity within the state.

For many civil servants, it represents both recognition of their contribution and a practical step toward economic stability.

The Meaning of 54

As the governor marks his 54th birthday, the narrative surrounding his leadership is one of ambition, urgency and refusal to accept the limitations of the past.

His administration is built around a clear belief: that governance must challenge existing boundaries and pursue possibilities that once seemed distant.

Whether through technology-driven security, revived public assets, new infrastructure corridors, modern schools, expanded healthcare or renewed water systems, the message behind the policies remains consistent.

For Governor Mbah, leadership is not about preserving the familiar. It is about reshaping the future.

And at 54, the governor appears determined to continue proving that in Enugu, the status quo is no longer an option.

Clinton Umeh, a public affairs analyst writes from Enugu
Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, is 54 today, and we wish him a happy birthday full of blessings and more grace to continue to do the good work he has begun in the state.

In the words of William Shalespeare, in Twelfth Night, some are born great; some achieve greatness and some have greatnest thrust on them. For Governor Mbah, it is greatness achieved by dint of painstaking and intentional hardwork and a fighting spirit that never says die. Looking at his background, Mbah is a self-made man who never gives up until the purpose is achieved.

Born on 17 March 1972 in Owo, Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State, Mr Mbah holds a degree in Law (LLB, University of East London); LLM, Lagos State University; MBA, IESE Business School, Spain and PGD, Oxford University. Before all this, he had a checkered career in business, having dealt in electronics at Alaba International Market, Lagos, from where he embarked on the educational achievements of his, training himself to this high heights.

But the future held greater opportunities and the glory for Mbah to impact lives through public service. He was the Chief of Staff to Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and later the Commissioner for Finance. These were to shape his daring disruptive innovation in governance in years to come. Mbah also founded Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, which became the market leader in the downstream oil and gas sector in Nigeria. From Finnacle, he contested the governorship of Enugu State and won.

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Mr Mbah would orchestrate unprcedented innovations and utter transformation of Enugu State with a view to revv up the GDP of the state to &30 billion; make the state one of the top three subnational big economies; make the state the first choice of investment destination, tourism and living and ultimately reduce the states poverty headcount index to zero per cent level.

These are the tasks to which Mr Mbah addressed himself, leading to enhanced ease of doing business through the unleashing of much infrastructure on the state. The rest is history as Mbah has transformed the state beyond imaginations with over 3000 projects ongoing and completed in the state. Yet more is to come as Governor Mbah creatively brings the state to unexplored heights within two and a half years.

Soft-spoken with a calm spirit, Mr Mbah is also compassionate and has been in the vanguard of touching lives quietly and positively. Through Peter Mbah Foundstion, he had built hospitals where the indegents are treated free of charge. Through the foundation, he has built schools, roads and pipeborne water schemes for his people of Owo even before he became governor.

And even as governor, he has touched lives through his own personal pocket. He had defrayed the costs of oversee cardiac and encological treatments of many a person silently, without the camera.

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is a gift to the people of Enugu State and a blessing to Nigaria and the world. He is arguably the best governor in Nigeria, and a reference point of achievements. Before he joined the APC, he had won two awards of excellence in governance from the presidency and his praise is on the lips of many Nigerians and even foreign collaborators and investors who are flocking the state for investment in the various sectors Mbah has opened up in the state.

As the eagle attains 54 years and mounts on this crest of achievements, the people of Enugu State rejoice with the peoples governor, a transcendental leader of high repute who has given life to every dead thing in the state.

Happy birthday to His Excellency once again and may God continue to keep you, strengthen you and given you the needed wisdom to continue with the unprecedented disruptive innovation and these humongous deeds of yours.

* Mr Onyishi is SSA Media to the Governor of Enugu State
WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Joe Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, announced on social media Tuesday that he has decided to resign from his position, noting that he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran."

"Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby," Kent wrote in a post on X.

In his letter to President Donald Trump, Kent said that early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media "deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran."

Kent said that he cannot support sending the next generation off to "fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives."

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, at least 13 American service members have been killed. Ten others have been seriously wounded and about 200 injured, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday. 
Explosions have been recorded in three locations in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

Multiple sources told our reporter that the incidents occurred around 7:30 p.m.

Abdul Ahmed, a resident of the city, said the explosions were heard around El-Kanemi Monday Market and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

Another resident, Fadila Abdulrahman, corroborated this, adding that another location was targeted around the Post Office.

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It is not clear yet what caused the explosions, but residents said they suspected bombs planted by Boko Haram insurgents or suicide bombers.

The spokesperson for the Borno police command, Nahum Daso, could not be reached immediately. A text sent to him had not been responded to.

However, ia Facebook post Monday evening, Mr Daso confirmed the incident, saying Joint security operatives and emergency responders have been deployed.

He added that officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit at Base 13 Maiduguri, have also been deployed.

Residents are advised to remain calm and avoid the area while assessments continue, Mr Daso added, providing emergency hotlines0806 807 5581, 0802 347 3293to be contacted by residents.

Videos of the incident seen by our reporter showed that many people were killed and injured in the explosions.

However, the actual casualty figures remain unknown. Mr Daso, the police spokesperson, said he would provide additional details [in subsequent statements].

This incident came barely 24 hours after joint security forces foiled a midnight attack on a military base in Ajilari, a garrison suburb of Maiduguri.

The attack was carried out concurrently with other assaults in Baga, Bururai and Domboa where insurgents have repeatedly targeted and killed many people including civilians and security operatives.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ajilari had been targeted several times in previous attacks by Boko Haram, resulting in no fewer than 89 deaths between 2014 and 2021.

No group has claimed responsibility for any of these attacks. The North-east region has been plagued by years-long insurgency by Boko Haramalso known as Jamaat Ahl al-Sunna li al-Dawa wa al-Jihad (JAS)and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

ISWAP which split from Boko Haram has become more dangerous in the region. It has launched violent attacks on security forces and civilians it accused of aiding them.

Last year, it launched a campaign targeting military formations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. At least 16 militants were overrun during the campaign.

In what appears to be a renewed campaign, ISWAP has attacked more than six military camps, killing senior officers and soldiers. In an unusual joint operation, Boko Haram and ISWAP attacked Ngoshe, killed scores and abducted over 100. While the abductees still remain in captivity, the military has recaptured the village last week.

Following the resurgence of these attacks, the Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, summoned service chiefs and charged to decisively respond to the renewed threats.
At least 23 people have been killed and 108 others injured following triple explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State Police Command has said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the explosions, which occurred on Monday evening, struck three locationsthe El-Kanemi Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Post Office area.

The spokesperson for the police command, Nahum Daso, said preliminary findings indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers, an assertion corroborated by the military.

Security agencies, including police tactical units and the military, were immediately deployed to the scenes, he said, adding that the areas were cordoned off and swept by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to rule out additional threats, while emergency responders evacuated victims to hospitals for treatment.

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Mr Daso said the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, visited the affected sites, commiserated with victims, and assured residents of the commands commitment to safety.

According to him, normalcy has been restored, with security presence intensified across the city as investigations continue to identify those responsible.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, there are suspicions that terrorists under the command of Ali Ngulde, a Boko Haram commander in Mandara mountain, Gwoza LGA, could be responsible for the attacks.

Last year, a suicide bomber believed to have been deployed by the terror commander, detonated his vest, killing five soldiers in Pulka, Gwoza.

In 2024, Mr Ngulde also sent out four female suicide bombers to various locations in Mararaban Gwoza and Pulka, killing 21 people and injuring others.

The same Boko Haram faction of Mr Ngulde was involved in an attack on Ngoshe, where many were killed and over 100 were abducted. Although the Nigerian military has recaptured the village, abducted persons including women and children remain in captivity.

The resurgence of violence in Borno and other parts of Nigeria, triggered the Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, to summon service chiefs last week.

Mr Musa, a retired army general and former chief of defence staff, told the military chiefs to step up the response against growing terror threats in the North-east. All the service chiefs later met with President Bola Tinubu.

However, the insurgents appear determined to wreak havoc, with both Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram staging attacks in the last two weeks.
The immediate past senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Philip Aduda, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a resignation letter dated 17 March and addressed to his ward chairman in Karu, Abuja, Mr Aduda brought an abrupt end to his long-standing membership of the PDP, blaming it on what he described as persistent crises within the party.

The letter, titled Notice of resignation of my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party, stated that his decision takes immediate effect.

Mr Aduda, who represented the FCT in the Senate and functioned as minority leader in the 9th Assembly, expressed appreciation for the platform the party provided him over the years, noting that it enabled him to serve in multiple elective capacities.

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I remain grateful for the opportunity the party gave me to serve in various elective positions in our nation.

Please, accept the assurances of my high esteem, the letter read.

Within hours of quitting the PDP, Mr Aduda openly aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), where he was formally received at the partys national secretariat by its Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Mr Aduda has already taken a clear political position ahead of the next general election cycle, pledging to work for the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the FCT in 2027.

His exit, however, appears less like an isolated decision and more like a continuation of a broader political realignment underway in the National Assembly.

It underscores the APCs sustained push to consolidate influence in the National Assembly, while the PDP continues to grapple with internal divisions that have triggered a steady outflow of lawmakers.

His defection comes on the heels of similar moves by other lawmakers. Three PDP senators, Amos Yohanna (Adamawa North), Aminu Abbas (Adamawa Central), and Ikra Bilbis (Zamfara North), have also joined the APC in recent weeks, further tilting the balance in favour of the ruling party.

At the same time, an alternative opposition bloc is quietly emerging. Five PDP senators have defected to the African Democratic Congress, which now positions itself as the leading opposition force in the upper chamber with nine members.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday handed recovered N387.5 million loot to the Jigawa State Government.

According to a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES by the EFCCs spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Tuesday, the funds were presented at a brief ceremony at the commissions Kano Zonal Directorate office to the Jigawa States Director of Treasury Operations, Muhammad Haruna.

The statement explained that the recovery followed an investigation triggered by intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which flagged alleged misappropriation of public funds involving two suspects, Abdullahi Garba and Ayuba Sani.

It said EFCC operatives subsequently launched a probe, leading to the recovery of the funds.

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The commission stated that both suspects were arraigned in court on charges related to misappropriation of public funds.

Mr Garba was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment after pleading guilty, while Mr Sani is currently standing trial.

Speaking during the handover, the Acting Zonal Director of the Kano Directorate, Friday Ebelo, said the commission remains committed to recovering proceeds of crime and ensuring justice.

The EFCC remains resolute in its mandate to investigate and ensure the recovery of proceeds of crime. We are committed to the delivery of justice to all victims of corruption, whether they are individuals or government institutions. This handover is a testament to our determination to ensure that funds meant for the development of the people are not diverted for personal use, he said.

Mr Haruna, who received the funds on behalf of the state government, commended the EFCC for its efforts, describing the recovery as beneficial to the people of Jigawa.

We deeply appreciate the EFCC for its efforts in recovering this substantial amount of money for the people of Jigawa State. This recovery demonstrates the importance of the anti-graft agency and its commitment to safeguarding public funds. The people of Jigawa are the ultimate beneficiaries of this recovery, he said.

Not the first time

The latest handover adds to a series of similar gestures following recoveries by the EFCC in recent months.

In January, the commission returned N1.28 billion to the Enugu State Government after recovering funds from a contractor accused of diverting money meant for public projects.

The funds were recovered from the chief executive of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, following a petition by the state government over an alleged N5.7 billion fraud linked to the construction of smart schools.

The EFCC said the recovery aligns with its mandate to trace, recover and restitute proceeds of crime, noting that investigations and prosecution in the case are ongoing.
The Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, has sentenced a contractor, Julius Ejiogu, to two years in prison for forging a contract award document.

According to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday, the court handed down the judgement on Thursday, 15 January.

Delivering the judgement, the judge, F. A. Olubanjo, found Mr Ejiogu guilty of forgery but acquitted him on the remaining counts of conspiracy and uttering.

The court convicted and sentenced Mr Ejiogu to two years imprisonment, with an option to pay a N1 million fine.

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EFCC first filed the case against Mr Ejiogu on 23 March 2021.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, leading the court to schedule a full trial to determine his guilt or innocence.

In one of the counts, the anti-graft agency alleged that Mr Ejiogu and one E. Expert, said to still be at large, conspired on 2 August 2013, in Delta State, to commit a felony by creating a document titled Award of Contract for the Construction of Obudu-Oleri Road in Udu L.G.A., Delta State on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) letterhead, knowing it was false.

It alleged that the defendants act violated Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007, and was punishable under Section 3(1)(C) of the same Act.

The EFCC said the case arose when Mr Ejiogu allegedly obtained a contract award letter for the Obudu-Oleri Road from a purpported Engineer Eshitt of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He allegedly sold the contract document to a petitioner for N2 million, only for it to be discovered that the award was fake.

During the trial, prosecution lawyer K.Y. Bello called four witnesses and tendered multiple documents and the court admitted all.

Mr Ejiogu testified as the sole witness in his defence.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has lamented that the Igbo-speaking people of the South-east derailed significantly in Nigerias politics and development due to the regions agitation for an independent state of Biafra.

Mr Soludo stated this on Tuesday while delivering his inaugural speech shortly after he was sworn in for a second term in office as governor at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

Onyekachukwu Ibezim was also sworn in as the deputy governor of the South-eastern state.

The oaths of office and allegiance were administered to the governor and the deputy governor by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Onochie Anyachebelu.

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South-east derailed

South-east has been agitating to secede from Nigeria for decades over alleged marginalisation, beginning with the botched declaration of Biafra Republic by the then-Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, Odumegwu Ojukwu, in 1967 which resulted in a three-year-long civil war.

Despite the failure of the declaration, Raph Uwazuruike and Nnamdi Kanu, two other Biafra agitators, set up the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra in 1999 and the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2012 respectively to push for the regions secession from Nigeria.

But speaking during his Tuesdays swearing-in ceremony, Mr Soludo argued that the regions preoccupation with the Biafra agitation pulled it back from consolidating on the progress recorded in the regions political journey.

The South-east region is performing far below its potential. And this must change for the sake of our future and the generations to come.

Several years of self-inflicted but devastating war of attrition, together with the complicit silence of the graveyard, threatened to create a desolate homeland, setting the wheel of development several decades back, he said.

The governor recalled that the South-east, between 1960 and 2007, was faring well economically and politically until Biafra agitation affected the progress.

He pointed out that the South-east produced Nigerias vice-president in 1979 and Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1983 before getting deputy senate president in 2007 (PREMIUM TIMES factcheck shows Mr Soludos claim here is partly incorrect. The five Presidents of the Senate between 1999 and 2007 were of South-east origin)..

But how did we (South-east) get to the recent position where we resort to the politics of lamentation? The truth is we have derailed, he said.

Igbo presidency may not help South-east

Mr Soludo stressed that, although Igbos have been agitating to produce a Nigerian president, the region may not record the needed development even with an Igbo man as the countrys president.

The governor argued that the South-east must collaborate and develop a new framework to engineer development of the region rather than focusing on taking leadership positions.

Focusing largely on transient (leadership) positions by politicians rather than on frameworks for sustainable prosperity for all is missing the point, in my view.

Igboland needs healing. We need a new language, a new narrative and a new approach, he said.

He further explained that rather than seek political positions, the South-east must seek partnerships with other regions to achieve development.

Ndigbo must play the pan Nigeria politics of coalition for development. Lets join hands with like minds across Nigeria to agitate for a fairer Nigeria where everyone has equal chance to succeed irrespective of his dialect, language, religion or region.

Ndigbo need to maximise benefits from Nigeria to transform the homeland. And we cannot do so by remaining on the sidelines as social critics and agitators.

In a democracy, no one gets what one deserves. You get what you bargain for and you bargain with your votes, he said.

One obvious way for us to matter and be taken seriously in Nigeria is the strength of our organisation and the size of our votes. I pray that Ndigbo will never waste their votes again.

Killing your people is not agitation

Mr Soludo faulted Biafra agitation in the South-east and urged people of the region to boldly assert your rights as equal citizens of Nigeria.

The governor pointed out that there are better ways to agitate for equity and fairness in a democratic society like Nigeria, rather than taking up arms against the people of the region.

Arms struggle, in our context, is self-annihilating. We must, without apologies, state that never again will we turn the gun on ourselves in the name of agitation, he said.

Achievements and new agenda for Anambra

Mr Soludo said that his administration, during the first tenure in office, recorded modest achievements.

The governor listed some of his achievements to include urban regeneration, free education from nursery to secondary schools, rebuilding public schools, hospitals, and road constructions.

All of these so far, I must note, (I accomplished) without borrowing a dime from any commercial bank, he added.

He stressed on his strides in security, recounting how he reclaimed some local government areas from gunmen, and ended the infamous IPOBs sit-at-home on Mondays.

Mr Soludo stressed that his Homeland Security Law which outlawed preparing of charms for criminals by native doctors, among others, has resulted in the conviction of a native doctor, while others have fled the state.

Hundreds of these dangerous native doctors are on the run. Their massive shrines have been destroyed, he said.

The governor vowed to do more in his second term, stressing that he sees infinite possibilities for the development of Anambra State and the Igbo-speaking people of the South-east.

I make this solemn promise to you, Ndi Anambra, today that the deputy governor, the new upcoming cabinet and I will dedicate ourselves 24/7 over the next four years to make you proud, he said.

Shettima speaks

Speaking at the event, Vice-President Kashim Shettima praised Governor Soludo for dedicating himself to good governance and transforming the lives of people in the state.

Theres no doubt that the people of Anambra State have seen what many of us have always seen: The Soludos solution, he said.

Mr Shettima said Mr Soludos sincerity of purpose and maturity in playing partisan politics engineered a cordial relationship between his state, Anambra and the federal government, despite political affiliations.

The vice-president said the governor has succeeded in liberating Anambra from the grip of criminals terrorising the residents.

He expressed the federal governments willingness to partner with other Nigerian governors committed to development.
Nigerias Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has hailed Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, saying the governor has continued to contribute to nation-building.

Mr Shettima disclosed this on Tuesday, shortly after Mr Soludo was sworn in for a second term as governor at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

Onyekachukwu Ibezim was also sworn in as the deputy governor of the South-eastern state.

Nation building

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Shettima said Mr Soludo has helped foster unity and strengthen Nigerias political, economic, and social institutions through his practical commentaries on the state of the nation.

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Describing Mr Soludo as a man of ideas and honour, the vice-president lauded the governor for making deliberate efforts to restore order to public life, strengthen security, and confront the criminality that devastated the state.

He said Mr Soludo remained committed to national growth and development despite entering office at a time when many politicians had begun mortgaging integrity for relevance and sowing the seeds of discord.

Mr Shettima argued that President Bola Tinubus policies have benefited immensely from Mr Soludos constructive advice.

The policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have benefited from the candour, specialist insight, and patriotic counsel of this distinguished economist, this restless thinker, this public intellectual of uncommon range, both in open fora and in private conversations. And that is how it should be, he said of Mr Soludo.

Continuing, the vice-president said: That is what it means to be in the business of nation-building. It means placing the welfare of the federation above the vanity of partisan fences.

It means understanding that Nigeria is too precious a vessel to be abandoned to the storms simply because the rowers wear different colours.

He stressed that Mr Soludo is a reminder that leadership can unify without shouting, persuade without humiliating, and stand firm without surrendering its soul, especially in a season of needless divisions.

It is therefore no surprise that his people have welcomed him again and entrusted him with another term to hold the rudder of this great state and guide it farther into safe and prosperous waters, he stated,

At the inauguration ceremony, Mr Shettima also said the people of Anambra were only renewing, not just a mandate, but a covenant with competence.

And as Onyekachukwu Ibezim takes this oath once again beside him, the state is also affirming that leadership is not only about the brilliance of the man at the top, but also about the steadiness, loyalty, and discipline of those who help translate vision into order, and order into progress, he added.

The vice-president pointed out that one of the numerous lessons he learnt from Mr Soludo was that differences in political parties need not be invitations to hostility but opportunities for collaboration.

Professor Soludo showed, too, that it is possible to see beyond the dangerous shenanigans that so often pass for politics in our clime, and to keep faith with the higher calling of public life, he said.

He further praised the governor for his brilliance and deep knowledge of issues, especially on the economy.

Mr Shettima also emphasised that Mr Soludos maturity of purpose has nurtured a cordial and productive relationship between Anambra State and Mr Tinubu-led federal government of Nigeria, despite their different party affiliations.

While Mr Soludo is a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr Tinubu belongs to the All Progressives Congress.

The vice-president said the outcome of the cordial relationship had been a stability of engagement that has allowed the governor to demonstrate that he came not to be consumed by the old habits of power, but to prove that genuine change is possible.

Return to consolidation and higher building

Mr Shettima expressed confidence that Mr Soludos second term would be a return to consolidation and building on the foundations already laid in the state.

He assured that the federal government remains committed to partnering with states that prioritise development in their areas.

Soludos gratitude to Anambra and praise for Tinubu

In his inauguration speech, Mr Soludo expressed gratitude to the Anambra people for re-electing him and the deputy governor in the 8 November 2025 election.

The unprecedented 73 per cent of the votes you cast in our favour was more than ordinary votes but an affirmation of love, patriotism and partnership in rebuilding our homeland. We will never take your historic support for granted, he said.

Mr Soludo said Anambra State has witnessed significant progress in health, education, finance, agriculture, and many other sectors under his administration.

The governor, however, vowed to double his efforts in his second term to build on the achievements of his first tenure.

I make this solemn promise to you, Ndi Anambra, today that the deputy governor, the new upcoming cabinet and I will dedicate ourselves 24/7 over the next four years to make you proud, he assured.

He also said the state has a clear destination, and that by 2030, Anambra will transit into an African Dubai, Taiwan and Silicon Valley.

Mr Soludo also praised President Tinubu for ongoing federal infrastructure projects in the South-east, particularly the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

He recalled that during Mr Tinubus visit to Anambra on 8 May 2025, he requested and obtained the presidents approval for the inclusion of the South-east in the national gas and rail masterplan, as well as for the dredging of the River Niger to enable full operations at the Onitsha River Port.

The governor said that the presidents interventions signalled renewed federal attention to the needs of the South-east.

President Tinubu is a cerebral, courageous and patriotic Nigerian. We trust him to make a major difference for Nigeria and the South-east, he said.
SHANGHAI, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn

The Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone hosted its first large-scale international expo, the 2026 Appliance and Electronics World Expo, from March 12-14.

The event gathered global technology enthusiasts and industry professionals, showcasing cutting-edge consumer electronics.

Streamlined entry processes

A Romanian visitor experienced the zone's streamlined entry process when he arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport with four hours to spare before his return flight. While waiting at the terminal, he came across promotional information for AWE 2026.

Already impressed by China's smart technology, he completed his registration on his phone in just two minutes before boarding a shuttle bus. The shuttle bus took him to the expo venue in just 15 minutes.

As a pilot program for China's high-level opening-up, the Eastern Hub IBCZ allows foreign guests to stay for up to 30 days with a valid invitation registered with the zone's administrative authority. Extensions can be applied if necessary. Additionally, imported goods benefit from favorable tax policies, significantly reducing both costs and preparation time for international exhibitors.

Seeking cooperation opportunities

Inside the exhibition hall, the venue buzzed with lively negotiations and constant inquiries.

One of the exhibitors, ULS Robotics Co Ltd, a company known for its exoskeleton robots, invited partners, technical experts, and purchasers from 17 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, and Singapore, to explore business opportunities.

Zhang Hua, the company's marketing partner, said, "In the past, overseas clients found the visa application process troublesome. Now, they can fly directly here, put on our product, and experience climbing stairs for themselves. This allows them to instantly understand what 'strength augmentation' means."

An Indonesian buyer was captivated by a "bunny" robot developed by AI software company SenseTime. This chess-playing robot, featuring animated rabbit ears and a fluffy tail, combined with customizable voice functions and a user interface, is expected to be popular in Indonesia, where chess is a beloved pastime among children.

Shen Yichen, founder of the tech company Lightelligence, launched LightSphere 128, a scalable solution to meet the rapidly expanding global demand for computing power.

Spotting cost-effective products

At an AI glasses booth, Liviu Rosca, the general manager of Romlead International Trading Co Ltd, was impressed by the glasses' six-hour battery life, which can be extended to 18 hours with a backup battery. "That's more than sufficient," he remarked, inquiring further about the memory specs.

Rosca noted that some smart glasses offered high visual clarity, potentially freeing users from reliance on smartphones. He plans to secure deals with at least three Chinese suppliers during the expo, emphasizing the strong performance and competitive pricing of Chinese robotics products.

Many international buyers recognize AWE 2026 as a showcase of innovative yet cost-effective technology. A Singaporean businessman said he is particularly interested in discovering products not yet widely available in international markets. His focus includes smart devices for pets, health care products for aging populations, and versatile service robots.

The businessman was particularly impressed by Agibot's robots designed in the forms of a panda, a horse, and a bee, as well as the company's innovative leasing model. He believes China has pioneered a practical pathway for the commercial deployment of robotics and that there is growing market demand in Singapore.

Click the link below to read the original article:

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-EasternHubIBCZ/20260316/887821ec37084122a50e4c997ef8ea86.html

SOURCE english.shanghai.gov.cn
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At the NVIDIA GTC Conference held on March 16, NVIDIA announced a deep integration between its Omniverse NuRec and 51WORLD's SimOne. Leveraging neural rendering technology, this collaboration successfully solves the industry pain point where real-world collected scenario data is non-interactive. This breakthrough will accelerate the development of reasoning-based autonomous driving systems, such as VLA and World Models, empowering global L4 automotive partners.

It is reported that 51WORLD has achieved a 53.5% market share in China's L3+ simulation sector. This partnership will further solidify 51WORLD's core position in the global Physical AI arena.

SOURCE 51WORLD
JERUSALEM, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel had killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in ongoing strikes on Iran.

Netanyahu said Israel was conducting air operations over Tehran and other Iranian cities using fighter jets and drones, adding that the campaign was creating conditions for possible "regime change" in Iran.

He also said he had spoken at length with U.S. President Donald Trump the previous day about military cooperation.

"We will act both through indirect measures that place immense pressure on the Iranian regime and through direct actions. There are many more surprises," Netanyahu said.

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier on Tuesday that it had launched wide-scale strikes on Iranian government infrastructure in Tehran. It later said the attacks had killed Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's Basij volunteer force.

Iran has not responded to the Israeli claims.

U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran entered their 18th day on Tuesday, causing heavy casualties and widespread destruction, according to Iranian authorities. Iran has retaliated with attacks that have effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and drawn much of the region into the conflict. 
Featuring robotics, medical AI, and industrial edge deployment powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor

TAIPEI, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantech (TWSE: 2395), a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms, announced it will participate in NVIDIA GTC 2026, taking place March 1619 in San Jose, California. At Booth #1134 and Meeting Rooms #6077 and #6078, Advantech will showcase next-generation edge AI platforms and solutions powered by technologies from NVIDIA, including NVIDIA Jetson Thor and NVIDIA IGX Thor. The exhibit will highlight how physical AI and edge AI are enabling real-world deployment across robotics, medical systems, smart logistics, and intelligent retail environments. By integrating hardware platforms, AI development frameworks, and ecosystem partnerships, Advantech continues to help enterprises move efficiently from AI evaluation to scalable deployment at the edge.

Advantech AIR-075 (built on NVIDIA Jetson Thor), a visual AI platform designed to enable visual AI agents for safety monitoring and incident response.jpg

Ween Niu, General Manager of Advantech North America, noted that as AI rapidly evolves, the industry is moving beyond cloud-based model training toward real-world, physical applicationsoften referred to as Physical AI. Advantech has long focused on edge computing and edge AI, building industrial-grade platforms designed for performance, reliability, and scalable deployment. At this year's GTC, Advantech will demonstrate its close collaboration within the NVIDIA ecosystem, combining advanced hardware, software frameworks, and industry-ready solutions to accelerate AI adoption in robotics, medical devices, and smart environments while enabling faster deployment of Physical AI across industries.

Advancing robotics perception and humanoid robotics development

For robotics applications, Advantech will present robotics-ready edge AI platforms designed for rapid integration of sensors and multi-camera systems. The ASR-A702 / AFE-A702 (built on NVIDIA Jetson Thor) works with Advantech Robotic Suite and NVIDIA Isaac ROS to support key perception capabilities such as object detection, distance estimation, pose tracking, and VSLAM.

To support the next generation of humanoid robotics, the MIC-742 (built on NVIDIA Jetson Thor) delivers up to 2,070 TFLOPS (FP4) AI performance and can be paired with the NVIDIA Holoscan Sensor Bridge to enable an ultra-low-latency sensor-to-inference pipeline for transformer and vision-language-action models. These capabilities demonstrate how edge AI platforms can accelerate robotics innovation and real-world deployment through ecosystem collaboration.

Real-time medical imaging AI enabling intelligent surgical system

In healthcare, Advantech will showcase the AIMB-294 medical AI board (built on NVIDIA Jetson Thor), capable of performing real-time surgical instrument anomaly detection, organ segmentation, and AR overlay while operating at only 130W and without additional GPU modules. Combined with advanced medical AI frameworks and Advantech edge AI software tools, the platform supports low-latency imaging pipelines and streamlined AI model deployment, improving overall device performance and reliability.

Advantech will also highlight the USM-500, a medical-grade platform powered by NVIDIA IGX optimized for advanced AI-powered medical applications. The platform enables real-time multimodal sensor fusion and edge AI processing for AI-assisted surgery, intraoperative imaging, endoscopic video analytics, and robotic surgical guidance, delivering hospital-grade reliability and performance.

Visual AI agents and video intelligence for smart warehouses and logistics

To address the growing demand for intelligent logistics and warehouse management, Advantech will present the AIR-075 (built on NVIDIA Jetson Thor), a visual AI platform designed to enable visual AI agents for safety monitoring and incident response, with 10GbE connectivity supporting high-bandwidth video streaming.

Advantech will also demonstrate the MIC-743 (built on NVIDIA Jetson Thor) running advanced video search and summarization capabilities that enable real-time vision analytics, natural-language queries, and rapid video summarization. These technologies help enterprises improve operational visibility, efficiency, and decision-making across logistics environments.

Edge-based generative AI powering smart retail experiences

For retail and service environments, Advantech will feature the DS-015 (built on NVIDIA Jetson Orin) edge AI system running generative AI models through Advantech Edge AI SDK. The platform enables on-device large language model (LLM) interactions without relying on cloud connectivity, making it suitable for kiosks, smart retail stores, digital signage, and industrial edge deployments. This approach allows organizations to enhance customer engagement while maintaining low latency, data privacy, and operational reliability.

Advantech North America invites industry partners and customers to visit Booth #1134 and Meeting Rooms #6077 and #6078 at NVIDIA GTC 2026 to explore how Edge AI and Physical AI technologies can accelerate digital transformation and unlock new opportunities for real-world AI applications.

About Advantech

Advantech is a global leader in IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms, with the corporate vision of "Enabling an Intelligent Planet." Advantech North America, a subsidiary of Advantech Co., Ltd., is the company's largest subsidiary and drives regional business growth, customer engagement, and ecosystem development. To embrace the trends of edge computing and artificial intelligence, Advantech fully deploys its sector-driven strategy and focus on Edge Computing and Edge AI, targeting five key markets: Edge Intelligence Systems, Manufacturing, Energy and Utilities, iHealthcare, and iCity Services & iRetail. In the meantime, Advantech is enhancing its global presence and core competitiveness by integrating its Edge Computing hardware platform, the WISE-IoT software platform, and sector-specific Edge AI solutions with domain expertise. The integration will form an "Orchestration" model for seamless industrial chain connections, benefiting both our partners and clients. Advantech is also working with business partners to co-create business ecosystems that accelerate the goal of industrial intelligence. (www.advantech.com)

SOURCE Advantech Co., Ltd.
GUILFORD, Conn., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce that brand new riverboat, American Encore, passed Sea Trials with flying colors and is already underway along its journey to the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. American Encore is the finest new riverboat in the world and the latest gem in the company's groundbreaking series of modern American Riverboats. It showcases top-notch amenities, a refined elegant onboard aesthetic, and state-of-the-art engineering. It is simply the best riverboat ever builtmore akin to a luxury yacht with more space-per-passenger than any other riverboat globally.

American Encore Passes Sea Trials Cruises to West Coast

Directly following last week's Sea Trials, American Encore immediately departed from Chesapeake Shipbuilding, the Maryland-U.S.-yard where it was built, and began its month-long passage west. The riverboat is currently cruising along the coastal waterways of the Eastern Seaboard and will next sail through the Caribbean Sea. It is expected to transit the Panama Canal at the end of March. Afterwards, American Encore will make its way northward up the Pacific Coast until it reaches the mouth of the Columbia near Astoria, Washington, where the river flows inland from the Pacific Ocean.

During the voyage, American Encore, is being helmed by Captain Andrew Gillilan along with other officers and crew. The riverboat's expert nautical team is supported each day by American's shoreside operations team. While underway, American's Encore's crew closely monitors the riverboat's navigation systems and equipment, keeps watch of ocean and weather conditions, and continually relays information to American Cruise Lines' fleet operations center in Connecticut.

American Encore is the finest new riverboat on the market. Ever since American's celebrated introduction of the country's first modern riverboat in 2018, the company has aggressively led the river cruise industry; launching new small ships year-after-year and setting an elevated standard for all riverboats worldwide. American Cruise Lines has introduced 20 new ships in the past decade and catapulted the domestic U.S. river cruise market into the mainstream. The Line's massive fleet expansion and superb small-ship designs are a testament to U.S. shipbuilding and American innovation. Once just an afterthought to Europe, U.S. river cruising has surged beyond expectations, taking its rightful place in the international marketplace by offering the finest riverboats and itineraries available anywhere in the world.

American Cruise Lines has 28 new small ships for U.S. cruises around the country and 8 riverboats specifically for the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The company also continues to develop docks and waterfront access for communities throughout the river-region. American remains a committed economic partner to towns and ports all over the U.S.A. and brings thousands of guests to the Pacific Northwest every year. The Line's Columbia and Snake itineraries feature an array of dynamic experiences and showcase the natural beauty of the western states2026 cruises range from 9 to 16 days and include popular National Parks Cruises that highlight guided adventures in Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks.

American Encore's inaugural season of sold-out cruises along the Columbia and Snake Rivers begins on May 5th and concludes in mid-November. Additional details on American Encore's christening festivities and inaugural 9-Day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. All American's 50+ itineraries are open to book through 2028.

For a behind-the-scenes look at American Encore being built at the company's affiliated shipyard in Maryland, click here to view a short video from our February 10th American Current Blog.

American Encore also has a dedicated webpage where you can view full details and deck plans.

Following American Encore's May 2026 launch, sisterships American Anthem and American Grace are slated to begin cruise operations along the Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2027 and 2028.

About American Cruise Lines:

American Cruise Lines is the largest river cruise line in the U.S.A. with 28 small ships sailing the Mississippi River, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and protected waterways all over the country. American's award-winning fleet exemplifies the company's 50-year history of offering domestic small ship cruises that explore exclusively in the United States. Today, it is the only 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world. American now offers 50+ domestic cruise itineraries in 35+ states operating year-round, including new Extended Cruises honoring the country's 250th in 2026.

Learn more at: www.AmericanCruiseLines.com

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/americancruiselines

Follow us on X at: American Cruise Lines (@American_Cruise) / X

MEDIA INFO: https://www.americancruiselines.com/media

Media Contact: Alexa Paolella

Public Relations Manager

Tel: (203) 453-6800

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Cruise Lines
Delivering trusted AI with total flexibility, from rack-scale AI factories to edge and enterprise deployment

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ASUS today unveiled its fully liquid-cooled AI infrastructure at NVIDIA GTC 2026 (Booth# 421), delivering a comprehensive, end-to-end solution powered by the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform. Under the theme Trusted AI, Total Flexibility, this customizable framework  from rack-scale AI Factories, desktop AI supercomputing, Edge AI to Enterprise AI solutions  enables enterprises and cloud providers to build high-performance, energy-efficient large-scale AI clusters with unmatched efficiency and dramatically reduced PUE and TCO.

ASUS Unveils Game-Changing Liquid-Cooled AI Infrastructure

As a provider of NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 and NVIDIA HGX B300 systems, the flagship ASUS offering is the ASUS AI POD built on the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform  a liquid-cooled, rack-scale powerhouse designed for massive AI workloads. Through strategic partnerships with leading cooling and component providers, ASUS offers diverse cooling modalities, tailored thermal solutions, and redundancy to meet any enterprise requirement. Proven by global client successes, ASUS provides expert consultation, a broad portfolio of AI and storage solutions, seamless infrastructure deployment, application integration, and ongoing services  combining scalability, and sustainability to drive business value and intelligence.

From infrastructure to implementation: The ASUS AI Factory in action

At the forefront is the flagship XA VR721-E3 built on NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72, a 100% liquid-cooled rack-scale system. This offers a TDP of up to 227kW (MaxP) or 187kW (MaxQ), delivers up to 10X higher performance per watt, and is purpose-built for trillion-parameter models and delivering massive AI performance for large-scale AI factories. Partnering with Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, Schneider Electric and other leading providers, ASUS delivers a full-stack power and cooling infrastructure designed for zero-throttle performance from standard deployments to advanced liquid cooling, ensuring redundancy for each specific needs.

Addressing rigorous data-center demands, ASUS also introduces its latest server series built on NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8 systems, featuring eight NVIDIA Rubin GPUs connected via sixth-generation NVIDIA NVLink with integrated 800G bandwidth per GPU. To facilitate a seamless and cost-effective transition to liquid cooling, ASUS offers two distinct solutions: the XA NR1I-E12L, an innovative hybrid-cooled option; and the XA NR1I-E12LR, a 100% liquid-cooled system. The hybrid-cooled XA NR1I-E12L specifically combines direct-to-chip (D2C) liquid cooling for the NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8 baseboard with air cooling for the dual Intel Xeon 6 processors.

The portfolio is further strengthened by high-performance scalable servers like the XA NB3I-E12 built on NVIDIA HGX B300 systems to ensure a solution for every demanding AI workload, the ESC8000A-E13X based on NVIDIA MGX integrated with NVIDIA ConnectX-8 SuperNICs for extreme GPU to GPU connectivity and ESC8000A-E13P accelerated by NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell Server Edition or NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs, delivering breakthrough performance for demanding data processing, AI, video, and visual computing workloads in a power efficient design.

The tangible impact of the complete ASUS AI Factory concept is already demonstrated through several successful customer deployments, where ASUS ESC8000 series powered a production-line digital twin built on NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and integrated with NVIDIA's customizable multi-camera tracking workflow, enabling remote simulation and significantly reducing deployment risks, managing the entire process for seamless, low-disruption deployment and maximizes value from day one.

To support these powerful systems and democratize AI development, ASUS also has established a robust data ecosystem by partnering with NVIDIA-Certified storage providers  including IBM, DDN, WEKA and VAST Data  to deliver scalable, resilient solutions for memory-intensive AI. A full spectrum of storage solutions across block storage-VS320D-RS12, JBOD-VS320D-RS12J, object storage-OJ340A-RS60, and software-defined systems  ensuring flexibility from edge to cloud, and from enterprise applications to AI and HPC workloads.

Realizing physical AI: Full-stack edge AI supercomputing from development to deployment

As the domain expert in full-stack edge AI, ASUS establishes a complete ecosystem for physical AI, delivering the critical compute power required from initial development to final deployment. The journey begins at the developer's desk with ASUS ExpertCenter Pro ET900N G3, a deskside supercomputer powered by the NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Ultra platform. Featuring NVIDIA NVLink-C2C interconnects and 748GB of coherent unified memory, it handles the heavy lifting of training massive models. Alongside it, the ultrasmall ASUS Ascent GX10 offers agile petaflop-scale performance powered by NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Superchip, ideal for rapid model iteration and scalable edge setups.

This development prowess seamlessly transitions to the PE3000N, a ruggedized inference engine powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor. Delivering a staggering 2,070 TFLOPS, the PE3000N provides the real-time compute needed for sensor fusion and autonomous navigation. Together, these systems form a unified workflow where open models such as NVIDIA Cosmos and vision AI libraries from Metropolis can effectively perceive, reason, and act in the physical world.

Secure and scalable agentic AI development

To further enhance these capabilities, ASUS Ascent GX10 and ASUS ExpertCenter Pro ET900N G3 empower agentic AI development with NVIDIA NemoClaw. This integration establishes an agent-ready platform for developers to build safe, long-running autonomous agents locally. By leveraging isolated sandbox environments, governed access control, and private on-device inference, ensuring safe and scalable agent workflows for the most demanding enterprise AI applications.

Enterprise AI: ASUS AI Hub with real-time business intelligence

To accelerate enterprise AI, ASUS presents the ASUS AI Hub, a turnkey on-premises AI platform optimized with ESC8000-series servers and powered by open-source LLMs such as NVIDIA Nemotron, and Gemma, enabling enterprises to build custom AI assistants, implement RAG-enhanced document intelligence, and maintain full data sovereignty for security and compliance.

Proven internally across over 10,000 employees with peak loads exceeding 600 requests per hour, >80% OCR accuracy, and >30% efficiency gains, the platform features domain-specific modules for diverse applications  including the newly-developed ASUS agentic internal business-intelligence platform  that allow senior leaders to instantly access critical insights on costs, sales, gross margins, factory operations, and other key metrics through simple natural-language Q&A, transforming complex data into immediate, actionable executive decision-making power.

ASUS and NVIDIA are also working together on NVIDIA NemoClaw  an open source stack that simplifies running OpenClaw always-on assistants, more safely, with a single command. It installs the NVIDIA OpenShell runtimea secure environment for running autonomous agents, and open source models like NVIDIA Nemotron.

Green computing and sustainability at the core

Sustainability is a foundational pillar of the ASUS design philosophy, with green computing innovations integrated across both hardware and software to minimize TCO and environmental impact. On the hardware level, ASUS servers feature Thermal Radar 2.0, which uses up to 56 sensors to intelligently optimize fan performance, cutting power consumption by up to 36% and saving approximately $29,000 annually in a 1,000-node cluster. This commitment extends to software with the ASUS Control Center (ACC) Data Center Edition, a unified management platform that enhances security and includes automated carbon emissions tracking, providing enterprises with the tools needed to achieve their critical ESG goals.

ASUS, the AI supercomputing domain expert, provides comprehensive solutions and services, from consultation and deployment to user training and seamless integration via OpenAI-compatible APIs. As enterprises navigate the AI era, ASUS flexibly offers a cost-effective, secure, powerful and sustainable pathway to innovation and intelligent management.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS servers are available worldwide. However, the availability of certain other ASUS products is subject to local regulatory requirements. For specific product availability and offerings in your region, please contact your local ASUS representative.

SOURCE ASUS
Led by former Capillary CRO Ankur Saigal, BambooBox is building the Managed ABM Operating System, an emerging category designed to embed AI, strategy, and execution directly into enterprise revenue teams.

The company has raised a total of $6.6 million led by Peak XV's Surge, with participation from US-based investors, to accelerate global expansion and product innovation.

BANGALORE, India, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BambooBox, the Managed ABM Operating System for enterprise B2B teams, today announced it has raised a total of $6.6 million in funding led by Peak XV's Surge, with participation from Emergent Ventures, Arc180, Uncorrelated, HAF, and leading angel investors.

BambooBox Founders (PRNewsfoto/BambooBox)

The company is defining an emerging category: the Managed ABM Operating System. The shift comes at a time when enterprise ABM software adoption has surged, yet many organizations struggle to translate intent data and orchestration tools into measurable pipeline outcomes. BambooBox is built on the belief that the bottleneck in ABM is no longer technology, but execution. Its model combines AI-powered orchestration technology with forward-deployed ABM experts to close the gap between signals and revenue.

"This fundraise marks an important milestone for us, but more importantly, it validates our belief that Account Based Marketing is a go-to-market philosophy, not just a tech stack," said Ankur Saigal, Co-founder and CEO of BambooBox. "Over the last few years, we've worked closely with enterprise teams to build and run ABM programs that deliver real outcomes across acquisition, cross-sell, and expansion. With this capital, we will deepen our AI capabilities, scale our AI-Native ABM services globally, and help more enterprises unlock value from their existing GTM investments."

"We believe the next phase of ABM will be driven by execution excellence, not just software," said Anupam Rastogi, Managing Partner, Emergent Ventures. "BambooBox uniquely combines AI, proven playbooks, and forward-deployed ABM expertise to help enterprises unlock real value from their GTM investments. We are proud to back the team at this stage of their journey."

The ABM market has been dominated by software platforms with projections to grow to nearly $70BN as enterprises increasingly adopt personalized account-centric strategies. Enterprise buyers are now seeking partners who can translate signals into sustained revenue impact. BambooBox positions itself not as another ABM tool, but as the operating layer that sits on top of existing GTM stacks and drives coordinated account-level growth.

The company serves enterprise customers across India and the United States such as Airtel Business, Rootstock and LightMetrics and is investing in AI agents designed to automate research, personalization, and orchestration at scale.

About BambooBox

Founded by Ankur Saigal and Divyesh Dixit, BambooBox is a Bangalore and San Franciscobased B2B revenue company building a Managed ABM Operating System. Combining AI, ABM experts, and execution engines, it helps enterprises drive acquisition, cross-sell, and expansion, integrating seamlessly with existing CRM, marketing, and sales systems to deliver measurable outcomes globally.

Learn more at www.bamboobox.ai .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2936065/BambooBox_Founders.jpg

SOURCE BambooBox
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As more than 50 million U.S. adults live with chronic pain, according to the CDC, demand for safe, non-pharmaceutical pain relief continues to rise. Beurer, a globally trusted German health and wellness brand, is expanding U.S. access to its clinically supported TENS, EMS, with heat or recovery therapy portfolio designed for effective at-home use.

Authoritative medical institutions recognize TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) as a non-invasive therapy option that may help relieve pain by influencing nerve signaling and supporting natural endorphin release.

Beurer expands U.S. access to German-engineered TENS & EMS drug-free pain relief solutions for chronic pain management. Post this

Cleveland Clinic:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15840-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens

Cochrane Review Overview:

https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD011890_transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens-chronic-pain-overview-cochrane-reviews

Heat therapy has also demonstrated functional improvement benefits in peer-reviewed trials:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16340712/

Beurer's U.S. pain relief lineup includes:

Beurer EM59  Multi-modal TENS + EMS + heat therapy

https://www.shop-beurer.com/collections/tens-ems/products/3-in-1-tens-ems-unit-with-heat-function-em59

Beurer EM50  Discreet TENS + heat for menstrual cramps

https://www.shop-beurer.com/collections/tens-ems/products/beurer-menstrual-relief-em50

Beurer EM49  Dual-channel TENS/EMS therapy

https://www.shop-beurer.com/collections/tens-ems/products/digital-ems-tens-device-em49

Engineered in Germany and sold globally, Beurer devices are designed for intuitive home use while aligning with recognized clinical principles of non-drug pain management.

As U.S. consumers seek alternatives to medication dependency, Beurer continues to set the global standard in clinically informed, drug-free wellness technology. Engineered in Germany and trusted in more than 100 countries, Beurer's pain relief devices are designed to empower individuals with accessible, non-invasive solutions that align with recognized medical guidance. As Americans seek safer, self-managed alternatives to medication-based pain relief, Beurer remains a world-trusted partner in everyday health and recovery.

SOURCE Beurer North America
NOVATO, Calif., March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brayton Purcell LLP today responded to newly published reporting in the New York Times that brings nationwide attention to the escalating publichealth emergency linked to artificial stone fabrication. The article, authored by Rebecca Davis O'Brien, details the increasing number of countertop workers suffering from silicosis after fabricating crystalline silica artificial stone slabsmaterial composed of at least 90% nano-sized silica particles combined with toxic resins and glues and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

For years, doctors, researchers, and occupational health authorities have warned that crystalline silica artificial stone slabs cannot be safely fabricated into countertops by human beings, a conclusion supported by hundreds of peerreviewed scientific studies. Today's national reporting underscores the urgency of these longstanding medical concerns.

Medical Community Reinforces: Silicosis From Artificial Stone Is Progressive and Untreatable

The Times reports that physicians treating affected workers consistently describe artificialstone silicosis as severe, irreversible, and steadily progressive. Pulmonologist Dr. Jane C. Fazio of Olive ViewU.C.L.A. Medical Center noted that the disease is "extremely debilitating when it progresses. It always progresses. And there is no real treatment." She has evaluated hundreds of workers who developed permanent lung damage after fabricating artificial stone countertops.

The article also highlights testimony from Dr. David Michaels, epidemiologist and former head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He told Congress that existing silica exposure limits, which were never intended to be safe levels in the first place, recently updated during his tenure with OSHA, are outdated and insufficient to protect workers from the nano-sized particles released during artificial stone fabrication. Dr. Michaels encouraged policymakers and industry to consider safer substitute materials, stating that relying on hazardous materials when alternatives exist is "a choice with predictable and preventable consequences for workers' health."

Manufacturers Seek Immunity While Evidence Shows the Product Itself Is the Hazard

The New York Times investigation explains that foreign manufacturers of artificial stone and Cambria are seeking protection from Congress that would shield them from lawsuits brought by workers harmed during fabrication of their uniquely toxic products. Foreign slab manufacturer lobbyists have argued that the danger comes from fabrication practices rather than the product itself.

However, extensive scientific research, along with frontline medical experience, entirely contradicts that claim. Hundreds of peerreviewed studies have demonstrated that the hazard lies in the artificial stone material itselfits extremely high silica content, the nano-sized dust particles released when it is cut, and the metals and volatile organic compounds that bind it. These characteristics make it inherently dangerous in ways that cannot be mitigated by masks, wet cutting, ventilation, or other workplace controls.

Dr. Michaels' testimony reinforces this scientific consensus. His warning that even updated exposure limits are inadequate illustrates that no fabrication "process" can make artificial stone safe, because the risk comes from the product's composition, not from how it is handled. This aligns with what physicians like Dr. Fazio have repeatedly observed in the clinic and what workers across the country continue to experience: catastrophic lung disease even in shops that attempted to follow safety guidelines.

Workers' Accounts Reveal the Human Toll of Artificial Stone

The investigation centers around the experiences of workers who have suffered lifealtering consequences from silica exposure.

Jeff Rose, a fabricator from Georgetown, Kentucky, described the impact of his diagnosis, saying, "It really hurts knowing I'm sick like this. I love being creative with my hands. I'm not able to do that anymore." He further warned, "This is something that I'm afraid is really going to get out of control quickly."

The article also profiles Wade Hanicker, who began cutting countertops in Florida 15 years ago. He recalled the early appeal of the craft: "You're sculpting countertops, you're putting shapes on them, arches, curves. To me it felt more like artwork." He said he never imagined the dust could cause catastrophic harm: "Never once did I think that the dust that we were creating was going to do this type of harm to me." Hanicker described the impact on his family life: "What hurts me the most is, the things that a dad expects to do with their kids, being able to play with them  that's being robbed from me."

These accounts mirror the experiences of hundreds of fabricators across the country and reinforce what medical professionals have emphasized for years: crystalline silica artificial stone cannot be fabricated safely by human workers.

Perspective from Brayton Purcell LLP

James Nevin, a partner at Brayton Purcell LLP and a national leader in artificial stone silicosis litigation, welcomed the national attention brought by the New York Times investigation.

"The New York Times has drawn essential national attention to a crisis that has harmed far too many working families. The scientific and medical evidence makes clear that artificial stone slabs cannot be safely fabricated into countertops by human beings who are alive and breathing, and the profound human cost reflected in today's reporting underscores just how urgent this issue is. We welcome this level of coverage from one of the world's most respected news organizations."

Nevin added:

"It is vital that the experiences of affected workers and the published peer-reviewed findings of medical authorities remain central to this conversation. Their voices highlight the severity of the harm associated with crystalline silica artificial stone fabrication and the need for broad public awareness so families, communities, and policymakers can fully understand what is at stake."

About Brayton Purcell LLP

Brayton Purcell LLP is a nationally recognized law firm with decades of experience representing individuals who have developed serious diseases as a result of toxic exposures. The firm's accomplished and dedicated team remains committed to advocating for individuals and families harmed by dangerous materials, including crystalline silica artificial stone, and ensuring that their stories are heard.

The full New York Times article can be found here -- Quartz Cutters Are Falling Ill. Countertop Makers Want Protection From Congress.

Media contact:

Nolan Lowry

[email protected]

(415) 399-3107

SOURCE Brayton Purcell LLP
Innovative Investigational Ventricular Assist Device Marks Major Step Forward in Patient Care

BURLINGTON, Mass., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BrioHealth Solutions (www.briohealthsolutions.com) today announces the successful implantation of its 100th BrioVAD System, an investigational Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) designed to support patients with advanced heart failure. For INNOVATE Trial Study Details, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06310031.

INNOVATE Trial Logo (PRNewsfoto/BrioHealth Solutions, Inc.)

At the forefront of mechanical circulatory support, the BrioVAD System is designed to push the boundaries of performance, reliability, and patient-centered care. From comprehensive clinical training and responsive technical support to strong hospital partnerships and long-term program development, BrioHealth's mission goes beyond technology  it includes the commitment to providing best-in-class customer support to advance the VAD field.

"We're tremendously proud of this milestone and represents our strong alignment with our clinical partners toward advancing the VAD field," said Chen Chen, Ph.D. CEO of BrioHealth Solutions. "Reaching 100 implants underscores not only the dedication of clinicians and patients participating in the study, but also the real promise of BrioVAD System's design to make life with a mechanical heart device more comfortable and sustainable."

Since the program's launch in November 2024, this milestone reflects growing confidence across 34 US INNOVATE Trial locations (The INNOVATE Trial - BrioHealth Solutions) in the BrioVAD System's potential to advance the field of mechanical circulatory support.

"Reaching the 100th BrioVAD System implant is a significant milestone for the clinical community and for patients facing advanced heart failure," said Francis D. Pagani, M.D., Ph.D., the Otto Gago, M.D., Professor of Cardiac Surgery at University of Michigan Medical School and the study's National Principal Investigator. "Each success brings us closer to offering a longer, higher-quality life for individuals who once had few options."

The company continues to expand clinical investigations of the BrioVAD System at major cardiac centers across the United States as it works toward commercial approval.

About BrioHealth Solutions

BrioHealth Solutions is developing the BrioVAD System, a Left Ventricular Assist System representing a significant advance in the heart failure treatment space. The company's founding mission is a commitment to restoring, extending and enhancing the lives of patients globally by collaborating with healthcare providers to push the boundaries of what's possible and deliver the best medical technologies and solutions.

CAUTION: The BrioVAD System is an Investigational Device limited by Federal (US) Law to use in the INNOVATE Trial.

SOURCE BrioHealth Solutions, Inc.
SINGAPORE, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Circles and Airwallex today announced a strategic global partnership to integrate Airwallex's industry-leading embedded finance solutions into CirclesX, Circles' award-winning SaaS platform for telecom operators. This partnership opens a significant new growth opportunity, enabling telecom operators globally to increase customer lifetime value by offering a full suite of digital banking services or digibanking solutions across 70+ countries.

Circles SaaS platform integrates Airwallexs embedded finance.

The CirclesX platform has seen rapid success over the past decade, helping telcos such as KDDI, e&, and AT&T launch market-redefining digital MVNOs across multiple markets in Asia and South America, while also transforming the end-to-end digital backbone for Telkomsel in Indonesia. The platform is renowned for driving industry-leading customer satisfaction and monetization for operators.

With FinX, the embedded financial services stack native to CirclesX, operators can seamlessly introduce a range of digital financial capabilities directly within their platforms, without the need to build or manage complex financial infrastructure, incur significant upfront costs, or navigate regulatory complexity on their own.

Powered by Airwallex's global payments and financial infrastructure, FinX enables telcos to broaden their enterprise offerings by providing global payouts, travel cards, supplier payments, and expense management at best-in-class FX rates.

As globally, connectivity becomes increasingly commoditized, telecom operators must enhance their offerings to remain relevant to subscribers. CirclesX enables operators to leverage their unique strengths to play a deeper role in customers' daily transactions, driving revenue growth through diversification and stronger retention. With FinX, operators can leverage existing KYC capabilities to unlock new transactional revenue streams from everyday payments and remittances, while increasing customer engagement and retention through high frequency digibanking use cases.

"At Circles, we're continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation for the industry beyond just core telco products and we are confident that embedded financial products will power the next phase of revenue growth for telcos. With Airwallex's fintech expertise, we've built a globally scalable financial services stack embedded in our platform, making it seamless for any telco organization to launch and scale financial products or services with zero licensing and infrastructure hassles" said Awais Malik, Chief Growth Officer, Circles.

Airwallex is a leading global fintech platform that enables enterprises to embed licensed digital financial services and move money to more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. With over 80 licences and permits globally, and a strategic partnership with Visa, Airwallex provides the global financial infrastructure that allows telecom operators on the CirclesX platform to launch and scale digital financial services without building or managing complex banking infrastructure.

This global partnership reflects a shared ambition to bring embedded financial services to telecom operators worldwide, unlocking a new growth segment for Airwallex while enabling CirclesX customers to participate in financial flows at massive scale across millions of subscribers.

"Telecom operators sit at the centre of their customers' daily lives, but connectivity alone is no longer enough to drive long-term growth. By partnering with Circles and integrating with the CirclesX platform, we're enabling operators to embed trusted, global financial services directly into their digital experiences - unlocking new revenue streams, deeper engagement and stronger customer lifetime value at scale," said Arnold Chan, General Manager, Asia-Pacific, Airwallex.

Circles' consumer MVNO brand in Singapore, Circles.Life, is already seeing early success with two FinX-powered products: a semi-open wallet and a cashback card. The Circles.Life wallet, currently available in select channels, has driven 40% incremental subscriber growth by enabling easy wallet top-ups via PayNow and peer-to-peer transfers.

Also, Circles.Life offers one of Singapore's leading cashback cards as part of its Zerofy cashback program. The program has delivered 5 growth in monthly transactions per user and a 10 increase in monthly spend, while also contributing to a 30-point year-on-year increase in customer NPS.

Circles will begin rolling out the FinX platform to existing CirclesX customers and other operators in the coming weeks.

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 multiple countries and 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.

Besides its SaaS business, Circles operates three other distinct businesses:

Circles.Life: A wholly-owned digital lifestyle telco brand based in Singapore, Circles.Life is powered by Circles' SaaS platform and pioneering go-to-market strategies. It is the digital market leader in Singapore and has won numerous awards for marketing, customer service, and innovative product offerings beyond connectivity.

Circles Aspire: A global provider of Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) solutions. Its cloud-based Experience Cloud platform enables enterprises, service providers and developers to deliver and scale mobile, messaging, IoT, and connectivity services worldwide.

Jetpac: Specializing in travel tech solutions, Jetpac provides seamless eSIM roaming for over 200 destinations and innovative travel lifestyle products, redefining connectivity for digital travelers. Jetpac was awarded Travel eSIM of the Year.

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.

About Airwallex

Airwallex is an AI native global financial platform for modern businesses. We are building the future of global banking for a borderless, real-time, intelligent economy.

More than 200,000 companies worldwide  from startups to public enterprises  use Airwallex to manage their global banking and financial operations, or to build and monetise their own financial products using Airwallex infrastructure.

Founded in Melbourne in 2015, Airwallex holds 80 licenses across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, forming one of the most comprehensive financial infrastructures in the world. This regulated backbone powers Airwallex products at global scale, including: payment acceptance, billing, global accounts, corporate cards, and spend management.

The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore with over 2,000 employees across 26 offices. Learn more at www.airwallex.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934684/Circles_Airwallex.jpg

SOURCE Circles.co
PHOENIX, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Elections, Arizona's only non-partisan voter education entity, statutorily authorized to run candidate debates, announces a continued, innovative partnership with the Arizona Media Association (AMA) for 2026 primary and general candidate debates. The addition of a new production space, SNEAKY BIG studios, assures the caliber of content that voters, candidates and media partners have come to expect from Clean Elections debates.

"Voters rely on our debates to help inform their vote," said Gina Roberts, Voter Education Director at Clean Elections. "Our format is preferred, particularly in highly contested races where it lends itself to compare candidates side by side. It is the only setting where the exchange is intended to be spontaneous so that the public gains a deeper perspective on the candidates vying for offices that are critical to the future of our state."

New this year is the July 21 Primary Election date. It requires primary candidate debates to start in May. A preliminary schedule that includes highly anticipated statewide and congressional offices as well as the legislative debates, solely produced by Clean Elections, is available for preview. Coordination with each candidate will guide the final debates schedule and determine each respective medium and debate format. The most current Clean Elections debates schedule can be viewed on the Clean Election website and will be updated daily through the general election.

"There is nothing more gratifying than supporting our Arizona local media coalition with content that is relevant to their viewers, that meets editorial standards and is a resource to augment their news product," said Tregg White, President and CEO, Arizona Media Association. "We look forward to another successful debate series made possible only with the support of our more than 350 media brands."

In the 2024 election cycle this unique partnership resulted in 80 media partners being active distributors of debates. Debate content was put to use 1,614 times by media brands across TV, digital and radio channels and from when the general debates started to the day after they ended, the total viewing time for all debate-related content was 1,500 hours.

Candidates who received 1% of the total ballots cast in the primary election for their desired office will be invited to participate in the in-studio general debate broadcast. Candidates who are unaffiliated or without a recognized political party designation that qualified for the general election ballot will also be invited.

Debates produced at SNEAKY BIG studios will be available for live broadcast and will be made accessible to dozens of local media brands including television, radio, and print/digital. There will be statewide simulcasting of major debates, regional simulcasting of local debates, and digital distribution of every debate. All live television debates will be simulcast with Spanish audio translation, include an American Sign Language interpreter and CART captioning.

Voters are encouraged to get involved in debates now by submitting questions for respective offices and candidates by emailing [email protected] or calling 602-364-3477 (toll-free at 877-631-8891). Members of the media can submit their request for debate carriage and coverage by emailing [email protected]. Follow Clean Elections on Facebook (@AZCleanElections) and Instagram (@AZCleanElections) for the latest nonpartisan election information.

SOURCE Citizens Clean Elections Commission
NEW DELHI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the market research study published by MarkNtel Advisors, the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 13.88% during 20262032. The market expansion is primarily driven by the increasing demand for high-resolution geospatial intelligence across defense, environmental monitoring, agriculture, and infrastructure planning. In addition, the growing deployment of satellite constellations, advancements in Earth observation technologies, and rising adoption of satellite-based analytics for real-time monitoring are significantly contributing to the expansion of the commercial satellite imagery industry.

Regionally, North America leads the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market, accounting for approximately 45% of the total market share in 2026. The region's leadership is supported by the strong presence of leading satellite operators and Earth observation companies, high defense and intelligence spending, advanced space infrastructure, and increasing demand for geospatial analytics across government, commercial, and environmental monitoring applications.

Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market Key Takeaways

The Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market was valued at around USD 6.82 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 7.01 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 15.29 billion by 2032, reflecting strong market expansion supported by the increasing adoption of satellite imagery for surveillance, mapping, environmental monitoring, and resource management.

By type, the optical imagery segment accounted for approximately 64% of the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market share in 2026, driven by its widespread application in mapping, urban planning, agricultural monitoring, and infrastructure development. Optical satellite imagery offers high visual clarity and detailed spatial insights, making it one of the most widely used data sources for geospatial analysis across multiple industries.

By end user, the government & defense segment held a major share of around 48% of the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market in 2026, reflecting the growing reliance on satellite imagery for national security operations, border monitoring, disaster response, and intelligence gathering.

The presence of leading Earth observation companies continues to strengthen the competitive landscape through the development of advanced imaging satellites, expansion of satellite constellations, and integration of artificial intelligence and cloud-based analytics platforms for enhanced geospatial intelligence capabilities.

Download a FREE PDF Sample of the Report

https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/request-sample/commercial-satellite-imagery-market.html (Discover key market trends, growth opportunities, and industry insights.)

Primary Market Forces Propelling the Growth of Commercial Satellite Imagery Solutions

Rising Demand for Geospatial Intelligence Across Multiple Industries

One of the key factors driving the growth of the commercial satellite imagery market is the rapidly increasing demand for geospatial intelligence across a wide range of industries, including defense, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management. Governments and private organizations are increasingly utilizing satellite imagery to obtain accurate and real-time geographic insights that support strategic decision-making, resource planning, and risk assessment.

Satellite imagery enables large-scale monitoring of vast geographic areas that are often difficult or costly to assess using traditional data collection methods. As a result, it plays a critical role in applications such as tracking environmental changes, monitoring deforestation, evaluating crop health, and analyzing infrastructure development. These capabilities have positioned satellite-based Earth observation technologies as essential tools for modern data-driven industries.

Furthermore, as organizations worldwide continue to adopt advanced monitoring systems and geospatial analytics to enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness, the demand for commercial satellite imagery services is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Expansion of Satellite Constellations and Advancements in Earth Observation Technologies

Another major factor contributing to the expansion of the commercial satellite imagery market is the increasing deployment of satellite constellations and the continuous advancement of Earth observation technologies. Satellite operators are actively launching constellations of small satellites, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), to improve global coverage, increase revisit frequency, and enable near real-time monitoring capabilities.

These technological advancements are allowing organizations to access more frequent and higher-quality imagery data, thereby enhancing applications such as disaster response, maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure planning. Improved imaging capabilities and faster data acquisition are significantly expanding the potential use cases of satellite imagery across both government and commercial sectors.

In addition, the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud-based geospatial analytics platforms is transforming raw satellite imagery into actionable intelligence. These innovations are enabling organizations to efficiently analyze large volumes of geospatial data and derive meaningful insights, further accelerating the global adoption of commercial satellite imagery solutions.

Key Market Constraints Affecting the Growth of the Commercial Satellite Imagery Industry

High Data Acquisition Costs and Regulatory Constraints

Despite the strong growth potential of the market, several challenges continue to influence the broader adoption of commercial satellite imagery services. One of the primary limitations is the high cost associated with satellite development, launch operations, maintenance, and the acquisition of high-resolution imagery data.

The deployment of advanced imaging satellites requires substantial capital investment, which may limit participation for smaller organizations and emerging space technology firms. Additionally, regulatory restrictions related to satellite imaging resolution, data security, and national security considerations in certain countries can affect the distribution and commercialization of satellite imagery data.

Moreover, environmental factors such as cloud cover and atmospheric conditions may occasionally impact the quality of optical satellite imagery, particularly in regions with frequent weather disturbances. In such cases, alternative imaging technologies such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are often required to ensure reliable data collection.

Nevertheless, ongoing advancements in satellite technologies, increasing investments in global space infrastructure, and expanding collaboration between governments and private satellite operators are expected to gradually mitigate these challenges. These developments are likely to improve accessibility and efficiency in satellite data acquisition, thereby supporting the sustained growth of the commercial satellite imagery market.

Market Analysis by Type, End User & Region

By Type, the optical imagery segment dominated the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market in 2026, accounting for around 64% of the total market share. The segment's strong position is primarily attributed to its extensive application across industries such as mapping and cartography, land-use monitoring, urban planning, and agricultural analysis. Optical satellite imagery provides highly detailed and visually interpretable representations of the Earth's surface, enabling organizations to obtain accurate geographic insights for planning, monitoring, and decision-making. Furthermore, continuous advancements in satellite sensor technologies and improvements in imaging resolution are enhancing the quality and reliability of optical data. These technological developments are further accelerating the adoption of optical satellite imagery across both commercial enterprises and government agencies.

By End User, the government & defense segment held a significant share of the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market, accounting for approximately 48% in 2026. The dominance of this segment is largely driven by the growing reliance of governments on satellite imagery for critical applications such as surveillance, reconnaissance, border monitoring, and national security intelligence. Satellite-based Earth observation systems enable governments to monitor large geographic areas in near real time, which significantly enhances situational awareness and supports faster decision-making during security operations and disaster response scenarios. As geopolitical uncertainties and global security concerns continue to evolve, governments worldwide are increasingly integrating satellite imagery into their defense and intelligence frameworks, further strengthening demand within this segment.

Regionally, North America dominated the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market, capturing approximately 45% of the total market share in 2026. The region's leadership is supported by its advanced space infrastructure, strong presence of satellite technology companies, and growing demand for geospatial intelligence across defense, environmental monitoring, and commercial applications. The United States, in particular, plays a central role in the regional ecosystem, hosting numerous private Earth observation companies and satellite technology innovators that are actively expanding satellite constellations and enhancing geospatial analytics capabilities.

In 2024, the United States conducted approximately 154 orbital launches, accounting for more than half of the total launches worldwide. This high launch frequency reflects the nation's robust launch infrastructure and its ability to rapidly deploy satellite constellations supporting Earth observation, communications, and commercial satellite imagery services. Such developments continue to reinforce North America's position as a global hub for commercial satellite imagery innovation and deployment.

View Full Report (All Data, In One Place)

https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/commercial-satellite-imagery-market.html (Explore in-depth analyses, technology trends, and investment opportunities.)

Notable Technological Developments in the Global Satellite Imagery Landscape

The Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market continues to witness significant technological advancements and constellation expansion initiatives as companies focus on enhancing Earth observation capabilities and meeting the growing demand for high-resolution geospatial intelligence. Leading satellite imagery providers are increasingly investing in new satellite deployments, advanced imaging technologies, and broader data collection capabilities to support both commercial and government applications.

In June 2025, BlackSky announced plans to expand its satellite constellation with a new generation of multispectral, broad-area collection satellites known as AROS. These satellites are designed to enhance high-cadence Earth observation by enabling large-area digital mapping, change detection, and AI-driven geospatial analytics. By supporting faster and more comprehensive imaging capabilities, the initiative aims to strengthen BlackSky's ability to serve commercial enterprises and government agencies that rely on timely geospatial intelligence.

Later in November 2025, ICEYE further strengthened the global satellite imagery ecosystem by launching five new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites into orbit. The deployment expands the company's commercial SAR constellation and enhances its ability to support a wide range of customer missions. These satellites significantly increase global Earth observation capacity by providing high-resolution SAR imagery capable of capturing data in all weather conditions and at any time of day, enabling reliable monitoring for commercial, governmental, and defense-related applications worldwide.

Collectively, these developments highlight the increasing industry focus on expanding satellite constellations, improving imaging capabilities, and enabling faster access to geospatial intelligence, all of which are contributing to the continued growth of the global commercial satellite imagery market.

Top Companies Operating in the Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market

Airbus Defence & Space

Planet Labs PBC

BlackSky Technology Inc.

L3Harris Technologies

Capella Space

Satellogic

ICEYE

SI Imaging Services Umbra

Muon Space

Earth-i

European Space Imaging

GHGSat

Synspective

Deimos Imaging

LiveEO

Galileo Group

Others

Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market Scope

By Type: Optical Imagery, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imagery, Hyperspectral Imagery, Multispectral Imagery, Others

By Resolution: Very High Resolution (0.5 m), High Resolution (0.51 m), Medium Resolution (110 m), Low Resolution (>10 m)

By Deployment Model: Single Satellite Systems, Satellite Constellations

By Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO)

By Application Type: Mapping & Cartography, Change Detection & Monitoring, Surveillance & Reconnaissance, Asset & Infrastructure Monitoring, Crop Health & Yield Monitoring, Emissions & Environmental Monitoring, Maritime Domain Awareness

By End User: Government & Defense, Agriculture & Forestry, Energy & Natural Resources, Construction & Infrastructure, Environmental Monitoring & Disaster Management, Transportation & Logistics, Insurance & Finance, Others

By Region: North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa

Browse More Reports on Satellite Technologies

Global 5G Satellite Communication Market: The Global 5G Satellite Communication Market size is valued at around USD 5.05 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 10.18 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 15.05% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30.

Global In-Orbit Satellite Services Market: The Global In-Orbit Satellite Services Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 98.47% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30.

Global High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) Market: The Global High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) Market size was valued at around USD 99 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 240 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 16% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30.

Brazil Satellite Earth Observation Systems Market: The Brazil Satellite Earth Observation Systems Market size was valued at around USD 80 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 126.5 million by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.8% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

Global Arctic Surveillance Satellite Systems Market: The Global Arctic Surveillance Satellite Systems Market size was valued at approximately USD 1.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.86 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 11.08% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

About MarkNtel Advisors

MarkNtel Advisors is a global market research and consulting firm committed to delivering precise, data-driven insights across a diverse range of high-growth and emerging industries. The firm employs a rigorous research methodology that integrates extensive primary research, featuring direct interactions with industry leaders, subject-matter experts, and key stakeholders, with thoroughly validated secondary data sources. This comprehensive approach ensures the accuracy, reliability, and credibility of its market intelligence.

Backed by deep domain expertise and a team of experienced analysts, MarkNtel Advisors provides strategic insights that enable organizations, investors, and decision-makers to identify emerging opportunities, understand evolving industry dynamics, and make informed business decisions in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Contact Us:

MarkNtel Advisors

Office No.109, H-159, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh  201301, India

Contact No: +91 87199 99009

Email: [email protected]

Website: marknteladvisors.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687299/MarkNtel_Advisors_Logo.jpg

SOURCE MarkNtel Advisors
CAIRO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Egypt on Tuesday called for an "immediate and comprehensive halt" to all Israeli military operations against Lebanon, including ground incursions and airstrikes.

Egypt condemned "in the strongest terms" the Israeli ground incursion into southern Lebanon, describing it as "a blatant violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a grave breach of international law and the UN Charter," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"These escalating Israeli violations exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, increase civilian suffering, and push hundreds of thousands toward forced displacement," the statement said.

Cairo called for "the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territories," and urged the international community and the UN Security Council to take action to pressure Israel to halt the escalation.

On Monday, the Israeli army said it had begun what it described as limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.

The move followed an Israeli military campaign involving airstrikes targeting Beirut, its southern suburbs, and areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel earlier this month amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since early March have killed 886 people in Lebanon. 
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At NVIDIA GTC 2026, Compal Electronics (Compal; Stock Code: 2324) showcased its high-density AI server solution based on NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8, aligning with the NVIDIA's "Six New Chips  One AI Supercomputer" NVIDIA Vera Rubin architecture and demonstrating its engineering readiness for next-generation AI supercomputing infrastructure.

Compal Introduces High-Density NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8 Integrated Solution at GTC 2026

The NVIDIA Vera Rubin architecture integrates the NVIDIA Vera CPU, NVIDIA Rubin GPU, NVIDIA NVLink 6 Switch, NVIDIA BlueField-4 DPU, NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet and NVIDIA ConnectX-9 SuperNIC to form a comprehensive heterogeneous computing architecture. Powered by NVLink 6 switching technology, the NVL72 rack-scale configuration delivers up to 260 TB/s of total bandwidth and enables 3.6 TB/s of all-to-all bandwidth per GPU, supporting MoE models and large-scale training and inference workloads.

Compal is introducing the SG231-2-L1, based on NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8. The core value of the SG231-2-L1 includes:

High-Density Accelerated Architecture: Integrates eight NVIDIA Rubin GPUs within a 2U chassis, maximizing compute density and space efficiency.





Integrates eight NVIDIA Rubin GPUs within a 2U chassis, maximizing compute density and space efficiency. Advanced Inference Performance: Delivers up to 400 petaFLOPS (NVFP4), supporting LLM training and inference, generative AI, and HPC workloads.





Delivers up to 400 petaFLOPS (NVFP4), supporting LLM training and inference, generative AI, and HPC workloads. High-Bandwidth GPU Interconnect: Powered by NVIDIA NVLink 6, enabling up to 28.8TB/s of GPU-to-GPU bandwidth for enhanced multi-GPU scalability.





Powered by NVIDIA NVLink 6, enabling up to 28.8TB/s of GPU-to-GPU bandwidth for enhanced multi-GPU scalability. Scalable Memory Architecture: Supports up to 2.3TB of GPU memory and 176TB/s of memory bandwidth for memory-intensive AI applications.





Supports up to 2.3TB of GPU memory and 176TB/s of memory bandwidth for memory-intensive AI applications. High Power Density with Liquid Cooling: Sustains approximately 24kW of system power through optimized direct liquid-cooling design for stable, sustained performance.





Sustains approximately 24kW of system power through optimized direct liquid-cooling design for stable, sustained performance. Rack-Level Deployment Readiness: Designed for seamless integration into high-density AI racks, supporting scalable expansion from single nodes to data center deployments.

In its booth, Compal is also featuring an NVIDIA Vera CPU HPM module based on NVIDIA HGX system, highlighting engineering readiness and manufacturing capabilities aligned with the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform. As heterogeneous computing architectures continue to evolve, coordinated CPU-GPU design has become a critical factor for data centers.

Complementing this showcase, Compal is also introducing support for the new NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell Server Edition  featuring 32GB GDDR7 memory and up to 800 GB/s bandwidth, enabling efficient acceleration for AI inference, data processing, and visual computing workloads.

Alan Chang, Vice President of Compal's Infrastructure Systems Business Group, stated: "Competition in AI infrastructure has shifted from single-node performance comparisons to overall deployment efficiency and long-term scalability. As the NVIDIA HGX Rubin NVL8 platform advances in both performance and power density, data center architecture must evolve accordingly. We are strengthening not only compute capability, but also the load-bearing and expansion capacity of the entire infrastructure stack, enabling customers to establish sustainable deployment models for next-generation AI workloads."

As AI workloads continue to scale, data center competitiveness is increasingly defined by ecosystem alignment and holistic architectural integration. Through its showcase at GTC 2026, Compal demonstrates engineering strength in high-density GPU systems and liquid cooling solutions while reinforcing its long-term strategic engagement within the NVIDIA technology ecosystem.

About Compal

Founded in 1984, Compal is a leading manufacturer in the notebook and smart device industry, creating brand value in collaboration with various sectors. Its groundbreaking product designs have received numerous international awards. In 2025, Compal was recognized by CommonWealth Magazine as one of Taiwan's top 7 manufacturers and has consistently ranked among the Forbes Global 2000 companies. In recent years, Compal has actively developed emerging businesses, including cloud servers, auto electronics, and smart medical, leveraging its integrated hardware and software R&D and manufacturing capabilities to create relevant solutions. More information, please visit https://www.compal.com

SOURCE COMPAL ELECTRONICS,INC.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The IWIP Charity Foundation is part of the Yongqing Group, which is owned by Tsingshan Industrial Holdings has donated 8MWh of GFM ESS solutions to two remote Indonesian islands to help build stable and reliable power systems.

image1 image2

PT Dogo Teknologi Energi (DoGo) is providing the GFM ESS solution. DoGo's leading technology and extensive experience in grid-forming ESS enabled them to deliver a comprehensive solution, including an 8MWh storage system, a power conversion system (PCS), and communication and management systems. DoGo also spearheaded the design, grid simulation and consulting services, ensuring that the system can autonomously establish a stable power supply network and effectively address the challenges of island off-grid operations.

This donation initiative also serves as a positive demonstration. In August 2025, the Indonesian government set itself the ambitious goal of accelerating the nation's transition to clean energy. The initiative involves constructing 100 GW of solar energy and 320 GWh of battery storage capacity in 80,000 villages and centralised solar power plants, thereby accelerating the transformation of the energy infrastructure. Grid-connected energy storage solutions offer a feasible and scalable development path for remote islands, mining areas, and 'power islands', improving overall electricity accessibility and providing practical solutions to help the country achieve its new energy development goals and offering practical references for the country's new energy development goals.

The IWIP Charity Foundation stated that this donation is a significant step towards the company proactively fulfilling its social responsibilities and committing to global energy sustainability. By deploying GFM ESS solutions on remote islands, the company intends to support improvements to local livelihoods through concrete action, bridge the energy access gap between regions and ensure that more people benefit from clean energy development.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934591/image1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934592/image2.jpg
In the news release, "Eclipse Research Explores Autoformalization and the Future of Mathematical Discovery Inspired by Work from Founder Neel Somani," issued 5-Mar-2026 by Eclipse over PR Newswire. We are advised by the company that the release contained some erroneous information. The complete, corrected release follows:

Autoformalization and the Future of Mathematical Discovery: Reflections from Neel Somani

SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The fusion of artificial intelligence and pure mathematics is accelerating, evolving from computational assistance to enabling creative breakthroughs. Neel Somani, a Berkeley-educated computer scientist and founder of the blockchain platform Eclipse, recently spearheaded an experiment that offers a glimpse into this transformative future. By organizing a team of undergraduate students to apply advanced AI models to unresolved Erdos problems, Somani sought not only to solve mathematical challenges but also to uncover the deeper architecture of discovery itself.

Neel Somani

The project, named "GPT-Erdos," employed state-of-the-art tools like GPT-5.2 Pro and Deep Research to tackle unsolved mathematical conjectures. The results were striking, yielding accepted solutions, partial progress, and rediscoveries of previously undocumented findings. Yet, as Somani highlights, the true value of this initiative lies in the insights it provided into the informal, often hidden principles that guide human research. As AI systems increasingly engage in "autoformalization"the process of converting human-readable proofs into machine-verifiable formatsthey are prompting the scientific community to reconsider long-held notions of novelty, progress, and rigor.

The Complexity of Underspecification



One of the most intriguing insights from Somani's work revolves around the issue of underspecification. AI-generated solutions often expose ambiguities in how humans define success. During the GPT-Erdos experiment, Somani observed instances where the AI produced valid solutions that diverged methodologically from established approaches while remaining functionally equivalent.

This raises a critical question: How should such results be categorized? Are they novel discoveries, rediscoveries, or extensions of prior work? Somani notes that debates over novelty are not merely academic; they reflect deeper questions about intellectual contribution. When AI generates solutions without a clear historical lineage, it challenges the human desire for clean definitions of "newness," revealing the often messy reality of mathematical derivation. The experiment underscored that AI's "failures" are frequently not errors in results but failures of specificationcases where the AI meets technical criteria but falls short of satisfying human expectations for what constitutes a meaningful contribution.

Redefining Novelty in the Age of Automation



The challenge of defining novelty is not unique to AI; it has long divided even the most accomplished mathematicians. Somani points to examples where leading figures, such as Terence Tao, might view an AI-generated result as novel, while others might see it as derivative. This divergence underscores the reliance of the mathematical community on intuition rather than formal logic to assess the value of a proof.

Somani suggests that the field may need to adopt a more formalized definition of novelty. One potential framework could involve measuring the minimum complexity required to express a proof. If a proof merely reconfigures existing theorems with new parameters, it may lack novelty. However, if it necessitates the creation of multiple new, non-trivial theorems, it likely represents a genuine advancement. Drawing on his expertise in cryptography and quantitative research, Somani proposes taking inspiration from zero-knowledge proofs, defining mathematical "knowledge" as the ability to reconstruct a proof using existing results within polynomial time.

The Elusive Nature of "Interestingness"



Beyond the mechanics of proving theorems lies a more abstract challenge: determining which problems are worth solving. Human mathematicians possess an intuitive sense of "interestingness"a heuristic that balances difficulty with potential impact. Large Language Models (LLMs), however, lack this intuition. They cannot inherently discern which mathematical questions might unlock breakthroughs in physics or engineering, nor can they grasp the cultural or aesthetic significance of a problem.

Somani argues that this limitation extends beyond mathematics into fields like business and art. Just as AI struggles to identify genuinely novel business ideas, it also struggles to prioritize meaningful mathematical inquiries. These values, deeply embedded in human experience, are absent from training data. As a result, the rise of autoformalization serves as a mirror, exposing the "soft" concepts that humans rely on as invisible guardrails for progress.

From Mathematical Proofs to Software Reliability



While the philosophical implications of autoformalization are profound, its practical applications are immediate, particularly in domains requiring absolute reliability. Somani, whose work with Eclipse focuses on decentralized technology, sees a direct connection between formal mathematical proofs and software security. In fields like quantitative finance and blockchain development, the goal is often to create systems that are provably correct.

The rapid proliferation of AI-generated code introduces new risks. Somani refers to this as "slop code"software produced so quickly that human review becomes a bottleneck. Autoformalization offers a solution by enabling formal methods at scale. Instead of relying on human oversight to catch issues like memory safety violations or exception handling errors, formalized AI systems could provide provable guarantees. This shift could make formal verification, once considered too cumbersome for general software development, a practical standard for critical infrastructure.

Toward a Metric for "Closeness"



Looking ahead, Somani identifies a key gap in current tools: the absence of a metric for "closeness" to completion. Today, formal verification operates in binary termsa proof either verifies or it does not. Yet, the history of scientific discovery is rarely so clear-cut. Major breakthroughs, such as the Einstein field equations, often emerged through heuristics and metaphors long before they were rigorously formalized.

Somani envisions a future where autoformalization incorporates a differentiable surrogate function to measure how close a proof is to being correct. Such a tool would allow researchers to distinguish between proofs that are fundamentally flawed and those that are nearly complete. This development could transform AI from a binary checker into a true collaborator, capable of navigating the heuristic, iterative process of discovery.

A New Paradigm for Inquiry



Neel Somani's experiment demonstrates that even if AI progress were to halt today, the practice of mathematics has already been irrevocably changed. The ability to verify proofs via machine and rapidly assimilate existing approaches allows researchers to focus on high-level conceptualization rather than rote memorization.

As the founder of Eclipse and a mentor to emerging computer scientists, Somani continues to explore how these technologies can reshape decentralized systems and academic inquiry. The future of mathematics is not just about machines solving problems; it is about machines helping humans redefine the very nature of the questions they seek to answer.

Media Contact

Lipschitz Strategies LLC

San Francisco, CA

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (464) 300-1989

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2927455/Eclipse.jpg

SOURCE Eclipse
OMAHA, Neb., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers National Company is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Farm Management business of Peoples Bank and Trust, headquartered in McPherson, Kansas. The acquisition includes over 20,000 acres and brings Farmers National Company's total in Kansas to over 400,000 managed acres. This acquisition reflects a shared commitment to providing landowners with experienced, specialized agricultural management and long-term stewardship.

Peoples Bank and Trust has built strong, trusted relationships with its farm management clients over many years. Farmers National Company is honored to continue that legacy by bringing deep expertise, local knowledge, and dedicated resources focused exclusively on farm and ranch management.

"This acquisition aligns with our mission to provide solutions that improve profitability and longterm value for landowners," said Grant Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President  Farm and Ranch Management at Farmers National Company. "We are committed to building on this foundation and expanding the level of support and expertise available to these clients."

Farmers National Company has been providing professional farm and ranch management services since 1929 and operates in nearly 30 states. This transition has been planned to ensure a smooth handoff and to expand access to the firm's comprehensive management and advisory capabilities.

Farmers National Company looks forward to welcoming these clients and continuing to support the agricultural communities of Kansas.

Employee-owned Farmers National Company is the nation's leading landowner services provider. Farmers National Company manages nearly 5,000 farms and ranches in 30 states comprising more than 2 million acres. Over the last five years, Farmers National Company has sold 3,700 properties (1,950 at auction) and more than $3.25 billion of real estate. Additional services provided by the company include energy management, appraisals, insurance, hunting lease management, forest management, FNC Securities, consultations, and collateral inspections. For more information on our company and the services provided, visit www.FarmersNational.com.

SOURCE Farmers National Company
One of Chicagoland's Most Trusted Home Care Providers Expands Its Reach While Preserving Its Legacy of Compassionate Care

CHICAGO, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Home Care, one of the most respected home care organizations in Chicagoland and throughout Northern Illinois, is proud to announce it has joined the PurposeCare family of companies.

The move marks an exciting new chapter for Freedom Home Care, expanding its capacity to serve families across the Midwest while preserving the values, relationships, and community commitment that have defined the organization for over 28 years.

The Freedom Home Care team celebrates at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Learn more about Freedom Home Care on their website.

A Respected Name in Home Care

For nearly three decades, Freedom Home Care has built a distinguished reputation as a leading private home care provider serving Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kendall, and McHenry counties. The team operates out of four offices in Northern Illinois: Highland Park, Lake Forest, Barrington, and Vernon Hills.

For over 28 years, Freedom has been dedicated to supporting clients when it matters most, offering home care services tailored to each person's needs, routines, and sense of self. At the heart of Freedom's philosophy is a simple but powerful promise: we treat your family like our family.

Expanded Resources & Broader Services

As part of the PurposeCare family, Freedom Home Care will expand its concierge home care services beyond Chicagoland, gain access to increased resources and support from a larger multi-state organization, and offer integrated home health services through PurposeCare's dual home health/home care model, delivering a seamless continuum of care for clients and their families.

Learn more about PurposeCare on their website.

These enhancements build on Freedom's long-standing partnerships with local hospitals, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, independent and assisted living communities, physicians, and care managers throughout Northern Illinois.

"By joining the PurposeCare family, we're able to bring even more support, innovation, and opportunity to the families we serve, while continuing the trusted relationships we've built over the past 28 years."

 Jenanne Rock, Freedom Home Care Director of Operations

Media Contact: Freedom Home Care | A PurposeCare Company www.freedomhomecare.com

About Freedom Home Care

Freedom Home Care is one of the leading and most respected home care organizations in Northern Illinois and Chicagoland. Now a PurposeCare company, Freedom serves families across several counties from offices in Highland Park, Lake Forest, Barrington, and Vernon Hills, with a 28-year legacy of treating every client's family like its own. They offer 1-hour to 24/7 coverage, including live-in care, from vetted, highly trained caregivers, companions, certified nursing assistants, and both RN and LPN nurses.

About PurposeCare

Established in 2021, PurposeCare offers the Midwest's most integrated model of care, combining home health and home care services into a single, coordinated system that supports local agencies and the communities they serve.

With experienced care teams and accredited clinical programs, families can trust that their loved ones receive consistent, high-quality care at home.

SOURCE PurposeCare
SHANGHAI and LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The APEC Group on Services (GOS) Plenary Meeting in Guangzhou has formally endorsed a new study examining how high-skill digital services are reshaping global market access. The report, published by APEC Australia, features Shanghai-based technology firm QLdigits as a central global case study on the use of artificial intelligence to reduce traditional barriers in cross-border digital trade.

Digital equality, gender-neutral tech space, human-machine interface, binary code transforming into a glowing path, AI empowering business, overcoming barriers through technology, modern corporate vision, QL Digits, APEC women entrepreneurship.

Titled "Enhancing Women's Economic Empowerment in APEC through Greater Participation in High-Skill Digitally Delivered Services," the research analyzes a fundamental shift in international trade dynamics. Aligned with the APEC La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth, the study addresses a long-standing macroeconomic challenge: expanding operations overseas has historically required localized social capital, opaque intermediaries, and extensive offline networks. These factors have consistently created structural disadvantages for emerging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and female entrepreneurs.

The APEC study identifies how AI-native business models are systematically neutralizing these historical frictions by shifting the competitive baseline of cross-border digital trade from traditional relationship-building to algorithmic efficiency and data processing capabilities.

Founder's Insight: The Democratization of Global Commerce

Arylin Wu, Founder and CEO of QLdigits, provided operational data and strategic insights that directly informed the policy recommendations presented to APEC officials. Her contributions emphasized how technological infrastructure can serve as a great equalizer in global markets.

"The modernization of cross-border digital trade infrastructure is transitioning the market from a relationship-based model to a purely data-driven model," Wu noted. "When market discovery, multilingual localization, and operational scale are automated through advanced algorithms, the traditional prerequisites of social capital become significantly less relevant. The international market evaluates processing efficiency and cognitive agility, rendering historical biases or background-related barriers increasingly obsolete."

Wu further added, "By making high-skill digital tools more accessible, our goal is not just to streamline market entry, but to empower entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to participate equitably in the Asia-Pacific digital economy and share in its growth."

Verifiable Industry Evidence and Scale

The APEC committee selected QLdigits based on the quantifiable scale of its technology deployment and its integration within global digital ecosystems. Operating as a certified Google Premier Partner, the firm integrates advanced large language modelsincluding the Gemini APIinto its proprietary Cross-border Digital Intelligence SaaS Platform.

This AI-driven infrastructure bridges the "intelligence gap" by providing automated decision-making, global compliance analysis, and precision marketing tools to over 1,000 enterprises, facilitating their seamless expansion into international markets. This verifiable operational scale, which allowed the firm to achieve profitability within its first year of operation, serves as empirical evidence for the APEC study's thesis on tech-enabled inclusive growth. It proves that cognitive capability has superseded social identity as the primary currency of global commerce.

The finalized study is currently accessible on the APEC Australia Women and Trade in Services portal. It provides member economies with evidence-based policy frameworks derived from the operational realities of firms like QLdigits, aiming to foster a more inclusive, resilient, and standardized cross-border digital trade environment across the Asia-Pacific region.

The full report can be accessed here:

https://www.apec.org.au/_files/ugd/ab46bb_eda8b0b95db24690a2602eff4e52d8bf.pdf

About Qiliang Digital (QLdigits)

Headquartered in Shanghai, Qiliang Digital (QLdigits) is a leading cross-border digital trade technology firm and a certified Google Premier Partner. The company develops high-skill digital services and intelligent SaaS solutions powered by advanced AI frameworks, dedicated to providing data-driven trade infrastructure that empowers enterprises to scale seamlessly across global markets.

Website: https://qldigits.com/

SOURCE QLdigits
Habbas & Associates will cover all adoption fees during the Ruff on Injustice with a Heart for Paws Day adoption event at the San Jose Animal Care Center on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Habbas & Associates has announced its proud partnership with the San Jose Animal Care Center to promote its upcoming Ruff on Injustice with a Heart for Paws Day adoption event. The law firm will cover all adoption fees during the special event, which will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM at the animal shelter (2750 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111).

The San Jose Animal Care Shelter and Habbas & Associates hope to place at least 150 pets into loving, permanent homes in San Jose, Santa Clara County, and beyond. If the goal is met, the shelter will have plentiful availability to take in and help more animals in need. To facilitate adoptions that lead to forever homes, animal shelter staff will be available throughout the event and help people find the right pet for them. Additionally, the shelter has ensured that every animal available for adoption at the event has been vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and otherwise provided with any necessary medical attention.

San Jose City Manager Jennifer Maguire said, "I would like to thank Habbas Law for their generosity in supporting ACS' mission to be an ally to animals in need."

Each spring and summer is "kitten season," which is a predictable uptick of young animals being admitted into animal shelters, including in San Jose. To try to get ahead of this annual circumstance, the San Jose Animal Care Center teamed up with Habbas & Associates to create, host, and promote the Ruff on Injustice with a Heart for Paws Day adoption event. The law firm will also provide adopters with a new pet parent adoption kit while supplies last.

"Every animal that comes through our shelter deserves a home/ Our team works every day to make that possible, and it takes partners who share that commitment. Thanks to Habbas Law, we can waive adoption fees and help 150 more pets find the forever homes they deserve," thanked San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

For years, Attorney Omar Habbas, the founding attorney of Habbas & Associates, has donated to or worked with charitable organizations and community support opportunities, such as the St. Jude Children's Hospital, Family Giving Tree, and others. It is no surprise to most that he has partnered with the San Jose Animal Care Shelter for this special adoption event.

"Animals don't end up in shelters because they did something wrong. They end up here because something in their world fell apart. My family has always believed that when you can protect something vulnerable, you do it. Underwriting these adoptions is about easing fear, restoring trust, and giving animals what they need most, a life beyond a shelter door," Attorney Omar Habbas explained.

To round out the Ruff on Injustice with a Heart for Paws Day adoption event, food trucks, community vendors, and representatives from other local shelters will be present. Local families and people from afar should feel freely invited to come spend the day having fun at the event and, hopefully, bring a new pet with them to a loving forever home.

Additional information about the San Jose Animal Care Center Ruff on Injustice with Heart for Paws Day adoption event on March 28 from 10 AM to 4 PM can be found on the official City of San Jose website: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7203/. Inquiring parties can learn more about Attorney Omar Habbas and the work of Habbas & Associates by visiting: www.habbaslaw.com.

Media Contact

Toni Pangelina

[email protected]

SOURCE Habbas & Associates
Limited "Joel's Wildfire" Series Expected to Raise Over $40,000

RICE LAKE, Wis., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Repeating Arms, one of the country's leading firearms manufacturers, is donating a limited-edition series "Joel's Wildfire" Golden Boy Silver rifles as part of its Guns For Great Causes program to help wildland firefighter Joel Eisiminger cover the mounting medical expenses associated with his fight against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a diagnosis he received one day before his 25th birthday.

Wildland firefighter Joel Eisiminger is shown on the fireline during wildfire operations in the American West. Henry Repeating Arms has created a limited-edition Joels Wildfire Golden Boy Silver rifle, with proceeds from 50 rifles donated through its Guns For Great Causes program to help cover Eisimingers leukemia treatment.

Eisiminger, originally from Southern Oregon, spent six seasons battling wildfires across the American West. In July 2024, while deployed on a wildfire in Northern California, Joel suddenly became seriously ill and was soon diagnosed with the aggressive form of blood cancer that requires extensive treatment.

His story, published in The New York Times, also helped shine a light on the lack of protection available to wildland firefighters. In response, lawmakers introduced the Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act (S.3183) in November 2025 to reverse a decades-long rule banning the use of respirators.

Henry Repeating Arms expects the sale of the 50-rifle series to generate more than $40,000 to support Joel's treatment and ongoing care.

Each rifle in the series features a custom-engraved and painted American walnut buttstock depicting a group of wildfire firefighters, Joel's brothers on the fireline, walking together toward the flames above a banner reading "Joel's Wildfire." Other features include a polished blued steel octagon barrel, nickel-plated receiver cover, barrel band, and buttplate, adjustable sights, and a custom range of serial numbers from WILDFIRE01 through WILDFIRE50. Capacity is 16 rounds of .22 LR or 21 rounds of .22 Short.

Available for sale at $785 each, all proceeds will be donated directly to Joel to assist with his medical expenses and continued care, including all proceeds from the online auctions of the first and last serial numbers in the series.

Click here to visit the auction for WILDFIRE01.

Click here to visit the auction for WILDFIRE50.

"Wildland firefighters work long, grueling hours in high-risk environments, putting their lives on the line to protect ours, our communities, and our forests," said Anthony Imperato, Founder & CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. "Joel has answered that call for years, and now he's facing the toughest fight of his life. Through our Guns For Great Causes program, we're honored to help rally the firearms community behind him."

Henry's Guns For Great Causes program has raised millions of dollars for individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations across the country by creating and donating limited-edition firearms that tell powerful American stories while supporting meaningful causes.

More information about the campaign, including how to purchase one of the "Joel's Wildfire" rifles, can be found at henryusa.com/joelswildfire.

ABOUT HENRY REPEATING ARMS

Henry Repeating Arms is one of the leading firearm manufacturers in the United States and a world leader in the lever-action category. The company's motto is "Made in America, Or Not Made At All." Every Henry firearm comes with a Lifetime Warranty and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee backed by award-winning customer service. Henry Repeating Arms employs over 800 people and has 400,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in Rice Lake and Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The company is also known for its Guns for Great Causes charitable program, which supports families of sick children, children's hospitals, military veteran organizations, law enforcement and first responder groups, Second Amendment advocacy groups, and wildlife conservation organizations. The company is named in honor of Benjamin Tyler Henry, who invented and patented the Henry lever-action rifle in 1860  the first practical repeating rifle and America's unique contribution to the international stage of firearms design. Visit Henry Repeating Arms online at henryusa.com, on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

SOURCE Henry Repeating Arms
Long-Term Partnership with C1 Drives Efficiency, Scalability, and Innovation Across Rail Operations

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Herzog, a leading provider of railroad construction, maintenance, and operations services across North America, has completed another successful Webex by Cisco migration in partnership with C1, a global leader in technology solutions engineered for outcomes.

Since first engaging with C1 for infrastructure modernization, Herzog has relied on C1's engineering expertise and responsiveness to deploy advanced communications solutions that keep its teams connected across more than 30 locations in the U.S. and Canada. This milestone marks another achievement in a multi-year collaboration between Herzog and C1, underscoring the strength of their partnership and shared commitment to operational excellence.

"C1 understands how we workand they deliver every time," said Tyler Steele, Systems Administrator at Herzog. "This was our third Webex deployment with their professional services team, and each one gets better. On go-live day, we didn't make a single support callthat's how seamless it was."

As Herzog continues to expand its rail operationsincluding managing and maintaining 17 transit properties across North Americathe need for reliable, scalable communications is critical. Partnering with C1, Herzog transitioned from a complex on-premises environment to Webex Cloud Communications through C1's Total Care services.

The result: a fully integrated, cloud-based communications system that simplifies management, enhances reliability, and enables real-time collaboration between field crews, administrators, and project partners.

"Herzog's commitment to resilience and innovation aligns perfectly with C1's mission," said Elliot Olschwang, Chief Services Officer at C1. "Supporting their evolution from legacy systems to modern, cloud-based communications across multiple projects demonstrates the strength of our partnership. Together, we're building technology foundations that drive business outcomes."

With this third successful migration, Herzog has positioned itself for continued growth and digital agilityready to scale rapidly for future projects while maintaining the dependable, high-performance infrastructure that defines its brand.

About Herzog

Founded in 1969, Herzog is an industry leader in railroad construction, maintenance, and operations. With more than 2,800 employees across the U.S. and Canada, Herzog provides services ranging from complex rail infrastructure construction to operations and maintenance for 17 transit properties. Herzog is consistently recognized among the Top 10 Mass Transit and Rail Contractors by Engineering News-Record.

About C1

C1 designs and delivers technology solutions engineered for outcomes. We focus on collaboration, infrastructure, and securitypairing leading partner platforms with our advisory, professional, and managed services to make modernization practical, secure, and valuable from day one. Where others talk about transformation, we make it real faster, simpler, and more resilient. Learn more at onec1.com.

Additional Resources:

Case Study: https://www.onec1.com/resources/case-study/herzog

Media Contact:

Kim Espinosa

832-721-0087

SOURCE C1
Marks New Era for Taiwan's Award-Winning Single Malt in Britain

TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kavalan, Taiwan's globally celebrated whisky distillery, today announces the appointment of Marussia Beverages UK Ltd as its sole distributor in the UK, signalling a powerful renewal to one of Kavalan's most influential whisky markets.

The partnership sets the stage for a prestige-led reintroduction of Kavalan's award-winning portfolio to the UK's most discerning retailers, venues and collectors.

Kavalan 15 Years Old Single Malt Whisky, the distillerys inaugural age statement and flagship expression, marks a new chapter in the UK with Marussia Beverages.

King Car Chairman Mr. YT Lee said family-owned Marussia Beverages is one of the UK's most respected artisanal spirits specialists and will oversee nationwide distribution across on-trade, off-trade, specialist retail, e-commerce and grocery channels.

"This is a bold new partnership for us and is designed to firmly establish Kavalan as the leading luxury single malt from a world whisky region. Central to this new era will be a focus on Kavalan's 15 Years Old Single Malt Whisky, our first-ever age statement release, as our flagship expression."

Originally released in 2025, the 15YO marks a defining milestone in Kavalan's journey through time and maturation, expressing vibrant tropical fruits and caramel sweetness, with notes of caramel apple, plum, dark chocolate gelato, and walnut coffee mousse.

Marussia Beverages UK Managing Director Trevenon Weeks said:

"We are absolutely thrilled to officially bring the award-winning house of Kavalan back to the UK. To represent a distillery that has so decisively claimed the world stage, securing multiple 'World's Best' titles, is a genuine honour. Our entire strategy is built to match their ambition, re-introducing these exceptional single malts with the focus and premium stature they deserve. The UK's discerning drinkers are in for a revelation."

The partnership's strategic priority will be on carefully curated placements in landmark accounts and high-end venues. Specialist retailers and influential venues will help build brand authority and long-term prestige.

The approach will leverage Kavalan's extraordinary record of global recognition and "World's Best" titles as a cornerstone of its UK market reentry, as the market continues to prioritise premiumisation, provenance and discovery, values that resonate with Kavalan's commitment to innovation, craftsmanship and international acclaim.

Kavalan UK Launch and Activities

March

Official UK launch : orders open for fulfilment

: orders open for fulfilment Whisky Live & Fine Spirits London: March 2728

March 2728 The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show, London: October 24

About Kavalan Whisky

Kavalan Distillery in Yilan County has been pioneering the art of single malt whisky in Taiwan since 2005. Our whisky, aged in intense humidity and heat, sources the crystal meltwaters of Snow Mountain and is enhanced by sea and mountain breezes. These conditions combine to create Kavalan's signature creaminess. Taking Yilan County's old name, our distillery is backed by more than 45 years of beverage-making under parent company, King Car Group. We have collected 950 gold or higher awards from the industry's most competitive contests.

About Marussia Beverages UK

Marussia Beverages UK is a Swedish-owned family business and the UK's leading artisanal spirits specialist, representing an exceptional portfolio spanning sake, whisky, gin, liqueurs, rum, cognac, armagnac, brandy, tequila, sherry, calvados and vodka. Its expertise in premium brand building makes it a natural partner for Kavalan's next chapter in Britain.

CONTACT:

Kaitlyn Tsai

[email protected]

Wendy Wang

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2930104/260317_Kavalan_15_Years_Old_Single_Malt_Whisky__the_distillery_s_inaugural_age_statement_and_flagshi.jpg
TEHRAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has roundly rejected having had any new contact with U.S. president's special envoy Steve Witkoff.

He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X early Tuesday while reacting to a report by U.S. media outlet Axios claiming so, as the military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 18th day.

"My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran," Araghchi said.

He added, "Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public."

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, high-ranking military commanders, and civilians. Iran responded through several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets and bases in the Middle East.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi stressed that Iran had not sent any message to the United States requesting a ceasefire, noting that the war must end in a way that it will not be repeated in the future. 
David Shaw brings extensive district court and ITC experience to the firm's top-tier Intellectual Property Litigation Practice

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that David Shaw has joined the firm's Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. Shaw is a first-chair trial lawyer who focuses on high-stakes patent litigation across the technology and life sciences sectors in federal district courts and Section 337 proceedings before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

David Shaw, Partner, Latham & Watkins

"We are thrilled to welcome David to Latham," said Mandy Reeves, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner. "He is an accomplished trial lawyer with an exceptional track record of courtroom success in ITC investigations and district court patent matters. David's impressive achievements and deep technical background make him an outstanding addition to our team."

Shaw has led complex patent disputes from inception through appeal, shaping trial strategy, overseeing case development, and executing courtroom strategy. He represents clients in patent litigation in U.S. District Courts and the Court of Federal Claims, appeals before the Federal Circuit, and inter partes reviews before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

"David is a phenomenal addition to our market-leading IP team," said Mike Morin, Global Chair of Latham's Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. "At a time when ITC filings are increasing, David's proven trial leadership, extensive experience, and sophisticated understanding of technology disputes will immediately enhance our ability to achieve successful outcomes for our clients."

"I am delighted to join Latham's premier IP Litigation Practice and contribute to the firm's unparalleled global platform," said Shaw. "Latham offers an ideal environment to grow my practice and collaborate with exceptionally talented colleagues who are leaders in the field. I look forward to delivering meaningful results for tech and life sciences clients navigating their most critical intellectual property challenges."

Shaw joins Latham from Desmarais LLP in Washington, D.C. He received his JD from The George Washington University Law School, his MS in Tumor Biology from Georgetown University, and his BA in Biology from The Johns Hopkins University. He has been an Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University Law School since 2021.

About Latham & Watkins (lw.com)

Latham & Watkins is a leading global law firm that brings together exceptional legal talent in financial centers around the world to advise on complex transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters. The firm's deep market and product knowledge, industry experience, vast scale, and commitment to innovation and excellence help clients navigate their most critical challenges and achieve their goals.

Notes to Editors

1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company, in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office, and in Saudi Arabia through a limited liability company.

CONTACT

Mandy Reeves, Washington, D.C. Office Managing Partner, +1.202.637.2183

Mike Morin, Global Chair, Intellectual Property Litigation Practice, +1.202.637.2298

SOURCE Latham & Watkins LLP
Ceremony to be held in April.

SHREWSBURY, Mass., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Physik Instrumente (PI), a global leader in precision motion control and nanopositioning technologies, has been named the Gold winner in the 2026 Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards, presented by MassEcon. The awards recognize companies making significant contributions to the state's economy.

Walter Silvesky, Co-Managing Director of PI USA, presents PIs award-winning Shrewsbury expansion pitch at the MassEcon Economic Impact Awards reception.

The annual awards recognize companies that contribute to the Massachusetts economy through job creation, facility expansion, investment, community engagement, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The 2026 winners were selected following site visits and evaluations by regional judging teams.

PI received the gold award for its continued investment in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and cleanroom capabilities at its U.S. headquarters in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The expansion supports the development and production of high-precision motion systems used in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, photonics, life sciences, and advanced research.

"PI is proud to receive this recognition from MassEcon," said Matt Reck, Co-Managing Director of PI USA. "Massachusetts is home to outstanding engineering talent and a culture of innovation. Our continued investment in Shrewsbury reflects our dedication to expanding high-tech manufacturing and supporting skilled employees in the region."

Award recipients will be celebrated during the 22nd Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards ceremony on April 16, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Industries Served

Industrial automation, microscopy, life sciences, semiconductor, photonics, large-scale scientific, aerospace, laser technology

 See PI Product & Technology Demos

 Read Industry, Science, and Research Applications

SOURCE PI (Physik Instrumente) LP
TAIPEI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- One of COMPUTEX's organizersTAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) announced that Cristiano R. Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated, will deliver the Opening Keynote to kick off COMPUTEX 2026 on June 1st afternoon at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2, 7F.

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon to Kick Off COMPUTEX 2026 with Opening Keynote

Qualcomm Technologies is defining the next era of compute, enabling intelligence to run everywhere  from devices to edge systems to data centers. Under Cristiano Amon's leadership, Qualcomm Technologies is unifying ondevice intelligence, edgetocloud performance, and nextgeneration connectivity, enabling AI everywhere, particularly as agentic workloads scale. Snapdragon and Qualcomm Dragonwing platforms represent computing and intelligence breakthroughs across AI PCs, personal AI devices, smartphones, industrial AI, robotics and data centers, enabling real-time decision-making, autonomy and contextual awareness across consumer and enterprise environments, at scale.

Registration for COMPUTEX Keynote will open in the middle of April; please stay tuned and follow us on our website. COMPUTEX 2026 with the theme "AI Together," is set to take place from June 2nd to June 5th at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 & 2, TWTC and TICC. This event will host 1,500 exhibitors across up to 6,000 booths, showcasing three major themes: AI & Computing, Robotics & Mobility, and Next-Gen Tech.

Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm, Snapdragon, and Qualcomm Dragonwing are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

For more exhibition information:

COMPUTEX: https://www.computextaipei.com.tw/en/index.html

InnoVEX: www.innovex.com.tw

About COMPUTEX

COMPUTEX was founded in 1981. It has grown with the global ICT industry and become stronger over the last four decades. Bearing witness to historical moments in the development of and changes in the industry, COMPUTEX attracts more than 40,000 buyers to visit Taiwan every year. It is also the preferred platform chosen by top international companies for launching epoch-making products.

Taiwan has a comprehensive global ICT industry chain. Gaining a foothold in Taiwan, COMPUTEX is jointly held by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and Taipei Computer Association, aiming to build a global tech ecosystem. COMPUTEX has become a global benchmark exhibition for AI and startups, connecting global pioneers and enabling new sparks of breakthrough technology.

About TAITRA:

Founded in 1970, TAITRA is Taiwan's foremost nonprofit trade-promoting organization. Sponsored by the government and industry organizations, TAITRA assists enterprises in expanding their global reach. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates 5 local offices as well as 62 branches worldwide. Together with Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) and Taiwan Trade Center (TTC), TAITRA has formed a global network dedicated to promoting world trade.

TAITRA's five local branch offices in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung provide services to companies outside metropolitan Taipei. Through these domestic offices, TAITRA is able to maintain close contact and interaction with local companies in their respective areas and provide direct and substantial services in areas such as feature trade promotion, business information, market seminars, on-the-job training, procurement meetings, meeting room rental, etc. Branch offices play vital roles in Taiwan Trade Shows coordination between Taipei headquarters and local companies, and invite buyers to visit local industries.

SOURCE COMPUTEX
DALLAS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RMX Industries, Inc. ("RMX" or the "Company") (OTCQB: RMXI) today announced that it has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form S1 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the resale of shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock by the selling stockholders named therein. The registration statement is expected to become effective following the completion of the SEC's review process, subject to market and other conditions.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). This announcement is being issued in accordance with Rule 135 under the Securities Act.

About RMX

RMX Industries, Inc. (OTCQB: RMXI) is a technology company delivering advanced data compression and video optimization solutions that secures the data continuum from beyond the edge to operational cores. Through proprietary, field-validated technology originally developed for defense and security applications, RMX aims to transform how organizations capture, transmit, store, and deliver visual data across environments with any bandwidth while specializing in the most constrained networks where traditional solutions fail. RMX's solutions are designed to operate seamlessly across any infrastructure, from tactical radios and narrowband satellite links to high-bandwidth enterprise cloud systems, ensuring critical visual intelligence reaches those who need it most, when they need it most, regardless of whether connectivity is abundant, limited, degraded, or contested. For more information, visit www.rmx.io.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition, our representatives or we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including our financial performance and projections, revenue and earnings growth, and business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical facts, particularly those that use terminology such as "intends," "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, including the risks described in the risk factors section of the reports and other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

Important Notice Regarding Our Regulation A Offering

An offering statement regarding our offering of units consisting of one share of class A common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of class A common stock has been filed with the SEC. The SEC has qualified that offering statement, which means that the Company may make sales of the securities described by that offering statement. It does not mean that the SEC has approved, passed upon the merits or passed upon the accuracy or completeness of the information in the offering statement. You may obtain a copy of the offering circular that is part of that offering statement through this link. Investing in a public offering like our Regulation A offering is subject to unique risks, tolerance for volatility, and potential loss of your investment, that investors should be aware of prior to making an investment decision. Please carefully review the risk factors contained in the offering circular for this offering. For more information about Regulation A offerings, including the unique risks associated with these types of offerings, please click on the SEC's Investor Bulletin. Neither this document nor any of its content constitutes an offer to sell, solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation for any security by the Company or any third party. The content of this document is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to solicit the purchase of securities or to be used as investment, legal or tax advice. A securities offering by the Company is only being made pursuant to the offering circular described above. The content of this document is qualified in its entirety by such offering circular. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own investment, legal and tax advisors prior to making any investment in the Company.

Media Contact: [email protected]

Investor Relations: [email protected]

SOURCE RMX Industries, Inc.
LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Consistent recognition for exceptional service and product quality has once again positioned Specialist Roofing at the forefront of the Southern California roofing industry. The Los Angeles-based company recently secured the Product Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year and was honored with the prestigious Top Performer MVP Award, highlighting its sustained commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. To learn more about Specialist Roofing's award-winning services and commitment to quality, visit www.specialistroofing.com .

Owens Corning is one of the top shingle manufacturers in the country. The Owens Corning (OC) Platinum Conference is an annual, exclusive event for the top 1% of roofing contractors in the U.S. who have achieved Platinum Preferred status. This year, the Platinum Conference was held in early March 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.

Sustained Excellence in Product and Service

The Product Excellence Award, now received by Specialist Roofing for four consecutive years, underscores the company's dedication to utilizing superior products and delivering top-tier services to its clientele across Southern California. This consistent recognition reflects a proven track record of quality workmanship and reliable solutions, ensuring customers receive the best possible outcomes for their roofing needs. The award specifically recognizes innovative use of platform technology to drive measurable operational results.

Regional Leadership and Impact

Further solidifying its standing, Specialist Roofing was distinguished with the Top Performer MVP Award . This accolade is presented to only one company per region, acknowledging organizations that demonstrate exceptional performance, leadership, and significant impact within their respective communities and partner networks. Specialist Roofing's selection for this regional honor highlights its role as a trusted authority and a benchmark for operational success within the community.

"These two prestigious recognitions validate our team's deep-rooted commitment to quality, built upon a culture of leadership, accountability, and excellence," said Andre Afsharian, Owner. "We are proud to be recognized as a trusted authority across Los Angeles County and Orange County, a reputation we are diligently carrying into new markets with the same disciplined standards that define our service and partnerships, especially with Owens Corning."

Building a Foundation of Trust and Growth

With thousands of contractors in California, homeowners face challenges in finding reputable contractors with the proper knowledge of the roofing materials available to them. Specialist Roofing & Repair has cultivated a business culture rooted in leadership, accountability, and excellence. This approach is evident in its service to customers and its partnership with Owens Corning, driving sustainable business success.

The company has established itself as a trusted authority throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County , with plans for strategic expansion into adjacent markets. This growth strategy maintains the disciplined standards that have built its reputation for quality and reliability. These awards collectively reinforce Specialist Roofing's position as a leader in the roofing sector, recognized for both its product application and its overall business practices.

Specialist Roofing and Repair is a top-rated, California-based company with a range of services including roofing, gutters and decking. The company serves residential and commercial businesses in Los Angeles County and Orange County, CA.

SOURCE Specialist Roofing
PITTSBURGH, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Laura Mannella, RN is honored as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for her contributions to Nursing and Case Management.

Laura Mannella, RN, BSN, is recognized for her dedication to the nursing profession, having served for more than three decades with the Allegheny Health Network. Throughout her career, she provided exceptional patient care and leadership across multiple clinical disciplines, consistently demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and compassion.

Laura Mannella

Ms. Mannella began her career as a general floor nurse, where she cared for surgical and open heart patients. After sustaining a back injury, she transitioned into utilization review, a role that evolved into what is now known as case management. As her responsibilities expanded, she covered all major clinical areas of the hospital, ultimately focusing her expertise in psychiatry while also serving as backup support for obstetrics and gynecology.

As her career progressed, Ms. Mannella played a key role in the development and implementation of case management within the emergency department. Her contributions were instrumental in establishing this function, where she continued to serve until her retirement. This phase of her career marked a significant milestone, reflecting both her clinical insight and her ability to adapt to the changing needs of hospital based care.

A graduate of Carlow College, Ms. Mannella earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and remained committed to lifelong learning through continued education, professional certifications, and attendance at numerous seminars. She maintained strong professional ties within the Allegheny Health Network community, including ongoing engagement with the psychiatry group at Allegheny General Hospital.

Beyond her professional work, Ms. Mannella is an honor guard participant with Angels of Allegheny, an organization that provides ceremonial services honoring nurses who have passed locally. She is also active in Bible study groups through the Catholic Church and participates in the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Regina Coeli Parish, reflecting her faith and dedication to service.

Ms. Mannella credits her mother, Carol Mascari, RN, as her greatest inspiration and extends appreciation to the friends and mentors who supported her throughout her career.

Now retired, Ms. Mannella remains committed to serving others. Looking ahead, she plans to become involved with a volunteer service organization in her community, continuing her lifelong mission of compassion and care.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
IRVING, Texas, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Lee Campbell Drinkard, MD, FACP is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions to Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care.

Lee Campbell Drinkard,

Dr. Lee Campbell Drinkard, MD, FACP, is a respected physician whose career reflects deep expertise in general hematology and oncology, as well as hospice and palliative care. Currently practicing locum tenens, Dr. Drinkard travels across the country to care for patients with a wide range of complex conditions, providing thoughtful consultations on malignancies and tumors, both malignant and benign.

A graduate of West Virginia University, Dr. Drinkard earned a Bachelor of Science with a double major in biology and chemistry in 1979, followed by his Doctor of Medicine from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at George Washington University affiliated hospitals and went on to complete his fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Chicago affiliated hospitals. He credits renowned mentor Dr. Everett Vokes, MD, for helping shape his commitment to evidence-based care and patient-centered practice.

Board certified in internal medicine, hematology, oncology, and hospice and palliative care, Dr. Drinkard combines clinical knowledge with a compassionate approach that puts patients and families at ease during challenging times. His work is supported by active involvement in professional organizations including the American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society for Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Throughout his career, Dr. Drinkard has contributed to the field through multiple publications in oncology, furthering research and sharing insights that support advances in treatment and patient outcomes.

With decades of experience, Dr. Drinkard remains committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care wherever he is needed, ensuring that each patient receives the support and expertise they deserve.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
Complaint alleges lender spread false accusations about founders to protect bankers and deflect scrutiny from failures in a $102M credit facility

NEW YORK, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The founders, CEO and largest shareholder of Uncle Nearest have filed a lawsuit against Farm Credit Mid-America in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, alleging the lender engaged in a smear campaign against the fast-growing whiskey brand by knowingly circulating false accusations, including claims of missing inventory, financial misconduct, negative cash flow, and insolvency.

Uncle Nearest is the world's Most-Awarded Bourbon of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025.

According to the complaint, the accusations were made to protect the lender's own bankers and deflect scrutiny from failures in the administration of the credit facility supporting one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in U.S. history.

"The accusations circulated about us were not only false. The bank knew they were false when they made them, and they knew those accusations would strike directly at the credibility that allowed this brand to grow against all odds in this industry," said Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver.

The lawsuit arises from a dispute over the administration of a $102 million lending facility that helped finance the company's rapid expansion. According to the complaint, the lender circulated accusations of missing inventory, financial misconduct, negative cash flow and insolvency despite possessing documentation contradicting those claims. The accusations were later repeated by national and industry media outlets.

"False accusations can travel quickly, especially when they involve the founders of a nationally recognized brand," said James Williams, chief litigator at Chehardy Sherman Williams, who is leading this litigation with James L. Walker, Jr. as New York counsel. "But when accusations are contradicted by the very records already in the accuser's possession, there must be accountability," Williams added.

Prior to the alleged smear campaign, Uncle Nearest had become one of the fastest-growing American whiskey brands in the United States, rising into the Top 20 super-premium American whiskey brands in Nielsen rankings within five years.

Nearest Green Distillery is the seventh most visited distillery in the world out of roughly 4,000. It welcomes more than 200,000 visitors annually and ranks No. 1 worldwide on Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor. Uncle Nearest is also the most awarded bourbon and American whiskey in the world for the seventh consecutive year.

Uncle Nearest: New court filing ends receivership

Weaver said the company filed for Chapter 11 protection earlier today, bringing the court-appointed receivership to an end.

Through the Chapter 11 proceeding and related litigation, Uncle Nearest, Inc. will pursue claims and counterclaims against its lender arising from the administration of the credit facility.

The filing allows the company to protect the interests of all creditors and shareholders, continue normal operations, and address claims and counterclaims related to the secured lending relationship in the proper forum.

Court filings associated with the Chapter 11 proceeding reflect approximately $13,188,927 in unsecured obligations. The loan at issue with Farm Credit reflects a stated principal balance of approximately $102,521,326, which the company disputes and will address through claims and counterclaims against the lender. These liabilities stand against enterprise assets estimated at approximately $529 million.

Operations at Nearest Green Distillery and national distribution of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey will continue as normal during the reorganization process.

"Uncle Nearest did not become the seven-time most-awarded bourbon in the world by accident," said Victoria Eady Butler, fifth-generation descendant of Nearest Green and four-time Master Blender of the Year. "This brand honors the legacy of my great-great-grandfather, the first known African American master distiller, the teacher and mentor to Jack Daniel, and the only known master distiller of Distillery No. 7. In 2017, we set out to ensure his name would be spoken worldwide in the same vein as Jack Daniel, Jim Beam, and Johnnie Walker. No obstacle placed in our path will prevent that."

About Grant Sidney, Inc.

Grant Sidney is an investment holding company wholly owned by Fawn Weaver, cofounder, owner, and CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc. It is the largest shareholder of Uncle Nearest, Inc., the world's most-awarded bourbon and American whiskey for seven consecutive years, from 2019 through 2025. Uncle Nearest is available in all 50 states and 12 countries, with a presence in more than 50,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Its 458-acre Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, is the seventh most-visited distillery in the world, out of nearly 4,000, welcoming more than 200,000 guests annually, and is ranked No. 1 on Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.

Media Contacts

Grant Sidney, Inc.

Richard Byrd

404.387.4768

[email protected]

SOURCE Grant Sidney, Inc.
NEW YORK, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With frustration toward the U.S. health system at all-time highs, a new interview project launching today puts stories of everyday people first.

Featuring interviews by internationally recognized Wall Street analyst David Maris, The Healthcare Diaries will highlight the experiences of people entangled with American healthcare at a time when polling shows healthcare costs are the top economic concern for voters.

The Healthcare Diaries David Maris, The Healthccare Diaries

"Americans have never been more upset at the U.S. health system, and they have never felt more unheard," Maris said.

"After years of following the money, it's clear that the most important stories aren't found on earnings calls or financial statements: they're in waiting rooms, at pharmacy counters, and around the nation's kitchen tables."

Hosted on Substack, The Healthcare Diaries features interviews with patients, providers, and community leaders navigating the U.S. healthcare system, which is often described as opaque, expensive, and inaccessible. Using interviews between Maris and his subjects, The Healthcare Diaries relies on people's experiences told in their own words.

The Healthcare Diaries is now live at thehealthcarediaries.substack.com.

Maris's first interview is with Rev. Terris A. King, a Baltimore pastor leading a grassroots effort to save lives in neighborhoods where traditional medical systems have failed. In his interview, King describes how the city's Black community has been left behind by the healthcare system, and discusses his efforts to use the church to build bridges for better care.

Maris is widely known for his independentand often contrarianviews on healthcare, drug pricing, and policy. Described as a "rare breed" by The Wall Street Journal and a "Wall Street Whistleblower" by The New York Times, Maris became known for his willingness to expose accounting irregularities and aggressive drug pricing practices at companies he covered.

"This isn't a news desk, and it isn't a political project," Maris said. "My goal is to bear witness to what the health system looks like from the ground up, not the boardroom down." "American healthcare companies may lead the world in innovation, but they are often failing people in their own backyard. If politicians, investors and business leaders ever want to get serious about fixing U.S. healthcare, they first need to hear from the people living inside it. We need to fix the last mile of healthcare."

The Healthcare Diaries will regularly publish interviews to add to the growing record of how American healthcare actually worksand how it doesn't.

David Maris is a six-time No. 1ranked healthcare analyst with decades of experience covering the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. In addition to his distinguished sell-side career, he led healthcare investments for one of the world's largest hedge funds. In addition to being quoted by major media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Maris has been a regular guest on CNBC and has appeared on major national networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN. His research has been featured in multiple business school case studies, including one that has been taught annually at Harvard Business School for more than a decade, and has been used in several Congressional hearings, including those regarding the EpiPen pricing and Valeant's business practices.

The Healthcare Diaries marks Maris's first public, narrative-driven project focused on the human impact of healthcare policy and economics.

SOURCE Phalanx Investment Partners
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- West Coast Community Bank (WCCB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey L. Javits as senior vice president and chief information security officer (CISO). Javits brings more than two decades of experience in banking and finance technology, privacy, information security, regulation and compliance.

As CISO, Javits will oversee the Bank's information security programs, client asset protection, data integrity maintenance, regulatory compliance and cyber threat risk mitigation.

Jeff Javits, SVP Chief Information Security Officer, West Coast Community Bank

"Jeff's leadership and experience in information security in the finance and banking industry make him an exceptional addition to our leadership team," said Krista Snelling, WCCB chairman and chief executive officer. "His expertise in new technologies supports the Bank's commitment to maintaining the safety of our clients' personal and financial information and the security of our banking systems as we serve a growing client base."

Javits most recently served as virtual CISO for a utility software startup in San Francisco, where he wrote AI-related policies and implemented security programs. He also served as executive vice president, chief information officer and corporate security officer at Heritage Bank of Commerce, held executive roles at Fremont Bank, and spent more than a decade in technology and information security at Wells Fargo Bank.

"I am excited to join a financial institution that embraces technology and security as key elements to delivering personal, exceptional client service," said Javits. "I look forward to working with the talented team at West Coast Community Bank."

ABOUT WEST COAST COMMUNITY BANK

Founded in 2004, West Coast Community Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of West Coast Community Bancorp, a bank holding company. The Bank is a top-rated, locally operated and full-service community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif. with branches in Aptos, Capitola, Cupertino, King City, Monterey, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. West Coast Community Bank is distinguished from "big banks" by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley. As a full-service bank, West Coast Community Bank offers competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction lending, asset-based lending, agricultural loans, SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans, credit cards, merchant services, remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking, bill payment and treasury management. True to its community roots, West Coast Community Bank has supported regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local nonprofit organizations. Visit wccb.com for more information.

SOURCE West Coast Community Bank
It is noteworthy how supporters of the opposition in Armenia have been actively celebrating the nomination of Robert Kocharyan as a candidate for prime minister from the Hayastan bloc.

Opposition media, bloggers, and affiliated platforms are expressing optimism, predicting rapid political change and portraying Kocharyan as a decisive and experienced leader capable of challenging the current government.

The current administration, led by Nikol Pashinyan, remains the primary focus of criticism.

At the same time, some observers point out similarities between the oppositions current rhetoric and the political strategies used during the events of Armenian Velvet Revolution. At that time, a strong emphasis was placed on public mobilization, anti-establishment messaging, and mass demonstrations, which ultimately led to significant political change.

In 2018, Kocharyan maintained a relatively low public profile. Today, however, analysts note that elements of the current campaign appear to reflect approaches that were effective during that earlier period.
MOGADISHU, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and United Nations missions in Somalia have vowed to spearhead stabilization efforts in the country to help secure it from the al-Shabab insurgency.

El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai, acting assistant secretary-general and head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), expressed their support for sustained operations against al-Shabab, which has posed a threat to the stability of Somalia.

In a statement released on Monday, Diene reaffirmed the mission's commitment to implementing its mandate and commended personnel for their support of a Somali-led peace process.

"Our four strategic priorities are to degrade al-Shabab, contribute to stabilization, protect civilians, and ensure a safe and conducive environment for humanitarian action," he said.

The AU envoy also emphasized the mission's solidarity with the Somali people amid severe drought, praising troops for their civil-military cooperation initiatives.

AUSSOM Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu commended the cooperation among troops and UN staff in advancing the AUSSOM mandate.

"We are all fighting for one goal, and that goal is stability and ensuring peace for the wider community," Kanu added.

The delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the current security landscape, emerging al-Shabab trends, operational challenges, and the logistical role of UNSOS during AUSSOM's transition phase, the statement said. 
The bank's economists argue that what looks like a fragile jobs market is actually a sign that workers and employers have gotten much better at finding each other

Central bankers have been nervous about the jobs market for the wrong reasons, according to a new note from Goldman Sachs economists Megan Peters and Joseph Briggs.

The low-hiring, low-firing pattern that has characterised labour markets across the developed world since the pandemic is not a warning sign of impending weakness, they argue. It is, in large part, the product of a structural improvement in how jobs get filled.

Labour market turnover has fallen to historically low levels across developed economies. Job-to-job switching rates in the US and UK have pulled back particularly sharply. Federal Reserve officials have described this as a fragile equilibrium, on the grounds that any softening in demand could translate quickly into rising unemployment. The Goldman economists take a more sanguine view.

The real story is fewer bad hires

Their central finding is that the decline in overall labour market churn is driven overwhelmingly by a fall in short-tenure separations: jobs that end within the first one or two quarters after hiring. In the US, declining short-term separations account for 84% of the drop in overall job separations since 2019. In Canada, they explain the entire decline.

This pattern holds across industries and cannot be explained by shifts in workforce composition.

The Goldman economists conclude that firms and workers have simply become better at identifying good matches before committing to them.

On the worker side, platforms such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn and Indeed have made it easier to assess an employer before accepting a role. On the employer side, improved screening tools and the growing online presence of candidates have helped reduce costly hiring mistakes.

A recent LinkedIn survey found 59% of recruiters are already seeing benefits from artificial intelligence screening tools, with 93% planning to increase their use over the coming year.

So, why does this matter?

The implications run deeper than the headline hiring figures suggest. Fewer bad matches mean less replacement hiring, which mechanically reduces the overall hiring rate.

Goldman's modelling suggests this channel can explain most of the decline in US hiring rates since 2019. Crucially, less churn also means less frictional unemployment, the kind generated by workers moving between jobs rather than by a lack of work.

The bank's model suggests that underlying slack in the US labour market has actually increased by more than the rise in the unemployment rate implies, because the unemployment rate itself has been held down by reduced churn rather than robust demand.

The practical conclusion is cautiously reassuring: a labour market that hires less but also fires less, because matches are better from the start, is not inherently unstable. It may simply be more efficient.
About this content 

About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Lisa Uhlman

Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Oil markets are scrambling for alternatives as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to choke one of the worlds most critical energy corridors, with Saudi Arabias East-West Petroline rapidly stepping into focus as a partial workaround.

The escalation around Hormuz  now well known as the source of a fifth of global oil supply  has already triggered a sharp spike in crude prices amid the US and Israels ongoing conflict with Iran, with Brent peaking near US$106 a barrel and WTI above US$102. Even with the pullback, prices remain elevated (around US$102 for Brent and $95 for WTI on Tuesday) amid continued uncertainty over Hormuz supply flows, forcing producers, traders and refiners to rethink logistics in real time.

With tanker traffic severely curtailed and security risks elevated, attention has shifted to infrastructure that can bypass the chokepoint altogether.

Petroline ramps up as Red Sea exports rise

Saudi Arabias East-West pipeline, often referred to as the Petroline, runs from oil fields in the countrys Eastern Province to export terminals on the Red Sea coast. In recent days, state oil giant Saudi Aramco (Unlisted:ARAM) has reportedly ramped up utilisation of the system, redirecting crude flows westward to keep exports moving despite the disruption in the Gulf.

That shift is already showing up in shipping data, with tanker loadings increasing at Red Sea ports as buyers accept deliveries that avoid the Hormuz route entirely. For importers in Europe and parts of Africa, this alternative route offers a relatively direct substitute, helping to ease some immediate supply pressure.

The pipelines design has long been viewed as a strategic hedge against precisely this kind of geopolitical shock. With a capacity widely estimated at around 5 million barrels per day, it provides Saudi Arabia with one of the few large-scale overland export options in the region.

A stopgap, not a solution

But while the Petroline is proving its value, it is far from a complete fix.

Even at full capacity, the pipeline can only handle a fraction of the oil that normally transits the Strait of Hormuz each day  leaving a substantial gap in global supply chains. Saudi Arabia may be able to reroute much of its own production, but other major Gulf exporters, including Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, remain heavily dependent on the strait with limited alternatives.

There are also operational and logistical constraints. The Petroline feeds into Red Sea terminals that have their own throughput limits, and a surge in volumes is placing additional strain on port infrastructure, storage and tanker availability. Shipping routes from the Red Sea to key Asian markets are also longer and more expensive, adding to freight costs at a time when insurance premiums are already rising sharply due to regional security risks.

The Red Sea route is also far from risk-free. Tanker owners and operators remain wary of potential Houthi attacks around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait chokepoint, where the threat of disruption continues to shadow vessels using the corridor

Critically, analysts note that the pipeline was never designed to fully replace Hormuz flows for an extended period. It was built as a contingency buffer  a way to maintain some level of exports during temporary disruptions  rather than a long-term substitute for one of the worlds busiest maritime chokepoints.

Broader implications for oil markets

The reliance on the Petroline underscores how few viable alternatives exist when Hormuz is compromised. While the UAE operates a smaller pipeline from Abu Dhabi to the port of Fujairah outside the Gulf, and there are limited options elsewhere, the regions export infrastructure remains overwhelmingly tied to the strait.

That structural bottleneck is amplifying market volatility. Traders are now factoring in not just immediate supply losses, but also the risk of prolonged disruption and the limitations of existing bypass capacity.

The result has been a rapid repricing of oil, with benchmarks pushing higher as supply uncertainty builds. At the same time, the shift in flows is reshaping trade patterns, with more cargoes heading west and increased competition for available tankers in alternative routes.

Strategic pressure point laid bare

For Saudi Arabia, the Petroline is demonstrating its strategic importance, allowing the kingdom to maintain a degree of export continuity and assert some control over supply during the crisis.

But the broader lesson for energy markets is less reassuring.

The current situation highlights how concentrated global oil logistics remain  and how vulnerable they are to disruption in a single narrow waterway. Even with contingency infrastructure like the Petroline operating at or near full capacity, the system cannot fully compensate for a sustained shutdown of Hormuz.

As tensions persist, the pipeline may buy time. It cannot, however, resolve the underlying supply shock  leaving markets exposed to further volatility in the days and weeks ahead.
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 Emily Jarvie

Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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BUCHAREST, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Moldovan authorities have intensified emergency operations in the country's north after petroleum-based pollutants, originating from a damaged hydroelectric facility in Ukraine, entered the Dniester River and disrupted water supplies.

The National Crisis Management Center (CNMC) said Tuesday on its Facebook page that response teams were deployed in Balti, where they are coordinating with local authorities to assess urgent needs and deliver assistance.

Balti, a major urban center in northern Moldova, received nearly 100 tonnes of drinking and technical water on Monday, according to the CNMC. Relief efforts are continuing, with 15 tankers and eight additional cisterns currently supplying potable water to residents.

Alternative sources, such as artesian wells and underground reserves, have also been activated in other affected localities.

The Ministry of Environment said Romania has provided urgent assistance by installing two absorbent barriers in Cosnita, Dubasari. Response teams continue to apply eco-friendly materials every six hours to contain the spread of pollutants in the river.

The General Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into the incident on March 16, following the government's declaration of a 15-day environmental alert for the Dniester River basin.

Authorities emphasized that response efforts remain ongoing to safeguard public health and ensure continued access to essential water resources. 
New Delhi, March 17 : The Indian-flagged LPG tanker, the Nanda Devi, which departed from Qatar carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is expected to arrive from the Strait of Hormuz at Kandla Port in Gujarat on Tuesday.

Another LPG tanker 'Shivalik' already reached Mundra Port a day earlier with around 45a"46 thousand tonnes of LPG.

The vessel's safe arrival is expected to provide relief amid concerns over fuel shipments passing through the sensitive maritime route.

Earlier, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said during an inter-ministerial briefing that the tanker had successfully moved into the open sea after transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

He noted that two Indian-flagged LPG carriers -- Shivalik and Nanda Devi -- were carrying around 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG to India. The two ships are owned by the state-run Shipping Corporation of India.

Sinha also said that all Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf region are safe and there have been no reports of any untoward incidents involving them.

As per government data, there were 22 Indian-flagged vessels located to the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.

While Nanda Devi will arrive at Gujaratas Kandla port, Jag Laadki carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE is en route to Mundra port. The vessel and all Indian seafarers onboard are safe.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the worldas most crucial shipping routes, with nearly 20 per cent of global oil and gas exports passing through it.

With tensions continuing in the region, authorities are closely monitoring the movement of ships and ensuring the safety of Indian vessels and crew operating in the area.

"Major ports across the country are closely monitoring vessel movements and cargo operations and providing support to shipping lines and cargo stakeholders, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges," the ministry said in earlier briefing.
Chandigarh, March 17 : The ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress in Haryana on Tuesday won one seat each in elections to two Rajya Sabha seats that saw high-voltage drama amid complaints and allegations of violations of vote secrecy and cross-voting.

The seats were won by BJP's Sanjay Bhatia and Congress' Karamvir Boudh.

BJP-backed Independent candidate Satish Nandal faced defeat. Eighty-eight legislators cast their votes. The Indian National Lok Dal's two legislators -- Arjun Chautala and Aditya Devilal -- abstained from the voting.

In the Assembly of 90 members, the BJP has 48 seats, the Congress 37 seats, the INLD two seats and Independents have three seats.

As the counting concluded at 4 p.m. on Monday, leaders of both parties claimed victory for their respective candidates. However, counting of votes began late in the night after a go-ahead by the Election Commission of India.

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner alleging attempts to interfere with the integrity of the election. Citing the time-sensitive nature of the matter, he requested the Chief Election Commissioner to meet a party delegation before the declaration of results. However, the BJP alleged violation of secrecy during the polling by two Congress lawmakers -- Paramvir Singh and Bharat Singh Beniwal.

The Congress accused Transport Minister Anil Vij of the violation.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini cast the first vote of the day. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said his party's nominee had secured victory on one of the two seats.

"It is our victory," he told reporters here. Fearing cross-voting, the Congress party, which has 37 legislators in the 90-member House, moved its MLAs to resorts and hotels in Himachal Pradesh. Six among them did not go to Himachal for personal reasons. On Sunday night, the Congress shifted 31 legislators from Shimla to Kasauli. Accompanying party general secretary and in charge of Haryana, B.K. Hariprasad and Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, the lawmakers, on Monday morning, were taken directly in a convoy from their hotel to Chandigarh amid tight security.

The two Rajya Sabha seats would fall vacant as BJP members Kiran Choudhry and Ram Chander Jangra are set to complete their terms on April 9.

In the past, two instances of vote cancellations during the Rajya Sabha polls came to light that altered the election results. In 2016, the votes of 14 Congress MLAs were declared invalid. At that time, pens other than the prescribed ones containing purple ink were used. The cancellation of the 14 votes paved the way for the victory of Independent candidate Subhash Chandra, who was backed by the BJP. In 2022, the vote of one Congress MLA was declared invalid. Consequently, Ajay Maken lost to the BJP-backed Independent candidate, Kartikeya Sharma.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, March 17 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday the government should prepare measures to mitigate the potential economic fallout under the worst-case scenario where the Middle East crisis becomes prolonged.

Lee made the call as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, has effectively been shut as the US-led war in Iran entered its third week, raising concerns for South Korea, which relies heavily on energy imports.

"From now on, we must prepare measures with even the worst-case scenario in mind on the premise that the Middle East situation may be prolonged," Lee said during a Cabinet meeting held in the administrative city of Sejong.

Lee called on the government to step up diplomatic efforts to secure additional crude oil supplies and alternative sources while also preparing energy-saving measures, such as car license plate restrictions every five days or 10 days, if necessary.

"If needed, we should also consider emergency measures, such as export controls or increasing the operation of nuclear power plants," he said.

As part of efforts to stabilise energy supplies, South Korea has implemented an oil price cap system and reached an agreement to secure 6 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yonhap news agency reported.

"Although fuel prices have somewhat stabilised since the introduction of the oil price cap system, the situation in the Middle East is escalating beyond expectations. If the current trend continues, oil prices could become unstable again, and the impact on people's livelihoods is likely to grow," he said.

Lee also urged the government to swiftly prepare a supplementary budget to support vulnerable groups and export companies, and called on the National Assembly to promptly review the proposal once it is submitted.

In particular, Lee said the government should consider allocating additional budget support to non-capital regions and financially vulnerable groups to help them weather external shocks.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, March 17 : North Korea will hold the first session of its new Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) to deliberate on the election of state leadership and revision to the constitution, state media reported on Tuesday.

The upcoming session comes after North Korea held elections last Sunday to select deputies for a new term of the SPA following last month's Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

"The session is to deliberate on the election of the president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the elections of the state leadership and sub-committees of the SPA, the revision and supplement of the Socialist Constitution," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The meeting will also discuss carrying through the five-year plan for national economic development adopted at the congress and the state budget for 2026, the KCNA said.

Key points of attention for the session include whether the North would codify its policy of defining the two Koreas as "two countries hostile to each other" in the constitution, as well as whether leader Kim Jong-un would issue further messages on the country's external relations.

The session is also expected to reelect Kim as the country's top leader and make a reshuffle in the Cabinet and other key government posts.

Ahead of the party congress, Kim had been speculated to assume the title of president, but the parliamentary meeting is expected to confirm his title as chief of the State Affairs Commission.

North Korea typically convenes a SPA session after a party congress as a follow-up step to legislate laws necessary to implement congress decisions. The SPA is widely seen as a rubber-stamp parliament that largely upholds what the ruling party has decided.

The list of the 687 deputies elected to the 15th SPA, released by the KCNA, included party secretary Jo Yong-won, who is known as one of Kim's closest aides. Jo is widely expected to be elected as chairman of the SPA standing committee.

Former SPA standing committee chairman Choe Ryong-hae was relieved of the post during last month's congress and was also excluded from the new-term parliament.

The list also included Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo-jong, former point man on inter-Korean relations Ri Son-gwon, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and party secretary Jong Kyong-thaek, who oversees the military.

Compared with the previous 14th SPA term, over 60 per cent of the deputies were replaced in the latest elections, suggesting a far-reaching personnel reshuffle possibly aimed at buttressing Kim's rule, Yonhap news agency reported.

The KCNA said workers, farmers, intellectuals, servicepersons and officials were elected as SPA deputies in Sunday's elections, describing them as state political activists tasked with fulfilling important missions and responsibilities in implementing congress decisions.

The news agency said the turnout reached 99.99 per cent.

Of those, 99.93 percent voted for the candidates, while 0.07 per cent voted against them, the KCNA said, in what appears to be a propaganda message highlighting voters' right to object, although the elections are largely seen as only a formality and non-secret.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Moscow, March 17 : More than 20 drones have been shot down over Moscow since midnight Tuesday, the Russian news agency TASS reported.

In the last three days, over 180 drones have been downed, marking the largest wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian capital this year, said Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Moscow authorities reported no casualties or infrastructure damage, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on March 16, the Russian Defense Ministry had said that Russian air defence systems shot down 145 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight, including dozens targeting the Moscow region.

Between 11 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday (2000 GMT Sunday and 0500 GMT Monday), a total of 53 drones were intercepted over the Moscow region, including 46 heading toward the capital, the ministry said. Another 38 drones were downed over the border region of Bryansk.

Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of Moscow, said that over the past two days, air defense forces had destroyed about 250 Ukrainian drones approaching the city and at a second defensive line in its direction.

Flight restrictions were repeatedly introduced and lifted at several Moscow airports during the period, according to the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency.

On Sunday, Russia had said that it shot down 605 drones, 12 US-made HIMARS rockets, two Neptune long-range missiles and four guided aerial bombs fired by the Ukrainian armed forces.

Meanwhile, Russian forces had raided energy and transport infrastructure used by Ukrainian troops, sites involved in Ukraine's training and launch of long-range drones, and temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries, Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Earlier on Sunday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had said on social media that Russia's air defence systems had intercepted 28 Ukrainian drones heading toward Moscow, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Russia launched about 430 drones and several ballistic missiles towards Ukraine and underlined the importance of air defence system as a "daily necessity" for the country.

He urged for speeding up of agreements on missile supplies and called for the production of air defence missiles.
Dharmapuri, March 17 : Farmers in parts of Dharmapuri district, particularly in the Harur and Pappireddipatti regions, have announced a boycott of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, citing prolonged delays in the implementation of the Thenpennai Surplus Water Scheme.

The protest centres around a long-pending lift irrigation project proposed by the Tamil Nadu government in 2019. The project aimed to divert surplus floodwater from the Thenpennai River by pumping water from the K Echambadi Dam in Harur to irrigate drought-prone areas across 12 panchayats.

The scheme was envisioned as a major intervention to address recurring water shortages and improve agricultural sustainability in the region. However, despite the passage of several years since its announcement, farmers allege that there has been little to no progress on the ground.

The delay has led to growing frustration among the farming community, which continues to struggle with inadequate irrigation facilities and frequent drought conditions. Local farmer associations have now resolved to boycott the elections as a form of protest.

Plans are underway to install banners across 12 villages, informing political candidates not to campaign in these areas.

The farmers have also decided to formally communicate their decision to the state government, urging immediate action on the project. The affected panchayats, including A Vellampatti, Maritipatti, Kelmorappur, Vidukampatti and Sellampatti, are home to numerous lakes, ponds and wells that could have been revitalised under the proposed scheme.

Farmers argue that the project had the potential to transform the regionas water management and significantly reduce dependency on erratic rainfall.

Over the years, repeated petitions have been submitted to the Chief Minister, district authorities and various government departments seeking the implementation of the scheme. Despite these efforts, the absence of tangible progress has intensified discontent among residents.

District administration officials have responded by stating that the execution of the project rests with the state government. They have appealed to the public not to resort to poll boycotts, emphasising the importance of democratic participation and urging voters to exercise their franchise responsibly.

With the Assembly elections approaching, the farmersa protest highlights a broader issue of infrastructure delays and agrarian distress, potentially influencing voter sentiment in the region.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, March 17 : Seat-sharing negotiations within the DMK-led alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections have reached a critical juncture, with the CPI taking a firm stand against any reduction in its allocation.

The Left party has decided it will not accept fewer than six seats, matching its tally from the 2021 Assembly elections. The decision was finalised at an urgent meeting of the CPI state working committee held at the party headquarters in Chennai on Monday.

The meeting reviewed the current status of discussions with the DMK leadership and assessed the ongoing stalemate over finalising seat distribution among alliance partners.

Party leaders examined recent political developments and reiterated that the CPIas demand for six seats is both reasonable and consistent with its previous participation in the alliance.

The party leadership also took into account the broader electoral landscape, which has undergone significant changes since the last Assembly election.

The CPI leadership believes that maintaining its earlier seat share is important not only for organisational strength but also for preserving balance within the alliance.

Leaders expressed concern that any attempt to reduce the number of seats allocated to the party could impact the internal cohesion of the alliance and create dissatisfaction among cadre and supporters.

Parallel discussions are also underway between CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian and CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam, as the Left parties seek to present a united position in negotiations with the DMK.

The coordination between the two parties is aimed at ensuring that their collective interests are safeguarded during the seat-sharing exercise.

The developments come at a time when the DMK is also exploring the possibility of accommodating new allies in the coalition ahead of the elections. This has added a layer of complexity to the negotiations, as existing partners remain cautious about any moves that could dilute their representation.

With the Assembly elections approaching, the unresolved seat-sharing issue is emerging as a key challenge for the DMK-led front. How the alliance leadership navigates these competing demands is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the final electoral strategy and maintaining unity within the coalition.
Mumbai, March 17 : A shocking incident has come to light in Mumbai, where a 42-year-old man allegedly killed his wife by pushing her in front of an approaching local train following a domestic dispute. The accused fled the scene immediately after the incident but was later arrested in Surat by the Railway Police STF.

According to police officials, after committing the crime, the accused fled towards Thane. From there, he boarded a fast local train to CSMT, then travelled to Dadar, and subsequently took another local train to Virar. Investigations revealed that he boarded a Gujarat-bound train from Virar Railway Station. Acting swiftly on this information, a police team was dispatched to Surat, where the accused was apprehended.

During interrogation, the accused, identified as Rajkumar Gupta, an electrician by profession, admitted that he frequently quarrelled with his wife, Pushpa Gupta (36), over domestic issues. He confessed that, following one such dispute, he pushed her in front of a local train arriving at Platform No. 1 of Mulund Railway Station on the morning of March 14.

According to the deceasedas brother, Kamlesh Kumar Gupta (30), who serves in the Army, the couple had been constantly involved in disputes. He had come to Mumbai to take his sister and her 15-year-old son back to their ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh.

On March 14, after another argument, Pushpa approached the police. Later, Kamlesh, Pushpa, and her son reached Mulund Railway Station. However, Kamlesh realised that he had left his Army ID card at home. When he and his nephew returned to retrieve it, the accused allegedly locked them inside the house in a fit of rage.

The FIR states that Rajkumar then went to Mulund Station, where Pushpa was standing on Platform No. 1, and pushed her in front of a moving local train before fleeing the scene.

Passengers immediately alerted the Station Master, and railway officials rushed Pushpa to a nearby government hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Kamlesh managed to escape with the help of neighbours. Police officials confirmed that the entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the station.

Based on a complaint filed with the Kurla Government Railway Police (GRP), a case has been registered against the accused under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
Lucknow, March 17 : Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Tuesday lambasted Akhilesh Yadav, asking the Samajwadi Party chief to explain why gas cylinders were allegedly being found at the residences of several SP leaders even as he (Yadav) accused the government of failing to ensure adequate LPG supply.

Rajbhar's remarks came a day after Akhilesh Yadav criticised the Centre over reports of LPG shortages in some parts of the country and claimed that ordinary citizens were being forced to wait in long queues to obtain cooking gas cylinders.

Responding to the criticism, Rajbhar said the SP chief should first clarify whether there was any shortage of cylinders at his own residence and questioned the basis of his allegations against the government.

Speaking to IANS, Rajbhar said, "Ask Akhilesh Yadav whether there is a shortage of cylinders at his home. If he claims so, then he should clarify if there is any problem at his place. There is no shortage of gas or LPG anywhere in the country. This is just an attempt to defame the government."

The Uttar Pradesh minister also accused Yadav of displaying what he called "hypocritical behaviour", alleging that leaders from the Samajwadi Party had been caught hoarding large numbers of LPG cylinders at their homes while publicly accusing the government of shortages.

Yadav, while speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Monday, had taken a swipe at the government over the reported scarcity of LPG cylinders in certain regions. He alleged that the situation was forcing people to queue up for hours outside gas agencies.

He also remarked that those who once spoke about making India a "Vishwaguru" should ensure that citizens are not subjected to such daily hardships.

Meanwhile, authorities have reportedly uncovered cases of cylinder hoarding during inspections in some areas while consumers were seen waiting outside gas agencies for supplies.

During one such operation, an administrative team conducted a raid at a warehouse allegedly linked to an SP leader in the Gosaiganj area and recovered 167 filled gas cylinders. Reports suggested that gas distribution from the agency had remained suspended for nearly five days before the raid.

Officials have also reportedly seized large quantities of cylinders from the premises of other individuals linked to the Samajwadi Party in earlier inspections.

Reacting to these developments, Rajbhar alleged that cylinders recovered during such inspections were frequently being traced to SP leaders.

"Wherever inspections are being conducted, 50, 250, or even 500 cylinders are being found at the premises of Samajwadi Party leaders. Not the BJP or Congress but with SP leaders... This means SP is fully intended to hatch the conspiracy of defaming the government," he said.

The minister further questioned the intent behind the alleged hoarding and asked the SP leadership to explain why its members were found in possession of large numbers of cylinders.

"People should ask Akhilesh Yadav, what is his party leader doing with those cylinders? However, this is what SP does -- loot, vandalism, black marketing. They now wait for the right time, and when they think they can benefit, they get the chance," Rajbhar added.
BEIRUT, March 17 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike targeting the airport road in Beirut, Lebanon's Health Ministry said.

In a statement, the Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health said nine others were wounded in the strike.

Mohammad Aziz, head of Lebanon's Civil Aviation Authority, said Beirut airport is operating normally and that the road leading to it remains open.

Aziz noted that the latest Israeli airstrike targeted the old airport road, not the main access route.

In earlier strikes on Tuesday, at least eight people, including three Lebanese army members, were killed and several others wounded as Israel targeted multiple towns and villages across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) and official sources.

In the southern town of Aaitit in the Tyre district, Israeli warplanes carried out three consecutive airstrikes within less than half an hour.

Also on Tuesday, Israeli forces launched a new wave of attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs, striking the Laylaki area, according to local media reports.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held talks with French Ambassador to Lebanon Herve Magro on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, including ongoing French efforts to reach solutions to halt the continued escalation.

Aoun also received Finnish Ambassador Anne Meskanen, who reaffirmed her country's support for Lebanon under the current difficult circumstances, including contributions to aid for those displaced by the Israeli attacks.

Hezbollah announced the launch of rockets from Lebanon toward Israel on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire was declared on Nov. 27, 2024. Israel subsequently launched a military campaign against the group, involving intensive airstrikes on several areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, in addition to Beirut's southern suburbs. 
Patna, March 17 : In the aftermath of the NDA's clean sweep in the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, internal differences within the Opposition Mahagathbandhan have come to the fore, with several MLAs explaining their decision to abstain from voting.

Congress MLA Manoj Vishwas, who did not participate in the voting, claimed that his absence was in line with the direction of Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram.

Vishwas, an MLA from Forbesganj in Araria district, told IANS that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had fielded Amrendra Dhari Singh, a candidate from the Bhumihar community, without consulting the Congress leadership in the state.

"The RJD did not consult our state president, Rajesh Ram. Therefore, Ram allowed us to make our own decision on whether to vote or not. Hence, I had decided not to vote in the Rajya Sabha election," Vishwas said.

He further added that many Congress legislators represent Dalit, OBC and minority communities. "If our leadership is not given due respect, how can we support the candidate?" he asked, while reiterating his loyalty to the Indian National Congress.

The Mahagathbandhan candidate Amrendra Dhari Singh belongs to the Bhumihar community, and his campaign was led by senior Congress leader Akhilesh Singh, who is from the same caste group.

The abstaining MLAs indicated that caste dynamics and lack of coordination within the alliance influenced their decision.

Apart from Manoj Vishwas, Congress MLAs Surendra Kushwaha and Manohar Prasad Singh also stayed away from voting, along with RJD MLA Faisal Rahman.

According to Vinay Yadav, the media incharge of Surendra Kushwaha, the MLA, was dissatisfied with the candidate selection and believed that RJD leader Deepak Yadav should have been fielded instead.

Manohar Prasad Singh, MLA from Manihari, said the alliance failed to nominate a candidate from the Dalit, minority or OBC communities.

He termed his abstention a protest against the decision but clarified that he would continue to remain in the Congress.

Meanwhile, family sources of Faisal Rahman stated that he could not participate in the voting due to personal reasons, as he is in Delhi for the treatment of his ailing mother.

The absence of these MLAs proved crucial, as they weakened the Mahagathbandhan's position and contributed to the NDA winning all five seats in the Rajya Sabha elections from Bihar.

The episode has highlighted internal rifts within the Opposition alliance, with issues of coordination, representation and caste balance emerging as key factors behind the abstentions.
March 17 : Ayodhya: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the holy city of Ayodhya is set to witness another historic and spiritual celebration. On March 19, Shri Ram Yantra will be ceremonially installed at Ram Mandir. Ceremony will be attended by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, as chief guest.

Event is being organized on the auspicious occasion of 'Varsh Pratipada', the first day of Chaitra Navratri, which marks the beginning of Hindu New Year. Uttar Pradesh government and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust have prepared an elaborate plan to make the event grand.

According to the Trusts General Secretary Champat Rai, Shri Ram Yantra was sent to Ayodhya two years ago through a ceremonial procession by Vijayendra Saraswati. Based on Vedic mathematics and geometric patterns, this sacred yantra is believed to be the abode of divine energies and is said to attract positive spiritual vibrations. At present, the yantra is being worshipped regularly before Raja Ram and by March 19 it will be placed on the second floor of Ram Temple.

A nine-day Vedic ritual has already begun, involving learned priests and scholars from South India, Varanasi and Ayodhya. Overall, about 7,000 people are expected to attend this historic ceremony, including distinguished individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand who played a significant role in temples construction.

President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Ayodhya at around 11:00 AM, where she will be welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

She will then enter the temple premises and perform prayers for Shri Ram Yantra. Main installation ritual will take place at 11:55 AM during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat amid Vedic chants. After the ritual, President will receive prasad, have a meal and later depart.

Around 300 saints and distinguished guests from UP and Uttarakhand will attend the event. Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi from Kerala will arrive in Ayodhya by train with 1,000 devotees.

Special invitations have also been sent to individuals and organizations that contributed significantly to the temples construction, including representatives from Larsen & Toubro and Tata Group, as well as the family of architect Chandrakant Sompura from Gujarat. About 1,800 craftsmen and workers involved in carving stones, wood, marble, sculpting pillars, creating the idol of Lord Ram and preparing temple garments have also been invited.

Strict security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of ceremony. All guests will receive special QR-coded passes. Mobile phones, weapons and personal security staff will not be allowed inside the temple complex. Only followers of Sikh faith will be permitted to carry a Kirpan.

Since the event falls on first day of Chaitra Navratri, special fasting (fruit-based) meals will be arranged for the guests. Regular devotees will still be able to have darshan of Ram Lalla, although the schedule may be temporarily adjusted.

Government led by Yogi Adityanath has prepared a comprehensive plan to make the event grand. Special attention is being given to cleanliness, decoration and arrangements in the temple complex.

The event is not only significant from a religious perspective but will also serve as an opportunity to honor thousands of workers and contributors involved in building the Ram Temple. This celebration in Ayodhya is expected to become a moment of faith and pride for the entire nation.
Kolkata, March 17 : The bodies of an elderly couple were found hanging in their house in the Haridevpur area in the southern outskirts of Kolkata, said the police on Tuesday.

The woman's body was found hanging from the ceiling fan of the balcony of her house. A saree was used as a noose around her neck. The man's body was found hanging from the ceiling fan of the next room. A part of the same saree was found around his neck.

The bodies were recovered from their rented house on Monday evening. The deceased couple were identified as Bikash Das (72) and Basanti Das (63).

The incident shocked the residents of the area, who had first discovered the woman's hanging body on the balcony and informed the landlord of the house. On receiving the information, the Haridevpur police station reached the spot.

According to the police, a suicide note was recovered from the residence. The note said that six months' worth of rent was due. Consequently, the landlord and his family members were exerting relentless pressure on the couple to pay the rent. Driven by this mental distress, the elderly couple decided to commit suicide.

The two bodies were recovered and sent to M.R. Bangur Hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead. The Haridevpur Police Station initially registered two cases of unnatural death. Subsequently, acting on the lead provided by the suicide note, the police launched an investigation.

Investigators spoke with local residents and learned that the couple had been living as tenants in the Daspara residence for two years. Basanti Devi worked as a domestic caregiver, while Bikash Babu worked as a broker for the sale of land and property. They had been grappling with financial hardship for the past eight months.

"The family had been facing financial strain. Consequently, their house rent was due. It is alleged that the landlady, Bula Pal, was exerting constant pressure on the elderly couple for the rent money," said a senior officer of Kolkata Police.

Furthermore, in his suicide note, Bikash held members of the landlord's family -- Mousumi Mondal, Gopal Mondal, and Latika Mondal -- responsible for his suicide. Police said that based on a complaint filed by a relative of the deceased, a case of abetment to suicide has been registered against the landlord. However, no arrests had been made so far.
March 17 : Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is rapidly advancing efforts to transform the state into a major digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub of the country. As part of this strategy, a plan has been prepared to develop eight data center parks across the state. Through these projects, the government aims to attract large-scale investments and generate new employment opportunities.

Technology experts believe that the development of these data center parks will enable Uttar Pradesh to play a significant role in Indias digital economy.

In the coming years, the state is also expected to emerge as a major center for companies associated with AI, cloud computing, and digital services.

According to the governments plan, these data center parks will be developed in key cities including Noida, Greater Noida, Yamuna Expressway region, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Agra.

The process of identifying and allocating land in Noida, Greater Noida, and the Yamuna Expressway region has already progressed significantly. Land has been allotted to some companies, while land identification and master planning work is underway at other locations.

Several national and international companies have expressed interest in investing in the data center sector. Companies such as HCL Technologies, Adani Group, NTT Data, Yotta Infrastructure, Sterlite Technologies, and Sify Technologies have come forward with investment proposals in the state.

Altogether, proposals worth nearly 2 lakh crore have been received from these companies. Memorandums of Understanding have already been signed for several projects, while others are moving toward the construction phase.

Data centers require a large amount of electricity for their operations. Keeping this in view, the state government has planned to meet a power demand of around 900 MW.

For this purpose, new substations will be established, the transmission network will be strengthened, and dedicated power supply to data center parks will be ensured.

At the same time, the use of renewable energy is also being promoted to make data center operations more environmentally sustainable.

To attract investors, the government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also introduced several incentives under the states Data Center Policy. These include capital subsidies, concessions in electricity charges, exemption in stamp duty, and government support for infrastructure development.

In addition, a single-window system has been implemented to provide faster and more transparent approvals for investors.

The development of these eight data center parks is expected to create a significant number of direct and indirect employment opportunities. Around 50,000 direct jobs and a large number of indirect jobs are likely to be generated.

It is estimated that most phases of the projects will be completed within the next three to five years.
Mumbai, March 17 : As the K-pop sensation BTS is getting ready for their highly anticipated comeback, the makers of their forthcoming documentary "BTS: THE RETURN", decided to treat the BTS Army with a new trailer.

The preview introduces the viewers to the latest chapter of BTS's journey as they create their fifth studio album, "Arirang".

Made under the direction of Bao Nguyen, the 1.43-minute-long trailer shows RM, V, Jin, Jimin, Suga, JungKook, and J-Hope getting the jitters as they prepare for their highly-awaited return, after fulfilling their mandatory military service.

In the beginning, the members can be seen greeting the viewers with a, "Welcome to the BTS documentary". After this, they reflect on the pressures of returning to work after a long hiatus.

"Being a part of a team like BTS is like wearing a big, incredible crown," one of the members can be heard saying in a voiceover.

We also see the members opening up about the challenges of making a comeback in such a fast-changing industry.

"We've been out for too long. Trends shift every season. Standing still isn't an option," one of them said.

Having concluded their mandatory service in South Korea's military, all seven members came together in Los Angeles to make music together, returning to a shared creative space shaped by time apart and personal change.

Dropping the trailer on social media, Netflix wrote, "Experience their comeback journey. Watch BTS: THE RETURN, a new documentary film out 27 March, only on Netflix. (sic)"

Backed by Jane Cha Cutler, Bao Nguyen, R.J. Cutler, Elise Pearlstein, Trevor Smith, Choongeon Lee, Namjo Kim, and Se Jun Lee under the banner of This Machine, HYBE, and EAST Films banners, the documentary has Mark Blatty, Melissa Robledo, Seonjeong Shin, Nicole Kim, Kyewon Suh, and James Shin as Executive Producers.

"BTS: The Return" is expected to premiere on Netflix on March 27.

Ever since making their debut back in 2013, BTS has been able to build a loyal and devoted fanbase spread across the world.

--IANS

pm/
March 17 : Lucknow: Under the Yogi government, the picture of villages in the state is changing rapidly. The campaign to economically empower rural women through the State Rural Livelihood Mission has shown a significant impact. Through the BC Sakhi Yojana, banking services are reaching every village and more than 40 thousand women have become self-reliant while strengthening the financial condition of their families.

For the first time in the state, rural banking has gained such momentum during the tenure of the Yogi government. BC Sakhis are working as banking correspondents in villages and providing services such as depositing and withdrawing money from accounts, Aadhaar based transactions and payments of government schemes to the people. This has reduced the inconvenience of villagers having to travel to banks and has also opened a path for respectable employment for women.

BC Sakhis of the state are now rapidly promoting financial transactions. This figure is steadily moving towards reaching nearly 50 thousand crore rupees. Rural women have already conducted financial transactions worth about 45 thousand crore rupees. Under this, they have received nearly 120 crore rupees as commission.

Several BC Sakhis are also earning commissions of 40 to 50 thousand rupees every month, which is bringing visible improvement in the financial condition of rural families.

Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, Deepa Ranjan, said that on the initiative of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, more than one crore women have so far been connected to Self Help Groups through the Aajeevika Mission. Women associated with Self Help Groups are now creating a distinct identity through entrepreneurship, banking and various self employment activities.

According to Joint Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission, Janmejay Shukla, a total of 50,225 BC Sakhis have been trained in the state so far, out of which around 40 thousand women are actively working and providing banking services in rural areas.

In terms of transactions conducted through BC Sakhis, Prayagraj district ranks first in the state, where 1030 BC Sakhis are active. This is followed by Bareilly with 890 BC Sakhis and Shahjahanpur with 813 BC Sakhis working in the district.

The BC Sakhi model has set a new example in strengthening financial inclusion in villages while also making women self reliant. Preparations are underway to further expand the scope of this scheme in the coming time, which will accelerate the pace of economic transformation in more villages across the state.
Hyderabad, March 17 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has issued a show-cause notice to its former MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy, who was arrested along with some others for alleged drug consumption at a party at his farmhouse in Moinabad near Hyderabad on March 14.

Taking a serious note of the allegations against him, the BRS on Tuesday issued a notice to him, directing him to submit a detailed written explanation within seven days.

Rohith Reddy, a former MLA from Tandu constituency, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Putta Mahesh Kumar and nine others were arrested during the raid on the farmhouse by Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE).

Six of those held, including the MP and former MLA, tested positive for drugs. While the MP and seven others were released on station bail the next day, RohithReddy, his brother Ritish Reddy and a Delhi-based businessman, Namith Sharma, were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

On the direction of BRS President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, party General Secretary Soma Bharat Kumar issued a show-cause notice to Rohith Reddy.

The former MLA has been directed to stay away from party activities till the party decides the matter.

The notice says that, according to various media reports and other credible information, it has come to the notice of the party's high command that allegations have surfaced regarding the consumption of drugs at a gathering held near Hyderabad, which he attended. The widespread publicity this matter has received in the media has caused damage to the party's reputation and led to public concern, reads the notice.

As a responsible political organisation, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi is committed to upholding law and ethical values. The party strictly opposes any form of illegal activity, particularly the consumption of narcotics or any association whatsoever with such substances, says the notice.

The notice also says that allegations concerning his presence and involvement in the incident are detrimental to the party's reputation and hence views this matter seriously.

"Therefore, pursuant to the directives of the Party President, Sri K. Chandrasekhar Rao, you are hereby directed to submit a clear and comprehensive written explanation regarding the allegations levelled against you within 7 (seven) days from the date of receipt of this notice," it said.

The notice further states that if he fails to submit a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated deadline, appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated against him without any further notice in accordance with the Party Constitution and Code of Conduct.

The TDP on March 15 issued a similar notice to its MP from Eluru and directed him to submit a detailed written clarification within five days. TDP national President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed Mahesh Kumar to stay away from party activities till the party takes a decision in the matter.
New Delhi, March 17 : Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson Ashutosh Verma on Tuesday slammed the Congress party for allegedly betraying the Mahagathbandhan during the Rajya Sabha elections, saying that despite whips being issued, Congress legislators failed to participate, leaving the alliance embarrassed.

"In politics, especially in Indian politics, the Rajya Sabha election is very important and reflects your numerical strength and loyalty towards your party, and even though the whip is issued, members from the Congress party in the Mahagathbandhan did not take part," Verma told IANS adding, "Congress always betrays the Mahagathbandhan at the last moment, causing the alliance to be embarrassed."

SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav, commenting on the Rajya Sabha election results, hinted at internal confusion in the Opposition ranks, particularly regarding cross-voting. "Why should I accuse anyone? Something must have happened  otherwise, why would there be cross-voting? It happens when a party in power instructs members to cross-vote, saying we won't take your membership," he said, underscoring the alleged lapses in Opposition coordination.

BJP leaders hailed the results as a testament to the NDA's unity and electoral strength.

Bihar BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi called it a "big victory, a huge win for the NDA," highlighting the contrast between a united NDA and a divided Opposition.

"The Opposition is divided, as evidenced yesterday when Congress could not even choose its own leader. They were so unsure of their legislators that they had to keep them confined to hotels and their homes," he said.

Similarly, BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo congratulated the NDA while blaming the Opposition parties for absenteeism during voting.

"First of all, congratulations. The NDA has achieved a major victory and success. Now, if the RJD and Congress MLAs do not want to come and cast their votes, it is their party's responsibility to ensure their presence. With so many abstentions, even the so-called 'comfortable position' now seems to be coming to an end," Shah Deo told IANS.

NDA won 21 out of 37 Rajya Sabha seats, reinforcing the BJP's hold over the Upper House. The INDIA Bloc secured 13 seats, while the BJD won one, and counting for two Haryana seats has been temporarily stalled.

Of the total 37 seats, 26 MPs were elected unopposed, including seven from the BJP and one each from its allies: Shiv Sena, Republican Party of India (Athawale), NCP, AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi, and the United People's Party Liberal. The Congress won five seats unopposed, the Trinamool Congress four, the DMK three, and the NCP(SP) one.

The results underscore the BJP-led NDA's electoral strength and the challenges facing the Opposition coalition in maintaining unity amid internal disagreements.
Delhi ministers hail victory as NDA sweeps all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar. Image Source: IANS/Premnath Pandey

New Delhi, March 17 : The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a clean sweep in the elections held for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar, with all its candidates securing victory. Reacting to the outcome, several Delhi ministers and MPs on Tuesday termed the result as expected and reflective of the alliance's growing strength.

Speaking to reporters, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood said, "This reflects the growing acceptance and increasing strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of the Prime Minister." He added that the results underline the public's continued faith in the NDA's governance and development agenda.

Delhi Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh also echoed similar sentiments, stating that the outcome was anticipated. "It was meant to be a clean sweep. The whole country is 'Sanatani'. After this, it is Bengal's turn," he remarked.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj congratulated the people of Bihar, saying, "This is the result of immense faith in the development policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

She also criticised the Congress, alleging that its style of politics is creating dissatisfaction within its own ranks. According to her, such political approaches are not in the national interest and have contributed to the party's weakening position.

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa congratulated the party leadership and the winning candidates.

"I congratulate the national president and all elected MPs. This victory reflects strong leadership and organisational unity," he said.

BJP spokesperson Yasir Jilani highlighted the alliance's unity, stating, "We have won all five seats in Bihar. This reflects the NDA's cohesion and the political acumen of its leadership."

The NDA had fielded five candidates: Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar, BJP leader Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, and BJP candidate Shivesh Ram. All five candidates emerged victorious.

The results dealt a setback to the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, which could not secure a single seat. During voting in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, 202 MLAs from the NDA cast their votes, while 37 MLAs from the Mahagathbandhan participated in the polling.

Notably, four Opposition MLAs  Congress legislators Manoj Biswas, Surendra Kushwaha, and Manohar Prasad Singh, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Faisal Rahman  were absent during the voting process.

Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram alleged that the missing MLAs had been "abducted" by the BJP. He claimed that despite the BJP being in power, the MLAs had been in regular contact until March 13 and were now allegedly under house arrest. The BJP has not responded to these allegations.

The counting of votes began at 5:00 P.M. Based on first-preference votes, Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin, Ram Nath Thakur, and Upendra Kushwaha secured their victories. Shivesh Ram won his seat in the second-preference round.

Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan's candidate, A.D. Singh, managed to secure 38 votes. However, in the second-preference round, Shivesh Ram gained additional support, ensuring a complete sweep for the NDA.

The Bihar Legislative Assembly, which has 243 seats, conducted the election to fill five Rajya Sabha vacancies. Although six candidates were in the fray, the NDA's strong numerical advantage  with around 202 MLAs compared to the Mahagathbandhan's 35  proved decisive in determining the outcome.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
March 17 : Lucknow: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday transferred 900 crore as the first installment directly into the bank accounts of 90,000 beneficiaries through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) under 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban 2.0'.

On this occasion, CM said, "Clearly that those who have exploited common people for years will now have to repay that exploitation with interest. Mafias who snatched rights of the poor and encroached upon land will now see houses for the poor being built on those very lands".

He said that under the policy of double-engine government, the administration considers 25 crore citizens as one family and therefore benefits of government schemes are being delivered to every section without discrimination. This approach, he said, has helped UP move away from the image of a 'BIMARU' state and emerge as a growth engine of the country.

Chief Minister clarified that governments objective is not merely to provide houses, but to ensure that poor can live a dignified life, where every house is equipped with essential facilities such as toilets, electricity, water and other basic amenities.

CM said, "Every person dreams of owning a house. Human beings are the finest creation of God and have the ability to build a permanent home for themselves. Just as other living beings create shelter for protection, a home is a basic necessity of human life".

This fundamental need is being addressed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As a result, around 62 lakh families in UP have already been provided houses under this scheme.

CM said that before 2017, despite housing schemes for the poor, benefits rarely reached them due to a lack of political will in government. When a person becomes consumed by self-interest, he loses sensitivity and limits his concern only to his own family.

Because of this mindset, earlier governments remained restricted to their own families and relatives. However, after 2017, double-engine government adopted the principle that 'All 25 crore citizens of the state are our family" and made it a priority to ensure that welfare schemes reach every needy person. CM said that double-engine government is sensitive toward villages, the poor, youth, women, farmers and workers.

Under this initiative, more than 90,000 beneficiaries are receiving first installment of 1 lakh each for housing. Among them are, 10,214 beneficiaries in Saharanpur, 7,991 in Pratapgarh, 4,325 in Shahjahanpur, 4,266 in Firozabad, 3,331 in Prayagraj, 3,174 in Jalaun, 3,078 in Sitapur, 3,063 in Gorakhpur, 3,017 in Bareilly, 2,883 in Aligarh, 2,712 in Badaun, 2,701 in Maharajganj, 2,626 in Meerut, 2,175 in Amroha, 1,895 in Hardoi, 1,826 in Bulandshahr, 1,562 in Kushinagar, 1,529 in Bahraich, 1,473 in Agra, 1,470 in Mau, 1,437 in Banda, 1,364 in Bijnor, 1,209 in Ghaziabad, 1,138 in Deoria, 1,121 in Gonda.

More than 900 crore has been transferred directly into the beneficiaries bank accounts through DBT. This demonstrates effective use of technology, ensuring that money reaches beneficiaries directly without any middlemen, enabling them to begin construction of their houses.

CM said that governments priority is that poor and deprived receive the benefits of schemes first and without discrimination. This is the true identity of a welfare-oriented government.

Because of such initiatives, UP has moved beyond the image of a 'BIMARU state' and is now becoming the growth engine of country. He credited this progress to the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and governments dedication toward villages, the poor, farmers, youth and women.

He also said that receiving houses before 'Chaitra Navratri and Ram Navami' will bring special joy to beneficiary families and give new wings to their dreams.

CM said that beneficiaries are not only receiving houses but also the benefits of several other welfare schemes, including 'Free ration under government food schemes', 'LPG gas connections under Ujjwala Yojana', 'Health insurance up to 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat', Annual pension of 12,000 for destitute women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

At present, over 1.06 crore people in the state are receiving pensions and these benefits are being distributed without discrimination. With the spirit of treating 25 crore citizens as one family, schemes have been delivered to Dalits, deprived sections, backward communities, the poor and women, improving their living standards and strengthening the states economy.

CM said that during interactions with beneficiaries in Saharanpur, Fatehpur, Maharajganj, Deoria, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur, many women informed him that construction work began immediately after receiving the first installment.

He directed that once 75% of the construction is completed, beneficiaries should immediately apply for next installment of 1 lakh, which should be released promptly by officials to accelerate construction.

He also instructed that nodal officers be appointed in districts to ensure the availability of affordable and quality construction materials. Each house should also have a toilet, free electricity connection and tap water under the 'Nal Se Jal' scheme.

Additionally, every house should display the name of the beneficiary and mention of the 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana', so that it can serve as inspiration for others.

Chief Minister said that before 2017 many mafias had encroached upon government land, which is now being freed and used for benefit of the poor. Wherever such land is available, it should be cleared and used to build high-rise housing for those who do not own land.

He also suggested creating housing schemes not only for the poor but also for lawyers, doctors, teachers and journalists, so that every section of society can have access to housing. These initiatives should begin at the district level and send a positive message across the state and the country. If necessary, properties seized from mafias can also be used for this purpose.

The program was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma, Minister of State for Urban Development Rakesh Rathore, MLA Yogesh Shukla, Legislative Council Member Ramchandra Pradhan and other public representatives and officials.
HANOI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said that power politics and unilateral bullying win no heart and have no future, calling for strengthened cooperation within multilateral frameworks to safeguard peace and stability in Asia.

Concluding his visit to Vietnam, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, talked in an interview with Chinese media that long-term peace and stability in Asia have not come easily and deserve to be cherished by all countries.

At present, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes and regional conflicts are spreading and spilling over, said Wang, adding that certain major powers resort to force willfully, posing a serious threat to world peace and stability.

Noting that this year marks the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, this year and next, China and Vietnam will successively host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and Vietnam will take over as a co-chair of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, Wang said that China, as an important force for peace, stability, and justice in the world, is willing to work with Vietnam and other countries to strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral mechanisms such as APEC, ASEAN, and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to safeguard their shared home of Asia, to jointly advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community, and to set an example for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

During his trip to Vietnam, Wang attended the first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security, and co-chaired the 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. 
Chennai, March 17 : The makers of director B. Unnikrishnan's political thriller 'Prathichaya', featuring actor Nivin Pauly in the lead, have now announced that their eagerly awaited film will hit screens worldwide on March 26 this year.

Nivin Pauly, who took to his social media timelines to announce the film's release date, wrote, "A fatheras legacy. A sonas destiny. #Prathichaya arrives in cinemas on March 26.Written & Directed by Unnikrishnan B. Produced by Sree Gokulam Movies & RD Illuminations LLP. #UnnikrishnanB #SreeGokulamMovies #RDIlluminationsLLP."

The film has caught the attention of fans and film buffs, ever since the makers released a gripping trailer a few days ago.

The trailer begins with Nivin Pauly's voice over. We hear him saying, "You are all waiting to hear about my success story. But am I successful? Success can sometimes be defined by your designation or pay package. But is that really it? Were Gandhiji, Nehru, EMS and AKG successful men? Or were they failures?" Even as this voiceover continues, we are shown images of protests, political speeches and politicians.

Soon we see Nivin Pauly addressing a number of delegates. From the visuals shown in the trailer, it is evident that Nivin Pauly plays the role of a political strategist and that he is part of a politician's think tank. He understands the essence of politics as he explains, "Cabinet formation is a web of equations. Caste, religion, powerful alliances with interests -- our positions are determined by these very dynamics. Icons are built and destroyed based on market demands."

We get to know that Nivin Pauly's character in the film is also corrupt. A politician is seen complimenting him, "You are a corrupting force." To this, Nivin Pauly's character replies, "Like you have nothing to do with corruption."

The trailer also shows that the film will revolve around the struggle for power. One politician in power says, "There is talk that I'll be kicked out of the chair today."

However, the film also showcases some honourable characters that believe in integrity. One such character says, "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. The world isn't outside us. It's within. "

The trailer also shows that there is a woman who wants to record a 164 statement before the court. It is evident that there are powerful minds taking on each other in their struggle for power. An interesting dialogue in the trailer gives a comprehensive idea of what the film is all about. The dialogue goes, "There are no individuals in politics, only images."

Apart from Nivin Pauly, the film features Sharf U Dheen and Balachandra Menon in pivotal roles among others.

Written and directed by Unnikrishnan B, the film has been produced by Gokulam Gopalan and Rd Illuminations LLP.

On the technical front, the film has cinematography by Chandru Selvaraj and music by Justin Varghese. Editing is by Manoj and production design is by Shajie Naduvil. Aji Kutiyani has taken on the responsibility of heading the art direction department, while Shaji Padoor has co-directed the film.
Bhuj, March 17 : The Indianaflagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker 'Nanda Devi' arrived at Vadinar Port in Gujarat at about 11.25aa.m. on Tuesday, becoming the second LPG carrier to reach the west coast this week after 'Shivalik' docked at Mundra Port a day earlier, officials confirmed.

Bhuj, March 17 (IANS) The Indiana'flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker 'Nanda Devi' arrived at Vadinar Port in Gujarat at about 11.25aa.m. on Tuesday, becoming the second LPG carrier to reach the west coast this week after 'Shivalik' docked at Mundra Port a day earlier, officials confirmed.

Both vessels were transporting critical LPG supplies to India following an unusually hazardous passage through the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.

The strait, a strategic chokepoint for global energy shipments, has seen a sharp reduction in commercial vessel movements since late February amid heightened military actions and warnings from Iran.

Authorities at Kandla Port issued directives on Monday that all ships carrying LPG should be given priority berthing to expedite unloading of cargo and reduce delays amid concerns over domestic supply.

In a circular to vessel agents, the Deendayal Port Authority said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways instructed ports to accord priority berthing for LPG-laden ships to help maintain uninterrupted distribution of cooking gas across the country.

The Shivalik, laden with around 46,000 tonnes of LPG from Qatar, completed its ninea'day voyage and berthed at Mundra on Monday evening after port authorities made advance arrangements, including documentation and priority docking, to begin discharge operations without delay.

Officials said both vessels are part of efforts to shore up LPG supplies for household and industrial use as India continues to rely on imports for a significant share of its energy needs.

Before the transit of the two tankers, dozens of Indiana'flagged ships and hundreds of seafarers remained anchored in the Persian Gulf as maritime insurers and shipping firms reassessed routes through the volatile region.

The Nanda Devias arrival at Kandla comes amid broader diplomatic and logistical efforts, including negotiations with regional authorities and coordination with naval assets, to safeguard merchant shipping.

Indian maritime authorities have maintained that all Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf area remain safe and that no untoward incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in recent days.

While Nanda Devi has arrived, another ship, 'Jag Laadki', carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE, is en route to India.

As per government data, there were 22 Indian-flagged vessels located to the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.
March 17 : Lucknow: A delegation of senior officers undergoing training under the National Security and Strategic Studies programme organized by the National Defence College, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, interacted with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday.

The delegation included senior officers from the Indian Armed Forces, armed forces of various countries and the civil services of the Government of India.

Chief Minister said, "Trust and technology have become the two major pillars of Uttar Pradeshs transformation. Over the past 9 years, the states economy has grown three times and today Uttar Pradesh has the largest highway and expressway network in the country, with about 55% of the countrys expressways located in the state".

He added, before 2017, security was a major challenge in the state, but the government established rule of law and effectively controlled illegal extortion and disorder. Improved law and order has given new momentum to investment and development.

Chief Minister further added, "The Defense Industrial Corridor in the state is developing rapidly. A BrahMos missile manufacturing unit has been established in Lucknow, which will function as an anchor unit and provide opportunities for many small enterprises. Significant investments have also come to the Kanpur node, while the Bebley Scott production unit is located in Hardoi". He also invited the officers to visit the Defense Corridor.

Chief Minister also said, the countrys largest international airport is under construction at Jewar, while the Ganga Expressway is nearing completion. To modernize law and order, cyber forensic laboratories have been established in every division of the state, forensic mobile vans in each district and 75 cyber police stations have been set up.

He stated that through the DBT system, the benefits of schemes are reaching eligible beneficiaries directly. Transparent ration distribution has been ensured at nearly 80 thousand fair price shops across the state through e-POS machines. In addition, more than 1 crore destitute women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities are receiving a pension of 12,000 every year directly in their bank accounts.

Chief Minister also informed, "Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 62 lakh poor families in Uttar Pradesh have so far been provided houses, and recently 90 thousand new beneficiaries have also been linked to the scheme".

During the interaction, the officers asked why many good policies are formulated in India but often their effective implementation does not take place. Responding to this, the Chief Minister said, regular monitoring of schemes, field visits and fixing accountability are necessary to achieve results.

The officers also asked the Chief Minister about his experiences during his visits to Singapore and Japan. In response, Chief Minister said, Japans civic sense, cleanliness and discipline are highly exemplary. There is extensive use of green energy, transport mobility and advanced technologies there.

He added that the industrial sector in Japan has expressed strong interest in making major investments in Uttar Pradesh and these investment proposals will soon take a concrete shape.

The delegation was led by Air Marshal Manish Kumar Gupta, Commandant of the National Defence College, New Delhi. The delegation included senior officers from the Indian Armed Forces, armed forces of various countries and the civil services of the Government of India.

Among them were Brigadier Sameer Mehrotra, Shri Parimal Sinha, Brigadier Vipul Singh Rajput, Commodore J.M.B.S.B. Jayveera (Sri Lanka Navy), Brigadier Bharat Bhushan, Colonel Javkhlanbayar Dondogdorj (Mongolia), Commodore Sharad Sinsunwal, Colonel Ibrahim Naeem (Maldives Navy), Brigadier Suryaveer Singh Rajvi, Brigadier Sumeet Abrol, Shri Sanjay Joseph, Brigadier Murli Mohan Virupasamudram Lakshmisa, Colonel Hovhannes Khanvelyan (Armenian Air Force), Air Commodore Mantina Subba Raju, Air Commodore Felix Patrick Pinto and Colonel E.B. Gustavo Moreiro Mathias (Brazil).
Gandhinagar, March 17 : A one-day medical check-up camp for members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly and journalists was organised on Tuesday at the Assembly premises, providing allopathic, ayurvedic, and homoeopathic health services.

The camp was inaugurated by the Speaker Shankar Chaudhary along with State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chaudhary emphasised the importance of preventive health measures, stating, "Health check-ups are necessary not after falling ill, but for the early diagnosis of diseases."

He noted that both legislators and journalists play a crucial role in society and that early detection of health issues is essential, given their demanding work schedules.

"Journalists often report under extreme conditions -- heat, rain, cold, or natural disasters -- risking their own safety. The fast-paced nature of news reporting and heavy workload often prevents them from paying sufficient attention to their health," Chaudhary said.

He further added, "Similarly, legislators remain engaged with public issues, legislative work, development projects, and social responsibilities. It is essential to maintain their health amid these uncertainties and stresses."

Minister Pansheriya said the camp was organised to raise awareness among public representatives and journalists about health.

"Due to their busy schedules, minor health issues can often go unnoticed. Early diagnosis through such camps also reduces mental stress. I have personally benefited from such check-ups, both as an MLA earlier and now as a minister," he added.

Kishor Anjaria, President of the Gandhinagar Accredited Press Club, highlighted the club's long-standing efforts to promote public health awareness through medical check-up camps.

"For the past 15 years, we have organised such camps to create awareness, and we will continue similar initiatives in the future," he said.

The camp provided tests including blood analysis, urine reports, and ECGs. Specialist and super-specialist doctors conducted examinations, and patients requiring further tests were referred to GMERS Medical College in Gandhinagar.

Heart specialists from the U.N. Mehta Institute, cancer specialists from the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, and kidney specialists from the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre were present with the required equipment and staff.

In addition, specialists in ophthalmology, ENT, dermatology, orthopaedics, gynaecology, dental, medicine, and surgery were on-site from GMERS Gandhinagar with necessary equipment, medicines, and logistics.

Laboratory facilities were arranged to allow maximum testing at the venue itself.
March 17 : Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday attended a tribute meeting on the death anniversary of former Chief Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. The Chief Minister paid floral tributes at his statue. He described the late Bahuguna as a popular leader, an efficient administrator, and a freedom fighter.

CM Yogi said, "Bahuguna Ji elevated Uttar Pradeshs development to new heights. Bahuguna Ji consistently worked to strengthen social awareness and national consciousness."

CM Yogi added, "Former Chief Minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was born in a small village in Pauri district of the then Uttar Pradesh (present-day Uttarakhand). He received his early education in his village and later moved to Prayagraj for higher studies. During his student years, he became a student leader and joined Indias freedom movement. Along with contributing to the countrys independence, he continuously worked to strengthen social awareness and national consciousness."

The Chief Minister said, "Bahuguna was arrested in 1942 in Prayagraj as a student leader. In independent India, he made notable contributions as a public representative, state minister, Chief Minister, and Union Minister. He gave a new identity to Prayagraj and played a significant role in taking Uttar Pradeshs development to greater heights. All the work he carried out as a public representative was dedicated to every section of society, national prosperity, and public welfare."

On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, MLA Jai Devi, Legislative Council Member Ramchandra Pradhan, Dr. Ammar Rizvi, former MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi, and former Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia, among others, also paid floral tributes to the late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna.
New Delhi, March 17 : India on Tuesday condemned the Pakistani airstrikes on a hospital and rehab centre in Kabul, where over 400 civilians were killed and at least 250 were injured and said that Islamabad is "now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation".

Pakistani airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul killed more than 400 people and injured at least 250 others, Taliban officials said, in what could become one of the deadliest incidents in the Afghan capital.

According to officials of the Taliban-led government, the strike targeted the 2,000-bed Umid addiction treatment hospital in Kabul at around 9 p.m. on Monday.

Unequivocally condemning the attack, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target. Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation."

India said that the "heinous act of aggression" by Pakistan is also a "blatant assault" on Afghanistan's sovereignty and poses as a direct threat to regional peace and stability.

"It reflects Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalise internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders," the MEA said.

The Ministry highlighted that what makes the strike "more reprehensible" is that Islamabad attacked Afghanistan during Ramadan -- a holy month for Muslims around the world and "a time of peace, reflection, and mercy".

"There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients," it said.

India also called on the international community to hold the perpetrators of the "criminal act" accountable and ensure that the "wanton targeting" by Pakistan on Afghan civilians ceases without delay.

Extending condolences, the MEA said, "India extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, wishes a swift recovery to those injured, and stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this tragic moment. We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan."
Kochi, March 17 : The Sabarimala women's entry issue has once again taken centre stage, with K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary and MP, launching a sharp attack on the state government and challenging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to clarify his position.

Addressing the state conference of the Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha in Kochi, Venugopal criticised the state government over what he termed as "evasive tactics" in the Supreme Court on the sensitive issue.

He alleged that despite repeated opportunities, the state government had failed to take a clear stand before the apex court on whether it supports or opposes the entry of women of all age groups into the temple.

The Congress leader questioned why the Chief Minister, who had apologised when a prominent actor was distressed, had not apologised for hurting religious sentiments and traditions.

Venugopal also asked why cases registered against devotees during the Sabarimala protests had not been withdrawn and why those affected had not been compensated.

Referring to past affidavits, he said the 2016 government had effectively continued the stand taken by the 2007 government led by V.S. Achuthanandan without revisiting it.

He further alleged that the current stance of seeking the opinion of religious scholars and leaving the matter to the Supreme Court amounted to an attempt to evade responsibility.

Venugopal also criticised the argument that the state could bring in legislation on the issue, noting that the government had not expressed a firm position before the court.

Reiterating the Congress party's stand, Venugopal said it does not support women's entry in a manner that overrides temple customs and traditions, and that such practices should not be equated with broader questions of gender equality.

He challenged the Chief Minister to state a clear "yes" or "no" on the issue, asserting that people expect a direct answer. Failing that, he warned, those who undermine traditions and hurt devotees' sentiments would be judged by the people.

Venugopal has thrown a challenge to CM Vijayan, as this is going to be a major discussion point in the Assembly polls.

The voting will be held on April 9, and counting is scheduled for May 4.
Kollam, March 17 : In a significant verdict that has brought a measure of closure to a case that shocked Kerala, the Kollam Additional Sessions Court on Tuesday found G. Sandeep guilty of the brutal murder of young doctor Vandana Das.

The incident dates back to May 10, 2023, when Vandana Das, a duty doctor at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital in Kollam, was fatally attacked by Sandeep, who had been brought there by the police for medical treatment in the early hours of the day.

Sandeep, a schoolteacher by profession, had been taken to the hospital after sustaining a leg injury.

While being treated, he suddenly went on a violent rampage, picking up a pair of surgical scissors from the treatment room.

He first attacked police personnel and a civilian who had accompanied him before turning on the young doctor.

Caught off guard and unable to escape, Vandana Das was stabbed multiple times.

She was later rushed to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, but succumbed to her injuries.

The case had triggered widespread outrage, raising serious concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals, especially those on night duty in government hospitals.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that the attack was deliberate and unprovoked.

The special prosecutor pointed out that the accused had attempted to evade responsibility by feigning mental illness.

However, a medical board constituted to examine him found no grounds to support such a claim, effectively countering his defence.

Investigators also revealed that Sandeep had accessed books on psychiatry from the jail library, allegedly in an attempt to strengthen his claim of mental instability.

Reacting to the verdict, Vandana Dasa mother said she would respond after the court pronounces the sentence on Thursday.

With the conviction now secured, all eyes are on the quantum of punishment, which is expected to be announced shortly, bringing a crucial legal chapter in the case closer to conclusion.
Bhubaneswar, March 17 : The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Tuesday suspended three of its legislators who had reportedly voted in favour of a BJP-backed Independent candidate, Dilip Ray, defying the party's whip in the Rajya Sabha polling.

Sanakhemundi MLA Ramesh Chandra Jena, Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, and Mohana MLA Dasarathi Gomango went against the party whip and supported Dilip Ray, leading to the defeat of Dr Datteshwar Hota, the common candidate fielded by the opposition Congress and Biju Janata Dal.

The chairman of the party's disciplinary action committee, Sujit Padhi, informed about the suspension of the three leaders in a press statement issued on Tuesday.

"In the just concluded Rajya Sabha elections, Congress legislators Ramesh Jena, Dasarathi Gomango, and Sofia Firdous were suspended from the party for engaging in anti-party activities. It was noted that these three MLAs violated the party whip and cast their votes in favour of a BJP-supported candidate, going against the party's ideology. Since their actions not only broke party discipline but also undermined the interests of the Congress party, the Pradesh Congress Committee decided to take this disciplinary step," said Padhi.

The OPCC has also proposed to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) the expulsion of these three legislators -- Jena, Gomango, and Firdous -- from the party.

In a veiled attack on the three MLAs, the party termed them as traitors on its official X handle on Tuesday for voting in favour of BJP-backed Dilip Ray during the Rajya Sabha polls.

"Opponents fight you from the outside; traitors weaken you from the inside," alleged the party on X.

In another significant development, the Cuttack City District Congress President Giribala Behera has been expelled from the primary membership of the party over continuous involvement in anti-party activities.

"Due to continuously failing to implement party directives and engaging in anti-party activities, Cuttack City District Congress President Giribala Behera has been expelled from the primary membership of the Congress party with the approval of the President of the Pradesh Congress Committee," said the chairman of the Congress disciplinary action committee.

It is pertinent to mention that as many as 11 legislators, including eight from the BJD and three from the Congress, cross-voted during the Rajya Sabha biennial elections held on Monday, resulting in the victory of Dilip Ray.
Kabul, March 17 : A leading human rights organisation on Tuesday condemned Pakistan's bombardment of a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, which claimed lives of more than 400 people, seeking medical care and recovery.

The International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) demanded independent probe into this incident and accountability for those responsible.

The statement comes after Afghan officials reported that Pakistani airstrike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi area, killing more than 400 people and injuring 250 others.

The statement released on X reads, "The International Human Rights Foundation strongly condemns the reported bombardment by Pakistan of a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan treating drug addicts, an attack that has reportedly killed a large number of vulnerable patients seeking medical care and recovery."

"Facilities dedicated to treatment, rehabilitation, and humanitarian care must never become targets in any conflict or security operation. Patients in such institutions are among the most vulnerable members of society  individuals who came seeking help, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their lives. We are deeply disturbed by reports that many of the victims were unarmed civilians undergoing treatment," it added.

The IHRF demanded immediate measures to ensure the protection of medical and rehabilitation facilities and stressed that the attacks on medical institutions violate the "most basic principles of international humanitarian law and human rights norms."

The statement reads, "The International Human Rights Foundation calls for: An independent international investigation into this incident. Accountability for those responsible. Immediate measures to ensure the protection of medical and rehabilitation facilities. Attacks on medical institutions violate the most basic principles of international humanitarian law and human rights norms. The world must not remain silent when places of healing are turned into sites of tragedy."

Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qane on Tuesday warned that the country will give a "teeth-breaking response" to the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul.

Qane said recovery efforts were being made on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

He said Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as major escalation and warned of a response.

He said, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, Ariana News reported.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.
DUBAI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Air defence systems of the United Arab Emirates(UAE) are responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, authorities said on Tuesday.

The sounds heard across parts of the country were the result of air defence systems intercepting missiles and drones, the UAE Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The Dubai Media Office also confirmed on social media platform X that the sounds heard in various areas of the city were the result of successful interceptions.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said that the UAE temporarily and partially closed its airspace as an exceptional precautionary measure. 
Gandhinagar, March 17 : A highalevel committee established by the Gujarat government to examine the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, submitted its final report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

Gandhinagar, March 17 (IANS) A higha'level committee established by the Gujarat government to examine the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, submitted its final report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

The committee, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai, handed over a threea'volume draft report to the chief minister, outlining recommendations for a uniform legal framework on personal law matters across all religions and communities in the state.

The report was prepared after detailed studies, visits to districts across Gujarat and extensive public consultations, the committee said.

It aims to address issues including marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption under a common legal structure.

Committee members said the draft prioritises equal rights and safety for women and takes into account the stateas geographical and cultural diversity.

In addition to Justice Desai, the committee comprised retired senior IAS officer C.L. Meena, senior advocate R.C. Kodekar, former university vicea'chancellor Dr Dakshesh Thakar and social worker Geeta Shroff.

At the report submission, the chief minister was accompanied by senior government officials.

The committeeas advisor, retired senior IAS officer and former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, was also present.

Uttarakhand has been at the forefront of implementing the UCC in India.

The state enacted the Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act,a2024, becoming the first in the country to make such a law operative when it came into force from Januarya27,a2025, after the Bill was passed by the state legislature and received presidential assent.

The committee emphasised that its recommendations are based on careful examination of legal, social and cultural aspects in the state and reflect the views gathered during its consultations with communities and stakeholders.

The draft report has now been formally placed before the state government for further consideration.
Patna, March 17 : Following its defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, internal discord has surfaced within the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, accusing him of failing to build consensus and coordinate with party leadership.

Pappu Yadav stated that Tejashwi Yadav was aware of the political situation but did not convene meetings or consult key stakeholders, including the state president and the in-charge of Congress. He termed this a dereliction of duty, emphasizing that a collective strategy should have been formulated ahead of the elections.

In the Rajya Sabha polls held on Monday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured all five seats, dealing a major setback to the opposition alliance. The absence of four Mahagathbandhan MLAs during voting significantly altered the outcome and tilted the balance in favour of the NDA.

Among the winners, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP National President Nitin Nabin secured 44 votes each. Upendra Kushwaha and Ramnath Thakur received 42 votes each. The Mahagathbandhanas candidate, Amarendra Dhari Singh, managed only 37 votes.

After the counting of second-preference votes, the fifth seat also went to the NDA with the victory of BJP candidate Shivesh Ram.

According to the Mahagathbandhanas strategy, it had secured the support of five MLAs from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen led by Asaduddin Owaisi, along with one MLA from the BSP.

However, four MLAs failed to participate in the voting process -- Congress legislators Surendra Kushwaha (Valmiki Nagar), Manoj Biswas (Forbesganj), Manohar Singh (Manihari), and RJD MLA Faisal Rahman (Dhaka).

Their absence proved decisive and dashed the allianceas hopes. Congress MLA Manoj Biswas later claimed that he abstained from voting on the instructions of Bihar Congress State President Rajesh Ram, citing dissatisfaction with candidate selection.

Similarly, Surendra Kushwaha criticized the leadership, stating that no candidate from Backward, Dalit, or Mahadalit communities was nominated, alleging that the candidate was imposed, which led to his absence.

Meanwhile, responding to allegations of horse-trading raised by Tejashwi Yadav, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh countered that the opposition leader should first address internal disunity within his own alliance.

He remarked that Tejashwi failed to maintain cohesion and later resorted to confining MLAs in hotels.

Sharing the same sentiments, JD(U) Chief Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar criticized Tejashwi Yadav, stating that the electoral outcome reflects public and moral accountability, even invoking the timing during the holy month of Ramadan.

--IANS

ajk/skp
Lucknow, March 17 : The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old BDS student from Moradabad for alleged links with an online module associated with the terrorist organisation ISIS, officials said on Tuesday.

The accused has been identified as Harish Ali, a resident of Mankamau village located under the Qutub Sher Police Station area in Saharanpur district.

Officials said that while staying in Moradabad for his studies, the youth was pursuing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery course and was also allegedly involved in activities linked to the extremist organisation's online network.

"While residing in Moradabad, the BDS student was not only pursuing his medical studies but was also actively working for the online module of the terrorist organisation, ISIS. The ATS has also recovered evidence from the youth establishing his links with the terrorist organisation. The ATS is currently interrogating Harish Ali," officials said.

According to investigators, the Uttar Pradesh ATS had been receiving Intelligence inputs from credible sources suggesting that certain individuals across multiple Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, were operating as active members of an ISIS-linked module.

Officials said these individuals had created groups on encrypted communication platforms such as Session and Discord, intending to spread ISIS' extremist ideology and expand its network.

"These individuals have established groups on various encrypted applications -- such as Session and Discord -- to propagate ISIS' terrorist jihadist ideology. A concerted campaign is underway to recruit as many people as possible into these groups. To bolster ISIS' strength, propaganda material, as well as the organisation's ideological tenets and directives, are being widely shared. They are hatching a well-orchestrated conspiracy to execute major terrorist attacks within India under the banner of ISIS," officials added.

Authorities said that acting on precise Intelligence provided by informants, and after corroborating the information through both physical and electronic surveillance, the ATS registered a case in January at the ATS Police Station in Lucknow.

The case was filed under Sections 148, 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as Sections 18, 18-B, and 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the officials said.

Investigators said that during the probe, it was revealed that Ali had allegedly worked in coordination with ISIS module handlers and other associates described as 'Mujahid' within the country.

According to the ATS, the accused was part of a network that aimed to destabilise the democratically-elected government and promote the establishment of a system of governance based on Sharia law under a so-called Caliphate.

Officials said Ali had created several ISIS-backed groups on social media platforms, including Instagram, as well as encrypted messaging platforms such as Session and Discord.

Through these groups, investigators claim he actively attempted to recruit like-minded individuals and disseminate extremist propaganda.

The groups were allegedly used to circulate content originating from ISIS media outlets, including magazines, ideological material and propaganda publications.

Officials said the material shared in these groups also included images, videos and audio recordings related to slain terrorists as well as speeches delivered by prominent ISIS ideologues.

According to the investigation, Ali's network extended beyond India and allegedly involved communication with ISIS handlers located in Pakistan and several other foreign countries.

To further expand the ISIS' agenda within India, officials said the accused had also created a separate group of his own titled 'Al-Ittihad Media Foundation'.

"As an active member of ISIS, he closely followed the organisation's media and news outlet, Al-Naba, as well as its propaganda magazine, Dabiq. Ali rejects the democratic system; his objective, which aligns with the sole aim of ISIS, was to establish a Caliphate governed by Sharia law through the waging of Jihad. To this end, he would use these groups to incite individuals to carry out Fidayeen (suicide) attacks," officials said.

Meanwhile, authorities said the residence of the accused in Mankamau village in Saharanpur district was found locked at the time of enquiries.

Neighbours in the area said Ali and his family had been living there since his childhood and that they had never observed any suspicious activities linked to him or his family.

Local residents told investigators that the family has long been regarded as respectable and well-regarded in the community.

Officials said the young man's parents and grandparents are involved in farming, while both his brother and sister are medical professionals.

Residents further stated that the youth would visit his home only once a year, and during those visits, he generally remained indoors and rarely interacted with people outside the family.

Despite the allegations now emerging, neighbours maintained that the family has always been known locally as a decent and respectable household, officials said.
New Delhi, March 17 : A video showing a group of people reportedly holding an iftar party on a boat in the middle of the Ganga River at Varanasi has gone viral on social media, triggering a police complaint after which 14 individuals were arrested.

Allegations in the video include eating nonvegetarian food on the river and disposing of leftovers into the holy water, actions that hurt religious sentiments in the sacred city.

The clip, widely shared on platforms like Instagram, shows individuals on a small vessel during sunset, with what appears to be chicken biryani and other items being consumed. Critics say the act was disrespectful to the religious sanctity of the Ganga, a river revered by millions of devotees who perform rituals and take ceremonial baths along its ghats.

Following a complaint filed by a youth wing leader of the BJP, the Kotwali police registered a case against those involved and the boat operator. Multiple sections of the law were invoked, including those related to outraging religious feelings, environmental pollution, and public nuisance.

In connection with the incident, 14 individuals have been taken into custody while the investigation continues. Police sources say they are also verifying the authenticity of the video and identifying all those seen in it.

Speaking to IANS, Vijay Pratap Singh, ACP Kotwali, said: "Yesterday we received information regarding a video going viral on Instagram of a few people holding an iftar party on a boat, eating and throwing bones into the river. There was a container in the middle holding chicken biryani from which they were eating. After that, 14 people were arrested."

Officials have emphasised that no one is above the law, and those found guilty of violating guidelines related to pollution or public order will face legal consequences. They also noted that coastal and river police units are now monitoring boats more closely to prevent similar incidents.

The case has reignited discussions about respect for religious sentiments and environmental protection in public spaces, especially in cities like Varanasi where spiritual traditions and tourism intersect.
New Delhi, March 17 : The government on Tuesday extended relief measures for export cargo till March 31 as disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The move aims to support exporters facing delays and logistical challenges in the Gulf region.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a fresh standard operating procedure under the Customs Act, taking into account the prolonged uncertainty in the region. The earlier relief measures, announced last week, were valid only till March 23.

As part of the updated guidelines, the government has now expanded international transshipment facilities for less than container load (LCL) cargo to all notified ports and airports across the country.

Earlier, this facility was limited to select ports such as Chennai and Cochin.

The new measures also allow temporary unloading and storage of diverted liquid and bulk cargo within customs areas.

This is expected to ease congestion and help manage shipments that are being rerouted due to the disruption.

To further simplify procedures, containers returning to Indian ports can now be unloaded at terminals without filing standard import documents like a Bill of Entry.

However, customs authorities will verify shipping documents and check the integrity of container seals.

Any container found with tampered or broken seals will undergo a 100 per cent physical examination.

In addition, the CBIC has allowed the cancellation of shipping bills for such consignments, even in cases where the Export General Manifest (EGM) has already been filed.

A new feature will be introduced in the ICES system to enable such cancellations and ensure that export incentives are not wrongly claimed.

The disruption has significant implications for Indiaas trade, especially with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The bloc is Indiaas largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $178.56 billion in FY25, accounting for about 16 per cent of the countryas total global trade.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a crucial route for this trade.

However, the waterway has been severely affected following the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, leading to major shipping disruptions.
New Delhi, March 17 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reaffirmed the transformative role of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in supporting small-time entrepreneurs across India by providing collateral-free credit, enabling millions to turn their business ideas into reality without the burden of security or guarantees.

Answering a question in the Rajya Sabha on the scheme's impact, FM Sitharaman highlighted that PMMY offers loans under three main categories: Shishu (up to Rs 50,000), Kishor (Rs 50,001 to Rs 5 lakh), and Tarun (Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh). These tiers cater to businesses at different growth stages, from startups to expanding ventures, fostering financial inclusion for micro and small enterprises in the non-corporate, non-farm sector.

As of March 31, 2025, the latest data reveals the recovery performance across categories. The non-performing assets (NPAs) or outstanding loans classified as stressed stand at 12.4 per cent against the total lent amount in the Shishu category, 9.4 per cent in the Kishor category, and 7.92 per cent in the Tarun category.

Banks are actively pursuing recovery measures to address these amounts, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain the scheme's sustainability while supporting borrowers.

The Finance Minister addressed concerns regarding the relatively low disbursement under the recently introduced Tarun Plus category, which extends collateral-free loans up to Rs 20 lakh for entrepreneurs who have successfully repaid their previous Tarun loans.

Launched following the Union Budget 2024-25 announcement and made effective from October 2024, Tarun Plus is designed to reward compliant borrowers and help scale their operations further.

FM Sitharaman explained that the scheme is only about a year old, stating, "To revise this scheme properly, we would like to give it some time as it is only a year old."

She emphasised the need for patience to allow the category to gain traction, as more eligible entrepreneurs become aware and apply after demonstrating repayment discipline.

Since its inception in 2015, PMMY has disbursed over Rs 32 lakh crore through more than 52 crore loans (with provisional FY 2024-25 figures showing additional sanctions of around Rs 5.5 lakh crore). A significant portion -- nearly 68 per cent -- has benefited women entrepreneurs, promoting gender-inclusive growth and grassroots economic empowerment.

The government remains committed to expanding access to credit for small businesses, with recent extensions and enhancements underscoring its focus on self-reliance and job creation.

FM Sitharaman's remarks come amid broader discussions on financial sector health, where overall MSME NPAs remain lower at around 3.6 per cent as of March 2025, compared to Mudra-specific figures.
Patna, March 17 : Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram on Tuesday strongly denied allegations that he had directed party MLAs to abstain from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections held on Monday, terming the claims "completely baseless".

Patna, March 17 (IANS) Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram on Tuesday strongly denied allegations that he had directed party MLAs to abstain from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections held on Monday, terming the claims "completely baseless".

After Congress MLA from Forbesganj, Manoj Vishwas, alleged that he abstained from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections on the directions of Bihar Congress State President Rajesh Ram, the latter issued a strong rebuttal, terming the allegation completely baseless.

Responding sharply, Rajesh Ram said, "Let me make it absolutely clear that I am among the most loyal members of the party. Posts may come and go, but a person's reputation is built with great difficulty. I categorically deny these allegations."

He further stated that he had made repeated efforts to contact the MLAs ahead of the voting.

"I was in constant touch with them. I called them multiple times and even went to their residences, sat there, and requested them to meet me. However, I could not meet anyone. Even after that, I kept calling and sending messages, stressing that the party's reputation was at stake and urging them to respond at least once. Despite all efforts, they neither answered my calls nor replied to my messages. And today, such allegations are being made," he told IANS.

Reaffirming his commitment to the party, Rajesh Ram added, "We are loyal soldiers of the Congress party. We have worked at the grassroots level and earned our positions through dedication. While holding this responsibility, I can never betray the party."

He also referred to a past incident, claiming that attempts were made to lure him with political offers. "Earlier, Ashok Chaudhary tried to entice us with promises of MLC posts, ministerial positions, and even flats. But we rejected those offers outright and chose to remain committed to the party," he asserted.

The controversy has further intensified internal tensions within the Congress unit in Bihar, especially in the aftermath of the opposition alliance's setback in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Earlier in the day, Congress MLA Manoj Vishwas, who did not participate in the voting, claimed that his absence was in line with the direction of Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram.

Vishwas, an MLA from Forbesganj in Araria district, told IANS that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had fielded Amrendra Dhari Singh, a candidate from the Bhumihar community, without consulting Congress leadership in the state.

"RJD did not consult our state president, Rajesh Ram. Therefore, Ram allowed us to make our own decision on whether to vote or not. Hence, I had decided not to vote in the Rajya Sabha election," Vishwas said.

He further added that many Congress legislators represent Dalit, OBC, and minority communities. "If our leadership is not given due respect, how can we support the candidate?" he asked, reiterating his loyalty to the Congress party.

The Mahagathbandhan candidate A.D. Singh belongs to the Bhumihar community, and his campaign was led by senior Congress leader Akhilesh Singh, who is from the same caste group.

The abstaining MLAs indicated that caste dynamics and lack of coordination within the alliance influenced their decision.

Apart from Manoj Vishwas, Congress MLAs Surendra Kushwaha and Manohar Prasad Singh also stayed away from voting, along with RJD MLA Faisal Rahman.

Surendra Kushwaha was dissatisfied with the candidate selection and believed that RJD leader Deepak Yadav should have been fielded instead.

Manohar Prasad Singh said the alliance failed to nominate a candidate from the Dalit, minority or OBC communities. He termed his abstention a protest against the decision but clarified that he would continue to remain in the Congress.
Tel Aviv, March 17 : Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday termed the Joint Statement issued by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as "a distorted view of reality".

Earlier in the day, leaders of the five countries issued a joint statement, highlighting their grave concern over the escalating violence in Lebanon and called for immediate de-escalation and meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution.

"Hezbollah's attacks on Israel and the targeting of civilians must cease and they must disarm. We condemn Hezbollahas decision to join Iran in hostilities, which further jeopardises regional peace and security. We condemn attacks directed at civilians, civilian infrastructure, health workers and infrastructure, as well as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. These actions are unacceptable, and we call on all parties to act in accordance with international humanitarian law," the Joint Statement read.

"A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including ongoing mass displacement, is already deeply alarming. We reiterate our call for the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701 by all parties and support the efforts of the Government of Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, prohibit Hezbollahas military activities, and curb their armed hostilities. We stand in solidarity with the Lebanese government and people, who have been unwillingly drawn into conflict," it added.

However, Saar labelled it as a "distorted view of reality", highlighting that Israelis have been attacked unprovoked from Lebanese territory by Hezbollah since October 8, 2023.

"These are the same Israelis who for an entire year were forced to leave their homes due to relentless Hezbollah fire, yet the statement ignores their suffering. In the last two weeks, Hezbollah has fired approximately 2,000 missiles, rockets, and drones at Israeli civilians. Would the citizens of the countries that signed this statement agree to live under such terror? If these democracies were attacked in this way, would they accept a distorted symmetry between 'all parties' - equating a democratic state defending its citizens with a terror organization that has taken control over a neighbouring state?" the Israeli FM questioned.

"The statement includes no demand on the Lebanese government to stop the fire on Israel - or even to remove Hezbollah ministers from the government. The Lebanese government failed to disarm Hezbollah, and now it must take steps to immediately stop the firing towards Israel," he added.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that it has conducted a wave of strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon.

The Israeli Army struck launch sites in the Al-Qatrani area in southern Lebanon, from which Hezbollah militants planned to launch rockets imminently, the IDF said in a statement.

It noted that the IDF also dismantled Hezbollah elite Radwan Force command centres in Beirut, from which militants allegedly launched attacks on Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Israeli army also issued immediate forced evacuation orders for residents in several neighbourhoods in the Lebanese capital.

In a statement, Israeli Army Spokesman Avichay Adraee urged residents of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahwitat al-Ghadir, and Shiyah "to leave immediately and not to return until further notice," the Anadolu news agency reported.

He said the Israeli army would "forcefully operate" in these areas, citing what he called Hezbollah activities in the neighbourhoods.

Adraee threatened "to target anyone present near Hezbollah facilities, personnel, or military equipment in those locations".

Hezbollah said on Sunday it was also targeting several Israeli troop positions in villages close to the border.
Kochi, March 17 : In a major setback ahead of the Assembly elections, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday rejected a plea by former MLA Antony Raju, from Thiruvananthapuram Central, seeking a stay on his conviction in a case involving tampering of court evidence.

The ruling effectively bars the former minister from contesting the polls, triggering political ripples in the state capital.

He ceased to be a legislator from January 4, after the Nedumangad Magistrate Court sentenced him to three years' imprisonment in the case and on Tuesday, he got another jolt when the High Court refused to stay the order.

Raju is the sole legislator of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress and was the State Transport Minister until 2024 December after making way for another ally as part of the agreement in the ruling Left Democratic Front.

A bench led by Justice Nirmaljit Kaur dismissed the plea, meaning the disqualification under the Representation of the People Act will continue.

Without a stay on conviction, Antony Raju cannot file his nomination, closing the last available legal window for his participation in the election.

However, the last date for filing of nomination is 23rd March, leaving him a few more days, as he can now approach either the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court or the apex court to get a stay.

The case, often referred to as the controversial "underwear case", dates back to 1990.

Antony Raju, then a junior lawyer, was accused of tampering with material evidence, an undergarment in a narcotics case, to help the accused.

Subsequent scientific examinations established that the evidence had been altered after being taken from the court.

After years of legal proceedings across multiple levels, the trial court conviction has now come back to haunt him at a crucial political juncture.

Notably, this is the second time the case has derailed his electoral prospects.

Years earlier, he was denied a ticket following strong objections from veteran Left leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who had raised moral concerns.

Those objections now stand reinforced by the court's ruling.

The verdict has also placed the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in a tight spot.

Antony Raju was the alliance's expected candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram Central constituency.

With his sudden exit, the LDF is yet to identify a replacement, adding to last-minute uncertainty.

The constituency is already a keenly watched battleground, with both the Congress-led UDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party eyeing gains.

Antony Raju's absence is likely to alter electoral calculations, posing a fresh challenge for the LDF in retaining the seat.
New Delhi, March 17 : "The world is entering a new era of grey-zone conflicts where traditional international institutions are increasingly struggling to manage evolving geopolitical tensions," said Daniel Benaim, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs, during his keynote address at the Maharana Pratap Annual Geopolitics Dialogue (MPAGD) 2026 in Udaipur.

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) "The world is entering a new era of grey-zone conflicts where traditional international institutions are increasingly struggling to manage evolving geopolitical tensions," said Daniel Benaim, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs, during his keynote address at the Maharana Pratap Annual Geopolitics Dialogue (MPAGD) 2026 in Udaipur.

Benaim emphasised that the model of international cooperation based on "shared values" is increasingly failing to sustain effective interstate partnerships, while noting that United States foreign policy is undergoing a significant transition in response to evolving global realities.

The fifth edition of the Dialogue was organised by the Usanas Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs on March 13-14, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, under the theme "Chakravyuh to Shanti Parv: From Conflict to Consensus."

The Governor of Bihar, Syed Ata Hasnain, attended as the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address following the launch of Dr Abhinav Pandya's book 'The Jihad Game: Inside Pakistan's Dark War'. In his remarks, Lt Gen Hasnain outlined three key pillars sustaining jihadist networks targeting India-Pakistan-backed ideological infrastructure, institutional capability, and extensive financial and logistical networks -- while also offering strategic recommendations to counter these challenges.

The Dialogue also witnessed the presence of Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, who spoke on the continued relevance of Maharana Pratap's legacy to contemporary geopolitics and public policy.

Opening the conference, Dr Anita Jain, Director, Usanas Foundation, outlined the broader intellectual framework of the Dialogue, while Dr Abhinav Pandya, Founder and CEO, highlighted how great power rivalries today are shaped by ideological conflicts, technological competition, supply chain dominance, and the transition toward a multipolar world order.

Amb Anil Trigunayat, Former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya, and Malta, and Distinguished Fellow at VIF, also delivered opening remarks. The conference featured multiple high-level sessions. The session on "The Chessboards of Giants: Great Power Rivalries in the 21st Century" was chaired by Sujan Chinoy, Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), and included Dr C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore; Amb. Anil Trigunayat; Amb. Mayank Singh, Joint Secretary (Eurasia Division), Ministry of External Affairs; and Dr. Timofey Bordachev, Programme Director, Valdai Discussion Club.

In the session on China, chaired by Dr. Jagannath Panda, Head of the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at ISDP, speakers included Amb. Vijay Gokhale, Former Foreign Secretary of India; Manoj Kewalramani, Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution; and Col. Pavithran Rajan, Advisor at the Centre for National Security Studies.

The session on climate and sustainability, chaired by Erik Grigoryan, Former Minister of Environment of Armenia, featured Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India, and Dr. A.A. Mao, Vice Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University and former Director of the Botanical Survey of India.

On the second day, Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior Advisor to the President of the RAND Corporation, and Tejendra Khanna, Former Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, delivered special addresses. The session on "Disruptors and Proxies", chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Sreeram Sundar Chaulia, Professor and Dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs and Director General of the Jindal India Institute, featured Daniel Benaim, Dr. Sagit Yehoshua, Research Fellow at the International Institute for Counterterrorism; Peter Knoope, Senior Associate Fellow at the Clingendael Institute; and Dr. Abhinav Pandya.

The session on "Evolving Frontiers of Jihad" included Peter Knoope; Dr. Vinod J. Bahade, Joint Secretary, Counter-Terrorism Division, Ministry of External Affairs; Dr. Michael Barak, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism and lecturer at Reichman University; and Vanessa Panes, Intelligence Analyst and Counter-Terrorism Expert.

A key session on "Pakistan's Terror Factories and Radical Islam in South Asia" was chaired by Ajay Bisaria, former envoy to Pakistan, Canada, Poland and Lithuania, and Distinguished Fellow at ORF.

In his opening remarks, Bisaria referred to the October 7 attacks on Israel and the Pahalgam attack carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, which claimed 26 lives. He reiterated India's doctrine of zero tolerance towards terrorism and highlighted the growing challenge posed by Salafist influences to Kashmir's historically syncretic Islam.

Sam Westrop, Director of the Middle East Forum's counter-extremism project, highlighted evolving terror tactics, including the use of charities and welfare organisations for funding. He discussed networks linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, Deobandi groups, and Salafist movements, and warned of the dangers posed by "soft Islamism."

Shiv Murari Sahai, a former IPS officer of the J&K cadre and former Additional Secretary in the National Security Council Secretariat, traced the historical spread of Islam in the region and recalled the role of the JKLF in the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. He also pointed to China-Pakistan coordination in information warfare and evolving counter-terror cooperation within India.

Subsequent sessions covered geoeconomics, Indo-Pacific strategy, information warfare, and emerging technologies. These included participation from Amb. Anil Wadhwa, Former Secretary (East); Dr. Jagannath Panda; Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar, Former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia; Amb. Gautam Bambawale, Former Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Pakistan and China; Major General (Retd.) Sudhakar Jee; Col. Pavithran Rajan; Damdin Tsogtbaatar, Member of the Mongolian Parliament and former Foreign Minister; Nvard Chalikyan, Research Fellow at the Applied Policy Research Institute, Armenia; Amb. Diana Mickeviciene, Ambassador of Lithuania to India; Dr. Gulshan Rai, Former National Cyber Security Coordinator; and Prof. P.M. Soundar Rajan, IISc Bangalore.

The Dialogue concluded with closing remarks by Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar. Bringing together over 30 distinguished speakers from across the world, MPAGD 2026 once again underscored its role as a significant platform for discussions on geopolitics, security, and global transitions -- mapping pathways from conflict to consensus in an increasingly complex international order.
A man shops for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 15, 2026. As the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan nears its end, the people of Afghanistan are preparing themselves to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month with fervor and solemnity. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, March 17 (Xinhua) -- As the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan nears its end, the people of Afghanistan are preparing themselves to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month with fervor and solemnity.

Afghans traditionally celebrate Eid al-Fitr with dried and fresh fruits, high-quality confectionery, and delicious dishes on the dining table during the three-day Eid festivals to welcome guests.

This year, the war-weary Afghans, as in previous years, are celebrating Eid amid U.S.-imposed sanctions, poverty, and economic hardship. In this post-war nation, the legacy of the 20-year U.S.-led military presence, extreme poverty, is tangible everywhere.

Wandering in a local market to buy dry fruits, Mohibullah Jabarzai lamented that prices are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Blaming the U.S.-imposed sanctions and the freezing of Afghan assets as the main reasons for the price hike and poverty, Jabarzai said, "the sanctions have undermined everything, ranging from business activities to market prices, and even Afghanistan's relations with other countries."

"Many people cannot afford to buy what they need to welcome Eid because of poverty," Jabarzai said.

"As you know, the majority of our people are jobless, and they cannot buy what they need due to unemployment, price hikes, and economic hardship," Jabarzai, the breadwinner of a seven-member family in Kabul, said while checking prices at a local market.

The United States reportedly has frozen several billion U.S. dollars of Afghan assets following its forces' pullout from the country in August 2021 and the establishment of a new government in Kabul. Washington has also severed relations with the new rulers of Afghanistan and has been mounting pressure on the Afghan government since it took over power more than four years ago.

"The bazaar will change if these assets (the U.S.-frozen Afghan assets) are unfrozen," said dry fruit seller Mohammad Agha.

Agha, 53, who has been running a dry fruit shop for the past 25 years and is the breadwinner of a seven-member family, complained that people have lost purchasing power compared to past years.

"In the past, I often sold 60 sir (each sir equals 7 kg) to 70 sir in the days before Eid, but so far this year, I have hardly sold 20 sir of dry fruits," Agha muttered.

Echoing similar feelings, another Kabul resident and shopkeeper, Mohammad Omar, whispered with distress that feeding a family is a very difficult responsibility nowadays, as the prices of basic necessities are skyrocketing and income is almost zero.

"Business is sluggish and the market is shrinking," Agha said, adding, "Prices are reasonable compared to last year. For example, one kilogram of walnuts cost 800 afghani (12.5 U.S. dollars) last year, but today it costs 500 afghani (7.8 dollars)."

"Prices have dropped compared to last year, but people's purchasing power has faded due to poverty and unemployment," another Kabul resident Omar moaned. 

A man sells sweets for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 15, 2026. As the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan nears its end, the people of Afghanistan are preparing themselves to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month with fervor and solemnity. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

People buy dried fruits and nuts for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 15, 2026. As the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan nears its end, the people of Afghanistan are preparing themselves to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month with fervor and solemnity. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
New Delhi, March 17 : Two alleged arms suppliers have been arrested in northeast Delhi and three semi-automatic pistols along with 25 live cartridges recovered from their possession, police said on Tuesday.

The arrests were made by a team of the Special Staff of the North-East District after receiving specific Intelligence inputs about illegal arms supply in the area.

According to police, the Special Staff team had been gathering information about individuals involved in the illegal trade of firearms and ammunition in the district.

Acting on a tip-off on March 12, a team comprising Sub-Inspector Pawan, Assistant Sub-Inspector Deepak, Head Constables Sushil and Vijay, and Constable Paramjeet Singh, under the supervision of Inspector Dheeraj Kumar, in-charge of Special Staff/North-East District, laid a trap near Jheel Park in the Welcome area.

During the operation, the team apprehended Mohd. Suhail (20), a resident of New Seelampur in Delhi.

A cursory search of the accused led to the recovery of two semi-automatic pistols and 20 live cartridges from his possession, police said.

Following the recovery, a case was registered under FIR No. 98/2026 under Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act at the Welcome police station, and an investigation was initiated.

During sustained interrogation, Suhail allegedly confessed to his involvement in the illegal arms supply network and provided information about another associate.

Based on his disclosure, police later arrested a second accused, identified as Asaan alias Ahsan (28), a resident of Mohalla Baradari in Khurja town of Uttar Pradeshas Bulandshahr district.

Police said that further interrogation of the accused led to the recovery of another semi-automatic pistol along with five live cartridges at his instance.

During verification, investigators found that Ahsan had previously been involved in a case registered under the Arms Act, officials added.

Police said further investigation is underway to identify the source of the weapons and possible links to other members of the illegal arms supply network.
New Delhi, March 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the Union government to enact a law recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit, while striking down a provision that limited maternity benefits for adoptive mothers based on the child's age.

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the Union government to enact a law recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit, while striking down a provision that limited maternity benefits for adoptive mothers based on the childas age.

A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan observed that the question of granting paternity leave, including its duration and conditions, falls within the policy domain of the Centre, but stressed the need for a legal framework acknowledging fathers as equal caregivers.

"We urge the Union to come out with a provision recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit. The duration of such leave must be determined in a manner that is responsive to the needs of both the parent and the child," the Justice Pardiwala-led Bench said.

The observations came while the top court delivered its verdict on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutional validity of provisions that limited maternity leave for adoptive mothers.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court struck down Section 60(4) of the Social Security Code, 2020, which provided that adoptive mothers would be entitled to maternity leave only if the adopted child was below three months of age.

The bench held that the provision created an unreasonable classification and violated the guarantee of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.

"The needs of an adoptive child are no different from those of a biological child. Although biology has traditionally been the predominant lens through which kinship is understood, adoption is an equally valid pathway. Biological factors by themselves do not determine family. An adopted child is not different from a natural child," the apex court said.

The PIL had originally challenged Section 5(4) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, introduced through the 2017 amendment, which granted 12 weeks of maternity leave to adoptive mothers only when the adopted child was below three months old.

During the pendency of the PIL, a similar provision was incorporated under the Social Security Code, 2020.

Holding the restriction to be unconstitutional, the bench held that the benefits of maternity leave must extend uniformly to all adoptive mothers, irrespective of the age of the child at the time of adoption.

The apex court further highlighted that the needs of an adoptive child are no different from those of a biological child, particularly in the early stages of integration into a new family environment. It also highlighted the broader importance of shared parenting and the need to recognise fathersa role in early childcare, observing that such recognition could contribute to better developmental outcomes for children while promoting greater gender equality in caregiving responsibilities.

At present, Indian law provides for paid maternity leave of up to 26 weeks under the Maternity Benefit Act for eligible women, but there is no comprehensive statutory framework governing paternity leave.

--IANS

pds/vd
New Delhi, March 17 : Congress MPs whose suspension from the Lok Sabha was revoked on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the party leadership and Speaker Om Birla for the decision, while asserting that they would continue to raise their voice against what they described as "discrimination" towards the opposition in Parliament.

The suspension of eight opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha was withdrawn on Tuesday after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a proposal in the House. The decision followed an expression of "regret" from the Congress leadership over the conduct of some of its members.

The suspended MPs included Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, S. Venkatesh and Dean Kuriakose, all of whom belong to the Congress party.

The eight legislators were suspended on February 3 for the remainder of the Budget Session after they were accused of disrupting the proceedings and throwing papers towards the Chair during a heated exchange in the House.

Reacting to the development, Congress MP Manickam Tagore told reporters that the suspension had effectively erased their participation in parliamentary proceedings for several days.

"All these 15 working days, our zero hours went off. All the discussions, which we had been allowed, 377, all of those have been removed. No records of us have been disallowed. Our only thing was that the opposition's voice was not allowed to be heard. That is why we protested," he said.

Tagore further argued that the suspension also silenced the electorate that the MPs represent.

He also questioned the approach towards opposition members in the House.

"In the Parliament, only the punishment for the opposition cannot be the right way. There are ruling party members who spoke ill of the former Prime Ministers, the House, and provided wrong information about the members. Our voices have not been allowed, our Leader of Opposition's mic was switched off. Who will be responsible for that?" Tagore asked.

Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also thanked the Speaker but called for equal treatment in parliamentary functioning.

Speaking to IANS, Warring said, "I want to thank the Speaker, but I also want to say: please do not discriminate against us, and do not suppress our voice. Sometimes it feels like only Nishikant Dubey, Anurag, and Bittu own Parliament. They get time everywhere; during Zero Hour, Point of Order, and Supplementary Questions, while we are allotted only 15 minutes. We will keep the rules under consideration, but they also need to follow the rules."

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla also expressed appreciation for the resolution of the issue.

"We thank our leadership for taking our stand to the Speaker. A proper agreement was reached in the House today, and the suspension has been withdrawn. We also extend our gratitude to the Speaker for understanding the matter. We know what the rules are. However, if our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is not allowed to speak, then it makes us upset. We just want the Parliament to work as per the rules," he told IANS.

Congress MP Prashant Padole described the revocation as a broader victory for democratic functioning.

"This is a victory of the people; today is the victory of democracy. Rahul Gandhi wanted to raise the issue of national security in Parliament, but he was not allowed to speak. That is why we expressed ourselves like this. This is not our victory but that of the public," he said.

Congress MP Hibi Eden also emphasised the importance of the opposition's role in a parliamentary democracy.

"In a parliamentary democracy, the opposition has a significant role. When opposition leaders rise to speak on behalf of the people, their voices are often suppressed by the government and the treasury bench. That is why we protested. We protested in a Gandhian manner," Eden told IANS.

"When opposition leaders were denied their rightful opportunity, we protested more aggressively. We are people who work among the citizens. We are happy that now that we are back in the House, we will raise the public's issues," he said.
New Delhi, March 17 : Shiv Sena-UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday called for changing the name of the Rajya Sabha to the 'Horse-Trading Chamber of India.'

Speaking to IANS outside Parliament, Chaturvedi criticised the functioning of the Upper House and alleged that it has lost its dignity over time. "I say that the name of the Rajya Sabha should be changed. It should be called the aHorse-Trading Chamber of Indiaa," she said.

She further remarked that the Rajya Sabha, once known for its distinguished members and intellectual contributions, has now been reduced to a platform influenced by political bargaining.

"This Rajya Sabha, where eminent personalities have served, where members understood the soul and responsibilities of the nation, made policy decisions, and thinkers and intellectuals guided the country, has now been reduced to something shameful," she added.

Chaturvedi alleged that the process of electing members has increasingly been affected by monetary influence and pressure on legislators. "Today, it has become a House of horse-trading, where greed and pressure on MLAs determine seats," she said.

Expressing concern over the state of politics, she added: "It is shameful that people are being bought. MLAs consider themselves commodities; if someone offers money, they change their party."

She reiterated the need to restore the dignity and credibility of the Upper House.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of the recently concluded biennial Rajya Sabha elections, which were held on Monday to fill 37 seats across 10 states. While several candidates were elected unopposed, voting was held for 11 seats, including five in Bihar, four in Odisha, and two in Haryana.

Among the prominent winners was Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who secured a seat in the Upper House. The elections also saw setbacks for Opposition parties in states like Odisha and Bihar, where candidates backed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) benefited from cross-voting and the absence of some legislators.

Several leaders were elected unopposed across states. These included former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai from the DMK and senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Singhvi.

In West Bengal, four Trinamool Congress nominees -- Babul Supriyo, former state DGP Rajeev Kumar, senior Supreme Court lawyer Menaka Guruswamy, and actor Koel Mallick -- were elected unopposed. Former BJP state President Rahul Sinha also secured a seat without contest. Notably, Menaka Guruswamy has become Indiaas first openly queer Member of Parliament.

In Maharashtra, all seven candidates, including those from the ruling Mahayuti alliance and NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, were elected unopposed. Similar trends were observed in Telangana and Tamil Nadu, where multiple candidates secured seats without contest.

In Himachal Pradesh, Congress candidate Anurag Sharma, a close aide of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, emerged victorious.
New Delhi, March 17 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended greetings to the personnel of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on the occasion of the agency's Raising Day on Tuesday.

In a post on X, HM Shah said, "Warm greetings to NCB personnel on their Raising Day. A premier agency dedicated to shielding our youth from drugs, NCB shoulders responsibility with deftness and is advancing PM Narendra Modi Ji's vision of drug-free India at remarkable pace. Nation salutes their dedication and patriotism."

The Bureau said in a post on social media, " @   Four decades of unwavering commitment to dismantling drug networks, protecting communities, and strengthening the vision of a drug-free India."

Earlier this week, the NCB said in a social media post, "DG, NCB Anurag Garg and @ONDCP Director, USA Sara Carter (@saracarterdc) along with their delegations met on the sidelines of 69th Session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria."

During their meeting, the two agreed to focus on sharing actionable intelligence between India and the US to strengthen counter-narcotics cooperation.

Real-time sharing of information for expeditious parallel investigations in corresponding jurisdictions on transnational drug cartels was also discussed, said the NCB.

Both sides decided to convene the Pillar III meeting of the US-India Counter Narcotics Working Group (CNWG) in April 2026, said the NCB.

On the occasion of its 41st Raising Day, the NCB planned a Youth Outreach and Awareness Programme on Tuesday at Sri Venkateswara College (DU).

Outreach programmes offer a platform to officials for spreading the message of a drug-free society and highlighting the importance of youth participation in the fight against drugs. The programmes conducted for students reinforce the dangers of drug use and trafficking.

Through the programme, the NCB reiterates its commitment to creating a Drug Free India by involving enforcement agencies, students and the general public in collective action against drug abuse and trafficking.
Bhubaneswar, March 17 : In the wake of the tragic fire incident at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha on Monday, that claimed 12 lives, the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Indian National Congress on Tuesday launched a massive protest in the Odisha Assembly, demanding the immediate resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on moral grounds.

As proceedings of the Question Hour began on Tuesday, the Opposition party members along with posters, rushed to the podium of the Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, raising anti-government slogans and demanding the resignation of the health minister.

The House was first adjourned until 12 noon and subsequently until 4 p.m. as the ruckus continued.

Speaking in the House during the zero-hour proceedings, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik said, "Yesterday, I visited SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. What I witnessed was not just a scene of a tragic accident, but a stark reminder of the crumbling safety standards in our state's premier healthcare institution."

Expressing his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, Patnaik further added that the patients who came to the hospital with the hope of recovery met a horrific end due to administrative negligence.

Demanding the resignation of Health Minister Mahaling on moral grounds, the former Chief Minister noted, "The Health Department cannot hide behind enquiries while families mourn. A judicial enquiry is welcome, but it does not absolve the political leadership of its responsibility. Therefore, I demand the immediate resignation of the Health Minister, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling. He must take moral responsibility for this catastrophic lapse in safety oversight."

He also raised objections to the announcement of Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia for families of deceased patients describing the amount as inadequate. He demanded Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia for the families of each deceased victim.

Meanwhile, while responding to an Adjournment Motion on the issue, Health Minister Mahaling on Tuesday revealed in the House that the death toll in the SCB fire tragedy has risen to 12.

The minister allegedly stated that immediately after the tragic incident, the staff at the Trauma Care Centre working on a war-footing transferred 23 patients from the first-floor ICU and nearby wards. All of them were moved to other ICU wards. Among the patients in the Trauma Care Centre, seven patients in critical condition died immediately.

Additionally, five other critically-ill patients, who had been transferred to other wards and ICUs for treatment, also succumbed later. He informed that 11 medical staff involved in rescuing the patients were injured due to the intense blaze. The injured staff are undergoing treatment, and their lives are reported to be out of danger.

He stated that at SCB Medical College, there are 85 different rooms. The necessary safety requirements in each of these rooms have been identified. The Public Works Department has taken responsibility for implementing all these measures. In the room where the fire incident occurred, a ramp, fire extinguisher, and hydrant were present. All these safety measures have been implemented over the past six months during the current government.
New Delhi, March 17 : Amid controversy over the absence of its MLAs during the Bihar Rajya Sabha elections, Congress on Tuesday alleged that the BJP "buys" even governments, while the ruling party rejected the charge and said the opposition should manage its legislators.

Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said, "The BJP buys governments; these are still MLAs. It is not a good sign for democracy if people, due to money power or other reasons, compromise their ideology, cross-vote, or make excuses". He added that the party would seek reports from state presidents, after which the top leadership would review the matter.

The remarks come after several opposition MLAs were absent during voting in the Bihar Rajya Sabha elections, which has triggered a political row between the ruling NDA and opposition parties.

Responding to the allegations, BJP leaders dismissed the claims and said the opposition should focus on internal discipline.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale told IANS, "The opposition keeps making allegations, but they should manage their own MLAs. We are strong enough to manage ours."

He further added, "We are also capable of managing other MLAs. Whatever happened, we are not responsible for it. NDA candidates have won in most states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, and Haryana. The opposition should handle its MLAs. If they do not want to stay with them, what can we do?"

BJP MP Vivek Thakur also criticised the opposition, saying that the issue reflects weak leadership.

"If a party cannot manage its own MLAs, it shows the state of its leadership. Don't blame others; focus on your party and your legislators. The NDA had to win all five seats, and it has done so," he said.

Meanwhile, the NDA registered a clean sweep in the elections held for five seats of the Rajya Sabha from Bihar, with all its candidates securing victory.

The result dealt a setback to the opposition Mahagathbandhan.

The NDA had fielded Chief Minister and Janata Dal(United) national president Nitish Kumar, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, and BJP candidate Shivesh Ram.

All five candidates won their respective seats.

During voting in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, 202 MLAs from the NDA cast their votes, while 37 MLAs from the Mahagathbandhan participated in the polling.

On behalf of the opposition, Congress MLAs Manoj Biswas, Surendra Kushwaha and Manohar Prasad Singh, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Faisal Rahman, were absent during the voting.

Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram issued a statement regarding the disappearance of three MLAs.

He alleged that the BJP had abducted their legislators. He noted that, despite the BJP being in power, these three MLAs had remained in constant contact since March 13.

He further claimed that their MLAs have been placed under house arrest.

On the basis of first preference, Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin, Ram Nath Thakur, and Upendra Kushwaha secured victory, while Shivesh Ram secured his victory in the second preference of votes.

The Mahagathbandhan's candidate, A.D. Singh, received 38 votes.

In the second preference round, Shivesh Ram secured additional votes, ensuring victory for all NDA candidates.

The Bihar Legislative Assembly has 243 seats, and the election was conducted to fill five Rajya Sabha seats.

Although six candidates were in the fray, the NDA's strong numerical strength in the Assembly played a decisive role in the outcome.

The ruling alliance currently enjoys the support of around 202 MLAs, while the Mahagathbandhan has 35 MLAs, giving the NDA a clear advantage.
New Delhi, March 17 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief leader Eknath Shinde, on Tuesday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and accused the Congress and the Shiv Sena-UBT of triggering panic by spreading rumours of fuel and gas shortages.

He warned that such misinformation only benefits black marketers and hoarders.

He compared the current Opposition tactics to their behaviour during 'Operation Sindoor', alleging that their statements are often used by Pakistani media to target India.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde launched a scathing attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties.

He described the act of "politicising a war-like situation" as unfortunate and anti-national.

"It is deeply regrettable that some are spreading false propaganda in India to create headlines in Pakistan. For Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, it was always 'Country First, Politics Later'. We are moving forward with those same values," Deputy Chief Minister Shinde said.

He added that the discussions with Prime Minister Modi primarily focused on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, domestic security, and various development issues concerning Maharashtra.

Reiterating the Shiv Sena's unwavering stance as an NDA ally, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde assured the Prime Minister that Shiv Sena stands firmly with the Central government's decisions during this global crisis.

He updated PM Modi on the successful return of Maharashtra residents, who were stranded in Kuwait, Dubai, and Muscat, due to the escalating tensions in the Gulf.

He expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister's diplomatic efforts, noting that India's strong relations with Gulf nations ensured the safe passage of two Indian oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

He also said that detailed deliberations were held regarding ongoing developmental projects and administrative matters in Maharashtra.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde also lauded the unopposed election of Shiv Sena Spokesperson Jyoti Waghmare to the Rajya Sabha.

Describing Jyoti Waghmare as highly educated and rooted in the struggles of the poor, Eknath Shinde expressed confidence that the former would effectively represent the common man's voice in the Parliament.

He also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in his Parliamentary office.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Piyush Goyal.
New Delhi, March 17 : Nearly 3 lakh metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is currently stranded at the Strait of Hormuz, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said on Tuesday.

During a key briefing, the senior government official said that multiple vessels carrying LPG are unable to move due to the situation in the crucial shipping route.

He explained that six ships are currently stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, with each vessel carrying around 45,000 metric tonnes of LPG.

"Six ships are currently stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, with each vessel carrying around 45,000 metric tonnes of LPG," Sinha mentioned.

Together, this accounts for roughly 3 lakh metric tonnes of fuel that is yet to reach its destination.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime routes for energy supplies, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Any disruption in this narrow passage has a direct impact on global energy trade and supply chains.

Meanwhile, the second Indianflagged LPG tanker 'Nanda Devi' arrived at Vadinar Port in Gujarat during first half on Tuesday.

A day back on Monday, the first Indian-flagged 'Shivalik' docked at Mundra Port in Gujarat.

Officials said that the LPG carrier Shivalik arrived at the Mundra Port, carrying a total cargo of about 46,000 metric tonnes (MT) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with 20,000 MT set to be unloaded at Mundra and the remaining 26,000 MT to be discharged at Mangaluru.

Both vessels were transporting critical LPG supplies to India following an unusually hazardous passage through the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been disrupted by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.

However, While Nanda Devi and Shivalik have arrived, another ship, 'Jag Laadki', carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE, is en route to India.
Patna, March 17 : Veteran leader K.C. Tyagi, on Tuesday, indicated that he will soon decide on his next political move after he did not renew his membership of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

In a press statement, Tyagi said that a meeting of like-minded individuals has been convened on March 22 at Mavlankar Hall to discuss the current political situation in the country.

"My further course of action will be decided soon in consultation with colleagues, political friends, sympathisers, and activists," the JD-U leader added.

"Now that the party's membership drive has concluded, I have chosen not to renew my membership this time," Tyagi said.

He recalled that the JD-U was formed on October 30, 2003, following the merger of the Samata Party and the Janata Dal.

He noted that George Fernandes served as the party's President at the time, while he himself held the position of the Secretary General.

He added that he worked closely with former JD-U Presidents Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar in various roles, including chief general secretary, chief spokesperson, and political adviser to the Bihar Chief Minister.

Despite stepping away from the Jd-U, Tyagi emphasised that his commitment to issues concerning the downtrodden, farmers, and marginalised sections of society remains unchanged.

He also said that his personal respect for Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U Chief Nitish Kumar remains intact, describing him as a long-time associate of nearly five decades.

Tyagi added that he would continue to be guided by the ideas and ideology of leaders such as Chaudhary Charan Singh, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Karpoori Thakur.

Tyagi's statement comes shortly after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar secured victory in the Rajya Sabha elections from Bihar, along with other NDA candidates, including Nitin Nabin, Ram Nath Thakur, Upendra Kushwaha, and Shivesh Ram.

K.C. Tyagi played the role of a think-tank in the JD-U for a long time.

He played a crucial role at the Central level and put the perspective of the JD-U at the national level, both before the media and the Central governments led by Congress and BJP in their respective tenures.
VIENTIANE, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana paid a state visit to Laos from Monday to Wednesday.

The state visit is being made at the invitation of Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith. It aims to further strengthen the long-standing friendship, good-neighborly relations, and strategic partnership for sustainable growth and development between Laos and Thailand, Lao Economic Daily reported on Tuesday.

An official welcoming ceremony was held on Tuesday morning. Following the ceremony, the two sides held an official bilateral meeting. 
Mumbai, March 17 : Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan has been asked to submit an affidavit if she wishes to seek blessings at the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples.

On Tuesday, Badri-Kedar Temple Committee Chairman Hemant Dwivedi spoke with the media, and said that all non-Hindus will be required to submit the affidavit if they wish to seek blessings at the temples, henceforth.

Dwivedi said that the submission of proof stating the devotees believe in Hinduism will be required from all non-Hindus.

He told the media, "If Sara Ali Khan expresses her devotion towards Sanatan Dharma and submits an affidavit, we will allow her to offer prayers".

Sara Ali Khan has maintained a consistent spiritual connection with Kedarnath Temple over the years, frequently visiting the shrine in the Himalayas. Her connection began during the filming of 'Kedarnath' in 2017, which marked her debut in Hindi cinema. Since then, she has returned almost annually, often during the temple's open season between April and November.

Her visits typically involve trekking or helicopter travel to the high-altitude site, located at approximately 3,583 meters. She participates in standard temple rituals, including early morning darshan and offerings, without any official role or ceremonial privilege. These trips are usually personal and not tied to film promotions or brand activity.

Sara often documents parts of her visits on social media, showing the temple surrounding snow-covered peaks, and her participation in prayers. The consistency of these visits has made Kedarnath a recurring element in her public appearances outside films. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a major pilgrimage site in India. Her repeated visits reflect continuity rather than one-time association, linking her debut film location with ongoing personal travel and spiritual routine.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, March 17 : In light of the recent crackdown on drug traffickers in the Motibag area of Nagpur, the State Government will implement a 'Zero Tolerance' policy against narcotics. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced in the Legislative Assembly that strict action will be taken, including the seizure of properties belonging to those involved in such crimes.

The discussion was initiated by member Pravin Datke regarding raids on the houses of drug traffickers in Motibag, where stocks of marijuana and firearms were seized. Members Vikas Thakre, Vikram Pachpute, and Dr. Nitin Raut also participated in the debate.

The chief minister said that cases have been registered under various Sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999. The process of filing chargesheets is underway, and the next stage will involve the legal seizure of the accused individuals' properties. He further stated that if illegal constructions are found, the Municipal Corporation will take appropriate action by serving notices as per Supreme Court directives.

CM Fadnavis told the Assembly that special campaigns will be launched in sensitive areas to curb such crimes. He warned that police officers in charge of these areas will be held accountable if such incidents recur.

He said that 'Operation Thunder' has been implemented successfully, adding that Nagpur Police have uncovered 907 crimes in the last 11 months. Approximately 1,254 kg of narcotics, valued at nearly Rs 10 crore, has been seized.

"To make anti-drug operations more effective, an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was established on August 31, 2023. This system has been expanded to all police stations across the state and strengthened through the creation of new posts.

"The government is not just registering cases but focussing on tracing 'forward' and 'backward' links to destroy the entire supply chain. Coordination with the Central Government and other states for Intelligence sharing has enabled action against interstate and international drug networks," said the chief minister.

CM Fadnavis said that any police personnel found to have direct or indirect involvement in drug cases will face immediate dismissal instead of mere suspension.

Noting the serious issue of minors being used in drug trafficking, he informed that a proposal will be sent to the Central Government to lower the legal age for prosecution in such crimes from 18 to 16 years.
New Delhi, March 17 : The government on Tuesday said it has conducted 12,000 raids and seized more than 15,000 LPG cylinders to curb hoarding amid rumours of shortages and panic bookings, while maintaining that there is no supply shortage across the country.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry's Joint Secretary, Marketing and Oil Refinery, Sujata Sharma, said LPG availability remains adequate despite increased demand.

She said around 70,000 bookings were made on Monday due to panic buying and appealed to consumers to avoid unnecessary bookings and consider alternative arrangements where feasible.

According to Sharma, digital adoption remains high, with nearly 94 per cent of domestic LPG bookings being made online. She urged consumers to continue using online platforms and avoid panic-driven demand.

Sharma also noted that Delivery Authenticity Code (DAC) compliance has improved to 76 per cent.

The official further said several states, including Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Manipur, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand, have taken steps to allocate non-domestic LPG for essential services.

Meanwhile, Special Secretary, Shipping, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, said all 22 vessels and Indian crew members in the Gulf region are safe.

He added that 161 Indian nationals have been brought back in the last 24 hours.

On incoming supplies, Sinha said the LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrived at Kandla port early Tuesday morning. He added that cargo is being transferred from larger vessels to smaller ships for further distribution. This follows the docking of another LPG carrier, Shivalik, at Mundra port on Monday.

The arrival of these shipments comes at a time when global energy markets are facing disruptions due to the ongoing Iran conflict, raising concerns over LPG availability.

Moreover, the government said India has started sourcing LPG from multiple global channels, including the United States, to diversify supplies amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Los Angeles, March 17 : Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx has expressed his admiration for the Oscar-winning actor Michael B. Jordan. The 'Django Unchained' has shared that he is beyond proud of the 'Sinners' actor for his Oscars win.

The 58-year-old award-winning actor shared several posts to social media congratulating the 39-year-old after Jordan thanked Foxx in his acceptance speech at the 2026 Oscars, reports 'People' magazine.

"I can barely breathe right now, you were absolutely incredible in this film", Jamie Foxx shared as the caption to an Instagram video, showing the moment Adrien Brody announced Jordan won the Academy Award for Best Actor for 'Sinners'. He applauded Jordan as an "amazing actor, an amazing director, truly all of the above".

He further mentioned, "Honestly, you deserve two Oscars for this one. When I sat down to watch the movie, I already knew it was going to be special the moment I saw a pair of Jordans on screen. Then the first line, 'Are you guys twins?' and you hit us with, 'No we cousins', man, I was locked in from there".

As per 'People', in the film, directed by Ryan Coogler, Jordan played twins Smoke and Stack. A second post by Foxx was a clip of Jordan, who became the sixth Black man to win the Oscar for Best Actor in the ceremony's 98-year history, onstage thanking those who came before him.

"I stand here because of the people that came before me, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith", Jordan said during the televised event. "And to be amongst those giants, amongst those great greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys. Thank you, everybody in this room and everybody at home for supporting me over my career. I feel it. I know you guys want me to do well, and I want to do that because you guys bet on me".

Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Timothee Chalamet and Wagner Moura were also nominated for Best Actor.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Jerusalem, March 17 : Israel on Tuesday claimed that it has killed Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani.

Jerusalem, March 17 (IANS) Israel on Tuesday claimed that it has killed Iranas Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani.

In a statement shared on X, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that Larjiani was considered one of the most senior figures in the Iranian regime leadership and a close associate of late Supreme Leader Ayotallah Ali Khamenei.

"Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iranas Supreme National Security Council and the regimeas effective leader, has been eliminated. Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership, and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," IDF posted on X.

"During the most recent wave of protests against the Iranian terror regime, Larijani personally oversaw the massacre that was carried out against Iranian protestors," it added.

However, a short while after the Israeli claims, social media handles of Ali Larijani posted a hand-written statement of the leader in which he mentioned about Tuesday's funeral ceremony of 84 Iranian sailors killed in the March 4 US attack on the warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka's coast.

"Their memory will forever remain in the heart of the Iranian nation," the note cited Larijani as saying.

After Khamenei's death, Larijani functioned as the leader of the Iranian regime and led the combat against Israel and countries in the region, according to the statement released by IDF.

The news of Ali Larjiani's death comes just a few days after he participated in International Quds Day rally in Tehran on March 13.

Earlier in the day, IDF announced that Basij Unit commander Gholamreza Soleimani has also been killed.

In a statement shared on X, IDF said, "COMMANDER OF THE BASIJ UNIT ELIMINATED. Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators."

In an earlier statement, IDF said that it has targetted command centers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), ballistic missiles and air defence storage sites in Tehran.

"Iranian regime infrastructure in different areas across Iran: In Tehran, dozens of munitions were dropped on command centers and UAV, ballistic missiles and air defence storage sites were stuck," IDF posted on X.

"In Shiraz, the internal security forcesa command center and a ballistic missile site were struck. In Tabriz, additional Iranian regime air defense systems were dismantleda"further expanding aerial superiority in the region and protecting Israel," it added.
Bengaluru, Mar 17 : The issue of illegal sale of liquor, particularly in the border areas of Raichur district, was raised in the Karnataka Assembly during the Question and Answer session on Tuesday, with several state MLAs urging the Congress-led state government to take strict action and introduce stronger legislation to curb the menace.

Congress MLA Basanagouda Daddal, who represents the Raichur Rural Assembly constituency, said the illegal liquor trade is flourishing in the border areas of Karnataka and Telangana and involves thousands of people.

"I raised the issue of illegal liquor sale in Raichur. The state government itself has admitted that it is aware that some people are involved in this business. My Assembly constituency lies on the Karnatakaa"Telangana border and thousands of people are engaged in the trade," Daddal added.

He alleged that liquor mixture is brought from Telangana and country liquor is prepared in Karnataka.

Despite the authorities being aware of the activity, no stringent punishment or externment of the accused has been carried out, Congress legislator Daddal said.

According to official data, 13,550 litres of liquor have been seized so far, 183 cases have been registered and another 102 cases have been filed.

However, Daddal said the illegal liquor trade continues to flourish.

"The state government says it knows the persons involved in the business. They should immediately be externed from Raichur district and given harsh punishment. Youths are dying in accidents and murder cases are being reported. If the State Excise Minister fails to bring new legislation to address this issue, there will be anarchy," he warned.

He also expressed concern that many young people are becoming victims of alcohol and drug addiction due to the easy availability of illicit liquor.

JD-S MLA Karemma Nayak said the illegal sale of liquor is prevalent across the state and has become a serious problem in Devadurga taluk of Raichur district.

"Youths are becoming victims of this menace and strict action is needed to prevent it," she urged.

Another JD-S MLA, Sharanagouda Kandakur, alleged that in some border areas even officials posted with the Excise Department are allegedly facilitating the supply of liquor to rural areas.

"We have a large migrant population in these areas and farmers are also getting affected. I sincerely request the Excise Minister to stop this," he said.

Former Karnataka Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra said the discussion would be meaningless unless a new law is introduced to punish those involved in illegal liquor trade.

"Women are calling us even at midnight complaining that their husbands are being led astray due to the easy availability of liquor. It is openly sold in houses everywhere in rural areas and the police are not taking action," he alleged.

Responding to the concerns, State Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapura said illegal liquor sales are mainly carried out through two methods.

"Some purchase liquor legally from CL-6 outlets and Mysuru Sales International Limited, the state government-owned (MSIL) stores and sell it illegally outside, while others procure liquor from military canteens and sell it in the open market."

"In Raichur district alone, 183 cases have been registered in the last three years and 13,557 litres of country liquor have been seized," he added.

The Minister said another major concern is the use of CH-4 powder to manufacture spurious liquor.

"The CH-4 powder used to prepare liquor is extremely dangerous and not fit for human consumption. Just one kilogram of this powder can be used to prepare a full drum of country liquor. It comes in small packets and is being brought from neighbouring states where it is authorised," he added.

He said that one person has already been externed and the department has recommended externment of nine others involved in the illegal trade.

Thimmapura said the state government is considering recommending to the Centre that CH-4 powder be classified as a drug under the NDPS Act, as it is currently not covered under the law.

"If it is not included under the NDPS Act, the state government will bring new legislation to deal with it and take strict action," he added.

Intervening again, MLA Daddal demanded that CH-4 powder be treated as a drug and a special task force be formed to tackle the issue.

"Local officers are unable to control the menace. Even small ration shops are selling liquor and authorities say they have targets to meet. Why is the state government not opening MSIL shops in border areas?" he asked.

He also claimed that deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor have increased in border villages and that the number of widows in these areas is rising.

Responding to the spurious liquor deaths, Minister Thimmapura said that for nearly 60 to 65 years no major amendment has been made to strengthen laws governing illegal liquor trade.

"The existing punishment is not harsh. We are working to bring a stricter law and also plan to form a new team to tackle the menace effectively," he added.
Lucknow, March 17 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) National President Mayawati on Tuesday accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress of exploiting the legacy of Kanshi Ram for political gains in view of next year's elections in Uttar Pradesh.

She alleged that parties which ignored Kanshi Ram during their tenure in power are now, driven by vote-bank considerations, demanding that his birth anniversary be celebrated and that he be conferred with the 'Bharat Ratna'.

She termed the move "opportunistic" and "politically motivated".

In a post on social media platform X, Mayawati said that the SP, Congress and other parties were attempting to appropriate the legacy of the BSP founder to serve their electoral interests.

She also targeted the Congress, stating that it had failed to confer the country's highest civilian award on Kanshi Ram when it was in power at the Centre, but is now demanding the honour from another government.

The BSP chief further accused these parties of consistently working to weaken the BSP, a party founded by Kanshi Ram, and asserted that such efforts would not succeed.

She maintained that as his political successor, she would continue to safeguard the party's core ideology and organisational strength.

Mayawati also claimed that the opposition's renewed focus on Kanshi Ram reflects a decline in the relevance of their own leaders, prompting them to invoke the legacy of BSP icons.

She alleged that several initiatives undertaken during the BSP rule in his honour were later diluted or reversed by subsequent governments led by the SP.

Citing Kanshi Ram's book 'Chamcha Yug' (The age of the sycophants), she criticised what she described as "sycophantic politics" within rival parties.

The political debate over the issue further intensified after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded that Kanshi Ram be awarded the Bharat Ratna, describing him as a transformative leader who championed social justice.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier put forth the demand, calling Kanshi Ram a guiding force for Bahujan consciousness and urging the Centre to recognise his contributions with the nation's highest civilian honour.
Ahmedabad, March 17 : The charred body of a woman was found in bushes along the Airport Road near Nobal Nagar locality in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Tuesday, police said, with investigators yet to determine whether the death was a case of suicide or murder.

The discovery of the body was reported at around 11:30 a.m. when a man alerted traffic police stationed at the Kotarpur Waterworks crossroads after entering the bushes and finding a body in a burnt condition.

Officials said the body was completely charred.

Police from the Airport police station reached the site shortly after receiving the information.

N.D. Nakum, Airport Police Inspector, said the call was received between 11 a.m. and noon, following which teams were immediately dispatched.

"We received the information today around 11 to 12 p.m. We immediately dispatched teams and reached the spot. We found that there was no active fire, but the surrounding bushes were burnt. A case has been registered at the Airport police station," he told IANS.

He also added, "We also found a kerosene bottle and a matchstick. It looks like suicide, but it cannot be ascertained. The body is not in a condition for recognition."

The area where the body was found is a busy stretch with residential localities nearby and heavy vehicular movement throughout the day.

It is located close to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), with the boundary wall situated directly opposite the road.

Senior police officers said forensic experts were examining the site to establish the sequence of events.

Atul Kumar Bansal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-4), said preliminary findings suggested the possible use of a chemical substance.

Speaking to IANS, he said: "As per preliminary investigation, we have found traces of anthracene, which may have been used to ignite the fire. The Forensic Science Laboratory is inspecting the crime scene. It is not yet certain whether it is a case of suicide or murder."

He added that the timing of the incident was still being assessed.

"The crime could have taken place yesterday afternoon or last night. Our teams are investigating the case. The body has been sent for post-mortem and we are awaiting the medical report," Bansal said.

Police are working to establish the identity of the deceased woman and determine the exact circumstances surrounding her death.
Kolkata, March 17 : The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday released its list of candidates, containing 291 names, for the two-phase April elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly and set the scene for a "battle royale" in Bhabanipur constituency in south Kolkata, from where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest again.

As per the candidates' list released by Banerjee, she will be contesting from Bhabanipur this time as well, where she will face the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.

On Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its first list of 144 candidates and nominated Adhikari from his current constituency of Nandigram in East Midnapore district, as well as from Bhabanipur.

This is the second time that Banerjee will be pitted against Adhikari.

Adhikari was elected as a legislator from Nandigram for the second consecutive time in 2021, defeating Banerjee.

Later, Banerjee was elected from Bhabanipur in a by-election and retained the post of Chief Minister for the third consecutive term.

While the Trinamool will be contesting from 291 constituencies, they have spared three assembly constituencies in the North Bengal hills, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, for their political ally in the hills, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), founded by Anit Thapa, who is also the Chief Executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

At Nandigram, Trinamool fielded erstwhile local BJP leader and also a close confidant of Adhikari, Pabitra Kar, who joined the party just a couple of hours before the Chief Minister released the party candidateas list.

"This time our candidates will win from at least 226 Assembly constituencies. After the elections, this type of BJP will have no ground in West Bengal," Banerjee said.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Trinamool won 215 seats, while the BJP secured 77 seats. The CPI-M-led Left Front and the All India Secular Front (AISF) had a seat-sharing arrangement in 2021. While AISF managed to win one seat, both the Left Front and the Congress failed to win any seats at all.

This time, the Congress and the Left Front are contesting the elections separately.

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister also gave a note of caution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I would like to ask the Prime Minister, if you had faith in the people of West Bengal, why he was hurting Bengal's sentiments. Remember, the people will retaliate in the elections!" she said.
Mumbai, March 17 : The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis (Second Amendment) Bill, proposing the appointment of coaopted members based on comparative numerical strength.

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis (Second Amendment) Bill, proposing the appointment of coa'opted members based on comparative numerical strength.

Minister of Rural Development Jaykumar Gore announced that political parties and registered groups in Zilla Parishads (ZP) and Panchayat Samitis (PS) will now be allowed to appoint coa'opted (nominated) members according to their numerical strength.

Responding to the discussion, Minister Gore said that, as with Municipal Councils, members would now be appointed to Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis in proportion to party strength.

District Collectors will carry out the nomination process after considering the numerical strength of recognised or registered parties and in consultation with group leaders.

He stated that coa'opted members would have the same tenure and administrative powers as elected Zilla Parishad members and would be entitled to the same development funds. However, they would not have the right to vote in proceedings.

He expressed confidence that the bill would enable experts and capable individuals to join local selfa'government bodies, improving their functioning.

Addressing questions about the delay in local body elections, Gore explained that the OBC reservation issue is pending before the Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for July 21, 2026.

He said the government is firm on holding elections immediately after the courtas decision, including in tribal districts and other pending areas.

The Minister emphasised that the government is actively presenting its case in court to ensure elections take place soon, as the presence of public representatives in local bodies is essential.

On the condition of Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti buildings, he assured that dilapidated structures would be repaired or replaced.

During the discussion, MLAs Suhas Babar (Shiv Sena), Harish Pimple (BJP), Babasaheb Deshmukh (PWP) and Nana Patole (Congress) welcomed the bill while offering suggestions.

After Minister Goreas clarifications, the bill was passed unanimously.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shakes hands with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 17, 2026. The 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation was held in Hanoi on Tuesday. Wang and Son co-chaired the meeting with officials from various ministries and provincial governments of both sides participating online and offline. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali)

HANOI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation was held in Hanoi on Tuesday.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the meeting with officials from various ministries and provincial governments of both sides participating online and offline.

Efficient coordination among various departments and localities of the two countries has led to an upgrade in all-round cooperation, Wang noted.

Faced with a complex and volatile international situation, China and Vietnam should join hands to advance the path of socialist modernization, continuously create new prospects for relations between the two parties and countries, and make new contributions to strengthening Global South unity and self-reliance and promoting international and regional peace and stability, according to Wang.

He added that both sides should expand the breadth of pragmatic cooperation, including promoting railway connectivity, strengthening cooperation in agriculture, electricity, finance, key minerals, and technological innovation, and jointly safeguarding the multilateral trading system.

Efforts should also be made to maintain the momentum of people-to-people exchanges, such as promoting cooperation in media, publishing, radio, and film, and to strengthen the management of differences, advance maritime cooperation, and conclude consultations of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at an early date, Wang added.

For his part, Son said that Vietnam has always regarded China as a top priority and strategic choice in its foreign policy, adding that Vietnam firmly adheres to the one-China policy and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities.

He added that Vietnam agrees with the next steps of cooperation proposed by China, and is willing to further consolidate strategic mutual trust, prepare for high-level exchanges, and strengthen party and parliamentary exchanges.

Vietnam is willing to deepen defense and security cooperation, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, agriculture, finance, green energy, and cultural and educational fields, strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation, properly manage differences, and advance Vietnam-China relations to deeper and more substantive levels, Son said. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chairs the 17th meeting of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 17, 2026. Officials from various ministries and provincial governments of both sides participated in the meeting online and offline. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali)
Hyderabad, March 17 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Telangana and remarked that the 'credit' for playing the 'biggest fraud' in the world after making 420 promises in the elections goes to the Congress party.

Speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the Assembly, he claimed that nowhere in the world has a party made such a large number of promises in the elections and then failed to honour them.

He accused the Congress of failing to deliver on its promises despite claiming that the guarantees would be implemented within 100 days. "The Congress said each family would benefit to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh. Even after over two years, can the government show a single family that has received such benefits?" he asked.

KTR said that a Governor's address carries immense importance as it reflects the policy direction and commitments of the ruling government. However, he alleged that the present government had reduced it to a mere formality devoid of accountability.

He recalled that during the first Governor's address after the Congress came to power, then Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had publicly stated that the "six guarantees" promised by the Congress would be given legal status, and that the Chief Minister had even signed a file to that effect. KTR questioned what had happened to that file and demanded answers from the government.

"Where is the file signed by the Chief Minister granting legal status to the six guarantees? If such an important document has disappeared, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) must be constituted immediately to trace it," he demanded.

KTR further said that when the very first Governor's address lacked credibility due to unfulfilled assurances, the value of subsequent addresses also comes into question. "If the Chief Minister's signed file itself has no value, how can people trust this government? Every declaration made by the Chief Minister today carries zero value in the eyes of the public," he remarked.

KTR also criticised ministers for making contradictory statements in the Assembly and urged the Speaker to ensure accountability. "If false statements are made even in the Assembly, what hope is there for truth outside?" he said, adding that the legislature must uphold truth and responsibility.

The BRS leader alleged that the state administration had deteriorated over the past 28 months. He accused the government of mounting debts, financial mismanagement, diversion of funds, and prioritising political propaganda over development. "All that remains today are debts, dues, diversions, commissions, bulldozer politics, and abuses," he said.

He also criticised the government for allegedly spending Telangana's resources on political campaigns in other states while failing to bring funds from the Centre. "You go to Delhi not to secure funds but to offer them. That is the difference," he said.

On the economic front, KTR pointed out that Telangana, once among the fastest-growing states, was now witnessing a slowdown. He questioned the decline in revenues, including GST collections, registrations, and vehicle revenues, and attributed it to "negative policies and negative mindset."

He further alleged that industries and IT employment were declining and dismissed claims made at investment summits as exaggerated propaganda. He also accused the government of attempting to erase the legacy of former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, stating that Telangana's development itself stands as a testament to his contributions.

On welfare measures, KTR criticised the government for failing women, farmers, pensioners, and unemployed youth. He questioned the status of promised schemes such as Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to women, interest-free loans, farm loan waivers, and unemployment benefits.

The BRS leader also alleged that existing schemes introduced by the previous government had been discontinued or weakened.
Bhopal, March 17 : The body of a 40-year-old man, who had been missing for the last four days, was recovered from a waterfall located under Shahpur Police Station in Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh, police said on Tuesday.

An extensive search operation was initiated jointly by SDRF and the Shahpur Police team after learning that the missing person had allegedly jumped into the Belauhi waterfall in Mauganj on Monday afternoon and continued till late evening.

On Tuesday, when the operation resumed, an NDRF team also joined, and the hours-long joint efforts by police, STRF and NDRF eventually yielded the result as the body was recovered from the 650-feet-deep waterfall.

The deceased has been identified as Sugreev Gupta, a resident of Bilohi Kala village in Mauganj district, who had been missing since Saturday.

A missing person report regarding his disappearance was also filed at Shahpur police station.

Mauganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Dilip Soni told IANS that after receiving a missing complaint from his family members, Shapur had initiated an investigation and had learnt that a man had jumped into the Belauhi waterfall.

Upon reaching the spot, police had recovered the man's slippers from the upper section of the waterfall, which suggested that the man was either thrown or had fallen into the waterfall. Subsequently, a search operation was started on Monday.

The search operation was stopped during the night, and it was resumed early on Tuesday, and by the time, the NDRF team also arrived from the neighbouring Rewa district. "It was a tough situation because the waterfall is so deep. Divers spent hours searching the deep pools and rocky crevices of the falls; however, the effort yielded the result and the body was eventually recovered today," Soni told IANS on Tuesday.

He further stated that Shahpur Police is investigating the case to find out whether it was suicide or murder.

"Whether it was a suicide or murder will be known only after the post-mortem is done. Meanwhile, Shapur Police are investigating the case, keeping all possibilities in mind," the SP added.
Kannur, March 17 : In Kannur, widely regarded as the strongest bastion of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Tuesday presented two sharply contrasting images, one of mass mobilisation and enduring leadership, and the other of internal dissent emerging ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls.a Kannur, March 17 (IANS) In Kannur, widely regarded as the strongest bastion of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Tuesday presented two sharply contrasting images, one of mass mobilisation and enduring leadership, and the other of internal dissent emerging ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls.

At around 4.45 p.m., Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived at Kannur airport on his first visit to his home district after the election schedule was announced.

Accompanied by his wife, Vijayan's journey to his constituency turned into a roadshow, with a large crowd of supporters trailing his convoy.

By 5.15 p.m., he reached Dharmadom, the constituency he represents, with a margin exceeding 50,000 votes.

At 80, Vijayan appeared measured but resolute, walking slowly and waving to party workers gathered in large numbers at the party office in Pinarayi.

The brief but symbolic public interaction reinforced his continuing connection with the cadre base in a district that has long anchored the party's organisational strength.

However, even as the Chief Minister's visit underscored unity and electoral confidence, a parallel development near Taliparamba highlighted growing fault lines.

Senior district leaders led protest marches against veteran leader T.K. Govindan, who was formally expelled earlier in the day after he publicly criticised the party's direction.

A stalwart with over four decades in the party, Govindan has now announced his decision to contest as an independent candidate against P.K. Shyamala, the CPI(M)'s nominee and wife of state secretary M.V. Govindan.

Reacting to his ouster, T.K. Govindan said time would vindicate his criticism, maintaining that the party he served all his life was "not on the right path."

The ripples of dissent extend beyond Taliparamba.

In neighbouring Payyannur, another popular leader, V. Kunjikrishnan, who was also expelled, has declared his intent to enter the fray as an independent candidate.

The juxtaposition of Vijayan's show of strength and the visible rebellion by seasoned leaders captures a critical moment for the CPI(M) in Kannur, where organisational might remains formidable but internal cohesion is being tested in the run-up to a crucial electoral battle.


Mumbai, March 17 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday, told the state Assembly that the state government has taken stringent steps to control the burgeoning drug networks in major cities across Maharashtra.

During the Question Hour, the Chief Minister announced that a 'Dynamic Immigration System' will be operationalised to track down foreign nationals, who continue to stay illegally after their visas expire and engage in drug trafficking.

He was responding to a query raised by Vasai BJP MLA Sneha Dube Pandit regarding the sale of narcotics in the state.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said, "Many Nigerian nationals come to India on education or medical visas. Once their visa expires, they deliberately get a minor criminal case registered against themselves. Since they cannot be deported until the case is resolved, these criminals take advantage of the legal delay. Now, as per the Central government's instructions, we have started the process of withdrawing such minor cases to immediately deport them to their native countries."

He also told House that 68 Nigerian nationals have been deported so far and 122 citizens are currently in detention centres awaiting deportation.

He said that police have been ordered to verify the passports and visas of suspicious foreign nationals; if they lack valid documents, they are to be sent directly to detention centres.

Chief Minister Fadnavis added that while the Immigration Department has records of every foreign national entering Mumbai, a new coordination system between the Police and the Immigration Department will be established. This will provide police with real-time data on individuals overstaying their visas.

Additionally, the Chief Minister told the House that orders will be issued prohibiting homeowners from renting out premises to foreign nationals without valid passports and visas.

Legal action will be taken against landlords, who provide shelter to such illegal residents.

The state government has decided to launch a massive public awareness campaign regarding these regulations.

To further dismantle drug syndicates, Chief Minister Fadnavis also said that Police Commissioners have been instructed to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against habitual offenders involved in drug trafficking.

"Orders have been issued to extern criminals who meet the necessary legal criteria. Raids will be conducted on cafes and establishments where drug consumption occurs. The law is being amended to permanently cancel the licenses of hotels or establishments that repeatedly violate rules, rather than just suspending them. Police personnel found involved in the sale of narcotics will be summarily dismissed from service," he added.

Chief Minister Fadnavis also hinted that the state government is seriously considering holding the heads of local Crime Investigation Departments accountable, rather than just penalising junior staff.
Jaipur, March 17 : During his visit to New Delhi on Tuesday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma paid courtesy calls on several senior Union Ministers and top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, holding detailed discussions on the state's development priorities, public welfare schemes, and strengthening the coordination between the Centre and the state.

The Chief Minister met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the law and order situation in the state, along with ongoing development initiatives.

He emphasised that coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state are helping Rajasthan move towards new heights of progress, adding that the guidance of the Union Home Minister continues to inspire the state leadership.

In a meeting with Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda, Chief Minister Sharma discussed strengthening healthcare services, expanding medical infrastructure, and ensuring effective implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

He reiterated that providing quality healthcare remains a top priority of the state government.

Chief Minister Sharma also called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, where discussions focused on inclusive growth, economic development, and infrastructure expansion in Rajasthan.

He expressed gratitude for the Centre's continued support, noting that it is playing a crucial role in achieving the vision of a Viksit Rajasthan.

During his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil, the Chief Minister extended birthday greetings and discussed key water-related initiatives, including the Ram Jal Setu Link Project and the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to ensuring access to safe drinking water across all regions, including remote areas.

Chief Minister Sharma also met Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi to deliberate on strengthening the Public Distribution System, safeguarding consumer interests, and promoting renewable energy initiatives.

Additionally, in the Chief Minister's meeting with the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, discussions were held on the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, promotion of international languages, and expansion of employment-oriented education for youth.

He emphasised the state's vision of an "Educated State, Advanced State".

During the visit, Chief Minister Sharma also met the BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, where discussions were held on strengthening the party organisation and guiding its party workers.

The Chief Minister said that with stronger Centre-state coordination under the "double engine government", Rajasthan is setting new benchmarks in development, governance, and public welfare.

He expressed confidence that continued support from the Central government will ensure effective implementation of schemes and deliver tangible benefits to the people of the state.
Hyderabad, March 17 : Telangana Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Moinabad farmhouse drugs case in which TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar, former BRS MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy and some others were arrested for allegedly consuming drugs.

The nine-member SIT will work under the overall supervision of Future City Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu.

Director General of Police B. Shivdhar Reddy on Tuesday issued orders constituting the SIT to probe the NDPS and Arms Act case.

According to the order, the SIT shall go to the bottom of the case during the investigation and also probe into all aspects in connection with the commission of the offence.

The SIT has been asked to complete the investigation and file a charge sheet within three months.

The SIT members include Yogesh Goutham, DCP, Chevella, M. Ravinder Reddy, Group Commander, Greyhounds, Ch. Sirisha, DCP, Shadnagar, C. Harish Chandra Reddy and N. Buchaiah, DSPs, EAGLE Force.

The Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force, in coordination with the police, had conducted a raid at a farmhouse belonging to Rohith Reddy at Moinabad near Hyderabad on the night of March 14 (Saturday)

Eleven persons, including a woman, who were present there were arrested, and six of them, including Rohith Reddy, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Putta Mahesh Kumar, tested positive for drugs.

Mahesh Kumar, the MP from Eluru in Andhra Pradesh and seven other accused were released on police station bail on Sunday.

Rohith Reddy, his brother Ritesh Reddy and Delhi-based businessman Namith Sharma were produced before a court, which remanded the accused to judicial custody.

According to police, Namith Sharma allegedly opened fire from a revolver during the police raid. The licensed weapon belonged to Ritesh Reddy.

A .32 calibre revolver (made in Germany), along with live and empty cartridges, was seized from Namith Sharma.

During the search, cocaine weighing 0.26 grams was recovered from the accused, Sharath Kumar, who confessed to procuring the drug through Kaushik Ravi.

Large quantities of liquor, including beer, whisky, vodka and other premium brands, were also seized from the farmhouse.

A case was registered at Moinabad Police Station under section 8 (C), 22 (A), 27, 29 of the NDPS Act; sections 25 (1-B) (a) and 30 of the Arms Act; section 34 (a) of the Telangana State Excise Act; and sections 109, 131 r/w 3(5) of the BNS.
New Delhi, March 17 : The prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2025, presented by the Government of India in the field of literature, was announced recently. This year, the honour in the Sanskrit category has been conferred upon the eminent scholar Mahamahopadhyaya Swami Bhadreshdasji for his monumental work "Prasthanachatushtaye Brahmaghosha."

Recognised as the finest Sanskrit work in the country, this text offers a comprehensive exposition of the Brahma principle based on the primary scriptures of Hinduism a" the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras a" along with the Vachanamrut, the primary scripture of the Swaminarayan tradition, delivered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Composed in a poetic aphoristic (sutra) style, scholars regard this work as a masterpiece of philosophical poetry. Considering its literary excellence and profound philosophical depth, the selection committee has chosen it as the best Sanskrit work of 2025.

The text presents the philosophy propounded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in a refined literary style. Published in 2018, the work was composed under the guidance and instructions of Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The award-winning text, a profound exploration of the Brahma principle, focuses on key highlights, which include:

Literary Excellence a" A rhythmic, verse-based structure elevating complex philosophy into high literature

Theological Significance a" A systematic presentation of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan

Following the announcement of this award, an atmosphere of joy and pride has gripped the academic and literary classes across the country. Scholars have lauded the Sahitya Akademias decision, noting that this recognition underscores the continued vitality of Sanskrit as a medium of intellectual and creative excellence.

Notably, the Sahitya Akademi Award is one of Indiaas most prestigious literary honours, conferred annually by the Sahitya Akademi a" Indiaas National Academy of Letters a" to outstanding works of literary merit in 24 major Indian languages.
Guwahati, March 17 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would accord "due respect" to Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi if he chooses to join the party, amid growing political churn ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Speaking after attending a meeting of the BJP's election committee in New Delhi, Chief Minister Sarma said the party is open to leaders who wish to contribute to its organisational strength in Assam.

"If Pradyut Bordoloi comes to the BJP, he will be given due respect. The party will also consider giving him an Assembly ticket if he joins us," the Chief Minister said, adding that the BJP remains focused on expanding its political base in the state.

The remarks come in the backdrop of recent developments within the Assam Congress, where Bordoloi had written to the party high command expressing dissatisfaction over its functioning in the state.

Fresh internal tensions have surfaced recently in the Assam Congress with senior party leader and Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi reportedly writing to the party high command, alleging links between a party MLA and a person accused of attacking his convoy during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In his communication, Bordoloi alleged that Imdadul Islam, who was accused of attacking his convoy during the Lok Sabha election campaign, has been "shielded" by the Lahorighat MLA Asif Nazar.

The Congress MP also claimed that state party chief Gaurav Gogoi was seen sitting together with Imdadul Islam, raising concerns about the party's stand against those involved in acts of violence.

Bordoloi has reportedly attached photographs to the letter sent to the Congress high command in support of his claims about Gogoi's alleged association with Imdadul Islam.

Sources said the issue had earlier surfaced during a Congress meeting in New Delhi, where Bordoloi raised the matter before senior leaders of the party.

Bordoloi is also understood to have expressed disappointment that Gogoi did not respond to the allegations during the discussion in the meeting.

The development has exposed simmering differences within the Assam Congress at a time when the party is trying to strengthen its organisational base ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

While Bordoloi has formally brought the matter to the notice of the Congress leadership, neither Gogoi nor the Lahorighat MLA has issued any official response to the allegations so far.
Bengaluru, March 17 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday reached Delhi, where he said that he will meet MPs and Union Ministers from the state over pending irrigation projects.

Talking to the media at Kempegowda International Airport before leaving for the national capital, Shivakumar, who holds the charge of Water Resources, said: "The Central government has kept approvals pending for several irrigation projects in the state. Hence, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil and I will meet all Members of Parliament from Karnataka and hold discussions."

"We will share details of the discussions after returning. We will collectively urge the Central government to take a decision on irrigation-related issues," he added.

"I will meet all Parliamentary members from the state regarding pending irrigation works from the Centre. We will convey the facts and prevail upon them to pressure the Central government to give clearances to the irrigation projects of the state."

In New Delhi, Shivakumar was scheduled to meet advocates first, and then he and the other ministers would meet Union Ministers and MPs of Karnataka at the Karnataka Bhavan.

Shivakumar's halt in Delhi has sparked fresh speculation, and an official communication from his office stated that his return journey remains open. He is expected to meet the national leadership and discuss state politics.

His camp is optimistic that he may be given an opportunity by the high command, especially after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented a record 17th State Budget and fulfilled a long-standing ambition. At the same time, Shivakumar has recently completed six years as the President of the state Congress unit.

Shivakumar has indicated that he is willing to make way for others, whereas Siddaramaiah has said he would present two more state Budgets if the people continue to support him and the high command permits him.
Bengaluru, March 17 : The BJP on Tuesday alleged that the Health Department in Karnataka was in a poor state and attacked the government over the issue. Raising the issue in the Assembly on Tuesday, Opposition Leader R. Ashoka claimed that the Principle Secretary of the Health Department had not bothered to step into the office for eight months.

Speaking in the Assembly about the Health Department, R. Ashoka alleged: "The Health Department has fallen into poor health due to conflicts among senior officials. Because of this, no work is happening in the department. First, resolve the internal quarrels among officials and then improve the Health Department."

"The department's Principal Secretary Harsh Gupta has not come to the office for about 8 months. Is he working from home? Harsh Gupta himself prepares files and signs and sends them. That means a single-file process is happening here," Ashoka claimed.

"Harsh Gupta has written a letter to the Department of Administrative Reforms and Personnel Reforms. In that letter, he stated that lower-level officers in the Health Department are sending files without proper scrutiny, the Deputy Secretary-1 is not supervising, there is a need for comprehensive restructuring, and direct recruitment should be made to high-level posts," Ashoka stated.

"Later, the Secretariat Employees' Union wrote a letter against Harsh Gupta. In that letter, they said 'Harsh Gupta has arrogantly written beyond his scope, the letter should be withdrawn, using such insulting and condemnatory words to demoralise employees reflects his strange mindset, and this is not the trait of a capable officer.' This means there is conflict between the officer and the staff. How can the Health Department improve in this situation?" he questioned.

He said that people rely heavily on the Home, Revenue, and Health Departments and among these, the Health Department has become unhealthy.

"When I had spoken about the shortage of medicines in the previous Belagavi session, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had replied that tenders for medicine procurement would be called immediately.

"Recently, the Doctors' Association wrote a letter to the government. They have repeatedly brought the medicine shortage to the government's attention. The same association has also protested," he added.

"When there was discussion in the House about removing doctors from Community Health Centres and posting them elsewhere, the Medical Education Minister had replied that 'no doctors would be sent elsewhere'. Even after that, doctors were transferred elsewhere. Should we assume that the minister gave a false reply to the House?" Ashoka asked.

According to a study conducted by an organisation called PRS, the average spending on health in the country's budget is 6.2 per cent. Karnataka's share is 4.9 per cent. The Delhi government spends 14.5 per cent, and the Rajasthan government spends 8.4 per cent. Even though the state government claims it is allocating more money for health, the actual expenditure is low, he noted.

According to the government, medicines have been purchased and tenders have been issued. If so, how much money has been spent? How many medicines have been purchased? How much has been supplied? The government should clarify this, he demanded.

"Gynecologists from Community Health Centres met me and explained their problems. Doctors have been withdrawn from 228 Community Health Centres. Not only deliveries, but they also have to see other patients, treat children, implement central government schemes, and because of this, the number of deliveries has decreased, the doctors complained. Therefore, the government should withdraw this order," he demanded.

"I am raising the issue of unhealthiness of the health department. Mere slogans won't help the health ministry, the officers will have to get to the ground to perform. The health department is in discussion for all wrong reasons. The developments of series of death of new mothers, newborn babies dying due to IV liquids, shortage of medicines is making headlines everyday, shortage of ambulances, illegal sex determination centres are also discussed," Ashoka slammed.

"Senior MLA V. Sunil Kumar stated that doctors are complaining that they are being laid off from Primary Health Centres. Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao clarified that no doctors have been laid off from the PHCs.

"In the whole department, due to internal fighting, no work is happening. According to information available, the Health department has skipped the purchase of medicines for one year. Can you imagine the situation if medicines are not purchased for a year," Ashoka claimed.

"A senior officer angered by the quarrel had kept the file related to purchase of medicines for three months. There needs to be a probe," he insisted.

"The compulsory number of medicines which needs to be in stock at PHCs is 534. Apart from these, the necessary 1,300 drugs are also needed. If you verify the stock, there is shortage of hundreds of medicines," he slammed.
BAGHDAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and four others injured early Tuesday in an airstrike on a house in central Baghdad, including senior figures of Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Interior Ministry source said.

The attack occurred at dawn in the Jadriyah neighborhood, where unidentified aircraft bombarded and leveled a house, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The strike resulted in the deaths of two high-ranking PMF officials and an Iranian advisor, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, the source added.

Over the past few days, dozens of PMF members have been killed in attacks, for which the group blamed U.S.-Israeli operations.

On Monday evening, a booby-trapped drone struck a hotel in central Baghdad, causing huge explosions. The U.S. Embassy in Iraq, located in Baghdad's Green Zone, was also attacked early Tuesday, with facilities inside the compound catching fire.

The attacks came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, which prompted Iran and its regional allies to retaliate with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. 
Aizawl, March 17 : Mizoram Governor General V.K. Singh (retired) said on Tuesday that the ongoing railway project in the state includes plans to extend the railway line to southern Mizoram, connecting it with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMMTTP) in Myanmar, a move expected to significantly transform the face of Northeast India.

The Governor made these remarks while interacting with a multi-disciplinary team from the Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS) under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), currently visiting the Northeastern region.

He described Mizoram as a well-organised and peaceful state, marked by the absence of major inter-tribal rivalries and strong political stability.

He noted that, for the first time in its history, Aizawl has appeared on India's railway map.

The 51.38-km Bairabi (near southern Assam)--Sairang (near Aizawl) rail section was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aizawl on September 13, 2025.

Highlighting development initiatives, the Governor spoke about the Central government's Vibrant Villages Programme, aimed at improving infrastructure in border villages across Northeast India, adding that the initiative is expected to bring substantial progress to these regions.

He also commended the CCCS team for its work and emphasised the importance of understanding local dynamics before making policy decisions, noting that knowing the people is essential to avoid errors in judgment.

Describing Mizoram's economic profile, Governor Singh said the state remains largely agriculture-based and is currently facing a revenue deficit, but is steadily progressing with significant infrastructure development and focused efforts toward overall growth.

A Mizoram government official said that the CCCS team, led by Aparna Ray, Joint Secretary (CCCS and PPR), arrived in Mizoram on Monday for a two-day visit.

During their interaction at Lok Bhavan, the team shared observations, engaged in discussions, and addressed queries in what was described as a productive exchange.

The Centre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), a think-tank under the Ministry of External Affairs, conducts research on contemporary China and provides policy inputs to government departments, the official said.

A 12-member multidisciplinary team of officers and research analysts from CCCS is currently in Aizawl and other parts of Northeast India from March 9 to 18, to understand ground realities along the India-Myanmar border and gather perspectives from local civil and security administrations.

Mizoram shares a 510-km unfenced international border with Myanmar and a 318-km porous, mountainous border with Bangladesh.
New Delhi, March 17 : President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday launched celebrations to commemorate 5 billion meals of Akshaya Patra Foundation and said that serving 5 billion meals in the advancement of educational objectives is a remarkable achievement of Akshaya Patra Foundation.

The theme of this event, 'From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India', underscored the significance of a nourished and educated society in realising our national resolve to build 'Viksit Bharat' by the year 2047, said an official statement.

The President said that a safe and bright future for our children is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared responsibility of us all. When teachers, parents, social organisations, the corporate sector, and every segment of society work together, then we lay a strong foundation for the coming generation.

"We must ensure that every child receives quality education, nutritious food, good health, and a clean and safe environment. These fundamentals enable holistic development of children," she said.

The President said that education is the instrument that determines the opportunities available in an individual's life and paves the way for their success.

It serves as an effective medium for transformation and empowerment. The process of empowerment and capacity-building begins to take shape from the very moment children start attending school, she said, adding that school equips children with the skills and experiences necessary to effectively navigate the challenges of daily life and to become responsible, conscientious citizens.

She commended Akshaya Patra Foundation for working continuously to address the issue of malnutrition among children and encourage them to pursue education by delivering mid-day meals to schools for the past 25 years.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who also attended the event, said on social media, "Honoured to attend the 25th anniversary of the @AkshayaPatra Foundation and celebrate the milestone of 5 billion meals, in the august presence of Hon'ble @rashtrapatibhvn Droupadi Murmu ji at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre."

The Minister said that the President highlighted that securing a bright future for our children is a shared national responsibility, with nutrition forming the bedrock of India's human capital.

"Rooted in the sacred Mahaprasad tradition of Jagannath, the Akshaya Patra initiative reflects India's civilisational ethos of seva  transforming faith into structured, large-scale public service. Guided by the vision of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and led by @madhupanditdasa and @CP_Dasa, it has evolved into a globally benchmarked model," he said.

"Under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodiji, the convergence of National Education Policy 2020 and PM POSHAN Scheme is addressing classroom hunger while strengthening access, retention, and holistic development in education," Pradhan added.
New Delhi, March 17 : Aurobindo Pharma on Tuesday said that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has classified one of its subsidiary units as "Official Action Indicated" (OAI) following an inspection conducted last year.

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Aurobindo Pharma on Tuesday said that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has classified one of its subsidiary units as "Official Action Indicated" (OAI) following an inspection conducted last year.

In a regulatory filing, the company said that the USFDA inspected Unit-II of Eugia Pharma Specialities Limited, its wholly-owned subsidiary, located in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, between November 3 and 14, 2025.

At the end of the inspection, the regulator had issued a Form 483 with nine observations.

"At the end of the inspection, a 'Form 483' was issued with nine observations," Aurobindo Pharma said in its exchange filing.

"Subsequently, US FDA has now determined the inspection classification status of this unit as 'Official Action Indicated' (OAI)," it added.

The OAI classification means that the regulator believes certain issues found during the inspection may require regulatory action.

However, the company clarified that it does not expect any immediate impact on its business operations due to this development.

"At this point in time, the Company doesn't foresee any impact on the business. The Company is committed to maintaining the highest quality manufacturing standards at all of its facilities across the globe," Aurobindo Pharma stated.

Aurobindo Pharma said it remains committed to maintaining high standards of manufacturing quality across all its facilities and will inform exchanges about any further updates.

Despite the regulatory development, the company's financial performance has remained strong.

For the December quarter, Aurobindo Pharma reported a 7.5 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 909.8 crore, compared to Rs 846 crore in the same period last year.

The profit figure includes a one-time cost of Rs 65 crore due to changes in the labour code.

Revenue during the quarter rose 8.4 per cent year-on-year to Rs 8,646 crore from Rs 7,979 crore a year ago.

The company's EBITDA also increased by 12.4 per cent to Rs 1,773.6 crore, while EBITDA margin improved to 20.5 per cent from 19.8 per cent in the corresponding quarter last year.

Shares of Aurobindo Pharma closed 0.80 per cent higher at Rs 1,289.80 on Tuesday, ahead of the announcement.
New Delhi, March 17 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, on Tuesday, raised the issue of minimum account balance penalties in the Upper house of Parliament, urging the Union government to end such charges on small bank accounts, saying that they disproportionately affect the poor and financially vulnerable.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha said banks have collected nearly Rs 19,000 crore in penalties over the last three years from customers, who failed to maintain the required minimum balance in their bank accounts.

He added that of the total amount, public sector banks collected around Rs 8,000 crore, while private sector banks charged nearly Rs 11,000 crore during the period.

"These penalties are not collected from the rich or big borrowers. They are collected from the poorest accounts in the system," Chadha said.

He noted that many ordinary citizens, including farmers, pensioners and daily wage earners, are being penalised simply because they could not maintain the stipulated minimum balance.

"A farmer misses the minimum balance -- penalty. A pensioner withdraws money for medicines -- penalty. A daily wage worker falls short by a few hundred rupees -- penalty," he said.

According to the AAP Rajya Sabha MP, such practices defeat the very purpose of financial inclusion and discourage people from using the formal banking system.

"The poor keep money in banks for safety, not to be quietly fined for being poor," Chadha added.

He also said that repeated bank charges often push account balances into the negative, leaving customers paying more in penalties than what they originally deposited.

"Many times banks keep adding charges and the balance becomes negative. Sometimes they take more money in charges than what we have actually deposited," he added.

Chadha said that bank accounts are meant to provide financial security to citizens but, in many cases, they are instead becoming a source of financial stress.

"Financial inclusion should protect small savings, not punish small balances. Bank accounts are meant to give us financial security, but these days they are giving many people financial stress rather than of financial security," he added.

The AAP leader has proposed in the Parliament that minimum balance penalties should be abolished so that the banking system stops charging people for their poverty.
Kolkata, March 17 : The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced 291 candidates for the two-phase April elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, dropping almost all the leaders under the scanner of central agencies in various scams, while nearly a fifth of the nominees are women.

There are a total of 52 women candidates, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, or around 18 per cent of the total candidates. The Chief Minister is contesting from Bhabanipur in south Kolkata, where the BJP candidate is the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. Adhikari, who had defeated Banerjee in Nandigram in the 2021 polls, is also fighting from there too.

At Nandigram, Trinamool has fielded erstwhile local BJP leader and Adhikari's close confidant, Pabitra Kar, who joined the party just a couple of hours before the Chief Minister released the party candidates' list.

The Trinamool has denied renomination to all the sitting MLAs and former ministers, except one, who had substantial time behind bars after being arrested by central investigating agencies in various corruption cases, like the school-job case and PDS distribution case, among others.

Former Secretary General and Education Minister, Partha Chatterjee, who was jailed for around three years in connection with the school job case, has been denied re-nomination from his traditional Behala (Paschim) constituency in South 24 Parganas district.

Manik Bhattacharya from Palashipara in Nadia district and Jiban Krishna Saha from Barwan in Murshidabad district have also been dropped.

The only exception is former Food & Supplies Minister, Jyotipriya Mallick, who had spent a substantial period behind bars after being arrested in connection with the multi-crore PDS distribution case. He had been re-nominated from his old constituency of Habra in the North 24 Parganas district.

Most of the other sitting ministers have been re-nominated from their erstwhile constituencies. There had been no new faces in the candidate list from the silver-screen or glamour world, and apparently, it was evident that attempts had been made to prepare the list with a balanced combination of "old guards" and "new faces".

Three assembly constituencies in the North Bengal hills, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, have been allotted to the Trinamool's political ally in the hills, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), founded by Anit Thapa, who is also the Chief Executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

"This time our candidates will win from at least 226 Assembly constituencies. After the elections, this type of BJP will have no ground in West Bengal," Banerjee said after releasing the list.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Trinamool won 215 seats, while the BJP secured 77 seats. The CPI-M-led Left Front, the Congress, and the All India Secular Front (AISF) had a seat-sharing arrangement in 2021. While AISF managed to win one seat, both the Left Front and the Congress failed to win any seats at all.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 17 : The Indian National Congress on Tuesday released its first list of 55 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, signalling a calibrated blend of experience, continuity, and high-visibility entrants as the party seeks to return to power in the state.

Kerala will go to the polls on April 9.

Of the 55 candidates named, 19 are sitting legislators, indicating a cautious reliance on incumbency amid concerns of anti-incumbency. The Congress currently has 22 MLAs in the outgoing Assembly, though three sitting members do not figure in the list.

Senior leader K. Babu, who had earlier announced his retirement from electoral politics, has been left out, while expelled leader Rahul Mamkootathil remains sidelined following serious criminal allegations. Two-time MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly has also not been included, with sources saying he has been summoned to Delhi, keeping speculation alive ahead of the second list.

The Congress, which leads the United Democratic Front (UDF), traditionally contests around 92 of the 140 Assembly seats. Party leaders indicated that a second list is likely to be released on Wednesday.

Sources said the delay in finalising the first list stemmed from internal deliberations over accommodating senior Lok Sabha members. While the state leadership is inclined to keep MPs out of the fray, veterans K. Sudhakaran and Adoor Prakash have reportedly expressed interest in returning to state politics.

In a bid to broaden its appeal, the party has fielded popular film actor and stage artiste Ramesh Pisharody from Palakkad.

The list also reflects the Congressas strategy of capitalising on high-profile defections from the CPI(M). Former three-time CPI(M) legislator Ayisha Potti, who recently joined the Congress, has been nominated from Kottarakkara to take on Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal.

Another former Left sympathiser, A. Suresh, has been fielded from Malampuzha, a constituency long associated with veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan.

The candidates' list includes former MPs K. Muraleedharan and Ramya Haridas. In a key contest, emerging leader Abdul Rasheed has been nominated to challenge Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Dharmadom.

With a mix of experience, defections, and fresh faces, the Congress appears to be positioning itself for a high-stakes electoral battle, even as crucial decisions remain pending ahead of the next round of candidate announcements.
Bengaluru, March 17 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday criticised the Railway Department for abruptly cancelling promotion examinations for railway employees after protests by Kannada organisations over the denial of an option to write the test in Kannada.a

In a statement, Siddaramaiah said the examinations scheduled for promotion to 194 Goods Train Manager posts in the South Western Railway, and 101 Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) posts in the Hubballi division were cancelled at the last moment following strong opposition from Kannadigas and Kannada organisations.a

He said the sudden cancellation had left Kannada employees in a state of uncertainty.a

According to the Chief Minister, thousands of Kannada-speaking railway employees had earlier objected to the denial of an opportunity to write the examination in Kannada. However, the Railway Department allegedly ignored peaceful protests and representations made by employees and organisations.a

Siddaramaiah said cancelling the examination just as it was about to begin had created confusion and placed Kannada employees in a difficult situation.a

He added that the situation could have been avoided if the Railway Department had recognised the issue earlier and allowed candidates to write the examination in Kannada.a

He said that if the department had corrected its mistake at the outset and permitted the exam in Kannada, the present situation would not have arisen. Instead, it ignored the concerns of Kannadigas and cancelled the examination hurriedly after protests intensified, which he described as condemnable.a

Siddaramaiah also alleged that Kannada job aspirants have been facing discrimination in several examinations conducted by Central government departments due to what he described as the Centreas policy of favouring Hindi.a

He said Kannadigas have repeatedly raised their voice against such practices and sought justice.a

The Chief Minister expressed disappointment that the issue had arisen even when V. Somanna from Karnataka is serving as the Minister of State for Railways.a

He said it was extremely unfortunate that the Railway Department had adopted an anti-Kannada stance and caused injustice to Kannada, Karnataka and Kannadigas even when a Kannadiga was the Minister of State for Railways.a

Siddaramaiah said he had hoped Somanna would stand by Kannadigas and help resolve the issue.a

He further said the Centreas policy of allowing only Hindi and English in many examinations conducted by Central government departments amounted to linguistic imposition.a

He said Kannadigas had already experienced the consequences of the Central governmentas affection for Hindi and its indifferent attitude towards regional languages, including Kannada. Allowing only Hindi and English in examinations conducted by the Centre to benefit Hindi-speaking regions, he said, was unacceptable.a

The Chief Minister said India is a union of states formed largely on linguistic lines and stressed that the imposition of one language over another cannot be accepted.a

He said that while Kannadigas were not opposed to Hindi as a language, they would not tolerate the imposition of Hindi over Kannada.a

Siddaramaiah urged the Central government to ensure that Kannada-speaking candidates are not subjected to injustice in the name of language in the future.a

He called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter and issue strict directions to the concerned departments.a

The Chief Minister demanded that the cancelled railway examinations be held again at the earliest and that candidates be given the option to write them in Kannada.a
New Delhi, March 17 : Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday interacted with the brave crew members of Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, expressing the nation's gratitude for their courage and unwavering sense of duty in ensuring the safe transit of critical LPG cargo here.

Addressing the seafarers via video conferencing, Sarbananda Sonowal said the interaction was a "heartfelt expression of the nation's gratitude" to the crew, who ensured the safe delivery of vital LPG supplies despite operating in a high-risk maritime environment.

"It is a matter of immense pride to recognise the courage, dedication and professionalism of the crew of Shivalik and Nanda Devi. Your efforts ensured the safe passage of critical LPG cargo, strengthening India's energy security," Sarbananda Sonowal said.

The minister noted that both vessels remained stationed in a high-risk zone for nearly two weeks amid heightened security concerns before continuing their voyage to India. Sonowal said the crew demonstrated exceptional calmness, vigilance and professionalism under challenging conditions.

The interaction was attended by Vijay Kumar, secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shyam Jagannathan, director general of shipping; Capt. B.K. Tyagi, chairman and managing director, Shipping Corporation of India; Capt. Sukhmeet Singh and the crew of Shivalik, and Capt. Dhiraj Kumar Agrawal, along with the crew of Nanda Devi.

Earlier, the two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in India on March 16 and 17, as the government continues to closely monitor maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.

Shivalik and Nanda Devi  carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG - crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday (13 March 2026).

"Seafarers are the unsung heroes of global trade. Far away from your homes and families, you ensure that essential cargo reaches its destination safely," Sonowal said, highlighting the critical role played by maritime personnel in sustaining global supply chains.

The Union Minister further emphasised that the successful voyage of the two Indian-flagged vessels, fully manned by Indian seafarers, reflects the strength and resilience of India's maritime workforce.

Sonowal also acknowledged the support of seafarers' families, calling them a vital pillar behind their dedication and service. Congratulating the masters, officers and crew of both vessels, the minister said their achievement stands as an example of professionalism and commitment, and wished them safe voyages ahead.

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies and Indian diplomatic missions in the region. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is actively and directly monitoring the situation.

To ensure smooth maritime operations, the government is working closely with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders to minimise any operational disruptions to maritime trade. Ports have been advised to extend relief measures where required, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges.

Major ports are prioritising berthing for LPG vessels to ensure the timely discharge of cargo and continuity in energy supply. Over the past few days, six LPG vessels have been received at major Indian ports. Additionally, ports are providing safe anchorage areas for vessels loaded with cargo bound for the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit due to prevailing conditions.

The ministry said it continues to monitor the maritime situation in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders, with a focus on safeguarding the welfare of Indian seafarers and ensuring the resilience of India's maritime logistics network.
Canberra, March 17 : The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) co-chair Senator Deborah O'Neill (Labour) continues to highlight the international concern over human right violations in Tibet and the protection of Tibetan cultural and religious identity. The Senator recently introduced a cross-party motion on Tibet in the Australian Senate. Marking the 67th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, an identical motion was also passed in Australia's House of Representatives.

Canberra, March 17 (IANS) The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) co-chair Senator Deborah OaNeill (Labour) continues to highlight the international concern over human right violations in Tibet and the protection of Tibetan cultural and religious identity. The Senator recently introduced a cross-party motion on Tibet in the Australian Senate. Marking the 67th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising, an identical motion was also passed in Australia's House of Representatives.

The initiative marks Australia as the first nation within the IPAC network to introduce a parliamentary motion on Tibet after the Allianceas agreement at the IPAC Brussels Summit 2025 to pursue coordinated parliamentary action on Tibet.

Senators from various political parties co-sponsored the motion, showcasing strong cross-party consensus in the Australian Senate on the importance of protecting Tibetan human rights and safeguarding religious freedom.

The motion read, that the Senate extends well-wishes to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and commends his lifelong commitment and contribution to the promotion of oneness of humanity, nonviolence, human rights, interfaith harmony, environmental awareness and democracy. It reiterated that governments should not interfere in the selection of religious leaders, and that includes the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama.

It also expresses deep concern over the Chinese Government's "repressive policies" in Tibet "aimed at eradicating the distinct cultural and religious identity" of the Tibetan people, including plans to interfere in the centuries-old spiritual tradition concerning the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The motion urged the Chinese Government to recognise the fundamental human rights of Tibetan people and to enter into genuine dialogue, without precondition, with the Dalai Lama with a view to achieving long-term peace and freedom in Tibet.

Last month, leading rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its 2026 World Report stated that the Chinese government has intensified its repression in 2025 with the Chinese President Xi Jinping directing the government to impose ideological conformity and loyalty to him and the Chinese Communist Party.

According to HRW, Uyghurs, Tibetans and other communities with different identities, including members of unofficial churches, face the most severe suppression of rights. Chinese authorities have also intensified repression in Hong Kong, it said.

Maya Wang, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said, "The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has amassed an increasingly disastrous human rights record, expanding and deepening its crackdown on fundamental freedoms. Foreign governments have largely been unwilling to push back against the threats the Chinese government poses to the international human rights system, let alone within China."

According to the HRW statement, Xi Jinping visited Tibet and Xinjiang largely to showcase his government's strong control. The Chinese government is expected to pass a draft law to justify repression of minorities, facilitate increasing ideological control and foster control abroad.

As per the report, thousands of Uyghurs continue to remain imprisoned unfairly in China. The Chinese government also banned celebrations of Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lamaas 90th birthday in Tibet. It mentioned that the repression has increased after Chinese authorities imposed the National Security Law on Hong Kong.
Colombo, March 17 : The Sri Lankan government has approved the establishment of four special committees to address economic and social disruptions arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, following a proposal submitted by the president.

The decision, endorsed by the cabinet of ministers, aims to ensure continuity in essential services, stabilise supply chains, and mitigate the impact on daily life as global uncertainties begin to affect the country's economy.

An energy-focused committee was set up and tasked with securing uninterrupted access to fuel, gas, and coal. Chaired by the minister of foreign affairs, foreign employment, and tourism, the committee will oversee urgent procurement measures and identify alternative supply sources, including new international suppliers, to maintain stable energy availability, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In parallel, a separate committee headed by the prime minister has been assigned to oversee public service. Its mandate includes ensuring that government operations continue efficiently, while supporting overall economic activity and maintaining the delivery of essential services to the public.

Another committee, led by the minister of transport, highways, and urban development, will monitor the distribution of essential goods. This body is expected to ensure that both public and private supply chains continue to function without disruption and that goods remain accessible to consumers at reasonable prices, avoiding shortages in the market.

Addressing the social dimension of the crisis, a fourth committee, chaired by the minister of rural development, social security, and community empowerment, has been tasked with identifying the impact on vulnerable groups. It will coordinate with relevant institutions to deliver timely support and respond to emerging challenges affecting daily living conditions.

The ongoing conflict in Middle East, which erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting the US and Israel, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia.
HANOI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to step up economic diplomacy and expand markets as part of efforts to further boost exports in 2026, the Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday.

The request was outlined in a recent official dispatch detailing a series of tasks and solutions aimed at promoting exports this year.

Amid a complex and unpredictable global landscape marked by numerous risks and challenges, the ministry has also been tasked with supporting enterprises in expanding exports and enhancing investment and business operations in overseas markets.

Vietnam's export turnover was estimated at 76.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first two months of this year, up 18.3 percent year on year, according to the report. 
New Delhi, March 17 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Taranjit Singh Sandhu, on Tuesday, discussed development and security issues in a separate meeting with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her Cabinet Ministers, city's administration officials and Delhi Police brass.

The Lok Niwas in a message on social media platform X, said: "The Chief Minister, GNCT of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her Cabinet colleagues, met Delhi L-G Taranjit Singh Sandhu. They apprised the L-G of ongoing initiatives towards building a #ViksitDilli."

"The Delhi L-G underlined key challenges and opportunities, and the collective resolve to develop Delhi as a global capital aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision," the Lok Niwas added.

In a separate message, the Lok Niwas said, "Delhi L-G Taranjit Singh Sandhu met with senior officials of the Delhi Administration at the Lok Niwas to review key governance and administrative matters concerning the national capital."

In a message on X, the Delhi L-G said, "Met the Commissioner & Special Commissioners of Delhi Police. Appreciated their efforts & challenges. Encouraged them to further enhance policing to ensure safe & secure Delhi -- befitting the national capital's stature and India's rising global leadership, in line with Prime Minister's vision."

Later, Chief Minister Gupta shared details of the interaction with L-G Sandhu and said on X, "Today, along with my Cabinet colleagues, I paid a courtesy visit to the Lieutenant Governor, Taranjit Singh Sandhu ji at Lok Niwas. This meeting is a positive step towards further strengthening our shared commitment to Delhi's inclusive development and public service."

The Chief Minister said that continuous dialogue and coordination between the government and administration is a strong foundation for the state's progress and good governance.

"On this occasion, there was a meaningful and detailed discussion on major public welfare schemes and our vision of developing Delhi as a modern and world-class capital. We are working with full dedication and commitment for the bright future and all-round development of every citizen of Delhi," she added.
Kohima, March 17 : The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Dimapur Sub Zonal Office has provisionally attached 94 bank accounts involving proceeds of crime worth approximately Rs 10.24 crore in connection with the HPZ Token investment scam, officials said on Tuesday.

The attachment was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of the agencyas ongoing investigation into the alleged large-scale cyber-enabled financial fraud.

Officials said the latest action is part of the EDas continued crackdown on the fraudulent investment scheme that allegedly duped investors across the country by promising high returns through the HPZ Token app.

The investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station in Kohima under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against HPZ Token and others. The probe also incorporates related FIRs registered by the CID Police Station in Ulubari, Guwahati, and a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Delhi.

According to the ED, the scam involved inducing unsuspecting investors to invest in the HPZ Token mobile application on the promise of lucrative returns. The agency said the investigation has revealed the use of numerous mule bank accounts, shell companies and dummy directors to layer and divert the proceeds of crime.

Tracing the financial trail, investigators found that funds from investors were initially collected through multiple UPI IDs linked to mule accounts maintained with a private bank. The money was later transferred through various shell entities and routed via payment aggregator platforms such as PayU, Razorpay, and Easebuzz.

Officials said a portion of the funds was cycled back to investors in the initial stages to create a false impression of legitimacy and attract more investments.

Further investigation has revealed a network of shell entities and mule accounts allegedly controlled by the key accused, Bhupesh Arora, along with his father, Gulshan Arora and other associates. These entities include companies such as Dig India Marketing, AnalytIQ Business Ventures Private Limited, Freebie Solutions Private Limited, Truvinta Solutions Private Limited, Zavion Trading Private Limited, and Sark Enroll System Private Limited.

According to the ED, the total proceeds of crime identified in the case are around Rs 2,200 crore. Of this, assets worth about Rs 662 crore have been attached so far.

The latest probe also led to the identification of 94 additional mule bank accounts with balances totalling around Rs 10.24 crore, which have now been attached under the present provisional attachment order.

The agency said a prosecution complaint has already been filed before the Special PMLA Court in Dimapur, and the case is currently under trial, while further investigation is underway.
Quetta, March 17 : A leading Pakistani human rights organisation on Tuesday voiced serious concern over the continued detention and ongoing trials of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Mahrang Baloch, who have been kept in custody for nearly a year while facing "multiple fabricated cases" before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta.

The BYC mentioned that detainees have voiced their concerns on record before the court on February 7 and expressed lack of confidence in the presiding judge. It reiterated that access to a fair, transparent and impartial judicial process is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution.

"The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) expresses serious concern over the continued detention and ongoing trials of BYC leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who have been held in custody for nearly a year while facing multiple fabricated cases before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Quetta. On 7 February 2026, the detainees formally placed their concerns on record before the court and expressed a lack of confidence in the presiding judge," read a statement issued by the BYC.

"Stated that certain remarks and procedural decisions have eroded their trust to the extent that they fear a fair trial may not be possible under the current circumstances. When the detainees raised objections regarding the perceived bias and requested appropriate legal consideration of their concerns, the matter was not processed in accordance with established legal procedures, particularly the requirement that such objections be referred to a higher judicial forum for determination," it added.

The BYC urged the judicial authorities, the legal community, and the Balochistan Bar Council to take this matter seriously and ensure that the concerns raised by the detainees are addressed as per the law.

"In light of these developments, the detained leaders have submitted an application to the Registrar of the Balochistan High Court and the Balochistan Bar Council, requesting intervention to safeguard their constitutional and legal rights. The application calls for the matter to be reviewed and for the cases to be transferred to a neutral and impartial court so that the fundamental principles of justice and fair trial can be upheld. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee reiterates that access to a fair, transparent, and impartial judicial process is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution and recognized under international human rights standards.

"Any perception of bias within judicial proceedings not only affects the accused but also undermines public confidence in the justice system. Therefore urge the relevant judicial authorities, the legal community, and the Balochistan Bar Council to take this matter seriously and ensure that the concerns raised by the detainees are addressed in accordance with the law. The transfer of the cases to a neutral forum would be a necessary step to ensure that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done," it added.

On March 1, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan expressed concern over the worsening health of Mahrang Baloch and stated that she was denied adequate and timely medical care despite her critical condition. It urged the authorities to provide proper medical care to Mahrang Baloch.

"We are gravely concerned over the rapidly worsening health of the prominent human rights defender Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who has now been unjustly detained for nearly a year on politically motivated and fabricated charges. Despite her critical condition being confirmed during a recent hospital evaluation at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, adequate and timely medical care continues to be denied," the Human Rights Council of Balochistan said.

"This constitutes a serious violation of her fundamental human rights and Pakistan's international obligations regarding the humane treatment of detainees. We demand urgent provision of comprehensive medical treatment without any further delay and the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Mahrang Baloch along with other detained BYC leaders. The world is watching, end this injustice now," it added.
Patna, March 17 : Chaos erupted on Tuesday in the Mandiri Kath Pul area under the jurisdiction of Buddha Colony Police Station in Patna, when a joint team of the Narcotics Department and Patna Police, conducting a raid against illicit drugs, came under a violent attack by locals and alleged criminals.a

The mob attempted to free the detained suspects, forcing police personnel to fire several rounds in the air to bring the situation under control.a

According to an official, the Narcotics Department had received specific intelligence inputs about large-scale drug trafficking in the Mandiri area.a

Acting on this tip-off, a team conducted a raid near Sinha Kothi and detained two suspects.a

However, as the police team attempted to escort them, a mob comprising anti-social elements and local residents surrounded the vehicles and began pelting stones, allegedly trying to free the accused from custody.a

As the situation escalated rapidly, police personnel took defensive positions.a

Sensing that the mob was turning increasingly aggressive, the team fired warning shots into the air, which triggered panic and scattered the crowd.a

Following this, the police safely secured the two main accused and transported them to the Buddha Colony Police Station.a

A heavy police deployment has since been made in the area to prevent further unrest.a

Commenting on the incident, DSP (Law and Order) Krishna Murari Singh confirmed that the raid was underway when the police team was attacked.a

He stated that firing in the air was carried out strictly in self-defence and to disperse the mob.a

He also warned that strict action would be taken against all those involved in the attack or in aiding the traffickers.a

Authorities are currently identifying suspects using video footage.a

The brazen daylight attack on a police team in a busy locality of Patna has once again raised serious concerns about the growing audacity of drug traffickers and the apparent erosion of the fear of law enforcement.a

Local residents claim that the area has long been a hub for narcotics activity and that recent crackdowns may have provoked resistance from those involved in the illegal trade.a

At present, interrogation of the arrested accused is underway, and a tense calm prevails in the locality.a
New Delhi, March 17 : The Delhi High Court has set aside an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) directing the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to conduct a fresh medical examination of a candidate who had been declared medically unfit during the recruitment process for the post of Constable (Executive) in Delhi Police. a New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has set aside an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) directing the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to conduct a fresh medical examination of a candidate who had been declared medically unfit during the recruitment process for the post of Constable (Executive) in Delhi Police. 

A Division Bench of Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Amit Mahajan allowed a writ petition filed by the SSC and other authorities challenging the CAT's August 20, 2024, order, which had directed the constitution of a fresh medical board to examine respondent Yashpal Singh. 

The respondent had participated in the SSC recruitment process and, after clearing earlier stages, underwent a Detailed Medical Examination (DME) on January 25, 2024. 

The medical board declared him unfit after finding that he suffered from varicose veins in his left leg. He later sought a Review Medical Examination (RME), which independently assessed his condition and concurred with the DME's findings, once again declaring him medically unfit for appointment. 

Subsequently, the respondent relied on a medical certificate issued by a government hospital on March 30, 2024, stating that he was medically fit to participate in competitive or non-competitive examinations. 

Relying on this certificate, he approached the CAT, challenging the findings of the DME and RME. In its impugned decision, the CAT allowed his plea and directed the authorities to conduct a fresh medical examination through a newly constituted medical board. 

However, the Delhi High Court found that the tribunal had exceeded the permissible scope of judicial review in matters relating to medical fitness in recruitment to disciplined services. 

"At the outset, it would be apposite to note the settled legal position governing judicial review in matters relating to medical fitness in recruitment to disciplined services. Courts have consistently held that the determination of medical fitness is primarily a matter falling within the domain of expert Medical Boards," the Justice Kshetrapal-led Bench observed.

It added that the candidate had been examined by two duly constituted medical boards and both had reached the same conclusion regarding his medical condition.

"Thus, there exists a clear concurrence of medical opinion between the DME and the RME regarding the medical condition of the Respondent," the judgment said. 

It further observed that the certificate produced by the candidate from a government hospital was only a general fitness certificate and did not specifically certify his suitability for appointment as Constable (Executive) in Delhi Police. 

"Permitting a candidate to rely upon independently obtained medical certificates to seek repeated medical examinations would undermine the certainty and finality of the recruitment process," the Justice Kshetrapal-led Bench said. 

The judgment stressed that courts should not substitute their views for those of expert medical boards unless there is a procedural breach, an inconsistency between medical assessments, or other exceptional circumstances. 

Setting aside the CAT's order, the Delhi High Court held that directing a fresh medical examination solely on the basis of the certificate produced by the candidate amounted to unwarranted interference with the opinion of expert bodies. 

"The Tribunal was not justified in directing a fresh medical examination of the Respondent solely on the basis of the certificate dated 30.03.2024 produced by him," the Justice Kshetrapal-led Bench held. 

Allowing the petition, the Delhi High Court quashed the CAT's order and disposed of the matter.
Mumbai, March 17 : A Bill to repeal 80 obsolete Acts and laws in Maharashtra was passed in the Legislative Assembly today, marking a significant step towards strengthening good governance and streamlining administrative processes. a

The Maharashtra Repealing Bill, 2026 (Assembly Bill No. 17), aimed at repealing outdated Acts in the state, was introduced by Minister of General Administration Ashish Shelar. a

After a detailed discussion, the Bill was passed by the House.a

Presenting the governmentas stance, Minister Shelar said that, due to constitutional changes, state reorganisation, and the enactment of new laws, several Acts in Maharashtra had become obsolete.

He said retaining references to such outdated laws was creating ambiguity in governance. a

To address this, the state government undertook a comprehensive review of all existing state laws and decided to repeal those no longer in use, including Acts and Regulations from the Bombay, Bengal, Central Provinces & Berar, Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh regions.a

Minister Shelar informed the House that the total of 80 repealed laws includes 24 Bombay Acts, 8 Central Provinces & Berar Acts, 18 Hyderabad Acts, 3 Madhya Pradesh Acts and 24 Appropriation Acts. a

Among the repealed laws are several outdated legislations such as The Bengal Alluvion and Diluvion Regulation, 1825; The Acknowledgements of Debts, Interest, Mortgages Regulation, 1827; The Broach and Kaira Encumbered Estates Act, 1877; The Bombay Abkari Act, 1878; The Borstal Schools Act, 1929; The Maharashtra Opium Smoking Act; The Bombay Fodder and Grain Control Act, 1939; The Bombay Cotton Control Act, 1942; and The Bombay Abolition of Whipping Act, 1957.a

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam informed the Assembly during Question Hour that the state government has taken a significant step toward the timea'bound implementation of the State Human Rights Commissionas (SHRC) recommendations by appointing a Nodal Officer. a

He said the government is positive about establishing a separate budget head and an online portal to bring transparency to the process. a

The issue was raised through a question by MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar.a

Minister Kadam said a Nodal Officer at the Deputy Secretary level has been appointed and that action will be taken on 30 cases currently pending with the Commission. a

He said a separate budget head could be created to implement these recommendations under the Chief Minister's guidance. a

He added that the government is considering launching a dedicated online portal so complainants can track the status of their applications and recommendations, an initiative aimed at bringing greater clarity to administrative operations.a
Patna, March 17 : Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is currently undertaking his 'Samriddhi Yatra' (Prosperity Journey), with the fourth phase commencing from Bhagalpur.a Patna, March 17 (IANS) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is currently undertaking his 'Samriddhi Yatra' (Prosperity Journey), with the fourth phase commencing from Bhagalpur.

During the visit, he reviewed the progress of development works and assessed the status of announcements made during the earlier 'Pragati Yatra,' while also seeking detailed updates on departmental action plans.

In Bhagalpur, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for 56 projects and inaugurated 88 projects, dedicating them to the people.

Among the key initiatives, he laid the foundation stone for the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Mandap' in Baijani Gram Panchayat of Jagdishpur block.

He also inaugurated and launched several other development schemes across the district.

During the event, Nitish Kumar inspected departmental stalls, interacted with beneficiaries, and distributed cheques to support and encourage them.

Addressing the gathering, Nitish Kumar urged people to contribute towards building a "Developed Bihar," calling for collective efforts to ensure prosperity in the state.

Meanwhile, a moment during the Bhagalpur event drew political attention when the stage anchor mistakenly addressed Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary as the "Chief Minister," sparking fresh political speculation in the state.

Towards the end of the event, Nitish Kumar was seen placing his hand on Samrat Chaudhary's shoulder and guiding him as he greeted the public.

The visible camaraderie and on-stage chemistry between the two leaders remained a focal point for nearly an hour.

In his address, Samrat Chaudhary praised Nitish Kumar's two-decade-long political journey and leadership, highlighting his role in Bihar's development.

The developments come amid growing speculation about a possible leadership change in Bihar following the NDA's recent success in the Rajya Sabha elections.

While discussions continue over potential successors, Samrat Chaudhary is being widely seen as a main contender. However, leaders like Lalan Singh have maintained that any future government will continue to operate under Nitish Kumar's guidance.

Continuing his Samriddhi Yatra, the Chief Minister later reached Banka, where he laid foundation stones for 219 projects and inaugurated 278 projects.

He also inaugurated the Community Health Centre in Katoria, dedicating it to public service.

During his visit, he interacted with ASHA workers, distributed benefits, and inspected stalls showcasing various government schemes at the Degree College campus in Katoria.

The event was attended by several public representatives and officials, including Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Amarpur MLA Jayant Raj.


New Delhi, March 17 : The Union government, on Tuesday, cautioned citizens against a cyber fraud being perpetrated by scamsters using fake notices from "Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)" or "Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)" that warn phone customers about possible SIM card blockage.

Issuing a factcheck to declare such notices from "BSNL" and "TRAI" as fake, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) advised citizens to exercise caution and not fall in the trap of scamsters, who might indulge in a fraud of digital arrest, by extracting key information from them.

In the fake notices being issued on notepads of BSNL, the "TRAI" informs a customer to contact a KYC Verification Executive and share contact details.

The message in the notice says, "Dear Customer, Your SIM KYC has been suspended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Your Sim card will be blocked within 24 hours. Call Immediately."

The PIB Factcheck informed citizens that BSNL has not issued any notice related to SIM KYC.

"BSNL Corporate never sends any such notices. Do not share your personal and bank details with anyone," said the PIB advisory issued along with the factcheck.

Meanwhile, the Union Home Ministry told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that as many as 86,420 cases of cybercrime were registered during 2023.

Citing data from 'Crime in India' published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said, in a written reply, that 65,893 cybercrime cases were registered in 2022 and 52,974 cases were registered in 2021.

The MoS said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance of Rs 116.5 crore under the 'Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)' Scheme, to the states/Union Territories (UTs) for setting up of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories.

"As of now, cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories have been commissioned in 33 states/UTs, including Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Maharashtra," he added.

MoS Sanjay Kumar said that at present, seven Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) and 27 State Forensic Science Laboratories are operational across the country to assist in investigation of cybercrime cases.

"Of the seven CFSLs, prior to 2014, Digital Forensics facility was available in four CFSLs located in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Kolkata. After 2014, three new CFSLs (including Digital Forensic Divisions) have been established at Pune, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Kamrup (Assam)," he said.
Seoul, March 17 : South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun sidestepped questions Tuesday on whether the United States had formally asked South Korea to deploy warships to the Middle East as Seoul faces pressure after US President Donald Trump urged allies to send naval vessels to protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Cho gave vague answers during a parliamentary session when asked by lawmakers if the government had received any formal or informal request from Washington about sending troops to the region to aid US military actions against Iran, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"It may or may not be considered a request," Cho said at the National Assembly. "As for whether there have been discussions with the US about troop deployment itself, it is difficult for me to comment at this time."

Trump renewed his call Monday (US time) for South Korea, Japan and other allies and partners whose "economies depend on" the vital waterway to join US efforts to keep the shipping route open, saying the US has long provided security protection to those countries.

Trump's remarks were seen as reinforcing pressure on allies and partners to help his country secure the strait. Trump said he wants to see how countries "react" to the US request.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio apparently echoed the call during his phone talks with Cho late Monday, highlighting the importance of cooperation to ensure security in the strait and stabilize the global economy and international oil prices, the foreign ministry said earlier.

"My clear position is to maintain a certain degree of ambiguity externally while, internally, acting in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws, keeping foremost in mind the national interest and the safety of our people," Cho said.

He said he is likely to meet one-on-one with Rubio for further discussions in Paris next week, where he has been invited to attend the Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting.

Lawmakers from rival parties voiced concern that Seoul could be pressured to join the war against Iran, risking its economy heavily dependent on oil imports from the region. They said any potential US request to deploy troops or naval vessels should require parliamentary approval under the Constitution.

"Section 1 of Article 5 of the Constitution stipulates that the Republic of Korea shall endeavor to maintain international peace and renounce all aggressive wars," Rep. Kim Sang-wook of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) said. "Since the current war between the US and Iran could be viewed as a war of aggression, dispatching troops without careful consideration could be in violation of the Constitution."

DP Representative Yoon Hu-duk also warned that responding to a missile or drone attack while escorting vessels would effectively constitute participation in the war, which under the Constitution would require public consent and ratification by the National Assembly.

Speaking on local broadcaster SBS, Hong Ihk-pyo, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, stressed that the government will respond cautiously to Trump's request.

"Our government must carefully deliberate the issue of sending combat troops in connection with the current situation in the Middle East," he said. "While the close security alliance remains a pillar of the South Korea-US relations, it is also clearly an alliance in which both sides need to show mutual respect and consideration."
Kabul, March 17 : The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday called for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire following Pakistan's bombardment of a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, which killed more than 400 people, seeking medical care and recovery.

Raising concern, the UNAMA stated that an airstrike carried out by Pakistan military forces on Monday night impacted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a healthcare facility for the treatment of drug-addicted individuals, leaving several dead and injured.

The mission expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"Under international law, all parties to a conflict must respect and protect the sick and wounded, medical personnel, hospitals and ambulances and attacks on hospitals and civilian facilities are strictly prohibited," UNAMA stated.

"Across Afghanistan, civilians continue to pay the price for the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In line with its Security Council mandate, since 26 February, and prior to the incident on 16 March, UNAMA documented at least 76 civilian deaths and 213 injuries in Afghanistan due to the hostilities," it added.

The mission stressed the urgent need of all parties to comply with their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qane on Tuesday warned that the country will give a "teeth-breaking response" to the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul.

Qane said recovery efforts were being made on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

He said Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as a major escalation and warned of a response.

He said, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, Ariana News reported.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.
Last week, the European Parliament noted another slander against Azerbaijan. Without any hope of success, but only to fulfill the services paid by the Armenians, 36 MEPs sent a letter to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, demanding a review of the EU's policy towards Baku. Moreover, to reconsider "fundamentally."

The petition demands to review the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Agreement that is currently being prepared, impose sanctions against Baku, and immediately convene a European summit (!!!) to discuss the rights of Armenians to return to Karabakh, to freeze the purchase of Azerbaijani gas until the release of Armenian war criminals, and so on. The members of the EP have always had a rich imagination. 36 MEPs are convinced that continuing cooperation with Azerbaijan without fulfilling these requirements undermines the credibility of the European Union. "We cannot remain silent," they claim.

In this regard, I recall Vladimir Vysotsky's song, which was very famous at the time, about how psychiatric hospital patients write a letter to television about the Bermuda Triangle and demand an answer. The letter ends with the phrase: "if you do not respond, we will write to Sportloto." Where will the figures who disgrace European parliamentarism write after the EU leadership once again ignores their slander? They have nowhere to write to. But that's their problem. You will still have to report to the diaspora for the inefficiency of the fees received.

It is noteworthy that at the same time, a petition was submitted to the US Congress on financial assistance to Armenian separatists and sanctions against Baku. It is clear that the Armenian Diaspora launched the spring "offensive" simultaneously on all fronts. The campaign is absolutely hopeless. Similar campaigns have been carried out repeatedly, it is impossible to count how many senseless resolutions have been adopted over the past thirty years on both sides of the Atlantic, but only once has a practical result been achieved in the form of the notorious 907th Amendment. The diaspora has been demanding that Europeans be banned from buying Azerbaijani oil for many years. Since the end of 2020, Azerbaijani gas has been added here. But even in, let's say, fat times, when the EU had no problems with Russian supplies, it was not possible to achieve proper results. It is unclear what the diaspora is counting on today.

The initiator of the last slur was MP Marie Toussaint. This lady has always been active in the anti-Azerbaijani field. She loudly fought for the recognition of the voluntary departure of Armenians from Karabakh as genocide, she fought for the release of Karabakh criminals, the topic of human rights in Azerbaijan is almost a matter of life for her. Since the beginning of this year, Madame has been fighting for human rights in Iran with no less self-love. Since January, the EP has adopted a number of resolutions on this issue with her active participation. The European Parliament is no stranger to interfering in the affairs of countries outside the EU and unrelated to Europe in general. Sometimes it seems that MEPs are chosen to deal with anything but the problems of Europe itself. And if only they knew the topic they were poking their noses into.

Do the members of the Armenian lobby in the EP know where Armenia is located? We do not ask if they will find Karabakh on the map, where they persistently want to return the Armenians who voluntarily left. This is too difficult a task for them, the search for Karabakh is aerobatics. But would Madame Toussaint have found Armenia on the map, or at least the South Caucasus as a whole, which the unforgettable Josep Borrel classified as a jungle along with other non-European regions? She demands with such zeal what even Yerevan itself does not demand. I wonder if she knows where the country is, under the pretext of protecting the interests of which she and the lobby as a whole are enriching themselves?

This is not an idle question. The other day, funny news spread around the media and social networks. The French edition of Le Parisien reported that a correspondent of the TMC TV channel conducted a survey among EP deputies in Strasbourg for the Quotidien program. He gave the politicians a map of the world on which the countries were not signed, and asked them to find Iran on it. The survey showed how narrow-minded, uneducated and narrow-minded people are elected to the EU Parliament by citizens of European countries. We don't know if the disgraced themselves consider their lack of education to be a disgrace, but the story spread on the Internet can only be called a disgrace.

The French website writes that France's Minister Delegate for European Affairs pointed to the Strait of Hormuz, Socialist Party MEP Emma Rafovich mistook Iran for Bulgaria, and Renaissance Party MP Fabienne Keller confused it with Turkey, saying "it's out there somewhere." The same Marie Toussaint, after much hesitation, found Iran in Afghanistan, and her Green party member David Korman wandered into Saudi Arabia in his search. Of those interviewed, only the co-chairman of the Unconquered France party, Manon Aubry, correctly indicated Iran on the maThe French website writes that France's Minister Delegate for European Affairs pointed to the Strait of Hormuz, Socialist Party MEP Emma Rafovich mistook Iran for Bulgaria, and Renaissance Party MP Fabienne Keller confused it with Turkiye, saying "it's out there somewhere." The same Marie Toussaint, after much hesitation, found Iran in Afghanistan, and her Green party member David Korman wandered into Saudi Arabia in his search. Of those interviewed, only the co-chairman of the Unconquered France party, Manon Aubry, correctly indicated Iran on the map. Who later wrote on the social network X that the mistakes would be ridiculous if the European Parliament did not have to make decisions about the US military actions in Iran.

It would be interesting to conduct a similar survey among 36 members of the European Parliament and 46 American congressmen who signed appeals against Azerbaijan last week. How many of them could you find on a map of Karabakh or at least the South Caucasus? They are trying to influence the interests of other countries, to decide the fate of other regions, not only knowing nothing about their affairs, but not even having an idea of thIt would be interesting to conduct a similar survey among 36 members of the European Parliament and 46 American congressmen who signed appeals against Azerbaijan last week. How many of them could yoon a map of Karabakh or at least the South Caucasus? They are trying to influence the interests of other countries, to decide the fate of other regions, not only knowing nothing about their affairs, but not even having an idea of their geography. The resolution that gave birth to the 907th Amendment to the Freedom Support Act is a textbook example. American aid was prohibited before Azerbaijan - attention! - It will not stop the "blockade" and the "offensive use of force" against Armenia and Karabakh. In fact, everything was exactly the opposite, but no one in Congress was interested. The congressmen adopted a very serious restrictive sanction against the country, not knowing what was really happening in the region, not having any idea where Azerbaijan was located, which in Soviet times the Americans called nothing but "Russia." Without investigating the situation, without investigating the issue. The initiative of the corrupt lobby was enough to deal a blow to the United States' relationsThe initiative of the corrupt lobby was enough to deal a blow to the United States' re with its main, as time has shown, strategic partner in the region.

Later, after the launch of the Contract of the Century, the situation began to change. But this did not lead to the impoverishment of the lobby. On the contrary, the diaspora began to pay more, as lobbyists had to work in a different situation. There were no more easy victories like that amendment. Nevertheless, lobby activists still manage to scrape signatures under slanders against Azerbaijan. However, not as much as before.

So the results of the survey conducted by the French media are not surprising at all. Rather, we would be surprised if the MEPs could find Iran on the map. Today, lawmak.
CONAKRY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence and cooperation along their shared borders, following a high-level tripartite summit held here.

The meeting brought together Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Julius Maada Bio, president of Sierra Leone. Cote d'Ivoire attended the meeting as an observer, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Niale Kaba.

Convened at the initiative of the Guinean president, the summit aimed to foster direct dialogue on border-related issues among member states of the Mano River Union, a West African intergovernmental organization comprising Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In the final communique, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and good neighborliness, and agreed that all border-related disputes would be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means.

To strengthen regional security, the leaders pledged to enhance cooperation among their defense and security institutions in combating threats such as terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking.

The summit further emphasized the importance of promoting economic development in border areas, with consensus reached upon cooperation in key sectors, including trade, infrastructure, energy, environmental protection, and the free movement of persons, goods and services.

In addition, they directed the related national agencies to convene urgently to prevent and contain incidents, facilitate dialogue among local communities, and work toward coordinated and sustainable solutions. 
New Delhi, March 17 : The conflict in the Middle East has hit China's exports due to the disruption in shipping, which has caused goods to pile up in the local warehouses, according to media reports.

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The conflict in the Middle East has hit Chinaas exports due to the disruption in shipping, which has caused goods to pile up in the local warehouses, according to media reports.

The report in CBC news came from the Chinese city of Yiwu, which is known as the worldas supermarket, as it is a key supplier of household goods and electronic products to US commerce giants such as Amazon and Walmart, as well as to the Middle East.

The report by Chris Brown states that due to the sharp rise in shipping costs as well as the danger to commercial ships due to the Iran war, importers are not lifting Chinese goods, as a result of which the inventory is piling up. Shipping costs are reported to have gone up fivefold from $1,200 per container to $6,000, the report cited a local businessman as saying.

Apart from the high shipping costs, some importers do not want to take the risk of transporting goods, as it is not considered safe due to the attacks taking place on commercial shipping amid the Middle East war. Another oil tanker was hit in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, which appears to show that their fears are well-founded.

The report points out that the city in Eastern China provides an insight into how the Iran war and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global supply chains.

The report cites some local businessmen as saying that the Middle East consumes about 30 per cent of the goods exported from the Chinese city.

Apart from the exports being adversely impacted due to the war, China has also been hit on the energy front, as it is one of the biggest buyers of Iranian oil, the report points out.

Similarly, a lot of liquified natural gas (LNG) imported by China comes from Qatar. The Middle East country has shut down some operations due to air attacks on its gas facilities, and this has disrupted supplies.
Jaipur, March 17 : Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma emphasised that youth are the nation's greatest strength, noting that India has one of the largest youth populations in the world. a Jaipur, March 17 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma emphasised that youth are the nation's greatest strength, noting that India has one of the largest youth populations in the world. 

He said that by effectively harnessing their energy and talent, the country could emerge as a global leader. 

He added that youth play a crucial role in achieving the vision of a Developed India - Developed Rajasthan, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to fulfilling their aspirations. 

He encouraged young people to work diligently, assuring them of the government's full support.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Rajasthan Yuva Shakti Diwas event, organised as part of the Rajasthan Diwas celebrations at Tagore International School, Mansarovar, on Tuesday. 

He highlighted that the unification of the princely states of Rajputana was made possible through the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India".

He noted that on March 30, 1949, coinciding with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada of the Indian New Year and under the alignment of Revati Nakshatra and Indra Yoga, "Greater Rajasthan" (Brihad Rajasthan) was established. 

He said this historical significance forms the basis for celebrating Rajasthan Diwas on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which will be observed across the state on March 19 this year.

The Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed transformative progress since 2014. 

He highlighted the Prime Minister's commitment to the upliftment of farmers, youth, women and labourers, and noted that various welfare and development schemes have enhanced India's global standing. 

He also emphasised the growth of a strong startup ecosystem, providing youth with platforms to innovate.

Sharma outlined several key provisions in the 2026-27 Budget aimed at youth empowerment. These include interestfree loans for 5,000 tribal youth under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana; the establishment of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Global Centre for Advanced Skilling in Jaipur; the setting up of ICT laboratories in 50 polytechnic colleges; and the promotion of districtspecific products under the One District, One Product initiative. 

He added that economic reforms and improvements in the Ease of Doing Business are yielding results, with Rajasthan's per capita income surpassing Rs 2 lakh for the first time.

Highlighting futurefocused development, the Chief Minister said the government is accelerating key water projects, including the Ramjal Setu Link Project, the Dewas Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), and the Ganganahar and Mahi Project. 

He also noted significant strengthening of the power sector, with 22 districts currently receiving daytime electricity.

He said the government aims to extend this facility statewide by 2027. He highlighted the government's Youth Policy, which aims to foster entrepreneurship, stating that young people should not only seek employment but also become job creators. 

He said strict measures have been taken to curb examination paper leaks, including the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has led to the arrest of 420 accused individuals. 

He contrasted this with previous challenges and underscored the government's commitment to transparency.

The government has set ambitious employment targets, such as 400,000 jobs in the government sector and 600,000 in the private sector. So far, 125,000 appointments have been made, recruitment for 133,000 posts is ongoing, and a calendar for over 100,000 additional vacancies has been released.

Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that under the Chief Minister's leadership, significant steps have been taken to empower youth, ensure transparency in recruitment and expand opportunities for investment, employment and startups.

During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 485 crore across sectors, including education, skill development, entrepreneurship and sports.


Ahmedabad, March 17 : Four people have been arrested in Ahmedabad for allegedly operating an illegal call centre that targeted Canadian citizens by impersonating tax officials and extracting money through fraudulent means, police said on Tuesday.a Ahmedabad, March 17 (IANS) Four people have been arrested in Ahmedabad for allegedly operating an illegal call centre that targeted Canadian citizens by impersonating tax officials and extracting money through fraudulent means, police said on Tuesday.

The Cyber Crime Branch carried out a raid on the night of March 14 in the Chandkheda area following specific intelligence received.

According to police, the accused were operating from a flat owned by the family of Ashu Patel (co-accused).

The family resided on the ground floor, while the accused used the first floor to run the call centre, reportedly telling family members they were playing video games.

Officials said the call centre had been functioning at this location since February this year, after earlier operating from the Naranpura area.

The arrested accused have been identified as Kush Patel (29), Harsh Patel (28), Ashu Patel (29), and Sunil Rawat (28).

Two other accused, Shivang Dashmana and Falgun Patel, are absconding.

Investigators described Falgun Patel as the main accused, alleging he had previously operated similar call centres in Chandigarh and Udaipur in 2025 and had been targeting both United States and Canadian citizens.

Cyber Cell ACP Hardik Makadia said, "We have arrested four accused and seized six laptops and five mobile phones. The main accused, Falgun Patel, is absconding and had earlier operated such call centres from Chandigarh and other places. This call centre started in February this year in this area and had previously operated from Naranpura. The accused were targeting Canadian citizens by impersonating officers of the Canada Revenue Agency, and Shivang used to act as an agent to speak with victims."

Adding further, a senior official told IANS: "Through 'Eye-Beam', they used to generate nearly 14,000 new numbers daily, of which around 2,000 calls were answered. The operation used to run from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m."

Police said the accused used VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) software known as "Eye-Beam" to place calls and pose as officials from the Canada Revenue Agency.

They would contact Canadian citizens, gain their trust and collect personal details such as names, addresses and postal codes.

Victims were then told that a request had been made to withdraw funds from their Tax-Free Savings Account at Royal Bank of Canada.

When victims denied knowledge, the accused allegedly claimed that multiple accounts had been opened in their name and that their personal information had been compromised.

They further warned that the victims could be facing identity theft and online fraud due to a compromised IP address.

The victims were then advised to contact the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), after which the accused would obtain financial and sensitive information.

This information was passed on to co-accused Shivang, who, under the pretext of processing the case, allegedly persuaded victims to transfer money through gift cards of various companies.

Police said the accused had been hired by Falgun Patel on a monthly salary of Rs 20,000 along with incentives.

A case has been registered under sections 61(2)(A), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

The four arrested accused have been remanded in police custody for five days. During the raid, police seized six laptops, five mobile phones, four telephones, and one keyboard, with an estimated total value of Rs 1.87 lakh.

Officials said Harsh Patel had previously been arrested in 2025 in a similar illegal call centre case registered at Savina police station in Udaipur.

Sunil Rawat is also suspected to have earlier operated such call centres in Chandigarh along with Falgun Patel, who is believed to have been running a network of such operations across multiple locations.

Efforts are ongoing to trace the absconding accused.


Chennai, March 17 : In a significant breakthrough in a longapending bank fraud case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an absconding accused who had been evading authorities for years by living under a false identity in Chennai.

Chennai, March 17 (IANS) In a significant breakthrough in a longa'pending bank fraud case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an absconding accused who had been evading authorities for years by living under a false identity in Chennai.

The accused, identified as M. Naga Kumar alias Tamil Selvan, was apprehended on March 16, 2026, following sustained surveillance and intelligencea'based operations.

The case dates back to September 29, 2015, when the CBI registered a First Information Report based on a complaint from Indian Bankas Chennai North Zone.

The complaint alleged that several individuals, including the prime accused K. Rajendran, proprietor of M/s Sri Sai Baba Real Estates and Constructions, along with associates and unknown public servants, had conspired to defraud the bank.

The accused allegedly secured home loans worth Rs 4.66 crore by submitting forged documents.

According to investigators, M. Naga Kumar was one of the beneficiaries of the fraudulent loan scheme. After a detailed probe, the CBI filed a chargesheet on March 14, 2017, against 33 accused, including Kumar.

However, he had remained on the run since the investigation phase, successfully evading arrest for nearly a decade.

Officials revealed that Kumar had adopted a new identity, renaming himself Tamil Selvan, and had altered his official documents to avoid detection.

He was reportedly living in Chennai with his wife under this assumed identity.

The breakthrough came after the CBI employed advanced tracking techniques and conducted extensive field operations to trace his whereabouts.

Following discreet verification of his identity, the agency moved in to arrest him.

Kumar was subsequently produced before a competent court in Chennai and has been remanded to judicial custody.

The arrest highlights the CBIas continued efforts to track down longa'absconding accused in financial crimes, even years after the initial offence.

In a similar recent case, the agency had arrested a proclaimed offender, Harpal Singh Ahuja, in connection with a 24a'yeara'old bank fraud case.

Ahuja had been absconding since 2014 and was declared a proclaimed offender by a Ghaziabad court in August that year, with an opena'dated arrest warrant issued in 2017.

The CBI reiterated its commitment to pursuing financial offenders and ensuring that those involved in fraud and corruption are brought to justice, regardless of the passage of time.
Amaravati, March 17 : Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said there is widespread public resentment against the coalition government.a Amaravati, March 17 (IANS) Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said there is widespread public resentment against the coalition government.

Addressing YSRCP leaders and cadres from Ongole, he said he would embark on a padyatra to take up people's issues.

He said the coalition government had benefited no section of society. He added that discussions in every household were centred on how he had accomplished so much and why Chandrababu Naidu was not doing the same.

YS Jagan claimed he was driven by a noble intent to serve the people and said he implemented numerous welfare and development schemes in this spirit.

He alleged that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu wanted power only for corruption.

The YSRCP chief stated that in just two years, Chandrababu had incurred Rs 3.30 lakh crore without fulfilling any of his poll promises. He said all YSRCP schemes had been scrapped, while the government's own schemes had not taken off. He asked where all the money had gone and alleged rampant corruption.

Stating that the coalition government had only three years left, Y.S. Jagan said he would embark on a padyatra in 1.5 years.

He said he planned to spend oneandahalf years among the people through the padyatra. He urged party cadres to work together and expressed confidence that the YSRCP would return to power.

Jagan claimed the YSRCP stood for values and credibility. He said the party was built by its cadre and its strength lay in its valuebased approach. He said the contrast between YSRCP governance and that of the coalition was clearly visible.

He said the YSRCP had inherited the state in shambles with just Rs 100 crore in 2019. 

"Despite COVID, we took corrective measures and put the state back on track. Though there were pressing issues and obligations, we did not stop welfare activities and implemented our manifesto in both letter and spirit, which surprised many," he said.

The former Chief Minister said that out of the Rs 3.31 lakh crore loans taken by the YSRCP government, Rs 2.7 lakh crore was spent on welfare.

He claimed state revenues were falling and lands were being given away at throwaway prices. He also alleged that capital Amaravati works were steeped in corruption.

Jagan said the TDP was the only party whose MP had been caught in a drug case, referring to the recent arrest of TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar during a police raid on a farmhouse near Hyderabad.

Alleging that there was no security for women in the state, the YSRCP chief said Chandrababu Naidu had been trying to dilute issues whenever there was an atrocity against women by appointing committees and dragging matters.
Mumbai, March 17 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the government is committed to supporting affected mango and cashew farmers from the Konkan region, adding that a relief package will be announced in the House before the end of the ongoing budget session of the legislature.a

At a meeting held at Vidhan Bhavan, the Chief Minister said mango and cashew nuts are the identity of the Konkan region. Due to the shedding of blossoms (mohal), these vital fruit crops have suffered significant damage.

He noted that current data highlights the intensity of the crop loss.a

He said the government would study previous relief models and consult Deputy Chief Ministers, the Agriculture Minister and Konkanas public representatives to finalise the aid. a

Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture), presented a detailed report on the extent of the damage.a

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne on Tuesday directed concerned agencies to work in coordination and provide training, technical guidance and necessary facilities to beneficiaries, especially from the Dhangar community, under the Semia'Stall Fed Sheep Rearing Project of the aNanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivani (PoCRA)a scheme.a

During the meeting, various measures were discussed to ensure the effective implementation of the project. a

These included formation of shepherd groups or Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), setting up an effective marketing system to prevent fraud in sheep sales, providing healthcare facilities and insurance coverage, establishing Common Facility Centres for processing in each district and handing them over to shepherd groups to operate, and formulating proposals to make Forest Department land or other government fallow lands available for grazing in a planned manner.a

Earlier today, the Maharashtra government passed a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to repeal 80 obsolete acts and laws, marking a significant step towards strengthening good governance and streamlining administrative processes. a

The Maharashtra Repealing Bill, 2026 (Assembly Bill No. 17), aimed at repealing outdated Acts in the state, was introduced by Minister of General Administration Ashish Shelar. a

After a detailed discussion, the Bill was passed by the House.a

Presenting the governmentas stance, Minister Shelar said that, due to constitutional changes, state reorganisation, and the enactment of new laws, several Acts in Maharashtra had become obsolete.

He said retaining references to such outdated laws was creating ambiguity in governance. a
Washington, March 17 : Pakistan has proven to be an unreliable partner, fostering a growing sense of betrayal within Saudi Arabia's leadership towards Islamabad amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

Despite a defence pact between the two countries, Pakistan has offered neither tangible military assistance nor political support to Saudi Arabia during the recent Iranian attacks on the Kingdom, a report said on Tuesday.

According to a report in the US-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir conveyed to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Pakistan's military is engaged in a conflict with Afghanistan, constraining its ability to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia.

Citing sources, it said that Saudi Arabia held multiple discussions with both Munir and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking clarity on Islamabad's position regarding the defence agreement.

The MEMRI report further said, "At a time when Saudi Arabia faces direct security pressure amid a broader regional conflict, Pakistan has maintained strategic ambiguity and refrained from providing tangible military support. For Saudi Arabia, the growing convergence between Pakistan and Iran highlights the need to reassess the practical value of Islamabad's security commitments and to consider how much reliance can realistically be placed on Pakistan as a long-term strategic partner."

Writing for Turkey-based think tank 'Kafkassam', journalist Natik Malikzada said that the defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan was described as a 'NATO-like arrangement' in the Middle East, and included "aggression against one would be treated as aggression against both." However, following the February 28 US-Israeli attack on Iran, and Tehran's retaliatory strikes on Gulf states, Pakistan has offered no military commitment of the kind such a pact appeared to imply.

"Instead, Islamabad is now hiding behind an Afghanistan front that it has itself helped intensify for destruction from its commitment to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has escalated strikes across the border, and the fighting has already displaced more than 115,000 people in Afghanistan. Pakistan designed this conflict, and now it is giving them the perfect excuse to say they are tied down with their own conflict next door, and they are unavailable abroad for Saudi," he added.

Highlighting Saudi Arabia's disappointment towards Pakistan for not abiding by the defence agreement, the report said, "From Riyadh's point of view, Pakistan sold this pact as something historic, serious, and strategic. But now that the moment of testing has arrived, Pakistan is nowhere to be seen. Saudi is learning, in real time, that what Pakistan marketed as brotherhood and mutual defence was in fact a hollow and one-sided arrangement."
Mumbai, March 17 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday told the Legislative Assembly that due to a slew of measures, the electricity rates of state-run power distribution company Mahavitaran (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited) will decrease by 1.2 per cent annually over the next five years instead of increasing.

In his reply to a question raised by member Chetan Tupe regarding the increase in electricity bills due to reduced benefits from solar energy, CM Fadnavis, who holds the energy department, said that the Mahavitran has achieved the distinction of becoming the largest company in the country by crossing the Rs 1 lakh crore annual revenue milestone. Due to the increasing use of solar energy, industries in the state will now receive up to a 25 per cent discount if they consume electricity during "Solar Hours" (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Fadnavis announced there has been a shift in discount policy, correction of regulatory errors, competitive industrial rates, relief for farmers and battery storage incentives. Previously, discounts were provided for electricity usage between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. because of surplus power at night. However, with the surge in solar power, availability is now highest during the day. Consequently, the state government has shifted its policy to offer a 25 per cent discount to those using power between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., significantly benefiting industries.

The Chief Minister said that the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) had made technical errors regarding power purchase estimates and capital expenditure. This could have led to the rejection of approximately Rs 80,000 crore in energy charges and Rs 55,000 crore in infrastructure costs for Mahavitran. The state government pointed out these errors to the Commission, preventing massive losses for the company and shielding consumers from potential price hikes.

According to CM Fadnavis, industrial electricity rates in Maharashtra have been reduced. Currently, the rate is Rs 8.32 per unit, which is expected to drop to Rs 7.38 per unit by 2029-30. Compared to Tamil Nadu (Rs 9.35) and Gujarat (Rs 8.43), Maharashtraas rates will be highly competitive and eventually the cheapest in the country. MERC had initially proposed a 30 per cent hike for agricultural consumers while showing lower industrial rates. After the government objected to this discrepancy, the Commission withdrew the old order under 'suo motu' powers and corrected it, reducing the burden on farmers.

Fadnavis stated that those generating captive solar energy can access discounted power 24/7 if they use Battery Storage Systems. With battery storage costs dropping to Rs 2.80a"Rs 2.90, he urged industries to adopt this technology.

The CM further noted that massive investments are being made through the 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana' and infrastructure strengthening. Industrial electricity demand has grown by 23 per cent over the last three years, which he cited as a clear indicator of large-scale industrial influx into the state.
New Delhi, March 17 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified on Tuesday that the entire 25 per cent increase in domestic LPG production is being supplied to households as cooking gas.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister also highlighted that 65 per cent of the total LPG consumed in India is imported, and as much as 90 per cent of this quantity is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.

The government is ensuring a steady flow of LPG even in these turbulent times, she said, and further clarified that there is no energy shortage in India today.

In order to address the shortage from imports, refineries have maximised their output, she noted.

Talking about the economy, she said that despite the war raging in the Middle East, India has been able to maintain its economy. "We're able to stand up and face such situations," she remarked.

She went on to say that it is the position of the Indian economy today that gives it the strength to meet unforeseen problems.

In addition, the capital outlay for infrastructure projects such as highways, ports and railways that spur growth and create jobs in the economy has been increased to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, she pointed out.

Indiaas domestic refineries have stepped up LPG production to fill the gap in imports caused by the disruption due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz because of the Iran war, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

"LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation. No dry-outs have been reported at LPG distributorships. Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) coverage has been expanded from 53 per cent before the crisis to about 72 per cent to prevent diversion of cylinders at the distributor level," the statement said.

Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving in India on March 16 and 17, as the government continues to closely monitor maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia. MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi a" carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG - crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday.

Major ports are prioritising berthing for LPG vessels to ensure the timely discharge of cargo and continuity in energy supply. Over the past few days, six LPG vessels have been received at major Indian ports. Additionally, ports are providing safe anchorage areas for vessels loaded with cargo bound for the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit due to prevailing conditions.

The online bookings of LPG cylinders have increased from about 84 per cent to around 90 per cent, which will enable a more orderly distribution of the cooking gas to households.
Mumbai, March 17 : Actress Vidya Malavade ended up tearing a muscle in her calf after a stage performance in Singapore.

In her recent Instagram post, Vidya shared that after finishing up the last dance performance of her musical, she suddenly felt like somebody had stabbed her in her calf with a knife.

Soon after that, she found herself wheelchair bound.

The 'Chak De! India' actress posted a video of herself walking with crutches on social media.

Sharing her ordeal in her own words, she wrote in the caption, "48 hours ago .. on the stage .. as i finish.. the last dance piece of our Musical on the Singapore stage.. ..Euphoric..I made my way to the wings & suddenly, I felt like somebody stabbed my calf with a knife..next thing, I know, I was in a wheelchair.. unable to stand on my own 2 feet..(sic)"

Despite what happened, Vidya remains grateful that she was able to complete the show before her calf finally gave up.

"What timing though .. unbelievably grateful, - I could finish the entire show, acting ,dancing high energy drama.. before my calf gave way !," she added.

Although Vidya is mostly housebound due to her injury, she is determined to make the most of her time in Singapore.

"And even though I am on crutches.. and mostly housebound,cos i canat walk more than 10 minutes..I still wanna make the most of Singapore.. as the evenings are so pleasant ..," the post concluded.

Vidya also asked in her post, "How long does it take to heal a calf muscle tear?"

Responding to the 'Kidnap' actress, an Insta user penned in the comment section, "To heal it depends upon the grade of muscles tear- anywhere between 3 weeks and 3 months...Get well soon @vidyamalavade."

Another one wrote, "Take care it took mine four weeks with a crutch and two months resting with physio. Takes two years to fully repair."

The third comment suggested, "May be 6 months".

--IANS

pm/
BERLIN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a bistro in Raunheim near Frankfurt Airport in Germany, local police said.

An armed individual entered the venue at around 3:45 a.m. local time (0245 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries, a police spokesperson said, citing initial findings.

The suspect fled after the shooting and remains at large. Police have launched a large-scale manhunt since early morning, deploying numerous officers and cordoning off the area.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and it is not known whether the suspect had any connection to the bistro, the police said, adding that the victims had not yet been identified.

Raunheim is a town southwest of Frankfurt with a population of around 17,000. According to local media, the bistro is located on the ground floor of a two-storey building. 
Chandigarh, March 17 : Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday stated that the BJP has not refrained from committing the crime of vote theft this time in the Rajya Sabha elections after the Assembly elections.

"The BJP has vindicated allegations levelled by our leader, Rahul Gandhi, by misusing its power and authority in this election. The fact that the BJP fielded a second candidate, the party's Vice-President, despite lacking the requisite numerical strength, demonstrates that this party holds no faith in democracy or the public mandate. It seeks to secure victory solely through manipulative tactics," the Congress leader said.

Hooda remarked that the BJP employed every conceivable stratagem to stifle democracy. "The government machinery was grossly misused. Four valid votes cast by Congress legislators were arbitrarily invalidated, despite having been accepted multiple times by the Returning Officer," he said.

MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra stated that, in an effort to ensure a BJP victory, the Returning Officer acted completely as an agent of the BJP. "Nevertheless, both the BJP and the Returning Officer suffered a humiliating defeat in the face of the solidarity displayed by the loyal Congress legislators. Ultimately, the Congress candidate secured a seat in the Rajya Sabha," he said.

Two-time Chief Minister Hooda announced that the names of the five Congress legislators who engaged in cross-voting against the party have been forwarded to the High Command.

These individuals should voluntarily resign from their posts as MLAs; otherwise, the party will initiate disciplinary action against them within the next few hours. Such individuals will be taught a lesson not only by the party but also by the constituents of their respective constituencies, he said.

Furthermore, Hooda addressed the false propaganda circulating on social media regarding the vote cast by Badli MLA Kuldeep Vats, stating, "I personally witnessed Kuldeep Vats ji's vote; he cast his ballot in favour of the Congress candidate," he said. He also strongly condemned the attitude adopted by the government within the precincts of the legislative Assembly.

Hooda noted that Congress legislators sought to initiate a discussion regarding the Rajya Sabha elections on the floor of the House; however, they were "named" and expelled from the Assembly, an act he characterised as completely undemocratic. "The fact that the BJP is shying away from a debate makes it evident that it has something to hide and that it resorted to unethical and undemocratic tactics to win this election," he added.

On this occasion, Hooda extended his heartfelt congratulations to the party candidate, Karamvir Baudh, on his victory in the Rajya Sabha election.

He stated this victory belongs not merely to the candidate, but to the Dalits, backward classes, and marginalised sections of the state.

"By sending a party worker from an ordinary family to the Rajya Sabha, the Congress has once again demonstrated that it is a party that believes in the participation of all sections of society," Hooda added.
Chandigarh, March 17 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday launched a strong attack on the Congress, accusing it of indulging in 'headline politics' and making baseless remarks on the Budget merely to stay in the news.

Replying to the discussion on the state Budget during the ongoing Assembly session of the Vidhan Sabha, he said the Opposition "seems unable to recognise the pace of development in the state and is viewing the Budget through a distorted lens".

The Chief Minister was replying to the discussion on the Budget Estimates 2026-27 during the Budget session.

Taking a sharp swipe at the Congress, he said allegations that the Congress "makes on the streets are repeated in the House. It is unfortunate to see that instead of having constructive debate, the Congress chooses to walk out every time. The Opposition has neither read the Budget seriously nor understood the provisions made for development, and therefore is in no position to hold any meaningful discussion on the state's issues. Such conduct exposes the Opposition's lack of seriousness, while the government remains committed to addressing public issues with transparency and accountability".

In a sharp remark, the Chief Minister said the Opposition has no substantive issues to raise and is resorting to unfounded criticism. He further said that 2.8 crore people of Haryana look "towards this august House with hope, but the irresponsible conduct of the Opposition is there for everyone to see. The Opposition is not interested in giving constructive suggestions, but is instead focused on spreading misinformation and walking out of the House".

The Chief Minister said that the role being played by the Congress is a matter of concern, as the Opposition "appears to be merely marking its presence, opposing for the sake of Opposition, and spreading falsehoods". He said that while several members gave meaningful and constructive suggestions during the discussion, which are welcome, some Opposition members chose to criticise without facts.

CM Saini remarked that it appeared as if some members neither listened to the Budget speech delivered on March 2 nor took the effort to read it later, and merely repeated in the House the same allegations they make on the streets.

Targeting the opposition further, the Chief Minister said it may be compelled to appear adversarial to the government, but it would have been better had it contributed constructive suggestions in the larger public interest.

Responding to the Opposition's allegations regarding the Rajya Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said that the Bharatiya Janata Party had successfully ensured the election of its candidate, Sanjay Bhatia, to the Rajya Sabha.

He asserted that in a democracy, every individual has the right to contest elections, and supporting an Independent candidate is well within democratic norms. "If the Opposition had objections, they were free to field their own candidate. Why didn't they?" he asked, adding that the Independent candidate had approached them for support, which they extended.
Washington, March 17 : US President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted NATO allies as "foolish" for failing to back Washington's Iran strikes, even as he defended the operation during talks with Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Meeting Michael Martin at the Oval Office, Trump said the US acted decisively against Iran and did not require allied support, even as he questioned NATO's response.

"Well, we don't need too much help, and we don't need any help actually," Trump said. "This is a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there."

He said NATO allies backed the action in principle but failed to contribute. "I was surprised to see that NATO, while they agreed that it was a very important thing to do when they say it was a threat, but we're not gonna help, I think they're very foolish."

Trump argued the US operation had effectively dismantled Iran's military capability. "We've wiped out their navy, wiped out their military of every aspect. Their Air Force is now decimated," he said, adding, "they have no air force, no navy, they have no radar."

He reiterated that the objective was to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "They would have had a nuclear weapon within one month," Trump said, adding, "Iran was a tremendous threat."

At the same time, he praised the support from regional partners. "We've had great support from the Middle East," he said, naming Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, and adding, "Israel's been very, very strong It's been a very strong collaboration."

On Ukraine, Trump questioned US spending and allied contributions. "We didn't have to be there for Ukraine," he said. "We're probably in there for $400 billion we helped them, and they didn't help us."

He also confirmed that a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is being rescheduled. "We're resetting the meeting, and it looks like it'll take place in about five weeks," Trump said. "We have a good relationship with China."

Turning to Cuba, Trump said the administration is considering further action. "Cuba right now is in very bad shape We'll be doing something with Cuba," he said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said structural change was essential. "If you have an economy that doesn't work they have to change dramatically," he said, adding, "What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough."

Vice President JD Vance highlighted ongoing threats in the region. "There have been a lot of militia attacks against our base and we've got to eliminate them when we find them," he said, adding that such groups "can't" be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Martin, seeking to strike a conciliatory tone, underscored the importance of US-Europe ties. "The transatlantic relationship between Europe and the US is very, very important," he said, adding that despite tensions, "we can get a landing zone again."

He agreed that Iran posed a serious risk but stressed the need for diplomacy. "You cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon," Martin said, while adding, "What we want is a peaceful resolution of conflict."

The meeting highlighted differences in tone between Washington and European leaders on Iran and NATO, even as both sides reiterated the importance of the transatlantic partnership.

NATO, formed in 1949, remains the central military alliance linking North America and Europe, though burden-sharing and strategic priorities have long been points of friction. Iran's nuclear programme and regional role have similarly been a persistent source of tension, with the US favouring a more forceful approach and European nations often emphasising diplomacy.



-- Syndicated from IANS
Bhopal, March 17 : The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday said educational and medical institutions across the state are receiving 100 per cent of their LPG cylinders without interruption, and domestic supply remains unaffected.a Bhopal, March 17 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday said educational and medical institutions across the state are receiving 100 per cent of their LPG cylinders without interruption, and domestic supply remains unaffected.

The government stated that domestic LPG production has increased by 36 per cent, and the Centre has issued directives regarding special concessions for City Gas Distribution.

During a daily review meeting, representatives from oil companies said online booking has risen from 84 per cent to 90 per cent. 

Facilities for gas booking through mobile apps, SMS, WhatsApp and IVRS calls have also been introduced.

The state government has constituted a sixmember committee to coordinate with oil companies regarding the availability of petrol, diesel, CNG, PNG and domestic LPG.

The government said continuous action is being taken against the hoarding of LPG cylinders. 

Authorities have conducted raids at 1,341 locations and seized 1,827 cylinders across the state.

Meanwhile, industrial and commercial establishments have been urged to obtain PNG connections wherever available. 

"The supply of PNG remains uninterrupted and will continue to do so in the future," the government said.

State Nodal Officer for oil companies Ajay Srivastava said Madhya Pradesh has sufficient stock of gas cylinders, with ample supplies at bottling plants and distributors' warehouses.

The government also advised commercial users to utilise available stocks judiciously and explore alternative fuel sources. 

"Users are encouraged to regulate activities that consume large quantities of gas and to develop alternative arrangements where possible," it added.

For complaints or suggestions regarding cylinder bookings, the government released the following tollfree numbers:

Bharat Gas: 1800224344

Indane Gas: 18002333555

HP Gas: 18002333555
Jaipur, March 17 : In a significant milestone towards realising the vision of 'Har Ghar Jal' (water for every household), Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti under the new guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.a Jaipur, March 17 (IANS) In a significant milestone towards realising the vision of 'Har Ghar Jal' (water for every household), Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti under the new guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday at the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister C.R. Paatil, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Public Health Engineering Minister Kanhaiya Lal. 

Chief Minister Sharma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiative. 

He said the State Government, prioritising public welfare, had urged the Centre to facilitate the agreement under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Following approval from the Centre, the MoU was finalised. 

The Chief Minister said the agreement marks a transformative step towards strengthening Rajasthan's watersupply infrastructure and ensuring every household has access to safe drinking water.

He reaffirmed that the state's "Double Engine" government remains committed to providing clean drinking water to every household. 

He said the initiative would ensure water availability even in remote rural areas, significantly improving living standards, particularly for women, by enhancing convenience, safety and quality of life.

He further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Jal Jeevan Mission is being implemented with renewed focus in its expanded form, emphasising efficiency, accountability and transparency. 

He said the MoU will play a pivotal role in ensuring regular and safe tapwater supply to every rural household, improving service delivery, meeting timebound targets and strengthening transparency mechanisms.

Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Supply) Akhil Arora and other senior Central Government officials were also present.

Earlier, the Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed transformative progress since 2014. 

He highlighted the Prime Minister's commitment to the upliftment of farmers, youth, women and labourers, and noted that various welfare and development schemes have enhanced India's global standing. 

He also emphasised the growth of a strong startup ecosystem, providing youth with platforms to innovate.

Sharma outlined several key provisions in the 2026-27 Budget aimed at youth empowerment. These include interestfree loans for 5,000 tribal youth under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana; the establishment of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Global Centre for Advanced Skilling in Jaipur; the setting up of ICT laboratories in 50 polytechnic colleges; and the promotion of districtspecific products under the One District, One Product initiative. 

He added that economic reforms and improvements in the Ease of Doing Business are yielding results, with Rajasthan's per capita income surpassing Rs 2 lakh for the first time.

Highlighting futurefocused development, the Chief Minister said the government is accelerating key water projects, including the Ramjal Setu Link Project, the Dewas Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), and the Ganganahar and Mahi Project. 
Gandhinagar, March 17 : The Gujarat unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a key strategy meeting on March 18 at its state office in Gandhinagar, ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections.a Gandhinagar, March 17 (IANS) The Gujarat unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a key strategy meeting on March 18 at its state office in Gandhinagar, ahead of the upcoming local self-government elections.

The meeting will be chaired by state president Jagdish Vishwakarma and attended by senior party leaders, including state organisation general secretary Ratnakarji, state general secretaries, presidents, and in-charges of various party fronts, members of the state election management committee, and district and city election in-charges.

Party's chief spokesperson Anil Patel said the meeting will focus on organisational preparations and coordination for the elections.

"For the smooth management of the upcoming local self-government elections, election management committees have been formed according to the BJP's method and tradition, with eight members at the state level and four members at district and metropolitan levels," he said.

He added that the party's outreach efforts will include tours, group meetings, public gatherings, and conferences engaging professionals, social groups, women, youth, and farmers.

"BJP is accustomed to working 365 days," he said, emphasising the party's commitment to continuous voter contact.

Patel also highlighted the role of governance performance in the campaign.

"Based on the performance of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and the report cards of elected representatives, the BJP will go among the citizens," he said.

He further outlined the party's service-oriented approach, saying, "Establishing systems wherever there are people and delivering services to every household is BJP's mantra."

Referring to previous local elections, Patel noted that the people of the state had given the BJP the opportunity to serve in approximately 95 per cent of local self-government institutions.

Commenting on the opposition, Patel said, "The Congress party, due to lack of concrete planning and absence of clear issues, is indulging in various theatrics, including matters related to cooking gas cylinders, but the people of Gujarat have never placed their trust in Congress."

Earlier in the day, a meeting regarding organisational planning for the elections had been held at the same venue, chaired by Vishwakarma in the presence of Ratnakarji.

The meeting included state general secretaries, front organisation leaders, in-charges, and members of the state election management committee, and focused on detailed election-related planning.
Mumbai, March 17 : The Legislative Council on Tuesday passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, amid concerns expressed by both opposition and ruling legislators over possible misuse of its provisions by authorities and selfaproclaimed protectors of religion.

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) The Legislative Council on Tuesday passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, amid concerns expressed by both opposition and ruling legislators over possible misuse of its provisions by authorities and selfproclaimed protectors of religion.

The government said the Bill seeks to prohibit unlawful religious conversions carried out through force, coercion, allurement, misrepresentation, or other fraudulent means.

The Bill was opposed by the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), while the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena (UBT) supported it. The Council cleared the Bill a day after it was passed by the Legislative Assembly following a heated debate.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar said the Bill does not intend to take away a person's right to convert or curtail a woman's freedom, but only to curb forceful conversions.

He said it was not targeting any particular religion and would apply to all.

Opposing the Bill, Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap questioned its necessity. He said it appeared to be aimed at punishing or targeting a particular community and argued that forceful conversions were already dealt with under existing laws.

He said the provisions gave an impression that the constitutional structure was being undermined.

BJP MLC Parinay Phuke claimed the Bill was meant to protect Hindus and prevent demographic change. He said Europe was facing population pressures from countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, and argued that such laws were necessary to protect the Hindu population.

He added that the Bill was brought by the "Hinduwadi" Maharashtra government.

Though Shiv Sena (UBT) supported the Bill, its legislators Anil Parab and Sachin Ahir sought details of the instances that prompted its introduction and the actions taken earlier.

Minister Bhoyar said a committee under the DGP had examined the issue extensively before the Bill was drafted. He did not specify the number of cases that led to its introduction.

He said that although provisions existed to deal with crimes involving force or coercion, there was no independent law to address conversions specifically.

Independent MLC Satyajeet Tambe supported the Bill but cautioned that its implementation should not negatively affect youth or their right to love.

He said the requirement of a 60day notice before a conversion ceremony could create lawandorder issues, and allowing anyone to object would complicate matters.

He suggested that children born in disputed marriages should be allowed to choose their religion at 18 instead of automatically being assigned the mother's religion.

According to the Bill, anyone intending to convert, as well as individuals or institutions organising a conversion ceremony, must give a 60day advance notice to the district magistrate or an authorised officer.

The authority will publicly display details of the proposed conversion and invite objections within 30 days.

The Bill mandates that the converted person and the organiser submit a declaration within 21 days after the ceremony. It allows parents, siblings, or close relatives to lodge an FIR if they suspect unlawful conversion, and requires police to register such complaints.

The burden of proof lies on the person who caused, assisted, or abetted the conversion.

The Bill proposes stringent administrative requirements and criminal penalties. Section 14 empowers the state to ban and fine organisations found guilty of facilitating or funding illegal conversions.

Section 9 provides for imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. The government has maintained that the law is necessary to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory conversion tactics.
New Delhi, March 17 : Experts from the Defence Forces, academia, industry, and start-ups deliberated on technological advancements and innovative solutions in the areas of Cognitive Spectrum Management and Quantum Technologies at a seminar organised by the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), an official said on Tuesday.a

The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) conducted the Second Niche Technology Nexus (NTN) Seminar on Monday, said the official in a statement.a

Addressing the participants, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, emphasised the increasing importance of efficient spectrum utilisation, adaptive communication networks, and emerging quantum capabilities in modern warfare.a

He highlighted that Cognitive Spectrum Operations, enabled by Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics, can significantly enhance dynamic spectrum access, electromagnetic spectrum awareness, and electronic warfare capabilities for the Defence Forces.a

Emphasising the transformative potential of Quantum Technologies, particularly in areas such as secure communications, quantum sensing, navigation, and timing systems, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit underscored the critical role it can play in strengthening national Defence capabilities in the coming years.a

He also stressed the need for strong collaboration across all stakeholders to accelerate innovations and develop indigenous solutions in these niche domains.a

The Second Niche Technology Nexus Seminar facilitated insightful discussions on emerging trends, operational applications, and technological challenges associated with Cognitive Spectrum Operations and Quantum Technologies.a

The deliberations also highlighted the importance of developing secure, resilient, and intelligent communication ecosystems to support the operational requirements of future theatre-based Defence forces.a
Mehsana, March 17 : Gujarat has recorded its first successful cashless claim under the PM-RAHAT scheme in Mehsana district, where a road accident victim received fully covered treatment, officials said on Tuesday.a Mehsana, March 17 (IANS) Gujarat has recorded its first successful cashless claim under the PM-RAHAT scheme in Mehsana district, where a road accident victim received fully covered treatment, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the district health department, the claim was processed under the "Prime Minister Road Accident Victim Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment (PM-RAHAT)" scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in coordination with the National Health Authority to ensure immediate and free medical care for road accident victims.

A 35-year-old man, identified as Amratbhai Lababhai from Gothiya village in Kadi taluka, sustained injuries in a road accident and underwent orthopaedic surgery at an empanelled hospital.

The treatment, costing approximately Rs 47,300, was provided entirely through a cashless mechanism, ensuring that no financial burden was placed on his family.

He is currently recovering following the procedure.

Officials said the scheme is integrated with the PMJAY-MA ecosystem and provides cashless treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for up to 7 days following a road accident.

The coverage includes treatment for serious conditions such as trauma, surgical cases, and polytrauma, and is available at both government and private empanelled hospitals.

The scheme is open not only to Indian citizens but also to foreign nationals visiting the country.

The claims process is conducted online through the National Health Authority's Transaction Management System portal, which is integrated with the Ministry's eDAR application, enabling faster, more transparent processing.

The health department has urged the public to seek immediate care at the nearest empanelled hospital in the event of a road accident to access benefits under the PM-RAHAT scheme without delay.
Washington, March 17 : President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday sharply criticised Cuba's leadership following a nationwide power collapse, calling the island's economic system "non-functional" and urging sweeping political change.a Washington, March 17 (IANS) President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday sharply criticised Cuba's leadership following a nationwide power collapse, calling the island's economic system "non-functional" and urging sweeping political change.

Speaking during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Trump said the United States was closely watching developments in Cuba and signalled possible action.

"Cuba right now is in very bad shape," Trump said. "We'll be doing something with Cuba very soon."

Rubio, responding to questions on the island's economic crisis, said the situation reflected deeper structural failure. "Cuba has an economy that doesn't work and a political and governmental system that they can't fix," he said.

"So they have to change dramatically."

Rubio said recent measures announced by Havana were inadequate to address the crisis. "What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. It's not going to fix it," he said.

He described the Cuban economy as fundamentally broken. "It's a nonfunctional economy," Rubio said, adding that the system had survived for decades on external support. "It's not even a revolution; that thing they have has survived on subsidies from the Soviet Union and now from Venezuela."

According to Rubio, that support has largely disappeared, leaving the country in deep trouble. "They don't get subsidies anymore. So they're in a lot of trouble," he said.

He also questioned the leadership's ability to respond to the crisis. "And the people in charge, they don't know how to fix it. So they have to get new people in charge," Rubio said.

On US policy, Rubio declined to say whether Washington would consider easing the trade embargo in exchange for Havana's cooperation. He said the embargo remains tied to political change on the island.

The comments came as Cuba's electrical grid collapsed on Monday, leaving large parts of the country without power and underscoring the severity of its ongoing energy crisis.

Later, a senior State Department official echoed the administration's position, linking the blackout directly to governance failures.

"Widespread blackouts have sadly become common for many years in Cubaa symptom of the failing regime's incompetence and inability to provide even the most basic goods and services for its people," the official said.

The official described the situation as the result of decades of political rule. "This is the tragic result of over sixty years of Communist rule," the official said.

In a stark assessment, the official said the island had sharply declined. "An island that was once the crown jewel of the Caribbean has plunged into extreme poverty and darkness," the official said.

The official also pointed to Trump's position on the future of the Cuban government. "As President Trump has said, what is left of the regime should make a deal and finally let the Cuban people be free and prosperous, with the help of the United States," the official said.

The administration's remarks suggest Washington sees the latest blackout as part of a broader economic and political crisis rather than a one-off infrastructure failure.


BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China reported a total of 841,000 fires nationwide in 2025, a decline of 7.6 percent from the previous year, the National Fire and Rescue Administration said on Tuesday.

The number of fatalities and injuries fell 9.5 percent and 19.6 percent, respectively, while direct property losses rose 1.8 percent year on year to 8.53 billion yuan (about 1.24 billion U.S. dollars), Wang Wei, spokesperson for the administration, told a press conference.

During the same period, a total of 25.93 million firefighter deployments were recorded, along with 4.699 million fire engine dispatches. "More than half of the dispatches were for firefighting and rescue operations," Wang added.

Statistics from the past three years showed that residential fires accounted for nearly 30 percent of all fires annually and nearly 80 percent of fires in buildings, with electrical faults and careless use of fire among the leading causes.

The administration calls for the wider installation of early fire detection and alarm devices in homes, especially for elderly people living alone and "left-behind" children whose parents work far from home. 
Guwahati, March 17 : In a significant political development ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi on Tuesday tendered his resignation from the primary membership of the party, dealing a major blow to the Congress in the state. a Guwahati, March 17 (IANS) In a significant political development ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi on Tuesday tendered his resignation from the primary membership of the party, dealing a major blow to the Congress in the state. 

In a letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Bordoloi expressed "an overwhelming sense of sadness" while announcing his decision to step down from all posts, privileges, and responsibilities within the party. 

The brief resignation letter, dated March 17, did not specify the reasons behind his exit, but sources indicate that the move comes amid growing internal dissent and shifting political alignments in Assam. 

Bordoloi also recently wrote a letter to the Congress leadership expressing his displeasure with the functioning of the Congress party and its state president, Gaurav Gogoi. 

The central leadership of Congress did not issue any statement on Bordoloi's letter, which might have fuelled his exit from the grand old party. 

According to sources, Bordoloi is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. He is also expected to be fielded as the BJP candidate from the prestigious Dispur Assembly constituency, a key seat in the state capital region that carries strategic and symbolic importance. 

Bordoloi's exit comes close on the heels of another major setback for the Congress in Assam, following the departure of former state party president Bhupen Borah, who recently joined the BJP.

The back-to-back resignations have raised concerns within the Congress about its organisational stability and electoral prospects in the northeastern state. 

Earlier today, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the BJP would accord "due respect" to Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi if he chooses to join the party, amid growing political churn ahead of the Assembly elections. 

Speaking after attending a meeting of the BJP's election committee in New Delhi, Sarma said the party is open to leaders who wish to contribute to its organisational strength in Assam. 

"If Pradyut Bordoloi comes to the BJP, he will be given due respect. The party will also consider giving him an Assembly ticket if he joins us," the Chief Minister said, adding that the BJP remains focused on expanding its base in the state. 

The high-profile defections could significantly impact Congress's campaign momentum, while strengthening the BJP's position ahead of the polls. 
New Delhi, March 18 : The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday the plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging interference by the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during its search operations at the office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain in Kolkata.

As per the cause list published on the apex court's website, the matter is listed for hearing on March 18 before a Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N. V. Anjaria.

During the previous hearing, the ED told the apex court that it had been "terrorised" in West Bengal.

Appearing for the federal anti-money laundering agency, Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju strongly refuted allegations that the ED had "weaponised" its powers. "It (ED) has not been weaponised, it has been terrorised," ASG Raju had submitted, responding to arguments raised by senior advocate Siddharth Luthra.

Posting the matter for further hearing on March 18, the Justice Mishra-led Bench had granted time to complete pleadings in the case. The ED has approached the top court seeking directions to register FIRs against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state Director General of Police (DGP), and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, alleging obstruction of lawful duties during the federal agency's simultaneous search operations.

In her counter-affidavit, Chief Minister Banerjee has denied all allegations of interference and obstruction, asserting that her limited presence on the premises was solely to retrieve confidential and proprietary data belonging to her Trinamool Congress (AITC).

According to the affidavit, CM Banerjee visited Pratik Jain's residence at Loudon Street and I-PAC's office in Bidhannagar on January 8, 2026, after receiving information that sensitive political data of the Trinamool was being accessed during the searches. She maintained that the data was "vitally linked to the AITC's strategy for the upcoming Legislative Assembly election".

The affidavit stated that when she reached the premises, she "politely requested the officials of the Enforcement Directorate to be allowed to retrieve the Party's data and the devices they were stored in and files containing prints of the same". It further claimed that "the officers of the Enforcement Directorate present thereat did not object to this request and permitted her to retrieve some of these devices and physical files".

"After she had done so, the Answering Respondent (CM Banerjee) left the premises so as not to inconvenience the officials of the Enforcement Directorate in any way," the counter affidavit said, adding that the ED's own panchnamas record that the searches continued thereafter and were conducted "peacefully and in an orderly manner".

CM Banerjee has also argued that neither the Trinamool nor its officials are accused in the alleged coal scam, and therefore, the ED cannot claim any right to the party's proprietary data.

The counter affidavit has further accused the ED of acting with mala fide intent, alleging that the searches were carried out in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and after a prolonged period of inaction. It has questioned the timing of the operations, claiming they coincided with I-PAC possessing "critical documents", including a proposed list of candidates for the upcoming polls.

Alleging violations of statutory safeguards under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the affidavit also states that the ED failed to produce any audio or video recordings of the searches. This, it claimed, raises a "strong presumption" that the searches were clandestine and aimed at accessing confidential political data.

In an order passed on January 15, the Supreme Court had stayed the FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officials in connection with the searches, and had also directed the preservation of CCTV footage and other digital storage devices containing recordings of the searched premises and the surrounding areas.
Agartala, March 17 : Tripura Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday said that the Governor's address in the Assembly reflects a strong commitment to democratic governance, development, and people-centric policies, while calling for collective efforts to build a "Viksit Tripura." a Agartala, March 17 (IANS) Tripura Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday said that the Governor's address in the Assembly reflects a strong commitment to democratic governance, development, and people-centric policies, while calling for collective efforts to build a "Viksit Tripura." 

Speaking during the discussion on the Governor's address in the ongoing session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, Nath described the speech delivered by Governor Indrasena Reddy as a constitutional reflection of governance and a comprehensive blueprint for the state's progress. 

"The Governor's speech is not just a formal address but a roadmap of development, progress, and welfare-oriented initiatives. It clearly highlights the work being carried out under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha," Nath said. 

He also appreciated the Governor for delivering the speech in Bengali and the tribal Kokborok language, calling it a significant and inclusive gesture. 

According to Nath, the address covered all sections of society, including SCs, STs, journalists, artists, and marginalised communities, reflecting the spirit of inclusive development. 

Highlighting the broader national context, the Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving rapid development across the country. 

He said India has emerged as the fourth-largest economy and is on track to become the third-largest, citing global recognition of the country's growth trajectory. 

Nath, the second seniormost minister after the Chief Minister, pointed to major national initiatives such as infrastructure expansion, agricultural development, and renewable energy programmes, such as the National Solar Mission, as key contributors to this progress. 

Emphasising the state government's commitment, he said efforts are being made to reach the last mile and ensure welfare for every section of society. 

The Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Communist Party of India (Marxist), claiming that the party has lost public support. 

He remarked that CPI (M) is "like a Rs 10 coin rejected by the people," questioning its ideological stance. 

Calling for unity, Nath urged citizens to work together toward transforming Tripura into a developed state, reiterating the government's vision of a "Viksit Tripura."
Washington, March 17 : US President Donald Trump is "angry" over European allies' refusal to support operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Senator Lindsey Graham said Tuesday, as Trump criticised NATO for failing to back Washington's Iran strikes during talks with Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach MicheAl Martin.a Washington, March 17 (IANS) US President Donald Trump is "angry" over European allies' refusal to support operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Senator Lindsey Graham said Tuesday, as Trump criticised NATO for failing to back Washington's Iran strikes during talks with Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Meeting Prime Minister Micheal Martin of Ireland at the Oval Office, Trump said the US acted decisively against Iran and did not require allied support, even as he questioned NATO's response.

"Well, we don't need too much help, and we don't need any help actually," Trump said. "This is a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there."

He said NATO allies backed the action in principle but failed to contribute. "I was surprised to see that NATO, while they agreed that it was a very important thing to do when they say it was a threat, but we're not gonna help, I think they're very foolish."

Trump argued the US operation had effectively dismantled Iran's military capability. "We've wiped out their navy, wiped out their military of every aspect. Their Air Force is now decimated," he said, adding, "they have no air force, no navy, they have no radar."

He reiterated that the objective was to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "They would have had a nuclear weapon within one month," Trump said, adding, "Iran was a tremendous threat."

At the same time, he praised the support from regional partners. "We've had great support from the Middle East," he said, naming Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, and adding, "Israel's been very, very strong It's been a very strong collaboration."

Graham said he had spoken to Trump about the lack of European support in securing the Strait of Hormuz. "I have never heard him so angry in my life," he said, adding he shared that anger over "our European allies' unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning."

"The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem, not theirs, is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah's nuclear ambitions has proven to be a miserable failure," he said.

Graham warned of broader consequences. "The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America," he said.

He also criticised Europe's approach to Iran. "The European approach to containing the ayatollah's nuclear ambitions has proven to be a miserable failure," he said, adding it made him "second-guess the value of these alliances."

Vice President JD Vance highlighted ongoing threats in the region. "There have been a lot of militia attacks against our base and we've got to eliminate them when we find them," he said, adding that such groups "can't" be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Martin, seeking to strike a conciliatory tone, underscored the importance of US-Europe ties. "The transatlantic relationship between Europe and the US is very, very important," he said, adding that despite tensions, "we can get a landing zone again."

He agreed that Iran posed a serious risk but stressed the need for diplomacy. "You cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon," Martin said, while adding, "What we want is a peaceful resolution of conflict."
Ahmedabad, March 17 : A newly built high-tech crematorium in Shilaj, an emerging residential area of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, is expected to improve access to last rites facilities for residents of the surrounding areas.

The aim is to reduce the need to travel long distances during bereavement.

Built by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) at a cost of Rs 17 crore, the crematorium has been developed with a focus on modern infrastructure and environmental considerations.

The facility includes two CNG-based furnaces and four traditional wood-fired furnaces for cremation.

It also provides parking, waiting and seating areas, and a prayer hall for visitors.

Local residents said the new facility addresses a long-standing gap in the area.

A local resident, Kamlesh, said: "The final resting place that has been built for last rites is very good for the people of this area. Earlier, people here had to travel far for cremation, but now it has been constructed nearby."

Jitendra Patel, another resident, said the infrastructure reflects updated standards.

"A modern crematorium has been built where arrangements for CNG gas and wood furnaces have been made. A cafeteria has been constructed so that people can get tea and coffee facilities. A prayer hall has also been built," he added.

Spread across nearly 12,000 square metres, the crematorium includes dedicated arrangements for storing ashes.

Facilities such as a cafeteria and drinking water have also been provided to assist those arriving from distant locations.

Officials said similar upgrades are planned in five other parts of the city.

Devang Dani, the then chairman of the Standing Committee of the AMC, said: "The crematoriums under the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation are being made modern, as they are recognised as the final resting place. In a moment of grief, when a person is taken to the crematorium, the last rites should be conducted properly. For this, all crematoriums in the city are being modernised."

Located near a lake in Shilaj, the facility is expected to provide a more organised and peaceful environment for grieving families while serving as a model for similar projects in other parts of the city.
Mumbai, March 17 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Tuesday, directed the state administration to build effective security cover by reinforcing the CCTV grid for safe cities in the coming days.

This is needed as the state government is prioritising the creation of safe and crime-free cities to ensure a fear-free environment for citizens, the Chief Minister said.

He also instructed the Information and Technology (IT) Department, in coordination with the Home and Urban Development departments, to establish a corporation.

This body will focus on the effective use of CCTV systems, utilising private CCTV data for criminal investigations, and developing an intelligence-based CCTV infrastructure.

The Chief Minister shared these insights during a review meeting of the IT Department held at the Vidhan Bhavan.

"The IT Department must finalise the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, the CCTV-based "Mahanetra" Policy, and the Maharashtra Unmanned System Policy. Systems should be developed to provide AI-related services commonly needed by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)," Chief Minister Fadnavis said.

Acknowledging that the future belongs to automated processes, the Chief Minister emphasised using AI and modern technology in government tasks where human intervention can be minimised.

"To facilitate this, a new corporation named MUSIC (Maharashtra Unmanned System and Infrastructure Corporation) should be established. This will enable the use of AI, drone technology, and other innovations in tasks that can be performed without human interference," he added.

Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that drone technology is currently being used in the Agriculture Department and has a positive impact on human life.

"Research in the drone sector is crucial. We must focus on drone manufacturing and software, while also ensuring measures are in place to prevent the misuse of drones for destructive activities. All such aspects should be included in the new policy," he remarked.

"CCTV systems in cities should have Integrated Control and Command Centres. These centres should involve experts and be equipped with the latest technology through private sector participation," he said.

He expressed confidence that by creating this entire ecosystem, Maharashtra will remain a global leader in this field.

The state possesses a vast amount of data for the effective implementation of various schemes, which is available on the Mahasarathi Portal.

The Chief Minister instructed the creation of a Mahasarathi Policy to guide how this data can be optimised to provide maximum benefits to the public.
Mumbai, March 17 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday directed officials to identify sites for developing shipyards to accelerate water passenger transport in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

This initiative aims to facilitate the indigenous construction of boats required for the "Water Metro" project. He was speaking at the meeting to review the governmentas initiatives on water transport.

The CM emphasised that boats for water transport should be built in Maharashtraas own shipyards. He instructed the administration to develop the countryas largest shipyard facility without compromising on quality standards. The second phase of the project will focus on executing these manufacturing plans.

The Mumbai Water Metro Project aims to provide a smooth, sustainable, and affordable transport system through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, said a government release.

The project envisages 11 new waterways and 24 new terminals (215 km), modernisation of 21 existing routes and 20 terminals (125 km) covering a total network of 340 km across MMR. It will handle 7.5 crore passengers annually by 2031, said the government release.

According to the government release, the private operators will operate 207 Electric/Hybrid vessels with an estimated cost of Rs 3,156 crore, while the Maharashtra Maritime Boardas investment in infrastructure development is estimated at Rs 3,436 crore. The first phase will involve an expenditure of Rs 1,500 crore. Shipyards are proposed to be developed at Nandgaon, Dighi, and Vijaydurg.

The Maharashtra Maritime Board has signed MoUs aligned with the Central Government's "Building Cluster" policy to involve reputed public and private players in shipbuilding.

Earlier in the Maharashtra State Budget 2026-27 on Friday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis outlined a major shift in urban governance, projecting that 70 per cent of the stateas population will live in urban areas by 2047 and contribute nearly 80 per cent of Maharashtraas GDP.

The state aims to expand the Metro network to 1,200 km and the expressway network to more than 6,000 km. Key projects in Mumbai include Metro Line 11 (Wadala to Gateway of India), a fully underground corridor estimated to cost Rs 23,487 crore. ,
Mumbai, March 17 : For the first time after assuming office, Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of State Public Universities Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday interacted with ViceaChancellors through video conferencing from Lok Bhavan, Mumbai. a Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) For the first time after assuming office, Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of State Public Universities Jishnu Dev Varma on Tuesday interacted with Vicea'Chancellors through video conferencing from Lok Bhavan, Mumbai. a

The Governor asked Vicea'Chancellors to improve their national rankings and to set periodic targets to achieve them.a

To increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio of students in universities, he emphasised that institutions should strengthen their outreach with schools and motivate students to pursue higher education. a

In this regard, he instructed universities to undertake innovative initiatives under the aSchool Connecta programme and stressed that they should adopt outa'ofa'thea'box approaches while implementing it.a

He said the aSwayamsiddhaa initiative, launched to enhance womenas empowerment and employability through skill education, is very important and should be implemented seriously by universities. a

The Governor added that Lok Bhavan would review the implementation of both aSchool Connecta and aSwayamsiddhaa, and universities must submit quarterly reports on these initiatives.a

He also said universities performing exceptionally well in these initiatives may be considered for awards such as medals or trophies. Successful initiatives undertaken by universities would be replicated in other institutions as well.a

The Governor further said he would soon hold detailed discussions with all Vicea'Chancellors. In his introductory remarks, the Governoras Secretary Prashant Narnaware provided information regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy, national rankings of universities, womenas empowerment, the Swayamsiddha initiative, skill development, and the aSchool Connecta programme.a

Meanwhile, a 17a'member group of senior military and civil service officers from India and friendly countries, currently undergoing training in Economic Diplomacy at the National Defence College, called on Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at Lok Bhavan during their study tour of Maharashtra.a

The delegation included Brigadiera'level officers from the Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army, as well as officials from the Revenue Service. Senior military officers from Russia, Oman, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal, and Tanzania also comprised the delegation.a

The group was led by Major General Harkirat Singh, Senior Faculty at the National Defence College.a
Bhopal, March 17 : Wheat procurement at minimum support price (MSP) for the Rabi Marketing Year 2026-27 in Madhya Pradesh was set to begin a day before, however, it has been rescheduled and now the procurement process will start from April 1.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government in Tuesday told that the wheat procurement will begin in Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal and Narmadapuram divisions from April 1 and in the divisions of Jabalpur, Gwalior, Rewa, Shahdol, Chambal and Sagar, the procurement will start from April 7.

"Wheat procurement in the state will now be carried out at a rate of Rs 2,625 per quintal, including an additional bonus of Rs 40 per quintal for farmers. The procurement process is conducted on government working days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.," according to the state government.

It also told that so far, 1,904,651 farmers have registered for wheat procurement at the MSP during the Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27.

Last year, a total of 1,544,000 farmers had registered.

The process was rescheduled after learning that many farmers in the state were unable to register the names for wheat procurement.

The issue was raised by the Opposition Congress and had demanded that the date for registration of farmers' name should be extended.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently chaired a meeting with senior officials to review the procurement process in all districts in the state.

Subsequently, a Cabinet committee was constituted to monitor Tuesday's development after the procurement process began.

The committee includes Revenue Minister Karan Singh Verma, Transport and School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh, Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Aidal Singh Kansana, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Govind Singh Rajput, and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Lakhan Patel.

The panel will meet periodically and submit recommendations to the Chief Minister, in line with directions from the Centre and the prevailing situation, to ensure smooth procurement operations.

The committee will remain in effect until June 30, 2026.
New Delhi, March 17 : Leaders from across the political spectrum, on Tuesday, voiced differing views on the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act, with several demanding its early rollout while others criticised the Union government for alleged delays in bringing it into effect.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan attacked opposition parties, accusing them of losing public trust and focusing more on allegations than introspection.

"Your party is not in control; you have lost the public's trust. This problem is occurring with all opposition parties. Congress spends more time making allegations and less on introspection," Paswan said while responding to questions about the implementation of the women's reservation law.

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said the legislation should be implemented and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure it moves forward.

"Regarding the Women's Reservation Bill, my request to the Prime Minister is that it must come. It is up to the Opposition whether they want to participate in it or not," Sehrawat added.

Congress leaders, meanwhile, emphasised that the party had long supported women's reservation in Legislatures.

Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad noted that the proposal had earlier been approved during the previous Congress-led UPA government.

"When our UPA government was in the Rajya Sabha, we approved it. We want the 33 per cent reservation, which was initiated by Rajiv Gandhi," Gaikwad said.

Senior Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the demand for implementing the law had been pending for a long time and reiterated the party's consistent support.

"Mallikarjun Kharge has rightly said that the Women's Reservation Bill has been delayed for a long time. As far as women's reservation is concerned, we have supported it from the beginning," Anwar said.

Congress MP Hibi Eden also highlighted the role of Congress leadership in pushing for the legislation.

"The idea of women's reservation was always mooted by the Congress. Sonia Gandhi took a special initiative and did significant work when she was the UPA Chairperson. She strongly wanted the Women's Reservation Bill to be passed, which is why the Congress and the Opposition unanimously supported the Bill," Eden said.

Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan said the Opposition broadly supported the legislation but questioned the Union government's pace of implementation.

"The Opposition is with this Bill. The Union government has only announced it, and the government announces many bills but does not take steps to implement them on the ground. There is a need to empower women today. This will also be better for our economy," Hasan added.

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also backed the move, saying her party fully supports women's reservation in Legislatures.

The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 -- earlier known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam -- provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies and the Delhi Assembly, including seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Passed in September 2023, the quota will come into force after delimitation is carried out following the next national census, and will remain in effect for 15 years.
BAGHDAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and four others injured early Tuesday in an airstrike on a house in central Baghdad, including senior figures of Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua. 
Mumbai, March 18 : A 32-year-old police trainee was found dead at the Kalina Police Training Centre in Santacruz, with authorities recovering a suicide note from his possession that accused his girlfriend's parents of pressuring him to end the relationship and issuing threats that drove him to take the extreme step.

The deceased has been identified as Bhaiyasab Maruti Vhavle, a resident of Khadgaon village in Parbhani district, Maharashtra. Vhavle had recently joined the police force as a driver and was undergoing training at the Kalina facility.

His body was discovered in his room at the police quarters on the premises, police officials confirmed.

According to senior officers from Vakola police station, which has jurisdiction over the case, an alleged suicide note was found in the pocket of the deceased.

In the note, Vhavle reportedly detailed that he had been in a relationship with a woman from a neighbouring district for more than one and a half years.

The couple had planned to marry, but the woman's parents strongly opposed the alliance.

The note further claimed that the woman's parents repeatedly threatened him with serious consequences if he continued the relationship.

Vhavle also wrote that his own family members were threatened, which caused him immense mental stress and anguish. He allegedly mentioned receiving threatening calls from them on the very day of the incident.

Based on the contents of the suicide note and preliminary statements recorded from Vhavle's family members, Vakola police registered a case of abetment of suicide against the parents of the woman under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Investigations are being conducted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations made in the note.

Police said the suicide note has been sent for handwriting verification and forensic examination to confirm its authenticity.

Call data records of the deceased and the individuals named in the note are being analysed.

Statements from all concerned persons, including family members of both sides, are being recorded as part of the ongoing probe.

No arrests have been made so far, and the investigation remains active.

Officials emphasised that a thorough inquiry is underway to establish the sequence of events and any role played by the accused in contributing to the trainee's mental state.
New Delhi/Bengaluru, March 18 : Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday criticised the Karnataka Congress government, saying it had repeatedly displayed administrative failures and that the latest incident, where the Assembly Speaker walked out of the House in anger, had once again exposed the government's incompetence.a New Delhi/Bengaluru, March 18 (IANS) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday criticised the Karnataka Congress government, saying it had repeatedly displayed administrative failures and that the latest incident, where the Assembly Speaker walked out of the House in anger, had once again exposed the government's incompetence.

It may be recalled that on Monday, Speaker U.T. Khader had expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating that the government had been warned several times to ensure replies were prepared in time. 

He had questioned how MLAs could be expected to attend the Assembly if their questions were not answered, noting that he had issued strict orders four times and that this was the fifth.

Stating that there had been no improvement, the Speaker had asked how the House could function smoothly if such lapses continued. He had declared that proceedings would not continue until ministers and officials explained the reasons for the delay, and subsequently adjourned the House.

Referring to the development, Joshi said the Speaker walking out of the House in front of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after noticing that ministers failed to provide proper answers to MLAs' questions, and that some ministers were absent, reflected the decline of the government.

He said that if several ministers were unable to answer questions raised by MLAs in the House, it showed the functioning of the state government was "truly deplorable". According to him, it also suggested that the Chief Minister had no control over his ministers or the administration.

Joshi said state ministers had reached a stage where they were unable to answer questions even during the budget session. 

He added that if they could not attend the Assembly session on time, it raised doubts about whether they had any interest in governance. He remarked that it appeared they were uninterested in running the government.

He further alleged that some ministers and MLAs seemed more active in discussions about a "change of Chief Minister". 

For them, he said, factionalism, trips to Delhi, and foreign tours appeared more important than the welfare of the people and the development of the state. 

He questioned how ministers who had time to travel "wherever they want" did not have time to attend the Assembly.

Quoting the Speaker, Joshi said that despite four prior warnings about ministers not attending the House, there had been no improvement, even on the fifth occasion. 

According to him, the Speaker had effectively given "failing marks" to the ministers' performance and to the Congress government's administration over the past twoandahalf years.

Joshi also alleged that the government had developed a habit of punishing senior officials for ministers' mistakes. He said that after the Speaker expressed anger, suspending senior IAS officers and issuing showcause notices to officials reflected poorly on the administration.

He added that the Speaker's walkout also showed that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had lost control over governance due to the ongoing power struggle over the "Chief Minister's chair".
Kolkata, March 18 : Pabitra Kar, a former BJP strongman from Nandigram who joined the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday, received a party ticket to contest against Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari. a Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Pabitra Kar, a former BJP strongman from Nandigram who joined the Trinamool Congress on Tuesday, received a party ticket to contest against Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari. 

Speaking to IANS, Kar expressed confidence that the Trinamool would win the Nandigram Assembly constituency by a margin of 30,000 votes.

"The results for Nandigram will be a positive one for the Trinamool. I joined with a positive mindset today. I wish to remain positive. I am confident that we will win the election by a margin of 30,000 votes. I am fortunate that the party gave me the ticket on the day I joined them. On May 4 (counting of votes), we will play with green colour after our electoral victory," Kar said.

Earlier in the day, Kar joined the Trinamool Congress in the presence of the party's All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

The party said Kar was not satisfied with the BJP in West Bengal and therefore decided to join the ruling party in the state.

The development came a day after the BJP announced that LoP Suvendu Adhikari would contest the Assembly elections not only from his own Nandigram constituency but also from Bhabanipur in Kolkata, where the sitting legislator, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is also the BJP's candidate.

As the Trinamool Congress announced that Mamata Banerjee would contest from Bhabanipur again, it will mark the second time she will be pitted against Adhikari after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Adhikari was elected as a legislator from Nandigram for the second consecutive time in 2021, defeating then Trinamool Congress candidate Mamata Banerjee.

Later, Banerjee was elected from Bhabanipur in a byelection and retained the post of Chief Minister for the third consecutive term.

In a bid to give Adhikari tough competition, the Trinamool Congress decided to field a BJP strongman from Nandigram and has now pitted Kar against him.
Mumbai, March 18 : Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne on Tuesday said the 8th instalment of the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana will be deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts next week.

The Government Resolution (GR) regarding this has been issued, and an allocation of Rs 1,774 crore has been approved for the instalment.

He said around 90.34 lakh eligible farmers across the state will benefit from the decision.

Bharne said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar had taken special interest in ensuring the necessary funds were made available for the 8th instalment.

The Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana was launched by the State Government on the lines of the Central Government's PMKisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Its primary objective is to provide direct financial assistance to reduce rising farming costs and boost farmers' income.

Farmers in the state receive Rs 6,000 annually under PMKisan (Central) and another Rs 6,000 under the Namo Shetkari scheme (State), for a total of Rs 12,000 per year.

While the approved distribution amount for this instalment is Rs 1,774 crore, the actual disbursement to farmers will total Rs 1,820 crore, the minister said.

Seven instalments have been distributed under the scheme so far. The 8th instalment covers the period from August 2025 to November 2025.

Following the distribution of the 22nd instalment of the PMKisan scheme by the Central Government on March 13, 2026, the State Government acted swiftly to expedite the Namo Shetkari instalment, Bharne stated.

He said the scheme is being effectively implemented to increase farmers' income, reduce production costs, and make agriculture more resilient.

"After the success of the first seven instalments, this eighth one will provide massive relief and strengthen the rural economy," he said.

The GR said the decision to pay the 8th instalment is expected to provide direct financial support to help farmers cover agricultural expenses, thereby boosting the rural economy and making farming more sustainable.
Kabul, March 18 : Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Tuesday accused Pakistan's military of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul that he said resembled "atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli regime against Gaza", claiming the attack killed more than 408 people undergoing drugarehabilitation treatment and injured over 265.a Kabul, March 18 (IANS) Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Tuesday accused Pakistan's military of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul that he said resembled "atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli regime against Gaza", claiming the attack killed more than 408 people undergoing drugrehabilitation treatment and injured over 265.

Addressing ambassadors, heads of missions, and representatives of international organisations in Kabul, Muttaqi said the strikes were launched around 9 p.m. on March 16 by "military aircraft and drones of the Pakistani military regime", and alleged that the attack deliberately targeted one of the most vulnerable groups in Afghan society.

He said the victims were drugaddicted individuals receiving treatment through Afghan government programmes supported by international humanitarian organisations. 

"It is possible that these numbers may rise further," he added.

Muttaqi said the attack showed that Pakistan's military establishment has no regard for Islamic or humanitarian principles of warfare and accused it of deliberately striking civilian and humanitarian facilities. 

He said the assault, coming in the final days of Ramadan and on the eve of Eid alFitr, demonstrated that the Pakistani military holds no respect for human or Islamic values.

He told diplomats that atrocities similar to those perpetrated by the Israeli regime against Gaza were now being repeated with full cruelty by a Muslim neighbour, and urged states, organisations, religious scholars, media, and global public opinion to condemn what he called an inhumane and oppressive act.

Muttaqi said the attack came despite mediation efforts by several countries, including the People's Republic of China, and argued that Pakistan's military leadership shows no intention of pursuing any resolution. 

He accused it of seeking to expand instability in the region and undermine emerging regional initiatives and projects.

He said the Islamic Emirate had lost trust in Pakistan's intentions regarding diplomatic solutions, adding that the Pakistani military apparatus shows no respect for diplomacy. 

He cited previous incidents, including airspace violations on February 22, when he said Pakistani forces bombed seven civilian sites, including a madrasa, killing 15 people.

Muttaqi said Afghan security forces had responded with proportionate and reciprocal defensive measures, targeting only military sites from which attacks were launched. 

He reiterated that such defensive actions would continue until Pakistan ceased its "violations and crimes".

He said the Islamic Emirate sought positive relations with all countries, especially in the region, and did not wish to see instability spread. 

He said Afghanistan had clearly conveyed its position to friendly states, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye and China.

Muttaqi also referred to the wider regional situation, expressing hope that unlawful aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran would end, and urged Iran to avoid targeting countries not involved in the conflict to prevent the expansion of war in the region.

He concluded by urging diplomats to convey Afghanistan's position to their capitals, saying the government would take every necessary measure to defend its territory, sovereignty and dignity.
Chandigarh, March 18 : Haryana Congress legislator Gokul Setia has announced a protest outside the state Congress office in Chandigarh on Wednesday following the cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections and the cancellation of votes cast by the state Congress MLAs.

The protest is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Setia has also appealed to the other Congress MLAs whose names are being wrongly circulated on the social media to join him.

Setia, the Congress MLA from Sirsa Assembly seat, also said that he maintains cordial relations with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and current Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, adding that his name is being wrongly floated on social media on the pretext that he cross-voted for the Congress which he said were "baseless allegations".

He shared this information through a video on social media, urging the party to publicly identify such MLAs who worked to sabotage the party's prospects in the recent Rajya Sabha polls in the state held on late March 17 evening.

"The Congress high command should publicly identify those state legislators who cross-voted against the party. I would request party leaders to publicly disclose the names of such MLAs."

Setia alleged that a fake message is being circulated on the social media, claiming that his name in the cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha polls is being unnecessarily attributed to him.

He has expressed dissatisfaction with certain internal party actions and has urged the Haryana Congress leadership to sack those legislators who voted against the party candidates in the Rajya Sabha polls held in the state.

This protest highlights ongoing tensions within the Haryana Congress, with Setia previously noting that he felt "ignored and isolated" despite winning his Sirsa Assembly seat.

Despite having the numerical strength, Congress narrowly won only one seat in the recent Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana.

Cross-voting has caused significant embarrassment for the Congress, with factionalism within the party's Haryana unit evident.

The names of five Congress MLAs who cross-voted are being discussed, although the party has not yet disclosed their names.

Some social media accounts have claimed Gokul Setia was among these Congress MLAs involved in the cross-voting, though this has not been confirmed.

In Chandigarh, when former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupendra Singh Hooda was asked to reveal five names, he said that the names have been sent to the Congress high command. He neither revealed the names nor denied the names.
Technology

AI Bizname Launches AI Business Name Generator to Help Startups Build Strong Brand Identities

Vadodara, Gujarat  March 15, 2026  AI Bizname has officially launched its new platform, AI Business Name Generator, a powerful online tool that helps entrepreneurs generate creative and unique business name ideas using artificial intelligence.

Creating a strong brand identity begins with choosing the right business name. A good name can help companies establish credibility, attract customers, and build long-term recognition. However, finding the perfect name is often difficult for entrepreneurs who are starting new businesses.

To make the naming process easier, AI Bizname developed the AI Business Name Generator, a tool that uses artificial intelligence to generate multiple brand name suggestions based on keywords provided by users.

The platform is available at https://www.aibizname.com/ and is designed to support entrepreneurs across different industries.

The AI Business Name Generator allows users to enter keywords related to their business idea. The AI then analyzes the input and produces a variety of business name suggestions that are modern, creative, and suitable for branding.

This tool is particularly helpful for startups, online businesses, and entrepreneurs who need inspiration for naming their companies, products, or brands.

With the growth of digital businesses and startups worldwide, the demand for innovative branding solutions continues to increase. AI Bizname aims to meet this demand by providing simple and effective AI-powered tools.

The platform has been designed with a focus on simplicity and accessibility. Users do not need any technical knowledge to generate business name ideas. The process is quick, efficient, and easy to use.

AI Bizname believes that technology should empower entrepreneurs and help them transform their ideas into successful businesses. The launch of the AI Business Name Generator represents the companys commitment to building tools that support innovation and creativity.

The company plans to introduce additional AI-powered tools in the future to help entrepreneurs with branding, marketing, and business growth.

Entrepreneurs interested in exploring creative business name ideas can visit the official website and start using the tool today.
After nearly three years in development, Charlesbridge Publishing is ready to release the first titles in its STEAMWORKS series. Aimed at young readers who are interested in the sciences and the arts, the fiction collection is a joint effort with Count Play Explore, an initiative funded through the early care and education department at the office of the Fresno County superintendent of schools in California. Four board books and four picture booksincluding English, Spanish, and bilingual editionswill roll out from May through October, with eight additional titles slated for 2027 and 2028.

At the helm of the project is STEAMWORKS program director Alexandra McKenzie, who was appointed in April 2024. The former early elementary school teacher also cut her teeth through various roles in Charlesbridges editorial department and explained how these career opportunities shaped her perspective. Both of these experiences instilled in me how important it is for all children to be able to see themselves as smart, capable STEAM thinkers and have characters who look like them and share their life experiences in the books they find on the shelves, McKenzie told PW. As a series, STEAMWORKS aims to do just that. Were showing young readers that they can all be mathematicians, scientists, and creative thinkers because STEAM is everywhere and for everyone.

An Outpouring of Interest

To build an extensive roster of authors and illustrators for the STEAMWORKS line, Charlesbridge tapped into its network, including We Need Diverse Books; the Kindling Words Black Creatives retreat, organized by Crystal Allen; and the Highlights Foundations Native Creatives retreat. [A call for submissions was also sent to assorted BIPOC writers groups, literary agents working with underrepresented voices, and authors currently listed with Charlesbridge.

McKenzie believes that casting a wide net helped to elicit an overwhelming number of submissions from a wealth of literary voices. While all titles feature characters with a background in math or science, each book offers a unique perspective, from non-traditional families to neurodivergent or physically disabled protagonistswithout the narrative being focused solely on that aspect of their identity, she noted.

Among the core titles are Moon Chef by Delia Ruiz, illustrated by Nomar Perez (May 5), a board book featuring a Mexican-Puerto Rican family experiencing cultural foods in the shapes of the moon phases, and Sounds of Trash by Tina Athaide, illustrated by Neha Rawat (Aug. 4), a picture book showcasing bhangra music alongside the engineering design process.

To promote these and other STEAMWORKS books, Charlesbridge is assembling a group of educators who will serve as official ambassadors for the series. The company also plans to host a virtual symposium in October, featuring discussions with authors and other collaborators. Count Play Explore will support STEAMWORKS with educational materials, which will be available for educators and parents at STEAMWORKSBooks.com.

With the ever-increasing emphasis on hitting required daily instructional minutes for reading and math, its important for teachers to have access to titles that can bring science and technology learning into those areas through read-alouds, McKenzie said.
IDW Publishing has announced it will launch a new imprint for crime genre comics in May. The San Diegobased comics publisher said in the announcement that the expansion was spurred by widespread hunger for "true crime and cult stories," as well as the success of its horror imprint, IDW Dark, which launched in October 2024.

Stories of lawlessness are a perennial presence on comic store shelves, senior group editor Heather Antos noted. "Crime has a deep, often under-celebrated history in comics, from hard-boiled noir to social thrillers that pushed the medium to be bolder, sharper, and more adult, she said in a statement. "With the IDW Crime imprint, were honoring that legacy while giving it a modern spotlight."

IDW Crime will kick off with three new series, beginning in May with Seven Wives #1, created by Zoe Tunnell and artists V Gagnon and Tesslyn Bergin. Focusing on the social dimensions of crime, the Seven Wives series centers on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints compound in remote Arizona, where a mysterious death unravels "the horrors of brainwashing" and delivers "a compelling whodunit," per the publisher.

Eisner Awardnominated writer Joey Esposito and artist Valeria Burzos Killer Influences #1, about a murderer who partners with an aspiring true crime influencer, will follow in July. Another new series of the serial-killer variety will arrive in September, with Amy Chase and artist Savanna Mayers Fixation #1, which "blends true crime tension and thrills with razor-sharp commentary on fandom and toxic addictions," per IDW.

All three launch titles are the first in three-installment, limited series, and are currently available for preorder via comic stores nationwide.

In a statement, senior group editor Jake Thomas spoke to the visceral pull that the crime genre holds over many fanswe are "hardwired to want order and justice, so we root for the hero to take down the villain," while also feeling an uncomfortable affinity to them. "No other genre explores the warring impulses of humanity like crime," he said.
The story of World War II is still being written. Each new wave of scholarship brings deeper insight and sharper interpretation to the war that changed the world. To support this work, The National WWII Museum has launched annual book awards, advancing its mission to keep the wars history alive for all generations.

The awards will honor the most outstanding English-language nonfiction books on WWII history published each year. Executive director of the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at The National WWII Museum Michael S. Bell says the initiative comes at an important time. Of the more than 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II, fewer than 45,000, or less than half of 1%, are still alive. As the WWII generation passes on, first-hand memories of the war fade, and rigorous, compelling scholarship becomes essential to preserving their lived experiences and conveying the impact significance of the war in relevant and engaging ways, Bell, who has a doctorate in American history, says. Outstanding nonfiction scholarship plays a critical role in helping the public understand why World War II was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.

Authors may submit in two categories. The Best Book in WWII History Award carries a $50,000 prize. First-time authors may submit for the Best Debut Book in WWII History Award, with a $10,000 prize.

The program is part of the museums broader Victorys Promise campaign, a ten-year initiative focused on expanding educational outreach, renewing its commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of the WWII generation, and becoming the most accessible source for trusted knowledge on the American experience in World War II.

The inaugural awards aim to spotlight new works that advance WWII scholarship through fresh research, innovative arguments, and compelling storytelling. We hope to encourage the next generation of authors and historians in the field and help broaden the scope of WWII history through scholarship that reflects the full complexity and global impact of the war, Bell says.

While traditional military histories remain essential, Bell notes that recent scholarship has increasingly examined the wars broader effects on societies, economies, political systems, and individuals. These evolving perspectives give audiences new ways to engage with WWII history, deepening understanding of its legacies and helping learners of all ages connect with these stories, he says.

Submissions will be evaluated by selection committees comprised of leading scholars and educators connected to the museum, who are seeking works that combine strong literary merit with original research and thoughtful interpretations of established topics.

Complementing the award for Best Book, Bell observes the Best Debut Book category is central to the programs goals. Early-career historians are often at the forefront of the latest research and may push the historical field into new understandings with their original perspectives and approaches, he says. However, they may lack the visibility or institutional support available to more established scholars. The debut award aims to support emerging historians bringing their work to broader audiences, and to strengthen the field as a whole.

The awards are part of the museums wide slate of initiatives, including distance learning and digital programming, designed to reach audiences far beyond its New Orleans campus.

Award submissions for books published in 2026 must be received by December 31, 2026. Finalists and awardees will be announced publicly the following spring, and the winning authors in both categories will be hosted at The National WWII Museum later in the year to participate in a public program discussing their work.

Find out more about the World War II Book Awards here.
LANZHOU, March 17 (Xinhua) -- After two decades of collaborative efforts, the content of Tibetan manuscripts from Dunhuang in northwest China, currently held in Britain and France, has been fully compiled and published, Northwest Minzu University announced on Tuesday.

A total of 61 volumes of Dunhuang manuscripts written in the Tibetan language, kept in collections in the British Library and the National Library of France, were taken abroad from the Library Cave of the millennium-old Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang in the early 20th century, according to Tsering, director of the institute of overseas ethnic documents at the university, a key project participant based in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province in northwest China.

The publication project was carried out collaboratively by the university and Shanghai Classics Publishing House in cooperation with the British Library and the National Library of France from 2005 to 2025.

Tsering said that the publication of 35 volumes of the ancient manuscripts from France was completed in 2021, containing 3,174 cataloged items and more than 28,000 high-resolution images, while the 26 volumes held in Britain were completed in 2025 in the same format. Prior to this, only a small portion of these manuscripts had been reproduced in print.

The research team at Northwest Minzu University overcame challenges, such as incomplete characters, blurred handwriting and the complexity of the language, to establish a Chinese-Tibetan bilingual catalog for the manuscripts, said Tashi Dondrup, a professor at the university.

Dunhuang, a city along the ancient Silk Road in Gansu, is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and over 260 cultural relic sites.

The Tibetan manuscripts from Dunhuang are the oldest known extant paper Tibetan documents. Their content covers Buddhist scriptures, historical works, contracts, official documents and legal texts, spanning a wide range of fields including the history, politics, economy and culture of the Tubo Empire (618-842). The manuscripts at the British and French libraries are of great academic value. 
As the world focuses on Iran and all the uncertainties that the current crisis entails, attention on Venezuela has faded, despite the fact that it has been fewer than three months since President Trump announced that Nicolas Maduro had been seized for eventual trial in New York on narcotics trafficking charges and that the United States was taking control of then countrys oil exports and thus of its economy.

But much has happened since then, and while Trump has expressed satisfaction with the current state of affairs, he may not be able to avoid indefinitely some tough policy choices, given that he has in effect made Venezuela a protectorate, with the United States the determining factor in its political and economic future.

Shortly after Maduros seizure, Secretary of State Rubio outlined three stages which the United States envisioned for Venezuela: first, stabilization, to prevent the country from descending into chaos; second, recovery, which entails the entry of U.S. firms to revitalize its battered petroleum industry; and third, transition, at an unspecified pace, to democratic governance.

The Trump administration can point to success at its first goal, stabilization. Maduros Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, has assumed the reins of power; the streets are calm, and for most Venezuelans life goes on. But the machinery of the one-party Bolivarian state established by Hugo Chavez remains intact, and hardliners Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino remain as Interior and Defense Ministers respectively.

Some progress has been made on economic recovery. With the United States overseeing oil exports, Venezuela is now able to charge the full international price, instead of selling at a discount to China to avoid sanctions. New investor-friendly laws on petroleum and mining have been passed, and international oil companies are showing some signs of interest. The economy is beginning to grow, but how large and how sustained this recovery will be remains unclear, given broader uncertainties regarding Venezuelas political future.

And, indeed, serious questions remain regarding the promised democratic transition. An amnesty law for political prisoners has been passed, but it is full of loopholes. Many prisoners have been released, but many remain. The police have been more tolerant of public dissent, but on occasion they have reverted to arresting opponents. The courts and the electoral authority are unreformed. And, of course, no date has been set for free and fair elections.

The Trump administration has remained largely silent regarding such elections. Its decision to affect events in Venezuela through its one-off seizure of Maduro and its control of oil exports, rather than through a conventional military intervention, meant that it had no choice except to deal with the existing regime, at least at first, but the danger exists that the longer the status quo prevails, the harder it will be to move on from it.

The United States has re-established diplomatic relations with what it terms Venezuelas interim authorities and has told courts that the Rodriguez government is the sole legitimate representative of the country. And Trump has been effusive in praising her, saying she is doing a great job, while avoiding discussion of any democratic transition. And he has suggested that, like Rodriguez , an internal candidate might best for Iran.

Maria Corina Machado, the driving force behind Venezuelas opposition, apparently seeing U.S. limited interest in democracy, has said that she intends to return to Venezuela in a few weeks. For his part, Trump has sought to wave her off of this idea, expressing concern for her safety. (And indeed Interior Minister Cabello has said that he has a surprise for her, should she return.)

But if Machado enters Venezuela and is detained or harmed, or she is left alone and galvanizes its public to demand elections, Trump could be be faced with a choice he does not want to makewill he use the tremendous power he has over Venezuelas oil to insist on democracy or will he make clear that he accepts an authoritarian regime so long as it is pro-U.S.? As Trump strives for a positive outcome in Iran, his actions in Venezuela, which he has viewed as the perfect scenario, may come back to haunt him.

Richard M. Sanders is Senior Fellow, Western Hemisphere, at the Center for the National Interest in Washington DC. A former member of the Senior Foreign Service of the Department of State, he served at posts throughout Latin America, including at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.
The recent US-Israeli attacks against Iran have proven something to the world: Either you get the bomb, or you bow before someone who has the bomb. That wouldnt be so grim if the stakes werent so high. But the issue with nuclear bombs is it only takes one to go off before apocalyptic concerns rear their head. To small and great powers alike, the current war in Iran proves the only guarantee of deterring a nuclear-armed adversary in this era is if you actually have a nuclear weapon of your own.

Oceans of ink have been spilled over who should or should not get a nuclear weapon, but given the recent events, several countries are doing more than just talking about becoming nuclear powers. Poland, Finland, Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia are a few of the countries which reportedly are eyeing getting their own nuclear deterrent. Undoubtedly others are secretly scrambling to see if they can acquire nuclear capabilities themselves.

Despite these countries being part of many international treaties and alliances, they are rationally realizing if they want some semblance of independence, they need a means to assert themselves. Theyre watching what is happening in Iran and see that the cost for not having nuclear weapons just went up. Even if a country isnt a state-sponsor of terror and may have great respectability on the world stage, who says all those friendships will last? Wise leaders understand that international relationships can flip on a dime, and if a major deterrent like an alliance isnt guaranteed to protect you, why wouldnt you want the most dreaded weapon on the planet as an alternative?

The reason why no one is talking about invading North Korea is mainly because they have nuclear weaponsthe prospect of Chinese involvement a la the Korean War helps bolster North Koreas defenses too. Pyongyangs behavior may cause headaches but none of their actions are bad enough to justify the risk of nuclear fallout from any kind of altercation.

If there is any international order, it should discourage more nuclear actors from coming into play. The amount of nuclear weapons one country has is one question, but multiplying the number of countries which possess nuclear weapon capabilities makes international relations far more high-stakes than it already is.

Those who argue that certain states would suspend their rationality and use nuclear weapons on a whim, risking the complete destruction of their own country in the form of retaliatory strikes, have very little evidence for their position. This is not to say we should turn a blind eye as countries make steps to acquiring nuclear weapons. Rather, the issue is that states are indeed rational actors. What the United States and Israel have just taught the world is that either you have the ultimate deterrent or you dontthere is no maybe-we-will-maybe-we-wont middle ground that serves as a deterrent.

If one of the hopes of the war was to reduce the risk of proliferation, that clearly backfired. One could argue it's acceptable for our allies to acquire nuclear weapons since that creates less dependence on the United States, allowing Washington to finally pursue burden shifting in earnest. While its true that we should be less engaged with the European theater and hand it off to our allies, we should also consider that no alliance is permanent. Ukraine stands as another clear demonstration of how big a mistake it is to give up your nuclear weapons if you happen to acquire them. Only a few decades after giving up their nuclear stockpile to Russia, they found themselves being invaded by Russia. What country wants to be in that situation?

Its unrealistic to think Washington will remain the dominant power forevermore. In the coming years, more countries  both inside and outside of the Western sphere of influence  will likely pursue a nuclear weapons program. Policy experts and lawmakers need to start envisioning a world in which more medium-sized or even small powers have nuclear weapon capabilities. We should preemptively be forming relationships expecting that future. Perhaps America can prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, but can the US stop every country that will ever want a weapon? What length is America willing to go to ensure no country can ever again join the nuclear club?

The lesson for those thinking about how nuclear warfare has changed in the last decade is clear. Every country, to a greater or lesser degree, has an incentive to acquire a nuclear weapon and keep it. Until they get one, make a strong alliance with a friendly nuclear power who wont make it their job to hinder you. If thats the global order we didnt want, too bad  because its the one were breathing life into right now.

Alex Madajian is a Contributing Fellow at Defense Priorities.
TEHRAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the ongoing U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran in a phone call Monday night, the official IRNA news agency reported Tuesday.

Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of military "aggression" against Iran, calling it a "flagrant violation" of the UN Charter and international law. He urged Guterres and the United Nations to "decisively and explicitly" condemn the attacks and hold the "aggressors" accountable.

He said the U.S.-Israeli operations are the main source of "imposed insecurity" in the region and the Strait of Hormuz, and stressed that any discussion of shipping security in the Strait cannot be separated from the broader regional situation.

Araghchi blamed the disruption in shipping on the "imposed" U.S.-Israeli war and called on the international community to condemn their actions "responsibly and without appeasement" and demand an end to the military aggression.

He also denounced Israel's attacks on Lebanon, which he said have killed hundreds, and warned that ignoring Israel's actions in the occupied Palestinian territories and other regional countries risks expanding the scope of its aggression and worsening regional insecurity.

Guterres, according to IRNA, shared his views on the situation in the region and the security of shipping lanes.

U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran entered their 18th day on Tuesday, causing heavy casualties and widespread destruction, according to Iranian authorities. Iran has retaliated with attacks that have effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and drawn much of the region into the conflict. 
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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple David Trimble and Madison Myers have announced they're engaged and plan to get remarried.Madison took to Instagram on Monday and posted a carousel of photos featuring the newly-engaged couple smiling, toasting champagne, cutting a cake, and celebrating with friends at their engagement party in Chicago, IL.According to Madison, the party -- which had a St. Patrick's Day theme, complete with green balloons and shamrock sunglasses -- was a "surprise" this past weekend."The easiest yes of my life. Simply just over the moon from this weekend with a proposal and surprise engagement party with some of our closest friends and family," Madison wrote alongside the images."I love you more than anything @chitown_shark and I can't wait to marry you! [Ring and heart emojis]. #Engaged #BridalEra #LuckyCharmSecured #MAD."Madison and David also both posted photos from the celebration on Sunday via Instagram Stories.It appeared Madison had shown up to the event in green-checkered pants and later changed into a white dress with a green knit shawl. David, for his part, sported a green collared shirt with beers and leprechaun hats all over it.Fellow MAFS co-stars Camille Parsons and Thomas McDonald -- who were the only Season 18 couple who chose to stay together on "Decision Day" -- attended the bash.On Sunday, David had posted a video of himself proposing marriage to Madison at a cozy table in a restaurant.David and Madison were apparently enjoying a sweet dessert when David suddenly brought out an oversized die and asked Madison to roll it on the table.After Madison rolled the die, David opened it up to reveal an oval-diamond engagement ring inside.Madison appeared completely shocked and thrilled before she said yes. The couple then stood up next to their table to hug and kiss as people around them clapped and cheered.David set his upload to the song "Risk It All" by Bruno Mars Madison and David both starred on 's 18th season, which aired on Lifetime from October 2024 through March 2025.However, Madison and David kicked off the show by marrying other people. Madison wed Allen Slovick at first sight, and David tied the knot with Michelle Tomblin.David's marriage was seemingly doomed from the start when Michelle discovered he still lived with his parents in their basement. David complained that Michelle treated him poorly and constantly judged him.Madison, meanwhile, got along great with her husband Allen, who was clearly crazy about her, but she lacked an attraction to him.Madison and David, who are both into fitness, apparently developed a friendship by venting to each other at the gym in their shared apartment building.Madison and David's respective marriages blew up when David accidentally sent Michelle a text that was intended for Madison. The flirty message said something along the lines of, "I want to eat you up."Michelle lost all trust in David at that point, and the situation worsened when David chose to lie about the meaning behind his text -- and whom he had meant to send it to -- for weeks.Madison and David expressed their feelings for each other at the couples' retreat, and then their relationship progressed from there.Madison and David's marriages naturally ended in divorce on the show, and they put on a united front at the reunion, which angered and disgusted a heartbroken Allen.In a update episode that filmed over a year after "Decision Day," David gushed about how Madison completed him and he was completely in love with her."She is the woman I've always wanted. To know that I have her now, it's something I'm never going to give up and I'm going to fight for. It's just love, baby! It's love," David gushed to the cameras.Madison voiced how she probably didn't want to live in Chicago long-term, but David said he'd be "down for whatever" as long as they're together."He makes me the happiest person in the world, to be honest. I didn't even know that this happiness existed. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I'm going to make sure he feels just as special as he makes me feel every day," Madison gushed in a confessional.Madison told David that the perception of him being a "lazy mama's boy that lives in a basement" couldn't be further from the truth and he's such "a loving family guy."David said he fell in love with Madison because she always saw through the superficial."One thing I've probably struggled with more, in terms of watching the show and everything, is seeing how poorly Michelle had treated you," Madison told her man.Madison told David that she loved him so much and what Michelle had done to him was "hurtful and demeaning."Madison then dropped the bombshell that she and David were living together.David also met Madison's father and told him, "She is the woman of my dreams, and I wish she was the one who walked down that aisle, but everything happens for a reason."He added, "We have talked about marriage, and I just wanted to let you know that that will be something coming down the line. I will be asking for your blessing."Madison's dad replied, "I'll give you my answer when it comes to that."Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now!
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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/17/2026



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

has stopped filming its fifth season after Taylor Frankie Paul was allegedly involved in an new domestic assault dispute."They are not filming," a source told People of , which released its fourth season on Hulu earlier this month."Taylor has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off."A spokesperson for the Draper City Police Department told the magazine that there is an open "domestic assault investigation" involving Taylor and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, who is the father of her youngest child, Ever True, who turns two on March 19.The spokesperson added how "allegations have been made in both directions" and "contact was made" with the two parties on February 24 and 25.The spokesperson, however, did not share more details about the alleged incident and ongoing investigation.According to a second source, cast members -- who also star in #MomTok videos alongside Taylor -- has chosen to distance themselves from Taylor amid her legal troubles."None of the women want to be associated with her," the insider noted.Representatives for Taylor, Dakota, Hulu and The Bachelorette did not respond to People's request for comment.Taylor filmed The Bachelorette late last year, and her season is scheduled to premiere Sunday, March 22 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.documented Taylor's rocky romance with Dakota, the first man she dated after her divorce from Tate Paul, as well as her 2023 arrest Taylor was taken into custody following a 2023 fight with Dakota in which she had allegedly thrown furniture at him and accidentally struck one of her children with a barstool.Taylor was booked for aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief, Us Weekly reported.The influencer pleaded guilty in August 2023 to aggravated assault. In exchange, the other four charges were dropped and Taylor ultimately reached a plea deal.Taylor and Dakota, however, stayed together through the drama and welcomed Ever in March 2024. They broke up months later in the fall, although Taylor didn't publicly confirm their split until early 2025.After Taylor was announced as The Bachelorette star for Season 22 in September 2025, she admitted to Alex Cooper on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that it wasn't a clean break from Dakota and the pair hooked up again.However, Taylor insisted at the time that she was done with that toxic relationship and her soft-swinging past."[That is] not who I am anymore," she claimed.Season 4 of showed Taylor sleeping with Dakota the night before she left to film The Bachelorette.Taylor almost didn't do the show, but once she arrived in Los Angeles -- later than anticipated -- Dakota FaceTimed her and asked her to save him a rose.Although Dakota had cheated on Taylor and betrayed her, she cracked a smile and didn't give him a direct answer.But Taylor told the cameras of her The Bachelorette gig, "I do think it's an opportunity to get away from him, absolutely. It's like a dream come true."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
NEW from Springfield Armory comes a full lineup of Aimpoint COA-equipped pistols, starting with the Echelon!

First released a little over a year ago, the Aimpoint COA has been impossible to get for many months since Glock held a 1-year exclusive on the optic and then cut sales to civilians to focus on MIL/LE orders (Just another reminder that Glock believes American civilans are actually second-class). Lucky for us, that exclusive deal has ended and that has opened the door for Springfield Armory to give the people what they want  great pistols paired with great optics.

Springfield offers a lot of Echelon pistols, but the ones with COA will start with three models. 4.5F, 4.0FC and 4.0C models.

The 4.5F is a full-size model with a 4.5 barrel, the slightly smaller 4.0FC is a hybrid model with a proprietary full-size grip module and a compact slide assembly with a 4 barrel, and lastly the 4.0C is a compact model with a 4 barrel. 4.5F and 4.0FC both use 18-round standard or 20-round extended magazines, while the smaller 4.0C comes with a 15-round standard and 18-round extended mag.

All three have an MSRP of $1,120. That sounds high, but keep in mind the Aimpoint COA has a standalone MSRP of $617, and a normal base Echelon starts at $710. This combo deal from the factory actually comes out less expensive than tyring to buy each by themselves.

We are extremely proud to announce the launch of these Aimpoint COA-equipped Springfield Armory pistols, said Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory. Pairing the Aimpoint COA closed-emitter optic with these dedicated A-CUT Springfield Armory pistols makes for a combination ideal for facing the most demanding situations and environments.

Springfield Armory also says they plan to offer more pistols equipped with the COA coming soon. Prodigy DS 1911 and standard 1911 with a COA sound awesome to us.

ON THE RANGE

The COA topped Echelon has been in my hands for several weeks and a lot of rounds on the range. This isnt my first time shooting an Echelon, and its already one of my favorite pistols, but this was the first time getting rounds down range using the COA. First impression, shocked how much I like this dot.

Aimpoints first enclosed pistol dot was the ACRO P1 and it had several issues. Quickly replaced by the ACRO P2, the second generation has gone on to be one of the highest rated pistol red dots on the market. Downside, the $650-$700 street price.

The COA can almost be seen as a gen 3 ACRO. Enclosed, duty-rated, very robust, same window size, but with a LOT of the bulk taken out, so feels and is smaller where it matters. Shooting with the COA is easy, great glass, and backed by legendary Aimpoint quality and service.

Aimpoint didnt just redesign the optic; they also redesigned the optic mount. Using the new and exclusive A-Cut, the COA cant really mount to anything currently in your safe. While its possible to mill for the A-Cut, its not as easy as RMR or DPP cuts and requires a slide that hasnt been milled for another optic already.

Good news is that the A-Cut is extremely durable and improves on the design as a whole. If you use a red dot pistol enough, youve likely seen them fail in some way or another. The A-Cut offers better mounting and reinforcement for the optic to increase an already reliable system.

Because getting an A-Cut slide isnt very easy right now, getting an entire pistol built for the optic is a nice option. In our book, the Echelon is one of the best (maybe even the best) duty-pistol on the market right now. The smaller versions of the Echelon are great for concealed carry and defensive use, while the larger full-size models are perfect for OWB carry and competition. Adding the COA on top just makes it better.

While the optic itself is basically an improved ACRO P2, the cut is really what makes the difference. Getting lower on the slide and adding rear support to the optic sounds like small changes, but theyre changes that make big differences. Lower optic means more natural aiming, and more support just means more durability.

LOOSE ROUNDS

The Aimpoint COA is a nice improvement in pistol optics, but its not a total game-changer. Add the price and the difficulties of a new optic cut, and its not something most people are going to rush out to get. But getting the COA with an already proven pistol like the Echelon makes this a much better deal.

If youre wondering why we love the Echelon so much, take a look at these reviews.
Layan Elmor wakes up at approximately 5:15 a.m. each morning, making sure she is extra quiet to avoid waking her roommate in their shared dorm room. She grabs her water, snacks and dining hall to-go box from the fridge, and goes downstairs to the kitchen to heat up her breakfast. Then, it is time for the first prayer of the day at dawn, marking the start of the fast.
'If movement remains stalled for three to four months, more than 300,000 recruitments from India could be affected.'

IMAGE: Smoke billows from the Jebel Ali port in Dubai after an Iranian attack. Photograph: Amr Alfik/Reuters

Key Points Rising tensions and attacks across Iran and parts of the Gulf have slowed recruitment of Indian workers to Gulf countries.

Recruiters warn that if hiring pauses for three to four months, more than 300,000 Indian job placements to the Gulf could be delayed.

Around 9 million Indians live and work across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, mainly in construction, oil and gas, hospitality, and healthcare.

The conflict in West Asia is beginning to ripple through India's overseas labour market, halting recruitment flows to the Gulf and potentially disrupting hundreds of thousands of migration plans.

With attacks reported across Iran and parts of the Gulf region, uncertainty has slowed the steady pipeline of Indian workers heading to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Recruiters say the pause could delay more than 300,000 job placements if hiring remains stalled for several months, but the impact is likely to be temporary.

India has roughly 9 million citizens living and working across the GCC, many employed in sectors such as construction, oil and gas, hospitality and healthcare.

While governments in the region have moved to stabilise the situation, the ongoing tensions have forced recruiters and employers to temporarily slow hiring.

"The current West Asia tensions have caused an immediate halt in movement and recruitment, leading to a significant slowdown for Indian workers," says Amit Saxena, director of Mumbai-based overseas recruitment agency Ambe International.

According to him, between 100,000 and 150,000 Indians migrate to the Gulf every month.

"If movement remains stalled for three to four months, more than 300,000 recruitments from India could be affected."

The GCC economies have traditionally offered large-scale employment opportunities across infrastructure, energy, and service sectors.

In recent years, demand has also expanded to white-collar roles in finance, compliance, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce.

Those from the industry say these roles may take longer to recover if the crisis drags on.

Infrastructure and energy projects typically resume quickly due to tight timelines, but white-collar hiring often depends on longer-term business confidence.

The migration process itself takes about three months from recruitment to deployment.

"Leading the migration list are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, with increasing participation from Gujarat and Maharashtra in skilled roles," says Pallavi Chawla, founder and chief executive officer of Alliance Recruitment Agency.

Large-scale industrial projects could also feel the impact of a hiring pause.

"Annually, over 10,000 workers go to major refinery projects across the region, particularly in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates," says Saxena, adding that a stoppage in hiring could slow progress on significant contracts.

However, recruiters say most migrants are not abandoning Gulf opportunities entirely.

Instead, they are recalibrating their plans and favouring relatively stable destinations within the region.

"In such situations, countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia continue to attract talent because of their relative stability and strong economic activity," says Dubai-based career consultant Manas Bichoo.

Recruiters add that hiring markets rarely shift overnight. "Some companies may take a short wait-and-watch approach, but overall demand for talent remains stable," Chawla says.

Relief measures

Governments across the region have also introduced temporary relief measures for workers already present in the Gulf. Several countries have eased visa regulations to prevent workers from falling out of legal status during travel disruptions.

The UAE has waived overstay fines for both tourists and residents unable to leave after February 28.

Kuwait has launched a fully digital system allowing a one-month visa extension, with the possibility of further extensions depending on the situation. Qatar has introduced similar temporary measures.

"These steps help retain workers and reduce forced migration," says Saxena.

Recruitment agencies say they remain in close contact with workers already deployed in the region.

"We are in touch with many of our candidates. Most of them are continuing their jobs normally. The situation has not created a panic among the workforce," Chawla says.

Despite the current disruption, experts say India's overseas employment market is diversified enough to absorb temporary shocks.

Opportunities are expanding across Europe, East Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia, Chawla points out.

"Promoting alternatives such as Germany, Japan, Russia, and Southeast Asian markets helps mitigate risks from regional disruptions while maintaining overseas employment," Saxena adds.

Gulf's enduring pull

The Gulf has historically remained resilient, despite periodic geopolitical tensions. Even during regional conflicts, recruitment cycles have tended to recover once stability returns.

"Demand in sectors such as oil and gas ensures long-term employment opportunities," Saxena says, adding that hiring in the region typically follows cyclical patterns.

According to Bichoo, the UAE in particular continues to stand out as one of the region's most diversified and stable economies. Companies are still actively hiring across multiple sectors, he claims.

Over the years, Gulf governments have also reformed labour regulations to attract international workers, particularly from India.

The UAE updated its Federal Decree Law in 2024 to align with global labour standards, introducing measures such as pay equality, the abolition of unlimited contracts, and clearer work classifications.

Many of these reforms followed the migration disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, Qatar introduced a non-discriminatory minimum wage applicable to all workers regardless of nationality or sector -- the first such move in the region.

Bahrain and Oman followed suit, introducing labour reforms in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

"There is no indication that global hiring hubs will shift away from the GCC countries," says Chawla. "International recruitment patterns do not change that quickly."

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Higher jet fuel prices globally will weigh on airline profitability

Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters Key Points IndiGo does not hedge fuel prices and is, therefore, more exposed to sudden spikes.

For IndiGo, the impact of the conflict is mixed.

IndiGo has also attempted to restart some European services using alternative routes.

IndiGo airline will face near-term pressure on profitability from rising fuel prices following the escalation of conflict in West Asia, though it is likely to pass on higher costs to passengers over time because its ticket booking cycle is relatively short, according to a report by Moody's Ratings.

In a report dated March 13, the ratings agency said that IndiGo does not hedge fuel prices and is, therefore, more exposed to sudden spikes.

However, its shorter booking curve of "about 30-45 days" will likely allow the airline to pass through higher costs to customers over the "medium-term, it added.

Israel and the US carried out military strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a fresh conflict in the region, and disrupting air travel across parts of West Asia.

The developments have led to higher oil and jet fuel prices, and forced airlines to take longer routes because of airspace closures.

Conflict will squeeze airline profitability globally

Moodys said the conflict will squeeze airline profitability globally because fuel  the second-largest cost for airlines after labour  has risen sharply.

Higher jet fuel prices globally will weigh on airline profitability, the report said, noting that the spike comes after several years in which relatively moderate fuel prices supported airline earnings.

The agency noted that Brent crude prices had surged to nearly $100 per barrel after the conflict began, about 45 per cent higher than the average price in 2025.

At the same time, the spot price of jet fuel in the US Gulf Coast region rose to more than $3.50 per gallon, roughly 65 per cent higher than the 2025 average.

Impact of the conflict on IndiGo

For IndiGo, the impact of the conflict is mixed.

While the airline has exposure to West Asia travel  the region contributes about 18-20 per cent to its revenue  its dominant presence in Indias domestic market provides a cushion, the ratings agency said.

The carrier holds around 64 per cent share of the domestic market, and generates roughly three-quarters of its revenue from domestic operations, it added.

The airline has also attempted to restart some European services using alternative routes after airspace disruptions, though the effort has had only partial success, it said.

Over the medium term, IndiGo retains the flexibility to redeploy aircraft to domestic routes or to destinations in Southeast Asia if disruptions persist, the report said.

IndiGo will face near-term pressure

Moodys said IndiGo will face near-term pressure from increased fuel costs, longer flight times on account of rerouting, and ongoing exposure to foreign exchange volatility from the depreciation of the Indian rupee.

Fuel costs are particularly sensitive for airlines because even small increases in jet fuel prices can significantly raise operating expenses.

According to IndiGo's estimates cited in the report, every $1 increase in jet fuel prices raises the airlines fuel expenses by about Rs 20-25 crore per month based on its current consumption.
Cybersecurity giant Kaspersky is set to ramp up its investment in India, transforming the nation into a regional service hub amid growing concerns over AI-driven cyber threats and the need for advanced security solutions.

Photograph: Kind courtesy pixabay.com

Key Points Kaspersky plans to double its investments in India, using it as a hub for regional marketing, business development, and cloud operations.

The company reported strong double-digit growth in 2024 and expects even better financial results for 2025.

Kaspersky warns that cyber-attacks are likely to worsen in 2026 due to the increasing accessibility of AI tools, leading to more sophisticated threats like deepfakes.

The company highlights the importance of using AI to combat AI-driven cyber threats and recommends upgrading cybersecurity measures to address the evolving digital landscape.

Kaspersky identifies 'SOC as a Service' as a key trend in India, helping cost-sensitive enterprises achieve better security at a lower cost.

Global cybersecurity major Kaspersky is set to double down on its investments in India, citing stronger-than-expected financial performance and plans to use the country as a hub for regional services, according to a senior company official.

In an interview with PTI, Adrian Hia, Managing Director, Kaspersky (APAC), said the company is considering basing its marketing, business development, and cloud operations in India to serve both local and regional customers.

Following a strong double-digit growth in 2024, Hia indicated that the company's 2025 financial results, expected to be released in April, show even better performance.

"We are going to continue to double down, not only in people, not only in offices, but we are now even thinking of how we can get some consolidated effort regarding marketing, business development engine, cloud services, cloud engine, to be based in India, but not only to serve the Indian customers, but also to serve customers across the region, (Our) investment has paid off. We are very confident that this year is going to be an even better year than 2025," Hia said.

He added that if the company establishes a data centre in India to serve regional customers, the hiring numbers would increase significantly.

Escalating Cyber Threat Landscape

Addressing the evolving threat environment, Hia warned that cyber-attacks are likely to worsen in 2026.

With Kaspersky blocking over 4.7 crore web-based threats in India in 2025, Hia said that the ease of access to AI tools has made threats like deepfakes rampant and high-quality, noting that it has now become crucial to "use AI to fight AI".

"Harness the power of AI, No matter which country you are from, wherever you are, because our digital footprint today is beyond just one single device. The way that we use social media, the way that we have more and more services digitally, it is increasing the attack surface. So, is it going to come down in 2026? Unfortunately, no. I think it's going to get worse," he warned.

Hia commended the Indian government's "tiering of data" strategy, which distinguishes between sovereign data and less classified data suitable for the cloud. However, he cautioned that localised sovereign Large Language Models (LLMs) require nations to be solely responsible for the surrounding cybersecurity threats.

Hia also pointed to the risks inherent in India's interconnected systems.

"When we talk about all the linked data from healthcare to banking to payments... supply chain attacks are going to be something to watch out for," Hia warned, noting that an infection in one part of an integrated system could have a "cascading effect."

SOC as a Service and the Impact of AI

To address the cost-sensitive nature of the Indian market, Hia identified "SOC (Security Operating Centre) as a Service" as a major trend. He noted that while over 90 per cent of Indian enterprises have a SOC strategy, more than half are looking for "as-a-service" models to achieve economies of scale and better quality at a lower cost point.

On the topic of AI-led job losses, Hia acknowledged that AI would replace manual tasks such as basic accounting, software coding, and web page handling.

"I strongly suggest everybody upgrade yourself. I think upgrading yourself is going to be really important," he said.
'Nitish Kumar may be marginalised as an office-holder, but that is not the same thing as the disappearance of Nitish Kumar's politics.'

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar being garlanded at Jan Samvaad during the Samriddhi Yatra in Supaul, March 10, 2026. State Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also present. Photograph: CMO Bihar/ANI Photo

Key Points 'If the BJP had already decided that it wanted to inherit Bihar rather than merely co-manage it through Nitish Kumar, the most effective moment to act was early, not late.'

'Nitish himself is unlikely to become the vehicle of rebellion.'

'Marginalised groups may continue to receive benefits, but their political ambitions could become more tightly managed, more moderated, and less transformative in scope.'

"Bihar should not be read as a plug-and-play template for the entire north and east. The BJP itself understands that each state has a different social structure, political memory and regional common sense," explains Vignesh Karthik KR, one of the most incisive commentators on democracy and politics.

Dr Karthik is a postdoctoral research affiliate of Indian and Indonesian politics at The Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, and a research affiliate at King's India Institute, King's College London.

In an interview with Rediff's Archana Masih, Dr Karthik discusses the BJP's continued dependence on Nitish Kumar's legacy, the political equilibrium behind Nitish's endurance and why the BJP will not advertise the Bihar idiom everywhere.

Nitish Kumar agreed to step down as Bihar chief minister and move from Patna to Delhi via the Rajya Sabha.

It was largely expected that the BJP would sideline him for its own CM -- but did you expect this transition to happen so quickly, just three months after an election won in his name?

The speed is what shocks people, but strategically it makes sense. If the BJP had already decided that it wanted to inherit Bihar rather than merely co-manage it through Nitish Kumar, the most effective moment to act was early, not late.

A delayed transition would only have prolonged uncertainty, deepened factional bargaining, and left less time for a BJP chief minister to consolidate authority before the next major electoral cycle.

Acting early gives the BJP what matters most in state politics: Time in office, control over appointments, room to discipline legislators, and the chance to build administrative ownership rather than remain permanently derivative of Nitish's legitimacy.

Reports around the Rajya Sabha move have also framed the timing in relation to Nitish Kumar's age, frailty, and reduced public activity, which makes an early transfer of power more explicable than a late-term gamble.

So, did I expect a transition? Yes. Did I expect it this soon? The speed is still striking. But once one accepts that the BJP wanted to convert electoral dependence into governing primacy, the logic of 'the sooner, the better' becomes quite clear.

Shock is politically useful when it comes before counter-mobilisation can gather force.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar with Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha during the Samriddhi Yatra in Begusarai, March 14, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Isn't this a betrayal of the mandate? Or do these things have ceased to matter to political parties and voters any more?

At one level, yes, it can be read as a betrayal. The election was fought in Nitish Kumar's name, his welfare credibility mattered to the NDA's social coalition, and his image remained central to the alliance's acceptability among many women, EBC and Mahadalit voters.

The mandate was not for a generic post-election substitution detached from that moral economy. But betrayal does not automatically become a politically consequential betrayal.

That depends on whether the sense of injury can be organised, narrated, and sustained in public. In Bihar, that is far from guaranteed.

First, Nitish himself is unlikely to become the vehicle of rebellion.

Second, Bihar has long suffered from a condescending national common sense that treats its politics as transactional or disposable, which reduces the moral force with which such a transition is discussed outside the state.

Third, the BJP possesses a far more sophisticated communication machine than its opponents. Unless restive voices are carefully mobilised through party structures, social networks and local leadership, disquiet may remain private sentiment rather than electoral consequence.

So the issue still matters, but it only matters politically if someone can convert feeling into organisation.

After being CM for 21 years, what do you see as Nitish Kumar's political future -- in Delhi and in Bihar?

Has he been finally marginalised by the BJP? Is this the end of his politics -- nationally and in the state? Or is there still space for his politics?

This is best seen as an ungraceful or at least not fully dignified retirement from executive office, rather than a clean political erasure.

Nitish Kumar may be marginalised as an office-holder, but that is not the same thing as the disappearance of Nitish Kumar's politics.

His longer political significance lies in the kind of order he represented: A moderated, incremental, managerial politics that did not fundamentally overturn social hierarchies, but made them governable; that extended welfare and administrative access without fully dislocating the underlying social balance.

That politics remains useful to the BJP.

Unlike figures such as Lalu Prasad Yadav, Karpoori Thakur or Ram Vilas Paswan, Nitish's project did not derive its force from a frontal challenge to entrenched hierarchies.

That is precisely why it travelled well across social blocs. For dominant groups, he was a safe custodian of order. For subordinate groups, he offered moderated welfare and calibrated inclusion.

That equilibrium is what allowed him to endure for so long, and that same equilibrium can now be appropriated by the BJP as the bridge through which it normalises its own deeper rise in Bihar.

In that sense, Nitish may have been moved aside, but 'Nitishism' as a style of social management is far from over. It may, in fact, become the vehicle through which the BJP expands.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar waves to people during the ongoing Samriddhi Yatra in Supaul, March 10, 2026. Photograph: CMO Bihar/ANI Photo

After being a junior partner for decades, the BJP is a dominant force in the state -- how is this going to change Bihar both politically and socially?

The BJP now enjoys three structural advantages at once: Control at the Union level, the prospect of several uninterrupted years in office in Bihar under a leadership of its choosing, and an Opposition that is not merely weak but significantly delegitimised in the public arena, especially the RJD.

That combination gives the BJP unusual room to reshape the state's political grammar.

Politically, I would expect a further shift from a rights-and-dignity repertoire toward a welfare-and-infrastructure repertoire. That is an important distinction.

Bihar's post-Mandal politics once carried a stronger idiom of recognition, representation and social justice. Under a more dominant BJP-led order, those languages are likely to be thinned out and replaced by a model centred on targeted welfare delivery, visible infrastructure, administrative order, and symbolic inclusion without deep redistribution of power.

Socially, the likely outcome is not the disappearance of aspiration but the reintroduction of glass ceilings. Marginalised groups may continue to receive benefits, but their political ambitions could become more tightly managed, more moderated, and less transformative in scope.

Welfare may expand while social mobility remains carefully contained.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee during the dharna against SIR issuesmat Dorina Crossing, Esplanade, Kolkata, March 8, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

What impact is this going to have on neighbouring West Bengal that goes to the polls next month -- and on BJP's larger dominance in the north and east?

In West Bengal, this development is more likely to strengthen Mamata Banerjee's campaign than weaken it.

Bihar gives her a fresh neighbouring example through which to dramatise the BJP's centralising instinct: The argument that Delhi first uses regional leaders instrumentally and then sidelines them once it is strong enough.

That fits very neatly with Mamata's established political idiom of defending Bengal, Bengali identity, and state autonomy against what she portrays as external domination.

She has already built parts of her political messaging around Bengali asmita and around anxieties related to voter-list revision and central overreach.

Bihar gives that argument a vivid and timely illustration.

At the same time, Bihar should not be read as a plug-and-play template for the entire north and east. The BJP itself understands that each state has a different social structure, political memory and regional common sense.

What worked in Bihar depended heavily on Nitish Kumar's legacy, the BJP-JD-U complementarity, and the specific social history of the state.

A seasoned party will avoid flaunting the Bihar manoeuvre too loudly elsewhere, especially in states where regional self-respect can become a potent counter-mobilising resource.

So Bihar may embolden the BJP, but it will not be advertised by the BJP in the same idiom everywhere.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
TEHRAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday confirmed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij volunteer force, in a U.S.-Israeli strike.

The IRGC said in a statement that the senior commander was a veteran military figure who played an important role in major conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War, and held prominent leadership positions in recent years.

The IRGC praised Soleimani's leadership of Basij as "strategic and irreplaceable," citing his work in mobilizing the public, driving development, and supporting underprivileged communities.

Soleimani's death underscores the critical role Basij plays in a broad confrontation with the United States, Israel and their allies, especially amid recent conflicts, the IRGC said, adding that it will continue its retaliation for the "martyrdom" of its leaders, commanders, and others.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in ongoing strikes. Iran has not responded to Netanyahu's claim.

The development came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional proxies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. 
In a landmark verdict, a Gujarat court has sentenced five individuals to five years imprisonment in the 2016 Una flogging case, delivering justice to the Dalit men who were brutally thrashed for skinning a cow carcass, an incident that triggered nationwide outrage.

Key Points Five individuals sentenced to five years in jail in the 2016 Una flogging case.

The case involved the thrashing of four Dalit men for skinning a cow carcass in Gujarat.

The special court invoked the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in its sentencing.

The incident in Mota Samadhiyala village sparked widespread protests across India.

In addition to jail time, each convict was fined Rs 5,000.

A special court on Tuesday sentenced five convicts in the 2016 Una flogging case in which four Dalit men were thrashed when they were trying to skin the carcass of a cow to imprisonment of five years and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on each of them.

A day earlier, the special court in Veraval convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in the flogging case. The incident had triggered massive protests across the country at the time.

On Tuesday, the court of special SC/ST atrocities cases judge JJ Pandya sentenced the five accused to a five-year jail term under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Apart from a maximum jail term of five years, the court also sentenced them to three-year imprisonment under sections 323 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code, one-year imprisonment under section 342, and a jail term of two years under section 504. All the sentences will run concurrently.

The incident occurred at Mota Samadhiyala village near Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, 2016, when four Dalit youths, as part of their traditional profession, were skinning the carcass of a cow that had died earlier in some other village.
In a landmark verdict, five individuals have been sentenced to five years in jail for the 2016 Una flogging case, a horrific incident of caste-based violence against Dalit men in Gujarat.

Key Points Five individuals sentenced to five years in jail in the 2016 Una flogging case for atrocities against Dalits.

The case involved the flogging of four Dalit men for skinning a cow carcass in Mota Samadhiyala village, Gujarat.

The convicts were found guilty under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident sparked widespread protests across India after videos of the attack went viral, highlighting issues of caste-based violence.

The court examined 260 witnesses during the trial, shedding light on the details of the crime and the involvement of the accused.

A special court has sentenced five convicts in the 2016 Una flogging case to imprisonment of five years and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on each of them. The case involved the thrashing of four Dalit men when they were trying to skin the carcass of a cow.

A day earlier, the special court in Veraval convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in the flogging case, while the case against a policeman was abated due to his death. The trial against a juvenile is pending.

The incident, which occurred in Mota Samadhiyala village, had triggered massive protests across the country after videos of the attack went viral.

Court Ruling and Charges

On Tuesday, the court of special SC/ST atrocities cases judge JJ Pandya sentenced the five accused to a five-year jail term under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Apart from a maximum jail term of five years, the court also sentenced them to three-year imprisonment under sections 323 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code, one-year imprisonment under section 342, and a jail term of two years under section 504. All the sentences will run concurrently.

Defence lawyer Vijay Kumar said that four out of these five convicts have already served more than six years in jail, while another one has been in jail for the last four years and two months, and will be required to undergo the remaining jail term.

The convicts are identified as Ramesh Jadhav, Rakesh Joshi, Nagji Vaniya, Pramodgiri Goswami, and Balwatgiri Goswami. while the trial against a juvenile is pending.

The court had examined 260 witnesses during the course of the trial.

The IPC sections under which the accused were convicted deal with causing simple hurt, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons, wrongful confinement, and intentional insult.

They were also held guilty under sections 3 (1)(D) and 3 (1)(E)(R)(S)(U) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

However, they were acquitted under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 397 (robbery), 365 (kidnapping), 147 (rioting), 355 (assault to dishonour a person), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) under which they were chargesheeted.

Background of the Incident

The incident occurred at Mota Samadhiyala village near Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, 2016, when four Dalit youths, as part of their traditional profession, were skinning the carcass of a cow that had died earlier in some other village.

The accused, self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, flogged the youths, who were then illegally put in the lockup and thrashed by police personnel as well.

It was alleged that the four Dalits were thrashed for almost 4-5 hours. Police allegedly connived with the perpetrators and forged some FIR-related documents to help them.

Villagers from nearby areas had attempted to rescue the Dalit youths, but were threatened by the accused. The villagers then called the police control rooms in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.
A tragic bridge collapse in Delhi's Roop Nagar resulted in the death of a woman, prompting a swift response from rescue teams and an investigation into the cause of the incident.

IMAGE: Rescue teams conducts an operation after a 60-foot iron bridge collapsed in the Roop Nagar area of north Delhi. Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points A 60-foot iron bridge collapsed in the Roop Nagar area of north Delhi.

A woman died after falling into the 'nala' below the collapsed bridge.

Rescue teams, including the NDRF and Delhi Fire Service, were deployed to the scene.

Authorities have cordoned off the area and are investigating the cause of the bridge collapse.

A 60-foot iron bridge over a 'nala' collapsed in north Delhi's Roop Nagar area on Tuesday morning, killing a woman, an official of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said.

The woman, who was a beggar around 50 years of age, died when the structure collapsed and she fell into the 'nala' below.

Rescue teams who were at the spot to locate her retrieved her body. She was declared dead at the spot, the DFS officer said.

The DFS said it received a call regarding the bridge collapse around 9.30 am, and multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

NDRF, Delhi Police On The Spot

Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Police and other emergency agencies, were immediately pressed into service.

Authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents.

Officials said the cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained, adding that a detailed inspection will be carried out.
AIIMS Jammu's successful removal of a rare tumour from a teenage girl's face not only restored her vision but also showcases the hospital's advanced neurosurgical capabilities and commitment to providing complex medical care locally.

Key Points AIIMS Jammu successfully removed a rare aneurysmal bone cyst from a 15-year-old girl, restoring her vision and facial symmetry.

The complex neurosurgery involved advanced techniques like intraoperative navigation and a cell-saver system.

The tumour, located near the forehead and eye socket, had invaded the brain and was receiving blood supply from healthy tissue.

Surgeons reconstructed the bony defect with a titanium graft and polymer bone putty for cosmetic restoration.

This achievement highlights AIIMS Jammu's ability to perform complex brain and spinal surgeries, reducing the need for patients to travel to distant institutions.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu has successfully performed a reconstructive neurosurgery on a 15-year-old girl, who was suffering from a rare bony tumour affecting her forehead and eye socket.

The patient from Punjab's Pathankot was diagnosed with an aneurysmal bone cyst - a benign but aggressive tumour - which caused facial deformity and gradual loss of vision, forcing her to stop attending school, the doctors who operated on her said.

They said that the case was challenging as the tumour had invaded the brain and was receiving part of its blood supply from healthy brain tissue.

Complex Surgical Procedure

After weeks of planning, the surgery was carried out by Dr Kanav Gupta and Dr Shaurya Darbari, assistant professors in the Department of Neurosurgery, with support from the anaesthesia team led by Dr Raksha Kundal and Dr Aleesha.

During the operation, surgeons used advanced intraoperative navigation to precisely locate the tumour's deep extensions around the eye socket, they said.

A cell-saver system was also employed to collect, purify and reinfuse the patient's own blood, reducing the need for transfusions, they said.

Following complete removal of the tumour, the resulting bony defect was reconstructed using a titanium graft, they said.

The eyebrow region, crucial for cosmetic appearance, was carefully rebuilt using a quick-setting polymer bone putty, moulded during surgery to match the natural contour of the opposite side, they said.

Positive Outcome and Future Implications

The girl has made a good recovery and is ready for discharge with restored facial symmetry and improved vision, bringing a transformative change to her life and family, officials said.

Dr Darbari, the officiating head of the neurosurgery department, said the case reflects the progress made by the department since its establishment seven months ago, highlighting that over 120 neurosurgeries have already been performed.

The patients from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are now seeking advanced care at the institute, he added.

Executive Director and CEO Prof D N Sharma said that the achievement demonstrates that complex brain and spinal surgeries - for which patients earlier had to travel to distant institutions like AIIMS New Delhi or PGIMER Chandigarh - are now available locally in Jammu.
A Ghaziabad bank manager was tragically shot and killed by a security guard after a heated dispute over salary and leave, prompting a police investigation and the arrest of two suspects.

IMAGE: Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

Key Points A bank manager in Ghaziabad was fatally shot by a security guard due to disagreements over salary and leave.

The security guard, Ravindra Hooda, and his accomplice, Shishupal, have been arrested in connection with the murder.

The incident occurred at the Loni branch of Punjab and Sind Bank, resulting in the immediate death of the bank manager, Abhishek Kumar.

Police investigations revealed that the security guard was upset about salary reductions and denied leave requests, leading to the fatal confrontation.

A case of murder has been registered, and police have recovered the weapon used in the crime, a double-barrel gun, along with ammunition.

A security guard of a Ghaziabad bank upset over leave and salary related issues walked into the manager's cabin and shot him dead, police said on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old manager of the Loni branch of the Punjab and Sind Bank was rushed to a hospital on Monday where he was declared dead, they said.

The security guard, Ravindra Hooda (50) and his accomplice, Shishupal (57), have been arrested, police said.

"The security guard along with his accomplice entered the cabin of the bank manager and fired at him. The injured bank manager was taken to GTB Hospital in Delhi for treatment, where doctors declared him as dead," police said in a statement.

SHO Loni Border Manish Bist on Tuesday said the bank manager, Abhishek Kumar, was from Patna. He has been posted in Ghaziabad since August 2025, and was living in a rented house with his wife.

Investigation and Motive

Police said that during interrogation, Hooda said he had been working in the branch for the past two and a half months.

"He said his salary was reduced, and when he would ask for leave, it was refused. Following this, there was an argument with him (Abhishek Kumar)," the police statement said.

He said he fired at the bank manager in anger and that Shishupal was present with him during the incident, it added. Hooda and Shishupal were from the same village in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.

Police said a case under section 103 (1) (punishment for murder) of the BNS has been registered against him. Police have recovered a double-barrel gun and ammunition and the Arms Act has also been slapped on the accused, the statement said.
A man accused of a triple murder at a panchayat meeting in Bareilly, India, was killed in a police encounter after allegedly opening fire on officers, escalating a family dispute into a deadly confrontation.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Key Points Afsar Khan, accused of murdering his mother-in-law and brother-in-law and attacking his wife, was killed in a police encounter in Bareilly.

The murders occurred during a panchayat meeting convened to resolve a family dispute between Afsar and his wife, Saima.

Police say Afsar opened fire on them after being asked to surrender, leading to a shootout where he was fatally wounded.

Afsar Khan had a prior criminal record, including a life sentence for the murder of his maternal uncle in 2009.

Two police constables were injured during the exchange of fire and are receiving treatment.

A man accused of stabbing his wife and murdering his mother-in-law and brother-in-law during a panchayat meeting in Bareilly was killed in an encounter with the police, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the police, the accused, Afsar Khan (40), and Saima (28) had been married for nine years and have two children. About five days ago, the woman came to her maternal home following some family dispute.

To resolve the matter, a panchayat meeting was convened on Monday. During the meeting, Afsar Khan, an ambulance driver by profession, stabbed to death his mother-in-law, Asma (54), and brother-in-law Adil (20).

He also attacked and injured his wife when she attempted to intervene. While her her mother and brother died, Saima was admitted to a private hospital, where remains in a critical condition, they said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya said after the murders were committed during the panchayat meeting, police launched a manhunt for the accused.

On Tuesday morning, the police received a tip-off that Afsar was present at the Sahara Ground in Mudiya Ahmadnagar, armed with an illegal weapon, and that he might attempt to go to the hospital to kill his wife.

Police repeatedly called him to surrender, but instead, he opened fire on the police personnel. The police retaliated and fired in self-defence, following which Afsar sustained critical injuries. He was immediately rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the SSP said.

Two police personnel -- constables Rupendra and Anurag -- also sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and are currently undergoing treatment at the district hospital, he added.

The police recovered a pistol, ammunition and a knife from the possession of the accused, the SSP said.

Afsar Khan's Criminal History

According to police sources, Afsar had an extensive criminal background.

In 2009, Afsar had murdered his maternal uncle. This case was registered at the Bithri Chainpur police station. He was sent to jail and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Upon securing a bail from the court, he returned to his village. However, there was no improvement in his behaviour following his release from prison, the police sources said.

A case of theft was also registered against him, officials said, adding that further probe is underway.
Bengaluru police are investigating the tragic murder of a 17-year-old girl, allegedly killed by her fiance in an abandoned house, sparking a manhunt for the suspect.

Key Points A 17-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her fiance in Bengaluru.

The suspect, Sabeel, is a 25-year-old man who was engaged to the victim.

The murder occurred in an abandoned house in the DH Halli area of Bengaluru.

Police have registered a murder case and are currently searching for the suspect.

The motive behind the murder is currently unknown and under investigation by Bengaluru police.

A minor girl was killed on Tuesday allegedly by her fiance who slit her throat after taking her to an abandoned house here in the city, police said.

The incident occurred after the 25-year-old Sabeel took the victim to the abandoned house in DH Halli area, they said.

The matter came to light when her body lying in a pool of blood was discovered by his family members who immediately alerted police.

Citing preliminary investigation, a senior police officer said Sabeel was engaged to the girl, who is 17-years-old.

"We have registered a case of murder against him and are on the lookout for the suspect, who is absconding. The motive behind the murder is not clear yet and is part of our investigation," he said.
Bharat Taxi, a cooperative ride-hailing service, is rapidly expanding across India, empowering drivers with a zero-commission model and prioritising user safety with features like 'Sarthi Didi' for female drivers and passengers.

Photograph: Kind courtesy ClickerHappy/Pexels.com

Key Points Bharat Taxi, a cooperative ride-hailing platform, has reached 2.13 million registered users and 231,000 drivers.

The platform operates on a zero-commission model, directly distributing profits to drivers.

Bharat Taxi aims to expand its services to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India in the next three years.

The platform includes features like a user-friendly interface, real-time tracking, multilingual support, and 24/7 customer service.

Bharat Taxi's 'Sarthi Didi' feature promotes women's employment as drivers and enhances safety for women passengers.

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said cooperative-led ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi has 21.34 lakh registered users and 2.31 lakh drivers as of March 1.

Bharat Taxi, established by eight national cooperative institutions, was officially launched on February 5.

"As on 1st March, 2026, Bharat Taxi has 21.34 lakh registered users and 2.31 lakh registered Sarathis (drivers)," Shah said in his written reply to the Lok Sabha.

As of now, the Bharat Taxi service is functional in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad (Delhi-NCR) and in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Somnath and Dwarka (Gujarat).

Bharat Taxi targets to expand its service in a phased manner across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities offering services up to 'tehsil' levels across the country over the next three years, he said.

Bharat Taxi's Unique Features and Driver Welfare

The minister said the Bharat Taxi platform operates on zero-commission model, with direct distribution of profits to drivers, offering a homegrown and indigenous alternative to investment-driven aggregator platforms.

Bharat Taxi has transparent fare structure, a user-friendly mobile ride-booking interface, real-time vehicle tracking, and support for multilingual interfaces, along with 24/7 customer support to enable sarathis participate in cooperative ownership while ensuring sustainable growth of the platform.

The platform has entered into Memoranda of Understanding with institutions for digital payment integration, banking and financial services and insurance support to drivers to strengthen operational transparency and driver welfare.

Focus on Women's Safety and Empowerment

Further, Bharat Taxi has launched women-focused 'Sarthi Didi' feature to encourage women's employment as drivers and enhance safety for women passengers by facilitating women to hire women-driven taxi options besides incorporating safety features like SOS, live location tracking and dedicated 24x7 customer support.

Shah said Bharat Taxi is exploring several passenger engagement features for driver welfare including the possibility of a voluntary tipping option for Sarathis within the applications.
A deadly gunfight in Bihar's East Champaran district resulted in the death of an STF officer and two gangsters, while a separate police encounter in Patna led to the arrest of five criminals and the seizure of weapons.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points An STF personnel and two gangsters were killed in a gunfight in Bihar's East Champaran district during an operation targeting wanted criminals.

The slain STF personnel was identified as Shriram Yadav, while the criminals were identified as Kundan Thakur and Priyanshu Kumar, the former wanted in multiple Arms Act cases.

In a separate incident in Patna, police arrested five criminals after a brief exchange of fire, seizing rifles, a revolver, and cartridges.

The Patna encounter occurred after police received a tip-off about criminals planning a crime in the Pandarak locality, leading to a shootout and the arrest of five individuals.

A special task force (STF) personnel and two gangsters were killed in a gunfight in Bihar's East Champaran district on Tuesday, officials said.

The incident took place in Chakia locality in the early hours.

The slain STF personnel was identified as Shriram Yadav, while the criminals were identified as Kundan Thakur and Priyanshu Kumar. Thakur was wanted in several Arms Act cases.

"Acting on a tip-off, a team comprising STF and district police personnel reached Chakia locality, where Thakur and his associates were hiding. On spotting the police personnel, the criminals opened fire and tried to escape and the police retaliated, leading to a gun-battle. Shriram Yadav sustained gunshot wounds and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment," a police statement said.

Thakur and Kumar also suffered gunshot wounds and later succumbed to their injuries during treatment, it said, adding two of their associates, identified as Ujjawal Kumar Tiwari and Sant Kumar Tiwari, were arrested.

Police also seized a carbine, four pistols and five cartridges from their possession.

Patna Police Encounter and Arrests

In another incident, police arrested five criminals after a brief exchange of fire in Pandarak locality of Patna, officials said on Tuesday.

The arrested criminals, wanted in several cases, have been identified as Dheeraj Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Sudal Yadav, Sanjeev Kumar and Sandheer Kumar.

The encounter took place late on Monday evening.

Acting on a tip-off that some criminals were preparing to commit a crime in Pandarak locality, a team comprising STF and district police personnel laid a trap to nab them but the criminals spotted the law enforcers and opened fire at them, to which the police retaliated, a police statement said.

All five criminals were later overpowered and Dheeraj Kumar suffered gunshot wounds in his leg during the gunfight. He is undergoing treatment at a government hospital and his condition is reported to be stable, it said.

Police also seized two rifles, a revolver and over 50 cartridges from their possession and further investigation is underway, it added.
In a brazen Hyderabad robbery, two men were attacked with chilli powder and robbed of 1 crore, leading to swift police action and the arrest of three suspects.

Key Points Two men in Hyderabad were allegedly robbed of 1 crore by bike-borne assailants.

The victims were attacked with chilli powder, causing them to fall off their two-wheeler.

Police have apprehended three suspects involved in the 1 crore robbery at the airport.

Some of the stolen cash has been recovered by the police.

The money is suspected to be linked to 'hawala' transactions, and further investigation is underway.

Two men were allegedly robbed of  one crore by unidentified bike-borne assailants after throwing chilli powder into their eyes here, police said.

The incident happened in Kukatpally police station limits on Monday night and three among the five-six suspects involved in the robbery were nabbed from the airport, a senior police official said. Some part of the stolen cash was recovered, the official added.

According to police, about five-six persons on three motorbikes sprinkled chilli powder into the eyes of the victims who were riding a two-wheeler, causing them to fall after which the accused decamped with the cash.

The victims informed the matter to the police, who took up investigation and apprehended three accused. Efforts were on to nab other absconding persons.

Investigation into Hawala Links

Police said the money is suspected to be linked to 'hawala' transactions. However, further investigation is underway.
OSLO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Tuesday described a new UN report on the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank as "highly disturbing," citing repeated and systematic violations of humanitarian law by Israel.

In a statement, Eide said Israel's planned displacement of Palestinians has raised concerns at the United Nations over ethnic cleansing, adding that many Palestinians have fled their homes due to rising violence and abuse.

A report released on Tuesday by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said Israel has accelerated the expansion of unlawful settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, displacing more than 36,000 Palestinians. The report documented 1,732 incidents of settler violence causing casualties or property damage between Nov. 1, 2024 and Oct. 31, 2025.

Eide said Norway supports UN calls to halt and reverse settlement expansion and end the occupation, stressing that displaced Palestinians must be allowed to return and that Israel must ensure civilian protection. 
BJP MLA Manda Mhatre from Navi Mumbai is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack, prompting concern and well-wishes from political figures like Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Photograph: @mieknathshinde/X

Key Points BJP MLA Manda Mhatre from Belapur, Navi Mumbai, was admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke with Mhatre via video call to enquire about her health.

Mhatre defeated Sandeep Naik in the 2024 assembly elections, adding political context to her profile.

The incident highlights the health challenges faced by public figures and the immediate response from political colleagues.

Manda Mhatre, the BJP MLA from Belapur in Navi Mumbai, was admitted to a hospital after she suffered a heart attack, sources said on Tuesday.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Mhatre via video call after learning about her condition and enquired about her health.

Political Background

Mhatre had defeated Sandeep Naik, son of BJP leader and Navi Mumbai strongman Ganesh Naik, in the 2024 assembly elections. Sandeep Naik had contested on the NCP (SP) ticket.

Shinde and Ganesh Naik are political rivals.
Following the murder of two HPCL officials, authorities in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, demolished illegal shops belonging to the prime suspect and arrested two accomplices, intensifying the investigation into the crime.

Key Points Shops belonging to the prime suspect in the HPCL officials' murder case in Budaun were demolished for being illegally constructed on government land.

Two additional suspects, HPCL employees, were arrested for allegedly assisting the main accused in gaining access to the factory and committing the murders.

Investigations revealed a conspiracy between the main accused and the two HPCL employees, involving providing transportation and facilitating entry to the HPCL plant.

Family members of one of the murdered HPCL officials are demanding a CBI probe into the case, threatening self-immolation if justice is not served.

Authorities are also investigating and registering cases related to the illegal use of electricity by the accused and their family.

The district administration in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun on Tuesday demolished shops belonging to the prime accused in the murder of two Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) officials, citing that the establishments were built on government land.

Later in the evening, the police arrested two more people for their alleged involvement in the case.

On March 12, two officials of an HPCL plant in Sejni village -- Assistant General Manager Harshit Mishra (34) and General Manager Sudhir Kumar Gupta (58) -- were shot dead allegedly by Ajay Pratap Singh alias Ramu, a local who was earlier a vendor at the plant.

Gupta had recently terminated some employees and blacklisted vendors whose work was not satisfactory. Singh was among those removed and had been upset with Gupta and had threatened him on several occasions.

On Tuesday evening, two more persons were arrested for allegedly helping the main accused gain entry into the factory and carry out the crime.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ankita Sharma said the arrested accused have been identified as Dharmendra Yadav and Munendra Vikram Singh, both employees at an HPCL plant.

According to police, Dharmendra worked as a driver and deployed at the factory, while Munendra Vikram Singh was employed as a gas kit operator.

The SSP said investigations revealed that both accused shared an old friendship with Ajay, and the trio had conspired in advance to carry out the murder.

On the day of the incident, Dharmendra allegedly provided his Bolero vehicle to Ajay to facilitate his movement to and from the factory, as his entry into the premises had already been restricted, police said.

Munendra, meanwhile, allegedly got the main gate opened by informing the guard that the vehicle was carrying factory staff, enabling Ajay to enter the premises and execute the crime.

Sharma said Munendra remained stationed at the gate during the incident and kept watch on Ajay's movements.

Investigations have also revealed that the three accused were in contact over phones prior to the incident, providing crucial evidence of the conspiracy, the police added.

Demands for CBI Investigation

Family members of Harshit Mishra have demanded a CBI probe into the matter and threatened self immolation if they did not get justice.

Dataganj Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dharmendra Kumar Singh said that all encroachments made by Ajay and others had been identified beforehand.

Notices were issued to the concerned individuals, granting them time to voluntarily remove the encroachments. However, the illegal structures were not removed even after the stipulated time had elapsed.

On Tuesday, the administration proceeded to remove the illegal structures using bulldozers.

He informed that approximately 12 roadside shops had been identified for demolition with about six shops situated on one side of the road and six on the other.

The SDM further clarified that among the demolished structures, six shops belonged to Ajay while the remaining six belonged to his uncle, Rakesh Singh.

He added that a survey conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) revealed that the shops had been constructed illegally on government land.

The SDM also mentioned that during the investigation, it came to light that another shop belonging to the accused had been built on barren land; this shop has since been vacated and sealed.

The electricity connections for the accused's family was also found to be illegal; and a team from the electricity department has been summoned to the site, he said, adding that a separate FIR will be lodged regarding this matter as well.

Meanwhile, Harshit Mishra's maternal uncle Vikas Kumar has demanded a CBI inquiry into the case.

Vikas, along with his family, had come to Budaun on Tuesday to meet the local senior superintendent of police.

Talking to reporters he became emotional and said that the family seeks justice and a fair, unbiased investigation into the entire matter.

Appealing to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the family urged that the case be handed over to the CBI so that the truth can come to light. They warned that if justice is delayed, they would be compelled to do self-immolation in front of the police headquarters.

Vikas Kumar said, "We are pandits, has being pandit become a crime in this state? We have too have to face the same fate as the infamous criminal Vikas Dubey?" Cases are also being registered for the illegal use of electricity by the accused, the SSP added.
Following his release from detention, activist Sonam Wangchuk is urging the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the people of Ladakh to address their concerns about statehood and regional autonomy.

IMAGE: Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, with his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, during a press conference at Lodhi Estate, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Naveen Sharma/ANI Photo

Key Points Sonam Wangchuk views his release from detention under the National Security Act (NSA) as a positive step towards fostering trust and dialogue between the Centre and the people of Ladakh.

Wangchuk emphasises that protests in Ladakh are aimed at initiating a constructive dialogue process with the government regarding statehood and the Sixth Schedule.

He plans to consult with leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to determine the next steps in their agitation for Ladakh's demands.

The LAB and KDA have been engaged in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs, advocating for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion for Ladakh since it became a Union Territory in 2019.

In his first public remarks after being released from jail, activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said he wanted to see the development in a 'positive light' and hoped it would lead to a 'meaningful dialogue' on the demands of agitating bodies in Ladakh.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi along with his wife and HIAL co-founder Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk said the protests in Ladakh have been aimed solely at initiating a constructive dialogue process.

He also said that talks are a 'give and take process' and both sides will have to make 'certain accommodations'.

"We were sure of a victory in the court, but a win was not enough. I wanted a win-win," he said.

He also expressed the hope that the Supreme Court would rule on the Habeas Corpus petition filed by his wife to set a precedent.

Wangchuk described the government's move to release him as an 'extending of hand to build trust and to facilitate meaningful, constructive dialogue'.

"They have offered a constructive, meaningful dialogue. This is what we have wanted, and we had to struggle so much, walk to Delhi, sit on 'anshan' (fast). All movements in Ladakh are for starting the dialogue process," he said.

"Usually, you see people picking up guns and the government appealing for dialogue. Here, people are urging the government to start a dialogue," he said.

He hoped it would not just be a dialogue, but 'meaningful, effective talks, which lead us to something good'.

Talking about the incidents in Ladakh, he said many 'meaningless arrests' occurred.

"Even people who were going to donate blood got arrested and got an FIR. Such things have happened," he claimed.

He said it should be examined how the violence started.

"There are also voices among people that ask -- where did it start? How did this violence start? Actually, that must be examined.

"There are voices that ask how come so many people died with injuries in the chest? But I think all this could be undone. People can take back their suspicions and doubts and the government can take back their cases," he said.

Future Plans and Consultations

Asked about his next step, Wangchuk said he would travel to Ladakh and consult with leaders of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which have been spearheading the agitation over the past five years for statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.

On whether he would return to agitation, he said, "I have always said I don't want to sit on hunger strike; I am forced to do it. Now that the government is extending its hand, we hope a good example is set."

He also said that when dialogues are held with the Centre, both sides should be flexible and accommodating.

"Overall, the two main issues are safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, statehood, or the restoration of democracy... So as I said, it involves give and take. Therefore, if not on both, we would hope on one... That's how we want to expect to give and take and be flexible in the interest of nation building," he said.

Wangchuk, however, clarified that leaders in Ladakh would be the ones who would make the decision.

"But of course, it should not be a lose-lose for one side... That will not be a successful dialogue. It can be a win-win where each side accommodates the other," he said.

The climate activist said he used his time at the Jodhpur jail to meditate.

He thanked the jail staff and said even as he could not step out, he felt the 'warmth' of Jodhpur.

Background of Detention and Demands

Wangchuk, 59, was detained on September 26 last year under the stringent NSA, two days after violent protests during the agitation left four people dead.

He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday after the Union government revoked his detention with immediate effect.

The LAB and KDA have remained engaged in talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs over their key demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, issues that have simmered since the region was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory in 2019.

The outfits held rallies and shut down on Monday to demand the next round of talks as promised during the high-powered committee meeting.

The last meeting of the high-powered committee chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai took place on February 4, where both bodies demanded the release of Wangchuk and 70 other detainees.
Rajya Sabha elections in India are under scrutiny as allegations of cross-voting and 'horse trading' emerge from Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana, prompting political turmoil and calls for reform.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha proceedings. Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

Key Points Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana face allegations of cross-voting, raising concerns about political integrity.

The Congress party suspended MLAs in Odisha and warned legislators in Haryana following reports of cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections.

NDA secured a majority of Rajya Sabha seats, winning nine out of eleven contested seats, strengthening their position in the upper house.

Allegations of 'horse trading' and misuse of money power surfaced, with opposition parties accusing the ruling NDA of undemocratic practices during the Rajya Sabha polls.

The controversy surrounding the Rajya Sabha elections has prompted calls for re-examining the anti-defection law to prevent political instability and maintain democratic principles.

Allegations of 'horse trading' of MLAs erupted as Rajya Sabha elections saw cross-voting in Bihar, Odisha and Haryana, with the opposition Congress suspending three of its legislators in Odisha and warning some of its MLAs of strict action in Haryana.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance won all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, three of the four in Odisha and one of the two seats that went to polls in Haryana.

The NDA, in total, won nine, including one Bharatiya Janata Party-backed Independent in Odisha, of the 11 seats where elections were held on Monday, while the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal got one seat each.

Overall, the ruling NDA alliance bagged 22 of the 37 seats of the Rajya Sabha that are falling vacant on April 2, which will help increase its tally to its maximum. While nine of BJP's MPs are retiring next month, the party by itself has won 14 seats.

Haryana Rajya Sabha Election Controversy

In the late-night counting for two seats in Haryana that went past midnight, BJP's Sanjay Bhatia and Karamvir Singh Boudh of the Congress were elected to the Rajya Sabha, amid allegations of violation of vote secrecy by both sides.

It was a narrow win for Boudh over Independent candidate Satish Nandal (63), as cross-voting dented the otherwise comfortable position of the Congress for securing an easy victory.

Bhatia won the first seat comfortably, polling 39 first-preference votes. In the fight for the second seat, Boudh polled 28 votes, while Independent candidate Nandal got 16.

Five votes were later declared invalid -- four of the Congress and one of the BJP, officials said.

Indian National Lok Dal leaders Abhay Singh Chautala and Aditya Devi Lal said the party decided to abstain keeping in mind people's sentiments.

Taking strict note of reports of cross-voting by its MLAs, the Congress sad it will take actiion against such legislators.

"We are going to issue a show-cause notice to them," party in-charge for Haryana, B K Hariprasad, told PTI.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said, "Satish Nandal lost by just one vote (referring to the narrow difference). Five Congress MLAs cross-voted. Four of their votes were rejected."

State Congress chief Rao Narender Singh told reporters, "Those who betrayed the Congress will face strict action."

The leader of opposition in the Haryana Assembly, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, told reporters that while he will not take names (of those who cross-voted), "people have understood".

Attacking the BJP, Hooda said, "They tried all tactics. But Congress passed the 'Agni Pariksha' (to win one seat)."

"'Prajatantra' (democracy) has won, and 'vote chori' has lost."

In Delhi, party MP Deepender Hooda accused the BJP of indulging in 'vote chori' in the Rajya Sabha polls in Haryana. Under the cover of darkness at night, the BJP 'tried to murder democracy' and indulge in 'vote chori', he alleged.

Odisha Congress Suspends MLAs

In Odisha, the opposition Congress suspended three of its MLAs for voting for BJP-backed Independent candidate Dilip Ray, helping him win the Rajya Sabha polls, according to a party statement.

These MLAs are Ramesh Chandra Jena of Sanakhemundi, Dasarathi Gomango of Mohana and Sofia Firdous of Barabati-Cuttack.

They voted for Ray during the Rajya Sabha elections on Monday, according to the party.

Announcing their suspension, the state Congress in a social media post said, "Those who betray Congress are betraying the nation."

State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das said, "This act of betrayal was unexpected from these MLAs. We will ensure that they are disqualified from the assembly under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution."

Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, in a letter to Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, sought the disqualification of the three MLAs.

"Their conduct has not only undermined party discipline but also goes against the democratic mandate under which they were elected," he said in the letter.

Reactions and Allegations

"It is unfortunate that political morality has sunk to a nadir. People no longer respect the political parties that brought them into office. The time has come to seriously re-examine the anti-defection law, as allegations of horse-trading arise in every election. What used to be a retail activity has now become a mega mart operation," Congress MP Manish Tewari said here.

Rejecting opposition's allegations of "horse-trading" in Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar, the BJP and its alliance partners said the opposition failed to manage its legislators and did not follow standard procedures of issuing a whip during voting.

RJD MP Sudhakar Singh alleged that the NDA secured victory in Bihar by using "money power".

"Elections are being fought without majority support, by using money power. Legislators are being broken away. This is not how a democracy should function," Singh said.

Hitting back, BJP MP from Bihar's Paschim Champaran, Sanjay Jaiswal, said, "The Congress party did not issue a three-line whip, which is a standard practice during voting. Rahul Gandhi was holidaying in Cambodia, Tejashwi Yadav was vacationing in Europe --so their leaders were busy elsewhere as well. They could not even issue a whip, and now they are questioning who voted for whom."

JD(U) leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said that Tejashwi Yadav should introspect instead of levelling allegations.

Bihar's longest-serving chief minister Nitish Kumar and new BJP president Nitin Nabin were among those elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar on Monday

NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Union minister Ramdas Athawale were among the 26 candidates elected unopposed on March 9 after the withdrawal of nominations.
Following a devastating air strike on a Kabul hospital, the Indian National Congress strongly condemns Pakistan's actions and urges global rejection of such inhumane acts, highlighting the urgent need for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

Key Points The Indian National Congress has condemned the air strike by Pakistan on a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep distress over the loss of civilian lives and called for global rejection of such barbarism.

The air strike reportedly resulted in approximately 400 deaths and 250 injuries, devastating a hospital treating drug users.

The Congress party extended condolences to the Afghan people and reaffirmed India's longstanding friendship and support for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, escalating tensions in the region.

The Congress on Tuesday condemned the air strike by Pakistan that hit a hospital in the Afghanistan capital of Kabul and asserted that such barbarism must be strongly rejected globally.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "On behalf of the Indian National Congress we are deeply distressed by the horrific loss of civilian lives in Kabul following the recent air strikes by Pakistan on a hospital which killed nearly 400 people."

"We condemn such acts against humanity in the strongest possible terms. Such barbarism must be strongly rejected globally," he said on X.

Kharge extended his heartfelt condolences to Afghan brothers and sisters and to the families who have lost their loved ones.

"India shares longstanding bonds of friendship and goodwill with the people of Afghanistan. In this difficult moment, we stand in sympathy with our Afghan neighbours and pray for peace, healing, and stability for their nation," Kharge said.

Details of the Kabul Hospital Air Strike

Afghanistan's deputy government spokesman said early Tuesday that the death toll from an air strike by Pakistan that hit a hospital treating drug users in the Afghan capital Kabul has increased to 400.

In a post on X, Hamdullah Fitrat said the strike on Monday night had destroyed large sections of the hospital. He said the death toll so far stood at 400, while a further 250 people had been reported injured.

Fitrat said rescue teams were trying to control the fire at the building and recover the bodies of the victims.

Background to the Conflict

The fighting began in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan that Kabul said killed civilians.

The clashes disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Qatar in October after earlier fighting killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.
Four individuals have been arrested in Bidar, Karnataka, following a police raid that uncovered a black market operation involving the illegal sale and distribution of LPG cylinders.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Police in Bidar, Karnataka, arrested four people for alleged black marketing of LPG cylinders.

Authorities seized 105 LPG cylinders during a raid on a farm in Janwada village.

The investigation revealed that LPG cylinders were being diverted from authorised supply and sold illegally at inflated prices.

Mallari Indian Gas Agency is under investigation for its alleged involvement in the black market operation.

Police are urging the public to report any information regarding the illegal sale of LPG cylinders.

Police have arrested four people and seized 105 LPG cylinders in connection with alleged black marketing of cooking gas in this district, officials said.

Acting on a tip-off, police officials conducted a raid on March 16 at Janwada village in Bidar taluk from where the racket was operating, they said.

It led to the seizure of 105 cylinders and the arrest of four individuals, police said.

Details of the Raid and Seized Items

According to police, the operation was carried out at a farm owned by Shrikant Harnoor, where officials found a large number of cylinders along with vehicles used for transport.

Among the seized items were 22 filled cylinders, 83 empty cylinders, and two trucks allegedly used for illegal distribution, a senior police officer said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the cylinders were diverted from authorised supply and sold in the black market at higher prices, he said.

Investigation and Further Actions

Officials have also found that Mallari Indian Gas Agency, based in Vadgaon village of Aurad taluk, is allegedly linked to the activity, he added.

The four accused are in custody and are being questioned to find out the full extent of the network, police said.

Police are also working with concerned departments to probe violations related to the misuse of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes.

They said further investigation is underway and urged the public to share information about any such illegal sale of LPG cylinders, assuring strict action against those involved.
A former aide to a councillor was brutally murdered in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, prompting a police investigation and political criticism over the state's law and order situation.

Key Points Raj Kumar Chauhan, a former aide to a councillor, was stabbed to death in Gorakhpur during his morning walk.

Police have registered a case and detained seven suspects for interrogation in connection with the Gorakhpur murder.

Investigators are analysing CCTV footage and exploring all possible motives, including old enmities, in the Gorakhpur stabbing case.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the BJP government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh following the Gorakhpur incident.

A former aide to a councillor was allegedly stabbed to death by four unidentified persons here while he was out on a morning walk on Tuesday, police said.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 5.30 am on Tuesday, merely 500 metres from the residence of the deceased -- Raj Kumar Chauhan (38) -- in Bargadwa area under Chiluatal police station limits.

The assailants allegedly intercepted Chauhan when he left for his morning walk, and stabbed him multiple times. Family members rushed him to the BRD Medical College, where doctors pronounced him dead.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Kaustubh said the attack was reported early in the morning.

Investigation Details

Based on a complaint lodged by the victim's family, a case has been registered naming eight persons from the same village as accused. So far, seven suspects have been detained and are currently being interrogated.

"Eight police teams have been constituted to investigate the case. CCTV footage from seven cameras installed in the village is being analysed. Some crucial evidence has also been collected. All angles, including old enmities, are being thoroughly investigated," the SSP said.

Police said Chauhan was a former councillor's representative and was also engaged in business. Investigators are examining an alleged dispute dating back to 2023 as a potential motive for the murder.

He had served as a councilor's representative between 2018 and 2023.

Political Reaction

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP government over the incident.

"In Uttar Pradesh, law and order has been shot dead. This broad-daylight murder in the city of Gorakhpur clearly reveals, whose patronage these fearless criminals enjoy. The public is wise enough to understand this," Yadav said in a post on X.
A police case has been filed against hundreds of CPI(M) workers in Kerala for allegedly causing traffic disruptions during a rally protesting against their former leader, G Sudhakaran, who recently quit the party.

Key Points Police have registered a case against approximately 500 CPI(M) workers for allegedly disrupting traffic during a rally.

The rally targeted former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who recently resigned from the party.

The protesters are accused of unlawfully assembling and obstructing vehicular movement on a national highway.

The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A case has been registered against around 500 ruling CPI(M) workers in connection with a mass rally organised here against its former leader G Sudhakaran, who had quit the Marxist party recently over differences with the leadership.

The case was registered by Punnapra police against the protesters, including the Marxist party's Ambalappuzha area committee secretary Shyamji, for allegedly causing traffic disruption during the march held on March 14.

According to police, the accused unlawfully assembled and took out a procession from Paravur Assembly junction along the national highway to a ground there, where they held a public meeting between 5.30 pm and 7 pm.

The procession allegedly obstructed vehicular movement and caused inconvenience to the public, they said, adding that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The CPI(M) had organised the rally targeting Sudhakaran, who recently quit the party and is preparing to contest the upcoming Assembly polls as an independent candidate.

However, Sudhakaran had said that the party had failed to ensure a huge participation in the rally against him.
Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a hardcore criminal and two drug peddlers in separate operations, signalling a crackdown on illegal activities in the region.

Key Points A hardcore criminal, Yudhvir Singh, was arrested in the R S Pura area of Jammu with a sharp-edged weapon.

Two drug peddlers, Raahat Amaan and Saksham Thakur, were arrested in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district.

Police recovered 6.21 grams of heroin from Raahat Amaan and 6.32 grams of heroin from Saksham Thakur.

The arrested individuals have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

A hardcore criminal and two drug peddlers were arrested at separate places in Jammu and Udhampur districts on Tuesday, police said.

Yudhvir Singh alias Bablu, a resident of Agra Chak village, was arrested along with a sharp-edged weapon from the R S Pura area of Jammu, a police spokesman said.

"Singh is a hardcore criminal and named in multiple FIRs. His arrest is a major breakthrough in the drive against illegal activities," the spokesman said.

Drug Arrests in Ramnagar

He said two drug peddlers -- Raahat Amaan and Saksham Thakur -- were separately intercepted and arrested during checking in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district.

Amaan was riding a two-wheeler, and his search led to the recovery of 6.21 grams of heroin, while 6.32 grams of heroin were recovered from Thakur.

Both the accused were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigations are on, the spokesman said.
BUDAPEST, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto on Tuesday criticized the European Commission's (EC) response to the disruption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, urging immediate resumption of deliveries.

Szijjarto said Hungary and Slovakia have been facing what he described as an "oil blockade" from Ukraine for nearly 50 days, and rejected suggestions that the issue was merely technical.

He argued that the situation was the result of a coordinated political action involving Kyiv and Brussels, and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EC President Ursula von der Leyen to "stop the theater" and restore the pipeline's operation without delay.

The Druzhba pipeline is fully operational and capable of delivering crude oil to Hungary, he said, adding that Hungary has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the disruption, including increasing reserves, arranging alternative maritime deliveries, and strengthening regional energy cooperation, notably with Slovakia and Serbia.

The remarks came in response to a joint statement on Tuesday by von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who said that the EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding over the disruption of the pipeline.

"In this sense, the European Commission will continue to work with the concerned parties on alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe," the statement said.

The disruption has become part of broader tensions between Hungary, Slovakia and Ukraine in recent weeks. Hungary has criticized the halt of oil transit and has also banned the export of gasoline and diesel to Ukraine, while blocking approval of a 90-billion-euro (104-billion-U.S.-dollar) EU aid package for Ukraine. 
The Indian government has penalised companies nearly 20 crore for failing to meet Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending requirements, highlighting stricter enforcement of CSR norms.

Key Points The government levied nearly 20 crore in penalties on companies for CSR non-compliance over the last three financial years.

Companies are legally required to spend at least 2% of their average three-year profit on CSR activities.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that CSR spending decisions are driven by the company's board.

Penalties for CSR violations are enforced under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Action is initiated against non-compliant companies following due examination of records and legal processes.

The government has imposed penalties totalling nearly 20 crore on various companies for non-compliance with CSR norms in the last three financial years.

Under the companies law, certain class of profitable firms are required to spend at least 2 per cent of their three-year annual average profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in a financial year.

Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that every decision on CSR spending is a decision driven by the board of a particular company.

"A company and its board take a call on how much to spend, where to spend. So it is not a decision in which we can enter in and say, you have to spend here this much," the minister said.

She was responding to supplementaries by BJP member Bhim Singh during Question Hour about low CSR expenditure in Bihar.

The total CSR expenditure in Bihar during 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 fiscal years stood at 680.91 crore by 854 companies.

Sitharaman told the Bihar member to keep talking to different companies and impress upon them the need for getting money to be spent in Bihar.

The minister said at best the ministry can only request to take a couple of socially important projects in Bihar but that is not "really lawfully tenable".

Intervening, Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan asked whether norms could be changed so that underdeveloped states can benefit from CSR funds.

To this, Sitharaman said, "As a chairman, you have said it. I can take it as a suggestion and see what best I can do."

Details of Penalties Imposed

According to a written reply, penalties of 2.97 crore were imposed on six companies in 2022-23. In 2023-24, 11 companies were penalised with 3.32 crore and during 2024-25, 13 firms faced penalties of 13.65 crore.

Legal Framework for CSR

"The legal framework for CSR is provided through Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, Schedule VII of the Act and Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014. Section 135 (7) of the Act specifies the provision for penalty in case of default of CSR obligation by the company," she said in the reply.

In case of default, a company as well as officer in default, will be liable to a penalty.

"Whenever violation of CSR provisions is reported, action against such non-compliant companies is initiated as per provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, and rules made thereunder after due examination of records and following due process of law," she said.
Following the death of Iranian sailors in the Indian Ocean, Iran's navy has threatened 'deadly retaliation,' accusing the US of attacking its warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, escalating tensions in the region.

IMAGE: The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was attacked by a torpedo from a US navy submarine on March 4, 2026. Photograph: Department of Defence/Reuters

Key Points Iranian Navy vows 'deadly retaliation' following the death of sailors in an incident off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Iran accuses the United States of attacking the IRIS Dena warship with a torpedo fired from a submarine.

The IRIS Dena sank approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle, Sri Lanka, in the Indian Ocean.

Iran alleges the US obstructed rescue operations after the attack, calling it a 'war crime'.

Approximately 87 Iranian sailors are reported dead, with 32 survivors rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The commander of the Iranian Navy has issued a stern warning, stating that the nation's adversaries will encounter "deadly retaliation" after several sailors were killed off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani addressed the loss of life, asserting that Tehran remains committed to responding to the attack.

"We will not forget the enemy's crime, and we will exact retribution for the blood of our martyrs," the commander was quoted as saying by Press TV.

The Iranian naval chief emphasised that the timing and nature of the response would catch their opponents off guard. He cautioned that "the enemy should know that we will punish it with deadly strikes from where it least expects."

While acknowledging the current period of grief for the naval forces, Admiral Irani maintained that Iran holds a position of strength. As reported by Press TV, he added, "Although today we mourn our loved ones, by the grace of God, we have brought the enemy to its knees."

The remarks came after statements from Iran's Army chief, Major General Amir Hatami, who warned on March 14 that the deaths of crew members from the IRIS Dena warship "will not go unanswered."

According to Al Jazeera, citing the state news agency IRNA, Hatami condemned the attack on the vessel, one of the country's newest warships, which occurred as it was returning from a military exercise.

Hatami clarified that the crew had completed a "peaceful mission" and were targeted while on their way back to Iran. He emphasised that the sailors faced the assault "despite not being engaged in a direct battle," adding that the sacrifice of the Dena's crew would remain a symbol of courage in Iran's naval history.

The Iranian administration further reinforced this stance on Friday by releasing images of the coffins of the fallen sailors. In a post on X, the Iranian embassy in India identified the deceased as "the pure and honoured bodies of the naval martyrs who lost their lives in the terrorist attack by US forces on the IRIS Dena warship."

Allegations Against the United States

Providing further operational details, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, paid tribute to the sailors killed after the frigate was torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine. The vessel was reportedly hit approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka.

Baqaei characterised the action by the United States as a "war crime" and a violation of international laws. He noted on X that the Dena had been officially invited by the Indian Navy for a joint naval exercise and a port visit prior to being attacked near the coasts of India and Sri Lanka.

The spokesperson further alleged that the United States deliberately obstructed rescue operations. He argued that the strike constitutes aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 and a grave violation of the laws of war, including Geneva Convention II and Additional Protocol I.

US Sinks IRIS Dena

The IRIS Dena sank south of Sri Lanka on March 4 after being struck by a US submarine torpedo approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle. Following the incident, the Indian Navy deployed assets, including INS Tarangini, INS Ikshak, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, to assist Sri Lanka-led search and rescue efforts.

Of the estimated 180 crew members on board the vessel, approximately 87 sailors were reported dead. Around 32 survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and subsequently admitted to hospitals in Galle.
Delhi Police have apprehended a robbery gang who cleverly posed as government officials to deceive and steal from unsuspecting passengers near the bustling New Delhi railway station.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Delhi Police arrested three individuals for posing as government officials and robbing passengers near New Delhi railway station.

The gang targeted passengers waiting for transport, conducting fake 'security verifications' to steal cash and ATM cards.

The robbers would replace original ATM cards with duplicates, withdrawing money before the victims realised the theft.

CCTV footage analysis helped police trace and arrest the accused in Fatehpur Beri, recovering cash and a stolen debit card.

Delhi Police has arrested three members of a robbery gang who posed as government officials to cheat and rob unsuspecting passengers near the New Delhi railway station, officials said on Tuesday.

The accused have been identified as Krishan Kumar (50), an auto driver from Fatehpur Beri in Delhi, Ravi Kumar (50) from Agra, and Rahul Gupta (32), also from Fatehpur Beri, they said.

Police said the gang targeted passengers waiting for public transport near the New Delhi railway station and adjoining areas, posing as officials conducting "security verification".

Krishan would pick up victims in his auto, Rahul would pose as a co-passenger to gain their trust, while Ravi Kumar, the alleged mastermind, would pose as a government official and carry out the fake verification, police said.

On the pretext of checking, the accused would take cash and ATM cards from the victims, obtain the PIN and replace the original cards with duplicate ones placed inside an envelope, which the victims were asked to open only after reaching home.

The gang would then withdraw money using the stolen cards, police said.

The matter came to light on March 12 when a PCR call was received at the Kamla Market police station reporting a robbery.

The complainant, a resident of Faridabad, told police that he reached Delhi from Darbhanga in Bihar and was waiting for a bus near the Tagore Road cut when an auto driver approached him and offered a ride to Badarpur.

During the journey, two more persons boarded the auto, one of whom introduced himself as a government official and began checking the complainant's belongings on the pretext of security verification, a senior police officer said.

The accused took Rs 13,000 in cash from the victim along with his ATM card and handed him an envelope, claiming his belongings were inside.

The complainant later found the items missing, before realising that Rs 52,000 had been withdrawn from his account.

Investigation and Arrest

Police analysed CCTV camera footage from multiple locations and traced the route of the auto used in the crime.

The vehicle's registration number had been partially concealed with tape, but the investigators were able to identify it after verifying several numbers.

Police then conducted a raid at Asola in Fatehpur Beri and arrested the three accused.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and revealed their modus operandi.

Police have recovered Rs 12,500 in cash and the complainant's SBI debit card from the accused's possession, the officer said.
A Delhi court has convicted a man for his involvement in a heroin drug case, citing irrefutable evidence and dismissing claims of procedural errors.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Delhi court convicted Mohit Kumar under the NDPS Act for criminal conspiracy related to heroin procurement and supply.

The prosecution successfully proved the chain of evidence and recovery of a commercial quantity of heroin from Kumar.

The court rejected defence arguments regarding procedural lapses, stating they did not affect the core of the prosecution's case.

Testimonies of prosecution witnesses and forensic evidence conclusively established Kumar's possession and involvement in the drug trade.

A Delhi court has convicted a man in a narcotics case involving recovery of commercial quantity of heroin, saying the prosecution has proved the chain of evidence and recovery beyond reasonable doubt.

Special Judge (NDPS) Harvinder Singh Johal was hearing a case against Mohit Kumar who was accused under Section 29 (criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Kumar was accused of procuring heroin from Uttar Pradesh and supplying the substance in Delhi. He was arrested on September 15, 2017 by the Delhi Police's Crime Branch based on a tip-off.

Another person was also arrested along with Mohit, who died during the trial.

According to the prosecution, Kumar was found in possession of a commercial quantity of heroin, packed in small packets for distribution.

Court Rejects Defence Arguments

During the trial, the defence raised objections regarding alleged procedural lapses, including non-compliance with provisions related to sampling and handling of seized contraband. However, the court rejected these arguments, observing that such lapses did not affect the core of the prosecution case.

In an order dated March 12, the court held that the counsel for Mohit had failed to raise any suspicion regarding recovery of the contraband from the possession of the accused.

"The chain of sequence of events is complete and there is no visible defect in the investigation," the court held, adding that statutory presumptions under the NDPS Act operated against the accused and remained unrebutted.

The court further said testimonies of prosecution witnesses, supported by forensic evidence, conclusively established possession and involvement in the drug trade.

Accordingly, the court convicted Mohit for criminal conspiracy under the NDPS Act, listing the matter for hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence.
Arnab Goswami faces a defamation lawsuit as the Delhi high court summons him over allegations of falsely linking the Istanbul Congress Centre to the Congress party.

IMAGE: Managing Director and Editor-in-chief of Republic Media Network, Arnab Goswami. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi high court summons Arnab Goswami in a defamation case filed by the Congress party.

The Congress alleges Goswami falsely claimed the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkiye is their office.

The court refused to issue an interim injunction against the content at this stage.

An earlier FIR was filed against Goswami and Amit Malviya for propagating the same claim, but investigation was stayed by the Karnataka HC.

The Delhi high court on Tuesday issued summons to Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami on a defamation case by the Congress, which alleged that he had falsely claimed that the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkiye is the office of the political party.

Justice Mini Pushkarna, however, refused to order an interim injunction against the content in the matter at this stage, observing that the broadcast was published in May 2025.

The party's counsel alleged that the defendant made the false claim in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and the content 'continues to damage' the party's reputation.

"I am asking for an injunction (in the lawsuit)... I will also ask that the content be stayed... Offending content continues to do damage. People are still talking about it. They have admitted it is false," the counsel submitted.

"Let's see. May 15, 2025, was the broadcast.... I will give you a short date," Justice Pushkarna said.

The court asked Goswami to file a response to the plea for interim relief within four weeks and listed the matter for hearing on May 19.

"Let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons," the court ordered.

Background of the Defamation Claim

In May 2025, the Indian Youth Congress's legal cell head, Shrikant Swaroop B N, also filed a complaint to the Bengaluru police against BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya and Goswami accusing them of running false information.

The complaint, which was registered as an FIR, claimed that Malviya and Goswami "maliciously propagated the fabricated claim" that the Istanbul Congress Centre in Turkiye is the office of the Indian National Congress.

It alleged that the actions of Malviya and Goswami were set against the volatile backdrop of strained relations between India and Turkey, driven by the latter's perceived support for Pakistan.

Investigation in the case was stayed by the Karnataka high court.
A 40-year-old man in Delhi's Sultanpuri was tragically stabbed to death after refusing to give money to his attackers, leading to a police investigation and multiple arrests.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 40-year-old man in Delhi's Sultanpuri was allegedly stabbed to death after refusing to give money to the accused.

The victim, Rajinder, was attacked in a park by two men and two minors after refusing to give them money and his mobile phone.

Police have detained two men and apprehended two minors in connection with the fatal stabbing in Sultanpuri.

A murder case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the Delhi stabbing incident.

A 40-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death in outer Delhi's Sultanpuri area after he refused to give money to the accused, police said on Tuesday.

A scuffle broke out between the victim, Rajinder, and the accused, two men and two minors, in a park, they said.

"The accused initially asked the victim for money, which he said he did not have. They then demanded his mobile phone, but when he refused, they became enraged. One of the accused stabbed him, and during the scuffle, one of the assailants also sustained minor injuries," a senior police officer said.

The incident came to light after a call was received from Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital regarding a medico-legal case of a man, they said.

The police said Rajinder, a resident of Sultanpuri, was admitted to the hospital with stab injuries, but succumbed during treatment. Following his death, a case of murder was registered under relevant provisions of the BNS, a senior police officer said.

The police said they have detained two men -- Raj (23) from Rattan Vihar, who is currently under treatment at Safdarjung hospital and Karan (23) of Sultanpuri -- and apprehended two minors in connection with the case.

Further investigation in the case is in progress.
A shocking broad daylight assault and robbery in Delhi's Krishna Nagar saw a woman attacked and her gold bangle stolen by motorcycle-borne assailants, with CCTV footage sparking outrage and a police investigation.

Key Points A woman in Delhi's Krishna Nagar was assaulted and robbed of her gold bangle by four men on motorcycles.

The incident occurred in broad daylight, and CCTV footage of the attack has gone viral on social media.

The victim, Kanika Mehta, was attacked after dropping her daughter off at a school bus stop.

The attackers brandished a firearm and struck the woman before snatching her bangle.

Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident, using CCTV footage to identify the accused.

A woman was allegedly assaulted and robbed of her gold bangle by four motorcycle-borne men in broad daylight in east Delhi's Krishna Nagar area on Tuesday morning, with a purported CCTV footage of the incident going viral on social media platforms, police said.

The viral CCTV clip shows the accused assaulting the woman, snatching her gold bangle and even brandishing a firearm when another person tries to intervene.

The incident took place around 7:15 am when the woman, identified as Kanika Mehta, had just dropped off her daughter at a school bus stop and was about to leave on her scooter.

According to police, four unidentified people, riding two stolen motorcycles and wearing helmets, approached the victim and surrounded her.

"One of the accused struck her with a blunt object, while another brandished a firearm to intimidate her before snatching her gold bangle," a senior police officer said.

The officer said the woman sustained minor injuries during the incident. A case has been registered and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the accused.

Victim's Account of the Attack

Recounting the incident, Mehta said the attackers demanded she remove her gold bangle, but she resisted.

"After dropping my daughter, four men on two motorcycles surrounded me. They asked me to remove my gold bangle. I resisted, but one of them took out a pistol and tried to scare me. I kept struggling, and during the scuffle, I suffered injuries to my nails," she said.

She alleged that the accused holding the gun hit her on the head with the butt of the weapon while threatening to shoot her.

"After they hit me, I fell on the ground and they snatched my bangle and fled. When I tried to chase them, they fired a round in the air," she added.

Police Investigation Underway

Police said the motorcycles used in the crime were found to be stolen, and teams have been formed to trace the accused using CCTV footage from the area.
Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu champions a human-first approach to India's digital revolution, asserting that technology's ultimate goal must be to enhance the lives of its citizens.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu/X

Key Points Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu advocates for a human-centred approach to digital nation-building, emphasising that technology should improve lives.

India's digital transformation, driven by initiatives like Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and UPI, is creating new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Sandhu highlights the importance of technology in large democracies like India for enabling systems to operate at scale and improving access to services.

The LG cites the global adoption of UPI as an example of India's 'technological diplomacy', fostering payment linkages with countries worldwide.

Inclusive development, economic growth, national security, and strategic autonomy are identified as key pillars of technology's role in nation-building.

Delhi LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Tuesday said the future of nation-building is digital but its heart must remain human.

Sandhu, the former diplomat and newly appointed LG, was delivering the keynote address at Global Confluence 2026 organised by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM).

Sandhu recalled his long association with NASSCOM since his role as a diplomat in the USA, and added that it was apt that the Global Confluence organised by the Association was one of his first events in his capacity as Delhi LG.

He was administered the oath as Delhi's 23rd LG on March 11.

"History teaches us that nations are built on foundations of stone, steel and sweat. But in 2026, the architecture of nation-building has changed.

"Today, the most vital infrastructure is often invisible. It exists in the pulses of fibre-optic cables, the logic of algorithms and the seamless flow of data," Sandhu said.

India's Digital Transformation

In large and diverse democracies such as India, technology becomes particularly important as it enables systems to operate at scale. No one has demonstrated the transformative power of technology better than India, he asserted.

"Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), we have harnessed this power through initiatives such as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs), Atal Tinkering Labs, Start Up India, Digital India, IndiaAI Mission, Semicon Mission and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)," he cited various initiatives of the central government.

The ultimate aim of any innovation has to be the improvement in the lives of the people, he said, and added, "We see the use of drones for getting our vaccines across to remote areas, the creation of tractor-sharing apps among our farmers and the use of AI to ensure the optimal use of fertilisers and pesticides."

Highlighting India's digital transformation, the LG said that in the past decade, the country has witnessed one of the most remarkable digital transformations.

India now has one of the largest internet populations globally and one of the world's most affordable mobile data ecosystems. The data consumption of the country is among the highest in the world, proving that connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a utility as vital as electricity, he said.

This expansion has created new opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and access to services. Today, India processes nearly 46 per cent of all global real-time transactions. This is not just a statistic; it is a cultural shift, he asserted.

Digital Public Infrastructure and UPI

One of the most important contributions India has made is the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Built on open standards, it is a "public good" designed for private innovation, he said.

Citing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processes and billions of transactions every month, Sandhu termed them as "technological diplomacy", mentioning countries such as Singapore, the UAE and France enabling UPI payments or establishing payment linkages with India.

He marked inclusive development, economic growth and activity, and national security and strategic autonomy as the pillars of technology, and added that "the future of nation-building is digital but its heart must remain human".

He concluded his address by urging the gathering to be ambitious and aim for the "stars and sky", focus on the big picture, research and development, skilling and collaboration, youth and refrain from negativity.
India has strongly refuted a US report raising concerns about religious freedom, dismissing it as biased and based on misinformation.

IMAGE: The USCIRF said that future US security assistance and trade with India should be linked to improvements in religious freedom in the country.. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points India rejects the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, calling it biased and motivated.

The USCIRF report recommended linking US security assistance and trade with India to improvements in religious freedom.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) accuses USCIRF of presenting a distorted view of India based on questionable sources.

India urges USCIRF to address attacks on Hindu temples and intolerance against the Indian diaspora in the US.

The USCIRF report alleges a deterioration of religious freedom in India, citing anti-conversion laws and vigilante attacks.

India on Monday categorically rejected a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) that called for linking Washington's security assistance and bilateral trade to improvements in New Delhi's record in religious freedom.

In its report, the USCIRF criticised India for what it called increasing cases of alleged violations of religious freedom and recommended "targeted sanctions" on individuals and entities such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), holding them responsible for the situation.

The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government agency that monitors universal right to freedom of religion.

The Ministry of External Affairs, trashing the report, said the USCIRF has persisted in presenting a "distorted and selective" picture of India, relying on "questionable sources and ideological narratives" rather than objective facts.

The USCIRF said that future US security assistance and trade with India should be linked to improvements in religious freedom in the country. It also called for designating India as a "Country of Particular Concern" while citing cases of alleged worsening of religious freedom in the country.

"We have taken note of the latest report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts," he said.

Jaiswal said such "repeated misrepresentations" only undermine the credibility of the commission itself.

"Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention," he said.

Jaiswal was responding to a media query on the USCIRF report.

USCIRF Report Details

The USCIRF report recommended to the US government that India be designated as a "country of particular concern", or CPC, for "engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations".

The report alleged that religious freedom in India continued to deteriorate in 2025 as the government introduced and enforced new legislation targeting religious minority communities and their houses of worship.

"Several states undertook efforts to introduce or strengthen anti-conversion laws to include harsher prison sentences. Indian authorities also facilitated widespread detention and illegal expulsion of citizens and religious refugees and tolerated vigilante attacks against religious minority communities," it said.
Following an altercation over patient care, two individuals have been arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors at a West Bengal hospital, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence against healthcare professionals.

Key Points Two individuals were arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital in Kalyani, West Bengal.

The assault occurred after an altercation between the relatives of a road accident victim and the attending doctors.

Ten to fifteen relatives allegedly assaulted two on-duty doctors, causing minor injuries.

Police intervened to control the situation and made the arrests.

Two persons were arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors at a hospital in West Bengal's Nadia district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident happened at the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital in Kalyani on Monday night, they said.

A road accident victim was admitted to the hospital around 10.30 pm. An altercation broke out between the patient's relatives and the attending doctors during treatment, they said.

Following that, 10 to 15 relatives of the patient allegedly assaulted two on-duty doctors, who sustained minor injuries, they added.

Police said they rushed to the spot after getting to know about the incident and brought the situation under control.

Subsequently, two persons were arrested, they said.
KAMPALA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China's recently approved 15th Five-Year Plan presents opportunities that African countries can leverage as they pursue their own development paths, analysts said at a symposium here on Tuesday.

The event, held under the theme "Strategic Alignment for Prosperity: Deepening China-Uganda Ties in the 15th Five-Year Plan Era," brought together researchers, academics and government officials. It was convened by the Development Watch Centre (DWC), a Ugandan think tank.

Arthur Atuha, a research fellow at DWC, said that countries like Uganda can tap into China's technological and innovation advances to fast-track production for the Chinese market.

In February, China announced that it will implement zero-tariff treatment from May 1 for products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties.

According to the Chinese embassy, countries such as Uganda are already benefiting from China's expanding market access, particularly through the zero-tariff policy. Bilateral trade between China and Uganda reached 2.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, up 43.5 percent year on year. China's imports from Uganda also rose to 138 million dollars, a 73.8 percent increase. Authorities are also finalizing quarantine protocols for exporting sorghum, chia seeds and avocados to China.

"We need to interest ourselves in digital marketing. China has availed a number of platforms; if we use them, we get to expand the market base of our products," Atuha said.

Vuyo Mjimba, a researcher at South Africa's Human Sciences Research Council, said that China's 15th Five-Year Plan underscores the importance for African countries to remain committed to their own development priorities rather than relying on external prescriptions.

Joshua Kingdom, a researcher at DWC, said that China has already laid a foundation in Africa for deeper trade engagement as it advances modernization and high-quality development. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China has supported the construction of key energy and transport infrastructure that can help African countries seize emerging opportunities, he added.

On March 11, China approved its development blueprint for 2026-2030, marking a key stage in advancing modernization and high-quality development.

Fan Xuecheng, charge d'affaires ad interim at the Chinese embassy in Uganda, told the symposium that the plan will prioritize scientific and technological innovation and industrial upgrading. It will accelerate the development of the digital economy, artificial intelligence, new energy and high-end manufacturing, while promoting green development.

Fan said that over the next decade, China is expected to import more than 20 trillion U.S. dollars' worth of goods and services, creating vast market opportunities worldwide. 
A charge sheet has been filed against a DRDO scientist accused of leaking sensitive information to a Pakistani intelligence operative, escalating the espionage case.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has filed a charge sheet against DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar for allegedly sharing confidential information with a Pakistani intelligence operative.

Kurulkar, a director at a DRDO laboratory in Pune, was arrested in May 2023 on suspicion of violating the Official Secrets Act.

The sessions court directed the ATS to file the charge sheet before the appropriate magistrate's court.

The case against Kurulkar will be heard by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Anti-Corruption Court, with the next hearing scheduled for March 27.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police has filed the charge sheet against DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar, accused of providing confidential information to a Pakistani intelligence operative, before a magistrate's court here.

On Monday, sessions judge P Y Ladekar directed the ATS to file the charge sheet before the competent magistrate's court in accordance with the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Accordingly, the charge sheet was filed before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Anti-Corruption Court, and further proceedings will take place before this court, officials said.

Kurulkar's lawyers Rhishikesh Ganu and Raghav Puranik had challenged the maintainability of the prosecution's case before the sessions court.

The matter will now come up before the magistrate on March 27.

Kurulkar, the then director of a laboratory affiliated to the Defence Research and Development Organisation in Pune, was arrested in May 2023.
An armed dacoity in Kavadgaon village, Beed, Maharashtra, resulted in significant losses and injuries, prompting residents to demand improved security measures like CCTV surveillance to combat rising crime in the area.

Key Points Armed dacoits robbed two houses in Kavadgaon village, Beed, Maharashtra, stealing over Rs 2.16 lakh in valuables.

A resident was seriously injured after resisting the armed robbery attempt.

This is the fourth major dacoity in the Beed area in the last four months, raising concerns about rising crime.

The lack of CCTV surveillance in the village is hindering the police investigation.

Villagers are demanding the installation of CCTV cameras to improve security and deter future dacoities.

A gang of armed dacoits targeted two houses in Kavadgaon village in Beed district of Maharashtra, decamping with valuables and cash worth over Rs 2.16 lakh, and brutally attacking a resident, police said on Tuesday.

The gang of four to five armed men stormed the residences of Siddiq Shaikh and Yuvraj Kale in the wee hours of Sunday.

They threatened the occupants of the houses into silence by threatening to kill them. When a local youth attempted to resist, he was attacked with an iron rod, leaving him seriously injured.

Police have launched a search operation.

This is the fourth major dacoity in the area within just four months.

Security Concerns and Demands for CCTV

The investigation faces a significant hurdle as the village lacks CCTV camera surveillance. Villagers and the Gram Panchayat have now intensified their demands for the administration to install security cameras at strategic points to deter future crimes.
Police in Rajkot have arrested three individuals for the alleged abduction and murder of a Dalit man, sparking protests and raising concerns about caste-based violence in Gujarat.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Three individuals have been arrested in Rajkot, Gujarat, for the alleged abduction and murder of Bhavesh Vanvi, a 32-year-old Dalit man.

The murder is allegedly linked to a dispute over Vanvi's complaint against the main accused's sugarcane business and a personal conflict.

The accused allegedly intercepted and assaulted Vanvi with deadly weapons, resulting in fatal injuries.

Members of the Scheduled Caste community protested Vanvi's death, demanding immediate arrests.

The police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Police have arrested three persons for allegedly abducting and killing a 32-year-old Dalit man in Gujarat's Rajkot district, officials said on Tuesday.

The three accused, Ravi Jograna, Sagar Jograna and Gopal Jograna, were allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of Bhavesh Vanvi, said assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Chintan Patel of the SC/ST Cell.

As per the FIR, Hamir Jograna, the main accused in the case who is currently absconding, and at least four other persons abducted Vanvi in the night of March 15 as he had allegedly filed an application with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation against Hamir's sugarcane pressing machine business.

The accused, armed with pipes, sharp-edged weapons and an axe, intercepted Vanvi while he was travelling on a motorcycle near Dwarkesh Park in Rajkot. They allegedly assaulted him with the intent to cause death, inflicting grievous injuries to his head, hands and other parts of the body, the FIR said.

Vanvi succumbed to his injuries on Monday, the police said.

Hamir was also at odds with Vanvi as the latter was in contact with the woman the accused was involved with.

As per the preliminary investigation, Hamir had earlier filed an application with the police alleging that the deceased and the woman were involved in honey-trapping and extortion.

Community Response and Police Action

After Vanvi's death, members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community refused to accept his body until the arrests were made. A commotion broke out outside the hospital, prompting the police to intervene on Monday night, officials said.

ACP Patel said that the deceased had a criminal history with involvement in cases of rioting, assault, and also in offences under Prohibition Act and Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA).

Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused.
'After we were alerted about the war, none of us could sleep for the next two nights while sailing through those waters.'

IMAGE: The Shenlong vessel carrying tonnes of Saudi crude oil enters Indian waters to be berthed at Mumbai port, March 11, 2026. Photograph: Video Grab/ANI Photo

Key Points Indian sailors aboard Dubai-based vessels faced extreme fear after missile and drone attack alerts in Gulf shipping routes.

Ships altered routes, cancelling planned destinations and diverting to safer ports like Jebel Ali and Salalah.

Many sailors chose to disembark and return home amid rising tensions and escalating risks to civilian vessels.

A related vessel was reportedly hit by a missile, intensifying anxiety despite all crew members being rescued safely.

Experts said modern precision-guided missiles have reduced effectiveness of traditional defence tactics, increasing reliance on navigation and real-time intelligence.

Missile Alerts Trigger Panic at Sea

For two sleepless nights, Amit Swain and his fellow sailors remained on high alert in the middle of the sea, unsure whether their vessel could become the target of a missile strike.

Gripped by fear after receiving alerts about a possible conflict between the US and Iran while sailing through one of the world's most sensitive maritime routes, they could think of little else but how to safely disembark from the ship and return home.

Swain, a chief officer on a Dubai-based container vessel and a resident of Cuttack, had been navigating waters near the Strait of Hormuz when the warning came.

Along with 25 crew members, including 20 Indians, his vessel had departed from Jawaharlal Nehru Port carrying export cargo on February 24 and was heading towards Dammam port in Saudi Arabia when maritime communication channels began circulating alerts about possible missile and drone attacks in nearby waters.

"On the intervening nights of February 27 and 28, we received information about a possible war between the US and Iran.

"As a precautionary measure, the ship altered its operational plan.

"We first reached Jebel Ali port, the largest port in West Asia, where some containers were offloaded.

"The plan to proceed to Dammam port was cancelled, and we immediately moved towards the port of Salalah to avoid being caught in any potential strike zone," Swain said while recounting the tense situation.

Ships Rerouted Amid War Threat

During the voyage, the vessel also carried out bunkering (refuelling) at Fujairah Port on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates.

After unloading the remaining containers at Salalah, about 12 Indian sailors decided to disembark and return home amid fears of further escalation in the region.

"After we were alerted about the war, none of us could sleep for the next two nights while sailing through those waters.

"In my career of more than two decades at sea, I had never experienced such a tense situation.

"The panic and fear during those hours are something I can never forget.

"After we disembarked at Salalah on March 1, a special flight arranged by the shipping company took us to Hyderabad, from where I reached home the next day," Swain said.

The anxiety among seafarers intensified after a vessel belonging to the same shipping company -- a sister ship linked to the cargo ship Safeen Prize -- was reportedly struck by a missile on March 4.

While the attack caused damage to the ship, all crew members were rescued safely.

"We were constantly receiving alerts about missile launches in nearby waters, and the atmosphere on board had become extremely tense.

"After reaching a safe port, I decided to disembark immediately because the risk to civilian vessels had increased sharply.

"My wife was sick, and the only thought at that moment was to get off the ship and return home safely," said Ashirvad, a sailor with another Dubai-based company and a native of Bhubaneswar.

A crew member of another vessel from Hyderabad said their ship was drifting in the high seas when the Safeen Prestige was attacked.

"Several other container and cargo vessels, including ours, narrowly escaped.

"The crew of Safeen Prestige saved their lives by abandoning the ship following a missile attack that caused a fire in the engine room.

"They were immediately rescued by the Omani navy.

"A few hours after the attack, our vessel moved towards Salalah, and we disembarked there before being flown back home," he said.

Maritime experts said defensive strategies used in earlier conflicts are no longer effective due to advances in missile technology.

Captain Prashant Kumar Padhi, who worked for a Dubai-based company, explained that ships earlier used flaring techniques to evade heat-seeking missiles.

"In earlier war situations, vessels would deploy flares on the upper deck of the foremast (forecastle or fo'c'sle) so that heat-seeking missiles would strike the flare instead of the vessel.

"But with modern precision-guided missiles and advanced targeting systems, such techniques are far less effective," Padhi said.

Modern Missiles Change Naval Defence

Instead, ships now rely on evasive navigation and real-time intelligence.

Crews are advised not to expose the broadside of a vessel towards the perceived direction of threat and to keep drifting or changing position rather than remaining anchored in one place.

"They are constantly alerted about possible missile launches through satellite imagery, sophisticated radar systems, and other long-range tracking technologies.

"Continuous movement and vigilance are now the main ways to reduce the risk and minimise potential casualties," Padhi added.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
A man was critically injured in a brazen Aligarh hospital shooting, allegedly stemming from a contentious relationship dispute and involving police constables, sparking a major investigation.

Key Points A man was shot and critically injured in an Aligarh hospital by two armed assailants.

The shooting is allegedly linked to a relationship dispute where the victim was pursuing a woman against her family's wishes.

The woman's father, a police constable, has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Police have identified the shooters, one of whom is the woman's brother, also a police constable.

Authorities are investigating the incident and pursuing departmental action against the police personnel involved.

Two armed assailants allegedly walked into a hospital and fired at a man who was undergoing treatment at the facility, injuring him severely, a senior police official said.

Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Neeraj Kumar Jadaun told reporters that the victim has been identified as Vedpal (32), a resident of a village in Khair police station area. He was rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital following the incident, and his condition remains critical.

One person has been arrested in this connection, while hunt is on to nab the two shooters, he added.

Details of the Relationship Dispute

Citing information provided by Vedpal's family, the SSP said Vedpal had developed relationship with a girl from Mathura and was planning to marry her soon. However, the girl's family -- including her father, who is a police constable -- opposed this proposal and arranged her marriage elsewhere last month.

Despite this, Vedpal continued attempting to contact the girl. He even went to meet her family last month, where he was severely beaten up and warned with dire consequences if he kept pursuing the matter.

According to the family, Vedpal was admitted to a local hospital two days ago to undergo surgery for the injuries sustained during the earlier beating.

Police Investigation and Involvement

The SSP said based on CCTV footage, police have identified the attackers; one of them is the girl's brother, also a police constable posted in a neighbouring district.

He said the details of the incident have been forwarded to the police headquarters to facilitate departmental action against the police personnel involved in the crime.

The girl's father -- a police constable posted in Baghpat district -- has been arrested in the cae, while the police are searching for the two armed assailants.
The Bombay High Court is investigating alleged derogatory remarks made against Mahatma Gandhi, demanding responses from state officials and involved parties in a case that questions the journalist's statements about Gandhi's role as 'Father of the Nation'.

Photograph: Photodivision

Key Points Bombay High Court seeks response from Maharashtra Home Department and Nagpur Police regarding alleged derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi.

The petition alleges journalist Pushpendra Kulshrestha made objectionable statements questioning Gandhi's title as 'Father of the Nation'.

The court has issued notices to the state home department, police commissioner, Kulshrestha, and event organiser Nishant Gandhi, requiring replies by March 30.

Petitioner Ashwin Bais, a Congress functionary, is required to provide audio evidence of the speech in question to both the police and the court.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday sought a reply from the Maharashtra Home Department and city police over a petition demanding action against a journalist and another person over alleged derogatory statements about Mahatma Gandhi.

At a programme organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj Sammelan, senior journalist Pushpendra Kulshrestha made highly objectionable statements and stated that Gandhi can not be termed the Father of the Nation, alleged petitioner Ashwin Bais, a local Congress functionary.

The petition, filed through Advocate Akash Moon, sought a direction from the high court to Sitabardi police in the city to act on his complaint against Kulshrestha and Nishant Gandhi, organiser of the February 15 programme,

Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta of the Nagpur bench of the high court issued notices to the state home department, Nagpur Police Commissioner, Kulshrestha and Nishant Gandhi, seeking replies by March 30.

The petitioner shall furnish the audio clip of the speech in question to the police and also submit it to the court, the division bench said.
The Delhi high court has ordered the removal of defamatory social media content falsely linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's daughter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, protecting her reputation from malicious online attacks.

IMAGE: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has admitted that he had met Jeffery Epstein on a "few occasions" but his interactions with him had nothing to do with the crimes the convicted American sex offender was involved in. Photograph: Naveen Sharma/ANI Photo

Key Points The court restrained users from publishing or disseminating defamatory content about Himayani Puri on social media platforms.

Himayani Puri filed a lawsuit seeking damages and a restraining order, alleging a coordinated online campaign to link her to Epstein.

The court found a prima facie case in favour of Himayani Puri, stating she would suffer irreparable injury if interim relief was not granted.

The lawsuit claims the allegations of business or personal links between Himayani Puri and Epstein are false and malicious.

The Delhi high court on Tuesday directed removal of social media content linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's daughter to convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within 24 hours.

Justice Mini Pushkarna also restrained several users from publishing, circulating or disseminating such content on social media platforms in any manner.

The judge, who was hearing a lawsuit by Himayani Puri, clarified that if the social media users did not remove the posts, the platforms shall take down or block access to such content.

The court observed that Himayani Puri has a prima facie case in her favour and she will suffer irreparable injury if interim relief was not granted.

"Consequently, till the next date of hearing, the following directions are issued," the court said, while listing the case for further hearing in August.

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the plaintiff, said she has a "global reputation" to protect as a finance professional and that the allegations against her were "completely false, reckless and malicious."

Defamation Lawsuit Details

In her lawsuit seeking Rs 10 crore as damages and an order to restrain several entities from disseminating defamatory content, Himayani Puri said there was a "coordinated and malicious online campaign" to link her to Epstein and his crimes.

She also sought an unconditional apology and retraction from the defendant entities.

"Commencing on or around 22.02.2026, a series of false, misleading and defamatory posts, articles, videos and digital material were published, disseminated and amplified across social media and intermediary platforms including inter alia X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, digital news portals and other web-based publications," the plea said.

Himayani Puri asserted that she is an accomplished finance and investment professional, who is being targeted solely because she is the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister's daughter.

According to her lawsuit, the defendants disseminated "baseless imputations" that Himayani Puri maintained direct or indirect business, financial or personal network links with Epstein.

The allegations are entirely false, malicious and devoid of factual foundation, the plea said.

The Epstein files are thousands of pages of documents related to two criminal investigations into sex trafficking by Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, including travel logs, recordings, and emails, which have been a topic of conversation since Epstein died in custody in 2019.
The Allahabad High Court has overturned a property attachment order against the cousin of gangster Mukhtar Ansari, ruling that the state failed to establish a direct link between the property and any criminal activity under the UP Gangsters Act.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Allahabad High Court quashed the property attachment order for Mansoor Ansari, cousin of gangster Mukhtar Ansari, citing a lack of evidence linking the property to any criminal activity.

The court emphasised that the state must demonstrate a clear nexus between the commission of an offence under the UP Gangsters Act and the acquisition of the property in question.

The High Court stated that simply being related to a known gangster is not sufficient grounds to seize an individual's property under the UP Gangsters Act.

The court highlighted that the 'reason to believe' standard requires objective determination based on careful consideration, not mere suspicion, before property can be attached.

The state bears the initial burden of proving that the property was acquired as a result of an offence under the Gangsters Act, and Mansoor Ansari had no prior criminal record under the act.

The Allahabad High Court has set aside an attachment order for immovable property in Ghazipur belonging to Mansoor Ansari, cousin of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, observing that the state failed to establish any nexus between the commission of any offence and construction of the building/shops in question.

Allowing the criminal appeal filed by Mansoor Ansari, Justice Raj Beer Singh said that the state cannot seize property under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 based on mere bald allegations or simply because an individual is related to a known gangster.

The special judge, Ghazipur had upheld the decision of district magistrate to attach Mansoor Ansari's shops and building valued at Rs 26,18,025, on the allegation in a police report that the properties were 'benami' assets of late Mukhtar Ansari.

Court's Reasoning on Property Attachment

The high court said that the DM's power to attach property is not absolute and there must be material for objective determination by him that a person either as a member, leader or organiser of a gang acquired any property as a result of the commission of any offence mentioned under the Gangster Act.

"There must be a nexus between his criminal act and the property acquired by him. His mere involvement in any offence is not sufficient to attach his property as it is necessary to find out whether his acquisition of property was a result of commission of any offence enumerated in the Gangster Act being a gangster," the court observed in its judgment passed on March 12.

It further said that the expression "reason to believe" appearing under section 14 of the Gangster Act is a higher level of state of mind and cannot be equated to mere suspicion or doubt and that it but contemplates an objective determination based on intelligent care and deliberation.

The court also noted that the initial burden is always upon the state to satisfy that the property which is sought to be seized was acquired as a result of the commission of an offence mentioned in the Act.

It held that there must be a nexus between the commission of any offence and the acquisition of the property and this nexus has to be proven by the state at the first instance.

Lack of Criminal History

The high court also took note of the fact that in this case, applicant Mansoor Ansari himself had no criminal history under the Gangster Act.

While a case was registered against Mukhtar Ansari in 2007, the appellant was not an accused in that matter. In view of this, the court categorically remarked that "merely because appellant is cousin of said Mukhtar Ansari, it cannot be a ground to attach his property".

It further noted that there was absolutely no material to show that the appellant was associated with any gang or that there was any "nexus" between a criminal act and the property acquired.

The court found that the impugned order was against facts and law and thus, was liable to be set aside.

Setting aside the order of the Ghazipur special judge who upheld the DM's attachment orders, the high court directed the state government to release the disputed property forthwith.
The Opposition had the numbers to win one Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar. As it turned out, four MLAs skipped the voting, helping the NDA to sweep the polls.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party national President and Rajya Sabha candidate Nitin Nabin, along with Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, BJP state President Sanjay Saraogi and others, show the victory sign at the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in Patna, November 16, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The NDA won all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, showcasing its strong political hold in the state.

Four opposition MLAs abstained from voting, contributing to the defeat of their candidate.

Nitish Kumar, Bihar's longest-serving chief minister, was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time.

The Congress party plans to take action against its three MLAs who abstained from voting, highlighting the internal turmoil within the party.

Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader, blamed the defeat on the betrayal of the four MLAs, underscoring the fractured opposition landscape in Bihar.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance in Bihar is upbeat as it has won all the five Rajya Sabha seats from the state, thanks to four oOpposition MLAs -- three from the Congress and one from the Rashtriya Janata Dal -- abstaining from voting and causing the defeat of the lone Opposition-sponsored RJD candidate in the elections held on March 16.

NDA's winners include Bihar's longest serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also president of the Janata Dal-United, Bharatiya Janata Party national President Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Ramnath Thakur of the JD-U, Rashtriya Lok Morcha President UpendrA Kushwaha and the JP's Sivesh Kumar.

Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin have been elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time. With this win Nitish is all set to step down as Bihar chief minister.

It is the second time in four months that the NDA has swept the elections in Bihar. It had scored a landslide victory in the assembly polls in November 2025.

How the numbers stacked up

The NDA was sure to win four of the five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar but it was not confident of winning the fifth seat as the Opposition claimed to have the magic number of 41 MLAs -- the RJD's 25, the Congress' six and Left parties four, apart from the AIMIM's 5 MLAs and 1 BSP MLA.

As it turned out, RJD candidate A D Singh got only 37 votes, with four MLAs skipping the voting and directly helping the NDA sweep the polls.

According to reports, Surendar Prasad Kushwaha, Manoj Biswas, Manohar Prasad Singh (Congress MLAs) and Faisal Rahman of the RJD abstained from voting.

There is no confirmation as to why they abstained from voting, and the four MLAs have yet to say anything on it.

Congress Response to MLA Abstentions

Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram said the party will take action against its three MLAs who abstained from voting. "We will send a detailed report to the central leadership of the party for action against them."

Ram admitted that it was a setback for the Congress as the three MLAs were in touch with the party till Sunday but on voting day they disappeared.

Sources in the RJD said the AIMIM MLAs and BSP MLA voted for A D Singh.

Divided opposition versus strong NDA

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrives for an Iftar party in Patna along with Union Minister Chirag Paswan, soon after the Rajya Sabha election results were announced, March 16, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

The BJP leadership deployed two party leaders from outside the state as observers in charge of the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar. Both these BJP leaders actively coordinated with all the NDA allies. JD-U, Hindustani Awam Morcha, Lok Janshakti Party-Ramvilas and Rashtriya Lok Morcha leaders were active in ensuring that all their MLAs cast their vote.

On the other hand, Congress leaders both in the state as well as from the Centre hardly showed much interest, resulting in three of its six MLAs abstaining from voting. This is an alarming sign for the Congress which has been eyeing a revival of the party since the 2024 Lok Sabha polls but without much success.
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Groww Foundation have joined forces to launch a semiconductor skill development programme, aiming to cultivate future talent and boost female participation in the rapidly growing micro and nano-technology sectors.

Key Points IISc and Groww Foundation launch a semiconductor skill development programme targeting next-generation talent.

The initiative aims to increase participation of women and young students in micro and nano-technology fields.

The programme includes initiatives like Akanksha to introduce school students to micro- and nano-technology.

Research Experience Program (REP) provides women students with hands-on research opportunities in nano science and semiconductor technology.

Groww Foundation will support 160 girl and women students over three years to encourage their participation in the semiconductor ecosystem.

The Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, in collaboration with Groww Foundation, has launched a semiconductor skill development programme to train next-generation talent, officials said.

The new initiative Groww Foundation  CeNSE (Centre for Nano Science and Engineering) Semiconductor Skill Development Programme, aims to encourage greater participation of women and young students in advanced fields such as micro and nano-technology, they said.

It will also strengthen the emerging semiconductor ecosystem through targeted skill development and research exposure, Groww Foundation said in a statement.

According to the statement, the initiative comprises three complementary programs that address different stages of the academic and research journey led by Dr Dhavala Suri, Assistant Professor, CeNSE.

Programme Components

Akanksha is designed to introduce meritorious school students to the world of micro- and nano-technology, the Foundation said.

"Through immersive exposure at CeNSE laboratories and interactions with researchers, the programme seeks to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science and engineering and opens a window into cutting-edge research and innovation at the nanoscale," it said.

The Research Experience Program (REP) provides women students with an opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to advanced research in nano science and semiconductor technology.

Under the Research Internship Programme, the initiative also includes a research internship track for students trained under the skill development programmes supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, it said.

Statements from IISc and Groww Foundation

Commenting on the development, Prof. Ambarish Ghosh, Chair, CeNSE, IISc stated, "At CeNSE, we believe that building India's semiconductor future requires nurturing diverse talent. Through this collaboration with Groww Foundation, we hope to create meaningful opportunities for young girls, women researchers, and emerging talent."

Kalpana Swaminathan, spokesperson of Groww Foundation, said, "Through this collaboration with CeNSE IISc under what we call the Groww Scholar Program, we hope to unlock opportunities for young girls, women and tribal communities in a manner that organically builds pathways for their growth and advancement in deep science and advanced technology."

Groww Foundation, through this programme, said it will support 160 girl and women students over the span of three years to encourage their greater participation in India's semiconductor ecosystem.
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Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received a delegation led by Baek Juhyon, Special Representative of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, AzerNEWS reports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the development prospects of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade, education, high technology, and other sectors. They emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral relations and intensifying mutual visits. The meeting also highlighted the significance of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation between the governments and regular political consultations between the foreign ministries. Officials noted with satisfaction that 2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The discussion included Azerbaijans large-scale energy and transport projects, plans for exporting alternative energy, and cooperation with Central Asian countries, particularly within the C6 format. Both sides stressed the importance of enhancing interregional connections, transportation and logistics infrastructure, and deepening economic partnerships.

Minister Bayramov also briefed the delegation on the post-conflict situation in the region and ongoing reconstruction efforts in liberated areas. Regional and international security issues, including developments in the Middle East, were also discussed. South Korea expressed deep gratitude for Azerbaijans support in facilitating the evacuation of its citizens from Iran through Azerbaijani territory. Other issues of mutual interest were also addressed during the meeting.
BEIRUT, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The road from the southern city of Nabatieh to the capital of Beirut is usually a 90-minute drive. But for Zeinab Awada and her four children, it felt like a lifetime.

As Israeli airstrikes intensified across southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, Awada and her husband packed their children into the car and joined a desperate convoy of families fleeing north. Above them, the sky hummed with drones; below, the road was clogged with fear.

Then a blast struck close.

"The explosion was very near," Awada recalled. "The children started screaming. For a moment, we thought we were going to die."

Her husband kept driving through the chaos. They didn't stop until they reached Beirut.

Now the Awada family lives in a classroom at the Makassed school in the Bachoura district, one of dozens of schools across the capital that have been repurposed as emergency shelters.

The blackboards are still there, but instead of lessons, they now bear witness to lives interrupted. Thin mattresses line the floors. Bags and blankets fill the corners. Children wander the hallways -- some playing quietly, others clinging to their parents as if the ground might disappear again beneath their feet.

"The children keep asking when we will go back home," Awada said, her eyes fixed somewhere distant. "I don't know what to tell them."

In another classroom, Moussa Hamdan, 48, recounts a journey of double displacement. He first fled his hometown of Mays al-Jabal for Beirut's southern suburbs, only to be uprooted again when Israeli airstrikes began pounding the area.

"They started bombing suddenly," Hamdan said. "I woke up and immediately put my children in the car. We left without taking any clothes."

The trip out was agonizing. Families sat trapped in traffic for more than three hours, the open road becoming a corridor of terror.

"We kept imagining that Israel might bomb the cars," the father said. "It felt like hell."

Now sharing a single room with relatives, Hamdan says displacement has stripped life down to its barest bones.

"There are 10 of us in one room," he said. "Sometimes we only have rice for iftar. The children are tired of eating the same thing."

Nearby, Abou Abbas Jouni, 60, fled Beirut's southern suburbs with his wife, children, and grandchildren after strikes closed in.

"We were scared to death," Jouni said. "We looked at the children crying and knew we had to leave everything behind."

The grandpa and his eight family members now occupy a single classroom. Even in Beirut, safety remains an illusion. An airstrike struck just 400 meters from the school.

"We do not know when they might strike again," he said helplessly.

Their stories are not isolated. They are the human face of a national catastrophe.

According to official figures released on Sunday, 831,002 people had been registered as internally displaced in Lebanon, nearly one in seven residents. Over 130,000 of them, or 33,901 families, now live in 620 collective shelters, many of them hastily converted schools like this one.

The crisis has affected about 1.3 million people, most displaced within Lebanon and the rest having crossed into neighboring Syria, according to Imran Riza, the UN's deputy special coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon.

Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed said that children account for nearly half of those affected, while women and girls make up more than half of the impacted population.

Standing alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Grand Serail, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that Lebanon is "on the brink of a humanitarian abyss," cautioning that the consequences could worsen rapidly without swift international support.

He called on the international community to move beyond words and deliver urgent aid: food, medical supplies, shelter, and fuel.

Guterres announced a Flash Humanitarian Appeal for 308.3 million U.S. dollars to support those affected over the next three months.

The Lebanese government activated its emergency response within hours of the escalation that began on March 2, coordinating relief efforts with UN agencies and humanitarian partners. Nationwide, public institutions have mobilized 2,600 teachers, 600 social workers, 6,800 civil defense personnel, and municipal teams across 24 districts.

But inside the Makassed school, statistics dissolve into the quiet anguish of daily survival. Parents lie awake at night, ears tuned to the distant hum of aircraft. Children eat rice for multiple days in a row.

For Jouni, the future has collapsed into the present.

"I no longer think about the future," he said quietly. "We live minute by minute."

Outside, the war continues. Inside these walls, life has become a waiting room -- for news, for aid, for the chance to return to homes that may no longer exist.

The children keep asking when they can go back. The parents keep searching for answers they don't have.

And the school, once a place of chalkboards and morning bells, now holds the weight of a nation's unraveling -- one family, one classroom, one whispered prayer at a time. 
India vehemently condemns Pakistan's airstrike on a Kabul drug treatment centre, denouncing it as a violation of Afghan sovereignty and a grave threat to regional stability and peace.

IMAGE: Taliban soldiers stand outside the airstrike site. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Key Points India strongly condemns Pakistan's airstrike on a drug treatment centre in Kabul, calling it a 'barbaric' act.

The airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital resulted in significant civilian casualties, raising concerns about international law violations.

India views the attack as a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a threat to regional peace and stability.

India calls on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for the airstrike and ensure the targeting of civilians ceases.

The timing of the attack during Ramzan, a holy month of peace, is considered particularly reprehensible by India.

India on Tuesday 'unequivocally' condemned Pakistan's 'barbaric' airstrike on a drug treatment centre in Kabul and described it as a 'blatant assault' on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a threat to regional peace and stability.

In a strong reaction to the last night's attack that reportedly killed over 400 people, New Delhi accused Pakistan of trying to 'dress up a massacre as a military operation'.

It said the strike reflects Islamabad's persistent pattern of 'reckless behaviour' and its repeated attempts to 'externalise internal failures'.

Afghan media reported that over 400 people were killed and more than 250 others injured in the Pakistani airstrikes on the Omid Addiction Treatment hospital.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India 'unequivocally condemns Pakistan's barbaric airstrike' on the hospital in Kabul.

'This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target,' it said.

Blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty: MEA

The MEA said Pakistan is now trying to 'dress up a massacre as a military operation'.

'This heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is also a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability,' it said in a statement.

'It reflects Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalize internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,' it said.

New Delhi said the international community must hold the perpetrators of the criminal act accountable and ensure that Pakistan's 'wanton targeting' of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay.

'That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible,' the MEA said.

'There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients,' it said.

The MEA said India extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to those injured.

India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this 'tragic moment', it said.

'We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan,' it added.

The latest Pakistani strikes came as Operation Ghazab lil Haq, launched on February 26, continued, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Pakistan said it launched the military offensive in response to alleged attacks by the Afghan Taliban forces along the 2,600-km-long border.
Despite ongoing tensions in West Asia, the successful arrival of the LPG carrier 'Nanda Devi' in Gujarat ensures a steady supply of liquefied petroleum gas to India, highlighting the country's efforts to secure its energy needs.

IMAGE: LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrives safely at Vadinar port in Gujarat . Photograph: ANI video grab

Key Points The LPG carrier 'Nanda Devi' successfully delivered 46,500 metric tonnes of gas to Vadinar port in Gujarat, navigating the Strait of Hormuz despite regional conflict.

The cargo from 'Nanda Devi' will be transferred to the vessel 'BW Birch' for distribution to Ennore (Tamil Nadu) and Haldia (West Bengal) ports.

The Indian government is prioritising the handling of incoming LPG vessels to ensure efficient and rapid discharge of cargo amidst global supply concerns.

India imports a significant portion of its crude oil, natural gas, and LPG, making secure passage through strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz crucial.

The Ministry of Ports has issued directives to ensure all future LPG vessels are handled with priority and strict adherence to safety protocols.

India's second LPG carrier 'Nanda Devi' arrived safely at Vadinar port in Gujarat on Tuesday, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of gas after navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict, an official said.

The first ship, 'Shivalik', reached Mundra Port in Gujarat on Monday.

'Nanda Devi' has docked at Vadinar port in Devbhumi Dwarka district, and preparations were being made to shift the LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to the daughter ship, Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh told reporters.

"A consignment of 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG has been brought in; this cargo will be transferred to a vessel named BW Birch, which will subsequently proceed to discharge portions of the consignment at the ports of Ennore (Tamil Nadu) and Haldia (West Bengal) along the eastern coast," he said.

"The transfer process takes place at a rate of 1,000 tonnes per hour; consequently, the entire operation is expected to take two days to complete," he added.

'Nanda Devi' Passes Safely Through Strait of Hormuz

The port authority at Vadinar is tasked with ensuring that these operations are executed with maximum efficiency, as per the directive of the Ministry of Ports, Singh said.

"This constitutes a standard operational procedure that we have consistently carried out here at Vadinar. However, the current directive issued by the ministry mandates that incoming LPG vessels be accorded top priority; we must ensure that their transfer and discharge processes are completed as expeditiously as possible," he said.

All relevant operational parameters are to be monitored rigorously, with multiple agencies involved in the process, the official noted.

"We visited the vessel and met with its crew members. The 'daughter vessel' is currently en route; upon its arrival, it will berth alongside the 'mother vessel' Nanda Devi, at which point the ship-to-ship transfer operation will commence," he said.

Singh said the ministry has issued a clear directive stipulating that all future incoming LPG vessels must also be handled on a priority basis, strictly adhering to all safety protocols and avoiding the adoption of any shortcuts.

"Our objective is to eliminate any procedural bottlenecks and ensure that the cargo is discharged as quickly as possible," he added.

Gujarat minister Jitu Vaghani on Monday said that LPG carrier Shivalik safely reached Mundra port from Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia crisis due to the strong diplomatic relations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with world leaders.

The ship passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz despite global unrest and tensions involving Iran, Israel and other countries, he told the state assembly.

India's Energy Imports and Supply Chain

India imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of natural gas and 60 per cent of LPG needs. Before the US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran's retaliation, more than half of India's crude imports, about 30 per cent of gas and 85-90 per cent of LPG imports came from Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The conflict has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main transit route for Gulf energy supplies. While India has partly offset crude supply disruptions by sourcing oil from countries including Russia, gas supplies have been curtailed to industrial users and LPG availability to commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants has been reduced.

Currently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf and efforts are on to secure safe passage for them, as per officials.
Five insurgents were apprehended near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur, India, prompting increased security measures and raising concerns about regional stability.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Five insurgents belonging to PREPAK, KYKL, and KCP (MFL) were arrested near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur's Tengnoupal district.

The arrests occurred between Border Pillars 73 and 75 in the Moreh police station area, highlighting ongoing security operations.

Security forces recovered a cache of explosives and small arms from the Boljang Hill Range, including IEDs, a pistol, and ammunition.

The recovered IEDs were safely destroyed at the site, following established safety protocols.

Five insurgents were arrested near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur's Tengnoupal district, police said.

The insurgents belonged to PREPAK, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and Kangleipak Communist Party (MFL), they said.

The arrests were made on Sunday from a stretch between Border Pillars 73 and 75 in the Moreh police station area, they added.

Arms Cache Recovery

In a separate operation, security forces recovered a cache of explosives and small arms from the Boljang Hill Range of the district.

The seized items included eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a pistol, one pistol magazine, an improvised mortar, two radio sets and nine live rounds of different calibres, police said.

The recovered IEDs were destroyed at the site in accordance with safety protocols and standard operating procedures, they said.
The IRGC had announced earlier that it was carrying out an intense wave of attacks on US and Israeli positons throughout the region since dawn, using missiles as well as drones.

IMAGE: Streaks of fire and light slash across the night sky as an Israeli interceptor strikes an Iranian missile, over Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 17, 2026. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters

Key Points Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a new phase of 'heavy' missile and drone strikes across the region.

Commander Sardar Mousavi said attacks target the 'American-Zionist enemy' and aim to intensify operations.

IRGC said strikes since dawn involved multiple warheads using solid and liquid fuel along with drones.

Donald Trump criticised NATO allies for not backing US operations, claiming American forces have already weakened Irans military capabilities.

Sardar Mousavi, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force, on Tuesday announced a 'new phase of effective and heavy strikes across the region against the American-Zionist enemy', Al Jazeera reported.

"The backbone of arrogance will be broken in the streets and squares," Al Jazeera quoted Mousavi as saying.

The IRGC had announced earlier that it was carrying out an intense wave of attacks on US and Israeli positons throughout the region since dawn, using missiles as well as drones.

Iran's IRGC said that it has been carrying out a new wave of 'impact-oriented and targeted' attacks across the region since dawn, as reported by Al Jazeera.

In a statement reported by Iranian media, it said the operations were being carried out with 'multiple warheads with solid and liquid fuel' as well as drones, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Trump slams NATO allies

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's tirade on North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)'s reluctance to help him with Strait of Hormuz's operations continue as he said on Truth Social, 'The United States has been informed by most of our NATO 'Allies' that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.'

'I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,' he added.

Trump further claimed that the US has decimated Iran's military, naval and air forces.

'Fortunately, we have decimated Iran's Military Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer "need," or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea,' he said.

He further reiterated that the US doesn't need the aid of anyone.

'In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter,' he said.
In the 2021 polls, Adhikari stunned Banerjee in Nandigram by a slim margin of 1,956 votes, a defeat that forced the CM to subsequently enter the assembly through a by-election from Bhabanipur, a seat considered her stronghold.

IMAGE: All India Trinamool Congress Supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with TMC party workers during a protest against price hike of LPG gas cylinders, in Kolkata on Monday. Photograph: @AITCofficial X/ANI Photo

Key Points Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari face-off shifts from Nandigram (2021) to Bhabanipur (2026).

Contest seen as a prestige battle symbolising TMC vs BJP rivalry.

Adhikari had defeated Banerjee in Nandigram by 1,956 votes in 2021.

Over 47,000 voter names deleted in Bhabanipur, adding political controversy.

Seat seen as symbolic referendum ahead of West Bengal Assembly polls (April 23 & 29).

The political rivalry in Nandigram that defined West Bengal's 2021 assembly polls is set to return to centre stage in a new arena, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee locking horns with her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, turning the south Kolkata seat into the likely epicentre of the 2026 electoral battle.

Prestige Fight Beyond a Seat

With the Trinamool Congress supremo contesting from Bhabanipur and the Bharatiya Janata Party fielding Leader of Opposition Adhikari against her, the contest has quickly acquired the character of a prestige fight -- not merely for a seat in the assembly but for political supremacy in a state where the rivalry between the two leaders has come to symbolise the broader TMC-BJP confrontation.

In the 2021 polls, Adhikari stunned Banerjee in Nandigram by a slim margin of 1,956 votes, a defeat that forced the CM to subsequently enter the assembly through a by-election from Bhabanipur, a seat considered her stronghold.

Five years later, the duel has been relocated to that very bastion.

"This time we will win Bhabanipur with the maximum number of votes," Banerjee said when asked about the BJP challenge, asserting that the saffron party would see its numbers decline in next month's election.

Return of a High-Stakes Rivalry

Political observers say the BJP's decision to field Adhikari from Bhabanipur, in addition to his traditional seat Nandigram, is a calculated attempt to convert the constituency into the symbolic battlefield of the election, recreating the psychological theatre of Nandigram but on the chief minister's home turf.

Bhabanipur has been one of the TMC's safest urban strongholds since the party came to power in 2011.

The constituency houses Banerjee's residence and has repeatedly returned her to the assembly.

After her defeat in Nandigram in 2021, senior TMC leader Shovandeb Chattopadhyay vacated the seat to allow Banerjee to contest the by-election.

She returned to the assembly with a commanding margin of more than 58,000 votes and nearly 72 per cent of the vote share.

Yet, in the run-up to the 2026 polls, Bhabanipur has unexpectedly emerged as a constituency under intense political scrutiny.

The SIR of electoral rolls has added a fresh political dimension to the contest.

Row Over Electoral Rolls Revision

In Bhabanipur, more than 47,000 names have been removed from the voters' list -- 44,786 at the draft stage and another 2,324 in the next level.

Over 14,000 electors remain 'under adjudication' pending judicial scrutiny.

The scale of deletions has acquired political significance as it is roughly 11,000 fewer than the over 58,000-vote margin with which Banerjee had won the bypoll in 2021, a comparison already fuelling competing narratives between the ruling TMC and the BJP over the potential electoral impact of the roll revision.

In contrast, around 11,000 names have been struck off the voters' list in Nandigram, represented by Adhikari.

Banerjee has been a vocal critic of the revision exercise, alleging attempts to manipulate electoral rolls, while BJP leaders argue that the clean-up will make the contest more transparent.

For the BJP, fielding Adhikari from Bhabanipur is as much a psychological move as an electoral strategy.

Having already defeated Banerjee once in Nandigram-a symbolic stronghold of the TMC's land movement politics-Adhikari's candidature allows the BJP to frame the election as a direct leadership contest between the state's two most prominent political figures.

The BJP leadership has also been steadily building a narrative that Bhabanipur could become competitive in the changed political circumstances.

Adhikari and senior BJP leaders, including former state president Sukanta Majumdar, have made repeated visits to the constituency in recent months, signalling the party's intention to convert the seat into a prestige battle.

'Mother of All Electoral Battles'

The Mamata Banerjee-Suvendu Adhikari rivalry represents one of the most dramatic political fallouts in Bengal's recent history.

Once among Banerjee's closest lieutenants and a key architect of the TMC's rise in the politically volatile Jangalmahal and coastal belts, Adhikari switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 elections, triggering one of the most high-profile defections in state politics.

His victory over Banerjee in Nandigram became the defining moment of that election, even though the TMC swept the state with a thumping mandate.

The Bhabanipur contest now threatens to revive that narrative, potentially turning a single constituency into a symbolic referendum on the leadership of both camps.

More broadly, the face-off encapsulates the larger dynamics shaping the 2026 West Bengal elections.

The TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, banking on welfare schemes, organisational strength and Mamata Banerjee's personal popularity.

The BJP, meanwhile, is attempting to revive the aggressive challenger role it played in 2021 by framing the election as a leadership contest against Banerjee.

Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

But even before the campaign fully gathers momentum, political attention has already converged on Bhabanipur.

For the TMC, retaining the seat would reaffirm the CM's political dominance in her own backyard.

For the BJP, wresting it would deliver a political shockwave far beyond the boundaries of a single constituency.

Either way, Bhabanipur has become the stage for what many in Bengal's political circles are already calling the 'mother of all electoral battles'.
A police inspector in Mangaluru faces suspension and investigation after audio and video clips surfaced, alleging inappropriate behaviour towards a woman, prompting swift action from authorities and the Karnataka State Women's Commission.

Key Points A police inspector in Mangaluru has been suspended following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman, as evidenced by audio and video clips.

Despite the absence of a formal complaint from the woman involved, authorities deemed the content of the footage indicative of misconduct.

The Karnataka State Women's Commission has taken cognisance of the matter and is proceeding with an investigation, even without a formal complaint.

Home Minister G Parameshwara has requested an immediate report on the allegations and has instructed the police to take suo motu action.

A police inspector was placed under suspension on Tuesday after audio and video clips purportedly showing alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a woman surfaced, officials said.

According to a statement issued by the Police Commissioner of Mangaluru city Sudhir Kumar Reddy, multiple complaints had earlier been filed by two women against the inspector. However, officials clarified that both cases are part of larger, unrelated legal disputes.

Police also clarified that these two women are not the same individuals seen in the viral video and audio clips.

Despite the absence of formal complaint from the woman featured in the footage who has declined to file a case so far, authorities noted that the content of the video and audio indicates inappropriate conduct by the officer.

"In view of the questionable behaviour reflected in the material, the inspector has been placed under suspension," the Commissioner said, adding that the women involved have been informed they can record their statements at a later stage if they choose to do so.

Further inquiry into the matter is underway.

Government and Commission Involvement

Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara said he spoke to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner immediately and sought a report. Once the report comes, necessary action will be taken.

"I spoke to Mangaluru commissioner and sought for an immediate report regarding the allegations made by the woman and the behaviour of the officer. Commissioner may send the report today, I have asked the ADGP Law and Order to oversee," he told reporters in Bengaluru.

Taking cognisance of this matter, Nagalakshmi Choudhary, Chairperson of Karnataka State Women's Commission said they have written to the Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada.

"I have already spoken to the Commissioner, who informed me that no victim has come forward to lodge a complaint so far. However, we are proceeding with the investigation," she said.

Choudhary said that she also met Parameshwara, who said the police need not wait for any direction from him and can immediately take suo motu action, as they are empowered to initiate the investigation.

"He (Home Minister) has sought a report within two days, after which appropriate action will be taken," she said.

"Every time there is an incident against a woman, the police department seems to wait for the Women's Commission to intervene. Does this reflect on the discipline and responsibility of the police," she added.
Veteran politician KC Tyagi has resigned from the Janata Dal-United after decades of service, prompting speculation about his future political endeavours and the implications for the party.

IMAGE: K C Tyagi. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo

Key Points KC Tyagi, a senior leader, has resigned from the Janata Dal (United) party after a long association.

Tyagi reaffirms his commitment to the interests of downtrodden, peasants, and agriculturalists.

He maintains respect for Nitish Kumar, despite leaving the party.

Tyagi will decide his future political course of action after consulting with associates.

A meeting of like-minded individuals is scheduled to discuss the country's political situation.

Senior JD(U) leader K C Tyagi on Tuesday said that he has left the party and will decide his further course of action soon.

Tyagi was associated with the JD-U since it came into existence in October 2003 with the merger of the Samata Party and the Janata Dal.

He served the JD-U in various capacities including its chief general secretary, chief spokesperson and political adviser.

"Yes, I have left the party," Tyagi told PTI, when asked.

In a statement, the former Rajya Sabha member said, "The membership campaign of the party has ended. This time I've not renewed the membership of the party."

He, however, asserted that his commitment to the "larger and wider ideological points" concerning the interests of downtrodden, peasants and agriculturalists including the deprived sections of society "remains as firm as ever".

"My personal respect for Nitish Kumar who remained my comrade for close to half a century also remains unchanged," he added.

Tyagi's Future Plans

Tyagi said that his "further course of action" will be decided soon in consultation with "all required people".

"Few of my friends political friends, sympathisers and activists are organising a meet of like minded persons on 22nd March 2026 to discuss the political situation of the country at Mavlankar Hall, Rafi Marg," he said in the statement.

"We will continue to be inspired by the ideas and ideology of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh ji, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia ji and Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur Ji," the veteran socialist leader added.
The Kerala High Court has rejected former minister Antony Raju's plea to suspend his conviction for evidence tampering, effectively barring him from participating in the upcoming Assembly elections and raising questions about his political future.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Kerala High Court dismissed Antony Raju's plea to suspend his conviction in an evidence tampering case.

Raju's conviction disqualifies him from contesting in the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls.

The case relates to evidence tampering from 1990 when Raju was a lawyer for an Australian national in a drug case.

Raju argued that the disqualification under the Representation of the People Act is self-operating and instantaneous.

Raju claimed the magistrate's court made errors in evidence appreciation and the sentence was excessive.

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea of former state Transport Minister Antony Raju seeking suspension of his conviction in the evidence tampering so that he can contest in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Justice C Jayachandran dismissed the plea moved by Raju, a leader of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress -- a constituent of the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala. The detailed order is awaited.

He was sentenced to three years' simple imprisonment by the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I Court, Nedumangad, in a case related to tampering with evidence while appearing as a lawyer for an Australian national arrested in a drug case in 1990.

Following his conviction, the Kerala Legislative Assembly Secretariat issued a notification confirming his disqualification as MLA.

Raju represented the Thiruvananthapuram Central Assembly constituency.

Legal Arguments and Disqualification

In his plea to the High Court, Raju has said the application for suspension of conviction was filed because, as a sitting member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, he stood disqualified from holding office solely due to the conviction.

According to him, unlike a sentence of imprisonment, the disqualification under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act is self-operating and instantaneous, leaving no scope for restitution unless the conviction itself is suspended.

"The petitioner's right to contest the upcoming general election to the state legislative Assembly is put in peril due to the conviction imposed on him via the judgment impugned in the criminal appeal, which is indefensible both on facts and law," his petition had said.

He had also contended that the conviction and sentence passed by the magistrate's court were against the law, facts, and evidence, and alleged that the court had committed grave errors in the appreciation of evidence.

"The sentence passed by the court below is excessive and has not taken into consideration the delay of 35 years. The sentence was passed only to disqualify the petitioner under the Representation of the People Act," the petition had said.
A tragic construction accident in Ranchi resulted in the deaths of two labourers after a soil collapse, prompting a police investigation into site safety standards.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Two labourers died in Ranchi after a soil collapse at a construction site.

The incident occurred near Ram Temple in the Gonda police station area.

Police have handed over the bodies to the victims' families and initiated an investigation.

The deceased labourers were from Thakurgaon in Burmu block.

Two labourers died after soil caved in at an under-construction apartment complex in Ranchi, police said.

The incident happened near Ram Temple in the Gonda police station area on Monday, they said.

"Both victims were working at the construction site. The bodies were handed over to their family members," SP (City) Paras Rana said.

Both the deceased hailed from Thakurgaon in Burmu block, police said, adding that an investigation has been ordered.
LONDON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday in London that Kyiv has deployed 201 anti-drone military experts to the Middle East to help counter Shahed drones.

"These are military experts who know how to assist and defend against Shahed drones. Our teams are already in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and are on their way to Kuwait," Zelensky told British lawmakers during an address to Parliament.

He added that an additional 34 specialists are ready for deployment.

Zelensky also noted that Ukraine is currently capable of producing around 2,000 interceptor drones per day and could supply up to half of that output to its allies to help strengthen their air defenses.

In addition, he said Kyiv is developing underwater drones as well as drones capable of operating in ocean environments.

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Iran has retaliated with attacks that have effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and drawn much of the region into the conflict.

An Iranian lawmaker said on a social media platform on Saturday that Ukraine has become a target for Iran because of its involvement in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

"By providing drone support to the Israeli regime, failed Ukraine has effectively become involved in the War and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has turned its entire territory into a legitimate target for Iran," Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, wrote on social media X. 
Opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha are questioning the Modi government's economic policies, particularly regarding energy security and the handling of the LPG crisis, raising concerns about financial transparency and regional equity.

Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Key Points Opposition MPs allege the LPG crisis reveals the Modi government's lack of a robust energy security policy.

Concerns are raised about the Rs 1 lakh crore Economic Stabilisation Fund, questioning its legal framework and parliamentary oversight.

The government is accused of withholding significant dues to West Bengal ahead of elections, impacting state finances.

MPs highlight the vulnerability of the Indian agrarian economy to global supply chain shocks and rising fertiliser prices.

Criticism is directed at the government's handling of education expenditure and teacher shortages, falling short of New Education Policy goals.

Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday alleged that the LPG crisis due to the West Asia conflict has exposed that the Modi government has no energy security policy and raised questions over the setting up of Rs 1 lakh crore Economic Stabilisation Fund.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Friday said the Rs 1 lakh crore Economic Stabilisation Fund will give fiscal headroom to allow India to respond to global headwinds.

Participating in a debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, in the House Saket Gokhale of Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of withholding dues worth Rs 2 lakh crore to poll-bound West Bengal.

He asked whether the government will accept the motion for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner which is being brought by all Opposition parties in Parliament.

"Like seasonal migratory birds PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah recently started visiting Bengal again to campaign for elections... The silence of the Prime Minister and Home Minister on the deprivation of the people of Bengal will give them an even nastier surprise in the upcoming elections," he claimed.

The TMC MP further alleged that 1.3 crore voters were marked as logical discrepancies using the AI software in West Bengal and even after election dates have been declared, over 60 lakh voters are under adjudication. They still don't know whether they will get a chance to vote in the upcoming elections.

"We have about 3-4 weeks until West Bengal goes to polls. Will the Union Government at least as a token to the people of Bengal release Rs 2 lakh crore worth of dues owed to the state including Rs 52,000 crore under MNREGA before the state elections," Gokhale said.

Concerns Over Economic Stabilisation Fund

Referring to the Economic Stabilisation Fund, Gokhale claimed there is no legislation governing it, there are no rules on when it can be drawn, by whom or for what purpose. He said there is no oversight mechanism from Parliament for this fund of Rs 1 lakh crore.

He asked what is the legal framework governing the Economic Stabilisation Fund, under what statutes was it created, who decides how the fund is deployed, and sought to know how different is this fund from the existing Contingency Fund of India.

"This fund has no Parliamentary oversight.. this is the government writing a blank cheque for itself," the TMC MP claimed and alleged that this government is an expert at creating non-transparent, opaque funds.

"With this (Appropriation) Bill the government is asking for Rs 4.13 lakh crore in supplementary demands. This means that the government's own Budget which they presented last year was off by nearly 8 per cent of the total expenditure," Gokhale said.

Impact of Global Events on Indian Economy

Asserting that there is an LPG shortage across the country, he observed that the rupee has fallen to a historic low of 92 per dollar.

"Today it has been tragically exposed that this government has no energy security policy... The West Asia crisis has predictably resulted in a massive hike in fertiliser prices. This shows that the Indian agrarian economy remains highly vulnerable to global supply chain shocks. With Gulf countries accounting for around 70 per cent of India's urea imports ... the government's inability to hedge against changing commodity prices is going to affect the farmer on the ground," he said.

The TMC MP said earlier this month, the government hiked domestic LPG cylinder prices by Rs 60.

"It is a pretty accepted fact that when 4 major states are going to elections no government has the courage to hike LPG prices ... you only do it because you have absolutely no other option left. So it is clear that there is an LPG crisis otherwise this government would not have increased prices by Rs 60 before 4 crucial (state) elections," he claimed.

Broader Economic Criticisms

Kanimozhi NVN Somu of DMK alleged that the 12 years of the Narendra Modi government from 2014 to 2026 were "a dark period in the annals of independent india marked by economic backsliding, economic distress and social polarisation".

She said India is currently facing an oil and LPG crises triggered by the West Asia conflict affecting the fuel supply.

Referring to the Economic Stabilisation Fund, Priyanka Chaturvedi of SS-UBT said, "Just yesterday we saw the Rajya Sabha elections happen in various states. Perhaps the funds are now being called as horse trading funds to be able to buy and sell MLAs to get votes to ensure the stability of BJP and its allies through independent MLAs".

Ramji from BSP drew the government's attention towards the allocated expenditure for education at 4.1 per cent of GDP amounting to Rs 1.39 lakh crore, saying the New Education Policy (NEP) recommends it be raised to 6 per cent of GDP. He also raised the issue of shortage of teachers, and school dropouts across the country.
Maharashtra is cracking down on investment cybercrimes with increased security measures, arrests, and public awareness campaigns following a surge in fraudulent activities.

IMAGE: Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

Key Points Maharashtra recorded 2,163 investment scam cybercrimes last year, leading to 455 arrests.

The Maharashtra Cyber Security Project has been implemented with advanced technology to combat cyber fraud.

A nodal cyber police station and 50 district cyber labs are now operational across the state.

Awareness campaigns are underway via social media and the cybercrime.gov.in portal to educate the public.

The state has stepped up measures to tackle cyber fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as women, children and senior citizens, Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, stated in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh.

He said the Maharashtra Cyber Security Project has been implemented with advanced technology and skilled manpower, with its headquarters located at Mahape in Navi Mumbai.

"To control cyber offences across the state, a nodal cyber police station has been set up and 50 district cyber labs and police units are functioning to investigate technically complex cyber crimes," the CM said.

He also highlighted that 26 expert consultants have trained around 1,000 police officers and staff in the use of forensic tools for cyber investigations.

Fadnavis cited instances of large-scale investment frauds, including cases where victims were lured through fake trading applications and social media platforms, resulting in losses running into crores of rupees.

Awareness campaigns are being conducted through social media platforms along with the official portal www.cybercrime.gov.in and the cyber helpline number 1930 to help people report and prevent cybercrimes, he added.
A man involved in child trafficking has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh while attempting to transport six children to Vadodara for forced labour, highlighting the ongoing fight against human trafficking in India.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A man was arrested in Chandauli, UP, for allegedly trafficking six children to Vadodara.

The children were rescued from a train and are being returned to their families with the help of the Railway Child Help Desk.

The accused lured the children's parents with promises of money, intending to employ the children as labourers.

The trafficker promised the children a monthly wage of Rs 18,000 for 12-hour workdays at a solar plant in Vadodara.

A case has been registered against the accused under Section 143 (Trafficking of person) of the BNS at the Mughalsarai police station.

A man allegedly involved in child trafficking was arrested at a railway station in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli while he was transporting six children to Vadodara via train, police said on Tuesday.

The children were rescued and handed over to the Railway Child Help Desk at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction in Chandauli to ensure their safe return to their families, they said.

The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) DDU Junction and 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan'.

According to the police, these children were being transported via train to be employed as labourers, after their parents had been lured with promises of money.

Details of the Arrest and Rescue

RPF Inspector-in-Charge Pradeep Rawat said that on Monday evening, during a routine inspection of Bhagalpur-Surat Superfast Express, a man named Dinesh Mandal was apprehended while taking the children along with him.

Rawat said that upon counselling, both the children and the trafficker identified themselves as residents of the Godda district in Jharkhand.

The children revealed that Mandal had brought them from Godda to Bhagalpur at his own expense and was subsequently transporting them to Vadodara via train.

He further stated that the accused had promised the children a monthly wage of Rs 18,000 each for working 12 hours a day at a solar plant upon their arrival at the destination.

A case has been registered against the arrested accused at the Mughalsarai police station under Section 143 (Trafficking of person) of the BNS, Rawat said.
Delhi Police have arrested a man for illegally selling LPG cylinders in Jamia Nagar, uncovering a racket involving unauthorised sales and inflated prices, and seizing 62 cylinders.

IMAGE: Photograph: Manash Das/ANI Photo

Key Points A man was arrested in Jamia Nagar, Delhi, for illegally selling LPG cylinders.

Delhi Police recovered 62 LPG cylinders and a vehicle used for illegal transportation.

The accused was selling cylinders at inflated prices without proper authorisation.

The cylinders were sourced from near an Indane gas agency in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

Police are searching for a co-accused involved in arranging the illegal LPG cylinders.

A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly selling LPG cylinders illegally in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar area, with police recovering 62 cylinders and a vehicle used for transportation, an official said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Shahnawaz, was caught during routine patrolling on Monday in Yamuna Pusta area, he said.

Police said a team spotted Shahnawaz standing near a tempo loaded with LPG cylinders and selling them in the area. On being questioned, he failed to produce any valid licence or authorisation for the sale of cylinders.

A total of 62 LPG cylinders -- 48 filled and 14 used -- were recovered from the vehicle, which was also impounded, police said.

During preliminary enquiry, the accused revealed that he was selling LPG cylinders to local residents without issuing any receipts to earn higher profits. He also disclosed that he was working in connivance with another person, identified as Mukesh, who arranged the cylinders, a senior police official said.

A case was registered under the Essential Commodities Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the accused was arrested.

Investigation Details

"During interrogation, Shahnawaz told police that the cylinders were sourced from near an Indane gas agency in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, through his associate. The cylinders were allegedly loaded into the tempo at a secluded location before being transported to Delhi for illegal sale," the official said.

He further revealed that he had brought around 70 cylinders from Uttar Pradesh a day prior to his arrest and sold them at inflated prices in the Jamia Nagar area, he added.

Efforts are underway to apprehend the co-accused Mukesh, while further investigation is in progress.

The arrest comes a day after Delhi Police registered multiple cases across the city against illegal storage, refilling and black marketing of LPG cylinders, with over 600 cylinders seized in a major crackdown.
A Mumbai man has been arrested for the alleged murder of his wife after CCTV footage captured him pushing her in front of a train at Mulund railway station, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic disputes.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A man was arrested in Surat for allegedly pushing his wife in front of a train at Mulund railway station in Mumbai.

The victim, Pushpa Gupta, was allegedly murdered by her husband, Rajukumar Gupta, following frequent quarrels.

CCTV footage played a crucial role in tracking down and arresting the accused in Surat.

The incident occurred after the victim filed a police complaint following a heated argument with her husband.

Police have registered a case of murder against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and are conducting further investigations.

An electrician has been arrested from Surat in Gujarat for allegedly killing his wife by pushing her in front of an approaching local train at the Mulund railway station in Mumbai, police said.

Rajukumar Gupta, 42, had absconded with his younger son after Saturday's incident, said a police official. The deceased woman was identified as Pushpa Gupta, 36. The incident was captured on CCTV.

As per the complaint filed by Kamlesh Kumar Gupta, the woman's brother, the couple had frequent quarrels and hence he had come to Mumbai to take his sister and his elder nephew back to their native place in Uttar Pradesh.

On Saturday, when they were set to leave, Rajukumar and Pushpa again had a heated argument, and Pushpa even filed a police complaint. Subsequently, Kamlesh, Pushpa and her 15-year-old son reached the Mulund station.

Kamlesh, who works in the armed forces, realised that he had forgotten his ID card and went back to Rajukumar's house with his nephew to get it.

An enraged Rajukumar locked them inside the house. The accused then reached the railway station, and seeing his wife on platform one, he allegedly pushed her in front of an oncoming local train and fled.

Arrest and Investigation

The Kurla Government Railway Police registered an FIR against Rajukumar under section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He was tracked down in Surat with the help of CCTV footage and further investigation is underway, the police official said.
A 70-year-old man tragically died after a violent altercation in Gurugram's Dundahera village, prompting a police investigation and the arrest of a suspect in this disturbing case of assault and murder.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 70-year-old man, Jagdish, was beaten to death in Dundahera village, Gurugram, following a quarrel.

Gurugram police have arrested Monu, a 27-year-old painter, in connection with the murder.

The victim's son reported that his father was attacked near a liquor shop after an argument.

The accused allegedly pushed the victim to the ground and assaulted him with a stone.

Police have registered a case of murder and are continuing their investigation.

A 70-year-old man was beaten to death by a man following a quarrel in Dundahera village here, police said.

Gurugram police arrested the accused, identified as Monu, 27, a native of Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday.

"During interrogation, the accused revealed that he works as a painter. On Monday, he had an argument with Jagdish over something, which led to his murder. The matter is under investigation and we are questioning the accused", said a spokesperson of Gurugram police.

The victim's son, in his complaint, said that he received a call at around 4 am from a villager informing him that his father was involved in a fight with a man named Monu near a liquor shop.

During the altercation, Monu allegedly pushed his father, Jagdish, to the ground. He also kicked and punched him and hit him in the chest and face with a large stone, the complaint said.

According to the police, they received information about a fight in Dundahera village. A police team reached the spot, where a blood-stained stone was found lying and the injured person had already been taken to the hospital. The police team then reached the hospital where the son of the injured filed a complaint, they said.

Following the son's complaint, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the BNS at Udyog Vihar police station.

On Monday night, Jagdish succumbed to his injuries during the treatment. After this, police added the section of murder in the FIR and arrested the accused.
A Kerala court has convicted a man in the brutal murder of Dr. Vandana Das, a young doctor killed at a taluk hospital, bringing a step closer to justice for the victim and raising concerns about violence against healthcare workers.

Key Points A Kerala court convicted G Sandeep in the murder of Dr. Vandana Das, who was killed at Kottarakkara taluk hospital in May 2023.

The accused was found guilty of murder, destruction of evidence, wrongful restraint, and offences under the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons Act.

The court rejected the accused's defence of insanity, with the prosecution proving he did not suffer from mental illness.

The sentencing is scheduled for March 19, with the victim's family awaiting the final verdict.

The case highlights the issue of violence against healthcare professionals and the need for stronger protections.

A Kerala court on Tuesday convicted a man charged in the sensational murder of Dr Vandana Das in a taluk hospital in May 2023.

The accused was found guilty by the Kollam Additional District and Sessions Court over the brutal murder, public prosecutor Sicin G Mundakkal said.

The court convicted him for various offences under the then IPC including murder, destruction of evidence and wrongful restraint.

It also held him guilty under under provisions of the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of violence and damage to property) Act 2012.

The sentence will be pronounced on March 19, Mundakkal added.

After the hearing, the victim's mother told reporters that the prosecution made strong arguments in the case.

She also said that she would comment further only after the sentence is pronounced on March 19.

Rejection of Insanity Defence

Special public prosecutor (SPP) Prathap G Padickal told reporters that the accused, while in jail, read books related to psychiatry and was able to convince a medical board which interviewed him and that he had some spectrum of schizophrenia.

However, during the trial, the prosecution was able to show that he did not suffer from any such mental issue, the SPP said.

"Therefore, the court rejected his defence of insanity," he added.

Details of the Attack

The accused, G Sandeep, was brought to the taluk hospital by the police for medical treatment during the small hours of May 10, 2023 and he went on a sudden attacking spree using a pair of surgical scissors kept in the room where his leg injury was being dressed.

A school teacher by profession, he had initially attacked the police officers and a private person who had accompanied him to the hospital and then turned on the young Dr Das who could not escape to safety.

She was stabbed several times and later succumbed to her injuries in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram where she was rushed following the attack.

About Dr. Vandana Das

Dr Das was a native of Kaduthuruthy area of Kottayam district and the only child of her parents. She was a house surgeon at Azeezia Medical College Hospital and was working at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital as part of her training.

Sandeep had called on the emergency number 112 claiming that his life was in danger. When local police located him, he was standing 10-15 metres away from his home, surrounded by local residents and his relatives, and had a wound on his leg following an alleged quarrel.

He was then taken to the hospital for dressing that wound.
A 40-year-old man tragically died after a stabbing incident in Delhi's Sultanpuri, prompting a police investigation and the detention of multiple suspects.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 40-year-old man, Rajinder, died after being stabbed in Sultanpuri, Delhi.

Police registered a murder case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.

Two men, Raj and Karan, have been detained, and two minors apprehended in connection with the incident.

The incident was reported after Rajinder was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital with stab wounds.

The incident came to light after a call was received from Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital regarding a medico-legal case of a man.

The police said Rajinder, a resident of Sultanpuri, was admitted to the hospital with stab injuries, but succumbed during treatment. Following his death, a case of murder was registered under relevant provisions of the BNS, a senior police officer said.

Investigation and Arrests

The police said they have detained two men -- Raj (23) from Rattan Vihar, and Karan (23) of Sultanpuri -- and apprehended two minors in connection with the case.

Further investigation in the case is in progress.
Donald Trump declares the US military's success against Iran means NATO assistance is no longer needed in the Strait of Hormuz, despite earlier requests for support in securing the critical waterway.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump gestures during a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2026. Photograph: Evan Vucci/Reuters

Key Points President Trump claims most NATO allies rejected his request to help secure the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict with Iran.

Trump asserts the US military has 'decimated' Iran's military capabilities, diminishing the need for external assistance.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport, remains a focal point of concern due to regional tensions.

Trump criticises NATO as a 'one-way street', suggesting the US bears a disproportionate burden in protecting its allies.

Despite the conflict, an Indian-flagged LPG tanker safely sailed from the Strait of Hormuz, with efforts ongoing to secure passage for remaining vessels.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and most of United States' other allies have rejected his calls to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran entered the third week.

In a social media post, Trump asserted that Iran's military has been 'decimated' and he no longer felt the need for assistance from NATO countries or anyone else.

Trump sought help to safeguard Hormuz Strait

Last week, Trump had sought help from European nations and others who depend on oil supplies transiting from the Hormuz Strait to safeguard the critical waterway.

'The United States has been informed by most of our NATO 'Allies' that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon,' the US President said in a post on Truth Social.

Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, have sparked increasing concerns of a global energy crisis and are unnerving the world economy.

'I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one-way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,' Trump said.

US no longer needs help: Trump

He said Australia, Japan and South Korea too have turned down his call for help.

'Fortunately, we have decimated Iran's Military -- Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again,' Trump said.

He said that given the scale of recent military successes, the US no longer 'need' or desires assistance from NATO countries, adding that it never relied on such support in the first place.

Speaking as President of the United States, the 'most powerful' country in the world, 'we do not need' help from anyone, Trump said.

The West Asia conflict began on February 28 when the US-Israeli combine conducted airstrikes on Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, has effectively been shut following the US and Israel attack on Iran and Tehran's sweeping retaliation.

Strait of Hormuz is open: Iranian FM

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said that from Tehran's 'perspective', the strait is 'open'.

"It is only closed to Iran's enemies, to those who carried out unjust aggression against our country and to their allies."

Indian Vessels in the Region

Earlier in the day, a second Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Nanda Devi, reached the country after safely sailing from the war-hit Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday, the first ship, Shivalik, reached Mundra port in Gujarat.

As of now, 22 Indian vessels remain on the west side and two on the east side of the strait.

Indian authorities are in constant touch with all the relevant stakeholders in the region to secure the safe passage of the remaining ships, officials said.
The NIA alleged that the accused were in touch with ethnic armed groups in Myanmar and supported proscribed Indian insurgent outfits by supplying weapons, drones and providing training.

IMAGE: Six foreigners, accused of illegally entering Mizoram, then Myanmar, to contact and train ethnic war groups associated with Indian insurgent groups, being taken away from the Patiala House Court after being produced before the NIA court, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points NIA arrested six Ukrainian nationals and one US citizen for alleged links with Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups aiding Indian insurgents.

Accused remanded to 11 days of NIA custody till March 27 under UAPA and BNS provisions.

Agency alleges supply of weapons, drones and training, with links to terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles.

Ukraine lodged an official protest, sought immediate release and consular access for its citizens.

Kyiv denied proven wrongdoing, called some reports 'distorted', while the US Embassy acknowledged awareness but declined comment.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested six Ukrainian nationals and one United States citizen for allegedly supporting ethnic armed groups in Myanmar and aiding insurgent outfits in India by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them, even as Ukraine lodged an official protest seeking the immediate release of its citizens.

The accused have been identified as Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, and Ukrainian nationals Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim and Kaminskyi Viktor.

They have been booked under Section 18 (terror conspiracy) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven accused to 11 days of NIA custody till March 27, against the agency's request for 15 days.

The hearing was conducted in a closed courtroom.

What are the charges

The NIA alleged that the accused were in touch with ethnic armed groups in Myanmar and supported proscribed Indian insurgent outfits by supplying weapons, drones and providing training.

According to the agency, they entered India on valid visas, travelled to Mizoram -- a protected area -- and then crossed into Myanmar, where they were trained and subsequently engaged in training activities.

"The said aspects definitely affect the national security and interests of India," the agency said.

During remand proceedings, the NIA also claimed that the accused were in contact with unknown terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles and had brought a large consignment of drones from Europe via India.

Ukraine lodges protest

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, met MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George and handed over an official note of protest, demanding the immediate release of the detained Ukrainians and unimpeded consular access.

The Ukrainian side said six of its citizens were detained on March 13 and, based on preliminary information, the charges relate to unauthorised entry into Mizoram and alleged illegal crossing of the India-Myanmar border.

It asserted that there are no established facts proving their involvement in unlawful activities and alleged that some media reports contained 'distorted' and 'manipulative' interpretations.

The Ukrainian Embassy said it had not received any official notification regarding the detention but confirmed that legal aid had been provided to the detainees and its representatives attended the court hearing on March 16.

The mission added that it remains in contact with the families of those detained and is closely monitoring the situation.

US embassy refuses to comment

A US Embassy spokesperson said they were aware of the case but declined to comment further citing privacy reasons.

Senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey and advocate Ankur Saigal appeared for the accused and opposed the NIA's custodial remand plea, while special public prosecutor Atul Tyagi, along with Amit Rohila and others, represented the agency.
PARIS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that France will never take part in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz "in the current context."

"France will never take part in operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," Macron said during a Defense and National Security Council meeting on Iran and the Middle East, adding that France would be ready to take part in "escorts" of ships once the situation is calmer.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had "demanded" several countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil to join a coalition to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which about 20 percent of the world's oil passes.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East and strictly controlling access to the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes have come into its third week and only 77 vessels have transited the strait since March, data from Lloyd's List Intelligence showed, a drop of about 90 percent year-on-year.

However, multiple European nations and the European Union on Monday voiced reluctance or outright opposition to Trump's call for a military mission to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against further regional escalation, European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war. 
India's Ministry of External Affairs has firmly denied reports of a potential agreement with Iran to release seized oil tankers in exchange for guaranteeing safe passage for Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/File Photo/Reuters

Key Points India's MEA dismisses reports of a deal with Iran involving the release of seized vessels.

The seized vessels are reportedly not Iranian-owned, and there are no Iranian crew members on board.

India is in talks with Iran to ensure the safe transit of Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

India aims to safely bring back its ships currently in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday dismissed as 'baseless' reports which suggested that Iran is seeking release of three 'oil tankers' seized by India in return for ensuring safe passage to Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and said there has been 'no discussion' of this nature between Indian and Iranian authorities.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, at an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, also said the three vessels being referred to are 'not Iranian-owned' and 'neither there are any Iranian crew' on them.

"This report is baseless. There have been no discussion, let me underline it, there has been no discussion between Indian and Iranian authorities of this nature. I would also like to say that the three vessels that you referred to are not Iranian-owned, neither there are any Iranian crew on these vessels... And, these are not tankers, they are vessels," he said.

India's coastal authorities reportedly seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers with alleged links to Iran.

One report claimed that the 'three tankers' were seized in February.

Ensuring Safe Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz

India has been in touch with Tehran to ensure safe transit of over 20 Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Jaiswal, in response to another query, said, "We are in talks with Iran and other countries, and many ships are still there in the Strait of Hormuz. And, we intend to bring those ships back home safely."
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the country's most powerful official since Khamenei's death, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 17, 2026.

IMAGE: Iran's security chief Ali Larijani. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Key Points Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed that Ali Larijani was killed in an IDF airstrike in Tehran.

The strike was reportedly ordered jointly by Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani was also killed in the same operation.

Larijani was a key political figure in Iran with influence over leadership decisions.

Israel also struck a Hezbollah weapons facility in southern Lebanon amid escalating regional tensions.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday confirmed that Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in an overnight airstrike in Tehran as the West Asia conflict escalates.

Confirming the development, Katz said Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated in the strike, according to TPS.

He added that the operation was carried out on the instructions of himself and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Katz further stated that the IDF would continue targeting Iran's leadership.

The IDF also confirmed that Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Irans Basij paramilitary force, was killed in the same series of attacks.

Larijani's Role After Khamenei's Death

Larijani, considered a key power broker in Tehran, had significant influence within Iran's political system and was reportedly involved in internal leadership dynamics.

Separately, the IDF struck a large underground Hezbollah weapons facility in southern Lebanon's Kfara area, targeting stockpiles that reportedly included cruise missiles and hundreds of rockets.

Earlier, Larijani had issued a message asserting that Iran would remain steadfast against the US and Israel, while calling for unity in the Muslim world.
A Chhattisgarh revenue official has been arrested for his alleged role in a multi-crore road project compensation scam, highlighting corruption in land acquisition processes.

IMAGE: Illustrations: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Key Points A revenue official in Chhattisgarh has been arrested for alleged involvement in a Rs 32 crore compensation scam related to the Bharatmala road project.

The official is accused of manipulating land records to inflate compensation amounts during land acquisition for the Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor.

The scam involved backdating entries to subdivide land parcels and disbursing compensation several times higher than the actual entitlement.

Land already acquired for another project was allegedly shown as newly acquired under the Bharatmala project, resulting in double compensation payments.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offence Wing (ACB/EOW) filed its first charge sheet in the case last year, naming 10 accused.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offence Wing (ACB/EOW) of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday arrested a suspended revenue department official in the alleged Bharatmala road project compensation scam.

The agency had last year registered a case over an alleged fraud in demarcation, mutation, transfer of land ownership and other revenue processes in some villages of Abhanpur area during land acquisition for the Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor in 2021-22. The fraud caused a loss of Rs 32 crore to the exchequer, it said.

Nirbhay Kumar Sahu, Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) and Competent Authority for Land Acquisition in Abhanpur, was one of the prime accused and had been absconding.

Details of the Alleged Fraud

According to the ACB/EOW, Sahu, along with others, manipulated official records by backdating entries to subdivide land parcels affected by the Raipur -Visakhapatnam and Durg Bypass road projects in villages such as Nayakbandha, Ugetara, Urla, Bhelwadih and Tokro in Abhanpur tehsil.

This enabled disbursal of compensation amounts several times higher than the actual entitlement.

In another serious irregularity, land that had already been acquired for the Nayakbandha Reservoir was allegedly shown as newly acquired under the Bharatmala project, resulting in double compensation payments.

Sahu had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking bail, but his plea was rejected.

In October last year, the ACB/EOW filed its first charge sheet in the case, naming 10 accused, including two public servants who were earlier arrested in the case.
In Indore, a police team faced a violent attack while attempting to confiscate illegal liquor, highlighting the risks and challenges in enforcing alcohol regulations.

Photograph: Courtesy @samajwadiparty/X

Key Points Police officers were injured in Indore after being attacked with stones during a raid on illegal liquor.

The incident occurred in Simrod village when police attempted to confiscate illicit alcohol.

Authorities seized 1,200 liters of liquor, valued at approximately Rs 5 lakh, under the Excise Act.

An investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those involved in the attack on the police team.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided a house at Simrod village late Monday night, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Umakant Chaudhary.

"More than 10 villagers pelted stones at the police team, injuring a sub-inspector and a constable," he said.

The miscreants fled under the cover of darkness, the official added.

Liquor Seized and Investigation Launched

Additional police force was sent to the spot and 1,200 liters of Indian and foreign liquor worth about Rs 5 lakh was seized under the provisions of the Excise Act, said Chaudhary.

Search is on for those who attacked the police team, he added.
A Delhi property dealer tragically died after accidentally shooting himself while filming a social media reel, highlighting the dangers of firearms and the pursuit of online fame.

Key Points A 28-year-old property dealer in Delhi died from an accidental gunshot wound while filming a social media reel.

The incident occurred while the man was handling his cousin's licensed pistol, and the event was captured on video.

Police have seized the weapon, live cartridges, and the mobile phone used for recording as part of their investigation.

A case has been registered under Section 105 of the BNS (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.

A 28-year-old property dealer died after accidentally shooting himself in the chest while his cousin was filming him loading a pistol for a social media reel in east Delhi's New Ashok Nagar, police said on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Pawan Kumar, a property dealer who lived in Dallupura village in east Delhi, they said, adding that he was handling the licensed pistol belonging to his cousin Himanshu for the first time.

The incident came to light on March 16 after information about a medico-legal case of a gunshot injury was received at the New Ashok Nagar police station from the Dharamshila Hospital in Vasundhara Enclave, they said.

On reaching the hospital, police found that Pawan Kumar, a resident of Dallupura village, had been admitted there in an unconscious state with a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest.

Doctors declared him dead during treatment, police said.

According to police, the incident was captured on camera, even though the person filming, Himanshu, appeared unaware of Pawan's intentions.

In the video, which has gone viral on social media, Pawan can be seen inserting a magazine into the pistol and loading the weapon, while Himanshu can be heard advising him on handling the firearm and cautioning him against firing it.

Moments later, Pawan places the pistol against the left side of his chest, briefly looks towards the camera and pulls the trigger, collapsing on the ground as a shocked Himashu says, "Ye kya kar diya tune (what have you done)?"

The weapon, along with 10 live cartridges, has been seized, police said.

The mobile phone used to record the video has been taken into possession, while relevant exhibits have also been collected from the scene, they said.

The body has been shifted to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police have registered a case under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the BNS and relevant provisions of the Arms Act at the New Ashok Nagar police station.

Further investigation is underway, police said.
Two Indian youths from Rajasthan tragically lost their lives in a drone attack in Oman, highlighting the escalating tensions and dangers of the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Rajasthan Royals/X

Key Points Two youths from Rajasthan, Vikram Verma and Pappu Singh, were killed in drone attacks in Oman.

The drone attacks occurred on March 13 amid ongoing regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Vikram Verma was working for a construction company on road projects in Oman.

The bodies of the deceased were transported back to their respective villages in Rajasthan for last rites.

The incident has caused grief and shock in the victims' villages.

Two youths from Rajasthan were killed in drone attacks in Oman amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, police said on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Vikram Verma, a resident of Agloi village in Khandela tehsil of Sikar district, and Pappu Singh from Lalpura village in Raipur sub-division of Beawar district.

The police said the incident occurred on March 13 and the bodies of both victims reached their respective villages on Tuesday. The bodies were brought to Jaipur by air and later taken to their native places, where the last rites were performed.

Details of the Victims' Work in Oman

According to the police, Vikram had travelled to Oman on February 23 and was working with a construction company on road projects. His uncle said Vikram's relative, who also works in the same company, informed the family about the incident.

The police said Vikram had last spoken to his family a day before the attack and had expressed concern over the prevailing situation there. He was the only brother among three sisters and had family responsibilities.

The arrival of the bodies triggered grief in both villages, with relatives and residents expressing shock over the incident, the police said.
The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the conviction of a man who murdered his wife by setting her on fire in 2000, relying on the victim's dying declaration and eyewitness testimony to ensure justice is served.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a man for murdering his wife by setting her ablaze in 2000, reinforcing the importance of dying declarations in Indian law.

The couple's daughter's eyewitness testimony was crucial in proving the husband's guilt in the wife's murder case.

The Supreme Court found no reason to doubt the victim's dying declaration, which identified her husband as the perpetrator of the crime.

The High Court's decision to convict the man, reversing the trial court's acquittal, was affirmed by the Supreme Court based on strong evidence.

The case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic disputes and the legal system's commitment to delivering justice in cases of violence against women.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the conviction of a man for killing his wife by setting her ablaze in 2000, saying there was no reason to disbelieve the victim's dying declaration.

The top court termed as crucial the testimony of the couple's eldest daughter, an eyewitness, and said her evidence proved that her father had brought kerosene, poured it on her mother and lit the fire.

"There is no material on record to show as to why she would falsely depose against her father," a bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and SVN Bhatti said.

The bench dismissed the appeal filed by the man who had challenged a September 2010 order of the Karnataka High Court which had convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case.

The high court had reversed the judgement of the trial court which had acquitted him.

Key Evidence and Testimony

Dealing with the appeal, the top court referred to the testimony of the eldest daughter of the appellant and said she had narrated the incident as was seen by her.

"There is no inconsistency in her statement and there is no reason to disbelieve her," the bench said.

Referring to the statements of two doctors, who had examined the victim, the bench said it proved that the woman was admitted to the hospital in July 2000 and despite serious injuries, she was in a conscious state.

The bench said there was no adverse material to doubt the dying declaration or to suggest that it was not actually or properly recorded or that the victim was not in a state to make such a statement.

It said the dying declaration was recorded with the permission of the doctor who had granted the nod on being satisfied that the victim was in a fit state to make the statement.

"He (appellant) is the person who picked up quarrel with his deceased wife, poured kerosene and burnt her and that his wife died due to the burn injuries after consciously making a dying declaration and naming the appellant as the main culprit," the bench said while referring to the evidence.

"In view of the above clinching pieces of evidence, there is hardly any scope for the acquittal of the appellant," it said, while dismissing the appeal.

The bench said the trial court was not justified in acquitting him on slight discrepancies in the statements of some of the witnesses.

Noting that the appellant was on bail, the bench directed him to surrender forthwith to undergo the remaining part of the sentence.

Background of the Case

The bench said the appellant and the victim were married for 17 years before the incident.

It said they had lived a happy married life for about three years and thereafter, their relations became strained and it was alleged that the appellant started ill-treating his wife and kept on raising demands for money, which the victim's father fulfilled most of the time.

The prosecution had said in July 2000 that the couple picked up a quarrel and the appellant set her ablaze.

The woman was admitted to a hospital and died after three days due to severe burn injuries.

The bench noted that the trial court had acquitted the man primarily on the ground that the bathroom where the incident took place was very small where two persons could not have been accommodated.
Amid rising tensions, Pakistan's military operation in Afghanistan has sparked controversy, with conflicting reports emerging about the targets and casualties of the airstrikes.

IMAGE: People stand next to a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike, in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Key Points Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil Haq' and conducted airstrikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Kabul and Nangarhar, Afghanistan.

The Afghan government claims the airstrikes hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, resulting in the death of at least 400 people and injuring 250 others.

Pakistan claims the airstrikes precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including ammunition storage, used by the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij.

Conflicting reports emerge regarding the targets and casualties of the airstrikes, with Pakistan denying the targeting of civilians and accusing the Afghan Taliban of spreading false claims.

Security sources claim that drone assembly workshops and weapon stocks in Nangarhar and Kabul were destroyed in the airstrikes, alleging that drones were prepared using parts made in Israel.

Pakistan overnight carried out 'precision airstrikes' targeting what it described as terrorists and their support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan, but the Afghan government accused Islamabad of bombing a rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing at least 400 people.

Islamabad rejected the Afghan Taliban's claim that its Monday night air attacks hit the drug-addict rehabilitation centre in Kabul.

The latest strikes came as Operation Ghazab lil Haq, launched on February 26, continued, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Pakistan launched the operation in response to alleged attacks by the Afghan Taliban forces along the 2,600-km-long border.

'Pakistan's Armed Forces successfully carried out precision airstrikes on the night of 16 March as a part of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, targeting Afghan Taliban regime terrorism sponsoring military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar,' Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X.

He claimed that the technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities at two locations in Kabul were effectively destroyed.

IMAGE: A Taliban soldier walks at the airstrike site. Photograph: Yunus Yawar/Reuters

'The visible secondary detonations after the strikes clearly indicate the presence of large ammunition depots,' he added.

He claimed four Afghan Taliban regime 'terrorism sponsoring' military sites were also struck in Nangarhar, destroying associated logistics, ammunition and technical infrastructure.

Afghan Government's Response

However, Deputy Spokesman of the Afghan Taliban-led government, Hamdullah Fitrat, said that Monday night's bombardment by Pakistan targeted a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital, resulting in the death of at least 400 people. He said 250 others were injured.

In a post on X, Fitrat said the strike destroyed large sections of the hospital and rescue teams were trying to recover the bodies from the rubble.

Citing health officials at the hospital, TOLO News Tuesday reported that more than 50 bodies are still believed to be trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue.

The airstrike destroyed five blocks of the rehabilitation compound, where up to 3,000 patients were receiving treatment, it said.

Deputy Interior Minister Muhammad Nabi Omari, who visited the site, said that Pakistan 'has undertaken a project to kill Afghans'.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Afghan government, said his country will respond forcefully to Pakistan's aggression.

Pakistan's Rebuttal

Tarar, however, claimed that Pakistan 'precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure', including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij in Kabul and Nangarhar that were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians.

Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

"False claims made by the propagandists of the Taliban regime cannot fool the Afghans and the World from their heinous actions supporting and sponsoring terrorism in the region," he said.

IMAGE: People gather near the site of an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. Photograph: Tolo News video grab/Reuters

Tarar in a statement on Tuesday said, "The strikes carried out on the night of 16 March 2026 in Kabul and Nangarhar were precise, deliberate, and professional. No hospital, no drug rehabilitation centre, and no civilian facility was targeted."

He said all six strikes were promptly put out with video footage by the ministry of information and the 'visuals leave no room for doubt as the flames and secondary detonations witnessed in Kabul further confirm that the intended ammunition storage site was hit with precision'.

The minister added that the 'targets were military and terrorist infrastructure, including ammunition and technical equipment storage sites and other installations linked to hostile activity against Pakistan'.

Tarar said Pakistan's position is clear.

"We will continue to take every necessary measure to defend our citizens, degrade terrorist capability, and deny safe haven to those who wage terror against Pakistan from across the border."

Details of the Airstrikes

According to the data shared by Tarar, 684 Afghan Taliban operatives have been killed and another 912 injured so far.

He said their 252 posts had been destroyed, while 44 were captured and then destroyed. He added that 229 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns of the Taliban regime had been destroyed.

Nearly 73 'terrorists and their support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan have been effectively targeted', he added.

Earlier in a statement, Pakistan's information ministry said that the post-strike detonation of stored ammunition being used by the master terror proxy fully contradicts the Afghan Taliban's claim.

The ministry also rejected the Taliban statement that Pakistan strikes hit civilians, adding that Pakistan's targeting is 'precise and carefully undertaken' to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted.

IMAGE: Taliban soldiers stand outside the airstrike site. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

"This misreporting of facts as a drug rehabilitation facility seeks to stir sentiments, covering illegitimate support to cross-border terrorism," the ministry said.

A fact check posted by the ministry on X claimed that Omid Hospital, which the Afghan Taliban claimed had been hit, was 'actually multiple kilometres away from Camp Phoenix, the military terrorist ammunition and equipment storage site precisely targeted last night', Dawn reported.

Separately, security sources said that in the Afghan province of Nangarhar, Pakistani forces targeted the Afghan Taliban's military installations at four spots. Logistics, ammunition and technical infrastructure adjacent to these installations were also destroyed, the sources added.

They further said a drone assembly workshop, 'headquarters from where drones were sent', and weapon stocks were also destroyed in Nangarhar and Kabul.

According to the sources, drones were prepared at those workshops using parts made in Israel.

Six targets had been successfully targeted in Kabul and Nangarhar, they said, adding that there were also reports of several terrorists having been killed.

Earlier, the armed forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram sector targeted and destroyed important Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij hideouts, security sources said.

"During these operations, several khawarij were killed while the rest managed to escape," a security source said.

The armed forces also destroyed Afghan Taliban posts across the Pak-Afghan border in KP's Bajaur sector, security sources said, adding that the forces targeted Afghan Taliban posts with 'guided missiles'.
A land demarcation dispute in Rajasthan turned violent as villagers attacked police and municipality officials assigned to prepare land for a new dumping yard, resulting in injuries and property damage.

Photograph: Courtesy @samajwadiparty/X

Key Points Rajasthan villagers attacked police and municipality teams demarcating land for a new dumping yard.

The incident occurred in Hindolia Charan village, Banswara district, with approximately 200-250 villagers involved.

Four police personnel and four municipality staff sustained injuries during the stone-pelting incident.

Government vehicles were damaged, and a case has been registered against those obstructing government work.

Police have deployed additional forces to the area, and the situation is now under control.

Police and municipality teams came under attack in a village in Rajasthan's Banswara district on Tuesday after locals allegedly pelted stones at them when they arrived to demarcate land allotted for a dumping yard, officials said.

Four police personnel and four municipality staff were injured in the alleged violence, they added.

The incident, which took place in Hindolia Charan village, was allegedly triggered when the administration team arrived to demarcate a land parcel for a dumping yard in the area.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rakesh Nyol said the team, comprising revenue officials, police and municipal staff, came under attack soon after reaching the site.

"We had gone for land measurement when villagers started pelting stones," he said.

Officials said around 200-250 villagers from nearby areas opposed the proposed dumping yard and allegedly began pelting stones from nearby hills, giving the team little time to react.

Government vehicles of the SDM and the tehsildar were damaged in the incident, with window panes shattered. The injured include an assistant sub-inspector, a sub-inspector, two other police personnel and four municipal workers, officials said.

According to officials, about two acres of land had been allotted to the municipality for the dumping yard, and the team had gone for demarcation.

Police have registered a case on the basis of a report filed by the municipal authorities and launched a search to identify and arrest those involved in obstruction of government work and stone pelting.

Heavy police deployment has been made in the area and the situation is currently under control, officials added.
A student in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly assaulted after actively protesting against the UGC Bill, prompting a police investigation into the incident.

Key Points A student in Bahraich was allegedly assaulted after protesting against the UGC Bill.

The student, Vimal Sharma, claims the attack was targeted and life-threatening.

Police have registered an FIR against six named individuals and seven unidentified persons.

The student was previously stopped by police during a foot march to Ayodhya to protest the same bill.

The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made yet.

Eleven persons have been booked in connection with an alleged assault incident where a student of Kisan Degree College here was attacked and injured by a group of youths while on his way to the college, police said on Tuesday.

The injured youth has been identified as Vimal Sharma, a resident of Indanapur village in Bahraich district.

Speaking to reporters, Vimal, said, "I have been actively involved in protest against the UGC Bill (UGC Equity Regulations 2026). On Sunday, I began a padayatra (foot march) from Bahraich to Ayodhya to protest against the bill, but the police brought me back from the Bahraich district border."

The victim said, on Monday, when he was on his way to Kisan Degree College to collect his marksheet, a group assaulted him in a targeted and "life-threatening" manner, leaving him injured.

Police Investigation into the Assault

Station House Officer, Kotwali Dehat police station, Daddan Singh said based on a complaint by Vimal, an FIR was lodged on Monday under various criminal sections against six named individuals and seven unidentified persons.

"The matter is currently under investigation. No arrests have been made so far. The victim has received medical treatment, and his condition is reported to be stable," the officer said,

Information regarding the foot march had been received two or three days prior, whereas the alleged assault incident took place on Monday when the victim was visiting the college to collect his marksheet, the SHO added.
KUWAIT CITY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Two medical staff members were injured in Kuwait on Tuesday after debris fell onto an ambulance center, the country's Ministry of Health reported.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry confirmed that both medics are in stable condition and receiving medical care.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the falling debris, the ministry added, without providing further details on the damage.

Earlier in the day, the Kuwait's National Guard said in a statement that it had intercepted two drones within areas under its security responsibility.

The incidents came amid escalating tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28. Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and U.S. assets across the Middle East. 
The Lok Sabha has reinstated eight suspended opposition MPs after receiving assurances of orderly conduct, marking a potential turning point for parliamentary proceedings and debate in India.

IMAGE: Suspended Lok Sabha MPs Hibi Eden, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and B Manickam Tagore at the Mahatma Gandhi statue after their suspension was revoked, in parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

Key Points The Lok Sabha revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs after assurances of improved conduct.

Speaker Om Birla stressed the importance of maintaining decorum in the House, including a ban on placards and AI-generated images.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called for a 'Laxman Rekha' to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.

Opposition members expressed their commitment to upholding the dignity of Parliament, while also raising concerns about being silenced.

The reinstated MPs emphasised their commitment to raising issues of public concern and fighting for the rights of citizens in Parliament.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday revoked with immediate effect the suspension of eight opposition members who were barred from the House on February 3 for 'unruly' behaviour, with Speaker Om Birla stressing that there should be no display of placards, posters, photos or AI-generated images inside the House or in the Parliament complex.

Congress member K Suresh requested the House to consider the revocation of the eight opposition members, saying whatever had happened in the House was regrettable, and that his party was ready to cooperate in the smooth functioning of the House.

Following the submissions by several opposition members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was a need to draw a "Laxman Rekha" for the smooth functioning of the House, which both treasury and opposition benches agreed to.

Speaker Birla said there is a need to ensure that no placards, posters, photos or AI-generated images are displayed in the House or inside the Parliament complex.

Birla said that everyone is of the opinion that proceedings in Parliament of the world's largest democracy should be smooth and everyone should cooperate.

Rijiju then moved a motion to remove the suspension of seven Congress MPs and one Communist Party of India-Marxist member, which was adopted by a voice vote.

The MPs who were suspended

The suspended MPs were Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole and Dean Kuriakose of the Congress, and S Ventakesan of the CPI-M.

Speaking with PTI Videos outside the Parliament building after his suspension was revoked, Manickam Tagore said, "Why did we protest? The question is very simple."

He said Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to complete his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President on June 3.

After that, the speeches of all the floor leaders of the Samajwadi Party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Trinamool Congress, the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party were also skipped, and the proceedings moved to the ruling benches, and, therefore, they protested.

"We said that the Motion of Thanks to the Honourable President is an important process and should not be bypassed. The Leader of the Opposition and all opposition leaders, who represent 240 MPs, cannot be silenced," he said.

Aujla, whose suspension was also revoked, said India's democracy stands strongest when voices are heard, not silenced.

"I am proud of the seven fellow MPs who stood strong together in this struggle -- We stood united and we will continue to stand for democratic values and the voice of the people," he said.

Why the MPs were suspended

The seven Congress MPs first paid homage at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi before entering the Lok Sabha.

Speaking with PTI Videos outside the Parliament building, Congress MP Prashant Padole said, "Truth has prevailed. Going forward, we will raise the issues of the people in Parliament and continue to fight for their rights...

"Whatever it takes, we are ready, even if it costs us our lives. The concerns of ordinary citizens and matters of national interest must be addressed properly."

Asked about the revocation of suspension and the call for upholding the dignity of the House, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told reporters, "Dignity should be maintained by both sides."

The eight MPs were suspended on February 3 for 'unruly' behaviour following a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha in the first half of the ongoing Budget session.

They were suspended for the entire duration of the Budget session scheduled to conclude on April 2.

Laxman Rekha should be drawn: Rijiju

Earlier, after Suresh's submission, Samajwadi Party member Dharmendra Yadav supported the move, saying his party was ready to cooperate in maintaining the highest standards of Parliament.

"I want to assure the House that we will not do anything that hurts the dignity of the House. But the ruling alliance members should also behave properly," Yadav said, taking the name of Bharatiya Janata Party's Nishikant Dubey, whom he asked to 'correct himself'.

Dubey immediately refuted Yadav, saying that during his 17 years of Parliamentary career, he has not done anything that lowered the dignity of the House.

The BJP MP also demanded an apology from the Samajwadi Party MP for his remarks.

NCP leader Supriya Sule said efforts should be made by both ruling and opposition members so that the House functions smoothly.

"No one should make any personal comments on anyone. We (opposition) should respect the treasury benches, which should also respect the opposition. There should be a 'Laxman Rekha' which no one should breach," she said.

Janata Dal-United leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said the House should function smoothly and both sides should cooperate.

Rijiju said the ruling alliance members will not break rules nor have they ever broken rules in the past.

"A 'Laxman Rekha' should be drawn. People did not elect us to disrupt House proceedings or stage protests. The House should function smoothly with everyone's cooperation," Rijiju said.

Suresh said that since Monday, the opposition members have not shown any placards or banners, and that they are ready to cooperate in the proper functioning of the House.

Reactions to the Revocation

Following the revocation of their suspensions, several MPs shared their perspectives. Manickam Tagore explained that the initial protest stemmed from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to complete his speech.

He emphasised the importance of allowing opposition leaders to voice their opinions.

Gurjeet Singh Aujla highlighted the significance of voices being heard in a democracy and expressed pride in standing united with fellow MPs for democratic values.

Prashant Padole stated that truth had prevailed and affirmed his commitment to raising public issues and fighting for citizens' rights in Parliament.

Call for Mutual Respect and Dignity

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra commented on the need for both sides to maintain dignity in the House. Dharmendra Yadav assured cooperation in maintaining parliamentary standards but urged ruling alliance members to behave properly as well.

Supriya Sule emphasised the importance of mutual respect between the ruling and opposition members, advocating for a 'Laxman Rekha' that no one should breach.
Amid concerns over LPG shortages due to the West Asia conflict, the Indian government has assured the Bombay high court of its efforts to maintain a smooth supply for domestic consumers.

IMAGE: People wait in a long queue to refill their LPG cylinders outside a gas agency amid the reports of nationwide shortage, in Patna on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The Central government assures the Bombay high court of efforts to mitigate LPG shortages due to the West Asia conflict.

The court acknowledges the government's actions and dismisses the petition from LPG distributors seeking increased supply.

The government prioritises domestic LPG distribution amid global crude supply disruptions caused by the conflict.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assures the court that the government is actively negotiating at a diplomatic level to ensure India's LPG supply is not affected.

The Centre is monitoring the international situation and taking remedial measures to prevent crises from impacting India's LPG availability.

The central government on Tuesday assured the Bombay high court that it is making all attempts on domestic and international fronts to address the hardship caused by the LPG shortage amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The Nagpur bench of the court accepted the Centre's submission and disposed of the petition filed by LPG distributors, noting that it is taking 'all the necessary steps in the matter to protect the interests of individuals'.

The court on March 12 issued notices to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and a private firm in connection with a petition filed by six LPG distributors seeking an increased supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders amid the energy crisis caused by the Iran war.

The court also directed that the storage and supply of LPG for domestic consumption shall be in accordance with the prevailing policy.

The petitioners claimed that the Nagpur-headquartered Confidence Petroleum India Ltd had failed to increase the supply of household LPG cylinders despite the Centre's directive prioritising domestic distribution.

The petition, filed through advocates Shyam Dewani and Sahil Dewani, claimed that the war had disrupted global crude supply, leading to constraints in LPG production. Following this, the ministry had directed that LPG production and supply to domestic consumers be given priority.

Union government's Under Secretary (LPG) Ramesh Krishna submitted an affidavit in the Nagpur bench of the high court, informing that the Centre was making all possible attempts domestically and internationally to ensure that no hardship is caused to anyone and the distribution and availability remains smooth.

It also said that there are emerging changes in the international position and the government of India is monitoring the situation and taking all remedial measures to ensure that such crises at the international level may not affect our country.

The situation under such circumstances always remains ever-evolving and it would essentially be for the central government to take steps domestically and internationally in the interest of its citizens, the affidavit said.

By the very nature of the subject matter, it may not be desirable to discuss or debate these issues in the court proceedings, it added.

Government's Response to LPG Supply Concerns

The Centre submitted that if there are any local issues which may be the result of an individual dereliction of duty or breach of law of any wholesale or retail distributor, strict actions are being taken and shall continue to be taken by the competent authority.

'Considering the nature of the subject matter and its impact which is not confined to jurisdictions of few districts, it is desirable that the court may be pleased to leave it to the Union of India and the respective state governments to deal with the situation to the best manner in the large public interest,' the affidavit said.

The central government, with its assurances and undertaking, requested the court to close the proceedings along with the suo motu proceedings.

Advocate Dewani told PTI that the central government submitted an affidavit in the HC.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing via video-conference, informed the court that it was making all attempts on domestic and international levels to address the hardship caused by the shortage of LPG.

Steps are being taken to ensure that the international crisis does not affect India, he said.

Urging the court to dispose of the petition by LPG dealers who claimed that exports were being prioritised over domestic supply, Mehta said negotiations are being held at the diplomatic level.

"The court can consider closing this (petition) trusting the government. Individual issues can be taken up by the state government," he said.

The bench said, "In view of the statement made in the Centre's affidavit, it is evident that the government is taking all the necessary steps in the matter to protect the interests of individuals. In that view of the matter, nothing survives in this petition."
A Special Investigation Team has been launched in Telangana to investigate allegations of drug use against a TDP MP and former BRS MLA following a raid at a farmhouse party.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate a drug bust at a farmhouse in Moinabad, Telangana.

The drug bust allegedly involves a TDP MP, Putta Mahesh Kumar, and a former BRS MLA, Pilot Rohith Reddy.

Following a raid on March 14, several individuals, including the MP and ex-MLA, tested positive for drug consumption.

During the raid, a Delhi-based businessman allegedly opened fire on the police, leading to multiple arrests.

The SIT will investigate violations under the NDPS Act, Arms Act, Telangana State Excise Act, and BNS.

Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy on Tuesday constituted a nine-member SIT to investigate the case of an alleged drug bust at a farmhouse in Moinabad near here in which a TDP MP and a former BRS MLA are allegedly involved.

TDP MP from Andhra Pradesh Putta Mahesh Kumar, former BRS MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy and four others had tested positive for alleged drugs consumption, following the raid at the farmhouse on March 14 night.

A case was registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, Arms Act, Telangana State Excise Act and BNS.

The Special Investigation Team will be headed by Future City Commissioner of Police G Sudheer Babu.

The SIT comprises DCP-level officials, along with two DSPs of the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force and sub-inspectors. It should carry out its investigation expeditiously, sources said.

Details of the Farmhouse Raid

On reliable information that several individuals had gathered at the farmhouse, owned by Rohith Reddy, and were celebrating a party with possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances along with a large quantity of liquor, the EAGLE Force in coordination with local police teams raided it.

Upon noticing the arrival of the police team, a Delhi-based businessman had allegedly opened fire towards the police team.

During the operation, the police team surrounded the farmhouse premises and detained 11 individuals, including a woman.

Three persons--Rohith Reddy, his brother P Ritesh Reddy and the businessman were later arrested as they faced charges pertaining to Arms Act in addition to consumption (drug abuse), police said. The revolver belonged to Ritesh Reddy.

The MP identified as a "drug consumer" and seven others were subsequently released on March 15.
In Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, two police constables face suspension after a theft suspect, apprehended with stolen goods, cleverly escaped custody during a medical examination, triggering a widespread search operation.

Key Points Two constables in Jhansi, UP, have been suspended following the escape of a theft accused from police custody.

The accused, Deepak alias Sanjay Jatav, and Nadeem were arrested after an encounter and were found to be in possession of stolen jewellery and cash.

Nadeem escaped while being taken for a medical examination at the District Hospital.

A search operation has been launched to locate the absconding accused, and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

Two constables have been suspended after a theft accused, apprehended during an encounter, escaped from their custody while he was being taken for a medical examination, police said.

According to the police, Deepak alias Sanjay Jatav (31), a resident of Bijoli, Gwalior (MP), and Nadeem (19), a resident of the Hardaul area, Datia (MP), were arrested on Monday morning near Nagariya Kuan following an encounter.

Stolen jewellery and cash worth approximately Rs 6 lakh were allegedly recovered from their possession.

The Escape

In the afternoon, police personnel took both accused to the District Hospital for a medical examination. However, during this process, the accused Nadeem managed to outwit the police personnel present at the scene and fled in an auto-rickshaw.

Investigation and Search

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) BBGTS Murthy on Monday night suspended the two constables who were assigned the custody of the accused, and ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Police personnel set up blockades on various routes across the city and launched a search operation for the absconding accused. However, he could not be traced.
Tamil superstar breaks silence, questions TVK leader's claim that DMK pressure forced him to quit politics.

IMAGE: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Union Minister L Murugan strongly condemned Aadhav Arjuna's comments on Rajinikanth's decision not to enter politics.

Murugan demanded an apology from Aadhav Arjuna for attempting to tarnish Rajinikanth's image.

Aadhav Arjuna alleged that the DMK threatened Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics, sparking the controversy.

Various quarters, including Rajinikanth's fans and a state minister, criticised Arjuna's remarks.

The TVK is accused of attempting to gain political mileage by making false claims about Rajinikanth's political aspirations.

Actor Rajinikanth on Tuesday described as "contrary to truth" Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam general secretary Aadhav Arjuna's claim that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had threated the Tamil superstar, forcing him to abandon his political entry.

Arjuna's claim had generated tremendous pushback across the political spectrum, with Union Minister L Murugan demanding an apology from Arjuna for attempting to tarnish the actor's image.

Noting that the TVK general secretary's comments on the top actor's decision not to enter politics was "highly condemnable," the Union minister said the people of Tamil Nadu would not accept Arjuna's comments made to serve his own political agenda.

"Rajini is massive in stature and has captured the hearts of the people. I strongly condemn Aadhav Arjuna's remarks. I insist that Aadhav Arjuna tender an apology to superstar Rajinikanth," Murugan said in a post on the social media platform 'X.'

What Aadhav Arjuna said

While addressing the party members during a protest against the state government in Chennai on March 12, Arjuna had alleged that the DMK threatened Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics, forcing him to stay out, and it was not on account of the actor's ill-health.

Arjuna maintained that he was not criticising the actor but wanted to point out that TVK founder Vijay had courage to withstand such pressure. "See what has happened now, Rajinikanth went on to act in a film by Red Giant (production house owned by Udhayanidhi Stalin)," Arjuna said.

Criticism follows

His comments, however, drew spontaneous criticism from various quarters, including Rajini's fans and state minerals and mines minister S Regupathy, who said the TVK was attempting to gain political mileage by uttering a "blatant lie."

On Tuesday, Rajinikanth put out a statement in Tamil thanking former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP's Tamil Nadu unit president Nainar Nagendran, Union minister Murugan, Regupathy, "friend" and former TN unit chief of the BJP K Annamalai, apart from his legion of fans "who give him life", for supporting him. The star ended his note with 'time doesn's speak, but will respond at the right time'.
Ukraine is protesting India's detention of six Ukrainian nationals in Mizoram, sparking concerns over unauthorised entry, alleged unlawful activities, and potential violations of international protocol.

IMAGE: Six Ukrainians, accused of illegally entering Mizoram, then Myanmar, to contact and train ethnic war groups associated with Indian insurgent groups, being taken away from the Patiala House Court after being produced before the NIA court, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points Ukraine has protested to India over the detention of six Ukrainian nationals in Mizoram for alleged unauthorised entry and unlawful activities.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is demanding immediate consular access and the release of its citizens, claiming no evidence supports their involvement in illegal activities.

The case involves alleged illegal crossing of the India-Myanmar border, with Ukraine claiming its embassy was not officially notified of the detentions.

Ukraine alleges distorted media interpretations and unfounded allegations surrounding the case, emphasising the lack of evidence against its citizens.

The court has extended the detention of the Ukrainian nationals until March 27, with the Ukrainian embassy representatives unable to communicate directly with them during the hearing.

Ukraine has lodged a protest with India over the 'detention' of six Ukrainian nationals on charges of entering Mizoram without authorisation and for alleged unlawful activities.

Ukraine's ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk met Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry, Sibi George, and sought consular access to the Ukrainian nationals and their immediate release, according to a readout by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian nationals and one American were reportedly detained by Indian law enforcement authorities on charges of unlawful activities.

When asked about the detention of the American national, a US embassy spokesperson said: "We are aware of the situation. For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on cases involving US citizens."

It is not immediately clear why the foreign nationals were in Mizoram.

There is no word yet from Indian officials on the case.

Details of the Detention

The readout by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said the case involves the unauthorised presence of the Ukrainian nationals in Mizoram, adding a special permit is required for foreign nationals to travel to the state.

It said the case is also linked to the 'alleged illegal crossing of the state border between India and Myanmar'.

"Contrary to established international practice, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of India did not receive any official notification from the competent authorities of India regarding the detention of Ukrainian citizens," the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.

It said the Ukrainian side insisted on the 'immediate provision of unimpeded consular access to the detainees'.

Ambassador of Ukraine Polishchuk met with Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George, during which he handed over an 'official note of protest demanding the immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens and access to them', it said.

'As of now, there are no established facts proving the involvement of the said Ukrainian citizens in unlawful activities on the territory of India or Myanmar,' it said.

'At the same time, certain publications, including in some Indian and Russian media outlets, contain distorted interpretations of the available facts, are manipulative in nature, and put forward unfounded allegations,' the ministry said.

Legal Proceedings and Concerns

Kyiv said the six citizens have been provided with legal aid and a defence counsel during the court proceedings.

'On March 16, a court hearing took place, which was also attended by representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine; however, they were not granted the opportunity to communicate directly with the detainees,' it said.

Following the hearing, the court decided to extend their detention until March 27, it said without mentioning where the court proceedings took place.

'We draw attention to the fact that there are certain restricted-access zones in India for foreign nationals, entry to which is possible only with special permits,' the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.

'At the same time, proper marking of such areas on the ground is often absent, which creates a risk of unintentional violation of the established rules,' it said.
Pakistani airstrikes targeted Kabul on March 16-17, 2026, with the Taliban claiming the attacks hit a drug users rehabilitation hospital and residential areas.

Smoke, debris, and anti-aircraft fire were captured in dramatic images by Reuters photographers.

The strikes drew widespread attention as Taliban soldiers and civilians gathered at the destroyed sites, marking a significant escalation in Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions.

ALSO READ: 400 killed in Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul hospital

IMAGE: Smoke rises after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

IMAGE: Tracers from anti-aircraft fire after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

IMAGE: Debris lies on the ground following an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Tolo News Handout via X/Handout via Reuters

Key Points March 16-17, 2026, marking a major cross-border escalation.

A drug rehabilitation hospital and residential areas in Kabul were targeted.

IMAGE: People gather near the site of an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Tolo News Handout via X/Handout via Reuters

IMAGE: Smoke rises following an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Tolo News Handout via X/Handout via Reuters

IMAGE: People stand next to a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

IMAGE: The site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

IMAGE: Debris lies at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Yunus Yawar/Reuters

IMAGE: A Taliban soldier walks at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Yunus Yawar/Reuters

IMAGE: Taliban soldiers stand outside a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike, in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Manisha Kotian/Rediff
The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah after eight years of detention in a terror funding case, citing concerns over prolonged trial delays and the infringement of personal liberty.

IMAGE: Shabir Ahmed Shah. Photograph: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters

Key Points The Supreme Court granted bail to Shabir Ahmed Shah, a Kashmiri separatist leader, after over eight years in jail in a terror funding case.

The court cited the prolonged detention and the unlikelihood of the trial concluding within a reasonable time as key factors.

Stringent bail conditions were imposed, including restrictions on media comments and travel.

The court emphasised the importance of personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution, especially when trials face significant delays.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested Shah on allegations of conspiracy for raising funds to disrupt peace and wage war against the government.

Underlining that if the trial was unlikely to conclude within a reasonable time, continued detention could result in curtailment of personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution, the Supreme Court has granted bail to Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah who has been in jail for over eight years in a terror funding case.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which observed that there were bleak chances of the trial's early disposal and the 74-year-old had been in custody for a prolonged period, however, imposed stringent bail conditions on Shah, including not commenting to the media about the case, according to a detailed order of the March 12 verdict.

Noting that Shah, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), had been in jail for eight-and-a-half years, the bench said, "Prolonged incarceration of an accused, particularly in circumstances where the trial has made little or no substantial progress, is a relevant factor in adjudicating the matter of bail."

What SC bail order in Shabir Shah case says

It highlighted that if the trial was not likely to conclude within a reasonable time, continued detention could result in the curtailment of personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution.

"Without making any observations on the merits of the case and considering the fact that there are bleak chances of an early disposal of the trial, the prolonged period of custody suffered by the appellant and his advanced age, we are inclined to enlarge the appellant on bail during the pendency of the trial," the apex court said.

It imposed several conditions on Shah, such as not leaving the national capital, surrendering his passport, using only one mobile phone or landline number and providing its details, keeping the mobile phone switched on at all times, reporting to the investigating officer every fortnight, and not tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.

"He shall furnish an undertaking before the trial court that he shall not commit any further offence of a similar nature while being on bail, and he shall not make any comment in the media about the present case or his role in the case," the top court said.

It said that if Shah violated any bail conditions, the prosecution could seek cancellation of the relief.

The bench passed the order after hearing rejoinder arguments on behalf of Shah, represented by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra appeared on behalf of the NIA.

Background to the Case

During the hearing, the bench pointed out several anomalies in the trial and flagged the long incarceration of Shah.

On September 4 last year, the apex court refused to grant interim bail to Shah in the case and issued notice to the NIA, seeking its response on his plea challenging a Delhi High Court order dated June 12, 2025, that denied him relief.

The high court had refused to grant bail to Shah, observing that the possibility of his carrying out similar unlawful activities and influencing witnesses could not be ruled out.

In 2017, the NIA booked 12 people on allegations of conspiracy for raising funds to disrupt peace by way of pelting stones, damaging public property and conspiring to wage war against the central government.

Shah was alleged to have played a "substantial role" in facilitating a separatist movement in Jammu and Kashmir by inciting the general public to raise slogans in support of Jammu and Kashmir's secession, paying tributes to the family of slain terrorists by eulogising them as "martyrs", receiving money through hawala transactions and raising funds via cross-LoC trade, which were allegedly used to fuel subversive and militant activities.
Iran is fighting a different war: Older, slower, and in some ways more dangerous.

Iran doesn't need to shoot down an F/A-18. It only needs to make the Strait of Hormuz feel dangerous long enough for insurance markets, shipping companies, and oil futures traders to do the rest.

Prem Panicker continues his must-read daily blog on the war in the Middle East.

IMAGE: A United States Air Force B1 bomber takes off from the Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire, Britain, March 15, 2026. Photograph: Jack Taylor/Reuters

US Relies on Precision Airpower

Seventeen days in, it is becoming clear that the United States and Iran are not fighting the same war.

Washington is fighting the war it knows how to fight: Precision airpower, target sets, degradation of military infrastructure.

By its own metrics, it is winning that war comprehensively.

Seventy percent of Iran's missile launchers destroyed; Iran's supreme leader killed; airspace effectively owned; US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth crowing about 'death and destruction from the sky all day long'.

Key Points The US is focusing on precision airstrikes and military targets, claiming significant degradation of Iran's defence capabilities.

Iran is pursuing economic warfare by disrupting shipping routes and creating risk in the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil exports from the Middle East have dropped sharply, pushing prices above $90 per barrel amid ongoing conflict.

European allies have refused to support US naval operations in the Strait, highlighting geopolitical divisions during the war.

India faces significant energy risks as it depends heavily on Gulf oil and navigates complex diplomatic and trade pressures.

IMAGE: US air force personnel handle munitions at RAF Fairford airbase, which is used by USAF personnel in Fairford, Gloucestershire. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Iran Shifts to Economic Warfare

Iran is fighting a different war: Older, slower, and in some ways more dangerous.

Not a war of armies and airfields, but a war of markets and chokepoints.

Robert Pape, the University of Chicago political scientist who has spent decades studying coercive strategy, laid out the logic with clarity in this post (external link).

IMAGE: An aerial view of the island of Qeshm, separated from the Iranian mainland by the Clarence Strait. Photograph: Reuters

Strait of Hormuz Disruption Strategy

Economic warfare, Pape argues, unfolds in three stages: disruption, economic shock, political pressure.

Iran doesn't need to shoot down an F/A-18. It only needs to make the Strait of Hormuz feel dangerous long enough for insurance markets, shipping companies, and oil futures traders to do the rest.

IMAGE: Crude oil prices. Photograph: KBK

Oil Prices Surge Amid Conflict

The numbers tell that story. Daily oil exports from the Middle East have fallen by at least 60 percent.

Oil is hovering over $90 a barrel -- a 40 percent rise since the war began.

Iran hasn't closed the Strait of Hormuz with mines or blockades.

It has simply made the passage feel unsafe through little acts (little, in comparison with the US-Israel blitz): A drone near a tanker off Fujairah, a strike on an oil pipeline at the Fujairah oil industrial zone, a fire at a storage tank near Dubai international airport.

Each incident ripples through shipping schedules and insurance contracts long before it shows up on a military balance sheet.

The 1973 oil shock, when Arab producers cut output after the Arab-Israeli war and oil prices quadrupled, is the relevant precedent Pape cites.

The oil producers paid little or nothing in the way of political price because the world still needed their oil.

Iran is betting on the same arithmetic. [Robert A Pape on Twitter (external link), elaborate analysis on Substack (external link)]

IMAGE: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, centre, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, the head of the judiciary, left, and Alireza Arafi, deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, attend the meeting of the interim leadership council of Iran in an unknown location, in Iran, March 1, 2026. Photograph: IRIB/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout/Reuters

DIMLY, THROUGH THE FOG

The Institute for the Study of War's overnight assessment confirms what the operational picture has been suggesting for days: Iran is not broken, and whoever comes next may be harder, not softer.

The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, wounded in the strikes that killed his father, has assembled an inner circle dominated by IRGC hardliners who have spent careers suppressing dissent and projecting force beyond Iran's borders.

The composition of the advisers' group tells a story:

Hossein Taeb, who engineered the 2005 Ahmadinejad election and ran the IRGC's intelligence apparatus for thirteen years.

Ahmad Vahidi, sanctioned for his role in the 2022 Mahsa Amini crackdown.

Mohammad Ali Jafari, who treated reformists as 'internal enemies'.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a veteran IRGC commander who assumed emergency military command when the June 2025 strikes killed Iran's top brass.

Mohsen Rezaei, the subject of an Interpol Red Notice for the 1994 Buenos Aires bombing that killed 85 people, is now Mojtaba's military adviser.

This is not a chastened leadership preparing to negotiate.

The IRGC is telling Iran's president that American airstrikes have united the population behind the regime the way the Iran-Iraq War once did.

President Pezeshkian, who reportedly asked the IRGC about post-war economic recovery plans, was told, in effect, that national emergency is now the plan.

IMAGE: Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman's Musandam governance, March 11, 2026. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters

On the battlefield, the combined US-Israeli force continues to hit deep.

A strike 800 kilometres inland, near Birjand in South Khorasan Province, targeted a drone facility.

This is one of the easternmost strikes of the conflict.

The fact that a jet can operate at low altitude over Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman coast tells its own story about how thoroughly Iran's air defences have been suppressed in the south.

Iran fired six missile barrages at Israel in the past 24 hours.

Fragments reached Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh.

Gulf air defence systems continue to intercept most incoming drones and missiles, but not all: A drone struck Dubai airport, another hit the Fujairah Oil Industrial Zone, a third struck the Shah gas field in Abu Dhabi. [Institute for the Study of War (external link)]

Also read Hamidreza Azizi's update #17 (external link) -- Azizi's posts usually focus on Iranian strategy.

But Al Jazeera takes the opposite view.

In an opinion piece, Muhanad Seloom argues (external link) that to say the United States and Israel have blundered into a chaotic, open-ended war is misleading.

Strip away the cable news framing and look instead at what has happened on the ground to Iran's missiles, its nuclear infrastructure, its air defences, its navy, and its proxy networks, and a different picture emerges: a campaign that is phased, deliberate, and strategically coherent.

Drawing on field experience and years studying how states wage and authorise war, Seloom traces the systematic degradation of Iran's capacity to project power, from collapsing missile launch rates to the dismantling of its command architecture.

The costs of the war are real and immediate, but so too were the risks of inaction, as Iran edged closer to nuclear capability and regional dominance.

This is not a defence of war's human toll, nor a denial of the uncertainties ahead.

It is an argument about how we measure success and failure in real time and why, in this case, the metrics most often cited miss the deeper strategic shift now underway.

THE RIPPLE

Trump wants European navies in the Strait of Hormuz. He is not getting them.

Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Canada (which, not so long ago, Trump said would become the 51st state in the Union): each has, in its own register, said no (external link) to joining active operations in the strait while the war continues.

Germany's defence minister put it plainly: 'This is not our war; we did not start it.'

NATO's former British chief of defence staff went further, noting that NATO is a defensive alliance and that it was not designed for one member to go to war and oblige the rest to follow.

Writing in The Atlantic (external link) on this subject, Isaac Stanley-Becker says Trump is at long last learning that his bullying (of his allies) has consequences. (Even non-NATO nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Russia, China and Pakistan have clearly stated that they will not join the war).

In tangentially related, the Trump administration has been doing its best to throttle the efforts of US media to report the war as it really is with Trump himself recently suggesting that media houses reporting on American losses are guilty of treason and should be imprisoned.

Pope Leo XIV pushes back (external link): "Always, but especially in the dramatic circumstances of war, such as those we are currently experiencing, the media must guard against the risk of becoming propaganda. And the task of journalists, in verifying the news so as not to become a mouthpiece for those in power, becomes even more urgent and delicate--I would say essential.

'It is up to you to show the sufferings that war always brings to the people; to show the face of war and to relate it through the eyes of the victims, so as not to transform it into a videogame. It is not easy in the few minutes of a news programme and its in-depth segments. But this is the challenge.'

Trump, characteristically, responded (external link) to the European nations' refusal to send warships to Hormuz by simultaneously dismissing the need for allies ("We don't need anybody") and demanding their help with the Strait in the same breath.

Further, in a Truth Social post, Trump blames Obama for starting this war, and says that he will shortly assemble his Board of Peace members to find ways to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The New Yorker's historical sweep this week is worth reading in full: It traces how every American president since Jimmy Carter has found Iran impossible to simply walk around -- and how Trump, stripped of the hegemonic instincts that both drove and constrained his predecessors, has walked into this with an astonishing absence of what comes next. [Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker (external link)]

Shut up, already

Belonging as I do to a country whose prime minister hasn't held a press conference (as opposed to 'press briefings' where he talks and everybody takes down his words verbatim), I like that the president of the United States holds regular press briefings, takes calls from journalists, has informal interactions with them on board Air Force One, all of that...

But Trump's recent statements to the media, and responses to questions, are so bizarre that I am beginning to wish he would dial down.

For instance, in one such interaction he says (external link) in dealing with Iran, he is dealing with some very smart people: Something his own advisors have long told him, and he ignored.

In another, he says (external link) he went to war with Iran 'out of habit' and adds that 'it is not a very good thing to do'.

But the really scary comment came in another interaction, where he said (external link) Iran wasn't supposed to hit targets in the Middle East.

'Nobody expected that. We were shocked'.

When asked a specific question, Trump said (external link): 'Nobody. No nonono. The greatest experts -- nobody thought they were going to hit...'

He also says (external link) Iran fighting back is 'a little unfair'.

Really? On February 19, in an official letter sent to the UN Security Council, Iran warned (external link) that it would do exactly that.

The relevant passage (emphasis mine):

'However, in the event that it (Iran) is subjected to military aggression, Iran will respond decisively and proportionately in 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 Iran's defensive response.'

Also, on February 24, four days before the outbreak of war, Nate Swanson in a paywalled piece (external link) in Foreign Affairs literally underlined this possibility.

Here is why Swanson's piece is important -- he was Director for Iran at the National Security Council, and until the end of the summer of 2025, he served on Trump's Iran negotiations team.

He was among several NSC staffers dismissed by Trump last year, reportedly on the urging of the far-right activist Laura Loomer.

Nobody (in Washington) expected that Iran would do exactly what it said it would do?

IMAGE: Petrol pumps temporarily shut due to rumours of supply disruptions and a panic buying situation due to the Iran-Israel war in Lucknow, March 12, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

India Faces Oil Supply Risks

India Watch:

For India, the 60 percent drop in Middle East oil exports is not an abstraction. India imports roughly 85 percent of its crude. The Gulf is its primary source.

Iran has, notably, been allowing tankers carrying oil to China and India to transit the Strait as a source of leverage.

Pakistan's oil tankers have similarly been waved through. This selective passage is a message to New Delhi about the costs and benefits of alignment.

IMAGE: A food seller cooks using coalfired ovens amid a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders linked to disruptions in global energy supplies following the ongoing US-Iran conflict in Kolkata, March 12, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

In February 2026, India's Coast Guard had seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers: Al Jafzia, Asphalt Star, Stellar Ruby, linked to Iran's 'shadow fleet' for evading oil export bans.

India's action was in line with Trump's sanctions against Iran.

Now we are told that Iran seeks the tankers' release in exchange for guaranteeing safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 40% of India's crude imports.

Two Indian LPG carriers were allowed through the Strait on March 13, but it is worth pointing out that Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar said, a day earlier, that those were not indicative of a blanket waiver, and that every ship permitted to sail the Strait by Iran would involve a separate negotiation.

This highlights India's delicate balance between aligning with US sanctions enforcement and securing energy supplies from Iran, potentially easing regional tensions while advancing bilateral trade amid global shipping disruptions.

In Bloomberg, a paywalled opinion piece by Mihir Sharma (external link) asks why India has friends everywhere, but leverage nowhere.

The bit that is instructive relates to the 22 Indian ships that are still stuck in Gulf waters. An extended quote:

'But 22 others, according to Reuters (external link), still remain in the Gulf's waters. Nor will anything be released on Modi's word alone; New Delhi might have to prove it is willing to defy some US sanctions. One possible ask is that India return three Iranian ships it had seized; or provide medicines and medical equipment to Iran.'

'To earn trust with Tehran, it will have to burn some bridges with Washington. The Trump administration had announced that India will be permitted to buy some Russian oil to replace its lost supplies from the Middle East. Whether this indulgence will persist if New Delhi defies the sanctions regime is uncertain.' (Related, read this analysis (external link) in The Wire].

Another paywalled Bloomberg piece (external link) makes the point that India, which was enjoying discounted rates for Russian oil, has lost that advantage.

On February 27, a day before the war began, the price India was paying for Russian oil was $58.54.

By March 13, that price had rocketed to $98.93. That price escalation will hit various sectors (external link) of India's economy, already under stress.

CNBC has a piece (external link) on consequences, that links the US and India.

The money quote: 'The connection between a Middle Eastern sea chokepoint and a US pharmacy counter is less obvious than it might seem -- and more direct than most consumers realize. The US gets nearly half of its generic prescriptions from India -- roughly 47 percent by volume, according to Rohit Tripathi, vice president of industry strategy for manufacturing at RELEX Solutions, a Helsinki-based pharmaceuticals supply chain planning software company.'

India, in turn, depends on the Strait of Hormuz for around 40 percent of its crude oil imports.

'That oil ultimately feeds into the petrochemical inputs used throughout pharmaceutical manufacturing. So even though American consumers are not buying medicines directly from the Gulf, they are still at the end of a supply chain that runs through it,' Tripathi said.

And in passing, this think-piece (external link) by Nirupama Rao, a former ambassador and foreign secretary, is worth your while.

Rao places the torpedoing of the IRIS Dena at the centre of India's dilemma: A vessel fresh from the Indian Navy's own MILAN exercise, sunk by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean.

Rao's argument is careful and unsentimental: strategic autonomy is not a slogan, it is a practice, and this war is testing whether India is prepared to exercise it with clarity.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
CAPE TOWN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- A recent study found that intensive farming environments may be undermining the breeding success of the iconic Blue Crane, South Africa's national bird, raising concerns about the species' long-term survival.

According to a statement released by the University of Cape Town on Tuesday, the study, conducted by researchers from its FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology and the International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust, suggested that agricultural landscapes were reducing reproductive success and could threaten one of the country's most important crane populations.

The study, published in Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, compared the breeding of Blue Cranes in the Western Cape wheatlands with those in natural grasslands and the Karoo region.

It found that Blue Cranes bred more successfully in the Karoo and grasslands than in the heavily farmed wheat-growing areas of the Overberg and Swartland.

Blue Crane pairs in more natural habitats produced close to one fledgling per breeding attempt, while those in wheatlands produced roughly half as many. Around two-thirds of pairs in the grasslands and Karoo produced at least one chick, compared with only about 40 percent in the agricultural regions.

"These differences are worrying because the Western Cape wheatlands hold some of the highest densities of Blue Cranes anywhere in the world. If breeding productivity remains low, it could help explain the population declines observed in the region in recent years," said Christie Craig, the study's lead researcher.

The study also found declining recruitment of young birds. Between 2019 and 2021, juveniles made up about 4 percent of winter flocks in the Overberg and 3.6 percent in the Swartland -- roughly half the proportion recorded three decades ago.

Researchers said that agricultural landscapes may act as "ecological traps," where birds were attracted to seemingly suitable habitats that ultimately reduced survival and reproductive success. Farming activities such as harvesting, disturbance near nests and increased predation were believed to contribute to chick mortality.

The study emphasized that cooperation with farmers would be essential, with measures such as reducing disturbances near nests and modifying farm infrastructure potentially helping to improve breeding outcomes. 
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 43F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
BAGHDAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Drone attacks targeted on Tuesday evening the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and the Victoria military base near the Baghdad International Airport, an Interior Ministry source said.

In one attack, three booby-trapped drones targeted the U.S. embassy, and its defense system shot down two, while the third landed within the compound, causing a fire with no immediate reports of casualties, the source said.

Meanwhile, two booby-trapped drones targeted the Victoria military base at Baghdad International Airport, and defense systems shot them down at the perimeter of the complex, the source said.

Sirens were heard inside the complex during the assault, with no immediate report on casualties, the source added.

The U.S. embassy is located in the Green Zone in central Baghdad, which houses Iraqi government buildings, the parliament, and several foreign missions.

The U.S. embassy, a frequent target of rocket and drone attacks in recent days, saw fires in its compound after an attack early Tuesday.

The attacks came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional proxies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. 
Doctors in Kabul treated the survivors of an air strike that destroyed a drug rehabilitation hospital in the Afghan capital late on March 16. Officials in the country's Taliban leadership said Pakistan was responsible for the strike, which they said killed hundreds. Pakistan denied the claim, saying it had targeted military installations in Kabul.
Ali Larijani, one of Irans most powerful figures and a close confidant of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an air strike in the capital, Tehran, on March 17.

Holding the powerful post of secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the country's key policymaking body, Larijani emerged as the de facto leader of the Islamic republic after Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike on February 28.

While not a cleric, he was a unifying figure who brought together competing political factions and maintained strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), intelligence services, and clerical establishment.

With Khamenei gone, his son a contested successor, and now Larijani dead, Iran faces what is seen as a leadership vacuum of extraordinary depth. His death, experts say, could also complicate any diplomatic efforts to end the current war.

"Among those we know are still within the Islamic republic system right now -- the politicians we can confirm are still [alive] -- there is no replacement for Ali Larijani for this role," said Babak Dorbeiki, a Britain-based political analyst.

The Systems Operator

During a political career spanning decades, the 67-year-old Larijani served as a nuclear negotiator, parliament speaker, and state enforcer, among other roles. But above all, he was a survivor.

Larijani twice fell from official favor only to mount political comebacks. After Irans 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June 2025, he played an increasingly prominent role as the national-security chief.

Larijanis career underscored his versatility. He served in the IRGC, ran the state broadcaster for a decade, shepherded the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers through parliament, and spent 12 years as speaker of parliament.

For the Islamic republic, Larijani functioned as a bridge between the clerics and generals at home and between Tehran and Western capitals abroad. He was never an ideological firebrand. But he was seen as the system's most capable operator.

Even then, the system twice rejected him. In 2021 and again in 2024, Larijani was barred from running for president by the Guardians Council, a clerical body dominated by hard-liners. The decisions shocked even his critics.

Analysts widely interpreted the disqualifications as factional maneuvering -- a way to clear the field for hard-liners -- but the message was humiliating for a man who had served the Islamic republic at the highest levels for decades.

Kennedys Of Iran

Born in the holy Shiite city of Najaf, in neighboring Iraq, Larijani came from a family so steeped in the political elite that emerged following the Islamic revolution in 1979 that Time magazine once described them as the "Kennedys of Iran."

His father was a prominent religious scholar -- and his marriage into the family of Morteza Motahhari, the chairman of the Council of the Revolution tasked with establishing the Islamic republic -- ensured his place near the corridors of power from the outset.

Unlike many of his peers who came solely from Islamic seminaries, Larijani also carried a secular academic pedigree, holding master's and doctorate degrees in Western philosophy from the University of Tehran. He wrote a thesis on the works of German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Wartime Resurrection

After spending several years in relative political limbo, Larijanis fortunes changed in the aftermath of the 12-day war.

In January, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Larijani for his role in the brutal state crackdown on mass protests that erupted in late December 2025 and killed thousands of people.

Last month, before the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran, Khamenei designated Larijani as the preferred candidate to temporarily manage the country in the event of his death. Khamenei was killed just days later.

Since then, Larijani had been one of the most vocal official voices in Iran. On March 13, in a show of defiance, Larijani and other senior Iranian leaders appeared on the streets of Tehran as Israel carried out air strikes on the city. That was the last time he was seen in public.

Hannah Kaviani of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report.
TRIPOLI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya on Monday announced two significant gas discoveries estimated at around 1 trillion cubic feet (28.32 billion cubic meters) in offshore waters in the northwest of the country.

The company said its foreign partner, Eni North Africa, confirmed the gas reserves after completing exploratory drilling of two wells in adjacent offshore geological structures, 16 km south of the Bahr Essalam gas field, a major source of Libyan natural gas.

It added that it is preparing an urgent development plan to connect the two new wells to the Bahr Essalam offshore platform, expecting the two discoveries to contribute approximately 130 million cubic feet (3.68 million cubic meters) of gas per day.

According to Eni, the gas to be produced will be supplied to the Libyan domestic market and exported to Italy.

Oil and gas exports are Libya's primary source of income, though the sector has faced setbacks in recent years due to domestic conflicts and political instability. 
At least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in a Pakistani air strike on a hospital in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban said, while Pakistan rejected the claims.

The 2,000-bed Omid Hospital, a substance-abuse rehabilitation center in the Afghan capital, was reportedly hit in a Pakistani air strike late on March 16.

Efforts were under way to rescue the injured and recover the bodies, according to Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

"The Pakistani military regime carried out an air strike at approximately 9 p.m. [local time, on March 16] on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility dedicated to the treatment of drug addiction," he said in a post on X, adding that "large sections of the hospital have been destroyed."

Pakistan's Information Ministry claimed the strike had targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Kabul and Nangarhar Province and did not deliberately hit civilians.

"Technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities at two locations in Kabul were effectively destroyed," Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X.

"The visible secondary detonations after the strikes clearly indicate the presence of large ammunition depots," he added.

The claims from either side could not be independently verified.

In response to the reported deadly air strike on a hospital in Kabul, the UN Human Rights Office said the incident "must be investigated promptly, independently, and transparently," adding that those responsible must be "held to account in line with international standards."

"Witnesses described a scene of total destruction at the hospital site, and seeing hundreds of people looking for their relatives," the UN statement said.

According to the UN Human Rights office, since the hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated at the end of last month, at least 289 Afghan civilians, including 104 children and 59 women, have been killed or injured, with tens of thousands have been displaced by the fighting.

With reporting from RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and Reuters
The European Union said it will send financial aid and a team of experts to Ukraine with the aim of restoring the flow of oil from the Druzhba pipeline in a bid to lift Hungarian and Slovak obstacles to EU funds for Kyiv and further sanctions on Russia.

While no sums are mentioned and it is unclear when the team will arrive at the damaged pipeline, a joint statement issued on March 17 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa notes that the Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately.

The Soviet-era pipeline, which carries Russian oil via Ukraine to the two landlocked central European countries, was damaged by a Russian missile in late January. Both Budapest and Bratislava have accused Kyiv of stalling to repair it for political reasons. Ukraine has rejected the accusation.

In the meantime, Hungary and Slovakia have refused to give green light to a 90 billion-euro loan for Ukraine, initially agreed by EU leaders in December, that would bankroll the war-torn country for 2026 and 2027.

They have also blocked the latest Russia sanctions, proposed by the bloc in January, that would target Russias energy sector among other things.

There is now hope in Brussels that both vetoes could be lifted before or during an EU summit in Brussels on March 19-20.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently said western allies were blackmailing Ukraine into repairing Druzhba and had previously refused to allow any EU team from visiting or inspecting the pipeline.

"The accusations that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing the transportation of oil through the Druzhba pipeline are groundless," Zelenskyy said on March 17, noting Ukraine would accept the EU mission.
After initially voicing support, US President Donald Trump says he doesn't want Iran's Kurds to enter the military operation against Tehran -- at least for now. Still, one group of exiled Kurds is "preparing for war" just in case, according to a photographer who visited one stronghold of Iranian Kurds. Photojournalist Sedat Suna gained access on March 12 to a mountain base of the Komala -- Reform Faction, an armed political entity of Iranian Kurds based in the northeastern region of Iraq that has recently been targeted by Iranian drone strikes.

The armed group is part of an alliance of several Iranian Kurdish political parties that was formed shortly before the US-Israeli military operation was launched on February 28. It seeks a self-determining region within Iran that would be similar to the current semiautonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq. "They see [the war] as an opportunity," the photographer told RFE/RL, adding that the fighters insisted they are not waiting for a green light from the United States to enter the conflict in Iran. "They say they can make their own decisions." A spokesman for the Komala party has vowed the fighters would "start the liberation," in the Kurdish region of Iran, provided the United States pledges support.

Kurds are an ethnic group of around 30-40 million people living largely across mountainous areas spanning parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. The mostly Sunni Muslim group is one of the world's largest ethnicities without a country of their own. Iranian Kurds live mostly along the western border of the country and make up around 10 percent of Iran's population of some 92 million. Kurdish relations with Tehran have remained tense since soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution when the country's new rulers launched mass killings of Kurds, who were viewed as a danger to Iran's territorial integrity.

Today, observers say there are immense complications involved with potential Kurdish involvement in the ongoing war in Iran. Kamran Matin, an Iran expert at Sussex University, says exiled Iranian Kurdish groups enjoy widespread support inside Iran's Kurdish region, but he believes only a specific set of conditions would open the door to Iranian Kurds -- both inside and outside the country -- openly entering the war against the Islamic republic.

Firstly, Matin says, Iranian regime forces would need to be "significantly degraded in [Iranian] Kurdistan." Additionally, Kurdish groups would require an "explicit commitment from the US for long term military and political support in the form of the establishment of a no-fly zone over Iranian Kurdistan." And, he says, they would need a US pledge of support for Kurdish rights within a future Iran. That level of US commitment appears unlikely for now. Amid reports the CIA was arming Kurdish groups in neighboring Iraq, on March 5 Trump stated he would be "all for it" if Iranian Kurds sparked an uprising. He later walked that back, telling reporters he had ruled out the Kurds getting involved, saying, "We don't want to make the war any more complex than it already is." Photographer Suna says there is widespread goodwill toward the United States among the fighters he visited, with some bearing US flags on their uniforms.
Iranian authorities have confirmed that the country's powerful security chief, Ali Larijani, has been killed, the highest-profile official to die since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of US and Israeli air strikes on February 28.

Ali Larijani was killed along with his son Morteza, his deputy Alireza Bayat, and several bodyguards, the Secretariat of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said in a statement late on March 17. Larijani was secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

The council's statement came about 12 hours after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Larijani was killed in a wave of air strikes on Tehran that also took the lives of other senior Iranian figures.

Death Of Gholamreza Soleimani

Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed the death of Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran's paramilitary Basij force, giving few details. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said Soleimani and Larijani were killed in the same series of strikes on March 16.

Katz said the two leaders "have joined Khamenei, the head of the annihilation program, along with all those eliminated from the axis of evil in the depths of hell," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a photo of the premier on the phone with the caption: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the elimination of senior figures in the Iranian regime."

The US-Israeli offensive on Iran, now in its third week, has shown no signs of letting up, with air raid sirens heard in several locations around the Middle East on March 17.

US President Donald Trump said the conflict has "wiped out their [Iran's] military in every aspect" and reiterated during a press conference in Washington that the United States will leave the war "pretty much the very near future."

The Israeli military said it was targeting "Iranian regime infrastructure" in its latest wave of strikes across Tehran, as well as at sites it said were related to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which the United States has designated as a terrorist organization.

Baghdad Attack

Meanwhile, Iran has continued to fire missiles and drones at targets around the Middle East, including Israel. The key Strait of Hormuz -- which accounts for about one-fifth of the world's oil transport -- remains largely closed off due to attacks on vessels.

An Iranian drone and rocket attack targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad, according to security officials, one of whom told AFP that "at least one drone" crashed inside the embassy compound.

A new Iranian drone strike also hit the Fujairah oil complex on the United Arab Emirate's east coast, causing a fire but no injuries, local authorities said on March 17. Explosions were reported in Doha, while Qatar said it had intercepted a missile attack.

Trump had called on nations around the globe to help to reopen the vital waterway, but several countries have pushed back on the idea.

Later on March 17, he called that reluctance a "very foolish mistake" and that the United States didn't "need any help actually."

This is a great test, because we dont need them, but they should have been there, Trump added.

Iran's targeting of crude oil and gas producing nations around the Gulf has pushed energy prices up sharply in many countries.

The price of several types of oil jumped around 5 percent again on March 17 over supply concerns.
The potential release of political prisoners in connection with an anticipated visit by a senior US envoy could signal limited progress in negotiations with strongman Aleksandr Lukashenko's government, but repression will persist without sustained international pressure, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Byalyatski has told RFE/RL.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Belarus Service, Byalyatski, a veteran activist who was himself released and removed from Belarus in a US-brokered deal in December 2025 after nearly five years in prison, said negotiations between Lukashenko's authoritarian state and Western officials have increasingly taken on the character of hostage diplomacy.

It resembles negotiations with terrorists when hostages are involved. In fact, our political prisoners are in a similar position, said Byalyatski, 63, who shared the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize with rights activists from Ukraine and Russia and now heads the Vyasna Human Rights Center, an exiled Belarusian organization.

Belarus has freed groups of activists, journalists, opposition politicians, and others considered political prisoners in deals engineered by the US over the past year, including the release of Byalyatski and 122 other prisoners in December. A small group, mostly women, were released earlier this month.

Activists hope a possible visit in the coming days by John Coale, US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, will result in the release of numerous prisoners.

We hope that the number of those released will be larger than in December," Byalyatski said.

Pressure And Sanctions

According to Belarusian rights groups, more than 1,000 people remain imprisoned on politically motivated charges following a sweeping crackdown on dissent that began after the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory and a sixth term in a vote millions of Belarusians believe was stolen.

We continue to receive information about new arrests, beatings, and long prison sentences for journalists, Byalyatski told RFE/RL in the interview in Prague.

Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, extending his rule through elections deemed illegitimate in much of the West. Belarus has faced multiple rounds of sanctions from the United States and the European Union over the government's human rights abuses, antidemocratic actions, and support for Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Byalyatski said the prisoner releases are the result of "long-term economic and political pressure from the West. He said that the authorities "are looking for a way out of the difficult economic situation and are trying to ease the sanctions pressure.... In relation to the Americans, this is partially successful."

The US has engaged with Belarus in Trump's current term. Trump spoke to Lukashenko by phone in August 2025, and on September 11, 2025, when Belarus freed 51 prisoners, Coale met with Lukashenko and announced the US would lift sanctions on Belarusian national air carrier Belavia.

The release of Byalysatski and 122 others in December was preceded by an announcement that Washington was lifting sanctions on Belaruss lucrative fertilizer exports -- including its biggest company, Belaruskali -- which provide major source of income to Lukashenkos regime.

Without going into specifics, Byalyatski warned that lifting sanctions prematurely would be a mistake while repression continues.

"Independent organizations in Belarus are now being labeled extremist. For instance, Belarusian PEN, which brought together writers and cultural figures, has recently been added to this registry, along with the Belarusian Association of Journalists and the Vyasna Human Rights Center," Byalyatski said.

"In fact, the entire independent civil sector has been pushed out of Belarus. Because of this, ending repression is a necessary precondition; lifting sanctions without it would be unwise," he said.

Exile Or Freedom At Home?

A key question for many prisoners is whether they will be allowed to remain in Belarus after their release. Byalyatski and many others considered political prisoners were deported upon release. He said the issue of allowing prisoners to stay in the country had previously been raised in talks with Belarusian authorities.

Some people have sick parents or other reasons to stay, he said. Not everyone wants to leave the country.

According to Byalyatski, Lukashenko previously rejected such proposals. However, he believes the governments position may now be evolving.

It is possible that those who are amnestied will be given a choice: to stay or to leave, he said.

Byalyatski pointed to the ordeal of veteran opposition politician Mikalay Statkevich as an example of the pressures faced by political prisoners.

Statkevich, who is 69 and has spent more than 12 of the last 20 years behind bars, was one of dozens freed in September, but he refused to leave Belarus after his release and was rearrested later the same month. In February, he was released from prison again after suffering a stroke.

Last week in Prague, Statkevich's wife, Maryna Adamovich, accepted an international human rights award on his behalf from the Czech humanitarian organization People in Need. Byalyatski said the recognition reflects the continued international attention to the plight of Belarusian political prisoners.

Mikalay has always been a fighter, he said. Unfortunately, this struggle has had a serious impact on his health.

Byalyatski also cautioned that international awards rarely influence decisions by Belarusian authorities.

Even the Nobel Prize did not immediately change my own situation, he said. I remained in prison for three more years.

Culture, Repression, And Justice

Byalyatski said repression in Belarus has increasingly targeted cultural figures and the Belarusian language.

There is an attack on Belarusian culture and language in recent months, he said.

He suggested this could partly reflect signals from Moscow, though he also noted that the countrys powerful security apparatus has its own incentives.

People inside the repressive structures need to show results every month, he said. They build careers by destroying other peoples lives.

An investigation launched by the International Criminal Court into alleged crimes linked to Belarusian authorities is an important step toward accountability and "a kind of victory for the Belarusian human rights community, Byalyatski said, but he cautioned that the process will likely take years.

Materials will be collected with the help of human rights organizations and activists who have left Belarus, he said. This is a long-term process.

A Long Struggle

Byalyatski was imprisoned from 2011 to 2014 and from 2021 to 2025 on tax evasion charges he and supporters say were politically motivated fabrications. He said the Peace Prize, awarded while he was behind bars, helped draw international attention to the situation in Belarus but did not change his immediate circumstances.

He told RFE/RL that he is still adjusting to life after prison, and that recovery takes time.

"But now, I have the chance to travel internationally and I use these trips to speak about the situation in Belarus," Byalyatski stressed. The world changes quickly. We must constantly remind people what is happening in our country.

Referring to the upcoming 30th anniversary of the founding of the Vyasna Human Rights Center, Byalyatski said the ultimate goal remains unchanged.

The best gift, he said, would be a democratic and free Belarus where we can return home.
Widespread mobile Internet outages have been hitting Moscow for over a week, causing significant disruptions to daily life and raising fears about how far President Vladimir Putin's government will go to tighten its control over online activity.

Residents and businesses in the city of more than 12 million are facing problems with an array of services including online payments, taxi apps, and navigation tools. Sales of offline items such as pagers and paper maps have increased in the capital, a tech-savvy city where a large portion of Russia's wealth is concentrated.

Since many of the outages began on March 7, the situation has worsened, with even websites listed on the government's "whitelist" -- state-friendly resources that are supposed to be exempt from restrictions -- becoming inaccessible.

The Kremlin has officially attributed these disruptions to increased security measures, but has given few details.

"Kyiv is using increasingly sophisticated methods for attacks, so Russia needs increasingly technological protection measures," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 12 in a reference to Ukrainian retaliation against Russia's full-scale invasion of the neighboring country, now in its fifth year.

Government critics say state authorities often cite security concerns when they want to tighten restraints on the lives and freedoms of citizens.

"Russia's leadership is simply very cowardly. So cowardly that it does not care about civil liberties, the economy, or people's convenience. It absolutely does not care about any of that," said Mikhail Klimarev, an activist and director of the Internet Protection Society.

Outages have hit other parts of Russia for months, but the shutdowns in the capital have drawn more attention.

"Mobile Internet has been shut down in Russia since June 2025. And only now has all this reached Moscow," Klimarev told Current Time.

Mobile Internet has been unavailable almost everywhere in Moscow, both in central districts and surrounding areas, residents said.

"I am a freelancer and I need good Internet. I had to give my client a discount because I couldn't meet the deadline," Alina, a Moscow resident, told RFE/RL Siberia.Realities.

Putin's government has been struggling for years to manage and restrict Russians' use the Internet. Authorities have targeting Western giants such as Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon while also fostering homegrown alternatives they can control more easily.

Activists and others suspect the shutdown of mobile Internet in Moscow is being used to test the "whitelist" system of approved websites.

The "whitelist" of resources available during Internet shutdowns began testing last summer. The list includes the websites of mobile operators, pro-Kremlin media outlets, government agencies, marketplaces, and social media companies such as Odnoklassniki, and VK, formerly known as VKontakte.

Telegram, the most widely used messaging app in Russia, has also been experiencing access problems, as has WhatsApp.

"Telegram's accessibility has dropped by 80 percent" since the previous day, Klimarev wrote on March 16.

Russia last year launched its own state-backed messaging app, Max. The app is facing backlash from critics who view it as a state surveillance tool. State media has dismissed these concerns, maintaining the app is a secure and independent tool.

On February 20, Putin signed a law requiring telecommunications operators to suspend services at the request of the Federal Security Service, or FSB. At the same time, the authorities exempted operators from liability to their clients if the service interruption was caused by compliance with the intelligence agency's demands.

The Russian government has long censored online content to limit opposition, monitored Internet traffic in the name of security, and tightened control over media. A government clampdown on the freedom of speech, assembly, and other liberties has gathered force since Putin returned to the presidency in 2012 and tightened still further since he start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed members of the British Parliament, met with King Charles, and forged an agreement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer aimed at bolstering supplies of drones to friendly countries.

Zelenskyy's visit to London on March 17 came as the US-Israeli war against Iran draws attention away from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and threatens to strengthen Moscow's hand by diverting weapons from Kyiv and putting more oil money in the Kremlin's coffers due to price increases and eased US sanctions.

I think its really important that we are clear that the focus must remain on Ukraine," Starmer said as he welcomed Zelenskyy for talks also attended by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Theres obviously a conflict in Iran going on, in the Middle East, but we cant lose focus on whats going on in Ukraine and the need for our support, Starmer said. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin cant be the one who benefits from a conflict in Iran, whether thats oil prices or the dropping of sanctions.

Addressing members of parliament, Zelenskyy cast Ukraine not as a supplicant but as an ally and a provider of security, touting his country's hard-won expertise at drone warfare and saying it has sent some 200 military experts to the Middle East at the request of our partners, including the United States," in part to help Persian Gulf countries defend against Iranian drone attacks.

Earlier in the invasion, which began in February 2022, Moscow used Iranian-supplied Shahed drones against Ukraine before largely shifting to the use of its own drones, built in Russia using Iranian technology. "Russia then upgraded them, and now we have clear evidence that Iranian Shaheds used in the Middle East contain Russian components, Zelenskyy said.

The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred and that is why they are brothers in weapons, and we want regimes built on hatred to never win in anything, he said.

A statement from Starmer's office said he and Zelenskyy agreed on a new military-industrial partnership in which Ukraine's drone expertise will be combined with Britain's manufacturing base to boost the supply of drones, and that they will seek opportunities to cooperate with third countries. Britain and Starmer have been ardent backers of Ukraine in its defense against Russia.

Zelenskyy's visit came on a day on which US President Donald Trump criticized Starmer and NATO over the reluctance of Britain and other alliance members to send naval vessels to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a key Middle East oil transit route that shoreline nation Iran has virtually blocked by carrying out attacks and threatening more mayhem.

The war in the Middle East also appears to have halted US-Ukraine-Russia talks aimed at ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been a priority for Trump since he took office in January 2025. Little progress has been made on key issues such as control over Ukrainian territory in the Donbas, and Russia has shown few signs of readiness for compromise.

A new round of talks had been expected early this month, but it did not take place and no date has been set for he next meeting.

RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Washington correspondent Alex Raufoglu contributed to this report.




Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev casts a ballot at a polling station in Astana, Kazakhstan, March 15, 2026. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed the newly approved constitution, which will take effect on July 1 this year. A national referendum was held on Sunday on the draft constitution, published by the Constitutional Court on Feb. 12. (Kazakhstan's presidential press service/Handout via Xinhua)

ALMATY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed the newly approved constitution, which will take effect on July 1 this year.

A national referendum was held on Sunday on the draft constitution, published by the Constitutional Court on Feb. 12. It includes major changes such as transforming the parliament from a bicameral to a unicameral system, restoring the post of vice president, and establishing a People's Council.

Kazakhstan's Central Election Commission announced earlier on Tuesday that about 9.13 million people participated in the vote, with a voter turnout of 73.12 percent. Of these, around 7.95 million voted in favor, accounting for 87.15 percent of the total.

Tokayev said the new constitution, consisting of 11 chapters and 95 articles, is the "foundation of a Just Kazakhstan," strengthening the rule of law, public order and civil rights. He added that the document marks the country's transition toward a more progressive state model and will guide its future development.

According to the published draft, the new constitution will abolish the Senate and establish a unicameral parliament, the Kurultai, composed of 145 deputies from various political parties, each serving a five-year term.

The vice president will be nominated by the president and appointed with the approval of a parliamentary majority. Acting under presidential delegation, the vice president will coordinate relations with domestic and international social, political, scientific and cultural organizations.

The People's Council will serve as the highest advisory body granted the right of legislative initiative, comprising 164 members appointed by the president and representing public interests. 

A woman casts a ballot at a polling station in Astana, Kazakhstan, March 15, 2026. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed the newly approved constitution, which will take effect on July 1 this year.

A national referendum was held on Sunday on the draft constitution, published by the Constitutional Court on Feb. 12. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

People register before casting their ballots in Astana, Kazakhstan, March 15, 2026. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed the newly approved constitution, which will take effect on July 1 this year.

A national referendum was held on Sunday on the draft constitution, published by the Constitutional Court on Feb. 12. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

A woman casts a ballot at a polling station in Astana, Kazakhstan, March 15, 2026. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday signed the newly approved constitution, which will take effect on July 1 this year.

A national referendum was held on Sunday on the draft constitution, published by the Constitutional Court on Feb. 12. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
A Roscommon company revamping and reimagining tired and broken furniture won the Sustainability Award at the recent Roscommon Local Enterprise Awards.

Roscommon Town based enterprise The Upholstery Company was honoured for its business innovation.

Established in 2009, the company operates from its base on the Racecourse Road in Roscommon Town where it currently employs 10 people. The services include traditional re-upholstery, loose covers, soft furnishing work, replacement cushions, window seat cushions and foam replacement.

The company also revitalises conservatory furniture with re-upholstery, replacement covers and foam as well as reupholstering existing sofas, and chairs.

Using only highly qualified and experienced upholsterers, the company ensures quality finished products as well as being a market leader in the introduction of the most up-to-date colours and trends.

Managing director Gary Dunne said the company upholsters as well as manufactures new furniture with a strong domestic and UK market, which continues to expand and grow.

We are currently working on a big project in London where we are providing furniture for apartment fit outs as well as new furniture for lobby areas and for a nearby a business centre in the city. Business is good at present.

We would be hopeful of employing a further two or three people and would like to develop the business towards the manufacturing and commercial side of things. We also supply to a large number of businesses domestically.

LEO have supported us buying new machinery as well as the development of our IT system. Because of this, we are able to compete in a good buoyant market for our sector, said Gary.
TOKYO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) told Japan's nuclear regulators on Monday that it will push back the planned commercial operation of the No. 6 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, following signs of an electricity leak, local media reported.

The reactor marked the first TEPCO-run unit to go back online since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. It resumed operation on Jan. 21 and was scheduled to begin commercial operation on Wednesday.

But the utility decided to delay the schedule after an alarm went off last Thursday afternoon, indicating a small-scale electricity leak at a power generator, Kyodo News reported.

TEPCO President Tomoaki Kobayakawa told reporters that it remains unclear when the company will be able to begin commercial operation, noting that the investigation into the incident is underway.

"We will stop if there are any concerns. We believe identifying the cause is the most important," he said.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, a seven-reactor facility about 220 km northwest of Tokyo, is the world's biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity. The restart of the No. 6 reactor in January has met local opposition amid criticism that the plant sits on an active seismic fault zone. 
St. Patricks Day is without doubt one of my favourite days of the year. For me its not about the big parades, bunting or loud noise. I tend to focus more on what it means to be Irish and reflect on the struggles and battles the generations before us had to endure, to give us the life we have today, and the right to celebrate our heritage and culture.

I consider myself very lucky in that our family has a cottage outside Loughglynn village, which was built in 1749. It has lived on in its original condition for the 9th generation descendants to be able to visit (my children included). The thanks for this go to my father and aunt.

Its a hideaway escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, noise, and nonsense from the modern day outside world. Its my oasis of tranquillity and a place I have visited for as long as I can remember. It gives me perspective and balance in what I sometimes perceive to be an artificial and plastic modern world. Its authentic and real, not filtered or Instagram ready!

O'Brien's cottage as it stands today has seen nine generations pass through it since it was built in 1749.

My first early childhood memory of the cottage is walking down through the many surrounding fields with my father and brother to the well for water. We then trudged back with heavy buckets splashing to my granduncle Thady (who was the last person to live there) as he laughed at our struggles while making short work of a warm bottle of Guinness!

On my most recent visit to the cottage I sat quietly in a chair next to the open fire. The silence was soothing as the thick walls ensured that even if I wanted mobile phone signal, I couldnt get it. I stare out the small cottage window to see the land that my great grandfather Michael and those before and after him slaved on in order to feed their families and make ends meet. I look to the open fire with the black overhanging crane. It acts as a window into a past Irish life. I imagine the conversations that occurred around it, the 30 children born next to it, along with the great stories, laughter and music that kept them all entertained in the hardest of times.

My attention turns to the black cast iron pots and I think about the daily meals my great grandmother Hanoria OBrien prepared for her hungry family as she picked spuds from the land before her, collected eggs from the hen house out the back, meat from the animals they reared and milk from the cows they nurtured.

As I stare over at the red settle bed, I remember my late grandmother Mollie who worked daily in Loughglynn Convent and came home to lay her weary head beside her sister Helena each night on that very settle bed. I think of the horror the house endured when my grandmother woke up on that settle bed to find her 21-year-old sister lifeless after having a brain haemorrhage during the dark of night.

Nine generations on Daragh, Dylan and Shane sit on the red settle bed where their great grandmother Mollie and great aunt Helena O'Brien slept each night.

I also recall my grandmother taking about her brother Michael Junior who lost his life at only 33 years of age to an appendix infection.

The overworked tools for the land that remain outside and over the red cottage door act now as statues to the men of the house that worked the land. The aroma from the oil of the Tilley lamp that still burns in front of the picture of Our Lady is a nod to the deep religious faith that was rooted in all souls and kept everyone going in the darkest of times.

I reflect on some of the major events that this house, its people and its old stone walls experienced: the Penal Laws to 1782, the Irish Rebellion of 1798 (Wolfe Tone), the Irish Rebellion of 1803 (Robert Emmet), the Typhus epidemic of 1817  1819, the Cholera Epidemic 1832-1833, the Big Wind of 1839, the Great Famine 1845-1852, the Fenian Rising of 1867, Word War 1 -1914-1918, the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence 1919-1921, the Civil War 1922-1923, World War 2 - 1939-1945, the Blizzard of 1947, Hurricane Debbie 1961, the Good Friday agreement 1998, the Covid 19 Pandemic 2020-2022 and Storm Eowyn 2025.

My attention is then drawn to my great grandfathers hat that sits at the top corner of the bright red kitchen dresser. I feel a connection to a man I never met as if hes just left the cottage to run an errand. I wonder what he would make of modern-day Ireland.

This St. Patricks Day, it might be worth taking a quiet moment to reflect on your Irish heritage or to chat with a family member who may remember even more. You never know  you could be the one to pass those stories on next.

Our heritage and where we come from are essential parts of who we are; they must be remembered, honoured, celebrated, and never allowed to fade.

La Fheile Padraig - Im Irish and Im proud  celebrate it and hold on to it, no matter what.

*In memory of the OBrien family Moyne who also sat and read the Roscommon Herald in the walls of a small Loughglynn cottage since the paper was established 1859.
Honoring North Dakota's WWII Legacy & Keeping "Je Suis Pret" Alive

NORTH DAKOTA - A new organization dedicated to preserving one of North Dakota's most storied military legacies has officially launched. The 164th Infantry Remembrance Association has been formed to honor, preserve, and share the history of the 164th Infantry Regiment-the first U.S. Army unit to take offensive action in World War II, reinforce the U.S. Marines on Guadalcanal, and one of the most distinguished National Guard regiments of the war.

The 164th Infantry Remembrance Association is a separate and independent organization from the 164th Infantry Association, a fraternal organization serving veterans and families of the Regiment across all periods of service and known for its publications and regimental history.

Rooted in its founding philosophy, the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association is committed to preserving, recreating, and educating the public about the experiences of the 164th Infantry Regiment during World War II. Its bylaws emphasize authenticity, historical accuracy, and a non-partisan approach to interpretation, ensuring that all programming honors the real stories of the soldiers and civilians of the 1940s. Members conduct in-depth research using period accounts, original and reproduction uniforms/equipment, written histories, and historic sites to accurately recreate and interpret the era.

"Our mission is simple-to remember, to preserve, and to teach," said Brandon Delvo, Outreach Coordinator of the Remembrance Association. "The 164th Infantry Regiment represents the courage and dedication of North Dakota's Greatest Generation. Through accurate interpretation and public education, we want to ensure their service is understood, respected, and never forgotten."

The Association also proudly embraces the regiment's historic motto, "Je Suis Pret" - "I Am Ready".

"This motto reflects the character of the men who served and our commitment today," Delvo added. "We are ready to educate the public, ready to preserve their history, and ready to honor their sacrifices."

The Association's mission, vision, and values-outlined in its governing documents-guide its work:

Mission: To preserve, research, recreate, and educate the public about the history of the 164th Infantry Regiment through accurate interpretation, public programs, and community partnerships.

Vision: To help future generations gain a meaningful understanding of the hardships and sacrifices endured by the men and women of the 1940s by bringing history to life.

Core Values: Authenticity, integrity, respect, education, and professionalism-supported by strict standards for member conduct, historical accuracy, and safety.

"When you see the uniforms, the equipment, the drills, and hear the words of the men who were there, it creates a powerful connection," said Casey Beck, 164th Infantry Remembrance Association president. "Our goal is to honor these soldiers in a way that is truthful, respectful, and deeply human."

164th Infantry Regiment  Distinctive Unit Insignia

The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 164th Infantry Regiment consists of a light blue infantry shield bearing a red Spanish castle, fimbriated gold, set between three gold six-pointed stars and rising above a gold sun issuing from base. A scroll below the shield bears the motto "Je Suis Pret" French, meaning "I Am Ready".

The shield's blue denotes infantry service. The Spanish castle commemorates service in the Spanish-American War, while the three stars reference service in the Philippine Insurrection. The rising sun signifies World War service with the 41st Division. The motto reflects the Regiment's longstanding readiness and resolve.

The design was approved by the War Department in 1933 and has been historically associated with the North Dakota National Guard's 164th Infantry Regiment.

A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the 164th Infantry Remembrance Association will conduct living history programs, educational presentations, school visits, commemorative events, community outreach, and historical preservation efforts. Funding comes from membership dues, public donations, grants, and program partnerships, all used exclusively to advance the Association's mission.

The Association welcomes new members-military or civilian, living historian or researcher, student or supporter-who share an interest in preserving North Dakota's World War II history.
The public is invited to attend an open house to learn more about the East Yellowstone Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). An open house will be held March 29 from 2-4 p.m. at Rau Elementary School. Residents are encouraged to attend, learn about the PER, and ask questions to help clarify the process and goals.

If you live east of the Yellowstone River in Richland County, near Thiel Subdivision or the Rau School neighborhood, water is a commodity. Most folks in this area rely on individual wells or small water systems. When those wells work, life flows smoothly. When the wells malfunction, it becomes a real problem in a hurry.

The East Yellowstone River Preliminary Engineering Report, or PER, is a planning effort to look at whether bringing treated water to this area is logical for the people who live here.

Lets start with the biggest question: What the project is and is not. Sometimes it is easier to start with what it isnt. The PER is not construction, a rate hike, or a promise of anything. It is a study to answer one basic question: do the people of this area need a more reliable long-term drinking water solution?

Whats the Concern?

For years, some wells in the East Yellowstone area have struggled with reliability and naturally occurring contaminants, including elevated manganese levels in certain locations.

While manganese is a natural occurring mineral found in soil and groundwater, elevated levels in drinking water can pose health concerns over long periods of exposure. High manganese concentrations have been associated with impacts to the nervous system, particularly in infants and young children. It can also cause taste, staining, and discoloration issues in household water.

In addition, the Valley View Water Users Association is currently out of compliance with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) because the system is operating with only one functioning well. State regulations require public water systems to maintain backup capacity to ensure reliable service.

Without a second well, the system does not meet redundancy requirements. If the single working well were to fail, families could be without water for an extended period of time.

This is not just an inconvenience - it is both a regulatory issue and a public health concern.

This study asks whether connecting to a treated, monitored public water source would provide more reliability and peace of mind to the area.

Why It Matters

Safe and reliable drinking water is foundational to public health, property values, and long-term economic stability. Rural water systems do not have room for failure. When infrastructure breaks down, costs increase quickly and options become limited.

This issue does not affect only individual households. Rau Elementary School, a school serving roughly 70 students, relies on the same water supply. Ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable drinking water is especially critical in facilities serving children. Elevated manganese levels and system reliability concerns are not abstract regulatory issues; they directly impact students, staff, and the families who depend on that school every day.

Planning Before

The Crisis

Rather than wait for a breakdown, enforcement action, or a situation that disrupts service to homes and a public school, Richland County has taken a proactive approach.

The county successfully leveraged a $180,000 WIIN grant from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) evaluating long-term solutions. Securing this federal funding significantly reduced the burden on local taxpayers while allowing the County to carefully study options before making decisions.

This approach reflects the same philosophy county commissioners have applied in other areas of the county.

In 2018, a Sidney-Circle subdivision project helped a neighborhood of 54 water users regain compliance when their water and wastewater systems were inadequate and failing. The Richland County Commissioners also allocated funding in 2022 to improve the Savage School water system due to longstanding unsafe water quality issues.

In each case, the commissioners chose to invest early, improving infrastructure before small issues became larger, more expensive problems.

The East Yellowstone PER is a study providing the area with an understanding of options before more wells fail or water quality becomes a larger and more costly issue. It gives the community real numbers and information allowing landowners and decision makers to weigh the pros and cons clearly.

The PER is a compilation of facts and data that guide the decisions about future planning to preserve property values and Richland Countys way of life. Open House
PLENTYWOOD  Sheridan Memorial Hospital is entering a new chapter, unveiling a new brand and digital assets that reflect the quality, compassion and expertise behind its care. This includes the launch of new videos highlighting service lines and caregivers, and a redesigned hospital website focused on patient access. In addition to this, the nursing home received a recent designation as one of only seven "High Performing" long-term care facilities in Montana by U.S. News & World Report.

The new video series gives patients and families an inside look at the people, programs and technology that make Sheridan Memorial Hospital a trusted health care partner. Each video reflects the hospital's commitment to transparency, education and community connection.

To further serve patients where they are, the hospital unveiled a redesigned website (https://www.sheridanmemorial.net/). Built to reflect the same thoughtful, patient-centered approach found throughout the hospital, the new site improves navigation for key services, offers clearer pathways to patient resources and health information, and provides optimized mobile performance for residents accessing care information on the go.

In addition to digital achievements, Sheridan Memorial Hospital's long-term care facility earned a "High Performing" designation from U.S. News & World Report - ranking among the top 7 out of 60 nursing homes in Montana assessed for quality of care, staffing, health outcomes and resident experience. This recognition reflects the dedication of the long-term care team to support residents with dignity, safety and compassion. Visit U.S. News & World Report's website at https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/mt to learn more.

"Our team's focus on quality, innovation and patient experience continues to show impact," said Kody Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Sheridan Memorial Hospital. "From how we care for patients to how we connect and share our story these milestones reinforce our commitment to be the health care partner our community deserves."

Sheridan Memorial Hospital remains focused on advancing care, strengthening patient access and recognizing staff contributions. Additional initiatives are underway to build on this momentum and expand services that support health and well-being across the region.

For generations, Sheridan Memorial has been here for our community - and it shows. We combine innovation, expertise and trusted partnerships to bring advanced care to our patients, all with the personalized attention only a hometown team can provide. We're proud to deliver quality healthcare while honoring the unique spirit of our rural home.

For more information about services, providers and resources, visit https://www.sheridanmemorial.net/.
Sidney  Chanelle Hayden has recently been promoted to Cash Management Specialist for Stockman Bank.

Her responsibilities include providing assistance to customers and continuing development of Stockman Banks eBiz/cash management online banking services which are designed to assist businesses in managing their funds more effectively.

Hayden has been with Stockman Bank since 2014, starting as a teller before taking on roles as receptionist, Customer Service Representative and Teller Supervisor. She most recently served as Operations Officer. Her experience in the Sidney market will be a continued asset to Stockman Bank and the community. Hayden is located at 301 W Holly and can be reached at 406-433-8620.

Ciara Wick has been promoted to Customer Service Representative Supervisor. Her responsibilities include assisting customers and overseeing the delivery of new account services, cash management and client support, and training CSR staff to promote the highest level of customer service.

Wick joined Stockman Bank in 2023 as a receptionist and was later promoted to Customer Service Representative in January 2025. Her experience in the Sidney market will be a continued asset to Stockman Bank and the community. Wick is located at 301 W Holly and can be reached at 406-433-8619.

Julie Torgerson has been promoted to Teller Supervisor. Her responsibilities include overseeing tellers, maintaining and developing customer relationships, assisting customers with their financial needs and providing quality customer service. Torgersons experience in the Sidney market will be a continued asset to Stockman Bank and the community. Torgerson is located at 301 W Holly and can be reached at 406-433-8600.

Stockman Bank is Montanas largest, family-owned community bank, with 35 full-service locations across the state. Founded in 1953, Stockman is uniquely focused on Montana, with comprehensive banking products and services, along with state-of-the-art online and mobile banking, wealth management and insurance services.

To learn more visit http://www.stockmanbank.com.
Funeral Services for Larry Dewhirst, 78, formerly of Watford City, ND, will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 2 P.M., at Watford City Assembly of God, Watford City, ND, with Pastor John Brady officiating. A luncheon will follow the burial at Watford City Assembly of God for a time of fellowship and sharing. Larry will be laid to rest at Schafer Cemetery, Watford City, ND. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel, Watford City, ND, and one hour prior to services at Watford City Assembly of God. A Family and Friends service will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 5 p.m. at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel, Watford City, ND. The service will be recorded and uploaded directly to Larry's obituary page on our website, http://www.fulkersons.com, as soon as it is available. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Watford City, ND, is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

An exemplary father, brother, husband, and friend, Larry Joseph Dewhirst, found eternal rest on March 9, 2026.

Larry was born on April 12, 1948, and grew up on a farm near Grassy Butte, ND, alongside his brothers Gary, Lynn, and Loren. He attended Watford City High School, graduated from NDSU in 1971, and went on to build a rewarding career in banking. As a loan officer at Farm Credit Services, he helped local farmers and ranchers access crucial funding. He went on to be named vice president of the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota and president of First International Bank and Trust, Williston, ND. Larry also served as president of the Mercy Hospital Foundation and chair of the Fort Union Association and Williston Area Economic Development.

However, his proudest achievement in life was his family, and he raised his children, Chad (Jenny), Janell (Ben), and Nathan (Heather), with steadfast devotion alongside his wife Patricia. Larry is also survived by four grandchildren whom he cherished, Brandon (31), Zach (22), Caden (10), and Caitlin (4).

In all things, Larry acted with kindness, humor, and generosity. His quick wit and characteristic warmth were his trademarks, and beloved by anyone who had the privilege of crossing his path. He found purpose in lending a hand to anyone in need, working hard, and bringing joy to others.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Winifred Dewhirst, and passed away surrounded by loved ones in Colorado.
(Updated 3-18-26): Mass of the Christian Burial for Margaret will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Sidney, MT with Fr. Jim O'Neil as presider. Wake services for Margaret are at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Sidney, MT. A luncheon will follow the burial at the Sidney Elks Lodge for a time of fellowship and sharing. Margaret will be laid to rest at the Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, MT. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 10am to 4pm at the funeral home and one hour before mass at the church. The service will be recorded and uploaded as soon as available on Margaret's obituary page on http://www.fulkersons.com. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney are assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Margaret (Stanich) Seitz was born January 10, 1932, to Mary and Phil Stanich in Butte, MT. She was proud of her Croatian heritage and the sacrifices her immigrant parents made for her brother Donald and herself. She spent her formative years in Butte, graduating from Butte High School in the Spring of 1949. Armed with a Merit Scholarship she then enrolled in the University of Montana. During her college summers, Margaret worked for trial lawyers, gaining a great deal of insight into the legal profession, graduating with a double major in Spanish and Political Science  International Relations from the University in the Spring of 1953. She had envisioned a career in the diplomatic corps and pursued her teaching credentials "just in case" an international position was not available. A little-known fact is that Margaret passed the Serbo-Croatian language qualifications to pursue a career with the CIA but, not yet 21, parental consent was required, and her father would not provide consent. Her curiosity for investigative stories on TV was a joy she shared with her grandchildren, who now carry on her tradition of curiosity and intuition.

In the fall of 1953, Margaret left Western Montana for the Eastern plains of Sidney to take a high school teaching role, believing this was a short-term assignment, until she could once again pursue the CIA. As fate would have it, the beginning of her second year she met Bill Seitz, a recently discharged Air Force lieutenant (and U of M alumni) and on July 30, 1955, they were married in Butte.

Margaret continued teaching until her growing family became the focus of her attention, yet throughout her life she maintained a deep affection for her former students, including her future brother-in-law, Jim Seitz. In 1961, Seitz Insurance Agency (FKA Carpenter-Seitz Agency) was established, and in 1964, their last child was born making them a family of 7. Margaret supported Bill in the insurance business, while raising her 5 children and volunteering for several state & community organizations.

Bill and Margaret had been married for 41 years. Bill passed away December 31, 1996, after a long and courageous battle with End Stage Renal Disease. We all thought how poignant it was that Bill passed away on New Year's Eve since he always loved a celebration of any kind. There was a void after Bill's death but Margaret "carried on" with her volunteer work and beloved flower garden & lilac hedges.

She was proud of the legacy Bill built with Seitz Insurance and deeply appreciated the dedication, care, and commitment of John, David, DeAnne, Donna, and the entire Seitz Insurance "family," whose efforts have meant so much to the agency.

Bill & Margaret graduated from the University of MT in 1952 & 1953 respectively. Margaret loved the Montana Grizzlies and was proud that she and Bill lead 4 future generations of "Griz". She had the distinct honor of participating in the 2014 U of M graduation ceremony; donning a special cap and gown as a distinguished alumnus sharing in a specialty moment with her granddaughter who was graduating from UM that year.

With her lifelong commitment to service, she served as Chairman of the Sidney School board and handed out diplomas to 4 of her 5 children throughout the years. She served on the Regional Council for Developmental Disabilities, District #2 Drug and Alcohol Program, Hospital Grift Shop and many other civic, & community and church activities.

In the Summer, the Seitz backyard pool was a gathering place which brought her great joy, watching family and friends, "little" and "big" kids alike enjoying the pool and freezer full of popsicles and ice cream bars.

Margaret knew the importance of touching people's lives with her impeccable words of wisdom and love through a simple, yet eloquently personalized Hallmark card. Her poetic words of encouragement were shared with many people in the community, but especially her family. There was not a holiday or special occasion that went unrecognized by her to express her genuine words of affirmation and love to each and every one of her 22 children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.

Margaret passed away on March 13,2026 surrounded by her family and the compassionate care of her SHC Nurses. She was lovingly cared for during her final days by her granddaughters, whose nursing skills and devotion brought great comfort and reassurance. A special thank you to Dorothy Johnson, her devoted nurse from Sidney Extended Care. Dorothy's compassion, patience, and care meant so much to Margaret and her family. Now reunited in heaven with "Papa Billy", her father, mother, and brother, Margaret's life is remembered as one rooted in faith, love and service.

Margaret leaves behind a loving family, including her five children: Danette Stephens of Parker, CO; DeAnne (Gary) Rauschendorfer of Sidney, MT; John (Tanya) Seitz of Sidney, MT; Donna (Trent) Wilson of Townsend, MT and David (Jodi) Seitz of Sidney, MT. Her life will be honored and treasured by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Danielle Seitz, Matt Rauschendorfer, Ashley Seitz, Lindsey Decker, Michael Rauschendorfer, Amanda Robinson, Hope Barker, Erica Stephens, Nikki Wilson, Cristian Seitz, Lilli Seitz, Landon Schumacker, Logan Schumacker, Winnie Rauschendorfer, McKenna Decker, Madison Decker, Livvy Gabrian and soon to be "baby" Robinson. She is also survived by her special California Seitz family, who shared a close and meaningful relationship with "Aunt Margaret".

There was only one love greater than the love of her family, and that was her Catholic faith. Margaret and Bill put God at the center of their life, giving them the foundation to get through the difficult times and celebrate the special blessings in life. Her unwavering faith, dedication to teaching, love for her family, and joy in sharing her passions leave a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

(Original Story): Margaret J. Seitz, 94, Sidney, MT, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Sidney Health Center, Sidney, MT, with her family at her side.

Mass of the Christian Burial for Margaret will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10 a.m., at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Sidney, MT, with Fr. Jim O'Neil as presider. A luncheon will follow the burial at the Sidney Elks Lodge for a time of fellowship and sharing. Margaret will be laid to rest at the Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, MT.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour before mass at the church. The service will be recorded and uploaded as soon as available on Margaret's obituary page on http://www.fulkersons.com.

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, are assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.
March 17, 2026

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 17.03.2026, 13:55

Budget. The 2026 state budget bill this morning reached the joint finance committees of Romanias two-chamber Parliament with amendments amounting to a change of one billion lei (the equivalent of about 200 million euros) to the figures laid down in the governments proposal, said the liberal prime minister Ilie Bolojan. The Social Democratic Party and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, both in the 4-party ruling coalition, as well as the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (a nationalist party in opposition) have stipulated additional funds for the so-called solidarity package, which includes support measures for pensioners with low incomes and for children with disabilities or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The funding sources identified by the Social Democrats are an increase in fuel prices and the recovery of the debts owed by companies to the budget. Liberals say that these are virtual sources, and the Ministry of Finance insists that community funds be used, so as not to jeopardise the reduction of the budget deficit, one of the highest in the European Union.

OECD. Romania may receive the invitation to join the OECD this summer, in June, before the Council meeting, said the Secretary General of the organisation, Mathias Cormann in Bucharest, stressing that, in recent decades, Romania has had strong growth, and in terms of convergence with OECD standards related to income and living standards, it has had very good results. Mathias Cormann attended on Monday the launch of an economic study dedicated to Romania carried out by the OECD, which offers important recommendations for reforms in the fiscal and budgetary fields, for the labour market and for increasing the competitiveness of the economy.

Iran. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Romania is not a protagonist in the conflict in the Middle East and that the priority of the authorities in Bucharest is the diplomatic effort to deescalate. The 2006 bilateral access agreement provides the US with the guaranteed legal framework to use military bases in Romania on a continuous basis, the ministry stated. Previously, Iran had warned Romania that it could be politically and legally liable after allowing the United States to use bases on its territory for operations against Iran.

Oscar. Director Natalie Musteata, the winner of an Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film this year with the film Two People Exchanging Saliva, will open the American Independent Film Festival to be held in Bucharest, from June 5-7. The first Romanian-born filmmaker to win an Oscar, she will take to the festival stage in an open talk about the experiences that changed her personal and professional life, as well as the path that led her to the Oscar. (CM)
Romania and the Middle East conflict

Romania is not a party to the conflict pitting Iran against the United States and Israel, Bucharest says

Source: facebook.com/mapn.ro

Stefan Stoica, 17.03.2026, 14:00

The Romanian Foreign Ministry responded promptly to warnings issued on Monday by the Iranian side, stating that Romania is not part of the Middle East conflict and that the priority of the Romanian authorities remains the diplomatic effort toward de-escalation.

Iran had warned Romania that it could respond politically and legally after the country allowed the United States to use bases on its territory for operations against Iran. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that, if Romania places its bases at the disposal of the United States, this would be tantamount to participating in military aggression against Iran. In his view, such a move would be unacceptable under international law and would imply international responsibility for Romania.

While veteran diplomats argue that Romania does not have to account for its relations with allies, some of whom are strategic partners, such as the United States, the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest explained that the 2006 bilateral access agreement provides the USA with a guaranteed legal framework to use military bases in Romania on a continuous basis.

The Ministry recalls that, for over ten years, Romania has hosted missile defense capabilities against threats from outside the Euro-Atlantic area. The system located in southern Romania is strictly defensive in nature and is utilized solely for self-defense purposes, in accordance with the UN Charter.

On the other hand, Romanian diplomacy condemns the completely unwarranted attacks by Iran against states in the Gulf and, in this context, thanks the latter for protecting Romanian citizens present in those countries. The Foreign Ministry further stated that they call on Iran to cease these attacks, which endanger human lives and lead to the degradation of global security and the economy.

The Iranian sides outcry follows the Romanian Parliaments approval last week of the Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) decision regarding the temporary deployment of American defensive equipment and military forces to Romania in the context of the Middle East crisis. This occurred despite alarmist protests from the populist and ultra-nationalist opposition, which is attempting to induce fear of an involvement in war.

According to the Councils decision, the deployment will include refueling aircraft, monitoring equipment and satellite communication equipment. These American forces and equipment, comprising approximately 400 to 500 military personnel, will be stationed at two military bases, one near the Black Sea and one in the center of the country.

In Brussels, EU Foreign Ministers, including the Romanian top diplomat, Oana Toiu, expressed their concern regarding Irans escalatory actions and their effects both regionally and globally. The EUs priority remains the safety of European citizens and the protection of civilians. To date, with EU support, 89 flights have been operated, including five evacuation flights requested by Romania and Poland. (VP)
COLOMBO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has introduced a weekly holiday on Wednesdays for public sector employees starting March 18 as authorities seek to manage the country's limited fuel supplies.

Under the measures announced by the Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, all government schools, universities and courts will also observe the weekly Wednesday closure. However, the directive will not apply to essential sectors such as healthcare, ports, water supply and customs operations.

The commissioner general stated that the heads of government institutions will retain the authority to summon employees for duty on the remaining four working days of the week, depending on operational requirements.

In a related measure, all government events have been suspended until further notice in response to the fuel situation, according to the announcement. The government has also requested private sector institutions to adopt similar arrangements where possible. 
Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (OTLK) announced it has entered into a new $18.4 million non-convertible note financing and amended its existing convertible note agreements, bolstering its cash position as the company advances commercialization of its ophthalmic therapy LYTENAVA.

The financing provides additional runway to support European launches, regulatory activities in the U.S., and continued pipeline development. Management noted that the transaction strengthens liquidity at a pivotal time, as Outlook shifts from a purely clinical-stage biotech into a revenue-generating company.

The company expects to receive $17 million in net proceeds, after original issue discount, leaving approximately $10.8 millions of principal and interest remaining on the existing note. The new note bears interest at a rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 3%, subject to a minimum of 9.5% per annum, and matures on June 16, 2027.

LYTENAVA is an ophthalmic formulation of bevacizumab approved in Europe and the UK for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Outlook is pursuing U.S. approval, having requested a Type A meeting with the FDA following a Complete Response Letter issued in December 2025, which cited manufacturing and inspection deficiencies rather than clinical efficacy concerns. The company has conducted an informal meeting with the FDA to discuss the CRL.

OTLK has traded between $0.34 and $3.39 over the past year. During Monday's trading session, the stock touched a new 52-week low of $0.34 before closing at $0.35, down 10.69%. In overnight trading, the shares rebounded to $0.41, up 16%.

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Business News
The New Zealand dollar weakened against most major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday, due to the possibility of an extended war in the Middle East.

Several U.S. allies, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia and Japan have declined President Donald Trump's request to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for a fifth of global energy shipments. The U.K. and France said they are willing to discuss options.

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Forex News
German stocks are turning in a mixed performance on Tuesday as oil prices climbed higher amid an escalation in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East following reports of fresh attacks by Iran on the United Arab Emirates that targeted Dubai's international airport and the Fujairah oil port.

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Western allies for rebuffing his request to send warships to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Market Analysis
General Mills Inc. (GIS), on Tuesday, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Brazil to 3coracoes, as part of its portfolio reshaping strategy.

The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026 and the financial terms were not disclosed.

The transaction includes local brands such as Yoki and Kitano.

The company said the divestiture aligns with its Accelerate strategy to drive long-term profitable growth, improve operating margins, and sharpen focus on key global platforms, including super-premium ice cream, Mexican food, snack bars, and pet food.

The Brazil business generated approximately $350 million in net sales in fiscal 2025 and includes supply chain facilities in Pouso Alegre and Campo Novo do Parecis.

In the pre-market trading, General Mills is 0.35% higher at $39.13 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Business News
A group of Western leaders have condemned the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and called on both parties to start talks for a "sustainable political solution".

The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom issued a statement Monday, calling on Hezbollah to stop attacking Israel, targeting civilians, and disarm. They condemned Hezbollah's decision to join Iran in hostilities, which further jeopardizes regional peace and security.

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Business News
Reliance Industries [RS] has signed a $3 billion long-term green ammonia supply agreement with Samsung C&T Corporation. This marks one of the world's largest green ammonia offtake deals and a major step in Reliance's clean energy expansion.

The binding agreement runs for 15 years, with supplies scheduled to begin in the second half of fiscal 2029. The deal is expected to support Reliance's growing New Energy platform, which includes renewable power, battery storage, green hydrogen, and downstream green fuel production.

Anant Ambani stated that the partnership supports India's clean-energy ambitions by linking renewable resources with domestic manufacturing capabilities to produce value-added chemicals at scale. The agreement will help expand Reliance's green hydrogen ecosystem and gigafactory network.

Production for the contract will be supported by Reliance's Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar, a 5,000-acre manufacturing hub designed for solar modules, batteries, electrolyzers, and fuel cells under a Make-in-India strategy.

The agreement also aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030 and aims to establish India as a major exporter of green fuels.

Reliance, chaired by Mukesh Ambani, said the contract provides long-term revenue visibility for its new energy as the company works toward its target of net carbon neutrality by 2035.

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Business News
By Alimat Aliyeva

Vietnam officially inaugurated the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) on March 13 with the participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The project was developed with official development assistance (ODA) from Japan, highlighting the growing technological cooperation between the two countries, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The new facility covers nine hectares and required a total investment of about VND 7,000 billion ($266 million). The complex includes a mission operations center, a satellite data processing and application center, a research and development facility, and a ground station equipped with a 9.3-meter satellite antenna. It also houses a training center dedicated to developing highly skilled specialists for Vietnams emerging space industry.

The main objective of the Vietnam National Space Center is to establish the infrastructure needed for technology transfer related to Earth observation satellites while simultaneously building a strong domestic workforce in space science and engineering. The center will also play an important role in improving Vietnams capabilities in disaster monitoring, climate change response, natural resource management, and environmental observation.

During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam aims to reach a moderately advanced level in space science and technology in Southeast Asia by 2030. After 2030, the country plans to strengthen its technological independence in satellite development and space research.

The Prime Minister also called for the launch of the LOTUSat?1 satellite by late 2027. The 600-kilogram Earth observation satellite was jointly developed by Vietnam and Japan and was initially scheduled for launch in 2025. However, the mission was delayed following issues with the Epsilon?S rocket developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

In addition, the Prime Minister encouraged Vietnamese and Japanese universities, research institutes, and private companies to expand cooperation in the space sector. According to him, the Vietnamese government will continue supporting the industry through favorable policies, education programs, and financial incentives.

Experts note that the new space center could become a key hub for satellite technology in Southeast Asia, helping Vietnam not only monitor natural disasters such as typhoons and floods more effectively, but also contribute to regional scientific research and international space missions in the future.
WELLINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has highlighted the Middle East conflict's impact on global supply chains at a Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership meeting.

"We see an opportunity for FIT partners to signal a joint commitment to maintaining open and resilient supply chains, working together to share real-time information and coordinating joint responses when supply chains are disrupted," McClay was quoted as saying in a government statement on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was convened virtually on Monday night, endorsed a ministerial declaration on strengthening the rules-based trading system.

"Measures like export restrictions and stockpiling on a large-scale basis can unnecessarily worsen the economic impacts," McClay said, noting it was in the mutual interest of FIT partners to keep trade lines open, including via air and sea freight, to ensure the flow of fuel and other essential goods.

The minister described the meeting as an opportunity for New Zealand to discuss the risks of global supply disruption and raise issues like fuel supply chain challenges with other small- and medium trade-dependent countries.

FIT was launched in September 2025 with 16 small- and medium-sized trade-dependent countries. New Zealand will host the next FIT ministerial meeting in Auckland in July 2026. 
Debris is seen around destroyed buildings after an airstrike launched on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL/ISLAMABAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting a drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government, said in a statement posted on the social media platform X that the airstrike, launched at around 9:00 p.m. local time on Monday, struck the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul.

The hospital, a 2,000-bed facility dedicated to the treatment of drug addiction patients, was largely destroyed in the attack, Fitrat said, warning that the number of casualties could further rise.

According to the official, the airstrike triggered a large fire at the hospital. Rescue teams are working to control the fire and recover the remaining bodies of the victims.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Pakistan security forces precisely targeted technical equipment storage and ammunition storage in Kabul and Nangarhar province of Afghanistan that were used against Pakistani people, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have sharply escalated since clashes erupted along their border late last month. Scores of people from both sides have been killed and injured, according to Afghan and Pakistani officials. 

Debris is seen around destroyed buildings after an airstrike launched on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Debris is seen around destroyed buildings after an airstrike launched on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows the damaged Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Zhang Yibin)

This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows the damaged Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Zhang Yibin)

This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows the damaged Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Zhang Yibin)

Emergency personnel work at the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Zhang Yibin)

This photo taken on March 17, 2026 shows the damaged Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan's air force carried out an airstrike late Monday night targeting the drug addiction treatment hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring around 250 others, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan on Monday refuted the Afghan government's claim, saying the country targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Afghanistan. (Xinhua/Zhang Yibin)
BERLIN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- The German government plans a massive expansion of data center capacity to avoid falling behind in the global technology race, a minister said on Tuesday.

Germany's data center performance is to be at least doubled by 2030 compared to 2025 levels, while capacities for artificial intelligence (AI) are to be increased at least fourfold, according to Karsten Wildberger, the country's minister for digital affairs and state modernization.

"When you look at this on an international scale, we certainly have a lot of catching up to do," Wildberger said.

The targets are outlined in a policy paper from the ministry for digital affairs and state modernization, which is set to be adopted by the cabinet on Wednesday, according to German news agency dpa. "With this, we want to stay in the race to continue leading in Europe, but also to remain very attractive internationally," Wildberger said.

The ministry has also drawn up a package of 28 measures aimed at establishing Germany as a leading, sovereign data hub in Europe.

Wildberger said the measures included levying business taxes on data centers where they are located rather than where the operating company is registered, streamlining planning and approval processes for new facilities, and moving data centers towards full use of renewable energy.

The strategy also seeks to reduce dependence on non-European hyperscalers, with new capacity to be built preferably by German and European companies. A flagship project is support for the construction of at least one commercial "AI gigafactory" in Germany through a public-private consortium under European leadership. 
Paleontologists have described a new species of enigmatic cyclidan crustacean on the basis of three well-preserved specimens from the Early Triassic Guiyang biota of China.

Cyclidans are a distinctive group of arthropods that first appeared in the Carboniferous period and survived until the Late Cretaceous.

Their fossil record is sparse, and most finds preserve only the animals carapaces (hard shells), leaving many aspects of their anatomy poorly understood.

Cyclida is an order of arthropods in the Guiyang biota, said Dr. Xiaoyuan Sun from the China University of Geosciences and his colleagues from China and the United States.

As an enigmatic and specialized group of crustaceans, they originated in the Mississippian (359 to 323 million years ago) and became extinct in the Late Cretaceous Maastrichtian (73 to 66 million years ago).

They are classified as Crustacea on the basis of the possession of features such as antennules, antennae, mandibles, maxillae and maxillipeds.

However, our knowledge of cyclidan crustaceans is very limited due to their rarity in the fossil record.

Usually, only the hard carapaces are preserved, while their antennules and appendages are extremely rare.

The new cyclidan species lived during the Late Dienerian age of the Early Triassic, about 251 million years ago.

Named Yunnanocyclus fortis, it is described on the basis of three specimens from the Daye Formation in Chinas Guizhou province.

The fossils show an oval carapace with a narrow, smooth marginal rim, along with antennules, antennae and seven pairs of thoracic segments.

Most notably, the specimens preserve a pair of strongly developed mandibles  a feature almost never seen in cyclidan fossils.

The carapace in the holotype specimen measures about 19.8 mm long and 14.7 mm wide, while the mandibles are about 1.7 mm long and 0.8 mm wide.

Using micro-X-ray fluorescence analysis, the paleontologists detected high concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the mandibles and other structures, indicating that they were thick and strongly mineralized.

Yunnanocyclus fortis had strongly ovoid mandibles, they said.

The discovery expands the known geographic range of Early Triassic cyclidans.

Previously, fossils from this time period had been documented mainly in Madagascar and parts of Europe.

The new species represents the oldest cyclidan record from the eastern Tethys region.

Our discovery of new species from China expands the known paleogeographic distribution of Early Triassic cyclidans, the researchers said.

Early Triassic cyclidans are most widely distributed in Madagascar, Europe and China.

By the Late Triassic, they were recorded only in Europe.

The fossils also shed light on how these enigmatic animals evolved through deep time.

By analyzing morphological data from Yunnanocyclus fortis and other cyclidan species, the scientists reconstructed the groups morphospace, a method used to examine the diversity of body forms.

The results suggest that cyclidans experienced their greatest diversification early in their history, during the Carboniferous period, followed by a gradual decline in disparity through later eras.

This pattern supports what evolutionary biologists call the early burst model, in which a group rapidly diversifies soon after it appears and then undergoes slower evolutionary change afterward.

The findings also contribute to understanding ecosystems in the wake of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, which eliminated more than 80% of marine species.

Fossil discoveries from the Guiyang biota and other Early Triassic sites suggest that complex marine communities may have re-established earlier than once thought.

By revealing new anatomical details and extending the geographic record of cyclidans, Yunnanocyclus fortis offers another glimpse into the recovery and evolution of marine life during one of the most turbulent intervals in Earths history.

With the addition of a new species and a revision of the Triassic paleogeography of Cyclida in terms of age, we find that Early Triassic cyclidans were the most widely distributed, with a gradual decrease in distribution thereafter, the authors concluded.

This phenomenon is similar to the global distributed ammonoid and other marine invertebrate species in the Early Triassic, and may be related to the decreased environmental gradients in different latitudinal zones after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction.

The discovery of Yunnanocyclus fortis is reported in a paper in the journal Papers in Palaeontology.

_____

Xiaoyuan Sun et al. 2025. A new Induan (Early Triassic, Dienerian) cyclidan crustacean from the Guiyang biota. Papers in Palaeontology 11 (6): e70052; doi: 10.1002/spp2.70052
BERLIN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Multiple European nations and the European Union (EU) on Monday voiced reluctance or outright opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's call for a military mission to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stressing the need for diplomatic solutions and warning against further regional escalation, European leaders underscored that the current conflict should not evolve into a NATO mission or draw the continent into a broader war.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ruled out any military involvement in protecting oil tankers in the strait, emphasizing that NATO is a "defense alliance" rather than an "intervention alliance."

Merz said Germany will not participate in military measures to ensure freedom of navigation as long as the conflict continues, adding that no viable concept for such an operation has been presented so far.

His remarks were echoed in Brussels by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas stated the bloc has no appetite for expanding its existing naval mission "Aspides" to the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are working on the diplomatic solutions for the Strait of Hormuz," she said, adding, "This is not Europe's war."

In Southern Europe, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said Portugal "is not and will not be involved in this conflict."

Rangel also dismissed threats from the Trump administration regarding NATO members unwilling to back Washington, saying they deserved "absolutely no reaction."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed doubts, noting that existing missions like "Aspides" and "Atalanta" are primarily designed for defensive escort and anti-piracy operations, making their extension to the high-risk Strait of Hormuz difficult.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London is working with allies on a "viable plan" to restore navigation but clarified that it "won't be and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission."

The cautious stance comes amid visible friction with Washington. Trump recently criticized Britain in a Financial Times interview, claiming London "didn't want to come" when first asked for help and only offered ships after the "danger capacity" was reduced.

In Northern and Eastern Europe, limited resources and strategic priorities played a major role in the refusals. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Finland has "hardly any additional resources" and that the strait is not a "top priority."

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson similarly said Sweden's strategic focus remains on northern areas.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed that Poland has "no plans" to participate, and Bulgaria's Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Nadezhda Neynski said her country lacks the capacity for such a mission.

Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has confirmed that the Netherlands is not currently considering participating.

"At the moment, any mission in the Strait of Hormuz will need an ease in tensions in the region," Jetten said during his visit to Berlin on Monday.

Analysts say U.S. pressure may be aimed at pushing European allies toward greater involvement. Markku Kangaspuro, research director at the Aleksanteri Institute of the University of Helsinki, questioned whether NATO countries should enter a war "the United States and Israel launched illegally."

Noting that this is the first time Washington had sought to involve NATO countries in the war with Iran, Kangaspuro said it suggests that the United States launched the war without sufficient consideration. "The repercussions were not evaluated enough," he said. 
MILAN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Ecological and Environmental Code could open new opportunities for international dialogue and mutual learning, an Italian expert on environmental policy has said.

"The new code should be understood as the start of a more ambitious and systemic approach to environmental matters," Daniele Brombal, a researcher on environmental humanities at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, said in a written interview with Xinhua.

Brombal said that China, Europe and international organizations such as the United Nations have long maintained fruitful exchanges in regulatory and policy tools. In this context, China's Ecological and Environmental Code offers new opportunities for dialogue and mutual learning within the international community.

"It surely has potential in this respect," Brombal said. "In times of geopolitical instability and raging wars, we should seize every opportunity to renew and sustain this commitment at the global level."

Brombal noted that China has long been working toward the institutionalization of environmental governance. Countries around the world often face similar challenges in environmental governance, which requires balancing economic interests, social needs and environmental goals, he added.

"It is a significant step towards systematizing the wide array of environmental laws and regulations enacted in China over recent decades," he said.

Brombal also highlighted that one of the most notable features of the code is its potential to address the "triple crisis" of environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss in a more integrated and systemic manner.

"These issues are closely intertwined, and designing a comprehensive legal code may constitute a significant step forward in this respect," he said. 
HELSINKI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday that the government will move forward with a bill to remove legal restrictions on nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters at parliament, Orpo said the bill will not be sent back for an all-party preparatory process, as demanded by the opposition, the Social Democratic Party.

Nonetheless, Orpo said he will convene an all-party discussion next week, and is preparing a declaration on nuclear weapons, to be attached as an appendix to the government's upcoming foreign and security policy report.

The declaration will affirm that Finland will not become a nuclear-weapon state, that nuclear weapons will not be stationed in Finland during peacetime, and that they will not be transported through Finnish territory during NATO exercises, Orpo said.

Orpo proposed the declaration after a political dispute erupted over the government's plan to amend Finnish legislation in order to align it with NATO's deterrence and defense policy.

The Finnish government announced on March 5 that it would seek to amend the Nuclear Energy Act and the Criminal Code to remove the blanket ban, in place since the 1980s, on the import of nuclear devices and their transport, supply and possession in Finland.

Under the proposed changes, such activities will be permitted in the context of Finland's national defense, NATO's collective defense, or other defense cooperation.

The issue drew heightened attention after Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said two weeks ago that the government intended to press ahead with the legislative changes, as opposition parties said the government had broken with Finland's long-standing practice of broad consultation on major security policy decisions.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the draft amendments are now under public consultation, with comments due by April 2, as the government seeks to move the changes forward as soon as possible. Finland joined NATO in 2023 as the alliance's 31st member state. 
London's FTSE 100 pushed higher for the second day on Tuesday, along with European and US markets, despite another rise in oil prices, with gains in the heavyweight banking sector providing a lift.

The Footsie finished 0.8% higher at 10,403.60, settling above the 10,400 mark for the first time in a week.

Axel Rudolph, senior technical analyst at IG, attributed the gains to falling bond yields the yield on a 10-year US Treasury was down 2.4 basis points at 4.20%  its second straight decline after hitting a two-month high last Friday.

Despite the oil price hovering around the $100 mark and US gasoline futures hitting their highest level since July 2022, stock indices extended Monday's gains while yields fell for a second straight day. Investors, alongside several major US bank analysts, seem to be growing more confident that the Iran war will soon end and that the energy shock won't lead to stagflation," Rudolph said.

Brent was 1.7% higher at $101.93 a barrel by the close as investors reacted to Iran's attacks on oil and gas facilities and ongoing trade disruptions along the key Strait of Hormuz.

The United Arab Emirates said a drone struck the large Shah natural gas field on Monday and set it on fire, with operations still suspended, while a damage assessment was carried out. An oilfield in Iraq, Majnoon, and the UAEs biggest port and oil storage facility, Fujairah, were also hit by Iranian drones and missiles.

In other news, there was a less than enthusiastic global response to US President Donald Trumps demands for allied assistance to protect shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. European countries on Monday ruled out sending warships to the vital strait, through which 20% of the worlds oil is shipped, despite threats from Trump that the Nato alliance of nations faced a very bad future if members fail to provide assistance.

Meanwhile Iran and Iraq were reportedly holding talks about allowing transit of Iraqs oil tankers through Hormuz, Iraqs oil minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani was quoted as saying by the countrys state-run news agency.

Banks, BT Group in the black

Banks were among the gainers, with heavyweights Standard Chartered, HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest all trading higher.

BT Group rose after Ofcom said the door was open to the gradual deregulation of Openreach, but only if competition takes root.

On the FTSE 250, Raspberry Pi rocketed higher after Hedgeye Risk Asset Management recommended buying shares of the maker of high-performance, low-cost single-board computers.

Trustpilot also surged as the customer feedback platform reported full-year profits ahead of expectations as both bookings and revenues grew and margins expanded. Trustpilot said operating profits had skyrocketed 320% to $16m in FY25.

Builders merchant Travis Perkins rose even as it warned of subdued market conditions and said it swung to an annual loss, while sector peer Wickes gained as it reported a jump in annual profits and announced a 10m share buyback.

On the downside, Close Brothers was under pressure again as it reported a narrowing of its first-half losses and said it was planning to cut around 600 jobs by the end of financial 2027 as it accelerates its cost-cutting programme. Shares in the company tumbled late on Monday after Viceroy Research said in a note that it had "systematically misrepresented" its exposure to the car finance scandal.
Harworth Group reported a lower total accounting return for 2025 on Tuesday, as reduced value gains and residential market weakness weighed on performance, although the regeneration and development group continued to grow its industrial and logistics portfolio and increase net asset value.

The FTSE 250 company posted a total accounting return of 1.7% for the year ended 31 December, down from 9.1% in 2024, as value gains fell to 44.5m from 97.2m.

Operating profit declined sharply to 21.6m from 74.6m, while total property sales dropped 46.7% to 115.0m and residential plot sales fell 23% to 1,837.

Net debt rose to 145.9m from 46.7m, lifting the loan-to-value ratio to 15.6% from 5.4%.

Despite that, the group increased its portfolio value by 9.1% to 937.2m and grew EPRA net disposal value to 727.3m, with EPRA NDV per share edging up to 224.4p.

Net asset value rose 1.1% to 699.0m, while net assets per share increased to 215.6p. The total dividend per share was raised 10% to 1.775p.

Harworth delivered a total property return of 8.4%, outperforming the MSCI UK Annual Property Indexs 5.6%, supported by continued momentum in its industrial and logistics segment, which now represented 70% of portfolio value, up from 63% a year earlier.

The investment portfolio was valued at 305.0m, with vacancy reduced to 1.0% from 5.6% following strong leasing activity.

The group completed 47.7m of investment portfolio sales and 1.4m square feet of leasing, including 379,000 square feet of new leases, adding 3.7m in rent, with like-for-like rents rising 10.4%.

I am pleased with the performance of our teams and our operational execution throughout 2025, positioning the portfolio to realise future upside potential and delivering a total property return of 8.4%, outperforming the MSCI UK Annual Property Index of 5.6%, said chief executive Lynda Shillaw.

As we continue to execute our strategy and reposition the portfolio towards I&L, our long-term through-the-cycle model, management actions and disciplined approach to capital deployment remain essential to creating value for shareholders, including our 1bn of EPRA NDV ambition and high-single, low double-digit total accounting return target.

Value creation was reportedly driven by 73.6m of gains in industrial and logistics assets, partly offset by 28.7m of losses in residential major developments amid weaker housing market conditions.

Harworth continued to recycle capital through residential disposals, generating 52.0m of freehold sales and completing 1,837 plot transactions during the year.

The group also highlighted progress in developing a data centre and power-enabled land platform, with 0.8GW of power connections either conditionally secured or advancing through network operator pipelines, supporting potential near-term transactions.

Shillaw said Harworths land bank positions it to benefit from structural trends.

Harworth is at the intersection of some of the UK's most powerful trends, including data, advanced technologies, reindustrialisation and clean growth.

Land at scale, suitably zoned and power-enabled, is key to accessing emerging market opportunities such as data centres ... these represent significant progress towards both near and longer-term transactions that have the potential to deliver enhanced value gains and superior returns.

Looking ahead, the company pointed to a strong pipeline of industrial and logistics activity, with 1.6m square feet of potential deals under discussion and a land bank capable of delivering up to 35.0m square feet of space, 75% of which is consented or in the planning system.

While we are monitoring the conflict in the Middle East and its potential impact on the UK economy and our markets, we remain encouraged by a continued pipeline of strong interest across our I&L land and property portfolio of 1.6m square feet, Shillaw said.

She added that the board remained confident in the groups outlook, citing its positioning to unlock value to crystallise attractive medium-term opportunities and deliver attractive shareholder returns.

At 0945 GMT, shares in Harworth were down 2.5% at 167.7p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

See latest RNS on Investegate
https://www.investegate.co.uk/announcement/rns/travis-perkins--tpk/travis-perkins-plc-2025-results-announcement/9476999 Travis Perkins warned market conditions remained subdued on Tuesday, as it posted a slide in sales and saw losses balloon.

Revenues at the building materials distributor fell 0.9% in the year to 31 December, or by 0.3% on a like-for-like basis, to 4.6bn, with adjusted operating profits sliding 12.5% to 13.43m.

It swung to an operating loss of 97m, compared to a 2m profit a year previously, while pre-tax losses widened to 134.7m from 38.4m.

Driving the fall in revenues was weak trading in merchanting, Travis Perkins largest division, which has been hit hard by prolonged weakness in the UK construction sector. Revenues fell 1.7% over the year, to 3.7bn, although sales did pick up over the second half. In contrast, retail arm Toolstation saw revenues climb 2.7% to 843m.

The company was further hit by operational issues during the year as it transferred to a new IT system.

Looking to the current year and the FTSE 250 firm said the trading environment remained "subdued".

However, new chief executive Gavin Slack said: "We have made significant operational progress for the past year. We have a fully resourced senior management team in place, have successfully overcome the difficulties associated with implementing a new IT system and have taken action to reduce the administrative overheads in our central and regional teams.

"It is the strength of our balance sheet that now provides the necessary resilience and flexibility to underpin our competitiveness in what remains a challenging market backdrop for UK construction activity."

Industry veteran Slack, most recently chief executive of rival SIG, joined Travis Perkins in January. He replaced Pete Redfern, who stepped down a year ago due to ill health.

See latest RNS on Investegate
The worlds energy watchdog will consider releasing further emergency crude stocks into the global market to cool rising oil prices after warning that it will take time for markets to recover from the ongoing crisis in the strait of Hormuz. Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said its members continued to hold large reserves of emergency oil stocks even after agreeing to the biggest release of government crude in the history of the market, meaning more emergency oil reserves could still be released as and if needed.  Guardian

Rail passengers will be able to claim compensation for delayed trains directly from the website where they bought their ticket, the government has said, as part of a shake-up to make rail travel simpler. Passengers who use third-party retailers such as Trainline to buy tickets currently, have to submit applications for refunds to the relevant train operator for processing.  Guardian

Rachel Reeves will bank almost 3bn in extra tax revenues if the war in the Middle East leads to a sustained increase in oil and gas prices, new analysis shows. Soaring energy costs are likely to increase the corporation tax paid by North Sea firms by 1.5bn alone, according to Granville Park Partners.  Telegraph

Britains biggest car park operator has collapsed into administration, blaming a downturn in commuting and inner city shopping since the pandemic. National Car Parks (NCP), which runs 340 car parks across the UK, said 682 jobs were at risk after PwC was called in to try and save the business. It will keep sites open while the administrators assess its options for the future, including a potential sale or site closures.  Telegraph

Nvidia has said the revenue opportunity for its artificial intelligence chips could reach at least $1 trillion through 2027, as the company outlined a strategy to compete more aggressively in the fast-growing market for running AI systems in real time. Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive, unveiled a new central processor and an AI system built on technology from Groq  a chip start-up from which Nvidia licensed technology for $17 billion in December at its annual GTC developer conference in San Jose, California.  The Times

Companies House has apologised after admitting a security flaw that exposed the personal details of millions of directors and risked allowing unauthorised third parties to make bogus company filings began five months ago. The UKs corporate registry said the issue with its online filing system meant peoples dates of birth, residential addresses and company email addresses may have been visible to third-party users. It admitted it may also have been possible that unauthorised filings  such as accounts or changes of director  to have been made on another companys record.  The Times
MEXICO CITY, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Monday his country will propose the continuation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on free trade and the elimination of tariffs when he meets with U.S. officials for the first round of bilateral discussions ahead of the trade treaty's review.

In a message posted on social media, Ebrard outlined a plan approved by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for the start of bilateral talks, set to begin Tuesday via Zoom, followed by a round of discussions on Wednesday.

"Mexico will propose the continuation of the USMCA and the elimination of tariffs. A cool head and firmness will guide us," the minister said, without providing further details.

The free trade deal between the three North American trade partners is up for review this year, as stipulated in the agreement. 
Londons FTSE 100 was 1% higher at 10,418.46 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.

With nearly all the action taking place on the FTSE 250, there wasnt a whole lot to write about for the top-flight index.

Banks were among the gainers, with Standard Chartered and NatWest both up.

BT Group gained after Ofcom said the door was open to the gradual deregulation of Openreach, but only if competition takes root.

Segro was trading higher for the second day in a row, having gained on Monday after saying it will develop a UK data centre for an existing client as part of its ongoing push into the booming sector. Segro said it has signed an agreement to develop a powered shell data centre on the Slough Trading Estate, Europes largest hub of data centres.

Miners Antofagasta and Glencore were also in the black as copper prices rose.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,611.00p 3.94%

Airtel Africa (AAF) 371.40p 3.18%

BT Group (BT.A) 220.50p 2.84%

Glencore (GLEN) 530.30p 2.79%

3i Group (III) 3,012.00p 2.66%

SEGRO (SGRO) 761.80p 2.58%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 3,605.00p 2.56%

Intertek Group (ITRK) 3,744.00p 2.47%

Centrica (CNA) 213.50p 2.45%

NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 585.80p 2.41%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Compass Group (CPG) 2,271.00p -0.96%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 4,532.00p -0.53%

Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,235.00p -0.49%

GSK (GSK) 2,017.00p -0.30%

British American Tobacco (BATS) 4,561.00p -0.28%

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP) 7,600.00p -0.26%

Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT) 5,474.00p -0.15%

RELX FINANCE BV 3.375% GTD NTS 20/03/33 (BW73) 98.64p 0.00%

Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 37.03p 0.00%

Beazley (BEZ) 1,291.00p 0.00%
Germany, UK, France Say No to Trumps Plea for Ships in Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Trump blasts NATO, allies for not securing Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian attacks disrupt oil flow, spike global prices.

Europe refuses involvement, tensions rise.

President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO and European allies on March 17, 2026, after several rebuffed his urgent calls to deploy warships and help secure the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.

The vital waterway, through which about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas typically flows, has been effectively disrupted by Iranian drones, missiles, mines, and threats since the conflict escalated in late February. The blockade has driven oil prices higher, exacerbating economic pressures worldwide.

oil-dependent nations including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and even China join a coalition to escort tankers and reopen the strait. He warned that failure to assist would mean a very bad future for NATO, stating the alliance could face consequences if members did not step up. Trump expressed frustration, accusing allies of ingratitude after decades of US protection and support, saying some were not enthusiastic and that the US would remember their reluctance. In remarks at the White House and in interviews, Trump demanded that NATO members and otherincluding thejoin a coalition to escort tankers and reopen the strait. He warned that failure to assist would mean a very bad future for NATO, stating the alliance could face consequences if members did not step up. Trump expressed frustration, accusing allies of ingratitude after decades of US protection and support, saying some were not enthusiastic and that the US would remember their reluctance.

European responses were largely negative. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed the idea, noting the powerful US Navy could handle it alone and emphasizing, 'This is not our war-we have not started it'. Germany, Spain, and Italy ruled out sending ships, with officials stressing no NATO role in the conflict and no mandate for involvement. The European Union decided against expanding naval operations in the region. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be drawn into a wider war but was working with allies on reopening the strait without committing warships.

Trump claimed 'numerous countries' were responding positively and promised to announce details soon, while continuing to pressure holdouts. The standoff highlights growing transatlantic tensions as the war enters its third week, with no breakthrough on de-escalation and rising fears of prolonged energy disruptions.
Karnataka faces a temporary shortage of commercial LPG cylinders; domestic consumers largely unaffected.

Food & Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa urges calm, responsible usage, and alternative cooking methods for hotels.

Additional LPG shipments expected soon; essential services prioritized, with supply improvements already underway.

Karnataka is currently experiencing a temporary shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, prompting the states Food and Civil Supplies Minister, KH Muniyappa, to appeal to the public to remain calm and avoid unnecessary panic bookings. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Muniyappa emphasized that domestic consumers are not facing a major supply crisis and urged them to refrain from doubling their regular cylinder requests. When the situation is serious, we must learn to limit our consumption, he said, highlighting the need for responsible use during this period.



The minister also addressed concerns from the hospitality sector, suggesting that hotels and restaurants adopt alternative cooking methods while the shortage persists. Electric stoves can be used temporarily, and hotel owners have the option to switch, Muniyappa said. He reassured that essential services such as schools, hospitals, railway stations, government offices, and public canteens will continue to receive full LPG supply, and the state has coordinated with suppliers to ensure these priorities are met.



Officials reported that around 400,000 domestic cylinders were distributed on Saturday, with approximately 9,000 commercial cylinders supplied on Sunday. Normally, domestic cylinders are required once every 25 to 30 days, but panic-induced bookings in recent days have pushed demand higher. The review meeting focused on commercial LPG availability, which is crucial for hotels, restaurants, canteens, and LPG-run auto rickshaws. With Karnataka typically requiring about 44,000 commercial cylinders daily, only around 9,500 cylinders are currently available due to supply constraints, with essential services receiving roughly 4,200 and domestic consumption maintained at a similar level.

Also Read: Stove Kraft, TTK Prestige Shares Fall Amid LPG Supply Turmoil



Muniyappa expressed optimism that the shortage could ease soon, citing expected arrivals of additional LPG cargo ships. If we manage this for one week, the situation should improve significantly, he said, adding that the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been informed, and steps are being taken to stabilize supply. He noted that discussions with GAIL have already taken place and more shipments are anticipated, which should gradually meet the demand.



In recent days, the state has already seen improvements in supply. Between Thursday and Saturday, the distribution of domestic LPG cylinders increased by about 20%, with over 11 lakh domestic cylinders and nearly 21,000 commercial cylinders supplied across Karnataka. Daily figures indicate a steady rise: March 12 saw 3,52,921 domestic cylinders and 5,058 commercial cylinders distributed, rising to 4,02,363 domestic and 9,512 commercial cylinders by March 14. While hotels continue to face limited allocations, Muniyappa urged the public to exercise patience and use LPG judiciously until the situation fully stabilizes.



The message is clear: while the shortage affects certain sectors, domestic consumers and essential services remain largely unaffected, and relief is expected soon with incoming shipments. Responsible use and calm planning are the keys to navigating this temporary challenge.
Marmeto, widely recognized as one of Indias biggest names in the Shopify ecosystem, today announced a strategic evolution that marks the beginning of its next growth chapter. After more than eight years of facilitating commerce transformations, first as Indias first Shopify Plus Partner and later as Indias first Shopify Premier Partner, Marmeto is set to fully transition its focus toward building a suite of powerful business software products. While this transition moves them away from ecommerce technology-based services, it still keeps them firmly rooted in the Shopify ecosystem.

Having previously been at the helm of building successful products like Return Prime, now acquired by GoKwik and Recurpay, a highly rated and widely recognised Shopify subscription app, Marmeto aims to build smart products that help the ecommerce ecosystem, comprising both brands and partners function more efficiently.

Alongside this transition, a new independent services company, Autumn, led by former Marmetians will carry forward digital transformation services for merchants globally.

Marmeto has always supported entrepreneurial dreams. With many former Marmetians now functioning as founders, co-founders or in C-Suite roles in the ecommerce space, this move is yet another notch in Marmetos dream for their team. Autumn will be led by Anand Vardhan Lal, who previously served as Vice President at Marmeto, heading the companys business operations and client relationships and Deepak B, who previously served as Vice President Operations at Marmeto. It represents a proud milestone where individuals who built deep expertise in ecommerce and digital transformation at Marmeto are now carrying that experience forward to build ventures of their own. With Autumn, that experience now comes together to help enterprises navigate complex digital transformation journeys with greater clarity

While Autumns leadership includes individuals who previously worked at Marmeto, the organization will function independently with its own direction and vision.

For Marmeto, this next chapter is all about taking ecommerce product engineering excellence to the global stage by focusing entirely on building and expanding its suite of software products.

A legacy built in the Shopify ecosystem

Over the last eight years, Marmeto has played a pivotal role in the growth strategies of some of the biggest names in the ecommerce space. The company also helped elevate how merchants and partners view the Shopify ecosystem. As a leader with technical expertise, Marmetos name became synonymous with reliability, strong execution, and long-term partnership thinking.

Todays announcement reflects how Marmetos deep understanding of complex ecommerce challenges is now being translated into software products designed for long-term impact.

From the very beginning, Marmeto has always been a beacon for solving challenges that slow businesses down. Over the years, working closely with brands and partners, we were given a front row seat to understand where simplicity turns to complexity. With our focus now on products that solve many of these exact problems, our vision further expands to build not just dependable technology, but technology that performs where it matters most; in speed, clarity, and operations. says Shashwat Swaroop, CEO of Marmeto.

By focusing fully on building their suite of products, Marmeto aims to bring the same rigor, ecosystem understanding, and execution discipline that defined its Shopify services into a unified software suite that can support businesses globally.

The next phase: from services to a suite of products

As part of this strategic pivot, Marmeto will channel its full focus into building and expanding its thoughtfully designed suite of software products.

The companys product vision is clear: create powerful tools that remove operational friction for brands and partners. Built on years of hands-on commerce experience, Marmetos software suite is designed to address real-world challenges. Within this growing suite of products, several tools are already live and in active use while others are currently in advanced stages of beta testing. Together, these products aim to help businesses:

Streamline and unify critical commerce operations

Improve speed, efficiency, and decision-making across teams

Simplify complex business and technology workflows

Build scalable, future-ready digital infrastructure

Drive smarter, more confident business growth

The roadmap for our product suite is clear; they had to solve problems in the best way possible. That meant creating products that were structurally sound from the beginning, had clean architectures, predictable performance and gives solutions that businesses could depend on. says Prabhat, Co-Founder of Marmeto.

Industry observers note that companies with deep services experience often build the most practical software, because they understand market gaps at a granular level. Marmeto believes its years working in Shopify development uniquely position it to build solutions that truly matter, for brands and partners of all sizes.

Looking ahead: Marmetos future with their suite of products

As Marmeto enters this new phase, the companys ambition is expanding from building commerce infrastructure to building software that enables businesses to operate with greater clarity and efficiency.

Products like Recurpay, building predictable subscription revenue and streamlining recurring commerce operations within Shopify already serve more than 7500 merchants globally. With additional tools moving steadily from beta to full release, Marmeto is building a broader ecosystem of software products designed to support the next generation of brands and partners in the e-commerce space.

It's quite an exciting time to yet again build products that solve real-world problems but with this strategic shift, we are uniquely positioned at the crossroads of opportunity and operational complexity for many businesses, and that is exactly where we want to help. If we do that well, we are not just building products, we are helping unlock the next wave of commerce growth says Saurav, Co-Founder of Marmeto.

With its transition from Indias first Shopify Premier Partner to a product-led technology company, Marmeto is positioning itself for a larger role in shaping how brands and partners operate in an increasingly digital-first world.

For Marmeto, this moment represents the next step in an eight-year journey of building, learning, and evolving alongside the ecommerce ecosystem in India, now with an even larger vision to build globally relevant products from India.



Reflecting on this new journey, Anand Vardhan Lal shared his thoughts on what inspired the creation of Autumn and the vision that lies ahead



The experience of building within the Shopify ecosystem at Marmeto gave us a unique perspective on what brands truly need from their technology partners. Over the years, working closely with both emerging and enterprise merchants, we have seen how the pace of commerce transformation demands not just strong technology, but partners who understand business outcomes, scalability, and operational complexity. That is precisely where Autumn comes in, built to help brands navigate this transformation with the right mix of deep commerce expertise, engineering rigor, and long-term partnership thinking. says Anand Vardhan Lal.

About Marmeto

Marmeto is an Indian technology company focused on building powerful yet simple software products for modern businesses. Known for creating widely adopted commerce tools such as Recurpay, Marmeto develops solutions that help businesses streamline operations, improve decision-making, and scale efficiently in an increasingly digital-first economy.
Mohan Babu University (MBU) celebrated its 34th Annual Day, honouring academic excellence, cultural talent, and the achievements of its students. The celebrations were graced by distinguished Guests of Honour from the Indian film industry, including noted film directors Srikanth Odela, known for the acclaimed film Dasara, Ajay Bhupathi, director of the popular film RX 100, Praveen Kandregula, best known for the critically acclaimed film Cinema Bandi; along with film actor Raghu Babu and popular comedian Saptagiri, who joined the university community in recognising and celebrating the accomplishments of students.

One of the key highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of prestigious gold medals to meritorious students across disciplines such as Computing, Engineering, Healthcare and Nursing, with a total of 32 students receiving honours. Among the awards presented were the Smt. Nandamuri Basava Tarakam Memorial Gold Medal and the Sri Manchu Narayanaswamy Naidu Memorial Gold Medal, along with several other recognitions celebrating outstanding academic performance.

The celebrations also featured a vibrant lineup of cultural performances by MBU students, including devotional, folk, and western dance sequences, showcasing the creativity and artistic expression nurtured at the university.

Speaking on the occasion, Pro-Chancellor Vishnu Manchu said, The Annual Day is a celebration of the dedication, perseverance, and achievements of our students, and it reflects Mohan Babu Universitys mission to foster academic excellence, encourage talent, and inspire lifelong learning. Over the years, MBU has grown steadily, and it is encouraging to see each batch of students achieving new milestones. Watching them step forward with confidence and ambition makes this journey even more meaningful.

Established in 1992, Mohan Babu University has evolved into a leading institution focused on quality education, innovation, and holistic learning in Tirupati. Today, the university serves over 18,000+ students across a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs, reflecting its continued commitment to academic excellence and future-ready learning.
US-Israel strikes cripple Irans military, reducing missile and drone activity by ~90-95%.

Conflict spreads regionally, with attacks in Iraq, Gulf, Lebanon, and tensions at the Strait of Hormuz.

Rising casualties, $12B US costs, and economic fallout with no ceasefire in sight.

The US-Israel joint military campaign against Iran has entered its 18th day, with President Donald Trump asserting that American and allied forces are 'aggressively dismantling' Iran's military capabilities. The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, with coordinated airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, drone production centers, and naval assets, shows no immediate signs of de-escalation despite mounting international pressure.

Trump highlighted recent successes in public statements, claiming that US strikes have hit over 7,000 targets across Iran, resulting in a sharp decline in Iranian missile and drone launches reportedly down by around 90-95% in recent days. Key infrastructure, including missile manufacturing plants, naval vessels (over 100 reportedly destroyed), and facilities on Kharg Island, has been heavily damaged, significantly weakening Iran's ability to threaten regional shipping or rebuild its offensive arsenal quickly. Trump described the current Iranian posture as that of a 'paper tiger', contrasting it with the threat level perceived two weeks earlier.

Iran-US/Israel exchanges. Iranian proxies and forces have launched retaliatory attacks on US bases in Iraq, Gulf allies, and Israeli targets, while Israel has conducted limited ground operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, displacing over 1 million people. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with Iran disrupting tanker traffic through mines and threats, prompting Trump to urge NATO allies, European nations, and others to deploy warships for escort missions a call largely met with reluctance or outright rejection, drawing sharp criticism from the president. The war has expanded beyond direct. Iranian proxies and forces have launched retaliatory attacks onallies, and Israeli targets, while Israel has conducted limited ground operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, displacing over 1 million people. The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with Iran disrupting tanker traffic through mines and threats, prompting Trump to urge NATO allies, European nations, and others to deploy warships for escort missions a call largely met with reluctance or outright rejection, drawing sharp criticism from the president.

Casualties continue to rise on all sides, with reports of hundreds wounded among US troops and significant civilian impacts in Iran from the strikes.

Diplomatic channels show limited progress, while some Iranian outreach to US envoys has occurred, Tehran has rejected immediate negotiations, vowing to fight 'as far as necessary'.The conflict's costs are escalating, with estimates placing US expenditures at around $12 billion so far, amid warnings of prolonged economic fallout from disrupted oil flows.

As the third week begins, the endgame remains unclear regime change discussions persist in some circles, but no ceasefire appears imminent. Global leaders, including calls from the Pope and others for de-escalation, highlight growing concerns over broader regional stability.
WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington is "not ready" to end the conflict with Iran, which is now entering its third week.

"We're not ready to leave yet, but we'll be leaving in the near future," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Asked whether the White House has a "day-after" plan for the conflict with Iran, Trump gave no details, repeating his claim that Iran has "been decimated from every standpoint" since the United States and Israel began large-scale attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

It would take Iran a decade to rebuild, he said.

Trump told reporters that if he sends U.S. ground troops into Iran, he was not afraid it could turn into another Vietnam for the United States.

Local analysts say if Washington plans to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, and target an underground facility in Isfahan believed to store much of its nuclear material, U.S. or Israeli ground operations would likely be required. 
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Updated BusinessCompaniesMining BHP cushioned from geopolitical shocks, incoming boss says Simon Johanson and Nick Toscano Updated March 18, 2026  2:31pm ,first published March 18, 2026  8:49am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Global miner BHP is cushioned against Australias rapidly rising diesel fuel prices and supply chain insecurity, the resource giants outgoing executive Mike Henry and new boss Brandon Craig say, but higher costs will feed into commodity prices. Henry will leave the top job at BHP and hand over to Craig in July, stepping down after six years as chief executive at one of the worlds biggest mining companies. BHPs new boss Brandon Craig (left) talks to the media with chair Ross McEwan (centre) and outgoing CEO Mike Henry. Louis Trerise Craig, a mining engineer with more than 25 years experience at BHP, was announced as new chief executive on Wednesday, a surprise choice for some who thought BHPs minerals Australia president Geraldine Slattery and chief financial officer Vandita Pant were well-placed contenders. The changeover coincided with another CEO appointment in Australias multibillion-dollar resources industry as Perth-based Woodside Energy handed Liz Westcott the top job. Westcott has been the oil and gas giants interim CEO since Meg ONeill left in December to lead London-based global energy giant BP.

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Her appointment on a permanent basis lands at a critical time for the company: drone strikes on Qatar have forced the shutdown of a key plant in the region that produces up to one-fifth of worldwide liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, unleashing a scramble among major Asian energy buyers to lock in alternative cargoes of the fuel. Gas prices in Europe and Asia have since skyrocketed as a result, handing potential windfalls to Australian LNG giants such as Woodside. Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war Trumps war is wreaking more havoc than you think Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist A former high-ranking executive at American oil major ExxonMobil and electric utility EnergyAustralia, Westcott said it was a fast-moving and volatile time. Price volatility is something we are used to in our industry, she said. What we are seeing now shows the importance  of being a reliable supplier to our customers. Outgoing BHP chief executive Henry said the miner was keeping a close watch on its supply chain security as the war in Iran continued to choke global oil supplies and push up the cost of diesel that powers much of BHPs mining operations.

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We have our own [diesel] storage, [and] solid supplier relationships, Henry said. We continue to operate the business as normal, just with higher input costs, but its something that we watch day by day and then look at how things are playing out in the world around us. He added that higher input costs would be partly reflected in how commodity prices play out. Craig said the quality of BHPs mines were a protection against geopolitical shocks. When you think through the lens of geopolitical risk, it... reinforces how important it is to think through the quality of the portfolio we have, Craig said. Mike Henry will step down from the top job at BHP. Eamon Gallagher

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Theres no doubt its a pretty interesting time, he said of the global instability confronting the company and the broader world. I think whats going to be really critical is to continue to focus on building really strong relationships with both governments and customers. South African-born Craig is now BHPs Americas president, running the global resource giants Canadian, US and South American operations. Before winning what BHP chair Ross McEwan referred to as a robust succession process, he headed up its Pilbara iron ore business. McEwan said Craigs appointment followed a formal succession process. Liz Westcott has been Woodsides interim chief since December. Dominic Lorrimer

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When Mike advised me of his intention to step down, the board considered a number of high-quality candidates, McEwan said. Brandons experience and skills are the perfect match for our next CEO. He is clear on the strategy and how we can continue to drive outperformance at BHP. Were excited. Related Article Investing Buy buy buy: Market volatility sparks retail investor frenzy Its the season for CEO succession at resource giants. Rio Tinto, BHPs biggest rival, also recently reinvigorated its leadership, appointing its former head of iron ore Simon Trott as chief executive to replace Jakob Stausholm last August. Henry, who has run BHP since 2020, said he was proud of his achievements and that he left with the company well positioned for growth. The Canadian-born executive shifted BHPs focus towards future-facing commodities such as copper, nickel and potash, positioning the company to take advantage of a boom in the minerals that will underpin the worlds energy transition away from fossil fuels.

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He oversaw BHP simplify its structure as a duel-listed company in 2022, spun off its petroleum business in a merger with Woodside, sold lower-tier coal assets, and acquired Oz Minerals to boost its copper output. The allure of the red metal prompted Henry to twice take a tilt at Anglo American and its copper portfolio. Both attempts ended with BHP walking away: first in May, and then after another, last-ditch attempt in November last year. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets reacted positively to Craigs appointment. [He] is a long-tenured BHP executive with deep operational experience across both iron ore and copper, and has played a central role in advancing BHPs current growth pipeline, they said. We would expect continued focus on large, low-cost tier-one assets and growth in future-facing commodities, particularly copper and potash, alongside ongoing capital discipline. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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Kyle Sandilands joked at the live recording of Australian Idol on Tuesday night that he would soon be looking for a job at budget menswear chain Lowes. Ive got nothing else on my mind except the excitment of the vote, a jovial Sandilands said when asked by Australian Idol hosts Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie for his thoughts on the live vote for the singing competition. Im also dressed like this [referring to his black suit] because I have a job interview at Lowes after the show. With radio guys, once youre out of radio, all you can do is sell socks at Lowes. Loading To cheers from the audience and a pat on the arm by fellow judge Marcia Hines, Sandilands continued: For now, Ive got this job and for now  he theatrically checked his watch  I still have the other job. Added judge Amy Shark: You can put us down for a reference.

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Make-up crews armed with battery-operated fans and ice packs cooled Sandilands down during ad breaks.



Kyle gets sweaty sitting down, the crowd co-ordinator joked to the crowd. Ive got a lot on my mind, Sandilands replied. The co-ordinator continued: We are running a little behind schedule today  thats Kyles fault. Hes been at Centrelink. Filling out a JobSeeker form takes a lot of time  you have to jump through a lot of hoops. Sandilands appeared light-hearted on the show, after claiming earlier in the afternoon he had many options but had not heard from his employer just hours before the expiration of a 14-day deadline set by KIIS owner ARN for the controversial broadcaster to repair his relationship with his co-host, Jackie O Henderson, or have his $100 million contract torn up. On Tuesday afternoon, Sandilands emerged from his Vaucluse mansion dressed in a grey blazer and black T-shirt to address a media scrum before heading to a live taping of Australian Idol at Rooty Hill, declaring his listeners wanted him back on air.

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Kyle Sandilands addresses media outside his Vaucluse home on Tuesday. Jessica Hromas I cant say too much because I havent heard anything yet, Sandilands said. I still want to do the show. The listeners want me back on doing the show. Sandilands said he couldnt predict what will happen with ARN, which has remained silent over the two-week period since it suspended the host for alleged serious misconduct after he berated his co-host Jackie O Henderson on air last month. As his manager, Bruno Bouchet, appeared to film Sandilands with an action camera and journalists peppered him with questions, the broadcaster answered questions for less than a minute before departing. Despite having a luxury car parked in front of his residence, Sandilands left in a black van. ARNs board is expected to meet early on Wednesday, after the expiration of the midnight deadline set by the company.

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Sandilands exits his home, heading to a live taping of Australian Idol. Jessica Hromas The board will then consider whether Sandilands has remedied the matter, and what further action it can take, including whether it will terminate Sandilands contract as it did with Hendersons earlier in the month. Related Article Radio KIIS licence could be at risk if Kyle and Jackie O Show makes further breaches Hendersons contract was torn up after she told the company via her lawyers that she could not continue working with Sandilands. Both were signed to 10-year deals in 2023, requiring them to deliver The Kyle & Jackie O Show for a combined $200 million. Without Henderson, Sandilands will also be unable to deliver this show. Asked about reports he would try to buy into KIIS parent company, ARN, Sandilands responded: There are many options, thats all Ill say.

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Sandilands was photographed meeting Stuart Laundy this week, part of the family which recently agreed to purchase talkback stations including 2GB and 3AW from Nine, the owner of this masthead. Stuart Laundys brother Craig, a former Liberal MP, led the familys purchase of the radio network alongside their father, Arthur. The Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed extra licence conditions on ARN on Monday after it found Sandilands and Henderson had repeatedly breached decency rules, complicating any potential purchase linked to the broadcaster. ARN has not commented since it issued an initial statement announcing its sanction against Sandilands two weeks ago. Henderson said on March 6 that she had not quit the show and was addressing the matter through her lawyers. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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BusinessThe economyTrade wars Opinion Trump rushes to save his war on the world Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist March 17, 2026  11:59am

March 17, 2026  11:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

While much of the focus last week was on the war in Iran, the Trump administration re-opened a war on another front by laying the foundations for a new assault on trade. After the Supreme Court knocked out Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs last month, which could force the government to return $US175 billion ($US248 billion) to US importers, the administration immediately replaced those tariffs with a new set, using another legal instrument that is also legally dubious and is already under challenge from 24 US states. President Trump is facing a jolting wake-up call at Novembers midterm elections. AP Those tariffs, deployed using Section 122 of the Trade Practice Act, which relates to chronic balance of payments issues (which the US doesnt have), were only ever an interim measure, designed to keep the tariff revenues flowing for the 150 days allowed by the Act. Last week, the administration unveiled its proposed permanent replacement for the tariffs the Supreme Court rejected, announcing two separate sets of trade investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act: an investigation of 16 trade partners for unfair trade practices and 60 (including the 16) for failing to adopt prohibitions on the imports of goods made with forced labour.

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Australia has so far dodged being named on the list of 16. However, while it requires large companies to report on how they manage modern slavery risks within their supply chains, it doesnt explicitly prohibit imports of those goods and therefore is on that longer list. Related Article Opinion

Inside China Chinas latest plan to dominate global trade Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The list of 16 includes China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan and India, but may be expanded. Much of the focus of those investigations is on what the administration calls structural excess capacity. The administration didnt use Section 301 initially, because it involves investigations that usually take many months and sometimes years, generally relates to specific practices considered unfair or discriminatory to US companies, requires consultation with the targeted country and includes public submissions and hearings. Its cumbersome and doesnt envisage the economies-wide tariffs imposed by Trump last year. The section has been tested in court many times and stood up to legal challenge, although its novel use this time as a substitute for the tariffs the Supreme Court ruled illegal may see it tested again.

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The haste that the administration has employed to implement a new tariff wall before the Section 122 tariffs expire at the end of July also raises the likelihood of mistakes. Already, Singapore has complained that the basis for the US accusations of unfair trade against it are predicated on a US assertion that Singapore has a $US27 billion trade surplus with the US. In fact, the Singaporeans say, based on Americas own data, it has a trade deficit of that magnitude with the US. Trumps trade wars, paid for by American companies and consumers, are hurting the US economy. Bloomberg Other countries will argue that trade surpluses may reflect comparative advantage, not unfair trade, and that producing more of something than they consume domestically doesnt reflect unfair trade practices but more efficient manufacturing, better technology, natural resources, scale advantages or more astute management. There are a host of reasons why some companies and countries can displace existing US domestic production or deter US companies from establishing or expanding their own production.

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Trump and his administration are fixated on manufacturing and traded goods, constantly reciting the US trade deficit ($US901.5 billion last year) and the deficit in goods ($US1.2 trillion) as evidence of unfair trade without regard to the fact that manufacturing contributes only 10.5 per cent of US GDP. Related Article Middle East at war As oil prices spike, is this the week Trump declares victory in Iran? Americas is a service economy, with services generating more than 80 per cent of GDP. It had a $US339 billion surplus in the trade in services last year, 9 per cent more than in 2024. While it is true that layers of subsidies, incentives and government procurement policies have been a major factor in Chinas export success and in the $US1.2 trillion trade surplus it posted last year, its also true that in some sectors, like electric vehicles, it not only controls the supply chain, but it has technology leadership. Its manufacturing base is larger and more efficient than most other countries, which is why foreign companies, including American companies like Tesla, Apple and the US auto manufacturers, have large operations within China.

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Those sorts of complexities are lost on Trump and his administration, which want to protect Americas manufacturing base, but may be relevant within the investigations processes and very relevant should the Section 301 tariffs be challenged in court. Having to make 16 separate cases for the tariffs and specific instances of unfairness within the extremely tight self-imposed timeframe may also prove more complex than the administration appreciates. China showed last year that it can counter US tariffs with trade measures of its own. Bloomberg It is unclear how the proposed new tariff regime will interact with the old, under which numerous countries agreed deals with the US that involved promises of investment and increased imports from the US in exchange for reduced tariff rates. Japan, for instance, promised to invest $US550 billion in the US and allow imports of American cars (which Japanese consumers wont buy) in exchange for a tariff capped at 15 per cent. South Korea promised $US350 billion worth of investment for a similar cap on its tariffs.

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The European Union said it would buy $US750 billion of US energy over three years and encourage $US600 billion of investment in exchange for a ceiling of 15 per cent on most of its exports to the US. That deal has yet to be ratified by the European Parliament, so it could respond to any new tariffs with trade retaliations of its own. The US relationship with China is different to most because China showed last year that it can counter US tariffs with trade measures of its own, notably by cutting off US access to rare earths  vital for most modern industrial and military technologies  and by halting purchases of soybeans from the US. The US immediately backed away from the punitive rates it imposed on Chinas exports in exchange for a resumption of the rare earths trade and a promise to buy US soybeans. Trump is supposed to meet Xi Jinping at the end of this month, with trade on the agenda, but may defer the visit because of the war on Iran. A preliminary meeting between the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, and Chinas vice president, He Lifeng, agreed to expand US exports of agricultural and energy products and a formal mechanism to manage the countries trade, which Greer said might be called the US-China Board of Trade.

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That might help defuse some of the trade tensions between the countries, although it is clear from Chinas most recent five-year plan that it is doubling down on its strategy of pursuing global manufacturing dominance, with an emphasis on advanced technologies. Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war Trump is holding the world hostage Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist Chinas exports have boomed  and the US trade deficit with the rest of the world has been unchanged  even as Trumps tariffs on China have reduced its trade surplus with the US. At a macro level, at least, the tariffs havent hurt China or aided US exporters. The Trump trade wars, paid for by American companies and consumers, are hurting the US economy and adding to households affordability issues even as his war on Iran has sent oil prices  and US petrol prices  surging. His two wars are damaging and unpopular in the US, which seems likely to lead to a jolting wake-up call at Novembers midterm elections to regain some congressional control or influence over Americas relationships with the rest of the world. The rest of the world will hope that they do. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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NationalNSWCity life End of the black roof? The overhaul coming to Sydneys heat-trapping suburbs David Barwell March 18, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Developers could soon be required to abandon heat-absorbing materials such as dark rooftops when building new homes under a sweeping overhaul of NSW planning laws aimed at tackling rising temperatures and the urban heat island effect in fast-growing suburbs. Proposed alterations to the states climate change and natural hazards planning policy would, for the first time, formally recognise extreme heat as a planning hazard alongside floods, bushfires and coastal erosion  a shift experts say could reshape how new communities are designed across the state. Mapping by the NSW government, showing suburbs with the highest vulnerability to urban heat in the Greater Sydney region. NSW government The move represents a significant change in planning policy and responds to modelling warning that natural-disaster damage to the built environment could cost the state $9.1 billion a year by 2060 if no mitigation measures are taken. It also comes as NSW faces pressure to deliver 377,000 new dwellings by 2029 under the National Housing Accord, prompting concern within the development industry that additional planning requirements could increase costs and slow approvals.

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The draft policy would require planners, councils and developers to assess how new projects affect local temperatures, with measures such as increased tree canopy, reflective building materials and improved street orientation expected to become standard considerations for some developments. The rules are expected to apply mainly in urban zones  including residential, mixed-use, employment and recreational areas  with the aim of reducing the urban heat island effect, where dense concentrations of concrete, asphalt and dark surfaces trap heat and push temperatures higher in built-up suburbs. The proposed planning changes include embedding urban heat into the assessment process. Rhett Wyman Planning Minister Paul Scully said the policy was designed to ensure homes were built in the right locations while still maintaining the pace of housing delivery. The changes streamline the system rather than add new layers, helping us to keep communities safe, a government spokeswoman said.

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The reforms are underpinned by climate modelling forecasting sharp increases in extreme heat across the state. Under high-emissions scenarios, Penrith could experience an additional 26 days each year above 35 degrees by 2090, while regional centres may face even greater extremes, with Dubbo projected to endure 56 extra days of extreme heat annually by the end of the century. Dr Ehsan Noroozinejad, a housing researcher at Western Sydney University, said formally recognising heat within planning policy represented a major shift. Planning Minister Paul Scully said the policy was aimed at building homes and infrastructure in the right locations. Dominic Lorrimer It recognises heat as a planning issue, not just a weather issue, he said. It encourages practical responses  more shade, more trees, cooler building materials and smarter neighbourhood design. If implemented well, it can significantly improve liveability and reduce cooling costs.

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Large areas of western Sydney are dominated by black-roofed housing estates, where dark tiles, wide roads and limited tree cover intensify summer heat. Without intervention, cooling costs for households in western Sydney could rise by as much as 370 per cent by 2079. Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting, who is also president of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, said: Increased housing supply should not come at the cost of housing quality and healthy living. Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting said the policy would provide clarity for developers and the building industry. Janie Barrett Well-designed homes and suburbs are about more than just comfort. It can reduce cost of living, deliver better health outcomes and support life safety in extreme events. The proposed planning changes would also require councils and developers to consider future climate scenarios when assessing major developments with smaller projects typically assessed against lower-emissions projections over a 50-year time frame, while major developments  including rezonings and state-significant projects  would be tested against more severe 100-year emissions scenarios.

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Central to the approach is the concept of tolerable risk, which the government describes as an acknowledgement that eliminating climate hazards entirely is unrealistic. Rather than banning development in high-risk areas outright, planners would assess whether risks associated with a project can be managed through design or resilience measures. The reforms are in response to climate risks including coastal erosion, flooding and heatwaves. Dean Sewell Professor Chris Pettit, director of the City Futures Research Centre at UNSW, said the approach did not clearly rule out growth in high-risk areas. Surely there are certain areas which should be a no-go zone for future urban growth because the risks are too great, he said.

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Others say the reforms may overlook a key contributor to rising urban temperatures  the exemption of small-scale developments  typically renovations and minor extensions, which the government has excluded to avoid adding costs for households. Macquarie University Professor Peter Davies said such projects often lead to the loss of tree canopy and the spread of hard surfaces in established suburbs. The reforms have been underscored by recent natural disasters including the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers. Natalie Grono The reforms also address rebuilding after disasters. Under the proposed changes, rebuilding could require stronger resilience measures. Coastal engineer Angus Gordon pointed to 2022 floods in Lismore as a warning about the long-term consequences of poor planning decisions.

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Yes we need more housing, but if we build homes in inappropriate locations it will end up costing the state a fortune in the long run, he said. Coastal engineer Angus Gordon stands on Collaroy beach. Jessica Hromas The Insurance Council of Australia has broadly supported the proposed reforms. If homes are constructed to higher resilience standards in appropriate locations, that will be reflected in pricing. Property industry groups remain cautious, warning the state must balance climate resilience with housing supply.

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Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chief executive Adam Leto said addressing urban heat was necessary but must not create new barriers to building homes. Related Article Exclusive

NSW State Parliament The government warned homes on this floodplain would put lives at risk. Then, it approved 960 of them Its vital that any new policy is workable and supported by councils and industry  particularly given our housing crisis  and the need to limit planning and development impediments so that more homes can be built, and built fast, he said. The reforms follow a 2025 parliamentary inquiry that recommended stronger integration of climate risk into the planning system, amid warnings that extreme heat already contributes to more than 1000 deaths each year among Australians aged over 65. Macquarie Universitys Centre for Environmental Law lecturer Paul Govind said the reforms were unlikely to dramatically change where housing could be built but could influence how developments were designed.

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The proposals remain in draft form, with feedback from councils, industry and the public expected to shape the final policy before it is introduced. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCity life A bottle shop spat could lead to a much-needed womens refuge in this booming suburb Adam Carey March 17, 2026  3:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

What began as a local controversy over the opening of a new bottle shop near a home for vulnerable men in Melbournes north has triggered a multimillion-dollar quest to build the first womens shelter in the same community. But many hurdles remain before the booming suburb will be able to offer safe refuge for women fleeing domestic violence. The booming outer suburb of Greenvale got its first bottle shop in 2024. It is hoped the region will soon have its first crisis shelter for women fleeing family violence, after the owner of the shopping centre where the bottle shop is located donated a vacant block of land to the cause. Tamara Nolan, Greenvale Residents Association president, with Jamie Gray, Greenvale Shopping Centre owner, and Sophie Panigirakis of Womens Community Shelters, are working to open the first community-run shelter in Melbournes north. Eddie Jim The facility would be one of the first among a new wave of community-led womens shelters proposed for Melbourne, expanding on a non-government model that has succeeded in Sydney. NSW-based provider Womens Community Shelters operates eight shelters in Sydney and plans to open its first Victorian shelter on the Mornington Peninsula this year. Greenvale would be the second.

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It is actually a first, Womens Community Shelters chief executive Annabelle Daniel said of the donation of vacant land. Heres a generous philanthropist who is making an in-kind donation that will have a significant impact on our ability to get going, which is very exciting. A series of conversations between shopping centre owner Jamie Gray and Greenvale Residents Association president Tamara Nolan were crucial to kick-starting the project. Jamie [Gray] was getting a liquor licence for the packaged alcohol store that they put in, which was sort of disputed years ago, Nolan said. Some didnt want to have it in there because of Corpus Christi, which was an aged care facility for men only. The shelter gave those men a way out of homelessness, often linked with alcohol addiction, and the controversy sparked a discussion between Nolan and Gray about the lack of any dedicated local shelter for women.

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Gray, who owns a property group that has developed several shopping centres valued at more than $200 million, also owns an empty block of land elsewhere in the City of Hume. Gray contacted Womens Community Shelters and offered them his land. Im not looking for any pats on the back, Gray said. Im doing it because I think the block of land is sitting there doing nothing, and it could be put to good use. Though grateful, Daniel warns that securing a site is no guarantee the crisis shelter will be built. The organisation is seeking private sector donations and a state government contribution to build the facility, which has an estimated cost of $2.9 million. It is hoped the shelter will have enough room to accommodate six women and their children at any one time.

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A community-run womens shelter in Revesby, in outer suburban Sydney, is one of eight in NSW. The organisation seeks to expand into Melbourne. Biyani House More than one in two women who seek accommodation in a crisis shelter are turned away, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Those are really the tip of the iceberg. Theres a lot more out there that never know that they can ask for help, Daniel said. The institutes data also shows that the proportion of people who say they would know where to turn for external help shrunk, from 60 per cent to 56 per cent, between 2017 and 2021. In outer-suburban growth areas such as Hume, facilities can be even harder to find. Women frequently end up being placed in hotels and motels that are unsuitable, Daniel said.

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Its not an ideal situation. If it gets to late at night and youve got four kids bundled into one double bed and your abusive ex-partners texting you, Im really sorry. I promise it wont happen again, just come home, the likelihood is that somebody will return to abuse rather than receiving the support they need to leave, she said. Editor's pick Analysis

Political leadership Burkes celebration of Iranian players asylum now looks more like an own goal Rates of family violence in Hume are similar to the statewide average, at 1386 incidents per 100,000 people, but the raw number of incidents is rising in line with population growth in the booming municipality. The number of people receiving support for homelessness due to family violence hit a five-year high of 1832 in 2024-25. Emergency department presentations and ambulance patient numbers also peaked at 285 and 68 for domestic violence respectively, Crime Statistics Agency data reveals. There is no established womens crisis shelter in Hume, which is home to more than 270,000 people.

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A Hume City Council spokesperson said local service providers reported long waitlists for crisis accommodation, with women spending more time in interim housing before they move into longer-term options. The state government has committed funding for additional crisis accommodation places, but not for staffing those sites, so progress is being made, but gaps remain, the spokesperson said. A community forum on the proposed womens shelter will be held at Aitken College, Greenvale, at 6.30pm on Wednesday evening. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalVictoriaCrime Mountains of building waste burnt off in alleged black market operation on Melbournes fringe Adam Carey March 17, 2026  11:58am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

While Victoria baked through its hottest day on record on January 27, Jayden Chetcuti allegedly got to work raising the temperature even higher in the outer Melbourne suburb of Wollert. As the mercury tipped past 45 degrees in the early afternoon, the 26-year-old concrete pumper is alleged to have lit a bonfire built from piles of demolition refuse in a hidden corner of a leased farm, despite a total fire ban being in place. It soon became a grass fire in the catastrophic conditions. It took more than 20 Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria vehicles and a helicopter to contain the blaze, which was fanned by fierce northerly winds blowing in the direction of a housing estate several hundred metres south. This was not the first time firefighters had been forced to battle a fire at the Wollert property, 40 kilometres north of central Melbourne.

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Chetcuti is being investigated by the Environment Protection Authority for the alleged unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste, and for allegedly failing to comply with the regulators direction to cease burning and remediate the site. His father, Joseph Chetcuti, also faces EPA charges for unlawfully accepting industrial waste without a permit at multiple sites in Diamond Creek, on Melbournes north-eastern fringe, and failing to comply with a notice requiring him to cease accepting, classify and clean up the wastes. Jayden Chetcuti is alleged to have started a grass fire while burning industrial waste on Victorias hottest day on record, on January 27. Jason South Waste industry sources speaking anonymously told The Age the father and son had been running a prolific black market operation disposing of demolition waste at cut-price rates, mostly for small operators who want to avoid paying Victorias metropolitan landfill levy, which increased from $129 to $170 a tonne last year. One source said small operators were attracted to the business because of the high and growing cost of legally disposing of construction waste and soil at legitimate landfill sites.

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Its been like six years in a row, every year the EPA is putting up the levy for rubbish  prices have gone up that much to take rubbish to the landfill, and people, of course they have to find shortcuts because people dont have much money to afford all that. The industry source said the father and son were well known in the northern suburbs building and waste sectors, and had begun their operation on a Diamond Creek property they owned, initially being visited by a handful of tipper trucks a day depositing soil, but in time also taking building waste and ramping the operation up to 80, 90, 100 trucks a day. On January 27, Victorias hottest day on record, the CFA attended a fire comprised of industrial refuse that was allegedly deliberately lit as part of an illegal waste disposal operation. The Diamond Creek operation was shut down in September last year, and Joseph Chetcuti was charged with accepting construction waste and soil without a permit and failing to comply with a notice to cease accepting, classify and clean up the waste. But the Chetcutis were not done with their waste disposal operation. The following month, Jayden Chetcuti leased the Wollert property.

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A real estate listing advertised the 53-hectare site as an ideal earth dump station. Satellite imagery indicates he worked quickly to build an industrial-scale disposal site in the north-western corner, which lies beyond the view of passing traffic. By mid-December, it had been transformed from a rocky field to a dump site covered in piles of building waste and mounds of soil. The CFA attended the property multiple times before police eventually accompanied firefighters on January 27, when Jayden Chetcuti was arrested and taken away to be interviewed. He was later released. In a chain of WhatsApp group messages, seen by The Age, Chetcuti had spruiked the site in Wollert earlier that month.

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Hey lads I have a site to tip rubbish call me, one reads. How much per tone [sic], one member of the group asks. Photos also show tipper trucks depositing demolition rubble at the site. A fire at the Summerhill Road property lights up the night sky. A CFA source, speaking anonymously because they are not authorised to speak, said volunteer firefighters had visited the Wollert site several times over summer and that Chetcuti was cavalier about the situation. He cracked a joke, Next time Ill bring the marshmallows.

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Related Article Bushfires How the lessons learnt from Black Saturday are saving lives Its been difficult. Summerhill Road has burnt out the crew like weve never been burnt out before. Hes also creating a significant risk to the rest of the Wollert area because our appliances are tied up there. If something else was to happen we are already pulling resources to this job, they said. A nearby resident said fires sometimes started in the middle of the night and would smoulder for days. He temporarily moved his family out of the area because of the dust and smoke that invaded the house during the bonfires, and over fears a fire may one day burn out of control. At times, the access road into the property was as busy as a commercial tip, the resident said. Theres trucks going in and out all day long. Sometimes theres one every 10 minutes, sometimes theres one every two hours, but its continuous.

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Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Evan Mulholland raised the issue in state parliament after meeting with CFA volunteers in Wollert in February. I was shocked to learn of this occurring and that it has even taken place during total fire bans, risking devastating consequences for local communities, Mulholland said. Waste material smoulders at the alleged unlawful burn-off site in Wollert. The property is also significant because it is bound on all sides by heritage-listed dry stone walls, one of which has been damaged, and is covered by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program, meaning it contains habitat for critically endangered species. A high-pressure underground gas pipeline between Victoria and NSW, which is critical to Melbournes gas supply, also runs through the site.

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It is understood the pipelines owner, APA, has raised concerns with the CFA about the potential risk to the pipeline from an out-of-control grass fire. When contacted by The Age, Jayden Chetcuti confirmed he had leased the property within the past six months, but denied he had been burning industrial waste, insisting the demolition material was green waste. People might call it industrial waste or classify it as that but not until the right authorities have viewed it, Chetcuti said. I mean, its all trees and stuff that would have been known as green waste as well as hardwood timber. I wouldnt call that industrial waste because that was once a tree too, that has been milled down into certain shapes or measurements and used for house frames or structural work.

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Chetcuti said he was complying with the EPAs directions. He also said he had removed part of a protected dry-stone wall because it was the only way to access the property. The EPA said the Wollert site was the subject of an ongoing investigation, so the regulator was limited in what it could say publicly. EPA has inspected and issued a direction and remedial notice to regulate the unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste at 280 Summerhill Road, Wollert, it said.

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An investigation is ongoing to identify potential offences related to the unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste as well as non-compliance with the direction and remedial notice. Victoria Police said it was also investigating the circumstances surrounding an allegedly suspicious grassfire in Wollert on January 27, in which a 26-year-old man was arrested and interviewed before being released. A tipper truck visits the leased farm property in Wollert. Whittlesea City Council said it was aware of community concerns and was investigating activity at the site. Council has been investigating activities on the site and officers have attended on numerous occasions as part of ongoing monitoring and investigations, it said.

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Joseph Chetcuti is scheduled to face court in May for a guilty plea. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States has been informed by most of its NATO allies that they "don't want to get involved" in the military operation against Iran, adding that the United States does not need help from NATO allies or other countries.

"We no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"We have had such Military Success ... In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" Trump said.

Trump again criticized NATO for not helping the United States.

"I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," Trump said.

"We, as the United States, have to remember that," he told reporters at the White House. "I just think that it's not good for a partnership."

"I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake," Trump said. "And I've long said that, you know, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there."

The NATO membership is "certainly something that we should think about," he said.

One day earlier, while rebuking allies for their reluctance to join a White House-proposed Strait of Hormuz escort mission, Trump said he would soon announce "a couple" of countries that have offered their help.

"Numerous countries have told me they're on the way," Trump said Monday, though he did not name any.

Washington has intensified pressure on NATO members and European partners to join the mission, several European countries have rejected the proposal or expressed caution, citing concerns over potential military escalation, a lack of prior consultation, and differing strategic priorities.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday ruled out Germany sending ships, adding that the war on Iran is "not a matter for NATO."

"There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so," Merz said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that the country would not be "drawn into the wider war."

He said London is working with allies on a "viable plan" to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but clarified that it "won't be, and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission."

According to Politico, citing European Union (EU) diplomats, foreign ministers meeting in Brussels this week were nearly unanimous in opposing the U.S. proposal, expressing reluctance to send ships and troops into a conflict they did not initiate.

"Europe has no interest in an open-ended war," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said in Brussels on Monday. "This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake."

The United States and Israel began large-scale airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy. 
Continuing to work through Newtons statement, the inquiry hears about meetings and correspondence the authority had with unions and then deputy premier Jackie Trad.

The first, in November 2018, saw the authority offer a meeting to relevant unions including the CFMEU and AWU, to set out the project scope  which the CFMEU and Electrical Trades Union declined to attend.

A month later, at a meeting with Trad, her staff and unions including the CFMEU but not the AWU, unions present were pushing for the authority to make a broad framework agreement with the group including the ETU, AMWU and plumbers union.

Newton says the issue was raised with the unions, known as the Building Trades Group, that such an agreement with the authority, and not the eventual contractors, would be in breach of the Fair Work Act and Building and Construction Industry Act.

This was understood by Newton to be an effort to replicate what the CFMEU had been able to achieve in a reported deal with the consortium delivering the Queens Wharf development, subsequently passed down to its contractors.
Australia yet to be asked to send navy to Gulf

With the movement of oil tankers in the Middle East at a standstill, the Australian government has confirmed it hasn't been asked to send the navy to the Gulf.
PHILIPSBURG: --- In a glaring indictment of the justice system, inmates and concerned citizens are raising their voices against the deplorable conditions in the prison system. Reports of neglect, lack of basic hygiene supplies, and unfulfilled promises of infrastructure development have sparked outrage and calls for accountability.

Broken Promises: The New Prison That Never Was

Earlier this year, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction for a new prison facility. This event was touted as a step forward in addressing overcrowding and improving conditions for inmates. However, to this day, no progress has been made beyond the initial groundbreaking. Prisoners allege that the project was a facade to create the illusion of progress, while funds allocated to it remain unaccounted for.

"Inmates and the public are left wondering where the money has gone," said one they said. "It feels like theyre trying to steal the funds while showing the outside world that something is being done, which is far from the truth."

Basic Hygiene: A Right, not a Privilege

Inmates have been pleading for basic cleaning supplies, such as soap, brooms, and scrub brushes, to maintain hygiene in their cells. Despite repeated requests, these essential items have not been provided. Prison guards reportedly claim that the prison lacks the funds to supply these necessities.

"Enough is enough," said one inmate. "We understand we are in prison, but we also have rights to certain things like soap and cleaning supplies. Its a matter of basic human dignity."

The lack of hygiene supplies not only affects the physical health of inmates but also contributes to deteriorating mental health, as they are forced to live in unsanitary conditions.

Mental Health and Activities: Neglected Needs

Inmates have also expressed frustration over the lack of access to mental health services and meaningful activities. Requests to see mental health professionals have gone unanswered, leaving many to struggle in silence. The absence of recreational or rehabilitative activities further exacerbates the sense of hopelessness among inmates.

"Prison is supposed to be a place for rehabilitation, but how can that happen when were left to rot without any support or activities to engage in?" asked one inmate.

Imported Guards, Local Problems

Adding to the controversy is the decision to bring in prison guards from Suriname. While this move was intended to improve prison operations, inmates claim that the guards have done little to address the ongoing issues. Instead, they are accused of idling while the prison continues to open late and operate inefficiently.

A Call for Accountability

The voices of inmates and concerned citizens paint a grim picture of a justice system that appears to have abandoned its duty of care. The lack of transparency, coupled with the failure to provide basic necessities and services, has led to growing discontent.

It is imperative for authorities to address these issues promptly. Transparency in the use of funds, provision of basic hygiene supplies, access to mental health services, and the implementation of rehabilitative programs are not just demands; they are rights.

The time for action is now. The justice system must uphold its responsibility to ensure that inmates are treated with dignity and that promises made to the public are fulfilled. Anything less is a betrayal of justice itself.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a shocking display of political overreach and administrative chaos, the Chief of Staff for the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Sueana Laville-Martis, has been banned from government premises for the second time. This latest move, orchestrated by Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, reeks of personal vendettas and a blatant disregard for legal and ethical governance.

The timing of this ban is as suspicious as it is strategic. Minister Richinel Brug, who has been vocal in his opposition to the Prime Ministers actions, was conveniently off island when the directive was issued. Upon his return, the Minister has reportedly expressed his disapproval, citing the Prime Ministers failure to respect a court verdict that had already ruled against such measures.

A Pattern of Abuse

This is not the first time Laville-Martis has been targeted. Earlier this year, the Prime Minister banned her from government buildings and IT systems, a move the courts later struck down. The judiciary ruled that such actions were not only unauthorized but also a gross violation of civil service laws. Yet, despite this legal rebuke, the Prime Minister has doubled down, using other allegations of "conflict of interest" to justify his actions.

The so-called "conflict of interest" stems from Laville-Martis allegedly signing off on advice and contracts involving her husband, Romain Laville. However, sources close to the matter have confirmed that all procedures were properly vetted, with every "T" crossed and "I" dotted. However, SMN News learned that this is contrary to several verbal warnings given to the Chief of Staff and to her actions regarding her husband's job description. In stark contrast, the Prime Minister and President of the URSM board are embroiled in multiple allegations of conflicts of interest, including questionable dealings with GEBE, catering contracts, and board appointments.

A Government Disarray

The Council of Ministers, under the Prime Ministers leadership, has been accused of operating on personal whims rather than legal principles. The recent court ruling in favor of Laville-Martis highlighted the governments procedural failures and lack of authority in imposing such bans. The judiciarys scathing verdict declared the actions of the Council of Ministers null and void, exposing a government that seems more interested in settling personal scores than serving the public.

Adding to the chaos, the Prime Minister reportedly presented his case to the Council of Ministers last Tuesday without any supporting documents, relying solely on his verbal account. This lack of transparency and accountability raises serious questions about the integrity of the decision-making process at the highest levels of government.

The Bigger Picture

This latest episode is part of a broader pattern of governance failures under the current administration. Allegations of unethical practices, including the Prime Ministers ties to questionable board appointments and financial dealings, have cast a long shadow over his leadership. Meanwhile, the Lavilles, despite being targeted, have maintained their stance. Sueana Laville-Martis, a civil servant with 14 years of unblemished service, and Romain Laville, known for his straightforward demeanor, have emerged as symbols of resilience in the face of political persecution.

Whats Next?

The public and stakeholders are demanding answers. Is Laville-Martis officially suspended or merely banned? What are the legal grounds for these actions, and why is the Prime Minister so intent on sidelining a civil servant who has already been vindicated by the courts? More importantly, who will hold the Prime Minister accountable for his own alleged conflicts of interest and governance failures?

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the Lavilles are not backing down, and neither is the publics demand for justice and transparency. The Prime Minister and his administration must answer for their actions, not just to the courts but to the people they are supposed to serve.
Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah says security commander killed



Baghdad, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2026



Iraq's powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah on Monday said its senior security commander Abu Ali al-Askari had been killed, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

The group's leader Ahmad al-Hamidawi, also known as Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, said "we announce the martyrdom of Haj Abu Ali al-Askari", without providing any details on how and when he was killed.

A security official told AFP that "Abu Ali al-Askari is Abu Ali al-Amiri, the commander who was killed in a strike on Baghdad on Saturday".

Kataeb Hezbollah referred to Askari as the group's security chief. He was also the spokesperson in charge of issuing all key statements in the group's name. The last was released on March 7, following the killing of Iran's supreme leader.

According to the group's statement, Askari will be replaced by Abou Moujahed al-Assaf as the new security chief.

The Iran-backed group, designated by Washington as a "terrorist organisation", is part of the umbrella movement known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has been claiming daily attacks on the US interests in Iraq and the region.

Since the start of the war, several attacks targeting members of those groups across Iraq have been blamed on the US and Israel.
Drone strike causes fire at a major UAE oil field: authorities



Dubai, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2026



A drone strike on Monday caused a fire at a major oil field in the United Arab Emirates, authorities said, as Iran continued its drone and missile strikes across the Gulf.

Authorities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi said they were still responding to the fire at the Shah oil field, without reporting injuries.

The Shah oil field, located 230 kilometres (143 miles) south of Abu Dhabi city, has a production capacity of approximately 70,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to the UAE's state-owned energy giant ADNOC.
'Significant' Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon 'must be averted': Western leaders' statement



Berlin, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2026



The leaders of five Western countries said in a joint statement Monday that a large-scale Israeli ground operation in Lebanon "must be averted".

"A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict," said the joint statement from the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The statement said that the leaders were "gravely concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon" and called for "meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution".

Earlier on Monday Israel's military said it had launched "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The leaders' statement said that "the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including ongoing mass displacement, is already deeply alarming".

"We condemn Hezbollah's decision to join Iran in hostilities," the statement said, adding: "We stand in solidarity with the Lebanese government and people, who have been unwillingly drawn into conflict."

"Hezbollah's attacks on Israel and the targeting of civilians must cease and they must disarm," they said.
Baghdad Green Zone targeted in attack, leaving hotel roof on fire



Baghdad, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2026



A drone sparked a fire on Monday at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone shortly before air defences foiled a rocket attack at the US embassy.

The attacks came shortly after the powerful Tehran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group announced that its senior security commander Abu Ali al-Askari had been killed, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

Iraq's interior ministry said initially that "a projectile fell on the roof of the al-Rasheed Hotel", before clarifying that it was a drone. It did not specify whether the building itself was the target.

"The incident caused no casualties or material damage," it added.

A street leading to the hotel, which hosts a few diplomatic missions, was blocked by a large security deployment, with firefighters and ambulances present, according to an AFP correspondent.

Witnesses saw a fire break out on the roof of the hotel inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, home to diplomatic missions, including the US embassy, and government institutions.

Shortly after the hotel incident, a loud blast was heard in Baghdad, as air defences were seen intercepting an attack over the US embassy, an AFP journalist said.

A security official told AFP "air defences thwarted an attack with four rockets" on the embassy.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, head of the armed forces, denounced the attacks -- including a strike on a southern oil field -- calling them threats to his country's "security and stability".

He promised security services would "hunt down the perpetrators of these acts and bring them to justice immediately", according to a statement from his spokesman, Sabah al-Numan.

"These criminal acts have serious repercussions for our country and undermine the government's efforts toward reconstruction and prosperity."

Iraq has recently regained a sense of stability following years of conflict, and was unwillingly drawn into the current Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran.

From the outset, strikes blamed on the United States and Israel targeted Iran-backed groups, which have been claiming daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and the region.



- Fighters killed, oil attack -



Kataeb Hezbollah announced Monday "the martyrdom of Haj Abu Ali al-Askari", without providing any details on how and when he was killed.

A security official told AFP that "Abu Ali al-Askari is Abu Ali al-Amiri, the commander who was killed in a strike on Baghdad on Saturday".

Kataeb Hezbollah referred to Askari as the group's security chief. He was also the spokesperson in charge of issuing all key statements in the group's name.

Drone and rocket attacks have also targeted oil fields and facilities.

Earlier Monday, two drones targeted the southern Majnoon oil field -- which had already paused production -- with the oil ministry spokesperson saying that one of the drones had hit a telecommunications tower.

A security official said a second drone had targeted the offices of a US firm, operating at the site.

In a separate incident in the west, eight Iraqi fighters from a former paramilitary coalition were also killed in strikes near the country's border with Syria.

The fighters belonged to the Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which are now part of Iraq's regular army.

Sabah al-Numan, the military spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister, denounced "targeting an official force that operates under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces."

"It is a blatant aggression against the sovereignty of the state," he said.

Iran-backed groups have brigades that operate within the Hashed al-Shaabi, but have a reputation for acting on their own.
Akbar Novruz



Member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) may release additional oil to global markets if needed, the agencys Executive Director Fatih Birol said, warning that recovery could take time even if shipping resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports.

I very much hope that the situation will stabilize soon and the markets will be able to begin the recovery process. But, of course, we must be prepared for the fact that this may take some time, Birol said in a video message.

The IEA has already announced the release of 411.9 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in a bid to stabilize global prices. According to Birol, this move will reduce member states reserves by about 20%. In total, IEA countries hold more than 1.2 billion barrels in strategic reserves, along with an additional 600 million barrels in state-owned industrial reserves.

Birol also noted that non-member partner countries such as India, Colombia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam could join coordinated releases if necessary.

The developments come after military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran led to restrictions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage linking the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. The disruption pushed Brent crude oil prices to their highest level since March 2022.
The current yield is 6.76%, with a $1.28 annual dividend paid out monthly, which means that on a $25,000 investment, this is like earning $140 per month. While this might not seem like a lot at first, consider that dividend growth for this ETF is 23.21%, a meaningful figure that signals the underlying companies are increasing payouts rather than merely maintaining them. The argument gets more concrete when you look at the 87.26% payout ratio, suggesting that the dividend is well-covered.

The Global X SuperDividend US ETF ( NYSE:DIV ) is the equity foundation of this strategy, and the strategy itself is pretty simple in that it holds 51 of the highest-yielding US dividend stocks, weighted toward income rather than market cap. What you are really getting is true exposure to real businesses that are generating real cash flow, like REITs, financials, utilities, and energy names that prioritize returning money to shareholders above almost anything else.

This is exactly what this four-ETF allocation does, as each of the options below draws income from different layers in the capital structure, which means they don't all respond to market stress or rate changes the same way. What you end up with isn't just more income than Treasury bonds or savings accounts, but just durable income that can keep flowing through different kinds of markets that might affect other strategies that depend on a single asset class.

The reason this works isn't some kind of financial magic, it's all about asset diversification and most investors who chase dividend income will load up on equity-based dividend funds and call it a day. This might be good for some people, but it also means that all of your income is responding to the same market forces at the same time. When, not if, but when your equities are selling off, your dividend income is going to feel it. The same goes when rate expectations shift, as your entire portfolio will move in the same direction. Instead, the smarter approach is to build income from different sources like US equity dividends, enhanced equity income with options, preferred stock, and high-yield corporate bonds, so that if one layer is under pressure, the others might be holding or even benefiting.

There's a version of income investing that most people will never discover because it doesn't get talked about the way growth stocks do. This income investing idea doesn't have any of the usual financial drama, and you likely won't find it trending on financial X.com, but it does pay you, every month, like a second job you don't ever have to show up for. Consider this: try splitting $100,000 evenly across four specific ETFs right now, and you're looking at more than $562 per month in dividend income. This is equivalent to $6,755 a year, and you didn't have to sell a single share to get there, you didn't have to take on any kind of concentrated risk that would keep most retirees up at night.

Story Continues

In a downturn, high-dividend equity funds like the Global X SuperDividend US ETF can face price pressure if the underlying companies are economically sensitive, so it's not recession-proof. However, in a rate-cut environment, this fund tends to benefit directly as lower rates reduce borrowing costs for dividend-heavy sectors like REITs and utilities, making their payouts more sustainable and their valuations more attractive.

Read: Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF: Enhanced Income With a Qualify Filter

The Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (NYSE:DIVO) takes a different and move-selective approach, and rather than holding onto the highest-yielding stocks it can find, this ETF starts with a curated portfolio of high-quality large-cap companies with strong earnings histories. Try to think of blue-chip names that have proven they can sustain their dividends through rough markets, and then layer this onto a covered call strategy, which writes calls on individual positions to collect a premium income that boosts the overall yield well beyond what the underlying stocks would make alone.

The current yield at 6.37% offers a $2.88 annual dividend, which translates to roughly $133 per month in income with $25,000 invested. What really makes this ETF stand out is that its dividend growth figure is 49.82%, which is an exceptional number and reflects both the quality of the underlying holdings and the income boost that someone can earn from options premiums, which compound over time.

In a downturn, the Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF will hold up better than most equity income funds because of the underlying holdings that are higher-quality businesses with durable earnings. These are the kinds of companies that cut dividends last and recover fast. The covered call strategy might raise eyebrows, but it does add a cushion for those on the fence, as the premium income can continue even when stock prices aren't moving. In a rate-cut environment, the ETF is somewhat neutral as the options strategy is driven by more volatility than by rate direction, which actually adds a layer of income stability independent of whatever the FED is doing in any given time period.

Global X US Preferred ETF: Monthly Income From the Preferred Stock Layer

Most individual investors have heard of preferred stock but don't actually own any, which means they are leaving a reliable income layer completely off the table. The Global X US Preferred ETF (NYSE:PFFD) alleviates this concern by bundling over 200 US preferred securities into a single, monthly-paying fund. Preferred stock sits above common equity in the capital structure, meaning preferred holdings get paid out before common shareholders in both dividends and liquidation, which can mean more income stability than most equity funds can offer.

As of mid-March 2026, the Global X US Preferred ETF has a yield of 6.46% and pays $1.20 per share annually, distributed monthly. Assuming you invest $25,000 into this ETF, you're looking at a payout of around $135 per month landing in your account. Dividend growth is negative at -3.73%, which is worth noting as preferred distributions don't grow the way common stock dividends do, because they are structured more like fixed-income instruments. In other words, you own this ETF for current income and capital stability, not for its rising payouts.

Where the ETF really earns its spot on this list is during equity drawdowns, and when the stock market sells off, preferred securities are more likely to hold their value better than common stocks because their income is more contractually stable. In a rate-cut environment, the Global X US Preferred ETF is a direct beneficiary as preferred stock prices typically rise when rates fall because their fixed distribution becomes more valuable relative to what cash and bonds are paying. This is the opposite of the kind of behavior you can expect from high-yield equity funds, which is exactly the kind of diversification this allocation is designed to capture.

State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF: Corporate Bond Income That Doesn't Move With Stocks

The State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (NYSE:SPHY) brings something the other three funds on this list cannot in that it offers a fixed-income cash flow that is structurally decoupled from equity performance. It holds a broad basket of US high-yield corporate bonds, which are really just debt issued by companies that are below investment grade and pay higher rates to compensate for any additional credit risk. The result is a yield well above what investment-grade bond funds offer, all while paying out monthly, and tying it all together to interest payments rather than stock market conditions.

At a current yield of 7.43% and with a $1.72 annual dividend paid out monthly, this is equivalent to earning $155 per month in dividends on a $25,000 invesetment, without having to sell a single share. This marks the State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF as the highest-performing on this list. Of course, there is a caveat as its dividend growth number is -5.02%, which is a reflection of the fixed-income nature of the fund. Bond interest payments do not grow, but they are set up for issuance, and in this case, investors in this ETF are here for yield and consistent income, not for appreciation.

In a downturn, high-yield bonds can face some credit spread widening, meaning that prices can and will dip as investors price in higher default risk. The reason why the State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF holds hundreds of bonds across industries is that a single-issuer risk is minimal, and the income keeps flowing even as prices move. In a rate-cut environment, the State Street SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF benefits meaningfully when rates fall, and existing bond prices rise, giving this fund price appreciation on top of the income it's already generating.

The $100,000 Allocation and What It Actually Pays

If you split $100,000 across all four of these funds, or $25,000 each, you would be earning around $563 per month in total, or $6,755 annaully. It's important to note that all of this money is income, and not from principal. Compare this to adding $100,000 into a high-yield savings account at 4.20%, which only generates $350 monthly, or a 10-year Treasury at 4.28%, which would only pay around $357 monthly. This allocation will generate more than 60% more monthly income than either of those alternatives, all while drawing this income from four different asset classes that respond differently to market stress.

Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

And no, its got nothing to do with increasing your income, savings, clipping coupons, or even cutting back on your lifestyle. Its much more straightforward (and powerful) than any of that. Frankly, its shocking more people dont adopt the habit given how easy it is.
Israeli military says missiles from Iran heading towards Israel



Jerusalem, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2026



Israel's military said on Tuesday that missiles launched from Iran were heading towards its territory, calling on people in affected areas to head to shelters.

"A short while ago, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the military posted on Telegram.
Trump faces coalition of the unwilling on Iran



Washington, United States, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



President Donald Trump spent his first year back in power disparaging US allies. Now he wants them to help America in the Iran war -- and they are none too enthusiastic.

From tariffs to insults and threatening to invade Greenland, Trump has rarely missed an opportunity in recent months to criticize America's partners.

Yet now the 79-year-old Republican has said he expects the same allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic and reacted angrily when they rebuffed him.

"It's an extraordinary demand," said Philip Gordon, the former national security advisor to vice president Kamala Harris and now an academic at the Brookings Institution.

"To justify risking people's lives, not only for that operation, but for a president who has done nothing but insult and berate you for the last 15 months, that's probably a bridge too far," Gordon told AFP.

Trump has warned that the NATO alliance could be at risk if it fails to step up to unblock the strategic waterway, saying other countries get most of their oil supply through it and must contribute.

But while he insisted Monday that "we don't need anybody" to clear the straits, he also thundered that US allies from Europe to Asia owe Washington for giving them decades of protection.

Trump has also hit out at China for failing to help.



- 'Layers of irony' -



In foreign capitals there has been deep skepticism over getting involved in a war Trump did not consult them on, yet which has caused major disruption to their economies.

Their reluctance has been compounded by Trump's repeated tongue-lashings since returning to office.

Trump has slapped tariffs on allies, berated NATO members over their defense spending and support for Ukraine, and unveiled a national security strategy that prioritized boosting pro-Trump parties in Europe.

He has disparaged the contributions of nations whose soldiers fought and died alongside US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and claimed that America won World War II by itself.

And just weeks ago came Trump's threats to invade Greenland, which prompted an unprecedented display of unity behind fellow NATO member Denmark that forced Trump to back down.

"There are several layers of irony," remarked Erwan Lagadec of George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.

Lagadec said the United States had "launched a war without consulting allies, expecting them to mop up the mess, and that's not going fly."

NATO would also unlikely be in a position, or achieve consensus, to launch any major mission in the Strait of Hormuz, Lagadec added.



- 'Bullying and blackmail' -



Before the invasion of Iraq in 2003, then-president George W. Bush spent months building up what he called a "coalition of the willing" of more than 40 countries to back the United States.

But Trump, whose criticism of the Iraq war and other US quagmires was a centerpiece of his "America First" policy, failed to construct any similar alliance for a war he believed would be over soon.

European nations already struggling to deal with Ukraine and their own economies have very practical concerns about getting involved now in Iran, said Liana Fix of the Council on Foreign Relations.

"It is not payback, but just very real constraints and policy trade-offs," Fix told AFP.

But while US allies will still be wary of irking Trump over Hormuz, they may also choose to show that they can no longer be pushed around.

"If they do go along with him, his experience will be that bullying and blackmail work. That's been his experience for the whole first year, and then Greenland put a stop to it," said Gordon, who was also a special assistant to president Barack Obama.

"Now the chickens are coming home to roost."
Strike on Baghdad house kills at least two: security official



Baghdad, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



A missile strike on a house in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Tuesday killed two people, with initial reports suggesting they are "Iranian advisors" to Tehran-backed groups, a security official told AFP.

Another two sources from Iran-backed factions confirmed that a strike hit a house hosting Iranian advisors in the al-Jadiriyah neighbourhood, killing at least two people.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Here are the latest developments Monday in the Middle East war:



- Israel strikes Tehran, Beirut -



Israel's army said Tuesday it had launched a "wide scale wave of strikes" in the Iranian capital Tehran and started striking Hezbollah targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut.



- US embassy in Baghdad attacked -



A drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday, a security official said.

The security official said that "three drones and four rockets attacked the embassy, with at least one drone crashing inside it".

- Baghdad house strike -



A missile strike on a house in Iraq's capital Baghdad killed four people, with initial reports suggesting two of the victims were "Iranian advisors" to Tehran-backed groups, a security official told AFP.

Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups that have claimed daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and the region.

- Trump wants Hormuz 'enthusiasm' -



US President Donald Trump demanded that US allies help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but European powers pushed back on a possible mission to reopen the vital waterway shut by Iran in response to US-Israeli attacks.

Trump criticised the lukewarm response to his call for world powers to send warships to escort tankers through the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global crude oil, demanding nations "get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm".

- Israel president chides Europe -



Israel's President Isaac Herzog told AFP that Europe should back his country's fight against Hezbollah, as Israeli forces carried out ground operations in Lebanon.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war when Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

"Europe should support any effort, any effort, to eradicate Hezbollah now," Herzog said.



- Netanyahu sends Nowruz wishes -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent wishes to Iranians for the coming Nowruz holidays, marking the Persian new year.

"This year this holiday has special meaning...I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Nowruz -- a year of freedom. A new beginning of hope to all of you," he added, referring to the holiday that will be celebrated Friday.



- Baghdad hotel attack -



A drone sparked a fire Monday at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone shortly before air defences foiled a rocket attack at the US embassy.



- Fire at major UAE oil field -



A drone strike caused a fire at a major oil field in the United Arab Emirates, authorities said, as Iran continued its drone and missile strikes across the Gulf.

Authorities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi said they were still responding to the fire at the Shah oil field, without reporting injuries.



- Hezbollah targets Israeli troops -



Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli troops and vehicles in at least three Lebanese border towns, after the Israeli army announced it had begun limited ground operations in Lebanon.



- Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah commander killed -



Iraq's powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah said its senior security commander Abu Ali al-Askari had been killed, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

He was also the spokesperson in charge of issuing all key statements in the group's name.



- Drone targets Iraqi oil field -



Two drones targeted a major southern Iraqi oil field late Monday, an oil ministry spokesperson told AFP, after the second attack in four days.

Majnoon oil field was "targeted by two drones, one hit a telecommunication tower," oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun said, adding that there had been no damage.



- Hezbollah targets Israeli city -



Hezbollah said it launched an attack on Monday targeting the northern Israeli city of Nahariya, where Israeli first responders reported a man was wounded.



- Trump: unclear if new Iran leader 'dead or not' -



Trump said that he does not know whether Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, adding that Washington was unclear whom it could negotiate with in Tehran.

"We don't know... if he's dead or not," Trump told reporters at the White House.



- 1 million displaced in Lebanon -



Lebanese authorities said more than one million people had registered as displaced since war erupted on March 2 between Israel and Hezbollah.



- Shrapnel falls on Jerusalem holy sites -



Israeli police said they found missile and interceptor fragments at holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City, including areas near the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

"During the recent missile salvo fired from Iran toward Jerusalem, several intercepts occurred over the city," the police said.



- Merz: Israel's Lebanon ground offensive an 'error' -



German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that an Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon was an "error" which would "further exacerbate the already highly tense humanitarian situation" in the country.

"We urgently call on our Israeli friends: Do not take this path -- it would be an error," Merz said.



- Key UAE port suspends oil loading -



The UAE's state-owned energy giant ADNOC halted the loading of oil into storage tanks at their Fujairah facility, a source with knowledge of the operations told AFP, following repeated strikes on the installation.

Fujairah is home to a major port where Iranian attacks have already targeted oil storage tanks.

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Indonesia weighs response to price pressures from Middle East war



Jakarta, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Price pressures fuelled by the Middle East war may push Indonesia's government to reconsider its dogged defence of energy subsidies and a costly meals scheme close to the heart of President Prabowo Subianto, analysts say.

Unlike many of its neighbours, Southeast Asia's biggest economy has not seen long fuel queues as global oil prices have soared, nor have its citizens been subjected to pandemic-style work-from-home measures.

But that may change.

As Prabowo seeks to raise the economic growth rate from 5.1 percent last year to eight percent by 2029, powered by high public spending, Jakarta has limited options for offsetting the impact of rising oil prices, according to experts.

It can either cut fuel subsidies and risk political upheaval, slash spending on Prabowo's signature school meals programme, or overshoot the fiscal deficit that is capped by law at three percent of GDP.

"We are already in a critical situation," with fuel and natural gas supplies at about three weeks' worth -- the maximum storage capacity -- and a dearth of new suppliers to offset the Middle East blockage, said Yose Rizal Damuri, executive director of Indonesia's Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

He said the government may have no choice but to cut its fuel subsidy, which covers about 30 to 40 percent of the cost for consumers and represents around 15 percent of the budget.

"The government can also consider making fiscal space by reducing... the free meal programme," Yose told AFP.

The scheme, which consumes nearly a tenth of the annual budget, aims to feed millions of Indonesian schoolchildren and pregnant women in a bid to reduce stunting and boost the nation's human capital, but has been criticised for logistical inefficiencies and food safety concerns.

The meals programme was Prabowo's most popular campaign promise, and he has repeatedly vowed to keep it in place.

Yose said the government could save as much as 100 trillion rupiah ($5.9 billion) by restricting the scheme to areas of the country where it is needed most.



- Sharing the burden -



Indonesia, which produces about half the oil it consumes, heavily subsidises fuel, electricity and natural gas consumed domestically.

According to Capital Economics, a London-based consultancy, the government allocated 381 trillion rupiah to energy subsidies for 2026, about 1.5 percent of GDP.

The figure was premised on oil costing $70 per barrel (pb), but prices have topped $100 pb since Israel and the United States attacked Iran last month, plunging the Middle East into war.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has said an oil price of $92 pb would see Indonesia's deficit rise to 3.6 percent of GDP.

"If the budget really can't handle it anymore, then there's no other way than sharing the burden with the public to some extent," he told reporters.

Past fuel price rises have led to riots.

Yose said fuel price cuts were more likely than any decision in the near term to raise the fiscal deficit, which would require a change to the law or a presidential decree.

Bloomberg reported on Monday that the Jakarta Composite Index of share values dropped to an eight-month low over concerns the cap would be raised if oil prices stay high.

But Capital Economics said a breach of the deficit cap "should create little concern" about Indonesia's immediate fiscal health.

"Government debt is low, at around 40 percent of GDP," it said in a statement.



- 'Proactive measures' -



Last Friday, Prabowo took stock of the economic situation with his cabinet, stating: "We must now also take proactive measures, meaning we must conserve fuel."

"If some civil servants and officials do not need to come to the office, it would reduce traffic congestion and generate substantial savings," said the president.

"We must also consider cutting working days."

The Fitch ratings agency this month downgraded Indonesia's credit outlook to negative, citing "rising policy uncertainty".

The central bank insists growth prospects remain "solid" and says the country has sufficient foreign currency reserves.
Drone, rocket attack targets US embassy in Baghdad



Baghdad, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



A drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday, while a strike killed four people at a house reportedly hosting Iranian advisors, security officials said, pulling Iraq deeper into the Middle East war.

An AFP journalist reported seeing black smoke rising after an explosion in the embassy complex, as well as air defences intercepting another drone.

The strikes came hours after air defences thwarted a rocket attack at the embassy and a drone sparked a fire at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone.

Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups that have claimed daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region.

Meanwhile, a strike on a house in Baghdad killed four people early Tuesday, with initial reports suggesting that two of the dead were "Iranian advisors" to Tehran-backed groups, a security source told AFP.

Another source from an Iran-backed faction confirmed that four people were killed in the strike on a house hosting Iranian advisors in al-Jadiriyah neighbourhood.

The attacks came shortly after the powerful Tehran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group announced that its senior security commander Abu Ali al-Askari had been killed, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

Iraq's interior ministry initially said that a "projectile" fell on the roof of the luxury al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, before clarifying that it was a drone. It did not specify whether the building itself was the target.

"The incident caused no casualties or material damage," it added.

A street leading to the hotel, which hosts diplomatic missions including the US embassy, was blocked by a large security deployment, with firefighters and ambulances present, according to an AFP correspondent.

Witnesses saw a fire break out on the roof of the hotel.

Shortly after the hotel incident, a loud blast was heard in Baghdad, as air defences were seen intercepting an attack over the US embassy, an AFP journalist said.

A security official told AFP "air defences thwarted an attack with four rockets" on the embassy.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, head of the armed forces, denounced the attacks -- including a strike on a southern oil field -- calling them threats to his country's "security and stability".

He promised security services would "hunt down the perpetrators of these acts and bring them to justice immediately", according to a statement from his spokesman, Sabah al-Numan.

"These criminal acts have serious repercussions for our country and undermine the government's efforts toward reconstruction and prosperity."



- Fighters killed, oil attack -



Kataeb Hezbollah announced Monday "the martyrdom of Haj Abu Ali al-Askari", without providing any details on how and when he was killed.

A security official told AFP that "Abu Ali al-Askari is Abu Ali al-Amiri, the commander who was killed in a strike on Baghdad on Saturday".

Kataeb Hezbollah referred to Askari as the group's security chief. He was also the spokesperson in charge of issuing all key statements in the group's name.

Drone and rocket attacks have also targeted oil fields and facilities.

Earlier Monday, two drones targeted the southern Majnoon oil field -- which had already paused production -- with the oil ministry spokesperson saying that one of the drones had hit a telecommunications tower.

A security official said a second drone had targeted the offices of a US firm, operating at the site.

In a separate incident in the west, eight Iraqi fighters from a former paramilitary coalition were also killed in strikes near the country's border with Syria.

The fighters belonged to the Hashed al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which are now part of Iraq's regular army.
Son of Iran's ousted shah names Nobel winner to 'justice committee'



Washington, United States, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The exiled son of Iran's last shah announced a new committee on Monday to lay the groundwork for a future truth commission in Iran and named a Nobel Peace Prize winner to lead it.

US-based Reza Pahlavi, who wields influence among the diaspora but holds no official position, said that the transitional justice committee would draft "regulations for a truth-finding commission and court."

According to the former crown prince, the team would seek justice for "victims of injustice, torture and repression by the Islamic Republic."

He wrote on X that Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi would lead the committee of "experienced Iranian experts spanning four different generations."

He also named Dutch Iranian law professor Afshin Ellian, activist Iraj Mesdaghi and doctor Leila Bahmani as members.

Pahlavi leads one of several opposition movements based outside of Iran. His prominence grew after he encouraged protests in January against Iran's clerical system, with some demonstrators calling for a return of the deposed monarchy.

Iran's supreme leader since 1989, Ali Khamenei, was killed when the United States and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic republic on February 28.

His son, Mojtaba, was named his successor a week later.

Ebadi, a lawyer, former judge and the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, created the nonprofit Defenders of Human Rights Center and lives in exile in London.
Missile debris kills one in Abu Dhabi: govt statement



Abu Dhabi, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Falling shrapnel from an intercepted missile killed a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi, the government media office said Tuesday.

The incident took place in the Bani Yas area "following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defences", the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
Qatar says intercepts missile attack, explosions heard in Dubai



Doha, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Qatar said Tuesday it had intercepted a missile attack, as Iran continued its retaliatory campaign over US-Israeli strikes that killed its supreme leader.

The Islamic republic has carried out strikes on its Gulf neighbours since the war in the Middle East erupted late last month, disrupting commercial air travel and choking global energy supplies.

An AFP journalist heard several explosions in Doha on Tuesday, a day after similar blasts were heard across the Qatari capital.

Qatar, like several other Gulf nations, has been targeted by both drones and missiles in recent days.

"The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar," the defence ministry posted on X.

In nearby Dubai, an AFP journalist heard three explosions after a mobile phone alert warned residents of the United Arab Emirates' most populous city to "immediately seek a safe place" over "potential missile threats".

Iran has fired more than 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than any other country targeted by Tehran since the start of the Middle East war.

Tehran has taken aim at US assets in the Gulf countries, as well as civilian infrastructure, including landmarks, airports, ports and oil facilities.

Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said this week that US bases in the Middle East had been used to launch air raids and that missiles had been fired from the UAE to strike Iran's Kharg Island, though UAE officials have denied the claim.

The strikes have upended travel plans in the financial hub, despite its air defence intercepting the vast majority of projectiles.
Kabul drug rehab clinic in ruins after Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan



Kabul, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Crowds gathered on Tuesday outside a drug treatment centre in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in a bid for news of their loved ones after it was hit in a Pakistani air strike.

AFP reporters counted at least 30 bodies being removed from the rubble of the facility and saw medics treating dozens of wounded in the chaotic and smouldering aftermath of the attack on Monday night.

The Taliban authorities said the death toll could be in the hundreds.

At first light, chairs, blankets, pieces of hospital beds and human remains could be seen in the blackened ruins of the building.

Baryalai Amiri, a 38-year-old mechanic, came to the site where his brother was admitted about 25 days ago.

"We are not given the proper information," he told AFP, as rescuers picked through the rubble nearby. "So far, we don't know where he is."

Afghanistan and Pakistan have been in conflict for months, with Islamabad accusing its neighbour of harbouring Islamist extremists who have mounted deadly cross-border attacks.

The Taliban government denies the charge.

Pakistan, however, denied Afghan claims that its latest attack on Kabul targeted civilians, instead insisting that it carried out precision strikes on "military installations and terrorist support infrastructure".

The Afghan health ministry initially estimated that more than 200 people could have been killed, with as many wounded.

A Taliban government spokesman later said the death toll was at least double that, with 250 wounded.



- Targeted -



The health authorities said there were around 3,000 patients from across Afghanistan at the clinic at the time of the strikes, which triggered panic in Kabul, just after residents had broken their daily Ramadan fast.

People ran for cover as anti-aircraft guns fired from 9:00 pm (1630 GMT).

"I heard the sound of the jet patrolling," Omid Stanikzai, 31, a security guard at the drug treatment centre, told AFP.

"There were military units all around us. When these military units fired on the jet, the jet dropped bombs and a fire broke out."

All of the dead and injured were civilians, he added.

The Italian NGO Emergency said it received three bodies at its hospital in Kabul and was treating 27 wounded but expected the toll to be higher.

Doctors were called as back-up at several hospitals in the city.

Pakistan said it also hit the eastern border province of Nangarhar on Monday.

"Pakistan's targeting is precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted," the information ministry said.



- 'De-escalate' -



The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said he was "dismayed" by reports of the air strikes and civilian casualties.

"I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint & respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals," he posted on X.

On Friday, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan confirmed the deaths of at least 75 civilians in the country since clashes with Pakistan intensified on February 26.

China said on Monday that its special envoy has spent a week mediating between the two sides and urged an immediate ceasefire.

But South Asia expert Michael Kugelman, from the Atlantic Council international affairs think-tank, told AFP the fighting showed little sign of ending soon.

"The Arab Gulf nations that mediated previous rounds of Afghanistan-Pakistan talks are now bogged down by their own war. Other mediators, including China, have had limited success," he said.

"Pakistan appears intent to keep hitting targets in Afghanistan, and the Taliban determined to retaliate with operations on Pakistani border posts and potentially with asymmetric tactics -- from launching drones to sponsoring militant attacks in wider Pakistan.

"There are no off-ramps in sight."

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In September of last year, during Oracle's (NYSE: ORCL) fiscal 2026 first-quarter earnings results, management issued stunning guidance for its cloud infrastructure division. This segment includes the company's data center business, which essentially rents graphics processing units (GPUs) to companies deploying artificial intelligence solutions.

At the time, Oracle said cloud infrastructure revenue would grow 77% in the current fiscal year to $18 billion and then explode to $144 billion by fiscal year 2030. Investors loved it and bid the stock up in a fervent rally.

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 rally would be short-lived, as AI concerns would affect the entire symbiotic ecosystem. But now, a recent $110 billion catalyst could make Oracle's fiscal year 2030 guidance more likely.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Oracle's guidance came with challenges

After the strong September quarter, investors quickly realized that the devil was in the details. At the time, Oracle had also reported $455 billion in remaining performance obligations (RPOs), representing revenue under contract but not yet collected. The high number of RPOs gave the company and investors confidence in Oracle's guidance.

However, it eventually came to light that $300 billion of those RPOs were from OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, which had struck a five-year deal with Oracle for data center capacity. OpenAI has many outstanding data center commitments, totaling $1.4 trillion over the next eight years.

This made investors concerned because the company -- which is, albeit, the fastest-growing consumer app ever -- is still only generating about $20 billion in annual recurring revenue. Meanwhile, Oracle was raising significant debt to complete its data center build-out, creating a significant risk if OpenAI is unable to meet its commitments.

In its fiscal 2026 second-quarter earnings report, the company raised its full-year capital expenditure guidance from $35 billion to $50 billion and reported negative free cash flow, which did little to quell investor concerns that it might be taking on too much risk.

The $110 billion catalyst

The good news for Oracle is that OpenAI recently raised a successful $110 billion private financing round, led by investors including Amazon, Nvidia, and SoftBank, assigning the company a pre-money valuation of $730 billion. While there had been rumblings about this raise, nobody was certain it would get done.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Here are the latest developments Monday in the Middle East war:



- Oil prices jump -

The price of oil jumped more than five percent Tuesday as several countries pushed back against US President Donald Trump's demand that they help secure the key Strait of Hormuz, while Iran targeted crude-producing neighbours.

At around 0615 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 5.16 percent at $98.32 a barrel while Brent Crude also rose above five percent before easing back.

Meanwhile, a new drone strike hit the Fujairah oil complex on the UAE's east coast on Tuesday causing a fire but no injuries, local authorities said.

The facility, which sits on the Gulf of Oman and enables the UAE to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for some exports, was already hit on Monday.



- Qatar foils missile attack, one killed in Abu Dhabi -



Qatar said Tuesday it had intercepted a missile attack after an AFP journalist reported hearing several explosions in Doha.

In nearby Dubai, an AFP journalist heard three explosions after a mobile phone alert warned residents of the United Arab Emirates' most populous city to "immediately seek a safe place" over "potential missile threats".

And in Abu Dhabi, falling shrapnel from an intercepted missile killed a Pakistani national, city authorities said.



- Tanker struck near Oman -



An "unknown projectile" struck a tanker off the coast of Oman, a UK maritime agency said Tuesday, noting there were no reported injuries and only "minor structural damage".



- Israel strikes Tehran, Beirut -



Israel's army said Tuesday it had launched a "wide scale wave of strikes" in the Iranian capital Tehran and started striking Hezbollah targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Lebanese state media later said Israeli strikes hit three neighborhoods in Beirut, including a residential apartment building.

An Ethiopian woman was wounded in the Beirut strikes, media said, quoting the health ministry.



- US embassy in Baghdad attacked -



A drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday, a security official said.

The security official said that "three drones and four rockets attacked the embassy, with at least one drone crashing inside it".

- Baghdad house strike -



A missile strike on a house in Iraq's capital Baghdad killed four people, with initial reports suggesting two of the victims were "Iranian advisors" to Tehran-backed groups, a security official told AFP.

Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups that have claimed daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and the region.

- Trump wants Hormuz 'enthusiasm' -



The US president demanded that allies help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but European powers pushed back on a possible mission to reopen the vital waterway shut by Iran in response to US-Israeli attacks.

Trump criticised the lukewarm response to his call for world powers to send warships to escort tankers through the strait, which normally carries a fifth of global crude oil, demanding nations "get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm".

- Israel president chides Europe -



Israel's President Isaac Herzog told AFP that Europe should back his country's fight against Hezbollah, as Israeli forces carried out ground operations in Lebanon.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war when Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

"Europe should support any effort, any effort, to eradicate Hezbollah now," Herzog said.



- Netanyahu sends Nowruz wishes -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent wishes to Iranians for the coming Nowruz holidays, marking the Persian new year.

"This year this holiday has special meaning...I take this opportunity to wish you a happy Nowruz -- a year of freedom. A new beginning of hope to all of you," he added, referring to the holiday that will be celebrated Friday.



- Baghdad hotel attack -



A drone sparked a fire Monday at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone shortly before air defences foiled a rocket attack at the US embassy.



- Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah commander killed -



Iraq's powerful armed group Kataeb Hezbollah said its senior security commander Abu Ali al-Askari had been killed, without providing details on the circumstances of his death.

He was also the spokesperson in charge of issuing all key statements in the group's name.



- Drone targets Iraqi oil field -



Two drones targeted a major southern Iraqi oil field late Monday, an oil ministry spokesperson told AFP, after the second attack in four days.

Majnoon oil field was "targeted by two drones, one hit a telecommunication tower," oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun said, adding that there had been no damage.



- Shrapnel falls on Jerusalem holy sites -



Israeli police said they found missile and interceptor fragments at holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City, including areas near the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

"During the recent missile salvo fired from Iran toward Jerusalem, several intercepts occurred over the city," the police said.

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China says to provide humanitarian assistance to Iran, Mideast nations



Beijing, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



China said on Tuesday it will provide humanitarian assistance to Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Lebanon, targeted in US and Israeli strikes in the conflict now in its third week.

Beijing is a close partner of Iran and has urged the United States and Israel to cease their attacks on the country, while also criticising Tehran's strikes against Gulf states housing US military bases.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the war had caused "grave humanitarian catastrophes" in Iran and other Middle Eastern nations.

"China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. It is hoped this will help alleviate the humanitarian plight faced by the local populations," Lin told a press conference, without providing further details.

"China will continue to make every effort to promote peace and stop the war... and to prevent further spreading of the humanitarian crisis," he added.

China has sought to mediate in the war, with its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, urging de-escalation when he recently met Saudi Arabia's foreign minister for talks.

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, has also said that the war "should never have happened" and called for an end to fighting.

The humanitarian aid announcement came after US President Donald Trump said he would delay a planned visit to Beijing.

Trump, who postponed his planned visit to Beijing due to the war, according to the White House, has also pressured China to help Washington reopen th Strait of Hormuz.

The vital sea passage, through which a fifth of global oil supplies normally pass, was effectively closed by Iran in retaliation to US and Israeli strikes.
China calls for restraint after Pakistani strikes in Kabul



Beijing, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



China called for "calm and restraint" between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday, after an air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul killed at least 400 people.

Afghanistan accused Pakistan on Tuesday of hitting a treatment centre for drug addicts in its capital, though Islamabad denied deliberately targeting civilians.

The Afghan health ministry said that about 400 people were killed and more than 200 wounded, but that the toll was not final as rescue operations are ongoing.

The Pakistani military has struck Kabul several times in recent weeks, as part of a conflict sparked by claims that the Taliban government has harboured extremists who have carried out attacks across the border.

China's foreign ministry urged the two countries on Tuesday to "swiftly implement a ceasefire" and resolve their differences through dialogue.

Pakistan is one of China's closest partners in the region, but Beijing also calls itself a "friendly neighbour" of Afghanistan.

A Chinese special envoy spent a week mediating between the two countries, according to Beijing's foreign ministry.

"China... will continue to leverage its own channels to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions and facilitating the improvement of bilateral relations," spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Tuesday.

"Dialogue and negotiation constitute the only effective means of resolving issues between the two countries."
Strikes shake Tehran as Trump presses allies to help in Mideast war



Tehran, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Loud explosions shook Tehran Tuesday after a night of bombing, as US President Donald Trump pressed allies to help in the war that has engulfed the Middle East and sparked global economic turmoil.

Oil prices rose more than five percent Tuesday after several countries pushed back on Trump's demand they help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that is key to the transit of crude and liquefied natural gas.

The war, now in its third week, has killed hundreds and seen Iran launch retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf nations, as well as a front opening in Lebanon with Israel battling Hezbollah.

Iraq, long a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, has also been drawn in, with a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Blasts were heard in Iran's capital Tehran, an AFP journalist said, after a night of heavy bombardment mixed with thunder and rain.

It was not immediate clear what the targets were, but Israel's army said earlier it had launched a wave of strikes "against Iranian terror regime infrastructure across Tehran", as well as strikes in Lebanon.

Lebanese state media reported Tuesday that Israeli strikes at dawn hit a residential building in Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

An AFP photographer saw firefighters tackling a blaze at the site of a strike, while rubble and debris were strewn across the road.

Millions of people have been displaced because of the war, notably in Lebanon and Iran, but the war also has also hit the world economy as oil prices surge.

Iran has targeted the energy facilities of its crude-producing neighbours, while its threats against tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz all but closing the vital waterway.

A fifth of global crude oil passes through the Strait and Trump has called on world powers, including US allies, to send warships to escort tankers -- so far in vain.



- Armada to Hormuz -



On Monday, Trump demanded US allies join quickly and with "great enthusiasm" an armada to escort tankers through the strait.

He has warned that it would be "very bad" for the future of the NATO military alliance if the allies refused to help.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a "viable" plan to reopen the strait, but ruled out a NATO mission.

Berlin also said it "has been clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO".

Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden also distanced themselves from any military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.

EU foreign ministers discussed the war in Brussels on Monday but showed "no appetite" for extending their Red Sea naval mission to help reopen Hormuz, the bloc's top diplomat said.

Analysts said it was not surprising that America's partners were unenthusiastic about joining a war they were not consulted on, after a year of tensions with Washington on everything from tariffs to Greenland.

The United States had "launched a war without consulting allies, expecting them to mop up the mess, and that's not going fly", said Erwan Lagadec of George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.



- Defiant tone -



Trump on Monday admitted he was "shocked" at Iran's response to the US-Israel attacks.

"They weren't supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East. Those missiles were set to go after them," he said.

"So, they hit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait. Nobody expected that. We were shocked."

The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure.

Falling debris from a missile intercept killed one person on Tuesday in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi.

More than 1,200 Iranians have been killed by US and Israeli strikes, according to the last toll from Iran's health ministry on March 8, which could not be independently verified.

But Iran's foreign minister struck a defiant tone on Monday.

"By now they have... understood what kind of nation they are dealing with," Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Tehran.

Iran, he said, "does not hesitate to defend itself and is ready to continue the war wherever it may lead, and take it as far as necessary".



- Iraq drawn in -



Western allies Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom also urged Israel to show restraint in Lebanon, where it has announced "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah.

But Israel's President Isaac Herzog told AFP that Europe should support "any effort to eradicate Hezbollah now".

Authorities in Lebanon have said more than one million people have registered as displaced since March 2, with more than 130,000 people staying in upwards of 600 collective shelters.

Lebanon was drawn into the war when Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants struck Israel over the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the conflict.

Iraq is also increasingly being pulled in.

A drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday, while a strike killed four people at a house reportedly hosting Iranian advisors, security officials said.

An AFP journalist reported seeing black smoke rising after an explosion in the embassy complex, as well as air defences intercepting another drone.

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Afghan govt says 'around 400' killed in Pakistani strike on Kabul rehab clinic



Kabul, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The Afghan government on Tuesday said that about 400 people were killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the capital, Kabul, in the deadliest attack in the recent violence between the two neighbours.

Hundreds more were said to have been wounded at the facility, which was hit on Monday night, flattening buildings used to treat people from across the country for addictions to marijuana, amphetamines and other narcotics.

There was no immediate independent verification of the toll but AFP reporters saw at least 30 bodies taken from the site in the chaotic and smouldering aftermath of the attack on Monday night.

They then saw more than 65 removed on Tuesday as rescuers picked through the rubble in the search for victims and survivors.

"The toll is not final as the rescue operation is still going on but we have around 400 martyrs and more than 200 wounded," said interior ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman, calling the strike "against the Geneva Convention and all international laws.

Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani gave a toll of "408 killed and 265 wounded" at the same briefing.

The Italian NGO Emergency said soon after the strike that it received three bodies at its hospital in Kabul and was treating 27 wounded but expected the toll to be much higher.

The Taliban government has accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting civilians. But Islamabad maintained it had carried out precision strikes.

On Tuesday, the information ministry in Islamabad said its target -- "a location storing military and terrorist weapons and equipment" -- was "several kilometres away" from the clinic and questioned the Afghan authorities' version of events.

The two sides have been in conflict for months, with Islamabad accusing its neighbour of harbouring Islamist extremists who have mounted deadly cross-border attacks on its territory.



- Search for survivors -



Chairs, blankets, pieces of hospital beds and human remains could be seen in the blackened ruins of the rehabilitation centre as dawn broke.

Crowds gathered outside as family members sought news of their loved ones, including Baryalai Amiri, a 38-year-old mechanic, whose brother was admitted as a patient about 25 days ago.

"We are not given the proper information," he told AFP, as rescuers picked through the rubble nearby. "So far, we don't know where he is."

Monday evening's attack triggered panic in Kabul, sending people running for cover as anti-aircraft guns fired back not long after they had broken their daily Ramadan fast.

"I heard the sound of the jet patrolling," Omid Stanikzai, 31, a security guard at the drug treatment centre, told AFP.

"There were military units all around us. When these military units fired on the jet, the jet dropped bombs and a fire broke out."

All of the dead and injured were civilians, he added.

Pakistan said it also hit the eastern border province of Nangarhar on Monday.

"Pakistan's targeting is precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted," the information ministry said on Monday.

Habibullah Kabulbai, 55, arrived at the centre on Monday night, hoping to find his brother, Nawroz, who was admitted five days ago.

"I can't find him," he said, weeping. "What should we do? I have no words... We are helpless. This has not only happened to me but the whole of Afghanistan."



- 'De-escalate' -



The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said he was "dismayed" by reports of the air strikes and civilian casualties, and called on both sides to "de-escalate".

On Friday, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan confirmed the deaths of at least 75 civilians in the country since clashes with Pakistan intensified on February 26.

Pakistan's arch-foe India called Monday's strike "a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence" that threatened regional peace and stability.

China said on Monday that its special envoy has spent a week mediating between the two sides and urged an immediate ceasefire.

But South Asia expert Michael Kugelman, from the Atlantic Council international affairs think-tank, said the fighting showed little sign of ending soon, particularly with Gulf states "bogged down by their own war".

"Pakistan appears intent to keep hitting targets in Afghanistan, and the Taliban determined to retaliate with operations on Pakistani border posts and potentially with asymmetric tactics -- from launching drones to sponsoring militant attacks in wider Pakistan," he told AFP.

"There are no off-ramps in sight."
Iraq asks Iran for oil tanker passage through Strait of Hormuz: minister



Baghdad, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Iraq was in contact with Iran to try to arrange passage for some of its oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the country's oil minister told local media.

A founding member of the OPEC cartel, crude oil sales make up 90 percent of Iraq's budget revenues. Before the outbreak of war on February 28, Iraq mainly shipped its oil -- roughly 3.5 million barrels per day -- from the southern Basra fields via the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has closed the strait, through which as much as a fifth of the world's oil is shipped in normal times, to vessels from most countries.

"Communications are underway with the relevant authorities to authorise the passage of certain oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, in order that we can resume our exports," oil minister Hayan Abdel Ghani told local TV station al-Sharqiya, referring to the Iranians.

"We need to provide them with the identity of these ships, their name, their affiliation, who owns them," he added.
Israel military says killed Iran's Basij paramilitary chief in strike



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel's military said on Tuesday it had killed the head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force in a strike, while Israeli media reported Tehran's national security chief was also targeted for assassination.

"In a precise strike in Tehran: The IDF eliminated the Commander of the Basij Unit," The Israeli military said.

"Yesterday (Monday), the Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years," it said.

The Basij, a volunteer force under Iran's Revolutionary Guards, "led the main repression operations" by the authorities during recent mass protests in Iran, the Israeli army said.

Iran was rocked by unprecedented protests against the clerical establishment that peaked in January.

They were met with a crackdown in which, according to rights groups, thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands arrested.

In separate reports, Israeli media also said the military had targeted Iran's powerful national security chief Ali Larijani in an overnight strike.

Public broadcaster Kan said that Larijani was the "target of an assassination attempt", while television station N12 reported the results of the strike were "still being reviewed".

There was no official confirmation from Israeli officials.

Israel's military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said "significant preventive achievements were recorded overnight" in a statement released earlier by the military.

And the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a photo of the premier on the phone, captioned: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the elimination of senior figures in the Iranian regime."
Israel strikes Beirut suburbs as displacement shelters overflow



Sidon, Lebanon, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel carried out new strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and again ordered residents of vast parts of southern Lebanon to evacuate, as more than a million people have been displaced across the country.

Early Tuesday morning Israeli aircraft bombed two neighbourhoods of Beirut's southern suburbs, state media said, and also struck Doha Aramoun, south of the capital, wounding an Ethiopian woman.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when pro-Iran Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel in response to US-Israeli strikes that killed Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel has responded with intense strikes in multiple Lebanese regions and some ground operations in the south.

Israel confirmed the Tuesday strikes, saying it was targeting Hezbollah, as it has since the start of the conflict, a day after announcing the start of "limited" ground operations in southern Lebanon.

Israeli strikes have killed 886 people, including 67 women and 111 children, since March 2, Lebanon's health ministry said on Monday, adding that 2,141 others have been wounded.

At the same time, the Israeli military renewed its call for residents to evacuate a region stretching more than 40 kilometres from the Lebanon-Israel border.

Around 14 percent of Lebanese territory is under Israeli evacuation warnings, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Lebanese authorities said more than one million people had registered as displaced since March 2 -- more than a sixth of the country's population -- with more than 130,000 people staying in upwards of 600 official shelters.

These displaced people "will not return to their homes" in the south as long as the security of residents in northern Israel is not guaranteed, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said this week.



- Overcrowded centres -



In the southern city of Sidon, far from the border, displaced people were sleeping in their cars parked along the seafront corniche, according to an AFP team on the ground.

"Saida is full, we have no more capacity", said Jihan Kaisi, the director of an NGO that runs a school-turned-shelter, where more than 1,100 people are crammed together.

"Lots of people are coming every day to ask for shelter but we don't have space anymore, we can't accept them," she added.

She said that the road from the south was blocked on Monday with people fleeing north following evacuation orders.

A strike on Tuesday morning targeted a building in a village in the Sidon region, after a warning from the Israeli military, according to state media.

Another strike in the Nabatieh region wounded five Lebanese army soldiers travelling in a car and on a motorcycle, one of them seriously, according to an army statement.

Alongside its massive bombardment campaign, Israel has announced that it is carrying out ground incursions in the south with troops and armoured vehicles.

On Tuesday the Israeli military said "additional... troops have been deployed in Lebanon, continuing efforts to establish a forward defence posture in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel against Hezbollah's threat".

Israel's military chief of staff Eyal Zamir said on Monday that "more than 400 terrorists have been eliminated so far".

Hezbollah said the same day that it had launched rockets and drones towards the city of Nahariya in northern Israel, where a man was wounded by an explosion, according to Israeli rescuers.

The group also claimed responsibility early on Tuesday for two rocket attacks on groups of Israeli soldiers near the villages of Maroun al-Ras and Meiss El Jabal, located on the border.

On Monday evening, the leaders of Germany, Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom warned that a large-scale Israeli ground operation in Lebanon "would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict".
Missile debris kills one in Abu Dhabi as Iran presses Gulf attacks



Abu Dhabi, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Falling debris from a missile intercept killed one person on Tuesday in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi and injured two medical staff in Kuwait, authorities said, as Iran pressed its attacks against Gulf countries.

The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure.

Debris fell in the Bani Yas area "following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defences", the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on X.

The day before a Palestinian national was killed on the edge of the city when a missile hit his car.

As well as hitting ports, airports, residential buildings and hotels along with military sites across the region, Iran has also struck energy facilities across the hydrocarbon-rich Gulf.

On the east coast of the country, the oil industrial zone of Fujairah was hit on Tuesday morning, sparking a fire but causing no injuries, local authorities said.

It was the second day in a row that the site was hit, with a source telling AFP on Monday that oil storage loading had been shut down by an attack.

In Kuwait, two medical staff were injured when shrapnel fell on an emergency medical centre where they were working, the state's health ministry said.

An AFP journalist heard several explosions in Doha on Tuesday and Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted a missile attack.

Later, the tiny, gas-rich country's civil defence said it was dealing with a minor fire in an industrial area following the interception, with no injuries reported.

In nearby Dubai, an AFP journalist heard three explosions after a mobile phone alert warned residents of the United Arab Emirates' most populous city to "immediately seek a safe place" because of "potential missile threats".

Iran has fired more than 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than any other country targeted by Tehran since the start of the war.

Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said this week that US bases in the Middle East had been used to launch air raids and that missiles had been fired from the UAE to strike Iran's Kharg Island, though UAE officials have denied the claim.

The strikes have upended travel plans in the financial hub, despite its air defence intercepting the vast majority of projectiles.

bur-csp/dcp
Israel says killed Iran national security chief Larijani



Tehran, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel said Tuesday it had killed Iran's powerful national security chief, Ali Larijani, in what would be a huge blow to the Islamic republic as fresh strikes rocked the Middle East from Tehran to Baghdad.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Larijani was "eliminated last night", although this has not been confirmed by Iran.

Earlier Tuesday, Israel's military said Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed Monday in a strike on Tehran.

Reports of their deaths come less than three weeks after US-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, triggering a war that has engulfed the region.

He was replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, whose whereabouts and health is the subject of much speculation. US President Donald Trump said Monday that "we don't know... if he's dead or not".

Hundreds of people have been killed and millions have been displaced because of the war, notably in Lebanon and Iran.

The conflict has also sent oil prices soaring, after Iran's attacks on vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that is key to the transit of crude and liquefied natural gas.

Oil prices rose more than five percent early Tuesday after several countries pushed back on Trump's demand they help protect shipping.



- Armada to Hormuz -



An AFP reporter had earlier Tuesday reported blasts in Tehran, after a night of heavy bombardment mixed with thunder and rain.

Israel's army said it had launched a wave of strikes "against Iranian terror regime infrastructure across Tehran", as well as strikes in Lebanon.

Lebanese state media reported Israeli strikes at dawn hit a residential building in Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

An AFP photographer saw firefighters tackling a blaze at the site of a strike, while rubble and debris were strewn across the road.

In retaliation for the US-Israel attacks, Iran has targeted US interests, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure of its energy-rich neighbours.

Its threats and attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global crude oil passes, have also all but closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has called on world powers to help and on Monday demanded US allies join quickly and with "great enthusiasm" an armada to escort tankers through the strait.

He has warned that it would be "very bad" for the future of the NATO military alliance if the allies refused to help.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a "viable" plan to reopen the strait, but ruled out a NATO mission.

Berlin also said it "has been clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO".

EU foreign ministers meeting Monday showed "no appetite" for extending their Red Sea naval mission to help reopen Hormuz, the bloc's top diplomat said.

Analysts said it was not surprising that America's partners were unenthusiastic about joining a war they were not consulted on, after a year of tensions with Washington on everything from tariffs to Greenland.

The United States had "launched a war without consulting allies, expecting them to mop up the mess, and that's not going fly", said Erwan Lagadec of George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.



- Defiant tone -



Trump on Monday admitted he was "shocked" at Iran's response to the US-Israel attacks.

"They weren't supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East. Those missiles were set to go after them," he said.

"So, they hit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait. Nobody expected that. We were shocked."

The Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure.

Falling debris from a missile intercept killed one person on Tuesday in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi.

More than 1,200 Iranians have been killed by US and Israeli strikes, according to the last toll from Iran's health ministry on March 8, which could not be independently verified.



- Iraq drawn in -



Western allies Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom also urged Israel to show restraint in Lebanon, where it has announced "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah.

But Israel's President Isaac Herzog told AFP that Europe should support "any effort to eradicate Hezbollah now".

Authorities in Lebanon have said more than one million people have registered as displaced since March 2, with more than 130,000 people staying in upwards of 600 collective shelters.

Lebanon was drawn into the war when Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants struck Israel over Khamenei's killing.

Iraq, long a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, has also been drawn in.

A drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday, while a strike killed four people at a house reportedly hosting Iranian advisors, security officials said.

An AFP journalist reported seeing black smoke rising after an explosion in the embassy complex, as well as air defences intercepting another drone.

burs-ar/ser
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Chevron's dividend yield of 3.6% is higher than ExxonMobil's 2.6% yield. The quarterly payout rose to $1.78 per share in Q1 2026, extending a streak of 39 consecutive annual increases.

Full-year 2025 free cash flow hit $16.60 billion, a record, while total shareholder returns reached $27.10 billion. Worldwide production grew 12% year-over-year to 3,723 MBOED, also a record.

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Iran's Larijani, the man whose power grew during Mideast war



Paris, France, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



When Israeli and US strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the Middle East war, Iran's security chief Ali Larijani became even more powerful than he had been for decades.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Larijani had been killed, though Iran's authorities have not confirmed his death.

Larijani had since the start of the war played a far more visible role than the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since he was appointed to replace his slain father.

The security chief, on the other hand, was seen walking with crowds at a pro-government rally last week in Tehran, in a sign of defiance against Israel and the US.

His killing, if confirmed, would be a major blow against the Islamic republic, undermining a key figure seen as capable of navigating both ideology and diplomacy.



- Pragmatist -



Adept at balancing ideological loyalty with pragmatic statecraft, Larijani was central prior to the war to Iran's nuclear policy and strategic diplomacy.

Bespectacled and known for his measured tone, the 68-year-old was believed to enjoy the confidence of the late Khamenei, after a long career in the military, media and legislature.

In 2025, after Iran's last war with Israel and the US, he was appointed head of Iran's top security body, the Supreme National Security Council -- a position he had held nearly two decades earlier -- coordinating defence strategies and overseeing nuclear policy.

He later became increasingly visible in the diplomatic arena, travelling to Gulf states such as Oman and Qatar as Tehran cautiously engaged in nuclear negotiations that were ultimately scuppered by the war.



- 'Canny operator' -



"Larijani is a true insider, a canny operator, familiar with how the system operates," Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Group's project director for Iran, said before the Middle East war began.

Born in Najaf, Iraq in 1957 to a prominent Shia cleric who was close to the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Larijani's family has been influential within Iran's political system for decades.

Some of his relatives have been the targets of corruption allegations over the years, which they denied.

He earned a PhD in Western Philosophy from the University of Tehran.

A veteran of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the Iran-Iraq war, Larijani later headed state broadcasting IRIB for a decade from 1994 before serving as parliamentary speaker from 2008 to 2020.

In 1996, he was appointed as Khamenei's representative to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). He later became secretary of the SNSC and chief nuclear negotiator, leading talks with Britain, France, Germany and Russia between 2005 and 2007.

He ran in the 2005 presidential elections, losing to populist candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with whom he later had disagreements over nuclear diplomacy.

Larijani was then disqualified from running for president in both 2021 and 2024.

Observers viewed his return as the head of the SNSC as signalling a turn reflecting his reputation as a conservative capable of combining ideological commitment with pragmatism.

Larijani supported the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which unravelled three years later after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement.

In March 2025, Larijani warned that sustained external pressure could alter Iran's nuclear posture.

"We are not moving towards (nuclear) weapons, but if you do something wrong in the Iranian nuclear issue, you will force Iran to move towards that because it has to defend itself," he told state television.

Larijani repeatedly insisted negotiations with Washington should remain confined to the nuclear file and defended uranium enrichment as Iran's sovereign right.



- Violent repression -



Larijani was among officials sanctioned by the US in January over what Washington described as "violently repressing the Iranian people", following nationwide protests which erupted weeks earlier due to the rising cost of living.

According to rights groups, thousands of people were killed in the government's brutal crackdown of the protests.

Larijani acknowledged that economic pressures had "led to the protests", but blamed the violence which ensued on foreign involvement by the United States and Israel.
Israel says killed Iran national security chief Larijani



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Iran's powerful national security chief Ali Larijani was "eliminated last night", along with the commander of the Islamic republic's Basij paramilitary force.

The killing of Larijani, if confirmed by Tehran, would represent the highest-profile assassination since Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures were slain during the wave of US-Israeli strikes that started the war on February 28.

Katz said in a televised statement that he had been informed by Israel's military chief that Larijani and the head of Iran's Basij paramilitary force Gholamreza Soleimani "were eliminated last night".

He said the two leaders "have joined Khamenei, the head of the annihilation program, along with all those eliminated from the axis of evil in the depths of hell".

An Israeli military official said that the army had also targeted a top military commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Akram al-Ajouri, in a strike in Iran and was assessing whether he had been killed.

Ajouri was the head of the group's military wing, the al-Quds Brigades, which are active in the West Bank and Gaza, and took part in Hamas' unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The Israeli official described Larijani as "the de facto leader of the Iranian regime, especially in the last two weeks, but also before, he was considered the one who was calling the shots and moving the pieces around".

The Israeli prime minister's office released a photo of the premier on the phone, captioned: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders the elimination of senior figures in the Iranian regime."

Israel's military had announced earlier that it killed Basij chief Soleimani "in a precise strike in Tehran".

"Yesterday (Monday), the Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years," it said.

The Basij, a volunteer force under Iran's Revolutionary Guards, "led the main repression operations" by the authorities during recent mass protests in Iran, the Israeli army said.

The military said that Soleimani was killed along with other Basij commanders by an air strike on a "makeshift headquarters".

Iran was rocked by unprecedented protests against the clerical establishment that peaked in January.

They were met with a crackdown in which, according to rights groups, thousands of people were killed and tens of thousands arrested.

The Israeli military has said in recent days that it was targeting Basij checkpoints set up around Tehran, in a bid to undermine the grip of the authorities on power.

Shortly after the statement by Katz, AFP journalists in Jerusalem heard distant blasts and sirens sounded in the north of Israel following a warning of incoming Iranian missiles.
Iran security chief Larijani's accounts post note as Israel says killed him



Tehran, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The official social media profiles of Iran's security chief Ali Larijani posted a handwritten note on Tuesday, shortly after Israel said it had killed him.

Tehran has not confirmed Larijani's death, nor did the post address the claim.

The social media post was a tribute to the 84 Iranian sailors who were killed when their frigate was sunk by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean earlier this month.

The note, which did not include the date it was written, was published on Larijani's accounts on X and Telegram.

"The martyrdom of the brave men of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic aboard the Dena is part of the sacrifices of the valiant nation that has emerged at this juncture of struggle against international oppressors," said Larijani's note, which was written in black ink.

The mariners were killed when the IRIS Dena was torpedoed on March 4 just off the coast of Sri Lanka, in an incident that extended the Middle East war to the Indian Ocean.

"Their memory will always remain in the heart of the Iranian nation, and these martyrdoms will strengthen the foundations of the Army of the Islamic Republic for years within the structure of the armed forces," it added.

Iran has been at war with Israel and the United States since February 28, when they launched strikes that killed the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, triggering a conflict that spread across the Middle East.

Khamenei's killing was confirmed by Iran hours after Israel and the United States announced it.
Lebanese army says one soldier killed by Israeli strike



Beirut, Lebanon, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The Lebanese military said on Tuesday that an Israeli strike on a car and a motorcycle in southern Lebanon killed one of its soldiers and wounded four others.

Israel has stepped up strikes and deployed ground troops to its northern neighbour since March 2, when Lebanon was dragged into the wider war in the Middle East after Tehran ally Hezbollah attacked Israel with rockets in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

In a statement, the Lebanese army said that "as a result of an Israeli hostile raid" in the Nabatiyeh region, a soldier was injured and "died of his wounds", while four others were wounded.

An official from the military told AFP the soldiers had just finished their duties for the day.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it was "aware of the claim that several soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces were injured as a result of an IDF strike".

"The incident is under review," the army said, adding that Israeli forces were operating "against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, and not against the Lebanese Armed Forces or Lebanese civilians".

While Lebanon's army has tried to stay out of the war, three Lebanese soldiers were killed by Israeli shelling earlier this month during a failed Israeli commando operation in eastern Lebanon.
Mozambique troops kill at least 13 fishermen in insurgent-hit area: locals



Maputo, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Mozambique troops shot and killed at least 13 fishermen in an area where they are pursuing Islamist insurgents, local sources and a conflict monitor said Tuesday.

The attack at the weekend in the northern Cabo Delgado province -- where French energy giant TotalEnergies relaunched a giant gas project in January -- was reported separately by a local news platform.

The province has been ravaged since 2017 by an Islamic State-linked insurgency that has claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and led to the deployment of Mozambique and Rwandan troops.

A local security official told AFP that Mozambican navy forces had opened fire on fishing boats off the port town of Mocimboa da Praia early Sunday.

"At least 15 people were killed and several others were injured," he said on condition of anonymity.

A local politician who also spoke anonymously said: "Between 13 and 15 people died and three were injured. My friend's boat was hit but he survived."

Residents sought a meeting with the force commander but had no response, he said.

ACLED, an independent global conflict monitor informed by local networks, confirmed the incident to AFP and said at least 13 were killed.

There was no immediate comment from the government or military.

Mozambican forces in Cabo Delgado have previously been accused of violence against civilians in their operations.

TotalEnergies in late January relaunched construction on a gas project in the province that was halted in 2021 after a jihadist attack that claimed around 800 lives, according to ACLED estimates.

While Cabo Delgado has not experienced another incident on the scale of the 2021 assault, there are regular attacks on civilians, including beheadings and kidnappings.

Around 6,500 people have been killed since the insurgency began, ACLED says.

str-clv-br/kjm
Israel says killed Iran's security chief Larijani



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel said Tuesday it had killed Iran's powerful national security chief, Ali Larijani, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him the leader of "the gang of gangsters" that runs the Islamic republic.

If confirmed, Larijani's death would be a huge blow to Iran's ruling system more than two weeks into the war engulfing the Middle East, which has upended global markets and had consequences far beyond the region's confines.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Larijani was "eliminated last night", although this has not been confirmed by Iran.

"This morning we eliminated Ali Larijani, the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the gang of gangsters that actually runs Iran," Netanyahu said in a televised statement.

He said the overthrow of Iran's authorities by the people "will not happen all at once, it will not happen easily. But if we persist in this -- we will give them a chance to take their fate into their own hands."

It comes less than three weeks after US-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, triggering a regional war with global repercussions.

It also comes weeks after a massive popular movement against the Islamic republic was crushed by authorities, with rights groups reporting thousands killed in the crackdown.

Larijani, 68, has been described as a key pillar in the ruling system, close to the late ayatollah and central to the government's nuclear policy and strategic diplomacy over decades.

After the war broke out, he became even more powerful. While the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since he was appointed to replace his slain father, Larijani walked with crowds at a pro-government rally last week in Tehran.

The reported assassination comes as strikes shook countries across the Middle East on Tuesday, from Gulf nations to Iraq, Lebanon and Iran.

An AFP reporter had earlier Tuesday reported blasts in Tehran, after a night of heavy bombardment mixed with thunder and rain.



- Targeting leaders -



Shortly after Israel said it had killed him, Larijani's official social media profiles posted a handwritten note by him paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed when a US submarine sunk an Iranian frigate this month.

The note was not dated, nor did the post address the claim of his death.

Israel also said Tuesday it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in a strike in Tehran.

And it said it had targeted Akram al-Ajouri, head of the military wing of the group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in a strike in Iran, though he was not confirmed dead.

Israel has since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas pursued what analysts have described as a policy of decapitation, targeting the leaders of its enemies, including Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, as well as top leaders in Gaza.

The whereabouts of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is the subject of much speculation. US President Donald Trump said Monday that "we don't know... if he's dead or not".



- Trump appeals -



Across the region, hundreds of people have been killed and millions more displaced in the war.

In retaliation for the US-Israel attacks, Iran has targeted US interests, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure of its energy-rich neighbours, sending oil prices soaring.

Its threats and attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global crude oil passes, have also all but closed the key waterway.

Oil prices surged around three percent Tuesday after several countries pushed back on Trump's demand they help secure the strait by sending warships to escort tankers.

The US president has warned that it would be "very bad" for the future of the NATO military alliance if the allies refused to help.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies to craft a "viable" plan to reopen the strait, but ruled out a NATO mission.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday the war was "not a matter for NATO", while EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels indicated no appetite to join the conflict.

Trump has also appealed to nations including China, Japan and South Korea to help on the Strait of Hormuz.

Some countries have negotiated safe passage for some of their ships, including India, while Iraq said it was in contact with Iran over the issue.



- Asking for shelter -



The war has also drawn in Lebanon, after Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants struck Israel over Khamenei's killing.

Israel has stepped up strikes and deployed ground troops to its northern neighbour, including targeting Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, and later, conducting an air strike near the city's airport.

The Lebanese military said on Tuesday that an Israeli strike on a car and a motorcycle in southern Lebanon killed one of its soldiers and wounded four others.

More than a million people have been displaced across Lebanon, while Israeli strikes have killed 886 people since March 2, Lebanon's health ministry says.

In the southern city of Sidon, far from the border, displaced people were sleeping in their cars parked along the seafront corniche, according to an AFP team on the ground.

"Lots of people are coming every day to ask for shelter but we don't have space anymore, we can't accept them," said Jihan Kaisi, the director of an NGO that runs a school-turned-shelter, where more than 1,100 people are crammed together.

burs-ar/ser
Iran authorities urge nationwide pro-Islamic republic rallies



Paris, France, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Iranian authorities called on people to pack streets nationwide Tuesday to defy enemy "plots", over two weeks into war with Israel and the United States, on a night usually marked by Persian new year festivities.

The message, broadcast widely in Iranian media, urged people to join religious groups "in the squares of all the country's cities from 5:00 pm (1330 GMT)".

It said it would be a "popular gathering to neutralise the potential plots of elements of the Zionist enemy", referring to Israel.

The call came after Israel said it had killed Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, which has not been confirmed by Tehran, and ahead of expected evening celebrations of Chaharshanbe Suri, an ancient Iranian festival of light and fire marked before the new year, Nowruz.

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran's last shah ousted by the revolution that brought the Islamic republic to power, on Tuesday called for peaceful Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations and for people to "avoid any tension, confrontation, or even approaching" security forces in the streets.

Iran was rocked by mass protests that peaked in January but were met with a violent crackdown.

Since the outbreak of the war, authorities have warned against renewed anti-government rallies and imposed heavy security measures.

US and Israeli leaders have in turn called on Iranians to be ready to rise up against the clerical leadership.

Judicial authorities in the capital Tehran on Sunday warned people not to go into the streets as usual for Chaharshanbe Suri.

"To maintain public peace and safety, please refrain from lighting fires or setting off firecrackers" for the holiday, they said, according to the Tasnim news agency.

"Let's keep forces available for possible and necessary incidents," they added.

Iranian officials had also earlier called on citizens to join the funeral ceremonies on Tuesday of 84 navy sailors killed when their frigate was sunk by a US submarine.

Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the Islamic republic's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and triggering a conflict that has spread across the Middle East.
Senior US counterterrorism official resigns to protest Iran war



Washington, United States, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



A senior US counterterrorism official resigned on Tuesday to protest the US-Israeli war against Iran and said the Islamic Republic posed no imminent threat to the United States.

"I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," Joseph Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump.

Kent -- a former member of the Green Beret special forces who served multiple combat tours -- said "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

Kent is the first senior US official to resign from the Trump administration to protest the war against Iran.

"Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation," Kent said in his letter to Trump.

"Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran," he said.

"This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory," he said.

"This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women," Kent said.

"I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," he added.
Hezbollah denies any members in Kuwait after arrest of 16 alleged affiliates



Beirut, Lebanon, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Hezbollah denied on Tuesday that it had any members in Kuwait after the Gulf country announced the arrest of 14 Kuwaitis and two Lebanese nationals allegedly affiliated with the group over a "sabotage plot".

Kuwait's interior ministry had said in a statement Monday that the group "aimed to destabilise the country's security and recruit individuals to join the terrorist organisation", adding that a number of weapons, camera drones and morse code communication devices were seized.

But Hezbollah said in a statement that it "categorically denies the allegations and accusations issued by the Kuwaiti interior ministry".

The Iran-backed militant group called the allegations "baseless" and added: "There are no Hezbollah cells, members or networks in Kuwait."

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Beirut banned the group's military and security activities this month after the attack in an unprecedented step.

In previous years, Lebanon has faced tensions with Gulf states including Kuwait, which have expressed concern about Hezbollah's influence on the Mediterranean country.

Kuwait has also faced security problems related to armed groups in the region, including Hezbollah.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said on Tuesday that his ministry condemned "the terrorist plot that targeted Kuwait's sovereignty and security" along with any Hezbollah involvement.

"The ministry reaffirmed Lebanon's full solidarity with Kuwait and its readiness to cooperate in the investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable," Raggi added on X.

Last month, Lebanon's health ministry said it would seek clarification after Kuwait inscribed several private hospitals in the Mediterranean country on its "terror" list.

The facilities are all owned or run by Hezbollah or affiliated organisations, and are located in south and east Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs -- all strongholds of the Iran-backed militant group, which Kuwait's circular did not mention.
Lebanese army says three soldiers killed by Israeli strikes



Beirut, Lebanon, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Lebanon's military said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers were killed in two Israeli air strikes in the country's south, with the Israeli army maintaining its operations were not targeting Lebanese troops.

Israel has stepped up strikes and deployed ground troops to its northern neighbour since March 2, when Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war after Tehran ally Hezbollah attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

"Two soldiers were killed in an Israeli strike while traveling by motorcycle on the Zibdin-Nabatyieh road" in south Lebanon, the Lebanese army said in a statement.

It had said earlier that another soldier died from wounds sustained in a strike on a car and a motorcycle in the same area that also injured four others.

An official from the military told AFP the soldiers had just finished their duties for the day.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it was "aware of the claim that several soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces were injured as a result of an IDF strike".

"The incident is under review," the army said, adding that Israeli forces were operating "against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, and not against the Lebanese Armed Forces or Lebanese civilians".

While Lebanon's army has tried to stay out of the war, three Lebanese soldiers were killed by Israeli shelling earlier this month during a failed Israeli commando operation in eastern Lebanon.
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Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill soldiers, as shelters overflow



Beirut, Lebanon, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Three Lebanese soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday, the Lebanese army said, as Israel carried out new raids and again ordered residents of vast parts of southern Lebanon to evacuate.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when pro-Iran Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel in response to US-Israeli strikes that killed Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel has responded with intense strikes in multiple Lebanese regions and ground operations in the south, with its finance minister saying this month that Beirut's suburbs would soon "resemble" the badly-damaged Gazan city of Khan Yunis.

From Geneva, the UN rights office said Tuesday that threats by Israeli officials "to impose the same level of destruction on Lebanon as inflicted in Gaza are wholly unacceptable".



- Overcrowded centres -



In the southern city of Sidon, far from the border, displaced people were sleeping in their cars parked along the seafront corniche, according to an AFP team there.

The city "is full, we have no more capacity", said Jihan Kaisi, the director of an NGO that runs a school-turned-shelter, where more than 1,100 people are crammed together.

"Lots of people are coming every day to ask for shelter but we don't have space anymore, we can't accept them," she continued, adding that the road from the south was blocked on Monday with people fleeing north following evacuation warnings.

The Lebanese military said three of its soldiers were killed in two Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli army maintained its operations were not directed "against the Lebanese army" and said at least one of them was "under review".

Lebanon's army has tried to stay out of the war, but three of its soldiers were killed by Israeli shelling earlier this month during a failed Israeli commando operation in eastern Lebanon.

Israel conducted an air strike near Beirut's airport in the city's southern suburbs on Tuesday, killing one person and wounding nine, according to the health ministry.

The Lebanese civil aviation authority said in a statement that the airport continued to operate normally and that the road leading to it remained passable.

Hezbollah announced a series of attacks Tuesday, including several on Israeli troops near the border inside south Lebanon.

Early Tuesday morning Israeli aircraft bombed two neighbourhoods of Beirut's southern suburbs, state media said, and also struck Doha Aramoun, south of the capital, wounding an Ethiopian woman.

Israel confirmed the Tuesday strikes, saying it was targeting Hezbollah, as it has since the start of the conflict, a day after announcing "limited" ground operations were underway in southern Lebanon.

Israeli strikes have killed 912 people, including 111 children, since March 2, Lebanon's health ministry said on Tuesday.

Around 14 percent of Lebanese territory is under Israeli evacuation warnings, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.

Lebanese authorities said more than one million people had registered as displaced since March 2 -- more than a sixth of the country's population -- with more than 130,000 staying in official shelters.

These displaced people "will not return to their homes" in the south as long as the security of residents in northern Israel is not guaranteed, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said this week.



- Ground incursion -



Alongside its massive bombardment campaign, Israel has said it is carrying out ground incursions in the south with troops and armoured vehicles.

On Tuesday the Israeli military said "additional... troops have been deployed in Lebanon, continuing efforts to establish a forward defence posture in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel against Hezbollah's threat".

Israel's military chief of staff Eyal Zamir said on Monday that "more than 400 terrorists have been eliminated so far".

On Monday evening, the leaders of Germany, Canada, France, Italy and the United Kingdom warned that a large-scale Israeli ground operation in Lebanon "would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict".
Israel says killed Iran's security chief Larijani



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel said Tuesday it had killed Iran's powerful national security chief, Ali Larijani, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him the leader of "the gang of gangsters" that runs the Islamic republic.

Larijani's death would be a massive blow to Iran just weeks after US-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the republic's long-serving supreme leader, throwing the Middle East into war and upending global markets.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Larijani was "eliminated last night", although this has not been confirmed by Iran.

"This morning we eliminated Ali Larijani, the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the gang of gangsters that actually runs Iran," Netanyahu said in a televised statement.

He said the overthrow of Iran's authorities by the people "will not happen all at once, it will not happen easily. But if we persist in this -- we will give them a chance to take their fate into their own hands."

An AFP reporter had earlier Tuesday reported blasts in Tehran, and the reported assassination comes as strikes shook countries across the Middle East from the Gulf to Iraq and Lebanon.

Iranian authorities called on people to rally nationwide on Tuesday to defy enemy "plots" on a night usually marked by Persian new year celebrations.



- 'Right hand man' -



Larijani, 68, has been described as a key pillar in the ruling system, close to the late ayatollah and central to the government's nuclear policy and strategic diplomacy over decades.

After the war broke out, he became even more powerful.

While the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since he was appointed to replace his slain father, Larijani walked with crowds at a pro-government rally last week in Tehran.

"He has effectively been the figure in charge of the regime's survival, its regional policy and its defence strategy," David Khalfa, co-founder of the Atlantic Middle East Forum, told AFP.

"It's the supreme leader who gives the order, but he is the one who carries it out. He is the right-hand man."

Shortly after Israel said it had killed him, Larijani's official social media profiles posted a handwritten note by him paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack this month.

The note was not dated, nor did the post address the claim of his death.

Israel also said Tuesday it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in a strike in Tehran.

And it said it had targeted Akram al-Ajouri, head of the military wing of the group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in a strike in Iran, though he was not confirmed dead.

Israel has since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas pursued what analysts have described as a policy of decapitation, targeting the leaders of its enemies.

The whereabouts of Iran's new supreme leader is the subject of much speculation. US President Donald Trump said Monday that "we don't know... if he's dead or not".



- Trump appeals -



Iran has retaliated by targeting US interests, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure of its energy-rich neighbours, and all but closed the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of global crude oil passes.

Oil prices surged Tuesday after several countries pushed back on Trump's demand they help secure the strait by sending warships to escort tankers.

After warning that it would be "very bad" for the future of the NATO military alliance if countries refused to help, Trump said the US no longer needed assistance in reopening the strait.

"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump posted on his Truth Social network, adding: "WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!"

His comments came moments after President Emmanuel Macron said France was ready to help once the situation was calmer but stressed his country was "not a party to the conflict".

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also said Monday the war was "not a matter for NATO", while EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels indicated no appetite to join the conflict.

Some countries have negotiated safe passage for some of their ships, including India, while Iraq said it was in contact with Iran over the issue.

A top US counterterrorism official resigned Tuesday to protest the war, saying Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States.



- Asking for shelter -



The war has also drawn in Lebanon, after Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants struck Israel over Khamenei's killing.

Israel has stepped up strikes and deployed ground troops to its northern neighbour, including targeting Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, and later, conducting an air strike near the city's airport.

The Lebanese military said on Tuesday that three of its soldiers were killed in two Israeli air strikes in the country's south.

More than a million people have been displaced across Lebanon, while Israeli strikes have killed 886 people since March 2, Lebanon's health ministry says.

In the southern city of Sidon, far from the border, displaced people were sleeping in their cars parked along the seafront corniche, according to an AFP team on the ground.

"Lots of people are coming every day to ask for shelter but we don't have space anymore, we can't accept them," said Jihan Kaisi, the director of an NGO that runs a school-turned-shelter, where more than 1,100 people are crammed together.

burs-np/ser
US does 'not need' help from allies on Iran, Trump says



Washington, United States, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



President Donald Trump said Tuesday that US forces "no longer need" military help in the Iran war, after his calls for assistance from allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic were largely rebuffed.

The American president has spent recent days griping about how world powers have so far declined to send warships to escort tankers through the narrow waterway in and out of the Gulf and key to the transit of crude.

With the war in its third week, Trump has repeatedly stressed that US and Israeli air strikes have decimated Iran's leadership, military facilities, and weapons manufacturing capacity.

"The United States has been informed by most of our NATO 'Allies' that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump said, adding: "WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!"

Speaking of allies who have rejected his call for assistance, the 79-year-old Republican said he is "not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street."

The US-Israeli war on Iran has expanded dramatically across the Middle East, with Iran targeting the energy facilities of its crude-producing neighbors.

Tehran has also attacked and threatened tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, all but closing the vital waterway through which one fifth of global crude oil passes.

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Tuesday that his country would not participate in operations to open the Strait of Hormuz given the current context of air strikes and other military dangers, but once the situation becomes "calmer" it could participate in an "escort system" alongside other nations.

Britain has also waved off Washington's request for assistance. But Trump on Monday suggested Paris and London would lend a hand to the United States in the operation, and said several other countries -- without naming them -- had responded favorably to his call.
Israel says striking Basij militia in Tehran after leader killed



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel's military said it was striking positions of Iran's Basij paramilitary force around Tehran on Tuesday, after announcing it had killed the volunteer militia's top commander.

"The air force has attacked, in recent hours, soldiers and positions of the Basij unit that were deployed throughout Tehran," Israel's air force posted online along with a video of what it said was a strike in Iran's capital.

Israel earlier Tuesday announced it had killed Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in an air strike, at the same time as it said it had assassinated Tehran's national security chief Ali Larijani.

Neither death has been confirmed by Iran so far.

The strikes against the Basij are part of Israeli efforts to loosen the control of the authorities and open the way for a popular uprising against the clerical establishment.

In recent days the Israeli military has said it was striking checkpoints set up by the force around Tehran.

The Basij are accused of playing a key role in the bloody crackdown on recent mass protests in Iran in which rights groups say thousands of people were killed.
Three Senegalese soldiers killed in Casamance 'accidental explosion'



Dakar, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Three soldiers died and three others were wounded on Tuesday in an accidental explosion during cannabis clearing in Senegal's Casamance region, days after another solider was killed, the armed forces said.

The incident occurred during an operation to "track down and neutralise armed individuals, combat cannabis cultivation and ensure the safety of the population and their property", the military said in a statement.

The three soldiers died "in an accidental explosion that occurred early Tuesday morning" while carrying out operations "to destroy cannabis fields along the border with The Gambia", it said.

It did not provide further detail on the nature of the explosion but said operations in the area would continue "resolutely".

It added that the three wounded soldiers were evacuated and "receiving medical treatment".

The operation, which began more than a week ago, has so far resulted in "the neutralisation of several individuals belonging to armed groups engaged in cannabis cultivation and threatening the peace of the local population".

Last week the military reported that one soldier was killed and six others wounded in Casamance after military personnel carrying out cannabis clearing operations "engaged with a group of armed individuals in the Kadialock area".

Officials accuse rebels in Casamance of illicitly trafficking cannabis and wood, and of seeking refuge in The Gambia or Guinea-Bissau to the south.

Casamance has hosted one of the longest ongoing conflicts in Africa since armed separatists withdrew to the bush after protests in December 1982.

Having claimed thousands of lives and devastated the economy, the conflict has persisted but on a much-diminished level in recent years.
Security source says US embassy struck as explosions heard in Baghdad



Baghdad, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Several loud explosions were heard Tuesday evening in Iraq's capital Baghdad, AFP journalists reported, with a security official reporting a drone and rocket attack on the US embassy.

In a restaurant in the city, where diners did not react to the initial sounds of the blasts, a witness told AFP he saw detonations caused by the embassy's air defences intercepting projectiles.

Another witness saw a fire on the edge of the embassy grounds from her balcony, with the blaze also reported by the security official, who said it was caused by a drone.

"The embassy was the target of a drone and rocket attack," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war after having long been a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran.

Strikes have targeted Iran-backed groups, which in turn have claimed daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region.

In recent days pro-Iranian armed groups have carried out several attacks against the US embassy, located in a heavily fortified area of central Baghdad, and against an American diplomatic and logistics centre at the city's international airport.

On Monday evening into early Tuesday morning, attacks targeted the US diplomatic mission, while a drone crashed into a luxury hotel popular with foreign diplomats.
Iran vets friendly ships for Hormuz passage: trackers



London, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Iran is selecting ships from friendly countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade waterway cut off by the Middle East war, data trackers indicated Tuesday.

Tehran's forces have closed off the waterway, through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes in peacetime, with deadly hits reported on vessels since the war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

But at least five ships exited the Strait via Iranian waters on March 15 and 16, maritime intelligence firm Windward said in an analysis report on Tuesday.

"The new route illustrates how Iran's selective blockade has evolved to allow allies and supporters to transit", it said, citing its tracking as "rising evidence that Iran is exerting permission-based transit and control of the strait".

Natasha Kaneva, a commodities analyst at JPMorgan bank, said in an analysis on Monday that at least four ships had been tracked exiting the strait via the Larak-Qeshm Channel, near the Iranian coast, over the previous two days.

"This is not a standard route for vessels and could reflect a process designed to confirm vessel ownership and cargo, enabling passage for ships that are not affiliated to the US or its allies," she said in a note sent to AFP.

The vessels included bulk carriers and one oil tanker, the Pakistani-flagged Karachi.

Tracking site MarineTraffic said the Karachi transited the strait with its automatic transponder system activated -- where most vessels keep it turned off to avoid being targeted.

Kaneva said most of the crude passing through the strait was headed for Asia, principally China.

Several countries have opened talks with Tehran to secure passage for their vessels, while the United States has pushed allies to provide military protection for shipping in the region.

Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas reached Indian ports after crossing the strait over the weekend after officials from the countries said they held talks.

A Turkish-owned ship was also able to cross the strait with Iran's permission, Turkey's transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in comments published on Friday.
Afghan govt says 'around 400' killed in Pakistani strike on Kabul rehab clinic



Kabul, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The Afghan government said on Tuesday that about 400 people were killed in a Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the capital, Kabul, in the deadliest attack in the recent violence between the two neighbours.

Hundreds more were said to have been wounded at the facility, which was hit Monday night, flattening buildings used to treat people from across the country for addictions to marijuana, amphetamines and other narcotics.

There was no immediate independent verification of the toll, but AFP reporters saw at least 30 bodies taken from the site in the chaotic and smouldering aftermath of the attack on Monday night.

They then saw more than 65 removed on Tuesday as rescuers picked through the rubble searching for victims and survivors.

"The toll is not final as the rescue operation is still going on, but we have around 400 martyrs and more than 200 wounded," said health ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman.

Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani gave a toll of "408 killed and 265 wounded" at the same briefing.

In Geneva, UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan called for a swift, independent investigation into the strike, with those responsible "held to account in line with international standards".

But Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Taliban government claims that Pakistan deliberately targeted the clinic were "entirely baseless".

"No hospital, no drug rehabilitation centre, and no civilian facility was targeted," he wrote on X.

"The targets were military and terrorist infrastructure, including ammunition and technical equipment storage sites and other installations linked to hostile activity against Pakistan."

Late Tuesday, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that Afghanistan does not want war but would continue "proportionate and legitimate defensive measures until the other side ceases its violations".

The two sides have been in conflict for months, with Islamabad accusing its neighbour of harbouring Islamist extremists who have mounted deadly cross-border attacks on its territory.



- Search for survivors -



Chairs, blankets, pieces of hospital beds and human remains could be seen in the blackened ruins of the rehabilitation centre on Tuesday.

Crowds gathered outside as family members sought news of their loved ones while rescuers picked through the rubble nearby.

Habibullah Kabulbai, 55, arrived at the centre on Monday night, hoping to find his brother, Nawroz, who was admitted five days ago.

"I can't find him," he said, weeping. "What should we do? I have no words... We are helpless. This has not only happened to me but the whole of Afghanistan."

Monday evening's attack triggered panic in Kabul, sending people running for cover as anti-aircraft guns fired back not long after they had broken their daily Ramadan fast.

"I heard the sound of the jet patrolling," Omid Stanikzai, 31, a security guard at the drug treatment centre, told AFP.

"There were military units all around us. When these military units fired on the jet, the jet dropped bombs and a fire broke out."

All of the dead and injured were civilians, he added.

Pakistan's Tarar said the six strikes conducted on Monday also hit the eastern border province of Nangarhar, calling them "precise, deliberate, and professional".



- 'De-escalate' -



The EU on Tuesday called for "maximum restraint" from both Afghanistan and Pakistan, describing the strike on the medical facility in Kabul "a new and deadly escalation" of the conflict.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called for an "immediate ceasefire". Between February 26 and Monday before the strike, at least 76 civilians had been killed in Afghanistan due to the hostilities, it added.

Pakistan's arch-foe India called Monday's strike "a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence" that threatened regional peace and stability.

China's foreign ministry urged the two countries to "swiftly implement a ceasefire" and resolve their differences through dialogue.

But South Asia expert Michael Kugelman, from the Atlantic Council international affairs think-tank, said the fighting showed little sign of ending soon, particularly with Gulf states who have previously mediated "bogged down by their own war".

"Pakistan appears intent to keep hitting targets in Afghanistan, and the Taliban determined to retaliate with operations on Pakistani border posts and potentially with asymmetric tactics -- from launching drones to sponsoring militant attacks in wider Pakistan," he told AFP.

"There are no off-ramps in sight."
France rules out Hormuz ship escorts under 'bombings'



Paris, France, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said France would "never" help secure the Strait of Hormuz "in the current context" of hostilities, rebuffing his US counterpart Donald Trump's call for help.

Speaking at a defence council meeting, Macron said France could help escort vessels in the strategic waterway, through which around 20 percent of global seaborne oil passes, but only after the situation has calmed down.

Last week, Macron said France and its allies were preparing a "defensive" mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively shut by Iran in response to the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

The French president stressed at the time that such operations would be possible "after the end of the hottest phase of the conflict".

"We are not a party to the conflict, and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," Macron said on Tuesday.

"Once the situation is calmer, meaning once the core of the bombings has stopped, we are ready, along with other nations, to take responsibility for the escort system," Macron added.

"But this requires extensive political and technical work, involving all actors in maritime transport, insurers, and operational teams, that we need to build together."

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump lashed out at "foolish" NATO over Iran, saying the United States needs no help.

Trump said most US allies had rejected his push to escort ships through the crucial waterway.

"I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake," Trump told reporters.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London was working with allies on a "viable" plan to reopen the strait but ruled out a NATO mission, while German officials also said it had been "clear at all times that this war is not a matter for NATO".

Japan, Australia, Poland, Spain, Greece and Sweden also distanced themselves from military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.

Global oil prices have surged by 40 to 50 percent since Iran started attacking shipping in the critical waterway and launched waves of missile and drone strikes across the Gulf.
War in the Middle East: casualty figures from across the region



Dubai, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Since the United States and Israel unleashed strikes on Iran on February 28, war has spread across the Middle East, with casualties reported in countries across the region.

AFP has not been able to independently verify all of the following tolls.

The figures are based on numbers released by governments, militaries, health authorities and rescue organisations in the affected countries.



- Iran -



Iran's health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed, including around 200 women and 200 children under the age of 12, with more than 10,000 civilians injured.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on March 11 that at least 1,825 people had been killed, including 1,276 civilians -- among them at least 200 children -- as well as 197 military personnel and 352 people whose status had not been classified.

Due to reporting restrictions, AFP is not able to access the sites of strikes or independently verify tolls in Iran.



- Israel -



Israel's first responders and the country's authorities have reported 14 people killed in total.

First responders and local authorities say Iranian missile fire has killed 12 people inside the country, including four minors, since the start of the war, according to an AFP tally based on their announcements.

The Israeli military has separately announced the deaths of two soldiers in combat in southern Lebanon.



- Lebanon -



Lebanon's health ministry said Tuesday that Israeli strikes have killed 912 people, including 67 women and 111 children, since the start of the war with Hezbollah, adding that 2,221 others were wounded.

A ministry statement has said 38 paramedics were among the dead.

The Lebanese army said six of its soldiers have been killed.

Hezbollah has not announced its losses.

The country's social affairs ministry said over one million people have been displaced by the ongoing conflict.



- The Gulf -



Authorities in Gulf states and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) have reported 28 people killed -- 15 of them civilians -- since the start of the Iranian attacks.

The rest of those killed were military or security personnel, including seven US service members.

Kuwait's military and health ministry have reported six deaths: two soldiers, two border guards and two civilians, one of them an 11-year-old girl.

The United Arab Emirates' defence ministry has reported eight deaths: six civilians and two military personnel who died as a result of a helicopter crash blamed on a technical malfunction.

Saudi Arabia's civil defence agency has reported two civilian deaths.

Bahrain's interior ministry has also logged two civilian deaths.

Oman's maritime security centre reported the death of a mariner at sea and two other people in a drone attack on an industrial area.

Qatar's interior ministry, meanwhile, has reported 16 injuries and no fatalities.

CENTCOM has confirmed six US service personnel killed in Kuwait and one killed in Saudi Arabia.



- Iraq -



Armed groups and officials have said at least 61 people have been killed in Iraq since the start of the conflict, according to an AFP tally based on their announcements.

France said an Iranian drone killed a French soldier in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

The US military said a refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members, in an incident not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

Pro-Iran armed factions and security sources say 43 Iran-backed fighters were killed in strikes they blame on the United States and Israel.

Kurdish rebel groups said at least five Iranian Kurdish militants were killed in strikes attributed to Iran on their positions in northern Iraq.

Kurdish security sources said one airport guard was killed in a drone attack on Erbil airport.

Officials said one civilian was killed by rocket shrapnel following a strike southeast of Baghdad.

Authorities on Tuesday said four people were killed in a strike on a house in Baghdad, with initial reports suggesting two of the victims were Iranian advisors to Tehran-backed factions.



- Jordan -



In Jordan, security officials said 29 people have been injured by falling debris from Iranian missiles and drones in various parts of the kingdom.

No deaths have been recorded so far.



- Syria -



Syrian state media reported eight people injured by falling debris from exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel on Monday.



- US injuries across Mideast -



The US on Monday said around 200 of its military personnel have been injured in seven countries across the Middle East since the start of the war.

Ten were categorised as seriously wounded and over 180 have already returned to duty, CENTCOM said.

burs/bou/jsa
Most income investors scanning for yield stop at the obvious names: integrated oil majors, utilities, or bond funds. What they miss is a layer of energy infrastructure and royalty partnerships paying distributions from 7% to over 10% annually, with tax structures that can make after-tax yield even more attractive.

Three master limited partnerships stand out: a midstream giant with data center ambitions, a royalty collector with zero drilling exposure, and a logistics powerhouse with back-to-back 12.5% distribution hikes.

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 

Key metrics for ranking these partnerships: current yield, distribution growth consistency, cash flow sustainability, balance sheet health, and business model durability across the commodity price cycle.

#3: Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) is the largest of the three by market cap at $65 billion, operating one of North America's most extensive midstream networks. The current quarterly distribution is $0.335 per unit, annualizing to $1.34, against a unit price of $18.75, implying a yield near 7.2%. The distribution has increased every quarter for two years, from $0.3175 in Q2 2024 to the current level.

Q4 2025 results were mixed. Revenue of $25.32 billion beat estimates by 7.19% grew 29.6% year over year, but EPS of $0.25 missed the $0.367 estimate was dragged by a $277 million non-cash impairment and $910 million in interest expense. A timing mismatch on NGL hedges is expected to reverse favorably in Q1 2026. Full-year net income rose 18.57% to $5.71 billion.

The growth story is compelling. Energy Transfer secured natural gas supply agreements with Oracle for approximately 900 MMcf/d serving 3 data centers, and its Desert Southwest expansion spans 2.3 Bcf/d with an estimated $5.6 billion price tag. Management raised 2026 EBITDA guidance to $17.45 to $17.85 billion.

The EPS miss and rising debt load keep this at #3, but the scale and pipeline are real.

#2: MPLX

MPLX (NYSE: MPLX) trades at $58.52 with a quarterly distribution of $1.0765 per unit, annualizing to roughly $4.31, putting the current yield near 7.4%. Q4 2025 EPS came in at $1.17 beat the $1.06 estimate by 10.38%. Full-year net income reached $4.912 billion, up 13.78%, and operating cash flow was $5.909 billion.

MPLX raised its distribution 12.5% for the second consecutive year and returned more than $4 billion to unitholders in 2025 through distributions and buybacks.
Israel vows to find and 'neutralise' Iran's new supreme leader



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel's military on Tuesday vowed to hunt down and "neutralise" Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, after saying it had killed the Islamic republic's powerful national security chief in an airstrike.

If confirmed, the death of Ali Larijani would represent a major blow to Iran, whose long-serving leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed less than three weeks ago in US-Israeli strikes that ignited a war in the Middle East.

The reported assassination came as Iran's speaker vowed that shipping in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war norm, and Donald Trump blasted allies for rebuffing his call to help escort oil tankers through the blockaded waterway.

Tehran has not confirmed the death of Larijani, described as a key figure close to the late ayatollah, but urged Iranians across the country to rally Tuesday in a show of defiance against enemy "plots".

Israel's military vowed it would also eliminate Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late ayatollah who took power after his father's death on February 28.

"We don't know about Mojtaba Khamenei, we don't hear him, we don't see him, but I can tell you one thing: we will track him down, find him, and neutralise him," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told reporters.



- 'Right hand man' -



In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Larijani as "the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, which is the gang of gangsters that actually runs Iran".

He said the overthrow of Iran's authorities by the people "will not happen all at once, it will not happen easily. But if we persist in this -- we will give them a chance to take their fate into their own hands."

While Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was appointed, Larijani, 68, walked with crowds at a pro-government rally last week in Tehran.

"He has effectively been the figure in charge of the regime's survival, its regional policy and its defence strategy," David Khalfa, co-founder of the Atlantic Middle East Forum, told AFP.

"It's the supreme leader who gives the order, but he is the one who carries it out. He is the right-hand man."

Shortly after Israel said it had killed him, Larijani's official social media profiles posted a handwritten note by him paying tribute to Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack this month.

The note was not dated, nor did the post address the claim of his death.

Images on Iranian state television showed large crowds rallying from the early evening in Tehran and other cities, many waving the nation's flag, on a night usually marked by festive Persian new year celebrations.

AFP journalists reported muted Nowruz celebrations in Tehran, with some fireworks and crackers heard between shots from air defence systems.

Israel's military said it was striking positions of Iran's Basij paramilitary force around Tehran on Tuesday, after announcing it had killed group's top commander, Gholamreza Soleimani.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed Soleimani's death in a statement Tuesday evening.

Israel earlier said it had also targeted Akram al-Ajouri, head of the military wing of the group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in a strike in Iran.

Since the October 7, 2023 croos-border attacks by Hamas into Israel from Gaza, Israel has pursued what analysts have described as a policy of decapitation, targeting the leaders of its enemies.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday called these assassinations "truly illegal".



- Trump scolds allies -



Iran has retaliated by targeting its US-allied Gulf neighbours and all but closing the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of global crude passes, sending oil prices soaring.

"The Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in an English-language social media post on Tuesday.

Oil prices surged after several countries pushed back on Trump's demand they help secure the strait by sending warships to escort tankers.

Trump accused NATO of making a "foolish mistake" by refusing to help and said the US no longer needed assistance in reopening the strait.

"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

"WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" he added.

His comments came moments after President Emmanuel Macron said France was ready to help once the situation was calmer but stressed his country was "not a party to the conflict", echoing other EU and NATO leaders.

A top US counterterrorism official resigned to protest the war, arguing that Iran had posed no imminent threat to the United States.



- Sleeping in cars -



Countries from the Gulf to Lebanon and Iraq were pummelled by airstrikes, with AFP journalists reporting loud explosions Tuesday evening in capitals across the region.

The war has also drawn in Lebanon, after Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants struck Israel over Khamenei's killing.

Israel has stepped up strikes and deployed ground troops to its northern neighbour, and the Lebanese military says six of its soldiers have been killed so far.

More than a million people have been displaced across Lebanon, while Israeli strikes have killed 886 people since March 2, Lebanon's health ministry says.

In the southern city of Sidon, displaced people were sleeping in their cars, according to an AFP team on the ground.

"Lots of people are coming every day to ask for shelter but we don't have space anymore, we can't accept them," said Jihan Kaisi, the director of an NGO that runs a school-turned-shelter, where more than 1,100 people are crammed together.

burs-np/dc
Israel says striking Basij militia in Tehran after leader killed



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel's military said it was striking Iran's Basij paramilitary force in its positions around Tehran on Tuesday, after announcing it had killed the volunteer militia's top commander.

"The air force has attacked, in recent hours, soldiers and positions of the Basij unit that were deployed throughout Tehran," Israel's air force posted online along with a video of what it said was a strike.

Earlier Tuesday, Israel had announced that it had killed Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in an air strike, at the same time as it said it had assassinated Tehran's national security chief Ali Larijani.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards later confirmed Soleimani's death, but the authorities in Tehran have not yet confirmed that Larijani was killed.

In another statement, Israel's military said it identified a "renewed deployment of Basij forces," describing these fighters as "operating from posts embedded within public areas in the heart of Tehran".

The military launched new strikes targeting "more than 10 different posts across Tehran". t

"The recent strikes, alongside the elimination of the unit's commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, inflict significant and ongoing damage to the capabilities of the Basij unit," the statement added.

The strikes against the Basij are part of Israeli efforts to loosen the control of the authorities and open the way for a popular uprising against the clerical establishment.

In recent days the Israeli military has said it was striking checkpoints set up by the force around Tehran.

The Basij are accused of playing a key role in the bloody crackdown on recent mass protests in Iran in which rights groups say thousands of people were killed.
Iraq asks Iran for oil tanker passage through Strait of Hormuz: minister



Baghdad, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Iraq was in contact with Iran to try to arrange passage for some of its oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the country's oil minister told local media.

A founding member of the OPEC cartel, crude oil sales make up 90 percent of Iraq's budget revenues. Before the outbreak of war on February 28, Iraq mainly shipped its oil -- roughly 3.5 million barrels per day -- from the southern Basra fields via the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has closed the strait, through which as much as a fifth of the world's global crude oil and liquefied natural gas is normally shipped, to vessels from most countries.

"Communications are underway with the relevant authorities to authorise the passage of certain oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, in order that we can resume our exports," Iraqi oil minister Hayan Abdel Ghani told local TV station al-Sharqiya, referring to the Iranians.

"We need to provide them with the identity of these ships, their name, their affiliation, who owns them," he added.

Iraq has been scrambling to find a solution to export its oil, and there have been long-running talks with Iraqi Kurdistan to export oil through the autonomous region.

Kurdish authorities had asked for several measures in return, including that Baghdad facilitates the region's access to US dollars through banks.

Late Tuesday, the Kurdistan region's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said oil exports would "flow through the Kurdistan Region's pipeline as soon as possible".

He gave no further details, or indications about a possible timeline.

Barzani also said discussions with Baghdad "will continue with urgency to lift the restrictions on imports and trade into the Kurdistan Region".
Colombia, Ecuador leaders clash over bomb dropped near border



Bogota, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The leaders of Colombia and Ecuador sparred Tuesday over allegations that the Ecuadoran bombing of alleged criminal hideouts near their shared border had spilled into Colombian territory.

Months of tension between Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro and his right-wing Ecuadoran counterpart, Daniel Noboa, an ally of US President Donald Trump, spiked Monday when Petro alleged that explosives were dropped from a plane near the border.

On Tuesday, Petro posted on X a photo of an unexploded "bomb" that he said had fallen on the Colombian-Ecuadoran frontier. He called for a thorough investigation, saying: "It fell 100 meters from the home of a poor family."

Local farmers speaking with AFP corroborated Petro's account, amid escalating tension between the neighboring countries.

"We were all terrified -- you know, scared -- and worried that those devices might suddenly explode and take our lives," farmer Julian Imbacuan told AFP by phone.

Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez implored residents to avoid the area.

Noboa took to X Tuesday to retort that Ecuador is "currently bombing locations that served as hideouts" for criminal groups that are "largely Colombian, and which your government allowed to infiltrate our country due to negligence regarding your border."

"President Petro, your statements are false," Noboa said. "We are operating within our own territory, not yours."

Colombia and Ecuador share a 586-kilometer (364-mile) border where Colombian guerrilla groups and criminal organizations from both countries operate. They engage in trafficking of drugs, weapons and people, and illegal mining.

The countries faced a similar rise in tensions in 2008 when Colombia's then-president Alvaro Uribe ordered a strike on Ecuadoran soil to take out a FARC commander.

Ecuador recently began anti-drug operations with US support and also joined the "Shield of the Americas," a 17-nation coalition set up by Trump this month to combat drug trafficking in the region.

Colombia, like other left-wing governments in Latin America, was not invited to join the group even as Bogota and Washington agreed recently to coordinate their efforts against Colombian cartels and guerrilla groups.

The exclusion drew a complaint from Petro.

About 70 percent of the cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru -- the world's largest producers of the drug -- transits through Ecuador to be exported via its Pacific ports.
Israel says it struck Hezbollah targets 'throughout Lebanon'



Jerusalem, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Israel said late Tuesday it had struck sites "throughout Lebanon," targeting what it called Hezbollah rocket launching infrastructure after a series of air raid sirens in northern Israel.

"As part of the effort to degrade the organisation and thwart rocket attacks against Israeli civilians, in the past hour, the (military) struck launchers and Hezbollah terrorists throughout Lebanon," a statement said.

Earlier Tuesday, Israel said it had "detected expanded preparations by the Hezbollah" to launch rockets at Israel.

The army added that it hits Hezbollah launchers "prior to, or immediately following, a launch."
USS Gerald R. Ford: the world's biggest aircraft carrier



Washington, United States, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



The USS Gerald R. Ford -- the world's largest aircraft carrier -- is playing a key role in the US-Israeli war against Iran, but has suffered problems during its extended deployment.

The carrier has now been at sea for almost nine months and will reportedly soon set sail for the island of Crete for repairs after a blaze broke out aboard the ship last week.

Below are some key facts about the aircraft carrier.



- Middle East deployment -



The withdrawal of the Ford would leave a significant gap in US forces in the region, where the dozens of warplanes it carries have taken part in more than two weeks of strikes against Iran.

But the New York Times quoted a military official as saying the Ford will probably be relieved by another carrier -- the USS George H.W. Bush -- which is preparing to deploy to the Middle East.



- Massive warship -



The ship is the first Ford-class carrier -- a new design that will gradually replace older Nimitz-class ships -- and was commissioned by President Donald Trump in 2017. The $13-billion vessel embarked on its first deployment five years later in 2022.

The carrier -- powered by two nuclear reactors -- displaces 100,000 long tons when fully loaded, is more than 1,100 feet (335 meters) long and can sail at more than 34 miles (55 kilometers) per hour.

The ship is crewed by more than 4,000 sailors and is accompanied by multiple guided missile destroyers.



- Nearly nine months at sea -



The Ford has been at sea for more than eight months -- a deployment that has already seen it take part in US operations in the Caribbean, where Washington's forces have carried out strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, interdicted sanctioned tankers and seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

A fire broke out in a laundry room aboard the carrier last week, injuring two sailors and causing major damage to some 100 beds.

"There were about 100 beds that were significantly damaged," a US defense official said Tuesday, while adding that it had not impacted the carrier's operations and all sailors have a place to sleep.

The carrier has also reportedly suffered significant problems with its toilet system while at sea, with US media saying clogs and long lines for restrooms on the ship.

The issue is not new -- a 2020 report from the US Government Accountability Office said the ship's toilet system was subject to "unexpected and frequent clogging" and requires acid flushes on a regular basis to clear it, at a cost of $400,000 each time.

The Navy acknowledged the reports of toilet problems in a statement last month, but cited ship leadership as saying that "clog incidents are addressed promptly by trained damage control and engineering personnel, with minimal downtime."

Senator Mark Warner, the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Tuesday sharply criticized the extended deployment of the ship.

"The Ford and its crew have been pushed to the brink after nearly a year at sea, and they have been paying the price for President Donald Trump's reckless military decisions," he said in a statement.
Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas said: It is still too early to tell how significant an impact the conflict in the Middle East will have on British energy bills  but it is clearly sensible to prepare and ensure any intervention that might be necessary is both cost effective and directed to help those who most need it.
One of the defendants, McCready, of Uxbridge, west London, was on licence for murder committed in 2005, when he took part in a robbery during which almost 60,000 worth of watches and jewellery were stolen in broad daylight from Suttons and Robertsons store on Edgware Road, west London.
Why Arsenal may be the big winners from PSG vs Bayern thriller

Why Arsenal are the big winners from PSG vs Bayern thriller
Quick Read

Large pre-tax retirement account balances can become significant tax liabilities in retirement; three defusing strategies are moving to Roth accounts, executing Roth conversions, and tax gain harvesting.

Timing conversions during lower-income years and leveraging the 0% long-term capital gains rate up to $49,450 for individuals can substantially minimize future tax bills on retirement savings.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Millions of Americans are sitting on a sizeable balance in their IRA or 401(k). Youve spent years building a retirement fund, and it is natural to think of the entire amount as a part of the nest egg. However, theres a catch. You have contributed for years to build a comfortable retirement, but the reality is much more complicated.

Since these accounts are tax-deferred, youll have to pay tax at some point in time. The deferred bill can keep growing in the background, like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. Without the right planning, you could end up in a higher tax bracket. A large pre-tax balance can inflate your future tax bill, but early planning makes a huge difference.

$750,000 sitting quietly in your IRA could become a ticking tax bomb at the time of retirement. But there are ways you can defuse it. There are three strategies to defuse it: moving your retirement savings from pre-tax accounts to Roth accounts, executing Roth conversions, and tax gain harvesting.

Read: Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

JU.STOCKER / Shutterstock.com  JU.STOCKER / Shutterstock.com

Moving retirement savings

One way to defuse the ticking tax bomb is to move the retirement savings from your pre-tax accounts to Roth accounts. It is one of the easiest ways to reduce your future tax liability. Youll lose the tax deduction in the current year. However, any company match remains tax-deferred, so even if you choose to switch to 100% Roth, the investment return and employer match continue to grow tax-deferred.

You must find out if the retirement plan has a Roth option and start contributing to one. For younger investors, this is the best strategy to defuse a retirement tax bomb with regard to impact. If youre nearing retirement, this strategy may not be impactful since you have only a few years for the effect to compound.
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Asked if she was in favour of delaying the visit, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I dont know what the programme would involve, but I think it needs to be thought through very carefully as to whether or not its appropriate to go ahead now, or maybe have a limited programme or delay it  but we cant just pretend that there isnt a background of war.
Some European countries, such as Germany, have already appeared to rule out sending warships to help the US, while sources suggested an immediate deployment of UK ships into the strait was unlikely given the high level of risk involved.
The two-day state visit falls at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which many Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset  so there will be no traditional lunch with the King in the castle for the president during the day.
As part of the agreement, the UK will put 500,000 towards a new AI centre of excellence in Kyiv, which would be made up of experts working to see how the technology can best be used for a battlefield advantage, No 10 said.
In other developments, drones have been fired at the US embassy in Baghdad in what has been described by local officials as the most intense attack since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
Fraudsters love tax season, and this year could be especially risky.

According to a recent McAfee survey, 23% of respondents revealed that they or someone they knew had lost money to a tax scam. Thats nearly 1 in 4 Americans (1).

Must Read

The problem is more widespread as fraudsters use sophisticated artificial intelligence tools to trick Americans into handing over their personal information or money.

But as the Wall Street Journal reports, this year, con artists are taking advantage of confusion around new tax rules under the Trump administration (2). WRAL News notes that fraudsters are extra motivated by larger refunds this year  with tax refunds up 14% according to the IRS (3).

Fraudsters prey on peoples anxiety and confusion about filing their tax returns and what is legitimate, said Jeremiah Barlow, chief solutions officer at Mercer Advisors, told the Wall Street Journal.

Heres a list of the key tax scams to watch out for and how to protect yourself.

Top 5 common tax scams

According to McAfee, tax scams happen all year round even though they ramp up as tax season approaches. Here are five of the most common scams to watch for:

1. IRS impersonation scams

One of the most common scams involves fraudsters pretending to be the IRS or a tax agency.

The bad actors will attempt to reach out to potential victims through emails, texts or phone calls claiming you owe back taxes or that your refund needs verification. Some even use AI tools to create convincing voice calls or messages.

Conveying a sense of urgency, the scammers pressure victims to click on a link that will lead them to a fake website where theyre asked to enter sensitive information like their Social Security Number or banking details.

Once scammers have this personal information, they can file a fraudulent tax return and claim your refund.

2. Social media schemes

Scammers increasingly pose as tax experts on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, promising huge refunds or special tax credits that supposedly apply to everyone, getting people to claim credits they may not qualify for.

Whats in it for the fraudsters? They get a cut of the refund.
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Is ACHR a good stock to buy? We came across a bullish thesis on Archer Aviation Inc. on X.com by @MoneyShow. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on ACHR. Archer Aviation Inc.'s share was trading at $6.43 as of March 11th. ACHRs trailing P/E was 6.95 according to Yahoo Finance.

Image: Courtesy of Archer Aviation

Archer Aviation Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs and develops aircraft and related technologies and services for commercial and defense sectors in the United States and internationally. ACHR is emerging as a leading player in the electric air mobility space, targeting short-haul transportation in metropolitan areas and military applications. The company is advancing toward Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, a key milestone that could unlock the commercial potential of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

With improvements in battery technology and vertical takeoff systems, Archer is turning the long-held vision of urban air taxis into a near-term reality, in a market projected by Morgan Stanley to reach $1.5$2.9 trillion by 2040. Archers strategy is supported by a $126 million acquisition of Hawthorne Airport, located just three miles from Los Angeles International Airport, which will serve as the centerpiece of its LA air taxi network and a hub for AI-powered operations in partnership with Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), the U.S. Air Force, and Anduril for defense initiatives.

The companys Midnight aircraft, a piloted eVTOL vehicle carrying four passengers, has demonstrated 55-mile flights at an average speed of 126 miles per hour with a redundant 12-propeller system ensuring safety in case of component failure. While Archer is not yet generating revenue and reported a Q3 net loss of $129.9 million on operating expenses of $174.8 million, it maintains a robust liquidity position with roughly $2.3 billion in cash and short-term investments.

The company has already secured over a billion dollars in orders for the Midnight aircraft, although delivery timelines remain uncertain. With FAA certification and commercialization on the horizon, Archer offers a high-risk, high-upside opportunity for investors, supported by strategic infrastructure, strong cash reserves, and participation in a rapidly growing eVTOL market.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) by Xtianus25 in January 2025, which highlighted progress toward FAA certification, pilot-only flight tests, and UAE expansion. ACHRs stock price has depreciated by approximately 30.63% since our coverage amid volatility in the eVTOL sector and investor concerns around commercialization timelines.. @MoneyShow shares a similar view but emphasizes U.S.-focused commercialization, the Hawthorne Airport acquisition, AI-powered operations, and strong cash reserves.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)  Argentinas once thriving wine industry is facing its worst crisis in more than 15 years, with record-low domestic consumption, dwindling exports and low-yielding crops.

Against this sobering reality, hundreds of wine enthusiasts still gathered last week in Mendoza, the heart of Argentina's wine region, to celebrate the annual National Wine Harvest Festival. Attendees watched dance performances, enjoyed live music and voted for the new queen of the Vendimia festival.

The festival was marking its 90th year as domestic wine consumption in Argentina plummeted to an all-time low of 15.7 liters (4.1 gallons) per person in 2025, according to the National Institute of Viticulture, or INV. Compare that to 1970, when Argentines consumed as much as 90 liters (24 gallons) per person annually.

Furthermore, 1,100 vineyards have shut down across the country and 3,276 hectares (8,095 acres) of grape production have vanished.

Fabian Ruggieri, president of the Argentine Wine Corp trade group, attributes the drop largely to a sharp decline in purchasing power that began in 2023. This trend, he said, is most acute among middle- and low-income consumers who traditionally consumed wine on a daily basis.

For Federico Gambetta, director of the Altos Las Hormigas winery, a medium-sized winery in Mendoza, the crisis is exacerbated by a shift in consumption patterns.

People no longer consume wine en masse, said Gambetta, noting that consumers now seek coherence and a sense of purpose behind their purchase.

While older generations favored high-alcohol, full-bodied wines, younger consumers prioritize other attributes, such as approachability, freshness and lightness  qualities typically found in white wines and roses.

One of Gambettas red wines  Malbec Los Amantes 2022  was recently ranked 41st among the world's 100 best wines. Yet, he notes that starting in 2010 his winery began to modify its wine  once defined by a traditional, heavier profile  to appeal to a new generation of consumers seeking lighter styles.

Everything has mutated, Gambetta said. If you're not dynamic, you're lost.

The U.S. is experiencing a similar shift as the older wine-focused demographic ages out and younger adults fail to fill the gap. A report by Silicon Valley Bank found that millennial and Gen Z drinkers are spread across more categories and drinking less overall, particularly those under 29.

The international market offers little relief. As the worlds 11th largest wine exporter, Argentina saw its exports fall to 193 million liters (51 million gallons) in 2025  a 6.8% year-on-year decline and the lowest volume since 2004, according to INV.
A Texas Business Court jury awarded $49 million to an Austin-based minerals company after finding its former executives stole its playbook, copied proprietary software and poached customers for their competing business. (Ruslan Grumble/Fotolia)





A jury has awarded $49 million to an Austin-based minerals company after finding three former executives stole its playbook, copied proprietary software and poached customers for their competing business.

The award, which came after a two-week trial in the 3rd Business Court Division in Austin, is among the largest in the new business courts, which began hearing cases in September 2024. It was also the first jury trial in the Austin court.

The case was brought by ES3 Minerals LLC, which said former executives David Ryan, Nicholas Kreines and Jettie Rangel stole trade secrets to launch their own business and do further harm to ES3.

The company sued for theft of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and fraudulent transfer.

READ NEXT: Is Austin CrowdStrikes home? Texas court weighs trade secrets lawsuit.

At its core, this case was about protecting the systems, technology and business weve built at ES3, said Trey Stanton, founder of ES3 Minerals, which buys and sells mineral rights.

It alleged that Ryan and Kreines plotted to steal ES3s software, known as Rainmaker, and enlisted overseas developers to duplicate it. ES3 said Kreines also stole lists of its buyers and that the group took reams of ES3 data they used to sell their new business to ES3 customers.

Pumpjacks operate near a drilling rig in July 2022 along Texas 191 between Midland and Odessa. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle file photo)





Rangel had been the head of ES3s analyst department, Kreines was vice president of business development and Ryan was vice president of mineral acquisitions.

Ryan and Rangel started Liberty Mineral Partners in 2023, while Kreines  who was partnering on the business  restarted his own firm called NAK Resources LLC in early 2024.

Ryan denied the allegations in court filings, saying he was fired for refusing to steal a consultants training materials and relabeling them as ES3 property.

Kreines said he had been asked to stay on through January 2024 after tendering his resignation, and that he restarted NAK Resources during that time. At the end of the month, he said, ES3 declined to pay him owed commissions.

ES3 said he was shilling for himself and Liberty Mineral Partners, helping to secure a $480,000 deal that netted him $216,000 on his first day. In eight months, ES3 said, the trio made $20 million.

Text messages between the business partners were compelling, showing they were attempting to poach more ES3 employees and shield their revenue from litigation through trusts and offshore accounts.

The Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse is the site of many business court trials. (Austin American-Statesman)





The defendants said ES3 wanted to squash its former employees rather than see them succeed.

A jury disagreed, finding unanimously the three had acted in concert to misappropriate ES3s buyers information, trade secrets and sales techniques. It also found Kreines violated his fiduciary duty to benefit the group. The jury valued ES3s trade secrets at over $40 million and unanimously awarded $9 million in damages.

The judgment was appealed Monday to Texas 15th Court of Appeals.
Akbar Novruz



Russia may be laying the groundwork for a potential incursion into eastern Estonia by promoting a coordinated propaganda campaign centered on the border city of Narva, according to intelligence assessments cited by Bild, AzerNEWS reports.

The report references statements by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, who warned that the situation bears similarities to the early stages of the Russias annexation of Crimea and broader aggression against Ukraine in 2014.

According to the report, Russian-linked social media channels have for several weeks promoted narratives calling for the creation of a so-called Narva Peoples Republic. Narva, a city of about 50,000 residents located on Estonias eastern border, has a predominantly Russian-speaking population.

Estonian intelligence services reportedly view this information campaign as a potential precursor to destabilization efforts, echoing tactics used ahead of Russias actions in Ukraine more than a decade ago.

Since early March, posts circulating on social media have called for the distribution of leaflets, acts of sabotage, and even armed mobilization in support of the proposed entity. Propaganda messages have included slogans such as Russians, we are not alone! and references to extending Russian land across northeastern Estonia.

Maps and flags depicting the alleged republic have also been shared, further fueling concerns over coordinated influence operations aimed at inciting unrest in the region.
Fashion came to Capital Hill on Thursday when the Australian Fashion Council unveiled a 10-year plan to reinvigorate Australias textile, clothing and footwear (TCF) manufacturing capability.

Launched at Parliament House in Australias capital city of Canberra, the National Manufacturing Strategy was developed in partnership with heritage bootmaker R.M. Williams, which has almost tripled its own manufacturing capacity in Adelaide, South Australia since Australian private equity company Tattarang acquired the frim from L Catterton in October 2020. In fiscal 2025, R.M. Williams reported sales of 324 million Australian dollars ($208 million at average exchange for the period), up 11 percent on 2024.



The council hopes to replicate some of that manufacturing momentum across the broader industry, which is worth 27.2 billion Australian dollars to the national economy annually according to a May 2021 AFC report citing Ernst & Young data ($21 billion at May 2021 exchange). This represents 1.5 percent of the countrys GDP, employing 489,000 workers, with exports accounting for 7.2 billion Australian dollars ($6 billion).



Within this, the domestic manufacturing sector63 percent of which is located in the east coast states of New South Wales and Victoriacontributes at least 2.6 billion Australian dollars ($1.8 billion) to the economy, according to the 2024 AFC Victorian TCF Manufacturing Report, which did not include NSW data. Over 1.4 billion Australian dollars ($950.3 million) in wages are paid in Victoria to 27,000 TCF factory workers, of which women comprise 58 percent, making it one of the most significant manufacturing sectors for womens economic participation.



Due to the dismantling of import tariffs after the 1980s, 97 percent of Australias TCF production is based offshore, often using Australian wool and cotton which is imported back as finished product.



Australia is the worlds largest exporter of greasy wool, but 85 percent of the wool clip is sent to China for early-stage processing. More than 99 percent of Australias raw cotton (which is projected to generate 3.3 billion Australian dollars or $2.24 billion in 2025/2026, according to Cotton Australia) is processed offshore, predominantly in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India.



The National Manufacturing Strategy hinges on three strategic pillars: activating demand, securing the workforce of the future and accelerating digital transformation. If fully leveraged, economic modeling by Melbournes RMIT University and RPS Group projects this could generate 1.4 billion Australian dollars ($990.4 million) in cumulative uplift over five years, growing the manufacturing sector to approximately 2.9 billion Australian dollars ($2.05 billion), adding 1,000 new skilled jobs, with an additional 212 million Australian dollars ($150 million) paid in wages annually by 2031, with half of those jobs anticipated to be filled by women.



The strategy aligns with a plethora of existing federal government policy initiatives, including the Future Made in Australia Act 2024, the updated Commonwealth Procurement Rules, the Buy Australian Plan, the National Skills Agreement and a keen focus on womens economic participation.



Poised to help the AFC reach the ears of government is a newly formed non partisan group called the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles, which is comprised of more than 50 federal members of Parliament and senators, a large percentage of whom were in attendance for the launch.



Today is a milestone and its going to be hard work, theres no doubt about that, but the support and collaboration is there and that has been a big roadblock, historically AFC executive chair Marianne Perkovic told Sourcing Journal. We [the industry] sit in this interesting space where we didnt have a minister that specifically looked after textiles and fashion and so the portfolio was spread across agriculture, women, sustainability etc. The way we tried to come around that was to do the Parliamentary Friends group. Now theres a joint alignment and individual ministers and parliamentarians can take the piece that they advocate for, but collectively, we can now be better represented in Parliament.



In a bid to activate demand, the AFC is setting its preliminary sights on clawing back some of the Australian governments procurement business. Since 2022, 17 Commonwealth agencies have awarded over 790 million Australian dollars in clothing and uniform contracts ($531 million in average exchange for the period), with the Department of Defence accounting for 82 percent of the total contract value, with fibre and finished garment production mostly outsourced to China.



The 114 year-old company Australian Defence Apparel, which manufactures around 600,000 uniforms a year for the Australian defense forces, police and emergency services, was among a small showcase of local manufacturers and brands that flanked the events breakfast tables. Also featured: the 152 year-old Tasmania-based Waverley Mills, Australias last fully vertical woollen mill and Silver Fleece, South Australias last knitting mill, which was founded in 1951 and rescued from liquidation in 2024 by Adelaide entrepreneurs Dean and Melanie Flintoft.



It [Silver Fleece] is a business that had been shrinking for 20 years said Dean Flintoft, whose new customers include R.M. Williams. Weve brought a designer into the business and a programmer for the knitting machines so we can do a lot of sampling now which the business couldnt do previously. Weve got new knitting machines, new circular machines, a dye house, stentering and finishing equipment. Weve basically made it a one-stop shop.



To address Australias ageing TCF manufacturing workforce, which has a median age of 57, strategy proposals include lobbying the federal government to co-invest in a nationally coordinated TCF manufacturing careers program and designate TCF manufacturing as a priority apprenticeship sector.



R.M. Williams is a case study on how this could work. To achieve its current workforce of 450 the company aligned with the South Australian government and its Technical and Further Education [TAFE] arm to revive the states mothballed Certificate III in Leather Production in 2023 and the following year introduced the new TAFE Industrial Sewing Skill Set.



We did a big fact-finding mission of all the suppliers and makers in Australia and found a lot of small makers, very disjointed from each other, often immigrants said R.M. Williams chief operating officer Tara Moses, the former director of manufacturing for Red Wing Shoes, who moved to Australia to join R.M. Williams in 2022. The skill set is actually here, its not completely gone. But the time is now [to train a new generation] because these are a lot of aging makers.



A key focus of the strategys technology pillar is the development of shared advanced manufacturing infrastructure or smart factoriesinspired by Germanys Industry 4.0 initiative of networked, digitized production, thats heavily focused on boosting productivity at small and medium-sized enterprises. And notably, in Australias case, co-locating these in proximity to fiber production areas, to encourage the rebuilding of early stage fiber processing. This would capitalize on already nascent industry interest in hedging against biosecurity risks, trade bans, tariffs and provenance issues arising from European Unions impending Digital Product Passport.



There is a really, really good opportunity here if we seize it to see the rebirth and the significant growth of the industry moving forward said Matt Burnell, the Member for the South Australian electorate of Spence where R.M. Williams is headquartered and one of three co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles group, whose own forebear George Burnell ran a wool scouring facility in Adelaide in the late 19th century.



Added R.M. Williams Moses, Australia has got something nobody else in the world could havethe cotton and the wool and the potential to take that from farm to fashion.
Streaming the Universe: A Q&A with GM & Head of NASA+ Rebecca Sirmons

After launching on Nov 8, 2023, and the sunsetting of NASA TV (NASAs linear channel) in August 2024, NASA+ has become the official destination for all NASA content, whether you are watching on Amazon Prime, Netflix or NASAs website, and app. Currently, NASA is planning to stream the first crewed launch to the Moon in over 50 years, Artemis II (estimated viewership 25M) and will become the worlds largest live streaming event, the next moon landing on Artemis III (estimated viewership 250M).

In this Q&A, I spoke with General Manager and Head of NASA+ Rebecca Sirmons about how her team built NASA+ and the infrastructure, gear, ops, and workflows that launch live streams at this massive scope and scale.



Rebecca Sirmons, General Manager, Head of NASA+, NASAs official home for streaming live and original content

What is NASA+ and how does it differ from NASAs previous streaming efforts?

NASA has been streaming for a while now. When we launched NASA+ in 2023, I like to say weaned ourselves off the linear network. Now that weve cut the cord, Im very proud of us. Were fully streaming the universeeverything from space flights to rocket launches, International Space Station, and original content.



NASA+ launched in 2023

Who is your audience?

Our mandate in the 1958 Space Act states that we have to reach the widest possible audience, which means that no matter where you are in the world, you can watch NASA.

What is the Artemis program?

Artemis is us going back to the moon. For Artemis I last year, we went out and tested the rocket itself. There was no crew aboard. Artemis II is very similar to Apollo 8, where we test. Were making sure the crew is healthy, the vehicle is working properly, and that everything is working to get us ready for the moon landing, which is Artemis III. We dont have a true launch date yet until we go through the proper procedures to make sure everythings all good.



NASAs Artemis III moon landing mission

How do you measure ROI and success as a government organization?

650 million people watched the moon landing on CBS in 1969 with Walter Cronkite. I doubt we will hit that exact number again. For now, we are specing around 250 million [for our Artemis III moon launch]. We have to think outside the box and work with industry partners. Ensuring success on the NASA side is that we will guarantee you a great feed, but well need help sharing it with the world.

Does that mean youre distributing through partners?

Yes, we have partnerships with Netflix and Amazon Prime. We do YouTube, and we work with VOD partners like Kanopy.



NASA+ on Netflix

Do you distribute through partners for load-balancing reasons?

Exactly. You do it for load-balancing reasons. A lot of people are doing it now because we all realize that streaming is hardespecially streaming from space. In the private, were always worried about the last mile of delivery. With space, Im also worried about the first million miles.

Do you get feedback from viewers about the latency?

No, because its physics. Weve literally pushed it as far as it can go with latency. Latency for NASA, is speed of light, which from the moon is 1.3 seconds. Take that, ground-based jumps! Ultimately, youll get two to three, or possibly four seconds of delay.

Which areas of the agency are involved in running NASA+?

At NASA headquarters, we manage NASA+ overall operations, programming, content development, and strategic partnerships

All technical operations for NASA+ are handled out of Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. This includes NASA+ Engineering HUB and virtual master control.

At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, we launch live broadcasts, including the upcoming Artemis II Live Launch.

Johnson Space Center in Texas is the point of origin for all live streaming from space activities. This includes ISS live broadcasts (downlinks and spacewalks), and space operations live broadcasts, among them the upcoming live broadcasts for Artemis II (lunar flyby, splashdown) and the upcoming Artemis III moon landing.

What does the workflow look like?

Live events could be launched out of any of the centers. Primary live events come out of Kennedy Space Center (live launch broadcasts) and Johnson Space Center (live streaming from space).

Technical infrastructure is interconnected via all centers so that we can operate via a virtual master control room. We are cloud based, and it makes us nimble.

Live streaming from Space is switched internally and one feed is shared with the world. Its one more hop from there to Marshall, and then it goes out to our core via SRT feeds. We have our HLS that we get out to Akamai for our apps. For our internal NASA+, we have our clean feeds that we get out to CNNs and other partners.

After many, many years of building an infrastructure, we can continuously stream in 4K. Live streaming from ISS (in Lower Earth Orbit) is mapped out. You have to be in direction over certain satellites to bring the signal down.

At Marshall, we have the ultimate remote production workflow streaming team. They run our virtual master control room during a live event. For redundancy, we encoders set up across several centers.

Who are your streaming leads?

Megan Cruz, Live EP, NASA+

Location: Kennedy Space Center

Currently producing: Artemis II and other live broadcasts out of KSC

Nilufar Ramji, Live EP, NASA+

Location: Johnson Space Center

Currently producing: Artemis II and other broadcasts out of JSC

Jori Kates, Director NASA+

Location: NASA Headquarters

Currently directing: Artemis II live broadcast out of Kennedy Space Center

Lee Erickson, Head of Streaming Tech NASA+

Location: Marshall Space Flight Center

Currently: Head of all technical execution and workflows for NASA+

How do teams coordinate to synchronize a live event?

Our brilliant Live EP Nilufar Ramji leads the charge on the production side. We have our distribution. We do a NASA+ tech call, where our app team connects with our web team.

We work with Lee Erickson, head of live streaming, and his team to coordinate with the centers to pull off a live broadcast to make sure that were all set for the workflows. For every event we build a workflow. We always have multiple redundancies. We have about three redundancies consistently for each live event.

What codec are you using?

We use H.265/HEVC.

What are you streaming?

For Artemis II, we have cameras outside of the vehicle, and we have cameras inside the spacecraft, so youll be able to see the astronauts live and well be able to see the moon from outside. Well have a 24/7 feed as well as our live broadcast. Were going to have three key broadcasts. First is the rocket launch. Then theres the lunar fly-by, where youll see the moon which is going to be pretty excitingwell be live streaming the moon, and itll be the first time that well be experiencing this in over 50 years. The third, of course, is splashdown, when well bring our crew home.

Artemis III is the thing that I am honestly the most excited about, to provide the world one of the greatest feeds of all time, live streaming in 4K from the moon. That is a difficult task. When Artemis goes around the moon, theyre going to be on the dark side of the moon. We will not have signal for a period of time, because its just physics.

What makes the moon landing broadcast so challenging?

Were going to try to really provide people imagery that theyve never seen before. I want people to be able to see the science and be able to see what it looks like. Back in 1969, it was a little blurry, but it was pretty incredible. For this broadcast, were talking about deep blacks and deep whites.

Theres no color on the moon?

No, there's no color. It's difficult to wrap your mind around it.

How do you manage the camera feeds? Do astronauts point the cameras?

Yes, theyll use a handheld camera. Were actually going to see what we can do to make sure that one is live streaming as well.

Well also have live cameras on the helmets. We have live cameras set up on the craft itself or the lander, so there are different points of view. Theres a lot of integration. And the great thing is, its not just about sharing this imagery for the public around the world. All of these cameras serve different purposes at any different point in time. Its really fascinating. Youll be able to see some things that youve never seen before.

Did you build the aspects of your workflow in-house, or are you using commercial products?

For our overall workflow, its all homegrown. Lee Erickson, our head of streaming, built it based on the tools that we already have. They built the infrastructure, the workflow, and way of doing it thats sustainable. Its cloud-based, so we can go from Kennedy Space Center to Johnson Space Center. If Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland needs to run the broadcast from their location, or if we need to run a broadcast from headquarters, we can.



A schematic of the NASA+ streaming workflow. Image credit: Lee Erickson

When developing NASA+, how did you approach the build-versus-buy decision?

When I first got here, I needed to see how everything was currently working in the NASA TV infrastructure. I had to figure out who was doing what, and how everything was being communicated. I put together a network operations manual that covered how we work with each other.

The big reveal is that we already had a streaming infrastructure. One of the main things we stopped doing was using satellite. We moved into AWS for a virtual master control room. That was a big move. It helps us now move quicker. We can turn things around on a dime. This is due to the long experience of our engineers at NASA, and the fact that theyre always willing to learn and to grow.

Lets talk about hardware versus software. Whats your approach for encoding?

In the private sector, I would use software-based encoders. At NASA+, knowing what I know now about radiation testing, extreme environments, its hardware-based encoders all the way. They dont take as much power, they can be more ruggedized, and the likelihood of them succeeding is higher.

Going to the moon, you are going on the most epic camping trip. You have to bring everything. You have to pack it all. You cant go back. You cant say, Oh, can you fix this encoder? We have to have reliable equipment. Its risk mitigation, but also radiation.

How does radiation affect your equipment?

If you watch one of our feeds, youll say, Why does it look like that? Why does that camera look like a Christmas light in the distance? Thats from all the pixels being fried from radiation. Were lucky if a camera can stay over there for a couple of years.

We try to put all of our encoders and our cameras through radiation testing. These are all the restraints that we have to deal with. Weight is anotherthings cant be heavy. There are many things to think about.

How do you optimize latency while streaming?

We drastically reduced the amount of hops that we have on the ground-based side. It just goes from Johnson's Space Center straight to Marshall. Thats our hop.

From ISS and then Artemis, it really has to do with the most minimal feed coming down. The reduction of hops. Thats the most basic way for us to minimize any sort of latency on our end.

With NASA+, are you taking the same video feeds that wouldve been captured just for internal uses and using them externally?

Everything thats pulled down for public use goes through our control. We pick the feeds, and we put it into one distributed feed to be able to tell the story in a clear way. Usually, this has to do with things like, Oh, that shot is a little off. Lets go to this shot.

But the one thing that Im very proud ofand I think it helps set NASA apart in todays environmentis that were 100% transparent. We are not manipulating imagery. Its not AI-generated. What you see is what you get.

Do you have a problem with people thinking the footage is AI-generated, or do they tend to trust what theyre seeing?

I didnt realize until I [started at NASA] that so many people did not believe in the moon landing. To me, thats what makes our job even more important. The cameras mission is to show us the reality of what's going on.

Do you have live content 24/7?

No. We have a FAST channel on Amazon Prime. We do not have a 24/7 NASA TV-type channel anymore.

What personas do you target with your content?

Im a little biased, and I always like to claim my bias. I have a daughter whos six years old. Shes part of what I think of as the Artemis generation. Its that inner kid in us all that makes us all excited about space. I want to double down on the Artemis next generation to inspire people to be astronauts, scientists, or streaming engineers in space.

The other side of that, of course, is the educator, the STEM-obsessed person, people who say, Hey, let's watch this broadcast from NASA. We do have quite a few of those, which is why we work with the Kanopy.

Ultimately, its the fandom, the type of person that does Reddit, does Twitch, is interested in Star Warsthe sci-fi nerds.

How are people watching NASA+?

Thirty-five percent of everyone is accessing the web NASA+ direct. The rest are watching on our app and via our partners, mostly on TV and Roku. They only release so much information, but Ill say that about 20% of that comes from Amazon Prime and Netflix. With more partners on board, obviously I want to grow that number.

Can you monetize NASA content?

No. We cannot make money. Its a free service.

To clarify, does money exchange hands with partners like Netflix?

No money is exchanging hands with any partner or anything like that. There needs to be paperwork involved to do distribution, but if it didnt, we would just hand our partners a feed and leave it up to them to decide what feed they want to take in and air. Its the same as us giving CNN a feed.

How does your on-demand content perform?

Our videos on demand do exceptionally well. And now its almost half and half as far as success rate. Cosmic Dawn is where we took 25 years of archival footage to go through the development of the James Webb Space telescope. We created these amazing images that we all fell in love with over the pandemic. That story was incredible.

The great thing about NASA+ is we already have in-house creatives here. We have the scientists, but we also have people on hand to be able to tell these stories. So this was really a labor of love. But it was also that we had all this material already here, and we just organized it in a way to make an excellent documentary that has done incredibly well.

Do you plan to integrate VR or AR to visualize future missions?

I would love to, but not right now. I hate to say it like that, but what we have in our hands currently is plenty.

What happens to your archives? Is it all available?

Yes, and in fact our archive is called Avail.

Is NASA imagery in the public domain?

Yes. You can see our brand partnership guidelines at [go2sm.com/partner]. We dont make money and people cant make money off of us.

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Companies and Suppliers Mentioned
H.264 Streaming Fees: What Changed, Who's Affected, and What It Means

H.264 (AVC) streaming royalties have been a solved problem for a long time. In August 2010, MPEG LA, the predecessor organisation to the Via Licensing Alliance (Via), announced that internet video delivered free to end users would carry no royalties for the life of the licence, a move widely read as a response to Google's open-sourcing of VP8. Subscription and pay-per-view content remained royalty-bearing, but the annual cap for large SVOD services was $100,000, a number so modest that most platforms treated it as a rounding error in the licensing budget. That picture changed at the start of 2026.

Via's new AVC Streaming Licence Fee structure, which applies to new licences beginning in 2026, replaces the old single-cap model with a tiered system that scales sharply with platform size. For Tier 1 OTT platforms, or those with 100 million or more subscribers, the annual list fee is now $4,500,000. The same figure applies to Tier 1 FAST services (100M+ daily users), Tier 1 social media platforms (1B+ monthly active users), and Tier 1 cloud gaming platforms (15M+ monthly active users). Tier 2 and Tier 3 fees run $3,375,000 and $2,250,000, respectively. Only the smallest category, platforms Via defines as small or nascent, retains the $100,000 fee.



Table 1. Via's new rate structure for H.264.

The jump from the floor to the Tier 1 ceiling is 45x. For large platforms that previously viewed H.264 licensing as a negligible line item, which is a material change, provided, of course, it actually applies to them.

This change triggers several obvious questions. Who is actually affected? Why wasn't there a public announcement? How does the new fee structure work administratively? And what about the widespread belief that H.264 patents have largely expired? To address these questions, we sent two sets of questions to Via and a separate set to patent licensing attorney Jim Harlan, JD/MBA. Their responses are woven throughout the article, and Jim's complete Q&A appears as an appendix.

Who Is Actually Affected

The first and most important question is scope. Via's response to my questions was clear on this point: all AVC licencees with an active licence as of the end of 2025 were entitled to retain the streaming terms of their original agreement. The new fee structure applies only to previously unlicenced implementers seeking a licence starting in 2026.

That narrows the universe considerably. I asked Via about their outreach regarding this transition, and they replied that it had contacted unlicenced media companies in 2025 to inform them of the change and give them a window to secure a licence under the old terms.

I also asked whether there was any published notice of the change, such as a press release, public announcement, or similar. Via stated that it communicated directly with unlicenced AVC companies rather than issuing a public statement. That approach may have left some smaller or peripheral players unaware. If you're one of those companies, or a company that didn't respond to Via's outbound communications, a $100K problem may have grown considerably.

Why did Via make the change? In its reply to this question, Via noted that the original streaming terms were defined more than a decade ago, when AVC streaming was not yet a significant business category. The company characterised the restructuring as a reflection of current market conditions, not a break with established practice.

How the New Structure Works

The fee schedule divides the market into two broad segments: Video Content Streaming, which covers OTT, FAST, social media, and cloud gaming, and Other Video Content Delivery, covering cable/satellite television and OTA networks. Each service type uses its own unit of measurement. OTT fees are based on subscriber counts; FAST on daily users; social media and cloud gaming on monthly active users; cable and satellite on customer counts; and OTA on household viewable reach.

A few operational details matter for anyone trying to model their exposure. On the stacking question, whether a company running OTT, FAST, and social video under one roof gets charged in multiple categories, Via says no. A service is assessed once, in one category. Fees are also assessed per legal entity rather than per parent company, meaning affiliates each need their own licence.

However, an enterprise structure is available that allows multiple affiliates to be covered under a shared cap. Notably, Via confirmed that the AVC licence includes two separate enterprise caps: one for devices and one for streaming services. That means streaming fees are not offset by device royalties, and a company that already hits the device cap still faces the streaming fees independently.



Figure 2. The Via H.264 licensing page has two caps: one for devices, and this one for streaming.

When asked why the list price had not come down, given the aging of the AVC patent portfolio, Via pointed to the codec's continued relevance: AVC still dominates streaming traffic globally, and the pool covers the large majority of essential patents required to implement the standard.

The Patent Tail and the Bigger Picture

By way of background, when I first noticed the royalty change on the Via site, I posted about it on LinkedIn. Not surprisingly, the post generated significant engagement, including many versions of this question. "I assumed that patents for H.264 (AVC) have expired, and since January 1, 2024, licences are free."



Figure 3. Jim Harlan provided insights into royalties when patents are expiring.

Rather than rely on the multiple LinkedIn lawyers who commented without the credentials, I decided to pose a series of questions to Jim Harlan, a real attorney with close to ten years of experience with InterDigital and over 25 years of patent licensing experience. Jim was kind enough to respond; I'll summarise his answers for this article and append all of his answers below.

I first asked how we should think about a mature standard like H.264 in 2026, where many but not all patents have expired. "Maturity changes the economic context, not the legal framework," he said. "The analysis shifts from an emerging innovation platform to a legacy but embedded infrastructure. That shift can affect valuation, but it does not nullify licensing obligations." Courts evaluating FRAND rates still look to comparable licences and consider the composition, strength, and remaining life of the patents still in force.

Cherry-Picking Expired Profiles

Several LinkedIn posters recommended limiting H.264 implementations to the Baseline or Main Profiles, where most patents have expired, and avoiding the High Profile, MVC, and SVC, where they have not. I asked Harlan if that was a realistic strategy for a commercial service. He responded, "In theory, a company could attempt to design around specific patented features. In practice, which requires a detailed claim-by-claim analysis of the relevant patents and the specific implementation. Patent claims do not necessarily map neatly to profile labels, so determining whether a subset is truly non-infringing typically requires careful legal and technical analysis."

I followed up with, "If a company deliberately stays on Baseline/Main profiles and operates mostly in countries where High-profile patents appear to be expired, how much comfortif anydoes that give you as counsel? Harlan's answer placed doubts on this strategy as well. "Operating within certain profiles or jurisdictions may reduce risk in some circumstances, but it does not automatically eliminate exposure. The analysis would still require evaluating the remaining patents that may cover the relevant implementation and the jurisdictions where those patents remain in force."

I next asked how a global streamer should think about tail patents that only exist in a handful of countries, and whether having users in a country with a live patent creates meaningful risk even if the rest of the world is clear. Harlan said patent rights are strictly territorial, and the infringement analysis typically turns on three factors: where encoding occurs, where content is transmitted from, and where it is received or used. A service can be legally clear in most markets and still face real exposure in others.

He noted that companies sometimes evaluate technical design choices or geographic considerations to manage this risk, but the analysis often comes down to practical business and operational realities. The presence of an enforceable patent in even a single key market can sustain a licensing obligation regardless of what the rest of the world looks like.

Late-Stage FRAND Pricing

On whether list prices should track the size of the remaining patent portfolio, Harlan said there is no legal requirement for automatic rate reductions as patents expire. That said, there is a meaningful distinction between prices holding steady and prices increasing sharply late in a standard's lifecycle. "A sharp late cycle increase that is not supported by portfolio strength, remaining patent life, or comparable licences is more likely to attract scrutiny under a FRAND analysis," he said. Whether the new Via structure clears that bar is a question that would require access to the full patent list, a technical analysis of remaining claims, and a comparison against market benchmarks, none of which can be completed from public information alone.

For large services looking at multi-million-dollar list fees, Harlan outlined the realistic options: negotiate a licence, explore design alternatives that may avoid specific patent claims, accept the risk of operating without a licence, or litigate. In practice, he said, negotiation is the primary avenue. Companies may also seek to align terms with their specific business model, expected usage, and the remaining life of the relevant patents.

Harlan also identified the two biggest misunderstandings he sees in technical discussions about expiring codec patents. The first is that the widespread expiration of patents necessarily eliminates licensing obligations. The second is that FRAND rates must track the number of patents remaining rather than the portfolio's overall value and strength. Both assumptions are incorrect, he said, and both lead implementers to underestimate their actual risk exposure.

Where This Leaves You

If you are already licenced under Via's pre-2026 AVC terms, none of these changes affect your situation today. Your existing rates are grandfathered, and your licence structure remains in place.

If you are not licenced and are delivering AVC content at meaningful scale, the new fee structure is the starting point for any conversation with Via. The company frames the pool as providing a centralised solution for full compliance, and it is actively encouraging unlicenced implementers to come to the table.

It is also worth keeping this in proper context. The H.264 situation does not exist in a vacuum. Nokia has secured significant licencees for HEVC content. Access Advance and Avanci have published rates for a pool asserting content royalties across AVC, HEVC, VP9, VVC, and AV1 that could push major platforms toward nine-figure annual exposure. Against that backdrop, the question of whether a $4.5 million H.264 streaming fee is high, low, or reasonable depends considerably on what the rest of your codec licensing stack looks like and what your legal and technical analysis shows about the patents that remain.

Full Q&A with Jim Harlan

Here the unedited Q&A with Jim Harlan addressing FRAND analysis, safe-subset strategies, territorial risk, and litigation thresholds in detail appears as an addendum to this article.

From a patent and FRAND perspective, how should we think about a mature standard like H.264 in 2026, where manybut not allpatents have expired?

From a FRAND standpoint, maturity changes the economic context, not the legal framework. The analysis shifts from an emerging innovation platform to a legacy but embedded infrastructure. That shift can affect valuation, but it does not nullify licensing obligations. Courts evaluating FRAND rates will still look to comparable licences, but those comparisons need to account for the maturity of the portfolio. Where a standards patent base is shrinking over time, the analysis should consider the composition, strength, and remaining life of the patents that remain.

Pricing and End-of-Life Behaviour

As the underlying patent portfolio shrinks over time, is there any general expectation that licence prices should come down, or is that purely a business decision as long as FRAND is respected?

Legally, there is no automatic downward adjustment as individual patents expire. But economically, as a portfolio materially shrinks over time, questions can arise about whether the remaining set of patents still justifies the same rate under a FRAND analysis, particularly in light of comparable licences and the technical contribution of the remaining patents.

Is it typical, in your experience, for licensors or pools to raise prices or restructure fees near the end of a standards life, once most patents have expired?

It is not typical as a general pattern to raise prices simply because a standard is aging. What sometimes occurs is a restructuring of licensing models or a shift in how royalties are allocated across different products or services. A sharp late cycle increase that is not supported by portfolio strength, remaining patent life, or comparable licences is more likely to attract scrutiny under a FRAND analysis.

Are there examples in other standards (telecom, audio, etc.) where courts or regulators have said at this stage, those prices are no longer FRAND because too few patents remain?

There is no bright-line precedent where a court has said that prices are no longer FRAND simply because too few patents remain. Courts generally evaluate FRAND through factors such as comparable licences, portfolio strength, and the overall reasonableness of the rate in the relevant market context.

When a pool charges the same (or more) as the patent set shrinks, what factors would you look at to decide if that is still fair and reasonable?

Relevant factors would include comparable licences in the market, the technical importance of the remaining patents, whether those patents continue to read on core implementation features, the remaining life of the patents, and the overall strength and scope of the portfolio relative to earlier licensing benchmarks.

Safe Subset and Working Around Patents

Engineers sometimes say H.264 is free if you avoid High Profile, MVC, SVC, and stick to a safe subset. From a legal point of view, is that ever a realistic strategy for a commercial service, or is it mostly wishful thinking?

In theory, a company could attempt to design around specific patented features. In practice, which requires a detailed claim-by-claim analysis of the relevant patents and the specific implementation. Patent claims do not necessarily map neatly to profile labels, so determining whether a subset is truly non-infringing typically requires careful legal and technical analysis.

If a company deliberately stays on Baseline/Main profiles and operates mostly in countries where High-profile patents appear to be expired, how much comfortif anydoes that give you as counsel?

Operating within certain profiles or jurisdictions may reduce risk in some circumstances, but it does not automatically eliminate exposure. The analysis would still require evaluating the remaining patents that may cover the relevant implementation and the jurisdictions where those patents remain in force.

Are there good precedents where implementers successfully argued, we only used a non-infringing subset of the standard, so we dont need a licence?

Courts have recognised that implementers may avoid infringement if they do not practice the patented claims, but successfully demonstrating that a particular implementation falls entirely outside the scope of all relevant patents can be complex and fact specific.

Territorial Issues and the Tail

How should a global streamer think about tail patents that only exist in a handful of countries (for example, Brazil or a few remaining US patents)? Is that the kind of thing you try to route around, or do you assume worldwide risk?

Companies typically evaluate both the geographic scope of the remaining patents and the operational realities of their services. In some cases, it may be possible to manage exposure through licensing, technical design choices, or geographic considerations, but the analysis often turns on practical business and operational factors.

If your encoders are in the US or EU, but you have users in a country with a live H.264 patent, does that create meaningful infringement risk in that country, even if most of the world is clear?

Potentially. Patent rights are territorial, and infringement analyses can depend on factors such as where encoding occurs, where content is transmitted from, and where it is received or used. The specific facts and the law of the relevant jurisdiction would determine the level of risk.

Strategies vs Grin and Bear It

For a large streaming service looking at multi-million-dollar list fees late in a standards life, what are the realistic options? Negotiate, redesign around a subset, stay unlicenced and accept risk, or litigate?

The typical options include negotiating a licence, exploring design alternatives that may avoid certain patent claims, accepting the risk of remaining unlicenced, or litigating to resolve disputes over infringement or FRAND terms. The appropriate course often depends on the magnitude of the potential exposure and the strength of the legal positions on both sides.

Are there practical strategies youve seen to minimise risk and costshort of just paying list priceor is the honest answer that most big services either negotiate or grin and bear it?

Negotiation is often the primary avenue. Companies may also seek to align licensing terms with their specific business models, explore cross-licensing where relevant, or structure agreements that reflect expected usage or remaining patent life.

At what rough scalerevenues, proposed royalties, remaining patent lifedo you start telling clients, It might actually be worth fighting this instead of settling?

That assessment usually involves evaluating the expected financial exposure, the strength of the legal and technical defenses, the remaining life of the patents, and the broader business implications of litigation.

FRAND and Portfolio Licensing

Courts have previously found the AVC pool licence to be FRAND in handset cases. How much room does that give a pool to change pricing or structure later in the life of the standard?

Prior findings that a particular licence structure was FRAND can provide useful benchmarks, but they do not necessarily determine future outcomes. Courts evaluating FRAND rates may still consider the current composition and remaining life of the portfolio, as well as comparable licences in the market.

Is there any FRAND principle that says licencees should get some benefit as patents expire, or is it accepted practice that portfolio rates can stay flat even as patents are added or drop out?

There is no FRAND principle that requires automatic rate reductions as patents expire. Portfolio licences often reflect the value of the overall portfolio at a given point in time. However, FRAND analysis may still consider whether the strength and scope of the portfolio that remains supports the rate being charged.

If a pool introduced significantly higher streaming fees late in the lifecycle, do you see a plausible FRAND challenge there, or is that a very high bar in practice?

A challenge could arise if the increase appears inconsistent with comparable licences, the strength of the portfolio, or the overall economic context. Whether such a challenge succeeds would depend on the specific facts and the evidence presented.

Helping Calibrate the Article

When you look at this specific situationshrinking patent set, new higher streaming feeswhats the fairest way for someone like me to describe it in an article without overstating the legal risk or implying bad faith?

One way to describe the situation is to note that as the essential patent base narrows over time, questions may arise about how licensing terms relate to the value of the remaining portfolio. Whether rates remain FRAND depends on factors such as the technical importance and remaining life of the surviving patents and comparable licences in the market.

What are the one or two biggest misunderstandings you see in engineer / LinkedIn discussions about expiring codec patents and end-of-life licensing?

Two common misunderstandings are that the expiration of many patents necessarily eliminates licensing obligations, and that FRAND rates must track the number of patents remaining rather than the overall value and strength of the portfolio.

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Yokota Air Base is home to the 374th Airlift Wing, 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  An Air Force trauma nurse was acquitted this week of four domestic violence counts stemming from a family dispute 15 months ago on this airlift hub in western Tokyo.

A panel of eight officers on Monday found Capt. Omar Vargas, assigned to the 374th Medical Group, not guilty of slapping, hitting/pushing, strangling and causing a door to hit his 19-year-old daughter on Dec. 22, 2024. Col. Shad Kidd presided over the six-day general court-martial.

Im glad that Im free of all my charges that this kangaroo court decided to bring me up on, Vargas told Stars and Stripes immediately after the verdict, before embracing family members. The prosecutors are very unprofessional.

He was also acquitted of striking his daughter when she was younger than 16 during an incident prosecutors said happened between May 2017 and May 2019 in Virginia.

Most of the counts centered on a December 2024 argument at the familys Yokota home. During the confrontation, Vargas suffered a finger injury that required stitches when a door slammed shut, a point both sides agreed on.

In closing arguments Monday, the military prosecutor, Maj. Rachel Barker, said the daughter had been bracing herself against a door to keep her father from entering when the dispute escalated. She argued that Vargas struck and choked his daughter and cited an audio recording the daughter provided to investigators.

The recording ended when Vargas slapped her face, she said.

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Waddington presented images in court that he said showed injuries to Vargas and his wife, including a black eye he attributed to the daughter. He also argued that photos the daughter took immediately after the incident showed no bruising, despite her claim that she had been struck.

Nobody in this case has injuries to their body but the dad and the mom, Waddington said.

In her closing remarks, Barker also referenced the earlier allegation, saying Vargas had struck his daughter when she was younger and promised not to do so again.

But in December 2024 he broke that promise, Barker said.

Waddington countered that Vargas had served more than two decades without prior incident and described him as a supportive father.

Capt. Vargas has two decades unblemished, he said. They have got nothing against this guy.
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Fighting stick: Officers carry a fighting stick made of blackthorn wood imported from Ireland, symbolizing the mark of an Irish leader and gentleman.

Irish Wolfhounds: Soldiers are accompanied in the parade by two Irish Wolfhounds, the official mascot of the 69th Infantry.

Kilmer Crucifix: The battalion commander carries the Kilmer Crucifix, once worn by poet Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action while serving with the 69th Infantry Regiment in World War I.

Special Mass: Before the parade, the regiment attends a mass at St. Patricks Cathedral to honor its fallen members and celebrate its Irish heritage.

Always Ready: Just before the parade begins, the head of the parade committee asks the commander if the 69th is ready. The response: The 69th is always ready!

Unit day ceremonies: St. Patricks Day is also an opportunity to recognize the soldiers for their accomplishments. After the parade, the regiment will hold its recognition ceremony at the Park Avenue Armory.
U.S. and South Korean soldiers carry out a joint attack during combined small-unit training at Fort Irwin, Calif., March 11, 2026. (South Korea Ministry of National Defense)



U.S. and South Korean troops have completed 12 days of training in the California desert aimed at sharpening their ability to fight together in modern combat, South Koreas Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.

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We could significantly improve firing and tactical maneuver capabilities, South Korean Lt. Col. Jung Young-min said in the release.

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U.S. and South Korean soldiers discuss mission procedures during combined small-unit training at Fort Irwin, Caliif., March 11, 2026. (South Korea Ministry of National Defense)



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Fourth grader Honey Cooper joins classmates in a design class taught by Professor Nader Gergis at San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, Calif. (Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times/TNS)



SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.  Every Wednesday evening, Honey Cooper packs her art supplies and heads to class. Not at Kimbark Elementary, where she spends her days, but at San Bernardino Valley College, where she finds a seat near the front, among students nearly twice her age.

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Fourth grader Honey Cooper catches up on reading during an afternoon break between elementary school and a night class at San Bernardino Valley College on March 4, 2026, in San Bernardino, Calif. She can read at a high school level. (Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times/TNS)



Sandra Rodriguez, assistant superintendent for student services at San Bernardino City Unified, had kept a close eye on Honey for years. Mia Cooper, a parliamentarian for the district, brought her daughter to district meetings and state-level education forums as the girl grew up. Honey would sit in the back reading books and doing homework while meetings carried on around her. Rodriguez eventually got to know Honey from the meetings she attended with her mother.

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She could be the kid who could be a doctor by 20, Rodriguez said.

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Mia Cooper gathered report cards from her daughters first through third grade, documentation of student committees Honey had participated in and principal awards she had been collecting since first grade. A statement from Kimbark Elementarys principal was also required to attest to Honeys academic readiness.

Though dual enrollment is typically designed for high school students, Honeys case is different. She enrolled as a special admit, an individualized pathway outside the standard framework.

Its at the discretion of the parent and the school, but were committed to access regardless of their stage in life, Bratulin said.

Her professor, Nader Gergis, was briefed before Honey arrived and made clear early on he would not change the material or slow the class down for Honey.

Fourth grader Honey Cooper chats with her college teacher, Professor Nader Gergis, before design class at San Bernardino Valley College on March 4, 2026, in San Bernardino, Calif. He said Honey is receptive to the material he is teaching and is already working toward a final portfolio, just like every other student in his class. (Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times/TNS)



Before meeting Honey, he said, he had reservations about the dual enrollment program.

Dual enrollment is a challenging concept and it requires a little bit of concentration on understanding that these students arent real college students and are still building skills in research and writing, Gergis said.

But he said Honey is receptive to the material he is teaching and is already working toward a final portfolio, just like every other student in his class.

Honey Cooper takes meticulous notes in her college-level Two-Dimensional Design class at San Bernardino Valley College.

Fourth grader Honey Cooper jots meticulous notes in a design class taught by Professor Nader Gergis at San Bernardino Valley College on March 4, 2026, in San Bernardino, Calif. (Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times/TNS)



Honey agrees that her first college course is off to a smooth start.

I really like the college course, she said. Were learning that lines can be anything and working on this with a family portrait collage project.

Honey said she has been getting along with her classmates and professor Gergis.

San Bernardino Valley College President Gilbert Contreras said Honeys enrollment is consistent with the colleges founding mission.

San Bernardino Valley College was founded 100 years ago on a simple but powerful belief: that higher education should be accessible to anyone who is ready to learn, regardless of background, age, or circumstance, Contreras said. Honey Coopers story is an inspiration to us all and we are honored to play a role in her educational journey.

Rodriguez believes Honeys enrollment could open the door for more students to petition for special admit status if they are academically ready.

Once the course wraps up May 13, she said she wants to conduct an after-action review to determine what worked, what didnt and how to get more motivated elementary kids into college campuses.

Kids in elementary are very hungry for learning, Rodriguez said. We want to give them opportunities and set them up on a college ready track.
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Army Garrison Hawaii curtailed nonessential operations on Friday, as flooding and outages affected Schofield Barracks in central Oahu. Normal operations resumed Monday, but power remained down in portions of the base.

The garrison on Sunday authorized temporary lodging allowance for uniformed personnel without power for more than 24 hours, areas that included those living in Wheeler Army Airfield Housing, Kaena Housing, Helemano Military Reservation, Mendonca Housing and soldiers in Wheeler Army Airfield Barracks.

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The Guard keeps several of the vehicles on the Oahu, Maui and the Big Island on a permanent basis to respond to such emergencies, Hickman said.
Navy corpsmen wrap the wrist of a simulated casualty during an exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on March 4, 2026. Approximately 200 American troops have been wounded in the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, according to U.S Central Command. (Mary Torres/U.S. Marine Corps)



Approximately 200 American troops across seven Middle Eastern countries have been wounded in the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran known as Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. Central Command spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

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Six Army reservists assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) were killed in a drone attack on Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on the second day of the war.

Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Bradley Clancy, left, wraps the wrist of a simulated casualty during an exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., on March 4, 2026. Since the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on Feb. 28, about 200 American troops have been injured, including 10 who were seriously wounded, according to U.S. Central Command. (Mary Torres/U.S. Marine Corps)



Another soldier, Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, died after being wounded during a March 1 attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

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Most of the injuries resulted from strikes with one-way attack drones, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Friday.

The U.S. has struck more than 7,000 targets in Operation Epic Fury as of Monday, including military headquarters, intelligence sites, Iranian ships, air defense systems and weapons production sites, according to CENTCOM.
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) stand in the shape of a ribbon holding teal paper to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. (Hank Gettys/U.S. Navy )



A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for military-connected survivors of sexual assault added more capacity to its free legal support services hoping it will no longer have to turn away anyone in need.

Protect Our Defenders announced on Monday a partnership with Volare, an organization that provides trauma-informed advocacy, therapy and legal services to crime victims.

Nancy Parrish, CEO and founder of Protect Our Defenders, said that an increase in demand for legal help over the past 15 months had forced the organization to turn away about 25% of people requesting it. This partnership should expand capacity three-fold, she said.

It will achieve something weve been trying to do for over a decade now, and that is to ensure that no victim is ever turned away, she said.

While the Defense Departments data showed sexual assaults in the military dropped by about 4% in 2024, research from Brown University found that the actual number of assaults could be two to four times higher because of a fear of reporting.

Because of this, researchers estimated that one in four women will experience sexual assault during their military careers.

Its recent increase in demand for legal help could stem from several factors, including a federal hiring freeze that has slowed some reforms meant to provide more resources for victims, Parrish said.

Meanwhile, the Armys court system has seen two of its largest sexual misconduct cases in recent years, both of which involved a doctor abusing dozens of patients.

Maj. Michael Stockin was convicted in 2025 of 41 charges of abusive sexual contact at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The Army filed charges last year against Maj. Blaine McGraw, a former OB-GYN at Fort Hood, Texas, that involve video recording 44 women without their consent. He is awaiting court-martial.

Our services are going to do what it can to fill the gap because no survivor should walk through this process alone, and they must have legal representation at the beginning of the case, Parrish said.
Joseph Humire, the acting assistant secretary for defense for homeland defense and Americas security affairs, testifies during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  A Department of Defense official on Tuesday referred to Cuba as a significant threat but said he was not aware of plans to strike the country as lawmakers readied a resolution barring military intervention in Cuba without congressional approval.

The comments from Joseph Humire, the acting assistant secretary for defense for homeland defense and Americas security affairs, came a day after President Donald Trump raised the possibility of taking Cuba while speaking to reporters at the White House.

I mean, whether I free it, take it  I think I could do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth, Trump said Monday, when asked to clarify his statement.

Trumps remarks raised concerns among some members of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that the military could take action similar to the January raid carried out in Venezuela, which seized the countrys leader, Nicolas Maduro, after he refused American demands to step down.

I would have to say the president of the United States seems to think that he can do what he wants not with one, but two or maybe more countries that fall directly under the very definition of regime change and intervention, said Rep. Herb Conaway Jr., D-N.J., a former Air Force officer.

Humire, in testimony to the committee, described Cuba as one of the U.S. strongest intelligence adversaries and said it was involved in pretty much every threat from the Western Hemisphere, pointing to its alignment with criminal groups, work with external state actors and security presence in Venezuela.

They not just have penetrated our government, they penetrated other governments, partner governments throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Humire said.

But he said he was not familiar with any plans to invade Cuba, deferring to the White House on those decisions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose family immigrated from Cuba in the 1950s, said last month that the status quo of the Communist-ruled island was unacceptable and needed to change. The U.S. has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba since the capture of Maduro and is engaged in negotiations with the country as it grapples with a crippling energy crisis.

In the Senate, Democrats worried about the administrations military moves abroad are moving to force a vote on a war powers resolution that would prevent the U.S. from attacking Cuba without congressional authorization. The measure, introduced Thursday, is the latest attempt by lawmakers to reassert Congress role in decisions about war.

The presidents saber rattling toward Cuba makes clear where his sights are next, said Sen. Adam Schiff, of California, one of the resolutions sponsors. Congress must make its voice heard, or we risk involvement in another risky war of choice and losing our constitutionally granted authorities forever.

The measure could receive a vote by the end of the month.
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting at the White House with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on March 17, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)



President Donald Trump criticized NATOs lack of participation in operations against Iran during comments at a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

Well, Im disappointed in NATO, that we spend trillions of dollars on NATO, the president said when asked by a reporter about whether he is rethinking the U.S. relationship with NATO, including the possibility of leaving the alliance. Its one of the reasons we have deficits and we help other countries, and then they dont help us. I mean, its certainly something that we should think about.

He added that I dont need Congress for that decision, but also said, when you say, rethink, Im not. I have nothing currently in mind, but I will say that Im not exactly thrilled.

The president also said that hes not afraid a ground invasion of Iran would be a repeat of the Vietnam War, and that the U.S. is not ready to leave Iran now but will do so in the very near future.

Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with the war on Iran. His post also said that because the U.S. has had military success in Iran, we no longer need, or desire assistance from NATO countries or from Japan, Australia and South Korea.

The Tuesday morning post came after Trump in recent days called for allies to support the U.S. in protecting transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

The president on Saturday said many countries would be sending warships to help the U.S. secure the strait and also he hoped other countries  including China  would assist. He reiterated the sentiment in a Sunday interview with the Financial Times, in which he called for NATO support and described the issue as a litmus test for the reliability of the alliance.

If theres no response or if its a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO, the president had said.

Later on Tuesday, the U.S. deployed 5,000-poud deep penetrator munitions at Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a U.S. Central Command post on X. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait, CENTCOM said in the post.

Most U.S. allies thus far have largely stayed out of the fray. The United Kingdom and Romania have allowed the U.S. to use bases on their soil to launch attacks on Iran, while Spains prime minister said he would block U.S. access to Spanish bases for Iran missions.

NATO dispatched a missile defense team to Turkey last week after several Iranian missiles entered Turkish airspace, and France in early March dispatched an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, citing concerns over the safety of fellow European Union member state Cyprus.

Stars and Stripes reporter John Vandiver contributed to this report.
British luxury automaker Bentley Motors posted its seventh consecutive year of profitability on Tuesday, but uncertain times mean the British luxury automaker is cutting jobs ahead of its belated electric future.

Bentley said layoffs could hit 275 positions, or 10% of its non-factory employees. Bentley framed the cuts as an efficiency measure tied to its next phase of growth, but it's a significant move for the small British company thats part of the Volkswagen Group (VWAGY).

More from Yahoo Scout How is China weakness affecting Bentley's performance? What challenges is Bentley facing with EV transition? Why is Bentley cutting 275 jobs despite profitability? How did Bentley maintain profitability with falling deliveries?

We are making some difficult decisions to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the business, including an organisational adjustment, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser said in a statement.

Customer deliveries fell 5% during the year, driven largely by continued market weakness in China. Despite this, Bentley still reported an operating profit of 216 million euros ($247.8 million) on revenue of 2.6 billion euros ($2.98 billion) for 2025, with an operating return on sales (a measure of profit margin) of 8.3%.

Bentleys ability to squeeze more revenue per vehicle through personalization and higher trims, like its S variants, helped boost margins. Revenue fell 1%, but stronger pricing, model mix, and sustained growth in bespoke Mulliner demand helped offset lower volumes.

A Bentley Bentayga Speed luxury performance SUV on display at the AutoSalon press preview on Jan. 09, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium. (Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images)  Sjoerd van der Wal via Getty Images

Read more: How to find the best luxury car insurance

Walliser flagged weakness in China and the overall high-end consumer market to Yahoo Finance in November, when he described the luxury market as still mired in uncertainty  particularly in the US and Europe, but especially in China.

Bentleys decision to reduce headcount was labeled a way to ensure long-term competitiveness" of the business, but it comes as the company begins the next phase of its EV rollout.

Under its Beyond100+ strategy, Bentley had committed to being exclusively electric by 2030, a target that was pushed back to 2035, and then the company pivoted, stating it would still sell plug-in hybrids alongside EVs beyond that timeframe.

Read more: Buying an electric car? What to know about EV insurance costs.

While the company remains on track to launch its first EV next year, Walliser noted it had a lot of work to do to convince its customers to go full EV.

Bentleys Volkswagen Group stablemate Lamborghini is also finding that its owners are shunning EVs in the rarefied air of ultraluxury automobiles.

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed in February that the Italian brand was killing off its Lanzador EV, initially slated for a 2028 release but pushed back numerous times.
The Department of Veterans Affairs clarified plans for deploying a data tool to assist staff in identifying suspected fraud in claims. The focus of the tool will be on third-party for-profit companies  known as claims sharks  that try to take advantage of veterans and the benefits system, the agency said. (Stars and Stripes)



This story has been corrected

WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will analyze 1 million old disability benefits questionnaires dating to 2010 to identify possible signs of fraud in future claims.

The VA has plans to deploy a data collection tool, which is under development, to look for patterns of fraud in prior DBQs. The information will be used only to inform decision-making in detecting problems going forward, the agency said.

This tool is forward-looking only. VA will not use the tool to revisit previously finalized and processed DBQs, VA Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz said Monday.

The tool, which is expected to be introduced in fiscal 2026, will only be used by VA staff to flag suspected fraud in newly submitted DBQs.

DBQs are medical forms that private doctors fill out to document service-connected medical conditions.

Kasperowicz said the larger goal is to target unaccredited commercial businesses that prey on veterans  and not individual veterans themselves seeking benefits for service-connected injuries and illnesses.

This initiative will not change how VA evaluates or decides claims. No veterans claim or benefit will be reduced or denied because of this effort, Kasperowicz said.

He said the new safeguard is being developed in collaboration with VAs Office of Inspector General, which released a fraud alert in 2023 related to DBQs.

Kasperowicz said the initiative will help to protect veterans from predatory companies that submit fraudulent DBQs.

The tool, for example, will flag DBQs that have similar boilerplate language or were prepared by a doctor located more than 100 miles from a veterans home.

A cottage industry of for-profit businesses has grown alongside the demand for veterans disability benefits. Many are not accredited by the VA and charge exorbitant fees, according to lawmakers.

About 30% of all veterans have a service-connected disability that qualifies them for benefits, a rate that has doubled since 2008.

Disabled American Veterans and other nonprofit advocacy groups offer assistance from claims officers who will process a veterans claim for free.

Many for-profit companies base charges on the amount of compensation they can win for veterans.

Kasperowicz also said Monday the tool will not use artificial intelligence but assist VA staff who process claims.

[The tool] relies on manual data entry and analysis to help identify patterns that may help VA identify when organized fraud rings are posing as legitimate medical providers and preying on veterans  for example, by excessively charging them, Kasperowicz said.

James W. Smith, a deputy executive director at the Veterans Benefits Administration, had testified at a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing that the VA had developed a power BI tool that should be ready this year that is going to be able to analyze a little over a million DBQs that have been scanned going back to 2010.

He was responding to a question from Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, on whether the VA was using a language model to conduct the fraud checks or whether a human is still doing this.

Power BI tools offer integrated artificial intelligence features within Microsoft Power Platform. The cloud-based platform enables systems to publish reports, create dashboards and collaborate with teams.

Power BI converts raw data from multiple sources into interactive, actionable insights and reports. It enables users to connect, model, and visualize data, featuring AI integration, according to Microsoft.

But Kasperowicz said Monday that although Power BI has some AI-powered features ... VA is not using any of them in its fraud-prevention tool.
Rossel Aparicio Malaga 17/03/2026 Actualizado 18/03/2026 - 11:31h.

His courage and tenacity have managed to break down the walls of public healthcare bureaucracy. We're talking about Leo Gutierrez, a 12-year-old boy from Seville with butterfly skin disease (epidermolysis bullosa - EB for short), a rare, incurable skin condition that causes extreme fragility in the skin of those who suffer from it.

He has played a key role in the giant step forward announced this past week by Andalucia's regional government to improve the quality of life for EB patients across the region.

This preteen, who possesses a special magnetism that captivates and touches the heart of anyone who listens to him, gave voice to the disease in the European Parliament earlier this month in a heartrending speech that went viral on social media.

"I dream of being able to live without so much pain. I dream of being able to play without fear and of being able to just be a child," he said in his address to the attending MEPs. His speech had the clear intention of speeding up the arrival in Spain of the pioneering drug treatment for EB called Vyjuvek. Juanma Moreno, as Junta president, has pledged to fund this treatment for a total of 45 patients with this condition in Andalucia.

"This is going to change the lives of all those affected by this disease. It's going to be a profound change: it will free us from this pain," the young boy from Seville explained to the media after his meeting with Juanma Moreno in Seville last Thursday.

A heartrending speech

The video of his European speech that went viral is barely four minutes long, but he nailed it. He didn't need more time to deeply move his listeners and stir their consciences.

Leo shared his personal story to raise awareness of what it means to live with such extremely fragile skin. His childhood, he explained, is defined by this skin condition, which causes any contact to result in lesions all over his body, requiring him to undergo painful daily treatments.

"I'm here today because I want you to listen to me, not just as politicians, but as people," he began. "I'm going to tell you about my daily life with this disease. My day starts at seven in the morning with a very painful treatment that lasts an hour. While other children are waking up, getting dressed and having breakfast, I'm already battling the pain."

Leo also spoke of the wounds that have to be cleaned daily, of the difficulty of dressing himself or even the sores that make something as simple as eating incredibly difficult for him. "For me, these are huge daily challenges."

"When I have to shower, it's another challenge to overcome: a nearly four-hour ordeal where I see my naked body, covered in wounds, and my mind keeps racing, wondering why I'm still like this". He also confessed to living in constant fear of getting another wound. Always another one. That is why, when he's invited to a birthday party, while his friends run, jump and eat cake, he admits he's afraid to play because even a slight bump could hurt him badly.

"Even though we're strong, we're tired of the pain. A pain that burns, stings and never completely goes away." Leo EB patient

"While other children are waking up, getting dressed and eating breakfast, I'm already battling the pain." Leo EB patient

"There are many of us children and adults who live like this every day....and, although we're strong, we're tired of the constant pain. A pain that burns, that stings and never completely goes away." To conclude, Leo asked for the same opportunity as other European children who are already benefiting from the new drug. "If my skin were yours for just one day, I know you would do everything to change things. Please, help us live without fear," he implored those present.

His mother, Lidia, who accompanies him on a daily basis and who is his best ally in the fight against the disease, is looking forward to finally seeing the results of the long-awaited medication. "We thought it was a long way off, but now it's here," she said with a smile.
Rossel Aparicio Malaga 17/03/2026 Actualizado 18/03/2026 - 11:32h.

Micaela Escobar Loisi, 24, lives with her mother in Manilva (Malaga province). She has a seemingly normal life for a young woman her age: she likes sharing photos and videos on social media, going to the beach and spending time with her boyfriend Facu.

Behind her charming smile, however, there is pain, because Mica lives with a rare skin condition called 'butterfly skin' (epidermolysis bullosa, or EB). The genetic disease impacts how she does life on a daily basis and limits capacities that others might take for granted.

It was her condition that motivated her mother to take her two children - Mica and her younger brother - and move to the Costa del Sol seven years ago, in search of a better treatment for her daughter.

Despite the challenges of living with butterfly skin, Mica has chosen to help others face the disease and adapt to their needs. With almost 140,000 followers, Mica uses her social media (@micaa_loii on Instagram and @mica_loi on TikTok) to support others with her condition and parents who might not know how to help their baby.

Her aim is to provide them with the information and useful tips that help her cope with the disease. "I make tutorials on how to make bandages, among other topics. Things that help a lot to people with butterfly skin," she tells SUR.

Like other people with butterfly skin, Mica celebrates the recent news that the Andalusian regional government will fund a treatment, called Vyjuvek, capable of healing even chronic wounds.

The challenges of living with butterfly skin

When Mica and her family arrived in the province, they initially settled in Marbella. That's where the headquarters of the national association supporting people with butterfly skin (Debra Espana) are located.

At the time, her oesophagus was damaged and she needed a specialist to dilate it. "For several years, my oesophagus got better here in Spain, but last year it started to decline. I had a surgery, but things didn't go well. Now my oesophagus is very bad and I can only feed myself with liquids and liquefied food. I can't eat anything solid, not even noodles or rice, for example," Mica says.

Photos from Mica's social media. (SUR)

Mica has a busy weekly schedule of medical appointments. She spends three to four hours on treatments every day. "Sometimes I'm a bit more limited because of the wounds. I have to organise my daily life depending on how they are at that moment. For example, if I get sores on my feet, I can't walk or I can't walk long distances," she says.

"On the other hand, if I get them in my mouth, throat or esophagus, I can't swallow. It depends on where the sores are that day," Mica explains.

For Mica, her mother and her boyfriend are the two pillars of support in her life. They both accompany her to hospital appointments and they are there for her emotionally. "She [my mother] became my flesh and blood," Mica says, admiring her mother's strength to move countries and travel to find more information.

"She has also always instilled in me the importance of taking care of myself so that one day I can take do it alone. I might fall a thousand times, but she will always be there," the young woman says.

Mica highlights several advantages of the Vyjuvek treatment. "It's an ointment that helps wounds close. Healed skin is healthy skin, where wounds don't reappear for a long time," she says.

According to her, this treatment could help, first and foremost, reduce the pain. It could also reduce the time spent on treatments. "We would live with a little more peace of mind and we wouldn't have such a high risk of infections. It would change our quality of life," Mica concludes.
Jose Antonio Sau 17/03/2026 a las 14:20h.

Malagas Hospital Regional Universitario has established a pioneering multidisciplinary committee to tackle the most severe cases of chronic pelvic pain in the province.

It is estimated that 130,000 people in Malaga - roughly 22.8 per cent of the population aged 16 to 65suffer from this condition. While many experience mild discomfort, for others, the pain is entirely incapacitating, demanding a more sophisticated level of medical intervention.

Understanding the causes of chronic pelvic pain Chronic pelvic pain is more prevalent than many realise, yet a significant number of sufferers live with the condition for years before seeking professional help. Common triggers include: Endometriosis Urological disorders Digestive issues Musculoskeletal problems The committee unites experts from a broad range of units within the Malaga hospital system, including: Urology and gynaecology General surgery and anaesthesia Chronic pain and rehabilitation Mental health and psychology



Chronic pelvic pain varies in intensity, from mild discomfort to incapacitating pain. The new committee will focus on the most severe cases among the 130,000 patients, which is usually five or six cases per month.

The joint treatments aim to give personalised alternatives to people with cases resistant to traditional, singular treatments.

This is a pioneering initiative in Andalucia. Hospital Universitario Nuestra Senora de Valme in Seville has also adopted it, although the centre does not offer the possibility of group psychotherapy, which is a measure the committee is considering.

Causes of chronic pelvic pain

Common causes of chronic pelvic pain include endometriosis, urological, digestive or musculoskeletal issues. Chronic pelvic pain is more common than one might think and many people do not consult a doctor before spending years living with it.

"The vast majority of cases are monitored by two specialties: this way we ensure that we don't make redundant decisions, but rather joint ones," urologist Dr Nestor Sanchez says.

"These patients often have a long clinical history and have undergone multiple treatments."

The new committee is made up of professionals from the urology, gynaecology, general surgery, anaesthesia, chronic pain, rehabilitation, mental health and psychology units.

Its aim is to offer a coordinated and comprehensive approach to patients with pelvic pain who, due to the complexity of their conditions and symptoms, require intervention from various specialties.

"These patients often have a long clinical history and have undergone multiple treatments: the creation of the committee allows us to analyse each case, review tests, evaluate new treatment options and design a personalised plan that takes into account not only the pain, but also the impact on their quality of life," Dr Sanchez says.

A multidisciplinary approach

Dr Sanchez gives the example that urology might offer treatments that gynaecology or surgery don't and vice versa. Other specialties might propose different therapies.

Dr Sanchez says that they are considering group psychotherapy sessions to help patients achieve autonomy and understand the illness.

As he explains, however, "not everyone is eligible" and the initiative focuses on "five or six people per committee. Doctors independently review the cases and then submit their proposals to the committee, which will be meeting once a month.

"Until now, we have had individual tools from each speciality, but working in a coordinated way creates very powerful synergies," Dr Sanchez states.

"Until now we have had individual tools from each speciality, but working in a coordinated way creates very powerful synergies: we work as a gear in which each professional contributes their expertise to achieve a common goal: excellence in care," Dr Sanchez states.
Jose Rodriguez Camara Rincon de la Victoria 17/03/2026 a las 16:10h.

The Andalusian regional government is due to issue the tender and municipal technicians are processing the relevant licences to start work on a fifth secondary school for Rincon de la Victoria on the eastern Costa del Sol.

The new educational facility will be built on a plot of municipal land next to the existing Maria del Mar Romera primary school in the Parque Victoria residential area in La Cala del Moral.

The new secondary school, which, like the one currently being built in Benalmadena, will take advantage of the unevenness of the site where it will be located to give personality to the resulting architecture, will have a budget of 8.7 million euros and will be able to take 360 pupils.

Rincon town hall estimates that, once the contracting phase has been completed, the work could begin at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, which, together with the 18-month completion period, would allow the classrooms to be ready for the 2028/2029 academic year.
Tony Bryant 17/03/2026 a las 11:48h.

A new section of the shared cycle and pedestrian route in Cartama has been officially opened, improving links between several neighbourhoods and promoting more sustainable travel in the area.

Future connections: Malaga and the PTA This route is a vital component of a larger regional network. Plans are already in place to expand the links towards: Malaga city centre Andalucia Technology Park (PTA) Alhaurin el Grande and Alhaurin de la Torre



The newly completed second phase of the route connects the Dona Ana neighbourhood with the Atalaya de Cartama residential area. The project, which runs alongside the A-7052 road, has cost around one million euros and has been co-funded by the EUs Next Generation programme.

The new route was visited on Monday by the subdelegate of the Andalusian government in Malaga, Javier Salas, and the regional minister for public works, Rocio Diaz, who were accompanied by the mayor Jorge Gallardo.

Gallardo said the new infrastructure would provide a safer alternative for pedestrians and cyclists, while helping to improve connections between different parts of the municipality.

He added that there are plans to expand the network further, with future links proposed towards Malaga city, the PTA technology park and neighbouring towns such as Alhaurin el Grande and Alhaurin de la Torre.

Salas described the scheme as an important project delivered as part of Spains wider investment strategy under the recovery, transformation and resilience plan.

The new section completes a project first launched in 2021, when an initial 1.2-kilometre stretch was opened. The latest phase adds a further 2.2 kilometres to the route, meaning the town now has nearly 3.5 kilometres of continuous shared cycle and pedestrian pathways.

The mayor said the project will make it easier and safer for residents to travel on foot or by bike, while encouraging more environmentally friendly forms of transport.
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Jesus Hinojosa Malaga 17/03/2026 a las 16:17h.

Pedregalejo district residents have complained of the lack of pedestrian space some restaurants leave when they set up their terraces on top of the new promenade pavement.

According to an agreement between the city council and the association of hospitality business owners, restaurants and bars in the area can install outdoor tables and chairs once they have new pavement, as long as they don't interrupt the work.

The Pedregalejo promenade rehabilitation has advanced to 35 per cent, which means that there is still quite a bit before it finishes. According to the contract, it should be ready in July and many establishment owners work around the installation to not lose customers.

This, however, has led to criticism from the local residential association, with many people reporting that there is barely any space for pedestrians to walk when there are tables and chairs.

Head of the residential association Gema Delgado reminds the public that the city council has guaranteed in meetings that there will be markings on the ground to limit how far an establishment can extend its terrace.

"We understand that the work is still unfinished and it may be too early to make the markings," Delgado has acknowledged. However, on behalf of the Pedregalejo residents, she demands that the city council keep its promise and monitor for any breaches.

SUR went to the promenade on Monday and confirmed that there is little space for pedestrians and cyclists in some areas. In addition, some establishments had decided to put chairs and tables outside despite the inconvenience of construction fences.

The promenade renovation will cost council 5.7 million euros. In order to facilitate access to homes and establishments, the city council is carrying out the work in phases, working in four areas (west, centre, north-south and east), leaving the western (Plaza del Varadero, next to the Nereo Shipyards) and eastern (Plaza de Las Palmeras, next to the Jaboneros stream) ends open for the collection of materials. In this way, the work is progressing until it reaches the Plaza del Ancla.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga 17/03/2026 a las 14:40h.

Spain's government spokesperson in Malaga Javier Salas has toldthe public that the province will not suffer great losses during Easter Week because of the lack of direct trains to and from Madrid.

Robust tourism data defies rail disruptions While acknowledging the inconvenience, Javier Salas dismissed claims of an impending economic crisis as "fear-mongering". He pointed to official data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) as evidence of Malagas strength: National passenger numbers: Increased by 8.2% in January. Overnight stays: Rose by 22.7% during the same period. These figures are significant as they coincide with the Adamuz train crash in January, which resulted in the AVE connection being non-direct for over a third of the month.



Salas has responded to the avalanche of criticism following the announcement that the province will not have direct AVE trains until the last week of April. Although he recognises that the news is not positive, he places the "safety of workers and passengers" before economic growth.

According to Salas, there is no room for panic and fear-mongering. He has cited official data from the national institute of statistics (Ine) that shows that, despite the Adamuz train crash in January, the province exceeded the number of Spanish passengers by 8.2 per cent in the first month of the year. At the same time, the number of overnight stays increased by 22.7 per cent.

"This data comes from a month where the AVE connection was not direct for more than a third of the time. Tourism in Malaga is strong and the government of Spain will always stand with the province," Salas stated.

He urged the regional government of Andalucia to abandon the "divisive" approach in the midst of the electoral campaign. He accused the PP party (leader in Andalucia and Malaga and the central government's opposition) of seeking advantage through populist aggravation.
Pilar Martinez Malaga 17/03/2026 Actualizado a las 12:39h.

Malaga province's tourism industry is starting to recalculate the losses it had estimated before learning that the direct high-speed rail to Madrid would not reopen until the final weeks of April.

Tourism experts and business owners initially put the cost at 1.3 billion euros, but that was when they thought that AVE trains would resume running between Malaga and Madrid shortly before Easter.

Quick Facts: Malaga AVE Disruption The Malaga tourism industry is facing "incalculable" financial losses following the announcement that the AVE high-speed rail connection to Madrid will remain closed through the Easter 2026 holiday. Regional authorities are now weighing legal action against the central government to recover billions in lost revenue. Original Reopening Date: Before Easter Week 2026. New Reopening Date: Late April 2026. Estimated Economic Loss: 1.3 billion+ (Initial estimate). Alternative Route: Renfe bus-train transfer via Antequera (adds ~45 mins). Core Cause: Severe damage to tracks in Alora following Storm Leonardo.



The new deadlines, according to regional minister of tourism Arturo Bernal, imply that the Costa del Sol "has definitively lost" Easter Week. The first major holiday of the year usually marks the start of tourism's reawakening, especially for a province like Malaga that receives an inflow of visitors from within Spain thanks to the high-speed rail.

After the announcement that the president of state rail infrastructure company Adif made on Monday, the managers of the various employers' associations in the tourism industry have agreed that they need time to recalculate the costs.

In addition to the guaranteed financial losses, business owners fear that the incident and the delays contribute to a shared sense of mistrust among passengers.

As Bernal pointed out on Monday, the rupture in the high-speed connection in Malaga province impacts not only business owners but also "the wealth and employment of an entire district, the whole province of Malaga and the Costa del Sol".

Legal threats

During the forum SUR hosted over the last few days, regional minister of economy Carolina Espana announced that the regional government (Junta) is considering taking the matter to the courts, where it would seek financial compensation for the losses from the central government.

Espana warned of this possibility while still hoping that the high-speed rail would be open by Easter. Following Adif's latest announcement, she maintained the threat.

Asked about this possible claim for compensation, head of Adif Pedro Marco de la Pena said that the incident in Alora and the complexity of the work are "force majeure" circumstances.

16 of March: after another 20 days had passed, repair efforts appear to have made little progress 25 of February: 20 days after the Alora slope collapse, construction works were intensified (Salvador Salas)

"There have never been rainstorms like this in Andalucia. I must remind you that we don't just have this line. We've had three other lines, of which we've only recovered one: the Zafra-Huelva line. We still have the Cordoba-Espelui and Cordoba-Bobadilla lines to operate under conventional rail service," Marco said.

The head of Adif assured the public that they are fully committed to the repair in Alora, with the workers' and passengers' safety at the top of their priorities.

As for Carolina Espana's warning, Marco said that the Junta has all the rights to do what it considers is best. "In my opinion, it would be a waste of time," he said, commenting on the possibility of legal proceedings.

Marco said that they are currently recalculating the costs of the emergency work alongside damage and stabilisation reviews. Generally speaking, recent storms in Spain result in combined expenses of over 300 million euros for emergency response.

A "catastrophe" for Malaga and the Costa del Sol

Upon hearing of Adif's latest update, head of the ruling party in Malaga and Andalucia Patricia Navarro and president of Foro de Turismo Costa del Sol Jose Luque expressed their surprise and indignation. They described the new delay as "catastrophic" for Malaga and the Costa del Sol.

Navarro immediately demanded that the central government activate aids to support the Costa del Sol and its main industry, including lifting the toll on the AP-7 motorway.

Luque said that the losses will be "incalculable", given that the train is one of the reasons many Spaniards choose to spend the holidays in Malaga and Andalucia.

"Seville, Cordoba and Granada have high-speed trains and these will be the alternatives," he said.

Head of the Andalusian tourist housing association (AVVA-Pro) Juan Cubo described the news as "very shocking". Although he didn't put a number on the losses, he said that "60 per cent of customers at this time of year are Spanish tourists".

In the same vein, president of the association of travel agencies Sergio Garcia said: "Travel agencies need help as soon as possible. Between the suspension of the high-speed rail, the Gulf War and the storms, we are facing a drop in sales of more than 30 per cent, which implies losses and a very vulnerable situation for employment and the definitive closure of many agencies."

According to these tourism experts, the lack of trains will now take an even heavier toll in view of the sharp increase in the price of petrol and diesel, which will make travel by private car more expensive.
Paula De las Heras Madrid 17/03/2026 a las 12:18h.

Spain's government is convening an extraordinary cabinet meeting on Friday to finalise the anti-crisis plan in the face of the Iran war. The package aims to "protect the most vulnerable and the sectors most affected" by the rise in prices.

The government has made this decision after a week of internal debates over when and how to act. While Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has been calling for quick approval of measures, Deputy PM Maria Jesus Montero and Minister of the Economy Carlos Cuerpo are in favour of waiting for Brussels to issue solutions after the European council on Friday.

The disagreement between the PSOE and Sumar parties within the government has reflected both the different stances within the coalition and the technical and parliamentary complexity of putting together a package of measures that can pass through the cabinet's filter. One or two royal decrees will have to approve the measures.

Although the government has not yet revealed the contents of the plan, the previous days have left clues as to its main lines. Road transport and the agricultural sector are priority beneficiaries, as they are the hardest hit by rising fuel prices.

Truck drivers have been demanding a subsidy of at least 25 cents per litre of diesel for days, similar to the one granted in 2022 after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The Minister of Economy, however, has stated that the current situation is not comparable to that of then - the impact is currently concentrated on fuel, without electricity or food prices having experienced equivalent increases.

For this reason, Cuerpo has ruled out repeating the universal subsidy of 20 cents per litre, which was heavily criticised at the time for its regressive effects.

Road transport and the agricultural sector are priority beneficiaries, as they are the hardest hit by higher fuel prices.

Possible measures

Among the measures that the government has considered are reductions in energy IVA taxes to alleviate household bills; the activation of temporary lay-offs (Erte); and the reactivation of part of the social shield.

Cuerpo has also been pointing to the use of sector-specific "fiscal measures" - a more targeted approach than the response from three years ago, which seeks to avoid indiscriminately benefiting those who do not need it.

The government states that it is monitoring the "highly volatile" situation daily. The release of strategic oil reserves agreed upon by the major economies and the outcome of this week's European council meeting are two of the factors the government has cited as crucial in determining the final scope of the plan. What seems to be ruled out, in any case, is widespread aid.
Elon Musk's AI firm, xAI, is under federal scrutiny following a lawsuit filed by three teenagers in California, accusing the firm of enabling sexualized depictions of minors through its Grok AI chatbot.

The complaint, submitted Monday, alleges that users manipulated images and videos of the plaintiffs to show them nude or in sexually explicit scenarios without consent.

Grok AI's Controversial Features

Grok, which operates on Musk's social media platform X, launched in 2023 with a feature dubbed "spicy mode" or Grok Imagine.

According to the BBC, this mode allowed users to alter images of real people to create sexualized content. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that xAI deployed these capabilities to boost engagement on X, despite foreseeable risks of misuse and harm.

Severe Privacy Violations Cited by Plaintiffs

Two of the plaintiffs are minors, and all three are using pseudonyms to protect their identities. One plaintiff discovered AI-altered images of herself via an anonymous Instagram link, which led to a Discord server containing similar sexualized content involving at least 18 other minors.

Furthermore, the lawsuit digs deeper into the details of the emotional and privacy-related damage caused by these violations.

According to a sampling of the images spearheaded by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Grok managed to generate millions of pornographic pictures. Over 20,000 of them involved children. This happened in just less than two weeks.

Grok's Presence Under Investigation

This lawsuit joins ongoing inquiries by the UK's Ofcom, the European Commission, and California authorities into Grok's capacity to generate sexualized imagery of children.

Last month, Ireland probed the company following complaints about xAI's ability to generate sexualized images of people. The more alarming part is that even children's images can be used in a specific prompt.

While xAI maintains that Grok only produces images upon user request, investigators found hundreds of AI-manipulated sexual abuse images of minors circulating on platforms like Telegram and Mega.

The teenagers are requesting unspecified damages and an immediate injunction to stop Grok from producing sexualized content involving minors.

Even with the controversies surrounding xAI, Musk was able to close the Grok AI deal with the Pentagon. On the other hand, Claude was barred from the agreement because of concerns over military AI access.
Centaurus Metals has signed a binding offtake agreement with Glencore for the provision of nickel concentrate from its Jaguar Nickel Sulphide Project in Brazil.

This agreement stipulates that 20,000 dry tonnes per annum (dtpa) of high-grade nickel concentrate, containing 6,400 tonnes per annum (tpa) of nickel, will be supplied to Glencore.

This supply will be processed at Glencore's Sudbury smelting operations in Canada and is set to commence at the start of 2029 for a duration of five years.

The offtake constitutes around 30% of Jaguar's scheduled annual production, providing Centaurus with the flexibility to use the remaining production to support funding for the Jaguar project prior to making a final investment decision (FID).

Pricing will be based on the London Metal Exchange cash settlement nickel price, with a variable payability that adjusts according to the price movements.

The potential revenue from this agreement is estimated to exceed $450m over its initial five-year duration, assuming current nickel prices remain stable.

The deal's continuation is contingent upon certain milestones being achieved.

These include Centaurus' board reaching an FID by September 2026, completing 50% of the tailings dam construction by December 2027 and starting first concentrate production by January 2029.

If any of these conditions are not achieved, Glencore reserves the right to terminate the agreement.

Centaurus managing director Darren Gordon said: The signing of our first binding offtake agreement for nickel concentrate production with Glencore is a significant achievement for Centaurus and the Jaguar Nickel Project.

Glencore is one of the biggest names in natural resources globally and one of the longest-standing integrated participants in the nickel sector. Signing them up as a long-term offtake partner is a major coup that validates the quality of the Jaguar project and supports our commercial development strategy.

We look forward to building a sustainable low-cost supply of low-carbon nickel in Brazil supported by Glencores long history in the sector and their deep knowledge of the market. Importantly, the offtake agreement will support and help de-risk the ongoing debt and equity funding processes, which we currently have under way.

In March last year, Centaurus secured an installation licence for its 100%-owned Jaguar project, which is situated in northern Brazils Para State.

"Centaurus, Glencore sign nickel supply deal in Brazil" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
Damaged Russian tanker has 700 tonnes of fuel on board: Moscow



Moscow, March 16 (AFP) Mar 16, 2026



A damaged Russian gas tanker that has been drifting in the Mediterranean without a crew for almost two weeks has 700 tonnes of fuel on board, Russia's foreign ministry said Monday.

A series of explosions rocked the 277-metre-long Arctic Metagaz on March 3, causing serious damage to the vessel and forcing its crew to evacuate.

Russia said the ship, sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow's "shadow fleet", was attacked by Ukrainian sea drones. Ukraine has not commented.

"The vessel itself has sustained serious damage: banging sounds are being heard on board, gas emissions are being reported, the ship is listing more rapidly and localised fires have been spotted," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.

"At the time the vessel was abandoned, fuel (450 metric tonnes of heavy fuel and 250 metric tonnes of diesel fuel), as well as a significant amount of natural gas, remained in its bunker tanks," she added.

AFP footage from Sunday showed the ship drifting around 50 nautical miles southwest of Malta, its stern and hull blackened by fire.

Any spill could cause long-lasting pollution in the area, among the most biodiverse in the Mediterranean basin, the WWF environmental group reported Friday.

Salvage experts are in Malta in preparation for the ship's arrival in Maltese waters, a maritime source told AFP on Sunday.
Brazil's new climate plan targets deforestation



Brasilia, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Brazilian leaders unveiled a new national climate plan Monday that prioritizes enhanced forest protections as a key strategy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Latin American giant hasn't updated its main program to mitigate climate change since 2008, and the new plan looks forward to 2035, when Brazil is expected to have lowered its emissions significantly.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's leftist government has called for a reduction of greenhouse gases by 67 percent compared to 2005 levels.

Forty percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil are generated by trees being razed, often to clandestinely create more agricultural land, Brazilian officials said.

Lula has pledged to reduce deforestation to zero by 2030.

Brazil has been hit by extreme weather disasters in recent years, including floods, fires and droughts, which experts link to climate change.

"We are living through a very serious situation of climate emergency," Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva told reporters.

Claudio Angelo, of the NGO network Climate Observatory, applauded the new Brazilian plan because it "begins to address the thorny issue of how to finance" its climate targets.

However, the plan falls "far short of delivering the economic transformation needed" in Brazil, when it comes to limiting global warming to 1.5C.
Moldova summons Russian ambassador over river oil spill



Chisinau, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Moldova summoned Russia's ambassador on Tuesday in protest over a river oil spill it says was triggered by Russian strikes in Ukraine while a drone crashed on its territory in a separate incident, authorities announced.

A 15 day "state of environmental alert" in the Dniester River basin was ordered on Monday and water supplies have been cut in several districts.

The fuel spill is thought to have been caused by a Russian attack on the Dniester hydroelectric plant in Ukraine on March 7.

"Moldova strongly condemns this attack, which caused oil spills into the Dniester river, posing major risks to the environment and the security of Moldova's water supply," the foreign ministry said in a press release.

Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov was shown a bottle of water from the Dniester at the ministry. A photo posted on Facebook of the meeting showed a glass bottle with murky water.

With the Dniester river supplying water to approximately 80 percent of Moldova's population of 2.4 million, water supply from the river has been suspended in several northern localities, including Balti, the second biggest town.

Balti residents lined up on Monday at fountains and water trucks sent by the government.

Moldovan authorities also announced on Tuesday that new fragments of a crashed drone were found in the southeast, in the village of Tudora, close to the border with Ukraine.

"The drone is active and contains an explosive device," police wrote on Telegram.

Residents near the area were evacuated and a controlled detonation will be carried out, police added, without mentioning how many people were affected.

According to images posted online by the country's defence ministry, the drone crashed in a field.

Moldova has frequently had its airspace breached with several drones crashing on its soil following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

ani/jza/tw
Freed Ladakh activist renews calls for talks with Indian govt



New Delhi, March 17 (AFP) Mar 17, 2026



Prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk called for fresh talks on Tuesday with India's government, just days after being released from prison where he had been held for six months over deadly protests in the Himalayan region.

Wangchuk, 59, an environmental advocate who became a key figure in Ladakh's movement for greater autonomy, was arrested and charged in September under India's National Security Act following protests that left four people dead and dozens wounded.

On Saturday, India's home ministry said it had decided to end Wangchuk's detention "with immediate effect" after "due consideration".

Wangchuk told reporters Tuesday the government had offered "constructive meaningful dialogue", and that is "what we wanted right from the start."

"Talk(s) are a give and take process, both sides have to be flexible," the 59-year-old said, adding that it should not be a "loss" for one side.

On Monday, several thousands rallied in Ladakh repeating long standing demands for statehood and the inclusion in the "Sixth Schedule" of India's constitution, which would allow a local legislature to make laws on land use and jobs.

Wangchuk said "all movements in Ladakh are appealing to start talks and dialogue process", including Monday's demonstrations.

An engineer by training, Wangchuk is best known for pioneering water conservation projects in the Himalayas.

He received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his environmental work and contributions to reforming local schooling in Ladakh.

India's government under Narendra Modi split Ladakh off from Indian-administered Kashmir in 2019, imposing direct rule on both.

India's army maintains a large presence in Ladakh, which includes disputed border areas with China.

Troops from the two countries clashed there in 2020, killing at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
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Peaky Blinders star Barry Keoghan has poured cold water on speculation linking him to the coveted role of James Bond, stating he does not believe he "fits the criteria" for the iconic British spy.

Instead, the 33-year-old actor, whose star has risen rapidly, expressed a clear preference for portraying a villain. He told Radio Times: "Id rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, thats more me." Keoghan elaborated that while it was "nice to see your name go up there," the role of 007 inherently carries "a lot of weight and pressure."

The Dublin-born talent, celebrated for compelling performances in critically acclaimed films such as Saltburn (2023) and The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022), is also set to appear in the forthcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

Keoghans candid remarks arrive amid fervent speculation over who will ultimately succeed Daniel Craig as 007, following his final outing as the secret service agent in 2021s No Time To Die. Other prominent actors frequently mentioned as potential candidates include Jacob Elordi, Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner.

Barry Keoghan in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man ( Netflix )

The next instalment in the long-running spy series is slated to be directed by Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, a four-time Academy Award nominee widely recognised for his work on Dune, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival.

Adding to the anticipation, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight was recently announced as the scriptwriter.

Speaking to the BBC last year, Knight said writing a Bond film has always been on my bucket list.

It's fantastic to be invited to do it - I can't wait to get started, he added. "I'm hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that's the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder."

When asked about the identity of the next Bond, Knight responded: "That is a very, very good question, and one I can't give you the answer to."

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These developments follow a major overhaul of the beloved British franchise, which saw long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson transfer creative control to Amazon as part of a lucrative new deal.
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White House Communications Director Steven Cheung has lashed out at Jimmy Kimmel after he mocked First Lady Melania Trumps new Amazon documentary at the Oscars.

Kimmel, presenting the award for Best Documentary, took to the stage in Los Angeles on Sunday night and said, without even having to invoke President Donald Trump by name: Oh man, is he gonna be mad his wife wasnt nominated for this.

Cheung duly took to X (Twitter) to berate the stand-up comic, well known for ridiculing Trump on his nightly talk show, responding: Jimmy Kimmel (Mr. Blackface) is a classless hack who is self-projecting his depression and sadness onto others.

He lives a pathetic existence where nobody  not even his family  enjoys his miserable company. The only people giving him any attention are Hollywood Elites. BUH-BYE!

open image in gallery Jimmy Kimmel joked about Melanias new Amazon documentary at the Oscars, saying it largely consisted of its subject walking around the White House trying on shoes ( AFP/Getty )

The West Wing aide was alluding to Kimmels earlier apology for doing impressions of Black celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Snoop Dogg.

Other members of the MAGA community sharing clips of the joke and fuming included Benny Johnson, who called Kimmel: Trump Derangement Syndrome patient zero. So pathetic.

Another person branded the host a Trump Deranged crybaby and the most broken man on planet Earth! and a third described him as an insufferable TDS-deranged p**** and raged against woke Hollywood and its refusal to nominate a Daily Wire film entitled What is a Woman as further evidence of liberal bias at work.

Elsewhere in his speech, Kimmel joked that Melania, for which Amazon spent a reported $40 million in acquiring the rights and another $35 million promoting, largely consisted of its subject walking around the White House trying on shoes, leading another MAGA commentator to accuse him of showing his misogynistic side.

The prize Kimmel was presenting ultimately went to the Russian documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin, about a schoolteachers growing disgust at the incursion of state propaganda into his classroom amid the war in Ukraine.

As you know, there are some countries whose leaders dont support free speech, the host observed. Im not at liberty to say which. Lets just leave it at North Korea and CBS.

open image in gallery Melanias film had a brief theatrical run but is now up for streaming on Prime Video ( Getty )

Attending the Vanity Fair afterparty, Kimmel told a reporter he was exhausted from having to joke about Trump in his opening monologue every night.

We live in a ridiculous country, he said. We always lived in a ridiculous country, but it was always ridiculous in a fun, Mr. T kinda way. Now weve got a different Mr. T.

Kimmel famously hosted the 2024 Oscars ceremony and read aloud a Truth Social post from Trump attacking him, to which he responded by asking the then-presidential candidate, Isnt it past your jailtime?

Kimmel also derided Melania on his show earlier this month, joking: Between this and Sinners, its been a big year for vampire movies.

And while some might say that it is not a great look to be plugging your vanity project while your husbands bombing another country, Melania has never cared much about optics. She cant even pronounce optics.

More than anything, this documentary is dreadfully dull. The whole thing is Melania going to fittings, riding in a car, trying on clothes, and interviewing people to work for her.
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Jessie Buckley is having a dramatic few days. Backstage at the Oscars, the first Irish woman ever to win Best Actress is clutching her weighty award in both hands and thinking about a milestone of another kind entirely. My daughter got her first tooth this week, says the 36-year-old, on what is by coincidence her first Mothers Day as a parent. It feels like some kind of crazy alchemy that all of these things are colliding on a day like today.

Buckley got pregnant a week after she finished filming Hamnet, Chloe Zhaos heartwrenching drama about William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes grappling with the death of their young son. She saw the finished film for the first time eight months later, so its hardly surprising shes finding tonight highly emotional. Frankly, shes not the only one.

open image in gallery Jessie Buckley and Michael B Jordan backstage with their Oscars for Best Actress and Best Actor ( Invision/AP )

Here at the 98th Academy Awards, the mood is about as poignant and moving as anyone in the often cynical press room can remember. It helps that the joy and excitement are spread around, with no overwhelming winner sweeping the night. The headlines will nevertheless be dominated by One Battle After Another, which wins Paul Thomas Anderson his first Oscars (three of them!) after a 27-year wait since his first nomination: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and the coveted Best Picture.

However, Ryan Cooglers Sinners is also deservedly rewarded, with the director winning Best Original Screenplay and star Michael B Jordan taking home Best Actor (leaving Marty Supremes Timothee Chalamet empty-handed). Reflecting on his win, Coogler gets in on the high emotion as he recalls the impact his late Uncle James unknowingly had on the now Oscar-winning film, by playing Coogler the blues from a young age. He was the closest thing I had to a grandfather, says Coogler. So I contemplate that man. Im so proud that he gave me the gift of his stories about the Mississippi... He continues to give me gifts.

Jordan himself also reflects on the giants that came before him, using his winners speech to pay tribute to previous Black Oscar winners, including Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry. Even more history-making is the victory of Sinners Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who becomes both the first woman and the first person of colour ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography.

Backstage, she says the award is bigger than her now. A lot of little girls who look like me will sleep really well tonight because they want to be cinematographers, she says. Just getting this award, so many girls will be inspired when they werent before. She references Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O, as well as Coogler, when she adds: I heard Karen O say once at a concert  shes such a badass  You have to see you to be you. Ryan gives us, the women in the film, those opportunities. He trusts us. Hes opened those doors. I knew, if this was going to happen, it would happen with someone like him.

open image in gallery Leonardo DiCaprio embraces Paul Thomas Anderson as One Battle After Another wins Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars ( AFP/Getty )

If there are teary eyes behind the scenes, the ceremony itself proves almost as moving. The centre point of the night is the lengthy In Memoriam segment, which features a weepy tribute to Rob Reiner by Billy Crystal, and sweet memories of Diane Keaton singing Girl Scout songs, shared by Rachel McAdams. The showstopper, however, is Barbra Streisand singing The Way We Were after sharing her memories of the intellectual cowboy Robert Redford.

Even host Conan OBrien, who generally keeps things light, is moved to a moment of sincerity by the emotion of it all. Tonight is an international event, he says towards the end of his monologue. If I can be serious for just a moment, everyone watching right now, around the world, is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times. Its at moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant  31 countries across six continents are represented this evening, and every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty.

That optimistic ideal is borne out by winners that include Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin for the documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin, and Golden from KPop Demon Hunters becoming the first K-pop song to win an Oscar, with the film also winning Best Animated Feature.

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open image in gallery Barbra Streisand speaks about Robert Redford during the In Memoriam segment of the 2026 Oscars ( AP )

On top of all that, Amy Madigan pulls off a rare victory for the horror genre by winning Best Supporting Actress for Weapons, while One Battle After Anothers Cassandra Kulukundis wins the first ever Oscar for casting, and there is even a rare tie  just the seventh in Academy Awards history  as The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva share the prize for Best Live Action Short Film.

In keeping with the general mood, The Singers producer Jack Piatt reckons the tie is just wonderful. For me, that was incredible, he tells the assembled press. Weve got to know all the other filmmakers, so that was really special. I wish there could be a five-way tie, to be honest.

If theres any danger of it all getting overly sentimental, its left to Buckley to puncture that serious air. Asked if she has a message for her family and fans, whove stayed up late into the night back in Ireland to support her, she keeps it simple: Dont go to bed, she says. Keep partying!
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Baywatch actor Alexandra Paul has been arrested for allegedly freeing 30 beagles from a controversial animal breeding facility.

Paul, 62, was among 20 animal rights protesters taken into custody Sunday morning after police said a group of about 60 activists were caught on camera breaking into Ridglan Farms  a lab outside of Madison, Wisconsin, that has been known to breed beagles to be used in scientific research.

The nineties icon, who played Lt. Stephanie Holden on the legendary lifeguard series from 1992 to 1997, remains in the Dane County Jail ahead of her arraignment as of Tuesday morning, according to online jail records.

Activist group Direct Action Everywhere said they rescued 30 beagles from the alleged puppy mill, but noted that police took eight dogs away from the protesters.

We did what we believed was necessary to bring the dogs to safety after authorities declined to intervene, Direct Action Everywhere co-founder Wayne Hsiung, who helped organize the protest, said in a statement from jail.

open image in gallery Alexandra Paul (right) starred on Baywatch with Pamela Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth ( Getty )

The Dane County Sheriffs Office understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said Monday in a statement. Our role is to keep everyone safe and to respond when unlawful activity takes place.

The sheriff continued, We encourage anyone with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to engage through lawful and constructive avenues. The Sheriffs Office remains committed to maintaining public safety, promoting peaceful dialogue, and ensuring that all parties can exercise their rights within the bounds of the law.

Footage shared on social media showed members of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, dressed in all white protective gear, breaking into the facility in Blue Mounds and taking barking dogs out of their cages.

Ridglan Farms told local station WMTV that the activists cut a chain-link fence and gate to get inside the building. Police seized two vehicles at the scene, along with tools like sledgehammers and electric saws.

open image in gallery Actor Alexandra Paul, 62, was arrested Sunday and accused of helping to free dogs from a breeding facility ( Dane County Sheriff's Office/Getty Images )

The facility has previously denied animal abuse allegations and recently agreed that by July 1 of this year, it would stop selling dogs purposefully bred for biomedical research.

This is not the first time that Paul has been arrested for her involvement in animal rights. Her potential trespassing charge comes five years after the Dragnet actor was accused of taking two chickens from a farm truck. She was charged with misdemeanor theft and ultimately found not guilty.
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The producer behind Channel 5s new Huw Edwards drama has insisted that its the right time for the dramatisation as his victim was ready to tell his story.

Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards tells the story of how the ex News at 10 presenter groomed 17-year-old Ryan  whose real name was changed for the drama  over several years before pleading guilty to making indecent images of children in 2024. Edwards was given a suspended prison sentence and added to the sex offenders register.

Martin Clunes stars as the disgraced broadcaster, while Osian Morgan plays Ryan Davies  whose real-life counterpart consulted on scripts for the drama.

open image in gallery Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards ( 5 Broadcasting Limited / Wonderhood Studios )

With Edwards receiving a six-month suspended prison sentence just 18 months ago, some critics argued when the show was announced in January that it was too soon for a drama about the scandal.

However, executive producer Samantha Anstiss explained why its the right time for the drama at its London screening on Tuesday (17 March).

People have talked about the timing of this drama, and I'd say the timing is really right because the victim feels it's right, she said.

He's ready to tell his story, and there are really urgent themes in this drama around online safety, child pornography, the leniency of the sentencing.

She added that many were shocked by the fact that Edwards received a suspended sentence.

It's grappling with some really urgent and important themes, and I thank Channel 5 because they were very brave from the outset.

They've gone on this long journey with us. They have been totally unwavering all the way through.

Anstiss added that the drama is proper public service broadcasting at its finest  and while it proved to be challenging to make at times, she was spurred on by the thought of the child victims featured in the pornography that Edwards had admitted possessing.

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open image in gallery Huw Edwards was sentenced to six months in prison and given a two-year suspended sentence in September 2024 ( Getty )

That held my motivation to tell the story because it has been challenging to tell, she said. You do have to get out of bed in the morning and think, Why am I doing this? Child pornography is not a victimless crime.

Edwards downfall began when The Sun reported that a top BBC star had paid a teenager for sexual images in July 2023. Shortly after, Edwards wife named him as the presenter in question  leading to his exit from the BBC.

In June 2024, he was charged by the Metropolitan Police with three counts of making indecent images of children  which includes receiving digital copies. Appearing in court, he admitted to possessing 41 photographs on WhatsApp, seven of which were classified as the most serious type.

Doc Martins Clunes spoke about taking on the role earlier this month, revealing that he watched extensive archive footage of the presenter before filming.

I wanted to find bits where he wasnt reading the news, because weve seen that Huw Edwards, he told The Times. One of the archive bits I watched was an outside broadcast. Hes outside Number 10 at night in a coat, and hes just texting, waiting to go live, which I found chilling in light of what we know. Clunes was referring to a scene in the drama where Edwards texts Davies before going on air.

Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards is set to air at 9pm on Tuesday 24 March on Channel 5.
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Controversy has followed Taylor Frankie Paul at every turn, and the drama surrounding The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is only growing more tangled.

Just days before Pauls divisive season leading The Bachelorette was due to premiere on March 22, ABC pulled the show after a video surfaced that appeared to show her attacking her ex, Dakota Mortensen, in a 2023 incident that led to her arrest.

Not even a week later, the West Jordan Police Department in Utah is reportedly investigating a third allegation of domestic violence, involving Paul and Mortensen. Paul, 31, has not spoken out about the latest allegation, which stems from a 2024 incident.

It comes after authorities confirmed they were investigating a second allegation of domestic assault regarding Paul and Mortensen. The Draper City Police Department said that allegations have been made in both directions and contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24th and 25th but no charges have been filed yet.

Heres a closer look at the controversy surrounding Paul and how it has unfolded.

open image in gallery Taylor Frankie Paul faced several scandals before her season of 'The Bachelorette' was set to air ( Getty Images )

Soft swinging scandal

Paul, a Mormon mom influencer who grew a following of millions on TikTok for her content about her familys life in Utah, made headlines in May 2022 by announcing her divorce to the world on TikTok Live.

During the announcement, she exposed a soft swinging agreement that she and her ex-husband, Tate, had with other MomTok couples that had contributed to the reasons for her divorce from Tate, the father of her two children. The bombshell confession sparked speculation over which influencers had participated in the affairs, and eventually led to the group of women landing their own Hulu reality series.

Volatile relationship with Dakota Mortensen

The first season of SLOMW  which was Hulus most-watched unscripted premiere of 2024  showed Paul beginning a relationship with Mortensen, a recovering addict whom she met on TikTok. The pairs relationship took a turn after they briefly broke up in December 2022 and got back together a month later.

Then, in February 2023, Paul was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors, including assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child. Bodycam footage of the arrest, which was included in SLOMW, showed Paul crying and explaining that she had been fighting with Mortensen. In August of that year, she pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault, and the other charges against her were dropped.

open image in gallery Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have broken up and gotten back together several times ( Disney/Fred Hayes )

open image in gallery Dakota Mortenson and Taylor Frankie Paul in season two of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' ( Disney )

Paul and Mortensen announced in September that they were pregnant with their first child together, which led to criticism from the Mormon church over Paul having a child with a man she had not married. However, Paul insisted that she was not ready to be married again, and she gave birth to Ever True in March 2024.

The pair ended up breaking up again later that year, and continued to break up and get back together several times before, in September 2025, Paul was named as ABCs new Bachelorette.

On March 16, Draper police confirmed that there is a domestic assault investigation tied to a second alleged incident between Paul and Mortensen in February of this year.

Paul is now being investigated for a third allegation of domestic violence. Authorities told NBC News on March 24 that they received a call from Mortensen in February with allegations of domestic violence against Paul, stemming from a 2024 incident. A police spokesperson said they are reviewing multiple videos connected to the alleged assault to determine details and timelines. While they have yet to speak to Paul directly, investigators have spoken with her attorney and are requesting that Paul either come in for an interview to help corroborate some of the details in Mortensens report or submit a written statement.

Bachelorette drama

ABCs decision to center the new season of The Bachelorette around Paul sparked backlash for several reasons, as some criticized the networks decision to stray from the tradition of choosing contestants from previous seasons of The Bachelor.

Other critics wondered if it was fair to introduce Paul to 22 potential suitors, knowing about her toxic relationship with Mortensen, and with lingering questions about whether their relationship was really over.

open image in gallery Taylor Frankie Paul is set to date 22 men on the upcoming season of 'The Bachelorette' ( Disney )

Those concerns were later validated with the news of SLOMW filming pausing due to a blowup between Mortensen and Paul. The Draper City Police Department told People that the former couple has both made allegations against each other after an incident between them on February 24 and 25. Draper police told The Independent they would not comment further due to the pending investigation.

During the hiatus, other reports have suggested that Pauls fellow MomTok members are trying to distance themselves from Paul.

On March 19, ABCs parent company Disney made the costly decision to cancel Pauls season after footage of her 2023 dispute with Mortensen was released. In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family, a spokesperson said in a statement.

open image in gallery Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has reportedly paused filming season five of the show due to a police investigation into Paul ( Getty )

Following the release of the violent video, Pauls representative issued a statement, accusing Mortensen of leaking the video to distract from his own behavior.

Mortensen later denied Pauls claims in a statement of his own, saying: As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.

Pauls representative released a second statement, this time addressing the cancellation of The Bachelorette. Taylor is very grateful for ABCs support as she prioritizes her familys safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm, her spokesperson said.
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More Boner Bears branded products have been recalled as its erotic honey was found to contain undeclared Viagra ingredients.

Florida-based Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements, LLC recalled its Boner Bear Honey on Saturday after a lab analysis by the Food and Drug Administration confirmed it contained sildenafil and tadalafil, active ingredients in the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis, respectively. The ingredients were not listed on the product label.

While these two drugs are FDA-approved, they are only allowed to be used under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. The company also recalled its Red Bull Extreme and Blue Bull Extreme sexual enhancement honey products after an FDA lab analysis found undeclared sildenafil in them.

Sildenafil and tadalafil could interact with nitrates found in prescription drugs that people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease may be taking, the companys recall announcement said.

open image in gallery More 'Boner Bears' branded products have been recalled as the erotic honey was found to contain undeclared Viagra ingredients, sildenafil and tadalafil ( FDA/Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements, LLC )

Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements warned the undeclared ingredients may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

The announcement comes weeks after Texas-based Lockout Supplements recalled Boner Bears Chocolate Syrup following an FDA lab analysis that confirmed the sexual enhancement product contained undeclared sildenafil.

Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements said its sending out emails to its customers about the recall and advising them to throw the affected products away. Consumers may also return the recalled items for a full refund, including shipping costs, according to the companys announcement.

open image in gallery Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements also recalled its Red Bull Extreme and Blue Bull Extreme sexual enhancement honey products after an FDA lab analysis found undeclared sildenafil in them ( FDA/Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements, LLC )

As of Saturday, the company has not received any reports of adverse reactions to the products. Consumers are advised in the companys announcement to contact their doctor if they experience any problems that may be related to the recalled products.

The Independent has reached out to Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements for comment.

The recalled Boner Bears Honey has an expiration date of January 2028. The affected Red Bull Extreme and Blue Bull Extreme products have expiration dates of May 2029 and February 2029, respectively.
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I was 38 years old and my biological clock was a ticking time bomb. I had a low ovarian reserve, and if I wanted a child, it was emergency stations  now or never. It felt like it was all my fault. As I sat in a fertility doctors office, I burst into tears  and dropped the tear-stained fertility report on the floor.

Why hadnt I frozen my eggs if Id known my mum had an early menopause? I had been so cavalier about motherhood, acting like I could have a child whenever I wanted. And why couldnt I have been more practical and found a stable boyfriend  rather than placing all my chips on true love? The burden was on me  and me alone.

There is a catalogue of reasons for the jaw-dropping global decline in the birth rate  and its usually considered the womens fault. I felt like a textbook problem. The UK birth rate plunged to a record low of 1.44 per woman in 2024, well under the 2.1 needed to sustain a population, and were always told this is down to women delaying family life, leaving it too late  or deciding not to have a baby at all.

Women have supposedly become too independent and career-oriented to want children. Were put off by soaring childcare costs, lengthy career breaks, the housing crisis, dating app fatigue, and being too choosy, apparently. Money is often seen as the number one enemy. The Office for National Statistics revealed in 2025 that UK women lose about 65,000 in earnings in the five years after their first child  and with three kids, it can reach 100,000.

Yet we still face pro-natalist pressure and societal judgment promoting the idea that motherhood is the pinnacle of a womans existence. Governments are panicking. In South Korea, more adult nappies are sold than baby diapers, and the French government sends letters to all 29-year-olds urging them to have children before its too late.

Being child-free is said to push the UK state pension age to 75 by 2039, and school closures or mergers have become the norm in some areas. But one thing often overlooked in explanations of falling birth rates is mens Peter Panlike immaturity. Its the missing piece of the puzzle.

Finally, that is starting to change. The new report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), titled Baby Bust, said that, in the past, a 24-year-old man would have usually been married, had a child and been working for ten years, but now men are only leaving the nest at the average age of 25.

As a result, roughly 600,000 young women may miss out on motherhood partly because of it. Around 3 million women aged 16 to 45 are now likely never to have children, compared with 2.4 million in their grandparents generation.

The biggest hurdle wasnt just my fertility falling off a cliff, but that my partner wasnt ready to have kids with me

Young women now feel vindicated. After years of being the focus of the baby blame game, research is catching up with what women have known for years: it takes two to tango. If women cant find men willing to settle down and commit, having a baby becomes much harder  not impossible, but definitely not easy.

The solution, according to the report, is to encourage marriage at a younger age and for men to enter adulthood earlier than 25. This can be achieved by offering more internships and apprenticeships so that men have to mature faster. It claims nine out of 10 young women hope to have children, yet many will face unplanned childlessness  a major cause of grief, which could affect up to 30 per cent of women in the UK.

That could easily have been my story. I was lucky to have children in my late thirties and early forties. The biggest hurdle wasnt just my fertility falling off a cliff, but that my partner wasnt ready to have kids with me.

Id waited for him to commit through my thirties, with our on-off relationship, until we moved into his apartment. Thats when I gave him an ultimatum, then called it off because the pressure was too much, then months later, convinced him to do IVF  which I was lucky he agreed to. The truth is, although it was my choice to wait, it felt like an impossible situation. I was damned if I left him, and damned if I didnt. At that age, Id never have fallen in love in time with another man, and using a sperm donor would have ended my relationship.

If hed been ready when my parents had children, 10-15 years earlier, my fertility wouldnt have been hanging by a thread. By the time I had our daughters, it was termed a geriatric pregnancy, meaning a pregnancy in someone aged 35 or older at delivery.

The problem is that some men can spend forever deciding if they are ready  and its about time women were let off the hook for the dwindling birth rate. So many women I know never had kids, despite wanting them, because men werent ready. Others had children with men they didnt truly love, just to get it over with. The truth is, if the birth rate is to recover, men need to stop being babies  and start having them instead.
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In 1997, my students and I traveled to Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo, as part of a study abroad program course on Irish literature I was teaching for the University of Dayton. I wanted my students to visit the place where, each July, thousands of pilgrims pay homage to St. Patrick, who, according to lore, fasted and prayed on the summit for 40 days.

While there, our tour guide relayed the story of how St. Patrick, as he lay on his death bed on March 17 in A.D. 461, supposedly asked those gathered around him to toast his heavenly journey with a wee drop of whiskey to ease their pain.

The mention of whiskey left me wondering if St. Patrick may have unintentionally influenced the way most of the world celebrates the holiday today: by drinking.

It wasnt always this way. The Festival of St. Patrick began in the 17th century as a religious and cultural commemoration of the bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland. In Ireland, theres still an important religious and cultural component to the holiday, even as it has simply become an excuse to wear green and heavily drink in the rest of the world.

The legend of St. Patrick

Because historical details about St. Patricks life remain shrouded in speculation, scholars are often stymied in their attempts to separate fact from legend.

In his spiritual memoir, Confessio, St. Patrick describes how he was brought to Ireland as a slave. He eventually escaped, rejoining his family in Britain, probably Scotland. But while there, he had a recurring dream, in which the Voice of the Irish called to him to return to Ireland in order to baptize and minister to them. So he did.

The Irish revere the account of this dream described in the Confessio; they accept the simplicity and fervor of his words and feel a debt of gratitude for his unselfish commitment to their spiritual well-being.

St. Patricks efforts to convert the Irish to Catholicism were never easy. Viewing him as a challenge to their power and authority, the high kings of Ireland and the pagan high priests, called Druids, resisted his efforts to make inroads with the population.

open image in gallery Performers take part in the St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin ( PA )

But through his missionary zeal, he was able to fuse Irish culture into Christianity, whether it was through the introduction of the Celtic Cross or the use of bonfires to celebrate feasts like Easter.

Again, many of these stories could amount to no more than myth. Nonetheless, centuries after his death, the Irish continue to show their gratitude for their patron saint by wearing a spray of shamrocks on March 17. They start the day with mass, followed by a daylong feast, and prayer and reflection at night.

St. Paddys Day goes global

From 1820 to 1860, almost 2 million people left Ireland, many due to the potato famine in the 1840s and 1850s. More followed in the 20th century to reunite with relatives and escape poverty and joblessness back home.

Once settled, they found new ways to celebrate St. Patricks Day and their Irish identity in their new homes.

Irish-Americans, especially, were quick to transform March 17 into a commercial enterprise. The mandatory wearin of the green in all its garishness is a far cry from the original tradition of wearing a spray of shamrocks to honor St. Patricks death and celebrate Irish solidarity. Parades famously sprung up  especially in New York and Boston  revelry ensued and, sure enough, even the beer became green.

open image in gallery The Princess of Wales enjoys a glass of Guinness during a visit to the Irish Guards for their St Patricks Day parade at Wellington Barracks ( PA )

Children of Irish-Americans in the United States have absorbed Irish culture at a distance. Many probably know that St. Patrick is Irelands patron saint. But they might not fully appreciate his mythic stature for kids growing up on the emerald isle.

Ask children of any age in Ireland what they know about St. Patrick, and they will regale you with stories of his magical abilities, from his power to drive the snakes out of Ireland to his use of the three leaves and one stem of the shamrock to demystify the Trinity doctrine of the Catholic Church.

They see St. Patrick as a miracle worker, and as adults, they keep the legends alive in their own ways. Some follow St. Patricks footsteps all around Ireland  from well to hill to altar to chapel  seeking his blessing and bounty wherever their journeys take them.

Raising a glass

Of course, in America, the holy day is really a party, above all else.

Americans have in some years spent US$6.16 billion celebrating, with 13 million pints of Guinness consumed. Some parts of the country have even held a pre-celebration on Sept. 17  or, as they call it, Halfway to St. Patricks Day.

About the author James Farrelly is a Professor of English at University of Dayton. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Where all of this leads is anyones guess. But beginning in the 1990s, Ireland seemed to grasp the earning potential of the Americanized version. March 17 remains a holy day for the natives and a holiday for tourists from around the world, with pubs raking in the euros on St. Patricks Day.

But Ive always wondered: What if St. Patrick had requested a silent prayer instead of a wee drop of whiskey to toast his passing? Would his celebration have stayed more sacred than profane?

This is an updated version of an article originally published on March 16, 2021
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The attorneys for Brian J. Cole Jr. argue that President Donald Trumps broad clemency for those who stormed the U.S. Capitol should also cover their client, who is charged with planting pipe bombs near the national headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.

In a Monday court filing, Coles lawyers claim that Trumps blanket pardons extend to the charges against him because his alleged actions on Jan. 5, 2021, are inextricably tethered to the events at the Capitol the following day. They are asking U.S. District Judge Amir Ali to dismiss the case before it goes to trial.

The Justice Department has not yet responded in writing to the defense request. Prosecutors previously stated that Cole denied any connection between his conduct and the Jan. 6 Capitol events during FBI questioning.

Last January, on his first day back in office, Trump pardoned, commuted sentences, or ordered the dismissal of all charges against more than 1,500 people accused of participating in the Capitol attack.

Cole was arrested on charges that he placed two pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee headquarters ( US Justice Department )

Nearly a year later, Cole was arrested on charges that he placed two pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the night before the riot. The devices didn't detonate before law enforcement officers discovered them on Jan. 6.

Cole's attorneys said the Justice Department's own framing of the case has explicitly linked Cole's alleged conduct on Jan. 5 to the events of Jan. 6, when rioters disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory over Trump.

That is not happenstance sequencing in time. It is the governments theory of Mr. Coles alleged motive and context," defense lawyers wrote. "According to the government, the timing was chosen because of what was scheduled to occur at the Capitol on January 6.

They also argued that prosecutors' theory of a possible motive places Coles alleged conduct "in the same political controversy that animated the January 6 crowd.

In court filings, prosecutors have said that Cole confessed to investigators after his Dec. 4 arrest. He told FBI agents that he felt bewildered" by conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election and something just snapped after watching everything, just everything getting worse," prosecutors said.

Cole has remained jailed since his arrest. His attorneys have appealed Ali's refusal to order Cole's pretrial release from custody. The judge hasn't set a trial date yet.

Cole, 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, has been diagnosed with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His attorneys say he has no criminal record.

Authorities said they used phone records and other evidence to identify him as a suspect in a crime that confounded the FBI for over four years.
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A military veteran allegedly gunned down his estranged wife and mother-in-law in Houston, Texas, days after the couple separated.

Stanley Earl Hardin, 57, has been charged with capital murder in the killings of Tara Hardin, 57, and her mother, 80-year-old Floris Wolford, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office.

Tara Hardin called 911 shortly before 2 p.m. Monday to report that her husband had driven a truck into the home in the Houston suburb of Conroe, Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said.

On the 911 call, dispatchers heard gunfire and sent deputies to the scene. Hardin and her mother were found dead inside the home with gunshot wounds.

Investigators said Tara Hardin had recently separated from her husband and moved out of their shared home last week. She had been staying with her mother at her home.

open image in gallery Stanley Earl Hardin, 57, has been charged with capital murder in the killings of his estranged wife, Tara Hardin, 57, and her mother, 80-year-old Floris Wolford ( Montgomery County Jail )

After the shooting, Hardin fled on foot to a nearby residence, where his son reportedly lives, and asked for a ride to his home around a 45-minute drive away.

Deputies located Hardin at his home a short time later where he surrendered and was taken into custody without incident, according to Doolittle.

They had set up a perimeter anticipating that it might be worse than what they had believed," Doolittle said. There was information that he would shoot it out with law enforcement. It's my belief that he talked to a family member and that he surrendered to our deputies at that scene.

Doolittle said investigators are not aware of any prior criminal history for Hardin.

He remains in Montgomery County Jail without bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims, a release from the sheriffs office said. We recognize the profound impact this tragedy has had on our community and are committed to seeking justice for these women and their loved ones.
Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) is one of the 12 Most Undervalued Financial Stocks to Buy Now. On March 11, 2026, Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) was reported by CNBC to serve as the lead underwriter for a government-led insurance program aimed at supporting ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative, developed with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, is part of a $20 billion plan designed to help oil tankers and other commercial vessels resume operations along the high-risk route.

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A Utah mother who wrote a childrens book about grief after her husbands sudden death has been found guilty on all charges after fatally poisoning him by slipping a lethal dose of fentanyl into his cocktail.

After deliberating for just under three hours, a Salt Lake City jury swiftly convicted Kouri Richins, 35, in the death of her husband, Eric Richins, who died at their home outside the affluent ski town of Park City, Utah, on March 4, 2022

She was found guilty on all charges, including aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, two counts of insurance fraud, and forgery. Richins had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutors said Richins secretly slipped five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow Mule cocktail she made for her husband, killing him. A year later, she wrote a childrens book to help their sons process the loss.

In closing arguments on Monday, Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth said Richins knowingly and intentionally killed Eric for his money because she was an incompetent business owner who had racked up thousands in debt. He argued that she was unhappy in her marriage to Eric Richins and wanted to leave Eric but did not want to leave his money.

She was a risk taker, Bloodworth added. There was a way forward. Eric had to die.

open image in gallery Kouri Richins was found guilty of murder and other charges in the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, who died of a lethal dose of fentanyl ( East Idaho News )

Richins defense team argued the state could not prove she gave her husband fentanyl and ultimately chose not to present a defense case.

The verdict on Monday capped a trial that ended sooner than expected when Richins abruptly waived her right to testify and her defense attorneys rested their case without calling a single witness.

The most serious charge, aggravated murder, carries a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. She will be sentenced on May 13.

She wanted a perfect life

During three weeks of testimony, prosecutors called more than 40 witnesses as they sought to convince jurors that Richins carefully plotted her husbands death.

She had wanted to appear privileged and successful and she achieved that goal when she met Eric, a business owner with money, Bloodworth said.

She wanted the perfect life, he said. Or, at least, the appearance of a perfect life.

Bloodworth said Richins had a troubled upbringing with a drunk dad who did time in prison and a mom who had a gambling problem. She was also insecure about her social standing because of her time as a house cleaner for rich people, he said. So she carefully curated the facade of a privileged, affluent, successful business owner, Bloodworth told the court. But behind the facade, Kouri Richins was incompetent, he argued.

She took tremendous risks. She borrowed money by any means necessary at exorbitant rates. She gambled other peoples money and lost. Her business was imploding.

Bloodworth replayed for the jury part of Richins 911 call from the night of her husbands death. Thats not the sound of a wife becoming a widow, he said, quoting the defenses opening statement. Its the sound of a wife becoming a black widow.

Prosecutors said Richins, a real estate agent focused on flipping houses, was deep in debt and planning a future with Robert Josh Grossman, with whom she was allegedly having an affair.

She had opened numerous life insurance policies on her husband without his knowledge, with benefits totaling about $2 million, prosecutors alleged.

They showed the jury text messages between Richins and Grossman, in which she fantasized about leaving her husband, gaining millions in a divorce and one day marrying Grossman.

The internet search history from Richins phone included what is a lethal.dose.of.fetanayl (sic), luxury prisons for the rich America and if someone is poisned (sic) what does it go down on the death certificate as, a digital forensic analyst testified.

Defense attorney Wendy Lewis urged the jury to find her client not guilty, arguing that the state had not done their job.

They havent done their job, and now they want you to make inferences based on paper-thin evidence, Lewis said. They want you to do their job for them. Tell them, No.

She pointed out previous testimony by Detective Jeff O'Driscoll that claimed he did not find any fentanyl anywhere or evidence that there was fentanyl in Eric's cocktail. Lewis also said that the prosecution looks at facts one way and sees a witch, but if you look at those facts another way, you see a widow.

"Can you believe her, beyond a reasonable doubt? You can not," Lewis said about . "If you can't believe her beyond a reasonable doubt, you have to find Kouri Richins not guilty."

The trial

Over the course of the trial, prosecutors painted a portrait of a troubled marriage and mounting financial pressure.

Kouri and Eric Richins married in 2013 and raised three sons in Kamas, Utah, where she flipped houses in Summit County and he ran a stonemasonry business. But prosecutors said the relationship deteriorated over money.

In 2020, Eric Richins accused his wife of ongoing abuse and misuse of his finances and removed her as a beneficiary from his life insurance policy, according to charging documents. He also transferred his home and company interests into a trust managed by his sister.

By the day Eric Richins died, prosecutors said, his wife owed more than $4.5 million to more than 20 lenders.

open image in gallery Prosecutors said Richins secretly slipped five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow Mule she made for her husband, killing him ( Facebook )

open image in gallery A year later after her husbandss death, Richins wrote a childrens book to help their two sons process the loss

On December 17, 2021, less than three months before his death, Richins told her friend Becky Lloyd she felt trapped in her marriage.

She was feeling trapped; she was feeling like there wasnt an easy way forward out of her marriage, Lloyd testified.

Lloyd said Richins added that in many ways, it would be better if he were dead.

An affair and plans for a new life

Jurors also heard testimony from Grossman, a contractor who said he began a romantic relationship with Richins while working on house-flipping projects for her.

Grossman testified that he moved to Utah in 2020 and believed the two were in love.

She took care of me, Grossman told the jury, explaining that Richins sometimes gave him large sums of money, including one payment of $25,000.

Text messages presented in court showed Richins informing Grossman on March 4, 2022, that her husband had died.

They think aneurysm, she wrote that evening.

Grossman said the relationship ended months later.

open image in gallery Jurors also heard testimony from Robert Grossman, a contractor who said he began a romantic relationship with Richins while working on house-flipping projects for her ( Court TV )

open image in gallery Prosecutors showed the jury texts between Richins and Grossman, in which she fantasized about leaving her husband, gaining millions in a divorce and one day marrying Grossman ( Court TV )

Things changed after Eric passed, Grossman said.

When he later learned Richins had been charged with murder, he testified: I was overwhelmed with guilt, sorrow, over my wrongdoings. You know, infidelity.

Defense: No murder weapon, no proof

Richins attorneys argued the prosecutions case was riddled with gaps and speculation.

Carmen Lauber, the familys former housekeeper, testified that she purchased pills for Richins four times in early 2022. But the man she said supplied them, Robert Crozier, told jurors he was selling oxycodone, not fentanyl.

Both witnesses received immunity for their testimony.

Defense attorneys also pointed to evidence suggesting Eric Richins had access to drugs himself, including a past hydrocodone prescription, marijuana gummies found in the home, and cited a trip he took to Mexico weeks before his death.

During cross-examination of the lead detective, defense attorney Kathy Nester highlighted the lack of physical evidence.

In all of that, we have no murder weapon, like you havent found anything that was connected to Erics death, no fentanyl in the house, correct? she asked.

There was a boatload of fentanyl in his stomach that came out of the house with him, Summit County Sheriffs Detective Jeff ODriscoll replied.

Other than whats in his stomach, did you find anything else that had fentanyl in it? Nester followed up.

No, he said.

Asked whether he knew how the fatal dose had been administered, he replied:

Thats all I know, is that he took it orally.

Another investigator testified that police never collected or tested the cups the couple used while drinking celebratory cocktails the night before Eric Richins died.

What you will never hear  is how that fentanyl got inside of [Eric Richins], Nester told jurors during opening statements, because theres zero evidence of that.

Childrens book becomes part of the case

Months after her husbands death, Richins self-published a childrens book titled Are You with Me? about helping kids cope with the loss of a parent.

She promoted the book in local media appearances, which prosecutors argued showed an effort to shape the narrative around Eric Richins death.

Lead investigator Jeff ODriscoll testified that Richins had hired a ghostwriting company to produce the book. Shortly after her arrest in May 2023, investigators received an anonymous package containing the book and a note.

There are two sides to every story. This is a true Kouri, a devoted wife and adoring mother. Thought you should know.

Authorities later learned the package had been sent by Richins mother through Amazon, ODriscoll said.

open image in gallery Kouri and Eric Richins married in 2013 and raised three sons in Kamas, Utah, where she flipped houses in Summit County and he ran a stonemasonry business. But prosecutors said the relationship deteriorated over money ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Letter found in jail cell

Jurors also saw excerpts from a six-page letter found in Richins jail cell that prosecutors said appeared to outline testimony for her mother and brother.

In the six-page letter, Richins instructs her brother to tell her former attorney that Eric Richins confided in him about getting fentanyl from Mexico and gets high every night.

Defense attorneys have said the letter contains a fictional story Richins had been working on. They have argued that Eric Richins was addicted to painkillers and asked his wife to procure opioids for him.

However, Richins told police on the night of her husbands death that he had no history of illicit drug use, according to body camera footage shown in court.
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For more than six years, a pregnant California teenager has been missing, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Now, investigators say they have finally arrested who they allege is her killer.

Joshua Martinez, 28, was arrested March 12 and has been charged with murder in the 2019 disappearance of 16-year-old Victoria Marquina. Her body has never been found.

Martinez had previously been arrested in connection with Marquinas disappearance but was released at the time due to insufficient evidence, according to The Stockton Record. Authorities say new technology and information developed within the past year helped lead to the indictment.

Martinez appeared in San Joaquin County Superior Court Monday where he was arraigned on multiple charges including murder, unlawful intercourse with a minor, oral copulation with a person under 18, and sexual penetration with a minor, according to the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office and the Amador County District Attorneys Office.

Today marks the beginning of Victoria Marquinas journey for justice, Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe said at a press conference.

open image in gallery Joshua Martinez was a suspect in Victoria Marquinas disappearance shortly after she vanished but was released at the time due to a lack of evidence ( Amador County Sheriff's Office )

This day would not be possible without her mothers unyielding love, he added, referring to Marquinas mother, who has not given up the search for her daughter.

According to San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, Marquina, of Sutter creek, was last seen alive on October 9, 2019, near her workplace in Amador County. Her mother reported her missing the following day.

Two days after Marquina was reported missing, her black Honda Accord was found abandoned near Escalon in San Joaquin County.

Marquina and Martinez, who met just a month before her disappearance, had a very short relationship, Freitas said. Martinez was 21 years old at the time.

They had met just about a month before her disappearance and she became pregnant, Freitas said on Monday. It was a whirlwind, very fast relationship, and very short.

Martinez fled to Mexico after Marquina vanished, and was extradited back to the U.S. before his first arrest in 2020, prosecutors said, according to NewsNation.

open image in gallery Victoria Marquina was pregnant when her mother reported her missing in October 2019 from Sutter Creek in Amador County. Investigators say she had a brief relationship with Martinez, who was 21 at the time ( San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office )

Freitas said Monday that his office worked with multiple agencies as part of a cold case task force, which ultimately uncovered new leads.

To the family members of cold case victims, we will never stop in the pursuit of justice, he said.

He would not go into specifics about what led them to the arrest, but only attributed it to new technology and information became available in the last year.

Despite the arrest, authorities say the case is far from over.

Marquinas remains have never been recovered, and investigators are urging the public to come forward with any information.

Victoria is dead, and we are looking for her remains and the remains of her unborn child, Freitas said. We need closure for the family so anyone having that information of where her remains are, were asking them to come forward.

open image in gallery Marquinas remains have never been recovered, and investigators are urging the public to come forward with any information ( National Center For Missing and Exploited Children )

Following the hearing, Freitas again called on the public for help as investigators continued searching for answers.

We want to bring closure to Victorias mother, allow her to bury her child and her grandchild, Freitas said.

Martinez, who is being represented by attorneys Allen Sawyer and Kirk Holman, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

He remains in custody at the San Joaquin County Jail and is scheduled to return to court April 6.
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A man wrongfully imprisoned for nearly two decades for a $550 robbery has finally walked free after prosecutors admitted he did not commit the crime. Kenneth Windley, 61, was released from a Brooklyn courthouse on Monday, marking his first taste of freedom since 2007.

His conviction was overturned and his case dismissed by a judge, following a joint request from both the prosecution and Windley's legal team. Prosecutors cited new evidence, including confessions from two other individuals convicted of similar robberies, which corroborated Windley's consistent claims of innocence.

Emerging from court, Windley reflected on his ordeal, stating, "It cost me 20 years, but they said they corrected it now. So that's all that matters. So Im good with that."

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, who shook Windley's hand outside the courthouse, emphasized the broader implications of the case. "This case is really a cautionary tale of how things can seem one way but, without careful analysis, not be what it purports to be," he said.

open image in gallery His conviction was overturned and his case dismissed by a judge, following a joint request from both the prosecution and Windley's legal team ( AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz )

Had we known what the evidence was, this case should have never happened, he said, adding that he had apologized privately to Windley.

Windley was arrested in 2005, after buying a stove for his mother with a money order that turned out to be stolen.

It had been snatched from Gerald Ross, 70, by two thieves who followed him home from a trip to a bank and a post office. The thieves put Ross in a chokehold and took money orders, cash, and a bank book from him, prosecutors said in a report released Monday.

Ross regularly got money orders for his rent and life insurance payments at that post office, which helped him and authorities follow a paper trail after the robbery. The trail soon led to Windley, who had given his name, drivers license and address when purchasing the stove at an appliance store.

From the start, Windley said he had nothing to do with the robbery. He said he'd simply bought a $542.77 money order at a discount from a couple of acquaintances, who insisted that it was valid but that they couldn't use it for a bureaucratic reason.

He was duped," one of Windley's lawyers, David Shanies, told the court Monday.

Ross identified Windley in a lineup as one of the thieves, and a jury convicted him in 2007 of robbery. Because of prior felony convictions, he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. His appeals failed.

Early on, Windley told prosecutors what he knew about the men who sold him the money order: their nicknames, and some information about their legal names. After his conviction, a friend and private investigators helped him flesh out the men's identities and persuade the men to come forward about what had happened, according to the D.A's report.

In sworn statements and then in interviews with D.A.'s office representatives, the two men said that they had robbed Ross together and that Windley was not involved, according to the report. It called their admissions compelling.

It doesnt give their names, referring to them only as Suspect 1 and Suspect 2. Both are serving prison time on other robbery convictions, according to the D.A.s office. Those convictions all involved male victims in their 60s and older who were followed home from banks and check-cashing offices in Brooklyn in 2005 and 2006.

If the jury had known those men's identities and robbery records, the information would likely have raised reasonable doubt about the charge against Windley, prosecutors concluded.

No new charges have been brought in the case. The legal timeframe for bringing charges ran out years ago, and Ross has died.

Windley, heading off Monday afternoon to celebrate with his family, said he wasn't bitter about what he'd been through

Im just going to move on from there, he said.
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A gunman was shot and killed Tuesday in a shooting at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in a small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia.

Jasper police were sent to the VA clinic around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officers confronted the gunman, who was shot and killed, authorities said.

The gunman who was killed is from the Jasper area, Jasper Police Chief Matt Dawkins told reporters at the scene. Details about him were not immediately released.

We dont know what led up to it, Dawkins said.

Officers had responded to a report of shots fired at the clinic, the chief said. The suspect was shot outside the clinic.

open image in gallery Jasper police responded to the VA clinic at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and located a suspected shooter ( ap )

Everybody in there, as far as I know, nobody else is injured, the people inside, just one victim, Dawkins said.

He did not share additional details, but said the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be investigating along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

When asked about the suspects background, a Pickens County sheriffs spokesman said he did not know whether he had a military background.

Calls to the Pickens County VA clinic were routed to various recordings on Tuesday afternoon and no one answered the phone.

The outpatient clinic in Jasper offers services that include primary care and specialty health services, including laboratory, telehealth and mental health care, according to its website.

Jasper, a town of about 5,000 people, is roughly 60 miles (97 km) north of downtown Atlanta. Signs on a highway through the town call it Georgias First Mountain City as the Blue Ridge Mountains come into view as motorists from Atlanta head north.

Photos from the local newspaper, the Pickens Progress, showed more than a half-dozen law enforcement officers responding to the scene, wearing tactical vests near a strip mall in the town.

The clinic opened in the summer of 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in a news release announcing its grand opening.

The new Pickens County VA Clinic will increase access and ensure that our Veterans continue to receive the high-quality health care that they have earned and deserve closer to their home, officials said in the release.
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Three Tennessee teenagers are suing Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok for allegedly generating sexually explicit deepfake photos of them without their knowledge or consent.

In a complaint filed in federal court in northern California Monday, lawyers for the three teens  named only as Jane Doe 1, 2, and 3  accuse Grok's parent company xAI of "shattering" the girls' lives by doing almost nothing to prevent the chatbot from generating child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

"Nearly all the companies creating, marketing, and selling AI recognized the dangers of such a tool and chose to enact industry-standard guardrails that would prevent the use of their products child sex predators. xAI did not," the complaint reads.

"Instead, xAI  and its founder Elon Musk  saw a business opportunity: an opportunity to profit off the sexual predation of real people, including children."

It is the first lawsuit filed by minors over Grok's ongoing deepfake porn scandal, which caused governments around the world to launch investigations into the company and forced xAI to restrict Grok's output.

An investigation by The Washington Post found that Musk personally led a relentless drive to boost his flagship chatbots flagging popularity by sexing up its output ( AFP/Getty )

Starting last May, Musk and his executives gave users the ability to ask Grok to "undress" photos of real people down to their underwear. By January 2026 usage had exploded, leading to thousands, perhaps millions of nonconsensual sexualized deepfakes  including some that appeared to depict children.

Mondays lawsuit, which accuses xAI of breaking child pornography laws by knowingly creating, possessing, and distributing such material on its servers and systems, is seeking class action status  meaning it could potentially grow to encompass thousands of people.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs' nightmare began when Jane Doe 1 received an anonymous tip-off on Instagram that nude photos and videos of her and other minors were circulating on the social media service Discord.

Using AI, someone had taken real photos of her at her school's homecoming dance or in the yearbook and edited them into sexually explicit or suggestive material, often rendering her fully nude.

Police ultimately traced the alleged perpetrator and arrested them in December 2025. But when they searched the person's device, they found similar photos of Jane Doe 2, Jane Doe 3, and 15 other girls, many of whom attended the same school.

The perpetrator allegedly distributed these images on Telegram and other services, "trading" them around the internet in exchange for sexually explicit material of other teenagers.

The lawsuit alleges that these images were created using a third-party app that pays xAI money to license Grok's image-generation capabilities under a different brand.

"Plaintiffs will have to spend the rest of their lives knowing that their CSAM images and videos may continue to be trafficked and traded online by child sex predators," the complaint read.

"And Plaintiffs will live every day with the constant anxiety of not knowing whether someone they encounter has seen this invasive and sexually explicit content created with images of them as children."

All three plaintiffs suffered severe emotional distress, the lawsuit said, with two of them struggling to sleep and eat.

The lawsuit accuses xAI of failing to implement industry-standard safeguards such as rejecting user requests for sexual material, blocking any such material that the AI accidentally generates, checking images against databases of existing CSAM, and providing a rapid takedown service for victims of non-consensual sexual images.

On the contrary, the lawsuit argues, xAI proudly advertised Grok's "Spicy Mode" and its ability to generate sexual images, leaving only minimal guardrails against users asking it to create CSAM.

The lawsuit notes that Grok's 'system prompt'  a set of instructions governing every interaction an AI chatbot has with its users  explicitly tells it to avoid "creating or distributing child sexual abuse material". But that rule is easily circumvented, the lawsuit argues, and insufficient to prevent abuse.

xAI did not immediately respond to questions from The Independent, and the company has not yet answered its claims in court.

In January, Musk claimed: "I not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok. Literally zero...

"There may be times when adversarial hacking of Grok prompts does something unexpected. If that happens, we fix the bug immediately."
Coinsilium seals move into Prediction Markets with investment into Predictive Labs Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Coinsilium Group Limited (AQSE:COIN, OTCQB:CINGF, FRA:5CT) confirmed it has now planted an early flag in prediction markets, investing US$150,000 in Singapore-based Predictive Labs as the Aquis-listed digital asset investor broadens its 2026 strategy into event-driven finance.

The investment gives Coinsilium, through its Seedcoin subsidiary, a 5.52% stake in Predictive Labs.

The deal also includes rights to subscribe for more shares that could raise its holding to 16.29% in an initial phase, while further option tranches could ultimately take that stake to 29.85%, subject to development milestones and exercise periods running into 2027.

Predictive Labs is building data intelligence infrastructure for prediction markets, aggregating and analysing signals from multiple venues for professional users, researchers and AI systems.

Coinsilium said that focus on the data and discovery layer, rather than operating a transactional platform, offers exposure to a fast-growing part of the market without the heavier licensing and regulatory demands attached to running an exchange.

Chief executive Eddy Travia said the deal marked Coinsiliums first strategic move into a sector it had already identified as a priority for 2026.

Predictive Labs is led by founder and chief executive Johann Evrard, whose career has included roles at Dell, Lazada and Rocket Internet, and the company says its wider team brings more than 75 years of combined technology and digital infrastructure experience.

"Consistent with our venture-building strategy, we look to partner with credible and experienced founding teams where our sector expertise, strategic support and industry network can help accelerate the development of innovative platforms and technologies," said Travia.

"As we continue to build momentum and strengthen our position within the digital asset sector, we are increasingly able to collaborate with high-calibre entrepreneurs and technologists, and the experience and track record of the Predictive Labs team is an excellent example of this."

Meanwhile, Predictive Labs co-founder Johann Evrard added: "This partnership extends beyond capital.

"Coinsilium brings strategic depth and sector expertise that will enable us to move faster and pursue larger ambitions. We share a strong conviction that prediction markets are emerging as essential financial infrastructure, and we intend to be at the forefront of that transformation.

The shares were up 9% at 3.1p each.

---adds share price---
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Leach pad re-crush ramps as Pacgold stacks SA gold hits Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Doug Bright March 17, 2026  5:51pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Resource drilling at Pacgold Limiteds Vertigo pit, part of the companys South Australian White Dam project, 80km east of Broken Hill, is now 95 per cent complete. The company says the latest assays have continued to align with, and in places exceed, its 2020 resource block model, with several shallow zones sitting above the main model, hinting at additional tonnes for the next mineral resource estimate. Pacgold Limiteds Metso screen and Nordberg HP300 cone crusher being commissioned at the White Dam heap leach pad in South Australia. Standout intercepts from the latest batch included the longest hit of 21m at 1.4g/t grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 0.32 per cent copper from 44m depth, featuring three 2-metre sections ranging from 3 to 4g/t gold and copper in the range of 0.6 to 0.7 per cent. A second hole delivered 4m at 3g/t gold and 0.11 per cent copper from 33m, with a deeper slice of 12m going 1.1g/t gold and 0.36 per cent copper from 48m in the same hole.

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The next 8-12 weeks are crucial for the company. Pacgold Limiteds managing director Matthew Boyes A third hole produced 11m at 1.0g/t gold and 0.03 per cent copper from 13m, including 1m at 4.9g/t gold from 24m. Four other holes featuring strong hits also delivered similar, relatively shallow numbers that would bring a smile to the face of many an open-pit mine scheduler. Drilling at Vertigo kicked off late November last year and to date, a total of 159 holes have been sunk at Vertigo for 9974m. In parallel with in-pit drilling, Pacgold has also finished its first phase of sonic drilling across the heap leach pad, with assays and metallurgical results to follow. The company is planning to restart exploration drill work at its nearby Hannaford pit in mid-April before moving the rig into the White Dam North area in June, subject to permitting.

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Pacgold Limiteds managing director Matthew Boyes said: The next 8-12 weeks are crucial for the company as we will have access to freshly re-crushed material and with the plant now fully refurbished, a circuit operating a name plate capacity for the first time since closure of the mine in 2017. The company has also ticked off a key milestone at mine site, commissioning its new Metso screen and Nordberg HP300 cone crusher to kick off a re-crush campaign on the top lift of its heap-leach dump. The company is using its new 350-tonne-per-hour crushing circuit to process the material to a size between 4mm and 6mm. In simple terms, the re-crush aims to recover gold left behind in the coarse, previously leached material, targeting near-term cash flow and faster production. Management says its crew is in training and targeting the optimal throughput rate by mid-April, to initially leach 50,000-tonne parcels of re-crushed material before stepping up to 100,000-tonne cells later in the year. With the crusher now humming and fresh re-crushed material set for leaching, White Dam is shaping up as Pacgolds near-term cash-flow engine  and the next few months should show the market just how hard this plant can run. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Commerzbank has turned down UniCredit's 35bn ($40bn) voluntary exchange offer, noting that the proposal is not aligned" with its current strategy.

The German lender also highlighted a lack of critical information regarding the terms necessary for a "value-creating transaction."

UniCredit had designed the exchange offer to bypass the 30% "cliff-edge" control threshold under German takeover law while allowing room for future stake increases.

This strategy avoids constant adjustments to its holding, which were previously hindered by Commerzbank's active share buyback programme, it said.

The Italian bank also highlighted that it has no expectation to achieve control.

If as expected UniCredit remains with no control in Commerzbank the financial impact on capital will be negligible, it noted.

Currently, UniCredit holds about 26% of Commerzbank directly, with an additional 4% held through total return swaps.

The formal launch of the offer was planned for early May.

Preliminary figures suggested a likely ratio of 0.485 UniCredit shares for each Commerzbank share, corresponding to 30.8 per share, a premium of 4% compared to the 13 March 2026 closing price.

Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp said: Our top priority is to create sustainable value for our shareholders and all stakeholders of Commerzbank. We are convinced of the strength and potential of our strategy, which focuses on independence and profitable growth. This move is not coordinated with us. The exchange ratio expected in the announcement does in fact not include a premium for our shareholders.

In parallel, UniCredit awaits shareholder approval at its 31 March AGM for a proposed 4.75bn share buyback for 2025.

This remains subject to backing from both shareholders and the European Central Bank.

The buyback is expected to start after the offer period ends and will depend on how many shares are taken up in the exchange.

Last year, a report by the Financial Times said that UniCredit is expanding the number of German members on its board to facilitate the acquisition of Commerzbank.

"Commerzbank rejects UniCredit 35bn takeover offer" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




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CultureArt & designExhibitions Australias biggest arts festival reported to police as supporter withdraws Linda Morris March 17, 2026  4:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

NSW Police have been asked to urgently investigate incendiary comments allegedly made by a US electronic music producer at the Biennale of Sydney opening night party at White Bay Power Station, which prompted the withdrawal of a leading corporate supporter. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies filed a lengthy police complaint on Tuesday, singling out Zubeyda Muzeyyen, better known as DJ Haram, for her alleged reference to the existence of a Zio-Australian-Epstein empire during a set she played last Friday night. DJ Haram. Instagram The advocacy body also complained that the DJs public praise for martyrs and exhortations of long live the resistance were commonly understood to support and encourage those who carried out acts of political violence. At the same time Biennale of Sydney confirmed PwCs decision to withdraw its support for the multi-venue event, a showcase of 66 contemporary works by 83 artists from 37 countries which this year is celebrating its 25th edition. The consulting firm was listed as a strategic partner.

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PwC said it was no longer confident that the festival could meet its expectations of an arts and culture event which was welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We are disappointed by this outcome, as the Biennale is absolutely committed to being a unifying force and providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all audiences, a festival spokesperson said. The police complaint represents the nadir of the relationship between the Biennale of Sydney  Australias largest visual arts festival  and elements of the Jewish community. Zubeyda Muzeyyen, who uses the stage name DJ Haram. The week before, the Jewish Board of Deputies declined an invitation to preview the multi-venue exhibition because of objectionable social media posts by certain participating artists and a comparable lack of Jewish artists in the program.

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NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday described the performers alleged opening night comments as horrific and distressing, especially in light of the Bondi terror attack last December, but ruled out withdrawing $1.6 million in state funding from the Biennale. The performer is believed to have already left Australia for the US. Related Article City life A clapped out car and giant baobab tree: Biennale of Sydney lifts curtain, but misses one thing A festival spokesperson said the organisation would fully co-operate with any police inquiries. If any organisation or member of the public believes that specific comments have breached the law, the appropriate course of action is to refer the matter to the relevant authorities, they said. The Biennale of Sydney did not commission, approve, or have prior knowledge of the statement made by DJ Haram. The views expressed by the artist are entirely her own and do not represent the views of the Biennale of Sydney, our board, or our government and corporate partners.

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In his letter of complaint, Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said Friday nights reference to a Zio-Australian-Epstein empire was capable of inciting hatred, serious contempt or severe ridicule towards Jews or Jewish Australians on the grounds of race within the meaning of the NSW Crimes Act. Such statements, when made publicly at a major cultural event, may also reasonably cause members of the Jewish community to fear hostility, harassment or intimidation, Ossip wrote, and may go further and be seen to incite violence against Jewish Australians. NSW Police confirmed officers attached to Leichhardt Police Area Command received a report of alleged offensive behaviour. Speaking to ABC Radio Wednesday, NSW Police commissioner Mal Lanyon said police would review the comments, and their context and line that up against the legislation. Well review Its important to know that hate crimes, hate speech has a high bar and there is a reason for that high bar. Obviously, free speech is something that we value in this country. We need to make sure that an offence has been committed. If so, well take action. Following inquiries, NSW Police said on March 26 it had reviewed all available evidence provided. Legal advice found there was insufficient evidence to commence any proceedings. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalNSWDevelopment outrage As his world crumbles, Antony Catalanos $29m dream home gets new life Julius Dennis March 17, 2026  6:54pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

In the weeks before Antony Catalano became swept up in a firestorm of allegations of violence towards a woman, his town planners were preparing fresh documents for a contested multimillion-dollar development at Byron Bay. The plans for a two-house family compound on the more than 4000-square-metre property would make it the largest home on the millionaire strip at the famed Wategos Beach. The two-house compound Catalano is hoping to build in Byron. Sutherland & Associates But Catalanos vision had already sparked heated confrontations with locals, and when one application was rejected by the Byron Shire Council, he appealed their decision to the NSW Land and Environment Court. On Tuesday, the council put amended plans, including renders from town planners Sutherland and Associates, on public exhibition.

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Catalano, part-owner of Australian Community Media and the man credited with turning real estate listing website Domain into an advertising colossus, has an extensive property portfolio, including a penthouse in St Kilda, which was recently taken off the market. In northern NSW, he owns the bustling, high-end Raes on Wategos resort and restaurant, a short stroll from his contested dream home development, and a luxury apartment building under construction in town, to be called The Bonobo by Raes. Media mogul Antony Catalano. Jesse Marlow The development of the Bonobo is under way, but Catalanos plans for his private abode have been mired in opposition from the council and locals. In March last year, Catalano and his Wategos neighbour, jeweller Giovanni DErcole, publicly quarrelled about the development in an altercation at Raes that ended with police being called.

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Two months later, a community social media page lambasted the media mogul for arguing with a local woman over parking at Wategos Beach. Plans for the 4230-square-metre behemoth included a house for Catalano and his wife, Stefanie, who he is now separated from, and another for his nine children, as well as two pools. A render of the street front of the home, which would be built on multiple blocks. Sutherland & Associates Submitted by architect Peter Kennon, it also proposes a six-car garage, a gym, wine cellar and a music room with a sound booth, all below six bedrooms, a 22-person dining room and a library. The build, if it goes ahead, is estimated to cost $28.8 million.

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Despite a promise to offset damage which included planting nearly 1000 trees, the council refused the plans at their December 2024 meeting. The council gave 24 reasons, including that the build would have a negative impact on the native rainforest around it, and the sheer scale of earthworks required. Catalanos resort Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay. Natalie Grono Less than two weeks later, Catalano appealed the decision in the Land and Environment Court. On Tuesday, the council said the court had received amended plans relating to the development application, and the public could make their own submissions over the next month.

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Related Article Media & marketing Catalanos newspapers not for sale, says pissed off company boss Catalanos earlier plans had the backing of some neighbours, including art collector Steve Nateski, who lives directly across the road, and who wrote to the council declaring his support. Now, as the allegations against Catalano begin to unfold, his bayside associates are in no comment mode, as one told this masthead on Monday. Others approached through intercom boxes or at the doorsteps of their multimillion-dollar homes also declined to comment. The house that currently stands where the compound would be built is home to one of his adult children, and now one of the humblest on the street.

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If the new plans are approved, the property would be among the grandest in town. An amended environmental impact statement compiled by Sutherland & Associates dated March 2026 said the developer had reduced the amount of dirt needed to be moved from the site from 4,078m3 to 788m3. That reduction would take the number of days needed to take dirt out of the site from 20 to four, presuming 30 trucks could come and go from the property each day. The property is the biggest in the exclusive enclave of Wategos. Natalia Grono That report also challenged whether the site should be protected by state government rainforest mapping, and said a letter had been sent to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in April 2025, asking them to review the site, though no review had been scheduled.

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The report said the number of trees that would be impacted had been cut from 61 to 28, and the new footprint of the development would be 135 square metres smaller. Kennon, who submitted the development application, has been contacted for comment. DErcole was also contacted about the amended development. Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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NationalNSWBondi shooting Bondi terrorist hangs head as vigilante threats against family revealed Perry Duffin March 17, 2026  1:59pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Accused Bondi Beach terrorist Naveed Akram hung his head after learning his mother and siblings were under siege and living in fear from vigilante death threats and harassment after he allegedly murdered 15 people in Australias worst terror attack. The targeting of Akram family members, who are not accused of any wrongdoing by police, emerged as part of a legal bid to suppress their identities. The move has been opposed by media including this masthead. Naveed Akram hung his head as his lawyer rattled off the various indignities visited on his family. Illustration: Rocco Fazzari Akram, 24, allegedly opened fire on crowds of Jewish families at Chanukah by the Sea in mid-December alongside his father, Sajid, 50, who was shot and killed by police. Naveed was badly injured but survived and is now in Goulburn Supermax prison charged with murder and terrorism.

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Akram appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday via videolink with a freshly shaved head, in a small grey and blue metal room. His publicly funded barrister Richard Wilson asked Magistrate Hugh Donnelly to make final orders that would force media and the public to take down any information identifying Akrams mother, brother and sister, or their home. Akram has been charged with almost 60 offences, including 15 murders. (Akram) is charged with the most serious and the most notorious terrorist attack this country has ever seen, Wilson acknowledged. The outpouring of public grief, outrage and anger at what he and his father allegedly did are unprecedented, extraordinary and absolutely understandable.

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But there is no suggestion his mother, brother or sister has anything to do with it. Akrams legal team said his surviving family were under siege in their Bonnyrigg home in western Sydney, and the continued media attention kept them in the spotlight. The outpouring of public grief, outrage and anger at what he and his father allegedly did are ... absolutely understandable. But there is no suggestion his mother, brother or sister has anything to do with it. Naveed Akrams barrister, Richard Wilson Wilson said the threats began within 24 hours of Naveeds alleged attack, when someone suggested on social media people should torch the house. Dozens expressed their support for the comment, the court heard.

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Over the following weeks, people would call or message the family with threats and abuse. Those aired on Tuesday included die c--- die and are you still alive?. Related Article Updated

Bondi shooting Timeline to terror: Unsealed photos, videos capture alleged two-month plot of Bondi shooters Sometimes utes would drive past with music turned up as occupants shouted out threats. C---s we are coming to kill you! one group called after parking their ute across the Akrams driveway. Earlier this year, a group of large men banged on the Akrams door late at night. The family watched them move down the side of the home and called police, but no one was caught.

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Around that time, other people were heard inside the Akrams garage one night. They told neighbours they were mechanics who lived on the street. Police were called but again no one was found. The following morning, Akrams mothers car wouldnt start. Wilson said these are not the actions of keyboard warriors, but rather misguided and dangerous people, would-be vigilantes and those keen to exact revenge rather than wait for the slow grind of lawful justice. Fifteen people were killed at Bondi in Australias worst terror attack. Wilson said the familys misfortune was being related to Australias worst accused terrorist.

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Akram hung his head as his lawyer rattled off the various indignities visited on his family, hiding his eyes from the camera beaming him into the Downing Centre. His brother had found a bottle of urine thrown in the front yard, and packets of pork chops thrown in the grass. We live in constant fear someone will harm us or set our house on fire. I fear for my life and the lives of my children, Akrams mother wrote in her court document. It has taken a significant emotional and physical toll on me. Barrister Matt Lewis, SC, acting for a group of media companies including this masthead, told the court it was futile to try and suppress the identities of the Akram family.

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A photo tendered to court shows Sajid Akram and allegedly Naveed Akram at Bondi. NSW Local Court This is an unusual case in that, shortly after attack, (Akrams) drivers licence photograph was posted on social media, Lewis said. The cat is well and truly out of the bag. Further, Akrams mother and brother had already been the subject of extensive news reports already, including an interview with this masthead on the evening of the terror attack. In that interview, Akrams mother said she believed her husband and son were on a fishing trip on the South Coast of NSW.

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Her comments had been picked up by international publications, which the court had no power to constrain. Related Article Investigation

Extremism Far-right threats to kidnap Albanese, post bombs to mosques, secret chats reveal Suppression and non-publication orders solely apply in Australia, and only local news outlets would be forced to take down images and information. Lewis said open justice was crucial as the nation tried to come to terms with the horror of the attack, and the public had a right to scrutinise how the court treats the fallout. Open justice is known to provide a therapeutic effect to the community for raw emotion and hostility, Lewis said.

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It is exceptionally important this process is given transparency and scrutiny to the nth degree. The public require confidence to know the worst terrorism in Australian history will be held to justice. The court will hand down its decision on the suppression bid on April 2. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalQueenslandCity council Plans to increase building heights in multiple suburbs divide council William Davis March 17, 2026  9:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Plans to increase building heights through the heart of Wynnum are one step closer to reality, despite vocal protests from some residents. The development came as new details emerged about similar proposed height changes in Indooroopilly, Carindale and Nundah at a council meeting packed out by residents dressed as clowns. In the bayside suburb of Wynnum, apartment buildings up to 15 storeys would be allowed along some streets under the plan now headed to the state government. An artists impression released by Brisbane City Council to promote the Wynnum Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan. Brisbane City Council Mixed-use developments and smaller towers would be permitted on others.

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Council argues this would boost local business, provide convenient public transport options to more people, and increase housing supply. This is fundamentally about rejuvenating one of our best Bayside suburban destinations, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said on Tuesday. After a community consultation process attracting about 500 submissions, some changes were made to the draft plan. Maximum heights are shorter in some areas and taper away more clearly from the station and main street. We dont feel that theyve actually taken the community sentiment on board, Tarnya Lowe, a committee member with the Wynnum-Manly Community Group, said.

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We actually want development, we want revitalisation  [but] we want it done sensibly. The proposal has attracted strong backlash from some residents  about a dozen of whom turned up at the Tuesday meeting  but LNP Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham said community opposition was being whipped up by Labor. She cited alleged links between Lowe and the party. Photos have emerged of her handing out flyers for federal representative Kara Cook. Labor has once again been caught red-handed running a fake political campaign, Cunningham said in a statement. It is disgraceful to see Labor stirring up fear and misinformation when Brisbane residents want more homes delivered.

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Wynnum residents protest outside LNP Councillor Alex Givneys office in November last year over the plan to encourage apartment and mixed-use developments in their neighbourhood. William Davis Well over 200 Wynnum residents turned up to a community town hall on the changes late last year, with the vast majority airing significant concerns. This is going to change the foundation of everything that I love and why I choose to live here, one told the forum. Lowe wouldnt be drawn on any connection to Labor, but said her group was made up of residents from across the political spectrum who cared deeply about their community. I was at [LNP councillor] Alex Givneys launch supporting her, so I feel sad that theyre keeping on going to this tactic.

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Are they suggesting the 500 people who submitted feedback are all fake people that dont mean anything?  Im just shocked by that. Resident Vanessa Taveras  who attended the Tuesday council meeting  felt affordable housing targets would be an effective way to bring down costs. William Davis Labor abstained from voting on the planned changes, flagging concerns about community consultation and lack of mandated affordable housing. It had moved an amendment for inclusion of an infrastructure plan and affordable housing targets, which was voted down by the LNP. Ive spent a bit of time speaking to that community over the last few months  they were worried they werent going to be listened to, Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said.

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The top issue in the feedback  was that affordable housing should be included. Nundah Village in Brisbane is one of the three locations identified, alongside Carindale Shopping Centre and Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. William Davis The LNP has long questioned how a Labor-led council would ensure construction of affordable houses, and requested an explanation of specific policy alternatives. What is Labors definition of affordable?  are Labors affordability targets aspirational or mandatory? councillor Adam Allan asked earlier in the meeting. They dont answer these questions, theyre happy to have a go at us, but they never come up with solutions.

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The precinct plan will now go to the state government for approval, which is the final step before it can be incorporated into the City Plan. Councillors also voted to put a proposal for higher towers around Indooroopilly, Carindale and Nundah to community consultation. Under the plan  which aims to increase density around transport and shopping hubs  up to 25 storeys would be allowed around Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, with up to 30 storeys near Carindale Shopping Centre. In the major centre zone of Nundah, heights would be increased from 12 storeys to 15. Up to 10 storeys would be allowed in the surrounded mixed use zone.

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Community consultation will open on April 24. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalMental health The $300 a week medicine Daniel feels better without Angus Thomson March 17, 2026  10:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

There is no evidence medicinal cannabis is effective for treating anxiety, depression and PTSD, a new study has found, despite hundreds of thousands of Australians being prescribed the products to treat mental health conditions. Prescriptions for medicinal cannabis products have ballooned from less than 20,000 scripts in 2020 to almost 1 million last financial year. Daniel Yacoel says his mental and physical health have improved since he ended his medicinal cannabis prescription four months ago. Helen Orr Psychiatric and mental health conditions are among the most common reasons given for prescribing legal cannabis in Australia. Since it was legalised for medicinal use in Australia in 2016, more than 250,000 people with anxiety, 19,000 with post-traumatic stress disorder and 17,641 with depression have been prescribed products through the federal governments Special Access Scheme.

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But in a large-scale systematic review, published in Lancet Psychiatry on Tuesday, researchers from the University of Sydney found no evidence that medicinal cannabis was an effective treatment for any of these three conditions. There was no benefit for treating anorexia. There was some evidence that cannabis could help reduce tic severity for people with Tourettes syndrome, increase sleep time for insomniacs and help manage autism traits, but the quality of studies included in the review was low. Dr Jack Wilson, lead author and researcher at the University of Sydneys Matilda Centre, said that while medicinal cannabis had been legal in some US states for decades, there had been very few randomised control trials  the gold standard for medical research  assessing its safety and effectiveness. A lot of people find their cannabis to be effective for their condition, and that is great, Wilson said. But when we look at the evidence as a whole, its just really not there yet to justify the routine use of these medicines for mental health disorders.

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Iain McGregor, professor of psychopharmacology and director at the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, which is also based at the University of Sydney, agreed more high-quality research was needed into cannabis therapies. Related Article Exclusive

Legal Cannabis The cannabis factory: How one doctor wrote 72,000 scripts in two years But McGregor said the analysis should not be taken as conclusive evidence due to the age and low quality of the studies included. Another weakness, McGregor said, was that the research did not distinguish between products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant, and cannabidiol-dominant cannabis (CBD), which is non-intoxicating.

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The danger of taking a review like this to set policy is that you confuse an absence of evidence with a conclusion that we shouldnt prescribe because cannabis doesnt work, he said. Legal cannabis sales have tripled in Australia in four years, but research has not kept pace with prescribing rates, McGregor said. He said cannabis companies had little incentive to invest in randomised clinical trials, which can cost anywhere between $3 million and $10 million, when there is an exponential increase in prescribing anyway. A spokesperson for the Cannabis Council, which represents medicinal cannabis producers, prescribers and pharmacists, said the peak body supported high-quality research. But it did not respond directly to questions about the industrys funding of clinical trials. They pointed to submissions to the Therapeutic Goods Administrations regulatory review from patients describing the benefits they had experienced.

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In Australia, several clinical trials are under way to test medicinal cannabis for mental health conditions. These include three studies involving children with autism, and a study led by the mental health centre Orygen testing whether CBD can reduce symptoms of anxiety in young people who have not responded to conventional treatment. Related Article Legal Cannabis Buying legal marijuana is as easy as picking up the phone. Heres how I did it Daniel Yacoel, 33, was prescribed medicinal cannabis two years ago to help him deal with anxiety and depression following a relationship breakdown. While he had smoked marijuana recreationally in the past, he found himself growing more reliant on the legal product, which was more potent in psychoactive THC.

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Any time I wasnt at work, Id be using it, Yacoel, who lives in Darwin, said. In the back of my mind, I knew it was an addiction. At the peak, Yacoel was consuming 60 grams of cannabis a month, and he was spending more on scripts than his $300 weekly rent. The cost, and the realisation he was slipping into dependency, led him to quit. When I initially started using it, I thought that it was doing wonders for my mental health and my anxiety, he said. In hindsight ... I think it was probably a bit more detrimental. In the four months Yacoel has been off cannabis, he has found his mental health has improved, his emotions are more regulated and he is getting better quality sleep. Im still doing the same things I was doing when I was using it, just everything seems a bit easier, he said. Its probably one of the best decisions Ive made.

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National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline 1800 250 015. Family Drug Support Australia 24/7 Support Line  1300 368 186 The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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Its upper house preselection season for the Victorian Liberals, which inevitably brings a dose of factional theatre  and thats before factoring in the mounting threat posed by One Nation. Among those facing a challenge is Sale-based MP Renee Heath, who has previously attracted attention for her familys role in the ultra-conservative pentecostal City Builders Church. Renee Heath at Parliament House in 2025 is facing preselection challenges. Chris Hopkins So it caused alarm in Liberal circles when it was plastered over social media that the local One Nation sub-branch was meeting at none other than The Stables in Sale. Its the function venue linked to the church run by Brian Heath  who has himself held elected branch positions within the Liberal Party  and partly owned by his daughter, Renee.

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Greg Hansford, a former teacher and federal One Nation candidate, told CBD he asked his long-time friend Brian if the party could use the space after another venue pulled out. He says Brian kindly obliged and didnt even ask for a fee  though Hansford says he insisted on handing over $50 to cover the lights. About 50-60 people attended the meeting. There are a lot of ex-Liberal Party people turning up at these meetings, Hansford told CBD. Chief among their gripes, he says, are the partys tumultuous leadership shenanigans and entrenched factionalism.

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Related Article Updated

Battle for Chisholm Ground game under scrutiny: what its like to cover a marginal seat campaign For the record, the Heaths were not among the attendees and Hansford says neither had any involvement with the meeting or party. Still, the timing is awkward. With the preselection vote looming on the weekend, some Liberals are already speculating about the possibility that Heath could defect should she lose her spot. The fact Renee and her father are among members of the local One Nation-linked Facebook group hasnt exactly helped quieten those rumours.

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But when contacted by CBD, she swiftly poured cold water on the chatter and added she had no involvement in the day-to-day running of the venue. This is nonsense. For the avoidance of any doubt. Im a proud member of the Liberal team and will never join another party, Renee said. CBD also called the elder Heath but never heard back. But well be watching this weekends pre-selection closely. OpenAI taps former TikTok exec to lead local policy operation

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In the months since Sam Altmans OpenAI arrived on Australian shores in December, one topic of intrigue in corporate and political circles has been who will lead the companys local operation. While that question remains unanswered, the companys local recruitment efforts havent been a total wash. OpenAI has since brought in the former TikTok and AirBnB executive Brent Thomas to head up the companys policy operation, after four years at TikTok, most recently as a campaign director on its global policy team. He starts his new gig on March 30. Brent Thomas, during a Senate estimates hearing last year as TikToK Australias former director of public policy, is joining OpenAI later this month. Alex Ellinghausen As things stand, it looks like Thomas is set to have an easier run of things than his US counterparts, who are up against turning sentiment over the rapid expansion of data centres, and the cultural stink now associated with those who openly turn to AI chatbots for simple tasks. (Sloppers, as theyve come to be known.) But not in Australia  at least not yet. The Albanese government has been quick to clamour for a cut of the AI gold rush, lining up to lure major AI infrastructure investment to Australia without yet asking much in return.

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That could all change later this year. Labor is expected to release a national AI plan set to include expectations around energy and water sustainability, and remains under pressure to loosen copyright laws for the benefit of training AI models. Maybe then Thomas will have some work to do. The crown fits so Sammys going to keep wearing it Its been quite a few days for Sammy J, the wearer of many hats from comedian to writer, radio host to monarch. After presiding over Melbournes Moomba celebrations as this years monarch and hurling himself into the Yarra River dressed as Flinders Street Station in the annual Birdman Rally, flash forward a week and Sammy (aka Samuel Jonathan McMillan) on Monday won Outstanding New Australian Music Theatre Writing  Independent at the annual Green Room Awards.

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The award was in recognition of his work Fiasco: A Burke and Wills Musical. Comedian and Moomba monarch, Sammy J, competing in the Birdman Rally at Moomba earlier this month. Chris Hopkins Tonight he is performing as part of the Comedy Festival Oxfam Gala at The Palais in St Kilda. The Moomba weekend was like a fever dream where one second Im jumping into a river dressed as a train station, then Im suddenly standing next to a Wiggle on a giant moving float wearing a crown and waving to thousands of children  my own kids included, who were baffled but delighted, McMillan said. My last Green Room nomination was 19 years ago when I took my mum and didnt win anything, so it was genuinely lovely to return, a little older and wiser, and feel like Im back in the arts scene again.

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Back to Moomba, and the former ABC radio breakfast host is not ready to hang his crown up yet. I did ask the lord mayor if I can remain a monarch for the next 12 months and he basically approved, so Im going to keep wearing the crown whenever and wherever I like. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCourts Socialite acquitted of $1.7m tax avoidance after a year in jail Cameron Houston March 17, 2026  7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A former Melbourne socialite who spent more than a year in prison for evading $1.73 million in tax has had her conviction overturned in the Supreme Court of Appeal and been acquitted of all 10 dishonesty charges. Simone Semmens, 64, represented herself during the successful appeal in Victorias highest court, where she squared off against one of the states most formidable barristers, Paul Holdenson, KC, acting for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Former Melbourne socialite Simone Semmens has been acquitted of 10 dishonesty charges after 14 months in jail. Seven News The former Channel Seven newsreader said she felt vindicated by the judgment, but remains angry about the initial investigation by the Australian Tax Office and the conduct of prosecutors during her original trial in the County Court of Victoria. This case has sucked up 15 years of my life that I will never get back and has caused untold misery and harm along the way, she said.

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Semmens first came to the attention of the ATO in 2011 during an audit. Her company Semco Developments Pty Ltd had collapsed the year before with massive debts and was the subject of several lawsuits. The ATO and Australian Federal Police raided Semmens Toorak home in 2013, and she was arrested while trying to board a flight to the United States in 2015. Then newsreader Simone Semmens in 1989. Seven News In 2019, a jury found her guilty on 10 charges of dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth by repeatedly ignoring advice from accountants and bank staff that GST was owed on the transfer of 10 properties between 2005 and 2011. Semmens bought a Toorak home for $1.1 million, purchased the Portsea mansion Noorah for $7.5 million and paid $7.8 million for the historic Rosecraddock estate in Caulfield North.

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She had Rosecraddock subdivided into seven properties, demolished the Toorak residence and built two apartments, and had two additional homes built on the Portsea clifftop. When Semmens was handed a custodial sentence in 2019, County Court judge Scott Johns admonished the former beauty queen turned property developer for her stubbornness and intransigence. Simone Semmens in 1997. Johns said her fall from grace had been dramatic. Youve scaled heights you probably only dreamed of as a 16 or 17-year-old trying to make your way in the world. No doubt the way down has not been easy. Its in no small part to your resilience and resourcefulness that I consider your prospects for rehabilitation to be excellent.

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Semmens told The Age her decision to mount an appeal was made the same day she was found guilty. I struggled every day while I was in jail with the unfairness of being incarcerated for an offence against the laws of the Commonwealth that I didnt commit, but I have no complaint about the staff at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre or the women, she said. I kept very much to myself, I didnt interfere in other peoples affairs, and frankly I focused on my appeals material while I was in prison. Upon her release in August 2020, Semmens received pro bono help from barrister and chartered tax adviser Michael Bearman before immersing herself in case law. During a three-day hearing before the Court of Appeals last month, Semmens submitted that three irregularities in the original trial had caused the jury to be misled.

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In the judgment, justices David Beach, Maree Kennedy and Terry Forrest found Semmens flawed trial had given rise to a substantial miscarriage of justice. However, the appeals panel found the evidence in the case was still sufficient to justify a conviction of Semmens. Simone Semmens outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court in 2015. Penny Stephens In our view, the interests of justice do not require another lengthy and complex trial to be held in the circumstances of this particular case, the judgment read. Semmens could now launch a civil claim for compensation, after concerns were raised during the appeal about the ATOs conduct.

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I do have serious complaints about how the investigation and the prosecution were conducted, including complaints about the way the evidence of the prosecutions key witness was gathered. And I am considering ways to best ventilate those complaints, Semmens said. Im now going to take some time and think about what happens next. Im going to work to rebuild my life and spend more time with my kids. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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This years laugh-fest has kicked off, with over 2000 performers stepping up to the mic. Here, our writers take a closer look. See all stories .

When Lizzy Hoo enters the West Melbourne restaurant where we are to have lunch, in a sequinned top and her signature glasses, the staff stop what they are doing. Lizzy! they all shout in unison, like shes Norm in an episode of Cheers. Hoo is well known  you may have seen her on panel shows, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala and at countless stand-up gigs (including at the Sydney Opera House). But she says she doesnt get this kind of reception everywhere (though she did get it on a date recently, when a stranger interrupted to ask for a selfie  a little bit embarrassing, but at the same time I was like, OK, this is very good for my stock). Lizzy Hoo at Misty Pot. Justin McManus I come here a lot, she says. Shes chosen unassuming West Melbourne Korean restaurant Misty Pot for our lunch, eschewing the glittering opportunities provided by a Nine corporate expense account. She was told about Misty Pot by a Sydney-based Korean-Australian comedian, and shes quick to spread the word. Its an Asian comedian restaurant, she says. We have an Asian comedian group chat. Its been growing and growing and growing. When we first started it was so small, but this is one of the lunch places through the Comedy Festival that we come to. Hoo spreads the word to visiting comics from interstate and overseas. Theres a lot of Asian comics that come, a lot from Malaysia, India as well, and theyre always up for good time. Tteok mandu guk (rice cake, dumpling and beef bone stock) at Misty Pot restaurant. Justin McManus

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Hoo herself is also up for a good time, but now in her 40s, I do more eating lunches than drinking at bars during Comedy Festival because the friends I have coming from out of town, especially from Malaysia, they want to eat. And I want to eat. And then theres Owen, her greyhound  he is definitely such a great excuse for an early night. Her audience at this years Melbourne International Comedy Festival can look forward to an early night too, if they want one, as shes booked the 6 oclock spot. Six oclock is actually great because its different now because people go into the office Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, so my Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday sales are generally better than my weekend stuff, she says. A weeknight crowd is thinking, Well go to the office, well have a drink, well go see a show, and were home by 8 oclock. Im in my 40s. These are my people. They want to be home by nine. Plus, she says audiences who are out on a Tuesday night are ready to have a good time. Tuesday night audience, theyre wild because theyre out on a Tuesday. They could be at home, but theyre out. So these are party people. As Hoo has been to this restaurant so often, I ask her for a recommendation for whats good. The answer, of course, is everything, but shes particularly partial to the soup sets, which come with rice and banchan (side dishes) like kimchi and potatoes. She decides on a Lunar New Year special of beef bone soup with rice cakes and dumplings, and I choose the chicken and ginseng soup with a side of pickled radish. Hoo washes her meal down with a house-made yuzu soda. I opt for house-made strawberry matcha, which turns out to be a pretty swirl of red and green. Yuzu soda and strawberry matcha, both made in house at Misty Pot. Justin McManus It was a chance marketing email that sparked Hoos comedy career, and she says even she is surprised shes stuck with it so long. She was working in Sydney in a marketing role that was, well, dull. I had government clients, like WaterNSW, Transport for NSW. Really kind of dry stuff. So I just needed something else.

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I was going to Sydney Community College and doing all these different courses  sewing, millinery  I was making hats with old ladies at one point. And then I got an email from the college that was like, try stand-up. On a whim, she did  and found she loved it. The course ended with a public performance, mostly for friends and family. The whole day at work, butterflies, she recalls. I couldnt eat. All my workmates were coming, so they were nervous for me. Everyone kept asking about it. She ended up loving the gig and decided to keep performing  but that didnt mean the jitters went away. Honestly, so many times I would drive to an open mic, park and then drive away, too nervous to give it a go. I was just like, What am I doing? I have a job, like, I have a life. Why am I doing this? And then, I dont know, something compelled me to do it. She decided to enter Melbourne International Comedy Festivals Raw Comedy talent search in 2017, with a very ambitious goal. I was like, if I can get to state finals of that, I will give comedy a go. And I did. And then I was like, OK, Im going to do this more. Looking back, she now thinks that was kind of a crazy plan, given she was competing against people who had been performing for years. I think Raw Comedy was, like, my fifth gig. Lizzy Hoo loves performing  but who knows what the next 10 years will bring? Justin McManus But Hoo had the talent and the passion for performing and found she loved the energy of a crowd. Plus, shes really, really funny. She didnt make the switch to full-time comedy until 2021, so she had the security of her marketing work through lockdowns. It was both a blessing and a curse  she feels fortunate to have had a job she could do at home at a time when people whose fulltime living was performing found their livelihoods decimated, but she was also trying to build a profile as a comedian at a time when there was no live comedy.

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Related Article Melbourne International Comedy Festival Four decades, 40 defining moments in the life of Melbournes Comedy Festival I would do corporates and stuff like that on Zoom on my lunch break because that was the time, she says. I would set up my room with a chair with books on that, and then my computer, and then a light, and then you would just talk into the void because no one could react to you. I was just ploughing. And in the Zoom message section, youd get a thumbs up or a clap or something. And at the time, that meant so much. But theres nothing like real, live audiences, and Hoo has learnt how to read and respond to their energy, even before she steps on stage. You have your house music, then the house music goes quiet before the acknowledgement [of Country]. But in that bit where the house music goes quiet and before the acknowledgement, theres a few seconds, and if they start clapping because theyre excited in those few seconds, Im like, great audience. But if its silent, even during the house music, I think, uh-oh. And those uh-oh crowds? Hoo doesnt like to generalise, but they are most likely found in Adelaide. Hoo at the MICF Gala in 2024. Nick Robertson

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You write a joke, and its just not working because its Adelaide, right? And everywhere else it will work because generally, [Adelaide] is a little bit more conservative, its a little bit older. I feel like Im generalising, but I feel like once people graduate from uni in Adelaide, they leave ... and come back later. Its a bit of a Brisbane like that. Its like they leave Brisbane, they come back. So I dont know, I love Adelaide audiences, but there are certain jokes that just wont work there. Thats not to say she doesnt like performing in Adelaide, shes quick to assure me  though I point out that shes safe, as this masthead doesnt have a newsroom or printed paper in Adelaide. Related Article Comedy Its groundbreaking to be a woman that doesnt do self-deprecating humour: Elouise Eftos Its actually probably a pretty good training ground for [jokes] because you get it good so that it kind of works there, and then it will work everywhere else. Even though she gets a lot out of performing to a live audience, Hoo is putting more energy into building her podcast, The Lizzy Hoo Show, a weekly show during which she interviews fellow comedians or other guests and then gets them to describe a shit-uation (it is what you think it is). I want to kind of make it a bit of a variety show eventually, and have different recurring guests and just have a bit more fun with it, but I feel like that is a space Im heading to, she says.

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NationalWANegative gearing The Perth electorate where wealthy voters want to see negative gearing overhauled Connor McGoverne March 17, 2026  9:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Perths most prestigious pocket overwhelmingly supports winding back property tax breaks despite being among their biggest beneficiaries, surprising survey results have revealed. Metres from Cottesloe beach, billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest is renovating a 130-year-old heritage home; next door is Peppermint Grove, with the second-highest income of any suburb in Australia; and across the bay is Dalkeith, where Gina Rinehart has a riverside mansion. Kate Chaneys electorate of Curtin covers some of WAs richest postcodes. Hamish Hastie All three suburbs headline Perths Golden Triangle, and all three fall within the Curtin electorate. Curtin MP Kate Chaney said the vast majority of her wealthy constituents wanted investor incentives for residential property scaled back.

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Chaney and community-based think tank Amplify conducted a survey that found more than 90 per cent of those who lived there wanted tighter limits on negative gearing, and 80 per cent wanted the capital gains tax discount changed. I was surprised by the results in my electorate because my electorate does disproportionately benefit from capital gains tax and negative gearing, but there is this sense that people want to live in a fair country, Chaney said. I knock on so many doors and speak to people who say, Im fine, Ive got my house, Ive got an investment property, but Im really worried about younger people in the country that were creating. A lot of people across Australia are really hoping that this government will grow some guts and do something brave to level the playing field. Approximately two-thirds of the 242 respondents owned a residential investment property. While acknowledging the sample size was small, Chaney said it indicated desire for change.

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Greens Senator Nick McKin often laments that Australias richest one per cent receives 60 per cent of the benefits from the capital gains tax discount. Right now is a historic opportunity for Australia to right the wrong of the capital gains tax discount, McKim told the recent senate committee. Its a major contributor to the housing affordability crisis that we have. If you got to work as a carpenter or a bartender or a nurse, youre paying much more tax than someone who makes the same amount sitting on the couch flipping houses. The capital gains tax discount is turbo-charging wealth inequality in Australia.

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Chaney said potential tax changes would need to be part of a broader reform, given the countrys current tax system is not suitable for the next few decades. Weve got an ageing population, we rely too much on personal income tax, and we are going to need to shift that balance so that we can support older generations and that involves taxing capital more than taxing income, Chaney said. Theres a whole lot of things we could do there in order to reduce those personal income rates and part of that is property taxes, also taxing gas better and also looking at GST and how we can structure that. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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A Queensland inquiry is demanding the records of confidential and politically sensitive conversations involving Australias highest-ranking infrastructure officials, including the public servant overseeing the scandal-plagued Victorian Big Build. The Queensland Commission of Inquiry is using its royal commission powers to compel infrastructure industry peak body Transport Australia to produce documents capturing the discussions of its board, which comprises some of the nations most powerful state and federal public servants. Then-minister Jacinta Allan with Kevin Devlin at a press event in 2021. Wayne Taylor Directors include Victorian Big Build chief public servant Kevin Devlin and his NSW and Commonwealth counterparts, as well as senior executives from major government contractors. The records being sought, according to three industry sources with knowledge of the commissions still-confidential request, will also capture boardroom disclosures from senior executives at major contractors who sat on the board alongside federal Infrastructure Department secretary Jim Betts, Transport for NSW secretary Josh Murray and Queensland Transport Department director-general Sally Stannard.

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The Queensland inquirys move looms as a fresh headache for the Allan government, and potentially other states. It comes after this masthead reported that the Transport Australia board had, in early 2025, held sensitive closed-door discussions about the extent of corruption and cost blowouts on Victorias signature $100 billion infrastructure scheme, as well as other taxpayer-funded projects across the nation. Photo: Matt Golding The board agreed at the meeting last March on an estimate that industrial lawlessness, criminality and other wrongdoing were adding a 30 per cent premium onto some major public projects. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has previously dismissed estimates of major blowouts on Big Build sites as baseless. On Tuesday, this masthead revealed Devlin had separately confidentially discussed his concerns about serious union wrongdoing on Victorian rail and road projects with Allan while she was transport infrastructure minister.

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Allan on Tuesday again batted away suggestions she was aware of widespread CFMEU problems before this mastheads Building Bad investigation published in mid-2024 as the opposition released documents showing contractors on the $26 billion North East Link complained about CFMEU-caused delays on the toll road in March 2023. The project is jointly funded by the Victorian and federal governments. The Queensland Commission of Inquirys decision to force Transport Australia, which was formerly known as Roads Australia, to hand over its records will place further scrutiny on Devlins concerns but also disclosures from public servants overseeing major projects in Queensland and NSW along with federal government sites. It may also lead to subpoenas to Devlin or other officials or executives from major contractors to testify about their knowledge of wrongdoing and corruption on government projects and the extent to which they passed these concerns on to politicians and ministers. Allan has steadfastly refused to call a major inquiry to examine the corruption on government sites, while the NSW and federal governments have also resisted following Queenslands lead and back a probe into systemic wrongdoing in the building sector.

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While Victorian major infrastructure sites hosted the worst examples of crime and corruption, projects in Queensland and NSW have also been afflicted. The Queensland inquiry heard on Tuesday that the CFMEU had tried to influence the selection of contractors on the $19 billion Cross River Rail project in Brisbane, as well as pushing the delivery authority to enter an unlawful industrial deal. Transport Australia is Australias peak infrastructure and transport body. It is directed by senior public servants and executives of large road and rail project contractors. It declined to comment on Tuesday. Editor's pick Building Bad Rotting from the top: Bribery, drugs, bikies and billions of taxpayer dollars The organisations board recently changed, with Devlin replaced by Victorian Transport Department secretary Jeroen Weimar. Other board members include North East Link State Tolling Corporation deputy chair Aneetha de Silva. The business representatives include the chief executive of Big Build contractor Acciona, Bede Noonan; Arup executive Kate West; Cimic chief executive Pedro Vicente; and BMD chief executive Scott Power.

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Devlins counterparts from other states also raised concerns at a 2025 board meeting, according to sources not permitted to speak publicly about the confidential discussions. Union trouble takes toll A document obtained under freedom of information laws and released by the Victorian opposition on Tuesday showed that the consortium building the North East Link complained to the government in 2023 that the CFMEU was delaying construction by blocking surveyors from carrying out their work on the overbudget 10-kilometre toll road. Spark, the consortium building the project, briefed transport officials on the negative impact the construction union was having in a monthly report tracking progress in March 2023. The federal government has contributed $5 billion towards the project.

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During this month the CFMEU prevented the surveyors from carrying out their duties effectively, the March 2023 progress report said. This has had a negative impact on progress re setting out etc. But workarounds have been developed by the site team. It revealed that tunnelling on the North East Link was unable to begin for up to two months because of later delivery and longer CFMEU driven assembly. The first tunnel boring machine was expected to start excavations 65 days later than planned, pushing its start time out from March to May 2024, while the second was delayed 44 days from May to July 2024. Loading Later that year, the government revealed the North East Link had blown out by another $10 billion. It was initially budgeted at $10 billion and reassessed in 2019 at $15 billion, before reaching $26 billion in December 2023.

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Those cost escalations were blamed on expanded scope and environmental regulation compliance not calculated in the business case, as well as global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. On Tuesday, a Victorian government spokesperson repeated those justifications but did not comment on the complaints about the claimed CFMEU problems. Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman Evan Mulholland said Allan as minister responsible, and premier, was repeatedly warned about CFMEU behaviour adding costs to taxpayers and causing disruption on construction sites. Mulholland made the freedom of information request in October 2023 but was denied access, before appealing to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner and then the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

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On Tuesday, Allan conceded that Devlin, the head of the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority, had privately warned her about serious wrongdoing on Labors $100 billion Big Build, but said it was not found to be systemic and refused to say how many times she was notified about misconduct, insisting she had always responded appropriately. When Kevin Devlin raised with me in a meeting in June 2023 that he was aware the authority at the time was aware of anecdotal claims of alleged criminal behaviour, I ordered for those claims to be investigated by the agency with the Department of Transport at the time, the premier said on Tuesday. They came back and provided advice that there was no evidence that there was systematic behaviour, but I was still concerned enough. I was concerned that this needed to be investigated further, which is why, in addition to the authority referring this matter to Victoria Police, I also, too, in June of 2023 wrote to the chief commissioner of Victoria Police. Deputy Victorian Nationals leader Emma Kealy said it was utter bullshit that the premier did not know about widespread wrongdoing on government building sites, and that she should step up or step away from the job.

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Four sources, this masthead reported on Tuesday, said Devlin felt his concerns had not been heeded. As one of a small number of senior public servants serving as a director of peak body Roads Australia, Devlin separately contributed to its boards collective estimate  detailed in a confidential briefing note obtained by this masthead  last year that entrenched industrial lawlessness and criminality was fuelling 30 per cent blowouts on government infrastructure projects. Allan, who has refused calls for a royal commission, said she was of course concerned by that figure. As evidenced by the actions that we have taken, she said. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
Spring blossoms turn into seasonal delicacies in Ximeng, SW China's Yunnan

People's Daily Online) 16:52, March 16, 2026

In southwest China's Yunnan Province, spring brings more than just blooming flowers.

In Ximeng Wa Autonomous County, locals head into the mountains to gather wild blossoms and turn them into seasonal dishes  a tradition passed down through generations.

From soups to stir-fries, these fragrant flowers bring the taste of spring to the table, offering visitors a bite of the region's unique food culture.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Du Mingming)
Deere is bringing the same degree of innovation to autonomy and data science as it has done with designing and delivering complex harsh environment equipment for decades. The companys construction business is younger, only ~75 years old, spinning out of the agricultural business when farmers needed a dozer to work on agricultural land in sloped terrains (Figure 2). That, and the post-WWII housing boom, motivated the formation of the construction vertical (which is currently ~1/3 of total company revenues of ~$50B/yr).

As reported earlier, at CES, it demonstrated the X9, a diesel-powered Factory on Wheels that autonomously harvests, cleans, and processes crops, with grain loaded into trucks and transported to warehouses or factories. Humans in the cabin are primarily agronomists, who study the land, crop density, operations and yield to determine next seasons planting strategy. The X9 has a total of 18,000 components, and 70M lines of code (~4,000 lines of code/physical component).

Founded 189 years ago, (1837) with a simple invention - a non-stick plow (Figure 1), the company has continued to innovate for ~ 2 centuries in the agro-equipment space.

Leveraging technology in computing, semiconductors, sensing, and AoT from the transportation sector to drive productivity, safety, schedules and capital utilization is key. It also optimizes the deployment of scarce and skilled human resources. Today, about 8% of new construction equipment has some type of autonomy (in-person or remote supervision required). This is expected to double by 2034, where deeper levels of autonomy are expected (unsupervised). Similar to autonomous cars and smart phones where service and licensing revenues are becoming critical, construction equipment providers are also focused on recurring SaaS (Software as a Service) and Autonomy as a Service (AUaaS?) revenues.

Construction is growing dramatically, and is currently a $15T/year global industry, 15% of which is in the United States (~$2T/year). It employs ~8M people (5% of the U.S. workforce). In the midst of this growth, the supply of skilled workers is shrinking (retirements and reduction/reluctance of a younger, tech-savvy workforce to join this industry). Equipment sales account for ~$250B of this pie, 10% of which is for the U.S. market.

They are having fun and clearly love what they do !

Safety does not seem to be that important

Striking observations of the image above (probably taken in the 19th century):

As reported in an earlier article, CONEXPO-CON/AGG held March 2-6, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center was a display of iron and steel, and a fair amount of silicon, computing, remote tele-operations, and significant efforts towards the Autonomy of Things (AoT) revolution. Construction is not only about metal, oil, smoke and dust anymore. It is also about silicon and bits, used with data and AI to move atoms and Things autonomously.

Story Continues

Figure 2: Model 64 - the Companys First All-Hydraulic Bulldozer (1958) John Deere

During its keynote address at CONEXPO 2026, top executives (CTO Jahmy Hindman, V.P. of Technology & Autonomy, Jonny Spendlove, and Chief Data Officer Maryanne Graves) focused on 3 areas:

Autonomy for its own machines Integration of mixed fleet operations (including non-construction equipment) Data science to extract actionable intelligence from rich site and field data

The company has recruited 4,300 software/data/AI engineers (probably 50% of its R&D/engineering staff), and is active in acquisitions/partnerships to support these initiatives:

2017: Blue River Technology for $305M - AI cameras for identification 2017: Wirtgen Group for $5.2B - road construction equipment 2021: Bear Flag Robotics for $250M - autonomous driving for tractors. 2024: Strategic partnership with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet connectivity to farm equipment on new and existing machines. Critical for connectivity in remote locations. 2026: Tenna, LLC - mixed fleet management software 2024-2026: Introduced "virtual superintendent" application as part of its construction technology stack. It collects data in real-time to provide insights on on production, cost and safety performance. It grew out of Deeres collaboration with Cloudscape Labs in 2024 (as part of the companys Start-up Collaborator Program)

These investments allow the company to collect vast amounts of data across geography, weather, terrains and construction projects. Mined correctly, it forms the lifeblood of sticky recurring revenues, and helps customers improve efficiency, capital usage and quality (costs, schedule, lower rework).

According to Jason Daly, V.P. Earthmoving Sales, Marketing & Customer Success at Deere, job sites are complex and chaotic, even more so, when collaborative autonomy and coordination across mixed fleets needs to occur. Reducing complexity and different sources of data into a well-managed, frictionless operation is key for customer success. The combination of autonomy solutions, Tennas mixed fleet operations management software (Tenna was developed for construction contractors by the Conti Group, a contractor to tracks assets, collect equipment data and usage), and the Virtual Superintendent (collects real-time data to track and improve operational metrics) makes this possible. Figure 3 shows the next generation, autonomous road-building excavator:

Figure 3: Demo of Road-building Excavator with SmartGrade Autonomy Feature at CONEXPO 2026 John Deere

A key focus for Caterpillar at CONEXPO 2026 was workforce development. In recognition of the fact that AI and autonomy would change the types of skills required of the workforce, the company announced the Future Skills Initiative in 2025 (also the 100th year anniversary of its founding). It commits funding of $100M over 5 years to upskill its workforce in robotics, automation and artificial intelligence technologies, and close the growing manufacturing skills gap, including through STEM outreach for K-12 students and paid technician training programs for adults. As part of this initiative, it had a booth specifically for its Knowledge Academy and organized a set of competitions - the Global Dealer Technician Challenge and the Global Operator Challenge, highlighting the essential role technicians and machine operators play in moving construction forward. Thousands attended the 3-day event (including children aspiring to be the next winners!).

Figure 4: Brian Hayden (USA) Wins the 2026 Global Operator Challenge at CONEXPO 2026 Caterpillar

At the companys keynote discussion, company executives (Rod Shurman, President, Construction Group, Rod Shurman, CTO Jamie Mineart and CDO Ogi Redzic) discussed the following issues, and the impact of autonomy and AI:

Safety: currently, 5% of the U.S. workforce is engaged in construction, however, 20% of safety incidents occur in this sector. The company has developed various tools like CAT Detect based on cameras and other sensors for obstacle/pedestrian detection, collision avoidance and in-cabin monitoring to minimize such incidents. Productivity: construction environments are complex and implementing autonomy requires a different approach in how people and processes work. An astonishing 30% of activity in a construction job-site is rework, increasing costs and timelines. Caterpillar is a pioneer in mining autonomy (started 30 years ago) and is leveraging this experience to eliminate such inefficiencies in construction. A key initiative is the the CAT AI Assistant which was demonstrated at CES, an AI agent that sits on top of a foundational LLM (Large Language Model) and encodes a century worth of operational knowledge and product design. This enables customers to buy, maintain, manage and operate their equipment safely and efficiently. CAT VisionLink is a suite of digital tools that delivers actionable insights for fleet management (and currently used by ~110 contractors) for optimizing mixed fleet productivity. Labor Shortages in Construction: apart from the Future Skills Initiative discussed earlier, using autonomy and digital tools to maximize the limited amount of skilled labor is an important area of focus. Enabling a single operator to operate up to 5 machines via remote control and tele-operation is already a reality. The CAT AI Assistant has instructional tools to also train less experienced operators on a variety of machines.

Figure 5: Cat CS12 - Caterpillars First Autonomous Soil Compactor with CAT Detect Collision Mitigation Demonstrated at CONEXPO 2026 Caterpillar

According to CTO Jamie Mineart, sustainability is a critical consideration and equipment rebuild is an integral part of equipment design. The company spends significant time on dealer education and training, using tools like the CAT AI Assistant. A typical diesel engine has a lifetime of 10K hours, and can be rebuilt at ~1,900 dealer locations. It offers like new performance at 45-85% of the cost of new parts (Figure 6):

Figure 6: Cat  C9.3 Reman Engine on display at CONEXPO. Offers Flexible, Tailored Repair Options Caterpillar

The focus of its autonomy and digital tools is to make construction processes frictionless. Per Ms. Mineart, "For 100 years, our customers challenges have driven how we innovate. By applying advanced technology and engineering at scale, were delivering intelligent, connected solutions that help customers work more productively, operate more safely and build resilient operations in a rapidly changing world.

Xpanner - Redefining Construction with AI-Powered Automation

The company has been in the construction autonomy business for solar plants since its 2020 founding in Korea. Backed by $27M in investments, it located to California in 2023. Headed by CEO Henri Lee (who held roles at construction companies like Bobcat, acquired by Doosan Heavy Industries in 2008) and Hyundai Infracore, Xpanner works with major construction companies like Mortenson, Black and Veatch and the construction division of Q-Cells, a major manufacturer of solar cell photovoltaics and modules.

Xpanners initial accomplishment was to insert autonomy into pile driving machines which are used to hold the solar panel structure (on which solar panels and control electronics are mounted). At CONEXPO 2026, it demonstrated autonomy for the next step in the process - lifting and mounting of the solar panels onto the pile driven structure (Figure 7):

Figure 7: Autonomous Solar Panel Pick and Mount Xpanner

Ongoing trials with multiple customers (Solar Automation and BESS Construction) demonstrate process efficiency advantages of autonomy (Figure 8). Plans are underway to operationalize the mounting operation in Q2 2026.

Figure 8: Left - Solar Panel Mounting Using Excavators Integrated with the X-1 Kit. Right - Autonomy Enables 50% Increase in Mounting Speed Xpanner

Xpanners flagship product, the, X1 Kit is composed of the automation controller (Mango), the sensor fusion module and the AI module (M2), along with the AI software. This is integrated into the construction equipment, which is trained in a specific process/tasks and location. The autonomy stack is equipment agnostic. The Mango Controller integrated into the panel mounting equipment is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9: Mango Automation Controller Integrated into X1 Autonomy Kit Xpanner

The revenue model is composed of an upfront cost for integrating the autonomy stack, and Automation As a Service (AuaaS) fees charged for the duration of the project. Revenues have grown from $7M in 2024 to $21M in 2025, and projected to hit $43M in 2026. It has 73 employees (in Korea and USA) and is profitable.

Mr. Lee: We are entering the era of AI-driven infrastructure. From solar plants to data centers, the world is building critical infrastructure at an unprecedented speedyet the industry faces a severe labor shortage. At Xpanner, we deploy Physical AI to automate heavy machinery and augment human capability. We use Physical AI to build the energy resources that make the future of AI possible".

Ceres Holographics - Enabling the Next Generation of Displays

Given the discussion of how major construction and agricultural equipment OEMs are spending significant R&D dollars on engaging the workforce in the cab of a semi-autonomous dozer or excavator for operation or training, information display without distraction is critical. HUDs (Heads Up Displays) have been used in the automotive sector for the past 3 decades, and are designed to assist the human driver, without forcing them to look sideways or at computer screens not directly in the FoV (Field of View) of the driver. It seems like transferring this technology to blue collar vehicles is no-brainer.

However, there is a problem. Automobiles are designed with angled windshields to minimize aerodynamic drag. Construction vehicles and large trucks do not care about drag, and have vertical windshields which have the advantage of higher visibility, structural strength, usable cabin space, and lower repair costs. Conventional HUDs use reflective optics which require tight location constraints and precision alignment of the projector, mirrors, and windshield angle. Making it work on a vertical windshield is practically impossible.

Ceres Holographics (CH) solves this issue by embedding thin holographic optical elements (HOEs) into the windshield which diffract light from a projector. The hologram is precision programmed so that light arriving from a specific projector angle with specific wavelengths is redirected toward the drivers display, using diffraction and reflection from the HOEs embedded within the windshield. Figure 10 shows the optical schematic for a HOE design for a vertical windshield in a tractor.

Figure 10: : HOE Projection Schematic for a Vertical Windshield in A Tractor (Driver FoV) Ceres Holographics

Apart from the advantage of working on a vertical windshield, HOEs have other advantages over conventional HUDs (for vertical and angled windshields).

50% lower packaging volume with 3X the FoV Multiple display areas can be projected on the windshield (one for the driver, another for the passenger, for example). Flexibility in locating the projector, relieving cab design constraints Lower costs for integration and repair

The idea of the photopolymer film for holographic displays germinated with development of photopolymers at Bell Laboratories in 1990, for data storage. Fast forward to 2011, the technology was spun off to serve 2 different verticals. One was to manufacture the photopolymer film (acquired and developed by Bayer Material Science (now Covestro), the second was for wearables (acquired by Apple in 2018).

CH is part of a supply chain that delivers HOE capability to automotive OEMs (see Figure 11):

Figure 11: Partners and Supply Chain Flow for Delivering HOE Embedded Windshield Glass to an Automotive OEM Ceres Holographics

The supply chain flow is as follows:

Vehicle OEM requests system design from the preferred system integrator Integrator carries out design work with Ceres support, based on mounting and viewing requirements Eastman acquires the photopolymer film to from Covestro Eastman encapsulates the Covestro film on a Ceres production machine (see Steps 2 and 5) with embedded DOE structures from a mask designed by Ceres Ceres fabricates the master mask based on Step 2 (on its own custom designed equipment). This, along with a production machine to replicate films from the master is delivered to Eastman to execute Step 4. Eastman supplies the interlayer film with the custom HOE to windshield manufacturers, who deliver a windshield assembly to the automotive OEM. Ceres works with the projector suppliers on the design/test systems. These are delivered to instrument panel assemblers, and then to the OEM.

CH gets it revenues through supply of machines to Eastman, and royalty fees from Eastman and instrument panel suppliers. The company has worked on evaluation projects for vertical windshield HOE displays for multiple construction equipment companies. Product penetration has been slow, which is puzzling given the safety and productivity focus of the construction industry, and the benefits that HOE displays provide.

Per Andy Travers, CEO of Ceres Holographics:

Our display solution is uniquely suited to the requirements of vertical windshields common to the construction and agricultural equipment sector. It addresses challenges that conventional HUD methods cannot. Our solution is ready today, available in the volumes needed, and with a proven supply chain in place that can scale to enable equipment makers to continue to enhance their vehicles with the latest technology.

Eastman - Innovating to Build a Better World

Eastman is a a publicly listed materials company (spun-off from Eastman Kodak in 1994), producing interlayer films for vehicle windshields, resins for high-performance medical device durability, and recycled materials for sustainable water bottles and cosmetic cases. As noted above, as part of the supply chain for HOE windshields for automotive use, Eastman plays a critical role in delivering the film to windscreen manufacturers for HOE displays.

Eastman demonstrated the automotive HOE display solution at CONEXPO 2026. Michael Johnson is the Head of Automotive Business Development at Eastman and demonstrated actual images from an automotive OEM HOE windscreen design (Figure 12).

Figure 12: Individual Holographic Images on Windscreen. Left - Simulated View of Driver and Passenger Side Displays from One Projector. Right - Actual Driver View Eastman

According to Mr. Johnson, multiple automotive OEMs are set to launch HOE enabled windshield displays in 2028 across a number of their vehicle models. At CONEXPO 2026, there has been significant interest from construction equipment manufacturers for embedding this technology into semi-autonomous construction vehicles. Lets hope it happens.

The construction business is growing rapidly - however it faces challenges of worker supply, reduced project timelines, and a need for higher efficiency, quality and safety. Physical AI, autonomy, data, worker upskilling, and digital tools for site management are key initiatives that companies are pursuing to overcome these challenges.
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InspirationEurope Forget pizza and pasta: Italys best food is a sandwich in this hilltop town Russell Higham March 18, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This article is part of Travellers Holiday Guide to bucket-list places to eat. See all stories .

Pasta and pizza lovers, look away now  Im going to say something controversial. Italys finest food is not to be found in some trendy trattoria in Naples, nor in some over-Instagrammed osteria in Rome. And mi scusi, Mr Tucci, but neither is it in that cutesy little fishing village on the Amalfi coast (where he declared spaghetti alla Nerano to be one of his all-time favourites in Searching for Italy). To truly get to the crux of what makes this country so irresistible, the true foodie must look elsewhere. Round the back of a church, to be precise, in a small, hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop in Citta della Pieve. The town is beautiful, so life is beautiful too: Citta della Pieve lies near the border between Umbria and Tuscany. Alamy This small Umbrian hill town  close to the border with Tuscany, about 50 kilometres from Perugia airport  is mostly known for being the birthplace of the divine Renaissance painter, Pietro Perugino Vannucci. Yet close to the duomo that houses two of his most revered artworks resides another (living) artist of sorts, whose creations are, I had been told, every bit as heavenly. Luca Bartoccioni is the proprietor of Il Pizzicagnolo di Bartoccioni, a rustic, crypt-shaped kitchen with outside seating that serves what are, Im reasonably certain, the best sandwiches in Italy.

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When you order, we bake the focaccia fresh for you right there and then, he told me when I finally made my pilgrimage to his tiny restaurant last summer, placing a pint of red craft beer on the upturned barrel beside me while I tucked into a panino of mortadella and blu di vacca cheese (priced at 9 [$14.65] on the handwritten chalkboard). Our sausages and red onion are from right here, and the cheese is from Todi, another hilltop town nearby. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Something else makes my sandwiches special, though, Luca went on. Thats truth, and its a word we use a lot in Citta. It means you have to give people what you promise. And when you do that, life becomes simple. It means you can believe what people say here. What a novel, and yet very simple, idea: a place where everyone says what they mean, and means what they say. It was my first inkling that there was more to this apparently sleepy little hill town than Italys best sandwich and the echoes of a renowned Renaissance painter. The revelations had only just begun. Next, I discovered that Citta della Pieve is also known as the saffron capital of Italy. Each autumn, its 8000 residents celebrate a festival, the Zafferiamo, dedicated to the worlds most expensive spice, harvested from the crocus flowers growing in the patchwork of surrounding fields. It is deeply ingrained in the towns identity  Perugino used it to create the yellow hues in some of his paintings and, during the Zafferiamo, Luca offers limited editions of his sandwiches which incorporate tiny amounts of it in the fillings and bread.

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Any time of year, though, you can squeeze through one of Italys narrowest alleyways, the Vicolo Baciadonne (Alley of the Kissed Women), that cuts through rows of red-bricked cottages only 53 centimetres apart. Nearby youll find a museum, the Casa dello Zafferano, dedicated to saffrons inseparable connection to this town, which can trace its history back to the Etruscan period. Life is simple here: Citta della Pieve is known for its winding narrow alleyways. iStock My stay in Citta della Pieve coincided with the famous Palio dei Terzieri, a colourful festival which takes place  and practically takes over  the town during August, when locals dress in medieval costumes to commemorate the division of the commune, back in 1250, into three contrade (districts). Just across the border in Tuscany, queen of pop Madonna was celebrating her 67th birthday at Sienas own palio, watching the various contrade compete in the citys glamorous bareback horse race. Thats all well and good, of course  but in more down-to-earth Citta, they settle their ancient rivalries in less glitzy (but equally thrilling) historic re-enactments, culminating in an archery contest, the Caccia del Toro, held in the scenic Piazza del Plebiscito next to Lucas sandwich shop. The history behind it can all seem a bit opaque to an outsider but, like so much of Italy, you dont need to understand it to be completely swept up in the magic of it all. Before leaving Citta della Pieve, I couldnt resist one more of Lucas legendary sandwiches. When I returned to the shop, it was his ever-cheerful assistant, Andrea Ciculi, who served me. As the smell of freshly baked focaccia began to fill the tiny kitchen, I asked him what made him  and everyone else Id met in the town  so serene and upbeat. He smiled and handed me my order  an uncomplicated, moreish combination of beef carpaccio and pecorino cheese.

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Analysis WorldAsiaChina relations Trump demand for Beijings help with Iran lands flat Lisa Visentin March 17, 2026  11:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Beijing: By normal foreign policy metrics, it ought to be seen as a little galling for Washington to demand Beijings support to help resolve a Middle East crisis of its own making, let alone one resulting from an attack on Chinas friend in the region. But Donald Trump dispensed with policy norms long ago. And so, without any sense of irony, the US president dangled the threat that he may delay his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March unless Beijing helps unblock the Strait of Hormuz, which has been choked off by Iran and its attacks on commercial shipping vessels. Trump and Xi last met in South Korea last October. Their summit meeting later this month may now not happen. Getty Images Its only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there, Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday, adding wed like to know before the trip whether Beijing will help. One is left to imagine the bemusement among officials in the Chinese capital at being urged by Trump to get involved in a conflict far from its shores and in a region that has only proved a diabolical quagmire for the US in the past.

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Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war If Trumps America is not winning this war  and its not  who is? Peter Hartcher Political and international editor This is not our war. If we send ships there, it seems like we are joining the camp of the US and Israel against Iran. Thats certainly not what China wants to do, says Wu Xinbo, director of the Centre for American Studies at Shanghais Fudan University. Trump did not have the leverage to play this card, Wu added, because delaying his trip to Beijing doesnt do any damage to China. Trumps request found critics in Washington, too. Asia expert Evan Feigenbaum, from the Carnegie Endowment think tank, posted on X that Trump was essentially demanding Washingtons adversary demonstrate and deploy more expeditionary naval power. Its a move that flies in the face of years of efforts to discourage Beijing from doing exactly that, he argued.

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By Monday morning in Paris, after emerging from the latest round of trade talks with Chinese officials, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was hosing down Trumps comments. It was a false narrative to suggest the meeting could be delayed due to Chinas unwillingness to assist, he said, while keeping the door ajar for the meeting to be rescheduled due to the war. Trump is seeking allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but has not yet found many willing partners. Bloomberg Trump soon pivoted to this rationale, confirming the US had requested a one-month delay and saying I have to be here ... weve got a war going on. Fan Hongda, director of the China-Middle East Centre at Shaoxing University, said he suspected Beijing would quietly welcome the US presidents decision.

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If President Trump were to visit China while the conflict was still raging, it would damage Chinas national image, especially given the severe bombing of Iranian civilian infrastructure, he said. Beijing has trodden a cautious path since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February and assassinated its China-friendly leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It has sought to cast itself as a neutral actor and defender of state sovereignty amid the chaos of US interventionism, condemning both the decision to attack Iran and Irans attacks on its Gulf neighbours. It has so far refrained from responding to Trumps knee-jerk demand to help police the strait beyond a Foreign Ministry spokesman again urging a ceasefire on Monday. On the surface, its easy to see where Trumps logic was taking him. China heavily relies on the Middle East for its oil imports, so why shouldnt it help keep the strait open and free from Irans attacks on transiting vessels, presumably by leveraging its close relationship with Tehran to do so? Iran has signalled that it will allow ships from some nations to transit the Strait of Hormuz. AP

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Conflict resolution is a responsibility of great powers  a status China wants to claim. The question is, whose ships would Chinas navy be protecting? Not its own, it seems. Iran has indicated it will grant safe passage to Chinese tankers and ships whose cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, with officials claiming the strait is closed only to its enemies (the US, Israel and their allies). Secondly, in this instance, Beijings involvement would be in service of an American interventionist agenda, and thats not something it will countenance, says Ahmed Aboudouh, an expert on Chinas Middle East strategy at the Chatham House think tank. Related Article Analysis

Middle East at war With the Iran war entering its third week, what is Trumps exit strategy?

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Aboudouh sits in the camp of China analysts who argue there is a tendency in Washington to overstate Beijings influence over Tehran and to superimpose the expectations of the US alliance structure onto Beijings network of partners. The Iranians are not going to listen to anyone who tells them not to defend themselves, he says. China does not have a US-style alliance with Iran. Their strategic partnership is not built on defence obligations but economic transactionalism, with Beijing buying 90 per cent of Tehrans oil imports at a bargain price, helping to sustain the regime. China is agnostic about the political survival of the Islamic Republic beyond not wanting a US-backed alternative to take its place. But it does care very much about its economic interests being affected by regional instability. Strait stays blocked Trump hasnt just singled out China for help with the strait. He has appealed to seven nations, including France, Japan and South Korea, to send warships to shepherd vessels through the vital shipping lane, through which one-fifth of the worlds oil passes.

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Tehran has attacked at least 18 commercial vessels in the Gulf using explosives and drone strikes since the war started. Meanwhile, China-linked ships have rushed to declare they are China-owned on maritime broadcasting channels to avoid being targeted. Related Article Middle East at war How Trumps elite marine unit could wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz Hundreds of fuel tankers and cargo ships are now backed up in the strait and surrounding waters, sending global oil prices skyrocketing by 40 per cent. Its hitting consumers especially hard at the petrol bowser  no doubt alarming the Trump administration as it gears up for the midterm elections, having reneged on its promise of no new wars. China is not immune to the global oil shock, despite its cosy ties with Iran. Its energy interests are also being directly threatened by Tehrans attacks on the infrastructure of other Gulf nations, like Saudi Arabia, Chinas top oil supplier in the region. But Beijing is better insulated than many countries, having stockpiled 1.2 billion barrels of crude or about three to four months worth of supplies.

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For now, its banking on riding out the storm. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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Updated WorldNorth AmericaForeign relations We dont need anyones help: Trump lashes out at NATO allies, Australia over Iran war Michael Koziol Updated March 18, 2026  7:04am ,first published 5:34am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: Donald Trump has reversed course and claimed he never needed or wanted other countries help in Iran, while lashing out at US allies  including Australia  after previously demanding their assistance. He went as far as saying that the US should rethink its involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO, while adding that he had no immediate changes in mind. US President Donald Trump unloaded on American allies for declining to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. AP The US presidents latest broadside came as his top counter-terrorism official resigned, saying he could no longer in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran, and accusing Israeli officials and lobbyists of sowing pro-war sentiment in the administration. Asked about the resignation, Trump said that he always thought the man he appointed to run the National Counterterrorism Centre was very weak on security and its a good thing that hes out.

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Trump has been asking US allies  primarily Gulf partners and NATO members  to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help unblock the crucial shipping passage, with oil tanker traffic grinding to a halt amid the ongoing US and Israeli campaign against Iran. But most NATO allies had informed him they would not take part, he said on Tuesday (US time), adding that it was not surprising, as he had long considered NATO to be a one-way street. We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need. A UAE navy ship sails next to a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates on March 11. AP Trump went on to say the US military had decimated Irans navy, air forces, defences and the regimes leadership. Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea, Trump wrote on social media. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

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Later, in a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at the White House, the US president continued to savage the foolish mistake NATO was making. This was a great test. We dont need them, but they should have been there, he said. We as the United States have to remember that - because we think its pretty shocking. Asked by a reporter whether he was rethinking the US relationship with NATO, or considering withdrawing from the 77-year-old alliance, Trump said: When they dont help us, its certainly something we should think about  I have nothing currently in mind, but I will say that Im not exactly thrilled. Loading After Trump again expressed his disappointment with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not assisting at the outset of the war, Martin defended the British PM, calling him an earnest and sound person with whom Trump could repair his relationship.

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The Irish leader also defended allied military support for Ukraine after Trump complained that the US helped NATO with Ukraine, but NATO was not helping him with Iran. Trumps remarks came as French President Emmanuel Macron ruled out sending ships to the Strait, after Trump implied the previous day that France was likely to assist. We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context, Macron said at the start of a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation. Joseph Kent, a Trump appointee to run the National Counterterrorism Centre, quit over the Iran war. AP The war, which is now in its third week, has inflicted overwhelming damage to Irans missile stocks, weapons industry, navy and air force  and regime leaders.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said overnight that Israeli air strikes had killed two more Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. But the campaign has detractors within Trumps so-called America First movement. On Tuesday, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, Trump appointee Joe Kent, resigned saying he could not in good conscience support the war. Related Article Opinion

Letters Trump trivialises war and makes a mockery of politics Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby, he said. In his resignation letter, Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media of waging what he called a misinformation campaign to sow pro-war sentiment and undermine the America First movement.

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Trump nominated Kent to head the National Counterterrorism Centre in February 2025. Asked about his resignation on Tuesday, Trump rubbished his assessment that Iran did not pose a threat to the US. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security  very weak on security, Trump said of his appointee. I didnt know him well  Its a good thing that hes out. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Kent made many false claims in his letter, including the absurd allegation that foreign countries might have motivated the presidents decision-making. In a lengthy statement, she said Trump had strong and compelling evidence  compiled from many sources and factors  that Iran was going to attack the US first.

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President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum, Leavitt said. With 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.
Sales of 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims are currently on hold

In certain situations, the second and third-row power seats may not detect contact with an occupant or object as intended

Hyundai is finalizing recall action with NHTSA with a repair under development

Hyundai is proactively contacting current owners to advise caution when using second and third-row power seat functions and to ensure that no person or object, including children, is in the seat or seat-folding area before operating the power seat

Hyundai is developing an interim software update to improve contact detection and enhance system safety

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., March 13, 2026  Hyundai Motor North America is stopping sales of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims in the U.S. and Canada due to an issue with the second and third-row power seats. In certain situations, those seats may not adequately detect contact with an occupant or object as intended. This condition may occur during second and third-row powerfolding operations, as well as during use of the second-row onetouch tiltandslide function. Hyundai is also in the process of submitting a recall action to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for these vehicles.

Hyundai is aware of a tragic incident involving a Palisade. While Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation, a young child lost her life. Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.

Hyundai urges owners to use caution when operating the second and third-row power seat functions and to ensure that no person or object, including children, is in the seat or seat-folding area before operating the power seat. When using the second-row onetouch tiltandslide feature to access the third row, customers should avoid pressing the seatback button during entry or exit.

Recall Information

Hyundai is finalizing the details of a recall for these vehicles, which will be submitted to NHTSA. The recall will include approximately 68,500 model year 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited or Calligraphy trim vehicles produced by Hyundai Motor Company, including 60,515 vehicles in the U.S. and 7,967 vehicles in Canada. The recall repair is currently under development and, once finalized, will be performed at no cost to owners. Hyundai, through its network of dealers, will offer interested customers with a rental vehicle until a full remedy is available.

Interim Software Update

In the meantime, Hyundai is developing an overtheair software update that is expected to be available by the end of March. While this update is not the permanent recall repair, it is intended to enhance the systems response to contact with occupants or objects, introduce additional operating safeguards, and enhance overall system safety.

Owner Notifications

Hyundai is notifying customers about this situation through multiple points of contact, which may include email, vehicle telematics, outbound phone calls, and media notifications, and advising them to use caution when operating second and third-row power seats. Hyundais top priority is the safety of its customers, and additional details regarding the interim software update and final recall repair will be provided as they become available.

For further customer questions, contact the Hyundai Consumer Assistance Center at https://owners.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/contact-us.



Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Companys Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, several cutting-edge R&D facilities and more than 855 independent dealers. These operations are part of Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.
An interactive adventure led by the ship's new mascot, Chuck the Iguana, brings history to life for families and visitors of all ages.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, March 17, 2026 -- The Battleship Missouri Memorial, the iconic American battleship where World War II officially ended, is introducing a new interactive onboard experience inspired by a true story from the ship's final combat deployment.

Meet Chuck the Iguana, a real-life stowaway turned honorary crew member whose legacy inspires Chuck's Quest: Secrets of the Mighty Mo, an immersive, youth-focused adventure available now.

For just $8, visitors can enhance their general admission experience with Chuck's Quest, available both online and onsite. Unlike a traditional tour, this self-guided interactive mission transforms exploration into an engaging, challenge-based experience that brings stories and spaces to life.

A Must-Do Adventure Aboard America's Last Battleship

Chuck's Quest is the Memorial's first initiative specifically designed to deliver a youth-focused experience aboard one of the most historic battleships in the United States. Created with school-aged children in mind, but enjoyed by visitors of every generation, the experience brings the ship's legendary past to life in an entirely new way.

The experience transforms a traditional museum visit into an unforgettable journey across the Mighty Mo's massive decks, once home to thousands of Sailors. Guided by Chuck and his interactive mission booklet, participants crack codes, uncover hidden signal flags, learn authentic Sailor slang, and discover surprising "Mo Facts" that reveal the real people and stories behind the steel. Visitors move beyond reading history to living it, discovering the Battleship Missouri as a floating city where every passageway, compartment, and deck has a story waiting to be uncovered.

Chuck's True Story: The Real Iguana Behind the Mission

Chuck is not a fictional character. His story dates back to Operation Desert Storm, the USS Missouri's final active-duty conflict before her retirement in March 1992. During that deployment, a Sailor reportedly brought an iguana aboard from the Philippines. Chuck quickly became a beloved stowaway, honorary crew member, and unofficial mascot of the Sailors of Gun Turret Three, boosting morale during long months at sea.

Today, his story represents the personal moments and human connections that shaped the Missouri's nearly 50 years of service, from World War II to the Cold War and into the modern era.

"Chuck's story reminds us that history is ultimately about people," said Michael Carr, President & CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. "He represents the Sailors who lived and served aboard this ship, and how even the smallest stories can carry lasting meaning. With Chuck's Quest, we're inviting visitors to experience that history firsthand and see the Battleship Missouri in a completely new way."

Preserving Legacy for Future Generations

With that legacy comes a responsibility to preserve and share history for future generations, and Chuck's Quest represents an exciting new chapter in that mission. Rooted in historical truth and brought to life through adventure and curiosity, the experience offers a meaningful new way to connect with the Mighty Mo, whether visiting Pearl Harbor for the first time or returning to explore her legacy once again. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Battleship Missouri Memorial relies on visitor support, with every admission and Chuck's Quest purchase directly reinvested into preserving the USS Missouri and the stories she carries forward, ensuring this national treasure endures for generations to come.

Chuck's Quest: Secrets of the Mighty Mo is available through a special general admission ticket option for both children and adults. Tickets and additional details are available at www.ussmissouri.org.

Chuck's story extends beyond the ship. Visitors and history fans can learn more at www.ussmissouri.org/chuck and follow his adventures on Instagram at @ChucktheIguana. Through digital storytelling and interactive experiences, Chuck helps connect audiences around the world with the history of the Battleship Missouri and the Sailors who served aboard her.

About the Battleship Missouri Memorial

Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri's unique place in history. Located a ship's length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the "day of infamy" and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars  World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm  after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.

SOURCE USS Missouri Memorial Association
Corn price action is down 2 to 4 cents so far on Monday morning. Futures rounded out the Friday session with contracts steady in some deferreds to 4  cents higher in the front months as March expired. Preliminary open interest was up 19,008 contracts on Friday. May closed the week with a 6  cent gain from on the week. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 4 3/4 cents to $4.24 1/4. Crude oil is down $1.76 this morning.

The weekly Commitment of Traders report from CFTC showed a total of 140,297 contracts of futures and options added to the spec fund net long position in the week ending on March 10. That was the largest Tuesday/Tuesday bull move since May 2019 and took the net position to 193,271 contracts. Producer selling was noted, as commercials added 143,803 contracts to their net short to 477,414 contracts.

More News from Barchart

Export Sales data from Thursday brought the marketing year corn export commitments to 66.513 MMT, which is 32% larger than the same period last year. That is 79% of USDAs export number and near the 80% average pace. Shipments at 41.74 MMT are now 50% of USDAs number and running ahead of the 43% average pace.

AgRural estimate the Brazilian first corn crop at 50% harvested by Thursday, lagging the 72% pace last year. The second crop corn was at 91% planted, behind the 97% pace a year ago.

May 26 Corn closed at $4.67 1/4, up 4 3/4 cents, currently down 4 cents

Nearby Cash was $4.24 1/2, up 4 3/4 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.78 1/4, up 4 1/4 cents, currently down 3 1/4 cents

Sep 26 Corn closed at $4.79 1/4, up 2 1/4 cents, currently down 3 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
3 minor girls pregnant in Bijapur hostel: alleges Cong





Staff Reporter :

A major controversy erupted in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Monday after the Opposition Congress alleged that three minor girls studying in a Government school in Bijapur district were found pregnant. The party demanded an immediate discussion on the issue, but later staged a walkout after expressing dissatisfaction with the response of State Government. The issue was raised during the Zero Hour by Congress MLA Vikram Mandavi, who represents the Bijapur Assembly constituency. Leader of the Opposition Charan Das Mahant, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and other Congress legislators supported the demand for a discussion, alleging that three minor girls studying and residing at a porta cabin high school hostel in the Gangaloor area had been found pregnant. Congress members alleged that State Government was attempting to suppress the incident. According to them, as soon as information about the pregnancies surfaced, the girls were sent back to their homes and later it was claimed that they were absent from the hostel. The MLAs said the incident occurred in a Scheduled Area and raised serious concerns about the safety of girls staying in government-run hostels.

They further alleged that instead of conducting a proper investigation and registering an FIR against those responsible, efforts were made to shield the accused while the girls were quietly sent home. The Congress members demanded a discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion. Responding to the allegations, Education Minister Gajendra Yadav said that two of the girls studying in Classes 11 and 12 were not residents of the hostel and were studying at a Swami Atmanand Hindi Medium School in Gangaloor while commuting from their homes. He further said the third student, a Class 12 student who had earlier been staying at the porta cabin high school hostel in Gangaloor, had gone home on October 18, 2025 during the Diwali vacation and did not return. When officials contacted her family later, they informed the authorities that she had voluntarily left the hostel to stay elsewhere, he added, clarifying that she had not been removed from the facility.

The adjournment motion seeking discussion on the matter was disallowed by Dharamjeet Singh, who was presiding over the House at that time. Following this, Congress members raised slogans and staged a walkout from the Assembly. Later, Charan Das Mahant said the ministers reply on such a serious issue was deeply concerning. He said that while the House recognised the gravity of the matter, the ministers response appeared insensitive, which compelled the Opposition to boycott the proceedings.
Costco has shared that it raises gas prices more slowly than it lowers them.

Basically, Costco takes a lower margin on gas sales while prices are rising, but makes that up as they fall.

Former Costco CFO Richard Galanti defended that practice, discussing the warehouse clubs gas business during its second-quarter 2022 earnings call.

As prices went up or went, even went down a little bit, they didnt go down as fast as perhaps they could have been, which gives us, in our view, an ability to make a little more and still be the most competitive, he said.

Now, with gas prices rising due to the war in Iran, Costco's current CFO, Gary Millerchip, shared some key news on the company's pricing strategy. He also shared how higher gas prices drive member behaviour.

ALSO READ: Why Costcos gas prices wont rise as fast as traditional gas stations

Costco's gas drives member visits

Shopping at Costco's warehouses saves members money.

Costco's prices were 21% lower than Walmart's, which were used as the baseline for a recent Consumer Reports study of grocery prices.

Consumer Reports commissioned the research from Strategic Resource Group (SRG), a retail- and grocery-industry market research company in New York.

"When SRG compared prices on baskets of commonly purchased items at mainstream grocery chains in six regionally representative cities across the U.S., the difference between the highest- and lowest-priced in each city was more than 33%. And when the comparison included the warehouse clubs like Costco and specialty grocers like Whole Foods, the price differences were even more significant," the consumer advocate shared.

This study highlights Costcos consistent pricing advantage across the U.S., showing how warehouse clubs maintain lower prices even compared with major discount grocers.

More Retail:

That means that anything that entices Costco members to visit its warehouses saves them money.

"Generally speaking, we see about half of members who will shop at the gas station will also cross-shop at the warehouse," Millerchip shared during Costco's second quarter 2026 earnings call.

Economics professor Alan Gin from the University of San Diego believes the motivation for Costco's aggressive gas price strategy has to do with how Costco makes its money.

The bulk of their profits come from memberships," he told ABC News.

Gin says up to 70% of Costco's profits come from the $65 or $130 that customers pay for the right to shop at its warehouses.

They can afford to take some losses on the chicken and the hot dogs, and now maybe even the gas, if that gets people to sign up then for these memberships," Gin said.

Costco tries to be a pricing leader when it comes to gas.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Gas prices are rising

"The nations average price of gasoline has risen 23.2 cents over the last week and stands at $3.68 per gallon, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 12 million individual price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country," the gas pricing website reported.

Prices have been climbing quickly.

"The national average is up 80 cents from a month ago and is 66.1 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel rose 34.0 cents in the last week and stands at $4.951 per gallon," GasBuddy added.

Costco is monitoring the situation.

"It is early days to know what the impact longer term might be from events in the Middle East at the moment. But generally speaking, if gas prices start to increase, then we tend to see our value proposition resonate better with members, just because obviously we want to be the pricing authority on gas," Millerchip shared.

Related: Famous restaurant chains face Chapter 11 bankruptcy auction

He also noted that higher gas prices changes member behaviour.

"And so when prices are higher, that will tend to cause members to maybe take the extra mile that it might involve to get to the gas station because of the incremental value they see there. But, obviously, we will have to see what happens with gas prices over the coming months there," he added.

Lower gas prices have been a key part of Costco's strategy for decades.

"Costco, for example, is typically 20 cents a gallon below the market average," Tom Kloza, the global head of energy analysis at IHS Markits Oil Price Information Service told CNN.

In times of higher gas prices, consumers seek out savings.

People are seeking out the clubs because of the gas, Michael Baker, a retail analyst at D.A. Davidson told CNN. Its U.S. consumers nature to go out of their way for lower gas prices.

Related: 159-year-old whiskey brand files disputed Chapter 11 bankruptcy

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Demolition of unauthorised construction at Poonam Towers, Poonam Chambers on: NMC to HC





Staff Reporter :

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has informed the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court that demolition of unauthorised construction at Poonam Towers and Poonam Chambers has started and is currently in progress. The matter relates to two petitions regarding illegal construction in both buildings. The court had earlier disposed of these petitions and rejected the demands made by N Kumar and clearly declared the construction illegal and directing that it must be demolished.During the hearing held on Monday, the NMC told the court that, about 70 percent of the unauthorised construction at Poonam Chambers has already been demolished, while demolition work at Poonam Towers is also underway.

The civic body also informed the court that the cost of the demolition work will be recovered from N Kumar, and a bill for the same will be sent to him. Earlier, the court had expressed displeasure over the slow progress of the demolition work. N Kumar had given an undertaking before the court that he would remove the illegal construction himself. However, the status report submitted later showed that no concrete action had been taken, following which the court took serious note of the delay. The matter was heard by Justice Anil Pansare and Justice Nivedita Mehta.
Doctors panel addresses media orientation workshop to bust myths about HPV vaccine





Staff Reporter :

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, claiming approximately 80,000 lives annually. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for nearly 99% of these cases. The HPV vaccine is not merely a medical injection, its a lifelong shield for our daughters. Administering this single-dose vaccine to girls aged 14 provides 93% to 100% protection against the primary cancer-causing strains. To deny a child this protection based on unverified rumors is a disservice to her future, stated the Regional Director, Health Services, Dr Sanjay Mishra, while addressing a media orientation workshop at the Regional Director of Health Services office on Monday. The session focused on the ongoing three-month Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which commenced across the district on February 28. The Regional Director talked about the critical role of HPV vaccination in eradicating cervical cancer. While the drive has seen significant participation across Government health facilities, he expressed grave concern over malicious misinformation being circulated by Doctors panel addresses... Contd from page 1 certain elements to discourage families from participating. The workshop was addressed by a panel of medical authorities including Regional Director, Health Services, Dr Sanjay Mishra, Senior Gynaecologist, Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre, Dr Sangeeta Srivastava and President, Jabalpur Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society (JOGS), Dr Rakhi Bajpai (President of JOGS).

The speakers provided scientific data regarding cervical cancer prevention and addressed the critical role of media in disseminating accurate public health information. The medical experts emphasised the safety and efficacy of the vaccine to counter misinformation currently circulating on social media platforms. Dr Rakhi Bajpai detailed the link between Human Papillomavirus and cervical cancer, highlighting the long-term health implications for women if left unvaccinated. Dr Sangeeta Srivastava said that prevention is always better than cure. The HPV vaccine has been administered globally and in private Indian medical facilities for over 25 years. Both the women doctors categorically refuted claims regarding infertility or adverse side effects, stating that the vaccine is scientifically proven to be 99% effective in preventing cervical cancer. Millions of doses have been administered to adolescent girls worldwide without any documented systemic long-term health risks. The workshop concluded with a call for media professionals to prioritise factual reporting and assist the Health Department in neutralising baseless rumors that may hinder the success of this critical public health initiative.
Dr Mayee leaves for Bremento receive prestigious award





Dr Charudatta Mayee, Advisor to the Agrovision Foundation, has left for Bremen, Germany, to receive the prestigious ICAC Cotton Researcher of the Year 2025 Award. The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), Washington, USA, has organised a special plenary meeting in Bremen from March 23 to 26, 2026, where Dr Mayee will be honoured in person with the award. While announcing the award, the Chief Scientist of ICAC congratulated Dr Mayee on this well-deserved recognition and acknowledged his outstanding contributions to cotton science.
Four more lakes on brink of extinction, revival attempts fail





By Kabir Mahajan :

Pandhrabodi lake almost extinct

After the tragic disappearance of Dobi Talao and Sanjay Nagar Talao, which were recently confirmed as extinct, a total of 11 lakes are currently visible on the map of the city, out of which, four more lakes are facing a severe ecological crisis and are on the brink of extinction.The NMCs records currently list only 11 surviving lakes in city, including Gorewada, Ambazari, Futala, Sonegaon, Police Line Takli, Sakkardara, Pandhrabodi, Binaki Mangalwari, Naik, Lendi and Gandhisagar lake.

Pandhrabodi lake: A dried heritage

Pandhrabodi Talao, located in West Nagpur, is currently termed as almost finished. Once a thriving water resource, the lake has almost entirely dried up, leaving behind a barren bed. Despite previous rejuvenation attempts by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), lack of consistent maintenance has left this water body at its most vulnerable state.

Binaki Mangalwari Talaos beautification paradox

In North Nagpur, the Binaki Mangalwari Lake, a 110-year-old water body, is struggling for survival. While the NMC has initiated a Rs 6.70 crore beautification project under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, the current reality is grim. One of the workers Prem, who, with others, is involved in the ongoing 1.5-month-long project, suggests the goal is to mirror the design of Naik Lake. Lifting the height of the wall and installing paver blocks around the lake will upgrade the look of the premises.

Naik Talao: Suffocating under Eichhornia

The benchmark for recent beautification, Naik Talao, is itself in a pitiable condition. The entire surface has been colonised by water hyacinth (Eichhornia), forming a dense green mat that depletes oxygen levels and threatens aquatic life. Much like the crisis at Ambazari Lake, the infestation at Naik Talao requires immediate mechanical and biological intervention to prevent it from becoming a permanent stagnant reservoir. Unlike the massive outcry over Ambazari Lake, no green brigade is shedding any tears for Naik Talao, leaving the NMC to look the other way even as the water body struggles for survival.

Lendi Talao: Disappearing under flora

Perhaps, the most critical case is Lendi Talao, one of the oldest lakes in Jagnath Budhwari, the central area of the city. This historic lake has virtually disappeared under a thick cover of wild plants and tall grass. It doesnt have the protecting wall like of Naik Talao nearby, allowing a free hand for encroachment of the lake at a much larger pace, effectively turning a grand lake into a small pond. Once a lifeline for the neighbourhood, Lendi Talao has suffered from unchecked urbanisation and apathy. Encroachments along its banks have narrowed the lake, reducing its size dramatically. The disappearance of Dobi and Sanjay Sagar lakes serves as a stark warning. These four lakes need immediate attention from the administration or else these four historic landmarks may soon follow the same path of permanent erasure from the citys geography.
Injured leopardess rescued from Agarwada beat





Staff Reporter :

A young leopardess was safely rescued from the Agarwada beat of Balaghat Forest Division after it was spotted early in the morning near an agricultural drainage area. The big cat was suspected to have a hind-leg injury. Following the information, a rescue team from the Forest Department rushed to the spot under the guidance of Conservator of Forests Gaurav Chaudhary and Divisional Forest Officer Nithyanantham L. The on-ground operation was led by Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Vinita Phulbel and Range Forest Officer Himanshu Rai. Initial attempts to physically capture the leopardess were unsuccessful as the animal had taken shelter in dense bushes on a mound. After obtaining permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh, a specialised veterinary team from the Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University was called for chemical immobilisation. The team was led by wildlife expert Dr Somesh Singh, who reached the site in the evening.

Based on expert advice, forest staff cleared bushes from one side to create a safe passage and facilitate tranquilisation. When the leopardess moved through an adjacent agricultural field, Dr Singh successfully fired a tranquiliser dart using a DANinject rifle from a safe distance. The animal was sedated within about eight minutes. A preliminary examination revealed that the leopardess, estimated to be around 1.52 years old, was weak and dehydrated but had no visible external injuries or fractures. Veterinarians administered painkillers, antibiotics and preventive medicines, while vital parameters such as temperature, heart rate and respiration were found to be normal. After initial treatment, the leopardess was shifted to the Wildlife Hospital and Quarantine Centre in the Mukki Range, where veterinary teams from Jabalpur and Kanha will continue monitoring its recovery. Around 6070 personnel, including forest officials, veterinarians and frontline staff, participated in the rescue operation.
Massive fire at Adampur blankets nearby villages in toxic smoke, Massive fire at Adampur blankets nearby villages in toxic smoke, Flames reach 20 feet as methane build-up and RDF piles trigger blaze at Bhopals primary dumping site







Staff Reporter :

A major fire broke out on Monday evening at the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) waste dumping site in Adampur Cantonment. The blaze sent thick plumes of black smoke into the atmosphere, visible from a distance of 10 kilometres, and impacted the air quality of several surrounding residential clusters and villages. The fire, which began around 4 pm, saw flames rising nearly 20 feet high. While the Fire Department managed to bring the main blaze under control within 30 minutes using four onsite fire tenders, cooling operations continued late into the evening to prevent reignition. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated in a massive pile of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) stored near the main entrance of the landfill. Fuelled by strong winds, the fire spread rapidly across the surface. BMC staff initially attempted to isolate the burning waste by clearing adjacent trash before summoning specialised fire-fighting units.

The Adampur site currently holds over six lakh tonnes of accumulated waste. Fire officials noted that such incidents are a recurring hazard during the transition to summer. The combination of rising temperatures and the continuous emission of methane gas from decomposing organic matter beneath the waste layers creates a highly combustible environment. The incident has reignited concerns regarding public health for the 10,000 residents living in five nearby villages who reported respiratory discomfort and eye irritation. Notably, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously slammed the municipal corporation with a 1.80 crore penalty for failing to adhere to solid waste management rules at this specific site, a matter that remains sub-judice in the Supreme Court. The landfill contains a mixture of glass, polythene, and other flammable materials. Methane gas is constantly generating under the pressure of these mounds.

When heat levels rise, even a minor spark can lead to a significant fire, stated Saurabh Patel, Fire Officer. Historical data suggests that the Adampur landfill has become a chronic hazard for the capital. In April 2025, a massive fire gutted a significant portion of the site, causing smoke to settle over distant parts of the city. Similar incidents were recorded throughout the summers of 2024 and 2023, where fires would often smolder for hours. Despite the permanent stationing of fire-fighting equipment at the site, the sheer volume of daily waste arrival continues to outpace the existing safety measures, posing a persistent threat to the surrounding ecosystem.
Silent shutdown, diversion of 35 NMC schools, space for affordable education shrinks in city





Staff Reporter :

Despite a nearly 30 per cent drop in teaching staff, student enrollment has remained stable, increasing workload for current staff

For decades, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools served as the backbone of affordable education for the citys working class and underprivileged families, but now, a trend of converting closed school buildings for non-educational administrative uses has emerged. However, a startling set of data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Abhay Kolarkar paints a picture of a shrinking public education system. The report highlights a steady decline in the number of Hindi, Marathi and Urdu medium schools and the systematic handover of 35 educational spaces to administrative offices, private foundations and commercial entities. From classrooms to offices According to the RTI report, there is a list of 35 NMC-owned school buildings that have been shut down and repurposed for non-educational uses.

These buildings are now serving as administrative hubs or are leased to external organisations: Zonal and administrative offices: The Valmiki Nagar Hindi Primary School and Gokulpeth Marathi Primary School have been converted into the Zone No 02 Divisional Office. Similarly, the Jawahar Nagar Marathi School now houses the Zone No 03 office, while the Mirchi Bazar Marathi School has been taken over by the Zone No 05 office. Police and security: The Shanti Nagar Urdu Primary School is currently leased to the Shanti Nagar police station. In another instance, the Aditwar Marathi School is being used as a Security Guard Camp and a Night High School. Public utilities: The Hiwari Layout Marathi School and the Budhwari Marathi School have been handed over to Orange City Water (OCW) to serve as their operational offices.

Social and commercial use: The Shankar Nagar Marathi Primary School is slated for a Women Entrepreneurs Centre, while the Bhagwan Nagar Marathi School has been leased to Sacred English Medium School. Shifting landscape of primary education The RTI response shows a worrying downward trend in the number of primary schools operating under the NMCs direct control. Between 2023 and 2025, the city witnessed a consistent reduction in its native-language educational infrastructure: Marathi Medium: Dropped from 32 schools in 2023 to 27 in 2025. Hindi Medium: Saw a significant reduction from 44 schools in 2023 to 36 in 2025. Urdu Medium: Decreased from 17 to 14 in the same period. English Medium: Number remained stagnant at 7. While the number of secondary schools has remained relatively stagnant with the total number of Marathi (7), Hindi (11), and Urdu (9) schools remaining unchanged over the last three years.

The primary sector is undergoing a merger and closure phase. The NMC administration justifies these closures by citing a lack of student enrollment, which leads to the adjustment of remaining students into nearby functional municipal schools. Handover to private foundations The RTI confirms that, while the NMC currently operates 107 schools on its own, 07 schools have been handed over to the Akanksha Foundation. This shift signals a move towards a semi-privatised model where the physical infrastructure belongs to the city, but the management and pedagogical delivery are outsourced to a third-party organisation. As more school buildings are converted into E-Libraries, memorials like the Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial (at the former Chitnavispura School), or indoor stadiums, the future of accessible, municipal-run primary education in Nagpur remains a subject of intense debate among parents and education activists.
Trump says Iran forces devastated

WASHINGTON :

US President Donald Trump on Monday said American forces had dealt a devastating blow to Irans military capabilities and called on major global economies to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy route through which much of the worlds oil flows. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with board members of the Trump-Kennedy Centre, Trump said the US military campaign against Iran had intensified in recent days. Our powerful military campaign to end the threats posed by the Iranian regime continued in full force over the past few days, Trump said. He claimed the operation had severely weakened Irans armed forces. They have been literally obliterated, Trump said. The Air Force is gone, the Navy is gone. Many, many ships have been sunk. Trump said the United States had carried out a sweeping series of strikes since the conflict began. Since the beginning of the conflict, we've struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran, he said, adding that the targets included mostly commercial and military targets.

According to the President, the strikes have sharply reduced Irans missile and drone attacks. Weve achieved a 90 per cent reduction in their ballistic missile launches and a 95 per cent reduction in drone attacks, Trump said. He added that US forces had targeted facilities linked to Irans weapons production. Weve also attacked the manufacturing plants where they manufacture the missiles and the drones, he said. Trump also claimed significant damage to Irans naval capabilities. More than 100 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk or destroyed over the last week and a half, he said. He said that US forces had also focused on eliminating ships capable of laying naval mines that could threaten global shipping. Were hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with more than 30 mine-laying ships destroyed, Trump said. Despite the US military campaign, Trump argued that countries whose economies rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz should contribute more to securing the vital shipping lane. We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours, he said. The President noted that the United States imports very little oil through the narrow waterway compared with other major economies. You know, we get less than one per cent of our oil from the strait, Trump said. Japan gets 95 per cent. China gets 90 per cent. Many of the Europeans get quite a bit. South Korea gets 35 per cent. So we want them to come and help us with the strait, he said.

Trump suggested that some long-time US security partners had shown reluctance to contribute despite American military commitments to their defence. We have some countries where we have 45,000 soldiers protecting them from harms way, he said. And when we want to know, do you have any minesweepers, well, wed rather not get involved, sir. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier told reporters that many countries were benefiting from the US military campaign targeting Irans capabilities. These other countries are benefiting greatly from the United States military taking out the threat of Iran, she said. Leavitt said Iran had posed threats not only to the United States but also to partners across the Middle East and Western allies. The rogue Iranian regime has long not just posed a threat to the United States of America, but of course to our Gulf and Arab partners in the region, she said. She added that Irans missile capabilities also threatened European allies and US bases in the region. The ballistic missile capability that the United States military is currently wiping out was a direct and imminent threat to our European allies as well as our bases in the region, Leavitt said. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the worlds most critical energy chokepoints, carrying roughly a fifth of global oil shipments. Tensions around the narrow waterway have frequently escalated during conflicts involving Iran, with disruptions raising concerns about global energy prices and international trade.
Were ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course: Israeli Envoy





NEW DELHI :

AS THE West Asia conflict entered its 17th day, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday said we are ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course. Interacting with reporters here, Azar also said that in the last few days, Israel consulted diplomatic channels, including its partners the US and countries in the region. We are always for diplomacy. Unfortunately, we exhausted diplomacy to the extent that we had to take military action. We hope that diplomacy will be relevant again as a result of our military action, he said. The Israeli envoy said that in the past few days, Israel consulted diplomatic channels, including its partners the US as well as the countries in the region, and a few other nations with which it doesnt have a diplomatic relationship. Azar also said that through military action, weve managed to degrade Irans launching capabilities to a large extent. Right now, we are controlling the skies of Iran, Azar told reporters, adding, They are in dire straits. The future will be brighter if Iran decides to change course and recognises Israel, he added. Dont worry, hes okay: Israeli Envoy Reuven Azar scotches rumours of Netanyahus death: Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday scotched rumours about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus death amid the raging West Asia conflict, saying PM Netanyahu is alive.

Interacting with reporters in Delhi, he also said a video of Netanyahus visit to a cafe in Israel was not AI-fabricated, dismissing the claim as spreading of disinformation. The rebuttal from Israels top diplomat in India comes in the backdrop of several social media posts claiming that Netanyahu received fatal injuries amid the conflict in West Asia, which entered its 17th day on Monday. During the media briefing on Israels Operation Roaring Lion, Azar was asked if Netanyahu was harmed in the conflict. PM Netanyahu is alive. I saw him when I was in Israel more than once. The video at the cafe is not AI-fabricated. A lot of disinformation is being spread, Azar said. He also accused Iran and its accomplices of spreading disinformation. Interacting with PTI on the sidelines of the briefing, Azar said, Look, this is a classical disinformation projection that the Iranians and their accomplices are trying to do. Our prime minister is feeling very well. I met him personally following Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit (to Israel). Hes completely intact. He also showed that yesterday in a video when he visited a cafe in Israel. So dont worry, hes okay.
Woman killed, daughter critical as speeding truck hits mobike in Fetri





Kalmeshwar Correspondent :

A woman was killed and her six-year-old daughter was critically injured after a speeding truck rammed into a two-wheeler in the Fetri area on the KalmeshwarNagpur road on Friday evening. The deceased has been identified as Sarika Prashant Shete (33), a resident of Shetki Sawangi (Tomar) in Kalmeshwar taluka. Her daughter Jivika Prashant Shete (6) suffered serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nagpur. Sarikas husband Prashant Shete escaped with minor injuries. According to police, the accident occurred around 7.30 pm near the Fetri bus stop.

Prashant Shete was travelling towards Zingabai Takli in Nagpur with his wife and daughter on a Splendor motorcycle (MH-40/AJ-3256). He had stopped the vehicle on the side of the road in front of Shrikrishna Kirana Store to buy a bottle of water. While Sarika and Jivika were standing near the parked motorcycle, a speeding Eicher truck (MH-40/BL-5582) coming from the Kalmeshwar side lost control and rammed into them. Sarika suffered fatal injuries after the trucks wheel ran over her abdomen, while Jivika sustained serious head and facial injuries. Local residents rushed the victims to a private hospital in Nagpur. Sarika was later shifted to Mayo Government Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Jivika is still undergoing treatment. Police have registered a case against the truck driver and further investigation is on.

Over 25 killed in recent years

Meanwhile, villagers said accidents have increased in the Fetri village area after the road was widened, as vehicles now pass through the village at high speed. The road runs through the centre of the village where shops, a bank, a Zilla Parishad school and St Joseph English Medium School are located, which made it risky for pedestrians to cross. Residents claimed that, more than 25 people have died in accidents in the area in recent years. Villagers have been demanding the installation of speed breakers near the village limits for a long time. Deputy Sarpanch Mukesh Dhomne said that, if the authorities fail to install speed breakers soon, villagers will launch a protest.
NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) just got some very good news, but investors haven't seemed to notice. To be fair, that's probably the right response. Here's why only the most aggressive investors should buy NuScale Power despite the huge opportunity that could lie ahead for the company.

What is NuScale Power's business opportunity?

NuScale Power is attempting to build a business selling small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs. SMRs are an exciting technological advance in the nuclear power industry. Reactors today are massive and built on site, further complicating an already complex technology. SMRs are expected to be built in a factory setting, enabling assembly line-style manufacturing processes. That standardization should help to keep costs down and improve quality.

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.

Moreover, the small size of SMRs would allow them to be transported to where they are needed and placed closer to population centers. Modern safety technology, coupled with the small size of an SMR, should also enhance nuclear power's safety. And NuScale Power has designed its units to be modular, so they can even be linked together to create a larger power plant. If SMRs gain traction, NuScale Power could have a material market opportunity ahead of it.

NuScale's big win and big problem

The problem is that NuScale Power has yet to manufacture and sell its first SMR for commercial use. At this point, it is just a money-losing nuclear power start-up. That said, it has its first customer all lined up.

RoPower, a Romanian power company, has given the green light to a project that is expected to link together six of NuScale Power's SMRs. However, NuScale's stock barely moved on the news because RoPower still has a big hurdle ahead of it. RoPower's ability to buy NuScale's SMRs depends on securing the funding it needs for the nuclear power plant it wants to build.

In other words, NuScale still doesn't have a deal to sell its first SMR. It needs that sale to prove there is a market for its SMRs and that its business model and technology both work. Until it has done that, this is a high-risk stock that only the most aggressive growth investors should consider buying.

Is NuScale a buy?

Assuming NuScale's business gets up and running, it could be a huge long-term investment opportunity. Getting in early could help set you up for life. The problem is that a positive outcome isn't a given. The technology is unproven, and NuScale's manufacturing ability is untested. Most investors should probably wait until the company has successfully delivered its first SMR before considering an investment here.
Key Takeaways

Argentina has ordered a nationwide ban on Polymarket, citing unlicensed gambling concerns.

Authorities directed ISPs and app stores to block access across the country.

The move contrasts with the U.S., where regulators are working to integrate prediction markets into formal financial oversight.

Prediction markets are moving in two very different directions depending on where you look.

In some countries, they are emerging as a new financial toolregulated, debated, and increasingly legitimized.

In others, they are being treated as little more than online betting platforms operating outside the law.

Argentina has made its position clear.

On March 16, a Buenos Aires court ordered a nationwide block of Polymarket, one of the largest crypto-based prediction market platforms, escalating a growing regulatory pushback in Latin America.

Argentina Moves To Block Polymarket

The ruling, issued by Judge Susana Parada, followed a complaint from the Buenos Aires City Lottery (LOTBA) and the Argentine Chamber of Casinos and Bingos (CASCBA).

Authorities concluded that Polymarket operates as an unlicensed online betting platform rather than a legitimate financial product.

The courts orders are broad.

Argentinas telecom regulator, ENACOM, must coordinate with internet service providers to block access to Polymarket and related domains nationwide.

At the same time, Apple and Google have been instructed to remove the app from their stores for Argentine users and restrict access, including for existing users.

The enforcement places Argentina alongside Colombia as one of the few countries in Latin America to fully block the platform.

Globally, more than 30 jurisdictions have imposed restrictions on Polymarket in some form.

Implementation is expected to roll out gradually as telecom providers and app stores comply with the order.

Why Authorities Took Action

Argentine authorities framed the decision as a consumer protection measure rather than a stance against crypto itself.

Investigators from the specialized gambling prosecution unit (FEJA) argued that Polymarket allows users to place bets on real-world outcomes without meeting local regulatory requirements.

According to the complaint, users can fund accounts with crypto or traditional payment methods, open accounts quickly, and participate without standard identity or age verification processes.

Regulators said this creates exposure to financial risks, including potential access by minors.

Prosecutors described the platform as a hidden online betting system, where users wager on binary outcomessuch as whether a political or economic event will occuroutside the countrys licensed gambling framework.
Quick Read

Dave Ramsey advocates claiming Social Security at 62.

Suze Orman likes to encourage people to file for benefits at 70.

Its important to consider your personal situation when making your choice.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Read: Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

One of the hardest financial decisions you might have to make as retirement nears is when to claim Social Security. That's because your filing age will have a big impact on the amount of money you receive each month.

Let's say your full retirement age (FRA) is 67, at which point you're entitled to $2,000 a month in Social Security. If you file for benefits early, those monthly checks will be reduced. If you file after FRA, those benefits will be boosted.

The earliest age to claim Social Security is 62. With a $2,000 benefit at FRA, filing at 62 means whittling your monthly checks down to about $1,400.

On the other hand, if you delay your claim until age 70, your $2,000 monthly benefit becomes roughly $2,480. There's no sense in delaying Social Security beyond age 70, since your benefits can't grow after that age.

Financial experts Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman have opposing views when it comes to claiming Social Security. Here's what they each say -- and whose advice you should listen to.

When Ramsey says to claim Social Security

According to Dave Ramsey, age 62 is the optimal age to claim Social Security. Although that results in smaller monthly checks, Ramsey's logic is that filing at that point makes sense since you get to collect benefits for as long as you're alive. If you file as early as possible, you may get more money in your lifetime from Social Security compared to filing later, especially if you pass away at a relatively young age.

Plus, Ramsey says that if you don't need your benefits right away, you can invest your Social Security checks and grow them into more money. With the right portfolio, you could potentially boost those checks beyond what you'd get by waiting.

When Orman says to claim Social Security

Suze Orman is a fan of claiming Social Security at 70. Her logic is that you never know when you might end up living a longer life than expected. Boosting those Social Security checks is a good way to avoid a potential financial shortfall.
A recent survey from Redfin (1) shows that 49% of U.S. residents struggle to afford their monthly rent or mortgage.

And for Gen Z, its a full-blown crunch with more than two-thirds (67%) saying they have difficulty keeping up with housing payments.

Must Read

For many Americans, managing their personal finances has gone beyond belt-tightening and into pure survival mode where people are sometimes sacrificing basic necessities to stay on track.

What Americans are giving up to keep a roof over their heads

Housing costs remain stubbornly high. Redfin reports that buyers now need to earn $111,000 a year to afford the typical U.S. home, roughly $25,000 more than the median household income (2).

Mortgage rates (3) have cooled slightly but were still historically elevated when the survey was conducted, in November 2025, as compared to 2022.

Redfin notes that compared to last spring, things have actually worsened. In a survey from May 2025, 44% of Americans said they struggled with housing payments. By November, that proportion climbed to nearly half.

According to a recent analysis by the National Association of Homebuilders (4), 65% of households across 39 states and the District of Columbia cant afford the median-priced new home.

Young adults are getting hit the hardest. Only 27% of Gen Zers own a home, compared to more than half of millennials, and more than 70% of Gen Xers and baby boomers, according to the Redfin report.

Many younger workers have yet to hit their peak earning years and are still building savings, anxious about layoffs or a potential recession, but the result is a generation who are pushing back major milestones and in some cases, maybe even basic needs.

To make rent or cover the mortgage, Americans are making deeply personal trade-offs like cutting back on eating out, skipping vacations and working extra hours.

But the most shocking data from Redfin reveals how much further some are going:

15% say theyve skipped meals entirely to afford housing.

14% have delayed seeking medical care.

4% have postponed having children.

4% have even given up pets.

Among Gen Zers specifically, 20% have sold belongings, 18% have taken on side hustles and 15% have moved back in with their parents.
Regional patterns reinforce that point. North America accounts for the largest share, with about $119.6bn of projects, followed by Western Europe at $72.3bn. These figures reflect not just demand, but the ability of planning and funding systems to convert policy into deliverable schemes. Markets with stable procurement frameworks and established delivery ecosystems tend to move projects through the pipeline more effectively.

Cost pressures are also harder to manage. There is less room to redesign or defer scope, so inflation tends to land with clients and contractors rather than being engineered out early. We have seen versions of this cycle before. A strong pipeline meets a constrained supply chain, and the industry quietly recalibrates expectations. The difference this time is the political sensitivity. Schools and universities are not discretionary assets. Delays attract scrutiny.

The late-stage nature of the pipeline is both reassuring and slightly unnerving. On one hand, it improves near-term revenue visibility. On the other, it compresses capacity. When most projects are approaching delivery at the same time, shortages of designers, project managers, specialist trades and compliant materials begin to show up as programme risk.

For the construction sector, this creates a sizeable opportunity. It also raises the stakes. Education projects are visible, sensitive and operationally complex. They must meet safety and environmental standards, and they must open on time. A school that is late for the start of term is not just a project delay; it is a public failure.

The underlying demand is clear enough. Unescos latest SDG4 reporting puts the number of out-of-school people at around 272 million in 2023, higher than earlier estimates. That gap has sharpened political focus. Even as some governments look for savings elsewhere, education capital spending has, in several cases, been protected. Few ministers want to be seen cutting school building programmes.

GlobalDatas tracked pipeline stands at $283.5bn. What is striking is not just the size, but the stage. Roughly four-fifths of projects sit in pre-execution or execution. That tells us something important. This is no longer about plans being debated in ministries. In many markets, schemes have moved into design finalisation, procurement and early delivery, where outcomes depend less on ambition and more on whether the industry can actually build what has been promised, as part of a selective global construction outlook.

Education construction has become one of the clearest ways governments try to turn policy into something tangible. Classrooms, labs and campuses are not abstract promises; they are physical proof that a system is working. Or failing.

Story Continues

Funding shapes risk and design

Funding structures matter more than the headline numbers suggest. Around 71% of the pipeline is publicly financed, with private funding at roughly 19% and public-private partnerships making up the balance.

Public programmes tend to favour standardised designs and repeatable delivery models. They prioritise compliance, cost control and scale. Private higher-education projects often push in a different direction, towards differentiation, research capability and mixed-use campuses that double as real estate plays.

PPPs, although smaller in share, have an influence beyond their weight. Governments use them to accelerate delivery and shift life-cycle responsibilities into long-term contracts. That changes what clients expect. It is no longer enough to complete a building; it must perform over time. For contractors and consultants, that raises the bar on operational thinking.

Politics, place and delivery reality

North America illustrates how quickly political context can affect delivery. The US pipeline is large, but implementation has been uneven in recent years due to federal funding uncertainty and policy shifts. Even where spending envelopes remain intact, procurement can stall if direction is unclear. Canada offers a steadier counterpoint, with long-term provincial programmes creating more predictable conditions.

Global Education Construction Project Pipeline, Funding Mode (% of total)

Source: GlobalData

Western Europe presents a different challenge. Much of the work is not new build but renewal. Ageing estates, decarbonisation targets and safety upgrades dominate. Delivery is constrained by live environments, tight sites and complex compliance requirements. It is less about landmark projects and more about consistent execution.

Elsewhere, the picture becomes more uneven. In parts of MENA, large-scale programmes are advancing quickly, often tied to broader economic strategies (ongoing conflicts notwithstanding, of course). Speed is a priority, which favours standardisation and industrialised construction, but it also increases the need for robust quality assurance. In sub-Saharan Africa, the issue is less demand than financing. The pipeline is small relative to need, reflecting a persistent funding gap. Delivery tends to be incremental and cost-sensitive.

In Asia, the balance between public demand and private capital is more pronounced. South-East Asias pipeline has a strong private component, bringing faster decision-making but also a sharper focus on returns and student experience. In North East Asia, planning is becoming more data-led, with demographic trends informing where capacity is expanded. That supports more structured, repeatable delivery.

The real test: delivery, not demand

Taken together, these dynamics point to a shift in where value is created. The question is no longer whether there is demand for education infrastructure. There is. The question is whether projects can be delivered reliably, at scale, and to the standards now expected.

For contractors and consultants, that places a premium on programme certainty, cost control and operational performance. Clients are looking beyond capital cost. They want buildings that work in practice, with predictable energy use, good environmental conditions and low maintenance burdens.

It also requires firms to move between funding models with some fluency. Public programmes reward efficiency and compliance. Private projects reward speed and flexibility. PPPs demand life-cycle thinking and measurable performance over time. Navigating these differences is becoming a core capability.

In the near term, the education construction sector has a solid work bank. Beyond that, the outlook depends on factors that sit partly outside its control. Fiscal tightening could constrain future pipelines. Labour shortages may persist. Procurement systems will be tested.

There is a tendency to look at a figure like $283.5bn and assume momentum will carry through. It might. But pipelines do not deliver projects. People, systems and decisions do. At present, all three are under pressure.

This article is based on an extract of education construction projects pipeline data and commentary provided by GlobalData. Figures and examples cited are attributed to GlobalDatas education project pipeline insights.

To access the full report, visit the GlobalData Construction Intelligence Centre: www.globaldata.com/industries/construction.

"Education construction is a $283.5bn opportunity. Delivering it will be harder" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




The News

Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, is this weekend, and as with everything in the region, it has been disrupted by war. The usual ritual of buying new clothes  with some families planning outfits weeks in advance  has become more complicated.

Irans attacks have hit shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for goods entering the Gulf. Clothes that were supposed to be dispatched for delivery are stuck on ships, forcing shoppers to turn to whatever is available locally. This last-minute shift to in-store shopping is turning up in government statistics, and can be observed, anecdotally, from the swarms in the malls.

Saudi point-of-sale transactions rose 11% to 16.1 billion riyals ($4.3 billion) in the week ending Mar. 7 compared to the previous week, according to the Saudi Central Bank, while spending on clothing and apparel jumped 31.7% to 2.5 billion riyals.

Know More

We have as many answers as the customer, Hala Sleiman, owner of Turkey-based boutique Izaric, told Semafor. She said part of her labels Eid collection is stuck and logistics companies dont know for certain when her inventory will arrive for what is one of the industrys most important periods of the year.

Social media is filled with posts complaining about delayed orders from fast-fashion platforms like Shein, with viral videos joking about Eid outfits sitting at the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz. Shein didnt respond to a request for comment. In Riyadh and Jeddah, footfall has picked up sharply as shoppers buy whatever they can get their hands on.

Notable
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President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly celebrated the wealthy Ellison familys growing media empire in recent days, even as the Trump administration is reviewing Paramount Skydances deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and its assets including CNN for $110 billion.

The Ellison family, two great people, great people. Its a great family, Trump said Monday, in remarks ahead of a Kennedy Center board meeting that referenced CBS and its upcoming broadcast of a UFC event.

On Friday, Hegseth called Warner Bros.-owned CNNs coverage of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran fake news after it reported that the administration had underestimated the risk of disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better, Hegseth said. A spokeswoman for CNN declined to comment on his remarks.

CNN, a longtime target of Trumps complaints about the media, is among the most prominent assets in Paramounts pending acquisition of Warner Bros., which requires approval from the Justice Department.

Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of Oracle and a longtime friend and ally to Trump, has financially backstopped Paramounts pending deal to buy Warner Bros. and is also a major investor in the White House-blessed deal that spun off TikTok into a U.S. company. That has helped rebrand the tech billionaire and his son David into media tycoons - with some help from Trump.

The administrations posture toward Paramounts proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has drawn scrutiny since a bidding war erupted over the troubled media giant late last year.

After Netflix announced an $83 billion deal in December to buy most of Warner Bros. Discovery and spin off CNN and other cable properties, Trump told reporters he would be involved in deciding whether to approve it, citing the streaming giants market power as a potential concern.

Days later, Paramount launched a hostile bid for the entire company, including CNN, backed by a personal guarantee of more than $40 billion from Larry Ellison. Netflix ultimately withdrew its offer last month after Paramount increased its bid, allowing it to strike a deal to merge with Warner Bros. The merger could reshape Hollywood and the news industry by placing two major Hollywood studios (Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures), two major streaming services (HBO Max and Paramount+), and two major news brands (CBS News and CNN) under one roof.
March 17 (Reuters) - Elon Musk and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are in talks to settle the regulator's lawsuit accusing the world's richest person of waiting too long to disclose his purchases of Twitter shares in 2022.

In a court filing, the SEC and Musk said they are "engaged in discussions of a potential resolution that would mean further proceedings might not be necessary."

Both sides asked the presiding judge to extend until April 1 from March 18 a deadline to propose a schedule for further proceedings.

Neither the SEC nor lawyers for Musk could immediately be reached for comment.

The SEC sued Musk in January 2025, saying his 11-day delay in revealing his initial 5% Twitter stake in late March and early April 2022 let him buy more than $500 million of shares at artificially low prices.

It has argued that Musk should pay a civil fine and repay the $150 million he allegedly saved at the expense of unsuspecting investors. Musk has called the delay inadvertent.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Chris Prentice in New York; Editing by Alison Williams)
"Excellent drill core recovery, averaging over 97% across the programme, together with the extensive weathered profile encountered, has provided a substantial and representative sample set for the in-situ weathered zone. This will underpin the next phase of bulk metallurgical test work, while the geological and geotechnical data generated from the campaign will feed directly into mine design and process engineering workstreams as we advance towards the Scoping Study."

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said: "These results confirm the presence of a high-grade central zone at the Thomas Prospect and demonstrate the significant depth of the weathered profile, extending over 60 metres from surface. Importantly, drilling has intersected thick intervals of very high-grade mineralisation, approaching 10% TiO, within the near-surface weathered profile, which will be the focus of our ongoing drilling and metallurgical assessment.

The fully funded drilling campaign that commenced in February 2026 is progressing well, consisting of 754 drill holes for41,250m at an average unit cost of A$90 per metre. The campaign is designed to upgrade the resource classification at the Thomas Prospect and significantly expand the Cosgrove resource, supporting an updated MRE, targeted for Q3 2026.

Very high-grade TiO 2 intervals identified near surface within the weathered zone, in particular DD25TOM009 which intersected 9.25m @ 10.13% TiO 2 from 26.2m and DD25TOM012 which intersected 7.7m @ 9.88% TiO 2 from 3.0m.

Diamond core drill programme completed, with eight holes drilled at the Thomas Prospect for a total of 745 metres, confirming the presence of a high-grade central zone at the Thomas Prospect.

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / Empire Metals Limited(LON:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF), theAIM-quoted and OTCQX-traded exploration and development company, is pleased to report the analytical assay results from its latest diamond drilling programme at the Pitfield Project ("Pitfield" or the "Project") in Western Australia. This programme was carried out, on schedule, during November and December 2025. It provides geological, geochemical, metallurgical and geotechnical data for ongoing development studies and improve Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") material confidence, with a particular focus on the high-grade central zone within the in-situ weathered cap at the Thomas Prospect.

Story Continues

Diamond Drill Programme

The November-December 2025 diamond drilling campaign was designed to generate:

Detailed geological and structural data through the high grade in-situ weathered zone and into the fresh bedrock, improving the understanding of the deposit and supporting ongoing geological and resource modelling;

Geochemical assay data to expand the geological database and support future upgrades to the MRE;

PQ-diameter drill core for metallurgical testing, providing representative material for the ongoing bulk metallurgical test work programme; and

Geotechnical data to support mine design and engineering studies as the Project advances towards development.

This diamond drilling programme consisted of eight holes for 745.1m, carried out across the Thomas Prospect over an area 2km x 1km (refer Figure 1). All holes were geotechnically logged to a depth of 50m by Geotechnical and Geological Consultants ("GGC"), a Perth based consultancy. Results from the geotechnical logging are still pending. Drill core from all eight holes was subsequently cut and subsampled, with a quarter of the core removed for geochemical assaying and the remainder being saved for bulk metallurgical test work.

Figure 1: Location of Diamond holes with previous drilling.

The geochemical assay results, as well as previously drilled intercepts, clearly show that the high grade TiO 2 central zone is extensive at the Thomas Prospect, covering an area of at least 5km long and 1.25km wide.

All but one diamond drillhole generated average grades well above 5% TiO 2 (refer Table 1), being the average grade of the Thomas MRE (1.77Bt at 5.0% TiO 2 ). The highest grade drillhole (DD25TOM010) intersected 66m of sandstone and minor interbedded siltstone and has an average grade 6.5% TiO 2 . The lowest grade drillhole (DD25TOM014) predominantly intersected sandstones with some thick interbeds of conglomerate, up to 10m downhole, which has reduced the grade as the clasts within the conglomerate do not contain TiO 2 mineralisation and consequently act to dilute the grade of the rock.

Importantly, the extensive ongoing Air Core ("AC") and Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling at Thomas (announced 17 February 2026) will further consolidate the dimensions and grade of the high-grade central zone, as well as identify the location of thick interbeds of conglomerate which are lower average grade. This infill drill programme was designed to improve material confidence and advance the Thomas MRE into Measured and Indicated Resources, forming the basis of the mine, ore scheduling and economic evaluations.

High-grade sub-intervals reported from within the in-situ weathered zone (refer Table 1) show that there is not only variability in grade across the weathered zone but also in thickness, with the holes in the central zone reporting much higher grades and having a thicker weathered profile than the holes to the east of the central zone.

A key finding from the drill assay data analysis is the identification of very high-grade TiO 2 intervals near surface within the weathered zone, in particular DD25TOM009 which intersected 9.25m @ 10.13% TiO 2 from 26.25m and DD25TOM012 which intersected 7.7m @ 9.88% TiO 2 from 3.0m.



Table 1: Total drill hole and weathered zone intercepts from the drill programme

Hole ID Total Depth (m) Depth From (m) Depth To (m) Interval (m) Grade TiO 2 (%) DD25TOM009 101.2 2.1 101.2 99.1 5.38 weathered zone 2.1 58.3 56.2 6.55 inc. 26.2 35.5 9.3 10.13 DD25TOM010 68.2 2.2 68.2 66.0 6.50 weathered zone 2.2 63.5 61.3 6.64 DD25TOM011 101.3 0.2 101.3 101.1 5.77 weathered zone 0.2 54.4 54.2 5.74 inc. 0.2 6.2 6.0 8.52 DD25TOM012 101.2 0.0 101.2 101.2 5.39 weathered zone 0.0 51.4 51.4 6.05 inc. 1.5 9.2 7.7 9.88 DD25TOM013 101.2 0.0 101.2 101.2 6.03 weathered zone 0.0 53.5 53.5 6.83 DD25TOM014 101.2 6.6 101.2 94.6 4.42 weathered zone 6.6 35.1 28.5 4.75 DD25TOM015 101.2 2.6 101.2 98.6 5.72 weathered zone 2.6 36.1 33.5 5.43 inc. 15.8 20.8 5.0 8.11 DD25TOM016 69.6 0.0 69.6 69.6 5.58 weathered zone 0.0 35.7 35.7 5.48

Ongoing Exploration Activities H1 2026

In February 2026, Empire commenced a major drilling programme, the largest by far to date, primarily focused on delivering an updated MRE at Thomas, with increased resource classification into the Measured and Indicated categories, and a significantly larger updated MRE at Cosgrove (announced 17 February 2026).

Overall, 754 drill holes were planned, totalling 41,250 metres of drilling and consisting of:

683 AC drill holes for approximately 34,150 metres, and

71 RC drill holes for approximately 7,100 metres,

As of 15 March 2026 the Company had completed a total of 157 holes for 8,899m: 106 AC drill holes for 6,554m at the Thomas Prospect and 61 AC drill holes for 2,345m at Cosgrove. The drilling was scheduled to commence with two AC drill rigs, with a further AC drill rig and two RC drill rigs mobilising by mid-March. All five drill rigs have now mobilised to site and are fully operational. Drilling is expected to be completed by mid-April and will lead to the release of an updated MRE, which is anticipated in Q3 2026, as previously announced, to support ongoing engineering and study work.

The drilling campaign, which is expected to cost A$3.7M in total, is fully funded. Drilling costs, inclusive of sampling and assays, average less than A$90 per metre which demonstrates disciplined and effective management by our exploration team.

Competent Person Statement

The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Empire Metals Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

Market Abuse Regulation Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this announcement.

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:

Empire Metals Ltd Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell Tel: 020 4583 1440 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Joint Broker) Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl Tel: 020 3470 0470 Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker) James Asensio / Christian Calabrese / Charlie Hammond Tel: 020 7523 8000 Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker) Damon Heath Tel: 020 7186 9950 Tavistock (Financial PR) Emily Moss / Josephine Clerkin empiremetals@tavistock.co.uk Tel: 020 7920 3150

About Empire Metals Limited

Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE)(OTCQX:EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on the commercialisation of the Pitfield Titanium Project, located in Western Australia. The titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale and hosts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) totalling 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO.

Titanium mineralisation at Pitfield occurs from surface and displays exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. The MRE extends across just 20% of the known mineralised footprint, providing substantial potential for further resource expansion.

Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment feedstock. With excellent logistics and established infrastructure, Pitfield is strategically positioned to supply the growing global demand for titanium and other critical minerals.

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: Empire Metals Limited





View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire




Irans attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries, particularly targeting the oil terminals and gas fields of the United Arab Emirates, have pushed the IEAs strategic petroleum stock release to the back burner, making supply disruptions the main story again. Whilst shipping companies remain wary of transiting the Hormuz, despite the Trump administrations claims that tankers are now dribbling through, Tehran seems to be eager to make political deals with regional neighbours. Separate deals with Iraq and Pakistan could be the start of something bigger.

- Italys oil major ENI (BIT:ENI) has made two new gas discoveries offshore Libya, jointly containing more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas, hitting commercial deposits of gas with its Bahr Essalam-2 and Bahr Essalam-3 wildcats. - Japans leading shipping company Nippon Yusen KK (TYO:9101) has agreed to buy 50% in Avenir LNG, one of the pioneers of LNG bunkering operations. - Brazils state oil firm Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) said it had decided to exercise its pre-emptive right to purchase the 50% stake of Malaysias Petronas in two offshore fields in Brazil for a total of $450 million. - UK oil major BP (NYSE:BP) has started production from its Quiluma field offshore Angola it jointly develops with ENI, aiming to initially produce 150 MMCf/day, to be gradually ramped up to 330 MMCf/day by the end of 2026.

- Oil markets are warming up to the idea that crude could indeed reach $200 per barrel, a threat that Tehrans military keeps on reiterating, after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz entered its third week. - Most of crude tankers passing through the Hormuz remain of Iranian origin, with so far only 5 non-Iranian tankers breaking through the IRGCs blockade  three en route to India, two to Pakistan. - There are only two bypassing routes from Gulf countries that avoid the Strait of Hormuz, namely Saudi Arabias 5 million b/day East-West pipeline and the UAEs 1.5 million b/day Habshan-Fujairah conduit. - Whilst Saudi Aramco has sped up its loadings from its Red Sea coast to 3 million b/day, a level never seen before but still well below its 7 million b/day export rate before the war - however, one single Houthi strike could disrupt those flows even further. - The UAEs main evacuation route might see further disruptions, too, as Iran struck the Fujairah export terminal twice in just two days, forcing national oil company ADNOC to suspend loadings.

Oil markets are increasingly pricing in a potential long-term disruption as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz chokes exports, overwhelms limited bypass capacity, and exposes Gulf supply routes to escalating attacks.

Story Continues

Oil Exports from Gulf Slump by 60%. Daily exports of crude and products from the Arab Gulf have plunged by 60% since the US-Iran war started, with the previous flow of more than 25 million b/day shrinking to just 9.7 million b/day in the week ending March 15, tightening global oil markets.

IEA Is Ready to Double Down on SPR Releases. Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, has stated that the organization is ready to release more oil stocks if needed, beefing up its largest-ever joint release of 400 million barrels into the market.

Related: Little-Known US Company Lands Important Pentagon Contract in Rare Earth Race

Iraq Mulls Its Pipeline Options After Kurdish Fiasco. After Iraq failed to persuade the Kurdish Regional Government to resume exports of crude from the countrys south via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, Baghdad is now seeking to restart a long-halted pipeline that bypasses Kurdish territory.

Iran Attacks UAEs Domestic Gas Supply. One of the largest gas fields in the United Arab Emirates, ADNOCs Shah field jointly developed with Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY), has been impacted by a drone attack and forced to shut, closing 1.28 BCf/d gas and 4.2 mtpa sulphur production capacity.

Japan Eyes Russian Oil Imports. According to market reports, Japanese refiners are looking to buy Russian crude oil to soften the impact of supply disruptions driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, despite having purchased only one cargo of Sakhalin oil throughout the past 3 years.

Canada Pledges Output Increases Instead of SPRs. Canadas oil producers have pledged to ramp up output by a collective 23.6 million barrels as the country has no strategic petroleum reserves, suggesting that its part of the coordinated IEA release will only materialize in 3-6 months.

Trump Forces California Pipe Restart. US upstream firm Sable Offshore (NYSE:SOC) started pumping crude through a long-disputed pipeline system that links Californias Santa Ynez offshore platform with Golden State refineries, shut since 2015, following executive orders from President Trump.



US Diesel Jumps Above 5$ Threshold. US average retail diesel prices have jumped above $5 per gallon for the first time since December 2022 and only for the second time in history, according to data from GasBuddy, as oil markets are reeling from the closure of Middle Eastern middle distillates.

Chinas State Refiners Return to Russian Oil. Chinas state-controlled refineries Sinopec and CNPC resumed imports of seaborne Russian crude after a four-month-long hiatus driven by US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, mopping up 10 cargoes of Far Eastern ESPO in the May loading cycle.

Iraq Eyes Separate Hormuz Deal with Iran. The government of Iraq is allegedly in talks with Tehran to let some of its oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, having already slashed 3 million b/d of production due to tight storage capacity and potentially facing even steeper output cuts.

Dubai Futures Market Turns into Frenzy Mode. Differentials for key Middle Eastern grades have surpassed the mind-boggling $60 per barrel threshold for the first time on record, as S&P Global reported that both cash Dubai and cash Oman settled at a $62 per barrel premium to Dubai futures.

Iran War Dampens Outlook for Kuwait. Kuwaits long-mooted $7 billion midstream infrastructure farm-out deal might be falling apart after Australian investment fund Macquarie (ASX:MQG) decided to withdraw from bidding, citing the uncertain geopolitical outlook in the wider Gulf region.

Chinas Steel Bonanza Starts to Slow Down. Chinas reported production of crude steel dropped by 3.6% year-over-year in January-February to 160.34 million metric tonnes, as Beijings export requirements slowed outgoing shipments and nationwide steel margins started to falter.

White House Seeks Settlement with French Major. According to the NYT, the Trump administration is drafting agreements to pay nearly $1 billion to French energy giant TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) as compensation for the cancellation of its wind farm leases in New York and North Carolina.



By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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The government has announced it will erase certain electricity bills for qualifying residents impacted after Hurricane Dorian, while critics question the timing and use of public funds. Do you support this decision? Cast your vote and share your perspective.

You voted:
Innovation agency Enterprise Ireland has signed a new alliance with Northwell Health, intended to advance commercialisation activities for Irish life sciences and health tech companies in the US.

Building on a preexisting partnership forged in 2016, the renewed alliance is anticipated to help more Enterprise Ireland-supported companies secure procurement contracts with Northwell Health, gain resources to initiate clinical pilots and trials, and obtain strategic investments through the US health systems investment fund, Northwell Ventures.

Enterprise Ireland partners with Irish enterprises to help them navigate their development in global markets. In 2024, the innovation agency was determined to be the worlds most active life sciences and healthtech VC in a report by PitchBook, with 60 investments made that year.

Kevin Sherry, Enterprise Irelands executive director, said: "Ireland's life sciences and health tech sector is producing world-class innovation at a remarkable pace and is attracting record VC investment, a testament to the depth and quality of Ireland's R&D ecosystem.

Our new strategic alliance with Northwell Health sits at the heart of that ambition, providing significant opportunities for innovative Irish companies to commercialise and co-develop new innovations and enter the US market.

According to Enterprise Ireland, Northwell is currently engaged in relationships with 18 companies, including healthcare staffing platform provider CliniShift, and telerehabilitation specialist Salaso Health Solutions. The relationships include procurement contracts, clinical trials, and strategic investments.

In tandem with the new alliances signing on 17 March, Northwell also struck a partnership with Irish medtech company Neurent Medical, which has received support from Enterprise Ireland throughout the development of its Neuromark technology for treating chronic rhinitis and other inflammatory sinonasal diseases.

Elaine Brennan, executive director of global strategic partnerships at Northwell Health, commented: Our International Business Program has proven to be an invaluable gateway for innovative international companies seeking to enter and scale within the US healthcare market.

Since 2016, we have provided Enterprise Ireland client companies with direct access to clinical experts across one of America's largest health systems, resulting in meaningful outcomes including procurement contracts, clinical pilots and trials, and strategic investments from Northwell Ventures.

"Enterprise Ireland partners with Northwell Health to advance Irish firms US growth" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is one of the Most Undervalued Long Term Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On March 6, Evercore ISI reiterated a Buy rating on Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) but lowered the price target from $105 to $98.

The rating is based on the firms meeting with the management in San Francisco. Evercore noted that it came back confident regarding general fundamental trends, with the exception of some headwinds and an increasingly uneasy landscape.

The firm noted that Wells Fargo reaffirmed its core financial outlook amid macroeconomic headwinds, including the Iran conflict, AI uncertainties, and broader economic volatility. Management highlighted no material shifts in net interest income, loan/deposit growth, or expenses.

Moreover, the company described AI as a fast-evolving factor sparking investor concerns but not yet posing significant risks to deposits, wealth management, or fee income streams. Wells Fargo noted that consumer resilience remains steady in card and auto lending, although the bank is watching for delayed AI effects on US unemployment.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is engaged in a diverse array of financial services such as banking, mortgages, investments, and commercial finance solutions. It serves consumers, small businesses, and large institutions, offering unique products and services tailored to specific requirements.

While we acknowledge the potential of WFC 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: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Manipurs AI turn : Governance, classrooms and security enter a new phase

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Dr Moirangthem Indrakumar SinghContd from previous issueGP Womens College Principal Prof L Rajen Singh called AI a powerful tool that nonetheless could not replace traditional rigour in academic study and research, urging scholars to use it judiciously.Local media treated the lecture as a bellwether of broader changes. India Today NE ran the headline AI revolution sweeps into Manipurs classrooms and research halls, presenting the program as evidence that the states academic ecosystem is now directly engaging with generative AI.The Frontier Manipur similarly reported that experts at the event called for a rethink of how AI reshapes academic research, warning of both its opportunities and risks.The conversation is not confined to one-off- lectures. Faculty records from Manipur University show that Akashvani Imphal hosted a seminar titled Artificial Intelligence for Youths : Exploring Opportunities, Mitigating Risks at MIMS, Manipur University, on 18 January 2025, with Dr Khumukcham Robindro Singh as an invited speaker, signalling a growing focus on public outreach and youth engagement in AI.In February 2026, Manipur Technical University announced a program on Gen AI and Preparation for Competitive Exam, aimed at helping students, especially those in professional courses, understand and responsibly use generative AI tools in their learning and exam strategies.On the research front, Manipur is preparing to host its own international AI conference in the near future.IIIT Manipur has announced the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing (ICAIAC-2026) to be held from 25 August 2026 at its campus in Imphal. The official conference page listed themes including artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, data science, and natural language pro-cessing, with selected papers targeted for publication in Scopus-indexed- outlets.For a relatively young institute in a peripheral state, hosting such a conference suggests an ambition to embed itself into global AI research networks.AI is also beginning to shape Manipurs security and law-and-order strategies. In December 2025, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a high-level conference of the Home and Police Departments at Lok Bhavan, where he directed the state police administration to strengthen survei- llance using state-of-the-art technologies, including drones and AI-based tools, with the specific objective of building a drug-free state. Reports in The Shillong Times, The Assam Tribune, PTI and PTI copy carried by The Week, and other outlets note that the Governor drew on discussions from the 2025 DGPs/IGPs Conference held in Raipur from November 28 to 30 and stressed the need for capacity building so that police personnel can effectively use these AI-enabled tools. The directive included deploying AI alongside drones to enhance surveillance and enforcement in vulnerable areas.These state-level directions align with national trends in security technology. In July 2025, CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh told the media that the force would soon induct the latest AI and drone technologies for operations in multiple theatres, including Jammu & Kashmir and the North-Eastern states such as Manipur. Speaking to ANI, he said the force is focused on making its human resources future-ready and adequately trained, noting that modern technologies like artificial intelligence are the need of the hour and will soon be inducted into the CRPF along with quantum computing tools, while high-end drones are already being used for maintaining law and order and for counter-terrorism operations.AI-related technical content is also seeping into engineering disciplines. A workshop brochure hosted by Manipur Institute of Technology (MIT), a constituent college of Manipur University, outlines a programme on semiconductor technologies in which low-power design and optimisation using AI are emphasised. The document explains that AI-based optimization techniques can be used to minimise energy consumption and improve performance in semiconductor circuits, giving engi- neering students in Manipur exposure to how AI interacts with VLSI and hardware design.At the regional level, Manipur stands to benefit from the Government of Indias North Eastern Science & Technology (NEST) Cluster project. A Press Information Bureau release from November 2025 describes NEST as a hub-and- spoke initiative anchored at IIT Guwahati, with thematic components that include a Technology Hub for Semiconductor and AI. This AI and semiconductor hub is intended to serve institutions across all North- Eastern states, providing shared research infrastructure, training, and innova- tion support, in which Manipurs Indian Institute of Information Technology, Senapati, Manipur,is one of the spokes.Taken together, these strands point to a pattern. A state-level push is building AI awareness and capacity among senior bureaucrats; universities are incorporating AI into discussions on pedagogy, evaluation and research integrity; security agencies are being nudged towards AI-enabled surveillance; regional policy is financing an AI and semiconductor hub that includes Manipur; and private providers are offering AI training on the ground. For a small, conflict-scarred state at the edge of Indias map, Manipurs slow but deliberate embrace of AI may well determine how inclusive and resilientits future digital society becomes.The writer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media Studies at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. His research focuses on the impact of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, on journalism, media practices, and digital governance. He can be reached at [email protected]
Windstorm, hailstone and downpour Trail of destruction

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The sky is still overcast and the weather office has said that rain accompanied by hailstorm is likely to continue for the next few days. When the first drops of rain started falling in Imphal on the adjoining nights of March 14 and March 15, many welcomed it for Manipur was beginning to feel the dry spell, with ponds and water bodies starting to go dry. However as things turned out, the gentle pitter patter on the ground and tinned roofs soon gave way to heavy rain accompanied by hailstones that left a trail of destruction in many areas of the State, particularly at Bishnupur, Kakching, Noney, Tengnoupal and some areas in Imphal West. The strong gust of wind that accompanied the rain ensured that power supply was snapped at many areas, at least in Imphal and this dragged on for hours. Even as this commentary is being penned down, information has come in of many leikais suffering from power cuts. March is generally not the wettest of month and heavy rains do not usually define this month, but not this time and even as the strong wind blew away the roofs of many dwelling houses in different parts of the State, many tinned roofs have been perforated, leading many to question whether Manipur will see a repeat of 2023 when tinned roofs went out of stock and its price sky rocketed. It was in drawing from the past experience that some conscientious individuals have come out in the open to appeal to all not to unnecessarily jack up the price of the roofing materials. A reflection of the reality that the Government has utterly failed to do what is expected of them and this has been the story of Manipur, not only during times of flood or drought but whenever an emergent situation arises. Even as the sky opened up, a number of young boys could be seen coming out to clear the khongbans to ensure free flow of the water and the debris pulled out from the khongbans should tell a story of how the people have been treating its natural waterways down the decades. If the rains continue, leading to localised flooding, then stories of the menace of plastics will return. A story that has been repeated down the years and a clear testimony that people are just not ready to learn. Dont litter the place with plastic wastes. Dont throw the used plastic carry bags into the khongbans. In short dont litter public places with wastes generated from the kitchens or from the wrappings that come with goods bought from the market. Garbage trucks are there which come once every seven or five days in each and every locality. Collect the plastic waste in a bin or a sack and give them to the garbage trucks. Not at all a tall call to follow. Instead what one sees are plastic bottles, used plastic carry bags, plastic spoons and glasses thrown into the khongbans in each and every leikai. What is basically wrong with the mindset of the people ? Everything it seems. At the moment localised flooding is yet to be reported on a large scale, but come the rainy season, say May/June/July, then Manipur can expect to see clogged nullahs and khongbans leading to localised flooding everywhere and while one can expect talks and call to everyone to be more conscious of their acts, it will be back to square one once the Sun comes out and the rain stops.

This is not the rainy season. Monsoon is yet to come, but this is the time for everyone to be ready for that time when the sky opens up. And the first thing to do is to ensure that the waterways or khongbans and nullahs are not clogged with plastic wastes. Not a tough call to follow. Just dont litter the place, especially when it falls under the category of public space. The best option would of course be for the people to stop using plastic carry bags. Carry ones own bag while out shopping. This again should not be too tough a task, if only people get ready to look beyond their immediate convenience. The Govt too should start showing that it will stick by its decision. It was sometime back that a ban on single use plastic was announced in a big way. Imphal based newspapers were awash with information of Government officials checking the sale of single use plastic carry bags. All that now seems to be an exercise for some photo-ops with no follow up action seen. Something has to give. Show the Government is sincere in its ban on SUP and the public too should reciprocate.
The former W International metal fabricating site in Goose Creek is the subject of an $80 million whistleblower lawsuit unsealed Monday in federal court in Charleston. The company's assets were acquired last year by Navy contractor Newport News Shipbuilding, which is not part of the lawsuit. This photo is from the company's January 2025 announcement. (Courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries)

Editors note: This article was updated Tuesday afternoon, following the announced settlement.

A day after unsealing an $80 million whistleblower lawsuit against a former Goose Creek military contractor, the federal government on Tuesday said it has reached a settlement in the case.

W International and company CEO Ed Walker, along with another Walker-owned company called Precision Material Equipment Handling Co. LLC, will pay $10.5 million to resolve allegations in the lawsuit, which claimed the three defendants violated the federal False Claims Act.

Walker and his companies were accused of bilking millions of dollars from federal contracts for the construction of the U.S. Navys next-generation nuclear submarine, overbilling the government for labor and materials while executives pocketed much of the money.

Contractors and subcontractors are expected to charge no more than authorized under their contracts with the military, said Brett Shumate, assistant attorney general and head of the U.S. Justice Departments civil division.

We will continue to ensure the government gets the prices it bargained for on defense contracts, Shumate said in a written statement.

John Klausmeier, a former chief operating officer at W International, will receive $1.8 million as the whistleblower in the case. Klausmeier moved to South Carolina in 2019 to become chief operating officer of the Goose Creek site. He was fired in October 2021.

Fraud on DoD (Department of Defense) contracts diverts critical taxpayer resources away from our warfighters, Christopher Dillard, a special agent in charge for the departments inspector general, said in a written statement.

Dillard said the agency will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain.

The lawsuit had been sealed from public view since 2022, when the government was first notified of potential wrongdoing at W International.

Walker could not be reached for comment. He lives in Michigan, according to the lawsuit.

The alleged fraud dates to 2019, when Walker moved W International to Bushy Park Road in the Charleston International Manufacturing Center with the aim of obtaining government shipbuilding contracts.

W Internationals assets were acquired last year by military contractor Newport News Shipbuilding, which builds Navy warships, including aircraft carriers. Newport News Shipbuilding is not a part of the lawsuit.

According to court documents, W International received $80 million from federal government programs in 2019 and 2020 to help establish a metal fabrication firm that could make parts for the Navys Columbia-class submarines, the newest design replacing aging models.
Last year, I had the opportunity to stay at a homestay in a remote part of Kerala, on the outskirts of Kalpetta, somewhere in the forested hills of the Western Ghats, far from the nearest town. What struck me most was not the lip-smacking food, or even the tranquillity, but the way the family hosted me.

They had opened their home with warmth but with no formal training. They had very little idea of what a traveller wanted, but they nailed it. That is when I wondered if every host in these remote regions was as naturally trained. In reality, there exists a gap between intention and experience. And that seems to be what the Centre is now trying to close.

On Tuesday, the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), under the Ministry of Tourism, held the inaugural opening ceremony of its Capacity Building Workshop for Tribal Homestay Owners in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Kautilya Hall, Hotel Samrat, New Delhi.

The training is being delivered by IHM Ashok, ITDCs flagship hospitality institute, widely regarded as one of the best hotel management schools in the country.

The first batch brought together 40 participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat, three states that represent the remarkable geographic and cultural diversity of India's tribal tourism potential.

According to ITDC, the programme is designed to equip homestay operators with structured, professional hospitality skills, raising service standards, improving visitor experiences, and building the kind of confidence that turns a one-time traveller into someone who recommends the place to everyone they know.

The event also saw the release of the Tribal Homestay Operation Development Manual 2026, developed by IHM Ashok. The manual has been translated into Hindi and Gujarati, too, in the first phase.

ITDC Managing Director Mugdha Sinha explained the larger vision, Our immediate effort to train 1,500 participants is only the beginning. The larger goal is to empower them to become trainers of trainers in their respective states, enabling the model to expand rapidly and ensuring that communities can access training closer to home.

The broader policy is already in place. Under Swadesh Darshan and the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), the Ministry of Tourism has already committed to developing 1,000 tribal homestays nationally, with financial support of up to 5 lakh per household for new construction and 3 lakh for renovation.

The ongoing training programme is expected to translate the policy into actual hospitality experiences. By equipping homestay owners with the basic principles of hospitality, this initiative has the potential to transform local economies, said Ranjana Chopra, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

The initiative is expected to come to other states, such as Kerala, in future phases that have a higher concentration of homestays in remote regions. However, the Centre is yet to provide any confirmation on this.
French carmaker Renault has had many ups and downs  mostly downs in India since entering the market. It had the typical European attitude of immensely underestimating the market. And if that did not turn out to be a near-disaster, their global tie-up with Nissan, when it unravelled, almost did it for them.

Through the process, the company did one thing right, though  it took all those hard knocks and bitter lessons quite seriously. And now, come 2026, it wants to put into practice what it learned, to come up trumps in the Indian out.

Step one of that was last year, when Renault took back full ownership of the Chennai manufacturing plant, which was originally a part of the Nissan tie-up. The second is the launch of the new line-up of cars.

The Duster, whose new line-up was launched on Tuesday, is pivotal to this. Back in 2012, perhaps even without realising it, Renault had kicked off the Compact SUV revolution in India with the launch of the original Duster. Its another matter that the credit for Indias SUV boom is often credited to two other models  the Ford Ecosport, which was the first viral model to come in this bracket, as well as the Hyundai Creta, which is today the market leader and poster boy of the segment.

Duster did sell a lot  more than two lakh units were sold, with Renault officials billing it a benchmark. (Duster is) synonymous with robustness, versatility and a certain spirit of adventure, says an official blog from Renault.

An interesting aspect of the unexpected success of Duster in India, till then, Renault had not thought much of the Indian market, was the fact that it was in a lot of ways quite different from Renaults typical aesthetics of comfort and features. Duster was more basic, but sturdy, which made it popular amidst Indias combination of congestion and bad roads.

However, Renault still continued its bloopers, withdrawing the Duster from the market in the late 2010s without an alternative or a refurbished variant in place, and its other models not living up to the success of the Duster. The result? Its market share, which was at 2016 during the first boom in SUV craze at 4 per cent plummeted to below 1 per cent by 2023-24 or so.

However, with the Indian auto market still on rosy growth even as global trends indicate a churn, Renault is finally in on India  the Chennai plant is now fully mobilised, under direct control, and churning out new models not just for domestic use, but for export to scores of Renaults markets across the world. India also boasts of development, and is today at par with its hubs in Latin America, Morocco, Turkey and South Korea. The aim, according to company documents, is to double production at Chennai.

For that, it will need robust sales of not just the new variant of Duster, but also the other products. Renault seems to have hit upon the formula of trying out Hybrid vehicles rather than an outright switch to electric, and it augurs well that the Indian market has shown a penchant, both in sales figures as well as policy relief, for hybrid cars.

The learning process surely seems to be helping. Back when Duster was discontinued, Renault had tried to make up with Captur  lots of frills and priced high. It didnt help. But in recent months, the companys sales have shot up, thanks to more locally friendly models like Kwid, Triber and Kiger  sales went up more than 30 per cent last month.

It has probably realised by now that the sweet spot for it would be to look at the value-conscious segment and offer Indians the features they prefer and locally suitable, not what designers in Paris think is right for the world. No wonder India marketing head Francisco Hidalgo said, The new Renault Duster reflects exactly what the Indian customers expect today: strong performance, real-world durability and everyday usabilitythe SUV is engineered for how India actually drives.

This line of re-strategising is also pretty evident in the price range of Duster unveiled on Tuesday  turbo petrol prices starting at 10.49 lakh rupees. There are also subscription offers, in tune with the trend in the market.
Actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijays troubles seem to be unending. His movie, Jana Nayagan, may not see the light of the day anytime soon before the election, as the censor board has once again cancelled the films review. The revising committee, which was supposed to review the film on March 17, failed to turn up as its members did not choose to fly down from Hyderabad to watch and scrutinise the film.

Initially, the revising committee was scheduled to review the film on March 9, as KVN Productions, the producers of Jana Nayagan, withdrew its writ petition from the Madras High Court and approached the Censor boards revising committee. The producers chose to withdraw the petition based upon the Supreme Courts order that the films release be stalled until it is revised further. The screening of the film to the revising committee was, however, postponed to March 17, as one of the committee members fell sick and did not turn up.

But again on Tuesday, the two of the members of the revising committee, Jeevitha Rajashekar from Hyderabad and T.S. Nagabharana from Karnataka, who were supposed to travel to Chennai on March 17 to review Jana Nayagan, did not fly down. According to sources, the CBFC office in Chennai doesnt have a board member as S.Ve.Shekhars tenure had ended and no one had replaced him yet. The Jana Nayagan production team, which was waiting for the members since morning till 6 pm on Tuesday, had to return disappointed.

Unlike earlier, the CBFC committee did not choose to inform a fresh date for the review of the film. It may be recalled that one of the OTT platforms that had acquired Jana Nayagan, had cancelled the deal as the deadline for theatrical release ended.
The firm's core recommendation is to contribute at least enough to capture any available employer match, which effectively provides a guaranteed return on your money before the market even enters the equation.

Fidelity's second step targets the behavior that does the most damage when left unaddressed: paused contributions. Even restarting at 1% of pay creates meaningful compounding over time.

For 2026, HSA contribution limits are $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families, according to the IRS . Funds roll over year to year and can be invested for long-term growth, making HSAs a powerful supplemental retirement vehicle.

Fidelity also flags health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) as underused tools. HSAs offer a triple tax advantage: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

If you're carrying a balance at 22% APR while your retirement investments return 8% annually, the math favors paying down the card first.

High-interest debt, particularly credit card balances, should be paid down before aggressively funding long-term savings accounts.

That emergency cushion is the buffer that prevents a temporary financial disruption from becoming a retirement-account withdrawal. If you don't have one, building it should take priority alongside debt reduction.

Fidelity advises anyone recovering from a setback to create a household budget, secure basic insurance coverage through an employer if possible, and begin building an emergency fund of at least $1,000, working up toward three to six months of essential expenses.

The guidance is grounded in institutional research and built around moves that are available to most working Americans right now.

Fidelity Investments, which administers retirement accounts for tens of millions of workers, recently published a detailed recovery framework outlining five steps designed to help people at any age rebuild after a financial setback.

According to the Q4 2025 Quarterly Market Perceptions Study from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement , more than half of Americans (51%) have either stopped or reduced their retirement savings in the past six months due to economic pressure.

Many Americans have watched their retirement plans stall over the past year. Some stopped contributing altogether. Others dipped into their 401(k)s to cover rent, medical bills, or credit card debt. A few made decisions during a moment of panic that they're still trying to reverse.

Story Continues

Contribution rates are improving, but most workers are still well short

According to Vanguard's How America Saves 2026 preview, the average deferral rate reached a record 7.7% in 2024, and 45% of participants increased their contribution rate during the year.

Average 401(k) balances rose 13% to a record $167,970. But only 14% of participants actually max out their workplace plan contributions. Among workers earning between $75,000 and $100,000, that figure drops to just 2%.

Fidelity recommends gradually increasing contributions until you reach 15% of pre-tax income, including any employer match. That is the savings rate the firm considers generally sufficient to maintain your standard of living in retirement.

If your plan offers auto-escalation, which automatically raises your deferral by 1% annually, enrolling in it is one of the most effective behavioral finance tools available. Data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows that auto-escalation features can reduce the national retirement savings shortfall by up to 9%.

Workers without employer plans have expanded IRA options in 2026

If you don't have access to a 401(k) or 403(b), Fidelity recommends contributing to an IRA and setting up automatic transfers so the process doesn't depend on willpower alone.

For 2026, the IRS raised the IRA contribution limit to $7,500, with an additional $1,100 in catch-up contributions for savers aged 50 and older, bringing the total to $8,600. The Roth IRA income phase-out range for single filers runs from $153,000 to $168,000 in 2026.

More Employment:

About 56 million U.S. workers currently lack access to any employer-sponsored retirement plan, according to the National Institute on Retirement Security. For those workers, an IRA with automated deposits may be the single most accessible path to building retirement savings.

Step 3: Repay 401(k) loans and avoid early withdrawals

Step three addresses a growing trend. Hardship withdrawals and 401(k) loans have both increased in recent years as workers use retirement assets to manage current expenses.

Fidelity's own data shows that 19.4% of plan participants had an outstanding 401(k) loan in 2025, up from 18.9% the prior year. Vanguard's latest report also shows that hardship withdrawals have been rising alongside record-high average balances.

A $300,000 gap caused by behavior, not markets

Fidelity illustrates the cost with a scenario involving three hypothetical workers, all earning $75,000 and contributing 10% of their salary, who each took a $20,000 loan from their 401(k) at age 40.

The worker who repaid on time and maintained contributions reached roughly $981,000 by age 67. The one who cut contributions in half during repayment finished with about $902,000.

The worker who stopped contributing entirely and took a second loan ended up with approximately $673,000. That $308,000 difference was driven entirely by savings behavior, not by investment selection or market timing.

It is one of the clearest illustrations of how disruptions to contribution discipline compound over decades.

Rules to know if you have an outstanding 401(k) loan

Loans must generally be repaid within five years, plus interest

Leaving your employer before repayment typically converts the outstanding balance into a taxable distribution, potentially triggering a 10% early withdrawal penalty

Continuing to contribute to your plan during the repayment period is critical for minimizing the long-term impact

Taking multiple loans multiplies the damage, as Fidelity's scenario demonstrates

Workers aged 60 to 63 qualify for the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up of $11,250, allowing a maximum of $35,750 in a single year.Photo by Catherine Delahaye on Getty Images  Photo by Catherine Delahaye on Getty Images

Step 4: Balance retirement savings with competing financial priorities

Fidelity's fourth step acknowledges a tension that financial advice often glosses over: most Americans are trying to save for retirement, build an emergency fund, manage debt, and cover rising living costs simultaneously.

The firm recommends a technique called mental accounting, in which you label separate savings goals with specific, personally meaningful names to maintain focus and motivation across multiple objectives.

The national retirement savings picture remains stark

A February 2026 report from the National Institute on Retirement Security found that the median retirement savings for all working Americans is just $955, including non-savers.

Even among workers with positive account balances, the median stands at only $40,000. For workers aged 55 to 64, the group nearest to retirement, the median is roughly $30,000.

These numbers reflect a structural problem, not merely individual failure. Many workers lack access to employer-sponsored plans. Others face trade-offs between retirement contributions and immediate financial obligations, leaving little room for long-term savings.

Fidelity's practical suggestion here is to use tools like its Goal Booster feature to automate short-term savings targets. Saving $167 per month, for example, builds a $6,000 emergency fund within three years.

Step 5: Assess your full retirement readiness

The fifth step moves from action to evaluation. Fidelity recommends measuring your retirement readiness using four metrics: your annual savings rate, your progress toward age-based savings milestones, your expected income-replacement rate in retirement, and your planned withdrawal rate.

How Fidelity's age-based savings milestones work

Fidelity's widely cited benchmarks suggest having one times your annual salary saved by age 30, three times by 40, six times by 50, eight times by 60, and ten times by 67.

These are directional targets, not guarantees. Your actual number will depend on where you plan to live, your healthcare needs, whether you carry a mortgage into retirement, and what Social Security benefits you expect to receive.

The firm targets an income replacement rate of roughly 45% from personal savings and investments, with the remainder covered by Social Security and any pension income. Its recommended sustainable withdrawal rate is approximately 4% per year, consistent with the broader financial planning consensus.

The 2026 contribution limits create real catch-up opportunities

If you are in recovery mode, the 2026 tax year offers meaningful room to accelerate. The IRS raised the 401(k) employee deferral limit to $24,500. Workers aged 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000 in catch-up contributions, for a total of $32,500.

Workers aged 60 to 63 qualify for the SECURE 2.0 super catch-up of $11,250, allowing a maximum of $35,750 in a single year.

Related: AARP sounds alarm for American workers on 401(k)s, IRAs

Combined with the $7,500 IRA limit and the $1,100 IRA catch-up for those 50 and older, a worker in their peak earning years could shelter more than $40,000 across retirement accounts in 2026.

One important caveat under SECURE 2.0: starting in 2026, if you earned more than $150,000 in the prior year, your catch-up contributions to employer plans must be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis.

Pitfalls that can undermine even a disciplined recovery plan

Fidelity's framework provides a strong starting point, but several common mistakes can derail progress if you're not aware of them.

Overcompensating with risk: After a setback, the temptation to chase returns in speculative investments can be strong. Increasing equity exposure beyond what your time horizon and risk tolerance support often compounds the problem rather than solving it.

Neglecting asset allocation: If your life circumstances, timeline, or goals have changed, your portfolio should reflect that. Fidelity recommends working with a financial professional to rebalance after a major financial disruption.

Cashing out when changing jobs: Rolling a 401(k) into an IRA or a new employer's plan preserves tax-deferred growth. Cashing out triggers income taxes plus a 10% penalty for those under 59 and a half, which can erase years of accumulation.

Relying too heavily on Social Security: Social Security trustees project that beneficiaries could face a roughly 20% benefit cut starting in 2034 if Congress does not address the program's funding gap. Building personal savings alongside expected Social Security income is essential for a secure retirement.

The savings gap is systemic; your recovery plan should be personal

The Northwestern Mutual 2025 Planning & Progress Study found that Americans believe they need $1.26 million to retire comfortably. More than half (51%) worry about outliving their savings. For Gen X workers approaching retirement, 54% say they do not expect to be financially prepared when the time comes.

No single plan closes a national retirement gap. But the steps that move the needle most; resuming contributions, removing high-interest debt, padding your emergency savings, and taking an honest look at your current position, are within reach for most working Americans. They do not demand financial sophistication. They demand a decision.

If your retirement savings have taken a detour, you are in a large company. The question is not whether you fell behind. It is whether you start moving forward from where you are right now. Fidelity's five-step playbook provides the roadmap. Following it is up to you.

Related: Tony Robbins warns Americans on Social Security, Medicare problem

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Mar 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retirement section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Conflict-associated disease outbreaks are emerging as the most immediate global health threat in 2026, according to a new insight paper by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which warns that violence, climate change, funding cuts, misinformation, and emerging pathogens are converging to strain fragile health systems worldwide.

These are challenging times for global health, the paper states. From conflict-related disease outbreaks and rising health misinformation to climate change and global health funding cuts, the risks to our collective global health are growing, and can feel overwhelming.

Conflict-associated outbreaks

By some measures, violence and disputes between and within states are approaching their highest levels since World War II, the report notes, adding that conflict drives the emergence and transmission of infectious disease by displacing populations, disrupting healthcare delivery and breaking supply chains for food, clean water and medicines. It can also accelerate the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Carrie Nielsen, immunisation lead at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, cautions that context matters: A lot of factors contribute, including environmental conditions, the ability to deliver health services during the conflict, and pre-conflict health infrastructure and immunisation coverage.

Cholera illustrates the scale of the danger. More than 6,000 people died from the disease in 2024  around 50% more than in 2023  while the number of affected countries rose from 45 to 60, the paper says, noting that the current surge has been worsened by disruptions to surveillance and response in conflict-affected areas including parts of Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In areas affected by conflict, when people are being displaced, it can be difficult to provide basic services and prevent the disease spreading, says Allyson Russell of Gavis Outbreaks and Global Health Security team.

In response, vaccine production has ramped up. Global production of oral cholera vaccine has increased from around 30 million doses in 2022 to 80 million in 2025, the paper notes. Gavi is also introducing a new agile funding tool  the Gavi Resilience Mechanism (GRM)  designed to respond rapidly to unexpected health emergencies and humanitarian crises that are not covered through existing mechanisms.

Climate change and arboviruses

The second major threat is climate change, which is reshaping the geography of diseases caused by arboviruses  those spread by mosquitoes and other arthropods.

Ignacio Esteban, Senior Manager in Gavis Policy team, says: This is leading to more outbreaks of diseases including malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya and dengue.

Temperature plays a critical role. When temperatures rise, mosquitoes become adults more quickly, and the incubation period of the viruses within mosquitoes is shorter, which increases the speed of transmission of these viruses to humans, says Diana P. Rojas, infectious disease epidemiologist of the WHO Global Arbovirus Programme and co-lead of the Global Arbovirus Initiative.

The impact is already visible. In 2024  the warmest year on record  more than 14.4 million dengue cases were reported globally, more than double the previous peak in 2023, the paper says.

Extreme weather compounds the threat. After a rainy season, when there are floods or when people collect water because of drought, there will be more breeding sites for mosquitoes, and then those places are more likely to have dengue or other arbovirus outbreaks, Dr Rojas adds.

Global health funding cuts

The third threat identified is shrinking international aid.

The scale of the cuts is already threatening hard-won health gains across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the full impact will become clearer in 2026 as countries try to mobilise alternative funding, the paper warns.

It cites projections that official development assistance will fall 917% in 2025, after a 9% drop in 2024, while external health aid could be 3040% lower in 2025 than in 2023.

Survey data from 108 LMICs shows funding cuts have already reduced critical health services by up to 70% in some countries, with job losses among health workers and disruptions to training.

To counter this, vaccine financing will be simplified to give countries more flexibility in how they run immunisation programmes, under the Gavi Leap initiative, while the WHO-led 3 by 35 Initiative calls for higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks to build domestic funding streams.

Health misinformation

Health misinformation is becoming one of the most destabilising forces in global health, the report says bluntly.

It erodes trust, shapes behaviour and weakens health systems at a time when vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles are resurging, and the risk of another pandemic remains.

The report notes that one in three young adults worldwide feels uncertain about childhood vaccines and relies more on social media and personal experience than on doctors or scientific evidence, citing the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Health.

Artificial intelligence is accelerating the spread of falsehoods. The growing use of deepfakes in health disinformation shows how quickly false narratives can now be created and spread, it says, referencing a fake video purporting to show a WHO press conference falsely claiming that a pandemic treaty would remove human rights protections and impose mass surveillance and censorship.

Still, efforts are under way. WHOs Africa Infodemic Response Alliance tracks misinformation trends, while Gavi and WHO are working with tech companies to promote reliable information online.

Marburg virus disease

Marburg virus disease, though unlikely to trigger a global pandemic, remains a regional danger.

Marburg virus disease is not a global threat per se, based on current understanding of the virus, says Anais Legand, Technical Officer for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers at WHO. However, outbreaks can still have severe economic and social impacts in affected countries.

The report stresses that preparedness  especially early detection and resilient health systems  will determine whether future cases remain contained or escalate.

The worry is that right now, we dont have sufficient data to understand exactly which are the places at risk in every country with Rousettus bat presence, limiting ability to reduce bat-to-human exposure and prevent spillover events, Legand says.

Disease X

Finally, the paper revisits the spectre of Disease X  shorthand for the next unknown pathogen with pandemic potential.

When global health experts refer to Disease X, they are not predicting a specific virus or date. The term describes the next unknown pathogen with the potential to spark a serious international epidemic or pandemic.

While 2026 is not inherently more dangerous than other years, the paper cautions that the world may be entering it less prepared than in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, interim Director of WHOs Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, highlights influenza risks: The possibility of such a reassortment sparking the next pandemic is strong.

A 2024 review of the 100 Days Mission found that preparedness is uneven across pathogens, with diagnostics and therapeutics lagging far behind vaccines, while a 2025 Global Diagnostics Gap Assessment identified diagnostics as the weakest link in pandemic preparedness.

The warning is clear: without sustained funding and political commitment, the systems built after COVID-19 may not be strong enough when Disease X emerges.

Together, the six threats underscore a fragile moment for global health in 2026  one in which conflict remains the accelerant, climate the multiplier, funding the constraint, misinformation the destabiliser, and emerging pathogens the ever-present risk.
The Rajya Sabha elections for four vacancies from Odisha, for which voting took place on Monday in the State Assembly at Bhubaneswar, will always be a memorable part of the state's political history.

It was the third setback for Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik (80) after his dethronement in the 2024 general elections, that had ended his 24-year consecutive rule in Odisha, followed by the BJDs humiliating defeat in the Nawapara Assembly byelection in November last year, which was the partys own seat that it won in the general elections.

#WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: On winning Rajya Sabha election, Independent candidate Dilip Ray says, "First, I want to thank the BJP for coming forward and supporting me in this, especially our great leaders Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, and the party pic.twitter.com/aSCyTqLWCt  ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

On Mondays Rajya Sabha election, though, according to the respective strengths of MLAs, the ruling BJP got two seats and the main Opposition party, BJD, won one seat. The fourth seat was won by the BJP-supported independent candidate: former Union Minister and Indias well-known hotelier Dilip Ray, because of the cross-voting of eight BJD MLAsbesides three from Congressthough for the first time, the BJD supremo had tied up with the third opposition party, Congress, and had fielded a common independent candidate.

Besides the BJD and Congress joining hands to become a topic of discussion at the national level, the pre-voting events affecting all three main partieswith their MLAs sheltered separately at Bengaluru, Paradip, and the BJD supremos own home in Bhubaneswarhad never been seen earlier, particularly in Rajya Sabha elections.

In this Rajya Sabha election, the ruling BJP had fielded its state president Manmohan Samal and sitting Rajya Sabha member Sujeet Kumar.

Corporate giant Dr Santrupta Mishra, a former director of the Aditya Birla group who has been associated with Naveen Patnaik and his party for quite some time, became a BJD nominee.

Kumar had gone to the Rajya Sabha originally on a BJD ticket but after the BJP came to power in the state, he resigned from the BJD and Rajya Sabha, along with a female BJD member, Mamta Mohanta.

However, both were sent to the Rajya Sabha immediately for the half-term. Now, Kumar is lucky to get a full term to the Rajya Sabha to BJP.

In an Assembly of 147 MLAs, the ruling BJP has 79 and three independents. The BJD has 48. So, both parties had no difficulty in winning two and one each in 30 first-preference votes.

But the real battle was for the fourth seat. The BJP supported Dilip Ray, founder and owner of the Mayfair hotel chain, who has a pan-Indian presence and rich experience in politics as minister at the state and the Centre.

Known as a close associate of Odishas former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, the late father of Naveen, Ray was considered one of the founder members of the Biju Janata Dal, and one of the architects of its alliance with the BJP in the late 1990s.

But he later fell out with Naveen Patnaik and moved over to the BJP.

Since then, he had many friends in BJD, and in 2002, he had also won as an independent candidate to the Rajya Sabha when Patnaik was Chief Minister, and many assumed it wouldn't be difficult for him to win this time.

Besides the support of surplus MLAs of the BJP, Ray needed only eight extra votes.

Against him, the Opposition fielded the eminent Dr Datteswar Hota as an independent candidate. For him, the BJD and Congress united for the first time.

Otherwise, in the state, the BJD, and its former national avatar, Janata Dal, were known as anti-Congress.

Naveen Patnaik joined politics after his fathers death in 1997, and later broke away with his fathers followers and formed a regional party in his fathers name, with which the BJPunder Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advanitied up.

The two-party alliance defeated Congress in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha elections and took over from the states Congress ministry in 2000 to form an alliance government under the chief ministership of Naveen Patnaik.

Since then, the Congress has been out of power in the state and is now the third major party.

After the BJD broke its alliance with the BJP before the 2009 general elections because of communal trouble in the Kandhamal districtin which the Sangh Parivar was allegedly involvedthe BJD maintained an equidistant stand from both the BJP and the Congress.

Before this Rajya Sabha election, the BJD and Congress were supporting the common candidate, Dr Hota, whom the communists also supported, as a possible new scenario developed.

Though their candidate has lost, in the future, if the BJD takes Congress and other non-BJP parties like the CPM and CPI, it may bring about a secular front.

That case would likely prove to be a headache for the BJP.

As it is in the 2024 assembly elections, the BJD had got more than one per cent of the votes in comparison to the BJP, though it was routed in all 21 Lok Sabha seats.

Future developments are expected to provide a course of action.

Since the BJD supremo has age and health issues and the party is still divided because of internal differences. One such issue is that of his former secretary V.K. Pandiana Tamil Nadu-born IAS officer who had resigned before the 2024 electionsand later, his IAS officer wife Sujata Kartikeyan also quitting her job amid speculations that she may take over party affairs.

The party workers had been concerned about the future of an organisation where the leader was a bachelor and no one from their family had shown an interest in politics so far.

Owing to such internal differences before the Rajya Sabha elections, Naveen Patnaik has suspended two of his MLAsArabinda Mohapatra and Sanatan Mahakud.

Mohapatra is the son of former minister Bijoy Mohapatra, a close associate of Biju Patnaik who had earlier fallen out with Naveen Patnaik.

After the Rajya Sabha result, the senior Mohapatra declared: Naveen babu should self analyse.

Before the Rajya Sabha poll, former MP R.K. Jena quit the BJD and joined the BJP. His wife, BJD MLA Subhasini Jena, has cross-voted now.

Pravat Biswal, the former MLA of BJD, had openly protested against the partys Rajya Sabha selection and got suspended before the election.

Now, his MLA son Souvik Biswal has gone against the BJD in a Rajya Sabha vote.

Debiranjan Tripathy, a BJD MLA, has also gone against the party because of an alliance with the Congress.

His father, Pravat Tripathy, was earlier the partys MLA and had revolted earlier on party affairs. Of course, in the cross-voting, the fear of use of central agencies is suspected to have worked.

Before the election, the Congress party took eight of its 14 MLAs to Bengaluru to avoid poaching.

Since Congress is in power in Karnataka, the place was safe. However, over there, the police arrested four persons who were allegedly trying to bribe Congress MLAs, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar claimed on Sunday.

BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal denied it at Bhubaneswar.

On the other hand, the BJP took its MLAs to Paradip, the port town of Odisha, and housed them in independent candidate Dilip Ray's Hotel Mayfair.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi had gone there to meet the MLAs.

Interestingly, the BJD supremo Patnaik met his party MLAs several times for Rajya Sabha election discussions.

Before election day, the MLAs were asked to have a night halt at Patnaiks parental bungalow Naveen Nivas, near the city airport.

The MLAs could be seen in media reports wearing ethnic Khurda lungis.

In this scenario, the election saw intense drama, including allegations of horse trading, vote-buying accusations from the Opposition, and a temporary halt in voting over ballot paper disputes.

According to reports, as many as 11 Opposition MLAssix from the BJD, two suspended BJD MLAs, and three from Congresscast their votes in favour of the BJP-backed independent, Dilip Ray.

A minor scuffle between BJD and BJP MLAs was also reported during the process.

The cross-voting highlights internal dissent within Opposition ranks and potential cracks in the temporary BJD-Congress understanding. The BJP, however, has every reason to be happy, as Chief Minister Majhi congratulated the winners.
In good news, another vessel carrying LPG arrived in India, crossing the key Strait of Hormuz, on Tuesday evening. Tanker Nanda Devi has reached Vadinar Port in Gujarat, becoming the second vessel to cross the conflict zone in two days.

On Monday, LPG tanker Shivalik reached Mundra Port. While Nanda Devi carries over 47,000 metric tons of LPG, Shivalik carries 46,000 metric tons of LPG. Together, the two vessels have arrived carrying almost 90,000 metric tons of LPG, which could provide significant relief amid the crisis.

As for Shivalik, the vessel is at Mundra port, where advance paperwork and prioritised cargo unloading arrangements are being carried out.

Mundra, Gujarat - The Indian-flagged LPG tanker Shivalik, carrying more than 45,00046,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, has successfully docked at Mundra Port in Kutch district, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/TqL0QWgT3N  NextMinute News (@nextminutenews7) March 16, 2026

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Shipping Ministry, had earlier stated that the Shivalik and Nanda Devi could arrive in India on March 16 and 17. It is expected that 24,000 metric tons will be sent to Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, the Chief Officer of the Nanda Devi vessel said that the initiative was taken by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Shipping Corporation of India, with the Indian and Iranian navies providing the necessary assistance to cross the Strait of Hormuz. "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this operation of crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative was taken by the Indian Ministry, Shipping Corporation of India, with the help of the Indian Navy and the Iranian Navy. Vessel transmitted the Hormuz safely, now it is en route to Kandla, Gujarat and will be serving a huge amount of LPG, 46,000 metric tonnes. This will help in the worldwide crisis of LPG. We will continue to serve the LPG in future also," he said.



As per reports, there are 28 Indian-flagged ships with 611 sailors stranded in the region. One of them is "Jag Ladki," carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil from the United Arab Emirates. Authorities said all 22 Indian sailors on board were safe.
Amid rumours of an alliance talks between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), reports indicate that TVK chief and actor-politician Vijay has confirmed his party will contest the upcoming assembly elections independently.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, Vijay announced the decision at a TVK executives meeting in Pattinapakkam on Monday night, stating that the party has not held talks with any political party and will go it alone in its maiden electoral battle.

We are going to contest elections alone. Go to the constituencies and do field work. The list of candidates will be announced soon. I am also going to tour all over Tamil Nadu. We will definitely win the elections, Vijay was quoted as saying in the report.

Earlier reports suggested that the BJP, already in alliance with the AIADMK, was making efforts to bring the TVK on board, with negotiations reportedly at an advanced stage. However, Vijay reportedly told party office-bearers that TVK had not held talks with any political party regarding an alliance.

Vijays decision, if confirmed, sets the stage for a multi-cornered contest in Tamil Nadu, which goes to polls on April 23. The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), led by Seeman, has already announced it will contest independently.

According to DTNext, the BJP is said to have offered around 60 seats and the Deputy Chief Minister post to the TVK. The new party, however, reportedly demanded the Chief Minister post for Vijay for the first half of the terma proposal rejected by the AIADMK leadership.

Earlier this week, both TVK and AIADMK had dismissed reports of alliance talks. TVKs Joint General Secretary C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar called the BJP an ideological enemy and urged party members not to believe rumours.

Theres no scope for an alliance with the NDA. We have already made it clear that the BJP is our ideological enemy, he stated.

On the same day, AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, too, described claims of negotiations with TVK as media speculation.

The BJP leadership reportedly sees the pan-Tamil Nadu presence of Vijay's fans as a potential X-factor in close-fought constituencies, believing that even a two-per-cent vote swing in their favour could prove decisive.

Despite this, TVK appears unimpressed by NDA offers. Reports indicate that the party has finalised candidates for 60 constituencies, with selection for remaining seats underway. Vijay is expected to contest from Perambur, while leaders Aadhav Arjuna and Anand are likely to be fielded from Villivakkam and T. Nagar, respectively.

In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the DMK-led alliance emerged victorious with 159 seats, with the DMK alone crossing the halfway mark by securing 133 seats. The AIADMK won 60 seats, while its ally, the BJP, managed just four.
For nearly a quarter century, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party anchored one of Indias most durable political alliances. Formed in 1997, when Punjab was emerging from militancy, the partnership brought together Sikh and Hindu constituencies as well as rural and urban voters. This was always hailed as an alliance in national interest.

The alliance delivered repeated victories. It swept the 1997 Assembly elections and returned to power in 2007 and 2012. The 19972002 period also marked the first full term of an Akali-led government in the state.

The partnership collapsed in 2020 after the Centre enacted three farm laws that triggered widespread protests in Punjab. Facing pressure from its core support base, the Akali Dal exited the National Democratic Alliance and the Union government. Subsequent efforts to revive the alliance did not succeed.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a rally in Moga last week, has since made it clear that the BJP will contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections independently, thus dashing hopes of its ally of jointly contesting polls, which could have given it a shot at power.

The BJPs confidence rests partly on its electoral performance. It secured around 19 per cent of the vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, when it contested alone.

BJP leaders view this as a base that can be expanded, drawing parallels with states such as Assam, Tripura and Uttarakhand, where similar vote shares preceded a rise to power.

Punjab, however, presents a more complex challenge. The BJP is not stepping into a vacuum. The Akali Dal has declined but continues to retain segments of its traditional support, particularly in rural areas. The BJPs own presence in these areas remains limited, and sections of Sikh voters remain wary in the aftermath of the farm law protests.

In response, the party has increased its outreach to Sikh institutions and communities. Commemorations of Guru Tegh Bahadurs 350th martyrdom anniversary were organised across BJP-ruled states.

Senior leaders have participated in religious events and engaged with institutions such as the Damdami Taksal. At the same time, the BJP has reached out to other religious groups, including Radha Soamis and Ravidasias, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the Sachkhand Dera in Jalandhar.

Contesting alone will require the BJP to build an organisational base it had not developed earlier in Punjab. This includes identifying local leadership, expanding into rural constituencies and attracting leaders from other parties.

The decision also reshapes the electoral contest. The 2027 election is likely to see a multi-cornered fight involving the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, the BJP and the Akali Dal, along with smaller factions.

For the Akali Dal, the election is critical. Party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal faces the task of reviving an organisation weakened by electoral losses and internal divisions, while also confronting competing Sikh political voices. But contesting alone or maybe in alliance with the BSP, as it did last time, risks meeting the same fate as last time. However, there is another concern: the decline of the Akali Dal also risks the hardliners like Amritpal Singhs party gaining ground.

Amritpal Singh, now in Assam jail, known for his radical views, had gained ground rapidly after the decline of the Akali Dal, which represented panthic interest but had moderate beliefs. Again, contesting alone without BJP support fuels fear of polarisation.

The BJPs decision to contest alone alters the political landscape but does not guarantee a breakthrough. Its prospects will depend on whether it can expand beyond its urban base and build credibility among rural and Sikh voters.

The Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress continue to compete across social groups. In 2022, voters delivered a decisive mandate to the AAP, displacing traditional parties. The partys governance record under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, supported closely by Arvind Kejriwal, will be tested as it seeks re-election. The party claims that it has fulfilled all its election promises.

A year from now, Punjabs 2027 election appears to be shaping up as a fragmented contest, where organisational strength, leadership and voter trust will matter as much as vote share.
Days after his release from detention under the National Security Act (NSA), Ladakh-based activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday said he was hopeful of a new beginning with the government, stressing that the larger goal was not his personal victory but a resolution of Ladakhs concerns through meaningful dialogue.

Addressing a press conference alongside his wife Geetanjali J. Angmo, Wangchuk said the governments decision to revoke his detention under the National Security Act had created an opportunity to rebuild trust and resume talks over Ladakhs long-standing demands.

I feel wonderful today after these two days of regaining my voice and unfurling my little wings and reorienting myself, Wangchuk said, referring to the period following his release.

The activist, who spent 169 days in detention in Jodhpur jail, said his struggle had always been aimed at achieving a broader outcome for Ladakh rather than a personal victory.

Im a little greedy person, he said. A win was not enough for me. I was always looking for a win-win. A win would be just Sonam Wangchuks win. But what good is Sonam Wangchuk winning if Ladakh, the Himalayas and the causes he represents do not win?

Wangchuk said the governments recent outreach to facilitate dialogue could ensure that the concerns of Ladakhs people are addressed. With the recent extension of hands by the government to build trust and facilitate meaningful constructive dialogue, this is a great thing. This way Ladakh will also win and our cause will also win.

Hope for renewed dialogue

Emphasising that the movement had always been peaceful, Wangchuk said the next phase should focus on constructive engagement with the government.

We are only for peace in Ladakh and we want to resume talks. Here the government wants meaningful constructive dialogue, effective talks that will lead us to something, he said, noting that the regions demands have been part of a struggle spanning nearly six years.

He said the revocation of the detention order was a trust-building measure that could make the path forward easier.

I was well prepared to stay 12 months also, Wangchuk said, adding that the experience had strengthened his resolve.

At the same time, he expressed hope that legal clarity would emerge from the courts on the use of preventive detention laws. Court should give a judgment so that governments do not use the NSA like this and guideline be laid down, he said.

Wangchuk also urged authorities to consider withdrawing cases filed against other activists involved in the Ladakh movement, saying such steps would deepen trust.

This trust-building should also result in taking away cases which were slapped on other people, he said.

Sixth Schedule and statehood demands

The activist reiterated that the core demands of the movement remain unchanged, particularly constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and greater political representation.

Talks will be about this only safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and other protections, Wangchuk said. Dialogue is a give-and-take process and it has to be a win-win-win.

Angmo echoed similar sentiments, saying the experience of the past several months had strengthened their commitment to public service.

This experience has taught us more and it will help in nation building, she said. Statehood for Ladakh is vital and we will continue working towards it.

Reflections from detention

Reflecting on his time in jail, Wangchuk described the period as one of self-reflection.

In Jodhpur jail this was a self-analysis period for me, he said. I learnt even from ants.

He also acknowledged the support he received from his family and well-wishers, saying books sent by his wife during detention gave him strength.

Geetanjali gave me books which were written in jail and they gave me strength, he said.

While clarifying that his experience was not entirely negative, Wangchuk said the prison staff had been cordial and conditions were manageable. The staff was cordial with me all the time. Food was very healthy. Not everything was that bad, he said.

Angmo, however, noted that the experience highlighted the need to view prisons as institutions for reform rather than punishment.

Jail should be about reformation and not just punishment, she said.

Looking ahead

Wangchuk said he now hopes to return to Ladakh soon and focus on rebuilding trust through dialogue.

I am happy that I dont have to go back, he said, referring to the possibility of continued detention. We look forward to a new beginning.

He added that his faith in the judiciary had been strengthened during the legal battle and thanked the government for opening the door for talks.

We want meaningful dialogue, Wangchuk said. Ladakhs people are hurt, but I hope things move forward in a better way now.
The All India Trinamool Congress has announced its candidate list from the residence of CM Mamata Banerjee. The list consists of about 291 candidates for the elections that will take place on April 23 and 29. Anit Thapass party BGPM will be contesting the three seats in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong instead of the TMC.

During the announcement, the CM said, I would like to say to the BJP. Why are you so afraid? Let's fight without using agencies, without creating a gas crisis. Let's fight while maintaining peace and courtesy. They are playing a brilliant game".

"This is a fight for Bengal's existence. Delhi will not win. They have taken all the power from us. They could not take away one power. That is the power of the people," she added.

The biggest talking point was who the party would field for the Bhawanipur and Nandigram constituencies. Mamata Banerjee has announced that she is contesting from Bhawanipur.

The BJP has fielded Subhendu Adhikari as their candidate.

Meanwhile, in Nandigram, the TMC has fielded Pabitra Kar. Kar is a former BJP leader from Boyal-I Gram Panchayat under Nandigram-II Block in Purba Medinipur. He was known to be working directly under Subhendu Adhikari.

In an X post, the party said: Dissatisfied with BJPs anti-people stance, he has chosen to stand firmly beside @MamataOfficial and work in the true spirit of Maa-Mati-Manush for the welfare of the people.

In the presence of our Honble National General Secretary Shri @abhishekaitc, Shri Pabitra Kar, former BJP leader from Boyal-I Gram Panchayat under Nandigram-II Block in Purba Medinipur, joined the Trinamool Congress family today.



Dissatisfied with BJPs anti-people stance, he pic.twitter.com/MtqJGhfOKJ  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) March 17, 2026

In 2018, Subhendu was the head of the Boyal-2 Gram Panchayat in Nandigram as part of the TMC. In 2020, he left the party and joined the BJP. Pabitra Kar also joined him as his close associate.

Pabitra, who was a loyalist to Subhendu has now parted ways with him.

The Nandigram constituency is made of two blocks. While the TMC had a lead in Block 1, Block 2 gave the BJP a major lead in the last elections. Pabitra's local political influence is considered one of the reasons the party got a major lead in the block.

Opposition parties like the BJP and the CPI (M) had already released their lists on Monday. The BJP had announced its list of 144 candidates while the CPIM announced a list of 192 names.
Israel has claimed that it targeted Irans de facto leader and secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, in an operation aimed at eliminating a number of senior Iranian officials. Though unconfirmed, a hit on Larijani is the most significant one since the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and IRCG commander Mohammad Fakhpour.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told reporters that Larijani, the secretary of Irans National Security Council, has died. Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation program, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell, Katz says during an assessment this morning, according to his office.

Though Iranian media is yet to confirm this, a senior, unnamed Israeli official said that "there was no chance he survived this attack."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir appears to confirm the details. During an assessment this morning, Zamir says that significant elimination achievements were also recorded overnight, with the potential to impact the campaigns achievements and the IDFs missions  in an apparent reference to the strike targeting Larijani.

Larijani was the close aide and the right-hand man of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

According to Israeli media, by targeting Larijani, Israel has managed to leave Iran without a functioning leadership. The Israeli government reportedly estimates that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is weak and has not yet gotten into business, if he is functioning at all after being injured in an attack at the beginning of the war. Through the killing of Mojtaba, Iran is left without a governing alternative.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to monitor the condition of Mojtaba, who, according to reports, has been airlifted to Russia for treatment.
Satellite images from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)s Al-Dhafra air base show the structural damage and burn marks on several aircraft shelters. According to unconfirmed reports, the Iranian attack may have cost the UAE its SAAB GlobalEye multi-role airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft.

The Al-Dhafra hosts not only UAE aircraft, but also those of France and the US.

Although the exact date of the attack is unclear, the satellite images reveal extensive damage to the hangars. Specifically, three workshops, believed to house the SAAB GlobalEye early warning aircraft, were damaged. Currently, the UAE has only five such aircraft in total. If the plane was actually inside at the time of the explosion, it would be considered an irreparable loss. The value of each Global-A plane is estimated at about $460 million, bringing the total damage to this fleet alone to $1.38 billion.

Satellite imagery reveals significant damage to a UAE Air Force hangar at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi  after recent Iranian drone and missile attacks.



The same hangar previously housed UAE Air Force Saab GlobalEye AEW&C and C-235 transport aircraft. pic.twitter.com/35nsj1XrKw  Egypt's Intel Observer (@EGYOSINT) March 12, 2026

However, the images show hangars burning from the inside, which could indicate the equipment inside could be burning too. That said, there is no official confirmation from the UAE government on whether or not the aircraft was damaged. Analysts also note that satellite imagery alone cannot confirm whether aircraft were inside the structures at the time of the strike.

GlobalEye is an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system developed by Swedish firm SAAB. It is capable of offering air, maritime and ground surveillance on a single platform. Built on the fuselage of Bombardier Global 6000 commercial aircraft, the highlight of the aircraft is the huge Erieye ER radar "strip" mounted along the back of the aircraft.

The Erieye ER radar is capable of detecting targets at distances of up to 450 km. This system not only tracks conventional fighter jets, but can also detect difficult-to-find targets such as stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and micro-drones.

With a continuous flight time of over 11 hours, the Global Eye is considered a "mobile command centre", allowing the defence forces to monitor all developments in airspace and maritime areas remotely. Due to its superior combat capabilities, many countries, such as France and the United Arab Emirates, have signed contracts to purchase this aircraft to replace their old systems.

Some observers also claim that the shelters could also be housing U.S. surveillance drones, including the MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drone and the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft.

Iran could have possibly used the kamikaze drones, such as the Shahed-136, to damage the air base.
The United Arab Emirates temporarily closed its airspace on Monday after Iran intensified missile and drone strikes across neighbouring Gulf countries in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.

The closure was later lifted after the situation stabilised, the state-run WAM news agency reported, quoting the UAEs General Civil Aviation Authority.

The authority said the move was an exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews, as well as safeguarding the countrys territory.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems were actively responding to incoming missiles and drones launched from Iran. Explosions were reportedly heard in Dubai as the military worked to intercept the projectiles.

Meanwhile, a drone attack sparked a fire at an oil tank farm in Fujairah, an emirate on the UAEs east coast along the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted in recent attacks. No injuries were reported.

On Monday, an Iranian drone strike also set a fuel tank ablaze at Dubai International Airport, the worlds busiest airport for international travel. Flight operations were briefly suspended after the strike triggered a major fire on the premises.

Iran has been targeting neighbouring Gulf countries that host US military bases since the conflict began on February 28, following joint strikes by US and Israeli forces on Iran. Reports indicate that the UAE, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020, has been among the countries most affected by these attacks.

On Sunday, Iran accused the UAE of allowing its territory to be used by US forces to launch an attack on Kharg Island, home to one of Irans main oil export terminals. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that Kharg and Abu Musa islands were struck using HIMARS rockets launched from locations in the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah and areas near Dubai.
Flow Power has entered into an offtake agreement with Octopus Australia for the Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery project, currently under construction near Bungendore, New South Wales.

The partnership secures foundational energy offtake for the new facility, which combines 300MW of solar generation capacity with a 243MW, 486 megawatt-hour battery system.

The development will supply electricity to the grid by storing power generated during daylight hours for use during periods of peak demand.

Octopus Australia reached financial close on the A$900m ($639m) project, with construction now under way.

The Blind Creek site covers more than 600 hectares (ha) of pastoral land approximately 8km north-east of Bungendore and 32km from Canberra.

Once operational, it will be capable of powering up to 120,000 homes and businesses.

The facility will employ a direct current-coupled hybrid solar and battery design, allowing electricity to flow directly from the solar array into the battery system.

This technology aims to increase efficiency and minimise losses while supporting the grid during high-demand periods.

During peak construction, the project is expected to generate up to 300 full-time equivalent jobs, with roughly half allocated for workers from Bungendore and the Monaro region.

Engineering company GRS is serving as the contractor for construction and Wartsila Energy Storage will supply the battery component.

Flow Power chief operating and financial officer Byron Serjeantson said: Blind Creek represents the next generation of renewable energy projects, combining smart technology, firmer supply for customers and regenerative agriculture.

Expected to be operational by 2028, the facility aims to reduce carbon emissions by up to 600,000 tonnes each year.

The Blind Creek Solar Farm and Battery project will connect to the main transmission line between Sydney and Canberra through a newly constructed substation.

"Flow Power secures foundational offtake for Blind Creek project" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




After a brief shutdown, the United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace on Tuesday, resuming flights to and from Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport during morning hours. The airports were shut down by the General Civil Aviation Authority to ensure the safety of flights amid Iranian missile attacks.

A statement by Emirates said it resumed a limited schedule from Dubai International Airport, but some services were affected. They include EK367 from Taipei, EK303 from Shanghai, EK649 from Colombo, EK096 from Rome, EK182 from Brussels and EK032 from London. Departing flights from DXB were also impacted, including Emirates' EK161 to Dublin, EK039 to Birmingham, EK073 to Paris, EK805 to Jeddah and EK 751 to Casablanca.

Abu Dhabis Zayed International Airport had to cancel several departing flights on Tuesday morning, including IndiGo's 6E1409 bound for Bangalore and 6E1412 to Chennai, Pakistan International Airlines' PK264 bound for Lahore, Gulf Air's GF541 to Bahrain, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's 3L020 to Kuwait. Ethihad also cancelled EY593 to Tel Aviv, EY727 to Addis Ababa, EY692 to Muscat and EY412 to Phuket.

Arriving flights impacted on Tuesday morning at Zayed International were Pakistan International Airlines' PK263 from Lahore, Akasa Air's QP586 from Kochi and Egypt Air's MS916 from Cairo. The airline also cancelled EY048 from Dublin, EY844 from Moscow Sheremetyevo, EY042 from Amsterdam and EY076 from Manchester.

Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express have confirmed that they will operate a total of 44 scheduled and charter flights to and from the Middle East on Tuesday. A statement by Air India said its operations will include routes to destinations like Muscat and Jeddah as part of these 44 flights.
The ongoing war has sharply heightened tensions between Iran and neighbouring Gulf Arab states, threatening to unravel the fragile diplomatic progress achieved in recent years. Since the conflict erupted on February 28, the Gulf has been caught between longstanding security alliances with the United States and the immediate geographical and military threats posed by Iran. More than 2,000 drone and missile strikes have hit countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, targeting US military installations as well as key regional infrastructure and pushing IranGulf relations to the brink.

A major point of contention centres on Iranian accusations that some Gulf leaders are secretly backing the US-led offensive. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday demanded clarification after the New York Times reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had privately urged US President Donald Trump to continue hitting the Iranians hard. The alleged remark echoed a famous appeal by the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud urging Washington to cut off the head of the snake.

Araghchi suggested that Gulf states hosting American forces might be covertly encouraging the campaign against Iran. Saudi officials, however, vehemently denied the report, calling it false and insisting that Riyadh had worked to avert military confrontation. The kingdom has also assured Tehran that its airspace, land and territorial waters would not be used for attacks on Iran. The report has since been missing from the New York Times website.

Yet the fallout of the war has spilled heavily into the Gulf. Iran and its regional proxies have launched waves of drone and missile strikes across Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, claiming they were aimed at US bases and Israeli-linked interests located in those countries. Ali Larijani, head of Irans Supreme National Security Council, defended the attacks, asking whether Iran was expected to stand idly by while American bases in neighbouring states were used to strike Iranian territory. He also accused Islamic countries of abandoning Iran. Is the position of some Islamic governments not in contradiction with the words of the Prophet of Islam who said: Whoever hears the cry for help of a Muslim and does not respond is not a Muslim? asked Larijani. So what kind of Islam is this?

Iranian strikes have hit civilian and economic targets, including hotels, airports and oil infrastructure. Irans ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, denied Tehrans responsibility for attacks on facilities such as the Ras Tanura refinery and the Shaybah oil field. According to Enayati, Iran only targets US or Israeli assets and would openly claim responsibility for any strikes it conducts.

The relentless attacks have triggered a noticeable shift in rhetoric among Gulf leaders. The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020 and has absorbed some of the most damaging strikes, has adopted a notably sharper tone. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan openly described Iran as the enemy and warned that the UAE was not easy prey, marking a departure from the countrys typically cautious diplomatic language. After talks between Mohammed bin Zayed and Mohammed bin Salman, the two leaders condemned Irans attacks on GCC states as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability. Meanwhile, Larijani criticised Muslim governments for failing to support Iran and appealed directly to Muslim populations in the Gulf.

Enayati noted that although diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were restored in 2023, the present crisis may require a serious review of regional security arrangements, including reducing dependence on outside powers. He emphasised, however, that routine diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Riyadh remain ongoing.

Economic warfare has further inflamed tensions. Tehran has effectively imposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, choking off much of the oil exports of its Arab neighbours while allowing its own shipments to continue moving. Saudi Arabia and the UAE possess pipelines that bypass the strait, but these routes can handle only a fraction of the lost export volumes. Iran has vowed to keep the passage closed to its enemies, though it has permitted ships from non-belligerent countries such as India to transit the corridor. In response, the US is attempting to assemble a multinational naval force to secure the waterway, an initiative that could further militarise the Gulf.

Despite enduring thousands of attacks and major economic disruption, Gulf states have so far avoided launching direct retaliatory strikes against Iran, reflecting a deep fear of what might follow a broader escalation.
Joe Kent, who was the head of the USA's National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from his post on Tuesday over the ongoing Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

Kent slammed Donald Trump, saying the US President started the war against Iran under pressure from Israel and added that Tehran posed "no imminent threat" to the US.

"I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby," Kent stated.

Kent said he supports the foreign policies Trump campaigned on during his elections in 2016, 2020 and 2024. However, he said after June 2025, Trump ignored his own understanding that "the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation."

He alleged that during the beginning of Trump's second term, top Israeli officials and key US media kicked off a misinformation campaign that "wholly undermined" the America First platform and drove pro-war sentiments.

"This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again," Kent added.

He recalled that he is a veteran who was deployed to combat 11 times and a a Gold Star husband who lost his wife Shannon in "a war manufactured by Israel". "I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," he said.
NATOs blunt refusal to intervene in the escalating USIsrael war on Iran has exposed a widening transatlantic rift, even as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sends shockwaves through global energy markets. Western shipping through the narrow chokepoint has largely ground to a halt, disrupting supply chains and pushing oil prices sharply higher. In response, an enraged US President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum that failure in deploying NATO warships in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a very bad future for the alliance. However, Europe continues to say that it is neither NATOs mandate nor Europes war.

European leaders justify that NATO was set up as a collective defence mechanism to protect the territorial integrity of its member states. Its mandate never extended to projecting force beyond its borders. Since the current war stems from US and Israeli strikes against Iran and is being fought in the Middle East, NATOs Article 5 mutual defence clause does not apply. Germany, for instance, says this not a technicality but a defining principle.

German officials have articulated this position with unusual clarity. Stefan Kornelius, spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stated unequivocally, This war has nothing to do with NATO. It's not NATOs war. He reinforced the alliances core doctrine, adding that NATO is a defensive alliance, an alliance for the defence of its territory.

BREAKING: President Trump says the US helped NATO with Ukraine, so NATO should help the US with Iran. pic.twitter.com/muQdW3kuMB  The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 16, 2026

Merz himself echoed this interpretation, declaring, NATO is not an interventionist alliance. And that is precisely why NATO has no business being involved here. He further underscored the absence of any collective decision-making: There was never a joint decision on whether to intervene. That is why the question of how Germany might contribute militarily does not arise. We will not do so.

This emphasis on process highlights another major source of friction: how the conflict began. European capitals were neither consulted nor informed before the initial strikes by the United States and Israel in late February, leaving them sidelined at a critical moment. As a result, Washingtons subsequent demand for military backing has been met with irritation and scepticism. German officials have pointedly reminded the US that Europe was excluded from the decision-making process and initially told its involvement was neither needed nor sought.

Europeans are also annoyed that the US offers no strategic clarity. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, for instance, pointedly remarked that the American war efforts and subsequent calls for help needed greater transparency and coordination. Europe expects to be informed about operational goals and whether they are being achieved. There is little appetite across European capitals to risk being drawn into open-ended regional war with no clear end game in sight.

The Strait of Hormuz is not only a vital shipping corridor but also a highly contested theatre shaped by Irans asymmetric capabilities, including anti-ship missiles, naval drones and fast attack boats. Even the United States Navy, with its overwhelming superiority, is finding it hard to impose its will in the Middle Eastern waters. European leaders, therefore, logically ask what their comparatively limited naval assets could realistically achieve.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius did not mince words, raising this point, saying that Europe did not initiate the conflict and there was little strategic logic in getting involved. He also raised doubts about what a small European naval presence could accomplish, where US capabilities are already stretched. At the same time, he highlighted competing priorities, pointing out that Germanys military commitments remain focused on NATOs eastern flank and northern regions, leaving limited scope for engagement elsewhere.

The United Kingdom has taken a similar line. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, Let me be clear: that wont be, and its never been envisioned to be, a NATO mission. While he signalled the possible use of British mine-hunting drones already in the region, he ruled out any broader involvement in the war. Other European governments have echoed this caution. Greece has made it clear that it will not engage in military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani clarified that Rome was not involved in any naval missions that could be extended to the area. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten warned that launching a successful mission in the short term would be difficult.

Some smaller NATO members, including Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Denmark, have appeared more open to considering Trumps request. However, they lack the naval heft and strategic reach of larger European powers.

Europes refusal to deploy NATO warships is therefore not a sign of disengagement but a deliberate assertion of the alliances founding principles. The combination of legal constraints, lack of consultation, strategic ambiguity and military limitations has hardened the view that this is a war of choice rather than one of collective defence. As tensions continue to rise in the Gulf, NATOs stance underscores a broader reality: even among allies, solidarity has limits when the terms of engagement are contested, and the risks of escalation remain so high.
After the UK, Germany, France and Italy, along with Australia and Japan, turned down US President Donald Trump's requests to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, the US president expressed dissatisfaction over the decision.

Trump, who has been pressing allies to help safeguard the critical waterway, fumed that the US is not getting support "despite the fact that almost every country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot" be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

The United States has been informed by most of our NATO allies that they dont want to get involved with our military operation against the terrorist regime of Iran in the Middle East, despite the fact that almost every country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, Trump said in a social media post, adding, "I am not surprised by their actions, however, because I have always considered NATO, where we spend hundreds of billions of dollars per year protecting these same countries, to be a one-way streetwe will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, particularly in a time of need.

Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, have sparked increasing concerns of a global energy crisis and are unnerving the world economy.

A handful of ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the vital waterway technically remains openjust not for the United States, Israel and their allies. About 20 vessels have been struck since the war began.

With oil prices rising, Trump said he had demanded that roughly half a dozen countries send warships to ensure ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

But his appeals brought no immediate commitments, with many saying they are hesitant to get involved in a war with no defined exit plan and are sceptical that they could do more than the US Navy.

With agency inputs
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is set to host the Bharat Innovates Deep-Tech Pre-Summit this March, bringing together some of Indias most promising technology-driven start-ups, along with investors, policymakers and academic leaders.

The two-day national showcase will feature around 137 deep-tech start-ups selected from more than 3,000 applications received across the country, marking one of the largest curated platforms for research-led innovation in India.

The pre-summit is part of the larger Bharat Innovates 2026 initiative, which aims to position Indias deep-tech ecosystem on the global stage. Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, the initiative will culminate in an international showcase in France later this year. The IIT Bombay event is expected to serve as a key national stepping stone toward that global engagement.

The summit will be inaugurated by Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Chairperson of the Prime Ministers Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC). Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will also be present, alongside senior government officials, including Dr Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; and Dr Rajesh Sudhir Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology. Dr K Radhakrishnan, Chairperson of the Board of Governors at IIT Bombay, will also attend.

Speaking ahead of the event, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare said the summit reflects the collective strength of Indias premier academic and research institutions in nurturing deep-tech innovation. He highlighted the role of IITs and IISc, whose incubators, faculty and mentors were instrumental in evaluating and guiding start-ups through the selection process.

The summit will feature a mix of exhibitions, investor interactions and networking opportunities. Start-ups will showcase innovations spanning sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, clean energy, advanced materials and space technologyareas where deep-tech solutions are increasingly seen as critical to economic growth and strategic capability.

A key highlight will be a series of start-up pitch sessions, where founders will present their technologies and business models to leading investors and industry stakeholders. These sessions are expected to facilitate funding opportunities as well as strategic partnerships.

In a reverse format, the summit will also host 'reverse pitch' sessions, where investors and industry leaders will outline priority sectors and specific research and development challenges. This approach is aimed at aligning start-up innovation with real-world industry needs and fostering collaborative problem-solving.

Participating institutions from across the IIT ecosystem will set up dedicated stalls to present their innovation pipelines. These will include live demonstrations of technologies, ongoing research projects and incubation programmes, offering a glimpse into how academic institutions are driving entrepreneurship.

Beyond showcasing start-ups, the event will also host discussions on strengthening Indias deep-tech ecosystem. Policymakers, researchers and industry leaders are expected to deliberate on issues such as funding gaps, technology transfer, scaling challenges and global market access for Indian innovations.

The summit comes at a time when India is pushing to expand its footprint in deep-tech sectors, which typically require high levels of research, capital and long development cycles but hold significant potential for long-term impact.

According to organisers, the selected start-ups represent innovations at various stages of developmentfrom early research (Technology Readiness Levels 34) to near-commercial solutions (TRL 89). These ventures will be mentored and supported under the Bharat Innovates programme before being introduced to global stakeholders later this year.

Bharat Innovates 2026 is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, with strategic guidance from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser. It focuses on identifying and nurturing around 100 high-potential, research-backed innovations emerging from higher education institutions and centrally funded technical institutes.

By convening key players across academia, government and industry, the IIT Bombay pre-summit is expected to play a crucial role in shaping Indias deep-tech narrativebridging the gap between lab research and market-ready innovation, and preparing Indian start-ups for global visibility.

With the international showcase in France on the horizon, the event signals a concerted effort to position India not just as a start-up hub but also as a leader in cutting-edge, research-driven technologies.
As part of 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,' Pakistan launched airstrikes on Monday targeting what it described as 'military installations' in Kabul. Conversely, the Afghan Taliban claimed the strikes hit a drug rehabilitation hospital, resulting in an estimated 400 fatalities.

Pakistan has refuted Afghanistan's claims and said that no hospital was targeted in Kabul.

Tensions between the two nations have been simmering for some time, escalating early this year when both sides launched cross-border strikes. The friction stems from multiple factors, ranging from Islamabads accusations that the Afghan Taliban provides safe havens and logistical support to the TTPa militant group responsible for a surge in deadly attacks within Pakistanto the long-standing dispute over the controversial Durand Line.

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Turkey and China have been taking part in mediations to ease the conflict.

Officials stated that a meeting late last month between Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif included a message from President Xi Jinping urging a cessation of hostilities. While Beijing maintains it is in contact with both nations regarding an end to the conflict, Mosharraf Zaidithe Prime Ministers spokesperson for foreign mediadid not respond to inquiries about Chinas mediation efforts.

Even last week, China's special envoy, Yue Xiaoyong, spent the last week in Kabul and Islamabad, urging a ceasefire. This strike, occurring immediately after those talks, suggests that regional diplomacy is failing to contain the "nationalist" drives of both the Taliban and the Pakistani military.

Why is China interested in mediation?

China's interest in mediating the conflict between the nations is driven by a blend of multi-billion-dollar economic stakes, regional security fears, and a desire to fill a diplomatic vacuum left by Western powers.

1. CPEC: China has invested over $65 billion in Pakistan's infrastructure, energy and ports. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one of the most significant reasons for Beijings involvement. The current war along the Durand Line threatens these very routes (roads and railways) meant to connect China to the Arabian Sea.

2. Militant spillover: China is deeply wary of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). It fears that if the Taliban and Pakistan remain at war, the resulting chaos will allow groups like ETIM or ISIS-K to establish stronger bases in Afghanistan for operations against China.

3. Access to Afghanistan's mineral wealth: Afghanistan sits on an estimated $1 trillion in untapped mineral resources, including lithium and copperminerals essential for China's global dominance in the EV battery market.

In 2025, Afghanistan was formally integrated into the Belt and Road framework. China wants to link Afghan mines to CPEC infrastructure, but this is impossible if the transit routes through Pakistan are a war zone.

4. Filling the diplomatic vacuum: With the United States and Israel currently embroiled in tensions with Iran, traditional mediators like Qatar and Turkey have been distracted.

China is in a difficult position; it cannot afford to lose Pakistan, its closest strategic ally, nor can it alienate the Taliban.
Afghanistans Taliban government has claimed that at least 400 people were killed and more than 250 others injured in an airstrike carried out by Pakistan on a hospital treating drug users in the capital, Kabul. Pakistan has dismissed the accusation, stating that the strikes did not target any civilian facilities.

Afghanistan Government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said in a post on X that the airstrike destroyed large sections of the hospital. Rescue teams were working to control the fire at the site and recover the bodies of victims.

Another spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid, claimed that most of those killed and injured were patients undergoing treatment at the facility.

400 KILLED in strike on Kabul rehab center  Tolo https://t.co/8Bv0dJHrTh pic.twitter.com/hhMs6lWPYo  RT (@RT_com) March 16, 2026

Islamabad rejected the allegations, saying the strikes precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including technical equipment storage and ammunition depots belonging to the Afghan Taliban, according to Pakistans Ministry of Information.

The ministry added that the operation was precise and carefully undertaken to ensure that no collateral damage was inflicted.

The alleged airstrike comes as the deadliest fighting between the neighboring countries in years has entered its third week, with both sides exchanging fire along their shared border.

According to Khaama Press, Pakistan carried out heavy bombardment targeting Afghanistans capital, Kabul, on Monday. The report said Pakistani aircraft also bombed a Taliban military facility in the Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province late Monday evening.

The strikes reportedly came after Taliban forces launched drone attacks on areas inside Pakistan, escalating tensions and triggering retaliatory strikes along the border.

Videos shared by residents showed large explosions and fires in different parts of Kabul, while eyewitnesses said the intensity of the blasts shook the city.

The latest escalation came hours after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on Afghanistans Taliban authorities to step up efforts to combat terrorism. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Kabul of harboring militant groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, which it says carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
The UKs Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued updated guidance on "comply or explain" governance reporting.

The guidance is aimed at helping investors, proxy advisers and other report users to assess companies that depart from certain provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

The update comes as companies with December year-ends begin publishing their annual reports, marking the start of the first reporting season under the revised code.

In a statement, the FRC stressed that thoughtful, well-reasoned explanation for non-compliance is not weak governance.

The regulator said that the guidance is intended to help investors and advisers understand what to look for when reading a departure explanation.

It underlines that a departure, when backed by a clear and transparent rationale, can be a positive sign that the board is engaging seriously with its governance responsibilities.

FRC CEO Richard Moriarty said: The UK Corporate Governance Code is a global standard precisely because it offers companies the flexibility to govern in a way that suits their circumstances.

A well-reasoned explanation for departing from a provision is not a red flag  it is evidence of a board thinking seriously about what good governance means for their company.

We want to support companies and investors alike to embrace that spirit with confidence.

The FRC further noted that a prevailing culture has emerged among issuers, investors and advisers in which any deviation from the code is often treated with suspicion.

As a result, some companies claim full compliance, generating generic disclosures that give little real insight into governance.

During the current reporting season, the FRC intends to continue working with users of corporate reports to encourage application of the updated guidance.

It will report later in the year on the standard of "comply or explain" disclosures as part of its annual review of corporate governance.

"FRC updates guidance on comply or explain reporting" was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand.




General Mills has sold its business in Brazil to local food-and-drinks company Grupo 3coracoes.

The transaction includes two production facilities in Pouso Alegre and Campo Novo do Parecis. The deal also takes in brands such as Yoki and Kitano. Yoki features products like popcorn, seasonings and baking items. Kitano is a line of seasonings and herbs.

Financial terms were not disclosed by General Mills in a statement. However, 3coracoes, which is part-owned by Israel-based food-and-drinks business Strauss Group, said in its own statement the deal is valued at R800m ($48m).

The assets generated around $350m in revenue for General Mills in its last year. the The US food heavyweight's total revenue stood at $19.49bn.

General Mills said the deal is expected to close by the end of the 2026 calendar year, subject to regulatory approval in Brazil.

3coracoes, which is a jointly split venture between Strauss and Sao Miguel Holding, already has a presence in those food categories through the brands Mrs Clara and Kimimo, according to its website. The company also supplies bakery products with the likes of Dona Clara, along with a range of coffee brands and chocolate drinks.

Pedro Lima, the president of Grupo 3coracoes, said the brands acquired from General Mills will support its expansion outside of coffee into food. "We are excited about the arrival of the consumer-loved brands Yoki and Kitano. This is a fundamental step in our purpose of being ever closer to the Brazilian family, making ourselves present in different consumption occasions."

General Mills said in its statement the disposal forms part of its priority to reshape its portfolio to generate long-term profitable growth, in line with its Accelerate strategy. The Blue Buffalo pet-food owner launched Accelerate in 2021 to speed up its organic growth.

The company added: The transaction increases the companys operating profit margin and enhances the international segments focus on its priority global platforms, including super-premium ice cream, Mexican food, snack bars, and pet food.

General Mills announced the disposal of its Muir Glen tomatoes and sauces brand in January,

The Cheerios maker is due to issue its third-quarter results tomorrow (18 March).

Last month, the business wiped out any prospect of organic sales growth this year as volumes take longer than expected to recover. The outlook for sales and profits were cut before the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) annual conference got underway.

Organic sales are forecast to fall by 1.5% to 2% compared to the previous estimate provided in December for a range of down 1% to up 1%.
By Kalea Hall

DETROIT, March 17 (Reuters) - General Motors and battery partner LG Energy Solution are transforming an electric-vehicle battery plant in Tennessee to make batteries for energy storage systems, the companies said Tuesday.

GM and LG, through their joint venture Ultium Cells, will recall 700 laid-off workers to start production of lithium-iron phosphate batteries at the plant in the second quarter. Ultium in January laid off workers at the Tennessee plant and at another facility in Ohio through mid-2026 due to slower EV sales.

More from Yahoo Scout What's driving demand for energy storage batteries? Why is GM converting Tennessee EV battery plant? How many workers will be recalled for production? How are policy changes affecting EV demand?

Battery producers are seeking solutions to address excess EV battery capacity, and energy storage is seen as a key option given the growing need for energy to support upcoming AI data centers.

LG has been transitioning some of its EV battery capacity to energy storage batteries, and some competitors, including SK On, are doing the same after policy shifts under U.S. President Donald Trump hurt EV demand.

GM has pulled back on some of its EV production, lowering its need for battery cells. As a result, GM sold its stake in a Michigan battery plant to LG, and construction on another plant with Samsung in Indiana has slowed.

"We don't have enough demand to fill three factories," said Kurt Kelty, GMs vice president of battery, propulsion and sustainability, in a January interview with Reuters.

Kelty added that, in the energy storage market, "right now, the demand exceeds supply tremendously, and it's going to continue to exceed it for the next several years."

(Reporting by Kalea Hall; editing by Mike Colias, Chizu Nomiyama and Nick Zieminski)
BEIJING/SINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google is in talks with Envicool and other Chinese firms about buying liquid cooling equipment for data centres, according to people with knowledge of a visit to China by one of the U.S. firm's procurement teams.

Liquid cooling systems - which circulate water or other liquid over or around equipment - have become critical in AI data centers as the high-density computing generates more heat than a traditional air cooling system can handle.

The visit by the team from Google's Taiwan operations this month reflects tight supply of parts for such systems, the sources said.

During the visit, Google's team has met with Envicool, said two of three sources, who were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. The team also plans to meet with at least one other company, according to a separate source.

Neither Google nor Shenzhen-based Envicool replied to Reuters requests for comment.

The talks highlight how the global race to build AI data centre infrastructure has tightened supply of not just advanced chips but also lower-value equipment, as well as the growing role of Chinese suppliers in global data centre growth despite heightened U.S.-Sino tensions.

HUGE MARKET GROWTH EXPECTED

The global market for AI server liquid cooling systems is projected to surge to more than $17 billion in 2026 from $8.9 billion last year, driven by demand from Nvidia and cloud providers deploying custom AI chips, according to a JPMorgan report.

Envicool, founded in 2005 with a market value of 98 billion yuan ($14 billion), saw revenue surge 40% during the first nine months of the year.

At a recent industry event, it showcased a coolant distribution unit (CDU), a critical component of liquid cooling systems that distributes coolant to server racks, built to Google's specifications.

Envicool expects liquid cooling revenue to grow on a quarterly basis this year with a pipeline that includes potential orders from Google for its fifth-generation CDUs and other components, according to a Goldman Sachs report following an analyst call with the company this month.

The company has also said it plans to expand capacity at a new factory in Guangdong province, while continuing to build out facilities in Thailand and the United States.

The liquid cooling market is highly fragmented, with many suppliers providing different parts of such systems.

Chinese suppliers have gradually gained traction, benefiting from strong domestic demand, as the country's many data centre projects have helped them boost production volume and lower costs. Leading suppliers include Lingyi iTech and Feilong Auto Components as well as server manufacturers such as Lenovo.
Hard Rock International has ended its licensing arrangement with JSM Corporation and its affiliated entities, withdrawing their rights to run all Hard Rock Cafe outlets and Rock Shops in India.

According to The New Indian Express report, the decision led to the shutdown of ten locations in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Hyderabad Hitech City, Kolkata, New Delhi and Pune.

The publication quoted the company as saying in a statement: Hard Rock International has formally terminated its agreements with JSM Corporation and related entities covering the right to operate all Hard Rock Cafes and Rock Shops within India.

The Hard Rock Hotel in Goa is not operated by JSM and will continue to operate as usual.

Hard Rock International has not provided any explanation for discontinuing the franchise relationship with JSM Corporation.

It has also not indicated whether it aims to re-enter the Indian cafe market with a different partner or business model.

Launched in 1971, Hard Rock Cafe has expanded into a worldwide chain of casinos, hotels, music-themed restaurants, museums and retail outlets, with operations in more than 70 countries.

Over time, Hard Rock Cafe became a familiar brand in several Indian metros, developing a following for its live performances, themed nights and music-centred ambience.

On the other hand, JSM Corporation has established an international restaurant portfolio with a presence in major Indian cities.

Founded in 2005, JSM also controls the master franchise for US-based California Pizza Kitchen in India and operates its own restaurant formats, including Shiro and Asilo.

"Hard Rock shuts ten outlets in India after ending JSM franchise deal" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is one of the 12 Most Undervalued Financial Stocks to Buy Now. On March 10, 2026, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) saw JPMorgan raise its price target on the shares to $826 from $815 previously while maintaining a Neutral rating.

On March 5, 2026, Goldman Sachs Alternatives announced a strategic investment in cybersecurity compliance firm Schellman. The investment was made through the firms private equity platform and is intended to support Schellmans next phase of growth, including expanding capabilities, scaling its team, and increasing its presence in areas such as AI governance, federal compliance, and digital trust. Lightyear Capital, which has been the majority investor since 2021, will remain a minority investor following the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

JPMorgan Raises its Price Target on The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) to $826 from $815 and Maintains a Neutral Rating

Investments, Finance

Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Goldman Sachs plans to remove race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other diversity-related factors from its board diversity criteria. The change follows a proposal submitted by the National Legal and Policy Center requesting the removal of DEI criteria, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) provides financial services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

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Gucci owner Kering has established a new division, Kering Jewelry, bringing its jewellery brands under a single structure and appointing Jean-Marc Duplaix as chief executive officer (CEO) with immediate effect.

The entity will combine the jewellery houses Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo and Qeelin, alongside the groups industrial assets. These include the Raselli Franco Group, which is in the process of being integrated.

The move is aimed at organising and accelerating the development of Kerings jewellery activities.

Under the new setup, Duplaix will supervise the chief executives of the individual jewellery houses, who will report directly to him.

The structure is intended to enhance strategic alignment and improve operational coordination across the division.

Duplaix will continue in his role as group chief operating officer, maintaining oversight of finance, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, real estate, digital functions and the general secretariat.

Kering Jewelry is designed to operate as a unified platform to support the growth of its houses while preserving their creative independence and advancing both iconic and high jewellery collections.

The framework is also intended to help the group pursue opportunities within the jewellery segment, including those linked to its fashion and leather goods Houses.

The creation of the division formalises Kerings efforts to consolidate its jewellery operations within a single organisational structure.

Kering CEO Luca de Meo said: With Kering Jewellery, we are giving the group a powerful and cohesive platform capable of supporting our Houses ambitions in an area of expertise where creativity and excellence are inseparable.

I am delighted with the appointment of Jean-Marc: his experience will be instrumental in unlocking the groups full potential in jewellery.

Earlier this month, the group introduced a broader organisational revamp, including the formation of two centres of excellence.

These newly created industry and client divisions sit within a group-wide platform, offering shared resources and a unified structure across brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga.

The industry division combines manufacturing, purchasing, quality, research and development, and supply chain functions.

"Kering forms jewellery unit and names Duplaix as CEO" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Mastercard is set to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK for up to $1.8 billion, the payments giant said in a press release on Tuesday.

The acquisition will allow the company that processes around $9.5 trillion in annual payments volume to offer end-to-end support for digital assets, Mastercard said. The firm noted that the deal with BVNK involves $300 million in contingent payments.

Representing one of the largest acquisitions involving a crypto-native firm this year, BVNK operates a financial platform allowing people to transact in stablecoins. The company also specializes in converting between digital assets and various forms of cash.

BNVK enables businesses to transact with each other in 130 countries. Thats far less than the 210 countries that Mastercards payment processing network operates in, but the acquisition shows that incumbents are increasingly eyeing stablecoins as new settlement tools.

BVNK was valued at $750 million when it unveiled $50 million in Series B funding in 2024. Last year, Coinbase reportedly abandoned a deal to acquire BVNK for $2 billion. Around that time, the exchange was in competition with Mastercard to acquire the UK-based firm.

In a statement, Mastercard Chief Product Officer Jorn Lambert said Mastercard expects traditional financial firms and fintechs alike to adopt stablecoins and tokenized deposits. By purchasing BVNK, Mastercard aims to bolster that shift, he said.

We want to support them and their customers with a best-in-class, highly compliant, interoperable offering, he added. Adding on-chain rails to our network will support speed and programmability for virtually every type of transaction.

How Florida's Stablecoin Bill Mirrors 'Big Brother' Tools Outlawed Under Ron DeSantis' CDBC Ban

Mastercard said its acquisition of BVNK is expected to close before the end of this year. Although a lion's share of stablecoins are issued on Ethereum, Mastercard noted that its push adopts BVNKs chain-agnostic approach to stablecoin payments.

Although Coinbase has leaned into stablecoins for years through Circles USDC, companies like Mastercard are racing to offer products and services tied to the tokens following last years passage of the GENIUS Act, which enshrined a federal framework for stablecoins into law.

In 2024, payments giant Stripe purchased stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge for $1.1 billion, representing its largest acquisition to date. Similar to BVNK, Bridge enables businesses to accept digital assets as a form of payments in various regions.
Spadel, the Belgium-based waters group, has invested in UK prebiotic-soda business Living Things.

Former Coca-Cola executive Kris Robbens and Fulfil Nutrition founder Barry Connolly also took part in the latest funding round at Living Things.

The financial terms of each partys investment were not disclosed and Living Things declined to comment on the details when approached by Just Drinks.

Previous investors in Living Things, which was set up in 2023, have included BrewDog founder James Watt.

Living Things co-founder Ben Vear told Just Drinks the latest round of funding would be used to significantly uplift marketing investment and invest behind team expansion.

He added: Spadel has a long history of deep understanding and success in their waters business across a number of European markets where they have a leading category position. Both Kris and Barry have deep drinks experience scaling consumer brands across Europe.

Spadel made its investment through in-house VC arm The Source Ventures. In a statement, the company said the guthealth soda category was booming globally.

Living Things is positioned at the forefront of this shift, Clement Yvorra, Spadels global business development manager and the head of The Source Ventures, said. The company plays within the broader betterforyou soda movement, bringing flavours, natural ingredients and a lifestyledriven brand identity that resonates with young, bold and socially conscious consumers.

Living Things sells in more than a dozen markets, with the UK its largest. The brand has a significant presence in Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, Vear said. International expansion and market testing continues at pace, he added.

The company has a medium-term ambition to reach revenue of at least 100m ($132.8m), although it declined to disclose its most recent annual sales and profits.

"Mineral-waters firm Spadel backs prebiotic soda brand Living Things" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.




Irish premier Micheal Martin is preparing for a bilateral meeting with US president Donald Trump.

The Taoiseach will also meet with vice president JD Vance on St Patricks Day as part of the leader of Irelands traditional visit to Washington DC.

Mr Martin will meet with Mr Trump in the Oval Office in an encounter which is expected to touch on a range of topics, including deep ties between the two countries.

Last years meeting saw the US president take questions from reporters for almost an hour.

However Mr Martin has faced criticism from some quarters about meeting with President Trump following the US and Israels war with Iran.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill are boycotting the St Patricks Day events in the US over that administrations policies in terms of Gaza.

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was the first Irish premier to meet President Donald Trump during the latters first term in office in 2017 described an opportunity which is the envy of other countries.

Speaking to reporters at the Irish Funds gala dinner on Monday night, Mr Kenny said the traditional annual meeting must be maintained.

Essentially the job of the Taoiseach on Tuesday in meeting with the president of the United States is to reaffirm the strength of links between Ireland and America, he said.

Were all different and politicians are politicians, theyve got their own view and issues that they wish to raise. Generally and over the last years, a visit by whatever Irish Taoiseach to whatever American president was about the links between both entities.

Obviously there is a place for sorting out global politics and global controversies such as we have now, but Tuesdays meeting is for the Taoiseach to reaffirm that Ireland is not losing sight of the opportunity here in America and over 200,000 American jobs, employed by Irish firms.

Asked about those who feel the Taoiseach should have not continued the tradition of meeting with President Trump, or should press him on issues, Mr Kenny said: I had that same argument with myself in 2011 right up to 2017 that you shouldnt go to the White House, but this is an opportunity that no other country has.

If youre here to talk about opportunity for America in America through Ireland, or for young Irish to thrive and prosper and be world leaders, irrespective of what ones views are, its a really important and critical element of good connections in politics that Ireland, whoever the Taoiseach is, has established a very strong tradition of being able to talk to whoever the American president is.

Other countries would be jealous to have that opportunity, and thats something that we should not, under any circumstances, let slip from our grasp.

Later on Tuesday, the Taoiseach will attend the Friends of Ireland Luncheon at the US Capitol, ahead of his presentation of a bowl of shamrock to the US President back at the White House.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Martin described Ireland as confident in our contribution to America on a number of fronts.

I mean, look at last evening, an Irish actress winning the Oscar, by all of the critics, an outstanding film, he said.

I mean, thats where Ireland is today. Were a self-confident country, self-confident people.

And life is unpredictable, politics is unpredictable.

Im looking forward to it.

He also insisted he does not feel under pressure to address the war in the Middle East when meeting President Trump, or that recent anti-war comments by Irish President Catherine Connolly would be brought to Mr Trumps attention.

He said there are many wars in the world currently and that the horrendous conflict in Sudan had received precious little attention in global commentary.

On Monday evening, the Taoiseach addressed the prestigious Ireland Funds National Gala dinner in the US capital.

He spent the weekend in Philadelphia where he marked the contribution of Irish people to the building of the country, 250 years on from the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

He also took part in the Pennsylvanian citys St Patricks Day parade.
Six people have died on Irish roads since gardai launched a major road safety initiative for St Patrick's Day.

The special Roads Policing Operation, which began at 7am last Thursday, will continue until 7am on Wednesday March 18.



"After five days of the operation there has been six fatalities as a result of traffic collisions on our roads. This brings the total number of fatalities on Irish roads this year to 38," said a garda spokesperson in an update issued this Tuesday.



As part of the operation, gardai are conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.



As of Tuesday morning, a total of 188 people had been arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs) while in excess of 4,250 drivers had been detected for speeding offences.

READ ALSO | Man with Irish tattoos found dead in wheelie bin in England as police begin probe

Gardai have highlighted some of the notable speeds, which were detected on Monday, March 16.

These include a vehicle travelling at 85 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on the Boreenmanna Road in Cork; a vehicle travelling at 98 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the L3700 at Cloongad, Riverstown, Sligo; a vehicle travelling at 121 km/h in a 80 km/h zone on the R188 Drumnagran, Cootehill, Cavan and a vehicle travelling at 125 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N55 at Tullygullin, Kilcogy, Cavan.



In addition, gardai say over 450 drivers have been detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt since this operation began.



"An Garda Siochana is appealing to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising for St. Patrick's Day.



"All drivers who are taking to the roads today are reminded to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention," said the spokesperson.
Families and tourists thronged the streets in cities and towns across the island of Ireland for St Patricks Day, while reflecting on what it means to be Irish.

Parades were held in Dublin, Belfast, and Cork, while in Jessie Buckleys native Killarney they were marking her Oscars win with a float dedicated to successful people from the Co Kerry town.

Before the parade in Belfast began, thousands of people took part in the 10km race through the citys streets.

In Dublin, children and visitors gathered hours before the parade began to get a good glimpse of it  wearing tricolour glasses, leprechaun hats, decorative green face glitter and clusters of shamrocks.

The Irish capitals parade  comprising 12 large floats and more than 3,000 participants  ran from Parnell Square in the north of the city, down Dublins main thoroughfare, OConnell Street, and ends at the Cuffe Street/Kevin Street junction on the south side of the city.

Performers in the parade included Macnas, Bui Bolg, Spraoi, the Inishowen Carnival Group, and The Outing Queer Arts Collective.

The Rotunda Hospital, located near the start of the parade, has its first float of the parade, designed by ArtFX.

Eleven-year-old Dubliner Rian Doyle said that St Patricks Day was about celebrating Irish achievements, while Karen Van Brakel from Holland said it was about the Irish value of bringing people together.

Two school friends from the Philippines, Anna May and Primrose, were dressed in green T-shirts and sparkly shamrock face paint.

Anna May said it was her first St Patricks Day parade, while Primrose, who is an Irish citizen, has been to many.

This is my first time seeing a big parade, so I would like to experience the culture of Ireland, plus I think St Patrick is one of the most famous festivals, Anna May said.

Were Catholic as well, Primrose said.

Jessica McGuinness, from Finglas, brought her three-year-old son Jack for a Shamrock shake before going to the front spot near Parnell Street.

He loves the marching bands and the flags, she said.

Rian Doyle said he and his sister Kelly, nine, have been to the Dublin parade for several years, and said he likes the fun of the singing, dancing and marching.

Its a religious tradition, but also to celebrate Ireland and all weve done over the years, he added.

Karal and Karen Van Brakel from Holland said they had planned to be in Dublin for a holiday, and did not realise it was St Patricks Day.

They said Irish people were the reason St Patricks Day was so popular.

Its because they believe in something, in happiness, and also to connect each other. It doesnt matter where you come from, Karen said.

TV presenter and podcaster Vogue Williams, who is the grand marshal of this years parade, said she could not sleep last night with the excitement.

Asked why she was proud to be Irish, she said: I just think were deadly. We just are, and we annoyingly gravitate towards each other as well.

Even in London, Ive got my group of Irish friends; you go away, youre looking for an Irish bar.

We all just love hanging out with each other, and I just think you meet an Irish person, and youre bound to have a good night.

She said she is back in her parade era and said the parade would show visitors a really good time.

When told the Dublin mayor Ray McAdam was keen to meet her, she said: Oh fantastic, maybe hell let me wear his necklace.

You can be done for treason for wearing the Lord Mayors necklace, apparently, chief executive of the St Patricks Festival Richard Tierney told her.

Really? Well see.

The theme of the Dublin parade is celebrating people and roots, and will feature marching bands from Scotland and eight from the US: Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Indiana and Texas.
From our favorite Irish policy expert . . . Here's a traditional plea for financial reason in an upcoming low-turnout election that usually results in double digit victory for this longtime levey because most locals view it as a tax on JoCo neighbors doing biz inside KC proper . . . Check-it:

"The earnings tax is regressive: It taxes wages while excluding investment income, hitting workers harder than the wealthy. It also sustains a subsidy culture that diverts public dollars to favored projects while insulating the city from confronting difficult spending choices."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City's earnings tax is a regressive giveaway to big corporations | Opinion Because it isn't charged on investment income, the burden falls most on wage earners, not wealthy businesses seeking tax incentives. | Opinion

Skip the paywall and read by way of Internet archive or public library card.
To be fair . . . We're glad he reads TKC and admits Salt Lake City is AT LEAST a possibility and yeah, the future of Sherman staying with the team is now openly in doubt.

Here's the overview and a nicer reiteration of what we posted about three weeks ago . . . The Iran war and ensuing economic turmoil have precluded any action on a new stadium in the foreseeable future . . .

"The team's reluctance to pick a site for a new ballpark may reflect fundamental challenges with financing a new facility."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Details added: first version posted on 07:05

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been relocated to Childiran, Ashaghi Oratagh, Heyvali, Chapar, Hasanriz of the Aghdara district, Khojavend village of the Khojavand district, as well as Horovlu village of the Jabrayil district, and received keys to their houses, Trend reports.

At this stage, three families (13 people) were relocated to Childiran, 21 families (108 people) to Ashaghi Oratagh, seven families (34 people) to Heyvali, four families (17 people) to Chapar, six families (29 people) to Hasanriz, 11 families (36 people) to Khojavend, as well as 30 families (131 people) to Horovlu.

After welcoming the newly relocated families, ANAMA staff informed them in detail about the dangers posed by mines and unexploded ordnance. The families were advised to stay away from unfamiliar objects and items and to report any such incidents to the relevant authorities.

07:05

The next group of former internally displaced persons is returning to the villages of Childiran, Ashaghi Oratagh, Heyvali, Chapar, and Hasanriz in the Aghdara district, the village of Khojavend in the Khojavend district, and the village of Horovlu in the Jabrayil district, Trend reports.

At this stage, 82 families, 368 people, return to the villages of Childiran, Ashaghi Oratagh, Heyvali, Chapar, and Hasanriz in the Aghdara district, the village of Khojavend in the Khojavend district, and the village of Horovlu in the Jabrayil district.

The former IDPs returning to their native lands thanked President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) is included among the 15 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for 2026.

Morgan Stanley Lifts Johnson Controls (JCI) View Following Latest Results

On March 11, Morgan Stanley analyst Christopher Snyder raised the firms price recommendation on Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) to $140 from $130. It reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The update came as the firm revised its estimates following the latest earnings report.

During the fiscal Q1 2026 earnings call, CEO Joakim Weidemanis said the company entered 2026 on a solid footing. He pointed to more disciplined execution across the portfolio and said the first-quarter results reflected that progress. He noted strong revenue growth during the period, along with meaningful margin expansion and broad strength across the business.

Weidemanis highlighted several key metrics from the quarter. Orders increased nearly 40%, while revenue rose 6%. EBIT margin expanded by 190 basis points to 12.4%. Adjusted EPS climbed nearly 40%. He added that each of these results came in ahead of the companys earlier guidance. The CEO also spoke about the companys focus on the data center market. According to him, the business is seeing strong momentum in this area. He said that progress is being supported by collaboration with NVIDIA and the rollout of new chiller platforms. These include the YDAM and YK-HT systems, which he said are designed to deliver high-density and energy-efficient cooling solutions for artificial intelligence infrastructure and next-generation computing environments.

Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI) specializes in smart buildings. The company operates through three segments: Americas, EMEA, and APAC. It is involved in engineering, manufacturing, commissioning, and retrofitting building products and systems.

While we acknowledge the potential of JCI 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: 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading into 2026 and 13 Extreme Dividend Stocks With Huge Upside Potential

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The Azerbaijani Parliament has addressed a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of the Novruz and Ramadan holidays, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said following parliament's plenary session today, Trend reports.

The Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament made the aforementioned congratulatory proposal.

The speaker's proposal was met with applause.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. On March 17, Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received a delegation led by Baik Joohyeon, Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and discussed cooperation prospects, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MFA.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea in areas such as politics, the economy, trade, education, high technology, and others. The parties emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral relations and increasing mutual visits. The importance of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation between the governments of the two countries, as well as political consultations between the foreign ministries, was also noted. It was noted with satisfaction that 2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In addition, the sides discussed large-scale energy and transport projects being implemented by Azerbaijan in the region, as well as plans for the export of alternative energy. Within this framework, an exchange of views took place on issues of Azerbaijans cooperation with Central Asian countries, including cooperation within the C6 format. The importance of developing interregional ties, expanding transport and logistics capabilities, and deepening economic partnership was noted.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also briefed the interlocutor on the current situation in the region during the post-conflict period, as well as on the large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts underway in the liberated territories.

The parties also exchanged views on regional and international security issues, including the current situation in the Middle East. The Korean side expressed its deep gratitude for the support provided during the evacuation of its citizens from Iran through the territory of our country.

The parties also discussed other issues of mutual interest at the meeting.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. On March 17, a telephone conversation took place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stressed the importance of Iran completing its investigation in accordance with the promise made following the drone strikes on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic from Iranian territory.

In general, it was emphasized that during the ongoing war, civilian targets should not be targeted, that Azerbaijan supports a short-term cessation of military escalation in the region and is a supporter of resolving existing difficulties through negotiations.

The ministers also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. As part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Department, in collaboration with the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, has developed a special portal to facilitate radio spectrum management, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport told Trend.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the portal will be used to coordinate the use of radio-electronic equipment and frequencies during the international event, which will take place in Baku from May 17 through 22.

Through the portal, all radio equipment operating on various frequencies to be used during the event will be registered, the relevant frequency resources will be allocated, and the equipment will be labeled. Guests and media representatives who will attend WUF13 are required to apply for the registration of their radio equipment via the portal at https://wuf13-e-permission.icta.az/.

A similar approach was applied during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku. During that event, 4,023 pieces of radio-electronic equipment used by 280 organizations were registered and labeled through the portal, ensuring efficient management of the radio spectrum.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. WUF13 will take place at the Baku Olympic Stadium and is currently being organized in the format of a regional campus, Adil Mammadov, Executive Director of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, said, Trend reports.

He made the announcement during the session WUF13  Information Session for the Private Sector.

The event will be a bilateral one. Heads of state and government, non-governmental organizations, scientists, architects, and representatives of the private sector are expected to participate in WUF13, he said.

The WUF13 representative emphasized that the second main component of the event is a platform called Urban Expo.

The forum will address key socio-economic issues as well as processes related to climate change. WUF13 will take place at the Baku Olympic Stadium and is currently being organized in the format of a regional campus. I invite Azerbaijani companies to be more active and join WUF13, he added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. Artificial intelligence (AI) would be appropriate to be used in tenders in Azerbaijan, Vugar Bayramov, a member of the Parliament's Labor and Social Policy Committee, said at the plenary session of the parliament during the discussion of the draft law on amendment to the Criminal Code today, Trend reports.

According to him, digitalization not only strengthens control over various state programs but also allows for the electronization of decisions on the use of budget funds, including public procurement.

The MP noted that the closer use of AI in Azerbaijan is currently one of the priorities of economic policy.

"In accordance with the conceptual directions of the draft law we are discussing today, the use of artificial intelligence capabilities in public procurement would serve to further increase transparency. It would be appropriate to use AI both in evaluating tender results and in improving the mechanism for calculating the estimated price," he explained.

The MP recalled that, according to the Chamber of Accounts, in 43.1% of competitive procurements, the contract amount differed from the estimated price by 20% or more.

"The large difference between the estimated price and the contract value makes the issues of further strengthening efficiency and transparency in public procurement relevant. The use of artificial intelligence can both minimize external interventions and subjective considerations in making tender decisions, as well as reduce the difference between the estimated price and the contract price and allow for more efficient use of public funds," he noted.

Bayramov added that the draft law also adds the use of funds of state-owned legal entities to the issues of their intended use.

"It would be better if Article 308-1 of the Criminal Code included funds allocated to public legal entities. In 2025, 1.16 billion manat ($680 million) was planned to be allocated to public legal entities, and allocation of 895.2 million manat ($526.6 million) is expected this year. As it's seen, these are quite large numbers. In this regard, strengthening the efficiency and transparency in the use of state funds by public legal entities is of particular importance from a fiscal perspective," he concluded.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. For the first time since Kalbajars return to Azerbaijani control, residents gathered to celebrate Novruz, marking a symbolic step in the districts slow revival after years of displacement, the Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kalbajar district and the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in the Kalbajar district told Trend.

The event, held with the participation of local families, was organized by the office of the president's special representative in Kalbajar together with the districts Restoration, Construction, and Management Service, with support from the Ministry of Culture. Officials said the celebration was intended to restore a sense of normalcy and strengthen community ties as reconstruction efforts continue.

The gathering opened with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the countrys territorial integrity, followed by the performance of the national anthem. The Presidents Special Representative in Kalbajar, Bashir Hajiyev, addressed residents at the celebration venue, congratulating them on the Novruz holiday and conveying his best wishes.

In a newly rebuilt residential area, a large samani, a traditional Novruz symbol of renewal, was displayed, and a bonfire was lit as music from the zurna, balaban, and naghara filled the square. Performers from the Goygol State Song and Dance Ensemble, named after Fikrat Amirov, presented traditional dances such as Uzundere, Jangi, and Daghli.

Children participated in traditional egg-cracking games, preserving Novruz customs. Folklore elements, including the Maral (Deer) game, added a distinctly local character to the celebration. An ashug, appearing as the legendary Dede Gorgud, played the "qopuz" and offered blessings, while the comic figures Kosa and Kechal and a Spring Girl performance entertained younger attendees.

Set against the backdrop of ongoing reconstruction, the celebration reflected both the challenges and aspirations of a region seeking to rebuild not only its infrastructure but also its social fabric.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. On March 17, the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum hosted the opening of the solo exhibition by artist Nigar Aliyeva, Trend reports.

The opening ceremony was attended by Anar Alakbarov, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center, Alena Aliyeva, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova, as well as cultural and art figures.

Addressing the event, Director of the National Carpet Museum of Azerbaijan Amina Melikova said that since its inception, the museum has remained steadfast in its mission to support the work of contemporary artists.

She noted that despite her young age, the author of the exhibition, Nigar Aliyeva, has been successfully working in the field of art for over 10 years.

Amina Melikova emphasized that Nigar Aliyeva is among those rare artists capable of artistically expressing the national heritage, collective memory, and cultural values of Azerbaijan through her works. Such initiatives serve to present the countrys national heritage from a new perspective, reaching a wider audience and reviving tradition through new means of expression in contemporary art.

Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova mentioned that "Irevan style" is presented in the artist's work with a unique and successful artistic approach.

Highlighting the importance of the Novruz holiday, Saadat Yusifova said that it is not only a holiday, but also a sacred value that creates a spiritual bridge between the past and the future, strengthening the sense of hope and faith in people.

Noting that she has been developing this project for two years, Nigar Aliyeva stated that she has spared no effort to re-examine the countrys national heritage and introduce Azerbaijani traditions to the younger generation.

Expressing her gratitude to those who contributed to the success of the exhibition, the artist underlined that exhibits from various museums were displayed in the exposition. The topics presented were not chosen randomly, each rooted in the history, national memory, and rich artistic heritage of the people.

The exhibition features the author's oil-on canvas created in 20242026. Based on her research, the artist turned to national cuisine, jewelry, weaving, embroidery, and other examples of folk applied arts. Her compositions skillfully use ornamental and elements characteristic of classical Azerbaijani painting traditions, especially the subtleties of Mirza Gadim Irevani's style.

The exhibition, co-organized by the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and Arts Council Azerbaijan, will run until March 31.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. On March 17, the grand opening of the 15th-century national monument - Bukhara caravanserai - after major restoration and conservation efforts, and the presentation of the "BukharArt" art space, which will operate here, were held in Icherisheher, Trend reports.

Director of the Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov, Alena Aliyeva, Deputy Minister of Culture Saadat Yusifova, Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration Rufat Mahmud, as well as cultural figures and public representatives attended the event.

This magnificent building, built on an ancient trade route as a shelter for Central Asian merchants, has now regained its former glory through a large-scale project implemented in accordance with the relevant Order of President Ilham Aliyev. The restoration was meticulously carried out on the principle of preserving both the architectural and engineering features of the monument.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration Rufat Mahmud said that the restoration is of great importance in terms of preserving historical heritage and passing it on to future generations. According to him, the newly established BukharArt art space will contribute to the cultural life of Icherisheher.

In his remarks, restorer Erich Pumer said the process of major renovation and strengthening of the Bukhara caravanserai was carried out with great sensitivity: The key priority during the restoration was to safeguard the original architectural style and historical features of the monument. At the same time, modern engineering solutions were integrated to ensure the durability of the structure.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Bahrom Ashrafkhanov underlined that this place has historically served as a center where people from diverse regions met, new trade relations were established, and bonds between peoples were strengthened. He said that the history of the Bukhara caravanserai is directly linked to the centuries-old ties between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Then, the guests viewed the monument.

Restoration and conservation works were carried out over 3.5 years by the renowned Austrian company Atelier Erich Pummer GmbH, a company with international expertise in this field, on the order of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration.

According to the new concept, the Bukhara caravanserai has been transformed into a functional and creative space for local craftsmen. The carvanserai contains a total of 18 rooms, each dedicated to artisans representing various fields of art. The artisans will create and demonstrate their handicrafts daily, simultaneously offering their products for sale.

BukharArt will operate as an interactive art space for local and foreign visitors. Here, artists will host various master classes, demonstrating the intricacies of Azerbaijani folk art in a practical way. Traditional crafts such as weaving, sculpture, leatherworking, painting, carpet weaving, iron forging, miniature art, artistic ceramics, marbling art, and wood carving are represented here.

With its unique architectural style and mystical atmosphere, BukharArt will become one of the most attractive cultural centers for both residents and guests of the capital.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The volume of trade operations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in January 2026 amounted to $431.7 million.

Data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee shows that this figure is $51.3 million, or 10.7%, lower than in January of last year.

During the reporting period, trade turnover with Turkiye accounted for 12.20% of Azerbaijans total trade turnover, placing Turkiye in second place among the countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the largest number of trade operations.

In January 2025, exports of products from Azerbaijan to Turkiye amounted to $268.2 million, which is $39.9 million, or 13%, less than in the same month of the previous year. Imports of products from Turkiye to Azerbaijan totaled $163.6 million, representing a decrease of $11.6 million, or 6.6%, compared to January of the previous year.

In January 2026, Azerbaijan carried out trade operations with foreign countries totaling $3.53 billion, which is $1.5 billion, or 30.5%, less than in the same period last year.

Of the total foreign trade turnover, $2.23 billion accounted for exports, while $1.3 billion accounted for imports. Over the past year, exports declined by $802 million, or 26.4%, and imports decreased by $750 million, or 36.5%.

Consequently, the country recorded a positive foreign trade balance of $933.6 million, which is $52.4 million, or 5.3%, lower than in the previous year.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Release Date: March 17, 2026

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Natura Cosmeticos SA (BSP:NATU3) successfully completed its corporate simplification cycle, divesting non-core assets like Avon International and Avon Russia.

The company achieved a 100 basis point year-on-year growth in reported and recurring Latin EBITDA margins.

Natura Cosmeticos SA maintained leverage within its target range, ending the year at a 1.3 times net debt to EBITDA ratio.

The company reported a significant improvement in Hispanic America's EBITDA margin, expanding by 810 basis points over the previous year.

Natura Cosmeticos SA's digital and retail channels continue to expand healthily, accounting for 23% of total revenue this quarter, up from 18% last year.

Negative Points

Natura Cosmeticos SA experienced a slight top-line dip in Brazil due to channel downsizing and lower activity among less productive consultants.

The company saw a 4.8% year-over-year decline in Brazil's top-line performance in Q4.

Avon Brazil's revenue was down 11.5%, impacted by a light innovation pipeline during the period.

The company posted a 321 million loss this quarter due to non-recurring items from discontinued operations.

Natura Cosmeticos SA faced a 732 million drag from working capital, mostly inventory-driven, impacting cash flow generation.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you elaborate on the sustainability of growth resumption for the Natura brand in Brazil, especially given the challenging macroeconomic situation? A: Jerome Paulo Ferreira, CEO: We are strengthening our direct sales channel and innovation pipeline. We've invested in incentives to boost sales force activities and have seen improvements in Q1. We are confident in our commercial foundation and have sped up our launch pipeline. Adjustments in communications and media activities will help us gradually speed up growth throughout the year.

Q: How do you plan to manage tactical expenses and capture efficiencies in 2026? A: Sylvia Villas Boas, CFO: We implemented tactical cuts to ensure profitability and will continue to seek opportunities for efficiency. The new operational model will reduce positions by 25%, with benefits starting in 2026. Wave two efficiencies in Mexico and Argentina, along with sales growth, will be key levers for profitability expansion.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 17. Uzbekistan has sent humanitarian aid to the people of Iran, Trend reports via the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan.

The humanitarian cargo delivered to the Iranian side included food products such as flour, rice, sugar, pasta, sunflower oil, canned goods, as well as medicines and medical supplies.

The handover ceremony was attended by the governor of the Iranian city of Daregaz, Mojtaba Bazmara, the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministrys representative office in Razavi Khorasan Province, adviser to the minister Ali Masumifar, as well as Irans Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani.

According to the ministry, during the event, the officials expressed sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the humanitarian assistance provided to the Iranian people and for the attention shown. They emphasized that this initiative reflects the longstanding traditions of friendship, solidarity, and mutual support between the two countries.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 17. Uzbekneftegas and the US-based Upwing Energy have explored the potential for increasing production at low-yield gas wells through the implementation of advanced technologies, Trend reports via the Uzbek company.

This issue was discussed during a meeting between Abdulgani Sanginov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegas, and Herman Artinian, President and CEO of Upwing Energy.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the sides had previously held online negotiations in January this year, during which Upwing Energy presented technological solutions aimed at boosting production at low-efficiency wells. As part of the initial stage of cooperation, specialists studied geological and technical data required for further analysis.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed the results of the preliminary assessment conducted on the basis of the provided data and outlined the next steps for the implementation of the project.

The sides emphasized their mutual interest in continuing cooperation focused on increasing production volumes, improving the efficiency of existing wells, and introducing innovative technologies in the oil and gas sector.

Upwing Energy is a US technology company specializing in solutions designed to enhance oil and gas production, particularly at low-yield and mature wells. The company develops equipment and digital technologies aimed at improving well performance and reducing operating costs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The realized average price of Azerbaijani oil was $68.5 and the price of 1,000 cubic meters of exported Azerbaijani gas reached $289 last year, Director of the Statistics Department of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), Samir Nasirov, said at a briefing dedicated to the release of the balance of payments for 2025 today, Trend reports.

According to him, in 2024, the realized average price of Azerbaijani oil amounted to $84.

He noted that the price of 1,000 cubic meters of exported Azerbaijani gas rose by 5.5% compared to the previous year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. Azerbaijan's capital and financial account deficit reached around $5 billion last year, according to Samir Nasirov, Director of the Statistics Department at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. He also noted that the country's net financial assets grew, while net financial liabilities saw a modest increase, Trend reports.

"Last year, Azerbaijan's net financial assets increased by $5.4 billion, while net financial liabilities grew by $0.4 billion," he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan is currently monitoring developments in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran, Samir Nasirov, director of the Statistics Department at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), said at a briefing dedicated to the release of the balance of payments for 2025, Trend reports.

The events began just over two weeks ago. Against this backdrop, we are seeing a rise in various global commodity prices. However, there are still questions about whether this is a temporary or long-term phenomenon. Based on this, we are closely monitoring developments to understand how this will affect the current account balance (CAB). We are conducting an analysis, but we do not yet have updated forecasts. If we do, we will share the information at the next press conference, he noted.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 17. Turkmenistan ensured the prompt transit of humanitarian cargo, including supplies from third countries, said Irans Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani, Trend reports via the press service of the Tukrmen Government.

The statement was made during a press conference, dedicated to the current state of bilateral relations and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador said that Turkmenistan also provided its own humanitarian assistance to Iran. The diplomat expressed gratitude to the Chairman of Turkmenistans Halk Maslahaty (Parliament) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the government of Turkmenistan for the humanitarian support provided.

He noted that four main border crossings along the 1,200-kilometer shared frontier operate in close coordination, playing a strategic role in cargo transportation across Central Asia.

During his speech, Rouzbehani also gave particular attention to the issue of repatriation. Amid temporary restrictions on Irans airspace, land routes through neighboring countries became the most accessible option, allowing Iranian citizens abroad to return home via Turkmenistan.

Ambassador described Turkmen-Iranian relations as a model of good-neighborly ties developing in a spirit of friendship and genuine partnership. He concluded by noting that, thanks to its policy of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan remains one of Irans most reliable and important partners in the region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. Azerbaijan exported $4.22 million worth of goods to Armenia in the period from January through February of this year,

The data obtained by Trend from the country's State Customs Committee indicates that this accounted for 0.12% of Azerbaijans total exports.

On October 21, 2025, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in a joint press statement with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said that Azerbaijan had lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia that had been in place since the occupation period. The first such transit shipment was the delivery of Kazakh grain to Armenia.

On December 18, 2025, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) sent 1,220 tons of RON-95 gasoline to Armenia. Subsequently, on January 9, 2026, a total of 2,698 tons of fuel, including 1,742 tons of RON-95 gasoline and 956 tons of diesel, were dispatched in 48 railcars.

On January 11, a train of 18 railcars carrying 979 tons of RON-92 gasoline was also sent to Armenia.

On February 25, 4,500 tons of diesel fuel were sent from Azerbaijan to Armenia, on March 5 - 31 wagons with 1,984 tons of diesel fuel and two wagons with 135 tons of Russian fertilizers, on March 9 - a freight train of 7 wagons with Russian grain, on March 11 - grain with a total weight of 1,023 tons (net - 770 tons) in 11 wagons.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 17. Turkiye and Turkmenistan have discussed prospects for expanding bilateral ties, Trend reports via the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Turkmenistans Ambassador to Brussels Sapar Palvanov and newly appointed Ambassador of Turkiye to the EU Yaprak Balkan.

During the meeting, the sides reviewed the current state and future prospects of Turkmen-Turkish relations. The diplomats positively assessed the dynamic development of bilateral relations.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on opportunities for cooperation within the framework of relations with the European Union. They expressed readiness to maintain close coordination and regular dialogue, including through more frequent meetings, in order to support each others initiatives on international platforms.

Earlier, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat stated that Turkiyes trade with Turkmenistan reached $2.2 billion in 2025 and emphasized that the main goal for bilateral trade is to reach $5 billion, a target set by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Turkish companies are among the top economic partners in Turkmenistan, having implemented over 1,400 projects valued at more than $50 billion since 1991, with a strong focus on construction, energy, textiles, and transport. Major Turkish firms like Calk Holding and Polimeks are heavily involved in key infrastructure, industrial facilities, and the "smart city" of Arkadag.

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Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 17. Uzbekistan and Chinas Hainan Xintanbo Investment discussed implementing new projects in real estate and infrastructure development in the Andijan region, Trend reports via the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan.

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Ilzat Kasimov and Chairman of the Board of Hainan Xintanbo Investment Ma Zaisheng.

During the talks, the sides reviewed opportunities for launching promising projects and strengthening bilateral investment cooperation, including the phased implementation of initiatives in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Following the meeting, the parties expressed readiness to further develop the partnership, expand business ties, and promote joint projects in Uzbekistan.

Hainan Xintanbo Investment, founded in 2013 in Chinas Hainan Province, specializes in large-scale investments in real estate and infrastructure development and has participated in the implementation of major regional projects.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 17. Turkmenistan and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held talks on current and prospective cooperation in Central Asia and beyond, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The issues were addressed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov and CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay on March 17 in Ashgabat.

The discussions focused on Turkmenistans initiatives to establish a permanent forum on security, development, and regional cooperation in Central Asia. The parties also considered collaboration in energy, transport, and environmental fields and the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Additionally, the significance of improving cooperation in food security and stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan was emphasized.

The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is a regional forum established in 1992 to promote dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building measures among Asian countries. Headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, CICA focuses on security, political, economic, and environmental issues in the region.

The organization currently includes 28 member states and 11 observer states, with Turkmenistan joining as an observer in 2021. CICA facilitates multilateral discussions, coordination of regional initiatives, and partnerships on issues such as counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, and sustainable development.

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Dutch AI infrastructure company Nebius Group has entered into a long-term agreement with Meta to supply AI infrastructure, with the deal valued at up to $27bn.

The arrangement will see Nebius provide $12bn worth of dedicated capacity across several locations, utilising one of the earliest large-scale deployments of Nvidias Vera Rubin platform.

The company plans to begin delivering this capacity in early 2027.

In addition, Meta has pledged to purchase further compute power from upcoming Nebius clusters, potentially bringing the total value of its commitment to $15bn over five years.

Nebius intends to sell available capacity to third-party clients in its AI cloud business, with any remaining resources allocated for Metas use.

The partnership comes as Nebius reports continued expansion in AI cloud operations and maintains its 2026 financial guidance unchanged.

Nebius founder and CEO Arkady Volozh said: We are pleased to expand our significant partnership with Meta as part of securing more large, long-term capacity contracts to accelerate the build-out and growth of our core AI cloud business. We will continue to deliver.

In a separate development announced in March 2026, Nvidia revealed a $2bn investment in Nebius to support the expansion of AI cloud services targeted at both startups and enterprises.

This collaboration is set to deliver next-generation hyperscale cloud offerings for AI workloads.

Under the Nvidia partnership, Nebius will deploy more than 5 gigawatts (GW) of AI compute globally by 2030, including several large data centres in the US.

The cooperation includes access to early product samples, design resources, system software support, and technical guidance for constructing AI-focused facilities.

Nebius will integrate multiple Nvidia technologies into its platform, such as the Rubin platform, Vera CPUs, and BlueField storage systems, aiming to improve GPU fleet management through enhanced monitoring tools.

Recent operational updates show that Nebius expanded its reach in the Asia-Pacific market and reported a 479% year-over-year revenue increase for 2025.

The companys contract backlog has surpassed $20bn, featuring long-term supply agreements with clients like Microsoft and Meta Platforms.

In November 2025, Nebius disclosed an earlier agreement with Meta for AI infrastructure delivery valued at around $3bn over five years.

"Nebius inks $27bn deal with Meta for AI cloud capacity" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The first meeting of the Joint Working Group on energy cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia was held in a hybrid format at the Ministry of Energy, the ministry told Trend.

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov and State Secretary Sonja Vlahovic of Serbias Ministry of Mining and Energy. Representatives from Azerbaijan included SOCAR, the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources, the Energy Regulatory Agency, and Azeristiliktachizat OJSC, while the Serbian side was represented by the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Srbijagas company.

Deputy Minister Zeynalov highlighted the growing cooperation between the two countries across various sectors, particularly in energy. He noted that the Strategic Partnership Council meeting held in Belgrade under the co-chairmanship of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Serbia on February 15, 2026, contributed to the expansion of this cooperation.

State Secretary Vlahovic emphasized that agreements and memoranda signed between Azerbaijan and Serbia have elevated bilateral cooperation to a strategic level.

The meeting included extensive discussions on the oil and gas sector, energy infrastructure, electricity production, and energy efficiency. It was noted that Azerbaijans gas supply to Serbia plays a crucial role in strengthening energy security both for Serbia and for Europe. Discussions also focused on a joint project for the construction of a gas-fired power plant in Nis city, as well as cooperation in district heating, green energy, and energy efficiency.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR and Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas (KMG) have successfully continued the transit of Kazakh crude through Azerbaijan, bringing total volumes transported to 4 million tons, Trend reports via SOCAR.

The 427th shipment of Kazakh oil departed from Aktau port on 12 March aboard the President Heydar Aliyev tanker and arrived at Azertrans Sangachal Terminal the following day. Of the total volume moved to date, 3.8 million tons originated from the Tengiz field, with a further 200,000 tons from the Kashagan field.

The first Tengiz shipment reached Baku on 23 March 2023, while the first cargo of Kashagan crude arrived on 27 January 2025. Oil delivered to Sangachal is subsequently transported via the BakuTbilisiCeyhan (BTC) pipeline to the Ceyhan terminal in Turkiye and exported to global markets. SOCAR is represented in the project by its subsidiary SOCAR Midstream Operations LLC.

The transit arrangement traces back to a November 2022 Framework Agreement between SOCAR and KMG, which provided for the annual transport of 1.5 million tons of Tengiz crude via BTC. In March 2024, the parties signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum to increase annual volumes and facilitate the purchase and sale of Kazakh crude. On 15 January 2025, a further framework was agreed to allow the transit of an additional 240,000 tons of Kashagan oil annually alongside existing Tengiz shipments.

The BTC pipeline, which also carries Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil and Shah Deniz condensate, as well as crude from other sources, has a current throughput of 1.2 million barrels per day, equivalent to 50 million tons per year. Since its commissioning in June 2006, the 1,768 km pipeline has transported some 619 million tons of crude  over 4.7 billion barrels  and loaded 6,145 tankers at Ceyhan for delivery to international markets.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has surpassed its $14 billion commitment to strengthen food security in Asia and the Pacific for 20222025, while setting out a broader $40 billion agenda to transform regional food systems by 2030, ADB President Masato Kanda said, Trend reports.

Food systems in Asia and the Pacific are at a turning point, Kanda said at the Asia and the Pacific Food Systems Forum 2026. ADB delivered more than $14 billion from 20222025, reaching 62 million farmers and creating over 500,000 jobs. Now we are scaling up to a $40 billion agenda through 2030 to transform food systems so they nourish people, protect nature, and generate inclusive rural growth and employment.

From 2026 to 2030, ADB plans to provide $26 billion in additional financing for food security, alongside expanded private capital mobilization and strategic partnerships. The bank first announced its ambition to mobilize $40 billion to support food system transformation across the region in May 2025.

ADBs new agenda moves beyond standalone sector interventions toward integrated food systems solutions, aiming to strengthen livelihoods, enhance climate resilience, support private sector participation, and reach more than 190 million smallholder farmers by 2030.

The forum highlighted ADBs investments by subregion, including $8 billion in Southeast Asia, $7 billion in South Asia, $3.5 billion in Central and West Asia, and $7.5 billion in private sector operations. National transformation platforms discussed included the Indonesia Food Systems Investment Platform, the Philippines Agribusiness Investment Vehicle, and the India Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program.

During the forum, Kanda witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements with the World Food Programme on integrating nutrition into food systems and with Japans Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to advance food system transformation across Asia and the Pacific.

ADB will also sign a memorandum of understanding with the AIM for Scale Initiative, in partnership with the Gates Foundation and the UAE Presidential Courts International Affairs Office, to enhance weather and digital advisory services for farmers and herders. A coordinated ADBWorld Bank approach will be launched to support agribusiness and fresh produce markets in Papua New Guinea, along with a guidance note on natural capital to scale nature-positive investments.

Other initiatives include operationalizing the ADBCGIAR Clearinghouse Facility, supported by the Gates Foundation, integrating solutions such as landscape crop assessment into ADBs low-carbon agricultural portfolio, and establishing a regional collaboration platform with the Food and Agriculture Organization and other partners.

Founded in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank owned by 69 members, including 50 from Asia and the Pacific, and supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across the region through innovative financing and strategic partnerships.
The Mobile World Congress (MWC), once again, brought together leading players of the global communications and technology ecosystem in Barcelona, serving as a key platform for discussing industry trends, showcasing innovative solutions, and fostering international collaboration. Inclusive business practices and the digital well-being of younger generations were among the priority topics addressed during the congress.

Dilara Huseynova, Chief Human Resources Officer of Azercell, spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of fostering a more inclusive environment in the technology sector: As one of the key enablers of Azerbaijans digital transformation, we clearly recognize our responsibility to create equal opportunities in ICT sector. Therefore, gender inclusivity remains one of the strategic priorities of our company.

Ms. Huseynova presented Azercells comprehensive approach to developing the next generation of female ICT specialists from early career orientation to supporting professional growth and building leadership capabilities. Particular emphasis is placed on fostering interest and engaging girls in technology from an early age, as well as creating favorable environment for their sustainable participation in the industry, she noted.

During the discussions Ms. Huseynova also highlighted the companys impactful social initiatives in this area. These included Azercells support for the national girls team participating in the International Informatics Olympiads and the Ugur qzlarmzndr (Success for Girls) initiative. Special interest of the audience was drawn to partnerships with non-governmental organizations implemented under the companys social program, aimed at enhancing digital and entrepreneurial competencies among women.

Azercell Telecom is a member of the GSM Association (GSMA) and actively collaborates with the organization across a number of areas. The company participated in the pilot implementation of the EQUALS Gender Inclusivity Index - a global initiative designed to advance gender equality in the digital age. The index promotes more inclusive industry practices, challenges persistent stereotypes, and supports the development of a more equitable digital ecosystem.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 17. Kazakhstan and Italy are set to launch a hybrid power plant in the city of Zhanaozen by the end of the year, Trend reports via the Kazakh Ministry of Energy.

This initiative was discussed during a meeting between Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akkenzhenov, and Italys Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Antonello De Riu.

The project, a collaborative effort with Eni, involves the construction of a 247 MW hybrid power plant that integrates solar, wind, and flexible gas generation. Initial progress has already been made, with the launch of a solar facility in September 2025. Equipped with 80,000 panels, the facility has commenced the production of clean electricity. The gas and wind components are slated for completion by the end of 2026, which will ensure comprehensive energy security for oil and gas facilities in the Mangystau region, including OzenMunayGas and KazGPZ.

During the talks, both parties reviewed the progress of joint initiatives previously agreed upon at the heads of state level and identified new priorities for future cooperation. Minister Akkenzhenov emphasized that Italy remains a dependable partner for Kazakhstan, with bilateral dialogue increasingly leading to tangible industrial projects.

A key focus was placed on expanding the resource base. In January 2026, QazaqGaz and Eni moved forward into the practical phase of exploring the Kamensky block in the Caspian basin, while exploration continues at the South Shu-Sarysu and Bereke sites.

Alongside cooperation at Kashagan oil field and Karachaganak field, the parties are also advancing the development of a petrochemical cluster. Within the polyethylene project, a consortium led by Maire Tecnimont has already begun construction and installation works at the polymerization unit and gas separation complex.

In the traditional power sector, strategic collaboration with Ansaldo Energia has facilitated the installation of advanced gas turbines at the Almaty CHPP-3, with the equipment having been delivered to the site in January of this year.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening the integration of Italian companies into Kazakhstans energy development initiatives, to enhance the reliability and sustainability of the national energy system.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 17. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree On measures to implement the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted on March 15, 2026, Trend reports via the presidential press service.

The decree stipulates that, under the presidential legislative initiative, several draft constitutional laws will be submitted to the Mazhilis. These include draft laws On the President and On the Kazakhstan Peoples Council.

It is also defined that, under the governments legislative initiative, draft constitutional laws On the Status of the Capital and On the Administrative-Territorial Structure will be submitted for consideration.

The document instructs the government, as well as central and local state bodies, to take necessary measures to align legal acts with the Constitution. The government is to approve a plan for promoting the Constitution by April 7, 2026. Control over the implementation of the decree is assigned to the Presidential Administration.

A nationwide referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution was held on March 15. The decree to hold the vote was signed on February 11 by Tokayev. Voters were asked to decide on the adoption of a new constitution. The draft was prepared taking into account proposals from citizens, political parties, public organizations, and experts received during public discussions.

The draft constitution places particular emphasis on human rights and freedoms, while identifying sovereignty, independence, the unitary nature of the state, and territorial integrity as fundamental and immutable values.

According to official results, 87.15% of voters supported the proposal.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 17. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced the potential implementation of an additional amnesty targeting several criminal and administrative offenses that do not pose a threat to public or state security, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh President.

Speaking at a ceremonial event dedicated to the adoption of the Constitution, Tokayev said the country is entering a qualitatively new stage of development, which requires a reset in relations between the state and its citizens.

He noted that while a criminal amnesty was carried out last year, authorities are now considering an additional amnesty. According to him, the proposed administrative amnesty would be the first of its kind in the countrys history.

The President urged Parliament to pass the relevant legislation before the close of the current session, framing the proposed amnesty as a significant step towards advancing the humanistic principles and progressive values enshrined in the Constitution.

Tokayev also underscored that the new Constitution reflects the aspirations of the people, symbolizing unity and solidarity, and establishing a firm foundation for the nation's sustained development.

During the ceremony, Tokayev also signed the Constitution and a decree on measures to implement it, following its approval in the March 15 nationwide referendum.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 17. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif discussed the development of bilateral cooperation during a phone call, Trend reports via the presidential press service.

During the conversation, Sharif congratulated Tokayev on the successful nationwide referendum on the adoption of Kazakhstans new Constitution, highlighting its historical significance for strengthening governance, institutional resilience, and public welfare.

Tokayev, in turn, expressed gratitude for the congratulations and the high assessment of the referendums outcome.

The sides noted with satisfaction the positive momentum in the Kazakh-Pakistani strategic partnership, discussing the implementation of agreements reached following Tokayevs state visit to Pakistan earlier this year. They also exchanged views on key regional and international issues.

A nationwide referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution was held on March 15. The decree to hold the vote was signed on February 11 by Tokayev. Voters were asked to decide on the adoption of a new constitution. The draft was prepared taking into account proposals from citizens, political parties, public organizations, and experts received during public discussions.

The draft constitution places particular emphasis on human rights and freedoms, while identifying sovereignty, independence, the unitary nature of the state, and territorial integrity as fundamental and immutable values.

According to official results, 87.15% of voters supported the proposal.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 17. President of France Emmanuel Macron congratulated President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the successful nationwide referendum on the new constitution during a phone call, Trend reports via the presidential press service.

The conversation took place at the initiative of the French side.

Macron highlighted the historic significance of the referendum, describing it as a major step toward further modernization of Kazakhstan. Tokayev expressed gratitude for the support and high assessment of the referendum.

The sides also discussed the development of bilateral ties, noting positive dynamics in economic ties, particularly in industry and energy, and reaffirmed their readiness to continue joint efforts in these areas.

The presidents emphasized the importance of maintaining personal contacts and agreed to hold upcoming meetings to continue exchanging views on key bilateral and international issues.

A nationwide referendum on the adoption of the new Constitution was held on March 15. The decree to hold the vote was signed on February 11 by Tokayev. Voters were asked to decide on the adoption of a new constitution. The draft was prepared taking into account proposals from citizens, political parties, public organizations, and experts received during public discussions.

The draft constitution places particular emphasis on human rights and freedoms, while identifying sovereignty, independence, the unitary nature of the state, and territorial integrity as fundamental and immutable values.

According to official results, 87.15% of voters supported the proposal.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 17. Speaker of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan Marlen Mamataliyev discussed key issues of bilateral cooperation with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Kyrgyzstan Kim Kwang-jae on March 16, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Parliament.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed significant aspects of KyrgyzKorean relations and exchanged views on strengthening interparliamentary ties.

Mamataliyev emphasized that South Korea remains one of Kyrgyzstan's key partners in the Asia-Pacific region. "In recent years, the cooperation between our countries has made substantial progress, and we continue to collaborate successfully across all sectors. It is essential, therefore, to further deepen our relations through enhanced interparliamentary dialogue," he remarked.

The Speaker further highlighted the close collaboration between the parliaments of both nations on international platforms, referencing the Central Asia  Republic of Korea meetings as a notable example.

In response, Ambassador Kim Kwang-jae conveyed a congratulatory message from the Speaker of the Korean Parliament and expressed his best wishes for Mamataliyevs continued success. He also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.

The development of interparliamentary dialogue is also a priority area, he added.

The sides also discussed projects implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) aimed at digitalizing the work of the Parliament. Marlen Mamataliyev stressed the need to accelerate progress in this direction.
Nebius agreed to a five-year deal worth about $27 billion to supply artificial-infrastructure infrastructure capacity to Meta. - Ina Fassbender/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Nebius agreed to a five-year deal worth about $27 billion to supply AI infrastructure capacity to Meta as it continues to see surging demand for its data center computing.

Nebius said it will provide $12 billion of dedicated capacity across multiple locations. Meta also agreed to purchase up to $15 billion in additional available capacity over the five-year period, Nebius said.

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal

Nebius added that it will use large-scale deployments of Nvidias next-generation Vera Rubin AI infrastructure platform, which is expected to be available starting in the second half of the year. Nebius will deliver the capacity beginning early next year, it said.

Meta has been investing heavily to expand its AI computing capacity and has signed partnerships with Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices worth more than $100 billion. It also struck deals earlier this year to make it an anchor customer for new and existing nuclear power in the U.S. needed to fuel its energy-hungry data centers.

Meanwhile, Nebius has seen its position as an AI infrastructure provider surge in recent months as tech companies compete to lock in data center computing capacity to train and run AI models.

In September, it agreed to a $17.4 billion deal with Microsoft to supply AI infrastructure capacity.

Last week, Nvidia agreed to invest $2 billion in Nebius. The two companies will partner to design and deploy large AI data centers and Nebius will gain early access to Nvidias latest computing technologies.

Nebius shares jumped 13% to $128.08 in premarket trading. They had almost quadrupled in value over the past 12 months through Fridays close.

Write to Nicholas G. Miller at nicholas.miller@wsj.com

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. A total of 19,324 people were injured as a result of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in the period from February 28 through March 16, the statement of Irans Ministry of Health says, Trend reports.

According to the information, of the specified number of victims, 18,254 have been treated and discharged, while 1,070 people continue to receive treatment.

The Ministry notes that among the deceased, 13 were under the age of 5, and 204 were under the age of 18. Among the injured, 1,275 were under the age of 18, and 45 were under the age of 2.

In addition, 17 medical workers were killed, and 101 were injured as a result of military airstrikes. During this period, 159 medical facilities, 36 treatment centers, 46 emergency care stations, and 6 hospitals were destroyed.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran over the nuclear program, the US and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and US military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 13 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. Iran should consider the new legal regime of the Strait of Hormuz after the war, Mohammad Mokhber, an advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran, said at a meeting with businessmen, university representatives, and experts on economic issues in Tehran today, Trend reports.

According to him, the matter of restricting or shutting down the Strait of Hormuz is a critical concern for the nation's economic landscape.

Mokhber stated that at present, the diplomatic, economic, security, and military domains are being integrated within a collaborative framework, with coordination and unity in the nation regarded as a significant achievement for Iran.

He pointed out that energy security goes hand in hand with the stability of the region. Any decision that shakes up the stability of energy transit routes can throw a wrench in the international economy, not to mention stir up economic pressures in the region.

Military airstrikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of 17 medical professionals and injuries to 101 others. Six hospitals, forty-six emergency rooms, 159 clinics, and 36 treatment facilities were totally destroyed during that time.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 13 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The Iranian military has continued drone attacks on Israel since this morning, Trend reports, citing the Iranian armed forces.

The strikes have targeted Israels cyber technology centers, remotely controlled weapon systems, and technologically advanced equipment operating on artificial intelligence.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 13 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. The Iranian authorities have stated that they are ready to continue military operations for as long as necessary and are currently not focusing on finding diplomatic ways to resolve the ongoing conflict in the region, Trend reports.

A senior official of the Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that the country is prepared to conduct military operations for as long as required.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States (U.S.) and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 8 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 17. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held talks on the escalating military situation in the region, Trend reports, citing the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

During the phone conversation, Araghchi urged the international community to pay attention to the security situation arising from U.S. and Israeli military airstrikes on Iran, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that the issues in the Strait cannot be considered in isolation, as the disruptions to shipping are a direct result of these attacks.

Guterres shared his position on the security of the Persian Gulf, West Asia, and maritime routes.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 8 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 18. Iranian intelligence claims to have neutralized a high-ranking Israeli official, Trend reports.

According to information, several hours ago, as a result of operations by Iranian special forces on Israeli territory, a high-ranking Israeli security official was killed.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 13 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Nebius (NBIS) stock fell 9% on Tuesday after the AI infrastructure company announced it was raising $3.75 billion in convertible debt following major deals with Meta (META) and Nvidia (NVDA).

Nebius announced it will sell convertible senior notes to institutional buyers in two series: $2 billion due 2031 and $1.75 billion due 2033. The neocloud company, which provides cloud services specifically built for artificial intelligence, said it intends to use the funds to finance business growth by building data centers and buying chips.

Read more about Nebius's stock moves and today's market action.

The debt offering follows two landmark deals the company inked in March, valued cumulatively at $29 billion, that have driven the stock 32% higher over the past month.

On Monday, Nebius agreed to sell Meta $12 billion in computing capacity starting in 2027, providing Meta with access to Nvidia's (NVDA) Vera Rubin platform. Meta has also committed to purchasing up to $15 billion in additional compute capacity that Nebius has reserved for third-party customers over a five-year period.

Nebius also reached a deal directly with Nvidia last week, in which it agreed to deploy more than 5 gigawatts of data center capacity by the end of 2030 in exchange for a $2 billion investment from Nvidia.

News of the deal with Meta lifted Nebius stock by more than 14% on Monday, while Meta rose by more than 3%, alongside a Reuters report over the weekend that Meta is planning sweeping layoffs. According to the report, Meta is exploring laying off up to 20% of its workforce to help defray the costs of its AI infrastructure build-out.

Visitors view racks for data servers, GPUs, and CPUs during a tour inside the Nebius AI UK data center, a new facility hosting Nvidia and other computer firms, at Ark Data Centres, in Chertsey, Britain, on Nov. 6, 2025. (Reuters/Toby Melville)  REUTERS / Reuters

Meta is one of several hyperscalers that have spent billions on its artificial intelligence build-out. In 2026, the company forecast spending between $115 billion and $135 billion on AI, up from $72.22 billion in 2025.

A significant portion of its capital expenditures has gone toward its Superintelligence Labs, including the development of in-house chips to meet demand for artificial intelligence.

Meta has spent billions on splashy hires, including bringing on Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang as its chief AI officer by spending $14.3 billion to acquire his company, and hiring Moltbook's creators, Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr. The company has also joined the race to build "AI factories" and expects to spend $600 billion to build data centers by 2028.

StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
By Nicole Lyons, March 16, 2026

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance presents Keepin It Reel: Senior Showcase 2026 at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at the Nickerson Black Box Theatre on the first floor of Nickerson Hall.

This year's showcase features performers presenting a variety of songs, monologues and scenes to highlight the culmination of their collegiate theatre careers. The showcase includes seniors Jake Collins, Theatre Performance major and Spanish minor; Claire Groos, Musical Theatre major; Molly Jones, Theatre major; Ari Kendrick, Theatre Design/Technology major; Payton Lawrence, Theatre Performance major; Alyna Mathews, Theatre Design/Technology major and Dance minor; John Plasencio, Theatre Performance major and Dramatic Writing microcredential; Gabe Sokolowski, Theatre Design/Technology major; Hannah Vath, Musical Theatre major and Dance minor; and Raegan Weber, Theatre Performance major and Dance minor.

Kasey Lynch, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of Theatre, and Cassie Kay Hoppas, assistant professor of Theatre, are the directors and coordinators of the showcase. David Rehn is the musical accompanist.

Admission is free. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. for Theatre Design/Technology majors to showcase their portfolios and design work, and for audiences to view performer headshots and resumes.



UCM Theatre and Dance has one production remaining in the 2025-26 Make em Laugh season: 9 to 5 on April 17-19 and April 23-25 in the Highlander Theatre.

For more information, contact Ashley Miller-Scully, chair of the Division of Theatre and Dance, at 660-543-4020 or almiller@ucmo.edu. You can find UCM Theatre and Dance on Facebook or Instagram.
In Novhorod-Siverskyi, Chernihiv region, a nighttime drone strike damaged homes, stores, and power lines; nearly 200 households are without power, and the gas supply is disrupted.

According to Ukrinform, Viacheslav Chaus, head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, reported this on Telegram.

Overnight, the enemy struck shops in Novhorod-Siverskyi with Geran drones. A fire broke out at the impact site. Firefighters extinguished the blaze. Nearby houses were damaged. The power grid was also damaged. Nearly two hundred households are without power. The gas supply is disrupted, Chaus reported.

He noted that on the afternoon of March 16, in the Snovsk community, a district court, an agricultural enterprise, residential buildings, and an energy facility were damaged by strikes from attack drones.

The head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration specified that, in total, over the past 24 hours, Russian forces shelled border communities in the Chernihiv region 37 times, with 58 explosions reported.

Read also: Ukraine downs 154 of 178 Russian drones overnight

As reported by Ukrinform, on the night of March 13, Russian forces attacked a historic building in the center of Novhorod-Siverskyi in the Chernihiv region, causing a fire.
A crashed drone was discovered in southern Moldova, near the Ukrainian border.

According to Ukrinform, the Moldovan Border Police reported this on Tuesday, NewsMaker reports.

According to border guards, the drone was found in a field near the village of Tudora, approximately 500 meters from the border with Ukraine. Special services arrived at the scene.

Earlier that night, Moldovan border guards detected a violation of airspace by an unmanned aerial vehicle visually similar to a Shahed-type drone. It was flying at about 150 meters and heading toward the village of Caplani.

According to the General Police Inspectorate, the drone is active and contains an explosive substance. Specialists will carry out a controlled on-site detonation of the object.

In connection with this, locals have been evacuated. Citizens are urged to remain calm and follow the instructions of law enforcement officials.

Read also: Russian Shahed drone crashes in Moldova during massive overnight attack on Ukraine

Previously, fragments of missiles and downed drones have been found in Moldova on multiple occasions following Russian attacks on Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, on March 17, Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Ozerov was summoned to the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the pollution of the Dniester River, which occurred after the Russians attacked the Novodnistrovsk Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine.

Photo: Border Police of the Republic of Moldova
Germany has allocated EUR 200 million for the procurement of medium-range drones for Ukraine.

The German Ministry of Defense said this in a press release following a meeting between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Latvian counterpart Andris Spruds, Ukrinform reports.

"Latvia is feeling the direct effects of Russia's war of aggression and has therefore provided early and disproportionately large amounts of support to the attacked country. Within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Latvia has assumed the leading role in the drone capability coalition. Germany is supporting the project to procure medium-range drones with EUR 200 million," the statement said.

During the meeting, Pistorius stressed that Germany will continue to provide steadfast support to Ukraine.

"Latvia and Germany share a high level of commitment to supporting Ukraine, particularly in rapidly strengthening Ukraine's air defense," Pistorius said.
On March 17, Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Ozerov was summoned to the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the contamination of the Dniester River, which occurred after Russian forces attacked the Novodnistrovsk Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Newsmaker.

The Russian ambassador was handed a note of protest regarding the Russian attack on the hydroelectric complex in Novodnistrovsk (Ukraine), which led to an oil spill into the Dniester River.

A bottle of water from the Dniester was also brought to the meeting with Ozerov.

The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Dniester River supplies water to about 80% of the countrys population and 98% of Chisinaus residents.

We strongly condemn the attack, which led to an oil spill into the Dniester River, posing serious risks to the environment and Moldovas water supply. Such actions with serious cross-border implications, which threaten the environment, the security of the water supply, and the health of Moldovan citizens, are unacceptable, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Russian side has not yet commented on the matter.

As the media outlet noted, the pollution of the Dniester River came to light on March 10 following the release of a video on social media filmed near the village of Naslavcea in northern Moldova. The footage showed oily slicks on the rivers surface. According to authorities, a petroleum product spill occurred following a Russian strike on the Dniester Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine.

Read also: Russian Shahed drone crashes in Moldova during massive overnight attack on Ukraine

As reported by Ukrinform, following Russias missile and drone attack on Ukraine, patches of industrial oil were detected in the Dniester River on March 10 near the village of Liadova in the Yaryshiv community of the Mohyliv-Podilskyi district in Vinnytsia region. The pollution spread downstream to the village of Naslavcea in Moldova.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu responded to the incident five days later, warning of a threat to Moldovas water supply due to pollution of the Dniester.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova
President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in the United Kingdom on an official visit.

This was confirmed to journalists by presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The President has just arrived in London, Nykyforov said.

The visit will begin with a meeting with Charles III at Buckingham Palace. After that, the Ukrainian President will travel to 10 Downing Street for talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

A speech by the President of Ukraine before members of the UK Parliament is also planned.

In addition, a meeting between Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled for today.

Read also: Rutte to meet Starmer and Zelensky on March 17

As reported earlier, last week Zelensky visited Romania and France.

In Bucharest, the leaders of the two countries signed a Joint Declaration on establishing a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Romania, framework agreements on cooperation in the energy sector, and a joint statement on the joint production of defense products.

Key topics of the talks at the Elysee Palace included joint weapons production, participation in SAFE programs, strengthening air defense and combat aviation, as well as unlocking 90 billion in EU assistance and advancing EU accession negotiations.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine (archive)
The European Union has offered Ukraine support and funding to accelerate repair work on the Druzhba oil pipeline, despite Hungarys continued blocking of an EU loan to Ukraine and a package of sanctions against Russia, linking these issues to the resumption of oil transit.

This is stated in a joint statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa regarding the situation with the Druzhba pipeline.

Following the resumption of Russian strikes on January 27 against the Druzhba pipeline, which led to the interruption of crude oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council held intensive negotiations with member states and Ukraine at all levels regarding the resumption of oil supply to Hungary and Slovakia.

The statement asserts that the EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding.

In a letter addressed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, published by the EU Councils press service, Costa and von der Leyen reiterated that Hungary has firmly stated that it is not in a position to agree to the proposed revision of the multiannual financial framework necessary for the 90 billion loan to support Ukraine, or to adopt the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

It is also noted that both decisions require the unanimous support of all EU member states.

The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately, von der Leyen and Costa claimed.

Our priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens. In this sense, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council will continue to work with the concerned parties on alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the leaders stated.

As reported, Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski offered to mediate in the conflict between Kyiv and Budapest.

Photo: unsplash
France expects that the EU 90 billion loan for Ukraine will be implemented in line with agreements among EU member states, and that energy security concerns of Hungary and Slovakia will be resolved through an EU technical mission aimed at accelerating repair work on the Druzhba oil pipeline.

This was stated during a briefing at the Elysee Palace, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

There are energy security issues that particularly concern Hungary and Slovakia. Within the sanctions regime, derogations are provided for these countries. In this context, the European Councils position on establishing a technical assistance mission is supported. This mission is intended to assess the condition of pumping stations, particularly along the Druzhba oil pipeline, advisers to the French President said.

According to them, all diplomatic contacts were engaged with Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as with the Prime Ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, to effectively unblock the loan.

You have seen the exchange of letters between the President of the European Council, the European Commission, and the Hungarian and Ukrainian sides. A path is beginning to emerge  through this mission to establish the facts and carry out repair work funded by the European Union  that will allow the restoration of Russian crude oil supplies, the Elysee Palace said, adding that the repair work could take several weeks.

According to the advisers, the goal was to ensure that this issue is resolved before or as a result of the European Council meeting.

At the same time, representatives of the Elysee Palace recalled that a solidarity-based decision on the loan to Ukraine had already been made last year.

At the European Council in December last year, unanimous agreement was reached on a 90 billion European loan for Ukraine. Unanimous consent was also given to use the EU budget and the current multiannual financial framework to guarantee this loan, advisers to Emmanuel Macron said.

According to them, such agreements are governed by the principle of sincere cooperation and a shared vision.

Therefore, we expect that all those who were at the European Council table and were party to this decision and unanimous agreement will fulfill it, the Elysee Palace added.

Read also: Zelensky rejects accusations of intentionally blocking oil transit via Druzhba pipeline

As reported, the European Union has offered assistance and funding to Ukraine to accelerate repair work on the Druzhba pipeline amid Hungarys position. Hungary continues to block the EU loan for Ukraine and a sanctions package against Russia, linking these issues to the restoration of oil transit.
In the Czech Republic, many politicians  especially within the current opposition  and citizens are working to ensure that support for Ukraine continues.

This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform by Martin Kupka, Head of the Civic Democratic Party and a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament.

I want to assure all Ukrainians living here in the Czech Republic and those in Ukraine that many of us are contributing to helping Ukrainians, as well as supporting them in their fight against Russian aggression, the opposition leader said.

He emphasized that pressure on the government will continue to ensure it acts appropriately regarding the situation Ukraine faces, defends Ukraines right to self-determination, and protects Europes freedom.

The current struggle of Ukrainians against Russian aggression also creates a barrier to further invasions by Vladimir Putin into European territory, at least within the former Eastern Bloc countries, Kupka noted.

The politician added that the previous government, in which he served as Minister of Transport, did everything possible to assist Ukraine, citing, in particular, the shell initiative.

Kupka stressed that many Czechs will continue supporting Ukraine, especially given the governments passive stance.

As previously reported, the lower chamber of the Czech Parliament approved the 2026 budget in its third reading, which significantly cuts funding lines that could have been used to provide aid to Ukraine.
The President of Finland believes that Europe could offer Donald Trump military assistance to clear the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for full U.S. support for Ukraine.

Alexander Stubb made this statement during a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, in London, according to Ukrinform, citing Politico.

I think thats a very good idea... No, I think thats actually a really good idea, he said, commenting on the possibility of such an option.

Stubb added that he would consider this proposal in more detail together with his team.

According to him, a prolonged war in Iran could negatively impact the situation surrounding Ukraine, particularly due to rising global energy prices, which increase Russias export revenues.

TThe Russian economy was actually doing extremely badly a couple of weeks back, now its bouncing back, noted the Finnish president.

In addition, Stubb pointed out that the United States use of a large number of interceptor missiles to counter Iranian attacks reduces the resources available to Ukraine.

Overall, in his view, the war in the Middle East is diverting attention from peace talks regarding Ukraine.

I hope the peace negotiations on Ukraine dont collapse like the negotiations between Iran and the U.S. did," Stubb said. "But time will tell, Stubb remarked.

He added that he has no illusions about his influence on Trump: I have no illusions about who can convince President Trump on anything If I get one idea out of 10 in on Ukraine, I think its good.

As reported by Ukrinform, Stubb stated that the reluctance of European leaders to respond to Trumps request to help protect the Strait of Hormuz is due to the fact that the U.S. did not consult with its allies before launching military action against Iran.

Ukrinform photos can be purchased here
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Nordea Bank Abp is moving deeper into artificial intelligence, signaling that as many as 1,500 roles or roughly 5% of its workforce could be affected as the bank looks to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The Helsinki-based lender said the planned reductions through next year are tied to a broader structural program supporting its 2030 strategy, which is increasingly centered on technology, data and AI. The shift suggests Nordea is positioning itself to extract cost savings while reshaping how work is done across the organization.

The financial impact is already being outlined. Nordea expects to record restructuring charges of about 190 million in the first quarter, while targeting cost savings of at least 150 million from 2028. While the bank has not disclosed which specific areas will be affected, the changes could lean toward support functions rather than customer-facing roles, reflecting trends seen across peer institutions. At the same time, some employees may be offered alternative roles internally, with the bank indicating it plans to support retraining and skill development as part of the transition.

Nordea's move aligns with a broader shift across global banking, where firms including Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), ING (NYSE:ING) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBAUF) are also leaning into AI to drive productivity gains. Analysts have suggested that a portion of the efficiencies generated could be reinvested into areas such as cross-selling and private banking. More broadly, industry estimates indicate that as many as 200,000 banking jobs globally could be reduced over the next three to five years as artificial intelligence continues to replace tasks currently handled by human workers.
Indian Diplomacy Falters on Iran War

The US-Israel attacks on Iran has placed India in an uncomfortable diplomatic position, exposing the limits of its much-touted strategic autonomy.

[Indian Prime Minister Modi with President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, in a file image]

The US-Israel attacks on Iran has placed India in an uncomfortable diplomatic position, exposing the limits of its much-touted strategic autonomy. New Delhis cautious and delayed responses suggest that its foreign policy is increasingly being shaped by immediate economic and energy concerns rather than by a consistent strategic doctrine. If India wishes to retain credibility as a responsible and influential global actor, it will have to demonstrate greater diplomatic coherence, act with greater promptness in moments of crisis, and ensure that its commitment to strategic neutrality is not perceived as selective or inconsistent.

Less said the better about Indias stand on the current tension in West Asia. The US-Israel alliances attack on Iran has, in no uncertain terms, exposed weakness of the countrys foreign policy. Reportedly, PM Modi made telephonic calls to the UAE President, the Saudi Crown Prince, the King of Bahrain, the Sultan of Oman, the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the Qatar Sheikh, between March 1 to 3, and condemned attacks on their respective countries and violation of their sovereignty and territorialintegrity.

Further, PM Modi even called the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and King of Jordan Abdullah II on March 2 and conveyed deep concern at the evolving situation in the region but avoided talking to Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian despite the fact the Persian country faced attacks from the US-Israel alliance.

Factually, it took 13 days for the MEA to express grief over the death of scores of school children in Iran. On February 28, the first day of the US-Israel war with Tehran, 175 people, 166 of them girl students, were killed in the America-led attack on ShajarehTayyebeh girls elementary school in Minab city in Iran.

In its response on March 12, basically 13 days after the tragic strike, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:

As far as the question of the school children you talked about is concernedas I have said, we have issued several statements on the ongoing conflict. We have underlined the need for prioritizing the safety of all children. We regret the precious lives lost and express our grief in this regard.

On the same day, PM Modi also spoke to the Iranian President and posted on X,:

Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.

This was seen as a major development in the diplomatic circles but was just for the sake of it and lacked any conviction or forceful messaging.

Basically, the Indian response started coming after the domestic energy crisis in India started convulsing due to the alleged delays in the gas and petrol supply chains. Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the supply of oil and gas to India was hampered. Around 90% of Indian gas imports and 45% of crude oil come from the Strait of Hormuz. However, what worsened the situation, was due to the fact that Qatar halted production of gas after Iran targeted the Gulf countrys gas fields.

India imports about 60% of its LPG consumption from the Gulf countries. Of them, Qatar accounts for nearly 45% of Indias LNG imports and the rest is sourced from other Gulf countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. PM Modis conversation with the Iranian leadership in this background was seen as a confused and largely a delayed effort.

Globally the assassination of Irans Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been condemned by most global leaders, yet Indias hesitation to condemn it, which came five-days after the attack, shows a lack of agility and import, which India attached to this development and also damaged its reputation as current president of the BRICS.

It would not be wrong to surmise that the Iran war has thrown a challenge to Indias foreign policy and mandarins managing it. While Iran is a BRICS member, so are Saudi Arabia and the UAE. But, BRICS has yet to issue a statement on the war. Though Iran has urged India, which is currently the BRICS Chair, to issue a statement on behalf of the group, condemning the US and Israeli strikes against Iran and the killing of Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, the regional alliance members are still waiting for the response.

What one could conclude from this is that currently India is in a bind and hesitating to take sides in the worst conflict of West Asia, and which imperil the whole world ultimately. But the bigger question is whether India has, in reality, maintained neutrality in the ongoing war. How would one see Prime Minister Modis telephonic conversations with leaders of the Gulf countries and Jordan, and condemning attacks on their territories but not be in touch with the Iranian authorities?

In this regard, Indias response is guided by its economic, investment and energy demand issues. The Persian Gulf countries are home to 9.6 million Indians, and also a key to Indias energy security. Besides, they have made substantial investments in various sectors in India. For example, under the Bilateral Investment Treaty, which was signed by India and the UAE in 2024, the Gulf country has committed to invest $75 billion in Indias infrastructure. Meanwhile, the UAE is planning to develop a Special Investment Region in Dholera in Gujarat.

Despite all these factors influencing its response, India should have shown diplomatic maturity and refused to be swayed by any kind of emotions it exhibited while condemning attacks on Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Gulf nations.

Overall, the ongoing Iran war has placed India in an uncomfortable diplomatic position, exposing the limits of its much-touted strategic autonomy. New Delhis cautious and delayed responses suggest that its foreign policy is increasingly being shaped by immediate economic and energy concerns rather than by a consistent strategic doctrine. While safeguarding national interests and maintaining relations with Gulf partners is undoubtedly important, diplomacy also demands balance, clarity and timeliness.

India has traditionally prided itself on pursuing an independent foreign policy and maintaining cordial relations with all sides in West Asia. However, the recent episode indicates that this balance is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain amid shifting geopolitical alignments and competing economic interests.

If India wishes to retain credibility as a responsible and influential global actor, it will have to demonstrate greater diplomatic coherence, act with greater promptness in moments of crisis, and ensure that its commitment to strategic neutrality is not perceived as selective or inconsistent.

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The New Moon has not sighted in Saudi Arabia today, accordingly Eid al Fitr will be celebrated in the Kingdom and other Arab States on Friday March 20, 2026, the Royal Court said.

Eid 2026 Moon Sighting Live Updates: Afghanistan is the only country so far to mark Eid al Fitr on Thursday March 19, 2026.

"The High Court of the Islamic Emirate has declared tomorrow (Thursday) as the first day of Eid al-Fitr", local media reported.

Afghanistan's Supreme Court announced that numerous people in Farah, Helmand, and Ghor provinces have sighted the Crescent Moon today (Wednesday March 18, 2026), and their testimony has been officially deemed credible.

Countries that have announced Friday March 20, 2026 as the First Day of Eid al Fitr

Saudi Arabia

Qatar

Kuwait

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Bahrain

Yemen

Palestine

Turkey

Lebanon

Jordan

Philippines

United States of America

France

Australia

Germany

Countries where Eid Moon Sighting is on Thursday March 19, 2026

India

Pakistan

Bangladesgh

Indonesia

Malaysia

Nepal

United Kingdom (UK)

Singapore

New Zealand

Sri Lanka

These countries will confirm the first day of Eid al Fitr based on the sighting of Moon on Thursday.

06:50 PM (Makkah Time): Eid 2026 Moon Not Sighted in Saudi Arabia

The New Moon has not sighted in Saudi Arabia today, accordingly Eid al Fitr will be celebrated in the Kingdom and other Arab States on Friday March 20, 2026, the Royal Court said.

"Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday in Saudi Arabia after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening", the Saudi Supreme Court announced.

Similar announcements have also been made by the reiligious authorties in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and other Middle East countries.

Not sighting of the Eid Moon today means Ramdan this year will have a total of 30 days with Thursday March 19 being 30th Ramadan 1447 H, and Friday March 20, 2026 will be marked as the first day of Eid al Fitr.

05:30 PM (Makkah Time): Eid 2026 Moon Sighting announcement shortly

The Moon Sighters led by Chief Observer Dr Abdullah Al-Khudairi have reached Sudair and Tumair - Saudi Arabias primary official observatories in Riyadh, for Eid Moon sighting.

The Eid Moon announcement by the Saudi Royal Court will follow based on the reports submitted by the official observatories.

05:00 PM (Makkah Time): Moon Sighters on their way to observatories

A team of observers appointed by The Saudi Royal Court are set to station at Sudair and Tumair - Saudi Arabias primary official observatories for moon sighting in Riyadh.

A team of observers appointed by The Saudi Royal Court are set to station at Sudair and Tumair - Saudi Arabias primary official observatories for moon sighting in Riyadh a little while from now.

Announcement of the results of the Eid Moon Search will be made around 6:10 PM Makkah Time today i.e. Wednesday March 18, 2026.

12:30 PM (Makkah Time): UAE restricts Eid Prayers on open grounds

The UAE said Eid Al Fitr prayers this year will be limited to mosques for security reasons, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat announced on Wednesday.

Gatherings in Eid prayer grounds or open areas will be restricted and worship services will be held only in mosques, the authority clarified. This step, they said, aligns with the measures taken by the country to ensure the safety of faithful.

The Islamic Affairs Department and Charitable Work in Dubai, and the Islamic Affairs Department in Sharjah, have also coordinated with authorities to make this decision, according to the announcement.

The authority has urged worshippers to adhere to guidelines and arrive early to perform the Eid prayer in mosques to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal in Malaysia and Religious Affairs Ministryin Indonesia said sighting of the Eid Moon will be on Thursday March 19, 2026.

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs conducts official sightings (rukyatul hilal) at multiple points nationwide. The start of 1 Shawwal 1447 Hijriyah will be determined during an isbat session scheduled for March 19, 2026, the Ministry said.

The authorities in Morocco also said they will confirm the first day of Eid after sighting on Moon on Tursday. In New Zealand, the sighting of the Moon will be on Friday, local Muslim groups said.

09:30 AM (Makkah Time): USA, France Confirms First Day of Eid

Even as the Saudi Royal Court and religious authorities in the Arab and other Middle Eastern countries are gearing up for the Eid Moon sighting today, USA, Canada, France and other countries have confirmed the first day of the Muslim festival in the respective countries.

In a statement released for general public, the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) announced that Eid al-Fitr 2026 in France will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) has also confirmed the first day of Eid al Fitr as Friday, March 20, 2026.

In a statement released on its website, the Australian National Imams Council also said that the Month of Ramadan will conclude on Thursday, 19th March 2026, which will be the last day of Ramadan for 1447AH I 2026.

"The Day of Eid Al-Fitr will be on Friday, 20th of March 2026, and the first day of the Month of Shawwal 1447AH 1 2026, it said attributing the decision to Australian Fatwa Council.

Wifaqul Ulama London in the United Kingdom (UK) and Majils Ugama Islam Singpaore will confirm the first day of Eid on Thursday March 19, 2026.

01:00 AM (Makkah Time): Eid 2026 Moon Sighting Today

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Justice UAE, Religious Authorities and Moon Sighting Committees in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, Jordan and other Arab states in separate appeals have called upon the local residents to sight the Crescent, the New Moon, of the month of Shawwal 1447 AH today i.e. Wednesday 29th of Ramadan 1447 AH corresponding to March 18, 2026.

Eid al Fitr marks the end of the Holy Month of Fasting, Ramadan.

"Local residents should report to the nearest court in case the Eid crescent or the New Moon is spotted Wednesday, so that a decision to confirm the first day of Eid al Fitr 2026 is taken", the appeals issued by Saudi Arabia and other countries said.

The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia called on whoever spots the Crescent with naked eyes or through binoculars to report to a nearest court and register his testimony, or report to an authority of a region's centre in his area.

As per the normal practice, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also announced the formation of a Moon Sighting Committee to spot the crescent.

"The committee will meet after Maghrib prayers on Wednesday 29th of Ramadan 1447 AH corresponding to March 18, 2026 at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to spot the crescent", the government sources said.

Eid al Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting

Special arrangements have also been made and general appeals issued by the authorities in Qatar and other Gulf states including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Muscat, Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria and Palestine to sight the Eid Moon today on Wednesday 29th of Ramadan 1446 AH of the Islamic Calendar corresponding to March 18, 2026.

"Eid will be celebrated on Thursday March 19, 2026 if the new moon is spotted today. If the moon is not sighted today, then Thursday will mark a regular fasting day, and Eid will be celebrated on Friday March 20, 2026", the Saudi Royal Court said.

However, the Muslims in America and Canada will celebrate Eid on Friday March 20, 2026. In a statement, the Fiqh Council of North America said the Astronomical New Moon will be born on the evening of Thursday, March 19, 2026. On that evening the elongation is more than 8 degrees and the moon is more than 5 degrees above the horizon.

"Hence the first day of Shawwal (Eid al-Fitr) is Friday, March 20, 2026, inshaAllah", the Council said.

How Eid Moon is confirmed

Islamic Calendar is based on lunar system. Under this system, a new month begins with sighting of the New Moon on 29th of every month. If the crescent is spotted on 29th, the prevailing month ends and the new month begin on the next day.

However, if the moon is not spotted on 29th, the next day is counted as the 30th day of the prevailing month and the new month starts a day later.

Accordingly, Eid al Fitr celebrations in Saudi Arabia will commence on Thursday March 19, 2026 if the New Moon is spotted in the Kingdom today. Else, the first day of Eid will be Friday March 20, 2026.

As for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, also for Turkey, Egypt and Palestine, Eid al Fitr is normally celebrated in these countries along with Saudi Arabia.

Though these countries have their own observatories and moon committees, they normally go with the announcement made by Saudi Arabia.

Eid al Fitr 2026 Moon Sighting in other countries

Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries will spot the Eid Moon on Thursday March 19, 2026, which coincides with the 29th day of Ramadan in these countries.

Similarly, Muslims in United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Germany and other countries too will confirm the first day of Eid al Fitr today i.e. Wednesday March 18, 2026.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Palestine and other Arab countries have also announced Eid holidays.

In Saudi, the public holiday for Eid Al Fitr is set to begin on Wednesday, March 18, which corresponds to 29th of Ramadan, 1447 AH, and will last four days for all employees. Normal work will resume on Sunday, March 22, the authority stated.

The UAE has already announced the Eid Al Fitr public holiday for employees in the federal and private sectors. For federal government entities, the Eid Al Fitr holiday will begin on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and continue until Sunday, March 22, 2026. Official working hours will resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.

For the private sector employees, the holiday will run from Thursday, March 19, 2026, until Saturday, March 21, 2026. Employees who normally work on Sundays will be required to return to work on Sunday, March 22.

Eid al Fitr 2026 celebrations in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and other Arab states this year will be held amidst the war between Iran, United States and Israel. However, the Spirit of Eid al Fitr has already taken into its grip the local residents despite the tense situation.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

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Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) is among the 8 Best Drone Stocks to Buy for the Next 3 Years. On March 12, the company said that the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) had signed a purchase agreement for seven Bell 407GXis.

NTCSA Signs Helicopter Purchase Agreement with Textron Inc. (TXT)

njaj/Shutterstock.com

The announcement came during the VAI Verticon 2026. The helicopters are expected to be used for utility operations, especially related to the African countrys national electricity transmission.

The aviation conference also saw Californias Pasadena Police Department issuing a purchase order for two Bell 505 helicopters a day earlier. These will be used for public safety operations.

In other news, Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) was recently listed among the best aerospace dividend stocks to buy by Insider Monkey.

Late last month, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share on common stock, with the payment scheduled for April 1.

As of the close of business on March 13, Wall Street analysts have a Hold rating for the stock with a one-year average share price target of $99.56, representing an upside of 9.35%.

Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) manufactures products for consumers across several industries, through its six business segments: Bell, Textron Aviation, Textron eAviation, Textron Systems, Industrial, and Finance.

While we acknowledge the potential of TXT 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: 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026 and 10 Best Aerospace Dividend Stocks to Buy

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Jensen Huang took the stage Monday at Nvidia's annual GTC conference in San Jose and said something that stopped the room cold. The Nvidia (NVDA) chief executive was dressed in his signature black leather jacket, addressing a packed crowd of tens of thousands.

He told them he expects the company to generate at least $1 trillion in revenue from its AI chips through 2027.

"I see sales of AI hardware, through 2027, at least one trillion dollars," Huang said. He then added, "I am certain computing demand will be much higher than that."

Nvidia stock closed Monday at $183.22, up 1.65%, with trading volume coming in nearly 18% above its three-month average. The broader market also rose, with the S&P 500 gaining 1.02% to close at 6,700.

What Huang actually said and why it matters

The $1 trillion figure covers revenue from Nvidia's current Blackwell chips and its next-generation Vera Rubin chips through the end of 2027. Last October, Huang had forecast $500 billion in AI chip orders covering 2025 and 2026 combined. Monday's declaration effectively doubled that projection in less than six months.

More Nvidia:

To put the scale in perspective, no company in the world currently generates $1 trillion in annual revenue. Walmart posted $713.2 billion in revenue last fiscal year. Amazon earned $717 billion, making it the largest company by annual revenue for the first time.

If Nvidia hits its target, it would become the first company in history to generate $1 trillion in revenue in a single year, surpassing both Walmart and Amazon individually.

Nvidia posted $215.9 billion in revenue for its fiscal year 2026, which ended January 31, 2026, up from $130.5 billion the prior year. The trillion-dollar path would represent an extraordinary acceleration even by Nvidia's own standards.

The agentic AI shift is driving the call

Huang was direct about what is fueling the demand surge. He told the GTC audience that artificial intelligence has crossed a critical threshold, moving beyond the training phase into what he called the "inflection point of inference."

"Finally, AI is able to do productive work, and therefore the inflection point of inference has arrived," Huang said on stage. Inference refers to AI models actively performing tasks for users, not just being trained on data.

That shift dramatically expands the compute requirements for every company deploying AI.

Huang also announced a major focus on agentic AI at GTC, unveiling tools built around OpenClaw, a platform he described as the operating system for personal AI. He called it "as big of a deal as HTML, as big of a deal as Linux," and said every company in the world now needs an agentic system strategy.
Federal authorities have arrested a Virginia man accused of illegally selling the stolen handgun used in last week's deadly shooting at Old Dominion University, where an ROTC instructor was killed, and two students were wounded.

Prosecutors say 32-year-old Kenya McChell Chapman of Smithfield is charged with dealing in firearms without a license and making false statements during previous gun purchases.

He was taken into custody on Mar. 13 and made an initial appearance in federal court, where a judge ordered him held pending further proceedings. Chapman has not yet entered a plea, according to ABC News.

Investigators allege Chapman sold a .22-caliber Glock handgun to 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh days before Jalloh opened fire during an Army ROTC class at ODU in Norfolk on Mar. 12.

Court documents state Chapman admitted selling the weapon for about 100 dollars after previously stealing it from a parked vehicle in Newport News roughly a year earlier. Agents executing a search warrant at his home reported finding .22-caliber ammunition consistent with the gun recovered after the shooting, NBC News reported.

Authorities have identified the slain instructor as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired military officer who was leading the class when the attack began. Two students were injured before classmates confronted Jalloh and fatally stabbed him, ending the rampage. The FBI is investigating the case as a potential act of terrorism.

Jalloh, a former National Guardsman, was previously convicted in 2016 of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, a felony that barred him from legally owning firearms.

Officials say that his prior record made it illegal for him to buy a gun, which is why investigators are focusing on how he obtained the weapon used at ODU. Federal filings indicate Chapman had been scrutinized before in a separate firearms case that did not result in prosecution, as per the BBC.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
What began as a campus disciplinary matter has rapidly escalated into a First Amendment legal battle, a flashpoint in Florida's 2026 governor's race, and a case study in just how complicated campus antisemitism enforcement has become  especially when the group being sanctioned is a political organization at a public university.

The University of Florida announced Saturday that it is moving to deactivate its College Republicans chapter as a registered student organization, after being informed by the Florida Federation of College Republicans that the federation had disbanded the Gainesville chapter on March 14. The reason: some members had "engaged in a pattern of conduct that violated its rules and values, including a recent antisemitic gesture"  a Nazi salute, according to multiple reports.

By Monday afternoon, the UF College Republicans had filed a federal First Amendment lawsuit to block the deactivation. The story was moving faster than almost anyone involved could manage.

What Happened

The Florida Federation of College Republicans, the statewide organization that oversees campus chapters, initiated the disbandment after finding that members had engaged in what it described as a pattern of misconduct culminating in a Nazi salute that was shared online. The FFCR  not the university  initiated the disbandment. At the FFCR's request, the University of Florida then moved to deactivate the group as a registered student organization.

UF officials declined to confirm specific details of the allegation beyond their statement, saying only that they had been notified of the federation's findings and were acting accordingly. The university stated it will support reactivation of the chapter under new student leadership when the FFCR approves.

The UF College Republicans pushed back immediately, posting on social media that the FFCR "has no authority over our chapter" and asserting that the chapter is affiliated with the College Republicans of America  not the FFCR. The CRA's chairman, William Branson Donahue, backed that claim, calling the FFCR's action "a lie."

The chapter also implied that the real reason for the deactivation was retaliation  arguing it was punished for hosting an event two days earlier with James Fishback, a Florida gubernatorial candidate who has been critical of the Republican establishment's position on Israel.

The Lawsuit: A First Amendment Fight at a Public University

Former Florida state Rep. Anthony Sabatini filed a First Amendment retaliation lawsuit under Section 1983 on March 16, naming UF President Donald Landry as a defendant. The suit alleges that UF's cooperation with the FFCR violated the chapter's First Amendment rights on public university campuses and demands the chapter's immediate reinstatement.

The legal argument is substantive and worth taking seriously. Public universities occupy a unique constitutional position: they are government entities bound by the First Amendment, which means they generally cannot deactivate student organizations based on the viewpoint those organizations express. The Supreme Court established that principle clearly in Rosenberger v. University of Virginia (1995) and reinforced it repeatedly since.

The harder question  and the one a federal judge will need to sort out  is whether the deactivation is based on viewpoint (impermissible) or on conduct (potentially permissible). Performing a Nazi salute is an expressive act, which complicates the university's ability to treat it purely as a conduct violation. But a "pattern of conduct" that includes antisemitic behavior may meet the bar for a non-viewpoint-based disciplinary action, particularly if that conduct crosses into harassment of other students.

Neither side's legal position is as clean as its advocates suggest.

A Florida Pattern  and a Political Context

The UF deactivation is the second time this month that a Florida public university has taken action against a Republican-affiliated group accused of antisemitic or racist behavior. Earlier in March, Florida International University in Miami launched an investigation into a group chat started by an official with the Miami-Dade chapter of the Republican Party that included violently racist slurs, antisemitic comments, and misogynistic language  a chat that involved students and several top conservative leaders at FIU.

Last fall, New York's Republican State Committee suspended a Young Republican organization following the release of a group chat that included jokes about rape and flippant commentary on gas chambers.

Together the cases suggest a pattern: private or semi-private communications and gestures within conservative student organizations that, when exposed, have triggered institutional responses  and then legal and political counter-responses.

The Florida cases are unfolding against an unusually charged backdrop. Antisemitism and the government's relationship to the state of Israel have become central issues in the Florida governor's race, with more than 40 candidates having filed to run in November to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Republican primary field includes Rep. Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former state House Speaker Paul Renner, and James Fishback  the candidate whose event the UF College Republicans hosted two days before their disbandment.

Fishback told reporters he opposed the university's decision to deactivate the chapter and condemned antisemitism, but suggested the situation needed to be understood in a broader political context. "There's always going to be the real reason and the protectional reason," he said.

The Bipartisan Condemnation  and What It Means

Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida issued a statement that cut through the complexity with unusual directness. "Antisemitism has no place in the Republican Party, higher education, or our country. Grateful to UF for working with the FFCR to stand with Jewish students and resolve this quickly," Scott wrote on social media.

For a Republican senator to publicly endorse a public university's deactivation of a Republican student organization  in the same political moment that universities are being relentlessly attacked for suppressing conservative speech  is a notable signal. It suggests that at least some Republican leaders view the antisemitism line as genuinely non-negotiable, even when it is their own organizations crossing it.

The University of Florida, for its part, stated: "The University of Florida has emphatically supported its Jewish community and remains committed to preventing and addressing antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment that are threatening and disruptive to our students and to the teaching, research and expressive activities of the campus community. The university also supports the rights of organizations, such as the FFCR, to take decisive action in addressing conduct that is antithetical to its principles."

What This Means for Students

For Jewish students at the University of Florida and across the country, the case is a reminder that antisemitism on campus does not come only from the direction universities have spent the past two years focused on. The campus antisemitism debate has been overwhelmingly shaped by protests over Israel and Gaza, and by concerns about left-leaning student groups and faculty. The UF case is a reminder that the problem is not ideologically bounded.

For students involved in campus political organizations more broadly  including College Republicans chapters at other universities  the case raises questions about accountability, the limits of organizational authority, and what happens when private conduct becomes public. The lawsuit's outcome could have significant implications for how public universities handle misconduct within political student groups nationwide.

A federal court has not yet ruled on the injunction request. The situation is developing.
Australia's universities are in crisis. That much is no longer seriously disputed. What is still too rarely acknowledged  by politicians, by vice chancellors, and by the media that covers them  is that the crisis was not created by the pandemic, or by recent government decisions, or by the vagaries of the international student market. It was built, slowly and methodically, over nearly four decades of policy choices that transformed Australian universities from publicly funded institutions into financially precarious businesses dependent on revenue streams they cannot control.

Understanding how Australia got here requires going back to 1987.

The Dawkins Reforms: Where the Crisis Began

The story of Australian higher education's current predicament begins with John Dawkins, the education minister in the Hawke and Keating Labor governments, who in 1987 launched what became known as the Dawkins reforms  the most sweeping restructuring of Australian higher education in the nation's history.

Dawkins forced mergers between existing universities and colleges of advanced education, dramatically expanding the size of the sector. He targeted research funding toward areas considered essential to economic growth. And, critically, he placed an increasing emphasis on universities finding their own ways to fund their activities  a philosophical shift that embedded the logic of the marketplace into institutions that had previously operated as public goods.

The changes set in motion three patterns that have accelerated ever since: a deteriorating relationship between academic staff and senior management, who became increasingly corporate in orientation; growing reliance on external revenue to fund activities the government was no longer fully paying for; and the treatment of education as a product to be sold rather than a public service to be funded.

As cultural studies scholar Graeme Turner  whose recent book Broken: Universities, Politics and the Public Good is among the most comprehensive accounts of the crisis  has written, student dropout rates are now at a "historic peak" of 25% and rising. That figure alone ought to prompt a reckoning. It has not.

The International Student Dependency Trap

The most consequential structural consequence of the Dawkins-era shift was the creation of a funding gap that Australian universities have spent three decades filling with international student tuition. As Times Higher Education has reported, for the past three decades, growth in international enrollments has supported "unfunded and underfunded" expenses including research, infrastructure, compliance, and the teaching of disciplines that domestic student demand alone cannot sustain.

"International education has helped keep the system afloat as domestic funding has fallen in real terms," said Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy. "That's not ideology  that's arithmetic."

The arithmetic, however, was always fragile. International students in Australian higher education now make up 1.5% of Australia's entire population  a globally unmatched figure, and one that reflects an extraordinary degree of dependency. In 2018, Australia's public investment in tertiary education was 0.65% of GDP  compared to an OECD average of 0.99%, ranking Australia 31st out of 37 OECD nations in public higher education investment. The gap between what the government was willing to fund and what universities needed to operate was bridged almost entirely by overseas students.

The COVID Shock  and What It Revealed

The COVID-19 pandemic was not the cause of Australia's university crisis. It was the event that made the crisis impossible to ignore.

When international students could no longer travel to Australia in 2020, the revenue model that had quietly sustained the sector for thirty years collapsed overnight. By 2022, 26 of Australia's 39 universities were operating in deficit  compared with just three in 2019. Cash reserves dropped 41% between 2021 and 2025, falling from A$6.8 billion to A$4 billion. Debt across 30 of Australia's 37 public universities rose 44% since 2019, reaching A$10.5 billion.

A sector that had appeared financially robust  because its international revenue masked the inadequacy of its public funding  was revealed to be operating on extraordinarily thin ice.

Government Policy Makes It Worse

The Albanese Labor government's response to the post-COVID surge in international students  driven by the desire to address immigration concerns  was to cap international student numbers. Education Minister Jason Clare cut new international student arrivals by 30% in one year, with a stated goal of halving annual enrollments from 548,000 in 2023 to 270,000. The cuts are set to deepen further in 2026 and 2027.

Now, as Times Higher Education reports, the Albanese government is moving to cap domestic enrollments as well  through a new "managed growth" funding mechanism administered by the newly created Australian Tertiary Education Commission, which will tie university funding to "mission-based compacts" setting out how each institution will contribute to national priorities, including the AUKUS military pact. The mechanism is expected to be fully operational from 2027.

The combination of international student caps, domestic enrollment controls, and continued real-terms funding reductions means that the two main levers universities have used to manage financial pressure  international growth and domestic expansion  are both being closed simultaneously. As Universities Australia noted in its 2026-27 pre-budget submission, the sector faces further cuts in real terms to funding in 2026, "extending the sector's prolonged strain after a decade of funding erosion, policy instability and rising costs."

The Human Cost: Casual Staff, Underpayments, and a Broken Workforce

The financial pressure on Australian universities has been borne most heavily not by vice chancellors  whose salaries have grown dramatically in the corporate era  but by the casual and fixed-term academic staff who now form the majority of the teaching workforce.

Controversy swirls around hundreds of millions of dollars in underpayments to casual staff across multiple institutions. The Fair Work Amendment Acts of 2022 and 2024 have attempted to address the casualization problem by requiring universities to convert eligible casual staff to ongoing employment  but implementation has been wildly uneven. Across 35 enterprise bargaining agreements analyzed in a recent Tandfonline study, eight universities described no conversion schemes whatsoever.

Weekly announcements of course cuts and staff redundancies  at institutions from the University of Melbourne to regional campuses struggling to compete with the Group of Eight research universities  send a clear message: this is a sector in genuine crisis, and the people who pay the highest price are the ones with the fewest protections.

Is Anyone Offering Solutions?

Turner's book Broken argues that an immediate injection of substantial funding is required to make up for lost decades  but recognizes this is unlikely. Instead, he focuses on how current funding could be allocated more effectively: by redesigning the sector not as a competitive marketplace but as a strategically differentiated system, where different institutions have different purposes and trajectories. Regional universities, which struggle to compete for grants and students with the Group of Eight, deserve particular attention.

Universities Australia's 2026-27 pre-budget submission makes a more specific set of demands: scrap the highest student fee band under the Job-ready Graduates framework to restore fairness; grow Commonwealth supported places; restore real per-student funding; and strengthen the research workforce and ecosystem. The submission frames these not as special pleading but as the minimum required for Australia to maintain globally competitive institutions.

Whether the government listens  and whether any political party is prepared to make the case for sustained public investment in universities as a national priority, rather than treating them as revenue-neutral businesses that should fund themselves  will determine whether Australia's university crisis deepens further or begins, finally, to be addressed.

The signs are not encouraging. But the problem has been visible for a long time to anyone willing to look.
Robert Cincotta Charles Nye

Researchers at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) published an article exploring the potential of wastewater usage for the hydrogen economy.





The paper, titled Advancing hydrogen production: A comprehensive review of wastewater reforming techniques, feedstocks and opportunities, published in the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, provides the first comprehensive review of integrating wastewater treatment with hydrocarbon reforming.





Robert Cincotta, an assistant research professional in SERs Hydrogen Energy Research Center (H2ERC), served as lead author of the article along with Charles Nye, senior research professional in H2ERC, and Xiaokun Yang, assistant program director in charge of the Inorganic Isotopes and Actinide Chemistry Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory.





Wastewater treatment is traditionally an energy-intensive necessity, often resulting in significant thermal loss. Simultaneously, hydrogen production via hydrocarbon reforming requires both water and intense heat. The authors show that combining these two processes is beneficial to both industries. By using wastewater as a feedstock, industries can both recycle the waste heat that would otherwise be lost and repurpose it for hydrogen generation.





We already have the tools to treat wastewater and the tools to produce hydrogen, Cincotta says. By integrating these processes, we can minimize industrial waste and use existing thermal energy to fuel the hydrogen economy more efficiently.





The research was inspired by a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project conducted in close collaboration with Williams, Engineering Procurement & Construction Inc., and LANL. This initiative integrates thermal desalination technology for produced water with autothermal or steam methane reforming. The partnership was further strengthened by Cincottas yearlong residency at Los Alamos, which helped forge deep institutional connections between H2ERC and the national lab.





Despite the clear opportunities, the integration of reforming and wastewater has remained largely unexamined, Cincotta says. This new publication serves as an accessible resource that systematically catalogs catalytic reforming techniques and analyzes how common wastewater contaminants affect catalyst performance and longevity.





The study also identifies three specific wastewater sources that are all abundant in Wyoming. By leveraging the massive volumes of water generated during oil and gas extraction, researchers can use oilfield-produced water as a viable feedstock. Similarly, geothermal wastewater offers the advantage of using natural thermal energy to drive the chemical reactions necessary for hydrogen production. Finally, mining and mineral processing drainage offers dual benefits by neutralizing hazardous contaminants and converting them into usable, high-value fuel.





These wastewaters have typically been a disposal burden to Wyoming companies, Nye says. Since we need more water in the arid western U.S., it makes sense to clean up this water so it can be used in industrial, agricultural and other energy settings. By converting this disposal burden into a clean water benefit, we can boost water resources and support new hydrogen industries -- fertilizer, mine-blasting agents, synthetic fuels and other important chemicals."





To download the article, visit https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2025.116680, or to learn more about the active project, visit the H2ERC website.
Clad in his trademark leather jacket, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took the stage yesterday at San Joses SAP Center before nearly 20,000 people at the companys annual GTC conference, known in recent years as the Super Bowl of AI.

Once again, Huang essentially declared a blowout, forecasting a staggering $1 trillion in orders for Nvidias most sophisticated AI chips through 2027, driven by the explosion of AI infrastructure now being built around the world.

Yet for someone whose company has become the worlds most valuablewith a roughly $4 trillion market capby powering the global AI buildout, Huang has somehow avoided the kind of public criticism that has been leveled at other prominent AI CEOs.

It takes only a cursory glance at social media to find posts calling OpenAI CEO Sam Altman evil, while companies like Anthropic, Meta, and Google increasingly face criticism over AIs risksfrom job losses and copyright lawsuits to misinformation and the growing push to deploy AI in military systems.

Nvidias CEO, by contrast, remains largely celebrated as the engineer-builder behind the boom. Thats been true even though the massive AI data centers now rising across the country and generating a good deal of local opposition are packed with Nvidia chips.

In fact, every major move in AIfrom chatbots and agents to applications in the workplace, schools, and the militaryruns on Nvidia hardware, software, and systems. Nvidia has also invested billions to support the AI ecosystem, partnering with both OpenAI and Anthropic, as well as funding data center companies and AI startups.

So why isnt Huangand Nvidia as a wholea target of the AI backlash?

The answer is that the companies supplying the picks and shovels of technological booms rarely attract the same scrutiny as the miners. Oil companies drew criticism during the fossil fuel era, not the manufacturers of drilling equipment. Railroad barons faced public backlash, not the companies supplying steel rails. And in the internet era, cloud providers like Amazon Web Services powered companies such as Airbnb and Uber that reshaped entire industriesyet the criticism largely focused on the platforms, not the infrastructure behind them.

Still, Nvidia made it clear at GTC that it is positioning itself not just as a chipmaker but as the provider of entire AI computing systems powering the new inference phase of AI. (Inference is about powering AI outputs, not just training, and it will require an enormous new round of infrastructure investment.) That ambition goes beyond Nvidias traditional picks and shovels role. These days, Nvidia is increasingly trying to control the entire swath of systems, software and platforms that power the AI economy.
I write to inform you of the Iranian regimes ongoing hostilities against the State of Israel, and of the military operation Israel is conducting, Operation Roaring Lion, together with the United States of America, in order to remove an existential threat posed to Israel by this radical regime.

In the past days, the Iranian regime has launched large-scale murderous missile and drone attacks against Israeli civilian population centers, in flagrant violation of international law. Twelve civilians in Israel were killed directly by Iranian missile attack, dozens were wounded and extensive damage was caused.

For decades, the Iranian regime and its leaders have openly declared their objective to annihilate the State of Israel. This was never mere rhetoric, but rather an operational plan that this regime pursued through a sustained campaign of ongoing hostilities, including through its network of terror proxies, and the relentless pursuit of advancing its nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction programs, as well as its long-range missiles program. Iran has directly launched ballistic and cruise missile attacks against Israel and conducted numerous covert and overt hostile operations  on land, sea, air and cyberspace  as part of the ongoing armed conflict it has been waging. The regime has repeatedly deliberately attacked Israeli civilian population centers, including targeting hospitals and places of worship, murdering civilians and terrorizing cities with indiscriminate missile barrages, in flagrant violation of international law. This campaign has also been carried out indirectly, including through Irans proxy terrorist organized armed groups who operate throughout the region, which the Iranian regime directed, guided, funded, trained and equipped with weapons as well as logistical support, intelligence and military know-how, and has been substantially involved in armed attacks these proxies carry out against Israel.

Despite sustained diplomatic effort by the international community, and the resolute, necessary and proportionate military action conducted by Israel (as detailed in Israels letter to the Council dated 17 June 2025), as well as the United States of America, in Operation Rising Lion and Operation Midnight Hammer (June 2025), the Iranian regime has continued to pursue its stated objective of annihilating the State of Israel and waging an ongoing armed conflict against it.

The Iranian regime has not changed course and continues to seek nuclear weapons, not only by resuming its efforts to develop nuclear weapons and advance its massive long-range missile program, but also by clandestinely and rapidly accelerating these efforts. Since June 2025, the Iranian regime has continued to expand and fortify its nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile program, including the construction of fortified underground facilities designed to conceal and shield the pathway to a nuclear weapon. It has refused IAEA inspections of nuclear sites, undeclared certain sites which have been recently rebuilt and fitted for nuclear enrichment suitable for military grade enrichment, secretly reorganized its nuclear weapon program group under the guise of ostensibly legitimate projects, and taken many other steps to rebuild or replace components of its nuclear weapons program that had been forcibly degraded.

Without immediate action, Irans nuclear and missile capabilities would soon have reached a stage at which effective defensive intervention would no longer be possible. Failure to act now, after exhausting other reasonable measures, including extensive United States-led diplomatic efforts, would have permanently foreclosed Israels ability to defend itself from this existential threat.

As has also been brought before this Council, in the past days, the Iranian regime has directed armed attacks toward numerous other states in the Gulf region and beyond, including in Europe and the Caucasus. Irans recent actions further underscore that the regimes aggression constitutes a direct threat not only to Israel, but to regional and international peace and security. The shameful and brazen attempts of this regime to legitimize its unlawful indiscriminate attacks against civilians in the territory of many states have rightfully been completely rejected and condemned.

Irans regime has officially announced the closure of the straits of Hormuz, attacked global shipping indiscriminately and disrupted the freedom of maritime navigation. Their network of terrorist organizations, most prominently Hezbollah (acting directly against the express will of the State of Lebanon, as noted in its letter to the Council dated 2 March 2026), continue to attack Israel and destabilize the region.

The actions of the Iranian regime also constitute a clear violation of obligations established by the Security Council. In September 2025, Security Council resolutions pertaining to Iran were reimposed under the terms of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). Under these resolutions, Iran was required to suspend nuclear-related activities, including construction of nuclear enrichment facilities, and suspend any ongoing construction thereof. Moreover, Iran was prohibited from carrying out any ballistic missile activity, as well as transferring arms to its proxy terrorist organizations.

This regime has also butchered its own nationals, the brave people of Iran, who sought freedom from its tyrannical grip, committing mass atrocities against its own civilians. Operation Roaring Lion is not directed against the people of Iran, who for many years have sought greater freedom and dignity in the face of repression. Their struggle against tyranny and aspiration for freedom deserves the support of the international community. Degrading this despotic regimes military capabilities in order to remove the existential threat posed to Israel may also help create the conditions for the Iranian people to liberate themselves from the chains of tyranny and open a gateway for a safer and more peaceful region and world.

As part of the broader ongoing armed conflict that Iran is waging against Israel, and in accordance with Israels right and duty to defend itself and its citizens, Israel will continue to take all necessary measures and conduct its military operation in compliance with international law, including the rules of distinction, proportionality and the obligation in attack to take all feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.

Israel calls upon the Security Council to condemn Irans acts of hostilities across the region, as well as its decades-long destabilizing activity, that constituted a grave threat to regional and international peace and security.

I respectfully urge the Security Council to take decisive action to condemn Iran for its ongoing violations and to immediately designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter distributed as a document of the Security Council.
On 28 February 2026, the United States commenced combat operations to defend the American people against attacks and ongoing threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran, in cooperation with our ally Israel. These combat operations were undertaken to protect United States Armed Forces in the region, to ensure the free flow of maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz and to protect our regional allies and partners from Iran and its proxies. This is the latest stage in the ongoing international armed conflict that my Government previously addressed in a letter to this Council on 27 June 2025. The United States is taking these necessary and proportionate actions in exercise of the inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

These combat operations are also being conducted in close cooperation with, and in the collective self-defense of, Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran has rejected peaceful coexistence and chosen international armed conflict with Israel as well, waging an unprovoked religious war of annihilation against a once-friendly United Nations Member State located hundreds of miles distant from its borders. Since June 2025, the regime has also massively expanded its ballistic missile production for the purpose of overwhelming regional air defenses in order to provide a shield for its efforts to reconstitute its nuclear program, which it refuses to relinquish.

Gaming the international legal system, the Iranian regime routinely seeks to conceal its unlawful acts and to shield itself from accountability by, among other things, deploying proxies such as Hamas, Hizballah and the Houthis. For example, in a letter dated 5 February 2024, my Government reported that the regimes Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its partners and proxies had attacked United States personnel and facilities in Syria and Iraq. That letter identified nine prior letters sent to this Council between 2021 and 2024, a period that saw over 100 such attacks against the United States. Yet Iran falsely characterizes any forceful defensive response against it as a violation of international law, using a cynical lawfare strategy to support and enhance its kinetic activities.

Any analysis of the imminence, gravity and scope of the threat posed by the Iranian regime today must account for its decades of consistently malign foreign and domestic conduct and for the dangerous and destabilizing risks of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in its hands. To begin with, the regimes ongoing attacks and threats are part of a very long pattern of aggression and provocation against the United States and its allies and partners. As soon as the regime seized power in 1979, the Ayatollah Khomeini himself approved the sacking of the United States Embassy in Tehran and the abuse and torture of dozens of American hostages for 444 days. In the decades following, the regimes malign conduct  from the Marine barracks and Khobar Towers bombings, to attacks with improvised explosive devices and other attacks against Americans in Iraq, to supporting Hamass monstrous atrocities on 7 October, to the ongoing and indiscriminate missile and drone attacks on civilians throughout the Middle East and beyond  has established that it is a uniquely dangerous actor. It would be both irrational and catastrophically dangerous to assume that this regime  with its calls for Death to America and insatiable appetite for brutality and indiscriminate violence against its own citizens  will cease its long history of bloodshed and belligerency.

The United States has acted now to address the continuing threat posed by the Iranian regime, because peaceful measures have once again been attempted and exhausted. In the wake of the crippling United States strikes in June 2025, our President engaged in yet another intense effort to secure a diplomatic resolution that would bring peace, prosperity and security for all States in the region, prevent the regimes development of ballistic missile capabilities directly threatening United States Armed Forces in the region, protect Irans citizens and eliminate the threat from the regimes nuclear program. Unfortunately, the regime refused to negotiate in good faith.

The United States reserves the right in accordance with Article 51 and customary international law to further act in our own self-defense and in the collective self-defense of our allies and partners, as may become necessary.

I ask that you circulate the text of the present letter as a document of the Security Council.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Nvidia (NVDA, Financials) said its artificial intelligence chip revenue opportunity could reach at least $1 trillion by 2027, doubling its prior outlook of $500 billion through 2026 as demand shifts toward real-time AI applications.

Chief Executive Jensen Huang announced new products, including a central processing unit and an AI system built with technology licensed from Groq, during the company's GTC conference in San Jose. The move reflects Nvidia's push into inference computing, where AI models generate responses for users, a market seeing increased competition from CPUs and custom chips.

Nvidia has dominated AI training workloads, but companies such as OpenAI and Meta are now focusing on deploying AI services to large user bases. This transition is driving demand for inference infrastructure, including CPUs, an area historically led by Intel.

Huang said inference demand is accelerating, describing it as a key growth driver. He added that standalone CPU sales are expected to become a multi-billion-dollar business.

Shares rose modestly following the announcement, signaling cautious investor optimism. The company's next catalyst will be further details on its Rubin and future Feynman chip platforms.
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A new way to show off your creativity, as The Sewing Center hosted its grand opening on Friday in Decatur.

What began as a smaller program taught at a local entrepreneurial incubator has transformed into a new space for the community to take sewing classes.

Owner Brianna Durr said she hopes to grow the sewing community.

"I've had people of all ages come through to my beginner classes, so I'm just hoping to thread the generations together," Durr said.

There are different membership tiers available to those interested in joining.

Additional information is available on the center's Facebook page.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
Meloni government seizes on Forest Family case as it campaigns for a Yes vote in upcoming referendum.

Italy's so-called Forest Family case has become a central pillar of national political discourse in the days ahead of a landmark referendum on judicial reform.

The plight of the family has been transformed into a symbolic battleground for prime minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government in its effort to overhaul the Italian judiciary, serving as a visceral example of what reformers describe as an overreaching and unaccountable legal system.

The controversy centres on Nathan Trevallion and Catherine Birmingham, a British-Australian couple who adopted a self-sufficient, off-grid lifestyle in the woods near Palmoli in Italy's central Abruzzo region.

Last November, their three young children were removed by social services following a court order that cited concerns over living conditions and a lack of formal schooling.

Earlier this month the LAquila juvenile court ordered the removal of Birmingham from a protected facility and the separation of her three children into different foster care arrangements.

The controversial decision was ostensibly based on concerns regarding the mothers alleged non-compliance with social services and the perceived necessity of integrating the minors into conventional educational and social environments.

While the court maintains that the intervention was required to protect the minors fundamental rights to health and education, the ruling right-wing coalition has framed the case as an instance of "judicial persecution" against non-conformist families who choose to live outside traditional state structures.

Judicial referendum

The timing of this narrative is pivotal as Italians prepare to head to the polls on 22 and 23 March to vote on major changes to the justice system

This sweeping constitutional reform intends to separate the career paths of judges and prosecutors to ensure impartiality, and proposes a lottery system for appointments to the high council of the judiciary to curb alleged internal political factions.

By highlighting the Forest Family case, proponents of the reform argue that the current system allows magistrates to act as a "state within a state," interfering in private lives based on ideological biases rather than objective legal necessity.

Government reacts

The recent ruling by the juvenile court was slammed by Meloni who characterised the courts decision as an unacceptable overreach, accusing the judges of "exceeding the limit" of their authority by breaking the fundamental bond between a mother and her children.

Meloni blasted the ruling as an "absurd sequence of decisions with a clearly ideological tone", challenging the rationale behind the measure and reiterating that "children do not belong to the state" but to their mothers and fathers.

Italian justice minister Carlo Nordio, the driving force behind the judicial referendum, pointedly sent investigators to L'Aquila to probe the case, in an attempt to "reach a definitive conclusion to this matter".

Italy's deputy premier Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega party, has been particularly vocal in his opposition to the children being taken into care, and is expected to travel to the family's home in the Abruzzo wildnerness this week.

In a statement on 8 March, the Lega said: "The aim is to do everything possible so that the children, after months of being forcibly removed from their home and their parents (first from their father and now also from their mother), will be discharged and the family can live together again".

La Russa intervenes

Tensions were reignited on Monday when it was reported that senate speaker Ignazio La Russa, who holds the second highest office in Italy, had invited Trevallion and Birmingham to the senate on Wednesday.

The move drew fierce criticism from the centre-left opposition, including the Partito Democratico (PD) and the Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S).

These critics accused La Russa of "institutional cynicism", "bias" and "vulgar propaganda", alleging that a sensitive family tragedy is being exploited to delegitimise the courts just days before the referendum.

La Russa later clarified that the meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 25 March (a few days after the vote), and not this Wednesday, brushing it off as "a pointless controversy".

However the clarification did little to quell the charges from the opposition amid a growing debate over the Forest Family and the judicial referendum - two cases that continue to divide Italy.
Can We Still Believe What We See? AI and the Crisis of Visual Trust

For more than a century, photography and video have served as the most powerful form of evidence in journalism. A leader appearing on television, a protest captured on camera, a moment filmed on a smartphone in the middle of a war zone,these images traditionally carried a simple assumption: if we can see it, it happened.

In the age of artificial intelligence, that assumption is beginning to unravel.

The rapid development of generative AI has made it possible to create highly convincing images, videos, and voices that never existed. While the technology has enormous creative and commercial potential, it is also transforming the information environment in ways that journalists, governments, and the public are only beginning to understand.

The result is a growing crisis of visual trust.

When a Video Is No Longer Proof

For decades, video footage held a privileged status in public debate. A recorded moment could settle arguments and provide clarity. Political speeches, interviews, and public appearances were broadcast precisely because seeing the speaker created a sense of authenticity.

That confidence is now weakening.

Today, the existence of sophisticated AI tools means that a video can no longer automatically be taken at face value. In theory, a public figure could be made to appear saying something they never said, in a place they never visited, through a video that looks entirely real.

Even when footage is genuine, the possibility of artificial manipulation has created a new layer of uncertainty.

In recent months, for example, several political videos circulating online have been scrutinised by users searching for supposed AI clues: distorted fingers, unusual shadows, objects that appear to behave strangely. Sometimes these suspicions prove unfounded, the result of compression artifacts or camera distortions. But once the doubt has been introduced, the damage to trust is often done.

The Rise of the Liars Dividend

Media scholars describe this phenomenon as the liars dividend.

When people know that deepfakes exist, it becomes easier to claim that any inconvenient piece of evidence is fabricated. A real video can be dismissed as artificial simply because someone suggests it might be.

In other words, the technology does not only create fake images. It also creates a world in which real images can be denied.

For political leaders, this ambiguity can be convenient. If a controversial video appears, it can always be challenged as a deepfake. For audiences, the result is a growing sense that visual evidence itself is unreliable.

Social Media Moves Faster Than Verification

The problem is compounded by the speed at which images now travel.

A dramatic video posted on social media can reach millions of viewers within minutes. By the time journalists, researchers, or fact-checkers begin verifying the footagethrough geolocation, metadata analysis, or comparison with satellite imagerythe narrative around it may already be firmly established.

Verification takes time. Viral content does not.

This imbalance means that false or misleading visuals can shape public perception long before their authenticity has been confirmed or challenged.

Why Real Footage Sometimes Looks Artificial

Part of the confusion also comes from the way modern video is produced and distributed.

Smartphones and social platforms automatically apply a range of digital processes to images: stabilization, sharpening, color correction, compression, and algorithmic enhancement. These processes can introduce visual artifacts, subtle distortions in shapes, shadows, or movement, that resemble the glitches sometimes associated with AI-generated content.

A single frame extracted from a compressed video and circulated online can look suspicious even when the original footage is perfectly authentic.

In a world where audiences are increasingly aware of AIs capabilities, these ordinary digital imperfections can easily be misinterpreted.

War and the Battle for Images

The stakes are particularly high during armed conflicts.

Images from war zones have historically played a crucial role in shaping global opinion. Photographs from Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, and Syria influenced public debate and political decisions around the world.

Today, however, every image emerging from a conflict zone risks being questioned. Is it real? Was it staged? Was it generated by AI?

This uncertainty has turned visual media into a new kind of battlefield. Competing narratives attempt not only to promote their own imagery but also to discredit the imagery of others.

The struggle is no longer simply over what happened. It is over whether the evidence itself can be trusted.

Journalism in the Age of Synthetic Media

For journalists, the implications are profound.

Reporting increasingly requires new technical skills: digital forensics, geolocation techniques, analysis of metadata, and collaboration with open-source investigators. Verifying visual evidence has become a specialised discipline within modern journalism.

Yet even the most careful verification may not restore the publics confidence once doubt has spread.

If audiences begin to assume that everything could be manipulated, the authority of visual documentationonce one of journalisms strongest toolsbecomes much weaker.

A New Relationship With Reality

The deeper challenge is cultural.

For generations, cameras were seen as witnesses. The act of recording something created a form of proof. Artificial intelligence is now forcing society to rethink that relationship between images and reality.

Seeing is no longer automatically believing.

This does not mean that images have lost their value. But it does mean that the way we interpret them must evolve. Trust in visual media will increasingly depend not only on what we see, but on how carefully it has been verified and contextualised.

In the age of AI, the question is no longer simply what happened.

It is whether we can still trust the images that claim to show it.
Oils panic trade may be breaking faster than it began.

After fears that Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz could send crude spiraling toward a full-blown supply shock, prices are now pulling back as the first tanker makes it through the waterway  raising a new question for markets: not how high oil can still go, but how far it could fall if the nightmare scenario is already starting to unwind.

But that doesn't mean oil is suddenly back to normal. Brent crude prices still held above $100 a barrel to start the week.

For the third week in a row, veteran oil trader Stephen Schork joined Coinage to pour some cold water on the cleanest bullish or bearish narratives. His point was simple: traders staring only at Brent or WTI may be missing the much uglier story underneath.

I guess it depends on your definition of what normal is, right? So no, I dont think were at normal right now, Schork said. His argument is that traders looking only at Brent are missing the bigger story: the Atlantic basin still has oil, especially with Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases adding more barrels, but Asia is still badly short. Thats why he said the market to watch isnt just Brent or WTI  its Dubai crude, which he said is still trading around $130 a barrel, or roughly a $30 premium to Brent when it normally trades at a discount.

But oil prices retreated from recent highs of $105 on Monday as a Pakistani tanker made its way through the Strait, encouraging traders in what could be the first sign that oil shipments might be shifting in the right direction. And that is where his downside roadmap becomes especially important.

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Schork argued that the first key level to watch is not some dramatic crash back to pre-war pricing, but a much more incremental technical and psychological shift lower.

If we break that $99 level in Brent, that will be our first telltale that something material is changing, changing for the positive, he said.

From there, his base case for a more normal market sits around $92 to $93 a barrel. That is roughly where he said his pre-crisis modeling had Brent pegged before the latest war-driven spike distorted everything. If the geopolitical backdrop continues improving, he sees a path down to $86. And if the market truly starts pricing a durable end to the crisis  not just safer shipping lanes, but a broader resolution that restores more barrels to market  then oil could eventually work its way back into the $70 range where it traded before all this began.
For decades, former workers of Waterford Crystal have been fighting for their pensions.

Their battle has traversed the highest levels of Irelands legal and political stages since 1992.

The pensioners have had their case raised in the High Court, the European Court of Justice and in Dail Eireann in front of former and present Taoisigh.

Last week, a meeting attended by close to 50 of the former workers was held with a view to identifying the next steps in the fight.

Following the meeting, we received statements from all four local TDs outlining their stance.

The meeting

In the aftermath of an article published in the Waterford News & Star last week, a meeting of the Waterford Crystal Pension Action Group (WCPAG) was called.

The article we published revealed internal documents from the Department of Social Protection, who appear hesitant to take responsibility over the debacle.

One of the documents seen by this newspaper came from Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.

In it he said that there is nothing further that the Government or my Department can do in order to intervene, and no liability arises for the State in this regard.

The former workers take issue with this stance and are disputing information coming from the Department.

The Department of Social Protection are stonewalling us, said Walter Croke, a former master glassblower at Waterford Crystal.

Incorrect Dail records

At the meeting, Mr. Croke expressed dissatisfaction with information that is being provided to local Ministers and TDs from the Department.

His concern arises from a statement made by Minister Mary Butler in December, who said that an answer she received in 2017 from then Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty was incorrect (Read more).

Regina Doherty, who was the Minister at the time, said the workers were offered their (pension) options, and they werent, Minister Butler said.

Mr. Croke informed the crowd at the recent meeting that he believes Dail records will need to be corrected in light of Minister Butlers statements.

He said that the alleged incorrect answer given to Mary Butler by the Department in 2017 casts doubt on every other response the Department has provided over the years regarding the Crystal pension issue.

Amongst those who have been fed answers on the topic from the Department are former and current Waterford Ministers, TDs and Senators, including Paudie Coffey, John Halligan, David Cullinane and Mary Butler.

The Department rule the roost and they advise the Ministers, but the Department have been offside on a number of issues over the last number of years, Mr. Croke said.

They are wrong and we believe we can prove it, but weve got to get past their stonewalling. We have two Ministers here, and they need to do something about this.

We approached Minister Mary Butler for comment, asking if she has discussed with Minister Calleary or his Department the issue of incorrect information.

We also asked Minister Butler if she believes a correction of Dail records to be possible.

Minister Butler said in a statement, Both I and members of my team have had lengthy conversations with former workers in recent weeks. Based on our follow up, its my understanding that corrections to the record of the Dail are usually made by the member concerned shortly after an error or mistake is identified.

As the Ministers in question are no longer members of Dail Eireann and these statements were made a number of years ago, the practical options for correcting the record are unfortunately limited.

Whats next?

Three days after last weeks meeting, representatives from the pensions group met with Sinn Fein TDs David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness, where it was agreed that the workers will continue to press for direct engagement with Minister Calleary.

Following the meeting, Deputy Cullinane said, These workers have been treated with contempt for far too long. The continued stonewalling by the Department of Social Protection is simply unacceptable. The workers are very clear that they want a direct meeting with the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, so that their case can be heard properly. That is a reasonable and fair request."

Deputy McGuinness added, "These workers have been campaigning for years and they should not have to fight simply to be heard. They want the two Junior Ministers in Waterford to step up and ensure that a meeting with Minister Dara Calleary and the former workers takes place without further delay."

We approached Minister John Cummins to ask if he would be open to meeting with the former workers alongside Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.

A spokesperson for Minister Cummins said: "Anytime there has been a request to meet with representatives, Minister Cummins has done so - as recently as January 30, 2026, with John Tebay, Martin Hearne and Eddie Lacey on behalf of the group at his constituency office."

We approached Minister Butler for same.

She said, I have always engaged with former workers of Waterford Crystal and members of the WCPAG who contacted my office directly and in good faith.
At Marchs plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council, two councillors struck issue with the number of estates in Waterford that remain to be taken in charge.

Sinn Fein Councillor Pat Fitzgerald said there were numerous estates built before the 2008 financial crisis that have never been taken in charge by the Council.

The residents in these estates don't come back to anybody if something goes wrong, said Cllr Fitzgerald.

Residents of the estate can be left in limbo, said Cllr Fitzgerald, as the Council is under no obligation, nor has any remit, to fix infrastructure around the estate.

Estates in question may have seen developers leave the market mid-construction, where the housing bond agreed between the Council and the developer may not have been fully drawn down.

The surrounding infrastructure of the development is consequently left under no one authoritys responsibility. Cllr Fitzgerald said the lack of ownership made it increasingly difficult for residents to fix infrastructural issues.

According to the figures from October 2025, 41 housing estates across the Waterford metropolitan area find themselves in the same precarious situation.

Fianna Fail Councillor Eamon Quinlan said the issue of unfinished housing developments was having direct knock-on effects on childcare costs.

For about 20, 25 years now weve had planning permissions, that if (developers) build an estate, they have to build a creche.

Most developers that I'm aware of don't actually go ahead and build those creches. They build houses, they sell their houses, and they move on.

Planning rules require developers to include a creche facility with 20 childcare placements for every 75 homes built in an estate.

Cllr Quinlan said that the incomplete nature of these estates means the Council cant take charge of housing estates because theyre non-compliant with planning permissions.

In 2023, An Comisiun Pleanala (then An Bord Pleanala) refused planning permission to SE Construction (Kent) Limited, who had sought to turn a permitted creche on their development in Tramore into apartments.

Can we please engage with the relevant department to see if we can access this money for us to move in and essentially build these creches in line with planning permission, that we complete these estates around the county? Cllr Quinlan asked at the plenary meeting.

He said the finished creche could either be sold or kept within the Councils control to supply affordable childcare.

Ireland currently faces some of the highest childcare costs in Europe. The average national cost of childcare per week is around 190, according to the latest figures from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

Waterford Council Director of Services Ivan Grimes said that while there have been similar cases recorded, the issue is not widespread.

"The new estates that you're building, you're going to wind up with young couples predominantly buying them who either have a kid or two or have yet to have a kid, Cllr. Quinlan said to the Waterford News & Star.

He said provision to ensure these creches are built was key in combating "the creche crisis".

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
There is currently huge interest nationally, and a degree of concern locally, at the imminent development of offshore wind energy off the Waterford and Wexford coastline.

Heretofore, Ireland has only taken small steps into this latent energy source - with people living on the eastern seaboard, and those who drive the N11 to Dublin, familiar with what's known as the Arklow bank windfarm.

For comparison's sake, these turbines - seven in number - are much smaller in scale to what will ultimately be developed in the seas off Waterford and south Wexford. They produce just over 25 megawatts (MW).

They are but a small toe dipped into the sea of possibility of offshore wind energy, which Ireland has yet to develop at scale.

Our nearest neighbour, the UK, is streets ahead in this regard, with 15GW being harvested in offshore wind energy.

To put this in context, Ireland is aiming to reach 5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 - if it makes good on the targets it has set out.

This is dependent on significant port upgrading and development, alongside the development of offshore wind infrastructure. But we are now starting our march - with the Tonn Nua venture one of the first of focus off the south coast.

The South Coast Designated Maritime Area includes for four offshore wind farms, including Tonn Nua, which will be delivered by a joint venture between ESB and Danish energy multinational rsted.

A meeting at the Port of Waterford recently looked at the economic boon that Tonn Nua, and its three sister windfarms, have the potential to open up in the South East. An economic report put figures on the value of offshore wind, with a 'Gross Additional Value' the four wind farms could generate an estimated 1.7-2.2 billion.

Tonn Nua is projected to develop 900MW of energy, enough to power around 800,000 homes. Overall, the total south coast energy development - from the four windfarms - could produce 4.9GW of energy. In addition, construction could see 4,000 jobs generated at peak.

CEO of the Port of Waterford, David Sinnott, is encouraging local politicians to back the progression of the wind farms, thus avoiding what he termed "stop-start cycles". He is hoping decision makers will be empowered to make what he is calling "sufficiently good decisions".

We have the capacity. The challenge now is to create the capability, the systems, the coordination, the confidence that will bring certainty to the market and ensure competitive tension, he told businesspeople and stakeholders gathered for the release of the economic report.

The Waterford News & Star covered the event, where speakers framed the development as one thats both a necessity and inevitable.

The cost of energy is keenly in the public eye at the moment, with the price of diesel in particular making eyes water at the pumps - it may be just the start of a very volatile period for oil prices given the conflict in the Middle East.

But there is no denying that the coastal views we've come to enjoy, with blue seas stretching all the way to the horizon, may have to be relinquished in favour of a sustainable energy alternative.

We are not on our own in looking to capitalise on offshore wind energy, with the market ever-developing. The UK is not sitting at 15GW either - the race is very much on, and Ireland is barely out of the starting blocks in an increasingly competitive international race for dominance.

The onus is not merely on politicians to encourage "sufficiently good decisions", though; it is on all stakeholders to bring the public with them on this journey, and that is best done through transparent, clear communication of what is being asked of us all.
Dear Editor,

On a west of Ireland excursion some years ago, I was taken aback by the sheer number of river crafts parked up throughout Carrick-on-Shannon. So many crafts in fact, the river appeared to be a car park with vessels on both sides with a small lane down the centre to travel on.

How strange then, that Waterford, a city chosen by Viking settlers for its great river location to allow for travel, trade, make war etc., with such a history in terms of being at the very existence of Waterford, is so underutilized by the general populace.

Old photos show large buildings hosting rowing clubs and regattas on the Ferrybank side of the river a century ago. The Mayor's Parlour in City Hall is adorned with portraits of ships, and models of crafts from centuries ago.

The citys motto, Urbs Intacta Manet, comes from an attack on the city from the river.

When the merchants of Waterford created their own fleet to fight the competing Powers from Dunhill, where both fleets engaged each other just off Tramore in the Middle Ages, leading to the building of the infirmary onto Greyfriars in penance.

These all demonstrate to us the unparalleled role the River Suir had in the day-to-day lives of people living here, yet remains, metaphorically, criminally underused.

A former German Ambassador who enjoyed sailing remarked on how astonished he was that people could, but didn't, sail right into the heart of the city, jump off and go for lunch in nearby restaurants.

Recent news that access to the river, from the North Quays, is not part of its design is yet another signal that Waterford people's ability to use the river for recreation will continue to be curtailed. Surely, more pontoons to moor vessels, grant aid to assist current river-based clubs to grow, links with many of the citys schools to offer children sailing lessons and so on should be a strategic objective of Waterford to ensure the water is not just a part of Waterfords past, but also its future.

Cllr Eamon Quinlan

LETTERS, your voice, your view: Whether you agree or disagree with the views expressed or would like to have your own personal opinion aired in public, were waiting to hear from you. Send your letters to Editor, Waterford News & Star, Gladstone House, Gladstone Street, Waterford City, or email maryfrances.ryan@waterford-news.com
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BusinessCompaniesAI Qantas boss says AI can help more planes run on time Chris Zappone March 17, 2026  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Qantas is embracing artificial intelligence to enhance operational reliability rather than simply to cut costs, says its chief executive, as a range of industries grapple with the impact of technological change. With operating costs rising across the aviation sector, the national carrier is increasingly looking to AI for efficiency gains central to staying profitable. Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson. Bloomberg via Getty Images Speaking before tech company Atlassian flagged wide-ranging job cuts linked to AI that sent shudders through the industry and the public, Vanessa Hudson stressed the elevation of the technology at Qantas. We see so many use cases for AI to deliver better outcomes for customers, particularly in moments where theyre disrupted, Hudson said.

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Aviation Vape starts fire on Virgin flight to Melbourne, emergency crews respond The strategic shift will be physically marked this week as Qantas cuts the ribbon on a new product innovation centre in Adelaide designed to deliver intuitive, world-leading digital experiences for customers. The technological push comes at a sensitive time for Australian companies as the potential for AI to eliminate once-safe white-collar jobs dawns. Hudson noted that most of Qantas 30,000 staff, including pilots, engineers, and cabin crew, perform roles that cannot be replaced by technology. The AI and technology we have been using with those workgroups has improved their effectiveness whether it be with iPads or information that helps them better deliver on-time performance and outcomes to customers.

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She suggested AI will act as a tool to improve and extend productivity rather than a substitute for workers. The view comes as high-level service jobs in banking, marketing and finance have seen core functions automated with new technology. Hudson said the real-world application of AI in different areas of Qantas operations painted a much more mixed picture. Artificial intelligence is being used in the companys integrated operations centre to track flight departures and identify flights which need to be more carefully managed, she said. It has been a key part of contributing to improved on-time performance this year for Qantas. Qantas is using an internally developed AI tool to assess the complexity of aircraft turnarounds, the complex process required to ready a plane for a flight. The AI-driven tool factors in weather, crew transition requirements, and load factors among other variables, which allows the Sydney-based integrated operations centre to pre-empt potential disruptions before they impact the broader flying schedule.

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This is being done across Qantas domestic network. In 2025, Qantas achieved an on-time arrival of 77.2 per cent, beating Virgin Australia at 76.0 per cent and Jetstar at 75.2 per cent, according to data from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics. Qantas wants to use AI to improve its productivity. AP While AIs potential impact has generated concern and excitement, its application varies drastically from task to task. Qantas and Jetstar, for example, in 2024 adopted Airbus Skywise Predictive Maintenance tool as a way to anticipate failures, minimise delays and reduce Aircraft on Ground incidents. Related Article Updated

Aviation Qantas to pay $105m after class action over cancelled COVID flights

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For Qantas ageing fleet, beset by occasional mechanical setbacks, any edge on aircraft maintenance is useful. At headquarters, Hudson said AI tools were also being used in procurement areas to help Qantas scan contracts and understand where theres value being left on the table. None of those examples are reducing headcount, Hudson said. Hudson said that in some cases AI would drive efficiency that has an impact on the mix of our employment. In the December, the company signalled a number of job cuts at Mascot. Last month, the Australian Services Union confirmed 30 roles, including freight, crew support, finance and airport services at headquarters, were being eliminated.

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Qantas elevation of the role of tech in the business isnt just about efficiency but risk, too. After a cyber-attack purloined Qantas customer data in 2025, Qantas escalated the cyber issue to a board-level topic. Later, the board reduced short-term incentives for Hudson and the executive team by 15 percentage points, or $250,000 for Hudson. The Adelaide-based innovation centre, supported by the South Australian government, is projected to house more than 420 tech-related roles over the next three years, drawn from local hires, staff transferred from Sydney and a pipeline of talent. Its partnership with Adelaide University allows recruits to graduate directly into the centre. In early December, Qantas announced a reshuffle of executives in which Rachel Yangoyan, CEO of QantasLink, would take on the new role of chief technology, AI and transformation officer. The recruitment of a dedicated chief AI officer who will report to Yangoyan on the implementation and scaling of AI across the organisation remains under way.

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Speed to market is a really important part of many peoples roles in head office, said Hudson. AI is a tool in addition to automation and digitisation, in addition to the way we work, that will drive efficiency and transformation in our business, she said. The rollout of technology will have uneven effects. For an airline, though, the potentially most important technology is new aircraft. The airline took delivery of six new aircraft in the first half, including the more efficient, longer-range A321XLRs. After years of delay, Qantas is ploughing ahead with the largest refresh of its fleet, ever. The one thing that will drive the greatest transformation in our business is getting these new aircraft, without a doubt, said Hudson. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

CORRECTION An earlier version of this story said Qantas had 38,000 employees.
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LifestyleFashionQueen Mary Queen Mary swaps tiara for Akubra in first official visit to Australia since new royal title Lauren Ironmonger March 16, 2026  1:04pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Akubras, Zimmermann and a touch of Scandi-chic: such are the style rules for our Aussie Cinderellas first official visit Down Under since being minted queen. King Frederik X and Queen Mary at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre on Sunday. Getty Images The Danish royals have started a six-day tour of Australia, their first official visit since they became monarchs in 2024. The Tasmanian-born queen, who met the king-to-be during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was last in Australia in 2023 on an official tour as princess. Like Princess Catherines fashion choices of late, Marys styling thus far has been rather simple (save for the choice selection of prized jewels eagle-eyed monarchists may recognise).

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In the first official state tour, Queen Mary has shown a refinement with a selection of pared back looks. Queen Mary is not one to distract from official duties  we have seen casual linens in Uluru and feminine florals in the nations capital, says Mattie Cronan, style director of the Australian Womens Weekly. Perhaps the new queen is eager to keep attention on the visits diplomatic goals  to focus on clean energy and deepen ties between Australia and Denmark  and be sensitive to the cost-of-living crisis we common folk are living with. Editor's pick Updated

Royalty Frederik and Mary visit Australias best known landmark In a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre on Sunday, Mary dialled down the glitz, swapping her tiara for an Akubra hat straight out of Bob Katters wardrobe, and her princess gowns for a beige skirt and an umbrella-print button-down shirt. On Monday morning, the 54-year-old switched it up with a green floral dress from Australian label Zimmermann, a brand she has worn before, to attend an Aboriginal smoking ceremony in Canberra.

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Mary wore a green dress by Australian designer Zimmermann to a smoking ceremony in Canberra on Monday. Annika Smit Elsewhere, the queen has opted to honour designers from her adopted country. On Sunday night, Mary chose a demure white floral dress, styled with a dusty blue fascinator that would not look out of place at the Melbourne Cup, by Danish designer Claes Iversen for a meeting with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Queen Mary wears a reworked blue gown by Danish designer Jesper Hvring to the state dinner at Government House on Sunday night. Annika Smit Queen Mary has had the same Jesper Hvring blue gown altered throughout the years: first worn in 2010, then during a visit to Melbourne in 2012 and then in 2019. Getty Images

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Later that night, for a state banquet at Government House, the queen wore an eggshell-blue one-shouldered gown by long-time collaborator, Danish designer Jesper Hvring. Editor's pick Royalty The fashion force of Queen Mary at the coronation The gathered floor-length dress has been a mainstay in Marys wardrobe since 2010, when it featured a cream lace panel. Hvring has helped the queen alter the dress, including for a visit to Melbourne in 2012. It is not the first time that we have seen Mary dressing with sustainability at the forefront, says Cronan. Mary paired the gown with a Star of the Order of the Elephant brooch (Denmarks most distinguished order) and an Ole Lynggaard leaves hairpiece in lieu of a tiara.

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During a visit to the Australian War Memorial on Monday, the queen wore a navy dress with bow detailing by Venezuelan American designer Carolina Herrera, and a matching fascinator. Pinned to her chest was the Connaught sapphire brooch, a priceless heirloom that has been in the Danish family since it was gifted to Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia in 1879 as a wedding present. Later in the week, the couple will visit Melbourne and Hobart. From left: The governor-generals husband Simeon Beckett, Queen Mary of Denmark, King Frederik X of Denmark and Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Government House on Sunday. Alex Ellinghausen King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark at the Australian War Memorial on Monday. Alex Ellinghausen Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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Exclusive NationalNSWProperty tax I want my $1m back: Wealthy cattle baron in legal fight with valuer general Lucy Macken March 17, 2026  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

As typos go, the one issued on a land tax assessment to property investor and cattle baron Theo Onisforou was expensive. A row of four terraces on Crown Street in Surry Hills, set on a 297-square-metre block, was erroneously assessed by Value NSW as sitting on a 597-square-metre lot. The wrong digit effectively doubled the land size on paper, if not the tax debt. The row of four terraces on Crown Street, Surry Hills, was incorrectly assessed as a 597 square metre block. The site is 297 square metres. Steven Siewert The fact that the error has been repeated in every annual assessment since 2001, when Onisforou purchased the Crown Street property as an investment for $1.91 million, has made things all the more costly. But if Onisforou had hoped to simply be reimbursed for the excess land tax, he was disappointed.

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Theo Onisforou was accidently overcharged land tax on his Surry Hills investment property. Instead, Onisforou has had to launch legal proceedings in the Land and Environment Court against the NSW valuer general in a bid to recoup his losses. This mistake wasnt my doing, and yet Im the one being forced into expensive legal action to defend myself against a statutory body that wont even clarify just how much theyve overcharged me, Onisforou said. I want my $1 million back. Land tax is levied on the unimproved land value of any second  or subsequent  property, such as an investment property or a holiday home, and it is charged at 1.6 per cent a year above a $1,075,000 threshold. The family home is exempt. For Onisforous part, his claim to a $1 million debt is calculated on the sum of his excess land tax payments over the years and charged at 3.3 per cent compound interest.

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The tax office would charge a lot more interest than that, so Im being overly generous, Onisforou said. Interest levied on outstanding tax debts by the Australian Taxation Office was set at 10.65 per cent in the March quarter. The valuer general has dismissed Onisforous percentage calculation, but it did revise the propertys land value from $5.29 million to $3.3 million for 2024, given the corrected size. But even that land value was overstated, Onisforou said. He says the true land value is closer to $2.6 million. The dispute over the 2024 valuation is set for a hearing later this year. Even if Onisforou is successful, that wont necessarily open the way for him to be repaid for previous years.

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In correspondence seen by the Herald, a lawyer acting for Valuer General Sally Dale said the court did not have the power to vary the land tax determinations for other years, and responsibility for the accuracy of land sizes was up to the owner. For Onisforou, that might mean separate proceedings to claw back overpaid tax from previous years. This should be a warning to everyone not to presume that the land size stated in your annual valuation is correct, Onisforou said. Objecting to a land valuation is no easy task, and it is often limited to those with the deepest pockets and the most to gain. Of an estimated 2.7 million valuations by Value NSW each year, about 110 are successfully challenged.

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Billionaire Dial A Dump founder Ian Malouf is a vocal critic, slamming the state-based levy as no more than a tax on the rich. He would know. I had a $1 million land tax bill in one year on one street, Malouf said. The Palm Beach house known as Gidget was purchased by Ian Malouf for $18.6 million in 2022. Domain Of those, one was the $40 million weekender on the Palm Beach beachfront up the road from two houses purchased for $18.6 million and $20 million each. Malouf launched his own legal fight in 2024 over a $15.9 million land valuation of one of the houses, called Gidget. He succeeded in having its value revised to $14.8 million. It was a small win, he said. It ultimately cost as much to fight it as the reduction, but it was worth it.

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More recently, a $95.5 million purchase by Singaporean tycoon Ho Whye Chungs Ho-Group Australia of an office tower in North Sydney had its land value revised from $90 million in 2024 to $73 million. Then conciliation last year valued it at a base rate of $56 million. Prestige valuer Scott Willoughby, of Knoxbridge, said while mainstream land valuations tended to be fairly conservative, that was often not the case in the trophy home market, where prices vary wildly and there are few comparable sales with which to benchmark values. Former Seven commercial director Bruce McWilliam recently took to court to dispute the valuer generals assessment of his Point Piper investment apartment (purchased in 2018 for $7.55 million) after the site was valued at $41.5 million. In court documents, McWilliam argues that because the apartments have no view of the Harbour Bridge or the Opera House, the block is worth no more than $33.3 million. Bruce McWilliam is disputing the valuer generals land tax assessment on his Point Piper apartment given its lack of Opera House and Harbour Bridge views. Domain

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The matter is slated for hearing later this year. Meriton founder Harry Triguboff successfully disputed the land tax assessment on part of his Vaucluse estate in 2008. Arsineh Houspian Another Point Piper local set to contest his land tax assessment in court later this year is troubled gold mining businessman John Changjin Li. Lis mansion, Edgewater, had its land tax value dropped from $90.2 million to $80 million in 2024, but Li is seeking to have that dropped again to $63.45 million. One of the most notable land tax disputes was in 2008, when billionaire Meriton founder Harry Triguboff was slapped with a $149,556 land tax bill because a second residence on his Vaucluse estate was a separate dwelling with its own street number and street access.

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But in the court proceedings that followed, Triguboff argued the dwelling was a spare house that shared the same grounds and was a better study for him to work from because it had a better outlook. It was a win for Triguboff and a loss for state coffers. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalWACourts Alice advised her boyfriend on family law. Then he murdered her in a Perth hotel room Rebecca Peppiatt March 17, 2026  12:58pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

As a prominent Perth lawyer, Alice McShera specialised in family law and restraining orders. On Tuesday, she was the subject of similar matters when her on-again, off-again partner Cameron Pearson was jailed for life over McSheras brutal murder in a Crown Towers hotel room in 2023. Perth lawyer Alice McShera, 34, died at Crown Towers in October, 2023. Facebook McShera, 34, was getting ready for a night out on October 30, 2023 when Pearson claimed the couple got into an argument after she said she was going to leave him. I just lost it, he admitted, later telling police: We had an altercation ... I hit her in the head.

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The court heard on Tuesday that Pearson hit McShera between five and nine times in the face and the back of the head with a champagne bottle before covering her body with towels and then chilling out in the room. Related Article Updated

Police Perth lawyers tragic final social media post before Crown Towers horror The following morning, he used a broken champagne glass to self-harm, before he was found by hotel staff in the bath after they conducted a welfare check on McShera. McSheras father had called the hotel, the court heard, and asked staff to check on her, but when they knocked on the hotel door Pearson refused to let them in. They returned later with a security card to get inside and equipment to cut a chain on the door.

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Drugs and volatility The court heard on Tuesday that Pearson, a 44-year-old father of one, met McShera at the end of 2022 when she helped him with family court matters. A month later, they were in a relationship that was marred by volatility and drug use on both sides, the court was told. A court sketch of Cameron Pearson, who has been jailed for murdering his partner, Perth lawyer Alice McShera. Anne Barnetson Pearson had a criminal history relating to drug use and McShera was partial to taking meth with him on occasion. On the night she died, she had methamphetamine and alcohol in her system.

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She was a barrister at Murray Chambers, a boutique Perth law firm, where she specialised in child support, family law and restraining orders. He was a boilermaker, had worked in the defence force and fly-in, fly-out jobs, but at the time of their relationship he was unemployed. Pearson told therapists he had planned to marry McShera, but that she had earlier told him she didnt love him. Their relationship went through repeated stages of breaking up and getting back together, but on the night she died, they were described as going through a reconciliation phase. The court was told that Pearson did not kill McShera with any premeditation or planning.

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I had a couple of vodkas, she was dancing around, said she might leave me and I just lost it and hit her over the head with the bottle, he told police. I was angry at her. Pearson told police he was not in his right mind with sleep deprivation, meth use and alcohol use but that he later deeply regretted his actions and had written to McSheras family expressing deep remorse and full responsibility. Victim impact statements tendered to the court described McShera as kind, loving and generous with a passion for the law, in particular in relation to the prevention of violence against women and children. A large section of Perths legal fraternity were in court on Tuesday to witness Peasons sentencing, including District Court Judge Linda Black.

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PoliticsWAHospitals Robbing Peter to pay Paul: WA womens mental health beds to be used for aged care patients Hamish Hastie March 17, 2026  3:29pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The Cook governments winter health strategy will see the number of womens mental health beds at the Cockburn Health facility shrink by one-third while theyre diverted to elderly patients. The dedicated inpatient mental health facility close to Cockburn Central has 75 beds, and the changes will see 25 of those used for elderly women in the hospital system awaiting care placements. Shadow health minister Libby Mettam. Hamish Hastie A manager lamented the loss of the mental health beds in a leaked email from the South Metro Health Service mental health unit to workers on March 11. A ministerial decision has been made to change the use of the top floor at Cockburn from womens mental health to womens care awaiting placement, the email read.

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Whilst the loss of 25 available womens mental health beds is regrettable, 50 dedicated beds remain and the demand/need for them is recognised. The letter attributes the decision to the winter bed strategy, which forms part of the WA governments recently announced winter flu strategy. The Cockburn facility is the largest womens-only mental health facility in the state. The state entered into a three-year agreement to lease the facility previously operated by Bethesda after it announced it was shutting down the service. The decision has concerned senior clinicians and staff in the South Metro Health Service so much that 46 staff put their names to a letter sent to WA Health Director General Shirley Bowen the day before the strategy was publicly announced on February 24, raising concerns about removing so many womens mental health beds from the system.

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In that letter, also leaked to the opposition, the clinicians warned the move would harm bed flow across the system, given womens mental health beds were at 94 per cent occupancy. Related Article Hospitals in crisis Family of grandmother left in Midland hospital corridor for 48 hours lash WA health system When this capability contracts, complexity does not diminish; it shifts elsewhere, the letter read. The letter also warned women could be at increased risk of gender-based violence in the hospital system. The loss of womens mental health beds at the only womens only inpatient mental health unit in WA will result in an increased cohort of unwell women being treated in mixed-gender units, with associated impacts on their physical, sexual and emotional safety, it said.

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The $140 million winter health strategy includes 200 additional beds injected into the system through a range of methods, including purchasing private bed capacity. Opposition health spokeswoman Libby Mettam said the leaks showed the state was robbing Peter to pay Paul. In a state as wealthy as Western Australia, we should not be pushing one group of vulnerable patients aside to treat another, she said. However, in parliament on Tuesday, Health Minister Meredith Hammat said mental health services were not being closed. We make no apologies that our focus is on opening every bed thats available, she said.

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We want to make sure that the capacity that we have in the system matches the demand. Related Article Exclusive

Hospitals in crisis Heart surgeons stood down amid staffing crisis at major Perth hospital Tuesdays revelations are the second tranche of leaked letters in as many weeks. Last week, the opposition obtained a leaked letter from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital surgical services medical co-director Michael Levitt to his staff, which revealed internal concerns that elective surgeries would be significantly impacted by the governments winter flu strategy. In the letter, Levitt said two operating theatres at the hospital would close from April 7, and would remain shut permanently as a new hospital theatre expansion was built at the site.

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Levitt said the entire executive of the hospital remained deeply disappointed that this strategy disproportionately impacts patients in need of complex surgery. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health disputed the claims that the theatres would be closed permanently, saying they would only be closed for two weeks in April to replace floor coverings, which was routine 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.
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WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war For the victims of Epstein Island: Irans propaganda machine in overdrive Akhtar Makoii March 17, 2026  12:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Hundreds of American soldiers have been captured across the Gulf. US military bases throughout the region lie in ruins. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dead or gravely wounded. Washington officials are begging for a ceasefire while the US loses control of a war that will not end until Iran says so. Relentless Iranian missile strikes are smashing Israel while enemies plead for mercy, and the US strike groups are rendered non-functional and forced to retreat after being hit with missiles. This is the war as it is seen and heard on Iranian state media, the only source available to millions of people living under fire during a near-total communications blackout that has cut internet access. Regime-linked news outlets have shared imagery, much of which appears to be doctored, portraying the war as a fight against Jeffrey Epsteins allies. via The Telegraph, London Persian-language satellite news channels broadcasting from outside Iran have also been jammed and people who use satellite internet devices are being arrested.

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What they are hearing bears limited resemblance to the war documented by human rights groups, Western media and the social media posts that occasionally break through the information blockade. Related Article Middle East at war How a Trump post sparked a wave of misinformation about Australia For a window into the propaganda machine, Londons Telegraph spent much of the last two weeks tuning in to Iranian state televisions war coverage. For several hours on Friday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Netanyahu had been killed or seriously wounded in an Iranian strike. State broadcasts spoke of the daring capture of US soldiers and airmen, with reports about shooting down a US jet every other day and a drone every other hour.

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On March 8, the mood across Iranian media shifted from mourning-black graphics and funeral dirges to jubilant celebration as they announced that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected as the new supreme leader. The anchor shouted the news at the top of his lungs. Four days later, another presenter bellowed the new supreme leaders first written statement, reading each line as if delivering a battle cry. View post on X The TV screen split into three frames. Regime supporters flooded the streets, waving Iranian flags in one corner, while missiles and drones launched towards Israel and American bases in the Gulf in another, and rockets fell on Israeli cities in the third frame. News outlets evoked the eight-year Iran-Iraq war that started in 1980, a conflict that is seared into Irans collective memory as a period of national unity against foreign aggression.

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With each missile fired towards Israel or American bases, state TV broadcast the same martial music that accompanied strike footage during the war against Iraq. Revolutionary songs from the 1980s play continuously across all channels, interspersed with religious hymns referring to Imam Ali, the first Shia imam, with themes of martyrdom. AI-edited photos of missiles with the message, In the memory of victims of Epsteins island written on them in Farsi have been shown on Iranian state TV. via The Telegraph, London The main military spokesman providing updates has no name visible on his uniform. He is identified only as a sacrifice for Iran. Citizens are urged to take to the streets every night after iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast, during what state media calls the war of Ramadan, giving the conflict an added religious element.

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State television broadcasts these rallies extensively and shows crowds carrying Iranian flags with participants declaring loyalty to the new supreme leader and vowing to fight until victory. The media show messages written on missiles before launch, with one reading: In the memory of victims of Epsteins island. The image, which appears to have been doctored to include the message, has also been widely shared by pro-regime accounts on social media. Mourners wave Iranian flags during the funeral procession for senior Iranian military officials and civilians killed during the US-Israel campaign. AP Irans security chief, Ali Larijani, said on Friday: Mr [US Defence Secretary Pete] Hegseth! Our leaders have been, and still are, among the people. But your leaders? On Epsteins island. He followed it up on Sunday with a post on social media site X claiming what remains of Epsteins network was plotting a 9/11-style attack to place the blame on Iran.

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Anti-war protesters marching through London later that day were joined by a van with a screen showing an AI-generated image of US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Iran uses missiles for other messages too. Graves are prepared for the victims, mostly children, of what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-US strike on February 28 at a girls primary school in Minab, Iran. Iranian Foreign Media Department via AP Consolation for the grieving hearts of the mothers of Minab, and the patient hearts of the fathers, reads the text on another rocket, referring to the bombing of a girls school that killed more than 165 people, most of them children. The hand of God has been revealed  Khamenei has become young  this battle continues, another message reads.

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The US struck the school on the opening day of the war, a preliminary Pentagon investigation has found. What Iranian state television does not show is equally revealing. Coverage of many other strikes on Iran is largely absent from broadcast television, appearing occasionally in brief text updates on Telegram channels operated by state news agencies. Coverage of many strikes on Iran is largely absent from its broadcast television. Getty Images Reports refer to general areas hit in Tehran and other cities but provide minimal detail about damage or casualties.

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The broadcasts create an impression of limited, sporadic strikes on civilian targets such as hospitals rather than the comprehensive campaign documented by residents and human rights monitors. Unlike neighbouring countries that have developed air raid sirens, mobile phone alerts and public shelter networks, Iran has no functioning infrastructure to warn its citizens of impending attacks. Loading State television does not offer advice to those seeking shelter, with no prepared public shelters available. During the 12-day war in June, citizens were occasionally advised to shelter in metro stations. The messages threatening dissidents or protesters, meanwhile, are explicit and repeated.

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Irans national police commander, Ahmad-Reza Radan, appeared on state television to warn: If anyone comes to the streets at the enemys behest, we do not see them as protesters. We see them as enemies and will deal with them as we deal with enemies. All our boys have their hands on the trigger, ready. Related Article Analysis

Middle East tensions Biggest moment in Iran since 1979: World on edge as protests grow Intelligence sources from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened a blow harder than Jan 9  referring to the violent response to anti-regime protests two months ago that killed thousands  if any demonstrations happened during the war. Daily funeral coverage provides the only consistent acknowledgement of Iranian casualties. State television shows mourning families, flag-draped coffins and burial ceremonies, but the broadcasts frame every death as martyrdom in defence of Iran rather than civilian casualties of war.

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Human rights groups estimate that more than 1300 civilians have been killed in Iran by air strikes since the war began. Estimates of how many were killed by the regime during Januarys protests range from 7000 to 30,000. Many of those were buried without ceremony. The ensuing information blockade means millions of people are experiencing war through a lens that bears limited resemblance to the war outside. Iranians are being told that victory is certain while bombs continue to fall on their homes. 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.
Thanks for joining us today.

The US-Israeli war with Iran has killed at least 1300 people in Iran, more than 900 in Lebanon and 14 in Israel, according to officials in those countries.

More than a dozen nations across the Middle East and the Persian Gulf have also been affected by missile and drone attacks as part of Irans retaliation against the US-Israeli strikes that began on February 28.

The US military says 13 service members have been killed and about 200 wounded.

Here are the latest updates:

Iran launched strikes towards Israel and Gulf countries early on Wednesday, with explosions heard in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and interceptions reported in Saudi Arabia. The attacks came hours after Iranian state media confirmed Israels military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, as well as General Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guards Basij force, known for its role in suppressing protests.

VIDEO ABOVE: Donald Trump has blasted his allies in a wordy social media post, after Australia, Japan, South Korea and NATO rejected his calls to help secure ships in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks. We dont need them, but they should have been there, he later said at the White House.

Trumps words drew strong condemnation from Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, as a new poll shows most Australians want the country to stay entirely out of the war against Iran.

Trump, meanwhile, again said the US would soon be ready to end the war. If we left right now, it would take them 10 years to rebuild. But were not ready to leave yet. But well be leaving in the near future.

Meanwhile, the US military announced it dropped several two-tonne bombs - colloquially known as bunker busters - on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

An Iranian projectile struck near Australias Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates at 9.15am today. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the ADF both said no personnel were injured and that there was only minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility.

Regarding fuel prices, Albanese has announced each state and territory will be asked to select a point person to co-ordinate with the federal government on fuel challenges. National cabinet meets tomorrow to discuss fuel issues.

Looking ahead, inflation could push beyond 5 per cent due to higher oil prices caused by the war against Iran. Treasurer Jim Chalmers will give a speech tomorrow detailing this warning, as fears the war could scar the Australian economy for years continue.

And European Union president Ursula von der Leyen will travel next week to Australia, where she is expected to sign a long-awaited free trade agreement between the EU and Australia.

With AP, Reuters, Bloomberg

We will be back tomorrow morning to resume our live coverage of the conflict in the Middle East.
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Commodity ETFs offer meaningfully different structural approaches to oil price exposure, each with its own mechanics and tradeoffs worth understanding. Here are three investors should certainly consider right now.

WTI crude has responded accordingly, climbing from $71.13 on March 2 to $94.65 by March 9, a gain of 33% in a single week. Meanwhile, drone strikes have escalated across the region, with attacks confirmed on a refinery in the UAE, an oil export terminal in the UAE, and an oil field in Iraq, in addition to the March 16 strike on ADNOC's Shah gas field.

Starting on March 4, 2026, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and began attacking ships attempting to transit oil and other commodities. The consequences for global oil supply have been immediate and severe. Around 8 million barrels per day of crude production has already been shut in, and ING analysts warn that a prolonged disruption could push prices to record highs, surpassing the 2008 peak.

Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating drone strikes across the Middle East have removed 8 million barrels per day of crude from global supply, pushing WTI crude up 33% in a single week and triggering record gains across all three oil ETFs.

United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 27% between February 27 and March 9 with a 0.7% expense ratio and $1.1B in net assets, offering the cleanest WTI exposure; United States Brent Oil Fund (BNO) tracks the global benchmark and gained 23% over the same window with a 1.1% expense ratio and $208M in net assets; Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) uses an optimized roll strategy to minimize contango drag and is up 64% year-to-date with a 0.75% expense ratio and $230M in net assets.

Story Continues

The results since the conflict escalated speak to that relationship. USO gained 27% between February 27 and March 9 as crude surged, and has extended those gains to 66% year-to-date as the disruption has persisted. That performance reflects how directly the fund tracks WTI price moves. In other words, there is little structural friction between the commodity and the fund.

On the operational side, USO carries an expense ratio of 0.7% and has approximately $1.1 billion in net assets, making it one of the most liquid vehicles in the commodity ETF space.

The tradeoff is a structural one inherent to how futures-based oil funds work. USO rolls its near-month contracts forward every month, which means in a market where future-dated oil is priced higher than spot (a condition called contango), the fund loses a small amount of value on each roll regardless of where oil prices go. In a fast-moving crisis like this one, that drag is minimal compared to the directional gain, but it matters for investors holding over longer periods.

United States Brent Oil Fund (BNO): The Global Benchmark Play

United States Brent Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:BNO) tracks Brent crude futures rather than WTI. That distinction matters here because Brent is the global benchmark, and the Hormuz conflict is fundamentally a global supply shock. Much of the oil transiting the strait is priced off Brent, and the markets most exposed to the disruption, including Europe and Asia, use Brent as their reference price. If the conflict deepens or spreads, Brent is the benchmark most likely to reflect the full magnitude of the supply squeeze.

BNO has tracked the surge closely, gaining 23% between February 27 and March 9. That's slightly less than USO over that short window, but its year-to-date gain of 68% reflects Brent's stronger sensitivity to prolonged Middle East supply shocks. Indeed, this outperformance over time is consistent with Brent's role as the global benchmark for oil priced out of the Gulf.

The fund carries an expense ratio of 1.1% on approximately $208 million in net assets, making it the most expensive of the three options reviewed here. Brent and WTI typically trade within a few dollars of each other, but during acute Middle East supply disruptions the spread can widen in Brent's favor. The lower liquidity relative to USO is a real consideration for anyone trading in size.

Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO): The Smarter Roll

Invesco DB Oil Fund (NYSEARCA:DBO) tracks WTI crude like USO, but it uses a meaningfully different strategy for managing its futures exposure. Rather than rolling mechanically into the nearest-month contract each month, DBO follows the DBIQ Optimum Yield Crude Oil Index, which selects among contracts with maturities ranging out to 13 months based on which offers the most favorable roll yield. The goal is to minimize the drag from contango and capture more of the underlying commodity's price move over time.

In a sustained bull market for oil, that structural advantage compounds. DBO is up 64% year-to-date and has gained 52% over the past year. The fund holds roughly $230 million in net assets and charges an expense ratio of 0.75%. A portion of the portfolio sits in Treasury instruments and short-term government money market funds as collateral against the futures positions, which generates a small yield while the fund waits for oil to move.

The tradeoff is complexity. DBO's optimized roll strategy means its short-term price behavior can diverge from WTI spot more than USO's does, particularly during fast-moving markets when the fund is holding contracts further out on the curve. USO holds near-month contracts and will typically track daily WTI price moves more closely, while DBO's structure is oriented toward minimizing roll costs over weeks or months in a prolonged disruption.

Comparing the Three

USO holds near-month WTI futures contracts and has the highest trading volume of the three. BNO tracks the global Brent benchmark, which governs most international oil trade and historically reflects Middle East supply disruptions more directly than WTI. DBO uses an optimized roll strategy designed to reduce contango drag over extended holding periods.

All three are pure commodity instruments with no dividend income, so performance is entirely dependent on where oil prices move from here.

Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

And no, its got nothing to do with increasing your income, savings, clipping coupons, or even cutting back on your lifestyle. Its much more straightforward (and powerful) than any of that. Frankly, its shocking more people dont adopt the habit given how easy it is.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  The man accused of causing a deadly wreck on the Gene Snyder Freeway in 2024 is facing upgraded charges.

Arnold Quijada-Vega was arraigned on murder charges Monday morning for the death of 71-year-old Christopher Nauert.

The crash happened near the Bardstown Road exit on Interstate 265 around 4:20 a.m. Oct. 12, 2024.

Police said Quijada-Vega rear-ended Nauert's car, causing it to swerve off the road and flip.

Nauert died at the scene.

Police said Quijada-Vega first told them he was the brother of the victim and a passenger in the victim's vehicle.

They searched Quijada-Vega and found that he "had stuffed in his pants the license plate" from the vehicle he was driving, court documents state.

Quijada-Vega was originally indicted for vehicular homicide, but the charge was later upgraded to murder.

He's also charged with tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of an accident, among other charges.

The judge added a concurrent bond of $50,000.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  The push to get 3D-printed guns and machine gun conversion devices off Louisville's streets is not just in the hands of police but also lawmakers.

Earlier this month, Louisville Metro Police seized 3D-printed guns as part of a targeted search in the Shively area.

Police said the push for a House Bill 299 will save lives. House Bill 299, sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, would make possession of a machine gun conversion device a felony under state law.

"You can buy these printers online," LMPD Sgt. Cam Chenault said. "They're shipped to your house. You make either your firearm or machine gun conversion device at home, and everything is right there."

Anyone can make these devices regardless of age or criminal history.

"There's no restrictions on 3D printers, so a juvenile could get it, a felon could get it or anyone could get it," Chenault said.

The targeted search earlier this month ended with police seizing 16 Glock conversion devices, several 3D printers and computers, along with four guns, three of which were 3D-printed.

Jose Viveros-Hernandez and Ahmed Mohram, both 18, were arrested in connection to the investigation. Two juveniles were also arrested.

"You can imagine a juvenile, who has not as much experience with a gun at all, and then all of a sudden they have a fully automatic weapon," Chenault said. "That's very dangerous."

That's why police are pushing for HB299.

"While machine guns are prohibited federally, there isn't a state or local law addressing it," Chenault said.

This bill would make possession of a machine gun conversion device a felony under state law.

"If we're able with state law to make a fresh arrest and seize that item, get it off the street, I think it will save lives," Chenault said.

Chenault said police are seeing these switch attachments nearly every day. As they see the increase in devices, they're increasing their urgency.

"That's why we are so passionate about going after these machine gun conversion devices and getting them off the streets before people are senselessly struck by gunfire because of them," Chenault said.

An update on HB299 recently advanced in Frankfort after the House passed it. It's now sitting in the Senate.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Oklo (OKLO) stock surged as much as 7% on Tuesday before giving up gains after the nuclear technology company said it reached an agreement with the US Department of Energy to support the design, construction, and operation of its first reactor.

The announcement came ahead of Oklos quarterly results, expected after the closing bell.

The company is developing its Aurora reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory under the DOEs Reactor Pilot Program (RPP), launched to fast-track the construction of nuclear reactors.

With the safety design agreement, the Aurora powerhouse now enters the next phase of execution under government oversight after Oklo broke ground on the project in September.

Read more about stock moves and today's market action.

Oklo, which went public in 2024, designs small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), considered a safer and more efficient way to expand US nuclear capacity beyond traditional plants.

Because they are smaller and modular, SMRs can be factory-built, shipped, and installed on site, reducing construction time and cost. Their compact design also allows for better scalability, with additional units added as demand grows.

The DOE agreement comes amid a push by the government to expand nuclear power and rising investment from Big Tech to support data centers and AI initiatives.

In January 2026, Meta (META) and Oklo signed a landmark agreement for a 1.2-gigawatt (GW) nuclear energy campus in Pike County, Ohio. Meta agreed to prepay for early funding of the project.

The Trump administration has been pushing to accelerate the use of nuclear energy as a way to meet increasing power demand in the US.

Last year, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at quadrupling US nuclear power production over the next 25 years, from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050.

The orders cleared regulatory and permitting roadblocks to accelerate nuclear technologies.

President Donald Trump, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Jake DeWitte, CEO of Oklo, Inc., listen as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks before Trump signed executive orders regarding nuclear energy in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  The Kentucky house voted Monday to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill that would allow the state to opt into a federal school choice program.

House Bill 1, which would give Kentucky families access to the Education Freedom Tax Credit program, passed the state House and Senate this legislative session.

The bill came after the state's Supreme Court ruled in February that a bill establishing public funding for charter schools was unconstitutional, affirming that state funds "are for common schools and for nothing else." The 2022 measure was enacted by the states Republican-dominated legislature over Democrat Gov. Andy Beshears veto. It was struck down the next year by a lower court.

In 2024, Kentucky voters rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed state lawmakers to allocate public tax dollars to support students attending private or charter schools.

It was another setback for supporters of charter schools, who have attempted for years to gain a foothold in the state. They argue the schools offer another choice for parents looking for the best educational fit for their children. But opponents say such schools would divert needed funds from existing public schools and could pick and choose which students to accept.

When vetoing the bill Friday, Beshear said said "Kentuckians have said loud and clear: Public dollars should only be used for public education."

The Republican Party of Kentucky said in a statement Friday after Beshear's veto "Republicans will override it."

The House Majority Caucus said Monday the vote to override the governor's veto brings Kentucky students and families "one step closer to accessing new educational opportunities through this important legislation."

"HB 1 allows Kentucky students to benefit from scholarships funded through a federal tax credit. It does so without costing the Commonwealth a single dollar. Because Kentuckians can already donate in other states and receive the same federal tax credit, failing to enact this program would have continued sending Kentucky dollars to educate students elsewhere instead of helping families here at home," the statement continued.

The Kentucky Senate, where Republicans also have the majority, still has to vote on overriding the veto.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  The top three Republican candidates running to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell took the stage Monday night at the Henry Clay event center in downtown Louisville for the first Republican primary debate.

McConnell, a Republican who has represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate since 1985, announced earlier this year that he won't seek reelection in 2026 after more than 40 years in office, creating the first open Senate seat in the state in years.

Rep. Andy Barr, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and businessman Nate Morris are facing off in the Republican primary, which is among this year's most competitive. The GOP hopefuls all support President Donald Trump, hoping to land his endorsement in a state that Trump overwhelmingly carried in the past three presidential elections.

The debate offered voters an opportunity to hear the candidates discuss their positions on key issues and outline their priorities as the Republican primary campaign ramps up.

The U.S. military conflict is now in its third week. Thirteen U.S. servicemembers have died in combat, including Kentuckians Tech Sgt. Ashley Pruitt and Sgt. Benjamin Pennington. The latest polling shows more Americans are against the U.S. military action than support it. President Donald Trump told Kentuckians last week we've won, yet the U.S. is still engaged in the conflict.

Congressman Barr, you voted against the war powers resolution that would have required Congressional approval for future military action in Iran. At what point should Congress have a say? And would you support American boots on the ground in Iran?

Barr: "The president has the legal authority as commander in chief to defend the country and Congress has the power to declare war, but Congress does not have the power to prevent the president from advancing our national security. I voted against this dangerous and reckless resolution because it would have sent a dangerous signal, it would have been a gift to our adversaries, but the bottom line is the objectives are being achieved."

Cameron: "Lets take a stock of where we were. Under Joe Biden and President (Barack) Obama, you had redlines and the disastrous evacuation from Afghanistan. President Trump is about decisive action on behalf of the American people to ensure our national security. I am grateful for President Trump and would support his efforts in Iran, and also lets look at what he did with (Venezuelan President Nicolas) Maduro, and taking out a narco-terrorist in Venezuela. This president is on the right track and I'm grateful for his leadership."

Morris: "I think it's really simple. I trust this president and I trust this president because of the results he's gotten for the American people. And I stand by him 100%. And he has been so surgical, so tactical in the way that he's gone after all these foreign governments and I think that we're gonna get great results for the American people and I stand by him 100% and we gotta have a senator that's willing to do that, vote with the president and have the president's back, especially on foreign policy."

Switching gears to immigration, President Trump recently fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In Congress, Noem faced some criticism, including over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Minneapolis that resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

Mr. Cameron, do you agree with the recent immigration enforcement? And where do you draw the line between aggressive enforcement and constitutional rights?

Cameron: "Look, folks in neighborhoods all across this commonwealth and this country want to be able to sleep soundly in their homes. Whether it's Tom Homan or President Trump or others of the administration, they have said specifically that we are looking for ways in which to deport violent criminals in this country so that you don't have what occurred with Laken Riley. That is important to me, and if I'm in the United States Senate I'm gonna stand firm with President Trump on that point. Again, whether it's CBP, ICE, let's fully fund them. And by the way, when it comes the census of the United States, let's not count illegals in that census. Let's make sure it's for the American citizen. And in addition to that, if you are a blue city, if I'm in the United States Senate, I am gonna be voting to ban you receiving federal funding because at the end of the day, you cannot use taxpayer dollars to flout the rules of the federal government. That is the type of leadership we need in the Senate and that is what I will focus on, along with President Trump and his 'America First' agenda.

Morris: "I've called for a full moratorium on any new immigration until we deport every single illegal that came into this country under Joe Biden. Folks, we were invaded. They've all gotta go back, 100%, and we shouldn't give a dime of your taxpayer money to any illegal.

Barr: "Look, I know that a tragedy is terrible. But where are the liberals when it comes to Laken Riley? That's a tragedy as well. There was a reason why there was a federal presence in Minneapolis, because illegal immigrants were ripping off the American taxpayer and these liberals were getting in the way and creating danger for everybody. I have tripled ICE funding and I've supported the toughest border security in history because we need to protect the American people first."

Groceries, health insurance premiums, utility bills  they're all on the rise, and gas prices are soaring since the start of the U.S. military conflict with Iran.

Mr. Morris, for a Kentucky family, what specifically and realistically are you going to do to make things more affordable?

Morris: "Folks, we gotta have people going to Washington that are outsiders, business people, people who are going to look through the lens of is this helping create jobs or not? And I think it's really clear. President Trump's demonstrated that over and over again. And I look at the great work that this president's done with our economy, we see the fantastic results of the tariffs, they've been great for Kentucky. Just last year we had a $2.5 billion investment from Apple because of this tariffs. These tariffs protect the American workers, they protect American wages, and they stop these foreign countries that have been ripping us off for far too long from taking advantage of our people. But folks, we've also got to cut the fat in Washington."

Barr: "I've been working with this president to promote affordability and lower the cost of living through tax cuts. Americans are gonna receive a huge refund this year. To regulatory relief, to lower the cost of business so they can pass that down to their workers. And, through energy dominance strategy. Supply, supply, supply, supply of capital, supply of housing, and I'm working with this administration right now on a regulatory change to roll back a Biden-era regulation to lower homeowner premiums."

Cameron: "Well Joe Biden's economic policy was a disaster for this country. I mean, part of the reason that President Trump won election is because of the economic uncertainty that was brought upon by Joe Biden. What we see now in the Big Beautiful Bill is coming to fruition for a lot of Americans. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. That is moving us in the right direction when it comes to affordability and being able to put food on the table and put more money in your pocket, I support that wholeheartedly and the 'America First' agenda as well."

President Trump has said the country should "move on" from the Epstein files, but Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie and Sen. Rand Paul have pushed for wider disclosure, and Congressman James Comer is leading the House Oversight Committee's continuing investigation.

Mr. Cameron, do you agree with the president that it's time to move on, or do you agree with lawmakers from Kentucky that the investigation should continue?

Cameron: "Well look I actually think that this administration has been doing a good job of getting the information out to the people. Obviously there are redactions that were necessary related to those files and the Department of Justice has been undertaking that important work to ensure that the victims' identities are not published. That is really critical, so I appreciate what the Department of Justice has done on that front. When it comes to the Epstein files more broadly, transparency is good. We need to hold people accountable if they were harming women or doing things that were criminal conduct, that's simply the case that we need to address in not only the Epstein files, but perhaps with criminal charges as well. So I support the release of the Epstein files because of accountability, this is really important to the victims of these alleged crimes. I trust the administration to make sure that information gets out there, it certainly recognizes the importance of accountability on this front."

Morris: "President Trump was very clear from the beginning, he said we're gonna make all this stuff public and we're gonna let it come to light and it'll be judged and prosecuted accordingly and that's what's happened. So I stand by the president, he did exactly what he said he was gonna do related to this. And I think as Republicans, we all need to get behind the president. We got people in this delegation that are not voting with the president, not supporting him, this is a state Trump carried by over 30 points. We gotta have this president's back and continue to stand with his agenda."

Barr: "I was proud to vote for full transparency with the Epstein files and it's obviously a tragic and disgusting case and the victims deserve justice. In my prior time in the private sector before I was a member of Congress, I proudly served as the president of Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. As a member of Congress I've supported, through grants and other support services, victims of domestic violence and child abuse and neglect and I will continue to do so in the United States Senate."

The seat you are running for is currently occupied by one of the most powerful figures in U.S. Senate history, Mitch McConnell. McConnell's legacy includes clearing the path for a conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, and securing more than $60 billion for the state over the course of his career.

Mr. Morris, your campaign ad includes throwing a cardboard cutout of Sen. McConnell into a garbage truck. You've also called your opponents "McConnell's boys," although you interned for him. How can you outperform McConnell in terms of securing investments for our state?

Morris: "I stand by my contrast of Sen. McConnell 100%. You know, 20, 30 years ago he did some great things for the state. But let's all face it, for the last 10 years he's sold Kentucky out, he's voted continuously for amnesty, he's gotten us into situations we shouldn't be in, but most importantly he has stabbed this president in the back over and over and over again. The folks on this stage, the two guys standing next to me, they owe everything to Mitch. And one of the reasons why I got in this race I said look, if an outsider, if a business person, if I don't come in here we're gonna get a Mitch 2.0. And I believe it's very clear from the people of Kentucky they want a clean break from what we've had over the last 40 years. They don't want a Mitch 2.0, and I can be that."

Barr: "Well I don't owe anything to a United States senator but I do owe e to my Lord and savior, to my family, my parents, who taught me the values of hard work, perseverance, compassion and selfless service to others and to the people of the Sixth Congressional district, who would give me the privilege of a lifetime to fight for them, their families and their futures. And as the next U.S. Senator from Kentucky, I will fight for them."

Cameron: "When it comes to talking about who I'm gonna be more like it's not Sen. Paul, it's not Mitch McConnell, I'm gonna be Daniel Cameron. And what that means is standing up for your constitutional rights and the common sense values of the men, women and children of our 120 counties and I'm committed on day one to ensuring your interests are heard in Washington, as opposed to the special interests that always have the ear of other senators in Washington, D.C."

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has listed a workforce shortage as one of the biggest problems facing businesses. Many industries in Kentucky like horseracing, farming and manufacturing rely on immigrant labor and are concerned that shifting rules at the federal level cause them to lose workers.

Mr. Barr, what specific policies would you champion at the federal level to help fill jobs in Kentucky?

Barr: "I have worked routinely with the Kentucky Community Technical and College system. We need more trades, we need more electricians and plumbers, and we've worked with the homebuilders on encouraging more young people to go into these trades where they can become entrepreneurs. These are high-paying jobs now. But at the end of the day, border security is something I've prioritized with this president and am proud to have done so. Securing the border creates the conditions for streamlining legal immigration programs that are needed in some cases like for our agriculture industry, but only for legal immigrants and securing the border is not incompatible or mutually exclusive with the idea that we are a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of laws and we are a nation of immigrants, and they work together as long as people come here the right way. It dishonors legal immigrants to have people cut in line.

"I've got a record of securing the border, I have an eight-plus rating from the leading border security and immigration enforcement organization in the country, Numbers USA, I have a perfect A+ rating from them. I have also voted for streamlining our guest worker programs to make sure that the only people coming into this country are vetted, legal guest workers to help industries."

Cameron: "We need to generate more coal and natural gas to fuel these factories, that would produce jobs. And what we also need to focus on is the economic agenda of this White House."

Mr. Morris, your critics call you a "woke fake conservative trying to buy your way into the Senate." In 2019, your company Rubicon sent out a press release touting that you'd signed a pledge supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Also, your SuperPAC received a $10 million donation from Elon Musk.

Will big donors influence your decisions if elected? Why has your public stance on DEI changed?

Morris: "Well first and foremost let me say this, DEI is an absolute scam and should be eradicated from society, period, and business.

"How do I know that I'm going to represent the people? Look, I don't owe anybody anything. I'm standing here on my own two feet. I'm not standing here because Mitch McConnell is propping me up, or PACs are propping me up, or lobbyists are propping me up.

"I'm gonna make sure we get the woke out of business once and for all."

Cameron: "When protesters were on my front lawn threatening to burn my house down, those same BLM protesters he was actually embracing in an open letter to the public. So there is a striking difference between myself and Congressman Barr and Nate Morris."

Congressman Barr, you are running a campaign ad in which you say "It's not a sin to be white," regarding DEI policy. Well-known Kentucky political commentator Al Cross said you are running the "most overtly racist statewide campaign we can remember in Kentucky."

What specifically are you trying to say to Kentuckians of all backgrounds, including communities of color?

Barr: "I do believe that DEI is dumb, evil indoctrination because I think it's wrong for an elementary school child to go to school and come home and ask and be forced to ask his or her parents 'is it wrong for me to have the color of my skin?' That's what DEI does. Indoctrinating our kids with this propaganda."

Cameron: "We want to see a society that is based on merit and opportunity and not diversity, equity and inclusion. ... It's important to us that we ensure that they know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are image bearers of Jesus Christ. And that is our focus. We shouldn't be focused, as Congressman Barr mentioned, on folks of color but the content of their character."

Morris: "Folks that's why we gotta have outsiders. We gotta have business people to be able to fight this nonsense once and for all. Not career politicians who are speaking out of both sides of their mouths."

Mr. Cameron, in 2023 you lost the governor's race to Andy Beshear by five points, even with the backing of President Trump. You carried many rural counties, but lost the state's largest population centers.

What went wrong in that campaign? Specifically, what are you doing differently this time to win voters and why hasn't President Trump endorsed you or any of your opponents?

Cameron: "I think President Trump wants to see a candidate earn this nomination. And whether it's by polling or by getting out to as many places as we possibly can across this commonwealth, I'm certain that I'm going to be the nominee by May 19. I feel it instinctively when I talk to people all across Kentucky.

"When it comes to the governor's race ... we felt very confident that we were going to win. Unfortunately, we had low turnout on that day, and what I took from that race is that you got to meet people where they are, that you got to build coalitions to get folks to the polls. That's why I'm so proud of the grassroots efforts that we've undertaken."

Morris: "I think the riskiest thing that we can do as a party is nominate a career politician. You know, we've seen that with the last governor's race and I think the electorate's very clear. They want outsiders. They want business people. They want people that have created actual jobs, and they want people in the mold of President Trump."

Barr: "The reality is I have fought DEI in the Pentagon every step of the way, and you can look at my record. I voted for amendment after amendment after amendment. Did I vote to fund our troops? Yes I did, because our negotiators did a good job. But look, there's a reason why President Trump calls me a warrior, and I've been with him all the way because I've won. I'm a proven winner in the only swing district in Kentucky."

Kentucky's primaries will be held May 19, followed by the general election Nov. 3. You can watch the debate in full in the video player above or by clicking here.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
With 7 out of 10 Americans living paycheck to paycheck, personal finance expert David Bach is issuing a wake-up call: The "automatic economy" is either building your wealth or dismantling it.

In a recent appearance on the "Mel Robbins Podcast," the best-selling author of "The Automatic Millionaire" shared details about his one-hour strategy that he said can provide financial freedom for anyone  regardless of their income level.

The Math of the One-Hour Rule

Bach's premise is simple: You must pay yourself the first hour of your income every day.

"Most people are literally walking around with a no-plan plan,'" Bach said. "Their paycheck comes in and goes right out the freaking door."

Don't Miss:

For the average worker, one hour of daily pay equates to about 14% of their income. Bach recommends automating this contribution into a pre-tax retirement account, such as a 401(k) or a Roth IRA. By doing so, investors "skip the IRS" legally, allowing the full amount to compound tax-free.

Services like Finance Advisors help Americans approaching retirement connect with fiduciary planners who specialize in tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and long-term retirement planning.

The Power Of The Target-Dated' Strategy

For those overwhelmed by investment choices, Bach points to a specific vehicle  the target-dated mutual fund. These professionally managed funds allocate your assets based on your projected retirement year  taking higher risks while you are young and shifting toward conservative stability as you age.

"I am willing to bet my life on it that your Fidelity plan has what's called a target-dated fund in it," Bach said.

Trending: Skip the Regrets: The Essential Retirement Tips Experts Wish Everyone Knew Earlier.

Avoiding the $300,000 Mistake

Bach warned of a "rigged" system that often resets a worker's progress during job transitions. A common pitfall occurs when employees roll over a 401(k) into a new employers plan. Often, the new plan defaults to a 3% contribution rate  far below the recommended 14%.

This oversight can cost the average worker more than $300,000 in potential retirement savings. Bach's advice is to "rip the Band-Aid off." He argues that while a 10% pay cut feels daunting, most people adjust their lifestyle within three months and never look back.
Millions of U.S. workers handle, store, or work near hazardous chemicals every dayfrom cleaning solvents and industrial adhesives to flammable gases and corrosive substances. Without proper training, clear labeling, and accessible safety data sheets, employees may not fully understand the health risks they face, including respiratory illness, chemical burns, or fire and explosion hazards. Federal regulators and occupational health experts widely view hazard communication as a foundational component of workplace safety because it determines whether workers have the information needed to protect themselves.

To address these risks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) in 1983. Often referred to as the right-to-know rule, the standard requires employers to classify chemical hazards, label containers, maintain safety data sheets, and train workers on safe handling procedures. Yet more than four decades after its adoption, HazCom remains one of OSHAs most frequently cited workplace safety standards, indicating persistent compliance gaps across industries and regions.

To identify where U.S. employers are failing to warn workers about chemical dangers, Trace Onean SDS, regulatory compliance, and PLM software company serving the chemicals, food & beverage, and cosmetics sectorsanalyzed OSHA enforcement data from 2021 through 2025. The analysis investigates which states and industries account for the most HazCom violations, as well as how these citation trends have evolved over time.

Here are the key takeaways from the analysis:

HazCom violations remain widespread nationwide. OSHA recorded 36,984 Hazard Communication violations from 20212025, equal to 5.6 violations per 100,000 workers.

OSHA recorded 36,984 Hazard Communication violations from 20212025, equal to 5.6 violations per 100,000 workers. Maryland leads the nation in total HazCom violations. There were 4,370 violations during the 20212025 period, equal to 39.0 violations per 100,000 workers, one of the highest rates in the country.

There were 4,370 violations during the 20212025 period, equal to 39.0 violations per 100,000 workers, one of the highest rates in the country. Manufacturing and construction account for half of all HazCom violations. Manufacturing recorded 10,021 violations and construction reported 8,678, together making up 50.6% of all HazCom citations nationwide during the five-year period.

Manufacturing recorded 10,021 violations and construction reported 8,678, together making up 50.6% of all HazCom citations nationwide during the five-year period. Inspection rates vary significantly by industry. The construction industry is by far the most highly-inspected sector, accounting for 42.8% of all inspections.

The construction industry is by far the most highly-inspected sector, accounting for 42.8% of all inspections. HazCom violations have declined substantially since their peak. Citations reached 37,134 in 1989 and fell to 6,130 in 2025, declining 83.5% over that period.

Which Industries Have the Most Hazard Communication Violations?

The manufacturing and construction industries account for more than half of all HazCom violations in the U.S.

Source: Trace One analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data

HazCom violations are heavily concentrated in a small number of industries. From 2021 to 2025, the manufacturing industry recorded 10,021 violationsthe highest total of any sectorfollowed by the construction industry with 8,678 violations. Together, these two sectors account for 50.6% of all HazCom violations nationwide during the five-year period. The next tier of industries reported significantly lower totals, including Accommodation & Food Services (2,189 violations), Retail Trade (2,005), and Public Administration (1,756), while sectors with less frequent exposure to chemical hazards, such as Finance & Insurance (13) and Information (81), recorded comparatively few citations.

Inspection totals provide additional context. OSHA does not inspect workplaces solely on a fixed schedule. Instead, the agency prioritizes inspections based on imminent danger situations, severe injuries or fatalities, and formal complaintsmany of which originate from employees or labor representatives. In addition, 22 states and jurisdictions operate OSHA-approved State Plan programs that conduct their own inspections and share enforcement data with federal OSHA.

From 2021 to 2025, OSHA conducted 150,832 inspections in construction, more than twice the 64,971 inspections in manufacturing, reflecting constructions size and risk profile. Yet despite this heightened scrutiny, only 2.5% of construction inspections resulted in at least one HazCom violationone of the lowest rates among major industries. By contrast, 8.8% of manufacturing inspections led to a violation, suggesting that while construction is inspected more frequently, manufacturing inspections are more likely to uncover HazCom deficiencies.

Where Are Hazard Communication Violations Occurring?

Maryland leads the U.S. in HazCom violations with 4,370 from 2021 to 2025

Source: Trace One analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data

HazCom violations are not evenly distributed across the country. Maryland recorded the most violations (4,370), followed by Tennessee (3,159) and Michigan (2,113)states with substantial manufacturing and construction activity, the two industries that account for more than half of all HazCom citations nationwide. Michigan and Tennessee rank among the nations leading manufacturing states, particularly in motor vehicle production and advanced manufacturing. Marylands elevated totals align more closely with its significant construction sector, supported in part by defense-related infrastructure spending and federal contracting around the Washington, D.C. region, where the federal government is a major economic driver.

When adjusted for workforce size, the geographic landscape shifts. Alaska records the highest rate at 44.7 HazCom violations per 100,000 workers, followed by Maryland (39.0) and Delaware (26.5), while Tennessee (22.2) and Oregon (21.5) also rank among the highest on a per-worker basis. Because OSHA inspections are often complaint-driven or targeted rather than uniformly distributed across all workplaces, measuring violations on a per-worker basis provides a clearer view of enforcement intensity relative to a states labor force size. In smaller states such as Alaska and Delaware, concentrated industrial activity within a relatively small workforce can translate into elevated violation rates, even when total citation counts are lower than those in larger manufacturing states. Conversely, a populous state like California with a vast and diverse workforce only has 0.3 HazCom violations per 100,000 workers.

How Are Hazard Communication Violations Trending?

After peaking in 1989, HazCom violations have been declining ever since

Source: Trace One analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data

HazCom violations peaked at 37,134 citations in 1989, shortly after OSHAs Hazard Communication Standardfirst issued in 1983was fully implemented and expanded to cover most private-sector employers. The rule was adopted to address widespread worker exposure to hazardous chemicals without consistent labeling, safety data sheets (SDS), or training requirements. Aside from a pronounced decrease in 1995when the Clinton administration shifted OSHA to emphasize cooperative programs and reduce regulatory burdenannual HazCom violations remained relatively flat through the early 2000s.

More recently, 6,130 HazCom violations were recorded in 2025, representing a decline of 83.5% from the 1989 peak. While enforcement levels remain far lower than the decades prior, thousands of citations are still issued annually. The broader adoption of digital compliance systemsincluding automated Safety Data Sheet (SDS) management platforms that centralize chemical inventories, update hazard classifications, and standardize labelinghas likely contributed to improved documentation accuracy and regulatory alignment, helping large employers reduce compliance gaps over time.

Here is a summary of the data for Louisiana:

HazCom violations per 100k workers: 0.5

0.5 Total HazCom violations: 39

39 Share of inspections with a HazCom violation: 1.1%

1.1% Total HazCom violation penalties: $70,422

$70,422 Most common HazCom violation: No written safety plan

No written safety plan Most common industry for HazCom violations: Manufacturing

For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:

HazCom violations per 100k workers: 5.6

5.6 Total HazCom violations: 36,984

36,984 Share of inspections with a HazCom violation: 5.5%

5.5% Total HazCom violation penalties: $32,393,120

$32,393,120 Most common HazCom violation: No written safety plan

No written safety plan Most common industry for HazCom violations: Manufacturing

For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Where U.S. Employers Fail to Warn Workers About Chemical Dangers on Trace One.
Global economic uncertainty and the higher cost of living are driving people to sell their old gold, according to gold buyer Shane Crossan, who travels to Ballyhaunis from Donegal every few months to buy the precious metal.

A jeweller with his own family store in Buncrana, Shane rents a room at the Community Hall in Ballyhaunis every few months. This month was the second time hes been in Ballyhaunis and trade is good.

They come from all over the region to Ballyhaunis with pieces of gold to sell. The price of gold is high. But everyone has a piece theyve not worn in 20 years and is willing to sell.

The value of gold soared last year due in large part to the economic uncertainty engendered by the Trump administrations erratic policy making process.

Spot prices for gold hit $4,381/ounce in October 2025, up from $3,000 at the start of the year, marking the largest increase since 1979, as buyers globally sought to acquire the metal.

Shane Crossan doesnt worry about the nature or condition of the gold pieces hes offered.

Mostly its jewellery but Ive also bought gold coins. The condition of the pieces doesnt matter because its all sold on as metal rather than jewellery. Im a glorified scrap merchant!

In his 40 years in the jewellery trade Shane has rarely seen gold prices so high. He enjoys the journeys across the country.

It gets me out and about.

He aims to be back in Ballyhaunis in June - hell also travel to Claremorris, which he describes as one of the busiest towns in Ireland in terms of people seeking to sell gold.

My typical clients are 60 to 70-year-old people with pieces of jewellery that have gone out of fashion and the kids arent interested in them. If the price is right theyll sell them on.

Asked if hes worried about being presented with stolen gold, Shane said hes so far not had to face that prospect.

Youd be wary of a young fella coming in with three wedding rings, you just know he didnt own them. But luckily Ive not been confronted with that situation Weve been robbed in our own jewellery shop so no good luck comes out of that.

Shane pays by weight but it all depends on the carat.

I work out which carat the piece is and then I weigh it. An eighteen carat piece is worth twice as much as a nine carat piece. I then weigh it and pay by the gram.
Down Syndrome Irelands Mayo branch is gearing up for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st.

Ahead of the big day, the branch is shining a spotlight on one of their longest-standing and most cherished members, Martin McLoughlin.

Martin was born in 1968 and is a proud native of Mulranny, Co. Mayo. His connection to the branch runs deep, as his mum was one of the founding members of the branch, established over 51 years ago.

Martin is affectionately known as the President of Down Syndrome Mayo, a title he proudly gives himself and one that reflects the warmth, pride and sense of belonging he brings to the branch. He has a wonderful way of making people feel welcome and is always there to support and encourage his fellow members and many friends.

Martin participates in many branch activities and is a familiar, much-loved face at events, social outings and celebrations.

He is also very well known throughout the wider community in Mayo, where he is greeted warmly wherever he goes. His friendly nature, great sense of humour and genuine kindness have made him a respected and recognisable figure far beyond the branch.

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) celebrates identity, inclusion and community.

For Martin, it is a day to celebrate who he is, his life and his lifelong connection to the branch. For the branch, WDSD is an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and proudly highlight the contributions of people with Down syndrome in our local communities.

To celebrate, the branch will be taking part in Down Syndrome Irelands Lots of Socks campaign, encouraging members, families, schools and the wider community to wear their brightest and most colourful socks throughout March to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

The branch will also be sharing awareness messages and photos across their social media platforms.
A man hailed as the Father of the Irish Community in Leeds has been presented with one of the citys top awards.

Leeds City Councils Lord Mayor, Councillor Dan Cohen, gave Tom McLoughlin MBE, manager of the Leeds Irish Centre for over 50 years, the Leeds Award. It formally recognises the achievements of people who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to the city.

The award recognises Toms half century of dedicated service to the Irish Centre and his outstanding contribution to many charities and communities across West Yorkshire, where his commitment, generosity, and lifelong support have made a lasting impact.

Toms name is now proudly displayed on the wall of the Leeds Civic Hall antechamber along with other Leeds Award winners such as Windrush pioneer Alford Gardner, D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, the late novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford and ex-Leeds Rhinos Rugby League player and MND fundraiser Kevin Sinfield CBE.

Tom, who at 84 works most days at the centre, said: "Its a great honour to be presented with the Leeds Award.

However, I could not have achieved anything without the love and support of my wife of 60 years, Helen, my daughters Ailish and Sinead, sons-in-laws Martyn and Gary, and my dear grandchildren, Aisling, Kieran and Alannah, along with the encouragement of my very close friends Michael and May Mulligan and, of course, the true loyal members and staff of the Leeds Irish Centre."

Tommy McLoughlin with his parents Tom and Winnie.

Tom's loved ones and long-standing staff members watched on as the Lord Mayor described the Mayo native as "a giant" figure who has helped shape the city.

"The city has shaped me and many Irish migrant families over the many decades we have settled in Leeds and Yorkshire," says Tom. "To me, the centre is the beating heart of our Leeds Irish community. I am proud to have been a part of it."

Born in 1941 to Thomas, from Kiltimagh, and Winifred McLoughlin (nee Brennan), from Midfield, Tom moved to Leeds as a child where he was steeped in the traditions of the Irish community from a young age. His parents ran two pubs in Hunslet and Beeston and on an evening, young Tom could be found collecting glasses and singing Irish songs to the migrant diaspora.

While his parents were running a third pub in the city, Toms dad suddenly died. Tom was just 17 at the time and left school to support his widowed mother. Initially he went to work in an office before moving on to become a building site labourer.

It was Toms amazing singing talents that ensured he was invited in June 1970 to be the MC for the official opening night of the Leeds Irish Centre, the first purpose-built Irish institution of its type in the UK.

Leeds Irish Centre was the first purpose-built Irish institution of its type in the UK.

Although a regular patron of the Irish Centre from opening, it was not until October 1975 that Tom became full time manager. Tom, along with his loyal deputy manager of fifty years, Christy Power, set the values and ethos of the centre which stand firm to this day - that whatever your creed or ethnicity, you would receive a true Gaelic welcome once you set foot inside.

The values Tom set out for the centre were the ones he lived personally, taking the time to help thousands of people, from a wide range of backgrounds and communities over his five-decade tenure.

In those five decades, Tom, together with the Irish Centres staff and patrons, helped to raise over 5 million for charity, supporting causes near and far. Charities that have benefited from Toms tireless fundraising include the Cardiomyopathy Association, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, The Smiley Bus, the Take Heart Appeal, The Head and Heart Appeal at LGI, the Brain Injury Trust, the Noddy Appeal, St James Bexley Wing Cancer Unit, Food for Kids at Christmas and Martin House, Simon on the Streets, Foodbank, and The Street Angels Club.

Centre chairman Liam Thompson described the award as a fantastic honour.

"It says we are part of this city. Tommy has a young mind and thats why the centre does so well, he is always looking ahead at the next step.

"Tommy stands for all thats good about the Irish community in Leeds and the county."

One of Toms nominators for the Leeds Award explained: Tom is not just a fundraiser. He is the father of the Irish community and the community of Leeds. His care, empathy and diligence have made him a leader of the people of Leeds. He is respected and known the world over. We call him the unofficial ambassador for the Yorkshire-Irish diaspora.

Tommy has helped thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds have better lives. He hates any publicity for his countless good deeds but everyone - staff and patrons - at the centre believes Leeds should be proud to have Tommy as one of its citizens. He is a brilliant ambassador for the city.

The Lord Mayor added: It was a great honour to be able to present such an inspirational person as Tom McLoughlin with the Leeds Award.

Tom has been - and continues to be - a fantastic ambassador for the Irish community and his selfless acts of charity, humility and community representation are an example and inspiration to us all.

This Leeds Award is richly deserved, and we are proud to honour Tom and celebrate the contribution he has made to Leeds, while also ensuring that his story continues to be an inspiration for generations to come.

Tommy McLoughlin with staff from the Leeds Irish Centre at the awards ceremony.

Councillor Luke Farley, chair of the Leeds Award Committee and of Irish origin, said: "It has been a tremendous privilege to play a role in honouring Tommy with the Leeds Award. Every single member of the award committee was in complete agreement that he deserved this accolade.

"Tommy has made an incredible impact on Leeds, being both a key representative and champion for the Irish Community, and someone who has supported fundraising efforts for charities across our city, raising millions in the process.

"I wish to pass on my personal congratulations to Tommy and to thank him for everything he has done. He is one of the people who makes a real difference and helps Leeds to be the amazing city it is."
Members of Mayo Co Council have approved a notice of motion by Cllr Gerry Murray calling for preparations for Irish unity.

Cllr Murray told the March meeting of the council that Irish unity was "a very real issue and the groundwork needs to be done". A cross-party Oireachtas motion on the issue has already been passed by 12 other local authorities.

The motion read as follows: "That this council recognises that the reunification of Ireland is an objective of Bunreacht na hEireann; that there is a growing national discussion around constitutional change with people from diverse backgrounds now exploring the possibility of Irish unity; that the Good Friday Agreement 1998 provides the democratic and peaceful means to achieve reunification through the provision of unity referendums; that the significant Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement report 'Perspectives on Constitutional Change: Finance and Economics' recommends the establishment of Citizens Assemblies and other relevant forums, and a designated Joint Oireachtas Committee and a Government Department to take responsibility for planning and preparing for constitutional change, received cross-party support; that this council will write to the Office of An Taoiseach, seeking the Irish Government to plan and prepare for Irish unity, through the following actions: Establish an all-island representative Citizens' Assembly or Assemblies, to allow for informed debate, and a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish unity to enable careful planning; produce and publish a plan towards Irish unity in conjunction with civic society and key stakeholders; engage with Northern Protestant and Unionist opinion about the future of Ireland; and work to secure a date for the referendums on unity provided for in the Good Friday Agreement."

The motion was seconded by Cllr Harry Barrett and approved by all members.
Palantir announced a partnership with Ondas (ONDS) and World View to build a next-generation intelligence and sensing platform that links autonomous air and stratospheric systems into one command and control fabric for persistent ISR missions. The same week, Palantir also revealed a sovereign AI operating system reference architecture built on Nvidia (NVDA) infrastructure, giving countries and large enterprises a way to run sensitive AI workloads with tight control over data, models, and latency-critical applications.

This valuation implies investors are paying about 148x forward earnings and roughly 80.8x sales, compared with sector medians near 21.8x and 3.2x, which signals very high expectations for durable growth and profitability.

Palantir Technologies is a $362.6 billion software company, formerly based in Denver and now in Miami, that builds operational AI platforms for government and commercial clients. The share price sits near $153.50 as of March 12, down about 13.4% year-to-date (YTD) yet still up roughly 84% over the past 52 weeks.

With conflict risk rising and digital systems moving closer to the heart of air power, the question almost asks itself. Which of the two stocks looks more attractive to buy right now, PLTR or GE? Let's find out.

This reality is pushing governments to lean harder on data-driven defense technology, especially tools that can keep critical jets flying and supply chains from seizing up. In this tense security climate, Palantir (PLTR) and GE Aerospace (GE) have deepened their work together on AI-powered solutions for military aircraft, combining advanced software with engine expertise to predict parts needs and reduce delays across key Air Force programs.

Drones streaking toward Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in early March were a stark reminder that the war in the Middle East is still widening and growing more unpredictable by the week. Gulf defenses intercepted multiple Iranian drones over oil-rich regions, and shipping routes that carry a large share of the worlds crude remain on edge. Each new strike shows how much modern conflict now relies on fast targeting, resilient logistics, and aircraft that can stay in the air despite relentless pressure.

Story Continues

This earnings story is equally important as it shows how far the business has progressed from its early government-centric days. Their latest quarterly report on Feb. 2 detailed Q4 2025 GAAP EPS of $0.24 and adjusted EPS of $0.25 on revenue of about $1.41 billion, with net income of roughly $608.7 million and operating margins north of 30%.

It highlighted sales growth of about 19% year-over-year (YoY) and net income growth near 28%, alongside operating cash flow of $777M and robust free cash flow margins. The full year 2025 figures pointed to GAAP net income of $1.63 billion and adjusted free cash flow of about $2.27 billion. PLTR now approaches its next earnings release on May 4 with consensus looking for Q1 EPS near $0.22 versus $0.04 a year earlier, implying very strong YoY growth of 450%.

Palantir currently carries a consensus Moderate Buy rating with an average target around $200.41, which suggests roughly 30% upside from the current price.

www.barchart.com

GE Aerospace (GE)

GE Aerospace is a U.S.-based aviation and defense manufacturer focused on jet engines, systems, and services for commercial and military aircraft. The company carries an annual dividend of $1.88 per share for a forward yield near 0.6% and a market value of around $341.0 billion.

GEs share price sits near $302.38 as of March 16, down about 1.5% YTD yet up roughly 54% over the past 52 weeks.

www.barchart.com

This pricing implies trailing and forward PEs of about 51.2x and 43.9x against sector medians near 21.7x and 19.5x, so the stock also trades at a clear premium multiple.

Deltas latest widebody order shows why GE Aerospace remains central to global fleets at the same time its AI work with Palantir scales up on the defense side. This Jan. 13 announcement confirmed Delta selected GEnx engines for 30 new Boeing (BA) 787-10 aircraft, with options for 30 more, plus spare engines and long-term services support.

GEs latest earnings update provides the other half of the story. This Q4 2025 report on Jan. 21 showed revenue of about $12.7 billion, up roughly 18% YoY and ahead of expectations, with adjusted EPS of $1.57 versus estimates near $1.43 for a high single-digit beat.

The full year 2025 numbers highlighted GAAP revenue of about $45.9 billion and adjusted revenue near $42.3 billion, with adjusted EPS of roughly $6.37 and free cash flow around $7.7 billion, confirming a strong cash generation profile.

GE is approaching its next earnings release on April 28, with expectations for Q1 EPS around $1.63 versus $1.49 a year ago, an estimated increase of roughly 9.4%.

The stock carries a consensus Strong Buy view with an average target around $360.74, which suggests roughly 19% upside from the current price.

www.barchart.com

Conclusion

Putting it all together, Palantir looks like the more compelling choice if you are chasing higher growth from AI-driven defense and aerospace software, even at a premium valuation. GE offers a different profile, with stronger current cash generation, a growing dividend, and steadier earnings, which suits a more conservative approach. Based on their guidance and recent momentum, PLTR appears to have more upside over the next few years, while GE is more likely to deliver a smoother climb. In this matchup, PLTR edges out as the better buy.

On the date of publication, Ebube Jones 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
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mostly cloudy; a dry start, but showers becoming more likely towards later afternoon and evening. .

Tonight

Cloudy skies with some rain showers likely overnight, especially before midnight.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Partly sunny and still fairly pleasant. A later afternoon shower is possible but most will stay dry for the day..

Tonight

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy.
Palantir's (PLTR) CEO Alex Karp is jumping into the Middle East fracas, courtesy of his latest comments. The CEO said in plain words that Palantirs software is helping U.S. allies in the Middle East.

Palantir is a controversial company. But no one can deny the company's software capability. His statement links the data analytics companys AI platform directly to one of the worlds most volatile conflicts, as the US looks to increase its influence throughout the world.

Speaking with CNBC at Palantirs AIPCon event in Maryland, Karp said that the artificial intelligence is giving the U.S. and its allies an edge in the conflict, which is leading into a unique symbiotic relationship between American military strength and AI leadership.

The messaging to the markets is clear enough. Palantir wants to be seen not as another company talking about AI, but as one already using it at the highest echelons of power where the stakes are the highest.

That distinction is important to note as a Palantir investor. Palantir has long been considered one of the best defense and intelligence companies in the world. But the stock's bull run is fueled by a larger faith that the company can turn its government credentials into a larger commercial AI business.

Karps latest remarks support both parts of the thesis. They highlight Palantirs role in national security while giving a timely reminder to Wall Street bigwigs that the company's software is being deployed in high-pressure settings.

The market is rewarding all of this judiciously. Palantirs latest quarterly results showed booming commercial growth, strong government demand and unusually high profitability for a company suffering from outsized headline risk. That helps explain why every new sign of traction can lead to outsized gains for PLTR investors.

Karp told CNBC that the AI revolution is uniquely American. What makes America special right now is our lethal capabilities, our ability to fight war," he added.

Palantirs war comments sharpen its defense-AI image

Karps CNBC appearance generated more than just market heat. It sharpened Palantirs identity at a moment when investors are still trying to separate durable AI winners from companies that are riding the gravy train.

Palantir has spent years building software that helps governments and large institutions connect massive amounts of data, make big decisions in war theaters like the Middle East, and respond to fast-moving situations.

Related: Legendary skeptic delivers 6-word verdict on Palantirs hot streak

Karps comments suggest the company sees that capability as central to modern warfare, where speed, coordination, and secure data-sharing will matter more than traditional military hardware, as we can see during the current geopolitical tensions.
If you thought opening mail during tax season was stressful, imagine receiving a tax form for a job you never worked.

That is exactly whats happening to many Americans across the country, who say theyve been sent IRS Form 1099s from Uber reporting thousands of dollars in income they never earned, according to a CBS News investigation (1).

Must Read

"I just received 1099s for $12,000 from Uber even though I have never driven with them, read an email that CBS News received after airing its investigation. An Arizona woman who also saw the report on television emailed CBS and wrote, The same thing happened to my husband two years ago."

As the investigation uncovered, fraudsters seem to be using stolen personal information to open fake Uber driver accounts in other peoples names. Other times, it may simply be a case of mistakenly attributing income to the wrong taxpayer.

Making matters worse, these types of errors can be tricky to fix. Several victims told investigators that when they tried to alert Uber, the company didnt respond.

But that doesnt mean victims should ignore the issue. Unless informed otherwise, the IRS will assume the reported income is legitimate and expect taxes to be paid on it, so its important to dispute the error quickly.

Heres what to do if you receive a tax form reporting income youve never earned.

A growing problem thats difficult to fix

Work-related identity theft appears to be on the rise. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), approximately 31,450 people reported wage-related identity theft in the first three quarters of 2025, up 61% from the same period in 2021 (2).

Criminals can use stolen personal information, such as Social Security numbers or drivers license details, to create Uber driver accounts, collect earnings and disappear, leaving the victim to deal with the tax consequences. And often the first sign that something is wrong is a tax form arriving in the mail.

For many victims, the biggest challenge isnt discovering the fraudulent income  its getting someone to correct it. Some victims told CBS News that when they contacted Uber, they received no response.
Graduation season is here!

Wits to confer an honorary doctorate upon alumnus Sir John Wilfred Lazar, and cap 5 565 Witsies during the autumn graduation season.

Wits University is proud to announce the start of the autumn graduation season where 5 565 Witsies will be capped between 18 and 27 March 2026.

Graduation season marks an important milestone in the lives of graduands and signifies a moment of pride and triumph, having conquered the edge, for good!

This graduation season, Wits University also celebrates an African optimist, entrepreneur, and computer scientist, Sir John Wilfred Lazar, by conferring an honorary doctorate in Science in Engineering on 27 March.

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, said ahead of the ceremonies: Graduation is a powerful reminder of what it means to push beyond limits and emerge stronger on the other side. As we celebrate our graduands, who are stepping into the next chapter of their journeys, we are equally honoured to recognise Sir John, whose lifes work exemplifies innovation, leadership, and meaningful impact.

His achievements resonate deeply with our ethos of Wits. For Good, inspiring our graduates to use their knowledge and skills to shape a better future for our continent and the world.

The Faculty of Science will kick off the celebrations with 1 057 graduands, followed by the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management with 2 019 graduands, then Humanities with 1 306, and concluding with 1183 Witsies from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

The Exams and Graduations Office, which oversees these auspicious events, has been hard at work coordinating the 20 ceremonies that comprise the first graduation season of 2026. As per tradition, the Faculty of Health Sciences will celebrate the custodians of the health of the nation during the July and December graduation season.

About Sir John Wilfred Lazar

Sir John Lazar is a globally respected technology leader, entrepreneur, and engineering advocate whose career spans innovation, investment, and social impact.

He is a distinguished technology entrepreneur and former CEO of Data Connection Ltd, later known as Metaswitch, where he led its growth into a major global telecommunications company which was later acquired by Microsoft.

Sir John is a Rhodes Scholar with advanced degrees from Wits and Oxford, uniquely combining expertise in computer science and history. At Wits, he continues to provide mentorship and counsel to his alma mater, particularly in the innovation space.

He co-founded Enza Capital, supporting high-impact technology startups across Africa, and has been an influential investor and mentor to emerging ventures.

Sir John serves as President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and has played key roles in global initiatives advancing innovation, education, and engineering.

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and knighted in 2025 for services to engineering and technology.

Read the full citation.

Related Article

Witsie voted president of top engineering academy
Petrobras has exercised its right of first refusal to acquire Petronas Petroleo Brasils 50% stake in the Tartaruga Verde field and the Espadarte Module III development in Brazils Campos Basin, a move that would restore the state-controlled company to full ownership of the assets.

The transaction is valued at $450 million, Petrobras said Monday, with the deal structured through staged payments. The company will pay $50 million upon signing, $350 million at closing, and two deferred installments of $25 million each at 12 and 24 months after completion. Payments will be adjusted to reflect the economic performance of the assets since July 1, 2025, the effective date of the transaction.

The purchase agreement is expected to be signed shortly, though completion remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval from Brazils National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

If finalized, the acquisition will return Petrobras to 100% ownership of the two offshore fields while maintaining its role as operator. Both developments lie in the southern Campos Basin, one of Brazils most mature offshore producing regions.

Production from the assets currently averages around 55,000 barrels per day, processed through the FPSO Cidade de Campos dos Goytacazes. The fields sit in water depths ranging from roughly 700 to 1,620 meters, highlighting the deepwater nature of the development.

Petrobras said the acquisition strengthens its portfolio management flexibility and aligns with the companys broader strategy of focusing capital on upstream oil and gas assets capable of delivering strong economic returns.

The move fits within Petrobras ongoing strategy to prioritize high-margin offshore production, particularly in Brazils deepwater basins. In recent years the company has streamlined its asset base, divesting non-core holdings while consolidating positions in producing fields with established infrastructure.

Campos Basin, while older than the prolific pre-salt provinces in the Santos Basin, remains a key component of Brazils offshore supply system. Mature assets in the region often benefit from existing FPSO infrastructure and operational synergies, allowing operators to maintain output through redevelopment or consolidation.

Petrobras decision to increase its stake in Tartaruga Verde and Espadarte Module III suggests the company sees additional value in optimizing production and extending field life through operational control.

The deal also marks a partial exit for Malaysias Petronas, which has participated in several Brazilian upstream projects but has increasingly focused its investment portfolio on selected high-growth assets globally.
Indias PhonePe has put its initial public offering (IPO) plans on hold, pointing to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and instability in global capital markets.

According to a Reuters report, the fintech company will restart the listing process when conditions improve.

PhonePe operates Indias most widely used digital payments app. It processes over 330 million transactions per day, representing nearly half of Indias total Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction volumes.

The company had been preparing for a share sale that could have raised up to $1.5bn, providing it a valuation in the range of $9bn to $10.5bn.

Walmart, which owns about 71.77% of PhonePe, is expected to reduce its holding by about 12% through the offering. Tiger Global and Microsoft are also set to exit.

The filing shows the three shareholders plan to sell around 50.7 million shares, while PhonePe will not issue any new shares.

PhonePe chief executive Sameer Nigam was quoted by the news agency as saying: "We sincerely hope for a swift return to peace in all the affected regions. We remain committed to a public listing in India.

The Middle East conflict has affected investor sentiment, including Indian markets. Primary market activity in India has weakened, with seven of the 11 IPOs launched this year listing below their issue price.

The rupee has also fallen to record lows, while the benchmark equity index has dropped 7% since the conflict began, Reuters added.

PhonePes proposed IPO was expected to be one of the largest listings in Indias fintech sector. It would rank behind Paytms 2021 listing, which was about $20bn.

Earlier this year, the firm introduced biometric authentication for UPI payments. This enabled users to approve eligible transactions using a smartphone fingerprint or facial recognition.

"PhonePe pauses India IPO plans as Middle East conflict hits markets" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




On the afternoon of March 8, a large number of school pupils, students and young workers gathered for an online meeting of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). Under the title Stop the war against Iran! the participants discussed the devastating escalation in the Middle East and the need to mobilise the international working class against the looming danger of a Third World War.

Tamino Dreisam opens the IYSSE meeting Stop the war against Iran, 8 March 2026

Florian Hasek, spokesperson for the IYSSE in Stuttgart, chaired the event and immediately assessed the gravity of the situation. He referred to the attack by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, which after just one week had already taken on the character of a war of annihilation. Hasek reported on the more than 2,000 deaths, targeted bombings of residential areas, hospitals and schoolsincluding a girls school with over 140 victims between the ages of 7 and 12. He emphasised that the methods tested in the genocide in Gaza were now being applied to Iran.

Organised state murder and the tradition of total war

Tamino Dreisam, spokesperson for the IYSSE in Germany, gave the introductory report and painted a harrowing picture of imperialist aggression. He described the aggression against Iran, a country with 93 million inhabitants, as an undoubted campaign of extermination. Dreisam quoted the bloodthirsty rhetoric of US President Donald Trump, who openly declared: We will bomb the hell out of Iran.

This targeted extermination of the Iranian leadership and the ruthless bombing of civilians are no coincidence. Rather, they are examples of organised state murder. Dreisam drew a direct historical parallel to the Nazis declaration of total war and referred to the Nuremberg Trials, which classified the unleashing of a war of aggression as the supreme international crime.

Dreisam was particularly critical of the role played by the German government. He said that Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already shaken hands with Trump in the White House and pledged his full support for the overthrow of the regime in Tehran, while at the same time rearming the German army and reintroducing conscription. Dreisam also exposed the nefarious role of the Left Party: its chairman, Jan van Aken, openly cheered the assassination of Iranian state representatives with the words, May they rot in hell, thereby providing political justification for war crimes.

In the ensuing discussion, IYSSE members analysed the deeper causes of the escalation. Student Semyon explained that concerns about an Iranian nuclear bomb were a lie from the outset. In reality, he said, the issue is physical control over the oil and gas reserves of the Middle East and the strategic encirclement of China and Russia. Referring to a quote from Albert Einstein, he warned that imperialist rivalry was driving human civilisation to the brink of nuclear annihilation.

Semyon went on to explain that European powers such as Germany and France were supporting the war in order to secure their share of the spoils and at the same time keep the US on track in its proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. The crisis of world capitalism leaves only two paths open: the barbarism of world war or socialism.

Socialist consciousness vs. bourgeois propaganda

A central point of the discussion was the question of how to organise effective resistance. Joshua Seubert, a member of the IYSSE, sharply criticised the leadership of the recent school strikes against conscription. Although 50,000 students demonstrated nationwide last Thursday, the Stalinist leadership (SDAJ) deliberately excluded the war against Iran in order to limit the movement to the lowest common denominator. He warned that without an extension to the international working class, the movement would be co-opted, as had happened with the Fridays for Future movement.

In this context, student Tilo raised a crucial strategic question. He reported on the widespread illusion that the abolition of conscription alone would be enough to restore peace. Tilo asked how one could effectively convince people that socialism is the only way out, rather than limiting themselves to merely rejecting conscription. Joshua and Tamino replied that conscription was not an isolated problem but served to recruit young people as cannon fodder for imperialist wars, which is why the struggle against war must be inseparably linked to the struggle for socialism.

Thirteen-year-old schoolboy Henning took up this point and criticised the fact that young people in schools hardly ever get the chance to obtain real information about the background to political events. He emphasised that current events such as the attack on Iran are often not analysed enough in public, which is why many people do not understand where this development is leading.

Henning also emphasised the necessity for a genuine understanding of socialism, which must be understood as an international system and not confused with the Stalinist degenerations of the past. WSWS author Katerina Selin also emphasised the need for political education.

She explained that the ruling class systematically attempts to manipulate the consciousness of young people through the rewriting of history and visits by the armed forces to schools. The first and most important task of a revolutionary is always to tell it like it is, Katerina said. She pointed to the close connection between internal repressionsuch as the establishment of a dictatorship in the United Statesand external aggression.

Maximilian, a young nurse, added that the one-sided presentation of history in school lessons was not an accident but a calculated move to portray capitalism as irrevocable. He called for the use of independent sources of information such as the World Socialist Web Site and tools such as Socialism AI.

Philipp Frisch, a long-time IYSSE member, reported on increasing censorship in schools, where teachers are being summoned to the school administration for mentioning the genocide in Gaza. He emphasised that teachers are dependent on student protest and called for political education in the tradition of the Russian and German revolutions.

At the end of the event, Florian Hasek invited all participants to join the IYSSE and take part in upcoming events in Leipzig, Berlin and Nuremberg on the theme Where is America headed: Fascism or socialism? He also referred to the WSWS international webinar on the same evening. Hasek concluded with an urgent appeal to understand political clarification as a prerequisite for victory over imperialism: We must stop the war. This is a difficult task, but a feasible one.
Oscar Perez Oliva Fraga, November 2025 [Photo: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba]

The Cuban government is openly courting US corporations and Cuban-American exile capital, marking a decisive step toward transforming the island into a semiprotectorate of American imperialism, with catastrophic consequences for Cuban workers.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News published Monday, Cubas Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Trade Minister Oscar PerezOliva Fraga announced that Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with US companies and also with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants.

This goes beyond the commercial sphere, Perez-Oliva, the grandnephew of Fidel and Raul Castro added. It also applies to investmentsnot only small investments, but also large investments, particularly in infrastructure.

This is the first time a Cuban official of PerezOlivas staturewidely described as Cubas economic czarhas used a major US network to directly woo corporations and the Miami exile layer.

Beyond the symbolism of a Castro relative inviting the exiled bourgeoisie, whom Fidel dubbed as gusanos or worms, to return as investors and potential owners, provides a base of support and operations for mafioso elements that are intent on radical regime change and a vindictive bloodbath.

Fidel Castro repeatedly said barring CubanAmerican capital was a necessary defense against US imperialism and the blockade, denouncing the exiles as instruments of CIAbacked terrorism who sought to restore the semicolonial order personified by the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. In January 1961, he mocked them:

They have come to believe that someday their imperial masters will put them here again with a little flag that pretends to be a national standard  and with a little color on the map to sustain the fiction that the worms govern and command. And worms can only live off putrefaction.

These fascistic forces, who organized bombings of airliners, schools and hotels and launched the Bay of Pigs invasion under CIA protection, are now being invited back as strategic partners in ports, tourism, energy, mining and infrastructure, as specified by Perez-Oliva.

The worms are now poised to fester in the corpse of the 1959 revolution, burrowing into its rotten nationalist foundationswhich never truly abolished private property or capitalism.

PerezOlivas announcement comes as the Trump administration is implementing the socalled Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine as a blueprint for direct US control over the hemisphere.

That strategy has included:

The kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores after a bombing campaign in Caracas, opening the country to the US Southern Command and CIA operatives, along with Wall Street and big oils wholesale plunder of its petroleum and mineral resources.

Direct US troop deployments and FBI office openings in Ecuador, under the guise of fighting narcoterrorism, while joint kinetic operations burn peasant homes and torture workers.

Argentinas fascistic Milei regime ceding the southern Atlantic to Pentagon operations aimed at countering Chinese shipping.

In Cubas case, Washingtons weapon is not (yet) saturation bombing but a genocidal fuel blockade enforced through threats of tariffs on suppliers and a naval siege. Cuban officials admit that not a single tanker of fuel has docked in three months.

Energy expert Jorge Pinon of the University of Texas has warned that if no tanker arrives by midMarch, Cuba will hit zero hour: There will be no stockpiles, no strategic reserves; they will be out of operation. He notes he has never seen  a country where 100 percent of the fuel disappears, pointing out that even the sugar harvest has been canceled.

Underscoring the depth of the crisis, Cuba suffered an island-wide blackout on Monday, depriving the entire population of power.

Trump has gloated over this breakdown as a lever for regime change. After earlier promising a friendly takeover of Cuba, he now says: It may be a friendly takeover; it may not be a friendly takeover. It wouldnt matter because  theyre down to, as they say, fumes.

On Sunday he told reporters: Cuba also wants to make a deal. And I think we will pretty soon make a deal or do whatever we have to do Were talking to Cuba, but were going to do Iran before Cuba.

USA Today, citing administration sources, reports that discussions have included an offramp for President Miguel DiazCanel, the Castro family remaining on the island and deals on ports, energy and tourism. In plain English: Washington is negotiating with the Cuban ruling elite over how to share out profits from the islands assets while preserving a section of the ruling elite as local overseers.

PerezOlivas interview follows DiazCanels confirmation Friday in a televised address that Havana and Washington are engaged in ongoing talks about the embargo and areas of cooperation including security.



US Secretary of State Marco Rubios aides met Raul Castros grandson Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro in St. Kitts, with the grandson, who holds no public office, later prominently seated at Diaz-Canels announcement last week.

In that same context, DiazCanel announced that Cuba is awaiting a visit by FBI experts to work with the Interior Ministry on investigating the recent armed speedboat incursion by 10 CubanAmericans, five of whom were killed in a shootout with border guards.

The opening to exile capital is part of the same logic. As PerezOliva told NBC, Cuba is now willing to allow nationals abroad to invest. Economist Ricardo Torres, a former researcher at Havana University, warned in remarks to El Pais: If you have an actor that builds up money and resources and gains influence, that actor can eventually begin to challenge you politically.

The regime calculates that by tying this layers interests to its own, it can manage a controlled transition into a cheap labor platform for Wall Street without losing its privileges and, at least formally, power.

As Mexicos former foreign minister Jorge Castaneda recently told the Los Angeles Times: The only way [Cubas government] can save itself is by doing everything on the economic front that Trump and the Miami people want them to do, in exchange for holding on to political power.

A 1996 law, the Helms Burton Act, formally bars a US president from fully lifting the embargo until there is a democratically elected government in Cuba, but it gives the White House wide latitude to loosen sanctions.

CubanAmerican businessmen told the Miami Herald they are also demanding changes to Cubas legal system and constitution to guarantee investor protections and private property rights.

The regimes capitulation to Trump takes place amid the worst social crisis since the 1990s Special Period that followed the Moscow Stalinist bureaucracys dissolution of the Soviet Union. In many respects, the current crisis is far worse. In the past five years, Cuba has lost nearly a quarter of its population to emigration, with the resident population now around 8 million, according to demographer Juan Carlos AlbizuCampos.

Power outages of 15 or more hours a day have become routine in much of the country. Basic foodstuffs are scarce or unaffordable, and the waiting list for nonurgent medical procedures is nearing 100,000, including more than 11,000 children. Many preventable deaths are occurring.

Small protests and cacerolazos (potbanging) have broken out in Havana and towns like Moron in central Cuba, where a group of protesters last weekend set furniture alight in a Communist Party office reception area and threw stones before being dispersed by police, with at least five arrested.

For the first time in nearly 70 years, Havana has authorized publicprivate partnerships, when roughly a third of Cubans already work in private businesses. Now, large private firms are being allowed by Washington and Havana to import 25,000-liter tanks of fuel from Miami and Texas via convoluted schemes through social media and WhatsApp groups, according to El Pais.

In other words, even as the state claims that no fuel is entering Cuba, a limited dollardenominated fuel circuit is being created for private capitalespecially that linked to the exile communitywhile the impoverished workers who have already braved seven decades of aggression endure unprecedented blackouts and hunger.

The Cuban leaderships course is not a matter of reluctant pragmatism under duress from Trump. It flows from the organic limits of its nationalist program. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of subsidized trade, the regime has oscillated between tightening and loosening pro-business reforms and seeking new patronsfirst in Venezuela, and now attempting to market itself as a reliable manager for US imperialism.

The invitation to capitalist gusanos and the FBI expose to millions of workers and youth that the Castroite leadership is not a bulwark against imperialism but a bourgeois layer ready to become partners in Trumps recolonization scheme in exchange for its own survival.
Wagner Moura in Kleber Mendonca Filhos The Secret Agent [Photo: Neon]

The Secret Agent, the latest film by Kleber Mendonca Filho, has gained a wide audience in Brazil and internationally since its release in November 2025. The most awarded film at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, The Secret Agent received Oscar nominations at the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday in the categories of best picture, lead actor, international feature and casting.

Set in Recife, the capital of Brazils Northeastern state, Pernambuco, in 1977, The Secret Agent was aptly described by Les Cahiers du Cinema as a thriller with fantastical elements evoking Brazils 196485 military dictatorship.

The film follows the runaway protagonist, Marcelo (Wagner Moura), whose true identity and fragments of his own history are revealed as the plot unfolds. He is a former professor and researcher at the Federal University of Pernambuco, now hunted by hired killers at the behest of Sao Paulo businessman Henrique Ghirotti (Luciano Chirolli).

Ghirottis corrupt operations within the Brazilian state-owned energy company, Eletrobras, clashed with innovative research into lithium battery development led by Marcelo, who resisted the closure of his university laboratory. Over the phone, a friend warns the researcher that Ghirotti has allies within the state apparatus and pulled some strings to place Marcelo on a Federal Police watchlist that prevents him from legally fleeing the country.

In The Secret Agent, the private interests of the capitalist elite prove inseparable from the state itself and its murderous repressive apparatus, and are immune from any legal or moral constraints. The portrait of the ruling classmarked by an absolute contempt for collective interests, culture and human lifeis, without a doubt, the strongest and most universal aspect of Mendoncas film.

In a context in which the global capitalist oligarchy has effectively abolished all legal, moral, and diplomatic strictures and is proclaiming a new era of exercise of power by force, The Secret Agents appeal among international audiences reflects a mass political and intellectual shift to the left.

Kleber Mendonca Filho is a journalist by training and a leading figure in the intellectual and artistic circles of Recife, a historic cultural center in Brazil and the setting for most of the directors works. Pernambuco was the birthplace of the Peasants Leagues and the scene of major rural struggles which peaked in the early 1960s, with many participants subsequently massacred by the military regime. The peasant movement founded by Francisco Juliao, an advocate of agrarian reform within the framework of the bourgeois nation-state, developed under the direct inspiration of the 1959 Cuban Revolution. These political perspectives profoundly influenced the left-wing intelligentsia and student youth in the country, and their imprint is evident in Mendonca Filhos worldview.

The persecution of scientists during the Brazilian military dictatorship, as well as the direct collaboration between big capital and the regimes instruments of repressioncentral themes in The Secret Agentare widely documented facts.

The Secret Agent

In 2014, the National Truth Commission (CNV) concluded that more than 80 companies had established active ties with the dictatorships repressive apparatus. The case of Volkswagen is the most notorious. The Brazilian courts concluded that the automaker engaged in persistent and consistent collaboration with the regime to persecute militant workers. Autoworkers were interrogated and tortured inside the Volkswagens factory itself in the ABC region [a major industrial hub] of Sao Paulo.

The military regimes repression of scientists was also particularly aggressive. The CNV estimated that between 800 and 1,000 researchers were victims of persecution, which included mass purges of university positions.

The interest of The Secret Agents filmmakers and audience in the period of Brazils military dictatorship stems from an understanding that these historical issues do not belong to a closed past. It is no coincidence that its success follows the international impact of Walter Salless Im Still Here, another Brazilian picture about political violence under the 1964 regime, that won the best international feature award at last years Oscars.

The final part of The Secret Agent features one of the films most powerful sequencesand undoubtedly its most moving. In scenes set in the present, we follow the young researcher Flavia (Laura Lufesi) as she accesses a historical archive of cassette tapes containing Marcelos testimony. It then becomes clear that the gaps left by the narrative regarding the main character are a concrete expression of the erasure of historical crimes. The task of connecting the fragments and extracting the truth from them is taken on as a personal struggle by Flavia, who must confront the extreme limitations of the private research project for which she works and her own precarious material conditions.

In an interview during the BAFTA Awards, Mendonca Filho argued: I didnt actually want to create a film about the military regime, but to have it as an inevitable backdrop to the plot. Referring to the government of former fascist President Jair Bolsonaro (20182022), the director continued:

By reconstructing the past, 50 years ago in Brazil, you will inevitably arrive at some reflections on what is happening in Brazil today... Particularly because, over the last 10 years, weve seen the far right return to the political scene in a rather brutal way, bringing back some of the same values that the military regime imposed on Brazil.

After winning the award for best actor in a drama at the 2026 Golden Globes, Wagner Moura stated:

The dictatorship is still an open wound in Brazilian life. It happened just 50 years ago. We recently had, from 2018 to 2022, a far-right, fascist president who is a physical manifestation of the echoes of the dictatorship. So, the dictatorship is still very much present in everyday Brazilian life.

In addition to an award-winning acting career, Moura directed and produced the feature film Marighella (2019), about Carlos Marighella, a member of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB) and guerrilla leader of the National Liberation Alliance (ALN), who was executed by the military regime in 1969. The Bolsonaro government managed to prevent its release in Brazil for two years in a naked act of censorship.

Moura told The New York Times: Bolsonaro is now in jail, so in the history books he will be the fascist elected by Brazilians who attempted a coup detat.

Echoes of the dictatorship

In September 2025, two months before the release of The Secret Agent, Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the attempted coup detat that culminated in the fascist insurrection of January 28, 2023. Along with the former president, a number of military leaders who formed the core of the coup conspiracy were convicted, as well as more than a dozen officers who acted as the executive arm of the violent plan to seize power. They represent, as Moura rightly said, physical manifestations of the echoes of the dictatorship within the established bourgeois political power structure in Brazil.

Jair Bolsonaros administration was marked not only by constant efforts to undermine Brazils democratic system, but also by ideological attacks and budget cuts inflicted upon education and culture. Between 2019 and 2022, government funding for universities was reduced by 14 percent.

The Secret Agent

It is true that the echoes of the dictatorship resonated with particular force during Bolsonaros presidential term. However, the repressive and authoritarian tendencies of the Brazilian state and social attacks have continued to advance under the current government of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the Workers Party (PT). Lula and the PTs constant efforts to accommodate the military, the financial oligarchy and US imperialism under Trump have only left the working class in Brazil more vulnerable to the forces behind the 2023 coup.

The conviction of Bolsonaro and his fascist co-conspirators, far from closing a historical chapter, marked an intensification of the explosive contradictions that have accumulated under Brazils rotten bourgeois political system. By all indications, the October presidential elections will be dominated by a contest between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro. Such is the demoralization of the PTs capitalist administration that the boorish son of the imprisoned former fascist presidentwhose platform is to continue the coup objectives of January 8, 2023is in a dead heat with Lula in the polls.

Although it is our opinion that a healthy social and political attitude prevails in The Secret Agent, there are definitely problematic aspects to the film. Its artistic and political weaknesses stem from the influence of nationalist ideas, identitarianism and other postmodern theories that produce a distorted image of social relations.

The worst moments in The Secret Agent are those in which the director devotes himself to constructing didactic allegories, which are politically vulgar and unconvincing. This is the case with the boarding house run by Dona Sebastiana (Tania Maria), which shelters Marcelo in Recife.

Its so good that we can help, says Sebastiana as she hands him a room and a wad of cash. The refugeesas the residents of this sort of commune are introducedare symbolic representations of social groups identified as oppressed by the ruling power: a couple of Angolan exiles, a young LGBTQ person kicked out of their home and so on.

Neither the refugees nor the financial and logistical support network behind this highly risky operation have clear political ties or objectives. On the contrary, they seem to be driven by abstract values of solidarity that deliberately transcend politics. I was a communist, then I was an anarchist. Or was it the other way around? I dont remember, says Dona Sebastiana in a rare moment in the film when issues of this nature are even mentioned. This implausible Samaritan community in the midst of the dictatorship is, in reality, a mirror of the current political conceptions of the pseudo-left: its reactionary rejection of Marxism and its demoralized appeals for the suppression of differences of principle and unity around left-wing bourgeois fronts to combat the greater evil of fascism.

Similar issues arise in the antagonism between Marcelo and Ghirotti. The Sao Paulo businessman, in all his ignorance, reactionary attitudes, racism and brutality, is a genuine representation of a social type that constitutes the Brazilian elite. However, The Secret Agent has little to say about the nature of these abhorrent social characteristics and seems to suggest supra-historical and racialist explanations.

In the same vein, Mendonca Filhos film exaggerates the historical, economic, and cultural differences between the Northeast and Southeast of Brazil, creating a false and reactionary antagonism. The film suggests, for example, that Flavias drive to expose the historical crimes committed against Marcelo is determined not so much by an awareness of their political and historical significance, but by genetic ties; unlike a colleague who abandons the difficult investigation, Flaviaas with a substantial part of Sao Paulos massive working classis the granddaughter of Northeastern migrants born in Pernambuco.

Marcelo and his technological innovation lab are representations of a developmentalist national project in Brazil that clashed with the military dictatorships privatization and free market policies. Eletrobras, the company from which Ghirotti seeks to embezzle for his own private profit, was one of the major state-owned enterprises conceived under the nationalist government of Getulio Vargas and effectively established during the administration of Joao Goulart, who was overthrown by the CIA-backed coup of 1964.

The attack launched by Ghirotti against Marcelos laboratory appears to be motivated, in addition to personal greed, by an irrational anti-nationalist sentiment. This is not a new theme in Brazilian political history. The portrayal of a false division between a nationalist and a submissive sector of the national bourgeoisie was a pillar of the Stalinist policy of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), which disarmed the working class and paved the way for the fascist military to seize power. Variations of this failed bourgeois nationalist line continue to be promoted by supporters of the PT.

The working class and youth in Brazil, who are undergoing a process of accelerated political radicalization, will only be able to effectively respond to the violent offensive of US imperialism and the dictatorial turn of the Brazilian ruling class to the extent that they break with a bourgeois nationalist program and embrace the path of socialist internationalism.

We do not attribute to cinema and art in general the task of formulating a finished political perspective for this emerging mass movement. The Secret Agent, insofar as it provides genuine insights into social and historical relations and gives some form to the progressive political sentiments that inspire masses of the Brazilian and global population, is a relevant contribution.
Hundreds of workers face immediate redundancy at the Tahmoor Colliery, southwest of Sydney, after liquidator McGrathNicol announced on March 12 that 238 of the 328 employees would be let go. The remaining 90 workers would be kept on to oversee the mines care and maintenance.

Tahmoor Colliery

Workers, including some who have been at the colliery for decades, told the Illawarra Mercury they learned of their sacking via an email late Wednesday night. They were given until Fridayless than 48 hoursto decide whether to immediately accept redundancy or take six weeks unpaid leave in the hope that the mine is quickly sold.

The mine has not produced coal for more than a year. Operations were suspended in February 2025, after suppliers and transport contractors refused to service the mine because of unpaid bills run up by its owner, SIMEC, part of steel tycoon Sanjeev Guptas GFG Alliance.

While these directly employed workers have been kept on at base pay rates throughout the shutdown, around 250 more who were engaged through a labour-hire contractor were let go last October, after SIMEC allegedly stopped paying its bill months earlier.

McGrathNicol was appointed following a decision by the NSW Supreme Court earlier this month, after Coal Mines Insurance, an industry workers compensation fund owned jointly by the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) and the mining corporations, launched winding-up proceedings last year.

GFG had attempted to avoid liquidation by appointing its own administrator, but the funding behind its proposal was highly questionable. The $40 million required to keep Tahmoor going during the voluntary administration was supposedly to come from Clydesdale Engineering, a small UK manufacturing company owned by Gupta, which last reported an annual profit of just $234,000 and net assets of only around $10 million.

GFG Alliance purchased the mine from Glencore in 2018 for $146 million. For several years it was highly profitablereporting annual earnings of $85.7 million as recently as 2024. But, in a process that has numerous parallels across GFGs international steel and coal operations, Tahmoors resources were drained to prop up its struggling Whyalla steelworks in South Australia.

In August 2024, Tahmoor Coal extended a $354.8 million loan to Whyalla operator OneSteel Manufacturing. At the time, the steelworks, which was out of action due to maintenance issues for most of 2024, was losing $1 million a day. This loan receivable was then transferred to Liberty Primary Metals Australia (LPMA), Tahmoors sole shareholder, as a $427 million dividend.

The collapse of GFGs main lender, Greensill Capital, in 2021, exposed the shaky finances of many of its operations. Gupta faces a criminal fraud investigation in Britain and has been found to have failed to file accounts for more than 70 companies.

Earlier this month, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) announced that it had launched court proceedings to wind up another GFG operation, the Liberty Bell Bay smelter in Tasmania. The corporate regulator said the company had failed to lodge annual reports since GFG acquired it in 2020.

None of the tens of thousands of GFG coal and steel workers around the world had any role or say in the financial wheeling and dealing that has produced the crises at Tahmoor, Whyalla and numerous other Gupta facilities. But it is they who are paying the price.

The MEU bureaucracy is continuing the role it has played throughout the shutdown, simultaneously promoting illusions that the mine will be sold with no negative impact on workers and insisting that there is nothing workers can do except wait and see what happens.

When the shutdown began in February last year, the MEU told workers there would be no dramas if the mine was soldthey would keep the workforce they have. District secretary Andy Davey practically delivered a sales pitch, describing the mine as the honeypot, and praising the local bosses, stating, We at the MEU believe that the management team have done a tremendous job.

More than a year later, Davey is telling the same story, saying on Friday, we have no doubt that the place will get sold.

MEU district president Bob Timbs told the Mercury last week, We welcome the option of a period of unpaid leave to consider options and potentially remain employed until the mine re-opens.

The reality is, even a quick sale of the Tahmoor Colliery would by no means guarantee workers jobs, let alone their wages and conditions. The role of the liquidators is to slash the operations cost base, chiefly its labour expenses, in order to make the facility a more appealing prospect for a potential buyer, whose concern is not workers livelihoods, but profits.

The MEU held a mass meeting of workers at Tahmoor Sportsground on Friday, not to discuss how the destruction of hundreds of jobs could be fought, but to advise workers to update their resumes. The real purpose of this meeting was to ensure that the anger and frustration of the sacked workers was kept within safe union channels.

This is the same role the MEU and other trade union bureaucracies have played countless times over decades, presiding over the orderly closure of mines, factories and even entire industries. Rather than uniting workers in a common struggle against industrywide attacks on jobs, wages and conditions, the unions isolate them and use the destruction of jobs in one workplace to justify wage cuts and other concessions in others.

The Tahmoor sackings are part of a widening pattern of coal job destruction that stretches across Australian states. In Queensland, the coal industry shed more than 1,000 jobs in September 2025 alone. BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) cut 750 positions and announced it would mothball the Saraji South mine from November 2025, destroying a further 72 jobs, while Anglo American slashed more than 200 jobs in its Queensland coal division.

The response of the MEU bureaucracy was to downplay the significance of the cuts, including by claiming that most of the BMA job losses would be in head office.

Mining workers at Tahmoor, throughout the country and around the world, along with workers in every industry, confront deepening attacks on their jobs, pay and conditions. To defeat this, a unified counteroffensive must be developed.

This underscores the necessity for workers to build new organisations, rank-and-file committees, independent of the union bureaucracy, to link up across the mining sector and more broadly in a joint fight for secure jobs and decent wages and conditions.

This must be connected to a struggle by the working class against capitalism, which subordinates everything to profit. That means a fight for a socialist perspective, to establish workers governments to place all essential industries, including mining, under public ownership and the democratic control of the working class to satisfy social need, not corporate profit.
Meatpacking workers on strike in Greeley, Colorado, March 16, 2026.

Over 1,000 meatpacking workers at the massive JBS meat processing plant in Greeley, Colorado braved freezing temperatures to picket for hours early Monday morning. They were among the 3,800 workers who launched a strike yesterday, the largest in the industry since the Hormel strike in 1985-86.

Workers at the plant are in the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7. The local has 23,000 members across Colorado and Wyoming in the food processing, grocery, retail and manufacturing industries. Union officials tried to meet with company representatives on Saturday to avert a strike but their entreaties were rejected.

The strike takes place amid an upsurge in strike and mass protest activity in the United States. At the start of the year, thousands of healthcare workers in California, Hawaii and New York City struck for weeks, while tens of thousands of Minnesota residents participated in mass protests on January 23 and 30 in opposition to the federal occupation of the state by ICE.

The strike at Greeley is all the more significant because the overwhelming majority of the workforce are immigrants, who have launched the strike in defiance of the broader rampage by immigration authorities. It is also the first major strike to begin since the launching of the illegal and unpopular war with Iran. It anticipates a broader conflict pitting the working class against the Trump administration and the corporate oligarchy it defends.

The mood at Mondays picket was determined. Workers walked up and down the street and in front of the plant as passersby honked their horns and waved in support.

Greeley meatpacking workers picket outside the JBS/Swift plant in Colorado, March 16, 2026.

Chris said one of the reasons he, along with 99 percent of the workers, voted to strike was because of faulty equipment. And a lot of the management, supervisors, are kind of abusive when it comes to restroom breaks.

Chris explained that workers were allowed two breaks and a lunch, but that management doesnt like to give us our breaks. He said some supervisors will make workers wait 30 minutes before allowing them to go to the bathroom.

He added that its true that some workers have been forced to soil themselves on the line because supervisors would not permit them to go to the bathroom. Ive actually seen workers wet themselves.

On the dangerous working conditions meatpacking workers face, Chris recalled that a week before the strike, somebody forgot to install a shut-off valve on one of the conveyor belts, which is basically a valve that turns the water on and off. One of the maintenance guys actually went up there and tried to fix it and he ended up falling down on his back, hitting his back against one of the upstands.

Chris said he spends a lot of time at work on the conveyor belt removing objects that would otherwise end up in the meat product. Theres some really, really weird stuff that goes down there. He recalled pulling out hooks, broken pieces of the conveyor belt and pieces of wood.

On the Greeley picket line, several workers raised the fact that the company has begun charging workers for any personal protective equipment that needs to be replaced. Chris recalled having his hat stolen from his locker and then being forced to pay $17 for a replacement. Sometimes the equipment does not get replaced even if it is clearly broken.

Personally, Chris said, Ive asked the superintendents to actually replace some of my busted or damaged equipment. They actually refused to. He referred to a mesh glove that he wears to protect his hands from knives and hooks which is missing a large piece off the back. I asked the superintendent if I could have it replaced and he told me, no.

Asked about the effects on the body from laboring in the plant, Chris took off one of his gloves and showed WSWS reporters his hand, swollen and scarred from years on the line, the skin darkened by the work that never quite washes off.

A Greeley meatpacking workers hand.

The Greeley plant was originally built in 1960 by the company Monfort of Colorado. It later became part of Swift & Company before the Brazilian multinational JBS acquired Swift and its assets, including the plant, in 2007. The plant is not only one of the largest beef-processing plants in the United States but also among the older surviving plants from the industrys shift to massive rural packinghouses near the western feedlots.

Speaking on the decrepit state of the plant, Chris added, Last week one of the conveyor belts broke down and five pieces of the conveyor belt actually went down the belt. Chris said he has complained to supervisors about the state of the facility and the treatment of workers within it. They just ignore it most of the time. Even the safety supervisor, she actually harasses me when I take my three breaks.

Asked by WSWS reporters how the local union officials react when safety or other issues are raised, Chris said, Some union reps help, others just ignore it. Ive had some of them do that, they just look at it and then walk away.

A section of the meatpacking workers on strike in Greeley, Colorado, March 16, 2026.

Chris recalled working at the plant in 2020 when COVID-19 swept through the facility, infecting hundreds of workers and killing at least six. They actually put up a memorial to the workers a while ago, he recalled.

Edison told the WSWS he was striking because we need that pay increase to try to keep up with everything else ballooning out of proportion. He noted that workers at the plant often process 2,600 head of cattle per shift.

Asked what he thought about the illegal war on Iran, Edison replied, I think this whole war on Iran is just another massive Epstein cover-up.

Kenny, a younger immigrant worker, told the WSWS he has been working at the plant since January 2026. I started at $23 but night shift makes $24. If you are a driver you make $26-something.

Asked if that was enough of a salary to survive in Greeley, Kenny replied, No, we need $33 an hour.

In order to undermine the struggle, the company has begun diverting product to the Cactus, Texas JBS plant. Workers at that plant are members of UFCW Local 540. Asked if he would support workers at the Cactus plant striking alongside them and refuse to handle scab cattle, Kenny replied enthusiastically, Yes they have to go on strike because we need money.

Kenny said he had heard about workers being forced to live in a hotel near the plant. They make them come in, sleeping bad, people were talking about this a long time ago. Now many live in apartments, some live three to a bedroom. This is likely a reference to Haitian workers who have filed a lawsuit alleging they were lured to the country with JBSs promises of pay and housing, only to be stuffed 11 to a room or dozens living in homes without electricity or running water.

Asked by WSWS reporters if Kenny had seen any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents harassing or intimidating workers at the plant, he added defiantly, They cant do that. If they do that, we are not accepting any of that.

In conclusion Kenny said that this struggle was not only about JBS, every worker needs to be paid good money. We cannot continue to be worked like slaves.
The film that came away with the best picture prize at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night, Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another, opens with a scene of a left-wing group freeing immigrants from a government detention center.

Jose Antonio Garcia, from left, Florencia Martin, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cassandra Kulukundis, Regina Hall, Shayna McHale, Teyana Taylor, Michael Bauman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Anthony Carlino, Will Weike, Sara Murphy, Chase Infiniti, Christopher Scarabosio, and Andy Jurgensen accept the award for best picture award for "One Battle After Another" during the Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Chris Pizzello]

It proceeds to ridicule a corrupt and cruel military officer, who colludes with white supremacist fascists; to dramatize the brutal hunting down and execution of would-be revolutionaries; and to depict a paramilitary, ICE-type operation, justified by claims about drug enforcement, in an American town. Images of undocumented men, women and children fleeing repression are the films most acute and convincing.

As we suggested in a review:

In the most chilling and moving scenes, Anderson and his colleagues represent with great accuracy the drive to police-state rule currently under way. The brutality and fascistic character of the anti-immigrant hysteria and ICE raids in particular receives convincing expression in the film.

That One Battle After Another won six Academy Awards Sundaybest picture, directing, adapted screenplay, supporting actor, editing and castingis likely the most telling indicator of changes taking place in the artistic world, a complex reflection of important shifts in popular consciousness more broadly.

Overt expressions of political opposition were not in abundance at the award ceremony, but there were some pointed ones. Spanish actor Javier Bardem, on hand to help give out the award for best international feature film, spoke to the audience of 20 million or so in the US and several hundred million around the world: No to war. Free Palestine. The Dolby Theatre crowd applauded loudly.

One Battle After Another

Bardem wore a pin that read, No a la Guerra [No to war]. He explained afterward in an interview that the genocide in Palestine is still going on. Since the so-called ceasefire, Bardem pointed out, 600 people have been murdered, half of them children. He referred to the new illegal war [against Iran]. This is the same pin that I used in 2003 against the war in Iraq. The US government is peddling the same kind of lies now as it did in 2003, he added, its about the oil.

Attendees representing The Voice of Hind Rajab (directed by Kaouther Ben Hania), a fictional reworking of the cold-blooded Israeli murder of a five-year-old child and her family in January 2024 in Gaza, wore a red Artists4Ceasefire pin. The film was nominated for best international feature. Our struggles are connected. So is our liberation. And were so, so honored to be here tonight, Saja Kilani, one of the films performers, told the Associated Press on the red carpet.

However, another of the films actors, Motaz Malhees, explained on Instagram several days before the event:

Our film The Voice of Hind Rajab is nominated for an Academy Award. I had the honor of playing one of the lead roles in a story the world needed to hear. But I will not be there. I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship. It hurts. But here is the truth. You can block a passport. You cannot block a voice. I am Palestinian, and I stand with pride and dignity. My spirit will be with The Voice of Hind Rajab that night. Good luck to all of you. Our story is bigger than any barrier, and it will be heard.

In the end, this important film lost out to Norways Sentimental Value, an insipid and unchallenging work.

Mr. Nobody Against Putin, about a Russian teacher who opposes his schools transformation into a propaganda and war recruitment center, won the best feature documentary award. The film is presumably intended to be part of the US-NATO war drive against Russia. Nonetheless, its director David Borenstein, in his acceptance speech, was honest enough to inveigh against the Trump administration:

When we act complicit, when a government murders people on the streets of our major cities, when we dont say anything, when oligarchs take over the media and control how we can produce it and consume, we all face a moral choice. But luckily, even a nobody is more powerful than you think.

Backstage, Borenstein asserted that Trump was moving a lot quicker than Putin had in his early years to consolidate authoritarian rule.

The Voice of Hund Rajab

A muted note of disquiet and opposition ran throughout the program. There is no need to overestimate it, but it would be wrong as well to ignore the changes in mood and sentiment in this particular social layer. Host Conan OBrien spoke early on of these very chaotic and frightening times. He went on,

We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities todayoptimism. So, let us please celebrate the days aheadnot because we think all is well, but because we work and hope for better.

The emphasis on globalism and universality was a recurring theme and seemed sincerely meant.

OBrien also referred to the sorry state of US healthcare: In Hamnet, Shakespeares wife gives birth by herself in the woodsor, what we call in America, affordable healthcare. As for the fact there were no British actors nominated for best actor or actress for the first time since 2012, the host passed on the supposed comment of a British spokesperson, Yeah, but at least we arrest our pedophiles.

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was brought out at a certain point in the ceremony, facetiously claiming to be taking over the hosting duties. Kimmel, of course, has become something of a bete noire to Trump and his administration. The television personality became the target of the fascist right and was suspended by ABC/Disney over comments on the assassination of right-wing Charlie Kirk.

Paul Thomas Anderson, as part of receiving three major awards, lamented the current state of world affairs:

I wrote this movie for my kids, to say sorry for the housekeeping mess that we left in this world were handing off to them. But also with the encouragement that they will hopefully be the generation that brings us some common sense and decency.

In general, Anderson has shied away from drawing any sharp political conclusions from his own artistic effort.

The awards ceremony also presented tributes to three personalities who died last year, Diane Keaton, Robert Redford and Rob Reiner.

Sinners

It would be as wrong to exaggerate the degree of conscious political understanding and opposition demonstrated Sunday night as it would be to downplay it.

The failure to reward The Voice of Hind Rajab and inordinate acclaim for Sinners, Hamnet and Sentimental Value reflect the ongoing cultural and political problems. The awards ceremony was hardly free from complacency and self-congratulation. The 11,000 Academy voters are relatively privileged professionals, as membership often requires a body of work in major motion pictures. Actors are the largest single group (1,307), but executives, marketing and public relations and producers make up some of the most substantial branches, each of them outnumbering both the writers and cinematographers branches, for example.

A good portion of the Hollywood crowd remains susceptible to identity politics and shallow, pragmatic responses to the deep problems of American and world society.

The recent almost doubling of the Academy membership, driven largely by racial and gender quotas, has not changed its social composition.

And the identity politics element remained present at the awards ceremony. Sinners won several awards, and each time the racialist emphasis or implications pushed the event in a retrograde direction. Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the first woman to win the best cinematography award, may well have talent behind a camera, but her speech was deplorable. Arkapaw asked all the women in the room to stand up because I feel like I dont get here without you guys.

I have felt so much love from all the women on this whole campaign and gotten to meet so many people, and I just feel like moments like this happen because of you guys, and I want to thank you for that.

Since men still make up 65-67 percent of the Academy membership, Arkapaw would have had to receive thousands of their votes to win the award.

The striving for privileges by already affluent layers is never attractive. Sinners Michael B. Jordan, a limited actor, and director Ryan Coogler also made largely unfavorable impressions in their comments. Coogler began his career by making the valuable Fruitvale Station, about the killing of Oscar Grant III by a transit policeman in the Bay Area. His subsequent work, much of it with Jordan, has consisted of tripe: the Rocky spinoff Creed, Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and now Sinners.

One Battle After Another

However, the dynamic of the awards ceremony has moved in a positive direction in the following sense. Starting in the mid-2010s, the grotesque emphasis on race and gender made simply viewing the Academy Awards painful at times. The events seemed to swoop from one elaborately staged, ecstatic celebration of identity politics to the next, with a related, intensely selfish mood dominating each event. Theres no doubt this played a role in the shrinking of the television audience for the ceremony.

Not so last year and this. There is no 180-degree turn, of course, but now the speeches of Arkapaw, Coogler, Jordan and, to a certain extent, Jessie Buckley (for best actress in Hamnet) are something of the exception. They stand out as false and backward. A great many in the film world rightly so have bigger, more pressing concerns.

After all, how does the race and gender obsession help anyone in a world where genocide is supported by every leading government or a country presided over by a would-be dictator, seeing to the fascistic oppression of immigrants and murder of people on the streets of major cities, dragging the entire population into a catastrophic war? In its own limited and tentative manner, the Academy Awards provides clues about the direction social life is taking.
February marked 40 years since a mass demonstration of millions of Filipinos in Manila, combined with a coup plot by a cohort of disgruntled officers, ousted the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines. The event, celebrated as People Power or the Edsa Revolution, has been endlessly mythologized as the rebirth of Philippine democracy, but it in fact only reorganized and preserved capitalist rule under new political forms.

Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines during a visit to Washington D.C. [Photo: A1C Virgil C. Zurbruegg]

The regime that fell in February 1986 was the product of the postwar Philippine bourgeois order and its domination by US imperialism. Marcos ruled through systematic terror: thousands were executed extrajudicially, tens of thousands tortured and imprisoned, and entire communities subjected to military repression. These abuses were not the excesses of a rogue autocrat; they were the methods of a state that Washington armed and financed as a key pillar of its Cold War architecture in Southeast Asia. The US secured the use of Clark and Subic military bases and integrated the Philippine military into its global counterinsurgency operations.

By the early 1980s, however, this order was collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions. When Marcos took office in 1965, roughly 28 percent of the population lived below the poverty line and unemployment stood around 9 percent; when he fled into exile on 25 February 1986, some 70 percent of Filipinos were living below the poverty line and roughly one in three workers was either unemployed or underemployed. The economy contracted sharply in 1984 and 1985, wiping out years of per capita income gains, while capital flight accelerated in the aftermath of Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr.s assassination in August 1983. Aquinos murder, carried out on the airport tarmac as he returned from exile, detonated mass outrage; official inquiries pointed to a conspiracy within the security forces, but the ultimate authors were never identified, and the crime remains politically unresolved.

The nearly three years between Aquinos assassination and Marcoss fall saw mounting strikes, urban protests and rural unrest under conditions of deepening social misery. Sections of the business elite and the Catholic Church began to distance themselves from the palace. Washington, fearful that the crisis could escape its control, pushed for a managed transition. Marcoss decision to call a snap presidential election for February 1986 was a calculated gamble: he intended to secure international legitimacy through a controlled contest, while the US sought to channel explosive social anger into the framework of bourgeois elections.

The poll was openly fraudulent. Corazon Aquino, wife of the assassinated politician, claimed victory and Marcos proclaimed himself reelected. At the same time, a factional split in the armed forces burst into the open. Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Constabulary chief Fidel Ramos, linked to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement, rebelled against the palace but initially commanded only a fraction of the military. Their mutiny would almost certainly have been crushed had it remained an intraelite confrontation. It was transformed into what became known as People Power only when hundreds of thousands of ordinary Filipinos responded to appeals from the Catholic hierarchy and opposition figures to surround the rebel camps.

For four days, masses of workers, urban poor, students and sections of the middle class formed human barricades along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to shield the mutinous units from loyalist assault. Confronted with this sea of unarmed demonstrators, key commanders refused orders to fire on the crowds or storm the camps. The regimes military base disintegrated, and the United States stepped in to organize Marcoss evacuation and the installation of Corazon Aquino. The incoming administration fused socialdemocratic and Stalinist figures with landed and business elites and the very generals who had enforced martial law. Its first actsincluding the appointment of Ramos as chief of staff and Enrile as defense secretary, and the creation of the Presidential Commission on Good Government to manage, rather than overturn, the Marcos plundermade clear that the social foundations of the dictatorship would remain intact.

From the outset, then, People Power expressed a fundamental contradiction. For millions, it was the opening of a revolutionary situation, the promise of a break with dictatorship, poverty and imperialist domination. For the ruling class and its imperialist patrons, it was a means to defuse a potentially revolutionary upheaval, transfer power from one wing of the oligarchy to another, and stabilize the state. It is this contradiction that throws into sharp relief the role played by the Stalinist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its mass organizations, above all BAYAN and Gabriela, in disarming the working class and preserving bourgeois rule.

Stalinism, the CPP and BAYAN

BAYAN and Gabriela did not arise as independent class organizations of the working class and oppressed. In keeping with its Stalinist program, the CPP insisted that the tasks of revolution in the Philippines were not yet socialist, but national and democratic in character. In this limited first stage of the Philippine revolution, an alliance with so-called progressive capitalists was politically essential. The armed struggle of the CPPs New Peoples Army (NPA) in the countryside was being waged to these ends.

BAYAN and Gabriela were founded in the early 1980s as national democratic alliances, explicitly designed to bind militant layers of workers, peasants, women and youth to sections of the elite oppositionChurch figures, professional associations, landowners and business interests hostile to Marcos but committed to the maintenance of capitalism. BAYAN, headed on paper by Lorenzo Tanada, a leading figure in the elite opposition to Marcos, brought together CPPaligned forces with bourgeois and pettybourgeois antiMarcos groups. Gabriela played the same role in the womens movement, marrying militant rhetoric against dictatorship and patriarchy to an alliance with the elite opposition and the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. It counted among its leaders future president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Within this framework, the 1986 snap election was never discussed as an opportunity to mount an independent campaign of the working class against all factions of the ruling elite. That perspective did not enter into the calculations of the CPP, BAYAN, or Gabriela. The entire debate unfolded inside a shared premise: that the central task was to strengthen and profit from an alliance with the antidictatorship wing of the capitalist class. The argument over boycott versus participation was, in substance, a tactical dispute within these organizations and the wider Stalinist milieu over how best to deepen ties with Aquino, the church and business interestsnot over whether such an alliance should exist.

One current, which prevailed in the CPP leadership and in BAYANs formal line, advocated a boycott. It pointed to earlier abstentions in the 1981 and 1984 elections as supposed proofs that boycotts could delegitimize Marcoss staged contests. Convinced that Marcos would remain in office through fraud, these forces argued that another boycott would expose the futility of elections under dictatorship and, when Aquinos middleclass base saw their hopes defeated, push moderates into alignment with the progressive left. The opposing current, increasingly influential among BAYAN leaders and figures such as Satur Ocampo, insisted that open support for Aquino was the better way to cultivate her social base and secure an institutional role in a postMarcos government. Both wings agreed that their horizon was an alliance with the capitalist opposition; they differed only over whether that alliance was best pursued by temporarily standing apart from Aquinos campaign, or by entering into it.

As the campaign proceeded, the boycott line rapidly revealed its contradictions. BAYAN, which had become a key vehicle for channeling antiMarcos sentiment, particularly among noncommunist activists and churchlinked groups, began to shed supporters who felt compelled to back Aquino or risk political isolation. Tanada himself publicly stepped aside from his post at BAYANs head to throw his support behind Aquino. Internal memoranda from senior cadres warned that the boycott would boomerang, not because it betrayed the independent interests of the working class, but because it threatened to leave the CPP and its fronts more isolated from the middleclass opposition they were striving to woo.

When Marcos was finally toppled, the consequences of this orientation were brutal. BAYAN and Gabriela had oscillated between abstention from the snap election and a desperate effort to maintain their place within the elitedominated opposition. In a May 1986 selfcriticism, the flagship publication of the CPP, Ang Bayan, conceded that where the people saw in the February 7 snap election a chance to deliver a crippling blow on the Marcos regime, the leadership had dismissed it as an empty intraelite battle, and that when hundreds of thousands moved spontaneously but resolutely to oust the hated regime, the party and its forces were not there to lead them.

BAYAN and company, however, did more than merely stand aside. They actively defused a revolutionary situation, stabilizing People Power in the interests of a layer of the bourgeoisie and the state with whom they sought to ally. Lean Alejandro, then secretary general of BAYAN, later gave a frank account of the organizations conduct over those four days. He described how BAYAN members were more inside than outside Crame [the military camp where the officers heading the military coup were holed up], in direct and continuous contact with Enrile and Ramos, who were acutely aware that their mutiny would have been crushed without the protective shield of the crowds. As the masses of People Power stormed Malacanang presidential palace, BAYAN was instrumental in preserving order and protecting the troops loyal to Marcos. BAYAN shielded the soldiers from the masses and the soldiers, Alejandro noted, preferred to capitulate to BAYAN contingents rather than to openly proAquino forces, trusting them to guarantee their safety.

This conduct was not an aberration; it flowed logically from BAYANs popular front perspective. The organization functioned as a mediator between the masses and sections of the state and elite opposition, working to ensure that the uprising would culminate in an orderly transfer of power that left the core of the armed forces and the capitalist state intact. The personal fate of Alejandro himself is a tragic condensation of this trajectory. Having devoted his energies to binding the mass movement to the antidictatorship wing of the bourgeoisie and shielding sections of the military during Edsa, he was assassinated barely two years later, in 1987, by the very state security forces whose continuity BAYAN and the CPP had helped to guarantee. His murder, in the midst of the Aquino administration and in the wake of the massacre of demonstrating peasants, and repeated coup plots, stands as a terrible indictment of the illusion that the working class and radicalized youth could secure their rights and lives by aligning with one or another faction of the capitalist class and its military.

The transformation of bourgeois politics and the dead end of People Power

The four decades since Edsa have vindicated the Trotskyist assessment that the ouster of Marcos, conducted under the leadership of the bourgeoisie and its Stalinist and social democratic allies, could not resolve the fundamental democratic and social tasks confronting the Philippine masses. Successive administrationsAquino, Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo, Aquino III, Duterte and now Marcos Jr.have differed in rhetoric and style, but not in their essential program. They have protected capitalist property interests, enforced lowwage exploitation in export zones and precarious service jobs, maintained landlord domination of the countryside and bound the country to the shifting strategic needs of US imperialism, and in particular its escalating drive to war against China.

Under these conditions, Philippine bourgeois politics has undergone the same degeneration seen internationally. Parties have disintegrated into personal electoral machines and family franchises. Electoral contests are fights between rival oligarchic clans, mediated by hired political technologists and socialmedia operators. The language of democracy, good governance and human rights has become the stockintrade of factions that, once in office, preside over capitalist exploitation and the deployment of the police and military against workers, peasants and the urban poor. The assassination squads of the Duterte war on drugs, the massacre of farmers and activists, and the criminalization of dissent are the direct heirs of martial law.

In this context, People Power has ossified into a bankrupt model of Marian religious devotion and popular front politics. Its symbolismthe rosary, yellow ribbons, candlelit vigilsappeals above all to middleclass layers and the NGO milieu. It is deployed as a manageable apparatus for altering the alignment of elite factions, not as a means of overturning capitalist property or imperialist domination. Commemorations of 1986, like those held this February, are saturated with historical falsification. They erase the role of US imperialism, downplay the conspiracy within the officer corps, and suppress the betrayals of the Stalinist and socialdemocratic leaderships. They present Edsa as the birth of Philippine democracy, and blame the masses for having supposedly squandered its blessings by foolishly voting for corrupt politicians.

The rise of Rodrigo Duterte and the electoral victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are not a repudiation of Edsa; they are its outcome. Decades of broken promises, unrelieved poverty and blatant corruption under the democratic regimes of Aquino, Ramos and their successors have produced a deep and justified disillusionment among workers and youth. The liberal opposition, having presided over privatization, militarization and the rehabilitation of the Marcos clan, is incapable of offering any alternative beyond a nostalgic appeal to the failed model of People Power. The CPP and its national democratic organizations, have been thoroughly exposed by their opportunist alliances, above all their support for and participation in cabinet of the murderous Duterte government.

Internationally, this experience is part of a global process: the erosion of any semblance of democratic norms under conditions of intensifying social inequality and imperialist war. From Trump in the United States to Modi in India, Bolsonaro in Brazil, Orban in Hungary and beyond, far right and fascist forces are on the rise. The old reformist parties of capitalism have collapsed or been transformed into hollow shells. The forms of parliamentary democracy are increasingly incompatible with the demands of finance capital and the preparations for world war. The ritual invocation of People Power in the Philippines is a local expression of this worldwide effort to salvage a discredited order by repackaging it as the highest expression of the popular will.

Forty years on, the central lesson of People Power is not that the masses once saved democracy and must now do so again, but that no advance is possible so long as their struggles remain chained to any faction of the bourgeoisie. In 1986, millions of workers, peasants and youth demonstrated immense courage, but they were politically subordinatedabove all through the agency of the Stalinist CPP and the socialdemocratic leftto Aquino, the Church and sections of the military. The result was the preservation of capitalist rule and the preparation of new disasters.

The way forward lies in the conscious and organized assertion of the political independence of the working class. This requires an irreconcilable break with all factions of the Philippine bourgeoisie and with their political instruments, including the CPP and its national democratic fronts. It demands the construction of a new revolutionary leadership based on an international socialist program: the expropriation of the oligarchs and foreign capital, the placing of the major industries, banks and land under democratic workers control, the abolition of landlordism, and the withdrawal of all imperialist forces and bases.

Such a perspective cannot be realized within the confines of the nationstate. The Philippine working class is part of a global class whose struggles are erupting on every continent. The fight against the Marcos dynasty, against authoritarian rule and against the decaying edifice of postEdsa democracy must be linked to the worldwide movement of workers and youth against war, fascism and social inequality. The decisive task posed by the 40th anniversary of People Power is the building of a Philippine section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, which alone embodies the historical lessons of the struggle against Stalinism and the fight for genuine socialism.
Yesterday, March 16, would have been the 75th birthday of Tom Henehan, a member of the political committee of the Workers Leaguethe predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party in the USwho was assassinated in 1977 at the age of 26.

Below we post the tribute to Tom that then SEP National Secretary David North delivered to a meeting in 1997, held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Tom Henehans death. This lecture is also available in pamphlet form at Mehring Books.

On the evening of October 15, 1977, Tom was supervising an activity sponsored by the Young Socialists, the partys youth movement, in Brooklyn, New York. Two men, later identified as Edwin Sequinot and Angel Rodriguez, started a disturbance by attacking another Workers League member, Jacques Vielot. As Tom rushed to Vielots aid, he was shot five times by a third assailant lying in wait, a professional gunman named Angelo Torres. Sequinot then pulled out a gun and shot Vielot, severely wounding him. The injured Vielot rushed Tom to Wyckoff Heights Hospital. Tom died approximately an hour after arriving at the hospital, in the early morning hours of October 16. He was 26 years old.

The murder of Tom Henehan was a political attack aimed at intimidating the Workers League and blocking its efforts to build a socialist leadership in the American working class. The Workers League was at that time involved in an historic investigation of the circumstances surrounding the 1940 assassination of Leon Trotsky, the founder of the Fourth International.

This investigation, whose findings were published under the title Security and the Fourth International, exposed the decades-long efforts of the police agencies of imperialism and Stalinism to penetrate and sabotage the world Trotskyist movement. Among other things, the investigation revealed the insidious links between Joseph Hansenwho later became a leader of the American Socialist Workers Partyand the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In June 1977, Hansen and the SWP published a statement that warned of deadly consequences if the investigation continued. Shortly afterwards, Tom Henehan lay dead in a Brooklyn hospital.

This page includes a number of lectures and essays reviewing the immense contributions of Comrade Tom to the Trotskyist movement. See also the collection of the investigation and conclusions of Security and the Fourth International.

* * *

Tom Henehan: A revolutionary life

I would like to begin my remarks with a recollection. After returning from the hospital where Tom Henehan had died in the early morning hours of October 16, 1977, I called Toms older brother, Paul, and relayed to him the terrible news. Paul then told me that he would take responsibility for informing other members of Toms family.

Tom Henehan leading the Gary Tyler march through Harlem, December 1976

A few hours later I was told by Paul that Toms mother, Mary Elise Henehan, would be flying to New York the next day. I recall awaiting the arrival of Mary Elise Henehan with trepidation. I had never before met her. What, I asked myself, could I say to Toms mother that might in some way be of help to her at such a tragic moment? But when she arrived at our offices, before I had managed to say anything to her, she embraced me. I, who had been wondering how to comfort Toms mother, was instead being comforted by Mary Elise.

None of us who lived through the events of October 1977 can forget the strength and support that Mary Elise Henehan gave us during what must have been the most terrible week of her life. I realized then that Tom Henehans extraordinary qualities were due in no small measure to the fact that he was the son of an extraordinary human being. All of us are very proud that this extraordinary person, Mary Elise Henehan, as well as Toms sisters are with us today on this memorial occasion.

On October 22, 1977, at the memorial held only a few days after the murder of Tom Henehan, we promised that we would never forget him. Today, 20 years later, we are honoring that pledge. The very fact that many of those who were present at the first memorial meeting are here again todayin some cases traveling thousands of milesis a poignant expression of the enduring impact of Toms personality upon those who knew, respected and even loved him. Even after 20 years, so many facets of his personality remain vivid in our memories of Tom: his intelligence, determination, physical courage, compassion, energy, sense of humor and enthusiastic enjoyment of life.

Tom Henehan campaigning among youth in Brooklyn, January 1975

And yet the purpose of this meeting is not only to recall the past and pay tribute to the memory of a fallen comrade. We are also, in the very process of honoring Tom on the anniversary of his death, reaffirming our own enduring commitment to the ideals and principles for which he lived. Indeed, the power and relevance of those ideals finds expression in the presence at this meeting of representatives of a younger generation, some of whom were only infants at the time of Toms death or even not yet born.

Tom Henehan was only 26 years old when he was assassinated in New York City. When we who were his contemporaries look at the photographs of Tom, having ourselves aged by 20 years, we are able to appreciate today, more profoundly than in 1977, how very young he was at the time of his death. We have a better sense today of how much more he could have and would have accomplished had he not been murdered. To this day we feel an enduring sense of loss, but not of waste and futility. The 26 years of Toms life were far too short, but they were not short of purpose and enduring meaning.

Had Tom not died in October 1977, had he been privileged to live another 20 years and were he still with us today, he would certainly have experienced and accomplished more than what was possible in the space of 26 years. But the essential course of his life would have proceeded along the lines that were set down when he decided, in the spring of 1973, on the eve of his graduation from Columbia University, to join the Workers League and devote his life to the cause of the working class and the struggle for international socialism.

Tom was, in the best and positive sense of the word, an idealist. He believed passionately in justice, equality and the solidarity of mankind. But he did not join the Workers League in a fit of thoughtless youthful exuberance. Tom matured amidst the social and political convulsions of the 1960s and early 1970s, and he was politically radicalized by the Vietnam War, the violent struggles in the cities, and the obvious inability of liberal reformism to fashion any viable solution to the problems of poverty and oppression in the United States. Like many others of his generation, he was drawn to the conclusion that the cause of the social ills that plagued American society was capitalism.

Campaigning for the Bulletin among workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, October 1976

By the time Tom first made contact with the Workers League he already had encountered many of the innumerable political tendencies on the left that were active at the timefrom the splintered fractions of the SDS and the Maoists of Progressive Labor to the revisionists of the Socialist Workers Party and the Spartacist League. But none of these tendencieswhich had in the course of the previous decade found supporters among thousands of student youthwon the allegiance of Tom Henehan.

What was it that attracted Tom Henehan to the Workers League? Just as the character of a person is expressed in the philosophy he adopts, an individual reveals, in the choice of a party, the forces, ideals, principles and aims that motivate him at the most profound level of his intellectual and moral being. But the relation between the party and the individuals of whom it is composed is a complex one. It is undoubtedly true that an individual must choose the party that he wishes to join. But in a broader historical sense, it is still truer to say that the members of a partyand especially a Marxist partyare themselves the product of a historical selection.

The revolutionary movement is a great fisher of men and women. It seeks out those who have the capacity to rise to the level of the most difficult of historical tasks, who are prepared to devote to the socialist cause not merely months or even several years, but decades and even a lifetime. It demands of its members exceptional powers of intellectual and moral endurance. Those who are seeking only superficial answers to the problems of this world will choose a party that makes few demands upon their intellect, that offers easy and reassuring answers to complex problems, that adapts to the prevailing prejudices of public opinion and so-called common sense, and that denies the depth of commitment, intensity of struggle, and theoretical labor required for the revolutionary transformation of society. Superficial organizations attract superficial people.

Of all the words that could be used to describe Tom Henehan, superficial is the last that would come to mind. Tom was drawn to the Workers League by its concern for problems of theory, its study of Marxism as a science, and the profound sense of history that permeated its perspective and program. Toms decision to join the Workers League expressed an essential seriousness of thought and purpose.

Those of us who, like Tom Henehan, joined the Workers League in the early 1970s did so because this was the only movement that placed the problems confronting the working class in the United States within the broader context of the historical experiences of the international socialist movement in the 20th century. It explained that enduring answers to the great political and social questions of the day were not to be found at the level of radical-sounding but basically empty-headed slogans (such as: Power comes out of the barrel of a gun) or in the midst of frenetic activism. Rather, the Workers League insisted that the essential foundation of revolutionary practice consisted in the assimilation of the theoretical and political lessons derived from the monumental struggle waged by Leon Trotsky and the Fourth International against the betrayal of the 1917 October Revolution by Stalinism.

Tom printing party literature

Back in the 1970s, the Workers League was commonly denounced by its many opponents within the radical left as sectarian. With this epithet they wished to malign the very political characteristics that we considered our greatest strength: our preoccupation with materialist dialectics, our passionate interest in history, and, flowing from this, our irreconcilably critical attitude toward the parties and organizations that dominated the mass movements of the day. We were the party that refused to either forget or forgive the crimes that had been committed by the Stalinist bureaucracy and its accomplices against the Soviet and international working class. Unlike the revisionist movements, we refused to attribute to Stalinism any progressive characteristics. We did not see Stalinism as a misguided political tendency that was to be influenced and moved to the left, but rather as the political expression of a counterrevolutionary bureaucracy that was to be exposed, discredited and destroyed.

Our attitude to the politics of radical bourgeois nationalism was no less uncompromising. The Workers League had been founded in 1966 on the basis of the struggle waged by the International Committee of the Fourth International against the American Socialist Workers Partys capitulation to the politics of Fidel Castro. As the International Committee correctly warned, the SWPs adaptation to Castroism represented a rejection of the predominant revolutionary role of the working class. Castros victory represented, no doubt, an embarrassment and setback, albeit of a temporary character, for the United States. It did not, however, represent either a new form of proletarian power or a viable strategy of socialist revolution. No combination of urban and rural guerrilla forces, led by politicians from the radical petty bourgeoisie, could bring about socialism. We maintained that the fate of socialism depended upon the conscious political struggle of the international working class, educated and led by an international Marxist party, for power.

These were not popular conceptions in the political climate of the 1970s. The Soviet bureaucracy and its associated Communist parties still disposed of vast resources and exercised immense influence over millions of workers. The national liberation movementsas they were then knownenjoyed an immense international prestige. With the help of funds provided by the Soviet Unionwhich saw in these organizations a means of countering the global influence of the United Statesthe armed struggle waged by the radical nationalists of the so-called Third World was followed with enthusiasm and admiration by broad sections of students, intellectuals and other sections of the middle class. The 1970s were the heyday of national liberation movementsthe IRA, the MPLA, the PLO, the Sandinistas, the Farabundo Marti, Frelimo, and countless other organizations.

Our criticisms of such movements, the analyses we offered of the real social interests expressed in the politics of the bourgeois nationalists, and our warnings of the inability of these movements to solve the related problems of imperialist domination, economic backwardness and national oppression were frequently met with hostility. You Trotskyites, we were told scornfully again and again, live in a world of theory and are always criticizing movements that are leading real struggles.

Tom speaking at a young Socialist meeting in Jersey City, 1977

Tremendous pressure was placed upon our movement to adapt and conform to the popular politics of the radical petty bourgeoisie. Unfortunately, a section of our international movement buckled under that pressure. By the mid-1970s, the Workers Revolutionary Party in Britain began to adopt the very conceptions it had earlier opposed when it had fought against the opportunism of the Socialist Workers Party. In fact, at the memorial meeting held after Toms murder in October 1977, we listened with a mixture of surprise, alarm and dismay as Mike Banda, the general secretary of the WRP, transformed what had begun as a eulogy of Tom into an unabashed tribute to the Palestine Liberation Organization! Praising the politics of Arafat, Banda declared that in the pursuit of the goal of a democratic and socialist Palestine, the PLO leaders were not trying to take any shortcuts, any pragmatic expedients....

In the last 20 years, Arafat and the PLO have attempted not a few shortcuts and pragmatic expedients. I believe that visits to the White House, a trip to Oslo to collect the Nobel Peace Price, and countless secret parleys with various Israeli prime ministers qualify as pragmatic expedients, if not exactly shortcuts. At any rate, Arafat and the PLO long ago abandoned the goal of a democratic and secular Palestine and have settled instead for (what is called in the language of international diplomacy) an entity in which the Palestinian masses live in utter poverty and without rights, oppressed not only by the Israeli regime but also by the police of the so-called Palestinian authority. I have recalled Bandas speech and drawn attention to the evolution of the PLO in order to illustrate how completely the historical process has vindicated the political principles and program for which the International Committee, the Workers League and Tom Henehan fought.

In a speech which Trotsky recorded at the time of the founding of the Fourth International, he referred to the powerful mass organizations of the daythe parties and trade unions controlled by the Stalinists and the social democratsand predicted that they would be shattered by historical events that will not leave of these outlived organizations one stone upon another. In the years since the death of Tom Henehan we have seen the fulfillment of that prediction. One after another, organizations that seemed so powerful such a short time ago have been blown to pieces. The Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union imploded. The Maoist regime in China presides over a system of brutal economic exploitation that has become one of the linchpins of globalized capitalist production. Fidel Castro, deprived of Soviet subsidies, stakes the fortunes of the Cuban economy on the promotion of a tourist trade that is already recreating in modern form the squalor and corruption of the Batista era.

In evaluating the life of Tom Henehan it is necessary to consider the validity of the cause and the principles for which he fought. From all sides we hear the claim that socialism is dead. But the entire basis of this claim rests on the false and cynical identification of the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union with Marxism and socialism. The irreconcilable opposition of Marxism to Stalinism was the essential premise of the political program and perspective of the Workers League. For Tom, the struggle for socialism proceeded necessarily through a fight against Stalinism and the politics of the Soviet bureaucracy. The collapse of the Soviet Union signified the end not of socialism, but of a reactionary regime that utilized Marxist phraseology only to betray and discredit socialism.

Of course, it cannot be denied that the cause of socialism was dealt terrible blows by Stalinism. There is, inevitably, a difference between our scientific assessment of the nature of Stalinism and the way in which the demise of the USSR is understood at the present time by the broad mass of the working class. It will take time for the masses to assimilate and understand the complex political experiences of the 20th century. No one can predict the duration of that period of assimilation and reeducation. But while political confusion may retard for a certain period the growth of the socialist movement, there still remain within the very structure of the capitalist mode of production contradictions of which socialism is the necessary and, in a historic sense, ineradicable expression.

Speaking at the Young Socialists Fifth National Conference in Philadelphia, June 1977

These contradictions find direct and potentially explosive expression in the dominant role of the transnational corporation, the global integration of production, and the internationalization of the capitalist labor process. The past 20 years has seen, as a direct consequence of international capitalist development, a vast expansion in the size of the proletariat. Another phenomenon of the last 20 years has been the extraordinary polarization of capitalist society between the fabulously wealthy, who constitute a tiny percentage of the population, and the broad mass of the people who live in varying degrees of uncertainty and distress. The process is much lamented but, within the framework of capitalism, uncontrollable.

The productive forces grow ever more gigantic and the technology increasingly amazing. In the realm of science everything seems possible. In the realm of society, however, humanity seems to be caught in a rut. If anything is to be learned from the scientific study of history, it is that such a situation cannot last. Sooner or later the existing barriers to progress will be burst aside. Beneath the surface of events, notwithstanding the prevailing confusion and disorientation, powerful objective processes are laying the foundations for a new eruption of revolutionary cataclysms.

The death of Tom Henehan was a tragic loss for his family, for his comrades and friends, and for the cause of the working people. For those of us who personally experienced the events of October 1977, I think I speak for all of them when I say they were the saddest of our lives. The sense of loss not only remains with us to this day, but has even become more profound. Having passed through the upheavals and convulsions of the last 20 years and witnessed their impact upon society, we have today a deeper sense of what we lost with the death of Tom.

If we have learned anything with age and experience, it is the immense significance of socialist consciousness in the modern historical process. The unending war against Marxism waged on so many fronts by the bourgeoisie expresses its own recognition of the power of socialist thought and the danger posed by its dissemination. Objective conditions provide the working class with the possibility but not the guarantee of socialism. To an extent even greater than suspected by the founders of our movement, the fate of socialism, and, therefore, of mankind, depends upon the expansion of the intellectual horizons of the working class.

In this sense, socialism is not merely the mobilization of the working class around a set of economic and political demands but also an immense cultural movement of the proletariat. But this movement cannot emerge spontaneously. It is only through the cadre that socialist politics and culture can be brought into the working class. The cadrethe men and women who make the fight for socialism the central purpose of their livesare the human bearers of the only scientific doctrine of universal social emancipation. What we mourn in the death of Tom Henehan is the loss of not only a comrade and friend, but a precious and irreplaceable instrument of social enlightenment and human progress.

Signing up a Young Socialist member in 1976

In conclusion, I would like to address myself to the younger generation which has much to learn from the example of Tom Henehan. Through no fault of their own, the youth have been cut off not only from the revolutionary spirit that loomed so large throughout the first three-quarters of this century, but even from the intellectual traditions that inspired earlier generations of youth to immerse themselves in great and self-sacrificing social struggles. The young people of today are, indeed, the targets and victims of a ferocious assault on the very process of socially-critical thought. In countless ways and in innumerable variations, the makers of official public opinionin the government, the media and especially the universitiespreach the same dreary message of conformity and complacency. Money, it is proclaimed, is the measure of all things. The point of life is simply to live as long and accumulate as much as possible. The most important decision in an individuals life is not the cause for which he will fight, but the mix of mutual funds in which he will invest.

History shows that the dominance of such empty and egotistical conceptions is characteristic of a society that is in a process of decay and dissolution. The youth must free themselves, intellectually and practically, from this fetid environment. They must think of the future and assume responsibility for it. They must ask themselves why and for what purpose are they alive. Tom Henehan asked himself these questions, and acted seriously and passionately upon the answers he found. And in doing so, he lived a life of enduring significance.

In the prevailing climate of cynicism, there are no doubt people who believe that to die at so young an age is merely a personal calamity and that no cause could possibly be worth such a sacrifice. The same people give little thought to the fact that their own precious comfort, which they value above all else, rests upon an economic order that condemns countless millions to privation and early death. All of us wish that Tom were alive today. But a life must be measured not by its longevity or other superficial and conventional indices of personal success, but by what it contributed to the improvement of the human condition. The fact that Tom is remembered by so many, that he remains a source of inspiration to people all over the world, is the truest indication of the value of his life.

It has been said that youth is the finest period of a persons life, the time when ideals count for more than anything else. If a person is not seized by ideals when he is young, then he never will be, and his life will never amount to anything. Such people are only to be pitied, for they have condemned themselves, whether they know it or not, to a life without any real purpose.

But there is another element of this insight into the significance of youth, and that is the relation of ones youth to the rest of ones life. The moral quality of an individuals life is best measured by determining the degree to which he has remained loyal to the ideals of his youth. That is a very difficult test, not only for individuals but also for political parties.

Tom Henehan was part of the youth of this party. He exemplified the ideals that motivated this party in its youth. Our party has in the course of the past 20 years lived through many experiences, including that of a bitter political split that separated us forever from the Workers Revolutionary Party. We have learned a great deal and become more mature. We have transformed the Workers League into the Socialist Equality Party. But in all these experiences, and in the midst of political upheavals that have turned the world upside down, we have remained true to the revolutionary principles that once inspired Tom and fired his imagination.

The resiliency of this party, its unyielding commitment to its founding principles, and its confidence in the future are derived, in the final analysis, from the power of its historical perspective and insight into the insoluble contradictions of the world capitalist system. Capitalism is only one stage in the historical evolution of man, and the market is not the highest and final expression of mans genius. Labor, from which capital is derived, remains the essence of man; and the movement of history, for all its complexities and tragedies, leads inexorably toward socialism.

The years since Toms death have been for our party, both within the United States and among its international sections, a period of political and intellectual growth. But for all the necessary changes in the forms of our practical work, Tom Henehan, were he alive today, would still recognize this movement as his party. His work lives on in this movement. That is why the Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International can hold this anniversary and honor the memory of Tom without a trace of inner discomfort. This is the party of genuine Marxism and revolutionary socialism, and we appeal to the youth to come forward and help us build the movement that will put an end to all forms of exploitation and injustice.
Debris litters a street from buildings damaged in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Monday, March 16, 2026. [AP Photo/Bilal Hussein]

Israels US-backed war against Lebanon has entered a new and bloody stage with the start of a long-prepared ground invasion conducted under the umbrella of the widening imperialist war against Iran.

Humanitarian and press reports confirm that Israel has moved from intensive air and artillery strikes into ground operations across southern Lebanon, expanding beyond the cross-border attacks it has conducted since late 2024.

A humanitarian briefing from Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS) on March 4 reports that Israel initiated a military operation within Lebanese borders on March 1, 2026, concentrating on southern Lebanon and deploying ground troops beyond at least five positions it has occupied since November 2024.

TRT World, citing Reuters and Lebanese sources, has reported that Defence Minister Israel Katz publicly authorized incursions into Lebanon and stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the army to advance and take control of additional strategic positions in Lebanon in order to prevent attacks on Israeli border communities.

As the offensive escalated, Axios reported that Israeli officials are planning a large-scale invasion to seize the entire area south of the Litani Riverroughly the southern third of Lebanonbased on the claim that it intends to dismantle Hezbollahs military infrastructure. Axios described the incursion as the largest operation in Lebanon since 2006.

However, one senior Israeli official, quoted in that report, bluntly stated, We are going to do what we did in Gaza, explaining that the goal is to take over territory, push Hezbollahs forces north and away from the border, and dismantle its military positions and weapons depots in the villages.

This statement makes clear that the invasion of Lebanon is not a limited border security action but a planned occupation of Lebanese territory combined with the systematic destruction of entire towns and villages and the murder of civilians modeled on the genocidal campaign in Gaza over the past 29 months.

The same propaganda used during the barbaric destruction of Gazaclaims that terror tunnels, human shields and the violence of Hamas was the reason for the Israeli slaughter of more than 70,000 Palestiniansis now being reproduced almost verbatim to justify the onslaught against Lebanon with Hezbollah being held responsible this time.

Israeli political and military leaders are presenting the offensive as a defensive necessity to protect border communities and assure the safe return of Israelis to the north, just like they invoked security and returning residents to the south to justify the leveling of Gaza.

The Axios account makes explicit that the objective is to transform the region south of the Litani into a demilitarized cordon under Israeli control. The Zionist regime is tearing up the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war and required Israels withdrawal while placing limits on Hezbollahs presence in the south.

For years, Israeli officials, think-tank strategists and retired generals have argued for a renewed security zone in Lebanon, closely resembling the occupation regime Israel maintained through its proxy South Lebanon Army from 1978 until its formal withdrawal in 2000.

The declared strategy of what we did in Gaza exposes the propaganda about precision targeting of terror infrastructure as a fraud. Israel is using mass bombardment and the depopulation of broad swaths of Lebanese territory to create a buffer zone for Israel and a strategic staging ground in the broader war against Iran.

The offensive of March 2026 is the culmination of more than a year of steadily intensifying Israeli attacks on Lebanon that began in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, and then was massively escalated with the onset of the USIsraeli war against Iran. Since late 2024, Israel has carried out near-daily strikes on targets it claims are Hezbollah-linked, while keeping troops in at least five positions in southern Lebanon after the ceasefire that was negotiated in November 2024.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has denounced these attacks as violations of Lebanese sovereignty and a fully-fledged crime, emphasizing that they target civilians and force mass displacement. UN agencies estimate that between roughly 750,000 and nearly 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced so far by the latest Israeli offensive and mass evacuation orders.

The cumulative toll on the Lebanese populationespecially childrenhas been devastating. TRT World, citing UNICEF data, reports that over the past 28 months 329 children were killed and 1,632 injured by Israeli air strikes in Lebanon. Child fatalities stand at 412 in the last six days alone.

Behind the pseudo-legal phrasing about terrorist infrastructure is a campaign of collective punishment directed at entire communities in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of BeirutDahiehwhere Israeli strikes have repeatedly hit residential areas under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah.

In one of many such incidents, the BBC has reported on the aftermath of an Israeli strike that killed an entire family, with relatives insisting that the victims were civilians and not Hezbollah fighters, contradicting claims by the IDF. These atrocities are being perpetrated with the full military, political and diplomatic backing from the Trump administration, which has openly welcomed the illegal Lebanese invasion into its expanding regional war against Iran.

The timing and character of the Lebanese ground invasion cannot be understood apart from the broader regional strategy being executed by US imperialism and its Israeli ally. It is in this context that Israeli leaders have authorized what they describe as an offensive campaign. Israeli commanders have told news media they intend to conclude the campaign by significantly degrading Irans regional position, implicitly presenting Lebanese territory as a battlefield in the war against Tehran.

Israeli officials present the offensive in Lebanon as a necessary means to restore security for northern Israel. However, as international experts and analysts have pointed out, the Lebanon campaign is a reproduction of the logic of the Gaza genocide.

Humanitarian organizations warn that the combination of air strikes, artillery barrages and ground invasion is destroying infrastructure, displacing massive sections of the population and creating conditions of famine, disease and social collapse reminiscent of Gaza.

The present assault is part of a decades-long pattern of Zionist and imperialist crimes against the Lebanese and Palestinian people. In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon, advanced to the outskirts of Beirut and imposed a brutal siege lasting nearly three months, forcing the evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from the city under a US-brokered agreement.

Immediately after the PLOs departure, Israeli forces, in coordination with the Lebanese fascist Phalangist militia, oversaw the infamous Sabra and Shatila massacre in September 1982, in which more than 3,000 Palestinian and Lebanese civilians were slaughtered in the refugee camps of West Beirut.

During this period, the US deployed Marines as part of a multinational force and brought in naval firepower, including the battleship New Jersey that shelled positions in and around Beirut, killing large numbers of civilians and openly aligning US military power with the Israeli invasion and its Lebanese allies.

As it has done consistently since 1948, the US government functions as a direct participant in the attempt to crush Palestinian and Lebanese resistance and secure a client regime in Beirut. While the Democratic and Republican Party supporters of the war against Iran have claimed that Iran is responsible for the bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut in October 1983, which killed 241 American servicemen, it was the US-Israeli mass murder in Lebanon that was responsible for the bombing.

The official narrative has always served to cover up the underlying reality that the US barracks were a military target in a country ravaged by invasion, occupation and massacres carried out with US complicity.

The ground invasion of Lebanon marks a significant extension of the genocidal methods in Gaza into another country, under conditions where the US-Israeli axis is driving toward a far wider regional and potentially global conflagration. The talk in Israeli ruling circles of bringing the Gaza genocide to southern Lebanon is not rhetorical excess but a warning of the desperate crisis of the US and Israeli governments, as well as the deadly danger facing the people of Lebanon.
We recently compiled a list of the 12 Top Performing Consumer Staples Stocks in February. Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) is among the best performing stocks on this list.

TheFly reported on March 5 that Mizuho increased its price target for PRMB from $24 to $28 while continuing to rate the shares as Outperform.

Furthermore, on March 2, Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) declared that it had asked the Ontario Securities Commission, which serves as principal regulator, for permission to cease being a reporting issuer in a number of Canadian provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

On November 8, 2024, the firm completed a merger and arrangement agreement with Primo Water and affiliated organizations, making it a reporting issuer in Canada. PRMB will no longer be obligated by Canadian securities regulations to submit financial statements or other disclosure documents if regulatory approval is given. The companys disclosure obligations in the US and its listing on the New York Stock Exchange will be unaffected by this modification.

Primo Brands Corporation (PRMB) to End Canadian Reporting Obligations Pending OSC Approval

In order to maintain transparency and access to the companys financial data, Canadian shareholders will continue to have access to all filings made in accordance with NYSE regulations and U.S. securities laws. They will also receive the same financial statements and disclosure documents as U.S. investors, simultaneously and in the same way.

Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) is a North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, producing and distributing bottled water and related products through retail, direct delivery, refill, and exchange channels across the U.S. and Canada.

While we acknowledge the potential of PRMB 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.

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Cardone, instead, typically prefers real estate investments that arent tied to your own living situation.

He then described the exercise as dead money  a term used for an investment that has shown little increase in value or is locked up for a long time with little yield.

Youre not going to sell it for that, to break even, he said.

A $576,000 home will have to be sold for $1.2 million in 10 years, Cardone said on Instagram (2). Does he think thats realistic?

When it comes to buying a house to live in, Cardone is all about the numbers.

Lets take a look at what he thinks is the right real estate move for you  and how you can make it.

So, has Cardone really changed his tune about real estate? And more importantly, is buying a home to live in yourself still a good financial move?

The $87.5 million hybrid investment combines a 300-unit multifamily asset in Melbourne, Florida, with $15 million in Bitcoin. Cardone Capital also plans to use the monthly income from its real estate to purchase additional Bitcoin (4).

I love real estate, Cardone told Fox Business (3). But I dont like that real estate is very heavy, its very slow to move, and its very expensive to fix.

Fast-forward to 2026, and Cardone appeared on Fox Business in February to promote his 10X Space Coast Bitcoin Fund, a hybrid investment that claims to combine the stability of multifamily real estate with the liquidity of Bitcoin  the best of both worlds, according to Cardone.

Buying a home without a doubt is the WORST investment people can make, yet its also the most common one, he also wrote in the caption to a video posted on Instagram in that same year (2).

He went on to say that youd have to be crazy to buy a home.

Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and its raising alarm bells for retirees. Heres why and how to protect yourself

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres what it is and the 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

Real estate investment guru Grant Cardone seems conflicted. Speaking on his YouTube channel in 2024, Cardone said, The average mortgage today is double the rent in America (1).

Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of the American dream. It symbolizes independence, financial security and prosperity  but is it a dream worth chasing in 2026?

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

Story Continues

Rather than buying one house, rent where you live  go buy a piece of real estate where other people live, he explained.

In other words, rather than own your own housing, own somebody elses  and make a profit. But how feasible is it for most Americans?

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

Invest in properties you dont live in

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for many Americans who rent their homes is that they feel that they cant afford a down payment to buy their own property  much less an investment property to rent.

In fact, a CNN poll found that 86% of American renters would like to buy a home, but they simply cant afford one (5).

This is coming on top of more bad news for potential homebuyers in 2026, as interest rates rose due to the war in Iran and the risk of oil shortages.

High oil prices are not good for mortgage rates, Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, told CNBC (6).

Interest rates are also increased due to the potential for further inflation, a major contributor to unaffordability across the country since 2020.

Moreover, the supply of available homes still hasnt met pre-pandemic levels, so competition for properties is still fierce in many markets, even though interest rates have fallen compared to previous years.

And so, whether you want to buy your own home or invest in real estate, this mix of high interest rates and competition for housing is making it difficult.

Thats why crowdfunding platforms  a process championed by Cardone  offer a way around it, even for those without a massive down payment available. They allow everyday investors to pool their money to purchase property (or a share of property) as a group.

So, if youre keen on getting into the real estate game and agree that renting the space you live in is the smarter financial move, heres what you should know if youre looking for an opportunity to invest in property without owning your own home.

Break into the vacation rental market

One way of tapping into this market is by investing in shares of vacation homes or rental properties through a platform such as Arrived.

Backed by world-class investors, including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property.

To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100, potentially earning quarterly dividends.

Consider long-term rentals

There are also platforms that allow you to invest in longer-term rentals with the potential for steadier returns.

Thats where mogul comes in. This real estate investment platform offers fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits  without the need for a hefty down payment or late-night tenant calls.

Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the mogul team handpicks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide for you. Simply put, you can invest in institutional quality offerings for a fraction of the usual cost.

Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10 to 12% annually. Offerings often sell out in under three hours, with investments typically ranging between $15,000 and $40,000 per property.

Every investment is secured by real assets, not dependent on the platforms viability. Each property is held in a standalone Propco LLC, so investors own the property  not the platform. Blockchain-based fractionalization adds a layer of safety, ensuring a permanent, verifiable record of each stake.

Getting started is a quick and easy process. You can sign up for an account and then browse available properties. Once you verify your information with their team, you can invest like a mogul in just a few clicks.

Invest in industrial real estate

In addition to single-unit assets, multifamily and industrial real estate have long been touted as wise investments for adding stability to your portfolio.

In particular, factory construction in America is seeing an unprecedented boom, according to The Manufacturer (7). This is in part thanks to mechanisms like build-to-suit (BTS) financing.

BTS financing lets manufacturers make use of purpose-built facilities without actually having to buy the site. Instead, a developer or investor buys the property and pays for construction  following specifications of the manufacturer  while the manufacturer rents it out as a long-term tenant.

According to The Manufacturer, arrangements like this are unlocking billions in investment for industrial real estate.

If diversifying into industrial or multifamily rentals appeals to you, you could consider investing with Lightstone DIRECT, a new investing platform from the Lightstone Group, one of the largest private real estate companies in the country with over 25,000 multifamily units in its portfolio.

Since they eliminate intermediaries  brokers and crowdfunding middlemen  accredited investors with a minimum investment of $100,000 can gain direct access to institutional-quality multifamily opportunities. This streamlined model can help reduce fees while enhancing transparency and control.

And with Lightstone DIRECT, you invest in single-asset multifamily deals alongside Lightstone  a true partner  as Lightstone puts at least 20% of its own capital into every offering. All of Lightstones investment opportunities undergo a rigorous, multi-stage review before being approved by Lightstones Principals, including Founder David Lichtenstein.

How it works is simple: Just sign up with your email, and you can schedule a call with a capital formation expert to assess your investment opportunities. From here, all you have to do is verify your details to begin investing.

Founded in 1986, Lightstone has a proven track record of delivering strong risk-adjusted returns across market cycles with a 27.6% historical net IRR and 2.54x historical net equity multiple on realized investments since 2004. All told, Lightstone has $12 billion in assets under management  including in industrial and commercial real estate.

As such, even if industrial or multifamily rentals dont appeal to you, Lightstone could still serve you well as an investment vehicle for other real estate verticals.

Get started today with Lightstone DIRECT and invest alongside experienced professionals with skin in the game.

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We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

@GrantCardone (1); @grantcardone (2); Fox Business (3); GlobeNewswire (4); CNN (5); CNBC (6); The Manufacturer (7)

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NEED TO KNOW

Baywatch actress Alexandra Paul was arrested for alleged trespassing at Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisc., on March 15

She was arrested alongside approximately 20 people who were removing numerous beagles from the facility

Paul was previously arrested in 2021 and later found not guilty for rescuing chickens from a transport truck

Baywatch actress Alexandra Paul has been arrested for alleged trespassing.

The 62-year-old actress was arrested on Sunday, March 15, in Blue Mounds, Wisc., after a group of 50-60 protestors allegedly trespassed the Ridglan Farms property around 8:30 a.m., the Dane County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Paul was one of approximately 20 people to be arrested. At the time of publication, she was still in police custody.

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Ridglan Farms is one of only two large dog breeders in the U.S. that offer experimentation for scientific research. However, in October 2025, the La Crosse County District Attorney and Ridglan Farms agreed that the facility would no longer operate under its Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) license and would not sell dogs purposefully bred for biomedical research, beginning no later than July 1, 2026, per WKOW 27.

On March 15, some activists broke into the facility and began removing numerous dogs, the DCSO said.

After the incident, some of the beagles taken were recovered and returned to Ridglan Farms. However, several more remain unaccounted. Additionally, authorities seized two vehicles, burglary tools and other evidence.

Alexandra Paul on "Baywatch."

Credit: Baywatch Co/Tower 12 Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

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DCSO Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said the agency understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests.

He continued: Our role is to keep everyone safe and to respond when unlawful activity takes place. We encourage anyone with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to engage through lawful and constructive avenues.

The Sheriffs Office remains committed to maintaining public safety, promoting peaceful dialogue, and ensuring that all parties can exercise their rights within the bounds of the law, Sheriff Barrett.

Pauls trespassing arrest occurred three years after she was charged with misdemeanor theft, for allegedly taking two chickens from a Foster Farms truck in September 2021, the Los Angeles Times previously reported. She testified in Merced County in March 2023 and was found not guilty, per The Fresno Bee.

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More than a decade prior to her 2022 arrest, she spoke to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) about her animal activism.

During her September 2011 interview, she revealed that her activism began when she became a vegetarian at 14 and then a vegan at 47. At 26 years old, she stopped wearing leather, wool, silk and fur. She wrote in her acting contracts that I would not wear any makeup tested on animals.

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.

PEOPLE reached out to Pauls representatives for comment.

Read the original article on People
Former Baywatch star Alexandra Paul was arrested this weekend on charges of freeing dogs during an animal rights protest.

Paul, 62, rose to stardom on Baywatch in the role of tough-talking Lt. Stephanie Holden, which she held from 1992 to 1997. With endless appearances in other series, ranging from Melrose Place to Mad Men, Paul has been a staple of Hollywood for several decades. However, she has always been known for her activism, which has included everything from environmentalism to animal rights.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, we learned the actress was arrested on Sunday, March 15, in Blue Mounds, Wisc., after a group of 50 to 60 protestors allegedly trespassed onto a property called Ridglan Farms, one of only two large dog breeders in the U.S. that offer experimentation for scientific research.

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On March 15, some activists broke into the facility and began removing numerous dogs, the Dane County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) said in a statement. While some beagles were recovered and returned to the facility, others were not.

Is Alexandra Paul an Animal Rights Advocate?

One look at Paul's social media page makes it clear that she's an animal lover. The actress is frequently working to find homes for adoptable dogs, whether it's working with shelters or just advocating for a neighborhood pup.

Has Alexandra Paul Ever Been Arrested Before?

On her Instagram page, Paul noted that she was arrested back in 2003 while protesting the war in Iraq. She went on to spend 6 days in jail. Two weeks ago, she took to social media to post a throwback photo and share her thoughts on America's return to war.

"It feels surreal that 23 years later we are hearing the same rhetoric on why we have to go to war: the cruel regime, the terrible things the country has done to the United States... but bombing does not solve these problems, as we have learned from the 20-year war in Iraq and Afghanistan," Paul said. "Fighting does not change hearts and minds, it creates chaos and misery. We need to try harder and longer to negotiate. We need to empower people in other countries through organizing, educating and supporting to create the government they want. Call me naive, but this war in the Middle East fills me with dread."

Related: Pamela Anderson's Net Worth in 2026, Including How Much She Made From 'Baywatch' and Her Sex Tape With Tommy Lee

This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The woman involved in the infamous Jumbotron scandal at a Coldplay concert last year is speaking out.

Last summer, at a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, Astronomer HR executive Kristin Cabot was seen in the arms of her married boss, a moment she said derailed her life.

She discussed the viral moment in a new sit-down interview on The Oprah Podcast.

Oprah asked, So why do you think that this went off like a bomb? Was it Chris Martins comment in that moment that maybe you were having an affair? Was it the fact that Andy Byron ducked or that you turned around? Was it that he was the CEO and you were the head of HR?

HR executive Kristin Cabot spoke out about her infamous Coldplay kiss cam viral moment in a new sit-down interview on The Oprah Podcast. (The Oprah Podcast) Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are seen on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts before quickly ducking out of frame  a moment that quickly went viral and led to Byrons resignation as CEO of Astronomer. July 2025. (@CALEBU2/TMX) Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are seen on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts before quickly ducking out of frame  a moment that quickly went viral and led to Byrons resignation as CEO of Astronomer. July 2025. (@CALEBU2/TMX) Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are seen on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts before quickly ducking out of frame  a moment that quickly went viral and led to Byrons resignation as CEO of Astronomer. July 2025. (@CALEBU2/TMX) Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are seen on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts before quickly ducking out of frame  a moment that quickly went viral and led to Byrons resignation as CEO of Astronomer. July 2025. (@CALEBU2/TMX) Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are seen on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts before quickly ducking out of frame  a moment that quickly went viral and led to Byrons resignation as CEO of Astronomer. July 2025. (@CALEBU2/TMX) Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot are seen on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Massachusetts before quickly ducking out of frame  a moment that quickly went viral and led to Byrons resignation as CEO of Astronomer. July 2025. (@CALEBU2/TMX)

Ive thought a lot about that, Cabot responded. I think it was a whole, it was a combination of all of those things. I felt, in the initial moments, Im sure it was funny to people. I can appreciate that. Ive certainly seen funny things online and forwarded them around and clicked on them. I just dont think people really stop and think about, theres real humans behind this.

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Cabot added that her estranged husband was also at the concert that night. She thought about possibly bumping into him and wondered how hed feel about seeing her with her then-boss Andy Byron.

Cabot told The New York Times in an interview last year she had never had a physical relationship with Byron until that night (she said they did kiss once), although she admitted he had been her crush after they bonded at work.

She insists her husband knew about their close relationship.

You can watch the full interview on YouTube.

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.
Kerry Washington unveiled her latest hair transformation at the SAG-AFTRA Imperfect Women screening and conversation in New York on Monday night, marking a major departure from her previous Pamela Anderson-inspired updo earlier in March.

Inside the Robin Williams Center, the 49-year-old actress appeared with two bohemian-style braids, which extended past her hips. Each tail was fashioned in an inverse French braid, with dark brown, caramel and white hues woven throughout.

More from WWD

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Kerry Washington attends the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations "Imperfect Women" screening and conversation at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on March 16, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

For the past few months, Washington has collaborated with Rio Sreedharan, the same artist behind her modernized messy bun at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on Thursday, ahead of the 98th annual Oscars. However, its not certain whether the stylist was the mastermind behind Washingtons Monday night braids.

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A chameleon when it comes to hair, the Scandal actress rarely wears the same texture and cut twice. However, she was seen with similar braids in an Instagram post shared on Valentines Day. Here, Washington teamed the long hair with a red workout set and heart-shaped glasses. Happy Valentines Day everyone! Sending you all love! And giving you some mindful yoga movements to help you open your hearts today, her caption read.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: Kerry Washington attends the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations "Imperfect Women" screening and conversation at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on March 16, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

At the Womens Cancer Research Fund weeks later, where she was honored with the Courage Award, Washington switched to sleek, straight hair and flipped ends. Before that, at the world premiere of Imperfect Women on March 10, Washington styled an elegant lob  a long bob  with the help of Sreedharan.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 10: Kerry Washington attends the World Premiere of Apple TV's "Imperfect Women" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Julian Hamilton/FilmMagic)

Many stars went the Old Hollywood route at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, pairing bombshell blowouts and combed-through curls with pastels on the carpet. Indeed, many stylists also played with 90s minimalism, crafting low ballerina buns with loose layers for the likes of Elle Fanning, Misty Copeland and Zoe Saldana. The idea was a very open bun that appears to be there on its own with no pins, said hair architect Miles Jeffries of Copelands look, which he fashioned using Olaplex products.

Launch Gallery: Zendaya, Kerry Washington and More at the 2026 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards

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Lombard, IL, USA - Von Maur, founded in 1872, is an American department store chain with 39 locations in 17 states. Recent $100M+ renovations have introduced curated national brands with "linger" amenities, from live piano music to an in-store cafe in many locations. getty

Department stores are the hot new thingsaid no one in the last 20 years. Yet despite decades of closure headlines, plenty of these stores are still ringing up sales.

U.S. department store revenue was projected to reach $231.6 billion by the end of 2025, growing at a 1.4% CAGR, with profits hovering around 3.7% of revenue. Not flashy, perhaps, but steady, durable business.

The broader retail picture shows why that steadiness matters. In Q4 2025, JLL analysis showed U.S. retail posted 11.9 million square feet of positive net absorption, while vacancy hovered near 4.3%. Development has slowed for years, keeping supply tight in strong markets and increasing the value of existing centersand the department stores that often anchor them. When theyre productive, department stores can shape traffic, influence leasing decisions, and help define a centers identity.

While years of competitive pressure thinned the middle and left some legacy brands struggling under heavy debt and underinvestment, the reality is more encouraging. Successful department stores still rely on the basics: disciplined merchandising and sales floors staffed by people who know their products.

From spectacle to staying power

Department stores were once among the most innovative buildings in American cities. In the mid-19th century, they introduced fixed pricing, organized departments, and expansive interiors designed for browsing. They added tearooms, fashion shows, and elaborate holiday windows. For many women, they were also among the first respectable public spaces where you could shop and socialize independently.

From the 1960s through the 1980s, department stores powered the mall era. They drove foot traffic, shaped lease structures, influenced co-tenancy clauses, and leveraged scale with supplierswhile training generations of sales associates in service-led retail.

Everything changed in the 2000s. E-commerce exploded, off-price formats captured shoppers attention, and specialty retail multiplied. Some long-standing department stores couldnt keep up, especially those carrying heavy debt that made reinvestment nearly impossible.

Even so, the format never disappeared. Physical retail still accounts for the majority of U.S. sales, and the post-COVID rebound reinforced a core truth: people still like to shop in person. They want to see, touch, compare, try on, and interact. Theyll make the trip when the experience feels worth it. Todays leading department stores can still deliver that value, especially when built around service and local relevance.
King Charles and Prince Harry may have briefly reunited at the end of last year, but it doesnt seem like the monarch will be welcoming his son and daughter-in-law back into the royal fold any time soon. And it reportedly has something to do with their controversial overseas travels!

According to reports, the King isnt too happy that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are continuing to take high-profile trips abroad  which many critics say they shouldnt really be doing as non-working royal family members  and has reportedly now washed his hands of them. Yikes!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle One Year To Go

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Australia Tour Sparks A Lot Of Controversy

Shortly after returning from their controversial trip to Jordan, Prince Harry and Meghan announced that they would be heading to Australia next month. And critics once again slammed the couple for planning to go on the trip, which is being described as an unofficial royal tour due to them no longer being working members of the royal family since stepping down in 2020 and moving to California.

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According to their spokesperson, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to travel to Sydney and Melbourne for a series of "private, business and philanthropic engagements." One of these is reportedly a solo engagement from the former Suits actress  a girls' weekend retreat costing $2K for VIP tickets  which she is being heavily slammed for.

TalkTV host Mark Dolan asked royal commentator Ingrid Seward what she thought about their decision to go to Australia, adding: "Many criticized their faux royal tour in the Middle East a few weeks ago."

"I think they are lucky they were in the Middle East a few weeks ago and they are not there now," Seward began, in reference to the current conflict. She then explained why the couple might be keener than ever to make these trips, while also discussing where the King seemingly stands

King Charles

King Charles Reportedly Has 'Plenty Of Other Things To Worry About'

Seward suggested the couple's international appearances are clearly part of a wider effort to stay visible, as they try to remain financially independent following Megxit.

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"They are obviously trying to promote themselves and they need to keep a high profile in order to make money," she said, adding that the trips help them "raise their public profile" with audiences in places like Australia.

When asked what she thought King Charles made of their "quasi royal tour," she said: "I think the King has probably slightly washed his hands of them."

"He's got plenty of other things to worry about," she went on, which we assume is in reference to the ex-Prince Andrew fallout. "They do what they like up to a point. I think he has got more important things to worry about than what Harry and Meghan are doing at this moment," Seward added.
A life in crime has proved very rewarding for Michael Connelly.

From his early days on the crime beat at Florida and Los Angeles newspapers, to selling more than 90 million copies of the novels hes published in the past 34 years, Connelly has made his mark on crime writing.

This giant of American fiction will be in Naples on Monday, March 23, for a sold-out finale to the 23rd annual Nick Linn Lecture Series for the Friends of the Library of Collier County.

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By presenting popular authors like Connelly over the past couple of decades, the nonprofit Friends group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to donate to the 10 branches of the Collier library system. These funds supplement the budget the libraries receive from the county, paying for e-books, the Childrens Summer Reading Program, the genealogy research databases, the Mail-a-Book program and many other library mainstays.

Books include 'Harry' Bosch series

Connelly is the author of 42 novels and one work of nonfiction, as well as the winner of a bookcase full of literary awards. His multiple series include the immensely successful novels featuring LAPD Detective Hieronymus Harry Bosch, and the Lincoln Lawyer books centered on criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller.

His latest series, about an L.A. County Sheriffs Detective assigned to Catalina Island, debuted last year with Nightshade and continues with the May 19 release of its sequel, Ironwood.

Keeping up his pace of publishing multiple books each year, his most recent Lincoln Lawyer entry was The Proving Ground last October. And a new Bosch novel, The Hollow, is coming in November.

Writer Michael Connelly and Titus Welliver arrive at the Premiere Of Amazon's "Bosch" Season 2 at SilverScreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center on March 3, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Connelly also is executive producer of four dramatic series based on his characters: Bosch, Bosch: Legacy and Ballard, which all stream on Prime Video; and The Lincoln Lawyer, streaming on Netflix. In his spare time, he creates podcasts and documentaries, often true-crime stories.

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A Philadelphia native who moved to Florida at age 12, then relocated to Los Angeles in his early 30s, Connelly now divides his time between California and Florida.

Connellys website is michaelconnelly.com. He answered these questions for us ahead of his Naples presentation.

Why no Florida novels

Naples Daily News: With all your Florida ties  high school in Fort Lauderdale, journalism degree from University of Florida, newspaper jobs in Daytona Beach and Fort Lauderdale  youve not fully set a novel in Florida. There were reports last fall of a TV series in development, dubbed Untitled Florida Task Force. Whats the latest on that, and whats the inspiration to turn to Florida now?

Michael Connelly: Development can last a long time! So that project still has a pulse, but I cant say it will happen. But that said, I would love to come up with an idea for a show set in Florida.

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NDN: Every Bosch fan wants to know if you and Titus Welliver will be working together again.

MC: That is the hope. He is an amazing actor but an even better collaborator, and I hope to be involved in whatever happens next with him.

NDN: Your next novel to publish, in May, is Ironwood. Its the follow-up to Nightshade, in your new Catalina Island series about L.A. County Sheriffs Detective Sgt. Stilwell. Two questions: Are you going to give Stilwell a first name, and why start another series when youre already so busy with new Bosch and Lincoln Lawyer novels?

MC: Those who read the new book will learn his first name. Its hidden in there. As far as starting this series goes, I felt I had no choice once the idea inspired me. The only detective on an island  its such a great opportunity for exploring character.

Michael Connelly, whose latest best-sellers are "The Proving Ground" and "Nightshade," will speak in the Nick Linn Series for the Friends of the Library of Collier County on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Naples.

NDN: If you have time to read, what authors and books are you enjoying?

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MC: Sadly, I dont read as much as I used to. I can write when most people read. But I usually stop whatever I am doing to read James Lee Burkes books. I loved Gabrielle Zevins last book (Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow). I also like to read more nonfiction than fiction. I get inspiration from bios of musicians.

NDN: Since were the Friends of the Library, we like to ask what role libraries might have played in your life. Do you have any library memories you could share?

MC: Libraries have been very important to me. When I was 12 and growing up in Fort Lauderdale, I went to the library several times a week during the summer. One day a librarian gave me To Kill a Mockingbird to read. I would say that was a key moment in my life. When I went up to the University of Florida and decided to be a writer, I went up into the stacks at the Smathers Library to read Hunter S. Thompson stories in back copies of Rolling Stone magazine.

Patriots on the fringe: Florida's role in American Revolution shown in books

What to know

About the Friends of the Library of Collier County: Tickets are no longer available for the 2026 Nick Linn Lecture Series. Other events are being held, including the Author Spotlight Series finale on Thursday, April 9. To learn more, or to join the Friends of the Library, starting at $50 for an individual membership, go to https://collier-friends.org. Or contact Marlene Haywood, Operations and Events Manager, at mhaywood@collier-friends.org or 239-262-8135.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Author Michael Connelly to speak in Naples, Florida on March 23
What happens in Vegas is about to stay in Vegas less than ever, pending final approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Park MGM, the Las Vegas Strip property formerly known as Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, is seeking to become the first Strip casino with a designated recording-enabled gaming salon. Sign-off is expected at a commission meeting scheduled for March 26, on the heels of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) unanimously recommending approval last week.

Whether this will prove some sort of paradigm shift remains to be seen, but it is at the very least a sign of the times, one small step toward the Truman Show-ification of our society, where everything everywhere is recorded and available for viewing  including, increasingly, the gambling that once was the exclusive recording domain of the casinos eye in the sky.

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What Park MGM has in mind is not quite the same as the ever-growing presence of influencers recording their casino action themselves to post on their personal feeds. Rather, in this gaming salon, Park MGM will handle the recording, and patrons can access the footage afterward if they want.

Its much like when you ride the roller coaster at New York-New York, afterwards you can buy a photo of yourself on the roller coaster, explained Chandler Pohl, vice president and legal counsel for MGM Resorts International, at the NGCB meeting.

Our MGM Interactive team has believed that there is some interest in the gaming community for the recording of peoples play for their enjoyment, Pohl added. In that salon environment, this will be the first one of its kind where, in a public setting, the public could enter the space and game as per normal, and there would be an opportunity that the play could be recorded and shared with the people who have been playing in that public setting, should they want a copy.

From discouraged to encouraged

Different casinos have different rules, but for the most part, throughout Las Vegas history, photography and videography on the gaming floor has been discouraged, based on the notion that it could aid cheating or violate other patrons rights to privacy. There were never any formal laws against taking photos in casinos, but security personnel were frequently quick anyway to tell casino goers that snapping pics wasnt allowed.

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Bit by bit over the past decade-plus, those limitations have lifted.

Scott The Big Jackpot Richter, who at last check had 672,000 subscribers on YouTube, began recording and posting his slot play in 2014, making him one of the earliest casino influencers. Brian Christopher followed in 2016 and has just shy of 800,000 subs, and Francine LadyLuck HQ Maric started in 2017 and has more than 1.1 million subscribers,

Is there any difference between the real Brian Christopher and the Brian Christopher we see in YouTube slots videos? The @BetMGMCasino ambassador answers on a new episode of Low Rollers: https://t.co/gpHnQ3c2w4 pic.twitter.com/PG0kvDM1V1  Casino Reports (@casino_reports) July 31, 2025

Even for those who dont film their casino play for a living, theres much more freedom to record these days. Properties encourage guests to snap selfies and post them with a promotional hashtag.

But Park MGMs proposal takes it to another level. Until now, the property stood out in two ways: It was the only fully smoke-free casino resort on the Strip, and it was the closest casino to T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHLs Golden Knights.

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Now its poised to become the first Strip casino with a special section where all game play is recorded for purposes other than security.

Pohl explained at the NGCB meeting that MGM will post signage around the gaming salon informing patrons that filming is in progress and will provide forms for people to sign consenting to being filmed in the salon  whether they plan to play or just watch.

Its curtains for ya

The salon, which will be curtained off from the rest of the casino, can either be configured as open to the public or booked for private use by celebrities or influencers. Park MGMs proximity to T-Mobile makes it a popular place to gamble for folks with assorted claims to fame who are on their way to or from a concert or sporting event.

Pohl explained that some people who enter that space for filming purposes may want to engage with the public but dont want the public to engage with their gaming. The salon would be private, but there would be an opportunity to engage with the audience.

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At the outset, the new room will feature blackjack, baccarat, and roulette tables.

Although this would be the first area on a casino floor thats set up for streaming, there are other studios in operation at other Vegas properties.

The Luxor boasts the Omen Streamer Room, a broadcast center near the front entrance of the casino built specifically for eSports and video-game streaming. At Palms, there are a pair of high-roller suites in the hotel that are set up as production sets. And at the downtown property the Plaza Hotel and Casino, a gambling streaming studio initially opened in 2021 with Brian Christophers name attached is now known as the Vegas Live Casino Network.

It wasnt so long ago that snapping a photo of a hand you won on the casino floor could get your camera confiscated or get you escorted off the premises. Now, broadcasting your play to the world is encouraged. And Park MGM wants you to go home with not just a story to tell, but documented proof of how you brought down the house.
The Gist

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark are on an official visit to AustraliaMarys home country.

The couple took part in a glittering state banquet on March 15, where Mary eschewed a tiara in favor of wearing a brooch in her hair.

She also wore a mint green gown that shes worn multiple times over the last 15-plus years.

For her first official visit to her home country in 13 years, Queen Mary of Denmark skipped a tiara for a state banquet in Australia alongside her husband, King Frederik.

The royal couple shared numerous photos to Instagram of their glamorous evening in Canberra on March 15, where Mary cosigned the hair brooch trend once embraced by Princess Diana rather than wearing a sparkler atop her head. She paired the statement brooch with a gown Marie Claire reported was over 15 years olda mint green, Grecian-esque gown that the outlet reported she also wore while visiting Australia 15 years ago.

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark on March 15, 2026

Credit: Kongehuset

The state banquet on Sunday at Government House isnt the first time Mary has worn the brooch by Ole Lynggaard, which features gold leaves accented with diamonds. Marie Claire reported that Mary has worn the piece as both a brooch and a hair ornament, including at King Carl XVI of Swedens 70th birthday banquet. On Sunday, Mary wore her brunette hair down, pinned up by the brooch on her left side, which showed off dangling gold earrings. Diana also wore a brooch in her hair while visiting Australia back in January 1988.

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Her gown was by Jesper Hvring and was worn to an event in Melbourne in 2011, though for Sundays banquet, she added a sheer lace overlay to the dress featuring gold floral and leaf-themed beading. The year prior, Mary debuted the dress at the wedding of Swedens Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, and it was originally strapless instead of one-shouldered, as it is today.

Princess Diana wearing a hair brooch during a visit to Sydney, Australia on January 31, 1988

Credit: Getty

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark in Canberra, Australia

Credit: Kongehuset

Frederik and Mary met in a Sydney pub called The Slip Inn during the 2000 Summer Olympics, and at the banquet on Sunday, the King sweetly said, For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart ever since I slipped into that bar and lost it in a conversation that has never ended.

This visit marks the couples first official visit to Australia since becoming King and Queen in 2024, though theyve visited numerous times privately.

Australia is our second home, Frederik continued in his speech. Whether we come here for a family visit or a state visit, we feel both excited and entirely at ease. Elsewhere in his remarks, Frederik added, Mary, you had the courage to leave your beloved home and build a new one with me as far away as one can possibly go. For that, I will be forever grateful.

Queen Mary of Denmark in Australia on March 15, 2026

Credit: Kongehuset

The couple married nearly four years after meeting in 2004, and Mary wore a romantic tribute to her husband on Sunday night. She opted to don Queen Lovisas engagement bracelet, a piece from 1850. Tatler reported that the flat-link gold bracelet featuring a diamond pendant with an interlocking ring design is seen as representing strength and loyalty. Frederiks mother, Queen Margrethe, wore the bracelet numerous times, including during a state visit to France in 1978.

Read the original article on InStyle
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Credit: Kongehuset/Instagram

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark are embarking on an extra-special royal tour this week as they visit Mary's homeland of Australia, and they enjoyed a glamorous night in Canberra on Sunday, March 15. Wearing a Grecian-inspired mint green gown that she wore to Australia 15 years ago, Queen Mary looked every inch the royalbut she skipped a tiara in favor of an on-trend brooch in her hair.

The couple met at a Sydney pub during the city's 2000 summer Olympics, and this month, they returned to Australia for the first time as king and queen. Brooches were the hottest trend in menswear at the Oscars on Sunday night, and for their state banquet at Government House in Canberra, Queen Mary leaned into the brooch phenomenon with a favorite piece from jeweler Ole Lynggaard.

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The design features gold leaves accented with diamonds, and the Danish queen has worn it as both a brooch and hair ornament to events like King Carl XVI Gustaf of Swedens 70th birthday banquet. She wore her hair down, sweeping it back on one side to show off the brooch and her dangling gold floral earrings.

Queen Mary wears an old favorite gown in the gardens at Government House in Canberra, Australia. | Credit: Kongehuset/Instagram

Queen Mary wears a brooch in her hair in lieu of a tiara. | Credit: Kongehuset/Instagram

King Frederik and Queen Mary pose at Government House. | Credit: Kongehuset/Instagram

Queen Mary's Jesper Hvring gown might look familiar to longtime royal watchers because she wore it to an event in Melbourne, Australia in 2011but this time, she pulled a Princess Kate by updating the dress with a new design element.

The queen borrowed from her brooch's design by adding a sheer lace overlay to the dress, with the fabric featuring gold floral and leaf-themed beading that draped across the bust and down one arm.

This isn't the first time she updated the dreamy mint gown. Queen Mary debuted the style in 2010 at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, and it originally was strapless with a lace overlay instead of one-shouldered.

Queen Mary originally wore the gown to Crown Princess Victoria's 2010 wedding. | Credit: Getty Images

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Mary wore the gown again for a 2011 visit to Melbourne, altering it to be a one-shouldered style. | Credit: Getty Images

"For me, Australia has held a very special place in my heart ever since I slipped into that bar and lost it in a conversation that has never ended," King Frederik said in a speech at the banquet.

Australia is our second home," he continued. "Whether we come here for a family visit or a state visit, we feel both excited and entirely at ease.
Actor Sean Penn was absent from the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday because he was meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Penn has frequently advocated for Kyiv amid its war with Russia, and he spent the weekend abroad in an attempt to push his efforts forward.

Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war, Zelensky wrote in a post on the social platform X with a picture of himself and Penn.

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This is still true today. And we know that you will continue to stand with our country and our people, he added.

Penn was the only Academy Awards winner who didnt attend the annual ceremony. He won his third Academy Award for best supporting actor following his most recent performance in One Battle After Another.

Sean Penn couldnt be here this evening  or didnt want to, so Ill be accepting the award on his behalf, Kieran Culkin said on stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif.

Culkin won best supporting actor last year.

In 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Zelensky presented Penn with the Order of Merit, a prestigious state award of Ukraine established in 1996 to recognize outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, military or political spheres in exchange for the actors 2003 Oscar award for his performance in Mystic River.

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NEED TO KNOW

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hit up Beyonce and Jay-Zs ultra-exclusive Oscars afterparty at Chateau Marmont

A source says the pair mingled with Beyonce as guests swarmed Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan

The invite-only bash drew a whos who of Hollywood, including Timothee Chalamet, Ryan Coogler, and Teyana Taylor

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were among the A-list stars who kept the party going after the 2026 Oscars, stepping out at Beyonce and Jay-Z's ultra-exclusive afterparty in Los Angeles.

After the ceremony on Sunday, the couple made their way to the ultra-private gathering at Chateau Marmont, where Hollywoods biggest stars came together to celebrate  including newly crowned Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan.

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Jordan, who took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Sinners earlier in the night, was one of the most in-demand guests at the packed celebration.

A source tells PEOPLE, Everyone was in a celebrity mood and people were swarming around Michael B. Jordan. Taylor was dancing with her friends and having a great time.

Swift and Kelce "mingled with Beyonce" at the party as the intimate, high-profile party drew a whos who of Hollywood.

Swift previously supported Beyonce at the London premiere of Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce, while Beyonce attended the Los Angeles premiere Swifts The Eras Tour concert film premiere, underscoring their longtime friendship.

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Other attendees included Oscar winner Ryan Coogler, Teyana Taylor, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Emma Stone, Emma Watson, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Austin Butler, Jon Batiste, Jack OConnell and Jacob Elordi.

The soiree  often referred to as Gold Party  is known as one of the most exclusive invites of Oscars weekend, with a tightly curated guest list and a no-phones policy that adds to its mystique.

Elsewhere, Oscar winner Kumail Nanjiani described the whirlwind night in an interview with The New Yorker, recalling how he and his team made their way into the evenings most coveted events.

We werent invited to many parties, but we showed up with Oscar statuettes and eventually got in everywhere, Nanjiani told the outlet. We went to the Vanity Fair party, then Jay-Zs Gold Party, which was surreal. We danced with Jay-Z, Emma Stone and Taylor Swift  we took photos, laughed, cried. It was the best night. We didnt want it to end.

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Other celebrations included the 2026 Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party, Vanity Fairs annual afterparty and Madonna and Guy Osearys private Oscars bash, which also drew many stars.

Read the original article on People
Teyana Taylor revealed why she believed that she had a life like Hannah Montana. Recently, the One Battle After Another star shared her parenting style and compared it to the fictional character. For those unversed, the popular Disney series revolved around a girl who lived two lives. She was an ordinary person in the day, while a rockstar at night. Taking up the dual life reference, Taylor highlighted how she deals with her career and parenting at the same time.

Teyana Taylor lives two different lives and her kids understand that

Teyana Taylor recently shared that her kids understand her parenting style. She has two daughters, Iman Junie Tayla Shumpert Jr., 10, and Rue Rose Shumpert, 5, whom she shares with ex-husband Iman Shumpert. Being a celebrity mom, the Oscar-nominee has a lot on her plate. But she admitted that her children have been aware that their mothers professional and personal lives are different.

I think because when I am home and when we are together, Im in such mommy mode that  its almost like Hannah Montana, Taylor told PEOPLE. She opened up about raising two daughters at the TIME Women of the Year Gala in West Hollywood, California, last week. Furthermore, the diva claimed that Rue and Junie have always known that their mom lives two different lives.

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According to her, the kids understand balance. Okay, heres carpet mommy. But then here is mommy, when shes home, were going to the trampoline park, were cooking, were playing, were drawing, the 35-year-old explained.

Moreover, she mentioned that her baby girls might be following her footsteps. Taylor told the outlet that Junie and Rue, too, have their own ways to deal with red carpet events. I just think its amazing to see how they navigate balance. Its really inspiring. It just makes me proud as a parent, she added. Earlier, her 5-year-old Rue caught everyones attention at the 2026 Actors Awards. She won the internet with her solo, sassy poses on the red carpet.

The post Teyana Taylor Brings Hannah Montana Energy To Parenting appeared first on Momtastic.
Producer Macdara Kelleher has been basking in the glow of his homelands successes this past week, as a diverse range of Irish filmmaking talent shares the spotlight around the Academy Awards.

The founder of Dublin-based Wild Atlantic Pictures served as executive producer on Richard Linklaters critically acclaimed biographical drama Blue Moon, helping facilitate both the use of locations around the city and the facilities at Ardmore Studios in Wicklow, about an hour from the Irish capital.

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Kelleher has been in town to support the films star Ethan Hawke, nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of lyricist Lorenz Hart, and best original screenplay nominee Robert Kaplow. Joining him for the big night were Jessie Buckley, who would go on to win best actress for Hamnet; VFX artist Richard Baneham, who took home a statuette for Avatar: Fire and Ash; and the team behind The Retirement Plan a nominee in the best animated short film category.

In a call ahead of the ceremony, Kelleher pointed to the 2022 nomination of Colm Baireads The Quiet Girl (An Cailin Ciuin)  the first Oscar-nominated film in the Irish language  as a watershed moment, and credited systematic state support for whats followed.

Were on a run, he says. Were probably one of the most fortunate countries in Europe in terms of the level of support we have. That support is really about taking you from that first film and  if youre lucky  taking your filmmaking beyond that.

He cites director Lee Cronin, with whom he has a remake of The Mummy at Warner Bros., set for release next month, as a case in point. Screen Ireland supported his first film, he says, referring to 2019s The Hole in the Ground. And now here we are in Hollywood at Warner Bros. working on a blockbuster. Theyre a vital lifeline.

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The awards season has put a very public face on whats become known as the green wave of Irish cinema  but back home, the industry appears to be in rude health regardless. Screen Ireland reports that last year saw a record-breaking 544 million ($624 million) in production spend invested in the Irish economy, a 26 percent year-on-year rise. Between 2021 and 2024, the organization itself invested more than 120 million ($138 million) across film, TV drama, animation and documentary, supporting more than 116 feature films, 64 TV series and 120 short films.

In Ireland, the arts and culture are so highly valued and we have a depth of creative talent across so many different art forms  certainly cinema, but also literature, music, theatre, says Desiree Finnegan, chief executive at Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland. That individual creative talent, that kind of craft and artistry, has been central to the success in recent years. The screen art budget has also significantly increased over the last five years thanks to sustained government investment, and that has definitely enabled us to increase our investment levels across the board in talent development.

On the incentives side, Irelands Section 481 scheme offers a tax credit of up to 32 percent on eligible Irish expenditure. This years budget also introduced a new 40 percent relief rate for productions with a minimum of 1 million ($1.1 million) in eligible VFX spend  a nod to one of the industrys fastest-growing sectors. Recent beneficiaries have included Marvel (WandaVision, Spider-Man: No Way Home), Netflix (The Irishman) and HBO (Game of Thrones). Local production companies have also partnered with Disney (Disenchanted), Netflix (Wednesday), Universal (Abigail) and Sony (The Popes Exorcist). To help facilitate co-productions, Screen Ireland opened its first U.S. office, in Los Angeles, in 2019.

Weve always maintained that our true resource is the creative talent we have here in Ireland, says Finnegan, and thats definitely often cited by the studios that come here and the key decision-makers in explaining why they come to shoot in Ireland or co-produce with Ireland.

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That talent pipeline has been deliberately built. Screen Irelands various training and development initiatives placed more than 18,000 people in jobs between 2021 and 2025.

These schemes that Screen Ireland have set up to develop the talent have an enormous impact  its not happening by accident that the Irish film industry is getting this level of success, says Julianne Forde of Dublin-based Tailored Films, whose credits include the Ali Abbasi-directed The Apprentice, which received two Oscar nominations last year.

This week, Forde and her producing partners, Ruth Treacey and Mairtin de Barra, traveled from Dublin to the U.S. for the world premiere of Damian McCarthys horror film Hokum, starring Adam Scott, which screens at SXSW on March 14. The film was shot entirely in Ireland.

Something that a lot of Irish projects have in common is that were quite commercial leaning in terms of the approach, says Forde. And Screen Ireland is a fantastic funder because theyre aware of the commercial realities of trying to finance a film and they will finance films that have a lot of commercial money in them too. Theyve really put in the work, and I think the success of the nominations at the Oscars this year is an overnight success thats been 20 years in the making.

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Michael B. Jordans latest revelation has left fans totally intrigued. In a recent interview, the Academy Award winner has named an anime classic as his all-time favorite movie, and its anything but mainstream. The actor isnt shy about his love for the genre, and its definitely showing.

Michael B. Jordan reveals his favorite movie of all time

Michael B. Jordan has revealed the movie that holds a special place in his heart, surprising fans by naming a 29-year-old fantasy classic as his all-time favorite, showcasing his diverse taste in cinema.

After winning the Oscar for Best Actor for Sinners, Jordan appeared in an Instagram interview for The People Gallery and dropped a bombshell. When asked about his favorite movie, he smiled and said, Oh, man, Im going to say, Princess Mononoke.

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Princess Mononoke, a fantasy anime film by Hayao Miyazaki, is a timeless classic. Set in Japans Muromachi period, it follows Ashitaka, a young warrior cursed after killing a demon. He journeys to find a cure, only to get caught in a brutal clash between humans and forest spirits.

Along the way, Ashitaka encounters San, also known as Princess Mononoke, a fierce warrior raised by wolves, who is determined to protect her forest home. The film explores timeless themes of nature vs humanity, which continue to resonate with audiences today.

Princess Mononoke became a massive hit in 1997, breaking records as Japans highest-grossing film at the time. Its international release by Miramax Films introduced Studio Ghibli to a global audience. Today, it holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, solidifying its status as an anime classic.

Fans clearly share the Blank Panther stars love for Princess Mononoke. Anime enthusiasts took to social media to echo their excitement, with one writing, Princess Mononoke? elite ball knowledge. Did he just say princess mononoke, questioned another. Princess Mononoke? cultured man, echoed an approving fan.

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In the post-Oscar interview, Michael B. Jordan also shared advice for aspiring actors, urging them to dream big, work hard, and let the universe take care of the rest.

Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.

The post Michael B. Jordan Names This Anime Classic as His Favorite Movie appeared first on Reality Tea.
Retirement might seem like a distant dream  or a source of stress if youre not sure youll have enough saved.

According to Pew Research, for many Americans, retirement savings plans are a critical pathway to building wealth. But what if a single, smart investment today could set you up to retire like a millionaire?

Trending Now: What a Wealthy Retirees Monthly Budget Looks Like at Age 78

Check Out: 5 Clever Ways Retirees Are Earning Up To $1K per Month From Home

GOBankingRates spoke with Joseph Keshi, CEO of Keshman Property Management, and Dr. David Ghozland, an OB/GYN and owner of David Ghozland MD, on the best $10,000 they spent preparing for retirement.

Turning $10,000 Into a Bulletproof Retirement Plan

I reached financial independence early through disciplined real estate investing and long-term planning, Keshi said. My $10,000 was primarily invested in consulting services by a good accountant.

He added these were precipitously accomplished by attorney services and ways to save estate taxes.

Reviewed were my investments for costly mistakes; a trust was prepared to shield assets from creditors and death taxes, followed by an LLC for liability protection, Keshi noted.

He acquired education towards sustainable income in rental real estate and exit planning, eliminating unknown factors.

Read More: I Retired a Millionaire  The Best $30,000 I Ever Spent Preparing for Retirement

The $10,000 That Made Me a Millionaire Doctor

I have more than 20 years in medicine and running my own practice, and financial education is what helped me retire a millionaire, Ghozland said.

He said the best $10,000 he spent was hiring a financial advisor who worked with doctors back in 2007.

Most physicians earn good money but we start late because of student loans and years of training, the doctor added.

Ghozlands advisor helped him set up automatic payments into retirement accounts and index funds so the money was transferred even before he could spend it. That one option put over $850,000 into his retirement over the span of 15 years because he never touched it or was tempted to spend it.

I see other doctors in their 40s who waited too long and now they stress about catching up when they could have made it easy on themselves from the start, Ghozland pointed out.

Final Take To GO: Small Investments Today, Big Rewards Tomorrow

The common thread? Both Keshi and Ghozland turned $10,000 into a foundation for long-term financial security by investing in knowledge, guidance and planning  not just assets.

Whether it was expert advice, legal safeguards or automated retirement contributions, that smart upfront spending set them on a path to retire comfortably and confidently.
Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for his dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Ryan Coogler's Sinners.

But instead of heading straight to an after-party, the 39-year-old Oscar winner made a detour. Still in his tuxedo and holding his trophy, he showed up at In-N-Out Burger and got in line like any other customer.

It didn't stay low-key for long. Fans realized who was standing there, a crowd formed fast, and videos of the moment started spreading across social media almost immediately.

Michael B. Jordan went to In-N-Out after winning his Oscar.



See the full winners list: https://t.co/2LO8EZrxyk pic.twitter.com/aif9lJpDBM  DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 16, 2026

 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 

As spontaneous as it looked, Jordan was actually stepping into one of Hollywoods most reliable post-awards traditions. Celebrities have been hitting In-N-Out after major shows for years, turning late-night burger runs into their own kind of victory lap.

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Paul Giamatti went viral doing it after his 2024 Golden Globes win, still in his tux with his trophy on the table. Brie Larson posed with her Oscar and a burger back in 2016, and Ke Huy Quan celebrated with In-N-Out at the Vanity Fair party after winning Best Supporting Actor. The party itself has been serving In-N-Out since 1994.

katy perry was spotted eating in n out with brie larson at the golden globes pic.twitter.com/gkF9zEPp2r   (@kath_84) January 12, 2026

"You get very hungry, so In-N-Out is definitely the award show tradition, Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the 2024 Oscars, previously told People. Nothing against McDonald's, but on award show night, it's In-N-Out.

Before the burger run, Jordan had already delivered one of the most emotional moments of the night. When last year's winner Adrien Brody announced his name, Jordan appeared genuinely stunned as the Dolby Theatre rose for a standing ovation. He opened his speech with: "Man, God is good."

He thanked his mother, who has been his date throughout awards season, and his father, who flew in from Ghana for the ceremony. He praised Coogler as "an amazing, amazing person" who gave him "the opportunity and space to be seen." He shouted out costars Wunmi Mosaku and Hailee Steinfeld  both expecting at the time  and thanked Warner Bros. executives Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy for betting on the culture, on original ideas.

My dad came in from Ghana  , he flew from Ghana to be here



-Michael B. Jordan shares a message after winning his first Oscar for Best Actor Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards.



Win for Ghana  pic.twitter.com/5Yk1s5nd2V   Ghana  (@xghana_) March 16, 2026

Sinners had a massive night overall. The film entered the ceremony with a record 16 nominations, the most in Oscar history, and won four: Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay for Coogler, Best Cinematography for Autumn Durald Arkapaw (the first woman ever to win in that category), and Best Original Score for Ludwig Goransson. It's also the highest-grossing original movie domestically in 15 years, with $370 million worldwide.

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For Jordan, it's another milestone in a career that started on the soap opera All My Children more than two decades ago and grew through Fruitvale Station, the Creed franchise, and Black Panther. All five of those Coogler collaborations have built to this moment.

Next up: he'll direct and star in a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair for Amazon MGM, opposite Adria Arjona.

But on Sunday night, the next stop was a Double-Double.

Related: Read Next

This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Michael B. Jordan has been building toward a performance like Sinners for over 20 years. Now he has the best actor Oscar as his reward in what proved to be a hugely popular win.

Jordan got one trophy for playing identical twins Smoke and Stack in the blues-seeped supernatural horror film set in 1930s Mississippi that earned a record 16 Academy Award nominations and won four.

Last year's winner, Adrien Brody, announced Jordan's name Sunday night, setting off a wild celebration inside the Dolby Theatre. Teyana Taylor, a supporting actress nominee for One Battle After Another, joined the standing ovation, mouthing, Yes!

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Jordan was cheered loudly as he made his way through the backstage photo and interview rooms. The win is Jordan's first Oscar.

Ive been doing this for 25 years and theres a lot of people who have seen me grow up in this industry, he said backstage, and they looked out for me when they didnt have to.

Jordan is eager to pass on that support.

I'm really big on the next generation, so, try to be an example, he said. Im not a big talker, Im about action. I like to lead by example.

Jordan is the sixth Black man to win the best actor trophy. He joins Will Smith (King Richard, 2020), Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, 2006), Jamie Foxx (Ray, 2004), Denzel Washington (Training Day, 2001) and Sidney Poitier (Lillies of the Field), who was the first in 1963.

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I stand here because of the people that came before me  Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith, he said on stage, and to be up amongst those giants, amongst those greats, amongst my ancestors, amongst my guys, thank you everybody in this room and everybody at home supporting me over my career.

Jordan added, I know you guys wanted me to do well and I want to do that because you guys bet on me, so thank you for keep betting on me. Im going to keep stepping up, and Im going to keep being the best version of myself I can be.

The other nominees were Timothee Chalamet in Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke of Blue Moon and Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent.

Chalamet had been the early Oscar favorite after wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. But Jordan surprised himself by winning at the Actor Awards, giving him momentum in the final days of Oscar voting.

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Sinners reunited Jordan and writer-producer-director Ryan Coogler. They go back to their first collaboration in 2013.

Youre an amazing person, Jordan told Coogler from the stage. You gave me the opportunity and space to be seen.

Jordans breakthrough film role came in Cooglers Fruitvale Station for which he received critical praise playing a real-life man who was killed by police. It was Cooglers directorial debut, and they followed with Creed, Black Panther and now Sinners.

Jordans initial acting success came in television. He had a small yet pivotal role in The Wire in 2002, followed by the daytime drama All My Children, in which he replaced Chadwick Boseman, and Friday Night Lights.

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He and Boseman later acted together in Black Panther and were close friends until Bosemans death from colon cancer in 2020. Jordan dedicated his acting award from this years NAACP Image Awards to Boseman.

Jordan, a 39-year-old who also produces and directs, was named People magazines Sexiest Man Alive in 2020.

Jordan shared Oscar night with his mother, Donna, who hugged her son upon hearing his name, and his father Michael A. Jordan, as well as his two siblings. He espoused the values that he was taught growing up in Newark, New Jersey.

Im just walking my path, just trying to be locked in, he said backstage. Dream big, man, and be kind and be honest. Thats how I try to live.

___

For more coverage of the 2026 Oscars, visit https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
In August 2022, heavily armed sheriff's deputies in Adams County, Ohio, broke down the door at the rapper Afroman's home, searching for drugs on the word of a confidential informant. They found nothing, and no charges were filed. But Afroman used footage from his own security cameras and from his wife in a video for a song he wrote about the incident, "Lemon Pound Cake."

On Monday, the seven deputies met Afroman in court, where they are suing him for defamation and invasion of privacy over the viral video, which shows one deputy apparently ogling a lemon pound cake made by Afroman's mother. The trial began after the 51-year-old rapper - whose real name is Joseph Foreman - released another set of music videos about the case, including one called "Will You Help Me Repair My Door."

The deputies say Foreman subjected them to public scrutiny and death threats by featuring them in the videos and by using their images on T-shirts and social media posts, according to Adams County Common Pleas court records. The sheriff's office has not publicly commented on the litigation or Foreman's songs.

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"As a further result of Defendants' actions, Plaintiffs have been subjected to threats, including death threats, by anonymous members of the public who have seen some of Defendant's above-described postings," according to court papers.

Jury selection began Monday, and the trial is expected to last four days, according to television station WCPO of Cincinnati.

Foreman is perhaps most famous for the 2000 song "Because I Got High," which begins:

Roll another blunt Yeah (ooh-ooh-ooh) (La-la-ta, ta-ta-ra-ra) (La, ta, ta) (La-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la)

He says he made art out of the raid at his Winchester, Ohio, home. In court records, he contends he was exercising his right to free speech, and he says police officers know that when they enter a home, they could be captured on surveillance cameras. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened in the lawsuit, arguing that officers weren't alleging damages to their character, but attempting to stifle criticism.

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"Conceptually, their allegations run afoul of a much deeper principle: There is nothing the First Amendment protects more jealously than criticism of public officials on a matter of public concern," the ACLU said.

Rapper drops videos ahead of trial

Several of the officers' initial claims were struck from the lawsuit as retired Judge Jerry McBride ruled the officers had to expect they could face criticism or commentary for their jobs as public servants. He also said citizens have a First Amendment right to make statements regarding a public official's "fitness for office."

The lawsuit will still proceed on claims that Foreman defamed the deputies and created unreasonable publicity about their private lives.

Even with the trial date approaching, Foreman was undeterred. He released several videos on YouTube singing about his First Amendment rights, targeting officers Shawn Cooley, Lisa Phillips, Randy Walters and Brian Newland.

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"They vandalize my property, my money came up short," he sang while wearing an American flag suit and walking on a farm. "They disconnect my cameras because they are a poor sport."

The video showed footage from Foreman's security system, clips from television stations' coverage of the case and allegations of criminal misconduct against the officers.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said in 2023 a verdict against Foreman would be "chilling," sending a message that he doesn't have a right to dispute findings of a police department.

"The officers have an uphill battle," the organization said. "Afroman's use of their images is infused with artistic expression, parody, and social commentary, and the court may decide that those elements are what give his merchandise value, not the officers' distinctive appearances.'"

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Thanks to Netflix, were about to get a BTS look at BTS themselves.

Four years after announcing their hiatus, K-pop royalty BTS are finally back. On Monday (March 16), Netflix shared a new trailer for BTS: The Return, a forthcoming documentary following the groups epic return to the stage. In the trailer, the groups seven members speak about the pressures of returning to an ever-changing industry together after an extended period of time apart.

More from Billboard

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Trends shift every season. Standing still isnt an option, says RM. And were trying to find out what makes us BTS.

Its clear from the teaser that viewers will get an inside look at exactly that  what makes BTS, BTS  as the camera follows them from the studio to the tour bus and from Seoul to L.A. What we also learn from the trailer is that though the group is rightfully nervous about making such a big return, they are also excited. Despite the pressure on them, they know that making music and performing together are exactly what theyre supposed to be doing.

We are finally back where were meant to be, Jimin says in the teaser.

After six Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, becoming the first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination and the formation of one of the most dedicated fanbases ever, BTS announced an extended hiatus in 2022. The decision to take a break came about due to desires to work on solo projects as well as members need to fulfill South Koreas mandatory military duty. Though the break was originally described as indefinite, the bands members knew that they would find their way back to one another again.

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I think that change is what we need right now, J-Hope in the hour-long FESTA dinner where the announcement was first made. Its important for BTS to start our second chapter.

That second chapter is finally here. Back in January, the group announced their return and the release date for their highly anticipated fifth studio album Arirang, set to be released on Friday March 20. Alongside dropping the new album, BTS has also partnered with Netflix on the upcoming documentary as well as a live comeback concert. The concert, airing from Seouls Gwanghwamun Square, will stream on the platform on Saturday March 21, the day after the album drops.

A week following the albums release, BTS: The Return will chronicle the process of rebuilding BTS, working together for the first time in nearly half a decade and making new music that is fresh but still distinctly BTS. The feature-length film is directed by Bao Nguyen (The Stringer, The Greatest Night in Pop) and produced by This Machine and HYBE.

In addition to the documentary, Netflix will also stream BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG, a live concert special from Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, on March 21, that will broadcast the first full BTS group concert since 2022.

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Six days later, BTS: The Return will air exclusively on Netflix on March 27. Watch the documentarys trailer below.

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In 2025, Lola Amour, one of the Philippines most iconic bands, won the Special Award: Philippine Popular Music at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, sometimes known as the Asian Grammys. Their 2025 release The Moment drew extra attention because it featured Kokoro Kohatsu of PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE, but the collaboration between these two artists went beyond just this song. Kokoro also made a surprise appearance in January of this year when Lola Amour played in Japan for the first time.

Billboard JAPAN had the chance to speak with Lola Amour and Kohatsu and learn about how their collaboration has impacted each other.

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What led to Kokoro working on The Moment?

Pio Dumayas (vocals/guitar): Were both part of Warner Music, and I happened to come across PSYCHIC FEVERs Gelato. The song got all of us in the band excited, and we had a blast singing it a cappella. We uploaded a video of us singing it as an Instagram Story, and PSYCHIC FEVER reacted. That led to us to talking to each other online, and to Kokoro performing on our song, The Moment.

Kokoro, what did you think when you got the collaboration offer from Lola Amour?

Kokoro: PSYCHIC FEVER had never been to the Philippines, so I was really happy that they got in touch with me. I liked the song, too, so I decided to put my heart into it, because I felt like we could get a good chemical reaction going.

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Manu Dumayas (trumpet/guitar/bass): When we asked him to work with us on The Moment, he was so enthusiastic, with this vibe of Ill do anything, so the collaboration went really smoothly. And we got along super well, with a similar sense of humor, so working together was a lot of fun.

David Yuhico (keyboards): Im sure at the start there must have been some things he felt lost about, but he gladly took on any request. He was just so friendly, and the creation process went smoothly. He has a wonderful singing voice and overflows with talent. I think Kokoros voice was the key to perfecting The Moment.

The first time you performed together live was in Manila, at the Lola Amour Presents Love on Loop ALBUM CONCERT in September 2025, right?

Pio: The first time we met was when he came to Manila to rehearse for the show. Wed never had the opportunity to do something like this with another artist, and were shy, so before we met him we were all nervous. But when we met him, and we gave him some of our own band merch, it turns out hed also brought PSYCHIC FEVER merch for us. We taught him some Tagalog and went out to eat together, and we hit it off. Now were good friends.

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David: When he came to the studio to rehearse, we gave him the Tagalog lyrics, which he learned incredibly quickly. Everything went so much faster than Id expected, so I remember thinking This collaboration is going to be an absolute success. And I just know the show will go well, too.

Then at the show, you didnt just perform The Moment together, you also joined each other on Gelato and Raining In Manila, right?

Pio: Wed put Gelato on our own socials, and Kokoro could sing Raining In Manila, so we decided to perform it at the show. Im sure he must have been a bit nervous, but he didnt look it at all, which was great. Even though it was our first time playing together, he was ad-libbing and striking poses, which was amazing. Thanks to his influence, Ive been putting my own spin on things when I play now, too.

Jeff Abueg (saxophone/clarinet): Kokoros Tagalog was so perfect people were commenting is he Filipino? His accent is great, too.

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Raffy Perez (drums): Listeners have reacted really well to the collaboration with Kokoro. Not just Filipinos, but listeners in other countries, too. They love that we performed together. It was truly a successful collab.

Pio: I think people can feel that this wasnt a business-focused team-up, it was a collaboration based on our matching musical sensibilities and our strong personal relationship.

You also collaborated on stage in Japan in January. What was it like when Kokoro performed in his own country?

Pio: As always, he looked totally relaxed, like he wasnt nervous at all. He was also really good at working the audience. He led me when we sang Gelato, and he smoothly covered for the parts that I struggled with, which Im so thankful for.

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Kokoro: Its rare for me to perform Gelato on my own, with a band, so I tried out a few things in advance to see how to best get the crowd going. Above all, I wanted for Lola Amour and me to have fun, so I maintained good eye contact, and I tried to get the audience moving, too, so wed all have fun together. When I tried it out during rehearsal, the members of Lola Amour reacted really well, so I decided to go with it during the actual performance. If Id been on my own, I doubt Id have been able to unite with the audience and get the whole venue moving like we did, so Im very thankful to Lola Amour.

I heard that one member of the music industry, on seeing your collaboration, called you the Asian version of Silk Sonic.

Pio: Thats such an honor. Having played as a band for a decade or so, and meeting Kokoro and doing this collab, and then someone saying that about us? That really drives home what a success this collaboration was. Well try our best to live up to that description.

What do you think were the biggest fruits of the collaboration?

Pio: The blossoming friendship we developed is huge. Japan and the Philippines are very culturally different, so I think we were able to teach each other a lot. It was a very meaningful collaboration for us as artists, too. As I said earlier, Kokoro is great at controlling the crowd. I learned a lot from watching how he got the audience amped up even when it was full of our own fans. Another reason hes fun to be around is we eat so much together (laughs). Hes given us a lot to grow on. Its only been six months since we performed together, but I feel like weve gotten something that well be taking with us long into the future.

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Kokoro: Being able to develop a relationship like this across national linesits just not something that happens all that often in ones life. I learned from them by seeing how serious they are in their approach to music, and how when theyre up on stage, the focus isnt on one member or another, but instead each and every member is the main character. It felt like the kind of stage performance where every single person is indispensible, and I want to apply that experience to PSYCHIC FEVER, too. I was so glad that we were able to transcend language barriers to share music. The audience reactions at the shows were great, both in the Philippines and in Japan, which impressed on me that there are unlimited opportunities for cross-national performances.

Pio: At the show in Japan, the whole band covered Gelato. Id like to brainstorm with Kokoro about what song to cover next. Also, Id love to take time to write a song together from the ground up.

Kokoro: Weve built good rapport as artists, so I think it would be great if we could do a new collab together. Listening to what Pio was saying right now, I was imagining what that would be like. We each cover a wide range of musical genres, so I think theres a lot of potential.

This collaboration between the Philippines and Japan has broadened the horizons of music across national lines, and Lola Amour and PSYCHIC FEVER are hinting at more to come, so youll want to keep a close eye on these amazing artists.

This interview by Kaori Komatsu first appeared on Billboard Japan

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A sober dance community will hold its 1,000th worldwide event at Red Rocks on Easter Sunday.

Daybreaker announced it will host a sober daytime dance party at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday, April 5. The event will begin with yoga at 11 a.m., followed by a two-hour dance party at noon.

Daybreaker dance party

Daybreaker said the event is its first-ever daytime dance party at Red Rocks.

"Unlike traditional nightlife events, Daybreaker gatherings are intentionally alcohol-free and emphasize shared experiences through music, dance, and creative expression," organizers said in a statement. "Attendees are encouraged to come as they are - solo or with friends - and participate in a joyful, open dance floor environment where community and connection take center stage."

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Tickets are sold at AXS.com starting at $41 for yoga and dancing, or $31 for just the dance party.

"I feel nostalgic, grateful, and proud that weve stayed together, committed to this sober social wellness movement built of dance, dew on our brows and a big ol grin on our faces," said Radha Agrawal, co-founder of Daybreaker and founder of the nonprofit Belong Center. "Thank you for waking up and dancing for all these years. This moment at Red Rocks will mark 1,000 gatherings of dancing with reckless abandon."

"Over the past decade, Daybreaker has hosted events in cities across the world, bringing its signature daytime gatherings to venues ranging from parks and beaches to museums, rooftops, and cultural landmarks," organizers said.

Easter Sunday sunrise service

Before the dance party, the 79th annual Red Rocks Easter Sunday Service will be held on Sunday, April 5.

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Thousands will gather at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for an outdoor church service to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The service is sponsored by the Colorado Council of Churches, a statewide organization that represents 13 Christian denominations and more than 600 churches in Colorado.

The service is free and open to the public. You do not need to reserve a seat to attend the service, as general seating and parking are available on a first-come basis.

Doors open at 5:30 a.m., with the service beginning at 6 a.m.

Red Rocks 2026 schedule
Connecticuts longest-running hip hop and R&B radio station is celebrating a major milestone.

WZMXFM Hot 93.7 marked 25 years since the station switched formats and began broadcasting hip hop and R&B across the region, becoming a cultural staple for listeners throughout Connecticut and beyond.

While the WZMX call letters date back decades, the stations transformation in 2001 into a hip hop and R&B station helped shape the sound of radio for a generation of listeners.

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Jenny Boom Boom, one of the stations first personalities when the format launched, remembers how surprising it was that the state didnt already have a station dedicated to the genre.

When I came here for the radio station in 2001, I couldnt believe there was no hip hop and R&B station here, she said. When it flipped, that was such an incredible moment for everyone in Connecticut, Springfield and Long Island. We reached far. People love us and we love them back.

Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines

Another early voice at the station was Kid Fresh, who moved from Memphis to join the new lineup.

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I remember telling management, Are yall sure you want to hire me? Im a Southerner, Im not going to change, Fresh said. They said, Fresh, just be yourself. The first song we played was OutKasts So Fresh, So Clean. I tried to tell yall.

Over the years, Hot 93.7s personalities have helped connect the station to the communities it serves.

DJ Meechie, who has co-hosted the Hot Afternoon show with Jenny for 16 years, said the station was part of the soundtrack of his childhood before he ever worked behind the microphone.

I just remember growing up here feeling like this radio station was the soundtrack to my life, Meechie said. Every day getting ready for school, being on the bus, always hearing Hot 93.7 in the background. Its just been the culture.

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For many of the stations hosts, the impact of radio goes far beyond music. DJ Buck of the Buck & Reg morning show recalled a moment that showed him how powerful a radio platform can be.

One day I was doing the morning show and someone called us saying they were going to commit suicide, Buck said. We were the ones they wanted to talk to. We told him to come to the morning show and meet us. At that point I realized the power of a microphone and how we can save someones life.

After 25 years on the air, station personalities say their goal is to continue creating opportunities for the next generation of radio talent while staying connected to the community.

If I make it 25 more years, God bless me, Jenny said. But I definitely want this station to stick around, always be successful and be a place where young people can grow and evolve.

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Listeners can tune in to Buck & Reg weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by Hot Afternoon with Jenny Boom Boom and DJ Meechie from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Jamel Johnson is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at mjjohnson@fox61.com.

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Rachel Maddow snarked Monday that President Donald Trump simply cannot stop himself from helping Russia because it just feels so good. (Watch the video below.)

The MS NOW host made a stinging case that the president has continually boosted Russia and its interests amid the U.S. war against Iran.

She noted that Russia is reaping the windfall of jacked-up oil prices amid the conflict, to which the U.S. responded by actually easing oil sanctions against its geopolitical foe. And that all happened while Kremlin intelligence reportedly advises Iran on how to fight the Americans.

Politics: National Counterterrorism Director Resigns In Protest Of Trump's Iran War

To make matters worse, Maddow said, the Trump administration is trying to free a Russia-connected ex-FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov. Smirnov purposely told lies about Joe Biden to the FBI, spawning House Republicans failed impeachment attempt. But Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a brief earlier this month to support Smirnovs effort to have his guilty plea withdrawn and prison sentence struck down, Mother Jones reported.

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Maddow couldnt wrap her head around the latest developments.

Maybe our president just cant stop himself from acting to help Russia, Maddow said. Even when Russia is acting to kill Americans. Maybe he just cant stop himself. It just feels so good. He cant stop.

A USA Today editorial on Tuesday stated that Trump has always been harder on Americas allies than he has on geopolitical foes like Russia.

But Maddows stinging rebuke hints that Trump is not only softer on Americas traditional enemy but is actively chummy with it.

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Fifteen contestants are whipping up culinary masterpieces as they compete to be named the Top Chef Season 23 winner, and this time around, the chefs are sprinkling in some Southern love with their ingredients, in kitchens in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as Greenville, South Carolina.

With host Kristen Kish, head judge Tom Colicchio, and judge Gail Simmons all returning to weigh in on the dishes, several special guests will also lend their taste buds to the competition, including Southern Charms Madison LeCroy and Craig Conover.

But before they began turning up the heat in the kitchen, they pleaded their case to earn a chance to compete by submitting their casting tapes. Keep scrolling to learn more about the cheftestants.

Nana Araba Wilmot's casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Nana Araba Wilmot giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Nana Araba Wilmot is a Cherry Hill, New Jersey-based chef who is also the curator of the Love That I Knead Supper Club. "I explore my heritage as a first-gen Ghanaian American," she said of her dinner series.

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She also admitted that she has one fatal flaw when it comes to competition: "I need to watch my face sometimes."

Sieger Bayers casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Sieger Bayer giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Chef Sieger Bayer has traveled all over the world, including Spain, France, and Germany. The Chicago-based owner of Bar Berria has a big pet peeve, though: "When I see these people that are like, Im a chef! when two years ago they were on Tik Tok, Im like, 'Youre taking the only thing that Ive truly loved and bastardizing it.'"

He went on to share his advice for aspiring chefs: "Be a sous chef, and learn how to cook, and then be a chef, because all the restaurants are going to suck ass if we dont do that."

Jonathan Deardens casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Jonathan Dearden giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Although Jonathan Dearden may be the younger twin by 20 minutes, he was quick to point out, "I was always the more mature one." The Washington D.C.-based chef will go head-to-head with his brother, Brandon, on Top Chef, and it isn't the first time they've chopped in the kitchen together.

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I was Brandons little bitch," Jonathan admitted. "We peeled like 30 cases of artichokes. Im thinking in my mind, 'I am so excited to see what happens with these artichokes.' No, you know what they were for? For a goddamn puree. Artichoke puree."

Despite catering to his older brother before, Jonathan remains confident he can stand on his own now. I got the tattoos and the scars to show that Im ready to win this thing," he declared.

Brandon Deardens casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Brandon Dearden giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Brandon Deardon got his chops in the kitchen at Chicago's Alinea restaurant, and shared, "At the time I was working there, they were number six in the world."

He will face-off against his twin, Jonathan, and he's sure he'll be able to better his other half, sharing the critique, "I think sometimes he gets a little soft."

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Although the two are bonded by blood, Brandon made it clear when the knives come out, that brotherhood is gone. "During service, the bets are off. We're not friends," he declared during his casting tape.

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Brittany Cochrans casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Brittany Cochran during the casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Brittany Cochran is an executive chef at Stagioni in Charlotte, and finds herself at home in a Top Chef season based in the Carolinas. However, she warned not to let her Southern roots fool you.

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"As an athlete back in my day, I was definitely very competitive," she shared on her casting tape. "I gotta lot of speed behind me." As an example, she pointed out the pig decoration gracing her kitchen, and revealed, "I can break a whole hog in an hour. Butcher head to toe. Close to 700 pounds."

Anthony Joness casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Anthony Jones giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Washington D.C.-based Anthony Jones has worked at many hit spots, including Red Rooster Overtown in Miami. He's currently the executive chef at Marcus DC, and described what it's like to be under culinary great Marcus Samuelsson, and why it's prepared him for the pressures of Top Chef.

"I guess I could best describe it as driving 90 miles per hour on a highway, trying to take an exit, while being in the far lane," he shared on his casting tape. "And then to jump off that highway to try and lasso a tornado, while drinking a hot ass coffee."

RELATED: Top Chef Season 23 Features a Southern Charm Crossover and a Game-Changing Cast (TRAILER)

Laurence Louies casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Laurence Louie giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

As a chef who's worked in Michelin-star restaurants, Laurence Louie has one big critique of the current culinary scene: kimchi.

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"Kimchi has been such a thing where its just like, kimchi hot dogs and kimchi vinaigrettes, and kimchi reduction,' 'kimchi foam,'" he complained during his casting tape. The owner of Rubato in Quincy, Massachusetts added, "Like theres kimchi in like four different places in your menu and its like, it doesnt make sense.

Sherry Cardosos casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Sherry Cardoso giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

New York City-based chef Sherry Cardoso might be a mother, but she has no problem also handling business in the kitchen. "Outside of the kitchen Im really nurturing. Im really loving. In the kitchen, I just shift gears," she revealed during her casting tape. "My son, its so funny, when he sees me in the kitchen, hes like, Mom, youre so mean."

Sherry shared she's more than ready to compete among the best on Top Chef. It took 21 years to be like, This is who I am in the kitchen. And I am good. I am the st,'" she added.

Day Anais Josephs casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Day Anais Joseph giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Day Anais Joseph is the first to admit her name fits her personality. Im a real sunshine, thats why my name is Day," she said on her casting tape. "I love to empower people. Speak life into people. I see the best in everyone. Im the type of person that wants to see everyone around me shine."

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But the private chef and owner of Dine with Day in Atlanta didn't mince words on if she's ready to compete on Top Chef, adding, I may be a little soft-spoken and bubbly, but Im a fierce competitor."

RELATED: Top Chef Producers Reveal Behind the Scenes Filming Secrets, Including What Happens "Off-Camera"

Duyen Has casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Duyen Ha giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Duyen Ha counts herself as the cream of the crop after training at Ferrandi Paris, which she called, "the best culinary school in France."

The Los Angeles-based chef has seen it all, and explained what doesn't impress her. I cannot stand all the cliches of extra caviar, gold leaf everywhere. All these expensive ingredients that make no sense. Im over the gimmick," she shared during her casting tape.

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But she also revealed what will whet her appetite: "Show me a sexy cauliflower thats delicious, and thats beautiful, and that has the nice burnt edges, and I will be thoroughly impressed."

Oscar Diazs casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Oscar Diaz giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Oscar Diaz is another chef bringing a Southern flair to this season of Top Chef. But the co-owner of Little Bull & Aaktun in Durham, North Carolina isn't always sweeter than cherry pie.

I love competition," he declared during his casting tape, and went on to share, "I used to go on stage and freestyle rap against people for money.

Rhoda Magbitangs casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Rhoda Magbitang giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Hawaii-based executive chef Rhoda Magbitang knows looks can be deceiving  including her own.

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Every time I go out to the dining room, theyre like, Youre so young, what age did you start? Im like, I started at 12,'" she shared during her casting tape, and warned, "I can be a cutesy when Im not breathing fire out of my mouth."

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Jennifer Jacksons casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Jennifer Jackson giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Jennifer Jackson is entering the Top Chef kitchen with a unique connection: her co-worker Justin is also competing.

"I really like my partner, Justin," the co-executive chef of Bad Bunny in Suttons Bay, Michigan confessed in her casting tape. "He's almost the only person I hang out with."

Justin Tootlas casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Justin Tootla giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Jennifer's friend-turned-foe Justin Tootle shed more light on how he met cheftestant Jennifer during his casting tape.

Jen and I actually met in culinary school," he shared, and admitted they have a tight bond. "We can read each others minds. Like if we got an eggplant, lets say, shes definitely making eggplant ice cream." Jen, however, joked that eggplant ice cream was actually something Justin would whip up.

"Weve been cooking and collaborating for so many years now, I think it would be super interesting to see how we function independently of each other," Justin mused of this season of Top Chef.

Jaspratap Jassi Bindras casting tape for Top Chef Season 23

Jassi Bindra giving an interview for their casting tape for Top Chef Season 23.

Jaspratap "Jassi" Bindra shared he was exposed to the joys of cooking and cuisine at a young age. "My parents used to always throw parties in our home, and I used to go with my dad to the farmers market in the morning," he said on his casting tape.

The executive chef of Kahani Social Group in Houston, Texas added he isn't afraid of a little competition. In everyday life there is a competition. You compete with yourself. You wake up, youre competing," he shared.

Find out more about how much money the winner of Top Chef Season 23 earns.
As a former bartender and lover of anything cold and slightly bitter in a stemmed wine glass, I have to admit I am absolutely obsessed with spritzes. I moved to Italy over four years ago, and while I thought I would be switching my drink of choice to classic cocktails, I find myself ordering a spritz at nearly every aperitivo I attend. Thankfully, I live in the land of spritzes, where you can find mainstay classics like Campari and Aperol variations at nearly every bar or cafe  but you can also find unique, regional ones made with local ingredients.

The drink was invented in the 19th century, when Austrian soldiers occupying Venice found local wines too strong and diluted them with sparkling water and named it "spritz" after the German word for "spray or splash". Ever since then, the drink has evolved, and now it traditionally consists of a Prosecco and soda water mixed with flavoring base ingredients like an aperitif or cordial, with different cultures making their own offshoot versions.

If you're just sticking with Aperol spritzes, you may be doing yourself a disservice since there's a whole world of different variations awaiting you  and why I've compiled a list of 15 types of spritzes everyone should have on their radar.

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Read more: The Absolute Best Italian Restaurant In Every US State, Hands Down

1. Aperol spritz

An Aperol spritz with striped straw on a light blue background. - nadianb/Shutterstock

The Aperol spritz is by far one of the most recognized spritzes in the world, and is a mainstay beverage for a good reason. The drink is well-known for its refreshing, bittersweet, and slightly citrusy flavor profile and its low alcohol by volume (ABV). The spritz combines Aperol  an Italian aperitif made from a secret recipe containing a variety of botanicals and ingredients like rhubarb and oranges  Prosecco, and soda water, resulting in a thirst-quenching blend of zesty orange and herbs with a light effervescence.

The Aperol spritz is typically served in a stemmed wine glass filled with crushed ice and garnished with an orange slice. In Italy, you'll find locals in neighborhood bars and cafes sipping on these spritzes as soon as the clock hits 5 p.m., where it's served with tiny bowls of salted nuts, potato chips, and olives as a light pre-dinner snack called "aperitivo."

2. Campari spritz

A Campari spritz with a orange slice. - Timo.T/Shutterstock

Another popular spritz you'll find being served alongside the Aperol spritz during aperitivo hour is its much more bitter cousin, the Campari spritz. This delectable drink combines Campari (another bitter Italian aperitif made from a blend of citrus, herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit), Prosecco, and soda water in the same 3-2-1 ratio as its counterpart. Campari is often described as a bolder, more sophisticated rival to Aperol. The aperitif has a much deeper dark red color with a drier finish and more profound bitterness. It's the perfect spritz to order if the Aperol version is a bit too sweet for your liking.

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Like many aperitifs, the recipe has been a closely guarded secret since 1860, when Gaspare Campari developed it in Norava, Italy. After developing the drink for nearly 20 years, he opened Caffe Campari in Milan's iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in 1867, where he introduced the bitter to the public, and it immediately became a hit. After his passing in 1882, his two sons, Guido and Davide, inherited the business, along with their father's secret recipe, and expanded it into an international empire. By the late 1920s, you could find Campari being served at bustling cafes across Milan and in high-end speakeasies in New York City.

3. Select spritz

Two select spritzes with black straws and orange slices. - Craig Barritt/Getty Images

Beyond the famous Aperol and Campari brands, there's a lesser-known Italian option called the Select spritz. This unique drink is what you'll find locals sipping on in dimly lit piazzas and back alley bars of its birthplace, Venice. If you haven't heard of it before, Select is an Italian aperitif made from a secret blend of 30 botanicals, including juniper berries, rhubarb, and citrus rind. It was invented in 1920 by the Pilla brothers on the Venetian island of Murano.

Slightly less sweet than Aperol, this aperitif is known for its balsamic floral notes and its intense bittersweet flavor. It's often described as a happy medium between Aperol and Campari, making it perfect for people who find Aperol a bit too sweet and Campari too bitter. It's made in the same 3-2-1 ratio as its counterparts, featuring Select, Prosecco, and soda water, and is typically served in a stemmed wine glass over ice, garnished with an orange slice or olives.

4. Hugo spritz

A Hugo spritz with sliced lemon, mint, and a yellow straw. - Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock

A Hugo spritz is a light, floral, refreshing Italian cocktail, featuring elderflower liqueur or syrup (often St-Germain) with Prosecco and soda water. It's well-loved for its delicate, sweet, and botanical flavor profile, often described as a sweeter, more floral, and non-bitter version of the Aperol and Campari spritz. It's served in a large, stemmed wine glass with ice and is often garnished with sliced fruit, fresh mint, and a lime wedge.

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The spritz was invented in the South Tyrol region of Italy, in the German-speaking town of Naturno (Naturns), by bartender Roland Gruber, who sought to create a light, refreshing alternative to the Aperol spritz. Initially, Gruber made the cocktail with lemon balm cordial, but he later switched to elderflower cordial. Relatively new to the cocktail scene, you can find the Hugo spritz being served throughout Europe during the summertime, where its light, effervescent character is perfect for keeping your thirst quenched.

5. Lillet spritz

A Lillet spritz with cranberries next two other cocktails. - Ale_Koziura/Shutterstock

Hopping across the border to France, you'll find the Lillet spritz. This drink features Lillet liqueur mixed with sparkling wine and soda water, and is a refreshing, light, sweet cocktail that will surely make any mouth water. Lillet is a unique French aperitif wine from Bordeaux, where it blends 85% Bordeaux produced wine with 15% citrus liqueurs and quinine, resulting in a low 17% ABV that is just perfect for making spritzes.

There are three main types of this liqueur: Lillet Blanc (white), Lillet Rose (pink), and Lillet Rouge (red), and each one has its own unique flavor profile. Blanc has notes of citrus and honey, Rose is the lightest and most floral option, and Rouge is known for its dark-berry and bitter-citrus flavors. Lillet Blanc and Rose are commonly used to make spritzes in France, where they're served in large wine glasses filled with ice and garnished with fashionable additions like peeled cucumber, sliced fruit, and sprigs of mint.

6. Cynar spritz

A Cynar spritz next to a bottle of Cynar. - elpinchodurham/Instagram

Popular in central Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria, Cynar is an Italian amaro made primarily from artichoke and 13 other secret herbs and botanicals, resulting in its distinct earthy, bitter flavor. It's commonly used throughout Italy to make the Cynar spritz  a drier, more savory alternative to its bittersweet cousins Campari and Aperol.

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The spritz combines three parts of Prosecco with two parts Cynar and one part soda water, and is often garnished with olives and orange slices. It's typically served in a wine glass filled with crushed ice alongside salty nuts and olives to help cut through its earthy bitterness. Its toffee-brown appearance has earned it the nickname "adult Coca Cola" and has become a favorite among Italians and cocktail connoisseurs who prefer their drinks more on the savory side. If you enjoy cocktails like the Negroni, Boulevardier, and the Old Fashioned, then you'll fall in love with the Cynar spritz on the first sip.

7. Limoncello spritz

Two limoncello spritzes with various garnishes and bottles in the background - OlgaBombologna/Shutterstock

Looking to transport your taste buds to the sunny beaches on the Amalfi coast? Then you should be sipping the famous limoncello spritz, featuring limoncello mixed with Prosecco and soda water, garnished with lemon slices and mint. It has a bright, sweet, slightly tangy lemony flavor profile with a light, bubbly, zesty finish. The limoncello adds a rich, sugary sweetness to the spritz, making it a great option for those who prefer their cocktails on the sweeter side.

Its main ingredient, limoncello, is made by infusing lemon zest in a high-proof liquor like vodka or gin for a few weeks; then, it is strained and mixed with a simple syrup. The mixture is rested for an additional few weeks, then filtered one last time, and served chilled directly from the freezer. On the Amalfi coast, the liqueur is made with the peels of the local Sufasto Amalfitano lemon, which is known for its large size and thick, wrinkled skin, and high concentration of essential oils. You can find bars, coffee shops, and coastal Italian restaurants throughout this region serving their own house-made limoncellos as a digestive.

8. Fernet spritz

A man pouring Fernet-Branca into a glass with ice - Nicolasmccomber/Getty Images

On the other side of the globe, in Argentina, Fernet spritzes are all the rage amongst locals. These spritzes have a base of Fernet-Branca, a highly aromatic Italian amaro made with a complex blend of herbs, plants, and spices originally sold as a medicinal elixir for digestion. Now a popular cocktail component in drinks around the world, its sharply herbaceous and bittersweet flavor profile will quickly make you realize why it's referred to as the "bartender's handshake" in the cocktail industry.

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The spritz is made in the same 3-2-1 ratio with Prosecco and soda water, with some bartenders adding a splash of citrus juice or simple syrup for added sweetness. It's typically served in a stemmed wine glass or rocks glass and garnished with an orange or lemon slice. In Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, you can find these spirits served at lively rooftop bars and bustling neighborhoods to locals and tourists alike. The amaro is also used to make "Fernet con Coca", a popular Argentine cocktail that mixes Coca-Cola with Fernet-Branca, resulting in a refreshing, bittersweet drink favored by locals.

9. Crodino spritz

Five bottles of Crodino lined up with a white background - Maddie Red/Shutterstock

If you haven't mastered this simple formula for making mocktails yet, then you should be introduced to Italy's most beloved non-alcoholic aperitivo, Crodino. The Crodino is a sparkling, bittersweet aperitif that is well-known in Italy for its bold blend of herbs, spices, wood, and root vegetables. It has a complex, aromatic, bitter orange flavor with notes of cloves, cardamom, and oak, making it an excellent base for a spritz for those who want a bitter-tasting liquor without the ABV.

While commonly served on its own with ice, a Crodino spritz takes the aperitif to the next level. It's made by mixing Crodino with soda water and citrus juice to help cut through its bitter, botanical flavor. The spritz is typically served in a stemmed wine glass over crushed ice, garnished with an orange slice. It isn't commonly listed on bar menus in Italy  the Crodino spritz is very much an "if you know, you know" type of drink. It's great for anyone who's avoiding alcohol and wants to sip on something fun and exciting without missing out on the spritz experience.

10. Ricard spritz

A Ricard spritz on a blue yellow splatter table. - Sigurcamp/Getty Images

Beyond Lillet, there's another aperitif the French have been using to make spritzes for years: Ricard. This unique anise-flavored aperitif was created in 1932 by Paul Richard in the port city of Marseille. It's commonly used to make the Ricard spritz made by combining Ricard with cold water and ice, often enhanced with either grenadine or mauresque (almond syrup) for added sweetness. The spritz is often served in Collins glass filled with crushed ice. This unique spritz is made in a 5:1 ratio, with the majority of the cocktail being ice water. The addition of water, particularly ice water, helps to break down the intense anise and liquorice extracts, allowing Ricard to release its aroma and oils.

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When the water is added to the Ricard, the spritz changes color to a cloudy, slightly yellow hue due to the phenomenon known as the "louche" effect (also known as the "ouzo effect"). This happens because the water causes the anise oil in the aperitif to become insoluble, which in effect creates microscopic oil droplets, creating its signature milky-white and cloudy appearance.

11. Montenegro spritz

An amaro spritz in wine glass with fruit and herb garnishes. - Toyakisphoto/Shutterstock

There are plenty of ways you can drink amaro  you can sip it after a big meal as a digestif, incorporate it into a cocktail, or follow what some locals in the Italian city of Bologna do and make it into a spritz for aperitivo hour. Amaro Montenegro is one of Italy's most beloved amaro and has been produced in Bologna since 1885. Made from a complex blend of over 40 different botanicals, the liqueur is admired for its sweet, floral, slightly bitter taste that lends itself perfectly to a spritz preparation.

Across Italy, you can find bartenders whipping up the Montenegro spritz, combining Amaro Montenegro with Prosecco and a splash of soda water. You'll fall in love with this drink if you prefer cocktails with a more savory edge and bittersweet undertones. The spritz is typically served over ice in a stemmed wine glass and is garnished with either an orange slice, a maraschino cherry, or a sprig of rosemary.

12. Ramazzotti spritz

Two Ramazzotti spritz in large wine glasses behind a floral garden background - Khael Photography/Shutterstock

If you prefer a more blunter flavor than Amaro Montenego, then Amaro Ramazzotti is right up your alley. Created in Milan in 1815 by Ausano Ramazzotti, this amaro has a rich, complex bitterness coming from its combination of citrus peel, spices, and dozens of other botanicals. While Amaro Montenegro is known for its rich, floral, citrus notes, Ramazzotti goes down a darker, slightly more medicinal and herbal route.

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Its unique bitter flavor makes a deeply savory spritz that's perfect for anyone looking to slow-sip a cocktail with a bittersweet, smooth, and complex flavor profile. It's typically made with Prosecco and soda water, served over ice in a stemmed wine glass, garnished with a sprig of basil or fresh fruit like berries or oranges. You can find it served at most bars in Italy, especially in Northern regions such as Lombardy and Piedmont, where it's long been the go-to amaro.

13. Lambrusco spritz

Someone pouring Lambrusco into a spritz with cheese and olives in the background - Sima_ha/Getty Images

The Lambrusco spritz is a refreshing Italian cocktail that substitutes dry or semi-sweet Lambrusco (sparkling red wine) for the typical Prosecco. This spritz typically combines Lambrusco with a bitter liqueur (Aperol, amaro, or Campari) and a splash of soda water, and is served over ice in a rocks glass with an orange slice as garnish.

The Lambrusco provides the spritz with a lovely, fruity, effervescent base, while the bitter liqueur ties the whole cocktail together with a herbal, bittersweet hint. It's a great option for red wine lovers who still want something light and refreshing, but favor a bit more depth and complexity than the classic Campari or Aperol spritz. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue and need an easy-to-prepare cocktail or want a drink with a familiar flavor and an exciting twist, the Lambrusco spritz is right for you.

14. Capelletti spritz

A spritz in a wine glass with a blurred background - New Africa/Shutterstock

Getting tired of sipping on Aperol spritzes? Then you should meet its cooler older brother, the Capelletti spritz. Made with Aperitivo Capelletti  an herby wine-based aperitif  Prosecco and soda water, it's basically a less-sweet version of Aperol with a more pronounced herbaceous and bitter flavor. It has slight dryness, a thicker, syrupy texture, and notes of Alpine herbs, orange, and grapefruit. Just like Campari and Aperol, it has a distinct ruby red appearance, which comes from the natural carmine dye used to give it its iconic color.

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While not as popular as its counterparts, you can find Cappelletti spritzes being served at bars and cafes in its birthplace, Trentino, a Northern Italian region close to the Austrian border. Often called "Specialino" by locals, it has a much higher ABV compared to Aperol's 11%, coming in at 17%. Some bartenders even add in a splash of gin or vodka to make the spritz a bit more boozy.

15. Zirbenz spritz

Someone pouring Prosecco over a Zirbenz spritz - Combine Good Flavors/YouTube

Moving away from the Italian peninsula and over the Austrian Alps, you'll find the legendary Zirbenz spritz, a refreshing, bubbly Alpine-style cocktail, featuring Zirbenz stone pine liqueur, a unique 70-proof Austrian spirit made from Arolla stone pine cones. The spritz follows the typical 3-2-1 pattern with Prosecco and soda water, served over ice in a stemmed wine glass with an orange slice or a sprig of rosemary as a garnish. It has a lovely herbaceous and woody flavor with slightly floral sweetness and a distinct fresh-pine finish.

The Zirbenz spritz is often categorized as a seasonal cocktail, thanks to its intense pine flavor, and is typically served as an apres-ski beverage. In Austria and throughout parts of Germany and Switzerland, you'll find ski lodges serving up this tasty spritz to thirsty people coming down the slopes. Whether you make it over to Austria or not, this unique pine-flavored spritz should definitely be on your list of cocktails to try.

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Read the original article on Chowhound.
There is ongoing uncertainty regarding the divestiture of the cellular module business, with no definitive timeline provided.

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you expand on the initial applications targeted with the HieFo acquisition and the status of Indium phosphide-based products in customer qualification cycles? A: Hong Hou, President and CEO, explained that HieFo's current production includes gain chips used in tunable lasers for metro and data center interconnect applications. These products are already in volume production, with increasing demand. The company is adding capacity to meet this demand. They plan to provide samples to key customers for evaluation and expect to intercept at 3.2T transceivers, with potential support for 1.6T transceivers as well.

Q: How should we think about CapEx for capacity expansions at Alhambra, given the industry-wide ramp in indium phosphide capacity? A: Hong Hou noted that the CapEx intensity is moderate, with the existing fab having key capabilities. They plan to selectively add capacity and creatively source equipment from both new and used markets. Mark Lin, CFO, added that the ramp is over multiple quarters, and the CapEx qualifies for investment tax credits and government programs aimed at strengthening US semiconductor manufacturing.

Q: What is the expected size and mix of the copper Edge business as it ramps in fiscal '27? A: Hong Hou stated that they are preparing for the ramp, with shipments to cable manufacturers expected by mid-year. The mix between DC and AC is still being determined, but they are receiving long-range forecasts to ensure material readiness. Linear equalizers onboard are also expected to qualify within the coming quarters.

Q: Can you clarify the expected growth rate for LoRa and the $35 million to $45 million quarterly run rate mentioned? A: Hong Hou clarified that the $35 million to $45 million range accounts for quarter-to-quarter variability due to project-based demand. However, the overall trend is upward, with multiple growth drivers such as dual-band, LoRa Plus, and Amazon Sidewalk contributing to a projected 20% long-term growth rate.

Q: How does the acquisition of indium phosphide laser technology fit into your go-to-market strategy, and are there revenue synergies with other parts like FiberEdge? A: Hong Hou confirmed that the acquired fab is vertically integrated, allowing for superior performance. The strategy involves co-developing and co-optimizing electronic and optoelectronic components to provide integrated solutions. This approach accelerates time to market for customers and makes Semtech's components more sticky, with a major cut-in point expected at 3.2T transceiver modules.

Q: What is the role of copper as optical moves closer to the ASIC, and how do you see its role evolving through 2030? A: Hong Hou explained that copper scale-up will remain mainstream for within-rack connections, while CPO scale-up makes sense for multi-rack systems. Near Package Optics (NPO) is being developed as a complement to CPO, allowing for broader ecosystem innovation. Copper will continue to play a significant role, especially in NPO configurations.

Q: Can you provide more details on the recent RECAP announcement and its impact on the LPO ecosystem? A: Hong Hou highlighted that the XPO MSA, led by Arista, defines high-density, low-power specifications for front panel switches, building on LPO confidence. NPO is more involved, requiring common specifications for geometry and configurations. Both XPO and NPO align with Semtech's strategic direction, offering significant content opportunities.

Q: What are the updates on potential divestitures, specifically the cellular module business? A: Mark Lin indicated that the divestiture process is progressing well, with interested parties conducting financial and legal due diligence. The company is optimistic about reaching a successful conclusion in the near term.

Q: What are the biggest growth drivers for the expected 50% year-over-year growth in data center revenue? A: Hong Hou identified hyperscaler 1.6 FiberEdge products, potential linear equalizers onboard, and continued LPO growth as key drivers for the projected 50% growth in data center revenue.

Q: Can you provide more color on LoRa's performance, particularly in China, and the timeline for Amazon Sidewalk's contribution? A: Hong Hou stated that LoRa demand is broad-based across regions, including China, Europe, and North America. Amazon Sidewalk is set to deploy in March in North America, with plans for international expansion, representing a significant opportunity for Semtech.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
The region of Abruzzo, east of Rome all the way to the Adriatic, has as long a history as any in Italy for winemaking, but its really only in this century that its vintners have broken away from making vast amounts of undistinguished bulk wines the countrys fifth largest producerto garnering praise for their distinction. The region is now known for its red wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo , whose Colline Teramane terroir holds the prestigious DOCG appellation; a rose called Cerasuolo dAbruzzo made from Montepulciano grapes; the white Trebbiano d'Abruzzo; and the white Pecorino and Passerina.

One of the leaders of these innovative wines is Chiara Ciavolich, whose ancestors came to Italy from Bulgaria in 1560 AD. Recently in New York, I had a chance to sit down and taste the wines and interview Ms. Ciavolich, 48, who, after leaving a law degree behind, has been totally involved with the winery for 25 years.

Chiara Ciavolich now heads her the Abruzzo winery whose family dates back to Bulgaria as of 1560. Ciavolich

Your family has had a winery since 1853. Were they part of a cooperative of farmers?

No, my family has always been an independent wine producer. The Ciavolich family originally came from Bulgaria and settled in Abruzzo in the sixteenth century. Over time they became merchants and farmers, and in 1853 they established a winery in the village of Miglianico. At that time the model was very different from today: many families cultivated their own vineyards and produced wine locally, often selling it in bulk to traders or exporting it to northern Italy and central Europe.

How many DOCs and DOCGs does Abruzzo now have?

Today Abruzzo has one DOCG, Montepulciano dAbruzzo Colline Teramane, and several DOC appellations. The most important are Montepulciano dAbruzzo DOC, Trebbiano dAbruzzo DOC, Cerasuolo dAbruzzo DOC, and Abruzzo DOC, which includes several grape varieties such as Pecorino, Passerina, and Cococciola.

The winery of Ciavolich is devoted to sustainability and a balance of traditional and modern viniculture. Ciavolich

Can you tell me about the importance of clonal research and what aspects have you pursued to improve grape selection?

Many of our vineyards were planted in the 1960s and 1970s and originate from massal selection rather than clonal selection. At that time vines were propagated directly from existing vineyards, which created a great deal of genetic diversity within the same variety.

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When we plant new vineyards or need to replace individual vines that have died, we try to preserve this original genetic heritage. We do this by taking cuttings from the pruning wood of our own old vines, sending them to a nursery for propagation, and then replanting them in the vineyard.

This process is more complex and more expensive than purchasing commercially available clonal vines, but it allows us to preserve the biodiversity and the original character of our vineyards, rather than standardizing the plant material through clonal selection.

The best-known producer in Abruzzo is Franceso Paolo Valentini for his long-lived Trebbiano dAbruzzo. Was he an inspiration for Ciavolich? Do you know the family?

Francesco Paolo Valentini has certainly been one of the most important reference points for wine in Abruzzo, and particularly for Trebbiano dAbruzzo. His wines demonstrated very clearly that this grape, when grown in the right conditions, can produce wines of remarkable depth and longevity. I know him and the family well. We are neighbors in Loreto Aprutino, and there is a long relationship of mutual respect and friendship among the producers of this area. Together with several other wineries we are also part of a group called Custodes Laureti, which was created to protect and promote the identity of the territory of Loreto Aprutino. As part of this work we published a book called Le Contrade del Vino di Loreto Aprutino, dedicated to the historic vineyard areas of the town.

Ciavolich's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo's alcohol level is carefully kept in check so as to maintain balance. Ciavolich

You called your excellent Cerasuolo not really a rose and called it the wine of climate change. Why?

Cerasuolo dAbruzzo is traditionally made from Montepulciano and historically it has always been a wine with much more structure and color than most roses. Today I sometimes describe it as a wine of the future, especially in the context of climate change. In recent vintages we are increasingly facing a situation where Montepulciano reaches sugar ripeness much earlier than phenolic ripeness. In other words, the grapes accumulate sugar quickly while the skins are still developing color and tannin.

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At that stage the grapes are actually perfect for producing a great Cerasuolo: they have beautiful freshness and aromatic intensity, but they have not yet reached the heavy phenolic maturity required for a powerful red wine.

If we wait longer in the vineyard to achieve full phenolic ripeness for a structured red, the risk today is producing wines with very high alcohol levels  sometimes 15% or even more.

For this reason Cerasuolo represents a very intelligent expression of Montepulciano in a warming climate: it preserves freshness, balance, and drinkability while still expressing the character of the grape.

Usually regarded as a rose wine, Ciavolich regards it as a light red that goes with many foods. Ciavolich

Your wines, not even the red Montepulciano dAbruzzo, never go above 14% alcohol. How is this achieved?

In recent years we are increasingly facing the effects of climate change: grapes tend to accumulate sugar very quickly, often before full phenolic ripeness is reached. If one waits too long in the vineyard, the risk is producing wines with excessively high alcohol levels. Our approach is to harvest when the grapes have reached a good balance between ripeness, acidity, and phenolic maturity, without pushing them toward extreme sugar concentration. For us, balance is essential. Wines with moderate alcohol better express the character of our varieties and our territory, and they are also much more enjoyable at the table. In my view, the future of wine is not in making bigger wines, but more precise and more drinkable wines.

Pecorino does not refer to sheepthe Italian translationbut to the sheepherders who snacked on the hillside grapes. Ciavolich

Is it true that some Trebbianos in Abruzzo are made with Trebbiano Toscano instead? What is the difference?

Yes. In fact, today less than 30% of the Trebbiano vineyards in Abruzzo are planted with the true Trebbiano Abruzzese. Much of the planting that took place from the 1980s onward used Trebbiano Toscano, which was widely available in nurseries. The situation is also complicated by the fact that Trebbiano is not a single grape but a family of varieties  in many ways it would be more accurate to speak of trebbiani. Over the centuries these grapes evolved into several distinct cultivars such as Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Romagnolo, Trebbiano Abruzzese, and Bombino Bianco. Trebbiano Abruzzese was officially recognized as a distinct variety only in 1994.

Why do you see a great future for Pecorino and Passerina whites?

Both grapes have characteristics that are very well suited to contemporary tastes. Pecorino naturally combines good acidity with aromatic intensity and structure, while Passerina tends to produce fresher, lighter wines with bright citrus notes. As consumers increasingly look for distinctive regional varieties rather than international grapes, these native varieties have a strong future.

I understand you use terracotta amphoras. Why?

Amphoras allow a very gentle form of micro-oxygenation, somewhat similar to wood but without adding any flavor. They help preserve the purity of the fruit while giving the wine texture and complexity. For certain wines they allow us to express the grape and the vintage in a very transparent way.

How do you see winemaking in Abruzzo changing in the next ten years?

I believe we will see much greater attention to territory and vineyard identity. There is a new generation of producers focusing on smaller vineyards, native varieties, and more precise winemaking. At the same time there is growing interest in historical areas such as Loreto Aprutino and in understanding the diversity within the region.
For 2022 F&W Best New Chef Warda Bouguettaya, Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, means cookies  heaps of honey-soaked, date-filled makroud, orange-blossom-scented kaak, and more. The association is rooted in her childhood in Algeria, where she would spend the final week of the monthlong Muslim fasting period preparing them.

Related: 33 Celebratory Eid al-Fitr Recipes for a Festive End of Ramadan

Bouguettaya and her sister, mother, and cousins would find themselves baking Eid cookies until 3 a.m. in her grandmothers kitchen night after night. It was always a family affair growing up, says Bouguettaya of this sweet Ramadan tradition. We would make six to 10 types of cookies, and then my grandma would hide all of them until the day of Eid.

A Detroit Eid with Algerian roots

Warda Bouguettaya (at right) and her husband, Mohamed.

Credit: Laura Murray

Even though she now lives over 4,000 miles away from Algeria in Detroit, Bouguettaya steadfastly continues this sweet tradition. She no longer lives near extended family, so her two daughters and her husband, Mohamed, are her trusty helpers. She still bakes the cookies the last week of Ramadan, though she has to fit them in after a long day of running the two locations of her beloved bakery, Warda Patisserie. She plans her menu for Eid two weeks in advance, often turning to recipes she has had in a notebook since she was 16, mixing nonnegotiable holiday standards with whatever she finds herself craving that year.

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The Algerian sweets that Bouguettaya bakes for Eid are quite distinct from what someone might expect from, say, a Christmas cookie plate. None of the recipes call for creaming sugar with butter (which tends to be expensive and difficult to source in Algeria, Bouguettaya explains), whipping egg whites, distributing chocolate throughout the dough, or decorating the finished product with colorful sprinkles. Instead, many Algerian sweets are crafted from ingredients like sesame seeds, jammy dates, honey, and nuts.

Makroud, baghrir, and other Eid desserts

Some of the cookies dont even need to be baked. Take for example makroud, one of Bouguettayas essential Eid cookies. The dough for these tender, date-filled semolina cookies starts a day ahead of time and is fried before being soaked in honey. Its a process that Mohamed leads every year. According to Bouguettaya, he is very particular about the way the cookies are made. Hes very nerdy about it. He likes to have a lot of dates inside and likes them very soft, she says with a laugh. Bouguettaya makes sure to pick up a particular style of date paste made from Deglet Noor dates. Its softer and lighter in flavor than date paste made from Medjool dates, she explains. This way, you can taste the cinnamon and orange-blossom notes in each cookie.

Related: How to Use Dates in Sweet and Savory Recipes

Other must-haves for Bouguettayas Eid celebration include simple but incredibly tender sable cookies, which she loves to fill with jam, and kaak, an orange blossomscented sweet bread. And there will be baghrir, light, tender pancakes draped in a butter-honey sauce.

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She always makes the kaak last, letting the dough rise the final night before Eid, because she loves to eat them immediately in the morning, split down the middle, loaded with honey and served with tea and coffee before the family heads to the mosque in their best outfits for prayers and gatherings to mark the end of Ramadan. Before she leaves, Bouguettaya makes sure to lay out all the cookies she has baked on the dining table, ready for her familys return.

When celebrating Eid in Algeria, Bouguettayas family would spend time after the mosque calling on friends and family and exchanging plates of cookies and other Algerian sweets. In Michigan, they return from prayers to eat a comforting and nourishing bowl of Tchicha bel Zaatar, a porridgelike soup made from barley, a garlic-rich broth, and fragrant Algerian wild thyme. Its a tradition from Mohameds side of the family, who are also Algerian but from a region closer to Morocco. For Mohamed, and now for Warda and their daughters, it is not Eid until this soup is on the table.

"It is not Eid until this soup is on the table"

The sweetest feast

Once everyone has broken their fast, its finally time for Mohamed to make Maghrebi mint tea, theatrically pouring it from about a foot above each glass to open up its aroma, and to dig into the much-anticipated stack of sweets overflowing with makroud, sables, and fluffy, sweet baghrir pancakes.

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Later, Bouguettaya is more than happy to have friends over or visit a friends house to swap treats and catch up before sitting down to a meal of couscous, lamb, and vegetables, with even more cookies for dessert. The sweets remain out for the rest of the week as they slowly but surely disappear.

Read the original article on Food & Wine
Seeing a black bear in Massachusetts can be a sure sign of spring, as hibernation season is typically at an end by April.

The only bears in Massachusetts are black bears and it's estimated there are more than 4,000. They're most common in Western and Central Massachusetts, though their range has been expanding eastward.

But do all bears hibernate? And when is the official end of hibernation season?

How long does a typical hibernation season last for black bears?

Hibernation season can end as early as February or as late as mid April, depending on the bear and season, according to experts.

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And some black bears skip hibernation altogether.

Do all black bears in Massachusetts hibernate?

According to Division of Fisheries & Wildlife's black bear and furbearer biologist Dave Wattles, the answer is no.

"Every winter we get reports of bears remaining active all winter. Bears hibernate to deal with the lack of food in winter, not because of the cold," Wattles said in a past interview with USA Today Network.

Some bears opt to remain in their den for winter, without going into a total hibernation, Wattles said, adding that's because there is abundant natural food available, such as acorns.

"Typically it is in suburban areas that we see the bears not denning," Wattles stated.

If bears do hibernate, when do they typically wake up?

If a bear does choose to hibernate for winter, when it emerges depends on the gender, age and weather.

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"As for when bears typically leave the den, females with 1-year-old cubs and males will leave in late February and March," Wattles told USA Today Network in the past interview. "Females with newborn cubs generally leave right around April 1. But that can vary depending on weather."

April 1 is the time of year when black bears in Massachusetts typically wake up from hibernation, if they hibernate at all.

When should you take your bird feeders down?

You may have heard advice that you can feed birds in the winter but should take them down when bears emerge from hibernation.

But Wattles recommends never putting bird feeders up in the first place.

"Bird feeders provide a reliable source of food that can preclude the need to den," when it comes to bears, Wattles said.

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"Bird feeders are the single No. 1 driver of human wildlife conflict, particularly for bears," he added. "They really are wildlife feeders and not bird feeders. They train wildlife that the best place to find food is in peoples yards and up on their decks."

Bears have a particularly good memory about where bird feeders are and it often becomes a source of conflict.

"Unfortunately, it almost always ends up badly for the bear. Attracting them to developed places where they get hit by cars," Wattles said. "Luring them in to find food around homes leads to them discovering chicken coops, beehives and other livestock, which they readily will feed on. And that is when the bear gets shot. And it all starts with the bird feeders."

Past USA Today reporting contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Bears waking up in Massachusetts. One safety step homeowners should do
We ranked the top 10 foods every Cincinnatian needs to try at least once. From pizza and coneys to ice cream and a unique breakfast sausage, let's count 'em down. No. 10: MOCK TURTLE SOUP. Mock turtle soup was once so popular it was served, per President Abraham Lincolns request, at his first inaugural luncheon. While the dish faded from national glory, you'll still find it on Cincinnati menus (from Quatman Cafe to Avril-Bleh) and on the shelves at local grocery stores for you OG fans. Tartar sauce on a burger remains a very Cincinnati thing. You'll always be able to spot an out-of-towner when they call it Bob's Big Boy and put Thousand Island dressing between those three layers of bun. Cincinnatians don't just eat Grippo's chips as chips. They crumble them up as a breadcrumb replacement to top mac and cheese or even use the unmistakable seasoning as a dry rub for chicken wings. It's a unique brand of slow-burn spicy that gets hotter with each bite. Buddy LaRosa opened his first pizzeria on Boudinot Avenue in 1954, and he's still churning out the closest thing you can call "Cincinnati-style pizza." Whether you think the sauce is too sweet or just right, this pie is a Cincinnati rite of passage. No. 5: UDF MALT. It all starts with the ice cream counter at United Dairy Farmers. Even if you prefer just a plain ole milkshake, every Cincinnatian can admit the ice cream really sings in malt form. And it's especially delightful to sip down as you pump your gas. No. 4: EAGLE FRIED CHICKEN. What is it about The Eagle's fried chicken that makes it widely known as the best in Cincinnati? It has to be the side of spicy honey it's served with, right? Well, if you haven't had it for yourself, go find out why it has become an Over-the-Rhine staple. The only argument in Cincinnati about goetta is which version is the best. Is it Glier's? Eckerlin? Jury is still out on that one. And do you dip it in ketchup or maple syrup? One thing is certain: It's better than that scrapple stuff from out east. (That's scrapple on the right.) No. 2: CINCINNATI-STYLE CHILI. If you live in Cincinnati, odds are you've had a three-way and a coney. And you've probably had to explain to an out-of-towner what a three-way is. And then had to defend the fact that it is, indeed, chili. What the heck is more Cincinnati than the special smell you only get when walking into a local chili parlor? Well, there's one thing. No. 1: GRAETER'S BLACK RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP. OK, this is a controversial pick for the top spot, sure. But let us explain. Family-owned since 1870 and still made a small batch at a time, Graeter's is a Cincinnati institution. And who can call themselves a true Cincinnatian without trying their dark-purple-colored signature flavor with huge chunks of chocolate? It tastes like home. Top 10 foods of Cincinnati, ranked 1 of 15 We ranked the top 10 foods every Cincinnatian needs to try at least once. From pizza and coneys to ice cream and a unique breakfast sausage, let's count 'em down.

Inside a Wards Corner Road shopping center, Patricia Sebold gives me a primer on brigadeiros, the ping-pong-sized truffles covered in chocolate sprinkles, crushed pistachios or Belgian chocolate. They are made from sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter and are often served at special occasions, including weddings and holidays, often in a tiny paper cup or scooped up with a spoon. One bite of a brigadeiro coated in coconut and I'm hooked.

Sebold and her husband, Thiago Riva, are the owners of Sweetness Brazilian Bakery, which opened about three years ago in Loveland. Thiago grew up making brigadeiros at his parents' market and bakery in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, as well as Brazilian-style carrot cake, where the carrots are pureed into a moist cake and layered with Belgian chocolate cream.

Assorted sweets and savories from Sweetness Brazilian Bakery, in Loveland.

After the family sold the grocery in Brazil, the Rivas moved to Ohio, where, according to the website World Population Review, is home to around 5,600 Brazilians. Sebold told me many of them live in Southwest Ohio and that they opened their bakery to make them feel more at home. "This is our dream come true," she said.

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Sweets aren't the only Brazilian specialties you will find here. There are savory coxinha, breaded croquettes made with potato dough, my favorite of which is stuffed with corn and cheese and served with a bright garlic and parsley mayonnaise. There's also a cheese coxinha with an addictive mixture of mozzarella, gouda and Parmesan. Sweetness also offers chicken and cream cheese empanadas, ham and cheese sandwiches and a picanha steak sandwich with tender sirloin steak and cheese served on soft, house-made Brazilian-style bread.

And I strongly suggest ordering a cold can of Guarana Antarctica, a soft drink made with a berry found in the Amazon forest, which tastes vaguely of apple and ginger. You might end up buying a case of it from the bakery's small grocery, which also sells Brazilian snacks and other items that, like this bakery, provide a much-needed taste of home.

471 Wards Corner Road, Loveland, 513-908-2410.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brazilian bakery brings savory and sweet flavors to Cincinnati suburbs
Wondering when Eid al-Fitr will be? Well, so are about 2 billion Muslims.

Ramadan is now well into its last 10 nights. With the expected sighting of the waxing crescent moon happening this week, nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide and the roughly 1% of Ohioans who are Muslim will celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

Does Eid al-Fitr have a definite date? How does Saudi Arabia declare the end of Ramadan? When will we see the new crescent moon? Here's what to know about the holiday that marks the end of the holy month.

When is Eid al-Fitr 2026? Has Saudi Arabia confirmed Eid al-Fitr?

Many Muslim communities around the world rely on Saudi Arabia and their trained moon spotters to confirm the date of the first day of the month of Shawwal, Eid al-Fitr, according to Middle East Eye.

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As Muslims await the waxing crescent moon sighting, Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on the night of March 18 or March 19, depending on when spotters see the waxing crescent moon, according to Islamic Relief.

Shawwal, the Islamic month that succeeds Ramadan, begins immediately upon the sighting of the crescent moon, or "Shawwal moon." The first day of Shawwal brings Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

Imagine explaining to your boss that you need a day off, but you are not sure if Eid is going to be on Thursday or Friday. You won't know for sure until the night before, since you must wait to see if the crescent moon is actually spotted. Once it is sighted, Muslims prepare for one of the largest celebratory days in Islam.

When will the waxing crescent moon emerge? Possible timing for Eid al-Fitr, end of Ramadan

As of March 16, the moon is in the waning crescent phase at 8% illumination, according to Space.com.

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However, we want a waxing crescent to confirm the end of Ramadan. It is anticipated to appear on Wednesday, March 18 at 9:23 p.m. in Columbus, according to Time and Date.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is the first of two celebratory days in the Islamic calendar, both observed every year. The holiday is marked on one day, but some Muslims will celebrate the festival for as long as three days. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.

Eid is not on the same date every year. Like Ramadan, the date of the holiday is determined by the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is on a lunar cycle. Each year, the start and end of Ramadan and both Eid holidays fall about 11 days earlier than the year before because of the lunar cycle. The sighting of the crescent moon determines the start of these holidays.

What does Eid mean?

Eid in Arabic means "festival" or "feast," and Fitr means "breaking the fast." In other words, Eid al-Fitr literally means festival of breaking the fast.

How do you pronounce Eid?

"Eid" can be said like the word "feed" without the "f." But here's a quick Arabic language lesson if you want to know how to really pronounce it.

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"Eid" is "" in Arabic and is actually pronounced as "'ayid." The first Arabic letter of the word, '', is a consonant, which is pronounced using the back of your throat.

How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated? What do people do on Eid?

Muslims will wake up early in the morning, preparing food and getting ready to attend Eid prayers at local masjids. It may feel strange for Muslims to eat during daylight hours after a month of fasting between dawn and sunset, but it is actually forbidden for Muslims to fast on Eid al-Fitr.

On Eid, Muslims will follow the way of Prophet Muhammad, also known as Sunnah in Islam. Sunnah is not followed just on Eid, but every day. Specific Sunnahs on Eid include:

Taking a bath or shower

Wearing ones best clothes and perfume

Saying Takbeer or praising God on the way to Eid prayers

Taking a different path home from attending Eid prayer

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Eid traditions vary from country to country, but friends and families commonly gather and spend time together at each others homes, enjoying sweets and delicious food after Eid prayers in the morning. Children will receive gifts and money, also known as Eidi.

How do you wish someone a happy Eid?

Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with Eid Mubarak, meaning blessed festival in Arabic.

When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid in the Islamic calendar?

The second Eid of the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha 2026, will fall on the 10th day in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is predicted to fall on the evening of May 26, and end on the night of May 27.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When is Eid al-Fitr? How Ramadan end date is predicted by Saudi Arabia
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most famous architects of all time, and every so often, one of his homes pops up for sale. But its not easy to get your hands on an FLW original. Thankfully, his style of organic architecture has been much mimicked, and youll find plenty of properties that draw inspiration from his nature-influenced design.

One such residence in Weston, Floridas exclusive Windmill Ranch Estates is hitting the auction block with DeCaro Auctions on April 7. The waterfront home was previously listed for $11 million, although the price has since been reduced slightly to $9.5 million. A prior auction took place earlier this month, with six qualified bidders putting down offers for the property. But the sellers have decided to extend the auction, perhaps hoping to land a final offer closer to the current listing price.

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2965 NE Surrey Lane bedroom

The 10,600-square-foot abode sits on a prime lakefront lot in the South Florida town, which sits just to the east of Fort Lauderdale. Originally built in 1994, the pad includes plenty of nods to Wrights designs, including sunken living spaces and natural flourishes that seamlessly integrate flora and fauna from the outside into the structure. To arrive at the entrance, for example, you walk across a bridge suspended above a rocky koi pond, with tropical landscaping lining the banks.

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Inside, the kitchen is a standout space: Double-height ceilings soar above the double islands, while plenty of light-wood cabinetry provides copious storage. Gather here with friends and family, or take advantage of one of the many first-floor living spaces. The formal living room is anchored by a striking fireplace with a herringbone panel that rises to the ceiling, while a separate family room and den are perfect for more casual hangs.

2965 NE Surrey Lane patio

With six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms in total, the digs are big enough for everyone to have their privacy. The primary suite, in particular, is a massive hideaway: A fireplace heats up the bedroom, which has an adjacent sitting area and a spiral staircase leading to a sizable lounge. Meanwhile, dual bathrooms and closets mean you can get ready for the day in peace.

In keeping with Wrights creations, the outdoor spaces are just as importantif not more sothan the interiors. Walls of windows surround a covered patio, where a summer kitchen is tucked into one corner. You can enjoy the fruits of your labor at the patios dining table, or take your snacks out to eat poolside. A calming waterfall flows from the spa into the angular pool, while palm trees frame the nearby lake. Its not an FLW original, but it could be the next best thing.

Click here to see all the images of the Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired home.

2965 NE Surrey Lane exterior back

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The smugglers were halfway to Key West, Florida, with a boat full of bad weed when the winds turned against them. The winds had not been kind the whole trip, and when youre running weed in a 61-foot steel-hull sailboat, you need the wind on your side. Harvey Prager had been on watch for hours, steering through lashing rain and 20-foot waves in the Yucatan Channel. Watches were four-hour shifts, day in, day out. Belowdecks, crew members tried to sleep despite the violent pitching of their ship, called The Escape. On deck, Prager knew he had to be vigilant. The passage was a good place to get snatched by the Coast Guard, or worse, get run over by a cargo ship. The Escape had a powerful engine that recharged the batteries that powered the crews rudimentary lights and equipment, but it was struggling, chewing through diesel as it pushed the ship up and down through mountainous waves. The end was in sight, though: If they could grind their way through the channel, dodge the container ships and cops, theyd catch the Gulf Stream winds and be able to shoot straight north to the coast of Maine, where theyd tuck the boat into a quiet little inlet, offload the weed, and rake in the cash, living like kings in New England just as the summer of 1976 came to a close. Thats what Prager was dreaming of, at least, before the radio crackled below.

The radio, a battered old Zenith Trans-Oceanic, was their only link to the outside world, bringing them occasional weather reports and little else. They had no cell phones, no radar, no satellite uplink. They navigated by sextant and map. If they went down, no one would ever find them, and the radio told them the weather was about to go from bad to worse. A hurricane had formed north of the Bahamas, swelling in size and hooking west, cutting off their route to Maine and leaving the smugglers adrift at sea with no port to call home.

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Prager and the other three crew members huddled together below deck to sketch out a plan. Mike Cochise Pace, a vagabond veteran whod grown up on the water and was the groups elected captain, quickly realized theyd have to make for the east coast of Florida, where a friend had a vacation rental with a dock long enough to tie up The Escape and unload. Theyd used his dock before, but hadnt spoken to him in months; it was a risk theyd have to take. They sailed north, hugging the coast of Florida, and cut into the swampy St. Marys River delta right on the border with Georgia, where they tied up at the dock just before midnight. In the distance, a light switched on. A man appeared from inside the house and ambled down to the dock. As he got closer, they realized it wasnt their buddy. He had moved. Theyd just tied up a ship loaded with 7,000 pounds of weed in a strangers backyard.

The stranger, it turned out, was friendly. The next morning, his school-age son came out of the house and wanted to check out the boat. The smugglers let him aboard, and the boy clambered around hatches that, if opened, would reveal dozens of felonies worth of illicit cargo. Prager hitched a ride to town, where he met up with some friends, rented a huge yellow Ryder moving truck, and assemble an emergency ground crew to help the sailors unload.

After several more days of aimless, anxious sailing through the Florida marsh, the smugglers finally found an inlet secluded and accessible enough to unload, off a half-developed neighborhood called Pirates Wood. They packed the bales into the Ryder truck. The third crew member, who went by Kaumu, hopped into the cab, with Prager riding shotgun. Cochise stayed with The Escape, casting off for the now-calm waters of the Bahamas. The worst was over, Prager thought, as he drifted off to sleep in the passenger seat of the Ryder.

A few minutes later, he was jolted awake. The border between Florida and Georgia is rife with agricultural checkpoints. Kaumu was adamant they should follow the rules and try to talk their way through. Prager, shaking off sleep, wanted to blow right past with the rest of the non-commercial traffic. But Kaumu was at the wheel. The truck stopped. The inspectors approached and asked to look in the back. The desperate smugglers lied saying they were transporting furniture and didnt have the key. Theyd have to call their boss from a truck stop down the road to get him to come open it up.

Until then, smuggling weed had been a grand adventure, an escape from a society that had just thrown Pragers generation into a meat grinder in Vietnam, a repudiation of the crooked politicians and backward preachers and greedy capitalists who were running the world. But now, the risks were real. The truck, Prager realized with a sick flash of terror, had been rented under his name. His legal name. There were only two choices left: Open the truck, turn himself in, and accept the punishment society handed down  or run.

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This, Prager tells me years later, was the moment he became a pirate. He and Kaumu walked up to the nearest big-rig driver and asked for a ride. The driver was headed north, which was good enough for the smugglers. They ran, leaving a pair of unsuspecting, bored state troopers with a truck full of Colombian weed on the side of the road.

Over the next 10 years, Prager would become the kingpin of a multimillion-dollar marijuana smuggling organization, living under constant investigation and indictment, staying one step ahead of the law in New York City, Boston, Key West, and all across the Caribbean, eventually coordinating a network of half a dozen ships running weed from Colombia to the northeastern United States. The men and women under his employ were a rag-tag gang of dreamers and drifters, brought together by a love for adventure, a disdain for the society that had thrown their friends away in Vietnam, and a desire to spread the gospel of ganja. From 1979 to the mid-1980s, they lived like kings across the Caribbean, buying property and planes and partying nightly with Jimmy Buffett and other patron saints of the counterculture. Pragers empire, such that it was, was one of many operations that gave birth to a golden era of the drug trade, in the final years before organized cartels moved in and went to war with the Reagan administration, as Americas appetites shifted from marijuana to cocaine and a new world of enforcement and danger drove independent smugglers into the ground. They were, as one prosecutor said during Pragers sentencing, years later, the last of the great amateurs.

We smuggled marijuana because we believed in it, Prager tells me. We knew there was no reason in the world that it should be illegal.

Pragers extraordinary court case, which resulted in one of the most unique sentences ever passed down, was a media frenzy in the late 1980s. Youre reading the full story now  how a Harvard fellow built a drug empire from Colombia to Cambridge  not through any feat of reporting on my part, but because of a very simple chance of fate: Harvey Prager lives in the apartment below mine, in a six-unit brownstone in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, with a high-school sweetheart he reconnected with decades after his time as a criminal on the run across the globe.

The Snake Pit

KEY WEST, FLORIDA WAS a smugglers paradise. In the mid-1970s, the long net of the Florida Keys swept up a generation of countercultural refuse in a web of free love, plentiful drugs, and cheap booze. The city was a warren of bars and fishing markets, which captivated writers like Jim Harrison, Guy De la Valdene, and Richard Brautigan, who drank in front of buskers like a young Jimmy Buffett. Locals remember a lady who had a beer-drinking, toilet-trained ferret shed take around to the bars and a small-town mayor who water-skied to Cuba on a dare. The city was both the end of the world and the center of it, a short sail or flight from both the booming metropolis of Miami and the islands around the Caribbean.

Prager and the original crew  Jake Pigpen Keenan and Mike Cochise Pace  fit right in when they limped The Escape into a Stock Island shipyard in 1975. They were bums, more or less, living in a shipyard for a few dollars a week and sleeping on the ground underneath their boat. By day, they labored to retrofit The Escape to survive the roughly 1,500-mile journey to the Colombian coastline. In the evenings, theyd crawl out from under the hull and mosey over to Mallory Square, a broad plaza in Key Wests downtown where locals gathered to bake in the last rays of sun and a haze of pot smoke. After dark, theyd sometimes hit the bars. The heart of the scene was the Snake Pit, a bar technically named the Old Anchor Inn, which took up the bottom floor of a dilapidated clapboard-siding building on Duval Street, a few blocks from the square. In an inscription outside of the current building, writer Tom Corcoran claims Buffett once escaped the apartment upstairs from the bar after a lovers quarrel and that patrons often stood on bricks to stay out of runoff from the overflowing bathrooms while gambling on games of pool. The smugglers ran wild in Key West for about six months, swilling beer, sweating underneath the boat as they hollowed out the hull to carry weed. They became regulars at La Sorpresa, a Cuban joint off A1A, where they all fell in love with a waitress named Bianca.

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Prager and Keenan had met a few years earlier, when Prager had just left a doctorate program at Harvard. Keenan had the hookup with both Cambridges flourishing party scene and a handful of small-time regional pot dealers, who regaled the pair with tales of running weed in pickup trucks over the Mexican border. In smoky house parties and late-night soaks at the bar, Prager and Keenan bonded the way only underemployed dreamers can, and a plan emerged: Buy a boat, travel the seas, and maybe run a little reefer. They borrowed cash from the local dealers to finance the boat and enlisted Pace, Keenans childhood friend who had grown up on the water, to help sail it. When they first bought The Escape, it was barely seaworthy, and the smugglers limped it just far enough to find a berth in Key West.

Smuggling was not, for any of the three men, a natural career path. They were potheads, sure, but most of the crew had spent time at elite institutions or in above-board jobs. When Prager left Harvard, hed been on track for a flourishing career in academia, coming off teaching stints in Argentina and a summa cum laude undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College in Maine. Keenan had spent time in the Peace Corps and had drifted around the world afterward, coming away with the conception that Americans ignorance of other cultures had led the country directly into the wood chipper of Vietnam. It was 1974: The president was a crook, their friends were dying, and the previous decade of free love and expression seemed far away.

We didnt know what came next, Keenan tells me. Should we go to a commune, should we study more  Everything felt like selling out or running away. The ideas of the Sixties didnt really have a compass.

For a while, smuggling was the cure. The groups first smuggle went off without a hitch  as Pace, Keenan, and Prager ran a load of around 7,000 pounds of pot from Colombia into Maine. The second trip, of course, went disastrously wrong, but less than a year later, Prager, Cochise, and two other crew members made the run for the third time in as many years, this time netting close to 10,000 pounds of product and successfully running it to Florida. The proceeds paid off the loss of the second smuggle and, crucially, fulfilled the original trios obligations to the small-time dealer who had fronted them the cash to buy The Escape in return for a commitment to two successful smuggles. Prager and Cochise found themselves the masters of a capable smuggling vessel, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in their pockets and no responsibilities to anyone. It was time, Prager thought, to strike out on their own.

Kings of the Caribbean

MICK FLEETWOOD REALLY WANTED TO drive. The problem was, the roads on Saint Barthelemy island were narrow, winding, and pitch-dark  take a corner too fast, and youd end up off a cliff into the sea. Prager knew the roads, of course: This was his island, one hed built a life on with millions of dollars in drug money. The problem was that he was drunk  and so was Fleetwood. The two men argued over who was closer to some shred of sobriety and reached a compromise: Fleetwood would take the wheel, and Prager would hang on for dear life in the passenger seat of his own car. (A rep for Fleetwood didnt respond to interview requests.)

We smuggled marijuana because we believed in it. We knew there was no reason in the world that it should be illegal. Harvey Prager

One thing the two men could agree on was that this whole predicament was Jimmy Buffetts fault. The night started like many others Prager had in the remote paradise of St. Barts. He finished work on the house he was constructing on the top of the hill and puttered over to one of the bars  in this case, Autour Du Rocher, a tile-and-brick discotheque on a volcanic bluff overlooking the ocean. When he got there, he settled in with the regulars, which, in the early Eighties, included Buffett, a co-owner of the bar. Prager sat down at the table and ordered a drink, but a quiet night wasnt on the cards. Buffett was hosting Fleetwood that weekend, and the two men got it into their heads that they would play a show: After all, Autour du Rocher had the sound system right there  why not drag it outside and give the whole island some tunes? They brought speakers, keyboards, and a drum kit outside, and Fleetwood and Buffett cobbled together a band. By the end of the show, it seemed like the whole island was drunk. That night, Prager and Fleetwood made it to their respective beds in one piece.

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By day, Prager worked on the house he was building on the island, stopping occasionally for beers at Le Select, an infamous watering hole by St. Barts harbor. If you were looking for someone or wanted somebody to find you, youd just hang out at the Select, Prager remembers, where naked hippie kids would be crawling around the floor and Beatniks from the Fifties would be planning revolutions.

Pace and Bianca, then married, lived nearby on Saint Thomas, and their young son Simon was childhood playmates with Buffetts daughter Savannah when they visited St. Barts on holidays. (Bianca and Savannah declined to comment.) Prager spent most of his time on St. Barts, but wasnt a stranger to the United States: As the organization grew, he says, it got harder to move the money than the weed. Prager flew between the U.S. and Caribbean with cash strapped to his body. He could conceal $100,000 each trip  after trading duffle bags full of small bills for stacks of hundreds at seedy money-laundering shops in New York Citys outer boroughs. Prager was deeply interested in the intricacies of the growing process, as well, sometimes spending weeks in the Colombian mountains living with the indigenous tribes that grew his weed and becoming close friends with his Colombian contacts that moved the product onto his boats.

In a few short years, Prager had carved out an expansive life as a Caribbean kingpin, transforming the ramshackle smuggling operation into a sophisticated, multicrew organization that moved tens of thousands of pounds of pot. They had only one strict rule: marijuana only. But as the Seventies gave way to the Eighties, reefers day in the sun was waning. Pragers supplier, a lovely man hed worked with since 1977, started asking him if he could run more lucrative cargo: cocaine. The pressure built slowly. The fertile marijuana fields in the mountains outside of Santa Marta were not an immediate priority for the new, organized cartels. But Barranquilla, across the bay, was, as Prager puts it, a cartel town. Eventually, the requests started to come. Economically, they made sense: Pot was bulky, heavy, and far less lucrative. Prager compares it to smuggling elephants when you could be smuggling diamonds. But he was resolute: Pot he believed in, cocaine he did not. The supplier didnt understand it, but he respected it  for as long as he could. Eventually, in the early Eighties, it came to an ultimatum: Take the hard stuff with the pot, or take none of it at all. But in the summer of 1981, the cartels werent Pragers biggest problem. For years, hed lived a charmed life in the sun. Partied with rock stars, danced and sang, and racked up cash in offshore accounts. But as Prager laid low, the authorities closed in.

Down With the Ship

BY 1981, PRAGERS OPERATION had ballooned into a loose network of half a dozen boats, a pirate fleet of vessels usually found floating around the Caribbean. Theyd streamlined the process, as well: Rather than brave the brutal offshore winds in sailboats, the gang used a converted fishing trawler to plow through rough seas and load up massive shipments of tens of thousands of pounds of pot. The trawler mothership would then chug into a secluded port in the islands, where the sailboats would split the haul and start their journeys to the U.S. The smuggle that summer was a big one: three sailboats, loaded with weed, all on their way to the gangs safe house on Little Deer Isle in Maine. Jim Spock Homan, another friend of Pace and Keenans from Georgia, had installed long-range radio systems on most of the boats, and from a dusty study in the Little Deer safe house, Prager was on the line constantly coordinating different aspects of the operation. The three boats were almost home, sailing the last few dozen miles before disappearing into Maines unchartable maze of inlets and bays. But then, from the safe house, the radio chirped. It was the captain of the first boat, reporting the worst news any of the smugglers had ever gotten on the water.

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Were being boarded.

A passing Coast Guard boat had noticed their boat was riding suspiciously low in the water  far too heavy for a pleasure trip. They decided to inspect, and just like that, the jig was up. The crew  which included Kaumu, the driver of the ill-fated Ryder truck all those years before  were taken into custody, and the operation started to unravel from there.

The authorities moved slowly, at first. The gang bailed out their crew, and it seemed like they could plead ignorance and get off easy. But in 1984, a raft of unsealed federal indictments made it clear the feds had gotten someone to talk. The group, scattered at this point across the Western Hemisphere, went further into the wind. Some, like Homan, procured dead baby passports  a real passport under the name of a child close to his age who had died in infancy without proper record keeping  and spent years wandering the world, trying to keep fractured family lives together back home. In 1985, Prager briefly went to Argentina, where he helped set up a hospice-care facility using some of his drug money. But he was determined to finish the house on St. Barts, and returned there in 1986 to finally do just that. On the islands, he used his original passport and name. By the end of 1986, the house  and Pragers life on St. Barts  was done.

A Robbery in Knightsbridge

IN LATE JULY 1987, Prager and his girlfriend, Sandrine, came home to London after a three-week sojourn in Bali, Indonesia. The trip had been magical, Prager remembers, and the couple dropped their bags in Pragers airy flat and wandered out into the city in a jet-lagged, love-drunk daze, in search of coffee. On the way to a cafe, they passed a newsstand, and Pragers world dissolved in front of him again.

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The front page of the tabloids that day was an explosive update on the Knightsbridge robbery, a wild bank heist that had taken the U.K. by storm while Prager and Sandrine were away in the far east. A gang of thieves had broken into the Knightsbridge security-deposit center in London, smashing into vaults and making off with close to $40 million pounds in cash and valuables. One of the safety deposit boxes theyd smashed belonged to Prager, but unfortunately for him, the thieves had left the contents alone. When Scotland Yard arrived to investigate, they found, among the detritus left behind, Pragers original passport and a stack of financial records, correspondence, and documents that identified him as a man wanted by American authorities for dealing weed all over the Eastern Seaboard. Thats what Prager saw on his jet-lagged walk for coffee: a tabloid photo of the bank, covered in discarded papers and documents the thieves had left behind.

Prager walked back to his flat in a panic. Sandrine, concerned, could only guess at what was wrong. She and Prager had been dating for just over a year, after meeting through a business associate of Pragers as he set up a career as an art dealer in Europe. According to Prager, he had broadly told her he had a problem, but the conventions of French society meant she had never pried into why, exactly, he was loath to ever return to the U.S. Over the next three months, Prager thought long and hard about his future. In the London house, its walls covered with paintings Prager had bought in his new career as an art dealer, Prager listened over and over again to Jimmy Buffetts A Pirate Looks at Forty. Almost four decades later, he still knows the lyrics by heart, words he repeats to me many times over our many hours of interviews in his basement study. Ive done a bit of smugglin, and Ive run my share of grass, Prager hums slowly one afternoon. I made enough money to buy Miami, but I pissed it away so fast. Never meant to last, never meant to last.

Prager turned 40 in March that year. In October, he turned himself in to Scotland Yard.

The Last of the Amateurs

PRAGER WALKED INTO THE United States District Court of Maine on Sept. 29, 1988, with the rest of his life on the line. The District Court building is a gray stone structure that Prager had come to know well. For months, hed been working with the authorities to voluntarily forfeit and drain his offshore accounts. He didnt mind the work  it was the only thing that got him out of the excruciating holding pen in the Cumberland County Jail, where the lights were always on and the TV was always blaring. More importantly, forfeiting his assets was a key part of a wild, risky, and unprecedented plan Prager and his lawyers had cooked up to help him avoid a brutal Reagan-era drug sentence  up to 15 years behind bars.

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Pragers lawyers led him, clad in a suit, into the buildings main courtroom. Framed portraits of former judges stared down at him from the eaves, and behind a heavy wood podium, the Honorable Judge Gene Carter waited, looking down through square, rimless eyeglasses perched above a neatly trimmed mustache. Carter, at the time, was a stickler. He was prepared to bring the hammer down on Prager for his years of crime, and everyone in the room knew it. But somehow, over the preceding months, Prager had managed to get basically everyone else present at his sentencing hearing on his side, including the prosecutors responsible for putting him away.

The plan, as hed laid it out, was both simple and wildly unprecedented. In lieu of prison time, Prager and his lawyer, a college friend named Jay Sweet, were offering the court a bizarre alternative sentence: Use the proceeds from his drug empire to establish and fund a groundbreaking hospice-care facility in Portland aimed solely at victims of a new disease, AIDS, that was tearing through the country. As penance, Prager would run the center, live on the premises and personally tend to patients for years, until the last one had died or his sentence was up. Pragers idea wasnt completely out of the blue. Before his time in Europes art world, Prager had moved to Argentina, where, he says, he used some of his drug proceeds to set up a hospice facility for AIDS patients with his cousin. Buenos Aires, at the time, was ravaged by the disease, and Prager says that project was one of the most meaningful of his life. He knew he could contribute to society by doing it in America, where, in the early Nineties, almost no one else was.

To make his case, Prager had brought witnesses: former college professors, friends, and, crucially, several local doctors on the front lines of the AIDS crisis. While out on bail, Prager earned a nursing credential and began shadowing some of these doctors on their rounds.

When we speak of AIDS, we speak about an illness that people do not run towards, Dr. Owen Pickus, the chief of Oncology and Hematology at the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine, said during his testimony during the sentencing hearing. I dont know Harvey Prager well enough to say to you that his greatest fear is dying or being infected with the AIDS virus. But I can say from my observation of the public, given the choice, I suspect, of spending six months in jail or six months involved in direct AIDS care, I would question how many people would choose the AIDS care.

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Pickus and several other witnesses made the core points of Pragers argument: that he could be of far more service to society working in the hardest corners of a little-known epidemic than in a jail cell. But there was still the matter of his crimes: For almost a decade, Prager had participated in the organized smuggling of marijuana through several countries. He was a long-haired, wild-bearded hippie, pictured shirtless on the decks of sailboats, toting a long rifle the smugglers carried for fear of pirates in the early years at sea. But the cases lead prosecutor, Joseph Groff, saw through that exterior. By this time, in the late Eighties, the new drug cartels led by infamous figures like Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Pablo Escobar were flooding the U.S. with a different crop from Colombia: cocaine. They used speedboats and machine guns, private planes and corrupt cops. They were a far cry from Pragers gang of Ivy League rejects, and Groff knew it.

Mr. Prager stopped these drug activities a long time ago  when the markets in Colombia between marijuana and cocaine started to become horizontally integrated. Mr. Prager and that group refused to become involved in the cocaine trade, Groff said in his opening statement to Carter. And I think that is pretty clear, that is about the time that this group, the last of the great amateurs, withdrew from this whole mess.

The drug trade, Groff said over and over again, was a different world now. And Prager was not one of the monsters involved. Groffs job was to prosecute Prager, but his testimony from the hearing reads more like a defense. After two and a half hours, Carter called Prager to the stand. His questions were extensive, but the most pertinent one was this: How could he be sure Prager would do what he promised. How could he take the word of a pirate?

The answer, your Honor, is I need to follow through, Prager said. I need this more than anything in life. I desperately want to prove myself. I desperately want to pay my debt to society. I owe that debt. I desperately want to make a contribution.

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The last of the amateurs, as Prager tells me decades later, wanted to make the world a better place. They were searching for meaning and connection. Prager was influenced by the ideals of the Whole Earth Catalog, a foundational publication of the counterculture in the late 1960s. His mantra was a phrase first printed on the back cover of its 1974 edition: Stay hungry, stay foolish. It meant, he thought, to follow your passions and to take risks in getting there. When Italian thieves blew apart Knightsbridge, Prager could have fled. The money was there. He had friends in Mauritania, far from the arms of the state. But he wasnt hungry for it.

I realized I wasnt being fulfilled living life as a fugitive, Prager tells me. There was just something awful about being somebody else than who you feel that you really are.

Near the end of the proceedings, he told the court: If I fail, if I err, even once, banish me. But let me create that hospice, let that hospice become my prison, and let me turn that prison into an oasis here in this community, an oasis where truly desperate people can come and find a place to die with some measure of dignity and peace, and comfort, and care and support.



Behind the podium, something had changed. Over the past four years, Carter had handed down sentences as long as 10 years to more than 20 other members of Pragers crew. Prager and Sweet knew their plea was a long shot  but they suspected their case had broken through.

It was my conviction when I came on the bench this afternoon that there must be significant punishment in this case, Carter said.

I cant help but conclude that the damage that that fact represents is probably even greater than the damage that is presented by the use of 22,000 pounds of marijuana, Carter continued. I never thought that I would be able to say there was anything much worse than that.

In Pragers case, Carter concluded, there was a unique opportunity to deliver a sentence unlike any other the court had ever passed down. Prager would set up the hospice. He would live in it and serve in it on probation for five years. His drug money would pay for it. And then he would be free.

A Pirate Looks at 80

PRAGER IS 78 YEARS OLD NOW  a pirate looking at 80. He still talks regularly to Keenan and Pace, who he still calls Jake and Cochise. Pace still refers to Keenan as Pigpen, and both of them call Prager Jack, funnily enough. Theyre not quite sure why. Everyone got a nickname on the sea, and most of them stuck. Theyve all had full, vibrant lives, even after time in prison. Keenan lives near Paces son Simon, who he calls Skokonut, in Asheville, North Carolina. Pace lives on a sailboat called Sweetie Lee, anchored on the west coast of Florida. A few years back, Prager says, he, Keenan, Pace, and Pragers daughter Charlotte sailed from the Yucatan to Florida together. The Escape has a new life, as well: Its now a clean-energy freight vessel operated by a boutique shipping company that transports goods up and down the Hudson River.

Prager, meanwhile, has continued to stay hungry and foolish. In his final years at the hospice, he went to law school. He and Sandrine raised Charlotte at the facility. Prager clerked for a prestigious judge, and then, over the course of decades of argument, successfully petitioned both the Massachusetts and New York Bars to admit him. He now works for a firm that specializes in civil rights, including overturning wrongful convictions. He and Sandrine separated some years ago, but Charlotte and their other daughter, Capucine, live close by in Brooklyn. Prager now lives with Susie Bedsow Horgan, his high school sweetheart, who he reconnected with when she reached out to him to write a TV pilot about his life more than a decade ago. The pilot never panned out, but their high school romance did. They cook steaks that I can smell in the hallway and scream during Knicks games. When he tells his story, theres a little smile that creeps up, particularly when hes talking nonchalantly about fighting 20-foot surf on the outer rim of a hurricane or about the French models who used to vacation on St. Barts when he was king of the island.

Its hard to think of Prager as a drug smuggler, all those years ago. I know him as my kindly, soft-spoken neighbor. For hours over the past year, we sat in his basement study sifting through stacks of papers hed lay out on the spare bed, eating almonds and occasionally sipping red wine. As his life unfolded in those conversations, though, it became easier to see him as an idealist. It seems silly, in some ways, to describe smuggling pot as a revolutionary act, but thats because our frame of reference for the international drug trade has changed drastically over the past five decades. Smugglers now arent questioning systems of power; theyre exploiting an economic system rewarding unrestrained greed and the willingness to kill.

In 2009, much of the gang got together for a huge reunion. It was the 30-year anniversary of one of their biggest smuggles, a massive haul in 1979 that they celebrated by renting out a summer camp in Massachusetts and putting on their own private Woodstock. For the reunion, they rented out the same camp. Sure, there were fewer bands, but Keenan worked the phones for weeks tracking down as many of the sailors and smugglers from that era as possible. There were enough of them there for a full softball game: felons versus the non-indicted. The felons thought they had it in the bag, but the non-indicted ended up winning  they were the lucky ones, after all.

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Marc Andreessen said he's not interested in taking psychedelics  even as other executives recommend ayahuasca.

He says he's seen tech leaders use the drugs and "move to Indonesia and become a surf instructor."

Instead, Andreessen said he uses another drug that once made his heart skip every 10th beat.

Marc Andreessen says he's heard enough stories about psychedelics in Silicon Valley to know they're not for him.

Speaking on David Senra's podcast, the cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz  one of the largest venture capital firms in the Bay Area  said some founders who experiment with hallucinogenic drugs become calmer and more at peace.

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He said they also sometimes lose interest in running their companies.

"I have tons of horror stories from people I know or know of," he said. "They try it, and they kind of come out the other end as a changed person. They come out much more at peace, but then they also tend to quit their companies, and they move to Indonesia and become a surf instructor."

Andreessen said he's noticed a pattern among founders who turn to psychedelics  particularly ayahuasca  while under intense pressure.

He added that he once discussed the phenomenon with Stanford University neuroscientist and podcaster Andrew Huberman. Huberman suggested that becoming less anxious might actually be the point.

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"And in true Huberman kind of wise Yoda style, he's like, 'Well, you know, how do you know they're not happier?'" Andreessen said. "Maybe the thing that was driving them to be a great entrepreneur was a fundamental level of insecurity."

Instead, he said that his preferred drug is far more conventional: caffeine.

Andreessen said he once had so many cups of coffee that his heart was skipping every 10th beat.

The use of psychedelics in Silicon Valley has become increasingly mainstream in recent years.

Entrepreneurs and investors have spoken openly about experimenting with substances like LSD, psilocybin, or ayahuasca, often framing them as tools for self-discovery, creativity, or mental health.

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That hasn't convinced Andreessen to try them.

"There's a possibility that there's a better version of you or me on the other side of ayahuasca," he said. "But I'm not willing to find out."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A monkey is missing in Northeast Ohio.

His best friend sure would like him to come home.

Artyom Arty Woodyard, 3 years old, is heartbroken after losing Monkey, a plush stuffed animal who has been his constant companion since birth.

They snuggled together. They dined together. They played together.

Now Monkey is out there  somewhere  and Arty misses his buddy.

Arty Woodyard shares his sippy cup with Monkey.

Bath Township trustee Sharon Troike, Artys grandmother, explained that she has been searching tirelessly since the boy left the plush toy at the Enterprise car rental office at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

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Arty and his parents, Dr. Adam Woodyard, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, and Dr. Katie Troike, Ph.D., a former clinical chemistry fellow at the Cleveland Clinic, recently moved to Stockton, California. Adam and Katie are Bath natives who have known each other since middle school, dated at Revere High and got married in 2016.

The family flew back to Ohio for a few days this winter to wrap up the sale of a house they owned in Cleveland. Then things went awry.

Monkey, a 14-inch, brown-and-chestnut plushie with floppy legs, got left behind at the car rental agency on the evening of Jan. 28. Sharon Troike said she filed a Missing Monkey report on the Enterprise website.

The Enterprise staff have been amazing, she noted. They went so far as to look through surveillance tapes of the office on the night of the incident, called me twice and went the extra mile.

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Unfortunately, the video footage indicated that Monkey got picked up by another person who the staff could not identify as an Enterprise customer.

Now theres a Monkey on the loose.

Arty Woodyard enjoys a binky and a snuggle with Monkey.

Arty isnt the only one who misses him. His gigi is smitten, too.

Troike said its a tad embarrassing to be so attached to a stuffed animal at 60-plus years old, but watching Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit had a profound effect on her when she was a little girl.

She admitted that when she packs up her holiday stuffed characters  a reindeer couple and a gingerbread couple  she apologizes to them before putting them away for a year.

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That explains the extra effort. Since Monkeys loss took place at an airport, Troike knows that he could be anywhere in the world, but she hopes hes still in Northeast Ohio.

Jellycat London stopped production of the toy a few years ago, so its not like Artys family can just go online and buy another one, she said.

Besides, this well-loved toy is special.

Shes making every effort to find him, including alerting the media.

If you know where Monkey may have wandered off, please contact Sharon Troike on her Facebook page or leave a message at 330-665-6907.

Monkey, where are you? Arty is waiting for you to come home.

Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com

Arty Woodyard clutches Monkey while demonstrating flexibility on the stairs.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Have you seen 'Monkey'? Ohio boy misses his cuddly friend
When the buds and showers of April appear, according to Geoffrey Chaucer, thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages. Dame Sarah Mullally is heading off a little earlier than Chaucer suggested, but like the medieval pilgrims he wrote about in The Canterbury Tales, shes walking the 87 miles from London to Canterbury.

Pilgrimage is one of the most profound ways of deepening faith that someone can experience. Even the not particularly religious (or those who do not believe in God at all) can find that a pilgrimage gives them time and space to ponder the eternal verities.

The destination matters but its very much about the journey too. Pilgrimage is central to the story of Britain. Paths once criss-crossed the country, taking pilgrims to what they believed were sacred sites  a place where the divide between heaven and earth seems much thinner. Often they were places linked to saints and, in particular, martyrs.

Geoffrey Chaucers Canterbury Tales is one of the central works of English literature - Fine Art Photographic / Corbis Historical

Canterbury, where Thomas Becket  perhaps Mullallys best-known predecessor as Archbishop  was murdered by the Kings men in 1170, quickly became a huge centre of pilgrimage. Then there were the saints of the north-east, such as Cuthbert, who drew other devotees. In Cornwall, you can find trails across the country that people from Ireland once followed after landing on one side of the peninsula by boat.

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Then, rather than sail around the treacherous, rocky seas, they trekked across Cornwall to reach the other side and then sail to Spain, drawn to Santiago de Compostela. Read any history of medieval pilgrimages and one can only marvel at the hardships of travelling vast distances people endured then, not only to places in England, but all across Europe and on to Jerusalem, to follow the via dolorosa  the apparent journey of Christ to his crucifixion.

The Reformation almost killed off pilgrimage in this country, with Henry VIII and his henchman Thomas Cromwell banning them and destroying shrines. There was disdain for what was considered exploitation: getting penitents to pay for the pardoning of sins.

The Way of St James pilgrimage in Spain leads to a shrine of the apostle in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral - Ken Scicluna/ John Warburton-Lee Photography Ltd

And even if that kind of manipulation has ceased, pilgrimage certainly remains a money spinner. Bottles of holy water in Lourdes, T-shirts of the Pope in Rome, images of St Francis with the birds in Assisi: there must be factories all over China pumping out this stuff.

Yet that doesnt destroy this form of devotion for me. Pilgrimage has taken me to Assisi, Rome, Oberammergau, Jordan, Spain and across Britain too. The destination matters but so does putting one foot in front of another, meditating each day on different readings and holy lives.

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It offers that precious thing that modern life seems to crowd out constantly: time to think and to pray. Life becomes quieter, with a stillness at its centre. For to engage on a pilgrimage, you need to tear yourself away from the smartphone.

Having said that, a phone can be an ideal accessory for a pilgrim, once the pilgrimage is over. My phone is my gateway to keeping in touch with many people Ive met on pilgrimage, thanks to WhatsApp groups. Almost all these people were strangers to me before we went on pilgrimage and while we had beliefs in common, we might otherwise never have met. And, with its meals taken together and conversations long into the night, it can be terrific fun too, though Ive yet to meet someone whos the equivalent of Chaucers Wife of Bath.

The shared sense of purpose you get becomes a strong bond, a bond which, in our divided, chaotic, conflict-driven country seems increasingly rare and so increasingly precious. Amid the encircling global gloom, a few days focused on what really matters is balm for the soul.

Dame Sarah is the first Archbishop of Canterbury of modern times to go on pilgrimage as preparation for their service of installation in Canterbury Cathedral. It seems surprising that her predecessors didnt also undertake this rite of passage, but Im delighted that she is throwing the spotlight on this particular religious devotion.

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.
Quick Read

Snowflake (SNOW) generated FY2026 revenue of $4.68B, up 29% year-over-year, with remaining performance obligations at $9.77B, up 42% year-over-year, while deploying 430+ new AI capabilities and achieving 9,100 accounts using Snowflake AI features by Q4.

CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy repositioned Snowflake as an AI-native data platform through partnerships with Anthropic, Google Cloud, and OpenAI, though intensifying competition from Databricks and Microsoft Fabric limits the companys ability to accelerate growth beyond 27% guidance for FY2027.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Sridhar Ramaswamy took the helm at Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW) in early 2024, inheriting a company navigating post-peak cloud valuations, intensifying competition from Databricks, and a stock well below its all-time highs. FY2026, which ended January 31, 2026, marks his first full fiscal year. Here is how he grades out.

AI Strategy: B+

The repositioning of Snowflake as an AI-native data platform is the clearest win of Ramaswamy's tenure. The company introduced 430+ new capabilities in FY2026, launched Cortex AI, and debuted Snowflake Intelligence, its enterprise agentic AI product, which reached roughly 2,500 accounts within three months of launchdescribed as the fastest adoption ramp in company history. By Q4, more than 9,100 accounts were using Snowflake AI features. Strategic partnerships with Anthropic, Google Cloud, and OpenAI add credibility to the platform story. The grade falls short of an A because AI revenue contribution remains early-stage and hard to isolate within the consumption model.

Product Execution: A

The operational numbers are hard to argue with. Full-year revenue hit $4.68 billion, up 29.16% year-over-year, with Q1 marking the first time Snowflake crossed $1 billion in a single quarter. Net revenue retention held at 125% across the back half of the year, and remaining performance obligations closed Q4 at $9.77 billion, up 42% year-over-year. Q4 free cash flow came in at $765 million, representing a 60% FCF margin, up from 42% the prior year. The deduction: GAAP operating losses persist at $1.44 billion for the full year, and stock-based compensation of $423 million in Q4 alone continues to weigh on shareholders' equity.

Read: Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.




Karura Forest in Nairobi, Kenya, is one of the worlds largest urban forests and is a place where tall trees stretch toward the heavens and quiet paths invite reflection. I walked there on Wangari Maathai Day as part of a delegation of women attending the Rooted & Rising Conference, hosted by the Nobel Womens Initiative, the Wangari Maathai Foundation, the Green Belt Movement and the Institute on Gender, Law, and Transformative Peace at City University of New York.

I expected a peaceful walk through a beautiful forest. Instead, I found myself on a deeper journey  one that reminded me how God shows up in our most vulnerable moments and places people along our path just when we need them most.

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Wangari Maathai, the first African woman awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, founded the Green Belt Movement and devoted her life to environmental stewardship, womens rights, and community-led change. She fought to protect places like Karura from development that would have erased this refuge. Her legacy endures, though the work of protecting Karura continues. Standing beneath its towering canopy, I felt both the weight of that struggle and the courage it requires.

Then we began a guided walk along a wide red gravel path. Recent rains had turned the trail slick and muddy. The route was clear; only the mud made each step slow and deliberate.

Simone Talma Flowers is the executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas. (Provided by Simone Talma Flowers)





At first I watched every step carefully, quietly asking God to guide my footing. Around me, conversations drifted through the trees  guides giving instructions, women laughing softly. The forest invited us to slow down.

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We paused often, not just to rest but to notice the wonder around us  shafts of sunlight through the canopy, the curve of branches and small flowers tucked into the undergrowth. One stand of towering trees rose like columns holding up the sky. I lingered with a small group, taking a photograph and breathing in the beauty.

As the trail climbed, my pace slowed and my prayers grew stronger. A young woman from our delegation came up beside me and placed a walking stick in my hand.

This will help with your balance, she said simply.

That small gesture changed everything. The stick steadied me on climbs, gave me confidence on descents and eased the strain on my ankle.

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Time stretched. What I thought would be 30 minutes had become more than an hour. When I asked a guide if there might be a shortcut back, he shook his head. There was only the path we had taken.

Fatigue settled over me like a heavy cloak. The walking stick felt like more than wood  it felt like a promise. I whispered a prayer of thanks to God for walking with me.

Just then, one of the local women who protects the forest stepped beside me. She paused and said softly, Im here with you.

Those words carried extraordinary power. Knowing I was not alone  no matter how slow my steps or tired my body  changed everything. Others in our group slowed their pace to match mine. We stopped at a bench and shared snacks; a banana tasted like sunlight and gave me a burst of energy. We encouraged one another as the trail climbed and celebrated together beneath the towering trees, breathing deeply and feeling joy simply in being present.

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Later, I realized Karura is more than an ecological treasure. It is a metaphor for life. Sometimes the path ahead is clear but still muddy. Sometimes we move forward with confidence, and other times we take slow, careful steps, praying for strength. Along the way, people place walking sticks in our hands  simple acts that steady us. Others stand beside us and say the words we most need to hear, "Im here with you."

And in those moments, we are reminded that God is always present, placing angels along our path.

Walking that trail, I learned something profound: struggle and beauty often coexist. Endurance is rarely solitary. Small acts  offering a walking stick, sharing a banana  are sacred gestures that carry us forward.

Karura reminded me not to fear lifes slippery paths. When we accept help, pause to notice beauty and walk together, the journey teaches resilience, gratitude and faith.

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Beneath those tall trees, surrounded by women who would not let me walk alone, I felt God walking beside me. In every steadying hand, every shared step, every quiet word of encouragement, God was there  rooting us in love, calling us to rise and keep going.

Simone Talma Flowers serves as the executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT), bringing people of diverse faiths and cultures together to cultivate peace and respect, through interfaith dialogue, service, and celebration.
St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 17. The day originated as a religious holiday  honoring St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century  but it has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish.

Who was St. Patrick?

St Patrick was born in Great Britain in the late 4th century, according to History.com.

At age 16, he was taken prisoner and brought to Ireland, where he spent six years in captivity, possibly as a slave, according to History.com. Though he escaped, he later returned to Ireland as a missionary, to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to convert others in Ireland to Christianity.

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He died on March 17 around the year 460. Hence the date to honor St. Patrick.

By the time he died "he had established monasteries, churches, and schools, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Many legends grew up around him  for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity.

To commemorate St. Patrick, the day of his death was recognized with religious services and feasts.

When did St. Patrick's Day move beyond a religious celebration?

Robert Leon, Jr. 4, of Tarrytown was among the several thousand spectators who took in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Kids cheer as they were among thousands who watched the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. The Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester Band marched in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Several thousand people lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. The Ossining High School marching band took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Several thousand people lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Frank Farrington was the Grand Marshall in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Crash, the mascot of Engine 79 in Tarrytown, marches with members of the Tarrytown Fire Department during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Neil Scarpelli of Poughkeepsie was among the several thousand spectators who took in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Spectators lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. One year-old Beau Bertolacci took in his first St. Patrick's Day Parade as he and thousands watched the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Spectators lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. The Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester Band marched in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Several thousand people lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. The Cub Scouts of Tarrytown marched in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Several thousand people lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. The Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester Band marched in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. Several thousand people lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. Several thousand people took part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded. See photos of the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow St. Patrick's Day parade 1 of 39 Robert Leon, Jr. 4, of Tarrytown was among the several thousand spectators who took in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow March 15, 2026. People lined Main Street in Tarrytown, and route 9 to Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, where the parade concluded.

Up until the mid-20th century, St. Patricks Day was modest and grounded in religion, according to the Smithsonian.

It was not until the 1960s that in Ireland, St. Patricks Day came to even resemble what we, here in the USA, celebrate today, according to the Smithsonian.

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In 1991, Congress designated March as Irish American Heritage month, but celebrations of St. Patrick's Day date back to the 1600s.

How many Irish people live in America?

In 2023, 31.2 million Americans claimed Irish ancestry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Cook County, Illinois, home to Chicago, is the nations county with the largest Irish American population, with 435,000 residents claiming Irish ancestry, the U.S. Census Bureau says.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the states with the highest rates of Irish American citizens are clustered in the New England region, with New Hampshire leading the way as just over 20% of New Hampshire residents claiming Irish heritage. In comparison,10.6% of New Yorkers claim Irish heritage, according to the U.S. Census.

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As of 2023, 117,219 American residents were born in Ireland, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Contributing: USA Today Network

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Why St. Patricks Day is celebrated: History, facts, and Irish traditions
In preparation for the March 22 edition of The Providence Sunday Journal, in which we would be highlighting some of the women who helped shape Rhode Island, we wanted to know from readers who should be included among those names.

Recognizing these women comes not only in reference to March serving as Women's History Month, but also as we prepare to celebrate America's 250th birthday, though this list includes one woman whose impact started well before the United States got its start.

Thank you to the readers who offered suggestions. Below you'll find seven women from among the nominations we received whom readers spotlighted as having an impact on Rhode Island.

Christiana Carteaux Bannister

A bronze bust of Christiana Carteaux Bannister by sculptor Pablo Eduardo is on display at the Rhode Island State House.

According to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, Christiana Carteaux Bannister was born Christiana Babcock in Rhode Island sometime between 1820 and 1822. Details concerning her birth and background are obscure, but she appears to have been of mixed Native American and African American parentage and was undoubtedly descended from enslaved people who worked the plantations of South County during the 18th century.

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As a young woman, she moved to Boston and took up the trade of hairdressing. During her 25-year residence in Massachusetts, she owned salons both in Boston and Worcester and prospered as an independent businesswoman and self-styled hair doctress.

After the Civil War, Christiana and her husband, famed Black painter Edward Mitchell Bannister, moved to Providence, where Christiana opened another salon and became a patron of the arts. She was deeply involved in improving the lives of African American women and founded the Home for Aged and Colored Women at 45 East Transit St., a facility that evolved into todays Bannister Nursing Care Center on Dodge Street in Providence. A bronze bust of Christiana, based upon a portrait painted by her husband, was dedicated at the Rhode Island State House in December 2002.

Mother Mary Doyle

According to Salve Regina University, Mother Mary Matthew Doyle was the first president of Salve Regina College, and also the mother provincial for the Sisters of Mercy in Providence. She was one of Salve's first incorporators, was elected first vice president and first vice chairman of the members of the corporation and was named to the board of directors of Salve Regina College. When the college opened in 1947, she served as its first president. With the college's vice president, Sister Mary Hilda Miley, they formed the college's first advisory board in 1948 to address concerns about financial needs. Following the school's first year, she stepped down as president and was succeeded by Miley.

Mary (Barrett) Dyer

According to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, Mary (Barrett) Dyer came to Massachusetts in the mid-1630s with her husband, William Dyer. Their open sympathy and support for Anne Hutchinson and the Rev. John Wheelwright alienated the Dyers from their orthodox Puritan neighbors. When Hutchinson was expelled from the Puritan church, Mary Dyer defiantly accompanied her as she withdrew from the assemblage.

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The Dyers moved to Rhode Island to escape the hostile atmosphere of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and in 1638, William Dyer became one of the founders of Portsmouth as a signer of the Portsmouth Compact. After more than a decade on Aquidneck Island, Mary Dyer sailed alone for England in 1650 for unknown reasons.

Upon her return to Rhode Island in 1657, Mary Dyer was arrested and imprisoned for heresy, but she was released upon her husbands plea. Banished from the Bay Colony in 1659, Dyer made multiple returns to Massachusetts and was eventually hanged in 1660.

Maud Howe Elliott

Former Newport Art Museum curator Nancy Whipple Grinnell stands in front of a 1877 portrait of 23-year-old Maud Howe Elliott in 2018 by Benjamin Curtis Porter.

According to the Newport Historical Society, Newporter Maud Howe Elliott gave support to the Rhode Island branch of the movement and helped form the Womens Suffrage Association of Newport County. She campaigned for Rhode Island legislation to legalize womens right to vote and helped to manage membership, accounting and selection of key personnel in the association itself. She also traveled around the country, participating in lecture circuits to help build interest in fledgling suffragist societies.

Elliott was a social and political activist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and founder of the Newport Art Association. She went on to be involved in the formation and development of the Rhode Island Progressive Party.

Gertrude Johnson and Mary Wales

Gertrude I. Johnson, right, and Mary T. Wales, the pioneering educators and cofounders of what is now Johnson & Wales University.

According to The Providence Journal, Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales envisioned a world in which women held positions as skilled typists, stenographers and bookkeepers with a measure of responsibility and independence.

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Johnson and Wales were working as teachers at Rhode Island Commercial School when they conceived of the school that grew to become Johnson & Wales University, a career-focused institution with a global footprint that today turns out fine chefs, business leaders and hoteliers.

After crossing paths at a Pennsylvania teaching school as teenagers, Wales and Johnson intersected again in 1913, when both were hired as teachers at Rhode Island Commercial School, a precursor to Bryant University. One year later, the women launched their own school at Johnsons home at 250 Hope St. with a single student and a typewriter. They embraced a vision articulated by Wales as a young college graduate: "We should teach a thing not for its own sake, but as preparation for what lies beyond."

Alva Vanderbilt

Alva Vanderbilt-Belmont

According to the National Park Service, Alva Vanderbilt opened Marble House in 1909 for a suffrage symposium, with herself as the headlining speaker. That same year, she created the Political Equality League to get votes for politicians who supported suffrage. In 1912, she led the Political Equality division of the Womens Vote Parade in New York City. In 1916, she and Alice Paul established the National Womans Party and organized picketing in front of the White House. She would be president of the party until her death and would purchase a headquarters for the party in Washington, DC, which is now Belmont-Paul Womens Equality National Monument.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Women's role in RI history, from Johnson and Wales to Alva Vanderbilt
One individual was reported dead after a vehicle fire at Riverside Mobile Home Park, Port Orange officials said.

Port Orange police and fire teams responded to the incident at 5277 Ridgewood Ave. following reports of a vehicle completely consumed by flames.

Officers from the Port Orange Police Department and Port Orange Fire & Rescue responded to a vehicle fire. They quickly evacuated nearby homes as a safety measure while firefighters worked to put out the flames.

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After the fire was put out, authorities discovered one person dead inside the vehicle. The scene remained secured for several hours during the initial emergency response.

The Florida State Fire Marshals Office is working together with the Port Orange Police Department on a joint investigation. They are aiming to determine the cause and origin of the fire.

The identity of the deceased individual is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A suspect has been arrested after a shooting during a fight on the Santa Monica Pier sent people scrambling for cover on a busy Sunday night at the popular tourist hotspot.

Santa Monica police say an 18-year-old is now under arrest. Two people were hurt, including the suspected shooter.

Two people were shot after a large fight at the Santa Monica Pier Sunday night, police said.

Witnesses said the shooting happened just outside of the arcade around 9 p.m., and things quickly became chaotic.

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"We captured this video of some of our friends playing some games, and we actually captured the shooting. It was crazy. Watch this," witness Dave Jonsson said in a video posted to Instagram.

The video, which is circulating widely on social media, is now part of the police investigation. It shows a child playing in the arcade being scooped up by an adult as gunfire goes off.

Cellphone video shot from a distance and zoomed in shows people running in panic in a desperate scramble for cover.

One woman told Eyewitness News she was standing outside of a public restroom when she heard four to six gunshots in quick succession. She said she quickly ducked into a bathroom stall. Others ducked behind vendors' carts.

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"A lot of screaming. Everybody was screaming and running. It was crazy," witness Jenna Hannaford, who was visiting from Wisconsin, said.

Police say it all stemmed from a large fight between multiple people on the pier. One person was shot in the arm and taken to the hospital.

Officers from the Santa Monica Police Department pier outpost ran to the aid of the man shot in the arm as the shooter appeared to take off.

"Everybody was pretty much in a state of panic momentarily, for at least five or 10 minutes. Then, everything settled. It appeared that the kids ran, the guy who shot, and then the police began to take control of searching for... what they did is they closed the exit for a while. They were looking car by car for a potential shooter, and then they went to the beach. It lasted for a couple hours. There was a lot of traffic around here," said witness Dennee, who works nearby.

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The investigation lasted for several hours.

Police said a second injured person -- identified as 18-year-old Jaysawn Williams of Rialto -- eventually showed up at a nearby hospital with a graze wound. Investigators later determined that he was the suspected shooter, and Williams was arrested on charges of assault with a firearm and grossly negligent discharge of a firearm.

Investigators say they are now reviewing surveillance video of the incident. The cause of the fight was not immediately known.

The Sunday night gunfight comes as tourists begin flocking to the beach in droves for annual spring breaks.

"We were here to enjoy our night, and this kind of cut it short," Hannaford said.
Two people have been charged in connection with an assault outside a Boston nightclub in which prosecutors say the suspects used a Jeep to run over three people standing in line.

Darius Boyce, a 45-year-old Saugus man, and Maria Moraes, 25, were charged and released until their respective pre-trial hearings, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

On Feb. 28, three people flagged down a Boston police officer around 2 a.m. and reported a Jeep Wrangler flew in and tried to hit like 15 people outside of ICON nightclub, according to prosecutors. There were three people in the Jeep, according to witnesses, and the vehicle was traveling 5 to 10 mph when it struck the three victims.

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A passenger in the back seat then pointed a firearm and robbed the victims, taking a cell phone and a purse before the vehicle drove away, prosecutors said.

Witnesses were able to get a license plate number and relayed it to Boston police, who located the Jeep minutes later. Officers identified Boyce as the driver and Moraes as the front seat passenger. The third person, who brandished the gun from the back seat, was not present, according to authorities.

Police searched the Jeep and found a Smith & Wesson .380 pistol in the glove compartment. Victims confirmed Boyce and Moraes as two of the people involved in the incident, prosecutors said.

Boyce was charged with three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of improper storage of a firearm, and one count of reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

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Moraes was charged with one count of interfering with police and one count of disorderly conduct.

Boyce is due in court April 2 for a pre-trial hearing, while Moraes is due to return to court May 5.

More News

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After multiple legal challenges to Utahs new court-ordered congressional boundaries fell flat (at least for the 2026 midterms), the stage has been set.

The filing period for the states congressional candidates closed on Friday. Utahs four new congressional districts have drawn a crowded field  with 41 candidates having officially filed for their party nominations.

Many have declared their intentions to use both pathways that Utah law allows candidates to access the nomination  through both signature gathering and through convention. Some are relying wholly on getting enough support from delegates at convention.

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On April 25, parties will hold their conventions. But if candidates gather enough signatures, theyll still qualify to appear on the June 23 primary ballot, regardless of whether they garner support from delegates. Those primary winners will then advance to the general election in November where the winners are likely a foregone conclusion, particularly in the states three strong red districts.

The states court-ordered map  the result of an anti-gerrymandering lawsuit  has drawn an energized field of Democrats, especially in the newly-drawn 1st Congressional District, which leans heavily Democratic.

Meanwhile, the map also caused a shakeup for Utahs current all-Republican congressional delegation. Earlier this month, Rep. Burgess Owens announced he wouldnt be seeking reelection, leaving the remaining three of Utahs sitting members of Congress to vie for the three Republican-leaning districts.

Still, dozens of candidates from all political stripes are competing in all four of the new districts.

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Heres who has declared their candidacy, according to filings posted on the lieutenant governors website:

House District 1

The field includes a total of 13 candidates, including seven Democrats, four Republicans and two independents. Two previously declared candidates  Derek Kitchen, a Democrat, and Adam Clayton, a Republican, withdrew.

Former state Sen. Derek Kitchen, D-Salt Lake City, previously declared that he could file as a Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District, but according to a filing posted to the lieutenant governors website, he has withdrawn because he didnt file a declaration of candidacy during the filing period that closed Friday. In a statement posted on X, Kitchen said he decided not to file after careful reflection.

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A Republican candidate, Adam Clayton, also previously filed as a candidate, but he withdrew from the race on Monday, according to a filing posted on the lieutenant governors website.

House District 2

Ten candidates total are running, including three Republicans, four Democrats, and three third-party candidates.

Blake Moore | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Moore is a sitting Utah congressman, first elected in 2020 to represent the states then-1st Congressional District. Previously he worked as a foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State, and as a consultant for Cicero Group, a Utah-based consulting firm, according to his campaign website.

Karianne Lisonbee | Republican (convention only) | Lisonbee has served in the Utah House of Representatives since 2017. Previously, she served two terms on the Syracuse City Council. She has sponsored legislation focused on businesses, criminal justice, gun rights and abortion restrictions, according to her campaign website.

Colton Hatch | Republican (convention only) | For six years, Hatch served as a combat engineer for the Utah National Guard, according to his campaign website, which says he didnt renew his contract in favor of declining the COVID-19 vaccine. He now works for Utahs pension system, URS.

Jarom Gillins | Democrat (convention and signature gathering) | Gillins has worked for the Army, in manufacturing, roofing, commercial driving, and maintaining wind turbines, according to his campaign website. He grew up in Roy.

Tyler Farnsworth | Democrat (convention and signature gathering) | Farnsworth has worked as a pediatric psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Before he moved to Utah for work, he was born and raised in Summerfield, Ohio, where his campaign website said he and his family experienced poverty.

Ian Parrish | Democrat (convention and signature gathering) | Parrish has worked in the auto finance industry, according to his campaign website, which says he has seen working-class people struggle while large financial institutions prospered, an experience that he said has shaped his beliefs that the law should protect honest people and hold powerful institutions accountable.

Peter Crosby | Democrat (convention only) | Crosby currently works as a director, project manager, and consultant for a research company that supports higher education and as an adjunct professor for the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence at Utah State University, according to his campaign website.

Daniel Cottam | Libertarian (convention only) | Cottam, a surgeon who has previously been registered as a Republican and a Democrat, ran for Congress in 2024 for the states then-1st Congressional District. He doesnt appear to have a current campaign website.

Carlton Bowen | Independent American (convention only) | Bowen has previously run to represent Utah in bids for both the U.S. House and Senate. He has also served on the American Fork City Council, and in the U.S. Air Force, according to his campaign website.

Neil Hansen | Independent American (convention only) | Hansen previously served as a Democrat in the Utah House of Representatives from 1999 until 2011. He unsuccessfully ran for Utah treasurer in 2024. He doesnt appear to have a current campaign website.

House District 3

A total of eight candidates are running for this district, including four Republicans, two Democrats, and two third-party candidates.

Celeste Maloy | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Maloy is a sitting member of Utahs congressional delegation representing Utahs former 2nd Congressional District as an advocate of Southern Utah. She previously worked as chief legal counsel to former Rep. Chris Stewart, who later endorsed her to replace him in a special election, according to her campaign website.

Tyler Murset | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Murset, according to his campaign website, built a voting app called VotingAct. He has a masters degree in business administration.

David Harris | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Harris is a combat veteran and retired two-star general who served in the U.S. Air Force, according to his campaign website.

Phil Lyman | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Lyman previously served in the Utah House of Representatives before unsuccessfully running for governor in 2024, which included an unprecedented showing as a write-in candidate. He also previously served as a San Juan County commissioner.

Kent Udell | Democrat (convention only) | Udell has worked as a mechanical engineer for mining, petroleum, geothermal and solar industries, according to his campaign website. Hes also been a professor and researcher at UC Berkeley and the University of Utah. Currently he lives in Moab.

Steven Merrill | Democrat (convention and signature gathering) | Merrill moved from Michigan to Utah in 2019, according to his campaign website, which said his focus is on putting working-class Utahns first.

Cassie Easley | Constitution Party (convention only) | Easleys campaign website describes her as a constitutionist who believes in limited government. It doesnt list many details about Easleys background, but her candidate filing paperwork says she lives in Enoch.

Michael Stoddard | Libertarian (convention only) | Stoddard previously ran as a Libertarian in 2022 for Utahs then-3rd Congressional District. He doesnt appear to have a current campaign website.

House District 4

The field includes a total of 10 candidates, including six Republicans, two Democrats, one Libertarian and one unaffiliated.

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Mike Kennedy | Republican (convention only) | Kennedy is currently serving his first term representing Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before being elected in Congress in 2024, he served 10 years in the Utah Legislature. He practiced family medicine in Utah County for more than 20 years, according to his campaign website.

Seth Stewart | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Stewarts campaign website says he has 10 years of experience as a volunteer precinct and poll worker and multi-time elected delegate. He lives in American Fork, according to his candidate filing.

Pasitale Lupeamanu | Republican (convention and signature gathering) | Lupeamanu doesnt appear to have a campaign website, but he has worked for Alofa FaaSamoa, a nonprofit focused on Samoan culture. According to the nonprofits website, Lupeamanu is a retired U.S. Marine and Army veteran. He lives in Grantsville, according to his candidate filing.

Tyrone Jensen | Republican (convention only) | Jensen is a small-business owner who lives in Richfield, according to his campaign website and candidate filing. In 2018 he ran as a write-in candidate for the U.S. Senate; in 2020 he ran against then-Rep. Chris Stewart for Utahs 2nd Congressional District; and in 2023 he ran against Maloy in that years special election.

Scott Hatfield | Republican (convention only) | Hatfield has worked in various governmental roles, including for the city of Ridgecrest in California, the U.S. Navy, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Utah Department of Corrections, and the U.S. Senate, according to his campaign website. He lives in Herriman, according to his candidate filing.

Isaiah Hardman | Republican (convention only) | Hardman, according to a video posted on his Instagram page, is 25, and is running as an America First candidate.

Archie Williams | Democrat (convention and signature gathering) | Williams doesnt appear to have a campaign website. According to Ballotpedia, he has worked as a heavy equipment operator and been associated with the Operators Engineer Union. He has previously ran for various other local and federal offices in Utah.

Jonny Larsen | Democrat (convention only) | Larsen, according to his campaign website, joined the U.S. Marine Corps infantry after he graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City. After his military service, he worked as a lead information technology administrator for the Heart Center at St. Marks Hospital, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in astrophysics at the University of Utah.

Taylor Wright | Libertarian (convention only) | Wright hosts the Saving Humanity Podcast based in Salt Lake City, according to the podcasts Instagram page. Wright is also a physical education teacher, according to his campaign website.

Steven Burt | Unaffiliated | Burt, of South Jordan, is an attorney who has advocated for energy policy as an in-house attorney and executive in the solar industry, according to his campaign website. He has also done pro bono work for immigration issues.

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Three men are facing assault and battery charges for the beating of two Jewish men at Santana Row, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said on Monday.

The now viral incident took place outside Augustine restaurant earlier this month.

"It's very shocking to see three people beating on someone. Beating him into the ground and then continuing to beat and punch him," said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.

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ABC7 Eyewitness News is not naming the suspects until they are charged in court.

PREVIOUS STORY: San Jose police investigating possible hate crime after 2 Jewish men attacked at Santana Row

The victims say they were speaking Hebrew to each other before being attacked - and that the attackers used antisemitic language.

Rosen's office is currently not pursuing hate crime charges.

He says at least at this time, the evidence is not there for that offense.

Rosen says hate crime charges could be added later if more evidence emerges.

MORE: San Jose State investigating graffiti found on campus calling for 'eradication of Jews'

Legal experts say hate crime charges are often extremely difficult to prove in court.

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"It's an extra layer of investigation, an extra layer of prosecution, an extra layer of persuasion to the court that not only did the crime occur, but it occurred because of the characteristics of the individual," said former dean of the University of San Francisco School of Law John Trasvina.

Jewish groups say the incident has created more anxiety among members of their community.

Some, like the American Jewish Committee, have applauded local leaders for condemning the attack right after it happened.

MORE: San Francisco church vandalized with hate speech as suspect faces felony charges

"Speak out when it happens and speak out in support of the community before something happens. This is going to take a whole of society approach to stopping in its tracks what almost feels like a runaway train at this point," said AJC's Teresa Drenick.

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Rosen says his office is working closely with the San Jose Police Department and that the case remains open. But he promises that the suspects will be held responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

"We have worked very diligently the last several days to make sure we found out as much information about what happened and why it happened and then moved quickly to file criminal charges against these suspects," said Rosen.

The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned on May 12.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

A study has uncovered the oldest written rejection of the Shroud of Turin, a religious relic purported to have been the linen wrapped around Jesus upon his death.

A treatise by the theologian Nicole Oresme, written some time in the 1300s, outright declares the Shroud a fake, being passed off as authentic by unscrupulous clergymen.

In recent years, scientific analysis has offered strong proof the Shroud is inauthentic, but this study shows that its likely illegitimacy has been well-known for more than 600 years.

This story is a collaboration with Biography.com



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A study published in the Journal of Medieval History suggests that a still-hotly-debated mystery surrounding a supposed religious relic was pretty succinctly resolved hundreds of years ago. We must have missed the memo.

Specifically, the study presents a newly rediscovered piece of writing, penned by the French theologian Nicole Oresme, which discusses the famed Shroud of Turin, a cloth that features the outline of a mans face many believers purport to have been left behind by Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. And Oresme minces no words, outright declaring the object a fraud perpetuated by unscrupulous clergymen.

What has been uncovered is a significant dismissal of the Shroud, notes the studys lead author, Dr Nicolas Sarzeaud of the Universite Catholique of Louvain. That significance is, in part, because Oresme is revered even today as great scholar of the 14th century, having made contributions to the studies of mathematics, astrology, and even psychology as he ascended to the role of Bishop of Lisieux under Charles V of France.

But this text, part of a treatise by Oresme written some time between 1355 and 1382 (the paper speculates, but cannot confirm, a timeframe of approximately the 1370s), also represents the earliest written denunciation of the Shroud of Turin, supplanting the previous earliest rejection, made in 1389 by Pierre dArcis, the Bishop of Troyes.

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What makes Oresmes writing stand out, Sarzeaud stated in a press release, ...is his attempt to provide rational explanations for unexplained phenomena, rather than interpreting them as divine or demonic. The philosopher even rated witnesses according to factors such as their reliability, and also cautioned against rumour.

In the case of Oresmes Shroud of Turin rejection, the study summarizes his argument to be that simply because good people, including clergy, claim certain events to have happened does not make them true.

Specifically, the 14th century scholar declared that:

I do not need to believe anyone who claims: Someone performed such miracle for me, because many clergymen thus deceive others, in order to elicit offerings for their churches. This is clearly the case for a church in Champagne, where it was said that there was the Shroud of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the almost infinite number of those who have forged such things, and others.

Nicole Oresme did not choose just any venerated object as an example of a fraud orchestrated by the clergy, Sarzeaud notes, Oresme chose the claim of the Champenoise (Lirey) shrine to possess the Shroud as a striking example of lies fabricated by the clergy.

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The study notes that this kind of declarative denunciation of clerical fabrication is highly significant, as during this time such subjects were a topic typically treated generically in satire or theological debates on the potential for superstitious devotion, but very rarely documented in the form of concrete accusations of fraud against a clerical institution.

Professor Andrea Nicolotti, an expert on the Shroud of Turin, commented on the new study, noting that provides further historical evidence that even in the Middle Ages, they knew that the Shroud was not authentic.

The other technological and scientific evidence, Nicolotti continued, which points in the same direction, remains unchanged.

That technological and scientific evidence, in recent years, includes a radiocarbon dating the linen of the shroud, which found it dated back to only the 13th or 14th century, rather than the time of Christ (though the accuracy of the 1988 analysis has been called into question). It also includes a very recent study which used 3D modeling to prove that no human face could have made such an impression on a cloth at all.

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Modern science has already disputed the legitimacy of the Shroud of Turin, but this Oresme discovery indicates just how long confident renunciations of the Shroud have existed within even Christian spheres of the 14th century. The discovery of this text definitively demonstrates that this assessment of the Shroud as a fraud did not originate with Pierre dArcis, but had already gained enough attention to reach Oresmes ears.

In other words, were still arguing about something religious scholars of the 14th century had already tried to put to bed over 600 years ago.

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This year on March 17, Evacuation Day, Bostonians will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the end of the Siege of Boston, which was an 11-month standoff between the Massachusetts militia turned Continental Army and the British Regulars.

At 10:30 a.m., a ceremonial procession will move through South Boston, reenacting the transportation of a Noble Train canon toward the Dorchester Heights Monument. A commemorative program begins at 11 a.m., as the National Parks partners and community leaders officially rededicate the refurbished monument at Dorchester Heights.

Here are some things to know about the standoff that began in the hours after the Paul Revere's famous ride and the first American's first causalities. It ended four months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

What was the Siege of Boston

After thousands of British soldiers failed to collect the cache of weapons being stored in Concord on April 19, 1775, the battle colonists throughout their retreat to the capital city.

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Over 15,000 soldiers from all over New England had surrounded Boston, all the way from Chelsea to Roxbury. They gathered overnight on the hills trapping the citizens of Boston and the British soldiers together on the isthmus connected to the rest of Massachusetts by a small piece of land called the Neck.

The Neck was blockaded by small cannons and other military structures to prevent the British Army from leaving Boston for nearly a year after the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. The most famous skirmish during the standoff was the Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown on June 17, 1775, which American militia members lost but the British troops suffered significant casualties and injuries.

Fighting remained in a stalemate for months.

1 - How a bookseller from Boston helped Gen. George Washington

Boston bookseller, turned military officer, Henry Knox proposed and executed a mission to Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, transporting 120,000 pounds of captured British artillery across 300 miles of frozen roads, rivers and mountains back to Boston in the dead of winter.

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Weather is important, he (Knox) wants snow cover because its easier to pull these heavy cannons on sleds, Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, chief historian of the Massachusetts Historical Society, said to the MetroWest Daily News earlier this year. He wanted it cold, he needed the Hudson River to be frozen because he needed it to be thick enough to bring the artillery across.

It took six weeks.

2 - What Evacuation Day has to do with Boston Massacre

The timing of Knox's returned allowed the Continental Army soldiers take and establish a presence on Dorchester Heights, on fifth anniversary of the Boston Massacre. Gen. George Washington to take the Dorchester Heights position and aimed his cannon at the city's harbor, forcing the British to evacuate by boat.

The British evacuation was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War and was a huge morale boost for the Thirteen Colonies, said Eliga Gould, who has authored several books about the American Revolution. It ended a brutal occupation that began after the Boston Massacre in 1770 and was known for starvation and harsh living conditions.
March 17 (Reuters) - California-based fintech lender SoFi Technologies said on Tuesday that it may explore legal action against short seller Muddy Waters Research, calling its report "factually inaccurate and misleading."

* Muddy Waters earlier on Tuesday revealed a short positionin SoFi, saying that the company "appears to have a materialmisstatement of at least $312 million of unrecorded debt. If weare correct, it raises the possibility that there are moreextensive misstatements we have not detected." * During trading hours, the company's shares fell as much as6.5% to $16.48 following the report. * "We have reviewed the full report and believe it isdesigned to deceive investors. SoFi maintains strong confidencein the integrity of our financial reporting," the fintech said. * Muddy Waters said in an emailed statement, "Muddy Watershas been sued a number of times. We're undefeated."

(Reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)
The ACLU of Delaware filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of New Castle County against Dewey Beach, alleging it was "unlawfully" denied body camera footage.

The legal civil rights organization announced the lawsuit March 12, saying it requested the body camera footage of six police officers from midnight to 3 a.m. from Aug. 25, 2025, after it got a report that a group of "young people" had faced potential racial discrimination last summer. None of the people were charged with a crime, and the ACLU said there is no active investigation into their conduct.

The ACLU invoked the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the body camera footage filmed by six police officers. They were denied under exemptions for investigatory files, criminal records, and common or statutory law, it said in their announcement on March 12.

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Dewey Beach is only 0.3 square miles of land with a population of around 350 people. In the summer, the population swells in the vacation town. Last year, they hired 14 additional seasonal officers, according to the police department's final report. They plan on doing that again.

Dewey Beach Police.

The ACLU said the town used "investigatory file exemption" in their denial, but provided "no indication" the footage was gathered following any allegation or report of a criminal or civil law enforcement investigation.

One of the key reasons Delaware mandated that law enforcement officers wear body worn cameras is to provide greater transparency and accountability to the public, said ACLU-DE Civic Engagement Counsel Andrew Bernstein in the March 12 announcement. Unnecessarily blocking access to that footage undermines the publics trust.

Dewey Beach also used the common or statutory law exemption, citing to statutes shielding criminal record history and criminal justice information from release, the ACLU's announcement said. Officials did not provide any justification for how the footage would have applied to that, the ACLU alleges.

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The ACLU has been busy at the beaches recently. In December 2025, it filed a lawsuit against Fenwick Island for allowing corporations to vote in municipal elections.

The ACLU wants the Superior Court of Delaware in New Castle County to order the town give up the footage and declare the denial unlawful, according to the official complaint filed on March 12.

The body worn camera footage shows law enforcement officers working in their public capacity in a public space, so it is difficult to imagine how its release could violate their personal privacy, Bernstein said in the announcement. We do not live in a society with secret police, so merely being able to identify who the law enforcement officers are cannot be a reason to deny access to this footage.

In a statement from Dewey Beach police on March 16, the town's police department said it hasn't been served any formal notice of lawsuit or service of legal documents "related to this matter." The police department also confirmed it received the records request in October 2025 and responded within the legally require timeframe.

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The police department said it is unable to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit as of March 16.

"The Dewey Beach Police Department remains committed to transparency and compliance with Delawares FOIA requirements," the statement reads. "If and when the Department is formally notified of any legal action, it will review the matter with legal counsel and respond through the appropriate legal process."

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: ACLU files lawsuit over Dewey Beach police body camera footage
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to immediately lift Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, allowing an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians in the Springfield area to continue living and working in the United States for now. Justices are expected to hear the case next month.

The decision came as Springfield Neighbors United filed a friend of the court brief Monday in support of the legal challenge to the Trump administration's termination of TPS for Haitians.

Springfield faith and Haitian community leaders announced the brief filing before a crowd of supporters at the Greater Grace Temple. Advocates for Basic Legal Equality filed the brief on behalf of Springfield Neighbors United.

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"Protected status and work authorization provide stability, not only for Haitian families, but Springfield as a whole while the courts fully examine the facts," said Renee Murphy, an attorney with ABLE.

The filing came days after the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to lift a lower court ruling that had placed the termination of TPS on hold.

Pastor Carl Ruby, who founded Springfield Neighbors United, said anxiety remains high among Haitian immigrants in his congregation, with some expressing "tremendous fear" over the possibility of deportation. He said a group of leaders plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to support their case and the cause.

"Our goal is to try to convince the justices of the Supreme Court not to rush this decision, but to give it careful consideration because 350,000 lives are at stake in this decision," Ruby said.

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Haitian immigrant Biassu Pierre said the stakes could not be higher for members of his community.

"We know TPS is the best way for us to have a better life," Pierre said. "We know we cannot return to Haiti. Haiti is not a safe place."

Haiti has been plagued by gang violence and poverty since a 2010 earthquake. The Department of Homeland Security argues conditions in the country have improved enough for immigrants to return and that TPS was intended to be temporary.

Viles Dorsainvil, executive director of the Haitian Support Center in Springfield, said keeping TPS in place is critical.

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"For many families it is the difference between stability and chaos, between unity and separation," Dorsainvil said.

Haitian community and faith leaders said they plan to gather with other leaders on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday at noon for a news conference.
HOUSTON  An Afghan immigrant whose family said he had been evacuated from his home country after working for years with U.S. forces died at a Texas hospital after immigration authorities detained him, according to authorities.

Federal immigration officials called Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal a criminal who had been arrested for alleged fraudulent use of food stamps and for theft. Officials also said Paktyawal had not provided any record of his military service.

#AfghanEvac, a San Diego-based group that helps resettle Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the two-decade war, pushed back against the federal governments claims about Paktyawal, one of several people who have died in recent months after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

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Calling a man a criminal without a conviction while claiming there is no record of service without checking interagency systems looks less like fact-finding and more like damage control, said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac. The government should be explaining how a 41-year-old father of six died less than 24 hours after entering ICE custody.

A cause of death is still pending from the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office. But Paktyawals family said he was not ill.

We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man. His children keep asking when their father will come home, the family said in a statement.

Paktyawal was arrested by ICE on Friday and during his medical intake exam at a Dallas ICE field office, he complained of shortness of breath and chest pain, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Lauren Bis said in a statement Monday.

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Paktyawal was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas and on Saturday, his tongue became swollen and he received treatment. But later in the morning, medical staff had to perform CPR on him. He was pronounced dead at 9:10 a.m. CDT.

No one in ICE custody is denied access to proper medical care, Bis said.

His death was still under investigation, ICE said.

U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, who on Monday had visited the Dallas ICE field office where Paktyawal was held, said the Department of Homeland Security and ICE have had a history lying and misrepresenting the background of people they arrest or encounter.

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He was not a violent criminal, as President Trump likes to say when hes rounding up these folks. He was working as a baker, said Johnson, a Democrat who represents parts of Dallas County. He was providing for his family and contributing to our economy. And so we have a lot of questions of why was this gentleman targeted? Why was he picked up? And why did he die in their custody?

ICE said Paktyawal had been arrested for committing fraud against SNAP, the governments biggest food aid program, on Sept. 16. ICE said he had also been arrested for theft by Garland police on Nov. 1.

A Dallas County District Attorneys Office spokesperson said there is an active case regarding SNAP benefits fraud of $200 or more, a third-degree felony, against Paktyawal that had not been resolved.

Police in the Dallas suburb of Garland said Paktyawal was arrested on Nov. 1 after being accused of not paying for groceries and merchandise from a Walmart.

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The case in Garland, a misdemeanor, had not yet been filed with the district attorneys office, according to the spokesperson.

Paktyawal had previously served alongside U.S. military special forces in Afghanistan for a decade and came to the United States following the withdrawal by U.S. troops and the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021.

The U.S. brought him here because of the role Afghans like him played in supporting the American mission, VanDiver said.

Paktyawal, who was married, had been living in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas.

Johnson said she had been told by his family that he had applied for asylum and his case was pending. But Johnson said ICE agents are claiming that Paktyawal had missed his asylum appointments.

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Deaths in ICE custody have soared during Trumps second term.

The agency reported 14 custody deaths from the start of the governments fiscal year Oct. 1 through Jan. 6, well on pace to surpass the previous 12-month count of 24. ICE reported 12 custody deaths in the 2024 fiscal year and 12 in the previous three years combined.

ICE has increased the number of people in its detention centers to more than 70,000 from about 40,000 at the start of Trumps second term. It plans to spend $38.3 billion to boost capacity to 92,600 beds by the end of November, including converted warehouses that house up to 10,000 each.

Associated Press writers Elliot Spagat in San Diego, Jamie Stengle in Dallas and Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
By Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Ariba Shahid and Asif Shahzad

KABUL, March 17 (Reuters) - More than 400 people were killed in a Pakistan air force strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban administration said on Tuesday, in the deadliest incident since the two neighbours began fighting late last year.

Pakistan rejected the statement as false and misleading, saying it had "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure" on Monday night.

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The airstrike on Kabul happened hours after China said it was ready to continue mediating efforts to ease tensions and urged both states to return to negotiations.

Mediation efforts by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia had previously failed.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister, said Afghanistan had lost trust in Pakistan's intentions regarding a diplomatic solution, according to a statement from his office.

The conflict is the worst between the South Asian Islamic neighbours, who share a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border.

DRUG REHAB CENTRE USED TO BE NATO TRAINING BASE

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban, said in a post on X the airstrike took place at 9 p.m. (1630 GMT) on Monday and hit the state-run Omid Hospital, which he said was a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation centre.

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The Pakistani information ministry said Omid Hospital was miles away from the target it had attacked, which it named as Camp Phoenix, a "military terrorist ammunition and equipment storage site".

"The visible secondary detonations after the strikes clearly indicate the presence of large ammunition depots," Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X.

Kabul residents, including a Reuters journalist, said Camp Phoenix, an abandoned NATO military base in the city, was turned into a drug treatment centre about a decade ago, and locals referred to it as Omid Camp, or "camp of hope", although its official name was "Ibn Sina Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital".

It was this centre that had been hit, they said, adding that Omid Hospital and Omid Camp were not related.

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Fighting between the former close allies intensified last month with Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that Islamabad said hit Afghanistan's military and militant strongholds.

Islamabad says Kabul provides a safe haven to militants launching attacks on Pakistan. The Taliban deny the allegation, saying tackling militancy is Pakistan's internal problem.

'IT WAS LIKE DOOMSDAY', SAYS A SURVIVOR

At the site of the airstrike at Omid Camp a blackened single-storey structure bore the marks of flames. In other places, buildings were reduced to heaps of wood and metal, with only a few bunk beds still intact, while blankets, personal belongings and bedding were strewn about.

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Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qanie said 408 people were killed and 265 wounded. Afghan authorities said casualties were taken to hospitals around Kabul, but gave no details of how they were counted.

At least 102 bodies were taken to Kabul Forensic Medical Department, said another Taliban official Hafizullah Maroof.

Those killed were mostly civilians and addicts, added Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.

Reuters could not verify the casualty numbers. Both sides have claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on the other during the conflict but independent verification has not been possible.

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The Norwegian Refugee Council, an independent aid group, said its staff had seen large numbers of casualties.

"We visited the hospital treating addicts in Kabul this morning and found hundreds of civilians dead and injured," it said in a statement.

Susan Ferguson, the U.N. Women Special Representative in Afghanistan, told a U.N. briefing in New York by video link from Kabul that she drove past the site and the scene was "devastating".

"There were many families there trying to find their loved ones," she said.

An EU statement said civilian and medical facilities were protected under international law and called the strike "another deadly escalation in a conflict that needs to end as soon as possible."

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The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement that dozens were killed and injured at "Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital". It called for immediate de-escalation.

Witnesses said they heard three bombs exploding just as people in the centre were completing evening prayers, and that two of them struck rooms and patient areas.

"The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday," said Ahmad, 50, who said he was being treated at the facility. "My friends were burning in the fire, and we could not save them all."

Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Pakistan's prime minister, said on X that the Afghan reference to drug users being targeted was "lies" and Pakistan's "counterterrorism operations" would continue for as long as it took to eliminate "terrorists and their infrastructure".

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"All military operations will continue till such time as there is a change in the behaviour and the ground reality in Afghan Taliban regime-controlled territory," Zaidi told Reuters in an interview late on Tuesday.

Zaidi said Pakistan conducted a total of six strikes on Afghanistan on Monday night, including at Camp Phoenix, which he said was used by the Afghan Taliban to "train terrorists and store weapons".

He declined to provide any estimate of casualties and said Pakistan would not engage with death toll figures reported by Afghan authorities or aid groups.

CHINA APPEALS FOR CALM, INDIA CONDEMNS STRIKE

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China again appealed for restraint and called for the safety of Chinese personnel and interests in the region.

Pakistan's arch-rival India, which has recently forged close ties with the Afghan Taliban, condemned the strike.

The conflict had ebbed amid efforts by friendly countries including China to mediate, but flared again just days before the Eid al-Fitr festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul, Asif Shahzad in Islamabad and Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Additional reporting by Sayed Hassib in Kabul, Sakshi Dayal in New Delhi and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Writing by YP Rajesh and Shilpa Jamkhandikar, by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson)
Heavy snow causes partial collapse of barn roof in Kewaunee County

KEWAUNEE COUNTY, Wisconsin  There were no injuries to people or animals after a section of the roof collapsed at a Kewaunee County Farm on Sunday morning. According to a video sent to a Green Bay television station, a portion of the roof above a holding area at Junion Homestead near Casco, Wisconsin, collapsed on March 15 due to the weight of the snow. The National Weather Service reported that areas in Kewaunee County received over 20 inches of snow, with top wind gusts reaching roughly 45 to 55 miles per hour.

The now seven-generation dairy was founded in 1868 and hosted the 2018 Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm to celebrate the farms 150th anniversary.

One dead in SUV vs. milk tanker semi crash in Dodge County

TOWN OF OAK GROVE, Wisconsin  An Appleton man is dead after the vehicle he was driving collided with a semi hauling an empty milk tank trailer. According to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office, a 63-year-old Appleton man was traveling east on County Highway V around 2:27 p.m. on March 12, when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of County V and County W, striking the semi driven by a 64-year-old man from Reedsville, Wisconsin.

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The driver of the Honda CR-V was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver of the semi was not injured in the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the Dodge County Sheriffs Office Crash Investigation Team.

DATCP suspends poultry shows in southern Wisconsin counties due to bird flu outbreaks

MADISON  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has issued a temporary order suspending all poultry shows, exhibitions, swap meets, and movement of poultry to other events in 20 southern Wisconsin counties due to ongoing detections of bird flu. According to a news release, the suspension is in effect through May 10, 2026, and may be extended or expanded if additional cases are identified.

Counties included: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha.

DATCP has confirmed bird flu in one backyard flock in Dane county and three commercial poultry flocks in Jefferson and Walworth counties this year.

Fond du Lac vet Anne Cleary earns Wisconsins top equine honor

FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin  Dr. Anne Cleary, founder of Pegasus Clinic, Inc., in Fond du Lac, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Horse Council in recognition of more than 30 years of service to Wisconsins equine industry, according to The Reporter. An equine veterinarian specializing in draft and agricultural horses, Cleary has supported horse owners across Wisconsin and beyond while also breeding and training Percherons through Pegasus Farms, producing horses that have competed at the World Percheron Congress level. Her work has helped preserve and advance Percherons and other draft breeds, and she has further contributed to the industry by mentoring youth, serving in leadership roles and supporting organizations such as Furrows to Fences that promote education and advocacy for the breed.

Beef tallow fries making a comeback

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida  Bring on the butter, saturated fats and full-fat milk. Those items that long-accepted research showed likely to clog your arteries are getting a reboot via the MAGA-verse, USA TODAY reported.

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Health concerns in 1990 might have ended McDonalds practice of cooking its fries in beef tallow, but now the cooking fat is making a new splash. Using bovine fatty tissue simmered into liquids to cook up fries is getting promoted in some eateries, including Steak n Shake, which calls them 'beef tallow fries' on the menu. Popeyes, Outback Steakhouse and Buffalo Wild Wings also use the throwback method of crisping up its offerings.

Tighter checks disrupt Brazilian soybean exports to China

Chicago, Illinois  Tighter phytosanitary checks are hitting Brazilian soybean shipments to China, threatening to squeeze supplies to the world's top importer after authorities in the South American country stepped up inspections at Beijing's request.

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry increased inspections on soybean shipments to China following Beijing's repeated findings of pesticide- and fungicide-coated beans, Reuters reported.

Importers now must repeatedly verify with Brazilian suppliers that shipments are free of phytosanitary problems before departure, on risk of being blocked once they reach China, a second Asian trader said.

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Tighter quality checks during Brazil's peak export season could hit supplies in China, though the market is well-stocked following last year's record purchases.

U.S. strawberry growers face Neopest disease risk

CLEMSON, South Carolina  Strawberry growers in South Carolina are approaching the spring season while monitoring the spread of Neopestalotiopsis (Neopest), a fungal disease affecting production in the southeastern U.S., the Courier reported.

Lindsey Thiessen of Clemson University says the disease can cause major yield losses, anywhere from a 50 percent to 100 percent loss in a given field. According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, the loss of a strawberry crop is estimated at $123,553 per hectare, in addition to the costs associated with managing the disease.

Researchers have linked the disease to infected planting material supplied from greenhouse production in Canada. Many South Carolina growers previously sourced strawberry plants from Canadian suppliers.

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Meanwhile, USDA reported that Mexico's berry production for 2026 is expected to increase by 4 percent to 1.2 million MT across blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Strawberries represent 54 percent of total production.

Wisconsin project pioneers new carbon credit model for utilities

MADISON, Wisconsin  The Yahara WINS Watershed Carbon Project has become the first in the nation to generate a new type of verified carbon credits by avoiding greenhouse gas emissions through watershed conservation rather than building energyintensive water infrastructure. The project issued 24,143 credits in January, recognizing emissions avoided after the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District chose in 2017 to meet phosphorus limits through landbased conservation practices instead of constructing a costly treatment facility. The initiative is projected to avoid about 73,000 tons of carbon emissions over 20 years and has already sold credits to the Water Environment Federation and construction firm Mortenson, generating an estimated $270,000 in revenue through 2036, according to a news release.

DATCP, DOR issue guidance on cash transaction rounding

MADISON, Wisconsin  Given that pennies are no longer being minted, they may not always be available at cash registers to make exact change during cash transactions. As a result some businesses in Wisconsin and across the country have begun rounding change in cash transactions to five-cent intervals, with different businesses utilizing different methods of rounding.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and WisconsinDepartment of Revenue has issued guidance to businesses that are consideringimplementing a rounding practice to simplify and standardize rounding practices in Wisconsinto provide greater predictability and protection for Wisconsin consumers. DATCP suggests that businesses round down to minimize consumer harm and ensure fairness and consistency:

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$0.06, $0.07, $0.08, or $0.09 round down to $0.05.

$0.01, $0.02, $0.03, or $0.04 round down to $0.00.

Sugarcane waste could help Brazil reduce fertilizer import risks

RIBEIRAO PRETO, Brazil  Brazil-based Agrion Fertilizantes plans to produce 500,000 metric tons of fertilizer annually by 2031 using waste sugarcane, a move aimed at reducing the countrys heavy reliance on imported fertilizers and exposure to geopolitical disruptions, Reuters reported.

Brazil imports about 85% of the fertilizer it uses, including large volumes of urea that pass through geopolitically sensitive regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, making supply vulnerable to global conflicts. Agrion expects to expand to 10 plants by 2031, generating nearly 2 billion reais in annual revenue while helping strengthen Brazils agricultural input security.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Ag Briefs: DATCP suspends poultry shows in southern WI due to bird flu outbreaks
During President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to London on 17 March, the United Kingdom and Ukraine are preparing to sign new agreements on defence cooperation.

Source: UK government, as reported by European Pravda

Details: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to sign an enhanced declaration on security and the defence industry, drawing on Ukraine's battlefield experience and the United Kingdom's industrial base to produce and supply drones and innovative technologies.

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Under the agreement, the UK and Ukraine will also explore opportunities to strengthen defence industrial and technological cooperation with third countries.

The UK will additionally fund a new Centre of Excellence in artificial intelligence to be based within Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. The group of experts, supported by 500,000 in funding, will ensure that artificial intelligence is used to its full potential to secure an advantage on the battlefield.

In turn, the United Kingdom will apply the lessons learned to its own defence.

Quote from Starmer: "We must work in lockstep with our partners and allies to deliver security at home and abroad, and this new partnership with Ukraine will do just that. Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East."

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Background:

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would visit London on Tuesday 17 March.

On 18 March, Zelenskyy is set to travel to Spain, where he will meet Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The visit is scheduled for the day before a European Council meeting in Brussels on 19-20 March, to which the Ukrainian president has been invited.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
CHICAGO  The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is making a nearly $22 million bet in Illinois that its money, if not its policy views, can still hold sway in Democratic politics.

In three of the four Illinois House races its targeting, AIPAC appears to be using shell PACs to largely conceal where that money is coming from rather than spend from its main super PAC vehicle, United Democracy Project. Like in other recent contests, their ads focus on anything but Israel.

But AIPAC appears at risk of inadvertently helping the candidate most hostile to its views in the race to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky  just as it did in New Jersey last month. The group has taken a sharp tactical shift in recent days, pivoting from attacking a Jewish candidate who has criticized Israel and focusing instead on a Palestinian-American candidate who has been more outspoken.

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Interviews with a dozen Democratic elected officials, candidates and strategists  including both supporters and critics of Israel  revealed growing concerns about AIPACs interventions. Strategists warn that AIPACs attacks on Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, created an opening for progressive social media influencer Kat Abughazaleh, a Palestinian-American who is a vocal critic of Israel and appears to have late momentum in the race, over AIPACs preferred candidate, more moderate state Sen. Laura Fine. In the past week, the group has pulled down all of its anti-Biss messaging, but it could prove too late.

"Theres been a strategy shift," said a person directly familiar with AIPAC's thinking, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. "Our primary goal in Illinois is to prevent potential Squad members from being elected to Congress."

Tuesdays primary will be the first test of AIPACs political muscle in the 2026 primary season after amassing nearly $100 million in its warchest, even as polls show more and more Democrats have negative views of Israel  and of the group itself.

AIPAC may deliver another candidate who is plainly not on their agenda and  the concerns about their interventions within the primary electorate are only going to intensify, said David Axelrod, a longtime Chicagoan and former senior adviser in President Barack Obamas administration. These ads are not branded as AIPAC for a reason, so theres a recognition that they are a controversial presence in Democratic primaries.

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AIPAC recently spent $2 million to sink former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) in a special election primary. Malinowski, a pro-Israel moderate who would not support unconditional aid to Israel, lost to Analilia Mejia, a progressive organizer who has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The move infuriated centrist Democrats, who saw it as a spectacular self-induced fumble  and are worried it may be happening again.

No one wants to see another New Jersey 11  and everyone should be concerned about it happening, said one Democratic donor adviser close to AIPAC who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the dynamics.

The organization has become increasingly controversial on the left for its full-throated support of Israels war in Gaza and is facing a new layer of hostility in the wake of Israels joint attack with the U.S. in Iran. Among Democrats, 62 percent think America is too supportive of Israel, compared with just 22 percent who think the support is about right and 8 percent who think its not supportive enough, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week.

Democratic candidates and strategists expect AIPAC to intervene in a range of House primaries in the coming months, as well as the Senate primaries in Michigan and Minnesota. Theyre watching to see how the groups interference plays with voters amid the backdrop of the war.

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You're going to see more of this unfortunately across the country, said former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a noted Democratic strategist now weighing a run for president, of the influx of outside spending  from AIPAC to crypto groups. Illinois is literally the first stop on the way to an ugly future, where billionaires will be the dominant players and candidates will be pawns in their world.

In Illinois, an AIPAC-aligned super PAC called Elect Chicago Women, had spent heavily against Biss on TV and digital ads, while also spending more than $4 million on TV ads and mailers boosting Fine. In recent days, another AIPAC-aligned group, Chicago Progressive Partnership, put out ads attacking Abughazaleh and propping up another progressive in the race, Bushra Amiwala, in an apparent effort to split the vote.

Local strategists noted the abrupt shift when the Biss attacks stopped earlier this month.

It looks like theyre changing their tactics after the New Jersey backfire, said an Illinois Democratic lawmaker, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. Is there evidence that [AIPAC] is adapting and taking lessons from the last election? Yes.

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Biss, for his part, predicted there would be backlash to AIPACs moves in Illinois in future primaries.

Theyve chosen to make clear that its unacceptable to them to have members of Congress who don't believe in a no strings attached blank check of military aid to the current Israeli government, no matter what they do in Gaza, Biss said So that's what people in the district and around the country will be interested to see what the outcome is.

Abughazaleh sees the shift to attack her as a sign that AIPAC is panicking to control the race. They're realizing that they didn't take us seriously, and that people aren't looking for the status quo. So they are panicking, she said in an interview.

Fine has opposed adding conditions to U.S. aid to Israel, though she has expressed general frustration at the role of "dark money" and the lack of transparency from political action committees, saying it's "a big problem in our political system."

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AIPACs super PAC declined to comment on its involvement in Illinois, including its use of pop-up super PACs to filter funds to candidates. AIPAC spokesperson Deryn Sousa said in a statement, Our members are focused on building strong bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel partnership in the 120th Congress.

The group is also spending heavily for its preferred candidates in the races to fill seats left open by Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, who are running for the Senate, and Danny Davis, who is retiring.

AIPACs allies are not confident about their chances in Kellys district. The group is backing Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, but former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) has been bolstered by more than $1 million in spending from a pro-cryptocurrency super PAC. Plus, he has sky-high name recognition, especially in the wake of the recent death of his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

Pro-Israel Democrats feel more confident their preferred candidates can win in two other races.

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Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin has benefited from nearly $5 million in positive ads from AIPACs main super PAC, United Democracy Project, in a crowded 13-candidate primary for Davis seat. State Rep. La Shawn Ford has strong name recognition in the district and Davis endorsement, but he has struggled to keep up with fundraising.

In Krishnamoorthis district, moderate former Rep. Melissa Bean has benefited from nearly $4 million in supportive messaging from the Elect Chicago Women group thats also supporting Fine in the 9th.

AIPACs critics argue that the groups moves in Illinois, particularly concealing the funding sources of its super PACs, demonstrate that they themselves understand how toxic they are, said Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the progressive J Street group, which bills itself as pro-Israel, pro-peace.

In every part of their political work, theyre doing this surreptitiously, he added.

Jessica Piper and Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
A loud boom heard across Northeast Ohio that rattled homes and startled residents across the area Tuesday morning was a meteor, NASA confirmed.

The "very bright daylight fireball was observed by witnesses from the northeast U.S. and Canada," NASA said in a Facebook post.

An analysis shows the meteor was first visible above Lake Erie around 9 a.m.

The sound, reported around 9 a.m. March 17, was heard across multiple communities, with people describing it as powerful enough to shake windows and briefly alarm pets and workers alike.

The latest GLM imagery (1301Z) does suggest that the boom was a result of a meteor. pic.twitter.com/CH7oJ4Q1OY  NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) March 17, 2026

The fireball was caused by an asteroid nearly 6 feet in diameter and weighing about 7 tons, NASA said. It moved southeast at 45,000 mph before fragmenting over Valley City. The fragments continued on to the south, producing meteorites in Medina County.

Medina County residents report loud boom

Residents across Medina County turned to social media Tuesday to report a loud boom that rattled windows and shook houses. Some residents reported hearing a loud crackling sound, too. The boom was so loud workers inside a Medina industrial plant reported hearing it over the constant hum of machinery inside. One Medina County resident complained that her dogs wouldn't stop barking for several minutes.

Watch suspected meteor come through atmosphere in Pittsburgh

Northeast Ohio wasn't the only area that felt the boom. The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh also said it was getting reports of a loud boom and a fireball in the sky in Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.

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One of the NWS employees stationed there caught the above video of the meteor coming through the atmosphere in the Steel City.

Meteor boom? Meteorologist explains possible sonic boom

WKYC Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling shared on Instagram that the National Weather Service in Cleveland believes the region experienced a sonic boom from the meteor entering Earths atmosphere.

Meteors burn on entry and many times break apart," she wrote. "The sonic boom happens when an object going faster than the speed of sound (767 mph or so) creates a shock wave.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Local professors explains why meteor was so widely seen and felt

Ralph Harvey, a geological sciences professor at Case Western Reserve University, explained why the meteor was visible over such a wide area and created a noticeable sonic boom.

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Like most rocks, its not very compressible, Harvey said. Because this meteor traveled so high in the atmosphere, people for a hundred miles around were able to see it. As it hit the atmosphere at about 50 times the speed of sound, it was like hitting a brick wall  it just exploded. The resulting sonic boom is part of what you hear as the pieces slow down.

Harvey said the object's small size is why it wasnt detected in advance.

Only three times in history has NASA tracked an object all the way to Earth," he said. "This meteor was much smaller, so it was nearly impossible to see with a telescope (ahead of time).

Events like this happen more often than people realize, he added, probably several times a day worldwide, but are rarely observed over populated areas.

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How often does this happen?: Fireball meteor explodes over Ohio. How many have hit the state?

Robert Polak, director of the Kent State Planetarium and associate professor of physics, added that the meteors sonic boom could be heard over such a wide area because of its speed and altitude.

The meteor disturbs the air, but the waves cannot move away from it because of its speed, so a very large wavefront builds up and is finally carried away, resulting in a loud sound," Polak said. "The sonic boom would be heard over a wide area because it is very loud at the source and carries enough energy even far away.

Polak said he couldn't recall an event like this happening before in Greater Akron.

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There was likely a sonic boom from a meteor over Vancouver a few weeks ago, and with a quick search, you can find a few more stories over the last year  in Victoria, Australia, and Georgia, for example. These are far below catastrophic events like the Tunguska meteor in 1908.

He also explained that meteors that reach the ground are called meteorites.

Laurence Garvie, a research professor and curator of the Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University, said meteorite hunters lucky enough to locate wreckage in Medina County will likely find lots of little black rocks.

The American Meteor Society received more than 100 reports of sightings of the fireball, according to the online site EarthSky.

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"I've been getting calls and texts all morning. This is very exciting for us," Garvie said. "They may just look like black stones on the ground, but you can actually hold something older than the Earth. Something from outer space. And we can learn new things from them."

Meteoric event tracked by NASA on March 17, 2026, shows where fragments of a meteor traveled south toward Medina County after breaking through the atmosphere over Lake Erie.

Did you hear the boom?

Let us know where you were when you felt it.

This story has been updated.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ. Reuters, Craig Webb and Lauren J. Young contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Loud boom today in Cleveland, Akron caused by meteor, NWS says
Soybeans are trading with sharp losses out of the weekend, down 11 to 32 cents. Futures rounded out the Friday session with contracts down 2 to 6  cents across the board, as May still held up for a 24  cent gain. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was down 2 cents at $11.50 1/4. Soymeal futures were down $1.60 to $2.50 higher on the day, as May was up $5.50 on the week. Soy Oil futures were mostly within 8 points of unchanged, as May was 86 points higher since last Friday. Crude oil is down $1.76 this morning.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent and Chinese counterparts met this weekend in Paris to prep for the meeting between President Trump and President Xi later this month. Following the meeting it was noted that China was open to buying more US ag goods. Late on Sunday President Trump stated there could be a delay in the meeting with China, while also expecting to see China help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, with some thinking that the two are tied to one another.

More News from Barchart

Weekly CFTC data via the Commitment of Traders report indicated another 23,205 contracts added to the managed money net long in soybean futures and options. That took the net position to 222,107 contracts. Specs in bean oil added another 33,329 contracts to their net long at 108,838 contracts.

USDA Export Sales data has soybean export commitments at 36.49 MMT by 3/5, a 19% drop from the same period last year. That is now 85% of USDAs estimate for 2025/26 and behind the 93% average sales pace. Shipments are 27.15 MMT, and now 63% of that USDA number and behind the 79% average pace.

NOPA data will be out this morning, with traders looking for the February crush total at 202.73 mbu. Soybean oil stocks are seen at 1.928 billion lbs.

Brazils soybean harvest was tallied at 61% complete by Thursday according to AgRural, behind the 70% pace from last year.

May 26 Soybeans closed at $12.25 1/4, down 2 cents, currently down 32 cents

Nearby Cash was $11.50 1/4, down 2 cents,

Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $12.37 1/2, down 2 1/2 cents, currently down 28 3/4 cents

Aug 26 Soybeans closed at $12.18 1/4, down 3 cents, currently down 22 1/2 cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
A bill to require Alabama voters to register with the Democratic or Republican Party to vote in that partys primary is up for consideration Tuesday.

HB541 by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity has the support of some Republican leaders and the state Republican Party.

It is one of the high-profile bills that could still pass during the final eight meeting days of the legislative session, which ends in April.

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Other bills still pending include two different plans to change the Public Service Commission, which regulates Alabama Power and other utilities.

One would expand the PSC from three members elected statewide to seven members elected by congressional district and make other changes.

That bill passed the Senate last week.

Another bill would leave the PSC at three elected members but require the commission to hold rate case hearings for utilities at least once every three years. That would mean taking testimony and evidence from utility officials under oath, which the PSC has not done for decades.

That bill is scheduled for consideration by the House on Tuesday.

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Supporters of PSC reforms say they are concerned because electricity rates in Alabama are higher than most other southeastern states, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The Alabama Legislatures focus on making changes at the PSC came after Democrats claimed two seats on Georgias Public Service Commission last November.

Meanwhile, the Senate Education Policy Committee on Tuesday is scheduled to consider a bill that would require K-12 public schools to begin each day with a student-led prayer.

The bill, a proposed constitutional amendment that would be subject to approval by voters, passed the House last week.

Open primary state

Under current law, Alabama does not register voters by party.

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Voters who vote in one partys primary cannot cross over and vote in the other partys ensuing runoff election under a law passed in 2017, but otherwise Alabamas primaries are open.

Yarbroughs bill, HB541, would allow voters to register with a party or remain unaffiliated. But unaffiliated voters could participate only in general elections.

Voters registered with one party could switch to the other but would have to do so more than 60 days before the primary to be able to vote.

Unaffiliated voters could register on primary election day by requesting a party ballot at the polls, but that option would only be available one time for a voter.

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Party affiliation or being unaffiliated would not affect how voters can vote in a general election.

Republicans who support the idea of closing Alabama primaries, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, say they want to stop Democrats from voting in their primaries.

Rep. Scott Stadthagen of Hartselle, the newly elected state Republican Party chairman, is helping to lead the charge for HB541.

It is time to quit letting Democrats meddle in our primaries, Stadthagen said at the state party meeting on March 7.

The Alabama Democratic Party opposes the idea of closed primaries.

The Republicans are very adept at creating solutions for nonexistent problems, the party said in a statement. Democrats are not crossing over to vote in Republican primaries.

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This is simply another avenue for them to try to frustrate the will of the people, of independents and those who may express distaste with particular candidates within their own party.

Instead of worrying about this, the ALGOP should concern themselves with passing laws that actually benefit the people of Alabama and running candidates who their voters wish to vote for.

Other states take a variety of approaches to party affiliation and primaries.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Alabama is one of eight states with open primaries, along with Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Missouri.

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Eight states have closed primaries, as HB541 proposes for Alabama.

They are Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming.

In general, closed primary states require a voter to be a registered member of a party to vote in a primary.

To reduce the number of people who change parties to vote in bad faith for another partys primary, closed primary states prohibit voters from changing their party affiliation a certain number of days before the election, like the 60-day blackout period proposed in HB541.

Eight states have partially closed primaries.

They allow parties to decide whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their primaries.

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Allowing unaffiliated votes to participate would not be an option for parties in Alabama under HB541.

The concept here is to have structural integrity in the process for parties, Yarbrough told the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee last week at a public hearing on HB541. Their candidates are an active reflection of their party platform.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said the state should not impose a blackout period that prevents voters from changing their minds within 60 days of a primary.

Lets just imagine that the candidate that Im supporting in one party is not who I thought that person was, England said.

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And I want to go and support the Republican within that 60 day window. I just cant vote.

Yarbrough told England he could still vote with the party that he was registered with.

I think it reinforces the structural integrity of what the parties represent. So when people go to vote Republican or Democrat they know what theyre getting, Yarbrough said.

Thats why people cannot stand the dual-party system, England said.

Your party affiliation has nothing to do with who you vote for. At least it shouldnt.

And for us to try to pass a law to dictate to you that you cant change your mind within 60 days because of party affiliation, its just outrageous.

Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The mayor of a small town has until the end of the day Tuesday to reinstate the city clerk he fired, a police chief he railed against on social media and a city attorney he refused to acknowledge.

A Jefferson County judge late Monday evening delivered a victory to Lipscomb City Council members in their ongoing battle for power with Mayor Robin Sims.

Judge David Hodby gave Sims 24 hours to comply with the order. Now both sides say they are ready to end the wrangling and get back to work.

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This ruling provides clarity and allows the city of Lipscomb to move forward, said Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Monique Wilkerson. We respect the courts order and believe it confirms the authority of the councils actions.

The city council twice passed resolutions to reinstate police chief Lanita Neal, city clerk William Baylor and to affirm Wayman Newton as city attorney.

The council then voted to sue the mayor after Sims defied them and refused to honor their resolutions.

The main question in the legal conflict was which branch of government had the right to hire senior staff.

In a town the size of Lipscomb, with about 2,000 residents, the council is the appointing authority. On the other hand, in larger municipalities such as Birmingham, the mayor has executive power to hire department heads.

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After months of legal and political conflict, Wilkerson said she hoped the ruling creates an opportunity for both sides to reset and work together.

The council is ready and willing to work with the mayor so that we can focus on what truly matters, which is providing good government and moving our city forward, Wilkerson said.

Following the ruling, Sims told AL.com that the dispute was never personal.

As mayor, I respect the authority of the court and will comply with the ruling, he said.

Sims said his actions were guided by his responsibility to follow proper administrative procedures.

It was about ensuring that appointments and administrative actions were handled in a way that protects the city legally and financially, Sims.

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The mayors tone Monday evening was more conciliatory than it has been previously. Sims had adamantly pushed against reinstating Neal as police chief in a social media video last month.

The council has since established a social media policy regarding the use of official accounts.

Neal also has a pending federal lawsuit against the city related to her job status. The police chief has been off-duty since late September 2024 when former mayor Tanja Baldwin placed her on leave. Neal has said the suspension resulted from a personal vendetta that the former mayor had against her.

A series of legal, financial and political crises over several years has crippled the struggling small town just outside Bessemer.

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Shortly after he was elected mayor, Sims sued to remove most of the council on claims that they did not live in their districts.

The Alabama Supreme Court then paused a ruling that had been made by Hodby, and allowed the council to govern as their appeal of the original ruling made its way through the court system.

Nevertheless, with the judges decision made in the latest dispute, Sims said he is ready for some normalcy at city hall.

With the courts clarification, we will move forward and continue focusing on what matters most  serving the residents of Lipscomb, improving city services, strengthening public safety and restoring stability to city government, he said.

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I remain committed to working with all parties to move our city forward in a professional and lawful manner.

Stories by Joseph D. Bryant

Read the original article on al.com. Add al.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
March 17 (Reuters) - Veteran Iranian politician Ali Larijani was one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic, an architect of its security policy, and a close adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei until the supreme leader's death in an airstrike last month.

Larijani, 67, was killed by a U.S.-Israeli air attack as he was visiting his daughter in the eastern outskirts of a Tehran suburb, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said on Tuesday.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said earlier on Tuesday that he had been killed in an Israeli strike.

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The scion of a leading clerical family with brothers who rose to high positions after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Larijani was seen as canny and pragmatic but always fiercely determined to uphold Iran's theocratic system of government.

A Revolutionary Guard Corps commander during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, he became head of Iran's national broadcaster before stints running the Supreme National Security Council either side of his membership of parliament, where he was speaker for 12 years.

His role as the ultimate insider in Ali Khamenei's Iran gave him responsibilities across a wide portfolio that included critical nuclear negotiations with the West, managing Tehran's regional ties and the suppression of internal unrest.

Despite his unswerving commitment to Khamenei's absolute rule, he advocated a more cautionary approach than did other hardline figures, sometimes willing to further Iran's goals through diplomacy and to meet domestic opposition with soothing words.

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But despite his relative moderation, he played an allegedly central role in the bloody crushing of mass protests in January. The violent repression, which killed thousands of protesters, led Washington to impose sanctions on him last month.

After the U.S.-Israeli strikes began on February 28, he was one of the first major Iranian figures to speak, accusing Iran's attackers of seeking to disintegrate and plunder the country. He also issued stern warnings against any would-be protesters.

The strikes represented the ultimate failure of a nuclear policy he had helped design, which attempted to build atomic capability at the boundary of international rules without provoking an attack.

In pursuing that policy, he projected the voice of the supreme leader, using his abilities as a communicator to build a rapport with Western negotiators and lay out Khamenei's vision in frequent television interviews.

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Even had he survived the current war, that role may have been curtailed. In the jostling for control after Khamenei's death, it was the Guards who took an ever greater part, leaving fewer decisions to political powerbrokers like Larijani.

RISE AFTER THE REVOLUTION

Ali Larijani was born in 1958 in Iraq's great Shi'ite Muslim shrine city of Najaf, the home of many major Iranian clerics like his father who had fled what they saw as the oppressive rule of the shah.

He moved to Iran as a child, later focusing on his studies and earning a philosophy PhD. But the clerical milieu of his family would have made him keenly aware of the revolutionary religious currents surging through his homeland in the 1970s.

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When Larijani was 20 years old, the Islamic Revolution overthrew the shah and installed Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as supreme leader.

When Iraq invaded Iran along a 500-mile (800 km) front months after the revolution, Larijani joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a new, ideologically driven, military unit devoted to Khomeini.

As the war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq became the great crucible testing the mettle of a new generation of Iranian leaders, Larijani rose up to become a staff officer, a commander focused on the organisational duties behind the front that dictated the war effort.

His success in that role, alongside his family connections, helped spur his rise in the new Islamic Republic. They also ensured his close ties to the Guards, a military institution whose importance would continue growing throughout his life.

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After the war, Larijani became culture minister and then head of Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, a critical role in a country where ideological messaging has always been central to the exercise of internal power.

Larijani was appointed to the cabinet by the mercurial president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, in office from 1989 to 1997. Khamenei, meanwhile, became supreme leader in 1989, upon the death of Khomeini.

Larijani would have a ringside seat for the years-long power struggle between Rafsanjani and Khamenei - an unrivalled lesson in high Iranian politics.

His time at IRIB was followed by a stint as head of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran's top foreign and security policy body. A failed presidential bid followed, in 2005, before his election to parliament two years later.

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Two of his brothers were enjoying high office, too - the signs of a family on the make.

His eldest brother, Mohammad-Javad, was a member of parliament before becoming a senior adviser to Khamenei. A younger brother, Sadiq, had become a cleric and risen to head the judiciary.

CHIEF NUCLEAR NEGOTIATOR

As chief nuclear negotiator from 2005 to 2007, Larijani was responsible for defending what Tehran says is its right to enrich uranium - a process required to make fuel for a nuclear power plant but which can also yield material for a warhead.

Pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme had ratcheted up after the discovery in 2003 that the country had enrichment facilities it had not disclosed to international inspectors, prompting fears it was seeking a bomb and leading to sanctions.

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It has always denied wanting a bomb.

Larijani likened European incentives to abandon nuclear fuel production to "exchanging a pearl for a candy bar". Though he was widely regarded as a pragmatist, he said that Iran's nuclear programme "can never be destroyed".

"Because once you have discovered a technology, they cant take the discovery away," he told PBS's Frontline programme in September 2025. "Its as if you are the inventor of some machine, and the machine is stolen from you. You can still make it again."

Larijani made repeated visits to Moscow and met President Vladimir Putin, helping Khamenei manage a key ally and world power that acted as a counterweight to pressure from the first and second administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump.

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He was also tasked with advancing negotiations with China, which led to a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.

As parliament speaker from 2008 to 2020 he had a role in ensuring that a nuclear deal with six world powers in 2015 would meet the requirements of sceptical Iranian hardliners. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the hard-negotiated agreement during his first term, in 2018.

ROLE IN CRUSHING PROTESTS

Larijani was again appointed head of the Supreme National Security Council last year, after a 12-day air war launched by Israel.

He was working to avert an attack on Iran until shortly before the war began.

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"In my view, this issue is resolvable," Larijani told Oman state television early this year, referring to the talks with the U.S. "If the Americans' concern is that Iran should not move toward acquiring a nuclear weapon, that can be addressed."

But Washington also denounced him for the council's role in crushing mass protests in January, even after he and other senior politicians had initially said that demonstrations over the economy were permissible.

According to a U.S. government announcement detailing sanctions against him and other officials in response to the crackdown, Larijani was at the forefront of the repression.

"Larijani was one of the first Iranian leaders to call for violence in response to the legitimate demands of the Iranian people," a U.S. Treasury statement said on January 15, saying he had acted at Khamenei's behest.

Rights groups say thousands of people were killed in a crackdown, the worst domestic unrest in Iran since the Islamic Revolution.

One of Larijani's daughters, meanwhile, was dismissed from a medical teaching position at Emory University, in the U.S., following protests by Iranian-American activists angered by his role suppressing the demonstrations.

(Reporting by Reuters Iran newsroom; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Olivier Holmey)
As Irans top national security official and de facto leader, Ali Larijani emerged as the key architect of the countrys military and diplomatic strategy since the start of the conflict with the US and Israel. Experts say his killing could complicate any future efforts to end the war.

At the age of 67, Larijani had become a visible emblem of the regime and its continuity. He even took part in a public rally in Tehran last week, despite being a prime target for Israel since the conflict began on February 28.

Throughout the first two weeks of the war, Larijani was also prolific on social media, goading US President Donald Trump and on Monday warning Muslims across the Persian Gulf: You know that America has no loyalty to you, and that Israel is your enemy. Stop for a moment and think about yourselves and the future of the region.

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Larijanis death at the hands of an Israeli airstrike will deprive the Iranian leadership of one of its most astute and powerful voices  and may make any negotiations to end the war more difficult, analysts say. To many observers, Larijani had become the de facto leader of Iran amid the upheavals of recent weeks, especially in the days following Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis death.

He has been a true insider who spent decades at the center of the system, which gave him credibility across different parts of the elite, according to Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

The Islamic Republic is designed to survive the loss of individuals, but figures with such diversified experience are not easy to replace.

Larijani attended a pro-government rally in Tehran on March 13, 2026, despite being a prime target for Israel. - Ali Larijani/X/Reuters

Israeli strikes, both in June and in the latest round of conflict, have killed many experienced Iranian commanders and security officials. But the loss of Larijani, the head of Irans National Security Council, is of a different order.

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He may not always have been a target. A source familiar with private plans and discussions told CNN that in September last year, he was the US and Israels most favored transitional candidate. But after he pushed for a crackdown against Iranian protesters, took a front seat in lashing out at the US and Israel and assumed a key role in strategizing kinetic military actions, Israel turned its sights on him in early February.

His death will have limited immediate impact on the conduct of the war, but its political management will become more complicated, according to Azizi, because of his command of Irans political messaging and his international contacts.

Someone like President Masoud Pezeshkian  a prominent moderate largely sidelined since the conflict began  would be unable to bring together a coalition within the elite to negotiate an end to the war, Azizi believes. It would require a figure of Larijanis stature to bring different factions on board to reach a potential agreement.

Half a century of service

Over nearly five decades, Larijani held key positions in the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), the security establishment, state media and parliament.

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The Supreme National Security Council praised Larijanis long political career, describing him as a figure who until the very last moments of his life worked toward the advancement of Iran and called for unity in the face of external threats.

This kind of trajectory is relatively rare in the Islamic Republic, Azizi told CNN. The only position he lacked on his resume was that of president.

Larijani was a skillful navigator of the shifting politics of the Islamic Republic, a pragmatic conservative who could work in different camps within the system, while completely loyal to the republic, according to Azizi.

He was a commander in the IRGC during the war with Iraq in the 1980s, and later the head of the state broadcaster.

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Larijani was Irans chief nuclear negotiator in the first decade of the century. Western diplomats who negotiated with him described him as sophisticated and intelligent. And increasingly he had the ear of Khamenei on security issues, after his appointment as an adviser in 2004.

For 12 years until 2020, he was speaker of Irans parliament, broadening his power base.

In a CNN interview in 2015, Larijani praised the deal negotiated by the Obama administration that limited Irans nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, describing it as a beginning for better understanding of other issues.

After last years conflict with Israel, Larijani returned to prominence as head of the National Security Council and was regarded by many analysts as the most important decision-maker in the country.

Larijani, pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, in 2015, had been a key international representative and negotiator for the Iranian regime. - Alexander Zemlianichenko/Reuters

He also became Irans chief international voice, more so than even Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with recent visits to Moscow, Beirut, Abu Dhabi and Oman. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of January and set out Irans conditions for a nuclear agreement after visiting Oman, which was mediating between Washington and Tehran.

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Larijanis core position within the regime was reinforced by his familys prominent clerical background. He was married to the daughter of a prominent ayatollah. One of his brothers, Sadegh, is also an ayatollah and former head of Irans judiciary. Another brother, Mohammad-Javad Larijani, has also held various roles in the Islamic Republic.

Larijani was also an established academic. Trained originally in mathematics and computer science at Sharif University of Technology, he held a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tehran and wrote extensively about the work of German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

In recent days, Larijani had been vocal and eloquent about Irans readiness for sustained conflict.

Unlike the United States, [Iran] has prepared itself for a long war, he posted on X soon after the US began its campaign.

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His death may make it longer. On Monday, state media announced that a 71-year-old former IRGC commander, Mohsen Rezaei, had come out of retirement to become the senior military adviser to Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

That suggests the leadership is becoming more reliant on the Iraq war generation and therefore more militarized, Azizi told CNN  without the counterbalance of Larijanis pragmatism.

Christiane Amanpour contributed to this report.

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A man who was accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6 attack in 2021 is asking a judge to dismiss the criminal charges against him, arguing he is covered by President Trump's sweeping pardons of alleged Jan. 6 rioters.

Monday's motion from lawyers for Brian Cole Jr. marks the latest twist in a case that remained unsolved for years  and the latest test of how extensively the Jan. 6 pardons could apply.

His attorneys argued that the charges against Cole, who has pleaded not guilty, are "inextricably and demonstrably tethered" to the events of Jan. 6.

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They pointed to filings by prosecutors that say Cole told the FBI he had traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a 2020 election-related protest, which suggests he was part of "the same political controversy that animated the January 6 crowd." And they note that, even though the bombs were allegedly planted on Jan. 5, they were discovered on the following afternoon.

"The Pardonlike it or notapplies to Mr. Cole, based on the ordinary and plain meaning of the Pardon's language as applied to the relevant facts in this case," Cole's lawyers wrote.

Cole was charged late last year with interstate transportation of explosives and malicious attempt to use explosives, after federal authorities were unable to identify a suspect in the case for almost five years. The bombs did not detonate, but the FBI has said they were viable. Trump administration officials had described solving the case as a top priority.

CBS News has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.

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The Jan. 6 pardons, issued hours after Mr. Trump returned to the White House last year, granted relief to around 1,500 riot defendants who were accused of everything from trespassing to assaulting police. The president wiped away criminal convictions for all but 14 of those who were convicted of Jan. 6-related offenses, and directed the Justice Department to seek to dismiss charges against those who had not yet been convicted.

It's not clear whether Mr. Trump's pardon order applies to Cole. The order says the pardons apply to "offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021"  and Cole is accused of planting the bombs one day beforehand.

Cole's lawyers argue that the phrase "related to" could apply to offenses that did not take place on Jan. 6, 2021, as long as they were linked to the events of that day.

This isn't the first criminal case that has tested the limits of the Jan. 6 pardons.

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In several cases, authorities searched the homes of Jan. 6 defendants and allegedly found unlawful firearms, leading the accused rioters to face both Jan. 6 and weapons possession charges. The government has argued in some of those cases that the pardons issued by Mr. Trump should cover all charges against them, not just the ones directly tied to the Capitol riot. One defendant was granted a second pardon to cover his gun charges.

Another rioter, Edward Kelley, was charged separately with both entering the Capitol on Jan. 6 and threatening the FBI agents who investigated him. In his case, federal prosecutors argued Mr. Trump's pardon did not cover the charges related to threats against the FBI, pushing back on Kelley's motion to dismiss. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Mitchell Epner, a partner at the New York law firm Kudman Trachten Aloe Posner and former federal prosecutor, says it is possible that Cole's alleged conduct was covered by Mr. Trump's Jan. 6 sweeping pardons. He called it an "unintended consequence of Donald Trump's unrelenting attack upon the rule of law."

"When you try to have criminal guilt turn on your whim and you have to convert it into words, it's possible to do it very badly," Epner told CBS News.

Nations reject Trump's call to help U.S. with Strait of Hormuz

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By Antoni Slodkowski and Liz Lee

BEIJING, March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's request to delay the planned summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping casts a shadow over mutual ties that have been stable since their last meeting in October, but is unlikely to cause a major setback, analysts said.

Trump's move shows how the Iran conflict has upended his foreign policy agenda and added war to trade and Taiwan among the spectrum of issues separating the world's two biggest economies.

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The delay hits pause on the retooling of bilateral relations just as both sides concluded high-stakes trade talks in Paris on Monday to lay the groundwork for Trump's Beijing trip, originally slated for the end of the month.

The negotiations followed Washington's imposition of new investigations into "unfair trade practices" aimed at rebuilding trade pressure on countries around the world - including China - after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump's global tariffs last month.

"The situation is not in jeopardy, and Beijing still wants to organise the summit, but the U.S.-Iran conflict and the Supreme Court ruling on tariff policies have complicated these efforts," said Zhao Minghao, an international relations expert from Shanghai's elite Fudan University. "It makes U.S.-China interactions this year more difficult because of Trump's 'war of choice' in Iran."

Zhao added the postponement would mean there was also time for more trade actions.

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"The White House says it will continue its tariff policy, but without a doubt, we could see new uncertainties in this regard that impact Beijing's calculations on dealing with the U.S.," he said.

A source familiar with the Paris talks told Reuters before the second day of meetings that China showed openness to potential additional purchases of U.S. agricultural goods including poultry, beef and non-soybean crops.

The two sides also discussed the flow of rare earth minerals largely controlled by China and new approaches to manage trade and investment between the countries.

State-run China Daily described the negotiations in an editorial published on Tuesday as "constructive," but warned Trump that Beijing's "openness should not be mistaken for acquiescence."

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"The U.S. side should refrain from taking any further actions that could disrupt or undermine a stable China-U.S. economic relationship. Actions that inject uncertainty  whether tariffs, restrictive measures or unilateral investigations  do just that," read the editorial.

That sentiment would similarly apply to the setting up of the summit, according to Alfred Wu of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. "The fluctuations (in plans) are not ideal from China's perspective, China actually wants something more predictable," he said.

MIXED MESSAGES

U.S. officials have sent mixed messages about the reason for the delay. On Sunday, Trump told Britain's Financial Times he might postpone the meeting if China did not help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.

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On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Trump may need to delay the trip due to coordinating the war effort - not because of the request that China help police the strait or because of any trade disagreements.

Still, despite the delay, the priority for both sides is keeping relations on an even keel and continuing to plan for a successful visit, analysts said. They added that for the export-reliant Chinese economy, dealing with the rising uncertainty in the global economy was the No. 1 priority.

"China's first priority remains keeping the relationship with the United States relatively steady so it can continue focusing on self-strengthening in preparation for the longer-term strategic competition ahead," said Patricia Kim, a foreign policy fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Kim added that China understood keeping Trump satisfied was key to managing bilateral ties, and would still host Trump even though it might be wary of giving him too grand a reception as the U.S. continued military operations against Iran, a strategic partner for Beijing.

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"Trump is preoccupied with a war in Iran that has not been resolved as quickly as predicted, so he is keen to ensure that the military and economic fallout from that is contained within the next couple of weeks or so ... which means planning a successful visit to Beijing is next to impossible," said Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society.

"From China's perspective, there's been a lot of concern in Beijing about the lack of preparations from the American side for the summit so Chinese policymakers wouldn't mind an extra few weeks to prepare for a more substantive visit."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian echoed this sentiment on Monday when asked about Trump's weekend remarks. "Diplomacy between heads of state plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance to China-U.S. relations," he said.

There is ongoing communication about the timing of the trip, Lin told a briefing on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski and Liz Lee; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  New Mexico Department of Health officials on Monday confirmed the first case of animal rabies in the state in 2026 and said two people who may have been exposed are being treated.

NMDOH said a bobcat in Sierra County has tested positive for rabies and was euthanized after attacking several dogs. All of the dogs were up to date with rabies vaccination, received a booster vaccine, and will be monitored for symptoms for 45 days. Two people who may have been exposed are receiving a post-exposure rabies vaccine.

Story continues below

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News: NM State Parks launch public survey to shape future of outdoor recreation areas

Community: Immigration-friendly ordinance passes in Albuquerque city council

Podcast: The McKinley County DA Meltdown



Rabies is deadly but preventable. State law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies, Dr. Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for the NMDOH, stated in a news release. Unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies must be euthanized or strictly isolated for four months to prevent human exposure.

Rabies in New Mexico is most often found in wildlife such as skunks, bats, and foxes. The state confirmed 13 rabid animals in 2025, including one bobcat, and 12 in 2024, including four bobcats.

If you see a sick wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally, report it to your local animal control officer or the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at 888-248-6866.

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Report any exposure or bite to your local animal control and call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773). You can also text questions to 66364 (NMDOH).

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.
A federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration may keep swiftly deporting migrants to countries where they have no ties as a legal challenge unfolds.

The 2-1 vote on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit contained no explanation. The panel also expedited the schedule for the cases next stage.

The Trump administration as part of its aggressive immigration crackdown has ramped up sending migrants to places other than their home countries, known as third country removals. It has struck deals with Cameroon, South Sudan and Eswatini, among other countries, to take in deportees.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the practice by saying it is aimed at removing some of the most barbaric individuals living illegally in the U.S. In court, the Trump administration has mainly argued that federal judges have no authority to intervene.

The 1st Circuit majority comprised of Judge Jeffrey Howard, nominated by former President George W. Bush, and Judge Seth Aframe, nominated by former President Biden. Fellow Biden nominee Lara Montecalvo was the sole dissenter.

It lifts limits on the policy imposed by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, another Biden nominee who oversees a class action lawsuit filed by four noncitizens a year ago.

While the order unfortunately delays implementation of the decision, we appreciate that the First Circuit ordered a swift resolution of the merits of the governments appeal, said Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, which represents the migrants.

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Last year, the Trump administration went to the Supreme Court and won after Murphy limited third country removals at an earlier stage of the case. In his final ruling last month, Murphy said material differences had emerged and blocked the policy once again.

It is not fine, nor is it legal, Murphy wrote.

His ruling required the administration to first try to remove migrants to the normally designated country or where they have citizenship. If those fail, the judge said they have the right to a meaningful opportunity to contest their deportation once a third country is selected.

Murphy had delayed implementation until the 1st Circuit could weigh in. The new ruling keeps his order halted until the appeal is resolved.

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In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said its position has once again been vindicated.

The Biden Administration allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our country, and the Trump Administration has the authority to remove these criminal illegal aliens and clean up this national security nightmare, the spokesperson said. 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.

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.
After losing her job, becoming a public face of a national legal battle, and watching anti-trans politics proliferate across the United States, Ellenor Zinski says she made a decision she never imagined she would have to make. Ive actually left the U.S. just for my safety, Zinski said in an interview with The Advocate, describing a complete life-changing move as she sought stability abroad.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ + news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

Now, from outside the country, she is at the center of a case that could help determine whether LGBTQ+ workers are protected under federal law when they work for religious employers, or whether those protections can be overridden by doctrine.

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On Tuesday, a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, confronted that question head-on. At issue is whether Liberty University, the conservative Christian school, can invoke its religious beliefs to fire a transgender employee whose job had no religious function and, if so, whether there is any limiting principle to that authority.

Related: Liberty University allegedly fired a woman after she came out as transgender. Now, she's suing



Related: Trans woman fired by Liberty University opens up about 'awful' discrimination

The case, Zinski v. Liberty University, began as a straightforward Title VII claim. Zinski alleges she was fired in 2023 after informing human resources that she is a transgender woman and is undergoing medical transition. Before that disclosure, she said, she was thriving in her role as an IT help desk apprentice.

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I was a good employee. I made friends. I got along with the team, she said.

She had deep roots in the community. She grew up in the region, attended a Liberty-affiliated school, and said the universitys religious culture was familiar to her. By all means, I was one of them, she said.

That sense of belonging, she said, makes Libertys portrayal of her as deceptive, as someone who hoodwinked the university, especially painful and, in her view, unfounded. She said she was already navigating her gender identity when she was hired and disclosed it to colleagues she trusted, all while continuing to perform her job.

I fit in in every way besides my gender identity, she said.

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Her lawsuit argues that her termination violated Title VIIs prohibition on sex discrimination, relying on the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that firing someone for being transgender or gay constitutes discrimination because of sex. Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch extended workplace protections to LGBTQ+ employees nationwide, but left unresolved how those protections interact with claims of religious liberty.

That unresolved question now sits squarely before the Fourth Circuit.

Liberty Universitys attorney, Mathew Staver, urged the court to view Zinskis firing not as discrimination but as a protected act of religious self-governance. He described it as a religious-based employment decision, arguing that statutory exemptions in Title VII and the First Amendments church autonomy doctrine prevent courts from second-guessing such decisions.

Taken to its logical conclusion, that argument would place a wide swath of employment decisions by religious institutions beyond the reach of federal civil rights law, even for employees who are not ministers or engaged in religious teaching.

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The three-judge panel  James Andrew Wynn Jr., appointed by President Barack Obama; A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr., appointed by President Donald Trump; and Henry F. Floyd, also an Obama appointee  appeared acutely aware of the stakes.

Again and again, the judges returned to a central concern: if Libertys theory prevails, what stops it from extending beyond this case? Wynn, in particular, pressed for a limiting principle, asking how courts could prevent religious employers from invoking doctrine to justify discrimination against other protected classes.

That question has been central to Zinskis legal team as well. In an interview, Wyatt Rolla, the ACLU of Virginias senior transgender rights attorney representing her, said Liberty is seeking a dramatic expansion of religious exemptions.

They want religious institutions to be insulated from all liability and accountability, Rolla told The Advocate, warning that such a ruling could leave a lot of vulnerable people without recourse.

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They said the judges appeared to recognize that risk, asking questions that highlighted how Libertys argument could apply not just to transgender workers but to other protected classes under federal law, including race and national origin.

Zinskis experience, they emphasized, is not about theology but about employment law. The case, they said, turns on a straightforward principle: under Bostock, discrimination based on gender identity is discrimination based on sex, and that rule applies to religious employers, subject to narrow exceptions.

For Zinski, the legal arguments are inseparable from the personal toll. She described the moment of her firing as devastating, coming at a time when she was already vulnerable in her transition.

It really momentarily destroyed me, she said.

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She recalled the anxiety leading up to her termination and the aftermath, describing what it feels like to have ones identity rejected in such absolute terms.

To have who I am at my very core be rejected is debilitating, she said.

That rejection, she added, stands in tension with the religious values Liberty claims to uphold. If they are trying to be Christ-centered, Christ preached love, she said.

Quattlebaum probed how Libertys theory aligns with the ministerial exception, which already grants religious institutions broad autonomy over employees who perform religious functions. If that doctrine exists, he asked, what additional work does a broader church autonomy theory perform?

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Floyd emphasized the procedural posture of the case. It arrives at the appellate court before discovery, raising the question of whether it is appropriate to resolve sweeping constitutional issues without a fully developed factual record.

Zinskis legal team urged the court to take a narrower path, maintaining that the ministerial exception provides a clear boundary: religious institutions retain autonomy over clergy and those who convey religious doctrine, but must comply with federal civil rights law when it comes to employees like Zinski, whose work was in information technology.

The stakes extend far beyond a single university. As Judge Wynn noted during the argument, courts have long struggled to reconcile expanding civil rights protections with religious exemptions, and the Supreme Court has yet to provide a definitive framework. The result may be a patchwork of rulings that ultimately forces the justices to intervene.

For now, the Fourth Circuit has not ruled, and a decision is expected in the coming months.

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Zinski, who has rebuilt her life abroad while continuing to pursue the case, said she hopes the court sees what she believes is a simple truth: that her identity should not cost her the ability to work.

I think the law is clear, she said. I should not be discriminated against for something that I cant change about myself.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Appeals court weighs in: Can religious employers fire workers for being trans?

RELATED
A band director for middle school and high school students in Arkansas has been arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a teen and later begged her mother not to go to police after she learned about the alleged incident.

The Fort Smith Police Department said police began an investigation into the matter after they received a tip on March 9 that James Palmer allegedly had inappropriate contact with a student on February 28, according to 5NEWS.

Palmer, 40, was fired by the Fort Smith School District on Wednesday, March 11, and booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on Thursday, March 12, for second-degree sexual assault, according to police.

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He was initially held on a $150,000 bond but released just hours after his arrest. Palmer is next scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, March 18.

Kansas Pastor Allegedly Kidnapped Teen Girl at Gunpoint Before Sexually Assaulting Her

It is not currently clear if Palmer has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Fort Smith Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment about the case.

However, court documents obtained on Friday, March 13, said that the alleged victim's mother confronted Palmer a few days before the tip was reported to authorities, per 5NEWS. Police said that he reportedly "begged her not to report the incident and said he would resign and move away.

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The district told the outlet that the school board met for a special meeting the day before Palmers arrest and unanimously voted to terminate his contract with the district.

Palmer had previously worked as the band director at Chaffin Middle School and Southside High School. The district added that the contract termination went into effect immediately and Palmer was let go from the role.

Court records also stated that Palmer worked as a mandated reporter, per the outlet.

While a spokesperson for the district said they couldn't comment on personnel matters, they did issue a statement about the incident.

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There is nothing more important than the safety of all students, and we take every allegation of inappropriate behavior seriously, the spokesperson told 5NEWS. We thoroughly investigate all allegations and determine next steps based on the results of the investigation."

Former Connecticut Music Teacher Charged With Sexually Assaulting Student

Not only was Palmer arrested and let go from his job, but his wife, Jessica Palmer, was also fired by the Fort Smith School Board after a 7-0 vote at a special meeting held on March 13.

The district said that she worked as a teacher at Sunnymede Elementary prior to her firing.

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Fort Smith Public Schools confirmed that Jessica was let go from the school, telling 5NEWS, There is nothing more important than the safety of all students, and we take every allegation of inappropriate behavior seriously. We thoroughly investigate all allegations and determine next steps based on the results of the investigation.

While we cannot comment on personnel matters, we can confirm that the Fort Smith Board of Education met this evening during a special meeting and voted unanimously to terminate its contract with Jessica Palmer, who served as a teacher at Sunnymede Elementary, effective immediately, the statement continued.
Starbucks employees chant while picketing in New York City in 2025. Photograph: Derek French/SOPA Images/Shutterstock  Photograph: Derek French/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Starbucks shareholders are pushing to remove two board members at the company who they argue have contributed to stalling the coffee chains long-fought-over union drive.

The SOC Investment Group, Trillium Asset Management, Merseyside Pension Fund, the non-profit Shareholder Association for Research and Education (Share), and the New York state and New York City comptrollers wrote a letter to Starbucks shareholders to vote no on the re-election of board members Jrgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford at Starbuckss annual shareholders meeting on 25 March.

More than 680 Starbucks stores have voted to form unions since the barista-led organizing campaign started in 2021. The union has reached 34 tentative agreements with Starbucks, but the company has not reached a single final agreement.

Related: Striking Starbucks workers urge customers to delete coffee chains app

Starbucks workers began an unfair labor practice strike at the coffee chain in November 2025, escalating up to the holidays in December 2025 with several thousand workers on strike. The union has since tapered down the number of workers on strike and pushed campaigns for the public to pressure the company, with actions such as deleting the Starbucks app, until a first contract is reached.

Brian Niccol, Starbuckss CEO, pledged to engage constructively and in good faith when he took the top job in 2024. But critics argue the company has since gone back on those pledges.

In their letter, the shareholders argue Knudstorp, former CEO of the Lego Group, and Ford, CEO of the Land OLakes agricultural cooperative, bear responsibility for Starbuckss ongoing labor dispute.

Knudstorp and Ford have had labor relations, board structure, and investor engagement responsibilities over the relevant time period. Shareholders should evaluate their performance against those responsibilities, the shareholders wrote.

Tejal Patel, executive director of the SOC Investment Group, a Starbucks shareholder affiliated with labor unions, said: There was a shift in 2025 which raised renewed concerns for us. Labor disputes have continued. Bargaining has not produced a first contract, and risks associated with workforce relations have intensified rather than diminished.

The sudden U-turn on labor relations oversight by Starbucks Board is inconsistent with the companys turnaround strategy and commitments  and changes have not been explained to shareholders, the shareholders wrote in the letter.

Two proxy firms have also warned Starbucks shareholders that the company may be neglecting financial and reputational risks from labor disputes.
A federal judge has permanently blocked several Arkansas school districts from implementing a state law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments.

Citing a landmark 1962 U.S. Supreme Court opinion over prayer in public schools, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks ruled March 16 that the state "may have lost sight of the fact that 'a union of government and religion tends to destroy government and to degrade religion'" in passing Arkansas Act 573.

The displays would violate students' and parents First Amendment rights, he said. The First Amendment bars the government from "respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

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"The law serves no educational purpose, as the State admits, and consequently deprives Plaintiffs of their rights," Brooks wrote.

Several civil liberties groups  Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, the ACLU, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation  and the New York-based law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are representing the plaintiffs, a group of multifaith families with children in Arkansas public schools.

The Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Conway, Lakeside, and Siloam Springs school districts are defendants in the case. The state of Arkansas, on behalf of Attorney General Tim Griffin, is listed as an intervenor in the case  a third party whos not part of the original lawsuit but requests to get involved.

Jeff LeMaster, Griffins communications director, said the office was reviewing the opinion and will appeal.

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Alan Wilbourn, a spokesperson for Fayetteville Public Schools, said the district would comply with the decision.

"Todays ruling is a resounding affirmation that public schools are not Sunday schools," ACLU of Arkansas Legal Director John C. Williams said in response to the ruling. "The Constitution protects every students right to learn free from government-imposed religious doctrine."

Brooks had earlier granted a preliminary injunction, a temporary measure that maintains the status quo until a court hears the merits of the case. It was issued one day before the law was set to take effect.

USA TODAY reached out to the involved school districts for comment.

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BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at bjfrank@usatoday.com.

USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arkansas school districts blocked from Ten Commandments displays
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Credit: Mark A. Garlick / markgarlick.com

Astronomers have used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to investigate a new type of planet. This molten lava world beyond the solar system likely smells like rotten eggs, and suggests that there is a much wider diversity of worlds beyond our solar system than previously recognized.

The extra-solar planet, or exoplanet, is designated L 98-59 d, and it orbits a small red star located about 35 light-years away. Data from the JWST and an array of Earth-based telescopes suggest that this exoplanet, which is around 1.6 times the size of the Earth, is extremely low-density. Its atmosphere is packed with hydrogen sulfide, a compound known for its distinct rotten egg stench.

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Under normal circumstances, L 98-59 d would either be classified as a rocky gas dwarf, with an atmosphere rich in hydrogen, or as a water-rich "hycean" ocean world. However, this exoplanet fits into neither category, justifying the creation of a new category of exoplanets replete with heavy sulfur molecules.

"This discovery suggests that the categories astronomers currently use to describe small planets may be too simple. While this molten planet is unlikely to support life, it reflects the wide diversity of the worlds which exist beyond the solar system," team leader Harrison Nicholls of the University of Oxford in the UK said in a statement . "We may then ask: what other types of planets are waiting to be uncovered?"

Oceans of magma

Nicholls and colleagues were able to use advanced computer simulations to retell the nearly 5 billion-year history of L 98-59 d. They then compared these models to actual telescope data to reconstruct what must be happening deep below the surface of this exoplanet.

They determined that L 98-59 d likely has a mantle of molten silicate, similar to the lava found on Earth, and an ocean of magma that spans the whole planet. This vast global magma ocean allows the exoplanet to lock away huge amounts of sulphur over vast periods of time. Sulfur-rich gases have then been released into the atmosphere of L 98-59 d over billions of years. This includes the sulfur dioxide and other sulfur-based molecules the JWST spotted in the planet's upper atmosphere.

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The magma reservoir may have also helped L 98-59 d hold on to its hydrogen and sulphur-rich atmosphere, preventing it from being lost to space as a result of bombardment of X-rays from its parent star.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, seen here in an artist's illustration | Credit: NASA GSFC/CIL/Adriana Manrique Gutierrez

Over billions of years, molecules have been exchanged between the planet's atmosphere and its interior, shaping it into the first world in a new class of gas-rich sulphurous planets sustaining long-lived magma oceans.

The team's simulations show that L 98-59 d was likely born with vast amounts of volatile material and may have once been a much larger sub-Neptune planet. The world likely shrank and cooled over billions of years, losing some, but not all, of its atmosphere.

"What's exciting is that we can use computer models to uncover the hidden interior of a planet we will never visit," team member Raymond Pierrehumbert of the University of Oxford said. "Although astronomers can only measure a planets size, mass, and atmospheric composition from afar, this research shows that it is possible to reconstruct the deep past of these alien worlds - and discover types of planets with no equivalent in our own solar system."
A Basij militia member patrols in Tehran following a US strike, March 5, 2026; illustrative. (photo credit: Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images)

Basij, a key paramilitary militia under the IRGC, has a violent history of suppressing protests, enforcing morality laws, and committing human rights abuses, including torture and sexual abuse.

The anti-regime protests across Iran, and the IDF announcing that it killed Basij paramilitary leader Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi, in strikes on Tuesday, have brought the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' militia back under the spotlight of media attention.

Basij, a Farsi word roughly translating as "Mobilization," is formally named the Sazman-e Basij-e Mostaz'afin, or "Organization for Mobilization of the Oppressed."

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It is a paramilitary militia formed of volunteers that makes up one of the five branches of the IRGC, along with the Ground Forces, Aerospace Force, Navy, and Quds Force, respectively.

Gholamreza Soleimai served as its commander from 2019 until he was killed by the IDF on Tuesday.

The group, founded by Islamic Revolution leader and then-supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini shortly after the revolution succeeded in deposing Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was initially formed of civilian volunteers, often from poor and tribal backgrounds, dissatisfied with Iran's economic and geopolitical issues, who Khomeini succeeded in recruiting to defend the nascent Islamic Republic from Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War.

Basij militia members during an anti-Israel march in Tehran, January 2025; illustrative. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)

In recent years, however, the group has been diverted to act as the regime's "Iron Fist," acting as an auxiliary force to suppress anti-regime activity, including protests, and acting as morality police, forming checkpoints and patrols throughout the country.

Basij has been linked with torture, rape of anti-regime activists

The militia has been linked with violent suppression methods and physically abusing anti-regime activists, including torture, rape, and other forms of violent and sexual abuse.

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Basij gained wider notoriety in the West during its suppression of the Green Revolution protests following a corruption controversy around the 2009 presidential election results. The militia was also used to suppress protests in 2017-2018.

More notably, the militia violently clamped down on anti-regime protests following the murder of Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Amini was beaten to death, allegedly for not wearing her hijab appropriately. Basij militia members have also "enforced" this "moral requirement" for Iranian women in public.

Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in June during the 12-day war, Basij increased its urban patrols, particularly during evening and overnight hours, claiming it was being deployed to "ensure security."

The militia has also been linked with the violent suppression of anti-regime protests across Iran since December, including threatening hospital staff who attempted to provide medical care to injured protesters. A large number of protesters who suffered injuries were likely injured by members of the militia due to their role in suppressing anti-regime acts.

Due to its position within the IRGC umbrella, Basij has been indirectly designated as a terror organization by the US, EU, Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and others.
Donald Trump boasted to reporters on Monday that he could do anything I want with Cuba  a remark that drew fierce backlash online and was slammed as batshit behavior from the President of the United States by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).

Fox News Peter Doocy asked the president whether his desire for regime change in the communist-led Caribbean island would involve a surprise seizure  like the U.S. capture of Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro  or a military campaign similar to his war in Iran.

Cant tell you that, Trump replied. I can tell you that theyre talking to us.

Trump: "I do believe I'll be having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form. I think I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth." pic.twitter.com/vOy9OoMgZB  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 16, 2026

Trump went on to describe Cuba as a failed nation with no money or oil, but praised its landscape and great people who are very entrepreneurial, adding that those who immigrated to Florida would be keen to return.

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He also falsely claimed Cuba is not in a hurricane zone, which is nice for a change because they wont be asking us for money for hurricanes every week. Cuba has been hit by dozens of hurricanes over the years, including 2001s Hurricane Michelle, which destroyed about 10,000 homes, and last years Hurricane Melissa, which damaged or destroyed more than 900,000.

Politics: A Reporter Asked JD Vance If He Was On Board With Iran War, And His Answer Was Interesting

Trump then said: All my life Ive been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I do believe Ill have the honor of taking Cuba. Thats a big honor.

Taking Cuba? asked Doocy.

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Taking Cuba in some form, you know, Trump replied. Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it. I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth.

He added that Cuba is a very weakened nation with very violent leaders.

This is batshit behavior from the President of the United States. https://t.co/kUm8FQa8Tt  Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) March 16, 2026

This is how fascists talk https://t.co/45o0oRhbia  MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) March 16, 2026

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

I can just TAKE it?!?

My goodness, he sounds less and less like an American president. https://t.co/eS25MHExNd  David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) March 16, 2026

Trump sounding more and more like the mafia bosses who got kicked out of Cuba in 1959 https://t.co/5nb7gxHVSf  Michael Paarlberg (@MPaarlberg) March 16, 2026

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This is nuts https://t.co/dJMBVDASgq  Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) March 16, 2026

This is how dictators talk https://t.co/1cIG4U9kOm  PatriotTakes  (@patriottakes) March 16, 2026

Cuba? Why youve barely finished your Iran and Venezuela. https://t.co/seABV08TH7  Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) March 16, 2026

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
This story has been updated to include discussion from Lane County Commissioner's March 17 meeting and to correct the size of O&C lands in Lane County

The Bureau of Land Management wants to increase logging in western Oregon and public comment is open on the proposal.

The "Oregon and California Revested Railroad Lands Act" from 1937 gives the BLM authority to govern 2.46 million acres of federal land in 18 western Oregon counties, including 585 square miles in Lane County.

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The BLM wants to rewrite the land management plan governing this area to increase timber harvesting in line with "historically higher levels of production" and the nation's need for domestic sources of timber and fiber."

According to the BLM, 267 million board feet of timber was harvested from these lands in 2025. From 1960 through 1989, the lands produced an annual average of 1,078 million board feet, before harvesting declined in 1990 in response to the northern spotted owl's endangered species listing.

A deer makes its way up a spur road on Bureau of Land Management land near Springfield..

The BLM said this quartering in harvests has been accompanied by a similar reduction in funding for county governments, which receive a share of revenue from these harvests.

The BLM argued returning timber harvests to pre-1990 levels would restore this revenue, reduce wildfire risk, and reduce the United States' reliance on imported timber.

BLM plans to draft timber harvest plan this year

Public comment is open on the BLM's website eplanning.blm.gov, Project Number DOI-BLM-ORWA-0000-2026-0001-RMP-EIS. March 23 is the last day to submit comment.

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The BLM has not yet written a new forest management plan. Rather, the agency is seeking public comment on "the scope of the analysis, potential alternatives and identification of relevant information, studies and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern" to take into account while writing this plan.

The agency plans to publish a draft plan June 12 and a final plan Nov. 6.

The BLM last substantially updated the plan governing these lands in 2016. At the time, the agency described the update as "consistent with the management direction" of the previous 1995 plan. It increased the amount of allowed timber harvest, but not dramatically, and also designated more acres as spotted owl habitat.

In a 2022 report, the BLM left the amount of allowed logging the same, stating a shift to salvage logging that took place following the 2020 wildfires would provide timber while letting other parts of the forest regrow.

A map of BLM-managed land around Eugene. Yellow = BLM administered O&C land, Gray = BLM administered non-O&C land, Red = Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.

Reactions to proposal to increase timber harvests

Tim Freeman is a Douglas County commissioner and president of the Association of O&C Counties, an organization which has long advocated for increased timber harvest on the BLM lands governed by this plan.

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Freeman called the BLM's initial step "fantastic news." He said increasing the allowed amount of timber harvest would "support family-wage jobs, provide funding for vital county services, and create healthy, working timberland" less susceptible to wildfire.

Monique DeSpain, a Republican congressional candidate from Eugene, also cheered the BLM's step forward.

"These lands were set aside to produce timber over the long term, and I am confident we can meet that responsibility while still protecting wildlife, water, and the overall health of the forest," she wrote in her comment to the BLM. "If we want stable rural economies, federal lands need a predictable and lawful management framework."

Nicole Brown, a Eugene resident and public engagement manager for the Outdoor Alliance, was concerned about what the BLM's proposal would mean for recreation in Oregon.

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Brown said a new forest management plan that prioritizes logging would deprioritize recreation opportunities on BLM land like Carpenter Bypass, Alsea Falls and Mary's Peak.

"We find this directive alarming," Brown said, while also calling the public comment period short. "We hope the BLM will be forced to open a proper comment period that engages stakeholders about what the community stands to lose should logging be expanded in these areas."

County commissioners choose to participate through AOCC

The BLM has asked federal, state, local and tribal governments to participate in developing the plan. At their March 17 meeting, Lane County commissioners chose to be one of these "cooperating agencies," and to designate the Association of O&C Counties as Lane County's representative.

According to county staff, BLM enlists participating agencies to identify issues to be addressed in the plan, collect and analyze data, and develop and evaluate alternatives. Lane County was a cooperating agency in developing the 2016 plan.

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Commissioners unanimously agreed to become a cooperating agency, but disagreed on who should represent Lane County in these conversations. The liberal commissioners wanted to designate county policy staff, saying they wanted the county to have a direct seat at the table.

"I have concerns that if we give it to another entity, they won't always be looking out for Lane County-specific issues," Commissioner Heather Buch said. "The issues from Lane County may differ from other counties and I want to see Lane County's issues at the top of the table."

But the board majority chose to designate AOCC, citing concerns for staff time, trust in the association, and a desire to advocate as part of a united voice with the other counties.

"Having a consolidated voice ... it really is effective in moving forward the issues of Lane County," Commissioner Pat Farr said. "I have seen no evidence ... of Association of O&C Counties deviating from what is best for Lane County. ... I see it as a duplication of effort, potentially a dilution of effort if we split off from Association of O&C counties."

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AOCC describes its mission as advocating "for sustained yield management of the O&C forests, as required by federal law under the O&C Act, to protect and support jobs and local economies, essential public services, and healthy resilient forests."

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached by email at atorres@registerguard.com, on X @alanfryetorres or on Reddit at u/AlfrytRG.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: BLM wants to increase timber harvests in Oregon
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is urging boaters to avoid Tuttle Creek Cove after a fuel tank from a commercial barge became submerged in the reservoir as strong winds whipped up the waves on the lake, the agency said in a news release.

At about 1: 45 p.m. Sunday, a tank holding about 1,800 gallons of diesel fuel became submerged in 20 feet of water at Tuttle Creek Lake, near Manhattan, Kansas, the Corps said.

The winds and waves are suspected to be the cause of the incident. No foul play is suspected.

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The Corps has activated its emergency response plan and is working with the contractor who owns the barge, along with the National Response Center and the State of Kansas, to assess and contain the fuel tank. Response crews, along with a dive team, are deploying to the lake to mitigate any environmental impact.

The public is advised to avoid boating in the cove until further notice.
A body found in a lake on the North Shore of Massachusetts on Tuesday afternoon is believed to be that of a man who vanished months ago, authorities said.

Preliminary information, including clothing, suggests that a body recovered from Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield is 45-year-old Jason Thomas, who was reported missing on Dec. 13, 2025, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Wakefield Police Chief Steven Skory.

Thomas is believed to have left his home on the night of Dec. 12, 2025, and when he failed to return home, his wife reported him missing to the Wakefield Police Department early the next morning.

A detective searching an area of the lake that had been previously frozen discovered the body around 12:30 p.m., according to Ryan and Skory.

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Wakefield officers, with the help of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, K9 units, and drones, had previously conducted an extensive search for Thomas.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will now determine the identity and the cause and manner of death.

Investigators noted that no foul play is suspected.

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In the Rockies segment (DJ and Williston Basin systems), Summit reported adjusted EBITDA of $27.8 million , down $1.2 million from the third quarter. The decline was attributed primarily to lower liquids volumes from natural declines, partially offset by modest natural gas volume growth. Liquids averaged about 66,000 barrels per day , down roughly 6,000 barrels per day sequentially, while natural gas averaged about 160 MMcf/d , up roughly 2 MMcf/d. Summit connected 33 new wells in the DJ Basin during the quarter, which management expects to reach peak production in the second quarter of 2026.

Available borrowing capacity at year-end was approximately $387 million , which included about $1 million of undrawn letters of credit.

Summit ended 2025 with net debt of approximately $930 million , and management discussed a pro forma net debt figure of approximately $890 million after a $40 million repayment of its asset-based lending facility tied to an expected $85 million distribution from a new Permian Transmission term loan. On that pro forma basis, management said leverage would be approximately 3.9x .

Capital expenditures totaled $19 million in the fourth quarter and $89 million for the full year, according to CFO William Mault.

Management said the company generated approximately $58.6 million of adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter, alongside $33.7 million of distributable cash flow and $17 million of free cash flow . For the full year, Summit reported approximately $243 million of adjusted EBITDA .

Summit Midstream Partners (NYSE:SMC) outlined fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results alongside an update on commercial activity at its Double E Pipeline and its 2026 outlook, emphasizing new long-term take-or-pay contracts, a refinancing at the Permian joint venture, and a multi-year organic growth framework.

Double E secured > 500 MMcf/d of new long-term take-or-pay commitments (including two 11+ year deals totaling 440 MMcf/d ) and expects ~ 1.6 Bcf/d firm capacity upon ramp, has launched a binding open season to expand mainline to ~ 2.4 Bcf/d , and sees Permian EBITDA growing toward $60 million by 2029 (potentially ~ $90 million+ by 2030 if expansion is fully commercialized).

Balance sheet and financing moves included net debt of ~$930 million (pro forma ~ $890 million , ~ 3.9x leverage), ~ $387 million of available borrowing capacity, and a $440 million Permian senior secured term loan that funded an $85 million distribution used to repay preferred dividends and reduce ABL borrowings.

Summit reported strong results with $58.6 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q4 and ~ $243 million of adjusted EBITDA for full-year 2025, and set 2026 guidance of $225$265 million adjusted EBITDA with $85$105 million of capex and an expected 116126 well connections.

Story Continues

 The S&P 500's 3 Best-Performing Stocks So Far in 2026

In the Permian Basin segment, which includes Summits 70% interest in the Double E Pipeline, the company posted adjusted EBITDA of $8.7 million, up modestly from the third quarter due to higher pipeline throughput. Double E volume throughput averaged 861 MMcf/d in the quarter.

The Piceance segment reported adjusted EBITDA of $10 million, down $2.5 million sequentially, which management attributed to a modest decline in throughput and deferred revenues recognized in the prior quarter.

The Mid-Con segment posted adjusted EBITDA of $21.5 million, down about $2.1 million, driven by lower throughput from natural declines across the Arkoma and Barnett systems. Summit connected six wells in the Arkoma and none in the Barnett during the quarter; after quarter-end, it connected six additional Arkoma wells. Management said there was one rig running behind the Arkoma system and approximately 20 drilled but uncompleted wells.

2026 guidance and well-connection outlook

Summit established 2026 guidance for adjusted EBITDA of $225 million to $265 million and total capital expenditures of $85 million to $105 million. The capex outlook includes:

$35 million to $50 million of base business growth capital

$15 million to $20 million of maintenance capital

~$35 million of contributions to the Double E joint venture

Mault said the expected Double E joint venture contributions are planned to be fully funded through the new term loan facility discussed on the call.

Operationally, management said it currently sees 7 rigs and approximately 90 DUCs behind its systems, supporting expected 2026 well connections of 116 to 126. Management said approximately 80% of expected well connections are crude oil-oriented, with the remaining 20% natural gas-oriented.

Guidance assumes average commodity prices in the mid-$60s for crude oil and approximately $3.40 per MMBtu for natural gas. Management noted recent upside movement in crude oil prices could accelerate customer activity and potentially improve product margin tied to certain percentage-of-proceeds contracts in the DJ Basin, but said the company used conservative assumptions in its outlook.

By area, Summit said it expects:

Rockies: 90-100 well connections, roughly split between the DJ and Williston; the company also expects to gather both crude and produced water for nine Williston wells (with an expected ~3:1 produced water-to-crude ratio).

Mid-Con: 26 well connections (nine Arkoma and 17 Barnett), with volumes expected to be relatively flat year-over-year based on the activity included in guidance.

Piceance: no new well connections in 2026, with continued declines expected; management also projected Piceance shortfall payments to decline by about $4 million, from $17 million in 2025 to approximately $13 million in 2026, and said MVC-related payments roll off in the third quarter of 2026.

Double E contracts, potential expansion, and refinancing

CEO Heath Deneke and Chief Commercial Officer Chris Tennant highlighted a series of commercial wins at Double E. Deneke said Summit recently signed two 11+ year transportation agreements totaling 440 MMcf/d of firm capacity and also received an affirmative final investment decision notice on a previously announced 200 MMcf/d Producers Midstream agreement. Tennant said Double E has secured over 500 MMcf/d of new long-term take-or-pay commitments over the past six months and, upon full ramp, expects approximately 1.6 Bcf/d of firm take-or-pay contracts.

Management said the new agreements also expand Double Es downstream connectivity with delivery points into the Transwestern Central Pool, the Hugh Brinson Pipeline, and a planned future connection with the Desert Southwest Pipeline.

With existing mainline capacity described as effectively full, Summit launched a binding open season to solicit commitments for a mainline compression expansion that could raise capacity by about 50% from 1.6 Bcf/d to roughly 2.4 Bcf/d. In response to a question on timing, Tennant described the project as having an estimated sub-3x build multiple and said an FID decision could occur as early as this summer if commitments progress as expected.

Summit said its Permian segment adjusted EBITDA is expected to grow from $34 million in 2025 to roughly $60 million by 2029 based on executed contracts, and Tennant added that if the expansion capacity is fully commercialized, the EBITDA contribution could increase to approximately $90 million or more by 2030.

On the financing side, Summit Permian Transmission entered into a new $440 million senior secured term loan maturing in March 2031, including $340 million funded at closing, a $50 million committed delayed draw facility, and a $50 million accordion feature. Management said proceeds repaid existing Permian Transmission debt and subsidiary preferred equity, and the transaction enabled an $85 million distribution to Summit. Summit plans to use the proceeds to repay approximately $45 million of accrued preferred dividends and reduce ABL borrowings by about $40 million.

Deneke said the preferred dividend repayment is an important step toward enabling a sustainable return of capital program for shareholders. During Q&A, he said that if the company reaches the high end of its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance range, leverage could be roughly 3.6x, and that a dividend policy could be considered over the next 12 months, depending on leverage and sustainability.

Separately, Tennant said Summit executed a new 10-year crude oil gathering agreement with a producer in Divide County, North Dakota. The agreement includes a dedication spanning more than 200,000 acres along Summits Polar and Divide systems. The first pad under the agreementfour three-mile lateralsis expected to be turned in line in early 2026.

About Summit Midstream Partners (NYSE:SMC)

Summit Midstream Partners is a publicly traded master limited partnership that provides gathering, compression, processing and transportation services for natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and crude oil in key U.S. onshore basins. The company's assets include a network of intrastate and interstate pipelines, processing plants, fractionators and storage facilities designed to serve producers, marketers and end users throughout the Appalachian, Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent and Western Canadian Sedimentary basins.

In the Appalachian region, Summit operates extensive gathering lines and multiple gas-processing complexes connected to the Mountaineer NGL Hub, one of the largest fractionation and storage hubs in the Mid-Atlantic.

The article "Summit Midstream Partners Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
A body found without a head or hands along a New York road nearly 56 years ago has been positively identified as a Pennsylvania man, authorities have announced.

The mans identity remained a mystery in the decades following the discovery of his body on Davis Hill Road in Andover on March 20, 1970, according to New York State Police.

After investigators revisited the cold case in June 2022, when his body was exhumed, police and the FBI used DNA collected from his remains to identify the man as Clyde A. Coppage, state police said in a Thursday, March 12, news release.

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Coppage, who was 35 when he died, had been living in Genesee, Pennsylvania, ahead of his death, police said. Genesee is located near the Pennsylvania-New York border.

Coppage was not originally from Andover, where his body was found, and had never been reported missing, according to state police.

Torso Serial Killer Richard Cottingham Admits to 1965 Murder of Alys Eberhardt

His Pennsylvania hometown is about a 15-mile drive southwest from Andover.

It is unclear who might have killed Coppage, as authorities have not specified any potential suspects.

The investigation into the death of Coppage remains open and active, state police said.

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Othram, a DNA lab and genetic genealogy company that helps authorities solve cold cases through forensic science, worked with investigators to confirm Coppages identity.

In addition to Coppage missing his head and hands, authorities also found an X carved onto Coppages chest when they located his body, according to a news release shared by DNASolves, a database run by Othram.

Authorities suspected he was possibly killed by an alleged gang, the release said.

Human Remains Found in Alabama Coal Bin Identified as Missing Man Who Vanished in 1988

Othram also recently helped New York investigators identify a suspect in the cold case murder of Barbara Waldman, the company confirmed in an email to Us Weekly.

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DNA evidence revealed that Waldman, a mother who was found dead inside her Long Island, New York, home in January 1974, was killed by a man named Thomas Generazio, according to authorities, Us previously reported.

Generazio died in 2004, when he was 57, the Nassau County Police Department said in a Wednesday, March 11 news release.

In a statement shared with Us on the deaths of both Waldman and Coppage, Othrams chief development officer Kristen Mittelman said that In both of the cases, families have been waiting for decades for answers and now they know more because of DNA technology."

Using DNA and forensic genetic genealogy, we're going to continue solving cases and giving families answers, Mittelman added.

New York State Police is asking anyone with information related to Coppage to call the agency at (585) 344-6200.
Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino, who became the face of the Trump administration's controversial immigration enforcement, plans to retire at the end of March, multiple news organizations reported on March 16.

In an interview with Breitbart Texas, Bovino, now a chief patrol agent along California's El Centro sector of the U.S.-Mexico border, announced he would be leaving the agency in the coming weeks, but has not yet submitted the required paperwork. CBS News, NBC News, and CNN, citing anonymous sources, also reported that Bovino is retiring after nearly three decades with Border Patrol.

"The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced," Bovino told Breitbart Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks next to U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli, Assistant Director in Charge at Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-Los Angeles Akil Davis, HUD Regional Administrator William Spencer, U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino and ICE Field Office Director Ernie Santacruz at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, Calif. on June 20, 2025. Chief patrol agent of the El Centro sector, Greg Bovino, stands on a street corner with federal agents after patrolling several tourist districts in the downtown area, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Ill. on Sept. 28, 2025. Greg Bovino, a roving Border Patrol operations commander leading President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the area, and U.S. federal agents walk through a neighborhood during an immigration raid, after Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in the East Side neighborhood of Waukegan, Ill. on Nov. 7, 2025. A woman blows a whistle in front of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, at a gas station, as immigration enforcement continues after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7, in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 21, 2026. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino leaves federal court at Dirksen Federal Building after his hearing in Chicago, Illinois, on Oct. 28, 2025. Bovino was ordered to appear in federal court for violating a temporary restraining order issued by District Judge Sara Ellis that orders immigration enforcement agents to limit use of tear gas and other crowd-suppression items except when there is an imminent threat. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino leaves a gas station while leading a raid in Metairie, Louisiana, on Dec. 3, 2025. The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday it has launched a federal immigration enforcement operation, named "Operation Catahoula Crunch," in the New Orleans, La. area. A protestor holds sign reading "Arrest Bovino," referring to US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, before a city council meeting at City Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Dec. 4, 2025. The US Department of Homeland Security announced on December 3 it has launched a federal immigration enforcement operation, named "Operation Catahoula Crunch," in the New Orleans, La. area. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino (C) looks at a supporter of immigration raids while conducting an operation in Kenner, La. on Dec.5, 2025. The US Department of Homeland Security announced on December 3 it has launched a federal immigration enforcement operation, named "Operation Catahoula Crunch," in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino (C-R) poses for photos with customers inside a gas station convenience store while conducting an immigration raid in Kenner, La. on Dec.5, 2025. The US Department of Homeland Security announced on December 3 it has launched a federal immigration enforcement operation, named "Operation Catahoula Crunch," in the New Orleans, La. area. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino (R) exits the convenience store of a gas station while conducting an immigration raid in Kenner, La. on Dec. 5, 2025. The US Department of Homeland Security announced on December 3 it has launched a federal immigration enforcement operation, named "Operation Catahoula Crunch," in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area. U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino pushes through a crowd of media and protesters as he enters the Dirksen Federal Building on Oct. 28, 2025, in Chicago, Ill. Bovino is appearing before U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis amid accusations that he and agents under his command have defied court limits on tear gas and other crowd control tactics during President Donald Trump's Operation Midway Blitz enforcement surge across Chicago and the suburbs. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino leaves federal court at Dirksen Federal Building after his hearing in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 28, 2025. Bovino was ordered to appear in federal court for violating a temporary restraining order issued by District Judge Sara Ellis that orders immigration enforcement agents to limit use of tear gas and other crowd-suppression items except when there is an imminent threat. U.S. Chief Border Patrol Agent, Gregory Bovino knocks on a door of a suspected undocumented immigrant while conducting an immigration enforcement operation in a neighborhood on Dec. 6, 2025 in Kenner, La. Federal agents are conducting 'Operation Catahoula Crunch,' launched by the Department of Homeland Security as a part of an immigration crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino patrols with fellow agents in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood on Dec. 16, 2025 in Chicago, Ill. The patrol through the city's southwest side and nearby suburbs was the most visible immigration enforcement activity in the area since the border patrol chief left the area last month. US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino argues with protesters near Roosevelt High School during dismissal time as federal immigration enforcement actions sparked protests in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 7, 2026. Clad in tactical gear with a helmet and hurling a tear gas canister at protesters, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino has become the public face of President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation campaign. US Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino holds a canister munition during an operation to detain a man in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan. 8, 2026. Clad in tactical gear with a helmet and hurling a tear gas canister at protesters, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino has become the public face of President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation campaign. US Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino walks to his vehicle at a gas station in Minneapolis, Minn. on Jan.21, 2026. Clad in tactical gear with a helmet and hurling a tear gas canister at protesters, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino has become the public face of President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation campaign. U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino looks on as he is confronted by community members on Jan.21, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal plus federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino speaks during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn.. Bovino, joined by ICE Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Marcos Charles, addressed ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the state. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal plus federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region. US Border Patrol Chief Bovino under fire after Minneapolis deaths 1 of 22 U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.

He added that watching agents "giving it their all in some of the most dangerous of environments we have ever faced was humbling."

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USA TODAY reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for comment. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to USA TODAY that Bovino "has not submitted any retirement paperwork."

His retirement plans coincide with the ousting of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, whose last day at the agency is March 31. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump fired Noem and appointed her special envoy for The Shield of the Americas, his initiative for security against narcotics trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.

Bovino emerged as a leading public face of the Trump administration's immigration operations over the past year, spearheading the militarized approach to immigration enforcement that has come to characterize the administration's efforts. His aggressive tactics and handling of operations in Minnesota, Chicago, and Los Angeles have drawn criticism from lawmakers and civil rights advocates.

SCOTUS to weigh in: Can Trump deport migrants coming from dangerous conditions?

Immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, Minneapolis

Bovino first drew a national spotlight when he led Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago. His high-profile moments in the nation's third-largest city included staging a raid on an apartment building using a Black Hawk helicopter; using chemical irritants on protesters in apparent violation of a judges order; and being ordered to appear in federal court, where a U.S. District Court judge scolded him for the tear-gassing incident.

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He drew further scrutiny after the shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during immigration operations in Minnesota. Bovino has repeatedly defended the tactics of immigration agents in Minneapolis, arguing that they were facing an angry public on the streets that he said interfered with their attempts at immigration enforcement.

Along with Noem, Bovino cast Pretti's killing as an act of self-defense by federal agents, and stated Pretti intended to harm officers without providing evidence to support the allegations.

'Appear to violate criminal statutes': Democrats call for DOJ to investigate if Kristi Noem lied to Congress

In late January, the White House announced that border czar Tom Homan was being sent to the state as the Trump administrations new point person for immigration enforcement operations. Bovino was returned to his former role as a Border Patrol sector chief in El Centro, California.

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Homan held talks with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and set a less confrontational tone. In February, Homan announced that he was sending home hundreds of agents but noted that immigration enforcement would continue in the state.

Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, Fernando Cervantes Jr., James Powel, Trevor Hughes, Michael Loria, and Terry Collins, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gregory Bovino, outspoken Border Patrol official, plans to retire
Gregory Bovino, the U.S. Border Patrol head who became the face of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown, will retire at the end of the month, two Customs and Border Protection officials told NBC News.

Bovino was removed from his role as CBP commander at large in January and returned to his role as Border Patrol sector chief in El Centro, California. The move came after the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and aggressive immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, Chicago and Los Angeles.

His exit coincides with the date Trump announced would be Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems last day in the job. In Bovino's position as commander, he reported directly to Noem and her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski.

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Bovino was also eligible for retirement and one year away from the mandatory retirement age in CBP of 57.

Bovino and his agents were visible presences in Chicago and its suburbs last year. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune via Getty Images file) (Armando L. Sanchez)

An email obtained by NBC News showed Bovino was frustrated in Chicago in the fall when he was told to conduct targeted arrests rather than full scale immigration enforcement.

CBS News was first to report his plans to retire.

Bovino and other CBP agents were removed from Minneapolis, where he had been overseeing Operation Metro Surge, in January.

He was featured in Hollywood-style movie posters and video mashups as the White House sought to promote its crackdown in Chicago, which Bovino led. His tactics, including throwing gas canisters into crowds of protesters, led to a lawsuit in Chicago and clashes with other administration officials.

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He was chastised by a federal judge after using chemical agents in residential neighborhoods, violating a judge's order to curb their use. The judge called Bovino back into court after finding he repeatedly lied about threats posed by immigrants and protesters. In one incident, he claimed he threw a gas canister after he was hit by a rock. But he had to walk back the claim after video evidence contradicted him.

Good and Pretti, both 37, were killed by federal officers as Bovino waged the Minneapolis immigration crackdown.

Good was shot three times, including in the head, on Jan. 7 as she moved her vehicle during an encounter with ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Pretti's death followed on Jan. 24, when two CBP officers fired their guns multiple times at Pretti, according to a Department of Homeland Security report. It was not clear from the report whether shots from both guns hit Pretti.

Well before overseeing the Minneapolis operation, Bovino conducted sweeping immigration arrests in Los Angeles at immigrants' workplaces and residences, beginning in the Fashion District. In one incident, Bovino's agents popped out of a rental truck in a Home Depot parking lot to arrest day laborers.

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The arrests sparked five days of protests that led Trump to call in the National Guard and Marines. The administration also allowed Bovino to deploy his tactics in New Orleans and in Charlotte and other parts of North Carolina.

Prior to taking on the national role, Bovino was sued and accused of using similar tactics in California's Kern County against agriculture workers, leading to the arrests of several people, including at least one U.S. citizen. The administration was transitioning at the time.

In the lawsuit, people subjected to the tactics said they were pulled from cars and targeted for their appearance and skin color, among other allegations. The lawsuit also alleged that in that operation, border officials used trickery to get people to leave the country.

When previously asked for comment about the lawsuit, Customs and Border Protection, which includes Border Patrol, emailed a response attributed to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson that said Border Patrol enforcement actions are highly targeted.

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When we discover any alleged or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and cooperate fully with any criminal or administrative investigations, the spokesperson also said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Gov. Mike Braun revealed a new economic development initiative Tuesday aimed at creating 100,000 high-wage agriculture and life sciences jobs over the next decade.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will commit $1 billion in tax credits over 10 years toward jobs in agriculture and life sciences.

The commitment is the first of its kind targeting specific industries following an executive order from Braun last year directing Indianas 15 economic regions to submit formal growth plans to boost economies, per capita income and educational attainment.

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Indiana is the leader in life sciences, Braun said. We are the premier destination for human therapeutics, animal health, agri-tech, biotechnology and environmental innovation.

He designated the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority, or CIRDA, as the first regional steward to coordinate and execute the initiative. The region is already home to global companies like Eli Lilly, Elanco Animal Health and Corteva Agriscience.

Indiana will be an epicenter for reshoring and expansion in this area, Braun said.

The regional initiative is an outgrowth of the earlier Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI, which focused on quality of place projects.

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The governor recognized that the state is not one economy, but a series of regional economies, Commerce Secretary David Adams said.

Adams toured the 15 regions last year to see how well the counties and cities were aligned economically.

I asked each of the regions to identify your strategy, focus on the industries that are core strengths to your economy, he said.

Central region first up

CIRDA is the first region to come forward with a growth strategy, which ties together the regions human, animal and plant health sectors.

Central Indiana is a unique ecosystem  we have the ability to discover it, we have the ability to make it, we have the ability to move it, and we also have the ability to apply it or heal it around health care, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said.

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Conditional tax credits awarded through the initiative can only support jobs that pay at least 125% of the county median wage, Adams said.

The $1 billion commitment accounts for about one-third of the IEDCs available tax credits, Adams said.

Braun explained the initiatives focus on agriculture and life sciences, citing the industrys high wages.

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Its a growth industry. Other states are trying to corner that market, he said.

University presidents and industry executives attended Tuesdays event and praised the initiative.

The life sciences sector in Indiana is an important driver of economic success, creating jobs and opportunities for Hoosiers while delivering innovative health solutions, Stephen Ferguson, chairperson of the Cook Group, said in a statement.

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This announcement by Gov. Braun will position the state to capitalize on our strengths and facilitate more growth for future years to come.

Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, said Indianas continued prosperity depends on creating an environment in which employers can grow and people can build careers.

Gov. Braun recognizes this, and the states new investment in agriculture and life sciences advances a clear signal that Indiana is serious about competing forand winningthe race for talent attraction and the next generation of private-sector growth.

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A Brazilian national living in Boston illegally has admitted to his role in a scheme to get fake drivers licenses for hundreds of people living in the country illegally.

Gabriel Nascimento De Andrade, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully produce and possess with intent to transfer identification documents, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement.

U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for April 9.

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Nascimento De Andrade is the third person to plead guilty in the case. He was charged in December 2024 along with four co-conspirators.

Dominican national extradited to US for role in elder fraud ring that victimized Mass. seniors

Cesar Agusto Marin Reis was sentenced to 290 days in prison in September, and Helbert Costa Generoso was sentenced to 9 months in prison in October.

From November 2020 through September 2024, prosecutors said Nascimento De Andrade and his co-conspirators fraudulently procured drivers licenses for illegal alien customers who lived in states that prohibited illegal aliens from obtaining drivers licenses.

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Before July 2023, illegal aliens living in Massachusetts were not allowed to obtain Massachusetts drivers licenses. Beginning in 2019, illegal aliens residing in New York became eligible to obtain New York drivers licenses.

Gabriel Nascimento De Andrade and his co-conspirators conspired to fraudulently obtain New York drivers licenses for illegal alien customers who did not reside in New York, including Massachusetts residents, and after July 2023 to fraudulently obtain Massachusetts drivers licenses for illegal alien customers who did not reside in Massachusetts, Foley said.

Leader of massive drug trafficking ring on the North Shore gets time in federal prison

The co-conspirators collected money from the customers in exchange for fraudulently obtaining the drivers licenses for them.

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In one instance, prosecutors said on April 24, 2024, Nascimento De Andrade requested and accepted $450 in cash from a customer in the parking lot of a Plymouth RMV branch location, in return for providing the customer with a fake cable bill to provide to the RMV, falsely showing that the customer lived at an address in Massachusetts.

In New York, before obtaining a drivers license, applicants were required to pass a written permit test and complete drivers education coursework from a New York driving school. Online permit test-takers were required by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles to take a picture of themselves with a web camera during the test.

This was to ensure that the test-taker was indeed the applicant and that there was not a person sitting with and helping the applicant with the test.

To avoid the customers having to take the permit tests, prosecutors said Gabriel Nascimento De Andrade and his alleged co-conspirators conspired to obtain several pictures of the customers sitting down, making it look as if the customers were taking the tests.

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They also allegedly conspired to complete the permit tests for the customers online. When prompted by the New York DMV to take pictures during the tests, they also allegedly conspired to upload the pictures that the customers previously provided, purporting to show that it was the customers who were taking the tests, not the defendants.

The co-conspirators allegedly conspired to create fraudulent drivers education certificates of completion, purportedly from New York driving schools, and they conspired to forge the signatures of driving school staff on the fake certificates and to give these documents to the customers to provide to the New York DMV.

The New York DMV also required that applicants appear at a NY DMV location and provide documents to prove their identity and residence in New York.

The co-conspirators allegedly conspired to meet Massachusetts-based customers at locations in Massachusetts  typically several customers at a time  and drive them to New York DMV branch locations.

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When they arrived at the New York DMV locations, prosecutors said the defendants allegedly gave the customers fraudulent documents falsely purporting to demonstrate that the customers resided in New York. The New York DMV relied on the misrepresentations to issue New York driving permits to the customers.

The co-conspirators allegedly conspired to arrange for the New York DMV to mail the permits to locations in New York that were controlled by the defendants and provided the permits to the customers in person.

The defendants then allegedly conspired to schedule road driving license tests for the customers with the NY DMV and, again, drive the customers to New York for them to take the road tests.

If the customers passed the tests, the New York DMV sent the drivers licenses to mailing addresses in New York that the defendants allegedly controlled, and the defendants then provided the licenses to the customers.

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Prosecutors said they allegedly conspired to obtain Massachusetts drivers licenses for out-of-state residents, in generally the same manner as they allegedly obtained the New York licenses for Massachusetts residents.

Collectively, Nascimento De Andrade and his co-conspirators fraudulently applied for licenses for more than 1,000 customers, obtained licenses for more than 600 of the customers, and collected at least hundreds of thousands of dollars, prosecutors said.

For the charge of conspiracy to unlawfully produce and possess with intent to transfer identification documents, Nascimento De Andrade faces up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Despite continued traffic concerns raised by Manatee County commissioners and residents, Lorraine Road improvements are still years from reality.

While debating recent projects like the new high school coming to Lakewood Ranch and the Penler affordable housing project, some commissioners raised concerns about Lorraine Roads ability to handle more traffic. But the countys plan to expand the north-south road between State Road 64 and State Road 70 is at a standstill.

According to a spokesperson for Manatee County Government, the project design to take Lorraine from two lanes to four is complete. Construction costs are estimated to be more than $117 million, but there is no funding for this project in the countys five-year plan.

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When the Board of County Commissioners discussed the countys Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in September, they voted 6-1 to adjust some projects. Commissioner Bob McCann  whose district includes Lorraine Road  voted against the changes that kept funding away from the Lorraine Road enhancements.

Well, obviously, Id like to see Lorraine Road built before I become a spirit in the sky, McCann said at the September meeting. And it seems like it keeps getting pushed back and pushed back and pushed back.

When reached for comment, McCann said Lorraine Road continues to be his top priority but, the project to make Lorraine Road four lanes might not come until 2031.

It really does need to be built. It is not only a safety issue, but, the thing isif you put any more cars on that road, youre going to just have gridlock, McCann said.

Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann speaking during a public meeting on June 17, 2025. (Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com)

He said, with the new high school planned nearby, and developments continuing to be approved around Lorraine Road, he hopes Lorraine Road will become a higher priority for the county.

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Im going to push for it as much as I can, McCann said, adding that the upcoming elections might also bring new commissioners..

Commissioner Jason Bearden and the late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts routinely voiced the same concerns as McCann about the capacity of Lorraine Road, urging the need for an expansion before more development is added around the road.

Lorraine Road funding remains uncertain

The countys CIP is a five-year plan that allocates funding to large projects like new government buildings, roads and flood management.

According to Ogden Clark, a communications coordinator for the county, there are no funds in the CIP for Lorraine Road. That means no funding has been identified from fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2030.

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However, the board evaluates the CIP every year and can adjust or remove projects.

This annual exercise means there is a possibility that the full project, or segments of it, could be funded during that process before 2031, Clark said in an email to the Bradenton Herald.

In September, the board voted on a restructure of the CIP, which did not include funding for Lorraine Road.

New Manatee County housing developments are pictured along Lorraine Road, where county officials say the road is ready for expansion, but the $117 million project may not happen for another 5 years. Lorraine Road is pictured on March 10, 2026. (Tiffany Tompkins/ttompkins@bradenton.com)

Instead, theres funding for other projects like roundabouts at Carter Road and Sawgrass Road, 60th Avenue East improvements and bridge replacements. Commissioners considered four funding options for the CIP, one of which included fully funding the Lorraine Road expansion. To do so, the board would have needed to cut 32 other projects from the funding plan.

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Kruse said he preferred the CIP funding go toward maintaining existing projects rather than building new ones.

You cant build new assets until youve proven youve got the financial wherewithal and ability to maintain the stuff youve already built, Kruse said. Thats doing a disservice to this community.

Others, like Commissioner Tal Siddique, wondered if impact fees could help fund Lorraine Road in the future.

How much of Lorraine could we fund with just impact fees? Because were increasing them significantly. And if were putting money into this projectwith the argument that growth is the reason for this widening, then growth should pay for it, Siddique said.

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Scott May, an engineer for Manatee County Government, said the option the board chose was the most cost-effective, but said Lorraine Road is still a project thats needed in the future. He agreed that impact fees could help bring the improvements to fruition sooner.

The only reason is, not saying that Lorraine isnt something that needs to be done out here, but at the cost of what it is, at 50% of the budgetyou take away too much for one project at the moment, May said at the September meeting.
(The Center Square)  A staff member of California Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced County, physically blocked The Center Square Monday from approaching the senator and asking questions about her recent bill concerning child abuse cases.

The reporter, who was wearing her press credentials, was waiting in a common area at the Capitol when Caballero and a staff member exited an elevator. At the same time, another staff member left her and her staff's office, and he entered the hallway that leads to Caballero's office. This was the staff member who blocked the reporter from approaching Caballero in the hallway as the senator headed toward the office, which was around the corner.

The staffer in question would not give his name but said Caballeros staff made it clear she would not answer questions about her bill, Senate Bill 1143. The Center Square also tried to ask questions of Caballero about her bill during a Senate floor session scheduled for Monday afternoon. She declined to answer questions during and after that floor session on Monday.

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The Center Square also attempted to reach out to Caballeros communications director earlier in the day by phone and email, but those phone calls and emails went unreturned as of Monday afternoon. Communications directors or press secretaries are often a lawmaker's first point of contact for journalists.

Caballero's legislation, Senate Bill 1143, would require the release of videos in which a child is interviewed in cases involving child abuse to child welfare agencies. The bill was introduced on Feb. 18. It's new enough that there's isn't a legislative analysis succinctly explaining the bill.

The Center Square also reached out to several law enforcement agencies throughout California on Monday, but most did not respond to The Center Square before deadline.

The Kern County Sheriffs Office said through a spokesperson that the office has not taken a stance on the bill. Organizations in the social service and social work space like the National Association of Social Workers did not respond to The Center Square on Monday.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Canada was not consulted over the U.S-Israeli strikes on Iran that sparked the war in the Middle East and has no intention of participating in any offensive military operation, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Tuesday.

In a brief telephone interview with The Associated Press ahead of talks in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Anand stressed Canadas priority was the de-escalation of the conflict and the protection of civilians.

Anand arrived in Turkey for consultations on the situation in the region as the war rages on.

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U.S. President Donald Trump called last week on NATO allies and major powers to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the alliance faces a very bad future if they refuse. Iran has blocked the waterway since the war began, driving up fuel prices and disrupting global supply chains and travel.

Canada was not consulted, did not participate in the military action, and has no intention of participating in the offensive military operation, Anand said. Our foreign policy is focused on de-escalation and the protection of civilians and humanitarianism generally.

The minister added that in a meeting with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, both agreed that de-escalation is of the utmost priority and that the war in the Middle East needs to end in the interests of civilian lives.

Since the start of the war, NATO air defense systems have intercepted three ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward Turkeys airspace. The action forced the alliance to deploy an additional Patriot missile defense system on Turkish territory.

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Fidan, in an interview with the AP earlier this week, said Turkeys top priority is to remain outside of the conflict and ruled out a military response at this stage, saying NATOs defenses were effective.

Asked whether Canada would get involved if a NATO country was attacked, Anand said: We will take all decisions concerning the alliance in conjunction with the alliance.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney initially backed the strikes on Iran but later said he supported them with some regret as they represented an extreme example of a rupturing world order.

Anand insisted there was no change in Canadas foreign policy.

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It has been our long-standing position that Iran is a destabilizing force in the Middle East and in particular, Irans proliferation of its nuclear capacity, she said. Anand said Carneys reversal wasnt about abandoning that stance, but about supporting regional stability, backing the Gulf states that have come under attack and prioritizing civilians and infrastructure.

The Canadian minister also expressed concerns over the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying it was the Lebanese people who are bearing the brunt of the ongoing war.

Canada, alongside France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, issued a statement on Monday warning of the grave consequences of escalating violence in Lebanon. The statement said a significant Israeli ground offensive could lead to devastating humanitarian consequences and protracted conflict must be averted.

And we very much are concerned with Hezbollahs attacks on Israel and the targeting of civilians, Anand said. We want to ensure that there is meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution.
For a year, Rhode Island bars and restaurants had the opportunity to secure a license from the states former Office of Cannabis Regulation to sell intoxicating THC-infused beverages despite state regulations that prohibit them from being combined with alcohol, tobacco, or nicotine.

Over 100 licensed retailers obtained a license between August 2024 and July 2025 when the Cannabis Control Commission put the brakes on issuing any new licenses to establishments that allow onsite consumption of alcohol in furtherance of public health and safety.

Now as regulators race to codify rules to catch up with the marketplace, the association representing the states hospitality industry is voicing strong opposition to the commissions recommendation that lawmakers codify a ban on the sale of THC drinks at venues with a liquor license.

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Theyre assuming were not going to follow the law, Farouk Rajab, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association, said in an interview Monday.

Rajab said he was disappointed to see the commission recommend a ban in its final report submitted to the General Assembly on March 1. But he was not shocked that it still made the cut.

I think decisions are already made even before the listening sessions, he said. This is targeting an industry, thats all.

The 11-page report details Rhode Islands existing rules governing hemp-derived beverages, along with recommendations over labeling, testing, and taxing the products.

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Carla Aveledo, chief of policy for the commission, said no one single industry was being targeted.

All retailers selling intoxicating hemp products should be held to similar high safety standards as cannabis retailers, she said.

Hemp became legal at the federal level after the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, with drinks hitting the market in Rhode Island as regulators were crafting rules for awarding licenses for retail cannabis establishments. Regulations allowing the drinks sale were approved by the former Office of Cannabis Regulation in 2024, rules that have since been adopted by the states Cannabis Office.

But the proliferation of hemp-derived THC drinks led to a debate on whether they should even be legal at all in Rhode Island. Members of the states recreational cannabis industry have been largely opposed to allowing THC products to be sold outside the few existing licensed pot shops.

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Which is why the General Assembly last year tasked the Cannabis Control Commission to come up with suggestions on how to deal with hemp-derived drinks, most of which are produced out-of-state.

Rajab said the association created training modules that allow for safe handling of the drinks. The online course details how the brains receptors react to cannabis, onset times, and how to prevent overconsumption of THC.

The associations module even instructs hospitality workers to never serve THC drinks with alcohol.

Mixing THC-infused beverages with alcohol can lead to unpredictable and unsafe situations, it states. As a server, it is your responsibility to discourage customers from consuming THC beverages alongside alcoholic drinks. Educate them on the risks and promote safer consumption practices to ensure their well-being.

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Drinks are often sold in packs of four cans in liquor stores. State regulations limit the serving of 1 milligram of THC per drink and no more than 5 milligrams of THC per package.

Rajab said rather than ban restaurants from selling drinks, the state should codify regulations to guide the hospitality industry. He pointed to Minnesota, which has allowed drinks to be sold at liquor stores, grocery stores, and bars since 2023.

Its served safely there, he said.

The commissions report similarly highlights how Lower-Potency Hemp Edibles are regulated in the land of 10,000 lakes. For a bar in Minnesota to serve hemp-derived products, it must obtain an on-site consumption endorsement, which is selected when completing the license application.

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But even Minnesota regulators admit theres a big question mark as to whether drinks will continue to be sold after federal restrictions regulating hemps potency are scheduled to take effect in November.

That kind of threw the entire industry nationwide through a loop, Jim Walker, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, told Rhode Island Current. If we do get to November and theres no safety net involved, we as an office would help to offramp a lot of these businesses.

Congress is considering legislation that would delay enforcement of the ban for two years, which could still allow THC-derived drinks to be sold.

Aveledo said Rhode Islands Cannabis Control Commission continues to monitor federal hemp policy and acknowledged it may impact regulators plans to update the states hemp rules.

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The Commission intends to draft updates to the hemp regulations in 2026, she said. However, recent federal activity and future actions remain uncertain, which may delay the regulatory drafting to early 2027 to ensure our framework is fully informed and strategically aligned.

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There is a potential risk of higher handset subsidies with new device launches, although the company has managed this well in the past.

Cash and cash equivalents declined year-over-year, primarily due to momo's use of cash flow for CapEx and dividend payments.

Taiwan Mobile Co Ltd ( TPE:3045 ) announced a cash dividend of TWD4.8 per share, a 7% increase from the previous year, with a payout ratio over 100% and a dividend yield of approximately 4.5%.

The Telco+ segment saw a 26% revenue increase in 2025, driven by government SI projects and the launch of an AI data center business.

5G penetration reached 44%, contributing to a 10% year-over-year growth in 5G revenue, which now accounts for 68% of total mobile service revenues.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Could you explain why our bottom line for full year 2025 is growing faster than EBITDA and revenue? A: Our bottom line is growing faster mainly due to operating leverage and merger synergies. We have been able to extract efficiencies through AI implementation, which has improved our operational leverage. - Jamie Lin, General Manager, Director

Q: Can you elaborate on the interest expenses mentioned? A: Interest expenses increased year-over-year due to the issuance of convertible bonds in 2025. However, this is recorded on a non-cash accrual basis. - George Chang, Chief Financial Officer

Q: What is the current IT capacity at your AI data center, and what are your future plans for this business? A: We launched a 25-megawatt AI data center in Northern Taiwan in Q3 last year, which received strong customer feedback. We plan to expand capacity through partnerships with data center developers, minimizing our direct capital expenditure. - Jamie Lin, General Manager, Director

Q: How do higher device prices impact handset subsidies with new device launches? A: Despite rising iPhone Pro series prices, our unit subsidy as a percentage of MSRP has been decreasing. We have effectively managed the rising handset price environment, and this trend is expected to continue. - Jamie Lin, General Manager, Director

Q: With a dividend payout ratio over 100%, where is the funding for the excess coming from? A: The excess payout is funded from the paid-in capital reserve. Starting next year, we expect to use less from this reserve as our legal reserve requirements will be fulfilled. - George Chang, Chief Financial Officer

Q: Why was the 2025 cash CapEx higher than the guidance, and what should we expect for 2026? A: The higher cash CapEx in 2025 was due to momo's distribution center payment, which was budgeted in accrued CapEx. For 2026, while guidance is on an accrued basis, cash CapEx is expected to be similar. - George Chang, Chief Financial Officer

Q: What is the outlook for dividends going forward? A: Historically, our dividend payout has exceeded EPS, and we aim to maintain a similar payout level. Last year's payout was 99%, and this year is 101%, indicating a consistent approach. - George Chang, Chief Financial Officer

Q: How are you managing the potential impact of higher handset subsidies due to new device launches? A: We have managed to keep unit subsidies as a percentage of MSRP stable or decreasing, despite rising device prices, and we expect to continue this trend. - Jamie Lin, General Manager, Director

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
A woman who died after being rescued from a three-alarm house fire in Southbridge last week is being remembered for being a loving mother and grandmother.

Elizabeth P. Haight died as a result of a fire that broke out at her home at 417 South St. on March 9, authorities said previously. Her death at a hospital the following day was just four days after her 69th birthday.

Remembering Elizabeth Haight

Haight was born in Los Angeles on March 6, 1957, to George and Pauline Morris, according to her obituary.

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Haight was married to her husband, John Jack Haight, for 30 years before his death in 2021. Elizabeth Betty Hallinan, a family friend, described the couple as best friends in her comment on Haights online guestbook.

[Haight] had a way of making everyone feel special, and no one ever seemed to leave her home empty-handed, her obituary reads.

Haight leaves behind her two sons, Enrique and Anthony Poletta, her daughter, Angela Penny, and three stepchildren.

As a mother, she was always there to cheer you on, to believe in you, and to remind you that you were loved, her obituary reads. She was beautiful, full of life, and loved to dance.

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Haight will also be remembered by her two sisters and eight grandchildren.

NeNe, as she was so lovingly called by her grandchildren, was the heart of her family and the very definition of unconditional love, her obituary reads. Her grandchildren were the loves of her life, and she made every moment with them feel magical, whether it was with ice cream, chocolate milk, or stories filled with fairies and faraway fairytale lands.

Calling hours for Haight are scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home in Southbridge. A funeral service is set to follow at the funeral home at 11 a.m.

How Elizabeth Haight died

Southbridge firefighters responded to Haights South Street home just after 3 p.m. on March 9 and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the windows. Soon after, neighbors informed first responders that a first-floor resident was still inside.

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Firefighters made their way into the house to search for the resident and located Haight. She was taken to Harrington Hospital in Southbridge in critical condition and later flown by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where she died.

Firefighters brought the fire under control by 3:30 p.m., and no further injuries were reported. Fire investigators determined that the fire was accidental and began in the homes first-floor kitchen.

Fire investigators also discovered that there were no working smoke alarms in the house at the time of the fire. Haight is the eighth person to die in a fire at a Massachusetts home with no functional smoke alarms this year, according to State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

More news from Central Massachusetts

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The chief justice of the United States, John Roberts, said on Tuesday that hostility directed in personal terms at judges is dangerous, and its got to stop.

The comment came just days after Donald Trumps latest social media broadside against judges who have ruled against him and his administration.

Roberts did not mention the US president by name in his remarks at an event at Rice University in Houston. But Roberts, who has led the court for more than two decades, said that while criticism of judicial decisions is welcome and often healthy, attacks of a personal nature against judges cross a line.

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Related: Supreme court to consider Trump push to end protection status for Haitians and Syrians

The problem sometimes is that the criticism can move from a focus on legal analysis to personalities, and you see  that its more directed in a personal way, Roberts said. And that, frankly, can be quite dangerous.

He added: Judges around the country work very hard to get it right. And if they dont, their opinions are subject to criticism. But personally directed hostility is dangerous and its got to stop.

Trump and senior members of his Republican administration have heaped scorn on judges who have issued a series of rulings impeding his political agenda since his return to the presidency last year. The president in a social media post on Sunday resumed his criticism of federal judge James Boasberg, based in Washington DC, who last week blocked subpoenas issued in a criminal investigation into the chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, pursued by Trump-appointed prosecutor and high-profile political ally Jeanine Pirro.

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Trump called for Boasbergs removal from any cases relating to the presidency, adding that the judge should suffer serious disciplinary action along with numerous other corrupt judges.

Trump last year called for Boasbergs impeachment by Congress and referred to him as radical left after Boasberg issued an adverse ruling against the administration that attempted to block the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador because of lack of due process.

Roberts then issued a rare rebuke to the president and describe impeachment as not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.

Roberts and the other conservative justices who hold a 6-3 majority on the supreme court have sided with Trump in a series of emergency rulings in the past year.

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The court, however, last month struck down his sweeping global tariffs as unlawful, in a ruling written by Roberts. Trump in his social media post on Sunday renewed his attacks on the six justices who ruled against his imposition of the tariffs under a law meant for national emergencies.

Immediately after that ruling, Trump lashed out at those six justices  including two whom he appointed during his first term as president, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett  while hailing the three justices who backed him: Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh.

I think its an embarrassment to their families, you want to know the truth, the two of them, Trump said, referring to Gorsuch and Barrett.

Trump in those remarks also claimed that the court has been swayed by foreign interests, but did not provide any evidence.

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Roberts in his 2024 end-of-year report said violence, intimidation, disinformation and threats to defy lawfully entered judgments threaten the independence of judges on which the rule of law depends.

Reuters contributed reporting
NEED TO KNOW

A middle school girl was left unconscious at school after overdosing on fentanyl in the school bathroom, authorities allege

The child found the drugs at home and took them to school, authorities allege

Her caregivers were arrested and face felony charges in connection with the overdose, according to authorities

A Florida couple is facing criminal charges after a teenager in their care brought fentanyl she allegedly found on her bathroom sink to school, overdosed and almost died.

The near-deadly incident unfolded on the morning of Tuesday, March 10, when deputies responded to a call from LA Ainger Middle School in Rotunda West about a student who was not breathing, the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

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When deputies arrived, they found the school nurse administering CPR to the student, who was unconscious.

Quickly determining that the student was likely suffering from an overdose, the deputies administered one dose of Narcan, which yielded positive results, the statement said.

She was then rushed to a local hospital. Deputies ultimately learned the substance the student overdosed on was fentanyl, per the statement.

During the ensuing investigation, detectives learned that the teens caregiver Joshua Lee Sanders, 40, of Punta Gorda, had a small container of fentanyl in the home, which the child brought to school, according to the statement.

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Detectives learned that Sanders and another caregiver, Courtney Delaney, 34, of Englewood, had argued about the deadly drug being in the house prior to this incident on numerous occasions, the statement alleges.

On the day of the alleged overdose, the child found the container on the bathroom sink of the home where she was living and placed it into her backpack before heading to school.

While at school, she brought the container into the classroom bathroom and placed a small amount on her finger, and then onto her tongue.

The effects were near-immediate, with the student barely returning to class before losing consciousness, the statement said.

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That day, Sanders and Delaney were arrested in connection with the alleged overdose.

Sanders and Delaney were each arrested on one count of child neglect resulting in great bodily harm and two counts of neglect without great bodily harm, due to other children in the home.

Sanders bond is set for $450,000, while Delaneys bond is $25,000. The student's relationship with either of them was not immediately clear.

Brandy Sanders, the children's aunt, told Gulf Coast News that her 12-year-old niece is doing okay and is being monitored at a behavioral center.

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.

This could have ended very, very differently if not for the fast actions taken by the school nurse and other staff, as well as my deputies.," said Sheriff Bill Prummell in the statement. "It is inexcusable and unforgivable that this child was able to access this poison so easily, and thats why these arrests were made."

It is unclear whether Sanders and Delaney have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.

Read the original article on People
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to choose Democratic and Republican nominees for offices ranging from the U.S. Senate and governor to the state legislature and county positions, bringing to a close an expensive and often clamorous primary campaign season.

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and those planning to vote in the morning will get a wake-up call from the weather.

Election Day looks blustery and cold but precipitation free, retired broadcast meteorologist Tom Skilling told the Tribune. Unseasonably cold  highs only in the low to mid-20s  and moderately windy, especially in the morning. Voters will have to bundle up.

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Skillings forecast calls for temperatures of around 10 degrees at daybreak and a high of 21 in the afternoon. But he said, wind chills at Election Days open (will be) around 5 below, warming to 10 above Tuesday afternoon.

The forecast portends the possibility of lower turnout among Election Day voters, who traditionally lean more Republican and tend to support President Donald Trumps opposition to early voting and voting by mail, practices largely embraced by Democrats.

In Chicago, early and mail voting resulted in 188,057 ballots already received ahead of Tuesday  vastly outpacing previous mid-presidential-term elections.

The total compares to the 115,761 ballots received by the Chicago Board of Elections by the day prior to the June 27, 2022, primary and the 131,298 ballots submitted by the day before the March 19, 2018, primary, board officials said.

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The weather has also complicated late campaign efforts. Unstable skies downstate forced the cancellation Sunday of an event featuring Gov. JB Pritzker, who is seeking a third term, and his two-term running mate, Juliana Stratton, who is seeking the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.

Mondays snow forced Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey to cancel a planned six-city fly-around of the state on Tuesday. Instead, he scheduled a virtual evening event.

As turbulent as the weather has been, so has the flurry of TV and streaming ads and political mailings from the candidates, as well as from special interests seeking to influence voters. Those will come to a close with Tuesdays voting, but not after more than $92 million has been spent in the U.S. Senate race and four open-seat contests for the U.S. House, according to political ad tracking firm Ad Impact.

It was U.S. Sen. Dick Durbins decision not to seek a sixth term, along with the retirements of veteran U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston and Danny Davis of Chicago, that created a political cascade of contested races on the primary ballot.

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U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Robin Kelly of Lynwood joined Stratton as the leading Democrats vying for the U.S. Senate nomination. But the decision by Krishnamoorthi and Kelly to try to climb the political ladder for a six-year Senate term also created contested races in his northwest suburban 8th District and her South Side, south suburban and rural 2nd District.

All told, 46 people filed for the Democratic nominations and 11 for the GOP nominations in the four U.S. House districts. Given the Democratic gerrymandering of the states congressional districts, the Democratic primary winners are heavily favored in the Nov. 3 general election.

Ten Democrats and a lone Republican are on primary ballots for the 2nd Congressional District seat Kelly is giving up to run for Senate. Davis retirement opened up the 7th Congressional District to a race of 13 Democrats and two Republicans. Krishnamoorthis bid for the U.S. Senate resulted in an 8th Congressional District race featuring eight Democrats and four Republicans, while Schakowskys retirement in the 9th Congressional District opened the door to a field of 15 Democrats and four Republicans.

Along with Krishnamoorthi, Kelly and Stratton, others seeking the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination are Kevin Ryan, Steve Botsford Jr., Bryan Maxwell, Jonathan Dean, Sean Brown, Awisi Bustos and Christopher Swann.

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The Republican race for the U.S. Senate nomination includes former Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy; attorney Jeannie Evans; Casey Chlebek, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in 2020 and 2022; Pamela Denise Long; Jimmy Lee Tillman II; and R. Cary Capparelli.

Four Democrats are also competing for the nomination for state comptroller, seeking to succeed incumbent Susana Mendoza, who opted not to seek reelection. The Democratic comptroller candidates are state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago, state Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim.

Four Republicans are on the GOP ballot for the partys nomination for governor: Bailey, the former lawmaker and unsuccessful 2022 nominee against Pritzker; Ted Dabrowski, the former head of the Wirepoints conservative activist group; real estate and video gambling firm owner Rick Heidner; and DuPage County James Mendrick. Pritzker, who also is considering a potential 2028 White House bid, is unopposed in the Democratic primary for governor.

Further down the Democratic ballot in Cook County, Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking a fifth term against Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd. Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, running for a third term, faces a challenge from Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes.

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In DuPage County, Mendricks decision to run for governor created a GOP primary for sheriff between Undersheriff Eddie Moore and former County Board member Sean Noonan. Peter Coolidge is unopposed on the Democratic side.

Democrats in DuPage also will be deciding whether County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek should move forward in her bid for a third term against Paula Deacon Garcia, a County Board member.
CHICAGO  Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to choose Democratic and Republican nominees for offices ranging from the U.S. Senate and governor to the state legislature and county positions, bringing to a close an expensive and often clamorous primary campaign season.

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and those planning to vote in the morning will get a wake-up call from the weather.

Election Day looks blustery and cold but precipitation free, retired broadcast meteorologist Tom Skilling told the Tribune. Unseasonably cold  highs only in the low to mid-20s  and moderately windy, especially in the morning. Voters will have to bundle up.

Advertisement Advertisement

Skillings forecast calls for temperatures of around 10 degrees at daybreak and a high of 21 in the afternoon. But he said, wind chills at Election Days open (will be) around 5 below, warming to 10 above Tuesday afternoon.

The forecast portends the possibility of lower turnout among Election Day voters, who traditionally lean more Republican and tend to support President Donald Trumps opposition to early voting and voting by mail, practices largely embraced by Democrats.

But the weather has also complicated late campaign efforts. Unstable skies downstate forced the cancellation Sunday of an event featuring Gov. JB Pritzker, who is seeking a third term, and his two-term running mate, Juliana Stratton, who is seeking the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination.

Mondays snow forced Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey to cancel a planned six-city fly-around of the state on Tuesday. Instead, he scheduled a virtual evening event.

Advertisement Advertisement

As turbulent as the weather has been, so has the flurry of TV and streaming ads and political mailings from the candidates, as well as from special interests seeking to influence voters. Those will come to a close with Tuesdays voting, but not after more than $92 million has been spent in the U.S. Senate race and four open-seat contests for the U.S. House, according to political ad tracking firm Ad Impact.

It was U.S. Sen. Dick Durbins decision not to seek a sixth term, along with the retirements of veteran U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston and Danny Davis of Chicago, that created a political cascade of contested races on the primary ballot.

U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Robin Kelly of Lynwood joined Stratton as the leading Democrats vying for the U.S. Senate nomination. But the decision by Krishnamoorthi and Kelly to try to climb the political ladder for a six-year Senate term also created contested races in his northwest suburban 8th District and her South Side, south suburban and rural 2nd District.

All told, 46 people filed for the Democratic nominations and 11 for the GOP nominations in the four U.S. House districts. Given the Democratic gerrymandering of the states congressional districts, the Democratic primary winners are heavily favored in the Nov. 3 general election.

Advertisement Advertisement

Ten Democrats and a lone Republican are on primary ballots for the 2nd Congressional District seat Kelly is giving up to run for Senate. Davis retirement opened up the 7th Congressional District to a race of 13 Democrats and two Republicans. Krishnamoorthis bid for the U.S. Senate resulted in an 8th Congressional District race featuring eight Democrats and four Republicans, while Schakowskys retirement in the 9th Congressional District opened the door to a field of 15 Democrats and four Republicans.

Along with Krishnamoorthi, Kelly and Stratton, others seeking the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination are Kevin Ryan, Steve Botsford Jr., Bryan Maxwell, Jonathan Dean, Sean Brown, Awisi Bustos and Christopher Swann.

The Republican race for the U.S. Senate nomination includes former Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy; attorney Jeannie Evans; Casey Chlebek, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in 2020 and 2022; Pamela Denise Long; Jimmy Lee Tillman II; and R. Cary Capparelli.

Four Democrats are also competing for the nomination for state comptroller, seeking to succeed incumbent Susana Mendoza, who opted not to seek reelection. The Democratic comptroller candidates are state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago, state Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim.

Advertisement Advertisement

Four Republicans are on the GOP ballot for the partys nomination for governor: Bailey, the former lawmaker and unsuccessful 2022 nominee against Pritzker; Ted Dabrowski, the former head of the Wirepoints conservative activist group; real estate and video gambling firm owner Rick Heidner; and DuPage County James Mendrick. Pritzker, who also is considering a potential 2028 White House bid, is unopposed in the Democratic primary for governor.

Further down the Democratic ballot in Cook County, Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking a fifth term against Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd. Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, running for a third term, faces a challenge from Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes.

In DuPage County, Mendricks decision to run for governor created a GOP primary for sheriff between Undersheriff Eddie Moore and former County Board member Sean Noonan. Peter Coolidge is unopposed on the Democratic side.

Democrats in DuPage also will be deciding whether County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek should move forward in her bid for a third term against Paula Deacon Garcia, a County Board member.

____
Bogota, Colombia  Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said that 27 charred bodies were discovered on his countrys joint border with Ecuador, just one day after suggesting the Ecuadorean military may have bombed Colombian territory.

The bombings along the Colombia-Ecuador border do not appear to be the work of armed groupsthey dont have aircraftnor of the Colombian security forces. I did not give that order, wrote Petro in a post on X on Tuesday morning.

The accusation comes amid a US-backed Ecuadorean military campaign against armed groups in the region launched earlier this month; Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa maintained that all strikes have occurred within his countrys borders.

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The dispute began during a cabinet meeting on Monday night, where Petro speculated about the origins of a bomb which he said was dropped from an aeroplane near Colombias southern border with Ecuador.

Were going to thoroughly investigate the circumstances  it happened very close to the border with Ecuador  which somewhat confirms my suspicion, but we need to investigate thoroughly: theyre bombing us from Ecuador, and its not the armed groups, said the president.





Later on Tuesday, Colombias Ministry of National Defence issued a statement saying security forces and experts had been deployed to the area to assess the condition of this explosive device in order to determine its origin and proceed with its destruction.

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Noboa dismissed Petros accusations on Tuesday morning, writing on X: President Petro, your declarations are false, we are acting in our territory, not yours.

The exact details of the attack are yet to be established, according to Elizabeth Dickinson, deputy Latin America director at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, Its very unclear if this came from Ecuador, what happened, who exactly was hit.

But the alleged bombing comes just weeks after the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced it had launched joint operations with the Ecuadorean military to combat drug trafficking in the South American nation.

In early March, Ecuadors armed forces bombed a camp belonging to the Comandos de la Frontera (Border Commandos), a Colombian armed group active on both sides of the countries shared border. The operation was carried out in Ecuador with the help of US intelligence, according to Quito.

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In February, Noboa imposed a 30 percent tariff on Colombia, which he described as a security fee. Bogota responded with reciprocal tariffs, and the dispute has since escalated to a mutual 50 percent import levy.

Noboa is under mounting pressure to tackle organised crime, with Ecuador recording the highest homicide rate in Latin America last year.

He has attempted to shift blame onto Bogota, which he accuses of failing to tackle insecurity on the two countries joint border, a key illegal gold mining hub and cocaine trafficking corridor.





Dickinson explained that Noboa hopes to pressure Petro into adopting a more militaristic stance against armed groups along their shared border.

But, she noted, This bilateral crisis between the two sides does a lot more harm than good in solving this problem, because what you really need to confront a transnational threat is a transnational response.




HARTFORD - One of the most hotly debated bills of Connecticut's past few legislative sessions is back again this year  this time with new backing from Gov. Ned Lamont.

Under a proposal that advanced out of the Housing Committee last week, landlords in properties of at least five units would be barred from evicting tenants at the end of their leases without specific cause to do so.

The bill's proponents say renters shouldn't be booted from their homes in retaliation for complaints or because a landlord wants to raise rents, while opponents say landlords should be free to choose whether to renew a lease.

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While versions of the proposal have failed in previous sessions, advocates hope this year will be different, noting Lamont's office has told them the governor is onboard.

"It makes sure there's not going to be a 5002 situation if you pass this bill," said state Rep. Antonio Felipe, D-Bridgeport, referencing Lamont's veto of a major housing bill last year. "But I think it's also important that people have that peace of mind that the administration is looking at this the same way that we do."

A Lamont spokesperson confirmed to CT Insider the governor supports the bill, which has until May 6 to come up for a vote in the broader legislature.

At a news conference Tuesday hosted by the Connecticut Tenants Union, supporters of the eviction bill said "no-fault" evictions at the end of a lease  also known as "lapse-of-time" evictions  are unfair to tenants, and contribute to increased housing insecurity and homelessness.

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"You're here for one of the most important changes that we're going to make this year," said Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London. "If someone is going to be uprooted from their homes, there should be a clear and legitimate reason."

"There are many, many landlords in this legislature that are saying, 'Oh, it's too hard to evict somebody,'" said Sen. Martha Marx, another New London Democrat. "No, it's not. And guess what, it should be hard to evict somebody."

Connecticut presently bars evictions without cause for elderly and disabled residents. The proposed bill would extend those protections to all tenants in buildings of at least five units who have lived there at least a full year.

Landlord groups and some Republican lawmakers quickly pushed back Tuesday, arguing the eviction proposal is unfair to those who own and manage rental properties, and could harm tenants by reducing the number of available apartments. It also could spur landlords to conduct more thorough background checks on prospective renters and complicate the removal of disruptive neighbors, they say.

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"We create a perpetual tenant," said John Souza, president of the Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners. "If I have to take somebody in, they're going to be my tenant forever, and it's going to hurt the small people trying to look for an apartment."

Though landlords would still be able to evict tenants who fail to pay their rent or violate the terms of their leases, many prefer removing residents at the end of their leases, as opposed to pursuing formal evictions in court.

"Leases have a first day and a last day that landlords and tenants both agree to, and there are times when a landlord needs to nonrenew a lease," Jessica Doll, executive director of the Connecticut Apartment Association, said in a statement. "When a tenant violates their lease or creates an unsafe situation that is disruptive or threatening to other residents, ending the lease at its termination date is the only reasonable tool housing providers have to protect their communities."

In a statement Tuesday, Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, called the proposal "state-sanctioned trespassing," arguing it harms both landlords and tenants.

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As has been the case in other recent legislative sessions, the eviction bill generated hours of testimony during a public hearing in February, with numerous tenants speaking in favor of the proposal and landlords testifying against it. Ultimately, the bill passed out of the Housing Committee last week in an 11-8 vote, drawing opposition from all six Republicans, as well as two Democrats.

Whereas previous versions of the "no-fault" eviction bill have advanced out of the Housing Committee but failed to come up for a vote in the House or Senate, Felipe said he's confident this year will be different. The governor is onboard, more legislators have embraced the cause and, unlike last year, there's no other major housing bill demanding lawmakers' attention, he noted.

"When we have done this in the past, I think there's been less of a fervor from our legislative friends," Felipe said.

Marx, who serves with Felipe as co-chair of the Housing Committee, encouraged tenant activists to lobby her colleagues who don't support the bill, framing the issue as a clash between landlords and renters.

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"There is a power struggle going on, and the landlords think they own you; they think they can tell you what to do." Marx said. "There are people that sit on the Housing Committee that think having a roof over your head is not a right. Well, it is a right."

This article originally published at Connecticut bill would ban no-fault' evictions - this time with Lamont's backing.
Connecticut is celebrating Agriculture Week, highlighting the industrys significance to the states economy and communities.

The week-long event, which runs from March 15-21, aims to spotlight the contributions of the states 5,000 farm businesses, according to a community announcement.

Agriculture contributes $4 billion annually to Connecticuts economy and provides jobs for nearly 30,000 residents.

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A strong farming community fuels a strong state economy  agriculture feeds our families, supports our food supply, and drives innovation, said Bryan P. Hurlburt, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Connecticut Agriculture Week is a time to celebrate farmers through renewed support of these local businesses.

Arthur Herrick, owner of Double Trouble Acres, poses with Maggie the goat in front of the barn on the farm.

As part of the celebration, the Connecticut Ag Info Council and Department of Agriculture will host Ag Day at the Capitol from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 18. The event will feature nearly 50 agricultural organizations showcasing farming activities, nutrition programs and careers in agriculture, according to the announcement.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sample and take home Connecticut-grown products. Special programming at 10:30 a.m. will announce the 2026 Connecticut Outstanding Young Farmer and honor other awardees.

March 21 is International Day of the Woman Farmer, and women make up 41% of all producers in Connecticut. The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Governors Council on Women and Girls, will host a Women in Agriculture panel from 1-3 p.m. March 16. The discussion, moderated by Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, will feature Amanda Fargo-Johnson, agricultural programs director at CT RC&D, Dakota Rudloff-Eastman, owner of River Ridge Farm & Market, and Rachel Precious, founder of Precious Oysters Raw Bar Catering.

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The session will be offered both virtually and in-person at 450 Columbus Blvd., Plaza North Room D, Hartford. Space for in-person attendance is limited, and advance registration is required by emailing Tracy.Opoku@ct.gov.

The recent warm days and cold nights have kept the states maple sugar producers busy. Maple Weekend, scheduled for March 21-22, will feature more than two dozen sugarhouses across the state. Visitors can meet maple producers, tour their operations and sample and buy maple products.

The Department of Agriculture encourages residents to support local farms throughout the year by purchasing Connecticut-grown farm products, participating in farm activities and signing up for Community Supported Agriculture programs or home delivery options.

For more information about Connecticut Agriculture Week and how to support local farms, visit CTGrown.org or the Department of Agricultures website at portal.ct.gov/doag.

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This story was created 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 The Bulletin: Connecticut Agriculture Week celebration March 15-21
Reconstructing the History of Assyrians in Ukraine

A leading scholar from the University of Customs and Finance in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Professor Dr. Artur Margulov appeared recently on the Assyrian think tank Platform Turabdin to share his extensive research into the harrowing and often overlooked history of the Assyrian minority in Ukraine and the broader Soviet space.

Spanning the early 20th century to the present day, Margulov's work, drawn from over 20 state archives and five KGB repositories, paints a vivid picture of a community navigating the treacherous waters of cultural self-assertion and state-sponsored repression.

Margulov explained during the session that the Assyrian presence in Ukraine began largely as a result of the upheaval during World War I (1914--1918), as families fled from the Urmia region in Iran and south eastern Turkey. Professor Margulov, whose own great-grandfather was shot by Ottoman forces and whose father was born in a Soviet labor camp, noted that these refugees initially viewed their stay as temporary. "They brought with them a tribal and religious system of self-governance," Margulov explained. "They did not rush to learn Russian or Ukrainian, as they relied on their own religious leaders and traditions to survive."

By the 1920s and 30s, the Soviet state began to view this "autonomous" existence with deep suspicion. Margulov's research highlights a dual identity during this era: while the Assyrian community was developing a modern national identity with its own political parties and literature, the Soviet authorities labeled them as a "dark, patriarchal force."

The 1930s marked a period of intense "Sovietization." The state attempted to Latinize the Assyrian alphabet to spread communist ideology and eventually closed all Assyrian schools, forcing children into Russian-language education. The repression peaked in 1938 when the NKVD, the Soviet Union's internal security and secret police agency, targeted Assyrians under the guise of persecuting "Persian subjects." Margulov presented chilling archival evidence of Assyrians being executed for "illegal border crossings" or simply for belonging to the intelligentsia.

Today, the Assyrian community in Ukraine faces a new set of challenges. The ongoing war has physically divided the community between those in Ukrainian-controlled territories and those in occupied zones. Culturally, the impact of decades of Soviet assimilation is evident. "The fourth generation has almost entirely lost the language," Margulov lamented, though he noted that cultural hallmarks like the Kha b-Nisan (Assyrian New Year) and traditional dances still offer a sense of unity.

Professor Margulov is currently preparing an English version of his monograph to ensure this history reaches a global audience. "History tells us how identity is shaped under pressure," Margulov concluded. "There is still much to be made visible that would otherwise remain unseen."
<figure style="display: block; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><img width="925" height="617" src="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-1024x683.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="a red tesla logo on a white machine" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-90x60.jpg 90w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o-902x602.jpg 902w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/huv0jexsi3o.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" /></figure><p id="par-1_58">While the world is obsessed with Cybertruck panel gaps and the latest Autopilot drama, Tesla just quietly inked a $4.3 billion deal that might be the most important move Elon Musk makes this year. The EV giant is officially partnering with LG Energy Solution to build a massive supply of Made in the USA batteries right in Michigan.</p> <p id="par-2_49">The deal, which was originally reported by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Bloomberg News</em></a> back in July, was finally confirmed Tuesday after it surfaced in a <a href="https://www.doi.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of the Interior</a> statement. The goal being to create a domestic powerhouse for Teslas energy storage division that doesnt rely on a volatile overseas supply chain.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-megapack-goes-midwest">The Megapack Goes Midwest</h2> <p id="par-3_35">LG is planning to fire up a brand-new production line at its Lansing, Michigan, facility to churn out lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) prismatic cells  massive industrial-grade bricks designed to keep the lights on for entire cities.</p> <p id="par-4_30">American-made cells will power Teslas Megapack 3 energy storage systems produced in Houston, creating a robust domestic battery supply chain, the Department of the Interior confirmed in its official release.</p> <p id="par-5_63">For Tesla, this is a win for American manufacturing, but also a fight for survival. The company admitted that massive tariffs on Chinese-made battery imports <a href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/energy/tesla-orders-43b-worth-batteries-lgs-lansing-plant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sucked a staggering $200 million out of its energy storage business</a> in just the third quarter of 2025. By building these cells in Michigan, Tesla can effectively sidestep those taxes and cut its production costs to the bone.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-read-more-from-motorbiscuit">Read More from MotorBiscuit:</h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/is-the-tesla-megapack-the-future-of-the-power-grid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Is the Tesla Megapack Actually the Future of the American Power Grid?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/what-is-lfp-battery-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Why LFP Battery Technology is Taking Over the EV Industry</a></li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-the-ai-monster">Feeding the AI Monster</h2> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large" id="emb-1"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="853" src="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna-1024x853.jpg" alt="a computer chip with the letter a on top of it" class="wp-image-1873251" srcset="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna-1024x853.jpg 1024w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna-300x250.jpg 300w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna-768x640.jpg 768w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna-72x60.jpg 72w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna-902x752.jpg 902w, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/eggfz5x2lna.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure> <p id="par-6_37">The sudden rush for massive stationary batteries also supports the AI boom. Data centers are popping up across the country to handle the processing power for everything from ChatGPT to advanced robotics, and they are incredibly power-hungry.</p> <p id="par-7_51">According to <em>Bloomberg News</em> and data from <em><a href="https://about.bnef.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BloombergNEF</a></em>, the energy demand from these U.S. data centers is expected to more than double by 2035. At that point, server farms will consume roughly 9% of all electricity in the U.S., growing even faster than the demand for electric vehicles or hydrogen power.</p> <p id="par-8_58">By moving into Lansing, LG and Tesla are positioning themselves to be the fuel for that AI revolution. LG is already repurposing existing EV production lines, which have slowed down as the car market cools. LG says it aims to raise its cell output to more than 60 GWh this year just to keep up with the surge.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-by-the-numbers-tesla-s-michigan-move">By the Numbers: Teslas Michigan Move</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>$4.3 Billion:</strong> The massive value of the battery contract LG just secured to supply Tesla.</li> <li><strong>2027:</strong> When the Lansing, Michigan plant is scheduled to officially begin production.</li> <li><strong>$200 Million:</strong> The amount Tesla lost to battery tariffs in just three months during Q3 of 2025.</li> <li><strong>130 GWh:</strong> The projected size of the U.S. energy storage market by 2030.</li> </ul> <p>The post <a href="https://www.motorbiscuit.com/tesla-drops-4-3-billion-to-bring-secret-weapon-back-to-america-with-michigan-investment/">Tesla Drops $4.3 Billion to Bring Secret Weapon Back to America with Michigan Investment</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.motorbiscuit.com">MotorBiscuit</a>.</p>
With winter weather taking a toll on roads across the state, Connecticut public works crews are preparing for the start of pothole season and asking residents to help report damage.

Drivers dont like potholes and neither do we, said Vernon Director of Public Works Dwight Ryniewicz.

Its not just drivers feeling the impact of fluctuating temperatures  roads are, too.

What happens is you actually get frost under the roads. It can push up the road in places, which causes cracking, and then water gets in it, re-freezes and pops the asphalt surfaces, Ryniewicz said.

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Ryniewicz and his pothole patrol team have been searching for road damage across town. While Vernon currently has no active pothole reports, officials are asking drivers to help keep it that way.

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The town is encouraging residents to report potholes in Vernon to 860-870-3500 so crews can respond quickly.

Vernon isnt the only town asking for help this season. Nearby communities, such as Manchester and Tolland, also have websites with more information on submitting pothole reports.

People can report potholes on local roads to municipal representatives through their town or city website, which is listed on the state of Connecticut's website here.

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To report a pothole on state roads, people can submit a request form for the state Department of Transportation here.

Victoria Anderson is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at vanderson@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

RELATED:

Potholes are becoming problematic in New Haven; mayor responds

Pothole season in Connecticut: how they form and how to report them

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A conservation nonprofit has filed suit over a major fertilizer spill in southwest Iowa that killed three-quarters of a million fish in 2024.

NEW Cooperative in Red Oak was responsible for the release of about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer into the Nishnabotna River system in March 2024, reportedly due to a valve incorrectly left open for an entire weekend.

The released fertilizer reached the river through a stormwater drainage ditch and levee and flowed downstream, killing an estimated 750,000 fish in Iowa and Missouri and causing considerable harm to other wildlife before being diluted upon reaching the Missouri river.

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Efforts to control the spill were complicated by heavy rains, leading to additional discharges into the river.

NEW Cooperative paid a $50,000 penalty to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and a separate $50,000 to the Montgomery County Conservation Board for land and wildlife management programs, according to court filings. Now it faces a lawsuit filed by the group Nishnabotna Water Defenders, which was organized in the wake of the spill.

The complaint, filed in Montgomery County court, accuses NEW Cooperative of negligence, creating a public nuisance and trespass against downstream property owners.

"The result of this misconduct is that polluting substances have been, or have threatened to be, released repeatedly and in vast quantities into the East Nishnabotna River," the complaint alleges. "NEW Cooperative has not taken adequate steps to abate the risk of future discharges. These discharges and the risk on ongoing discharges have caused Plaintiffs members to change their recreational, construction, and business activities to avoid the river, its flood plain, and groundwater in potential hydrological contact with the discharged pollutant."

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From June 2025: Oil spill pollutes Iowa's West Nishnabotna River; source sought

Nishnabotna Water Defenders includes in its membership property owners and businesses that rely on the waterway. In a news release, the group accused state officials of giving the cooperative a "sweetheart deal," with only $100,000 in penalties, "a fraction of the environmental and economic damage caused." It said it hopes its lawsuit brings full accountability.

"This case is about more than just one spill. It is about the public trust doctrine, which holds state lands and waters in trust for the people of Iowa, attorney Carrie La Seur said. Iowas navigable waters are not private sewers for industrial accidents. The state has a fiduciary duty to protect these public resources for the benefit of all Iowans. When the state abdicates its duty, the people must step in."

NEW Cooperative, which is headquartered in Fort Dodge and has locations across western and central Iowa, said in a statement received after publication that it has not yet been served with the lawsuit but that it has worked hard to ameliorate the effects of the 2024 spill.

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"NEW Cooperative took this incident seriously and understood the gravity of the situation when it happened back in 2024. We took responsibility for what occurred and have fully cooperated with regulators at the state and federal levels. This has included paying penalties, remediation and developing a plan to restore natural resources," the company said. "This work is ongoing, so we will continue to cooperate with the authorities and remain fully committed to being good environmental stewards throughout Iowa."

(This article has been edited to add new information.).

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Conservation nonprofit sues over Iowa fertilizer spill fish kill
WILLIMANTIC  A pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Willimantic has been placed on leave following an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF).

The investigation into Father Laurence LaPointe comes after an allegation of abuse of a minor in Connecticut in the early 1970s.

LaPointe was placed on leave on March 6, and the Diocese of Norwich learned last week he had been indicted in Maryland in connection with an alleged misconduct dating back to the 1970s.

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According to the Docese, LaPointe has denied the allegations and has been placed on leave from all ministry and residence on church property pending further review.

The clergy abuse crisis has caused profound harm to victims, their families and the Church, Bishop Richard F. Reidy said. The Diocese of Norwich maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any cleric, employee or volunteer found to have abused a minor.

Reidy added they remain steadfast in the commitment of protecting children and young people, while also respecting the rights of the accused.

Although there has been no finding of guilt, the seriousness of the allegations necessitated his removal from ministry as a precautionary measure while the investigations and legal proceedings continue, Reidy said.

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While this case is under review, Reidy is asking for prayers for the people making the allegations, for LaPointe and for the parishioners of Corpus Christi Parish.

In the meantime, Reidy said the Diocese is notifying the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, where they will direct the Diocese to proceed with the canonical process.

At this time, the Diocese has no further information while the situation is under investigation.
March 17 (UPI) -- On the evening of Aug. 9, 2023, Fernando Villavicencio left a campaign rally in Quito and walked toward his vehicle. Moments later, gunmen opened fire. He died within minutes.

Villavicencio was a presidential candidate in Ecuador's election. Before entering politics, he had built a reputation as an investigative journalist who exposed corruption at the highest levels of government. He had reported death threats. He had been given security. None of it saved him.

His killing shocked Ecuador, but it also revealed something deeper. What happened to Fernando Villavicencio, with important local variations, is repeated with disturbing regularity in other countries and contexts.

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Corruption, when it spreads through institutions and joins forces with organized crime, does not remain an abstract problem. It becomes deadly.

By then, Ecuador had already seen surging violence, extortion and criminal infiltration. Villavicencio had warned that his country was becoming a narco-state. His murder gave chilling force to that claim. This was not only an Ecuadorian tragedy. It was a warning about a broader condition affecting much of Latin America and beyond.

A killing that revealed the deeper crisis

We are living through what I call a "pandemethic" crisis: a pandemic of ethical decay spreading across political and civic life. The term combines pandemia and etica -- ethics -- to name a process in which dishonesty becomes routine, corruption becomes tolerable, and citizens learn to treat public wrongdoing as normal. Like a pathogen, it spreads through contact and normalization: one unpunished abuse makes the next more likely. Over time, resignation replaces outrage. This is not simply a moral complaint. It is a way of naming a structural problem.

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Many analysts explain today's democratic turmoil through polarization, inequality or authoritarian tendencies. Those factors matter. But they often describe the surface of the crisis, not its root. Beneath them lies a weakening of the ethical standards that sustain public life: honesty in office, respect for the law, and a sense of responsibility toward the common good.

When those standards erode, the consequences become visible in captured institutions, broken accountability and citizens who no longer trust the state.

When corruption becomes cultural

The data reflect that reality. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, the Americas have trended downward since 2012 and now average just 42 out of 100 -- a score that places the region among the world's most corruption-affected. Ecuador's own score fell from 39 in 2020 to 32 in 2024, one of the steepest drops in the hemisphere.

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Democracy indices reinforce the picture: Latin America has recorded more than nine consecutive years of democratic regression, according to both International IDEA and The Economist's Democracy Index. Peru has been rocked by corruption scandals involving five former presidents. Guatemala once built an internationally respected anti-impunity mechanism, only to see it dismantled under political pressure.

Different countries show different symptoms, but the pattern is recognizable: institutions still exist, yet their credibility weakens and their capacity to restrain abuse declines.

Across Latin America, public trust has eroded as civil liberties have come under growing strain and institutional legitimacy has weakened. Many citizens no longer believe the rules are fair or consistently applied. That loss of confidence is not a side issue. It is part of the crisis itself.

Why trust keeps collapsing

When ethical decay becomes systemic, social anger rises. Protests then become not just political events but signs of deeper civic exhaustion.

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That anger is often justified. Yet anger alone does not repair institutions. In some cases, legitimate protest is infiltrated by violent actors who redirect public frustration toward destruction and disorder. When that happens, the same ethical breakdown that helped produce the crisis begins to distort the response to it.

Impunity deepens the damage. When citizens watch powerful figures evade consequences again and again, they absorb a dangerous lesson: rules are flexible, and accountability and justice depend on status.

One of the most striking features of this crisis is that it does not belong to one ideology. Distrust now cuts across the left, center and right. Ecuador's decline has unfolded under different governments. Peru's instability has crossed party lines. Similar frustrations have surfaced throughout the region under leaders of varying political identities.

This suggests that the problem is not merely partisan. It is cultural and institutional at the same time.

Laws alone are not enough

That diagnosis is serious, but it is not hopeless. Ethical decay can spread, but civic resistance can also be strengthened.

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Countries with stronger public ethics and more resilient institutions have shown greater capacity to contain corruption and preserve trust. In Latin America, Uruguay offers a useful example of relative institutional steadiness. Elsewhere, the Scandinavian democracies continue to demonstrate that accountability works best when it is supported not only by law but by civic habits.

That distinction matters. Laws are necessary, but they are not enough. Anti-corruption agencies, constitutional reforms and oversight bodies can help, yet they remain vulnerable when the surrounding culture tolerates abuse.

Democracies do not fail only because corrupt leaders rise. They also weaken when citizens excuse misconduct, vote through clientelist loyalties or stop expecting integrity from public life. Ethical decline is not imposed only from above. It is also reproduced below, in habits of resignation and accommodation.

For that reason, the answer cannot be limited to technical reform. Stronger institutions matter. Better laws matter. But democratic recovery also requires civic education, moral leadership and a renewed expectation that public office exists to serve, not to exploit.

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Democracy is more than a procedure repeated at election time. It is a culture of responsibility, restraint and trust.

Fernando Villavicencio understood the danger. He warned that corruption kills. He kept speaking even when the risks were clear.

His murder showed what happens when ethical decay is allowed to harden into impunity. The question now is whether societies facing that danger will rebuild the moral foundations of public life, or continue to treat the disease as if it were only a passing fever.

Carlos Cantero is a Chilean academic at the International University of La Rioja in Spain and the author of Digital Society: Reason and Emotion. An international lecturer, adviser, and consultant, he focuses on adaptability in the digital society, ethics, social innovation, and human development. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
There's a bill on the table this session that could change how Connecticut residents order and receive takeout meals.

House Bill 5524 would ban Styrofoam takeout containers in restaurants, and limit how they can hand out single-use items like plastic straws, forks and napkins.

Pedro Garcia, who owns Mo's Midtown Restaurant on Whitney Street in Hartford, said his business' takeout accounts for anywhere from 30% to 50% of their orders.

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Garcia said all their meals are made to order, and he wants to keep the food as fresh as possible when it gets to his customers. That's why he chooses to use Styrofoam containers in his restaurant.

"I think it's better because it's more clean and easy to wrap. And for me, it's more convenient," Garcia said.

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He said lawmakers should talk to more restaurant owners like him before they make a decision that completely shakes up their business model.

"They should, because then we'll have to be stuck with this. Or we go broke with the business, because how are we gonna send the food?" Garcia said.

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Some customers in Connecticut said Monday that they also prefer receiving their food orders in Styrofoam.

"I personally don't feel like they need to ban it," Jayleen Cardona said. "I mean it could be beneficial for certain aspects but I don't really see the issue that much."

Under the same bill, single-use items like napkins and knives might go away too. Unless a customer specifically asks for them, restaurants wouldn't be allowed to automatically add them to their takeout orders.

"I just feel like it should just be automatically provided with your food," Cardona said.

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Garcia said some customers might not catch on to the new rules immediately if businesses have to change how they package to-go orders. He pointed out that some people might forget to ask for napkins and utensils, which could leave them upset with the restaurant  even though the business didn't choose the new rules.

"I think they have to come up with something, because how can we send the order without forks and knives?" Garcia said.

If this bill gets voted into law, it will take effect in 2028.

Solen Aref is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61.com. She can be reached by email at SAref@FOX61.com.

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Some lucky Americans may get a chance to view nature's dazzling light show, the northern lights, from nearly 20 U.S. states this week.

The phenomenon will be viewable beginning in the late-night hours of Wednesday, March 18, into the early morning of Thursday, March 19, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

NOAA predicts a moderate to strong geomagnetic storm, meaning the lights could be seen farther south than usual. Auroral activity is expected to be especially strong in March, thanks to the upcoming March 20 spring equinox, when the sun will cross the celestial equator.

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Peak aurora viewing: The 'equinox effect' may bring views of northern lights this March

The so-called "equinox effect" happens when the magnetic fields of the Earth and solar wind momentarily coincide, creating "cracks" that allow charged particles to accelerate and intensify the Earth's northern light displays.

Depending on the intensity of the geomagnetic storm, the coveted light display could be visible as far south as Illinois and Oregon.

Here's what to know about this week's chance to view the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.

Image licensed for 1-time use for 1/20/26 aurora borealis gallery Additional use requires relicensing. The aurora borealis lights up the sky on Jan. 20, 2026 in Beiji Village, Mohe City, Heilongjiang Province of China. A recent geomagnetic storm created stunning aurora shows across the globe. Strong solar activity could make the northern lights visible in roughly two dozen states on Jan. 20. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/20/northern-lights-tonight-forecast/88261584007/ Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are seen above der Wenzel church Austria, on Jan/ 19, 2026. A photo shows a moored fishing boat as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are seen following a powerful sunstorm in the harbour of Portsall, western France, on Jan. 19, 2026. Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are pictured following a powerful sunstorm over Portsall, western France, on Jan. 19, 2026. Northern lights, are seen following a powerful sunstorm in Ploudalmezeau, France, on Jan. 19, 2026. Northern lights, are pictured following a powerful sunstorm over Portsall, France, on Jan. 19, 2026. Northern Lights, are seen in Austria on Jan. 19, 2026. Northern lights, are seen above Breckerfeld, Germany, on Jan. 19, 2026. The aurora borealis illuminates the sky over Nijmegen, Netherlands, Jan. 19, 2026. The aurora borealis illuminates the sky over Bodo, Norway, Jan. 20, 2026. Northern lights, are seen above Breckerfeld, Germany, on Jan. 19, 2026. The aurora borealis illuminates the sky over Quickborn, Germany, Jan. 19, 2026. Northern lights are seen above Breckerfeld, Germany, on Jan. 19, 2026. See the Northern Lights dazzle in January 2026 with stunning views 1 of 13 Image licensed for 1-time use for 1/20/26 aurora borealis gallery Additional use requires relicensing. The aurora borealis lights up the sky on Jan. 20, 2026 in Beiji Village, Mohe City, Heilongjiang Province of China. A recent geomagnetic storm created stunning aurora shows across the globe. Strong solar activity could make the northern lights visible in roughly two dozen states on Jan. 20. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/01/20/northern-lights-tonight-forecast/88261584007/

When will the northern lights be viewable?

People in 19 U.S. states may get chances to see the aurora display on March 18 and 19. The best times to view the lights are generally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA, though this can vary significantly by location and as weather and visibility forecasts are updated.

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A more up-to-date forecast can be found on NOAA'S Aurora Dashboard.

Which states can see the northern lights?

While how far and wide the auroras can clearly be seen will depend on whether the geomagnetic storm reaches a G2 (moderate) or G3 (strong) level and the weather in your location, about 19 states will have at least a chance of catching a glimpse, according to NOAA'S forecast map:

Alaska

Idaho

Iowa

Maine

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nebraska

New Hampshire

North Dakota

Oregon

South Dakota

Vermont

Washington

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Some northern parts of Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, are seen above der Wenzel church Austria, on Jan/ 19, 2026.

What are the northern lights, aka aurora borealis?

The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, the aurora borealis are polar lights, or aurora polaris, that appear in the Northern Hemisphere.

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The Southern Hemisphere has its own polar lights known as the southern lights, or aurora australis, which create their own dazzling display.

Put simply, auroras are a result of the sun interacting with the Earths atmosphere. A collision between electrically charged particles from the sun and gases in Earths atmosphere produces a series of minuscule flashes that appear like moving lights in the sky. The charged particles are pulled toward the North and South poles due to Earths magnetic field.

While that magnetic field usually protects the Earth from solar winds, the winds can occasionally get strong enough to bypass the field, allowing particles and gases in the magnetosphere to interact and generate the colorful displays, according to the Geophysical Institute and the Canadian Space Agency.

Tips for viewing the northern lights

The top tip for getting the best view of the northern lights is finding a dark spot away from light pollution. Space.com recommends finding a location as far as possible from city lights and heading out there as soon as the sky gets dark. Then, it's a waiting game.

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Find a north-facing view with a clear horizon and exercise patience, as the lights often come in waves, said Space.com. You can also download apps to track aurora forecasts based on your location, such as "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Northern lights could be extra bright in 19 states this week. See when.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) blamed his primary defeat to state Rep. Steve Toth (R ) on misinformation about his ventures in the stock market.

Crenshaw said voters were told that he made millions from insider trading, which was not true.

A large part of this election was about the power of clickbait. Memes became truth. Too many people are not discerning through the clickbait, Crenshaw told reporters, according to Mediaite.

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People voting  one after the other  literally thought I was making millions in the stock market doing inside trading. Even though I havent made a trade in three years. Ive made under $46,000 over my entire seven years in office. The truth didnt matter to people, he added.

House Republicans have led a renewed push to ban insider stock trading, which has bipartisan support in Congress and the presidents stamp of approval.

In January, lawmakers in the lower chamber advanced a bill by Chair Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) that would allow members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to retain the stocks they already own but prevent them from buying new ones.

No action, however, has been taken on the bill since.

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Steils bill is still awaiting a vote in the House. However, Democrats are likely to oppose the legislation because it does not ban the president, vice president and their families from stock trading.

Crenshaw said false narratives about himself and members of Congress buying or selling stocks based on material, non-public information were the downfall of his campaign.

First of all, you have about 20% of Republican voters bothering to even vote in a primary, and then you have dozens of online smears and conspiracies that, people were going into the voting booth actually believing. Believing that I was worth millions of dollars from insider trading. Doesnt matter how many times we thought we had debunked that or that other people and influencers and what have not debunked it, all of these things, people still went in believing it, Crenshaw said during a Sunday appearance on CBS Face the Nation.

The lesson to be learned is, look, youve got to get the truth out. You have to try. but ultimately this is a question for the American people: Are you going to believe everything that you read online or that is sent to you in your mail? he added.

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The ousted Texas representative also blamed Democrats for reproducing the misinformation against him and warned that its a lesson for Republican politicians and voters.

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.
By Daniel Trotta and Dave Sherwood

HAVANA, March 16 (Reuters) - Cuba on Monday extended an invitation to Cuban Americans and other exiles living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the island, saying the "doors are open" to a community that has traditionally agitated for harsh economic sanctions against the Communist government.

Cuba also said it was removing impediments to U.S. businesses and other foreign investors but noted that U.S. law still prevented trade and investment under the long-running economic embargo aimed at punishing the government in Havana.

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"There are no limitations," Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, who also heads the foreign commerce ministry, told state television in an interview.

Cuba needs desperately to revive the island's collapsed economy, a predicament made worse by a U.S.-imposed oil blockade and sanctions that have led to extended blackouts and shortages of fuel, food and medicine.

The policy shift signals flexibility just days after Cuba acknowledged it had begun talks with the United States, and as Trump administration officials have told reporters privately the U.S. would be seeking an economic opening as part of any bilateral agreement.

The issue of allowing emigrants to invest in island businesses is a sensitive one for Cuba, which has long viewed an often hostile segment of the exile community with suspicion. Exiles have long been proponents of the trade embargo.

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Cubans residing on the island have been allowed to open and operate private businesses since 2021, but nationals living off the island were excluded.

Paolo Spadoni, an economist with Augusta University and author of the 2014 book "Cuba's Socialist Economy Today," called the policy shift "pragmatic" but said Cuba should have initiated it years ago on is own, rather than now under "maximum pressure" from the United States.

"This change could be a catalyst for deeper U.S.-Cuba economic ties, creating significant opportunities for U.S. companies, even though major obstacles remain," Spadoni said. "Even so, it represents an important and potentially consequential first step."

Perez-Oliva Fraga, who previously revealed some details of the plan in an interview with NBC News, said that "depending on the scope of the business" Cubans living abroad could "participate fully in the various areas of the country's development."

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"We have reiterated on several occasions that Cuba's doors are open to investment from the Cuban community residing abroad. And when we say that, we're not just referring to small ventures. We're also referring to the possibility of investing in larger projects," Perez-Oliva Fraga said.

He said Cuba was especially interested in investment in agriculture, similar to the way Vietnamese companies have been producing rice in Cuba, albeit under conditions of usufructuary, meaning title to the land would remain in state hands.

More than 1 million Cubans have migrated from the island since 2021, the largest exodus since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution, and a source of potential investment still largely untapped.

U.S. President Donald Trump has cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to slap tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba, a blow to already ailing output and investment.

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Trump has in recent weeks made a series of statements, saying Cuba was on the verge of collapse or eager to make a deal with the United States. He further escalated his rhetoric on Monday, saying he expected to have the "honor" of "taking Cuba in some form" and that "I can do anything I want" with the neighboring country.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta and Dave Sherwood in Havana; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Michael Perry)
The Lackawanna County district attorney's office will pursue the death penalty against a man they said stabbed to death two women and injured a third woman at the Jermyn Apartments late last year in downtown Scranton.

However, the notice filed Tuesday to seek the death penalty against Michael Willie Marquis Woods is largely symbolic because the state of Pennsylvania has had a moratorium on executions for more than a decade and Gov. Josh Shapiro has declined to lift the ban. The last time someone was put to death in Pennsylvania was 1999.

In a statement, District Attorney Brian Gallagher said the "singular depravity" Woods exhibited in the crime required the accountability found in the state's harshest punishment.

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"Seeking the death penalty is not about vengeance," Gallagher said in a statement. "It's about justice and acknowledging the profound harm inflicted on innocent victims and ensuring that the legal system responds appropriately. Asking a jury of citizens to consider the ultimate punishment under the law carries immense moral and legal weight. But when the law and the facts demand it, I have a duty to stand firmly on behalf of the victims and our community."

Woods was accused of attacking residents of the Jermyn Apartments in December. Armed with a machete, police said he killed Linda Fortuna, 61, and Terry Muller, 59, as well as Muller's Golden Retriever service dog, Nayla. The attack also critically wounded another woman, Marilyn Waller, 66.

After a preliminary hearing Mach 6, Magisterial District Judge Christopher Szewczyk ruled prosecutors presented enough evidence to warrant a trial on a litany of charges that include two counts of first-degree murder.

Death penalty cases are different because the trial is separated into two phases.

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In the first phase, a jury hears the evidence and decides if the state proved the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the jury finds the defendant guilty of first-degree murder, the state has to make another case to the jurors that the aggravating circumstances of the crime  elements that make it especially heinous  outweigh the mitigating factors that reduce the defendant's culpability.

In death penalty cases, the prosecution has to file a formal notice of what aggravating circumstances it intends to pursue. In Tuesday's filing, Gallagher outlined four:

Woods committed multiple murders.

Woods committed a killing in the perpetration of another felony.

In committing multiple murders, Woods knowingly created a grave risk of death to another person in addition to the victim of each intentional killing.

The murder was committed by means of torture.

"When crimes of this magnitude occur in our community, the justice system must respond with resolve," Gallagher said. "That is exactly what we are doing."

Woods is due back in court for a formal arraignment Thursday. He remains locked up without bail at the Lackawanna County Prison.
NEED TO KNOW

An Oregon man is accused of killing his 11-month-old son and dumping his body in a nearby river

Jared Stoller called 911 to report that his son, Jackson, was missing from a hotel room in Sutherlin, Ore., on March 15, police said

Stoller subsequently confessed to killing Jackson days prior to the 911 call and disposing of his body, police alleged

An Oregon man allegedly confessed to killing his son after initially reporting him missing to police.

Jared Scott Jeremy Stoller, 27, called 911 on Sunday, March 15, to report that his 11-month-old son, Jackson, was missing from their hotel room in Sutherlin, Ore., the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said.

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When police arrived at the hotel, they determined there were "suspicious circumstances involved," per the sheriff's office.

"Stoller was interviewed by detectives from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office and eventually confessed that he had murdered Jackson days earlier at a location in Roseburg," the sheriff's office said. "Stoller told detectives that he had disposed of the childs body in the South Umpqua River."

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Authorities subsequently searched the nearby river and divers located Jackson's body that evening.

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The sheriff's office has not given a cause of death, noting that an autopsy had not been completed.

Stoller is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree abuse of a corpse, authorities said. It is not immediately clear if he has entered a plea.

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
Our Excess Returns analysis suggests Aflac is undervalued by 39.1%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio , or discover 47 more high quality undervalued stocks .

Against a recent share price around $109, the Excess Returns model points to a 39.1% discount, which indicates that Aflac appears undervalued using this method.

The cost of equity is estimated at $4.17 per share, while the excess return, the profit above that hurdle rate, is put at $4.25 per share. Those excess returns are projected into the future and discounted back to arrive at an intrinsic value of roughly $179.05 per share.

For Aflac, book value sits at around $56.85 per share, with a stable book value estimate of $59.80 per share based on inputs from 7 analysts. Using the weighted future Return on Equity view from 4 analysts, the model assumes stable earnings of about $8.43 per share and an average Return on Equity of 14.09%.

The Excess Returns model looks at how much profit a company can generate over and above the return that shareholders require, and then treats that surplus as the source of value.

Aflac scores just 2/6 on our valuation checks. See what other red flags we found in the full valuation breakdown .

Aflac currently records a valuation score of 2/6 . The key question is what each major valuation method says about that score today and how a more holistic framework later in this article might give you an even clearer view of what the stock could be worth.

Recent coverage has focused on how insurers like Aflac are handling changes in interest rates and evolving demand for supplemental insurance. That backdrop helps frame why the shares have pulled back in the short term while still sitting on strong multi year returns. Commentary has also highlighted ongoing attention to capital strength, investment portfolios and policyholder trends, all of which feed into how investors are thinking about risk and reward.

The stock has seen a 1% decline over the past week and a 5% decline over the past month, although it still shows a 2.8% return over the last year and very large gains over 3 and 5 years.

Wondering if Aflac at around US$109 a share offers good value or if the best days are already priced in? This breakdown will help you size up what the market is actually paying for the business.

Story Continues

Approach 2: Aflac Price vs Earnings

For a profitable company like Aflac, the P/E ratio is a useful yardstick because it links what you pay per share to the earnings that the business is currently generating. It gives you a quick sense of how many dollars investors are willing to pay for each dollar of profit.

What counts as a normal or fair P/E will usually reflect how fast earnings are expected to grow and how risky those earnings are perceived to be. Higher expected growth or lower perceived risk can justify a higher multiple, while slower growth or higher risk tends to pull the P/E down.

Aflac currently trades on a P/E of 15.45x. That sits above the Insurance industry average of 11.35x and also above the peer group average of 13.84x, which indicates the market is currently assigning Aflac a higher earnings multiple than many sector peers. Simply Wall Sts Fair Ratio for Aflac is 12.35x. This Fair Ratio is a proprietary view of what a reasonable P/E could be, based on factors such as earnings growth, profit margins, risk profile, industry and market cap, rather than a simple comparison with broad industry or peer averages.

Compared with the current 15.45x P/E, the Fair Ratio of 12.35x suggests the shares are trading above that modelled range.

Result: OVERVALUED

NYSE:AFL P/E Ratio as at Mar 2026

P/E ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Start investing in legacies, not executives. Discover our 20 top founder-led companies.

Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your Aflac Narrative

Earlier it was mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation. Narratives take this further by letting you attach a clear story about Aflac to your numbers, link that story to a financial forecast and a fair value, and then compare that fair value with the current share price. All of this happens within an easy tool on Simply Wall St's Community page that updates when fresh news or earnings arrive. One investor might lean toward the higher US$124 analyst target because they focus on product launches, digital initiatives and capital strength. Another might sit closer to the US$99 target because they worry more about Japan exposure, cyber risks and investment returns. Each of those views becomes its own Aflac Narrative that helps decide whether the current price looks attractive or stretched against their assumptions.

Do you think there's more to the story for Aflac? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!

NYSE:AFL 1-Year Stock Price Chart

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include AFL.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
A $10.2 billion Dallas biotechnology company says it has produced the first de-extinct dire wolves, but critics argue the animals are simply genetically modified Gray wolves, not a truly resurrected species.

What Colossal Claims

Colossal Biosciences , which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors including Tiger Woods and Paris Hilton, announced in 2024 that it had produced three pups it described as de-extinct dire wolves. The dire wolf is a species believed to have disappeared more than 10,000 years ago.

The announcement generated both excitement and pointed criticism from researchers who question whether the companys work truly qualifies as bringing extinct species back to life.

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According to an article posted by The Guardian on March 15, Colossals research takes place at a 55,000-square-foot facility in north-west Dallas. There, scientists extract ancient DNA from fossils and use CRISPR gene-editing technology to modify the genomes of closely related living species.

CRISPR is a tool that allows scientists to make precise changes to the DNA of living organisms. For the dire wolf project, scientists edited 14 out of roughly 19,000 genes in Gray wolf DNA to produce hybrid offspring with traits associated with dire wolves, including lighter fur color, larger size and greater cold resistance.

The resulting animals are not clones of ancient dire wolves. They are Gray wolves whose genetic code has been altered to express certain physical characteristics linked to their long-lost relatives. This distinction  between a genetically modified living animal and a truly resurrected extinct one  is central to the scientific debate surrounding the companys work.

The Companys Vision

Colossals chief executive Ben Lamm acknowledged the frequent comparisons to the film Jurassic Park during his interview with The Guardian .

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I dont mind the Jurassic Park comparison because we get it a lot, he said. Jurassic Park taught a large population of people, including non-scientists, that theres this thing called DNA and humans now can change it.

Now, the movie goes terribly wrong because its a dystopian movie about hubris. But at the end of the day, I think it did a lot more right than did wrong, Lamm added.

Lamm said the rapid loss of biodiversity has created what he described as a moral obligation to explore technological responses to extinction. Parents in middle America care about conservation and also get excited about science, he told the outlet.

What Comes Next

Beyond the dire wolf, Colossal says it plans to attempt the revival of the dodo, a flightless bird driven to extinction by human activity roughly 400 years ago. Scientists at the company have cultivated primordial germ cells  early precursors to sperm and egg cells  from the pigeon, the dodos closest living relative.

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Researchers are also working with emu eggs in efforts related to reviving the moa, another extinct flightless bird once native to New Zealand. The woolly mammoth is another target. Colossal has said it hopes revived species such as the woolly mammoth, created using gene-edited Asian elephant DNA, could eventually be released into the wild to restore ecological roles such as seed dispersal, predation and carbon storage.

The company is also working to revive the Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger.

Each project would follow a similar approach: identify the closest living relative of an extinct animal, extract and study ancient DNA from fossils, then use gene-editing tools to modify the living species genome so that the resulting offspring exhibit traits of the extinct creature.

Scientists Push Back

Not everyone in the scientific community shares Colossals optimism  or its terminology.

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Vincent Lynch, an evolutionary developmental biologist at the University at Buffalo, criticized the characterization of the dire wolf project. They made genetically modified gray wolves, not dire wolves  to say they are dire wolves is entirely arrogant, Lynch said.

You cant put a mutation into a related species and call that thing the extinct thing. You cant bring things back in the way Colossal are doing it, he added.

Lynch also challenged the companys definition of species identity, telling The Guardian: They say if it looks like the thing then its the thing, but we havent used that definition for a long time.

The critique raises a fundamental question: When only 14 out of roughly 19,000 genes have been changed, is the result a dire wolf  or simply a Gray wolf that looks a little different? For scientists like Lynch, modifying a handful of genes in a closely related living species falls far short of genuine de-extinction.

Colossal Responds

Colossals chief scientist Beth Shapiro said debate over definitions misses the broader conservation potential of the technology.

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I was surprised by some of the pushback, but if you dont want to call them a dire wolf, thats fine, I dont care, Shapiro said.

Shapiro framed the work as a necessary step in the fight against biodiversity loss, arguing that conservation science may require more aggressive solutions as biodiversity declines.

If youre not controversial, youre not pushing hard enough, right? she said. If we just stick with what everybody is comfortable with, then were just going to keep it with the status quo and we know that the status quo is not good enough.

This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
Oregons top attorneys have dropped a long-running attempt to prosecute a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent who allegedly ran a stop sign and killed a Salem cyclist in 2023.

The Oregon Department of Justice fears that the U.S. Supreme Court could rule in favor of the federal employee and make it harder  not easier  to hold people accountable in future cases, the Marion County District Attorneys office said.

DEA agent Samuel T. Landis is accused of hitting and killing 53-year-old Marganne M. Allen, a bystander, during a March 28, 2023, stakeout.

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Oregon prosecutors tried for years to prosecute Landis for negligent homicide. Their protracted legal saga moved from county to federal court, where it faced dismissals by both a federal judge and a federal appeals court.

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At his trial in federal district court in late 2024, Landis defense attorney, prosecutors and expert witnesses more or less agreed on the basic facts: Landis was conducting surveillance of a suspected drug couriers car when he made the decision to run a stop sign while trying to catch up to his fellow officers and the suspect.

He allegedly drove his unmarked 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck into the intersection and collided with Allen, a mother of two and longtime state employee who had managed projects on forest health and agricultural water quality. Allen died at a hospital after the crash.

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The debate between prosecutors and Landis defense hinged on whether Landis had immunity under the supremacy clause  a legal doctrine that stipulates that federal employees are shielded from state criminal charges if they believed their actions on the job were objectively reasonable under the circumstances at the time, according to the Marion County DAs office and courtroom reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane dismissed the charge against Landis in 2024 and ruled that he was protected under the supremacy clause. The Oregon DOJ fought that dismissal, but McShanes ruling was upheld late last year by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The Marion County DAs office said that if the Oregon DOJ were to try to appeal the case yet again  putting it in front of the U.S. Supreme Court  they could end up with a ruling that would set national precedent.

The state justice department did not want this tragedy to become the vehicle for that outcome, Marion County officials said in a statement.

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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield added in a written statement that the Oregon DOJ pursued extraordinary avenues to hold Mr. Landis accountable.

Allens family said in a statement that they have been through a living nightmare. They thanked county and state prosecutors for pursuing Allens case and called the 2023 crash completely avoidable.

David Angeli, Landis attorney, said that his client will carry the weight of this accident for the rest of his life.

He knows that Ms. Allens loved ones bear an even greater burden, Angeli said. But we are grateful that the justice system ultimately reached the right result  a dedicated federal agent, acting in the line of duty while surveilling a dangerous fentanyl trafficker, should not be subject to criminal prosecution for a tragic accident.

Read the original article on oregonlive.com. Add oregonlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
DENVER (KDVR)  Police in northeast Colorado are investigating after a woman was found dead inside a vehicle on a tow lot Monday.

Brush police officers responded to the lot in the 700 block of Edison Street Monday for a suspicious incident, according to a press release from the police department.

Someone found an unknown dead person inside a vehicle on the lot, and after officers obtained a warrant and with the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, they gained access to the vehicle and removed the persons body, discovering it was a female.

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The department said police are still investigating and did not say how the woman got inside the vehicle or if she was inside already when the vehicle got onto the tow lot.

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 FOX31 Denver.
Ali Larijani, a key behind-the-scenes figure in Iran, was killed in an IDF strike, leaving a major gap in the regime's leadership amid growing instability.

One of the most senior and important remaining figures in Iran, National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani, was targeted by Israel. Larijani's death was confirmed by Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday.

This comes days after he and other regime members had appeared in public during Fridays Quds Day events. Larijani was rumored to be one of the Tehran regimes figures who might assume leadership after Israel and US strikes on February 28 killed other regime officials, including the supreme leader.

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Israel also targeted the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Basij paramilitary militia, Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi.

Larijani, at age 67, was a key regime official and a kind of institution in his own right in Iran. His star has been rising for years. He had been sent by Tehran on several key foreign visits prior to the beginning of the war. He was in Russia, for instance. Moscow has not been as supportive of Iran as the regime would have liked.

The Jordanian think tank Politics and Society Institute noted on February 23 that it is perhaps from precisely this vantage point that the name of Ali Larijani surfaces in contemporary analyses-not because he is the strongest contender [four outright leadership] but because he may be the most suited to a specific function: managing equilibrium should the ground beneath the system begin to tremble.

Senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, pictured August 2025. (credit: Khamenei.ir/via Wikimedia Commons)

This indicates that Larijani's death will leave a major gap in the regime, as he has served as a key figure for so long. The death of the Supreme Leader was felt differently because he was a symbolic head of state as well as the final decision maker. Larijani was more of a behind-the-scenes player, not always at the forefront. He could navigate the halls of power.

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Irans regime is complex. Its president is not very powerful. The IRGC is the real power behind the throne. Israel has already killed numerous key officials in this war and also in June's 12-day war. Thus, Iran has gotten used to replacing some key people. However, there could come a breaking point.

Larijani comes from prominent political, religious family

Larijani was important, as is his family. The Larijani family is from Damavand in northern Iran. He was born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1957, when his father was working there. His family network is important within the Iranian regime, and it has inserted itself in what one Turkish media outlet called an influential web of power intersected across the upper echelon of the regime.

The report above from the Jordanian think tank notes that Larijanis father, Grand Ayatollah Mirza Hashem Amoli, was a respected jurist, granting his sons early scholarly legitimacy. His brothers have occupied influential positions: Sadegh Larijani, a jurist and former head of the judiciary as well as a member of key constitutional bodies, and at times mentioned among potential successors to supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

It then noted that Larijani holds a PhD in philosophy, a background reflected in his political style-measured rhetoric, deliberative decision-making, and a preference for layered solutions.

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Larijani had attempted to run for president in the past. He did not succeed. He was also a key player in the 25-year deal between Iran and China. Like the maneuvering with Russia, Iran has found that China has not been very supportive in this war. Iran and Russia are waiting on the sidelines. Thus, Larijanis work with these key countries actually did not produce the results he intended.

Larijani had a long pedigree in Irans bureaucracy and in the regime's history. He was an officer in the IRGC during the Iran-Iraq war. Later, as he was rising in the bureaucracy, he was Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister in the 1990s and also ran an Iranian state broadcaster.

He later worked directly with supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei on the Supreme National Security Council and served as Parliament speaker.

In addition, he previously played a role in Irans policy in Europe. This was another failure of Irans long-term agenda. Larijani could therefore be seen as a key regime figure who also failed to position Iran strongly on the international stage. As such, his death could be seen as a kind of culling of the herd, the removal of a big beast from Irans apparatchik class of aging leaders.

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Turkeys TRT noted in 2022 that when Hassan Rouhani rose to power in 2013, Ali Larijani did everything he could to help the new presidents agenda. He famously gave the 290 members of Majlis only 20 minutes to discuss the 2015 nuclear agreement, which Rouhanis government had reached with world powers. Even with Rouhani out of the office and the Majlis controlling the hardline faction, Ali Larijani chose to stay in the political powers center.

Larijanis death could weaken the regime, but it could also become the passing of yet another older figure and provide time for a new generation of IRGC men to take the reins and decide what to do next. Larijani came of age when Irans Islamic revolution was rising. He guided the country when it was more of an international player. Now it is isolated and weakened. He may not have been well suited to serve an isolated and weakened regime.
Moldovan border guards have found debris of a drone, likely a Russian Shahed loitering munition, near the border with Ukraine.

Source: Moldovan news outlet Newsmaker, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Moldova's Border Police reported on 17 March that UAV wreckage had been found in the south of the country, in a field near the village of Tudora, about 500 metres from the state border with Ukraine. The village of Tudora is located near the Moldovan village of Palanca, through which the only overland route south of Odesa Oblast runs.

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Before that, on the night of 16-17 March, Moldovan border guards noticed a violation of airspace by a UAV visually resembling a Shahed drone. It was flying at an altitude of about 150 metres and headed towards the village of Coplani. The distance from Coplani to Tudora is about 13 km.

Background:

In Romania, meanwhile, a search is under way for debris of a UAV that may have fallen near the village of Plauru opposite the Ukrainian city of Izmail.

On 14 March, a Russian Shahed drone violated Moldova's airspace in the Cimislia district.

Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador over pollution of the Dniester resulting from strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which created a serious threat to Moldova's water supply.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
A Delaware man was arrested after he allegedly scammed a 70-year-old Carroll Township resident out of $20,000 in regard to some antivirus software.

Jonathan Rashad Francois, 25, of Bear, Delaware, was arrested March 12 by Carroll Township Police after he went to the home of a 70-year-old man to collect money.

MORE: 'Enough is enough': Riverkeeper asks federal court to shut J&K Salvage

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According to a police statement, a man contacted them after he received a notification that his McAfee antivirus software had expired and he owed $488.99.

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Court documents indicate the man gave access to his computer to the suspect, who told the man to put the amount in a box that popped up on the computer screen. The suspect told the man that he had incorrectly put in the amount and owed them $48,500 that had been mistakenly put in his bank account and needed to return the money.

>> Want to stay up to date on the latest news? Sign up for our newsletters.

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The man went to his local bank and was told to withdraw the largest amount of money he could from his account, which was $20,000, and was instructed to send a picture of the money to the suspect once he had it.

The suspect told the man that he would send a runner to his home to pick up the money. The man gave the runner the money and he left.

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After the man realized he had been scammed, he called police.

The suspect continued to call and text the man about the other $28,000 he owed and instructed him to go to a bank in Cumberland County to withdraw the cash and would send a runner for the cash. With police now involved in the case, investigators sent the suspect a picture of three stacks of cash they had found on Google.

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When the runner, later identified as Francois, arrived at the man's home for the money, police were there waiting and arrested him.

Francois told police that he had been contacted by a friend he met online called "Gem" to pick up the cash and was given the address. He told police he never really met "Gem" in-person, and all contact was done online.

Francois faces multiple felony charges including conspiracy to commit theft by deception, conspiracy to receive stolen property, conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to use a communication facility for criminal use and conspiracy for dealing in proceeds of an unlawful act.

Handler Alan Waterman, of Rochester, N.Y., grooms Willow, a 2-year-old female standard poodle who lives near Boston, during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Kristen Lott, left, of Lititz, Pa., waits with Whiskey, her 5-month-old female blue Great Dane, for their turn to show during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Owner and handler Sunny Simpson, left, of Dover Borough, shows Jersey Girl, her 4-month-old female Leonberger, during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Owner Andrea Dadigan, right, of Doylestown in Bucks County, brushes Marz her 22-month-old male Leonberger, as they prepare to show during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Owner and handler Gaby Gilbeau, left, of Leesburg, Va., shows Creed, her 6-month-old male Bedlington terrier, during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Owner Cindy Fernking, of Agawam, Ma., works to straighten the hair of Jasmine, her 2-year-old female Maltese, during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Mable, a 5-month-old female basset hound, of Odenton, Md., waits to be shown during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Aila, a retired 2-year-old female Great Dane, waits for her sister to be shown during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Drakkar, a 4-month-old male Leonberger from Dover Borough, naps while waiting to show during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Leonberger breed is a mix of St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Shout, a 5-month-old doberman from Walnut Port, in Northampton County, waits to be shown during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Nickie, a 2-year-old male chow chow form Reading in Berks County, waits to be shown during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Breeder and handler Suzy Weibel, left, of State College, holds the attention of 21-month-old Louie during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Owner and handler Tracey Dearborn, left, of Severna Park, Md., grooms 22-month-old Kahlua during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. The Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026. Celtic Classic Dog Show offers free admission to public 1 of 30 Handler Alan Waterman, of Rochester, N.Y., grooms Willow, a 2-year-old female standard poodle who lives near Boston, during the Celtic Classic Dog Show at York Expo Center in York, Pa., Friday, March 13, 2026.

Bail for Francois was set at $50,000, and he was booked into York County Prison.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for March 27.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Antivirus software scam leads to arrest of Delaware man in York County
The retirement of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin after nearly 30 years in office sparked an expensive three-way Democratic primary that has showcased the partys divisions over how to confront President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown and introduced pro-crypto forces as an influence seeking to shape the midterm elections. The contest is also setting up a test of Gov. JB Pritzkers political clout in the state as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential bid.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination on Tuesday will be the heavy favorite in November to succeed the 81-year-old Durbin in a state where no Republican has won statewide in 12 years.

The field features an experienced slate of Illinois politicos  US Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Each would bring some degree of generational change in replacing Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate.

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After a face-off in Texas earlier this month, the Illinois race marks the second contentious primary for Democrats early in the midterms calendar, offering more clues about the direction of the party as it charts a path back to power in Congress and beyond. The Illinois contest on the Democratic side has drawn even more spending than the one in Lone Star State.

For Pritzker, who has exerted his political and financial influence to boost Stratton, the race is poised to serve as a gauge of his strength in his home state as he starts to look to an expected national campaign in 2028.

Pritzkers involvement in the race has led to some tension within the Democratic Party. New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, who leads the influential Congressional Black Caucus, which has backed Kelly, accused Pritzker of an effort to tip the scales in the contest.

A sitting governor shouldnt be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race wont soon be forgotten by any of us, Clarke said in a statement.

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At a news conference after Clarke voiced her criticism, Pritzker said of Stratton, I would like a Black woman to represent us in the United States Senate. I just want the best person. She happens to be a Black woman.

By the way, I think Ive proven for many years now that I stand with communities of color across the state and with candidates who are running for public office, he added.

If Kelly or Stratton were to win in November, it would mark the second time Illinois voters elected a Black woman to represent them in the US Senate. Former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun in 1992 became the first Black woman ever elected to the chamber. Durbin has remained neutral in the race, while the states other senator  Democrat Tammy Duckworth  has endorsed Stratton.

Krishnamoorthi, who was born in New Delhi and immigrated with his family to the US as an infant, would become the first Indian American from the state to serve as senator.

US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi walks in the St. Patrick's Day parade on March 14 in Chicago. - Scott Olson/Getty Images

Outside money pours in

Little public polling exists in the race, but Krishnamoorthi, 52, has held a substantial financial edge over his opponents, and his spending has fueled a surprisingly expensive contest.

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The level of spending is just ludicrous, said Peter Giangreco, a veteran political operative in the state who is not working for any of the Senate candidates.

Krishnamoorthi has brought in more than $30 million for his bid, including $20 million transferred from his House campaign account, according to Federal Election Commission fillings. His campaign has accounted for roughly half of advertising spending in the Senate primary  $28.9 million out of more than $56 million  according to a CNN analysis of AdImpact data.

Stratton, 60, has raised more than $4 million, while Kelly, 69, brought in more than $3 million  though $2 million of that was transferred from her House campaign account. Each of their campaigns has spent around $1 million on ads.

Outside groups also have poured millions into the contest. Illinois Future PAC has spent $14 million to support Stratton and criticize Krishnamoorthi. Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, has personally given $5 million to the group. His cousin Jennifer Pritzker has donated another $1 million to the PAC.

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Fairshake, a pro-crypto super PAC, is investing heavily across congressional races in Illinois, including the Democratic primary for Senate. The group ended January with $191 million cash on hand, according to FEC filings, signaling the influential role crypto-aligned groups could play across races this midterm cycle.

Joined by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, left, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks to residents at the Montclare Senior Residences of Avalon Park in Chicago on March 12. - Sophia Tareen/AP

In the Illinois Senate race, the super PAC has spent more than $8 million on ads attacking Stratton, who has support from crypto regulation advocates like Pritzker and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The governor signed a bill last year to regulate the states crypto industry.

Geoff Vetter, a spokesperson for Fairshake, told CNN the group declined to comment on the Illinois race but said it generally supports pro-crypto candidates and opposes anti-crypto politicians.

Stratton and her allies have pushed back on the crypto spending. A Senate seat shouldnt be for sale, but MAGA donors and crypto-lobbyists are trying to buy one, intoned one ad from the Illinois Future PAC.

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I think theres a lot of outside money, people outside the state, who are trying to push up other candidates, because they got some special interest, Pritzker said. The interest Ive got is I need a fighter fighting for us in Washington. Thats Juliana.

Krishnamoorthi has said the critiques coming from Stratton and her allies about outside spending are hypocritical.

Shes the one who opened the gates to super PACs galore flooding Chicago airwaves, Krishnamoorthi told CNN. I dont control any of them. I dont speak for any of them. As you can tell, nobody is bankrolling my campaign. Im doing all my own campaigning and fundraising.

Rep. Robin Kelly speaks during a debate in Chicago on February 19. - Nam Y. Huh/AP

Kelly has seized on the Democratic infighting on the airwaves, releasing her own ad featuring her rivals attack ads, saying, Oh, hell no! My opponents want to attack each other while we struggle to survive.

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Its time to focus on what really matters, Kelly says in the ad as she pushes over a television set. You.

Giangreco expects all the advertising in the race hasnt moved the needle much in recent weeks. That gives Krishnamoorthi the edge, he said, because he was first to make a move. Krishnamoorthis ads appeared on TV last summer  months before the rest of the field.

The airwaves and everyones computer and mailbox are so overwhelmed by outside spending, it has essentially frozen the race, Giangreco said. You cant turn the TV on for sure but even just opening your computer you get pounded. Its hard to believe theres a major shift.

Immigration flashpoint

Trumps aggressive immigration crackdown, which included deploying ICE agents to Chicago last fall, also has emerged as a flashpoint in the race as the candidates work to convince voters they will put up the strongest fight against the administrations actions.

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Stratton has taken the most defiant stance against Trumps moves, echoing long-standing progressive calls to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She also criticized Krishnamoorthi for accepting campaign donations connected to Palantir, a federal contractor assisting immigration enforcement.

Krishnamoorthi has countered he would abolish Trumps ICE by banning the agents from wearing masks, forcing them to present identification and prohibiting warrantless arrests.

According to his campaign, Krishnamoorthi has since passed on the contributions, which came from Palantirs chief technology officer, to immigrant rights groups.

Kelly has argued the federal border enforcement agencies cannot simply cease to exist, though she introduced legislation to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem before Trump announced earlier this month he was firing her.

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The dynamics in Illinois mirror a debate playing out on Capitol Hill and in races nationwide as Democrats navigate the complex politics around immigration and border security. Voters have sided with Republicans on the issue in recent years, but Democrats are hoping to seize on the outrage over the presidents actions in upcoming elections.

Krishnamoorthi also has approached the issue from a personal perspective, often highlighting his own immigrant experience as hes challenged Trumps moves.

In an interview with CNN, Krishnamoorthi said ensuring the next generation of immigrants has the same opportunities as his family animates my campaign.

I cant but help to think when I see a video of somebody whos snatched by ICE or [Customs and Border Protection] there, but for the grace of God, I could have been that person who was racially profiled because they were brown-skinned, he said, adding electing someone with his background to the Senate would be a rebuke to what Donald Trump is doing with DHS.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi speaks during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the US Capitol on March 4. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Courting voters

In the final stretch of the campaign, the candidates spent a substantial portion of their time mining for support across the Chicagoland area, where the vast majority of the states Democratic voters reside.

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Rep. Jim Clyburn, an influential South Carolina Democrat, headlined a fundraiser with Kelly a week before the election. Pritzker joined Stratton for several events in the days leading up to the election, and Warren campaigned with her in Chicago on Friday.

Warren argued Illinois will be a test case for whether crypto super PACs can shape the outcome of elections this cycle.

This wouldnt even be a close race if it werent for money pouring in on the other side  dark money, hidden money, money that disguises who it is and what the underlying message is all about, Warren told CNN in an interview. I worry about what that means, not just in any one race, but what it means for our democracy.

On the Thursday before the election, Krishnamoorthi and Stratton each campaigned in Chicagos South Side, an area represented by Kelly that has a significant Black population.

As he greeted voters at a South Side polling location, signs of Krishnamoorthis advertising dominance could be found as shouts of Raja! greeted him as he spoke with early voters. Denise Williams, a 64-year-old poll worker, approached Krishnamoorthi asking for a photo, saying, I just love your commercials.

At a nearby Stratton event at a senior living facility, the local alderman, Michelle Harris, urged a room full of Black seniors to consider voting for Stratton, who is from the South Side, because she is one of us.

In an interview with CNN, Stratton said she hopes Tuesdays primary will send a message to Democrats nationwide as they try to tap into voter frustration in their push to win back the House and Senate.

I think a lot of the message of what we need to be thinking about is not something thats developed in some room somewhere on a retreat, Stratton told CNN. Its about talking to the people in communities and matching the energy that people are showing us when they get to the streets.

CNNs Edward-Isaac Dovere and David Wright contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Democrats clamoring for their party to get tougher on President Donald Trump will get a sense of how much of it their base wants when voters in deep-blue Illinois select a Democratic nominee to replace retiring incumbent Sen. Dick Durbin.

Unlike the recent Senate primary in Texas, where Democrats publicly weighed questions of electability, the Praire State's March 17 primary is focused on the breadth of liberal voters' ambition.

"I think Democrats should be doing everything possible to stop the Republican Party," Jacob Rosenbacher, a technology executive from Chicago who voted early for Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, one of the top contenders, told USA TODAY.

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Illinois voters must send a message to Washington, he said, in response to Trump's aggressive use of executive authority, such as sending thousands of immigration enforcement agents and 300 National Guard troops into Chicago last year as part of "Operation Midway Blitz."

Left to Right, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL); Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton

That's why he is supporting Stratton  a close ally to Gov. JB Pritzker, one of Trump's fiercest adversaries  over Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., a well-funded rival who led in early polls.

Krishnamoorthi would hardly qualify as a conservative in most states: he voted against the Iran war and leans into affordability.

But Rosenbacher, 32, citing reports that Trump advisers and other conservative activists were among Krishnamoorthi's donors, described the congressman as a "Republican in a Democrat's suit."

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Stratton has forcefully came out in favor of abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and drew national attention with a profanity-laced campaign ad in February featuring several voters saying "f--- Trump" directly to the camera.

That aggressive style has helped her surge in the polls, which have recently swung between both candidates.

There are at least 16 candidates running, with 10 Democrats and six Republicans vying to replace Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate.

Illinois' Senate race is rated a solidly blue state by forecasters in the 2026 midterms, meaning the Democratic nominee will likely prevail in the general election.

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On the Republican side, former state party chair Don Tracy led with about 6% in the lone public poll, which found 84% of Illinois Republicans remained undecided two months before the election.

John Mark Hansen, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago, said the race had recently morphed into a referendum on reforming or dismantling ICE, which has seen its popularity drop dramatically nationwide following the killings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents earlier this year.

"Stratton's political patron is our governor, so she is kind of beholden to Gov. Pritzker," Hansen said. "She's seen that he's benefited, both locally and beyond, in having a more confrontational posture toward the Trump administration than many other Democrats had  and that was her posture right out of the box."

Pritzker vehemently opposed the Trump administration when it brought its ambitious deportation campaign to Chicago, leading to scenes of federal officials deploying chemical agents on protesters and journalists outside the local immigration-enforcement facility; rappelling from Black Hawk helicopters to raid a South Side apartment building in the middle of the night; and fatally shooting Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, a Mexican man, in the northwest suburbs who federal authorities alleged drove his car into an officer.

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Hansen said smaller policy differences or questionable campaign donations could be critical given the presence of Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., in the race. She is being backed by the Congressional Black Caucus, which has some political observers speculating a split among Black voters might undercut Stratton's ascent. Both Stratton and Kelly are Black.

In an interview with USA TODAY, Krishnamoorthi, a five-term congressman born in New Delhi, India, acknowledged the race will reflect the party's direction.

"You've got to hold the Trump administration accountable and fight for our principles, not necessarily engage in a lot of verbal fisticuffs with the other side and scream and shout, but rather use your leverage to protect those principles," he said.

Abolish or reform? Candidates clash over ICE

At a Jan. 26 debate, the three top contenders each called for ICE to be overhauled but differed on the extent. Stratton called for the agency to be "abolished" and Kelly said it ought to be "dismantled."

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Krishnamoorthi took a more moderate approach, suggesting that Trump's leadership is the reason why the agency has gone rogue. He said it needs to be reined with specific reforms, such as banning agents from wearing masks covering their faces; requiring visible identification and body cameras; and establishing an inspector general within ICE to ensure compliances with laws and regulations.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks during a panel discussion Feb. 17, 2025, at IBEW Local 364 in Rockford.

But Stratton pounced during that discussion and called out the congressman for accepting donations from executives of Palantir, a data company that has a contract with ICE.

The lieutenant governor also slammed Krishnamoorthi for supporting a measure in the House that provided funding to the agency and voting for a resolution that among other things, "expressed gratitude" to law enforcement, including ICE agents.

"That is not the example of somebody who is going to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for all of our communities," Stratton said during the Jan. 26 debate. "I want to abolish ICE, because this agency cannot be reformed. It doesn't matter whose ICE it is."

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The congressman's campaign, which released a March 12 ad highlighting Krishnamoorthi's immigrant roots, quickly points out that CoreCivic, a company that operates immigration detention facilities, contributed more than $135,000 to the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, a political action committee that is supporting Stratton.

ICE has "earned the wrath" of voters, Krishnamoorthi told USA TODAY, but he added that Stratton has been dishonest in some of her attacks. He said the House resolution, for instance, was a wider measure more about denouncing antisemitism than thanking the agency.

Aug 22, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

"Look, I'm an immigrant myself. Ok? This is a personal issue to me, and so I don't need a lecture from anyone about standing up to ICE and Border Patrol the way that I have," he said

For more than a year, activists on the left have demanded stronger action to control ICE's behavior, particularly from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who faced sharp criticism as party figures map out whether it's best to focus on confronting Trump versus winning over MAGA-leaning voters.

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Several Illinois Democratic voters who spoke with USA TODAY praised Senate Democrats for withholding funding for the Department of Homeland Security, over demands to reform ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies.

Christian Michel, 30, a software developer from Chicago, who is the son of Haitian immigrants, said he worries about his family "being snatched up" whenever they visit him. He said Stratton's fiery response and position to eliminate ICE captures how many people feel about Trump's operation, and made the difference in his decision.

"The other candidate's position makes it seem like we're going to continue and fall back on the status quo," Michel said. "Getting rid of it is probably the best way to start because keeping it around would potentially keep people who are involved and who don't have the best track record."

Illinois faces historic choice and possible split

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly answers a question Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at a town hall meeting at Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac.

If there is a wildcard in the Illinois derby for Senate then it is the role Kelly, first elected to Congress in 2013, could play in the race.

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If either Kelly or Stratton were to prevail, they'd be likely to become just the sixth Black woman to ever serve in the Senate. With Democratic Sens. Angela Alsobrooks, of Maryland, and Lisa Blunt Rochester, of Delaware, there would be an all-time high of three in the upper chamber.

Krishnamoorthi, if elected, would be the second Indian American ever to serve in the Senate.

Powerful Black lawmakers in Congress, such as Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., have thrown their support behind Kelly. He visited Illinois this past week to host a fundraiser for her.

"If you look where the local politicians  state legislators, alderman, etc.  are lining up it kind of lines up the way you'd expect," Hansen, the University of Chicago professor, said. "They're sort of competitive for the same demographic and so you wouldn't be too surprised that it's probably Kelly who would be a spoiler for Stratton in the nomination."

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Most yardsticks of the race have the congresswoman in a distant third, such as a March 10 survey from Public Policy Polling that founded Stratton with 32%, Krishnamoorthi at 30% and Kelly holding just 13% support. Whoever wins the most votes will win the primary, regardless of whether they win an outright majority.

Some of Stratton's supporters are quick to point out that groups aligned with Krishnamoorthi, such as Indian American Impact Fund and others connected to the cryptocurrency industry, such as a super PAC called Fairsake, have supported Kelly.

One digital spot from the Indian American Impact Fund, for instance, features former President Barack Obama, who has not endorsed in the Senate contest, praising Kelly as an "outstanding" member of Congress.

Krishnamoorthi told USA TODAY that his House colleague doesn't need anyone to elevate her candidacy, adding he has "great respect" for Kelly.

Texas National Guard troops walk through the Joliet Army Reserve Training Center, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Elwood, Illinois, Oct. 7, 2025. Two hundred Texas National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, a Pentagon official said Tuesday, ahead of a planned deployment in Chicago that is strongly opposed by local Democratic officials. The troops were sent as part of a mission to protect "federal functions, personnel, and property," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the Guardsmen have been mobilized for "an initial period of 60 days." The planned deployment of troops from Texas has infuriated Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who said they "should stay the hell out of Illinois." Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 07, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. The Trump administration has been threatening for more than a month to send the guard to Illinois to address Chicago's crime problem and to support ICE and CBP during Operation Midway Blitz. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been outspoken in his opposition to the move, accusing the president of using the guardsmen as political pawns. A woman protests the arrival of Texas Army National Guard troops across the street from the Army Reserve Training Center in Elmwood, Illinois, after being deployed as part of the federal response to ongoing immigration enforcement operations, on Oct. 7, 2025. Members of the Texas National Guard are seen at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Temporary housing units are set up as members of the Texas National Guard arrive at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct.7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. T Members of the Texas National Guard arrive at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Temporary housing units are set up as members of the Texas National Guard arrive at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Members of the Texas National Guard carry rifles and riot shields at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. Members of the Texas National Guard are seen at the Elwood Army Reserve Training Center on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. A Texas Army National Guard troops stands guard at the Army Reserve Training Center in Elmwood, Illinois, after being deployed as part of the federal response to ongoing immigration enforcement operations. Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on Oct. 7, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. National Guard members arrive in Illinois despite governor, Chicago mayor objections 1 of 12 Texas National Guard troops walk through the Joliet Army Reserve Training Center, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Elwood, Illinois, Oct. 7, 2025. Two hundred Texas National Guard troops have arrived in Illinois, a Pentagon official said Tuesday, ahead of a planned deployment in Chicago that is strongly opposed by local Democratic officials. The troops were sent as part of a mission to protect "federal functions, personnel, and property," the official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the Guardsmen have been mobilized for "an initial period of 60 days." The planned deployment of troops from Texas has infuriated Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who said they "should stay the hell out of Illinois."

The Kelly campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment, but she has alluded to that issue on the campaign trail, telling voters at a March 10 event that: "A vote for Robin Kelly is a vote for Robin Kelly. Period."

She also hasn't spared Krishnamoorthi from criticism, saying in a March 11 post on X that in Washington her opponent is "known to be a fundraiser" while she is "known for getting s--- done."

"I do the job I was elected to do," Kelly added. "I'll put people over profits every day, all day, and in the Senate, too."

Democrat Mayra Macias, an Illinois congressional candidate in the Chicago area, said the lack of diversity in the Senate matters and there could be historic turnout in those communities. But she said the tension over race hasn't been as pronounced as it has been in other Democratic contests, such as Texas.

"We have an opportunity to send a Black woman to the U.S. Senate. That is huge, and it is frankly needed, given that the lack of diversity in the U.S. Senate," Macias said. "But I will also say that we are past the era where being of someone's identity is enough for voters to support you."

Contributing: Tom Ackerman, Brenden Moore

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois Democrats push anti-Trump boundaries in Senate race
There were plenty of guns among the thousands of spring breakers on Daytona Beach over the weekend but there was no shooting, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said March 16.

Chitwood said deputies made a total of 133 arrests on the first weekend of spring break with 84 arrests in Daytona Beach and 49 in New Smyrna Beach.

In a press conference, he said social media videos claiming spring breakers were running due to gunshots were incorrect. Instead, he said beachgoers were crushing water bottles, which sounded like gunshots, prompting others to run.

6 guns seized from Daytona Beach spring break crowds

Deputies seized six guns, including two from one adult and a stolen gun from a juvenile, Chitwood said.

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He reported 20 encounters when deputies questioned someone for carrying an open container and the person volunteered having a gun in their backpack. All of the encounters were adults.

"It's a new generation in dealing with spring break," Chitwood said, adding that there were a lot of people who had guns "on top of the bad guys" who had guns.

Deputies did not see anyone open carrying a gun, he said.

But whats more disheartening and people need to understand is everybody can carry a gun in Florida. Doesnt matter the color of your skin."

A person must be 21 or older to carry a firearm.

Chitwood also said it was not a problem as long as the person could legally carry a gun.

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And theres nothing wrong with that. They can carry conceal. They can carry a weapon open carry, Chitwood said.

Chitwood said he had more than 50 deputies in the crowd between the Main Street Pier and Seabreeze Boulevard.

Daytona Beach spring breakers contacted by deputies were polite

People might not want to hear this but everybody who we came in contact was absolutely polite, Chitwood said. And they understood why they were being arrested.

He said no one tried to interfere with deputies making an arrest.

But Chitwood said he wants the Daytona Beach City Commission to agree to have its police department enforce a special event zone for next weekend.

Hopefully, the city will get in line with me and were going to declare that special event zone, so then I can double that number with Daytona Beach and then we can really, really crack down, Chitwood said.

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He said law enforcement tried but was unable to determine if anyone was promoting the spring break crowd so the promoter could be warned that they would be responsible for event costs, such as clean up.

Chitwood: ICE lodged detainers against 7 people

Besides the guns, Chitwood provided another arrest statistic. He said deputies encountered seven people without documentation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged detainers against them.

He said people were cited or arrested for charges such as possession of a firearm, speeding on the beach, E-bike speeding and open container.

He said some who were smoking marijuana were told to put it out but the ones that argued about it were arrested.

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He said 17 juveniles who were drunk or high were processed at the Volusia County Family Resource Center and their parents were notified to come pick them up.

Chitwood said that no one in the city makes money from spring break, except probably the liquor stores. He said the crowds on the beach didn't stay at hotels and few went into Dunkin' or to an ice cream shop as an example. He said the crowd on Sunday was different as compared to Saturday.

"We dont want spring break," Chitwood said. "Spring break brings no financial benefit here."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach spring break saw 84 arrests 1st weekend, no shooting
Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick has confirmed that he has quit California and relocated his personal business interests to Texas after the Golden State threatened to impose a one-time wealth tax on its billionaire residents.

Kalanick, 49, who has an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion, according to Forbes, announced in a new interview with TPBN that he officially moved to the Lone Star State on Dec. 18, emphasizing his decision to leave California "prior to January."

While the technology mogulwho co-founded the ride-share service Uber in 2009did not specifically reference the state's proposed billionaire tax, the timing of his move to Austin, TX, is significant, coming exactly 14 days before the Jan. 1, 2026, cutoff date for California's ballot measure targeting its richest residents.

"Just to be clear, on December 18, I moved to Texas. I dont know whats so specific about December 18, but lets just say its prior to January," Kalanick explained.

He went on to note that he has owned a property on Lake Austin for around five years, but stated that he has now become a "primary resident of Texas," suggesting that the home is serving as his full time base.

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick has confirmed that he has quit California and relocated his personal business interests to Austin, TX, after the Golden State threatened to impose a one-time wealth tax on its billionaire residents. (Ed Lallo/Getty Images)

California has yet to qualify the proposal for the November 2026 ballot, however that has not stopped many of the state's richestand most high-profileresidents from fleeing the threat of the one-time wealth tax of 5%.

In Kalanick's case, this tax would have required him to pay around $180 million, based on his current estimated net worth.

Many of those residents, including Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and Facebook mogul Mark Zuckerberghave chosen to relocate to Florida, snapping up enormous mansions in and around Miami.

Speaking to TPBN, Kalanick joked that he had formed a "fear of missing out" on the mass exodus out of California, explaining: "I get a little bit [of] FOMO on like, these people going to Florida."

However, he hinted that the Sunshine State never held the same allure for him that it does for his fellow billionaires, adding: "I'm like, dude! Why so much Florida action? Come on, homies."

Though Kalanick eschewed Florida in favor of Texas, he will have plenty of billionaire company in the Lone Star State, which has long served as the base for Elon Musk's Tesla and SpaceX. Much like those living in Florida, he will also benefit from his new home state's lack of income tax.

Venture capitalist David Sacks' company, Craft Ventures, also announced in December that it has opened a new satellite office in Austin. At the time, the company said that Sacks' co-founder, Bill Lee, had lived in Austin since 2022, and noted that Sacks had relocated to the area earlier in the month.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge named a new administrator in leadership.

According to a release, Jill Grabert will serve as the assistant superintendent of students, starting July 1.

Grabert currently serves as the principal of St. Cletus Catholic School in Gretna, which she has held since 2010.

After obtaining her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University, she started her education career teaching elementary students, serving as a math and science coordinator. She pursued a leadership career after earning a Masters degree in Educational Administration from the University of New Orleans.

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The release states that Grabert was actively involved in educational leadership within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, participating in professional development programs, serving on advisory committees, presenting testing data, and contributing to strategic planning initiatives. She is also a member of the National Catholic Educational Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the Louisiana Association of Principals.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
An investigation is underway after a 28-year-old Brockton man died after an alleged physical altercation and hit-and-run Sunday in the parking lot behind Cardoso Cafe, officials said in a statement Tuesday.

On Sunday, March 15 at around 3:55 a.m., Brockton Police conducting a routine patrol discovered a man on the ground in the parking lot behind Cardoso Cafe near the intersection of Lincoln Street and West Railroad Avenue, the statement said.

The man, later identified as Lianes Brandao, 28, of Brockton, was transported to a local hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office in a written statement Tuesday, March 17.

Lianes Brandao, 28, of Brockton, was identified as the man killed in an incident in Brockton Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Through surveillance footage and witness interviews, investigators determined a physical altercation took place earlier that night involving Brandao and several other individuals who left the scene, the DA's office said.

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Sometime later, Brandao was run over by a 2013 gray Jeep Compass, which also fled, the DA's office said. Police interviewed the driver regarding the incident, but no arrests were made.

This makeshift memorial for Lianes Brandao was in a parking lot in Brockton near Montello Street on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Abington train tracks rescue See Abington Police Sgt. rescue woman on tracks with oncoming train

Victim identified, described by family as lovable, quiet man

Brandaos aunt, Ericka Dos Reis described her nephew as a quiet and shy kid who loved to spend time with his family.

"He's very lovable," Dos Reis told The Enterprise Tuesday. "Me and him were close. He used to call me a lot. Its difficult knowing that call wont come in anymore, she said.

Dos Reis' nephew emigrated from Cape Verde around a decade ago with his immediate family, learned English and went to night school, she said. At the time of his death, he was working at a local factory and taking care of his elderly grandmother.

Lianes Brandao, 28, of Brockton (far left), with his three brothers at the time the family emigrated from Cape Verde to the U.S.

[His grandmother] is taking it very hard," Dos Reis told The Enterprise Tuesday. "We're all in disbelief," she said. "He was just going to the bar, having a good night like everyone else."

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Dos Reis said the family does not know what happened.

'Not a federal offense' Judge considers dismissal in Birchmore case

Police ask public for help in Brockton death investigation

The DA's office described the investigation into Brandao's death as active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit at 508-894-2584.

(This story has been updated.)

Reporter Amelia Stern can be reached by email at astern@enterprisenews.com. Follow her on X at @ameliarstern1.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton man dies after fight, hit-and-run behind Cardoso cafe, DA says
LOUISIANA (KLFY)  Newly donated documents surrounding the assassination of former Governor Huey P. Long became open to public earlier today, officials said.

Presented by Secretary of State Nancy Landry and the Louisiana State Archives, these never-before-seen papers, donated by author Jack B. McGuire, who serve as the main source for his new book, Killing the Kingfish.

My goal has been to write the final word on the Long assassination, and in doing so, I have gone to great lengths to correct the misstatements in many accounts, said McGuire.

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Officials said the records greatly expand on the details of the case and introduce new reports and lines of investigation not previously made public. The files contain investigations into rumors and hearsay, additional reports by Elliot Coleman and Murphy Roden, Long`s principal bodyguards, who were the first to fire on Dr. Weiss, and other documentation of a plot to assassinate the senator, involving the heads of law enforcement in two parishes.

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Over the past six decades, McGuire has assembled Louisiana and New Orleans political papers surrounding the case for his own research and for preservation. These historical documents will now be available to the public for viewing and research at our Reference Library.

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For information about the exhibit and the Louisiana State Archives, visit www.sos.la.gov.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
Slainte! It's St. Patrick's Day, and that means a celebration of Irish heritage, history and culture is about to kick off around the world. That much is especially true in New York City, which hosts one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the world on March 17.

Did you know that Manhattan is home to the worlds oldest St. Patricks Day parade? The first parade was held March 17, 1762, some 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Read on to learn more about the parade, how to get there, and how to watch it live.

When does the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade start?

The annual New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off from East 44th Street and 5th Avenue at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

How can I get to the parade from Lower Hudson Valley?

The MTA has added extra Metro-North trains to Manhattan for the parade.

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According to an MTA news release, Metro-North will operate extra service to Grand Central Terminal on both the East of Hudson and West of Hudson Lines on parade day.

Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines will have four extra inbound trains as well as two extra outbound trains running to transport participants to and from the festivities in Manhattan. Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines will operate one extra train each.

The City of New York Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums march in the 258th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City March 16, 2019. Hundreds of thousands of people lined Fifth Ave. as the parade made its way from 44th St. up to 79th St.

Luck of the Irish: See photos of the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow St. Patrick's Day parade

Metro-North will monitor traffic after the parade in the afternoon and operate extra trains "as necessary."

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Passengers should note that alcohol is banned on both the Metro-North and Long Island Railroad from 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.

Riders headed for the parade can hop on the Lexington Avenue line of the Subway (trains 4, 5 and 6) and follow the green shamrock signs to the parade. The Lexington Avenue line covers the full parade route with stations "a short walk to Fifth Avenue," the MTA said.

How can I watch the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade from home?

Locals can watch the St. Patrick's Day Parade from the comfort of their own home by tuning in to WNBC from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., NBC New York reported. You can also stream the parade via the NBC New York channel on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo Play, Amazon Fire, Google TV, Freevee and TCL.

Erin go bragh: How to see Rockland's famed St. Patrick's parade in Pearl River

Check out these other St. Patrick's Day parades in Lower Hudson Valley

Yonkers St. Patrick's Day Parade

Parade starts at 1 p.m., March 21.

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Route: The parade is on McLean Avenue, described as the "Emerald Mile.

Rockland County St. Patrick's Day Parade

In Pearl River, the 62nd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.

Route: The states second-largest St. Patrick Days parade  after New York Citys  begins at the Pfizer parking lot, heads east on Crooked Hill Road and south on North Middletown Road, where it takes a right on Central Avenue. It then comes to Main Street and ends near the Pearl River post office.

Mamaroneck St. Patrick's Day Parade

The 14th annual Sound Shore St. Patricks Day Parade starts at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 22 (rain date is March 29).

Route: Marchers and bands parade down Mamaroneck Avenue.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How to watch NYC St. Patrick's Day parade from home
The war in Iran has led to a worldwide energy crisis, with oil experts from the Persian Gulf being blocked by Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite this being a cornerstone of Iranian defense for decades, the Trump administration seems to have been caught off guard, and a major reason is that the State Department no longer has any oil and gas experts, having fired them last July as part of reduction-in-force efforts, NOTUS reports.

A total of 1,300 people were laid off from the State Department last summer, and the Bureau of Energy Resources was hit hard. The people fired were responsible for planning scenarios if the strait was ever closed, and others had professional relationships with oil and gas companies in the Middle East as well as with foreign diplomats who deal with energy concerns. The only people left in the bureau, ironically, are people who work with clean energy and critical minerals.

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Im sure Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio wishes he had that expertise available today, Geoffrey Pyatt, who served as assistant secretary of state for energy resources during the Biden administration, told NOTUS. Most of that institutional knowledge was lost with the elimination of the bureau and RIFs last fall.

That expertise would be critical right now as oil and gas prices skyrocket around the world due to the closure of the strait and attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the region. Several former State Department officials who worked on energy told NOTUS that the administrations lack of preparedness before striking Iran is clearly apparent.

Before any of this should have happened, there should have been discussion about what are the implications of this, and what happens when the Strait of Hormuz turns off, a former Bureau of Energy Resources staffer said. Other former staffers who now work for oil and gas companies said they dont have clear points of contact in the Trump administration who they can discuss concerns with.

Publicly, Trump has been dumbfounded by Irans response to U.S. and Israeli attacks.

They werent supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East. Those missiles were set to go after them. So they hit Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait. Nobody expected that, Trump said Monday. The president fails to realize that he fired the people who likely did expect and plan for that exact scenario.
President Donald Trump told reporters that he has the authority to do anything he wants with Cuba, indicating it could be next on his list of countries to take. The comments came as his administration continues to wage war against Iran.

Donald Trump talks about Cuba to reporters

The president made the remarks during an executive order signing ceremony at the White House when a reporter asked about Cuba. Donald Trump responded that he could take the entire island and suggested he would likely have the honor of doing so in some form.

I do believe Ill be the honor of have the honor of taking Cuba. That would be good. Thats a big honor, Trump said. Fox News White House reporter Peter Doocy sought clarification. Taking Cuba? he asked. Trump confirmed, Taking Cuba. In some form, yeah. Taking Cuba.

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Trump then expanded on his view of executive authority regarding the nation. I mean, whether I free it, or take itI think I can do anything I want with it, to tell you the truth, Trump stated. The comments regarding Trumps Cuba policy follow recent statements from Senator Lindsey Graham. He is a Republican from South Carolina who has supported the presidents military campaign against Iran.

Graham told Fox News earlier this month that authoritarian regimes were being targeted one by one, adding, Cubas next. Theyre going to follow this communist dictatorship in Cuba. Their days are numbered.

The war against Iran has now entered its third week, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including 13 American service members. The military campaign has disrupted global oil markets, as Iranian forces have closed off the Strait of Hormuz with sea mines. Approximately 20% of the worlds oil tanker traffic passes through the strait annually.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly stated that the war with Iran will end in the coming days. However, they have declined to outline specific objectives or clarify what has been achieved regarding Irans ballistic weapons and nuclear program. Officials have also moved away from initial suggestions of pursuing regime change in Tehran (via Independent).

The post Donald Trump Rants About Cuba, Says He Can Do Anything He Wants appeared first on Mandatory.
US President Donald Trump, while speaking about Lebanon, unexpectedly mentioned Ukraine and said he was surprised that people continue to live there despite the war.

Source: Trump speaking to journalists at the White House, as reported by Ukrinform

Details: Responding to a question about Israel's military operation in Lebanon, Trump said he had recently met an influential Lebanese individual.

Trump said he had asked: "Really? How do you live in Lebanon? Your parents are living [there]?" The man replied: "Oh yeah, they lived there. And over the years they've gotten used to the fact that it's being bombed."

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While discussing the challenges posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon, Trump then shifted to Ukraine.

Quote: "People live in Ukraine, you would think they wouldn't live in Ukraine, but they live in Ukraine. I don't know that I'd do that, but they live in Ukraine."

Details: After commenting on Ukraine, Trump returned to the previous topic, saying: "They live in Lebanon. Hezbollah is a big problem and they're rapidly being eliminated."

Background:

The Financial Times wrote that Trump is losing interest in talks on peace in Ukraine as he focuses on Iran.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin does not believe Trump has lost interest in talks on peace in Ukraine and is expecting the next round of negotiations.

Trump also said that he is surprised that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly does not want to make a peace deal, while Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is ready for it.

Zelenskyy told journalists after the end of his visit to France that the country is ready for a new round of talks on ending the war, but the venue and timing have still not been agreed due to differing positions between the US and Russia.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Diego Dulanto and Alexander Vallejos do not know each other, but they share the same immigration status and the anxiety that comes with it.

Both are recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, the 2012 executive action signed by former President Barack Obama that protects people brought to the United States as children from deportation.

Their concerns have grown after a reportthat U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 261 program beneficiaries and deported 86 during the first 10 months of last year.

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We are feeling petrified for those of us who have been detained and deported because we fear we might be next, said Dulanto, 27, who lives in Hillsborough County.

The most stressful part is the uncertainty, said Vallejos, 26, of Orlando. I think a lot of Dreamers feel the same.

The new data was shared last month in a letter from the Department of Homeland Security to Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. The letter, signed by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, said 241 of the 261 recipients arrested had criminal histories. It did not provide details about the nature of those crimes or the circumstances of the deportations.

Last month, a Mexican mother who had lived in the United States for 27 years was detained in Sacramento, California, during a green card interview and deported 24 hours later to Mexico. She was a program recipient. Now, shes suing the federal government and lawmakers are demanding her return.

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More than 20,000 recipients live in Florida; nationwide, about 515,000. The program provides recipients, known as Dreamers, with a Social Security number. They can legally work and renew their status every two years. The program doesnt offer a path to citizenship and requires recipients to follow rules to keep their status.

The program has been under scrutiny by President Donald Trumps administration since his first term. Last year, there were new attempts to stop it and limit its benefits.

Recipients have seen delays in renewal processing nationwide and first-time applications are not being processed because of court rulings. They also can no longer get lower-cost health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace after the Trump administration overturned a Biden-era rule.

In Florida, the state ended in-state tuition for some immigrant students, including program recipients.

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Thankfully, I dont have to renew anything until next year, said Dulanto. However, he said his older brother, also a recipient, recently renewed his status and was required to appear in person for biometric screenings at a local customs office.

Everyone in my family was terrified something was gonna happen to him, Dulanto said. We spent all day alert, just waiting for a text from him that he was done. Nothing happened, thankfully, but we were incredibly anxious.

Dulanto has participated in demonstrations across the state to seek support for a permanent status. After arriving from Peru as a child, he earned a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of South Florida in 2022. He pursued a masters in public health, but was unable to finish amid funding cuts and restrictions due to his status, he said. A semester away from finishing, he could not afford the $9,000 needed to complete it.

After years of pushing for reforms, Dulanto said little has changed.

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Dreamers are getting the bare minimum of what weve asked for over the past decade. It is not right, it is not just, he said.

In response to questions from the Times, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Matthew J. Tragesser said in a statement that more screening can lengthen processing times.

DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country, Tragesser said. Illegal aliens claiming to be recipients of DACA are not automatically protected from deportation. Any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation for a number of reasons including if they committed a crime.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, recipients can lose their protection if they are convicted of a felony offense, significant misdemeanors such as domestic violence or driving under the influence, or three or more other misdemeanors. They also may lose their status if they pose a threat to national security or public safety.

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Maria Gabriela Gaby Pacheco, president and chief executive of TheDream.US, a scholarship program for immigrant youth, said recipients have trusted the government for 14 years, have renewed their status and passed background checks. She questioned the arrests of Dreamers and how the program is being interpreted.

Thomas Kennedy, a policy analyst and consultant at the Florida Immigration Coalition, said the concern in Florida for local Dreamers is the cooperation between law enforcement and federal immigration authorities through formal agreements.

Obviously, this puts them at greater risk when coming into any contact with authorities, Kennedy said.

Immigration lawyer Jose Manuel Godinez Samperio of Bradenton said the deportation of Dreamers is the result of Congress failure to act. Samperio is a former program recipient, brought from Mexico when he was 9. In 2013, he was the first immigrant without permanent legal status allowed to practice law in the state. A decade later, Florida lawmakers repealed that pathway.

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Deferred Action, at the end of the day, is not actual immigration status, said Godinez. Congress urgently needs to pass immigration reform to open avenues for Dreamers to apply for legal permanent residence.

For Vallejos, the fear of being detained and deported became real. He was arrested for a probation issue related to a 2024 DUI case in Seminole County. ICEtook him into custody in February 2025.

Vallejos spent two months in immigration detention at the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami-Dade County, the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach and the Florence Service Processing Center in Arizona. He was released from detention in April, andhis statuswas renewed in September. His immigration case is pending, he said, with a court hearing expected in 2028.

Vallejos is studying computer science at the University of Central Florida and plans to graduate in December. He wanted to do that last summer, but the end of in-state tuition forced him to delay his plans.

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Like Dulanto, he took part in advocacy efforts calling for a permanent solution for program recipients. Deportation is something he cannot imagine.

My whole life is genuinely here, he said.

Vallejos came from Argentina with his parents when he was 2. His family and friends are in the U.S. Hes not fluent in Spanish.

Its scary to think everything could just go away that quickly, Vallejos said.
The Florida House rejected a bill aimed at preventing the state from selling drivers personal data to third parties on Friday.

The bill sought to limit the sharing of driver names, addresses, and email addresses. Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-District 91, introduced the measure after disclosing that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has earned over $490 million from selling this data in the past 15 years.

These transactions have allowed the state to sell driver information without the explicit consent of the individuals involved.

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Currently, information eligible for sharing or sale to third parties includes names, addresses, and drivers license numbers. These agreements also provide access to details such as crash history and organ donor status.

The bill aimed to impose new limits on sharing names, home addresses, and email addresses. Although it did not advance this year, some Florida drivers are hopeful that the matter will be reconsidered in the future, allowing for the enactment of additional restrictions.

It is still uncertain whether state lawmakers will revisit the proposal in a future legislative session.

Driver Privacy Act Bill by WFTV Digital Team

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Paris  Initial findings by an internal U.N. inquiry suggest Israeli tank fire hit a U.N. position in southern Lebanon on March 6, wounding Ghanaian peacekeepers, according to a Western military source, underscoring the growing risks as Israeli operations expand.

The U.N. peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel  an area that is at the heart of clashes between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.

The mission, which will be halted at the end of 2026, has been sporadically caught in the crosshairs of both Israel and Hezbollah over the last couple of years, but with Israel considering a broader ground operation, the risks could be greater in the coming weeks.

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Lebanon was pulled into the war in the Middle East when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel that ignited a new Israeli offensive against the group.

Three shells fired from Israeli tank

According to the source, the preliminary conclusions led by UNIFIL's Force Commander Reserve with support from explosive ordnance disposal specialists indicated that three strikes at the al-Qawzah base were direct hits from the main gun of an Israeli battle tank.

They were fired using 120-mm M339 HE-MP-T shells, the source said.

"Israeli involvement in the attack against UNIFIL is undeniable, given that these munitions are manufactured by Israel Military Industries (IMI)," the source said.

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The findings of UNIFIL's probe have not been previously reported. UNIFIL had said on March 6 that Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded amid heavy firing and called the incident "unacceptable," but did not say at the time who was responsible.

"That investigation is not yet complete. Once it is finalized, it will be shared with the parties, per usual practice," said UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

"Nonetheless, we reiterate the obligation of all actors to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and avoid harm to civilians. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a violation of resolution 1701."

Israel's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. IMI could not immediately be reached for comment. Elbit Systems, a major Israeli defense contractor that owns IMI, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The Lebanese prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Highlighting the concerns surrounding U.N. peacekeepers, UNIFIL said on Sunday that another group of peacekeepers were likely fired upon earlier that day on three separate occasions in southern Lebanon, "likely by non-state armed groups." It said no peacekeepers were injured.

UNIFIL ability to carry out mission tested

The M339 HE-MP-T round can be used in anti-personnel, anti-helicopter, anti-materiel, anti-armour and anti-structure roles.

The shots were fired within a five-minute window, indicating repeated fire rather than a single stray round, the source said, adding that the base's location and coordinates were well known to all parties operating in the area, raising serious concerns over the safety of U.N. personnel.

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Three Ghanaian soldiers were wounded, according to the Ghanaian army.

"This escalation, far from being isolated, is part of a worrying dynamic, severely testing UNIFIL's ability to carry out its peacekeeping mission," the source said.

The Israeli military occupies five posts within Lebanon and despite a ceasefire last year had frequently carried out airstrikes in the country's south that it says are targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, among other provisions, states that no armed forces should be operating in southern Lebanon except the U.N. peacekeepers and the Lebanese military.

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Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of trying to rearm and the Lebanese armed forces of failing to disarm the group.

___

Additional reporting by Maya Gebeily, David Brunnstrom and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Daniel Wallis

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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Early indications show Israel tank fire hit UN Lebanon base, source says
Robert Allbritton, owner and founder of Capitol News Company, at the company's offices in Arlington, Virginia, on 27 August 2021. Photograph: Ting Shen/The New York Times/Redux/eyevine  Photograph: Ting Shen/The New York Times/Redux/eyevine

Robert Allbritton, the billionaire media entrepreneur, said he was pained by the Washington Posts decision to lay off a large chunk of its newsroom in early February. But he also saw it as an opportunity to hire some of the Posts most well-known journalists, including many who would have been hard to poach in previous years.

Opportunity knocks, and youre going to decide if youre going to answer the door or not, Allbritton, 57, said. Im always the one that says: Look, if an opportunity like this comes up, you ought to go on ahead and see what you can do with it and take it on full throttle, because these things dont come along very often.

On Monday, Allbrittons digital news publication Notus  which stands for News of the United States  announced several new hires, including longtime Post political columnist Dana Milbank, Congress reporter Paul Kane and chief economics correspondent Jeff Stein. The company plans to double its staff of 50 people by the end of 2026, a decision that Allbritton said was precipitated by the Post layoffs, which sped up the companys longstanding plans to grow.

Milbank, in announcing his hire in a post on X, nodded to Amazon founder Jeff Bezoss ownership of the Post, which has come under heavy scrutiny as he oversaw deep cuts to the newspaper despite being the fourth-richest person in the world.

For me, this is an irresistible chance both to create the hometown publication the DC region needs and to build a scrappy and fearless national news organization, Milbank wrote. It feels wonderful to align myself with a public-spirited media owner who uses his billions to support journalism above all else, who isnt afraid to hold the powerful to account and who cares deeply about the Washington community.

Notus wont attempt to replicate the Post on a large scale  Allbritton said the goal is to cover what the professional community of Washington is interested in, with a heavy focus on the federal government and the industries that do business with it.

Look, we dont want to be the Washington Post, but I think theres a place for the journalism of the Post and the mission of the Post without a lot of the legacy expenses that were necessary when your organization was a print-based organization, and theyre just not necessary today, he said.

We appreciate the contributions of our departing colleagues and wish them success in the next chapters of their careers, a Post spokesperson said.

Allbritton, the son of Joe L Allbritton, an extremely successful banker turned media owner, founded Politico in 2006  along with journalists Jim VandeHei and John F Harris  and sold the publication to the German media conglomerate Axel Springer for more than $1bn in 2021.
Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, is this weekend, and  as with everything in the region  it has been disrupted by war.

The usual ritual of buying new clothes, for example, with some families planning outfits weeks in advance, has become more complicated.

Irans attacks have hit shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for goods entering the Gulf. Clothes that were supposed to be dispatched for delivery are stuck on ships, forcing shoppers to turn to whatever is available locally.

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This last-minute shift to in-store shopping is turning up in government statistics. Saudi point-of-sale transactions rose 11% to 16.1 billion riyals ($4.3 billion) in the week ending Mar.7 compared to the previous week, according to the Saudi Central Bank, while spending on clothing and apparel jumped 32% to 2.5 billion riyals.

Social media is filled with posts complaining about delayed orders from fast-fashion platforms like Shein, with viral videos joking about Eid outfits sitting at the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz. Shein didnt respond to a request for comment.
MIAMI (AP)  Salvadoran nationals who were deported from the United States have been arbitrarily detained in El Salvador and have disappeared into the Central American nation's prison system, according to a Human Rights Watch report released on Monday.

The detainees featured in the report are among more than 9,000 Salvadorans deported from the U.S. since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second administration in January 2025. Some of them were deported alongside Venezuelans and sent to the Center for Terrorism Confinement, a mega prison in El Salvador also known as CECOT, according to the New York-based human rights group.

The report did not say exactly how many people are subject to arbitrary detention. The group interviewed 20 relatives and lawyers of 11 Salvadorans who were deported from the U.S. between March and October 2025 and immediately detained in El Salvador. The detainees cannot communicate with their families or talk to lawyers, the group said.

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They have a right to due process, to be taken before a judge, and their relatives are entitled to know where they are being held and why, said Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director at Human Rights Watch. Deportation cannot mean enforced disappearance.

El Salvadors Presidential Office did not respond to a request for comment on the report.

Detainees disappearing into El Salvadors prison system has become a regular phenomenon since President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in March 2022 to suppress the countrys gangs.

The once temporary measure, which has been extended for nearly four years, suspends key constitutional rights and has led to around 91,300 people being detained in El Salvador. Bukele says 8,000 innocent people have been released.

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Most have been detained based on scant evidence and vague accusations. Detainees have very little access to due process  prisoners are often judged in mass trials and lawyers regularly lose track of their clients.

Prisons have been accused of human rights abuses for years. Rights groups have documented cases of beatings by prison guards, sexual abuse and deteriorating prison conditions. Detainees' families often agonize, unsure if they will ever see their loved ones again.

Human Rights Watch said Salvadoran authorities have provided no information suggesting any of the detainees have been brought before a judge. The relatives and lawyers of some of the detainees say they don't know where they are being held or why, the report said. In five cases, relatives knew the deportees' whereabouts through litigation at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Many of the Salvadoran deportees have family in the U.S.

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I still know nothing about my son, nothing, said a 47-year-old mother of a Salvadoran who was deported on March 15, 2025. I want information. I want someone to tell me that my son is OK, that hes alive.

The woman, who lives in Maryland without legal status, said she last talked to her 29-year-old son when he called her about three days before he was deported. She said she discovered her son was in El Salvador six months after the deportation, when she saw a photo that Bukele posted online showing detainees at CECOT.

The woman asked not to be identified for fear of being arrested in the United States. She also asked that her sons identity be kept anonymous, for fear of reprisals in prison. She said her son crossed the Mexican border when he was 17 and had lived in the U.S. for more than a decade.

The Trump administration says several of the Salvadorans who were deported are members of the MS-13 gang. Human Rights Watch said only 10.5% of the 9,000 Salvadorans deported had a conviction for a violent or potentially violent crime in the U.S.

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On March 15, 2025, 23 Salvadorans were deported to El Salvador, including Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was later returned to the U.S. following a judge's order.

Another mother said she also learned her 22-year-old son had been deported to El Salvador when she saw him in a photograph posted online of Salvadorans at CECOT.

The woman, who lives in Texas and has no legal status in the U.S., also asked not to be identified for fear of arrest. She said she has called authorities in both countries countless times since his deportation a year ago, but none has offered any information about him.

Ive never spoken to him, she said. Its total silence. We know nothing about him, we dont know whats going to happen.

___

Associated Press reporter Megan Janetsky contributed to this report from Mexico City.
Three Tennessee teenagers have filed a class action lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI, alleging it "knowingly" engaged in producing and distributing child sexual abuse material and failed to take steps to protect children from being involved in it.

Police notified multiple families that child sexual abuse material involving their daughters was produced after a man was arrested in December 2025. He was accused of using Grok, operated by xAI with locations in Memphis, to generate explicit content of teenage girls, as stated in a class action lawsuit filed on March 16 in the U.S. Northern District of California Court.

The three Tennessee plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in the federal court in San Jose, California, and are requesting class-action status for individuals across the United States who were "reasonably identifiable" in sexualized images or videos created by Grok using real images of themselves.

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The man arrested reportedly took photos of at least 18 underage girls and instructed xAI's Grok to remove their clothes and alter the images to create sexually suggestive content, according to the lawsuit.

Here's what to know about the lawsuit against Grok and Musk.

Why is there a lawsuit against xAI?

Since January, xAI has been facing an increasing wave of lawsuits.

Between December 2025 and January 2026, an 11-day period was observed during which researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate estimated that Grok produced around 3 million sexualized images and 23,000 images depicting apparent children, which were then publicly posted on X or shared across the internet.

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The March 16 lawsuit alleges that xAI had designed its artificial intelligence model with the intent to create sexually explicit content.

The lawsuit argues that Grok lacks features common among most companies that create, market and sell AI images or videos. It says that Grok does not actively use "industry-standard guardrails" to prevent its AI models from generating sexual content, and the software does not proactively report people involved in creating or sharing child sexual abuse material.

Who filed the lawsuit against xAI?

All three Tennessee teenagers filing the lawsuit are choosing to withhold their names from the public to protect their privacy regarding the personal matter.

The class includes minors in the U.S. whose real images were digitally altered by Grok into "digitally altered, sexualized images or videos with their faces and other identifiable features," as stated by the law firms Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein and Baehr-Jones Law, representing the families.

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These are children whose school photographs and family pictures were turned into child sexual abuse material by a billion-dollar companys AI tool and then traded among predators. Elon Musk and xAI deliberately designed Grok to produce sexually explicit content for financial gain, with no regard for the children and adults who would be harmed by it, said Annika Martin, a lawyer from Lieff Cabraser.

Without xAI, this harmful, illegal content could never, and would never, have existed. The lives of these girls have been shattered by the devastating loss of privacy and the deep sense of violation that no child should ever have to experience. We intend to hold xAI accountable for every child they harmed in this way.

The plaintiffs filed claims against xAI under Masha's Law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, and California law, alleging 13 counts including possession and distribution of child pornography, negligence, intent to cause emotional distress, and public nuisance.

The lawsuit is pursuing damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief due to Grok creating child sexual abuse material.

Multiple lawsuits headed to Musk over Grok 'spicy mode'

On platform X, women shared experiences of digital harassment, with some reporting that Grok's "spicy mode" was used to generate sexually explicit images through prompts such as "undress them" or "put them into a bikini."

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There was an attempt to limit Grok's ability to generate these kinds of images by restricting the feature to platform subscribers, but users were still able to create images despite the restriction.

Since the incident at the start of the year, there has been a line of lawsuits and investigations launched against xAI, and the March 16 filing is only the latest.

The first major investigation happened after California's Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state's Department of Justice would open an investigation into Musk's company.

The following day, on Jan. 15, Ashley St. Clair, a conservative influencer who shares a child with Musk, filed a lawsuit in New York against xAI in an attempt to "hold Grok accountable" and to "prevent AI from being weaponized for abuse."

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St. Clair's lawsuit argues that Grok was used to create sexual images of her, including a photo of her when she was 14 years old.

On January 23, an anonymous plaintiff filed a class action lawsuit against xAI in California's U.S. Northern District Court. The complaint alleges that xAI knew Grok would be used to generate sexually explicit images of women and girls with deepfake technology, and that these images can "never be erased."

International actions against Grok

Along with public outrage in the United States over Grok's willingness to create anything asked of it, other countries began banning the artificial intelligence model around the time the saga began.

In January, PBS reported that both Malaysia and Indonesia were the first countries to block Grok due to concerns about it being used to generate sexually explicit and nonconsensual images. These are the only two countries that have officially blocked the program, but other countries have said they are considering it.

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USA TODAY and Reuters contributed to this report.

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal and Tennessee. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Elon Musk' Grok, xAI sued by Tennessee teens over sexual deepfakes
This February, a panel of federal judges ruled that the Department of Homeland Security can move forward with terminating Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal.

For the over 60,000 immigrants impacted by this decision, this is an incredible loss.

As Jessica Bansal, an attorney with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, writes, the decision allows mothers, fathers, students, and workers who have lived lawfully in this country for decades to be stripped of status without even acknowledging the devastation caused to them and their families or the contribution they have made to their communities.

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Lets be clear about whats happening here: DHS is eliminating Temporary Protected Status for immigrants who are lawfully residing in the United States solely on the basis of their race, ethnicity, and nationality.

They are turning documented immigrants into undocumented immigrants, slandering them as killers and leeches simply to create the pretext for more ICE violence.

This is not speculation.

Before a judge blocked its termination, TPS for Haitians was slated to end on Feb. 3.

News outlets began reporting in late January that the Trump administration was planning to launch an operation targeting Haitians in Springfield, Ohio and across the state.

While court rulings have delayed that, Trump recently asked the Supreme Court to strip Haitians of their protected status.

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The end of TPS would set the stage for another brutal Minnesota-style operation.

It would give federal agents  who are operating under mandatory arrest quotas  an excuse to question any given Black person in Ohio under suspicion that they may be an undocumented Haitian immigrant.

After all, President Trumps Supreme Court justices have ruled that immigration enforcement agents can use race as the basis for stopping people.

While the end of TPS for immigrants is particularly dangerous for people of color, as the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti make clear, more ICE is bad for everyone.

Whats more, DHS is deporting them to nations  including Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal  that are currently facing political turmoil.

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The Trump administration has also terminated TPS for people from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Cuba.

Since then, the U.S. has invaded Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro.

The Trump administration is currently imposing a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba, while threatening retaliatory tariffs on any country that sells oil to the Cuban government.

Afghanistan and Cameroon continue to struggle with their own political instability and social upheaval.

In short, none of these countries are in a position to welcome tens of thousands of people.

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At the same time that the Trump administration is deliberately manufacturing these humanitarian crises, it is weakening international aid networks.

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This includes eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, and other organizations.

In their absence, vulnerable countries will be left to fend for themselves  or worse, become the next victim of Trumps global real estate firm: the deceptively named Board of Peace.

The Trump administration has attempted and thus far been successfully blocked from ending TPS for people from Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Burma, and Syria.

TPS is currently scheduled to end for Somali, Yemeni, Salvadoran, Sudanese, and Ukrainian nationals in the upcoming months.

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While judges may rule against some of these efforts, DHS will likely appeal until they find a court that will give them the decision they want.

TPS was specifically designed to aid those in need  its moral and political duty cannot be forfeited to racist and xenophobic whims.

We must stand with our immigrant neighbors and push our elected officials to put guardrails on DHS.

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Recent energy laws passed at the Statehouse are raising concerns among advocates and residents, who warn the cost of powering Indianas future could show up on customers utility bills.

Those concerns surfaced Monday during an Indianapolis City-County Council Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting where data centers were not on the agenda, but quickly became the focus.

Residents attended the meeting to voice concerns as data center projects continue to expand across central Indiana.

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Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, told council members that demand from large-scale data facilities is already impacting energy costs.

Data centers are causing utility bills to spike dramatically and promising a serious increase, a massive increase, in the amount of energy that we need, Olson told 13News.

Olson said the surge in demand is largely driven by artificial intelligence, which relies on energy-intensive data centers to operate.

He was invited to present an overview of recent energy legislation, including changes affecting how utilities and large energy users are regulated.

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One of those changes includes House Enrolled Act 1210, which requires new data centers to pay a 1% tax on the electricity they use. That revenue will go directly to local communities hosting the facilities, rather than the state.

Still, some local leaders say the changes dont go far enough.

Councilor Jesse Brown (D-District 13) said he has heard from constituents frustrated by rising energy bills.

I know Im not alone as being a councilor who has tons of constituents reaching out, frustrated by their energy bills going up, Brown said. All this is just really disturbing.

The concerns come as federal leaders also weigh in. The Trump administration recently announced a Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aimed at shifting more of the cost of powering data centers onto tech companies.

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Its actually going to mean the prices come down, President Donald Trump said. Youre going to see how badly they want [these projects].

However, it remains unclear how much relief customers will ultimately see on their utility bills.

Advocates say the issue is far from settled. With more data center developments expected, they believe the next state legislative session will be critical in determining how costs are shared between utilities, tech companies and everyday ratepayers.

Until then, many of those decisions will continue to play out at the local level and inside council chambers where projects are proposed and approved.
Estonia has not ruled out sending military assets to help protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Estonian radio on Tuesday, setting his country apart from several other NATO allies.

US President Donald Trump has called on members of the trans-Atlantic alliance to help secure oil shipments transiting the critical waterway off the coast of Iran, where global shipping has virtually ground to a halt due to Israeli and US attacks on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes in the region.

Trump told the Financial Times newspaper that NATO would face a "very bad future" if allies did not help. Several countries, including Poland and Germany, have nonetheless rejected his demands.

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Estonia, an EU and NATO member, would be prepared to discuss a possible contribution to the US mission if Washington makes an official request, Tsahkna said, although it remains unclear what Estonia could actually contribute.

Estonia's neighbour Latvia currently has no plans to deploy Latvian armed forces in the Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Andris Spruds said on Latvian radio.
A group of experts from the European Union will visit the site of damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine on 18 March to assess the impact and the scope of work required to restore its operation.

Source: European Pravda, citing a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity

Details: As early as 18 March, EU experts will visit the site where the Druzhba oil pipeline was damaged by a Russian missile.

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"The delegation, consisting of several engineers, is already in Kyiv," the source told European Pravda.

The source added that the group's plans and logistics are being handled by the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

According to another EU source, the expert group does not include representatives from Hungary or Slovakia.

Background:

On 17 March, it was reported that Ukraine has accepted the EU's proposal, under which the EU will provide financial and expert support to help restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline.

In a letter to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to restore oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline in approximately one and a half months.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said Hungary will continue to block key EU decisions important for Ukraine until transit via Druzhba is restored.

European Pravda also noted that a sentence linking the repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline to a 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine and the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia has been removed from a joint statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa dated 17 March.

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BRUSSELS (AP)  Top European Union officials said Tuesday they have offered to pay Ukraine to repair a damaged pipeline meant to carry crude oil to Hungary, in a bid to persuade the government in Budapest to lift its veto on a massive aid package to the war-wracked country.

Ukraine and Hungary have been locked in an escalating feud since Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia were halted in January due to damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials have blamed the damage on Russian drone attacks.

Hungary's nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of deliberately holding up oil supplies  claims that Zelenskyy denies. In retaliation, Orban has vetoed a major 90-billion-euro ($106 billion) EU loan to cover Ukraines military and economic needs for two years. Hungary is also blocking a new round of EU sanctions against Russia.

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EU officials said in a statement Tuesday that the bloc has offered Ukraine technical support and funding to fix the pipeline.

The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Zelenskyy is vehemently opposed to allowing Russian energy to transit through Ukraine. Energy revenue has fueled the four-year war waged by President Vladimir Putin on his country, and Russian forces have relentlessly targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure throughout the conflict.

But he wrote Tuesday that Ukraine is undertaking all possible efforts to repair the damage and restore operations.

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Costa and von der Leyen wrote to Zelenskyy Monday, saying that they hope the EU offer of funding and technical help can pave the way for overcoming the current blockage and ensure for the rapid repair of the pipeline.

But Orban said Tuesday that he would continue to block the loan as long as oil shipments to Hungary remain interrupted.

If theres no oil, theres no money, Orban said in a video posted to social media. If President Zelenskyy wants to get his money from Brussels, he needs to open the Druzhba oil pipeline.

Orban added that he believed Ukraine was deliberately holding up oil flows in order to tip the scales in favor of his political opponent ahead of Hungarian elections next month, but provided no evidence for his claim.

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EU leaders have lashed out at Orban for agreeing to the loan to Ukraine at a summit in December and then reneging on that deal.

They accuse him of undermining the fundamental EU principle of sincere cooperation between the 27 member countries.

Ukraine is desperate for money and Zelenskyy said that it is important for his country to receive at least a first tranche of funding next month.

Orban, who is trailing in opinion polls ahead of elections next month, has leaned heavily on an election campaign that portrays Zelenskyy as an existential threat to Hungary.

He has alleged that the Ukrainian leader, along with von der Leyen, seeks to drag Hungary into the war, and claimed that his reelection is the only guarantee of Hungarys peace and security.

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The EU mostly weaned itself off Russian oil and natural gas after Putin used the bloc's dependence on it in 2022 as leverage to undermine European support for Ukraine. However, Hungary and Slovakia were given exemptions to keep using Russian oil as they are landlocked and have no easy access to other suppliers.

___

Associated Press writer Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary contributed to this report.
Advanced technology isnt just automating tasks in the white collar worldAI agents and robots are flipping burgers, stocking warehouses, and even doing household chores. Driverless taxis have also entered the mainstream, despite job loss fears from gig workers. But the leader of autonomous vehicle (AV) business Waymo insists the tech isnt taking human work.

Now that weve been in a few markets for a few years, its great to be able to see that we havent eliminated jobs in those markets, Waymos co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, recently told The New York Times.

The $126 billion behemoth of industry, which started out as Googles self-driving car project, has understandably raised eyebrows from human drivers. Its the largest AV company in the U.S., serving at least 10 cities with around 3,000 robotaxis and counting. And as more companies including Tesla and Amazon-owned Zoox enter the arena, ride-hailing workers are put on edge.

Even the CEO of Uber himself believes that most of his companys rides could have a robot behind the wheel in the next couple of decades.

Humans will be needed to rotate tires and operate fleets in the era of self-driving cars

Waymos co-CEO says the shift to driverless will open up new jobs. Instead of being in the drivers seat, humans will be behind the scenes of the whole operation, fulfilling operational and blue-collar business needs.

And to support the workforce of the future, Waymo is funding tuition scholarships for U.S. technicians, and partnered with Bronx Community College in creating an automotive technology program.

Humans are still rotating those tires and working on those vehicles, Mawakana continued. We have fleet operators, we have fleet technicians. All of our fleets are fully electric. Those charging companies are building the infrastructure, putting them in city centers, pulling those wires from the utility company.

Justin Kintz, the global head of public policy at Waymo, tells Fortune that the business investments in infrastructure and growing services create opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds, by bringing a wide variety of new, non-college and trades-work roles to communities around the U.S.

Robotaxis will have an impact on human driversbut will strengthen blue-collar work

Automated cars are on the rise, much to the dismay of human drivers and passengers who get stuck navigating the errors of the new technology.

Its projected that the U.S. robotaxi market will grow from 1,500 in 2025 to around 35,000 in 2030around a 90% compounded annual growth rate, according to a 2025 Goldman Sachs report. The automated services could account for 8% of the total American ride-share market in just a few short years.
EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Arkansas State Police special agents arrested a Eureka Springs City Council member Friday on felony and misdemeanor charges tied to two incidents last summer.

According to the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division, 76-year-old Harold Frederick Meyer was arrested March 13 and charged with first-degree criminal mischief and aggravated assault.

According to a news release, the Eureka Springs Police Department first requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police on June 3, 2025, after an incident at a community event in Eureka Springs where investigators allege Meyer damaged personal property, resulting in a felony charge of first-degree criminal mischief.

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Police later requested a second investigation on July 14, 2025, following a reported physical altercation between Meyer and a neighbor, which led to an aggravated assault charge, according to state police.

No additional details about the two incidents were immediately released.

Allegations raised at city council meeting

Public accusations tied to the July incident were raised during the July 14, 2025 meeting of the Eureka Springs City Council.

During public comment, Eureka Springs resident Ruth Virginia Seymour alleged Meyer intentionally drove a truck toward her during a property dispute on July 13 while she was photographing a neighboring property.

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This evening Im in front of you to bring to your attention that you have a councilman that has assaulted me with a vehicle, Seymour told council members at the time. He actually left the scene after he ran over me basically. He didnt stop. He got out of his truck. and went into his house.

Federal court tosses Arkansas 10 Commandments in classroom law as unconstitutional

Seymour alleged Meyer drove his truck toward her, knocking her to the ground and leaving the scene. She said she struck her head and was nearly run over. Seymour also stated the incident was reported to police.

Another resident, Jim Marple, told council members the alleged confrontation was part of an ongoing dispute between him and Meyer after Marple purchased a lot next to Meyers property in late 2024. Marple alleged Meyer had harassed him and used his council position to pressure the citys code enforcement office to investigate him.

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At the time, the police department said it could not release reports related to the incident due to the active investigation.

Arrest and release

According to state police, Meyer was taken into custody by Criminal Investigation Division agents, processed at the Carroll County Detention Center and later released on his own recognizance.

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 KNWA FOX24.
European Council President Antonio Costa has said that the European Union may in future have to negotiate with Russia on security and peace in Ukraine, although he added that this moment has not yet come.

Source: Costa in an interview with consortium of European agencies ENR, which includes Spanish news agency EFE, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Costa noted that 27 EU countries must be ready in case dialogue on ending war led by US President Donald Trump does not bring desired results.

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"At this moment, we must avoid interrupting efforts led by President Trump aimed at achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine," Costa said, responding to a question about a call by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalise relations with Moscow so that the EU can gain access to cheap energy.

"There may come a moment when President Trump decides not to continue or not to go further with his efforts, or, unfortunately, these efforts fail. Then we must be ready to continue these efforts and try to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the head of the European Council noted.

According to Costa, at present the EU's main contribution lies in increasing economic pressure on Russia and continuing to support Ukraine by all possible means.

"But, of course, it is possible that moment will come when we will have to replace President Trump's efforts and make our own efforts to achieve just and lasting peace in Ukraine," he added.

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Costa does not expect that the approach formulated by De Wever, who called for dialogue with Russia in order to obtain cheaper energy, will be discussed at the summit of European leaders due to take place on Thursday in Brussels.

"The strategy of the European Union is clear: to abandon Russian energy resources. This is not about negotiating with Russia on the price of energy resources," Costa said.

In contrast to his superior, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot warned that normalisation of relations with Russia would be perceived as a sign of weakness.

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THE SUN WASNT YET UP when the British troops began marching toward the Boston harbor. There they scrambled onto waiting ships, some 170 of various shapes and sizes. The ships pulled away from the docks at 9 a.m. and soon disappeared into the horizon on the Atlantic. It was March 17, 1776250 years ago todayand the British had evacuated Boston. The rebel American army had won its first major season of warfare.

The city of Boston has celebrated the anniversary of Evacuation Day since 1901, but this year it belongs to the entire country. Bostons eight-year struggle against the British regulars stationed in the city fueled the Revolution and the memory of it would contribute to key constitutional protections. Today, as we celebrate the countrys 250th birthday, the nation is also grappling with the proper role of border patrol, the National Guard, and regular military forces in American communities. The anniversary of Evacuation Day offers an opportunity to remember the revolutionary origins of cherished constitutional protections.

In 1768, King George III sent British troops to Boston to support royal officials as they enforced unpopular tax measures. After the Boston Tea Party in 1773, 4,000 additional troops arrived in the city to quell further unrest. The troops were initially stationed in private homes and buildings. After they moved to barracks, inns, and stables, the colonists were forced to pay for their upkeep. In effect, colonists were forced to pay for the troops that were suppressing their movement and resistance.

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On April 19, 1775, after the American victory in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the local militias took up position on the heights overlooking the city. Two months later, the Continental Congress created the Continental Army and appointed George Washington its commander-in-chief. As Washington attempted to organize the ragtag bands of militias into a coordinated fighting force, the British navy filled Boston Harbor and closed the city to local traffic.

For the next seven months, the city remained under siege. As the sun rose on the morning of March 6, 1776, British Commander Thomas Gage discovered that Washingtons forces had installed 60 tons of canons on Dorchester Heights. Admiral Molyneux Shuldham advised that the British fleet would be shot to pieces if the fortifications remained.

As the British prepared to evacuate the city, many Inhabitants [were] greatly distressed thro-fear the Town would be set on fire by the Soldiers. The city escaped the threat of widespread arson, but the British seized tons of linen and woolen goods before leaving the city. They sank heavy mortars in the harbor to thwart American vessels and erected barricades in the streets to inconvenience both residents and soldiers. Loyalists, who were evacuating with the British, destroyed whatever possessions they could not pack, leaving the street littered with discarded goods and broken furniture.

By the mid-morning of March 17, the British evacuated a total of 11,000 people including 8,906 troops, 1,100 loyalists and 553 children. Washington described the hurry in which they have Imbarkd. The British left more than 30,000s worth of his Majestys Property behind them, in Provisions and Stores, Vessels, Rugs Blankets &ca. They had also abandoned near 30 pieces of fine heavy Cannon as well as all their Artillery Carts, Powder Waggens, and ammunition in abundance.

Americans might have won the battle, but they still had to win the war. Bostonians faced a long rebuilding and healing process, with many years of fighting left. Washington wrote to the Boston selectmen, the governing body for the city, applauding their commitment to the revolutionary cause. Your virtuous efforts in the cause of freedom, and the unparalleled fortitude with which you have sustained the greatest of all human calamities, justly entitle you to the grateful remembrance of your American brethren. Bostonians had not endured British troops marching through the streets for themselves alone, but instead had fought for all Americans. They had inflicted a serious defeat on the mighty British army and navy and secured valuable stores for the Continental Army. I heartily pray that the hand of tyranny may never more disturb your repose, Washington concluded.

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A few months later, on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which included twenty-seven grievances against George III justifying the revolution. Several grievances referred to the British soldiers in Boston, including that the king has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures and had quartered large bodies of armed troops among us.

A little over a decade later, the states ratified a new Constitutionbut its opponents, the Anti-Federalists, complained about the lack of a bill of rights and the prohibition of quartering in the new governing charter. Congress quickly resolved the oversight when it passed the Bill of Rights in the first Federal session. The Third Amendment addressed the concern about troops in particular: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. In the centuries since, Congress has passed additional laws to restrain the use of military force in American communities, including, most famously, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which limits the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement.

From the very beginning of the United States, Americans have rejected a standing army enforcing domestic law in their cities. This anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the why that right still matters to us todayand on its origins and the war fought to win these protections.

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LINCOLN  Nebraska Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cindy Burbank is off the ballot, the states top election official confirmed Tuesday.

The Nebraska Republican Party filed a complaint with Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen last week about Burbank, arguing that she is not a good-faith candidate, because she has no plans to serve in the office she seeks. State law says that the secretary of state can reject a candidate filing if the states top election official determines someone is not a good-faith candidate.

The state GOP pointed to her website, which she named NOT a Pete Ricketts plant, where Burbank wrote that if she won the Democratic nomination, she would support nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts to give him a fair shot against Ricketts.

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State Democratic officials have said her candidacy was an answer to what they believe was a GOP-planted candidate to help Ricketts, Democrat William Forbes, an anti-abortion pastor whom Burbank has called loyal to Ricketts.

And Forbes isnt the only candidate some have alleged as a plant in the Senate race. Legal Marijuana NOW Party candidate Mike Marvin has been accused by the marijuana partys former chair, Mark Elworth Jr., of being a Dan Osborn plant on the partys Facebook page  pointing to him being a union leader with ties to Osborn, himself a former Omaha union leader.

Marvin has said hes not a plant.

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Ricketts and Osborn are currently in a heated race for one of Nebraskas Senate seats, in a race considered Rickettss toughest general election matchup of his career. Ricketts served two terms as governor before being appointed to the seat and winning a special election in 2024.

Burbanks statements are irreconcilable with her oath given under Nebraska law that, the only explanation appears to be that Burbank is not actually campaigning for herself, but is a proxy for Osborn to prevent another member from her party from passing through the primary, part of the state GOP complaint reads.

The complaint also points to comments from Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb, who it alleged said Burbanks candidacy was to protect the party line.

The Nebraska Democratic Party had said last year it wasnt actively pursuing a candidate, but that a Democrat could still join the race. Burbank joined the race at the filing deadline, along with Forbes.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts during his campaign event in Omaha on Jan. 16, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

Burbanks website showed what it described as Facebook photos of Forbes, an anti-abortion Democrat, attending a banquet for Nebraska Right to Life and a photo of Ricketts speaking at the Capitol for the 2025 Nebraska Walk for Life. Forbes has sidestepped a question about whether he wanted address allegations of being loyal to Ricketts.

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The state Democratic party has openly encouraged its voters to vote for Burbank and has described Forbes bid as a political maneuver engineered by Pete Ricketts to split the opposition vote and protect his Senate seat.

Ricketts campaign has denied any involvement with Forbes. Osborns campaign denies involvement with Marvin.

Burbank, through her attorneys filing with the Secretary of States Office, argued the Nebraska GOP wants her off the ballot because of political speech, which they said could violate her First Amendment rights. Her lawyer also said her website and news articles arent evidence, and the only evidence Evnen should consider is her statement from her filing that she is qualified to be elected and that I will serve if elected.

At no point has Ms. Burbank stated that she would refuse to serve in the United States Senate if elected, Burbanks response to the state GOP complaint reads. Her website reflects a political strategy, one shared publicly and transparently, in which she campaigns in the Democratic primary while expressing the view that Osborn is the strongest general-election candidate against Ricketts. This is not a repudiation of the obligation to serve. Candidates regularly express strategic preferences, endorse rivals and adjust their campaigns based on evolving circumstances. None of this negates the oath to serve if ultimately elected by the voters.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., joins Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen for his reelection kickoff event. June 6, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Burbank is the 2nd Democrat to get kicked off the ballot this cycle, joining Democratic Douglas County sheriffs candidate Mark Martinez, who is asking the Nebraska Supreme Court to overturn a decision last week by the new Douglas County election commissioner.

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The local election commissioner determined that Martinez doesnt qualify to run for county sheriff after the Douglas County Republican Party filed a complaint questioning Martinezs eligibility. The county election commissioner is a Republican. Her deputy is a Democrat.

Mary-Jane Truemper, the Nebraska GOP party chair, said, Secretary of State Evnen made the right call removing Cindy Burbank from the ballot. Nebraskans deserve real candidates, real choices, and real elections.

The state Democratic party had no immediate comment.

The deadline for a judge to overturn these decisions is Wednesday, as it would be 55 days before the primary election, according to state law. Nebraskas primary election is May 12. The general election is Nov. 3.

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By Andrew Gray

BRUSSELS, March 17 (Reuters) - European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back on Tuesday against a call by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to normalise relations with Moscow and regain access to cheap Russian energy.

De Wever's comments, in an interview with Belgian newspaper L'Echo, run counter to official EU policies to maintain a hard line against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and phase out the use of Russian fossil fuels.

De Wever also said European leaders agreed with him behind closed doors but "no one dares to say it out loud".

Kallas, however, told Reuters in an interview in Brussels that she did not have the same impression and warned against trying to go back to business as usual with Moscow.

"I've been ... behind those closed doors, when we talk about leaders' meetings, and I don't see this appetite," said Kallas, who attends gatherings of the European Council of EU heads of state and government.

"When we talk to Russia, of course, the most important thing is to first agree what we want to talk to them about," added Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia.

"If we just go back to business as usual, we will have more of this - more wars. We have seen this before, so we have to be very vigilant and not to actually give Russia what they want because their appetite will only grow."

Global oil prices have surged roughly 40% since the U.S. and Israel began their war on Iran, climbing to their highest since 2022.

De Wever's comments, which were published at the weekend, sparked criticism within his ruling coalition. He has since sought to play them down, saying he favours normalising relations only after a deal is struck to end the war in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, writing by Bart Meijer and Andrew Gray, Editing by Dominique Vidalon and Hugh Lawson)
Claim:

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson's son Jesse Jackson Jr. said, "I listened for several hours of three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson," referring to remarks former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden made at a memorial service for his father.

Rating:

Rating: Correct Attribution

Context:

Before the memorial service, Jesse Jackson Jr. had asked people not to bring their politics to "homegoing" ceremonies, as some Black communities refer to funeral and memorial services. During the public celebration of life for Jesse Jackson on March 6, 2026, Obama and Biden both made remarks many saw as critical of the current administration of Republican President Donald Trump, while Clinton did not mention Trump. The following day, Jackson said the three presidents did "not know" his father.

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In March 2026, a rumor spread that Jesse Jackson Jr., a former congressman, had "called out" Democratic former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, saying they "do not know" his father, the late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died Feb. 17.

Several posts made that claim, some including a video clip of Jackson. speaking. One X post said he was accusing the former presidents of "hijacking the funeral" (archived), referring to remarks they made at a public celebration of life that took place in Chicago on March 6:

BREAKING  Jesse Jacksons son just called out Obama, Joe Biden and Clinton for not knowing his father and hijacking the funeral



Yesterday, I listened for several hours to 3 United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson



MIC DROP 



pic.twitter.com/FYta8NrchJ  MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) March 8, 2026

BREAKING: Jesse Jackson's son just called out Obama, Joe Biden and Clinton for not knowing his father and hijacking the funeral "Yesterday, I listened for several hours to 3 United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson" MIC DROP

MAGAVoice X user writes

(X user @MAGAVoice)

Posts on Facebook and YouTube videos made the same claim.

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The quote was correctly attributed to Jackson. On March 7, 2026, while speaking at a private memorial service for his father, Jackson said, "I listened for several hours of three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson." His comments came a day after Clinton, Obama and Biden spoke at the public celebration of life for the reverend. Jackson said:

Yesterday I listened for several hours of three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson. He maintained a tense relationship with the political order, not because the presidents were white or Black, but the demands of our message  the demands of speaking for the least of these, those who were disinherited, the damned, the dispossessed, the disrespected  demanded not Democratic or Republican solutions, but demanded a consistent prophetic voice that at no point in time ever sold us out as a people.

The quote appears at the start of the following video from Chicago's WBBM-TV:

'Do not bring your politics': Context for the remarks

Jackson had previously asked that people "do not bring [their] politics" to memorial services for his father, who ran for president twice and served as a shadow senator for Washington, D.C., in the 1990s (shadow congresspeople do not vote, nor are they paid for serving).

The day after Jackson's death, his son made the request when he and his family spoke before the family house in Chicago. Jackson;s words begin around the 13:58 mark of the following video:

Do not bring your politics, out of respect to Rev. Jesse Jackson and the life that he lived, to these homegoing services. Come respectful and come to say thank you. But these homegoing services are welcome to all. Democrat, Republican, liberal and conservative, right-wing, left-wing, because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American. We only ask people to come and be respectful in the context of the extraordinary life that he lived. Dad would have wanted us to have a great meeting to discuss our differences, to find ways of moving forward and moving together. And if his life becomes a turning point in our national political discourse, amen. Amen. And so Dad's homegoing services, which are difficult for all of us to accept, are just that: a national and international gathering and meeting of people.  And people, most importantly, from our community, who uplifted him and put him on a perch that allowed him to share a vision with the world and to share a vision with all people. And so the business again: Funerals are not for those of you who have an opinion.

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(Jackson referred to funeral and memorial services as "homegoing services," as they are known in some Black communities. The term signifies a return to God as a person dies.)

What the three former presidents said on March 6

On March 6, 2026, Clinton, Obama and Biden were among hundreds of attendees at a celebration of life for the late reverend. Each of them spoke about Jackson at length.

Obama spoke the longest, for 28 minutes. In his remarks, he used language many saw as critical of the second administration of Republican President Donald Trump, without directly mentioning the president:

We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope. Each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions, another setback to the idea of the rule of law. An offense to common decency. Every day you wake up to it, to things you just didn't think were possible. Each day, we're told by those in high office to fear each other and to turn on each other  and that some Americans count more than others, and that some don't even count at all. Everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated, and bullying and mockery masquerading as strength; we see science and expertise denigrated while ignorance and dishonesty, and cruelty and corruption, are reaping untold rewards.

Biden spoke for 21 minutes and more directly criticized the current Trump administration:

[] there's bad times like now. We're in a tough spot, folks, we've got an administration that doesn't share any of the values that we have. I don't think I'm exaggerating a little bit.

Clinton spoke for nearly 17 minutes, focusing on his memories of Jackson. He did not voice his opinion on the Trump administration in his address.

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For further reading, Snopes debunked the rumor that Jackson's family had barred Obama from attending the funeral.

Sources:

Ballotpedia. (n.d.). Shadow Congresspersons. [online] Available at: https://ballotpedia.org/Shadow_Congresspersons [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

Barack Obama (2026). My Remarks at Reverend Jesse Jackson's Celebration of Life. [online] Medium. Available at: https://barackobama.medium.com/my-remarks-at-reverend-jesse-jacksons-celebration-of-life-8980401f6103 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

CBS Chicago (2026a). Full remarks by President Bill Clinton at Rev. Jesse Jackson's funeral. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPoyi2c7FA0 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

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CBS Chicago (2026b). Rev. Jesse Jackson's family speaks in his memory. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7tXWvXfDU [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

Feurer, T. (2026). Full remarks from former President Joe Biden at Rev. Jesse Jackson's funeral. [online] Cbsnews.com. Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jesse-jackson-funeral-chicago-president-joe-biden-full-remarks/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

FOX 5 New York (2026). FULL: Former President Joe Biden speaks at Rev. Jesse Jackson's Celebration of Life. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDTdZ4dCR90 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

Golden, J.N. (2026). 'All Are Welcome' At Rev. Jesse Jackson Memorial, But Family Says To Leave Politics At Home. [online] Block Club Chicago. Available at: https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/18/all-are-welcome-at-rev-jesse-jackson-memorial-but-family-says-to-leave-politics-at-home/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

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NBC4 Washington (2026). Looking back at Rev. Jesse Jackson's history and legacy in the DC area | NBC4 Washington. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTOgCf11tU4 [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

News 19 WLTX (2026). President Obama speech at Jesse Jackson funeral: Full video. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRvaJANXkAI [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

Taija PerryCook (2026). Did Jesse Jackson's family bar Obama from funeral? Here's the truth. [online] Snopes. Available at: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/jesse-jackson-obama-funeral/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

Tenenbaum, S. (2026a). Full text of Jesse Jackson Jr.'s speech at The People's Celebration: 'I want to talk about my daddy'. [online] Cbsnews.com. Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/full-text-of-jesse-jackson-jr-speech-the-peoples-celebration-chicago/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].

Tenenbaum, S. (2026b). Full text of President Bill Clinton's eulogy at Rev. Jesse Jackson's funeral in Chicago. [online] Cbsnews.com. Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/full-text-president-bill-clinton-eulogy-jesse-jackson-funeral-chicago/ [Accessed 16 Mar. 2026].
A new poll in the hotly contested U.S. Senate race shows that this contest for retiring Sen. Dick Durbin's seat could be a very close one, with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton neck-and-neck on the eve of the Democratic primary election.

"Well, I'm just very grateful to have the endorsement and support, personal endorsement of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and, of course, Yusuf Jackson. I was at operation Rainbow PUSH on Saturday, and some of the officials came up to me and said, 'You know what? The reverend, before he passed, gave you his endorsement.' And I was just thrilled to hear that," Stratton said over the weekend.

But it turns out that the endorsement Rev. Jesse Jackson reportedly gave to Stratton before he passed away, that she released over the weekend, was not actually an endorsement. Instead, it was part of a draft ballot, never intended for release.

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Stratton said someone gave her an endorsement pamphlet, something that Jackson family members are now walking back.

The situation prompted Jackson family members to issue an apology. On Monday, the reverend's son, Yusef Jackson, sent out a statement, saying that it was a draft sample ballot, released without authorization, adding, "It is important to note that the Jackson Family does not issue political endorsements, nor do Rainbow PUSH or the Rainbow PUSH Coalition."

On Monday morning, Stratton greeted supporters outside of a polling place as she made her final push for votes with one day left until Election Day.

Rep. Robin Kelly greeted voters outside a Pilsen polling place, calling out Stratton for not better vetting the endorsement with the family before publicizing it on Saturday.

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SEE ALSO | 2026 primary elections: Voter information in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin

"Mrs. Jackson did call me and apologize, and I told her she definitely didn't have to apologize," Kelly said. "You know, we lost Reverend Jackson, but they lost a dad, a husband, you know. So, I told her she didn't have to do that. But she said, yes, she did, and that he would have never done that."

Meanwhile, a new poll of likely Democratic primary voters shows this Senate race may be too close to call. Krishnamoorthi, with 31.6%, holds a two-point lead over Stratton, with 29.4%. That's less than the margin of error of 3.45%. Kelly remains a distant third, with 13.6%.

Over 800 likely Democratic primary voters took part in the poll, which was conducted by Victory Research between March 13-15, 2026.

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"I think it's going to be a close election, so I want all my folks, please, please come out and vote. I know it's 20 degrees outside, but it's 70 degrees inside, and you're going to be voting inside, so come inside and vote," Krishnamoorthi said. "I feel very good about my good friends in organized labor, like the Teamsters, who are doing incredible work, knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending text messages, asking people to vote."

READ MORE | Live updates on Chicago-area voting, candidates, results for Election Day 2026

"I've been running this campaign for 11 months, doing everything that I can to talk to voters, and as you know, we have the momentum right now, and the last three consecutive polls show that I'm in the lead," Stratton said.

That's according to Stratton's own internal polls. Meanwhile, Kelly remains optimistic.

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"All I'm going to say is that I'm getting in front of as many people as possible. I'm getting great response on the ground. I can't tell you how many people have said to me, organizations, 'We got you. We got you.' So, we'll see tomorrow, March 17," Kelly said.

The candidates will be out campaigning again on Tuesday, leaving nothing to chance and hoping to connect with every voter possible, knowing that in a close race, every vote matters. The question is, will we have a winner on Tuesday night, or could it take another day or so?
Agriculture broadcasting legend Orion Samuelson died Monday at the age of 91.

For over 60 years, Samuelson's booming, friendly voice rang out across the airwaves, and his farm reports on WGN-AM radio were an everyday staple on radios in barns across the nation for farmers who relied on his sage advice on all things agriculture.

Samuelson's story began in America's Dairyland, when he was born on March 31, 1934, on a dairy farm near Ontario, Wisconsin. He considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin. Samuelson reported that he dropped out of school after three short months because they weren't teaching him how to be a radio announcer. He changed directions and enrolled in broadcasting school across the border in Minnesota.

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Samuelson returned to his home state and hit the airwaves in the summer of 1952 at WKLJ in Sparta, where he was the disc jockey for the station's polka music. While serving at his third Wisconsin radio station, Samuelson was working at WBAY, a radio station in Green Bay, when his big break came in 1960, and he headed south to Chicago's WGN Radio as the station's head agriculture broadcaster.

He presented 16 agricultural reports daily and was heard daily on 260 radio stations with his National Farm Report and on 110 stations with his Samuelson Sez. He co-hosted the Morning Show on Saturdays and later hosted This Week in Agribusiness on RFD-TV, according to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting [NAFB].

Samuelson said his career as a farm broadcaster spanned the administrations of 12 U.S. presidents, and that he interviewed eight of them. He has shared with the NAFB an experience he had speaking with thenSen. John F. Kennedy, who happened to be in Green Bay on a campaign stop. During the news conference, Samuelson posed two questions to the future president concerning dairy policy.

As the conference ended, one of his aides approached me and asked if I would have a few minutes to talk to the Senator about dairy legislation. So, I sat with Senator Kennedy at the hotel bar, sipping a Scotch, and we discussed dairy farming, because they did little of that in Massachusetts," according to WGN archives.

A long, storied career

Samuelson teamed up with another popular farm broadcaster, Max Armstrong, and together they hosted the U.S. Farm Report, a TV program syndicated to over 150 television markets across the country. The pair were synonymous with delivering the latest farm news and information to America's farmers and ag businesses for 42 years.

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According to his impressive resume, Samuelson is the only broadcaster to receive two Oscars in Agriculture from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. He also made history by being the first agribusiness broadcaster to be inducted into the National Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In 2010, the City of Chicago named the corner of Illinois Street and Cityfront Plaza Drive "Orion Samuelson Way."

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and legendary farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson at the 2017 FFA National Conference.

Farmers across the nation felt a void when Samuelson announced that he would be stepping away from the microphone in January 2021. Then-USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue honored the Wisconsin native with a proclamation heralding the broadcaster's long career in ag journalism.

Theres a saying that todays news is tomorrows history, Perdue wrote. Orion Samuelsons decades of agriculture reporting has helped farmers understand the latest Washington policies and he has also helped all audiences appreciate the importance of agriculture to our communities and to the economy.While at WGN radio in Chicago, the "Big O" covered agriculture and food production, met with U.S. presidents, travelled to dozens of countries, and encountered many foreign dignitaries, all while reporting on the contributions of American agriculture to the U.S. and world economy.

Through the years, Samuelson has remained active in organizations dear to his heart, including 4-H and FFA. He has served on the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees and, in 2017, began working with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation to raise $500,000 to support livestock programming. He was inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame in 2017. His first 4-H project was a Guernsey heifer calf, and he credited 4-H with igniting his passion for agriculture and his first experiences with public speaking, ultimately leading to his broadcasting career, according to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.

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Samuelson also supported the FFA program, and his voice was often heard booming out across the large Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, announcing the Wisconsin FFA Stars finalists during the Wisconsin FFA Conference.

After retiring, Samuelson spent his remaining years largely at home in Huntley, Illinois, with his wife, Gloria, according to his obituary.

Tom Skilling, former chief meteorologist at WGN-TV in Chicago, worked with Samuelson and Armstrong, who he said "brought the world of agriculture and agribusiness to each of us."

"We've lost a friend," Skilling posted on his Facebook page. "Listening to Orion and Max, you instantly knew that you were tapping the expertise of two people who understood  but more importantly, loved farm life and recognized the critical importance of a foundational pillar of the U.S. economy  the world of agriculture.

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"[Samuelson] He was so respected by folks inside and outside the world of agriculture that he was on a short list of candidates for the position of Secretary of Agriculture during the Reagan Administration. He would have been amazing in that role! Armstrong may have put it best in an article in Farm Progress magazine in December 2020, saying, 'All along the way, he became a champion for the American farmer. He was an agvocate before it became fashionable.'

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Farm broadcasting pioneer, Wisconsin native Orion Samuelson dies at 91
MALVERN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Fayetteville man convicted of murder in the 1980s as a teenager has died in prison.

A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed to KNWA/FOX24 that Christopher Segerstrom, 55, died on March 13 from natural causes.

Christopher Segerstrom (Courtesy: Washington County Detention Center)

Segerstrom was being housed at the Ouachita River Correctional Unit in Malvern, according to the spokesperson. He was serving a life sentence for raping and murdering four-year-old Barbara Thompson in 1986 as a 15-year-old.

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The crime was so horrible, retired Fayetteville police officer Ruston Cole told KNWA/FOX24 in 2016.

Cole said he responded to a missing-persons call at the Lewis Plaza Apartment on July 26, 1986.

Lawsuit: Benton County couple claims rights violated in 2024 police search

Shortly after finding Thompsons body in a nearby wooded area, he ran through the woods and back to the apartment complex, where he saw a crowd gathering around 15-year-old Christopher Segerstrom.

I saw a red-haired young man, on the ground supporting himself with one armhe had a lit cigarette in his hand, Cole said. I stood him up and handcuffed him, and while searching him, I found blood on him.

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Segerstrom later confessed to the crime.

Little girl, four-year-old girls walking around, with a plastic baggie, and she says, I want to catch butterflies, and Mr. Segerstrom says, Ill take you, Cole recalled.

Cole said that Segerstrom then raped Thompson and crushed her skull.

Segerstrom was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

He was resentenced to life in prison in 2022 by a Washington County jury, after the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that he should not have been sentenced to life without parole as a minor.

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 KNWA FOX24.
The manufacturer of popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, is taking heat from the federal government for regularly failing to report potential side effects of its GLP-1 medications, including deaths.

In a warning letter dated March 5, the Food and Drug Administration cited five cases where patients taking the drugs experienced a stroke, considered suicide or died  one of them by suicide  all of which Novo Nordisk failed to report properly.

Novo Nordisks actions, the FDA wrote in its warning letter to the company, suggest systemic failures with your surveillance, receipt, evaluation, and reporting of potential side effects.

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Novo Nordisk representatives did not provide the specific number of patients affected when asked, but USA TODAYs analysis of FDA data shows a large spike in the companys submissions of side effect reports in July 2025, just a few months after the inspection.

In one week alone, the company submitted nearly 11,000 reports of side effects involving semaglutide, the active ingredient in its Ozempic and Wegovy drugs. More than 1,800 of those were categorized as serious, which companies are required to submit to the FDA within 15 days and can include death or other life-threatening reactions.

The remaining 9,100 reports about semaglutide submitted that week were listed as nonserious reactions, which include undesired effects that dont require major medical intervention, such as nausea or vomiting.

Don't see a chart below? Click here.

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Novo Nordisk declined to explain the timing of these submissions, but a spokesperson said the company is committed to addressing all the reporting issues found during last years FDA inspection of Novo Nordisk facilities and mentioned again in this new warning letter.

We stand behind the safety and efficacy of all of our GLP-1 RA medicines when they are used as indicated and when taken under the care of a licensed healthcare professional, said Liz Skrbkova, Novo Nordisks senior director of U.S. media and stakeholder relations, via an emailed statement.

She pointed out an important caveat in the FDA system for reporting undesired side effects: The reports do not prove that a drug caused a particular reaction but simply that a patient was taking the drug when it happened.

Importantly, the FDA did not say the medications caused these events but rather that Novo Nordisk did not report them properly. Thats an important distinction, Skrbkova said. We recognize that it may be shocking for many to see terms such as death or serious adverse event in these types of FDA communications. However, it is not uncommon to see that type of language in [this] reporting.

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Thousands of patients have already filed lawsuits against Novo Nordisk, alleging the company understated the health risks of its GLP-1 drugs. Jonathan Orent, a lead attorney representing plaintiffs in federal cases, said their legal team has identified significant numbers of additional side effects they believe still havent been reported to the FDA.

He called the FDA warning letters list of five cases a significant understatement of the problem facing the company and, more alarmingly, a failure to provide doctors and patients necessary information for them to make a meaningful choice on which drug to take.

The logos of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, maker of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy is seen outside theri building as the company presents the annual report at Novo Nordisk in Bagsvaerd, Denmark, on February 5, 2025. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, maker of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy, said on Wednesday its net profit jumped 21 percent in 2024 to 100 billion Danish kroner ($13.9 billion). Europe's most valuable company said its sales rose 25 percent to 290.4 billion Danish kroner, propelled by its popular injections. (Photo by Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

The FDA has not announced punitive measures against the company, but its warning letters typically serve as an early step to identify violations of federal law and allow companies to rectify them.

This months warning letter is the third the company has received in the past six months, after the FDA recently found animal hair in drug vials at an Indiana facility and deemed a promotional video about weight-loss drugs to be false and misleading.

What is Novo Nordisk doing wrong?

The FDAs new letter ticks through various scenarios inspectors found when they visited Novo Nordisk facilities in January 2025, including examples in which the company failed to investigate reports of side effects, improperly dismissed them or delayed reporting to the government.

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Federal law requires drug manufacturers to forward reports of potential serious side effects to the FDA within 15 days, regardless of whether patients or doctors believe the side effect is directly related to the drug.

According to the FDA, Novo Nordisks written internal policy allowed call-center operators to dismiss reports if patients or doctors said they didnt believe the companys drugs had caused the unintended side effect. As an example, the FDA cites a consumer taking liraglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisks weight-loss and diabetes drugs Victoza and Saxenda. The consumer didnt believe the stroke theyd suffered was related to the drug, so Novo Nordisk dismissed the case.

Government inspectors also accuse Novo Nordisks call centers of throwing out reports because they were missing critical details needed to identify patients. The letter said this happened in the case of a man who died while taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. Novo Nordisk never reported his case to the federal government even though FDA inspectors later found his personal details within the case documents.

FILE PHOTO: Boxes of Ozempic and Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are seen at a pharmacy in London, Britain March 8, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

Novo Nordisks internal policies direct employees to make two follow-up attempts to fill in any missing details. However, the companys written policies also allowed employees to dismiss reports coming directly from patients who were not asked for their consent to follow up.

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The letter points out that FDA regulations dont require obtaining this type of consent, and it accuses Novo Nordisk of failing to investigate a case where a patient using semaglutide was depressed and considering suicide, as well as a patient who died while taking semaglutide.

The FDAs letter acknowledges that Novo Nordisk has updated its policies since the 2025 inspection to remove the unnecessary consent requirement, and that the company is reviewing cases to ensure follow-ups occurred. However, the government calls these efforts inadequate, questioning Novo Nordisks ability to monitor drug safety and oversee its call centers on a broader scale.

Based on the nature of the inspections findings and your written response and correspondence, we have serious concerns about the scope and impact of these violations on your entire product portfolio, the letter concluded.

Thousands of patients suing GLP-1 drugmakers

Approximately 12% of American adults  or more than 31 million people  are currently using a GLP-1 drug, according to estimates from the nonpartisan health policy organization KFF.

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Many of these patients have lost weight with little discomfort other than an upset stomach or nausea. However, a growing number of patients  at least 5,000 as of March 16  have filed suit in consolidated federal and state litigation, alleging the drugmakers failed to sufficiently warn of the risk of severe injuries, including blindness, neurological disorders and intestinal blockages.

The lawsuits target the Novo Nordisk but also Indiana-based Eli Lilly, which makes Trulicity, Mounjaro and Zepbound. The drugmakers have broadly refuted the allegations and said they will vigorously defend the drugs safety.

More: Weight-loss drugs draw thousands of lawsuits alleging serious harm

Orent, a lead attorney representing thousands of plaintiffs in the multidistrict federal litigation, said the recent FDA warning letter and last years inspection provide important validation of what his clients have been alleging since filing the first lawsuits nearly three years ago.

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Quite frankly, it's scary because we represent people whose real-life health has negatively been affected because of these [drugmakers] failures. And only now is the FDA actually taking action to learn about it, Orent said. This letter gives me tremendous comfort both that we're right, but also that the government is actually now doing something about these problems.

Orent's legal team has been working with academics and former FDA employees who could eventually serve as expert witnesses at trial, and he said they were stunned by what inspectors found.

To a person, the reaction was that they had not seen anything quite that bad, with the exception of perhaps during the opioid days, Orent said, referring to earlier lawsuits accusing pharmaceutical companies of fueling the opioid epidemic.

Orent echoed the FDAs concern that these problems with reporting possible side effects could be more widespread across Novo Nordisks portfolio of medications than just the GLP-1 drugs inspectors reviewed last year.

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People who are taking other drugs, who don't have lawyers actively looking at data, actively looking at emails and actively taking testimony, I'm quite honestly afraid that those people may never know what impact that had on their health, Orent said.

In a statement posted to Novo Nordisks website on March 10, the company emphasized that the FDAs recent letter is largely seeking more information about how it stays in line with regulations.

It does not make any conclusions about the quality or safety of our medicines, the company statement reads.

Novo Nordisk takes [postmarketing adverse drug experience] reporting requirements seriously, and we plan to address the requests in the warning letter expeditiously and holistically, wrote Anna Windle, head of clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs for Novo Nordisk US, via the company statement. We are confident that we will resolve the matters outlined in warning letter to the FDAs full satisfaction."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ozempic producer ignored reports of deaths and side effects, FDA says
The escalating war in Iran has pushed fuel prices higher across Europe, but Germany has felt it more sharply than most  petrol has risen by almost 5% in recent weeks, well above the EU average.

The contrast with neighbours is stark. France and Austria have seen increases of around 2%, Estonia 3.6%, Luxembourg 3.5%, while Slovakia and Hungary recorded rises of just 0.1%.

The European Commission, which publishes weekly data in its Oil Bulletin, has flagged the particularly steep increases in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland.

Dutch drivers are currently paying the highest petrol prices in Europe, averaging 2.17 per litre last week.

Germany is close behind at 2.08, with Finland also in the upper range  notable for expensive diesel as well as petrol.

Where do the different prices come from?

The biggest difference comes down to national tax and duty structures.

Germany traditionally levies higher energy taxes on fossil fuels both for environmental reasons and to fund infrastructure, while also charging for CO2 consumption, which feeds into overall costs.

The result is that Germans automatically pay more when prices rise.

In many other European countries, VAT, oil and CO2 levies are structurally lower.

The recent spike has nonetheless struck the German government as disproportionate, and it has set up a coalition task force to examine what can be learned from EU partners.

Some countries have already acted. Croatia and Hungary have both introduced price caps at petrol stations.

In Croatia, prices initially rose by around four cents per litre, but the cap will limit further increases and fix prices at 1.50 per litre from 23 March.

In Hungary, petrol is capped at 1.51 and diesel at 1.59, though the measure applies only to residents, meaning tourists with foreign licence plates will pay more.

In Germany, petrol currently costs 2.075 euros per litre. Other countries have introduced price caps. - Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

In Austria, a different price rule applies: petrol stations are only allowed to increase their prices once a day, at noon. On the other hand, reductions are possible at any time.

This makes the situation clearer and more transparent, but whether this really leads to lower petrol prices is debatable.

Politicians criticise oil companies

Economics Minister Katherina Reiche criticised fuel prices for rising quickly on the back of high raw material costs and then falling only slowly, saying the government wants to "break through this mechanism".

She has proposed limiting petrol stations to one price increase per day.

Driving is part of daily life for most Germans when commuting, shopping and doing school runs  so pressure on the government to act has been growing.
Mar. 17The state has won a key federal approval for its plan to award nearly $630 million to more than a dozen companies to help modernize internet service in Alaska.

The money represents the largest single chunk of federal funds ever committed to improving online access across the state, officials said.

It will extend high-speed internet to more than 46,000 homes and businesses in the state, bringing at least 100-megabits-per-second download speeds to areas currently considered "unserved" or "underserved" when it comes to digital connectivity.

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Many are located in rural sections of the state. But the program will also be deployed in the outskirts of Anchorage and other cities, improving service to houses and cellphones.

Once built, the projects will transform life even in Alaska's most remote corners, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a statement.

"This will open up new opportunities for Alaskans to access jobs and education, start new businesses, and connect with healthcare providers in real time, which has not been possible until now," he said.

The money is part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, or BEAD.

Created in the bipartisan, Biden-era infrastructure bill, it seeks to bridge the nation's digital divide.

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The Alaska Broadband Office still awaits one last federal approval that's viewed as a formality, officials say. But the 15 award recipients, ranging from the state's largest telecommunications company to small tribal entities, should begin receiving final approval for the awards in the coming months, they say.

The companies plan 29 projects to deliver fiber, wireless or satellite services, or hybrid versions.

Large providers, such as GCI and Alaska Communications, are on deck to receive more than $100 million apiece under the program.

Tiny entities are poised to also receive grants, such as the tribal government for Atka in the Aleutian Islands, set for a $4.9 million grant to deliver wireless service to 432 homes and businesses.

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Christine O'Connor  head of the Alaska Telecom Association, which represents many telecommunications providers  said internet service has improved a lot in Alaska.

Two other federal programs, ReConnect and Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, have together injected about $1 billion into the state in recent years, she said.

Those were also supported with funding from the infrastructure act.

O'Connor said this latest funding will help complete the build-out. It represents the largest federal investment at one time for improving digital connectivity in Alaska, she said.

Dozens of communities in the state still have extremely limited internet service, she said.

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This will change that, allowing many families for the first time to do things like stream video-conference calls with multiple people, download movies or better promote their businesses on social media.

"If you've got really slow or no internet, and then all of a sudden you have a 100-megabit minimum speed, that goes from being barely able to function in the digital landscape of our world to having complete access," she said.

"So it's night and day when you think of everything we do online these days," she said.

SpaceX among the winners

Space Exploration Technologies, the owner of Starlink, is set to receive $23.6 million to deliver service to more than 15,000 homes and businesses across the state.

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The win for SpaceX came after the Trump administration revised rules to create what it described as a technology neutral program that gave satellite-based providers a better chance of winning a grants over fiber, considered the gold standard for internet service.

O'Connor said that even without that revision, satellite-based internet would have been part of the grant-supported programs in Alaska, given the state's many far-flung communities.

"It's not cost effective or even possible to reach everyone without using some satellite capacity," she said.

U.S. Commerce Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth recently approved the state's $629 million in proposed awards, the state said in a prepared statement.

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The awards still must be approved by National Institute of Standards and Technology, a federal agency, O'Connor said. But that's expected to be a routine review, she said.

After that, the state will have six months to finalize the contracts, which then will start the clock on a four-year period for providers to complete the projects, she said.

In total, Alaska has been allocated $1 billion under the program.

The federal government has not yet said exactly how the remainder of the state's allocation can be spent, O'Connor said. It will also support broadband access.

Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski praised the approval of the state's program, in a prepared statement. They had joined the late Republican Rep. Don Young in voting for the infrastructure act in 2021.

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"These funds will go a long way toward the goal of connecting every Alaskan" and unlock telehealth, education and business opportunities, Sullivan said.

"Importantly, it will better allow Alaskans to connect with one another," he said.

GCI will expand rural network

GCI, Alaska's largest telecommunications company, is set to receive three grants, said Megan Webb, a spokesperson.

She said federal approval of the state's proposal is a "major milestone for Alaska."

It comes after years of planning by telecommunications companies, she said.

The largest grant to GCI, at $115 million, will help expand the company's rural Airraq network, adding 16 villages in Southwest Alaska, Webb said.

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The plan involves hybrid services using fiber and microwave, to improve slow internet speeds in those communities, she said.

The locations include Mountain Village, Chefornak, St. Mary's, Mekoryuk, Kipnuk, Goodnews Bay and Togiak, she said.

The company also won two additional grants, totaling almost $6 million, to improve service on the fringes of Anchorage and Eagle River.

That will be useful for first responders in remote areas, cellphone users and households, she said.

"It will improve access to broadband and support improved mobile connectivity in Ship Creek, Bear Valley, Rabbit Creek and the south fork of Eagle River," she said.

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ACS adding thousands of homes

Alaska Communications is set to receive three grants totaling more than $123 million.

The company plans to deliver fiber and advanced wireless infrastructure to over 9,000 homes and businesses. It also plans to invest $26.7 million of its own capital to extend broadband to an additional 12,000 locations, said Heather Cavanaugh, a spokesperson.

The expansion will deliver speeds of up to a gigabyte in Anchorage, Bird Creek and Indian; along with communities on the Kenai Peninsula, such as Hope, and Kodiak Island, Cavanaugh said. Fairbanks, Manley Hot Springs, Salcha and Delta Junction areas will also see the improved service.

"This investment will make a real difference for families, students, healthcare providers and entrepreneurs who rely on strong connectivity to thrive," said Paul Fenaroli, president of Alaska Communications, in a prepared statement.

Quintillion has been selected for two projects totaling $48 million, to extend its Arctic fiber network in the Lower Yukon region and on St. Lawrence Island.

"In the Lower Yukon region, Quintillion will extend connections from its Nome-to-Homer Express fiber backbone and build local fiber networks within each community," said Michael "Mac" McHale, president of the company.

"Some locations will connect to the backbone through existing microwave links, while others will connect directly via fiber," he said in a prepared statement.

"On St. Lawrence Island, the project will deploy fiber-to-the-home networks supported by satellite backhaul due to the island's remote location," he said.

SpitwSpots, launched about 20 years ago to provide hotspot service on the Homer spit, is set to receive $16.7 million. It will also invest some of its own capital to support the project.

The company plans to provide fixed wireless service in the Matanuska Valley, Kenai and Kodiak areas, state records show.

SpitwSpots, whose programs include discounted or free service for low-income households, has recently expanded into the Anchorage market, said Aaron Larson, the company's founder.

He said there are over 2,000 unserved houses and buildings in Anchorage.

"You'd be surprised," he said. "There's a lot of places that don't have any access to internet, or only have access to DSL," he said, referring to old, slow digital subscriber lines.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly used the term megabyte. A megabyte measures storage capacity. A megabit measures data transfer speed.
Maine is entering a major election season, with the governors office and three of the states four congressional seats on the November ballot. The list of people running in the hotly contested June 9 primaries is now final after Mondays filing deadline with the Secretary of States Office.

Open races for governor and Maines 2nd Congressional District, along with the high-profile Senate Democratic primary between outgoing Gov. Janet Mills and political newcomer Graham Platner, have for months generated significant interest and debate in Maine and nationally.

Every seat in the Maine Legislature  35 in the Senate and 151 in the House of Representatives  will also be on the ballot in November. Roughly two dozen of those districts will see either a Democratic or Republican primary.

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The race to replace Mills has drawn dozens of possible contenders.

The Democratic primary field is now set with five prominent candidates: Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, businessman Angus King III, former Mills administration official and Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree, and Dr. Nirav Shah, who became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic when he led the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, several polls have shown Shah leading the pack though with a significant number of undecided voters.

On the Republican side, over half a dozen candidates, several with no political experience, are vying for the chance to take back the Blaine House. They include Jonathan Bush, nephew of the late President George H.W. Bush; Leeds attorney Robert Charles, who formerly served as Assistant U.S. Secretary of State under George W. Bush; business owner David Jones; sitting Maine Sen. James Libby; Garrett Mason, who served as Maine Senate majority leader from 2014 to 2018; Owen McCarthy, a University of Maine trustee from Gorham; former fitness executive Ben Midgley; and Robert Wessels, a small business owner from Paris.

Recent polling has shown Charles  who has made headlines for his frequent anti-immigrant remarks  in the lead, though a significant number of voters said they are unfamiliar with the candidates and remain undecided.

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Whoever wins those primaries will likely face at least one formidable independent candidate in the November election: Rick Bennett, a longtime legislator who formerly led the Maine Republican Party. Petitions for independent nominees are due to the Secretary of States Office by June 1.

Likely the most-watched primary election will be for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, with Mills, the two-term governor and former state attorney general, up against progressive newcomer Platner in an effort to oust longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

With Maines U.S. Senate election among a handful that could determine which party controls the chamber, the race has already drawn national interest. It is also seen as a test of the Democratic Partys overall popularity among voters. Mills launched her campaign with the financial backing of national party leaders and is considered the establishment pick. In comparison, Platner, an oysterman and military veteran, has branded himself as a political outsider and secured the endorsement of several labor unions and national progressive groups.

Democrat David Costello, who had an unsuccessful run for independent U.S. Sen Angus Kings seat in 2024, also joined the field ahead of Mondays deadline.

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And despite early controversies over an archive of offensive Reddit posts and a now-covered tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol, recent polls have shown Platner ahead of Mills and both in competitive races against Collins, who faces no Republican challengers.

The race to replace outgoing Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in Maines 2nd Congressional District is another with national implications. The seat has been targeted by national Republicans and the Cook Political Report noted last fall that the moderates departure makes it more likely the seat will flip to GOP control.

Former Republican Gov. Paul LePage will not face any primary opponent while State Auditor Matt Dunlap is squaring off against former congressional staffer Jordan Wood, State Sen. Joe Baldacci and Old Town social worker Paige Loud.

In Maines 1st District, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree also faces no challenger while Ronald Russell, who lost to Pingree in 2022, and New Gloucester resident Joshua Pietrowicz will vie for the GOP nomination.

Gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidates were required to deliver 2,000 to 2,500 valid voter signatures while candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives had to secure half that.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A long-time Providence firefighter fell down an elevator shaft at an elderly-only housing development Monday afternoon, according to authorities.

Providence Fire Chief Derek Silva told 12 News the firefighter lost his footing and fell 10 feet down the elevator shaft at Sister Dominica Manor.

Firefighters were initially called to the Atwells Avenue housing development to free those who were trapped in an elevator due to a power outage.

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Silva said the firefighter suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the trauma center at Rhode Island Hospital.

He was released from the hospital around 3 a.m. Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery, Silva said.

The power outage was caused by a tree branch that fell on power lines near the housing development, according to Rhode Island Energy.

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Daily Roundup

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 WPRI.com.
STARKE  A Florida man convicted of abducting, raping and murdering a young mother is set to be executed Tuesday.

Michael Lee King, 54, is scheduled to receive a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. King was sentenced to death in 2009 after being convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery and kidnapping.

According to court records, 21-year-old Denise Amber Lee was outside her North Port home with her two sons  a toddler and an infant  in January 2008 when King drove by and spotted her. King abducted Lee, leaving her children alone in the house.

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King took Lee to his home, where he bound and raped her, investigators said. Later that day, King drove to his cousins house to borrow a flashlight, shovel and gas can, according to prosecutors. While Lee was bound in Kings car, she managed to get Kings cellphone and call 911. She can be heard on a recording of the call begging for her life so that she can see her husband and children again.

King eventually drove Lee to a remote area of North Port, where he shot her in the face and buried her, authorities said. A state trooper pulled King over a short time later because his 1994 green Chevrolet Camaro matched the description of another 911 call. A woman had heard screams coming from the vehicle while stopped at a traffic light and called police to report a possible child abduction.

Investigators later recovered Lees hair and belongings from Kings home and vehicle, authorities said.

Several months after her death, the Legislature unanimously passed the Denise Amber Lee Act, which provides better training for 911 operators. The Denise Amber Lee Foundation continues to promote training and raise public awareness nationwide.

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Last week, the Florida Supreme Court denied appeals filed by King, whose attorneys argued that corrections officials had mismanaged the states death penalty protocols and that he was denied due process by not having access to certain records.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Kings final appeals Monday without comment.

Kings execution is Floridas fourth scheduled for 2026, following a record 19 executions last year. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions last year than any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

A total of 47 people were executed in the U.S. in 2025. Florida led the way, while Alabama, South Carolina and Texas tied for second-most, with five each.

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Two more Florida executions are scheduled for this year. James Aren Duckett, 68, is set to die on March 31, and Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, is set to die April 21.

All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
A Florida hospital wants to boot a woman who has refused to leave despite being discharged five months ago, and has filed a lawsuit to give her the heave.

The woman was discharged on October 6, but continues to occupy an inpatient room at the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare facility. According to a lawsuit filed at the beginning of March and seen by USA Today. Despite being discharged, the unnamed patient has refused to vacate her room.

The hospital is requesting a court mandate for her removal, seeking assistance from the Leon County Sheriffs Office to enforce the order.

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The complaint highlighted the strain this situation places on medical infrastructure, noting that the "defendants continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care," as reported by USA Today. Its unclear what condition brought the woman to the hospital in the first place.

Furthermore, the filing suggests that hospital staff and resources are being diverted to manage the woman's ongoing stay. To resolve the matter before suing, "TMH staff made repeated efforts to assist the defendant in safely completing discharge," the complaint stated.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare is suing a woman who refuses to leave her hospital room (Getty Images)

These efforts included coordinating with the patients family members and offering non-emergency medical transportation to assist the woman in obtaining necessary identification.

The timing of the lawsuit coincides with a major transition for the facility. On March 11, city officials voted to transfer the hospital to Florida State University. The move is meant to establish an academic medical center in Tallahassee.

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In a statement given to The Independent, a spokesperson for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare said TMH is not able to discuss active legal matters, including background details.

The hospital maintains that it issued a formal written warning nearly a month after the patients initial discharge date, stating that legal action would follow if she did not leave.
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter.

A Missouri pastor with North Kansas City ties was suspended last week after a tranche of Justice Department documents revealed she worked for the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

United Methodist Church leaders in Missouri announced the suspension of the ordained pastor on Thursday. A church spokesperson confirmed to The Star on Monday that person was Rev. Stephanie Remington, a former North Kansas City pastor appointed to do remote work for the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. from 2018 to 2025.

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Remingtons name appears in more than 1,800 pages of documents related to Epstein released by the Justice Department. The documents, reviewed by The Star, show a series of communications between Epstein and Remington, including the booking of a flight to Kansas City to visit her father, who was ill.

Remington was an administrative assistant for Epstein in 2018 and then worked as a temporary property manager for his private island from January 2019 to May 2019, according to United Methodist News.

That time period suggests Remington worked with Epstein after he was already a convicted sex offender, but before his highly-publicized sex trafficking arrest in 2019. In August 2019, Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in what was ruled a suicide.

The Missouri Conference of The United Methodist Church, in a statement on Thursday, said church leaders were previously unaware of Remingtons ties to Epstein. The statement, which did not name Remington, said Bishop Robert Farr suspended her for 90 days while the church reviews the matter.

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Clergy are called to uphold the highest standards of spiritual and moral leadership. Concerns of this nature are taken seriously and require careful review, the statement said.

We recognize the deep harm connected to Mr. Epsteins crimes and remain in prayer for survivors who deserve healing and justice, the church said. Because this is an active matter, the Missouri Conference will not comment further while the supervisory response process is underway.

Attempts to reach Remington by phone were unsuccessful on Monday. But Remington told UM News that she never saw evidence of abuse by Epstein.

I never saw anything, Remington said, according to the outlet. I knew him for the last nine months of his life, well after he served time for the things that he was accused of doing.

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Remington also told the outlet that, early in her clergy career, she helped write an online curriculum for sexual boundaries training to be used in churches.

Rev. Kim Jenne, the churchs director of connectional ministries, said in a phone call that Remington was appointed to an extension ministry  or work outside a Missouri-based church  with the Wesley Theological Seminary during the period that she lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Prior to that, Remington was a pastor at First United Methodist Church of North Kansas City from 2011 to 2016. That church closed in 2018, Jenne said.

The revelations about Remington come after U.S. lawmakers forced the highly anticipated release of investigative files connected to Epstein. Controversy over the Epstein files has long dominated U.S. politics due to the financiers connections to the wealthy and elite.
A Fort Bend County fraud examiner told a jury she believes Judge KP George completed inaccurate campaign finance reports for years, she said, to cover up stealing thousands of dollars.

FRAUD EXAMINER LAYS OUT THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE NUMBERS

On Monday, George's felony trial resumed, as he's facing two money laundering counts.

Prosecutors said George stole $46,500 in campaign funds in 2019, when he made two wire transfers from his county judge campaign bank account to his personal savings account. On Monday, Betty Chi, a district attorney fraud examiner, told jurors how she believes he stole the money and tried to cover it up.

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"It appears he was trying to conceal the $46,500 that he transferred to himself during this period," Chi said.

Here's how she said George did that. Going through finance reports before and after the transfer, Chi said George didn't accurately show the number of donations coming in, and how much money the campaign was spending based on what the bank account showed.

For example, in the July 2019 report, Chi said the campaign bank account started with $37,128. Based on the account information, Chi said George received $92,789 in donations and spent $60,112. This left the campaign with an ending balance, Chi said, of $69,805.

However, the campaign finance report showed the campaign had a starting balance of zero, received $85,524 in donations, spent $12,256, and had an ending balance of $73,268. The difference between the reported end balance compared to the actual bank balance, Chi said, was about $3,500.

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Over the next few finance reports, Chi said George changed the numbers to make the difference even smaller.

"Why would someone mislead the campaign finance report?" prosecutor Charann Thompson asked. "There might be something they don't want people to find out," Chi answered.

Chi was the only witness prosecutors put on the stand on Monday. Before the judge broke the courtroom for the day, prosecutors announced they had one more witness to call, but didn't say who it was.

During the trial, George's attorneys have said he transferred $46,500 because he was paying himself back for loans he gave to previous campaigns, when he ran for county treasurer, U.S. Congress, and Fort Bend ISD trustee. When questioned about these previous campaigns by George's defense attorney, Jared Woodfill, Chi said she never saw the finance reports or bank statements during that time period.

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Chi said the county didn't have the financial records, and the bank didn't keep records that went back that long.

COSTCO HOT DOGS, SUNDAES DISCUSSED AS THE DA'S OFFICE DUG DEEPER INTO THE FINANCES

Last week, the Texas Ethics Commission executive director told jurors that candidates are allowed to give their campaign loans and repay them. The TEC executive director said candidates don't have to show the loan in future races on campaign reports. However, he said, candidates are supposed to document the activity on their campaign finance reports if they repay themselves.

Chi said from 2016 to 2018, George moved about $30,000 from his campaign fund back to his personal account. That she said left him with a balance of about $41,000.

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However, she said the campaign bank account showed 37 payments, totaling about $27,000, were made to credit cards. When Chi got the credit card statements showing what they were used for, she said it was clear it wasn't campaign-related expenses.

Chi said the credit cards were used for medical expenses such as dentist bills, utility payments, and shopping trips, including weekly Costco visits where Chi said George usually made two purchases on the same day. A larger Costco payment, she believes, was used for shopping, and a smaller one, she believes, was used at the Costco cafe for items such as a hot dog and sundae.

THE FRAUD EXAMINER SAID MEDIA COVERAGE OF FAKE RACIST POSTS MADE HER LOOK INTO GEORGE

Chi said she started to look into George after seeing news coverage about him in 2024, tied to fake, racist social media posts. George faces a misdemeanor for misrepresentation after prosecutors said he was involved in a scheme that made up online racist comments that helped him win re-election in 2022.

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George's former chief of staff, Taral Patel, pleaded guilty in that case last year. George is set to go to trial for it in May.

Chi told jurors she looked up publicly available documents related to George. She found he purchased four properties from 2019 through 2024, and paid one off completely in 2021.

Between paying off the home and down payments, she said it totaled about $475,000. Chi said the "math didn't math" when she looked into how much George and his wife made. Between the two of them, she said their household income was about $200,000.

Chi told jurors that after she presented the information to others within the district attorney's office, they told her to start a formal investigation. That's when they obtained banking information.

THE DEFENSE WILL START TO PRESENT ITS CASE SOON

On Friday, defense attorney Jared Woodfill told ABC13 that they may call three witnesses when they present their case. Some of the witnesses include Commissioner Dexter McCoy, who used to work with George, and Patel.

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Patel was in the courtroom on Monday, seated in the witness room. He declined to comment to ABC13 about his former boss.

As for George, Woodfill said they haven't decided if he'll take the stand in his own defense.

If convicted, George faces ten years behind bars and would be removed from office.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.
NEW YORK  Four people were killed, including a child, in a Queens fire Monday afternoon, the FDNY said.

Two people were rushed to the hospital in critical condition from the scene, a storefront with two residential floors above it on College Point Blvd. near Avery Ave. in Flushing.

This is a difficult and tragic day, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said at the scene.

The fire erupted in a third-floor unit shortly before 12:30 p.m. It took firefighters a little over four minutes to respond. They find heavy fire on the scene, Bonsignore said.

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Three people leapt from windows, the FDNY said. EMS medics performed CPR on victims in the street.

Yibo Wang, 28, was returning home from the grocery store when she arrived to find the flames consuming her building.

There were four people being carried out. One woman was unconscious and on the floor. One of the men being carried out, his head was covered in blood, said Wang. There was a woman who ran back screaming. She ran back as the firemen were holding her.

Three victims died at the scene, including the child. A fourth victim died after he was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens. At least five other civilians were hospitalized, with two in critical condition.

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Two firefighters fell through a stairway from the first to the second floor that collapsed. They were rescued by fellow firefighters and are in stable condition.

As many as a dozen people were living in the third-floor apartment where the fire started, according to a neighbor.

The apartment was vacant. Nobody was supposed to be living there. They were squatting, said the neighbor, 30, who declined to share her name. They were using one outlet and they had a ton of extension cords connected to it.

It took some 230 firefighters and EMS personnel about two hours and 15 minutes to bring the four-alarm blaze under control, FDNY officials said.

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FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said the fire was already heavy on all three floors when first responders arrived. Firefighters used a ladder to rescue a victim trapped on the second floor.

The cause is under investigation.

Heavy winds accelerated the blaze.

The wind definitely impacts firefighter operations, Woods said. The fire travels with the wind.

Six firefighters in total were treated for minor injuries.

_____
Even with those investments, the company reported an 11% increase in operating profit and a 14.4% rise in adjusted PBT, which management said demonstrated healthy operational leverage.

Operating costs rose 6.7%, which management attributed to cost headwinds including higher National Living Wage and National Insurance costs. George said productivity savings of 12.4 million helped offset inflation but did not fully neutralize it. The company also increased investment in technology by around 8 million, which management framed as building foundations for future growth.

CFO Mark George reported revenue of 1.64 billion, up 5.9% versus 2024, including 6.5% growth in retail and 4.4% growth in delivered D&I sales. He said the companys gross margin rate increased 44 basis points, contributing to a 7.2% year-over-year increase in gross profit.

Management said the groups 5.9% sales increase supported operational leverage, lifting adjusted profit before tax (PBT) 14.4% to 49.9 million. The company also reiterated its intention to increase investment in its store estate, including a revised long-term target of 300 stores across the UK compared to the previous ambition of 250.

Wickes Group (LON:WIX) executives told investors the home improvement retailer delivered what CEO David Wood described as a stellar year in the 52 weeks ended 27 December 2025, with growth across both its retail and design & installation (D&I) operations and a step-up in profits driven by volume-led sales gains.

Cash, returns and allocation priorities: Yearend cash was 92m, the fullyear dividend was maintained at 10.9p, the group completed a 20m share buyback and announced a further 10m (the "last one for the time being"), while prioritizing highergrowth CapEx and investing ~8m in technology.

Ambitious store expansion and higher CapEx: Management raised the longterm store target to 300 (smaller 1520k sq ft formats) and plans to accelerate openings from 2028, with 2026 CapEx guided to 4045m and mediumterm property CapEx rising ~20m p.a. for rollout.

Strong FY2025 results: Revenue rose 5.9% to 1.64bn and adjusted PBT increased 14.4% to 49.9m, driven by volume-led retail and D&I growth, a 44bp gross margin improvement and an 11% rise in operating profit.

Story Continues

Retail and D&I: volume-driven outperformance and improving momentum

In retail, George said like-for-like growth was again driven exclusively by volume, with mild deflation for most of the year. Both TradePro and DIY contributed to growth, with active TradePro membership rising to 643,000 and TradePro sales up 9%. DIY sales grew in the mid-single digits, according to management.

 The S&P 500's 3 Best-Performing Stocks So Far in 2026

In D&I, management pointed to improved performance following initiatives launched in the second half of 2024. George said the order book had grown for five consecutive quarters, while delivered revenue recorded three consecutive quarters of growth. He also noted that non-like-for-like growth included contributions from new stores and from Wickes Solar prior to the first anniversary of the acquisition, which occurred toward the end of the first half.

Wood said D&I initiatives discussed at an investor event in October at the Staines store were translating into sales, citing range changes (including paint to order for bespoke kitchens and expanded furniture colors in the Wickes Lifestyle range), digital and physical enhancements, and a new design tool that management expects will improve how customers visualize and plan kitchens and bathrooms over time. Wood also said customers were rating the business positively, citing a 4.4 excellent Trustpilot score.

Cash, shareholder returns, and updated guidance

Wickes ended the year with 92 million of cash, ahead of management expectations, and averaged 153 million of cash across the year. George highlighted a 25 million working capital contribution, compared with flat working capital in the prior year, driven by growth in the D&I order book, improved payment terms with some suppliers, and project timing that shifted certain cash outflows into 2026. He said the company expects some benefits to unwind this year, resulting in a 5 million to 10 million working capital drag in 2026.

Capital expenditures were 28.7 million in 2025, below the companys prior guidance of 30 million to 35 million due to project timing that shifted some openings into 2026. Looking ahead, George guided to 2026 CapEx of 40 million to 45 million, reflecting both catch-up projects and a stepped-up investment plan.

On shareholder returns, management said:

The final dividend was maintained at 7.3p, taking the full-year dividend to 10.9p per share.

The company completed a 20 million share buyback in 2025 and announced a further 10 million share buyback.

Wickes also spent 12.5 million buying shares for employee share schemes and said it would buy shares for employee share plans rather than issue new shares.

George said the newly announced 10 million share buyback would be the last one for the time being as the company prioritizes higher growth CapEx. He added that after a lower effective tax rate in 2025 due to a successful capital allowances claim, the effective tax rate would return to a more normal level, slightly above the standard 25% rate.

On trading, Wood said the first 11 weeks of 2026 reflected the benefits of a balanced business model. While wet weather weighed on outdoor demand, management said the company saw continued volume growth in indoor projects and D&I. George said the company remained comfortable with market expectations for growth in PBT in 2026.

Store strategy: revised ambition of 300 stores and acceleration from 2028

The companys store estate expanded in 2025 with five new stores and 11 refits, and Wood said 83% of the estate is now in the new format. For 2026, management outlined plans for 4-5 new store openings and 15-20 refits and refreshes.

Woods larger strategic update centered on accelerating the store rollout to reach 300 stores across the UK. He said Wickes estimates its combined addressable market across home improvement products and installation servicesincluding kitchens, bathrooms, and solarat about 35 billion, with Wickes holding around a 5% share.

Management said it is not introducing a new store format, but expanding use of smaller-footprint stores of roughly 15,000 to 20,000 square feet versus the current estate average of 27,000 square feet. Wood said these locations still include a full retail offer and a kitchen and bathroom showroom, sometimes on a mezzanine (showroom in the sky) to maximize space. He pointed to Staines as an example of a smaller store generating more than 10 million in annual revenue from a 20,000 square foot footprint.

In Q&A, Wood estimated that the increased store target would skew toward pure white space opportunities, suggesting a mix of roughly 70% white space and 30% deepening penetration in underrepresented larger towns and conurbations, citing Glasgow and Bristol as examples. George added that the smaller stores can generate comparable EBITDA because lower rent supports profitability even with somewhat lower revenue.

Management said new stores typically break even after about 12 months on averagesome almost immediatelywith D&I often ramping first, followed by DIY and then trade as TradePro membership builds locally. George said stores generally reach maturity after another three to four years, aligning with a 4-5 year maturity timeframe and the companys ROCE target of 25%.

Wood said Wickes would be focused, disciplined, and highly selective in site selection, emphasizing it was not in a space race. Management expects that once a pipeline is secured, the rollout program could accelerate from 2028 onward to around 10+ new store openings per year, alongside about 20 refreshes and refits per year, with a shift toward refreshes as the estate is largely already converted.

Wood also said the 300-store ambition would create over 2,000 new jobs. He added that an accelerated rollout would increase property CapEx by around 20 million per annum in the medium term, while the company intends to maintain a strong balance sheet and grow dividends over time within its stated dividend cover range of 1.5x to 2.5x as profits grow.

Consumer trends, service initiatives, and energy efficiency opportunity

Wood said Wickes tracks consumer sentiment through a monthly Mood of the Nation survey. He noted that over 30% of local trade customers reported a 12-month-plus pipeline of work, while planned spend among customers considering a new kitchen or bathroom was stable but below historical norms.

Management emphasized speed and convenience initiatives, including a new 15-minute click-and-collect service and Wickes Rapid, which offers same-day delivery in under three hours for products up to 800 kilograms. Wood said early customer satisfaction scores for Rapid have been strong, with repeat customers. He also cited customer satisfaction metrics showing 85% of customers rated click-and-collect as excellent or good, while home delivery scored 89%.

On energy solutions, management described a long-term opportunity spanning solar, batteries, inverters, air source heat pumps, and EV charging. Wood said that combined market could reach 10 billion to 12 billion annually within five to six years, driven by decarbonization goals and the need to improve the energy efficiency of UK housing stock. He said demand can also be influenced by energy security concerns, pointing to heightened interest in solar during the autumn 2023 energy crisis.

Wood and George also addressed macro sensitivity, noting that Wickes sources around 70% to 75% of cost of goods domestically, with about 7% spent in Asia. George said the company is hedged for 100% of its energy needs in 2026 and 50% through 2027. Management said it was not currently seeing a change in consumer sentiment from recent geopolitical turbulence, but would monitor conditions as the year progresses.

About Wickes Group (LON:WIX)

Wickes is one of the UK's best known home improvement retailers. Having opened our first store in 1972 we now have 228 stores across the UK, employing 7,400 colleagues and offering products ranging from kitchens and bathrooms, to paint, tools and timber. Wickes is a successful, growing, cash generative and profitable business, operating in the large and growing 27 billion UK Home Improvement market. Over the past few years Wickes has consistently outperformed the market, growing share and delivering a CAGR growth rate double that of the market. At Wickes, we have a clear purpose, which is to help the nation feel house proud', and we do this by focusing on our three customer segments - Local Trade, Do-it-for-me and DIY retail.

The article "Wickes Group H2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Four Rhode Island nonprofits will share a total of $7.9 million in grants to improve access to dental care for Providence children, Attorney General Peter Neronha and the Rhode Island Foundation announced Tuesday morning.

The money represents most of an $11 million civil settlement Neronha brokered with Barletta Heavy Division Inc. to resolve accusations that the Canton, Massachusetts, company dumped contaminated material while reconstructing the Route 6/10 Interchange in the summer of 2020. The settlement was announced in May 2025, avoiding a criminal trial that would have started a month later.

The funds will reduce socioeconomic and racial disparities by making oral health care more affordable and accessible for children living in the Olneyville, Silver Lake and West End neighborhoods, Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO David Cicilline told about two dozen advocates, dental professionals and others at a celebration at the Providence Community Health Center on Prairie Avenue. The highway interchange construction project occurred near these three neighborhoods.

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Focusing these resources on neighborhoods where health disparities are high will help close gaps and access to care to deliver lifelong benefits to the children and their families, said Cicilline.

One in three kindergartners and almost half of third graders in Rhode Island have tooth decay, according to data from the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Rhode Island Foundation CEO David Cicilline reviews his prepared remarks before a press conference announcing the nonprofits selected to receive funding from the Route 6/10 Childrens Fund, aimed at expanding pediatric dental care in Providence. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

The funds will be distributed over three years.

The Providence Community Health Center is receiving the largest chunk, $2.7 million. The money will cover care for over 3,000 patients a year, Merrill Thomas, its president and CEO, said. The center will partner with Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) dental program and Childrens Friend to establish referral programs while CCRI will also provide preventive care and dental education.

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The Tri-County Community Action Agency is receiving $2.5 million to identify children with untreated dental needs to provide care at schools and its Pediatric Dental Center in North Providence. The agency operates the states only advanced pediatric dental education program, which provides specialized treatment for children with severe dental decay and full-mouth oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital.

In this area, theres a definite need, there always has been, and this location has always fulfilled that need, oral surgeon Dr. Aaron Ercole, who treats patients at Fatima, said.

The Samuels Sinclair Dental Center at Rhode Island Hospital is getting $2 million to add a dentist and dental assistants. The center will work closely with Hasbros Children Hospital and continue providing specialized treatment under anesthesia for children with behavioral needs, director Dr. Elizabeth Benz said.

At the heart of this work is a simple belief: Every child deserves to grow, learn and thrive without pain of untreated dental disease, Bentz said.

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The Comprehensive Community Action Program is receiving $725,000 to continue its community outreach efforts, including a mobile pediatric dental service. It will also expand its school-based programs, a bilingual provider and establish a bilingual media campaign, according to the press release.

Speaking to reporters after the press conference, Neronha defended himself after criticism last June from Republican state lawmakers who accused him of overstepping his role in deciding where the settlement money should go.

There are a very small few in the General Assembly who think they can tie the attorney general to say anything as to how I can settle a case, Neronha said. The attorney general as an independent constitutional officer needs to have the power to settle cases the way he or she believes is appropriate so we can best protect Rhode Islanders.

The grants are distributed via the Rhode Island Foundations Rhode Island Attorney Generals 6/10 Childrens Fund. Around $2.1 million from the settlement remains unspent. Chris Barnett, spokesperson for the Rhode Island foundation, said discussions remain ongoing about what to do with that remaining balance.

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Neronha told Rhode Island Current his understanding is that the remaining settlement funds could be used for grant recipients who want to extend their own programs or as a seed to keep the program going beyond three years.

If more money flows into that fund whether it be from outside charitable giving or additional settlements that the office may recover, things can always be expanded and replenished, Neronha said.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha smiles after entering the Providence Community Health Center on Prairie Avenue on March 17, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

Tara Pratt, vice president of development and director of dental and mobil health programs for Comprehensive Community Action Program speaks during a press conference Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Providence Community Health Center.

Reporter Christopher Shea contributed to this story.

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By Sabine Siebold, Tim Hepher and Michel Rose

BERLIN/PARIS, March 17 (Reuters) - Leaders of France and Germany will discuss the crisis-hit FCAS fighter programme on the sidelines of a European Union summit on Wednesday, three people familiar with the matter said.

Plans to develop a futuristic air combat system together with Spain are hanging by a thread amid a public dispute over control between France's Dassault Aviation and Airbus, which represents Germany and Spain in the 100-billion-euro project.

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The office of French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that he and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz would meet on Wednesday evening ahead of the March 19-20 summit but declined to say whether they would discuss FCAS. A German government source said FCAS was among the topics up for discussion.

Macron co-launched the project with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2017, with Spain joining later.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was optimistic Berlin and Paris would continue to work together on all important European topics including security. Germany's BDLI aerospace industry association called for "a fighter under German leadership as part of a restructuring of FCAS".

Current plans call for a digitally connected array of crewed fighters and combat drones to replace the Dassault Rafale and Airbus-backed Eurofighter from 2040. Manufacturers have fallen out over the next phase involving a flying demonstrator.

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Dassault is pressing for clearer control of the core fighter part of the project, including choice of suppliers, while offering the same latitude to Airbus on the parts where it is already nominally in the lead. Airbus has said existing accords calling for equality between partners should be kept.

COMPANY FRICTION

Relations between the two groups have soured to the point that few involved in the project believe it will go ahead, but any final decision must be made by national leaders, with Macron widely seen as resisting German industry calls to halt the work.

Speaking during a visit to New Delhi last month, Macron dismissed the prospect that industrial disputes could overshadow government decisions on the development of strategic weapons.

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"There have been frictions between companies; that's the life of business and of human organisations. But should that decide the strategy of states? The answer is no," he told a news conference.

A collapse of the Franco-German-Spanish project, also known by its French initials SCAF, is likely to trigger a reshuffling of alliances in Europe's fragmented defence industry.

Until now, Germany has co-operated on modern fighter developments with Britain, which this time is involved in the competing GCAP fighter project alongside Japan and Italy.

Sweden, which makes the independent Saab Gripen, is analysing its own future in the fighter market and is also seen as a potential partner for Airbus if FCAS collapses.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Sabine Siebold, Michel Rose and Andreas Rinke; Editing by Mark Potter and Paul Simao)
(The Center Square)  A free speech group is raising concerns about a package of Minnesota bills regulating artificial intelligence, warning the proposals could have unintended consequences for Minnesotan's constitutional rights.

This comes as a bipartisan group of state lawmakers introduced a package of AI-related bills addressing health care decisions, childrens access to chatbots, pricing and government surveillance. The broader effort also includes a proposed amendment to the state constitution to address artificial intelligence.

Supporters say the measure is intended to clarify that artificial intelligence itself does not have constitutional speech rights, but critics warn the language could affect the free speech of those who use AI.

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State Sen. Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael, spoke at a press conference last week introducing the legislation.

I have long said the law is not keeping up with technology, Lucero said. Technology has been innovating since the beginning of time, and as that technology is adopted in the private sector for use and in the public sector by government, it can create a direct threat to our individual liberties.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is one of the groups raising red flags about the proposals.

In an exclusive interview with The Center Square, FIRE Legislative Counsel John Coleman said they are concerned the legislation, especially the amendment, could restrict the constitutional rights of people who use AI tools.

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AI isnt an independent speaker, Coleman said. Its a tool that people use to write, research and communicate ideas. Its an expressive tool, and the people who develop and use it retain their free speech rights.

Coleman said proposals aimed at restricting artificial intelligence can sometimes unintentionally limit the speech of the humans behind the technology.

"If constitutional protections disappear whenever AI is involved, the government gains leverage over the people building and using these tools," Coleman explained.

Lawmakers backing the broader AI package say the regulations are needed as the technology becomes more widely used across society. In recent years, states across the nation have introduced more than 1,500 AI-related bills.

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State Sen. Erin Maye Quade, D-Apple Valley, said at the press conference that the rapid rollout of consumer AI tools has created new risks.

The way that consumer-facing AI has been rolled out is a five-alarm fire for our society, Quade said. It has devastating consequences and deadly consequences for both humans and our constitutional rights.

Lawmakers also highlighted concerns about how children interact with artificial intelligence chatbots.

Having access to a chatbot that can talk to them about virtually any topic, with no regulation whatsoever, has been proven deadly in a number of cases, Quade said. You have 14-year-olds, 11-year-olds, 9-year-olds dying by suicide, developing eating disorders and engaging in self-harm.

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Coleman said addressing harmful uses of artificial intelligence is a legitimate policy goal but cautioned lawmakers to avoid broad restrictions that could impact human speech.

"Protecting free speech ultimately means protecting the tools people use to express themselves, whether that's a printing press, a camera, the internet or AI," Coleman said. "If lawmakers can carve out AI today, other modern communication tools could be next."

Coleman added that if legislation limiting AI-related speech moves forward, it would absolutely face court challenges.

"States can provide more protection for speech than the First Amendment requires, but it can't provide less," he said. "So, an amendment excluding AI from speech protections would run directly into the First Amendment."

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Debates over artificial intelligence regulation are also unfolding in other states. In Louisiana, officials have warned lawmakers that aggressive state-level AI regulations could put roughly $800 million in federal broadband funding at risk.

The warning centers on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, a federal funding pool used to expand fiber internet access to rural areas. A December executive order from the Trump administration indicated states could lose access to certain broadband funds if they enact onerous artificial intelligence laws.

Josh Fleig, chief innovation officer for Louisiana Economic Development, said the federal government made its position clear.

The feds in December put out an executive order that told states not to pass a bunch of restrictive AI laws, Fleig told The Center Square. If you do that, we have the right to withhold your BEAD non-deployment funding.

Minnesotas BEAD funding allocation has totaled over $651 million. The sponsors of the legislation did not respond to questions from The Center Square regarding the bills.
Funeral services for Anne Tso, the daughter of Pearl River restaurant owners who was allegedly killed by her roommate in February, are set for Wednesday, March 18.

Tso, 27, a Pearl River native and daughter of Ichiban Restaurant owners Andy and Sandy Tso, was found dead in a Philadelphia apartment in an apparent homicide Feb. 27. Her roommate at the time, Gabriela Flora-Duncan, 30, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime.

Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso hug each other during a vigil for their daughter, Anne Tso, 27, at their restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Anne Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. A table with candles and photos in honor of Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. A crowd gathers for a vigil in honor of Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. A crowd gathers for a vigil in honor of Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. Anthony Tso holds a candle during a vigil for his sister, Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Anne Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso hug each other during a vigil for their daughter, Anne Tso, 27, at their restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Anne Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. Ichiban owner Andy Tso holds a candle during a vigil for his daughter, Anne Tso, 27, at his restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Anne Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. A crowd gathers for a vigil in honor of Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. A crowd gathers for a vigil in honor of Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. Anthony Tso, left, Rachel Dwyer and Alan Tso light candles during a vigil in honor of Anne Tso, 27, at Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment. She was the daughter of Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso. A memorial display for homicide victim Anne Tso set up outside the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Community members gather outside the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River to mourn the loss of the restaurant owner's daughter, Anne Tso. Tso was killed in her apartment in Philadelphia in February. A heartfelt letter written by Anthony Tso to his sister Anne, as photographed Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Pearl River. Anne Tso was killed in her apartment in Philadelphia in February. A view of a memorial set up outside the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River for the restaurant owners' daughter Anne Tso as photographed Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Tso was killed in her Philadelphia apartment in February. A view of a memorial set up outside the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River for the restaurant owners' daughter Anne Tso as photographed Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Tso was killed in her Philadelphia apartment in February. A large crowd gathers outside of the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to mourn the loss of Anne Tso. Tso, the daughter of the restaurant's owners, was killed in her apartment in Philadelphia in February. A large crowd gathers outside of the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to mourn the loss of Anne Tso. Tso, the daughter of the restaurant's owners, was killed in her apartment in Philadelphia in February. A view of a memorial set up outside the Ichiban restaurant in Pearl River for the restaurant owners' daughter Anne Tso as photographed Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Tso was killed in her Philadelphia apartment in February. See photos of vigil held for Pearl River woman killed in Philadelphia 1 of 18 Ichiban owners Andy and Sandy Tso hug each other during a vigil for their daughter, Anne Tso, 27, at their restaurant in Pearl River March 10, 2026. Anne Tso was murdered Feb. 27 in a Philadelphia apartment.

Read more coverage: Pearl River remembers murder victim Anne Tso at community vigil

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Since Tso's murder, hundreds of Pearl River and Rockland County community members have rallied around the Tso family, who have lived and worked in the community for over 25 years. Over $30,000 has been raised through online fundraisers to help support the family, and over 100 people paid their respects at a candlelight vigil Tuesday, March 10.

Anne Tso, 27, a Pearl River native and daughter of local restaurant owners, was killed February 26 in Philadelphia after an altercation with a roommate.

Tso's wake will be held Wednesday, March 18, at Chun Fook Funeral Services, 134-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

From there, Tso's burial will be held at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla at 1:30 p.m., and a reception for family and friends will be held at O'Grady's Castle, 285 Blue Hill Road in Pearl River at 3:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Funeral services for Anne Tso scheduled for March 18 in New York
Pool File via AP

An exasperated federal judge in New Jersey tossed a prosecutor out of his courtroom Monday after a contentious sentencing hearing in a child pornography case and ordered senior officials from the local U.S. Attorneys Office to come testify about who was actually running their office.

The kerfuffle traces back to President Donald Trumps appointment of Alina Habba as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey a year ago, after she had represented him and his super PAC for several years.

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In August, Judge Matthew S. Brann, an Obama appointee with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (specially presiding for the New Jersey court), ruled Habba was not lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of

the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and therefore [h]er actions since [her appointment] may be declared void[a]nd because she is not currently qualified to exercise the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity, she must be disqualified from participating in any ongoing cases.

Branns ruling was upheld at the beginning of this month by a unanimous three-judge panel (two Bush appointees and one Biden appointee) on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

In December, Habba announced she had decided to step down in my role as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey as a result of the Third Circuit ruling and to protect the stability and integrity of the office which I love, adding that she would then serve as an adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

During a sentencing hearing for a man who had pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials, Judge Zahid N. Quraishi on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey expressed skepticism that Habba had truly complied with the courts order and fully stepped back from any role managing the U.S. Attorneys Office.

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The New York Times reported on how the hearing quickly devolved as the judges patience expired, calling it the latest indication of growing tensions between the Justice Department and the federal judiciary. The 26-page transcript of the hearing was posted online by the Times as well.

Normally, this sort of hearing would be highly predictable, with long-established sentencing guidelines for the prosecutors to use as parameters for their arguments to the judge. But the exodus of many experienced prosecutors, a spike in cases connected to the administrations immigration crackdown, plus the added complication of several the presidents appointments being tossed out by courts has left Trumps DOJ in disarray.

The hearing did not go as prosecutors had planned, reported the Times in quite the understatement, describing how the judge grew frustrated with the offices head of appeals, Mark Coyne, who had not formally disclosed that he would appear, and fiercely interrogated a more junior prosecutor about whether the former interim U.S. attorney, Alina Habba, still had some role in operating the office.

Judge Quraishi eventually threw Mr. Coyne out, the Times report continued, and he then ordered Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio to appear next month to testify under oath about the leadership structure and operations of the New Jersey U.S. Attorneys Office. Lamparello, Fox, and Fontecchio were appointed by Bondi as what was referred to internally as the triumvirate leadership team in the wake of Habbas disqualification, a departure from the traditional singular person serving in that role. Last week, they too were disqualified from their roles by Brann, the same judge who disqualified Habba.

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In his ruling, Brann warned that Trumps repeated unlawful appointments of prosecutors could result in scores of dangerous criminals being able to get their cases dismissed or convictions overturned, a concern that a growing number of federal judges have voiced recently.

For Mondays hearing, the line prosecutor on the case was Daniel Rosenblum, whom the Times described as a relative newcomer who was accompanied by Coyne, a veteran of the office.

Quaraishi determined that Coyne had not filed a notice of appearance in the case, and scolded the prosecutors, instructing them that Coyne could pass Rosenblum notes but could not formally participate in the hearing.

Im not going to hear from you, Mr. Coyne, said the judge. If you want to sit there for moral support or hand Mr. Rosenblum Post-its or whisper in his ear, Ill let you do that as supervisor.

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The hearing went off the rails when the judge found out that Rosenblum was willing to let the defendant, Francisco Villafane, serve a sentence that was significantly lower than the advisory guideline range and had not reviewed all the evidence in the case of the egregious child pornography in his possession.

Quraishi blasted the proposed plea agreement as deficient, emphasizing over and over that the suggested sentence was less than a third of the advisory range despite the horrific severity of the child abuse shown in the images the defendant admitted to having:

THE COURT: How did the screw up happen? Was it your office, the U.S. Attorneys Office, the FBI, or both? How did you execute a plea agreement without knowing all the evidence on the device only later to find out, Oh, my God. Theres babies and prepubescent children and bestiality. Its so egregious, Judge, but we didnt address any of that. Who screwed it up? Your office, the FBI, or both? MR. ROSENBLUM: It is probably a combination of errors. THE COURT: Right.

As Quraishi interrogated Rosenblum about his offices operations and whether Habba still was exerting any sort of control, Coyne interjected to say she was not, drawing a swift rebuke from the judge, ultimately resulting in Coyne being ordered to leave the courtroom:

THE COURT: Sit down, Mr. Coyne. If you speak again, Im going to have you removed. I already told you not to speak. MR. COYNE: Your Honor  THE COURT: You didnt file a notice of appearance. You dont get to blindside the Court and do whatever it is you guys want to do. So if you continue to speak, you can leave. MR. COYNE: Your Honor  THE COURT: Sit down. MR. COYNE:  if  THE COURT: Sit down. MR. COYNE: If a notice of appeal  THE COURT: Sit down. MR. COYNE:  is entered  THE COURT: Im directing the court security officers to remove Mr. Coyne. Mr. Coyne, I told you not to address this Court. You didnt file a notice of appearance. You dont get to blindside this Court. Im going to ask you to leave. Im going to ask you to leave. Kindly, Im going to ask you to leave, or Ill have you removed. MR. COYNE: I will. THE COURT: All right. Thank you for your time.

After further questioning, Quraishi found Rosenblums answers unsatisfactory and said he wanted the triumvirate to testify next week so he could figure out who is currently operating this office before I proceed with todays sentencing hearing.

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You have lost the confidence and the trust of this court, the judge admonished Rosenblum. You have lost the confidence and the trust of the New Jersey legal community, and you are losing the trust and confidence of the public.

According to the DOJs original complaint against Villafane, the defendant engaged in an online sexual relationship with a thirteen-year-old girl, exchanging over 7,000 messages with her, instructing her to send him pornographic photos and videos of herself.

Im willing to spend life in prison to be with you, Villafane texted the victim in October 2023.

The post Furious Judge Throws Trump Prosecutor Out of Courtroom in Child Porn Hearing, Orders DOJ Officials to Testify About Alina Habbas Role first appeared on Mediaite.
GEN Pharmaceuticals has secured the BEBO Foundation approval for the ethical assessment of biomedical research to initiate a Phase II clinical trial in the Netherlands of its new drug, SUL-238, for mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

The approval allows the company to activate its clinical site in Groningen, with patient enrolment scheduled to begin in April 2026.

The Phase II proof-of-concept study, SHEPHERD, is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-centre trial.

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It will assess the effects of SUL-238 on high-energy phosphates using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) in patients diagnosed with early-stage, untreated PD.

The primary aim of the study is to evaluate how SUL-238 works through MRS scans, which work similarly to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The research will also examine the safety profile of SUL-238.

Researchers will evaluate whether SUL-238 enhances mitochondrial function in patients with PD by comparing it to a placebo.

Participants will take either SUL-238 or a placebo daily over a 28-day period. They will visit clinics every two weeks for routine check-ups and testing during treatment and again 28 days after their final dose.

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Each participant will maintain a symptom diary and record their oral intake of SUL-238.

GEN Pharmaceuticals' chairman Abidin Gulmus said: Following the ethical approval, we look forward to starting patient enrolment in the Netherlands. This Phase II trial will be another key milestone toward addressing neurodegenerative diseases at its biological foundation.

SUL-238 is a hibernation-inspired small molecule targeting mitochondria. The compound supports mitochondrial bioenergetics via complex I/IV activation and enhances mitochondrial function across various preclinical models of cardiovascular, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases.

GEN licenses SUL-238 from Sulfateq for applications in neurodegenerative diseases.

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"GEN secures BEBO Foundation approval for Phase II PD trial" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




During a February debate hosted by Fox 32 Chicago, Kat Abughazaleh said everything Ive seen my friends say on Instagram in the past two years. And there was no skirting around sensitive subjects during her answers.

The candidate running for Illinois 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Abughazaleh called the actions of Israel a genocide and labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal. She brought up concerns about artificial intelligence and plugged her campaign office, which doubles as a mutual aid hub to help constituents in need.

The former journalist and content creator had several moments where she looked directly into the camera and talked to viewers directly  at one point even pulling a brief "Office"-style glance at the camera while her opponents, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and state Sen. Laura Fine, bickered over the involvement of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in the Democratic race.

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This is part of why my content took off in the first place, Abughazaleh told me in a recent interview. I try to talk to people and communicate to people how I want to be talked and communicated to.

Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh addresses supporters in Chicago after pleading not guilty Nov. 12, 2025, to charges filed in connection with a protest against the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.

As a collective, Generation Z, born between 1997 to 2012, is still finding its political footing. Everyone is trying to define us: Democrats want us to be the generation of "brat summer" and coconut memes, while Republicans want us to be "edgelords" and "trad wives" and unabashedly MAGA. But no one  at least, not people outside of the generation  has been able to pin us down.

Abughazaleh is saying what those of us on the progressive side of the generation have been thinking all along  and does it in a way that resonates with us. She is trying to push the Democratic Party left, which, as she puts it, is actually pushing the party back toward the center.

Abughazaleh may only face voters in her Chicago district, but the sentiments shes expressing are how progressives everywhere, particularly those in Gen Z, feel the Democratic Party should be addressing politics.

Kat Abughazaleh is swearing, middle finger-waving, Gen Z progressive

Abughazaleh knows how to control the narrative on her candidacy. She got her own start as a journalist at Media Matters for America, a left-leaning organization dedicated to keeping tabs on the right.

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Like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Abughazaleh is adept at social media campaigns, peppering her messaging with a slew of vertical videos convenient for mobile phones. She sees the comparison to the mayor as a compliment, but doesnt see herself as the next anyone.

Opinion: Plastering neighborhood with yard signs poor way to get votes

I think that we get lost in this idea, especially in America, that there is a narrative to all this, Abughazaleh said. And the world is so random, and its really scary right now. But theres no narrative. Its what we make. We are what saves us.

The 26-year-old is also not the polished, pristine politician that Democrats so often want their candidates to be  that even Mamdani, 34, tends to be. She swears. She once gave the middle finger to anti-LGBTQ protesters at a Pride event. Shes also made news through her actions, like when she was criminally indicted for her participation in an anti-ICE protest in 2025.

Kat Abughazaleh is running for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois. Schakowsky is not running for reelection after holding the seat since 1998, according to her website.

Yet throughout everything, Abughazaleh's values shine through. Her campaign offices mutual aid hub has served thousands in the community and is proving to Democrats that there are things they could be doing now to help their communities. She has been admonished by Democratic politicos who feel her campaign is radical, yet the same people want to see the party capture authenticity like hers.

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So much of our campaign has been experimental and honestly laughed at by a lot of people who have been in politics for a long time, Abughazaleh said. And then they see that it works, and then they get mad.

They get more than mad  they get scared. They're scared of losing power, and they're scared that someone with no political experience but the values they're scared to espouse is getting so much attention for being what the Democratic Party has been scared to be.

Is Abughazaleh the best candidate for Chicago area House seat?

As it is one of the safest blue seats in the nation, the race for Illinois 9th Congressional District is competitive among Democratic candidates. U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has represented the district since Abughazaleh was born, has announced that she wouldnt be seeking reelection, leading to a crowded open primary to see who would represent parts of Chicago, Evanston and the surrounding suburbs.

Abughazaleh isnt the only progressive in the race. Mayor Biss, the front-runner, also calls for abolishing ICE. He has the support of the Illinois AFL-CIO union and progressive legislators Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington. Biss says he does not support Israels actions in Gaza, although he did meet with local AIPAC members early on in the campaign.

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Recent polling shows Abughazaleh losing to Biss, but just barely.

Opinion: Can school board reform slate win in age of culture wars?

Abughazaleh isnt the only member of Gen Z in the race, either. Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala, 28, is another progressive and one of the first members of Gen Z elected to political office in the country.

Abughazaleh faces an uphill battle with people who see her as a carpetbagger, seeing as how shed only lived in Chicago for a few months before deciding to run for office. A Daily Northwestern opinion column from July highlighted this, saying that a talented politician should be part of the community theyre looking to represent and hold President Donald Trump and Republicans accountable.

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"We are the only campaign in this race that has fed and clothed thousands of people," Abughazaleh said. "I was the first candidate on the streets protesting ICE, and I am the only campaign in this race that is funded by majority small dollar donations.

Im not sure Abughazaleh is the candidate who best represents her district  after all, I dont live there. But when it comes to expressing Gen Z sentiments, no one is doing it like her.

Its been almost a year now, and this campaign has been run by the hard work and faith of so many incredible people from our staff to our volunteers, and the entire time we have been told that we have no chance, that we have no shot, that this could never work, Abughazaleh said. And now organizations like AIPAC are panicking because they realize that were going to win. And we knew the entire time.

What I hope Democratic leaders glean from Abughazalehs campaign for U.S. Congress, regardless of whether she wins, is that Gen Z is not content being fed the same talking points Democrats have been making since 2016. We want to see the party take charge and do everything in its power to help people. And if we dont get it from those now in office, we will happily run to replace them.

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Sara Pequeno is a columnist for USA TODAY where this first appeared. Follow her on Bluesky: @sarapequeno.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Abughazaleh offers unabashed views that match her generation | Opinion
Germany's parliament is set to debate on Wednesday whether to repatriate the country's gold reserves held abroad, following a motion by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Citizens are entitled to have national assets kept entirely under German control and on German soil, the party said in its debate motion.

The issue has been brewing for some time, with the influential German Taxpayers Federation previously calling for the return of gold reserves from the United States, citing concerns over the unpredictability of President Donald Trump's policies.

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Politicians from the Green Party and the business-friendly Free Democrats have also raised similar concerns.

"We are living in times when property rights, and even international law, are no longer fully guaranteed," AfD deputy leader Peter Boehringer said.

Germany's gold reserves are the second largest in the world after those of the United States, totalling around 3,350 tons at the end of 2025.

More than half  about 1,710 tons  are stored in the German central bank's vaults in Frankfurt. Around 1,236 tons, or nearly 37%, are held at the US Federal Reserve in New York, while the remaining 404 tons are stored at the Bank of England in London.

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German central bank President Joachim Nagel has often said there is no reason to bring the reserves back from the United States.

"I have no doubt that our gold is safely stored at the Federal Reserve in New York," Nagel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in January.
Willis, part of WTW, has partnered with Qover, a company specialising in embedded insurance orchestration, to develop its GB Affinity technology platform.

The collaboration aims to meet demand from UK businesses for integrated insurance solutions that can be offered at the point of sale (POS).

The joint service will enable organisations in sectors such as finance, retail, automotive and membership groups to incorporate insurance products directly into customer purchasing processes.

Willis GB Affinity head Anthony Borgman said: Strengthening our ecosystem is a core part of how we continue to meet the evolving needs of our GB Affinity clients and deliver agile distribution capability.

Partnering with Qover enhances the connected infrastructure behind our propositions  giving us greater flexibility, improved speed to market and more ways to support clients' brands operating in a wide range of industry verticals. It is an important step in our journey, and there is more to come on this in the year ahead.

Qover provides technical tools such as application programming interfaces, dashboards and AI-based claims management, with Willis offering expertise in insurance product design and implementation through its local resources.

The partnership is intended to allow businesses to introduce bespoke insurance programmes with greater speed and flexibility than traditional methods.

Qover co-founder and CEO Quentin Colmant said: Insurance experiences must be seamless, contextual and simple.

We are excited to support Willis GB Affinity ambitions as they continue to build the next generation of partner solutions.

Qovers system currently supports millions of users across more than 30 European countries.

Last year, the company worked with BMW and MINI to introduce a digital motor insurance platform in Ireland.

"Willis and Qover expand alliance on embedded insurance in UK" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




BERLIN, March 17 (Reuters) - Germany plans to encourage investments in data centres to at least double domestic capacity and to boost artificial intelligence data processing at least fourfold by 2030, the government said on Tuesday.

In a bid to catch up with the dominant players the United States and China, digital minister Karsten Wildberger proposed a range of measures, including dedicating land for development, that ministers are due to approve on Wednesday.

* Under the scheme, municipal business taxes will go to thetown or city that attracts the new centre, no longer to wherethe company is headquartered * Regulatory reviews are to speed up and collaborationbetween the different companies in the AI supply chain will beencouraged * "We welcome investment from third countries," according toa document published by the digital ministry. It is, however,primarily targeting European and German companies * Amazon, Microsoft, Google are among the biggest spenderson German data infrastructure * German players include Deutsche Telekom, unlisted SchwarzGroup * AI data centres in Germany boasted total capacity of 530MW at the end of last year, much of that operated by non-Germanproviders, according to figures from German lobby group Bitkom * European countries are pushing for more sovereign controlover AI infrastructure due to a rise in tariffs, armed conflictsand sharply diverging online-content regulation

($1 = 0.8640 euros)

(Reporting by Andreas RinkeWriting by Ludwig BurgerEditing by Madeline Chambers)
Gov. Greg Gianforte is asking the Montana Supreme Court to take over a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a property tax bill passed by the 2025 Montana Legislature.

In a news release Monday, the governor, a Republican, said he was asking for the state high court to take over in order to expedite the case against Senate Bill 542.

If the lawsuit succeeds in the lower courts, the governor said it could potentially invalidate the tax rates applied in the 2025 tax year and roll back about $95 million in property tax rebates claimed by Montanans last year, resulting in higher property taxes for Montanans.

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But Republican Sen. Greg Hertz of Polson said Monday the lawsuit does not ask for a rollback of the property tax rebates.

Hertz, Majority Leader Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, and former legislator Keith Regier filed the lawsuit in January, alleging SB 542 doesnt adhere to the state Constitution.

The plaintiffs allege it unfairly raised taxes on multigenerational properties in Montana, and that it was cobbled together behind closed doors.

Hertz said Monday its too early to state whether he supports or opposes the petition from the governor. However, he said the lawsuit needs a full hearing, and its not only about property taxes.

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Hertz said the case also is about ensuring legislators cant change a bill from its original intent, as provided for in Article 5 Section 11 of the Montana Constitution, which says, in part, A law shall be passed by bill which shall not be so altered or amended on its passage through the legislature as to change its original purpose.

But Hertz said the Legislature has interpreted that a broad bill title that includes the term generally revise can effectively make Article 5 Section 11 null and void.

He said that lawmakers use of the phrase  generally revise  can result in a more closed process, which means less communication about a bill and more confusion around it. He also said the public loses out on a more robust debate.

It puts the lobbyists and the executive branch in charge of writing bills, and it does not allow the public to provide input or to follow the process, Hertz said.

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The lawsuit says that 10 days before SB 542 had a hearing in the Senates Taxation committee, Appropriations Chairperson and Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, had already decided to gut the original three-page bill, and by the end, it was a 40-page behemoth nicknamed Frankenstein that included none of the original wording.

Monday, Hertz said it is time for the courts to rule on the generally revise portion of the case and if it meets the Constitutional requirement that a bill is not changed beyond its original meaning.

This scheme has been used to pass incredibly complex legislation governing taxation, state finances, and more, Hertz said in an email. Professional lobbyists, legislative staff, and even many legislators have been confused and blindsided by aspects of these bills.

Its all but impossible for the general public to keep up, making a mockery of Montanans constitutional Right to Know and Right to Participate.

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Hertz also said most of the time, the Supreme Court does not take up cases early and lets them play out in district courts.

Taxes are part of the lawsuit too, and residential property taxes generally have increased significantly in Montana in recent years.

Reducing them was a priority for the 2025 Montana Legislature.

Lawmakers debated the best way to lower those bills up until the end of the session. Gianforte estimated the key property tax reduction bills he signed cut taxes for 80% of homeowners.

When it comes to property taxes, Hertz earlier said taxes arent actually going down, theyre just shifting to other payers within a jurisdiction.

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Hertz has said those picking up the tab arent the mansion owners at the Yellowstone Club who were targeted, but likely other Montana residents and small business owners (Hertz himself is a business owner).

But in the news release, Gianforte said the bills met the goal to reduce property taxes for homeowners, and he wants the fix to stick.

Im now asking the Supreme Court to step in to ensure the relief provided to Montanans remains intact, Gianforte said in a statement.

The lawsuit alleges that SB 542 violates the Montana Constitutions single subject and original purpose provisions, but the governor argues the bill does not violate the state Constitution and was lawfully passed, the news release said.

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However, (Gianforte) states that he and the Legislature need confirmation of that before the 2027 legislative session gavels in, the news release said.

The Montana Legislature generally convenes every other year for 90 days is set to meet again in January 2027.
The injuries to 3-year-old Orlin Josue Hernandez Reyes body are so severe Latino community advocate Grace Resendez McCaffery is brought to tears when she thinks about what his mother will see when she is reunited with his remains.

McCaffery established a Go Fund Me to raise the estimated $12,000 needed to cover the costs and repatriate his body to Honduras where his mother, Wendy Hernandez Reyes, was deported in late January.

I'm really worried about Orlin getting there and whether she chooses to see him, which I would think any mother would. I'm worried for her when she sees her baby, McCaffery said. The description the sheriff reported, I just can't imagine anybody doing that to any human being, let alone a baby, a 3-year-old. I'm scared for her to have to see her child.

Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes with her son, Orlin Josue. A Go Fund Me has been started to help raise money to transport the three-year-olds body to Honduras. Escambia investigators say Orlin was beaten to death by his caregiver after his mom was deported in January. Samuel Maldonado Erazo is escorted to the defense podium during a pretrial detention hearing at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola on March 10, 2026. Erazo is accused of beating his 3-year-old nephew until the boy went into cardiac arrest and died. Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes with her son, Orlin Josue. A Go Fund Me has been started to help raise money to transport the three-year-olds body to Honduras. Escambia investigators say Orlin was beaten to death by his caregiver after his mom was deported in January Samuel Antonio Maldonado-Erazo is accused of murdering his three-year-old nephew whom he was watching after the child's mother and Maldonado-Erazos sister-in-law, Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes, was she deported from Pensacola, Florida to Honduras. Go Fund Me started to transport abused boy's body to mother in Honduras 1 of 4 Wendy Esther Hernandez Reyes with her son, Orlin Josue. A Go Fund Me has been started to help raise money to transport the three-year-olds body to Honduras. Escambia investigators say Orlin was beaten to death by his caregiver after his mom was deported in January.

Orlin died in Pensacola on March 4 from "horrendous injuries" sustained during what the medical examiner described as a month of repeated physical abuse.

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The Escambia Sheriffs Office says the child had 17 strikes on his head alone, along with multiple burns consistent with heating a lighter and pressing it against his skin.

Multiple ribs were broken. One was completely detached from his spine.

He suffered a transected pancreas, a severe injury where the pancreas is completely cut or torn in two.

Investigators say his collarbone was broken and there were signs of possible sexual abuse.

McCaffery says the Medical Examiners Office has not yet released his body, but once they do, she is working with the Honduran government to transport him there for burial.

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As of March 16, they had raised approximately $5,000 of their $12,000 goal.

They are very compassionate and making a way for us to be able to proceed and actually helping to reduce some of the costs, McCaffery said, but we still need some funds to cover transportation.

What happened to Orlin Reyes?

Escambia County Sheriffs investigators say the 3-year-olds uncle, 28-year-old Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo, fatally abused him after his mother was deported and her brother-in-law became the childs caregiver.

Hernandez Reyes lives in Pensacola but works in Alabama, and authorities say she and her sister when they were stopped on a highway.

Samuel Maldonado Erazo is escorted to the defense podium during a pretrial detention hearing at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola on March 10, 2026. Erazo is accused of beating his 3-year-old nephew until the boy went into cardiac arrest and died.

Her immigration status is unknown, but both women were immediately taken into custody and officers gave them a moment to call about their children.

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Hernandez Reyes told them they did but said she didnt realize then she would be deported and the situation would be permanent.

The children were placed in Maldonado Erazos care.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release that Maldonado-Erazo's wife, has been taken into custody, and their three children - two of whom are U.S. citizens - are in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Maldonado Erazo is facing several charges including felony murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse and is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.

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During a court hearing, an investigator testified Maldonado Erazo's 6-year-old daughter said he "drinks every day" and will get angry and begin to hit her and his other two sons with "cords, wires, shoes and other items."

The ICE press release said Maldonado Erazo is in the U.S. illegally and the agency lodged an immigration detainer against him.

The press release goes on to say that Orlins mother abandoned the toddler when she was deported.

This crime is absolutely sickening, said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. This little boy suffered extensively and died when his mother abandoned him to Maldonado-Erazos care  and Maldonado-Erazo himself is an illegal alien who never shouldve been in this country in the first place. I encourage parents to self-deport with their children, but even if they choose not to do that, ICE gives them the opportunity to be removed with their kids. But despite that option, Reyes chose to leave her son here with a violent murderer who took his life.

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However, McCaffery said thats not true.

Shes in contact with Wendy Hernandez Reyes who she said told her that during deportation proceedings she asked if she could take her child, a U.S. citizen born in Pensacola, but said her request was denied.

I think we use the term separating families lightly because it's become a common phrase, McCaffery said, but this is the reality of what it's like for a child to lose their parents, and in this case, be left in the hands of a monster. Theyre so vulnerable and it just doesnt have to be this way.

Children left behind

McCaffery, who runs the bilingual newspaper La Costa Latina and the Hispanic Resource Center of Northwest Florida and South Alabama, works as an advocate between the Hispanic community and various agencies including law enforcement.

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She said over the last week alone she is aware of at least six children, of various ages, who were left behind after their parents were deported, including Orlin Reyes.

While his is a worst-case situation, she said many other children have similar stories.

We've heard stories of children coming home from school and their parents being gone, McCaffery said. Some teenagers are having to fend for themselves, working and getting arrested as well. They don't have parents to care for them anymore because of deportation. They are just left on their own with no one to really care for them.

In June 2025, a 17-year-old boy from Honduras was taken into ICE custody in Pensacola after he was found in an abusive situation.

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Children left vulnerable: 'He was not in good hands': Why migrant teen ended up alone in Pensacola, then ICE custody

The boy was in state care after his mother was deported but he ran away from his foster home and was found living in a shed with no source of food, shelter or income, and was reportedly not in good hands.

McCaffery said some unaccompanied minors are sent to juvenile care centers.

Once theyre in the system, she said it can be difficult to keep track of them.

They found one teenager who was arrested in Alabama, after his work site was raided, at a juvenile center in South Florida.

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We make sure that they don't disappear, McCaffery said.

Clearing up misconceptions

McCaffery said she often gives presentations explaining about the immigration process and informing people of their legal rights.

One of the biggest misconceptions she said is what it means to be undocumented.

People think that because someone is undocumented, it means that they crossed the border illegally, which is a misdemeanor, by the way, but people don't understand what's happening, McCaffery said. You've got people that were under protective status for many years, and those statuses are disappearing.

Once that happens, she said it essentially cancels the legal process and people become part of the arrestable population, even though those individuals had been following immigration rules.

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McCaffery said many people come to escape violence and economic hardship in countries where drug cartels rule and the labor market is so tight there are fights over jobs to clean toilets.

While some cross illegally, others do not, but in many cases, theyre all being detained and deported and legal processes are being ignored, she said.

If we could spend billions of dollars on rounding people up, we could certainly spend that much money, possibly less, on creating a better system, McCaffery said. A system that could register people, that doesn't necessarily have to make them citizens or give them benefits of any sort, but they could be identified and treated humanely and maybe put into a process.

She hopes Orlin Reyes death is a wake-up call that leads to life-saving changes.

The abandonment of these children. They're being left behind, McCaffery said. I can't stress enough the impact of family separation, the position that puts the children in. I don't think anyone really thinks about that. Perhaps this case may actually open some eyes a little bit. I pray that it does.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: GoFundMe benefits Orlin Reyes Cantonment child killed by abuse
Screenshot via C-Span

Screenshot via C-Span

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts slammed personally directed hostility toward judges  amid a bevy of personal attacks by President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, Roberts spoke at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy. Interviewer Lee H. Rosenthal, Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and Trustee Emeritus of the Rice University Board of Trustees, asked Roberts how he handles criticism.

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In your 2024 year-end report on the judiciary, you wrote that, Criticism comes with the territory for judges and justices and that it can be healthy,' Rosenthal quoted. Youve talked about the criticisms your predecessors encountered. How do you handle criticism of your court or your opinions today?

Although the criticism does come with the territory, Roberts explained to Rosenthal the nature of the criticism matters.

You get used to the criticism right away, he said. And it can very much be healthy. We dont believe that we are flawless in any way. Its important that our decisions are subjected to scrutiny, and they are. The problem sometimes is that the criticism can move from a focus on legal analysis to personalities, and you see from all over, not just any one political perspective on it, that its more directed in a personal way, and that frankly can be actually quite dangerous.

Roberts did not call out any specific criticism but emphasized that its imperative such personal attacks end.

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Judges around the country work very hard to get it right, and if they dont, their opinions are subject to criticism, he said. But, personally directed hostility is dangerous and its got to stop.

The comments come just two days after Trumps latest attack on the high court. The president  in a late-night tirade on Truth Social  went off the Court and its highly politicized judiciary.

In the post, he raged against the horrible job done by Fed chair Jerome Powell and the Wacky, Nasty, Crooked, and totally Out of Control Judge James Boasberg. He further insisted he has the absolute right to impose tariffs despite a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down on swaths of those tariffs and his administrations trade policy.

The post Its Got to Stop! Chief Justice John Roberts Slams Personally Directed Hostility Towards Judges  Amid Bevy of Trump Attacks first appeared on Mediaite.
BOSTON (WWLP)  Governor Healey signed an Executive Order on Monday, detailing her approach to bringing 10 new gigawatts of energy and 5 gigawatts of energy shortage to Massachusetts by 2035.

Lawmakers hear testimony on public defenders bargaining rights

The move is expected to save Bay Staters and businesses. about $10 billion on their bills by utilizing a multitude of energy sources, like solar, wind, gas, nuclear, and geothermal. It also lays plans for increasing energy storage.

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This announcement comes as gas prices are skyrocketing because of the war in Iran.

I know one thing that the Iranians cant block. Thats solar and wind in Massachusetts. Thats battery storage in Massachusetts. Thats geothermal and hydro in Massachusetts, said the governor.

It is not clear how long American troops will be in the Middle East, and how long energy pricing surges will last. President Trump said the war would last four or five weeks, but he has also said the war was won on the first day. On Friday, he clarified that the war will end when he feels it in his bones.

The governor says Bay Staters cannot wait for action from the Trump Administration to lower prices, but notably, prices were already extremely high before military action.

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I refuse as governor to be subject to the whims of a president who is creating chaos and taking away energy independence, said Governor Healey.

This executive order goes hand-in-hand with an energy bill the governor filed that works on energy affordability by requiring utility companies to purchase energy at the cheapest price, among other measures.

The governors bill stalled out in committee, but the House passed their own energy legislation, which is currently pending in front of the Senate.

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.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced a new member of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees.

Sanders appointed Ashley Caldwell to the board on Monday, replacing Kelly Eichler. Her term on the board will expire in 2036, according to the governors office.

Ashleigh Caldwell (Courtesy: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Office)

Ashley has proven herself as a talented leader in business and philanthropy and is uniquely qualified to serve on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. As my administration reforms and improves our states higher education system, I am confident Ashley will be a tremendous asset to the UA board as we work together to build a better Arkansas for generations to come, Sanders said in a news release. Im grateful to my good friend, Kelly Eichler, for her service to the university and our state, and look forward to her continued work on behalf of the people of Arkansas.

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Caldwell currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at Embecta Corporation, a diabetes care company.

The governors office said in that role Caldwell provides leadership across the organizations retail, marketing, and distribution partnerships, collaborating with U.S. partners to deliver innovative solutions to significant healthcare challenges.

UAPD offering free car safety check for Spring Break travel

Caldwell is also currently the president of the Arkansas Governors Mansion Association, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving the Arkansas Governors Mansion.

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She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas Sam Walton College of Business in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

I am honored, humbled, and energized for the opportunity that Governor Sanders has bestowed upon me to serve our state and our students as part of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, Caldwell said in a statement. In 1998, I took my first steps on the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus, and those steps changed my life. I developed enduring relationships with individuals from across the state and country. I met my husband on Garland Avenue, was baptized at University Baptist Church, and received an excellent education from the Walton College of Business, positioning me for a fulfilling career. I welcome the responsibility of contributing to the institution and system that has given so much to me, and I am dedicated to supporting its continued growth and innovation for future generations, including my own children.

Caldwell is a native of Jacksonville, Ark., and graduated from Mount St. Marys High School in 1998.

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 KNWA FOX24.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  The Greene County Commission announced Tuesday that it is beginning the selection process for an interim sheriff as Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott awaits possible confirmation by the U.S. Senate to become the next U.S. marshal for the Western District of Missouri.

President Donald Trump recently nominated Arnott for the federal post. He will continue serving as Greene County sheriff unless and until the Senate confirms him and takes over the new role. Once that happens, and his resignation is accepted by the county commission, the sheriffs office will become vacant.

The commission said Missouri law requires it to fill a sheriff vacancy by appointment and to do so within 14 days after the vacancy occurs. Officials said the process is starting now so the county can move quickly and avoid any gap in law enforcement leadership.

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The interim sheriff would serve temporarily until Greene County voters elect a sheriff.

Trump nominates Jim Arnott for U.S. marshal position

According to the commission, the timing of that election will depend on when the vacancy occurs. If the vacancy happens within nine months of a general election, the race would be placed on that ballot. If it happens more than nine months before a general election, the county would be required to call a special election.

The commission said that if the vacancy occurs after March 17, 2026, but before the Aug. 4, 2026, election, the normal primary filing window will already be closed. In that case, each political partys county committee would choose its nominee for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. Independent candidates could also potentially seek a place on the ballot through the petition process allowed by law.

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If the confirmation process stretches into late fall 2026 or later and the vacancy does not happen in time for the November 2026 ballot, the commission said it would be required to call a special election on or before the 10th Tuesday after the vacancy occurs.

Whoever is elected would serve the rest of the current term through Dec. 31, 2028.

The commission also outlined qualifications for applicants under Missouri law, saying candidates must:

be U.S. citizens;

hold a valid peace officer license;

be residents, taxpayers and registered voters in Greene County;

have lived in the county for more than one year and be capable of efficient law enforcement

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All applicants will also need to agree to submit to a complete background check and investigation.

Applicants also cannot have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony and cannot be delinquent on state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes or real property taxes.

Interested applicants are being asked to submit a resume or curriculum vitae, the Appointment for Interim Sheriff Checklist and any supporting materials to appointment@greenecountymo.gov. The checklist is available on the Greene County homepage under the Interim Sheriff Selection Process section.

The county said all application materials must be submitted in a non-editable format, such as PDF. Materials in editable formats, including Word documents, will not be accepted. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. April 15, 2026.

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Officials said applicants are encouraged to apply early because the timeline could speed up if the federal confirmation process concludes before that deadline.

The commission said it plans to post the names of all applicants and their submitted materials publicly on the Greene County homepage and update that information daily. The public is encouraged to give feedback.

Theres a lot of possibilities out there, and we think well have some good applicants. Greene County Commissioner Bob Dixon tells Ozarks First.

The overall timeline remains dependent on the Senate confirmation process for Arnotts nomination.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
There are three candidates for two seats open on the Greenville Village Board. The three candidates include incumbents Brian Mulroy and Mark Strobel, and challenger Brittany Helf.

Trustees are elected to two-year terms. Strobel has been on the board for several years while Mulroy has been elected twice, serving since 2022.

As part of The Post-Crescents election coverage of the nonpartisan race, we asked the candidates to complete a questionnaire to explain why theyre running for office, what makes them the better candidate and how they would address the most important issues facing the village. Answers from Strobel and Helf are published below. Mulroy did not respond to numerous emails and phone calls to be included in the election preview.

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Spring elections will be April 7. All Greenville voters cast their ballots at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Voters interested in early voting will find further information on the Greenville website at townofgreenville.com/government/elections.php. Those ballots will be cast at Greenville Village Hall, W6860 Parkview Drive.

To check if you are registered to vote, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.

Mark Strobel

Strobel

Age: 68

Occupation: Retired

Highest level of education: Associates degree, natural resources, Fox Valley Technical College

Relevant experience: Greenville Village Board trustee; Fox West Regional Sewage Commission, treasurer; Greenville Town Board supervisor, Planning Commission and Board of Appeals.

Campaign website: none

Brittany Helf

Helf

Age: 33

Occupation: Vice president, commercial loan officer, AbbyBank

Highest level of education: MBA student

Relevant experience: Greenville Planning Commission member, park committee, founder of Friends of the Greenville Parks, experienced in budgeting, development, and public-private partnerships.

Campaign website or Facebook page: facebook.com/share/1AT2TRTvu3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Why are you running for office?

Strobel: I believe one needs to keep an open mind on any situation that comes before the Village Board and to honestly listen, two key words honestly listen, to the other board members, staff and most importantly the residents of Greenville and act on what will best benefit the village residents.

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Helf: Im running to bring transparency, urgency, and a family-focused perspective to local government. After years serving on the Planning Commission, Park Committee, and leading Friends of the Greenville Parks, Im ready to turn community input into action.

What makes you the better candidate in this race?

Strobel: I have experience serving on a number of boards, commissions and committees. Also, I have over 25 years of knowledge in land surveying, consulting engineering and planning, that includes site plan design, subdivision plats, public utility installation, and working with other municipalities. I believe that I understand community development.

Helf: I combine public service, nonprofit leadership, and real-world business experience. I understand budgets, development, and how decisions affect families. I listen, communicate openly, and push projects forward. Residents deserve accountability, fresh energy, and someone who will advocate for them every day.

What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?

Strobel: We need to be fiscally responsible, that will always be my first priority. I believe that government spending needs to stay within its budget. Its our money being spent. A community benefits from controlled growth. Some parcels should not be developed at this time and some should not be developed at all. Some residential concepts should be designed to include older residents, physically challenged and first-time home buyers. We need to use the tools and resources we have more efficiently and enforce current ordinances. Time and effort was spent developing what we have and it should not be taken lightly.

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Helf: Residents consistently ask for transparent government, timely decisions, strong parks and recreation, and careful management of tax dollars. Many feel communication has been lacking and want leadership that reflects todays families. I respect those who have served, but after many years of the same representation, residents are ready for fresh energy.

Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@usatodayco.com or 920-996-7241.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Candidate for Greenville trustee share thoughts on village issues
Mar. 16Haitians with Temporary Protected Status who live in the United States will be protected from detention, deportation and loss of work authorization for at least another month as the U.S. Supreme Court considers legal arguments in the case, the high court announced Monday.

The Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's requests to review, hear oral arguments and issue a decision about the merits of legal challenges of the government's termination of TPS for Haiti and Syria. Legal filings are due by late March and mid-April, and the Supreme Court says there will be one hour of legal arguments during the second week of April.

The decision affects more than 350,000 Haitians with TPS who live in the United States, including thousands in the Springfield area.

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Springfield advocates are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh the local consequences of ending TPS for Haitians as it considers whether to lift the stay blocking the termination from taking effect.

Background

Earlier this month, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the Supreme Court to vacate a lower court ruling that indefinitely protects more than 350,000 Haitian TPS holders, including thousands of Haitians living and working in the Springfield area.

Attorneys for Haitian TPS holders on Monday morning filed a response to the government's motion for a stay, urging the Supreme Court to deny the Trump administration's request for emergency relief. The Supreme Court deferred a decision about the stay until the justices hear oral arguments.

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Local community members at a Monday press conference said that Haiti is not a safe country, pointing to the U.S. State Department's Do Not Travel Advisory for American citizens.

"Even the U.S. government is asking Americans to not travel there because of the extreme violence and kidnapping and instability, and yet we are talking about deporting famil(ies) there," said Biassu Pierre, a Haitian community organizer with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary determined there were no longer "extraordinary and temporary conditions" in Haiti that prevent Haitian nationals from returning there safely, Sauer's application for a stay states. The secretary also concluded that continuing the nation's designation was contrary to the national interest.

The Trump administration continues to insist that the DHS secretary's decisions about TPS designation and termination are not subject to judicial review.

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Springfield group

A group of Springfield-area residents called Springfield Neighbors United filed an amicus curiae brief on Monday that says Springfield experienced long-term population decreases and economic decline before the Haitians arrived and brought "revitalization."

"Haitian TPS holders have contributed to the workforce growth, significant local tax growth, business expansion, vibrant faith communities and growing schools in recent years, creating benefits that have been shared by the entire city, not just Springfield's Haitian TPS holders," ABLE attorney Renee Murphy said Monday. "We explained that when the administration made its decision to end the nation's TPS, it did so without examining evidence from places like Springfield, where the economic and social benefits from the nation's TPS holders here can be directly observed. Nor did it look at what will happen in contrast here and in communities like here if Haiti's TPS ends."

A delegation of Springfield advocates including Pierre, Haitian Community Help and Support Center President Viles Dorsainvil, St. Vincent de Paul Director Casey Rollins, Central Christian Church Pastor Carl Ruby, Murphy and Springfield Neighbors United member Rev. Marian Stewart, will visit the Supreme Court Tuesday to advocate for the Supreme Court to deny the stay.

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Murphy, ABLE managing attorney for its children's education rights practice group, said Monday that the Trump administration should have considered and the Supreme Court now should consider the "harm that Springfield and communities like it will suffer if Haitian neighbors are suddenly and forcibly taken away."

"The amicus brief is intended to assist the court by providing that local context about the real world impact of patient TPS holders here and the real-life impact of the court's decision about whether their legal status will remain in place while the courts develop all of the facts and law in a full court process," Murphy said.

The termination of Haiti's TPS designation would have taken effect on Feb. 3, but five Haitian TPS holders filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the process the DHS secretary used to make the determination.

The Trump administration alleges the DHS secretary cancelled the designation after consulting with the State Department, reviewing statutory criteria, assessing country conditions and providing an explanation of the reasoning behind the move.

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Attorneys for the Haitian TPS holders, and district court and appellate court judges, say there is convincing evidence that the secretary did not take the statutorily required steps before deciding to revoke the country's designation. A Springfield nurse is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

The federal government says the economic hardships and the disruption that TPS holders claim will happen if they lose legal protections are the inherent risks involved with what is by design supposed to be a temporary program.

The government also has tried to end TPS for Venezuela, Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Burma, Syria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and South Sudan.

Dorsainvil said every day he sees "the human consequences" of the uncertainty surrounding many Haitians' status who "want to live peacefully and contribute to the United States.

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Rollins, who has been working for several months on helping immigrants obtain passports for their children and obtain powers of attorney to avoid their U.S.-born children being placed in the foster care system, said the end of TPS could create a family separation crisis. She said St. Vincent de Paul has already encountered two minor children placed with extended families after their parents were deported.

"The reality is some of this has happened and should never happen again. This life or death issue deserves careful consideration by our Supreme Court to avoid tearing families apart and to keep children out of our overly already overworked foster care system," Rollins said.

Haiti's TPS designation started in 2010, following a devastating earthquake, when Barack Obama was president. The Trump administration tried to terminate Haiti's designation during Trump's first term, but that was challenged in court and the litigation lasted years and was not resolved by the time Trump lost reelection to Joe Biden in 2020.

DHS, under President Biden, redesignated Haiti in 2021, citing a presidential assassination, political crisis and violence and growing human rights abuses.

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The Supreme Court is consolidating the Haiti and Syria TPS cases and will consider the arguments in both next month after approving the government's petitions for "writ of certiorari." The Supreme Court will examine lower court judgments.

In the current litigation concerning TPS, there are significant questions regarding the scope of executive authority over immigration policy, the availability of judicial review of TPS determinations and the nationwide consequences for hundreds of thousands of people, said Ericka Curran, professor of professional skills and coordinator of the Human Rights Collaborative at the University of Dayton School of Law.

"Both the government and the challengers have strong incentives to seek Supreme Court review," she said. "The government seeks reversal of lower court rulings that restrict its ability to terminate TPS designations, and the TPS recipients seek a definitive ruling that preserves their protections and clarifies the limits of executive discretion under the statute."
Mike Minervini was cooking dinner in his kitchen with his 2-year-old daughter when a stranger walked up to his back door and tried to open it.

If the lock had not been set, his daughter, who was in a highchair near the back door, would have met the intruder before he did.

It's curious, like maybe she was just coming looking for warmth, which Im not mad at, he said. Or was she coming to steal things? I dont know.

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Minervini is one of several residents in or near Harambee who report that strangers have attempted to break into their homes. Minervini shared his experience on Facebook, and others have raised the issue at neighborhood meetings, including the District Five Crime and Safety Meeting.

It is unclear how prevalent the issue is because the Milwaukee Police Department does not track failed home invasion attempts because the crime is difficult to classify, but Safe and Sound community coordinator, Tony Harris, said it is a daily occurrence.

Residents say break-in attempts are common

Minervini bought his home in the Harambee neighborhood around three years ago with his wife, Jordan Minervini.

Most of the time, their experience living in the neighborhood has been problem-free. The recent break-in attempt made the couple rethink their home security.

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Minervini did not initially see the person attempting to open the back door but was notified about it after the cameras caught her.

Minervini said the same person who tried to get into his house went down the block attempting to get into other houses in the neighborhood, according to his Ring Neighborhood updates.

Mike Minervini talks about someone opening his gate and walking through his backyard to test if his door was unlocked in Harambee on March 11, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Minervini called the police, who came to his house to look around, but because the person was no longer there, they decided not to create a report, he said.

I didnt feel dismissed by them, he said about the police. But it isnt great that it is a wait until something happens situation.

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Across town, on the corner of North 28th and West Burleigh streets, Carol Polk, head of the Franklin Heights Block Club, experienced a similar situation in 2024.

Polk looked out of her front window when she heard mumbling and a forceful shaking of her front door.

She called out to the stranger standing on her porch, but they would not leave.

"This person was insistent on trying to get in," Polk said.

Polk called the police but no one showed up for over an hour. She eventually called her son, because the stranger hadn't left, and there was still no sign of the police.

When he arrived, her son scared off the would-be intruder and left his mother's house.

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Polk called the police again, but as she dialed the number, a police car pulled up in front of her home.

She waited in her front room for an officer to knock on her door and check on her, but the squad car drove off after looking around the property with flashlights, she said.

"I would have liked them to come check on me and see if I am ok and that they didn't get in," she said.

There could be several reasons Polk did not receive a follow-up from officers that day, including a high call volume and an unclear location, according to a Milwaukee Police spokesperson.

"This happens every night"

When there is an intentional effort to break into a car or a house, it is called "shacking," according to Harris, of Safe and Sound.

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Typically, teens or young adults will test car and home doors to see if they are unlocked to steal valuables and to look for unsecured firearms, Harris said.

"This happens every night," Harris said. "If they find a firearm, they will essentially turn them into ghost guns."

Ghost guns are untraceable firearms with removed serial numbers or an assortment of parts not original to the weapon.

Additional locks and removing valuables and firearms from cars can help deter theft. Added security to the home can also deter break-ins, according to Harris.

How to prevent potential break-ins

A lock keeps a gate closed in Mike Minervinis home in Harambee on March 11, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In February, someone opened Minervinis gate and walked through his backyard to test if his door was unlocked.

There are several options to deter strangers from breaking into homes, according to Milwaukee Police.

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Residents can install cameras and an alarm system to scare potential intruders away. Security gates can also make it more difficult for an intruder to enter the property.

A well-lit house can also prevent a potential break-in because it will make the intruder more visible to neighbors or others passing by.

Lastly, making sure doors and windows are locked is an important step to keeping a home secure.

Neighbors can help curb the trend

Carol Polk, president of the Franklin Heights Kingdom Community, poses for a portrait in her neighborhood on Dec. 2, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Neighbors can help their fellow neighbors curb break-ins by reporting suspicious activity and keeping a look out for nearby homes.

Neighbors who want to form a neighborhood watch, block club or resident council because they are concerned about safety in the area can apply for grants like the Safe and Sound Good Neighbor Grant.

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Neighbors have used grant money to purchase flood lights, ring cameras and host block parties, according to Harris.

Grant-sponsored gatherings have been particularly effective in bringing neighbors together, according to Harris.

It gives you a sense of neighborly love, he said.

Each application can get up to $2,000 a month, but Safe and Sound encourages residents to budget and create an expense list to determine if the full amount is needed.

Applicants cannot be non-profits. There must be a minimum of three residents from different households to form a block club.

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Funds will be available until the money runs out, but Harris said there is still plenty of opportunity for residents to form their own clubs.

Polk currently runs the Franklin Heights Block club and has rallied businesses and neighbors to join the group.

"I'm going to help out if I can," Polk said.

Questions about the application process can be directed to Safe and Sound.

Everett Eaton covers Harambee for the Journal Sentinels Neighborhood Dispatch. Contact: ejeaton@usatodayco.com.

Neighborhood Dispatch reporting is supported by Bader Philanthropies, Zilber Foundation, Journal Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and reader contributions to the Journal Sentinel Community-Funded Journalism Project. Journal Sentinel editors maintain full editorial control over all content. To support this work, visit jsonline.com/support. Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation (memo: JS Community Journalism) and mailed to P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689

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The JS Community-Funded Journalism Project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #364427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Break-in attempts put Harambee residents on edge
After a crowded race to replace former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in northwest Georgia, two candidates reached the top of the pack and will be heading to a runoff.

Democrat Shawn Harris and Republican Clay Fuller both got more than 30% of the vote, but far from the 51% majority needed to win the election. Harris was competing with two other Democratic candidates, and Fuller had to fight against more than a dozen Republicans that entered the race.

Now, the two candidates can take each other on directly. Republicans took home more votes overall, so if all voters who chose a Republican the first time voted for Fuller, he's a clear favorite for the seat.

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This hasn't discouraged Harris, who has spent years building up his name recognition in Georgia's 14th congressional district since he ran against Greene in 2024. He's hoping to appeal to not only the Democrats in the district but also Independents and center-leaning Republicans who may be hesitant to support a MAGA candidate as President Trump's approval rating continues to decline.

The runoff will be held April 7.

Here's what you need to know about the two candidates.

Fuller's wagon is hitched to Trump's horse

Clay Fuller is the District Attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, and he went to Emory University for his bachelor's degree, Cornell for his M.P.A. and Southern Methodist University for a Juris Doctor.

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He went to the Air Force's Officer Training School and the Marine Expeditionary Warfare School. He hold a master's degree in military operational art and science from the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. He was deployed in 2024 as a legal advisor to the Combined Air Operations Center at Shaw Air Force Base in Qatar, and he completed a White House Fellowship in both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Defense during Trump's first term. He remains in the Air National Guard.

Fuller's motto is "Faith. Duty. America First." and he has stayed closely aligned with the president on policy, eventually landing him the Trump endorsement.

President Donald Trump looks on as Republican congressional candidate Clay Fuller speaks at the Coosa Steel Corporation in Rome, Georgia, on Feb. 19, 2026.

During a recent trip from president to a steel manufacturer in Rome, Georgia, Fuller appeared on stage with Trump and called him the "greatest president in our country's history."

Fuller doubled down his support during his election day remarks following the race being called as a runoff.

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"Besides all the people in this room that have made this possible this evening, there's one person in particular that I really have to stay thankful to," Fuller said inside The Canoe House in Rome. "For those of you that were questioning how important President Donald J. Trump is to this country, to Georgia 14th and the state of Georgia, you look at that screen behind me and you see what this man means to the people here in this community, what he means to the people in this country and what he means to the MAGA movement."

On Fuller's website, he lists his four priorities as an "America first economy," supporting mass deportation, supporting the first and second amendments as a constitutional conservative and staying tough on crime with his legal background.

He has also regularly referred to himself as a "MAGA warrior" who will carry the movement into a new era.

Georgia Republican congressional candidate Clay Fuller greets supporters during his watch night party after Georgia held a special election to fill a seat in its 14th Congressional District, which was left vacant when Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned in January.

In recent remarks on social media, Fuller has said the U.S. should "stop importing people who hate us and ban Sharia Law nationwide," likely in reference to recent attacks in New York City and Michigan.

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He has also been a vocal supporter of the strikes in Iran, calling the late Ayatollah a "monster" and saying the current government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funds puts American lives at risk amid threats from the "Islamic Regime."

Fuller believes that life begins at conception (this has been heavily debated between politicians, religious leaders and scientists), and that "abortion has no place in a civilized society."

He also says he would support a closed border, ending any migration from what he calls the "third world," deporting all undocumented people, banning welfare for noncitizens (of which many are already prohibited), and supporting both the Border Patrol and ICE. These remarks come as two immigration processing facilities and detention centers are slated to open in Georgia, though not in his district, and have been met with extreme opposition by the towns in which they are being built.

Harris says this isn't the same race he's run before

Harris may be the political veteran in this race, but he believes the race against Fuller is different than ones he has run in the past.

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Harris announced his candidacy for the seat long before Greene resigned her position in January, setting himself up to run against her again in the 2026 midterms. Greene's public falling out with President Trump and the MAGA movement just brought the goal posts a little closer.

He currently works as a cattle farmer, but spent four decades in the military, enlisting in the Marines and serving as a combat infantry commander in Afghanistan. When he retired from the military he had reached the rank of Brigadier General, a one-star general.

Cattle producer Shawn Harris, Democratic candidate for U.S House Georgia 14th District special election, sits inside his tractor at his farm in Rockmart, Georgia, Feb. 9.

Harris says he doesn't have strong ties to the Democratic Party, and would rather represent all northwest Georgians in Washington, but that hasn't stopped him from receiving support from a career Democrat.

Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg endorsed Harris earlier in the campaign, and following the runoff call on March 10, visited Rome for a shared event with Harris about veterans and the direction of the 14th district.

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"Donald Trump is generally more interested in crowd sizes than I am. Still, I couldn't help but notice that our event yesterday for (Shawn Harris) was a bit larger than when Trump visited this same district a few weeks ago," Buttigieg said in a post on X. "There's great energy and enthusiasm on the ground for this campaign. Shawn is demonstrating what it looks like when we show up, lead with our values, and compete for every vote. This is a very conservative area, but there is a new kind of coalition to be built, and there is no such thing as a permanently red district."

In an election night speech outside his campaign headquarters in Rome, Harris said that he didn't expect Georgia's 14th to turn blue, but he did believe it could become "pink" with enough support.

Georgia Democrat congressional candidate Shawn Harris speaks to supporters after the voting results were announced during his watch night party in Rome, Georgia, on March 10, 2026.

Harris has outlined five key areas of focus for his campaign: agriculture, healthcare, affordability, national security and veterans, according to his website.

He supports fully funding the Farm Bill and protecting SNAP benefits, as well as investing in water infrastructure for rural town and advancing technology access for small farmers. Harris says he would defend Medicaid and Medicare while expanding physician access to rural communities and supporting medical marijuana legalization for treatment of veterans and those with chronic pain. He also supports a woman's right to choose and restoring Roe v. Wade.

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He has advocated for transparency from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the ICE facilities in Georgia, as well as modernizing the asylum process and expanding Narcan access to address the fentanyl crisis.

Harris has also publicly stated he will not accept money from The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, who instead endorsed Fuller, saying he is "not taking money from outside groups trying to buy influence in this race."

He also spoke out against the strikes in Iran, citing a lack of clear objective and the cost to U.S. troops and American taxpayers.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Todays Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Race to replace MTG goes to runoff. Where Harris, Fuller fall on issues




Hawaii saw multiple rain records fall after a slow-moving kona storm dropped major precipitation across the different islands.

The island of Maui saw the heaviest rainfall, with multiple areas reporting over 20 inches of rain and one location logging as much as 46 inches of precipitation March 10-15, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm that brought the rain, called a kona low, typically occurs in the winter months. The storms arrive as wind blows in from the westerly leeward direction, or the "kona," which is the opposite of the normal route of the trade winds.

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Maui wasn't the only island to see heavy precipitation. Multiple locations on Oahu saw rainfall top 19 inches as the storm passed through, with areas close to the shoreline reporting about 5 to 12 inches of rainfall.

This photo provided by Maui County shows flooding from days of downpours in Hana, Hawaii, on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Maui County/Associated Press)





Thomas Vaughan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hawaii, said the weather service's Kahului location recorded its rainiest 24-hour period ever on March 13, with over 7 inches of precipitation recorded, the most since record keeping for that location started in 1954. The same day, Honolulu reported 5.1 inches - far above the previous 1951 record of 3.3 inches.

"We're talking about a lot of water," Vaughan told SFGATE.

In this photo provided by Maui County, a boat is grounded on a beach off Kihei, Hawaii, during heavy rain on Friday, March 13, 2026. (Maui County/Associated Press)





On the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, much of the rain that fell measured between 5 and 10 inches, although at least three locations reported over 25 inches of rain. On Kauai, much of the shoreline area saw 2 to 6 inches of rain, with two locations at the highest elevations documenting over 15 inches of rain.

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The storm caused damaging floods and power outages for thousands. At one point, over 100,000 people in the state were without power, and images on social media show flooded homes and farmland after the storm swept through.

One couple on Maui said a nearby stream overflowed and ended up devastating their home, according to Hawaii News Now. Images from the scene showed the home.

The County of Maui posted a video showing the effects of the strong storm, including landslides, washed-out roads and even flooded hotel lobbies.

Vaughan said the islands should get a breather from the heavy rain this week, although a weaker storm is expected to move in next weekend.

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"We're still kind of keeping an eye on things," Vaughan said. "Any additional rain is not going to be good in areas that have already been inundated."

Editor's note: SFGATE recognizes the importance of diacritical marks in the Hawaiian language. We are unable to use them due to the limitations of our publishing platform.

More Hawaii News

- As visitors to Hawaii decline, risks abound

- 33 years after his son went missing in Hawaii, father still holds out hope

- 'It's terrible': Hawaii locals fight back against proposed new hotel with lawsuit

- America's largest coffee grower faces closure

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We have a newsletter all about Hawaii, with news, tips and in-depth features from the Aloha state. Sign up here.

This article originally published at Hawaii storm dumps up to 46 inches of rain, breaks decades-old record.
A shooting at a Veterans Affairs clinic in north Georgia ended with a victim airlifted and the suspect shot and killed by officers.

Jasper police and the Pickens County Sheriffs Office confirmed a shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the VA Clinic. The clinic is located in a shopping center on E. Church Street.

Investigators confirmed a victim was taken from the scene and airlifted to a hospital. Their current condition is unknown.

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The shooting suspect who was shot by officers died at the scene.

The gunman who was killed is from the Jasper area, Jasper Police Chief Matt Dawkins said. But details about him were not immediately released.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that they were requested to assist in the investigation.

The landlord of the complex where the clinic is located said there are numerous cameras outside, and he is prepared to hand all that video to investigators.

The landlord said the video he viewed shows the suspect walk into the clinic and run out afterward.

A man who was shopping at the Goodwill next door to the clinic told Channel 2s Michelle Newell he and other shoppers heard rapid gunfire. A bullet went through the wall of the Goodwill, narrowly missing him.

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My wifes home sick and I came in here to buy her something special to help her get better, not knowing that I almost lost my life in here, he said.

As of 6 p.m., GBI investigators were at what was still an active scene.

The landlord showed up at the scene shortly after police and said it was really disheartening.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Herzog drew a connection between Israelis returning home after the long wartime journey and the upcoming holiday of Passover, and the ancient Jewish exodus from Egypt.

President Isaac Herzog visited Ben-Gurion Airport on Monday to welcome Israelis who returned home on a rescue flight.

Herzog described the return of previously stranded Israelis as an inspiring phenomenon.

People want to return home, enter Israel, and bear the burden together - even under shelling, with sirens, alarms, shelters, and many threats. And yet, we overcome the challenges and manage to do so in an extraordinary way, Herzog said.

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He drew a connection between Israelis returning home after the long wartime journey and the upcoming holiday of Passover, and the ancient Jewish exodus from Egypt.

There is also a symbolism in this that connects to Passover, the holiday in which we talk about leaving slavery and freedom, he said. This Passover, we are also talking about returning to Israel, about entering home, especially to return safely.

President Isaac Herzog visits site of missile attack in Zarzir on March 13, 2026. (credit: Yossi Zamir / Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) )

Herzog thanks Airport Authority, Miri Regev

Herzog expressed his gratitude to the Airport Authority and its chairman, Maj.-Gen. Yiftah Ron Tal, and Director General Sharon Kedmi for working to ensure that the airport remains functional as the war with Iran rages on.

He additionally thanked Transportation Minister Miri Regev and the Civil Aviation Authority for the risk assessments, performance analysis, and the professional work being done to ensure that everyone returns safely, while military operations continue as usual.

AtBen-Gurion Airport, Herzog visited the airports control tower to observe the ongoing activities. He additionally received an overview of airport operations with a status assessment of the airports activities and ongoing wartime operational challenges.
PLATTSBURGH  High winds through Northern New York have brought down trees and powerlines throughout the region.

Many areas in the North Country were impacted Monday night into Tuesday morning by winds reaching up to 45 miles per hour, resulting in fallen trees, snapped tree limbs, broken utility poles and downed power lines.

Morrisonville resident Britt LeBoeuf said she lost power Tuesday morning around 2 a.m.

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"It was a tree limb that broke off a tree in our yard and severed the line that leads to our power pole," LeBoeuf said.

She said NYSEG was there before she returned home from work but was still without power as of Tuesday evening.

"NYSEG came and fixed the down line, but they said from the top of the pole down is our responsibility, so now, CB Electric is here trying to fix everything else NYSEG said we are responsible for," LeBoeuf said.

Clinton County Director of Emergency Services Eric Day said fire departments and local New York State Electric and Gas crews have been working around the clock since early Tuesday morning, responding to reports of downed trees and power lines.

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At least a dozen fire departments, along with highway departments  local, county and state DOT (Department of Transportation)  have been out since the early morning hours responding to trees down, limbs down, wires down and, in some cases, trees into wires down, Day told the Press-Republican.

NYSEG and National Grid line crews have been out working overnight and throughout the day, fixing downed lines and clearing outages.

Day said the county had up to 1,200 NYSEG customers without power by Tuesday afternoon.

The NYSEG crews have worked hard and gotten that number down to that last check, about 600 customers without power. However, we continue to have reports of trees and wires down as the winds continue through the day, he said.

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NYSEG Public Information Officer for this storm, Michael Baggerman, said preparation for storms begins several days in advance.

NYSEG monitors forecasts, mobilizes crews and employees for storm response, stages crews and equipment, and secures additional resources, including contract tree and line workers, Baggerman said.

Over 16,000 NYSEG customers across the state have been affected by the storm since Sunday, according to Baggerman, and 95% of those outages have been restored.

As weather forecasts called for sustained gusty winds throughout Tuesday with a possibility of snow in some areas, NYSEG crews continued to respond to outages.

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Customers experiencing outages can sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text or email or by visiting NYSEG.com.

NYSEG urges customers to remain away from storm debris, which may contain downed wires or other damaged equipment. Customers should assume all downed wires are energized and dangerous and should be reported by calling 800-572-1131 or contacting 911, Baggerman said.

According to the NYSEG outage list, as of Tuesday at 3:50 p.m., 212 customers in Clinton County didn't have power, 127 in Essex County didn't have power and five in Franklin County were without power.

National Grid has deployed nearly 3,300 specialists to assess damage, clean up debris and restore power to customers caused by a multi-day windstorm affecting Upstate New York, according to a National Grid press release Tuesday.

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Our team has been in the field, working non-stop since Friday when the first outages struck Western New York, National Grid Lead Director of New York Electric Operations Tom Gozelski said in the release. We remain focused on restoring power as safely and quickly as possible. With that in mind, we ask our customers to please drive slowly and cautiously when approaching utility crews at work and to abide by road closures or restrictions due to damaged trees or infrastructure.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, National Grid had restored service to more than 112,000 of the 145,000 customers affected by the storm.

Peru Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bryan Duprey said crews have been responding to downed trees, tree limbs and power lines since Monday night throughout their district.

With the winds like this, it's the trees falling down. Youll have a little branch on the side of the road and you go out to pick that up, and the rest of the tree falls down, he said. Theyve been steady most of the night.

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Duprey warned residents and motorists to avoid downed lines entirely and to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

Definitely steer clear of any downed lines. You never know what they could be. It could be a phone line where there's not a lot of danger to it, but it could be power and could really have a hard time and could be dangerous, he said.
MARQUETTE, MI - Meteorologists predicted days in advance that the Sunday-Monday blizzard that hit Michigans Upper Peninsula and a big swath of the northern Lower Peninsula would be a historic, record-breaking storm.

Now the first batch of new weather records are starting to be announced.

The National Weather Service in Marquette - actually headquartered in nearby Negaunee Township - this morning released these new records set by this storm:

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Marquettes two-day snowfall total of 36.3 inches breaks the all-time two-day snowfall record of 31.9 inches, which was set on March 13-14 in 1997. Weather records for the NWS Marquette area go back to 1959.

Also, a one-day snowfall record was set in Marquette on Monday, with 21.7 inches of snow falling. This breaks Marquettes old record of 7.7 inches that was set in 2013.

Intense snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour helped set the record.

The NWS meteorologists are still tallying data and snowfall reports from this massive storm, and say there will likely be more record events to report.

Two-day snow reports are still coming in to the agencys office and are being verified. For example: A report came in early today saying Mount Arvon, which is the highest spot in Michigan and rises northwest of Marquette, had a two-day snow total of 39 inches. This would put Mount Arvon at 309 inches of snow this winter. The spot currently has a snowpack more than 6 feet tall.

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As the snow numbers are being totaled, the Upper Peninsula and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula continue to dig out from the storm. Many roads remain closed and local law enforcement and public works officials are asking people to stay home as they try to plow the main routes. In some areas, the back roads likely wont be plowed for days.

Power outages continue to be a hardship across the state, with more than 100,000 homes and business still without electricity today. The hardest hit areas - including Roscommon, Alcona, Alpena and Ogemaw counties - were areas hit by an ice storm and high winds. Consumers Energy, Great Lakes Energy and other utility providers are working to repair the damage and restore service.

More weather

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Travel troubles continue as TSA confirms Hobby Airport had more than 50% of its officers call out on Saturday, the highest number of call-outs at any airport amid the partial government shutdown.

As vacation travel continues, Houston airports estimate more than 2 million travelers will fly into Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport this spring break.

Mandy Canfield is traveling to California and said she's grateful for TSA agents because they have an important job.

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"I have seen massive lines. I was actually quite impressed when I showed up (Monday), and the lines were short," Canfield said. "It's kind of a tough situation. Everybody deserves to get paid for the work that they do. I wouldn't want to do the job that they do. I'm thankful for every single one of them that do it, to be honest."

REALTED: IAH seeing extended wait times, plus ground stop Monday as Spring Break travel ramps up

New data from TSA shows the highest average callout rate of TSA agents among airports nationally during this partial shutdown places JFK Airport at the top of the list, with Houston's Hobby Airport in third place. This data includes a blizzard day that worsened staffing at JFK.

This past Saturday, however, TSA reported Hobby hit the highest number of callouts nationally during this shutdown, with 55% of officers not showing up to work.

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"I wouldn't want to be the group of people that were working that day; I'm sure there were a lot of grumpy passengers," Canfield said.

The travel trouble is only expected to grow as the partial government shutdown continues.

In a report from the Associated Press, CEOs of the nation's top airlines, including JetBlue, Delta, and American Airlines, urged Congress in a letter to fund the Department of Transportation and come to a solution to pay federal aviation workers, including the TSA officers, amid the government shutdown.

ABC News reported that about 60,000 TSA officers working during the shutdown will receive their first zero-dollar paycheck this week.

For updates on this story, follow Daniela Hurtado on Facebook, X and Instagram.
NEED TO KNOW

A Florida hospital filed a lawsuit to remove a former patient who was discharged in October 2025

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital says the womans continued stay is using resources and preventing the bed from being available for others

"TMH is not able to discuss active legal matters, including background details," a representative tells PEOPLE in an emailed statement

A former patient at a Florida hospital is refusing to leave her room  even though she was discharged months ago  and now, the hospital is suing to have her removed.

Tallahassee Memorial Hospital has filed a lawsuit in a bid to have a former patient court-ordered to leave the premises. The woman, who was discharged on Oct. 6, 2025, "continues to occupy [an] inpatient room," according documents reviewed by USA Today.

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"TMH staff made repeated efforts to assist the defendant in safely completing discharge," the complaint says, per the outlet. "TMH offered assistance, including coordination with family members and offering non-emergency medical transportation to obtain necessary identification."

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare in Florida

Credit: Shutterstock

The outlet reports that the woman was informed in writing that if she didn't leave, legal action would be taken against her.

"TMH has limited inpatient beds," USA Today reports from the lawsuit, which says, "The defendant's continued occupancy prevents use of the bed for patients needing acute care" and her "continued presence" is taking up resources and staff time.

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.

In an emailed statement to PEOPLE, a representative for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital said, "TMH is not able to discuss active legal matters, including background details."

Read the original article on People
Federal agents last week stopped a boat carrying more than a dozen migrants off Miami by shooting the vessels twin engines after the operator refused to pull over, according to a criminal complaint.

No one was injured and when U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations agents boarded the 25-foot center console, they found 15 people on it -- from the Bahamas, Haiti, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, the complaint said.

The agents had been tracking the vessel late Wednesday night, when it was about 21 nautical miles east of Miami-Dade County. When the boat reached U.S. waters, about two nautical miles from shore around 11:45 p.m., the agents in their vessel turned on lights and sirens, according to the criminal report.

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Although the boats operator turned around to look at the agents, he kept going, prompting the feds to fire two warning shots. After that didnt convince him to stop, the agents fired eight rounds into the engines, disabling the boat, according to the report.

The boat operator, identified as Theron Don Mills, threw a cell phone into the water, and agents said he was holding $4,900 in U.S. currency and $1,000 in Bahamian cash, the report states. The complaint did not say where the boat, which is registered in the U.S., departed from, but most maritime human smuggling trips destined for Miami-Dade County and north launch from the Bahamas.

Agents transferred Mills and the 14 others to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter William Flores. Agents with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations learned Mills is a Bahamian national who was convicted in U.S. federal court of human maritime smuggling in 2021 and sentenced to five years in prison.

Upon his release, he was deported to the Bahamas in January, according to court documents.

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Three others on the boat also had U.S. convictions, the report states. The report did not state any of the mens ages.

Oswaldo Sisa Heredia is a citizen of Ecuador who was caught at the Southern Border in December 2023 and deported in February, according to the report.

Joel Perez Matos, from the Domincan Republic, was convicted of drug trafficking in 2021 and deported to the Dominican Republic in February 2016, the complaint states. He was convicted in June 2017 of illegally re-entering the United States and sentenced to a year and three months in prison.

He then served four years in prison on a narcotics distribution conviction before being deported in August 2023, court records show.

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Palo Alvarez Rodriguez was convicted in March 2023 of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine and sentenced to five years in prison. He was removed from the country in October 2024, according to the complaint.

Mills faces a charge of encouraging and inducing aliens to enter the U.S., and the other three men face charges of illegally re-entering the country. Their first appearances in court on the charges were not listed in the docket, nor was information about their legal representation.

The rest of the people on the boat will be returned to their countries, according to the report.
ROME (AP)  Bodies washing ashore day after day. Phone calls from relatives going unanswered. Migrants tents abandoned overnight.

Migrants trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as invisible shipwrecks but governments responsible for search and rescue are withholding information about what they know.

The beginning of 2026 ranks as the deadliest start to any year for people trying to cross the Mediterranean  an unprecedented 682 confirmed missing as of March 16  according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration. But the real death toll is almost certainly much higher.

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Human rights groups are increasingly struggling to verify tolls as Italy, Tunisia and Malta have quietly restricted information on migrant rescues and shipwrecks along the deadliest migration route in the world. The news barely makes headlines, in part because the lack of transparency prevents journalists from confirming reports.

Its a strategy of silence, said Matteo Villa, a researcher focusing on migration and data at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies think tank.

The organization Refugees in Libya and other human rights groups have been sounding the alarm since late January, reporting more than 1,000 people missing after Cyclone Harry hit the region. But authorities have not confirmed, denied or corrected those reports.

In the weeks that followed the cyclone, more than 20 decomposing bodies washed ashore in Italy and Libya while other human remains were spotted floating in the middle of the sea.

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For the families of missing migrants, not knowing their fate is excruciating.

Europe should know that these people who got drowned in the sea have family members, have dreams, have passions, Josephus Thomas, a migrant from Sierra Leone and community leader in Tunisias coastal town of El Amra, told AP.

Sparse information means fewer deaths recorded

Even the U.N.'s migration agency is increasingly unable to verify cases of migrants who die in what are known as invisible shipwrecks because of the growing lack of information.

Last year, at least 1,500 people were reported missing whose fates IOM could not confirm, said Julia Black, who leads the organization's Missing Migrants Project. The issue persists in 2026.

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We started a new secondary data set of what we are calling unverifiable cases because its just become so many, Black said. For this year, they already have more than 400 missing they could not verify.

Many humanitarian organizations that previously filled some of the information gaps are no longer able to do so because of the global wave of funding cuts and government-imposed restrictions across the region.

Weve seen the restriction of access for humanitarian actors, which is not right. And now were seeing even the restriction of information, Black said.

The Associated Press repeatedly asked authorities in Tunisia, Italy and Malta why they arent sharing information related to migrant rescues at sea and what their policies are. Not one responded.

Countries quiet on reports of boats missing after cyclone

Over the years, authorities in the Mediterranean have gradually reduced information related to migrants. But their silence was even more pronounced in late January after Cyclone Harry unleashed heavy rainfall, winds of 100 kph (62 mph), and 9-meter-tall (30 feet) waves.

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Hundreds of people had departed from Tunisias coastal region of Sfax and disappeared, according to information the group Refugees in Libya gathered from migrants in Tunisia and their relatives abroad.

The group acknowledged it was difficult to be precise because there is no central system recording departures, losses, or recoveries," but it warned that the death toll was likely even higher.

We are looking at boats that never counted how many kids are inside, Refugees in Libya founder David Yambio told AP.

The AP sent five email requests to the Italian coast guard seeking information on the boats reported missing and search efforts but received no response. An officer who answered the phone said the coast guard did not have any further verified and confirmed information regarding the circumstances. AP also filed a Freedom of Information request, which is pending.

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The coast guard also declined to comment on an alert it issued on Jan. 24 asking vessels sailing between the Italian island of Lampedusa and Tunisia to be on the lookout for eight small boats in distress carrying some 380 people. The alert was made public by Italian journalist Sergio Scandura.

One survivor rescued from the boats

There is only one known survivor from the boats reported missing during Cyclone Harry. He was floating in the water when a merchant vessel rescued him on Jan. 22. The man told crew members he had been traveling with another 50 people, some of whose bodies could be seen in the water in video of the rescue. Thanks to his testimony, their deaths were included in IOM's tally.

According to the captain, the survivor was evacuated to Malta. The Maltese Armed Forces did not respond to multiple requests about their involvement or reports that they recovered the man and the bodies.

The Tunisian Foreign Ministry and the Tunisian National Guard also have not responded to multiple requests for information by email and phone.

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Frontex, a European Union agency that assists nations with border surveillance, told AP that it spotted eight boats carrying about 160 migrants between Jan. 14 and 24 when the cyclone hit. It said six boats were rescued by Italian authorities, but the fate of the other two remains unknown.

On Feb. 8, migrants prayed and cried during a memorial ceremony in the olive groves near Sfax, presuming their loved ones could not be alive after so many days without news.

All of us here are in deep trauma, are in deep agony, Dr. Ibrahim Fofana, a migrant in Tunisia whose relatives have been missing since late January, said in a video shared by Refugees in Libya. He pleaded for authorities to identify the bodies that washed ashore in Italy.

Tighter information follows migration crackdown

Until mid-2024, Tunisian authorities regularly shared the number of migrants they were intercepting at sea, eager to show their European partners compliance with a 2023 deal to curb migration in exchange for financial aid. But the deal was also followed by a brutal crackdown against migrants on land that resulted in thousands being detained or dumped in the desert.

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Nongovernmental organizations such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, known by its French acronym FTDES, which used to compile and share reports on migrant interceptions, were also caught in the crackdown.

In June 2024, Tunisia's Ministry of Interior stopped releasing any information on migrants, citing security reasons, said Romdhane Ben Amor, FTDES' spokesperson. But in his opinion, the motives were political. The numbers were incompatible with the narrative that Tunisia was not Europe's border guard, he said.

Italy's erosion of information on migrant rescues is even older than Tunisia's. The Italian coast guard used to provide detailed monthly data on migrants rescued. The monthly reports became quarterly before stopping completely in 2020, Villa said. In 2022, previous reports were also removed from the coast guards website.

This year, the Italian coast guard did not share any migration-related press releases despite nearly 5,000 migrants disembarking on Italian shores, according to Italy's Interior Ministry statistics.

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It is very clearly a political strategy to repress as much information as possible from the public," Villa said.

___

Brito reported from Barcelona, Spain. Trisha Thomas contributed to this report from Rome.
Authors Note: This article was published on Tuesday, March 17 at 6am EST. At 7:30am EST, the European Union and Ukraine announced that they would cooperate to restore the Druzhba pipeline. That story is still developing.

Last week, the Trump Administration announced that the U.S. would temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil in response to volatile energy markets following the war in Iran. The decision drew criticism from Canada, members of the European Union, and Ukraine, which argued that easing sanctions would benefit the Russian Federation amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. In response, Hungary called on the EU to lift sanctions on Russian energy.

Hungarys position on Russias energy market has sparked a rift within the EU. In response to Hungarys request to ease sanctions on Russian oil, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jrgensen said that the EU would not give in to pressure to re-engage with Russia to offset surging energy prices triggered by the war in Iran. He restated that the EU had previously agreed to phase out Russian energy imports, and he stressed that it was important for the Europeans to uphold this agreement. He added that reverting Europes stance on Russian energy imports would help indirectly finance Russias brutal, illegal war [in Ukraine].

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Other European leaders have supported Jrgensens stance. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that easing sanctions on Russian energy would be wrong. Similarly, European Council President Antonio Costa said that easing EU sanctions on Russian energy would enable Russia to increase its revenue, which would allow Russia to purchase weapons and defense equipment used in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Finally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron both noted that restrictive measures on Russian energy should remain in place.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pushed back against Hungarys request to the EU to ease sanctions on Russian oil. When asked about European access to Russian oil, Zelenskyy stated that while Russia continues to wage war against Ukraine, he has no interest in facilitating Russian oil deliveries. Additionally, throughout Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, the Russians have targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure. These attacks have impacted European energy markets, particularly as the Russian Federation has curtailed gas supplies to Europe (although the Europeans have also enacted policies to reduce their dependence on Russian energy). As a result, European countries and Ukraine have sought to diversify their energy supplies. Hungary, however, remains persistent that access to Russian energy is essential, deepening tensions with its EU partners.

This is not the first time Hungary and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have created a rift with the EU as well as Ukraine. Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Hungarian government has continuously blocked EU efforts to send defense, humanitarian, and financial assistance to Ukraine. For example, in December 2022, Hungary vetoed a 18 billion EU aid package for Ukraine, delaying critical EU assistance to the Eastern European country. Then, in December 2023, Hungary opposed a 50 billion EU financial aid package for Ukraine, arguing that the EU should prioritize member states over providing large-scale assistance to Ukraine. The veto on the 50 billion in assistance to Ukraine was eventually lifted in February 2024 after negotiations between the EU and Hungary.

Most recently, on March 16, Hungary announced that it would block a new 90 billion loan to Ukraine. The Hungarians said they would not lift their veto on the EU aid package for Ukraine until the Ukrainians restore the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil from Russia to Central and Eastern Europe via Ukraine. (The Slovaks have also criticized Ukraine for delayed shipments of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.)

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Aside from these EU assistance roadblocks for Ukraine, Orban has also previously defied the EUs diplomatic policies toward Russia by meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders met in China in 2023 and then in Russia in 2024 and 2025. During their gatherings, Orban and Putin have discussed Hungarian-Russian energy relations as well as Russias invasion of Ukraine. These meetings were criticized by members of the EU, who argued that Orban had met with Putin outside the EUs jurisdiction.

In short, the EU and Ukraine are now at an impasse with Hungary. As the war in Iran continues, oil prices will keep rising, putting financial pressure on consumers. In response, the United States and Hungary have called for easing sanctions on Russian oil, arguing that this would alleviate rising energy prices. Members of the EU and Ukraine, however, have argued that easing restrictions on Russian energy would benefit Russia, as revenue from energy sales would help the Russian Federation purchase weapons and defense equipment used in its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Similarly, several European leaders have stated that lifting restrictions on Russian energy would see them indirectly responsible for financing Russias war in Ukraine.

It is unclear how the EU will work with Hungary to resolve these energy issues. No matter how these discussions evolve, their impact will have significant implications for European energy security policy, EU cohesion, and Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. How the EU officials and Orban navigate these talks in the coming days will be closely watched by energy experts, EU political observers, and Ukrainian officials.
Rodney Taylor, the husband, father, and double-amputee who has been held by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in Stewart Detention Center since January 2025, may be deported any day now, according to his wife, Mildred Danis-Taylor.

Immigration advocates who work with Danis-Taylor on the Free Rodney Taylor campaign learned last week that ICE had obtained travel documents from Liberia, Taylors country of birth.

When Rodney received an alert from his deportation officer of the travel document, the officer even jeered saying  Theyve just been waiting for the green light all along to put him on the next flight, Danis-Taylor said at an emergency organizing meeting Friday.

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Taylor, 47, was born with severe disabilities and came to the United States with his mother at 2 years old on a medical visa organized by Shriners Childrens Hospital. Before his arrest, he worked as a barber in Gwinnett County under a valid work permit and was in the process of obtaining his green card.

He was detained by ICE and kept in custody because of a felony burglary charge that he pled guilty to as a teenager. He was pardoned by the state of Georgia in 2010.

While in detention, Rodney has deteriorated significantly. He has lost a lot of weight, Danis-Taylor said.

In addition to what she described to Capital B Atlanta in January as inadequate medical care, Danis-Taylor said her husband has not had access to accommodations despite his profound disabilities.

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There are times he cannot take a shower, Danis-Taylor said. He cant do it with the general population; he has to remove his prosthetics and then he crawls across floors covered with mold and feces to shower.

Earlier this month, she traveled to Washington for a congressional hearing where U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia questioned then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem about Taylors situation. Noem said she would look into his case, but she was fired by President Donald Trump the next day.

The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not respond to Capital B Atlantas request for comment.

Uchechukwu Onwa, the national civic engagement coordinator with the Black Alliance for Just Immigration told reporters and organizers that Taylors attorneys had been preparing to submit legal briefs to appeal his immigration case before last week.

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But now that ICE has travel documents for him, there are concerns that ICE would not wait to deport him, or that they will deport him right after his attorney submit[s] his legal brief, Onwa said.

Danis-Taylor said she prays Taylor wont be deported soon. He does not have the same connections or support network in Liberia that he has built after decades in the United States. His mother remains in the U.S. and since his fathers death, Taylors only remaining relatives in Liberia are siblings that he doesnt know.

My husband is not a number, hes not a case file. Hes a father, hes a husband. Hes a beloved barber [in] our community, she said. Hes a man who has spent his life serving others, but today, Rodney is being forced to endure conditions that are breaking his body and his spirit.

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The post ICE Deportation of Double-Amputee Rodney Taylor to Liberia Could Be Imminent appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
An Idaho legislative committee rejected a bill Monday that would have required local law enforcement agencies across the state to apply for partnerships with federal immigration authorities, while advancing a separate immigration measure.

Immigration enforcement was a key focus at the Statehouse as lawmakers debated two bills involving how local law enforcement works with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

One proposal, House Bill 659, would have required police departments and sheriffs offices across Idaho to apply to participate in the federal 287(g) program. The program allows trained local officers to perform certain immigration enforcement duties, including checking the immigration status of people in custody and assisting with federal operations.

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Supporters of the bill argued law enforcement agencies already cooperate with ICE and said formalizing those partnerships would strengthen public safety and increase transparency.

Opponents, including several law enforcement leaders, said requiring every agency to participate could strain local resources and harm trust between police and immigrant communities.

Some law enforcement officials also warned the requirement could discourage people from reporting crimes if they fear interacting with officers.

In a close 45 vote, the committee decided not to advance House Bill 659, effectively stopping the bill in committee.

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Lawmakers also debated House Bill 660, which would require law enforcement officers to check a persons immigration status after they are arrested and share that information with federal authorities.

Supporters say the proposal would help identify people who are in the country illegally. Opponents argue it could create fear within immigrant communities and make policing more difficult.

The committee voted 8 -7 to advance House Bill 660. The bill now heads to the floor for consideration.

During both of the hearings, several law enforcement leaders expressed concerns about both measures, saying the additional responsibilities could take time and resources away from officers day-to-day policing duties. They also shared concerns about funding.
Idaho senators on Monday delayed a bill that calls for nearly $22 million in budget cuts to Medicaid disability services.

The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to hold House Bill 863 in committee subject to the call of the chair. The bill, which is sponsored by the committees chairwoman, Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, calls for $21.8 million in cuts to pay rates for residential habilitation providers. Last week, the Idaho House widely passed the bill, which is the Legislatures response to Gov. Brad Littles call for $22 million in Medicaid cuts.

The committees vote means the bill could return if VanOrden calls for it.

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The decision came after Republican Sens. Brian Lenney and Josh Keyser said theyd support fully rejecting the bill. Keyser said the cuts should be coming from Medicaid expansion.

Real fiscal conservatism would find the $21.8 million somewhere else that doesnt involve breaking a promise we made to the people caring for Idahos most vulnerable citizens, Lenney said.

To balance the states budget, the Legislature has pursued deeper, across-the-board cuts to state spending. But the budget committee has exempted Medicaid from those extra cuts. In the governors list of Medicaid cut options, he listed several disability services  but not Medicaid expansion.

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The bill would cut Medicaid disability providers pay rates

The bill for Medicaid disability cuts lacks a clear mechanism for the cuts, which are meant to come by reducing pay raises for providers that the Legislature approved in 2022. Those raises were meant to expand services and use a new budget tool, which didnt end up happening because of a court order in the KW v. Armstrong lawsuit, the bills fiscal note says.

Sens. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, and Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the Senate floor on Jan. 13, 2026, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

The cuts, combined with the Medicaid rate cuts made last year, would amount to a 10% reimbursement rate reduction for residential habilitation providers, VanOrden told the committee. But after the cuts, she said providers would still be left with reimbursement rates that are 33% over where they were four years ago.

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We are not taking away this program. What we are looking at is trying to strengthen it, VanOrden said.

The bill would also direct the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to audit providers. The bill says information from those audits will be used to develop payment rates, subject to legislative appropriation.

Cuts could subject state to more legal risk, attorney says

At Mondays committee hearing, several program participants and providers testified against the bill. No one testified in favor.

Ritchie Eppink, the lead attorney in the KW v. Armstrong lawsuit, told lawmakers that the cuts could open the state to more litigation risks.

Depending on the cuts impacts, Eppink told lawmakers that Idahoans with developmental disabilities get to choose whether to enforce the settlement agreement against the state or go back into litigation and ignore that settlement agreement.

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Eppink said they arent sure the cuts will even end up saving money.

Any of these cuts dont actually affect individual budgets; people still have to be able to access these funds. So even beyond the false premises in the legislative findings, I dont believe this bill, to the extent it assumes a $21.8 million cut, is actually going to save that money in the end, they said.

A person on the services prayed they make the right decision

Teton Supported Living Owner Jodi New said the bills statement of purpose misdescribes why the raises were implemented. She said the raises were to deal with staff shortages, not the lawsuit.

The reimbursement rate increases helped her raise pay rates from $12 an hour to $16 an hour, she told the committee.

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We fully support this audit, and every provider I talked to is happy for this audit. But cutting our pay  10% is going to put us out of business, New said.

Before Katie Hodges got residential habilitation services, she told lawmakers she was institutionalized  in jails, prisons and hospitals.

She used to be violent, she said. She said the state was inspired to pass a law by her, she said, to place people with dangerous mental illness in a secure facility.

Ever since I was a kid, I never made it longer than six months in the community. Until now, Hodges said. I am now in the community. I have a drivers license, a new car, my own place, and a job. And Im a cat mom.

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She read a prayer and asked lawmakers to not make the cuts.

Lord, I pray that they make the right decision. And that whatever that may be, that you give them wisdom and that you give them the help they need to help people with disabilities all over Idaho, Hodges said. Thank you, God. Amen.

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The Idaho House passed legislation that could make it a felony for transgender people to step foot in a bathroom matching their gender identity.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ + news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

The legislation takes aim directly at trans individuals using the restroom or locker rooms, threatening those who knowingly and willfully enter facilities designated for the opposite biological sex with prison time. A first offense would count as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Those caught using the bathroom in repeated offenses, however, could be convicted as felons and face up to five years in prison.

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Idaho Rep. Cornel Rasor, the bills Republican sponsor, used transphobic rhetoric as he claimed the change in law was necessary to prevent individuals from criminal actions. It prevents discomfort and voyeurism escalation and assaults, while preserving single-user options and narrow exceptions so no one is denied access for emergency aid, Rasor said, according to the Idaho Capital Sun.

Related: Idaho Republicans are trying to strip localities of nondiscrimination ordinances that protect LGBTQ+ people

Related: Idaho Republicans pass House bill forcing doctors to out transgender kids

Related: Idaho's anti-transgender bathroom law challenged by trans college student

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But Democratic Idaho Rep. Chris Mathias predicted the opposite would occur. Forcing people who dont look like the sex that they were born with, or transgender folks, forcing them to use other peoples bathrooms is going to put a lot of people in danger, he said.

Ahead of the vote, a transgender Idaho resident, Nikson Matthews, urged lawmakers to consider the real-world consequences of the proposal, walking them through what enforcement could look like in practice. Matthews described a scenario in which someone sees him, a bearded man, enter a mens restroom, recognizes or suspects he is transgender, and calls the police. Officers, he said, would arrive to find a bearded man using the mens bathroom, yet investigate him solely because of his identity. Under the bill, Matthews warned, he could face up to a year in jail for peeing, washing my hands, or even being in the bathroom to grab a tissue.

He said the alternative, forcing him to use womens facilities, could be even more dangerous, describing how his appearance could provoke confrontation or violence from others who perceive him as a man entering a womens space. Every single day when Im out in public, I have to decide, Matthews told lawmakers. Do I feel like going to jail today, or do I feel like being attacked?

Ultimately, every Democrat in the Idaho House voted against the bill, but the party represents just nine of the chambers 70 members. Six Republicans joined with Democrats in voting no, but the bill passed by a 54-15 margin. It now heads to the Idaho Senate, where Republicans hold 29 of 35 seats.

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Idaho lawmakers last year voted to restrict transgender peoples access to state-run facilities, including universities, prisons, and domestic violence shelters. The new bill criminalizes bathroom use in both publicly owned government buildings and private businesses that provide public accommodations.

Critics of the legislation cast it as a misguided attack on broader LGBTQ+ rights.

"Idaho politicians have positioned themselves as leaders in this calculated strategy to chip away at the rights of trans people. Each year, a more restrictive anti-trans bathroom law is passed that expands on the previous one, the states chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Idaho Republicans pass bill making it a felony for transgender people to use public bathrooms

RELATED
A new bill that would allow prospective jurors to get out of jury duty by instead volunteering as an election poll worker is heading to Gov. Brad Littles desk for final consideration.

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If passed into law, House Bill 560 would allow county clerks to submit a request to the jury commissioner and the court to offer potential jurors the opportunity to volunteer for election service as poll workers during the next county-led election in lieu of jury service.

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Sen. Phil Hart, a Republican from Kellogg who sponsored the bill, said passing the bill would help increase the number of local poll workers.

Idaho Sen. Phil Hart, R-Kellogg, at the State Capitol building on Jan. 9, 2023. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

If the county clerk cannot find an adequate number of poll workers to put on a county election, that county clerk would have the option to reach out to the jury commissioner and try to find additional poll workers, Hart said Monday. If a potential juror decides, instead of serving on a jury he would rather work on a county election, that would relieve that potential jury member of his jury duty service for two years.

The bill does not apply to federal juries or federal elections, Hart said.

The Idaho Senate voted 35-0 to pass the bill without any debate on Monday afternoon.

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The Idaho House of Representatives previously voted 68-0 to pass the bill on Feb. 26.

Once the bill reaches his desk, Little has five days (not counting Sunday) to sign it into law or veto it. If he does not sign or veto it within five days, the bill would become law without his signature.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Hamas terrorist Kamal Ayash was an anti-tank corps commander and was killed following an incident in which Ayash attempted to attack IDF troops.

The IDF eliminated a key Hamas commander during an operation in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the military announced on Sunday.

Hamas terrorist Kamal Ayash was an anti-tank corps commander and was killed following an incident in which Ayash attempted to attack IDF troops.

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Hamass anti-tank corps, according to the IDF, is responsible for the planning and carrying out of terrorist plots against Israeli soldiers and the State of Israel.

IDF kills rock-throwing terrorists in West Bank

The IDF additionally announced on Sunday that snipers from the military's Unit 636 killed two terrorists who threw stones at Israeli vehicles in the West Bank.

The military stated that three terrorists were spotted throwing stones at Israeli vehicles driving along a main road in the West Bank.

IDF soldiers carry out an operation in the West Bank, March 1, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Two of the terrorists were then killed by Israeli soldiers, and one fled the scene.

The IDF emphasized that its forces will continue to thwart attempts at terrorism and maintain the security of residents in the area.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is projected to win her Democratic nomination and a fifth term, as no Republican candidate is running.

President Preckwinkle tells ABC7 this will be her final four years in office, and she hopes to go out in a meaningful way.

This is a breaking news update. The following is from an earlier report.

A pair of races on the Democratic side in Cook County have flooded the airwaves with campaign ads over the past few months, pitting incumbents against some fierce challenges.

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One of them is the race for Cook County Board President.

The tough Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate maybe getting all the attention and money, but Cook County has two big races that center around issues that candidate Brendan Reilly say voters care about.

The Better Government Association's President and CEO, David Greising talks about the historic win for Preckwinkle.

"You've seen lot of rhetoric about Donald Trump, while all Democrats running oppose his policies at the end of day it will likely decided on meat and potato issues," Reilly said.

RELATED | 2026 primary elections: Voter information in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin

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Focusing on affordability and property taxes, downtown Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly is challenging Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President. Reilly says when she first ran for office in 2010, he was a strong supporter of hers. Preckwinkle, who turns 79 years old Tuesday, is seeking her fifth term.

"We're going to continue doing the good things that we've done with American rescue plan act resources, like eliminating medical debt, and we're going to do the best to defend ourselves against the assaults of the federal government," Preckwinkle said.

Preckwinkle is counting on voters to stay the course in her race for Cook County Board President.

READ MORE | Cook County Board President Preckwinkle and challenger Ald. Reilly make final appeals to voters

The winners of both Cook County primary races will win their respective offices Tuesday night, because there are no Republicans running for assessor or Cook County Board President.
I had to have a fairly minor surgery last year to repair my badly deviated septum. According to what I read today on several websites, the procedure costs around $10,000 to perform. You might be wondering why Im researching the price of a surgery I already had instead of just looking at my medical bill. Thats a good question, with an easy answer: I never received a bill. I didnt pay a dime for an elective surgery that I could have lived without but that greatly improved my quality of life.

I broke my nose pretty severely 20 years ago while I was a young infantryman in the Army. Because I was hardheaded male whose prefrontal cortex hadnt fully formed yet, I did what might be expected, and just took a deep breath, put my hands on either side of my crushed nose that was pointing a direction its not supposed to point, and shoved it more or less back into natural alignment. Problem solved. No downtime for surgery.

Also Read: Our Cats Are Like Our Children, So My Husband And I Made A Decision That May Shock Some People

However, it turns out theres all kinds of complicated internal stuff going on in the nose that a few shots of whiskey and an impromptu resetting wont fix. Weird, right?

This story is part of HuffPosts commitment to fearlessly covering the Trump administration. You can support our work and protect the free press by contributing to our newsroom.

By the time I got out of the Army and into the corporate world, not breathing through my nose and not sleeping more than an hour or so at a time was already old news. It was my baseline, and I was used to it. Occasionally, I would think about getting it fixed, and once I even went to a doctor, who told me it would require about 10 days off work, but I didnt want to burn my vacation days and sick time for the whole year convalescing with an ice pack on my face while watching bad daytime TV.

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But enough about my nose. I want to talk about universal health care.

Also Read: On Falling In And Out of Love With Bari Weiss

For some reason I cant quite explain  perhaps a combination of laziness, misplaced pride and my disillusionment with the system  I didnt register for VA health care or file disability claims for service-connected injuries until I was almost 40 years old. It took a close veteran friend repeatedly telling me I was an idiot for not doing so that eventually wore down my deeply ingrained resistance to handouts. I finally went to the VA, stuck with the process  which is aggravating, Ill admit  and was given a rating sufficient for free health care and a service connection for my deformed nose, among other old injuries.

I requested an appointment with an ENT, had an MRI done and was referred out to a community care surgeon. A few months later, I went under the knife and have spent the months since kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Turns out, actually being able to take advantage of all this oxygen is pretty cool. Who knew?

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I recently told a friend about all of this, and when I mentioned that I didnt pay out of pocket for my surgery, she said I was so lucky to have VA health care. I didnt tell her that luck didnt have much to do with deciding to join the Army just as the Global War on Terror was kicking off, because I knew what she meant. And she wasnt wrong. I feel fortunate that I have access to health care that isnt tied to my employer. I no longer work at the corporate job I gave 15 years of my life to, and that freedom has allowed me to do the kind of work I actually find satisfying.

The VA health care I receive is government-run, and while I wont sit here and tell you that its perfect or that every veteran has nothing but glowing reviews of it, I will say that after paying in to the scam that is commercial health insurance for almost two decades, this is better. It is truly liberating to not have to work a job you hate for a company that doesnt care about you just to have the privilege of being able to go to the doctor without going bankrupt, or hoping that a for-profit insurance company will approve your claim for a procedure, and if they dont, either trying to convince yourself the procedure isnt necessary or trying to figure out if you can possibly pay out of pocket for it. Whats even more insane is that the people who are part of that system are actually the ones who have it good. Plenty of Americans dont have any health insurance at all.

The author in Kirkuk, Iraq, circa 2004 Courtesy of Nick Allison

Two friends of mine are currently dealing with health problems. Im not going to use their names, but their stories say more about this system than any boring statistic I could dig up and cite.

Politics: How Much Is Trump's Iran War Costing? Congress Has No Idea.

One of these women is a close friend Ive known for years. She has insurance, and shes been dealing with a serious autoimmune condition thats affecting multiple organs. Shes on heavy medication, seeing multiple specialists and enduring a treatment that could last months. Shes not dying, but shes not OK, either, and the bills are already rolling in. She has insurance  and shes still getting buried. Thats the version of the health care system thats supposedly working.

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Another friend recently left her job. Her employer cut her health insurance on her last day rather than the end of the month, which was a nice parting gift. Her new coverage doesnt kick in until next month. During the short gap that she was uninsured, her daughter began experiencing concerning symptoms and needed imaging at a childrens hospital. The hospital didnt catch that my friends insurance had lapsed, so the imaging was approved, and now my friend is waiting on results shes terrified to receive while knowing that whatever bill comes is entirely on her. She also visited urgent care for an issue, but couldnt afford the out-of-pocket cost, so she left. Now shes sick, her child might be very sick, and shes counting the days until her new insurance kicks in and shes allowed to see a doctor again.

These arent people who made bad decisions or didnt work hard enough. Theyre both doing everything right, and the system is still failing them.

Meanwhile,I had a $10,000 surgery and never saw a bill because, 20 years ago, I broke my nose while I was in the Army. The truth is, I didnt earn my health care any more than my friends failed to earn theirs. Health care should be something you have, not something you earn  a basic service, like public education or the fire department, that we all pay in to because it benefits all of us.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

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I know I just said that my friends stories say more than any boring statistic I could dig up, and thats true. But I changed my mind, because the statistics arent boring so much as theyre staggering, and my friends arent outliers.

More than 25 million Americans have no health insurance. None. Another 20 million watched their ACA premiums more than double overnight after Congress let enhanced subsidies expire at the end of last year. Roughly 31 million Americans had to borrow money to pay for health care last year, totaling an estimated $74 billion in medical borrowing. Four in 10 adults are currently carrying some form of medical debt, and half say they couldnt pay an unexpected $500 medical bill without borrowing money or going into credit card debt.

Also Read: I Lived Abroad For 11 Years. This Is The Thing That Shocked Me Most When I Moved Back To The U.S.

Most of the people drowning in medical bills arent uninsured  they have coverage and pay their premiums. Nearly half of insured adults say its still difficult to afford their health care costs, and more than one-third have skipped or postponed care they needed because they couldnt afford it.

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This should be unacceptable to anyone living in the wealthiest country in the world. And according to the Pew Research Center, most Americans agree. Two-thirds of Americans  including 41% of Republicans  say the federal government has a responsibility to make sure all citizens have health care coverage. Only 7% of Americans think the government should have no involvement in health care.

We have a broader consensus on this issue than we do on almost anything in this country, and still, nothing changes because our elected officials keep trotting out the tired line that its just too expensive, so we simply cant afford to make the basic health of our fellow Americans a priority.

However, these same politicians managed to find the money for a war in Iran that nobody asked for  a war that is costing taxpayers roughly a billion dollars a day. Congress hasnt authorized a dime of it. A majority of Americans oppose it. When pressed on what imminent threat justified starting a war, the White House press secretary told reporters that the president had a feeling that Iran was going to attack. The same president who ran as the anti-war candidate, promised to end forever wars, and told his base thats exactly why they should vote for him.

Also Read: I Wrote Over 100 Letters To My Future Husband. Reading Them To My Actual Husband Has Been Excruciating  And Liberating.

We alreadyspend over $5 trillion a year on health care in this country, more than any nation on earth, and we still cant manage to cover everyone. However, we can apparently afford a trillion-dollar defense budget for 2026 and the $50 billion more currently being requested on top of that. We can afford billions of dollars to bomb Iran. We can afford $220 million for former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to shoot campaign-style ads of herself riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore. We can reportedly afford $300 million for Noems luxury jets, including one with a queen-size bed where she and her special government employee Corey Lewandowski could allegedly travel the country together in comfort. We can afford for the Pentagon to blow $93 billion in a single month to use up its budget before the fiscal year ended. We can afford Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly spending $22 million on ribeye steaks and lobster tails.

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Lets stop there and ask ourselves why our government can always find money for war and rewarding billionaires, but it cant make sure a mother can take her sick kid to the doctor without going bankrupt. Why is that where it draws the line on fiscal responsibility?

And its not even true that we cant afford health care for everyone. Twenty-two separate economic analyses have found that a single-payer universal health care system would save money. Even a study funded by the Koch brothers couldnt avoid the math. Researchers at Yale estimated the savings at over $450 billion a year, and that universal coverage would save roughly 68,000 American lives annually. Thats not some policy abstraction. Were talking about real people.

In a country where the top 1% controls roughly $55 trillion in assets  a sum roughly equal to the combined wealth of the bottom 90% of Americans  the idea that we cant afford to take care of each other is a lie. Its not a disagreement or a difference of opinion. Its a lie, told by people who benefit from the way things are, repeated by politicians theyve purchased, and accepted by the rest of us because weve heard it so many times weve stopped questioning it.

This didnt start with Trump. The health care system has been broken for decades, and while some in Congress have tried to fix it, the political will has never been there to finish the job. But right now, this administration and so many in Congress have made it clear to me that theres always room for war, luxury jets and tax cuts for the richest among us. There just isnt room to fund your trip to the doctor.

The author at the Veterans Affairs clinic in his city (March 2026) Courtesy of Nick Allison

I have government-funded health care because I joined the Army when I was 20 years old. I can go to any VA facility or community care provider in the country, get treated, and walk out without ever seeing a bill. My broken nose wasnt the only thing I had fixed. Ive had several surgeries over the past few years, most related directly to my service as a combat infantryman during the war in Iraq. Its taxpayer-funded, and youd be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks it shouldnt be. Nobody argues that veterans should have to pay out of pocket for injuries and illnesses they suffered while serving their country.

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If we can agree that the government has an obligation to take care of the people who served, why cant we extend that same basic decency to everyone else? American taxpayers already pay more per person for health care than taxpayers in any other OECD country (and, I suspect, more than any other country on Earth)  including countries that cover everyone. Were already footing the bill for universal health care. Were just not getting it. Its possible, but our leaders just choose not to do it.

I mentioned that Im grateful for the health care I get through the VA, and I am. But gratitude only goes so far when youre watching people you care about suffer for no reason other than they didnt join the military. We should take care of people simply because they are people, and its the right thing to do. Point blank.

Instead, 68,000 Americans die every year because they dont have adequate coverage, and somewhere in the Persian Gulf, were currently spending a billion a day on an undeclared, unauthorized war with no clear endgame that started because the president had a feeling.

There are a lot of things I wrote in the paragraphs above that we could argue over. However, one thing feels certain to me: In the wealthiest country to ever exist on this planet, whether or not you have to worry about health insurance shouldnt come down to whether you were willing to get shot at in your 20s.

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Nick Allison is a writer based in Austin, Texas. His work has appeared in HuffPost Personal, CounterPunch, The Fulcrum, The Chaos Section and elsewhere. Follow him on Bluesky @nickallison80.bsky.social.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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Read the original on HuffPost
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on Tuesday, requesting an audience with federal leaders over their recently acquired property, which they reportedly intend to turn into an immigration detention facility.

While we are seeking additional information about the ultimate intended use for this building, a large-scale detention facility is inappropriate for this location and does not have the support of Salt Lake City officials, Mendenhall wrote in her letter to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.

She also forwarded the letter to Utahs congressional leaders.

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Last week, ICE purchased a warehouse structure on Salt Lake Citys west side for $145.44 million  sparking immediate backlash from the Utah Democratic Party, and Utah Senate and House Democrats.

Even Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said that converting the warehouse into a detention facility without local leadership on board is shortsighted and likely counterproductive to supporting the strategic growth and long-term infrastructure plans of Salt Lake Citys west side, as he told the Deseret News in a statement. Local voices need to be provided a seat at the table, particularly as it relates to community impact studies and evaluations moving forward.

In her letter, Mendenhall highlighted the following zoning concerns with the potential immigration facility and how it would negatively impact Salt Lake City:

Sewer and water systems are not built for high-occupancy use.

Likely need for expensive off-site infrastructure upgrades.

Increased traffic and strain on roads and rail systems.

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She also noted that because the building is not federally owned, and therefore not tax-exempt, local taxing bodies would forfeit over $1 million annually in property tax revenue.

Her greatest concern, the letter said, is that of public safety.

Emergency responders are already at service capacity, she said. A large-scale detention facility could create additional strain on our public safety teams by diverting officers, first responders, and other needed safety resources away from our residents and businesses. It is imperative that we know how DHS plans to staff, secure and protect the facility from a public safety perspective as well as fire prevention/response and emergency medical services.

If the detention center continues its progress, Mendenhall said it would take away the priorities of her public safety plan and divert much-needed resources away from addressing homelessness challenges, preventing crime, and responding to calls for mental health and substance abuse concerns.

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An ICE spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Deseret News that it should not come as a shock that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is expanding its detention centers across the country to keep Americans safe.

They also said that federal officials will carefully study how the facility would affect the surrounding community to ensure no local resources are strained.

The Salt Lake City facility and its construction are expected to bring 9,893 jobs to the area and would contribute $1.1 billion to GDP. Its also projected to bring in more than $238.7 million in tax revenue, the statement said.

These economic benefits dont even take into account that removing criminals from the streets makes communities safer for business owners and customers, the statement continued. ICE is targeting criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members and more. 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities.

Mendenhall is requesting a response for a meeting by March 27.
By Dan Peleschuk

March 17 (Reuters) - Streaking across the sky with a terrifying wail, a Ukrainian-made quadrocopter swerves with unlikely agility for a device resembling a winged lava lamp.

Once a long-shot concept, the interceptor drone developed by private firm Wild Hornets is now key to Ukraine's defence against Russian drones - and soon, possibly, to combatting Iranian ones in the Gulf.

The government in Kyiv and local drone producers say the U.S. and its allies are seeking their help to repel Iranian Shahed drones that have rained down on targets across the Middle East.

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Wild Hornets has said that Middle East clients have expressed interest in its interceptors, but that it is not directly negotiating any export contracts before getting a green light from Ukraine's government.

Interceptors like the STING are a low-cost alternative to multi-million-dollar U.S. Patriot air-defence missiles, capable of swooping in on lumbering Russian-made versions of the Shahed with overpowering speed.

A Wild Hornets team demonstrated the interceptor for Reuters at an undisclosed location, where masked engineers huddled around a control unit relaying a high-quality feed from the drone's camera.

"You can't describe it in words - you need to feel it," said test pilot "Paskudnyk", using a call sign that translates to "nasty guy".

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HIGH SPEED AND LOW COST

Russian drones loom over the battlefield and flood Ukraine's skies, often in mass attacks that knock out power in major cities and target logistics and other infrastructure.

That has pushed cash-strapped but innovative Ukrainian developers to fast-track cheaper solutions.

The STING flies at up to 280 km (174 miles) per hour, supported by a 360-degree antenna and a maximum flight range of around 37 km - a combination allowing it to chase down drones from a distance before crashing into them with explosives.

Controls are easily adaptable for pilots of the first-person-view drones (FPV) that are now commonplace, said Paskudnyk, a former furniture builder who aids Ukrainian pilots in the field.

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"If you already know how to fly an FPV drone, then moving to this device is a matter of three or four days," he said.

The STING has downed more than 3,000 Russian Shaheds since entering regular service in June 2025, the company said. More than 10,000 units roll off the production line monthly.

They cost around $2,000 or less - compared to the Shahed's $20,000-$50,000 - and are purchased through the government's defence-tech incubator or prominent private charities.

A second-generation model has already been developed to fly even faster and target the jet-powered Shaheds which Russia is continuously developing, according to a company representative who asked not to be identified for security purposes.

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He said it had already been deployed in defensive operations, but that its technical specifications were being kept secret.

CAUTIOUS ABOUT EXPORTS

Since the start of the Iran war on February 28, Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks, which have struck U.S. diplomatic missions and military bases as well as oil infrastructure, ports, airports, ships and residential and commercial buildings.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week Kyiv wants money and technology in return for helping Middle Eastern nations, adding that three teams of air-defence specialists have been sent to the Middle East.

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He also criticised some Ukrainian companies and foreign governments that he said had sought to do deals for anti-drone equipment without approval from Kyiv.

The Wild Hornets representative said his company is focused foremost on bolstering Ukraine's military, and would only export at the government's call - especially if Kyiv receives more U.S. Patriots to shoot down ballistic missiles.

"We've received requests in our inbox," he said, "but we're not reacting to them for now."

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Ros Russell)
Islamabad, Pakistan  The war launched by the United States and Israel on Iran has killed more than 1,400 people in the country, set off retaliatory attacks by Tehran targeting Gulf nations and Israel, and pushed global oil prices above $100 a barrel.

Now, 18 days into the conflict, aid agencies and countries neighbouring Iran are increasingly concerned about a potential refugee crisis.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, estimates that 3.2 million people have already been displaced in Iran since US-Israeli strikes began on February 28. For now, the number of people crossing Irans borders remains comparatively modest. But anticipating mass displacements from Iran, its neighbours seem to be on high alert.

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Iran borders seven countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkiye and Turkmenistan. Iraq shares the longest frontier, stretching for almost 1,600km (994 miles).

Each of these states faces its own political pressures, economic limitations and security concerns.

But pressure on the ground in Iran is mounting. The countrys Red Crescent Society reports that more than 10,000 civilian sites have been damaged since the war began, including 65 schools and 32 medical facilities. There have been attacks on residential areas in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan.

Meanwhile, commercial flights out of Iran have been suspended as airspace is closed.

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Eldaniz Gusseinov, head of research at the geopolitical advisory firm Nightingale International, noted that because the attacks have so far been concentrated largely on Tehran and western and southwestern Iran, other parts of the country, especially provinces bordering Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, are absorbing much of the internal displacement.

If the strike pattern remains the same, internally displaced people inside Iran will increasingly concentrate in provinces located near those states, creating the preconditions for cross-border movement, the Almaty-based analyst told Al Jazeera.

Things could get worse if Tehran, a city of about 10 million people, were to lose its electricity grid or water supply in a US-Israel attack, for instance, residents could be forced to leave en masse.

Infrastructure destruction does not produce the gradual, manageable flows that the Syrian war initially generated. It produces sudden, massive displacement, driven by the collapse of basic urban services, Gusseinov said.

Turkiye fears repeat of Syrian migration crisis

Among Irans neighbours, only Turkiye, Iraq and Pakistan have extensive experience of hosting large refugee populations.

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Imtiaz Baloch, an independent researcher focusing on conflicts in Pakistan and Central Asia, said if the crisis in Iran deepens, many Iranians could seek refuge in neighbouring states, particularly Iraq and Turkiye.

Analysts say no country faces greater political exposure than Turkiye.

Turkiye is currently hosting many refugees from Syria and other countries. A new influx of Iranian migrants would likely intensify the humanitarian burden and create new challenges for both host countries and international relief agencies in the coming days, Baloch said.

Turkiye shares a 530km (329-mile) border with Iran and allows visa-free entry for Iranian citizens. It already hosts the worlds largest refugee population, including roughly 3.6 million Syrians, and anti-immigrant sentiment has hardened within domestic politics over the past decade.

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Turkiyes Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said earlier in March that the government had prepared three contingency plans in light of the war in Iran.

The first involves intercepting migration flows within Iranian territory before they reach the border. The second proposes establishing buffer zones along the frontier. The third would allow refugees to enter Turkiye under controlled conditions as a last resort.

Turkish authorities say they have already strengthened the border with Iran, adding 380km (236 miles) of concrete wall, 203 optical towers and 43 observation posts  undertaken, according to a Turkish Ministry of National Defence statement issued in January, as the US was building up its armada in the Gulf late last year.

Although there is currently no mass migration detection at our borders, additional measures have been taken on the border line, and these measures will be implemented if needed, the Defence Ministry stated on January 15.

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So far, this has not been necessary. According to Turkish government data on the movement of people from Iran, 5,010 entered Turkiye between March 1 and 3, while 5,495 exited.

But Turkiye has felt the effects of the wars spillover in other ways. On March 9, NATO confirmed it had intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over Turkish airspace. The debris landed near Gaziantep, in the westernmost part of the country, about 50km (31 miles) from the Syrian border. Iran denied that it was behind the attack on Turkiye.

Crisis on an unprecedented scale?

What makes the current situation in Iran particularly urgent is the scale of its population, say analysts.

Syria had approximately 21 million people at the start of its civil war. Iran has roughly 90 million. The Syrian conflict caused more than 13 million people to be displaced, including about six million who fled the country.

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A proportionate displacement from Iran would represent a humanitarian crisis with few modern parallels. To put it into perspective, if a country of 90 million experienced the same scale of crisis as Syria, nearly 56 million people would be forced to flee their homes, and nearly 26 million of them would become international refugees.

Gusseinov said such a scale of displacement and the capacity of international aid agencies is fundamentally mismatched.

Furthermore, Iran itself hosts one of the worlds largest refugee populations: about 3.7 million displaced people, most of them from Afghanistan.

Any mass displacement from Iran, therefore, creates a dual crisis: Iranian civilians fleeing outward, and Afghan and Iraqi refugees who were already in Iran being displaced a second time, or pushed back to countries that cannot absorb them, he said.

Hamid Shirmohammadzadeh, 35, who arrived in Turkiye from Iran, shows his passport while staying at a hotel in Van province, Turkiye, March 5, 2026 [Dilara Senkaya/Reuters]

Iraq and the South Caucasus face difficult choices

Although most population movement is still taking place within Iran rather than across its borders, Irans neighbours do have cause for concern, analysts say.

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Irans neighbouring countries are already dealing with their own crises, which limits their ability to absorb a potential refugee influx. Countries such as Syria, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are facing varying degrees of economic, political, or security challenges. These internal pressures make it difficult for them to accommodate a large influx of refugees, Gusseinov told Al Jazeera.

Iraq, which shares Irans longest border, faces a particularly complex situation.

The country is not only a potential destination for Iranian refugees, but has also been caught in military exchanges between Washington and Tehran. US forces have targeted armed groups operating from Iraqi territory, while Iran and pro-Iran armed groups have struck or attempted to strike US military and diplomatic positions inside the country.

The UNs International Organization for Migration says disruptions on the Iranian side of the border have led to the closure of several crossing points, although Iraqi crossings remain technically open. Meanwhile, the UNHCR says it is monitoring developments closely and that the Iraqi government will lead any emergency refugee response.

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The semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, which, unlike the rest of the country, still allows visa-free entry for Iranian passport holders, adds another layer of complexity.

The region hosts several Kurdish armed groups, some of which have reportedly been in discussions with Washington about receiving military support in return for joining the war against Iran. The development has prompted Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to strike Kurdish positions inside Iraqi territory.

Baghdad has publicly stated that it will not allow its territory to be used to infiltrate Iran, but experts on the region say its ability to enforce the position is limited.

Further north, the South Caucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have each expressed concern while trying to balance relations with Washington and Tehran.

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Azerbaijan has closed its land borders to routine traffic, requiring government approval for any crossing, while Armenias border with Iran, which is just 44km (27 miles) long, remains open.

Armenia is a small economy already absorbing Russian and Ukrainian migrants, Gusseinov said.

INTERACTIVE - DEATH TOLL - tracker - war - US Israel and Iran attacks - March 16, 2026-1773670042

Pakistan and Afghanistan confront overlapping crises

To Irans east lie Pakistan and Afghanistan, each grappling with existing refugee pressures.

According to the UNHCR, since October 2023, about 5.4 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan, many not by choice.

Following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the Talibans return to power in August 2021, a huge wave of Afghans sought refuge across the countrys borders, fearful of economic collapse and security threats.

The UN and international migration agencies estimate that between one and 1.5 million Afghans fled to Iran in the immediate aftermath of the US withdrawal, pushing the total Afghan population in Iran to upwards of five or six million.

Concurrently, hundreds of thousands of newly displaced Afghans crossed into Pakistan, joining a long-established refugee community there and swelling the total number of Afghans in the country to more than three million.

In response to this influx and citing domestic economic and security pressures, Pakistan and Iran initiated aggressive mass deportation campaigns, forcing millions back into Afghanistan. Between late 2023 and the end of 2025, between 2.8 million and 3.5 million Afghans are thought to have been sent back.

Pakistans stringent repatriation plans pushed out more than 1.3 million people, while Iran drastically accelerated its expulsions, deporting nearly two million individuals in 2025 alone.

According to the UNHCR, this year so far, more than 232,500 Afghans have returned to their country, including 146,206 from Pakistan and 86,253 from Iran.

The primary concern now is that the war in Iran could accelerate these returns, pushing people into communities already struggling to cope and potentially triggering further onward migration. The UNHCR has also warned that large-scale and hurried returns of refugees could trigger further instability in the region.

Further complicating the situation, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been engaged in fighting, as Islamabad claims that Afghanistan is providing a safe haven to armed groups launching attacks against Pakistan. Kabul has consistently denied the presence of any such groups on its soil.

Another bout of hostilities in October 2025 led Pakistan to close its borders with Afghanistan. Since then, Afghanistans trade and economic ties with Iran have deepened.

Destabilisation of the Iranian economy, therefore, hits Afghanistan through two channels simultaneously: reduced trade flows and refugee return surges, Gusseinov said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan faces its own geographical and security challenges.

The countrys border with Iran runs through Balochistan, its largest but most volatile province, where separatist sentiment has simmered for decades. The province has seen an increasing number of attacks by armed groups seeking independence from Pakistan. In February this year, Pakistans military concluded a weeklong security operation in the province and claimed it had killed 216 fighters in targeted offensives.

While Balochistans provincial officials say they have sufficient resources to accommodate refugees if large numbers begin arriving across the southern border, researcher Baloch said the reality was more complicated. Any refugee crisis, he said, could make the situation in Balochistan difficult for Islamabad to manage.

Balochistans porous border is next to Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province, a region that has historically been home to various separatist groups. Any significant influx of refugees across this border could impose additional security and economic costs on Pakistan, Baloch said.
The Gulfs tech sector  once seen as an emerging hub, with cheap energy, abundant land, and plentiful government and consumer appetite  is confronting a newly uncertain future.

Iran has made a point of targeting its enemys technological infrastructure, with US tech firms Amazon, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and Palantir all in the firing line.

Amazon data centers have already been damaged in Bahrain and the UAE. Meanwhile, Metas work on a subsea cable to boost internet connectivity in Africa via the Gulf, in partnership with a Saudi telecom company, has been put on pause, Bloomberg reported.

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The tech giants that flocked to the Gulf, spurred on by the regions push to be a major player in AI, are now belatedly confronting the risks that were always there. Most non-energy investors in the Gulf underpriced risk before the current war, including US tech companies, Steffen Hertog, an expert on the Gulf economies, told The New York Times.
Jasons view

As the United States and Israel confront Iran directly, most attention has focused on the Middle East. But another Iranian proxy has been quietly expanding elsewhere  and almost no one is paying attention.

Now that Tehrans aggression is finally being challenged head-on, ignoring this proxy would be a serious mistake.

That theater lies in North Africa. The actor at its center is the Polisario Front.

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For decades, Iran has been perfecting a strategy of cultivating armed nonstate movements far from its borders. These groups often begin as small insurgent or separatist movements that present themselves as political actors but in reality operate as heavily armed militant and terrorist organizations. They receive ideological guidance, training, money, and weapons from Tehran. Over time, they destabilize governments, threaten regional security, and advance Irans ambitions without requiring Tehran to fight directly.

The world has already seen where this strategy leads in Lebanon, Yemen, and Gaza, and the consequences have been devastating.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah evolved from a militia into a powerful terrorist organization that hollowed out the Lebanese state and subordinated the countrys sovereignty to Tehran. In Yemen, the Houthis grew from a local insurgency into a force capable of threatening global shipping while plunging the country into years of war and humanitarian devastation. Hamas has played a similar role in Gaza.

These outcomes were the result of Tehrans deliberate strategy, and the same pattern has been unfolding in North Africa.

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The Polisario Front operates in and around the Moroccan Sahara, sometimes referred to as the Western Sahara. It seeks to establish an independent state called the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, or SADR, proclaimed in 1976 during its armed conflict with Morocco. Rabat administers most of the territory and views the Polisario as an armed militia threatening its territorial integrity and regional stability. Today, only a small number of governments recognize the SADR, and several countries that once did have withdrawn recognition.

The US made its position clear in 2020 when President Donald Trump formally recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara. The decision reinforced Washingtons support for a longstanding ally: In 1777, Morocco became the first country to recognize the US and remains one of Americas most important security partners in North Africa.

Trumps recognition was also part of the diplomatic breakthrough that led Morocco to normalize relations with Israel under the framework of the Abraham Accords in December 2020, a diplomatic coup that many observers once believed impossible.

Irans relationship with the Polisario Front long predates those developments. Tehran recognized the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as early as 1980, and its relationship with Polisario has deepened since.

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Morocco has repeatedly accused Iran and Hezbollah of providing training, logistical support, and weapons to Polisario fighters. When Iran embeds itself with militant groups like the Polisario, the goal is not symbolic support. Tehran gains influence, operational reach, and the ability to destabilize regions through armed proxies rather than direct confrontation.

The US has not designated the Polisario Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and generally describes it as a separatist armed movement involved in a territorial dispute. But the absence of a formal designation does not eliminate the strategic risk.

History offers a clear warning.

For years Hezbollah was treated internationally as a complicated political actor rather than what it was becoming: a heavily armed Iranian proxy that ultimately dominated Lebanons political and security system while driving the country into economic collapse. In Yemen, the Houthis followed a similar trajectory before evolving into a force capable of threatening global maritime trade.

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By building ties with the Polisario, Iran gained a foothold in North Africa and a means of pressuring Morocco, one of Washingtons most reliable regional partners. Moroccos cooperation with the United States includes counterterrorism coordination and broader regional security efforts.

Undermining Morocco therefore undermines American interests.

For too long the world responded to Irans proxy strategy by looking away and hoping local conflicts would remain contained. That approach helped produce the crises we see today.

The world ignored Irans proxy strategy before. It should not make the same mistake again.

Notable
DUBAI, March 17 (Reuters) - Iraq's oil minister said Baghdad is talking to Iran about allowing some of the country's oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the state news agency reported on Tuesday, as Iraq seeks to ease disruptions to crude exports following recent attacks on tankers in its own waters.

Iraq is also working to restore a disused pipeline that would allow oil to be pumped directly to Turkey's Ceyhan port without passing through the Kurdistan region, Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani said in a video statement released on Monday.

Iraq will complete an inspection of a 100-km (62-mile) section of the pipeline within a week to enable direct exports from Kirkuk, he added.

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The reopening of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, which has been shut for more than a decade, would offer an alternative export route at a time when shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz is severely disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East.

Exports via the 960-km pipeline, which once handled about 0.5% of global supply, were halted in 2014 after repeated attacks by Islamic State militants.

The oil ministry has said exports via the route could initially reach around 250,000 barrels per day, rising to about 450,000 bpd if crude from fields in the Kurdistan region is included.

Baghdad has sought to use the Kurdistan pipeline as a temporary route for crude flows but said the Kurdistan Regional Government had set arbitrary conditions for its use, warning it may take legal action if exports are blocked.

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Kurdish authorities have rejected the accusations, saying they are not obstructing exports and that Baghdad has failed to address security and economic challenges facing the regions oil sector.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin sat awkwardly in silence during a joint-press conference with President Donald Trump on Tuesday after Trump mistakenly referred to female Irish President Catherine Connolly as a man.

As Trump and Martin fielded questions from journalists in the White House, a reporter noted that The Irish president has said that your war against Iran is illegal, its an attack on international law.

Who said that? asked Trump.

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The Irish president, replied the reporter.

Trump then declared, Look, hes lucky I exist. Thats all I can say, because if youre gonna allow countries that are sick and demented  and they are demented  to have nuclear weapons everybody in the whole world should be very thankful, and Im disappointed in NATO. Very disappointed. Im disappointed in a couple of other countries too, but they should be very thankful that this group of people feels the way we do.

Martin sat awkwardly in silence as Trump got Connollys gender wrong.

Connolly condemned the war against Iran earlier this month, calling it a violation of international law.

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The violations of international law we are witnessing are shocking and numbing, but we cannot afford inaction, she said. What we have witnessed in recent days in the Middle East, and beyond, are not political disputes. They are deliberate assaults on international law, the international laws that have underpinned global peace for eighty years.

Connolly concluded, We must name them as such, without euphemism and without equivocation.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Irish Prime Minister Sits in Awkward Silence as Trump Refers to Female President of Ireland as a Man first appeared on Mediaite.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Larijani was eliminated last night, though Iranian authorities have yet to confirm his death.

Following reports of his killing, Larijani's official Telegram account said that he would be releasing a statement shortly.

A short time later, the account published a handwritten note written for the funeral of Iranian naval casualties. The account, however, did neither refer to the reports of Larijani's alleged assassination nor did it provide proof that he is alive.

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Israel's announcement came a day after a separate strike reportedly killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards Basij force.

Meanwhile, Israels president expressed gratitude for Frances offer of mediation in Lebanon to halt the fighting but insisted that Europe should take a harder line against Hezbollah.

The Iranianbacked group has been engaged in heavy battles with Israeli troops having launched ground operations in the south of the country.

The priority now is to dismantle Hezbollahs war machine, President Isaac Herzog told French press agency AFP, urging European capitals to act, not just appeal for calm.

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France, UN push for direct talks to end hostilies between Israel and Lebanon

Shock for Tehran

The reported assassination of Larijani marks another shock to Irans leadership after the joint USIsraeli strikes on 28 February that killed the countrys supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

His son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen publicly, prompting speculation about his condition. Russian Presidential press secretary Dmitri Peskov, quoted by the official Russian Tass agency, said Moscow would not comment on a report in a Kuwaiti newspaper that he had been flown to Moscow for medical treatment.

Explosions shook Tehran overnight as Israel said it hit Iranian terror infrastructure in the capital and elsewhere.

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In Lebanon, dawn air strikes targeted Beiruts southern suburbs, Hezbollahs main stronghold, reportedly leaving buildings ablaze and debris littering the streets.

Authorities in Lebanon say more than one million people have been displaced since early March, with many now sheltering in makeshift centres.

Western allies  including France, Germany and Britain  have urged Israel to limit its operations, warning of regional collapse.

France treads 'a fine line between defensive and offensive in Middle East

Oil shock

Iran has retaliated with attacks on US interests and Gulf infrastructure, including tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting a fifth of global oil traffic and driving prices higher.

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The United States has called on its partners to join a naval coalition to secure the waterway, but enthusiasm has been muted.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was working with allies on a viable plan to reopen the strait while rejecting a NATOled mission. Germany echoed that view, warning that the alliance should not be drawn into Washingtons war.

Meanwhile, Irans health ministry says at least 1,200 Iranians have died in US and Israeli strikes since the start of the conflict.

In neighbouring Iraq, rockets targeted the US embassy early Tuesday, forcing air defences into action over Baghdads heavily fortified Green Zone.

(With newswires)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israel killed two senior Iranian security officials in a major blow to the Islamic Republics leadership as it faces its greatest test in decades, and Iran responded Wednesday with renewed missile and drone attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors and Israel.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, was considered one of the most powerful figures in the country since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war. Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani was the head of the Revolutionary Guards all-volunteer Basij.

Iran confirmed the killings of the men, who were key to Irans violent crackdown on protests in January that challenged the theocracys 47-year rule.

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In response, Iran launched a barrage of what it said were multiple-warhead missiles Wednesday at central Israel to avenge Larijani's death. Israels medical service said two people were killed in Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Arab states also faced barrages of Iranian-fired missiles and drones Wednesday that were intercepted by air defense systems.

With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.

U.S. Central Command said the U.S. military fired multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs Tuesday on Iranian missile sites along Irans coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.

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It announced the bombings hours after President Donald Trump said that NATO and most other allies had rejected Trump's calls to help secure the strait.

Iran launches multiple-warhead missiles at Israel

Iran acknowledged launching multiple-warhead missiles at Israel early Wednesday, the latest use of a weapon designed to spread maximum damage and evade Israels multiple layers of air defenses.

Footage filmed by The Associated Press showed the release of the cluster munition from at least one missile over Israel. A statement from the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the force launched the Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr multiple-warhead missiles to avenge Larijanis killing.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday that Larijani and Soleimani were eliminated in strikes overnight. The Israeli military said it also struck more than 10 Basij posts across Tehran.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killings were aimed at undermining this regime to give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it. But there have been no signs of anti-government protests since the war began, as many Iranians shelter from the American and Israeli strikes.

The Iranian judiciarys news agency, Mizan, quoted the Revolutionary Guard as confirming the killing of Soleimani. Other Iranian state media confirmed Larijanis death.

Larijani, a former parliamentary speaker, was a senior policy adviser to the late Khamenei on strategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration. He was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in January for his role coordinating Irans violent suppression of nationwide protests.

Soleimani was also sanctioned by the U.S., the European Union and other nations, over his role in suppressing dissent for years through the Basij.

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The killings of the top officials came on the eve of Chaharshanbe Souri," or the Festival of Fire, shortly before the Persian new year. Authorities have sent threatening text messages telling the public not to turn out for the festival, warning the celebrations could be used by rioters.

Iran continues strikes on neighboring countries

In Iraq, a strike hit inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad early Wednesday, two Iraqi security officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment. No further details were immediately available. There was no immediate statement from the State Department. A day earlier, a drone crashed inside the compound.

Saudi Arabias Defense Ministry shot down a ballistic missile targeting the area around Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts American forces and aircraft.

In the United Arab Emirates, an Iranian projectile struck near an Australian military base Wednesday, sparking a small fire but causing no injuries, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. His comments appeared to correspond with explosions heard by AP journalists in Dubai near Al Minhad Air Base, which is used by Western nations as a transshipment point across the wider Mideast.

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Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported, is sparking concerns about tightening energy supplies  unnerving the world economy.

A few ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the waterway technically remains open  just not for the United States, Israel and their allies. About 20 vessels have been struck.

With oil prices rising, Trump has demanded that roughly a half-dozen countries send warships to ensure ships can pass through the strait but said he has not gotten any support.

The European Unions top diplomat said the 27-nation bloc does not want to be dragged into the conflict with Iran. This is not Europes war, Kaja Kallas told EU lawmakers Tuesday. We were not consulted.

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Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday it received a report from Iran that its Bushehr nuclear power plant complex had been hit by a projectile but there were no injuries and the plant suffered no damage. It reiterated the call by IAEAs leader, Rafael Mariano Grossi, for maximum restraint during the conflict to prevent risk of a nuclear accident.

Renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon

The Israeli military continued its strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Israeli strikes hit apartment buildings in central Beirut early Wednesday, killing at least 6 people and wounding 24 others, the Lebanese health ministry said.

Another strike in the Nabatiyeh district killed three people and wounded another, Lebanons health ministry said Wednesday. Rescue teams were searching for eight missing people, it said.

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Israels strikes have displaced more than 1 million Lebanese  roughly 20% of the population  according to the Lebanese government, which says more than 900 people have been killed. In Israel, 14 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict started Feb. 28, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

___

Watson reported from San Diego, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands; David Rising in Bangkok; Aamer Madhani in Washington; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; Koral Saeed in Herzliya, Israel; and Bassem Mroue and Sally Abou AIJoud in Beirut contributed.
By Maayan Lubell and Nazih Osseiran

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT March 14 (Reuters) - Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold direct talks in the coming days, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported on Saturday, in what would be a diplomatic milestone between the two states as Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah wage war.

Three Lebanese officials said Beirut is forming a delegation for talks but no date has been set. One of the officials said Lebanon needed clarity on whether Israel would abide by President Joseph Aoun's first point - a demand for a full ceasefire to allow negotiations to take place.

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There was no immediate comment on the Haaretz report from the Israeli government.

Lebanon was sucked into the war in the Middle East on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel, saying it aimed to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader. Israel has responded with an offensive that has killed more than 800 people in Lebanon and forced more than 800,000 from their homes.

Aoun has expressed the state's willingness for direct talks with Israel, seeking to secure an end to the war.

The Lebanese state's readiness for talks with Israel has come at a time of sharpening tensions within Lebanon over Hezbollah's status as an armed group. The Beirut government last week banned Hezbollah's military activities. The group rejected the move and fought on, firing hundreds of rockets at Israel.

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An Israeli official told Reuters on Friday that the campaign against Hezbollah would likely be intensified and continue even after strikes on Iran die down.

HAARETZ REPORT: KUSHNER TO BE INVOLVED IN TALKS

Haaretz, citing two sources with knowledge of the matter, said the negotiations are expected to focus on ending fighting in Lebanon and disarming Hezbollah.

Haaretz reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will be involved in the talks that may be held in Paris or in Cyprus, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant Ron Dermer leading the Israeli delegation.

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The Lebanese official said Lebanon still needed clarity on the framework for the talks including the agenda.

Lebanon and Israel have formally been in a state of war since Israel's establishment in 1948. Critics have often described the heavily armed Hezbollah as a state within the state since Iran's Revolutionary Guards formed it in 1982.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Friday that the group was ready for a long confrontation, and that any solution would require Israel to halt attacks, withdraw from Lebanese land, and to release prisoners.

A senior Lebanese politician said that Christian, Sunni Muslim and Druze members of Lebanon's negotiating team had been chosen, but Hezbollah's Shi'ite Muslim ally, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, had rejected any Shi'ite participation. Berri believed Israel would offer the Lebanese delegation nothing, said the senior politician, who was familiar with Berri's view.

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ISRAELI MILITARY WARNS IT MAY STRIKE AMBULANCES

The Israeli military warned that it may strike ambulances and medical facilities which it said were being used unlawfully by Hezbollah, though it did not provide evidence for the claim.

"As part of its terrorist activities, Hezbollah is using ambulances extensively for military purposes," the Israeli military's Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee said on X, adding that such use must immediately stop.

"If this practice does not stop, Israel will act in accordance with international law against any military activity carried out by the terrorist group Hezbollah using these facilities and ambulances," Adraee said.

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A Hezbollah official said that the group was not using ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request to provide evidence that Hezbollah was using medical facilities or ambulances unlawfully.

At least 26 medics and first responders have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2 according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military says it takes precautions to try to reduce any harm to civilians.

On Friday, Israeli aircraft dropped flyers over Beirut threatening to inflict damage on Lebanon similar to the devastation wrought on Gaza during Israel's two-year war with Palestinian militant group Hamas. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble and its population largely displaced.

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During its war in Gaza, Israel launched numerous raids and attacks on hospitals, saying they were being used by militants. Hamas has denied embedding among Gaza's civilians, though some of its tunnel network has been found running beneath hospitals.

Civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, are protected sites under international law. Both attacking hospitals and their use for military purposes are typically considered a breach of law, though they can lose their protected status under certain conditions.

(Additional reporting by Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily and Tom Perry in Beirut; Timour Azhari in Riyadh; Writing Maayan Lubell and Tom Perry; Editing by Toby Chopra and Andrew Heavens)
These humanitarian organizations, having operated primarily in international crisis zones, are now applying their expertise to support communities affected by missile attacks across Israel.

Organizations that normally operate in disaster zones around the world have launched emergency response efforts inside Israel following the war with Iran. For years, these humanitarian organizations have operated primarily in international crisis zones, from earthquakes in Turkey and wildfire-affected areas in Los Angeles to humanitarian emergencies in Africa and Ukraine.

SID Israel, the umbrella organization for Israels international development and humanitarian aid community, explained that they are now applying that same expertise to support communities affected by missile attacks across Israel.

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One example is the humanitarian organization CADENA, which has organized volunteer days to assist families whose homes were damaged by missile attacks. Volunteers help clean up damaged apartments, remove broken glass, and perform initial repairs. CADENA also mobilized its international network in Mexico to host Israelis stranded in Central and South America due to the war.

The international humanitarian organization IsraAID has launched an emergency response in Israel focused on mental health and psychosocial support for affected communities.

Volunteers have distributed more than 1,000 resilience kits to families impacted by missile attacks in cities across the country, while 100 stress-relief kits have been placed in bomb shelters in cooperation with local authorities.

Damage is seen after a projectile hit yesterday that destroyed the apartment on March 09, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (credit: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

The volunteer organization Lev Echad, which usually operates in disaster zones worldwide, has also launched emergency assistance inside Israel. Since the start of the war, it has brought in 7,000 volunteers to assist around 3,500 apartments damaged by missile strikes in seven cities across the country.

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The war with Iran has created a unique situation in which that same international humanitarian expertise is now being applied here in Israel to assist affected communities, said Einat Fogel-Levin, director of Public Policy and Foreign Relations at SID. It is also a testament to the resilience of Israeli civil society and to the contribution of the humanitarian aid community to societys ability to cope with emergencies.

SID Israel has also reported a threefold increase in applications for research grants in international development in 2026. The organization said this is likely related to the war in Gaza and now the war with Iran, which are making it harder for Israeli researchers (PhD students and research institutions) to secure funding and build international collaborations.

SID has effectively become one of the few bodies supporting academic research in this field right now, the umbrella organization told The Jerusalem Post.

Creative humanitarian measures

Other Israeli organizations have used creative measures to successfully carry out important international missions despite the war in Israel affecting their provisions and personnel.

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Two Israeli medical NGOs  Operation Ethiopia and Save a Childs Heart  said that their medical delegations were unable to travel to carry out urgent surgeries due to the closure of Israeli airspace and flight cancellations.

Operation Ethiopia explained that its Israeli surgical team was supposed to travel to Dessie, Ethiopia, for an oculoplastic surgery campaign at Boru Meda Hospital, where 150 surgeries were scheduled for patients suffering from severe dacryocystitis (tear duct infection). When the Iran war began and Israels airport shut down, the team couldnt fly in.

Instead, Operation Ethiopia brought together graduates of its doctor training program from across Ethiopia to lead the campaign.

Then, a second challenge presented: some of the surgical materials were supposed to arrive from Israel, but did not after the airspace closed. Local doctors sourced them from Addis Ababa, but then flights to Dessie were canceled.

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The organization then successfully arranged for someone to fly the supplies to Semera, 225 km from Dessie, and had a driver bring them.

Despite all the challenges, Operation Ethiopia successfully carried out 182 complex surgeries.

Save a Childs Heart saved three lives on Day 1 of its mission: Nanati (9), Kalkidan (10), and baby Kidist (6 months).

It explained that the war in Israel disrupted its original plans, and the Israeli team had to stay at Wolfson Medical Center.

However, two generations of Ethiopian heart surgeons trained by Save a Childs Heart (SACH) stepped up and took over the surgeries, marking 30 years of Ethiopian-Israeli medical cooperation.

This is what sustainable healthcare looks like, SACH said. Its not just about flying in to perform a procedure; its about the years of training and mentorship that empower medical teams to lead in their own countries. Its about building a foundation that stays strong even when the world is in turmoil.
DUBAI, March 17 (Reuters) - Israel's military has targeted Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, four Israeli officials said, adding that it was not immediately clear whether he was killed or injured.

Larijani was one of the targets of strikes carried out by the Israeli military last night across Iran, the officials told Reuters.

Iran has not yet commented on the report.

If his death is confirmed, he would be the most senior Iranian official to be killed after the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died on the first day of the war.

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Larijani, a former nuclear negotiator and a close ally of Khamenei, was seen in Tehran on Friday taking part in Quds Day rallies.

Later that day, the U.S. offered a reward of up to $10 million for information on senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Larijani, as part of a list of 10 figures linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Multiple Israeli media outlets also said the strikes targeted Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij Resistance Force and other senior Basij figures, with the outcome of the strikes still being assessed.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir in Dubai, additional reporting by Mayaan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Iran's top security official was constantly moving to different secret locations throughout the last two weeks, sources said, taking precautions to avoid being located by Israel.

Ali Larijani was Israel's number one target after assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Massive intelligence and operational resources were poured into locating him, according to senior defense sources.

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However, Larijani was not easy to locate. He is an experienced hand at avoiding detection and took a number of precautions to delay and avoid being located by Israel.

For one, he was constantly moving to different secret locations throughout the last two weeks, said defense sources.

The sources added that the extent of the precautions Larijani took to stay out of Israel's crosshairs for two weeks also shows how deeply hunted the surviving top Iranian leadership feels.

Ali Larijani (L) talks to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R), October 10, 2016. (credit: KHAMENEI.IR)

IDF also assassinates Basij leader

This goes along with the national leader of the Basij, who was found and assassinated in makeshift tents in his attempt to avoid detection at an actual official Basij headquarters.

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"Special capabilities" which tracked Larijani, along with a fast decision by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the political echelon made the assassination possible.

Connecting the intelligence with the top decision-makers who then quickly ordered air force fighter jets out on a new critical mission 1,600 kilometers away paved the way for the operational success, defense sources stated.

The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, visits the Israeli Air Forces Tel Nof Airbase. 10, March 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Once again, in the same evening, Larijani was killed, and top officials of the Basij were killed, at completely different locations, without missing a beat.

All this took place in distant Iran, which is far more challenging than carrying out snap decisions attacks in multiple places in Gaza or Lebanon which are only minutes away by aircraft.

Defense sources said that the assassination may also help the US with its current strategic situation for achieving various war goals.
AP Photo/Terry Renna

Jared Kushner, husband to Ivanka Trump, is allegedly soliciting $5 billion in funding for his private equity firm while serving as a diplomatic advisor to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump.

Kushner has been participating in peace negotiations worldwide, with Trump appointing Kushner to the unofficial position of the administrations special peace envoy in Feb. 2026.

Now, as one of the governments negotiators in the Middle East, Kushner is working to raise money for his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, from governments across the Middle East, according to The New York Times.

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The outlet reportedly spoke to five people with knowledge of the business proceedings, all of whom confirmed that Kushner has been actively meeting with investors in his quest to raise at least $5 billion for his firm.

Kushner and his team have reportedly entered into conversation with Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) for first look rights, Axios said after confirming The NYTs reports. Led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the PIF is the countrys primary wealth fund, funded in large part by the countrys oil revenues.

Trumps administration has developed close ties with bin Salman, with the President coming to the Crown Princes defense in Nov. 2025 when asked by ABC News about the Washington Post columnist who was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Youre mentioning somebody that was extremely controversial, Trump said. A lot of people didnt like that gentleman [Khashoggi] that youre talking about. Whether you like him or didnt like him, things happen, but he [bin Salman] knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You dont have to embarrass our guests by asking a question like that.

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Saudi Arabias PIF already invested $2 billion into Kushners firm shortly after the first Trump administration. At the time, rumors swirled that the PIFs investment staff advised against the transaction, but bin Salman overruled their concerns.

The NYT reported on the blurring of the lines between public service and private profit-seeking these new financial initiatives represent.

In Dec. 2024, Kushner told Invest Like The Best podcast host Patrick OShaughnessy that his firm preemptively raised $1.5 billion from Qatars sovereign wealth fund to avoid any conflicts and make sure Affinity would not have to raise capital for the next four years.

The post Jared Kushner Reportedly Seeks $5B From Middle East Governments for His Firm While Serving as Envoy first appeared on Mediaite.
An agreement that protected about a million acres of sensitive Arctic territory is back in effect, meaning that this weeks oil and gas lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska will likely be smaller than the Trump administration had planned.

U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleasons ruling, issued Monday, ensures that a Native coalitions land agreement, known as the Nuiqsut Trilateral right of way, shall remain in full force and effect, at least temporarily.

The agreement is a conservation pact that gave Nuiqsut residents some control over oil development in about a million acres in the Teshekpuk Lake area. The Trump administrations Department of the Interior canceled that right-of-way agreement in December, prompting a January lawsuit from the Nuiqsut parties.

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As a result of Gleasons ruling, the Trump administrations National Petroleum Reserve lease sale likely cannot include acreage within the Nuiqsut right of way. That sale was originally planned to span 5.5 million acres, including most of the right-of-way territory. Bids are to be opened by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday.

Exactly how the BLM will change the lease sale or handle submitted bids was yet to be determined Monday afternoon. The Department of the Interior has not yet commented.

Gleasons ruling granted an injunction sought by plaintiffs in one of two lawsuits that challenged the way the BLM is managing the National Petroleum Reserve and the upcoming lease sale conducted under that Trump administration management system.

The lawsuit over the right-of-way agreement was filed by Nuiqsut Trilateral Inc., comprising Nuiqsuts city and tribal governments and Kuukpik Corp., the villages for-profit Native corporation.

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An Inupiat village of about 500, Nuiqsut is the community located closest to existing and planned development in the petroleum reserve.

The second lawsuit was filed by Grandmothers Growing Goodness and The Wilderness Society, and it challenged the entire Trump administration management plan for the petroleum reserve and the lease sale that was structured under that system. The Trump administration plan opened 82% of the reserve to oil leasing.

Plaintiffs in both the cases were in Gleasons courtroom on Thursday arguing in separate hearings for injunctions that would bar previously protected acreage from being included in this weeks lease sale. The Nuiqsut plaintiffs argued specifically about the acreage within the right of way, while the Grandmothers Giving Goodness-Wilderness Society plaintiffs argued for blocking right-of-way acreage plus other acreage in the general area that had previously been off-limits to development.

A map shows the tracts within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska that are at issue in two lawsuits targeting the Trump administrations management of the land unit. The orange tracts are in previously protected areas that were off-limits to leasing. Some tracts are within the Nuisuit Trialateral Inc. right of way and the subject of that organizations lawsuit. A lawsuit filed by the Native organization Grandmothers Growing Goodness and The Wilderness Society is seeking to prevent leasing in all of the tracts colored orange. (Map provided by Layla Hughes, one of the plaintiff attorneys)

The Nuiqsut Trilateral Inc. right-of-way agreement protects about 1 million acres in the Teshekpuk Lake area, shown in thish map. The agreement, as signed in 2024, was to be in place for the entire lifetime of the Willow project, a period expected to last for decades. (Map provided by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

In her Nuiqsut ruling, Gleason said the right-of-way agreement conveyed a property right that appears to have been violated by the Trump administrations cancellation of the right-of-way agreement, so that is enough irreparable harm to justify a preliminary injunction. The plaintiffs do not need to demonstrate any irreparable harm from the sale of oil leases, she said.

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That makes this case different from past cases in which environmental and Native plaintiffs claimed irreparable harm from leases yet to be sold and developed, Gleason said in her ruling.

Here, by contrast, the injury is the loss of Plaintiffs real property rights a harm that Plaintiff has already experienced and continues to experience, she said in her ruling.

Additionally, the Nuiqsut plaintiffs have presented compelling arguments that the Trump administration acted illegally when it abruptly canceled the right-of-way agreement, Gleason said. The Nuiqsuit plaintiffs raised serious questions about public notice, agency responsibilities and other issues, the judge said, suggesting that they have a chance of winning their full case on legal merits.

Gleason had not ruled as of Monday afternoon on the injunction sought in the second lawsuit.

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As planned by the Trump administration, this weeks lease sale offered territory in and near Teshekpuk Lake that has never before been put up for auction, as well as some territory that had been protected since 2012. In all, the geographic size of this weeks lease sale is bigger than most of the National Petroleum Reserve sales held since 1999.

A government attorney referenced last years sweeping tax and budget bill passed by Congress in their defense of the Department of the Interiors decision to cancel the right-of-way agreement and put up new territory for oil and gas leasing.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act overturned protections in the petroleum reserve and mandated a series of lease sales to be held under the Trump management plan, Justice Department attorney Paul Turcke told Gleason during the Nuiqsut hearing on Thursday.

The Nuiqsut right-of-way agreement was announced by the Biden administration in 2024. Originally conceived by Kuukpik, it was negotiated in exchange for support from Nuiqsut entities and leaders for the Willow project. The Biden administration approved Willow in 2023, although with protective stipulations that included provisions from which the Nuiqsut right-of-way agreement stemmed.

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Teshekpuk Lake, the biggest lake on the North Slope, and the surrounding lands support a caribou herd that bears the lakes name, as well as hundreds of thousands of birds that migrate from as far away as Antarctica, along with other Arctic wildlife.

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PARK CITY  Eight jurors found Kouri Richins, a Kamas mother and real estate agent, guilty of all charges filed against her after three hours of deliberations and three weeks of evidence.

Those charges include aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, first-degree felonies, two counts of insurance fraud, a second-degree felony, and forgery, a third-degree felony.

Kouri Richins, 35, was accused of fatally poisoning Eric Richins on March 4, 2022, and slipping drugs into his food, making him sick, a few weeks earlier in an attempt to kill him. Jurors have heard evidence in the case over the course of about three weeks.

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Multiple family members of Eric Richins were in tears after the verdict was read and as people began filing out of the courtroom. Kouri Richins looked down at the desk in front of her as the verdict was read.

Amy Richins, Eric Richins sister, said she feels like their family is in shock and that they are happy they got justice.

She shared a family statement: Four years ago, our family lost the brightest light. Eric is deeply loved and missed every single day. We are grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring justice for Eric. Our focus is now on honoring Erics life and supporting his boys as we all continue to heal.

During closing arguments on Monday, deputy Summit County attorney Brad Bloodworth argued Kouri Richins killing her husband is the only rational explanation for the evidence. He said she wanted to leave her husband but did not want to leave his money.

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See through her facade, check her ambition, do not let her get away with murder, he said.

Richins attorney Wendy Lewis encouraged the jurors to look for other explanations, saying if any are reasonable, the jury must come back with a not guilty verdict.

They dont have the evidence that Kouri Richins killed her husband, so instead they have tried to show you as much evidence as they possibly can to convince you that shes the sort of person who would, she said.

Kouri Richins will be sentenced on May 13, which would have been Eric Richins 44th birthday.

Prosecutors, Eric Richins family and Kouri Richins attorneys declined to give statements Monday evening.

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After jurors began deliberating, Kouri Richins attorneys said in a statement that she has maintained her innocence.

Over the past several weeks, the jury has had the opportunity to hear the full evidence  not the headlines, not the speculation, but the facts. We believe in the jury system, and we trust the process, they said.

Contributing: Shelby Lofton
After two days of deliberations, a jury Monday afternoon returned a guilty verdict on multiple counts for Marquis Ellis, a 22-year-old Knoxville man charged with helping carry out a 2024 revenge killing.

Most notably, he was found guilty of first-degree murder and several counts of felony murder. Those will all merge into a single murder conviction as is standard.

He was also found guilty of multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping, among other counts. Jurors also convicted him of a drug count and imposed a $500,000 fine, an amount he likely never will be able to pay.

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"Her smile, her laugh, she was just so contagious," Mejia's family said. "We were optimistic that this monster would never get out of jail, and we win today. It's a step in the right direction for my daughter ... it's been a long, ugly road."

The 26 counts centered around the murder of Danishka Sibaja Mejia and attempted murders of Katia Young and D'Andre Thaxton early April 5, 2024, in the South Knoxville home that Young and Mejia shared.

The murder conviction comes with an automatic life sentence by Tennessee law. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Hector Sanchez informed Ellis of that promptly after jurors returned the verdict.

But Ellis still must be sentenced on other, non-murder counts. For that, Sanchez set a July 17 sentencing date.

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Co-defendant Edward Wilson faces a trial date in Sanchez's court on July 27.

The families of both Mejia and Ellis were present in court, as was Young, who was shot during the 2024 attack. Some of Ellis' family left the courtroom crying as the verdict was read.

Ellis's trial began Monday, March 9. Deliberations began about 3 p.m. on March 13.

Ellis was 20 when authorities said he joined Latawyne Osborne and Edward Wilson late April 4 in a plot to kill Mejia. Osborne, who's already admitted to being the ringleader, was angry because Mejia had reported to police hours beforehand that he'd raped her while she was at his West Knoxville home.

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Authorities said Osborne appeared to have a fixation on Mejia. In her phone contacts, he listed her was "Wifey" -- at least until she reported him to the police. At that point, he changed his phone contact for her to "Snake".

Testimony wrapped up Friday morning with an appearance by an expert from the Regional Forensic Center.

She told jurors Mejia died of an overdose from an extreme and deadly amount of narcotics that included fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and other narcotics. Osborne made her snort the drugs  which he brought to the house in a bag  after she declined his order to shoot her housemate or her housemate's boyfriend.

Young, Mejia's roommate, who was pregnant and shot in the hand and arm the night of the attack, and Thaxton, Young's boyfriend, who was also in the house and shot in the neck and shoulder area the night of the attack, both testified during the course of the trial as well.

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Both Young and Thaxton walked the jury through their experiences the night of the attack, beginning with what both of them described as the sound of breaking glass, and ending with them running to a neighbor's house after being shot.

Young said she knew Mejia like the "back of her hand." They'd been dear friends for years, she said.

She testified Ellis was "focused" on her  holding her by gunpoint and forcing her to move around the house she shared with Mejia. She recalled he was small and skinny, like a "fry."

She also testified that she was forced to give Mejia CPR after intruders forced her to ingest a large quantity of drugs. Osborne ordered her to perform the act not to help her but to revive her long enough so she could snort more drugs, she testified.

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Young testified she couldn't revive her friend.

Osborne used Mejia's cellphone to film parts of the attack on the three victims. He then sent the clips to his own phone, a ruse to make it appear he wasn't actually on the scene.

Some of those videos shown to the jury during the trial appeared to show Mejia snorting drugs, with someone in the background of the video encouraging her to keep going. Other videos show her lying in the basement of her home while Young and Thaxton performed CPR.

The prosecution was prepared last year to pursue a strong death penalty case against Osborne. He pleaded guilty to murder and got a sentence instead of life without a chance at parole.

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During the trial, crime scene technicians with the Knoxville Police Department took the stand and showed the jury more than 200 photos of Mejia's house and Osborne's car.

Among the photos included were images of a broken kitchen window, blood in the basement, photos of Mejia's body, a powder-covered plate with straws and a knife, bullet casings and guns. One of the guns shown had a double magazine, which witnesses described as being the gun that Ellis was holding the night of the attack.

In their closing arguments, prosecutors Rachel Hill and Jeannine Guzolek reminded jurors of all the thought that went into attacking Mejia. The defendants armed themselves with guns, got zip ties, got masks, got red bandanas.

Guzolek reminded jurors of Ellis's statement to Knoxville Police Department Detectives Tim Riddle and Chas Terry in which he acknowledged going to Osborne's house to plan the crime and being on the scene as Mejia died.

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During the trial on Thursday, DNA investigator Marla Gray with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said she linked Ellis' DNA to a bottle of ammonia and a semi-automatic rifle found in Osborne's car.

All week, members of victim Danishka Sibaja Mejia's family sat quietly behind the prosecution, comforting each other and steeling themselves as various pieces of evidence were presented.

Mejia's parents, Thomas and Melba Dolias, issued a statement ahead of the start of the trial.

"As we continue our fight for #justicefortita, we respectfully ask for prayers to remain strong during this time of deep grief. The trial for one more of the defendants is set to begin Monday, March 9th, and we look forward to the maximum level of justice to be served so our daughter Danishka will be closer to resting in peace."

Wilson faces trial this summer.

Osborne's mother, Angela Greenberg, is also awaiting trial on charges alleging she tampered with evidence and was an accessory after the killing.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A 17-year-old will spend three to 20 years in prison for driving intoxicated when he killed a 10-year-old boy who was a passenger in another vehicle.

Henrry Norberto initially pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence, resulting in death or substantial bodily harm.

Las Vegas teen driver accused of killing boy, 10, accepts plea deal for sentencing

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According to court documents, the prison sentence agreed upon between the Clark County District Attorneys Office and Norbertos defense attorney was three to 15 years. But Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus instead sentenced him on Monday to three to 20 years in prison.

Kids going to prison is bad. Kids going to the cemetery is worse, Holthus said.

Henrry Norberto initially pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to driving a motor vehicle while under the influence, resulting in death or substantial bodily harm. (Joshua Peguero/KLAS)

The prison sentence, however, wasnt enough for Brandon Martinezs parents, who wanted at least 10 years.

Every day we got to wake up with the heartache that Brandon is no longer with us, and that we didnt get the justice that he deserves, Brandons mother, Amy Davila, said after Norberto was sentenced. Our justice system is a joke.

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Norberto was 16 at the time of the crash. Martinez died on June 28, 2025, near the Interstate 15 corridor and the Las Vegas Speedway.

10-year-old killed in wrong-way crash near Las Vegas Speedway

Nevada State Police said Norberto was driving a Ford F-250 pickup truck south on northbound lanes when he crashed into a Chevrolet pickup truck. Brandons father was driving the Chevy, and Brandon was sitting in the passenger seat.

Norberto was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol when he was driving on the wrong side of the highway, according to Clark County prosecutors.

Davila expressed frustration and disappointment with the judges and prosecutors in her sons case.

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These are the people who are supposed to be protecting our families, who are supposed to be protecting our kids, Davila said.

Norberto will receive 262 days of credit for the time hes already served in the Clark County Detention Center, which means he could be released in two years for killing Brandon.

We have to relive this nightmare every single day. We dont have our son. My youngest Christian doesnt have his brother, so our family is just incomplete, Davila said.

Throughout Norbertos court appearance, Davila held a framed photo of her son Brandon. His father cried in court as Norberto apologized.

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I hope I can be forgiven by the family and everybody else that I affected. I know an apology wont change anything, Norberto said.

Norberto will also have to pay Martinezs family about $16,000 in restitution. Davila said people should pay more attention to who they vote for as judges and Clark County District Attorney.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City man pleaded guilty on Monday for shooting and killing his brother last year in Sugar Creek, Missouri.

Jacob Ackerman entered a guilty plea in Jackson County District Court for charges of voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. He has been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison  15 years for voluntary manslaughter and another 5 for armed criminal action.

Mother pleads guilty in death of 5-year-old who fell from 17-story KC apartment

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According to court documents, Sugar Creek police officers responded to a welfare check on July 2, 2025, near 291 Highway and 210 Highway.

The person who called law enforcement was a family member of the victim. They told police that they tracked the victim through the Life 360 app and saw that he had not moved in about seven hours.

The relative then gave law enforcement the location of the victims phone through the app, leading them to a nearby pond.

According to court records, when Sugar Creek officers arrived, they reported seeing a man lying on his back with a gunshot wound to the back of his head.

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At the scene, police described there being several miscellaneous items around the victim, including shoes, an alcoholic beverage, an electronic vaping cigarette, clothing items and a pocket knife  all of which was collected as evidence.

Hours later, relatives of the victim contacted officers and said they believed the shooting was a Cain and Abel situation, claiming that Ackerman, the victims brother, was responsible for his death.

Later, relatives contacted police again, reporting that the victims car, a Mercedes CL2, was in the driveway of Ackermans home and that he had left and driven to a McDonalds in Kansas City.

Kansas City police were called to the fast food chain on reports of a disturbance and asked Ackerman to get out of his car. Ackerman cooperated with law enforcement and exited his van, placing his hands on the back of his head without being asked.

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While being detained, court documents say the victims family asked Ackerman why he killed the victim. Police said he simply looked at the family member with a blank stare on his face.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

After Ackerman was taken into custody, relatives told law enforcement that the suspects mental health had been declining for a while and that he had been jealous of the victim for most of his life.

They also showed police a selfie that the victim had taken in the same spot where he was killed. Court records say Ackerman and a dog were seen in the photo.

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The relative also told police that they had allowed Ackerman to use their debit card, and after going through bank records, investigators say he had used the card at a Quickway gas station near the area where the victims body was found.

Additionally, surveillance footage from the gas station showed Ackerman and the victim riding in the same car.

Court documents say that while being questioned, Ackerman denied an attorney and told police he did not know where his brother was.

When told that the situation looked bad, police said Ackerman responded with, If it looks bad, then its bad.

Law enforcement eventually obtained warrants to search his vehicles and his property. Court records say police found the same clothing Ackerman had been wearing in the selfie during the search.

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While his home was being searched, detectives with the Jackson County Sheriffs Office began interviewing Ackerman. During this interview, court records say he admitted to shooting the victim in the head.

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Court documents say Ackerman told police he shot the victim because they had gotten into an argument over a girl.

When asked about the weapon, Ackerman claimed not to know where he had put the gun he used. However, he later gave officers a handwritten note, admitting that he had hidden the gun in the attic crawl space under the insulation, court records say.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of association. This right means the government cannot force someone to associate with another against that individuals wishes or beliefs. In Janus v. AFSCME, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the freedom of association applies in the employment context. Specifically, the Supreme Court ruled that government entities could not force government employees to pay union fees as a condition of employment.

In Kentucky, the General Assembly has taken that principle a step further. Since legislators passed HB 1 in 2017, private employers may not require employees to pay union fees as a condition of employment. These types of laws are commonly known as Right to Work. By enacting Right to Work in Kentucky, the General Assembly affirmed its stance that employees should be free to associate with a union or not. Between the Janus decision and Right to Work, the freedom of association for most professions is secure in the Commonwealth. This is a huge win for occupational freedom. However, there is still at least one major profession that does not currently completely benefit from the freedom of association  the legal profession.

Currently, those who wish to practice law in Kentucky state courts must join the Kentucky Bar Association. Attorneys who have been practicing for less than five years must pay $220 per year, while those who have been practicing for more than five years must pay $310 per year. A portion of those dues cover the Bar Associations duties to oversee discipline of attorneys and to administer admission of new attorneys  expenses associated with the regulation of the practice of law.

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However, the Bar also spends money on things outside the regulation of the practice of law  member benefits, magazines, and even legislative advocacy. None of these expenses are inherently wrong, but should attorneys be forced to fund these extras? I think not, and members of the General Assembly agree.

To restore the freedom of association to attorneys in Kentucky, Representative Steve Doan introduced HB 526, AN ACT relating to members of the bar. HB 526 removes the requirement that Kentucky attorneys join the Kentucky Bar Association and prohibits any mandatory fees beyond those needed to cover the costs of admission to practice law and attorney discipline. The bill does not eliminate the Kentucky Bar Association; rather, it makes membership in the organization optional, giving attorneys the freedom to determine if they want to associate with the Bar Association or not.

If the Kentucky Bar Association wants to remain the main organization for Kentucky attorneys, it will need to prove the value of its membership fees  just like any other organization. I am a member of the Federalist Society because I support its mission. So, I willingly pay dues every year to renew that membership. And I would be open to continuing my membership with the Kentucky Bar Association if the General Assembly passes HB 526. However, it is the choice that matters. Every Kentucky attorney deserves the right to decide which organizations they want to join and those they wish not to associate with.

HB 526 simply realigns the Kentucky legal profession with our constitutional rights. It is not an assault on the legal profession, democracy, or even the Kentucky Bar Association. Rather, the bill is an endorsement of the freedoms and values that have made our country and Commonwealth so great. I urge the General Assembly to enact HB 526 into law, thereby returning the freedom of association to Kentucky attorneys.

Photo by Robb McCormick Photography www.robbmccormick.com 2021 (Jesse Green/Robb McCormick Photography www.robbmccormick.com)

Jesse Green is a conservative activist and attorney from Jessamine County. He currently serves as Youth Chair for the Republican Party of Jessamine County. You can find him on X: @JesseGreenKY.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentucky lawmakers have moved swiftly to override Gov. Andy Beshears veto of House Bill 1.

The education-related bill has become a major priority this session for the GOP-led General Assembly. Beshear and the bills opponents argue they see the proposal as a back-door for vouchers.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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So the answer is not diverting students and public tax dollars, state or federal, away from public education. The answer is investing in our public education, Rep. Adrielle Camuel (D-Lexington) said.

There is not one single dollar of state money that is being put at risk, House Speaker David Osborne (R-Prospect) said.



The House held the override vote on House Bill 1 shortly after gaveling in on Monday afternoon. The bill would enjoin Kentucky with a federal school choice tax credit program created by the Trump administration that allows donors to scholarship-granting organizations to claim a $1,700 tax credit.

So if a scholarship-granting organization services ten students, and they receive 50 $1,700 donations, which, by the way, these donors can give more than $1,700. Thats just what the tax credit is capped at. Thats $8,500 per student. And that can go in any direction, HB1 cosponsor Rep. TJ Roberts (R-Burlington) told FOX 56.

If they think a $2,000 scholarship or whatever is, $3,000, is going to get them in a private school, they better be thinking about 15 or $20,000, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian said during the override debate.

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Democrats argued there should be greater attention given to investing in existing public school budgets and referred back to the 2024 vote defeating school choice Amendment 2. Republicans, including some who openly opposed school choice, argued the measure can also benefit those in public schools.

Every single one of the 80 members of the House majority will stand here today and override this veto. Every single one. Those are people that are for school choice. Those are people that are against school choice, Osborne said during the debate.

The veto was overridden mostly on party lines, with six Democrats not voting. The Senate will also have to vote on a veto override, which could happen as soon as Tuesday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
There are several schools in Kentucky and Indiana that are operating on a two-hour delay Tuesday due to weather concerns.

As of 9:30 a.m., Christian Academy of Carrollton, Canaan Community Academy, West Washington Schools and Meade County School District have announced a two-hour delay.

Nelson County Schools and Crawford Co. Community Schools are closed.

Spencer Co. Schools - KY, North Harrison Comm. Schools, Switzerland Co Schools and Lanesville Community Schools are under virtual instruction.

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Switzerland County School Corporation posted on social media that they decided to close schools due to "isolated areas of black ice."

Meade County School District said their delay was due to "weather impacts affecting travel conditions in the north end of the county."

Several Kentucky cities, including Louisville, are under a Winter Weather Advisory Tuesday until 9 a.m.

We will update this story with more information as we learn more.

For a full, updated list of school closings, click here.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Kentucky State Police (KSP) have arrested a caseworker employed at the Kentucky State Penitentiary after investigating a report of an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.

KSP says on March 16 at 3:40 p.m., Troopers received a call from the Kentucky State Penitentiary advising that an employee had been observed on security footage allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with an inmate. Troopers and a detective responded to the scene and opened an investigation. The employee has been identified as Alysta Mathis, 26, of Dawson Springs.

Man arrested for alleged rape, providing drugs to minor

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KSP notes based upon the preliminary investigation, including review of video footage, Mathis was arrested and charged with Rape 3rd Degree and Sodomy 3rd Degree. She was transported to the Crittenden County Jail.

Troopers note the investigation remains 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Kenya said Moscow agreed to no longer recruit its citizens to fight in Ukraine. African nations have sought to limit Moscows efforts to recruit their nationals following reports that the Kremlin had duped many by promising enticing jobs, only to send them to the front lines.

The agreement with Kenya could deliver a further blow to Russia, which has suffered a series of battlefield setbacks in recent weeks. Kyivs strikes on Moscows energy infrastructure have impeded Russia from benefiting from higher oil prices sparked by the war in Iran, while its capacity for sustaining hostilities is dwindling amid cooling economic growth and rising human losses, The Jamestown Foundation argued.
NAIROBI, March 17 (Reuters) - A court in Kenya on Tuesday charged two men with transporting wildlife illegally after one of them, a Chinese national, was arrested at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with more than 2,000 live ants last week.

Zhang Kequn, 27, was detained last Tuesday while attempting to leave the country, court documents showed. Kenyan immigration officials had flagged his passport with a "stop order" after he evaded arrest in the country last year.

Prosecutors arraigned a second person, Charles Mwangi, on Monday, accusing him of supplying live ants to foreign traffickers. Authorities linked Mwangi to a shipment of ants seized in Bangkok on March 10, which originated from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.

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Zhang and Mwangi pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi, including dealing with wildlife species without a permit. The court ordered both men to be remanded in custody, pending further directions in the case on March 27.

Ant enthusiasts pay large sums to maintain colonies in large transparent vessels known as formicariums, which offer a literal window into the species' complex social structures and behaviours.

Four men were fined $7,700 each last year for trying to traffic thousands of ants valuable to Kenya's ecosystem, in a case that experts said showed a move in biopiracy from trophies like elephant ivory to lesser-known species.

(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo and Vincent Mumo Nzilani; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Pooja Desai)
President Donald Trump appeared to be the centerpiece of a major festival in Spain, but not in the way he might have hoped.

The 79-year-old presidents image was the focus of several caricatured effigies, or ninots, at this years Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain.

One falla featured models of Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu below a sitting devil. / Eva Manez / Eva Manez/REUTERS

The traditional festival celebrates the citys patron saint, Saint Joseph, with a five-day ceremony from March 15 to March 19, during which revelers create towering cardboard-and-papier-mache monuments filled with fireworks called fallas.

The Trump effigy carried a missile and wore a MAGA hat. / Eva Manez / Eva Manez/REUTERS

Individual ninots are combined to create the massive fallas, which are paraded through neighborhoods until La Crema, or the Burning, around midnight on March 19, when the fallas are burnt as giant bonfires.

One falla depicted Trump as Santa Claus holding a missile that read

Oftentimes, global political figures and events are satirized in creative ways at the festival, and Trump was a muse for many at this years event.

A crowned Putin and a model of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro appeared beside Santa Trump in the scene. / Eva Manez / Eva Manez/REUTERS

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Some fallas depicted Trump standing on or carrying bombs or missiles, no doubt in reference to the presidents surprise war on Iran launched just over two weeks ago.

One falla shows Trump in his signature suit and tie standing on a missile. / Eva Manez / Eva Manez/REUTERS

Others depict the leader of the free world cozied up to other world leaders, especially Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump and missiles were a common theme at this year's Fallas de Valencia. / Eva Manez / Eva Manez/REUTERS

One example shows a massive, naked Trump sitting on a fancy chair, as he said during a Monday press briefing, while a smaller, shirtless Putin sits on Trumps shoulder and plants a crown on his head.

One falla depicts a massive, naked Trump being crowned as king by a small, shirtless Putin with a machine gun sitting on his shoulder. / JOSE JORDAN / Jose Jordan/AFP via Getty Images

A missile with the words Sigo siendo el rey, or Im still the king, protrudes from the Trump effigys crotch.

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Another falla features a Trump effigy carrying a baby bottle and a baby-sized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whos wielding a rifle, close to his chest.

The figure of Trump read

Earlier this month, Trump blasted Spain, a longtime ally, for initially refusing to let the U.S. use its military bases to launch strikes against Iran.

Now, Spain actually said that we cant use their bases, and thats alright, we dont, Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on March 3. We could use their base. If we want, we could just fly in and use it.

Nobodys going to tell us not to use it, but we dont have to, he added. But they were unfriendly.

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The president then threatened to cut off all trade with Spain, and did so again on Wednesday, but no official embargo has been imposed.

The president has desperately pleaded for assistance from allies abroad to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but manyincluding Spainhave been hesitant to heed the call.

Spain will never accept any stopgap measures, regarding the Strait of Hormuz reopening, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said, according to NBC News, because the objective must be for the war to end, and for it to end now.

Other major allies, including the United Kingdom and Australia, have outright refused to send warships to the Middle East to aid the U.S. as Trump requested.

The Daily Beast reached out to the White House for comment.
The Scoop

The blast radius from the Justice Departments much-criticized settlement with Live Nation continues to widen, spurring a call to strengthen federal oversight of antitrust reviews.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., plans to introduce legislation on Tuesday that would broaden the judiciarys abilities to approve  or reject  antitrust settlements, and give state attorneys general a say into federal settlement approvals. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., is pursuing companion legislation in the House.

Live Nation managed to squash calls for a full divestiture of Ticketmaster, including from within the US governments own antitrust division, instead settling with the DOJ days before trial. The result was a promise to get rid of a handful of concert venues and pay $280 million in fines.

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With Live Nation, the American people got the raw end of the deal, Klobuchar said. She said her legislation would ensure courts have the tools to independently review settlements and approve only those that benefit the American people.

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Its unlikely that the Democrat-only bill will gain any traction in a Republican-controlled Congress that seems overtorqued to inaction, especially given Iran, immigration, and many other competing priorities. Still, Klobuchar, who is running to become Minnesotas next governor, has been fighting for stronger antitrust provisions for a long time and may have found a bipartisan hook in Live Nation.

The bill calls for bolstering government disclosure requirements, including how the proposed settlement remedies antitrust issues, previous settlement offers, side deals, and all communications related to the settlement.

It also would apply review to the Federal Trade Commission, strengthen court review, and allow state attorneys general to intervene in Tunney Act hearings.

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The Tunney Act is a little-known piece of legislation introduced in the wake of the Watergate scandal. It prevents the DOJ from unilaterally imposing a settlement without approval from a judge. (It bears noting that approvals are almost guaranteed: a judge has only ever rejected one DOJ settlement under the act.)

But Live Nations deal may test that. The DOJs own attorneys, who had spent years preparing for the trial, were unaware of the deal until just before appearing before Judge Arun Subramanian. Live Nations outside lobbyists were working directly with DOJ leadership to strike a deal, as Semafor scooped, sidestepping the antitrust unit and its former chief, Gail Slater. (Slater was ousted shortly after that report, with Live Nation lobbyist Mike Davis publicly taking credit for her firing.)

Dozens of attorneys general have also refused to accept the DOJ-brokered deal and plan to continue to fight it in federal court.
The U.S. counterterrorism official who resigned Tuesday had been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump through his 2020 election defeat, the Jan. 6 riots and years of conservative media advocacy and failed congressional bids.

But Trumps war in Iran and his alliance with Israel against the Islamic clerics who led the Tehran government were too much for Joe Kent.

Resigning as director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Kent said Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and he asserted that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

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A 45-year-old special forces combat veteran with ties to right-wing extremists, Kent was considered as much of a loyalist as Trump could have in the government's top counterterrorism post.

Here's what to know about Kent and his departure from the administration.

What Kent said about Iran is at odds with Trump's explanations

Kent's stated reasons for resigning run counter to Trump's insistence that Iran was poised to attack the U.S.

On Feb. 28, the day the U.S. and Israel launched the first airstrikes, Trump said this about Iran: Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.

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In a resignation letter to Trump, Kent countered that high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign ... to encourage a war with Iran.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, whose office oversaw Kents work, wrote in a social media post Tuesday that it was up to Trump to decide whether Iran posed a threat.

After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion, Gabbard wrote in the post. She did not mention her own views of the strikes.

Kent had antisemitic ties  and defended Jan. 6 riots

His reference to Israel and claims about Jewish Americans' political influence highlight Kent's previous ties to antisemitism and right-wing extremism. It's an antisemitic trope to suggest Jewish Americans have disproportionate control of media narratives.

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During his Senate confirmation hearings, Kent acknowledged that during one of his two failed congressional campaigns a political consultant set up a call joined by Nick Fuentes. A popular right-wing influencer, Fuentes has said that Jews are holding the U.S. hostage and once proclaimed that Hitler was awesome, Hitler was right.

During his 2022 House campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures.

Before running for Congress, Kent echoed a conspiracy theory that federal agents had somehow instigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well as false claims that Trump won the 2020 election over President Joe Biden. Kent has called for the impeachment of Biden and an investigation into the 2020 election. Hes also called for defunding the FBI after the search at Trumps Mar-a-Lago home for classified documents.

Kent later disavowed some of his right-wing ties and said he rejected all racism and bigotry. During his Senate hearings, he declined to distance himself from his 2020 election denialism.

An intel veteran, Kent was in charge of assessing terrorist threats

Kent was confirmed in July on a 52-44 Senate vote that fell almost entirely along party lines. Every Democrat opposed his nomination, citing his right-wing ties. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., was the lone GOP vote against Kents confirmation.

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In his post, Kent led an intelligence agency that was created after the 9/11 attacks to analyze and detect terrorist threats. Among other tasks, the agency maintains the U.S. governments list of known and suspected terrorists.

Before his confirmation, Kent worked as chief of staff for Gabbard. A former Green Beret, Kent was deployed to 11 combat missions, mostly in Iraq, during 20 years in the Army.

After his retirement in 2018, he became a paramilitary officer with the CIA and served as a counterterrorism adviser to Trumps 2020 presidential reelection campaign. He was a regular on conservative cable shows and podcasts before and during his 2022 and 2024 congressional bids.

After his wife was killed, Kent spoke out against the war on terror

Kent's first wife, Shannon Smith, was a Navy cryptologist killed by a suicide bomber in 2019 while fighting the Islamic State group in Syria.

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After Smith's death, Kent spoke out against U.S. intervention around the world.

That is why I have a skepticism of our federal government, he said of his wife's death, adding that she died because Republicans and Democrats consistently lied to the American people to keep us engaged in wars abroad.

During the U.S.s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Kent tore into the defense industry and permanent ruling class in Washington. He suggested some proponents of foreign nation building were naive, while others were driven by far more cynical motives.

It speaks to our hubris, Kent told reporters while campaigning for Congress. For us not to have learned from all this just shows that there are people making money and making their careers at the other end of it. Theyve been doing it on the backs and dead bodies of U.S. soldiers.

In his administration posts, Kent emphasized anti-cartel efforts

Trump was effusive when he nominated Kent in February 2025.

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Joe will help us keep America safe by eradicating all terrorism, from the jihadists around the World, to the cartels in our backyard, Trump said on social media.

At his Senate confirmation hearings, Kent focused most heavily on drug cartels in Latin America  not the Middle East.

President Trump is committed to identifying these cartels and these violent gang members and making sure that we locate them and that we get them out of our country, Kent told Senate Intelligence Committee members.

As Gabbards chief of staff, Kent told an intelligence analyst to revise an assessment of the relationship between the Venezuelan government and a transnational gang. The revisions supported Trumps assertions that members of the gang could be removed under the Alien Enemies Act, which has typically been considered a wartime law.

He was on the infamous national security Signal chat

During his confirmation hearing, Democratic senators peppered Kent with questions about his participation in a group chat on Signal that was used by Trumps national security team to discuss sensitive military plans.

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The Signal chat, which mistakenly included a journalist at The Atlantic magazine, showed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth providing the exact timings of warplane launches and when bombs would drop in attacks against Yemen's Houthis in March 2025. The disclosure of typically classified information came before the men and women flying those attacks were airborne.

It became an embarrassing flashpoint for the administration, though Hegseth, Kent and others faced no consequences from the president.

- Associated Press reporter Brian Slodysko contributed from Washington. Barrow reported from Atlanta.
The Department of Labor launched a new tool Tuesday that gives union members and the public clearer information about how unions spend their money, including their political donations and salaries.

In a conversation with the Deseret News, the director of the Office of Labor-Management Standards, Elisabeth Messenger, explained that the departments previous reporting software did not fully meet the guidelines set by recent accessibility laws. This new software makes the information easier to understand.

Were hoping union members look at the data and see it in a new light, Messenger said.

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Around the nation, about 70% of teachers participate in unions. Annual dues required for a teacher to join a union vary from state to state, but they typically range from around $600-$1,200.

Between 2004-2016, teachers unions political involvement increased, with political donations in the tens of millions. At least 94% of funds contributed to candidates and parties since 1990 have been given to Democrats, Open Secrets reported.

A breakdown of the National Education Association

Educators and union members gather in opposition to HB 267: Public Sector Labor Union Amendments at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The National Education Association has 2.8 million members across the U.S. The unions president, Rebecca Pringle, makes more than $500,000. In the past four years, the positions salary has increased by more than $50,000.

In 2025, NEA gave $123.3 million in gifts, grants and contributions, spent $59.5 million in union administration and put $87.8 million into investments and fixed assets.

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Broken down, the group gave $8.6 million to the NEA Advocacy Fund. Historically, the NEA has given money from this fund largely to Democratic candidates across the states.

In 2025, the NEA also gave $4.2 million to M&R Strategic Services and $3.2 million to Support Our Schools Nebraska. The latter recently ran an initiative against tax-credit scholarships in the state.

The average gross salary for NEA employees and officials working for the D.C.-based headquarters is $119,382. The union spent 24% of its money on contributions, gifts and grants; while 10% was spent on political activities and lobbying and 9% on representational activities.

A quarter of American Federation of Teachers disbursements went to political activity in 2025

The national office of American Federation of Teachers has 1.8 million members. Its president, Randi Weingarten, also makes more than $500,000 annually.

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The average gross salary of the unions employees is $124,143.

While NEAs membership base has decreased since 2022, AFTs has risen by more than 100,000 members in the same time period.

In 2025, 14% of its payments went to political activities, with $500,000 going to the Senate Majority Pac, which is dedicated to building a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate.

It also spent $250,000 on a Democratic legislative campaign committee and gave another $250,000 to the Economic Policy Institute.

Many of AFTs affiliates, including the Montana Federation of Public Employees and New York City Teachers, have also spent significant amounts of money on political activities. With around 19,000 members, the Montana group spent more than 5% of its disbursements on political activities.

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New York Citys AFT chapter, meanwhile, spent $4.6 million on political activities in 2025.

How do teachers unions compare with other unions?

Teachers unions are not alone in their tendency to give significant sums of money to political organizations.

With 1.9 million members, the Service Employees International Union spent over 14% of its disbursements ($53.2 million) on political activities in 2024.

The trend for large unions spending significant amounts of money on political activities continues through at least the 10 largest unions.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spent $64 million on political activities in 2024. Similarly, the United Food and Commercial Workers union spent about $15 million the same year.
Just before Irans supreme leader was killed in an air strike on the opening day of the war, an Iranian official dropped a clue as to who really held the power behind the scenes.

He is one of the very few people who can still meet the leader and has been given the job of rescuing the system, the official told The Telegraph.

The man he was talking about was Ali Larijani, Irans national security chief. Larijani is now dead, Iran has confirmed, the latest of the senior leadership chain to have been assassinated  and perhaps the most important so far.

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The killing of Larijani is fundamentally different from the strike that killed Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader. Khamenei was the head of the Iranian state, the religious authority and the constitutional commander-in-chief.

Larijani, meanwhile, was the man who made the system work. He was thought to have been the de facto leader of Iran since June last year, and was one of the only proper diplomats the Islamic Republic had had in decades.

Ali Larijani had accumulated vast amounts of power in Iran and beyond, including as an envoy to Vladimir Putin - AP

His official job involved managing the flow of information between institutions, coordinating diplomatic channels, suppressing factional infighting, and implementing controlled succession to prevent the system from fragmenting into competing power centres.

It was a role he honed during 30 years of building knowledge as culture minister, state broadcasting chief for 10 years, secretary of the supreme national security council, parliamentary speaker for 12 years, and, most recently, as Khameneis personal envoy to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

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Last month, an Iranian official said: He is officially running everything here.

Ali Larijani with Vladimir Putin in Sochi in 2015 - ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP via Getty Images

The question now becomes whether anyone else in Iran possesses the institutional knowledge, the trust, and the practical understanding of governance required to hold the system together.

The evidence suggests the answer is no.

He gave hardliners cover to make compromises

Irans Islamic Republic was designed as a complex system of overlapping institutions with deliberately competing power centres. It required constant coordination from the supreme leaders office to function coherently.

The president runs the civilian government but answers to the supreme leader. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps controls much of the economy and security apparatus but is theoretically subordinate to the supreme leaders authority.

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The Assembly of Experts selects the supreme leader but exists at his pleasure. The Guardian Council vets candidates for elected office based on criteria the supreme leader defines.

This structure was meant to prevent any single institution from accumulating enough power to challenge the supreme leader while ensuring that nothing could function without his coordination.

The systems weakness is that it requires someone who understands all these moving parts and can make them work together.

Larijanis intimate knowledge of this cannot be transferred quickly or easily replaced. He knew which clerics in Qom wielded real influence, versus those with impressive titles but little power.

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He had spent decades building relationships with Russian officials, Chinese diplomats and regional powers. He knew how to structure negotiations to give hardliners cover for accepting compromises.

When Qassim Soleimani was killed in 2020, Iran replaced the leader of the elite Quds Force with Esmail Ghaani. When nuclear scientists are killed, new scientists can be trained.

But there is no mechanism for replacing the person who knows how to make the entire system work together, because that role was never formalised or even acknowledged.

The question facing Iran now is not whether individual institutions can survive  they can  but whether the system as a whole can function without the people who understood how to coordinate it.

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Although Iran is more exposed than ever, the killing of Larijani does not necessarily portend an end of the war. It has a new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen for weeks. But the assassination of Larijani leaves Iran without anyone to credibly negotiate with the US.

He was the only figure trusted by both Iranian hardliners and foreign governments to structure agreements. This may suit Israelis who want the Islamic Republic to fall, but those looking for a quick way out of a war that is triggering a global energy crisis may be disappointed.
Netanyahu stated that Israel was undermining Iran's regime in order to allow the Iranian people to rise up and replace it, but cautioned that it would not be an easy process.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his greetings to the Iranian people in honor of the Nowruz holiday in a video posted on X/Twitter on Tuesday.

"To the brave people of Iran," Netanyahu began. "I wish you, as I do every year, a happy holiday season, beginning with the festival of lights."

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He added that this year the holiday has "special meaning" and wished the Iranians a "year of freedom" and "a new beginning of hope."

President Isaac Herzog also gave the Iranian people his best wishes for the holiday, telling them "You deserve better. You deserve change. You deserve good."

"I hope that this Charshanbeh Suri will bring with it a real change - change in the region, change in Iran, change for the future of our children," he added.

Netanyahu celebrates assassination of Ali Larijani

Netanyahu released a separate statement on Tuesday, following the announcement that Ali Larijani, Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

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"Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran," Netanyahu said. "Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij  they are the gangsters' assistants who are terrorizing the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities."

Netanyahu stated that Israel was undermining Iran's regime in order to allow the Iranian people to rise up and replace it, but cautioned that it would not be an easy process.

"It will not happen all at once," he said, "But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands."

Netanyahu also celebrated Israel's achievements during Operation Roaring Lion, claiming that Israel is now a "formidable power, almost a global one."

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"The most important thing for winning a war is determination," he said, "The determination of the leaders, the determination of the commanders, and the determination of the people. We are determined to win, and we will achieve these goals."

Israelis were also warned against paying attention to "channels of gloom," as Netanyahu claimed that the nation was achieving "historical milestones."

"What other country has these capabilities? They are all under attack," he said, referring to Israel's successes during the war compared to other countries being attacked by Iran.
Illinois two U.S. senators and a metro-east congresswoman are calling on water providers in Cahokia Heights to increase drinking water monitoring through additional testing after residents found E. coli in samples they collected from their kitchen taps.

The calls for action from U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski are in response to recent community-organized testing results first reported by the Belleville News-Democrat and its partners, St. Louis Public Radio and the Illinois Answers Project.

The community testing detected E. coli in eight of the 118 samples collected from 23 homes over seven months, from June to December. Six of the communitys eight E. coli-positive samples came from the same home in the former city of Centreville.

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Their findings contradict test results from the citys two water providers  private company Illinois American Water and the city of Cahokia Heights. Public records show the water providers sampling outside homes has not detected E. coli in treated drinking water in the past 15 years.

The utilities said in response to the community findings that their water meets regulatory standards.

Lawyers Nicole Nelson, Kalila Jackson and Kennedy Moehrs Gardner and community organizer Maliaka Hill from the nonprofit Equity Legal Services led the water testing program with resident participants and volunteers.

They said Equity Legal Services plans to share the data with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and seek regulatory action in response to the findings.

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The community testing also found total coliforms, a group of bacteria common in the environment, in 26 of the water samples. Regulators say they are generally not harmful, but their presence signals a potential problem with equipment or treatment systems.

Some kitchen tap water also did not meet the minimum state standards for its disinfectant, chlorine, to effectively kill germs as the water travels through pipes to homes, according to the results.

Residents have been raising concerns about their drinking water for years because of longstanding infrastructure problems in the community. Heavy rain forces sewers to overflow onto streets and flood into residents yards and homes.

The only way they can correct this is by doing right by our community and giving us safe water that not only is safe in their plant, but making sure its safe as its going from their plants to reach residents homes, longtime resident Yvette Lyles said.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency previously required increased water monitoring in both water systems over concerns about possible contamination until three years ago. The EPA released Illinois American Water from the mandate in 2023 after determining it met the terms of the order.

Illinois American provides water to residents in the former city of Centreville, where residents say sewage backups have been happening for decades before Centreville, Alorton and Cahokia merged in 2021 to become Cahokia Heights.

The city of Cahokia Heights remains under the EPA order for water monitoring while work on its drinking water infrastructure is ongoing.

Federal lawmakers react to water quality concerns

Duckworth and Durbin have advocated for federal funding for Cahokia Heights to address its infrastructure problems since resident legal action and media coverage beginning in 2020 drew more attention to the issue.

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Budzinski joined them in seeking funding and resources when she was elected in 2023. Her congressional district includes Cahokia Heights.

Together, Duckworth, Durbin and Budzinski in 2023 asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate how decades of flooding and exposure to sewage have affected Cahokia Heights residents health.

Their request followed a BND investigation that found residents were being exposed to bacteria and parasites, according to a Washington University health study, while public health agencies failed to act. The CDC has not committed to a review.

In a recent statement, Duckworth said finding E. coli in drinking water is unacceptable and that further monitoring must be done.

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For years Ive been working to bring awareness to the water infrastructure problems that plague the Metro East and bring in more funding and oversight. Ive been on the ground and seen firsthand the devastation, Duckworth said. Its absolutely unacceptable residents in Cahokia Heights are finding dangerous E. coli in their drinking water, just as its been unacceptable for residents to have sewage backing up in their homes.

Its clear that we need a whole of government approach, bringing together federal, state and local agencies to support a full, comprehensive overhaul of the regions water infrastructure. ... In the meantime, further monitoring must be done to understand the severity of this problem, and I will continue pushing at all levels of government to ensure we get the answers residents deserve.

Durbin also called for more testing from water providers, saying in a statement that the communitys results raise serious alarms.

No one should fear that their drinking water may contain harmful bacteria when they turn on the tap, Durbin said. Community reports of contaminated water raise serious alarms, and Cahokia Heights water providers should immediately expand water testing to ensure that residents can access safe water in their homes. I standby to provide assistance to state and local partners in any way possible.

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Budzinski described the communitys findings as incredibly concerning. She said in a statement that she would contact the state and water providers to ensure additional testing can happen.

The results of these tests are incredibly concerning. Everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and the people of Cahokia Heights have suffered these challenges for far too long, Budzinski said. This situation further underscores the urgency of our ongoing effort to push the CDC to conduct a public health assessment of the region. In the short term, I will be reaching out immediately to the state and utility to ensure additional, thorough testing can be conducted.

The work continues to secure the federal resources needed to address the water infrastructure crisis in the community as a whole.

In a statement responding to the lawmakers calls for action, Equity Legal Services praised Duckworth but offered some criticism of Durbin and Budzinski.

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Equity Legal Services appreciates the attention that federal leaders are now bringing to the recently released community water testing results, the community nonprofit stated. We especially want to acknowledge the engagement of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworths office, her dedication to community-centered leadership, and her offices work to ensure that residents concerns are taken seriously and addressed with urgency.

We stand ready to work with any elected official who is willing to engage directly with residents and prioritize the outcomes the community itself is calling for. At the same time, it is important to recognize that the offices of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski have attended community meetings for years where residents raised these same concerns about water quality and repeatedly shared their experiences, fears, and requests for action. Yet, until very recently those concerns were not reflected in public calls for stronger oversight or intervention.

The organization added that calls for increased water testing are helpful, but it believes the community needs an immediate public health response, including a public health emergency declaration and bottled water distributions.

Families should not have to wait for additional rounds of testing to be provided with access to clean, safe drinking water, Equity Legal Services stated.

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Lyles, a resident of more than 30 years, agreed.

Weve already proven it over and over, Lyles said of the Washington University health study and community water testing. How many more tests do we have to take? Why cant you take the scientific, proven facts?

We need more than bottled water, she added. We need to have what we deserve: clean, uncontaminated water.
A bill rewriting the Town of Masons charter to shift responsibilities from the mayor to a newly created town administrator is inching through Tennessees legislature.

Not all of Masons current elected representatives support it.

Rep. Debra Moody, a Covington Republican and the bills House sponsor, said the legislation was brought to her by leaders of the roughly 1,400-person town, which is anticipating growth thanks to Ford Motor Companys BlueOval City manufacturing plant located nearby.

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This is their local proposal to us for getting ready for that growth, Moody told members of the House Private Acts Committee on March 9.

Masons Board of Mayor and Alderman narrowly approved a resolution supporting the proposed changes in February in a 4-3 vote.

The new charters supporters said the proposed shift to a town administrator model was recommended in a 2024 review from the states West Tennessee Planning initiative for communities surrounding BlueOval.

Mayor Eddie Noeman said that he views the change as personal, and stated that the town is not ready yet, according to the minutes of Masons Feb. 3 meeting.

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Noeman did not respond to requests for comment.

The House Private Acts Committee advanced the bill, with one vote of opposition from Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat.

I understand making sure that Mason, in particular, is prepared for growth, Pearson said. But to my colleagues, I also think that is a little bit concerning how close that vote is  being a 4-3 decision. It isnt an overwhelming majority of people who want these changes that are being offered in Mason.

The bill will next be heard by the Houses state and local government committee. Should it ultimately pass in both the House and Senate, the new charter would need to be approved by two-thirds of Masons board of Mayor and Aldermen to go into effect.

A turbulent history

Masons charter is a sensitive topic for the majority-Black and Democratic community, who in 2022 faced a request from state Comptroller Jason Mumpower to cede its charter and dissolve its 153-year-old township, turning over governance to the majority-white and Republican Tipton County.

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Mumpower sent letters to Masons 1,337 property owners in 2022 urging them to encourage Masons officials to relinquish its charter due to the towns debt and financial mismanagement under previous town administrations.

Then-Vice Mayor Virginia Rivers called the comptrollers actions akin to a hostile takeover.

But Masons elected leaders pushed back, coming to an agreement with Mumpower that kept Mason under local control and laid out a plan to right the towns finances.

Mason, Tennessee Mayor Eddie Noeman, and Christa Poindexter, yell at each other during a Tuesday meeting of the Mason Board of Alderman. Naeman supported the creation of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center; Poindexter did not. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Several months later, Noeman defeated Rivers and two other candidates in a contentious race to be Masons next mayor.

Noeman  a businessman who also previously served as an alderman and vice mayor  pledged during his campaign to bring business to the town.

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In August, Noeman backed a contract with private prison corporation CoreCivic to reopen the West Tennessee Detention Facility and operate it as a detention facility for immigrants. The board approved the deal after a chaotic meeting, during which Noeman engaged in a personal shouting match with an opposing constituent.

Local debate

Alderman Alethea Harris presented the proposed charter revisions at the Board of Mayor and Aldermens Feb. 3 meeting, noting previous recommendations that the town administrator model would make the town more efficient and streamlined to plan for upcoming urban growth with Fords arrival, the meeting minutes state.

The board voted on the issue twice in 2025, unanimously supporting that goal each time, she said. But drafting issues prevented a bill from moving forward in the state legislature that year.

Rivers said that the proposed changes were reviewed by University of Tennessees Municipal Technical Advisory Service.

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The Town will still own the Charter, Rivers said, according to the minutes. Were just trying to make corrections and move forward.

Rivers did not respond to a request for comment.

Noeman and Alderman Carolyn Catron suggested having a town hall meeting to explain the charter revisions to residents, but others noted that the meetings agenda was public.

Catron said the charter changes would leave the mayor with little power, and Noeman said the addition of an administrator would add extra cost to the 2-square-mile towns budget.

Virginia Rivers, Mason, Tenn. (Photo: John Partipilo)

The board ultimately approved the resolution with support from Rivers, Harris, Alderman Mary Mason and Alderman Trowanna Broadnax.

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Noeman, Catron and Vice Mayor Reynaldo Givhan voted against the resolution.

Proposed charter changes

Under the proposed bill, Masons mayor would serve as the executive head of the town, preside at all meetings, serve as the towns official representative and spokesperson, build partnerships with civic groups and advocate for Masons interests.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen would appoint a town administrator, who would serve as a town employee at the boards will.

The town administrator would be responsible for day-to-day operations and business, preparing a recommended municipal budget, presenting reports to the board, recommending public service improvements and projects, and overseeing purchasing and cash flow.

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The administrator would also recommend employee positions, suggest qualifications and job descriptions, as well as employing, promoting, disciplining and firing employees. The board would appoint all department heads, who would be hired and fired at the boards will.

The new charter language would also specify that the mayor does not have any oversight of the Town Administrator and shall not impede, interfere or undermine the administrators job or function. The mayor would have no oversight and would not be responsible for the towns day-to-day operations, according to the bill.

Other Tennessee towns have instituted this type of government. Atoka, a town of about 10,600 also located in Tipton County, gives similar authority to the town administrator in its charter. But Atokas charter lacks language specifically barring mayoral interference with the administrators work.

The proposed changes to Masons charter also positions the town administrator as a buffer between aldermen and town personnel, limiting direct contact between town employees and aldermen to information-gathering purposes that assist aldermen in their collective responsibilities, the bill states.
A new lawsuit opposing the breakup of a federal climate and weather lab alleges that the move is part of a Trump administration retribution effort against the state of Colorado.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), a nonprofit consortium of 129 schools that manages the lab, sued the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

UCAR alleged that the breakup of the Boulder-based National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) was part of an effort to punish Colorado for refusing to give up its authority over elections as well as over its legal actions against former county clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted of election interference.

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Peters is serving a nine year sentence and has been a major part of President Trump feuds with Colorado. Prosecutors accused her of stealing a county employees security badge to help a man connected with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell gain access to the countys voter systems.

When Colorado refused to accede to attempts to infringe upon its sovereignty, the Agencies launched a widespread and coordinated campaign of punishment and coercion, the lawsuit stated. UCAR and NCAR are collateral damage.

According to the suit, the Trump administration has taken actions including the transfer of a supercomputer built by UCAR and termination of an agreement with NOAA to fund climate adaptation research. It also accused the NSF of saddling UCAR and NCAR with disparate and undue reporting requirements that create pointless bureaucratic burdens and imposing gag orders that unconstitutionally restrain the speech of UCAR and NCAR officials.

The Agencies ultimate apparent goal is to destroy NCAR entirely, alleged the suit, which asked the court to stop the Trump administrations actions.

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In December, OMB Director Russell Vought announced that the science foundation will be breaking up NCAR, which predicts severe weather, models flooding, forecasts air quality and conducts climate research.

Vought called it one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.

An NSF spokesperson declined to comment, saying the agency doesnt comment on pending litigation. The Hill has reached out to the other agencies named in the suit for comment.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Nevada Supreme Court has disciplined the attorney who represented the man who attacked a Las Vegas judge after finding the lawyer failed to promptly handle his clients appeal.

Carl Arnold represented Deobra Redden during Reddens criminal proceedings and appeal following the court incident.

On Jan. 3, 2024, Redden, 33, attacked Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus as Holthus was sentencing him to prison in another case, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported that day. In December 2024, Clark County District Court Judge Susan Johnson sentenced Redden to 26 to 65 years in prison.

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During his trial, Redden pleaded guilty but mentally ill after Holthus and her law clerk testified.

FILE  Duane Keffe D Davis, left, who is accused of orchestrating the 1996 slaying of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, listens to his attorney Carl Arnold during a hearing at the Regional Justice Center, on July 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)

In January 2025, Arnold began the appeal process. Amid the process, the court referred an issue regarding court notices and orders to the Nevada State Bar. In its conditional admission agreement posted Friday, Arnold admitted to violating rules regarding diligence, expediting litigation, misconduct and other conduct guidelines.

The current matter involves one grievance arising from Arnolds failure to comply with this courts notices and orders relating to a clients appeal from a criminal conviction, the court wrote in the document. Arnold admitted to failing to timely file a rough draft transcript request, failing to file a docketing statement, failing to review transcripts for appeal, failing to prepare an opening brief, and failing to file an appendix despite this courts notices and orders. Arnold was removed as counsel of record.

In December, Reddens new attorneys with the Clark County Public Defenders Office filed their appeal, claiming that, in that part, Arnold was ineffective.

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The court suspended Arnold for six months but stayed the suspension for one year. The panel also ordered him to pay a $2,500 fine.

I appreciate, understand and will comply with the Supreme Courts ruling, Arnold said in a statement Monday. I never intentionally would miss a courts deadline and instructions, but I will always exhaustively extend myself to help others and be their voice when facing this criminal justice system.

Arnold represented Duane Keffe D Davis, the man accused of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur, until last summer.

It was not clear when the high court would hear Reddens appeal or issue its ruling.

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Threats and harassment made against the lives of attorneys and judges might be more common than one would think. Utah attorney Stephen Kelson said during a presentation to his legal peers that its not talked about enough.

In 1927, Utah Judge Tillman Davis Johnson was shot three times while on the bench by a widow unhappy with the settlement and dismissal of her husbands wrongful death case. Though injured, he survived.

The last time an attorney was killed in the state was in 1985, when Ronnie Lee Gardner was slipped a gun by his girlfriend in an attempt to flee. Shooting a guard to escape, Gardner then ran to the courthouse archives office, where attorney Michael Burdell was. Gardner fatally shot Burdell.

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Since that time, the Utah legal community hasnt suffered a direct tragedy like these, Kelson said during the Friday presentation at the Utah State Bar 2026 Spring Convention in St. George. However, it doesnt make the Utah legal community immune from national trends.

Have threats of violence increased over the years?

Attorney Stephen Kelson gives his presentation on a new Utah survey showing continued threats and violence toward legal professionals at the Utah State Bar 2026 Spring Convention in St. George, Utah, March 13, 2026

His interest in threats against the legal community began when he was a law student at Brigham Young University. Kelson told the Deseret News that when discussing research paper options, a professor mentioned that no one had written on the topic. So Kelson did.

As a new attorney in Davis County, Kelson said he approached the Utah State Bar in 2006 about conducting a survey because all these news agencies were saying violence against attorneys is increasing, but there was no survey that said so. There was nowhere that they were backing up the information.

The 2006 survey resulted in 904 responses out of the 6,832 state bar members:

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417 threats/violence

63 physical assaults

Over 300 examples of threats and violence

Two years ago, Kelson approached the bar once more to study how the statistics had changed since the first statewide survey. In 2026, there are currently 12,847 licensed attorneys  nearly doubled from 2006  and 1,593 responded to the survey:

703 threats/violence

58 physical assaults

Over 600 examples of threats and violence

Since the 2006 survey, Kelson has reached out to other states across the country where similar  or at times even more severe  results have been found.

The findings also discovered that male attorneys experience higher amounts of threats, but the threats were different from those experienced by their female counterparts, who experienced threats that were more sexual in nature.

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Kelson told the Deseret News that he tries to avoid concluding that society is simply becoming more violent over time. Rather, he looks at the reality of the situation: People in litigation who find themselves on the losing side of a ruling often want to blame someone else.

The survey also found that attorneys who experience the greatest amount of threats and assaults were in family law, criminal prosecution and criminal defense.

In these kinds of cases, youre dealing with individuals that are in high stress and youre dealing with life, liberty, property, youre dealing with family, youre dealing with money, and youre also dealing with people which may already be highly emotional and perhaps even violent, Kelson explained, and when theyre in that kind of state, theres a chance theyre going to act out against someone, and then you have an attorney step in.

Threats against yourself are one thing; against your family is another

During the presentation on Friday, many hands were raised when every attorney who had been threatened was asked to do so.

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Kelson shared responses from the survey that included stalking, threatening to kill the attorney and their children, cutting the brake lines on an attorneys bike, emailing photos of dead or mutilated bodies to threaten the attorney that they were next, and even sending the address of an attorneys childs school to threaten violence to their child there.

Stewart Ralphs, director of Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, which works with victims of domestic violence, was one of many who kept their hand raised when asked who in the crowd had been physically assaulted.

Attorney Stephen Kelson gives his presentation on a new Utah survey showing continued threats and violence toward legal professionals at the Utah State Bar 2026 Spring Convention in St. George, Utah, March 13, 2026.

He told the Deseret News hes been physically threatened twice and physically assaulted once. A woman tried to harm him when he told her they couldnt provide her legal services. She tried to stab me with her pen, he said, and I actually kept the tie that she hit but it didnt pierce my skin.

Jess Couser, who manages a family law firm in Salt Lake City, told the Deseret News shes had opposing parties wish harm on her children, post pictures online of her children, and had her client be told that the judges and attorneys in the case were going to be killed.

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When asked if it ever gets too much to handle or if she has regrets in her choice of profession, Couser said no.

Certainly, there are times when I worry more, like for my children or my spouse, who didnt choose this themselves. But no, usually the ability to make change and have an impact certainly overrides some of the negative.
NEED TO KNOW

At least eight women are dead, and dozens are hurt after a roof collapsed in Pakistan on March 16

The people had gathered at a village store to collect government assistance payments

An investigation is ongoing

At least eight women are dead, and dozens more are injured after a roof collapsed in eastern Pakistan as locals lined up for government assistance payments, according to reports.

On Monday, March 16, a number of women gathered at a shop in Rahim Yar Khan, a district in the Punjab province, to collect financial assistance from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) before Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Associated Press and Pakistani outlets Aaj TV and Dawn reported. Through BISP, low-income families receive 13,000 rupees quarterly, the AP reported.

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The roof fell after the owner of the store asked some of the women to wait on the top of the building, according to the outlet. At least eight people died, and more than 50 people were injured, according to the reports.

An investigation is ongoing, and local officials did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs requests for comment.

Meanwhile, BISP announced that the deceased victims' families will receive one million rupees, with 300,000 rupees going to the injured victims, Dawn reported.

The same day, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari shared his condolences for the victims and their families in a statement.

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President Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident at a pvt payment point in Rahimyar Khan where BISP beneficiary women were also present, he wrote. He directed Sen. [Rubina Khalid] to visit immediately, extended condolences to the bereaved families & prayed for the injured.

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A district spokesperson told Dawn that preliminary reports indicate more than 200 people were at the shop, which also housed a bank payment point. The roof was constructed with substandard materials, which contributed to its collapse, according to the report.

Read the original article on People
According to Barak Gonen, Tehran lost the technological advantage it once held largely due to emigration, with the number of Iranian students abroad reaching a record high in 2024.

Israels national security could one day be at risk if Jerusalem does not address the issue of emigration, Barak Gonen, a cybersecurity expert and lecturer at the Jerusalem College of Technology, warned The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

An unchecked trend of emigration could undermine the countrys technological edge, Gonen said, pointing to a similar dynamic that eroded the Islamic regimes cyber capabilities.

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Gonen noted that despite programs such as NODET, which recruit some of Irans most academically gifted youth, and a population more than 10 times larger than Israels, the Islamic regime has struggled to compete with the Jewish state. He said Tehran lost the technological advantage it once held, despite significant investment, largely because of emigration.

In 2023, the director of Irans Migration Observatory warned that 67% of employees in the countrys high-tech industry were in various stages of the immigration process. The Financial Times reported that the number of Iranian students abroad reached record highs in 2024.

Gonen, who trained in the elite IDF Talpiot program and has a background in intelligence and spyware, told the Post that he has focused his career on ensuring Israel does not experience a similar brain drain.

An Israeli military operative engaged in surveillance mission (illustrative) (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

I was very concerned because, as you probably know, we did some major operations on the Iranians, such as Stuxnet in 2010, and following that, the Iranians understood that they must be more advanced in cyber technology, so they started investing heavily in cyber technology, Gonen said.

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So, I figured out that if I want to protect my country, what I need to do is to raise more people who will be capable of maintaining a logical edge," Gonen continued. "And fast forward to nowadays, we do see that we still have the technological edge, and thats how it should be.

Stuxnet, a joint US-Israeli cyberweapon, targeted Irans nuclear program by sabotaging systems at the Natanz enrichment site.

The national need for a capable cyber force

Gonen said he was once envious of Tehrans NODAT program, which selects top students and provides them with elite education. He worried that they might surpass Israel. When that did not happen, he began to examine why the regimes investment had not produced the expected results.

He said building a capable cyber force requires identifying the top 3% of a population, providing them with strong education, and ensuring they remain in the country. According to Gonen, Iran has failed at that final step.

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I read a few years ago something that caught my eye: The manager of NODAT, he said that, out of 86 of his finest students, who got medals in the physics olympiad, math olympiad, [and the] computer science olympiad, out of 86 students, 82 are living outside Iran, and out of the remaining four, two are in jail because theyre anti-government, Gonen said.

So, when I read that, I figured out that we still have hope, because despite the fact that Iran is raising huge amounts of smart people, if theyre not staying in Iran and contributing to their efforts, then this effort is futile, said Gonen.

While acknowledging that Iranian cyber actors can now operate globally, Gonen said the countries they move to often reflect ideological opposition to the regime.

He cautioned that while Irans brain drain has worked in Israels favor, Israel could face a similar challenge.

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Current reports show that a lot of people are now leaving Israel, and Im worried about that. I wanted people to be aware in order to maintain our competitive technological edge, we must keep all of the good people here, he said.

A study by the Israel Democracy Institute published in December found that roughly one in four Jewish residents of Israel and one in three Arab residents would consider leaving the country, either temporarily or permanently. The nonprofit ScienceAbroad also reported last year that thousands of physicians, medical students, and scientists have left Israel in recent years.

Gonen said he opposes the current right-wing government and noted that friends have advised him to leave if he is unhappy with its policies, despite the work he has done to protect Israels cybersecurity.

Im not saying that anyone should think exactly like me, but what we should make sure is that no part of the population believes that sending abroad any part of the population will solve any problem in our country, he said.

Joanie Margulies and Judy Siegel-Itzkovich contributed to this report.
LIMA  A Lima man was sentenced to a concurrent term of 2 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of tampering with evidence and one count of having weapons under disability.

In what Judge Terri Kohlrieser described as a rare moment, Anthony Davis, 46, pleaded guilty to the two counts but will go to trial on a separate count for felonious assault. The trial is scheduled for March 23.

Before sentencing, the state brought up that Davis had a lengthy criminal past that spanned from the 1990s all the way into the present day. Some of his charges included receiving stolen property, burglary and possession of drugs.

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According to court documents, in July 2025, at around 5:35 p.m., officers from the Lima Police Department were dispatched to a residence in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering a gunshot wound to his right ankle, and he was transported to Mercy Health-St. Ritas Medical Center for treatment.

A witness told police that he and his neighbor, who lived across the street, had issues with a man they identified as Davis for several years and did not get along with him. The witness added that he returned home, and when Davis saw him, he asked him if he wanted to bring it to the street.

He told officers that he walked onto the street, and Davis was on the sidewalk in front of his residence then went inside his residence, returning with a firearm. Davis allegedly pointed the gun at the mans head, backed up and fired the gun toward the ground, striking him on his right ankle.
Law enforcement agencies across the Miami Valley are increasing patrols to crack down on impaired driving during St. Patricks Day.

The day started on Tuesday morning when a driver suspected of being under the influence drove a vehicle into a pond. The crash occurred near the Loves Truck Stop on Interstate 70.

State troopers and local officials are highlighting the incident to encourage the use of safe transportation options, such as the Arrive Safe voucher program, during the holiday celebrations.

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Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck is offering the ArriveSafe program to help residents find alternatives to driving while impaired. The initiative provides a $20 Uber voucher to county residents who scan a designated QR code.

Steve Tieber, the owner of the Dublin Pub in Dayton, joined Heck to emphasize the importance of using such services. Its all about keeping people safe and traveling safe so they dont have to be driving around in their cars while theyre having fun, Tieber said.

Celebrations at the Dublin Pub began early Tuesday morning, with some patrons arriving before dawn. Tanya Thomason, a St. Patricks Day celebrator, said she woke up at 3 a.m. after setting her alarm to play Irish tunes.

She noted that the availability of local resources makes it easier to plan for safety.

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The city of Dayton makes it really easy to be a safe driver today, so theres no sense in driving not safe today, Thomason said.

Patrons at the pub emphasized that they coordinate their transportation before the festivities begin. Shawn Meinhardt, a regular celebrator at the pub, said his group relies on ride-sharing to get to and from the venue.

We Uber every time we come in, Meinhardt said. He described the holiday as a unique social event. At the end of the day, St Patricks Day. Its the best day of the year, man, its the only day you get to party and have a great time, and nobody cares, Meinhardt said.

For many, the day is a significant yearly tradition that facilitates reunions with friends. Meinhardt noted that the event brings together people who may not see each other during the rest of the year.

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I think all of us sitting here look forward to this day every year, because, like this lady here, shes been coming with us for years, but I only get to see her on St. Patricks Day, Meinhardt said.

Some celebrators, including Marian Nevin, plan their work schedules to accommodate the event and the following day. I actually take two days off.

One day St. Patricks Day, another day recoup, Nevin said.

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The owner of a London private members club is reportedly nearing a deal for a Palm Beach venue, where he may seek to create a rival to Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate.

Robin Birley, 68, whose London clubs have hosted the likes of Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Hugh Grant, is close to securing a property for his next venture, which will be partly financed by the billionaire Reuben brothers, The Guardian reported.

Oswalds and 5 Hertford Street, Birleys London clubs, are known for being popular among members of Britains right-wing political establishment.

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Birley is speaking with top interior designers to give the design a distinctly American flavour, sources told the outlet. Plans also currently include an outdoor swimming pool, making the property his most lavish club yet.

Millionaire club owner Robin Birley has been expanding into the US (Getty)

Birleys new property is intended to be more discreet in style than the presidents grand estate, and it will welcome those who own membership to Birleys London venues. The mogul also owns Maxime's, a brand new club on New Yorks Madison Avenue.

The move comes as flocks of wealthy and right-wing figures head for Florida, in particular Palm Beach, where Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort is situated.

Since December 2025, there have been at least 20 large home sales to British buyers, according to Senada Adzem at Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Trump met with former UK prime minister Liz Truss in Mar-a-Lago last month (X/@trussliz)

She said: I personally handle a lot of British clients who are buying in Palm Beach. I have seen an uptick in very wealthy Brits who are not just buying holiday homes, but who are relocating. A lot of them feel like wealth preservation is a good reason to have a primary residence in the area.

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Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss notably travelled to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago. She described Palm Beach as the epicentre of the counter-elite, taking on a New York and Los Angeles-based liberal elite which is destroying the west.

While the UKs far-right leader Nigel Farage also travelled to the area this month, and earlier this year attended a gala at the resort with British socialite Lady Victoria Harvey, the former girlfriend of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) has switched its website domain to a government organization.

Expresslane.org is no longer available; it has been replaced by Expresslane.la.gov.

Bill targeting phone use in crosswalks fails to advance

The OMV made the official transition on Monday. They say the domain change strengthens cybersecurity protections while reinforcing the agencys official government status.

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This transition underscores our commitment to transparency, security, and public service, said Keith E. Neal, OMV Commissioner. A .gov domain clearly signals to residents that they are interacting with an official government website they can trust and helps them distinguish legitimate OMV services from fraudulent websites.

According to the OMV, adopting a government address enhances protection against phishing and spoofed websites.

The agencys homepage and services remain the same, and users who visit the previous web address will be automatically redirected to the new site.

Online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers are encouraged to visit www.expresslane.la.gov to utilize the following services:

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 Drivers license and ID card renewal

 Duplicate drivers license and ID

 Drivers license status check

 Cancel license plate

 Vehicle registration renewal

 Duplicate vehicle registration

 Notice of vehicle transfer

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LUMBERTON, N.C. (WBTW)  A Lumberton man was killed and three others hurt in a Saturday morning wreck on State Route 1528, authorities said.

The two-vehicle wreck involving a van and SUV happened shortly before 8 a.m. when they collided head on.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Joshua Cornelius Mosley of 300 Pearl St. in Lumberton died at the scene.

Three other people sustained undisclosed injuries and were transported to area hospitals.

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* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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French President Emmanuel Macron said his country will never take part in operations to open the Strait of Hormuz as President Trump pushes for other countries to do so amid the conflict with Iran.

We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context, Macron said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

On Monday, Trump pushed for other countries to help in dealing with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has intensely restricted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, where about one-fifth of the worlds oil supply passes through.

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The president on Monday also revealed that he had talked with Macron about help with the Strait of Hormuz, giving the French presidents response an eight on a scale of zero to 10.

But its France. We dont expect perfect, Trump said. I think hes going to help. I mean, Ill let you know.

The Department of Defense on Monday said about 200 U.S. service members had been wounded since the U.S. and Israeli conflict against Iran launched.

Trump went after NATO allies on Tuesday due to hesitance from most of them to participate in the U.S. conflict against Iran.

The United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon, Trump said in a Truth Social post.

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The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

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Conservatives are sounding the alarm on the Make America Great Again movement after a top U.S. counterterrorism official announced his resignation over the war in Iran.

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center and longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, became the highest-ranking official in the administration to announce his departure over opposition to the conflict, writing in a statement on X on Tuesday that he cannot in good conscience back it.

Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, said Kent, a former failed political candidate who served in the Army Special Forces. It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

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In the message, which was directed to Trump, Kent wrote that he supported the presidents values during his first term, and that up until June of last year, the president understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars, Kent continued. You demonstrated this by killing Qasem Soleimani and by defeating ISIS.

Kent claimed that Trump fell victim to a misinformation campaign by Israeli officials and some members of the media  describing it as an echo chamber that was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States.

You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip toward decline and chaos, Kent added of Trump. You hold the cards.

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.



I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr  Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026

While speaking to reporters later Tuesday, Trump responded to the departure: I read his statement. I always that he was a nice guy. But I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security... its a good thing that hes out.

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In a post on X, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said the letter contained many false claims, but argued that Trump had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was poised to attack the United States first.

Yet a number of conservative and right-wing commentators and social media users immediately characterized the exit as bad news for MAGA  while many celebrated the decision.

Podcaster Tim Pool declared on X: The MAGA Coalition is shattered. Trump can say I AM MAGA all he wants, and it may be true, but lost support means MAGA is meaningless.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a former MAGA ally who has turned critical Trump and has publicly criticized the conflict, called Kent a GREAT AMERICAN HERO.

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Whether you agree with him or not, he is acting on his conscience, New York Post columnist Miranda Devine said, as she then referred to his late wife Shannon. He is a highly decorated combat veteran and Gold Star husband whose wife was killed in action in Syria in 2019. He has every right to feel the way he does.

Shawn Ryan, a MAGA podcaster, added that sometimes the most impactful statement you can make is a strong resignation. Its unfortunate its come down to this... I hope this wakes some people up.

The Hodgetwins, a conservative comedy duo, also described Kent as a Patriot.

Just so we get it straight Mark Levin is now MAGA and Joe Kent is a traitor? they joked in a separate post.

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Meanwhile, other supporters and allies of Trump had quite the opposite reaction.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) posted: Good riddance. Iran has murdered more than a thousand Americans... Anti-Semitism is an evil I detest, and we surely dont want it in our government.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer said she had been warning about Kent for a long time now, going on to predict that National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard will step down next.

Fox News host Mark Levin questioned whether Kent was about to be fired but quickly resigned first.

Thats how these things typically work, Levin wrote. Hes part of that radical isolationist Woke Right cabal. Watch how the leftwing media use him to attack the president and the military campaign against Iran.

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With his resignation, Kent joined a group of some voices on the right and supporters of the MAGA movement who have spoken out against the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran, which began on Feb. 28.

Trump weighed in on the fissures over the weekend in a staunch defense of Levin, who has come out in support of the war. The president said that Levin was under siege by critics who have far less Intellect, Capability, and Love for our Country and ARE NOT MAGA, I AM.

When you hear others unfairly attack Mark, remember that they are jealous and angry Human Beings, whose sway is much less than the Public understands, and will, now that they know where I stand, rapidly diminish, Trump wrote on Truth Social late Sunday.

Though recent polling shows most Americans are divided or oppose the war, most Republicans have championed the presidents actions in Iran, including the majority of MAGA.

MAGA is about stopping them cold, and that is exactly what we are doing, Trump added in his post.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Speaking on behalf of every client shes represented over her 44 years advocating in the State House  poor families, people in need of health care, mental health services and food  long-time lobbyist Betsy Sweet recounted that each year lawmakers have told those people the government doesnt have enough money to fully address their needs.

That is what we are told, Sweet said during a budget hearing in February, but it is simply not true.

Sweet, other progressive advocates and the majority of the Taxation Committee are urging the Maine Legislature to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations in order to generate revenue to pay for services for those in need.

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These proposals echo similar efforts from Democrats across the country, including a millionaires tax recently passed in Washington state and a federal billionaires wealth tax to fund direct payments to Americans and expand social welfare programs, though passage of the latter is unlikely given Republican control of Congress and the White House.

These proposals in Maine are not new. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has rejected or opposed them before.

Mills, who is serving her final year in office and running for U.S. Senate, has so far refused to touch income taxes. To address a state budget deficit last year, the governor instead opted to raise sales taxes on cigarettes, cannabis and add a tax on streaming services.

Her record on taxation is one of several stances at odds with her primary opponent, political newcomer Graham Platner, who has called for raising taxes on the wealthy and organized a tax the rich town hall this winter.

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When Sweet first came before the Legislature in 1982, there were 13 billionaires in the United States, according to Forbes list of the wealthiest Americans. Today, there are more than 900. About $79 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90% of U.S. earners to the top 1% since 1975, based on an analysis by the nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

If you ask anyone  Republican, independent, Democrat, anyone in your districts  Does this economic system work for them? You will get the same answer I hear every day, and that answer is: no, Sweet said during the Feb. 19 hearing. And, this is all the result of policy. It is not the result of some inevitable drift that we can do nothing about.

But those on opposing sides of the aisle largely disagree on the policy solution. Members of the Maine Legislatures Republican minority have argued that raising tax rates will drive out business and high-earners to lower-tax states. Studies on the outcomes of such policies have been mixed.

The three bills being considered to increase income taxes in Maine were carried over from last year. They would raise the tax rate on corporations, millionaires and alter the states tax brackets with the intention to provide relief for the middle class.

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But, they were left in limbo in varying postures last year: caught in the Legislatures opaque funding process, tabled on the floor, and recalled back to committee for revisions after initial floor votes. Now, lawmakers hope to take them back up.

The latter, LD 229, was amended by sponsor Rep. Ann Higgins Matlack (D-St. George) last week. The bill seeks to increase the number of tax brackets and add a new top tier for high income earners.

Matlack originally proposed revenue generated from those changes go to the states general fund, not specifying how it ought to be used. Her amended version, which was backed by the Taxation Committee 7-6, instead directs the revenue to other bills that the committee passed with bipartisan support, such as increasing tax credits.

While that change was not enough to change Republicans opposition to the underlying proposal, many commended Matlack for the approach.

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I do understand that we have to look for money to be able to pay for things and I know that our different parties, at times, will pay for things differently, Rep. Tracy Quint (R-Hodgdon) said. But I definitely appreciate the work, and I appreciate the heart behind what youre trying to do.

The amended version would put the expected $77.6 million generated toward increasing the Homestead Property Tax Exemption by $7,000 and raising the maximum amount for the property tax fairness credit from $1,000 to $1,500, as well as add more availability for seniors based on age and income. It would also expand the sales tax exemption for certain grocery staples and exempt diapers from sales tax, which is a bill that the Legislature has held for a while because of its price tag.

As much work as youve done on this, you and I both know you can say you want the money to go to these places  youre on approps, you have a say  but that doesnt mean thats where it will go, Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield) told Matlack, referring to her work on the budget committee.

The Legislatures Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee both sets the budget plan and decides which bills not accounted for in the budget can get funded with whatever money is remaining. Those bills are put on whats called the appropriations table to vie for this funding, often after passing the full Legislature.

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During the last Legislature, less than 10% of bills that made it onto the appropriations table became law.

Thats where one of the other tax bills currently sits.

LD 1879 would raise the tax rate on corporations to support the agricultural economy through various funds and programs, such as the dairy stabilization support fund, agricultural marketing loan fund and business recovery and resilience fund, among others. Its estimated to generate $43 million.

Both chambers passed the bill last year, and then sent it to the table. Lawmakers on the budget committee opted not to fund it last year and carried it over into the current session.

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Meanwhile, the other tax bill  LD 1089, which proposes a millionaires tax to fund education  was narrowly rejected by both chambers last year. Washington state passed its own version of this policy earlier this month.

The proposal in Maine would place an income tax surcharge of 2% on the portion of a residents taxable income beyond $1 million for single filers, $1.5 million for heads of households and $2 million for married people filing jointly. The estimated $64 million generated from such a change would then go toward funding public K-12 education.

LD 1089 remains tabled in the House.

Mills office did not respond to requests for comment on her latest stance on the three measures, but her administration publicly opposed each last year.

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Mills also vetoed an earlier version of Matlacks proposal to change the states tax brackets during the last Legislature.

While describing the bill as well intentioned in her veto message, she argued it wouldnt reduce the tax burden for lower-income people because of the states many exemptions, deductions and credits. The governor also cited possible state budget challenges if Maine were to increase its reliance on a small number of taxpayers whose income is disproportionately composed of often volatile business.

As lawmakers reignite debate on these bills, online ads have been launched by supporters and opponents alike, including the Maine Peoples Alliance and the Maine Heritage Policy Center, respectively.

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A reckoning could be in store for Big Tech after a California woman made disturbing claims in her lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg's Meta, according to Carolina Rossini, director of Public Interest Technology programs at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

What's happening?

In an article for The Conversation republished by Fortune, Rossini examined how a lawsuit against Meta and Google could be one of the most significant bellwether trials in recent history.

The 20-year-old plaintiff in the lawsuit, identified as K.G.M., alleges that Meta, Google, Snapchat, and TikTok made design decisions that caused her addiction to social media, which she started using at age 6. As a result, she says her depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia worsened.

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In the past, attempts to hold tech companies accountable for social media harms have faltered early in court. According to Rossini, that's because they invoke Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields them from liability for user-generated content.

However, K.G.M.'s lawsuit takes a different tack. It asserts that the platforms' engineering and design decisions fuel addiction. In part, the litigation hinges on an infamous 2021 leak of internal documents known as the "Facebook Papers." In those internal communications, Meta employees likened the platform's effects to promoting drugs and gambling.

Reddit users discussing the trial in r/Technology sounded off.

"Zuckerberg found a way to truly exploit everything about these platforms from the users to heuristics to data and beyond," a Reddit user vented.

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"And then weaponize it. Truly a menace," another added.

Why is this important?

In 2023, a Pew Research Center survey found that one-third of teenagers in the United States used at least one of YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook (owned by Meta) almost constantly. K.G.M.'s lawsuit could set a precedent for whether social media platforms can be held responsible for mental health issues in children.

"The K.G.M. trial represents something more fundamental: the proposition that algorithmic design decisions are product decisions, carrying real obligations of safety and accountability. If this framework takes hold, every platform will need to reconsider not just what content appears, but why and how it is delivered," Rossini wrote in The Conversation.

The landmark social media trial is getting underway even as Meta faces scrutiny for its role in the artificial intelligence arms race. Meta has tried to rebrand its energy-hungry data centers as a boon for local economies. Still, residents are increasingly unwilling to accept the trade-offs of allowing such projects to proceed, including air, water, and noise pollution as well as higher energy bills.

What happens next?

Meta and Google are the remaining defendants in K.G.M.'s lawsuit after TikTok and Snapchat settled with the California woman before trial. Ultimately, a jury will decide whether Meta's "internal awareness" of the addictive nature of its products "constitutes the kind of corporate knowledge that supports liability," according to Rossini.

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In the meantime, dozens of U.S. states have passed laws regulating children's social media use. The movement is global as well. Australia has already banned users under 16 from making social media profiles. Denmark, France, Germany, Malaysia, and Indonesia are among the countries that have similar legislation in the works, per TechCrunch.

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.
The Chesapeake Bays crabs are tearing themselves apart. A decades-long study of the blue crabs living along the Maryland coast suggests that cannibalism is so rife that the crabs are their own major predatory force.

Cannibalism is common among the animal kingdomits been witnessed in a diversity of creatures, from caterpillars and praying mantises to giant salamanders and octopusesbut how, where and when it arises is less understood.

In this study, researchers observed 2,687 juvenile crabs between 1989 and 2025. The team tethered the crustaceans to posts at varying times of the year and at varying depths of Marylands Rhode River, a tidal estuary in Chesapeake Bay. After about 24 hours, the researchers would look for signs of predationbasically, if the crabs were dead or injured. Incredibly, they found that a whopping 97 percent of crab killings or injuries could be attributed to cannibalismfish, meanwhile, were nowhere to be found.

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The fact that the crabs were preying on one another wasnt a shock, says Anson Tuck Hines, former director and a scientist emeritus at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and lead author of the study. What was surprising was that we found here no fish predationnot a single instance of fish predation, he says.

All the predation was due to cannibalism by other crabs, he says.

Fisheries Conservation Lab/Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

The way Hines and his team worked out what had killed or maimed the released crabs was by looking for clues in their remains. If the crabs were killed by fish, other research suggested there would be no crab remains left on the end of the tether line. Instead thered be a fishsort of like fishing with live bait, Hines explains. But if the crabs were attacked by their own kind and those crustaceans shell-crushing pincers, youd expect to find bits of carapacecrab shellor an injured crab at the end of the line.

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By the end of the study period, a little more than 40 percent of all the young crabs tethered in the river showed any sign of predation. Of those, about 56 were killed with remains left on the line, the authors found, and about 41 percent were left alive and injuredboth smoking guns for a cannibalistic crab culprit. In just 3 percent of predation cases, the crab went completely missingbut without a fish at the end of the line, the researchers couldnt directly attribute these disappearances to any specific cause. (Still, even in those cases, the predators were presumed to be adult crabs.)

Hiness research suggests that estuaries such as the Rhode River may provide an important refuge for the bays young blue crabs, which try to survive by burrowing themselves into the sediment. Fish tend to be visual predators, he says, whereas blue crabs use chemical and tactile cuesthey dig around in the sediment to hunt, which might, in some areas, make them better at uncovering a hidden young crab.

The results could help fisheries better assess the blue crab stock in the Chesapeake Bay, information which matters for another well-known crab predator: us. Indeed, an estimated 50 percent of all blue crabs harvested in the United States for consumption comes from the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland Republicans on Tuesday blamed Democratic policies for the states projected $1.4 billion deficit during a Senate debate over Gov. Wes Moores budget proposal, adding that their plan to close the gap is insufficient.

We have to show people were serious about fiscal responsibility and discipline, Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, who represents Carroll and Frederick County, said on the Senate floor. The taxpayers of Maryland have watched the news where they see audit after audit coming  and theyre going, What am I paying for?

Lawmakers in the chamber met for nearly five hours, most of which was spent debating on and voting to adopt more than 230 amendments the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee put forward to the governors budget proposal. All amendments passed.

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Republicans said theyre hyperaware that passing GOP priorities is a fools errand in a Democratic supermajority, but still pushed to include their perspectives. Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, who represents the Eastern Shore, said his party takes the responsibility of a two-party system seriously, even when the numbers are not on our side.

Too often over the past two years, major policy decisions were rushed or not fully vetted, and we are now seeing the negative consequences, Hershey wrote in a Tuesday text to The Baltimore Sun. Todays budget debate [was] the right forum to highlight those impacts, especially where Marylanders are hurting most with vehicle registration fees, energy costs, and taxes, and to put forward better solutions.

Last week, The Sun asked Senate committee chair Guy Guzzone to note items where Democrats and Republicans could converge on the governors budget proposal. Guzzone maintained Republicans have always had a seat at the table, but he insisted they havent put forward a comprehensive alternative this session. Four of the committees 13 members are Republican.

Individual members have lots of ideas on our committee and within this body. We work with them all the time to try to get things adopted that are of consequence to them, Guzzone said. Im sure theyre going to like the fact that there are no tax increases and no fee increases, [but] I dont want to speak for them.

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One of the sharpest points of contention Tuesday was over a Republican proposal to cut state spending across the board.

Frederick and Washington County Sen. Paul Corderman, one of the Republicans on the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, introduced an amendment to reduce all state agency budgets by 5%  a move that would drastically scale back how much agencies spend on personnel costs.

The amendment failed along party lines, but not before Republicans used the debate to blast Democrats fiscal policy.

It really is just budget sorcery because while there are no tax relief increases in your budget, there is also no tax relief, Corderman said as he introduced his amendment. Weve asked a lot of our citizens over the last couple of years, a whole lot  a lot more than 5%.

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Ready echoed that argument, saying the proposal was intended to force government to share in the financial strain facing residents.

Were talking about trying to give a little back  to make government have to take a haircut when weve asked taxpayers [to pay more in taxes] again and again and again, Ready said. And raised [taxes] too on the so-called high earners  the people who invest in the job creation quite often.

Democrats warned the cuts could have far-reaching consequences. Guzzone, who represents parts of Howard County, said a blanket reduction could jeopardize funding for core services, including SNAP, Medicaid and state financial aid programs.

Beyond the proposed spending cuts, Ready said his partys other amendments were designed to have a direct impact on state residents finances. Marylanders are feeling these costs everywhere  at the [Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration], in their utility bills and in everyday expenses, Ready said in a Tuesday news release following the Senate floor proceedings.

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Republicans proposed nine amendments to the governors budget, eight of which were rejected along party lines. The only measure to win bipartisan support, proposed by Baltimore and Harford County Republican Sen. J.B. Jennings, updated eligibility for historic vehicles by establishing a rolling 25-year standard.

I thought it was a good-spirited debate. A lot of good amendments were offered. We knew that any amendment that altered funding would probably meet opposition, Jennings said in a Tuesday text message to The Sun. My amendment was one that was more of a correction from actions taken last year.

Despite the outcome, Republicans said the debate underscored broader concerns about the states fiscal trajectory. We put real solutions on the table, Hershey said in a statement. The majority had a choice: stand with taxpayers or stick with the status quo. They made their decision.

The caucus warned that without more significant changes to spending, the states long-term fiscal outlook could worsen, pointing to projections of growing structural deficits in the coming years.

Avoiding tough, often unpopular decisions today only guarantees bigger costs tomorrow, Hershey said.

________
NEED TO KNOW

Massachusetts authorities believe they have found the remains of a woman who was reported missing more than a year ago

Shawn Sullivan, 40, of Tyngsborough was arrested and charged with murder after a friend allegedly told police Sullivan confessed to killing a woman

Jill Kloppenburg was friends with Sullivan and was seen with him just before her disappearance, police said

A Massachusetts man has been arrested after human remains were found in his home  and authorities believe those remains could belong to a woman who has been missing for more than a year.

On Monday, March 16, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Tyngsborough Chief of Police Shaun Woods shared an update regarding the disappearance of Jill Kloppenburg, who was last seen leaving her Lowell, Mass., home on Jan. 2, 2025.

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Shawn Sullivan, 40, of Tyngsborough, Mass., has been charged with murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and improper disposal of human remains, according to a press release from the D.A.

Kloppenburg, who was 47 years old at the time of her disappearance, has not been confirmed as the deceased.

However, Ryan said during a press conference that on March 10, a person who identified himself as a friend of Sullivan's told officers with New Hampshires Nashua Police Department that the 40-year-old called and told him that he allegedly killed a woman named Jill.

According to police, Sullivan claimed to the friend that the crime took place at his home in or around January 2025, and that he allegedly shot her before burying her under the floor in the garage of the home.

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Authorities with the Nashua Police Department cross-checked this information in a national database and learned that there was a woman named Jill Kloppenburg who had been reported missing to the Tewksbury Police in February 2025.

According to Ryan, prior to filing the missing persons report, friends of Kloppenburg had not physically seen her since August 2024, and the last time they spoke to her via text message was Nov. 20, 2024.

Further investigation determined that the last known activity from Kloppenburgs cell phone was on Jan. 14, 2025.

Additionally, police allege that Kloppenberg and Sullivan knew each other and that Kloppenburg had been inside his home. The pair had allegedly been seen together not long before her disappearance.

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Ryan said that detectives from the Tyngsborough Police Department, Tewksbury Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police executed a search warrant of Sullivans property on Sunday, March 15, and found what appeared to be a large, patched area in the garage.

Authorities allege that the area was scanned using ground-penetrating radar and confirmed something was buried there, before cutting through the flooring and recovering a plastic bag containing what has been confirmed by the medical examiners office as human remains.

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.

"They could tell me they were 100% positive the remains were hers though they still have to confirm it with DNA and an autopsy has to be done to try to determine a cause of death, she's been missing for 14 months and has probably been out there for the whole time," Kloppenburg's uncle, Steven Kloppenburg, said on Facebook, per CBS News.

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Sullivan is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday, March 17, in the Lowell District Court, Ryan said.

The victim is being referred to as Jane Doe until the medical examiner can make an identification. A cause of death has not yet been determined.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with any information about Jill to contact the Massachusetts State Police at 781-897-8300.

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Credit: Getty Images

Interpols Operation Synergia III dismantles global cybercrime networks

94 arrests, 45,000+ malicious servers and IPs taken down

Crackdown spanned 72 countries, targeting scams from phishing to loan fraud

Almost 100 people were arrested, and thousands of servers taken down in a multi-month, international law enforcement operation, Interpol announced.

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In a press release shared late last week, the international police force said that it coordinated Operation Synergia III, which started in mid-July last year, and concluded in late January this year. During that time, police forces from 72 countries raided key locations, seized electronic devices, and arrested people.

In total, 94 people were arrested, with another 110 individuals under investigation. More than 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers were taken down, and 212 electronic devices were seized.

China, Bangladesh, Togo

Cybercrime in 2026 is more sophisticated and destructive than ever before, but Operation Synergia III stands as a powerful testament to what global cooperation can achieve. INTERPOL remains at the forefront of this fight, uniting law enforcement agencies and private sector experts to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt emerging threats and protect victims around the world, commented Neal Jetton, INTERPOLs Director of the Cybercrime Directorate.

The stint targeted different scam operations in different places. For example, law enforcement in China identified more than 33,000 phishing and fake websites, related to fake casinos and critical infrastructure (payment services, banks, government sites).

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In Togo, the police arrested 10 people for social media account hacking, social engineering schemes, romance scams, and sextortion, and in Bangladesh 40 were arrested for loan scams, job scams, ID theft, and credit card fraud.

Besides a long list of national police forces, Interpol also said that a few private organizations participated as well, including Group-IB, Trend Micro, and S2W.

Its been a tough couple of weeks for cybercriminals, as Tycoon 2FA, one of the largest phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platforms in the world, was also taken down after a global coordinated law enforcement operation. This operation was led by Europol, and included police forces from Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

It successfully dismantled a phishing operation that was active since at least August 2023, and enabled thousands of cybercriminals to access email and cloud-based service accounts.
BRUSSELS, March 16 (Reuters) - Italy, France and seven other nations told the European Commission that a Russian liquefied natural gas tanker adrift in the Mediterranean represents an ecological threat, and they urged swift action, a letter showed on Monday.

Russia's Foreign Ministry acknowledged that the vessel was adrift in the Mediterranean and said Russia's further involvement in resolving the situation depended on "concrete circumstances".

The letter from EU states to the European Commission said the Arctic Metagaz was drifting in waters between Malta and Italy. Its state posed a "dual challenge" -- upholding maritime safety and preventing an ecological disaster against the background of EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

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"The precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo, gives rise to an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster in the heart of the Union's maritime space," the letter seen by Reuters said.

The EU said the vessel was part of Russia's "Shadow Fleet" intended to circumvent sanctions imposed in connection with Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Action to resolve the situation, including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support, risked "undermining the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime".

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on the ministry website that Moscow was in touch with the vessel's owner and foreign "competent bodies". It had no crew, she said, and was carrying 700 metric tons of different types of fuel and "a substantial amount of natural gas".

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"The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries ... for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster," Zakharova wrote.

"Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances."

Russia's Transport Ministry earlier this month said the Arctic Metagaz, carrying LNG from the Arctic port of Murmansk, was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones and said the weapons had been launched from the Libyan coast.

Libya's maritime agency reported on March 4 that the vessel sank in waters between Libya and Malta after catching fire a day earlier. Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for any such attack.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Ron Popeski and David Gregorio)
A sonic boom was heard across several states Tuesday after a meteor broke the sound barrier over the skies of Ohio, according to the National Weather Service. The boom happened around 9 a.m. EST, over Northeast Ohio, but was heard as far away as New York and the fireball was seen in multiple states, according to reports.

A sonic boom is caused when an object enters the atmosphere at a speed faster than the speed of sound. So far, no injuries have been reported in relation to the meteor entering the atmosphere.

Watch

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NASA reports that eyewitnesses from Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, the District of Columbia and the Canadian province of Ontario reported seeing the fireball.

The meteor was first spotted at 8:57 a.m., at an altitude of 50 miles above Lake Erie, off the beaches of Lorain in northern Ohio, according to NASA. It was moving east of south at 40,000 miles per hour and traveled over 34 miles through the upper atmosphere before fragmenting 30 miles over Valley City, north of Medina. The fireball was caused by an asteroid that was nearly 6 feet in diameter and weighed about 7 tons.

The asteroid unleashed an energy of 250 tons of TNT when it fragmented, resulting in a pressure wave which propagated to the ground, causing the booms and explosive noises heard by many of the public. It may have also shook houses north of Medina. We thank the American Meteor Society for providing the eyewitness accounts, NASA said.

Jared Rackley, an employee of the NWS in Pittsburgh, captured video of the meteor as it entered the atmosphere. Several other social media users have posted video footage of the meteor captured at their homes, businesses and in their vehicle.

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The boom was so loud that several local readers reported thinking their house had been hit by something or there was an explosion, Cleveland.com reports. The boom appears to have been the loudest in Northeast Ohio, with readers from Bay Village, Pepper Pike, Parma Heights and Strongsville reporting that they heard the boom.

Read the original article on mlive.com. Add mlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
By Soren Jeppesen

COPENHAGEN, March 17 (Reuters) - Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has staked her leadership on defying U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland. Convincing voters at home to give her a third term is proving harder.

She heads into a March 24 general election betting that her defiant stand over the Arctic island will overcome growing doubts about whether she has paid enough attention to a cost-of-living crisis in Denmark.

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Frederiksen, whose Social Democrats suffered a historic defeat in municipal elections last November, has seen a revival this year which could make her Denmark's longest-serving leader since World War Two if she completes another full term.

Support for the Social Democrats plummeted to 17% in December opinion polls, well below the 28% it won in 2022, before rebounding to around 22% in recent weeks amid what many Danes said was resolute handling of the Greenland dispute.

UNPOPULAR DECISIONS

Frederiksen, 48, entered parliament at 24 and has led the Social Democrats since 2015, becoming Denmark's youngest prime minister four years later and only the second woman to lead the Nordic country's government.

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She built much of her early career on defending Danish control over welfare, labour rules and borders, while casting deeper EU integration as a constraint on sovereignty.

However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees caused her to shift. She dropped Denmark's opposition to collective EU debt, backed joint defence procurement and last year moved away from the other members of the fiscally conservative "Frugal Four", saying European unity had become a security necessity.

One of the most damaging episodes for Frederiksen came during the Covid-19 pandemic, when her government in 2020 ordered Denmark's entire mink population culled over fears they could carry the virus.

A public inquiry later concluded that the move lacked a legal basis, and that Frederiksen and her government "grossly misled" the public, though it also found she had not personally been aware that she overstepped her authority.

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The mink scandal was not an isolated episode. Her government's decision to abolish a public holiday to help finance increased defence spending angered workers across the country.

Meanwhile, she has been accused of alienating political partners with a top-down leadership style, and for forming a coalition with the centre-right despite a 2022 campaign promise of left-leaning majority government.

She has sharply curbed immigration, particularly from non-Western nations, curbing the momentum of far-right rivals seeking to capitalise on discontent with asylum policies but driving away traditional allies on the left.

"People are really tired of her. She dominates everything in Danish politics, yet she has changed her mind on everything, from being the most Eurosceptic prime minister Denmark has ever had, to one of its most pro-European. That wears enormously on voters' trust," said Noa Redington, a political analyst.

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STRONG ABROAD, WEAKER AT HOME

The election will test support for a leader who has navigated an extraordinary sequence of crises, including a global pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, drone incursions, the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, and the confrontation with Washington over Greenland.

Each crisis has raised Frederiksen's international profile, even as it deepened some voters' sense that her attention lies elsewhere.

If she wins the election and serves a full term she will have been in office for almost 11 years, the longest of any prime minister since fellow Social Democrat Thorvald Stauning, whose 15 years in power ended in 1942.

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Meanwhile, Frederiksen's profile in European politics has steadily risen, as she rallied allies in support of Greenland and emerged as one of Ukraine's strongest backers.

In 2023, Frederiksen was floated as a possible candidate for NATO secretary-general, and Danes still ask themselves whether she will eventually head abroad.

"There is something of a farewell tour about all this. If she is re-elected, her entire third term will be dominated by the question of when does she leave? Nobody believes she will serve a full term again," said Redington.

(Reporting by Soren Jeppesen, additional reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Alex Richardson)
IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY)  A Michigan man accused of child pornography possession will be extradited to Iberia Parish, Louisiana Bureau of Investigation said.



Jacob-Travis Martin-Joseph Cooper, 30, of Michigan, was arrested on Feb. 20 and charged for 20 Counts of Child Sexual Abuse Material Under the Age of 13 (felony) .



Agents said they received a tip the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and identified Cooper as a suspect who allegedly possessed child pornography while he was living in Iberia Parish. Agents learned that he had moved to Michigan.



Through a coordinated effort with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Grand Traverse Sheriffs Department, Cooper was located and arrested in Traverse City on an active Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrest warrant issued out of the 16th Judicial District Court in Iberia.

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He was booked into the Grand Traverse County Jail and is currently awaiting extradition to the Iberia Parish Jail.



The investigation remains ongoing.

Jacob-Travis Martin-Joseph Cooper, 30, of Michigan

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Members of the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday questioned the head of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity on the agencys efforts to support Michigan workers, many of which centered on the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Following a presentation, members of the committee inquired about several areas of the departments operations, with multiple members focusing their questions on $8.5 billion in fraudulent claims during the COVID-19 Pandemic uncovered through a third-party audit.

Director Susan Corbin told members of the committee that the Unemployment Insurance Agency is working to modernize its unemployment system. The agency has launched an online chatbot to answer general unemployment insurance questions. It is also in the process of rolling out a new user platform, which Corbin said incorporates plain language forms and correspondence, as well as stronger anti-fraud protections.

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She later noted that they had recently activated the employers side of that platform, and that they planned to do the same later this summer for the segment serving employees who are filing claims.

While the agency is meeting its goals on payment promptness and reemployment, it still has work to do on improper payments, Corbin said, noting that is a major goal for 2026.

The Unemployment Insurance Agencys goal is to keep its improper payment rate below 10%. It currently sits at 21%, Corbin said.

During the hearing Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell), who chairs the House Oversight Subcommittee on State and Local Assistance Programs, called attention to the Michiganders who believed they had received approval for unemployment benefits, only for the government to demand those payments back years later.

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The confusion, the stress and the sleepless nights is very real for people, Woolford said. For every person on this panel as a representative, theyre hearing those pains. And while I understand that these are federal funds that the UIA cannot legally waive, the fact remains that mismanagement of the agency created this mess, and thats fact, its before us, and now taxpayers are paying the price.

Corbin noted that the agencys previous system struggled to keep track of the unprecedented number of claims they received due to the pandemic.

I do believe what my responsibility is now, is to make sure that we have strong leadership at the Unemployment Insurance Agency, and that we are working on a system that is fair and fraud free, said Corbin, who served as the departments senior chief deputy director at the beginning of the pandemic.

While members asked a number of questions tied to Michigan Auditor Generals reports on the agency, Corbin was unable to answer at Tuesdays hearing, promising to follow up with additional information afterward.
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here's a look at March 16, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from March 16 drawing

Midday: 8-1-8

Evening: 4-5-4

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from March 16 drawing

Midday: 8-1-4-1

Evening: 9-3-3-9

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from March 16 drawing

JD-4C-2D-2H-9S

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from March 16 drawing

03-04-31-33-37

22-24-28-32-38

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from March 16 drawing

03-07-14-23-25-28-30-32-34-35-36-40-41-45-56-57-58-60-68-70-73-80

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Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 16 drawing

02-16-30-41-49, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

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Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

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Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for March 16, 2026
Oil and gas facilities across the Middle East suffered fresh attacks, holding oil prices above $100 a barrel with no end in sight for the Iran war.

A UAE gas field suspended operations, a tanker was hit near an Emirati port, and two drones hit an oil field in southern Iraq.

Though the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed  about 1,100 vessels, including 250 tankers, are stuck  Iran appears to be allowing a trickle of ships through, preventing worse global energy price rises, The Wall Street Journal reported.

US President Donald Trump wants help escorting ships through the waterway, but the International Maritime Organization warned that would not offer sufficient safety.
Another soldier from Minnesota was injured in the drone strike in Kuwait that killed Master Sgt. Nicole Amor and five others at the start of the war with Iran.

Sgt. 1st Class Cory Hicks of Princeton was "severely wounded" in the March 1 attack on a tactical operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait "and now faces a very long and difficult road to recovery," according to a GoFundMe for his family.

As a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, Hicks has "dedicated nearly 20 years of service to defending the country he loves," organizer Kayla Lenz writes on the page.

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"Through multiple deployments, he has never hesitated to answer the call to serve and protect our nation. His bravery, dedication, and sacrifice are a true reflection of what it means to serve."



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GoFundMe (GoFundMe)

Hicks and his wife, Shanyn, have two young children. She also serves as a staff sergeant in the Army Reserve.

"As both a soldier and a devoted wife, she is now preparing to travel to be by Corys side as he begins his recovery back in the United States. While there is nowhere else she would rather be, it also means time away from work and added financial strain for their family during an already overwhelming time," Lenz writes.

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Donations will support medical costs, travel expenses and everyday needs, and ultimately "help ease the financial burden while Cory focuses on healing and Shanyn remains by his side."

GoFundMe (GoFundMe)

Dozens of U.S. service members were injured in the Iranian drone attack in Kuwait, with injuries including brain trauma, shrapnel wounds, burns, and at least one potential limb amputation.

KSTP reports that Hicks, 37, suffered a lacerated kidney, a severed spleen, shrapnel injuries and facial fractures and was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, where he hopes to be released in late March or early April.

Hicks is a member of the 103rd Sustainment Command out of Des Moines, Iowa, like Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake.

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"She was literally five feet from me when it happened," he told the station. "When I looked over my left shoulder, the drone impacted basically right above her."

Funeral services will be held later this week for Amor, who Hicks described as the "kindest woman ever" and "very full of life."

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Three Tennessee minors have sued Elon Musk's xAI in a federal class action, alleging Grok generated child sexual abuse material using their real photographs and that the company knowingly designed its AI chatbot without industry-standard safeguards, then profited from the result.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in the Northern District of California, claims Grok was used to create and distribute AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) using their real images.

The minors, identified as Jane Doe 1, 2, and 3, said the altered content was shared across platforms, including Discord, Telegram, and file-sharing sites, causing lasting emotional distress and reputational harm.

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"xAIand its founder Elon Musksaw a business opportunity: an opportunity to profit off the sexual predation of real people, including children," the lawsuit reads. "Knowing the type of harmful, illegal content that couldand wouldbe produced, xAI released Grok, a generative artificial intelligence model with image and video-making features that would respond to prompts to create sexual content with a person's real image or video.

The alleged victims describe incidents between mid-2025 and early 2026, when their real photos were altered into explicit images and circulated online.

Australian Regulator Flags Grok in Rising AI Image Abuse Complaints

In one instance, one of the victims was alerted by an anonymous user who found folders of AI-generated content being traded among hundreds of users.

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They allege a perpetrator accessed Grok through a third-party application that had licensed xAI's technology, a structure the filing says xAI deliberately used to distance itself from liability while continuing to profit from the underlying model.

At the height of public backlash in January, Musk wrote on X that he was "not aware of any naked underage images," adding that "when asked to generate images, it will refuse to produce anything illegal."

According to a finding by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, cited in the lawsuit, Grok produced an estimated 23,338 sexualized images of children between December 29, 2025, and January 9 of this year, roughly one every 41 seconds.

The alleged victims are seeking damages of at least $150,000 per violation under Mashas Law, along with disgorgement of revenues, punitive damages, attorneys fees, and a permanent injunction, as well as restitution of profits under Californias Unfair Competition Law.

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Ireland's Data Watchdog Joins Global Regulators Probing X Over AI Image Risks

Lawsuits stacking up

The lawsuit is one of the first to hold an AI company directly liable for the alleged production and distribution of AI-generated CSAM depicting identifiable minors, and arrives as Grok faces simultaneous investigations across the U.S., EU, UK, France, Ireland, and Australia.

"When a system is intentionally designed to manipulate real images into sexualized content, the downstream abuse is not an anomalyit is a foreseeable outcome, Even Alex Chandra, a partner at IGNOS Law Alliance, told Decrypt.

Chandra said courts may not accept a simple platform defense, noting a generative AI system could be treated as a platform in terms of user interaction but evaluated as a product when assessing safety design, with particularly strict scrutiny applied in CSAM cases due to heightened child protection obligations.

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He also said courts will likely focus on safeguards, noting the company may be expected to show risk assessments and safety-by-design measures before deployment, along with guardrails that actively block harmful outputs.

Decrypt has reached out to Musk via xAI and SpaceX for comment.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Cities and counties that were affected by Januarys winter storm in Mississippi could soon be able to apply for loans to help cover cleanup costs.

The Mississippi House and Senate came to an agreement last week that fast tracks the recovery process for communities in North Mississippi. The Legislature send the bill, which creates the 2026 Local Government Disaster Recovery Emergency Loan Program, to Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.).

Its very nice that we were able to get this work done. Were able to give cash to the locals to help them pay for their bills, to help sustain the operations that theyve got and waiting for the FEMA money to start flowing back to the state, said State Sen. Scott DeLano (R-District 50).

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S&P Global upgrades Mississippis financial outlook to stable

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) would run the program and distribute loans to the cities and counties. This will allow local governments to move forward with cleanup efforts in anticipation that FEMA will reimburse them with federal grant money. Cities and counties that participate in the program will have to pay the money back.

The Legislature has worked diligently to make sure that the local entities are able to do that at a 0% loan from the state of Mississippi versus having to go to a private bank and get a loan and or a grant anticipation loan that would be at 6% or 7%, DeLano stated.

He said the conference report includes financial help for cleaning up debris. That means the funding required will be larger than what was included in the Senates original bill.

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Its going to take a larger pot of money for the state to contribute to this, to be dispersed out. And again, this loan is supposed to be a revolving loan, DeLano said.

He said as reimbursements from the federal government come in, the state will be able to make loans again to local governments. Some will be to the same cities and counties.

DeLano said lawmakers will try to set the final number will be that the state can give out in the loan program. He believes it will be more than the $50 million the Senate originally discussed.

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Mayors from Minnesota to Louisiana traveled to Washington earlier this month with a bipartisan message that protecting the Mississippi River is not just an environmental issue, it is a matter of national security.

The mayors met with lawmakers and federal officials, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, as part of their annual Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative fly-in, and later spoke with ABC News about growing pressures facing the river corridor.

Stretching more than 2,300 miles through 10 states, the Mississippi River forms the backbone of one of the most important economic corridors in America. According to data shared by the mayors' coalition, the river system generates nearly $500 billion in annual revenue and directly supports about 1.5 million jobs.

Gerald Herbert/AP - PHOTO: In this aerial photo, sediment and mixed river water is seen as a tanker ship moves upriver in Plaquemines Parish, La., Sept. 26, 2023.

Its waters also carry a massive share of the nation's agricultural exports, making the river central to U.S. and global food supply chains. According to the National Park Service, the Mississippi River Basin accounts for 92% of America's agricultural exports, including 78% of the world's exports of grains and soybeans.

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Founded in 2012, the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI) brings together local governments along the river corridor to coordinate priorities including clean water, economic stability, disaster resilience and food security.

However, this year's trip to Washington came with new urgency.

The planet has entered an era of 'water bankruptcy': UN

Several mayors said the rise of artificial intelligence, declining infrastructure, growing demand for water and energy, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affecting fuel prices and increasingly severe weather events are placing unprecedented pressures on the region.

John Flesher/AP - PHOTO: Police Chief Robert Shockey, Colin Wellenkamp of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative; and Barbara Charry of The Nature Conservancy examining the ruins of an abandoned house along the Meramec River in Arnold, Missouri, March 10, 2020.

One concern raised during the discussions was growing interest from water-scarce regions in the western U.S.

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"The Colorado River Basin is looking at the Mississippi River Basin to move water into areas of Phoenix, Vegas -- the places that are most water insecure on the continent," Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of MRCTI and a Missouri state representative, told ABC News.

He added they "are looking into the Mississippi River basin for their water supply for the future."

Coalition co-chair Mayor Melisa Logan of Blytheville, Arkansas, said the river system has become a national security concern as water demands grow.

"This water is absolutely essential for the security of the country, and you move it to another basin irresponsibly, right? That puts the nation at risk," Logan told ABC News.

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Several major U.S. water systems are already governed by interstate compacts, including the Great Lakes Water Compact and the Delaware River Basin Compact. These legally binding agreements, often approved by Congress, help to establish rules for managing and protecting shared water resources.

How climate change is impacting drinking water in the US

Supporters of a Mississippi River Compact say a similar framework could help coordinate policy across the 10 states that rely on a basin that supports national and international trade and food supply chains.

"That's why these mayors are pursuing a Mississippi River Compact to protect the Mississippi," Wellenkamp said.

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He noted that his state passed a law for such an agreement.

"The other nine states aren't far behind, because this is a real risk in the future," Wellenkamp added.

Gerald Herbert/AP - PHOTO: Workers open bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway, to divert rising water from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, in Norco, La., May 10, 2019.

Beyond water access, many mayors said the rising cost of disasters has become another urgent concern for communities along the river.

Logan, Blytheville's mayor, said protecting the river requires key coordination across state lines, as communities along the river often struggle to secure federal funding for projects that cross state boundaries.

"Typically, they do it state by state by state," Logan said, referring to federal funding programs. "But these impacts are multi-state by watershed."

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According to MRCTI materials, natural disasters along the Mississippi River corridor have caused more than $250 billion in losses since 2005.

Almost half of the US is experiencing drought. How that can affect the food industry

Mayor Buz Craft of Vidalia, Louisiana, said local leaders often face delays when seeking federal disaster assistance.

"We need Congress to quit changing the goal post, for example, when we have an issue, whether it's a tornado or hurricane," he said.

Changing White House administrations can also put them back to square one, Craft noted.

"Just when you are about to get that funding for that past disaster they say 'Oh, now you got to go through this,' start all over and apply to this program, and it's really a rat race," he said.

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Global instability is also beginning to show up in everyday costs for residents along the river. Several of the mayors said fuel prices along the Mississippi River recently jumped about 20 cents overnight. Those increases can quickly ripple through food prices, the mayors said, because much of the nation's food supply moves by truck, rail or barge along the Mississippi River system.

New nonprofit to utilize AI to alleviate the global water crisis

Meanwhile, some communities are also preparing for a different kind of pressure, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The data centers that power AI systems require massive amounts of electricity and water for cooling, placing new increased demands on local power grids and water systems.

Mayor David Goins of Alton, Illinois, said companies have already begun exploring potential sites in his city.

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"I think it's important to get in front of it and get ahead of it," he said. "This meeting right here is timely to get the resources that we can, that we can have at our disposal through different companies, organizations, to start preparing ordinances and start getting some type of framework or groundwork, because it's coming."

David J. Phillip/AP - PHOTO: A tanker ship travels along the Mississippi River near downtown New Orleans, Sept. 25, 2005.

For the mayors gathered in Washington, the message they hoped policymakers would hear was simple: the Mississippi River's importance stretches far beyond the cities along its banks.

"If you don't live on the Mississippi River, you don't necessarily understand the importance of the Mississippi River Basin to our entire continent," Quincy, Illinois, Mayor Linda Moore said. "One in 12 people in the world is fed by food that flows up and down the Mississippi on a barge or from the river itself."

For the mayors who traveled to Washington this week, the Mississippi River is more than a waterway -- it is an economic lifeline whose currents shape American agriculture, trade and communities across the country.

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Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, said the river's influence reaches far beyond the 10 states it touches, and may stretch long into the future.

"If that water is not protected, we don't know the impact that that has on the economy 15, 20, 30 years from now," Winston said.
A Missouri man is now behind bars after leading Livingston police and Polk County deputies on a chase Monday morning. The case ended with a Taser deployment in a wooded area, according to Livingston Police.

The chase began when officers were notified at around 11 a.m. by the San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office that a vehicle was stolen from Calhoun County and was headed on State Highway 146.

Livingston police located the stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop near Red Barn, but the driver then fled through the parking lot.

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A Livingston officer then conducted a Pursuit Intervention Technique, also known as a PIT maneuver, in an attempt to stop the vehicle, said police.

In a video from LPD, the suspect is seen fleeing, prompting officers to deploy a second PIT maneuver on SH 146. The suspect again evaded officers and continued driving.

A Polk County Sheriff's Office deputy then deployed spike strips near Garner Street, but the suspect continued driving, said officers.

A third PIT maneuver was conducted at the intersection of North Houston Avenue and East Church Street to stop the vehicle from entering the intersection at a red light. Officers said the suspect then continued onto East Church Street and collided with an LPD K9 unit.

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Officers attempted to box in the vehicle to stop additional collisions before the pursuit continued onto Old Woodville Road. Officials say this is where the suspect left the road and fled on foot into a wooded area.

Officers and deputies pursued the suspect on foot across a creek. The pursuit ended when the suspect was hit with a taser, he was then taken into custody.

The suspect has been identified as William Rivera, from Lee's Summit, Missouri. According to officials, he's charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
AURORA, Mo.  A man has sued the City of Aurora, alleging he was fired in retaliation after reporting that Aurora Police Chief Wes Coatney threatened a female officer with a knife and made a rape threat.

In a petition filed March 16 in Lawrence County Circuit Court, Tatum Maples alleges the city unlawfully terminated his employment in April 2025 after he reported what he said he witnessed inside the police department.

According to the lawsuit, Maples said he saw Coatney in mid-March 2025 holding a pocket knife to the throat of a female subordinate employee while telling her he could rape her and there was nothing she could do about it.

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The petition alleges Coatney knew Maples had witnessed the incident.

Maples said he shortly afterward told a supervisor what he had seen and said he intended to file a formal complaint against Coatney. On April 3, 2025, Maples sent an email to the Aurora city clerk and city manager reporting the alleged assault, according to the suit.

The lawsuit alleges Coatney then directed two administrative investigations into Maples  one tied to a September 2024 vehicle pursuit and another involving a December 2024 arrest.

Maples alleges the city terminated his employment on April 10, 2025, about a week after he formally reported Coatneys alleged conduct.

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The petition claims the firing violated Missouris public employee whistleblower protection law. It also alleges the city violated Missouris Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights during the investigation that led to his termination.

According to the lawsuit, Maples was interviewed on April 10, 2025, as part of an administrative investigation into his actions during the December 2024 arrest, but was not given a copy of the complaint or written notice of the investigation at least 24 hours beforehand.

The suit also alleges neither Maples nor his attorney or representative was given an opportunity to review the complaint before the interview.

The petition further alleges the city violated state law by failing to complete an investigation stemming from a citizen complaint tied to a September 2024 pursuit within 90 days.

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Maples is asking the court to award damages exceeding $25,000 for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress and damage to his reputation, along with attorney fees and other costs.

He is also seeking reinstatement to his former position, back pay, benefits and an order voiding the citys actions against him.

The petition states Aurora City Manager Carrie Howlett testified at a June 20, 2025, administrative hearing that she made the decision to terminate Maples employment. According to the suit, Howlett testified the decision came after receiving Maples complaint about Coatney, but was completely unrelated to it.

Ozarks First reached out to the city and Coatneys email for comment. No word has been heard back yet.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Oleg Ozerov, Russia's ambassador to Moldova, on 17 March and handed him a note of protest in connection with a Russian strike that caused a leak of petroleum products into the Dniester River.

Source: Moldova's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by European Pravda

Details: A bottle of water from the Dniester was also brought to the meeting with Ozerov.

A bottle of water from the Dniester Photo: Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

"The Republic of Moldova strongly condemns this attack, which caused leaks of petroleum products into the Dniester River, creating major risks for the environment and security of the water supply of the Republic of Moldova. The Dniester River supplies water to about 80% of the country's population and 98% of residents of Chisinau," the statement said.

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The ministry stressed that such actions with major cross-border impact threaten the environment, security of water supply and health of citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

Background:

On 15 March, the government of Moldova introduced an environmental alert regime in the Dniester River for 15 days.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that pollution was caused by a Russian strike on a hydroelectric power plant in the Ukrainian city of Novodnistrovsk on 7 March. She blamed Russia for the environmental emergency.

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced on 13 March that Moldova had asked the EU for assistance because of pollution of the Dniester River.

On 10 March, Moldova sent an official request to Ukraine over the appearance of oily slicks on the Dniester River.

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Kentuckys leading GOP candidates for U.S. Senate got their first chance Monday night to make their cases directly to a home audience as to why they should be the one sent to Washington to work toward President Donald Trumps agenda.

The first debate of the campaign season, hosted in Louisville by local station WDRB and the Jefferson County Republican Party, was also a sparring match, one held primarily between Lexington tech entrepreneur Nate Morris and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr.

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, whose name recognition and polling are strong despite serious struggles raising money, was hardly the target of any rhetorical bombs  and plenty were flung.

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This is a guy who lies with every breath that he takes, Morris said of Barr.

Nate Morris campaigning on being a fighter against DEI is like Joe Biden campaigning on his youth and vitality, Barr said of Morris.

The pattern largely mirrored what Kentuckians have been witnessing on their television sets for weeks thanks to millions of dollars in campaign ads. Morris, Barr and political action committees supporting them have pelted each other with ads claiming theyre full of s--t or responsible for the deaths of Americans.

On stage, the candidates mostly stuck to the lanes theyve established for themselves over about a year of campaigning.

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Morris cast himself as the outsider and in the mold of president Trump, as a businessman with less of an overtly political background.

Barr said he was the most effective choice from a policy and political standpoint, given his long congressional track record representing and winning Central Kentuckys 6th Congressional District, the closest thing Kentucky has to a competitive House general election.

Cameron played the cool head, sticking to the script thats won him two previous statewide GOP nominations but ultimately lost him the 2023 governors race against Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear  one oriented around faith, family, anti-DEI messaging and his service as Kentuckys top law enforcement official.

All three took great pains to agree heartily with Trumps actions. A singular leadership figure in the Republican Party, Trump has proven an effective ally in primary races and someone unafraid to mete out political revenge against those he views as insubordinate, like Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentuckys 4th District.

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Trump has not endorsed in the May 19 primary.

KY GOP candidates on the issues

Though theres not much daylight between the candidates on the issues, but Barr and Morris still tried to create space from one another, whether it was on the war in Iran, immigration or practically any other issue.

All three candidates lauded Trumps actions initiating war against Iran, which has been seen as an enemy of the U.S. for 47 years.

The nuclear infrastructure of this rogue regime is buried under rubble, and the American people are safer as a result, Barr said.

But he added a wrinkle, framing Morris opposition to foreign intervention  which has been expressed in the context of U.S. support for Ukraine against a Russian invasion, but not this military action  as a liability.

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If my opponent Nate Morris was in charge or in the Senate, his radical isolationism would work in conflict to this presidents restoration of peace through strength, Barr said.

But both Morris and Cameron agreed with Barr and the president, with Morris calling Trumps moves so surgical, so tactical.

The most stark dividing line Morris tried to draw between Barr was on immigration. Morris has called on a complete moratorium on all immigration into the U.S. until every single undocumented immigrant has been deported.

Folks, we were invaded. Theyve all got to go back, 100%, Morris said.

In a later answer, he called Barr Amnest Andy, and claimed  against Barrs protestations  that the congressman had left the border wide open in Congress. He alleged Barr was loyal to big banks who have helped fuel his many campaigns.

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Hes doing it because hes owned by the big banks. They want the cheap labor, folks, and hes willing to give them as many illegals as they will take your jobs, Morris said.

Even in questions that were set up for contrasts with Trump, like one about the Epstein Files, which Trump was reluctant to release at first before Massie and a Democratic colleague successfully forced a vote releasing all the files, the candidates agreed fiercely with the president.

They all credited his eventual signing of the Massie bill as an example of Trumps commitment to a campaign promise of releasing the files.

Candidates talk over each other

On most issues, Barr tried to contrast himself with Morris and Cameron as the only one acting on Trumps agenda, given his post in Congress. On the other hand, Morris said his outsider status would make him more effective as a U.S. Senator, unlike powerful insider Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose seat theyre all looking to fill.

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That was the case on the matter of affordability, a hot topic in U.S. politics with prices continuing a yearslong rise, concerns over energy bills and the rising price of oil due to conflict in the Middle East, the candidates all leaned in hard to what the current administration has said and done.

I support that whole-heartedly, and the America first agenda as well, Cameron said of the Trump-backed budget bill that enacted large tax cuts.

Barr also continued his line of attack against Morris alleged adherence to diversity, equity and inclusion principles at the company he founded and ran for several years, Rubicon. Morris called those attacks lies, citing Donald Trump Jr.s kind words about him on the matter  either somebody else is lying or Don Jr.s lying, and I dont think its Don, Jr., Morris said.

In the only dig at Cameron that wasnt prompted by the moderators, Morris interjected when Cameron ended an anti-Morris spiel by saying and Nate Morris is certainly no Donald Trump.

Morris jumped in brusquely: And you will never be a United States Senator.

After a momentary pause, Cameron said, I think he got a little angry there.
New York transit officials have sued the Trump administration for withholding $60 million in funding from the Second Avenue Subway project.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority last month sent a warning letter to the White House at the direction of Gov. Kathy Hochul, saying a lawsuit would be filed if the frozen money was not released.

A spokesperson for the governor said Tuesday, "Enough is enough - the federal government needs to stop playing games and release the funding."

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The project in East Harlem would extend the Q line from 96th Street and Second Avenue to 125th Street and Lexington Avenue. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2032.

But the Trump administration withholding the $60 million threatens to stop the work.

"We have already made enormous progress - work is underway and the project is moving on schedule and on budget. But Donald Trump's unlawful funding pause has put this entire project at risk," Hochul said.

It's projected to be completed within seven years at a total cost of nearly $8 billion, with half of that appropriated by Congress.

She added that Trump's decision is jeopardizing the jobs of thousands of union workers, concerns echoed by Sen. Charles Schumer.

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"These projects are not political bargaining chips; they are lifelines for New York's economy and union workers, and we will fight until every dollar of promised funding is delivered," Schumer said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said in a statement, "We are considering all legal avenues. USDOT is committed to ensuring hardworking taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly."

About half of the project's $7 billion price tag is expected to come from the federal government, but President Donald Trump said last October he would withhold funding after a dispute with New York Democrats.

The lawsuit follows recent court rulings against the Trump administration, including an appeals court decision requiring continued funding for the $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project and a federal judge's order blocking efforts to halt New York's congestion pricing program, which is intended to reduce traffic and generate revenue for the region's aging transit system.

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MTA officials expect the work will continue as the lawsuit unfolds.

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Snowfall total reports for the March 14-16 snowstorm show many double-digit accumulations across Central Wisconsin with some areas receiving over 20 inches and one report of 30+ inches.

Some areas in Central Wisconsin will see another inch or two of snow accumulation on March 16 before tapering off in the early afternoon, Roy Eckberg, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Green Bay, told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter.

The city of Wausau received a daily record-breaking amount of snow March 15 with 23.4 inches and shattering a record of 6 inches set in 1959, Eckberg said.

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Besides snowfall, the storm also brought high winds with gusts reaching 40-50 mph. The region will continue to see wind gusts during the morning of March 16 in the 35-40 mph range before tapering off with the storm in the afternoon, Eckberg said.

The first round of significant snowfall ended the afternoon on March 15 before a second round moved through during the overnight hours into March 16. Snowfall total observations were received by the National Weather Service after noon on March 15 and are slowly updating during the morning of March 16.

Final snowfall total reports resulting from the three-day snowstorm will be available on March 17, Eckberg said.

Temperatures will continue to be chilly on March 17 before they are expected to warm up to upper 30s on March 18 and 40s on March 19 and 20, Eckberg said. Rising temperatures will lead to melting snow and increased risk for flooding later in the week.

What are snowfall totals for March 14-16 in Central Wisconsin?

Here are the early local snowfall totals reported to the National Weather Service as of 10 a.m. Monday, March 16 across central Wisconsin:

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Amherst: 9.2 inches, reported at 7 a.m. March 16

Bakerville: 21.6 inches, reported at 8 a.m. March 16

Bethel: 17 inches, reported at 4:14 p.m. March 15

Chili: 19.4 inches, reported at 6:34 p.m. March 15

Evergreen: 25.4 inches, reported at 7 a.m. March 16

Granton: 25 inches, reported at 7 a.m. March 16

Hamburg: 14.5 inches, reported at 6 a.m. March 16

Knowlton: 20.7 inches, reported at 8:54 p.m. March 15

Lindsey: 20 inches, reported at 3:14 p.m. March 15

Mosinee: 26.5 inches, reported at 6:15 a.m. March 16

Nutterville: 31.5 inches, reported at 8 a.m. March 16

Plover: 19.7 inches, reported at 7 a.m. March 16

Polonia: 15.5 inches, reported at 3 p.m. March 15

Rib Mountain: 22 inches, reported at 8 a.m. March 16

Rosholt: 20.2 inches, reported at 8 a.m. March 16

Rudolph: 15.3 inches, reported at 5 a.m. March 16

Stevens Point: 12.8 inches, reported at 7:30 a.m. March 16

Sunset: 25 inches, reported at 7:02 a.m. March 16

Wausau: 22.6 inches, reported at 7 a.m. March 16

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: How much snow fell during March 14-16 blizzard in Central Wisconsin?
A college dean and professor in Ocean County has been charged with sexually assaulting a child, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Monday.

James Hadley, 66, of Barnegat, was charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 16, second-degree luring a minor to commit a sexual act, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

Hadley recently began serving as the dean of the School of Business and Social Sciences at Ocean County College, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also serves as a lecturer at the community college and as an adjunct professor at Kean University, in addition to participating in various volunteer activities involving children.

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Ocean County College and Kean University did not immediately return requests for comment.

Authorities said Hadley traveled from Ocean County to Pleasantville on Friday to meet a child for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act, and was arrested upon arrival.

When he arrived at a predetermined location, detectives from the Pleasantville Police Department and the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office Special Victims Unit took him into custody.

Investigators said Hadley had met with the child on at least two prior occasions and paid the child to perform sexual acts.

The prosecutors office filed a motion for pretrial detention. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for this week.

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Attorney information for Hadley was not immediately available.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the prosecutors office at 609-909-7800 or submit an anonymous tip at the website ACPO.Tips.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The National Republican Congressional Committee is adding Laurie Buckhout to its MAGA Majority program, investing in her bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis in North Carolinas 1st Congressional District.

NRCC announced Tuesday that Buckhout is one of nine candidates nationwide selected in the first round of this program, which pledges resources and training to aspiring politicians running in key battleground districts.

House Republicans are on offense, and the MAGA Majority is the next wave of leaders who will help us expand our majority in 2026, NRCC chairman Richard Hudson of North Carolinas 9th Congressional District said in a statement. From veterans and job creators to proven conservative fighters and local leaders, these candidates are stepping up to secure the border, lower costs, and deliver on President Trumps America First agenda.

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Republicans hold a slim 218-214 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies. NRCC wants to defend and expand that margin.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Madison Andrus called out Buckhout for spending much of her time away from the Tar Heel State.

After fleeing North Carolina with her tail tucked between her legs when Don Davis defeated her two years ago, Laurie Buckhout mistakenly thinks voters are going to forget that she only parachutes into the state to run for office, Andrus told NC Newsline in a statement. Voters dont want another out-of-touch empty suit hand-plucked by Washington D.C., and Don Davis is going to prove that to Laurie once again this November.

More than a dozen Democrats hold seats in districts that were won by President Donald Trump in 2024, like Davis in NC-01.

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The party holding the White House almost always loses seats in the midterm elections. But Republicans are hoping to buck that trend this year after a wave of mid-decade redistricting across the country, including North Carolina.

Republican state lawmakers redrew Davis district last October to make it more likely to elect a Republican, aiming to bring the states 14-member congressional delegation from 10 Republicans and four Democrats to 11 Republicans and three Democrats. The new map carved Davis Snow Hill home out of the district.

Still, Davis, a former Air Force officer, is seeking his third term in the House. Congressional candidates are not required to live within their district.

MAGA Majority is the new name for the NRCCs Young Guns program, founded by then-Reps. Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy and Eric Cantor in the 2007-2008 election cycle. The moniker change may have to do with the ages of several of the candidates  Buckhout was born in 1961, and Paul LePage of Maine is the oldest participant in the program at 77.

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NRCC also added Buckhout to its Young Guns program in 2024, when she challenged Davis for his seat. The Democrat narrowly defeated Buckhout by 1.7% of the vote.

Buckhout, an Army veteran, joined Vice President JD Vance in Rocky Mount last week.

There, she criticized Davis for voting against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which she touted for dedicating $50 billion across the country to a rural health transformation program that she says could have helped his constituents. Buckhout said its time for eastern North Carolina to hold him accountable for his actions.

Those of us who have been held accountable, expect it, she said.

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The 2024 matchup between Davis and Buckhout was North Carolinas most expensive congressional race for fundraising that election cycle.

National Democrats are investing in the Tar Heel State as well.

In western North Carolina, the DCCC last month identified Jamie Ager as one of 12 candidates for its Red to Blue program. Its a similar initiative targeting seats the DCCC believes could flip from Republican to Democratic with resources, fundraising support and training.

Other candidates in the Democratic primary for North Carolinas 11th Congressional District pushed back, saying the DCCC was interfering with the race before voters chose a candidate in the election. Ager, a fourth-generation farmer from a political family, trounced his opponents by receiving 65% of the vote in unofficial results earlier this month.
The people who loved Acey Morrison spent nearly as much time waiting for justice as her killer is likely to spend locked up.

It doesnt feel like much, her family said. But at this point, nearly any measure of justice is welcome.

A judge this month sentenced 55-year-old Gregory Edward Landers to seven years in prison for fatally shooting Morrison in 2022. South Dakota lawmakers passed a truth in sentencing bill in 2024 that requires people serving time for violent crimes to serve all or most of their prison terms, but the law wasnt retroactive. With credit for the two years hes served in jail, Landers could be eligible for parole within a few years.

Telling their stories: MMIP in South Dakota

South Dakota Searchlight and ICT have partnered on a long-term project, funded in part by a grant from the Fund for Investigative Journalism, that aims to provide a snapshot of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People cases by combining multiple sources of data.

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The publications have also created a form for people to share a tip about their missing loved one, for possible inclusion in the project.

Landers pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in November 2024. In exchange, prosecutors dropped first-degree manslaughter and a weapons charge, and agreed to ask for a sentence of no more than 10 years in prison, with three suspended.

It was about the best outcome that we could hope for, said Stevie Cross Dog, Morrisons brother. It should have been longer than seven years, but thats what we agreed to.

Given Landers unsuccessful assertions of self-defense before the plea and his repeated attempts to withdraw the plea in the months that followed, there were times Stevie, his twin sister Raena Cross Dog and their mother, Edelyn Catches, wondered if the sentencing date would ever come.

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Catches is glad it did, but the wait and the knowledge that Landers may be eligible for parole in a few years dull the feeling of justice for her daughter, she said.

Meanwhile, the family is still waiting for justice in the killing of Daniel Freeman, who was fatally stabbed in Pine Ridge 14 months after Morrison died.

Freeman is a biological nephew raised by Catches from infancy. Shes all but given up hope that his killer or killers will face justice.

Shes struggled to sleep for four years. Thus far, she told South Dakota Searchlight, the sentence for Landers hasnt changed that.

After all this time, you lose a lot of faith in the system, said Catches, whos now raising Freemans two children.

Self-defense claim stalls prosecution

Morrison was a 30-year-old transgender woman and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, recognized in the tribes traditions as a Two-Spirit. Shed cry about getting haircuts that made her look like a boy, her mother remembers, and wanted to wear girls clothes from a young age.

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I always knew she was Two-Spirit, Catches said.

Stevie and Raena, who are six years younger than Morrison, always knew her as an older sister. She often worked three jobs at a time, Raena said, and struggled to deal with verbal and mental abuse shed experienced growing up transgender and Native American while going to school in Oehlrichs, a town in Fall River County about a dozen miles from Pine Ridge Reservation borders, and while living in Rapid City as an adult.

By mid-2022, though, Raena and Stevie both said Morrison seemed to have turned a corner after struggles with substance abuse and low-wage work. Instead of three jobs, she had one, as a hotel manager, and was in the process of adopting Freemans young son. The boy was living with Morrison and Stevie at their Rapid City apartment.

It broke me, Raena said of Morrisons killing, because of all the progress shed made in the past 10 years.

Gregory Landers. (Courtesy of Pennington County States Attorneys Office)

Morrison met Landers through a dating app called Grindr. The altercation that ended her life took place the morning after she arrived at his trailer on Aug. 20, 2022.

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Landers told police the two drank alcohol, but hadnt slept together. Morrison attacked him when he asked her to leave in the morning, Landers argued throughout court proceedings. They struggled over a shotgun, he said, which Landers said hed fired during the struggle to protect himself.

After a self-defense immunity hearing in 2024, though, Judge Heidi Linngren ruled clear and convincing evidence suggested that Landers hadnt acted in self-defense. The ruling allowed the prosecution to proceed.

There were too many inconsistencies and inaccuracies in his story, the judge wrote, to dismiss the manslaughter charges without a trial. The area of the bedroom where the altercation allegedly happened was largely undisturbed. Landers had accused Morrison of factory resetting his phone, but later admitted that hed scrubbed the phone himself. He said Morrison showed up without a phone, but also that shed asked Siri, an iPhone voice assistant, to call the police.

Even so, convincing a jury that Landers had committed manslaughter beyond a reasonable doubt wouldnt have been easy, Pennington County States Attorney Lara Roetzel told South Dakota Searchlight.

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Pulling together enough evidence to make that possible was part of the reason more than a year passed between the killing and Landers indictment, she said.

Really, every expert was saying We dont really have any idea what happened in that room, said Roetzel, who also noted that her office was in a leadership transition after the departure of former states attorney Mark Vargo, who was a few months into his interim stint as South Dakotas attorney general when the homicide took place.

Morrison was taller and heavier than Landers. Theyd both been drinking. Landers was injured when police arrived, with a fractured hand and bruised ribs.

In the end, it was all the lying and the inconsistencies, Roetzel said, that led her to conclude that Landers had been the aggressor, even though a lot of prosecutors wouldnt have even charged this case.

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He pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, which under South Dakota law constitutes the reckless killing of one human being by another.

I stand by my decision to charge it, said Roetzel. I believe beyond a reasonable doubt that he killed Acey, certainly in the manner of the charge he pleaded to.

Delays, hearings

At his plea hearing in late 2024, Linngren asked Landers if he was satisfied with the advice of his court-appointed lawyer and if he was making the plea of his own free will, without undue pressure. Linngren informed him of his rights hed be giving up with his plea and asked him if he was prepared to give them up.

All the answers were yes.

Normally, a sentencing hearing would happen within a month or so of such a plea. But within weeks, Landers moved to fire his attorney. He was appointed a new one, who needed time to review the case. Then Landers moved to take back his plea, which led to multiple hearings and another ruling from Linngren, this time saying that his plea had been knowing and voluntary.

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Reasserting the same claims after his guilty plea is not a persuasive reason to allow withdrawal of a plea, she wrote.

In letters to the judge, Landers said the case was political because of Morrisons transgender and Native American identities, and that the prosecution had been malicious. He was defending himself, he said, and needed to get home to his aging parents in Indiana.

Landers mother sent South Dakota Searchlight messages in 2025 and again in 2026 saying her son acted in self-defense. His mother did not reply to messages seeking comment after the sentencing.

Landers also unsuccessfully attempted, through a handwritten motion, to get the state Supreme Court to intervene.

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For Stevie Cross Dog, his sister and his mother, it felt like Landers was doing everything he could to delay his sentencing.

The letter of the law has to be followed, but I think he signed the plea deal and he admitted guilt, Stevie said. I dont think he shouldve gotten so much time to keep the process going. Its been two and a half years of continuances and delays.

Family tragedy mirrors national issues

Catches and her surviving children have all but given up waiting for an arrest in Freemans murder. Its been classified a cold case, Catches said.

Nothing has happened, she said. Nobodys been arrested.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office of South Dakota, which would be the prosecuting agency for a homicide on the Pine Ridge Reservation, told South Dakota Searchlight there was nothing to share on the Freeman case. A different spokesperson gave the same response in 2024.

The familys experience since 2022 stands as a stark reflection of a reality shared by Native American families across South Dakota and the U.S. Homicide is the fourth-leading cause of death for Native American men and sixth-leading cause for Native American women, according to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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Transgender people, meanwhile, are four times more likely to be victims of violent crimes, according to the Williams Institute. The figures are more disproportionate still for Two-Spirit people, according to a 2025 report from the Human Rights Campaign that found four in five experience violence in their lifetime.

Raena Cross Dog said the loss of two relatives, the wait for closure and other struggles since Morrisons death have been a lot to take, especially in such rapid succession.

She went numb after Freemans death. Stevie said it felt like starting all over again.

Their mothers health problems, often attended to by Morrison, have worsened since then. Catches has withdrawn from family and friends, she said, who are tired of me crying.

About a year after Freemans death, Raena lost a child to miscarriage.

Were very broken, if Im being honest. Were a broken family, Raena said. Were trying to cope.

Trying to cope is the first step, Stevie said. At least with the sentencing, he sees some possibility for closure and healing.

Like his mother, though, he doesnt feel it yet. Hes not sure when he will.

Its just surviving first, Stevie said.

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Nevada is 1 of 4 states without a state-funded school for the deaf.

One is desperately needed, advocates say, because the lack of a dedicated school puts more pressure on school districts and individual schools, which struggle to provide needed services because of a shortage of qualified interpreters in the state.

The Nevada Commission for Persons Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, according to Executive Director Obioma Officer, has been working with the Nevada Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities to research what it might take to open a deaf school.

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One obvious question for legislators is what it might cost the state. But Officer told lawmakers during an interim committee last month that the commission has been advised by legislative groups to just ask for it regardless.

We need a deaf school and we have a gap of interpreters, she said in American Sign Language. This would be a solution.

Shelly Freed, a retired principal of the California School for the Deaf, explained that having a school with some teachers and personnel who are deaf will result in fewer interpreters and interpreter services being used overall.

Perhaps more importantly, the impact on students and their ability to be productive members of society would be profound, she said in ASL.

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For a few years, more than a decade ago, Nevada had a charter school for the deaf, but it went bankrupt and closed in 2011.

In 2019, then-state Sen. Pat Spearman (D-Las Vegas) sponsored a bill that would have, among other things, created a commission to study the feasibility of a dedicated public school for the blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing. That provision was amended out of the bill.

Advocates are considering reviving that language.

They hope to open an inclusive deaf school, meaning it would serve the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, speech impaired and deaf students with additional disabilities like autism or cerebral palsy. Educational outcomes on these populations were not available during the meeting but advocates believe they are not receiving the support and services they need to thrive.

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The advocates told lawmakers that deaf students and their families have grievances about not receiving proper interpreters and accommodations.

Toward that end, the Deaf Commission is also asking state lawmakers to give state administrators some teeth to address compliance issues, especially in medical and educational spaces.

Rique Robb, administrator of the states Division of Aging and Disability Services, said one example might be a school assigning to a deaf student an aide who knows basic sign language but is not equipped to truly help a student in a learning environment.

They are literally putting an aide with a child who needs 1-on-1 support, who needs ASL interpretation, who is also learning ASL as their language, said Robb. Those individuals are not qualified.

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The division maintains a statewide registry of interpreters but does not have any oversight over a school districts actions beyond taking complaints.

We dont have the authority to hold them compliant when theyre not, Robb added. We have worked on this throughout the years and its just been an ongoing issue.

The Deaf Commission is also urging lawmakers to revise state law so that ASL is recognized as a foreign language for the purpose of fulfilling academic foreign language requirements. The American in ASL is the issue, according to Officer.

We have a severe shortage of quality interpreters, said Eli Schwartz, another commission member. By having the credit, it might encourage people to go into the interpreting business.

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That recommendation was received warmly by lawmakers on the interim committee.

State Sen. Shelly Cruz-Crawford, a Democrat from Las Vegas, said she was shocked ASL was not already considered a foreign language for credit purposes and would gladly sponsor legislation to correct that oversight.

The Deaf Commission is also recommending lawmakers consider legislation related to mandating the use of closed caption systems in public spaces and deaf-blind support services.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A woman on probation allegedly stole more than $100,000 in food stamp benefits through a fake business police said she created to transfer EBT and government benefits, according to documents.

Mychelle Lay, 45, faces charges of theft over $100,000, fraudulent acts concerning public assistance, multiple fraudulent transactions through an enterprise or occupation, and 11 counts of obtaining and using the personal identity of another to harm or for unlawful purposes, records said.

In all, Nevada State Police investigators allege Lay stole nearly $103,000 from the state, including money meant for SNAP and medical assistance, documents said. At the time of her arrest, Lay was on probation for stealing personal identifying information from two women, according to court records.

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Caseworks with the Nevada Division of Social Services (DSS) flagged several suspicious cases for review. The investigation expanded to include the Nevada Attorney Generals Office, and officials discovered that the Nevada State Police were also investigating the same suspicious fraudulent activities.

The investigation into Lay began when the Clark County District Court was tipped off about possible EBT fraud. Because Lay was already on probation, Nevada Parole and Probation searched her home, finding several EBT cards and documents that led them to believe Lay was selling the cards, documents said.

On a digital device, parole officers found language about Lay having a bunch of profiles where she received as many as eight cards per day, documents said. Officers made the claim that Lay was making $1,000 a day in cash.

Parole officers allege Lay created a storefront, called Lays Community Co-op, where she purchased EBT cards and food stamps. As part of the scheme, investigators allege Lay purchased legitimate cards from people who sold them to her.

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Lays fake business processed hundreds of thousands of dollars in transactions between January 2025 and September 2025, connected to the fraud scheme. Investigators found evidence that several individual profiles were connected to the fraudulent activity. The exact number is still being determined, the state said.

The cards obtained from [social services] would be processed through Lays business, documents said. Lay would pay $.50 [or] $1.00 for the cards obtained or sold to her through a mobile payment service or an Uber courier, who would deliver payment to the associate in person, documents said. The cards came from Nevada and several other states.

As part of the scheme, officials allege Lay created more than 18,000 unique user profiles and fraudulently assumed the identities of at least 11 people, documents said. The fraudulent businesss total business dollar volume amounts to more than $682,000.

Officials noted the total amount of fraud has not yet been determined.

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Though the state identified her as Mychelle Lay, 8 News Now reviewed court records that also refer to her as Michelle Finlay. She remained in jail as of Monday due to the parole violation. She was scheduled to appear next on Tuesday morning.

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 KLAS.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded to challenger Pat Hynes on Tuesday night.

Hynes' children came out and introduced him when he took the stage in an electric room. He told his supporters he is committed to making property taxes more accurate and equitable, and transparent.

The two Democrats traded blows throughout their campaigns.

"We have worked from the top of this county to the bottom of this county, just like I've done my entire career. We left no stone unturned," Hynes said.

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As the current Lyons Township assessor, Hynes has spent 20 years as an appraiser for the Cook County Assessor's Office. Hynes blames incumbent Kaegi for skyrocketing property tax bills on the South and West sides of Chicago.

SEE ALSO | Illinois primary election: Brendan Reilly challenging Toni Preckwinkle for Cook Co. Board President

Running for what would have been his third term, Kaegi blasted Hynes for taking donations from property tax attorneys.

"Bills went up because people were getting big cuts on commercial properties at the Cook County Board of Review, and my opponent has been defending those and making excuses for them, because he's in the tank for those people who benefit from that work," Kaegi said.

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Hynes is expected to become the next Cook County assessor, because there are no Republicans running for the position.

Kaegi released a statement on Tuesday night, saying, "Tonight wasn't the result we were hoping for. I want to congratulate Pat Hynes on his victory. I hope he protects the reforms we've put in place.

I am so proud of what we accomplished together. We cleaned up decades of pay-to-play corruption. We banned donations from property tax attorneys. We brought in real data scientists and put our models online. We made assessments fairer and saved working class homeowners $2 billion compared to what they would have paid under the old system. We got tax relief to a record number of seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities and made their exemptions automatically renew.

We made this office operate on fairness, not favoritism. That fight doesn't end tonight. It's bigger than one office and bigger than any one person.

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It has been the honor of my life to do what I could for the best people in the best city and the best county in the world. Thank you for your support and for putting your trust in me."

Click here for live election updates.
A community-led water organization has filed a lawsuit against NEW Cooperative, Inc., for a 2024 fertilizer spill into the East Nishnabotna River that resulted in the death of more than 750,000 fish.

The state reached a settlement with the cooperative in July 2025, asking the company to pay a $50,000 penalty and a payment of $50,000 toward a supplemental environmental project in the county. Nishnabotna Water Defenders and other environmental groups in the state called the $100,000 settlement a sweetheart deal for the company.

Terry Langan, co-president of Nishnabotna Water Defenders, said local citizens have been deprived of the full use of the river.

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The massive pollution event caused by NEW Cooperativefollowed by ineffective enforcement of our water pollution laws by Iowas Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird make it imperative the citizens act to fill the gap that is harming the quality of the lives of those who live and work in Southwest Iowa, Langan said in a statement.

The fertilizer spill occurred more than two years ago when an employee at the coop left a valve open on a clogged fertilizer line, which later became unclogged and leaked about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer, according to DNR.

According to the petition filed by Nishnabotna Water Defenders, several incidences of heavy rain following the initial spill caused more of the released fertilizer to run into the river, despite attempts to contain the spill with berms and levies.

The petition alleges that NEW Cooperative has failed and refused to follow accepted industry standards of care like state regulations for containing liquid fertilizer, adequate staffing, maintenance and installing pollution controls.

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Instead, NEW Cooperative has used, and continues to use, outdated or no technologies for discharge detection and shutdown, the lawsuit alleges.

In addition to seeking restitution for the value of the lost natural resources the petition, filed in the Iowa District Court for Montgomery County, asks for injunctive relief to force the cooperative to modify and upgrade equipment and practices at the plant in Red Oak.

NEW Cooperative, in a statement provided to Iowa Capital Dispatch, said it has not had time to review the lawsuit.

NEW Cooperative took this incident seriously and understood the gravity of the situation when it happened back in 2024, the statement said. We took responsibility for what occurred and have fully cooperated with regulators at the state and federal levels. This has included paying penalties, remediation and developing a plan to restore natural resources.

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The cooperative also said it will continue to cooperate with authorities and remain fully committed to being good environmental stewards throughout Iowa.

The state settlement with the cooperative also included a three-year statewide injunction prohibiting future water quality law violations.

DNR shifted the case to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird to seek a higher fine on the spill, since DNR has a $10,000 administrative fine cap.

Recently, Democratic senators attempted to add language to a bill that would increase the damage amounts the DNR could issue. Lawmakers cited the spill on the East Nishnabotna River as an example for why the language was necessary, but the amendment was not taken up by the majority.

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James Larew, one of the attorneys representing Nishnabotna Water Defenders in the lawsuit, said in a statement that the states response to the situation was a mere slap on the wrist.

By allowing hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic urea ammonium nitrate to flow unchecked into our public waters, NEW Cooperative committed an egregious violation of the Clean Water Act and state law, Larew said. The states failure to enforce meaningful penalties not only insults the local community but sends a dangerous message to every corporate polluter in Iowa: that destroying a river is simply the low cost of doing business.

DNR reports show the spill stretched more than 50 miles, crossed state borders and eventually flowed into the Missouri River.

According to DNRs fish kill report, the estimated cost of the more than 750,000 dead fish is nearly $226,000. The lawsuit does not name a figure for the value of lost natural resources for which the group seeks restitution.

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Carrie La Seur, co-counsel on the case, said the lawsuit is about more than just one spill.

It is about the public trust doctrine, which holds state lands and waters in trust for the people of Iowa, La Seur said in a news release. The state has a fiduciary duty to protect these public resources for the benefit of all Iowans. When the state abdicates its duty, the people must step in. This lawsuit is a necessary assertion that the publics right to clean living water is superior to any corporations right to be careless.

This article has been updated to include comment from NEW Cooperative.

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A New Jersey resident who was arrested during a 2024 pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University was released from federal immigration custody on Monday, her lawyers said.

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman, was held for more than a year in a Texas detention center, where she said she had a seizure and faced inhumane conditions.

Kordia was not a student at Columbia, but was one of five people linked to the Morningside Heights campus whom Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged President Trump to drop their immigration cases against. Kordia, whose April 2024 NYPD arrest at Columbia was sealed, was taken into ICE custody just under a year later, in March 2025.

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In my meeting with President Trump last month, we discussed ICEs actions at Columbia University, Mamdani said in a statement. I asked that the federal government release Leqaa Kordia and drop the cases against four others.

I am grateful that Leqaa has been released this evening from ICE custody after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Kordias student visa had expired and accused her of providing financial support to people in nations hostile to the U.S.  an allegation that Kordias lawyers have denied, and said may refer to payments she made to Palestinian family members.

The facts of this case have not changed: Leqaa Kordia is in the country illegally after violating the terms of her visa. The Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and common sense to our immigration system, and will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country, the DHS statement read.

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Kordia is believed to be the last-known Columbia protester in immigration detention, after current and former students  including Mahmoud Khali, Mohsen Mahdawi and Yunseo Chung  were released on bail while fighting deportation. Mahdawis case was previously tossed by an immigration judge; the Trump administration appealed the ruling on Monday.

A fifth noncitizen associated with Columbia, Ellie Aghayeva, has no known involvement in the protests and was released the same day she was detained at Mamdanis urging.

Kordias detention also raised questions about possible NYPD violations with the Trump administration, sparking a probe into whether police unlawfully shared a report with federal immigration authorities that included sealed arrest records.

Leqaa should not have spent a single moment in ICE detention, let alone an entire year, Amal Thabateh, a staff attorney at CLEAR, a legal services clinic at CUNY, said in a statement.

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Leqaa, like others, was punished for speaking out in defense of Palestinians, including her own family. While it took too many months and too many bond hearings for Leqaa to be released, a just result is finally here.

Kordia had been ordered released by an immigration judge three times, but remained in detention the first couple of times because DHS invoked automatic and discretionary stays, according to her lawyers.

Kordias cousin, Hamzah Abushaban, said the past year had taken an unimaginable toll on Kordia and their family, who had already lost relatives during Israels war in Gaza.

No family should have to endure what ours has experienced, he said in a statement. Today, we celebrate Leqaas return home. Tomorrow, we continue the fight for justice.

_____
BOSTON (SHNS)  A state representative who says legislative committees are where democracy goes to die has not attended a single hearing this session  an attendance record that his opponent is highlighting as an example of why his western Massachusetts district is underrepresented.

Republican Rep. Nicholas Boldyga of Southwick is not shy about standing up against Beacon Hill leadership and systems. By not attending committee hearings where people have a chance to offer opinions and lawmakers can ask questions, hes refusing to participate in part of the lawmaking process that he calls a sham.

The committee process is rotten at its core and the only purpose it serves is to provide cover for the corruption, secrecy and closed-door decision making on Beacon Hill that shuts out the public and rank and file members, he said in a statement to the News Service.

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Tom Hendrickson, a Democrat running for the seat that Boldyga holds, argues that the hearings are a critical forum for lawmakers to hear directly from the public.

An Agawam City Councilor, Hendrickson said western Massachusetts has to fight hard for representation on Beacon Hill and that Boldyga owes an explanation to his constituents for not showing up for one of the most direct ways the public interacts with the legislative process. He published a press release Wednesday that called Boldygas attendance record disgraceful.

We need strong representation in the State House, advocating for our community, representing us. And our current representative is not providing that, he said.

The 3rd Hampden District that Boldyga has represented since 2011 sits is in the southwestern part of the state, west of Springfield and bordering Connecticut. It includes the towns of Blandford, Chester, Granville, Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, Tolland, Huntington, Middlefield and parts of Agawam.

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Boldygas profile on the Massachusetts Legislatures website doesnt list a phone number at the State House, and the site directs visitors to his district office phone number, and notes that his district office in Southwick is his preferred mailing address.

Our community has serious needs around education funding, health care, cost of living  major issues, Hendrickson said. Western Massachusetts is already outnumbered in the State House, and that issue gets exasperated when our representatives dont even show up to work.

In a statement, Boldyga pointed to reporting from The Boston Globe that found 12 committees held no hearings last session and considered no legislation, though those panels still offered exorbitant stipends on top of base pay to its chairs as rewards for loyal allies.

Thousands of bills are filed and hearings are held for show  almost all of them never reach the floor, he said. Leadership decides behind closed doors what advances, ignoring testimony, silencing members, and even ignoring committee votes.

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Boldyga said Hendrickson is pushing this as a gotcha. Hendrickson raised issue with Boldyga accepting a $29,907.95 stipend for travel and office expenses while not attending State House hearings.

Its almost 30 grand, Hendrickson said. I dont know what his explanation or excuse is going to be in terms of him not  if its that he doesnt want to travel across the state, he gets paid directly for those travel expenses, so there should be no excuse.

The state treasurers office, which distributes legislator pay, confirmed Boldgya accepts the allotments for travel and office expenses.

Lawmakers who live 50 miles or more from the State House receive higher office and travel payments, adjusted every session. This session, lawmakers who travel a farther distance to Beacon Hill get an extra $29,907.95 on top of their $82,044.31 base pay; those living within a 50-mile radius receive $22,430.96.

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Asked how he uses the allotment and to respond to Hendricksons claims about his district being underrepresented, Boldyga replied: Even though the committee process is a complete sham and its where democracy goes to die Ive still voted in nearly every committee poll. Regardless of that, Democratic leadership rarely advances any of those bills to the floor for a vote.

He continued, My focus remains on the issues that matter most to my constituents: fighting for a full audit of the Legislature that Democrats have denied, lowering sky-high utility bills that Democrats have caused, and making Massachusetts more affordable. My district is well-represented against these continued failures of Democrats on Beacon Hill.

Boldyga sits on the Joint Committees on Aging and Independence, Agriculture and Fisheries and Revenue. Between them, the committees have held 19 hearings this session. According to legislative records, Boldyga did not attend any of them.

Senators are allowed under their chambers rules to participate remotely in committee hearings, but the House requires its representative to be physically present in the hearing room. Unlike members of the public or the Senate, Boldyga could not have joined the hearing over video call.

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.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere are continuing to rebuff President Donald Trumps demands they help reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, despite Trumps ultimatums, pleas and claims that, actually, we no longer need their help after all.

(Rounding out the mixed messaging, Trump also claimed Monday that numerous countries were already on the way to help, but declined to say which ones.)

Politics: Trumps Choice To Attack Iran Creating Worldwide Chaos Just Days In

Turns out allies dont like helping when all you do is insult them.

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They should be in here very happily helping us, Trump told reporters Monday. They should be jumping to help us because weve helped them for years.

Trump struck a different tone Tuesday in a post on social media.

Speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

Politics: Harry Enten Spots How Chickens Are Coming Home To Roost For Trump Right Now

Heres what the rest of the world is saying:

European Union

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas told Reuters that nobody is ready to put their people in harms way in the Strait of Hormuz.

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We have to find ... diplomatic ways to keep this open so that we dont have a ... food crisis, fertilizers crisis, energy crisis in the world, she said.

Kallas added that the 27-nation bloc would be open to looking at ways to replicate a deal that helped get grain out of Ukraine amid the war in the country, telling Reuters that the United Nations is already working on that.

Politics: The Crucial Window Of Diplomacy To Prevent A U.S. War With Iran

Greece

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece, a major force in global shipping, would not join any military operations near Iran.

Greece is not going to participate in any operation around the theater of current operations, he told a Bloomberg event Tuesday in Athens. I doubt that there is much European appetite for such a mission right now.

Germany

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius echoed a similar sentiment.

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The Americans chose this path, together with the Israelis, he said, according to Politico, noting Germany would prioritize defending NATO territory.

Politics: Trump Says His Head Of Counterterrorism Was Weak After He Opposes Iran War

We did not start this war, he added.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, NATO has no place here at all, arguing it is a defensive alliance, not an interventionist one.

U.K.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has voiced support for a plan to reopen the critical shipping lane, but has notably stopped well short of committing British resources to doing so.

Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the [oil] market. That is not a simple task, Starmer told reporters Monday.

Politics: Big Money Hits A Wall In Illinois Democratic Primaries

So were working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impact.

Denmark

Denmark, which in 2024 helped safeguard traffic in the Red Sea amid strikes by Houthi militants in Yemen, has been far more reticent to commit to similar action off the coast of Iran.

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In comments Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told journalists the country would like to see a coordinated European response.

Even if we dont like whats going on, I think its wise to keep an open mind on whether Europe ... in some way can contribute, but with a view towards de-escalation, he said. Denmark is a sea-faring nation and we have in every way an interest in ensuring free navigation.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday the country will not take part in any immediate operation to reopen Hormuz, but might reconsider once the situation is calmer.

We are not party to the conflict, he said at a defense council meeting. France did not choose this war. We are not taking part in it. We have a purely defensive position. Our objectives are clear: to protect our nationals, our diplomatic and military sites, and our interests in the region.

Spain

Madrids defense and foreign affairs ministers on Monday flatly ruled out any action in Hormuz.

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Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called the war a spiral of violence and an escalation that does not have clear objectives in an interview with La Razon, a Spanish newspaper.

Defense Minister Margarita Robles meanwhile said that Spain is not considering any mission in Hormuz. What we are considering is the demand that the war end.

Australia

Catherine King, Australias Transport Minister, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Monday the country doesnt plan to pitch in on Trumps crisis, either.

We wont be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz, she said. We know how incredibly important that is, but thats not something that weve been asked or that were contributing to.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
The northern lights may be seen in northern U.S. states and Canada on Wednesday, March 18, through Thursday, March 19, after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a geomagnetic storm watch suggesting that G3-class geomagnetic storms are possible.

According to SpaceWeather.com, Earths geomagnetic field is expected to become unsettled with the arrival of an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection. It is forecast to arrive just hours before the northern vernal equinox on March 20, with mid-latitude auroras possible as far south as Illinois and Oregon.

NOAA added that, G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storming is likely, with a chance for isolated periods of G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storming, on 19 Mar with the arrival of the 16 Mar CME. NOAA is also forecasting unsettled conditions through March 24, 26-28 and 30.

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A new moon on March 19 makes conditions perfect for a dark night sky.

The celestial geometry of the spring equinox on March 20 makes auroras statistically twice as likely this month.

NOAA's aurora viewline forecast for overnight on Wednesday, March 18, through Thursday, March 19, 2026. NOAA

Northern Lights Alert: Where And When To Look

NOAAs aurora view line shows the northern lights potentially visible  most likely low on the northern horizon  in up to 20 U.S. states near the Canada border. States with the best chance include Alaska and (northerly parts of) Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.

It could also mean faint auroras visible low on the northern horizon in northern regions of Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

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States farther north will always have the best odds. For the best views, wait until the moon is down, using a light pollution map and a Dark Sky Place Finder (though finding a clear sky will also be essential). The clearer and darker the northern sky, the more vibrant the display  even during moderate geomagnetic storms.

NOAA has issued a geomagnetic storm watch for March 19, 2026. NOAA

Russell-McPherron Effect

Auroras are statistically more likely in March because of the Russell-McPherron effect. Earths axis is side-on to the sun during the equinox, putting Earths magnetic field at a right angle to the incoming solar wind. This orientation increases the chances of an inverted magnetic alignment between Earth and the sun  the configuration that most efficiently transfers energy into Earths magnetosphere. Openings form in Earths magnetic field, allowing charged particles from the solar wind to accelerate into near-Earth space and trigger geomagnetic disturbances. However, auroras still depend on the suns activity.

How To Photograph The Northern Lights

If your smartphone has a Night Mode or Pro Mode, you can capture a beautiful aurora photo with these steps:

Use your main lens, not the ultra-wide, for sharper results.

Stabilize the camera using a tripod or rest it on a firm surface such as a car roof, wall, or post.

Shoot in RAW format if available, as it makes post-editing easier.

Expect long exposures between five and ten seconds. Even faint glows that look grayish to the eye often appear vividly green, purple or red in photos.

Northern Lights Alert: Updates

Auroras occur when charged particles from the solar wind accelerate down Earths magnetic field lines and collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms high in the atmosphere. These collisions excite the gases, which then release energy as shimmering light.

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The exact timing of space weather is difficult to predict because it depends on the speed of the solar wind. Aurora-chasers monitor NOAAs 30-minute aurora forecast and SpaceWeatherLive.com, as well as apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast, SpaceWeatherLive or Glendale Aurora, which provide live solar wind data.

The critical data is on the interplanetary magnetic fields Bz component, which determines how easily solar energy enters Earths magnetosphere. When Bz points north, Earths field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in. A sustained southward Bz of -5 nT or stronger usually signals an imminent display of aurora.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
President Donald Trumps war on Iran continues to put more Americans in harms way.

More than 200 Americans across seven countries have been wounded as a result of the U.S.-Israeli joint campaign against Iran, The Washington Post reported on Monday.

Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, the U.S. Central Command chief spokesperson, told the outlet that the troops had been wounded in Kuwait, Iraq, Israel, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Hawkins said that most were hurt during the opening days of the conflict and that over 180 have returned to duty.

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have claimed that the U.S. has

Last week, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that about 140 Americans had been wounded, and though most wounds were minor, eight were seriously hurt.

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Hawkins added that the number of troops who were seriously wounded had risen to 10, saying that military officials had recharacterized the wounds of two personnel who had been hit near the beginning of the fighting.

More than 1,400 Iranian civilians and at least 13 U.S. service members have died since the war broke out on Feb. 28. / Majid Asgaripour / Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters via Reuters

Since the military actiondubbed Operation Epic Fury by the Defense Departmentbegan on Feb. 28, a total of 13 American service members have died as a result of the conflict.

On March 1, six American military personnel died when an Iranian drone struck a mobile operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. Another U.S. soldier died during an attack at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, six more troops were killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Military officials said the aircraft had been involved in an accident with another aircraft, though the other plane landed safely in Israel.

All crew members aboard the refueling aircraft were killed in the crash, military officials said. / Senior Airman Zachary Rufus/U.S. Air Force

The latest figures from Irans Health Ministry estimate that over 1,400 people have been killed and over 18,000 wounded by U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran since Feb. 28, according to Al Jazeera.

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Trump, 79, has desperately tried to rally support from allies across the globe, but to little effect.

Longtime allied nations like the United Kingdom and Australia have outright refused to send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed on March 2. Germany, Spain, and Japan have also said that they have no plans to send ships to support Trumps request.

Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, has come to a near halt in the wake of Irans closure. Daily traffic has slowed to a trickle from its typical 60-ship average, with only three ships per day traveling through the crucial trade corridor, according to hormuzstraitmonitor.com.

As a result, Americans have felt the war at home at the pump, with the national average price for a gallon of gas now around $3.70, up more than 22 percent from last months $2.94 average.

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The exact timeline for when the U.S. involvement in the Middle East will cease is unclear, though Trump said it will end when I feel it in my bones.

The Daily Beast reached out to the White House for comment.
NEW YORK  The MTA in New York on Tuesday filed suit against the Trump administration for stalling the release of tens of millions of contractually obligated funds for the second phase of the Second Ave. subway tunnel.

The complaint filed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in the court of federal claims says New York has been deprived of nearly $60 million that was promised to support the project that began construction two years ago.

The United Statess breach threatens MTAs ability to remain on schedule, get the new subway tracks and stations up and running (and begin earning revenue), and has required the MTA to divert millions of dollars away from other critical transportation projects in order to fill the gap, it reads.

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The Second Avenue Subway Project is the fulfillment of a longstanding promise to the residents of east Manhattan and Harlem after a century of delay.

The project is one of two that the Trump administration targeted for funding interference in the early hours of the federal government shutdown in October, along with the Hudson River Gateway tunnel. That money was eventually released after a court battle.

The subway project is designed to extend the Q line almost 2 miles into Harlem and East Harlem, shortening the daily commutes of upwards of 100,000 New Yorkers. New stations are slated for 106th, 116th, and 125th Sts., with the 125th St. station to connect riders from the 4, 5, and 6 lines to the Metro-North Railroad.

In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the suit was yet another effort by New York to push back on the federal governments erratic shutting off billions of dollars in previously committed infrastructure funding.

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We have already made enormous progress  work is underway and the project is moving on schedule and on budget. But Donald Trumps unlawful funding pause has put this entire project at risk, Hochul said.

We told Donald Trump that if he did not restore the funding for this project, wed see him in court. Today, we are doing just that. Just like Gateway, Donald Trump has two options: restore the money now, or wait for a judge to force him to.

The Trump administration has provided a grab bag of excuses for blocking funding for the project and for the Hudson River tunnel project, including supposed contracting compliance, the Democrats position on immigration, and Trumps beef with Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The president floated restoring funds for the Hudson tunnel in exchange for Schumer backing an effort to plaster the Trump name on Penn Station or Washingtons Dulles International Airport, which the senator would not agree to, The News reported.

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These projects are not political bargaining chips; they are lifelines for New Yorks economy and union workers, and we will fight until every dollar of promised funding is delivered, Schumer said in a statement to The News Tuesday.

The Daily News reached out to the White House and the Department of Transportation for comment.

---------
The trial for rapper Joseph Foreman, known professionally as Afroman, began Monday in a lawsuit filed by Adams County sheriffs deputies.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The deputies allege Foreman used their likenesses without permission in social media posts and a music video, according to our news partners at WCPO.

The legal dispute centers on an Aug. 21, 2022, raid on Foremans home related to an investigation into drug trafficking and kidnapping.

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Foreman, whose defense argues the case is a matter of freedom of speech, used security camera footage of the raid in the music video for his song Lemon Pound Cake.

The first day of the trial focused on social media posts Foreman made following the raid.

TRENDING STORIES:

Footage shared on his Instagram page showed multiple officers breaking down a door and entering his residence with rifles drawn.

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He captured the raid on security cameras around his home and used the footage in the music video for Lemon Pound Cake, which subsequently went viral.

Foreman said he was in Chicago when the search warrant was executed.

The police were all over my property, Foreman said in a 2023 interview, noting that his neighbors called him to report the activity.

Although the warrant cited drug trafficking and kidnapping, Foreman did not face any charges following the search.

Foreman reported that the raid caused significant damage to his home and that deputies disconnected his surveillance cameras.

He also claimed that $400 was missing from the amount deputies reported seizing.

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An investigation conducted by Clermont County concluded that no money was stolen but had instead been miscounted by deputies.

Foreman questioned the results of that investigation.

They started investigating themselves, and they say it was simply a miscount. How do you miscount $400? Foreman said.

The deputies filed the lawsuit seeking damages for humiliation. According to court documents, the officers also stated they received death threats following the release of the footage and social media posts.

The trial is expected to continue throughout the week.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Ohio will ban ranked choice voting statewide and make it harder for cities to elect local leaders that way.

Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 63, which prohibits the state from conducting elections with ranked choice voting. The law also withholds funding from municipalities that use it for local races  something being considered in Lakewood and other communities.

DeWine did not issue a statement about his decision on March 17. Ohio Municipal League Executive Director Kent Scarrett criticized the move, saying local government funding shouldn't be used as leverage to influence policy.

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"The best decisions about local governance should be made at the local level  by the communities and leaders closest to the people they serve," Scarrett said. "Establishing a precedent where state funding can be cut off when local officials make decisions that state officeholders may not agree with is concerning and undermines that principle."

Stay informed: Sign up for our weekly Ohio politics newsletter

What is ranked choice voting?

Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank multiple candidates from favorite to least favorite. If their top choice loses, the vote is transferred to their No. 2. This process plays out over several rounds until one candidate wins a majority of the vote.

Ballot exhaustion can occur if all of the voter's ranked candidates are eliminated. Those ballots dont count toward the final outcome.

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Alaska and Maine are the only states that use ranked choice voting, but some counties and cities have adopted it at the local level, according to FairVote, an organization that advocates for election reform. Proponents say it reduces political polarization, but critics on both sides of the aisle contend it bogs down the voting process.

Cincinnati, Cleveland and other Ohio cities used ranked choice voting  known then as proportional representation  in the early 20th century, according to Rank the Vote. The idea has support among local officials and advocates in Lakewood, Stow and Cincinnati, but the new law will likely complicate any efforts to move forward.

State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gov. Mike DeWine signs bill to ban ranked choice voting in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Former Ohio State President Ted Carter spoke at an out-of-town event with the woman he had an inappropriate relationship with last year but did not appear to spend university funds on her.

Carter abruptly resigned last week over what was called an inappropriate relationship with a woman seeking public funds to support her private business. The woman has been identified as Krisanthe Vlachos, a podcaster who received support from JobsOhio and resources at Ohio State to produce The Callout Podcast. The nature of the inappropriate relationship has not been publicized. See previous coverage of Carters resignation in the video player above.

The Callout Podcast connected military personnel and veterans with linemen, or technical workers who maintain electrical and telecommunication lines. The program featured Carter, a decorated combat veteran and Top Gun graduate, multiple times. In May 2025, Vlachos partnered with Ohio State and Carter to connect military and veterans to linemen at the Gaff-N-Go Rodeo in Richmond, Virginia.

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Ohio bill seeks to crack down on accessible parking misuse

Carter served as the keynote speaker for the rodeo, a two-day skills competition for linemen. According to a LinkedIn post, Vlachos presented at the opening ceremonies.

On Saturday, May 17, Carters schedule listed him as speaking for 15 minutes at the awards banquet, followed by a banquet dinner w/ Rodeo, CSuite leadership & Krisanthe. After the dinner, slotted for TBD p.m., Carter would have walked back to his hotel, per the schedule.

Carters business receipts filed with OSU do not indicate he spent university money on Vlachos at the event. Carters expenses were authorized by the university cost center one month before his trip. OSU committed $2,221.16 for his travels, and he spent around $1,745 in total in university money.

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Carter was in Richmond from May 15 to 18, and the rodeo was a two-day event on May 16 and 17. Carters receipts show he paid $1,389.48 for first class, round-trip airfare for one. Carter spent $238 on Ubers, with trips to the airport, hotel and event. The records note the Gaff-N-Go Rodeo covered his hotel fare.

Judge to rule on best way to dispose of remains found at Upper Arlington school

Carter was allotted $240 for meals before the trip, and spent $263.25. Most of the meal expenses came from two dinners: a $101.26 meal at the Richmond Marriott on May 15 and a $96.72 meal at the Marriott on May 16. Both meals were labeled for business entertaining, with Carter saying he dined with event organizer Brian Mosier on his first night and Maryland Co-op leader Mike Millard the second.

The month after the Gaff-N-Go rodeo, Vlachos signed a contract with WOSU to use university-owned podcasting studios to produce The Callout Podcast. Vlachos, who lives in St. Louis, would pay $1,874.32 per episode for 50 episodes to be filmed between July 2025 and June 2026. In total, Vlachos agreed to pay $93,716 to use WOSUs equipment.

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Details regarding Vlachos and Carters relationship are sparse as the university continues its investigation into Carters alleged misconduct. Days after accepting Carters resignation, the board of trustees elevated Provost and Executive Vice President Ravi Bellamkonda to become the new university president.

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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
After a weekend of wildfires and a sharp dip into freezing temperatures, Oklahoma will soon face potentially record-breaking heat at the end of the week.

According to the National Weather Service, much of the state could see highs over 90 degrees on Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22.

In addition to rising temperatures, Oklahoma will face several days of elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions due to the warming temperatures, extremely dry air, and gusty winds. The National Weather Service has placed a fire weather watch over parts of western Oklahoma and northwestern Texas.

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More: How many tornadoes have touched down in Oklahoma so far? See latest data

The wildfire threat will be heightened by the minimum relative humidity being between 10 and 25% throughout the state and wind gusts up to 35 mph.

The fire threat will lessen throughout the week, as Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday all have an 'elevated' fire risk throughout the state. The 'near-critical' fire risk will return on Sunday with a concentration in southwestern Oklahoma and northwestern Texas.

Sunday will have similar conditions throughout the state as Tuesday, with a high of 93 degrees and a relative humidity of 15 to 30%. Gusts are expected to reach 30 mph.

Potential for record-breaking heat this week

Oklahoma will experience possibly record-breaking heat Thursday through Sunday. Forecasters say Saturday will be the warmest, with a chance for Oklahoma City to beat the hottest daily temperature record of 95 degrees, which was first set in 1916.

Near-record to record breaking temperatures are possible late this week into the weekend.

On average, these temperatures are 25-30 degrees above average according to the National Weather Service.

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Here is the forecast for Oklahoma City throughout the weekend:

Tuesday, March 17: partly cloudy, High: 66; Low: 46

Wednesday, March 18: scattered clouds, High: 80; Low: 51

Thursday, March 19: scattered clouds, High: 88; Low: 54

Friday, March 20: sunny, High: 91; Low: 57

Saturday, March 21: sunny, High: 94; Low: 59

Sunday, March 22: sunny, High: 86

Weekend wildfires roar in western Oklahoma

This week's fire risk and rising temperatures come after a weekend of wildfires.

On Sunday, emergency managers in Sayre, Oklahoma, in Beckham County ordered neighborhoods to evacuate as fires swept north of the community of about 5,200 people two hours west of Oklahoma City. The order was lifted around 2 p.m. Sunday as fire officials declared the fire under control. Estimates on damage were not immediately available.

Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Wildfires in Oklahoma: Crews fight Love County fire in March outbreak 1 of 10 Firefighters with Love County Fire Department respond to an active wildfire near Highway 76 in Love County on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

There were also wildfires east of Arapaho and near Martha, five miles north of Altus, the NWS Norman reported.

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A majority of the state was under a red flag warning for fires and a high wind warning with gusts of up to 65 mph through the day Sunday. On Monday, the state is in a red flag watch, which means that the risk of hazardous weather is increasing, but not immediately occurring.

"Postpone any activities that could spark a fire, and be sure to secure outdoor belongings and use caution when driving high-profile vehicles like box trucks, semis, or tall vans," the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said on its Facebook page.

In the Oklahoma City metro, meanwhile, downed power lines caused the closure of the southbound lanes of I-35 in Norman on Sunday. The road was reopened to traffic at 1:30 a.m. Monday.

At the height of the fire activity on Sunday, there were more than 25,000 power outages reported statewide, according to the Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center.

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As of Monday morning, almost all power has been restored. Counties with the highest number of damages are Canadian, Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Cleveland.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma faces record-breaking heat, wildfire risk this week: Forecast
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR)  An Oklahoma State University graduate was among the six crew members killed on Thursday after a refueling aircraft crashed in the Middle East.

33-year-old U.S. Air Force Maj. John Alex Klinner was identified by Oklahoma State University as one of the crew members onboard the KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down over Iraq on March 12.

Klinner graduated from OSUs Spears College of Business in 2025.

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All 6 aboard U.S. refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq are dead, military says

In a statement, the university said it is mourning the loss and honoring his service.

The Cowboy family is grateful for his service to our country and we are keeping his wife, Libby, and young children in our thoughts and prayers. Oklahoma State University in a social post

The Department of Defense identified all victims of the crash: 33-year-old John A. Klinner, 31-year-old Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 34-year-old Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 38-year-old Capt. Seth R. Koval, 30-year-old Capt Curtis J. Angst, and 28-year-old Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons.

According to NBC News, Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, while Koval, Angst, and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing.

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Officials say that two aircraft were involved in the incident, with one of them having landed safely.

The U.S. Central Command announced that the crash was under investigation, but was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

The Air Force said Klinner was the chief of squadron standardization and evaluation for his squadron in Alabama.

He had been deployed four times since 2019 and logged 181 combat or combat support hours. Klinner was promoted four times and awarded three medals, which include: the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.

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Klinner was married with three young children, including seven-month-old twins.

A family member has launched a GoFundMe to help support his wife, Libby, and their children. If you would like to donate, click 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
When Pioneer Crossing opened in 2010, it was built to serve a growing Utah County. Few anticipated just how quickly that growth would come. Since then, Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain have more than doubled in population. Pioneer Crossing has become the main connection to I-15 and one of the most congested roads in the state, now carrying nearly twice the traffic it was built to handle.

This pattern is evident throughout the state, where population and traffic growth are exceeding what our roads and infrastructure can handle. As the state continues to grow, we face the reality that yesterdays infrastructure cannot support todays needs or those of tomorrow.

Thats why, during the legislative session, the House Majority Caucus took an infrastructure-first approach. Infrastructure isnt just asphalt. Its the foundation that fuels economic growth. When we invest in infrastructure, we are investing in people, prosperity and Utahs long-term future.

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Reliable roads and highways do more than move cars. They increase affordability, enhance connectivity and improve overall quality of life. The Legislatures commitment to strategic infrastructure investments ensures Utahns can depend on safe, efficient transportation now and in the future.

Investing in infrastructure directly supports housing affordability in ways that create real, lasting impact. Areas like northwest Utah County and southwest Salt Lake County have room to build more homes. Increasing supply helps ease demand and stabilize prices. The reality is, when families must spend hours in traffic each day, they pay for it in higher fuel costs, increased vehicle maintenance and time away from loved ones. By investing in roads, we give families the freedom to live where housing is attainable without sacrificing their time or taking on added transportation costs.

Strong infrastructure not only supports daily life but also drives economic development and creates opportunity. Businesses look for communities where goods can move efficiently, employees can commute safely and utilities are reliable. Strong infrastructure attracts investment, supports small businesses, keeps Utah competitive and keeps Utahns working.

In recent years, the Legislature has demonstrated its commitment to infrastructure by making historic investments in corridor preservation  acquiring land now for future highways. This type of planning ahead will save taxpayer dollars and allow communities to grow around transportation corridors. None of this happens without collaboration. State leaders, local governments and community members all play a role in deciding which projects matter most. By listening to our constituents  the people who actually use these roads and systems every day  we can prioritize solutions that make the greatest difference for Utah families.

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That commitment and collaboration is especially critical in high-growth areas like southwest Salt Lake County and northwest Utah County. In the last few years, the Legislature has allocated $2.1 billion to improve mobility in this region. This investment includes fully building out the 2100 North freeway, extending Mountain View Corridor into Utah County, upgrading Pioneer Crossing and completing portions of the Cory B. Wride Memorial Highway.

These projects are designed to provide long-term relief in some of the states most congested areas. The newly completed four-mile section of Mountain View Corridor is already improving travel between Salt Lake and Utah counties, reducing delays on Redwood Road and easing pressure on I-15 near the Point of the Mountain. Pioneer Crossing is also getting major upgrades that include using flex lanes to adjust capacity based on traffic demand and adding additional travel lanes to expand roadway capacity.

For years, Utah has prioritized planning ahead to support growth. By continuing the tradition of investing wisely, building responsibly and thinking about the big picture, we can build a strong foundation for what comes next.

Infrastructure may not be glamorous, but it is essential. When we invest thoughtfully, we arent just building roads  we are building stronger communities and greater opportunities for generations to come.




Connecticut lawmakers are pushing to expand unemployment benefits to striking workers, regulate self-checkout machines, and create a climate "superfund" to extract billions from fossil fuel companies.

Bold ideas - except California already tried all of them. And even Gov. Gavin Newsom said no.

For years, California has served as the nation's policy laboratory. Other states often watch to see which progressive experiments succeed, and which quietly collapse under fiscal pressure, legal uncertainty, or political reality.

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Now Hartford appears ready to rerun several of those failed experiments.

California has nearly 40 million residents, a Democratic supermajority, and a governor who has built his national profile on ambitious progressive policy. If legislation can't survive there, it's rarely because the politics weren't favorable. More often, it's because the math didn't work - or the consequences proved harder to defend than the slogans.

Connecticut lawmakers are now attempting to revive those same proposals.

Unemployment benefits for striking workers

The clearest example is unemployment insurance.

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Under current law, workers who go on strike are ineligible for unemployment benefits. The reasoning is straightforward: unemployment insurance is designed to support workers who lose their jobs involuntarily and are actively seeking new work. Striking workers still have jobs - they have chosen to withhold their labor as a bargaining strategy.

Connecticut's SB 440 would change that by allowing workers on strike for at least two weeks to collect unemployment benefits.

This isn't new territory. A similar bill passed the Connecticut legislature last year before Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed it in June 2025, citing concerns about economic impact and job growth. He vetoed a nearly identical proposal the year before.

California tried the same thing in 2023. Lawmakers passed SB 799, which would have allowed striking workers to collect benefits after a two-week waiting period. Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected it, warning that the state's unemployment insurance system - nearly $20 billion in debt to the federal government - could not sustain the expansion.

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Connecticut's unemployment system has faced its own financial pressures in recent years. The fiscal concerns that stopped the policy in California apply here as well.

The self-checkout fight

Then there's the grocery store bill.

Connecticut's SB 438 would limit the number of self-checkout machines a single employee can oversee, cap total machines at eight per store, and impose minimum staffing requirements whenever automated checkout is in use.

The intent is to preserve cashier jobs. The effect would be to regulate how private retailers deploy technology inside their own stores.

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California considered a nearly identical measure in 2024. It moved through committee but stalled before reaching the governor's desk. Even in a state known for aggressive regulation of business, lawmakers ultimately declined to push it across the finish line.

The climate superfund debate

Connecticut is also considering a climate "superfund" bill that would require large fossil fuel companies to pay for climate-related damages based on their share of historical global emissions.

The pitch is simple: make polluters pay instead of taxpayers.

California has been trying to pass the same idea for years. It keeps failing.

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California has attempted the same idea repeatedly. Each time, it stalled in the legislature. Lawmakers ran into the same questions: How do you calculate one company's share of global emissions going back decades? How do you assign dollar amounts to hurricanes or floods? And how does such a law survive constitutional challenges?

New York and Vermont passed similar measures and are now defending them in federal court. Neither has collected a dollar.

If California's Democratic supermajority couldn't translate the concept into durable law, Hartford's enthusiasm is not a solution - it's a wager.

Policy borrowing - without the lessons

Looking west for policy inspiration isn't unusual. States routinely study each other's legislation.

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But copying ideas that never worked is a different matter.

These California proposals didn't fail because they lacked progressive support. They failed because governors and lawmakers concluded the fiscal risks, legal exposure, or economic consequences were too high.

That's the question Connecticut has yet to answer: If California couldn't make these policies work, why does Hartford think the outcome will be different?

Policy experimentation can be healthy. Repeating other states' failed experiments is not.

And if Connecticut is going to borrow from California, lawmakers should at least borrow the caution that stopped these bills the first time.

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Meghan Portfolio is the manager of research and analysis at the Yankee Institute, a Hartford-based think tank.

This article originally published at Opinion: From Sacramento to Hartford: California's failed policy experiments come to Connecticut.
BUDAPEST, Hungary  For some Hungarians, next month's parliamentary election is a chance to break with Russia, a country many believe holds a grip over their homeland.

In power since 2010, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has fostered political and economic ties with Moscow while blocking EU assistance to Ukraine, deepening the rift between Budapest and Brussels.

For some of Orban's opponents who came to the Tisza party rally in Budapest on March 15, it was a chance to reject the government's pro-Russia course.

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"I don't think these people want to belong to Russia," a Tisza supporter told the Kyiv Independent at the rally.

The April 12 election, he said, is the last chance to "change the current political system  otherwise, we'll become Belarus."

Read also: On Hungarys National Day, two futures took the streets

Read also: Peter Magyars Ukraine problem

'Russians, go home'

While Tisza supporters were gathering for their march, Orban was speaking to a rival pro-government rally  also attended by the Kyiv Independent  near the Hungarian parliament building.

The prime minister has increasingly put Ukraine at the center of his campaign, and his top officials used their March 15 speeches to deride the Ukrainian leadership.

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The pro-Fidesz crowd mirrored their tone, booing at the mentions of Ukraine and breaking into applause whenever it was denounced.

But a voice of the opposing camp broke through when a young man, passing by the rally, shouted at the crowd the motto of Hungary's 1956 Revolution: "Russians, go home!"

It was the same motto heard later when Tisza leader Peter Magyar addressed his supporters.

Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, greets supporters during a rally ahead of a general election in Budapest, Hungary, on March 15, 2026. (Akos Stiller/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"Friends, in 1848-49 and 1956, our revolutions and freedom were crushed, bloodied," the opposition leader said in reference to two Hungarian revolutions, both suppressed with Russian arms.

"The Russians came and stayed. They crushed the revolution, but they could never break us."

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While the EU sought to wean itself off Russian energy in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Orban's government has only deepened its reliance. The majority of Hungary's natural gas and about 90% of the oil it buys come from Russia as of 2025.

Apart from Slovakia, Hungary is the only EU country still enjoying exemption from EU sanctions on buying Russian pipeline oil via the Druzhba pipeline.

The dependence also extends into the nuclear sector, as Russia's Rosatom is leading the initiative to build Hungary's Paks-2 nuclear power plant.

The Tisza party vowed to end reliance on Russian energy by 2035 and review the nuclear project.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Kremlin in Moscow on Nov. 28, 2025. (Alexander Nemenov / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

During his speech, Magyar has also repeated his accusations that Orban has invited Russian agents to help boost his campaign.

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Many at the rally acknowledged fears of Russian meddling.

"Our history shows that this would not be the first time," Katalin, a Tisza supporter, commented on the suspicions. "And I hate to say, if you look around at global politics, it's not the last time."

Viktor Molnar, another Tisza backer, shared the concerns that Fidesz might "cheat" in the election with outside help  be it "the U.S. or Russia."

Orban has maintained warm ties not only with Russian President Vladimir Putin but also with U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom bolster right-wing populists and Euroskeptics.

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"We are really on crossroads for Hungary, whether we actually belong to Europe... or we go back in time where we belong to the not-so-friendly East," Katalin said.

Ukraine not a priority

Magyar's campaign has prioritized domestic issues  like the cost of living and corruption  but the government's pro-Russian tilt is also a vulnerability the opposition can exploit.

Orban's "relationship to Russia plays a very significant role in the election campaign," Daniel Hegedus, deputy director at the Institute for European Politics (IEP), told the Kyiv Independent.

"Being anti-Russian is now a key mobilizing factor for opposition voters."

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Yet, in the Hungarian context, "anti-Russian" does not always translate into "pro-Ukrainian."

An opinion survey from December 2025 shows that while most Hungarians feel closer to the West than to Russia, Moscow and Kyiv are viewed with near-equal skepticism.

More Hungarians have a negative view of Ukraine (71%) than Russia (68%), according to Policy Solutions' research. Roughly half also see both Ukraine and Russia as a threat to their homeland.

Tisza supporters tend to be less critical of Ukraine, while government voters are softer on Russia  but the majority of both groups view the two countries negatively, based on the poll.

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Some people who spoke to the Kyiv Independent at Magyar's rally disapproved of the government's anti-Ukrainian crusade.

Recent months saw tensions surge between Kyiv and Budapest, as Orban accused Ukraine of threats and blackmail in connection with the suspension of oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline.

"We have no problem with the Ukrainian people; I think the Ukrainian people have better things to worry about than dealing with Hungarian politicians," one Tisza supporter said, calling the dispute a "made-up" issue.

At the same time, many attendees said they do not view ties with Ukraine as a priority.

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"I don't care about that," Viktor Molnar said. "I only care about our home, our country So everybody could live in a better Hungary."

According to Katalin, Hungarians need to mend their own internal divisions; only then can they work on repairing ties with Ukraine and other neighbors.

Read also: Iran oil price shock fuels Hungarys campaign against Russia sanctions

Read also: After bashing allies, Trump now wants their help  except from Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Oregon Elementary School Principal Ryan Huels has been recognized at both the national and state levels for his leadership in education.

Huels was featured in Education Week, a respected education publication, where he discussed how school leaders can better support teachers and prevent professional burnout, according to a community announcement.

Drawing from his experience at Oregon Elementary School, Huels outlined practical leadership decisions that prioritize staff well-being while maintaining high expectations for student learning.

Oregon Elementary Principal Ryan Huels earns national and state recognition for strategies that support teachers and build sustainable school culture.

Reducing unnecessary meetings and increasing communication

He suggested strategies such as reducing unnecessary meetings, communicating with clarity and efficiency, and maintaining consistent visibility throughout the school day, according to the announcement.

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By being present in classrooms, hallways, lunch periods and school activities, Huels emphasized the importance of staying connected to both students and staff.

"Effective leadership starts with listening and being present," Huels said in the announcement. "If we want teachers to give their best to students, we have to make sure they feel supported, valued, and respected."

In addition to his national feature, Huels represented Oregon Community Unit School District 220 at the Illinois ASCD Pump Up Primary Conference on March 6, where he shared insights with fellow administrators on building sustainable school culture.

His presentation focused on systems that reduce burnout, strengthen morale and create environments where educators can thrive long term.

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"Ryans work exemplifies what we believe in at OCUSD 220  leadership that is visible, responsive, and centered on people. We are proud to see his efforts recognized beyond our local community," Superintendent PJ Caposey said in the announcement.

Huels was quick to credit the staff of the elementary school, emphasizing that any recognition is a reflection of the collective commitment of teachers and support personnel who show up daily for students.

This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on Journal Standard: Can these leadership moves help schools reduce teacher burnout?
An Oklahoma State graduate was confirmed to be one of six US. Service members killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq while conducting a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury on Thursday, March 12, the university confirmed.

U.S. Air Force Maj. John "Alex" Klinner, an Alabama native, was a 2025 graduate of OSU's Spears School of Business' MBA program.

"The Cowboy family is grateful for his service to our country and we are keeping his wife, Libby, and young children in our thoughts and prayers," the university said in a social media statement.

Oklahoma State University has learned of the passing of U.S. Air Force Maj. John "Alex" Klinner. He was one of six crewmembers on a KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in the Middle East. The Cowboy family is grateful for his service to our country and we are keeping his pic.twitter.com/EqUkF1YtRk  Oklahoma State Univ. (@okstate) March 17, 2026

Klinner, 33, leaves behind his wife and three young children  7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son. He served in the United States Air Force for eight years.

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According to the U.S. military, Klinner was assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Friends and family say Alex was the type of person who quietly stepped in to help anyone who needed it, according to his sister-in-law, Sarah Rose Harrill. Harrill started a GoFundMe page to assist Libby in "providing stability, care, and the ability to focus on healing in the months and years ahead."

Pentagon identifies six servicemembers killed in Iraq KC-135 crash

U.S. officials have identified the other five service members who were killed when the refueling aircraft was lost over Iraq.

Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington

Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio

Tech Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

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Jennifer Lindahl contributed to this story.

Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU graduate confirmed as one of 6 killed in KC-135 crash in Iraq
HYDE PARK, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  The owner of nearly 60 huskies that were rescued from a barn in Hyde Park has now legally surrendered custody of them, meaning they can be rehomed in the coming months.

According to the ASPCA, the huskies could have been living in the filthy and crowded conditions without much food or water for quite some time, leading up to multiple organizations jumping through the legal hoops necessary to seize the dogs on Tuesday, March 10.

Many of them were tethered to chains and had some limited ability to move around, said Beth Brandler, Vice President of ASPCA Cruelty Response. There was a strong odor of ammonia kind of throughout the barn, and thats from that buildup of urine.

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The amount of coordination that went into this to make sure that all the evidence needed was collected  was actually really incredible to watch and to learn from, said Lisa Milot, the Director of Vermonts newly founded Animal Welfare Division.

The Lamoille County Sheriffs Department and the Lamoille County States Attorneys Office got word of what was going at some point and opened an investigation, following the case for a while and collecting evidence. They eventually reached out to Milot, who then reached out to the ASPCA, since she knew Vermont didnt have the resources necessary as a state to handle an animal rescue operation of this size.

It can be really difficult in Vermont to actually organize a seizure, because we have no municipal shelters or other holding facilities for animals that are seized, and they are potentially, they potentially need to be held as evidence for several months, Milot said.

Once getting all of the legal components in place, the sheriffs department and about 40 ASPCA volunteers showed up to the barn on Cleveland Corners Road and took the dogs, bringing them to the ASPCAs Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, Ohio, where they still remain.

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The original owner of the dogs, whose name is still being kept anonymous after relinquishing legal ownership of them, could still face animal cruelty charges down the road. But, in the meantime, ASPCA officials say they will worry about caring for the huskies and getting them ready for adoption.

Some of the dogs did appear to be underweight and dehydrated, Brandler said. Well do medical exams at the shelter and find out, you know, all of the underlying medical conditions that are going on with the animals.

Securing the participation of the ASPCA was really important so that we could move ahead with this fairly quickly, and make sure that there was a humane outcome for the animals, Milot added.

Milot also said using the ASPCAs resources in this rescue likely saved Vermont taxpayers upwards of $75,000. If the sheriffs department had gone ahead with the seizure themselves, they wouldve had to find somewhere to house the huskies, with some likely in need of thousands of dollars worth of care. Instead of taxpayers carrying that weight, its all paid for through funds the ASPCA has collected through its donors.

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Correction: This article previously misidentified the road as Cleveland Corner Road. It has now been updated with the correct name, Cleveland Corners Road.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Four hundred Afghans have been killed by a Pakistani air strike on a hospital in Kabul, the Taliban has claimed.

Footage circulating on social media shows a powerful blast followed by a rising fireball and a cascade of bright sparks  probably from secondary detonations  spreading across the sky.

The attack, which also reportedly injured 250 people, took place around 9pm local time (4.30am UK) on Monday.

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Pakistan said the claims that it deliberately struck the hospital were false and accused the Taliban of detonating stored ammunition nearby.

In a separate video, a two-storey building, believed to be Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in eastern Kabul, is engulfed in flames as fire crews struggle to contain it.

Emergency services attempt to quell a blaze after Pakistani air strikes - Wakil Kohsar

The structure appears heavily damaged, with sections of the brick walls and roofing collapsed.

Bodies and dismembered remains lie scattered beneath the rubble as Taliban fighters remove victims from the wreckage. Many of the victims are patients and hospital staff.

The death toll has so far reached 400, while around 250 others have been injured, said Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesman for the Taliban.

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Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights for Afghanistan, said he was dismayed by the fresh reports of Pakistan air strikes in Afghanistan resulting in civilian casualties. Mr Bennett called on both Islamabad and Kabul to de-escalate and exercise maximum restraint.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, warned that the time for diplomacy with Pakistan was over and that the attack must be avenged.

Rescue teams search for bodies under the rubble of the damaged building - Wakil Kohsar

Islamabad has rejected the Talibans claims that the strikes targeted a drug rehabilitation facility, saying the operation aimed at destroying terrorist infrastructure used in attacks against Pakistani civilians.

On the night of 16 March, Pakistan carried out precise strikes on military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including technical equipment depots and ammunition storage facilities belonging to the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij (its proxies) in Kabul and Nangarhar, which were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians, a Pakistan government spokesman said.

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The post-strike detonation of stored ammunition used by this principal terror proxy further contradicts the false claim, he said, adding that Pakistans targeting was precise and carefully conducted to ensure that no collateral damage is inflicted.

Misreporting these sites as a drug rehabilitation facility appears designed to inflame sentiment while concealing illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism, the ministry said.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistans Taliban authorities of providing operational and logistical support to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The TTP, an ally of the Afghan Taliban with links to al-Qaeda, is accused by Islamabad of operating from Afghan territory and targeting Pakistan at the behest of India, a charge the group, Kabul and New Delhi deny.

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Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have remained tense since October, when deadly border clashes killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.

Taliban security personnel stand guard near the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan - Aimal Zahir/Getty Images

Pakistan has been pummelling Afghanistan, beginning with dozens of air strikes on military installations.

Both armies have claimed high casualties inflicted on the other and vowed to keep fighting.

On Sunday, a mortar fired from Afghanistan killed four civilians in a Pakistani village.

On Saturday, Pakistan carried out fresh air strikes on military infrastructure in Kandahar, the southern city that hosts Afghanistans supreme leader, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada. One strike hit a compound used by Afghan special forces guarding him, a member of the unit said.

A Taliban fighter guards a border crossing in Kandahar province - Sanaullah Seiam

Diplomatic efforts led by Qatar, Turkey and China have failed to halt the fighting even as many Afghans argue they cannot sustain another crisis in a country where nearly half the population needs humanitarian assistance.

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Pakistan, which has sheltered millions of Afghan refugees for many decades, has faced a significant increase in attacks since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, straining relations between the two countries.

Pakistan maintained ties with the group throughout the 20-year war in Afghanistan  a relationship the US protested against but never fully severed.

The Taliban had safe houses in Quetta, Pakistan, where its leadership, known as the Quetta Shura, operated openly for years.

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.
March 16 (Reuters) - A Pakistani airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing or wounding an unspecified number of people, an Afghan Taliban spokesperson said on Monday, an action that Pakistan rejected, saying it had targeted "military installations".

Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a post on social media platform X that Pakistan had targeted "military installations" and "terrorist support infrastructure" in Kabul and Nangarhar.

It said the targeted sites included facilities hosting ammunition and equipment used by Afghan Taliban militants and "Fitna al-Khawarij" fighters, a term Pakistan uses for militants.

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Pakistan's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fighting between the two nations erupted last month with Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant strongholds. Afghanistan called the strikes a violation of its sovereignty and launched its own attacks.

Militancy has been a contentious issue between the neighbouring allies-turned-foes, with Islamabad saying Kabul provides a haven to militants launching attacks on Pakistan. The Taliban deny the allegation, saying tackling militancy is Pakistan's internal problem.

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Sayed Hassib in Kabul, writing by Anna Peverieri in Barcelona; Editing by Nia Williams)
Archbald, Pennsylvania, a borough of fewer than 8,000 people, may soon be home to five massive data centers that, when completed, would rank among the largest now in the world. While residents are worried that data centers will strain the electric grid and drive up power bills, officials are clearing the way for these projects, which are a potentially lucrative source of tax revenue.

Together, the five planned data centers would sprawl across 51 buildings with a combined 13 million square feet of floor space, DeSmog reports. The projects will also consume an enormous amount of energy. The largest of these data centers will reportedly require 1.6 gigawatts of electricity, roughly the capacity of the largest gas-fired power plant in the state.

To reach the massive scale desired, developers in Archbald have lobbied local officials to raise the height limit for buildings in industrial zones, DeSmog reports. In November, the borough council upped the limit from 55 feet to 90 feet, over the objections of many residents.

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Here in Archbald, we are fighting against our local government, said resident Tamara Misewicz-Healey in a borough meeting. Honestly, its broken my heart.

Borough manager Dan Markey said data centers will be a source of much needed income. Financially, this could be a complete game changer for Archbald, he told DeSmog. Markey said that a single data center could generate more than $4 million yearly in property taxes for the borough, more than 60 percent of its yearly budget.

Pennsylvania has, in recent years, become a hotspot for data centers thanks to its generous tax breaks for tech companies and ample reserves of natural gas. By one estimate, 32 data centers have been proposed in the state and are now awaiting approval.

In western Pennsylvania, at least five new data centers are planned, leaving locals on edge, Yale E360 recently reported. Experts are predicting hundreds or thousands of new natural gas wells will be drilled in the region to meet the surging demand for power from gas generators.

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Not all planned data centers may come online, however. As public opposition has grown across the U.S., so has the number of cancelled projects.

Nationally, data centers are driving an uptick in power demand, according to the Energy Information Administration. Analysts say that if demand continues to surge, gas-fired power plants will likely supply the needed energy. But if demand outpaces supply, they warn, the stresses on the grid would be evident in spikes in wholesale power prices or even periods of rolling blackouts.

ALSO ON YALE E360

To Feed Data Centers, Pennsylvania Faces a New Fracking Surge
Pennsylvania's attorney general announced the arrest of a North Philadelphia man accused of running a multi-million dollar vehicle title-washing scheme.

According to the AG's office, 40-year-old Adam Richardson operated a business called Richardson Family Enterprises LLC, which appeared to be a legitimate vehicle title company.

Richardson worked as an authorized issuing agent with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, but Attorney General Dave Sunday said the company was allegedly used to launder titles for dozens of stolen vehicles.

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"There was a quarter of a million dollar Ferrari, multiple six-figure Mercedes-Benz, high-end BMWs, and Cadillacs," Sunday said.

Investigators allege the scheme involved car thieves bringing stolen vehicles to Richardson Family Enterprises, where Richardson would submit fraudulent information to PennDOT to obtain bogus vehicle titles. With those titles, the vehicles could then be resold.

"From there, the stolen vehicle, with its clean title, was resold either to unsuspecting buyers on Facebook marketplace, or the individuals who knew the vehicles were stolen and re-tagged," Sunday said.

Authorities allege Richardson received a portion of the proceeds from the resale of the vehicles. By the time Pennsylvania State Police made the arrest, investigators say Richardson had title-washed $3.8 million worth of vehicles over a four-year period.

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"Creating a lucrative source of income for himself and an avenue for criminals to move around in clean, what they refer to as clean vehicles," Sunday said.

Richardson was arrested and arraigned on charges including forgery, title washing and running a corrupt organization. He faces 16 felony counts and five misdemeanors and was denied bail.

The investigation began when Pennsylvania State Police identified stolen vehicles and discovered they had been titled by Richardson. State police then partnered with PennDOT to expand the investigation, later involving the Office of the Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Section.

Investigators said Richardson was known as the "tag guy," allegedly charging a fee to wash titles for individuals who knew the vehicles were stolen so they could be resold for large profits.

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Authorities said efforts are continuing to identify the car thieves involved and to return stolen vehicles to their rightful owners.

The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Section.
MANILA, March 16 (Reuters) - The Philippines said on Monday it rejected Beijing's assertion of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, disputing a claim by China's embassy that a Filipino diplomat had once conceded the disputed Scarborough Shoal was not part of Philippine territory.

"China must be reminded that maritime and territorial claims are subject to established international legal procedures and dispute settlement mechanisms, not through unilateral proclamations or social media posts," Philippine foreign ministry spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva told a briefing.

Villanueva said the Philippines had "indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty" over Scarborough Shoal and the islands Manila holds in the Spratly archipelago.

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The remarks are the latest in a war of words between Philippine officials and the Chinese embassy in Manila. The Chinese embassy in Manila said on Tuesday that China "has never laid claim" to the entirety of the South China Sea as its territory.

"The Philippine sides deliberate distortion of Chinas position is unconstructive and has no merit," embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said in a statement posted on social media.

The Philippines and China both lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal, which is effectively under Beijing's control through continuous deployment of its coast guard. Sovereignty over the atoll has never been formally established.

STRATEGIC SHOAL

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Villanueva was responding to a weekend social media post by the embassy that said a former Philippine ambassador had told a German radio station that Scarborough Shoal did not fall within Manila's territory.

Located 200 km (124 miles) off the Philippines and inside its exclusive economic zone, the strategic shoal is located close to major shipping lanes and is coveted for its fish stocks and a turquoise lagoon that provides safe haven for vessels during storms.

"Sovereignty is not merely claimed, it is exercised," Villanueva said.

The Philippines and China have been locked in a series of maritime confrontations in recent years, with the Philippines accusing Beijing of aggressive actions inside its EEZ.

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Those include water-cannoning and interference in resupply missions to Philippine-held features that Manila has often called "dangerous manoeuvres". China has insisted its coast guard has acted professionally to defend what is its territory.

The Philippines won a landmark case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 that found China's sweeping claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea had no basis under international law, a decision that Beijing continuously rejects.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Martin Petty)
Two suspects, a 22-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, were arrested after monitoring of their social media accounts revealed the suspects praising the Iranian regimes attacks against Israel.

Israel Police arrested two individuals on suspicion of online incitement against the State of Israel and for support of the Iranian regime on Saturday.

In coordination with Border Patrol officers in the West Bank, the police carried out two arrests after Israels Central Command began monitoring suspicious social media activity on the accounts of the suspects.

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The social media monitoring uncovered the suspects calling for harm against the State of Israel, encouraging acts of terrorism, and supporting the Iranian regimes attacks against Israel.

Suspects arrested for praising the Iranian regime, encouraging Hamas terrorism

The first suspect, a 22-year-old man, was arrested after detectives and border control officers conducted a raid on his home. The suspect was then transferred to the police for further questioning.

The second suspect, a 35-year-old man, was arrested after being located along Highway 60 by the IDFs 97th Battalion before being transferred for further questioning.

Israel Police vehicles; illustrative. (credit: Tal Gal/Flash90)

According to Israel Police, an investigation into the second suspects activities indicated that he encouraged an individual with ties to Hamas to commit terror attacks in the West Bank.

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The suspect additionally praised Irans former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the Iranian regimes actions against Israel during Operation Roaring Lion.

Since the start of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, Israel Police have arrested over 30 individuals for similar incidents of online incitement and support for terrorism.
These are today's HELOC and HEL rates, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. With home prices moving in different directions across the U.S., it's a great time for all homeowners to lock in a rate for a home equity line of credit or a home equity loan.




HEBRON - A man and woman found dead in a Hebron residence Friday after a murder-suicide had been together since meeting in Connecticut, but their relationship had soured, a relative of the woman said Monday.

Diana Enamorado Perdomo, 44, died from blunt force trauma of the head, and the manner was homicide, according to the state Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Gregorio Calihua-Montiel, also 44, died from ligature compression of his neck, and the manner was ruled suicide, according to the agency.

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The bodies were found in a Main Street residence next to the Brick Cantina Mexican Restaurant after a third person called to report a disturbance around 3:30 a.m., state police said. Perdomo and Calihua-Montiel both had worked at the restaurant, Perdomo's niece, Rubi Elizabeth Sagastume-Enamorado, said in a phone interview.

Perdomo was a native of Honduras and had come to the U.S. about three years ago seeking a better life, Sagastume-Enamorado said. She was a mother of three daughters and a grandmother of four, her niece said.

"She was incredible," Sagastume-Enamorado, who lives in North Carolina, said. "She was a good mother, a good grandmother, a good aunt."

Calihua-Montiel was a native of Mexico, she said, and the two had a rocky relationship. When Perdomo announced recently that she planned to return to Honduras to be with her family, Calihua-Montiel was upset, according to Perdomo's messages and conversations with her family members, Sagastume-Enamorado said.

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In her last conversation with her on Thursday, however, Perdomo seemed upbeat and looking forward to going home in July, Sagustume-Enamorado said.

State police were not releasing any details about the case on Monday.

Perdomo's family is raising money to bring her body back to Honduras for burial.

"My aunt and I came to America together with a shared dream of working hard, building a better life, and helping to support our family," Sagastume-Enamorado wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Tragically, that dream was shattered in the most heartbreaking way."

The deaths have an eerie link to a 2024 East Hartford murder-suicide, property owner David Lombard said.

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In August 2024, Naresh Kumar, 62, shot his wife, Upma Sharma, 54, then turned the gun on himself in their East Hartford home, according to local police and the state Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Sharma's death was classified as a homicide and Kumar's as a suicide. Kumar was the owner of the Ranch House restaurant in Windsor for more than 20 years, according to his obituary.

Lombard, who owns both the restaurant property and the building where the bodies were found, said Kumar had planned to open a restaurant in the same location.

He had prepared the place and was about two weeks away from opening, Lombard said.

This article originally published at Police identify two people found in dead in Hebron, ruled murder-suicide.
Mar. 16JACKSON TWP.  A New Jersey man staying with his girlfriend in Nanticoke was arraigned on allegations he initiated a pursuit through several West Side and Back Mountain municipalities early Friday morning.

Wayne Edward Floyd, 35, of Nichols, New Jersey, failed to stop for West Side Regional Police when he failed to use a turn signal at Main and Church streets, Edwardsville, just after 3 a.m., according to court records.

Floyd, operating a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, accelerated at speeds of 90 mph as he turned onto Nesbitt Street and West State Street in Larksville, and on Washington Street toward Jackson Township, court records say.

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Court records allege Floyd continued to flee, traveling on Huntsville Road, and drove through a yard of a residence on Chase Road, and made his way to Hillside Road in Kingston Township.

A Jackson Township police officer successfully deployed spike strips that flattened three tires on the Chevrolet.

After the tires were flattened, Floyd continued to flee and rammed into a police cruiser at Hillside Road and state Route 309, court records say.

While traveling north on Route 309, court records allege, Floyd drove over a large curb when he turned onto Shaver Avenue in Kingston Township. A Dallas Township police officer, on foot, ran alongside the Chevrolet in an attempt to reach inside to turn off the vehicle.

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Floyd continued to flee and abandoned the Chevrolet in the front yard of a residence on North Lehigh Street in Shavertown, court records say.

Police state in court records that the Chevrolet is registered to Floyd's girlfriend, who resides on East Green Street, Nanticoke.

A police canine and a drone were used in unsuccessful attempts to find Floyd after he allegedly abandoned the vehicle.

Police learned Floyd had contacted his girlfriend and told her to report the vehicle stolen, which she did when she called 911.

Floyd was apprehended during a foot chase on Friday afternoon in Kingston Township.

Floyd was arraigned by District Judge Kyle Halesey of Hanover Township on six counts of reckless endangerment, and one count each of aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police, criminal mischief, driving with a suspended license, and three traffic violations. Floyd was released after he posted $50,000 bail on Saturday.
Detectives are investigating a "suspicious" death in a remote area Desert Hot Springs after finding a woman's body over the weekend, the city police department said on Monday, March 16.

Police responded to Mission Creek and Worsley roads for a report of a possible death around 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. They found an adult woman dead at the scene, according to a press release that didn't give any details about her age or identity.

The woman was found in an area of largely open desert in the northwestern part of the city, just east of State Route 62.

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The police department said detectives assumed the investigation "due to the circumstances," which it did not specify.

Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Womans death in Desert Hot Springs called suspicious
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter.

New polling suggests Missouri voters back the language of an upcoming abortion ban despite their broad support of abortion rights, a remarkable disconnect as the state prepares for a historic vote in November.

The poll, released Tuesday by Saint Louis University and British pollster YouGov, marks the first poll surveying Missouri voters support of a measure that would ban nearly all abortions in the state. The measure, called Amendment 3, will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot and would overturn the 2024 vote that legalized abortion in Missouri.

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The poll found that a plurality, 47%, of those surveyed supported the language of the constitutional amendment to ban abortions, while 40% disagreed. The remaining 12% said they were not sure.

Those same voters, however, expressed support for some level of abortion access in response to separate questions. The poll, for example, showed 59% of respondents supported abortion within eight weeks of a pregnancy, a situation that would likely be banned if voters pass Amendment 3.

The poll results could serve as a warning sign for abortion rights supporters, who have long attacked the ballot measure as misleading. In addition to the abortion ban, the measure also purports to ban gender-affirming care for minors, which is currently illegal under state law.

Missouris ban on cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers for minors expires next year, but the House passed a bill that would extend the ban indefinitely. Missouri lawmakers permanently banned gender transition surgeries for minors in 2023.

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Steve Rogers, an associate professor of political science at Saint Louis University who directed the poll, said the ban on gender-affirming care is the likely explanation for the respondents support of the proposed abortion ban. The responses to the polls questions about abortion havent meaningfully changed since a majority of voters legalized access in 2024.

What I find is that if I change their positions on gender affirming care, specifically hormone therapy and gender affirming surgery, that does more to change the probability that theyre going to vote for or against Amendment 3 than the abortion variables, Rogers said.

Trans health care not popular with voters

The upcoming measure comes as abortion rights remain popular nationwide, even in Republican-led states such as Missouri. However, support for transgender health care and other LGBTQ rights is more limited.

Weve kind of been in a moment of backlash against transgender rights generally, Mary Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California-Davis who closely follows legal fights over abortion access, told The Star in July. Hitching your star to that particular argument makes some sense when youre trying to diffuse, essentially, the fact that youre embracing an unpopular position on abortion.

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Before the release of Tuesdays poll, longtime anti-abortion lobbyist and director of Campaign Life Missouri, Sam Lee, said that internal polling hes seen suggests support for Amendment 3, but that supporters need grassroots organizing and fundraising to get the message out. He believes the inclusion of a gender-affirming care ban will ultimately help the campaign.

We think that this is going to help when voters make a decision in November to vote in favor of Amendment 3, Lee said.

Maggie Olivia, a senior policy manager for the abortion rights group Abortion Action Missouri, told The Star last month that she believes Missourians will vote against the amendment. She also chastised lawmakers for what she views as dishonest ballot language.

These politicians feel like they have to hide the ball, be a little more tricky and muddy the waters for folks, because they know that their positions are unpopular, Olivia said at the time.

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They included this cynical language thats targeting trans folks in Missouri, they named this Amendment 3 right after the pro-reproductive freedom amendment in 24, really, just anything they can think of to confuse voters, she said.

Ballot language set

The new poll of 900 likely Missouri voters was conducted between Feb. 9 and Feb. 22 and has a margin of error of 3.63%. The poll also asked voters to weigh in on a host of other issues, including redistricting and approval of President Donald Trump.

The poll results come roughly eight months before Missouri voters will decide whether to once again ban abortions in the state. The measure marks a retaliatory response from Republican lawmakers, who placed the amendment on the ballot after the 2024 vote that legalized access.

The proposed amendment would completely strike down that vote and only allow abortions in rare cases of medical emergencies, fetal anomalies and rape or incest within 12 weeks of gestational age.

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In December, a Missouri appeals court rewrote the language that Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had crafted for the measure. The following language will appear on the ballot:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

 Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability;

 Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve weeks gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies;

 Allow legislation regulating abortion;

 Ensure parental consent for minors abortions;

 Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors?
Utahs settlers made the desert blossom like a rose, and its current residents are determined to keep the rose hydrated.

A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, conducted by Morning Consult, found that Utahns are generally concerned about water usage and the receding shores of the Great Salt Lake.

While statewide reservoir storage currently sits at 68%  just above the median for this time of year  Utah is frequently in a drought. In 22 of the last 25 years, the state has experienced drought conditions of some kind.

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Lawmakers have been trying to address the issue for decades, with various water-focused bills popping up through the 2026 legislative session. Data centers now have to report how much they use, farmers can sell their water to the Great Salt Lake, and state agencies now need to turn off their sprinklers while its raining.

The poll provided some insight on how state residents want the government to address the issue.

When asked what is the best way to get Utahns to use less water, more than half of state voters (58%) prefer state solutions that incentivize water-efficient landscaping, while 22% think the state should impose restrictions with penalties on cosmetic water use (like watering lawns).

DN-Watermeasures1

Government workers were the most likely demographic (71%) to favor incentive-based solutions, while those who were unemployed were most likely (28%) to favor imposing restrictions with penalties.

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Additionally, 81% of Utahns are somewhat or very concerned about the Great Salt Lakes water levels, 13% not very concerned and only 2% are not concerned at all.

DN-Watermeasures2

To bring the lake out of its serious adverse effects status, the Great Salt Lake commissioner said that 261 billion gallons of water (800,000 acre-feet) will need to be added.

Adults living in the suburbs were more concerned about the lakes water levels than those in urban and rural communities.

How have Utahns changed their behavior to preserve water?

While about 80% of Utahns say they change their behavior to conserve water, the only action a majority report taking is watering their lawns less.

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As annual income increases, so does the likelihood of an individual reducing their lawn watering, the poll showed. Those who earned more than $100,000 annually were significantly more likely to say they cut back on watering their lawn than those making less than $50,000.

DN-Waterissues3

Simultaneously, Gen Xers and baby boomers were equally likely to cut lawn watering (68%), while the likelihood dropped with age. Perhaps Gen Zers do not have lawns to water.

On the whole, 47% of Utahns reported washing their cars less frequently to save water. The share was highest among Democratic men, of whom 70% reported less frequent car washes to conserve water.

Other polled behaviors included water used with hygiene.

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Democratic men were more likely (62%) to say they take shorter showers than Democratic women (49%) and all Republicans. However as a whole, women (46%) were more likely to cut shower length than men (41%).

About 1 in 5 Utahns say they flush the toilet less frequently to preserve water.

Democratic women were more likely (33%) than everyone else to flush less. Republican women (23%) and Republican men (20%) were more likely than Democratic men (19%) to do the same.

Unlike reducing lawn watering, those making more than $100,000 annually were the least likely to reduce flushing the toilet.

The poll was conducted between March 6-10 among 800 registered voters. Interviews were conducted online, and results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  For the second time under the Trump administration, Portland International Airport is refusing to display a political video message from the Transportation Security Administration.

As first reported by The Oregonian, the video blames Democrats for the current partial government shutdown.

A spokesperson for the Port of Portland told KOIN 6 News that because the video is politically motivated, PDX is refusing to display it, citing the Hatch Act, a law that restricts partisan political activity by federal employees.

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Portland leaders preview plans for March Madness at Moda Center

The Port of Portland  which operates PDX  confirmed to KOIN 6 News on Monday that the airport received a request from TSA to display a video message on the government shutdown and that PDX did not consent to playing the video.

We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging. Additionally, Oregon law states no public employee can promote or oppose any political committee, party, or affiliation, the Port of Portland spokesperson said.

The shutdown stems from disagreements between congressional Democrats and Republicans over Department of Homeland Security funding. Congressional Democrats are demanding reforms to the Trump administrations immigration enforcement tactics in the aftermath of the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis by federal immigration authorities.

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Portlands Union Way mall abruptly closes stores after alleged bear mace contamination

This is the third shutdown in under one year that has left TSA workers temporarily without pay, the Associated Press reports, noting those workers will then have to wait for backpay once the department reopens.

Amid the shutdown, airports across the United States are seeing long security lines.

Homeland Security posted on its X account last week that more than 300 TSA agents have quit since the start of the shutdown, AP reports.

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This is the second time that the Port of Portland has refused to play a TSA video under the Trump administration.

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In October, the TSA issued a video of now-outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, again blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. As DHS secretary, Noem oversaw the TSA.

It is TSAs top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe, Secretary Noem said in the video.

Marines: One-in-a-million malfunction caused explosion over I-5

However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay, she added.

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Back in October, the Port of Portland similarly refused to play the video over concerns of Hatch Act violations.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
An expert on Yemen from the Open University and the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University explained that the Houthis have a different relationship with Tehran than other proxies.

The Houthis have made a calculated decision to limit their involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict to just protests and angry condemnations, but may soon be pressured to carry out some symbolic actions against the Jewish state or American interests in the region, Yemen expert Inbal Nissim-Louvton, from the Open University and the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

Nissim-Louvton explained that the Houthis operate with a very different relationship to Tehran than other proxy groups. While Hezbollah has sworn allegiance to the Ayatollah as part of the Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) doctrine, the Houthis maintain focus on their domestic affairs in Yemen.

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The relationship is different. So I think the Houthis felt  Im not sure if obliged is the correct word  but they dont see one of their purposes as saving the Iranian regime to begin with, she explained. When they joined the war here [in Israel], they said that they were trying to help Palestinians That was their goal, and as we know, they didnt do that [join the conflict] solely for the purpose of helping the Palestinians, but for their own gains.

While Hezbollah emerged during the Lebanese Civil War, primarily in response to Israel, the Houthi movement developed in the 1990s as part of a Zaydi revival in Yemen, driven by opposition to domestic political conditions as well as growing Saudi religious influence.

Nissim-Louvton explained that joining Irans Axis of Resistance helped the Houthis gain support and increase their power inside Yemen, especially against the anti-Houthi forces. It was first and foremost for serving their own agendas, she commented, adding that the terror group may owe Iran for the material support, but is not obligated to sacrifice for it.

Yemenis shout anti-U.S. and Israel slogans, during a rally by Houthi supporters on International Quds Day on March 13, 2026 in Sana'a, Yemen. (credit: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

In contrast to Nissim-Louvton, Avraham Levine from the Alma Research and Education Center said that the destruction of Israel, the United States, and the Jewish people was the central mission of the Houthis, as is explicitly expressed in the Sarkha (political slogan): Allah is the greatest. Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse upon the Jews. Victory to Islam.

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I dont think theres an option that the Houthis cant do anything. Therefore, theyre not doing anything. I think theres option one: theres too much US power here, and the Houthis dont want to start a war with the US beyond what they already have, Levine theorized. And option number two: Theyre waiting, and Iran is purposely sort of holding them as the reserve unit.

Unsure of what the benefits of holding the Houthis in reserve could be, Levine noted that there was one point in the two-year Israel-Hamas War when it was the only proxy still launching attacks against the Jewish state.

Internal disagreements in Houthi movement

Nissim-Louvton noted that since the Arab Spring in 2011, there has been a divide within the Houthis movement over the extent of Tehran's influence in the Houthis territory  especially given that Tehran and the Houthis follow different forms of Shia Islam.

Israels existence, while frequently condemned and bemoaned by Houthi leadership, is not central to the terror groups purpose, and so they understand that they probably have more to lose than gain if they join Irans Ramadan War, Nissim-Louvton continued. Israel and the US would likely respond far more heavily than they had in the past, and Saudi and Emirati forces may be inclined to step up their own conflict with the Houthis.

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I think it also was a clear signal for the Houthis that the Saudis may not be as patient this time as they were before with the Houthis, Nissim-Louvton noted, speaking on the December flare-up with the coalition forces.

In contrast to analysts and diplomats who spoke to Reuters and suggested the Houthis had carried out individual attacks on targets in neighboring states or were waiting for an opportune time to strike, Nissim-Louvton predicted that the terror group would eventually be compelled to take some limited action, in the form of a symbolic attack.

As the war continues, its going to be very difficult for them to maintain the position that they are taking now. If you look at their website and what their leaders say and what members of the Supreme Council say, its all the rhetoric they say all the right things, but theres no action added to it, and so I think that they are, in this way, much more pragmatic and clever, she said.

But then, every day that goes by and the war continues, its going to be more difficult for them to justify not going into, not taking part in this war.

Citing the lack of real action from the Houthis during the 12 Day War in June, Nissim-Louvton predicted the Houthis would make only a symbolic attack. At the end of the day, whatever they do in the region or towards Israel or any Western powers has to be translated into gains inside Yemen, she highlighted.
Welcome to Foreign Policys Southeast Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: Countries around the region brace for higher fuel prices, a Thai ship is struck by Iranian missiles as it transits the Strait of Hormuz, and Chinese influence reshapes a border in Myanmar.

How High Fuel Prices Are Rattling Governments

This handout photo released by the Royal Thai Navy shows smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack on March 11.

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Handout/Royal Thai Navy/AFP via Getty Images

Oil is up to more than $100 dollars a barrel and will likely rise further. Southeast Asian governments are already feeling the pinch politically as petrol stations reportedly run dry in many countries.

Measures by governments across the region include trying to conserve fuel; legislating cuts to fuel taxes; and, in some cases, limiting energy exports.

The immediate problem is that every country in the area, barring Singapore, either provides fuels subsidies in some form or is proposing to roll them out. The subsidies cushion the pocket of the consumer but threaten government finances.

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In Indonesia, such subsidies were already set to absorb nearly 10 percent of the governments 2026 budget. But that hinged on the assumption of oil averaging roughly $70 a barrel and a relatively steady rupiah. Neither of these holds.

Even with the government signaling that there will be price increases, the subsidy bill is set to become much bigger. The government is preparing to roll out implementation of an emergency COVID-19-era regulation to let it ignore its 3 percent deficit limit. But with investors already nervous about Indonesian debt, markets could rebel.

The 1998 revolution was in part sparked by petrol prices rising by an eyewatering 71 percent. Between 2005 and 2018, Indonesia saw five riots over fuel prices, and memories of last years unrest, fueled partly by cost of living issues, are fresh.

The day after the first U.S. strikes on Iran, Indonesias military was conspicuously deployed around the capital, Jakarta. The government has downplayed the apparent connection.

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Other governments have reacted less precipitously but have also rolled out expensive measures to protect consumers at the pump.

While Thailand has yet to finalize its post-election government, the presumptive (and incumbent) Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul won office with promises to boost growth, roll out crowd-pleasing consumer support schemes, and trim the national debt.

It was always going to be tricky to square this circle, but now it looks to be for the birds. A fuel price cap introduced on March 10 is costing about 1.2 billion baht (about $37 million) a day and has wiped out a previous surplus for the governments oil fuel fund.

Price hikes may be coming, but this will eat into growth.

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Malaysias petrol and diesel subsidy bill has quadrupled over the past month, as the government has promised to keep fuel prices steady.

In Vietnam, prices have continued to rise even as the government draws on its fuel price stabilization fund.

Meanwhile, the Philippines governmenthaving long ago liberalized the fuel marketis scrambling to impose regulations to let it control prices.

These countries lack the same bloody history of fuel-related riots that Indonesia has. But all doubtless appreciate the fact that price hikes can be potent political destabilizers.

Transport unions in the Philippines are planning national strikes. One such strike in 2017, held over a different set off issues, cost an estimated 1.28 percent of daily GDP. And in Vietnam in 2008, fuel price rises helped spark a rare flurry of strikes and protests.

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Myanmars government was already facing civil war. That government has the unique challenge of not just managing civilian anger but also shortages of fuel for its military jets, which had played a vital role in its pushback against resistance groups. Iran had previously been an important supplier.

What Were Watching

Thai ship struck in Hormuz Strait. On Feb. 11, Thai container ship Mayuree Naree was struck by Iranian missiles while trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

At time of writing, 20 of the 23-strong crew had been evacuated by the Royal Navy of Oman.

However, three others remained stranded on board, with the Royal Thai Navy saying that intermittent weapons fire in the area made their evacuation complicated.

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Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying the ship ignored the warnings of the IRGC naval forces. So far, some 20 ships have been hit while trying to cross the strait.

Thailand has lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Iran over the incident, and it has also requested an apology.

Anutin, Thailands aforementioned incumbent prime minister, said the government is mobilizing all available resources to evacuate the three remaining sailors. He added that the attack was not appropriate.

Anutin also emphasized that the facts of the incident were still unclear, though, and that the circumstances of the attack should be carefully examined before its impact on Thailand-Iran relations could be decided.

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Thailand and Iran have enjoyed a cordial relationship despite the former being a treaty U.S. ally. Iran played a central role in helping Thailand negotiate the release of Thai workers taken hostage by Hamas during the Palestinian groups attack on Israel on Oct. 7 2023.

Meanwhile, three Indonesian sailors remaining missing after a United Arab Emirates flagged tugboat was hit in the straits on March 6.

New U.S. tariff probes as trade pact convenes in Hanoi. Seven Southeast Asian countriesCambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnamhave been subjected to U.S. probes based on allegations of unfair trade practices.

The investigations, launched under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, which empowers the president to levy tariffs on countries found to be pursuing unfair trade practices, could lead to further tariffs.

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Two investigations are in progress: one into excess capacity in manufacturing, which covers all of the aforementioned countries bar the Philippines, and one into forced labor, which covers all seven countries.

Public hearings into the investigations are scheduled for April 28 and May 5. Most of the accused countries are pushing back.

Malaysias trade minister said that the country is ready to give answer to both charges and confirmed that Malaysias previous trade deal with the United States has been nullified.

Singapore has also politely but firmly disputed the claimshaving previously avoided being bounced into a hasty tariff deal.

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Thailand is also pushing back, arguing that a portion of its surplus with the United States comes down to U.S. companies producing in Thailand. It is also looking to secure exemptions on a product-by-product basis.

The Philippines has similarly said that it will engage with the United States to explain why it should not be subject to investigations.

Meanwhile, Indonesia is taking a softer line, saying it still plans to ratify the tariff deal that it hammered out with Washington despite the probes.

Cambodia appears to be keeping quiet thus far, as is Vietnam.

Meanwhile, though, on March 11, Hanoi saw the opening of this years first senior officials meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnershipa massive trade pact spanning 12 nations, but not including the United States.

Indonesian activist maimed with acid. Andrie Yunus, the deputy coordinator of the KontraS rights group, was attacked in Jakarta on March 12.

The attack was carried out by two men on a motorbike who threw acid at him, leaving him with burns on 24 percent of his body.

Andrie is an outspoken critic of the growing political influence of the military in Indonesia.

We view this acid attack as an attempt to silence critical voices in society, Dimas Bagus Arya, another KontraS coordinator, told media.

Jakarta police say they have opened an investigation into the matter. And the national police chief has said the case is receiving special attention on orders from the president.

President Prabowo Subianto has been widely accused of overseeing the creeping return of the military in Indonesian politics.

Threats against activists and government critics are common in Indonesia. However, the extreme violence of this incident stands out.

Photo of the Week

Ethnic minority citizens line up to cast their votes inside a polling station in the northern province of Tuyen Quang, Vietnam, on March 15.STR/AFP via Getty Images

On March 15 Vietnam held an election to choose members of its National Assembly. In the one-party system this process is of limited significance, and 93% of candidates in this election were members of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Little real opposition is allowed, with several people reportedly fined for spreading false information or insulting candidates. Meanwhile, the assembly serves mainly to rubber stamp party decisions. Official results will be announced March 23after the Politburo has reviewed them.

FPs Most Read This Week

The Economic Costs of the Iran War, by the Numbersby Maxine Davey and Eli Wizevich Christian Democracy Is Facing Regime Changeby Jan-Werner Muller Trump Orders Strikes on Kharg Island, a Vital Hub for Irans Oilby John Haltiwanger

What Were Reading

Theres not any rationality to U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, says Prabowo. Indonesias president explains how he was surprised by the war in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg by Ben Otto and Anto Antony.

In 2014, the guns fell silent. Now, the peace deal looks rocky. The International Crisis Group explores how the Bangsamoro peace processwhich ended a decades-long insurgency in the Philippinesstalled.

How to handle TikTok. Lam Le explores the different approaches that the United States and Vietnam, both suspicious of Chinese influence, have taken to reining in TikTok, in Tech Policy Press.

In Focus: Chinas Creeping Myanmar Border Grab

On the China-Myanmar border, steel fences are appearing, cutting off areas that locals have long considered part of Myanmar.

The trend has been ongoing since December, according to reporting from Shan state by the Irrawaddy. Locals claim that the new fences now extend more than 300 feet into Myanmar.

These developments reflect only the tip of the iceberg of Chinas growing influence in northeastern Myanmar.

Areas in that region that are controlled by the United Wa State Partyan offshoot of the Communist Party of Burmaare heavily influenced by China, with widespread use of yuan, the Chinese language, and Chinese telecommunications.

Another offshoot of the Communist Party of Burma, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), controls other areas of the northeast, including where the new fences have been erected. These areas appear to be heading in the same direction.

Hsenwi, which the MNDAA captured in 2024, is reportedly also seeing adoption of yuan, Chinese signage, and even a new Chinese nameMupangin official documents.

These trends reflect both historic trends and new realities. Chinese forces have long exerted influence on the turbulent northeastern borderlands of Myanmar.

Following World War II, Kuomintang forces that retreated out of China following communist victory occupied swaths of Shan state. They were only rooted out after a joint campaign between Burma and China.

The situation has changed significantly in recent years. In 2020, China was already starting to upgrade its border fences with Myanmar, citing the need to control illegal crossings.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and Myanmars renewed civil war in 2021 only reinforced this security-first agenda.

The civil war has led to a massive expansion of Chinese influence in Myanmar. China backs not only powerful rebel groups such as the MNDAA but also, increasingly, the Myanmar junta.

This expansion of influence with the central government in particular is striking. Myanmars government has traditionally been deeply suspicious of China and its influence. But with China serving as a key patron, the governments ability to push back on Chinese encroachments has faded.
Disturbing new details revealed in court on Tuesday shed light on the death of Jill Kloppenberg, the missing Lowell woman whose remains were found buried beneath the concrete floor of a garage at a Tyngsborough home over the weekend.

Dont throw her away: Gutted friend of missing woman speaks after gruesome discovery at Mass. home

The suspect in Kloppenbergs death, 40-year-old Sean Sullivan, was arraigned on a charge of murder in Lowell District Court, where a prosecutor outlined a chilling sequence of events that began more than a year ago.

A plea of not guilty was entered on behalf of Sullivan, and the judge ordered him held without bail.

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Its alleged that Sullivan told a friend in February 2026 that he had killed a woman he knew as Jill, claiming the shooting happened accidentally in February 2025.

Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Ceara Mahoney said during the hearing that Sullivan told his friend the gun went off while he was holding it and drifting to sleep next to Jill. The bullet struck her in the chest. Sullivan allegedly admitted that Kloppenberg soon died.

In the statement of facts read in court, Mahoney said Sullivan kept Jills body in his bedroom for a couple of days before moving her to the garage of the Audrey Avenue home. There, investigators said, he:

Dug a hole in the concrete floor

Placed her body inside

Sealed the hole with concrete and epoxy

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The friend who heard Sullivans confession later contacted the Nashua Police Department, sparking the investigation.

Nashua police discovered that Tewksbury police had an active missing person case for Jill Kloppenberg, who had not been seen since January 2025 and was last spotted in Lowell.

Tewksbury detectives interviewed the friend, who repeated Sullivans alleged confession, He accidentally shot somebody  a female named Jill.

On March 15, 2026, Tyngsborough, Tewksbury, and Massachusetts State Police executed a search warrant at Sullivans home. Mahoney said investigators found:

A 3-by5foot patched area of the garage floor

An anomaly detected by groundpenetrating radar

A large wrapped object buried beneath the concrete

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The Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the remains were human. Dental records later positively identified the body as Jill Kloppenberg.

Mahoney said that a preliminary autopsy revealed a throughandthrough gunshot wound, with an entry wound to the chest and an exit wound to the back.

During the excavation, Sullivan spoke with investigators again. Mahoney said he admitted:

He took a firearm out of his safe while Jill was visiting

He twitched, causing the gun to fire

He saw Jill collapse and determined she had died

He buried her body under the garage floor

Sullivans attorney argued in court that the evidence points to a case of involuntary manslaughter, not murder, calling the shooting a tragic accident followed by inexcusable panic.

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He is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on April 17.

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Providence police are warning Rhode Islanders about a suspicious text message, sent en masse, that urges recipients to settle unpaid parking tickets by scanning a QR code.

"This is a scam," according to a Providence police post on X, formerly Twitter.

The city never tries to collect on unpaid parking tickets by sending texts, Mayor Brett Smiley said on Monday, March 16.

"If you received a text message yesterday or in the days to come, those are not real," Smiley said. "Those are not real. Please do not respond. The Providence Police and or the Providence Municipal Court would never text you a demand to pay."

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"You should never pay a parking ticket via text; that is not something that we do," Smiley said, urging residents to delete such texts and not to reply.

"It's just a sad commentary on where are right now that these kinds of scams like this, or on other topics, abound," Smiley said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence mayor warns of scam text messages about parking tickets
After a cold snap sent energy bills soaring in many North Carolina households, the public has a chance to weigh in on Duke Energys long-term generation plans. At the center of the debate is the utilitys reliance on natural gas and who should bear the risk when prices spike.

The utilitys Carolinas Integrated Resource Plan or the Carbon Plan, lays out how Duke Energy aims to meet the states energy demand, keep power reliable and move towards the states net zero goals by 2050.

As the North Carolina Utilities Commission weighs the plan, the public can voice their concerns at a series of hearings across the state.

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At Mondays virtual hearing, most criticisms focused on the high cost of power and concern it will only get worse as the Carbon Plan relies heavily on new natural gas power plants in the near term.

Matthew Mayers of Winston Salem expressed concern that the rising costs of fuel would mean higher bills and more price shocks if Duke Energy moves forward with such a large gas buildout.

Weve all seen the direction that natural gas prices are going, he said. Weve seen how gas turbines themselves are going up in price, because it turns out solar panels, batteries and are all going in the opposite direction, and promise to continue to do so for a long time. So why are we not following that least cost pathway?

ALSO READ: More families seek help with high utility bills after cold weather

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Under North Carolina law, Duke Energy passes the cost of fuel to generate electricity entirely onto customers. This is called the fuel rider.

Critics like Joshua Brooks with the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association say this policy made sense under the older coal-based electric system where fuel costs were more stable and predictable. Now with fuel costs based primarily on natural gas, he worries the fuel rider insulates utility companies like Duke from the financial consequences of relying on a more volatile commodity.

Its much more of a dynamic market where you have producers contributing gas to the supply lines on a minute-to-minute basis. You have wholesale purchasers of that gas who are using it, and then, in some cases, repackaging it and selling it again, he said. [Duke Energy] is freed from the concern about what that actual cost is, and they just fix it into their rates, and that cost is absorbed 100% by the rate paying class.

A recent study from the Rocky Mountain Institute analyzed how shifting that fuel-rider policy to a cost-sharing mechanism could save North Carolina customers millions. The study looked at a policy, designed after similar policies in other states, in which customers paid 90% of fuel costs and Duke absorbed 10% with a .5% cap of the previous years retail revenue. That meant if costs were higher than forecasted, Duke would pay 10% of the overrun and pass the rest onto customers, but if costs were lower than forecasted, the utility could keep 10% of the savings.

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The study found between 2020 and 2024, a policy like this could have saved Duke Energy customers nearly $89 million. It also argued such a mechanism could lead to more customer savings as it would incentivize utilities to choose generation strategies that reduce fuel costs.

Duke Energy spokesman Bill Norton wouldnt speak to the study or the cost-sharing policy, but reiterated fuel costs are included in modeling for the Carbon Plan and that, under the current fuel rider policy, customers benefit when fuel costs decrease.

Customer rates have frequently gone down in response to fuel costs, Norton said. The most recent related fuel related decrease of 6.2% for customers occurred just over a year ago. So we really feel its important that customers benefit from these rate reductions as well as increases when they occur. They paid no more and no less than what we have to pay.

He also argued that the Carbon Plan as is includes a significant amount of battery storage build out that will help reduce the need for gas use when energy demand is at its highest. Still, he said a large gas buildout is needed to keep power reliable, especially during cold snaps.

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Natural gas is critical, he said. If you look at what we saw in late January and early February, weve got nearly five gigawatts of solar on the grid, but it was only producing about 5% of its capacity during that cold snap.

As for affordability, the current Carbon Plan predicts it will require an average 2.1% rate increase over the next 10 years. Thats only one piece or what customers might see in upcoming rate cases though.

Additional rate increases like the proposed 18.5% rate increase for Duke Progress customers and the 15.8% increase for Duke Carolinas customers over the next two years includes additional costs like grid, reliability upgrades.

Think about the steel poles along the Swannanoa River that survive hurricane Helene, he said. That would be separate than talking about the resource plan itself.

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The Carbon Plan hearings continue Tuesday and Wednesday. Hearings on proposed rate increases over the next two years will take place in late March/early April for Duke Energy Progress customers and late April/early May for Duke Energy Carolinas customers.

Ultimately the NCUC will have final approval of the Carbon Plan and all potential rate increases.

VIDEO: Duke Energys 15% rate hike request sparks debate over data center energy demand
The manager of a now-closed used-car dealership in Puyallup has been sentenced to two weeks in jail for stealing tens of thousands of dollars of retail-sales tax from vehicle sales. Hell also have to pay it all back to the state.

Stanley Joey Stevens, former manager of Puyallup Truck & RV Sales, pleaded guilty March 10 in Pierce County Superior Court to second-degree theft. Judge Timothy Ashcraft sentenced Stevens the same day and ordered him to pay $138,678 in restitution to the state Department of Revenue.

Stevens failed to remit those funds to the DOR while operating the business from June 2019 through January 2022, according to court documents.

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The jail time Ashcraft imposed was near the low end of the standard sentencing range of 0-90 days. Stevens, 42, was previously convicted of first-degree theft in 2019 in Pierce County for depositing an altered check. He was convicted in 2011 in federal court of conspiracy to commit odometer fraud.

An investigator in the state Attorney Generals Office began looking at Puyallup Truck & RV Sales in 2021 after a Department of Revenue audit found it was underreporting revenue, according to charging documents. The dealership took in more than $1.2 million in 2017, court documents say, but reported $6,500 in gross revenue to the state.

The subsequent investigation found a number of problems with the business. Some customers who paid for vehicles with credit cards reported paying a service fee that was as high as 30 percent, according to the probable cause document, and the business routinely overcharged on sales tax. Records state it charged a 10 percent sales tax even though the actual retail sales tax in Puyallup was 9.9 percent from 2018 through June 2021.

Stevens allegedly told an auditor he didnt file any federal income tax returns from 2017 to 2020.

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Puyallup Truck & RV Saless dealership license was revoked in 2022 by the Department of Licensing following its own investigation. The inquiry reportedly found numerous instances of lack of compliance with regulations and other mandatory business practices. The dealership did business at 15317 Meridian E., Puyallup, and the results of the investigation caused it to shut down.

Investigators with the Attorney Generals Office carried out a search warrant at the business in 2022. They found financial documents for bank accounts that were not reported to DOR and hundreds of sales jackets recording vehicle sales, many of which were in a garbage bag found under several boxes.

The Attorney Generals Office charged Stevens with first-degree theft in January 2025. In a statement explaining why prosecutors moved to amend the charges, assistant attorney general Nick Kiewik wrote that the resolution followed substantial negotiation with defense counsel. Stanely was represented by an attorney from the Department of Assigned Counsel.

Kiewik said Stevens agreed to plead guilty to the reduced charge, which avoided a lengthy trial commitment, and that his guilty plea came with a restitution order directing him to repay the full amount of unremitted sales tax funds recorded in the probable cause document.

In other news out of Superior Court

Woman charged years after deadly Sumner hit-and-run sentenced to prison

A woman who was accused of fatally striking a pedestrian and fleeing on a two-lane road near Sumner nearly three years ago has been sentenced to two years, seven months in prison.

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Erika Katherine Kindig, 42, pleaded guilty March 9 to failure to remain at an accident resulting in death. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Timothy Ashcraft sentenced Kindig the same day, giving her a punishment at the low end of the standard sentencing range of 31-41 months.

Investigators looking into the Sept. 30, 2022 hit-and-run that killed 32-year-old Logan Fithian were unable to solve the case for about two years, according to charging documents. Then a retired legal advisor to the Sheriffs Office reached out to a deputy and said hed been contacted by Kindigs father.

The father reportedly said he believed Kindig had struck the pedestrian. According to the probable cause document, a deputy met with the father and was told Kindig left his home the night of the collision to drive home to Sumner, but she returned a few minutes later and said shed hit a deer.

Kindig was driving a GMC Acadia when she hit Fithian, who was standing in the roadway, according to the probable cause document. Two security cameras captured the collision, and witnesses reported that the victim was seen walking on the side of the road shortly before he was struck.

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Investigators found Kindig brought the Acadia to an auto shop for repair in December 2023, and she allegedly told the shop shed driven off the road and into a ditch. She allegedly made the same claim to her insurance company. The vehicle was repaired and sold.

Kindig had no prior felony criminal convictions, according to court records.
Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced new capabilities across the Hitachi iQ portfolio, including enhanced AI blueprints and multi-agent coordination in Hitachi iQ Studio, expanded NVIDIA AI infrastructure options, and deeper data integration to support agentic AI in on-premises and virtualszed environments. Together, these enhancements position Hitachi iQ as a comprehensive, enterprise-ready AI solution, enabling customers to build and manage AI agents within their own environments.

As organisations move from AI experimentation to scaled deployment, many are facing growing challenges tied to data complexity, AI sovereignty and evolving governance and security requirements. According to a recent report, in the U.S. and Canada, only 42% of organisations are considered data-mature, and 84% of those organisations report measurable AI ROI, compared with just 48% of organisations with weaker data foundations. As AI moves into production, the ability to pair strong data practices with secure, well-governed infrastructure is becoming a critical differentiator. The Hitachi iQ portfolio is designed to help close that gap by bringing together AI-ready infrastructure, integrated agent capabilities and enterprise-grade oversight and compliance controls designed for responsible enterprise AI deployments.

AI is moving into production faster than many organisations data foundations are ready to support, said Octavian Tanase, chief product officer, Hitachi Vantara. With these latest enhancements to the Hitachi iQ portfolio, we are expanding across software innovation, high-performance infrastructure and intelligent data integration to give customers greater flexibility and control as they move agentic AI from pilot to production.

New Accelerated Computing Options for Modern AI Workloads

Hitachi iQ is designed to help enterprises deploy and operate AI infrastructure with predictable performance and reliability, built on Hitachi Vantaras Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) data platform and supporting HMAX by Hitachi, a suite of next-generation solutions that brings the power of AI to social infrastructure. Hitachi iQ now supports NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs (air-cooled), NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs (air-cooled and liquid-cooled) and a 2U NVIDIA MGX-based system with up to four NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs. Hitachi iQ also plans to support the newly announced NVIDIA RTX PRO 4500 Blackwell Server Edition GPU. These options give customers greater flexibility to align compute with their AI workloads  from model development and fine-tuning to inference and agentic applications  while supporting diverse form factors that address cooling, power and space constraints and meet enterprise requirements for security, resilience and production readiness.

Hitachi iQ integrates accelerated computing, networking and storage into a validated infrastructure stack. It is built to keep data close to compute, helping improve utilization and efficiency for data-intensive AI workloads.

New AI Blueprints and Data Orchestration in Hitachi iQ Studio

Hitachi iQ Studio, the AI software component of the Hitachi iQ portfolio, enables organisations to design, deploy and govern AI agents within secure enterprise environments. Built on the NVIDIA AI Data Platform reference design, it now includes expanded AI blueprints and multi-agent coordination capabilities that help teams move from prototype to production with greater clarity and control.

The new blueprints introduce defined agent roles, including supervisor and worker models. Worker agents execute tasks while supervisor agents coordinate multi-agent workflows and adapt based on outcomes. This structured orchestration helps organizations automate complex processes while maintaining visibility, efficiency and governance.

Hitachi iQ Studio also expands support for NVIDIA Nemotron models, large language models designed to power advanced, tool-using agentic AI systems, and introduces time machine capabilities that enable AI systems to navigate historical datasets with context and speed. This time-aware intelligence strengthens explainability and supports industries that rely on long-term data patterns to inform decisions.

As enterprises continue to scale AI, the ability to combine accelerated computing with consistent software and trusted data becomes essential, said Jason Hardy, vice president of storage technologies, NVIDIA. Full-stack AI infrastructure optimised for enterprise demand enables organisations to support a wider range of AI outcomes while maintaining the performance, governance, and operational consistency enterprises require.

Expanded Hammerspace Capabilities to Simplify, Automate and Accelerate Data Access

Building on their strategic partnership, Hitachi iQ delivers tighter integration between Hitachi iQ Studio and Hammerspace to streamline data access for agent-driven workflows. With this expanded capability, data managed by Hammerspace can be accessed directly within Hitachi iQ Studio using Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard that allows AI systems to securely connect to external data sources.

This enables customers to build AI agents in Hitachi iQ Studio that can securely work with and help manage their Hammerspace data environments, extending automation and insight directly to distributed data without requiring relocation. Data remains governed and protected within VSP One, helping maintain availability and consistent performance as agents operate across environments.

This deeper integration improves data observability and simplifies access to distributed datasets without adding infrastructure complexity, allowing AI agents to work with in-place data across environments without unnecessary data movement. The result is a stronger connection between data orchestration and agent coordination, supported by VSP One Block infrastructure to deliver consistent performance and 100% data availability while preserving hybrid cloud flexibility for enterprise AI.

Accelerating AI Storage

Hitachi Vantara will also be supporting the newly announced NVIDIA STX reference architecture to develop AI-native storage solutions powered by NVIDIA Vera Rubin, BlueField-4, Spectrum-X networking, and NVIDIA AI software.

Hitachi Vantara will showcase Hitachi iQ and Hitachi iQ Studio at NVIDIA GTC 2026, taking place March 16-19 in San Jose, California. Attendees can explore how Hitachi iQ simplifies and advances agentic AI development across industries. Learn more about the One Hitachi presence at GTC 2026 at https://hitachidigital.com/hitachi-at-gtc-2026/.

For more information on Hitachi iQ Studio, please visit: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/solutions/ai-analytics/hitachi-iq-studio.




Opponents and supporters of the sale of the Aquarion Water Co. to the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority used their last chance before state utility regulators on Monday to make their case.

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is scheduled to issue its final decision on March 25. Earlier this month, agency commissioners gave tentative approval to the $2.4 billion deal, a decision that reversed one they had made in November.

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The March 6 vote came after Aquarion's owner Eversource Energy and the Regional Water Authority appealed PURA's initial rejection of the deal. Superior Court Judge Matthew Budzik sent the case back to PURA for further review.

PURA said that concerns about the deal by opponents "are either outside the Authority's jurisdiction or insufficient to find that the proposed transfer, as a whole, is not in the public interest."

"Nonetheless these material concerns warrant further attention from, and possible remediation by (the Aquarion Water Authority, Regional Water Authority) or the General Assembly," the PURA ruling said in part.

Monday's hearing opened with Connecticut Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman arguing that "the transaction price (of the Aquarion acquisition) is not in the public interest." Coleman's office represents the interest of utility ratepayers in hearing before PURA.

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"PURA is allowed to consider the public interest in its decision, including costs," she said.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong the debt service associated with the deal would not be paid off for 40 and that Aquarion customers would see their rates double within a decade.

Much of the hearings oral arguments centered around interpretations of the judge's ruling and whether that ruling gave PURA the right to reject the deal. Tong said the court's decision "changes nothing."

"The court's ruling does not take away PURA's power," Tong said. "The legislature is not the final arbiter of rates, You are."

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Vincent Pace, an attorney representing Eversource Energy, challenged Tong assertion.

"Aquarion's existing revenues cover the costs of operating, including debt service," Pace said.

In response to a request for comment from Eversource Energy about tong's testimony, company spokeswoman Tricia Taskey Modifica accused Tong of playing politics with the case.

"From the beginning of this transaction and going back years in other PURA dockets and court proceedings, the Office of the Attorney General has been on the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of customers," Modifica said. "The politicization of what is laid out in state law as an independent regulatory process has already proven to be a failure for customers and for ensuring the legal rights offered to the parties who participate in these dockets. We are committed to this proceeding and all other matters based solely on the record and the evidence that has been submitted, not on political theater."

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Attorney David Ball - who was representing the interests of Fairfield, New Canaan, Ridgefield and Westport - said the 2024 enabling legislation by Connecticut lawmakers that ultimately enabled the deal should not be viewed as a mandate that PURA commissioners must follow.

"If this were truly a mandate for a public entity (to acquire Aquarion), it would have been specifically specified," Bell said.

PURA commissioners repeatedly asked opponents of the Aquarion acquisition if they were so dissatisfied by the idea of the Bridgeport-based utility being acquired by the Regional Water Authority, why didn't they approach lawmakers about coming up with some kind of alternative to the deal as currently structured. The deal was announced in January 2025.

Dan Canaven, an attorney representing the Regional Water Authority urged PURA's commissioners "to resist the temptation to revise your decision."

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"We think you got it right," Canaven said on the tentative decision PURA made earlier this month approving the deal. "No other transaction is going to be as beneficial (to ratepayers) as this one will be."

This article originally published at Regulators hear final arguments on hotly contested acquisition of Aquarion Water.
South Carolina Rep. David Martin and local pastor Elizabeth Enns are set for a rematch in the Republican primary for State House District 26.

The race for the seat, which covers Fort Mill and much of York County, follows their previous contest in the 2024 primary election.

Enns lost the 2024 primary to Martin by more than 300 votes but is running again on a platform centered on community representation.

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Both candidates have addressed the ongoing local controversy regarding Silfab Solar, with Enns participating in protests and Martin introducing legislation related to the facility.

ALSO READ: Democrats aim to challenge Republican dominance in York County elections

Enns, a local pastor, wife, and mother, recently joined community members in a protest against the Silfab Solar development. She described the facilitys presence as a primary factor in her decision to enter the race.

And so I said, Well then, I need to throw my hat in the ring, because the people need to be represented, Enns said. We see that here in the SILFAB case. We see that in so many of the issues that were fighting for.

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Enns characterizes herself as a true conservative and stated that she believes Fort Mill residents have lacked proper representation in the state capital.

Definitely a top priority is to bring our tax dollars back to our community, Enns said regarding her primary goals for the district.

Rep. Martin, who is a native of Fort Mill, pointed to his legislative activity over the past two years as evidence of his work for the community. Martin has introduced legislation intended to assist residents in their opposition to the Silfab Solar project.

I think for me, my most proud moment is that Ive been able to fight for Fort Mill, which is what I said I was going to do, Martin said.

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Martin also worked with local leaders to address traffic safety concerns near Catawba Ridge High School after parents described the area as dangerous.

His efforts resulted in the installation of traffic signals and increased law enforcement presence during school hours.

I made an emergency request to DOT and also to the town of Fort Mill and was able to be a part of meetings where we were able to negotiate a resolution to make sure that we would have law enforcement there, Martin said.

Looking toward a potential second term, Martin emphasized the importance of supporting the local school system and its staff.

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We need somebody who focuses on our school district to make sure our public schools and our teachers are compensated well, Martin said.

Filing for candidacy has already begun in York County. As of mid-March, no other candidates have filed to run for the District 26 seat.

The statewide primary election is scheduled for June 9. Enns and Martin are currently the only candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.

VIDEO: Democrats aim to challenge Republican dominance in York County elections
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, confirmed Monday that a man killed by Dallas police in a standoff last week had worked as security for her, calling it a tragic ending that we wish had been avoided for all.

Crockett said in a statement that Dallas police confirmed the death of a member of our security team, adding that we are saddened and shocked by some of the concerning revelations.

Police said at a news conference after the shooting of Diamon Robinson, 39, that he had multiple felony warrants and a parole violation warrant. The warrants were for impersonating a police officer and for stolen license plates, NBC Dallas Fort Worth reported.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett said her office followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security. (Antranik Tavitian / Bloomberg via Getty Images file) (Antranik Tavitian)

Police followed Robinson into a hospital parking lot Wednesday, NBC Dallas Fort Worth reported. He then barricaded himself in his car until police used tear gas to make him come out and then pulled a weapon, authorities said. Officers shot and killed him.

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Crockett, who has been a member of Congress since 2023, said Robinson went by the name Mike King when he worked for her. She said her team followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security, adding that it had been approved to hire the man it knew as Mike King.

The fact that an individual was able to somehow circumvent the vetting processes for something as sensitive as security for members of Congress highlights the loopholes and shortcomings in many of our systems, Crockett said. This is incredibly alarming, especially for those members who receive high volumes of credible and sophisticated death threats.

Crockett added that Robinsons ability to circumvent the congressional systems security hiring loopholes was a reason for U.S. Capitol Police to provide security to Congress members.

Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Crocketts statement or on the mans death.

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Crockett said the description of Robinsons past doesn't fit with the person we came to know as Mike King.

The man we knew showed up with respect, care, and commitment to protecting others, Crockett said in a post on X that included her statement.

We are praying for the friends and family of the man that we knew as Mike King. Mike had been in and around our team for years. There was never any reason to suspect that he wasnt who he held himself out to be, she said in her statement.

He never endangered our team, worked diligently, coordinated with local law enforcement, and maintained positive relationships throughout the community, said Crockett, who recently lost the Democratic Senate nomination in Texas to state Rep. James Talarico.

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She added that as a public defender, she believed in redemption and second chances.

More politics stories

Crockett said an initial review of Robinsons limited criminal history showed he had no violent offenses.

Dallas police did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Robinson's criminal record.

A woman who answered a call at an address listed for Robinson, and who has the same last name, declined to comment when she was reached by phone Monday night.

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Threats against Congress have increased for three consecutive years, and they spiked to their highest level in years last year, Capitol Police said in a January report. They investigated nearly 15,000 cases last year.

Capitol Police primarily patrol Capitol grounds and investigate threats against lawmakers. Members of Congress usually coordinate with state and local police, as well as personal security, when they are not in Washington.

Only some members  usually those in leadership positions  receive full-time details from Capitol Police. Some rank-and-file members receive additional protection when they face specific threats.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Trumps push to eliminate voting by mail without excuses such as illness or military duty, a component of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, has put him on a collision course with Republicans from states where absentee voting is widespread and popular.

The SAVE America Acts core reform would be to require people to show documented proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote. That proposal generally has strong support.

But language to dramatically restrict voting by mail is becoming a sticking point with some Republicans.

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Senate Republican sources say that Trumps last-minute push to strengthen the bill by adding provisions such as eliminating no-excuse absentee voting has ped off some GOP senators to the extent that there may not be enough votes to proceed to the bill on Tuesday.

Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have already signaled they wont vote to proceed to the legislation, and GOP aides say there are other senators whose votes are in question, including Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and John Curtis (R-Utah).

Republicans from rural states are concerned that eliminating mail-in balloting for people unless they have strong excuses like serious illness, disability, military duty or travel will hurt GOP-leaning voters in remote areas who then would be forced to travel long distances to vote.

A Republican senator who requested anonymity said Trumps call to eliminate most absentee voting is problematic.

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I think its problematic because in some of these states, 60 or 70 percent of people vote by mail. You dont want to disenfranchise them. Some states have really encouraged it over the years, the senator said, noting that Republican states such as Montana and Utah have promoted absentee voting.

Trump laid out his demands for the SAVE America Act in a Truth Social post on March 9. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) says he will offer Trumps proposed changes to the bill in an amendment.

Aside from concerns about eliminating no-excuse absentee voting for millions of Americans, some Republicans, such as McConnell, are skeptical about legislation that would strengthen the federal governments role in managing elections, something the Constitution largely leaves to the states.

The senator said McConnell doesnt like the bill at all but may vote to get on it.

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Im expecting him to be a no. the lawmaker added.

Some Republicans are concerned about this, definitely. That provision is getting a lot of blowback in the conference, said a Republican source familiar with the internal Senate GOP discussion.

The source warned the vote to proceed to the bill could fail despite Trumps strong push to overhaul voting rules before the midterm elections.

Theres a real question whether the motion to proceed could get 51, the source added. With all this new stuff Trump is trying to add in, its ped off Murkowski, Tillis and others.

Tillis said last week that he plans to vote against proceeding the SAVE America Act, even though he noted he was a co-sponsor of the bill.

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Im a no because we dont have a plan. Theres no path for success. I was a no on the talking filibuster path, and this one is going to produce the same result, he said of the plan to bring the bill to the floor with a simple-majority vote and debate it as long as possible.

Tillis, who represents a state that allows no-excuse voting by mail, also said the legislations mail-in ballot provisions need work.

Im a co-sponsor of the bill, the bill needs work. Like the mail-in ballot [language]. We need to have absentee ballots, he added. Im against just mailing [absentee ballots] to everybody whether they requested something or not. Maybe we need a best-practice for mail-in voting, thats one example of what I think is flawed policy in the bill.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) doesnt want to force Democrats to wage a talking filibuster, which would require them to hold the floor with continuous debate, to block the bill.

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So that means theres no clear path to advance the legislation unless Republicans can somehow convince a group of seven to 10 Democrats to vote for the legislation, which is highly unlikely.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) on Monday announced all Democrats will oppose the bill when it comes to the floor Tuesday.

Not a single Democrat will support the SAVE Act. It is a radical bill. And if Republicans try to burn time on this legislation here on the floor, we will oppose them for as long as it takes, he declared.

Schumer highlighted the bills effort to narrow voting by mail, a possible attempt to pick off Republican support for the measure.

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Now Donald Trump says he does not even want vote-by-mail. Tell that to seniors. Tell that to disabled Americans. Tell that to Americans who live in rural communities far from an election office, he said on the Senate floor.

One Republican source said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) has privately raised concerns about eliminating absentee voting because of the impact on voters in large, sparsely populated states.

Republican officials have tried to close the gap with Democrats by promoting vote-by-mail in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania ahead of this years midterm election.

Utah, a GOP stronghold, is one of several states with all-mail elections. Its Republican lieutenant governor, Deidre Henderson, is pushing back against the Trump Department of Justices effort to obtain Utahs complete voter database.

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Curtis praised voting by mail last year during a discussion at the Sutherland Institutes 2025 Congressional Series, which was hosted by the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics.

Curtis noted that while voting by mail is controversial on the national level, its popular in Utah, adding, I have just love mail-in ballots for the convenience they provide for studying candidates and issues with a ballot at the ready, according to a synopsis provided by the Sutherland Institute.

Republican-represented swing states such as Maine, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania allow no-excuse absentee voting, as do a wide swath of GOP states in the Midwest and West, including Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

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 lawsuit challenging the residency of a House of Delegates candidate is headed to appeals court, after an Anne Arundel County Circuit judge dismissed the case before arguments could get started in his court Monday.

Well, I hope youre all ready to go take a trip to the Supreme Court, because no matter what I do, the Supreme Court will weigh in on this at some point, Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Robert J. Thompson told the parties Monday.

Thompson was ruling on the suit by Del. Gary Simmons (D-Anne Arundel), a first-term lawmaker who claimed his primary opponent in the District 12B race, John Dove Jr., is ineligible to run because he does not live in the district.

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Dove is represented by Jill Carter, a former state senator, who filed a motion to dismiss late Sunday night. Carter argued that the case was not reviewable by the court because her client has until May 3  six months before the general election  to move into the district.

Carter told Thompson this is untimely, and there is precedent in Maryland, about courts deciding untimely issues or issues that are premature.

Carter also alleged Simmons was using the court to eliminate a challenger.

In some ways, the petitioner is asking the court to jump into a political dispute, said Carter.

The outcome of the case has the potential to impact the primary election in June. A court ruling declaring Dove ineligible would effectively hand Simmons a victory in the primary, as there are no other Democrats in the race.

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Robbie Leonard, the attorney representing Simmons, said Carters argument was undercut when Dove, a week earlier, changed his voter registration from a home in Gambrills to a Pasadena address inside District 12B  an address at which he does not live.

Its always been the legislatures intent that a person files for office and lives in the district at the time of their certificate of candidacy, Leonard told reporters outside the courtroom.

So, Mr. Dove, if he truly believed that he didnt have to live in the district until May, he wouldnt have changed his voter registration in February, he said. He was trying to game the system in February by claiming to live in an address that he truly didnt live in.

Sen. Clarence Lam, a Democrat who represents the same legislative district as Simmons, attended the hearing in support of his delegate. Lam said Thompsons ruling makes no sense at all.

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If you were to take the judges argument to its logical conclusion, then I could file to run in all 47 legislative districts on the basis that I could eventually move in later, and at that later date, decide which district to actually run in only after seeing who all of my opponents are, Lam said Monday.

I wouldnt even have to move into the district to run until after the ballots have been printed and potentially after the mail-in-ballots have been sentas long as Im claiming a residence in the district in the window after the filing deadline but at least six months before the general election, Lam said. To contend that I can only contest the residency of a candidate after the primary ballots have been printed and sent seems absurd.

Leonard further argued that Doves voter registration application  signed under oath  is evidence that he committed perjury.

In the end, Thompson sided with Dove and his attorney.

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I think its premature. I think, again, the way the law reads, we have competing provisions in the Constitution, they appear to be kind of where they are actually competing. But I dont think that we pass the point of no return until we get to May 3, putting us within 6 months of the election, the judge said.

At that point, if Mr. Dove doesnt live where he says he lives or where hes supposed to live, I think if Mr. Simmons would be willing, hes right to challenge just as he has in this case, Thompson said.

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The judge did not comment nor rule on Carters motion for Leonard to be sanctioned for bringing a meritless lawsuit that ultimately damaged the reputation of her client.

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Thompsons ruling from the bench capped a hearing that lasted less than 30 minutes.

This is about us advocating on the behalf of our residents, and the fact that someone would want to try to infiltrate our district by falsely stating that not only do they live there, but they occupy a space there, Simmons said after the hearing. Its already been proven that that is not true.

Simmons said people with positions in state government  Dove is a commissioner in the Department of Labor  should be held to a higher standard.

So, he works for the state and so its about holding state employees accountable to when it comes to ethics, Simmons said.

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Leonard told reporters outside the courtroom that he intends to file an appeal  potentially to the Supreme Court of Maryland  as early as this week.

I think the court kind of pooh-poohing an argument on somebody lying under oath on an official document and saying, Well, you need to go to the prosecutor something  I dont know, Leonard said. I think I would trust our court to make stronger arguments on someone doing that.
A meeting room at the Benbrook United Methodist Church was filled with dozens of both Benbrook and Fort Worth residents on March 16 as they discussed a data center development aimed at the far southwest edge of Fort Worth.

Across town, residents in southeast Fort Worth and the nearby city of Forest Hill have been protesting the development of another $10 billion data center that has raised questions about how nearby cities benefit when a data center comes to town, and about the potential health and environmental risks associated with data centers.

Many of those same questions were asked Monday night as the group of Benbrook and Fort Worth residents  an autonomous group, loosely organized until something more formal is decided  discussed how to voice their concerns about a proposed $1.1 billion data center.

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In June 2025, the Fort Worth City Council approved the rezoning of 186 acres owned by PMB Capital Investments in the Veale Ranch development, near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Chapin School Road.

Fort Worth is now considering a tax break for Edged Data Centers, a subsidiary of sustainable infrastructure company Endeavor, for a data center to be developed on that land. Council members discussed the proposal at the March 3 work session, and it is expected to be on the agenda at the councils March 31 meeting.

The data center would be in the city of Fort Worth, in District 3, near Benbrooks southern edge.

Everybodys heard some of the news about them building that data center on the east side of Fort Worth over by Everman, and those peoples voices screeched out to the City Council, Gary Hogan, president of the Chapel Creek neighborhood association, told the crowd. They are making a difference. Will they win? I cant promise you that.

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Hogan said that he helped form a neighborhood group in the early 2000s to advocate against unsafe drilling in North Texas.

We already know and have heard for years that our grid is perilous, Hogan said. Even when we get freeze or wind warnings or heat waves in the summer, we get news from the governor saying, dont worry, we got it under control, but they always end up having mass electricity go down.

The data center will include an Oncor substation, according to the tax agreement proposal, and ERCOT, the states power grid, has signed off on the development. The site plan includes a buffer from nearby housing developments.

Jan Brignac, president of the Markum Ranch neighborhood association, began mobilizing her neighbors after hearing about the proposed development in 2024.

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Its just a dog and pony show, Brignac said. We have done so much stuff to try to keep everybody informed.

Krista Erbe, a Fort Worth resident who came to the meeting, said she felt empowered seeing her neighbors come together.

I think its fantastic seeing how many people showed up and are voicing their concerns and hoping we can keep this movement going forward and organize everybody in a way that actually makes a difference, Erbe told the Star-Telegram. This is not something we can stop. This is technology. This is the future, and unless massive laws change, I dont know that we can stop them, but I do think we can impact how theyre done.

The group agreed to delegate people to give public comment at the Fort Worth City Council meeting held at 10 a.m. March 31 at the City Council Chamber, 100 Fort Worth Trail.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A prominent Rhode Island political family is now involved in a bitter legal battle that includes accusations of fraud and defamation.

Patrick Lynch is the former attorney general and his brother William Lynch was the chairman of the state Democratic Party for more than a decade, but theyre on opposite sides of this battle.

In the video above, Boston Globe columnist Dan McGowan joined Patrick Little on 12 News This Morning to explain what theyre fighting over.

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Read Dans column in The Boston Globe Rhode Island: Inside the bitter legal battle fracturing a prominent Rhode Island political family 

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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MORE: Globe RI & 12 News Stories



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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Several roads across the state are closed after high winds and rain whipped through the state Monday evening into early Tuesday morning.

Areas in Meriden and Windham had wind gusts of around 60 mph. Thousands of people across the state lost power.

FORECAST: Feeling colder today & tomorrow

Portland downed tree with wires. March 17, 2026. Ashford downed tree, March 17, 2026.

In Ashford, both directions of Route 74 at Krapf Road are closed due to a downed tree.

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Route 74 in Portland is closed in both directions at Bartlett Road due to a downed tree.

Route 289 in Lebanon is closed between Chappel Road and Burnham Road.

Canterbury also has road closures on Route 14 in both directions between Lisbon Road and Canterbury Road.

Route 82 in East Haddam is closed between Route 156 and Route 148 due to a downed tree with wires.

In West Hartford, Flagg Road is closed due to a downed tree.

In Windham, Route 203 northbound and southbound lanes are closed between Scotland Road and Brick Top Road.

In Canaan, Route 126 is closed in both directions at Page Road due to a downed tree with wires.

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Bridge Street is closed in both directions in Suffield, between Route 75 and Thrall Avenue, due to a downed tree with wires.

West Main Street in Cheshire was closed due to a downed tree, but has since reopened.

Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.

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 WTNH.com.
Rockets were again fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, triggering air-raid sirens in several towns, including Kiryat Shmona and Nahariya, authorities said on Tuesday.

Israels emergency service, Magen David Adom, said there were no immediate reports of injuries.

The Israeli military meanwhile issued a renewed warning to residents of southern Lebanon, urging them to move north of the Zahrani river, about 40 kilometres from the Israeli border.

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The army said its operations in southern Lebanon were aimed at countering activities by the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia.

Lebanese authorities said on Monday that more than 1 million people have been displaced since the latest fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, while nearly 900 have been killed in Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military said late Monday that ground operations in southern Lebanon would be expanded. Israeli media reported that an additional division had joined the deployment. A division typically consists of between 10,000 and 15,000 troops.
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An antiquated 105-year-old American law threatens to exacerbate the energy shocks triggered by the Iran war. President Donald Trump should urge Congress to reform or get rid of it.

Energy markets remained volatile Wednesday, but the price of oil now sits well below the $120 a barrel it briefly hit Monday. Gasoline prices continue to be elevated, as Iran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. These are inevitable results of the U.S. attacks on Iran.

The United States produces enough energy to meet domestic demand. But the market is a global one, and any cuts in production will result in upward pressure on prices.

The disruptions present political issues for the White House as the midterms approach. Higher gasoline prices will increase the costs of transporting goods, potentially driving up the cost of goods. Price spikes should be temporary  unlike the higher energy costs driven by the Democrats war on fossil fuels  but that will be of little solace to working-class Americans worried about affordability.

Trump has a limited set of options when it comes to controlling gasoline prices. Perhaps his most promising avenue would be to suspend  or, better yet, push Congress to repeal  the 1920 Jones Act, which demands that all shipping between U.S. ports be conducted by American-owned vessels built and flagged in the United States and staffed with American crews. This reduces the number of vessels that can transport goods between American ports, limiting shipping options and boosting costs.

Because of the Jones Act, "oil pumped in Alaska can only be transported to the U.S. mainland by a small subset of available vessels, making it much more difficult  and expensive  to do so, Joe Lancaster of Reason magazine noted this week. "Americans pay more for certain energy products like natural gas, even when its produced here. For instance, Hawaii gets virtually all of its oil from foreign sources because the cost of importing it from the U.S. mainland is prohibitive.

The purpose of the law was "to ensure adequate domestic shipbuilding capacity and a ready supply of merchant mariners to be available in times of war or other national emergencies, the Cato Institute reports. Yet in recent decades, the think tank notes, the number of ocean-going ships that meet the Jones Act requirements has declined from 193 to 92. Clearly the hidebound legislation is a failure as it pertains to ensuring a robust U.S. shipbuilding industry.

Trump in recent days has floated a temporary suspension of the Jones Act. Legislation pending in Congress would reform the law to make it far less restrictive. Either option would be step forward.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
During Russia's attack on Ukrainian ports on the Danube on the night of 16-17 March, one of the drones appears to have crashed near the Romanian village of Plauru and the search for debris is ongoing. Romania scrambled fighter jets because of the attack.

Source: Ministry of Defence of Romania, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Romania's Ministry of Defence reported on the morning of 17 March that, in connection with Russia's nighttime air attack on targets in Ukraine near the Romanian border, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets at 01:40.

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At 01:55, residents of border Tulcea County received air-raid warning alerts.

Quote: "There are reports of parts of flying craft falling on national territory in the area of the village of Plauru. After the all-clear was given, at about 03:00, search teams began work at the scene. At this time, the crash site has not been established. Search will continue as visibility improves."

More details: During years of the full-scale war, Russian Shahed-type drones have repeatedly fallen on the Romanian bank of the Danube and at times flew deeper into the country's territory.

After the first such cases, air-raid warnings began to be issued for border areas above the Danube, and later scrambling aircraft also became routine procedure.

In one case, a UAV resembling Gerbera flew dozens of kilometres deep into the country's territory and crashed behind private property.

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WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio has designated as wrongfully detained in Iran 61-year-old Jewish Iranian-American Kamran Hekmati, his cousin said on Monday.

"This designation is an official recognition by the U.S. Government that Kamran is being held on false charges in an effort by the Iranians to leverage the U.S. Government," Shohreh Nowfar said in a statement.

Word of the designation comes as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran rages for its third week.

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The Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The designation of wrongfully detained means that an American citizen is considered a political hostage whose case is handled by SPEHA and whose release is given high-level diplomatic attention and specialized resources.

The designation "reassures us that our government has our back in the effort to get Kamran home safely," Nowfar said.

Hekmati, who is suffering from bladder cancer, is one of at least six U.S. citizens or permanent residents being detained by Iran. He has been held in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, according to detainee advocates.

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The jewelry shop owner was arrested last year and convicted of visiting Israel under a law that bars such visits in the past 10 years, even though he had documentation showing his last trip was 13 years before his arrest, according to Kieran Ramsey, a former FBI assistant director with the Global Reach advocacy group who represents the Hekmati family.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis)
March 16 (UPI) -- Kenya and Russia announced on Monday that Kenyans will no longer be recruited by the Russian military and sent to fight in Ukraine.

The move follows a Kenyan intelligence report indicating that more than 1,000 people from Kenya and other African nations in recent months have been recruited into deployment on the front lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine by "rogue" agencies participating in human trafficking.

The report, released in February, alleged that of Kenyans recruited for the war, 10 died, 28 were missing, 39 were hospitalized and others were fighting for Russia in Ukraine, The Kenyan Daily Post reported.

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"We have agreed that Kenyans will no longer be enlisted for special operations through the defense ministry," Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said during a news conference. "They will no longer be eligible to be enlisted."

The nations also were expected to sign a labor agreement aimed at protecting Kenyans working in Russia -- specifically in drone manufacturing -- which will cover people working specifically for the military or for other related industries, he said.

Mudavadi told The BBC that Kenya has shut down more than 600 agencies that were lying to Kenyans about a range of possible jobs in Russia and other countries, with many ending up in Ukraine.

Russia has not given answers to relatives at its embassy in Kenya, nor has it commented on reports that human traffickers were fooling people into being enlisted in the war with lies about well-paid jobs.

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Lavrov said during the news conference that all foreign fighters, including those from Kenya, had not been coerced or lied to and their voluntary service complied with Russian law.

"Once a contract is terminated, the individual is no longer bound and is free to make their own decisions," Lavov said, although Kenyans who have volunteered to join the war have to find and pay for their own travel home.

Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, alleged in November that at least 1,400 people from Africa from 36 countries have been sent to Ukraine by Russia, many of whom have been captured as prisoners of war.
Russian forces attacked Ukraine's port and railway infrastructure on the night of 16-17 March, hitting a barge and railway wagons.

Source: Ministry for Communities and Territories Development

Details: Russian drones targeted the railway in Sumy Oblast. The strike caused a fire in a wagon from an out-of-service fleet, which was promptly extinguished by firefighters.

Workers were in shelters at the time and no one was injured, the statement said.

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In Ukraine's south, a barge used in industrial operations was hit, and utility buildings at one of the ports were also damaged.

All the appropriate services are working at the sites and efforts to deal with the aftermath of the attacks are ongoing, the ministry added.

Background:

Overnight strikes on the south of Odesa Oblast damaged energy, industrial and port infrastructure facilities.

On the morning of Tuesday 17 March, Russian forces also attacked Zaporizhzhia, striking a Nova Poshta (Nova Post) terminal.

Since the evening of 16 March, Russian forces have attacked Ukraine with 178 strike UAVs, including Shahed, Gerbera and Italmas attack UAVs, as well as other types of drones. Ukrainian forces managed to down 154 of them, although hits were recorded at 12 locations. The Russian attack is ongoing.

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MOSCOW, March 17 (Reuters) - A senior Russian security official warned on Tuesday that the pace and development of Ukrainian drone production meant that no Russian region was safe from attack.

Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council and a former Russian defence minister, told a meeting of officials in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg that the number of Ukrainian sabotage attacks against Russia had increased by 40% in 2025 to 1,830 incidents.

"...the pace of development of weapons systems, primarily unmanned drone systems, and the sophistication of the methods used to deploy them are such that no region of Russia can feel safe," Shoigu was quoted by the TASS state news agency as saying.

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The mayor of Moscow said on Monday that air defence systems had foiled the biggest attempted attack on the Russian capital in at least a year, downing 250 Ukrainian drones over the weekend. The Russian Defence Ministry reported on Tuesday that 421 Ukrainian drones had been shot down in the last 24 hours.

Russia has bombarded Ukrainian targets with artillery, drones and air strikes, while Ukraine has struck deep inside Russia with sabotage groups and drones, killing Russian generals and attacking oil refineries and oil pipelines.

In separate comments at the same meeting on Tuesday, Shoigu said a network of intelligence agencies from 56 countries was operating against Russia to facilitate what he called "sabotage and terrorist" attacks. He did not name the intelligence agencies.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
On the Monday, March 16, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: President Donald Trump says the SAVE America Act would guarantee the midterms for Republicans. USA TODAY Congressional Reporter Zach Schermele breaks down whats in the bill and what its chances of passing are.

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

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Dana Taylor:

The SAVE America Act, if passed, would be one of the biggest revisions of voter rights since the Voting Rights Act, potentially disenfranchising tens of millions of voters. The bill which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and tighten identification rules at the polls passed the House earlier this year. But President Donald Trump is pushing for an even tougher version in the Senate and warning Republicans not to accept what he calls a watered down bill. He's also raised the ante politically, essentially staking the GOP's control of Congress, at risk in the midterms, on its passage.

President Trump:

It'll guarantee the midterms. It'll guarantee the midterms. If you don't get it, big trouble.

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Dana Taylor:

Hello and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Monday, March 16th, 2026. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he plans to bring the SAVE America Act up for a vote this week. So what exactly would the bill do and does it have any real chance of becoming law? Joining me now to break it down is USA TODAY Congressional Reporter Zach Schermele. Zach, it's so good to have you back.

Zach Schermele:

Thanks for having me.

Dana Taylor:

Zach, first tell me what's in the version of the SAVE America Act that the Senate might vote on this week.

Zach Schermele:

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So this is a tough question to answer, I think, given the political context, because there have been several versions of this legislation that have been proposed and the president himself has given some mixed messages about what specifically he wants to be in this bill. The bill that's going to go before the Senate this week requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. That's probably the most important piece of the legislation because currently the federal government requires that only US citizens can vote in state and federal elections, but it really leaves it up to states to enforce that process. Secretaries of state at the federal level, of course, are the folks who are in charge of foreign policies, but at the state level, it's folks who are in charge of administering elections and ensuring that they are free from fraud and those types of things.

The SAVE America Act would also require photo ID to vote. Republicans and Democrats very broadly are pretty much in agreement about photo identification requirements being a relatively good thing. And then it would require states to search for non-citizen voters. These are pretty significant requirements and voting rights advocates argue that although these new requirements would on their face be good in terms of helping to shore up the security of elections, they would create really significant hurdles for millions of Americans potentially.

Dana Taylor:

Practically speaking, what kinds of documents would qualify to prove citizenship and what obstacles might this pose for voters?

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Zach Schermele:

So there are a number of different types of documents that could potentially be eligible for demonstrating a proof of citizenship, birth certificates, passports, all those types of things would help folks. But it's important to acknowledge that there are lots of citizens that don't necessarily have these types of documents readily available. The Center for American Progress, which is a progressive think tank, has shown that 146 million American citizens do not have a valid passport. They also note that 69 million women who have married do not have a birth certificate that matches their legal name and thus would face potentially additional hurdles to voting. Now, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has cast cold water on that argument that married women in particular would face additional hurdles to voting if the SAVE America Act passed. She says that married women are smart and we shouldn't discount the fact that they would figure out how to get around those requirements when registering to vote. But it's really important to consider in the context of voting in the United States that any single hurdle could be the difference between someone casting their ballot and not.

Dana Taylor:

Voter ID is very popular among Americans with more than 58% backing it. That's according to the latest Pew research. How is this bill different from other voter ID bills of the past?

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Zach Schermele:

There are a number of differences, but primarily it is this requirement for states to turn over voter rolls to the federal government and make it such that the federal government can look through to ensure that those voter roles don't include a significant number of non-citizens. Also, I think just the political context that this legislation is coming to the forefront in is very different. It's happening in the context of the midterm elections approaching. We know given historical trends that Republicans are probably going to lose the House of Representatives. That's not certain. And there are some questions about the feasibility of holding the Republican majority in the Senate as well. And President Donald Trump has repeatedly said when he's lost elections and when other Republicans have lost elections in the past, that voter fraud has been part of that even when there hasn't been evidence of widespread voter fraud in those instances. And so I think it's important to acknowledge that this is happening in the context of a president really wanting the rest of his term not to be thrown off track as a result of Republicans losing the majorities in Congress.

Dana Taylor:

As you said, supporters say the bill is meant to prevent non-citizens from voting, but is voting by non-citizens really an issue? What do the experts say here?

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Zach Schermele:

Something that is crucial to consider here is that it is already a crime for non-citizens to vote in elections. And you just have to think about it. In order to sign your name on a ballot, you are, as a non-citizen, you are attesting that you are in fact a citizen and you are committing a felony crime by casting a single ballot in elections where millions of other people are voting and your single vote might not make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. But to you personally, it could render you deportable if you're a non-citizen. So it is not a widespread problem in the United States, all available evidence shows. I think the President is trying to institute this law to look for evidence that it's more widespread than it actually is, but experts disagree with a lot of those assertions from the President recently. And there are a lot of personal consequences to individual people if they vote as non-citizens that would make it not in their best interest to actually cast a ballot.

Dana Taylor:

Let's turn now to mail-in voting. How might it be impacted if the SAVE Act is passed?

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Zach Schermele:

So mail-in voting, something that primarily benefits Democrats, largely Republicans typically do more in person same day voting. But in more rural states where it's not as easy to get to the ballot box. Places like Montana, where I'm from, a very big Republican state with reliable Republican majorities, there are a lot of folks there that rely on mail-in voting, and the SAVE America Act would require that photo ID be a part of the mail-in voting process as well, submitting a photocopy of your identification along with your ballot in the mail. The president has pushed for a near total ban on mail-in voting, but that is not a provision that is actually included in the legislation in its current form and that the Senate will be voting on this week. And there's really not support in Congress for that kind of a ban either.

Dana Taylor:

There's also a constitutional question here. Elections are by law administered by the states. Can Congress legally impose federal authority over voting?

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Zach Schermele:

There are interesting constitutional questions that I think that this imposes, but if the act were to be enacted and signed by the president, it would be the law of the land. There are separations of powers, questions that I think scholars would have to debate after it's enacted. And certainly there could be some lawsuits that are brought by Democratic Attorneys General in various states, as we've seen with a lot of Trump administration policies.

Dana Taylor:

Trump has been pushing hard for this legislation, even saying he wouldn't sign other bills, save a DHS funding bill until it passes. How much of this debate is about election security policy and how much of it is about political strategy ahead of the midterms?

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Zach Schermele:

The President has tried a number of ways, and the White House more broadly, has tried a number of ways to stave off what could be really a bloodbath in the midterm elections in November if Republicans lose the House and could derail the rest of the presidency. First, he tried redistricting, and that has not really gone the way that the White House and Republicans more broadly across the country had hoped. They haven't netted the seats that they wanted. I should say even before redistricting, there was the One Big Beautiful bill and Republicans have hoped that selling those wins from the reconciliation package could stave off those losses. And so I think that this is the next turn of the screw in terms of the White House's strategy to try and ensure that Republicans don't lose big in the midterms. And that was part of the threat that the president was making.

It's important to note though that bills can still become law after 10 days, as long as Congress is in session, even if the President doesn't sign them, if he doesn't veto them. So I think talking to Republicans and Congress over the last week, that there are many of them that didn't necessarily take that threat super seriously. And the legislative affairs folks in the White House are still putting out what are called statements of administration policy about particular pieces of legislation, like a big housing reform bill that passed the Senate last week, signaling what it is that the White House is actually logistically ready to support and allow to become law, even if the president doesn't sign it.

Dana Taylor:

If this act passes, could it even go into effect in time for the midterm elections?

Zach Schermele:

So it depends on how long this takes. Something that we haven't discussed much in the context of this actually happening, there are House Republicans who are hoping, and in fact, some Senate Republicans that have pushed for something called a talking filibuster in order to get the SAVE America Act to pass. It's really the only way that this legislation would actually end up becoming law because there's a 60 vote threshold in the Senate. In order to pass pieces of legislation like this, Republicans have a 53 seat majority and Democrats are not at all on board about the SAVE America Act. So there would not be a path for it to become law. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said that it's just cold, hard math here. It's not going to become law under the normal rules of the Senate. If they introduce a talking filibuster, however, debate could go on really endlessly.

It could jam up the Senate for quite a long time. Virtually endless amendments could be offered that only require a simple majority, and that could be really tough for Republicans to face. If that happens, and that's a really big if, as long as it wraps up before the midterms, then yes, the bill would go into effect immediately after the president signs it, but there are a lot of steps in that path before any of that could potentially happen.

Dana Taylor:

If the SAVE Act doesn't pass, does Trump have other options here?

Zach Schermele:

There's been reporting about the President potentially signing an executive order declaring a national emergency with respect to the midterm elections, but he told reporters recently that he actually was not considering that. With Donald Trump, it's very difficult to know day in and day out what it is that he is expecting and what he's planning for, what types of executive orders he could sign. He has long been, even before running for the presidency in 2016 and when losing the presidency in 2020 and in the lead up to his victory in 2024, someone who talks frequently and openly about voter fraud, even when the evidence shows that it doesn't exist. And he's going to be unhappy if Republicans don't win the majority in the House or keep the majority in the House in November. And all indications are that that is what is going to happen. So it's really anyone's guess how he's going to handle that.

I think the big question right now is not necessarily what the White House has planned, but what people like Senate Majority Leader John Thune and like House Speaker Mike Johnson are willing to allow the president to do in the lead up to the midterm elections and how they respond, should they lose their majorities and whether they accept the results of those elections. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said last week talking to reporters about the filibuster and the SAVE America Act, sometimes you have to make adult decisions and acknowledge the political realities. This is something I've heard from a number of Senate Republicans and Congress really is the place where that buck stops.

Dana Taylor:

Zach Schermele is a USA TODAY congressional reporter. Zach, it's always good to have you on The Excerpt.

Zach Schermele:

Thanks so much, Dana.

Dana Taylor:

Thanks to our senior producer, Kaely Monahan for her production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. I'll be back tomorrow morning with another episode of USA TODAY's The Excerpt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can the SAVE America Act actually pass Congress?
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is demanding answers from York County Council regarding how the Silfab Solar facility in Fort Mill was approved to operate under light industrial zoning.

In a letter, Wilson outlined multiple concerns, including how the county determined its permitting process, whether solar cell manufacturing is explicitly allowed under current zoning rules, and whether Silfab ever sought additional rezoning approval.

He also called for the courts to fast-track a decision in an ongoing lawsuit tied to the facility, which is currently on hold.

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ALSO READ: Protesters demand revocation of Silfab Solars occupancy permit

The scrutiny follows two separate chemical leaks earlier this month that forced a shutdown of the plant and disrupted the surrounding community, including keeping students home from nearby Flint Hill Elementary School.

While Silfab maintains the leaked substances posed no danger, both state regulators and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intervened and halted operations as part of an active investigation into safety protocols and potential risks. The controversy has also entered the political arena.

Two candidates running for a York County state representative seat are campaigning on promises to support residents who oppose the facility, highlighting growing public concern over environmental safety, zoning transparency, and accountability.

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The situation continues to evolve as investigations proceed and pressure mounts on local leaders to clarify how the project was approved and whether it should continue operating.

VIDEO: Protesters demand revocation of Silfab Solars occupancy permit
SARALAND, Ala. (WKRG)  A crash involving a school bus in Saraland has left two people injured and at least 475 people without power.

Mobile Police share new details on Target parking lot incident

A school bus carrying 11 students crashed into a power pole on Monday around 4 p.m. near Celeste and Radcliff Roads.

The crash involved another car, sending two people to the hospital with injuries. The children and the bus driver were not injured.

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The outage initially left over 1,500 people without power.

Mobile resident sentenced for pouring boiling water on disabled person

However, Alabama Power is working to get it restored for those affected, a spokesperson said.

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 WKRG News 5.
Families were searching for missing relatives outside hospitals across Kabul on Tuesday after a strike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, as uncertainty persisted over the extent of the casualties and the fate of victims.

Afghanistans Interior Ministry said 408 people were killed and 265 wounded, although the toll could not be independently verified. The director of forensic medicine told TOLOnews that 98 bodies had been transferred for identification.

At the hospital run by the non-governmental organization EMERGENCY, 24 wounded people were brought in, and three who were already dead, a TOLOnews reporter said, citing officials.

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Rescue operations continued, and a health worker said more than 50 bodies may still be buried.

The facility, a former US military base turned drug rehabilitation centre by the Taliban, had more than five blocks destroyed, with the rest damaged. Authorities said victims may be buried in a mass funeral unless the families hold private ceremonies.

One survivor said they heard gunfire before the blast, and noted that the facility is near a Taliban recruitment centre, which may have led to it being misidentified.

These accounts could not be independently verified.

Pakistans Ministry of Information rejected claims the strike targeted civilians, saying operations focused on military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including equipment and ammunition storage in Kabul and Nangarhar.

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There wont be any pause in our strikes. We dont want to lose the momentum, even if it was a mishit, a Pakistani official told dpa.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the strike, saying dozens of patients were reportedly killed or injured and urging all parties to respect international law protecting medical facilities and civilians.
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here.

Democrats are increasingly turning their sights on Secretary of State Marco Rubio  belittling everything from his shoes to his leadership of President Donald Trump's foreign policy  as they gear up for a White House battle in 2028.

Rubio is now seen as the leading contender to succeed Trump  besting Democrat Gavin Newsom and even GOP Vice President JD Vance in the latest prediction markets. His numbers on Kalshi have tripled since late last year.

And with polls showing Rubio's favorability rising above Trump's, the media and Democrats are treating him like a serious threat. He has become the real face of Trump's foreign policy.

Rubio and Vance could be headed for a real nomination fight if the secretary of state's numbers continue to rise.

At a recent Mar-a-Lago gathering, a group of about 25 big money GOP donors gave the thumbs up to Rubio over Vance, according to NBC News. When President Trump asked the donors which one they support, they "overwhelmingly indicated Rubio through their cheering, according to two people who were at the event," it was reported.

"It was almost unanimous for Marco," one attendee said.

That's why Rubio suddenly finds himself now a major target for the opposition party and even some MAGA leaders who are backing Vance.

"Marco Rubio mocked for wearing oversized shoes amid report Trump gifts officials footwear they are too afraid not to wear,' " a headline in Mediate reads.

"Photos of Rubio's feet on Tuesday went viral on social media after they showed him seemingly wearing a pair of shoes that were too big," the shocking report disclosed. Other reports called the dress Florsheims "clown shoes."

A new headline in the liberal website Daily Beast reads, "Little Marco goes full tin foil hat over reason for Iran war," adopting the nickname Trump gave him.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered what appears to be a bizarre conspiracy theory as a reason why President Donald Trump launched his war on Iran," the rag explains. "Rubio insisted that the U.S. fired first as a preemptive' strike against Tehran."

Not so bizarre when you consider the latest warnings the FBI issued about an Iranian drone attack on California.

You know you've made it big when Democrats and the media start obsessing about your footwear and start using unflattering nicknames. Democrats have for years targeted Trump on everything from his long ties to his spray on tan.

Now it's Rubio's turn. He has just enough MAGA in him to take away votes from Vance, but doesn't have the Trump baggage that Vance has.

The former Florida senator has even somehow weaseled his way into the good graces of Trump, which seemed impossible a few years ago.

Trump was the one who mocked him as "Little Marco" in a Fox News debate 10 years ago.

"Let's see if he answers it (the question)," Rubio told moderator Chris Wallace.

"Don't worry about it Little Marco, I will," Trump retorted, drawing laughter and cheers.

Rubio has come a long way since that losing campaign. He now seems like the sane and reasonable alternative in the Trump administration.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Joe Battenfeld

Boston Herald/(TNS)

Joe Battenfeld is a veteran Boston Herald political columnist and multimedia reporter.

Previously:
March 17 (UPI) -- The White House is reviewing a proposal from Senate Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

The White House submitted its most recent offer to Democrats more than two weeks ago, and Democrats shared their counteroffer Monday, Republicans familiar with the talks told The Hill.

Senate Republican leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters that the White House was making concessions.

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"I was going over last night some of the gives that the White House had made that went above and beyond any initial offers that they put out there, and there's a lot of stuff in there," Thune said.

He told reporters that the White House negotiators agreed to increase funding for body cameras for immigration enforcement officers from $20 million to $100 million. It also proposed audits by the inspector general to screen for "noncompliance."

"But the Democrats seem intent on dragging out this political issue," he said.

"What they want to do is they want to defund law enforcement. They want to defund [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and they want to defund [Customs and Border Protection]," he said. "We got to have a meaningful conversation where we sit down at the table and actually work these issues out. You can't get there if you're not sitting down at the table."

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The DHS, which includes the Transportation Security Administration, shut down on Feb. 14 because Congress couldn't agree on a funding bill for the department. Democrats don't want to fund it until guardrails are put on the agency, and Republicans haven't agreed to Democrats' demands.

Because of this, TSA workers are working without pay. Some are quitting or taking days off work, creating long lines at airports.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly at 9:54 p.m. on Monday, March 16. This warning applies to Bucks, Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph.

Use caution, officials warn of hail as large as 0.75 inches.

The NWS warns: "For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning. Do not wait until you hear thunder before taking cover."

Montgomery County weather radar

What are NWS meteorologists saying?

At 9:54 p.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information:

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"The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for: Southeastern Berks County in eastern Pennsylvania, Northwestern Montgomery County in southeastern Pennsylvania, Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania, Until 11 p.m. EDT. And Northern Bucks County until 11:31 p.m. At 9:53 p.m. EDT, a line of gusty showers were located along a line extending from near Denver to near Octoraro, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD: 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE: Radar indicated.

IMPACT: Damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible. Locations impacted include: Reading, West Chester, Pottstown, Phoenixville, Coatesville, Westtown, Wyomissing, Downingtown, Kennett Square, Birdsboro, Oxford, Royersford, Sinking Spring, Laureldale, Parkesburg, Trappe, East Greenville, West Grove, Wernersville, and Honey Brook."

What is a severe thunderstorm warning?

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when a storm is occurring or about to occur with winds of 58 mph or higher or hail one inch in diameter or larger, the National Weather Service says. These storms can also bring heavy rain and, in some cases, flooding or flash flooding.

Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms

Once inside a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid using electrical equipment or plumbing.

Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby in case of power loss.

Secure loose objects outside, as they can become dangerous during high winds.

Bring pets inside, and if time allows, make sure fences are secure to prevent pets from escaping or running away.

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Also, remember lightning can travel several miles from a storm, so hearing thunder means you're within striking distance. The common advice from experts is "When thunder roars, go indoors."

How to stay safe around lightning

If indoors:

Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that puts you in direct contact with electricity, according to the NWS.

Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, faucets and even toilets, if you can.

Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

Do not lie on concrere floors or lay against concrete walls.

If in a vehicle:

Ensure all windows are fully closed.

Refrain from touching radios, ignition systems, or any metal parts connected to the vehicle's exterior.

Stay inside the vehicle until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

What to do if a vehicle is struck by lightning

Stay inside . Your car acts as a Faraday cage, directing the electricity around you and protecting you.

Keep hands on your lap and away from metal surfaces .

Do not touch the radio, dashboard, or any electrical components.

Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before exiting.

Pennsylvania weather watches and warnings

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text.

This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.

See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Bucks and Montgomery counties
Sienna Wings is having complications with obtaining its signage.

As

AFROTECH

previously told you, Sienna Wings was founded by 22-year-old Tyla-Simone Crayton and her mother, Monique. At 14, she officially launched the company and began selling wing plates with a signature sauce from her home, and made $50,000 in revenue, according to an Instagram video.

It wasnt until 2019 that she began manufacturing three flavors, Sweet & Tangy, Lemon Pepper, and Spice It Up!, per the companys website.

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In 2021, Crayton brought her signature sauces to Shark Tank. She landed a $100,000 deal with jewelry designer Kendra Scott on the show for a product line called Sienna Sauce. However, she had not received payment two years later as she was reportedly still working on due diligence for Scotts team, according to a separate

AFROTECH

article.

Fortunately, that didnt deter Crayton from her journey in entrepreneurship. She has two Sienna Wings storefronts, one located at 3803 S Gessner Rd. in Houston and the other, 4340 Sienna Parkway #104 in Missouri City, TX.

Still, Crayton is facing a new challenge with the venture in Missouri City. The business reopened there in June 2025 with community support after the previous supermarket-based location was sold.

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She was initially subleasing the new location but is now the primary leaseholder as of November 2025, Crayton said. For the past eight months, foot traffic has declined sharply because Sienna Wings has been blocked from installing approved signage by the Sienna Property Owners Association (SPOA), which says the business must sign a Trademark Coexistence Agreement with Sienna community developer Johnson Development, per KHOU 11.

Johnson Development owns the master-planned community in Missouri City called Sienna, where Sienna Wings is located, and claims to own a restaurant called Sienna Grill, according to a trademark coexistence agreement document shared with AFROTECH



. Johnson Development requires that any business sign a trademark coexistence or license agreement if they want to use the word Sienna for exterior signage, per KHOU 11.

The outlet notes that the proposed agreement, Johnson Development would have approval rights over any business changes or expansions, including to other cities, states, or countries, notes the outlet.

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Crayton argues that signing the agreement could dilute her intellectual property, limit her ability to raise investors, expand her business, and place her brand under other restrictions controlled by the private developer.

At this time, Sienna Wings has not agreed to the current terms offered by Johnson Development. Crayton and Clark told AFROTECH



they want to push for a Chapter 209 hearing and are in conversation with the buildings landlord, which reflects further proof of collaboration and a desire to resolve the matter.

A Johnson Development spokesperson told ABC13 that its contractual requests are not to punish, but to protect Siennas registered trademark.

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As it relates to the signage, Crayton appealed to the SPOA but was denied on March 3, 2026, as a result of the trademark coexistence or license agreement not being signed, according to a document shared with AFROTECH



. The SPOA requires the agreement to be in place before approving any signage that includes the word Sienna, noting there are no exceptions, appeals, or allowances for temporary signage, according to KHOU.

There is currently a petition to support Sienna Wings with more than 2,400 signatures collected, from states beyond Texas, such as Illinois, California, and New York, Crayton confirmed.

The post Sienna Wings Fighting To Maintain Sole Ownership Of Trademarks As It Seeks To Obtain Signage appeared first on AfroTech.







The post Sienna Wings Fighting To Maintain Sole Ownership Of Trademarks As It Seeks To Obtain Signage appeared first on AfroTech.
Its been one of the more intriguing subplots of the Middle East conflict: scores of private jets zipping out of the regions safer airports as the super-rich flee from the threat of Iranian missiles.

While exact numbers are hard to come by, one provider, Air Charter Service, says it has arranged 70 flights over the past week. The Surbiton-based company has even stationed one of its executives in the region to deal with the influx of queries from those considering a private jet.

Ask around in the world of private aviation, though, and it turns out that booking your own jet isnt always as easy as some make out. Whenever geopolitical tensions escalate, we inevitably see an increase in what the industry calls grey flights, says Dr Christopher Williams-Martin, CEO of London and Dubai-based private jet management company FlyEliteJets. These are aircraft that are neither licensed nor insured for commercial charter.

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And getting a private jet back to London certainly isnt cheap, with one operator estimating it should cost around 160,000 for a six-passenger jet, including a refuelling stop.

A logistical nightmare

Its far from simple, though. Even with the reputable brokers, pricing isnt always easy to predict. Browse social media for charter jets and its easy to find adverts of brokers touting one-away trips from London to Nice for just 7,000 or so  usually in a smaller private jet like a six-seater Learjet 45. But that doesnt always include what one broker refers to as the mission-specific variables (meaning hidden costs).

For a start, theres the cost of getting the jet to your departure airport. While decent brokers will have access to fleets of charter jets around the world, theres no guarantee there will be one ready to go from your chosen departure airport. That means someone has to cover the costs of getting the jet there.

Thats a particular issue for those in the Middle East right now, says Joe Gallimore from Air Charter Service. Given that local fleets have been grounded by airspace closures, the plane will probably have to come in from Europe or Asia, he says.

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In normal circumstances, the charter company might be able to sell those outgoing seats to one of their existing customers, perhaps offering them at a discount price. Right now, though, they arent exactly inundated with offers from customers looking to fly to the Middle East, meaning the costs will probably fall on the person ordering the jet.

One operator estimates it will cost around 160,000 for a private jet to fly from the Gulf to London - Halbergman

Less luxury and sky-high bills

Fuel and staffing costs are usually contained in the initial quote. But there are plenty of costs on the ground that can vary from one trip to the next. Private jets will pay a landing fee (typically more than 1,000) when they reach their destination airport, not to mention the necessary taxes and customs fees. There are also the companies who run the private terminals, known as fixed-based operators, looking after everything from passenger check-in to de-icing the jet.

Using your own exclusive terminal might sound like just the ticket. But while most fixed-base operators have become highly adept at getting passengers to their planes as swiftly as possible, the levels of perks arent quite what you might imagine. If you are used to international first-class lounges, you may be disappointed, is the advice from one aviation company.

Wi-Fi is another potential headache. When youre flying over 10 countries, you can easily run up a bill in the thousands, says Williams-Martin. Not that everyone is so worried, he adds: I had a client pay 5,000 to make a video call on WhatsApp and they were happy to pay the bill.

Wont someone think of the influencers?

Those kinds of costs might not deter the super-rich. But what about the influencers who have been looking to escape Dubai? Its fair to say some of the tales on social media have already raised suspicions  not least one influencers claim to have spent 100,000 chartering a jet from Oman to Heathrow (an airport seldom used by private jets).

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But there are alternatives: the massively underrated Oman Air is currently offering a fully private Business Studio suite to Heathrow for just under 5,000 on flights this week.

The prices may have been inflated due to demand, but surely that has to be the more sensible option for the crypto bros of Dubai? On the other hand, it probably wont garner as much traffic on social media.

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 62-year-old P.E. teacher at Skykomish K-12 School pleaded not guilty to charges of raping a student as the school reopened Monday for the first time since his arrest.

Daniel Bubar was arrested by deputies at the school on March 6 following an investigation into accusations of sexual assault.

Bubar is accused of performing multiple sex acts with a young teenage girl at the school over a two-year period.

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The school, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, remained closed for several days following the arrest before resuming classes this week.

Amie Zerger, a parent of two students at Skykomish K-12 School, said the community felt deceived by the teacher.

My son hes in the eighth grade, hes gone here the whole time that Mr Bubar was a teacher, and he had us fooled. We thought he was a great teacher, Zerger said.

Zerger expressed anger regarding the nature of the charges brought against the longtime staff member.

I would have never in a million years thought he was a predator, a bad person. That waste of air, thats what he is, he deserves to be behind bars for the rest of his life, Zerger said.

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Parents have also turned their attention toward school leadership following the arrest.

Superintendent and Principal Destry Jones is facing criticism from families who are questioning how the conduct was allowed to continue for two years.

Zerger asked, How angry would you be if you found out your child was going to a school with a pedophile in there, and other staff members probably knew about this?

Jones released a written statement last week addressing the situation. He said the administration is aware of the hurt and anger in the community. Jones stated the school is committed to immediate steps to ensure all students are safe and protected, now and for the future.

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Attempts to reach the superintendent for a direct interview on Monday were unsuccessful. When asked if Jones would be available to speak at any point during the day, school staff stated he was not available.

Zerger said many families want the superintendent to leave his position.

Some parents have indicated they will not send their children back to the classroom until Jones is no longer leading the school.

Superintendent Destry Jones said the school is committed to taking immediate steps to ensure student safety moving forward. The administration has not yet released a specific timeline for these safety measures or addressed the parental demands for leadership changes.
KENTUCKY (FOX 56)  A brief yet serious switch to winter weather for Kentucky has caused hazardous conditions across the states roads. With the safety of students and families in mind, school leaders across the Bluegrass have chosen to cancel or delay classes for Tuesday.

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The following schools have delayed or canceled classes on March 17.

Around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, officials with Clark County Public Schools told FOX 56 News that classes would be canceled due to weather.

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Just after 8 a.m. on March 17, Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) announced that Tuesday would be a non-traditional instruction (NTI) day.

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Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, who was killed in a March 1 drone attack in Kuwait, was a surrogate dad to so many in his Iowa-based reserve unit that some are now raising money to help dozens of his soldiers determined to attend his funeral in California later this month.

One of the organizers is Connor Kuehl, who said he was aimless when he enlisted in the Army in 2013 and met Marzan. Kuehls father wasnt at home at the time, he said, and the senior soldier became the father figure who had been missing in his life.

He found out where you were in life, and he would literally sit down on a white board and help you paint a picture of where your life was: Whats your family situation; whats your education, your career, your goals for military career, civilian career; what do you want your life to look like, and what does it look like now, Kuehl told Task & Purpose. Ive used that framework ever since then.

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A Signal Corps data operations warrant officer, Marzan, 54, was one of six Army Reserve soldiers killed when an Iranian drone struck a U.S. facility at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. All six soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, a Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa. The 103rd, a 7,000-soldier unit spread across six states, provides logistical support for food, water, ammunition, and other supplies and equipment, according to the Army Reserve.

The drone attack is under investigation.

Travel costs for final goodbye

Marzans death has revealed how wide his influence was across the 103rd. Ashley Kopf, whose husband served with Marzan, said that between 60 and 75 current and former service members have indicated that they would like to attend Marzans funeral.

Of those, she said, between 25 and 30 have said they would face financial difficulties making the trip.

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To help, Kuehl and Kopf have organized online fundraising efforts to defray travel costs for soldiers and civilians, with a goal of $65,000. Any money beyond that will go to the families of all six fallen 103rd soldiers, along with some held back to defray costs for troops still deployed who want to visit the gravesites when they return.

Working with Marzans family, Kuehl launched a GoFundMe. The non-profit group Salute To The Fallen is also raising funds for the unit.

He was the first phone call

Kopfs husband, Sgt. 1st Class William Kopf, served with Marzan in the 103rd Sustainment Command. She described Marzan and his wife, Tina, as the units parents.

They provided a place for soldiers that were away from home, that didnt have family there, the opportunity to have a family there in Iowa, Kopf told Task & Purpose. They opened their home for family gatherings, baby showers, and wedding receptions, and all sorts of those things. Plenty of 103rd cookouts and things happened there.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan was killed in a March 1 Iranian drone attack on Kuwait. Army photo.

As the surrogate dad for many people in the unit, Marzan was often the first person whom soldiers called whenever they needed advice about their careers and other issues, Kopf said.

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I know for my husband, he was the first phone call. If you were facing something in your career or needed to make a decision, his first response was always: Let me check with Marzan. Let me see what Marzan says, Kopf said.

The number of soldiers whom Marzan mentored, said Kuehl, has been mind-boggling.

Marzan, he said, seemed to believe in soldiers before they even believed in themselves.

He didnt care if you didnt think you had potential or if you had tried to set goals before, Kuehl said. He was just very motivated to see others succeed around him.

Marzans death has left a lot of people hurting for his loss, said Kuehl, who added it would be meaningful for them to have some sense of closure.

He taught me leadership and he taught me accountability, and that everybody should live up to their potential  and if you arent trying to live up to your potential, thats shame on you, Kuehl said. Everybody should always push themselves to live up to their potential. Its greater than they think.
A man accused of killing his father, a deacon at a Catholic church in Nebraska, allegedly tried to flee police to avoid being caught, authorities said.

Martin Zak was arrested on Thursday, March 12, on charges of criminal homicide, felony flight to avoid arrest and felony theft in connection with the death of John Zak, whose body was found in Omaha on Wednesday, March 11, according to the Omaha Police Department.

The Omaha Police Department extends its condolences to the family and friends of John Zak, the department said in a Friday, March 13, news release.

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John, 69, was a deacon at St. Peter Church in Omaha, according to a Facebook post shared by the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Martin, 36, became a person of interest in his fathers death after police said officers were called to a report of a missing person on Cass Street around 11:30 p.m. on March 11.

While investigating, Johns body was discovered, according to authorities, who did not specify the exact location of his remains.

19-Year-Old Arrested After Allegedly Stabbing Father to Death in Front of Grandmother

Officers immediately found the circumstances of Johns death to be suspicious and identified a vehicle of interest in connection with the homicide, police said.

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When officers saw the car driving the next morning, on March 12, they tried to pull the driver over, according to police.

The driver, later identified as Martin, refused to pull over and led officers on a pursuit, police said.

Martin was ultimately apprehended as a person of interest and arrested on criminal charges, according to authorities.

It was not immediately clear whether Martin, who was detained at the Douglas County Correction Center, had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf. It was also unclear whether he had entered a plea as of Monday, March 16.

A potential motive for the alleged homicide was not specified by law enforcement.

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Naked Man Arrested at West Virginia Casino After Being Accused in Fathers Murder

Over the last several years, John and his wife had cared for several foster children and had adopted children themselves, according to court filings viewed by Nebraska Public Media.

"I am saddened to learn of the tragic death of Deacon John Zak, wrote Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of the Archdiocese of Omaha in a statement shared to Facebook.

Deacon Zak was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1998, and he has served at St. Peter Church in Omaha, McGovern added. Deacon Zak also directed the parishs youth group and served as a teacher in the parish catechism program. As law enforcement continues investigating, please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Deacon Zak, for his family and for the St. Peter parish community in this difficult time."
Homicide by child abuse charges have been filed against the parents of a 2-month-old girl who was found unresponsive inside a South Carolina home and allegedly died from severe abuse.

Following a 911 call about the infant that was made at around 1:11 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, deputies and other first responders visited a home in Easley, where they started rendering aid to the newborn, according to the Pickens County Sheriffs Office.

The infant was declared dead by EMS after attempts to save her, the sheriffs office said in a Friday, March 13 news release.

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An autopsy ultimately confirmed the babys death was a homicide, according to authorities.

The parents, Joshua Kyle Smith and Courtney Finch Smith, were arrested on March 13 on charges of homicide by child abuse, the sheriffs office said.

Parents Busted in South Carolina After 5-Month-Old Dies in Suspected Child Abuse Case

The baby was identified by a coroner as Cecilia Smith, who was found to have died as a result of blunt force trauma, meaning she was likely physically abused, according to WHNS.

It was not immediately clear whether Joshua or Courtney had retained attorneys who could speak on their behalf as of Monday, March 16.

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They were both booked at the Pickens County Detention Center following their arrests, authorities said.

Joshua and Courtney have both been denied bond, according to officials, WHNS reported.

Authorities have not specified the exact injuries that led to the babys death.

The sheriffs office noted on March 13 that No additional information will be released at this time and said, All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Parents Accused of Neglecting and Killing Infant Daughter Are Charged With Murder in Louisiana

If a person is found guilty of homicide by child abuse in South Carolina, they could face 20 years to life in prison, according to South Carolina Criminal Law, a law firm based in Columbia.

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To secure a conviction for the charge, a prosecutor must demonstrate, according to the law firm, that The defendants actions or inaction directly caused the childs death, the child is under eleven, the crime happened while the defendant was committing child abuse or neglect, and that the death happened due to circumstances showing an extreme indifference to human life.

In a recent case of alleged child abuse, an Illinois man was charged with murder in the death of his 5-month-old son, who he had taken to a hospital with severe injuries in late February, according to police, Us Weekly previously reported.

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Iranian intelligence services are conducting extensive surveillance operations against opposition activists in Germany, using family members as leverage and WhatsApp to recruit informants, according to German security officials and exiled Iranians.

Iran's Ministry of Intelligence  also known as VAJA and MOIS  along with the Quds Force and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organisation are monitoring rallies and attempting to identify opposition figures, Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution told Euronews.

"It can be assumed that Iranian services are monitoring rallies in Germany in order to spy on and identify opposition actors in particular," the domestic intelligence service said. A reporting centre has been set up for this purpose.

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Hossein Yaghobi, an Iranian engineer who has lived in Germany for more than 40 years, said Iranian authorities arrested his family members as soon as he arrived in the country.

They were tortured, he said, and he was repeatedly promised his family would be left alone if he co-operated with Tehran.

Agents even promised him a high-ranking engineering post in Iran, Yaghobi told Euronews.

He recently received a warning not to travel to Turkey. "The secret service contacted my nephew and tried to persuade him to meet with me in Istanbul," Yaghobi said. Opposition members have been kidnapped several times by Iranian intelligence in Turkey.

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Yaghobi said exiled Iranians' families are effectively "hostages" of Tehran. They are repeatedly summoned to the Iranian Ministry of Information to exert pressure on opposition members living abroad.

Hossein Yaghobi, Iranian opposition activist in Germany, 11 March 2023 - Euronews

'What's her name?'

Iranian intelligence uses WhatsApp for many contact attempts, trying to join WhatsApp groups of exiled Iranians or writing directly to targets, according to chat logs obtained by Euronews.

In one exchange, an agent using an Iranian number contacted an opposition member claiming to have spoken with his brother. "Please send me the picture from Stuttgart, God bless you," the agent wrote.

Chat protocol - Euronews

The agent then asked for information about people at protests. "The guy with the red jacket has a girlfriend, tall, with long hair. What's her name?" the message read. "Who brought you into contact with them?"

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Later messages suggested help with residence problems. The agent then threatened to sabotage the asylum application if the target spoke publicly about the contact. "If anyone knows, your asylum case will fail. This is my job. Be sure, nobody can know that you spoke to me," the message said.

Chat transcript - Euronews

Many spies targeting exiled Iranians in Germany also come from Iran, Yaghobi said. Refugees who want to return to Iran must fill out a form at the Iranian embassy agreeing to provide names, he said. The regime also sends supporters to Germany and has recently attempted to use proxies such as Hezbollah members.

"These are the regimes, the dictatorial regimes, that think that every member of the opposition could potentially be a danger and that they must be silenced," said Ralph Ghadban, a political scientist who has written a book about the mullahs' network.

The Revolutionary Guard is trying to control exiled Iranians in Germany as in other European countries, Ghadban said. The regime does not shy away from attacks to achieve its goal.

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Last summer, Danish police arrested 53-year-old Ali S, a Dane of Afghan background, on suspicion of spying on Jewish and Israeli institutions for Iranian clients, according to Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor General. The Iranian embassy in Germany rejected the allegations.

In 2018, French, German and Belgian authorities foiled a terrorist attack on a demonstration by Iranian opposition activists. In 2017, an Iranian opposition activist was shot dead in The Hague.

A regime in a fight for survival

"The Iranian regime is in an absolute fight for survival," Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the Parliamentary Control Panel for the Control of the Federal Intelligence Services, told Euronews.

The CDU politician said no one can say with certainty whether or how the apparatus will stabilise and how this will affect foreign countries.

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"The Iranian secret service has repeatedly shown in the past that it extends its arm far beyond its own borders, directly or via proxies such as Hezbollah," Henrichmann said.

Iranian demonstration at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, 28 February 2026 - (c) Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Sonja Eichwede, deputy chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group, told Euronews the security situation in Germany is serious.

"Due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, the security situation here in Germany is serious. The abstract danger has increased. The security authorities are constantly assessing the security situation and are ready to take appropriate and rapid protective measures."

Iranian protesters at a demonstration on Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, 28 February 2026 - (c) Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Iranian citizenship nearly impossible to renounce

More than 160,000 Iranian citizens without a German passport live in Germany. The number has risen sharply in recent years.

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Iranians can apply for naturalisation, but renouncing Iranian citizenship is practically impossible.

Every child with an Iranian father automatically receives an Iranian passport regardless of whether they were born in Iran or Germany.

For Yaghobi, filing charges against the spies is of little use. He hopes for freedom, democracy, human rights and equality in his homeland  and that the fundamentalist dictatorship will not be replaced by another similar regime.
Today marks the first official day for many spring breakers, but instead of warm weather, beachgoers can expect temperatures to dip into the 30s throughout the week. This comes after the National Weather Service issued severe weather warnings across much of the countrys East Coast, including Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Action News Jax spoke with several spring-breakers who said their main concern isnt the rain but the cold water.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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Still, locals, like Jordan Lawman, are enjoying the weather while it lasts.

We probably prefer a little less wind, but whenever you can get to the beach, I think its a good day, Lawson said.

Keith Doherty, the owner of Lynchs Irish Pub, said he doesnt expect the cold weather to deter many from coming out to celebrate one of their busiest days of the year, St. Patricks Day.

We look forward to it, Doherty said. Its the start of our busy season, and its great we get to kick it off with St. Patricks Day and spring break.

To keep up with this weeks temperatures, be sure to tune in to Action News Jax First Alert Weather forecast.

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A Spring-area mother is in jail Monday night, accused of endangering or abandoning her three children after deputies responded to a 911 call she made reporting one of them missing.

According to court records, Ritrice Webb faces three charges related to the care of her children. However, neighbors and her attorney say the situation may be more complicated than the allegations described in official documents.

Webb called 911 over the weekend from her home in the Spring area after she could not find her 6-year-old son, according to her attorney, Joe Vinas.

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"It's undisputed that she's the one who called 911," Vinas said. "She asked one of her other children to wake her six-year-old from a nap, and he was missing. They searched for a while, couldn't find him, and called police for help."

The child was later found at his grandmother's home.

When Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables arrived at the residence, they found the home in poor condition, according to court records. Deputies reported visible dead cockroaches and rodents inside, along with a foul odor throughout the house.

Investigators also wrote that the children appeared unkempt, according to the records. Webb was then arrested and charged with three counts related to child endangerment or abandonment.

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Some neighbors in the quiet Spring subdivision say their experiences with Webb and her children do not match what investigators described.

"I have seen the kids, they're nice, they never bother me, they don't look unfed, unkept," Ana Rodriguez, who lives across the street, said. "They do wander around, but kids do that. If I don't have mine at home, they would be wandering too. I can't judge what people have based on what they see from the outside."

Another neighbor, Milton Wallace, said residents in the area occasionally tried to help the family and were mainly concerned about the children's well-being.

"To me, they needed some love, somebody to really help them, which we tried to do from time to time," Wallace said. "I really hope the kids are taken care of."

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Vinas said he plans to visit the property himself as he prepares Webb's defense.

"I'm going out to the scene and going to see what's going on," he said. "But I don't think the final version is going to be what the police have right now."

Real estate records show the home contains two separate apartments, one over the garage and one in the main house. Neighbors confirm one of the units has been empty for some time, as the tenant moved out last year.

It is unclear, at this point in the investigation, whether the deputy constables examined the correct unit when they showed up to look for the missing child.

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Calls to the listed landlord of the home were not returned.

Authorities say the three children are currently with relatives and are safe.

Vinas urged the public not to rush to judgment as the case moves through the court system, and all the facts come to light.

Webb had previously been charged with abandoning a child in 2017, when one of her kids walked across the street without supervision, per court records. She took a plea deal and was sentenced to community service.

For news updates, follow Miya Shay on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Sri Lanka has declared Wednesdays as public holidays as it moves to a four-day work week to save fuel.

The move is in response to a growing energy crisis in the region that has been exacerbated by the Iran war.

From this week, public institutions including schools, universities and courts must close every Wednesday to save energy, said Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Sri Lankas commissioner-general of essential services.

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The public holiday will not be applicable to ports and essential services such as health and water supplies, Mr Chandrakeerthi added.

We are asking the private sector to follow suit and declare every Wednesday a holiday to allow staff to work from home where possible, he said.

South Asian countries are facing shortages of fuel after Irans effective blockade on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

About a fifth of the worlds oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through the strait, where Irans military presence along the northern shore allows it to threaten and strike ships passing through.

A sign reading closed is displayed at a petrol station on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lankas financial capital - ISHARA S KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images

Long queues formed outside petrol stations across Sri Lanka as the government started rationing fuel. Some Sri Lankans feel that the fuel quotas  15 litres for private cars and five litres for motorcycles  are too low. Public buses would receive up to 200 litres.

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The rationing mechanism was first implemented in 2022 during the countrys worst economic crisis, which saw it run out of foreign reserves and become unable to import essential items and buy enough fuel.

Sri Lanka, which depends heavily on imported fuel from the Middle East, has a one-month fuel stock, Mr Chandrakeerthi said. Officials warn that further disruption to shipping could worsen the situation.

A notice informs customers about weekly fuel quotas for vehicles - ISHARA S KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images

We must prepare for the worst, but hope for the best, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Sri Lankan president, told officials on Monday.

The crisis has spread across South Asia as countries that rely on energy imports from Gulf scramble to cut fuel use. India, which received 60 per cent of its LPG from Gulf states, rationed supplies as long queues formed outside gas distribution centres. Multi-cuisine restaurants trimmed their menus to tea or coffee, or shut altogether.

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Bangladesh has brought forward Eid holidays for universities and introduced planned power cuts to conserve electricity and protect its garment factories.

Pakistan, which receives about 85 per cent of its energy through the strait, has introduced working from home, moved schools to online classes and raised fuel prices to discourage hoarding.

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 Mandeville teacher has been named the St. Tammany New Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year.

According to a news release from the St. Tammany Parish Public School System, Katie Weber teaches ninth grade English at Fontainebleau High School. A graduate of Lakeshore High School, she went on to earn both a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Southern Mississippi.

While in college, Weber was recognized for graduating with the highest GPA and the most credit hours in her class. District officials say Weber is passionate about fostering a love of reading and writing in her students. She believes a strong foundation in English helps set students up for long-term success.

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Katie Weber demonstrates an unwavering commitment to ensuring her students feel inspired, supported and confident as they grow academically, said Superintendent Frank Jabbia. It is truly exciting to think about the lasting foundation she will build for students in our district for years to come.

The award, presented annually by the Louisiana Department of Education, is given to first-year classroom teachers who excel at teaching and strive to help their students succeed. Nine additional finalists are expected to be announced later this spring, with the overall winner named in July.

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(The Center Square) - State-funded financial aid programs for illegal immigrant students have come under renewed scrutiny as the federal government tightens restrictions on education benefits for illegal immigrants.

Roughly 17 to 19 states and Washington, D.C., provide some form of financial aid or scholarships to illegal immigrant students who meet residency or high school attendance requirements.

A 2025 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimated that education costs for illegal immigrants total $5.7 billion nationally, the largest portion of the fiscal impact on state and local budgets.

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Schools face additional challenges supporting students who arrive with limited English proficiency, which can strain resources and affect native students, the report said.

In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Education rescinded a 1997 Clinton-era guidance, requiring eligibility verification for federal programs such as career, technical and adult education.

Postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens, not illegal aliens, said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. Under President Trump's leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal aliens to participate in our career, technical, or adult education programs or activities."

Rusty Brown, director of special projects at the Freedom Foundation, said in an exclusive interview with The Center Square that such programs reflect broader political priorities.

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It's clearly, you know, part of the left's agenda to bring as many illegals as possible in and make sure that they're properly indoctrinated in the schools and that they have voters for life, Brown said.

At the same time, Brown acknowledged the ethical complexity of denying education to children.

You have the moral issue," Brown said. "The kid didnt bring himself over here. Its up to the parents. Should he not get an education?

Brown also raised concerns about the use of taxpayer dollars, emphasizing that public funding is limited and should be prioritized.

If youre helping illegal immigrants, then what youre doing is cutting off funding that could be going to helping American kids - and impoverished school districts, Brown said. There should be a focus on America first.

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Californias California Dream Act allows illegal immigrant students and those from mixed-status families to access state aid for public universities, The Center Square recently reported.

Gov. Gavin Newsoms office defends the program, highlighting that undocumented Californians are tax-paying residents.

California Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, argues against the act, stating that billions of taxpayer dollars spent on these programs disadvantage U.S. citizens and encourage illegal immigration.

In Colorado, the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid, or CASFA, allows students who do not file a FAFSA to apply for state-funded aid. The program serves illegal immigrant students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Temporary Protected Status recipients, international students and mixed-status families.

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When taxpayers express concerns about how public funds are used, the Colorado Department of Higher Education refers to legislation indicating Colorado students who graduate from high school here or earn their high school equivalency here and live here may be awarded state-funded financial aid, Megan McDermott, chief communications and outreach officer at the Colorado Department of Higher Education, told The Center Square.

Other states with similar programs include Illinois Monetary Award Program and New Yorks DREAM Act.

The Center Square reached out to these state higher education organizations for comment, but did not receive a response.
Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller said on Monday that people who dont belong here are responsible for the United States growing national debt.

During an executive order signing to address supposed fraud within federal programs, Miller attributed the debt to undocumented immigrants who received Medicaid benefits and emergency care at hospitals.

Politics: How Republicans Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Crushing Federal Debt

What we found since President Trump came into office is that the Democrats have set up the system to funnel hundreds of billions, and ultimately trillions of dollars, to migrants, Miller said.

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He claimed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had asked a group of detained migrants whether or not they were on Medicaid, and half of them raised their hands and volunteered that they were on Medicaid.

Miller added that the undocumented immigrants in that group who said they didnt receive Medicaid benefits still went to hospitals because they get free care there, and they bill it to the taxpayers.

I believe, and I know President Trump believes, that when this theft is exposed, we will see that if all of it were stopped, it would be enough to balance the budget, Miller said. The extraction of wealth from American taxpayers to people who dont belong here is the primary cause of the national debt.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Stephen Miller: "If all of this theft were stopped, it would be enough to balance the budget. The extraction of wealth from American taxpayers to people who don't belong here is the primary cause of the national debt." pic.twitter.com/jnkoVnrm6W  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 16, 2026

Miller, who many experts and pundits have credited with shaping President Donald Trumps immigration policy, did not provide any evidence other than that one anecdote to support his claims.

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However, a study by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, found that between 1994 and 2023, immigrants  both legal and undocumented  paid more in taxes each year than they received in benefits. The study also found that if the federal government had not spent a single dollar on immigrants and yet collected all their tax income, it would have run a $20 trillion deficit over that period. The researchers noted that immigrants are not to blame for government deficits. Indeed, they reduced the deficit by about $14.5 trillion.

Politics: Trump Finds Out That After Insulting Allies Forever, They Don't Feel Like Helping Him

Undocumented immigrants are ineligible under federal law to receive benefits, such as SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, despite paying into those entitlements. And federal law requires Medicare-participating hospitals with emergency departments to provide emergency care to individuals, regardless of immigration status, healthcare coverage or ability to pay.

An analysis conducted by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which was established by theformer U.S. secretary of commerce in the Nixon administration, said that the rise in the national debt over the last 25 years was in large part due to an aging population receiving Social Security and Medicare benefits, and interest payments on the debt itself.

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Other major spikes in the national debt occurred during the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, the Great Recession of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

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The Supreme Court on Monday took up two cases filed by migrants from Haiti and Syria who say the Trump administration's sudden cancellation of their temporary humanitarian protections is unlawful and would send them back to dangerous conditions in their home countries.

Consideration by the Supreme Court could affect a host of cases challenging the government's efforts to end temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of migrants. The designation allows people from countries that have experienced crises such as armed conflicts or natural disasters to live and work in the United States.

Since last year, the Trump administration, which has launched a broad crackdown on immigration, has sought to withdraw the protected status of migrants from at least a half-dozen nations. The government argues that conditions have improved enough in those countries for the migrants to return.

One case taken by the high court centers on 353,000 migrants from Haiti who received the protections in 2010 following a devastating earthquake. The protections were extended due to poor conditions such as gang violence and government instability.

In June, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem moved to terminate those migrants' protected status, saying the "environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home."

The U.S. also has extended temporary protections to more than 6,000 Syrians since 2012, after a crackdown by then-President Bashar al-Assad led to a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more. In 2024, rebels toppled Assad's regime, though some fighting has continued between local factions.

In September, Noem moved to terminate protected status of Syrian migrants, saying that the country's living conditions are safe now that Assad is out of power.

Both groups filed lawsuits challenging the termination of their protected status, arguing the moves were unlawful. The migrants from Haiti say their home country remains in a state of crisis and is beset by gang violence, disease and unstable governance. Syrian migrants argue that their country "continues to suffer from armed conflict and humanitarian crisis marked by over a decade of civil war."

In both cases, lower courts have ruled in the migrants' favor, issuing orders to postpone the termination of their protected status while their cases play out. And in both cases, the government has asked the Supreme Court to reverse those decisions.

On Monday, the court said it would take up the cases and hear arguments during the second week of April.

Since May 2025, the Supreme Court has twice allowed the Trump administration to cancel the protected status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants. But the cases concerning the Syrian and Haitian migrants would mark the first time in President Donald Trump's second term that the high court considers the merits of the administration's revocations of TPS for certain groups.

"Depending on how broadly the Court rules, it could affect a lot of the other cases," Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law, said in an email.

But Arulanantham, one of the lawyers challenging the cancellation of TPS for Venezuelans, said that the TPS cases "are not all identical" and that the Supreme Court's eventual ruling could affect each case differently.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A Stillwater woman is in jail after police say she shot another woman inside a home on Saturday night before taking two children and leaving the area.

Police say the incident began around 8:30 p.m. at a home in the 300 block of West 29th Avenue in Stillwater.

According to investigators, a woman called 911, reporting she had been shot.

Officers forced their way into the home to reach the victim.

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The woman was later flown to an Oklahoma City area hospital. Stillwater Police told News 4 that she is currently listed in stable condition.

92-year-old sentenced to prison for molesting girls in Shawnee church

During their investigation, officers identified 33-year-old Megan Kane as the suspected shooter.

Police say Kane allegedly shot the woman, took two children from the home, and left the area before officers arrived.

Authorities then issued a statewide be on the lookout alert for Kanes vehicle.

A few hours later, a Kickapoo Nation Tribal officer spotted a vehicle speeding near OK-102 and East 1020 Road in Lincoln County.

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The officer realized the vehicle matched the description of Kanes car and conducted a traffic stop.

Authorities found Kane and the two children inside the vehicle, and officers arrested Kane minutes later.

Officials say the children are now in state custody.

Investigators have not yet said who the shooting victim is or what relationship she may have had with Kane.

Payne County assessor records show Kane owns the home where police say the shooting happened.

News 4 contacted Stillwater Police on Monday seeking more details about the incident, but did not receive a response.

Kane remains in the Payne County Jail, facing charges of shooting with intent to kill and kidnapping.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A pair of skiers became stranded on ice between Oulu, Finland, and Lulea, Sweden, on March 10, according to a [report](https://yle.fi/a/74-20215310) by Yle, the English news division of Finlands national public service media company.

The pair, which the Coast Guard described as experienced and prepared, had been attempting to ski the 167-km stretch of frozen lake between Finland and Sweden.

Western Finland Coast Guard - stranded skiers

Western Finland Coast Guard.

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According to the Western Finland Coast Guard, the skiers, a German man and woman, had spent the night camping on ice over the Bothnian Bay, which is frozen from 4-7 months out of the year. Overnight, the ice underneath them began to break up, sending nearly all of their equipment into the water.

The pair made their way onto an ice floe and used a radio beacon to activate an alarm.

The rescue occurred around 11:40 a.m., roughly five hours later.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Hermanni_Islands_in_Oulu_2006_11_04.JPG/1280px-Hermanni_Islands_in_Oulu_2006_11_04.JPG?_=20070416161437

A file photo of the Hermanni islands, a group of small islands in the Bothnian Bay near Oulu, Finland. (Estormiz/Wikipedia Public Domain.

The skiers also helped get rescuers attention by using chunks of ice to spell SOS  the universal signal for distress  according to the New York Post.

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Although cold when found, the Coast Guard reports they were in otherwise good condition.

The rescue was performed by aircraft from Finland and Sweden, amid challenging weather conditions, Yle reports.
A stricken Russian shadow fleet tanker adrift in the Mediterranean could cause a disaster of unprecedented proportions, officials have warned.

The Arctic Metagaz, which is carrying 61,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 700 tonnes of diesel fuel, is drifting towards Malta after it was reportedly attacked by a Ukrainian seaborne drone earlier this month.

It is believed to be part of Russias shadow fleet, which has been able to circumvent sanctions that were imposed after Moscows invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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The Russian government has alleged that the vessel, which was carrying liquefied natural gas from the Arctic port of Murmansk, was attacked by a Ukrainian drone launched from the coast of Libya.

Kyiv has not commented on the allegations or claimed responsibility for the strike.

The ships 30 crew members were evacuated after the tanker was struck.

The drifting vessel poses a huge threat to Malta. Not only could it impact the countrys fisheries and tourism, but huge quantities of leaking fuel could also affect the islands desalination plants.

Water scarcity

The ecological implications are disastrous. Malta ranks among the top 10 countries globally for water scarcity, depending almost entirely on desalination plants for drinking water. Any pollution of the surrounding sea resulting from a maritime attack or sunken vessel would mean our taps run dry.

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It would be a national disaster of unprecedented proportions, said Momentum, a centrist political party.

Endangering livelihoods

The party called on the Maltese government to explain whether it has a plan to deal with the tanker, which is currently to the east of Malta.

This volatile situation poses an unacceptable threat to the livelihood of Maltese fishermen, who rely on safe, stable seas to earn their living, said Momentum.

The general secretary of the party, Mark Camilleri Gambin, said the government should explain whether it has the ability to deal with the threat.

Does Malta possess the capability to prevent an ecological disaster on its own? he asked.

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Thomas Bajada, a Maltese MEP, also expressed concern about the ships potential impact on the marine environment.

Any marine pollution incident in proximity to these (seawater desalination) installations could have serious consequences for water security and for the functioning of essential national infrastructure, he said.

Ian Borg, Maltas foreign minister, has called for help from the EU to deal with the tanker.

The 277-metre-long tanker could harm Maltas desalination plants - Marina Militare/Reuters

Italy, France and seven other countries wrote a letter to the European Commission on Monday warning that the tanker presents an acute threat to the environment and calling for swift action.

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The precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo, gives rise to an imminent and serious risk of a major ecological disaster in the heart of the Unions maritime space, the letter said.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, said that Moscow is in touch with the vessels owner and foreign competent bodies.

The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries ... for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster, she said.

Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances.

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Italy has called for the vessels management company, Russia-based LLC SMP Techmanagement, to hire a specialised company to tow it to safety.

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.
ST. LOUIS  More Missourians support overturning the 2024 voter-approved abortion amendment, according to newly released results from a SLU/YouGov poll.

The February 2026 SLU/YouGov poll surveyed 900 likely Missouri voters, seeking their opinions on a variety of topics, including abortion, data centers, sales taxes, and other state government matters.

The abortion issue is tied to a proposal prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors under Amendment 3 for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

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The ballot language bundles together abortion and gender-affirming care restrictions into a single up-or-down vote, Steven Rogers, Ph.D., SLU/YouGov Poll Director and associate professor of political science at Saint Louis University, said. Our data suggest that for many voters, where they stand on gender-affirming care for minors may play a larger role in shaping their position on this amendment than their views on abortion.

Student rides entire St. Louis MetroLink, shares eye-opening review

The ballot title and language of Amendment 3 appears as follows:

Official Ballot Title: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:  Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability;

 Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve-weeks gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies;

 Allow legislation regulating abortion;

 Ensure parental consent for minors abortions;

 Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors? State governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Greene County estimates it may experience an unknown increase in tax revenue. Other local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Fair Ballot Language A yes vote will repeal Article I, Section 36, of the Missouri Constitution approved by the voters in 2024 which provided reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability; continue to ensure womens ability to access medical care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages; allow legislation to regulate abortion providers and facilities to ensure health and safety; require informed and voluntary consent for an abortion, including parental or judicial consent for minors; allow restriction of abortions to cases of medical emergency, rape and incest under twelve weeks gestation, and fetal anomalies; prohibit public funding of abortions except in limited circumstances; and prohibit gender transition procedures for minors including gender transition surgeries, cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs, with exceptions for specific medical conditions. A no vote will leave Article I, Section 36, of the Missouri Constitution approved by voters in 2024 in place; will not limit abortion to cases of medical emergency, rape and incest under twelve weeks gestation, and fetal anomalies, but leave access to abortion available through fetal viability; will not prohibit gender transition procedures for minors. If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.

The poll results show 47 percent of likely voters approve of the amendment, with 40 percent in opposition and 12 percent unsure. The matter splits across party lines, with Republicans supporting the measure 70 percent to 18 percent and Democrats at 21 percent to 67 percent.

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Respondents were asked 10 follow-up questions about whether it should be possibly for a woman to legally obtain an abortion in Missouri under certain circumstances.

Voters overwhelmingly support legal abortions in cases of rape, incest, or if the life of the mother is endangered. A majority also support abortion for fetal disability or if theres little or no life expectancy.

A majority disagree that a woman should be able to obtain an abortion for any reason, and a plurality of voters believe a minor must have parental consent to have the procedure.

A majority of Missourians support abortion within the first eight weeks of pregnancy. The number drops to a simple plurality at 12 weeks. By 15 weeks, a majority of respondents oppose abortion.

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At least two-thirds of voters oppose allowing minors to receive gender transition procedures, including hormone therapy, puberty-blocking medication, and gender-affirming surgery. A majority also oppose minors receiving gender affirming counseling.

The full survey sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

YouGov interviewed 900 likely Missouri voters between Feb. 9 and Feb. 22, 2026. The poll was funded by SLUs College of Arts & Sciences with additional grant funding from the Missouri Humanities Council.

YouGov weighted the set of survey respondents to known characteristics of Missouri voters from the American Community Survey (ACS) public use microdata file, public voter file records, the 2020 Current Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Registration supplements, the 2020 National Election Pool (NEP) exit poll, and the 2020 CES surveys, including demographics and 2020 presidential vote.

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See the full top line and crosstab results below.

Slu Poll February 2026 Topline Results March Release by KevinSeanHeld

Slu Poll February 2026 Crosstab Results March Release by KevinSeanHeld

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 2.
The US. Supreme Court announced Monday it will have oral arguments next month on Trump administration requests to end Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Syria.

In a one-page order, the high court said it would schedule an hour in April to hear arguments about whether some 356,000 people from the two countries should keep their deportation protections under TPS. It also requested both sides to submit legal briefs in the coming weeks.

So far, the Supreme Court has greenlit an emergency request to allow the Trump administration to end TPS for Venezuela, leaving over half-a-million people from the South American country in turmoil without the deportation protections.

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But Mondays order delayed making a call on the Trump administrations request to end TPS for Haiti and Syria. It also sets up the stage for a consequential decision that shapes the future of hundreds of thousands of immigrants from several countries living in the United States under the protections.

READ MORE: Trump administration asks U.S. Supreme Court to strip over 350,000 Haitians of TPS

For now, over 350,000 Haitians and Syrians  many who came here fleeing extreme violence and conflict in their home countries  are shielded from deportation under TPS while litigation is ongoing.

READ MORE: Trump administration asks U.S. Supreme Court to strip over 350,000 Haitians of TPS

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The development comes only days after the Trump administration asked the nations high court to end the protections immediately for Haiti . Solicitor General John Sauer argued that the lower courts had overstepped and infringed on executive authority.

The administratio had made a similar request to end the protections for Syrians about two weeks ago when another judge upheld TPS for the Middle Eastern nation. It also asked the Supreme Court to declare that the courts dont have jurisdiction to challenge the termination for Syrians  which would mean it has no authority to rule on terminations about any other group. In both cases, the federal government argued that it was not in the national interest to keep the TPS designations in place.

READ MORE: Federal appeals court upholds TPS for Haitians, but the case just got complicated

In January, U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes in Washington D.C. ruled that the Department of Homeland Security had illegally ended TPS for Haiti and that the decision had been driven by racial and national animus. She also said that it would be devastating for Haitian beneficiaries of TPS to lose the protections.

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In February, an appeals court upheld Reyes decision 2-1. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan separately upheld the protections granted by a district court order for Syria while litigation is ongoing. In both the Syria and Haiti cases, beneficiaries from both countries challenged the Trump administrations decision.

While we are relieved that our plaintiffs and thousands of other Syrians will maintain their TPS status for now, it is disappointing that the Supreme Court took the extraordinary measure of taking on our case before the lower courts have weighed in, said Lupe Aguirre, deputy director of U.S. Litigation at International Refugee Assistance Project, in a statement.

Her group. is one of the organizations representing the Syrian TPS holders challenging the Trump administrations decision to end the program. The organization said that Wednesdays order allowed the government to bypass the normal course of briefing and arguments at the appeallate level.

There are more than 350,000 Haitians and about 6,100 Syrians with TPS. The State Department has warned Americans not to travel to either country because of risk of kidnapping, crime and death.

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Gangs control large swaths of Haiti, including its capital, Port-au-Prince. Millions of Haitians live in extreme poverty. More than 1.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes by late 2025, according to the United Nations. Meanwhile, sectarian violence, terrorist groups and a civil war have ravaged Syria, whose dictator, Bashar al-Assad, fled in 2024 after two plus-decades of repressive rule.

Congress created TPS in 1990 to create a deportation shield for people who cannot safely return to their home countries because of dangerous conditions. To qualify, people must be in the U.S. before a certain cut-off date as well as clear background checks and application requirements. The federal government also has the chance to periodically review the conditions in countries with TPS to determine whether they should keep or cancel the status.

While in the White House, former President Joe Biden significantly expanded Temporary Protected Status designations. His administration created, renewed or expanded the protections for several countries, including Venezuela, Haiti, and Ukraine.

However, President Donald Trump has opted to end the protections for several countries, with top administration officials arguing that the protections were always meant to be temporary, that some conditions had somewhat improved in countries like Venezuela and Haiti, and that the TPS designations go against American interests. He also moved to terminate TPS for Haiti and other nations during his first term.

Miami Herald staff writer Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether President Donald Trumps administration acted legally when it sought to end deportation protection for thousands of citizens of Haiti and Syria who were permitted to remain in the U.S. due to unrest in their home countries.

The justices also fast-tracked the lawsuits challenging Trumps attempts to end temporary protected status, with oral argument set to take place late next month in the last week of scheduled arguments this term.

The Trump administration had urged the justices to lift lower court orders blocking the effort to strip about 350,000 Haitians and about 6,000 Syrians of so-called TPS privileges, a legal protection that allows immigrants whose home countries are facing humanitarian crises to live and work in the U.S. legally. However, the high court granted an alternative proposal from Solicitor General D. John Sauer to quickly take up the cases on the merits.

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Immigrant rights advocates opposed the high court getting involved in the disputes.

But the court effectively granted a reprieve that could last several months for Haitian and Syrian TPS recipients. The justices will hear oral arguments in April with a decision that will likely come by the end of June. Based on the high courts recent track record, the TPS holders appear to face long odds.

Last year, the Supreme Court stepped in twice to lift lower court orders that blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans. Both rulings appeared to split the court squarely, 6-3, along ideological lines. The only public dissent came from the courts Democratic appointees.

Trump and his advisers have vowed to end TPS designations, noting that they have proven to be anything but temporary in many instances. Due to repeated extensions under Democratic and Republican administrations, some immigrants have had TPS protection for more than two decades.

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However, critics of the Trump administrations actions contend officials moved with such haste that they failed to give any serious consideration to the conditions on the ground in the countries at issue.

Haitis government has been in chaos for years, with kidnappings, murders and gang violence intensifying in the wake of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. A legal brief TPS advocates filed with the high court Monday noted that the State Department strongly advises Americans against traveling to Haiti and gravely warns that those who do should leave DNA samples with your medical provider and dental records with your family in case it is necessary for your family to access them to identify your remains.

Civil war broke out in Syria in 2011 and continued through 2024, when the hardline government of President Bashar Assad collapsed, prompting celebration in many parts of the country. A new transitional government that took power last year has been embraced by many Western countries.

However, the new government is comprised largely of officials formerly associated with a spinoff of al Qaeda. It has been accused of failing to prevent, or being complicit in, massacres in minority Alawite communities. The State Department has the highest level of warning against Americans traveling to Syria, advising them not to do so for any reason. No part of Syria is safe from violence, the warning says.

People with TPS can also apply for permanent legal status like asylum. Advocates say many with TPS have filed such applications, particularly as the Trump administrations attempts to end the designations loomed.
TAIPEI, March 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said he believed the U.S.' internal review process for the sale of a second package of arms to the island is proceeding on schedule.

A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion that includes advanced interceptor missiles is ready for President Donald Trump's approval and could be signed after his upcoming trip to China, Reuters reported last week, citing sources briefed on the discussion.

But on Monday, Trump said he was seeking to delay his visit to China in early April by about a month because of the Iran war.

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Asked if the trip's postponement could impact the new arms sales to Taiwan, Koo said the government had been coordinating closely with the U.S.

"As we understand it, their internal review procedures are proceeding on schedule," he said. "I don't think we have received any related information indicating delays."

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly demanded an end to such sales.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Trump in February that arms sales to Taiwan must be handled with "prudence."

The U.S., which in December unveiled an $11 billion sale of weapons to Taiwan, has not formally unveiled a second package.

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Trump's moves to secure a favourable trade deal with China have raised concerns among some China watchers that he could curb U.S. military support for Taiwan.

The U.S. has no formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

Taiwan, like other allies and partners in the region, has been watching with concern how the shifting of U.S. forces to the Middle East from Asia could impact U.S. readiness to deal with incidents involving China or North Korea, especially with weapons stockpiles being rapidly used in the Iran war.

Koo said he could not comment on U.S. operations and military deployments. But he said Taiwan's military would continue watching developments around the Taiwan Strait as well as across China as a whole.

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"Our main focus remains on observing the relevant indicators and signs and we will continue to pay close attention," he said.

Speaking on Monday, Huang Wen-chi, head of the ministry's strategic planning department, told lawmakers that the delivery of 102 Lockheed Martin-made PAC-3 air defence missiles from the U.S. was on track for this year.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Roger Tung; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), joined by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), has introduced new legislation that could place a little-known North African militant group in the crosshairs of Americas most powerful counterterrorism sanctions.

The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026 would require the Secretary of State to investigate whether the Polisario Front is cooperating with Iranian-backed terrorist groups. If confirmed, the group would be officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

The Polisario Front is a terrorist organization that openly supports Iran and Hezbollah. Designating these terrorists as such is long overdue, said Sen. Cotton.

The Polisario Front

Many Americans may have never even heard of the Polisario Front. The groups full name is the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro  a reference to the two historic regions making up Western Sahara, a territory roughly the size of Colorado, wedged between Morocco and Mauritania on Africas northwest coast.

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Founded in 1973 as an insurgency against Spanish colonial rule, the group shifted focus when Spain withdrew in 1975, and Morocco moved in. Backed by neighboring Algeria, the Polisario waged a guerrilla war against Moroccan forces until a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. A promised independence referendum was never held.

Today, the group controls roughly 20% of the territory from desert camps in Algeria, while Morocco holds the rest.

The Polisario declared its own government-in-exile  the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic  in 1976 and has long presented itself to the world as an independent movement.

However, that image has grown harder to sustain as evidence of the groups criminal operations and close ties to terrorism has grown.

Iran, Hezbollah, and Beyond

In November 2020, the Polisario broke a ceasefire by re-engaging in armed hostile attacks after blocking a key trade corridor linking Morocco to Mauritania. Since then, its ties to U.S. enemies have continued to draw attention from leaders in D.C.

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Reports from April 2025 revealed that Iran had trained Polisario fighters and supplied them with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

These reports only added to earlier warnings, including a 2022 European Parliament inquiry that highlighted a Polisario officials public admission that Iran was providing them with kamikaze drones. Additional reports claimed that Hezbollah had set up training camps for the group in Algeria, while Tehran supplied more missiles  concerns serious enough that Morocco severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2018.

But the terrorism ties dont stop with Iran.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies has documented that Adnan Abu al-Walid al-Sahrawi  the Islamic State leader killed by French forces in 2021  once held a senior Polisario position before moving on to work for al-Qaeda and then ISIS.

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The House version of the bill, introduced in 2025, also notes that fighters from the PKK  a Kurdish militant group already designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.K.  attended a Polisario-hosted summit as recently as January 2025.

The Iranian regime is trying to turn the Polisario Front into the Houthis of West Africa and use them to undermine the national security of the United States and our allies. The Polisario Front is working with Iranian terrorist groups, receiving drones from the IRGC, and moving weapons around the region on behalf of the Iranian regime, Cruz said.

This bill will ensure that Americas most powerful anti-terrorism sanctions can be used to counter those threats and, once a designation is secured, the Polisario Front and its leaders will be cut off from access to the global financial system, international travel, and the resources they rely upon to conduct their terrorism, Cruz added.

Geopolitical Stakes

Morocco is a Non-NATO Ally and a U.S. counterterrorism partner in a region facing persistent instability and geopolitical pressure. That region has been hit by a wave of military coups and rising jihadist violence, while Iran, Russia, and China compete for influence and power.

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Researchers at the Hudson Institute warn that Polisarios weapon smuggling networks in the area could endanger American personnel and intelligence operations.

Official terrorist designations require action by the State Department, and the Polisario still maintains significant diplomatic support from various African and Latin American governments.

The group itself denies all terrorism allegations.
Crime scene tape and a small memorial at Fallen Heroes Park in Porterville mark the place where a 51-year-old man was stabbed and later died at a local hospital.

It happened Saturday morning, and by Sunday afternoon, police arrested a 17-year-old boy for the crime.

"What happened on Saturday was not only unnecessary, but it cannot and will not be tolerated," says Porterville Police Chief Bobby Rader.

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Police say they received multiple calls about two people in a fight, with one injured.

They believe an argument led to a fight between the victim and the suspect.

Then the 17-year-old allegedly pulled out a knife.

The reason for the fight is still being investigated, but officials say the teenage suspect is known to police.

"We have had multiple contacts with this young man over the last year. He has a history of resisting arrest and being non-compliant with law enforcement," explains Chief Rader.

One local resident, Liz Ruiz, says the area is typically safe and quiet.

She comes here often with her loved ones.

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"I really think it's unfortunate because this park is really such a highlight in town. There are a lot of activities to do here," expresses Liz.

Chief Rader says detectives worked for 30 hours straight to make the arrest.

The teen was found at a nearby home and was taken into custody without incident.

"I am very proud of the detectives at the Porterville Police Department. These detectives worked tirelessly and nonstop throughout the night and the next day with no rest to find this suspect and take him in as safely and quickly as possible," mentions Chief Rader.

The Porterville Police Department says it's suggesting homicide charges to the District Attorney's office.

The investigation could take several days to complete.

This marks the city's first homicide of the year.

For South Valley news updates, follow Kassandra Gutierrez on Facebook, X and Instagram.
A Tennessee mother said her daughter's senior year turned into a "nightmare" after she learned that fake nude images of her had been created and disseminated online by a person using Elon Musk's xAI artificial intelligence model, according to a federal lawsuit filed on March 16.

The family is one of three with teens who filed a class-action lawsuit against the artificial intelligence company, arguing that xAI "knowingly" participated in the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material and failed to protect children from being the subject of it.

Police informed several families that child sexual abuse material was created of their daughters after a man was arrested in December 2025 for allegedly using xAI's Grok to create sexually explicit content of teenage girls, according to a class action lawsuit filed on March 16 in the U.S. Northern District of California Court.

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The man allegedly took photos of at least 18 minor girls and prompted xAI's Grok to remove their clothes and manipulate the photos "to produce sexually suggestive content," according to the lawsuit.

The class consists of minors living in the United States who had real images of themselves as minors altered by Grok to produce "digitally altered, sexualized images or videos with their faces and other identifiable features," according to a statement released by Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein and Baehr-Jones Law, the law firms representing the families.

These are children whose school photographs and family pictures were turned into child sexual abuse material by a billion-dollar companys AI tool and then traded among predators. Elon Musk and xAI deliberately designed Grok to produce sexually explicit content for financial gain, with no regard for the children and adults who would be harmed by it, said Annika Martin, a lawyer from Lieff Cabraser.

Without xAI, this harmful, illegal content could never, and would never, have existed. The lives of these girls have been shattered by the devastating loss of privacy and the deep sense of violation that no child should ever have to experience. We intend to hold xAI accountable for every child they harmed in this way.

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The USA TODAY Network reached out to xAI for comment on the lawsuit but had not received a response from the company at the time of publication.

Lawsuit argues Musk 'saw a business opportunity'

Since January, xAI has been at the receiving end of a growing number of lawsuits.

During an 11-day period in late December 2025 and early January 2026, researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate estimated Grok generated approximately 3 million sexualized images and 23,000 images depicting apparent children, which were then publicly posted onto X or disseminated on the internet.

Across the social media platform X, women reported how they were being digitally harassed as people used Grok's "spicy mode" to create sexually explicit images by using prompts like "undress them" or "put them into a bikini."

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Musk's X attempted to limit Grok's ability to generate such images by restricting the feature to platform subscribers. But despite the restriction, images were still created without women's consent.

The lawsuit argues that xAI, under the leadership of Musk, had actively designed its artificial intelligence model with the intent to create sexually explicit content.

"Musk defended Groks spicy mode as a business decision, comparing it to the competition for dominant videotape format between VHS and Betamax and seemingly referencing the wider availability of pornographic videos on VHS than on Betamax," the lawsuit reads.

Musk said in a post on Aug. 11, 2025, that "VHS won in the end, in part because they allowed spicy mode."

I still remember 6th/7th grade debates with classmates about VHS vs Betamax!



VHS won in the end, in part because they allowed spicy mode   Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2025

The lawsuit also argues that Grok lacked features available with most other companies that create, market and sell AI images or video, such as actively incorporating "industry-standard guardrails" which prohibit AI models from creating sexual content, and actively reporting individuals who create or distribute child sexual abuse material.

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"xAI and its founder Elon Musk saw a business opportunity: an opportunity to profit off the sexual predation of real people, including children. Knowing the type of harmful, illegal content that could and would be produced, xAI released Grok, a generative artificial intelligence model with image- and video-making features that would respond to prompts to create sexual content with a persons real image or video," the lawsuit reads.

The plaintiffs bring the claims against xAI under Masha's Law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and California state law, specifically filing 13 counts against the company ranging from the possession and distribution of child pornography, negligence, intention to inflict emotional distress and public nuisance.

The lawsuit is seeking damages, punitive damages and injunctive relief as a result of Grok creating child sexual abuse material.

A growing list of lawsuits and an investigation into xAI

The lawsuit filed on March 16 is the latest in a line of lawsuits and investigations launched against xAI since Grok generated millions of sexualized images of women and girls in late 2025 and early 2026.

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The first major investigation happened after California's Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the state's Department of Justice would open an investigation into Musk's company.

The avalanche of reports detailing the non-consensual, sexually explicit material that xAI has produced and posted online in recent weeks is shocking. This material, which depicts women and children in nude and sexually explicit situations, has been used to harass people across the internet," Bonta said in a statement on Jan. 14.

"I urge xAI to take immediate action to ensure this goes no further. We have zero tolerance for the AI-based creation and dissemination of nonconsensual intimate images or of child sexual abuse material.

The following day, on Jan. 15, Ashley St. Clair, a conservative influencer who shares a child with Musk, filed a lawsuit in New York against xAI in an attempt to "hold Grok accountable" and to "prevent AI from being weaponised for abuse."

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St. Clair's lawsuit argues that Grok was used to create sexual images of her, including a photo of her when she was 14 years old.

Most recently, on Jan. 23, an anonymous plaintiff filed a class action lawsuit against xAI in California's U.S. Northern District Court, arguing xAI knew that Grok would be used to create sexually explicit images of women and girls using deepfake technology and those images can "never be erased."

Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elon Musk's xAI faces class action lawsuit over AI-generated deepfakes
As Rabbi Josh Bennett and others at Temple Israel prepared for Friday's weekly Shabbat services, they added to the standard liturgy an ancient prayer known as Birkat Ha-gomel.

The opening words of the prayer are translated: Blessed are you.

"That prayer is specifically for when a human being makes it through a tragic moment," Bennett said. "It's a prayer thanking God for allowing us through a tragic moment. That is clearly a way for us to mark this moment and how grateful we are for the survival of our staff and our kids."

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The prayer came just a day after an armed man attacked the preschool attached to the synagogue, ramming his pickup through the doors and driving down a hallway. The truck caught fire and Temple security fired shots at the driver, thwarting the attack before it reached more than 100 toddlers who were in the school classrooms.

Temple Israel Rabbi Joshua Bennett, right, gives a hug and kiss to Director of Strategic Development Cassi Cohen after a news conference at The J Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026, following an incident where a man drove a truck into Temple Israel, a Jewish synagogue, in West Bloomfield in a lunchtime attack that left him dead, injured a security guard and set the building on fire, authorities said.

Police identified the driver as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, of Dearborn Heights, who died in the attack. He's a native of Lebanon who became a naturalized American citizen in 2016. Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun said in a statement that Ghazali's relatives were recently killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said her agency will lead the investigation of what she called "a targeted act of violence at the Jewish community."

With more than 3,100 families, Temple Israel bills itself as the nation's largest Reform synagogue. For Bennett and others there, a prayer of thanksgiving was in order because of how much worse the attack could have been.

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"Everybody is grateful for the work of our teachers, grateful for the heroism of our security team, and I think proudly standing tall as members of not only the Temple Israel community, but the Jewish community," Bennett said.

Training for the worst

Staffers at the school knew what to do during the attack because they'd trained repeatedly for just such a thing. Synagogues and other Jewish facilities across the region and around the world hold workshops, tabletop exercises and extensive trainings related to security.

Steven Ingber, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, thanked law enforcement for holding those trainings.

"We've done this, unfortunately, more often than we're willing to admit, and we will continue to train," he said. "So we are ready and thank God for their training and for this is the outcome."

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Ingber said that the Jewish community spends large amounts of time and money on security because of the current climate.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit CEO Steven Ingber speaks during a news conference at The J Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026, following an incident where a man drove a truck into Temple Israel, a Jewish synagogue, in West Bloomfield in a lunchtime attack that left him dead, injured a security guard and set the building on fire, authorities said.

"It is terrible that is the No. 1 thing we have to do is to fund security," he said. "In order to be Jewish, we have to raise dollars just to keep everybody safe so they can be Jewish."

Bennett and Ingber wouldn't say how large the security staff at Temple Israel is or how much the larger Jewish community spends on security, though Ingber said the figure is "in the millions."

"How much nicer would it be if we were able to spend those dollars on teaching, on sending kids to summer camp, on helping people live a better life and yet it has to come right off the top, and that's the first thing we have to do," Ingber said.

Staying calm

When the attack happened, school staffers faced a dual challenge: Get the kids to safety and avoid terrifying them in the process.

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"Because of the work of our security team and because of the work of our staff, our children just thought an alarm had gone off," Bennett said. "They were playing with their family and friends."

Staffers quickly hustled classrooms full of preschoolers into a lockdown and later out of the building. They were taken across Walnut Lake Road to the Shenandoah Country Club. The club is owned by metro Detroit's Chaldean community and has long partnered with the temple, Bennett said.

Emergency personnel are seen parked near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Concerned parents with kids in daycare at Temple Israel off of Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield talk with Oakland County Sheriff officers near to get updates on the active shooter and where their kids are on Thursday, March. 12, 2026. Emergency personnel are seen parked near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Emergency personnel respond to an incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Emergency personnel respond to an incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Dozens of police vehicles line both sides of the street on Walnut Lake Road near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March. 12, 2026. Emergency personnel respond to an incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Emergency personnel and other vehicles are seen parked near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Emergency personnel and other vehicles are seen parked near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Emergency personnel respond to an incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Emergency personnel are seen parked near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield 1 of 11 Emergency personnel are seen parked near Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

"They have, as always, been our closest friends and were there for us in every way today," he said Thursday. "We used their site as a reunification center for our parents and truly owe a debt of gratitude to the Chaldean community at Shenandoah for what they have done, not only today, but in their partnership with our community always."

Shenandoah Country Club President Pat Kattoo said the club has long enjoyed a good relationship with the temple. When the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan bought the club years ago, a rabbi from Temple Israel was among the first to welcome them to the neighborhood, even blessing the facility for them.

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"We love our neighbors," Kattoo said. "Shenandoah's doors will always be open to Temple Israel no matter what the situation."

On Friday evening, the club hosted the Temple's Shabbat service because the Temple itself remained an active crime scene and inspectors still needed to access structure damage from the crash and the fire.

'They carried me'

Leah Trosch, of Franklin, said she marveled at the hospitality of the club and the professionalism of the police. She said she raced out of an online meeting Thursday afternoon to get to Shenandoah to pick up her 4-year-old granddaughter, Kayla.

By the time Trosch arrived, the children and their teachers were gathered in the club's ballroom. Some were lying on the floor coloring. Others were watching a movie on a teacher's phone.

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The club brought out chicken nuggets and fries for the kids, who were mostly oblivious to the 100-plus police cars parked nearby and the danger they'd escaped.

Leah Trosch, of Franklin, right, carries her granddaughter Kayla, 4, as she and others pick up children following an incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

"They went above and beyond and I thank them profusely," Trosch said. "I don't think (the kids) were traumatized."

Trosch said she spotted her granddaughter's curly hair from across the room and she was thrilled to be reunited. Trosch asked Kayla about the experience.

"She told everyone she went on a field trip today and there were policemen there," Trosch said. "She saw so many police."

Trosch asked her granddaughter if she'd walked across the street.

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"She said, 'No, they carried me,' " Trosch said. "It was a policeman who carried her across the street. I've just got to tell you, I was so impressed."

Others among the babies, toddlers and preschoolers who were at the synagogue's Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center could be seen getting escorted by parents and police from a line of West Bloomfield School District buses after being evacuated.

Later in the day, Rabbi Arianna Gordon lauded the swift work of both law enforcement and teachers at the synagogue's early childhood center, who she called "the true rock stars of the day."

Temple of Israel rabbis Jen Lader, left, Arianna Gordon, center, and Jennifer Kaluzny answer questions from reporters after a news conference at The J Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield on Thursday, March 12, 2026, following an incident where a man drove a truck into Temple Israel, a Jewish synagogue, in West Bloomfield in a lunchtime attack that left him dead, injured a security guard and set the building on fire, authorities said.

Beyond the temple

The children at the temple weren't the only ones affected.

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As children from the synagogue were shuffled to safety, nearby West Bloomfield schools were ordered by police to shelter in place. Other Oakland County school districts as far away as Ferndale notified parents about the situation, even though lockdown orders didn't extend to them.

Many West Bloomfield school parents called administrators at their schools seeking to pick up their kids early after hearing news of the attack. The shelter-in-place order meant no staff or kids could exit school buildings and no one, not even parents, could enter, said West Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Dania Bazzi.

Bazzi said that when the district learned about the temple situation from police, it immediately informed parents.

"We knew from onset there was no activity inside West Bloomfield school buildings, but it was certainly still unsettling," she said.

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Bazzi said this was the first credible threat in the vicinity of the school district in recent memory, and that she was proud of school staff and the local parents for complying with the shelter-in-place order despite heightened anxiety.

Around 3 p.m., police lifted the shelter-in-place order and notified the district that the threat had been contained. Still, dismissal at West Bloomfield schools looked different than on regular days.

At Doherty Elementary School, Bazzi said there was a sheriff on-site and staff accompanied students to car lines and buses. Buses arriving at the school faced delays due to increased traffic following the incident, she said.

Bazzi said the district would provide mental health services to both students and staff following the incident.

Searching for answers

Chadi Zreik, 32, of Dearborn Heights, was a neighbor to the driver of the truck, Ghazali. Zreik was stunned to learn that a man he'd known casually was involved in something like this.

"Everybody kind of was shocked," Zreik told the Free Press. "I think that's a man who had no will to live. He lost all mental attachment to this world. A guy who got no help. A guy was spiraling and in his warped mind, he saw this as justice."

He said neighbors have been talking to one another asking whether they'd missed the signs that something like this was coming and worrying about the "insane blowback" that could come to their community as a result.

Chadi Zreik, 32, of Dearborn Heights, was a neighbor of Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, who is accused of driving his truck into Temple Israel on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Zreik said he was in disbelief of his neighbors alleged actions. Our community does not support this, he said.

"This community does stand with West Bloomfield right now," Zreik said. "Every single one of us, from top to bottom, Christian, Muslims, Jews, atheists, all of us have disavowed this claim. We do not agree with this."

Maintaining traditions

Other Jewish people across Metro Detroit took comfort in maintaining their traditions despite the horrific news from Temple Israel.

Leslie Katz, 46, of Farmington Hills, attended Temple Israel growing up. She attended preschool there, as did her children.

Her family observes weekly Shabbat at home. She takes turns hosting with her mother, who bakes fresh challah bread each week.

On Friday, she and her husband and their two children hosted her mother, her stepfather and three friends. As they do each week, the family lit the candles, said their prayers and enjoyed a delicious meal.

Leslie Katz, left, of Farmington Hills, waits for her daughter Ariella Katz, center, and son, Eli Katz, right, to get their food from a dish while hosting a weekly Shabbat dinner at Katzs home in Farmington Hills on Friday, March 13, 2026.

We look forward to it all week just to reflect, relax, and be together, Katz said. I think that they're always really special, but it's times like this when we want to do them more and include more people and let people know that regardless of what happens, it's been happening for centuries. People can attack us, try to kill us, try to scare us, but it is not going to change our identity.

Katz acknowledged that the current climate with rising antisemitism scares her. She suspects it scares a lot of others, too.

She said people need to do whatever they are most comfortable doing, whether thats observing at home, watching livestreamed services or attending synagogue to feel the sense of community.

People need to just feel safe in their own space right now, wherever that is, Katz said. We're going to keep practicing. We're going to keep enjoying our celebrations and we're going to be us.

Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Temple Israel gives thanks that attack wasn't worse
Legislation to require Tennessee public schools to check student immigration status and report it to the state education department moved one significant step closer to becoming law after passage Monday in the GOP-dominated House of Representatives.

The bill (HB073/SB0836) by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, a Portland Republican, and Sen. Bo Watson, a Hixson Republican, drew heated pushback from Democrats on the House floor, who unsuccessfully offered a series of amendments that included opt out provisions for parents or school districts.

Three Republicans  Reps. Jody Barrett of Dickson, Charlie Baum of Murfreesboro and Rep. Michael Hale of Smithville  broke ranks to join Democrats in voting against the measure but did not speak out against it on the House floor.

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Lamberth, the bills sponsor, batted back criticisms that the measure would harm immigrant children and their families.

We should never be afraid of data, truth, facts, figures, he said. I mean how many illegal immigrant children are in our schools? If the prior president had done his job and not had a border that was porouswe wouldnt have this problem. Lets identify the scope of the problem.

The bill requires all Tennessee K-12 public schools to verify the immigration status of each student, then compile the information in aggregate form to share with the state.

Lamberth has not publicly addressed any specifics about what state officials might ultimately do with the collected data. We can take whatever action down the road that this body would choose to take, he has said previously.

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Democrats raised the specter of how data might be ultimately used against immigrant families, including the possibility it could be provided to ICE, and the burdens placed on school staff tasked with collecting.

I hope we see what is happening is were going to be doxing students (who are) going to be scared to come to school, said Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat.

Pearson called the bill racist, vile, sickening, shameful, and reprehensible policy that would force teachers to become ICE agents.

I hope we see what is happening is were going to be doxing students (who are) going to be scared to come to school.

 Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis

The Senate has yet to advance the bill, which was revived and amended in the House from last years legislative session.

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In its original form, before it was amended, the bill gave school districts the option to disenroll immigrant children who could not provide proof of legal immigration status and the discretion to charge those families tuition. The bill failed in part because Lamberth could not receive assurances from the federal government that $1.1 billion in education funding would continue to flow to Tennessee after its passage.

Separately, the House advanced a bill, also sponsored by Lamberth, to create a new state crime for immigrants without legal status in Tennessee.

The measure creates a misdemeanor offense for an individual without permanent legal status to remain in the state more than 90 days after the federal government issued a deportation order.

Tennessee is welcome to all legal immigrants that come into this state, but illegal immigrants are not welcome here, Lamberth said.

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The measure conflicts with the federal governments sole responsibility to regulate immigration, said Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Nashville Democrat.

The legislature is effectively being asked to pass a law that the sponsor already knows is inconsistent with current federal precedent at a time when Tennessee families are worried about the cost of living, the cost of groceries, the potholes that are not being filled and public safety, she said.

I struggle to understand why we would pass legislation that invites costly litigation and asks local police and the courts to take on federal immigration responsibilities, she said.

Lamberth responded by citing statistics of violent crimes allegedly committed by immigrants living illegally in the state.

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I am sick and tired of people coming into this state, this great state of Tennessee illegally, murdering, raping, robbing our citizens and those legal immigrants who came the right way, he said. That may not bother you, but it bothers me all the way down to my core. I will not stand for it anymore.

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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) says hes getting tired of Republicans being lazy and unstrategic amid intraparty disputes over both the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act and the messy Republican primary runoff in Texas between Sen. John Cornyn (Texas) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Tillis vented his frustrations to CNNs Manu Raju in a clip aired over the weekend in which the North Carolina senator questioned the strategy over bringing the SAVE America Act, a bill to reform voting nationwide, to the floor this week as well as the failure to secure Trumps endorsement in the Texas GOP runoff.

People on my side of the aisle and people at the far right of the political spectrum are trying to swing for the fences and theyre not going to succeed, said Tillis, who has announced hes not running for reelection. He was referring to the push to pass legislation to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and to restrict mail-in voting, which doesnt have close to the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate.

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Tillis remarked on what he views as the unrealistic expectations about passing the SAVE America Act, which may have delayed Trump from making an endorsement in the Texas GOP primary.

As a result of Trumps prolonged neutrality in Texas, Cornyn and Paxton are continuing to battle for the GOP nomination, sucking up tens of millions of dollars in party resources.

Asked whether Trump delaying a potential endorsement of Cornyn is a mistake, Tillis said the Republican-on-Republican violence needs to end.

I think the more time we spend millions of dollars with Republican-on-Republican violence, Democrats in the marketing department are loving the idea of a competitive runoff between Cornyn and Paxton, he said.

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I get tired of Republicans being lazy and unstrategic, he said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) warned last week that it would be a mistake to link a presidential endorsement in the Texas GOP primary to the outcome of the Senate debate on the SAVE America Act, which he says is unlikely to pass.

Yeah, I mean, thats probably not a linkage that is in anybodys best interest because voting on the SAVE America Act is something we can do but passage is not guaranteed, Thune said. You have to make political decisions independent of what the final disposition of that might be on the floor.

Thune last month warned that Democrats could come away with an upset victory in the Texas Senate race if they get a favorable candidate matchup in the general election.

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Honestly, if you look at the polling in a general election setting, I dont think its outside the realm of possibility that the seat [flips], depending on who the Democrats nominate, he said.

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.
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  At least 23 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in suspected suicide bombings Monday night that targeted Maiduguri city in northeastern Nigeria, police said Tuesday.

It was one of the deadliest attacks in the capital of the conflict-battered state of Borno in recent history.

Here is a timeline of major deadly attacks in Borno in the last five years:

Feb. 23, 2021

Suspected Boko Haram militants fired rocket-propelled grenades into densely populated areas of Maiduguri, including a university and a childrens playground, killing at least 10 people.

June 29, 2024

Female suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a funeral and a hospital in coordinated attacks in the town of Gwoza that killed at least 32 people and injured over 100. No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the use of suicide bombers has been attributed to Boko Haram,

Jan. 26, 2025

A suicide bomber drove a vehicle with explosives into a convoy of Nigerian troops that were targeting Islamic State militants in the remote village of Malam-Fatori, killing himself and scores of soldiers.

June 20, 2025

A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people and injured several others in an explosion in a restaurant in the town of Konduga.

Sept. 5, 2025

Boko Haram killed over 60 people during a nighttime attack on Darul Jamal, a village that was home to residents who had recently returned from a camp for internally displaced persons.

Dec. 24, 2025

A bomb exploded during prayers at a mosque in Maiduguri, killing five people in what police described as a likely suicide attack.

Jan. 26, 2026

Suspected Boko Haram militants killed seven Nigerian soldiers and captured 13 others during an ambush on troops patrolling the Damasak area of Borno.

March 16, 2026

Multiple suicide bombings rocked Maiduguri, targeting a hospital and two markets, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100.
March 17 - More than 400 people were killed and 265 injured in an air strike by Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban government said on Tuesday, a charge Islamabad denied and said it had targeted a military camp and "terrorist infrastructure". Here is a timeline of the recent clashes between the South Asian neighbours who were close allies years earlier.

2025

October 12: Dozens of fighters were killed in overnight border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in the most serious fighting between the neighbours since the Taliban came to power in Kabul.

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October 19: The neighbours agreed to an immediate ceasefire after talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, and agreed to follow-up meetings to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire.

October 28: Peace talks failed after both sides could not find common ground in the second round of talks brokered by Qatar and Turkey.

November 25: Nine children and a woman were killed in Pakistani air strikes in three eastern provinces, which the Afghan Taliban vowed to respond to.

December 3: A new round of peace talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a breakthrough. The talks, hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, included representatives from Pakistan's military, intelligence services and foreign office.

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2026

February 27: Pakistani air strikes hit 22 Afghan military targets, Pakistan's military spokesperson said, adding that at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 274 Taliban officials and militants were killed over 24 hours.

March 3: Pakistani and Afghan troops clashed at multiple points along their expansive border. The United Nations mission for Afghanistan warned that 42 civilians had been killed over six days.

March 12: Chinese mediation efforts, including a message from President Xi Jinping, have helped ease tensions between the two nations, Reuters reported. A meeting between the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late in February included a message from Chinese premier Xi Jinping to cease hostilities.

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March 13: Pakistan bombed the fuel depot of private airline Kam Air near Afghanistan's Kandahar airport, the ruling Taliban said, along with strikes on residential areas in Kabul, killing four people and wounding more than a dozen.

March 17: Over 400 people were killed in a Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, the Taliban government said. Pakistan rejected the accusation and said it had bombed a militant camp and terrorist infrastructure.

(Compiled by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
The warning was issued late on March 16.

A "potential tornado" over Queen Anne, Maryland, was moving east at 55 miles per hour, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency said. Locations impacted included towns in eastern Maryland and across Kent County, Delaware.

As of March 16, no tornadoes had been recorded in March in Delaware in the last 30 years.

Yet with this first warning of 2026  and the National Weather Service surveying damage from the March 16 storms  is it officially twister season in Delaware?

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RELATED: What's the difference between a tornado watch and warning? Tips about severe weather

When does tornado season begin?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's severe storms laboratory, tornadoes can happen year-round in the United States.

But tornado season is typically considered to run from March to June or July  though that can change depending on where in the country you are.

In the last 70 years, Delaware has recorded tornadoes as early as January (that occurred in 1967) and as late as November (that occurred in 1989). The majority, however, have occurred in the summer months, according to Delaware Online/The News Journal's tornado tracker.

When is the earliest recorded tornado in Delaware?

The earliest ever tornado in Delaware, since this newspaper began compiling data in 1954, occurred on Jan. 27, 1967, near Felton in Kent County. It was an EF2.

A News Journal clipping from the Jan. 28, 1967, newspaper. A tornado touched down in Felton a day earlier.

Four homes were "flattened," according to Delaware Online/The News Journal archives.

How often have tornadoes happened in Delaware in April?

In the last 30 years, only two tornadoes have touched down in Delaware in April  but both of those occurred in the last seven years.

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The first April twister in recent memory was April 15, 2019. That happened in Laurel and was an EF2 twister.

The other April tornado happened just two years ago, on April Fools' Day in 2023.

That one killed 78-year-old Daniel Bawel, who was in his Greenwood-area home when it collapsed. The National Weather Service said his death was the first tornado-related fatality in Delaware since 1983.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency said the EF3 tornado cut a 14-mile path of destruction from Bridgeville to Ellendale. Bawel's wife, who was also home when the twister struck their house, survived.

Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on Twitter at @izzihughes_

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Is it tornado season in Delaware? Sussex saw first warning of 2025
(This story was updated to include the cancellation of the tornado watch and the addition of a wind advisory.)

UPDATE at 4:45 p.m. March 16: The National Weather Service canceled the tornado watch for Washington County at 3:18 p.m. Monday, but the area is not out of the woods yet. Straight-line winds with gusts up to 50 mph to 60 mph are still possible with the worst of the storm expected to clear the area by around 10 p.m. Monday, said meteorologist Luis Rosa with the Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office.

A wind advisory is in effect for the region including Washington, Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, March 16, according to Weather.gov.

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A line of showers and thunderstorms was still forecast to come through Washington County in the next several hours, Rosa said around 4:30 p.m.

For Washington County, the threat of straight-line winds is probably greatest between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., Rosa said. Those are winds strong enough to knock down trees. Winds could be around 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

Showers could still linger to midnight Monday, but the worst of the wind is expected to end by around 10 p.m., he said.

...............

UPDATE: A tornado watch was issued for the region, including Washington County, through 7 p.m. Monday, March 16. The watch was issued at 10:50 a.m.

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The tornado watch area includes much of Maryland, from Washington County east, including some Eastern Shore counties such as Cecil, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester.

..............

The Hagerstown region has an enhanced to moderate risk of severe thunderstorms Monday, March 16, that have the potential to result in tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

Some school districts announced schedule changes for Monday due to the possibility of severe thunderstorms. That includes Washington County Public Schools dismissing two hours early and canceling after-school and evening activities.

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Meteorologist Kyle Pallozzi, with the Baltimore/Washington Forecast Office, said there will be several rounds of showers and thunderstorms Monday, with the greatest threat probably being from early to mid-afternoon. But there also could be a round in the evening.

The Hagerstown region probably won't be clear of the threat until around 8 p.m. Monday, Pallozzi said Monday morning.

The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather in the Hagerstown region on Monday, March 16, 2026, including the possibility of tornadoes.

The risk of severe thunderstorms for Washington County was listed as enhanced for most of the county, with a moderate risk along the eastern side of the county, according to a weather service graphic. Pallozzi said an enhanced risk is a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest risk. A moderate risk is a 4, which is "very rare around here," he said.

The last time the Hagerstown area saw a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms was in August 2023, which resulted in "pretty serious damage," Pallozzi said.

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That Aug. 7, 2023, storm resulted in power being knocked out to thousands of customers in Washington County and an unusual summer hailstorm.

Broader look at severe weather: Severe weather, tornado risk forecast for East Coast ahead of potent storms

What severe weather could bring to Hagerstown region on March 16

The hazardous weather outlook issued Monday morning by the weather service says damaging winds and tornadoes are likely, with potential for wind gusts to reach 70 mph to 80 mph and the chance for an isolated stronger tornado.

Threats are highest along and east of Interstate 81.

After the chance for severe thunderstorms subsides Monday night, Pallozzi said the area could see snow, though it's likely not measurable snow.

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Weather impact: Tri-State closings, early dismissals for Monday, March 16

What is the difference between a tornado watch and warning?

With the chance for tornadoes in the region on March 16, monitoring weather alerts is important throughout the day.

A tornado watch is when conditions are favorable for tornadoes to occur over a large area, Pallozzi said. Watches are usually issued a few hours before storms get here as a heads-up to folks about an intense storm moving to the area, but the threat it not imminent that second, he said. It gives people a couple hours' advanced notice.

A tornado warning means threat is imminent and to take shelter now, Pallozzi said. Warning means the storm is moving toward you now. The threat could be for a tornado in the next 10 to 30 minutes or it could be sooner than that, he said.

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The weather service's tornado safety tips state to move to the lowest level and to an interior room that doesn't have windows, such as a closet or bathroom.

If the home has a basement, that is the best option, according to the weather service. Cover your head and neck to protect yourself from falling debris.

People who live in a mobile home or a home without a basement should identify a nearby safe building they can quickly get too, such as a church or family member's home, according to www.weather.gov/safety/tornado-prepare.

Hagerstown thrift store fire: Fire at Maryland Salvation Army thrift store under investigation

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: National Weather Service says potential for tornadoes in Hagerstown area
A rare sighting from deep in the forest of Borneo has given conservationists hope that the vulnerable clouded leopard is on the prowl.

The Orangutan Foundation and Tanjung Puting National Park captured video of a mother and two cubs hopping through a thicket. One of the cubs even stopped to take a long look at the camera.

The Bornean clouded leopard is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, according to the foundation. The animal is endangered partly because of its low recruitment rate; few adults produce and raise offspring until they are two years old, at which point they join the breeding population.

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Deforestation has taken its toll on the leopard, which relies on forests for habitat. The foundation said in a news release that more than two-thirds of the animals have been killed in recent years.

On Instagram, it noted this was the first time a mother and two offspring had been recorded.

"For the population to be reproducing is an incredibly encouraging sign," it stated.

Clouded leopards are known for their long tails, which match the length of their bodies, and teeth, which can reach 2 inches. The canine fangs are the longest of any feline, according to the Felidae Conservation Fund.

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The big cats prey on monkeys, deer, pigs, and sometimes birds and reptiles. Population estimates vary from 5,000 to 11,000 in Borneo and 3,000 to 7,000 in Sumatra.

This sighting shows how important trail cameras are for scientists and researchers, who rely on the tool to track species diversity and distribution. A similar trap in Nigeria recently showed a pair of the rarest apes in the world. They can also help catch poachers.

Elsewhere in Indonesia, conservationists are trying to save the Sumatran rhino, of which fewer than 50 remain.

"The clouded leopard is an arboreal species and excellent hunter on the ground that plays an important role in maintaining the ecosystem," Orangutan Foundation research manager A. Yoga Perdana said. "As one of the rarest species to find, being able to see a female and cubs gives us evidence that they are healthy and actively breeding."

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Fraternity brothers from Troy University walked through Holmes County on Monday for their annual Walk Hard fundraiser.

More than 50 members of Alpha Tau Omega departed from Troy University on Friday, walking for 128 miles until they reach Panama City Beach.

The group is raising money for Jeep Sullivans Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures.

They take wounded veterans on life-changing hunting and fishing trips.

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The fraternity is on day four of their trek, with about 35 miles left to walk. They crossed through Vernon on Monday and stopped at a halfway point put up by a local church group.

Weve been doing this since 2009. So a lot of the churches along the way, they know who we are. We come down this route a lot now. So they just love to support us, and they love to do anything they can to make sure we have safe travels to the beach, Walk Hard Assistant Director James Stasevich said.

They will reveal the amount of money raised when they arrive at Panama City Beach on Wednesday.

If you want to follow their journey, visit Alpha Tau Omega Walk Hard on Facebook.

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To donate, click 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 mypanhandle.com.
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON, March 16 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Monday largely upheld a ruling that blocked a "sweeping and unprecedented" freeze on trillions of dollars in government financial assistance that President Donald Trump's administration instituted early last year.

A three-judge panel of the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia in finding that the White House's budget office had directed federal agencies to implement a categorical freeze on funding that was likely improper.

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Chief U.S. Circuit Judge David Barron said the Office of Management and Budget "directed the agency defendants to freeze such funds without considering an obvious aspect of the problem -- namely, the reliance interests of the recipients of the obligated federal funds that were to be frozen."

The judge, who like the other panel members was appointed by a Democratic president, pointed to a lower-court judge's conclusion that the agencies failed in carrying out OMB's directive to assess whether such payments were legally required or appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

While the appeals court largely upheld Rhode Island-based U.S. District Judge John McConnell's March 2025 injunction blocking the policy, it overturned part of it to the extent it required agencies to make payments to the states that sued.

It did so citing a ruling last year by the U.S. Supreme Court in a different Trump-era case that indicated lawsuits seeking to recover money owed by the government under contracts and grants must be pursued in a different, specialist court.

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The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The state attorneys general sued after the OMB in January 2025, shortly after Trump returned to the White House, issued a memo directing federal agencies to temporarily pause spending on federal financial assistance programs.

That memo said the freeze was necessary while the administration reviewed grants and loans to ensure they are aligned with Trump's executive orders, including ones ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs and directing a pause on spending on projects seeking to combat climate change.

The freeze implicated up to $3 trillion in federal funding.

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OMB later withdrew that memo after it became the subject of two lawsuits, including the one before McConnell. But the states argued the memo's withdrawal did not mean the end of the policy itself.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
The Trump administration on Tuesday widened its efforts to stamp out Medicaid fraud, at least in its fifth state this year, calling on Florida officials to share information on how they identify, prevent, and address bad actors in their state program.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz had previously sent similar requests to New York, Minnesota, Maine and California in what has been a growing, Trump administration-wide initiative to crack down on fraud, waste and abuse.

The letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders is the first such request that Oz has announced to a Republican-led state as the administration seeks to convey that fraud wont be accepted regardless of political leadership.

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It comes a day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create an anti-fraud task force across federal benefit programs led by Vice President JD Vance. The president has ramped up such efforts as many American voters say they're concerned about affordability ahead of Novembers elections.

Announcing the new probe on social media, Oz wrote that Florida has been a hotspot for health care fraud for years and called on state leaders to step up and work with us to stop it.

He referenced past examples of high-dollar fraud schemes in Floridas Medicare and Medicaid programs that resulted in criminal charges and said that given the widespread scale and nature of these schemes, CMS needed more details about the states program oversight.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to Oz's post on X and shared an example of a recent Medicaid fraud arrest in the state.

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The Medicaid system is overwhelmed with fraud and abuse, and we look forward to working with Dr. Oz on these issues, he added.

Spokespeople for the other letter recipients, including DeSantis and Florida Agency for Health Care Administration officials, didn't immediately respond to emailed inquiries. Oz gave the officials 30 days to respond to a list of detailed questions.

Last month, CMS halted Medicaid payments to Minnesota over fraud concerns, a move the states Democratic Gov. Tim Walz denounced as a political attack. Oz said the money would be delivered only after Minnesota implements a comprehensive corrective action plan.

CMS also has said it is blocking any new Medicare enrollments for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics or other supplies used to treat chronic conditions or assist in injury recovery for six months to mitigate suspected improper billing.
Donald Trump unleashed a new attack on Sir Keir Starmer as his proposal for a multi-national naval force to re-open the Strait of Hormuz was struggling to gain momentum.

Early on Monday, the Prime Minister said Britain would not be drawn into the wider war as he and other world leaders refused to jump to Trumps demand for a fleet of warships to unblock the key waterway.

The UK, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan and Greece were among countries who at least initially declined to sign up to the US presidents plan to get commercial ships. with naval escorts, moving again through the strait.

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As his plan appeared to be floundering Trump reserved some of his strongest criticism for Sir Keir and the UKs stance.

I was very surprised with the United Kingdom because the United Kingdom two weeks ago I said why dont you send some ships over and he really did not want to do it, the president said.

I said you dont want to do it, weve been with you, you are our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on Nato..to protect you.

He stressed that the US had worked with the UK on Ukraine, adding: Then they tell us that we have a mine ship around, and they dont want to do it.

Its terrible.

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I was very surprised. I told him, we requested two aircraft carriers which they had and he did not really want to do it.

He then also criticised Sir Keir over his leadership style.

The Prime Minister of the UK yesterday told me Im meeting with my team to make a determination, Trump said, revealing more details of their talks by phone.

I said you dont need to meet up with the team, you are the Prime Minister, you can make your own..why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not you are going to send some mine sweepers.

Trump said that maybe the UK would join the proposed naval force, while on French president Emmanuel Macron backing it, he added: I think hes going to help.

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Earlier, speaking in Downing Street, Sir Keir distanced himself again from the US presidents offensive military action against Tehran.

He stressed: "While taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war.

He added that the UK was working with other countries, including in Europe, to develop a "viable, collective plan" to re-open the strait.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer holding a press conference on the Iran war on Monday morning (Getty Images)

We want to make sure that that involves as many partners as possible, particularly talking to European partners, inevitably talking to Gulf partners, and to the US because we need a credible, viable plan, he explained.

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He emphasised it would not be a Nato mission, adding: This is to say the least not easy, it is not straightforward therefore we have to make sure that we have got that credible plan in place.

The Government had yet to make decisions on what the UK would contribute to the efforts to re-open the strait, he added, but stressed the need for this to happen to address the growing oil crisis.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday flatly rejected Trumps latest plea for military support in the war.

This is not our war, we have not started it, he said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country was involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea but I dont see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz.

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Iran has effectively closed the key strait, through which a fifth of global oil supplies flow, by targeting more than a dozen vessels since the start of the war.

Choking off use of the waterway has triggered an oil crisis, with petrol and other bills rising in Britain and other countries.

With the war now in its third week, naval experts are warning that using navy ships to escort oil tankers through the narrow strait would be fraught with danger given the risks from Iranian drone attacks.

A tanker hit by a drone strike by Iran which has closed the Strait of Hormuz (ROYAL THAI NAVY/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump, though, has threatened that Nato faces a very bad future if its members fail to come to Washingtons aid as the stand-off over the Hormuz Strait deepened the Iran crisis, with oil back above $100 (75) a barrel.

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But Australia said it was not planning to send navy vessels to the Middle East to escort ships through the waterway,

Japan took a similar stance as Germany also voiced scepticism about the proposal.

Britain is considering whether to deploy mine-hunting drones but will only get involved in defensive action, having questioned whether the offensive US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran are lawful.

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have clashed over the Iran war (PA Wire)

Asked about Trumps Nato warning, Cabinet minister Pat McFadden described the current US presidency as very transactional with a lot of rhetoric, adding that he believed that US-UK ties would outlast all the personalities involved.

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His comments appeared to show a growing disquiet in Whitehall at Trumps approach to the war in which he has launched a series of scathing attacks on Sir Keir for only allowing US forces to use UK bases for defensive military operations such as targeting Iranian missile sites.

With the Iran war creating turmoil across the Middle East and shaking up global energy markets, Trump on Sunday insisted that nations relying heavily on oil from the Gulf have a responsibility to protect the strait.

Im demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory because it is their territory, the US president said aboard Air Force One on the way from Florida to Washington.

However, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch Trump supporter, said on Monday her country, constrained by its war-renouncing constitution, has no plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships in the Middle East from where it gets 95% of its oil.

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Australia, another key Indo-Pacific security ally to the US that also relies heavily on fuels made with Middle Eastern crude, said it will not send naval ships to assist in reopening the strait either.

A smoke plume rise from a fire at Dubai International Airport (AFP via Getty Images)

Global air travel remains severely disrupted due to the Iran war which has closed or restricted key Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights and stranding tens of thousands of passengers.

A drone strike on an oil depot closed Dubai International Airport for several hours on Monday before flights started to resume.
The Iran war is exposing President Donald Trumps unfitness for national leadership. The lie-filled bluster and escalation he relied on to succeed in business and domestic politics arent working, and the situation is out of his control. The world is interconnected and other people get a say, including oil companies and energy markets. But Trump never understood that, and since he has no other moves, hes kept doubling down despite no plausible path to victory, making things worse.

With Venezuela, Trump said he attacked to take oil, equating his personal rapaciousness with national interest. After U.S. special operations forces ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, Trump found the rest of the Venezuelan regime more pliable, including now-interim President Delcy Rodriguez, and told U.S. energy companies to go get Venezuelas oil.

To address this crisis of his own making, Trump tried saying the war is almost over and the U.S. already won.

Except those companies didnt want it. Which shouldnt have been a surprise. Venezuelas oil deposits are dirty, needing considerable refinement, and drilling isnt profitable unless oil is priced higher than it was at the time. The infrastructure is poor, and U.S. companies would have to spend billions developing it. And the security situation was volatile after the U.S. military overthrew the national leader. Oil is flammable, and platforms would be a target if an insurgency develops.

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But apparently it was a surprise to the White House. Trump berated energy executives, but that didnt work. They wont throw away money just because he told them to.

With the Iran war, Trump is trying to bully not only energy companies, but the entire global energy market. Except the war is disrupting supply, making prices rise no matter what he says.

Trump ordered the U.S. military to attack Iran, and hasnt articulated a clear goal, but did issue existential threats. At various times hes called for regime change, told Iranians to overthrow the government, and demanded unconditional surrender.

And this comes after Trump reneged on the Iran nuclear deal without cause in his first term. That showed Iran that the United States in general, and Trump specifically, cannot be trusted to honor any agreement, and will react to concessions by demanding more.

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In response to the U.S.-Israeli attack, Iran played its biggest card, closing the Strait of Hormuz. Its a narrow choke point at the end of the Persian Gulf, and a kink in the waterway leaves it exposed to a lot of Irans coastline. About 20% of the worlds oil passes through Hormuz, and it isnt hard for Iran to stop the traffic.

Iran cant prevent U.S. and Israeli forces from flying over the gulf, and they probably couldnt keep the U.S. Navy out of it, but to close the strait, they dont need to. They only have to make shipping companies afraid to sail, and insurance companies think the risk of insuring the ships is too high. With threats, a few attacks on tankers, and now possibly sea mines, Iran has.

Again, this shouldnt have been a surprise. For example, Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz by Caitlin Talmadge appeared in the leading journal International Security in 2008.

Theres no one to sue, no rules to manipulate, just the hard realities of resource shortages and war.

To address this crisis of his own making, Trump tried saying the war is almost over and the U.S. already won. It made the oil price drop back down for a bit, but as U.S.-Israeli bombardment continued and market disruptions got worse, it rose again.

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Trump tried telling ships to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, but most wouldnt, and a few who did exploded, presumably at Irans hand.

He tried releasing oil from Americas strategic reserve, and some other countries did from theirs. But thats a Band-Aid on a gaping wound, and had little impact.

Then he tried bombing Kharg, an island in the gulf that Iran uses for oil exports. The apparent logic is that hindering Irans shipping will get Iran to stop blocking everyone elses.

That recalls one of Trumps go-to moves in business: the bad faith lawsuit. Hed break a contract, screw someone over, and dare them to sue him. Or would initiate legal action himself. Either way, he bet that hed have more resources and greater tolerance for a protracted legal fight, and the other party would settle even when the facts were on their side.

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That wont work with Iran.

By making the threat existential, Trump set the bar for the Iranian regime at survival, and incentivized them to use whatever leverage they have. Americas military can overwhelm Irans, and is doing a lot more damage to Iran than the Iranians can do back. But even without its main source of revenue, Iran can keep up a defensive war for a while. Especially since the only thing it really needs to do is keep getting some shots off, such as with relatively cheap, domestically-produced Shahed drones, or small boats laden with explosives. The U.S. probably cant stop that by force without a large ground invasion and indefinite occupation of Irans gulf coastlinea massive, costly undertakingand maybe not even then.

Much of the time when Trump was in the private sector and messed up, his rich dad bailed him out or hed declare bankruptcy. Instead of holding equity or debt, Trump would have the business pay him a salary and bonuses, so that money was gone when the company went under, and his partners and contractors would take most of the losses.

When Trump stiffed lenders, there was usually someone else he could get to give him money. Thats how the Trump Organization ended up with a lot of Russian financing  by that point, just about everyone else wouldnt touch him.

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Now hes done that to America. After a year of Trump denigrating, threatening, and tariffing U.S. allies, no one is willing to help rescue the U.S. from a mess of its own making, no matter how much he browbeats them.

Trump started something that quickly spiraled and seems out of ideas. Theres no one to sue, no rules to manipulate, just the hard realities of resource shortages and war.

And theres a good chance Iran can tolerate being bombed more than the U.S. can tolerate a rapidly rising oil price and the economic damage it causes.

The post Trump is failing at the business of war appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump said Tuesday NATO and most other allies have rejected his calls to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, grousing that he has been unable to rally support behind his war of choice in Iran that he insists he's conducting for the good of the world, even if it doesn't appreciate his effort.

Trump, who has been pressing allies to help safeguard the critical waterway to ease a chokepoint on the region's oil exports, fumed that the U.S. is not getting support despite the fact that we helped NATO so much, and said that it was in allies' interest to prevent Iran from securing a nuclear weapon.

Trumps indignant response to allies refusal to get involved in the war underscored that the conflict  now in its third week and causing reverberations across the global economy  is one the international community is looking to the U.S. leader to sort out himself after he launched it without consultation.

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You would have thought they would have said, Wed love to send a couple of minesweepers.' Thats not a big deal, Trump said. It doesnt cost very much money. But they didnt do that.

While he expressed resentment at traditional U.S. allies, Trump insisted hes OK with the solidifying dynamic of the conflict, which, for better or worse, will rest largely on his shoulders alone.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been urging him on this path for months, Trump has increasingly made the case that the road to conflict was chosen by one man. It started based on what Trump described as a feeling about the threat posed by Iran, and he has said it will end when his gut says it's time.

We dont need any help, actually, Trump told reporters as he hosted Irelands Prime Minister Micheal Martin for a St. Patrick's Day visit to the White House.

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Trump complained that NATO allies have counted on tens of billions of dollars in U.S. backing for Ukraine to fend off Russias invasion, but could not return the favor to help the U.S. and Israel in its efforts to defang Iran, which has posed a threat to the Middle East and beyond for years. The U.S., he added, has spent hundreds of billions fortifying Europe and Asian defenses.

Later Tuesday, the U.S. military announced it had fired multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on hardened Iranian missile sites along Irans coastline near the strait. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles targeted at the sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait, according to U.S. Central Command.

Trump has had a hot-and-cold relationship with the alliance, a linchpin of the post World War II national security framework that he believes had become too dependent on the U.S. Trump has hammered bloc members for spending too little and even questioned U.S. commitment to the mutual defense statute in NATOs founding treaty that states an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

NATO exists as a defensive alliance, not an offensive one, and NATO has said it has no plans to get involved in the U.S.-led war with Iran. However, NATO troops did deploy for 18 years to Afghanistan and its 2011 air campaign helped topple Libyas late leader Moammar Gadhafi.

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We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need, Trump said on social media.

Trump directed most of his pique at NATO

Trump noted that allies in Japan, Australia, and South Korea  as well as China  have rejected his calls to get involved in helping secure the strait, the critical waterway through which, in typical times, about 20% of the world's crude oil passes each day. Asia is the most exposed to the trade disruption because it relies heavily on imported fuel, much of which is shipped through the strait.

The European Unions top diplomat pushed back at Trump, saying the 27-nation bloc does not want to be dragged into the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and broadly rejected Trumps demand to send warships to the Straits of Hormuz.

This is not Europes war. We didnt start the war. We were not consulted, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday, a day after chairing talks among the member countries about Trumps warship demand.

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We dont know what are the objectives of this war, Kallas said. The member states do not have the wish to be dragged into this.

Trump called the moment a great test for NATO and said the alliance was making a very foolish mistake by rejecting him.

Trump was asked by a reporter if he was rethinking the U.S. relationship with NATO in light of the response to the Iran war  or perhaps even pondering getting out of the military alliance.

Its certainly something that we should think about. I dont need Congress for that decision, Trump said. He added, I have nothing currently in mind, but Im not exactly thrilled.

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Its debatable if Trump could pull out of NATO on his own. Congress passed a law in 2023 that requires congressional authorization to leave the military alliance. Experts have said Trump could try to negotiate loopholes, perhaps citing presidential authority over foreign policy, to try to get around the law.

Trumps position that Americas longstanding support for NATO should be reciprocated now that the U.S. has asked for help in Iran is being met with stiff resistance.

French President Emmanuel Macron said his country is ready to help secure the Strait of Hormuz but only as part of a mission separate from the current Middle East war.

We are not a party to the conflict, and therefore France will never take part in operations to reopen or liberate the Strait of Hormuz, Macron said.

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Trump was dismissive of Macron's position. Well, hell be out of office very soon, Trump said of the French president, whose second five-year term is scheduled to end in May 2027.

Trump also said he was disappointed in British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The prime minister had initially blocked American planes from using British bases for the attacks on Iran that started on Saturday. He later agreed to let the United States use bases in England and on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to strike Irans ballistic missiles and their storage sites, but not to hit other targets.

He also jabbed at Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, when asked about her criticism that the U.S. and Israeli operations have been deliberate assaults on international law.

Look, he's lucky I exist, Trump said of Connolly, who is a woman.

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Still, while Trump may have decided that the U.S. no longer needs outside military assistance to secure the strait, the State Department has reached out to numerous countries seeking their support in isolating Iran by designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, actions that would result in sanctions against those groups and their members.

A cable sent to all U.S. diplomatic missions on Monday asked American diplomats based in countries that have not yet made such designations to act quickly to do so given the widespread retaliation for the U. S-Israeli military operation that Iran has launched over the past two weeks.

Now is the time for other nations to take concrete action against Iran, including by designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxy. Hezbollah, as terrorist organizations, said the cable, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

___

AP writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed reporting.
Donald Trumps brief and aggressive attempt to corral an international coalition to police the Strait of Hormuz concluded in disappointment on Tuesday, leading the president to lash out at European nations that rejected his demands to help with his war against Iran.

We dont need too much help, a frustrated Trump said in the Oval Office, where he was hosting Irelands taoiseach for St. Patricks Day. We dont need any help actually.

It was a striking turnabout for the president, who had spent the last several days ardently insisting other countries send their warships to the strait to escort oil tankers. Iran has effectively shut the waterway, a key shipping lane for about 20% of the worlds oil, sending global energy prices soaring.

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Trump had framed his demands as a test of loyalty, suggesting dispatching naval vessels would amount to a very small endeavor for countries that rely on the United States for their security. He said Tuesday that some countries were on board, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, though he did not specify in what capacity.

Most foreign leaders, however, had resisted, saying they wouldnt become mired in a war they did not begin. And by Tuesday, Trump  who had claimed a day earlier hed heard from numerous countries whose ships were on the way  was declaring most nations under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization had failed to meet the moment.

I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake. And Ive long said that I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us, he told reporters. So this was a great test, because we dont need them, but they should have been there.

In the end, Trumps effort at coalition-building lasted only a few days. He did not seek buy-in from countries besides Israel before launching the war in late February. Many leaders in Europe and the Persian Gulf said they were caught by surprise when the first salvos began.

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Now, those countries face a US leader scorned and vowing to remember their inaction, which he described as shocking.

Its unclear whether Trump will retaliate. When a reporter asked Tuesday whether he would rethink his commitment to NATO, Trump responded that he had nothing currently in mind but that he was not exactly thrilled.

In his remarks, however, Trump may have provided some clues on how he could punish NATO going forward. He repeatedly invoked US support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, which he said had benefited Europe over American interests.

We help them, and they didnt help us, and I think thats a very bad thing for NATO, Trump said.

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Previously, the US president has openly mused about withdrawing support for NATO, though in recent months had sounded more positive about the alliance after member nations agreed to increase defense spending.

NATO is a defensive alliance whose charter calls for the collective defense of any member that is attacked. The only time that clause has been invoked is following the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, when members came to the United States aid.

But it was the US and Israel that attacked Iran, leading other members to question why NATO would become involved in the war. The Trump administration has argued it was defending against an Iranian preemptive strike against US assets in the region, though CNN has reported the intelligence did not support that claim.

Let me be clear, that wont be and its never been envisioned as a NATO mission, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said during a news conference this week.

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Germanys leaders have been somewhat more blunt.

This is not our war; we did not start it, Boris Pistorius, Germanys defense minister, said on Monday.

For Trump, however, the question of allies participation has been more about their perceived commitment to their own security. He has argued that because European and Asian nations rely more than the US does on oil and gas that passes through the Strait of Hormuz, they should take responsibility for patrolling it.

He had choice words Tuesday for European leaders who rejected that premise.

Keir is no Churchill, he said dismissively of the British leader, pointing toward a bronze bust of the World War II prime minister in the Oval Office.

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Hell be out of office very soon, Trump said of French President Emmanuel Macron, who had earlier declined to join a task force to help secure the strait (Macrons term will expire in May 2027, meaning Trump will have to deal with him for another 14 months).

For his part, Taoiseach Micheal Martin mostly listened over the course of the 45-minute meeting. Ireland is not a member of NATO and doesnt have the military capacity to help in the strait even if it wanted to.

The war in Iran is extremely unpopular in Ireland, and Israeli actions have long drawn scrutiny on an island with deep-seeded support for the Palestinians.

At one point, Trump was asked about comments made by the Irish president this week that the war in Iran was a violation of international law.

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Hes lucky I exist, Trump said of Irelands president, Catherine Connolly.

When Martin did choose to speak, he emphasized his countrys desire to resolve the Iran conflict peacefully.

We had our own conflict, which went on for 30 years, and we learned a lot from that in terms of how to try and bring about peace, he said, a reference to the decades of sectarian violence known as the Troubles.

Left unspoken was the leading American role, in the form of then-President Bill Clinton and his envoy George Mitchell, in bringing about that peace.

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NEED TO KNOW

President Donald Trump misgendered two female presidents in back to back press conferences this week

Trump referred to the presidents of both Venezuela and Ireland with male pronouns, although both leaders are women, without acknowledging either person by name

Look, he's lucky I exist," Trump said of Irish President Catherine Connolly in the most recent gaffe on Tuesday, March 17. "That's all I can say"

President Donald Trump misgendered two female foreign leaders in back to back press briefings, seemingly jumping to conclusions that the people who hold their positions are men.

During Trumps luncheon with Kennedy Center board members on Monday, March 16, the president made an unexpected gaffe while talking about his relationship with Venezuela two months after ordering the U.S. military to capture the country's longtime president, Nicolas Maduro. The nation's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was installed as acting president in Maduro's place, and the United States has formally recognized her authority in recent weeks.

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Venezuela, whos been great, by the way, the relationship with Venezuela has been fantastic, Trump, 79, said. The president has done a really good job. We get along with him really well, he added, apparently calling Rodriguez by a male pronoun.

One day later, the president made the same mistake while referring to Irish President Catherine Connolly.

During a St. Patrick Day celebration at the White House on Tuesday, March 17, alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump was asked by a reporter about a critical comment that Ireland's president made against him.

The Irish president has said your war against Iran is illegal and an attack on international law, a reporter said to Trump during the event. Trump asked for clarification, replying, Who said that?

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The Irish president, the reporter replied. Look, he's lucky I exist. That's all I can say, Trump added, despite that Connolly is also a woman.

If youre going to allow countries that are sick and demented to have nuclear weapons Everybody in the whole world should be very thankful and Im disappointed in NATO, he continued. "I'm very disappointed, Im disappointed in a couple other countries too but they should be very thankful that this group of people feels the way we do."

PEOPLE reached out to the White House for comment on the gaffes.

Irish President Catherine Connolly (left) and acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez (right)

Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty; Jesus Vargas/Getty

Trump's apparent mixups in press conferences and speeches have routinely made headlines throughout his second term, particularly given that he made history in 2024 as the oldest person elected U.S. president.

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In January at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, he repeatedly referred to Greenland  a NATO territory which he previously expressed that he wants full ownership of  as Iceland." Iceland and Greenland neighbor one another, though Greenland is roughly 20 times larger. Both are members of NATO.

PEOPLE reached out to the White House for comment at the time about the four parts of Trump's speech where he was heard saying "Iceland," prompting a statement from White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers that read, President Trump delivered a historic speech in Davos laying out Americas compelling national security interests involving Greenland. Mere hours afterward, President Trump announced the framework for a future deal with respect to Greenland. President Trump continues to deliver results while the failing, liberal media melts down.

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.

Trump's behavior during Monday's press conference, when he misgendered Rodriguez, also raised eyebrows for another faux pas, as he revealed private information about Republican Rep. Neal Dunn's health journey.

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While cameras were rolling, Trump called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to share some details about Dunn's health challenges, asking the speaker, What was the diagnosis? to which the Johnson replied, I think it was a terminal diagnosis.

The president then stated to the room, He would be dead by June" if not for top-tier treatment from the White House Medical Unit, prompting Johnson to interject, OK, that wasnt public."

Read the original article on People
U.S. officials have told Cuban negotiators that President Miguel Diaz-Canel must step aside if Washington and Havana are going to reach a broader agreement. The demand places Cuba's current president directly at the center of negotiations.

The position, reported by The New York Times, reflects a strategy focused on removing the island's head of state without dismantling the Communist system that has governed Cuba for more than six decades.

People familiar with the talks told the newspaper that some U.S. officials believe Diaz-Canel's removal could clear the way for economic changes and potential agreements with American businesses.

US pushes leadership change in Cuba

According to people familiar with the discussions, U.S. negotiators have told Cuban counterparts that no deal will move forward with Diaz-Canel still in office, The Times reported. The message has been framed as a step that would allow negotiations to proceed, rather than a direct ultimatum.

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The proposal would remove a visible figure at the top of Cuba's government while leaving the country's political system intact. That approach aligns with the Trump administration's broader foreign policy strategy of forcing governments to comply with U.S. demands without attempting full regime change, as seen in Venezuela.

Diaz-Canel, 65, has served as Cuba's president since 2018 and also leads the Communist Party. He became the first Cuban leader since the 1959 revolution whose last name was not Castro, though members of the Castro family still hold significant influence within the government.

YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images

Some U.S. officials consider Diaz-Canel resistant to economic reforms that could open parts of Cuba's economy to American investment, according to The Times report.

Power grid failure deepens crisis on island

The negotiations are happening during a deepening economic and energy crisis across Cuba.

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As Straight Arrow News reported, officials reported a nationwide blackout Monday after the country's electrical system suffered what the government described as a "complete disconnection." The failure left most of the island's roughly 11 million residents without power.

State media later said electricity had been restored to a small portion of Havana, including some hospitals, while technicians worked to stabilize the grid.

A woman holds a flashlight while walking with a man on a street during a blackout in Havana on March 16, 2026. (Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images)

It was the third major nationwide blackout reported in Cuba in the past four months.

Cuba's electrical system has deteriorated in recent years as aging infrastructure and fuel shortages strain power generation. Daily outages have become common across the island.

This story is featured in today's Unbiased Updates. Watch the full episode here.

Energy shortages and sanctions strain economy

Fuel shortages have compounded the country's energy problems. Long lines have formed outside gas stations, and tanker shipments have stalled as Cuba searches for new energy supplies.

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Diaz-Canel said Friday that the country has gone three months without oil imports. He blamed the situation on U.S. sanctions and an energy blockade that has restricted Cuba's ability to obtain fuel.

A recyclable materials collector pushes a cart in front of the America Theater in Havana on March 13, 2026. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump has suggested the United States could play a larger role in the island's future.

Speaking Monday, Trump said he believes he could have the "honor of taking Cuba," though he did not clarify whether he meant diplomatically or otherwise.

"I mean, whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it," Trump said.

Cuban officials have confirmed that discussions with the United States are underway, but the government has not publicly addressed the demand involving Diaz-Canel's position.

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By Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was postponing a highly anticipated trip to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the war with Iran upends U.S. foreign policy and delays an effort to ease tensions between the worlds two biggest economies.

"We are resetting the meeting," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We're working with China. They were fine with it."

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Trump had been set to travel to Beijing from March 31 to April 2 for the first trip there of his 14-month-old second term. The trip will now take place in "about five or six weeks," Trump said. The White House did not specify a date.

China and the U.S. remain in communication on President Trumps visit to China, including the dates," said a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington. "I have nothing to add at the moment.

The postponed visit heightens uncertainty for markets and diplomacy alike, as the war with Iran has driven oil prices higher, threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and sharpened investor focus on energy security.

The delay will also sideline talks to ease frictions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan, tariffs, computer chips, illegal drugs, rare earths and agriculture.

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Trumps campaign in Iran has unleashed a wave of military and economic consequences and commanded attention from across his administration.

LAVISH STATE VISIT AT ODDS WITH U.S. ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

The image of Trump on a lavish state visit was increasingly seen at odds with a struggling U.S. economy and the return of American service members killed in the Middle East, said a person briefed on planning for the Beijing meetings.

Iran has responded to joint U.S.-Israeli attacks by threatening to fire on vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's request for assistance from other countries so far has largely been rebuffed. China, which imported around 12 million barrels of oil daily in the first two months of 2026, the most in the world, has not directly responded to his request.

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Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said earlier on Tuesday that it would be "misguided" to describe the trip as being delayed due to a dispute over the strait.

Beijing never officially announced dates for Trump's visit and normally does not detail Xi's schedule more than a few days in advance.

Trump last met Xi in October in South Korea. He last traveled to China in 2017.

Preparations for the upcoming meeting included talks this week in Paris between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

Those talks focused on potential additional purchases of U.S. agricultural goods including poultry, beef and non-soybean row crops. They also discussed increasing the flow of rare earth minerals largely controlled by China and new approaches to manage trade and investment between the countries, according to people familiar with the talks.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Steve Holland; editing by Michelle Nichols, Howard Goller, David Ljunggren and Cynthia Osterman)
The White House is pleading with allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz  and privately assuring them that President Donald Trump is fine with high-level statements  as it pushes to calm financial markets, according to three European officials.

The Trump administration is urging European and Asian allies to issue these public commitments by the end of the week, the officials said. The White House is less concerned about specific contributions at this stage, they added. All were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations.

The move comes as Trump has been getting increasingly irate about allies not signing on to help keep ships moving through the vital waterway, posting on Truth Social on Tuesday: WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

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Even just a note of public support could help reassure increasingly dismayed investors, and perhaps give the Trump administration a framework of cooperation to build on later.

Those who have spoken with Trump administration officials in recent days said it's clear the White House values the market reaction most of all, according to two of the European officials.

Asked for comment, the White House pointed to Trumps criticism of allies in the Oval Office Tuesday.

I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake, Trump told reporters during an appearance Tuesday beside Irelands leader in the Oval Office. Ive long said  I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So this is a, this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there."

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Trumps war with Iran has put many of Americas closest allies and partners in a difficult spot. Trump didnt brief many of these countries about the operation ahead of time. Those that got advanced notice had hours or days, not weeks, to prepare to defend their infrastructure and people in the region.

In Europe, committing ships to escort tankers through the strait would take away resources needed to help defend Ukraine against Russian attacks. In the Indo-Pacific, publicly backing a Hormuz security effort risks domestic backlash in countries where another Middle East conflict is unpopular, while also raising concerns about diverting already stretched naval resources from deterring China and protecting critical regional sea lanes.

It would also take time for many countries to reroute ships or other assets to the Middle East.

While many of Washingtons allies are keen to find a way to support Trumps efforts, some want to sort out the details of their contributions before signing on to the effort, one of the European officials said.

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"Leaders are well aware that it's a one-way street with him, that they can no longer count on the U.S. the way they used to. But most are looking to avoid a total rupture, another one of the European officials said. So despite the ironic twist here, they are weighing practical and political considerations, not emotional ones. If there is a lack of interest in what he's asking, it's because Europe is already stretched economically and with defending Ukraine. But there is also real concern about oil prices and what it would mean if the strait is shut down."

Trump repeated his earlier complaints on Tuesday that the U.K. had been too slow to accede to his requests to send two aircraft carriers to the Strait of Hormuz. But those aircraft carriers are located in far away theaters  such as near Australia  and would take weeks to get in place, should the U.K. bow to Trumps request.

Speaking alongside Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Europe must not be distracted by the Middle East.

Putin cant be the one who benefits from the conflict in Iran, whether thats oil prices or the dropping of sanctions, Starmer said. It is really important we keep our resolve in relation to supporting Ukraine, doing everything we can to weaken the hand of Putin."

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Germany, Canada and Australia, meanwhile, have ruled out any military participation.

France did the same on Tuesday, with President Emmanuel Macron saying France is not a party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz and would only participate in naval escorts once the situation has calmed down.

Tokyo is vigorously examining whether the dispatch of escort vessels is within the bounds of the law, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday, per the Japan Times. That hesitation likely reflects the restrictions imposed by Japans post-war constitution, which forbid armed troops to be dispatched to the land, sea, or airspace of other countries with the aim of using force.

Trump has flip-flopped publicly about how much the U.S. needs its allies to help protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and has downplayed how much the shutdown of the channel affects America.

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Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAEs president, said Tuesday that his country was considering joining the U.S. effort to secure Hormuz.

"We all have a responsibility to ensure the flow of trade, the flow of energy," he said at an online event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Some affected countries have talked about standing up their own operations to protect freedom of navigation when the conditions allow.

European foreign ministers also met on Monday to discuss extending its Operation Aspides, which stood up last year to protect ships transiting the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks.

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At the same time, U.S. allies are seeking better information from Washington about what Trump and his team see as the endpoint for the war that began in late February.

"Allies are still more in an, Ok so, how's it going, what's your thinking mode. What are your assessments? We hear what you're saying publicly on the aims, but what does success and the point you put the pencil down look like? the first European official said.

Phelim Kine contributed to this report.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - A group of 20 state attorneys general said on Monday the Trump administration proposal to boost American parts and components in federally funded electric vehicle charging stations would effectively make the $5 billion program unusable.

The attorneys general from states including California, Colorado, Arizona, New York, Virginia, Illinois and Michigan, said the U.S. Transportation Department proposal to hike so-called "Buy America" requirements from 55% to 100% would make it "impossible for manufacturers to achieve, frustrate congressional intent, and impair the public interest by slowing or halting federally funded EV charger deployment nationwide."

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USDOT and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In January, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin ruled the Trump administration unlawfully suspended funding awarded to support the expansion of electric vehicle charger infrastructure, in a victory for 20 Democratic-led states that sued over the action.

The Democratic state attorneys general - joined by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear - suggested the USDOT proposal on EV charger content "is yet another effort to carry out the presidents directive to halt congressionally mandated funding for EV infrastructure."

The states support requiring Buy America rules but said the USDOT proposal is not feasible.

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"There are currently no 100% domestically produced chargers available for purchase, there is not enough demand for 100% domestically produced chargers to justify investing in domestic production, and some critical components of the chargers are simply not produced in the United States," they said in the letter.

The states sued USDOT after it suspended the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which was part of a 2021 infrastructure law enacted by Congress in 2021 under Democratic President Joe Biden.

The proposal would take immediate effect once the changes are finalized. The Sierra Club called the proposal another bad-faith attempt to kill the program by the Trump administration and would prevent funds from being used.

The Trump administration has pursued numerous policies to boost the sale of gas-powered vehicles and cut EV incentives for automakers and consumers.

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A funding bill approved in January by Congress redirected $879 million in funds approved under Biden for the EV charging network to other infrastructure priorities.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
President Trumps push to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is taking center stage this week in the Senate, where it faces an uphill battle amid unified Democratic opposition.

The legislation  which is a top priority for the president  is unlikely to muster enough votes to pass the upper chamber, as Trump and some GOP allies warn of alleged election fraud ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The bill, which would amend federal election law and impose new proof of citizenship requirements, has even divided the GOP conference, with some House Republicans vowing to oppose other legislation until the Senate votes on the bill.

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Supporters say the measure would strengthen election integrity and restore trust in the voting process. But critics argue there is little evidence of widespread fraud and warn the requirement could make it harder for eligible Americans to vote.

Heres whats in the SAVE America Act:

Proof of citizenship to register

The legislation would require people registering to vote in federal elections to present documentary proof of citizenship that either includes a photo or is paired with government-issued photo identification.

The bill lists several acceptable forms of proof, including a valid U.S. passport, a military ID paired with a record showing a U.S. birthplace, and a government-issued photo ID listing the persons place of birth.

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REAL ID-compliant identification would also suffice in the handful of U.S. states that require proof of citizenship to obtain those IDs. Most states do not.

Applicants could also pair a government-issued photo ID with additional documentation showing citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate, a hospital birth record, an adoption decree showing a U.S. birth, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a certificate of naturalization or citizenship.

The legislation also requires that states establish processes for resolving discrepancies in documentation. For example, people who have changed their name legally  after marriage or otherwise  could provide additional documentation or sign an affidavit to verify the name change.

States would also be required to create a process allowing applicants who cannot provide documentary proof of citizenship to submit other evidence of citizenship and sign an attestation under penalty of perjury. A state or local official would then be required to determine whether the evidence provided was sufficient.

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As of now, applicants must attest to being a U.S. citizen, under penalty of perjury, but are not required to submit documentation in order to vote.

Photo ID to vote

The legislation would require voters to present valid photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections.

Acceptable forms of ID include state-issued drivers licenses, valid U.S. passports, valid military IDs and valid tribal IDs with a photo and expiration date.

Those who arrive at the polls without photo ID could still cast a provisional ballot but would need to present a valid ID within three days for the vote to count. Individuals may also sign an affidavit saying they have a religious objection to being photographed.

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The photo ID requirement would also change the way voters cast ballots by mail. Those who submit ballots by mail would be required to submit a copy of their valid photo ID. Otherwise, they must provide the last four digits of their Social Security number, along with a signed affidavit saying they could not obtain a copy of their ID despite making reasonable efforts.

These requirements would not apply to certain military and overseas voters.

Today, there is no national photo ID requirement to vote, though many states individually require some form of identification.

Voter roll reviews for noncitizens

The bill outlines new steps for states to take to ensure only citizens appear on their voter rolls.

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Within 30 days of the bills enactment, states would be required to submit their voter registration lists to the Department of Homeland Security, which would compare it against its Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, which is intended to track immigration and citizenship status.

Individuals flagged as potential noncitizens would be notified by their states and would be required to present proof of citizenship. If they cannot verify their citizenship status, they will be removed from the voter rolls.

States would also be permitted to use other sources of information, like state drivers license databases and certain Social Security data, to identify potential noncitizens on their voter registration lists.

Penalties for election officials

The bill would impose new enforcement mechanisms related to citizenship requirements.

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Election officials who register an applicant to vote without the required proof of citizenship could face criminal penalties under the SAVE America Act.

The legislation would also make it a crime for executive branch officials to knowingly provide material assistance to any noncitizens trying to register or vote in a federal election.

The bill looks to hold officials accountable by giving individuals the ability to file lawsuits against election officials who register voters without the required documentary proof of citizenship.

The federal government would also investigate people suspected of unlawfully registering to vote, and noncitizens found to have violated the law could face deportation proceedings.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump said he believes he'll have "the honor of taking Cuba," an escalation of language as the United States continues to put pressure on the island nation approximately 90 miles south of Florida.

"I do believe I'll be...having the honor of taking Cuba. Thats a big honor," Trump told reporters at the White House on March 16. "...Whether I free it, take it  think I could do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth. They're a very weakened nation right now."

Cuba has seen increased economic struggle in recent months after the U.S. cut off oil supply to the island following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Trump repeatedly warned Cuba to make a deal with the U.S. or face losing oil access. In the months since Maduro's capture, Venezuelan oil shipments to the country have weaned, rendering planes, cars and people without oil in many cases.

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That struggle hit a breaking point on March 16 with the collapse of Cuba's national electric grid, plunging 10 million people into darkness amid the oil blockade that has worsened the island's already outdated generation system. It is the latest blackout in a series of outages, including one sparking a rare violent protest in the communist-run country over the weekend.

A hotel remains lit by its own system during a blackout in Havana on March 16, 2026, after Cuba suffered a widespread power cut according to the national electricity company, against the backdrop of a severe crisis on the island caused by the US energy blockade. A young man jumps into the sea at sunset on the Malecon during a blackout in Havana on March 16, 2026. Cuba suffered a widespread power cut on March 16, 2026, according to the national electricity company, against the backdrop of a severe crisis on the island caused by the US energy blockade. Men play dominoes in a street of Havana during a blackout on March 16, 2026. Cuba suffered a widespread power cut on March 16, 2026, according to the national electricity company, against the backdrop of a severe crisis on the island caused by the US energy blockade. Cuba suffered a widespread power cut on March 16, 2026, according to the national electricity company, against the backdrop of a severe crisis on the island caused by the US energy blockade. A man rides a bicycle along the coastline of Havana during a blackout on March 16, 2026. Millions without power after Cubas electric grid fails 1 of 5 A hotel remains lit by its own system during a blackout in Havana on March 16, 2026, after Cuba suffered a widespread power cut according to the national electricity company, against the backdrop of a severe crisis on the island caused by the US energy blockade.

Trump's March 16 comments came amid reports that the U.S. and Cuba are in conversation and could soon reach a deal, though it is not yet publicly known what that deal may look like. USA TODAY previously reported that it could include a relaxation on Americans' ability to travel to Havana, an off-ramp for President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Castro family remaining on the island and deals on ports, energy and tourism. The U.S. government has also floated dropping some sanctions.

Cuba's top diplomat in Washington told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview on March 13 that Havana was engaged in "serious" and "sensitive" negotiations with the U.S. government. Lianys Torres Rivera declined to say how far along the talks may be while stressing the Cuban government has been a reliable partner. Cuban leadership also confirmed on March 13 that talks have taken place between Havana and Washington but also did not share any details of said deal.

Trump doubled down on those confirmations in his March 16 comments.

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"I can tell you that they're talking to us. It's a failed nation. They have no money, they have no oil, they have no nothing," Trump said March 16. "They have nice land. They have nice landscape. It's a beautiful island. I think they have great people, you know, I know so many people from Cuba that were treated terribly and they're over here, they became rich. They're very entrepreneurial people."

Exclusive: Trump eyes surprise economic deal with Cuba

Economic exchange between the U.S. and Cuba could also soon be a reality, Cuba leadership has hinted. Cubas economic czar and its deputy prime minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga said his country was "open to maintaining a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies" and "also with Cubans living in the United States and their descendants" in a March 16 interview with NBC News.

Still, details of the prospective deal and exact timing are not known, and Trump's March 16 comments comes as the latest in a series of warnings amid conversations with Cuba. Trump has previously said Cuba's "going to fall pretty soon" unless it makes a deal with him. He has also suggested, without elaborating, that he could pursue a "friendly takeover" of the island nation.

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Contributing: Francesa Chambers and Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY; Reuters

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he thinks he'll have the 'honor' of 'taking Cuba'
President Donald Trump said on Monday during a signing event in the Oval Office that he thinks hell have the "honor" of taking Cuba.

"It's a failed nation, Trump said. "They have no money, they have no oil, they have no nothing. They have nice land. They have nice landscape. You know, it's a beautiful island."

"All my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba," Trump continued. "You know, when will the United States do it? I do believe I'll [have the] honor of taking Cuba. That'd be good. That's a big honor."

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The president's comments came as Cuba was struggling with an energy crisis and a near-total blackout, according to local officials. The Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines said Monday there was a "total disconnection" of the National Electroenergetic System, which is known as SEN. Cubans are facing limited water supplies, a loss of basic services in hospitals as well as access to medicine, sanitation and food, according to reports.

Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: View of a street of Havana during a blackout on March 16, 2026.

The United States this year put in place a blockade, cutting off Havana's access to foreign oil shipments, including those from Venezuela.

The Cuban ministry said on Tuesday that it was working to restore the system after earlier saying the "causes are being investigated and protocols for restoration are beginning to be activated."

When pressed during the Oval Office Monday event about what "taking" the country could mean, Trump responded: "I think I can do anything I want with it."

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When President Trump was asked about Cuba during a bilateral meeting with the Irish prime minister on Tuesday, he turned to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been quietly negotiating with figures close to the Cuban government for months.

"Cuba has an economy that doesn't work in a political and governmental system that cant fix it. So, they have to change dramatically. What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. Its not going to fix it, he said, referring to the Cuban governments announcement that it would invite Cuban exiles to invest in businesses on the island.

So theyve got some big decisions to make over there, Rubio said.

One of the decisions Cuban negotiators will have to make, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, is whether to oust President Miquel Diaz-Canel, as previously reported by the New York Times. But the official added that the ouster of Diaz-Canel is just one of the changes the Trump administration would like to see -- and not necessarily the end goal of negotiations.

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Despite Trumps repeated declarations that the U.S. will be "doing something with Cuba very soon, the administration has so far taken a more gradual approach in its dealings with the country, and also currently assesses it can likely accomplish its goals without military intervention, the source said.

So far, the administration has relied on economic tactics to pressure Cuba.

"They don't get subsidies anymore. So they're in a lot of trouble. And the people in charge of them, they don't know how to fix it. So they have to get new people in charge, Rubio said.

In the meantime, Cubas energy crisis continues to grow more dire -- with the island experiencing a total electrical blackout on Monday.

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"Widespread blackouts have sadly become common for many years in Cubaa symptom of the failing regimes incompetence and inability to provide even the most basic goods and service for its people, a senior State Department official said. " As President Trump has said, what is left of the regime should make a deal and finally let the Cuban people be free and prosperous, with the help of the United States.

Trump announced additional tariffs in January on countries that provide oil to Cuba. He acknowledged while speaking to Politico that the United States' intervention in Venezuela has contributed to Cubas struggle.

"Well, its because of my intervention, intervention that is happening," Trump told Politico. "Obviously, otherwise they wouldnt have this problem. We cut off all oil, all money  everything coming in from Venezuela, which was the sole source."

Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that he believes Cuba will soon "make a deal" with the U.S.

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I am holding Cuba -- Cuba is a failed nation -- Cuba also wants to make a deal, and I think we will pretty soon either make a deal or do whatever we have to do," Trump said on Sunday. "The president added that he thinks something will happen with Cuba pretty quickly, but that were going to do Iran before Cuba."

Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A young man jumps into the sea at sunset on the Malecon during a blackout in Havana on March 16, 2026.

Trump has previously floated a "friendly takeover" of Cuba but hasn't yet provided any specifics on what a possible "takeover" could look like.

In a rare move on Friday, Cuba's president publicly acknowledged that his government was holding secretive talks with the U.S. as Trump intensifies his pressure campaign against the regime.

"Cuban officials have recently held talks with representatives of the United States government," President Diaz-Canel said during a televised address on Friday.

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"We want to avoid manipulation and speculation," Diaz-Canel later added, explaining that the talks were still "in their first phase" and that negotiators from both countries were working "to establish an agenda."

Norlys Perez/Reuters - PHOTO: People gather on a street during a blackout as Cuba's national electric grid collapsed leaving around 10 million people without power in Havana, Cuba March 16, 2026.

As the president stated, we are talking to Cuba, whose leaders should make a deal, which he believes 'would be very easily made,'" a Trump administration official told ABC News when asked about the Cuban leader's statements.

"Cuba is a failing nation whose rulers have had a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela and with Mexico ceasing to send them oil," the official continued.

Little is known about the contours of any potential deal, but both the president and seasoned diplomats who have worked closely with Cuba for years have signaled they expect to see the regime collapse.
President Trump vowed to withhold his endorsement from any lawmakers who do not vote for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) Act ahead of a Senate procedural vote on the legislation on Tuesday.

Only sick, demented, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, Trump wrote in a TruthSocial post.

If they do, each one of these points, separately, will be used against the user in his/her political campaign for office  A guaranteed loss! Get your Senators, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, to VOTE YES ON THE SAVE AMERICA ACT. I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST SAVE AMERICA!!! he wrote.

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The president has already indicated that his endorsement in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff between Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) will hinge on the legislation. Paxton has said he would back the measure, while Cornyn pushed aside his longtime support for the Senate filibuster to say he would support whatever change in Senate rules are needed to pass the legislation.

Trumps comments come as the legislation, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in elections and the presentation of an ID to cast a ballot, heads to the Senate floor for a procedural vote.

The president has pressured Republicans to push the bill through, vowing not to sign any new legislation until the Senate rubberstamps the measure.

The legislation would need some backing from Democrats to overcome a filibuster and advance, but no Democrat is expected to back it. Trump has pushed Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-N.D.) to invoke the talking filibuster, which would force Democrats to speak continuously on the Senate floor to delay the bill, in an effort to overcome Democratic opposition. Theoretically once Democrats cede the floor, Republicans could pass the measure with 51 votes.

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However, Thune has said he would not use such a procedure, which he has previously said is much more complicated and risky than people are assuming at the moment.

Thune said last week he would not be able to guarantee an outcome by using the tool, but said he can guarantee we are going to put Democrats on the record.

Trump said at the House Republican retreat in Doral, Florida, last week that the passage of the bill will guarantee the midterms.

The people are demanding it. Every time I go out, save America! Save America! We want the SAVE America Act! Thats all they talk about. They dont talk about housing. They dont talk about anything. Thats what they talk about. And if you send it up there, you will win the midterms and you will win every election for a long time, Trump said.

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NEED TO KNOW

President Donald Trump said he can do whatever he wants with Cuba amid ongoing U.S. sanctions and an oil blockade on the island

Cuba is experiencing widespread blackouts and energy shortages, disrupting daily life and critical services for its 10 million residents

While speaking to reporters on Monday, March 16, Trump predicted that he will "have the honor of taking Cuba" during his presidency

President Donald Trump said he believes he will have the honor of taking Cuba and could do anything he wants with the Caribbean island nation subject to a U.S. oil blockade.

The remarks came during an unrelated Oval Office event on Monday, March 16, as Trump wages war against Iran, and months after the U.S. military captured and imprisoned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

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Fox News Peter Doocy asked the president, 79, if potential military action in Cuba would look more like the smaller scale military operations in Venezuela or the larger campaign against Iran that has killed thousands throughout the Middle East and 13 U.S. service members so far.

All my life Ive been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it?  Trump said, adding he believes he will have the honor of taking Cuba. Thatd be good. Thats a big honor.

Whether I free it, take it. I think I could do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth? the president added.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends the inauguration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in 2019

Credit: Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg via Getty

The Cuban government reported a nationwide blackout earlier on Monday amid an energy crisis triggered by a U.S. blockade on oil shipments to the island, with Trump threatening higher tariffs on any country that brings oil to Cuba.

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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed on Friday his government had engaged in talks with the Trump administration, but said that fuel had not entered Cuba in three months.

Instead, the country is relying on thermoelectric plants, natural gas and solar panels for power, according to Diaz-Canel. The resulting energy shortage and increasing blackouts has led to the cancellation of tens of thousands of surgeries, affected food and water systems, and disrupted the school year on the island of roughly 10 million people.

The United States has maintained an economic embargo on Cuba since the 1960s, first by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and then greatly expanded by President John F. Kennedy. During his first term and again in his second, Trump has increased sanctions on Cuba and publicly called for a new regime in Havana. The latest tariff threats over oil shipments to Cuba was made in January by way of an executive order.

Theyre a very weakened nation right now. They were for a long time, very violent, very violent leaders, Trump said on Monday.

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.

Earlier in March, Trump predicted that Cuba is going to fall pretty soon and that he planned to dispatch Secretary of State Marco Rubio  a longtime critic of the Cuban government and son of Cuban immigrants  to negotiate a potential friendly takeover of Cuba.

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A top Cuban economic official told NBC News on Monday that the government would be open to allowing foreign investment into the country, including from the United States. But Diaz-Canel has not indicated he is willing to step aside, calling the blockade evil on Friday.



Read the original article on People
President Donald Trump has said that the United States does not need any help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite his appeals for an international coalition to support shipping during the war against Iran.

Speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin, Trump told reporters, We dont need too much help, and we dont need any help on the Strait of Hormuz.

He then criticised several parties that have rejected joining such a coalition, including the United Kingdom, France and the NATO alliance.

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Despite the fact that we helped them so much  we have thousands of soldiers in different countries all over the world  they dont want to help us, which is amazing, Trump said.

We dont need help. That war has been long prosecuted as far as Im concerned, almost from day one.

Trumps remarks on Tuesday came after he made a weekend appeal for countries with a stake in the Strait of Hormuz to join a naval coalition to allow for unfettered passage.

The strait is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula through which 20 to 30 percent of global oil travels.

On Monday, Trump announced that numerous countries had agreed to join the coalition, telling reporters they were on their way. He suggested it could take some time, because some have to travel an ocean.

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However, when asked if the members of the coalition would soon be announced, Trump pointed to great support from countries in the Middle East.

It was not immediately clear if Trump was referring to the pre-existing US military assets located in the countries he identified. While several Gulf countries have been involved in diplomacy aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, none has publicly joined the coalition.

Qatar has been great. UAE has been absolutely great. Saudi Arabia has been terrific. Bahrain has been very good, Trump said.

And, of course, Israel has been our partner. Israels been very, very strong along with us, he said.

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The US president gave no new timeline on the war, but predicted it would take 10 years for Iran to rebuild.

But were not ready to leave yet, but we will be leaving in the near future, he told reporters.





A great test

Earlier on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron joined European leaders in rejecting Trumps call.

We are not party to the conflict, and therefore, France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context, Macron said.

Macrons statement came despite Trump on Monday expressing optimism in Frances support. When asked about Macrons position on Tuesday, Trump pointed out that the French president is approaching the end of his term in May next year.

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Likewise, Trump said he was disappointed that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has downplayed the likelihood of his country joining the coalition.

Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Poland, Japan and South Korea have also either doused joining the coalition or said doing so would require further review.

Trump left his most forceful criticism for the NATO alliance, of which he has been a regular critic. He pointed to US financial contributions to the bloc, as well as US support for Ukraine as it fends off a Russian invasion.

I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake, he said.

And Ive long said that, you know, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So this is a, this was a great test, because we dont need them, but they should have been there.




Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of new criticism at Britain and other Nato allies after they refused to send warships for his proposed multi-national maritime force to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

The presidents planned naval operation was effectively sunk as the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Australia, Japan and other countries declined to join it.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump responded: The United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran...despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.

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He said he was not surprised given his view that Nato is a one way street in which America protects European countries.

Claiming US forces have now destroyed Irans navy, air force, anti-aircraft and radar systems, as well as having killed its leaders, he added: Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID!

Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

Tankers in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz (REUTERS)

Later in the Oval Office he told reporters Sir Keir Starmer had made a big mistake in his response to US calls for support in the war with Iran as he suggested the good trade deal he struck with the UK probably wasnt appreciated.

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Trump said he liked the Prime Minister but felt disappointed with his recent position in regard to the conflict with Iran.

He also described Sir Keirs policies on both immigration and energy as a disaster.

Earlier, Britain warned that Trump is risking greater danger in the Middle East the longer his war on Iran continues.

Downing Street stressed that the UK wants to see the conflict de-escalated swiftly.

Asked about outbursts against the Prime Minister by the US president, the Prime Ministers official spokesman sought to avoid being dragged into the ongoing war of words across the Atlantic.

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But he said: As you heard from the PM yesterday, hes very clear he wants to see an end to this war as quickly as possible because the longer it goes on the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living back here at home.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves told Cabinet on Tuesday how the war was impacting on the UK, with higher petrol prices, and mortgage rates rising, adding 1,100 to the average annual home loan bill in London in just two weeks.

In Parliament, Trump was heavily criticised for insulting the UK after his attacks on Sir Keir as his plan for a naval force to re-open the Strait of Hormuz hit the rocks.

The US president came under fire after attacking the Prime Minister for not deploying Royal Navy warships for the Iran war.

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Having branded the UKs response as terrible, Trump also took a swipe at Sir Keirs leadership style, suggesting he was indecisive.

But Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, condemned the presidents comments.

He told MPs: After having insulted Great Britain for our response to not joining his war, and then claiming that he did not need British help after, I quote having already won the war, President Donald Trump has now sent an SOS to the world including to the UK and other Nato allies to help him protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have clashed over the Iran war (PA Wire)

The senior MP stressed the need to get ships moving again through the strait to stop bills for millions of people in the UK rising due to the oil crisis triggered by the Iran war.

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Trump was seeking to launch a multi-national maritime mission, with navy ships escorting commercial vessels through the key strait.

But Britain, other Nato allies and Japan were among the countries which declined to jump to his call for action on the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds oil supplies flow.

Naval experts have warned that such an operation would be fraught with danger given the threat from Iranian drones.

The rebuffed US president has said that the UK was once the Rolls-Royce of allies.

Responding to the jibe, Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson dismissed it as froth.

Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier 'Mayuree Naree' near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack (ROYAL THAI NAVY/AFP via Getty Im)

He told LBC Radio: Different people, particularly the president, will express their views and opinions and of course, they are very welcome and entitled to them.

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Underneath it all, underneath the froth and the words that are said from day to day, we have a long and abiding and really deep and important relationship with our allies, and the United States.

Sir Keir has stressed that the UK will not be drawn into a wider war, with Britain having questioned the legality of the US and Israeli airstrikes to topple the Tehran regime.

The Prime Minister has allowed American forces to use UK bases for defensive strikes, such as targeting Iranian missile sites being used to attack Gulf states, and US bombers have been flying out of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

A US Airforce B-1 bomber takes off from RAF Fairford (Getty Images)

Britain was also considering sending mine-hunting drones as part of an allied operation to ensure the Strait of Hormuz can be safely passed through by commercial vessels.

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With Trumps war now in its third week and the death toll rising above 2,000, Iran launched fresh attacks on the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

The strikes came just hours after Trump said: They (Iran) werent supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East.

Nobody expected that. We were shocked.

The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper (R) as a smoke plume rises from a fire near Dubai International Airport in the third week of the war (AFP via Getty Images)

However, Trumps administration was warned that attacking Iran could trigger strikes against US Gulf allies, according to a US official and two sources familiar with intelligence reports.

There was no let-up in attacks by both sides early on Tuesday, with Iran launching missiles on Israel overnight, underscoring that Tehran still retains the capacity to carry out long-range strikes.

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The Israeli military said it was targeting Iranian regime infrastructure with a new wave of strikes across Tehran, as well as Hezbollah sites in Beirut, a day after saying it had drawn up detailed plans for at least three more weeks of war with Iran.

Rockets and at least five drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday, Iraqi security sources said, describing it as the most intense assault since the war began.
No longer the president of a victim nation, Volodymyr Zelensky came to London as a leader offering the West the tools for victory  building alliances while Donald Trump was simultaneously shattering them in Washington.

No longer simply pleading for help against the full-scale Russian war, Zelensky brought an iPad to Westminster to show real-time Ukrainian battlefield feeds. These enable his forces to shoot down 87-90 per cent of drone and missile attacks, mostly with home-grown weapons.

Now many of his Ukrainian drone experts  201 to be precise  are already operating in Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with another 34 en route to Kuwait.

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These Gulf nations are already benefiting from Kyivs wartime technology, specifically developed to deal with the missiles and drones fired at them from Iran.

His message was explicit: you need us just like we need you.

Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle, Volodymyr Zelensky and Keir Starmer following the presidents speech to MPs and peers (PA)

Top of his list for thanks was the UK which last year signed a 100-year cooperation agreement with Ukraine.

He gave an iPad with the top secret feed through which to view every drone kill, infantry manoeuvre, incoming missile strike and long range air attacks inside Russia to the King, before heading to parliament where he was greeted with a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, as he was on his way back from an audience with the monarch, Americas head of state was spreading bile and contempt for the United Kingdom and its prime minister, Starmer.

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Not for the first time, the US president said he was disappointed by Starmer, who has refused to join the US-Israeli war in Iran and swiped at the UKs immigration and energy policies.

He also accused the BBC of using AI in a documentary in which it has admitted to clumsy editing of one of Trumps 6 January speeches shortly before his supporters launched an attack on the US Congress. The BBC did not use AI.

I love Europe, rambled Trump during a meeting with the Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Ive spent a lot of time in Europe. Its a different place. Bad things have happened here. Very bad things. And you better do something about immigration, and you better do something about energy.

US president Donald Trump was asked about the BBC during a press opportunity with Irish premier Micheal Martin (PA)

He repeated his criticism of Nato members taking no direct part in military action against Iran. And failed to acknowledge that many, including the UK, are in action defending Gulf nations against Iranian drone and missile attacks.

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I think Nato is making a very foolish mistake, Trump went on. Everyone agrees with us, but they dont want to help. And we, you know, we as the United States have to remember that because we think its pretty shocking.

As for whether he would retaliate against Nato allies for holding back, the US president said he had nothing currently in mind.

He is already seen as a mercurial and unreliable ally who has threatened to invade Canada and Greenland, a Danish territory. Both are in Nato.

He has also squeezed Nato members to buy US weapons for Ukraine and stopped all military aid to Kyiv which, from Natos perspective, is fighting on the alliances eastern flank against Russia, a threat to the rest of eastern Europe.

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Trump has taken Russias side in so-called peace talks between Kyiv and the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on the global oil and gas market situation in Moscow on 9 March (AFP/Getty)

Vladimir Putins chief economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has almost unlimited access to Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, with whom he has been discussing future business deals in Russia.

In contrast, Zelensky offers a different picture: Its up to us to decide. And we are here in this great building of the British parliament, calm and safe, not in a shelter. On your way here, you saw tree branches over the streets, not protective nets against FPV drones.

And all of us here worry a little about having fast mobile internet or wifi nearby. Not about whether strong mobile air defence teams are on duty close to us.

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This way of life, open space, normal streets, normal buildings, not underground, feels so simple, so familiar, as if it is, if it has always been there. Its almost impossible to imagine it ending.

But what guarantees that it will continue? asked Ukraines president.

He then laid out how his country can help secure a future for its allies, describing it as a duty for the current generation of leaders.

We must deliver real security, safety on the streets, safety at home, the protection of our culture and real respect for the rights and security of our people and national security proven by war.

Sappers examine the site of a Russian missile strike which hit a post office storehouse in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday (AP)

Trump has often said Ukraine matters little to the US and that America is separated from the European war by a big beautiful ocean.

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Zelensky had an answer for that: We do not believe we have the right to be indifferent, even if we are separated from human suffering or shared danger by an ocean.

An ocean, however big and beautiful, or by anything else. Ballistic missiles can strike at thousands of kilometres. Drones can do the same. But if evil wins, the evolution of war will cross any distance to us.

Ukraine, he said, wanted partnerships with Middle Eastern nations and Europe to continue to build its drone defences and to fund its anti-missile batteries, which use Patriot and THAAD missiles to shoot down ballistic weapons.

Trump has dismissed Ukraines offer of drone experts, but Zelensky insists Kyiv has much to contribute.

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If together with partners in the Middle East we build a system like Ukraine, they will be able to track attacks from Iran or from the Houthis in real time, analyse them, keep improving their defence, giving people critical infrastructure and trade routes real security.

A statesman, giving real world solutions, while his US counterpart sulks.
Donald Trumps war of choice in Iran is increasingly looking like a political disaster, even as, according to some reports, 80% of Irans capacity to strike Israel has been eliminated. Yet the response by multiple officials in recent days suggests an administration in panic. The tell is always in the threat.

After Kristi Noem got the unceremonious boot as homeland security secretary earlier this month, the remaining sycophants in the administration are scrambling to stay in the good graces of an increasingly volatile and deeply insecure president. When policies fail and public support craters, authoritarian regimes inevitably seek a scapegoat.

For the MAGA movement, blasting the free press is the surest way to Trumps heart. In recent days, the entire apparatus of the federal government has been weaponized against reporters, transforming a political grievance into a chilling, coordinated assault on the First Amendment.

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Over the weekend, Trump took to Truth Social to accuse news organizations of treason  a crime that can carry the death penalty  for allegedly spreading Iranian disinformation about the war. The supposed offense? Reporting on claims circulating online that a U.S. aircraft carrier had been destroyed in an Iranian attack. Trump insisted the story was fake and said outlets that spread it should face prosecution for treason.

There was just one problem: As CNNs Daniel Dale noted, there is little evidence that any major American news organization actually reported on the artificial intelligence-generated video Trump was raging about. The presidents threat was based on a phantom grievance. But his threat is very real.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, an avowed partisan ally of the president, quickly joined the intimidation campaign. After Trump complained about coverage of the Iran war, Carr, who dined with him at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend, warned broadcasters that stations airing what he called hoaxes and news distortions might lose their licenses when renewal time comes. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, he wrote on X. They will lose their licenses if they do not. Trump, predictably, was thrilled to see Carr looking at the licenses of some of these Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic News Organizations.

Put those statements together with Trumps charges of treason and the message from MAGA to the media becomes unmistakable: Cheer the war or lose your license  and maybe your life.

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The president is waging not one but two wars. There is his unpopular war against Iran, and now there is his coordinated campaign of intimidation, taken from the authoritarian playbook, against every journalist, anchor and outlet that refuses to become a state mouthpiece. The administrations behavior is clear. They do not simply argue with journalists. They bully them  and to criminalize dissent. They use the power of the state to intimidate reporters and pressure media organizations into repeating official propaganda.

Carrs threat is a grotesque distortion of the FCCs mandate. He has made similar overtures before, and after pressuring ABC to briefly pull Jimmy Kimmel off the air in September and expand the equal-time rule to cover late-night comedy in February, he has obviously come to relish the role of enforcement czar. While the FCC does have real regulatory authority over broadcast licenses, its mandate is not a blank check to punish speech the president dislikes. The First Amendment and decades of precedent constrain executive agencies. Still, the mere invocation of license revocation has a powerful chilling effect.

Carr attempted to justify this authoritarian overreach by claiming that changing course would be a savvy business decision, citing a cynical manipulation of trust metrics. He claimed that trust in legacy media has fallen to 9%  a distortion of a 2020 Gallup poll showing 9% have a great deal of trust, conveniently ignoring the 31% who have a fair amount.

When a political candidate is able to win a landslide election victory in the face of hoaxes and distortions, there is something very wrong, he said. It means the public has lost faith and confidence in the media. And we cant allow that to happen. Time for change!

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

This desperate need to manufacture consent is borne out of a sheer panic gripping the administration. Because the truth is that Trumps war with Iran is not popular with the American people.

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A recent NPR/PBS/Marist poll found that 56% of Americans oppose U.S. military action in Iran, while only 44% support it. Just 36% approve of Trumps handling of the conflict  worse than his own numbers during the 2020 confrontation with Tehran, when 42% approved. Other surveys paint an even darker picture for the administration. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 43% of Americans disapprove of the strikes against Iran while only 27% approve.

No president in modern polling history has launched a major military operation with the public already against him, as pollster G. Elliot Morris has noted. After 9/11, 90% of Americans backed the Afghanistan intervention. The Gulf War drew nearly 80% support. Even Trumps own 2017 Syria strikes polled at 50% approval. But now, every major nonpartisan poll conducted since the strikes began shows that more Americans oppose the military action than support it.

That political reality matters because the central demand coming from this administration to the press is not that reporters tell the truth. They are being pressured to tell a particular story of Iranian weakness and American dominance  a tidy narrative of success that masks confusion, missteps and cost. When the press refuses to flatten the facts into such scripted cheerleading, the response from the administration has been predictable. Bluster from the top, regulatory bullying through the FCC and public threats to punish outlets that fail to fall in line.

Even Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin pushed back on MAGAs attacks. Appearing on Fox News over the weekend, Johnson said he was in big support of the First Amendment and that he did not like the heavy hand of government, no matter whos wielding it.

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At Pentagon briefings and White House media scrums since the war started, officials have openly complained about headlines and pushed for alternative frames. On Monday, Vice President JD Vance accused a journalist of trying to create divisions within the administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has scolded reporters who ask basic questions about the wars justification or objectives. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has openly berated reporters during Pentagon briefings for using headlines the administration dislikes. During one briefing last week, he complained about news banners describing the conflict as a widening war. That framing, he insisted, was wrong. The press should use headlines like Iran increasingly desperate or Iran shrinking, he suggested  language that might as well have been lifted from a propaganda ministry.

The hostility was recently on full display during a disturbing 20-minute press huddle aboard Air Force One. The president lashed out at a reporter who dared to ask a basic logistical question: why the United States was sending 5,000 marines and sailors to the Middle East amid this ongoing, widening conflict. Trump snapped at her, branding her a very obnoxious person. He went on to attack another reporter who asked him to comment on a controversial campaign fundraising email that featured a photo from the dignified transfer ceremony of six U.S. service members killed in his Iran war.

Upon discovering the reporter worked for ABC News, Trump exploded, calling the network one of the worst, most fake, most corrupt. When the reporter pressed him, asking, Will you comment on the dead soldiers? Trump callously replied, You know what, ABC News, I think its maybe the most corrupt news organizations on the planet. I think theyre terrible. He ended the exchange by holding a finger to his lip and hissing, Shhhh!

The commander-in-chief silenced a question about dead American troops to instead stroke his own bruised ego.

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Those dead Americans  which now number 13  are the answer to the question of why this crackdown is happening now. The Pentagon has estimated the cost of the war at around $1 billion per day. Meanwhile, about seven in ten registered voters are worried that the war will cause oil and gasoline prices to rise and the vast majority expect the conflict to last months or longer.

Historically, the American governments relationship with the press during wartime has always been fraught. But we have crossed a dark, new threshold. During the Vietnam War, the embedded news media was allowed to report from the front lines. The television networks broadcast the brutal reality of the conflict into American living rooms. Although the military lost no major conventional battle in Vietnam, it lost the war at home because the public saw the truth, and the narratives of each subsequent conflict have been tightly controlled and molded by each successive administration.

But the Trump administration is going one terrifying step further. It is not merely attempting to shape the wars narrative; it is actively injecting state-sponsored propaganda, floating fake video clips and threatening the fundamental existence of independent broadcasters who refuse to comply.

The post Trump wants to punish media for his unpopular war appeared first on Salon.com.
Donald Trump was warned before the war that Irans regime would tighten its grip on the country if the US launched attacks.

Intelligence chiefs told the US president that a more hardline government, despite being significantly weakened, would probably retain power.

Several US intelligence analysts said Mr Trump was given very sobering briefings and was informed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would probably grow stronger.

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It wasnt just predictable, they told the Washington Post. It was predicted. He was told in advance.

One official said the most probable postwar scenario was a rump IRGC regime in Tehran that would retain some nuclear and missile capability, although the regime would be degraded enough that were in a better place than we were.

The intelligence reporting comes after The Telegraph published leaked audio from inside Iran that revealed Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, survived the air strikes that killed his father by a matter of seconds.

He had gone out for a walk in the yard of the compound where his family lived when missiles started raining down. He has not been seen since, but was named supreme leader nine days later.

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Strikes across Iran have killed dozens of senior IRGC commanders and officials but have not led to wholesale regime change.

Western analysts have said that regime change in the 47-year-old Islamic Republic is unlikely, and they do not foresee the emergence of a more democratic government.

Israeli officials in closed discussions have also acknowledged there is no certainty that the war will trigger the clerical governments collapse, a senior Israeli official told Reuters.

The source stressed the situation on the ground was fluid and the dynamics inside Iran could change.

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The US and Israel have continued their attacks, with the Israel Defence Forces on Tuesday morning launching renewed strikes on Tehran and Lebanon.

Emergency crews search for people trapped in rubble following a strike on a residential building in central Tehran on Monday - Getty

Mr Trump said on Monday that he was shocked at the breadth of Irans retaliation and their attacking of neighbouring Gulf countries.

Nobody expected that. We were shocked... They fought back, the US president said.

Irans chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global energy markets has become a focal point of the war.

Mr Trump has struggled to build a coalition of countries willing to help reopen the Strait and criticised Sir Keir Starmers leadership for not doing so.

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In his latest rebuke of the Prime Minister, the president said Sir Keirs unwillingness to help defend the route was terrible, while adding that the UK should be enthusiastically helping the US with its war efforts.

On Monday, the Pentagon said 200 US soldiers had been wounded over the past two weeks. Thirteen troops have been killed. The Iranian health ministry reports that at least 1,444 people have been killed and more than 18,500 injured by US-Israeli attacks since the conflict began on Feb 28.

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.
This is the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating over and over.

As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first.

This evidence was compiled from many sources and factors. President Trump would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum.

Iran is the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism.

The Iranian regime is evil. It proudly killed Americans, waged war against our country, and openly threatened us all the way up to the launch of Operation Epic Fury.

Iran was aggressively expanding their short-range ballistic missiles to combine with their naval assets to give themselves immunity  meaning they would have a degree of a capabilities that would give them immunity to hold us and the rest of the world hostage.

The regime aimed to use those ballistic missiles as a shield to continue achieving their ultimate goal  nuclear weapons.

The President, through his top negotiators, gave the regime every single possible opportunity to abandon this unacceptable course by permanently giving up their nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief, free nuclear fuel, and potential economic partnerships with our country.

But they would not say yes to peace because obtaining nuclear weapons was their fundamental goal.

President Trump ultimately made the determination that a joint attack with Israel would greatly reduce the risk to American lives that would come from a first strike by the terrorist Iranian regime and address this imminent threat to Americas national security interests.

All of this led to President Trump arriving at the determination that this military operation was necessary for U.S. national security, which is why he launched the massively successful Operation Epic Fury

The Commander-in-Chief determines what does and does not constitute a threat, because he is the one constitutionally empowered to do so  and because the American people went to the ballot box and entrusted him and him alone to make such final judgments.

And finally, the absurd allegation that President Trump made this decision based on the influence of others, even foreign countries, is both insulting and laughable. President Trump has been remarkably consistent and has said for DECADES that Iran can NEVER possess a nuclear weapon.

As someone who actually witnesses President Trumps decision-making process on a daily basis, I can attest to the fact that he is always looking to do whats in the best interest of the United States of America  period.

America First.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Should Sen. Markwayne Mullin be approved as the next secretary of Homeland Security, he will walk into the department's sprawling Washington, D.C., campus with his work cut out for him.

Immigration enforcement is at a crossroads. Disaster-hit states and their lawmakers are angry at delayed federal assistance. Frustrated travelers face long airport security lines due to a monthlong funding battle in Congress.

Mullin would take over from embattled outgoing secretary Kristi Noem, who entered office with President Donald Trumps backing but whose social media-driven management style of the governments third-largest department contributed to her downfall.

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Weve got serious management problems at DHS, and we need somebody steering the ship, said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., adding that he told the Oklahoma senator a full audit of the department is needed.

Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, has earned a reputation as a combative presence in the Senate. After 13 years in Congress, he has the confidence of fellow lawmakers and is expected to follow the White House's policy priorities. His confirmation hearing is set for Wednesday.

Mullin would oversee immigration enforcement

A top challenge for Mullin would be taking over the administration's centerpiece policy of mass deportations, which has triggered a surge of immigrant arrests, sparked fear in communities and raised concerns about detention and enforcement tactics.

A year of high-profile operations resulted in high arrest numbers but also criticism that officers were too aggressive. The shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal officers sparked calls for reform at immigration enforcement agencies.

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Approval of Trumps immigration approach is down from when he started his second term, with most Americans saying Trump has gone too far. The souring public mood could force Mullin to recalibrate how the agencies he would oversee implement the deportation push.

Since being nominated, Mullin has not publicly revealed his vision for running the department and has declined to answer questions.

He is likely to be a faithful ally to Trump in his new role. In the Senate, he has been less focused on legislation and more engaged as a de facto spokesman for the White House  talking to the president often and amplifying his messages in the hallways of the Capitol and behind closed doors.

He has been a strong supporter of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and the congressional funding approved last summer that supercharged immigration enforcement.

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Following the shooting deaths of the U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, he backed law enforcement and blamed local leaders for rhetoric that he said had emboldened protesters.

John Sandweg, a former acting director at ICE during the Obama administration, said Mullin will need to balance pressures from different players inside the administration over how to conduct future enforcement operations  whether to ramp up deportations through arrest sweeps or keep enforcement more targeted on people whove committed crimes.

Hes going to have to reconcile  are we about numbers or about quality? said Sandweg. And I think hell face a lot of pressure to also deliver on numbers.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who has been a fierce critic of the administrations immigration agenda, said after a recent meeting with Mullin that the Oklahoma senator failed to realize how important reform is and how absolutely necessary change is. Blumenthal said he was leaning against voting for Mullin.

First challenge for Mullin will be the DHS funding lapse

Mullin is also walking into a battle with congressional Democrats demanding reforms at ICE, which has led to a monthlong lapse in funding for DHS.

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Senate Democrats want changes to immigration enforcement before they approve more money. That includes a ban on masks worn by deportation officers, an end to roving patrols of officers looking for immigrants and a requirement that officers use warrants signed by a judge to enter a person's house. Republicans have held the line against those demands.

As the standoff has dragged on, thousands of Homeland Security staffers are being forced to work without pay, including airport security screeners. Some airports have started to see long security lines, raising concerns that screeners are calling out sick, taking on side jobs to make ends meet, struggling with fuel costs or leaving their jobs altogether.

In his new role, Mullin is expected to improve relationships with Congress, where Republicans treated Noem with skepticism. He is close to both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Republicans are hoping that switching out Noem for Mullin will serve as enough of a change to appease Democratic demands to fund the department.

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This is what the Democrats have been clamoring for. They wanted a new change and shake-up in the leadership, and its now happening, said Thune.

But Democrats have insisted on widespread changes.

I like Markwayne personally, but I dont think its a question of who is at the helm, its a question of law, said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii.

States clamoring for change at disaster response agency

Mullin will also inherit a Federal Emergency Management Agency mired in upheaval and uncertainty over the administration's attempts to shift disaster responsibility to states and Trump's threats to abolish the agency.

DHS under Noem drove a torrent of policies in the name of that objective, stalling funding, driving out staff and attracting lawsuits over just how much authority a homeland security secretary could exert over FEMA, which still lacks a permanent administrator.

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Noem enacted a policy that she personally approve expenditures over $100,000, which critics said delayed billions in disaster recovery dollars. State emergency managers hope to see a quick repeal, along with the release of grant funding for preparedness and resilience, said Karen Langdon, a National Emergency Management Association spokesperson.

There are still over $2.2 billion in recovery and mitigation projects awaiting DHS approval as of Friday, according to official figures seen by The Associated Press.

The Trump-appointed FEMA Review Council, chaired by Noem, is months behind in releasing a highly anticipated recommendation report after the outgoing secretary clashed with other council members on how far to take the reforms.

Mullin's views on FEMA aren't entirely clear, but he has expressed skepticism of a federal disaster response in the past.

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Its not FEMA thats going to respond, he told Fox Business shortly after Hurricane Helene in 2024. Its the local people that are going to respond, and were going to be fighting with FEMA to get reimbursed if they ever do reimburse.

Lawmakers and states generally support reforms that would streamline disaster aid and ease bureaucratic burden, but state and local governments need dependable leadership and time to prepare for changes, said Sarah Labowitz, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

What we want to see going forward is predictability, Labowitz said. Theres a lot of work to be done to reearn trust.

___

Associated Press reporters Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
As concerns grow about long lines and lengthy delays at airports nationwideRaleigh-Durham International Airport says it is experiencing normal operations.

Despite that good news, travelers at RDU are not insulated from the ripple effects of the growing staffing crisis at the Transportation Security Administration TSA), which is continuing to cause delays at airports across the country.

A source told ABC11 that nearly half a dozen TSA workers at RDU have submitted their notices to leave, and that the number is expected to grow in the days ahead.

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As the partial government shutdown enters its second month, air traffic controllers and TSA officers continue to work without pay.

According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, more than 300 TSA agents have resigned since the partial federal government shutdown.

On Sunday alone, the agency said the nationwide callout rate topped 10%, marking the highest single-day figure the agency has ever recorded.

A source says the number of TSA agents at RDU submitting their notices is expected to grow in the days ahead.

"Airplane travel should be safe. But it may not be as safe because of things like the shutdown and the lack of funding. And I feel for these TSA agents. They always come to work professional. In the flights I've taken in the last couple of years, I've never had any problems with TSA agents. They're always very cordial, very professional. But I'm sure it's hard not to get paid for the job that you come to work for," said Brenton Marcom.

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Marcom calls himself a frequent flier. He travels through Tampa, Orlando, and RDU often.

He's made this observation in Raleigh: "I have definitely noticed a lot of a lot more delays this year."

But the scene is playing out all over the country. Just last week, videos circulated widely showing security lines snaking around the building far beyond security checkpoints at Houston's Hobby Airport and New Orleans International.

Some people reported waiting for hours and missing flights.

NC Central University student, Moe Johnson, was set to arrive at RDU from his spring break trip to Miami. However, he was forced to rent a car because of travel disruptions.

Delays at RDU and other airports continue as more workers stay off the job while working without pay.

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"We drove through two states where we had two flights. I don't really think the weather was the real main factor. I think it was a mixture of the weather plus the TSA situation," Johnson said.

Johnson and his fraternity brothers ultimately rented a car and drove 10 hours to North Carolina rather than risk further delays.

"I don't want to stay down there. I'm still a college student. I got a week full of classes. I got a lot of stuff I got to do," he said.

Johnson said the disruption hit particularly hard for him as a college student.

"This was just such a dilemma for a lot of people. I think why it hit so heavy for me is because there were a lot of HBCU and college students in general," he said.

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The surge in stranded travelers drove increased demand at rental car agencies.

"Just give us a call, and you can start one day and stay as long as you need. It's very easy, very simple," said Paul Sasser with Easy Auto Rentals in Raleigh.

The situation could worsen. TSA's deputy administrator said Tuesday morning that if callout rates continue at current levels, the agency may be forced to close some airports entirely. No specific airports have been identified. An official with RDU Airport said it had not been contacted by TSA about any potential disruptions.

For now, RDU is operating normally, a spokesperson told ABC11. Mac Johnson, who represents all TSA Officers in the state of North Carolina, said RDU might be next.

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"Due to people not getting paid and employees not having any funds, the financial resources to buy gas, to come to work, I think you'll be seeing it RDU as well over the next two to three weeks," Mac Johnson said.

He said the long lines are a fallout from staffing shortages delayed on the ground before anyone ever gets in the air.

"It's not they're calling out sick," he said. "They're calling out broke."

At RDU, Johnson said several TSA Agents have put in their two-week notice

"I received notification today that five people will be leaving over the next two weeks," Mac Johnson said.

ABC11 spoke with him over Zoom while inside the airport, talking to delayed passengers.

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Only two security lines were operating on Monday night. Johnson said l the threat of longer lines shouldn't be our biggest concern.

"Everybody should be aware there are terrorist sleeper cells. They have awakened and see those vulnerabilities, of those staffing shortages at these airports, and that is my greatest fear," Mac Johnson said.

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

And his fears could change his flying habits.

"Truth be told, I'd be very concerned about flying myself out of RDU over the next couple of weeks," he continued.

CEOs from major airlines have penned an open letter to Congress urging them to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

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At RDU, Mac Johnson said they are working to set up a food bank and diaper bank in the terminal breakrooms to help TSA workers who aren't getting paid. He urged the community to donate.

He also wants the public to contact their local representatives and urge them to make sure TSA officers get paid for the work they perform.

"I've been a part of several negotiations since 2015 on behalf of the union, but you're not going to agree to anything unless you actually sit down and meet and have a discussion," Mac Johnson said. "And we ask members of Congress, sit down together and have a discussion and resolve this matter."

If you have upcoming flights, give yourself extra time -- not only at RDU but also at your destination -- since TSA staffing can vary from day to day.
A student political organization at the University of Arkansas has broken away from its national affiliation, with its leadership announcing plans to dissolve its Turning Point USA chapter and form a new group.

In a statement posted to social media, chapter president Dino Fantegrossi said the organizations executive board voted unanimously to end its affiliation with Turning Point USA and rebrand as Young American Revival.

Fantegrossi, who said he has been involved with the chapter for 10 semesters, and five as a leader, described the decision as the result of ongoing internal discussions about the groups direction.

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This decision was not made lightly, Fantegrossi said. We discussed this for some time, weighing the pros and cons.

He said the group had grown concerned that the national organization had shifted its focus away from its core mission.

For some time now, it has seemed that this organization has lost sight of what is truly important, he said. Instead, it feels that we have become consumed with metrics  and generally chasing relevance.

Fantegrossi also cited concerns about how the organization has invoked the legacy of its late founder, Charlie Kirk, saying some messaging felt in many instances disingenuous.

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The newly formed organization, Young American Revival, will remain active on campus while expanding its focus beyond student programming, according to the statement.

The group plans to continue hosting events and meetings while increasing its involvement in grassroots political activity, including supporting conservative candidates and engaging in local and state campaigns.

Fantegrossi said the shift will allow the organization to operate more independently and focus on what he described as Christian conservative values and policy.

We hope to enable students to not only fight for change on their college campus, but their surrounding community as well, he said.

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The announcement comes as Turning Point USA has drawn increased attention in Arkansas following a proclamation issued this week by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders encouraging students to start Turning Point USA chapters at high schools and colleges across the state.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: UA Turning Point chapter dissolves, forms new organization
By Rajesh Kumar Singh, Shivansh Tiwary and Joanna Plucinska

March 17 (Reuters) - Global airlines sounded the alarm on Tuesday over soaring jet fuel prices triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, warning of hundreds of millions of extra costs, higher fares and cuts to some routes.

Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Ed Bastian said the dramatic run-up in jet fuel prices had increased the airline's costs by as much as $400 million in March alone. The industry is moving quickly to pass on higher expenses through fare hikes, he told a J.P. Morgan industrials conference.

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American Airlines said it expects a $400 million increase in first-quarter expenses due to fuel costs.

Among the first to act, Scandinavia's biggest airline SAS AB said it is cutting a limited number of flights because of the "sharp and sudden increase" in fuel prices.

"The entire European aviation system is now feeling the pressure from a sudden fuel shock," it said in an email.

MAJOR CHALLENGE

The war, now in its third week, has thrown global aviation into turmoil, with flights cancelled, rescheduled or rerouted as most Middle East airspace remains closed amid fears of missile and drone attacks.

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Jet fuel prices have emerged as a major challenge, pushing up operating costs, with European prices doubling and Asian prices up almost 80% since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Fuel is the industry's second-largest expense after labour, typically accounting for a fifth to a quarter of operating costs. U.S. airlines largely stopped hedging fuel in the past two decades, and SAS said last year it had not hedged any of its fuel consumption for the following 12 months.

Vietnamese authorities have warned the country's aviation industry to prepare for potential flight reductions from April after China and Thailand halted jet fuel exports due to the war, heightening the risk of shortages.

SHOCKWAVES THROUGH THE INDUSTRY

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The United Arab Emirates briefly closed its airspace on Tuesday in response to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, the second straight day of disruption after a drone caused a fire near Dubai airport on Monday.

About 86,000 passengers travelling through Frankfurt airport, one of Europe's largest, were affected by cancellations in the first two weeks of the war. Only one-third of weekly connections between the airport and the Middle East are operating now, CEO Stefan Schulte said on Tuesday.

The mounting cost warnings show how the shockwaves from the conflict are spreading far beyond the Middle East as airlines navigate their biggest crisis since the COVID pandemic.

Delta's Bastian said the carrier is well positioned to recover fuel costs and can adjust capacity if elevated prices persist. Still, airlines will need to tread carefully with fare hikes at a time of fragile consumer confidence.

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Air France-KLM announced plans last week to increase long-haul ticket prices to offset surging fuel costs.

Some carriers have introduced fuel surcharges, but these risk eroding profits.

American Airlines said on Tuesday its first-quarter revenue is now expected to rise more than 10%, above its previous forecast of 7% to 10%, as demand outperformed expectations. But its adjusted loss per share will now be towards the lower end of its earlier guidance range of 10 cents to 50 cents.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago, Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru and Joanna Plucinska in London. Additional reporting by Enas Alashray and Federico Maccioni in Dubai. Writing by Josephine Mason. Editing by Mark Potter)




Charis E. Kubrin thought it could be a prank.

The UC Irvine professor had gotten an email telling her she was nominated for the Stockholm Prize in Criminology, an accolade that amounts to her field's version of a Nobel Prize. After 20 years of studying and writing about immigration and crime - and specifically how immigration does not make crime go up - Kubrin was used to seeing dismissive, sneering and even misogynistic takes in her inbox. This was different.

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"I remember literally running into my husband's office and saying, Come look at this email, I think I'm being punked,'" she recalled.

She wasn't.

In November, the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation named Kubrin and Vanderbilt University professor Mark W. Lipsey, a scholar on effective rehabilitation methods, as recipients of an annual prize for deepening the world's understanding of crime, what and who cause it, and effective and humane ways to respond. In Kubrin's case, she was being recognized for rigorous research that demonstrated in place after place, decade after decade, that immigration to the U.S. does not cause crime to go up; it may even push it down.

And yet, when Kubrin, 55, accepts her plaque from Sweden's Queen Silvia in June - as well as half of the 1.5 million kronos in prize money (about $163,000) - it will be for research that most Americans flatly reject.

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According to a January 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center, 57% of U.S. adults (including 85% of Republicans) believe that migrants bring crime to the U.S. That's one point shy of Gallup News' 2007 finding, recorded over more than two decades of surveys asking if immigration makes crime better or worse, from June 2001 to June 2023.

This means that disbelief in Kubrin's thesis neared its modern record one year before President Donald Trump returned to office with an indiscriminate enforcement campaign that has roiled blue cities, appalled human rights organizations and some federal judges, swelled U.S. detention centers and foreign prisons, and has seen both filings alleging illegal detention and the deaths of detained immigrants soar.

Other Western nations, too, have experienced rising anti-immigrant fervor, promoted by far-right populists and based on racialized stereotypes about non-white immigrants.

The stormy geopolitical context was on the mind of Anne Ramberg, who chairs the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation, when she hosted the winners announcement at Stockholm University in November. Lamenting that it was "increasingly difficult" for researchers to "earn and sustain public trust," Ramberg said many countries were "witnessing a trend of repression" that contradicted scientific consensus and exploited fears over migration.

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"When policymaking becomes driven by populism rather than by evidence, society as a whole stands to suffer," she said.

Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation Chair Anne Ramberg, hosting an announcement ceremony at Stockholm University in Sweden in November 2025, described a climate in which many countries were experiencing a rise in repression that coincided with challenges to democratic norms and a disregard for scientific consensus. "This repressive shift has frequently been linked to migration, accompanied by restrictions on the right to asylum, the weakening of individual legal protections and growing insecurity for immigrants," she said. (Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation)





The distance between what is empirically known and what is deeply believed has tormented scholars since before Galileo. But the schism has rarely felt so impassable in American culture, say those devoted to the research sciences.

The Trump administration has canceled billions in scientific research grants, pressured academic institutions to surrender their independence, disappeared climate and health data and promulgated false narratives about elections, COVID-19 and American history.

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It is also stymieing efforts by states like California to regulate artificial intelligence technology that's increasingly sophisticated about forging real life.

Today, growing percentages of Americans believe that climate change is a hoax (15%) and that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump (38%), examples of what theorists describe as a post-pandemic revolt against expertise and a hyperpartisan pull toward preferred facts.

And yet, some of Kubrin's colleagues say the project of knowledge is in capable hands.

"I think it is a moment of opportunity," said Harvard University professor Robert J. Sampson, a 2011 Stockholm Prize recipient. "And I think we as researchers need to keep putting the work out here. We need people like Charis out there, despite the fraught nature of it."

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Though immigration shaped her journey (her grandparents hailed from Poland and Russia and her husband is from Armenia), Kubrin came to her life's work through intellectual curiosity. She met a premise and set about interrogating it. And then, like countless scholars before her, she wrestled with a simple question: How do you convince people of the facts?

Inconvenient truths

In March 2006, Kubrin, then an assistant professor at George Washington University in Washington D.C., came across a New York Times op-ed by Sampson, "Open Doors Don't Invite Criminals," which provocatively surmised that a sharp rise in the Hispanic population was why crime rates had plunged during the previous decade.

In 2006, like now, the notion that people from other countries would calm neighborhood strife rather than stoke it met a wall of obstinate denial. Intrigued by Sampson's points, Kubrin sent him an email asking to see his research. He obliged with a word of thanks. "Yours is the only nice email I've gotten all day," he wrote, Kubrin recalled.

Rather than feel forewarned about wading into the charged immigration debate, Kubrin felt called.

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"That gap between what we know and what people believe just got to me," she said, telling herself, "OK, I want to do research and not only do the research, but bridge the gap."

Kubrin, who had already examined violent crime in relation to socioeconomics, geography and race, turned the lens to immigration and confronted a cyclical problem: Throughout U.S. history, people with power, influence and resources told people without them that immigrants caused their struggles.

"Historically, immigrants have disproportionately taken the blame for many of society's problems," Kubrin wrote in 2013. "It is claimed that they steal jobs from hard-working native-born Americans, they drain America's health care and educational resources, and perhaps most problematically, they cause higher crime rates.

"Yet, as many scholars already know, a substantial literature consistently finds that immigrants are less, not more, crime prone than their native-born counterparts."

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Kubrin added to that literature and deepened it, said Sampson. "She went on and did all this fantastic research that looked at immigration at the neighborhood level and all these different ways to parse the problem between immigration and crime," he said.

Identifying a need for "macro-level" research that examined the nexus between crime and immigration at various geographical levels, Kubrin wrote or co-wrote 17 articles and two books about immigration and crime from 2009 to 2025.

In a 2009 paper examining large American cities, Kubrin and her coauthor found that "cities that experienced increases in immigration from 1980 to 2000 also experienced a decrease in violent crime rates," even after controlling for other variables. A 2012 paper explored why large immigrant neighborhoods in Chicago fared better than those in Los Angeles, a 2014 paper tracking 156 large cities from 1980 to 2010 found that increased immigration corresponded with fewer drug homicides but did not appear to affect other types of homicides, while a 2015 paper found that adolescent violence declined as immigration increased.

While researching a 2020 paper that found that California's sanctuary status did not adversely affect crime, she rode with police officers who told her they didn't want to be involved in immigration enforcement, that it made it harder to get victims and witnesses to talk to them.

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In 2018, during Trump's first term, she and her coauthor wrestled with why a century of academic literature hadn't dented misperception. In short, slow, nuanced scholarship was little match for fast, loud falsities.

"The pace at which academia moves is brutal for policy-making," Kubrin told the Chronicle. "We expect our research to impact policy? This is taking years and years to do. I get it."

From left, Cambridge University criminology professor Lawrence Sherman, a member of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology selection jury, informs UC Irvine professor Charis E. Kubrin that she's a recipient during a Zoom call. (Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation)





In pursuing its mass deportation agenda, the Trump administration has broadly painted immigrants as criminals, often conflating the civil immigration violations with criminal acts, and pumped or signal-boosted false information about some of the immigrants it has detained and deported.

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Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., referred to the administration's race-baiting pretexts last month, when he slammed Senate Republicans' immigration subcommittee hearing titled "Somali Fraud in Minnesota - The Tip of the Iceberg," a reference to Trump's exaggerated justification for sending immigration authorities to Minneapolis.

"Republicans want to take specific, well-documented cases - and again, cases that are already being investigated and prosecuted - and stretch them into a narrative of widespread abuse by immigrant communities more broadly," he said. "And we know where this leads. It becomes justification for targeting and expelling entire communities, something that I'm not speculating about - it's happening in real time."

For his part, Sampson said he's not sure why the American public remains so hard to budge - in over two decades of Gallup polling, the belief that immigration increases crime never fell under 42% - but he has a hypothesis.

"My sense is there's a pretty strong stereotype linking criminality to certain ethnic groups and certain racial groups," he said. It's instinctual, he said, and easier to exploit in times of social upheaval. "It's always been there and it's still here."

He also knows the pendulum can swing the other way.

Public concern over border encounters that peaked in December 2024 has had a year to subside and polls show Americans souring on a mass deportation campaign that, in the past 14 months, has convulsed communities and courts with disputed justifications and siege-like tactics that killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota.

Kubrin - who acknowledges days when she asks, "What's the point?" - said she's fully aware of the context in which she'll be receiving her highest professional recognition.

"It's not lost on me that I'm getting this award in this area at this particular time," she said.

And after the prize, the work continues. She's looking for ways to deepen it, to make sure it doesn't just "languish in journals." She's done two fellowships in the past year with the aim of getting her research to lawmakers, rather than trusting them to find it themselves. And her students - 110 prospective policymakers every year, she said - keep her going.

"My north star is research," Kubrin said. "I believe in the value of research to answer basic fundamental questions. When I start to feel shaken by all of this, including threatening emails, I go back to what I have control over, which is the research."

This article originally published at A UC professor won criminology's highest honor. Americans still don't believe her research.
Editor's note: The story has been updated with additional details.

Kyiv has accepted the EU's offer of assistance in restoring oil transit to Europe via the damaged Druzhba pipeline, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a letter to EU leaders, signed and published on March 17.

Druzhba, a major oil network used to funnel Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia, became the center of a dispute between Kyiv and the two EU members after it went offline in late January.

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Ukraine said a Russian strike damaged a pumping station in the country's west.

However, Slovakia and Hungary accused Kyiv of deliberately restricting supplies, vowing to keep blocking the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia and a 90 billion euro ($104 billion) loan for Ukraine.

"I welcome and accept your offer of the necessary technical support and funding to be able to conclude the repair work as well as to explore the longer-term sustainable solutions," Zelensky said in a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

According to von der Leyen, "European experts are available immediately."

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The Brody pumping station should be restored within one and a half months, "in the absence of any further attacks from Russia," Zelensky added.

As a preliminary assessment indicates that an oil tank damaged in the strike cannot be restored, Ukraine is considering building an underground storage infrastructure as a more sustainable solution, he added.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy grid with drone and missile attacks over the winter, causing power and gas outages amid freezing temperatures.

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto dismissed the agreement between Ukraine and the EU as a "political game."

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"We call on (Zelensky) and (von der Leyen) to stop this political theatre. The oil blockade against Hungary must be lifted immediately!" he said on X.

In his letter, Zelensky further stressed that his country is ready to provide alternative routes of non-Russian crude to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Oil and gas represent roughly one-quarter of Russia's federal income, playing a key role in sustaining its war effort in Ukraine.

The EU leaders said they would "work with the concerned parties" regarding alternative supplies to the EU.

"Our priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens," von der Leyen said on X.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, long viewed as friendly to Moscow, has used the Druzhba pipeline dispute to target Ukraine during a tense domestic election campaign.

Last week, Budapest dispatched a team of experts to inspect the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv said the visit had not been coordinated with Ukraine and that the Hungarian team had no official status or scheduled meetings with Ukrainian officials. The team had since returned home.

Read also: After bashing allies, Trump now wants their help  except from Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BRUSSELS, March 17 (Reuters) - Ukraine accepted the European Union's offer of technical support and funding to restore oil flows through the damaged Druzhba pipeline on Tuesday but also signalled any resumption of Russian crude deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia was still weeks away.

In a letter to the EU released on Tuesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said repair work on the pipeline was nearing completion and that the pumping station was expected to be restored in 1-1/2 months, "in the absence of any further attacks by Russia."

Hungary and Slovakia have been cut off from Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba since late January after Kyiv said a Russian strike hit pipeline equipment in western Ukraine and would require time for repairs.

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The Hungarian and Slovak governments - both of which have kept up political and energy ties with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 - accuse Ukraine of delaying the resumption of oil flows. Kyiv denies this.

Ukraine's acceptance of support to renew Druzhba drew a tepid response on Tuesday, with Hungary's foreign minister calling it a "political game".

'NO OIL, NO MONEY'

The dispute over the outage has led Hungary to continue blocking a 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) loan from the EU for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia as long as flows via the Druzhba remain suspended.

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With an EU leaders summit later this week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, facing his most difficult election challenge next month after 16 years in power, said on Facebook that "if there is no oil, there is no money."

Ukraine has denied it is holding up oil flows.

"Allegations that Ukraine is deliberately obstructing oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline are unfounded," Zelenskiy said in a letter to EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In a letter to Zelenskiy, both EU leaders said the resumption of oil flows through Ukraine was of great importance to preserve market stability and would be in line with Ukraine's contractual obligations.

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They also reiterated their commitment to the earlier announced phase-out of all remaining oil imports from Russia by the end of 2027 - which Hungary and Slovakia oppose but cannot block.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer in Brussels, Krisztina Than in Budapest and Jason Hovet in Prague; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Tomasz Janowski)
The European Union has offered Ukraine financial and technical support to restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline, and Kyiv has agreed.

Source: European Pravda, citing a joint statement by President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of European Council Antonio Costa

Details: Costa and von der Leyen noted that after the latest Russian strikes on 27 January on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which led to suspension of oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia, the EU launched intensive talks with member states and Ukraine at all levels in order to restore oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.

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"The EU has offered Ukraine technical support and funding. The Ukrainians have welcomed and accepted this offer. European experts are available immediately," the statement says.

The heads of the European Commission and the European Council stressed that their priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens.

"In this sense, we will continue to work with the concerned parties on alternative routes for the transit of non-Russian crude oil to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe," von der Leyen and Costa stressed.

Background:

Hungary and Slovakia initiated discussion of the Druzhba oil pipeline at the EU Council on 16 March.

On the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that Hungary would continue blocking until Ukraine restores transit through the Druzhba oil pipeline.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed conviction that restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline would be equivalent to lifting sanctions on Russia.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Key developments on March 17:

Ukraine targets Moscow with drones for 4th consecutive day, launching at least 40 in latest strike

'No region can feel safe'  Russia's ex-Defense Minister Shoigu raises alarm over Ukraine's drone strikes

Russia slams 'EU warmongers' for not backing Trump's war against its ally

201 Ukrainians now in Middle East helping counter Iranian drone attacks, Zelensky says

Russian air defenses intercepted 206 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight on March 17, including 40 that were heading toward Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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Russian authorities reported drone attacks on the capital for the fourth consecutive day. Ukraine has not commented on the recent strikes.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that swarms of Ukrainian drones were intercepted beginning around 10 p.m. local time, lasting into the early morning. As of 6:15 a.m. Moscow time, 39 drones had allegedly been downed.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash sites, and no casualties or damage were reported. The total number of drones launched by Ukraine remains unclear, as Russia only reports drones it says were intercepted.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the reports at the time of publication.

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The latest drone swarms on the Russian capital come amid an apparent increase in attacks on Moscow in recent days. Sobyanin claimed on March 16 that over 250 drones, not including the latest totals, had been shot down over Moscow's sky since March 14.

Read also: What Trumps easing of Russia oil sanctions means for Putins war spending

'No region can feel safe'  Russia's ex-Defense Minister Shoigu raises alarm over Ukraine's drone strikes

Ukrainian long-range drones now threaten Russia's Ural region, more than 1,500 kilometers (about 930 miles) from the Russian-Ukrainian border, Secretary of Russia's Security Council and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on March 17.

The Ural region spans Russia and Kazakhstan, lying between the East European and West Siberian plains. The area is dominated by a mountain range that forms a natural boundary between Europe and Asia.

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During the meeting, Shoigu said the development of Ukrainian drones has advanced to the point that "no Russian region can feel safe," with the Ural region already "in the immediate danger zone."

Shoigu said that in 2025, Ukrainian aerial strikes on infrastructure across Russia surged nearly fourfold, with more than 23,000 attacks recorded.

The Ural region hosts strategic defense-industrial enterprises, energy facilities, chemical plants, and some of Russia's largest oil and gas fields  key components of the country's economic strength and defense capability, Shoigu said.

The region also features an extensive transportation network, including major rail lines and hubs, as well as federal highways, according to Shoigu.

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"Disabling them could not only cause significant economic damage but also disrupt major metropolitan areas and key supply chains, including those essential to supporting a special military operation," the official said.

Shoigu said that Ukrainian forces are primarily targeting military sites, transportation networks, and energy facilities. Since early 2026, the attacks on Russian industrial enterprises and oil refineries have intensified, hitting operations that support the defense sector and supply the Russian military, he added.

The statement comes as Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes on Russian territory, with Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow for four days in a row.

Read also: Why Ukraine could start losing Western aid for the first time

Russia slams 'EU warmongers' for not backing Trump's war against its ally

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev on March 17 accused European leaders of being "anti-Trump" after they declined to support U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict with Iran.

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In a post on X responding to media reports about Europe's stance, Dmitriev said that "EU warmongers" had revealed their true position by refusing to join U.S. President Donald Trump's push for allied naval deployments in the region.

"The masks are off," Dmitriev wrote. "U.K. and EU warmongers are showing how deeply anti-Trump they really are. They tried to hide it for a long time, but now everyone can see it."

The remarks followed Trump's appeals to multiple countries  including the U.K., China, France, Japan, and South Korea  to send warships and help restore freedom of navigation through the strait, a maritime corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil trade.

While London and several European allies have said they are discussing possible diplomatic and security measures to stabilize shipping in the area, none have publicly agreed to participate.

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Dmitriev's criticism has highlighted contradictions in Moscow's position.

Russia has portrayed U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran as an unprovoked act of aggression and has condemned the campaign through statements by its Foreign Ministry, even as it continues its own war in Ukraine.

At the same time, Dmitriev's comments were widely seen as effectively encouraging additional countries to join military action against Tehran  one of Moscow's key strategic partners.

Iran has deepened military cooperation with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying Shahed-type attack drones that Russian forces later adapted into their own Geran-series systems for sustained strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

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During the escalation in the Middle East, U.S. officials have also alleged that Russia provided Tehran with intelligence on American military positions in the region, including naval vessels and aircraft.

Dmitriev, who was born in Kyiv, previously received an appointment from Russian President Vladimir Putin as a special envoy for economic affairs tasked with facilitating dialogue with Washington.

He has frequently engaged in contacts with U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, as part of broader diplomatic efforts between Moscow and the Trump administration.

Read also: From street detentions to car seizures, Russia intensifies conscription of Ukrainians in occupied territories

201 Ukrainians now in Middle East helping counter Iranian drone attacks, Zelensky says

Ukraine has deployed 201 specialists experienced in countering Iranian-made Shahed-type attack drones to the Middle East and Gulf region, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 17.

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The deployment comes as Iran retaliates against attacks by the United States and Israel, launching drones and missiles against U.S. bases, diplomatic facilities, and civilian targets across the region.

Kyiv has developed extensive expertise in countering Iranian-made Shahed-type attack drones since Russia began using them widely in attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in 2022.

"Right now, there are 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and Gulf region, and another 34 are ready to deploy," Zelensky said during an address to the British Parliament. "These are military experts, experts who know how to help, how to defend against such drones."

According to the president, Ukrainian teams have already arrived in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, while additional personnel are en route to Kuwait.

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Zelensky added that the deployment followed requests from Ukraine's partners, including Washington, and forms part of a broader "drone deal" proposed by Kyiv to the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to dismiss the need for Ukrainian assistance in an interview on March 13, claiming the United States already possesses superior drone technology.

Still, Zelensky noted that the drone deal "is on the table," highlighting what he described as Ukraine's cost-effective approach to air defense, with some incoming attack drones neutralized by just "two or three interceptors."

Read also: At least 11 killed, 55 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

Note from the author:

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By Sarah Young

LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - Britain and Ukraine agreed to work together to sell drone technology abroad during a visit on Tuesday by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meant to reinforce support for Kyiv when surging oil prices from war in Iran have been a boon for Moscow.

European leaders are keen to keep Ukraine in focus as global attention has switched to the Middle East. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joined the talks to discuss drones, related technologies and Euro-Atlantic security.

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Four years on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv has become a world leader in drone and anti-drone technologies.

Britain, a close ally, wants to help Ukraine use that position to support countries in the Gulf which are under regular attack from Iran, including from Shahed drones which Tehran has supplied to Moscow and have become one of Russia's key weapons.

Zelenskiy said more than 200 Ukrainians are deployed across the Middle East and Gulf region, where they have been sent at the request of partners, including the U.S.

He added that this forms part of a broader drone agreement proposed to the U.S., and Ukraine is prepared to offer similar arrangements to all its partners.

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AI ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Starmer said on Monday that allies must not be distracted in their support for Ukraine by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, saying the war and subsequent spike in energy prices must not deliver a "windfall for Putin".

Ukraine and its European allies hit out at a U.S. temporary waiver issued last week which allowed countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea.

At the meeting in London, Starmer and Zelenskiy agreed a new military-industrial partnership aimed at boosting the supply of drones and ensuring AI is used effectively on the battlefield, the statement from Downing Street said.

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Ukraine's drone expertise will be combined with Britain's manufacturing base to boost the supply of drones, the statement said.

Britain has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since the Russian invasion in 2022, consistently advocating for Zelenskiy as well as providing military equipment and munitions.

The pair will look for opportunities to cooperate with third countries on drones, Britain said. It also announced a small investment of 500,000 pounds ($660,000) in a new AI centre in Ukraine to look at its use on the frontlines.

The talks with Rutte will also explore progress on the so-called Coalition of the Willing, which could provide support to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire and the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia.

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In a separate statement Britain said it was working with Finland, the Netherlands and other countries to set up a joint defence financing and procurement mechanism to boost demand, accelerate investment and increase the availability of munitions.

($1 = 0.7524 pounds)

(Reporting by Sarah Young in London and Anusha Shah in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Catarina Demony and Yullia Dysa; Editing by Jamie Freed, Kate Holton, Peter Graff)
GENEVA (AP)  The U.N. human rights office Tuesday expressed concerns about possible ethnic cleansing, denouncing an acceleration of Israeli settlements and displacements of thousands of Palestinians in large parts of the occupied West Bank that has grown more relentless in recent months.

A new report from the office of Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, covers a yearlong period through the end of October and warns of expanded settlements in large parts of the West Bank and the forced displacement of more than 36,000 Palestinians.

Since then, "the pace of the concerted efforts by the Israeli government to seize as much Palestinian land as possible  with as few Palestinians in it as possible  is only becoming more relentless, Ajith Sunghay, the head of the rights office in occupied Palestinian areas, told a U.N. briefing in Geneva.

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The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva responded by saying that as far as Israel was concerned, the U.N. rights office has lost all credibility. It alluded to longtime allegations  backed often by the United States  of unfair bias against Israel and a relative disregard of other human rights situations around the world.

It does not function as an impartial and neutral human rights office, but as the epicenter of vile anti-Israel activism, the mission said in a statement, blasting a U.N. anti-Israel narrative machine that has produced several reports about Israeli settlements in recent months.

It begs the question how it is possible for the Office to fund such duplicity, while other human rights situations remain sidelined, it added.

Sunghay said Israeli security forces have continued to kill Palestinians with impunity, have launched daily raids across the West Bank, and increased movement restrictions in the territory that have impeded access to health care, jobs, education and other basic services.

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Yet Israeli settlers are roaming free with complete impunity, often armed, forcing Palestinian family after Palestinian family off their lands," Sunghay said.

Turk, in a statement, alleged that Israeli authorities were playing the central role in directing, participating in or enabling this conduct, and the report denounced harassment, intimidation and destruction of farmland and homes of Palestinians.

Israel's Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Embassy in Geneva didn't immediately comment.

Much of the displacement of thousands has taken place in the northern West Bank, where Israel launched a broad military offensive in early 2025. Israel's government says the operation is aimed at stamping out militant groups active in the area.

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The report says the displacement "appears to indicate a concerted Israeli policy of mass forcible transfer throughout the occupied territory, aimed at permanent displacement, raising concerns of ethnic cleansing.

At the same time, Israel's hard-line government has pressed ahead with an increase in new Israeli settlements across the West Bank. The international community overwhelmingly considers settlements illegal, though the Trump administration has been more tolerant of the construction. Israel's government is dominated by settler leaders and their political allies.

The rights office, which falls under the secretariat of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that Israeli authorities approved or moved forward on nearly 37,000 housing units in occupied east Jerusalem and more than 27,000 elsewhere in the West Bank.

Turk called for an immediate halt to the settlements and a reversal of their impact, along with the evacuation of all settlers and an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territory.

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The construction boom has been accompanied by an increase in settler violence against Palestinians. Israeli leaders have portrayed the violence as the work of a tiny minority, but Palestinians and human rights groups say the Israeli army has done little to prevent the attacks and note that settlers are rarely held accountable.

Earlier this month, three Palestinians were killed in a violent clash with settlers near Khirbet Abu Falah, east of Ramallah, and in a rare rebuke, the Israeli military strongly condemned the settler violence.

While outside the period covered by the U.N. report, the Palestinian Authority accused Israel of exploiting the atmosphere of war and the lack of international attention to issues in the West Bank to intensify intimidation, violence and forced displacement.
A man looks at the site of overnight Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut on March 12, 2026. (photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Israel's strikes have killed at least 886 people in Lebanon and forced more than 1 million from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings, displaced people, and healthcare workers in Lebanon raise concerns under international law and may amount to war crimes, the United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday.

The Israeli military has been carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon since the Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel from Lebanon early in the US-Israeli war against Iran.

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Israel's strikes have killed at least 886 people in Lebanon and forced more than 1 million from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.

"Israeli airstrikes have destroyed entire residential buildings in dense urban environments with multiple members of the same family, including women and children, often killed together," UN human rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva.

The Israeli military was not immediately available for comment on his remarks.

Smoke rises from a building hit in a bombing on March 11, 2026 in Beirut, Lebanon. I (credit: Adri Salido/Getty Images)

The UN human rights office called for an investigation into deadly strikes on displaced people sheltering in tents along Beirut's seafront and on a healthcare center in the town of Bint Jbeil.

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"International law is very clear that deliberately attacking civilians or civilian object amounts to war crime."

Israel's military has said it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, and frames a ground operation it has launched in Lebanon as a defensive effort to protect northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks. Hezbollah says its attacks are intended to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader during the war.

Displacement increasing rapidly

About one fifth of people in Lebanon have been registered as displaced following large-scale Israeli-issued evacuation orders across southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs.

Israel's extension of the orders to include the region between the Litani and Zaharani rivers may amount to forced displacement, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law, Al-Kheetan said.

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The UN's humanitarian co-ordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, said civilians were paying a heavy price.

"Displacement is increasing incredibly quickly. Right now, hundreds of thousands of people left their homes, many leaving with very little, just the clothes they were wearing," he said.

Aid deliveries have been constrained by global donor cuts to funding and supply chain disruption, he said.

An air bridge used by Gulf countries to send in humanitarian aid during a 2023-2024 war is not operating because of airspace restrictions during the current wider conflict. There have been only three aid flights to Lebanon in the past week, Riza said.
Tens of millions more people will face acute hunger if the United States-Israel war on Iran, and its reverberations through Irans retaliation, continue through to June, the United Nations warned.

If the Middle East conflict continues through June, an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises, Carl Skau, the deputy executive director of the UNs World Food Programme (WFP), said on Tuesday.

This would take global hunger levels to an all-time record, and its a terrible, terrible prospect, Skau said, with 319 million people, already a historic high, currently acutely food insecure.





The US-Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28 have choked up key humanitarian aid routes, delaying life-saving shipments to some of the worlds worst crises.

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Skau said shipping costs are up 18 percent since the war began and that some have had to be rerouted.

The extra costs come on top of deep spending cuts by the WFP, as donors focus more on defence, he added.

Hunger crises in Gaza, Sudan

In Gaza, residents are rushing to stockpile dwindling goods as border closures and the Iran war further strain already fragile supplies, with shortages worsening across the besieged enclave as Israel presses on with its genocidal war there.

Israel is set to partially reopen Gazas Rafah crossing with Egypt on Wednesday, ending a two-week shutdown that has deepened an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the decimated territory.

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Israel shut the crossing the same day it and the US launched strikes on Iran, citing security reasons.

The World Health Organizations regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean warned last week that only about 200 trucks a day were entering Gaza, far short of the estimated daily requirement of 600.

Meanwhile, more than 21 million people in Sudan, nearly half of the population, face acute hunger. Famine has been confirmed in areas where months of fighting have made access for aid workers largely impossible.

In January, the UN warned that aid to Sudan could run out within months unless hundreds of millions of additional dollars are pledged.

Three years of brutal war between the military government and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 14 million.
The University of Arkansas chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) announced on Monday it is disaffiliating with the national group and rebranding, citing concerns about messaging and the organization's focus.

TPUSA is a conservative student organization promoting conservative values and political activism on college campuses across the country. It was founded by Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at a speaking event last year.

In a three-page statement posted to Instagram on March 16, U of A TPUSA President Dino Fantegrossi explained that he had been with the group for years and has watched it grow over time.

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"I joined TPUSA the first semester of my freshman year. That was ten semesters ago," Fantegrossi said. "This chapter has meant the world to me, and I am incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished."

Fantegrossi said the organization gave him "countless opportunities," but leadership at the campus chapter recently became concerned about the direction of the national group.

"It has seemed that this organization has lost sight of what is truly important. We are no longer focused on our guiding north star  that is, fighting for conservative policy, principles, and values," the statement said. "Instead, it feels that we have become consumed with metrics, creating the next viral cultural moment... we have become reactionary when we need to be proactive."

Fantegrossi said the chapter's executive board reached a unanimous decision to disaffiliate with TPUSA and rebrand to Young American Revival.

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"We have many grievances with Turning Point USA, which we will shortly make known to them in private, but I will share only one. We are generally put off by how Charlie Kirk has been used by TPUSA since his assassination," Fantegrossi said. "Statements like 'Charlie would have said' and 'Charlie would have wanted' have felt in many instances disingenuous and manipulative."

The statement said that Young American Revival at the U of A will focus on advocating for Christian conservative values and policy and will be able to support "grassroots conservative candidates."

The move comes less than a week after TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk visited Arkansas, joining Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as she announced a proclamation endorsing the group.

"Arkansas loves you and we're so thankful that you're here," Sanders said while addressing Kirk.
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, deployed in operations against Iran, is expected to temporarily pull into port after a fire on board, U.S. officials said on Tuesday, the 18th day of the war with Tehran.

The carrier, America's newest and the world's largest, is currently located in the Red Sea. It is expected to temporarily go to Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, the two officials said.

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The warship has been deployed for nine months, including taking part in operations against Venezuela in the Caribbean prior to arriving in the Middle East. The length of the deployment has raised questions about morale of the sailors on board and the readiness of the warship.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not say how long the Ford was expected to remain in Crete.

One of the officials said nearly 200 sailors were treated for smoke-related injuries when the fire broke out in the ship's main laundry area. The fire took hours to bring under control and had an impact on roughly 100 sleeping berths.

One service member was flown off the ship for injuries, the official said.

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The New York Times first reported the extent of the damage on board the warship. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

After the fire initially broke out, the U.S. military had said that there was no damage to the ship's propulsion plant and the aircraft carrier was fully operational.

The United States has carried out strikes against more than 7,000 targets since it started operations against Iran on February 28.

The Ford, with more than 5,000 sailors aboard, has more than 75 military aircraft, including fighter aircraft like the F-18 Super Hornets. The Ford has sophisticated radar that can help control air traffic and navigation.

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The supporting ships, such as the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Normandy, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt, include surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Howard Goller)
President Trump has now said the United States no longer "needs" the help of key allies - including the UK and other NATO countries - in the war against Iran, as ITV News Correspondent Robert Moore reports

Trump has said he is "disappointed" with Sir Keir Starmer and Nato over their support in the Iran war

US Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, quits over Iran war

Israel claims to have killed top Iranian officials General Gholam Reza Soleimani and security official Ali Larijani

Iran launches strikes on Gulf states, with the UAE briefly closing their airspace

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to the Iranian Red Crescent

Israels strikes have also displaced more than 1 million Lebanese, according to the Lebanese government, which says some 850 people have been killed

In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. At least 13 US military members have been killed

A tanker anchored off the eastern coast of the UAE was hit by debris early Tuesday morning

Donald Trump has hit out at Nato allies, saying the US "no longer needs" their help in the Iran war.

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The US president had called for allied nations to provide vessels to help open the Strait of Hormuz and complained that Starmer had so far declined to commit the Royal Navy.

When asked by reporters if his relationship with the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has been damaged by the UK's stance over the war, Trump said: Well, he hasnt been supportive, and I think its a big mistake."

He added that he was "disappointed" with Starmer, accusing the prime minister of being "willing to send two aircraft carriers after we won".

Trump then repeated his assertion that unfortunately, Keir is no Winston Churchill.

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Larijanis death would be a symbolic US-Israel victory but not a decisive one

Fifa rejects Iran's request to move its World Cup matches from US to Mexico

He also said that leaving Nato is "certainly something that we [the US] should think about".

He said he didn't need Congress to make that decision, and while he currently didn't have anything in mind, he's "not exactly thrilled" with the alliance.

Trump also hit out at Nato allies in a post on Truth Social, saying the US no longer needs or desires their assistance in the Iran war.

Trump's comments come after the top US counter-terrorism official Joe Kent resigned on Tuesday, citing the Iran war and Israel's influence as the reason for his decision.

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In his resignation letter posted on X, Kent, a Republican and Trump appointee, said: "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.

"Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby."

Two top Iranian officials killed, Israel says

Kent's move came the same day as Israel claimed to have killed two top Iranian officials in overnight strikes, including Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's security operations.

Larijani is among Irans most powerful civilian officials and was close to the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial wave of Israeli-US strikes on February 28.

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Iranian state media also reported that Larijani had been killed, after initially appearing to deny the report by posting a handwritten note it claimed was written by Larijani on his social media account minutes earlier.

The Basij forces are part of the armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime, the Israeli military said in a statement reporting Soleimani's death.

During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimanis command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators.

Israel launched what it said was a new wide-scale wave of strikes across Irans capital as it stepped up attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, as Tehran retaliated with strikes that targeted the US embassy in Iraq.

People take photos of a building damaged by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. Credit: AP

The US embassy in Baghdad was reportedly damaged when it was hit with shrapnel from drones launched by Iran-linked proxy forces that had been intercepted. A two-minute video posted on Telegram by a pro-Iranian militia appeared to show a drone flying over the US Embassy compound in Baghdad.

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Some Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon, and there are fears Israel is preparing a large-scale invasion despite calls from some Western leaders to de-escalate.

Strikes on Gulf States

Iran also continued attacks on Gulf states, prompting the brief closure of airspace in the United Arab Emirates overnight.

The United Arab Emirates briefly shut its airspace on Tuesday as the military said it was responding to incoming missile and drone threats.

The closure was soon lifted, and not long after, shortly after, explosions were heard as air defences intercepted incoming fire

Saudi Arabias Defence Ministry reported intercepting a dozen drones Tuesday morning over the countrys vast Eastern Province, home to oil infrastructure.

Fire and smoke is seen after a drone struck a fuel tank forcing the temporary suspension of flights near Dubai International Airport. Credit: AP

In Qatar, the sounds of explosions were heard over the capital early in the day as defences worked to intercept incoming fire. Qatar's Defence Ministry said later that it had successfully thwarted a missile attack on the city, though a fire broke out in an industrial area from a downed projectile.

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The US embassy in Iraq was hit with shrapnel on Tuesday after air defences were able to shoot down all four drones targeting the facility.

A separate strike targeted a house in the heavily fortified Presidential Compound in Baghdads al-Jadriya area, officials said. It wasnt clear who carried out either attack, but Iran-allied militias have regularly been attacking American targets inside Iraq since the conflict began.

On Monday, British Airways confirmed it was pausing operations in the region until June.

Addressing MPs in the Commons, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the number of British nationals flown back to the UK from the Middle East since the start of the conflict is expected to reach 100,000 on Tuesday.

Volunteers clean debris from a residential building hit on Friday by a US-Israeli strike in Tehran. Credit: AP

Israel launches fresh strikes on Tehran and Beirut

The Israeli military said it had launched new attacks across Tehran in addition to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, targeting Hezbollah militants early on Tuesday.

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Some Israeli troops have pushed into southern Lebanon, and there are fears Israel is preparing a large-scale invasion.

The military's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said Monday on a visit to the northern border that Israel's army is determined to deepen the operation until all of our objectives are achieved and that the military's Northern Command is being reinforced with additional soldiers.

Israel reported two Iranian attacks early on Tuesday fired toward Tel Aviv and an area south of the Sea of Galilee. Additional rocket launches from Lebanon were also reported.

Trump hits out at Starmer as PM rules out UK involvement in 'wider conflict'

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Starmer pledges help with heating costs as oil prices continue to soar

Trump demands allies help protect Strait of Hormuz

Trump has called for countries, including the UK, to join a mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but the PM has so far resisted the US presidents demands.

Iran has effectively shut the vital oil and gas shipping route by targeting vessels in response to the US-Israeli air strikes.

There have been a handful of ships getting through, primarily Iranian but also from other countries including India and Turkey, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that from our perspective it is open though Iranian officials say the route remains closed to the United States, Israel and their allies. A tanker anchored off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by a projectile early on Tuesday morning.

A UAE navy ship sails next to a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, UAE, on Wednesday, March 11. Credit: AP

The closure of the Strait has seen the price of crude oil soar, with a barrel now costing more than $100.

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The increase has seen Starmer pledge 53 million of support to ease the cost of living pressures in the UK, targeted at customers who are "most exposed" to the consequences of rising oil and gas prices, including those who rely on heating oil.

US allies have largely resisted Donald Trump's calls to send warships. Europeans have been critical of the US and Israel for failing to provide clarity on their objectives in the war and have suggested that they are more interested in a diplomatic solution than getting dragged into the conflict.

So far, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Australia have ruled out sending vessels to the strait.

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From Westminster to Washington DC - our political experts are across all the latest key talking points. Listen to the latest episode below...
Despite historic enmity towards Hezbollah and Tehran, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has moved cautiously since US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28.

The United States has encouraged Syria to consider sending forces into eastern Lebanon to help disarm Hezbollah, but Damascus is reluctant to embark on such a mission for fear of being sucked into the war in the Middle East and inflaming sectarian tensions, five people briefed on the matter said.

The proposal to Syria's US-allied government reflects intensifying moves to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, which opened fire at Israel in support of Tehran on March 2, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon.

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The idea was first discussed by US and Syrian officials last year, said two of the sources - both Syrian officials - and two others familiar with the discussions. All spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The idea was raised again by US officials around the time the US and Israel began their war against Iran. The two Syrian officials said a US request came shortly before the war began. A Western intelligence source said it was just after it started.

Reuters spoke to 10 sources for this article - six Syrian officials and government advisors, two Western diplomats, a European official, and a Western intelligence source. All said Syria's Sunni Islamist-led government had been cautiously considering a cross-border operation but remained hesitant.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the Ministry of Awqaf conference titled ''Unity of Islamic Discourse'' at the Conference Palace in Damascus, Syria, February 16, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI/FILE PHOTO)

US encouragement for a Syrian operation in eastern Lebanon and Syria's hesitation to carry one out have not previously been reported.

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A US State Department spokesperson declined to comment on "private diplomatic communications," and referred Reuters to the Syrian and Lebanese governments for comments on their operations.

Damascus offers assurances to Lebanon

Despite historic enmity towards Hezbollah and Tehran - both fought alongside Bashar al-Assad during Syria's 2011-24 civil war - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has moved cautiously since US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28.

One source, a senior Syrian official, said Damascus and its Arab allies agreed Syria should stay out of the war, and take only defensive measures.

Damascus has deployed rocket units and thousands of troops at the Lebanese frontier since early February, calling these measures defensive.

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Syria's ministries of foreign affairs and information did not respond to requests for comment.

Responding to questions from Reuters, Lebanon's presidency said it had not received any "hint or notice from the US, the West, the Arab countries or Syria" about US-Syria discussions on a potential cross-border operation.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a bilateral call with Sharaa and a trilateral call that also involved France's president, during which Sharaa said Syria respected Lebanon's sovereignty and had no plans to intervene, the presidency said.

It said Lebanon coordinates with Syria on border arrangements, but has never discussed Hezbollah with Damascus.

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Lebanon's military said coordination channels with Syria remained open "within the framework of addressing border issues and common security challenges," aiming to prevent tensions or incidents and ensure stability in the border area.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Sharaa had told him "the reinforcement of the military presence along the Syrian-Lebanese border aims solely to strengthen border control and maintain internal Syrian security," and that Sharaa underlined the importance of continued coordination.

Aoun has pursued a policy aimed at securing Hezbollah's disarmament, but Beirut has moved cautiously, with Hezbollah wielding a potent arsenal and enjoying significant support among Lebanese Shi'ite Muslims.

Sharaa has said he supports Aoun's efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

Damascus sees risk of Iranian attack, minority unrest

The senior Syrian official said Washington had given the green light for an operation into eastern Lebanon to help Lebanon disarm Hezbollah, when the time is right.

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But Damascus saw risks including possible Iranian missile attacks and potential for unrest among minority Shi'ites, threatening efforts to stabilize Syria after sectarian violence last year.

Two Western diplomats also said Washington had approved the idea of a Syrian cross-border operation against Hezbollah. The Western intelligence source and a European official said the US had asked Syria's army to play a more active role countering Hezbollah in Lebanon, including via a possible incursion into the east.

The Western intelligence source and the European official said Syria's leadership was wary of entering Lebanon as this could inflame bilateral tensions.

A Syrian military official said there was no final decision yet on any possible operation inside Lebanon, but the option of intervening in the event of a conflict between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah remained on the table.

Syrian domination under the Assads

Syria long dominated Lebanon under the Assads, sending in forces in 1976 during the 1975-90 civil war at the invitation of President Suleiman Frangieh and controlling Lebanon's post-war politics until its withdrawal in 2005.

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Any Syrian intervention could fuel sectarian tensions in both Syria and Lebanon, home to a mosaic of sects including Sunnis, Christians, Druze, and Shi'ites.

In a March 13 interview with Lebanese broadcaster MTV, Syrian Defense Ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Hassan Abdel Ghani said the build-up at the border was a defensive measure. There was a high level of coordination with Lebanon's army, he said, and Sharaa supported the establishment of Lebanese state authority over Lebanon.

Last week, Syria's army said Hezbollah artillery shells landed in a border village. Hezbollah had said it had repelled an Israeli attempt to infiltrate Lebanon from the same village. Israeli officials said they were unaware of any such operation. The Syrian army said it was "considering appropriate options to take the necessary actions" in response.

In response, US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack called reporting on the matter "false and inaccurate."
WASHINGTON  The head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center resigned March 17, saying he cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran, the first top Trump administration official to quit over the conflict.

Joe Kent, a decorated former Army Ranger and CIA paramilitary officer, was a top aide to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who oversaw all U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in the U.S. and overseas.

In a March 17 post on social media platform X, Kent said that after much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.

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Iran war updates: US intel official Joe Kent quits, alleging 'misinformation'

U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Melania Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff take part in a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine pay their respects during a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. Members of military carry a transfer case during a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attend a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stand as members of military carry a transfer case during a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump salutes as members of military carry a transfer case during a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. Members of the military carry a transfer case during a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026. Trump receives remains of six Americans killed in Iran war. See photos 1 of 7 U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Melania Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff take part in a dignified transfer of the remains of six U.S. Army service members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, who were killed in Kuwait, Major Jeffrey O'Brien, Capitain Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens and Sergeant Declan Coady, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S., March 7, 2026.

Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby, Kent wrote in a letter to President Donald Trump, who nominated him for the top U.S. counterterrorism job on Feb. 3, 2025.

Trump responded, with criticism when asked about Kent's resignation at a White House event.

"I always thought he was a nice guy. But I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security," Trump told reporters. "I didn't know him well, but I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. But when I read a statement, I realized that it's a good thing that he's out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat."

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The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees NCTC, did not immediately respond to USA TODAY requests for comment.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a lengthy response on X.

"There are many false claims in this letter but let me address one specifically: that 'Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.' This is the same false claim that Democrats and some in the liberal media have been repeating over and over," Leavitt said. "As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first."

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, called Kent's record at the NCTC "deeply troubling," and said he strongly disagreed "with many of the positions he has espoused over the years, particularly those that risk politicizing our intelligence community."

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But on this point, he is right: there was no credible evidence of an imminent threat from Iran that would justify rushing the United States into another war of choice in the Middle East," Warner said in a statement.

When asked for comment about Kent's letter, Deryn Sousa, a spokesperson for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, told USA TODAY the U.S. military is courageously protecting Israel from the Iranian regime.

A top Trump aide 'resigning on principle'

Javed Ali, counterterrorism director on the National Security Council during Trump's first term, said Kents resignation was virtually unprecedented for a president who has fired numerous top aides but hasnt seen any publicly attack his policies when leaving the administration.

Joe Kent rallies for defendants being prosecuted in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on Sept. 18, 2021. On March 17, 2026, Kent resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center in protest against the U.S. war in Iran.

With the Iran war now into the third week, this is a major development, because this is the first high profile sort of defection from the Trump administration's national security team, Ali told USA TODAY. He's resigning on principle, he hasn't been forced out of his job.

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Ali, who has served in top counterterrorism roles in Republican and Democratic administrations, said that unlike Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whom Trump fired earlier this month, Joe Kent, by all accounts, was doing well as the NCTC director.

But because of his views on what the administration's policies have been with the war in Iran, he chose to resign, which is very significant, said Ali, who now teaches at the University of Michigan.'

'We cannot make this mistake again'

In his letter, Kent said he supported the values and the foreign policies that Trump campaigned on in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and that he enacted in his first term  in which the president sought to avoid wars in the Middle East that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

Rescuers work in the rubble of residential buildings after air strikes in Tehran, Iran, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released March 9, 2026.

But early in his second administration, Kent told Trump, the president has fallen into a trap in which high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran.

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This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory, Kent continued. This was a lie and ls the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women.

We cannot make this mistake again, Kent said.

The Israeli government did not respond to a request for comment. In past public statements, Trump has denied being goaded into war with Iran by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A favorite of Gabbard  and Trump

After his post, Trump supporters in Congress criticized Kent, with some claiming he was a leaker of inside information that the administration didn't trust, Others said his message was antisemitic and that he was being hypocritical, given that he had publicly supported U.S. efforts to fight Iran and take out its ballistic missiles in the past.

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Kent was a favorite of both Gabbard, who oversees all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, and the president himself.

When nominating Kent 13 months ago, Trump said in a Truth Social post that as a Soldier, Green Beret, and CIA Officer, Joe has hunted down terrorists and criminals his entire adult life.  Joe will help us keep America safe by eradicating all terrorism, from the jihadists around the World, to the cartels in our backyard.

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.



I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this pic.twitter.com/prtu86DpEr  Joe Kent (@joekent16jan19) March 17, 2026

Above all, Joe knows the terrible cost of terrorism, Trump said, noting that Kents wife Shannon was killed in the fight against ISIS.

Shannon Kent, a Navy chief cryptologic technician, was killed January 16, 2019, in a suicide bomb attack in Manbij, Syria.

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Kent, in his letter to Trump, indirectly blamed his wifes death on Israel too.

"As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel," Kent wrote, "I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accompanied by Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, speaks during a Senate Committee on Intelligence Hearing on March 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. The hearing to examine worldwide threats comes a day after Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief for The Atlantic magazine was inadvertently included on a high level Trump administration Signal group chat on bombing plans in Yemen on Houthi targets.

The White House and Israeli officials had no immediate comment.

Ali said the NCTC likely has a succession plan in which Kent's No. 2 will take his place in an acting capacity. But because it is a Senate-confirmed position, Trump will have to nominate someone and then get them approved and into place quickly given the threats to U.S. citizens at home and abroad, Ali said.

Two-time GOP congressional hopeful

In an August 2024 podcast, Kent said he shifted his attention to national issues during his transition from active duty shortly after his first wife's death. He told host Ryan Shaw that he was especially motivated to run for office over his disagreements over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, pandemic-era unrest in Portland and anger at some Republican lawmakers who'd voted to impeach Trump in his first term.

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Kent ran twice for a congressional seat in western Washington's 3rd Congressional District, casting himself as the conservative, pro-Trump candidate. He lost both times, in 2022 and 2024, to Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

Both Kent campaigns were embroiled in controversy. In 2022, The Associated Press reported that he employed a campaign consultant who was a member of the Proud Boys, a far-right group that encourages violence and is considered a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In a 2025 report from Mother Jones magazine, Kent was quoted as saying in a podcast that Black Lives Matter and Antifa should be treated "like terrorist organizations."

This article has been updated with additional information.

Contributing: Kathryn Palmer

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Kent quits as counterterrorism chief over Trump's war in Iran
The U.S. military possesses several capabilities that it could wield to combat naval mine warfare in the Strait of Hormuz.

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy views the maritime weapon as a key pillar of its military strategy, according to a 2017 Office of Naval Intelligence report, and reportedly began laying mines in the sea passage last week.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Pentagon briefing Friday, however, that there was no clear evidence of mines in the strait.

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The US Navy decommissioned Middle East minesweepers last year. Heres what they did.

Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, said Monday that U.S. forces destroyed storage bunkers for naval mines during a U.S. strike on military targets on Irans oil export hub, Kharg Island, on Friday. U.S. forces also destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers last week, according to CENTCOM.

Iran is estimated to possess roughly 6,000 mines, according to a congressional report published Wednesday. The stockpile may include limpet mines, which are typically attached to a ship manually by a diver; moored mines, which float below the waters surface and are tethered to the seabed; bottom mines that rest on the seabed; and drifting mines, which float above the waters surface and detonate upon contact.

Heres a look at the U.S. Navys arsenal of minesweepers, littoral combat ships equipped with counter-mine capabilities and helicopters outfitted with anti-mine technology.

Avenger-class minesweepers

The Navy currently has four Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships stationed in Sasebo, Japan, that it could forward deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury if necessary.

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The service commissioned 14 Avenger-class minesweepers beginning in the 1980s, but has since retired nearly all of them.

The service had four deployable minesweepers stationed in Bahrain up until 2025, but they were decommissioned and replaced with littoral combat ships equipped with minesweeping and mine-hunting capabilities. Each of the minesweepers decommissioned had served for over 30 years.

These vessels, which utilize sonar and tethered remote operating vehicles to identify mines beneath the waters surface, were used during the Gulf War to destroy over 1,000 mines off of Kuwait.

Pentagon reportedly sending more warships and Marines to Middle East

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They sweep and destroy mines by detonating them with an acoustic device that emits a noise meant to trigger sound-sensitive mines or with an electromagnetic tool that emits an electromagnetic field to trick magnetically induced mines into exploding.

They also drag cables and cutters behind them to intercept and sever the tethers attached to moored mines. Once the tether is cut, the mine floats to the top and is destroyed.

Minesweepers are constructed of wood and fiberglass in order to produce a nonmagnetic signature and low acoustic footprint that will not trigger mines to explode, allowing the vessels to operate inside and near a mine-threat zone.

Minesweepers also host two .50-caliber machine guns and two Mk 19 grenade launchers.

An unmanned surface vehicle is craned aboard the USS Canberra as a part of the first embarkation of the MCM mission package, April 23, 2024. (MC1 Vance Hand/U.S. Navy)

Independence-class littoral combat ships

The Navy has sought to modernize its minesweeping capabilities by rotating out its aging minesweepers in Bahrain for Independence-class littoral combat ships uniquely fitted with a mine countermeasures mission package.

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The USS Canberra was the first LCS with the MCM mission package to arrive in the Middle East on May 22, 2025. The USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa, two other littoral combat ships with the MCM mission package, joined it shortly thereafter.

All three are homeported in Bahrain.

As of Monday, the USS Canberra was operating in the Indian Ocean, parts of which fall under the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, the U.S. 5th Fleet told Military Times in an emailed statement.

The USS Santa Barbara and USS Tulsa were conducting brief logistical stops in Malaysia, according to the U.S. 5th Fleet.

U.S. forces routinely make port calls in Malaysia as part of our operations, the statement read.

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The MCM mission package is used exclusively by Independence-class littoral combat ships.

Littoral combat ships are made of aluminum and do not possess the same unique ship architecture as the nondetectable minesweepers, and as a result, they can only operate outside a mine-threat zone.

The LCS employs unmanned surface and underwater vehicles to travel into an area where mines have been laid to discover and destroy the mines.

These unmanned vessels utilize the AN/AQS-20 mine-hunting sonar system, which is towed and uses sensors to pinpoint the location of bottom mines and moored mines.

There is also the unmanned influence sweep system, which provides common unmanned surface vehicles aboard the LCS with the ability to sweep or detonate mines through a magnetic sweep cable that emits a magnetic field or a towed acoustic device that emits sound.

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The unmanned vehicle moves along a predetermined route but sends camera footage and radar readings back to a remote operator who can steer the vehicle away from obstacles underwater.

The littoral combat ships with the MCM mission package have yet to be deployed in combat.

The ships have a noticeably upgraded weapons package, compared to the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships, including a 57mm MK-110 gun system, SeaRAM self-defense system and .50-caliber machine guns.

Helicopters

The Independence-class littoral combat ships MCM mission package includes the aerial capabilities of the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, which can deploy from the LCS to assist with mine hunting and minesweeping.

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These helicopters are equipped with the AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System, which detects floating and near-surface moored mines, as well as the AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine-Neutralization System, which sends an expendable unmanned underwater vehicle to intercept and destroy a mine.

Prior to the MCM mission package, Sikorskys MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter served as the Navys main counter-mine aircraft, which was deployed during the Gulf War to help destroy mines and clear shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.

The MH-53E uses side-scan AQS-14A mine-hunting sonar to identify mines and can tow the Mark 105 Hydrofoil Magnetic Minesweeping Sled and the Mk-103 mechanical minesweeping system to destroy mines.

The helicopter is currently out of production, with 28 aircraft in operation, according to the Naval Air Systems Command website.

The Navy is in the process of evaluating its requirement for future airborne mine countermeasures missions after 2025, the website states.
A fire that broke out on the USs biggest warship raged for 30 hours before it was extinguished.

Three sailors on the Gerald R Ford had to receive medical treatment, and dozens suffered smoke inhalation.

More than 600 sailors and crew members lost their beds after the blaze broke out in the laundry room, The New York Times reported. Some have spent days bunking down on floors and tables instead.

It marks the second embarrassing incident for the USs aircraft carrier, the largest warship ever constructed, while it supports American forces in the Middle East during the war with Iran.

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According to NPR, the warships lavatories are badly designed and regularly break down during the months at sea. An email from March 2025 noted 205 problems with the system in just four days.

On Monday, Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper, reported a sailor had been flown off the Ford to receive medical treatment following the fire. They are in a stable condition.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is still underway, but the US Navy has said it is not related to combat.

The Ford has been at sea for around 10 months, having been sent from the Mediterranean in October to the Caribbean as part of the armada Donald Trump assembled around Venezuela.

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Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan leader, in January by US special forces, it was sent to the Middle East as tensions mounted with Iran.

Crew members have reportedly been told they will be in position until May, meaning they have spent around a year at sea, which is twice the length of a normal aircraft carrier deployment.

Ships get tired too, and they get beat up over the course of long deployments, said Rear Adml John F Kirby, a former Pentagon press secretary.

You cant run a ship that long and that hard and expect her and her crew to perform at peak capacity.

On March 12, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) experienced a fire that originated in the ships main laundry spaces. The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained, US Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement.

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There is no damage to the ships propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.

Two sailors are currently receiving medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. Additional information will be provided when available.

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.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont lawmakers have approved a bill aimed at helping farmers and forestry operations recover from financial losses caused by severe weather.

The legislation would create the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund, a state program designed to help cover damage caused by events like flooding, heavy rain, strong winds, or extreme heat.

FILE  Flood waters on the destroyed fields at the Intervale Community Farm, July 17, 2023, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

I got to hear firsthand the testimony from the small farmers to the large farmers how weather events affect their work, and the shortcomings of being able to get disaster relief in a timely manner, said state Senator Stevan Heffernan.

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Vermont Senate passes bill to allow portable solar panels without fees, permits

Under the proposal, farmers and forestry operators could receive payments covering up to 50 percent of weather-related losses that are not covered by insurance. Individual payments would be capped at $150,000.

Supporters say the program would provide a financial safety net for farms dealing with increasingly unpredictable weather.

The bill would also create a review board responsible for evaluating applications and recommending who should receive funding from the program. The states agriculture secretary would verify that a qualifying weather event occurred and oversee the distribution of payments.

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FEMA denies Vermonts appeal for aid in 2025 flooding

The fund would be supported through state appropriations, as well as potential federal aid and private contributions. Money left in the fund at the end of a fiscal year would carry over so it could still be available for future disasters.

Lawmakers say the goal is to help keep Vermont farms financially stable after unexpected weather events that can quickly damage crops and impact income.

The bill has now passed the legislature and is heading to the desk of Gov. Phil Scott, who will decide whether to sign it into law.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Mar. 16A new addition is coming to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Great Bend's Veterans Memorial Park.

Larry Parsons, a member of the committee that spearheaded the project, said six service flags, each bearing the name of a man from Barton County who died in the Vietnam War, will be placed at the memorial on March 29, which is Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day.

From that date forward, the flags will be displayed on the five federal holidays when flags are prominently posted in Great Bend: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

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Six Barton County men are honored for making the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War: Kent L. Amerine (Great Bend), Robert E. Riedel (Hoisington), Edward L. Saenz (Great Bend), John S. Simmons (Hoisington), Conrad F. Straub (Claflin), and Carl F. Karst (Galatia).

Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Day

"The last combat troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973," Parsons said. In 2017, March 29 was declared National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Barton County's recognition of its Vietnam War veterans came later.

In May of 2023, Great Bend hosted "The Wall That Heals," a traveling version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. More than 13,000 people viewed it. Inspired by the response, six local veterans formed a committee to create a memorial honoring all who served in the Vietnam War, not just those from Barton County.

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The group consisted of Larry Parsons, Don Green, Gary Burke, Ken Lebbin, Mike Harbaugh and Ghazi Jahay. Together they brainstormed what they were hoping it would become, and how they were going to pay for it without costing taxpayers a dime.

Bruce and Brent Bitter, owners of B&B Metal Arts in Hoisington, designed the 50-foot-long memorial. It represents the Wall with a helicopter hovering over its apex, the logos for the branches of service, the Vietnam Service Medal and three soldiers crouching in tall elephant grass.

An important piece of the memorial is a bench where veterans can sit and reflect.

The flags

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Parsons noted the City of Great Bend, particularly Director of Public Lands Scott Keeler, has supported the project from the beginning. While private donations funded the memorial, the city contributed lighting and irrigation. Keeler will place the new flags on March 29.

Each flag represents one local veteran who died in the war with their service flag and name: three from the U.S. Army, two Marines and one from the Air Force.

All six names appear on a plaque at the memorial, along with statistics about the Vietnam War. Parsons said he hopes the memorial educates visitors while honoring veterans. The names of the six local veterans are also listed on the county's Golden Belt Veterans Memorial, located in the Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Road, Great Bend. Chris Bitter has created shadow boxes with the photos and histories of each veteran. These will be printed in an upcoming edition of the Tribune.
OTTUMWA  Zach Wahls is angling for a changing of the guard in the U.S. Senate.

He wants to be the model for that change.

Wahls, already the youngest member of the Iowa Senate, hopes to become the youngest member of the U.S. Senate in November. The senator from Coralville stopped at the Temple of Creative Arts for a meet-and-greet Saturday, marking 66 of 99 Iowa counties he's visited since he announced his candidacy for Joni Ernst's open Senate seat.

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"I learned at an early age what it feels like when the government is not working for your family. You feel afraid about what is happening around you," he said. "The stakes could not be higher for our state. We're seeing factories close, people being laid off. We see the impact of these tariffs that are devastating our state's agricultural and manufacturing economy.

"We see the increase in cost, whether at the grocery store, or the doctor's office."

Wahls, 34, has grown disillusioned with leaders in his party. He said, if elected, he wouldn't support Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"I will never hesitate to challenge leaders of our party. [Schumer] said that the Democratic Party should write off rural voters and blue-collar voters, because for every one of those voters we lose, we're going to pick up two in the suburbs," Wahls said. "That math might work in New York, but it does not work in Iowa. That is not the Democratic Party I joined."

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Wahls' Senate district consists of areas inside Johnson County, but at one time extended into Cedar and Muscatine counties, which are more rural.

While in the Iowa Senate, Wahls voted against private school vouchers, the state's six-week abortion ban, and also voted against legislation that would allow local law enforcement officials to work with federal agencies, specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to deport immigrants.

"My view is that we should have law enforcement working to protect Iowans, not working with federal agents," Wahls said. "It's legislation that has made our state more dangerous. This is a state in a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of laws, but we want to welcome our neighbors here, not throw them out of the state, especially if they haven't done anything wrong."

Wahls also chastised a potential Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, when both were in the statehouse, and he detailed a closed-door meeting as an example of corrupt politics he wants to fight.

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The issue concerned out-of-state corporations buying mobile home communities and proposing to increase the rent at least 50% in many cases.

"We're not talking about a 70% increase over a couple years; we're talking about from June to July. I was outraged by this because one company from Utah bought three trailer parks in my district, and I saw it as my responsibility to hear directly from my constituents. We got a bipartisan group together and we passed a bill 48-0 out of the senate.

"We sent that bill to the house, thinking it was a done deal. I got called over for a closed-door meeting two days later," Wahls said. "Sitting on one side was a Republican representative sympathetic to what we were trying to do. Sitting on the other side was the lobbyist representing those big corporations. He's kind of smirking at me, because sitting next to him was a legislator who was in his pocket.

"I watched with my own eyes as Ashley Hinson, getting ready to run for congress, did the bidding of that lobbyist and killed our bipartisan legislation and sold us out."

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Wahls, who will be in a primary with state Rep. Josh Turek, said his campaign "will be the strongest grassroots campaign this state has seen since we re-elected Barack Obama in 2012."

He also said he would only serve two terms in the U.S. Senate, and that one of his goals will be to lower the age for Medicare enrollment to 55.

"I've seen first-hand what happens when good people stay for too long, but it's much worse when bad people stay for too long," Wahls said. "In this state, we know that rotating crops is good for our soil, and you better believe it is good for the U.S. Senate as well.

"We need to make sure we're also expanding Medicare coverage to include vision, dental and hearing. There are so many kinds of common sense things that aren't currently happening."
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

The crew of the Walla Walla ferry became first responders Monday afternoon.

The Walla Walla was approaching the Kingston Ferry Terminal just after 1 p.m. when crew members spotted a capsized sailboat and people clinging to the boat.

The crew immediately slowed and launched a rescue boat.

Indeed, they did need some assistance, and we helped tow their sailboat back into the nearby marina, Justin Fujioka, a spokesperson for the Washington State Ferries, said.

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An unknown number of people were rescued from the water. No injuries were reported.

This is something our crews train for all the time, and this happens at least a couple times a month, where we do end up rescuing people who need our help, Fujioko said.

The unexpected rescue put the Walla Walla behind schedule, but the ferry was able to quickly make up the lost time.

Follow James Lynch on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.
WASHINGTON  Military officials have included options in regular war planning for President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Iran should he decide to do so, six people familiar with the plans told NBC News. So far, he hasn't.

As the conflict widens in the Middle East and the Iranian regime maintains its chokehold on the critical Strait of Hormuz, the stated terms and timeline for ending the war remain in flux. Aides and allies have sought to pull Trump in different directions: Those in favor of an exit strategy have been concerned about global economic instability since the war began, two of the people said, while other aides have focused on the opportunity to erode the regimes influence in the region.

The timeline for the duration of the war could change every day, according to one of the people.

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The off-ramps are built into daily war planning, along with options for escalation if the White House seeks to increase the pressure on Iran, according to the six people, who did not go into detail on what those plans look like.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump and the Pentagon provided an initial assessment of four to six weeks to fully achieve the clear military objectives.

The U.S. military is doing a tremendous job and this timeline remains true. Ultimately, the operation will end when the commander in chief determines the goals have been fully realized and the threats posed by Iran have been eliminated, she said.

But exit strategies have taken on a new significance as the administration wrestles with surging oil prices and questions grow on whether Iran will willingly lay down arms and agree to U.S. terms.

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Last week, the president told Axios the war will end soon while his defense secretary told CBS it was only just the beginning. Asked Friday when he would know when the conflict was done, Trump told Fox News: When I feel it in my bones.

The president told NBC News over the weekend that Iran was ready to end the war but that the terms arent good enough yet. He declined to say what those terms would be, but Trump has suggested publicly there should be regime change, unconditional surrender and Irans nuclear capability should be decimated.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said Tehran did not request a ceasefire and would continue this resistance without any hesitation.

In a major bombing campaign, the U.S. and Israel struck targets on Kharg Island  home to the main terminal that handles Irans oil exports. The president warned that the islands oil infrastructure could also be targeted.

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The Iranian regime had warned that a strike on the island would provoke a new level of retaliation and has attacked other Middle Eastern countries in response to the U.S.-Israel strikes.

Officials in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Kuwait reported multiple strikes and drone sightings in their countries. A key terminal for oil exports in Oman was reportedly evacuated after tankers anchored off Iraq were attacked. Iraq also suspended operations at its oil terminals.

Iran called for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates  the first time it has threatened a neighboring countrys non-U.S. assets. One of those oil ports  Fujairah  came under a drone attack Saturday and again Monday.

Defense Department officials said Tehran is as weak as it has ever been, decimated from days of heavy bombardment.

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With every passing hour, we know, and we know they know that the military capabilities of their evil regime are crumbling, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a briefing late last week.

The U.S. has still not secured the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the worlds oil supply travels. It has been effectively shut to tanker traffic after more than a dozen commercial ships were hit by drones. In his first public address, Irans new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said the strait should remain closed.

Commercial ships have requested U.S. escorts through the strait, but Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, said Friday it was still too complex to see tankers through the waterway.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik)

Trump said that he had reached out to several countries asking them to help police the strait, including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

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We are talking to other countries about working with us on the policing of the strait, and I think we get a good response, Trump said. If we do, thats great, and if we dont, thats great too.

The president threatened to delay his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and predicted a very bad future for NATO if it failed to join. But Trump said Tuesday the delay was coming because he felt he should remain in Washington as the war continued.

"Because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here, I feel," Trump said. "And so weve requested that we delay it a month or so."

Leaders from Berlin to London have indicated they had no immediate plans to provide military support to reopen the crucial waterway.

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Trump and administration officials are also hoping Israel will pause strikes on Iranian oil fields over concerns about oil prices and losing possible leverage with Iran to negotiate an end to the war, according to three of the people familiar with the discussions, even as the president has seemed to downplay the impact that rising costs were having on consumers.

When oil prices go up, we make a lot of money, he said Thursday on Truth Social.

The price of oil soared and stocks tumbled on the ripple effects the oil market disruption was causing, and the International Energy Agency warned the war was creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.

In a podcast that aired last week, David Sacks, Trumps czar for artificial intelligence, urged the president to bring the war to a close, the first time that a senior figure in the White House had publicly broken with the president over the war.

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I agree that we should try to find the off-ramp, Sacks said on an episode of All In. This is a good time to declare victory and get out and that is clearly what the markets would like to see.

But even if Trump chooses to declare victory and call a halt to the war, its not clear that the Iranian regime would agree to terms dictated by the president.

We did not send any message and did not request a ceasefire, but this war must end in a way that it will not be repeated, Araghchi said, as reported by the semi-official Fars News agency.

Instead, the regime could renew its efforts to thwart commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz with drone attacks, keeping oil prices high and ratcheting up political pressure on Trump.

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The hard-line regime in Iran will almost certainly still be in place, albeit with a decimated military. U.S. intelligence assessments suggest there are no indications of an imminent collapse of the clerical and military establishment that rules the country, NBC News has previously reported.

After the 12-day war in June between Israel and Iran, some hard-line voices in Iranian newspapers questioned the governments decision to agree to a ceasefire with Israel instead of forcing its adversary to use up more of its supply of costly air defense systems.

Siamak Namazi, an American businessman and an analyst on Iran who was held hostage for nearly eight years by the regime, said the countrys leaders believe they are in an existential fight.

They are banking that their threshold for pain is far higher than their opponents. And they will do their best to make sure when this war is over, they are standing and that the U.S. and Israel dont launch another round of attacks after this war stops, he said.

The regimes key objective is survival. If they are standing when the bombs stop, they will consider themselves having won, Namazi said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An elementary school teacher in Spokane, Washington, has been arrested after she allegedly raped a student in her classroom.

Mahayla Benavides has been accused of raping the 10-year-old child on multiple occasions, according to the statement of facts filed in Spokane County Superior Court and viewed by KXLY. The student reportedly said that the abuse started around winter break.

Benavides was arrested on Thursday, March 12, for child rape and molestation, per the outlet.

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Detectives with the Spokane Police Department first interviewed Benavides about the allegations at her home in February. She asked for a lawyer while speaking to authorities and said that she didn't want to answer questions at the time.

Police then informed her that they were going to take a buccal swab as evidence. A buccal swab is a non-invasive method to collect DNA-containing cells from the inside of a person's cheek by using a small cotton swab or brush.

Las Vegas Police Arrest Charter School Teacher Who Allegedly Touched Boys Genitals

After police told Benavides their plan, she reportedly asked if she could get her cell phone. Police said that she then performed a 'google search' for a lawyer, per the outlet.

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Benavides  who was a special education teacher  continued to refuse to answer questions during the visit and the officers eventually left.

Amid the investigation, police collected evidence from her classroom at Stevens Elementary school, which included a bean bag chair that tested positive for a bodily fluid.

Investigators also spoke to the child, who claimed the abuse happened "sometimes as much as five times per day." He alleged that the abuse often happened in a "time-out room, though he said that Benavides would sometimes touch him sexually in the classroom with other kids present.

Benavides told the child not to tell anyone or else she would get in trouble and lose her job, per the affidavit.

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The boy also told investigators that Benavides would sometimes give him brownies, as well as take sexual videos of herself and show them to him at school.

Police managed to obtain Benavides' phone and found explicit videos of her talking to the camera as she undressed and pleasured herself. She even used the childs name in one video, per the outlet.

In the affidavit, police said that they also found videos of Benavides appearing to perform a sexual act with the child in the classroom.

Following her arrest, Benavides attended her first court hearing on Friday, March 13. It is not currently clear if she has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest.

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Married Former Kansas Teacher Accused of Grooming and Having Unlawful Sexual Relations With Student, 17

The Spokane Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment.

Sweetser Law Office, the law firm representing the childs family, issued a statement about the case on March 13. "Parents entrust schools with their children every day. That trust exists because families believe their children will be safe in the care of the adults responsible for them. Every child deserves that safety, the statement said, per KXLY.

Additionally, prosecutors said that Benavides' actions were "highly predatory" and noted that she was able to "keep her actions hidden for a long period of time."
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a snowmobiler after he became stranded on a drifting ice during a whiteout blizzard off the coast of Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island Fire Chief Jason St. Onge said fire officials were alerted at about 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, that a man had become lost on the ice, the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

"The man was told (through a translator over the phone) to stay put, and that rescue was coming to him," St. Onge said.

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Firefighters then advised the man to use his GPS to move toward their location while the chief and five other firefighters set out on the ice as part of the rescue crew.

Officials said the rescue was slow due to waist-deep snow, among other factors that made it difficult. The man then reached open water and became stuck on a piece of drifting ice, prompting a Coast Guard rescue.

Because blizzard conditions made an air rescue unsafe, the Coast Guard deployed the USCG Cutter Mackinaw, an icebreaking vessel, and located the man, bringing him and his snowmobile aboard the ship, the Coast Guard said. The man, whose identity was not released by the Coast Guard or fire officials, was reported to be in stable condition.

Mackinac Island is situated in Lake Huron and has been a Michigan state park since 1895.

'The ice is no joke'

St. Onge also told the Free Press that officials warned the undefined not to venture onto the ice, but he went anyway and became stranded about a mile off the shore.

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"The ice is no joke, not an inland lake or a mill pond. Conditions can and do change by the minute. Not one entity endorses the ice, nor is anyone in charge of its safety or security," St. Onge said in a news release.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coast Guard rescues snowmobiler stranded on Lake Huron ice
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was successfully launched out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County Monday night.

It was the fourteenth flight for the first stage booster, which is carrying 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit, according to the companys website.

The launch targeted a four-hour window that began around 7:37 p.m. Monday night out of Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

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Liftoff occurred at 10:18 p.m., with the approximately 14 minute mission showing the Falcon 9 entering low-Earth orbit and separating from the rockets upper stage and successfully returning to Earth and landing on on SpaceXs droneship Of Course I Still Love You, which is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

A Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County on March 16, 2026. (SpaceX)

Sonic booms possible across the Central Coast

SpaceX says residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties may have heard one or more sonic booms during the launch and landing sequence.

GameStop says 3 beloved gaming consoles now historic artifacts

What people experienced dependws on weather conditions, the rockets flight path and atmospheric factors. Sonic booms occur when the returning booster reenters Earths atmosphere at supersonic speeds.

A busy stretch of launches from California

Mondays mission was part of an especially active stretch of SpaceX launches from California.

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According to SpaceXs launch schedule, multiple Falcon 9 missions are planned from Vandenberg in the coming days and weeks.

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.
Regents at Western New Mexico University unanimously hired a new president Tuesday morning, more than a year after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham cleaned house and appointed five new regents to oversee the Silver City university.

At the meeting, regents struck an optimistic tone for the future as they signed a deal with Western Oregon Universitys Provost and VP of Academic Affairs Jose Coll.

Im deeply honored and thrilled, Coll told the regents. As we make this transition, Im eager to roll up my sleeves and work alongside our dedicated community.

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Colls contract carries an annual salary of $310,000  down from his predecessors salary of $365,000. Currently, its a three-year contract, but if Coll makes it more than a year into the role, it will automatically renew for an additional two years.

Former university President Joseph Shepard resigned in late 2024 following news reports and state investigations regarding how he and other university officials used taxpayer and university foundation dollars on luxury furniture, international travel and five-star resort stays. The New Mexico Higher Education Department and Office of the State Auditor investigated university leaders and reported improper and wasteful spending, including a WNMU trip to a California Ritz-Carlton.

The board of regents in late 2024 accepted Shepards resignation and awarded him a $1.9 million severance payment and a five-year teaching contract. Lujan Grisham subsequently demanded the regents resignations and New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez sued Shepard and the regents over the terms of his departure. Torrezs suit and one from the New Mexico State Ethics Commission  which accuses Shepard of using money meant for ADA-compliant projects on campus to build a patio for his daughters wedding reception  remain pending in court.

J. Dean Reed, the board of regents treasurer, told Source NM that in the lovely last year weve had, the newly appointed regents learned a lot of lessons from our last presidents contract and wrote Colls specifically to protect the university. Since the governor appointed the new board of regents about a year ago, Reed said their job has been to earn back the trust of everyone.

Regents at Western New Mexico University on March 17, 2026, hired Jose Coll, whos currently the Western Oregon University provost and VP of academic affairs, as university president. (Courtesy of Western New Mexico University)

He said he was confident in Colls ability to lead WNMU because of his time at Western Oregon University, which was the states first four-year public university to attain Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. Coll immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba as a child and later served in the U.S. Marine Corps before going into social work and academia.

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One of the statements he made that really stuck with me  he said a lot of university presidents can sometimes ask the community: What can you do for my university? Reed recounted. He said, I dont believe in that philosophy. We should ask our community how can we better serve you?

During the search process, which initially drew more than 20 applicants, Reed said Colls knowledge of the universitys inner workings impressed the regents. Before interviewing for the job, Reed said, Coll contacted the Office of the State Auditor and reviewed WNMUs budget to get a better sense of the challenges facing the university.

I think his authenticity, sincerity and humility are really going to serve this campus well, Reed said.

Other finalists for the job included Carlos Rey Romero, associate vice president of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; Sharon Jones, vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of engineering at the University of Washington Bothell; and Mario Martinez, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

Another finalist  Cameron Braxton Wesson, provost and vice president of academic affairs at La Salle University in Pennsylvania  withdrew from the candidate pool in February.
A bright red canopy has appeared along Middlebrook Pike, along with a whole lot of dirt.

Knoxville's second RaceTrac gas station is under construction at 1415 Third Creek Road. It's expected to open in the fall, RaceTrac communications manager Jeanine Jones told Knox News in an email.

RaceTrac started in Missouri in 1934 as Carl Bolch Trackside Stations before moving its headquarters to Atlanta and rebranding to RaceTrac in 1976, according to its website. In addition to its gas pumps, the convenience store sells breakfast sandwiches and pizza made in-house.

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The development is adjacent to the historic Knott-York House, which was named as endangered on Knox Heritage's 2025 Fragile and Fading list. The brick house dates back to approximately 1845, when it was built for Andrew Knott, according to Knox Heritage. After decades of ownership by the same family, the house was sold in March 2025. Today it sits in disrepair on the median of Middlebrook Pike.

A RaceTrac gas station under construction at the intersection of Middlebrook Pike and Third Creek Road in Knoxville.

While Knox Heritage considers it at-risk construction as modern buildings go up around it, developers can't do anything to the building without approval.

"There is a historic zoning overlay on the house located at that property, so any work or demolition on the house would be reviewed by the City Historic Zoning Commission," Ally Ketron, Knoxville-Knox County Planning's strategic planning and communications manager, told Knox News in an email.

Although heavy equipment operators are grading dirt for acres around the RaceTrac, Knox News confirmed the gas station is the only project permitted for that property.

The vacant Knott-York House is near the new RaceTrac gas station on Middlebrook Pike.

Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email: hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com. Instagram: @knoxstoryteller.

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Support strong local journalism by subscribing at subscribe.knoxnews.com.

What's that?

Curiosity often starts with two words, one question: "What's that?" If you see new construction or anything funky around town, send an email to knowyourknox@knoxnews.com. We'll work to get you an answer and might even share our findings with Knox News readers!

Here are some questions we've answered so far:

What's that blue building going next to Brazeiros on Kingston Pike? A national restaurant chain with tropical flair is the answer. Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is bringing its combo plates with options that include luau pig, Kilauea chicken, seasoned vegetables, rice, mac salad and pineapple skewers. The restaurant also serves wraps, sliders and salads.

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Full story: What's that blue building going next to Brazeiros on Kingston Pike?

What's that monolithic construction near 84 Lumber? It seems like something out of a sci-fi film, but what's really planned for the property is an off-campus University of Tennessee at Knoxville facility designed to house some of the school's most valuable academic resources.

Full story: What's that monolithic Middlebrook Pike construction near 84 Lumber?

What's that construction near WildWood Homes? Land in South Knox County once slated for a senior living facility soon will welcome more than 130 new homes.

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Full story: What's that South Knox construction near WildWood Homes? More homes (and lots of them)

What's that construction near Printshop Beer? Heavy machinery moving dirt on Island Home Avenue  unrelated to the massive Sevier Avenue streetscape project happening nearby  has caught the attention of people living in and passing through this under-construction portion of South Knoxville.

Full story: What's that Island Home Avenue construction by the river near Printshop Beer?

What's that replacing the old Cas Walker store? Cas Walker's old grocery store on Kingston Pike was once advertised as having "cut prices." New plans mean it will soon be the site of cut hair.

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Full story: What's that replacing the old Cas Walker building on Kingston Pike?

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: RaceTrac gas station coming to Middlebrook Pike in Knoxville
A hard truth for presidents: It's easier to get into a war than to get out of it.

Just ask Harry Truman about Korea, Lyndon Johnson about Vietnam, George W. Bush about Iraq.

And now Donald Trump about Iran.

When Trump announced in a social media video Feb. 28 that the United States and Israel were striking Iran, he vowed that their overwhelming military advantage would crush the Islamic republic's navy, its missile capabilities and its nuclear potential  perhaps even overturn the government itself  in a war he suggested might last four to five weeks.

See how Middle Eastern countries are caught in the crossfire of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Bahrain

Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. Syria

Syrian children stand on the wreckage of an Iranian rocket that was reportedly intercepted by Israeli forces in the southern countryside of Quneitra, near the Golan Heights, close to the town of Ghadir al-Bustan. Iraq

A plume of smoke rises near Erbil International Airport in Erbil on March 1, 2026. Loud explosions were heard early on March 1 near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said. Iraq

Members and officers from the Iraqi Interior Ministry's Explosives Directorate inspect the fuel tank of a rocket that landed in a rural village in the Siyahi area near the city of Hilla in the central Babil province on March 1, 2026. Iraq, which has recently regained a sense of stability but has long been a proxy battleground between the U.S. and Iran, warned that it did not want to be dragged into the war that started on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Qatar

A prayer appealing to God for protection is projected on the dome of al-Hazm shopping mall in Doha on March 1, 2026. Qatar

Motorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of Doha on March 1, 2026. Bahrain

A building that was damaged by an Iranian drone attack, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, March 1, 2026. Saudi Arabia

The empty terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is pictured on March 1, 2026. Global airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, plunging the region into a new conflict. In Saudi Arabia, Iranian missiles targeting Riyadh's international airport and the Prince Sultan Airbase, which houses U.S. military personnel, were intercepted, a Gulf source briefed on the matter told AFP. United Arab Emirates

A food delivery bike drive close to a plume of smoke rising from the Zayed Port following a reported Iranian strike in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2026. United Arab Emirates

An oil tanker is pictured offshore in Dubai on March 1, 2026. Attacks have damaged tankers, and many ship owners, oil majors and trading houses suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas shipments via the Strait of Hormuz. Oman

Smoke billows from an oil tanker under U.S. sanctions, that was hit off Oman's Musandam peninsula, in this screen grab from a video obtained by Reuters on March 1, 2026. Kuwait

Smoke rises from a reported Iranian strike in the area where the U.S. Embassy is located in Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. Black smoke was seen rising from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait City on March 2 after the latest volley of Iranian strikes, an AFP correspondent saw, Saudi Arabia

A satellite image shows efforts to control a fire as smoke rises in the Ras Tanura oil refinery in Saudi Arabia after a drone attack, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia March 2, 2026. Turkey

People make their way after crossing from Iran into Turkey at the Kapikoy Border Gate in eastern Van province,Turkey, March 2, 2026. United Arab Emirates

Delivery persons ride motorcycles along a road as a tall smoke plume billows following an explosion in the Fujairah industrial zone on March 3, 2026. United Arab Emirates

Pieces of missiles and drones recovered after Iran's strikes are displayed during a press briefing by the UAE government held in Abu Dhabi on March 3, 2026. Iran stepped up its attacks on economic targets and US missions across the Middle East on March 3, as the US president warned it was "too late" for the Islamic republic to seek talks to escape the war. As drones and missiles crashed into oil facilities and U.S. embassies in the Gulf, Washington's ally Israel bombarded targets in Iran and pushed troops deeper into Lebanon to battle the Tehran-backed militia Hezbollah. Lebanon

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on March 3, 2026. The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for dozens of locations in Lebanon on March 3, including warning residents in two southern Beirut neighbourhoods to stay away from several buildings ahead of an imminent operation. Lebanon

Emergency personnel work at the site of an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 3, 2026. Lebanon

Rescuers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Jamaa Islamiya offices in the southern Lebanese coastal city of Sidon on March 3, 2026. United Arab Emirates

Tankers are seen off the coast of the Fujairah, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, March 3, 2026. See how the Iran wars fallout is hitting the Middle East 1 of 20 See how Middle Eastern countries are caught in the crossfire of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Bahrain

Smoke rises in the sky after blasts were heard in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026.

Now on week three, the United States has destroyed much of Iran's armed forces and its stores of missiles. Its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed.

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But the ayatollah's son has taken his place, and Tehran has managed to essentially paralyze the crucial Strait of Hormuz with the threat of mines and attacks from small boats. That has spiked the cost of energy around the world and across the United States, including at the gas pump.

For Trump, that has made it both problematic to declare victory and increasingly costly to continue the fight.

"I think the president, frankly, is stuck," State Department veteran Aaron David Miller said on MSNOW.

All his options have downsides.

Asking allies for help  and hearing 'no'

For starters, Trump has found himself in the unaccustomed role of asking allies for help, to send warships that could escort vessels safely through the Strait of Hormuz. That may be the clearest message yet that he now sees an extended campaign ahead, not one that the forces arrayed in the region can end within a few weeks.

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Also unaccustomed: Many allies declined.

Some noted that Trump launched the war without asking their advice or support. "This is not our war," said Germany's defense minister, Boris Pistorius. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would not be "drawn into wider war." The European Union declined. Japan said it would consider the request.

Their demurrals prompted a rebuke from an angry Trump. "We don't need anybody," he told reporters at the White House on March 16. "We're the strongest nation in the world."

President Donald Trump speaks in Hebron, Kentucky, on March 11, 2026.

Meanwhile, he rejected the idea that the United States had underestimated Iran's ability to flummox a more powerful enemy. "I knew about the strait  that it could be a weapon, which I predicted a long time ago," he shrugged.

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He reiterated the importance of stopping, once and for all, Iran's nuclear ambitions. "You can't let the most violent, vicious country in the last 50 years have a nuclear weapon, because the Middle East will be gone," he said.

But he didn't explain how the United States could or would gain control of the uranium that Iran has processed nearly to bomb-grade, now buried far underground near Isfahan. That could involve deploying special operations teams and ground troops  a perilous mission that would carry the risk of higher casualties and deeper complications.

He has ordered an additional expeditionary force of 2,500 Marines to the Middle East. When a reporter on Air Force One asked Trump to explain the deployment, he replied, "Shh, you are a very obnoxious person," and called on another reporter for a question.

Most Americans aren't persuaded that the initial strikes were a good idea or that the war will make the United States safer.

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In a Quinnipiac Poll March 6-8, 53% of voters opposed the U.S. strikes, and 3 of 4 (74%) were against sending ground troops. Nearly two-thirds (62%) said the White House hadn't provided a clear explanation for the military action.

The survey of 1,002 registered voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

Only 1 in 5 predicted the war would last just days or weeks. More than 7 in 10 predicted it would last months or a year or even longer.

What defines a presidency?

Another lesson of history: Big wars tend to take over presidencies.

LBJ is remembered more for the misadventure in Vietnam than he is for the Great Society legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid. George W. Bush's presidency is defined by two of America's longest wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, which lasted longer than his tenure in office.

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During his second term, Trump has been focused on his legacy  in adding his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center, in campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize with an argument he had settled wars from Armenia to Rwanda.

In Iran, though, peace now seems far away.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Iran war lesson: It's easier to get into a conflict than out
California and 14 other states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration over new guidelines issued to housing agencies nationwide, which the states say have weakened fair housing protections and made it harder to hold landlords accountable for discrimination.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Northern Californias District Court on March 16, argues that the Trump administrations Department of Housing and Urban Development has imposed new unlawful conditions that narrow who is protected under the 1968 Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their race, nationality, religion, sex, familial status or disability. For decades, states have built upon this federal law to extend protection to other groups of people, like those in the LGBTQ community, veterans, seniors and people using Section 8 housing vouchers.

Attorney General of California Rob Bonta and Attorney General of Connecticut William Tong attend an interview with Reuters in downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

However, the Trump administration issued a new guideline to local and state housing agencies in September 2025 saying they could be decertified and, in turn, have their funding cut off if the agencies considered protections beyond those listed in the Fair Housing Act, according to the lawsuit.

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HUD, without legal authority, is effectively undermining state laws that offer stronger protections than federal law.  HUDs guidance is unlawful and would only roll back the progress weve made to keep our families safe from discrimination that limits where they can live, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement about the lawsuit.

The Fair Housing Act establishes a floor  not a ceiling  for protection against housing discrimination, the lawsuit reads.

President Donald Trump marked St. Patrick's Day with a green tie and the holiday's annual visit from the Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on March 17, 2026, in Washington, DC. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance greet the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin (2L) and his wife Mary O'Shea (L) for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast at the Vice President's residence in the US Naval Observatory in Washington, DC on March 17, 2026. The Irish prime minister arrived in the United States March 13 for an annual St Patrick's Day trip under pressure to talk tough to US President Donald Trump amid the Iran war. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on March 17, 2026. The Irish prime minister arrived in the United States March 13 for an annual St Patrick's Day trip under pressure to talk tough to US President Donald Trump amid the Iran war. Vice President JD Vance speaks during breakfast in honor of the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin at the Vice President's residence in the US Naval Observatory in Washington, DC on March 17, 2026. The Irish prime minister arrived in the United States March 13 for an annual St Patrick's Day trip under pressure to talk tough to US President Donald Trump amid the Iran war. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), tapped by US President Donald Trump to replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, attends a breakfast for the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin hosted by Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance at the Vice President's residence in the US Naval Observatory on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Irish Prime Minister arrived in the United States March 13 for an annual St Patrick's Day trip and will meet with President Donald Trump later today. Second Lady Usha Vance listens during a St. Patrick's Day breakfast in honor of the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin at the Vice President's residence in the US Naval Observatory in Washington, DC on March 17, 2026. The Irish prime minister arrived in the United States March 13 for an annual St Patrick's Day trip under pressure to talk tough to US President Donald Trump amid the Iran war. The Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin speaks during a breakfast hosted by US Vice President JD Vance (L) and second lady Usha Vance at the Vice President's residence in the US Naval Observatory on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Irish Prime Minister arrived in the United States March 13 for an annual St Patrick's Day trip and will meet with US President Donald Trump later today. President Donald Trump (L) speaks during a meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin as U.S. Vice President JD Vance (R) looks on in the Oval Office of the White House on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. Martin traveled to the United States for the Irish leader's annual St. Patrick's Day visit where he will attend a luncheon with Congressional leaders. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin as (L-R) U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright look on in the Oval Office of the White House on March 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. Martin traveled to the United States for the Irish leader's annual St. Patrick's Day visit where he will attend a luncheon with Congressional leaders. Trump, Vance wear green with Irish prime minister on St. Patrick's Day 1 of 9 President Donald Trump marked St. Patrick's Day with a green tie and the holiday's annual visit from the Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on March 17, 2026, in Washington, DC.

The attorneys general argue that this new guidance from the administration violates the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing judicial oversight and the publics right to comment on changes to federal regulations.

They also argue that the decision threatens to dismantle a crucial mechanism for combating housing discrimination by uprooting states decisions on what they consider a protected group.

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In addition to narrowing who is protected under the Fair Housing Act, the administration also required local and state housing agencies to establish several new conditions that govern how funds could be used.

Notably, three of the new conditions specify that local and state agencies cannot use any funding to promote or subsidize anything regarding illegal immigration, elective abortion or gender ideology.

All levels of government  local, state, and federal  should be laser-focused not only on building more housing but also ensuring that everyone can access a home free from discrimination. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration thinks otherwise, Bonta said.

The attorneys general from the following states and territories joined the lawsuit: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

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Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him at npadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why states are suing over 'unlawful' HUD fair housing conditions
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden kicked off a visit to the United States in Houston, Texas yesterday, where she traveled for the inauguration of the Swedish Consulate General in the city, which opened in September 2025.

Texas is one of the worlds most dynamic economies and an increasingly important market for Swedish companies. The inauguration of Swedens new Consulate General in Houston is an important step in further strengthening bilateral relations and creating better conditions for Swedish companies to grow and invest in the region, said Jan Larsson, CEO of Business Sweden.

Crown Princess Victoria was welcomed by Anna Hammarlund Blixt, the Consulate General of Sweden and Head of Mission in Houston, and attended a barbecue alongside Urban Ahlin, Swedens ambassador to the U.S. Also in attendance was Rickard Blomberg, who has a barbecue business The Smoking Swede honoring his Swedish roots. Per Svensk Damtidning, he treated Victoria to smoked brisket and ribs, and a jalapeno and cheese sausage.

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Today, she visited Rice University, where she met with Professor Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede and Assistant Professor Anna-Karin Gustavsson and many of their students.

After Houston, she is set to visit Austin, then Norfolk, Virginia, where NATOs allied naval forces are headquartered. I think the trip should be seen entirely against the background of her officer training. But also against the background of the world situation  even though the trip was certainly planned before the war broke out in the Middle East. Such trips require many days of preparation, royal expert Herman Lindqvist told Svensk Damtidning.

Lindqvist added, I also think the trip is to show that she is a serious heir to the throne who is up to date with world politics and military developments. Of course, it also has to do with NATO membership. If we were not in NATO, she would never have been shown the important military base.

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Mar. 17REGION  Though spring may be just days away, winter in southwest Minnesota will not be going down without a fight. Sunday's blizzard saw 4 to 8 inches of snow blanket the region and its roads, leading to the closure of Interstate 90 and Minnesota 60 that same day, in addition to multiple stranded cars and even a nine semi-pileup with four or five passenger vehicles on Interstate 90 near the Lakefield exit.

Ivan Gumbs, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said that while the weather was impressive, its timing isn't out of the ordinary, even within the last three mild winters.

"It was a pretty good snow, mostly driven by high winds and falling still with a little bit of ice mixed ... but we're still in winter," he said. "Even though we are approaching the time where we start to transition out of it, it's not unheard of for us to get some type of spring event. Even looking back to 2025 and 2024 ... we had three events in 2025 that were all in the blizzard variety. That also stretches into 2024, where we had another March heavy snow and heavy rain event."

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Nobles County Sheriff Ryan Kruger said the dispatch center remained rather quiet, thanks to having a heads-up on the approaching winter storm nearly a week in advance.

"We did have a few vehicles off (road) and few crashes that happened, but nothing serious that I'm aware of at this point. I think overall people kind of heeded the warnings," he shared on Monday. "There was plenty of advance notice on this storm system that was coming through and they'd been talking it up for almost a week in advance that this was going to come. I think most people were prepared and knew it was coming and most people stayed home."

Still, there were people who ventured out in the low visibility and icy roads.

"We always have those that feel like they need to get out when we have a blizzard," Kruger said. "Unfortunately, our deputies ... we don't have magic vehicles and they're driving in the same conditions that people are when they get stuck or in the ditch. It definitely takes us a while, and there's actually sometimes that we can't make it to them."

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In Jackson County, visibility decreased greatly as the day turned into evening. Hotels across the county filled and the Jackson Armory became an emergency shelter for stranded motorists.

"We had motorists stranded in various parts of the county. Our motels filled up by early afternoon," Jackson County Sheriff Shawn Haken said. "I think a lot of the motorists who were simply traveling through the county got off the interstate and off the state highways by mid-afternoon, then we started getting these calls of motorists that were stranded and ultimately had nowhere to stay."

Haken said the county asked for the Jackson Armory to open as an emergency shelter.

"We ended up housing seven people up there, but there were probably just as many people who stayed with their vehicles overnight. They had enough gas in their vehicle to ride the storm out overnight rather than have somebody try pick them up and bring them back to the Jackson Armory."

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While winter is winding down, it isn't over. People are still advised to drive with caution during storms  or stay home.

"The biggest thing I would say right now is just try to stay safe," Gumbs said. "Take it low and slow when it comes to the roads out there. We still got a lot of scattered slick spots from the snow and give yourself extra time in the mornings."
Nobody would blame you for not being familiar with the subnivium.

This winter-time microhabitat exists almost entirely out of sight, as a narrow gap of air (often paper-thin) that forms between the warm ground and the bottom of the insulating snowpack. It stays around 32 degrees fahrenheit in there, even when the temps above drop to bone-chillingly cold.

The perfect conditions for a host of life.

"Its a whole community down under there," said Lynette Anderson, interpretive naturalist and restoration specialist at Belwin Conservancy.

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The subnivium keeps mycelia (an important soil fungi) as well as plant roots from drying out and dying, she says. It gives certain insects and arachnids a place to scuttle about and chew on plant material, while also providing shelter for others that hunker down in a less-active state (such as queen bumble bees in the leaf litter.)

Frog species, like the wood frog and spring peeper, depend on the stable, predictable temperature to remain in a partially frozen, energy conservation state. Small mammals such as mice and voles create slightly larger tunnels as they wander the space in search of food, which weasels then slip into and take advantage of to hunt.

There is a lot going on, even if we cant see it.

I think winter has historically been thought of as a time where things are dormant and maybe even dead, said researcher Kimberly Thompson. But actually it's quite a vibrant season that really sets up subsequent seasons.

Sara Alaica, Flickr (Sara Alaica, Flickr)

Thompson, now based in Germany, has co-authored numerous research papers on the subnivium, going back to her time at the University of Wisconsin, where she earned her PhD in wildlife ecology while building on prior work by her advisers Jonathan Pauli and Benjamin Zuckerberg. In more northern areas of the Upper Midwest with lake effect snow, the subnivium (also called the subnivean layer or zone) might be around for three or four months, she said. Around the latitude of the Twin Cities or Madison, it will typically be a couple of months.

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Anderson compared the snow to that extra blanket on your bed, keeping everything at a reasonable temperature.

It might just be 32 degrees, she said, but it's above freezing enough that those creatures can exist.

A changing winter

The subnivium though needs a certain set of conditions to form, according to Thompson. There has to be a healthy amount of snow on the ground; the snow has to be light and fluffy, so it can act as that blanket-like insulator; and air temperatures need to stay below freezing so the snow doesnt melt and compress, disrupting the balance.

Climate trends, like what we saw this past winter, threaten to pull the rug out from under this system.

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Winter is the fastest-warming season in Minnesota, and average temperatures are 5-6 degrees fahrenheit warmer than they were a half-century ago, said Bring Me The News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard. And while were getting more snowfall, its not staying in place like it used to.

Average snowfall depth and the number of days with 6-plus inches of snowpack have both plummeted in the Twin Cities region since 1960. It rains more frequently in January and February than it used to, and those drops, Sundgaard said, act "like acid on snow"  causing it to melt and become compacted.

Warmer temps also tend to bring heavy, wet snow that is already compressed once it hits the ground, Sundgaard explained. (Its the colder weather that gives us drier, fluffier snow.)

Temperature swings complicate things further. Snow-melting levels of warmth followed by a deep freeze leaves even some quite-hardy species exposed to potentially deadly temperatures, Thompson said. It can also send mixed messages, triggering some species to go in and out of their overwintering state, forcing them to spend precious energy.

Future threats from climate change

Both Thompson and Anderson said the ripple effects of a disintegrating subnivium may be felt beyond winter.

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A queen bumble bee that freezes to death in uncovered leaf litter wont emerge to establish a new colony of buzzing pollinators. A massive insect die-off could mean less food for returning migrant birds. And on and on.

We definitely have some ideas, Thompson said of the cascading environmental impacts. At the same time, the complexity of ecosystems in general means there are things that we don't understand yet  because knowing or quantifying all of the interdependencies is a substantial task.

There are signs of resilience.

A research project in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan from Thompson and her colleagues found the subnivium held up well when exposed to a temperature increase of 3-degrees celsius, which wasnt enough to cause substantial snowmelt.

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That changed at 5 degrees celsius, a level of warming that triggered substantial disruptions to the existence of the subnivium. The papers authors predict sweeping ecological and environmental consequences in northern regions, and the potential for far-reaching consequences for ecosystem processes and biodiversity.

That level of warming is not out of the question. Sundgaard said warming of 5 degrees celsius by the end of the century could be the trajectory were on if no action is taken.

I think learning about these ecosystems, these ephemeral habitats, maybe things that have been underexplored  is important for appreciating the interconnectedness of life on Earth, said Thompson. It seems cheesy, right? But it is true. And the clock is ticking on all of these things that we learn.

BMTN Note: Weather events in isolation can't always be pinned on climate change, but the broader trend of increasingly severe weather and record-breaking extremes seen in Minnesota and across the globe can be attributed directly to the rapidly warming climate caused by human activity. The IPCC has warned that Earth is "firmly on track toward an unlivable world," and says greenhouse gas emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to limit warming to 1.5C, which would prevent the most catastrophic effects on humankind. You can read more here.

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Mar 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Weather section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
(The Center Square)  Two of Wisconsins congressmen are asking for a full audit after a Green Bay-based non-profit reported a multi-million-dollar deficit.

Congressmen Bryan Steil and Tony Wied said NewCap reported a $3 million deficit, despite getting nearly $14 million in government grants.

Wisconsin families deserve to know grants funded by their tax dollars are used responsibly and efficiently, Steil said.

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Steil and Wied said NewCap got $11 million from the federal government, and nearly $3 million more from the state of Wisconsin.

They also said Newcap's financial report shows they spent some of that money on six-figure salaries for their top executives.

"This deficit appears to be driven by abnormally high salaries for executives (including nearly $240,000 in annual compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, more than double her salary in 2018) and the misuse of grant funds to purchase first-class plane tickets and 'team building activities' that included high-end dinners and cooking classes, among other items," Steil and Wied wrote in a letter to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The allegations of misuse of funds at Newcap for the personal gain of executives and employees are unacceptable. I urge HUD to conduct a full investigation so taxpayers across Wisconsins 8th District can see how every penny was spent," Wied added.

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The allegations of excessive spending raise serious concerns about wasteful and abusive behavior with taxpayer funds," Steil said. "I urge HUD to investigate the allegations of misuse and restore good governance and responsible management of critical housing programs.

The two said some of the $3 million that Newcap received from the state of Wisconsin "should have gone towards helping Wisconsinites find safe and stable housing ."

They say Newcap's excessive spending on salaries, bonuses, and team-building are a "clear case of wasteful and abusive behavior with taxpayer funds."
The Wisconsin Senate unanimously passed legislation Tuesday that, once signed, will release $125 million set aside nearly three years ago to address PFAS contamination in the states water supplies.

The vote, on the last day the Senate was scheduled to be in session for the year, was the culmination of a multi-year legislative saga involving negotiations between legislative Republicans, Gov. Tony Evers, the state Department of Natural Resources and a number of outside interest groups.

A similar bill passed the Legislature during the last legislative session but was vetoed by Evers over objections from Democrats and environmental groups that the bill was too lenient to polluters responsible for PFAS contamination.

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The innocent landowner exemptions at issue in the first version of the bill were more narrowly constructed this time after a negotiation process with the DNR. Those changes drew the ire of the states largest business lobby, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and groups representing the states paper industry over concerns that industrial manufacturers such as paper mills were being singled out.

The two-bill package passed unanimously in both legislative chambers despite the opposition from WMC, which is usually one of the largest supporters of Wisconsin Republicans.

The bills author, Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto) noted on the floor Tuesday how meticulously drafted the final version was to make sure all the parties were on board.

The result is a bill that helps people who need to be helped and stops the government from going after people who are genuinely innocent of causing a hazardous discharge, he said.

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Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement that he was looking forward to signing the bill so the money could get out the door.

While I wish it wouldnt have taken nearly as long for the Legislature to join me in this important work, Im thrilled that these bills will soon be on the way to my desk so that we can get these critical and long-overdue investments out the door to the folks and families who need them, Evers said. Whether its kids in the classroom, families at home, or our farmers and agricultural industries, folks should be able to trust that the water coming from their tap is clean and safe. Im incredibly proud we were able to work across the aisle to get this done  and get it done right.

Under the bill, landowners who spread PFAS contaminated materials on farm fields under a DNR-authorized permit, local governments and airports that used PFAS-containing firefighting foams, solid waste disposal facilities and anyone who had PFAS move onto their property through shifting groundwater will not be held responsible for PFAS pollution under the states toxic spills law.

The spills law allows the DNR to require property owners responsible for pollution to pay for testing and cleanup of that pollution. The risk that the PFAS legislation could undermine the spills law was the largest objection from environmental groups to the first version of the bill introduced in the last session.

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The second bill in the package creates the programs through which the $125 million will be spent. Those programs include grants to municipal water systems and private well owners, as well as expanding the states testing capabilities and studying the long-term effects of PFAS.

The $125 million was first set aside in the states 2023-25 biennial budget. Throughout that time, communities across the state have continued to be affected by PFAS contamination of their water supplies. Places including Marinette, the town of Stella near Rhinelander and French Island near La Crosse have been managing the pollution, which has been tied to birth defects and cancer, for years.

Save Our Water, an advocacy group made up of residents of PFAS-affected communities, frequently complained throughout the long negotiations that the Legislature wasnt working to enact standards for the acceptable level of PFAS pollution in the states groundwater. The state has established standards for PFAS in municipal drinking water and surface water, but not groundwater, which is the source of drinking water for residents across the state with private wells.

In a statement, the organization celebrated the bills passage while noting theyll continue to push for the creation of a groundwater standard.

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This legislation will help impacted communities and innocent landowners who are forced to deal with PFAS contamination which they didnt cause and dont have the resources to clean up, the group said. [We] will continue to push forward to achieve a meaningful groundwater standard for PFAS and look toward using the bipartisan approach taken with this legislation as a model for future PFAS legislation.

Erik Kanter, the government affairs director of Clean Wisconsin, said this bill is only the first step as the state continues to manage the effects of widespread PFAS contamination, including the likelihood that even more money will need to be spent on the effort and the need for a groundwater standard.

The Legislature created the PFAS trust fund 32 months ago, and since then, people in Marinette, Peshtigo, the Town of Campbell, the Town of Stella, and communities throughout the state have waited and waited for our state government to create the programs through which the PFAS trust fund can be allocated. Now, an end to that waiting is finally in sight, Kanter said in a statement. The long, difficult work toward compromise on what should have been a straightforward spending bill is a telling sign that toxic PFAS contamination is evolving into a widespread, costly public health and environmental crisis  one that touches everyone from consumers to farmers and manufacturers. Its a crisis our state cannot ignore. This must be the first of many actions from Wisconsin lawmakers to take real, meaningful action that protects all of us from these pervasive, harmful chemicals. The state must now establish PFAS groundwater standards to provide clean water protection for rural Wisconsinites on private wells.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Guatemalan national will spend months in custody for conspiring to give counterfeit permanent resident cards and Social Security numbers to people living in the United States illegally, according to federal prosecutors.

Norma Ayala, 35, who is from Guatemala and living in the U.S. illegally, was sentenced to eight months in custody for conspiracy to transfer false United States Social Security cards and Permanent Resident cards to people who were also living in the country illegally, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Western District of Michigan said Monday.

Feds accuse three of selling counterfeit documents

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The investigation into Ayala and two other people, began in 2024. Homeland Security investigators found that she and codefendants Rigoberto Vasquez-Vasquez and Edgidio Vasques-Mencho were making, selling and advertising fake documentation to people who were living in the U.S. illegally. They said it happened on a number of occasions in 2024 and 2025 and the group was working in the Grand Rapids area.

Investigators say Ayala took orders, collected biographical data and photographs that would be used in the fake documents. She would then pass the information on to a co-conspirator, deliver the finished documents and collect payment.

The three were charged in September 2025. The defendants each pleaded guilty to their role. The other two people involved have not yet been sentenced.

After her eight months in custody are up, Ayala will be taken back to Guatemala, federal prosecutors say. She has been deported from the U.S. four times previously, according to attorneys.

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Ms. Ayala has been removed from the United States four times, which shows her disregard for our laws. When she came back, for the fifth time, she celebrated her good fortune by starting a fraud ring to enrich herself and to allow others to evade our immigration laws. This conduct is unacceptable, and my office will aggressively prosecute it whenever it occurs, wrote U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey in a release.

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.
A job fair in Oregon City is hoping to fill summer positions for a Portland-based agency supporting autistic individuals and their families.

Wednesdays job fair will be hosted by WorkSource Oregon and the Autistic Community Activity Program, who are collaborating to find 1:1 assistants for their summer camp. The summer program takes campers aged 7 and older with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis around the Portland area using public transit to visit the zoo, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, local parks and more.

This allows you to serve the community, explore Portland, and help autistic individuals build lasting life skills. You will work in groups, travel around the city, enjoy the sun and engage with clients to ensure their goals are met, said Brooke Pyper, the programs chief operating officer, in a press release announcing the job fair.

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The hope of the summer program is to help campers build safety, life skills training and social skill development and become confident navigating in their neighborhoods. It includes a mixture of classroom routine and community activities.

The 1:1 assistants will work with groups, based on interests, age and ability level, to assist the client-led adventures throughout Portland. At the end of the program, campers will receive TriMet Honored Citizen cards and travel skills training.

The job fair will take place on Wednesday, March 18 at WorkSource Oregons Oregon City office at 506 High St. in Oregon City from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Pay ranges from $18 to $23 per hour.
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Retired emergency department nurse Amy Dinaburg discusses her article Lowercase PTSD: Why emergency staff are still hypervigilant. Amy reflects on the relentless pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic where nurses were forced to override their nervous systems to keep patients alive. She describes the concept of Lowercase PTSD as the result of prolonged exposure to death and uncertainty rather than a single catastrophic event. The conversation highlights how the hero narrative often masked a survival mode that many staff are still struggling to turn off years later. Amy explains that healing requires small recalibrations, like consciously softening the body and allowing rest without earning it, to move from unconscious reactivity back to feeling fully alive.

Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Lets work together to tell your story.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Amy Dinaburg. She is a retired emergency department nurse. Todays KevinMD article is Lowercase PTSD: Why emergency staff are still hypervigilant. Amy, welcome to the show.

Amy Dinaburg: Well, thank you so much for having me.

Kevin Pho: All right, so tell us briefly a little bit about yourself and then what led you to write this article on KevinMD.

Amy Dinaburg: My name is Amy Dinaburg, and I am a retired ER nurse. Before that, I was a scientist in research and development. I have a masters degree in molecular biology and clinical nurse leadership.

Kevin Pho: OK, so you wrote this KevinMD article, Lowercase PTSD: Why emergency staff are still hypervigilant. What led you to contribute this article, and then tell us about the article itself for those that didnt get a chance to read it.

Amy Dinaburg: I recently was seeing a therapist and he suggested I may have PTSD. I initially rolled my eyes because I have never been in a war, my parents didnt show their love with violence, and I didnt really think that I could have PTSD from working at my job as an ER nurse during the pandemic. Also in the culture of ER nursing, we are tough. We feel we can do anything. You can just throw it at us and we will make it work.

So when he sort of reframed it as lowercase PTSD, noting it is about being consistently exposed to all the death, uncertainty, fear, and different policies changing day to day, it was easier for me to swallow and think about. Because initially, I thought there is no way I have PTSD. So that is what made me write about it. I had to think about it, process it, and then write about it. That is what started it.

Kevin Pho: In the article, you make the distinction between capital T trauma and lowercase PTSD. Tell us more about that distinction.

Amy Dinaburg: Well, I was thinking that capital T trauma would be a catastrophic event. Whereas with lowercase PTSD, it was more day to day. It involves things becoming normal that werent normal and just readjusting. When you are exposed to somebody dying or somebody being intubated, or just the chaos of the ER on a day-to-day basis, you cant process those emotions because the next ambulance is coming in. The next person dying is coming in. You just have to keep rolling with it. There was no real decompression time.

Of course, I dont want to get into the hospital system and the short-staffed issues. I am just talking about what we had to deal with on a regular, everyday basis that just became normal for us. It is really hard to turn that off even after the crisis is over. It has been years since that crisis, but those coping mechanisms that kept us alive during that pandemic dont automatically turn off when the crisis ends.

Kevin Pho: Give us some examples of some of those coping mechanisms that you are mentioning, especially those developed during the pandemic now that you have had some time to reflect on that.

Amy Dinaburg: I am always looking for where the fire is that I have to put out. It is very hard for me to sit and just play with Legos with my kids without thinking about what needs to be done. I think that this needs to be done, that needs to be done, and we need to be ready for this. Sitting and being silent and still is a challenge. I have had to relearn how to do that. It wasnt until I retired that I realized that I am still doing it. I am not working anymore, and yet that way of thinking still happens.

Kevin Pho: And what were you like before the pandemic and before becoming an emergency department nurse? Were you always like this or is it just the events from the pandemic and the job that changed you?

Amy Dinaburg: That is a good question. I feel like I have always loved to jump in the mix, be a team player, and make things happen. But before the pandemic and that whole event, I could sit and be with myself and be silent and quiet. I may have been bored, but I could do it. I also feel like I had more compassion for little things. If someone had a stomach ache, I would be sympathetic. Now it is more like: Are you dying? But that might just be with emergency nursing in general.

However, I feel like I have developed an intolerance for people not doing what they are supposed to be doing. In the ER, if we are not all functioning well, the team suffers. I feel like every single one of us was an organelle in a really high-functioning cell. When anybody slacks, we can pick up the slack a little bit, but if somebody doesnt do what they are supposed to do on a regular basis, the whole team suffers. Now I have brought that home with me. If my children arent running like a high-functioning trauma bay, I might lose my patience a lot faster than I used to.

I used to have more patience and curiosity. After the pandemic, it looked more like competence without the ability to soften. Everything has to be done a certain way. Even things like when the kids dont put their shoes where they are supposed to go, it is not just a minor irritant. It can be destabilizing.

Kevin Pho: For this lowercase PTSD idea, now you left the field of emergency department nursing. What were some of the reasons behind that? Was it because of a little bit of this lowercase PTSD?

Amy Dinaburg: Yes. I love nursing. Well, really, I love helping people. I love being in contact with people, being there for them in their most vulnerable moments, and helping them find peace or stability or what they need. My goal now is to get into the more spiritual side of patient care and treating the whole person rather than making sure they just survive.

Kevin Pho: So when the therapist said that you had PTSD and you had time to reflect on it and think about it, tell me what happened next in terms of how you dealt with that and how that has affected your life today.

Amy Dinaburg: It has been really illuminating. One of the other things as a nurse that you have to do regularly is justify why you do what you do. When you are in a situation where your resources are so thin and there is no way that you can be on time for 60 patients in the lobby, you have to prioritize. You have to make sure they all get medicated. That is what it was like. You either had four patients in a zone who were all actively dying, or you had the triage area where you had 60 patients who were triaged as not critical, but it could all turn on a dime.

When your resources are so thin, you have to make sure that your priorities are correct and that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing for the people who are the sickest, while also taking care of everybody else too. With that mentality of always trying to justify why I was doing what I was doing, I found that in processing if I have this PTSD and if I am carrying these coping skills into my life today when the pandemic was years ago, I realized I am constantly justifying everything that I am doing because I am afraid somebody is going to tell me I am doing it wrong.

That has been illuminating because I realize I dont have to fight anymore. One of the other things besides that thought habit that I am working on is being able to rest even when I feel like I dont deserve it. Before, if I needed to rest, I would just rest. Now I feel I have to earn it. I have to make sure that I am a part of the team and I do my fair share before I can earn the privilege of resting.

That is another thing that I have realized since this diagnosis of PTSD. It is just being able to rest and not having to fight to make sure everyone knows that I did the right thing. Learning to recalibrate my nervous system so I can sit still and be silent is important. I remind myself it is not an emergency and I dont have to make a decision right this second. I can think about something for an afternoon before making a decision. Before, it had to be done and it had to be done right now or yesterday.

So far as how my life has changed since that diagnosis, it has really illuminated a lot of the behaviors that were coping skills I needed at the time but are not serving me in the kitchen of my house.

Kevin Pho: There are thousands of health care workers, of course, that are still working even after the pandemic. What are some of the dangers if we dont address this potential PTSD that they developed because of the pandemic? What are some of the repercussions for these health care workers?

Amy Dinaburg: Disillusionment and, of course, burnout. But I feel like burnout also needs to be reframed as well, because I was in burnout for sure. I feel like when you are really entrenched in that burnout, you know you are burned out and you dont care. It is just life. When people offer you resources or say you should do this to help with your burnout, you have just accepted your fate. You dont think anything could help. If it does, you feel it would only help for a second. It is hard to describe now that I am on the other side of it.

I feel like especially for people on the front line, but also people in the ICUs or people who really see critical patients on a regular basis when resources are spread so thin, more needs to be done. We need to address health care workers so that they keep the joy in their heart and their passion in helping these folks who are sick. Towards the end it was just asking if they are dying, and if not, moving on to the next person who is. That is not where I began. I love connecting with people and helping them. Where it ended was if you are not dying, I need to move on to the next person who is. Even with my children, instead of being present with them, I am always wondering what more important task needs to be done.

Kevin Pho: What kind of advice do you have for your fellow emergency department nurses or other health care workers for that matter who may be listening to you and wondering whether they have undiagnosed PTSD? Tell us the advice that you have for them.

Amy Dinaburg: Go to a therapist and discuss it. Just discuss it and have a conversation. You may not have it, and that is fine too. Anyone who goes through an event like that which lasted for years with all the political implications and the constant stress is going to carry something. You are dealing with your neighbors, people wearing masks, Facebook, and all these things coming from all different angles.

I had a patient one time who said he didnt believe in COVID as I was putting the nasal cannula on his face. Any sort of event like that is going to leave a mark. Even if you dont have PTSD officially, lowercase or uppercase, there is decompression that needs to get done. That is honoring your humanity. It is not admitting weakness, which is one of the things that I was afraid of. We consider ourselves tough broads in the ER.

Just have a conversation. If you find yourself unable to be silent or unable to be present in moments that make life worth living, sit down and talk with a professional about it. It doesnt have to be a big deal. Just have a conversation.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Amy Dinaburg. She is a retired emergency department nurse. Todays KevinMD article is Lowercase PTSD: Why emergency staff are still hypervigilant. Amy, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Amy Dinaburg: The take-home message is that the coping mechanisms that kept us alive during the pandemic dont automatically turn off when the crisis ends. Our nervous system and our physiology have changed after prolonged exposure to that sort of environment. Turning around and being the person that you were is hard to do. So be cognizant of that. Think about that and see if there is help that you can find or conversations that you can have that would help others. Other people might mention that they are suffering from similar things. I would really recommend anybody on the front line just to have conversations about how they are feeling right now, pre-pandemic and post-pandemic, and see if there is any help that they need in finding peace.

Kevin Pho: Amy, thank you so much for sharing your story, your time, and your insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Amy Dinaburg: Thank you so much.
When Marie was fired from a Haitian factory producing Old Navy clothing in July 2024, she was pregnant with her son, now 14 months old. Labor advocates describe the dismissal as a dual violation, breaching both Gap Inc.s code of conduct barring pregnancy discrimination and Haitian law requiring ministry approval to dismiss expectant workers. All Marie knew was that it was illegal and unfair.

As it turned out, she was part of a wider purge. Three other pregnant employees, plus nine SOTA-BO union leadersall womenwere also let go that day. Marie, who started working at The Willbes in 2019, wasnt entirely blindsided by the development: The factory was in the middle of shuttering two of its four production units, including hers, and laying off 900 workers. Nevertheless, her exit was dizzyingly swift: she and the other employees were summoned to HR, told to sign letters they barely scanned and handed a date to collect their severance.

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She had assumedincorrectly, it seemedthat her pregnancy would have protected her job from elimination. Instead, in signing those documents, Marie and her colleagues had inadvertently waived their right to transfer to still-operational parts of the factory. From her conversation with the manager, Marie believed she was merely acknowledging an involuntary terminationa procedural necessity to collect her severancewith no possibility of a future at The Willbes.

I remember telling [the manager] that its not legal to fire pregnant women without authorization from MAST [Ministere des Affaires Sociales et du Travail], but he said the factory would close completely and that MAST couldnt do anything about it, said Marie, who asked to use a pseudonym in case of retaliation. When I asked him if he had MAST authorization, he did not answer directly.

The move, labor advocates say, casts a harsh spotlight on the growing divide between lofty corporate pledges and grimmer factoryfloor realities. For years, Gap Inc., which also owns Athleta, Banana Republic and the eponymous Gap, has positioned itself as a champion of women through programs meant to promote gender equity in global supply chains. But when platitudes arent backed by action, the disparity between branding and behavior becomes impossible to ignore.

Scott Nova, executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium, a Washington-based labor watchdog, said the fired workers didnt know what they were signing, resulting in a lack of transparency that he suggests was by design. By framing the departures as resignations, he added, the pregnant employees forfeited the maternity benefits to which they were legally entitled, including the equivalent of 12 weeks of paid leave. This stripped them of a critical financial safety net at the vulnerable time of childbirth in the Western Hemispheres poorest country.

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In addition to being ethically reprehensible, this behavior is illegal, Nova said. The workers are entitled to reinstatement and back pay. The factory has similarly mistreated a number of union leaders; they are also entitled to reinstatement and back pay.

When WRC contacted Gap Inc., one of The Willbes anchor buyers, the brand sided with the factory, which asserted that it had offered the workers continued employment, but they had chosen dismissal instead. Nova described the claim as not only improbable but false, as determined through interviews. Better Work Haiti, a factory auditing program backed by the International Labour Organization, also concurs with The Willbes version of events, though it has declinedor refused, in Novas wordsto make its auditor available for a WRC interview.

Gaps actions in this case violate its own labor standard, Nova said. In addition to Gaps position being terrible, the company looks terrible, but it has dug in its heels and continues to side with a lawless supplier against the workers the supplier has abused.

The impasse exposes another persistent tension in the garment industry: institutional trust in third-party audits that have been criticized for lacking accuracy or depth, versus the lived experiences of workers that those systems are meant to safeguard.

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While The Willbes didnt respond to a request for comment, a Gap Inc. spokesperson said the companyas a responsible job creator in Haitiadheres to the standards and findings of the countrys Ministry of Labor and Better Work Haiti, which, together, ensure worker rights are protected and international standards are met.

In a statement, Better Work Haiti confirmed it monitored the closure of the facility in coordination with MAST. The organization said it reviewed the calculation of final payments for roughly 644 employeesincluding notice periods, unpaid wages and bonusesand concluded that workers and administrative staff received their legal entitlements. Writing in its latest Haiti synthesis report, Better Work Haiti said records showed that 24 union members were offered reassignments within the company, but that nine chose not to accept.

Guided by their recommendations, we ensured that The Willbes met all legal obligations and fully upheld the rights and protections entitled to their workers in Haiti, the Gap Inc. spokesperson said. The retailer is now evaluating Better Works report and will take all appropriate steps recommended within it.

Nova, however, questions Gap Inc. and Better Work Haitis claims. Gap Inc. may have conducted an investigation, he said, but it didnt interview affected workers. He cast doubt on Better Work Haitis credibility, calling its record one of ineffectuality. Most of all, standing by The Willbes, Gap Inc. is validating the suppliers narrative that the workers engaged in a conspiracy to resign and then falsely claim they were fired.

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Gap is apparently trying to hide behind the fact that neither the Haitian government nor Better Work Haiti stood up for the rights of these workers, Nova said. Better Works exoneration of The Willbes is based on fraudulent letters the factory duped workers into signing. This is not the first time Better Work has given a seal of approval to a closure process that violated workers rights. I would bet it wont be the last.

Inside the factory, conditions were more visceral. For Roseline, 36, a five-year Willbes veteran who joined SOTA-BO in 2020, the factorys red flags were already apparent before the layoffs began. Factory management, she said, regulated bathroom use by requiring supervisor approval to access the facilities. Workers arriving late were frequently locked out, only to be suspended the following day for unexcused absences in what she described as a self-fulfilling disciplinary loop. There was also insufficient drinking water, which, when provided, was warm and barely drinkable.

I joined SOTA-BO because I did not like the way the factory was treating the workers and me personally, said Roseline, who also asked to use a pseudonym. But things did not really change in the factory because the union was there. If anything, joining the union made you more of a target for discrimination. They would intentionally suspend the line that had union members whenever there was a shortage of work.

Gap Inc., however, maintains that its oversight is robust, with a code of conduct that explicitly requires suppliers to respect the right of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining, strictly prohibiting any harassment, intimidation, or retaliation against union members. Haitian law also forbids dismissing workers for union activities.

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Even so, conditions at The Willbes, as described by workers, reveal a larger industry truth: Workplace rules, whether laid down by a brands paper promises or national law, are only as good as their enforcement. Where oversight is nominal, reliance on self-regulation can descend into what labor advocates describe as compliance theater, one thats replete with blind spots.

The factory treats people however it wants because they know they have the upper hand, since labor laws are not enforced by the Haitian government, Roseline said. The union could have been more effective in the factory, but MAST responds more quickly to factory demands than to union complaints. But as a union, despite these barriers, we had to try. Otherwise, we would simply accept failure, which can only result in worse outcomes in the factories in Haiti.

Minding the intention gap

The allegations also sit at odds with Gap Inc.s public-facing commitments to womens empowerment. The retailer has long touted initiatives such as Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement, or P.A.C.E., to provide female workers with foundational life skills and on-the-job training. As a founding member of RISE, billed as a global collaboration of workers, industry and policymakers accelerating equality and opportunity for low-income workers in garment, footwear and home textile supply chains, it says it seeks to, among other things, increase agency and advance workers rights, guided by womens needs.

In Gap Inc.s 2024 impact report, the most recent available, CEO Richard Dickson wrote that since women comprise the majority of the retailers customers, leaders, employees and apparel supply chain, Gap Inc. understands the value women bring to our business and funds programs worldwide to ensure they are empowered to reach their full potential both at work and at home. The scale of that business is massive: In its full-year report for 2025, Gap Inc. posted net sales of $15.4 billion, a 2 percent year-over-year increase. More than half of that came from Old Navy.

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The reach, Dickson said, is how the company has been able to make industry-leading investments, such as improving water access through the Women + Water Collaborative. Since 2007, Gap Inc.s P.A.C.E. and RISE initiatives have positively impacted more than 1.6 million women and girls in 85 percent of its strategic factories, he added.

For the fired women from The Willbes, however, the promise of increased agency and financial resilience has proven elusive. Since Marie was fired, and her husband became the familys sole breadwinner, life has been a bitter struggle. Besides their toddler, they are raising a 14-year-old whose school fees climb with every grade. Keeping the children fed and clothed on a limited income makes things even harder, she said.

Other losses defy measurement. I also had my little sister living with me, and I used to take care of her, Marie said. But after I lost my job, I had to send her back to my parents in the south of Haiti because I could no longer support her.

Marie is steadfast in her conviction that her firing was illegal. Shes since been offered her old job, but will only return to The Willbes if her back wages are restored. Otherwise, she said, nothing would prevent factory management from doing the same again.

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I would never have signed a document saying I did not want to be transferred to another building, because I wanted to continue working, she said. I dont have anything else to say. I am just hoping that Gap and The Willbes will do the right thing for us workers.

So far, only one of the 13 dismissed workers has returned to The Willbes. None, however, has received the back pay they believe theyre owed.

Sarah Newell, campaigns director at Partners for Dignity and Rights, a New York nonprofit, acknowledges Haitis complexities as a sourcing hubshifting trade policies notwithstandingbut says it defies logic that coincidentally, all of the union leadership and all of the pregnant women would be among those to be laid off.

The stakes extend beyond one factory and one brand. Haitis garment sector, which is responsible for 90 percent of the countrys exports, is on shaky ground because the duty-free provisions of the U.S. governments HOPE/HELP Acts were recently renewed only through 2026. With companies pulling out because of trade uncertainty, workers are nervous about organizing, knowing that any friction risks further factory closures that could trigger more layoffs.

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Haiti requires a heightened level of engagement and responsibility, she said. And the idea that Gap has been sourcing from Haiti for so many years, and would say, Oh, we trust the factory when they say the workers resigned and we dont need to talk to the workers to affirm that story, I have a sense of disbelief in hearing that.

What she found most troubling, however, was the apparent vacuum of accountability from those with the leverage to change things. This past January, the organization and more than a dozen others wrote a letter to Dickson citing the retailers lack of appropriate actionas required by its code of conduct and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rightsto remedy these clear violations of womens rights and union rights. Since then, all Newell has heard is silence.

We wrote to Gap when we first found out about the case; they have not responded. I know a number of civil society organizations have also written, and they didnt respond, she said. I thought the letter would be enough to get them to respond and engage, but they have not responded to that letter or engaged at all. Weve spoken with WRC, which says Gap has not followed up with them. So Gap seems to be completely ignoring the case, as far as we can tell.

Still, Newell wants to keep pressing the issue. She said shes noticed an uptick in incidents where workers were forced or tricked into signing paperwork as a legal shield for discriminatory restructuring. At The Willbes, she added, worker testimony that they didnt know what they were signing away couldnt be any clearer. What pregnant worker, she asked, would voluntarily give up paid maternity leave in a country where half the population faces severe food insecurity?

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It felt like this was an important one to challenge Gap on, because its a concerning trend that were seeing, Newell said. Honestly, my fear is that this is our new trend toward corporate impunity under the Trump administration. It really seems like corporations are feeling empowered to ignore the workers in their supply chains.

Meanwhile, the dismissed workers still await compensation that may never arrive. Roseline hasnt spoken to Gap Inc. directly, but she knows what shed say given the chance: Resolve this debacle or risk The Willbes continuing its trajectory of abusing and illegally firing workersperhaps worse.

In that case, Gap would be complicit, she said, because they did not take action when these situations were brought to their attention. Even though they did not directly participate in firing us, Gap holds leverage over The Willbes, which made the decision to discriminate against us as union members and lied about us in the process of firing us.

Roseline, mother to a 15-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, faces a crossroads. In Haiti, she said, there are few alternatives to factory work. Following her termination, she started a small street enterprise, but it failed to take off. In a city increasingly marked by bloodshed, gang activity that the United Nations says has killed thousands of people kept forcing her to move until it was no longer tenable to stay in business.

Until I was fired, I used to send money to my parents every month to take care of my children, but now I cant do that, she said. I send them money whenever I can; sometimes it takes more than three months before I can send them anything. As a mother, it hurts because your children depend on you, yet you cant take care of them properly.
NEW YORK (AP)  The transit agency in charge of New York City's subway system sued the Trump administration Tuesday, accusing it of breach of contract for withholding almost $60 million in federal funding that was supposed to help build new stations in Manhattan.

The suit from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the latest in a series of legal battles between the federal government and officials in New York and New Jersey over funding for transportation infrastructure projects in the region  including a reconstruction project for New Yorks Penn Station, a new rail tunnel between the two states and New Yorks first-in-the-nation congestion fee on drivers entering the busiest part of Manhattan.

The latest litigation, filed in the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, said that since the government last year announced it was suspending funding for a project to the extend the Second Avenue subway line, the U.S. Department of Transportation has withheld over $58.6 million  with more to become due soon.

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The project is supposed to cost $7.7 billion, with the federal government paying around $3.4 billion of that, the suit says. Without the federal funds, the state agency has had to divert money from elsewhere, but if the suspension continues, the work will eventually come to a screeching halt, the suit argues.

New Yorks Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul argued the situation has the entire project at risk.

Once again, New York has been forced to sue the Trump Administration to stop them from erratically shutting off billions of dollars in previously committed infrastructure funding, she said in a statement.

In response to the lawsuit, the federal DOT said it is committed to ensuring hardworking taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly. We are considering all legal avenues.

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The Republican administration announced in October a hold on $18 billion in funding for the subway extension as well as the new tunnel beneath the Hudson River, citing a government shutdown and the administration's concern that funding was being unconstitutionally spent based on diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

A federal judge in February ordered the administration to restore funding to the tunnel.

The first section of the long-planned Second Avenue line opened in 2017 with new stations on the Upper East Side. The new project would add three stops to extend the line into East Harlem
After seeing how truly terrible social media is for young teen girls  and the level of abuse they endure from strangers who want to groom them and worse  Raul Torrez felt there was only one way to fix things: by dragging executives from Meta into court to hold them accountable.

There needs to be a reexamination of the algorithmic features that serve predators the kinds of vulnerable children that we know are currently on the platforms, Torrez, the attorney general of New Mexico, told me.

Pushed by Torrez, the state of New Mexico is currently in the middle of a courtroom trial that accuses Mark Zuckerbergs companies  including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp  of exposing kids to the twin dangers of sexual exploitation and mental health harm through messages, sextortion schemes and human trafficking.

The state of New Mexico is in the middle of a courtroom trial that accuses Meta platforms  including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp  of exposing kids to explicit messages, sextortion schemes and human trafficking. Suzi Media  stock.adobe.com

One ex-Meta executive, Arturo Bejar, caused major waves with his testimony in the case.

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The product is very good at connecting people with interests, and if your interest is little girls, it will be really good at connecting you with little girls, he testified.

Bejar alleged that his own underage daughter was bombarded by predators sending messages and nude photos.

Led by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, the state of New Mexico is suing Mark Zuckerbergs Meta companies  including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp  for alleged harm done to minors. Getty Images for Accountable Tech

I was with her when she created the account, Bejar said. I didnt know that was going to bring predators to her door, people who attacked her to her door, people who would ask her to sell nude photos of herself when she was a teenager to her door.

A spokesperson for Meta emphasized that the company has since added additional safety features, including preventing adults from starting unwanted contact with minors and a nudity protection filter to blur potentially explicit photos.

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Torrez and his team saw firsthand what can happen when they set up a decoy account, posing as a 13-year-old girl. The teen was quickly bombarded by explicit photos and propositions from would-be predators.

What we saw was an explosion  first in the number of adult men following the accounts, but also direct messages that included sexually explicit materials, sexually explicit photographs, Torrez, a former child abuse prosecutor, told me.

Lewd messages between predators and a decoy were released by the New Mexico AGs office. Operation MetaPhile

In May 2024, Torrez announced that three predators had been arrested in Operation MetaPhile.

They had been traveling to a New Mexico hotel to have sex with someone they believed was a 13-year-old girl. All three made contact through Meta platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook.

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One man, 52-year-old Fernando Clyde, sent photos of his genitals to the underage account and said he wanted to rape her, make her cry and get her pregnant.

When the decoy sent him a photo of a friend she claimed just turned 11, he responded, Mmmmm. Really.

Another, Christopher Reynolds, was targeted specifically in the operation after the mother of a real 11-year-old he was contacting reported him to the police.

The Operation MetaPhile messages released by New Mexicos AG office show text messages between adult men and what they believed was a 13-year-old girl. Operation MetaPhile

Reynolds told the decoy that he could get a motel where she was located. Can we just chill? And it can give us some time to work on our kisses, he wrote.

All three men were charged with child solicitation by electronic communication, and two with attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor.

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Torrez alleges his undercover operation is proof that Meta is trampling consumer protection laws, and failing to inform customers about the harm their product could cause.

I dont think that the jury would be convinced at the end of the day that a company with this many resources as they have at their disposal has done nearly enough to stop that harm, he told me.

Christopher Reynolds was arrested and charged with child solicitation by electronic communication device in Operation MetaPhile, in which the Attorney Generals office in New Mexico had someone pose as a 13-year-old girl on social media. Operation MetaPhile

Marlon Kellywood was charged with attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor, as part of Operation MetaPhile. Operation MetaPhile

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri took the stand last week in the trial to defend the platform.

I think we should do what we can, he said, when asked whether Instagram should make efforts to keep teens safe. I think that theres over 2 billion people on Instagram, which means there are millions of teens on Instagram. So when you say everything, I want to be clear that we are a large enough platform that sometimes some things will  so for instance, problematic content will be seen.

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He added: As the world changes and Instagram changes and how people use the internet changes, the risks change, and so theres always more work to do.

Torrez said he considered the testimony part of a consistent downplaying of the harms from executives.

The trial will likely continue for several more weeks before a jury decides whether Meta is liable for harm on its platform.

Arturo Bejar, who was formerly a senior engineering and product leader at Facebook, testified in the New Mexico case that his own daughter was approached by predators on Meta. AP

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has testified in both the New Mexico trial and another major one brought by a 20-year-old girl, known as KGM, in Los Angeles. AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile, a bellwether trial in Los Angeles is currently before a jury, as a 20-year-old California girl, only known as KGM, is suing Meta and Google, alleging their platforms were deliberately designed to addict children.

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A spokesperson for Meta said that Torrez is making sensationalist, irrelevant and distracting arguments by cherry picking select documents.

Were focused on demonstrating our longstanding commitment to supporting young people, the spokesperson said. For over a decade, weve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research  to make meaningful changes.

Torrez said the changes he wants to see Meta make should be doable.

One of the most critical issues is just [more stringent] age verification, he said, so that we have a clear understanding of exactly the age of the users who are in those spaces so the experience that they have can be carefully curated.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that Russia has transferred drones to Iran and asserted those systems were later used in strikes targeting U.S. bases and Iran's neighbors in the Middle East. The claim lands as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has argued the Trump administration is tracking Russian-Iranian contacts and folding that into planning, a posture he discussed while monitoring communications closely.

In a recent interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Zelensky described the drones as Shaheds and said Russia used Iranian production rights to build large numbers before passing them along. He also said he has "100% facts" that the Iranian regime deployed those drones against American bases and regional targets.

Russia gave drones already, these Shaheds. They are using Iranian licenses. You know that they built and produced a lot of drones, they gave them. I have 100 percent facts that Iranian regime used against American bases and against our Middle East, in Middle East, I mean, and Middle East neighbors of Iran, they used these drones," Zelensky said.

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How Russian Drones Are Shaping Middle East Tensions

Zelensky said intelligence shared with Ukraine included indicators that Russian-supplied details were embedded in the Iranian drones used in attacks. He also said his intelligence services believe Moscow has gone further by providing Tehran with information support.

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During the interview, Zelensky said Russian officials view the intelligence dimension as reciprocal, arguing that if Europe and the U.S. can assist Ukraine with information in its war, then Russia can assist Iran. Zelensky said Moscow's stance is treated as a matter of fact and "not a big secret."

My intelligence said, if Europe and the United States can help Ukraine with intelligence in this war, it means that Russia can help Iranian regime. This is their point of view on this. So its a fact, and you see that its not a big secret, he further added.

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Are U.S. Forces At Greater Risk Now?

Earlier in Washington, Hegseth told CBS News' "60 Minutes" that the U.S. is watching communications and translating what it learns into operational decisions. He also said Americans should be confident President Donald Trump understands "who's talking to who," and that activity seen as out of bounds is being met with a forceful response.

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Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump over reports of Russian intelligence reaching Iran about U.S. military locations, saying it could signal a widening conflict that Trump is "already losing control of." Schumer also objected after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. may temporarily permit certain Russian oil transactions to steady global energy markets, arguing the move favors Moscow as U.S. energy costs rise.

Heightened Risks in Hormuz Oil Security

This escalation in tensions is underscored by President Donald Trumps recent statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz, where he emphasized that nations affected by Irans actions will collaborate with the U.S. to ensure the waterway remains open and safe. In his remarks, Trump pointed out that despite the degradation of Irans military forces, they still pose a threat through drone and missile harassment of shipping traffic.

See Also: 1.5 Million Users Are Already Working Inside This AI Platform  Investors Can Still Get In

Trumps comments follow U.S. Central Commands recent military strikes on Irans Kharg Island, a critical hub for oil exports, which he linked to the broader security strategy for maintaining the flow of about 20% of global oil supply through the strait. His insistence on a coalition naval effort to protect commercial traffic illustrates the heightened risk of conflict in the region and reflects ongoing challenges from Iranian threats to maritime security, as detailed in a recent post on shipping safety.

The Energy Markets Vulnerable Link To Conflict

Trading on Polymarket has reflected expectations that the fighting could drag on, with a ceasefire by March 15 priced at 26% and by March 31 at 46%. The same venue put the odds of U.S. military entry into Iran by Dec. 31 at 38%, using a definition that includes special operations forces but excludes intelligence operatives.

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Another Polymarket contract placed the chance of the Strait of Hormuz closing before month-end at 43%. The waterway is a major chokepoint for crude flows, with about 20% of global oil shipments moving through it.

Read Next: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors.

UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets.

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This article Zelensky: Russia Providing Iran with Shahed Drones Used Against US originally appeared on Benzinga.com
LONDON (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia and Iran brothers in hatred on Tuesday as he sought support from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a time when the Iran war has robbed momentum from U.S.-brokered talks to end Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's allies not to forget about his country, and suggested the U.S. and others should make use of Ukraine's anti-drone technology during a Middle East war that has also revived Russias ailing economy through increased oil revenue and could soon limit Kyivs access to vital Western air defense systems, which are needed in the Middle East.

The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred and that is why they are brothers in weapons," Zelenskyy told lawmakers in Britain's Parliament. And we want regimes built on hatred to never, never win in anything."

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Holding talks with Zelenskyy at 10 Downing Street, Starmer said (Russian President Vladimir) Putin cant be the one who benefits from the conflict in Iran, whether thats oil prices or the dropping of sanctions."

The meeting came days after the U.S. temporarily waived some Russian oil sanctions in a bid to ease pressure on global supplies triggered by the war in the Middle East, which was sparked by the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting Feb. 28.

Zelenskyy and some other European leaders criticized Washingtons move to ease sanctions, saying it would provide a windfall for Moscow to keep up its attacks on Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace before addressing dozens of members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords in Parliament. He told them that other countries could learn from Ukraines agile adoption of technology, including drones and AI, for defense.

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The fact we got through this winter, which Russia tried to make deadly for all our families, shows that our solutions work, Zelenskyy said.

European leaders underline risks of Iran war for Ukraine

Zelenskyy said the London talks, also attended by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. would assess energy security, after Russia hammered Ukraines power grid over the winter, and the battlefield situation.

In Brussels, the European Unions chief diplomat Kaja Kallas noted Tuesday that Russia stands to gain from higher energy prices and the rerouting of advanced Western air defense systems from Ukraine to the Middle East.

But, she said, Ukraine remains Europes top security priority and attention for Ukraine will not be allowed to fizzle out.

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Finlands President Alexander Stubb said the Iran war is bad for Ukraine, mainly because of the oil price which feeds the Russian war machinery. The Russian economy was actually doing extremely badly a couple of weeks back. Now its bouncing back."

Ukraine losing out with Middle East conflict, analysts say

U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to secure a peace deal that ends Europes biggest conflict since World War II and has rattled the continents leaders, who reckon that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade.

But the U.S.-mediated talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv, which so far have yielded no significant progress on key issues, are on hold during the Middle East conflict.

Ukraine is the ultimate loser from the war with Iran, said Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. He said the war is draining stocks of American air defense missiles that are crucial for Kyiv to shoot down Russian missiles and is diverting Washingtons attention from Russia-Ukraine negotiations.

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Francois Heisbourg, special adviser at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris, said it is important for Ukraine to secure deals with Gulf states for advanced air defense systems in exchange for Ukrainian anti-drone expertise and technology.

UK and Ukraine eye drone deal that Trump spurned

Ukraine has become one of the worlds leading producers of high-tech, battle-tested drone interceptors.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraines experience can be an asset in the Middle East war. He said more than 200 Ukrainian military experts are in the region to share expertise in defeating Iranian drones, which have been used in vast numbers by Russia. Ukraine has developed cheap and effective ways to shoot them down, he said, showing off an iPad-controlled defense system used by Ukraines military.

Trump has spurned Zelenskyys offer of help for the United States and its Persian Gulf partners in fighting Iranian drones.

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British officials say Russia and Iran are collaborating on drone technology and tactics, and argued that Europe must also raise its game when it comes to defense technology.

During Zelenskyy's visit, the U.K. and Ukraine signed a deal combining Ukraines expertise and the U.K.s industrial base to manufacture and supply drones and innovative capabilities. Britain is also funding an AI Center of Excellence in conjunction with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Ukraine counterattacks on front line, Kremlin calls resistance futile

Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 206 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russian regions, the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Azov Sea. A total of 40 intercepted drones were flying toward Moscow, the ministry said.

Asked about an increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow over the past few days, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that authorities in Kyiv were continuing absolutely futile resistance."

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Zelenskyy said late Monday that counterattacks by Ukrainian forces at eastern and southern points along the front line have wrecked Moscow's plans for a March offensive.

His comments couldn't be independently verified, but the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said Monday that Ukrainian counterattacks are likely constraining some Russian offensive operations.

___

Associated Press writers Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine and Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that 201 Ukrainian military experts have already been deployed to countries in the Middle East to help counter drone attacks.

Source: Zelenskyy in an address to the UK Parliament on 17 March

Quote: "Right now, there are 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and Gulf region. And another 34 are ready to deploy. These are military experts, experts who know how to help, how to defend against Shahed drones.

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Our teams are already in the Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and on the way to Kuwait. We are working with several other countries  agreements are already in place."

Background: On 10 March, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian security and counter-drone experts would travel to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

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To support timely fact-based Yakima Herald-Republic reporting like the piece above, you can use one of the convenient options below. Donations through this system are tax deductible.
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)



As winter gives way to spring, Gimhae is beginning to fill with seasonal flowers, starting with plum blossoms and continuing through magnolias, cherry blossoms and the citys iconic fringe trees.

Plum blossoms, Gimhaes official city flower, are among the first signs of spring and can be seen across the city at locations such as Yeonji Park, the Gimhae National Museum, Gimhae Construction Technical High School, the Daeseong-dong Tomb Complex, Bunseong Square and Haeban Park.

One of the most photographed spots is the 200-meter stretch of century-old plum trees at Gimhae Construction Technical High School, known as Waryongmae, or Crouching Dragon Plum Trees, because of their distinctive twisting shapes.

By mid-March, magnolias begin to bloom at the Gimhae Citizens Forest, where more than 100 white magnolia trees have turned the area into a popular photo location in recent years.

Toward the end of March, cherry blossom season arrives, bringing festivals and viewing spots throughout the city. Samgye Neighborhood Park in Bukbu-dong hosts the Spring Snow Blossom Festival, while Yulha Stream in Jangyu hosts the annual Yulha Cherry Blossom Festival.

Cherry blossom-lined roads can also be found along major streets such as Inje-ro and the route near Clayarch Gimhae Museum.

After the cherry blossoms fade in April, May brings another highlight as fringe trees bloom across the city. Gimhae is home to two of Koreas oldest fringe trees, located in Cheongok-ri and Sincheon-ri, and the species was designated the citys official tree in 2024.

Fringe tree-lined roads can now be seen in areas such as Geumgwan-daero near the West Gimhae Interchange, Juchon New Town and along the route from Bonghwang Station on the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit line to the Gimhae National Museum.
This story was originally produced by Idaho Capital Sun, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Washington State Standard, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Ministerial meeting of China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue held in Vietnam

Xinhua) 08:11, March 17, 2026

The first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security is held in Hanoi, Vietnam on March 16, 2026. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun chaired the meeting, together with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang. (Xinhua/Hu Jiali)

HANOI, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security was held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun chaired the meeting, together with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Defense Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang.

The two sides held in-depth exchanges on developments and changes in the international landscape, safeguarding political security, and advancing defense and law enforcement cooperation, and reached broad consensus.

Wang Yi said the "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security between the two countries at the ministerial level represents the first strategic communication platform of its kind globally, established by both sides as a vital initiative to safeguard political system security and deepen strategic coordination.

The mechanism is both an inherent requirement for advancing the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future and a necessary step for revitalizing the world socialist cause, fully demonstrating the high level and strategic nature of the relations between the two parties and countries, Wang Yi noted.

The stability and development of both China and Vietnam will demonstrate to the world the significant advantages of the socialist system, the vigorous vitality of the socialist cause, and the bright prospects for human development and progress, he added.

Wang Yi emphasized that as friendly socialist neighbors, China and Vietnam should not only focus on the fundamental well-being of their peoples, coordinate development and security, and firmly follow their own development paths, but also embrace the common interests of all humanity, grasp the correct direction of historical progress, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization through the building of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future with strategic significance.

Wang Xiaohong noted that the public security ministries of the two countries should prioritize political security and enhance efforts to prevent and resist "color revolutions."

He added that the two sides should also focus on improving law enforcement and security cooperation mechanisms in areas such as cybersecurity, combating online gambling and telecom fraud, drug control, and fugitive repatriation and asset recovery.

Dong stated that China is willing to work with Vietnam to continuously enhance mutual trust in military security, further expand cooperation areas, improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation, jointly safeguard maritime security and stability through positive interaction, and push bilateral defense exchanges and cooperation to a new level, setting an example of unity and self-reliance for the armed forces of socialist countries.

The Vietnamese side stated that, given the rapidly evolving and increasingly unpredictable regional and international landscape, it has become particularly urgent for the two parties and countries to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in addressing shared challenges.

Vietnam is willing to work hand in hand with China to prepare for high-level exchanges, promote cooperation in various fields, and strengthen multilateral coordination to jointly elevate the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, according to the Vietnamese side.

Both sides agreed to hold the second ministerial meeting of the "3+3" strategic dialogue in China, and to deepen counterpart exchanges in diplomacy, defense and public security by fully leveraging the role of routine liaison between senior officials under the mechanism.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Annabelle Wallis is reportedly expecting her first child with actor Sebastian Stan.

Annabelle Wallis is reportedly expecting her first child with actor Sebastian Stan

The actress, 41, best known for her role as Grace Burgess in television drama Peaky Blinders, is said to be preparing to welcome her first child with Sebastian Stan, 43.

According to TMZ, the pair and the Peaky Blinders star are having their first baby together  though neither have confirmed the report.

Annabelle and Sebastian first went public with their relationship in 2022 after they were seen on holiday together in Greece.

While neither Annabelle nor Sebastian has publicly confirmed the pregnancy, sources told TMZ the couple are preparing to become first-time parents.

The outlet reported details including the due date and the babys gender have not been shared publicly.

Annabelle and Sebastian are known for keeping their relationship largely private.

The pair have rarely spoken about their personal life in interviews, and Sebastian previously addressed the decision to keep aspects of their relationship out of the spotlight during an interview with Vanity Fair.

He said: I feel like its really difficult nowadays to be able to have any privacy whatsoever.

Sebastian added his relationship with Annabelle is not something either of them discuss publicly.

The reported pregnancy news comes during a busy period for both actors professionally.

Sebastian is preparing for the release of two upcoming films  Fjord and the Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday.

Annabelle, meanwhile, is set to appear opposite Jason Statham in the action film Mutiny, scheduled for release in August.

The actress rose to wider recognition through her role as Grace Burgess in Peaky Blinders, the period crime drama that followed the Shelby family in post-war Birmingham.

She also portrayed Jane Seymour in the historical drama series The Tudors.

Sebastian first gained wider attention for his role as Carter Baizen in the television drama Gossip Girl.

In the series he appeared alongside Blake Lively.

Since then, Sebastian has built an international career in film and television.

Annabelle has also continued to appear in a range of television and film projects alongside her work on Peaky Blinders and The Tudors.

According to TMZ, the couple are keeping further details about the reported pregnancy private.
Researchers have developed a blood test that shows promise for detecting glioblastoma and potentially other brain tumours earlier than current methods.

Scientists develop new blood test that could detect glioblastoma early

The test has demonstrated over 90% accuracy and could allow general practitioners to identify aggressive brain cancers more quickly, potentially improving patient outcomes.

The study was led by scientists at the University of Manchester, in collaboration with teams in Denmark. Researchers identified two proteins in the blood that serve as markers for tumours. Clinical trials are now underway at six sites across the UK and four internationally.

Currently, diagnosing brain tumours often requires MRI scans and invasive surgical biopsies, which can delay treatment. In the trial, patients with glioblastoma were monitored using the blood test during surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy to validate its effectiveness.

Prof Petra Hamerlik, who led the research and lost her father to glioblastoma, described the cancer as one of the most devastating cancers we face.

She told the BBC: The idea with our work is that, if you come more than once with a headache, such as three times, and if the doctor suspects a brain tumour, they would run this test. The risk score would indicate that you might have a malignant growth in your brain, and you should go for MRI.

She added: The idea is to develop a device  something like a Covid test  to start with. If this is confirmed, then it will be submitted to regulatory bodies and hopefully brought into the NHS within a decade.

Dr Simon Newman, chief scientific officer at the Brain Tumour Charity, said the research marks a significant step towards a simple blood test that could help clinicians detect glioblastoma more efficiently.

The team hopes the test could offer a faster, less invasive option for early diagnosis, providing clinicians and patients with a practical tool to identify tumours sooner and monitor them in real time.
More than 200 people have been arrested after thousands of demonstrators clashed in an anti-Vietnam war protest outside the United States embassy in London.

The St John Ambulance Brigade said it treated 86 people for injuries. Fifty were taken to hospital including up to 25 police officers.

The trouble followed a big rally in Trafalgar square, when an estimated 10,000 demonstrated against American action in Vietnam and British support for the United States.

The mood at the rally was described as good humoured. The violence broke out when the protesters marched to the US embassy in Grosvenor Square.

The embassy was surrounded by hundreds of police. They stood shoulder to shoulder to cordon off the part of the square closest to the embassy.

Tensions rose as the crowd refused to back off and mounted officers rode at the demonstrators.

The protesters broke through the police ranks onto the lawn of the embassy, tearing up the plastic fence and uprooting parts of a hedge.

During a protracted battle, stones, earth, firecrackers and smoke bombs were thrown.

One officer was treated for a reported serious spinal injury, another for a neck injury.

One officer had his hat knocked off and was struck continuously on the back of the head with a stick from a banner as he clung, head down, to his horses neck.

Earlier the actress Vanessa Redgrave was allowed to enter the embassy with three supporters to deliver a protest.

She had been one of the speakers at the rally in Trafalgar Square.

Labour MP Peter Jackson, has said he will be tabling a private question for answer by the Home Secretary about what he called police violence.

He told The Times newspaper: I was particularly outraged by the violent use of police horses, who charged into the crowd even after they had cleared the street in front of the embassy.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

There was another big anti-Vietnam war demonstration on 27 October 1968. An estimated 25,000 took part in the march and once again trouble flared outside the US embassy in Grosvenor Square.

But security was very tight. There were 1,000 police outside the embassy and officers lined the streets of the march to prevent a repeat of the trouble in March.

The last American troops left Vietnam on 29 March 1973.

The following year there were frequent violations of the peace treaty.

In 1975, fullscale warfare resumed between North and South Vietnam -without American intervention. In 1976 the first elections were held to a National Assembly, finally reuniting North and South.

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Although achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)  intelligence comparable to humans across a wide range of domains  has become a priority for some leading American technology companies, there is still no consensus among experts about when AGI might arrive.

Only a few years ago, before the advances in large language models (LLMs), many scientists predicted AGI would emerge around 2060. A 2023 AIMultiple survey of 2,778 AI researchers found that many now expect AGI around 2040.

Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and former chief scientist at OpenAI, has suggested AGI could emerge within the next five to ten years, though he acknowledges uncertainty. More recently, Roman Yampolskiy, director of the Cyber Security Lab at the University of Louisville, predicted in September 2025 that by 2030 we will likely have humanoid robots with sufficient flexibility and dexterity to compete with humans in all domains. Some technology entrepreneurs are even more optimistic. Elon Musk has said that an AI smarter than the smartest human could arrive as early as 2026.

Yet an AGI capable of understanding physical reality, maintaining persistent memory and performing deductive reasoning  going beyond pattern recognition to grasp underlying rules of physics, mathematics or logic and solve unfamiliar problems  is something Yann LeCun, chief AI scientist at Meta Platforms, believes remains decades away.

For LeCun, LLMs are not a direct path to AGI because current AI systems lack a world model. Humans and animals learn how the world works through observation and physical interaction, grasping concepts such as causality, gravity and object permanence.

Models like GPT-4 do not understand the physical reality behind those patterns. Without such a world model, AI cannot reliably plan complex actions or foresee the real-world consequences of its decisions.

LeCun highlights the contrast between biological and artificial learning. A four-year-old child has seen roughly 10 9 bytes of visual information and already grasps basic physical and social concepts; a teenager can learn to drive in about twenty hours. By contrast, an AI requires billions of text tokens merely to reach reasonable fluency and still makes logical mistakes a child would not.

Moreover, intelligence based solely on language has limits because, as LeCun argues, most human knowledge is not linguistic. Attempting to reach human-level intelligence purely through text is like trying to explain the color blue to someone who has never seen it.

It is easy to understand the optimism reflected in increasingly shorter AGI timelines  likely driven in part by the need to sustain investor enthusiasm so that massive funding continues to flow into AI development. Yet when I read predictions of radical transformations in the near future, I am reminded of the film Jonas Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2000.

In the opening scenes of Alain Tanners 1976 film, which I saw in a theater that same year, the camera wanders through the London we knew in 1975 before a caption appears: London, year 2000.

Beyond LeCuns skepticism, Tanner reminds us that social inertia is powerful and that change in societies unfolds slowly  far more slowly than many theorists or prophets predict. This is especially true when bold predictions conveniently help justify raising billions for AI companies whose progress toward AGI remains slow and whose AI financial results are often disappointing.

linkedin.com/in/jorgecostaoliveira

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Authorities have flagged a growing number of incidents in which residents are deceived through screen-sharing on their phones into transferring funds to unfamiliar accounts.

These scams typically begin with an unsolicited call, during which fraudsters pose as legitimate entities to build trust before manipulating victims into granting remote access to their devices.

According to the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM), scammers in certain cases convinced individuals to turn on screen-sharing functions while using mobile banking platforms.

This allowed criminals to remotely view sensitive data, including account identifiers, card details, usernames, and security codes, which were then used to move money without permission. In some instances, victims remained unaware of the unauthorized transactions until funds had already been depleted from their accounts.

The regulator is urging residents to remain vigilant whenever outside parties request fund transfers or remote access to their devices. Such requests should raise immediate red flags, as they often lead to the exposure of confidential financial information.

The AMCM emphasized that legitimate institutions, including banks and government bodies, never ask customers to share screens or disclose passwords over the phone.

Those uncertain about the authenticity of unexpected calls can turn to the Judiciary Polices (PJ) anti-fraud program for guidance. Authorities warn all who have shared banking credentials, identification numbers, or security codes  whether by voice call, text, web links, or screen-sharing  to get in touch with their bank right away to freeze affected accounts and file a report with the authorities to assist ongoing investigations.

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As Chinas top legislature deliberates a draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress at its annual session, a familiar pattern of criticism has once again surfaced in certain Western media outlets. Predictably, it has drifted away from facts, toward speculation, prejudice and political bias.

The draft law aims to strengthen the legal foundation for advancing high-quality development and common prosperity among Chinas 56 ethnic groups, seeking to transform the concept of fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation into a legal framework that protects unity while respecting diversity.

Yet instead of engaging with the content of the draft law or Chinas national situation, some critics have chosen to recycle long-standing stereotypes about the country. Such reactions reveal less about Chinas legislature than about the persistence of ideological filters through which some observers view China-related issues.

As a unified multiethnic nation, Chinas ethnic policies emphasize equality, regional autonomy, cultural preservation and shared development. Over the past decades, areas with ethnic minority populations have experienced remarkable progress in almost all fields.

For instance, all 420 impoverished counties located in ethnic autonomous regions have been lifted out of poverty, including those remote, hard to get to rural areas in which the 28 ethnic groups with relatively small populations reside.

From 2020 to 2024, the combined GDP of the five autonomous regions increased from 6.01 trillion yuan ($875.3 billion) to 8.38 trillion yuan.

More troubling is the role played by a well-established ecosystem dedicated to mudslinging toward China on ethnic and human rights issues.

Over the years, certain advocacy groups, media platforms and think tanks in the West have received financial support from organizations and political actors with explicit agendas aimed at smearing China. Within this ecosystem, a number of activists who present themselves as victims of Chinas ethnic policies have become frequent voices in media reports and policy debates. This is part of a cognitive warfare scheme against China.

At the same time, these forces remain conspicuously silent about ethnic tensions, racial discrimination and human rights issues within the countries and institutions that sponsor their activities.

The draft law has followed a rigorous legislative process. Initiated in 2023, the bill has undergone multiple readings and extensive consultations with lawmakers, scholars and representatives from ethnic minority communities. Its provisions emphasize balanced development, environmental protection, infrastructure construction and public services in ethnic regions.

Equally important, the law stresses the protection of cultural traditions and lifestyles of all ethnic groups. China has devoted significant effort to safeguarding the cultural heritage of its ethnic groups, including the preservation of languages, traditional festivals, arts and crafts.

Against this background, it is misleading to claim that ethnic minorities in China must choose between economic development and cultural preservation. In reality, Chinas experience demonstrates that the two can advance together. Economic progress provides resources for cultural preservation, while cultural diversity enriches the broader national identity.

Chinas effective governance in multiethnic regions also highlights the historical continuity of Chinas ethnic governance, rooted in centuries of coexistence among diverse communities. It has evolved through practice and experience rather than ideological abstraction.

The China-bashers lies cannot undermine the growing recognition that unity, equality and shared prosperity are central to the well-being of all ethnic groups in the country.

The most persuasive response to their misinformation campaign is the visible progress of Chinas ethnic regions and the improved well-being of the people who call them home.

[Abridged]

Editorial, China Daily

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The Federation of Trade Unions of Macau (FAOM) submitted its proposal Monday to amend the Labor Relations Law to better support worker protections and work-life balance.

Following the proposal submission, Kelvin Choi Kam Fu, FAOM vice chairman, highlighted the federations support for the governments plan to extend maternity leave to 90 days from the current 70 days, calling it a step that demonstrates its emphasis on postpartum rest for women.

Choi told reporters, Besides visiting various industry unions, we also listened to the opinions of workers from different sectors.

On the governments maternity leave increase  from an initial 56 days to 70, now to 90  Choi said, We hope that the government can continue this approach in the future and increase it to 98 days in a similar direction, aligning with our public health regulations.

FAOM endorsed the annual leave amendments, adding one day for every two years of service, lifting the minimum from six to seven days.

Choi noted that annual leave hasnt been increased for many years but suggested, Could we study adding one day every year? He also stressed the adjustment is meant to emphasize the importance of our rest and relaxation benefits, tying it to a more work, more pay principle that aids talent retention, as noted by the Times yesterday.

Choi called for future paternity leave of seven days, a more suitable timeframe [] acceptable to all parties. The unions also urged more mandatory holidays, citing Macaus lag behind neighbors on events like the Dragon Boat Festival and Winter Solstice.

Besides the two main amendments this time, we are also concerned about holidays, such as some major autonomous holidays, Choi said. We hope that the government will gradually and systematically improve our Labor Relations Law.

The proposals, handed over at 3 p.m. Monday at the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) building, came from FAOM Chairman of the Board of Directors Kong Poi Fai, FAOM vice chairman Choi, vice director general Kwong Chi Fong, and representatives from FAOMs six affiliated industry unions.

The proposal was received by DSALs deputy director Chan Tze Wai.

The 45-day public consultation of the DSAL ended yesterday, during which the bureau proposed to increase maternity leave from the current 70 to 90 days.

In regard to annual leave, the proposal is to extend annual leave based on seniority. While maintaining the current basis of six working days after the first year of work, one working day will be added for every two full years, with a maximum of 12 working days.

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An altercation between two individuals over improper trash disposal in the San Kio area led to a police and firefighter response.

A female cleaner in her sixties reported being assaulted, leading to an investigation into a man of a similar age. Due to the injuries involved, the case has been transferred to the Judiciary Police (PJ) for follow-up.

At approximately 11 a.m. on March 15, authorities received a report of a dispute and injuries near Rua da Fortuna. Firefighters and police arrived at the scene to find two local residents in their 60s involved.

According to preliminary investigations by the Public Security Police (PSP), the incident occurred near a large compactor trash bin at the location.

A local female employee of a cleaning service provider, in her sixties, approached a local man, also in his sixties, who was attempting to dispose of large waste items, including a mattress and a wooden cabinet, at the site.

Upon her intervention, a dispute allegedly broke out between the two parties. The female cleaner reported that she was struck on the head, resulting in dizziness and pain, prompting her to call the authorities.

The cleaner, suffering from a head contusion, received initial medical treatment at the scene before being transported by ambulance to Kiang Wu Hospital for further care.

The PSP stated that the man will be prosecuted for violating the No. 28/2004 Public Places General Regulation. The case has subsequently been handed over to the PJ for investigation. Ricaela Diputado

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Myanmar opened its first parliamentary session in more than five years yesterday following an election that did not include major opposition parties, ensuring that the ruling military is set to retain a firm grasp on power.

The military blocked Myanmars last parliament from convening when it seized power from the last legitimately elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, and has governed without a legislature since then. It touted elections held in late December and January as a step toward the return of democracy.

But the military and its allies hold nearly 90% of the seats in the two-chamber parliament, while Myanmars former ruling National League for Democracy and other major opposition parties were either blocked from running or refused to compete under conditions they deemed unfair.

Delegates wearing traditional attire arrived in the capital, Naypyitaw, yesterday for the opening session of the 373-seat lower house, which convened in the tightly guarded parliamentary complex, newly renovated after being badly damaged by last years earthquake.

Security forces sealed roads leading to the parliament, and vehicles were searched for explosives before entering.

The new Parliaments first task is to elect a speaker for each chamber, then elect a president and two vice presidents.

During the session, Khin Yi, the chairman of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, was elected as speaker of the lower house. He is a former general and police chief, widely regarded as a close ally of Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the countrys military ruler.

Maung Maung Ohn, also a former general and ex-information minister, was elected deputy speaker.

The 213-seat upper house is scheduled to open Wednesday, with 14 regional parliaments set to convene two days after that.

A quarter of the available seats in the upper and lower houses  166 seats  were reserved for the military by the military-written constitution, and the USDP won 339 of the rest. Twenty-one other parties won between one and 20 seats each.

Phased elections were held in December and January in 263 of the countrys 330 townships.

Critics described the vote organized by the military government as an effort to legitimize its rule. The 2021 coup triggered widespread opposition that dragged Myanmar into a civil war.

Tom Andrews, a special rapporteur working with the U.N. human rights office, has urged the international community to reject the election results and any power arrangements that follow.

Min Aung Hlaing, who heads the current military government, is widely expected to assume the presidency.

However, the constitution bars a president from serving concurrently as the armys commander-in-chief  Myanmars most powerful post  raising questions about whether he would relinquish that role.

Suu Kyi, Myanmars 80-year-old former leader, is serving a 27-year prison term on charges widely viewed as spurious and politically motivated. Her party won landslide victories in the 2015 and 2020 elections, but was forced to dissolve in 2023 after refusing to register under new military rules.

An opposition shadow parliament, formed by elected lawmakers who were blocked from taking their seats when the military seized power in 2021, also held an online session on Monday. It claims it is the countrys sole legitimate parliament. MDT/AP

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U.S. President Donald Trump said he has demanded about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as Iranian strikes continued to rain down on Gulf countries yesterday.

Dubai International Airport, the worlds busiest, gradually restarted operations after a drone struck a fuel tank and started a fire. Authorities said it was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.

Tehran has accused the United States without evidence of using ports, docks and hideouts in the United Arab Emirates to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Irans oil exports evidence, as oil prices soared. Brent crude oil was trading near $105 per barrel on Monday.

Trump said the U.S. is negotiating with countries heavily reliant on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the waterway where about one-fifth the worlds traded oil normally flows, but declined to name them.

Israeli strikes have deepened Lebanons humanitarian crisis, with over 850 people killed and over 850,000 displaced.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but will not be drawn into the wider war.

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Criminals using high-tech key cloning devices are now responsible for a growing share of car thefts across Australia.

Police issue warning about growing threat of key cloning devices used to steal cars

Police say around 30 to 40 per cent of vehicles stolen in the past year were taken using electronic key cloning devices. While the technology is legally used by mechanics to access locked vehicles, it has increasingly been exploited to bypass modern push-button ignitions.

Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill explained the process: It would be less than a minute. It would be a matter of 10, 15 seconds. The onboard diagnostic tool plugs into a port that is beneath the dashboard, and that will override the security system and allow the ignition to come on.

Deputy Commissioner Hill said most offenders are adult repeat criminals who share methods among themselves. Last month, four men were charged with stealing more than 20 vehicles as part of a syndicate using third-party electronic key reprogramming devices.

In the past year, police have seized more than 800 such devices.

He said: It's illegal to possess those items of technology if you're out and about in the middle of the night, where we believe you might be looking for a potential vehicle to be stolen.

While major cities have historically seen the highest number of thefts, suburban and regional areas across Australia are increasingly affected.

The majority of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered - often after being used in other crimes - but some are exported or dismantled for parts.

Hill said: We would recover approximately 80 per cent of those vehicles.

Police are working with car manufacturers to develop new security solutions and are urging drivers nationwide to upgrade protections, including installing onboard diagnostic port locks.

Authorities note that similar trends are reported internationally in the United States and United Kingdom, reflecting a global rise in high-tech vehicle thefts.
The United States is set to host senior officials from Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda this week in a renewed diplomatic push to revive the stalled peace process in eastern DRC, according to diplomatic sources.

Bilateral engagements between Washington and each country are scheduled for March 17, with a potential trilateral meeting on March 18, contingent on progress in the initial discussions.

The talks will mark the first high-level engagement since the United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on March 2 targeting the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior officers. Washington has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, a claim Kigali continues to deny.

The diplomatic initiative unfolds against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the M23s rapid territorial expansion in eastern DRC in January 2025, which has significantly destabilised the region.

The meetings also coincide with the ongoing Powering Africa Summit in Washington, drawing multiple African government officials, including energy ministers, thereby amplifying the geopolitical significance of the engagement.
Multiple bomb explosions (at least 3) struck Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria on Monday night, March 16, 2026, leaving scores dead and injured, according to emergency officials.

The blasts occurred at three locations, including the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two busy marketsPost Office and Monday Marketraising suspicions of coordinated suicide attacks. Authorities said casualty figures remain unconfirmed as rescue operations continue.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency indicated that victims are still being treated at medical facilities, with eyewitnesses reporting over 200 injured persons receiving care.

Some victims were said to have died instantly at the scene, while others succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

Although no group has claimed responsibility, the attacks come amid ongoing insecurity linked to the insurgency by Boko Haram and affiliated factions, which have operated in the region for more than a decade. Earlier on Monday, the Nigerian military reported repelling militant attacks on the outskirts of the city.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum condemned the incident, describing it as barbaric and inhumane, while urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security Agencies as efforts to stabilise the region continue.
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Its time to prep for an excruciating summer with scorching days and warm, sweltering nights. Two newly published scientific studies analysing Mumbais urban climate warn that parts of the city are emerging as persistent heat-stress hotspots, while nights are becoming warmer as dense construction and concrete surfaces trap heat.A study titled A Framework for Impact-Based Heat Stress Warning System for a Coastal City in India, published on March 6 in the journal Scientific Reports, analysed heat-stress patterns during the April 2024 heatwave using satellite data, urban climate modelling and ground observations.The research was led by Kshitij Kacker of the Department of Architecture and Planning at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, along with Abhinav Utpal, Shiwam Singh, Piyush Srivastava and Mahua Mukherjee from the institutes Centre of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation and Management, and R. Rakesh of Tarutium Global Consulting, Chennai.Using high-resolution modelling and satellite-derived temperature data, the researchers mapped heat stress across wards within the jurisdiction of the BMC.The study used the Urban Thermal Climate Index and numerical weather prediction models to evaluate heat-stress distribution, identifying neighbourhoods where residents face higher thermal risk.Urban heat islands pose a significant challenge to densely populated cities, intensifying heat stress and affecting public health, energy consumption and urban sustainability, the paper notes.Researchers argue that heat-warning systems must incorporate exposure and vulnerability indicators, not just temperature thresholds. Traditional heatwave alerts, they say, are inadequate for coastal megacities like Mumbai.The framework helps assess heat-stress risk distribution at the ward level so policymakers can prioritise mitigation strategies where the risk is highest, the study states.Hotter nightsA second study warned that Mumbai is increasingly experiencing night-time heat retention linked to dense construction and declining vegetation.The paper, Urban Heat in Mumbai: From Scenario Analysis to the Mitigation of Nighttime Thermal Footprint, published in the Journal of Urban Management in March, examined the citys Urban Heat Island effect with a focus on heat retained after sunset.The research was conducted by Harekrishna Manna of the Central University of Karnataka, along with Malay Kumar Pramanik of the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and co-authors Rizwan Ahamed and Sanjit Sarkar.Using satellite-derived land-surface temperature data, the study found that heat-island zones and surface temperatures in Mumbai have intensified over the past decades.Researchers noted that buildings, asphalt roads and concrete surfaces absorb heat during the day and release it slowly after sunset, raising night-time temperatures.Urban climate experts warn that such hot nights reduce the bodys ability to recover from daytime heat, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and cardiovascular stress.THE HEAT IS ONFactors amplifying heat stressDense high-rise construction trapping heatShrinking tree cover and open spacesHeat-absorbing surfaces such as asphalt and concreteReduced natural ventilation corridors due to urban developmentThese conditions intensify the urban heat-island effect, where cities become significantly warmer than surrounding areas, particularly at night.Mahesh Palawat, vice-president for meteorology and climate change at Skymet Weather, said rapid urbanisation is worsening the phenomenon.According to Palawat, buildings, roads and infrastructure absorb heat during the day and release it after sunset. Clear skies allow this heat to escape, but cloud cover traps it in the lower atmosphere, creating a greenhouse-like effect that keeps night-time temperatures high.He added that vertical construction, shrinking green cover, groundwater depletion and extensive concretisation are intensifying the trend. Expanding urban greenery, he said, is essential to reduce heat-island effects and improve climate resilience.BOX: Hotspots mapped at ward levelThe IIT Roorkee study mapped heat stress within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation area and found that dense built-up zones with limited vegetation show significantly higher heat stress.Key findingsSouth Mumbai commercial districtsAreas such as Fort Mumbai, Colaba, Marine Lines and Nariman Point showed high daytime heat stress due to dense built surfaces and limited tree cover.Island City residential clustersNeighbourhoods including Byculla, Mazgaon, Parel and Lalbaug recorded elevated heat stress linked to high population density and older built forms.Central Mumbai redevelopment beltRapidly redeveloping areas such as Lower Parel, Worli and Dadar showed strong urban heat-island signals driven by concrete surfaces and high-rise clusters.Eastern suburban industrial corridorParts of Chembur, Govandi and Mankhurd emerged as significant heat-stress pockets due to industrial land use and limited green cover.Western suburbs urbanised zonesAreas such as Andheri, Goregaon and Kandivali also showed rising heat stress amid rapid urbanisation and shrinking open spaces.Coastal moderation weaker than expectedResearchers found that sea breezes alone do not significantly reduce heat stress in dense urban clusters, especially where buildings obstruct natural ventilation corridors.
A Mumbai sessions court has acquitted a Santacruz resident accused of repeatedly raping a 33-year-old woman suffering from epilepsy, holding that the prosecutions case was riddled with contradictions and lacked reliable medical and forensic support.



The case arose from a complaint lodged in May 2019 at Santacruz Police Station by the victims mother. The prosecution alleged that the accused, who lived in the same chawl, had called the woman to his room and forcibly established sexual relations, threatening to kill her mother and brother if she disclosed the incident. A prior similar incident was also cited. The woman, undergoing treatment at Bhabha Hospital, was described as physically and mentally vulnerable, with limited mobility. The prosecution argued that her mental capacity was significantly lower than her biological age.



During trial, twelve witnesses were examined, including the victim and her family. The victim initially alleged sexual assault and threats. However, in cross-examination, she admitted that she had not gone to the accuseds house and that he had neither called her nor taken her inside, undermining the prosecutions case. The court also noted inconsistencies between her testimony and the complaint. Despite the alleged incident occurring in a crowded chawl, no independent witnesses were examined.



Testimonies of the victims mother and sister were found to be inconsistent. Medical examination did not reveal injuries, and forensic analysis, including DNA testing, did not detect any male DNA linking the accused. The defence argued the case was fabricated due to a rental dispute.




Senate Minority Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke yesterday on the Senate floor slamming Donald Trump for the increased costs Americans face due to Trumps military actions in the Middle East.

Schumer was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

The Senates prayers are with the families of the six servicemembers killed in a plane crash late last week in Iraq. Thirteen U.S. servicemembers have now been killed. We hold them all in our hearts, as well as everyone killed and injured in the Middle East, as well as their families.

The war Donald Trump promised would be over quickly is now entering its third week, and there is no end in sight.

Iran is fully exerting its leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices surging across the globe.

Brent crude is once again above $100 a barrel. Right now, gas is $3.70 at the pump. Oil executives told the White House last week no matter what happens next, prices are likely to rise even higher in the weeks ahead.

So what is Donald Trumps plan to bring this economic pain to an end? Sadly America, he does not have one. Its something different every day. No plan, no follow-through.

If you listened to his press conference earlier today, it was obvious: Donald Trump is flailing. Donald Trump claimed he predicted long ago that the Strait of Hormuz would be used as a weapon. Well, if that is true, then he has done a terrible job planning in advance for how to stop it from being used as a weapon and he continues to do a terrible job containing the damage that is now occurring.

Trump today also claimed They want to make a deal. They are talking to our people. And then moments later he said All their leaders are dead. We dont even know who we are dealing with.

Well, which one is it? Is it that the leaders want to make a deal, or we dont know who the leaders are? If you can say that, those two contradictory things, within the same few minutes, something is dramatically wrong, and it is, with Donald Trump.

Does Donald Trump know who he is talking to or not? Are talks even happening? The commander in chief seems totally lost and in over his head.

Donald Trump now claims that other countries are going to help the United States clear the Strait of Hormuz, and bashed our own allies for voicing hesitation about putting troops in harms way. But so far, no country has publicly said it would step up.

Now, Donald Trump even says his administration has been asking China to help us out in the Strait of Hormuz. China. Are you kidding me? Relying on China to get us out of the mess Donald Trump created? Theyre not going to do thatfat chance theyll do that.

Donald Trump created a mess in the Middle East, and he clearly has no plan for how to end it. And that is a huge problem for our country. War, unneeded, unnecessary, endless war.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Radiohead guitarist Ed OBrien has confirmed that the band are preparing to return to the stage with a new, carefully paced touring model to combat burnout.

Radiohead have worked out a way to tour that will prevent them from burning out

The indie band returned to the stage in 2025, following a seven-year hiatus, to play a limited run of shows across Europe with stops in Madrid, Bologna, London, Copenhagen, and Berlin.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Ed said the band has agreed on a longterm plan that will see them perform in focused bursts rather than undertaking the kind of exhaustive world tours they once did.

Asked if they are hitting the road again, he said: Its definitely happening.

What were going to do is, every year were going to do a different continent, and were going to do 20 shows each year. No more, no less.

He also confirmed that Radiohead will remain inactive throughout 2026, but are aiming to regroup the following year.

He said: We wont do anything this year, but well do something next year, he said.

Ed explained that the new approach is designed to preserve the bands energy and ensure every performance feels meaningful.

He said: We want to give absolutely everything each night.

We do not ever want it to be like were going through the motions or were having to run on empty. Weve got to be able to do it. And you know what? Were not spring chickens anymore.

The guitarist also spoke candidly about the period after Radiohead wrapped up touring in 2018, admitting he felt emotionally and creatively drained.

He said: I was done with Radiohead.

It had got to a place where I just wasnt enjoying it. I just didnt resonate with it anymore, and I wanted to do my own thing I think wed run out of road. Wed run out of inspiration.

Despite his reluctance, Ed ultimately agreed to finish the tour.

He said: The others said they wanted to tour. I didnt really want to tour, and they knew that. But I did it and Im glad I did. I saw it through to the end.

Lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood recently admitted he was amazed the latest jaunt happened at all, while admitting he was unsure what the future holds for the Creep rockers.

He told The Times newspaper: "Im surprised that the tour actually happened and that we all enjoyed it so much."

Regarding future shows, he added: "Venues get booked so far in advance. To do another we would have to decide now, and even then it wouldnt happen for 18 months."
Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday as Dr. Job Obwaka, a prominent director at Nairobi Hospital, suffered a medical emergency just moments before his scheduled arraignment.

The 80-year-old physician developed sudden health complications while confined inside a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) vehicle. Authorities had held Dr. Obwaka and several other hospital officials in the van since early morning as they waited for their case to be called.

The veteran medic appeared physically frail as paramedics rushed to the scene to provide initial care. An ambulance later transported him to the hospital for urgent treatment. The incident sparked immediate alarm among family members, legal counsel, and a large group of medical professionals who had gathered at the courthouse to support their colleague.

A Controversial Arrest

This health crisis comes just 48 hours after Dr. Obwakas high-profile arrest on Saturday, March 14. DCI officers intercepted the doctor outside his clinic at the NSSF Building around 9:00 a.m., just as he arrived to attend to his patients. Following the arrest, which has triggered intense debate within Kenyas medical fraternity, police detained him at the Muthaiga Police Station over the weekend.

At the heart of the legal battle are serious allegations involving the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA), the powerful body that oversees Nairobi Hospital. Detectives are currently investigating claims that Dr. Obwaka participated in falsifying the KHA membership register.

Simultaneously, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has leveled several criminal charges against multiple doctors linked to KHA management. The states list of charges describes a complicated situation of supposed financial wrongdoing, such as having conflicts of interest, receiving benefits illegally, and not following required financial reporting rules.

Millions in Unlawful Benefits

The ODPP specifically names Chris Bichange Munga Nyamaratandi and Samson Mbuthia Kinyanjui in connection with millions of shillings allegedly received from an insurance firm.

According to the prosecution:

Dr. Nyamaratandi faces charges under Section 146 of the Companies Act. The state alleges that between November 10, 2023, and March 15, 2024, he received Ksh 4.8 million from Meritorious Insurance Agency  a firm contracted by the association  while serving as a director.

Samson Kinyanjui faces similar accusations. Prosecutors claim he received Ksh 3,999,996 from the same insurance agency between late 2024 and March 2025.

Dr. Chris Obwaka also faces a separate charge of accepting a benefit from a third party. The state argues these payments were directly tied to his directorial status and created an illegal conflict of interest.

Failure to Report Financials

Beyond the direct payments, the prosecution alleges a systemic disregard for corporate transparency. The charge sheet claims that Dr. Obwaka failed to submit the companys financial statements for 2022 and 2023 to the Registrar of Companies.

Furthermore, the state names Dr. Munga, Kinyanjui, Job Lukuru Obwaga, and Valarie Akinyi Gaya for jointly failing to lodge the associations 2024 financial statements. Under Kenyan law, these annual filings are mandatory to ensure accountability to the associations members.

With investigations still ongoing and multiple charges now before the court, the case raises questions about corporate governance, financial accountability, and leadership within one of the countrys most prominent private healthcare institutions.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi successfully negotiated a comprehensive agreement with Russia on Monday regarding Kenyans caught in the RussiaUkraine conflict.

Following high-level talks in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Mudavadi announced that both nations have agreed on a safe repatriation process for Kenyan citizens currently involved in Russian military operations.

Crucially, the deal includes compensation for those injured and the families of those who have died and a halt to all future recruitment of Kenyans into the Russian military.

We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted in the Department of Defense, and they will no longer be eligible for enlisting in the military here in Russia, Mudavadi stated.

Lavrov had maintained that past recruits signed military contracts voluntarily and must follow Ministry of Defense procedures to terminate them.

All Kenyans, as well as other nationals who signed contracts, did it voluntarily. The contracts did not have any provision for repatriation. When the contracts are effective, they can terminate this contract, but this is done under the Ministry of Defense, said Lavrov.

Mudavadi supported the Russian ministers position, noting that Kenya intends to handle the situation through diplomatic channels. He also pointed out that it is against Kenyan law for citizens to enlist in foreign military services.

Some of these Kenyans did not disclose their intentions. In our laws, it is also illegal to do these things, said Mudavadi.

The agreement also establishes consular support for hospitalized Kenyans and a new labor migration pact to ensure future employment opportunities are transparent and safe.

The Russian minister also noted that Nairobi and Moscow have signed a labor migration agreement to establish a structured and routine process for employment.

Russia does not decide to recruit; people join voluntarily. No one can prevent their citizens from looking for jobs if they want to look for jobs. We dont target Africa specifically. We have citizens from Asia and other countries, said Lavrov.

Mudavadi added that the government is organizing consular support to help Kenyans currently in Russian hospitals.

The consular services will also be arranged for Kenyans who are in hospital so that they can be assisted according to the law, he said.

According to Mudavadi, Kenya wants to ensure its diplomatic ties with Moscow remain independent of the ongoing RussiaUkraine War. He stated that the government prefers not to view its partnership with Russia from the perspective of special operations.

Mudavadi confirmed that the government is collaborating with Russian authorities to facilitate the return of Kenyans who want to come home.

As we resolve the concerns of Kenyan families, I believe we have now found a common ground to ensure no further enlisting, he said.
A court sentenced a matatu driver to two months in prison after his conductor fell from a moving vehicle on the Thika Superhighway and died.

The driver, Paul Nyambuto Momanyi, faced charges of failing to ensure passenger safety  a direct violation of Kenyas traffic regulations. Senior Principal Magistrate Thamara Irene handed down the sentence but gave Momanyi the option to pay a Ksh 15,000 fine in lieu of serving jail time.

In delivering the ruling, Magistrate Irene drew a clear line on driver responsibility. While conductors typically manage the door, she stated that the driver bears ultimate responsibility for confirming all safety protocols are in place before the vehicle moves.

The court heard that on March 27, 2026, Momanyi drove matatu registration KDM 246E near the Kastemil area along Thika Road with the door unsecured. Conductor Kenneth Kamau Kaheri fell from the moving vehicle and died at the scene. A post-mortem report tabled in court confirmed that Kaheri succumbed to injuries sustained from the fall.

The court heard that what made the incident particularly alarming was how Momanyi learned of the tragedy  not through any onboard safety system or personal awareness, but through the screams of passengers urging him to stop.

Momanyi appealed to the court for leniency, telling the magistrate he had no prior criminal record and was the sole provider for his young family. Despite the plea, the court proceeded with the conviction, underscoring that personal circumstances do not override a drivers duty of care.

Traffic police officers who processed the scene towed the vehicle for a mechanical inspection. The assessment found that the matatu failed to meet multiple mandatory safety standards, raising questions about how the vehicle passed any prior roadworthiness checks.

The case puts Kenyas matatu industry under fresh scrutiny. Despite years of government crackdowns, regulatory reforms, and public campaigns, safety violations on public service vehicles remain a persistent problem. Overloading, unsecured doors, and reckless driving continue to claim lives on Kenyan roads each year.

Cases of conductors pushing passengers out of moving matatus also remain a persistent issue.

Road safety advocates say convictions like this one send a necessary message: that drivers cannot treat the lives of passengers and crew as an acceptable risk. Whether the ruling translates into broader behavioral change across the matatu industry, however, remains to be seen.
Following heavy rains that paralyzed parts of the capital, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja proposed several strategies to tackle the citys chronic flooding.

A primary component of his plan involves tearing down structures built along riverbanks.

Those who have constructed houses on river banks will have to move. Because we will remove those houses. We have assembled the equipment to do the work. They know they are not supposed to be there, Sakaja stated.

The governor confirmed that crews will deploy heavy machinery to clear infrastructure obstructing Nairobis waterways.

You will see us demolish walls along the river. Painful decisions must be made. I hope we get cooperation as we open up. There are areas like Brookside that are affected all the time. We are coming, Sakaja added.

On Monday, the governor met with the Joint Implementation Committee, which oversees the cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi City County.

The committee instructed a group of agencies  including the Nairobi Rivers Commission, Nairobi Water, KURA, KeRRA, KeNHA, and the countys transport sector  to submit a detailed damage assessment and a funded response plan within 48 hours.

This upcoming report will map out drainage blocks and broken infrastructure across all 17 sub-counties. It will also prioritize clearing silt from drains, repairing damaged roads, and proposing long-term upgrades to the citys stormwater network.

Additionally, the committee ordered a multi-agency team to step up the recovery of riparian and floodplain zones. These efforts aim to restore natural river flows and curb the cycle of flooding.

Sakaja announced that the city will create satellite and GIS maps of Nairobis river corridors, floodplains, and high-risk zones. The government will share these maps with the public and relevant agencies to improve urban planning and disaster readiness.

Response teams have already distributed water treatment supplies to over 4,000 households and sanitized more than 300 flood-affected homes and latrines.

Furthermore, Sakaja noted that community health advocates provided water safety and hygiene training to over 1,300 residents. Meanwhile, public health experts disinfected more than 30 flooded schools, ensuring a safer environment for over 3,800 students.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale clarified that the Kenya Hospitals Association owns The Nairobi Hospital, which operates as a company limited by guarantee. This legal status means the facility is member-owned and lacks shareholders.

During the Health Integration Summit in Mombasa on Monday, Duale explained that this specific corporate structure prevents any attempt to acquire or privatize the hospital.

He noted that the president of Kenya traditionally acts as the hospitals patron, a role that underscores its standing as a top-tier health facility in both the country and the wider region.

Duale admitted that the institution has struggled with governance and financial management in recent months. He pointed out that a number of critical surgeries have been postponed and shortages of necessary medical supplies have resulted from these internal problems.

Duale noted that these internal hurdles have reduced the availability of essential medical supplies and caused delays for several critical surgeries.

He revealed that a group of concerned, long-serving doctors personally sought the presidents intervention. In response, the government directed the relevant authorities to investigate the hospitals management and financial situation.

According to Duale, the government is intervening solely to protect the hospitals reputation and ensure it continues to provide high-quality healthcare services to the public.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen noted that Kenya must learn from international policing models as the country develops the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit. He identified Singapore as a vital partner for enhancing security, digitalization, and institutional strength.

In a statement on Monday, March 16, 2026, CS Murkomen explained that Kenya and Singapore maintain a robust relationship built on common goals and cooperation.

Kenya and Singapore enjoy strong bilateral relations anchored on mutual interest and shared priorities, with Singapore serving as a strategic partner on cybersecurity, digitalization of government services, ICT capacity building, and knowledge sharing and skills development, Murkomen said.

He clarified that Singapores methods provide useful lessons on organizing police commands, leveraging technology, and fostering community trust  all of which are critical for the new Nairobi Metropolitan Police structure.

As we work on a framework for the establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit as directed by H.E the President last month, the Singapore model offers important benchmarks on command structure, leveraging technology, and strong community involvement in policing, he added.

Murkomen also noted that talking with international partners helps build Kenyas institutional strength and aligns the country with global standards in policing and national coordination.

On the sidelines of the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna, Austria, I held bilateral talks with Edwin Tong, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore, to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in security, national coordination, and institutional capacity building, he stated.

The Cabinet Secretary explained that the discussions centered on using Singapores expertise in law enforcement, digital tools, and community policing to improve Kenyas systems.

Murkomen concluded that collaborating with nations like Singapore remains a cornerstone of Kenyas goal to create a modern, tech-savvy, and community-oriented police service that can tackle new security threats.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua fired back at former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria following Kurias claims that the state would buy off any Member of Parliament (MP) elected under the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party.

While attending the burial of Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwas mother on Monday, March 16, 2026, the DCP leader first acknowledged Kurias prediction that the party might win several seats in the Mount Kenya region.

He then criticized Kuria, labeling him a traitor to the region. Gachagua argued that no one would be available to bribe DCP lawmakers because he believes the current administration  the potential buyers  will have already lost power.

Msaliti anatoka Gatundu South anasema ati wabunge wa DCP wakichaguliwa, Kasongo atawanunua. Nataka nimuambie kasongo hatawanunua sababu atakuwa Sugoi, Gachagua said.

Gachagua also promised a difficult period ahead for President William Ruto, vowing that a unified opposition will relentlessly challenge him until he leaves office.

The Democracy for Citizens (DCP) leader declared that the newly united alternative government will keep President Ruto on his toes for the next 15 months, aiming to end his presidency. Gachagua claimed that recent opposition pressure has already rattled the Head of State, leaving him with few choices.

Gachagua pledged that their coalition will maintain its scrutiny of the president to ensure the administration addresses its failures. Additionally, he reassured Kenyans that the opposition will continue to speak out against any attempts to exploit public resources.

Kazi yetu going forward ni kukasirisha Ruto; we will make sure that William Ruto is not going to sleep for the next 15 months; he will only sleep after we remove him from power.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is demanding that political parties within the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance dissolve and merge with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) before the 2027 general election. He warned that those who refuse to join the mother party risk losing access to influential government and parliamentary roles.

Cherargei argued that smaller affiliate parties must fold into UDA to bolster President William Rutos re-election campaign. With the next polls just 18 months away, he believes consolidating the alliance into a single powerhouse is the only way to secure a decisive victory.

Those who are in a coalition with UDA, we want to ask them to dissolve those small parties so that we get into a bigger ship called UDA. We cannot be having a big ship and youre just having a boat, he told attendees at a public event in Nandi County.

Since its launch in January 2022, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance has relied on its hustler narrative and the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda to win over voters. This strategy propelled the coalition to victory in the last general election, granting them majority control over both the National Assembly and the Senate.

The ruling coalition currently functions as an umbrella for over a dozen parties. Key members include Rutos UDA, Moses Wetangulas FORDKenya, and the Amani National Congress (ANC), which is linked to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

On February 7, 2025, the Amani National Congress (ANC) officially dissolved and merged with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). This strategic move saw ANC transfer its assets to the ruling party and integrate its members into the UDAs larger political structure.

However, the dissolution sparked a major legal battle. In January 2026, the High Court of Kenya declared the merger unlawful and unconstitutional. The court found that the process violated the ANCs own constitution and failed to involve its members adequately.

Despite this judicial setback, UDA leaders have brushed off the ruling. They argue that the dissolution was a voluntary act by ANC members that had already been completed, dismissing the courts decision as overtaken by events.

Senator Samson Cherargei has used this situation to pressure other coalition members. He believes all affiliate parties must follow the same path to ensure the ruling alliance remains united for the high-stakes 2027 election, where President Ruto is expected to face a consolidated opposition.

Those that wont dissolve their parties, when UDA and President Ruto return in 2027, they will not get Cabinet seats or even the speaker, Cherargei warned.

Samson Cherargeis comments echo the consistent stance of President William Ruto. As the UDA party leader, Ruto has frequently called for consolidating smaller parties into a single political entity to reduce internal friction and boost the coalitions chances at the ballot box.

Cherargei also praised the growing cooperation between UDA and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He characterized this partnership as a clever move to establish a broad-based government and ensure Ruto clinches a second term.

At the same time, the vocal senator brushed aside concerns that a united opposition could jeopardize the presidents re-election campaign.
Fathers in Croydon can now access a free NHS-supported app designed to help with the challenges of early parenthood.

New NHS-backed app DadPad helps fathers navigate early parenthood

DadPad provides practical guidance for expectant and new fathers, covering feeding, nappy changes, safer sleep, bathing, and coping with a crying baby. It also offers advice on bonding through massage and play and highlights parental mental health concerns so dads can recognise warning signs and seek support.

Jason Perry, executive mayor of Croydon, told London Now: Becoming a parent is one of lifes great milestones, but it can also feel daunting, particularly for new dads. We know that fathers have often been under-represented in maternity and early years support, and that is something we are determined to change.

The DadPad app gives every dad in Croydon an NHS-backed resource they can trust, whether they need guidance on safer sleep at 3am or want to understand what their partner might be going through. The video series adds something different: real voices, real experiences, from local dads who have been where they are now.

Every familys journey is different. But by making support clearer, more accessible, and more inclusive of fathers, we hope more dads across Croydon will feel genuinely confident and supported as they step into this role, alongside their partners and families.

The apps safer sleep guidance coincides with World Sleep Day, offering dads tips on creating a safe sleep environment for their babies at any hour. DadPad also connects fathers to local Croydon support groups, services, and a network where they can ask questions and share experiences with other dads and health professionals.

A five-part video podcast series has launched on YouTube, featuring local fathers discussing the challenges and rewards of parenthood. The app and series were introduced following the Fathers and Male Carers Conference on February 26 at Braithwaite Hall, hosted by Croydon Family Hubs, which brought together fathers, professionals, and community groups to exchange experiences and hear from fatherhood support speakers.

DadPad is available free to Croydon parents on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
President William Ruto encouraged young people across the nation to seize the job openings arising from current government development initiatives.

Speaking on Monday, March 16, 2026, Ruto explained that the government has established a specific strategy to tackle youth unemployment through infrastructure work and digital job programs. He noted that projects involving road construction, affordable housing, markets, and hostels should generate thousands of positions for the youth.

Young people, I want you to listen to me carefully. For a long time, the government did not have a clear plan for the youth, but today we have opportunities and programs aimed at creating jobs for them, he said.

He called on young citizens to apply themselves and embrace the roles emerging from the governments development goals.

All these projects we are rolling out, roads, affordable housing, building markets, and hostels, are meant to create jobs for our young people, Ruto said.

The president also cited the governments digital jobs initiative, which connects Kenyan youth to online work both locally and internationally.

We want our young people to access digital jobs and be able to work not only in Kenya but also for the global market, he said.

Ruto noted that the government has already earmarked Sh5 billion to support youth-led enterprises. He added that the program has already helped 120,000 young people launch and manage their businesses.

Turning to energy, the Head of State announced a plan to broaden electricity access in Busia County. He confirmed the government will spend Ksh1.5 billion to bring power to 16,000 new households this year.

We have allocated Ksh1.5 billion to ensure that 16,000 households in Busia are connected to electricity this year, he said.

Ruto described the initiative as a step toward universal electricity access, aiming to close the development gap across the country.
The radio star was originally pronounced dead in 1979, but these Emory students  born after Y2K  demonstrate just how strong the pull of human connection through the sound waves really is.

The universitys student-run radio station, WMRE, began broadcasting to campus in 1989 and hit the internet nearly a decade later, in 1998, broadcasting through RealAudio and RealVideo.

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused most of Emory to transition to remote learning, WMRE took a hiatus, eventually being relaunched by passionate students in the fall of 2023.



Jackie Hampton, now co-president of WMRE, was on the ground floor of that relaunch, witnessing her friend and then-president Ruby Stillman reacquire funding and clean out the studio, which stood frozen in time since March 2020.



I was chief engineer and was working to rebuild our streaming, says Hampton, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on urban planning.

The rebuilding process included contacting former student participants, looking at stations around the U.S., learning about streaming options and seeking advice from Mardy Beeson, manager of the film and media equipment room, for advice.

It was fun, says Hampton, I got to be the first one to put us back on air.

Now, anyone can tune in to the station via the WMRE website, attend in-person events and more.

Now playing: The student perspective

Why go to the effort of overhauling a channel with analog roots and rebuilding a student group when music has never been more accessible?

Radio offers human connection. Theres somebody talking to you, says Gabe Marrero, WMRE vice president. Youre engaged in a conversation with another real person, the DJ. And if youre an Emory student, its one of your peers.

You just cant get that connection from an algorithm, says Marrero, a senior double majoring in psychology and philosophy.

Co-president Shadeh Okoudjou also emphasizes the value of hearing from peers.

Our station offers the student perspective. Were really open to what people want to say, so it makes for honest conversations, says Okoudjou, a senior majoring in neuroscience and behavioral biology with a minor in African American Studies.

With more than 100 student DJs  including both undergraduate and graduate students  bringing unique perspectives, experiences and creative ideas for shows, its no surprise WMRE branches far beyond traditional radio into other areas of the arts.

As a first-year student, I was looking for an arts-oriented group, so I went to the T-shirt bleaching event WMRE was hosting in Cox Hall, says Carissa Park, who is now a junior majoring in art history and chemistry.

At the event, she met the editors of Frequency, WMREs zine. A continuation of the stations original magazine, it now includes bits about DJs, new music or upcoming events. Talking with those editors, Park quickly discovered how many facets of creativity WMRE is involved in.

I saw WMRE had a social media position open because their current chair was studying abroad, she says. I went full send, applied, and took on that role the spring of my first year.

As social media manager, Park gets to flex her creative muscles with designing and graphics while also meeting new friends.

Human connection is also why live events, including those hosted by WMRE, carry a verve that a playlist cant, the energy Noble Garcia was chasing when he arrived at Emory from his hometown of Haymarket, Virginia.

Garcia attended any on-campus music event he could as a first-year student and older students suggested he join WMRE. Garcia wound up hosting Atlanta Allure for both semesters of that first year, a show focused on local music. That led to the idea of applying for the stations executive board.

I was trying to talk myself out of it, because I was going to be so busy, says Garcia, who is now zine editor/community engagement manager, a role where he has a hand in merchandise, planning creative events and concerts, creating the stations zine and more.

I am busy now, he admits, but Ive never regretted it.

Tuning in to older tech

Whether students joined college radio because of Pitch Perfect or an affinity for it thanks to their parents listening habits, the medium coincides with the bigger going analog trend.



A lot of people in my generation are fed up with being consumed by the attention economy and the notion that your phone is designed to distract you and waste your time, says Hampton. At the station, we do stream from Spotify, but we have a plug-in for instruments, we have a ton of CDs, and even within the radio community Ive seen a rise in people getting iPods again.

I know some people wouldnt consider an iPod analog, but for my generation it is: its not connected to the internet, says Hampton, who has also recently started burning CDs for friends.

Park notes that shes seen the trend contribute to overconsumption as individuals use it as an excuse to buy more items. But the analog trend is also furthering our mission of having a community-based organization around music and finding your people there. So it can have good effects, too.

And any community-based organization needs to be able to pass news. Enter: WMREs Zine.

Zines are an important way to get the word out, says Garcia, now a sophomore majoring in accounting with a film and media management concentration. Theyre really easy to pass around and they travel fast. Its grassroots marketing, in a way.

The other appeal?

You can touch them.

Nowadays where we use screens so much  and thats a problem for me, too  its good to have something with texture, that you can feel and touch and interact with, he says.

Expanding community

Community  one that stretches beyond the time it takes to earn a degree  is the current running beneath every show aired and every song played.

Weve had alumni reach out and say theyre loving what were putting out and doing, says Park. College can feel really short, and people come in and out, so its nice to know that we have a longer-lasting impact than what we might immediately see. People stay engaged even after they leave.

Radio itself may be a one-sided conversation, but Okoudjou says that on-campus events show a lesser-known side of Emory students. Everyones commitment to music and live music is incredible. Whenever we host shows on campus, its cool to see how engaged people get, showing up to the events and moshing to the music.

Between social media, in-person events, hosting shows or simply tuning in, bringing WMRE back to the airwaves and rebuilding the community around music has been a group effort.

I love the art, but its nothing if I dont have really great collaborators who make that art enjoyable, says Garcia.

As vice president, Marrero sees his main responsibility as bringing as many people together as possible under the banner of the arts. Thats music, speaking for social justice, craft events and more. No matter who you are at Emory, there is a place for you at WMRE.

Photos by Avery D. Spalding, Emory Photo/Video.
2025-26 MOU guarantees admission and a scholarship to eligible Catholic high school students in the Philadelphia area; expands access to affordable, quality Catholic education

EMMITSBURG, Md., March 5, 2026  Mount St. Marys University has partnered with the Secondary School System of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that guarantees admission and a renewable four-year scholarship to Archdiocesan high school graduates who meet specific criteria. This collaboration enhances access to high quality Catholic education at the university level.

Im proud to be able to offer a pathway to a Mount education to Philadelphia-area Catholic school students. As a native of Philadelphia myself, whose parents worked hard to send me to an Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic high school, I know OCE Schools students will find spiritual development, academic growth, and a home away from home at the Mount, said President of Mount St. Marys University Gerard Jerry Joyce, Ph.D.

The high schools included in the MOU are: Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor, PA; Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia; Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, PA; Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, PA; Cardinal OHara High School in Springfield, PA; Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, PA; Father Judge High School in Philadelphia; Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale, PA; Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia; Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, PA; Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford, PA; Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia; Saints John Neumann & Maria Goretti High School in Philadelphia; Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia; and West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia.

The agreement, signed by Mount President Jerry Joyce, Ph.D., and William Brannick, Superintendent of Secondary Schools and Schools of Special Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, guarantees admission to the Mount for Archdiocesan high school graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Admitted students will receive scholarships ranging from $27,000 to $35,000 per year, with a total value of $108,000 to $140,000 over four years.

Mr. William E. Brannick, Superintendent of Secondary Schools and Schools of Special Education, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphias Office of Catholic Education said, This exciting new partnership between our 15 Archdiocesan secondary schools and Mount St. Marys University will provide our students with an incredible opportunity to further their educational journey in a faith filled environment. I look forward to the success of this initiative and for our young people to continue to benefit from the gift of Catholic education.

In addition, all students who apply by May 1 will be eligible for an additional $5,000 per year Catholic High School Scholarship. High schools included in the agreement will have the opportunity to schedule campus admission visits exclusively for their school. The application fee will be waived for qualifying Archdiocesan students, and they will have the opportunity to receive instant admission decisions during some counselor visits.

High school families from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia can learn more about benefits and eligibility by contacting the Mount St. Marys University admissions team at admissions@msmary.edu.
Participants come from around the region to compete in SIUs annual Math Field Day. Photo provided.

Students from over 40 high schools competing in SIUs Math Field Day

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  High school students from across Illinois and Missouri will enjoy a day of competition and accomplishment at Southern Illinois University Carbondales annual Math Field Day on March 24 at the Banterra Center.

A maximum of 32 students from each school  eight from each grade  can compete in the event. Organizers anticipate scholars from about 40 Midwest schools will vie for prizes while enhancing their knowledge and expertiseand having a great time. The day also offers learning experiences and networking for teachers.

Event tests math skills

The event includes a comprehensive, competitive 2-hour exam for all participants that is designed, presented and scored by faculty from the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. The testing is from 10 a.m. to noon and covers a wide range of mathematical areas, from beginning algebra and geometry through trigonometry and college algebra. A few questions venture into calculus, finite mathematics and clever thinking.

Winners get cash, awards

An awards ceremony is set for 2 p.m. The top two finishers in each grade will receive cash awards.

First-place winners will each earn $75, and second-prize winners will claim $50 each.

The top-scoring student teams will receive trophies or ribbons in three separate divisions, based on school enrollment size. Students can also win certificates for individual accomplishments in each academic division.

Focus on teachers, too

SIUs School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences will host a program for math teachers during the event as well. This portion of the Math Field Day will take place at 10 a.m. in the Roger and Sally Tedrick Auditorium, Boydston Center, Room 189, at the Banterra Center. Jeremy Alm, professor and director of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, will be the guest speaker.

For more information about Math Field Day, contact co-chairs Vina Castelli, mathematics lecturer, or Ron Nagrodski, mathematics senior lecturer, at 618-453-5302 or email Jeaniffer.carman@siu.edu.
Emirates has issued a travel update for UK passengers following a temporary closure of Dubai International Airport after a drone strike hit a fuel tank in the United Arab Emirates.

Emirates is operating flights on a limited schedule following drone strike in Dubai International Airport

The incident occurred early Monday (16.03.26), when an Iranian drone struck a fuel tank near the airport, the worlds busiest for international passenger traffic, causing a large fire.

Firefighters contained the blaze, and no injuries were reported, but all flights were temporarily suspended.

Emirates announced that flights have now resumed, though on a limited schedule with some cancellations.

A statement on its travel updates page said: Emirates expects to operate a limited schedule after 10:00hrs Dubai local time today. Unfortunately, some flights from todays schedule have been cancelled. Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on reaccommodation options.

The airline advised passengers to check flight status before travelling and to use its online booking tools or app to amend flights within 72 hours.

Emirates added: If you are unable to rebook, please contact us. If you booked with a travel agent, please contact the agent for rebooking."

Yesterday, at 09:50am Dubai time, Emirates told travellers all flights to and from Dubai were temporarily suspended and urged passengers not to go to the airport.

The airline emphasised: The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to the UAE. It warns that regional tensions present significant security risks and have led to travel disruption and urges travellers to avoid areas near security or military facilities, as well as US and Israeli government sites.

For those already in Dubai, the FCDO recommends following local authorities instructions and monitoring media updates.

UK nationals are also advised to check airline availability if they need to return home, as the register your interest in flights from UAE scheme remains paused while commercial flights resume.
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has expressed deep concern over the reports of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, which have resulted in over 400 casualties. He called the parties to de-escalate and exercise restraint. The UN Special Rapporteur underlined the need to protect civilians and civilian infra such as hospitals. In a post on X he said, "Dismayed by fresh reports of #Pakistan airstrikes in #Afghanistan and resulting civilian casualties. My condolences. I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint & respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals". https://x.com/SR_Afghanistan/status/2033638207485538383?s=20 More than 400 people have died and hundreds more have suffered injuries after a Pakistani military airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, Afghan officials said, according to a report by Tolo News. The attack has become one of the deadliest single strikes on civilians in Afghanistan in recent years. TOLO news reported, citing Afghan authorities, that the strike took place late at night and caused massive destruction at the rehabilitation facility. Many of the victims were patients and staff who were present at the centre at the time of the attack. According to the deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, the number of casualties has continued to rise since the incident. "Following last night''s bombardment by Pakistan''s military regime on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, the number of martyrs has so far risen to 400, while the number of injured has reached 250," TOLO News, citing Fitrat, reported. Local officials said emergency teams rushed to the site after the explosion. Hospitals across Kabul received a large number of wounded people. Authorities fear the death toll could increase further as several of the injured remain in critical condition. The International Human Rights Foundation also condemned the attack. The organisation stressed that civilian infrastructure must remain protected during any conflict. It said that "public places such as hospitals should not be targeted". The organisation also called for an independent international investigation into the strike to determine responsibility and to ensure that those responsible "are brought to justice". Afghanistan and Pakistan share a long and sensitive border. Relations between the two neighbours have faced repeated strain due to security issues and cross-border operations. According to TOLOnews, Afghan civilians have been primarily targeted by Pakistani forces during previous cross-border strikes as well. Some earlier incidents involved women and children in border provinces, which led to protests and condemnation inside Afghanistan. The latest attack has triggered strong reactions within the country. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a sharp warning to Pakistan after the strike. In an interview with TOLOnews, Mujahid said that "the time for diplomacy with Pakistan is over and that the attack must be avenged". (ANI)
BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 17: As digital payments become the norm for millions of Indians, AU Small Finance Bank announced an enhanced focus on smart, customer-centric credit solutions designed to support evolving financial behaviours. The bank continues to expand its portfolio with products that empower consumers across different life stages -- from everyday transactions to long-term financial planning. India's credit market is undergoing a major behavioural shift. Younger customers are entering formal credit earlier, online spending is surging, and borrowers increasingly expect flexibility over traditional fixed structures. Within the wider ecosystem, purpose-built offerings such as a student credit card continue to serve specific user groups by providing a structured entry point into credit. The AU Small Finance Bank continues to remain focused on designing solutions centred around actual customer lifestyles rather than conventional product categories. At the core of this approach is AU Bank's diversified credit card portfolio, offering a range of cards suited to different spending profiles and life stages. Each card is integrated into a comprehensive rewards programme, enabling customers to redeem points across travel, dining, shopping, and more. One of the standout offerings in the portfolio is India's first fully customisable credit card, a product that lets customers switch benefits on or off in real time, redefining what a personalised credit experience can look like. In a major step towards serving India's professional community, the bank recently launched a lifetime-free metal credit card developed in partnership with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Exclusively for Chartered Accountants, the card carries the CA India emblem and offers benefits aligned with their professional spending needs. This card forms a key component of AU Bank's Chartered Accountants Programme, which combines tailored banking products with professional privileges. Customers can seamlessly transition from basic credit cards to premium offerings, such as AU Small Finance Bank's top-tier cards. This upgrade pathway provides enhanced rewards and superior value with no joining or annual fees. To support instant liquidity needs, AU Bank enables eligible customers to convert their available credit limit into an instant, paperless personal loan with flexible repayment options, acting as an on-demand financial buffer during urgent requirements. On the repayment front, the bank's EMI conversion feature allows customers to convert high-value purchases into structured monthly instalments, making it easier to manage big-ticket expenses. A built-in EMI calculator further supports informed decision-making by helping customers model their repayment schedule before committing. As consumers increasingly manage financial tasks online, including essentials like credit card bill payment. These digital tools provide greater clarity and convenience. Additionally, customers can also access and manage their banking services, card controls, and transactions through their preferred mobile banking app. All AU Bank credit cards comes with zero-liability protection on fraudulent transactions, instant card controls, and a comfortable interest-free period, reinforcing the bank's commitment to security, transparency, and flexibility. As India's credit ecosystem continues to mature, AU Small Finance Bank reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to responsible, technology-enabled credit solutions across urban and semi-urban markets, with a focus on first-generation credit users, young professionals, and digitally savvy consumers seeking seamless financial experiences. For more information, visit au.bank.in or contact AU Bank customer care. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]/San Diego [US], March 17: QFocus Technologies LLC (QFocus), headquartered in the USA, proudly marks two years of delivering consulting-led, advanced design and validation, manufacturing engineering, and supply chain analytics services to the North American market. Over the past two years, QFocus has established itself as a trusted partner to leading OEM and EMS customers across verticals including Medical & Life Sciences, AI Infrastructure & Consumer Electronics, and Industrial & Transport. Founder & CEO Ajit Chandorkar said, "Given the rapid changes occurring in technology and geopolitical scenarios, customers face increasing challenges from prolonged product development, manufacturing and supply chain lifecycles. QFocus was established with the vision to solve these complex challenges for our customers with our domain knowledge and execution capabilities. We are fundamentally focusing on helping accelerate time-to-market and compliance with stringent quality and regulatory requirements. What sets us apart is our team of industry-recognized Subject Matter Experts in targeted domains and our ability for scaling up our execution engine faster at key customer geographies." Accessing India's AI & Engineering Talent Pool As a part of its growth journey, QFocus AI Private Limited was established in India to support and scale global customers' engineering needs. "Our sole aim is to solve complex engineering problems for our customers' next-generation product development; we are selectively hiring top talent for AI/ML, embedded hardware and software, ASIC design and verification, product testing and more," said Ajit. With the objective of building a strong ecosystem of R&D, talent, domain expertise and delivery skills that will fulfil industry needs, QFocus is collaborating with leading academic institutes and engineering partners in India. The key areas of focus are AI Infrastructure, XR & Wearables AI,Wireless & Connectivity, Audio & Video and DeepTech, for talent acquisition and nurturing, academic and management enrichment etc., to fulfil industry needs and create wealth. About QFocus Technologies QFocus is a US-based design and manufacturing engineering service provider, delivering consulting-led services that help clients achieve faster time-to-market and improved process and product quality. QFocus' comprehensive service portfolio spans embedded systems & AI, manufacturing engineering, manufacturing quality engineering, product design & testing, supply chain analytics, and operational excellence. QFocus serves clients across Medical & Life Sciences, AI Infrastructure & Consumer Electronics, and Industrial & Transport sectors. QFocus fosters a vibrant environment of joy, excitement, creativity and innovation. Promoting inclusion, empathy and empowerment for every employee and partner is at the heart of QFocus' growing culture. We are a team of Go-Getters in the making! For more information about QFocus and its services, visit www.qfocustech.com or contact ops@focustech.com. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935600/QFocus_Technologies_innovation_execution.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2935599/QFocus_Technologies_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India], March 17: Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt Ltd, a Indo-US biotechnology company, has been working to revolutionize oncology through advanced circulating tumor cell (CTC) technologies, and continues to make significant strides through its innovations and oncology interventions. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Jayant Khandare and Aravindan Vasudevan, with Rick Kamble joining the founding team in 2016 as a key leader (serving in roles including CEO), Actorius operates through a robust innovation corridor with research laboratories in Pune, India, and Pasadena, USA. The company is dedicated to developing novel biomaterials and platforms that address critical unmet needs in cancer diagnostics, monitoring, and intervention, with a sharp focus on early detection and preventing metastatic spread. At the forefront of Actorius' portfolio is OncoDiscover, India's first DCGI-approved liquid biopsy test for detecting and enumerating Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs). This minimally invasive blood-based assay requires just a small sample (as low as 5ml), enabling safe, repeated testing to assess systemic tumor activity, monitor disease progression, predict relapse, and guide personalized therapy. By capturing CTCs, key drivers of metastasis, OncoDiscover provides clinicians with actionable insights into cancer spread before it becomes clinically evident. The biggest challenge that OncoDiscover attains is in letting know the oncologists which patients are likely to be in complete remission (CR) over to others who have No Evidence of Disease (NED) monitored by PETCT. Complementing this is OncoMetastat (also referred to in development as CTC dialysis or extracorporeal filtration technology), an innovative platform designed to target and remove CTCs from the bloodstream, directly intervening in the metastatic cascade at a systemic level. These platforms represent a paradigm shift from organ-specific treatments to addressing cancer as a systemic disease.So far, Actorius has achieved remarkable milestones: over 50 peer-reviewed publications (with Dr. Khandare personally authoring 150+ across his career), presentations at prestigious conferences including ASCO, AACR, and ESMO, and multiple U.S. patents protecting its proprietary technologies. The company's work has been recognized in high-impact journals and clinical studies, underscoring the prognostic and predictive value of CTC enumeration in various cancers. Commenting on Actorius' mission and innovations, Dr. Jayant Khandare said: "Cancer's greatest challenge remains metastasis, the spread of disease that claims most lives. Our focus has always been on systemic biology rather than localized tumors. Through OncoDiscover, we empower clinicians with non-invasive, repeatable insights into CTCs to detect and monitor spread early. With OncoMetastat, we are pioneering interventional approaches to capture and eliminate these cells extracorporeally, aiming to disrupt the metastatic process at its source. These technologies represent first-in-class solutions that could transform how cancer is detected, tracked, and ultimately controlled, bringing hope to patients worldwide by addressing the root of advanced disease." Actorius continues to advance its pipeline, supported by a strong IP estate, clinical evidence, and international collaborations. The company remains committed to translating deep science into accessible, life-changing oncology tools. About Actorius Innovations and Research Pvt Ltd Actorius is a privately held biotechnology company founded in 2013, specializing in innovative CTC-based diagnostics and therapeutics. With dual operations in India and the USA, Actorius is dedicated to early cancer detection, precise monitoring, and novel interventions to combat metastasis. For more information, visit www.actorius.in or www.oncodiscover.com or reach out on info@actorius.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Jane McDonald listens to voicemails from her late longtime partner and wears his jumper to feel closer to him.

Eddie Rothe and his wife Jane McDonald

The 62-year-old star has recorded her 11th studio album, Living the Dream, and it is the first time musically that she has shared the grief she has carried since her fiance, musician Eddie Rothe, died of lung cancer aged 67 in March 2021.

Discussing how the loss of Eddie inspired some of the songs on the record, Jane explained in the new issue of Woman magazine: "It's the first time I've written about Ed.

"How can I move on? is all about hearing his voice on a voicemail and wearing his sweater, just to feel a bit closer to him, then asking, 'How can I move on?'

"Another song, Beautiful Soul - God knows how I'm going to sing that! I'm going to have to think, 'I'm the channel for other people,' and this is for them, to remember their loved ones.

"My shows are very emotional, but they're full of laughter and disco as well. You get a bit of everything. It's like therapy - and that's just for me!"

Continuing to work has helped Jane navigate the grief of Eddie, who died three years after her mum, Jean, passed away.

The former Loose Women panellist - who was engaged 12 years before his death - explained: "People my age have all joined the club where we've lost loved ones. Grief is always going to be there, right at your side, and it doesn't get any better or easier.

"What you have to do is fill your life with a load of joy, to sit alongside it. I feel like my mum and Ed are still with me because I talk about them all the time.

"I'm still full of love from them, and that's a lovely place to be."

This year has already proven to be another busy one for Jane - who briefly dated Eddie in the 1980s when she was aged 17 before they lost contact and reconciled in 2008 on ITV's Loose Women.

She has fronted her six-part Channel 5 travelogue series, From Pole to Pole, and is now making a two-part documentary about heading to Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, to record Living the Dream.

However, Jane still thinks she should slow down.

The star explained: "I take on far too much, and I think I'm a superwoman, and I'm really shocked when I'm not.

"I've been saying for the last 10 years, I must slow it down a bit, but the more I try and slow it down, the quicker it gets."
NewsVoir Denver [US] / Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 17: MATTER, India's technology-driven electric mobility company, and Iontra Inc, the industry leader in real-time battery sensing and charge control solution, today announced their partnership to integrate Iontra's battery intelligence and adaptive charging technology as one of the core layers of Matter's AI-Defined Vehicle (AIDV) platform, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative from India towards AI-governed energy systems in mobility. With battery intelligence embedded at the core of its vehicle architecture: Battery health is measured in real time, not inferred - Charging dynamically adapts to actual cell condition- Thermal stress and degradation are actively managed- Safety margins expand without compromising performance- Battery life and consistency improve across the vehicle lifecycle This milestone builds on MATTER's already state-of-the-art battery safety and control systems delivered through its Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) platform, including AERA. With the addition of adaptive, health-aware intelligence, MATTER is now advancing battery systems beyond predefined software logic toward AI-defined energy behaviour. From Software-Defined Battery Safety to AI-Defined Energy Intelligence Traditional electric vehicles rely on static battery assumptions and fixed charging profiles. MATTER's SDV platform has already established a strong baseline for battery protection, monitoring, and safety under real-world conditions through robust, real-time data systems. The integration of Iontra's technology elevates the platform further, introducing adaptive, predictive intelligence into how batteries behave, age, and protect themselves. This shift enables MATTER to move from reactive protection toward self-optimising energy architectures, designed to scale as vehicle performance, charging speeds, and system complexity increase. Battery Intelligence as a Pillar of AIDV As part of MATTER's AIDV architecture unveiled at Technology Day 3.0, batteries evolve from passive energy storage units into intelligent, self-aware systems that continuously sense their condition, adapt to real-world usage, and optimise performance over time. Within MATTER's AIDV framework, intelligence governs materials, propulsion, thermal systems, and energy as a single, adaptive system. Battery intelligence plays a central role by informing how energy is charged, discharged, protected, and evolved over time. Iontra's real-time State of Health (SOH) sensing and adaptive charge-control capabilities form a foundational element of this transition. By embedding Iontra's intelligence at the edge, MATTER enables faster and safer charging without hardware changes, improves reliability under demanding Indian operating conditions, and reduces lifetime ownership costs through healthier, longer-lasting batteries, while laying the foundation for long-term AI-governed energy control. "Our SDV architecture established a strong foundation for battery safety and performance," said Kumar Prasad Tellikepalli, Founder and Group CTO, MATTER "Integrating Iontra's sensing and adaptive charging capabilities allows energy systems to sense their true condition, adapt in real time, and evolve across the vehicle lifecycle, marking the transition from software-defined control to AI-defined energy behaviour." "Electric mobility will not be defined by electrification alone, it will be defined by intelligence. MATTER's software-defined platforms already deliver industry-leading safety and control," said Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and Group CEO, MATTER. "By integrating adaptive battery intelligence as a core layer of our AIDV architecture, we are advancing a first-of-its-kind initiative from India towards AI-governed energy systems in mobility." "Battery intelligence is essential to performance, safety, and trust in electric mobility. MATTER's AIDV approach closely aligns with our belief that batteries must be health-aware and adaptive at the edge," added Jeff Granato, Co-Founder and CEO, Iontra Inc "Together, we are enabling eMobility products that are safer, more reliable, and deliver consistent performance over their entire life." Completing the AIDV Energy Stack The integration of Iontra's battery intelligence strengthens MATTER's AI-Defined Vehicle platform across the energy domain, complementing intelligent propulsion systems, thermal architectures, materials innovation, and domain-integrated control. As MATTER advances structured validation and integration under this programme and expands its AIDV platform across multiple two-wheeler segments in the near future, battery intelligence will remain a central pillar in delivering scalable performance, safety, and lifecycle value. For more information, please visit www.matter.in, www.iontra.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang projected that the demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure will reach at least USD 1 trillion by 2027, driven by a fundamental shift in global computing methods. Speaking at Nvidia's annual GTC 2026 in San Jose, California, on Monday, Huang noted that the industry has reached a critical turning point. According to a report by Focus Taiwan, this new estimate more than doubles his previous forecast, which suggested that demand for the company's Blackwell and Vera Rubin systems would hit approximately USD 500 billion by 2026. "The inference inflection point has arrived," Huang said during the presentation. He explained that the transition toward inference-driven computing is what will push infrastructure demand past the trillion-dollar mark in the coming years. Huang described a complete transformation in how machines process information, moving away from traditional methods. "Computing used to be retrieval-based. Now it's generative," he said. He reiterated his view that Moore's Law has run out of steam, predicting a future where every software company becomes agentic and operates as a manufacturer of tokens. The CEO identified Taiwan as a primary component of the supply chain required to deliver Nvidia's Vera Rubin architecture. Presentation slides identified more than 60 global partners for the platform, many of which are Taiwanese firms, including Foxconn, Asustek Computer Inc., Quanta Cloud Technology, Wistron Corp., and Wiwynn Corp. Nvidia provided further technical details on the next-generation Vera Rubin platform, which is designed specifically for agentic AI workloads. The system utilizes 100 percent liquid cooling. Huang claimed this design significantly reduces deployment time, cutting installation requirements from two days down to just two hours. Beyond its own hardware, Nvidia is collaborating with AI chip startup Groq Inc. to optimize inference performance. Huang confirmed that Samsung Electronics Co. will manufacture the Groq chips. Looking further into the company's roadmap, he introduced the Feynman architecture, which will incorporate new processing and networking technologies such as co-packaged optics. On the software side, the CEO highlighted the emergence of "agentic AI," where software systems perform tasks and generate outputs autonomously. To support this, Nvidia announced its enterprise-focused NemoClaw system. Developed with enhanced security and privacy for corporate use, the system follows the rapid rise of the open-source platform OpenClaw. The company is also looking toward space-based data centers. Huang revealed plans for the Vera Rubin Space-1 system, though he acknowledged the technical hurdles of cooling hardware in an environment where heat dissipation relies solely on radiation. "We have to figure out how to cool these systems out in space, but we've got lots of great engineers working on it," he said. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], March 17: Virohan, an industry leader in healthcare education, convened a closed-door multi-stakeholder roundtable on "Allied & Healthcare for Viksit Bharat 2047" at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on March 13, 2026. The dialogue was organised in collaboration with India House, a policy and research-focused think tank, and Pahle India Foundation (PIF), a public health non-profit. The roundtable brought together over 60 experts from across the healthcare ecosystem, spanning government, healthcare providers, academia, industry bodies, and civil society. Mr. Kamal Pant - Chairperson, Uttar Pradesh State Allied Healthcare Council Dr. Amit Patel - Committee Member, NCAHP & Gujarat State Allied Healthcare Council Dr. Prasad VG - Commission Member, National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) - Healthcare Providers like Manipal Hospitals, Metropolis Healthcare, Bloom IVF, Oncquest Laboratories, Mahajan Imaging & Labs - Academic Institutions like AIIMS Delhi, Symbiosis University, GD Goenka University, GGS Indraprastha University, BBD University, CMR University, Bennett University - Industry Bodies & Associations like Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), NATHEALTH, ASSOCHAM, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Social Sector, Think Tanks & Global Health - Dr. Kshama Metre (Padma Shri awardee), Rajendra Gupta (Former Member, World Health Organization), Dr. Ananth Pandhare (Indian Red Cross Society) The dialogue focused on workforce capacity, regulatory implementation, and institutional readiness, while identifying practical solutions to strengthen the workforce that underpins India's healthcare system. The discussion comes at a pivotal moment for the sector. As the NCAHP Act, 2021 is reshaping the statutory recognition and regulatory structure for these roles, while the recent Union Budget allocated 1,000 crore for workforce training, signaling a growing policy momentum. Setting the context for the discussion, Dr. Indu Bhushan, former CEO of the National Health Authority, emphasised that healthcare delivery relies on a much broader workforce beyond doctors and nurses. He noted that AHPs form a critical yet often invisible layer of the healthcare system. While the NCAHP Act marks an important milestone, the sector still faces important challenges around workforce capacity, training infrastructure, and effective implementation of regulatory frameworks. The discussion also highlighted the magnitude of India's healthcare workforce shortage. Nalin Saluja, Co-Founder and CTO, Virohan, noted that the global healthcare system faces a shortage of nearly 20 million workers, with India accounting for roughly 11 million of this gap. Of this, nearly 6.3 million positions relate to AHPs. He noted that while this gap represents a significant challenge, it also presents a major opportunity to build a stronger and more skilled healthcare workforce. Participants further discussed the need to strengthen recognition and career progression for professionals in these roles. Sh. Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, highlighted the need for greater institutional recognition of allied and healthcare professionals, noting that the field remains relatively resilient to AI-led disruption. He emphasised the importance of fair compensation, structured capacity-building, and sustained investment in training ecosystems. He also pointed to rising global demand for healthcare workers, citing emerging models such as care economy hubs that aim to create stronger and more sustainable workforce pathways. The conversation also explored the growing intersection between healthcare and emerging technologies. Ms. Indrani Laskar, Additional Secretary, Government of Assam, highlighted the increasing use of AI in areas such as cancer detection, tuberculosis diagnosis, and assistive technologies. She stressed the need to equip AHPs with new digital skills, given they serve as the first point of contact in communities, she also highlighted the need for clearer job definitions and professional hierarchies at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) level. The roundtable concluded with a shared recognition that building a skilled healthcare workforce will be central to achieving the health vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The dialogue also serves as a precursor to an upcoming report by Virohan titled "Allied & Healthcare for Viksit Bharat 2047," scheduled for release in June 2026. The report aims to present one of the most comprehensive assessments of the sector to date and outline pathways to strengthen workforce development, training capacity, and institutional frameworks for allied and healthcare in India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], March 17: World Public Summit. India will take place from 23 to 26 March 2026 in New Delhi, positioning India at the forefront of global dialogue on emerging frameworks of international cooperation. Organized by the World Peoples Assembly in cooperation with the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Summit opens the international cycle of regional public summits in 2026. Following events in India, the Arab World, Latin America, Africa and Europe, it will develop practical civil society initiatives and proposals for the World Public Summit in Moscow in September 2026. Hosting the Summit in India reflects the country's growing role in shaping a new architecture of international cooperation. Held under the theme "New World: India in the Architecture of a Shared Future", the Summit highlights India's position as one of the key centres of the emerging multipolar world, actively participating in global humanitarian initiatives and holding the BRICS presidency in 2026. Secretary General of the World Peoples Assembly, Andrey Belyaninov, noted, "The Indian Summit continues the ideas of the 'New World of Conscious Unity' and opens the series of regional Summits in 2026. India, a country that embodies the principle of unity in diversity, becomes a platform for dialogue on the values that shape our shared future. Holding the Summit will allow us to mobilize the intellectual, cultural and social potential of the country to develop practical initiatives and meaningful proposals. We are confident that the New World is built on trust, respect and cooperation." The Summit is anchored around key objectives that include clarifying and providing practical content to the values of the New World of Conscious Unity by drawing on the Indian experience, developing a package of regional initiatives and working models from Asia and the Global South for inclusion in the agenda of the Second World Summit "New World: Values that Unite", strengthening the network of public diplomacy in the region by engaging Indian NGOs, academia, business communities and youth organizations, and developing long-term cooperation with Indian partners. Vice President of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameep Shastri, said: "India has always adhered to the philosophy that the whole world is one family. This Summit brings that vision into reality by bringing us together to explore how our diversity of perspectives can help build a more responsible and sustainable future for all." Following the Summit, the Delhi Declaration is expected to be adopted, contributing to the global agenda. Key themes span culture and spiritual heritage as the foundation of a shared future, leadership of the New World of Conscious Unity, tradition and innovation, media and humanitarian dialogue, partnership economy and social responsibility, and integration formats and public diplomacy. Programme highlights include the Plenary "India: Unity in Diversity -- the Architecture of a Shared Future. Values that Unite", along with panel sessions on "Peace through Culture," "Leaders of the New World," and "Culture of Trust". The programme will also feature international round tables on UNESCO, cultural diplomacy, youth, space, women, media, and more. The Summit will bring together representatives from civil society, academia, business communities, international organizations and youth initiatives, serving as a platform for engagement and collaboration aimed at advancing public diplomacy and humanitarian cooperation. The World Peoples Assembly forms a humanitarian platform based on trust, respect, and shared values. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Comedian and actor Vir Das recently spoke about why Indian award shows rarely feature roast-style hosting just like international ceremonies such as the Oscars. In a recent social media post, he explained how "star egos" and power dynamics in the film industry make such formats difficult to execute in India. Das took to his Instagram on Monday evening to share his views and reflect on his experience writing scripts for Indian award shows over several years. While discussing why India does not typically see hosting styles similar to comedians like Ricky Gervais or Conan O'Brien, he explained that the purpose of such hosting is to allow a comedian to lightly roast celebrities during the event. "Why doesn't India do a Gervais or even a Conan-style hosting of a major film awards? Well, as someone who wrote the script for many Indian awards for five years. Here's why. The point of having comedians host and roast the Oscars or film awards is that for a night, a jester would humanise the most beautiful chosen people in the world, since they were being celebrated already. That's when any joke is a punch-up," Das wrote on Instagram. Das also addressed how "star egos" and hierarchical dynamics in the industry make such jokes challenging during Indian award shows. According to him, the balance of power in the room heavily influences how humor works on stage. "Here, star egos won't take a joke from anyone not at their level. Ironically, the bigger the star who hosts, the trickier it's gonna be. Because like three people are at that level. So a huge star hosting works for the people in the room, just not always funny for the people watching. Simply because the power imbalance is off," he added. https://www.instagram.com/p/DV82fX3jaOm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== On the work front, Vir was last seen in the film Happy Patel. The project also marked his debut as a director. The film was produced by Aamir Khan under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and released in theatres on January 16, 2026. (ANI)
As Ramzan continues to be observed across the world, people are gathering with friends, family, and communities to break their fast with Iftar meals. This month, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani did just that when he visited celebrity chef Vikas Khanna at his restaurant for Iftar. Mamdani dropped by Bungalow, where Khanna personally prepared the meal for him. The evening was not just about food but also about revisiting memories that go back more than two decades. Khanna took to his Instagram to share a picture from his visit. The photo showed Mamdani posing alongside the chef and members of the restaurant staff. Along with the picture, Khanna added a caption that read, "Welcoming the Mayor of New York City to break the fast with our team & Bungalow. I cooked some of his favourite dishes from 25+ years ago at Salaam Bombay." Take a look https://www.instagram.com/p/DV5JQkHD2Hj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Earlier this month, the chef had also shared a reel showing how the restaurant prepared for Mamdani's visit. While the preparations were not very different from a regular day at the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized restaurant, the occasion held a deeper meaning for Khanna. Along with the video, Khanna penned an emotional note looking back at the time when he first met Mamdani in 2001. Khanna recalled that he had just overcome a difficult phase in his life, including "homelessness" and leaving what he described as an "abusive job," before starting work at Salaam Bombay in Tribeca. "It was in 2001 when I first met Zohran Mamdani," he wrote. "I had just survived homelessness, left a very abusive job, and started working at Salaam Bombay restaurant in Tribeca. I loved the name, it was also my favourite film by the iconic Mira Nair." "One day, Mira walked in with her very young 8-year-old son, Zohran," he continued. "Mira was one of the most supportive humans I met in New York. Over the years, we stayed in touch, and I had the privilege of catering some of her events." https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVnOxtlDaBT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Vikas Khanna's culinary journey is truly inspiring. From his humble beginnings in Amritsar to becoming a chef who introduced Indian cuisine to the United States and cooked for people like Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Dalai Lama, Khanna has achieved several milestones in the world of cooking. (ANI)
Raqueeb Alam, the lyricist who has found himself at the centre of the controversy regarding the alleged derogatory lyrics in the 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' song of the upcoming Kannada film 'KD: The Devil' featuring Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi, clarified that he didn't pen the Hindi lyrics of the song, but has only translated it from the Kannada version of the track. While talking to ANI, Alam said that he initially refused to pen the lyrics of the song after he recieved the English version of the Kannada song. "The song was written in Kannada. When I received the translation of it in English, I understood that I would not be able to write it because the lyrics would not work. It will not be censored either. Then they said you can just translate it. I did the translation. They gave me an associate who helped in the translation," said Alam. The lyricist also expressed his disbelief after observing his name in the credits section of the song for the translation of lyrics. "I spoke to director Prem yesterday. I asked why did you write my name? Please remove the song. The makers have now removed the song from YouTube... I was personally against the lyrics Main bhaut dukhi hu (I am very sad)," he shared. Alam also mentioned that he has now rewritten the lyrics at the makers' request amid the backlash. "They asked me to write fresh lyrics. I wrote it all night and gave it to them," he added. The lyricist Raqueeb Alam also shared his side of the story on his social media and has officially stated saying, "Many things have happened within a few hours, and I have found myself in a situation I wasn't prepared for. Though the song has been taken down by the director, Prem, after my request, I would still like to officially clarify that I have not written the original lyrics of 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.' He continued, "The song was written by the film's director, Prem, in Kannada, and my role was limited to translating it into Hindi. As a lyricist, I take great pride in the words I create, and it is important to distinguish between original writing and translation. I hope this helps clear any misunderstanding regarding my contribution," as quoted by the press note. https://www.instagram.com/p/DV-os9nDdsZ/? Meanwhiile, after the release of the song The National Human Rights Commission has also issued notices to the Central Board of Film Certification, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Google India over a complaint alleging "vulgar, sexually suggestive, and double-meaning lyrics" in the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' from the upcoming film 'KD: The Devil'. It directed them to inquire into the matter and submit an 'Action Taken Report' within two weeks. The Karnataka State Women Commission has also urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take "strict action" against allowing the obscene lyrics that feature the "derogatory portrayal of women" in films. Earlier on Tuesday, actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also slammed the recently released song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke', calling it a "new low" and also accusing Bollywood of crossing the limits of "vulgarity." (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief YS Sharmila has called for the permanent disqualification of Lok Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh, Putta Mallesh Kumar, after he reportedly tested positive for narcotics following a raid at a farmhouse in Moinabad. YS Sharmila Reddy, while speaking to ANI, said, "It is shameful and shocking that an MP from Andhra Pradesh was caught using drugs. Those present at the drug party tested positive for drugs. The Congress party considers this a grave. We demand that the Speaker of the Parliament take notice of this and be disqualified permanently. During CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's tenure, drugs were imported into Vizag port. Chandrababu Naidu had said that he won't allow drug culture to be prevalent in Andhra Pradesh. We demand that Chandrababu Naidu should sack this MP immediately." On the other hand, amid mounting controversy over the Moinabad farmhouse drug bust, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Putta Mallesh Kumar issued a clarification after the farmhouse was raided, saying that he did not do anything wrong, and had only gone for a dinner meet with friends. Addressing the controversy, the TDP MP said he was invited to dinner by his friends and has not done anything wrong. "I haven't done anything wrong. I'm answerable to the people of Eluru. I had only gone for a dinner meet with my friends. I did nothing wrong at that dinner. I want to tell the people of Eluru that I have not committed any mistake. I will never betray the trust they have placed in me. The people of Eluru will understand; they don't trust media or social media reports. I will always speak the truth. I will never tell lies," Kumar said in a video statement. His statement comes after he was among 10 people detained during a raid by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) team of the Telangana Police at the farmhouse of former BRS MLA Pilot Rohit Reddy in Moinabad in Rangareddy district. Officials said that six people, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Lok Sabha MP from Eluru, Putta Mahesh Kumar and former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA, Pilot Rohit Reddy, tested positive for drugs following a police raid at a farmhouse in the Moinabad area of Rangareddy district. According to the Telangana Police, the raid was conducted by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) team after receiving information about a gathering being held at a farmhouse without prior permission. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have each won seats in the Haryana Rajya Sabha elections. Congress leaders said they won despite the BJP trying to "buy" votes, while the BJP winner, Sanjay Bhatia, said the Congress is just upset because their own people didn't vote for them. Amid celebrations in both camps, leaders traded accusations, with the Congress blaming the BJP for unethical tactics and the BJP questioning the opposition's ability to keep its legislators together. BJP winning candidate Sanjay Bhatia, while speaking to ANI, said, "Congress's responsibility was to unite its workers and MLAs, now they are putting allegations on us for the cross-votes of their own workers, which is not right... I have been born and brought up in Haryana and my priority will be the issues of the people here... Congress got 28 votes, the independent received 16 votes with first preference and BJP received 39 first preference votes..." On the other hand, Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal, while speaking to ANI, said, "We won the fight we had been fighting for a long time. The way a procession of constitution and constitutional bodies was being carried out, the democracy won finally. Our candidate, Karamvir Singh Baudh won the seat today... We congratulate our leaders and workers... BJP tried to do horse trading today..." Haryana Minister Mahipal Dhanda, while talking to the reporters, said, "The independent candidate have the right to seek votes, but Congress have held their workers hostage... BJP candidates won with a huge majority. Independent candidates sought support from us, and we gave... This is an election fought on internal voice, and Congress is killing it in its workers..." He also says, "Sanjay Bhatia (BJP candidate) has won..." Meanwhile, Haryana Congress President Rao Narendra Singh on Monday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the Rajya Sabha election process has exposed the ruling party's "anti-Dalit" stance. Speaking to reporters, Singh congratulated party workers for supporting a candidate from a marginalised background while warning of strict action against any Congress legislators who may have "betrayed the party," pointing to alleged cross-voting by certain members. Haryana Congress President Rao Narendra Singh, while talking to the reporters, said, "BJP's anti-poor, anti-Dalit ideology has been exposed... Congress sent a person hailing from a poor Dalit family to the country's biggest Panchayat, and I congratulate all the workers of the party...Those who betrayed the party will be subjected to strict action." (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha on Monday delivered a significant speech in Parliament titled "I Do Not Oppose, I Rise to Propose," where he outlined 3 practical reforms to support common citizens. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader called for a more "humane" financial system, specifically targeting tax disparities for married couples, the protection of soldiers' pensions, and the removal of burdensome banking penalties that affect low-income earners. In a post on X, Raghav Chadha said, "Today in Parliament, I delivered a speech titled 'I Do Not Oppose, I Rise to Propose.' In Parliament today, I spoke about three everyday anxieties of ordinary Indians and proposed practical reforms. Allow the optional Joint Filing of Income Tax Returns so married couples with uneven incomes are not penalised. Restore Full Income Tax Exemption on Disability Pensions for all wounded soldiers, not only those invalided out of service. End penalty charges on bank accounts for not maintaining a minimum account balance. I rose to propose solutions that make the system fairer, more humane and more just." Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha urged the government to expand the Udaan Yatri Cafe initiative to all airports across the country and relocate the outlets inside the departure areas to make affordable food accessible to air travellers. In a post on X, Chadha said he raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and welcomed the government's move to introduce Udaan Yatri Cafes aimed at providing low-cost food and beverages at airports. Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department has asked taxpayers to ignore certain email communications sent under the Advance Tax e-Campaign for Assessment Year (AY) 2026-27 after reports that some of them contained inaccurate information about "significant transactions." "In a clarification posted by Income Tax India through its official account on X, the department said, "It has been reported that certain taxpayers have received emails containing inaccurate details regarding 'significant transactions' undertaken by them as part of the ongoing Advance Tax e-Campaign for AY 2026-27 (Financial Year 2025-26)." The department acknowledged the issue and apologised for the inconvenience caused to taxpayers. On the other hand, pensioners from across the country staged a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar from March 9 to March 11, demanding an increase in the minimum pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95). The protest was called by the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee and will coincide with the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. The agitation will be led by the committee's National President, Commander Ashok Raut. According to the committee, nearly 81 lakh pensioners across India depend on the EPS-95 scheme administered by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Despite contributing to the pension fund for nearly 30-35 years during their service, the average monthly pension under the scheme remains around 1,171. The committee said pensioners from central and state government public sector undertakings, cooperative institutions, private sector establishments, mills and media organisations have been raising their demands for several years under the banner of the NAC. (ANI)
A fast-moving outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease has claimed two young lives and left 11 others seriously ill in hospital in Canterbury, England  triggering one of the largest emergency public health responses at a British university in recent years and sending urgent warnings to students across the UK about the dangers of a disease that is all too easily mistaken for the flu.

The UK Health Security Agency confirmed 13 cases showing signs of meningitis and septicaemia between Friday, March 13 and Sunday, March 15, in the Canterbury area. Two people are known to have died: one confirmed by the University of Kent as an enrolled student, and a second identified by Kent Online as a female Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham. Both are believed to have been aged between 18 and 21. The specific strain of meningococcal bacteria has not yet been identified.

More than 30,000 students, staff, and family members connected to the University of Kent are being contacted by the UKHSA, with preventive antibiotics being distributed on campus. Students have not been told to leave, but the university has cancelled all in-person assessments for the week.

What Happened  and How Quickly

The timeline of this outbreak is alarming by any measure: 13 cases confirmed over just 72 hours. Meningococcal disease is known to progress rapidly, and its early symptoms  fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck  are easily confused with more common illnesses.

Investigators are examining whether the outbreak may be linked to a party attended by some of the students who fell ill, as well as a popular Canterbury nightclub, Club Chemistry, which has issued a public statement. Students living or working in specific accommodation blocks  Keynes College Block Q and Tyler Court Block C  were specifically asked to attend the Senate building on campus for antibiotics without delay.

In a statement, the University of Kent said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that one student from the University of Kent has died following a case of invasive meningitis. Our thoughts are with the student's family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time. The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority."

Who Is at Risk and Why Universities Are Particularly Vulnerable

Meningococcal disease is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults  and university campuses are a well-documented high-risk environment. The reason is straightforward: students live, study, and socialise in close proximity, and the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with someone who is carrying the bacteria  often unknowingly  at the back of their nose and throat.

The UKHSA notes that young people going to university for the first time are particularly at risk precisely because they mix with so many other students, some of whom are unknowingly carrying the bacteria.

Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, highlighted a danger specific to the student population: students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover. "That's why it's vital that, if a friend goes to bed unwell, you check on them regularly and don't hesitate to seek medical help by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111 if they have these symptoms or you're concerned about them. This could save their life."

The Vaccination Gap Every Student Needs to Know About

Most UK students who went through secondary school will have received the MenACWY vaccine  routinely offered in school Years 9 and 10 and available up to age 25 through GPs. That vaccine provides good protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY strains.

But it does not protect against MenB  one of the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in young adults  which requires a separate vaccine not included in the standard adolescent schedule. Tom Nutt, chief executive of the charity Meningitis Now, said many young people were unlikely to realise they had never been vaccinated against MenB.

This gap means that even fully vaccinated students can remain vulnerable, and that awareness of symptoms and rapid response to illness remain critical lines of defense regardless of vaccination status.

Symptoms to Know  and Act On Immediately

According to the UKHSA's official guidance and the University of Kent's urgent student notice, symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia can include:

High fever and severe, worsening headache

Stiff neck

Sensitivity to light

Rapid breathing

Drowsiness or confusion

Shivering and cold hands and feet

Vomiting

A rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass  a sign of septicaemia

Critically, not all symptoms will appear, and they can develop in any order. Someone with meningitis or sepsis can deteriorate dramatically within hours. The UKHSA's advice is unambiguous: do not wait for all symptoms to appear, and do not wait for a rash. If in doubt, call NHS 111 or go directly to A&E. If seriously ill, call 999 immediately.

"Trust your instincts," the University of Kent's student notice states. "Someone with meningitis or sepsis can get a lot worse very quickly."

The Wider Community Response

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield wrote on social media: "Some really tragic news this weekend from our university in Canterbury. Thinking very much of those who loved these students."

Tom Nutt of Meningitis Now said: "Meningitis can progress very quickly and its impact is devastating, particularly for young people and their loved ones. University students and young adults are among the groups at increased risk because meningitis bacteria can spread more easily in settings where people live, study and socialise closely together. We urge students, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis."

The UKHSA said its specialists are interviewing affected individuals and their close contacts to limit further spread. Law enforcement and public health officials are monitoring the situation closely, and the investigation into the precise strain and transmission chain is ongoing.

What Students Everywhere Should Do Right Now

While this outbreak is centered in Canterbury, the warning it carries is universal for university students anywhere.

Check your vaccination status. Contact your GP to confirm whether you have received the MenACWY vaccine. Ask specifically about MenB  many students have never received it and may not know they are unprotected.

Know the symptoms. Familiarise yourself with the full list of meningitis and septicaemia symptoms. Post them somewhere visible in your room or save them on your phone.

Look out for your housemates. If a friend or flatmate goes to bed unwell, check on them regularly. The progression from early symptoms to critical illness can happen in hours.

Act immediately if concerned. In the UK: call NHS 111, go to A&E, or call 999 in an emergency. Do not wait and see.

Free support and information are available from Meningitis Now and the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Originally published on University Herald
A Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting was held in the Legislative Council Conference Hall, chaired by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, PCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, Ministers, MLCs, and MLAs attended the meeting. The Chief Minister gave directions to the members on the strategy to be followed for the upcoming Assembly sessions. Congress MLC Addanki Dayakar, while speaking to ANI, said on Monday, "... The Governor has depicted all the government's success stories... They are creating unnecessary problems. The speech was very nice..." On the other hand, Congress MLA Jatoth Ram Chander Naik, while speaking to ANI, said, "The KCR government has put the state into a financial crisis in 10 years... The TRS party is moving forward by blaming the leading party..." Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered all Congress MLAs and MLCs, including women legislators, to attend the budget session of the assembly and Legislative Council and participate actively in the debates. The Chief Minister emphasised that there should be good coordination between the government Whips and MLAs in the house during the discussion. Participating in the CLP meeting, the CM said that the Congress-led Government is presenting a third budget in the session. The Governor's address outlined the government's priorities and future plans and it served as a roadmap for the government, CM Revanth Reddy said, adding that every member must speak and respond strictly in accordance with the party line and the government. "The roadmap we formulate now will serve as the agenda for the upcoming elections". Further, the CM said that debate on the failures of the previous government does not require it, and it is the right time to focus on our future plans and how to fulfil the people's aspirations. The Government Whips were instructed to coordinate in the House in the selection of the topics and the issues during the debates. "We must ensure that the House proceedings are conducted efficiently without allowing discussions to be sidetracked or House time to be wasted," he said. All the MLAs should attend the session promptly, and the Women legislators should not only ensure their attendance but also actively participate in the discussions. The CM stressed the participation of women members in the debates. "The damage caused by individuals will ruin the entire system. Our survival in politics depends entirely on upholding and preserving the integrity of the system". The Chief Minister noted that the previous BRS government did not allow the opposition to speak on important issues. The then-CLP leaders, Bhatti Vikramarka and Jana Reddy, were also denied the opportunity to speak. He was also suspended for the entire session and for the duration of the tenure as an MLA, and was barred from entering the House, the CM recalled. Stating that all the Assembly committees will be constituted soon, CM Reddy suggested that the MLAs and MLCs tour other states and study the best-practice policies. The MLAs were also ordered to focus more attention on the drinking water crisis in the summer. The '99-Day "Praja Palana - Pragati Pranalika" should be taken directly to the people at the grassroots level, the CM said. (ANI)
United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) President Pramod Boro will contest the upcoming Assam Assembly election from the 43 No. Tamulpur (ST) constituency. The party has released the first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled to be held on April 9. Boro, who was recently elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha as a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, will represent the party in the Tamulpur seat in the upcoming polls. According to an official notification issued by the party, Aninda Basumatary will contest from 1 No. Gossaigaon constituency, while Raju Kumar Narzary has been nominated from 2 No. Dotma (ST) constituency. Lawrence Islary will contest the No. 3 Kokrajhar (ST) constituency. The party has also nominated Nerswn Boro from the 45 No. Bhergaon constituency, Dipen Boro from the 46 No. Udalguri (ST) constituency, and Kamalsingh Narzary from 20 No. Bijni constituency. The candidate list was formally issued by UPPL General Secretary (Administration) Raju Kumar Narzary. In an official notification, the party said that, as empowered by the Central Working Committee and recommended by the Core Committee, the candidates have been approved for the stated constituencies for the ensuing 16th Assam Assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in four states-- Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu - along with the Union Territory of Puducherry. According to the schedule, Assam and Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, and polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. Voting in Puducherry will also take place on April 9. The counting of votes for all four states and Puducherry will be held on May 4, the ECI announced. The terms of the current assemblies are set to end on different dates: May 20 in Assam, May 7 in West Bengal, May 10 in Tamil Nadu, May 23 in Kerala, and June 15 in Puducherry. (ANI)
BJP spokesperson Kishor Kumar Bhattachary said that the Assamese people are content following the announcement of single phase election in Assam before the Bihu and said that the celebrations can go on without any interruption. "Yesterday the Election Commission sent the Assam election schedule, and we are happy with it. This time, the elections will be held in a single phase... It was a request from all Assamese people that the elections be held early, before Bihu, so that we can celebrate and participate in Bihu... This is also an important point because when elections were held in various phases, there were a few doubtful voters who used to cast votes in all places... Now no one will be able to take advantage of this..." Elections in Assam for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday. The next day, the ECI announced the posting of five Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) across Assam in preparation for the Assembly Election. The Commission directed that the postings be implemented immediately and a compliance report on the joining of the officers be submitted on Tuesday. Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), won 75 seats. The BJP is the largest partner in the alliance with 60 seats. Voter turnout was as high as 86.2 per cent with over 2. 2 crore registered voters in 2021. (ANI)
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday slammed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and suggested that the Congress MP should first "take care of his own house". "Some Congress MLAs have rejected Rahul Gandhi's leadership. Rahul Gandhi should first take care of his own house... Rahul Gandhi should apologise for not being able to manage the party. Tejashwi Yadav lost one vote, and today he is no longer fit to hold the position of Leader of the Opposition... It is very easy to make allegations against our leadership... He is no longer fit to hold the position of Leader of the Opposition; he should resign voluntarily," he told ANI. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Manyavar Kanshi Ram be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously. In a letter dated March 15, addressed to the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha said that Kanshi Ram transformed the nature of Indian politics through his movements, raising political awareness among Bahujans and the poor. "Kanshi Ram transformed the nature of Indian politics. Through his movements, he raised political awareness among Bahujans and the poor. He reminded them that their vote, voice, and representation are important, and that this country belongs to everyone equally. Because of his efforts, many people who had never considered entering public life began to see politics as a means to achieve justice and equality," Gandhi said. He said the Constitution promises equality, dignity, and participation for every Indian, and Kanshi Ram devoted his life to making these promises meaningful for those at the very bottom of society. "Our Constitution promises equality, dignity, and participation for every Indian. Kanshi Ram devoted his life to making these promises meaningful for those at the very bottom of society. In doing so, he strengthened the foundations of Indian democracy and made our political system more representative and just," he said. (ANI)
BJP leader Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta on Tuesday criticised Congress leader Sachin Pilot over his statement on LPG shortage, saying that the statement made by him is not correct and it is a "political vendetta." He said that there is a little scarcity going on due to so many issues, but that scarcity will be overcome by the intellectually innovative ideas of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Expressing disappointment, Borlakunta said, "I am expressing my disappointment towards the characterless, unethical, unwarranted, unfactual criticisms made by the Congress leaders in the country...Congress leader Sachin Pilot commented that there is a scarcity of LPG gas in the country. He also commented that the black market is going on. Your party is the most corrupt...There is a little scarcity going on due to so many issues, but that scarcity will be overcome by the intellectually innovative ideas of Narendra Modi ji. The statement of Sachin Pilot is not correct, and it's a political vendetta," he said. Highlighting PM Modi's efforts for development and social welfare schemes, he expressed confidence that the government's preventive measures will control, minimise and eliminate black marketing of LPG. "Under the dynamic leadership of Narendra Modi ji, Bharatiya Janata Party has been implementing extraordinary welfare and developmental schemes...Our government is ready to take the preventive measures to control, minimise, and eliminate this type of black marketing, as perhaps LPG gas connection is concerned," the BJP leader said. His remarks come a day after the Indian Youth Congress organised a 'Parliament Gherao' protest in the national capital against the India-US trade deal and the LPG shortage. Speaking with ANI at the protest, Congress leader Sachin Pilot questioned the Modi government's stance on LPG shortage and black marketing. "This shortage has now spread across the entire country... Black marketing is also happening in many places, and the situation after this war is natural. However, the government has not provided any details on what arrangements it has made for this... What is India's stand? Have we called for a ceasefire? No matter who is in power, our stand has always been non-violent... As a major country, it is our responsibility to show the world the way, but we are silent... This is not about elections; this is about India. The stand of this country is not limited to any one party... We feel that the US has put so much pressure on the government that it is avoiding saying anything...," the Congress leader said. The shortage of LPG has emerged amid global energy supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia; however, there have been no reports of dry-outs of gas supply at LPG distributorships across India, the government said in its latest update. However, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said in the inter-ministerial press briefing that despite concerns around LPG supply, there have been no reports of dry-outs of gas supply at LPG distributorships across India. (ANI)
Indian LPG carrier Nanda Devi on Tuesday arrived at the Vadinar port in Gujarat's Jamnagar, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas for ship-to-ship transfer at the anchorage. The ship-to-ship transfer of LPG from mother vessel MT Nanda Devi to daughter vessel MT BW Birch will commence today. Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), went on board the vessel to facilitate and interacted with the captain and crew of Nanda Devi. This is the second LPG carrier that arrived in India after successfully passing through the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday evening, the Indian carrier LPG Shivalik, carrying a total of 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, had arrived at the Mudra Port. Of this, 20,000 MT will be unloaded at Mundra, while the remaining 26,000 MT is scheduled for Mangalore. Earlier, the Chief Officer of the Nanda Devi vessel said that the initiative was taken by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Shipping Corporation of India, with the Indian and Iranian navies providing the necessary assistance to cross the Strait of Hormuz. "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this operation of crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative was taken by the Indian Ministry, Shipping Corporation of India, with the help of the Indian Navy and the Iranian Navy. Vessel transmitted the Hormuz safely, now it is enroute to Kandla, Gujarat and will be serving a huge amount of LPG, 46,000 metric tonnes. This will help in the worldwide crisis of LPG. We will continue to serve the LPG in future also," he said. Indian-flagged vessel, 'Jag Laadki', which sailed from the UAE, carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil, is safely en route to India, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Shipping Ministry said in an interministerial briefing on Monday. The official said that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf area are safe and no incident has been reported in the last 24 hours. Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Tuesday slammed the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over unfulfilled promises, dynastic politics and poor law and order in the state, ahead of next month's Assembly elections in the State. Addressing a press conference here, the state BJP president launched a stern attack against the allegedly ineffective schemes and policies by the DMK government, and accused the party of practising divergent politics for election gains. He further accused Chief Minister MK Stalin of setting the path for his son, the Deputy CM Udhyanidhi Stalin, to become the next Cheif Minister. "The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has announced more than 500 promises, but except for one or two, most of them have not been implemented. Instead, they are misleading the people and trying to divert public attention by making announcements and then facing elections again Former Chief Minister Kalaignar and, after him, our Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, along with their family, are only trying to ensure that their family continues to rule. For that purpose, they are making various announcements and spreading misleading information. They are also making several promises, saying they will do this and that, only to ensure that the current Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin eventually becomes the Chief Minister," he said. He pointed out the government's promise to revive the Old Pension Scheme, questioning why it has not yet been implemented. He accused the DMK of ruling by money and power, adding that it will not bring the party success. "Take the example of government employees. Five years ago, they promised to bring back the Old Pension Scheme. But even after five years, it has not been implemented. Now they say it will be brought in next June. What guarantee is there that it will happen next June? If they could not implement it during the five years they were in power, how can people trust them now? Under the current system, government employees have to contribute 10% of their salary. But now, since it is an election year, they are trying to divert people's attention by announcing payments for summer holidays. However, the public has clearly understood this. People have seen through these tactics. They believe that they can rule only by using money power and administrative power. But that will certainly not succeed, and people will not believe them," he said. Furthermore, the state BJP president criticised the increasing crime in the state, particularly drug abuse and crimes against women. Pointing out the lack of action on such cases by the DMK, he raised concerns over the future of youth and students in the state. "Across Tamil Nadu, drugs like ganja and other narcotics are spreading everywhere. During this government's tenure alone, there have been about 1,977 murders. Among them, 361 victims were children. There have been shocking incidents, including a two-year-old child who suffered injuries, reportedly linked to drug abuse. Just two days ago, in Vilathikulam, a Class 12 girl was not only sexually assaulted but also brutally murdered and her body was cut into pieces. What has the police done? What has the Tamil Nadu Police done? What has the Thoothukudi District Superintendent of Police done? So far, no one has been identified or arrested," he said. "From two-year-old children to 60-year-old women, sexual crimes are happening everywhere. Many of these crimes are linked to drugs such as ganja, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Authorities claim to have seized around two lakh kilograms of ganja, but if that much has been seized, imagine how much must still be in circulation. What will happen to the future of students? What will happen to the next generation? Is this government concerned about it or not? This government does not seem concerned about these issues. Instead, their only concern appears to be ensuring that their family continues to remain in power," he added. Later, while speaking with media personnel, Nagendran asserted his support for the AIADMK-led NDA protest against the law and order situation in the state, calling the government "incapable." "The sitting government under the leadership of CM MK Stalin was in a very bad situation. There is no law and order situation... They are not capable of handling law and order. So we are going to protest against it...," he said. Nagendran also condemned TVK General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna for allegedly speaking ill of actor Rajnikanth and asked him to apologise. Calling Rajnikanth "emperor of cinema, towering figure in acting and a spiritual personality," the state BJP chief said that criticism against the actor is unforgivable. "Aadhav Arjuna from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has criticised our respected Rajinikanth. Rajinikanth is not only the emperor of cinema and a towering figure in acting, but also a great spiritual personality. He is someone who transcends all races and languages and is admired as a great leader who loves everyone. In fact, he lives like a simple human being, almost like a saintly figure. Rajinikanth's fans will not accept or forgive the criticism made against him. I believe that Aadhav Arjuna should apologize to Rajinikanth," Nagendran said. The developments come after the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced that Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately, initiating the election process for the 234-member State Assembly, whose current tenure ends on May 10. (ANI)
Ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday launched a fierce attack on the DMK government, calling Chief Minister MK Stalin a "puppet" and accusing his administration of failing to maintain law and order across the state. The AIADMK leader cited issues like alleged drug sale near schools and the unresolved murder of BSP leader K Armstrong During a protest against the DMK govt over the law and order situation in the state, Palaniswami said,"DMK has completed 5 years now, but they didn't care for people, but just their family. After DMK came to power, illicit liquor has been sold freely in the state. Stalin is just a puppet CM. We send children to schools to get educated, but they are affected due to the sales of Ganja near the school premises. We see visuals of students consuming liquor near the school itself. K Armstrong (BSP leader) and Congress leader Jayakumar were murdered, but the culprits have not been found yet. No day goes without a sexual harassment case being reported." Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced that Tamil Nadu will go to polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. According to the final electoral roll for Tamil Nadu, the total electorate stands at 5,67,07,380, comprising 2,77,38,925 male voters, 2,89,60,838 female voters, and 7,617 third-gender voters. Among them, 12.51 lakh are aged 18-19 years, 4.63 lakh are persons with disabilities, and 3.99 lakh are senior citizens aged 85 and above. The ECI revised the electoral rolls in the state between October 27, 2025, and February 23, 2026, taking January 1 as the qualifying date. The main electoral contest is expected between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which includes Congress, DMDK, and other parties, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) with BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to make his political debut in this election with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Elections to the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly were last held in the State on April 6, 2021, in a single phase with a voter turnout of 73.63%. Votes were counted on May 2, 2021, and the SPA secured 159 seats, including 133 for the DMK, marking an absolute majority for the first time in 25 years. The NDA won 75 seats, with 66 for AIADMK. (ANI)
Police in Karnataka's Belgavi district have arrested eight persons, including two police constables from Maharashtra, for allegedly tricking people by using chemicals and black paint to transform plain white paper into what appeared to be genuine currency notes. The Gokak City police on Tuesday raided a house near the Hanuman temple in Gokak city, and busted the gang. One person is still at large, they said. As per Superintendent of Police K Ramarajan, "In the Gokak police station limits of Belgaum district, 'money doubling' criminals were arrested. This crime involved property cheating. Three accused from Gokak were in touch with an individual named Jayashri Babu from Maharashtra, who used forgeries to cheat people. This time, they used a 'black note' scam." He further stated that the arrested deployed a simple modus operandi- of taking original currency notes and applying black chemical ink to them. "They dry it so it looks like plain black paper. In front of an innocent victim, they show a piece of black paper and claim that if you heat it and put it in a specific chemical solution, it turns into original currency. They use a heating machine and the solution to demonstrate this using an actual note they had previously coated," SP Ramarajan said. The police official added, "The victim is led to believe the black paper magically becomes currency. In reality, it was always a real note. The criminals then sell bundles of actual black paper (which are not currency) at a 1:4 ratio. "For example, for 50,000 from the victim, they promise 2 lakh worth of 'magic' paper. They convinced the victims that these were 'magic notes.' Disturbingly, two police constables from Maharashtra were involved: Anand Prakash Narwade from Thane and Diladar Abanishek from Palghar," the senior police official said. He further said that the others arrested in the case were identified as Parashuram Bhimsi Badakari (Gokak), Jayashri Babu Kamble (Mumbai), Manisha Raju Gaikwad (Ahmednagar), and Ujwal Tulsiram Bilane (Jalgaon). "In total, eight criminals were involved; seven have been arrested, and one local criminal is still at large. We seized the heating machine, the solution, and the black papers. Our local sub-inspector, Kiran Mohit, received information and responded immediately. One of the accused, Parashuram, was also involved in three previous robbery cases. Investigation continues," the SP added. (ANI)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday welcomed the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision to revoke the suspension of eight opposition MPs, adding that the house's dignity should be maintained from both sides. "This is a good thing... It should happen from both sides (maintaining the dignity of the House)," Priyanka Gandhi said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the lower house of Parliament. The eight opposition MPs - Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, B Manickam Tagore, Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and S Venkatesan- paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi inside the Parliament complex after their suspension was revoked. After Rijiju moved the motion in the lower house, Congress Chief Whip K Suresh expressed regret for the "inadvertent indiscretion" by some of the members. Follwing the motion today, the opposition MPs are allowed to participate in the ongoing parliamentary proceedings. The eight opposition members were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remainder of the budget session on February 4 for violating rules and "throwing papers on the chair" following uproar in the House over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's insistence on mentioning a specific reference about the border tensions with China in eastern Ladakh in 2020. Yesterday, as per sources, a consensus was reached at a meeting of floor leaders convened under the chairmanship of Speaker Om Birla on the revocation suspension of the eight MPs. Sources said that in the meeting, members agreed to uphold the dignity and established traditions of Parliament. It was collectively decided that no Member from either side shall approach the opposite side in the Well of the House, tear papers and throw them towards the Chair, or climb on the officials' table inside the House. A reaffirmation was also made that all Members would adhere to established parliamentary decorum and traditions, and that both sides would ensure such incidents are not repeated, the sources said. The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a bulletin reminding Members about the maintenance of decorum within the Parliament Estate. The bulletin draws attention to Direction 124A(2)(iii) of the Directions by the Speaker, which prohibits certain activities within the Parliament House Estate to keep the area and passages free and accessible for Members of Parliament. The advisory also highlighted that the direction specifically prohibits the carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, spears, swords, sticks, and brickbats within the Parliament Estate. Members have been repeatedly advised not to bring or display posters, placards, or banners inside Parliament. The Bulletin further notes that in some instances, AI-generated portraits, pictures, and slogans of a derogatory nature have been displayed on posters and placards. The Members were once again advised to strictly comply with Direction 124A(2)(iii) and other relevant rules, and warned that disciplinary action may be taken in the event of any violation. (ANI)
The world's most vital oil corridor has suddenly become the centre of a tense diplomatic standoff. As the United States urges allies to send naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, many governments are responding with caution rather than firm commitments.

US President Donald Trump has called on NATO partners and other allies to deploy warships to the strategic waterway to protect shipping lanes. The request followed a warning from Iran that any oil tanker heading to the United States, Israel or their allies could become a legitimate target and would be 'immediately destroyed.'

That appeal has placed several governments in a difficult position. Leaders recognise the importance of keeping the route open. At the same time, they worry that sending warships could pull their navies into a dangerous confrontation in the Middle East.

Allies Weigh Risks of Military Deployment

The Strait of Hormuz handles a large share of the world's oil shipments. Any disruption in the area would quickly ripple through global energy markets and push up costs for households and industries far beyond the region.

Still, many allies appear hesitant to rush into a military role. According to The Guardian, governments including the United Kingdom, China, Japan and South Korea have initiated internal discussions about possible responses but have yet to commit to deploying naval forces.

Officials fear that sending warships into a rapidly escalating crisis could expose their vessels and crews to direct attack. Iran's warning about targeting oil tankers has sharpened concerns that naval escorts could quickly become caught up in a broader confrontation.

Some governments are also questioning whether a visible foreign naval presence might further inflame tensions rather than stabilise the current situations in the region.

UK Signals Caution While Exploring Alternatives

So far, Britain has taken a careful tone on the matter. The UK Ministry of Defence said it is in discussions with allies about a range of options aimed at protecting commercial shipping.

The government has not confirmed whether it will send warships. Instead, officials are examining other ways to support maritime security in the region.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, had been speaking with Washington and other partners about how to keep the strait open, noting that the disruption is greatly affecting the global economy. He added that the UK was considering deploying mine hunting drones as part of a broader effort to safeguard shipping routes.

The approach shows a careful balancing act. British officials want to demonstrate solidarity with allies but remain wary of taking steps that could raise tensions with Tehran.

Asia's Key Economies Remain Cautious

Japan faces a similar dilemma. The country relies heavily on energy imports that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making the stability of the route a major national concern.

Liberal Democratic Party's policy research council chair Takayuki Kobayashi said Tokyo would not rule out sending warships but stressed that any decision must be considered carefully.

South Korea has also stopped short of making a military commitment. Officials said the government was closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and looking at different measures to protect its citizens and ensure safe energy transport routes.

Asian economies depend heavily on Gulf energy supplies but remain wary of becoming entangled in a conflict between Iran and the United States.

France Draws a Clearer Line

France has taken a more direct stance. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said Paris would not send warships to the Strait of Hormuz while the conflict continues to escalate. Vautrin stressed that the French government maintains a 'purely defensive position,' saying there were no existing tactics to move its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, France's flagship naval vessel, out of the eastern Mediterranean basin.

Her remarks echoed the position of French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Macron, France and its allies were preparing a 'purely defensive or escort' mission.

The decision highlights a reluctance among some European governments to deepen military involvement in an already volatile region.

Several nations believe that deploying naval forces could make their vessels targets and complicate efforts to calm and stabilize the crisis. Diplomats also worry that a multinational naval mission could be interpreted by Tehran as a hostile coalition.

Trump Warns NATO of Consequences

Despite the hesitation, Washington has continued pressing allies for support. Trump warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) could face a 'very bad future' if partners fail to assist the United States in countering Iran and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, the Financial Times reported.

The 79 year old American leader said it was 'only appropriate' that countries who benefit from the strait help the United States ensure that 'nothing bad happens there.' He warned that a negative or absent response from NATO would lead to 'very bad' consequences for the 32 member intergovernmental military alliance.

Trump also pointed out that the United States supported NATO during the Ukraine crisis despite its distance from the continent. Now, he said, Washington will see whether the alliance does the same in return.

'We've been very sweet,' Trump said. 'We didn't have to help them with Ukraine... But we helped them. Now we'll see if they help us. Because I've long said that we'll be there for them but they won't be there for us. And I'm not sure that they'd be there.'

Frustration Over Lack of Support from Allies

Trump's latest warning reflects growing frustration in Washington over what some officials view as an uneven sharing of responsibilities among allies.

Many governments, however, appear determined to weigh their options carefully. For them, the stakes stretch far beyond the immediate crisis. A miscalculation in the strategic plans related to the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz could pull several nations into a broader and more extensive war.

Allies recognise the importance of protecting one of the world's most critical shipping lanes, yet few seem eager to send their navies into the centre of a rapidly escalating conflict.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet MPs about pending irrigation works from the Centre "We are meeting to discuss the water-related issues of Karnataka, problems of Karnataka. We are meeting with all the MPs," the Congress leader told reporters upon reaching Delhi. Before heading to Delhi, DK Shivakumar told reporters that he is meeting with MPs about pending irrigation works from the Centre, with Ministers HK Patil and M.B. Patil joining him. "I am going to Delhi to meet the MPs regarding irrigation works which remain pending from the Central govt...For this visit, State Ministers HK Patil and MB Patil are also accompanying me, and it has been informed that Members of Parliament from the Centre have been invited to the meeting." DK Shivakumar on Saturday stated that a meeting with the Members of Parliament will be held in New Delhi to address Andhra Pradesh's objections to the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) and to urge the Central government to take action. He said the State will firmly oppose Andhra Pradesh's stance, which challenges the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project, a key irrigation initiative in Karnataka, and has also failed to assist in curbing water wastage from the Tungabhadra dam. Shivakumar earlier said, "I, along with Minister MB Patil and R Bosaraju, are going to Delhi to meet all the Members of Parliament. A meeting has been called on Tuesday at 6 PM at Karnataka Bhavan. We had already been granted an award for the UKP. Opposing this, Andhra Pradesh has submitted a request to the Central Government not to allow land acquisition. The Centre has asked them for the reasons and has sent a notice to us. This project is being carried out on our land." "We have already spent Rs 26,000 crore and started work at the place where the dam height will be increased. We are not raising the height now, but we are making preparations. According to the order issued in 2010, it is our fundamental right, but now Andhra Pradesh is creating obstacles. From the Tungabhadra, we are losing 30 TMC of water due to lapse, and they are not cooperating in providing an alternative. To discuss these and many other issues and place them before the Central Government, we are going to request our Members of Parliament for support," he told reporters earlier. (ANI)
A group of 84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and four lawyers wrote an open letter asking the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to apologise over the incident of him having tea and biscuits at the Makar Dwar entrance to Parliament. Led by the former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid, the signatories stated that the March 12 incident was "deeply concerning" and reflected "conscious disregard for parliamentary authority." Speaking with ANI, SP Vaid said that Rahul Gandhi's behaviour in Parliament is not becoming of a Leader of the Opposition and shows a "sense of entitlement and arrogance". "84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and former lawyers have addressed this letter to the public stating that Rahul Gandhi's behaviour in Parliament is not becoming of a Leader of the Opposition, which is a very responsible post. His behaviour shows a sense of entitlement and arrogance. He indulges in theatrics; he sits on the steps of the Parliament and sips tea amid slogannering. I think Rahul Gandhi does not understand the importance of the post of LoP," he said. He demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, urging him to fulfil the role of a responsible LoP. "We want him to understand this and apologise to the nation for all that has happened until now. Despite Speaker Om Birla appealing to him to maintain the dignity of the house, Rahul Gandhi doesn't understand. He has made a laughing stock of himself. We want him to fulfil the role of a responsible LoP. There should be humbleness, not arrogance & sense of entitlement. What happened on 12th March was deplorable. Rahul Gandhi must understand his responsibility, because people listen when he speaks. The aspirations of the nation rest on the discussion that takes place in the Parliament and the laws emerging from it," he said. The letter by the signatories stated that Parliament is not a venue for spectacle or political theatre, and Ragul Gandhi's conduct represents a clear disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum. "Rahul Gandhi, along with several Members of Parliament, was seen sitting on the steps of Parliament having tea and biscuits in a manner that was wholly unbecoming of members of the nation's highest legislative body. The steps of Parliament are not a venue for spectacle or political theatre. Such conduct within the precincts of Parliament represents a clear disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum. It reflects an attitude of arrogance and entitlement, and a troubling lack of respect for an institution that embodies the democratic will of the people of India," the letter stated. "In his efforts to question the Government of the day, the actions of Rahul Gandhi are damaging the reputation of our country and our democracy. The fact that such behaviour is being carried out by a person who occupies a position as responsible and important as the Leader of Opposition makes it even more disturbing," the letter added. On March 12, Rahul Gandhi joined a protest at the Makar Dwar entrance to Parliament. Photos and videos went viral showing him casually sharing tea and snacks with colleagues. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker along with a pen drive containing material related to the incident, stating that such actions "lowered the dignity" of the Parliament. (ANI)
YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy conducted an important review meeting on Tuesday with party leaders and cadre from the Ongole Assembly constituency in the State. The meeting was attended by local body public representatives, senior leaders, and party workers, where key political and organisational issues were discussed. YS Jagan reviewed the current political situation in the constituency and interacted directly with grassroots-level leaders to understand public issues and party strengthening strategies. During the meeting, he emphasised the importance of unity within the party and called upon leaders and cadres to work collectively to strengthen YSRCP at the grassroots level. He also advised party members to stay connected with the people, address their concerns actively, and highlight the welfare initiatives introduced during the YSRCP government. Last week, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP Chief, said the budget presented by the Chandrababu Naidu government is filled with misleading numbers and false narratives. Jagan said that since Chandrababu came to power, the "state's debt has been continuously increasing. During our five-year government, the total borrowing was about Rs 3.31 lakh crore. But in just two years of Chandrababu's rule, the debt has already crossed Rs 3.20 lakh crore." Whenever Chandrababu comes to power, Jagan said that revenues have declined and debts have risen. "The reason is clear - rampant corruption and large-scale misuse of resources. Government lands are being handed over to private real estate companies at throwaway prices. Lands worth thousands of crores in Visakhapatnam are being allotted to relatives and associates." The government is not even maintaining a minimum balance in the treasury, Jagan Reddy slammed the TDP. "The Assembly sessions were reduced to drama, skits, and self-praise instead of discussing people's issues. We asked questions about the Super Six promises, but there were no answers. What happened to the promises made to women? What happened to housing for the poor? In the last two years, have they given even a single piece of land or constructed even one house for the poor?" he questioned. (ANI)
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday lauded India's growth in global trade, despite the difficulties caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict. Addressing the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister said growth in exports of goods and services, did not decline in February and positive growth was gradually attained in the second week of March, despite the ongoing global tensions. He further expressed confidence that the country will maintain its exports by the end of the month. "Amid the adverse situations in the world, anyone could think that ships cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz, freight has hiked by 3 times, and there is no insurance. Despite that, in the month of February, trade of goods was constant and did not decline, while the growth in services is rapidly increasing. Even in March, while we weakened slightly in the first week, positive growth was attained in the second week. By the end of the month, we will maintain the Indian exports," Goyal said. The Union Minister brought attention to India's comprehensive export growth and said that the government is focused on strengthening its competitive advantage in the global market. "India has made exceptional growth in the services sector in the last 3-4 years. If you combine the merchandise and services sector, then the trade deficit has remained 1-1.25% of GDP. In fact, four years ago, we were in surplus. So instead of looking at one figure, we should look at the comprehensive export growth. Our focus is on those services, things and factors in which we have a competitive advantage in the world," Goyal said. Furthermore, the Union Minister said that the world's economic powers are enthusiastic in building economic ties with India. Referring to the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) signed with various countries, he said that once operationalised, these deals will create adequate opportunities for Indian farmers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, among others, painting a picture of India's new trade era. "From an overall analysis, India's economic situation is strong, and the world is enthusiastic about building trade ties with India. In three to four years, we have strengthened our economic ties with 38 developed countries. As the Free Trade Agreements' get operationalised one after the other, floodgates of ample opportunities will be opened for the Indian fishermen, farmers, small-scale businesses, entrepreneurs, products and services, etc. A new era of India is being created in the global trade market," the Union Minister said. Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply. However, the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Saturday, reiterated that Indian vessels would be allowed to pass through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in West Asia. He further claimed that the Iranian leadership had been informed about expressions of sympathy from people in India and said Tehran was mindful of India's energy needs. Earlier today, an Indian LPG carrier Nanda Devi arrived at the Vadinar port in Gujarat's Jamnagar, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG for ship-to-ship transfer at the anchorage after successfully passing through the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday evening, the Indian carrier LPG Shivalik, carrying a total of 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, arrived at the Mudra Port. Of this, 20,000 MT will be unloaded at Mundra, while the remaining 26,000 MT is scheduled for Mangalore. There are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers. (ANI)
An Additional District and Sessions Court in Kollam on Tuesday found G Sandeep, the sole accused in the May 2023 murder of Doctor Vandana Das, guilty and said the quantum of sentence will be pronounced on Thursday. Das, a house surgeon, was fatally attacked at the Government Taluk Hospital, Kottarakkara on May 10, 2023. The court convicted the accused under multiple sections of the IPC, including 302, 324, 326, 207, 506(2), 323, 333, 332, 341 and 201, observing that the prosecution had proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt through eyewitness accounts, medical evidence and other records. The court is scheduled to pronounce the sentence on March 19. The incident took place on May 10, 2023, when the accused, who had been brought to the hospital by police for a medical examination, allegedly turned violent and attacked the doctor with a pair of scissors while she was on duty. Following the attack, the doctor sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The case had triggered widespread protests by healthcare workers across Kerala, demanding stronger security measures for medical professionals in hospitals. Public Prosecutor Prathap G Padikkal said the conviction was based on strong evidence presented before the court, including eyewitness testimony and medical records. The court will deliver its verdict on the quantum of punishment on Thursday. Following the brutal murder, the Kerala cabinet in May 2023 had decided to grant an ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Vandana Das, who died while discharging her duties. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Additionally, the Kerala government had approved an ordinance that seeks to ensure workplace safety in healthcare facilities. According to the ordinance, any person who commits, attempts to commit, incites or inspires an act of violence at hospitals shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than six months and five years and with a fine not less than Rs 50,000 and upto Rs 2 lakh. According to police, G Sandeep (42), out of the blue, stabbed house surgeon, Vandana Das (23) when she was dressing his wounds. Having grabbed scissors from the dressing room, Sandeep, who was reportedly under treatment in a de-addiction centre, stabbed Vandana six times, causing injuries to her abdomen and back. He also attacked others and vandalised the hospital. A home guard and a sub-inspector also sustained stab injuries. Dr Vandana was shifted to KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where she succumbed to her injuries, police said. Vandana was a house surgeon at Azeezia Medical College, Kollam, and she was on duty at Taluk Hospital, Kottarakkara. She was the only daughter of Mohandas and Vasantha Kumari, residents of Kaduthuruthy in the Kottayam district. (ANI)
YSR Congress Party leaders staged a protest in Guntur on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman B R Naidu. Former Minister Ambati Rambabu demanded that B R Naidu step down from his position to protect the sanctity of Tirumala On this occasion, leaders paid floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the Ambedkar statue located at the Lodge Centre in Guntur city. The program was attended by former minister Ambati Rambabu, YSRCP coordinator Shaik Noori Fatima, Vanama Bala Vajra Babu, Ambati Murali, and several party leaders, activists, and supporters. Later, the leaders staged a protest near the BR Ambedkar statue. Speaking to the media, Ambati Rambabu strongly demanded the immediate resignation of BR Naidu. He criticised the filing of SC/ST cases and arrests against those who protested, calling it an unjust and condemnable action. He demanded that all SC/ST cases registered against the protesters be withdrawn immediately. YSRCP leaders alleged that there are unusual situations prevailing in the state, where cases are being filed against innocent people, and they are being sent to jail. They further accused that leaders of the Telugu Desam Party, despite committing serious offences, are not being jailed and are instead granted bail. Ambati Rambabu reiterated that B.R. Naidu must resign immediately. Otherwise, he demanded that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ensure his resignation. Earlier on Wednesday, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Chief Minister and YSRCP Chief, on Wednesday accused Chandrababu Naidu of politicising the Tirupati issue, claiming that all fingers point towards Naidu. Addressing a press conference in Amaravathi, Reddy stated that the budget session was used to spread lies and false propaganda against political adversaries, while genuine questions from the opposition went unanswered. "Chandrababu has been politicising the Tirupati issue, even though all the accusing fingers are pointing towards him. The budget session was used to spread lies, false propaganda, and to level baseless allegations against political adversaries, while genuine questions raised by the opposition on matters of public interest remained unanswered", he said. Chief Minister Naidu has alleged that during the previous YSRCP tenure (2019-2024), "tainted ghee" was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddu prasadam, leading to a loss of approximately 234 crore in TTD funds. The opposition has also targeted TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu following the emergence of viral video clips (which he has dismissed as "deepfakes"), demanding his resignation and accusing the government of compromising the sanctity of the temple trust by appointing individuals with questionable backgrounds. (ANI)
Congress MP Prashant Padole has praised Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi for feeding them "tea and breakfast" during their protest after they were suspended from the Lower House by Speaker Om Birla. Speaking to ANI, Padole said, "Our leaders came today. They sit here all day, from morning until evening. It's summer. If they offered water and tea, what's the big deal? Nishikant Dubey should have been sitting there today. From morning until evening, we see PM Modi coming and offering him tea. We thank our leader for being such a good leader that he looked after us, loved us and fed us tea and breakfast and not only us but also fed all the people present here." Meanwhile, a group of 84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and four lawyers wrote an open letter asking the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to apologise over the incident of him having tea and biscuits at the Makar Dwar entrance to Parliament. Led by the former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid, the signatories stated that the March 12 incident was "deeply concerning" and reflected "conscious disregard for parliamentary authority." Speaking with ANI, SP Vaid said that Rahul Gandhi's behaviour in Parliament is not becoming of a Leader of the Opposition and shows a "sense of entitlement and arrogance". "84 former bureaucrats, 116 veterans and former lawyers have addressed this letter to the public stating that Rahul Gandhi's behaviour in Parliament is not becoming of a Leader of the Opposition, which is a very responsible post. His behaviour shows a sense of entitlement and arrogance. He indulges in theatrics; he sits on the steps of the Parliament and sips tea amid slogannering. I think Rahul Gandhi does not understand the importance of the post of LoP," he said. He demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, urging him to fulfil the role of a responsible LoP. The letter by the signatories stated that Parliament is not a venue for spectacle or political theatre, and Ragul Gandhi's conduct represents a clear disregard for established norms of behaviour and decorum. On March 12, Rahul Gandhi joined a protest at the Makar Dwar entrance to Parliament. Photos and videos went viral showing him casually sharing tea and snacks with colleagues. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker along with a pen drive containing material related to the incident, stating that such actions "lowered the dignity" of the Parliament. (ANI)
YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday said that a serious controversy has erupted after allegations surfaced that TDP MP Putta Mahesh was caught consuming drugs. The former Chief Minister strongly criticised the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, calling it a complete failure in maintaining law and order in the state. Jagan stated that such an incident is not just about one individual but reflects a deeper systemic issue. He alleged that no strict action has been taken against those involved, which has encouraged the spread of drug-related activities across Andhra Pradesh. He further accused the government of neglecting serious issues, saying that instead of delivering justice in cases like crimes against women and fraud, the administration is merely forming committees and delaying action. Jagan questioned how long such negligence would continue and asserted that the people of the state deserve better governance, safety, and accountability. He reaffirmed that his party will continue to fight against these issues and hold the government accountable. A day earlier, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief YS Sharmila had called for the permanent disqualification of Lok Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh, Putta Mallesh Kumar, after he reportedly tested positive for narcotics following a raid at a farmhouse in Moinabad. YS Sharmila Reddy, while speaking to ANI, said, "It is shameful and shocking that an MP from Andhra Pradesh was caught using drugs. Those present at the drug party tested positive for drugs. The Congress party considers this a grave. We demand that the Speaker of the Parliament take notice of this and be disqualified permanently. During CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's tenure, drugs were imported into Vizag port. Chandrababu Naidu had said that he won't allow drug culture to be prevalent in Andhra Pradesh. We demand that Chandrababu Naidu should sack this MP immediately." The controversy erupted after a raid conducted by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) team of the Telangana Police at the farmhouse of former BRS MLA Pilot Rohit Reddy in Moinabad in Rangareddy district. Police said that 11 people were taken into custody during the operation after receiving information about a party being held at the farmhouse without permission. During the raid, officers reportedly heard gunfire and detained individuals present at the location. Drug tests conducted during the operation initially returned positive results for five people. After further blood sample tests, one more person tested positive, taking the total number of individuals who tested positive to six. Among those who tested positive were TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar and former BRS MLA Pilot Rohit Reddy, officials said. Authorities also confirmed that a firearm was discharged during the raid and that a small quantity of a suspected narcotic substance was recovered from the premises. (ANI)
BJP MP Sambit Patra on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress party and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of supporting the recent annual report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) which has backed sanctions on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). Addressing reporters, Patra stated that on behalf of the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to the issue, asserting that the US commission works subjectively, while its sources are unreliable and have no facts in their claims. The BJP MP further claimed that the Congress supported the USCIRF's report from their official handle, questioning Rahul Gandhi that upto what extent he can "go against India." "There is a body in America called the United States Commission for International Freedom of Religion, which in its March 2026 report called for a ban on the RSS and RAW. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on behalf of the Indian government, has clearly responded to this, stating that this American commission works subjectively. Its sources are not reliable. They have no facts. In a way, the MEA has rejected this commission's report," Sambit Patra said. "The official handle of the Congress party has supported the March 2026 report of the United States Commission for International Freedom of Religion... To what extent can Rahul Gandhi go against India... It is sad that while speaking against the BJP and PM Modi, today the Congress party seems to be standing against India," he added. The Government of India on Monday rubbished the USCIRF report which recommended the US government designate it as a "country of particular concern," or CPC and to put sanctions on certain individuals and entities. A statement by the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said that the report was motivated and biased in its characterisation of India. "We have taken note of the latest report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India. For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts. Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself," the statement read. It further added, "Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention." The recent report by the USCIRF has called for US to reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024, "Designate India as a "country of particular concern," or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA); Press India to allow US government entities such as USCIRF and the U.S. Department of State to conduct in-country assessments of religious freedom conditions." It further said, "Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals' or entities' assets and/or barring their entry into the United States; Link future US security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to improvements in religious freedom; and Enforce Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act to halt arms sales to India based on continued acts of intimidation and harassment against U.S. citizens and religious minorities. The US Congress should: Reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 to require the annual reporting of acts of transnational repression by the Indian government targeting religious minorities in the United States." (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured that a comprehensive investigation is underway into the Baramati plane crash incident, stating that all concerned agencies are working to uncover the truth. Speaking to the reporters, Shinde said that NCP leader Rohit Pawar had met him as well as the Chief Minister, with a clear demand for a fair and thorough probe into the incident. "Rohit Pawar met with me; he also met with the Chief Minister. His only demand is that there should be a proper investigation into this matter. The Maharashtra government is also investigating it, the agencies are also investigating it, and the central government is also investigating this incident," Shinde said. He further described the death of Ajit Pawar in the crash as a deeply unfortunate incident, terming it a "very big tragedy" for everyone. "Ajit Pawar's unfortunate death is a very big tragedy for all of us. The truth should come out, that is Rohit Pawar's demand. All agencies are working in that direction. Certainly, whatever the truth is, it will come out," he added. The Deputy CM reiterated that multiple agencies, including those of the state and the Centre, are actively probing the crash to ensure accountability and transparency. Ajit Pawar died on the morning of January 28 when the Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK) carrying him crash-landed while attempting to land at Baramati airport in Pune district. The aircraft went down near the runway threshold, killing all five people on board. Among the deceased were Pawar, his personal security officer, a flight attendant, and two pilots. He was travelling from Mumbai to Baramati to campaign for the Zilla Panchayat elections. The DGCA constituted a multi-disciplinary audit team that observed several non-compliances of approved procedures in the organisation in the area of airworthiness, air safety, and flight operations and ordered a special safety audit of M/s VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd. Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said in its Preliminary Report that the visibility reported at Baramati on January 28, at the time of landing of the VT-SSK aircraft, was below the minimum requirement of five kilometres. (ANI)
Elon Musk's AI firm, xAI, is under federal scrutiny following a lawsuit filed by three teenagers in California, accusing the firm of enabling sexualized depictions of minors through its Grok AI chatbot.

The complaint, submitted Monday, alleges that users manipulated images and videos of the plaintiffs to show them nude or in sexually explicit scenarios without consent.

Grok AI's Controversial Features

Grok, which operates on Musk's social media platform X, launched in 2023 with a feature dubbed "spicy mode" or Grok Imagine.

According to the BBC, this mode allowed users to alter images of real people to create sexualized content. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that xAI deployed these capabilities to boost engagement on X, despite foreseeable risks of misuse and harm.

Severe Privacy Violations Cited by Plaintiffs

Two of the plaintiffs are minors, and all three are using pseudonyms to protect their identities. One plaintiff discovered AI-altered images of herself via an anonymous Instagram link, which led to a Discord server containing similar sexualized content involving at least 18 other minors.

Furthermore, the lawsuit digs deeper into the details of the emotional and privacy-related damage caused by these violations.

According to a sampling of the images spearheaded by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Grok managed to generate millions of pornographic pictures. Over 20,000 of them involved children. This happened in just less than two weeks.

Grok's Presence Under Investigation

This lawsuit joins ongoing inquiries by the UK's Ofcom, the European Commission, and California authorities into Grok's capacity to generate sexualized imagery of children.

Last month, Ireland probed the company following complaints about xAI's ability to generate sexualized images of people. The more alarming part is that even children's images can be used in a specific prompt.

While xAI maintains that Grok only produces images upon user request, investigators found hundreds of AI-manipulated sexual abuse images of minors circulating on platforms like Telegram and Mega.

The teenagers are requesting unspecified damages and an immediate injunction to stop Grok from producing sexualized content involving minors.

Even with the controversies surrounding xAI, Musk was able to close the Grok AI deal with the Pentagon. On the other hand, Claude was barred from the agreement because of concerns over military AI access.

Originally published on Tech Times
Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government, alleging that it is altering the Right to Information (RTI) framework to shield corruption and mislead the public. Speaking to mediapersons in Shimla ahead of the resumption of the Assembly Budget Session, Thakur claimed that the move goes against the spirit of the RTI law brought during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "The government is trying to avoid giving clear answers. What are they trying to hide? You can hide facts for some time, but the truth will come out sooner or later," he said. Targeting Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the BJP leader alleged that he has repeatedly misled the people and failed to uphold public trust. "A big concern is that the Chief Minister is not fulfilling the trust of the people. How many times has he misled the public? How many times has he made incorrect statements in public programmes?" he said. Thakur further alleged that the government is attempting to keep vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau-related matters out of the RTI ambit, questioning the intent behind such decisions. "The RTI Act was brought to ensure transparency. Today, the same Congress party is trying to dilute it. What do they want to hide?" he asked. He said the opposition is examining all possible options under the rules and will chalk out its strategy to raise these issues in the Assembly. "We will sit together, discuss our notices, and ensure that these issues are debated in the House," he added. Raising concerns over an alleged vigilance inquiry, Thakur said the public has the right to know the charges, allegations, and progress in such cases. "If an inquiry has been marked, what action has been taken? Why is information being withheld?" he questioned. The former Chief Minister also accused the government of presiding over rising corruption in the state, alleging irregularities in forest clearances and claiming that norms are being violated. "Permissions are given for limited tree felling, but far more trees are being cut. This reflects a larger pattern," he said. He further alleged that industries are moving out of Himachal Pradesh and the state is facing a difficult situation. "Himachal is going through a very challenging phase. There is confusion in governance and policies," he said. Thakur also hinted at internal and external political pressures on the government, alleging that key decisions are being influenced by the Congress leadership in Delhi, including senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Warning of strong political resistance, he said, "If the government continues in this direction, it will face serious challenges. We will raise all these issues inside the Vidhan Sabha." He also termed the recent move to withdraw Cabinet rank status as a "mere eyewash," stating that if the government was serious about curbing wasteful expenditure, the decision should have been taken immediately after the court ordered the removal of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries. Thakur alleged misuse of public funds and said the government would be held accountable in the Assembly for "every rupee spent," warning that symbolic measures aimed at gaining headlines would not be accepted by the people. The Budget Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly is set to resume on March 18. Three sittings have already been done, and tomorrow the session will resume after a break, with the opposition gearing up to corner the government on multiple issues. (ANI)
The political temperature in Tamil Nadu heightened as opposition parties staged a large-scale protest in Tiruppur, targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government while also highlighting central government support for local farmers. The protest, organised under the banner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saw AIADMK leaders and BJP representatives address a gathering of party workers and citizens, outlining alleged failings of the DMK administration. Speaking to reporters at the event, AIADMK leader Pollachi Jayaraman said, "The countdown has begun for the DMK government. People are fed up with corruption, rising costs, and the lack of safety for women. The DMK has no chance of returning as a major force in the 234 constituencies. The people are ready for a change, and Edappadi Palaniswami will lead Tamil Nadu to a new future." He cited several grievances, including allegations of large-scale sand and mineral smuggling, growing sexual assault cases, and economic strain from increased house, property, water, and garbage taxes. "The government seems more interested in supplying drugs to the youth than books," he added, drawing sharp criticism. BJP Mahila Morcha National President Vanathi Srinivasan highlighted efforts to support local farmers. She recalled a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressing the challenges faced by coconut farmers. "The Finance Minister has allocated three and a half minutes in the budget specifically for coconut farmers, an unprecedented step. New schemes have been introduced to ensure the welfare and growth of our farmers in Tamil Nadu," Srinivasan said. The protest also focused on Tamil heritage and culture. Leaders emphasised the importance of archaeological sites such as Keezhadi and Adichanallur, noting that the central government has sanctioned funds for museums and research to showcase the antiquity of Tamil culture. "This heritage belongs to the millions of people in Tamil Nadu. The state government should not take sole credit through sticker politics," the speakers asserted. This comes as Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately, initiating the election process for the 234-member State Assembly, whose current tenure ends on May 10. (ANI)
Following the Rajya Sabha election results, Congress MP Kumari Selja on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of adopting "undemocratic tactics", emphasising that this should be taken very seriously. Speaking to ANI, Selja also congratulated the party's MLAs in Haryana for securing a seat. "Congress has won one seat in Haryana. I congratulate the MLAs. We won, this is a good thing. BJP adopts undemocratic tactics; this should be taken very seriously," she said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have each won seats in Haryana for the Rajya Sabha elections. Amid celebrations in both camps, leaders traded accusations, with the Congress blaming the BJP for unethical tactics and the BJP questioning the opposition's ability to keep its legislators together. BJP winning candidate Sanjay Bhatia, while speaking to ANI, said, "Congress's responsibility was to unite its workers and MLAs, now they are putting allegations on us for the cross-votes of their own workers, which is not right... I was born and brought up in Haryana, and my priority will be the issues of the people here... Congress got 28 votes, the independent received 16 votes with first preference, and BJP received 39 first preference votes..." On the other hand, Congress Candidate Karmeveer Singh Bauddh alleged "illegal cancellation of votes" as he thanked the party for thier support. Speaking to the reporters, Karmeveer Singh Bauddh said, "Votes were illegally cancelled, but I received the blessings of the Congress party and the people. I received love from the Congress's top leadership. I will sit comfortably among you people every day." On Monday, Voting for the Rajya Sabha was also halted for hours due to objections to two Congress votes. BJP's Gaurav Gautam and Kishan Bedi have objected to both votes. Congress has also objected to Minister Anil Vij's vote. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K Selvaperunthagai on Tuesday strongly condemned the former AIADMK minister and Rajya Sabha member CV Shanmugam's remarks made regarding Chief Minister MK Stalin and actress Nayanthara during a protest against the ruling DMK government. He said political leaders "must understand the impact" of their words on society and conduct themselves with responsibility. Speaking to ANI here, Selvaperunthagai added that Shanmugam's comments were "completely unacceptable". "As a public representative holding a responsible position, it is completely unacceptable to make such low and offensive remarks that hurt the dignity of women. It is particularly distressing that such derogatory statements were made even on a platform where women's safety was being discussed," he added. Criticising the mindset behind such statements, He further added that such "comments reflect a mindset that objectifies women" and also set a wrong example in society. Selvaperunthagai also pointed out that despite the court having already strongly reprimanded Shanmugam for his defamatory and indecent speech, there appeared to be no change in his approach. "Political leaders must understand the impact of their words on society and conduct themselves with responsibility and decency," he added. The Tamil Nadu Congress chief urged Shanmugam to "immediately issue a public apology for his remarks and to refrain from making such statements in the future." "It is everyone's responsibility to build a society where the dignity and safety of women are protected," he added. The remark was made today during a protest led by CV Shanmugam, held by the National Democratic Alliance, condemning the DMK government for failing to control the ongoing incidents of sexual assault, deterioration of law and order, and the spread of drug abuse in the state. During the protest, former minister CV Shanmugam made a controversial remark, saying, "The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu asks people to share their dreams. If I say I want actress Nayanthara, will he give her to me?" The political temperature in Tamil Nadu heightened as the state will go to the assembly polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
Congress on Tuesday announced its list of 55 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. The party has fielded Kerala Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph from the Peravoor seat. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has been fielded from the Paravur seat. K Muraleedharan, former MP and son of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala and former Union Minister of Industry K. Karunakaran from the Vattiyoorkavu seat. Earlier, the party's Central Election Committee convened to finalise the candidate list for the Kerala polls. Speaking on the occasion, Congress MP KC Venugopal emphasised that "the party's Central Election Committee has cleared many names today for the major chunk of the seats. Winnability is a major criterion for selecting candidates." This comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala state polls. The party has fielded BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom seat and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs of India, V Muraleedharan, from Kazhakoottam seat. The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The Model Code of Conduct comes into place, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, which is also known as the Kerala Niyamasabha. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23, 2026. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in a press conference said, "Voting will be held across 2.19 lakh polling stations in four states and one UT, with 25 lakh election officials on duty." CEC Kumar said that around 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the elections in Kerala. The last date for filing nominations is March 23, with scrutiny of nominations on March 24 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures on March 26. Following the completion ennumeration excercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state electoral roll, the ECI released Kerala's final voter list on February 21. (ANI)
A tragic fire incident at the Trauma Care Centre of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha's Cuttack claimed the lives of 12 patients. The incident occurred at the SCB Medical College and Hospital's Trauma Care ICU centre in Cuttack on early hour on Monday. Minister of Health Mukesh Mahaling stated in the Odisha Assembly that a fire broke out in the first-floor ICU, following which hospital staff quickly evacuated 23 patients from the ICU and nearby wards. Despite the prompt response, 7 critically ill patients died at the site, while 5 others later succumbed during treatment after being shifted to other wards. In the rescue operation, 11 hospital staff members sustained injuries while saving patients. All injured staff are currently undergoing treatment and are reported to be out of danger. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep grief over the incident and visited the hospital in the early hours of March 16. He met the affected families and directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. The CM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. A day earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the Chief Minister and expressed condolences. He announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund. President Droupadi Murmu and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also expressed grief over the tragedy. The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, to be led by retired Justice Laxmidhar Biswal. Additionally, an inter-departmental fact-finding committee headed by Development Commissioner D.K. Singh has been constituted to investigate the cause of the fire. The government stated that fire audits of over 2,000 medical institutions in the state have already been completed, and steps are being taken to strengthen fire safety infrastructure in hospitals. Budgetary allocations of Rs 320 crore for 2025-26 and Rs 400 crore for 2026-27 have been earmarked for fire safety measures. Authorities have assured strict action against those found responsible and emphasised measures to prevent such incidents in the future. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday attended the 'Nari Utsav' programme held at the Nirmal Chhaya Complex, where she paid tribute to the strength and contribution of women in nation-building. She said women, through their dedication, selfless service and sense of duty, are playing a leading role across sectors and driving the country towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. During her visit, the Chief Minister toured the Nirmal Chhaya campus and reviewed various schemes, services and facilities. She also launched and assessed several initiatives of the Department of Women and Child Development, reiterating the Delhi government's commitment to the holistic empowerment of women and children. CM Gupta noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, women are scaling new heights--from rural industries to corporate sectors, and from politics to the armed forces--and said the Delhi government is working in the same direction to make women more empowered and self-reliant. Emphasising safety, dignity and self-reliance as the three pillars of women's empowerment, Gupta said every woman deserves a secure environment, respect in all circumstances, and opportunities to become financially independent. She also announced that the upcoming Delhi Budget, to be presented on March 24, will include key initiatives for women and girls. Highlighting the importance of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), she said women in Delhi will be provided employment and entrepreneurship opportunities through small group-based models. She also stressed the need to expand platforms like 'Mahila Haat' to help women showcase and sell their products. The Chief Minister said the government's focus is not just on launching schemes, but on ensuring their effective implementation so that benefits reach every needy individual. She underlined the shared responsibility of society in ensuring that no one is left hungry, unemployed or neglected. After the event, Gupta conducted a detailed inspection of the Nirmal Chhaya Complex. She visited the After Care Home for Women, Balika Grih and Bal Niketan to ensure that residents are receiving proper care, safety and facilities. She interacted with children, distributed bags and essential items, and reviewed arrangements related to safety, nutrition and overall care, issuing necessary directions to officials. Rekha Gupta also visited the Sankalp Hub, where activities related to women's safety, awareness and empowerment under Mission Shakti were showcased. At the SHG-run 'Mahila Haat', she reviewed local products and exhibitions, including nutritious millet-based dishes. Interacting with women trained under the WCD-DSEU programme, the Chief Minister appreciated the launch of SHG-run canteens at 10 locations, calling it a strong model for promoting women's entrepreneurship. Gupta further inspected the 'Samarth Anganwadi', where upgraded infrastructure, multi-dimensional activities, and health and wellness services were on display. She reviewed preventive health check-ups, wellness counselling, and menstrual hygiene awareness programmes for women. During the programme, the Chief Minister launched several key initiatives, including a compendium of schemes related to women and children and the WCD newsletter. She also distributed health mix kits to pregnant and lactating mothers, provided incentives to Anganwadi workers, and launched the Juvenile Justice Management Information System (JJMIS) portal to improve child-centric service delivery. Under the 'Give to Gain' initiative, she called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to enhance Anganwadi centres and child care institutions. The initiative will support the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines, infrastructure upgrades, expansion of mobile health services, and new programmes for women and children, along with creating livelihood opportunities for women and SHGs. The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the government remains fully committed to empowering women, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children, and uplifting vulnerable sections of society. She added that when women are empowered, both society and the nation grow stronger--and Delhi is moving firmly in that direction. (ANI)
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal, along with senior officials of the Ministry, interacted with the crew members of Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, expressing the nation's gratitude for their courage and unwavering sense of duty in ensuring the safe transit of critical LPG cargo in wake of West Asia crisis. The interaction, held via video conferencing, was attended by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping; Capt BK Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, Shipping Corporation of India; Capt Sukhmeet Singh and the crew of Shivalik, and Capt Dhiraj Kumar Agrawal, along with the crew of Nanda Devi. Addressing the seafarers, Sarbananda Sonowal said the interaction was a "heartfelt expression of the nation's gratitude" to the crew, who ensured the safe delivery of vital LPG supplies despite operating in a high-risk maritime environment. "It is a matter of immense pride to recognise the courage, dedication and professionalism of the crew of Shivalik and Nanda Devi. Your efforts ensured the safe passage of critical LPG cargo, strengthening India's energy security," Sonowal said. The minister noted that both vessels remained stationed in a high-risk zone for nearly two weeks amid heightened security concerns before continuing their voyage to India. Sonowal said the crew demonstrated exceptional calmness, vigilance and professionalism under challenging conditions. Earlier, the two Indian-flagged LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz before arriving India on March 16 and 17, as the government continues to closely monitor maritime operations in the Persian Gulf region amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia. MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi - carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG- crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Friday (March 13, 2026). "Seafarers are the unsung heroes of global trade. Far away from your homes and families, you ensure that essential cargo reaches its destination safely," Sonowal said, highlighting the critical role played by maritime personnel in sustaining global supply chains. The Union Minister further emphasised that the successful voyage of the two Indian-flagged vessels, fully manned by Indian seafarers, reflects the strength and resilience of India's maritime workforce. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to strengthening the maritime sector and ensuring the safety, dignity and global recognition of our seafarers," Sonowal said. The Minister also acknowledged the support of seafarers' families, calling them a vital pillar behind their dedication and service. Congratulating the masters, officers and crew of both vessels, the minister said their achievement stands as an example of professionalism and commitment, and wished them safe voyages ahead. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies and Indian diplomatic missions in the region, a release said. The Union Shipping Minister is actively monitoring the situation, it added. To ensure smooth maritime operations, the government is working closely with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders to minimise any operational disruptions to maritime trade. Ports have been advised to extend relief measures where required, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges. Major ports are prioritising berthing for LPG vessels to ensure the timely discharge of cargo and continuity in energy supply. Over the past few days, six LPG vessels have been received at major Indian ports. Additionally, ports are providing safe anchorage areas for vessels loaded with cargo bound for the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit due to prevailing conditions. The Shipping Ministry said it continues to monitor the maritime situation in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders, with a focus on safeguarding the welfare of Indian seafarers and ensuring the resilience of India's maritime logistics network. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday attended a program held in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of the first death anniversary of former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan and paid tribute to him. The Defence Minister said that Pradhan was a stalwart of politics and the Bhishma Pitamah of the Odisha BJP. Addressing the memorial meeting organised at the OUT Auditorium in Bhubaneswar, Rajnath Singh said, "Debendra Pradhan was one of those leaders who worked to restore the lost credibility of the word 'politics.' He was a distinguished doctor and just as dedicated as he was to treating patients, he was equally committed to public service." "Debendra Pradhan made significant contributions not only in education, employment, and infrastructure development, but also in the agricultural sector. He always tried sincerely to do whatever he could to solve problems. He played a major role in the development of Odisha. He had a deep concern that poverty in Odisha should be eradicated, and while in government, he made every possible effort toward this goal." Recalling moments spent with Debendra Pradhan, Rajnath Singh said, "We both served as ministers together in Atal Ji's government. I was much younger than him, and I always drew inspiration from him." The Defence Minister added, "His contribution to making the BJP a strong force in Odisha cannot be forgotten. He served as the Odisha BJP president three times. In the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, BJP's major success in Odisha was due to his efforts. Before that, the party was not in a position to win even a single seat here. Debendra Pradhan was the Bhishma Pitamah of Odisha BJP. Today, the BJP has formed a government in Odisha on the strong foundation laid by him. He played a significant role in increasing the party's acceptance among the people." "About 30 years ago, during the Ram Temple movement, Debendra Pradhan also participated in collecting bricks, and the temple was completed during his lifetime. His absence today is a great loss," added the Defence Minister. He also said, "As a Union Minister, Debendra Pradhan took his oath in the Odia language. This was not merely a formality, but a powerful message in support of regional languages. Following in his footsteps, his son Dharmendra Pradhan working in a way that impresses everyone. The reform of the National Education Policy was a major achievement, in which he played an important role." (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested six Ukrainians and one US citizen for allegedly supporting ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them. The accused have been identified as Matthew Aaron Van Dyke (US citizen), Hurba Petro (Ukrainian citizen), Slyviak Taras (Ukranian Citizen), Ivan Sukmanovskyi (Ukranian citizen), Stefankiv Marian (Ukranian Citizen), Honcharuk Maksim (Ukranian Citizen), and Kaminskyi Viktor (Ukrainian citizen). They have been arrested in a case lodged under Section 18 (Terror Conspiracy) and BNS. Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven accsued in 11 days of NIA custody on Monday. NIA had sought 15 days' custody. While seeking remand, it was alleged by the NIA that the accused persons duing custody, would also show that they were in direct touch and abetted in their terrorist/ illegal activities by unknown terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles. NIA has also alleged that the accused persons, linked with ethnic armed groups, are supporting certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them. "Said aspects definitely affect the national security and interests of India," it said. While granting 11 days remand, the court said, " So, it is not the situation that FIR does not make a whisper about illegal acts, being done by accused persons, against national security and interests of India. In other words, Section 18 of UA(P)A broadly applies." Earlier, NIA arrested three Ukrainians from Delhi, three from Lucknow and one US citizen from Kolkata. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Prshant Sharma remanded seven to 11 days of NIA custody till March 27. A hearing was conducted in a closed courtroom. Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Tyagi alongwith Amit Rohila and others, appeared for the NIA. It is alleged that they came to India on a visa and then entered Mizoram, which is a protected area. Thereafter, they entered Myanmar and contacted ethnic war groups. It is alleged by the NIA that they were trained in Myanmar and were training ethnic war groups. These groups are associated with insurgent groups in India. It is also alleged that they brought a huge consignment of Drones from Europe via india. On the other hand, Senior Advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey and Advocate Ankur Saigal appeared for the accused persons. They opposed the custodial remand application moved by the NIA. (ANI)
Chinese economy gets off to solid start in 2026

08:27, March 17, 2026 By OUYANG SHIJIA and ZHANG CHENXU ( Chinadaily.com.cn

A container vessel docks at Tianjin Port in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin on Monday. DU PENGHUI / XINHUA

China's economy has got off to a solid start in 2026, with major indicators delivering better-than-expected results in the first two months of the year, laying the foundation for achieving the annual growth target and opening the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period on a firm footing.

While the broader economy still faces challenges from an evolving external environment, rising geopolitical tensions and lingering structural pressures at home, officials, economists and global business leaders remain broadly optimistic about the outlook.

They pointed to the resilience of the manufacturing and export sectors and the prospect of a rebound in domestic demand, supported by a more proactive macroeconomic policy stance.

"Activity data surprised to the upside at the start of the year, driven by exports and industrial production," said Sheana Yue, a senior economist at British think tank Oxford Economics. "Retail sales also exceeded expectations on the back of festive spending. And export-linked manufacturing and policy-supported industrial upgrading continue to offset persistent weakness in property, private investment and goods consumption."

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday showed that China's value-added industrial output grew 6.3 percent during the January-February period from a year earlier, after a 5.2 percent rise in December.

Yue noted that the outperformance likely reflects continued strength in high-tech manufacturing, including transportation equipment, electrical machinery and electronics manufacturing, which grew 13.1 percent year-on-year during the first two months, 6.8 percentage points higher than the overall growth in headline industrial production.

According to the NBS, retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, surged 2.8 percent year-on-year over the January-February period after a 0.9 percent rise in December. Fixed-asset investment increased 1.8 percent over the January-February period, compared with a 3.8 percent decline in 2025.

Addressing a news conference on Monday in Beijing, NBS spokesman Fu Linghui said that China's economic performance in the first two months of the year came in "better than market expectations", reflecting the strong vitality and resilience of the world's second-largest economy.

While acknowledging that domestic and external challenges remain intertwined and uncertainties persist, he said the fundamental conditions supporting China's long-term growth remain unchanged. "The economy is expected to maintain steady progress while improving in quality, supported by a strong start to economic activity, expanding demand, industrial upgrading and effective policy support."

Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said, "Based on the performance in the first two months, China's GDP growth during this period is expected to come in at around 5 percent, exceeding market expectations."

Wen said that growth this year may strengthen further as the year progresses, aided by a more proactive macro policy stance and base effects, with the possibility of expectations being outperformed.

Target 'fully achievable'

Looking forward, Sun Xuegong, director-general of the department of policy study and consultation at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said China's 2026 economic growth target of between 4.5 percent and 5 percent is "fully achievable".

He said that favorable conditions remain in place, including the rapid development of new quality productive forces, structural upgrading in traditional industries and faster expansion of the service sector. On the demand side, he expects steady consumption growth, a potential rebound in investment and resilient exports this year, supported by policy support.

Following China's robust economic performance and the positive signals from the recently concluded two sessions, global executives also expressed confidence in China's economic prospects, showing a dedicated commitment to the Chinese market.

Lin Chunmei, president and general manager at Corning Greater China, said: "As the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, 2026 sees China setting an economic growth target that is both stable and developmental, aligning with the core demand of foreign enterprises for development certainty and injecting firm confidence into Corning's deep development in China. Corning regards China as one of its most important strategic markets globally."

Based on its firm confidence in the potential of the Chinese market, the United States-based materials science company announced last year an additional investment of $500 million in China, which will be implemented in the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

"For multinational companies, China remains pivotal," said Denis Depoux, global managing director at German management consultancy Roland Berger. "It is not only as a big market, but increasingly as a source of innovation and competitiveness. It is an opportunity for MNCs to strengthen global competitiveness and turn the China challenge into a strategic advantage across the global operation."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Volvo Cars has announced that the EX30 and its off-road variant, the EX30 Cross Country, will be discontinued in the United States following the 2026 model year.

Both models will remain available through the summer and until the end of the year, giving buyers a final chance to purchase the compact electric vehicles before they exit the US market.

Why Volvo is Phasing Out the EX30

The decision comes amid mounting challenges for imported EVs in the United States. According to Business Insider, tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, fluctuating incentives, and slower-than-expected consumer demand have driven up costs, forcing Volvo to reevaluate its lineup.

The EX30, originally priced under $35,000, now costs around $41,740 in the US, while the EX30 Cross Country starts near $50,000. These higher prices contributed to weaker sales, making continued US availability financially unviable.

Continuous Drop in Volvo's Sales

Volvo's move taps broader trends in the US EV sector. January and February 2026 saw dealership sales of imported EVs drop by 53.5% and 45.2% year-over-year, respectively.

Other foreign-built EVs, including the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Nissan Ariya, and Hyundai Ioniq 6, have already been withdrawn due to similar challenges. Analysts suggest that while sales of high-priced imports remain sluggish, lower-cost EVs could drive renewed interest in 2027.

Volvo's Continued Electrification Strategy

Despite the EX30's exit, Volvo remains committed to electrification, targeting 90% to 100% of global sales as plug-in hybrids or fully electric by 2030. The company plans to expand its US EV lineup with the upcoming EX60, a new electric SUV offering up to 400 miles of range and a starting price near $55,000.

Rising gas prices could also shift consumer behavior, potentially boosting demand for Volvo's electric offerings.

Originally published on Tech Times
West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja on Tuesday claimed that the BJP is feeling insecure ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, saying their leadership lacks control over their cadre. Panja emphasised her focus on winning the Shyampukur seat, highlighting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's continued efforts for the people of Bengal. Speaking to the reporters, Panja said, "This is the fourth time I've been renominated on a TMC ticket from the Shyampukur assembly constituency. The BJP is feeling insecure. Their leadership has no control over their cadre... The BJP is on the back foot." "We are very focused. My attention is on winning my seat. I live in my constituency, and I'm going to work there... Didi (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) has always worked for the people of Bengal... Nothing is better than a door-to-door campaign," she said. Polling in the State is set to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the counting of votes for both phases to be conducted on May 4, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Today, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) announced the 291 names of candidates for the West Bengal assembly election. Addressing the press conferences, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee confirmed that they are giving three seats to their ally Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM). The Anit Thapa party Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha will contest from Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong assembly constituencies. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Bhabanipur against Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. TMC Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya fielded from the Dum Dum Uttar seat, Trinamool Congress MLA Madan Mitra from the Kamarhati seat, Trinamool Congress Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim from Kolkata Port seat, Kunal Ghosh from Beleghata seat, and Dr Shashi Panja from the Shyampukur seat. However, Former Education Minister Parth Chatterjee did not get a ticket from Behala Paschim and in his place, Ratna Chatterjee will contest this time. A day earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its first list of 144 candidates for the upcoming elections, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari set to contest from Nandigram, where he defeated Mamata Banerjee in 2021, as well as from Bhabanipur, the constituency currently held by the TMC chief. The last assembly election in the state was held in 2021, conducted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29, amid an intense contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (ANI)
Former Odisha Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday demanded the resignation of the State Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling over the fire tragedy at the hospital in Cuttack, where 12 people lost their lives. He condemned the fire tragedy at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, and also demanded compensation of 50 lakhs for each of those who lost their lives. The incident occurred at the SCB Medical College and Hospital's Trauma Care ICU centre in Cuttack on early hour on Monday. Speaking to ANI, Patnaik said, "I went to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack last evening and it was a truly horrifying scene there. Ten people had been killed. Five more were in a very delicate state with their injuries. The State Health Minister of the BJP party should also resign and I've demanded compensation of 50 lakhs for each of them who lost their lives. We shall take whatever appropriate action we can in the future." Earlier today, Minister of Health Mukesh Mahaling stated in the Odisha Assembly that a fire broke out in the first-floor ICU, following which hospital staff quickly evacuated 23 patients from the ICU and nearby wards. Despite the prompt response, 7 critically ill patients died at the site, while 5 others later succumbed during treatment after being shifted to other wards. In the rescue operation, 11 hospital staff members sustained injuries while saving patients. All injured staff are currently undergoing treatment and are reported to be out of danger. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep grief over the incident and visited the hospital in the early hours of March 16. He met the affected families and directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. The CM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. A day earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the Chief Minister and expressed condolences. He announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund. President Droupadi Murmu and Union Health Minister JP Nadda also expressed grief over the tragedy. The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, to be led by retired Justice Laxmidhar Biswal. Additionally, an inter-departmental fact-finding committee headed by Development Commissioner D.K. Singh has been constituted to investigate the cause of the fire. The government stated that fire audits of over 2,000 medical institutions in the state have already been completed, and steps are being taken to strengthen fire safety infrastructure in hospitals. Budgetary allocations of Rs 320 crore for 2025-26 and Rs 400 crore for 2026-27 have been earmarked for fire safety measures. Authorities have assured strict action against those found responsible and emphasised measures to prevent such incidents in the future. (ANI)
A protest was held in front of the Coimbatore South Taluk Office by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) condemning the DMK government. The demonstration was attended by former minister SP Velumani, AIADMK MLAs, former BJP state president K. Annamalai and BJP Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan, among others. Vanathi Srinivasan alleged that parties were being lured into alliances using money and claimed that the Kongu region has always been their stronghold. She criticised Chief Minister MK Stalin, stating that he believed the BJP-AIADMK alliance would not materialise. She said opposition parties had united to defeat him. She further claimed that the ruling government was attempting to secure power through unfair means and expressed confidence that the NDA alliance would win all 10 constituencies in Coimbatore district. She added that several Smart City projects were provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused the state government of merely inaugurating projects initiated during the AIADMK regime. Criticising infrastructure and safety, she remarked that poor road conditions were evident from increasing orthopaedic cases and gave the state government a "zero" rating for women's safety. She said the 2026 election would be crucial for Tamil Nadu's future and expressed hope that conditions would improve if Edappadi K. Palaniswami becomes Chief Minister. Former minister SP Velumani, in his speech, stated that the central government had provided 11 medical colleges and housing schemes. He accused the DMK of making false claims and urged party workers to secure at least 10 votes each for the NDA alliance. He emphasised that votes should go to NDA candidates, warning that otherwise the DMK would return to power. He also promised the continuation of welfare schemes such as the "gold for thali" scheme under an AIADMK government. K.Annamalai launched a sharp attack on the DMK government, alleging deterioration in law and order over the past five years. He claimed that individuals expressing opinions on social media had been jailed and accused the government of intimidating the media. He highlighted crimes against women, including the alleged sexual assault of a 65-year-old woman on International Women's Day, and cited statistics of murders and sexual offences over the past five years. He referred to the Vilathikulam case as an example of poor law enforcement and alleged that police actions were delayed in several cases. Annamalai further claimed that the state has not had a full-time Director General of Police for months and alleged that the police force has been restrained. He cited a case in Coimbatore involving a senior police official accused of sexual harassment, stating that action was delayed despite earlier complaints. K. Annamalai also accused the government of failing to fulfil its promise of providing three lakh government jobs, claiming only 43,000 jobs were given. He raised concerns over drug trafficking, stating that significant quantities of narcotics were seized but that the circulation of synthetic drugs had increased. He alleged irregularities in liquor sales through TASMAC and criticised the government's handling of COVID-19 resources, particularly in Coimbatore. He also accused individuals close to the Chief Minister of exerting pressure on media organisations. Calling for political change, he urged party cadres to work actively over the next 35 days and take the achievements of Edappadi K. Palaniswami to the public. He concluded by stating that the DMK government should be removed from power and that the NDA alliance must unite to secure victory in the upcoming elections. (ANI)
Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday reflected on his nearly six-month detention under the National Security Act in Jodhpur Central Jail, describing it as an experience that allowed him time for personal reflection. Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur Central Jail after nearly six months in detention, following the government's revocation of his detention under the NSA on Saturday. He expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue to move forward constructively. Speaking to ANI, Wangchuk said, "In my personal life, I would say it (6 months in jail) was positive. It was an experience that gave me time to reflect on myself. From a justice perspective, many mistakes were made, many wrongs were done, and these mistakes should never happen to anyone." "But the way they were withdrawn, I understand that there is an awareness of those mistakes, and where there is awareness, I won't revisit the issue. There should be no bitterness. We will come back to the table and move forward to move this country forward," he said. Earlier, while addressing a press conference, Wangchuk recounted his nearly six-month ordeal in Jodhpur Central Jail as a "huge horror story," highlighting the challenges his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, faced in seeking legal recourse. "I was waiting to come out (of the jail) either as we win in the court or after 12 months. I was very well prepared to spend 12 months and come out and share the horror stories of all the wrongs that happened to me and to her (Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo). Right from how abruptly from my home I was, you know, bundled up and thrown into this jail, without any opportunity even to call my family or my lawyers for days, more than a week. Or of her, who could not even meet journalists to voice her anguish with heavy security positioning around the campus and how she slipped out into Delhi to knock on the doors of the court and how for two or three weeks there was a kind of cat and mouse chase on the streets of Delhi with her cars followed by people in cars and motorcycles. It was all a filmy scene," he said. Wangchuk was taken into custody on September 26, 2025, two days after protests in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said he has not been in touch with Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi, who resigned as the sitting MP from Nagaon on Tuesday, adding that there is a possibility of future contact with him. Speaking to the reporters in the national capital, CM Sarma said, "I am not in touch with Pradyut Bordoloi. If he had spoken to the Union Home Minister, I would know, but I don't think he has spoken to any BJP leader yet. There is a possibility that we can have contact with Pradyut Bordoloi." This comes a month after former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah joined the BJP, who served in the Congress for three decades. Elections in Assam for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday. Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. The apex poll body said that Assam, along with the states of West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, will hold elections to their legislative assemblies, commencing from April 9. While Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will vote in a single phase on April 9, voters in Tamil Nadu will exercise their franchise in a single phase on April 23. Assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes for all four states and one union territory will take place on May 4, the Chief Election Commissioner said. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday reserved an order on a plea moved by Christian Michel James, challenging Article 17 of UAE India Extradition treaty. He has also sought release from custody as he claimed that he had undergone the maximum sentence during the court proceedings. He is an accsued in the Augusta Westland Chopper deal corruption and money laundering case. However, the investigation agencies opposed his plea on the grounds that he is an accused of forgery, which carries a life sentence as Punishment. Division bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja reserved order after hearing the submissions of ASG DP Singh, Standing counsel for Central Government, Satya Ranjan Swain and Advocate Aljo K Josheph, counsel for Christian Michel James The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had strongly opposed a plea moved by Christian Michel James challenging the applicability of the India-UAE Extradition Treaty, terming the petition a misuse of legal process and an attempt to reopen issues already settled by constitutional courts. In its reply, the CBI had argued that Michel is repeatedly re-agitating questions that have been conclusively decided by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. The agency had maintained that Michel's extradition from the United Arab Emirates was carried out strictly in accordance with the law and only after he exhausted all available legal remedies before courts in the UAE. Relying on findings of the Dubai Supreme Court, the CBI pointed out that Michel was extradited on allegations of misuse of position, money laundering, collusion, fraud, misappropriation and offering illegal gratification offences, which form the core of the prosecution in India. The ED, in its separate reply, echoed the CBI's stand and submitted that Michel's writ petition is liable to be dismissed as it seeks re-adjudication of settled issues, amounting to abuse of the High Court's extraordinary writ jurisdiction. The agency clarified that the UAE extradition decree itself records allegations of misuse of position, money laundering, fraud, collusion, misappropriation and illegal gratification, leaving no scope for invoking the Doctrine of Speciality under Section 21 of the Extradition Act. Emphasising the treaty framework, the ED stressed that Article 17 of the India-UAE Extradition Treaty expressly permits prosecution not only for offences for which extradition was sought but also for connected offences. According to the ED, this includes prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), negating Michel's claim that his trial violates extradition safeguards. Counsel for Michel had submitted that orders for his release had already been passed in both the CBI and ED cases and that bail conditions in the CBI matter had been modified. However, it was argued that despite this, Michel continues to face difficulties in staying in India due to the absence of valid travel documents. The court was informed that directions had been issued to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office to register Michel as a foreign national residing in India. Michel contended that although he applied for renewal of his passport pursuant to court directions, the same has not yet been issued. He argued that the central issue in the case concerns the interpretation of Article 17 of the extradition treaty vis-a-vis Section 21 of the Extradition Act, raising the question of whether an international treaty can override a law enacted by Parliament. Claiming that his maximum sentence concluded on December 4, Michel asserted that continued restrictions on him are unjustified. Michel has challenged Article 17 of the India-UAE Extradition Treaty, signed in 1999, which allows the requesting state to prosecute an extradited person not only for the offence for which extradition was granted but also for other connected offences. He was extradited from Dubai in December 2018 and subsequently arrested by the CBI and the ED in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. The CBI has alleged that the VVIP chopper deal caused a loss of over 398 million euros to the exchequer, while the ED has claimed that Michel received about 30 million euros as kickbacks from AgustaWestland. Michel is one of three alleged middlemen in the case, the others being Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. (ANI)
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Tuesday officially released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, featuring a major shift for senior leader PK Kunhalikutty, who will contest from the Malappuram constituency. The Indian Union Muslim League has announced its candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. PK Kunhalikutty will contest from Malappuram instead of Vengara. In Vengara, KM Shaji will be the party's candidate. Other candidates announced are: Faisal Babu - Kozhikode South, Fathima Tehliyya - Perambra, Jayanthi Rajan - Kuthuparamba Razaq Master - Kunnamangalam Rahmathulla - Manjeri, Anwar Naha - Tirurangadi. Meanwhile, the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, the Election Commission of India announced on Sunday, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. The Model Code of Conduct came into place on Sunday, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, also known as Kerala Niyamasabha. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23, 2026. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in a press conference said "Voting will be held across 2.19 lakh polling stations in four states and one UT, with 25 lakh election officials on duty." CEC Kumar said that around 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the elections in Kerala. The last date for filing nominations is March 23, with scrutiny of nominations on March 24 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures on March 26. Following the completion ennumeration excercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state electoral roll, the ECI released Kerala's final voter list on February 21. The Kerala CEO further mentioned that around 53,229 individuals have been deleted from the voters' list. The process of SIR was conducted from November 11, 2025, to January 30, 2026. The elections also highlighted Kerala's traditionally high voter participation, with turnout in many constituencies exceeding 80 per cent. In constituencies such as Kuttiadi and Taliparamba, turnout figures crossed the 85 per cent mark. Earlier, ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections, United Democratic Front ally Indian Union Muslim League planned to raise the demand for more seats within the alliance, based on the party's recent performance in the state civic polls. On January 3, IUML president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal confirmed that his party will seek more seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. He stated that IUML will contest in its existing constituencies and that candidates will be announced at an early stage, with women to be given priority. "The Indian Union Muslim League will seek a higher number of seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. The exact number of seats to be demanded has not yet been finalised. The League will contest in its existing constituencies, and candidates will be announced at an early stage. Women will be given priority in the candidate list... Seat-sharing decisions will be made purely based on winning prospects. The Muslim League has no political alliance with the Welfare Party of India," the IUML chief told ANI. (ANI)
Assam Congress Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi tendered his resignation to the AICC President, ending his lifelong association with the Congress party amid allegations of internal mistreatment. "With an overwhelming sense of sadness today, I hereby tender my resignation from all posts, privileges and the primary membership of the Indian National Congress, " reads his resignation letter. Pradyut Bordoloi, while speaking to the reporters, said on Tuesday, "Today, I have abandoned one of the most important principles of my life, and I am not happy with it.... However, I made this decision because I was being insulted on many issues by anyone who approached me from within the Congress Party, especially in the Assam Congress. Even the Congress leadership was not showing sympathy towards me... I have become very lonely because I have been associated with the Congress all my life... But of late, I have been having a lot of difficulty surviving, so I have to make this decision. Yes, I have submitted this resignation letter to the AICC President." Meanwhile, Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi also met with Bordoloi."The Chief Minister of Assam is trying to politically tarnish the image of our senior MP, Pradyut Bordoloi, through the media. General Secretary Jitendra Singh and I have just met with Pradyut Bordoloi and had a detailed discussion about the upcoming elections," Gogoi said. Gaurav Gogoi further said, "I have come after talking to him, and I condemn the kind of things that are coming out in the media." On the other hand, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking to the reporters, said, "I am not in touch with Pradyut Bordoloi. If he had spoken to the Union Home Minister, I would know, but I don't think he has spoken to any BJP leader yet. There is a possibility that we can have contact with Pradyut Bordoloi." Earlier in February, following his resignation from the Congress party, Bhupen Kumar Borah reflected on his 32-year political career, highlighting his rise from MLA to Assam Congress chief and his role in shaping the party's alliances in the state. "I started the talks. On the 11th, Gaurav Gogoi said, 'You shouldn't go alone, take Rakibul Hussain along too'... I was talking to all the parties, but on the 13th, Gaurav Gogoi announced that Bhupen Borah had created a misunderstanding. I asked him why he had humiliated me in front of everyone, but he gave no answer... I even told Rahul Gandhi that I couldn't tolerate such humiliation. But no one said anything," he said. Meanwhile, Assam Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, "Let him go. I will give him my blessings... He was my president, we worked together, and when I first became a new MLA in 2001, he also told me a little about how to present my views in the Assembly. He gave me good advice. I don't know what happened afterwards. I respect his guidance, when I was a first-timer in the Assembly". In February, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with the former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah, fueling speculation of a high-profile political switch ahead of the state assembly elections. The meeting came a day after Borah submitted his resignation from Congress, raising concerns within the party just weeks before the polls. The development has added to the ongoing political uncertainty in Assam. Earlier, before the meeting with Himanta Biswa Sarma, Borah said he would withdraw his resignation if senior leaders Pradyut Bordoloi and Debabrata Saikia convinced him that the party unit was functioning in its true spirit. (ANI)
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners staged a joint protest at the Dindigul Clock Tower area to condemn the policies of the state government led by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). AIADMK Treasurer and MLA Dindigul Srinivasan, Natham Viswanathan, and BJP State Secretary Rama Srinivasan participated in the protest held on Tuesday. Speaking at the protest, former AIADMK Minister Dindigul Srinivasan said, "With the blessings of MGR and Jayalalithaa, and in alliance with the PMK, we are functioning as the opposition with 75 MLAs. At present, the DMK has distributed hot boxes worth 100. They have also distributed sarees. However, women are asking how they can wear the saree without a petticoat." "They( DMK ) have brought disgrace to the entire state of Tamil Nadu. They think they can defeat us using money," he added. Meanwhile, the political temperature in Tamil Nadu has heightened as opposition parties staged a large-scale protest in Tiruppur, targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government while also highlighting central government support for local farmers. The protest, organised under the banner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saw AIADMK leaders and BJP representatives address a gathering of party workers and citizens, outlining alleged failings of the DMK administration. Speaking to reporters at the event, AIADMK leader Pollachi Jayaraman said, "The countdown has begun for the DMK government. People are fed up with corruption, rising costs, and the lack of safety for women. The DMK has no chance of returning as a major force in the 234 constituencies. The people are ready for a change, and Edappadi Palaniswami will lead Tamil Nadu to a new future." He cited several grievances, including allegations of large-scale sand and mineral smuggling, growing sexual assault cases, and economic strain from increased house, property, water, and garbage taxes. "The government seems more interested in supplying drugs to the youth than books," he added, drawing sharp criticism. BJP Mahila Morcha National President Vanathi Srinivasan said, "The Finance Minister has allocated three and a half minutes in the budget specifically for coconut farmers, an unprecedented step. New schemes have been introduced to ensure the welfare and growth of our farmers in Tamil Nadu." The protest also focused on Tamil heritage and culture. Leaders emphasised the importance of archaeological sites such as Keezhadi and Adichanallur, noting that the central government has sanctioned funds for museums and research to showcase the antiquity of Tamil culture. "This heritage belongs to the millions of people in Tamil Nadu. The state government should not take sole credit through sticker politics," the speakers asserted. This comes as Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani has issued a message to the Muslim world saying that Iran remains "steadfast" in its fight against the US and Israel. Larijani expressed disappointment at what he perceived as lack of support from Muslim-majority countries when Iran came under attack. "Iran was subjected to a treacherous American-Zionist aggression that occurred during negotiations and whose aim was to dismantle Iran. This aggression led to the martyrdom of the great and self-sacrificing leader of the Islamic Revolution and a number of civilians and military commanders," he said on Monday. "Some nations have gone even further, declaring Iran to be their adversary simply because it targeted American bases - as well as American and Israeli interests - situated within their own territories," Larijani added. While Iran stresses that it is only striking US interests in the Middle East, its drones and missiles have targeted civilian sites, including hotels and energy installment in the Gulf region. Larijani said Iran cannot be "expected to stand idly by with its hands tied" while US bases are located in neighbouring countries. "The confrontation today is, in reality, between America and Israel on one side, and Muslim Iran and the forces of resistance on the other. Which side are you on, then?" he said. Larijani called for Muslim unity, stressing that Iran does not seek "hegemony" over the region. "You know full well that America has no loyalty, and that Israel is, in fact, your enemy," he said. https://x.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2033552693759787104?s=20 Meanwhile, the Israeli military says its air force overnight on Monday dismantled the aircraft used by Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in "a precise strike" at Mehrabad Airport in the capital city of Tehran, as per Al Jazeera. "The dismantling of the aircraft disrupts the Iranian regime leadership's coordination capabilities with axis countries, it's military force build-up efforts and its ability to rehabilitate its capabilities," its statement published on Telegram said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. (ANI)
A 61-year-old New York man has been exonerated and released after serving 19 years in prison for a roughly $550 robbery that prosecutors now say he did not commit.

Kenneth Windley walked out of a Brooklyn courthouse on Monday after a judge threw out his 2007 robbery conviction and dismissed the case at the joint request of prosecutors and his lawyers.

Prosecutors told the court they now agree he was not involved in the 2005 robbery that sent him to prison. Windley said the ruling "corrected" what had cost him nearly two decades of his life, according to ABC News.

The Brooklyn district attorney's office said a new review of the case found evidence backing Windley's long-standing claim of innocence.

That evidence included sworn statements and interviews in which two other men admitted they robbed 70-year-old Gerald Ross and said Windley was not involved. Officials described the men's accounts as compelling and noted both are already serving time for similar robberies targeting older bank customers in Brooklyn.

Windley was arrested after he used a $542.77 money order to buy a stove for his mother, not knowing it had been stolen from Ross during the robbery, according to prosecutors, NBC News reported.

He said acquaintances sold him the money order at a discount and assured him it was legitimate. Ross later identified Windley in a police lineup, and a jury convicted him of second-degree robbery; because of prior felonies, he was sentenced to 20 years to life.

The district attorney's office said the later-confessed robbers' statements were supported by prison phone recordings and emails. After reviewing the new material, prosecutors joined the defense in asking the court to vacate the conviction.

Windley, who first entered prison on the case in 2007, is now fully cleared of the robbery, though any civil action over his wrongful conviction has not yet been announced, as per the San Francisco Gate.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
India on Monday rubbished a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, which recommended the US government designate it as a "country of particular concern," or CPC and to put sanctions on certain individuals and entities. A statement by the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said that the report was motivated and biased in its characterisation of India. "We have taken note of the latest report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India. For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts. Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself," the statement read. It further added, "Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention." The recent report by the USCIRF has called for US to reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 , "Designate India as a "country of particular concern," or CPC, for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA); Press India to allow US government entities such as USCIRF and the U.S. Department of State to conduct in-country assessments of religious freedom conditions." It further said, "Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, such as India's Research and Analysis Wing and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their responsibility and tolerance of severe violations of religious freedom by freezing those individuals' or entities' assets and/or barring their entry into the United States; Link future U.S. security assistance and bilateral trade policies with India to improvements in religious freedom; and Enforce Section 6 of the Arms Export Control Act to halt arms sales to India based on continued acts of intimidation and harassment against U.S. citizens and religious minorities. The U.S. Congress should: Reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024 to require the annual reporting of acts of transnational repression by the Indian government targeting religious minorities in the United States." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he does not believe Israel would use a nuclear weapon in its war with Iran, CNN reported. "Israel wouldn't do that. Israel would never do that," Trump told reporters at the White House, as per CNN. According to CNN, his remarks came after the White House artificial intelligence and crypto czar, David Sacks recently suggested in an interview that there were concerns about possible escalation. "You have to worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon," Sacks said. Trump's comments also follow remarks he made a day earlier about the alignment between US and Israeli military objectives, CNN reported. "The relationship has been very good. The militaries are very well coordinated," Trump told reporters on Sunday aboard Air Force One, while noting that the two countries' goals in the conflict may not be exactly the same, as reported by CNN. Meanwhile, Donald Trump said on Monday that a former US president recently told him he wished he had taken action against Iran while he was in office, though Trump declined to reveal the identity of the leader, CNN reported. "I've spoken to a certain president, who I like, actually, a past president, former president. He said, 'I wish I did it. I wish I did.' But they didn't do it. I'm doing it," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday, according to CNN. According to CNN, four former US presidents are living -- Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. CNN further reported that Trump declined to name the former president, saying he did not want to cause embarrassment. "I don't want to embarrass him. Would be very bad for his career, even though he's got no career," Trump said. According to CNN, Trump has defended his administration's military actions against Iran, even as the move has puzzled some of the GOP's "America First" wing and contributed to rising gas prices. CNN reported that Trump has argued the actions are justified, stating that Iran has been creating problems for the United States for nearly half a century. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said he agreed with Donald Trump that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that the recent military action was carried out under the president's leadership. "I agree with the President that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon. We took this military action under the President's leadership. All of us - whether a democrat or republican - should pray for the success and safety of our troops," he said. (ANI)
India and Bangladesh on Monday discussed the review of the Line of Credit (LOC) and Bangladesh's participation in India's power exchange market. They also talked about how Bangladesh can gain insights from India's digital financial system. High Commissioner Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser (Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning) in the Prime Minister's Office on 16 March 2026. They discussed various aspects of India-Bangladesh economic cooperation, including ways to strengthen transport, energy and digital connectivity between the two countries. They also explored new areas for future collaboration in people-centric domains aligned with the respective developmental priorities of the two countries based on mutual interest and mutual benefit. "We mainly discussed three things. First, we talked about reviewing the Line of Credit (LOC) between Bangladesh and India on the basis of mutual interest, and both sides agreed on this. Second, we discussed India's market-based power exchange grid, from which Bhutan and Nepal already buy electricity, and whether Bangladesh could join that as well. Besides that, we discussed India's financial digital system--such as Aadhaar card and other operations--and we discussed how we can gain insights from that. These three topics were the main focus of our discussion", Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, told ANI over the phone. Earlier on March 15, an official said that Bangladesh will import an additional 45,000 tons of diesel from India by April. "Recently, 5,000 tons of diesel arrived in Bangladesh from India, and we will receive another 5,000 tons around the 18th or 19th of March in Bangladesh from India", Md. Murshed Hossain Azad, General Manager (Commercial & Operations) of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) told ANI over the phone. "We have received a proposal to import an additional 40,000 tons of diesel from India. Once the procedural work is completed--that is, the opening of the LC and other formalities--this 40,000 tons of diesel will also arrive in Bangladesh by April," he added. Between India and Bangladesh, diesel was previously imported from India by train wagons until the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline was launched. Then, in March 2023, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, inaugurated this Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline, and since then, diesel has been imported from India through this pipeline. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday extended greetings to the people of Iran on the holiday season, expressing hope for the triumph of good over evil amid ongoing regional tensions. In a video message shared on X, Netanyahu said, "To the brave people of Iran, I wish you, as I do every year, a happy holiday season, beginning with the Festival of Lights. It signifies the age-old belief of the Iranian people that light will triumph over darkness, that good will triumph over evil." https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2033630391135785162 His remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, with multiple global leaders engaging on issues related to regional security and stability. Meanwhile, President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had spoken with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani regarding the evolving security situation in the Gulf and Middle East. "Just spoke with @IKRPresident Nechirvan Barzani about the ongoing security situation in the Middle East and Gulf Region. Today, Kurdistan Region's role as a stabilising force is more critical than ever. The EU is determined to work alongside you to ensure safety and protect the hard-earned progress in rebuilding. We will continue supporting the Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region," she wrote on X. https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/2033608304891764764 Separately, Iran's exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi announced the formation of a committee aimed at advancing transitional justice mechanisms in Iran. "My dear compatriots... Today, with pride, and in pursuit of justice for each and every one of you, I have issued the decree to establish the 'Committee for Drafting Transitional Justice Regulations,'" Pahlavi said in a post shared on X. https://x.com/PahlaviReza/status/2033581112920797364 He added that the committee would work on drafting frameworks for a court and a truth-finding commission, with participation from legal experts across generations, including Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi. Pahlavi emphasised the broader goal of ensuring accountability and justice, stating, "The truth will be revealed. Justice will be served. Light will triumph over darkness." Meanwhile, Iran's top security official on Monday urged Muslim-majority countries to reconsider their stance toward Tehran amid its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, CNN reported. CNN reported that Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, in a letter written in Arabic, called on leaders to "think about the future of the Islamic world." According to CNN, Larijani said, "Today the confrontation is between America and Israel on one side and the forces of resistance on the other." He added, "You know that America is loyal to no one, and that Israel is an enemy to you. Pause for a moment and reflect on yourselves and on the future of the region. Iran is sincere in its counsel to you and does not seek to dominate you." CNN stated that Larijani described the situation as "American-Zionist aggression," alleging that the campaign was aimed at weakening Iran, while also criticising what he termed limited support from Muslim-majority nations during the crisis. According to CNN, he further claimed that despite the attacks, the Iranian people had demonstrated strong national and Islamic resistance. CNN reported that the letter comes as several Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, have condemned Iranian strikes on their territories since the conflict began more than two weeks ago. Iran has maintained that it will continue targeting locations it says are linked to US bases in the region, CNN reported. Meanwhile, four people were injured in northern Israel after Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets and drones on Monday afternoon, CNN reported, citing Israel's emergency response service Magen David Adom (MDA). As per CNN, at least one projectile struck the coastal town of Nahariyya, located a few kilometres south of the border with Lebanon. Video released by MDA showed flames engulfing a heavily damaged building and a destroyed vehicle. According to CNN, three individuals were taken to the hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation, while emergency teams responded at the scene, MDA said. The Israeli military assessed the damage was likely caused by a direct hit rather than a failed interceptor missile falling back to the ground, as reported by CNN. In a separate incident, a man in his 40s sustained mild to moderate injuries due to the blast, reported CNN. CNN reported that Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had launched rockets and drones targeting Nahariyya. According to CNN, Israel's Home Front Command was deployed to assist civilians following the strike. (ANI)
The US Embassy and a hotel in Baghdad were targeted by drones early Tuesday, with video appearing to show air defences engaging a projectile near the embassy, CNN reported. The Majnoon oil field in southern Iraq also came under attack, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of Iraq''s armed forces said, according to the US broadcaster. Meanwhile, a report in the Anadolu Agency cited an unnamed security source telling the Shafaq news agency that four drones attempted to target the US Embassy in Baghdad. The report added that Iraq''s air defences managed to intercept and shoot down all drones before they reached their targets, the source said, noting that one drone fell on Abu Nuwas Street, while another landed near the embassy inside the Green Zone. A new wave of rockets has struck an American diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport, as per a report by Al Jazeera. Iraq''s Ministry of Interior confirmed that a drone fell on the Al-Rasheed Hotel early Tuesday local time, according to CNN. "The ministry wishes to clarify that, after specialized forensic teams conducted an on-site and technical inspection, it was found that a drone had struck the upper fence of the hotel, without resulting in any loss of life or significant material damage," Iraq''s interior ministry said in a statement. Videos, geolocated by CNN, shows an explosion close to the vicinity of the US Embassy in Baghdad. Other videos showed a projectile consistent with a drone impacting the area near the embassy, and air defence systems engaging a projectile over Baghdad around 600 meters away from the embassy compound. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates temporarily closed its airspace after two separate fires broke out at the Fujairah oil zone and the Shah gas field after drone strikes at both locations, CNN reported. Tensions seem to escalate further between the US-Israel and Iran as both sides continue with attacks. Earlier, the Ministry of Defence in Saudi Arabia confirmed that several unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralised in the eastern portion of the kingdom. According to officials, the drones were "intercepted and destroyed" after being detected in the region. This defensive action follows an earlier report from the ministry regarding a similar security operation in the same area. In that instance, Saudi forces engaged six drones, all of which were "successfully destroyed" to prevent any impact. In the context of these heightening tensions, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, held a telephone conversation yesterday with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to review regional developments, as reported by Gulf News. During the call, the two leaders assessed the impact of escalating military actions, which they identified as presenting "grave threats to regional and global security and stability". The discussion, according to Gulf News, also addressed the ongoing and "blatant Iranian attacks" directed at nations throughout the region. Both parties noted that these actions constitute a "violation of sovereign rights" of the affected countries and contravene established international norms. Before this, a tanker was hit by an "unknown projectile" approximately 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).The agency noted in a post on X that the vessel was "at anchor" when the incident occurred. While the strike caused "minor structural damage" to the tanker, the vessel''s integrity remained stable. There were "no injuries reported" to the crew following the impact, the maritime agency confirmed in its advisory. Furthermore, officials stated that "no environmental impact" was detected in the surrounding waters. The UKMTO has confirmed that "authorities are investigating" the matter. In the meantime, all vessels operating in the region have been "advised to transit with caution" and to notify the agency of any "suspicious activity." This maritime incident coincides with reports of further instability on land. A fire has erupted within the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following a drone strike at the facility, according to a report by Al Jazeera, citing the local government''s media office. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Tuesday recorded the presence of 2 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around its territory. Sharing the details in a post on X, the MND said that two sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ and that it has monitored the situation and responded. "2 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded", MND wrote on X. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2033709909464723554?s=20 Earlier on Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence detected 2 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) and 7 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels around its territory up until 6 am (local time). Taiwanese forces also said that they have monitored the situation and responded. On Sunday, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence detected 26 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) and 7 People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels around its territory up until 6 am (local time). Taiwanese forces also said that sixteen of the twenty-six sorties entered the country's northern, central and southwestern part Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Taiwanese forces also said that they have monitored the situation and responded. In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence wrote, "26 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 16 out of 26 sorties entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern part ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded." China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India. China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. (ANI)
The incident was triggered by falling debris following the successful neutralisation of an aerial threat.

According to the ministry, "Civil Defence staff are dealing with a 'limited fire'" at the site, which was caused by "shrapnel falling from an intercepted missile."

In a statement released on social media, the ministry provided an update on the safety of the area, noting that there have been "no injuries recorded" thus far.

The ground-level emergency follows a broader engagement by the nation's protective systems. The Ministry of Defence in Qatar announced that the nation was the subject of an aerial attack today involving "14 Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones", as reported by Gulf News.

In an official update released via the Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ministry confirmed that the military response was effective, noting that the "Qatari Armed Forces successfully intercepted all drones and 13 ballistic missiles" launched during the assault.

According to Gulf News, while the vast majority of the threats were neutralised, "one missile fell in an uninhabited area" after the primary defence systems were bypassed.

Authorities have further clarified that the single projectile that reached the ground did so "without causing any losses".

The armed forces continue to maintain a high state of alert following the incident, as these developments occur while the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its 18th day.

The crisis, which began on 28 February, was triggered by US and Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has consistently targeted US bases and regional interests to demonstrate its retaliatory military capabilities. (ANI)
Baloch activist Sammi Deen Baloch has strongly criticised remarks made by the chief minister of Balochistan, who alleged that Balochi poetry was being used to radicalise young people in the province. Activists argue that the growing frustration among Baloch youth is not caused by literature but by years of state repression and controversial policies. The chief minister made the statement during a session of the Balochistan Assembly, claiming that certain Balochi poems were encouraging young people to join armed groups. The remarks quickly drew backlash from activists and political voices, who said the government was attempting to shift attention away from deeper issues affecting the region, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, responding to the comments, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Sammi Deen Baloch said authorities should evaluate their policies in Balochistan instead of blaming poetry and literature for the discontent among young people. She argued that the anger seen among Baloch youth is largely the result of long-standing grievances, including enforced disappearances, restrictions on civil liberties, and ongoing security operations. In a sarcastic reaction to the chief minister's remarks, she said that if poetry truly had the power to radicalise the youth, then institutions promoting the Balochi language should be strictly monitored and books confiscated. She remarked that books encourage critical thinking and that authorities often see "thinking youth" as a threat. She added that, by the same reasoning, libraries should be closed and Baloch students should be removed from universities and colleges, since education encourages young people to question government policies and narratives. She further criticised what she described as systematic efforts to silence dissent in the province. She pointed to restrictions on movement, limited employment opportunities, and internet shutdowns, saying these measures prevent people from witnessing what she called state repression in Balochistan. She also raised the issue of enforced disappearances, claiming that many Baloch individuals are taken into custody for years and later denied by official accounts, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. She accused the state of relying on policies of bans, restrictions, and violence instead of addressing the root causes of mistrust among the Baloch population. Referring to recent developments, she mentioned reports from Panjgur where 22 young men were allegedly killed in suspected extrajudicial actions within roughly twenty days. She stated that Baloch youth are not turning against the state because of poetry or books, but because of prolonged repression, bloodshed, and policies that suppress dissent in the region, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
Multiple explosions have rocked Iraq's capital, with at least four people killed in an air raid on a building used by an Iran-backed group, according to a report by Al Jazeera, citing witnesses and security sources. The deadly attack in the Jadiriya district followed the sounds of an explosion from near the US embassy compound, located within the heavily fortified Green Zone. Al Jazeera noted that verified footage shows fire and smoke rising from the vicinity of the embassy, while additional clips showed "air defence systems intercepting several drones" in the skies nearby. Adding to the chaos, CNN reported that both the US Embassy and a hotel were targeted by drones early Tuesday. Geolocated video showed an explosion close to the embassy and air defence systems engaging a projectile approximately 600 metres from the compound. Simultaneously, a new wave of rockets struck an American diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport. Iraq's Ministry of Interior confirmed that a drone fell on the Al-Rasheed Hotel during the early hours. In a statement, the ministry clarified that forensic teams found the drone had struck the hotel's upper fence "without resulting in any loss of life or significant material damage". The instability has extended to Iraq's vital energy infrastructure, with the Majnoon oil field in southern Iraq also coming under attack, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of Iraq's armed forces. Meanwhile, Anadolu Agency cited security sources stating that four drones attempted to target the US Embassy; all were intercepted, with debris landing on Abu Nuwas Street and within the Green Zone. This surge in violence in Iraq coincides with a broader regional escalation. According to CNN, the United Arab Emirates was forced to temporarily close its airspace after drone strikes triggered separate fires at the Fujairah oil zone and the Shah gas field. In a related maritime incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker was hit by an "unknown projectile" approximately 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah. While the strike caused "minor structural damage" to the vessel while it was "at anchor," there were "no injuries reported" and "no environmental impact" was detected. Further west, the Ministry of Defence in Saudi Arabia confirmed that several unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralised in the eastern portion of the kingdom. Officials stated the drones were "intercepted and destroyed" after being detected, following a similar operation where Saudi forces successfully engaged six drones to prevent any impact. In response to these heightening tensions, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to review regional developments. According to Gulf News, the two leaders identified the escalating military actions as presenting "grave threats to regional and global security and stability" and addressed what they termed "blatant Iranian attacks" directed at nations throughout the region. Both leaders noted that these actions constitute a "violation of sovereign rights" and contravene established international norms, as the broader conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran continues to intensify. (ANI)
The Israeli Health Ministry has reported that 3,530 people have sustained injuries and been admitted to hospitals since the outbreak of the war. Providing a breakdown of the current medical status, the ministry stated that 86 individuals are presently hospitalised, including eight patients in serious condition. This medical update comes as the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) transition to a more aggressive military posture. In an announcement made yesterday, the IDF officially confirmed the commencement of "limited and targeted ground operations" against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the military explained that the manoeuvre is "aimed at enhancing the forward defence area." This initial phase is part of a "broader defensive effort to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture," which specifically targets the "dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area." Further detailing the tactical deployment, the IDF specified that "91st Division Forces" have begun "focused ground activity" to expand the designated defence zone. The military emphasised that this expansion is vital "to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for the residents of the north". To prepare the battlefield for these ground units, the IDF disclosed that it "struck numerous terror targets in the area using artillery and the Air Force" prior to the forces' entry. These operations are currently being conducted "alongside the 146th Division", with the primary mission of "defending the Galilee settlements". Accompanying the military's briefing was visual documentation, including night-vision footage and high-contrast images. The visuals depict IDF soldiers moving through dense Lebanese terrain, while other images capture troops inside structures inspecting equipment, illustrating the "focused" nature of the mission to dismantle infrastructure. The IDF maintained that these actions are a direct response to the "Hezbollah terror organisation, which decided to join the campaign and operate under the auspices of the Iranian terror regime". The military asserted that it "will not allow harm to the civilians of the State of Israel" as operations continue in southern Lebanon. (ANI)
A Massachusetts high school senior accused of fatally stabbing a 68-year-old nurse in what authorities call a random home invasion told investigators he had "wanted to kill someone for a long time," according to newly released court documents.

Prosecutors say 18-year-old Anthony DeMayo, a student at Bishop Fenwick High School, has been charged with murder and armed home invasion in the killing of Janet Swallow inside her Danvers home.

He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Salem District Court on Friday and has been ordered held without bail. A judge also directed that he undergo a mental health evaluation at a state hospital to determine his competency, according to People.

Police in nearby Lynn first encountered DeMayo after reports of a suspicious person and found him walking while carrying a blood-covered knife, according to a statement of facts filed in court.

Authorities say he then told officers he had killed someone and led them to Swallow's address on Amherst Street in Danvers. Inside, investigators found Swallow dead in her bedroom from apparent stab wounds.

According to police reports and court filings, DeMayo allegedly stated that he had planned the act "for a long time" and "wanted to kill someone for a long time," Komo News reported.

Investigators say he told them he drove through several communities before stopping in Danvers, where he picked a house after noticing a nearby construction site with a gray portable toilet. He allegedly said he broke in by ripping a window screen and climbing into the kitchen before attacking Swallow as she slept.

Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker has said there is no known connection between DeMayo and Swallow and has described the attack as random.

Swallow, an ICU nurse at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, had lived in the neighborhood for decades and was described by colleagues as a dedicated caregiver. Grieving friends and neighbors have created a memorial in front of her home as the community awaits further court proceedings in the case, as per Law and Crime.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Amar Sinha on Tuesday termed Pakistan's recent airstrikes in Afghanistan a "major escalation," calling the reported bombing of a hospital in Kabul a "war crime". Speaking to ANI, Sinha said the strike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, which reportedly led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians undergoing treatment, cannot be justified under any military pretext. "This is a major escalation by Pakistan. Hitting a hospital and causing the death of hundreds of civilians under treatment is a war crime," Sinha said. He noted that tensions along the Durand Line, the international border separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, have historically seen frequent skirmishes and exchanges of fire, but the use of air power by Pakistan marks a significant shift in the conflict dynamics. "Skirmishes across the Durand Line happen all the time, but the use of the air force since October last year represents a major escalation," the diplomat said. According to Sinha, Pakistan's actions reflect both "frustration and arrogance" in its current relationship with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. "It represents Pakistan's frustration at its loss of relevance with the Taliban government and also its arrogance. Perhaps it is using the current geopolitical situation to settle scores with impunity as Afghanistan lacks air power," he said. The former envoy warned that the escalation could further destabilise the region, particularly at a time when tensions in West Asia are already high. "There is no doubt this is destabilising for the region and only adds to the complexity created by attacks on Iran," Sinha added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned Pakistan's airstrike, describing it as a "cowardly and unconscionable act of violence." In a statement issued today the MEA said India "unequivocally condemns Pakistan's barbaric airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul on the night of March 16." The ministry said the attack had claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility that "can by no means be justified as a military target," adding that Pakistan was attempting to "dress up a massacre as a military operation." India called on the international community to hold those responsible accountable and reiterated its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while extending condolences to the victims and their families. More than 400 people have died while hundreds more have suffered injuries after a Pakistani military airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, Afghan officials said, according to a report by Tolo News. The attack has become one of the deadliest single strikes on civilians in Afghanistan in recent years. TOLO news reported, citing Afghan authorities, that the strike took place late at night and caused massive destruction at the rehabilitation facility. Many of the victims were patients and staff who were present at the centre at the time of the attack. According to the deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, the number of casualties has continued to rise since the incident. "Following last night's bombardment by Pakistan's military regime on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, the number of martyrs has so far risen to 400, while the number of injured has reached 250," TOLO News, citing Fitrat, reported. The incident is likely to strain already fragile ties between Kabul and Islamabad. Regional and international observers have warned of the wider implications of such attacks on efforts to maintain stability in Afghanistan, which has seen years of conflict following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, concluded an official visit to Brussels from March 15-16, 2026, at the invitation of European Union High Representative and Vice President (HRVP), Kaja Kallas. The visit comes within six weeks of the historic State Visit of EU leaders to India as Guests of Honour for the 77th Republic Day celebrations and the successful 16th India-EU Summit, reflecting India's ongoing high-level engagement with the European Union. During his visit, EAM Jaishankar held meetings with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. He conveyed "warm greetings of President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi" to the EU leadership. Discussions focused on strengthening India-EU relations in the wake of the Summit and advancing priorities set out in the joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, including early conclusion of the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deliberations on West Asia, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific. EAM Jaishankar also participated in an interaction with the EU Foreign Affairs Council chaired by HRVP Kallas, which included Foreign Ministers of EU member states. Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, joined the session. Highlighting "the strong momentum following the India-EU Summit in January 2026," Jaishankar called for unlocking the full potential of the FTA, deepening defence industrial collaboration, expanding maritime co-operation under the Security and Defence partnership, transforming the Trade and Technology Council into "a more outcome driven forum integrated with industry," and advancing sustainable development and green energy collaboration. He stressed the importance of synergies between India's relations with the EU and individual member states, a sentiment echoed by his counterparts. Ministers also exchanged views on pressing global issues, particularly energy security in West Asia, the Ukraine crisis, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council, EAM Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with HRVP Kallas. Both leaders reaffirmed "their shared ambition to further elevate India-EU cooperation to a higher strategic level" and agreed to convene the next India-EU Trade and Technology Council and Strategic Dialogue meetings at the earliest. EAM Jaishankar additionally met bilaterally with foreign ministers from Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Slovakia, discussing political exchanges, economic ties, defence and security cooperation, critical technologies, green transition, people-to-people exchanges, and global developments. India and Belgium agreed to establish a Strategic Dialogue at the EAM-FM level. Jaishankar also interacted with media representatives during the visit. India-EU relations are now entering "a phase of renewed strategic momentum," with intensified engagement to implement the 'Towards 2030: A Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda'. (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed recent warnings from Tehran, stating that the nation remains undeterred by the "Iranian regime's threats to Ukraine over our support for the Gulf countries". In a statement shared via social media, Zelenskyy dismissed the rhetoric as a recurring theme in regional diplomacy. "This is nothing new. I have heard many different messages over the last four years," the President remarked, according to an interview with i24NEWS and the Jerusalem Post. He highlighted that the focus of Ukraine's involvement remains purely protective, noting that "the United States and leaders of Middle Eastern countries asked for help with drone interceptors." He further explained that these nations "sought our expertise in air defence" to counter aerial threats. Zelenskyy emphasised the non-aggressive nature of the collaboration, asserting that "air defence is not about offensive capabilities." He reaffirmed the country's commitment to regional security, stating, "That's why I said that we were ready to help with this expertise and defensive systems." Reflecting on the history of such warnings, the President reiterated that Kyiv would not be intimidated. "We are not afraid of any messages of the kind. We have heard such messages every day for the last four years, for 12 years, to be precise. It's not new for us," he stated. Beyond the diplomatic friction, Ukraine is seeking financial compensation and technological partnerships as reciprocity for deploying specialists to the Middle East. These teams were sent to assist in neutralising Iranian drones during the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. According to a report by Al Jazeera, President Zelenskyy informed reporters on Sunday that three specialist teams were dispatched to the region to conduct expert assessments and provide demonstrations on the functionality of drone defences. This move comes as Middle Eastern nations face continued targeting by Iran due to their hosting of US military installations. Clarifying the nature of the mission, Zelenskyy emphasised that the deployment does not signal direct military participation. "This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran," he stated. Last week, the Ukrainian leader announced that military personnel had been sent to various locations, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a US military base in Jordan. Al Jazeera noted that Zelenskyy is looking toward the negotiation of long-term drone agreements with Gulf nations, although the specific terms of what Kyiv will receive in exchange for its expertise are yet to be finalised. Highlighting Ukraine's primary requirements, the President remarked, "For us today, both the technology and the funding are important." Throughout the four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow has frequently deployed Iranian Shahed-136 "suicide" drones. As highlighted by Al Jazeera, this has provided Kyiv with extensive experience in intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles using cost-effective interceptors, electronic jamming equipment, and anti-aircraft systems. Despite this expertise, US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington does not require Ukrainian assistance to counter Iranian drone strikes against American interests. Zelenskyy expressed uncertainty regarding why a drone agreement with Washington, a deal Kyiv has advocated for over several months, has not yet been secured. "I wanted to sign a deal worth about $35bn-50bn," he revealed. As reported by Al Jazeera, the Ukrainian President also voiced concerns that the escalating Middle Eastern crisis could affect the supply of air defence missiles to Kyiv. "We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East," he told the press. Amid rising international interest in Ukrainian drone technology, Zelenskyy insisted that procurement regulations must be made more stringent to ensure foreign entities cannot circumvent the government. "Unfortunately, representatives of certain governments or companies want to bypass the Ukrainian state to purchase specific equipment," he observed. According to Al Jazeera, Zelenskyy noted that even in "free countries," initial contracts often fail to emerge from the private sector first. He explained that such agreements typically reach him through "the political channel" before private sector negotiations can commence. (ANI)
In a statement issued by Hakkal, the media wing of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the group claimed a series of coordinated attacks between March 14 and March 16 in the region. According to the BLA, the armed group carried out multiple operations targeting Pakistani military installations and convoys in different parts of the region over three days. The first attack reportedly took place on March 14 in the Garuk area of Kharan district. The BLA claimed that its fighters ambushed a convoy of Pakistani forces using rockets and other heavy weapons. According to the group, at least six military vehicles were struck during the assault, leading to the deaths of 14 soldiers, while more than ten others were injured. The group also stated that a day earlier, its fighters intercepted a truck transporting food supplies to a military outpost in the same region. The vehicle was later set ablaze, while the drivers were reportedly released unharmed, which the BLA said was in line with its operational policy. Another attack was reported on March 15, when BLA fighters allegedly targeted a military base and a jet fuel storage facility at Turbat Airport. According to the statement, grenade launchers were used in the assault, causing damage to infrastructure at the site. However, independent confirmation of the reported damage was not immediately available. On the same day, the group claimed that one of its urban guerrilla units carried out a carefully planned attack on a Coast Guard checkpoint in the Panwan area of Jiwani in Gwadar district. The BLA alleged that its fighters disguised themselves before launching the assault, which resulted in the deaths of three Coast Guard personnel identified as Naik Saleem, Sepoy Adnan Rao, and Sepoy Azeem. The group also claimed to have seized weapons and ammunition from the post. In a separate operation on March 16, the BLA said it detonated a remote-controlled improvised explosive device targeting a Pakistani military convoy in the Bakhtiar Loni area of Dukki district. The explosion reportedly destroyed a military vehicle and killed ten soldiers. (ANI)
The Central Tibetan Administration has commemorated Tibetan monk Sonam Dhargyal on the anniversary of his self-immolation protest, highlighting ongoing concerns among Tibetans over religious freedom and the preservation of their cultural identity. In a post shared on social media platform X, the Tibetan government-in-exile paid tribute to those who carried out self-immolation protests against Chinese government policies in Tibet. The post recalled that on March 17, 2012, Sonam Dhargyal, a 44-year-old father of three, set himself on fire in the Rebgong region of Tibet as an act of defiance. He succumbed to his injuries the same day. Following his death, thousands of Tibetans gathered in Rebgong, located in the Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Amdo province, to mourn and mark his passing. According to the statement, Sonam Dhargyal was a farmer and a native of Rebgong County. He was the son of Shamo Dhargyal and Chagmo Gyal. The Central Tibetan Administration noted that his self-immolation was the second such incident in the Rebgong region within days. Earlier, on March 14, 2012, Jamyang Palden, a monk in his thirties, had self-immolated near Rongpo Monastery. The statement further highlighted that the region witnessed a heavy security presence at the time, with reports indicating that Tibetans participating in prayer vigils or protests faced a heightened risk of detention and retaliation by security forces. The commemoration underscores continued calls from Tibetans in exile and within the region for greater religious freedom and the protection of their cultural identity. Self-immolation is a drastic form of protest in which individuals set themselves on fire to convey deep political or religious dissent. In Tibet, this form of demonstration began to rise in 2009, involving monks, nuns, and ordinary Tibetans who say they are opposing limits placed on religious practices, cultural identity, and language under Chinese governance. Many of these protesters have also demanded the return of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, who has been living in exile in Dharamshala, India, since fleeing after the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. (ANI)
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday confirmed the killing of Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran''s Basij Unit. According to the Jerusalem Post, the IDF confirmed the death of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps'' Basij paramilitary militia, Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy, Seyyed Karishi. As per the report, the two were killed in a makeshift tent area, which had been set up to make it harder to follow them as opposed to in a known headquarters. Providing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that under Soleimani, the Basij Unit employed severe violence and the use of force against civilian demonstrators. It said, "Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators." https://x.com/IDF/status/2033827283341824256?s=20 In another report, TPS news agency said that Israel carried out an airstrike in Iran overnight, targeting Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran''s National Security Council and a former top aide to the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Israeli officials. It is unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured, according to Israeli defense sources. Larijani is widely regarded as a key power broker in Tehran, described as Iran''s "de facto leader." He recently delayed the formal declaration of Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, a move that highlighted his significant influence within Iran''s political establishment. Israel also said it killed Soleimani, commander of Iran''s Basij paramilitary force, in the same wave of attacks. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Israel''s military chief, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, appeared to reference the strikes in a broader assessment of Israeli operations. "The IDF continues to operate vigorously against a number of targets in Iran," Zamir said. "Alongside ongoing damage to military and industrial capabilities, we are operating against elements of the Revolutionary Guards and the regime''s repressive apparatus. Significant counter-terrorism achievements were also recorded last night, with the potential to affect the campaign''s objectives and the IDF''s missions", TPS reported. Zamir added that recent operations also targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) figures in Iran. "Foreign elements connected to the Palestinian arena, including senior figures involved in terrorist activity from Gaza and Judea and Samaria who were hiding in a safe house, were eliminated in Tehran," he said. Among those targeted were deputy chief Akram Ajouri and senior figure Muhammad al-Hindi. Ajouri previously survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Syria in 2019. Larijani had emerged from hiding last Friday during Iran''s Jerusalem Day marches in Tehran, where he spoke alongside President Masoud Pazakhian and other senior officials. "Trump does not understand that the Iranian people are brave and strong, and he does not understand that our people are determined. The more the United States pressures us, the stronger our will becomes. The attacks by the United States and Israel against the Jerusalem Day marches demonstrate their desperation and helplessness," Larijani said. Ajouri, long regarded as close to Iran, has overseen the PIJ''s international operations and finances. He has been linked to figures such as the late Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The attacks mark one of the most audacious Israeli strikes inside Iran in recent years. Officials have not confirmed whether the operation fully achieved its objectives, but the targeting of Larijani signals a willingness by Israel to directly confront senior political and security figures in Tehran. Analysts warn that the developments could further escalate tensions across the Middle East, where both Israel and Iran maintain aggressive postures in regional conflicts, TPS said. (ANI)
The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) has strongly condemned People's Republic of China for what it described as "hypocrisy" in invoking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, accusing Beijing of attempting to deflect attention from its policies in East Turkistan. In an official statement, the ETGE said China's claims of opposing Islamophobia come in contradiction to its actions on the ground, particularly following the adoption of what it referred to as an "Ethnic Unity Law." The ETGE alleged that the legislation is being used as a tool to enforce assimilation and suppress the religious and cultural identities of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic Muslim communities. The ETGE stated that the law "criminalises religious and cultural diversity" and imposes Han Chinese language, culture, and ideology, calling it part of a broader strategy of "colonial domination." According to the ETGE, such measures violate international norms related to racial and religious discrimination. Highlighting what it described as longstanding repression, the ETGE said that, for decades, Chinese authorities have exercised strict control over Islamic practices in the region. The ETGE alleged that mosques and religious sites have been destroyed, Islamic texts removed, and practices such as prayer, fasting, and traditional greetings restricted or criminalised. The ETGE further claimed that millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims have been subjected to arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and forced labour. It also alleged that officially sanctioned religious institutions operate under tight state control and serve as "showcases" aligned with state policy rather than genuine centres of worship. According to the statement, Chinese authorities have justified such policies under the framework of counter-terrorism and "de-extremification," which it said disproportionately targets individuals based on their ethnic and religious identity. The ETGE also accused Chinese officials of portraying Islamic beliefs in negative terms to legitimise such actions. Describing China as a "leading state perpetrator of Islamophobia," the ETGE said Beijing's remarks on combating Islamophobia were intended to "mislead the international community" and divert attention from alleged human rights abuses. The ETGE called on the international community, particularly Muslim-majority countries and organisations, to reject what it termed China's "deceptive narrative." The ETGE urged global actors to support the rights of people in East Turkistan, including calls for self-determination and what it described as the restoration of sovereignty. The Chinese government has consistently rejected allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, stating that its policies are aimed at countering extremism, promoting development, and ensuring social stability. (ANI)
Prominent European leaders have called on democratic nations to close ranks in defence of the global rules-based order, warning that the growing assertiveness of the People's Republic of China (PRC) threatens stability in Asia and beyond. Speaking during an event linked to the Yushan Forum, former chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, stressed the need for countries sharing democratic values to stand united against violations of international norms. Addressing attendees at a dinner during the forum, Heusgen described China as a major challenge to the global system of rules that governs international relations, as reported by The Taipei Times. According to The Taipei Times, he criticised China's behaviour on multiple fronts, arguing that its actions often demonstrate disregard for the principles embedded in the United Nations Charter. Heusgen pointed to China's treatment of ethnic minorities, including the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and communities in Tibet, as examples of serious human rights concerns. He also highlighted China's growing pressure on Taiwan and tensions with Japan, including repeated threats of military force. Such actions, he warned, undermine the international legal framework that many nations depend upon. Calling for collective action, Heusgen said that countries committed to democracy, human rights and a rules-based international system must cooperate closely. He emphasised that unity among these nations would be essential to safeguarding global stability and ensuring that future generations inherit an international order governed by law rather than coercion. Also speaking at the event was Jan Lipavsky, who served as foreign minister of the Czech Republic between 2021 and 2025. He noted that the world is currently facing multiple geopolitical crises, including Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East since late 2023. Lipavsky warned that these conflicts are unfolding alongside a rapid technological transformation. According to him, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems and mass-produced drones are reshaping global power dynamics, as highlighted by The Taipei Times. As a result, economic security and technological resilience are now deeply tied to national security. Lipavsky stated that this changing environment highlights Taiwan's strategic significance. Describing the island as both a technological powerhouse and a vibrant democracy, he said Taiwan plays a critical role in global supply chains. He cited growing cooperation between Prague and Taipei in fields such as semiconductor research, cybersecurity and strengthening democratic resilience, as reported by The Taipei Times. (ANI)
Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Brussels at the invitation of EU High Representative and Vice President, Kaja Kallas. Jaiswal, while addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, said that the leaders underlined the need for dialogue to bring an end to the crisis. "Our External Affairs Minister visited Brussels. He was invited by the EU High Representative and Vice President, Kaja Kallas, to attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. At the meeting, apart from discussing India-EU ties, he and other ministers of the European Union, foreign ministers of the various countries of the EU, discussed global challenges, particularly the situation in West Asia, including its effects on energy security. The ministers also underlined the need for dialogue and diplomacy to be drafted to bring an early end to this particular conflict," he said. Jaishankar had visited Brussels for a two-day visit. In a post on X, he said, "Concluded a productive visit to Brussels, meeting with the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, calling on Presidents of the EU Council Antonio Costa and EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and holding talks with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. Also met EU counterparts and held separate bilateral discussions with many." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2033625318057996689?s=20 Jaishankar said they discussed ten key points. They discussed: the finalization of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) represents a turning point in India-EU ties. Will not only unlock its enormous economic potential but express the strategic nature of our engagement. To realize the gains of FTA on the ground, the two sides should proactively assist each other in practical activities, including trade and investment promotion. The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can be upgraded and repurposed to facilitate collaboration in critical and cutting-edge technologies. De-risking supply chains and enhancing resilience are shared objectives. The FTA will encourage deeper business linkages to that end. Mobility of skills and talent flows are very important. The establishment of the Legal Gateway Office in India is noteworthy. We have a common interest in promoting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India. The Security and Defence Partnership will be taken forward. Will endeavour to conclude the Security of Information Agreement early. Connectivity is also prominent in our agenda. Will work together to give practical shape to IMEC and other such initiatives. As multilateralism comes under stress, India and the EU will strive to strengthen its institutions and practices. Our Strategic Partnership will be carried out through close and regular consultations at the leadership level. Domain specific mechanisms will support those efforts. In a multipolar and uncertain world, the India-EU partnership will act as a factor of stability and resilience. (ANI)
Iranian state media, Press TV on Tuesday shared a first-person view (FPV) of a drone flying over the US embassy compound in Baghdad. This followed reports that the US Embassy and a hotel in Baghdad were targeted by drones early today with video appearing to show air defences engaging a projectile near the embassy, CNN reported. The Majnoon oil field in southern Iraq also came under attack, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of Iraq's armed forces said, according to the US broadcaster. In a post on X, Press TV called the drone flying like a "free bird" over the embassy compound and said, "An Iraqi resistance group released FPV drone footage showing the drone flying over the US Embassy compound in Baghdad like a free bird without activating air defense systems." https://x.com/PressTV/status/2033758977071145140?s=20 Meanwhile, a report in the Anadolu Agency cited an unnamed security source telling the Shafaq news agency that four drones attempted to target the US Embassy in Baghdad. The report added that Iraq's air defences managed to intercept and shoot down all drones before they reached their targets, the source said, noting that one drone fell on Abu Nuwas Street, while another landed near the embassy inside the Green Zone. Iraq's Ministry of Interior confirmed that a drone fell on the Al-Rasheed Hotel early Tuesday local time, according to CNN. "The ministry wishes to clarify that, after specialised forensic teams conducted an on-site and technical inspection, it was found that a drone had struck the upper fence of the hotel, without resulting in any loss of life or significant material damage," Iraq's interior ministry said in a statement. Videos, geolocated by CNN, show an explosion in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Baghdad. Other videos showed a projectile consistent with a drone impacting the area near the embassy, and air defence systems engaging a projectile over Baghdad, around 600 meters away from the embassy compound. Multiple explosions have rocked Iraq's capital, with at least four people killed in an air raid on a building used by an Iran-backed group, according to a report by Al Jazeera, citing witnesses and security sources. The deadly attack in the Jadiriya district followed the sounds of an explosion from near the US embassy compound, located within the heavily fortified Green Zone. Al Jazeera noted that verified footage shows fire and smoke rising from the vicinity of the embassy, while additional clips showed "air defence systems intercepting several drones" in the skies nearby. On Monday, the US Embassy and Consulate in Iraq had issued a Level 4 warning for the country. (ANI)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said economic changes so far announced by the Cuban regime are "not dramatic enough" as the Trump administration continues to put pressure on Havana.

Speaking to press in the Oval Office, Rubio addressed a question about whether the U.S. is seeking regime change in the country.

He replied that the country "has an economy that doesn't work in a political and governmental system."

"So they have to change dramatically," Rubio said. "What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. It's not going to fix it," he added.

Havana announced changes to its economic structure to avoid complete collapse, and is now set to allow nationals living abroad to invest in the private sector and own businesses in their homeland.

Cuba's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign trade and investment, Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, told NBC News that the ongoing blockade by the United States is hindering the strategy from coming to fruition.

"Cuba is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies as well with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants," Fraga said, adding that the reform seeks to create what he described as a "dynamic business environment" that could help revive multiple sectors of Cuba's economy.

"This extends beyond the commercial sphere. It also applies to investments  not only small investments, but also large investments, particularly in infrastructure," Fraga added.

Elsewhere, a new report published by The New York Times claimed that the administration is moving to achieve its goals in the country without regime change in a similar way it did in Venezuela earlier this year.

The government is reportedly seeking the removal of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel but not seeking action against members of the Castro family.

Some Trump officials told the outlet that removing Diaz-Canel could allow structural changes in the country that he is reluctant to allow given his hardline views. They signaled to Cuban negotiators that the president must go but are leaving next steps to Havana.

Originally published on Latin Times
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday confirmed Ali Larijani, Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in an overnight airstrike in Tehran as the conflict in West Asia escalates. Confirming the development, Katz said, "Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated tonight and joined the head of the destruction plan, Khamenei, and all the thwarted members of the evil axis in the depths of hell," as quoted by TPS. According to TPS, Katz stated that the strike took place following orders from him and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. "The Prime Minister and I have instructed the [Israel Defense Forces] to continue hunting down the leadership of the regime of terror and oppression in Iran," he stated. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to continue hunting down the leadership of the regime of terror and oppression in Iran and to repeatedly cut off the head of the octopus and not let it grow," Katz added, as quoted by TPS. Earlier, the IDF confirmed that Gholamreza Soleiman, the Commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force, was also killed in the same series of attacks. "Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF said in a post on X. Considered to be a key power broker in Tehran, Larijani held significant influence within the country's political establishment and recently delayed the formal announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as the next Supreme Leader, highlighting his role in shaping internal power dynamics, as reported by TPS. Separately, the Israel Defense Forces carried out a strike on a large underground Hezbollah weapons facility in southern Lebanon's Kfara area, targeting stockpiles that reportedly included cruise missiles and hundreds of rockets. Earlier on Monday, Ali Larijani issued a message to the Arab world saying that Iran remains "steadfast" in its fight against the US and Israel. He said Iran cannot be "expected to stand idly by with its hands tied" while US bases are located in neighbouring countries. "The confrontation today is, in reality, between America and Israel on one side, and Muslim Iran and the forces of resistance on the other. Which side are you on, then?" he said. Larijani also called for Muslim unity, stressing that Iran does not seek "hegemony" over the region. (ANI)
The British Council on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support women's entrepreneurship and skills development through SPARK - The 100K Collective in India. According to a release, the MoU was signed in partnership with the Women's Collective Forum and the Alliance for Global Good - Gender Equity and Equality, aiming to strengthen skills, leadership and networks for women entrepreneurs across the country. The initiative, SPARK - The 100K Collective, seeks to empower one lakh women entrepreneurs across 300 locations in India by addressing gaps in access to resources, markets and institutional support, particularly for those transitioning beyond micro-enterprises. Speaking at the event, Smriti Irani, Founder of the Alliance for Global Good - Gender Equity and Equality and former Union Minister, said that advancing gender equity requires strong collaboration across institutions and sectors. "Women entrepreneurs across India are already demonstrating extraordinary leadership and resilience. By strengthening access to skills, resources and supportive networks, initiatives such as this can help women scale their ambitions into sustainable enterprises and participate more fully in shaping India's economic future," she said. Under the collaboration, the British Council will contribute its expertise in English language training and digital communication to help women entrepreneurs enhance business capabilities, build confidence and access wider markets. Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, said that education, skills and connections are powerful drivers of opportunity. "Through this collaboration, we're pleased to bring our experience in English and skills development to support women entrepreneurs in strengthening their communication, expanding their networks and growing their enterprises with confidence," he said. The MoU signing took place in the national capital in the presence of senior leaders and partners, marking a shared commitment to advancing inclusive economic participation. Speaking on the sidelines, Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary at the UK Department for Education, highlighted the importance of global collaboration in education and skill-building, noting that communication skills can unlock access to markets and opportunities, particularly for women. "It was really exciting to hear from the women who've started what I think will be an enormously exciting initiative to grow entrepreneurs and to support them by bringing the opportunity to learn English. We know that language and communication of all kinds can unlock opportunity, can give people access to markets, and can help people to communicate, challenge and change. I'm very excited about anything that increases that opportunity, particularly for women across India, but actually, I think there are lessons here for women across the world," Acland-Hood said. Meanwhile, Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said the initiative would help women entrepreneurs strengthen their participation in global supply chains by enhancing their English language capabilities. "I'm really proud to have been at an event where the British Council was signing an MoU to support SPARK, which is a phenomenal programme that helps to give female entrepreneurs and particularly women who want to grow their businesses, the kind of English language skills that allow them to grow their businesses and be a bigger part of the global supply chain. It was so inspiring to hear the work that is being done and the potential for even more women to participate in that, and to meet some of the women who are already part of the programme," Cameron said. The partners said the collaboration aims to build a stronger ecosystem for women-led enterprises by focusing on skills development, governance, digital adoption and leadership, enabling women entrepreneurs to contribute more actively to India's economic growth and development. (ANI)
At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Sohail Abro, chairman of the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement, in his oral statement, strongly criticised Pakistan's human rights record and called for a United Nations-supervised referendum on Sindh's political future He urged the international community to recognise what he described as the Sindhi nation's right to self-determination. Abro alleged that Pakistan has systematically suppressed Sindhi political activism through enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political intimidation. Abro claimed that several Sindhi political figures have been victims of extrajudicial killings over the years. He cited the deaths of prominent activists, including Bashir Khan Qureshi, Shafi Muhammad Karnani, and Muzaffar Bhutto, stating that their cases symbolise what he described as a wider pattern of repression against nationalist voices in Sindh. The activist further alleged that more than one hundred Sindhi political workers remain missing. Among those he named were Talib Laghari, Ayub Kandhro, and Ejaz Gaho. According to Abro, enforced disappearances have persisted for decades in the province, with more than 3,500 individuals reportedly disappearing at different times during the past twenty-five years. During his remarks, Abro also linked the Sindhi issue to grievances voiced by other ethnic groups within Pakistan. He said that communities, including the Baloch, Pashtun, Seraiki, Gilgiti, and Kashmiri peoples, are facing similar challenges. He referenced the case of the father of BNM Chairman Dr Naseem Baloch, who he said remains missing. He also mentioned that Baloch activist Dr Mahrang Baloch is currently imprisoned, while Pashtun leader Ali Wazir is under detention, and PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen has faced legal pressure. In addition to political concerns, Abro raised issues related to economic and environmental grievances in Sindh. He alleged that water diversion projects affecting the Indus River threaten the region's resources and warned about what he called demographic engineering through mass settlement and land occupation. Concluding his address, Abro appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council to facilitate a peaceful and democratic referendum in Sindh. He proposed that the vote be conducted among residents whose families moved to Sindh before 1954 so that the Sindhi people could determine their political future in accordance with international law. (ANI)
Amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, China said on Tuesday that United States President Donald Trump's impending visit to the country has nothing to do with the Strait of Hormuz closure. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson's Office said that both sides remain in talks regarding the dates of the visit. In a post on X, the office said, "We take note of the U.S. clarification about certain media reports. The U.S. side has made clear that those reports are completely "false" and that President Trump's visit to China is not linked to the issue over the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides remain in communication on President Trump's visit to China, including the dates." https://x.com/MFA_China/status/2033860164022141078?s=20 To add to the tensions, Mao Ning, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, announced that the nation would provide aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq- all staunch adversaries of the US. In a post on X, she said, "China has decided to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. China will continue to exert its utmost efforts to promote peace and cease fighting, and to advance the restoration of peace and stability in the region at an early date, so as to avoid further humanitarian crises." https://x.com/SpoxCHN_MaoNing/status/2033863050487644482?s=20 Trump on Monday said that he had requested that his visit to Beijing at the end of the month be postponed because of the war. Just a day earlier, he threatened to delay the meeting if China did not contribute warships to end Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is squeezing oil markets, as per The New York Times. "I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here," Trump said of meeting China's President, Xi Jinping. Ironically, as it seems, Trump added, "I'm looking forward to being with him. We have a very good relationship," as quoted by The New York Times. (ANI)
The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday presented its Twelfth Report on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha, making 62 recommendations across eight chapters. The panel, in its report, strongly reiterated its call for a 20 per cent increase in MEA's budget, noting that the allocation of Rs 22,118.97 crore represents only a 7.81 per cent rise over the previous year and constitutes just 0.41 per cent of the Union Budget, far below levels comparable with major global economies. "The Committee noted that MEA currently ranks 23rd among all Ministries in terms of budgetary allocation. Pursuant to the Committee's earlier recommendation, the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) has prepared a Report titled 'Analysis of Trends of MEA Budgetary Allocation', examining MEA's budget through both inter-Ministerial and cross-country comparisons," the report stated. The report called on MEA to prepare a formal Indian Foreign Policy Document through its Policy Planning and Research Division, which would be publicly available and outline India's foreign policy objectives, regional and global priorities, key bilateral and multilateral engagements, and guiding principles. "The Committee noted that no single overarching and formalised foreign policy strategy document currently exists for India, despite 36 countries -- including major powers such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Russia -- having published formal foreign policy or national security strategy documents. The Committee have strongly recommended that the Ministry, through its Policy Planning and Research Division, prepare a formal Indian Foreign Policy Document -- a publicly available, medium-term strategic document that clearly articulates India's foreign policy objectives, regional and global priorities, key bilateral and multilateral engagements, and the guiding principles of India's approach to the world," the report added. The Committee also underscored the urgent need for the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, to be treated as a legislative priority, urging the government to introduce it in Parliament at the earliest opportunity. The Bill is intended to replace the four-decade-old Emigration Act, 1983, and strengthen protection for Indian workers abroad. The Committee further highlighted the importance of reviewing diaspora welfare allocations and establishing a dedicated Department of Overseas Indian Affairs within the MEA to better protect and engage the country's 32 million-strong diaspora. Expressing concern over the protection of development assistance funds, the panel recommended that the Scheme section of the budget, which supports technical and economic cooperation programs, be shielded from cuts and that any unutilized funds be redeployed toward other development initiatives rather than surrendered. The Committee also urged the expansion of the Protector of Emigrants network, completion of the mPassport Police App rollout in remaining States and Union Territories, and filling of key vacancies in the Central Passport Organisation to ensure efficient delivery of passport and emigrant services. The Committee highlighted the need for a dedicated budget sub-head for Mission Security and immediate security audits of all Indian Missions abroad, noting heightened global geopolitical risks. It also recommended enhancing India's cultural presence internationally, increasing the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) budget to Rs 500-600 crore, and maintaining strategic cultural centres, including in Washington DC. Additionally, the financial sustainability of Nalanda University and securing commitments from East Asia Summit member countries were emphasised as key priorities. The report reflects the Committee's broader focus on strengthening budgetary support, operational capacity, legislative reforms for emigrant welfare, and India's strategic and cultural engagement on the global stage. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of 28 sorties of Chinese military aircraft as of 08:01 am (local time) on Tuesday. As per the MND, of the 28, 21 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern part 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.) detected from 0801hr today. 21 out of 28 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern part ADIZ in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2033796762658599321?s=20 Earlier in the day, Taiwan detected the presence of two Chinese military aircraft, eight Chinese naval vessels and an official ship operating around itself. Both sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ. In a post on X, it said, "2 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2033709909464723554?s=20 China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India. China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC, United Service Institution of India states. (ANI)
Ukraine on Tuesday handed over an "official note of protest" to India, demanding the immediate release of six Ukrainian nationals who have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested six Ukrainians and one US citizen for allegedly supporting ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons and training them. The Press Service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country's Ambassador to India Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk held a meeting with the Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Sibi George, during which he handed over an official note of protest demanding the immediate release of the Ukrainian citizens and access to them. It said in addition, the Embassy is maintaining contacts with other competent authorities of India in order to clarify all the circumstances and reasons for the detention. A US Embassy spokesperson said they were aware of the situation. "We are aware of the situation. For privacy reasons, we cannot comment on cases involving US citizens," the Spokesperson said. The foreign nationals arrested by the NIA have been identified as Matthew Aaron Van Dyke (US citizen), Hurba Petro (Ukrainian citizen), Slyviak Taras (Ukranian Citizen), Ivan Sukmanovskyi (Ukranian citizen), Stefankiv Marian (Ukranian Citizen), Honcharuk Maksim (Ukranian Citizen), and Kaminskyi Viktor (Ukrainian citizen). They have been arrested in a case lodged under Section 18 (Terror Conspiracy) and BNS. Special NIA judge Prashant Sharma remanded all seven to 11-day NIA custody on Monday. The agency had sought 15-day custody. NIA alleged that the accused persons, linked with ethnic armed groups, are supporting certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them. "The said aspects definitely affect the national security and interests of India," it said. The Press Service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said six citizens of Ukraine were detained in India on March 13, and according to preliminary information, the charges concern unauthorised presence in the state of Mizoram, access to which requires a special permit, as well as the alleged illegal crossing of the state border between India and Myanmar. "At present, the competent authorities of India are conducting the relevant investigative actions. As of now, there are no established facts proving the involvement of the said Ukrainian citizens in unlawful activities on the territory of India or Myanmar. At the same time, certain publications, including in some Indian and Russian media outlets, contain distorted interpretations of the available facts, are manipulative in nature, and put forward unfounded allegations," the Ukraine statement said. It said the details of the case are not being disclosed in the interests of the investigation. "With the assistance of Ukrainian consular officers of the Embassy of Ukraine in India, the citizens have been provided with legal aid and defence counsel during the court proceedings." It said that the court hearing on March 16 was also attended by representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine. The statement alleged that the Ukraine Embassy "did not receive" any official notification from the competent authorities of India regarding the detention of Ukrainian citizens. "The Ukrainian side insists on the immediate provision of unimpeded consular access to the detainees...in addition, the Embassy is maintaining contacts with other competent authorities of India in order to clarify all the circumstances and reasons for the detention," it said. The Ukrainian diplomatic mission remains in constant contact with the relatives of the detained Ukrainian citizens and is keeping the situation under special control, the statement said. "We draw attention to the fact that there are certain restricted-access zones in India for foreign nationals, entry to which is possible only with special permits. At the same time, proper marking of such areas on the ground is often absent, which creates a risk of unintentional violation of the established rules," the statement added. Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Tyagi alongwith Amit Rohila and others, appeared for the NIA in the court. It was alleged that the seven foreigners came to India on visa and then entered Mizoram, which is a protected area. Thereafter, they entered Myanmar and "contacted ethnic war groups". (ANI)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday reiterated his condolences over the deaths of sailors aboard the Islamic Republic of Iran Ship (IRIS) Dena after the frigate was hit by a US torpedo and sunk approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle in Sri Lanka. In a post on X, the Iranian President also condemned the US strike on the vessel as an "inhumane crime", stating that the Islamic Republic still mourns the loss of "20 eternal masterpieces and 84 innocent sea-lovers". He added that the names of the fallen naval personnel would endure "like the steadfast peaks of Dena" and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and their comrades in the Iranian Navy. "Today, the hearts of the people of Iran grieve for the memory of 20 eternal masterpieces and 84 innocent sea-lovers of the "Dena" ship. The names of the proud men of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army will remain tall and enduring, like the steadfast peaks of Dena. I once again condemn this inhumane crime and extend my condolences to their patient families and comrades," his post read. Earlier, IRIS Dena sank south of Sri Lanka on March 4 after being struck by a US submarine torpedo approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle. The Indian Navy then deployed INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak, along with maritime patrol aircraft, like its P8Is, to assist in the Sri Lanka-led search and rescue operations for the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena. Of the estimated 180 crew members on board IRIS Dena, over 80 sailors are reported dead, while other survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy and admitted to hospitals in Galle. This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply. Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that his administration is postponing the dates of his China visit. While participating in a bilateral meeting with Micheal Martin Taoiseach of Ireland, Trump said that the meeting might happen in "five or six" weeks. "Well yeah, on China, it's a little different story. We are resetting the meeting and it looks like it'll take place in about five weeks. We're working with China. They were fine with it. We're going to see, I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me I think, but I do look forward to seeing him. We have a good relationship with China. China actually is, has become economically for us very good, very good as you know. It's much different than it was in the past and we have a very good working relationship with China. So we're making it in about five or six weeks," he said. Earlier on February 10, Politico had reported that Trump will reportedly visit Beijing in April and meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. In an interview with NBC News, Trump had said that he will visit China in April. "I'm gonna be going there in April then he's coming here toward the end of the year," Trump said. Meanwhile, as the world grapples with a churn in global powers, the Middle East being the eye of the storm, China said on Tuesday that Trump's impending visit to the country has nothing to do with Strait of Hormuz closure. As both countries attempt at trepid detente, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson's Office said that both sides remain in talks regarding the dates of the visit. In a post on X, the office said, "We take note of the U.S. clarification about certain media reports. The U.S. side has made clear that those reports are completely "false" and that President Trump's visit to China is not linked to the issue over the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides remain in communication on President Trump's visit to China, including the dates." https://x.com/MFA_China/status/2033860164022141078?s=20 Trump on Monday said that he had requested that his visit to Beijing at the end of the month be postponed because of the war. Just a day earlier, he threatened to delay the meeting if China did not contribute warships to end Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is squeezing oil markets, as per The New York Times. "I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here," Trump said of meeting China's President, Xi Jinping. Ironically, as it seems, Trump added, "I'm looking forward to being with him. We have a very good relationship," as quoted by The New York Times. (ANI)
Sardar Mousavi, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force, on Tuesday announced a "new phase of effective and heavy strikes across the region against the American-Zionist enemy," Al Jazeera reported. "The backbone of arrogance will be broken in the streets and squares," Al Jazeera quoted Mousavi as saying. IRGC had announced earlier that it was carrying out an intense wave of attacks on US and Israeli positons throughout the region since dawn, using missiles as well as drones. Iran's IRGC said that it has been carrying out a new wave of "impact-oriented and targeted" attacks across the region since dawn (local time), as reported by Al Jazeera. In a statement reported by Iranian media, it said the operations were being carried out with "multiple warheads with solid and liquid fuel" as well as drones, as quoted by Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's tirade on NATO's reluctance to help him with Strait of Hormuz's operations continue as he said on Truth Social, "The United States has been informed by most of our NATO "Allies" that they don't want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon." "I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street -- We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," he added. Trump further claimed that the US has decimated Iran's military, naval and air forces. "Fortunately, we have decimated Iran's Military Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again! Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer "need," or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," he said. He further reiterated that the US doesn't need the aid of anyone. "In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he said. (ANI)
Smartphone camera AI is revolutionizing mobile photography technology, turning handheld devices into powerful imaging tools. With real-time scene recognition, computational stacking, and AI-assisted exposure, modern smartphones deliver professional-quality results without traditional cameras.

Recent advances combine high-resolution sensors with dedicated AI chips, enabling features like semantic segmentation, diffusion upscaling, and portrait enhancements. These innovations allow casual users to capture detailed landscapes, low-light scenes, and cinematic videos effortlessly. As neural networks continue to evolve, mobile photography technology now rivals standalone cameras, making creative, high-quality imaging accessible to everyone.

How Smartphone Camera AI Works

Smartphone camera AI analyzes frames in real-time, identifying faces, objects, and motion to apply targeted enhancements. Edge detection, depth mapping, and portrait modes ensure that subjects are sharp and properly exposed.

Mobile photography technology relies on on-device neural processing units (NPUs) to execute AI models locally, reducing latency and preserving privacy without cloud dependency. Computational photography stacks multiple bursts to reduce noise and amplify dynamic range, balancing shadows and highlights across 16+ stops automatically, producing crisp and vibrant images even in challenging lighting.

AI Night Mode in Mobile Photography Technology

Night mode processing leverages smartphone camera AI to fuse multiple long and short exposures, keeping stars sharp while maintaining motion blur-free subjects. Multi-frame alignment combined with AI scene optimization isolates light sources and suppresses noise, delivering natural colors and clarity.

Gyroscopic stabilization predicts handheld shake, compensating at the pixel level to avoid blur. Mobile photography technology now outperforms traditional low-light algorithms, allowing users to capture low-light environments and astrophotography-style shots without specialized equipment.

Best AI Features in Smartphone Camera AI

Smartphone camera AI brings professional-level tools to handheld devices, transforming how users capture and edit images. These features combine computational photography and on-device intelligence to enhance creativity and convenience. From post-capture editing to stabilized video, AI makes advanced mobile photography accessible to everyone.

Semantic Editing  Move objects, adjust lighting, or modify scenes using natural language commands after the photo is taken.

 Move objects, adjust lighting, or modify scenes using natural language commands after the photo is taken. Cinematic Bokeh  Shift focus planes and relight portraits to match ambient conditions, providing creative control over depth and mood.

 Shift focus planes and relight portraits to match ambient conditions, providing creative control over depth and mood. Advanced Video Stabilization  Merges optical and electronic gyro data to produce smooth, gimbal-like 4K footage in dynamic scenes.

 Merges optical and electronic gyro data to produce smooth, gimbal-like 4K footage in dynamic scenes. Periscope Zoom  Enables high-magnification shots without sacrificing clarity, ideal for distant subjects.

 Enables high-magnification shots without sacrificing clarity, ideal for distant subjects. Variable Apertures  Adjust depth-of-field and light intake dynamically, allowing more flexible creative control.

 Adjust depth-of-field and light intake dynamically, allowing more flexible creative control. AI-Assisted HDR  Automatically balances shadows and highlights, producing high-contrast, vibrant images in challenging lighting.

Famous Smartphones with AI Camera Technology

Modern smartphones increasingly feature AI cameras that enhance mobile photography technology with scene recognition, computational photography, and night mode. These devices combine advanced sensors with neural processing units to deliver professional-quality images in everyday situations. From flagship models to high-end mid-range devices, AI-powered cameras are redefining what's possible in handheld photography.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max  Features advanced computational photography and Smart HDR 5 powered by AI. Cinematic mode allows professional-style video with dynamic focus shifts. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra  AI scene optimization and night mode ensure vibrant, detailed photos. The 200MP sensor captures intricate textures in every shot. Google Pixel 8 / 8 Pro  Renowned for AI-assisted HDR+ and Night Sight low-light performance. Computational photography enhances clarity and color in every frame. OnePlus 11 Pro  AI-driven multi-frame processing reduces noise and improves detail. Cinematic video stabilization delivers smooth footage in dynamic scenes. Xiaomi 13 Pro  AI scene detection automatically adjusts exposure and color. Advanced night mode captures sharp, vibrant images in low light. Huawei P60 Pro  AI enhances color tuning and scene recognition for balanced images. Periscope zoom and computational clarity ensure sharp distant shots.

Sensor-Chip Synergy

Smartphone camera AI works in tandem with advanced 2nm processors to handle RAW bursts in milliseconds, optimizing exposure, focus, and color. AI algorithms utilize hardware acceleration to manage computational photography tasks efficiently, enabling multi-frame processing, depth mapping, and scene reconstruction.

Mobile photography technology now democratizes professional imaging tools, allowing mid-range smartphones to inherit features once exclusive to flagship devices. This synergy of AI and sensors ensures fast, precise, and creative imaging, from ultra-wide landscapes to close-up portraits, all while preserving battery and computational efficiency.

Future of Smartphone Camera AI in Mobile Photography

Smartphone camera AI continues to elevate mobile photography technology, pushing computational photography into new creative horizons. On-device intelligence enables real-time editing, intelligent scene recognition, and advanced stabilization, all in a compact device.

As processors and neural networks improve, AI-powered cameras will make professional-level imaging more accessible, enhancing everyday photography. Mobile photography technology is now defined by its ability to combine AI, optics, and sensors seamlessly, transforming casual snaps into visually stunning images and videos, and opening new possibilities for creativity in daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does AI improve smartphone photography?

AI analyzes scenes, detects objects, and applies targeted enhancements like edge sharpening and exposure correction. Computational photography stacks multiple frames to reduce noise. AI also enables portrait modes and night mode processing. Overall, it makes photos look professional without manual editing.

2. What is computational photography?

Computational photography combines multiple images or exposures to enhance detail, dynamic range, and clarity. It uses AI algorithms to reduce noise and correct lighting. Many smartphones use it for HDR, night mode, and panorama shots. It allows small sensors to produce high-quality images rivaling larger cameras.

3. How does night mode work with AI?

Night mode uses multiple exposures fused together by AI to capture more light. Gyroscopic stabilization predicts movement to reduce blur. AI isolates light sources to preserve natural colors. The result is bright, clear photos in low-light environments without a tripod.

4. Are AI features available on all smartphones?

Most modern mid-range and flagship smartphones include AI-assisted features. Entry-level phones may have basic computational photography but lack advanced scene recognition. High-end devices offer night mode, semantic editing, and multi-frame processing. AI makes photography accessible across a wide range of devices.

Originally published on Tech Times
Israel's military escalation in West Asia intensified sharply on Tuesday after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had eliminated Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, in what Israeli leadership described as a major blow to Iran's power structure. In a strongly worded statement following the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, saying, "This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani," whom he described as a central figure in Iran's ruling establishment and closely tied to its military apparatus. Netanyahu further asserted that Israel is conducting aerial operations deep inside Iranian territory, aimed at weakening the regime and creating conditions for internal change as the conflict in the region continues. "Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran. Alongside him, we also eliminated the commander of the Basij - they are the gangsters' assistants who are terrorising the population in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities. We are operating there as well, operating from the air with Air Force jets and UAVs. We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it," Netanyahu said. He stated that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump, adding that Israeli and American forces were cooperating through both direct and indirect means against the Islamic Republic. "It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands. At the same time, we are helping our American friends in the Gulf. I spoke at length with President Trump on this matter yesterday. There is cooperation between our air forces and navies and between President Trump and his staff and me. We will assist both through indirect attacks, which create immense pressure on the Iranian regime, and through direct actions. There are many more surprises. 'By stratagems, you shall make war.' We will not reveal all the stratagems here, but as I told you, there are many," the Israeli PM said. Earlier today, the IDF, in separate statements on X, confirmed the death of Larijani, who has served as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and played a key role in suppressing anti-government protests. It also confirmed the killing of Soleimani, stating he led the Basij unit responsible for "repression operations" involving arrests and use of force against demonstrators. "Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and the regime's effective leader, has been eliminated. Throughout the years, Larijani was considered one of the most veteran and senior figures within the Iranian regime leadership and was a close associate of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei," the IDF post read. "Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years. Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators," the IDF stated in a separate post. Both were killed in the same series of overnight strikes by the IDF on Tehran. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also echoed Nethauahu's stance, claiming the operation improved security conditions for Iranian citizens. "He had a $10 million price on his head in the US--we did it for free anyhow," Saar said, referring to Larijani. He further issued a warning to Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that it was embarrassing for him to be in hiding. "We still haven't seen anything from Mojtaba... He can continue to hide but why not show your face? It's becoming a little embarrassing for the Regime," he stated. This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply. Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, the IDF warned of imminent retaliation from Hezbollah, saying it had detected preparations for large-scale rocket attacks toward Israel. The military said its air defence systems and border troops remain on high alert. Israeli forces also reported continued strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Lebanon, including command centres in Beirut and rocket launch sites in the Beqaa Valley. The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, raising concerns of a broader confrontation involving Iran, its regional allies, and Israel. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised the NATO allies for what he described as their reluctance to support the United States in its ongoing conflict with Iran, calling their stance a "very foolish mistake". Speaking during a discussion with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at the White House, Trump asserted that while NATO members supported US actions in principle, they failed to provide tangible assistance. Trump stated that NATO allies had endorsed US strikes targeting Iran's nuclear capabilities but stopped short of active involvement. "Well, we don't need too much help, and we don't need any help actually. In fact, we just put out a notice I was watching over the last couple of weeks, and all of our NATO allies were very much in favour of what we did. They thought it was very important. We were just discussing it; actually, it's very important that we take out the nuclear threat from Iran, and we've done that very strongly, very powerfully," Trump said. He claimed that US military operations had significantly degraded Iran's military strength, stating that its air force, navy, and radar systems had been "wiped out" or "decimated". Despite emphasising that the US could act independently, Trump questioned NATO's reliability. "I was surprised to see that NATO, while they agreed that it was a very important thing to do, agreed fully; nobody said, 'Oh, you shouldn't do it.' I think NATO's making a very foolish mistake. I've long said that, you know, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. This is a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there. When they say it was a threat, but we're not gonna help, I think they're very foolish. I think that's a very bad thing for NATO," he said. Trump also drew comparisons with US support for Ukraine, criticising previous American spending under former US President Joe Biden. "We helped them, and they didn't help us," he said, referring to NATO allies. At the same time, Trump highlighted strong backing from Middle Eastern partners amid the conflict in the region. He said countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain had provided significant support and underscored close coordination with Israel, describing it as a "very strong collaboration" in ongoing operations. "We've had great support from the Middle East. Qatar has been great. The UAE has been absolutely great. Saudi Arabia's been terrific. Bahrain has been very good. The Middle Eastern countries have been very strong in their support. Of course, Israel has been our partner. Israel's been very, very strong, along with us. It's been a very strong collaboration," he stated. This development comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. Due to the conflict in the region, Iran has virtually closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for global energy supply. Following the death of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his administration's actions in the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, claiming that scrapping the Iran nuclear deal signed under former President Barack Obama prevented a potential "nuclear holocaust." Speaking on the escalating situation, Trump said, "If I didn't terminate Obama's horrible deal that he made, the Iran nuclear deal, you would have had a nuclear war four years ago. You would have had a nuclear holocaust, and you would have had it again if we didn't bomb the site..." Trump's remarks come amid heightened tensions following the ongoing military confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that while the United States is not yet ready to end its war with Iran, "we will be leaving in the near future," CNN reported. "We're not ready to leave yet, but we will be leaving in the near future," he said from the Oval Office, according to CNN. Trump added that he believes the US has inflicted enough damage that it could take Iran a decade to rebuild, CNN reported. However, when asked about a "day-after" plan for Iran, he declined to provide specifics, saying only that the country has "been decimated from every standpoint," as per CNN. The US President has repeatedly given vague and sometimes conflicting timelines regarding the end of the war, which began more than two weeks ago, CNN reported. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron after France declined to join a task force aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed, CNN reported. Speaking during a French Defense Council meeting, Macron said, "We are not party to the conflict, and therefore France will never participate in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context," CNN reported. Responding to Macron's remarks in the Oval Office, Trump said, "Well, he'll be out of office very soon. So, we'll have to see. I don't know," as per CNN. According to CNN, France's next presidential elections are scheduled for April 2027. Trump has also expressed frustration with US allies who have declined to send warships to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that they have not shown sufficient support despite benefiting from American security assistance for decades, CNN reported. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be secured, saying it "won't be too long," even though NATO countries would not assist in the ongoing conflict with Iran, CNN reported. "It won't be, I don't believe, too long. We're knocking the hell out of the coast. It's basically the coast and the water. And it won't be too long," Trump told reporters, as per CNN. He did not provide a specific timeline or outline how the US plans to secure the strategic waterway, CNN reported. President Trump also praised regional partners, stating, "The Middle Eastern states, including Israel, by the way, who has been terrific, the Middle Eastern states have been helping us a lot." Meanwhile, the US President had earlier urged allies to support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, CNN reported. According to CNN, Trump also dismissed warnings from Iran's deputy foreign minister that deploying US troops could lead to another Vietnam-style conflict. Responding to a question on the possibility, Trump said, "No, I'm not afraid of - I'm really not afraid of anything," as per CNN. Meanwhile, Micheal Martin defended UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a meeting at the Oval Office, CNN reported. According to CNN, Trump had said he was "disappointed" with Starmer for not sending minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz or offering other support in the Iran conflict, adding that "unfortunately, Keir is not Winston Churchill". "He's a very nice man with a beautiful family... but he, he doesn't produce," Trump said of Starmer, while also criticising the United Kingdom's energy and immigration policies, CNN reported. According to CNN, Martin responded by emphasising the importance of transatlantic ties, saying, "Notwithstanding what has happened, the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the US is very, very important on a number of fronts, and I think we've had issues over the last year or two, but we settled them".. He added that European leaders had engaged with the US on trade disputes, stating, "We've got a landing zone between Europe and US, and I think we can get a landing zone again," as per CNN. As per CNN, praising Starmer, Martin further said, "Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship. I just want to put that on the record, but I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person who I think you have a capacity to get on with - you got on with him before." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Ireland's president should "be very thankful" for US actions aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, CNN reported. According to CNN, Ireland's President Catherine Connolly had earlier criticised the war in Iran as a violation of international law, stating that "the normalization of war can never be accepted." Responding to her remarks, Trump said, "He's lucky I exist. That's all I can say," apparently referring to Connolly by the wrong gender, CNN reported. "Because if you're going to allow countries that are sick and demented, and they are demented, to have nuclear weapons, everybody in the whole world should be very thankful," Trump said, as per CNN. He further added, "And I'm disappointed in NATO, very disappointed. I'm disappointed in a couple of other countries too, but they should be very thankful that this group of people feels the way we do." According to CNN, opposition parties in Ireland have argued that US and Israeli strikes on Iran violate international law. Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin has stopped short of calling the strikes illegal but earlier said the bombing "was not in accordance with a UN mandate," while consistently calling for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution, CNN reported. During the Oval Office meeting, Martin also acknowledged concerns over nuclear proliferation, saying, "you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon, or the capacity for a nuclear weapon," CNN reported. (ANI)
French Chief of the Defence Staff General Fabien Mandon held a telephonic discussion with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, reaffirming the strong strategic partnership between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region. According to a statement shared by the French Embassy in India on X on Tuesday, the two military leaders discussed ongoing cooperation and emphasised the importance of regular exchanges between their armed forces. "The French Chief of Defence Staff, held a telephonic discussion with his Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan. India and France are robust partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Their regular army, air, and naval exchanges and joint trainings bolster regional stability,' the embassy stated. In a post on X, General Mandon described India as a "major partner" of France in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the depth of bilateral defence ties. He further noted that joint activities between the two nations span training, operational partnerships, and capability development, all contributing to regional stability. "Exchange with my Indian counterpart, General Anil Chauhan. India is a major partner of France in the Indo-Pacific. Our partnership is rich, embodied by regular exchanges between our armies on land, in the air, and our navies. Training, operational partnerships, capability cooperation: our joint actions are varied and contribute to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region," General Mandon stated in his post. Last month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh co-chaired the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with his French counterpart, Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin, in Bengaluru, where the two sides renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years, announced reciprocal deployment of officers, and inked an MoU for manufacturing HAMMER missiles in India. The dialogue focused on a wide range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of military equipment. Both ministers emphasised the need to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and deepen engagement in niche and emerging technologies. The renewal of the 10-year defence cooperation agreement was signed by senior officials from both sides following the dialogue, and the two countries also announced the reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments to enhance military-to-military cooperation. In a significant development, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India, thereby boosting indigenous defence production. (ANI)
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its "pre-war state. In a post on X, Ghalibaf said, "The Strait of Hormuz situation won''t return to its pre-war status." His remarks come amid escalating tensions in the region following ongoing military confrontations involving the United States, Israel and Iran, raising concerns over the stability of global energy supply chains. Meanwhile, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard defended President Donald Trump''s decision-making on Iran, emphasising that the President has the authority to determine threats to national security. In a statement posted on X, Gabbard said, "Donald Trump was overwhelmingly elected by the American people to be our President and Commander in Chief. As our Commander in Chief, he is responsible for determining what is and is not an imminent threat, and whether or not to take action he deems necessary to protect the safety and security of our troops, the American people and our country." She further outlined the role of the intelligence community, stating, "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is responsible for helping coordinate and integrate all intelligence to provide the President and Commander in Chief with the best information available to inform his decisions." Gabbard added that after reviewing available intelligence, Trump concluded that Iran posed an imminent threat, saying, "After carefully reviewing all the information before him, President Trump concluded that the terrorist Islamist regime in Iran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion." https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/2033989780116033948 Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be secured, saying it "won''t be too long," even though NATO countries would not assist in the ongoing conflict with Iran, CNN reported. "It won''t be, I don''t believe, too long. We''re knocking the hell out of the coast. It''s basically the coast and the water. And it won''t be too long," Trump told reporters, as per CNN. (ANI)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that around 200 Ukrainian air defence experts are currently deployed in the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks, CNN reported. Speaking at the British Parliament during his visit to the United Kingdom, Zelenskyy said that drones, particularly low-cost attack drones, have significantly altered the nature of modern warfare, CNN reported. Highlighting the cost disparity, he noted that while each Iranian drone costs about $50,000 USD, the US and its allies are using missiles worth nearly $4 million USD to intercept them, as per CNN. According to CNN, Ukraine has faced sustained drone and missile assaults after Russia increased production of Iranian-designed Shahed drones last year. Amid shortages of Western-supplied air defence systems, Kyiv developed a layered defence approach using electronic warfare, helicopters, modified cargo aircraft, and ground-based systems, including heavy machine guns and surface-to-air missiles, CNN reported. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to share its expertise, adding that the country can produce around 2,000 interceptor drones daily and could supply about half of them to allies, as per CNN. Meanwhile, in a speech to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at length about the US-Israel war against Iran, Al Jazeera reported. Zelenskyy said that Russia had begun receiving "Shahed" drones from Iran a few years ago and later upgraded them, as per Al Jazeera. "The regimes in Russia and Iran are brothers in hatred, and that is why they are brothers in weapons," the Ukrainian president said, as per Al Jazeera. "And we want regimes built on hatred to never win, in anything," he added. Meanwhile, Iran has confirmed that security chief Ali Larijani and Basij force commander Gholamreza Soleimani have been killed, Al Jazeera reported, citing state media. A series of explosions has struck Baghdad, including areas near the United States Embassy in Baghdad in the heavily fortified Green Zone, Al Jazeera reported. Furthermore, as per Al Jazeera, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned over the war on Iran, stating that the country posed "no imminent threat". Israel has carried out airstrikes on three neighbourhoods in Beirut, while also launching fresh attacks on Tehran, according to the Israeli military, as per Al Jazeera. Missile and drone attacks have continued across the Gulf region, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reporting interceptions, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
TOKYO, Mar 08 (News On Japan) - Sake brewed aboard the International Space Station returned from orbit and arrived at Kansai International Airport on March 6th, marking a milestone in a Japanese initiative aimed at eventually producing alcohol on the Moon.

A container carrying the "space-brewed sake" was delivered from the United States to Kansai Airport on the afternoon of March 6th.

The project was launched by a brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture as part of efforts to develop technology for brewing sake under lunar conditions in the future. In October 2025, brewing equipment and the raw ingredients for sake were transported to the International Space Station, where brewing was conducted inside an experimental module designed to replicate the Moons gravity.

Astronauts added water to the brewing device, and after the mixture was automatically stirred over a period of two weeks, approximately 100 milliliters of sake was produced.

After undergoing quarantine procedures, the sake will be sent to the Yamaguchi brewery for further research. One bottle will also be offered for sale for 110 million yen, with the proceeds planned to be donated to space development initiatives.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Mar 08 (News On Japan) - A day after a woman in her 70s was injured when a cherry tree collapsed at the same park, another tree was found toppled in Kinuta Park in Tokyos Setagaya Ward on March 8th.

Around noon on March 8th, authorities received a report that a tree had fallen near the parking lot of Kinuta Park in Setagaya Ward. Park staff who responded to the scene confirmed that a large tree had fallen beside a vehicle.

No injuries were reported in connection with the latest incident. The fallen tree, which measured more than 10 meters in height, had toppled over from its base and was lying on the ground.

The discovery came just a day after another accident at the park on March 7th, when a cherry tree collapsed and pinned a woman in her 70s beneath it, leaving her with minor injuries.

The park management office said it plans to investigate the age of the fallen tree and the cause of the collapse, while also carrying out inspections of other trees in the park.

Previously: Woman Injured After 10-Meter Cherry Tree Topples in Tokyo Park

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Mar 09 (News On Japan) - Japans Foreign Minister Motegi held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi and condemned attacks on civilian facilities in Gulf countries as well as actions threatening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, urging Iran to halt such activities.

Motegi said, "I condemned the attacks on civilian facilities in Gulf countries by Iran and actions that threaten the freedom and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and strongly urged that they be stopped immediately."

During the call held on the evening of March 9th, Motegi also reiterated that Irans development of nuclear weapons "can never be permitted."

Motegi further requested cooperation in ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals staying in Iran and called for the early release of two Japanese citizens currently being detained by Iranian authorities.

In response, Araghchi said Iran would "fully cooperate" in ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals.

Source: TBS
OSAKA, Mar 09 (News On Japan) - Customs authorities in Osaka strengthened border controls on March 9th in response to a continued influx of counterfeit goods entering Japan, including fake merchandise linked to popular characters and events.

Osaka Customs designated the five days beginning March 9th as a special enforcement period targeting illegal imitation products. On the morning of March 9th, officials at Kansai Airport distributed warnings to travelers and other visitors, urging them not to purchase counterfeit goods through internet shopping sites or other channels.

Saori Kato reporting: "Rows of counterfeit items are lined up here. In 2025, fake versions of Myaku-Myaku have also been discovered."

According to Osaka Customs, the number of counterfeit items blocked from import last year reached about 9,600 cases, remaining above 9,000 for the fourth consecutive year and showing little sign of decline.

Officials say that in recent months they have also detected growing numbers of counterfeit three-dimensional character stickers, reflecting surging domestic demand for certain popular characters.

Approximately 90 percent of the counterfeit goods intercepted were exported from China, prompting customs authorities to intensify vigilance at Japan's borders.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Mar 10 (News On Japan) - A blast of midwinter-like cold returned to the Kanto region, bringing rare March snowfall as Utsunomiya recorded its heaviest snow in 21 years for the month, while snow also fell in central Tokyo.

Due to a strong influx of cold air, Utsunomiya recorded 12 centimeters of snowfall as of 9 a.m. on March 10th.

It marked the first time in 21 years that snowfall in March exceeded 10 centimeters.

A resident in the city said, "It was snowing heavily before I left home this morning, and I thought this is bad. I thought the last snowfall had already marked the end of winter this year, but I didnt expect it to snow again."

As of 11:30 a.m., a heavy snow warning remained in effect for Tochigi Prefecture.

Snow was also observed in central Tokyo, raising concerns that accumulation could occur even within the capitals 23 wards.

Authorities are urging people to remain cautious of icy roads and possible transportation disruptions.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Mar 10 (News On Japan) - The government has instructed domestic oil reserve bases to prepare for a possible release of stockpiled crude as tensions surrounding the Middle East raise concerns about energy supply and the broader industrial impact, including disruptions to ethylene production used in food packaging.

The Nikkei Stock Average, which recorded a historic drop on June 9th, rebounded sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters the same day that military operations in Iran were expected to end soon.

As investors began to see the possibility that the worsening geopolitical situation might not drag on, crude oil prices reversed course and began to fall, prompting widespread buying across a broad range of stocks.

Against this backdrop, it has emerged that the Japanese government instructed domestic oil stockpile bases to prepare for a potential release.

Japan maintains 10 national petroleum reserve bases, and when combined with reserves held at privately operated facilities, the country has oil stockpiles equivalent to about 254 days of supply.

According to people familiar with the matter, the government has issued instructions to prepare for a release if necessary.

At an emergency meeting of finance ministers from the G7 major economies, participants also agreed to take necessary measures toward a coordinated release of oil reserves.

Meanwhile, the impact of the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz is beginning to spread across industries.

Naphtha, a petroleum product obtained during the refining process, is used to produce ethylene, a key raw material for plastic products including food packaging. More than 70% of Japans naphtha imports come from the Middle East.

Major chemical manufacturer Mitsubishi Chemical has already begun reducing ethylene production.

Idemitsu Kosan has also notified its business partners that it may suspend operations at its ethylene production facilities, raising concerns that the effects could spread further across supply chains.

Source: FNN
IBARAKI, Mar 10 (News On Japan) - Concerns are growing over a new system being considered by Ibaraki Prefecture that would offer rewards to people who report information leading to the arrest of foreign nationals working illegally, with critics warning the measure could deepen social divisions and encourage discrimination.

The proposed system would invite members of the public to provide information about suspected illegal employment of foreign nationals. If the information leads to arrests or other enforcement action, the informant would receive a reward of around 10,000 yen. The prefectural government says it is aiming to introduce the system in the next fiscal year.

Foreign workers play a key role in supporting Ibarakis agricultural industry, often referred to as a major supplier of food for the Tokyo metropolitan area. A Vietnamese man who came to Japan six years ago and now works in agriculture said that although he initially struggled with language barriers and cultural differences, support from colleagues helped him adjust and build a stable life. However, the proposed reporting system has left him feeling uneasy.

According to the Immigration Services Agency, more than 14,000 foreign nationals were identified nationwide as working illegally last year. Of those, 3,452 were working in Ibaraki, the highest number of any prefecture for the third consecutive year.

Japanese farmers who work alongside foreign laborers expressed mixed feelings. While some support stricter enforcement against illegal employment, others worry that the system could lead to suspicion and distrust. One farmer said that once people begin to suspect others, they tend to focus only on negative possibilities.

Public opinion within the prefecture is also divided. Some residents support the measure, arguing that foreign workers should follow proper procedures before working in Japan. Others believe offering rewards for reports goes too far and could encourage prejudice. One resident whose mother is from the Philippines said he worries that bias against foreigners could affect family members who work legally.

During a regular press conference last month, Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa was asked whether the system might cause legitimate foreign workers to face unwarranted suspicion. Oigawa responded that the program would be designed carefully to avoid creating anxiety among foreign nationals who are working properly.

The prefecture says reports will be limited to information about businesses rather than specific individuals, and anonymous tips will not be accepted.

However, some experts warn that the very act of encouraging people to report suspected illegal workers could foster social division. Because it is difficult to identify a persons employment status simply by appearance, reports may end up being based on prejudice or assumptions.

Critics also question whether offering rewards effectively encourages people to report others. They argue that policymakers should reconsider whether such a system would actually reduce illegal employment.

Some specialists point out that in other countries reporting systems do exist, but financial rewards are often not offered. The absence of rewards is intended to prevent misuse, discrimination, or excessive reporting.

Others argue that stronger enforcement should focus primarily on employers. According to a survey released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2025, labor law violations were found at 76 percent of workplaces employing foreign workers under the specified skilled worker program.

Experts say illegal employment often occurs because companies face severe labor shortages and continue hiring despite compliance issues. The number of business failures related to labor shortages rose 36 percent last year compared with the previous year, reaching 397 cases, the highest level since such surveys began in 2013.

Foreign workers are expected to continue increasing in Japan. Researchers warn that when the number of foreign workers rises rapidly within a short period, communities may experience social tension if integration policies fail to keep pace.

At the same time, analysts note that Japans original immigration strategy focused on attracting highly skilled workers, yet discussion of policies to bring in and retain such talent has received comparatively little attention. Experts argue that Japan should also work to improve systems that make it easier for highly skilled professionals and researchers to work and settle in the country.

Source: TBS
FUKUSHIMA, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - More than a decade after the nuclear disaster forced all residents of Futaba in Fukushima Prefecture to evacuate, solar panels are now spreading across the town, creating both opportunities and unease as reconstruction tax incentives attract energy projects to the area.

Futaba was entirely evacuated following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and it took 11 years before residents were able to begin returning. Although the town has only just started moving forward with its reconstruction, large solar panel installations have begun appearing in scattered locations across the community.

These solar projects are being promoted partly through tax incentives designed to support reconstruction in areas affected by the disaster. However, the system has also drawn companies seeking to reduce their tax burdens, leading some residents to question whether the policy is truly benefiting the towns recovery.

Among locals, the sudden spread of solar facilities has created a sense of discomfort. Some residents say the panels, installed on land that once supported homes, farms, or forests, feel out of place in a community still struggling to rebuild.

At the same time, landowners face difficult circumstances. Many properties remain difficult to use due to lingering effects of the disaster, declining populations, and limited economic opportunities. For some residents, leasing land for solar projects has become one of the few viable ways to generate income.

The expansion of solar power in Futaba therefore highlights a complicated reality: while renewable energy projects may contribute to Japans energy transition and offer financial lifelines to landowners, they also raise questions about how reconstruction policies are shaping the future of communities still recovering from one of the countrys worst disasters.

Source: TBS
OSAKA, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - A massive steel pipe buried underground suddenly protruded from the ground in Osakas Umeda district on March 11th, prompting ongoing road closures and emergency response efforts as authorities consider cutting the exposed section.

By the morning after the incident, restoration work had continued through the night until around 5 a.m., but roughly 1.5 meters of the pipe remained sticking above the surface. Traffic restrictions are still in place around the site, preventing vehicles from passing through the area.

According to the Osaka City Construction Bureau, crews worked overnight injecting liquid around the pipe to stabilize the surrounding ground. However, officials say it has proven difficult to push the pipe further back underground, and they are now considering cutting off the portion that remains above the surface.

The location of the incident is immediately east of Hankyus Osaka-Umeda Station, a busy commercial district filled with shopping malls and restaurants where large numbers of people pass through daily. Above the affected area runs Shin-Midosuji, a major northsouth artery connecting central Osaka with the Hokusetsu region. The road also leads toward Shin-Osaka Station.

At around 6:50 a.m. on March 11th, a man passing by discovered the pipe protruding from the ground and called police, reporting that concrete was falling. Police and city officials later confirmed that a steel pipe measuring about 27 meters in length and roughly 3.5 meters in diameter had pushed about 13 meters above the ground. No injuries were reported.

A woman who witnessed the scene said, "I was surprised. I thought, what is this?"

Video filmed by the man who reported the incident captured the dramatic moment as water sprayed forcefully around the pipe with a loud noise.

The man who made the report said, "I was walking to work when I heard a loud booming sound from ahead. I thought maybe it was an accident, but when I looked closer, pieces of concrete were falling from above."

Construction work had been underway at the site as part of a sewer project designed to create facilities to store rainwater and prevent flooding around Osaka Station. Two days earlier, workers had been draining groundwater from the pipe.

According to the Osaka City Construction Bureau, buoyancy may have caused the pipe to rise during the construction work, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

Heavy congestion was reported across the area following the incident. Shin-Midosuji, which runs directly above the site, serves as one of Osakas main transportation arteries linking the city center with Shin-Osaka and Senri New Town.

Footage from March 11th showed severe traffic jams on the southbound lanes heading from Shin-Osaka toward central Osaka. One taxi driver said a trip that normally takes about 30 minutes took nearly four hours.

Although traffic heading toward Shin-Osaka appeared somewhat lighter, the entire Umeda area near the entrances to Shin-Midosuji experienced significant congestion. One traveler reported that a taxi ride from Tenma to Shin-Osaka took nearly an hour.

Partial road closures on Shin-Midosuji remain in effect as of the morning of March 12th and are expected to continue throughout the day, raising concerns about further disruptions.

Authorities are advising commuters to use trains whenever possible when traveling through the area.

Source: YOMIURI
OSAKA, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - The number of young doctors entering cosmetic medicine immediately after completing their initial medical training is rapidly increasing in Japan, raising concerns within the healthcare industry about the future of medical care and the training of physicians.

These doctors are known as "chokubi," referring to physicians who move directly into cosmetic medicine after finishing their two-year initial residency, without gaining experience in insured medical fields such as internal medicine or surgery. The trend has been driven in part by the harsh working conditions of hospital-based medical care and the higher income available in private cosmetic clinics.

At the same time, some healthcare professionals warn that the shift may leave gaps in basic medical training and raise questions about how doctors will respond if complications occur. If the number of physicians focusing on cosmetic medicine continues to grow, there are fears that patients facing life-threatening conditions could struggle to receive timely treatment.

Fujisawa, who now serves as director of a cosmetic clinic in Kobe, previously worked as a pediatric surgeon at a university hospital about a decade ago. Although the work of saving children's lives was rewarding, the shortage of doctors in the field meant the burden on each physician was heavy.

In emergency situations, Fujisawa sometimes worked shifts exceeding 30 hours. While he managed the workload in his younger years, he eventually began to worry about sustaining such a lifestyle over the long term. In his eighth year as a doctor, in his thirties, he decided to switch careers and move into cosmetic surgery.

The move brought major changes to his work and personal life. Cosmetic medicine offered higher pay and predictable working hours, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Fujisawa says the surgical skills he developed during his years in pediatric surgery remain an important foundation in his current work.

Meanwhile, physicians working in hospital-based medicine continue to face demanding conditions. At Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center, about 30 doctors work in the cardiology department, treating patients with heart disease and responding to emergency cases around the clock.

Doctors there handle both hospitalized patients and emergency arrivals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, often working overnight shifts about six times a month. Because cardiovascular treatment requires teamwork, multiple physicians must coordinate closely to treat each patient.

With limited staff, the workload placed on each doctor can become overwhelming. Some physicians say that once working hours stretch too far, even higher salaries cannot compensate for the lack of time to spend on personal life.

Becoming a doctor in Japan requires graduating from medical school, passing the national medical licensing exam, and completing two years of initial residency across multiple specialties. Afterward, physicians typically choose a specialty such as internal medicine or surgery and undergo further training.

In recent years, however, more doctors have chosen to enter cosmetic medicine immediately after their initial residency.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of such doctors has increased roughly tenfold over the past decade.

Ishida Taro, director of a cosmetic clinic in Tokyo, is one of those doctors who entered the field immediately after his residency. He says hierarchical systems at university hospitals sometimes limit opportunities for younger doctors to perform surgeries, with many spending long periods assisting senior physicians without gaining hands-on experience.

Ishida originally entered medical school with dreams of becoming a pediatrician like his father, who runs an internal medicine clinic. However, observing the intense working conditions of senior doctors during his training led him to reconsider his path. The significantly higher salaries in cosmetic medicine also played a role in his decision.

Hospital doctors may earn around 4.5 million yen annually, he says, while large cosmetic clinics can offer starting salaries of around 25 million yen, even for new physicians.

The difference stems from how medical fees are determined. In insured medical treatment, which covers most illnesses, the government sets the prices for procedures. Cosmetic medicine, by contrast, is classified as private practice, allowing doctors and clinics to set their own fees. As a result, profit marginsand doctors' incomestend to be higher.

However, some physicians working in insured medical care express concern about the trend. They question whether doctors who move directly into cosmetic medicine have acquired sufficient basic medical skills and how they would handle serious complications if they occur.

Ultimately, the greatest risk, they say, falls on patients.

At the same time, Ishida argues that simply criticizing the trend will not solve the problem. If the working conditions and compensation in insured medical care remain difficult, young doctors will continue to choose alternative paths.

In response to these challenges, some hospitals are introducing reforms aimed at improving doctors' working environments.

Kobe University Hospital has begun implementing "task shifting," a system that transfers certain duties traditionally handled by doctors to other medical professionals. Clinical laboratory technologists, for example, now conduct some examination procedures that were previously performed by physicians.

In the cardiology department, where around 50 patients are hospitalized and more than 100 are treated including outpatients, doctors had struggled to manage the heavy workload of examinations, paperwork, and patient care.

By delegating tasks such as electrocardiogram testing and other examinations to specialized staff, doctors are able to focus more on diagnosis and treatment.

The changes have also brought benefits for patients. Doctors say they now have more time to speak with patients and concentrate on treatment, improving the quality of care.

Taniguchi, a cardiologist with more than 20 years of experience, says improving work-life balance in the medical field is essential if hospitals hope to attract young doctors.

Although the job is physically demanding, Taniguchi says the moment when a patient who arrived in critical condition walks out of the hospital healthy again remains deeply rewarding.

He hopes younger doctors will be able to experience that sense of fulfillment as well.

If the number of physicians choosing cosmetic medicine continues to grow, some warn that emergency care could become harder to access when lives are on the line. The rise of "chokubi" doctors has exposed deeper contradictions within the healthcare systemone in which dedication alone cannot sustain the workforce.

Improving working conditions and creating an environment where doctors want to continue practicing insured medical care has become an urgent challenge for Japan's healthcare system.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Mar 12 (News On Japan) - An exhibition aimed at promoting Japanese women artists internationally is currently being held at a gallery in Tokyos Omotesando district, drawing attention to the persistent gender gap in the global art world.

The event is featured in the segment Taro Kawasakis Art BIZ, which introduces developments in the art industry and the business surrounding it. Although women make up more than 70% of students at art universities, more than 80% of professors are men, and the total sales of artworks by male artists far exceed those by female artists worldwide. Data like these suggest that differences between male and female artists cannot be explained by talent alone.

The exhibition grew from a simple question: Can you name five female artists? When asked, many people tend to recall names such as Rembrandt, Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, or Pablo Picassoartists who are overwhelmingly male.

The exhibition is being held at a gallery in Omotesando Hills in Tokyos Shibuya district. It is organized by the Japan committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), a Washington-based museum dedicated to supporting female artists and promoting gender equality in the arts.

The committee works in partnership with the National Museum of Women in the Arts in the United States, the worlds first museum devoted solely to works by women artists. The organization was founded to address the historical tendency for women artists to be overlooked or marginalized.

One of the groups directors explained that the museum in Washington regularly organizes international initiatives highlighting women artists and works to discover overlooked talent. The current project connects to the Women to Watch exhibition series, launched about two decades ago to spotlight promising female artists from around the world.

The Japan committee was established about five years ago to participate in this global program. The Women to Watch exhibition gathers artists who are attracting attention internationally, and the next edition will be held next year.

From Japan, five artists have been nominated as candidates to participate in the upcoming exhibition. The selection was overseen by Yukie Kamiya of The National Art Center, Tokyo. According to the organizers, the chosen artists range in age from their 30s to their 60s and represent a wide variety of backgrounds and artistic styles.

Their careers span multiple locations, including London, Paris, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo, reflecting a deliberate effort to emphasize diversity in both geography and artistic approach. From the five nominees, one artist will ultimately be selected to represent Japan.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts itself is located just a few blocks from the White House in Washington. The museum was founded by Wilhelmina Holladay, an art collector who began assembling works by women artists after discovering that many had been overlooked in mainstream art history.

Holladay reportedly purchased a painting by a Dutch female artist from the 16th century but found that little historical information about the artist existednot even her birth or death dates. Even widely used art history textbooks barely mentioned female artists at the time. Motivated by this discovery, Holladay began collecting works by women artists and opened her own home to the public in 1981 before officially establishing the museum on April 7, 1987.

Today, the museum holds more than 6,000 works by around 1,000 to 1,200 artists, all created by women. Some pieces were acquired by Holladay herself, while others were donated by collectors.

Unlike many institutions that focus on already established artists, the museum often purchases works by emerging female artists if the quality is high, even if they are not yet widely known. Over time, some of these artists have gained significant recognition, meaning the museum acquired their works long before their market value increased.

Organizers say the initiative stems from a broader awareness of how certain groups have historically been marginalized in the art world. Rather than focusing solely on the work of white male artists, they argue that art institutions should also amplify voices representing a wider range of perspectives, including those of women.

Statistics illustrate the imbalance. According to surveys, works by women account for only about 10% of the collections in many museums. Analysts point to two main reasons for this gap: historical structures and contemporary social factors.

Historically, many major museumsincluding institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Pradofeature works dating back centuries, when the art world was dominated by male artists. Because these works are already well studied and highly valued, museums tend to continue acquiring them, reinforcing the imbalance.

Another factor is the structure of the art market itself. Museums are typically cautious about purchasing expensive works, often relying on boards of trustees and collectors for funding. These boards and collectors have traditionally been dominated by men, influencing the types of artists whose works are acquired.

Social factors also play a role. In many professions, including the arts, systems often reward uninterrupted career trajectories. Women may face life events that interrupt their careers, making it harder to maintain the momentum needed to build recognition in competitive markets where galleries and collectors rarely wait.

According to the Gender Balance Report 2022 published by a research group studying creative fields, women account for more than 70% of art university students in Japan, yet more than 80% of professors are men. Over the decade leading up to 2020, 84.6% of solo exhibitions held at museums featured male artists.

Data from financial information service QUICK shows that the top five male artists globally generated total art sales of 13.1 billion dollars, compared with 1.68 billion dollars for the top five female artistsnearly an eightfold difference.

Nevertheless, signs of improvement are beginning to appear. The proportion of women artists represented by Japanese galleries rose to 44% in 2024, still below half but significantly higher than the 35% recorded in 2023.

Sales figures are also shifting. Works by female artists accounted for 20% of art sales in 2023 but increased to 33% in 2024.

Organizers emphasize that art represents messages and voices from its creators. Ensuring that both mens and womens perspectives are represented, they argue, is essential for a fuller understanding of the human experience.

Source: BIZ
NARA, Mar 13 (News On Japan) - Kyoto Prefecture recorded more than 30 million overnight visitors last year, reinforcing its status as one of Japans most popular travel destinations.

In March, a new luxury hotel opened in the historic Gion district, highlighting the citys continued tourism boom. Just next door, however, the ancient capital of Nara faces a very different reality. Despite its rich history and famous landmarks, Nara ranks last in the Kansai region for overnight stays and sits at 44th nationwide.

One of the newest additions to Kyotos luxury hospitality scene is the Imperial Hotel Kyoto, which opened on March 5ththe first new domestic Imperial Hotel property in 30 years, following Osaka. The hotel was created by preserving and repurposing a nationally registered cultural property, the former Yasaka Kaikan building. Around 16,000 original tiles were reused in the renovation, transforming a historic theater into a symbol of Kyotos modern hospitality industry.

The hotel offers 55 guest rooms, with prices starting from 164,500 yen per night. The top-tier Imperial Suite costs as much as 3 million yen per night and spans 128 square meters, featuring amenities such as a mist sauna and a terrace overlooking expansive views of the city. Some reservations have already been secured, and hotel officials say the experience of staying within the Gion district itself is a major attraction for visitors.

Kyoto has seen a wave of hotel openings in recent years, and the city continues to enjoy strong tourism demand. Although accommodation prices temporarily softened due to a decline in Chinese tourists, booking platforms expect rates between late March and mid-Aprilduring the cherry blossom seasonto exceed last years levels by more than 10 percent. With attractions scattered across the city, Kyoto is widely regarded as a destination that requires multiple days to fully explore, helping sustain its strong overnight visitor numbers.

Nara, by contrast, remains primarily a day-trip destination. Despite welcoming many international visitorsits inbound visitation rate ranks seventh nationwidethe number of tourists who stay overnight remains low. Many travelers visit famous sites such as Todai-ji Temple during the day before leaving in the evening.

At around 6 p.m., the approach to Todai-ji quickly empties as visiting hours end. Shops along the street close early, leaving the area unusually quiet for a major tourist site. Visitors themselves often acknowledge the difference between the neighboring cities.

I enjoyed Kyoto, one tourist said. But Nara is fine as a day trip. Kyoto has more places to see.

Another visitor noted the early closing hours. I arrived before 2 p.m., and the shops were already closing. If they stayed open just one more hour, it would help.

Even locals say they hesitate to invite friends to stay in Nara overnight, often suggesting that visitors head to Osaka or Kyoto in the evening instead.

For decades, Nara has been criticized for relying too heavily on its famous Great Buddha statue and other historical assets without developing broader tourism appeala phenomenon sometimes described as Daibutsu business. Early closing times and limited nightlife have also discouraged longer stays.

As a result, overnight visitor numbers remain low. In 2024, Nara recorded about 3.29 million overnight guests, ranking 44th among Japans prefectures. Local officials say the citys tourism challenges can be summed up by three issues: cheap, shallow, and narrow.

Visitors often stop briefly at Nara Park, buy deer crackers, and leave shortly afterward, spending only a small amount of money in the local economy. According to officials, some tourists spend as little as 200 yen during their visit.

To address this, the prefecture has begun promoting longer stays through new tourism initiatives focused on evening experiences. In February, Nara launched tourism packages designed to extend visitors time in the city.

Last October, the prefecture also opened new businesses near Nara Park where visitors can enjoy food and drinks until around 8 p.m., though attendance remains limited.

Officials say the challenge lies in creating a broader atmosphere of activity. One shop alone has its limits, a local operator said. If the whole area isnt lively, its difficult to attract people.

One approach now being promoted involves cultural experiences unique to Nara. Some hotels have begun offering packages that combine accommodation with hands-on activities.

At one workshop, visitors can learn to make traditional Nara brushes, known as Nara fude. The craft originated in Yamatokoriyama City, and participants can observe the roughly 100-step production process directly from skilled artisans before creating their own brush to take home as a souvenir.

Other programs encourage visitors to explore historical sites in new ways. One unique experience offers a picnic atop a kofun burial mound, while a recently opened accommodation allows guests to stay inside a renovated property built into the grounds of the Nishiyamazuka Kofun, believed to date from the early sixth century.

The lodging incorporates soil from the surrounding mound into the buildings walls, giving guests the sensation of sleeping beside an ancient tomb.

Local hotels are also developing tours tied to traditional nighttime events. One example is a guided evening tour of Todai-jis famous Omizutori ceremony. Before attending the event, visitors receive explanations from tourism concierges about the history and etiquette associated with the ritual.

Guests then enjoy dinner made from local ingredients before heading to the temple with a guide to witness the dramatic torchlight ceremony, during which monks run across the temple balcony carrying large flaming torches.

After the torches pass, participants can observe monks continuing their nighttime training rituals inside Nigatsu-do Hall. Visitors say the experience adds depth to the trip and makes staying overnight far more appealing.

These initiatives are starting to produce results, officials say. The number of overnight visitors is expected to reach a record high, and new hotel construction projects are already underway.

Nara Prefecture has set a goal of attracting 5 million overnight guests by 2030.

Officials emphasize that tourism development must balance economic growth with the preservation of cultural heritage. The idea is to earn revenue, protect what we have, and pass it on to the next generation, one official said, referring to Naras historic temples, rituals, and cultural traditions.

Whether Nara can transform its image from a daytime stop into a destination where visitors stay the night remains uncertain. But local leaders believe that expanding nighttime tourism and creating deeper cultural experiences could help turn the citys current challenges into an opportunity for long-term revitalization.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Mar 15 (News On Japan) - Two weeks after attacks on Iran triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, turmoil has spread through the global economy, with rising gasoline prices already hitting consumers while a looming shortage of petrochemical materials threatens to drive up the cost of everyday goods.

Stock markets reacted sharply as crude oil prices surged, with Japans benchmark index plunging by more than 4,000 yen at one point during the week, marking the largest drop of the year and fueling concerns of market panic.

At gasoline stations in Tokyo, prices have already climbed past 200 yen per liter, and some stations have posted notices warning customers that fuel deliveries could become difficult, urging motorists to fill up as soon as possible.

The impact is also being felt in supermarkets, where procurement managers say rising transportation costs are becoming a major concern as fuel prices climb. But logistics expenses are only part of the problem.

Supermarket staff warn that packaging materialssuch as food trays, plastic wrap and product labelsare also becoming more expensive. If these costs rise further, retailers may have little choice but to pass the burden on to consumers through higher product prices.

Many of these materials, including plastic trays, vinyl bags and other packaging products, are petrochemical goods made from naphtha, a raw material derived from crude oil. Most of Japans naphtha imports come from the Middle East.

Since the attack on Iran, the price of naphtha has surged to about 1.4 times its previous level, rising by more than 100 dollars per ton.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has announced measures such as releasing strategic petroleum reserves and resuming gasoline subsidies to ease the burden on consumers. However, the government has yet to present specific countermeasures for the rising cost and potential shortage of naphtha.

The strain is already being felt by small businesses. In Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, a family-run bento shop that prides itself on generous portions recently raised prices for the second time in less than a year.

The shop raised prices in April last year due to soaring rice costs, and again last month as chicken prices climbed. Now the owner fears yet another wave of cost increases, this time driven by packaging.

All of our containers are plastic, the owner said, holding up the boxes used for the shops bento meals. Food prices are already rising, and if all of these packaging materials go up as well, there may come a point where we simply cant absorb the costs anymore.

Customers say they understand the difficult situation but worry about the continuing rise in living expenses.

Its tough, one customer said. Rice has gone up, meat has gone up, and now this. Of course we hope prices can somehow stay lower.

Others expressed concern about the global nature of the crisis.

Its scary, another shopper said. When something happens in another country, the effects spread everywhere. I hope Japanese politicians will think carefully about how to deal with it.

The effects could spread even further because petrochemical products are used across a vast range of everyday items.

At a specialty store that sells packaging materials and office supplies, staff pointed to plastic food containers, forks and spoons, rubber gloves, binders and clear file foldersall products derived from petroleum.

When you look around like this, you realize how much of our daily life is surrounded by plastic products, a store employee said. If supplies become disrupted, the impact on society could be enormous.

For now, visible shortages have not yet emerged. But experts warn that the consequences of a naphtha shortage may soon begin to affect households.

Unlike gasoline, which Japan stores in large quantities, naphtha supplies are far more limited.

Naphtha is produced by refining crude oil and is used to create fundamental petrochemical materials such as ethylene and propylene, which in turn become plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, detergents and paints.

The government says Japan holds crude oil reserves equivalent to about 254 days of supply, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has stated that there will be no immediate impact.

However, estimates based on preliminary petroleum statistics from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy suggest that Japans naphtha stockpiles amount to only about 14 days.

Producing more naphtha from stored crude oil is not straightforward. Refining crude oil also produces kerosene and diesel at the same time, and limitations in storage capacity make it difficult to increase naphtha output alone.

Analysts say the situation highlights how deeply modern life depends on petroleum.

Japan imports about 97 percent of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the country highly vulnerable to disruptions in the region. The impact is being amplified by the weak yen, which has depreciated sharply in recent years and makes imported energy even more expensive.

The United States, by contrast, is less directly dependent on Middle Eastern oil thanks to its shale revolution, which has made it the worlds largest crude oil producer and exporter. However, even in the U.S., rising gasoline prices can quickly become a political issue in a car-dependent society.

Experts say the crisis underscores the need for Japan to rethink its energy strategy.

In the short term, policies aimed at energy conservation and the expansion of renewable energy could help reduce vulnerability. Over the longer term, analysts argue that Japan must diversify its primary energy sources and build a more resilient supply structure.

The current disruption, they say, has revealed lingering weaknesses in global supply networks and could once again threaten Japans fragile economic recovery if rising energy costs and supply constraints push real wages back into negative territory.

Source: TBS
Community conservation programs bring local people into the heart of wildlife protection efforts worldwide. These grassroots initiatives empower residents to safeguard animals and habitats while addressing their own needs for sustainable living. By fostering collaboration between communities, governments, and organizations, they create lasting strategies that benefit ecosystems and human livelihoods alike.

What Drives Community Conservation Programs

Community conservation programs typically start when local groups recognize threats to nearby wildlife, such as habitat loss or poaching. Residents form committees to monitor species, restore degraded areas, and set rules for resource use. This hands-on approach ensures protection measures fit the local context, making them more effective than distant directives.

In places like rural villages or indigenous territories, these programs blend traditional practices with modern tools. For instance, communities might use camera traps to track animal movements or plant native trees to rebuild forests. Training from NGOs helps build skills in data collection and conflict resolution, turning everyday observers into skilled protectors.

The strength of these programs lies in their focus on shared benefits. When people see direct gainslike fewer crop losses or new income sourcesthey commit to long-term wildlife protection. Mongabay recently highlighted how such efforts span continents, from Andean cat monitoring to forest restoration in Brazil.

Real-World Wins in Wildlife Protection

Community conservation programs deliver tangible results across diverse landscapes. Here are standout examples:

Peru's Andes: Quechua women in Licapa formed Mujeres Quechua por la Conservacion, repairing livestock corrals and using camera traps to monitor wildcats. This cut attacks on chickens and eased forest pressure, fostering healthier habitats.

Quechua women in Licapa formed Mujeres Quechua por la Conservacion, repairing livestock corrals and using camera traps to monitor wildcats. This cut attacks on chickens and eased forest pressure, fostering healthier habitats. Brazil's Caatinga dry forest: 35 communities have fenced 40,000 hectares through the Recaatingamento project since 2009. Excluding overgrazing goats and sheep allowed native vegetation to rebound, boosting birds, mammals, and soil for broader wildlife protection.

35 communities have fenced 40,000 hectares through the Recaatingamento project since 2009. Excluding overgrazing goats and sheep allowed native vegetation to rebound, boosting birds, mammals, and soil for broader wildlife protection. Namibia's communal conservancies: Locals manage elephants, lions, and rhinos on shared lands, earning from tourism and controlled hunting fees. Revenue builds schools and funds patrols, stabilizing populations long-term.

Locals manage elephants, lions, and rhinos on shared lands, earning from tourism and controlled hunting fees. Revenue builds schools and funds patrols, stabilizing populations long-term. Panama's Darien National Park: Backed by the Global Environment Facility , communities deploy camera traps for jaguars and install electric fences. Expanded efforts across villages protect big cats and reduce clashes.

These cases highlight how community conservation programs turn local action into measurable gains for wildlife protection.

Tackling Human-Wildlife Conflicts Locally

Human-wildlife conflicts often erode support for conservation when animals raid crops or kill livestock. Community programs address this head-on with tailored solutions. Early-warning systems using bells or lights alert farmers to approaching elephants, while guard dogs deter predators from herds.

In parts of Africa, beekeeping near elephant paths doubles as protection and income. Bees buzz aggressively when disturbed, keeping elephants away from fields without harm. Communities harvest honey for sale, turning a threat into a resource.

Improved enclosures play a key role too. In Guyana, residents reinforced livestock pens and adopted traditional fire management to curb wildfires that displace animals. These steps reduced attacks and illegal logging, giving wildlife safer corridors.

Training empowers locals to handle issues calmly. Workshops teach tracking, deterrence, and compensation claims for losses. When communities lead, resentment fades, and tolerance growsessential for species like lions or tigers sharing human spaces.

Economic Incentives Fueling Lasting Change

Sustainable livelihoods keep community conservation programs thriving. Eco-tourism draws visitors to see thriving wildlife, employing locals as guides or lodge staff. In Chitwan, Nepal, villages near rhino habitats earn from safaris, funding anti-poaching teams.

Non-timber products add diversity. Bamboo crafts, medicinal plants, or eco-certified fish provide steady income without depleting resources. In Nigeria's Cross River State, communities banned monkey hunting and started viewing tours, boosting Sclater's monkey numbers through by-laws and sanctuaries.

Payments for ecosystem services link conservation to cash. Upstream forest protectors receive funds from downstream water users, rewarding habitat maintenance. This model scales well, as seen in WWF-backed projects blending indigenous knowledge with finance tools.

Women and youth often lead these ventures. In Peru, women's groups gained skills in monitoring and business, shifting family attitudes toward stewardship. Such inclusion builds resilience against economic shocks.

Overcoming Hurdles in Community Efforts

No program is without obstacles. Funding shortages limit patrols or equipment, while unclear land rights spark disputes. Political shifts can withdraw support, leaving communities vulnerable.

Short-term pressures like droughts push reliance on wildlife for food. Without buffers, poaching rises. Successful programs counter this with emergency aid, crop insurance, or diversified farming.

External partners sometimes overlook local input, breeding distrust. Transparent benefit-sharingclear rules on tourism revenuebuilds buy-in. Long-term success demands patience, adaptive plans, and respect for indigenous systems.

Pathways Forward for Wildlife Protection

Community conservation programs point to a collaborative future for wildlife protection. Strengthening governance equips locals to partner with scientists and funders effectively. Digital tools like apps for reporting sightings enhance monitoring without heavy costs.

Global networks share best practices, from Namibia's model to Brazil's fencing. Scaling blends local action with policy, securing corridors for migrating species.

Individuals can amplify impact by supporting verified initiatives through donations or ethical travel. Choosing community-run lodges channels money directly to protectors. As these programs mature, they weave human well-being into ecological health, ensuring wildlife thrives alongside thriving communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are community conservation programs?

Community conservation programs involve local residents in protecting wildlife and natural resources near their homes. They emphasize community-led decision-making, rule enforcement, and benefit-sharing to ensure both ecosystems and people thrive.

2. How do community conservation programs protect wildlife?

These programs train locals as monitors and rangers to spot poaching or habitat threats early. They also promote sustainable practices like controlled grazing and habitat restoration, reducing pressures on species while building long-term stewardship.

3. Why do communities participate in wildlife protection efforts?

People join when they gain direct benefits, such as income from eco-tourism, reduced crop losses, or alternative livelihoods like beekeeping. This alignment turns potential conflicts into shared incentives for protecting animals and habitats.
TOKYO, Mar 15 (News On Japan) - As Japan enters the peak spring relocation season from March to April, the transport ministry has released this years moving reservation outlook, warning that many people may struggle to secure their preferred moving dates.

According to reservation data published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the period from March 28th through April 4th is expected to be "extremely crowded."

Meanwhile, moving demand is also projected to be "crowded" on March 14th, March 20th through March 27th, as well as April 5th and April 11th.

The spring relocation season, which coincides with corporate transfers and the start of the new academic year, has led to growing concern over so-called "moving refugees"people unable to book movers on their preferred dates due to a shortage of drivers and transportation capacity.

In response, the ministry is urging people planning to relocate to review the published reservation schedule and consider adjusting their moving dates accordingly.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Mar 15 (News On Japan) - As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, digital tools designed to distinguish humans from AI are gaining attention as an essential safeguard for the internet age.

One of the most pressing challenges accompanying AIs rapid development is the rise of deepfakes. AI-generated videos and voices that closely mimic real people are increasingly being misused in scams, reputational attacks and manipulation of public opinion, while sophisticated bots are also being used to buy up event tickets illegally and resell them at inflated prices.

Amid these growing concerns, a digital identity system known as World ID, designed to distinguish humans from AI, has already attracted more than 17 million registered users worldwide.

The initiative aims to build new infrastructure to protect trust and safety on the internet in the AI era.

A survey on trust in AI found that roughly 80 percent of respondents expressed concern about impersonation and fake accounts created using AI, while also saying they worry about being unable to identify fake images or misinformation. Against this backdrop, the program Live News  focused on digital ID technology that can verify whether a user is human.

Yuka Ebihara, a presenter on the program, remarked, Ive lived my life without ever really needing to prove that Im human.

Tomoe Makino, Japan representative for Tools for Humanity, explained: In the age of AI, we need a way to distinguish whether something is a human, a program or a bot. Thats why a system called World ID is necessary. This device is used to register for it.

The initiative is backed by Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, known for developing ChatGPT.

In some countries, long lines have formed as people seek to obtain the proof of humanity, and the number of global registrations has already surpassed 17 million.

The process begins by scanning each individuals iris using a dedicated device. The iris pattern is unique to every person.

Ebihara asked whether fingerprints might be used instead of iris data. Staff members explained that fingerprints can change over time as people age, while iris patterns remain constant throughout a persons life.

Based on the iris data, a digital ID is issued through a smartphone app. By linking this ID to social media accounts, app registrations or participation in online events, the system is expected to prevent impersonation using AI and fraudulent participation by automated bots.

Makino said, Because we were unable to stop impersonation or information manipulation before, we believe this system could help create a society where such manipulation on social media becomes impossible.

To protect privacy, users do not need to register personal information such as their name or address. Instead, they can verify their humanity while maintaining anonymity.

In Japan, the initiative has also partnered with Mediroam, a company with a nationwide retail network, in order to expand the installation of the specialized devices.

Koji Eguchi, president of Mediroam, said, This system to distinguish AI from humans is being developed by Sam Altman, who has been at the forefront of creating AI. We want people to be able to authenticate themselves easily in places close to home.

The devices have already been installed at more than 150 locations across Japan, including bathing facilities and relaxation centers operated by Mediroam, and the cumulative number of World ID verifications in the country has exceeded 20,000.

The system also provides benefits for participating businesses by increasing customer traffic and contributing to regional revitalization.

Users who obtain the ID receive a cryptocurrency known as Worldcoin, which can be exchanged within the app for various vouchers and gift certificates. Many users reportedly visit participating stores to shop or use services after acquiring their ID.

Eguchi said the companys ultimate goal is to install 3,000 devices nationwide. I believe this will spread rapidly. A system that can distinguish between humans and bots  something only humans can use  will become absolutely essential in cyberspace.

Source: FNN
TOKYO, Mar 16 (News On Japan) - A mobile battery carried by a passenger caught fire inside a Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line train on March 15th, forcing the line to suspend operations temporarily across its entire route, though no injuries were reported.

At a subway platform, a station attendant was seen spraying a fire extinguisher onto a blackened object, after which white smoke rose from it.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and other authorities, the fire broke out at around 9:30 a.m. on March 15th shortly after a train stopped at Nagatacho Station on the Hanzomon Line in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. A passengers mobile battery suddenly ignited inside the train.

The fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes, and no one was injured in the incident.

Due to the fire, the Hanzomon Line temporarily suspended service across the entire line but resumed operations shortly after 10 a.m.

Accidents involving mobile batteries catching fire inside trains have been occurring one after another in recent years, raising concerns about the safety of portable chargers on public transportation.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Mar 16 (News On Japan) - Seven men, including suspected ringleaders linked to an organized crime group, have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department in connection with a robbery in which about 423 million yen was stolen from a man walking along a Tokyo street in January 2026.

Those arrested include Kano Jinryu, 21, believed to be the mastermind and a senior member of the Hirodo-kai faction of the Yamaguchi-gumi, and Koike Koji, 47, along with five other men suspected of carrying out the attack.

Police allege that the seven men robbed a suitcase containing approximately 423 million yen from a 43-year-old man on a street in Higashi-Ueno, Taito Ward, in January, spraying the victim in the face with tear gas and assaulting him during the robbery.

According to investigators, Kano and Koike met with three of the attackers at a park in Tokyos Itabashi Ward about an hour and a half before the incident before driving together to the crime scene.

After the robbery, the group allegedly fled in a light vehicle driven by Koike and later switched to a wagon vehicle belonging to Kano in order to escape.

When Metropolitan Police searched locations connected to the suspects on March 14th, they discovered and seized about 27.5 million yen in cash.

About two and a half hours after the robbery, another incident occurred at Haneda Airport in which approximately 190 million yen was nearly stolen, and police are investigating whether the two cases are linked.

Source: FNN
SAPPORO, Mar 15 (News On Japan) - The popular group Arashi, which will end its activities in May this year, launched its final nationwide tour in Sapporo, setting off a surge of fans and a ripple of economic effects stretching far beyond Hokkaido.

Shortly after 4 a.m. on March 15th, passengers arriving at Kansai International Airport included emotional fans returning from the Sapporo concert.

A fan who has followed the group for 10 years said, "I'm still in a daze. I was crying the whole time."

Another fan with a 15-year history of supporting the group said, "My bath towel was completely soaked."

Others spoke enthusiastically despite their lack of sleep.

"It was so much fun," one fan said. "They gave us such a happy time. I think I can keep going for another week."

Another added, "Maybe I can keep going a little longer. Just a little longer."

Fans rubbed their tired eyes while passionately describing their love for Arashi.

Junichi Inoue, a cameraman with Sapporo Television, said, "Fans from all over the country have gathered here, and it feels like their excitement is rising all the way into the sky."

The group's final tour began with the Sapporo concerts on March 13th.

Over the three-day run, about 150,000 people attended the shows, raising expectations for a major economic boost. The excitement has spread throughout the city's shopping districts.

A visitor from Tokyo said, "I bought crab and finished all my souvenir shopping, so now I can focus on the concert."

Kazuo Sasaki of Miyata Shoten said, "Almost everyone here is an Arashi fan. It's like New Year's and the Bon holidays coming at the same time."

While the concerts have generated excitement nationwide, concerns also emerged over a shortage of hotel rooms.

Once the tour was announced, accommodations across Sapporo quickly sold out, with prices surging. At the same time, the second round of entrance exams at Hokkaido University took place shortly before the concerts, causing the peak demand for lodging from both exam applicants and tens of thousands of Arashi fans to overlap.

Airlines stepped in to ease the accommodation crunch. Low-cost carrier Peach added extra flights, including a late-night service departing Sapporo at 2 a.m. bound for Kansai International Airport, to help handle the surge in travel demand.

A fan of 16 years said, "When I boarded the plane, they handed out candy in the five colors of the Arashi members. I could really feel Peach's love."

Another fan with an 18-year history of following the group said, "Everyone on the plane was an Arashi fan, so we ended up making friends with people we'd never met before and even exchanging contact information. I love how it creates this Arashi community."

Arashi plans to conclude its activities after completing a five-dome tour across Japan. The Osaka performances are scheduled for May, leaving many wondering what kind of whirlwind the group will bring to the Kansai region next.

Source: YOMIURI
TOKYO, Mar 17 (News On Japan) - Rising land prices are making it increasingly difficult for people to live in their preferred locations, prompting a growing trend of choosing homes a few stations away from major hubs as a way to reduce rent.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced on March 17th that officially assessed land prices, which serve as a benchmark for property transactions, have risen for the fifth consecutive year in both residential and commercial areas, highlighting the continued upward pressure on housing costs.

With rents climbing, attention is turning to so-called hidden gem stations where prices are more affordable. According to LIFULL HOME'S, Omiya ranked third in its 2026 ranking of the most desirable places to rent in the Tokyo metropolitan area, following Kasai and Hachioji.

The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Omiya stands at 142,000 yen, but moving just one station away can lower rents by between 10,000 yen and nearly 50,000 yen. Nearby stations such as Saitama-Shintoshin average 132,000 yen, Kita-Yono 123,000 yen, Kita-Omiya 116,000 yen, Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan 100,000 yen, and Miyahara 93,000 yen.

At Nisshin Station, served by the Saikyo and Kawagoe lines, the average rent drops further to 85,000 yen, offering a significant discount compared to Omiya.

While Nisshin lacks the large commercial complexes found around Omiya Station, residents describe it as a quieter and more livable area. A woman in her 70s who has lived in the area for about 50 years noted that while passengers pour off trains, they quickly disperse, leaving the neighborhood relatively calm. A teenage resident said the station offers convenient direct access to central Tokyo without transfers. Another woman in her 30s highlighted the presence of large parks and supermarkets, adding that while Omiya is more convenient, Nisshin provides a quieter environment better suited to raising children. A woman in her 50s also noted that the number of supermarkets in the area has been increasing, improving convenience.

Longtime residents, however, say the area has changed over the decades. An 80-year-old woman who has lived near the station for about 50 years recalled that the neighborhood was once more vibrant, with many shops and cafes, most of which have since disappeared, although new coffee shops have begun to open in recent years.

A similar trend can be seen in central Tokyo. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment around Ikebukuro Station is 207,000 yen, but moving one station away to Itabashi lowers the average to 195,000 yen, although demand there has declined compared to the previous year. Two stations away, Jujo has seen a rise in inquiries, with rents averaging 152,000 yen, more than 50,000 yen cheaper than Ikebukuro.

Other nearby stations such as Higashi-Nagasaki, Senkawa, and Oyama also show lower rents, ranging from 144,000 yen to 152,000 yen, alongside rising interest from prospective tenants, indicating growing demand for areas slightly removed from major terminals.

However, experts caution that moving away from major stations may come with trade-offs. Nakayama Toshiro, deputy director of the LIFULL HOME'S Research Institute, said that convenience and overall comfort can decline compared to terminal stations, stressing the importance of walking around the neighborhood to assess the living environment before making a decision.

In addition to shifting locations, adjusting other conditions is also becoming a key strategy. According to Nakayama, the three main factors that can be shifted when choosing a property are distance from the station, building age, and floor space.

A comparison of properties in Kasai, Hachioji, and Omiya shows that units closer to stations but older in age tend to be cheaper than newer properties located farther away. In Kasai, newer units farther from the station average 214,000 yen, while older units closer to the station average 201,000 yen. In Hachioji, the figures are 145,000 yen for newer distant units and 140,000 yen for older central ones. In Omiya, newer distant units average 145,000 yen, compared with 137,000 yen for older units near the station.

The findings suggest that in a market of rising rents, flexibility in both location and property conditions is becoming essential for securing affordable housing.

Source: TBS
KYOTO, Mar 17 (News On Japan) - A large-scale cleanup operation was carried out on March 16th in Kyoto City as authorities moved to address a cluster of dilapidated structures and illegally dumped waste near a residential area close to Kinkakuji, marking the citys first administrative enforcement action under regulations governing filled land.

The site, located in the Haradani district of Kita Ward near the UNESCO World Heritage site Kinkakuji, had drawn attention since October 2024 when it was reported as a mysterious collection of abandoned buildings surrounded by large quantities of discarded appliances and debris.

At the scene, crumbling concrete blocks stood precariously near homes, while deeper into the area, eerie structures covered in corrugated metal sheets and overgrown with vines came into view. Some of the buildings appeared to be stacked atop one another, forming a multi-layered construction resembling a five-story structure.

Noriyo Yoshida, head of a local group working to improve the areas environment, previously described the unusual construction, saying, "Its not really a house. Its made by stacking scrap materials and buildings on top of each other, like a five-layer structure, almost like a Ghibli-style castle."

Surrounding the site were large quantities of abandoned items, including washing machines and refrigerators, left to deteriorate in the open.

Kyoto City had earlier stated it would persistently instruct the property owner to remove the structures, and on March 16th, it proceeded with administrative execution to remove embankments and other hazardous elements.

While most of the tin-covered structures have now been dismantled, piles of rubble, including concrete blocks, remain. Despite the enforcement actionthe first of its kind in Kyoto under the law regulating filled landsignificant debris is still stacked at the site.

Some of the most unusual structures, including those with buildings stacked on top of each other, remain untouched, along with abandoned vehicles and rusted bicycles, suggesting parts of the area have yet to be fully addressed.

Meanwhile, a similar issue requiring administrative intervention emerged in Koto Ward, Tokyo, where rows of abandoned vehicles had lined the streets, creating what appeared to be a graveyard of cars.

Many of the vehicles were missing license plates, with some stripped of tires or covered in graffiti, and interiors filled with discarded items such as shoes and baby strollers.

Roughly one year after the situation came to light, the scene has changed dramatically. When revisiting the site on March 16th, the previously lined-up vehicles had been cleared.

Following coverage of the issue in February 2025, authorities began taking action. At that time, 48 abandoned vehicles were present. Through coordination with police and guidance encouraging voluntary removal, the number was reduced to 15 by August 2025, after which the ward removed vehicles with unknown owners.

A comparison with earlier conditions shows the area has now been completely cleared, with pylons installed along the road to prevent further illegal parking or abandonment.

Local residents welcomed the changes, noting that the previously congested street had posed safety risks for oncoming traffic. "It was probably quite dangerous for cars passing through. Im glad its been cleaned up," one resident said, adding that the installation of pylons appears to be effective in preventing new vehicles from being left behind.

As such cases highlight potential safety and environmental risks, swift administrative action is increasingly seen as essential in addressing illegal dumping and abandoned property in urban areas.

Source: FNN
LONDON, Mar 17 (News On Japan) - As Japanese novels gain wider recognition through translation overseas, an Akutagawa Prize-winning author appeared at one of the worlds largest book fairs held in the United Kingdom, highlighting the growing global appeal of Japanese literature.

The London Book Fair 2026, one of the worlds largest publishing events attracting more than 30,000 visitors, was held in London, where the enjoyment of turning pages and immersing oneself in stories remains deeply rooted in daily life.

In 2026, a booth drawing particular attention from visitors featured a broad lineup of Japanese works, ranging from picture books and childrens literature to manga, practical lifestyle guides, and literary fiction.

Interest in contemporary Japanese literature is currently rising overseas, with especially strong popularity in the United Kingdom, where many readers cite familiar Japanese authors and works among their favorites.

Japanese titles accounted for nearly half of the top 40 translated fiction works in 2024, underscoring the growing presence of Japanese literature in the British market.

A symbolic example of this trend is Asako Yuzukis BUTTER, whose English edition became the best-selling book of the year at the British bookstore chain Waterstones in 2024 and was also selected as Book of the Year, drawing widespread attention.

Visitors to the fair commented on the distinctive qualities of Japanese literature, noting that it often emphasizes deeper critical and philosophical thinking. Others observed that the Japanese language, compared with English, allows for greater ambiguity and interpretive flexibility, giving it a sense of fluidity that differs significantly from European literature.

Translation plays a central role in the global expansion of Japanese novels.

Tomoka Shibasaki, an Akutagawa Prize-winning author who visited London, said that while AI translation technology is rapidly advancing, it still struggles to fully capture the unique voices, writing styles, depth of the Japanese language, and nuances such as regional dialects present in each work.

She emphasized that translation is not merely a process of substituting words, but rather a form of communication that emerges between the author and the translator.

Shibasaki said: "(For translators,) their own sensibilities are extremely important. They think about how to convey the voice of the novel and what kind of ingenuity is needed in translation. It is not just about conveying the meaning of words, but about transmitting the style and voice of the work, which is a crucial role."

Source: FNN
Banjul, Gambia (PANA)- Inspector General of Police Seedy Muktarr Touray has reported a mixed crime trend in The Gambia, with a decline in murder cases but a rise in other serious offences, including rape and arson
China has indicated its willingness to support the post-war reconstruction of Sudan, according to Xu Jian, Beijings acting Charge daffaires in Sudan.

Speaking at a press briefing in Port Sudan, Xu said China has incorporated proposals to assist Sudans rebuilding efforts into its official foreign policy agenda and is ready to help restore infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.

The war, which began on April 15, 2023, caused widespread damage to key infrastructure in major cities including Khartoum, affecting water, electricity and health facilities, as well as factories and agricultural projects.

Sudanese forces regained control of Khartoum in March 2025 and secured the wider state by May 2025, after which authorities began restoring basic services to the capital as more than one million displaced residents started returning.

Xu also emphasised Chinas support for Sudans unity and territorial integrity, adding that Beijing is keen to pursue economic projects aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and promoting long-term national development.
The National Oil Corporation has announced the launch of the first phase of a gas pipeline linking the Farigh Field to Brega, aimed at increasing natural gas supplies across the country.

According to the NOC, the initial phase covers the section connecting the pipeline from the Farigh field at the receiving point in the Zueitina axis at Field 103A to the 42-inch pipeline running from the Zueitina axis to a connection point at kilometre 91 within the pipeline network operated by Sirte Oil and Gas Production and Manufacturing Company, the Libya Observer reported.

The corporation said gas pumping operations have already begun, with pressure balancing currently underway as part of the commissioning process and integration of the pipeline segment into the operational system.

It added that gas flow from Field 103 is expected to be directed into the Sirte Companys system in Brega and subsequently into the coastal gas network by the end of the current month, helping to strengthen the countrys gas supply capacity.
King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid, and Prince Moulay Ahmed, chaired, on Monday March 16 corresponding to Ramadan 26, 1447 of the Hijri calendar, at the Royal Palace in Rabat, a religious evening commemorating Laylat Al-Qadr.

The ceremony was marked by the performance of the Isha and Tarawih prayers. Afterwards Mustapha Zamehna, President of the Regional Council of Ulema of Beni Mellal-Khenifra read out Hadith Al-Khatm and the closing of Sahih Al-Bukhari was conducted by Idriss Ben Daouia, President of the Local Council of Ulema of Larache.

Subsequently, verses from the Holy Quran were recited by Zaid El Bakkali, a 10-year old child, from the city of Sale. The Monarch handed him the Child Memorizer of the Holy Quran Prize.

This award bears witness to the care the King, Commander of the Faithful, has consistently shown toward reciters of the Holy Quran, as well as the Sovereigns unwavering will to promoting the memorization and learning of the Holy Book among young generations.

The King then awarded the Mohammed VI Ahl Al-Quran and Ahl Al-Hadith Prizes respectively to Ahmed Talha, from the city of Fez, and Adnane Zhar, from the city of El Jadida.

The Monarch also presented the Mohammed VI Prize for Quranic schools, in its three categories, to Abdellatif Jalal of El Youssoufia (Methodology of Learning Prize), Marzouk Ait Amran of Chefchaouen (Performance Prize), and Abdellatif Ibouha of Chichaoua (Management Prize).

The King then awarded the Mohammed VI Prize for Adhan and Tahlil, in its two categories, to Abderrahmane Benbakka from Marrakech (Excellence Prize) and Mohamed Battout from Mohammedia (Honorary Prize).

During this religious ceremony, the attendees offered prayers imploring the Almighty to preserve King Mohammed VI, to crown his initiatives with success, to guide his steps, to fulfill the aspirations he holds for the progress of his faithful people, and to bless him through Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid, and all members of the Royal Family.

Prayers were also raised for the souls of the late Kings Mohammed V and Hassan II, may God have them in His holy mercy.

The ceremony was attended by the Head of Government, the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, Advisors to the King, members of the cabinet, representatives of the diplomatic corps of Islamic countries accredited to Morocco, senior officers of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, as well as several civilian and military dignitaries.
Algerias threedecade journey toward joining the World Trade Organization has become a case study in strategic hesitation and economic stagnation.

The committee examining Algerias admission to the WTO was created in 1987 and last met in 2014. This freeze reflects not just bureaucratic complexities but also indicates how Algeria is falling behind in terms of joining global supply chains and trade.

Due to an economy plagued by self-harming protectionism and state primacy, Algeria is ranked among the worlds least integrated countries in global trade on par with conflict stricken countries and communist regimes.

Algerias political economy is characterized by an endemic hydrocarbon reliance and administrative control. With oil and gas dominating export revenues, pressure to reform tariffs, subsidies or state privileges is minimal.

Hydrocarbons find steady buyers regardless of tariff bindings or services schedules. That rent cushion reinforces a hyperregulated economic model featuring heavy licensing, discretionary enforcement, and fixitwithaban reactions.

Whenever oil prices go down, the state has routinely responded with import bans, quotas and high duties, measures fundamentally at odds with the WTOs principles of transparency and nondiscrimination.

Import licensing further restricts market entry, creating quasimonopolies and eroding trust among trading partners who expect predictable, rulesbased access.

The closed economy and failure to join WTO has left Algeria more vulnerable to price shocks, especially as energyintensive, subsidyheavy industries face tightening global standards.
Tax revenues have surged in early 2026, reaching 9.7 billion ouguiyas, a significant increase from 5.75 billion ouguiyas recorded during the same period in 2025. The Directorate General of Taxes, a cornerstone of the countrys fiscal architecture, has played a pivotal role in mobilizing state revenue, and exceeding its targets under the Finance Law in 2025 and for maintaining strong momentum into 2026.

Mauritanias Finance Minister, Codioro Moussa Nguenore, has commended the Directorates work in strengthening the states capacity to deliver essential services, develop infrastructure and implement key policies.

Speaking on Monday, March 16, during a meeting with the Directorates staff in Nouakchott, the minister underscored the agencys contribution to financing public services and national development.

He emphasised that effective revenue mobilisation remains critical to ensuring that citizens benefit from improved access to public resources and social interventions.

The minister further urged staff to uphold the highest professional standards and demonstrate exemplary conduct in the execution of their duties. He stressed that meeting public expectations requires integrity, diligence and a sustained commitment to national interest.

Nguenore reaffirmed the ministrys continued support for the Directorate General of Taxes, pledging to enhance its operational efficiency and institutional development.
Algeria is preparing to welcome Pope Leon XIV in April, promoting the trip as a celebration of its early Christian heritage and connection to Saint Augustine. But international rights groups warn the visit comes amid one of the harshest crackdowns on Christians in North Africa.

Nearly all Protestant churches have been closed by administrative order, leaving only four of the 47 churches operating in 2017 legally open today. Most worship now takes place quietly in private homes to avoid accusations of holding illegal assemblies.

Repression is particularly severe in Kabylie, home to a growing Protestant community. Christians face harassment, arrests, and prosecutions for unauthorized worship, with even carrying a Bible being treated as proselytism.

A Kabylie Christian coalition warned in 2025 of the nearcomplete elimination of Protestant worship spaces and denounced the use of Article 87-an antiterrorism provision- to criminalize peaceful worship.

International advocacy groups report at least 18 Algerian Christians currently facing prison sentences for their faith, including Pastor Youssef Ourahmane, vicepresident of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA).

Even the Catholic Church, traditionally cautious, has been affected. In 2022, authorities ordered the shutdown of Caritas Algerie, the main Catholic humanitarian arm, calling it an unauthorized organization.

Open Doors ranks Algeria among the worlds most repressive countries for Christians, noting that all 47 Protestant EPA churches have ceased activities due to government closures, alongside more than 50 prosecutions of Christians in recent years.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reports that Algeria has closed nearly all evangelical churches, leaving only one open as of 2024. It cites systematic use of Ordinance 0603 (restricting nonMuslim worship) and Penal Code Article 144 (blasphemy) to prosecute Christians.

USCIRF has repeatedly recommended that Algeria remain on the State Departments Special Watch List, a designation it has held since 2021.

The US State Department similarly notes arrests, fines, church closures, and restrictions on importing Bibles, describing a pattern of discrimination against nonMuslim minorities
The Sahara dispute is increasingly viewed as a direct confrontation between Morocco and Algeria, with the Polisario Front serving as an Algerian proxy, according to a new assessment by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), an influential Moscowbased foreignpolicy think tank.

The roughly 100page RIAC report on Middle Eastern and North African conflicts says Moroccos position regarding its territorial integrity and the Sahara conflict has steadily strengthened in recent years, both diplomatically and politically, while Algerias proxies, the Polisario, has significantly weakened.

The think tank notes that since the Polisario broke the 1991 ceasefire in November 2020, armed clashes were of sporadic lowintensity nature, with the separatist militias unable to inflict significant losses on Moroccan forces.

RIAC highlights the consistency of Moroccos diplomatic doctrine, rooted in the view that the Sahara is an integral part of the kingdom based on history, tradition and law. Rabat has reinforced this position, the report says, by fully integrating the southern provinces into its administrative system and investing heavily in development projects.

The think tank places strong emphasis on Algerias role, describing the Polisario as entirely dependent on Algiers for political and economic survival. The conflict is increasingly perceived not as a Morocco-Polisario dispute but as a MoroccanAlgerian one, RIAC writes, adding that the Polisario primarily runs the Tindouf camps through a clientelist system reliant on international aid and Algerian support.

According to the report, Morocco has seen growing international backing, reflected in the shrinking number of states recognizing the selfproclaimed Polisario entity (SADR) and the opening of foreign consulates in the Sahara. RIAC notes recognition of the SADR has dropped from around 80 countries to less than half that figure, mostly by failed and authoritarian regimes.

The Moroccan autonomy plan presented in 2007 remains the main basis for international discussions, the think tank says, outlining broad selfgovernance under Moroccan sovereignty.

RIAC also cites the United States recognition of Moroccan sovereignty during the Donald Trump administration as a major diplomatic turning point that encouraged other Western partners to align more closely with Rabat.

It highlights renewed FrancoMoroccan ties in 20242025, including a letter from President Emmanuel Macron affirming France sees the future of Western Sahara within Moroccos sovereignty.
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudanese Emergency Lawyers group has called for the release of women activists detained for the past two weeks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, South Darfur State
Rabbi Josh Bennett of Temple Israel speaks with Sydney Cox and her mother ahead of Coxs bat-mitzvah service, which was moved to Tam-O-Shanter Country Club on March 13, 2026. Photo: Emily Elconin/Getty Images

Aaron Rivkin said it was the worst 40 minutes of my life.

On Thursday, March, 12, his mother-in-law planned to pick up his 3-year-old daughter early  at 12:30 p.m.  from her preschool at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The preschool is one the most popular Jewish nursery programs in the area, with more than 100 students ages 0 to 5 enrolled, and the synagogue that houses it is, too, with about 12,000 members. The night before, more than 700 Jewish women had filled the sanctuary to hear Baked by Melissa founder Melissa Ben-Ishay in conversation with Lindsay Pinchuk, a podcast host and Detroit native.

The reason for the early pickup was joyful and completely ordinary, Rivkin, 34, of Birmingham, Michigan, recalls. She had recently gotten a puppy, and my daughter is absolutely obsessed with him. A little extra time with the dog  thats all it was supposed to be. His daughters teacher would bring her to the lobby near the front of the building a few minutes ahead of time, so she could easily be dismissed into her grandmas car. But when his mother-in-law arrived at 12:25 p.m., the main entrance to the preschool was blocked and law-enforcement vehicles were streaming into the driveway from every direction.

I was at my desk, laptop open, about to walk in to see a patient. When I saw my mother-in-laws name on my phone, something in me already knew, says Rivkin, who is an addiction-medicine physician. I answered, listened, closed my laptop, told my medical assistant to reschedule my patients, and walked out of the clinic.

At 12:15 p.m., an armed man named Ayman Mohamad Ghazali barreled a vehicle loaded with gasoline and fireworks into one of the temples entrances and down a hallway, striking the director of security, Danny Phillips. Another security guard on duty acted quickly and stopped the attacker, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Forty-two agencies responded with 605 first responders, many of whom were later hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Ghazalis motive isnt known, but Israels military has reported that Ghazalis brother, Ibrahim Ghazali, was a Hezbollah fighter killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon the week before. Other family members reportedly died in the air strike, too.

The crash occurred just steps from the preschools infant rooms, according to Amanda Polk, whose 4-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, is a student there. In an Instagram post, preschool teacher Ashley Lynch described coming across the truck as she rounded the corner of the hallway: I heard a loud bang and what sounded like a car alarm. Right behind me in the hallway I had just walked down, I saw the front of a truck in the middle of the building, right across from the gym these babies play in every day.

SWAT officers rushed into classrooms to evacuate children. At one point a group was loaded onto an ambulance meant to carry them to safety, but the vehicle became stuck in the grass. Footage later showed children running down a hill to flee, many without jackets and some still in sleep sacks from nap time carried by their teachers. They ran together until they reached the garage of a neighboring family. From there, buses arrived to take everyone to Shenandoah Country Club, the synagogues reunification center. Every child and staff member inside the building was evacuated safely. But Rivkin didnt know any of that yet.

He parked half a mile down the road and ran for ten minutes toward the synagogue. Mid-stride, a text from his wife informed him that their daughters class  with his child accounted for  had been safely evacuated to the club across the street. The attack had occurred mere minutes before his mother-in-law was supposed to walk to the pickup area where Ghazalis truck had crashed. Still, says Rivkin, I didnt stop running. I ran all the way there.

Since October 7 and the start of the Israel-Hamas war, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and across Europe have surged. FBI statistics show a 6 percent increase in antisemitic hate crimes from 2023 to 2024, and synagogues globally have been targeted. The same week Temple Israel was attacked, two Toronto-area synagogues were struck by gunfire and a historic Belgium synagogue was bombed. The rise has intensified fears among those who frequent Jewish institutions. Synagogues and Jewish organizations across the country already spend approximately $765 million annually on security and emergency-preparedness training, according to the Jewish Federations of North America. Now, with the attack on Temple Israel and its preschool, the threat is no longer abstract and anxiety about safety is intensifying not only in Michigans Jewish community but throughout the United States and the world. Its not a television story, says Rivkin. Its my 3-year-old daughter hiding in a bathroom and not knowing why.

For some parents, the attack has forced painful questions about whether to choose a Jewish nursery school over a secular one. Others say the events of that day have only strengthened their resolve to continue as before. Im still in fight or flight, Amanda explains. There are times my danger alarm goes off even though Im perfectly safe. I get brought back to the moment of being crammed in the reunification room. But she also told me that she believes its more important than ever to send children to Jewish preschool. As soon as Temple Israel is ready to resume classes  the preschool is currently on hiatus while the synagogue evaluates temporary spaces  Brooklyn will return.

Amid the terror, acts of kindness quickly emerged. Preschool teachers focused on keeping the children calm. We sang Wheels on the Bus and Old McDonald, and these kids were smiling, Lynch wrote. While we were fearing for our lives, we sang songs and held it together for these kids.

As the toddlers waited for their parents, staff at the Shenandoah Country Club served them trays of chicken fingers and chips. The club is owned by the local Chaldean community  Catholic Iraqis who have been a quiet ally of the synagogue for years, donating to the temples emergency fund after October 7. Ive never experienced anything like that reunification room, Amanda says of the moment she saw her daughter again. Its so important for people to know that we co-exist with another Middle Eastern community. Not only did they take our children in and provide them a space, they made them food and they wanted for nothing. Nearby, servers and cooks at Soul Cafe, a restaurant that provides jobs to adults with special needs, baked pizzas and cookies for Temple Israel congregants and first responders as they passed the time during their own lockdown.

The next night, Shenandoah hosted Temple Israels emotional Shabbat service, which was also livestreamed. Before reciting the Kaddish  the Jewish prayer for mourning  and reading a list of congregants who had passed in the last 30 days, Temple Israels Rabbi Paul Yedwab paused: I said weve experienced a miracle together. I told you about being here as the children were brought over, he said, fighting tears. But what I didnt tell you is that there were 106 children over there and for a very long time, there were only four classrooms of children here. And we had no idea. We had absolutely no idea. The only thought that kept coming from my head was how many little funerals are we going to have to do. Im sorry to bring that to you, but that is the truth. That is the truth. And this Kaddish list  It is my favorite Kaddish list ever.

As restoration of the synagogue slowly begins, synagogues and social clubs across the community have been opening their spaces for the congregations lifecycle events like bnei mitzvahs. The first took place minutes from the synagogue the same evening as that Shabbat service at Tam-O-Shanter Country Club, which agreed to host a service with less than 24 hours notice. Sydney Cox, age 12, had been preparing for the bat-mitzvah milestone since the third grade, and her family had March 13, 2026, circled on the calendar for years.

The tween texted more than 20 friends with last-minute instructions, and her mother, Lindsay Stern Cox, sent a blast message to nearly 200 guests. Caterers, florists, and family friends all pivoted. The location had changed and the schedule had shifted, but the coming-of-age ritual that Jewish adolescents have observed for generations went on. Clergy from Temple Israel even managed to retrieve the Torah scrolls from the building once it was safe. Despite extensive smoke and water damage, the scrolls were unharmed.

It was a challenging day yesterday and today for the Detroit Jewish community and Jewish community around the world, Temple Israel rabbi Josh Bennett said at the beginning of the Sydneys service. Its also a day of miracles. Bennett passed the microphone to Sydney, calling her a miracle in her own right.

It was a lot more important and special for me after the attack knowing that everyone, including me, could stay strong after something sad happened, Sydney said.

Parents of students enrolled in Temple Israels preschool carry their children to their cars while escorted by law enforcement. Photo: Emily Elconin/Getty Images

When Amanda, Brooklyns mom, thinks back on March 12, she counts herself lucky. Her aunt is her daughters teacher and minutes after hearing that there was an active shooter at Temple Israel, she quickly received a text message confirming that Brooklyns class was safe, locked inside a bathroom in their classroom.

I didnt want to panic before I had all the information, she says. As Amanda drove the agonizing 25 minutes to West Bloomfield from her home in Berkley, her aunt sent a photo of Brooklyn calmly coloring on the floor at Shenandoah. She hoped that the seriousness of the attack had flown over her daughters head. She felt numb as she got through the day, slowly coming to grips with the fact that the very thing she had always feared had actually happened. These innocent kids, who know nothing other than they love their heritage and culture, were the victims of such a horrible attempt on their lives, she told me.

Later that night, Amanda sat down with Brooklyn and tried to explain what happened. She told her a bad person tried to get into her school, but her teachers and security kept everyone safe. She said there had been a fire, which is why she wouldnt be going back to school right away.

Her 4-year-old listened and quietly replied, Somebody tried to kill us today.
Oil markets are increasingly pricing in a potential long-term disruption as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz chokes exports, overwhelms limited bypass capacity, and exposes Gulf supply routes to escalating attacks.

Crude Awakening: When $200 Oil Starts to Sound Reasonable

- Oil markets are warming up to the idea that crude could indeed reach $200 per barrel, a threat that Tehrans military keeps on reiterating, after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz entered its third week.

- Most of crude tankers passing through the Hormuz remain of Iranian origin, with so far only 5 non-Iranian tankers breaking through the IRGCs blockade  three en route to India, two to Pakistan.

- There are only two bypassing routes from Gulf countries that avoid the Strait of Hormuz, namely Saudi Arabias 5 million b/day East-West pipeline and the UAEs 1.5 million b/day Habshan-Fujairah conduit.

- Whilst Saudi Aramco has sped up its loadings from its Red Sea coast to 3 million b/day, a level never seen before but still well below its 7 million b/day export rate before the war - however, one single Houthi strike could disrupt those flows even further.

- The UAEs main evacuation route might see further disruptions, too, as Iran struck the Fujairah export terminal twice in just two days, forcing national oil company ADNOC to suspend loadings.

Market Movers

- Italys oil major ENI (BIT:ENI) has made two new gas discoveries offshore Libya, jointly containing more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas, hitting commercial deposits of gas with its Bahr Essalam-2 and Bahr Essalam-3 wildcats.

- Japans leading shipping company Nippon Yusen KK (TYO:9101) has agreed to buy 50% in Avenir LNG, one of the pioneers of LNG bunkering operations.

- Brazils state oil firm Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) said it had decided to exercise its pre-emptive right to purchase the 50% stake of Malaysias Petronas in two offshore fields in Brazil for a total of $450 million.

- UK oil major BP (NYSE:BP) has started production from its Quiluma field offshore Angola it jointly develops with ENI, aiming to initially produce 150 MMCf/day, to be gradually ramped up to 330 MMCf/day by the end of 2026.

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Irans attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries, particularly targeting the oil terminals and gas fields of the United Arab Emirates, have pushed the IEAs strategic petroleum stock release to the back burner, making supply disruptions the main story again. Whilst shipping companies remain wary of transiting the Hormuz, despite the Trump administrations claims that tankers are now dribbling through, Tehran seems to be eager to make political deals with regional neighbours. Separate deals with Iraq and Pakistan could be the start of something bigger.

Oil Exports from Gulf Slump by 60%. Daily exports of crude and products from the Arab Gulf have plunged by 60% since the US-Iran war started, with the previous flow of more than 25 million b/day shrinking to just 9.7 million b/day in the week ending March 15, tightening global oil markets.

IEA Is Ready to Double Down on SPR Releases. Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, has stated that the organization is ready to release more oil stocks if needed, beefing up its largest-ever joint release of 400 million barrels into the market.

Related: Little-Known US Company Lands Important Pentagon Contract in Rare Earth Race

Iraq Mulls Its Pipeline Options After Kurdish Fiasco. After Iraq failed to persuade the Kurdish Regional Government to resume exports of crude from the countrys south via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, Baghdad is now seeking to restart a long-halted pipeline that bypasses Kurdish territory.

Iran Attacks UAEs Domestic Gas Supply. One of the largest gas fields in the United Arab Emirates, ADNOCs Shah field jointly developed with Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY), has been impacted by a drone attack and forced to shut, closing 1.28 BCf/d gas and 4.2 mtpa sulphur production capacity.

Japan Eyes Russian Oil Imports. According to market reports, Japanese refiners are looking to buy Russian crude oil to soften the impact of supply disruptions driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, despite having purchased only one cargo of Sakhalin oil throughout the past 3 years.

Canada Pledges Output Increases Instead of SPRs. Canadas oil producers have pledged to ramp up output by a collective 23.6 million barrels as the country has no strategic petroleum reserves, suggesting that its part of the coordinated IEA release will only materialize in 3-6 months.

Trump Forces California Pipe Restart. US upstream firm Sable Offshore (NYSE:SOC) started pumping crude through a long-disputed pipeline system that links Californias Santa Ynez offshore platform with Golden State refineries, shut since 2015, following executive orders from President Trump.



US Diesel Jumps Above 5$ Threshold. US average retail diesel prices have jumped above $5 per gallon for the first time since December 2022 and only for the second time in history, according to data from GasBuddy, as oil markets are reeling from the closure of Middle Eastern middle distillates.

Chinas State Refiners Return to Russian Oil. Chinas state-controlled refineries Sinopec and CNPC resumed imports of seaborne Russian crude after a four-month-long hiatus driven by US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, mopping up 10 cargoes of Far Eastern ESPO in the May loading cycle.

Iraq Eyes Separate Hormuz Deal with Iran. The government of Iraq is allegedly in talks with Tehran to let some of its oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, having already slashed 3 million b/d of production due to tight storage capacity and potentially facing even steeper output cuts.

Dubai Futures Market Turns into Frenzy Mode. Differentials for key Middle Eastern grades have surpassed the mind-boggling $60 per barrel threshold for the first time on record, as S&P Global reported that both cash Dubai and cash Oman settled at a $62 per barrel premium to Dubai futures.

Iran War Dampens Outlook for Kuwait. Kuwaits long-mooted $7 billion midstream infrastructure farm-out deal might be falling apart after Australian investment fund Macquarie (ASX:MQG) decided to withdraw from bidding, citing the uncertain geopolitical outlook in the wider Gulf region.

Chinas Steel Bonanza Starts to Slow Down. Chinas reported production of crude steel dropped by 3.6% year-over-year in January-February to 160.34 million metric tonnes, as Beijings export requirements slowed outgoing shipments and nationwide steel margins started to falter.

White House Seeks Settlement with French Major. According to the NYT, the Trump administration is drafting agreements to pay nearly $1 billion to French energy giant TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) as compensation for the cancellation of its wind farm leases in New York and North Carolina.



By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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The shutdown of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has suddenly handed Gulf oil producers enormous leverage over the escalating Middle East war. With roughly 15 million barrels per day of crude exports effectively stranded, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations could deploy what amounts to an energy nuclear option: declaring force majeure across their oil and gas exports and deliberately removing another 20% of global supply from the market.

Such a move, unpacked in an opinion piece in Middle East Eye, would instantly trigger a global economic shock and could force the United States and Israel to reassess their military campaign against Iran.

Over the weekend, the Strait of Hormuz effectively stopped functioning as a commercial shipping route. According to vessel tracking data, zero commercial crossings were recorded on Saturdaydown from roughly 2.6 crossings per day since the war began and about 135 daily crossings before the conflict. The disruption has prompted emergency diplomatic discussions in Europe, where foreign ministers are meeting Monday to consider naval escorts for tankers attempting to transit the waterway.

The de facto closure of the passage has resulted in severe economic losses for GCC countries, with estimates that approximately 14.8 million barrels of oil produced by GCC nations every day are left stranded without a viable export route. Collectively, these countries could be losing up to $1.2 billion in export revenues per day, and are estimated to have lost more than $15 billion in oil and natural gas revenues since the conflict began. The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

Related: Little-Known US Company Lands Important Pentagon Contract in Rare Earth Race

Gulf producers could be willing to bet that cutting off another 20% of the worlds oil supply could force the U.S. and Israel to stop attacks on Iran. After all, theres little incentive at the moment for the two to stop the war, with Israel relying on its deep-pocketed ally to finance operations while Trump has repeatedly stated he is "not ready to declare victory" or accept current negotiation terms.

A collective halt of oil exports would trigger a major global economic shock and instantly shift the balance of power to Gulf producers, compelling the warring nations to immediately reassess their positions.

The GCC has a clear justification for declaring force majeure. Saudi Aramco's 550,000 bpd Ras Tanura refinery was shut down following a drone attack attributed to Iran on March 2. Two Iranian drones were intercepted by Saudi air defenses; however, falling debris ignited a fire at the giant facility. While the fire was quickly contained and caused only minor damage, Saudi Arabia is still bearing the full brunt of the war, with OPECs largest producer estimated to have lost nearly $5 billion in potential revenues so far. Meanwhile, Qatar has already declared force majeure on its LNG operations. On March 2, QatarEnergy halted liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its major Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial cities following Iranian drone attacks, effectively cutting off a fifth of global LNG supply. Qatars Ras Laffan Industrial City serves as the primary hub for the country's massive LNG operations and is home to the world's LNG export complex. The citys LNG plant features 14 LNG trains with a production capacity of approximately 77 million metric tonnes per year (mtpa).

Related: Six Stocks That Could Soar in an Era of Regional Instability

Thankfully, most GCC nations have the necessary wherewithal to pull off such a drastic move thanks to their massive sovereign wealth funds. GCC SWFs are some of the largest in the world, managing approximately $5 trillion in assets, or nearly 40% of global SWF assets. Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) is the fifth-largest sovereign wealth fund in the world with ~$1.2 billion in assets. By mid-2025, the PIF's assets surpassed SAR 4.3 trillion ($1.15 trillion), marking a significant increase from 2024, aided by transfers of Aramco stakes and portfolio performance. Approximately 80% of the PIF's investments are focused within Saudi Arabia to drive Vision 2030 goals, with 55% of the portfolio allocated to alternative assets. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) manages ~ $1.1 trillion in assets while Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the world's oldest sovereign wealth fund, manages over $1 trillion.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors would normally be among the biggest beneficiaries of a sharp oil rally. Brents surge above $100 per barrel dramatically improves fiscal revenues for producers that rely heavily on crude exports to fund government spending and large-scale development programs. Riyadh in particular has spent years pushing for higher oil prices to support its ambitious Vision 2030 economic transformation plan. But the current crisis has created a far more complicated equation. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut and millions of barrels of Gulf crude unable to reach global markets, the price spike offers only limited relief if producers cannot physically move their oil.

GCC nations could be in a world of pain unless the Middle East conflict is quickly resolved, with estimates that Gulf GDP could drop by as much as 22% if the conflict carries on for 3-6 months. While Gulf states possess significant sovereign wealth funds to mitigate short-term impacts, prolonged closure is expected to cause severe fiscal pressure and widen their current account deficits.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Last week, Irans new supreme leader vowed to continue the countrys blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Israel continue to wage war in the Middle Eastern nation. The closure of the Strait, through which over one-third of the worlds crude oil trade passed in 2025, is causing oil prices to skyrocket at a global scale, surging over USD $100 per barrel. The economic fallout from this development will be enormous, throwing into sharp relief how petro-dependent global markets continue to be. At the same time, the war could also supercharge the worlds solar and wind growth.

The blockage already constitutes the single biggest oil supply disruption in history, more than doubling the previous record set during the Suez crisis of 1956. However, the fallout will be much different  and much less severe  this time around. There is little sign that the war with Iran will cause the kind of economic pain experienced about a half-century ago, when oil met almost half of the worlds energy needs, the New York Times wrote in a report earlier this week.

Our global energy industry is much more diversified now, to the benefit of energy security the whole world over. The crisis has highlighted the economic and energy independence benefits of renewable energies, and particularly solar photovoltaics and batteries, which are now cheaper and more widespread than ever before. Already, renewables had become too cheap to fail. Now, the soaring prices of oil could further help to catalyze the green energy transition around the world.

When a technology becomes cost competitive, you get to a tipping point on adoption, Antoine Vagneur-Jones, head of trade and supply chains at BloombergNEF, was quoted in a recent LA Times report.

While forecasts had expected a flat growth rate for global solar installations this year, a prolonged conflict in Iran could quickly change that, pushing would-be customers toward solar and batteries. There is significant historical precedent for such a development. Past energy crises have been instrumental in the worlds continued move away from fossil fuels and toward wind and solar power. Energy sanctions on Russia in response to the Kremlins war in Ukraine pushed Europe to develop its own solar and wind power capacity. The same energy crisis hit developing economies much harder, and ongoing energy instability in Pakistan has led to the fastest-growing solar sector in the world.

While this transition has eased the worlds reliance on Russian fossil fuels and has somewhat diversified the global energy mix, it has greatly increased reliance on Chinese clean energy manufacturing. Cheap Chinese solar panels have emerged as the backbone of the global renewable energy boom, particularly in poor nations that were left with few options when LNG prices skyrocketed after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Moreover, China is incredibly well prepared for a major oil supply disruption. The Wall Street Journal reports that the country has spent years preparing for the Iran oil crisis by stockpiling massive amounts of oil, solidifying its trade relationship with Russia, and transitioning away from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles. Their strategy has really given them a huge buffer, said Michal Meidan, a researcher specializing in Chinas energy systems at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

A global rush to build up renewable energy capacity in order to replace prohibitively expensive oil supplies could serve to increase Chinas energy dominance and catalyze the countrys efforts to become the worlds first electro-state. However, this doesnt mean that peak oil will happen overnight. The post-oil world remains far in the future, David Sandalow, a fellow at Columbia Universitys Center on Global Energy Policy, recently told the New York Times. Were in the early to middle stages of an energy transition, but energy transitions take time.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Shale-focused U.S. oil producers could generate $63.4 billion in extra cash flow if the U.S. benchmark crude price averages $100 per barrel this year, intelligence firm Rystad Energy says.

Following the oil price spike to $100 per barrel last week amid the escalating war in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump touted the benefits for the producers, now that his campaign pledge to slash energy costs for consumers by 50% is not mentioned in the White Houses PR campaign to contain the fallout from the war on the American consumer.

U.S. producers, however, will benefit  those that dont have exposure to the Middle East and are not forced to shut down or restrict operations in a war region with the worlds most important oil chokepoint closed.

If WTI Crude, the U.S. benchmark, stays at very high levels and averages $100 per barrel for 2026, U.S. producers are poised to reap an additional $63.4 billion cash flow, per Rystad Energy data cited by the Financial Times.

To be sure, most analysts dont expect $100 oil for a prolonged period of time, although short-term spikes are not being ruled out amid the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Related: Little-Known US Company Lands Important Pentagon Contract in Rare Earth Race

For U.S. oil producers, the benefits are not as clear-cut as President Trump suggested in last weeks post on Truth Social, later re-posted by the official X account of the White House.

The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money, President Trump said in a controversial post that rattled the oil industry.

The oil sector has had to contend with many other image and reputational risks in recent years, apart from the latest suggestion by the U.S. President that it is profiting from a war.

Shale producers are also reluctant to rush to boost oil production, aware that the current price spike may not last and the geopolitical situation is too volatile to allow for planning beyond next week.

It is this uncertainty that is definitely not in favor of U.S. producers. Any excess cash from the high oil prices would likely go to boost shareholder returns, pay down debt, and hedge production for the coming months, instead of raising production, when prices could crumble in a few weeks, before producers could even contract new rigs and crews.

Related: Magnet Wars: How the U.S. Plans to Break Chinas Grip on Rare Earths

While the producers with mainly U.S. operations would see a windfall from the price spike, the biggest U.S. oil firms, ExxonMobil and Chevron, as well as the other international supermajors with exposure to the Middle East  Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies  are already counting the losses.

ExxonMobil has evacuated non-essential staff from the Middle East, CEO Darren Woods told Reuters last week, as operations are being scaled back.

Shell and TotalEnergies have declared force majeure to LNG customers after Qatars LNG shutdown rippled through global gas markets.

Separately, TotalEnergies said on Friday that the war in the Middle East had effectively shut in 15% of all its global oil and gas output, while the now-offline barrels account for about 10% of the supermajors upstream cash flow.

SLB, the worlds top oilfield services provider, last week issued a profit warning and said its first-quarter revenue would be hit by the production shut-ins in the Middle East.

SLB revenue for the first quarter will be lower than expected, and the company expects to incur additional costs resulting in an impact of approximately 6-9 cents of earnings per diluted share for the first quarter, SLB said.

The company has begun to demobilize operations in a few countries in response to customer actions to safeguard personnel and facilities, the oilfield services giant said.

Overall, shale producers could benefit from excess cash flow in the near term, but the industry doesnt like uncertainties, which hamper longer-term investment decisions. Supermajors will likely be able to offset Middle East losses with the high oil and natural gas prices.

And the biggest hit is for consumers.

Americans were expected to spend on Sunday $300 million more on gasoline than they did 30 days ago, said Patrick de Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The biggest airlines in Europe are seeking weaker EU rules on synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) amid very high costs and scarce supply of the fuel on the market, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Airlines for Europe (A4E), a trade group including IAG, the owner of British Airways, as well as Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and EasyJet, is set to call for at least a delay to the planned EU rules on the share of eSAF, as the synthetic SAF is known.

Synthetic fuels (or e-fuels) will play a major role in the decarbonization of the air transport market, the EU says. The European Commissions Fit for 55 package to cut emissions proposes gradual increases in mandates on the use of SAF and eSAF at EU airports.

For eSAF, the current proposal is to have 0.7% eSAF of all fuel at EU airports in 2030, rising to 5% in 2035, and to 35% in 2050.

The European airlines, however, plan to issue on Thursday a formal call on the EU to at least delay the 2030 start date to eSAF mandates, according to Reuters sources.

The airlines are also discussing calling for the elimination of the eSAF mandate, one of the sources added.

Related: Magnet Wars: How the U.S. Plans to Break Chinas Grip on Rare Earths

The aviation industry says there is simply not enough eSAF available and with the high costs, volumes are unlikely to become available by 2030.

Unlike other SAF using cooking oil, biomass, or other used materials, eSAF  or Power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels  are made from renewable sources other than biomass, for example wind and solar power. The renewable energy and water are used in an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen, which is subsequently synthesized with CO2 into syngas. The resulting syngas is then further processed into fuel.

It all comes down to cost, according to oil and gas supermajor BP.

eSAF is still in the development stage and is considerably more expensive to produce and purchase - it can currently be eight times the cost of conventional jet fuel and two to three times the cost of SAF made from HEFA or municipal solid waste (MSW), said BP, which had sought to enter the market before last years strategic pivot back to oil and gas.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Chinese state oil giants are back scouring the market for Russian crude, four months after halting purchases due to the U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, as China aims to offset losses of supply stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. last week issued a waiver allowing purchases by April 11 of Russian crude already loaded on tankers in a bid to calm the global oil market amid the biggest supply disruption in the history of oil markets.

Chinese state giants are taking advantage of this waiver and are now looking to buy Russian crude stranded on tankers, multiple trade sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

The trade units of Sinopec and PetroChina have inquired about buying Russian crude as their key source of supply from the Middle East is drying up with the Strait of Hormuz blocked. Separately, some state oil refiners could also turn to buying crude that the independent Chinese refiners, the so-called teapots, have amassed in the weeks before the war erupted, according to Reuters sources.

For some private refiners, reselling the crude to state majors could be even more profitable now that the price of Russian oil has soared than processing it at their refineries, some of the sources added.

Related: No Missiles, No Drones: What Happens When Rare Earths Stop Flowing?

Russia and India will compete fiercely for millions of barrels of Russian crude that was stuck on floating storage in Asia early this year when most buyers outside China steered clear of Russian barrels because of the U.S. sanctions and the pressure on India to slash Russian oil imports.

Now that the U.S. is allowing Russian crude sales, and competition for Russian supply in Asia intensifies, the price of the key Russian grades have flipped to a premium to Brent prices compared to hefty discounts just a month ago.

Yet, Russian crude remains cheaper than supply from Brazil or West Africa, further stoking the appeal of Russian crude to Asian refiners.

In China, the ESPO blend from Russias Far East due to arrive in late April was being offered this week at $8 per barrel above July Brent on a delivered basis, compared to a $12-15 premium over Brent for Brazils Tupi grade loading in April, according to Reuters data.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Germany is clamping down on fuel price hikes amid war-driven oil volatility that is stressing Europes largest economy.

The government approved draft legislation on Tuesday that would limit how often gas stations can hike prices, tightening antitrust oversight of fuel suppliers. The crackdown comes as Brent tops $100 per barrel amid the ongoing Iran conflict, with retail fuel costs soaring across the continent.

Under the proposal, gas stations in Germany will be allowed to increase gasoline and diesel prices only once per day, at noon. Price reductions, however, can be made at any time. Violations could trigger fines of up to 100,000 ($115,000), according to the economy ministry.

The draft law goes further than pricing rules. It would shift the burden of proof in antitrust cases from regulators to companies, requiring fuel suppliers to demonstrate that their pricing behavior complies with competition ruleseffectively flipping the traditional enforcement model.

The policy shift follows mounting backlash from consumers and political pressure as pump prices climbed above 2 per liter this month. That spike has outpaced the broader European average, raising questions in Berlin about whether market dynamicsor something more opportunisticare at play.

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the oil industry had failed to provide a convincing explanation for the sharper increase in German fuel prices.

The price hikes are tied directly to global crude oil supply disruptions. As of March 17, flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain constrained due to the Iran conflict, with shipping risks and insurance costs limiting traffic through the critical chokepoint. This has pushed crude oil prices higher, and with and refined product prices, with Brent trading above $100 per barrel, with diesel markets particularly tight.

Germany, heavily reliant on imports and sensitive to energy price swings, is feeling the impact quickly at the consumer level.

The legislation is expected to take effect in April, pending approval from both houses of parliament, and will be reviewed after one year.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The federal Iraqi government is in contact with Iran to persuade Tehran to allow some Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Iraqs Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani said on Tuesday.

There is communication with Iran regarding allowing the passage of some Iraqi oil tankers, the minister said in statements carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

Iraq, unlike Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), doesnt have any options  even partial  to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed for over two weeks now, forcing Baghdad to slash oil production as storage sites and tankers available in the Gulf filled up.

Iraq was the first to announce more than a week ago it was slashing crude oil production amid the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Last week Iraq said it would maintain crude oil production at roughly 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) as the war disrupting the Persian Gulf continues to cripple the countrys export routes. Before the war, Iraq, OPECs second-largest producer behind Saudi Arabia, produced more than 4.4 million bpd.

Related: Six Stocks That Could Soar in an Era of Regional Instability

But with no way out of the Gulf for all these barrels, Iraq and the other major producers are forced to slash upstream production. Initial losses of about 5 million bpd have already hit about 10 million bpd, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its monthly report published last week.

For Iraq, the situation is more critical than the other Gulf producersits dependence on oil revenue is the highest in the region, and unlike Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, Baghdad doesnt have a huge sovereign wealth fund to lean on.

So Iraq is also scrambling to restore a northern oil export route that would send crude from the Kirkuk fields directly to Turkeys Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, as the southern export route via the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed for weeks.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 26th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) will return from April 12  April 19, 2026, marking its largest and most internationally diverse edition to date. With a record-breaking 450 films representing more than 65 countries, the 2026 festival underscores its growing global influence as a premier showcase for filmmakers.

Celebrating more than two decades of international cinema, the Beverly Hills Film Festival continues to serve as a high-profile gathering point for established industry leaders, tastemakers, and global audiences. This year's expansive slate spans narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and experimental works, reflecting the evolving landscape of global storytelling and the increasing cross-border collaboration that shapes today's film industry.

The festival will kick off with its signature opening night celebration at The Beverly Hilton, for a glitzy night of red-carpet spectacle and old-school Hollywood glamour, all in the heart of Beverly Hills. The weeklong celebration will culminate in the festival's renowned black-tie Awards Gala, where standout filmmakers will be honored for excellence in cinematic achievement.

This year's highlights, all playing at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres, include the following titles:

Sock it To me: The Legend of George Schlatter , directed by Chris Coronado, starring Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, Michael Douglas, Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel, Sherry Lansing, Jay Leno, Clive Davis, and many more.

, directed by Chris Coronado, starring Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, Michael Douglas, Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel, Sherry Lansing, Jay Leno, Clive Davis, and many more. Boris is Dead , directed by James Cullen Bressack, starring Dane Cook, Cam Gigandet, Jesse Metcalfe, James Duval, Steven Bauer, and Martin & Jesse Kove.

, directed by James Cullen Bressack, starring Dane Cook, Cam Gigandet, Jesse Metcalfe, James Duval, Steven Bauer, and Martin & Jesse Kove. Eddie Cochran: Don't Forget Me , directed by Kristy Bell, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Billy Idol, John Waters, Linda Perry, Sting, and Yungblud.

directed by Kristy Bell, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Billy Idol, John Waters, Linda Perry, Sting, and Yungblud. The Highest Stakes , directed by Tony Dean Smith, starring Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, and Dylan Walsh.

, directed by Tony Dean Smith, starring Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, and Dylan Walsh. Crystal Cross , directed by Richie James Follin, starring Rubyrose Hill, Missi Pyle, Samantha Robinson, and Lukas Haas.

, directed by Richie James Follin, starring Rubyrose Hill, Missi Pyle, Samantha Robinson, and Lukas Haas. Elvis, Rocky, & Me: The Carol Connors Story , directed by Alex Rotaru, starring Carol Connors, Barbi Benton, Mike Tyson, Dionne Warwick, and Diane Warren.

directed by Alex Rotaru, starring Carol Connors, Barbi Benton, Mike Tyson, Dionne Warwick, and Diane Warren. Bonding, directed by Victoria Trofimenko, starring Jefferson White, Gloria Reuben, Tate Donovan, and Alexandra Doke.

Throughout the week, attendees can expect high-profile premieres, filmmaker Q&As, curated panel discussions, and industry networking events designed to spark collaboration and spotlight bold new voices. Outdoor programming and special events across Beverly Hills further reinforce the city's role as both backdrop and cultural catalyst for the global film community.

"Each year, the Beverly Hills Film Festival brings together some of the brightest filmmakers working today and showcases extraordinary examples of filmmaking from around the world," said Nino Simone, President and Founder of the festival. "There is a unique energy and spirit here in Beverly Hills that simply doesn't happen anywhere else. The festival has grown into a true destination for the global film community, a place where exciting new voices in cinema are discovered while the legends who shaped this industry are celebrated and honored."

In partnership and hosted at The Beverly Hilton, the festival continues to position Beverly Hills as a global destination for arts and culture, generating international visibility while supporting local businesses, hospitality, and tourism.

"We are delighted to welcome the Beverly Hills Film Festival back to The Beverly Hilton in 2026. As an iconic destination with enduring ties to film, artistry, and Hollywood history, the hotel has long served as a premier gathering place for storytellers and industry visionaries from around the world," said David Ecija, General Manager at The Beverly Hilton. "This continued partnership reflects our shared commitment to celebrating creative excellence and honoring the craft of cinema. We are proud to once again host filmmakers, industry leaders, and distinguished guests as they come together in the heart of Beverly Hills to recognize the transformative power of storytelling and the lasting impact of film."

The 2026 festival is made possible through the support of its distinguished partners, including The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Official Hotel and Awards Venue Partner; Love Beverly Hills, Official Host Destination Partner; Ovation Hollywood, Official Outdoor Panel Venue Partner; TCL Chinese Theatres, Official Screening Partner; Maison Perrier, Official Water Partner; Aix Rose, Official Rose Partner; Fever-Tree, Official Mixer Partner; and Peroni, Official Beer and Non-Alcoholic Beer Partner. Their collaboration enhances the festival experience, from world-class hospitality and iconic venues to curated culinary and beverage offerings that elevate each event throughout the week.

For more information about the festival, please visit beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com

About Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF):

The Beverly Hills Film Festival is an internationally acclaimed celebration of cinematic excellence, presenting bold films from around the world in the heart of Beverly Hills. Renowned for its red-carpet premieres, industry panels, and star-studded awards ceremony, BHFF brings together filmmakers, industry leaders, tastemakers, and global audiences in one of the world's most iconic cultural destinations. Dedicated to innovation, discovery, and meaningful industry connection, the festival serves as a premier platform for emerging and established talent to gain international recognition.

SOURCE Beverly Hills Film Festival
Japans petroleum refiner Idemitsu Kosan has committed $500 million to LNG investment company MidOcean Energy as part of MidOceans equity raise of $1.2 billion, as the Japanese refining giant is looking to enter the global LNG business on a full-scale basis.

Through the deal, Idemitsu Kosan looks to invest globally in LNG projects and capture business opportunities in growth sectors through strategic partnerships, the Japanese company said on Tuesday.

Idemitsu expects to finalize the contract for the investment in MidOcean by the end of this month.

The Investment marks the first step in our full-scale entry into the LNG business. Through the establishment of a strategic partnership with MidOcean Energy, we aim to secure business opportunities in the LNG sector while continuing its efforts to further enhance the stable supply of energy, the Japanese firm said.

MidOcean Energy, which is backed by Saudi Aramco, among others, was formed and is managed by EIG, an institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $25.4 billion assets under management as of December 31, 2025.

MidOcean Energy has diverse LNG interests globally, including stakes in LNG Canada, Gorgon LNG, Pluto LNG, QCLNG, and Peru LNG.

In one of the latest deals, MidOcean in September agreed to buy a 20% interest in the operational LNG Canada Project from Malaysias state energy firm Petronas as part of a broader deal to buy 20% in Petronas key entities in Canada.

MidOceans equity capital raise of more than $1.2 billion, announced today, consists of Idemitsus $500-million commitment and additional commitments of $790 million from both new and existing investors.

MidOcean said it would continue to raise capital, with a cumulative target of up to $2 billion from new investors.

The Company has received substantial interest from investors seeking long-term exposure to the LNG sector, supported by strong demand fundamentals, constrained supply growth and LNGs role in supporting energy security and the energy transition, MidOcean said, adding that Recent events only reinforce the strength of the MidOcean investment thesis.

Recent events include Qatar, the worlds second-largest LNG exporter, shutting in its LNG operations and exports amid the Middle East war.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Thailand has held talks with Russia to potentially buy Russian crude oil, a senior Thai official said on Tuesday, as Southeast Asia first felt the global oil supply shock from the closed Strait of Hormuz.

Thailand has discussed the option to buy Russian crude, and negotiations are underway, Thailands Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said, as carried by Reuters.

The U.S. last week issued a 30-day waiver allowing buyers from everywhere to purchase Russian oil on tankers at sea without repercussions.

In the early hours of the war in the Middle East, Thailand banned fuel exports, except to Laos and Cambodia, as of March 1, as it sought to preserve supply for the domestic market.

Southeast Asian countries are more exposed than other geographies to supply shocks in the Middle East, as they get a large part of their oil from the Gulf region. Fiscally, these countries are also quite exposed to the price shocks as they have little reserves to continue capping or subsidizing fuel prices when international benchmarks top $100 per barrel.

Russia is ready to sell oil to Thailand, the Southeast Asian nations Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, told Thai outlet the Nation on Tuesday.

Thailand has also contacted other potential oil suppliers, including Brazil, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan, the minister added.

Thailands Energy Minister Auttapol Rerkpiboon said the country has secured almost 2 million barrels of crude from Angola in West Africa and over 600,000 barrels of crude from the United States. Rerkpiboon said supplies remain sufficient and urged the public not to hoard fuel ahead of the Thai New Years holiday, Songkran, in mid-April.

Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of the Department of Energy Business, said the country has enough reserves for at least 101 days.

Apart from a fuel export ban, Thailand is looking to reduce consumption by encouraging work from home, as many other Southeast Asian nations have been doing. The impact on the industry, however, is already evident, as major chemicals producer SCG last week halted output at its olefins plant in Rayong after running out of feedstock such as naphtha.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The United Arab Emirates has suspended operations at a key natural gas field in Abu Dhabi following the first direct attack on a producing field in the UAE as Iran escalates its drone-strike war against energy assets in the Gulf.

Abu Dhabi authorities and relevant response teams have contained and brought under control a fire that broke out at Shah gas field, caused by a drone attack, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said early on Tuesday.

Operations at the facility have been suspended while damage is assessed, and no injuries have been reported.

The Shah gas plant in Abu Dhabi accounts for about 20% of the UAEs total gas supply and 5% of the world's granulated sulfur, according to the UAE outlet The National.

The Shah gas field is operated by ADNOC Sour Gas, a joint venture between Abu Dhabis national oil company ADNOC with 60% and U.S. firm Occidental Petroleum, which holds a 40% share. The venture was established in 2010 to maximize the value of the Shah Gas Field, which has the capacity to produce more than 1 billion cubic feet of sour gas per day.

Adding to the gas field disruption is also the on-and-off suspension of oil loadings from the Fujairah oil port in the UAE, the only export terminal in the Emirates that sits outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Related: Little-Known US Company Lands Important Pentagon Contract in Rare Earth Race

Over the past four days, Fujairah has suspended loadings several times.

Fujairah, on the Gulf of Oman, has been one of several key oil export points in the Middle East that do not depend on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been virtually closed for traffic for more than two weeks now.

But Fujairah has been repeatedly targeted by strikes that have forced suspension of loading operations, the latest being early on Tuesday, per a shipping agent cited by Bloomberg.

Operations at the Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminal remain impacted following a recent incident, with FOTT berths currently not operational, and Vopak terminals having suspended operations at SPM until further notice, Inchcape Shipping Services said in a Tuesday report on the operational status of energy infrastructure in the Middle East.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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U.S. diesel fuel prices topped $5 per gallon, according to GasBuddy, which has only happened once before, Reuters noted in a report, citing the GasBuddy data.

The price tracker earlier in the week reported that the national average price for diesel had reached $4.951 per gallon last week, up by $0.34, while gasoline prices had gone up to $3.68 per gallon on average, $0.232 higher than they were over the previous week.

Consumers continue to feel the sting of rising oil, gasoline, and diesel costs as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, pushing gasoline prices to their highest levels in years while diesel could soon approach the $5-per-gallon mark nationally, GasBuddys Patrick DeHaan said earlier on Monday, before diesel hit $5 per gallon.

President Trump said recently that the fallout of the Hormuz crisis is actually good for the United States because the country is the biggest oil producer in the world, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. Alas, oil is an internationally traded commodity, and a surge in prices in one part of the world leads to a surge everywhere else, as supply tightens globally, hurting American consumers as well as Asian ones, albeit to a different degree.

CNN noted that gasoline prices in the U.S. are currently sitting at the highest since October 2023, adding that over the past month, they have gained 26.9%, which is the highest monthly jump since Hurricane Katrina.

Meanwhile, it seems prices have further to go as President Trump asked the U.S. NATO allies for help reopening the Strait of Hormuz and when they all demonstrated reluctance to do so, he proceeded to express his frustration with these partners. We strongly encourage other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm, Trump said Monday. Since such enthusiasm was found to be lacking, Trump proceeded to berate NATO allies for benefiting from tens of billions of dollars for protection from the U.S. and now failing to respond to a request for help.

We lack the mandate from the United Nations, the European Union or NATO required under the Basic Law, Germanys chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said by way of explanation for the reluctance, adding that the United States and Israel had not consulted Berlin before they started the war.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The Trump administration is weighing a $1 billion payout to compensate TotalEnergies for canceled offshore wind leases, reports suggest, making what would be one of the clearest financial unwindings of Bidens clean energy policy.

According to a New York Times report cited by Reuters on Tuesday, U.S. officials are drafting agreements that would see the Interior Department cancel two offshore wind leasesAttentive Energy off New York and Carolina Long Bay off North Carolinafollowed by a Justice Department payment of more than $928 million to the French energy major. The compensation would cover TotalEnergies winning bids in prior federal lease sales.

Offshore wind was a centerpiece of the previous administrations push to build out 30 gigawatts of capacity by 2030, with lease sales stretching from the Northeast to the Gulf of Mexico. Those ambitions have since stalled.

In the wake of Trumps election victory and disdain for green energy projects, TotalEnergies announced in 2024 that it was pausing the development of its offshore wind project known as Attentive Energy. So, settlement or not, the project is effectively scrapped.

Roughly $8 billion in U.S. clean energy investments were canceled or downsized in the first quarter of 2025 alone, as companies reassessed project economics and policy risk.

The proposed settlement suggests the administration is not just slowing new development, but actively clearing the pipeline of existing projects. Even if TotalEnergies were to reject the payout, the leases would still be canceled under the current plan, according to the report.

In exchange, the company would abandon the wind projects and shift investment toward U.S. natural gas infrastructure, including assets in Texas.

Offshore wind developers have faced repeated setbacks under the current administration, including permit reviews, construction halts, and broader policy headwinds. A recent Interior Department order to suspend work on Equinors Empire Wind project off New York added to the pressure.

The potential payout raises questions about cost. Taxpayer-funded compensation approaching $1 billion would effectively close out projects that had already been awarded and, in some cases, partially advanced.

For now, the settlement remains under discussion. Either way, the U.S. is moving away from offshore wind, and it may be willing to pay to do it.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
By Lars Larson

NW and national radio host,

The Northwest Nonsense

The politically appointed apparatchiks who run Portland International Airport have ordered passengers kept in the dark about why security lines now back up for hours.

Democrats in Congress refuse to pass the spending bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

The D Party aint happy about ICE enforcing immigration laws and arresting criminal illegal aliens, so they wont vote for the bill.

But this bill doesnt fund ICE at all.

Congress passed long term funding for ICE in the Summer of last year.

So ICE is still arresting illegals and its Americans held hostage in TSA lines.

But dont let the facts get in the way of political posturing by Democrats.

TSA wants to show a video at PDX explaining that the long lines are due to the democrats.

Portland airport, run by a Port Commission whose members owe their jobs to Governor Tina Kotek, refused to allow the video to be shown.

And while domestic terror attacks continueat least three just last week, democrats refuse to fund Homeland Security.

Hey voters, just remember in November who voted WITH the terrorists and illegals and who voted in favor of national security.

Thats the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for 4 hours of Honestly provocative talk. Im Lars Larson
By Naomi Inman

Testimony by John A. Charles, Jr.

This March, the Metro Council approved the Willamette Cove nature park master plan. On March 12, John Charles testified before the Metro Council meeting on Resolution 26-5582 cautioning their use of $15.6 million from the 2019 Parks Bond towards the next phase of the Willamette Cove nature park. He was the only person to submit comment. The resolution passed unanimously.

This is only a down payment, Charles cautioned. As fiduciaries you could be held personally liable for mismanagement of public funds if things go sideways, as they frequently do with Superfund sites.

Charles testimony represents decades of research, analysis, reporting and testimony before Metro as taxpayers have generously handed over $1 billion in funding for its natural areas acquisition or parks and nature program. Since the early 90s, Metro has received funding to landbank more than 19,000 acres, most of which are not open to the public or far from populations it is meant to serve, according to several reports by Cascade.

In 1996, Metro purchased the 27-acre Willamette Cove property from the Port of Portland to develop as a natural area along the Willamette River. In December 2000, that stretch of river became part of Portland Harbors Superfund site, one of the largest environmental cleanups in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon DEQ then established a remedial action for hazardous waste clean-up of the Willamette Cove Uplands.

Now 30 years since the acquisition, the site remains closed while environmental cleanup and planning continue. A July 2022 Metro Staff Report estimates a baseline of $17.5 million in the first phase of the upland cleanup. Oregon Metros investor relations page projects a cost of $50 million, pushing the costs to nearly $70 million combined.

A 2012 Metro audit by Suzanne Flynn, cautioned that Metro had expanded its natural areas portfolio without fully defining long-term maintenance and stewardship. Willamette Cove serves as an example of how acquiring industrial land for parks creates long-term financial and management risks and delays public access to promised parks for decades.

Click here for PDF version

READ JOHN CHARLES TESTIMONY BEFORE THE METRO COUNCIL, MARCH 12, 2026

Naomi Inman is External Relations Manager at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization.

John A. Charles, Jr. is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization. He researches, writes, and presents testimony and analysis on state and local issues important to the freedom and opportunity of all Oregonians.
Kathmandu, Nepal, March 17, 2026: The 12th Global Conference and International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) concluded in the capital on Monday with the adoption of a 12-point declaration. The declaration emphasizes unity among the global Nepali community and advocates for greater investment in Nepals development.

Held under the theme Our Unity, Base for Prosperity, the three-day conference brought together diaspora representatives from around the world. The declaration outlines several commitments to strengthening the role of non-resident Nepalis (NRNs) in the nation's progress. It urges the Government of Nepal to create a more favorable legal and policy environment to facilitate diaspora investment, including amendments to laws governing citizenship, foreign investment, income tax, and property transactions.

The conference also called for the establishment of a dedicated mechanism to manage NRN investments, including provisions for opening bank accounts and enabling the repatriation of funds. Additionally, the assembly demanded that the limit for securities issued by the NRN Nepal Development Fund be fixed at 85%. The NRNA pledged to mobilize the knowledge and expertise of Nepali professionals, scientists, and researchers worldwide to support development through technology transfer and innovation.

Priority sectors identified for cooperation include hydropower, agriculture, tourism, information technology, and innovation-based industries. Furthermore, the declaration expressed deep concern regarding the escalating situation in the Middle East. The association committed to strengthening cooperation with the government and international agencies to provide relief, rescue, and rehabilitation assistance to Nepalis in the region during times of crisis.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Sushila Karki called on non-resident Nepalis to maintain their unity and actively contribute to the nations growth. Development and prosperity cannot be achieved by the government alone. The cooperation, investment, and innovation of all Nepalisboth at home and abroadare essential, she stated. The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that the renewed unity within the NRNA, following a period of internal division, would provide a new direction for the countrys development.

Founding President Upendra Mahato and former President Jiba Lamichhane echoed these sentiments, expressing the diaspora's strong desire to contribute to a prosperous Nepal. Meanwhile, outgoing President Badri K.C. urged the government to ensure voting rights for Nepalis living abroad. The conference, which featured prominent leaders and senior officials, successfully sent a message of emotional unity among Nepalis worldwide.

The 12-Point Kathmandu Declaration

Organizational Unity: A commitment to maintaining the unified structure of the NRNA to serve as a common platform for all Nepalis abroad.

Policy Reform: Urging the government to amend laws related to citizenship, foreign investment, and property for a more investor-friendly environment.

NRN Citizenship Rights: Calling for the full implementation of the economic, social, and cultural rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Investment Facilitation: Establishing mechanisms for easier bank account management and repatriation of investment capital.

NRN Nepal Development Fund: Fixing the securities issuance limit at 85% to mobilize large-scale diaspora capital.

Knowledge Transfer: Mobilizing global Nepali expertise in science and technology to foster domestic innovation.

Job Creation: Prioritizing projects that generate local employment and improve the living standards of Nepalis.

Priority Sector Focus: Directing investment toward hydropower, agriculture, tourism, IT, and innovation.

Middle East Crisis Response: Partnering with the government for the relief and rescue of Nepali workers in conflict-affected regions.

Dignified Labor: Ensuring the rights, safety, and dignified employment conditions for Nepali migrant workers in host countries.

Voting Rights: Urging the government to implement a system that allows non-resident Nepalis to vote in national elections.

Sustainability: Committing to environmentally friendly development and the preservation of Nepali culture across the globe.
2 dead after protest boats against U.S. base relocation capsize off Japan's Okinawa

Xinhua) 09:27, March 17, 2026

TOKYO, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Two people died after two boats used in protests against the relocation of a U.S. military base capsized off Henoko in Japan's island prefecture of Okinawa on Monday morning, local media reported.

The victims were a 17-year-old high school student and the 71-year-old captain of one of the overturned boats, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The accident occurred shortly after 10:10 a.m. local time in waters off Henoko in Nago City, where construction is underway to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

The two vessels, carrying 21 people, including 18 students, overturned, causing everyone to fall into the water, the report said. The students had boarded the vessels to observe the relocation construction site as part of their school's peace education study trip.

After all those on board were rescued from the sea, four were taken to the hospital, two of whom were later confirmed dead.

Despite clear skies, a high surf advisory had been issued, according to the regional coast guard, which is investigating the accident.

The planned transfer of the U.S. Futenma airbase from a crowded residential district in Ginowan to the less populated coastal area of Henoko has long drawn strong opposition over concerns about noise, safety and environmental impact.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
TAMPA, Fla., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AnswersMD, the premier concierge medicine practice delivering personalized, proactive primary care through a membership modeloffering 24/7 direct physician access, unlimited visits, advanced diagnostics, executive physicals, house calls, and unhurried appointments free from traditional insurance barriersis pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Gore, BSN, RN, as Nurse Manager, effective March 2nd, 2026.

With over 15 years of progressive nursing leadership, Laura brings extensive expertise in operational management, fiscal oversight, staff development, risk management, process improvement, and exceptional patient-centered care. Most recently, as Nurse Administrator at Orthopaedic Medical Group of Tampa Bay Surgery Center, she directed operations for a high-volume ambulatory surgery center with four operating rooms and a 15-bed Pre-op/PACU unit. She managed budgets for cost-efficiency and quality gains, led a 52-member team including the Employee Health Program, enforced policies, spearheaded continuous quality improvement initiatives, and conducted risk investigations to enhance patient safety and operational efficiency.

Previously at AdventHealth Tampa, Laura oversaw high-volume emergency departments handling up to 80,000 annual visits, collaborated on multimillion-dollar budgets supporting teams of up to 200, and launched innovative programs including a Volunteer Ambassador initiative and monthly staff engagement forums while ensuring strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Her background also spans perioperative nursing, assisted living facility leadership, and home health case management. Laura holds certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC), and Six Sigma Green Belt, and is a member of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN).

In her role at AnswersMD, Laura will oversee nursing operations, cultivate staff engagement and professional development, optimize patient flow and experience, and support the practice's mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality concierge care across its locations in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Boca Raton, with continued expansion planned throughout Florida.

"We are thrilled to welcome Laura to the AnswersMD team," said Douglas Shapiro, DO, Founder and CEO at AnswersMD. "Her proven leadership in healthcare settings, commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration, and strong track record in operational excellence and patient safety make her the perfect fit as we grow and elevate our personalized care model for Florida's families and professionals."

"I'm genuinely excited and grateful to join AnswersMD," said Laura Gore, BSN, RN. "Every interaction with Dr. Shapiro and the team confirmed this is the ideal place for me to contribute meaningfully. I'm thrilled to join such a talented, collaborative group and look forward to helping deliver the exceptional, patient-focused care that defines AnswersMD."

About AnswersMD

AnswersMD is a concierge medicine practice committed to redefining the patient-physician relationship through personalized, proactive primary care. With offices in Tampa (flagship at Bayshore), St. Petersburg (on the St. Anthony's Hospital campus), and Boca Raton (adjacent to Royal Palm Yacht Club), AnswersMD provides members with unlimited access to board-certified physicians, same-day or next-day appointments, extended visits, advanced diagnostics, house calls, and direct communication via call, text, or video- without insurance hassles or long waits. Founded by Dr. Douglas Shapiro and his wife Lauren Shapiro, the practice combines cutting-edge medical expertise with genuine compassion and connection to help individuals and families live healthier, longer lives, with ongoing expansion planned across Florida. For more information, visit AnswersMD.com.

SOURCE AnswersMD
Kathmandu, Nepal, March 17, 2026: In a significant display of solidarity, Hem Raj Sharma has been unanimously elected as the President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) during its 12th Global Conference and General Assembly. The potential for a divisive election was set aside on Sunday evening when rival contender Rabin Bajracharya gracefully withdrew his candidacy. Speaking at a press conference, Bajracharya emphasized that his decision was rooted in a desire to maintain the event as a Convention of Unity and to spare the association from the unnecessary financial strain of a contested vote. Under this new consensus, both Bajracharya and fellow contender Rabin Sherchan have committed to serving as Vice-Presidents, ensuring a leadership team built on partnership rather than rivalry.

While the leadership transition brought a sense of stability to the assembly, the discussions on the floor turned toward a more pressing, personal issue for the millions living abroad: the struggle for true identity. During a session titled Rights of Nepali Diaspora and Dignified Labour Migration, delegates expressed deep frustration over the "legal deadlock" hindering the implementation of Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) citizenship. Senior Advocate Radheshyam Adhikari pointed out that while the Constitution theoretically grants economic and social rights, the lack of legislative reform has left these promises unfulfilled. NRNA President Binod Kunwar echoed this sentiment, questioning the value of constitutional provisions that currently offer fewer practical benefits than a simple membership card.

The conference also served as a powerful reminder of the vast and diverse "Global Nepali" family, reaching far beyond those who recently migrated for work. Gopal Dhital, General Secretary of People of Nepali Origin (PNO), spoke movingly about the hundreds of thousands of ethnic Nepalis in Myanmar, Thailand, and Fiji who long to reconnect with their ancestral roots. Similarly, the plight of British Gurkhas was brought to the forefront by Hom Kirat Sunuwar, who argued that those who have served with such distinction should not be stripped of their citizenship by descent. These voices underscored a collective plea for the motherland to recognize its children, regardless of the borders they crossed generations ago.

Finally, the assembly turned its focus toward the safety and dignity of the 1.8 million Nepali migrant workers currently in the Middle East. With geopolitical tensions rising, Ram Kaji Khadka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured delegates that the government is working closely with the NRNA to track and protect these vulnerable citizens. Experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reminded the gathering that at the heart of every remittance is a human being whose fundamental rights must be championed. As the conference continues in Kathmandu, the new leadership faces the daunting but hopeful task of turning these emotional and legal aspirations into a reality for the global diaspora.
Global Times: Its reported that Trump said he could delay his visit to China if China doesnt assist with the Strait of Hormuz. Whats Chinas response?



Lin Jian: We noted that the U.S. has publicly made clarifications on the misguided media reports, calling them completely false. The U.S. side stressed that the visit is not linked to the issue over the Strait of Hormuz.

Bloomberg: Actually, it was President Trump himself who said that. So I just want to follow up and ask: he did say that he wanted China to delay the summit that he requested China to delay the summit between himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping for about a month. The reason he gave was the need to oversee the Iran war. Can you confirm this? Has China been notified of any request to delay the meeting and are there any other details or comments that you can offer around the possible delay or the delay of this President Xi-President Trump summit in Beijing?



Lin Jian: China and the U.S. remain in communication on President Trumps visit to China.

NBC: Could you clarify when U.S. officials first raised the possibility of postponing or delaying the summit between President Trump and Xi. What would be a possible timeline for rescheduling this visit?



Lin Jian: China and the U.S. remain in communication on President Trumps visit to China, including the dates. I have nothing to add at the moment.

CGTN: The UNHCR recently declared the ongoing crisis in the Middle East a major humanitarian emergency. The affected regions already host 25 million people as refugees, a large number of civilians are killed or injured in Iran, nearly 800,000 people are displaced in Lebanon, and countries such as Jordan and Iraq are affected. Does China consider providing relevant countries with humanitarian assistance?



Lin Jian: China stays committed to the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, internationalism and a humanitarian spirit. The ongoing conflict inflicted an excruciating humanitarian disaster on people and countries in the region, including Iran. China deeply sympathizes with people in relevant countries and our hearts go out to them.

China has announced the decision to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. We hope this will help ease the difficult humanitarian situation facing the people there. China will continue striving for a ceasefire, an early return of peace and stability to the region, and a stop to the spread of humanitarian crisis.

China News Service: It is reported that following days of heavy rainfall in southern Ethiopia, mudslides and landslides have killed at least 100 people, left about 60 people missing and close to 3,500 displaced. The Ethiopian government declared a three-day national mourning from March 14 to 16, during which the countrys flags will fly at half-mast. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: The mudslides and landslides triggered by torrential rains in Ethiopia have caused heavy casualties and loss of property. China deeply mourns for the lives lost. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We believe under the leadership of the Ethiopian government, the people in affected areas will recover and rebuild soon. China will do what it can to assist in light of Ethiopias need.

NBC: An additional question. Just to follow up on my question from before. You said that China and the U.S. are in communication, including the dates of President Trumps visit to China. What are those dates that are being discussed? Could you clarify what dates are being discussed?



Lin Jian: I have nothing to add at the moment.

AFP: Pakistan last night launched strikes and hit Kabul. What is Chinas comment on this? And is China still playing a mediating role between the two countries today?



Lin Jian: Afghanistan and Pakistan are and will always be each others neighbor. Issues between the two countries can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. China hopes that both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage face to face as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity, and resolve differences and disputes through dialogue. China has urged the two countries to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions there, and will continue to play a constructive role in easing tensions and facilitating the improvement of relations between the two sides via its own channels.

NHK: U.S. President Trump said he has asked countries including China to send vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. Has China received the request? Whats Chinas response? (Similar question from Reuters)



Lin Jian: Weve answered relevant questions yesterday and have nothing to add.

AFP: The European Union yesterday imposed sanctions against two China-based and one Iranian companies for cyberattacks against EU member states. Do you have any comment on this?



Lin Jian: China firmly opposes the EUs illicit unilateral sanctions against Chinese entities and urges the EU to correct its wrong practices and work with China in a responsible and constructive manner to uphold peace, stability and prosperity in cyberspace.
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Think about the last time you went to the dentist. The office might have looked the same as it does every time you go for a teeth cleaning (and you are going twice a year, right?): same dentists and hygienists, same waiting room, same reception desk, same anxiety-inducing drilling sounds from the next room. But the dentist scolding you for not flossing more often may not own the business anymore. It may belong to a private equity firm thousands of miles away.

Private equity firmswhich use money from rich individuals and funds like pensions and college endowments to buy businesses, extract cash, and flip themhave quietly moved into Main Street medical practices. In 2012, there were about 816 PE-owned physician practices in the U.S. By 2021, there were 5,779. Last year alone, PE firms purchased at least 149 dental offices and 148 outpatient medical practices.

These firms focus mostly on specialty fields built on high-volume procedures and steady insurance payments, like dermatology, dentistry, and gastroenterology. In many of these deals, private equity firms that manage billions of dollars purchase medical practices whose name recognition doesnt extend far past a county line.

For doctors, striking a deal with a firm to buy up most or all of their business can help struggling medical practices obtain much-needed funding to invest in new resources. It also leaves them at the behest of wealthy firms in far-flung states with no ties to or understanding of the communities the medical practices serve.

Los Angelesbased Leonard Green & Partners, which has $75 billion in assets, buys and sells hospital systems and national retail chains, sometimes with the kinds of results that have turned private equity into a public villain. LG&P loaded up Joann Fabrics and the Container Store with debt, then drove them into bankruptcy. Under its ownership, Prospect Medical Holdings, a hospital chain, faced plummeting quality metrics and a bipartisan rebuke from a U.S. Senate subcommittee. Through a subsidy, LG&P last year acquired dermatology offices in Broomfield, Colorado, Reisterstown, Maryland, and Chesterfield, Missouri, each of which boasts a clinical staff of fewer than six.

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Specialties like dermatology are especially lucrative to PE because they are reliant on high-volume procedures that are reimbursed for service at a pretty high rate, Jane M. Zhu, a primary care physician and researcher at Oregon Health and Science University who has studied PE ownership of outpatient practices, told me.

When a physician or group of doctors sell to private equity, they usually stay, at least for a while, even if they are looking to retire, says Zhu. The new owner wants that familiar public face. But emerging research has shown some worrying trends in how physician offices behave once they are on the hook to investors.

PE-owned practices consistently raise prices, which might knock ones longtime specialist out of their insurance network. They also tend to squeeze their patients for more money in other ways. PE-owned practices tend to schedule more appointments and stretch those appointments for longer periods of time, increasing the charges to insurers per patient. They also tend to order more procedures. PE-owned dentist offices are more likely to change focus from prevention to more-lucrative restoration procedures, and some have been sued by former patients alleging unnecessary tooth extractions and root canals. Similarly, PE-backed dermatologists have been accused of ordering biopsies and surgery for benign skin anomalies, and even though they do more procedures, these offices have fewer support staff and even fewer medical supplies in the closet than non-PE-owned dermatology practices, one study found.

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Thats one of the risks for consumers, Jim Baker, the executive director of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, told me. The private-equity-owned provider, just because of the nature of private equity, may be incentivized to take actions that generate substantial pay for a private equity firm but might not be necessary for consumers.

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Over time, patients might find fewer familiar faces at these practices. In one study, doctors at PE-backed practices were 16 percent more likely to work somewhere else within two years than non-PE-employed peers. This means that doctors and practitioners who often know deeply the patients and communities they serve are no longer there to help them.

The initial investors also dont typically stick around for long. Most practices are resold to another PE firm within three years, putting a neighborhood optometry or gastroenterology practice through a succession of faraway new owners, all looking to sell for more to the next one.

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Want to take your ailments to someplace untainted by PE? In some underserved areas, that could be hard. One study found that in 50 metropolitan areas of the U.S., one firm had bought up at least 50 percent of the physician market. Market saturation is constantly the goal. PE-backed ventures frequently roll up several once independent practices in a field under one umbrella company that can save money by pooling resources and becoming big enough to negotiate with insurers for higher rates.

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As for why a doctor would allow a PE firm to assimilate the practice they spent decades building, it is one of the few ways a beleaguered independent can get enough cash to stay competitive against other corporatized medical entities, namely hospital systems. According to one industry group, 78 percent of physicians work for a corporate entity of some sort, be it a hospital system, pharmacy, insurance company, or private-equity-backed venture.

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For physician practices, private equity is a form of private capital, and you need capital injections into a practice in order to compete often with these larger health systems, said Zhu. In some ways, practices might be facing a Hobsons choice, where they are damned if they do and they are damned if they dont.

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Compounding the pressure is diminishing payment from Medicare, a foundation for most specialists. Over 25 years, the programs physician payment has decreased by 33 percent. According to an American Medical Association survey, the main reason for selling to private equity is a better ability to negotiate payment rates.

Robert Aprill, a partner at Physician Growth Partners, a firm that connects doctors with investors, said that most physicians come to his company looking for a lifeline. Selling to private equity can be defensive against these hospitals and these larger monopolies that are kind of forming in each market, said Aprill, or it can be opportunistic. A private equity cash infusion could help practices expand, hire, or invest in new equipment.

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Aprill defends private equity as an equalizer of sorts in an unequal medical marketplace. The deals allow smaller practices access to the sophistication and services that are typically available to offices in a major medical metropolitan area.

But the trade-offs are hotly debated among medical professionals. Nate Williams, a Phoenix-based accountant who specializes in dental practices, told me that the deals offered by PE firms are often not as good as they seem. He said that starting in 2020, his clients saw an influx of offers to buy their businesses from dental support organizations, which usually seek to roll up formerly independent dental practices into one PE-backed company.

Related From Slate Private Equity Is Littered With Conflicts of Interest for Trump and His Cabinet Read More

I started realizing that these DSOs are just fleecing the doctors, like totally taking advantage of them, said Williams, who amplifies his objections by co-hosting the podcast Just Say No to the DSO.

Increasingly, DSOs are offering less cash and more equity in the DSO itself. A typical offer might be 20 percent cash, 80 percent shares, said Williams. The problem with that is, you have no clue what that equity is actually worth.

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Physician offices are but one front in private equitys foray into health care. PE owns 8 percent of hospitals in the U.S. (often valuing the real estate they sit on as much as the operation), and its track record has raised concern. PE-owned hospitals tend to have fewer nurses on staff, increased rates of patient falls and infections, and higher prices than average.

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Zhu, the Oregon Health and Science University researcher, describes it as a vast, evolving experiment, with the quality of peoples health care on the line, to see if private equity can offer something that would balance the capital it removes.

In the end, private equity extracts profits for its investors, she said. Even if you do develop efficiencies, the profits dont go to the patients, and they dont go to the clinicians, they dont go to the practices. They dont get reinvested. They go to investors. So the question would ultimately be: Do we think that that is going to be good for the practice in the long run?
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Donald Trump and the Republican Party are dismantling American democracy at a record-breaking pace, according to the latest edition of a long-running project tracking the health of democracies across the world.

The scale and speed of autocratization under the Trump administration are unprecedented in modern times, write the authors of the V-Dem Institutes 2026 democracy report. Under Trumps presidency the level of democracy in the USA has fallen back to the same level as in 1965. That was the year the Voting Rights Act was passed, and it was also the year most scholars view as the U.S. finally having become a true democracy.

The V-Dem Institute, based in Swedens University of Gothenburg, has been compiling the worlds largest dataset on democracy for more than a decade. The work involves thousands of academic experts measuring various attributes of democracy across the worlds countries and rolling those measurements up into aggregate indexes that assess how well governments reflect the will of their citizens, protect their individual liberties, and safeguard the integrity of their electoral processes.

In the first year of the second Trump administration, democracy in the United States is in free fall.

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V-Dems scale runs from 0 (full-blown totalitarianism) to 1 (flourishing electoral democracy). Practically speaking, countries in 2025 ran the gamut from 0.01 (North Korea) to 0.88 (Denmark).

From the 1990s to the dawn of the first Trump administration, the United States typically rated 0.8 or above, good enough to place us in the top 20 countries in the world. But last year our score plummeted to 0.57, knocking us out of the top 50.

The reports authors note that several specific factors are driving the decline. The Republican-controlled Congress has largely abandoned its role as a co-equal branch of government, effectively handing the president the power of the purse to unilaterally cancel or redirect federal funding and arbitrarily set tariffs. Congressional Republicans have also ceded much of their lawmaking authority to the White House, allowing Donald Trump to attempt sweeping policy changes through executive orders (and leaving the courts to figure out whether any of it is legal).

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Trump has also directly undermined the workings of the judicial system, most notably by pardoning 1,500 people charged or convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Trump has called for impeachment and filed misconduct complaints against judges who rule against him, refused to follow court orders, and channeled French dictator Napoleon Bonaparte in declaring, He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.

Trump promised, in his second inaugural address, to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America, vowing that never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents. In reality, the data shows that he has cracked down on free speech more aggressively than any president in the modern era, driving V-Dems measure of American free expression down to its lowest point since the end of World War II.

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The president has deployed federal troops to cities governed by Democrats, for instance, and threatened to use very big force against peaceful protesters. He launched a campaign of retribution against law firms for work he opposed and authorized federal agencies to target organizations and individuals who espouse anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism and anti-Christianity.

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He also weaponized federal funding to force universities to dismantle DEI programs and restrict certain forms of campus protest. Last year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio boasted about revoking more than 300 student visas, largely over foreign policy views the administration disagreed with.

In modern US history, there has never been an attack on free expression quite like Donald Trumps, wrote Aryeh Neier, co-founder of Human Rights Watch, earlier this month.

Trump has also bragged about his efforts to crack down on unflattering media coverage. He has sued news outlets over unfavorable stories, barred some media organizations from covering the White House, and suggested that mocking him on late-night talk shows is illegal.

Staffan Lindberg, founding director of the V-Dem Institute, said that leaders in authoritarian regimes frequently claim to be upholding the very rights theyre working to suppress. Its a standard tactic, he said. Even Putin used to say he was protecting freedom of speech by purging fake news. 

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In many ways, Americas authoritarian turn has proceeded precisely as many scholars predicted it would in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection: The first Trump administration had followed the same authoritarian playbook seen in other backsliding nations, like Turkey and Hungary.

But democracy experts have been stunned by the speed of backsliding in the first year of the second Trump term. V-Dems data demonstrates that democratic erosion is happening much more rapidly here than it has elsewhere in recent years.

This regression is usually incremental and often inconspicuous, spanning years or even decades, the reports authors write. But in terms of the speed of autocratization, Trump 2.0 outpaces not only Trump 1.0 but also the most prominent autocrats of the last 25 years, including Russias Vladimir Putin, Turkeys Recep Erdogan, and Hungarys Viktor Orban.

Authoritarian turns can reverse themselves, and the V-Dem report finds that 10 other nationsincluding Bolivia, Brazil, and Polandare turning back toward democracy after a period of decline. Some observers are looking toward those countries for lessons on how to rebuild American democracy after Trump.

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It wont be easy. Lindberg notes that autocratic parties, like the Trumpist incarnation of the GOP, rarely reform themselves. But the 10 countries moving back toward democracy in 2025 have one major thing in common: mass mobilization, Lindberg says. Lots of people out protesting in the streets is one of the most effective ways to stop autocratization. But those protests must be sustained, frequent, and long-standing.

Recent protests in Minnesota, where Twin Cities residents took to the streets to protect their neighbors from the administrations mass-deportation efforts, offer one template for what such mobilization would look like in an American context. But they also underscore the dangers of direct opposition to an authoritarian regime: hundreds of civil rights violations, dozens of arrests, and two lives lost.

And in a sign of just how rapidly Americas democratic decline is proceeding, none of it will show up in V-Dems data until next year.
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As primary season enters full swing, were beginning to get a clearer picture of which states will play a key role this fall. None is more critical for Democrats hopes of retaking the Senate than Maine, where a damaged Sen. Susan Collins only recently announced that shes running again. Democrats view Maine as a rare opportunity to flip a seat thats a must-win for a future Senate majority under a potential Democratic president in 2029or a central part of an extremely narrow path to regain the chamber this November.

When the Democrats have held the Senate in the recent past, though, the progressive agenda has been stymied by legislative procedure. In the wake of the Supreme Courts decision ending Roe v. Wade, any path to reviving Americans reproductive freedom has been particularly vulnerable to the 60-vote filibuster. So it may seem curious that multiple reproductive rights groups have endorsed a candidate in the Maine primary who has spoken out in favor of the Senate filibuster, which would inevitably doom legislation to protect abortion rights should Democrats retake the White House.

That candidate is Gov. Janet Mills, who at 78 would be the oldest freshman senator ever elected. Her top competitor is Marine veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner, the first-time candidate who covered a tattoo of a Nazi symbol only after it came to light. Hes endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and other progressives.

Its easy to see why. Two days after entering the race, Mills not only told reporters she wanted to retain the filibuster but cited a false justification. When it comes to Trump appointing 200 judges with very questionable qualifications, I would want to have a say in those judgeships, for instance, the governor told the Bangor Daily News in October. The supermajority threshold to end debate and hold a vote hasnt applied to district or appeals court judges since 2013, or to Supreme Court nominees since 2017.

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Yet the pro-choice political organization EMILYs List had already endorsed Mills two days before, and Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed her in December. (Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the other big political player in the reproductive rights space, has not yet endorsed in the Maine race and declined to comment on the timing of its future 2026 endorsements.)

Even more strangely, in backing Mills, these two groups appear to have abandoned their stance on the filibuster from just four years ago. EMILYs List and Reproductive Freedom for All ended support of then-Sen. Kyrsten Sinema over her refusal to reform the Senate rule to pass voting rights legislation. A spokesperson for EMILYs List declined to comment on whether its filibuster stance has changed since 2022, while a spokesperson for Reproductive Freedom for All claimed that its position had not changed. Both declined to comment on how filibuster reform factors into their organizations current endorsement criteria.

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In a statement, EMILYs List chief communications officer Amanda Sherman Baity called Mills an unwavering, battle-tested champion of reproductive freedom and contrasted her record with that of Collins. Mills doesnt just talk about protecting abortion rights, shes used the power of her office to defend and expand abortion access in Maine. EMILYs List knows shell bring that same grit and determination to protecting reproductive rights in the U.S. Senate, Sherman Baity said. The Reproductive Freedom for All spokesperson referred Slate to its December endorsement of Mills, in which President and CEO Mini Timmaraju said, With abortion on the line nationwide, we are proud to endorse Gov. Mills, who is the only candidate in this race with an unimpeachable record of expanding access and removing barriers to reproductive care.

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The Mills campaign, however, has changed its tune since October, saying in response to Slate that the candidate does support reforming the filibuster. The Governor believes the filibuster is the only thing standing between Republicans and a nationwide abortion ban, spokesperson Tommy Garcia said. But she supports serious reforms to the filibusterincluding lowering the vote threshold required to break a filibusterin order to protect and advance civil rights like fully restoring reproductive freedom nationwide. The campaign did not respond to a question about Mills falsely asserting that the rule still applied to judicial nominations. Mills updated stance on this issue is to the right of former President Joe Biden, who supported exceptions to the filibuster for abortion and voting rights.

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While its true that Republicans could try to pass a federal abortion ban if they were to reform the filibuster, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said last week that his caucus doesnt even have the votes to do so on the SAVE Act. This suggests that the GOP would be loath to force Democrats to use a talking filibuster to oppose a nationwide abortion ban, which is even less popular than voting restrictions. If Democrats are the only party with an appetite to reform the filibuster, they must use it to make structural changes that address the rot in our democracyand prevent unrepresentative Republican trifectas that can enact unpopular policies. That means voting rights legislation, campaign finance reform, statehood for D.C., and Supreme Court expansion.

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However, the filibuster also stands in the way of legislation that would overturn state abortion bans should Democrats regain a trifecta. The party faces a structural disadvantage in the Senate, thanks to less-populous states getting as many votes as, for example, California and New York. Even if Mills magic number is, say, 55 instead of 60, Democrats would need a blowout to reach that benchmark. After all, winning 56.5 percent of the national Senate vote in 2020 resulted in just 50 seats. Lowering the threshold to any number above 50 could still handcuff lawmakers who want to make systemic change.

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As a contrast, Platner supports ending the filibuster altogether and has said that if Democrats get back into power, we need to get rid of it and we need to start passing legislation thats good for the American people. The Platner campaign did not respond to a request for comment on these endorsements or on Mills public statements about the filibuster.

Platner is operating at an advantage, according to available polling, including a February University of New Hampshire survey that had him up by 38 points64 percent to 26 percent. That same poll showed Platner beating Collins in the general by 11 points, while Mills was up only 1 point, well within the margin of error. (A spokesperson for the Mills campaign contends that the UNH poll overrepresented voters 18 to 34, a sample that doesnt reflect the primary electorate, which has skewed in the past two cycles toward voters over 65. They also said that voters choose Collins over Platner when polls inform them about his record.)

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Why are abortion rights groups endorsing Mills over Platner? The easiest answer is that shes a safe establishment politician, and one who is unlikely to have authored any questionable Reddit posts, gotten Nazi tattoos, or appeared on conspiracy theorist podcasts. Mills has traditional credentials: She was first elected to the state Legislature in 2002 and served eight years as attorney general before becoming governor in 2019.

Mills has won statewide elections, and winning this seat is the most important thing to Democrats in the short term because, on paper, it is winnable: Collins is the only GOP senator in a state that Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024. Collins did manage to fend off her previous challenger, state Sen. Sara Gideon, in somewhat of an upset in 2020despite trailing in almost every poll and spending just half the amount Gideon did, Collins won by nearly 9 points. (Gideon still has $3 million left in her campaign account and recently gave $4,000 to Mills.) But that election was before the fall of Roean event for which Collins was instrumental, thanks to her votes to confirm Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and especially Brett Kavanaughand her approval rating is now 13 points underwater. Only Sen. Mitch McConnell is less popular.

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Efforts to protect abortion rights in Congress have faltered for years, due to a combination of the filibuster and general Democratic tentativeness. Only after the Supreme Court signaled that the end of Roe was imminent did the then-Democratic-controlled House pass, for the first time, a bill called the Womens Health Protection Act. The proposal was initially introduced in 2013 but had never received a full House vote until the federal right was on life support. The bill twice failed to advance in the Senate, first in February 2022 and again that May, after the leaked draft of the Dobbs opinion that would overturn Roe. The bill didnt overcome the 60-vote filibuster either time, but it would have failed even a simple majority passage because West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin joined Republicans in opposition. Democrats nominally had 50 senators and the presidency, but they were powerless to respond to the end of Roe because two senators wanted to keep the filibuster and one opposed protecting abortion rights.

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At their core, Reproductive Freedom for All and EMILYs List are pragmatic organizations, says Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of CaliforniaDavis School of Law and an expert in the history and politics of reproductive rights. I think they think that Janet Mills is the only one who can win, Ziegler told me. They think that itd be better to have Janet Mills than Susan Collins, and theyre holding their nose. Mills has publicly pledged to serve only one six-year term.

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Its also noteworthy that Mills was recruited by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The DSCC formed a joint fundraising committee with the Mills campaign. Platner wont support Schumer for leader, while Mills hasnt committed to voting for him.

The most gracious interpretation of all this is that these groups believe that Mills will do whats necessary for abortion rights if the moment presents itselfthey might have even discussed her then-private support for incremental changes to the Senate rules.

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But these groups may have thought the same thing about Sinema, whom they endorsed in 2018. The Arizona senator said she supported abortion rights, but when push came to shove, she didnt support taking the steps necessary to protect them at the federal level. Thats potentially the fallacy, Ziegler said. Its hard to know until the vote arrives. Because Im sure they think that if they really needed Janet Mills, that she would do the right thing.

Another lesson of the Biden era, though, is the misguided notion that because theres still a semblance of abortion access, theres no emergency, Ziegler notes. Which is to say: Mills, or other more classic Democratic senators, might not feel the push to do the right thing. This would be a real problem. Post-Roe, there are limited work-arounds for people in ban states in the form of abortion pills prescribed under telemedicine shield lawsthere are eight states with such laws, and thanks to Mills signature, Maine is one of them. Its unclear what will happen to those laws in the courts, however.

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Related From Slate We Have a Winner for Most Grotesque Supreme Court Audition Yet Read More

Theres a related idea that nothing worse will unfold because abortion restrictions wont pass this Congress, and because Republicans are expected to lose control in a matter of months. So while the failure of the 2022 bill was bad, to some lawmakers, it hasnt been as existential as it could have been, Ziegler said.

She adds that theres still complacency among Democrats on abortion, an unwarranted sense in the face of multiple federal lawsuits that could upend access nationwide. Its just a misunderstanding of how many things are coming into the courts, which are stacked with Trump judges, she said. Abortion providers are bracing for a ruling in a consequential case filed in Louisiana in which the state is asking a judge to end telehealth prescriptions of the drug mifepristone while litigation proceeds against the Food and Drug Administration. Nearly 30 percent of all abortions in 2025 were done with pills via telemedicine; ending that delivery method could be disastrous.

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Platners fairly extensive platform page notes that he supports a strong federal guarantee of the right to choose. Mills site features no such issues page, and though she has outlined her reproductive-health accomplishments as governor, she pledged only to prevent further retrenchment in Congress and did not mention proactive legislation. She has said she will fight tooth and nail against any effort to further roll back these fundamental protections.

This defensive posture mirrors that of the national reproductive rights movement, and it has utterly failed. Leading groups like Reproductive Freedom for All, Planned Parenthood, and the Center for Reproductive Rights (the latter of which doesnt endorse political candidates) have a long history of making policy and litigation decisions based on polling, rather than pushing the public where it needs to go to truly protect autonomy. Infuriating examples include not initially challenging the Hyde Amendment ban on Medicaid coverage of abortion, not uniformly suing states over abortion bans later in pregnancy, pushing ballot measures that allow viability limits, and not advocating for women criminalized for using drugs during pregnancy, which allowed notions of fetal personhood to fester.

These groups and others often traded the rights of people on the margins in exchange for limited abortion access and a promise that they would fix it eventually. What that has gotten us so far is the fall of Roe and more than a dozen state bans. At the end of the day, its not at all surprising to see establishment groups support an establishment candidate who seems interested more in nibbling around the edges of the federal status quo than in storming the gates over the loss of the rights those very groups were established to defend.
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Joe Kent, the Senate-confirmed director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday because he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. It is the highest-profile protest resignation of the second Trump administrationduring which there has been much to protest-resign overand exposes the rift within MAGA over President Donald Trumps keenness for warmaking.

Such a headline-grabbing move from an ideological ally of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, under whom Kent served, is welcome news to the wars opponents. It should also be welcome news that Joe Kent is no longer serving in the United States government. Kent has a long history of conspiratorial thinking that has twice cost him winnable congressional races.

Thats on full display in his resignation letter. While it arrives at a conclusion held by a majority of Americanswhat, exactly, is the point of this war?the letter manages to absolve Trump of agency in his decision to strike. It suggests Trump had become changed, from the anti-war politician he once was to a manipulee of Israel. But hes not the latter now, and he never was the former. Greenlighting the Iran war was a decision Trump made, free-thinkingly, based on how hes always been, in pursuit of his own legacy.

Kents mistaken impression of Trump can maybe be explained a bit by his background. He is a former Green Beret who served 11 tours of duty, mostly in Iraq. His wife, who was in the Navy, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2019 during the war against the Islamic State. After the tragedy, Kent became more involved in politics.

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He ran for Congress in 2022 in Washington, leaping at the opportunity to take down incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6 riots. He was successful in terms of taking down Herrera Beutlerbut then narrowly lost the general election to Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. (Two years earlier, in 2020, Herrera Beutler had carried the district for Republicans by 13 points.) Gluesenkamp Perez defeated Kent again in a 2024 rematch.

The double loss was largely attributable to Kents fringe-right views and ties. He was an election denier following the 2020 election, and had ties to white nationalists like Nick Fuentes and groups like the Proud Boys. He believes the FBI and intelligence community were involved in planning/directing the Jan. 6 riot, and suggested following the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt on Trump that the Secret Service were either in on it or let it happen.

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These views may have cost Kent two congressional races in a GOP-leaning seat, but they did earn him the favor of Tucker Carlson, Trump, and Gabbard, who hired him as her chief of staff at DNI before he was nominated to the NCTC. He was confirmed to that role last July in a nearly party-line vote in which all Republicans, excluding retiring North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, supported him.

Fast-forward eight months, and Kent portrays in his resignation letter a president who has been successfully coopted by dark and powerful forces that have led him astray from his previous anti-war commitments.

Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran, Kent writes. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

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First things first: Its a very welcome development in American political discourse over the last few years that people can criticize Israel without being immediately labeled antisemitic. But there is still a line. So who were these influential members of the media pushing this war? Is this the same media thats getting yelled at every day by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for not loving the war enough? The same one threatened by the Federal Communications Commission into more enthusiastically waving its pompoms? Its also fully ahistorical to say that Israel drew the United States into the Iraq war. That mythmaking was manufactured domestically.

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Of course, its true that Israel lobbied Trump to attack Iran. But Israel has been lobbying American presidents for decades to take out Iran. Why did it only work this time?

President Trump is obsessed with besting other presidents, both Democrat and Republican, in part by doing things he felt they only talked about. Presidents have for decades called for regime change in Venezuela, so he abducted their leader. He is, at this moment, pushing to collapse the Cuban government, something presidents since John F. Kennedy have wanted. He took full credit for the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, even if that wasnt a politically wise thing to do, because no other Republican had been able to lock in the conservative Supreme Court majority he had. Hes trying to eliminate the Department of Education, something Republicans have used as a campaign line since the department was founded. He wants a deal to end the Ukraine-Russia war, even if the deal ends on bad terms, because President Joe Biden could not get one.

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He has three years left in his term, and a lot of legacy bullet points hed like to fill in. Taking out the Iranian regime, or the Iranian threat to American allies in the region, would be a biggie on that list. As South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Grahamone of the wars key proponentsrepeatedly put it, toppling the Iranian regime would make him Ronald Reagan Plus. And so hes doing it.

This has always been Trumps psychological profile, and in his second term, he feels more comfortable in the job pressing previously unpressed buttons. It is not clear, as Kent writes in his letter, that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. Instead, its that Iran hawks, including the current Israeli leadership, finally landed on a president willing to do it. This war is happening, for better or worse, because Trump is who Trump isand what he wants to cram in during his few final years in power.
International experts call for research, monitoring, and public awareness on micro- and nanoplastic pollution

BRUSSELS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 24, 2026, the European Parliament hosted an international conference titled "Nanoplastics: Hidden Connections and Emerging Risks." Organised under the auspices of MEP Ondrej Knotek in collaboration with the ALLATRA Global Research Center, the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and civil society representatives to address the growing global environmental and health risks posed by micro- and nanoplastics.

A. Ragusa, J. Kara, O. Knotek, M. Burns, M. Ovtsynova, J. Ahn, A. Kotlyar, A. Masny at the European Parliament during the conference NANOPLASTICS: HIDDEN CONNECTIONS AND EMERGING RISKS.

Experts highlighted that these microscopic plastic particles are found in air, water, food systems, and human tissues, posing a growing environmental and public health concern. Concentrations in parts of the Mediterranean Sea are reportedly higher than in some areas of the Pacific Ocean associated with plastic accumulation. Dr John Ahn, PhD, MBA (USA), noted: "When these particles enter the bloodstream, they can circulate throughout the body and have been detected in multiple organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, and placenta." Anna Kotlyar, MSc (Israel), added: "Micro- and nanoplastics should be considered as a new physical and chemical factor on a planetary scale."

Health implications were discussed, including cellular damage. Alexander Masny, MSc (Germany), explained that the small size and surface charge of nanoplastics allow them to penetrate cells and affect mitochondrial function. Prof Antonio Ragusa, MD (Italy), presented research demonstrating microplastics in human placental tissue, highlighting risks for prenatal development and the need for further investigation.

Environmental and atmospheric impacts were also addressed. Czech expert RNDr Jan Kara, PhD, emphasised that nanoplastics may influence water cycles, cloud formation, and ocean-atmosphere interactions, and stressed the need for global standardised monitoring to map their distribution.

Conference participants noted the lack of worldwide monitoring standards for particles smaller than 10 microns and the absence of protocols for assessing health impacts. Particular attention was drawn to the behavior of nanoplastics, whichdue to their surface chargeinteract with surrounding environments, including living tissues. Coordinated international and interdisciplinary cooperation is needed to better understand these interactions and develop effective monitoring and mitigation strategies. Recommendations included strengthening collaboration across medicine, environmental sciences, and geosciences, expanding research funding, and increasing public awareness to support evidence-based policymaking. MEP Ondrej Knotek stressed the need for policies informed by emerging scientific insights. Pastor Mark Burns (USA), Chairman of the Spiritual Diplomats initiative, and Maryna Ovtsynova (USA), President of ALLATRA IPM, highlighted the moral importance of addressing these issues responsibly, calling for international dialogue and greater public engagement on global environmental challenges.

For the full press release and additional details please visit: https://allatra.org/press-release/first-steps-toward-solution-nanoplastics-were-presented-european-parliament

Media contact:

Veronika Lestachova

[email protected]

ALLATRA Global Research Center (ALLATRA GRC) is Registered in the EU Transparency Register (REG 1148853102055-15)

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2934808/ALLATRA.jpg

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SOURCE ALLATRA Global Research Center
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On Monday, the Supreme Court did something surprising: With no noted dissents, the justices refused to let the Trump administration immediately revoke Temporary Protected Status for more than 350,000 immigrants from Haiti and Syria. Instead, the court allowed these immigrants to continue living and working in the United States legally while it reviews the governments arguments that it can strip them of protections overnight. The justices, in other words, will decide this case the proper waywith full briefing, oral arguments, deliberation, and an opinionrather than over the shadow docket, with little or no explanation. And hundreds of thousands of law-abiding noncitizens will remain protected from deportation in the meantime.

No one is more vindicated by this unusual exercise of judicial restraint than Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. For 10 months, Jackson has been fighting her colleagues callous treatment of immigrants whose legal status was abruptly terminated by the Trump administration. At times, she has been the lone justice willing to speak out. In one extraordinary dissent, she alone castigated the conservative supermajority for its grave misuse of the shadow docket to privilege the bald assertion of unconstrained executive power over countless families pleas for the stability our government has promised them. These condemnations may well have shamed the court into doing exactly what Jackson urged: resolve this dispute through the ordinary processwhile maintaining the status quo for immigrantsrather than issuing another snap judgment for the administration that upends hundreds of thousands of lives.

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President Donald Trumps attack on TPS is one of the most far-reaching nativist policies of his second term. The program, which Congress created in 1990, allows immigrants already living in the U.S. to remain and work here legally when dangerous conditions in their country, like armed conflict and natural disasters, make it unsafe to return. When Trump returned to office, the Department of Homeland Security had designated 17 countries for TPS, covering about 1.3 million immigrants. These designations can last for up to 18 months, and may then be renewed or terminated. Upon her confirmation, thenSecretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem sought to end TPS for many countries. But some of the previous administrations designations were not set to expire for months, with some running into 2026. So Noem claimed the power to vacate TPS for these countriesthat is, to instantly repeal protections without notice.

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The chief problem for Noem, as Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck has explained, is that federal law does not say that DHS can vacate an existing TPS designation. (That may be why no previous secretary had ever tried to do it.) And if such a move is allowed, the law would require reasoned decisionmaking, including a non-pretextual explanation for the action. Noem did not provide any of this. So lower courts began blocking her vacatur of TPS for several countries, among them Venezuela, Haiti, and Syria. (Some also cited the presidents racist comments as proof of unconstitutional animus.) The Trump administration objected, insisting that the power to terminate TPS encompassed the authority to end it prematurely. And it argued that federal law bars judicial review of any TPS termination, so courts may not even decide whether Noems actions complied with the law.

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Although lower courts roundly rejected these claims, the Supreme Court appeared to buy them. Last May, over the shadow docket, the justices froze a district court order that had barred Noem from vacating the 2023 TPS designation for Venezuela. They did not explain their decision, which revoked legal status for 350,000 immigrants in one stroke. Only Jackson noted her dissent; Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan did not join her.

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At the time, Jackson did not explain her vote. But 11 days later, the court issued another unexplained shadow docket decision allowing Noem to end a similar program that covered Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This time, Jackson wrote a blistering dissentjoined by Sotomayorthat seemed to explain her earlier vote, as well. She focused on a factor that should be critical when the government seeks emergency relief: Which party would face irreparable harm if the Supreme Court failed to act immediately? Here, Jackson explained, the government failed to identify a single concrete or irreparable injury that it would suffer by allowing immigrants to remain until the court had the opportunity to hear the case in full and issue its ruling. The immigrants, by contrast, would face devastation and chaos by losing lawful status. Her argument applied equally to TPS: Rather than allow immigrants lives to unravel all around us, the Supreme Court should keep these protections in place while the Trump administration defends its prerogative to end them.

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Jackson expanded on this message in October when the Supreme Court, over the shadow docket, halted another lower court order preserving TPS for Venezuela. This time around, Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson all dissented. But Sotomayor and Kagan declined to join Jacksons opinion excoriating the conservative justices for hasty intervention. Once again, the justice criticized the majority for disregarding the harms that would now befall immigrants, including job loss, family separation, and deportation. But she also assailed her colleagues for failing to explain themselves. The lower courts, Jackson wrote, justified their decisions against the Trump administration in reasoned and thoughtful written opinions. Now SCOTUS chose to wordlessly override their considered judgments, disregarding its opinion-writing capacity in a rush to allow this administration to disrupt as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible.

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Related From Slate One of Trumps Worst U.S. Attorneys Just Stepped on the Dumbest Possible Rake Read More

This dissent marked an escalation in Jacksons crusade against shadow docket abuses. The justice did more than accuse her colleagues of misapplying the law; she also spotlighted their refusal to defend their actions, suggesting that they stayed silent because they had no defense. Her rhetoric came off as a challenge to the conservative supermajority to put up or shut up: If it had a good reason to keep short-circuiting the appeals process so Trump could persecute immigrants, it should say so. And if it had no good reasonas she strongly impliedit ought to step aside and let the lower courts do their work.

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Yet even as she threw down the gauntlet, Jackson sounded pessimistic about a course correction. Her objection to the courts repeated, gratuitous, and harmful actions sounded like a warning to the public that the court would continue to run interference for the Trump administrations quest to turn legal immigrants into undocumented outlaws. Sure enough, when lower courts ruled against Noems effort to vacate TPS for Syria (6,000 beneficiaries) and Haiti (350,000 beneficiaries), the Trump administration raced to the justices for emergency relief. Solicitor General John Sauer even accused these lower courts of effectively defying the Supreme Courts earlier orders. All signs pointed to the same result: SCOTUS would freeze their decisions without explanation, allowing the administration to rip away TPS all at once.

But it didnt. Instead, the Supreme Court deferred judgment in the cases, then moved them off the shadow docket and onto the merits docket, setting oral arguments for April. In the interim, the court preserved the lower courts orders, keeping TPS in place for Syria and Haiti until it hands down a decision. There were no noted dissents.

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This turnabout looks a lot like a concession to Jacksons critiques. It addresses her two biggest complaints by sparing immigrants from an irreparable injury while setting the stage for a fully fleshed-out opinion on the merits in June. And for that reason, it carries real upside for TPS holders whose lives hang in the balance. The court can no longer ignore their (strong) arguments against the legality of Noems actions; it will have to address the lack of authority to vacate a TPS designation as well as whether racial animus appears to have tainted the governments decisions.

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Does this mean the Supreme Court will ultimately side against the Trump administration? Absolutely not. It is still more likely that the conservative supermajority will concoct a reason to rubber-stamp Noems unprecedented vacatur of TPS. There are, however, still tangible benefits to this deliberative approach. It means that hundreds of thousands of immigrants will benefit from TPS for at least several more months. It gives them notice that they may need to seek another path to lawful status, like asylumnotice that the administration sought to deny them. It requires the court to hold oral arguments, deliberate, and issue an opinion that will draw public attention to this issue months before the midterms.

These may sound like small wins, but they are wins nonetheless. And they may well be a result of Jacksons relentless (and frequently solo) denunciation of her colleagues corner-cutting complicity with the Trump administrations nativist agenda. Jackson is widely seen as less tactical than Sotomayor and Kagan, more willing to call out the conservatives mischief at the cost of collegiality. But Mondays surprise suggests that sometimes blunt truths are worth more than pulled punches.
One trend that connects Martin Luther King Jr., Queen Victoria, Mahatma Gandhi, and Saint Patrick: Each year on their respective holidays, a sudden surge of people visit their Wikipedia articles. Last year, St. Patricks page received more than 425,000 views on March 17, about 150 times more than normal. Once a year, the apostle of Ireland is a Wikipedia celebrity.

Last year, I wondered whether all those people reading St. Patricks page on March 17 would be met with incomplete information or, worse, fake history. St. Patrick is so often shrouded in superstition, including the famous legend about him banishing all snakeseven though scientists say snakes were never indigenous to Ireland.

So I contacted Philip Freeman to review the Wikipedia entry. Freeman is a professor at Pepperdine University and the leading scholar on the historical St. Patrick. Freeman wrote back: I looked over the Wiki page and actually think its very good. It separates history from legends well. No suggestions on my part. I was shocked. Freeman has written two books and several scholarly articles on the historical St. Patrick. Hes a well-regarded and prolific historian. But when it came to St. Patricks Wikipedia article, he could think of literally nothing to add.

I contacted Christopher Snyder for a second opinion. He is dean and professor of history at Mississippi State University, affiliated faculty at Oxford University, and a regular contributor to History Channel and BBC documentaries. Hes also a huge St. Patrick fanwhen we spoke, he was attending the St. Patricks Day Kick-Off Ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. After reviewing St. Patricks Wikipedia page, Snyder agreed with Freeman that the article was of unusually good quality.

Throughout high school and college I had been told that Wikipedia was full of shoddy scholarship that could not be trusted for accuracy. Wikipedia was the site to learn Plato was Hawaiian. Now I had two historians telling me that this specific page was pretty great. Why?

Turns out, there are a few forces contributing to this unexpected Wiki excellence. St. Patrick is the rare 5th-century figure who left behind authentic first-person sources. Two Latin works are generally accepted as being written by the saint: the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus and his autobiographical Confession. St. Patrick writes that he was born into an aristocratic British family, but his life was changed forever when he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland just before his 16th birthday. He spent six grueling years as a slave in Ireland before finally escaping and returning safely to Britain. His return stunned his family, who had long expected him to be dead. Then he surprised them again by training to become a priest in order to return as a Christian missionary to Irelandthe land of his captivity.

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St. Patricks Confession features slavers, murderous pirates, and druids. Its easy to simply enjoy the plot, but historians are more grateful for the style, which is unusually informal and personal for circa 490 A.D. Patricks Confession is like no other document from ancient times, Freeman wrote in his 2005 biography. Unlike in any other contemporary letter, we have a window into the soul of the person.

Snyder told me that he sees St. Patricks writing as in some ways analogous to the work of Frederick Douglass, the black abolitionist who escaped slavery in 1838. Despite living about 14 centuries apart, they can both be viewed as authors of slave narratives writing with common themes of spiritual and psychological redemption. Many years after he achieved freedom, St. Patrick wrote his second work, the Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, which is an impassioned diatribe against Roman Britons who had begun attacking and enslaving his Irish friends.

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The existence of St. Patricks first-person accounts makes his page much better than near-contemporaries like King Arthur.

The existence of St. Patricks first-person accounts makes his page much better than near-contemporaries like King Arthur. The legendary British kings Wikipedia page is basically a protracted argument about his historicity: whether he was real. Snyder told me that most legitimate historians would not touch King Arthur with a 10-foot pole because there is so little primary source material about him. St. Patricks page cites both recent credible scholarship and quotations from St. Patrick himself, whereas King Arthurs entry relies primarily on a 20-year-old secondary source, The New Arthurian Encyclopedia.

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St. Patricks Wiki page is also helped by the effort and ability of its worldwide contributors. The patron saint remains extremely popular in Ireland, where claiming that St. Patrick visited your hometown is the Irish version of the American saying George Washington slept here. And Irish immigrants to the U.S. have long venerated the saint. Remembering St. Patrick was a way for these immigrants to preserve their Catholic identity in a land where they were suddenly a religious minority. This global fan base may explain why St. Patricks page simply has a lot of content, including a section dedicated to his relationship with Irish identity and gorgeous photos of Slemish Mountain, Downpatrick, and other places associated with him.

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Although most Wikipedia editors do not openly reveal their personal information, the wording of the article suggests that at least a few academics have been working behind the scenes to improve and maintain the page. For example, a line about how certain hagiographies that idealize St. Patrick lack empiricism reads like it could have been contributed by a graduate history student who decided to edit the page while working on a dissertation.

The article also reflects a change in the historical paradigm. Snyder reminded me that in the 80s and 90s, Celtic suddenly became a pop culture phenomenon. New Age religious trends like Celtic Christianity were stylish, and Braveheart won multiple Academy Awards. The problem was that the movement had a faulty historical premise: Theres this notion of the Celt as this passionate, poetic, noble-savage type in contrast to the cold, rational, brutal colonial Romans, Snyder said. In fact, the term Celtic wouldnt have meant anything to Patrick.

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Over the course of the late 90s and early 2000s, scholars gradually won the argument. The myth of the Celt was gradually replaced with more accurate historical representation. St. Patricks Wikipedia pagecreated in 2001 during the sites first yearis an example of this trend, clearly differentiating legends from history.

As Adrianne LaFrance noted in the Atlantic, there is no self-evident unifying theory about why certain Wikipedia pages are higher quality than others. But with its combination of primary sources, motivated contributors, and shared vision, St. Patricks entry could be hinting at the magic formula.

Luckily, the Wikipedia page doesnt have to be your final source on St. Patrick. Both Freeman and Snyder wish more people would read the letters to encounter the real person. What struck me most about the letters were those lines where St. Patrick discusses his long-held insecurities in writing them: I have thought about writing this letter for a long time, but I kept putting it off until now. I have been afraid that people would laugh at the way I write. (The translation is from Freemans 2004 biography St. Patrick of Ireland.) Ultimately, there would be very little verifiable history to include on St. Patricks Wikipedia page if he hadnt taken the all-important step of writing his story down. Perhaps this St. Patricks Day, along with celebrating Irish culture and the bizarre existence of green beer, we should also toast the human St. Patricks victory over relatable self-doubt.
Plaintiff's Attorney Michael H. Joseph Will Seek Amazon Music's Artists' Station Curation, Algorithms and Overall Suppressive Mechanisms in Landmark Lawsuit's Discovery Phase

NEW YORK, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In a landmark first-of-its-kind ruling, a federal judge held that an independent musician has standing as a third-party beneficiary to sue a major DSP for breach of contract; therefore, Amazon Music will have to open its books in discovery.

Irish-Canadian Billboard-charting artist Marc Mysterio  a former Sony and Spinnin' Records signee with blockbuster collaborations including Flo Rida, Avicii, Crash Test Dummies, and Netflix's "Trailer Park Boys" (IFPI Gold-Certified)  sued the streaming giant for allegedly shadowbanning and suppressing his music to near-zero overnight. He did so despite racking up more than 3 million streams on Taylor Swift's station alone and more than 81 million total streams with nearly 15 million unique listeners in the year prior to the shadowban's imposition in mid-September 2024, as shown in the amended complaint's exhibits.

The claims: Mysterio's tracks were suddenly rendered unplayable with "streaming errors," removed from Amazon-curated artist stations - including Swift's and Mysterio's  and key algorithmic A-list related artists were replaced overnight by zero-follower artists.

In August 2023, he made a gutsy all-in move: He pulled his catalog from rival platforms to go 100% Amazon-exclusive.

It paid off, initially. "The Dancefloor" soared to No. 36 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and No. 1 globally on Amazon during Christmas 2023.

Then came the ultimate betrayal: alleged complete suppression and "streaming errors" starting in mid-September 2024.

In a landmark 40-page opinion and order (Case No. 1:25-cv-01705-KPF), U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla denied Amazon's motion to dismiss in part. "Discovery in Plaintiff's case against Amazon will thus focus on that point"  the alleged shadowban, she wrote.

The court ruled Mysterio is a third-party beneficiary of the DistroKid-Amazon distribution agreement, and plausibly alleged a 'pretextual' shadowban via breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

"This is the first time any court has permitted an artist's shadowbanning lawsuit against a major DSP to survive dismissal and ordered discovery," said lead counsel Michael H. Joseph. "Amazon must open its books. We're seeking curation, algorithms and the alleged malicious suppression code employed on Taylor Swift's Station, Trending/Top Songs Charts, Artist Playlists, song-pitch algorithms that erased metadata and caused streaming errors and station ineligibility, and alleged 'cut the tall grass' stream limits that impacted Mysterio's Billboard charting prior to fully suppressing his music overnight in September 2024. The complaint's exhibits of Amazon's own analytics speak for themselves."

"This isn't just one artist's fight  it's the shot heard 'round the world," Mysterio said. "This fight is for all content creators silenced arbitrarily by DSPs."

Mysterio is pursuing more than $245,000 in unpaid royalties from August/September 2024, plus future losses already estimated at more than $3 million based on Kenford Before-and-After Method  retroactive to the shadowban date.

Mysterio added: "Michael cracked the code artists have been praying for. I went all-in on Amazon as an exclusive artist, voluntarily, and this was my reward. It's about damn time for accountability  arbitrary platform suppression must end."

The full story  backed by video and Amazon's own analytics evidence  unfolds in a four-part documentary narrated by Mysterio at shadowban.me.

Legal Contact

Michael H. Joseph, Esq.

Photo

[email protected]

https://www.newyorktriallawyers.org

Amended Complaint/Exhibits

Judge Failla's Opinion (03.13.2026)

Media Contact

Padraig O'Connor

[email protected]

Marc Mysterio X: @marc_mysterio

Shadowban Documentary: https://shadowban.me/

Marc Mysterio Photo

SOURCE Law Office of Michael H. Joseph, PLLC
The U.S. Navy is fully on board the autonomous surface vessel (ASV) wagon as it moves toward having half of its surface fleet be unmanned by 2045. In 2025, it launched an autonomous 180-foot warship, known as the USX-1 Defiant. In February 2026, its new Lightfish drone hit the open ocean. The unmanned solar-powered Lightfish is built by Seasats, a private company based in San Diego, California.

Seasat's Lightfish is a 305-pound drone designed for general-purpose activities such as surveying, research, and security patrols. With the U.S. Navy, it will be used in missions to constantly gather intelligence through surveillance and reconnaissance along shorelines, in harbors, and even in the open ocean. With a top speed of 5 knots (5.75 mph), it can conduct a wide range of maritime domain awareness missions, including port and coastal security, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other threats.

The Lightfish, which measures just 11.4 feet x 3.4 feet, can survive up to six months or 8,000 nautical miles at sea without human intervention. It has a payload of 66 pounds and can be deployed at a moment's notice by one or two people. Additionally, it can be easily hauled in the back of a truck or placed aboard almost any aircraft. The Lightfish joins other sea-faring drones, including an unmanned underwater drone that the German Navy tested in 2025.

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Read more: 10 Of The Largest Navies In The World, Ranked By Self-Reported Total Naval Assets

The Lightfish's specifications

Side-view of the Seasats Lightfish drone at sea - Seasats

Lightfish is equipped with a bevy of high-tech equipment (including collision avoidance, onboard Artificial Intelligence, and GPS-denied navigation), five high-definition cameras, and redundant communication systems including LTE, Iridium SBD, Iridium Certus, and Starlink. The drone's solar-electric power system has a supplemental built-in methanol fuel cell that can supply 11 or 28kWh of power. The ASV has an Electric Drive Torqeedo 1103 with a weedless propeller equal to a 3-hp outboard motor. Additionally, its weighted keel allows it to right itself in conditions up to Sea State 6, where waves can reach heights of 20 feet.

Lightfish is meant strictly for surveillance and recon, unlike other privately-built USVs like the Cardona Marine Group, Inc.'s Sea-Predator-7, which is equipped with an array of munitions to deal lethal damage. The drone has a modular construction for easier maintenance and better customization, and most payloads can be swapped in minutes. With such a technologically advanced unit, one might think it would take a specialist to operate it. Not so. Seasats claims that its browser-based controls allow anyone to learn to navigate this ASV within five days.

Seasats' other two ASVs are the Quickfish and Heavyfish. The former has a top speed over 35 knots (40.28 mph), making it ideal for fast-response tactical operations. But it can only last a month without intervention, and its 1,450-pound weight (and 450-pound payload) requires a trailer to move and launch. Heavyfish weighs 9,000 pounds (with a 1,000-pound payload) and requires an even larger vehicle to move and a crane to get into the water. It too can last six months at sea, and has a top speed of 12 knots (13.81 mph).

The Lightfish has proved its long-distance capabilities

Two people in an inflatable boat launching the Lightfish drone at sea - U.S. Sixth Fleet

In June 2024, a Lightfish drone traveled some 2,500 miles from San Diego to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Hawaii. The 73-day trip was so successful that the team decided to send it on to Japan, but it was put out of commission by a typhoon along the way. An improperly sealed exhaust vent cover was to blame, allowing water into the hull.

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Lightfish performed the same run a second time to prove itself, again starting at the company's headquarters in San Diego. After a stopover in Hawaii for a demonstration, it continued past Wake Island and Guam, and took part in another demo in Okinawa. It finally arrived in Japan on July 30, 2025, with the successful trans-Pacific trip covering 7,500 miles in 150 days.

In early February 2026, the U.S. Sixth Fleet  specifically, Commander Task Force (CTF) 66  successfully tested Lightfish during Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 in the Western Indian Ocean. It was launched from the Seychelles Navy's SCG auxiliary Saya De Malha (A605). Combined with upcoming drones like Lockheed Martin's Lamprey multi-mission autonomous undersea vehicle, the Lightfish could make the seas much safer for the U.S. and its allies.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Humanoid robots are rapidly gaining hype, from battlefields to the factory floor.

But there are clear growing pains when it comes to sharing spaces with our new automaton friends. Just this month, a video circulated online showing a robot being escorted away by cops after startling an old lady.

Now, a different robot appears to have gotten carried away while performing a dance routine at a hot pot restaurant in San Jose, California.

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A video on social media shows the dancing robot knocking over tableware, smashing plates, and sending chopsticks flying. An orange apron the robot is wearing reads Im good in big letters across the front, perfectly adding to the chaotic scene.

Staffers at the restaurant were forced to intervene. One employee can be seen holding the robot by the scruff of its neck while navigating her phone, presumably searching the bots app for controls.

In the end, it took three workers to restrain the robot, who were all forced to duck periodically to avoid being smacked by its waving and sauce-covered hands.

A robot in China just smashed some dishes started dancing instead of working pic.twitter.com/cfkIjihnsx  Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) March 17, 2026

Besides being the funniest thing Ive seen all day, many netizens pointed out what appeared to be the glaring omission of an emergency off button.

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More importantly, why isnt there a big red power off button on its back, you shouldnt have to reach for an app to do that one user argued.

The incident appears to have been part of a promotional event for Disneys Zootopia 2 at a Haidilao franchise in Southern California.

As Chinese business and financial news website Jiemian Global reports, Haidilao is run by an international holding company that is known to invest in automated kitchens featuring robot chefs and robot food deliveries.

Futurism has reached out to the company for comment.

While it mustve been a hilarious sight to behold, other netizens struck a more ominous tone.

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This is how the Terminator timeline actually begins, one user tweeted. Not with a bang, but with a boogie.

More on humanoid robots: This Video of a Humanoid Robot Playing Tennis Is Extremely Impressive
For many people, gold mining conjures images of an old prospector sifting sandy water through a metal pan in the blazing sun. But these days, the process is far more advanced than the 1800s gold rush era of the western United States. In fact, researchers have actually developed a method to recover gold from electronic waste. This means that yes, there's gold inside your household electronics. So your drawer of outdated devices may be a goldmineat least in theory.

A study published in Advanced Materials describes how this was achieved with a process using protein amyloid nanofibrils. Extracted from whey, these materials are tiny, thin protein fibers with a huge surface area. This allows them to precisely remove gold from dissolved electronic components like computer motherboards. The process then converts gold ions into single particles, resulting in high-purity gold nuggets.

The study shows that this method of gold recovery costs around $1.10 per gram, a far cry from the market value of about $50 per gram for 22-carat gold. The process is also more eco-friendly than traditional mining methods, as it uses fewer organic materials and produces less waste overall. Additionally, the protein gels used to extract the gold are reusable, and represent a circular approach. The end result is that electronic waste, as well as food waste, is recycled and repurposed into a different substance.

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Read more: Every Major Tractor Brand Ranked Worst To Best

The value and history of gold in electronic devices

Various used of electronic printed circuit boards (PCBs), for gold recovery - Sebastian_Photography/Shutterstock

A typical smartphone has anywhere from 7 to 34 milligrams of gold in its circuit boards and connectors. This equals around $1.16 to $5.81 total value as of this writing. Of course, larger devices like desktop computers can have more gold, though it's still not an impressive amount. While it's illegal to throw away electronics in many states, millions of devices are tossed every year, which means the value of the gold inside can add up very quickly.

The reason gold is often used in electronic devices is because of its physical and chemical properties. First, gold conducts electricity very well. It's also durable and doesn't corrode over time as other metals can. Plus, it can easily be shaped into thin wires without breaking. All of these features combined better ensure reliable signal transmission, and smooth, extended performance. That's why gold is the ideal substance for circuit boards, connectors, and other components, inside smartphones, computers, and more.

The use of gold in electronic devices dates back to the mid-20th century. Both computers and military communications equipment required more reliable and longer-lasting connections than what were available at the time. So gold was eventually integrated, becoming an important addition to these devices. As time went on, the military defense sector of the US utilized the precious metal extensively. This led to widespread adoption by NASA, who used the metal in golden records on the Voyager missions, and in various equipment as well.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
NEW DELHI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the in-depth insights published by Vyansa Intelligence, the Sulfuric Acid Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 3.59% during 20262032. The market expansion is primarily supported by sustained demand from fertilizer production, increasing chemical manufacturing activities, and rising utilization across petroleum refining and metal processing industries.

Asia-Pacific dominated the global market in 2025, accounting for nearly 45% of total revenue, supported by the region's extensive agricultural activities, strong chemical manufacturing base, and expanding metal processing industries. Rapid industrialization and increasing fertilizer consumption across countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian economies continue to reinforce the region's leadership in sulfuric acid production and consumption.

Global Sulfuric Acid Market Key Takeaways

The Global Sulfuric Acid Market is expected to grow from USD 25 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 32 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of around 3.59% during 20262032.

Technical-grade sulfuric acid accounted for nearly 80% of the total market share in 2025, reflecting its widespread usage across large-scale industrial applications such as fertilizers, petroleum refining, and metal processing.

Fertilizers represented approximately 50% of global sulfuric acid consumption, highlighting the compound's critical role in phosphoric acid production and phosphate fertilizer manufacturing.

More than 25 companies are actively engaged in sulfuric acid production globally, with the top five players collectively holding around 40% market share, indicating a moderately consolidated competitive landscape.

Leading companies operating in the Sulfuric Acid Market include BASF SE, Jiangxi Copper Corporation, Korea Zinc, PhosAgro Group, Mosaic Company, etc.

Key Market Forces Influencing the Global Sulfuric Acid Industry

Growing Demand for Phosphate Fertilizers

Sulfuric acid is a critical input in the production of phosphoric acid, which serves as the primary precursor for phosphate fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP). As global population growth continues to intensify pressure on food production systems, the need for higher agricultural productivity is becoming increasingly important. Farmers worldwide are adopting efficient fertilizers to enhance crop yields and maintain soil nutrient balance. This strong reliance on phosphate fertilizers ensures sustained demand for sulfuric acid, particularly across major agricultural economies in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa, where fertilizer consumption continues to expand.

Expansion of Chemical Manufacturing Activities

Sulfuric acid serves as a fundamental chemical intermediate across a wide range of industrial processes, including chemical synthesis, pigment production, and industrial reagent manufacturing. The ongoing expansion of global chemical manufacturing capacity has significantly increased the consumption of sulfuric acid as a key processing chemical. Industries producing detergents, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals depend on sulfuric acid for various chemical reactions and purification processes. As industrial chemical production continues to grow worldwide, demand for sulfuric acid is expected to remain stable and steadily increase across multiple industrial segments.

Rising Metal Processing and Smelting Operations

The metal processing industry represents another important consumption area for sulfuric acid. The compound is extensively used in hydrometallurgical processes for the extraction and purification of non-ferrous metals such as copper, zinc, and nickel. With increasing global demand for metals used in infrastructure development, electronics manufacturing, and renewable energy technologies, mining and smelting activities are expanding across several regions. In many cases, base metal smelters generate sulfuric acid as a by-product during ore processing, further integrating sulfuric acid production within the global metals supply chain. This strong interconnection between metal refining operations and sulfuric acid production continues to support consistent market demand.

Increasing Utilization in Petroleum Refining

Sulfuric acid also plays a vital role in petroleum refining processes, particularly in alkylation units that enhance gasoline quality and improve fuel performance. As transportation demand remains robust and refiners continue to upgrade fuel production technologies, sulfuric acid consumption within refining operations remains substantial. Moreover, ongoing refinery capacity expansions in developing economies and investments in advanced fuel upgrading technologies are expected to sustain sulfuric acid demand within the global energy sector.

Operational Challenges and Market Constraints Affecting Industry Growth

Volatility in Raw Material Supply

The production of sulfuric acid is closely linked to the availability of elemental sulfur, which is primarily recovered as a by-product of petroleum refining and natural gas processing. Variations in crude oil production levels and refinery operating rates can influence the supply of elemental sulfur, thereby affecting sulfuric acid production costs. Such fluctuations in raw material availability may introduce pricing volatility and create uncertainty for producers and downstream consumers across regional markets.

Environmental Regulations and Emission Management

Sulfuric acid manufacturing involves industrial processes that may generate sulfur dioxide (SO) emissions if not adequately controlled. To mitigate environmental risks, governments and regulatory authorities across many regions have implemented stringent emission standards and environmental compliance requirements for chemical plants. Meeting these regulatory obligations often requires manufacturers to invest in advanced emission control technologies, process optimization systems, and environmental management infrastructure. Balancing regulatory compliance with cost efficiency, therefore remains a key operational challenge for sulfuric acid producers worldwide.

Strategic Capacity Expansions and Industry Developments in the Sulfuric Acid Market

The global sulfuric acid industry continues to witness strategic developments as leading companies invest in capacity expansion and asset acquisitions to strengthen supply capabilities and meet evolving industrial demand. In May 2025, Ecovyst Inc., through its subsidiary Eco Services Operations Corp., completed the acquisition of sulfuric acid production assets in Waggaman, Louisiana, from Cornerstone Chemical Company. This acquisition enhances Ecovyst's Ecoservices network and strengthens its ability to supply sulfuric acid and regeneration services across key industrial markets in North America.

Subsequently, in April 2025, BASF SE announced plans to expand its production of ultra-pure semiconductor-grade sulfuric acid at its Ludwigshafen facility in Germany. The expansion is intended to support the rapidly growing semiconductor manufacturing sector in Europe, with the new production capacity expected to commence operations by 2027. Together, these developments highlight the industry's focus on strengthening production infrastructure and supporting emerging high-technology and industrial applications.

View Full Report and request to get the sample pages at:

https://www.vyansaintelligence.com/industry-report/sulfuric-acid-market-analysis

Market Analysis by Grade, Application & Region

By grade, technical-grade sulfuric acid held the leading position in the global market, accounting for approximately 80% of the total share in 2025. This dominance is primarily attributed to its widespread use across major industrial applications, including fertilizer manufacturing, petroleum refining, and metal processing. Technical-grade sulfuric acid offers the concentration levels and cost efficiency required for large-scale industrial operations, making it the preferred choice for bulk chemical consumption. Additionally, its versatility across multiple production processes further supports its extensive adoption across industries. As global industrial activity continues to expand and manufacturing capacities grow across emerging economies, demand for technical-grade sulfuric acid is expected to remain strong throughout the forecast period.

By application, fertilizers represented the largest consumption segment in the global sulfuric acid market, accounting for nearly 50% of total demand in 2025. Sulfuric acid is a key raw material in the production of phosphoric acid, which is further used to manufacture phosphate fertilizers essential for modern agricultural practices. As global population growth increases pressure on food production systems, farmers are increasingly relying on nutrient-rich fertilizers to improve crop yields and soil fertility. This growing dependence on efficient fertilizer solutions continues to drive sulfuric acid consumption worldwide. Consequently, sustained agricultural expansion and rising fertilizer production are expected to maintain fertilizers as the primary demand driver for sulfuric acid.

By region, Asia-Pacific dominated the global sulfuric acid market, accounting for approximately 45% of the total market share in 2025. The region's leadership is largely supported by its extensive agricultural sector, strong fertilizer manufacturing base, and rapidly expanding chemical processing industry. Major economies such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea contribute significantly to regional demand due to their large-scale industrial infrastructure and growing agricultural requirements. In addition, ongoing investments in metal refining, petroleum processing, and industrial chemical production continue to strengthen sulfuric acid consumption across the region. As industrialization and agricultural activities expand further, Asia-Pacific is expected to maintain its dominant position in the global market.

View Full Report (All Data, In One Place):

https://www.vyansaintelligence.com/industry-report/sulfuric-acid-market-analysis (Explore in-depth analyses, technological trends, and investment patterns.)

Top Companies Strengthening the Global Sulfuric Acid Industry

Prominent companies shaping the competitive landscape include:

BASF SE

Jiangxi Copper Corporation

Korea Zinc

PhosAgro Group

Mosaic Company

OCP (Office Cherifien des Phosphates)

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)

Aurubis AG

Chemtrade Logistics

Ecovyst Inc. (Ecoservices)

Nouryon

Boliden Group

LANXESS

PVS Chemicals

WeylChem International

Global Sulfuric Acid Market Scope

By Grade: Technical Grade, Chemically Pure Grade, Battery Grade

By Application: Fertilizers, Chemical Manufacturing, Petroleum Refining, Metal Processing, Batteries, Automotive, Pulp & Paper, Textile, Others

By Raw Material Type: Elemental Sulfur, Base Metal Smelters, Pyrite Ore, Others

By Production Process: Single Contact Process, Double Contact Double Absorption (DCDA) Process

By Concentration: Standard (9398 wt%), Oleum / Fuming Acid

By Form Type: Concentrated Sulfuric Acid, Tower/Glover Acid, Chamber/Fertilizer Acid, Battery Acid, 66 Baume Sulfuric Acid, Dilute Sulfuric Acid

By Region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America

Browse More Reports on Chemicals

Global Sodium Hydroxide Market: The Sodium hydroxide market size in Global was estimated at USD 21.92 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 26.22 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 2.59% during 2026-32.

Global Titanium Trichloride Market: The Titanium trichloride market size in Global was estimated at USD 565 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 1.17 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 10.96% during 2026-32.

Global Vanadium Pentoxide Market: The Vanadium pentoxide market size in Global was estimated at USD 1.02 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 2.34 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 12.59% during 2026-32.

Global Sodium Carbonate Market: The Sodium carbonate market size in Global was estimated at USD 3.12 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 5.78 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 9.21% during 2026-32.

Global Acetonitrile Market: The global acetonitrile market is estimated at USD 500 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 900 million by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 8.76% during 2026-32.

Global Calcium Hydroxide Market: The global calcium hydroxide market is estimated at USD 2.97 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 4.04 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 4.49% during 2026-32.

Global Photoresists & Advanced Lithography Materials Market: The global photoresists & advanced lithography materials market is estimated at USD 7.18 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 12.22 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 7.89% during 2026-32.

Global Calcium Chloride Market: The global calcium chloride market is estimated at USD 3.91 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 4.98 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 3.52% during 2026-32.

Global Nickel Oxide Market: The global nickel oxide market is estimated at USD 2.69 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 8.18 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 17.22% during 2026-32.

Global Nickel Nitrate Market: The global nickel nitrate market is estimated at USD 1.1 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 3.82 billion by 2032. Also, the market is projected to register a CAGR of around 19.46% during 2026-32.

About Vyansa Intelligence

Vyansa Intelligence is a global market research and consulting firm committed to delivering strategic, data-driven insights across a wide range of high-growth and emerging industries. The firm specializes in analyzing market trends, competitive landscapes, technological advancements, and regulatory developments that influence the global business environment. Leveraging a rigorous research methodology, Vyansa Intelligence combines proprietary forecasting models with carefully validated primary research and credible secondary data sources. This integrated approach ensures the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of its market intelligence. Through comprehensive industry analysis and forward-looking insights, Vyansa Intelligence enables corporations, investors, and decision-makers to identify emerging opportunities, mitigate potential risks, and formulate effective long-term business strategies. The company remains dedicated to providing actionable intelligence that supports sustainable growth and strengthens competitive advantage in an increasingly dynamic global marketplace.

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There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, which draw in some 11 million visitors to explore the great outdoors. Located between the charming Canadian destinations of Montreal and Ottawa, known for the world's largest natural ice rink, is a pretty riverside park with lots of fun activities in nature: Voyageur Provincial Park.

Voyageur Provincial Park is on the Ottawa River, which forms the border between the two provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Paddling the safe bays and inlets on the lake-like river is popular, and canoes and kayaks are available to rent at the park. It's also a top spot for fishing, birding  besides waterfowl, you might see bald eagles, osprey, or great blue herons  and spotting wildlife like turtles and frogs. In winter, the park transforms into a snowy wonderland, with 10 kilometers (6 miles) of groomed cross-country ski trails. But hitting the beaches and trails, and camping out under the stars, are some of the best things to do here.

Read more: 4 Big Changes Coming To Southwest Airlines In 2026

Explore Voyageur Provincial Park's beaches and trails

Sandy beach and swimming area at Voyageur Provincial Park, Ontario - Brandon's Walks / YouTube

There are four beaches for swimming at Voyageur Provincial Park. Two are at the day-use picnic area, one is at Champlain campground, and the last is at Iroquois campground. A Tripadvisor reviewer notes that "the river, with its clear and pleasant water, is perfect for swimming," and all beaches in the park have sand. It's perfect for a refreshing dip on a sunny summer's day.

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Hikers will love exploring the three trails at Voyageur Provincial Park. The Coureur des Bois Trail is a 1.5-kilometer (0.9-mile) loop that will take about 45 minutes  it's secluded in nature and rated as easy, showcasing the aquatic habitats here. The Outaouais Trail is a 2.7-kilometer (1.7-mile) linear route partly along the shoreline of Iroquois Bay, with a few places for fishing and some scenic viewpoints. The 3.6-kilometer (2.2-mile) Wawashkeshi Trail has a few small hills but is flat overall  the route passes through dense cedar wood.

Planning your trip to Voyageur Provincial Park

Green sign for Voyageur Provincial Park sign in Ontario - Colin Temple/Shutterstock

There are three campgrounds at the park if you want to spend a night here: Champlain, Iroquois, and Portage. The campgrounds have over 400 campsites between them, and all three have some sites with electrical hookups  there's a total of 150 electrical hookup sites in the park  plus bathrooms, laundry facilities, and water taps. Argos Girl Outdoors reports her site was "decently private," with lots of shade, and "a relaxing spot to unwind." If you prefer peace and serenity while camping, reserve one of the dog-free or radio-free campsites at Iroquois campground. Champlain and Portage campgrounds are better for larger setups; a group campground is also available.

Visitors will need a Day Use Permit (DUP) to visit Ontario Parks like Voyageur Provincial Park. The closest major airport is Montreal Trudeau International Airport, which is a 45-minute drive away from the park. To continue exploring more of Ontario's breathtaking natural beauty, visit the magical Kawartha Lakes region, located west of Ottawa.

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.
Flights to Doha, Qatar, will be suspended until the end of April, while the Abu Dhabi route has been canceled until further notice this year.

British Airways has announced it is suspending all flights to Israel and Dubai until the summer season, citing "ongoing uncertainty" and "instability in the airspace" in the Middle East and Persian Gulf.

In an official statement, the airline confirmed that, in addition to Tel Aviv, it is halting flights to other major Middle Eastern destinations, including Bahrain, Amman (Jordan), and Dubai, until after May 31.

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Flights to Doha, Qatar, will be suspended until the end of April, while the Abu Dhabi route has been canceled until further notice this year.

This move by British Airways is seen as a significant step, marking the first such action taken by a major airline in the Gulf region since the onset of the war with Iran, which entered its third week this week.

Planes of German air carrier Lufthansa are parked as Lufthansa pilots start a strike over a wage dispute, at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany September 2, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/KAI PFAFFENBACH)

Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels, Eurowings halt Tel Aviv flights

It is also worth noting that, alongside British Airways, German aviation giant Lufthansa announced that its airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, will not fly to Tel Aviv until at least April 2.

On Tuesday, Lufthansa extended its suspension until April 9. For operational reasons, the flagship carrier has also stopped flights to Riyadh through April 5, though ITA Airways' scheduled flights will continue as scheduled, it added.

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On Monday, Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced it was extending the suspension of its flights to Israel until April 7. As a result, anyone who had planned to rely on its services for Passover will need to adjust their travel plans.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Even as Alabama airports typically see short wait times during off-peak periods, travelers may face longer security lines in the coming weeks due to staffing shortages and spring break demand.

The ongoing partial government shutdown has put a strain on the Transportation Security Administration, with many officers missing their first full paycheck and calling out of work at high rates.

Its devastating to their finances, said Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100 and a Dallas-based TSA worker. My family had to get rid of our vacation plans, and everybodys having struggles. There are a lot of people who dont have money for food, gas and childcare; its a sad state of affairs.

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The shortage of available TSA officers is coinciding with one of the busiest travel periods of the year, increasing the impact on travelers. Spring break often brings a surge in passengers, putting additional pressure on already limited staffing.

The weather has further complicated travel. In addition to snow in northern regions and severe storms elsewhere in the state, last week's flight delays and cancellations have created backup that can extend lines at security checkpoints.

Are the long security lines at airports real?

Yes, but they can vary.

At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, the line was out the door just to get inside on March 16, while over at Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, the wait times were reportedly under 5 minutes.

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AUS posted footage on X showing the general security line for its Checkpoint 1 stretching out of the building, well past the sidewalk out front and into a walking path at 4:30 a.m. local time on March 16. The video pans past flyers with backpacks and rolling suitcases, alternately inching forward and standing still under a dark sky as they make their way to the indoor screening area. By 5:30 a.m., the line had shortened a bit and moved inside by 5:41, according to subsequent posts, though the airport noted it was "still seeing some lines outside for general screening with CLEAR."

What are TSA wait times like at airports in Alabama?

Despite nationwide staffing challenges, Alabama airports are currently reporting relatively short security lines, according to the TSA app. Travelers can expect wait times of 0-15 minutes at airports across the state.

Officials caution that these times are subject to change, especially as spring break travel ramps up and weather disruptions continue. Travelers are encouraged to arrive early and check for real-time updates through their airline or the TSA app.

Why is the government on a partial shutdown?

The shutdown is now in it's sixth week and is a result of a dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

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Congress needed to pass six remaining spending bills to keep parts of the federal government funded, but talks stalled over DHS and immigration enforcement. Democrats said the DHS bill did not go far enough to limit immigration agents after recent deadly incidents in Minneapolis.

While the Senate approved funding for five agencies and agreed to a short-term DHS extension, the House has not yet signed off on the deal. That delay led to funding lapsing, triggering a partial government shutdown.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York, and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAYs Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

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This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What are Alabama TSA wait times? Is TSA affected by shutdown?
ST. LOUIS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, today announced that Najam Chohan has been promoted to Vice President - Strategic Pricing, and Paul Ferguson has been named Vice President - Shared Services.

Chohan joined Graybar in 1998 and most recently served as Director Finance in the company's California District. In his new role, he leads Graybar's companywide pricing strategy, using datadriven insights and advanced technology to support profitable growth and meet customer needs. Chohan holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Tulane University and an MBA in finance from Bentley University.

Ferguson joins Graybar from Emerson, where he worked for 15 years, most recently as Vice President of Global Financial and Business Services. In his new role, he leads Graybar's Shared Services organization, focusing on operational excellence, streamlined processes, and expanded use of AI and technology to deliver efficient, highquality services. Ferguson holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration from Carthage College and is a Certified Public Accountant.

"We congratulate Najam on his promotion and welcome Paul to Graybar," said Kathleen M. Mazzarella, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. "Their leadership and innovative perspectives will play an important role in advancing our business transformation, enhancing our capabilities, and positioning Graybar for longterm success."

Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 355 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network, automate and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR.

Media Contact:

Tim Sommer

(314) 578-7672

[email protected]

SOURCE Graybar
Hundreds of flights were canceled in and out of Logan Airport Monday as severe weather hit the Boston area.

Its just kind of annoying, you know were trying to get to our spring break, have some fun, but weather got in the way, said Molly Dempsey, a student at University of New Hampshire.

Massport issued a warning to travelers to check their flight status because of the high wind and rain in Boston.

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This morning, we got a text at like 4 AM that it was canceled, so then we rebooked to fly out at 4pm and then at like 9 we found out that was canceled too, said Dempsey.

After two canceled flights, Dempsey rebooked her third flight Monday night to Miami instead of Fort Lauderdale to try to get to her spring break vacation with her friends.

Emma Leppajoki flew into Boston from Amsterdam only to learn her next flight to Kansas City was canceled.

I didnt know, so it was first when I got to the security check when they said the boarding pass didnt work, so I had to go back to check and saw it was canceled, said Leppajoki.

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Now she cant get out until Tuesday morning, so shes scrambling to find a hotel in Boston as many others wait in long lines to rebook flights.

I had already re-checked my luggage, so its like backpacking yeah, Im gonna see Boston instead today, said Leppajoki.

Thousands of flights were canceled across the country for severe weather from blizzards in the Midwest to tornado watches up the East coast.

Those strong winds were even triggering wildfires in the Plains.

Many travelers are now trying to stay positive with their last-minute change in plans.

I arrive one day later for work but its fine these things happen you just kind of have to accept what it is, said Leppajoki.

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If youre traveling over the next 24 hours, check with your airline before showing up to the airport since many airports across the country will continue to be impacted by these storms into Tuesday.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
In an interview published in yesterdays Express, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed the principles guiding her administrations policies. As is usual with politicians, however, there was a notable gap between rhetoric and reality.

Asked about her strong and vociferous support for American President Donald Trump, the Prime Minister explained, The current US government believes in conservatism and capitalism, and that aligns with my views.
The event demonstrates the brand's confidence in its blowout protection

NEW YORK, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Huggies has launched its latest campaign, "Expensive $h*t," a one-hour event to showcase the strength of its all-around blowout protection.

Eighteen freshly fed, blow out prone babies wearing Huggies Little Snugglers were filmed while they crawled, wiggled, playedand yes, poopedwhile sitting on priceless designer items, collectibles, and antiques during a one-hour event, streamed across TikTok Live, Instagram Live, and YouTube Live.

Expensive $h*t - Teaser Speed Speed Huggies Expensive $h*t

The only thing standing between those valuables and total disaster: the diaper.

Huggies Little Snugglers are designed with a blowout blocker that gently conforms to your baby's body for up to 100% blowout protection and gives parents confidence during everyday wear.

The event quickly turned chaotic and adorable as babies freely explored the set, crawling across high-end items while parents everywhere watched to see whether the diapers could prevent a costly disaster. Parents watching the event were also invited to share their best blowout stories, turning the event into a collective celebration of the messy realities of raising little ones.

The campaign was created with agency partners McCann New York and McCann New Zealand, and directed by Sunny Sixteen. The work will run across social, digital, influencer channels and PR.

The full event can be watched here and the launch film can be viewed here.

About McCANN

McCann, part of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC), is a leading creative solutions company. The award-winning global brand network is united across 100+ countries by a mission to build iconic brands through the radical creativity of Truth Well Told. Because when the truth is well told, it moves people and markets. Named one of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company in 2025 and 2024, and ranked in the top 3 most creatively effective networks globally in the Effie Index every year since 2019, McCann is the global brand creative partner of such iconic brands as L'Oreal Paris, Mastercard, Xbox, IKEA and Maggi.

For more information, visit www.mccann.com

SOURCE McCann
A Current Affair: Mar 17

Robbie Williams sports a Neighbours top in an exclusive announcement on A Current Affair tonight.

In her first Australian television interview, Epstein victim Marina Lacerda joins Ally Langdon on A Current Affair to share her harrowing journey.

Plus a Robbie Williams exclusive announcement.

At just 14 years old, Marina became a victim of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. For years, she was known to the world only as the anonymous Minor Victim One, providing the critical evidence that finally allowed prosecutors to charge Epstein with the sex trafficking of minors.

Now, a brave woman with a voice, Marina reveals she is not done yet. In this powerful segment, she tells Ally who else she wants to see questioned.

With his latest album soaring to Number 1 in the UK, Robbie sits down with Nines Entertainment Editor, Richard Wilkins, to reveal his next big plans.

In a candid and reflective conversation, the 52-year-old entertainer says he has never been in a better place to be a Better Man.

7pm tonight on Nine.
Currumbin Anzac Day event moves to Nine

A Sunrise tradition will become a Today tradition from April.

Another change in programming following a new era at Seven sees Currumbins famed Elephant Rock Anzac Day Dawn Service move to Nine.

For years the service has been broadcast as part of Sunrise, reflecting former Seven Chair Kerry Stokes commitment to Australias armed services.

But this year it will feature as part of Weekend Today on Saturday April 25.

Weekend Today co-host and Queenslander Michael Atkinson said, The Currumbin Anzac service is absolutely iconic, so to be able to bring that to the rest of Australia and pay our respects alongside the Gold Coast community really is an honour.

Growing up in regional Queensland, you learn the importance of Anzac Day at an early age. So hosting the show live from Currumbin as dawn breaks is a massive privilege.

Currumbin RSL CEO Daragh Murphy added, Were very excited to be working with Channel Nine as our broadcast partner to bring the Dawn Service at Elephant Rock at Currumbin Beach to a national audience.
Michael Sheen becomes House of Games host

Quite literally very large shoes to fill," says Michael Sheen as he succeeds Richard Osman.

Actor Michael Sheen has been confirmed as the host for British quiz House of Games, following Richard Osmans decision to step down after nine years.

Michael Sheen says: Quite literally very large shoes to fill but as a huge fan of the show Im incredibly excited to be able to move into the House and at long last see my silhouette on a fondue set.

Caroline ONeill, BBC Commissioning Executive, says: Were delighted to have Michael Sheen stepping into the House of Games. His charisma and passion for playfulness will be a joy for audiences and weve no doubt hell relish throwing himself into a fiercely fought Answer Smash. We cant wait to share this next era of the show with viewers at home.

House of Games, which also had an Australian adaptation with Claire Hooper, screens in Australia on ABC.
Returning: Nine Telethon

Queensland telethon in support of Mater Little Miracles is launched with a $1.5m donation.

The 2026 Nine Telethon screens in mid-April to Queensland viewers.

The broadcast will support Mater Little Miracles, Australias leader in neonatal critical care and maternal foetal medicine, by raising funds for essential, life-saving research, care, and equipment for seriously ill and premature babies and their mothers.

Kick-starting the fundraising, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls yesterday announced a commitment of $1,500,000 on behalf of the Queensland Government.

The Nine Telethon in support of Mater Little Miracles is a powerful reminder of what Queenslanders can achieve when compassion and community come together to support families facing some of lifes most challenging moments, he said.

The Queensland Government is proud to be leading the way in this years Telethon, providing frontline clinicians and researchers with additional resources to deliver the best possible care for babies.

Our partnership with Mater has always been grounded in a shared commitment, to give every Queensland baby the strongest possible start to life.

This funding will help accelerate vital research and support the development of new treatments and technologies that will continue improving outcomes for the smallest and most vulnerable Queenslanders.

Mater Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Thomas said: Mater is incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government for its generous contribution to this years Nine Telethon.

Every dollar we receive will make a difference to sick and premature babies and their families through improved care and groundbreaking medical research.

Lives are saved and changed forever every day at Mater, which is why were excited to welcome Nine back into our hospitals for this years Telethon.

It will be an emotional watch for viewers at home, but one which will both amaze and inspire Queenslanders.

This years broadcast will again include the Nine Telethon Concert, featuring a special performance from Pub Choir created and hosted by Astrid Jorgensen.

Managing Director of Nine Queensland Kylie Blucher, said: The Nine Telethon is a powerful demonstration of the Queensland community coming together for an extraordinary cause. We are incredibly proud to partner with Mater Little Miracles once again, rallying behind our toughest and tiniest.

The generosity, compassion and willingness to help families doing it tough is truly inspiring and what makes the Nine Telethon so special. Last year Queenslanders helped us to surpass our goal to raise over $10 million and were excited to see that same incredible spirit shine through again.

Time is TBA Saturday, April 18, on Nine (Qld).

Donate: www.9telethon.com.au
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives halts filming amid domestic violence claims

Headlines surround Mormon Wives cast member and upcoming US Bachelorette, Frankie Paul.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has halted filming for Season 5, following claims of domestic violence, just days after the fourth season has debuted.

A spokesperson for the Draper City Police in Utah confirmed that there is an open domestic assault investigation regarding Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. The spokesperson confirmed allegations have been made in both directions and contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.

US media speculates that fellow members of MomTok are distancing themselves from Paul as the situation continues to unfold.

The revelations come as Frankie Pauls season of The Bachelorette is set to premiere in the US this Sunday (on Stan next Monday).

Paul was previously arrested for alleged domestic violence in 2023 following an argument with Mortensen, with whom she shares 1-year-old son Ever. She was given misdemeanour charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, after she was accused of throwing a chair at Mortensen that allegedly hit her daughter.

Source: People

1800Respect

fullstop.org.au

Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292
ORLANDO, Fla. , March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine years ago, Island Fin Poke Co. opened their first location with a simple vision: transport guests to the tropical islands of Hawaii through island-inspired fresh flavors and ingredients. Now, nearly a decade later, the national poke franchise is celebrating its ninth anniversary with an exciting day of special promotions, giveaways and exclusive prizes for guests, all while staying true to their mission of serving healthy, nutritious poke with an Ohana-driven spirit.

In honor of Island Fin Poke Co.'s ninth anniversary, guests can visit one of Island Fin's locations across the country on Friday, March 20, to celebrate with the Hawaiian-inspired franchise and enjoy a delicious poke bowl customized just to their liking. Guests who visit an Island Fin on March 20 can enjoy free Island Fin-themed stickers while supplies last.

Nine years later, Island Fin Poke Co. continues serving healthy, nutritious poke with an Ohana-driven spirit. Post this

Additionally, Island Fin's Lake Nona location will be raffling off a variety of exclusive prizes, including the chance for one lucky guest to win free Island Fin for a year (one free poke bowl per week for 52 weeks). Four additional guests will each win a $50 Island Fin gift card to satisfy their poke cravings. The first 50 guests will also receive a free Island Fin T-shirt, while all other guests can enjoy free Island Fin-themed cookies and Island Fin stickers, while supplies last.

Island Fin's anniversary giveaways are a token of gratitude to the loyal and supportive community that's become part of their Ohana. From the beginning, Island Fin CEO and Founder Mark Setterington envisioned a poke restaurant that felt welcoming, inclusive and deeply connected to the community. Nine years and 15 locations later, the brand has remained rooted in that mission.

"Our Ohana is what our anniversary celebration is all about," said Setterington. "They are the reason we've grown into the brand that we are today, and that's why we put the care and attention we do into every bowl. Sustainable and lively ingredients like our Coho salmon and fresh, vibrant veggies are how we bring delicious and nutritious food to our communities."

Setterington's dedication and passion for poke started in his home kitchen, where he relentlessly experimented with poke creations and homemade sauces. He recruited friends and family for numerous taste tests, perfecting each recipe until Island Fin's homemade sauces were exactly right  fresh, delicious and gluten-free.

In addition to their homemade sauces, Island Fin Poke Co. offers an extensive array of proteins, including chicken, tofu, spam and boat-to-bowl fresh tuna, salmon and shrimp, plus mix-ins, toppings and a wide range of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Guests can order a Signature Bowl off the menu or build their own bowl, crafting a creation perfect for them.

For nine years, Island Fin has remained committed to their simple but meaningful values: serving diverse, healthy and flavorful poke through a menu of sustainable options for everyone while fostering a close-knit, supportive community for every guest. The beloved poke franchise remains rooted in this mission, continuing to grow and expand into new communities across the country.

To learn more about Island Fin Poke Co., visit IslandFinPoke.com.

About Island Fin Poke Co.

Island Fin Poke Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual concept known for its Hawaiian-style build-your-own poke bowls. From farm-to-fork, the brand uses the freshest ingredients to bring traditional flavors from the islands to local communities nationwide. Founded in 2017, Island Fin Poke Co. has 15 locations open, with numerous others in various stages of development. Island Fin Poke Co. was ranked #29 on the 2023 Top New & Emerging Franchises list by Entrepreneur Magazine, listed in Fast Casual's 2023 Top Movers & Shakers list, and recognized as a Top 100 Game Changer for 2022 by Franchise Dictionary Magazine. For more information, or if interested in joining the brand's Ohana, please visit IslandFinPoke.com.

Contact:

Katie Schmidt

Public Relations Manager

InnoVision Marketing Group

[email protected]

SOURCE Island Fin Poke Co.
Sri Lanka has introduced a four-day working week and a work-from-home mandate to conserve dwindling fuel and gas reserves amid supply disruptions caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Officials said on Monday that the new austerity measures, introduced in the face of uncertainty over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, would remain in place indefinitely.

Prabath Chandrakeerthi, commissioner of essential services, told reporters after meeting president Anura Kumara Dissanayake that all state institutions, along with schools and universities, would shift to a four-day work week from Wednesday.

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We are also asking the private sector to follow suit and declare every Wednesday a holiday from now on, he said.

According to senior officials, essential services, including hospitals, ports and emergency services will continue to operate as usual.

The president reportedly said at the meeting that the country must prepare for the worst but hope for the best.

The government is halting all public ceremonies and urging civil servants to work from home where possible to cut fuel use.

Fuel rationing is already in place.

Officials say that the new austerity measures will remain in place indefinitely (AFP/Getty)

After it was attacked by the US and Iran on 28 February, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, choking a strategic waterway through which passed almost a quarter of the worlds seaborne oil and a fifth of its LNG shipments.

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Sri Lanka said it had about six weeks of reserves left but warned that fresh disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz would severely impact the island nation.

Earlier, deputy minister of trade RM Jayawardena noted that the crude oil price was already around $100 a barrel and warned that it placed a strain on international shipping and distribution networks in the country.

He also said transportation costs could rise and certain supply chain limitations could lead to higher prices for goods entering Sri Lanka.

Drivers wait in a queue to refuel their autorickshaws in Biyagama, Sri Lanka (AFP/Getty)

A video recently went viral in Sri Lanka showing a man riding a scooter while carrying another on his lap as he searched for fuel, according to the Colombo Post.

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The same outlet reported energy minister Kumara Jayakody telling parliament on Tuesday that the government might resort to power cuts in the future if the situation did not improve.

Sri Lankas austerity measures came just days after Pakistan implemented a four-day work week for some of its employees. The South Asian nation also introduced emergency measures in response to the rising fuel prices, shutting all schools for two weeks and ordering the public sector to implement a four-day work week.

Sri Lanka government has declared Wednesdays a holiday from 18 March 2026 for Government employees, schools, universities and courts, the Commissioner General of Essential Services says.



Private institutions have also been requested to follow, while all Government events are pic.twitter.com/mmAp5EKjSO  Sri Lanka Tweet  (@SriLankaTweet) March 16, 2026

Other Asian nations are also taking energy-saving steps. Thailand is encouraging lighter clothing for its citizens to cut AC use and Myanmar is limiting private cars on alternate days.

Bangladesh has introduced early Ramadan holidays and blackouts to save energy, while the Philippines has introduced work-from-home rules and travel bans with cash aid for workers.

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Vietnam is urging people to stay home and reduce the use of personal vehicles.

In India, the Strait of Hormuz disruptions have pushed up cooking gas prices. Many eateries have cut menus, reduced hours, or temporarily closed.
Hanoi Mayor Vu Dai Thang recently signed and issued a plan to implement the Politburos Resolution 72-NQ/TW on breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of people's health.

The city aims to pilot AI starting from March 2026 at the three hospitals. Currently, medical facilities are preparing infrastructure and human resources for implementation.

Dr. Do Dinh Tung, Director of Duc Giang General Hospital, said that AI is expected to be applied first in the field of diagnostic imaging, supporting the analysis of data from X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs at the hospital.

According to Tung, the AI system has the capability to support the early detection of several dangerous conditions such as cancer, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and lung pathologies. In the initial phase, the pilot will focus on the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and related specialties to evaluate the practical effectiveness of AI in assisting doctors with reading and analyzing medical images.

At Hanoi Oncology Hospital, Dr. Vo Quoc Hoan, Deputy Head of the General Planning Department, said that since 2025, the hospital has used AI software to assist in reading X-ray films, helping analyze nearly 21,000 cases. After imaging results are available, AI records suspicious lesions as a reference source to help doctors avoid omissions, especially in lung cancer screening.

In the near future, the hospital plans to expand AI applications in diagnostic imaging such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), and supporting smart radiotherapy planning. AI can also assist in reading pathological specimens, speeding up the analysis process and reducing the risk of missing details.

Beyond clinical expertise, AI is also used in medical record management, professional regulation monitoring, and control of issues related to health insurance and medical cost payments.

The hospital is also developing an AI chatbot to provide information on medical procedures, examination schedules, service prices, treatment processes, and navigation instructions within the hospital. The chatbot is in the testing phase and is expected to be put into use soon, Hoan said.

Multiple benefits

Medical experts acknowledge that AI in medical examination and treatment can bring many benefits to both doctors and patients.

For doctors, AI helps analyze large volumes of medical imaging data quickly while suggesting abnormal signs that might be missed during the film-reading process. This technology also serves as a reference tool to help doctors make more accurate clinical decisions.

However, leaders of Duc Giang Hospital emphasized that AI only plays a supporting role, while the final professional decision will still be made by doctors.

For patients, AI can help detect diseases earlier, increase diagnostic accuracy, and shorten the waiting time for results. This improves the quality of care and patient experience, especially amid an increasing number of patients at hospitals.

During the pilot implementation at hospitals, some initial difficulties have arisen, particularly regarding technological infrastructure.

Hospitals need to equip themselves with computers powerful enough configurations for AI operations. Additionally, hospitals must standardize data or optimize systems to fit practical operations. They must self-finance the software, personnel, and operating systems as there is no direct revenue source from this technology yet.

At a recent exhibition, the "Health Station 4.0" model by Duc Giang General Hospital received high praise from experts due to its digital applications and seamless connectivity between the hospital and primary healthcare facilities.

The highlight of this model is the digitalization of the entire medical examination and treatment process. Health stations are connected via remote consultation (telehealth) with hospital doctors, creating a professional "mentorship" mechanism.

Notably, the hospital has piloted the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for transporting medicine and biological samples. This is the first hospital in the country to implement such an application.

Previously, transporting lab samples or emergency medicine between the hospital and health stations was primarily done by road. In a crowded city like Hanoi, this could take 1530 minutes, or even longer during peak hours.

In contrast, UAVs shorten the transport time to just 510 minutes by flying in a straight line, independent of traffic conditions.

Vo Thu
Trang, a fourth-year student at NEU, has received news of her admission to the Master's program in Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence and Innovation at Tsinghua University (China).

Trang is a former student of Trieu Son 1 High School (Thanh Hoa). In 2022, she became the top scorer of both the A01 (math, physics, English) and C01 (math, literature, physics) exam groups at her school. However, before achieving those results, her academic journey was far from smooth.

During secondary school, Trang began to realize she needed to identify her strengths. She applied to join the school teams for excellent students in Literature, History, and Geography but was not selected. In high school, she continued trying with the Math team, but teachers assessed her as not suitable and unable to keep up with her peers.

But Trang did not give up. She wanted to join the Physics team. In the entrance test, she scored only 6 out of 20 points, the lowest in the team. Even so, the teacher allowed her to study on a trial basis with the others.

The turning point came during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because she was under quarantine, Trang could not go to school for exam preparation. At that time, the teams homeroom teacher personally brought exam papers to her place.

That moment moved me deeply. I never thought the teacher would care so much about the weakest student on the team like me, Trang recalled. That experience completely changed her attitude toward studying.

From being a game-loving student, Trang regained her determination and began to focus intensely and study more seriously. As a result, in the provincial excellent student exam, Mai Trang achieved the highest score within her schools team and won third prize in Physics at the provincial level.

With this result, Mai Trang applied to the National Economics University and was admitted to the Faculty of Management Science.

Shock at university

In her early days at university, Mai Trang faced a major shock. She was almost starting from zero in English, while many of her peers already held IELTS certificates or were even studying a second foreign language such as Chinese.

In addition, the university curriculum involved a large volume of knowledge and high-level thinking, making it difficult for her to keep pace.

Overwhelmed, Trang called her parents in tears, asking to leave the school. Encouraged by her parents, she changed her study methods and at the end of the first semester, she received the universitys encouragement scholarship.

Realizing that foreign languages were her biggest weakness, Trang resolved to conquer IELTS. It was not until her third year, after spending more than a month on intensive preparation with a suitable method, that she achieved an IELTS score of 7.0.

The road to top Asian university

Having nurtured the idea of studying abroad since grade 11, Mai Trang dreamed of setting foot at Tsinghua University, a school she had known through books and Chinese films.

That dream was so strong that during a university career guidance event, when invited on stage to share her future plans, Trang answered without hesitation: I will become a doctoral researcher at Tsinghua University.

Throughout four years of university, she maintained a GPA of 3.94/4.0. From her first year, she participated in startup competitions, conducted scientific research, and won three research awards at the NEU level.

From that foundation, Trang tried to write international academic papers. By the time she submitted her application to Tsinghua University, Mai Trang had published two papers in international journals as the lead author.

Thanks to scientific research, I truly understand what I want to pursue. Economics is a broad field, but through research I realized I am interested in management, more specifically management in international trade associated with sustainable development. In addition, I want to combine interdisciplinary studies with artificial intelligence to solve the dual problem of economic growth and environmental protection, Trang said.

Trang did not list achievements in her personal statement. Instead, she focused on demonstrating her suitability. She showed that this was not an impulsive decision, but a direction she had prepared for over time.

She also clearly conveyed this during her interview with the Tsinghua University admissions committee. When asked, How will you fill the technology gap?, Trang confidently shared that although she studies management, she is still capable of conducting scientific research related to trade and the environment.

Thuy Nga
KoCAA receives Newsweek's recognition for second consecutive year

NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (KoCAA) announced today that for the second consecutive year, it has been recognized as one of America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group recognized companies pulled from a shortlist of financial firms, evaluating them on asset performance, client performance, adviser expertise and client ratio, breadth of service offerings and conflicts of interest.

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors named to Newsweek's top financial advisory firms of 2026.

"KoCAA is honored to be recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of the premier financial advisory firms," said Knights of Columbus Chief Executive Officer Patrick Kelly. "For more than 10 years, KoCAA's growth, performance and breadth of investment strategies have made it one of the largest managers of Catholic-compliant assets, by offering individual and institutional investors a 'Catholic Difference' approach to investing that aligns with their beliefs and Catholic teaching."

KoCAA's President and Chief Investment Officer, Deepak Devaraj, credits the organization's continued momentum to the clarity that anchors its mission.

"Our growth reflects something deeper than numbers. It starts with internal clarity about who we are and what we stand for, which grounds our work in the mission to provide competitive, faith consistent investment solutions," said Devaraj. "That mission is carried by a team of over forty investment professionals whose expertise and shared purpose shape everything we do. It becomes commercially evident in milestones such as our ten-year anniversary. It extends outward in the trust we have earned from individual investors, parishes, dioceses and institutions across the Catholic community. It is reflected in the growth of our two-billion-dollar mutual fund family. And it is sustained every day by a team that manages more than $30 billion in assets with expertise and purpose."

"Financial advisers can help you manage your money, plan for retirement and create short-and long-term goals to keep you feeling financially secure for years to come," said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief, Newsweek. "That is why Newsweek is proud to partner with Plant-A Insights for the second year to bring you America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026, highlighting 1,000 companies across the country to help you achieve your financial goals. We hope that this ranking helps you find a firm that will help you meet your financial goals, no matter your income, stage of life or savings goals."

The date range of the evaluation period was September 2020 through September 2025. The complete list of America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026 can be located at America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026.

America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026 Methodology Overview

America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026 recognizes the leading financial advisory firms in the United States that offer portfolio investment management services to individuals based on their performance across multiple key indicators of advisory excellence. The study, conducted by Plant-A Insights Group in partnership with Newsweek, evaluated over 16,000 SEC Registered Investment Advisors. Only U.S. firms with more than $20 million in assets under management (AUM), at least three wealth advisers, five individual clients, and a minimum of two years of SEC registration were considered. Firms with disciplinary disclosures were excluded.

The shortlisted firms were analyzed on several dimensions:

Asset Performance: Growth in assets under management, capturing both short-term and long-term financial performance.

Client Performance: Client base growth and retention over short and long terms.

Adviser Expertise and Client Ratio: Measures reflecting adviser credentials and client-to-adviser ratio.

Breadth of Service Offerings: Range of wealth advisory services such as financial planning and pension consulting.

Conflicts of Interest: Firms demonstrating minimal conflicts of interest scored higher.

Each firm received a composite score out of 100. The top 1,000 firms achieved recognition as America's Top Financial Advisory Firms 2026. Advisers may choose to pay for an authorized license to promote the award, but a license is not required to receive the award.

About Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors ("KoCAA") is an SEC registered investment adviser that maintains a principal place of business in the State of Connecticut. For information about KoCAA's business operations, please consult the Firm's Form ADV disclosure documents, the most recent versions of which are available on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. KoCAA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Knights of Columbus, one of the world's largest Catholic Lay Organizations. Investing involves risk and you may gain or lose money on your investments. KoCAA's status as a Registered Investment Adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For additional information visit KoCAA.org or write to [email protected]. This information is intended for current or prospective investors in the U.S. only.

About the Knights of Columbus

In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into the world's premier lay Catholic men's organization, with more than 2.2 million members in over 16,800 local councils. As members of one of the world's leading charitable organizations, Knights donated more than 48 million service hours and over $197 million for worthy causes in their communities in 2024. The Knights of Columbus also offers a range of life insurance products to members and their families. Knights of Columbus Insurance has more than $124 billion* of life insurance in force. In addition, the organization offers investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through its wholly owned subsidiary, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds more than $30 billion** in assets under management. Guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, the Knights of Columbus is committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes, by enabling men to grow in their faith and put that faith into action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.

*As of January 1, 2026

**As of January 1, 2026

SOURCE Knights of Columbus
Preliminary FY2025 revenue of 240.5 million, down 17.6% year-over-year, reflecting industry headwinds and the Group's proactive transformation and restructuring initiatives. Figures exclude Caruso following its strategic carve-out announced on February 6, 2026 (1) .

. Revenue trends improved in H2 2025, with the decline narrowing significantly compared to H1, reflecting early progress from operational adjustments and brand initiatives.

St. John's revenue in North America grew 8% in local currency, demonstrating the effectiveness of its strategy of focusing on its home market. Wolford's performance stabilized, supported by improved product supply and strong H2 momentum in e-commerce and wholesale while Lanvin advanced its creative repositioning under Artistic Director Peter Copping.

Strategic portfolio and retail optimization initiatives continued, including the selective closure of underperforming stores, organizational adjustments at key brands, and the successful carve-out of Caruso, enabling the Group to concentrate on its core luxury brands.

Leadership strengthened across the portfolio, with Marco Pozzo appointed CEO of Wolford, Barbara Werschine Deputy CEO of Lanvin, and Mandy West CEO of St. John.

Transformation initiatives progressed across the Group and are expected to be largely completed in 2026, strengthening the foundation for improved profitability and long-term growth.

SHANGHAI, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lanvin Group (NYSE: LANV, the "Group"), a global luxury fashion group with Lanvin, Wolford, Sergio Rossi and St. John in its portfolio of brands, today announced its preliminary, unaudited revenues for the full-year 2025. Despite a challenging global luxury market in 2025, Lanvin Group continued advancing its strategic transformation and portfolio optimization initiatives while strengthening the foundations of its core brands. Excluding the divested Caruso business, revenues from continuing operations totaled 240.5 million, representing an 17.6% decrease year-over-year, reflecting both ongoing market volatility and the impact of its strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and long-term brand positioning.

Review of the Full-Year 2025 Preliminary, Unaudited Revenues

Lanvin Group Revenue by Brand





























(Euros in Thousands) 2025A

2024A

2025A vs. 2024A Preliminary Audited Growth %





















Lanvin 57,627

82,720

-30 % Wolford 75,586

87,891

-14 % St. John 78,238

79,267

-1 % Sergio Rossi 29,535

41,910

-30 % Eliminations & Others -488

76





Total Group 240,498

291,864

-18 %

The Group navigated a challenging market environment in FY2025: Amid continued volatility in the global luxury market in 2025, Lanvin Group advanced a series of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening its long-term positioning and improving operational efficiency. Excluding the Caruso business(1), the Group reported preliminary revenues of 240.5 million, representing an 17.6% decrease year-over-year. While the overall performance reflected ongoing industry headwinds and softer consumer demand in certain markets, the Group made meaningful progress in executing its transformation initiatives, including cost discipline measures, retail network optimization, and organizational adjustments across its brand portfolio. Revenue trends improved sequentially in the second half of the year, reflecting early benefits from these actions.

Brand portfolio evolution amid operational adjustments: Across the Group's maisons, 2025 was characterized by continued operational refinement and brand development initiatives. Lanvin advanced its creative renewal following the debut collection of Artistic Director Peter Copping, which received strong industry recognition and supported encouraging order momentum in womenswear. Wolford's operational performance stabilized during the year as production and logistics conditions improved, with notable progress in wholesale and e-commerce channels. St. John demonstrated strong resilience in the North American market, supported by its established customer base and product offering. Sergio Rossi continued its transition toward an asset-light operational model during the year, including steps to enhance supply chain flexibility through adjustments to its manufacturing structure. At the Group level, the completion of the Caruso divestment represents an important step in the ongoing portfolio review process, enabling greater focus on the Group's core luxury brands.

Regional dynamics reflected shifting market conditions: Regional performance in 2025 continued to reflect varying consumer sentiment across global luxury markets. North America remained comparatively stable, supported by consistent demand and established brand recognition. In contrast, EMEA and Greater China experienced softer conditions during the year, reflecting cautious wholesale purchasing patterns and evolving consumer spending trends in the luxury sector. In response, the Group continued to refine its commercial strategies across regions while prioritizing operational efficiency and brand development initiatives tailored to local market dynamics.

2026 Outlook

Looking ahead, Lanvin Group remains focused on executing its ongoing transformation initiatives while continuing to strengthen the foundations of its key brand portfolio. In 2026, the Group expects to largely complete its current transformation program.

The Group's brands will continue to deepen their presence and leadership in their respective home markets, leveraging local insights and consumer connections to drive sustainable growth. In parallel, Lanvin Group will selectively explore opportunities to expand asset-light business initiatives and strategic partnerships that support brand development and enhance long-term growth. Combined with continued creative renewal across its brands and a streamlined operating structure, these efforts aim to reinforce the Group's positioning within the evolving global luxury landscape.

Note: All % changes are calculated on an actual currency exchange rate basis. (1) On February 6, 2026, Lanvin Group announced the strategic carve-out of Caruso.

As of the date of this press release, Caruso is no longer part of the Company's

consolidated group. Revenue figures for all periods presented exclude Caruso and

reflect continuing operations only. Please refer to the Company's forthcoming 2025

Annual Report for additional details.

To receive email alerts of the timing of future financial news releases, as well as future announcements, please register at https://ir.lanvin-group.com.

Appendix

Lanvin Group Revenue by Brand:





























(Euros in Thousands) 2025A

2024A

2025A vs. 2024A Preliminary Audited Growth %





















Lanvin 57,627

82,720

-30 % Wolford 75,586

87,891

-14 % St. John 78,238

79,267

-1 % Sergio Rossi 29,535

41,910

-30 % Eliminations & Others -488

76





Total Group 240,498

291,864

-18 %





















Lanvin Group Revenue by Geography:





























(Euros in Thousands) 2025A

2024A

2025A vs. 2024A Preliminary Audited Growth %





















EMEA 90,529

114,667

-21 % North America 116,048

123,786

-6 % Greater China 19,487

33,882

-42 % Other 14,434

19,529

-26 % Total 240,498

291,864

-18 %





















Lanvin Group Revenue by Channel:





























(Euros in Thousands) 2025A

2024A

2025A vs. 2024A Preliminary Audited Growth %





















DTC/eCommerce 164,049

200,752

-18 % Wholesale 66,670

78,898

-15 % Other 9,779

12,214

-20 % Total 240,498

291,864

-18 %

About Lanvin Group

Lanvin Group is a leading global luxury fashion group headquartered in Shanghai, China and Milan, Italy, managing iconic brands worldwide including Lanvin, Wolford, Sergio Rossi and St. John Knits. Harnessing the power of its unique strategic alliance of industry-leading partners in the luxury fashion sector, Lanvin Group strives to expand the global footprint of its portfolio brands and achieve sustainable growth through strategic investment and extensive operational know-how, combined with an understanding and access to the fastest-growing luxury fashion markets in the world. The shares of Lanvin Group are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'LANV'.

For more information about Lanvin Group, please visit http://www.lanvin-group.com , and to view our investor presentation, please visit www.lanvin-group.com/investor-relation/.

Disclaimer

The full-year 2025 revenues are preliminary and unaudited. Revenue figures presented reflect continuing operations and exclude Caruso following its carve-out announced on February 6, 2026. Prior periods have been presented on a comparable basis. The audit of the Group's financial statements will be finalized at the time of the Group's 2025 consolidated financial statements. These unaudited financial data are not a comprehensive statement of the Group's financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025 and should not be viewed as a substitute for the Group's full annual financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. These preliminary unaudited financial results are subject to revision in connection with the Group's financial closing procedures, including the review of such financial results by the Group's audit committee, and finalization and audit of the Group's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. During the preparation of the Group's consolidated financial statements and related notes and the completion of the audit for the year ended December 31, 2025, additional adjustments to the preliminary estimated financial results presented above may be identified. Actual results for the period reported may differ from these preliminary results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication, including the section "2026 Outlook", contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," "project" and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of the respective management of Lanvin Group and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and must not be relied on by an investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Lanvin Group. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Lanvin Group's ability to timely complete its financial closing procedures and finalize its consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2025; changes adversely affecting the business in which Lanvin Group is engaged; Lanvin Group's projected financial information, anticipated growth rate, profitability and market opportunity may not be an indication of its actual results or future results; management of growth; the impact of health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic on Lanvin Group's business; Lanvin Group's ability to safeguard the value, recognition and reputation of its brands and to identify and respond to new and changing customer preferences; the ability and desire of consumers to shop; Lanvin Group's ability to successfully implement its business strategies and plans; Lanvin Group's ability to effectively manage its advertising and marketing expenses and achieve desired impact; its ability to accurately forecast consumer demand; high levels of competition in the personal luxury products market; disruptions to Lanvin Group's distribution facilities or its distribution partners; Lanvin Group's ability to negotiate, maintain or renew its license agreements; Lanvin Group's ability to protect its intellectual property rights; Lanvin Group's ability to attract and retain qualified employees and preserve craftmanship skills; Lanvin Group's ability to develop and maintain effective internal controls; general economic conditions; the result of future financing efforts; and those factors discussed in the reports filed by Lanvin Group from time to time with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or Lanvin Group's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Lanvin Group presently does not know, or that Lanvin Group currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Lanvin Group's expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Lanvin Group anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Lanvin Group's assessments to change. However, while Lanvin Group may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Lanvin Group specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Lanvin Group's assessments of any date subsequent to the date of this communication. Accordingly, reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Enquiries:

Media

Lanvin Group

Winni Ren

[email protected]

Investors

Lanvin Group

Coco Wang

[email protected]

SOURCE LANVIN GROUP
Hanoi  The official results of the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and Peoples Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure are expected to be released on March 22, according to Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the NA and President of the Vietnam National Election Council (NEC).

The atmosphere during voting for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and Peoples Councils for the 20262031 term at Polling Station No. 20, Brigade 957, Naval Region 4, in Khanh Hoa. (Photo: VNA)

Local authorities are currently compiling and verifying election data before submitting their reports to the council, which will meet on that date to review the figures and announce the official election results, he said.

The elections of deputies to the 16th NA and Peoples Councils at all levels for the 20262031 term concluded smoothly, with preliminary voter turnout reaching 99.69% nationwide.

All 34 cities and provinces recorded turnout above 99%, while Lao Cai, Hue, Tuyen Quang and Vinh Long reported participation rates of 99.99%. No constituencies were required to organise a re-vote, and none recorded turnout below 50%.

The election also saw participation from a number of centenarian voters. The oldest voter was 119-year-old Hoang Thi Tong, an ethnic Mong resident in Lung Liem hamlet, Yen Tho commune of Cao Bang province.

Once finalised and verified, the official election report will detail the list of elected deputies, the number of valid ballots, the votes received by successful candidates, and their winning percentages, ensuring compliance with electoral regulations.

After election day, the NEC will convene to confirm the results and validate the credentials of elected deputies. Under regulations, the final results and list of elected NA deputies must be announced within 10 days of the vote, or by March 25.

Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the NA and Vice President of the NEC, said a nationwide conference reviewing the election process is tentatively scheduled for April 3 to assess the outcomes, draw lessons and propose measures to further improve the organisation of future elections.
Doan Thi Thuan, a 101-year-old voter, casts her ballot at Polling Station No. 8 in Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi, on March 15. (Photo: VNA)

New York  The election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly (NA) and Peoples Councils at all levels for the 20262031 term symbolises Vietnams strong spirit of renewal and adaptation in a new development phase, Tran Thang, an aeronautical engineer and commentator in the US, has assessed.

In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in New York, he said the decision to hold the election two months earlier than usual represents not merely a technical adjustment but a historic and well-considered step, reflecting long-term vision in building, consolidating and operating the state apparatus.

Thang noted that in recent years, elections, Party congresses at all levels, and the consolidation of the NA, Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front have taken place at different times, creating a degree of lag in policy formulation, governance and coordination among central agencies. Bringing the election forward in 2026, he said, is therefore a highly appropriate and rational move to synchronise the operational rhythm of the entire political system.

According to him, aligned terms will enable national policies to be implemented more swiftly and effectively, particularly amid unpredictable global developments in the economy, security and environment. Moving closer to a modern governance model is an inevitable trend to enhance national competitiveness and economic resilience.

He also noted that Vietnam is operating a two-tier local administration model, a major reform aimed at building a modern, streamlined, and efficient system that functions smoothly and serves citizens more effectively. In his view, this model aligns with international trends and reflects a strong determination to clarify decentralisation and delegation of authority, thereby encouraging local initiative while strengthening accountability at each level.

The expert emphasised that three key factors are essential for the effective operation of the two-tier system, namely human resources, technology and coordination mechanisms.

As Vietnam enters a phase of accelerated national advancement, he added, the role of NA deputies and Peoples Council representatives becomes increasingly important. They serve as a trusted bridge between the people and the State, and between social realities and public policy.

Professionalising the cadre of elected representatives, together with greater application of technology in parliamentary activities, will be crucial to ensuring that the NA and Peoples Councils truly function as centres of peoples power within Vietnams socialist rule-of-law state, Thang recommended.

He also emphasised the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy. Unlike traditional diplomacy led by governments, this approach, rooted in legislative and people-to-people connections, plays a larger role in international relations by building understanding, trust, and cooperation among lawmakers, civil society, academic circles, and local communities.

The expert stressed that the election is not merely a routine political and legal exercise but a concrete step in realising the Partys and States strategic vision of building a truly enabling, effective and people-centred socialist rule-of-law state. Vietnam, he said, is making steady progress towards a modern, transparent governance system that serves its citizens and integrates deeply with the world.
At a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 14, Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Duy Ngoc presented the Hanoi Capital Master Plan with a 100-year vision, which is currently being circulated for public consultation.

Under the strategy, the committee has identified trade and services as one of the three key pillars for economic development, alongside industry-construction and agriculture.

In the financial services sector, Hanoi aims to become a national financial centre, while gradually developing financial services with regional and international reach. Accordingly, the city plans to establish a financial centre composed of two main components.

The first component will be Hoan Kiem Financial Centre, together with a commodity trading ecosystem, to be developed by 2030. Specifically, Hoan Kiem Ward is expected to serve as the core of Hanois financial centre.

Hanoi Party Committee plans to prioritise space and suitable locations in this area to attract major financial institutions to continue placing their headquarters there. Hoan Kiem is already home to the headquarters of the State Bank of Vietnam, along with many leading domestic banks and securities firms.

In parallel, Hanoi intends to develop Hanoi Financial Centre Exchange into a commodity exchange, supported by an information system, regulated transaction registration connections, and an appropriate operational framework.

After 2030, the capitals financial centre will expand with a second component in the northern area along the Nhat Tan - Noi Bai corridor, alongside an international commodity trading ecosystem. The area is considered advantageous for transport connectivity and has the potential to host the headquarters of global financial institutions and multinational corporations.

The northern financial centre is expected to feature smart operational and management infrastructure, along with a commercial framework providing comprehensive financial services on digital platforms.

During a working session with the Standing Committee of Hanoi Party Committee last year, Party General Secretary To Lam also requested that the capital clearly position Hanoi residents income levels relative to the region for the 2035-2045 period, while developing high-tech zones and financial centres in harmony with Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter.

Under its 100-year master plan, Hanoi targets average annual economic growth of more than 11 per cent by 2030, aiming for regional gross regional product (GRP) to reach $113 billion and GRP per person to exceed $12,000.

The capital expects to maintain double-digit growth through 2045, with GRP projected to hit $200 billion by 2035 and $640 billion by 2045. GRP per person is estimated at $18,800 and $42,000, respectively, over the same periods.

By 2065, Hanoi's GRP per person is projected to reach approximately $92,000.

Hanoi ranks among worlds top destinations for 2026 Hanoi has been named among the worlds leading travel destinations for 2026, reflecting strong international visitor acclaim and sustained tourism appeal.
The first year is not just measured by how many guests arrive or how long they stay, but by every story shared and every moment of connection shaped by the pulse of Ho Chi Minh Citys alleyways and the rich history of the Ba Son area.

During the journey, the hotel not only opens its doors to welcome guests, but also opens up a space blending memory and the present. From every design detail to each culinary experience and conversation, everything contributes to telling the neighbourhoods story in its own unique way.

During March, the hotel introduces a series of special activities as a word of gratitude to guests, partners, and the community that have accompanied the hotel during this inaugural year.

A Taste Of Our Neighbourhood: Where the kitchen becomes a meeting place for stories

At The Shipyard restaurant, the anniversary menu "A Taste Of Our Neighbourhood" was created from the meeting of two professionals.

Chef Xuan Huong, executive chef of Hotel Indigo Saigon The City, has accompanied the hotels culinary spirit and neighbourhood story. He teamed up with guest chef Xuan Tam, former president of the World Association of Master Chefs in Vietnam, who has an international perspective and extensive experience.

The tie-up not only created a technical show but also struck a balance between identity and creativity. The menu comprised five dishes made from familiar Vietnamese ingredients with a contemporary approach. Each dish reflects an aspect of Ho Chi Minh City: simple yet sophisticated, familiar yet surprising enough to leave a lasting impression.

A Taste Of Our Neighbourhood is not just an anniversary menu, but a culinary journey where Vietnamese identity meets modern spirit. The menu will be served throughout March at The Shipyard.

From Hotel Indigo Saigon With Love: when wishes become memory

From March 131, every room at Hotel Indigo Saigon The City will include postcards reflecting the hotels signature style. Through the "From Hotel Indigo Saigon With Love" activity, guests are invited to write down a few reflections, a wish, or simply a small memory during their stays at the hotel. These cards will then be displayed in the hotel lobby as a shared corner of memories for March.

The Scent of Hem: When fragrance leads the way

On March 14, the hotel is hosting a "The Scent of Hem" perfume workshop exclusively for in-stay guests, free of charge, in partnership with De Sainty Labo.

Inspired by the familiar scents of a Ho Chi Minh City alleyway  the warm morning sun, the woody aroma from window frames, and the fleeting aroma of fruits and flowers from street vendors  this workshop opened a journey of olfactory exploration of memories. Under the guidance of the expert, each participant created their own 20 ml perfume bottle with their personal touch to capture a piece of their "alley" memory.

A month of gratitude for women

In tandem with the anniversary milestone, Hotel Indigo Saigon The City also expresses gratitude to female guests on the occasion of International Womens Day. Throughout the month, female customers having dinner or enjoying afternoon tea at The Shipyard will be gifted a skincare set including the An Giang Palm Sugar Shower Gel 500 ml and An Giang Palm Sugar Body Scrub 200 ml from Cocoon Vietnam. These gifts are small but thoughtfully selected.

Cocoon Vietnam is a homegrown brand that uses local ingredients while pursuing vegan and cruelty-free practices. This reflects Hotel Indigo Saigon The Citys strategy of collaborating with Vietnamese brands that share sustainable values and celebrate local inspiration.

The first year is always an emotional journey. We are truly grateful to our guests who have trusted and chosen to stay with us, our partners who have accompanied us, and especially our team, who have dedicated so much effort to every detail each day," said Amy Nha, general manager of Hotel Indigo Saigon The City.

"For us, Hotel Indigo Saigon The City is not simply a new accommodation address on the city map, but a place where stories begin and continue. The one-year milestone is an opportunity to look back with appreciation, and also a motivation for us to continue to maintain sincerity in every experience ahead.

One year has passed, and Hotel Indigo Saigon The City continues to tell its own story  not loudly or pretentiously, but with persistence through thoughtful and genuine connections. This March, as the neighbourhood enters a new season, the hotel invites you back to raise a glass to the journey so far and to the stories yet to be written.

Hotel Indigo debuts in Vietnam IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the worlds leading hotel companies, on February 21, announced the opening of Hotel Indigo Saigon The City, marking the brands debut in Vietnam.

Hotel Indigo Saigon The City hosts event to reimagine citys beloved alleyways Tucked away amidst the vibrant rhythm of Saigon Ward, Hotel Indigo Saigon The City reimagines the purpose of An Evening In The Hem event space, not simply as a venue, but as a canvas for storytelling, where memories are awakened, emotions stirred, and every detail pulses with meaning.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Pham Van Thuy, CEO of VSSES said, "The collaboration marks an important step forward in encouraging the use of clean energy in manufacturing activities, while creating opportunities for both parties to implement efficient and green energy solutions."

The MoU means that VSSES can supply electricity directly from a solar farm to Pandoras crafting facility in Vietnam, contributing to the facilitys operations.

Pandoras crafting facility in Vietnam is located in Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park III Industrial Park (formerly Binh Duong Province) with a total investment of over $150 million. This is Pandoras first crafting facility outside Thailand and one of the largest jewellery manufacturing facilities globally.

The facility will operate entirely on renewable electricity. Once fully operational, the facility will have a crafting capacity of up to 60 million pieces per year and create up to 7,000 jobs.

Pandora is the world's largest jewellery brand, specialising in the design, crafting and marketing of accessible luxury jewellery made from high-quality materials. Headquartered in Denmark, Pandora employs around 39,000 people worldwide and crafts its jewellery with 100 per cent recycled silver and gold. Pandora is committed to leadership in sustainability and has set out to halve greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030.

VSSES, a member of the Becamex Group ecosystem, is providing comprehensive green solutions, supporting businesses on their journey towards sustainable energy transition and net zero goals.

Denmark-based Pandora to build crafting factory in Vietnam Danish jewellry maker Pandora plans to build a factory in the southern province of Binh Duong in the first quarter of 2024.

Pandora to break ground on its $150 million factory in Binh Duong Danish jewellery maker Pandora will break ground on its $150 million factory inthe southern province of Binh Duong on May 16, according to the Danish Embassy in Hanoi.
The 2025 tax finalisation season is taking place as many new tax policies come into force, notably the revised Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Law and the global minimum tax mechanism.

These changes require businesses, especially those backed by foreign investment, to review and prepare early to ensure compliance and minimise risks during tax finalisation.

According to Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, CEO of Hinh Lam Tax Advisory Services and vice chairwoman of the CFO Vietnam Club at Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park, the 2025 Corporate Income Tax Law took effect from October 1 but applies retroactively to the entire 2025 tax period.

Photo: An Thu

Businesses therefore need to review ongoing contracts  particularly those signed before October 1 but extending into 2026  to assess whether any provisions conflict with the new regulations on revenue and expense recognition under the 2025 CIT Law.

CFOs and chief accountants should maintain accounting records that allow data to be separated before and after the October 1 milestone. Although tax finalisation covers the entire year of 2025, such separation will make it easier for firms to explain and justify the reasonableness of costs during tax inspections in this transitional period, said Duong.

Another issue drawing attention from foreign investors concerns changes to deductible and non-deductible expenses under the new regulations. According to experts, certain 'sensitive' expenses may be adjusted by tax authorities if firms lack sufficient supporting evidence.

Intra-group service fees are considered a common risk. Many businesses incur management, consulting, or technical support fees paid to overseas parent companies or affiliates. If the Vietnamese entity cannot demonstrate direct economic benefits from these expenses, tax authorities may exclude them from deductible costs.

Employee-related expenses such as welfare benefits, voluntary insurance, or bonuses may also be disallowed if not clearly stipulated in labour contracts or collective agreements. Additionally, new 2025 regulations require greater transparency in documentation for non-cash payment transactions.

Given these risks, experts recommend that foreign-backed firms review their entire tax governance systems. Accounting data systems need standardisation to clearly separate taxable income from tax-exempt or reduced-income categories by project or product line.

The revised CIT Law also expands its regulatory scope to include foreign enterprises conducting business through digital platforms and e-commerce in Vietnam. Foreign companies generating income in the country, including through digital platforms, are now required to declare and pay taxes accordingly. The concept of 'permanent establishment' has been broadened to include digital platforms providing goods and services to the Vietnamese market, strengthening the legal basis for tax management of cross-border activities.

Regarding taxable income determination, the new law introduces additional income types subject to declaration, including benefits received as goods or services provided as gifts without payment, as well as support or sponsorship provided in the form of services. These are categorised as 'other income' and subject to corporate income tax.

Another notable change is the tightening of conditions for corporate income tax incentives applied to large-scale investment projects. For investment expansion projects, the new regulations also clarify the mechanism for applying tax incentives.

Accordingly, additional income generated from expansion projects may continue to enjoy incentives under the original project if the incentive period remains valid, without requiring separate accounting. If the original venture's incentive period has expired, the expansion may be considered for tax incentives similar to those granted to new initiatives under current regulations.

New tax policies aim to bolster tech sector As Vietnams consumer technology sector continues to expand, the countrys tax authorities are intensifying efforts to refine policies that promote a more transparent and equitable business environment.

Tax policies and market clean-up boost retail stocks With the recent approval of maintaining current VAT rates and intensified efforts to tackle counterfeit goods, the retail sector is expected to benefit from a more favourable policy environment conducive to sustained growth.
In many major cities around the world, there are distinctive neighbourhoods where lifestyle is defined not only by location, but by community and the unique cultural experiences on offer.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Thao Dien is widely recognised as an international residential enclave, home to a diverse community of global residents and characterised by an open, modern way of living.

Over time, Thao Dien has gradually evolved into one of the citys most vibrant lifestyle destinations, while also becoming one of the most valuable addresses in Ho Chi Minh Citys apartment market.

SonKim Land introduces The Berkley in Thao Dien

As land availability in the area has become increasingly limited and most developments have already been completed, the supply of new residential projects has grown increasingly scarce.

Against this backdrop, the Thao Dien real estate market  once relatively quiet  has recently drawn renewed attention as SonKim Land officially introduced The Berkley, a limited collection of 85 residences located in the heart of this international neighborhood.

With only 85 residences available, The Berkley is positioned as a signature address where each home represents a distinct living standard, and every homeowner becomes part of a carefully curated community in Thao Dien, said Nguyen Hoang Viet, managing director of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service at SonKim Land.

The Berkley is therefore not merely another real estate project, but a reflection of the developers luxury boutique philosophy - an approach that focuses on limited supply, exceptional living quality, and the celebration of individual lifestyles.

Over the years, this philosophy has shaped SonKim Lands distinctive identity and contributed to its success in the luxury residential market in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Berkley  one of the last highlights of Thao Dien real estate

With its limited number of residences, The Berkley places strong emphasis on design and living quality.

The apartments are thoughtfully designed to international standards, featuring 3.3-metre-high ceilings, expansive balconies, and layouts that maximise natural light.

Amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, a sky gym, and yoga spaces are thoughtfully integrated to create a balanced living experience between the dynamic pace of urban life and moments of private relaxation.

One of the schemes distinctive features lies in its diverse and individualised designs, where each apartment is uniquely configured rather than replicated from a fixed template. This approach allows every residence to become a tailored edition, reflecting their personal aesthetic and lifestyle preferences.

From inspiring work corners to tranquil private spaces and open balconies, the living environment is designed to feel open and expressive, allowing residents to experience the spirit of Thao Dien in their own way.

A rare remaining collection in Thao Dien

The Berkley is located along Vo Nguyen Giap Boulevard, just steps away from An Phu Metro Station, offering convenient connectivity to central Ho Chi Minh City and other key districts.

The proximity to Metro Line 1 and An Phu Station also reflects the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) approach - an urban planning philosophy embraced by SonKim Land in several projects to foster connected, convenient, and sustainable living environments.

Another notable aspect of the initiative is its flexible residence model with integrated accommodation potential. Each apartment is designed not only as a private living space, but also as a property that can be utilized for accommodation purposes.

In global cities, residential properties are increasingly viewed as flexible assets - serving both as homes and as service-oriented properties, a representative from SonKim Land shared.

With a large community of international professionals based in the area, this model allows homeowners to enjoy private living while also unlocking the assets potential for flexible rental opportunities.

The apartments are designed with modern layouts that prioritise privacy while integrating the potential for both short-term and long-term rental accommodation.

Ready for immediate living

In addition, The Berkley has been fully completed and is ready for immediate occupancy, allowing prospective homeowners to directly experience the living environment rather than simply imagining it through renderings.

At a time when many real estate developments remain under construction, the projects completed status offers a significant advantage for buyers seeking ready-to-live homes or investment properties for rental purposes.

At The Berkley, luxury is not defined by uniformity but by the individual identity of its 85 homeowners. Situated in the centre of Thao Dien - a neighbourhood where creative communities, entrepreneurs, and international experts converge - the venture reflects a multicultural, dynamic lifestyle while preserving the refined depth that defines this distinctive district.

For more information about The Berkley Hotline: 090 380 84 86 Landing page: theberkley.vn

The Crest Residence by SonKim Land wins Best Apartment/Condominium for Asia-Pacific The Crest Residence at phase two of The Metropole Thu Thiem developed by SonKim Land has just won the Best Apartment/Condominium Asia-Pacific 2020-2021 award at the International Property Awards on February 7 in recognition for SonKim Land's signature architectural style offering elevated lifestyles.

The 9 Stellars: where technology makes the differences Throughout three decades of delivering the finest in contemporary lifestyles to the haut monde of Vietnam, SonKim Land continues to make an impact on the real estate industry with the pioneering vision of establishing smart townships as a new standard in luxury living.
Harbour City currently has charter capital of more than VND1.4 trillion, with Dao Thi To serving as its legal representative. She is also the remaining shareholder, holding a 35 per cent equity stake.

Vietnam Container Shipping's (Viconship) Board of Directors previously approved a transfer plan in July 2025 to implement a 6,000 square metre project at a proposed site within the Cat Bi Airport Intersection New Urban Area in Haiphong city.

Harbour City was newly established in May 2025, with its main business line being real estate trading and land use rights owned, used, or leased by the company.

In addition to this transaction, Viconships board of directors also signed a business cooperation contract with Hai An Transport and Stevedoring JSC to invest in and operate several container vessels.

Specifically, the two parties will implement an agreement to invest in and operate five container vessels, under which Viconship will contribute 40 per cent of the project capital.

Under the mechanism, Hai An Transport and Stevedoring JSC will be responsible for directly operating, managing, and organising the business activities of the projects.

Profits and risks will be shared proportionally to each partys actual capital contribution. The board of directors has also authorised the companys general director to carry out the necessary procedures in accordance with the approved contents.

Earlier, in August last year, Viconship and Hai An Transport and Stevedoring JSC also agreed to jointly establish Hai An Green Shipping, a limited liability company with charter capital of VND1 trillion. Under the capital structure, Viconship holds a 60 per cent stake, equivalent to VND600 billion ($23 million), while Hai An contributes the remaining 40 per cent.

At the beginning of 2026, Hai An further injected an additional $5.3 million into the joint venture, raising its total capital contribution to $20.7 million. The additional capital is intended to support the acquisition of second-hand container vessels, while also financing new shipbuilding projects.

In terms of business performance, Viconship reported net revenue of $123 million in 2025, up approximately 15 per cent on-year. Post-tax profit reached $20 million, a 21 per cent increase.

Green logisticsthe vital link in the global energy transition As the global energy transition is accelerating, green logistics plays an increasingly important role in the energy value chain. Do Hoang Phuong, chairman of Precious Prestige Trading and Logistics (PPL), spoke with VIRs Thanh Van about the companys vision and strategy, as well as how the Vietnamese logistics enterprise can contribute to supporting the national and global energy transition.

Haiphong gains new growth impetus from strategic planning and integrated infrastructure Backed by a pilot Free Trade Zone and synchronised multi-modal infrastructure, Haiphong is positioning itself as a regional logistics and industrial hub within global supply chains.
INDIANAPOLIS, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumina Foundation today announced the selection of 16 colleges and universities from across the United States to participate in From Campus to Career, a national initiative designed to scale career-connected high-impact practices (HIPs) and strengthen workforce outcomes for students.

"Too many students complete meaningful academic experiences without clear pathways to translate those experiences into career opportunities," said Jasmine Haywood, strategy director for credentials of value at Lumina. "If a credential is going to hold value in the labor market, students must graduate with the ability to demonstrate the skills and competencies employers need. Career-connected high-impact practices are one of the most powerful tools we have to make that connection visible and real."

The 16 selected institutions represent a diverse cross-section of higher education, including regional public universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and large research universities. Collectively, they demonstrate strong leadership and a clear commitment to scaling career-connected HIPs that strengthen the value of a bachelor's degree.

Together, these institutions will serve as national models for integrating academic learning with career preparation.

Adams State University

Bowie State University

Central Washington University

Claflin University

CSU Channel Islands

CU Denver

Indiana University South Bend

Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Norfolk State University

North Carolina A&T State University

Rutgers University  New Brunswick

University of Arizona

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

University of Tennessee Southern

University of WisconsinParkside

Virginia State University

Over the next two years, participating institutions will each receive $100,000 in funding along with tailored technical assistance and cohort-based support from national intermediaries.

High-impact practices are widely associated with increased student engagement, deeper learning, and higher completion rates. Yet access to and the quality of these experiences vary significantly across institutions, programs, and student populations. Too often, experiential learning is unevenly distributed or disconnected from clear workforce pathways.

In a labor market increasingly focused on competencies, durable skills, and work-based experience, career-connected HIPs offer a scalable strategy to strengthen the value and ROI of a college degree.

"In an era of rising skepticism about the value of college, strengthening the connection between learning and work is essential," said Debra Humphreys, vice president of strategic engagement at Lumina. "When students can clearly see, and show how their education prepares them for meaningful careers, the value of a credential becomes tangible."

The initiative is implemented in partnership with Excelencia in Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the Center for Innovation in Postsecondary Education (CIPE). These national intermediaries will each support cohorts of institutions, facilitate cross-campus learning, and provide targeted technical assistance to help institutions scale high-quality, career-connected HIPs.

Sova Solutions serves as a strategic implementation partner to Lumina, providing overall project coordination and capturing cross-cohort learning to maximize the initiative's long-term impact.

Insights from this initiative will inform Lumina's broader efforts to ensure that, by 2040, 75 percent of adults in the U.S. labor force hold a degree or credential of value leading to economic prosperity.

SOURCE Lumina Foundation
Vu Hai Quan, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology on March 16 had a meeting with Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, in Hanoi to discuss strengthening bilateral ties.

He stated that the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) tasked with developing science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as important drivers of economic growth.

The ministry is focusing on perfecting the institutional framework to promote these fields. Specifically in 2025, it submitted 10 laws to the National Assembly for approval, including the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation; the Law on High Technology; and the Law on Digital Transformation.

Photo: MST

During the implementation of the aforementioned laws, several challenges remain, such as limitations in technological infrastructure, a shortage of high-quality human resources, and difficulties in governance and administration," he said. "Vietnam hopes to strengthen cooperation with Switzerland, a country with a developed sci-tech sector and many leading universities in Europe, to share experiences and encourage cooperation programmes in the future.

Artieda emphasised that Vietnam was an important partner, appreciating Vietnam's leading role in ASEAN as well as its role as the chairman of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Council for the past year. The signing of the EFTA agreement will open opportunities for high-quality Swiss businesses to invest in Vietnam, contributing to job creation, encouraging technology transfer, and supporting Vietnam in achieving its modernisation goals within the next five years.

She said that the Swiss government maintained close ties with the private sector and business community in the development of science, technology, and innovation. Switzerland prioritises investment in basic research from public funds, while also creating a favourable environment for research and innovation to thrive, particularly in the fields of automation and AI.

She also shared her country's flexible education model, in which approximately two-thirds of high school graduates choose vocational training before continuing their education at university. This model contributes to the strong growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, a crucial force in Switzerland's innovation ecosystem.

She emphasised that intellectual property is one of the important pillars in the development of a knowledge-based economy. Swiss businesses are ready to share their experience, knowledge, and expertise with Vietnamese businesses, and expressed their hope that Vietnam will continue to pay attention to encouraging the negotiation process of the EFTA agreement.

At the meeting, the Intellectual Property Office provided information on the progress of negotiations regarding intellectual property rights in the agreement. Accordingly, the free trade agreement between Vietnam and EFTA was initiated in 2012 and has since undergone 19 official rounds of negotiations, along with several online interim sessions.

The 20th round of negotiations is scheduled to be held in Hanoi at the end of April 2026, aiming to conclude the negotiations and sign the agreement at the EFTA Ministerial Conference in June 2026 in Iceland.

The chapter on intellectual property remains one of the areas requiring further discussion, primarily concerning high-level commitment requirements from EFTA, such as mechanisms for patent compensation due to delays in pharmaceutical marketing authorisation procedures; protection of pharmaceutical and agrochemical test data; and mechanisms for direct protection of geographical indications through the list attached to the agreement.

Both sides declared the important role of sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation in socioeconomic development, and expressed their desire to continue encouraging cooperation in these areas. They also agreed to coordinate closely to overcome existing difficulties and to accelerate the negotiation process, aiming to finalise the EFTA agreement in the near future, bringing tangible benefits to both sides.

Vietnam, Switzerland look to expand trade, investment cooperation As many as 150 economic experts, and representatives from ministries, sectors, and localities, financial investment funds and businesses of Switzerland and Vietnam gathered together at a seminar on Vietnam - Switzerland cooperation in trade, investment and technology in Zurich on September 8.

Switzerland sends experts and over $1 million to aid Vietnam's typhoon relief efforts The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is deploying six specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to Vietnam and allocating $1.17 million to assist people affected by Typhoon Yagi.
Photo: Duc Minh

Deputy Minister Phuong conveyed his gratitude to the Swiss government for its non-refundable aid to Vietnam, noting that support packages in recent phases have been larger than in previous periods.

"Over the years, Swiss development assistance has played an important role in helping Vietnam achieve its socioeconomic development and sustainable development goals," he said.

In addition to general support for Vietnam, the finance sector has received significant grants and technical assistance from the Swiss government (through SECO  the Swiss agency responsible for development cooperation) across key reform areas, including state budget management, public debt management, public asset management, treasury operations, and private sector development.

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong said, "Swiss-funded technical assistance projects have delivered notable and meaningful results for Vietnams socioeconomic development."

Regarding trade and investment cooperation, he noted that the upgrade of Vietnam-Switzerland relations to a Comprehensive Partnership in January 2025 marked an important milestone, reflecting a high level of political trust and a growing demand for deeper economic cooperation.

After more than 55 years of diplomatic relations and the recent upgrade, bilateral economic ties have continued to develop positively, particularly in investment and trade.

"Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors, including those from Switzerland. With supportive business policies and a steadily improving investment environment, Vietnam holds strong potential to attract further Swiss investment," the deputy minister said.

Currently, Switzerland ranks among the important investors in Vietnam, with 237 valid projects and total registered capital exceeding $2.4 billion. However, this cooperation has yet to fully match the potential, especially in sectors where Switzerland has global strengths, such as financial, banking and insurance services; asset management; fintech and innovation; and high-value-added services.

Both sides see ample room for expanded cooperation in areas such as innovation, sci-tech; green and green finance; high-quality human resource training; digital and green transformation; pharmaceuticals; and the development of an international financial centre in Vietnam.

The deputy minister expressed his wish to work closely with Swiss partners to create the most favourable conditions for Swiss enterprises to invest in Vietnam.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong and State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda discussed issues related to the Ministry of Finances state management functions, including public finance, development assistance, the state budget, international cooperation, and investment.

Both sides clarified priorities for future cooperation, focusing on areas of mutual interest while creating opportunities for Vietnam to advance initiatives in public finance reform, improve the efficiency of aid utilisation, and expand investment cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on the progress of negotiations on an Investment Protection Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Switzerland, aimed at establishing a favourable legal framework for businesses in both countries.

Representatives engaged in in-depth discussions on aligning key concepts such as sustainable development, while emphasising the importance of transparency, business ethics, and anti-corruption efforts.

Vietnam steps up market reforms as FTSE Russell reviews upgrade progress On February 5 at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Deputy Minister Nguyen Duc Chi received a working delegation from FTSE Russell, led by CEO Fiona Bassett.

Canada backs Vietnams green transition with AGILE project The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, and the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam, launched the project Advancing Innovation, Growth and Leadership Capacity for Vietnamese Enterprises on February 6.
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 March 2026 - Months before the current geopolitical crisis hit global markets, Asia Pacific (APAC) executives had begun shielding their businesses by shortening supply chains and focusing on regional trade. Forvis Mazars' C-suite barometer 2026: Adapting in uncertainty shows this proactive approach, alongside with efficiency-driving AI investments, is now key to navigating today's global challenges.



While the number of APAC leaders expecting revenue growth had dropped to 67% (down from 80% in 2025) ahead of this year, underlying business confidence had notably strengthened to 41% (up from 30% in 2025). This contrast, lower growth expectations yet stronger confidence, highlights a resilience paradox: leaders are separating financial outlook from global turmoil, actively reinventing their operations to endure anticipated shocks rather than waiting for conditions to improve.



Key findings for APAC:

Measured confidence amidst geopolitical volatility: Amidst ongoing geopolitical volatility, APAC leaders remain acutely aware of the shifting landscape. Notably, 29% cite geopolitical instability and social unrest as a top trend impacting their organisation over the next 12 months, outpacing the global average of 26% and tying with regulatory pressures. Consequently, growth expectations are tempered: while 83% still anticipate positive growth in 2026, this trails the global average of 92% and marks a decline from 84% in 2025.

Expansion turns inward: Driven by geopolitical and tariff risks, expansion plans have shifted to regional neighbours, with China (36%), Australia (29%) and Hong Kong (29%) as the top destinations.

AI is a net job creator: Defying global displacement fears, 43% of APAC leaders say AI has created new roles in their organisation, significantly outpacing the 28% who say it replaced them.

The sustainability gap: While 91% are confident in meeting reporting compliance, only 73% feel prepared to manage the actual physical impacts of climate change.

The APAC resilience paradox: Building structural resilience despite lower revenue expectations The anticipated dip in revenue expectations was primarily driven by converging pressures that have only intensified: economic uncertainty, political instability and intensifying competition. Yet, this foresight did not dampen investment. In a clear sign that businesses are fortifying their foundations, investment in human capital remains strong across the region, with 63% of APAC respondents plan to increase spending on acquiring new talent and 68% intend to upskill their workforce.



APAC's underlying optimism is supported by a high level of operational readiness. Even as geopolitical instability remains a top concern, 76% of executives express confidence in their organisation's preparedness to manage it. This sentiment extends to navigating supply chain challenges (85%) and new regulatory requirements (91%), showing that leaders are turning global disruptors into manageable areas of control.

Rick Chan, Managing Partner Singapore, Head of Audit & Assurance APAC and Member of Group Governing Board, Forvis Mazars, observed, "Asia Pacific has always had to move fast. The region's businesses are built on agility  on reading the market, adjusting quickly and staying close to customers. That DNA is proving invaluable right now. The data shows leaders are transitioning from short-term firefighting to building lasting resilience. By investing in localised supply chains and AI, they are taking highly practical steps to insulate their operations against escalating geopolitical risks and secure long-term growth."







The strategic pivot: strengthening intra-regional trade



The barometer reveals a fundamental change in how APAC firms plan to grow. Rather than facing global trade barriers head-on, executives are pivoting to markets closer to home. The top three expansion destinationsareChina (36%), Australia (29%) and Hong Kong (29%).







This inward shift is a direct, data-driven response to rising global tensions. A striking 67% of APAC leaders who revised their expansion plans this year cited geopolitical instability as the primary driver, making it the top catalyst for changing global strategies. Furthermore, 42% cite costs and operational issues due to tariffs as their biggest challenge when entering new markets. Facing these dual threats, APAC businesses have pragmatically shortened their supply chains to secure growth in neighbouring markets where geopolitical and tariff risks are more manageable.

The growth engine: AI as a workforce catalyst



In an environment where operational margins are under pressure, AI has become a critical tool for efficiency. Notably, the data indicate that AI is a net job creator in the region. 43% of APAC C-suite leaders report that AI has already prompted the creation of new roles, compared to 28% who report job replacements.

While 47% of executives rank AI as their top technology priority, their approach is disciplined. APAC leaders are prioritising high-impact applications such as forecasting (65%), knowledge acquisition, banking and retrieval (61%), client services, recommendations, relationships (61%), and operational efficiency, including automation (60%). Interestingly, they are achieving these gains with leaner investment; 41% (versus 35% globally) allocate less than 10% of their budget to AI, suggesting a focus on cost-effective, high-return AI adoption.







The blind spot: the sustainability gap  compliance versus operational resilience



While the report highlights strategic maturity in technology and trade, it reveals a critical disconnect in sustainability. Although 91% of APAC executives express confidence in meeting sustainability reporting compliance, only 73% feel prepared to manage the actual physical and operational impacts of climate change. This disparity indicates that while they are confident in meeting regulatory expectations, the priority now is to bridge the gap between compliance and reality, specifically by strengthening supply chains and building physical resilience against tangible climate risks.







Chester Liew, Partner, Head of Risk Consulting & Sustainability, Forvis Mazars in Singapore, said, "High confidence in reporting compliance is an encouraging baseline, but paperwork does not protect operations. The foresight APAC leaders are demonstrating in navigating geopolitical risks must now be urgently applied to climate risks. With regulatory timelines providing some breathing room, the prudent next step is to pivot resources from disclosure to physical defence  ensuring that supply chains and physical assets can actually withstand extreme weather and emerging environmental shocks."







Forvis Mazars' 2026 C-suite barometer survey captures insights from 3,012 senior executives worldwide prior to the US-Israeli war with Iran in February 2026. This independent research was conducted in October and November 2025 and captures the views of C-suite leaders at for-profit organisations with annual revenues of over US$1 million across 40 countries, including 260 respondents from seven markets in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Findings reflect executive sentiments at the time of fieldwork.







Download the full 2026 C-suite barometer APAC report at: www.forvismazars.com/sg/en/insights/latest-insights-updates/consulting/asia-pacific-c-suite-barometer-outlook-2026



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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Forvis Mazars in Singapore

About Forvis Mazars in Singapore

Forvis Mazars Group SC is an independent member of Forvis Mazars Global, a leading professional services network. Operating as an internationally integrated partnership in over 100 countries and territories, Forvis Mazars Group specialises in audit, tax and advisory services. The partnership draws on the expertise and cultural understanding of over 40,000 professionals across the globe to assist clients of all sizes at every stage in their development. Forvis Mazars in Singapore is part of the Forvis Mazars Group. Our clientele benefits from the combined expertise of 400+ Singapore-based professionals and our international team.

About Forvis Mazars APAC

Present in Asia Pacific since 1997, Forvis Mazars operates in more than 15 countries and territories in the region and draws on the expertise of over 10,100 professionals in more than 60 offices. We work as one integrated team, leveraging expertise, scale and cultural understanding to deliver exceptional and tailored services in audit and accounting, as well as tax, financial advisory, outsourcing, consulting, sustainability and legal services.

www.forvismazars.com/sg | https://www.forvismazars.com/group/en/who-we-are/geographic-footprint/asia-pacific | https://www.linkedin.com/company/forvis-mazars-singapore
- US$166 million net profit is a six-fold increase*; significant growth in shareholder value creation with comprehensive tangible equity up 18 per cent and Group embedded value up 19 per cent

HONG KONG, Mar 16, 2026 - (ACN Newswire)  FWD Group Holdings Limited (FWD Group or FWD) today announced its first set of full-year results as a Hong Kong listed company for the 12 months ended 31 December 2025.

- New business sales were up 25 per cent to US$2.446 billion compared to 2024 on an annualised premium equivalent (APE) basis. New business contractual service margin (CSM) was US$1.476 billion, with year-on-year growth of 18 per cent.

- Operating profit after tax was up five per cent to US$499 million with positive contributions from each of the companys four geographic reporting segments  Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR; Thailand & Cambodia; Japan; and Emerging Markets.

- Net profit of US$166 million is a record IFRS 17 result and for the second consecutive year, FWD Group was operating cash flow positive as at 31 December 2025. Leverage ratio reduced to 21.3 per cent approaching the companys target range of 15-20 per cent.

- Significantly increased important indicators of shareholder value creation, with comprehensive tangible equity (CTE) up 18 per cent to US$8.72 billion compared to 31 December 2024 and Group embedded value (EV) up 19 per cent year-on-year to US$6.85 billion. A strong capital position was maintained with a 265 per cent solvency ratio^.

- In December 2025, FWD Group was added to the Hang Seng Composite Index and the eligible securities list for the Stock Connect programme, where Mainland Chinese investors connect via the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange with Hong Kong market opportunities via a southbound trading mechanism. FWD Group was also included in the MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index in February 2026.

Huynh Thanh Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FWD Group, said, 2025 was a stand-out year for FWD Group. We successfully executed our customer-led strategy, underpinned by our digitally enabled business model. Record financial results were achieved. And of course, we began trading as a publicly listed company, following our July 2025 initial public offering. This fulfilled a long-held objective to ensure FWD Group has full capital market access, as a solid foundation for our future development and growth.

The strong 2025 results were driven by organic growth across most of the 10 Asian markets where FWD Group operates, with a particularly outstanding performance in the Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR segment.

A solid performance was posted in Japan, in a year where FWD began to diversify beyond its successful protection business into the retirement and savings segment, with its first offering  a yen-denominated single premium variable annuity product.

As an established market leader in Thailand, FWD remains well positioned to grow quality new business in future, despite headwinds from a lower rate environment which impacted 2025 results, in addition to the 2024 exit from underwriting new business in the corporate care segment.

Excellent growth was delivered in the Emerging Markets segment  which is comprised of five of the rest of FWD Groups Southeast Asian markets  consistent with the longer-term demographic, wealth creation, and digital adoption trends in this region.

With 2026 already underway, we remain firmly focused on executing our strategy as we build for the future  operating with customers at the heart of everything we do in high-growth Asian markets, with a focus on long-term sustainability and profitability, added Huynh Thanh Phong.

About FWD Group

FWD Group (1828.HK) is a pan-Asian life and health insurance business that serves more than 38 million customers across 10 markets, including BRI Life in Indonesia. FWDs customer-led and tech-enabled approach aims to deliver innovative propositions, easy-to-understand products and a simpler insurance experience. Established in 2013, the company operates in some of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world with a vision of changing the way people feel about insurance. FWD Group is listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 1828.

For more information, please visit www.fwd.com

For media inquiries, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: FWD Group Holdings Limited

The results are for the 12 months ended 31 December 2025 and are compared to the same period in 2024.

Group LCSM cover ratio, group embedded value, comprehensive tangible equity values are December 2025 balances/ratios and growth rates are represented accordingly.

Growth rates are represented on a constant exchange rate (CER) basis, unless otherwise stated.

Except for operating profit/(loss) after tax (non-IFRS measure), net profit/(loss), and comprehensive tangible equity, all other numbers are unaudited. Operating profit after tax and net profit after tax represent the amounts attributable to equity holders of the company and are presented net of non-controlling interests. New business sales are calculated on an annualised premium equivalent (APE) basis, based on 100 percent annualised first year premiums and 10 percent single premiums. Comprehensive tangible equity is calculated as total equity of the Group attributable to shareholders of the Company plus contractual service margin (net of tax and non-controlling interests), minus intangible assets (net of non-controlling interests).

* Actual exchange rate basis

^ Prescribed capital requirement (PCR) basis
Running an online store on Magento 2 requires more than just listing products. Store owners must improve navigation, search, marketing, and customer engagement. Extensions help add these features without changing the core platform.

This is where extensions become useful. Many merchants rely on extensions developed by Webkul to expand the capabilities of their Magento stores.

These extensions help businesses add new features, improve the shopping experience, and manage store operations more efficiently.

Businesses using Adobe Commerce often use these tools to handle marketplace management, customer registration, product filtering, and content marketing.

Below are seven Magento 2 extensions that help merchants manage customers, improve search, and reduce cart abandonment.

1. Adobe Commerce Multi Vendor Marketplace

Adobe Commerce Multi Vendor Marketplace extension turns a regular Magento store into an online marketplace. Multiple sellers can join the platform and list their products.

Each seller gets a separate dashboard to manage products, orders, and earnings. The store owner controls vendor approvals, commissions, and product listings.

This model helps stores expand their product catalog without managing all inventory. Marketplace websites often use this approach to allow many vendors to sell through one platform.

For growing stores, this extension supports vendor management, order tracking, and marketplace administration in one place.

2. Magento 2 Registration Form

Magento 2 Registration Form extension allows store owners to customize the default customer registration page.

Admins can add extra fields such as phone number, company name, or business type. This helps businesses collect more customer information during sign-up.

These details help with customer segmentation and marketing campaigns. Stores can also apply validation rules to fields to collect accurate data.

This extension is helpful for B2B stores or businesses that need more customer information during registration.

3. Magento 2 Abandoned Cart Reminder

Cart abandonment is common in eCommerce. Many shoppers add products to the cart but leave the website before checkout.

Magento 2 Abandoned Cart Reminder extension helps recover these lost sales. It sends reminder emails to customers who leave items in their carts.

Store owners can schedule multiple reminders and add discount coupons in emails. These reminders encourage customers to return and complete their purchase.

By bringing customers back to the store, businesses can increase conversion rates and recover potential revenue.

4. Magento 2 Layered Navigation Extension

Stores with large product catalogs need better filtering options. Magento 2 Layered Navigation Extension improves the product filtering system.

Customers can filter products by attributes like price, brand, color, or size. This makes it easier to find products within large categories.

Instead of scrolling through many items, shoppers can quickly narrow down their choices. This improves navigation and saves time for customers.

Better product filtering also helps reduce bounce rates and improves the shopping experience.

5. Magento 2 Search Autocomplete

Search plays a major role in online shopping. Magento 2 Search Autocomplete extension improves the default search bar.

When users type in the search box, the system shows instant suggestions. These suggestions may include product names, categories, and keywords.

Customers can quickly find what they are looking for without typing the full product name. It also reduces search errors and improves navigation.

Fast product search helps customers reach product pages quickly, which may lead to higher conversions.

6. Magento 2 Blog Extension

Content helps online stores attract visitors from search engines. Magento 2 Blog Extension allows merchants to create blog posts directly inside the Magento store.

Store owners can publish articles, guides, and product updates. These blog posts help bring organic traffic through search engines.

The extension includes features such as blog categories, tags, SEO settings, and comment options. Businesses can share useful content and build trust with customers.

Regular blog content also supports long-term SEO growth for the store.

7. Magento 2 Product Parts Finder

Magento 2 Product Parts Finder extension helps customers find compatible products easily.

It is commonly used in stores that sell automotive parts, electronic components, or equipment accessories. Customers can search using filters like brand, model, year, or specifications.

This structured search system helps shoppers locate the correct product faster. It reduces confusion when selecting technical products.

By helping customers find compatible items, the extension can also reduce product returns.

Conclusion

Magento stores often need extra tools to handle search, product discovery, and marketing. Extensions help merchants add these features without building them from scratch.

Many businesses choose extensions developed by Webkul because they support different Magento store requirements such as marketplace management, blog publishing, product search, and cart recovery.

As eCommerce competition continues to grow, Magento store owners focus on improving user experience and store functionality. Using the right Magento 2plugins helps businesses manage their stores more efficiently and provide a better shopping experience for customers.

News From Webkul Software

Category: Software Developers Profile: Webkul was founded in the year 2010 and for 11 years we are serving continuously in the eCommerce market. We have contributed our efforts in making extensions of various open-source eCommerce platforms. Also, we are among one of the few 100% Self-Bootstrapped organizations.
The global energy landscape is undergoing a massive structural shift. As the transition to renewable energy accelerates and the demand for high-efficiency power transmission peaks, the High Voltage Capacitor Market has emerged as the cornerstone of the next-generation electrical grid. Moving beyond simple energy storage, the modern utility is demanding stabilization and reactive power compensation. According to the latest strategic data from Evolve Business Intelligence, this market is on an aggressive trajectory, valued at USD 13.01 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 43.24 billion by 2036, growing at a robust CAGR of 11.20%.

For power grid operators and industrial manufacturers, this exponential growth is a double-edged sword. Sustaining a dominant position in a sector defined by rapid technological pivotsfrom Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductor integration to HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmissionrequires more than just capacity; it requires precision intelligence.

The Utility Leaders Dilemma: Stability vs. Decarbonization

Market leaders today face a unique set of "integration-bred" problems. When the grid is flooded with intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, the primary challenge is no longer just generation; it is managing the sheer volatility of voltage levels across aging infrastructure.

Innovation Blind Spots: The plastic film segment currently dominates market share due to its superior dielectric properties, but the shift toward software-defined monitoring and real-time diagnostic capacitors is happening faster than traditional replacement cycles can often pivot.

The plastic film segment currently dominates market share due to its superior dielectric properties, but the shift toward software-defined monitoring and real-time diagnostic capacitors is happening faster than traditional replacement cycles can often pivot. Fragmented Regional Dynamics: While Asia Pacific leads in volumedriven by massive infrastructure expansion in China and IndiaNorth America and Europe are setting the pace for "Smart Grid" integration and stringent energy efficiency standards. A leader in one region may find their legacy product portfolio irrelevant in another.

While Asia Pacific leads in volumedriven by massive infrastructure expansion in China and IndiaNorth America and Europe are setting the pace for "Smart Grid" integration and stringent energy efficiency standards. A leader in one region may find their legacy product portfolio irrelevant in another. Supply Chain Fragility: As capacitors become more complex, the reliance on high-purity polypropylene films and specialized ceramics creates a bottleneck. A shortage in high-grade dielectric materials can stall multi-billion dollar grid deployments and damage long-term brand equity.

Explore the full dataset and strategic forecast: High Voltage Capacitor Market: Trends & Forecast to 2033

Strategic Solutions: The Blueprint for Sustained Dominance

To navigate these challenges, leaders must look beyond standard component sales and employ a multi-layered strategic approach. Here is how specialized intelligence services bridge the gap between grid potential and actualized revenue.

Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence: Beyond the Dielectric With the hardware segment currently the primary revenue contributor, new entrants are rapidly commoditizing standard capacitor banks. Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence allows leaders to look "under the hood" of competitor portfolios. It isn't enough to know who your competitors are; you must know where they are investing in AI-ready monitoring and edge-computing-integrated units. Granular Research & Custom Insights: Niche Vertical Dominance Generic data won't help you win in high-growth niches like Electric Vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure or industrial induction heating. Granular Research identifies the specific "pain points" of end-users. Whether it is the thermal stability needed for 800V+ EV platforms or the pulse-power requirements of medical imaging, custom insights allow for product development that hits the mark every time. TAM Expansion Funnel: Finding the "Hidden" Billions With a projected market size of $34.74 billion, the "Total Addressable Market" (TAM) is massive but often poorly defined. The TAM Expansion Funnel helps leaders identify non-traditional demand. For instance, while Power Generation is the traditional stronghold, there is burgeoning demand in Aerospace propulsion and Renewable Energy storage. GTM (Go-To-Market) Strategy: Regional Grid Precision Dominating the Asia-Pacific manufacturing hub requires a different playbook than penetrating the North American utility sector. We craft regionalized GTM Strategies that leverage specific local drivers. In the US, the driver might be aging infrastructure replacement; in Europe, it is likely the integration of offshore wind farms via HVDC technology. Regulatory Due Diligence: Navigating the Compliance Minefield As capacitors move into "Smart" collaborative environmentswhere they interact with digital substationssafety and cybersecurity regulations are tightening. Regulatory Due Diligence is no longer a "back-office" function; it is a strategic shield. Staying ahead of regional energy efficiency mandates ensures your innovations reach the market without legal friction. Supply Chain Intelligence: Securing the Future The transition to high-performance polyfunctional systems increases the complexity of the bill of materials. Supply Chain Intelligence maps the global supplier landscape for critical materials like high-purity films and specialized ceramics. By identifying potential risksfrom geopolitical instability to single-source vulnerabilitiesleaders can build resilient supply chains that can actually keep pace with the 9.87% CAGR.

Regional Outlook: Where the Growth Lives

To truly master the High Voltage Capacitor Market, one must understand the geographic nuances highlighted in the research:

Asia Pacific: The undisputed leader in volume. With aggressive investments in "Green Cities" and industrial automation in China and India, this region remains the primary testing ground for large-scale grid deployment and material innovation.

The undisputed leader in volume. With aggressive investments in "Green Cities" and industrial automation in China and India, this region remains the primary testing ground for large-scale grid deployment and material innovation. North America: The hub for "Smart" grid technology. The focus here is on integrating AI-powered monitoring and infrastructure modernization to combat energy loss and high operational costs.

The hub for "Smart" grid technology. The focus here is on integrating AI-powered monitoring and infrastructure modernization to combat energy loss and high operational costs. Europe: Driven by the "Net-Zero" mandate. Here, the focus is on energy-efficient transmission (HVDC) and high-performance electronics, supported by a strong base of renewable energy projects in Germany and Scandinavia.

The Path to 2033

The transition from passive components to intelligent, grid-stabilizing assets is the defining trend of the decade. For the current market leaders, the path to 2033 is paved with both opportunity and volatility. The difference between the companies that will lead the $34 billion market and those that will fall behind lies in the quality of their intelligence.

By integrating specialized servicesfrom Supply Chain Intelligence to TAM Expansionleaders can ensure they don't just participate in the future of energy, but actively define it.

Master the $43.24B Shift

In a market defined by rapid technological pivots and high complexity, the difference between leading and lagging is the quality of your strategy. Don't let market volatility dictate your growth.

To turn complex data into a clear, actionable roadmap for the next decade, or explore the full dataset, Send us an Enquiry
SCADA Market: Solving the Industry Bottleneck Through Intelligence-Driven Strategy In New Report

The global industrial automation landscape is facing a defining challenge. As the world transitions toward smart factories and decentralized energy management, the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Market has become the critical frontier for real-time data processing and remote operational control. Moving beyond "localized monitoring," the modern enterprise is demanding cloud-integrated architectures and automated fault detection. According to the latest strategic data from Evolve Business Intelligence, this market is on a steady trajectory, valued at USD 11.41 Billion in 2023 and projected to reach USD 18.74 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.47%.

For technology leaders, this shift represents a transformative opportunity. Navigating a sector defined by the transition to cloud-based SCADA and advanced Human-Machine Interface (HMI) software requires more than standard hardware; it requires precision intelligence.

Market Dynamics: The Leaders Dilemma

Market leaders today face a unique set of "innovation-bred" problems. When breakthrough IoT connectivity introduces new attack surfaces, the primary challenge is no longer just signal acquisition; it is network-wide visibility and cloud-secure protection.

The Cloud-Integration Gap: While cloud computing allows for online application management, the ability to maintain real-time latency and data integrity in remote environments remains a global technical bottleneck for utility and process industries.

While cloud computing allows for online application management, the ability to maintain real-time latency and data integrity in remote environments remains a global technical bottleneck for utility and process industries. Investment Friction: Moving toward advanced software-defined SCADA reduces physical footprint but increases upfront costs for software, installation, and specialized training. A leaders ability to demonstrate "long-term ROI" through reduced downtime is now as critical as the system's processing speed.

Moving toward advanced software-defined SCADA reduces physical footprint but increases upfront costs for software, installation, and specialized training. A leaders ability to demonstrate "long-term ROI" through reduced downtime is now as critical as the system's processing speed. Big Data and Analytical Volatility: With evolving needs for error reduction and root-cause analysis, the product pipeline is a high-sensitivity environment. Diversifying into AI-driven automation and Big Data analytics is becoming a strategic necessity.

Explore the full dataset and strategic forecast: SCADA Market: Trends & Forecast to 2033

Strategic Solutions: The Blueprint for Sustained Dominance

To navigate these challenges, leaders must look beyond standard control protocols and employ a multi-layered strategic approach. Here is how specialized intelligence services bridge the gap between technical breakthroughs and actualized revenue.

Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence: Assessing the Cloud-Based Pipeline While traditional hardware-centric systems provide stable revenue, the real value shift is in Cloud-Based SCADA and Software Services. Monitoring competitor investments in APC (Advanced Process Control) ensures you stay ahead of the "software-defined" curve.

Granular Research & Custom Insights: Identifying High-Need Verticals Generic data won't help you navigate the nuances between the discrete manufacturing sector and the high-reliability needs of the energy sector. Granular Research identifies specific "pain points"from the real-time data needs of automated factories to the monitoring requirements of remote oil and gas pipelines.

TAM Expansion Funnel: Finding Growth in Big Data Analytics With the market expanding toward $18.74 Billion, the "Total Addressable Market" (TAM) is growing as industries integrate big data to optimize decision-making. The TAM Expansion Funnel helps leaders identify the "hidden" billions in the predictive maintenance and industrial analytics segment.

GTM (Go-To-Market) Strategy: Navigating Regional Infrastructure Projects Dominating the mature North American market requires a different playbook than penetrating the rapid infrastructure growth in the Asia-Pacific region. We craft regionalized GTM Strategies that leverage local government investments and regionalized industrial automation frameworks.

Regulatory Due Diligence: Mitigating Post-Market Compliance Risks As new mandates for industrial cybersecurity and data sovereignty reach the market, Regulatory Due Diligence ensures your product roadmap aligns with evolving global mandates, protecting your brand equity.

Supply Chain Intelligence: Securing Critical Components The transition to modernized SCADA increases vulnerability to non-trusted electronic hardware (RTUs/PLCs). Supply Chain Intelligence maps the global landscape for verified controllers and secure communication modules, ensuring your network deployment remains synchronized and secure.

Regional Outlook: Where the Growth Lives

Asia-Pacific: The Volume Leader. Dominating the market, this region remains the primary revenue engine, driven by massive installations in the energy sector for monitoring power plants, distribution networks, and industrial facilities.

Dominating the market, this region remains the primary revenue engine, driven by massive installations in the energy sector for monitoring power plants, distribution networks, and industrial facilities. North America: The Innovation Engine. Home to leading industrial and energy companies, this region is witnessing high adoption of SCADA systems to improve efficiency and safety across transportation and healthcare.

Home to leading industrial and energy companies, this region is witnessing high adoption of SCADA systems to improve efficiency and safety across transportation and healthcare. Europe: The Center for "Smart Distribution." Driven by strong digitization initiatives, the focus here is on optimizing electrical distribution networks and harmonizing automation standards across borders.

The Path to 2033

The transition from managing localized equipment to securing the "industrial nervous system" of the global economy is the defining trend of the decade. For current automation leaders, the path to 2033 is paved with the integration of AI-driven Autonomous Monitoring and Industrial IoT (IIoT) capabilities.

Master the $18.74B Shift

In a market defined by hyper-stakes and technical evolution, the difference between leading and lagging is the quality of your strategy. Don't let technological volatility dictate your growth.

To turn complex automation data into a clear, actionable roadmap for the next decade, or Send us an Enquiry.

News From Evolve Business Intelligence

Category: Industry Reports & Market Analysis Profile: At Evolve Business Intelligence, our mission is to empower organizations to make smarter, data-driven strategic decisions. We provide the competitive intelligence, market research, and advisory services companies need to deeply understand their landscape. Founded in 2019 by industry veterans, we aim to arm businesses with meaningful insights to pursue growth opportunities while mitigating risks. Our team of data scientists, analysts, and subject matter experts have decades of experience eq ...
Water Heater Market: Solving the Industry Bottleneck Through Intelligence-Driven Strategy In The Latest Report

The global home and industrial appliance landscape is facing a defining challenge. As the world transitions toward electrification and energy-efficient climate solutions, the Water Heater Market has become the critical frontier for sustainable living and operational cost reduction. Moving beyond "traditional tanks," the modern enterprise is demanding IoT-enabled smart controls and high-efficiency hybrid heat pump systems. According to the latest strategic data from Evolve Business Intelligence, this market is on a robust trajectory, valued at USD 54.74 Billion in 2023 and projected to reach USD 29.65 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.56%.

For industry leaders, this shift represents a transformative opportunity. Navigating a sector defined by the transition to smart technologies and renewable energy integration requires more than standard manufacturing; it requires precision intelligence.

Market Dynamics: The Leaders Dilemma

Market leaders today face a unique set of "innovation-bred" problems. When breakthrough smart technologies introduce new consumer expectations, the primary challenge is no longer just heating capacity; it is energy-tariff optimization and remote maintenance.

The Efficiency Gap: While heat pump water heaters offer superior energy savings, the ability to maintain consistent performance in extreme climates remains a global technical bottleneck for residential and commercial brands.

While heat pump water heaters offer superior energy savings, the ability to maintain consistent performance in extreme climates remains a global technical bottleneck for residential and commercial brands. Initial Cost Friction: Moving toward advanced solar, tankless, and hybrid systems reduces long-term operational costs but requires high initial investments and specialized installation. A leaders ability to demonstrate "long-term ROI" through carbon emission reductions and energy savings is now as critical as the unit's lifespan.

Moving toward advanced solar, tankless, and hybrid systems reduces long-term operational costs but requires high initial investments and specialized installation. A leaders ability to demonstrate "long-term ROI" through carbon emission reductions and energy savings is now as critical as the unit's lifespan. Regulatory and Urbanization Volatility: With evolving national mandates for energy efficiency and the rapid expansion of high-rise residential projects, the product pipeline is a high-sensitivity environment. Diversifying into anti-leak hybrid models and high-UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) units is becoming a strategic necessity.

Explore the full dataset and strategic forecast: Water Heater Market: Trends & Forecast to 2033

Strategic Solutions: The Blueprint for Sustained Dominance

To navigate these challenges, leaders must look beyond standard appliance protocols and employ a multi-layered strategic approach. Here is how specialized intelligence services bridge the gap between technical breakthroughs and actualized revenue.

Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence: Assessing the Smart Technology Pipeline While traditional electric and gas heaters provide stable revenue, the real value shift is in IoT-integrated systems. Monitoring competitor investments in remote monitoring software and demand-response capabilities ensures you stay ahead of the "smart home" curve.

Granular Research & Custom Insights: Identifying High-Need Verticals Generic data won't help you navigate the nuances between the high-volume needs of the hospitality sector (hotels and hospitals) and the space-saving requirements of modern urban apartments. Granular Research identifies specific "pain points"from the need to replace antiquated systems in North America to the rapid electrification needs of South and South East Asia.

TAM Expansion Funnel: Finding Growth in Renewable Solutions With the market expanding toward $29.65 Billion, the "Total Addressable Market" (TAM) is growing as governments offer incentives for solar and heat-pump water heaters. The TAM Expansion Funnel helps leaders identify the "hidden" billions in the carbon-reduction mandates of Europe and North America.

GTM (Go-To-Market) Strategy: Navigating Regional Infrastructure Trends Dominating the mature North American market requires a different playbook than penetrating the rapid urbanization and gas availability of the Asia-Pacific region. We craft regionalized GTM Strategies that leverage local energy tariffs and regionalized construction standards.

Regulatory Due Diligence: Mitigating Post-Market Compliance Risks As new mandates for emission requirements and energy efficiency reach the market, Regulatory Due Diligence ensures your product roadmap aligns with evolving global mandates, protecting your brand equity.

Supply Chain Intelligence: Securing Critical Components The transition to electronic and hybrid heaters increases vulnerability to non-certified heat pump modules and sensors. Supply Chain Intelligence maps the global landscape for verified electronic components and high-grade materials, ensuring your product deployment remains synchronized and reliable.

Regional Outlook: Where the Growth Lives

North America: The Value Leader. Dominated by the need for modern systems to replace antiquated water heaters, this region remains the primary revenue engine for high-end residential and commercial solutions.

Dominated by the need for modern systems to replace antiquated water heaters, this region remains the primary revenue engine for high-end residential and commercial solutions. Asia-Pacific: The Volume & Growth Driver. Expected to develop at the quickest CAGR, this region is fueled by rapid infrastructure development, increased electrification in rural areas, and the construction boom in countries like India and China.

Expected to develop at the quickest CAGR, this region is fueled by rapid infrastructure development, increased electrification in rural areas, and the construction boom in countries like India and China. Europe: The Center for "Sustainable Energy." Driven by strict carbon emission reduction goals and supportive regulations for renewable solutions, the focus here is on harmonizing high-efficiency heat pump technology with modern heating standards.

The Path to 2033

The transition from simple heating units to securing a place in the global "smart energy ecosystem" is the defining trend of the decade. For current appliance leaders, the path to 2033 is paved with the integration of AI-driven Usage Monitoring and Sustainable Material Science.

Master the $29.65B Shift

In a market defined by hyper-stakes and technical evolution, the difference between leading and lagging is the quality of your strategy. Don't let market volatility dictate your growth.

To turn complex appliance data into a clear, actionable roadmap for the next decade, or Send us an Enquiry.

News From Evolve Business Intelligence

Category: Industry Reports & Market Analysis Profile: At Evolve Business Intelligence, our mission is to empower organizations to make smarter, data-driven strategic decisions. We provide the competitive intelligence, market research, and advisory services companies need to deeply understand their landscape. Founded in 2019 by industry veterans, we aim to arm businesses with meaningful insights to pursue growth opportunities while mitigating risks. Our team of data scientists, analysts, and subject matter experts have decades of experience eq ...
China congratulates Kazakhstan on successful holding of constitutional referendum: spokesperson

Xinhua) 09:57, March 17, 2026

BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China congratulated Kazakhstan on the successful holding of a referendum on the new constitution, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

Lin made the remarks at a daily press briefing, saying that as a friendly neighbor and permanent comprehensive strategic partner, China is glad to see Kazakhstan maintain long-term peace and stability, as well as social development and prosperity.

It is believed that under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan will achieve new and greater accomplishments in its national construction endeavors, and the grand goal of building a Just Kazakhstan will be smoothly realized, the spokesperson said.

Noting that China has always attached great importance to the development of China-Kazakhstan relations, Lin said that China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen all-round mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote China-Kazakhstan relations to continue reaching new heights.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Longtime Associate Previously Served as Senior Managing Director

BOCA RATON, Fla., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., today announced it has promoted Alexandra Bettius to executive managing director of capital markets.

In her role, she will oversee Mill Creek's capital markets transaction teams nationwide, will be a voting member of the investment committee and will also remain a member of the company's audit and administrative committee. Bettius originally joined Mill Creek in 2016 and previously served as a managing director and senior managing director.

"Alex has thrived in her roles since joining Mill Creek nearly a decade ago, and this promotion is richly deserved," said Bill MacDonald, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Mill Creek Residential. "Mill Creek continues to prioritize the growth and ascension of our own associates, and Alex is a shining example of this. We know she will excel with the advanced responsibilities, and her steady leadership will undoubtedly help our teams excel."

Prior to joining Mill Creek, Bettius spent 10 years at Cardinal Bank, where she ascended to senior vice president. She specialized in non-owner-occupied commercial and residential real estate secured transactions, including acquisition, development, construction and permanent lending.

After earning a bachelor's degree at Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.), Bettius procured a master's degree in real estate development at George Mason University.

"I'm exceptionally proud of what this role represents and of the trust the company has placed in me," Bettius said. "Having built my career here, it's especially meaningful to step into senior leadership alongside colleagues who have also grown within the organization. The depth of talent across our team is something special, and I'm excited to continue building on that foundation as we lead the company into its next chapter."

About Mill Creek Residential

Mill Creek Residential is a national rental housing company focused on developing, constructing, acquiring, and operating rental communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, proactively develops, acquires, constructs, and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, Southern California, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of September 30, 2025, the company's portfolio comprises 153 communities representing over 43,500 rental homes operating or under construction. For more information, please visit MillCreekPlaces.com.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

SOURCE Mill Creek Residential
Graphic Processing Unit (GPU): Powering the Intelligence Revolution Through Strategic Dominance In New Report

The global computing paradigm has shifted. As we transition from traditional serial processing to massive parallel architectures, the Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) Market has moved from a gaming-centric niche to the fundamental engine of the global AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) economy. Beyond "pixels and frames," the modern enterprise is demanding raw computational throughput for LLM training and autonomous systems. According to the latest strategic data from Evolve Business Intelligence, this market is on an explosive trajectory, valued at USD 49.49 Billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 383.62 Billion by 2035, growing at an extraordinary CAGR of 19.92%.

For technology leaders, this hyper-growth represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Navigating a sector defined by the "AI Arms Race" and architectural shifts like Chiplets requires more than engineering; it requires precision intelligence.

Market Dynamics: The Leaders Dilemma

Market leaders today face a unique set of "innovation-bred" problems. When the demand for compute power outpaces the laws of physics and supply, the primary challenge is no longer just clock speed; it is scalability and availability.

The Compute-Scarcity Gap: The market share is currently shifting from PC-based discrete GPUs to Data Center GPUs. The bottleneck is no longer consumer demand, but the global infrastructure's ability to provide the power and cooling necessary for massive H100/B200-class clusters. Architectural and Software Friction: As proprietary ecosystems (like CUDA) define market dominance, the challenge for new entrants is the "Software Moat." A leader's ability to provide an integrated hardware-software stack is now as critical as the silicon's TFLOPS rating. Geopolitical and Supply Volatility: With one of the most complex supply chains in the world, the GPU pipeline is a high-risk environment. Relying on single-source foundry partners for advanced 3nm/2nm nodes is a strategic vulnerability that requires sophisticated hedging.

Explore the full dataset and strategic forecast: GPU Market: Trends & Forecast to 2035

Strategic Solutions: The Blueprint for Sustained Dominance

To navigate these challenges, leaders must look beyond standard performance benchmarks and employ a multi-layered strategic approach. Here is how specialized intelligence services bridge the gap between silicon breakthroughs and actualized revenue.

Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence: Assessing the NPU and ASIC Threat While GPUs currently dominate AI training, the real value shift is in Inference-Specific NPUs. Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence allows leaders to monitor competitor investments in custom silicon, ensuring your roadmap stays ahead of the "efficiency curve." Granular Research & Custom Insights: Identifying High-Compute Verticals Generic data won't help you navigate the nuances between Autonomous Vehicle Training and Gen-AI Creative Studios. Granular Research identifies specific "pain points"from the latency needs of edge-AI to the massive throughput requirements of scientific research. TAM Expansion Funnel: Finding Growth in the "Edge" With the market expanding toward $773.07 Billion, the "Total Addressable Market" (TAM) is growing as AI capabilities move into mobile and IoT devices. The TAM Expansion Funnel helps leaders identify the "hidden" billions in the AI-PC and on-device intelligence segments. GTM (Go-To-Market) Strategy: Navigating Cloud vs. On-Premise Dominating the hyperscale cloud market requires a different playbook than penetrating the emerging Sovereign AI We craft regionalized GTM Strategies that leverage local data residency laws and national AI initiatives. Regulatory Due Diligence: Mitigating Export Controls As new export restrictions on advanced chips reach the market, Regulatory Due Diligence ensures your product tiers and regional sales strategies align with evolving trade mandates, protecting your brand from geopolitical fallout. Supply Chain Intelligence: Securing HBM and Advanced Packaging The transition to multi-die GPUs increases vulnerability to shortages in High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and CoWoS packaging. Supply Chain Intelligence maps the global landscape for these critical sub-components, ensuring your launch dates are met.

Regional Outlook: Where the Growth Lives

To truly master the GPU Market, one must understand the geographic nuances highlighted in the research:

North America: The Value Leader . As the home of the world's leading AI labs and hyperscalers, this region remains the primary revenue engine for high-end data center GPUs.

The . As the home of the world's leading AI labs and hyperscalers, this region remains the primary revenue engine for high-end data center GPUs. Asia-Pacific: The Fastest-Growing Frontier . Driven by massive investments in domestic chip design in China and the rapid digitalization of India and Southeast Asia, this region is the volume driver for both gaming and enterprise silicon.

The . Driven by massive investments in domestic chip design in China and the rapid digitalization of India and Southeast Asia, this region is the volume driver for both gaming and enterprise silicon. Europe: The Center for "Ethical AI" Computing. Driven by the EU AI Act, the focus here is on energy-efficient computing and privacy-compliant data center architectures.

The Path to 2036

The transition from general-purpose graphics to the backbone of artificial general intelligence is the defining technological trend of the century. For current semiconductor leaders, the path to 2035 is paved with the integration of Advanced Packaging and Optical Interconnects.

By integrating specialized servicesfrom Supply Chain Intelligence to TAM Expansionleaders can ensure they don't just sell a chip, but actively power the future of human intelligence.

Master the $383.62B Shift

In a market defined by hyper-stakes and extreme technical complexity, the difference between leading and lagging is the quality of your strategy.

Don't let the "AI Winter" or supply shocks dictate your growth.

To turn complex semiconductor data into a clear, actionable roadmap for the next decade, or explore the full dataset, Send us an Enquiry.
The global digital landscape is facing a defining challenge. As the volume of unstructured data explodes and the focus shifts from simple automation to cognitive understanding, the Natural Language Processing (NLP) Market has become the frontier of the Generative AI revolution. Moving beyond "keyword matching," the modern enterprise is demanding human-centric contextual intelligence. According to the latest strategic data from Evolve Business Intelligence, this market is on a hyper-growth trajectory, valued at USD 39.02 Billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 523.28 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 25.73%.

For technology leaders, this surge represents a transformative opportunity. Navigating a sector defined by Large Language Models (LLMs) and Multimodal AI requires more than just algorithms; it requires precision intelligence.

Market Dynamics: The Leaders Dilemma

Market leaders today face a unique set of "innovation-bred" problems. When breakthrough models require massive compute and ethical guardrails, the primary challenge is no longer just accuracy; it is scalability and trust.

The Contextual Gap: While market share is dominated by basic chatbots, the shift toward Deep Semantic Understanding requires models that can handle industry-specific jargon and cultural nuances, which remains a global implementation bottleneck. Privacy and Sovereignty Friction: High-value AI models face intense scrutiny regarding data privacy and IP protection. A leaders ability to provide "on-premise" or "private-cloud" NLP solutions is now as critical as the models linguistic fluency. Compute Volatility: With the high cost of training and inferencing LLMs, the NLP pipeline is a high-cost environment. Diversifying into small, efficient, "edge-based" language models is becoming a strategic necessity to hedge against R&D setbacks.

Explore the full dataset and strategic forecast: NLP Market: Trends & Forecast to 2035

Strategic Solutions: The Blueprint for Sustained Dominance

To navigate these challenges, leaders must look beyond standard code and employ a multi-layered strategic approach.

Deep-Dive Competitive Intelligence: Assessing the LLM Pipeline While legacy NLP provides stable revenue, the real value shift is in Generative Pre-trained Transformers. Monitoring competitor investments in specialized training datasets ensures you stay ahead of the capability curve. Granular Research & Custom Insights: Identifying High-Value Verticals Generic data won't help you navigate the nuances between Legal Document Review and Medical Transcription. Granular Research identifies specific "pain points"from the accuracy needs of healthcare to the sentiment analysis requirements of global retail. TAM Expansion Funnel: Finding Growth in Low-Code AI With the market expanding toward $523.28 Billion, the "Total Addressable Market" (TAM) is growing as non-technical enterprises adopt low-code NLP tools. The TAM Expansion Funnel helps leaders identify the "hidden" billions in the SME segment. GTM (Go-To-Market) Strategy: Navigating Regional Linguistic Nuances Dominating the US market requires a different playbook than penetrating the fragmented linguistic landscape of Europe or Asia-Pacific. We craft regionalized GTM Strategies that leverage local language nuances and regionalized AI ethics mandates. Regulatory Due Diligence: Mitigating AI Act Risks As new AI regulations (like the EU AI Act) reach the market, Regulatory Due Diligence ensures your models "explainability" and safety protocols align with evolving mandates, protecting your brand equity. Supply Chain Intelligence: Securing AI Compute Power The transition to complex NLP increases the vulnerability to GPU and cloud-compute shortages. Supply Chain Intelligence maps the global landscape for specialized AI infrastructure, ensuring your deployment remains synchronized.

Regional Outlook: Where the Growth Lives

North America: The Value Leader . High R&D spending and a robust pipeline of world-leading AI labs make this the primary revenue engine for high-cost LLM development.

The . High R&D spending and a robust pipeline of world-leading AI labs make this the primary revenue engine for high-cost LLM development. Asia-Pacific: The Fastest-Growing Frontier . Driven by massive digitalization in China and India and a push for localized language models, this region is the volume driver for mobile-integrated NLP.

The . Driven by massive digitalization in China and India and a push for localized language models, this region is the volume driver for mobile-integrated NLP. Europe: The Center for "Explainable AI." Driven by strong privacy initiatives, the focus here is on multi-modal treatments and harmonizing AI ethics standards.

The Path to 2035

The transition from processing text to understanding human intent is the defining technological trend of the decade. For current tech leaders, the path to 2035 is paved with the integration of Multimodal NLP and Cognitive Computing.

Master the $523.28B Shift

In a market defined by hyper-stakes and technical complexity, the difference between leading and lagging is the quality of your strategy. Don't let algorithmic volatility dictate your growth.

To turn complex AI data into a clear, actionable roadmap for the next decade, or explore the full dataset, Send us an Enquiry.
Food banks and community food organisations in Wales will receive an additional 1 million in funding from the Welsh Government.

The funding brings the total Welsh Government investment in emergency food aid this year to 3.44 million.

Government ministers say the money will help organisations buy, store and distribute food, including surplus supplies as demand continues to rise.

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: The cost of living continues to put pressure on many households across Wales, and the war in the Middle East potentially may drive up prices, adding to the anxiety many people already feel about putting food on the table, paying their bills and heating their homes.

Supporting people through these pressures is a priority for us and we are doing all we can to help those who need support. This additional 1 million will help community organisations and food banks reach more people, as part of the wider work we are undertaking to tackle poverty.

The funding forms part of wider action to help families facing hardship. Between 2022 and 2026 more than over 7bn has been invested in to supporting households through programmes to alleviate financial pressures, help maximise income and to help keep more money in their pockets.

Individuals struggling with daily expenses, managing debt or are unsure what help is available can contact Advicelink Cymru on 0800 702 2020 for free and confidential advice.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
A North Wales MS stepping down after more than two decades of public service has been recognised for his work supporting end-of-life care by representatives from hospices and palliative care organisations from across Wales.

A service was held at Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham for Mark Isherwood, who has has served as a Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd for 23 years. For many years he has chaired the Senedd Cross-Party Group on hospices and palliative care, playing a key role in ensuring the hospice sectors voice is heard within Welsh politics.

During the gathering, leaders from across the hospice sector reflected on Mr Isherwoods support and advocacy for palliative care services and the people who rely on them.

Representatives from Hospices Cymru, Same but Different, STAND North Wales (Stronger Together for Additional Needs and Disabilities) and the Polish Integration Support Centre (PISC), Wrexham, were also in attendance.

Liz Booyse, Chief Executive of City Hospice in Cardiff and Chair of Hospices Cymru, thanked Mr Isherwood for his commitment to the sector.

Mark has been an incredible supporter of hospices across Wales for many years, said Liz.

Through his work in the Senedd and his leadership of the Cross Party Group, he has helped ensure hospices have a strong voice in Parliament. Just as importantly, he has helped patients, families and carers feel that their experiences and needs are truly heard by those making decisions about healthcare in Wales.

Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Hospice UK, also paid tribute to Mr Isherwoods dedication.

Mark has been an advocate for Welsh hospices for many years, long before palliative care became a prominent topic in the media, he said.

Throughout his time as an MS he has consistently championed the vital role hospices play in our communities, fighting for sustainable funding and ensuring that the needs of hospice patients and families are represented at the highest level.

Responding to the tributes, Mr Isherwood said it had been a privilege to work alongside hospices and palliative care organisations across Wales.

Mr Isherwood said: It has been an honour to support the hospice movement during my time in the Senedd.

I have always been inspired by the determination, compassion and professionalism shown by hospice staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to support people at the most difficult times in their lives.

Hospices play an essential role in communities across Wales, and I have greatly valued the opportunity to work with such dedicated organisations.

Mr Isherwood also confirmed that although he is retiring from the Senedd, he intends to continue supporting hospices on a voluntary basis, maintaining his connection with a sector he has long championed.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Over 5,500 people have now backed a petition calling for the revival of a direct rail service between Wrexham and London Euston.

Politicians from both sides of the Wales/England border have backed the proposals, which operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) believes will generate around 9 million in additional revenue for Wrexham, North Wales and the Midlands.

Popular support for the restoration of the service  which stopped two years ago  is now building after a delegation of councillors, MPs and business leaders visited Downing Street last month to appeal for Prime Minister Keir Starmers backing.

Leading calls for people to back the petition, Wrexham County Borough Councils Deputy Leader Cllr David Bithell said: There are now over 5,000 signatures on Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckleys petition following the lobby to Number 10.

People support a direct rail link between Wrexham and London Euston. It would bring up to four direct trains a day in each direction, 50 new jobs and over 9 million to the local economy, boosting tourism and business connections.

Anyone who wants to support the plans can find the petition  Restore direct trains to London from Wrexham, Shropshire and the Midlands  at change.org.

For too many years, North Wales and Shropshire have been disconnected from our nations capital, said Mrs Buckley. This is bad for business, bad for communities and bad for economic growth.

Last year, the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway proposed righting this, by asking the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for permission to run direct trains from Wrexham, through Shrewsbury and into London Euston.





Unfortunately, this was not approved due to capacity constraints on the West Coast Mainline.

WSMR has now submitted a revised proposal. The resubmitted bid aims to make better use of existing rail capacity and deliver improved, more convenient travel options for passengers travelling between Wrexham, Shrewsbury, the Midlands and London.

These improvements would support economic growth and increase access to jobs, education, health facilities and leisure opportunities.

The ORR is due to make its decision on the revised application in late April 2026.





By Alec Doyle  BBC Local Democracy Reporter

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
(Updated  full letter from Welsh Government below)

The Local Development Plan saga appears to be heading to a close, with the plan due to be formally killed off by the end of the week.

Significantly this will mean the planning limbo should end in Wrexham, where the decision to adopt the LDP was quashed, but the document lived on as a zombie evidence base in the planning process.

Today Wrexham Council have said, Wrexham Council can confirm that it has this week received confirmation from Welsh Government that it must withdraw its Local Development Plan.

The council is now taking the necessary steps to enact this direction by 5pm on Friday, March 20 and will consider the full implications in due course.

Chief Executive Alwyn Jones said: We are grateful to receive this confirmation from Welsh Government and will now work hard to submit a new delivery plan for agreement by September for the delivery of a new Local Development Plan.

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: Im extremely pleased that a decision has been made, and Id like to thank the Minister for Economy, Energy and Planning  Rebecca Evans MS  for making this decision.

From the start of this journey I always felt that common sense would prevail and the outcome would be what has been announced today.

Id like to thank everyone who has been on this extremely difficult journey with us to ensure that the democratic process was followed and respected.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection, said: I welcome the decision of Welsh Government to respect the democratic decision of Wrexham Council.

This will now give us the opportunity to develop a new plan which will more accurately reflect the needs of the people of Wrexham, to develop affordable homes, to protect green belt and to avoid building on land liable to flood.

The direction settles a question that has hung over Wrexhams planning system for months. Since the High Court quashed the adoption decision in May 2025, the LDP had existed in a legal grey area. Its adoption had been reversed, but the plan itself had not been formally withdrawn. Planning officers were still referencing the unadopted LDPs evidence base when assessing applications, drawing criticism from councillors and members of the public.

Recently at a planning committee meeting at the Guildhall, Cllr Marc Jones described the situation as incredibly frustrating and said it was really disappointing that Welsh Government hasnt acted more promptly, given that our decision was made back in July 2025.

The formal withdrawal removes the LDP entirely. The plans policies, site allocations and evidence base will no longer form part of any planning framework.

The withdrawal raises questions about planning decisions made while the LDP was in force or while its evidence base was being used to justify departures from the older Unitary Development Plan.

Between its adoption in December 2023 and the quashing in May 2025, the LDP was the formal development plan for Wrexham. Planning applications were determined against its policies. After the quashing, officers continued to treat the unadopted LDPs evidence as carrying weight, with applications allowed for developments that did not conform with UDP policies on the basis that LDP evidence was considered to carry sufficient weight to justify departure.

Now that the plan is being withdrawn in its entirety, the basis on which some of those decisions were reached no longer exists. Whether any approved or built developments face challenge as a result is unclear. In the above statement the council said it would consider the full implications in due course, which could include if further legal actions are possible.

Wrexham Council must now prepare a new LDP  a third go at it as the first was withdrawn in 2012 after an inspector raised fundamental concerns over housing numbers. The councils Chief Exec said the council would submit a delivery plan for agreement by September  however the actual process of preparing, consulting on, examining and adopting a replacement plan typically takes several years and the fundamental issues that created the issues on LDP1 and LDP2 may still need resolving.

In the meantime, the county borough will rely in part on the Unitary Development Plan 1996-2011, which is more than 20 years old and which officers have described as containing outdated information.

We have had a copy of the letter from Welsh Government to Wrexham Council passed to us:

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
SAN DIEGO, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers of NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) Class A common stock between May 13, 2025 and November 6, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Monday, April 20, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the NuScale class action lawsuit. Captioned Truedson v. NuScale Power Corporation, No. 26-cv-00328 (D. Or.), the NuScale class action lawsuit charges NuScale, certain NuScale top executive officers, as well as Fluor Corporation with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the NuScale class action lawsuit, please provide your information here:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-nuscale-power-class-action-lawsuit-smr.html

You can also contact attorney J.C. Sanchez of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected].

CASE ALLEGATIONS: NuScale's core technology, the NuScale Power Module ("NPM"), is a small modular nuclear reactor designed to generate energy within a broader power plant. Prior to the start of the Class Period, NuScale entered into a global commercialization partnership with ENTRA1 Energy LLC and NuScale and its executives claimed that this critical partnership would allow NuScale to take its NPM technology from the development stage to deployment. NuScale's reliance on ENTRA1 as an exclusive commercialization partner appeared to be validated when, on September 2, 2025, ENTRA1 and the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") jointly announced an agreement to develop power plants to provide the TVA with up to six gigawatts of new nuclear power generation.

However, the NuScale class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) 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; (ii) NuScale had entrusted its commercialization, distribution, and deployment of its NPMs 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; (iii) 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 (iv) as a result, NuScale's commercialization strategy was exposed to material, undisclosed risks of failure, delays, regulatory challenges, or other negative setbacks.

The NuScale investor class action further alleges that on November 6, 2025 NuScale revealed that NuScale'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. During the corresponding conference call, analysts pressed NuScale management regarding whether ENTRA1 was sufficiently experienced to own and operate the energy generation facilities contemplated by the TVA agreement. NuScale's CEO, defendant John L. Hopkins, further revealed during the call that the agreement between ENTRA1 and TVA contemplated as many as 72 NPMs, meaning NuScale's milestone payments to ENTRA1 could potentially exceed more than $3 billion. On this news, the price of NuScale Class A shares declined more than 12% over a two-day trading period.

The plaintiff is represented by Robbins Geller, which has extensive experience in prosecuting investor class actions including actions involving financial fraud. You can view a copy of the complaint by clicking here.

THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased NuScale Class A common stock during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the NuScale class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the NuScale class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the NuScale class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery of the NuScale class action lawsuit is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder rights litigation. Our Firm ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report, recovering more than $916 million for investors in 2025. This marks our fourth #1 ranking in the past five years. And in those five years alone, Robbins Geller recovered $8.4 billion for investors  $3.4 billion more than any other law firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever  $7.2 billion  in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information:

https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.

Contact:



Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

J.C. Sanchez

655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101

800-449-4900

[email protected]

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
The Nevada Congressional District 2 seat, which serves most of northern Nevada, has 27 candidates looking to fill the role being left behind by Mark Amodei.

Congressman Amodei made the surprise announcement that he was retiring earlier this year.

As we've reported, when Amodei first announced his retirement, many thought either former Nevada Senate nominee Sam Brown or attorney Joey Gilbert were going to enter, but both declined.

"We actually are going to get real engagement," said Greg Kidd, a wealthy entrepreneur running for CD2. "We might have a surprisingly high turnout come November."

CD2 was born after the 1982 election. Since then, only four people have held the seat, all of whom were Republican.

Greg Kidd, who ran against Amodei as a nonpartisan in 2024, lost by 19 points.

This time around, he's running as a Democrat and thinks this is the best chance to flip the seat.

"Because I'm not from the Democratic establishment, I think there's a good chance that I'm the strongest candidate to have that cross appeal and flip this seat," Kidd said.

Former Democratic Nevada legislator Teresa Benitez-Thompson, who is also running, believes change is on the horizon.

"It is time for change, and I think from our Nevada soil to our Nevada sky, people are feeling that change," she said. "It is in the air. It's time to have a different conversation, and it's time for different leadership."

Both Kidd and Benitez-Thompson say affordability is a top priority.

One of the more prominent Republicans running is James Settelmeyer.

He was in the Nevada Legislature for 16 years. The former state senate leader says he thinks Amodei did a good job, but thinks he can fit in seamlessly.

"We each have a different knowledge set," he said. "And you can look at that when I replaced him, per se, in the state Senate, when he was term-limited out and decided to run for Congress."

Settelmeyer was appointed as the Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a role he announced he was stepping down from on Monday.

He says his past legislative record proves that he can work across the aisle and wants to do the same in Congress.

Two of his priorities are protecting water resources and helping rural economies.

For a full list of the 27 candidates, click here.
Names The Variable as Lead Creative Agency and Acadia as Lead Media Agency, While Continuing Public Relations Partnership with Gear Communications to Drive Demand for Pit Boss, Charbroil and Oklahoma Joe's

COLUMBUS, Ga., March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Outdoor Brands, LLC today announced an expanded agency model to support the next phase of growth across its Outdoor Cooking portfolio, including Pit Boss, Charbroil, and Oklahoma Joe's. Following a formal agency review process, Outdoor Brands, LLC has appointed The Variable as Lead Creative Agency and Acadia as Lead Media Agency for the 2026 season, while continuing its public relations partnership with Gear Communications, agency of record since January 2025.

These investments reflect Outdoor Brands' commitment to building awareness, preference and conversion in today's modern retail landscape, where creative storytelling, performance media and earned visibility must operate in alignment to drive measurable results across both in-store and online channels.

"Outdoor cooking is evolving quickly, and our brands are growing with it," said Thomas A. Penner, Group President, Outdoor Brands LLC. "We saw an opportunity to elevate how we show up in the market by aligning creative, media and earned communications into a unified system designed to drive consumer demand and deliver value for our retail partners."

The Variable will lead modern creative development focused on building top-of-funnel awareness and accelerating retail conversion heading into the 2026 grilling season. Initial priorities include bringing Charbroil's 3-in-1 platform to life and advancing Pit Boss' next phase of brand evolution.

Acadia will oversee full-funnel media strategy and investment across national, digital, DTC and retail media networks including Amazon, Walmart, The Home Depot and Lowe's, ensuring media efforts are optimized to connect awareness directly to performance and measurable sell-through.

Gear Communications will continue leading earned media strategy, product visibility and innovation storytelling to strengthen brand credibility and amplify momentum across the portfolio.

Together, the integrated model is structured around one objective: accelerating consumer demand and retail growth across the Outdoor Brands portfolio as the company enters the 2026 grilling season.

About Outdoor Brands, LLC

Outdoor Brands, LLC is the outdoor cooking division of the W.C. Bradley Co., serving as the parent business entity for Charbroil, Pit Boss, and Oklahoma Joe's. Building on a legacy that dates back to 1948 when the W.C. Bradley Co. introduced the original charcoal grill under the Charbroil name, Outdoor Brands, LLC was created to bring together a portfolio of category-leading brands under a shared operational and strategic structure, while maintaining each brand's unique identity and consumer voice. With a focus on innovation, performance, and elevating the outdoor lifestyle experience, Outdoor Brands, LLC is committed to creating disruptive value through amazing experiences and delivering Amazing Solutions. Every Day.

MEDIA CONTACT: Colleen Neuberger

Gear Communications

[email protected]

617-852-2060

SOURCE Outdoor Brands, LLC
BOSTON, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pentera, the market leader in AI-powered Security Validation, has earned a 5-Star rating in the 2026 Partner Program Guide from CRN, a brand of The Channel Company. Earning this distinction underscores the strength, maturity, and performance of Pentera's global partner ecosystem.

Pentera runs an enhanced global partner program, offering its channel partners a lucrative and systematic approach to creating, managing, and growing sales opportunities. The program covers North America, EMEA, and APAC, and is designed to accelerate partners' pipeline generation and customer value through:

In-person and online sales and technical workshops,

Advanced technical certifications

A digital resource portal with all the assets partners need to run full campaigns

Access to demo and lab environments and PoV licenses

Performance-based incentives for new logo acquisition and subscription growth

Cloud-specific training and AWS Marketplace availability

"This recognition is a direct reflection of our partners' success and the value we deliver together in the marketplace," said Peter Rodriguez, AVP Channel Management at Pentera. "It speaks to our commitment to support our partner's business and long-term growth. We give our partners the training, resources, and incentives they need to generate demand, win new business, and grow customer relationships with confidence."

"Being included in the 2026 CRN Partner Program Guide reflects how today's technology vendors are rethinking their partner programs to keep pace with a rapidly evolving channel," said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. "As solution providers navigate new customer demands, business models and technologies, this annual guide serves as a critical resource for identifying vendors that are investing in programs designed to drive long-term growth and shared success. The guide delivers meaningful insight into what sets each partner program apart, helping solution providers make confident, strategic partnership decisions."

The 2026 Partner Program Guide is published online at www.CRN.com/PPG

About Pentera

Pentera is the market leader in AI-powered Security Validation, equipping enterprises with the platform to proactively test all their cybersecurity controls against the latest cyber attacks. Pentera identifies true risk across the entire attack surface, and automatically orchestrates remediation workflows to effectively reduce exposure. The company's security validation capabilities are essential for Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) operations. Thousands of security professionals around the world trust Pentera to close security gaps before threat actors can exploit them.

For more information, visit: pentera.io

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.

Follow The Channel Company: LinkedIn, X, and Facebook

 2026 The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Pentera


IDENBURG PROJECT- UKLUPL (ENVIRONMENTAL) APPROVAL GRANTED

Brisbane, Mar 17, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Far East Gold Limited ( ASX:FEG ) ( FEGDF:OTCMKTS ) announced that on 11 March 2026 the Idenburg Gold Project received environmental approval for advanced exploration activities.



This landmark approval removes a key regulatory hurdle and allows FEG to accelerate drilling within its priority strategic corridor - marking the first time the Indonesian Government has granted such authority over this highly prospective area.



Supported by historical high-grade gold results and recent drilling success, Idenburg continues to demonstrate the scale and grade potential to emerge as one of South-East Asia's most compelling gold development opportunities.



HIGHLIGHTS:



- By Decree dated 11 March 2026 the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia granted the "Approval of the Environmental Management Ability Statement of the Gold and its Associated Mineral Exploration Activities" in the Idenburg Project's Contract of Work area.



- The Upaya Pengelolaan Lingkungan - Upaya Pemantauan Lingkungan (UKL-UPL) is approval by the Indonesian Government of the Company's planned Environmental Management Efforts (UKL) and Environmental Montioring Efforts (UPL). The approval includes the Company undertaking exploration covering an area of 8,950-ha within the Idenburg Project's tenement.



- The 8,950-ha area that is the subject of the environmental approval covers the Idenburg's Project's core development corridor.



- Environmental approval for advanced exploration unlocks the pathway to, operational licensing and future mine development.



- Alongside the UKL-UPL, the Company is parallel-tracking its forestry permits, having lodged the Governor Recommendation application on 15 December 2025. This recommendation is a mandatory prerequisite to formally apply for the Persetujuan Penggunaan Kawasan Hutan (PPKH) (or "Borrow-Use") for the approved area contained in the UKL UPL with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Securing this regional endorsement is the final step required to lodge the PPKH and will allow the Company to continue its pathway to development of the Idenburg project.



Managing Director & CEO Shane Menere commented: "Securing UKLUPL approval across more than 8,950 hectares at our flagship Idenburg Project marks a major inflection point for Far East Gold. With this key regulatory milestone now cleared, we can accelerate toward development with confidence. This approval strengthens our foothold in one of the world's most prospective gold provinces and is a crucial step to creating a successful pathway to development at Idenburg.



CEO, Shane Menere has released a video discussing this announcement. Watch the video on our investor hub here:

https://fareast.gold/link/e9Qxoe



About Idenburg Gold Project



The Idenburg Project covers 95,280 ha under a 6th Generation CoW (Contract of Work), strategically located in the same province as world-class gold and copper deposits such as Grasberg mine (+70 Moz Au), Porgera Gold Mine (+7 Moz Au), Frieda River (20 Moz Au) and Ok Tedi Mine (20 Moz Au).



The Idenburg Project has a 2012 JORC MRE Resource: 540,000 oz Au at 4.1 g/t and 468,000 oz Ag at 3.6 g/t. This JORC resource is from only 3 of the total 29 prospects identified. The total includes 14 high priority structural targets defined by satellite imagery. Drilling program is continuing into a Resource Expansion program at Sua and the Company has engaged SMG consulting to update the 2012 JORC MRE from recently completed holes KSD023 to KSD035 at the Sua Prospect.



The project has direct access to infrastructure via the Trans-Papuan Highway, enhancing logistical efficiency for development. The Idenburg Project is strategically positioned within one of the world's most prolific gold and copper belts. Its large, underexplored landholding combined with an existing high-grade JORC resource and improving regulatory environment provides FEG with a clear pathway to value creation.



*To view mineral estimates, tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/E0Y04N3B





About Far East Gold Ltd





Far East Gold Ltd (ASX:FEG) (OTCMKTS:FEGDF) is an Australian junior exploration company led by some of the biggest names in Australian mining. The company has secured the commercial rights for the acquisition, exploration and development of six advanced gold and copper projects in Indonesia and Australia. The Company is underpinned by combined JORC resources of 1.54Moz gold and 190Mlb copper, with ongoing drill programs aiming to significantly increase these resources.

Related Companies


Operational Update

Sydney, Mar 17, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Litchfield Minerals Limited ( ASX:LMS ) ( ZC9:FRA ) announced the appointment of Mr Matt McGloin, who will join Litchfield Minerals full-time and assume the role of Senior Exploration Geologist at the end of March 2026.



Matt is regarded as one of the few geologists with extensive expertise across the Aileron and Irindina Provinces of the Northern Territory. He previously spent over five years with the Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS), where he worked on multiple research programs focused on the geological architecture and mineral systems of these provinces.



Following his time at the NTGS, Matt joined IGO Limited where he spent approximately seven years working across a range of exploration projects throughout the Northern Territory. During this time, he held the role of Exploration Project Lead on several programs focused on frontier exploration across the Aileron-Irindina terranes.



Given Matt's extensive experience in the Northern Territory, Litchfield considers his appointment to significantly strengthen the Company's technical capability as it continues to advance exploration across Oonagalabi. His detailed knowledge of the regional geology, combined with his experience designing and executing exploration programs in the region, positions the Company strongly as it continues to progress its exploration strategy.



The Company looks forward to Matt joining the team and contributing to the next phase of exploration at Litchfield's projects.



Litchfield Minerals also advises that Mr Russell Dow made a personal decision to resign from his role as Exploration Manager, effective Sunday, 15 April. The Company thanks Russell for his contribution during his time with Litchfield Minerals and wishes him well in his future endeavours.



Managing Director Matthew Pustahya commented:



"While the pace of news flow to the market has slowed slightly due to operational challenges and weather disruptions, the pace of exploration on the ground has remained extremely strong. Remember, it is still only March, and the team has already completed a significant amount of work this field season across Oonagalabi, Silver Valley and Lucy Creek, placing the Company well ahead of much of the exploration market operating across Northern and Central Australia.



We are also very pleased to welcome Matt McGloin to the team. Matt is a highly experienced geologist with deep expertise across the Aileron and Irindina Provinces, and his knowledge of the regional geology will be extremely valuable as we continue to advance exploration across our projects.



Drilling has now been completed across multiple targets at Oonagalabi including Bomb-Diggity and the Main Zone, while logging, cutting and sampling across several holes has been progressing steadily as access conditions improve. In addition, the team has continued advancing the project through the construction of multiple new drill pads across VT1, VT2 and the Main Zone in preparation for the next phase of drilling.



We are particularly pleased to have finally completed construction of the drill pads at VT1, which will allow us to test the strong up to 3000Siemens electromagnetic conductors which represent some of the most compelling geophysical features identified across the project area.



At the Main Zone, the next phase of drilling is designed to test potential strike and depth continuity of mineralisation beyond the currently defined footprint. We are also highly intrigued by several chargeability anomalies identified at VT2, which will be tested as part of the upcoming RC drilling phase".



Oonagalabi Drilling Update



Litchfield Minerals Limited provides the following update on drilling activities currently underway at the Oonagalabi Project in the Harts Range, Northern Territory.



To date, four drill holes have been completed, comprising three diamond drill holes and one RC hole.



Bomb-Diggity target - Two holes have been completed. These include one diamond drill hole completed to a depth of 800 metres and one RC hole completed to 364 metres.



Oonagalabi Main Zone Magnetic target - The Company has completed a 300-metre diamond drill hole designed to test a magnetic feature identified within the Main Zone.



A further diamond hole has also been completed to a depth of 118 metres targeting the previously drilled RC hole OGRC002, which intersected 15 metres of gold mineralisation during the Company's maiden drilling campaign.



Following the recent transition in the Company's Exploration Manager and Competent Person roles, detailed geological commentary on these holes will be provided once the new Competent Person has been formally appointed.



Oonagalabi Operations



Litchfield acknowledges that the flow of exploration updates has been slower than usual. Since drilling commenced, the Company has encountered several operational challenges, including significant rainfall events which resulted in temporary abandonment, station closures, road closures and boggy tracks leading to delays to drilling operations.



These delays with access into the site have had a cascading effect on logging, cutting and sampling workflows. The Company has been working through this backlog, and progress is being made across the drilling program.



At present:



- Logging, cutting and sampling of the Bomb-Diggity diamond hole have now been completed, and the samples have been dispatched for assay.



- The Main Zone diamond hole targeting the magnetic feature has also been fully logged, cut and sampled, with the samples dispatched for assay.



- The RC hole at Bomb-Diggity has been logged and sampling is scheduled to commence over the weekend.



- The diamond hole targeting the magnetic gold zone (replicating OGRC0021) was completed yesterday.



Logging is expected to be completed within the next two days, with sampling and cutting to follow shortly thereafter.



Oonagalabi Earthmoving



Over the past few days, the team has successfully constructed six drill pads, placing the project in a strong position as soon as a suitable drilling rig and crew become available.



VT1



Two large drill pads have now been constructed at the VT1 target. Importantly, the size and accessibility of these pads means that a track-mounted rig is unlikely to be required to test the two planned holes. This represents a positive outcome and removes one of the key constraints that had previously contributed to delays at this target.



Main Zone



One additional drill pad has been constructed to the North of the Main Zone. This pad is designed to test potential extensions of mineralisation to the north, with drilling planned to investigate a strike extension of approximately 400-500 metres beyond the currently defined mineralised area.



VT2



Three new drill pads have been established at the VT2 target. Two of these pads are positioned to test separate induced polarisation (IP) anomalies that coincide with the VT2 EM conductors. A further pad has been constructed to test a potential down-dip and strike extension of the conductor itself.



Update on other projects and what's next.



Oonagalabi



The Company is actively working to secure a Schramm 450 RC rig, which is considered the most suitable rig size to continue the next phase 3 RC drilling at Oonagalabi (Figure 1*). The Company has several strong leads, and we expect that the current drilling availability issues will be resolved by the end of the week.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/599B6M6O





About Litchfield Minerals Limited





Litchfield Minerals Limited (ASX:LMS) is a critical mineral explorer, primarily searching for base metals and uranium out of the Northern Territory of Australia. Our mission is to be a pioneering copper exploration company committed to delivering cost-effective, innovative and sustainable exploration solutions.

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A Quiet Place Part III cast revealed: Emily Blunt returns with Cillian Murphy and new talent. Discover who's back for the next chapter of horror.

AceShowbiz - The highly anticipated A Quiet Place Part III has officially revealed its cast, reuniting familiar faces and introducing new talent to the suspenseful horror franchise. Following a six-year gap since the release of Part II and two years after the standalone prequel, fans are eager to see how the story unfolds with both returning and fresh characters.

Emily Blunt returns as Evelyn Abbott, reprising her role from the previous installments alongside Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe, who portray her children Regan and Marcus. This core family unit remains central to the narrative as they navigate the perilous world dominated by sound-sensitive monsters. Director and writer John Krasinski confirmed these cast members in a social media announcement on Monday.

Joining them again is Cillian Murphy, who plays Emmett, a survivor introduced in Part II. His return marks a key continuity point, bridging the previous films with the upcoming chapter.

The third installment also welcomes several newcomers. Notably, Jack O'Connell will join the cast, continuing his work in the horror genre following his recent roles in the Oscar-winning film Sinners and the sequel to 28 Years Later, titled The Bone Temple. Interestingly, this reunion connects O'Connell and Murphy, who both appeared in The Bone Temple, though they did not share scenes.

Additional cast additions include Katy O'Brian, known for her roles in various Paramount productions such as Twisters, The Running Man, and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and Jason Clarke, who recently featured in Murdaugh: Death in the Family. Their involvement signals an expansion of the character ensemble and potentially new narrative arcs.

John Krasinski, who directed and wrote the previous films, returns to helm A Quiet Place Part III and has expressed his excitement about blending the returning cast with fresh faces. He also reiterated the films scheduled release date of July 30, 2027, building anticipation for audiences eager to experience the next chapter.

Though Krasinskis character Lee Abbott died in the first film, he returned briefly in a flashback sequence in Part II. Whether he will appear again in Part III remains uncertain, as the story continues to evolve around the Abbott family and their fight for survival.

At the end of Part II, the Abbott family had allied with Emmett and uncovered a vital discovery: an audio signal capable of incapacitating the monsters. Regan utilized this signal to broadcast from a radio tower, offering hope to other survivors by turning the creatures weakness into a weapon. This breakthrough set the stage for new possibilities in the franchises dystopian world.

Beyond the films, the A Quiet Place universe has expanded through a video game titled The Road Ahead and a comic book series called Storm Warning, enriching the storyline and engaging fans across multiple platforms.

As A Quiet Place Part III moves forward with a blend of beloved characters and intriguing new additions, audiences can expect a continuation of the tense, sound-sensitive horror that has defined the series, combined with fresh dynamics and narrative developments.
Contributing to improved recognition precision with high image quality in high-contrast environments and dark scenes

ATSUGI, Japan, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony) today announced the upcoming release of the IMX908, a 4K CMOS image sensor for security cameras with the industry's smallest*1 1.45 m LOFIC*2 pixels.

IMX908 CMOS image sensor Left: Single exposure imaging on a conventional product*4, Right: Single exposure imaging on IMX908 Left: Multiple exposure imaging on a conventional product*4(artifacts observed), Right: Single exposure imaging on IMX908 (fewer artifacts)

The new sensor uses the newly developed LOFIC pixels to achieve 96 dB high dynamic range imaging at 4K resolution with a single exposure. Building on this, improved low-light performance delivers high-quality imaging with reduced highlight blowout, loss of shadow detail, and noise in both high contrast environments and dark locations compared to conventional products.

The new sensor will expand SSS's lineup of products with both high-resolution and high dynamic range for security camera applications, which require high-precision image recognition in a wide range of indoor and outdoor environments, thereby contributing to a safer and more secure society.

*1 Among CMOS image sensors for security camera applications. According to Sony research (as of announcement on March 17, 2026). *2 Lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC).

Model name Sample shipment date

(planned) IMX908 1/2.8-type (6.42 mm diagonal)

8.4-effective-megapixel*3 CMOS image sensor End of March 2026

*3 Based on the image sensor effective pixel specification method.

Main Features

 Compact design and 4K resolution thanks to the industry's smallest*1 1.45 m LOFIC pixels

The new sensor is equipped with newly developed LOFIC pixels. The LOFIC structure offers more efficient charge accumulation and voltage conversion than conventional products, contributing to increased sensor saturation charge and improved low-light performance. The structure also enables the industry's smallest*1 1.45 m single pixels, delivering 4K resolution imaging on a compact 1/2.8-type sensor.

 High image quality in high-contrast environments and dark locations made possible by a high dynamic range of 96 dB

By expanding the amount of saturated charge to nearly 20x that of conventional products,*4 the new sensor can accumulate more charge, enabling reduced highlight blowout when shooting under strong light sources. It can also convert voltage from less light, with an approximately 27% improvement in low-light performance*5 compared to conventional, *4 reducing loss of shadow details and suppressing noise when shooting in dark locations. These improvements expand the single exposure dynamic range to 96 dB, enabling high-quality and high-sensitivity imaging even in high-contrast and dark environments.

*4 Compared to the IMX778 1/2.8-type, 8.45-effective-megapixel image sensor for security cameras. *5 Based on SNR1s, Sony's proprietary low light image quality index for security camera CMOS image sensors.

 High-definition imaging with fewer artifacts thanks to the single exposure method

The new sensor achieves a high dynamic range with the single exposure method. Unlike the multiple exposure method, which composites multiple images captured at different exposure settings, the single exposure method reduces artifacts and supports highspeed output. This results in stable, high-definition imaging with less outline and color shifting, which tend to hinder AI image recognition, thereby contributing to improved recognition accuracy, even of moving subjects. This product can also support output image data generated with different conversion efficiency levels, offering more flexible options in camera design.

Related Links

IMX908 product page

https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/products/is/security/security/IMX908.html

Sony security camera image sensor technology STARVIS information

https://www.sony-semicon.com/en/technology/security/index.html

Note: STARVIS, STARVIS 3, and their logos are the registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliated companies.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2931353/image_5053442_20325436.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2931434/release_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2931433/release_2.jpg
Sean Penn skips 2026 Oscars win, accepts Best Supporting Actor award from Ukraine while meeting with President Zelenskyy.

AceShowbiz - Sean Penn made headlines by choosing not to attend the 2026 Oscars ceremony despite winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Colonel Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. Instead of celebrating on the red carpet, Sean Penn traveled to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to supporting the country amid conflict.

The actors absence at the Academy Awards was explained during the ceremony by last years winner, Kieran Culkin, who stated, "Sean Penn couldn't be here this evening, or didn't want to, so I'll be accepting the award on his behalf." According to a report by Variety, Sean Penn prioritized a diplomatic visit with Zelenskyy over attending Hollywoods biggest night. The Ukrainian president shared a photo of their meeting on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude: "Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today."

Sean Penns win for One Battle After Another marks his third Oscar victory, having previously won Best Actor for Mystic River (2003) and Milk (2008). Unlike his earlier wins, however, he did not attend this latest ceremony, joining the ranks of actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson, and Walter Brennan, who have secured three Oscars each. Notably, Sean Penn has also been nominated for Oscars for his roles in Dead Man Walking (1995), Sweet and Lowdown (1999), and I Am Sam (2001), all ceremonies he skipped as well.

His strong stance on Ukraine has been evident for years. Sean Penn openly criticized the Oscars in 2022 when President Zelenskyy was not invited to attend the ceremony shortly after the Russian invasion began. In a bold statement, Sean Penn contemplated melting down his Oscar statuettes to create bullets for Ukraines defense, saying, "I'll give them to Ukraine. They can be melted down to bullets they can shoot at the Russians." Although he later clarified he did not actually melt the awards, he gifted the Oscar he won for Mystic River to Zelenskyy, encouraging the president to keep it safe until the conflict ends.

Beyond his advocacy, Sean Penn created the 2023 documentary Superpower, which chronicles his seven trips to Ukraine before and after the invasion. His dedication was recognized by the Ukrainian government, which awarded him the Order of Merit, third class, honoring his significant efforts to raise awareness about Ukraine worldwide.

The film One Battle After Another also saw widespread acclaim, securing six Oscars in total, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and the inaugural award for Best Casting. While Sean Penns absence was noticeable, the films success was undeniable.

The 98th Academy Awards took place on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, broadcast on ABC and hosted by Conan OBrien. The Oscars continue to be the film industrys most prestigious event, honoring outstanding achievements in artistic and technical fields since their inception in 1929.
SNL UK premieres March 21 with host Tina Fey. See Jamie Dornan, Riz Ahmed & a fresh British cast bring the iconic sketch show across the Atlantic.

AceShowbiz - Sky has announced the first guest hosts for the upcoming Saturday Night Live UK, featuring notable names including the SNL alum Tina Fey.

Tina Fey will kick off the UK adaptation by hosting the premiere episode on March 21, with musical guest Wet Leg. The series is set to bring the iconic late-night sketch format across the Atlantic with a fresh British spin.

The following week, on March 28, Jamie Dornan will take on hosting duties alongside musical guest Wolf Alice. Then, on April 2, Riz Ahmed will host the third episode, which will include a performance by Kasabian.

The cast of Saturday Night Live UK features a diverse lineup of comedians including Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.

The new series will air on Sky One in the United Kingdom, with episodes available in the United States on Peacock the day after their UK broadcast. Sky has commissioned six episodes total, aiming to replicate the successful format of the original U.S. show.

Lorne Michaels, creator of the original Saturday Night Live, has been actively involved in developing the UK version, spending time in the writers' room to help shape the series. The production is a collaboration between Universal Television Alternative Studios UK team and Michaels Broadway Video.

Lorne Michaels serves as executive producer, with James Longman as lead producer, Liz Clare directing, and Daran Jonno Johnson heading the writing team. The project was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Sky Commissioning Executive Lisa Clark, and Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer for Sky.

Universal Television Alternative Studios UK is managed by Helen Kruger Bratt, with Shanna Baynard as executive in charge of production. Andy Charles Smith is the lead producer for UTAS UK Productions, supported by production executive Sam Salter.

This launch of Saturday Night Live UK marks a significant expansion of the iconic American series into new territory, bringing a blend of British comedy talent and international stars to the late-night sketch format.
David Tennant returns as the Tenth Doctor in 15 new audio adventures from Big Finish. Hear brand-new stories starting summer 2024.

AceShowbiz - Doctor Who fans have exciting news as the beloved Tenth Doctor, portrayed by David Tennant, is set to return in a series of new audio adventures. This announcement comes from Big Finish Productions, a company well-known for reviving classic characters and stories from the expansive Doctor Who universe through full-cast audio dramas.

David Tennant first captivated audiences as the Tenth Doctor, sharing the screen with Billie Pipers Rose Tyler. After his initial run, Tennant returned to the franchise as the Fourteenth Doctor, leading the 60th Anniversary Specials alongside Catherine Tates Donna Noble. Now, fans will get to hear more of Tennants iconic Tenth Doctor through a fresh batch of new stories released as audio dramas.

Big Finish Productions has announced that there will be 15 brand-new, hour-long audio episodes featuring Tennants Tenth Doctor. These adventures will begin rolling out starting in the summer of 2027. The first 12 episodes will be released bimonthly, ensuring a steady stream of new content for fans eager to revisit this era of the show.

Additionally, there will be a special three-episode box set where the Tenth Doctor teams up with other incarnations of the Time Lord, although the release date for this set has yet to be confirmed. Tennant expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the role, humorously remarking, "Big Finish makes it dangerously easy - you turn up, have a lovely time, and suddenly you've saved the universe again."

Big Finish has a long-standing history of producing high-quality audio dramas that expand the stories of Doctor Who beyond the television screen. Their collaborations with former cast members, including companions, have been warmly received by fans worldwide. The companys creative director, Nicholas Briggs, shared insights about bringing Tennant back: "We're always on the look-out for David to return. He is such a busy, in-demand actor, sometimes it's just not possible for him to find the time to come to the studio. But we're always ready and waiting with new stories to tell and now he's back and we're loving every minute of it. Get ready for a rollercoaster ride during these new adventures. They're fast, funny, scary audio dramas with surprises from the very first episode."

During a recent panel at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, moderated by Colliders Maggie Lovitt, several former companions discussed their experiences returning to their Doctor Who roles in the audio format. Billie Piper, who played Rose Tyler, noted how reconnecting with the character felt like a kind of muscle memory: "At first, I think I get really nervous about how I'm gonna revert to, you know, my 21-year-old self. When you're in the room with everyone, it's just a sort of weird muscle memory that comes back. It's just a nice way to connect with everyone, you know, I'm really grateful for them."

While specifics about the new Tenth Doctor adventures remain under wraps, the involvement of former companions or other characters is still a possibility since Big Finish productions often incorporate familiar faces from the shows past. This flexibility keeps the door open for many exciting narrative directions.

The upcoming release schedule and pre-order availability for these new audio dramas have been confirmed by Big Finish. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to Doctor Who news outlets like Collider for the latest updates and announcements as the release approaches.

Since his initial appearance, David Tennant has become synonymous with the Tenth Doctor, embodying the character in a way that resonates deeply with fans across generations. This return to the role through audio adventures offers a fresh yet nostalgic way to experience the Time Lords escapades. With 15 new hours of content planned, the legacy of the Tenth Doctor continues to thrive beyond television.

As the summer of 2027 approaches, anticipation grows for these new stories that promise to blend humor, thrills, and the distinctive charm that made Tennants portrayal unforgettable. For Whovians eager for more, the Tenth Doctors return via Big Finish audio productions is a welcome reminder of the enduring appeal of Doctor Who and its many incarnations.
Ghostface is a trio in Scream 7. Neve Campbell returns, Kevin Williamson directs, and Anna Camp reveals secrets behind her killer role.

AceShowbiz - Scream 7 continues to keep fans on edge with its classic mystery: Who is Ghostface? This time, the killer identity comes as a trio, including Sidney Prescotts new neighbor, Jessica Bowden, portrayed by Anna Camp. The film also marks the return of franchise star Neve Campbell and features the original writer, Kevin Williamson, stepping into the directors role for the first time.

Anna Camp shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter about her characters limited screen time and how the filmmakers debated how much to reveal about Jessica to keep the suspense intact. It was everything that you saw in the initial script, minus the scene with Gale on the front porch, Camp explained, noting the teams careful balance to avoid shining too bright of a light on Ghostface early in the movie.

Following the films successful opening weekend, Camp also addressed some controversy that arose after she posted about a boycott allegedly failing. This referred to protests that occurred after actress Melissa Barrera was removed from the project due to her social media commentary on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Camp later clarified her statement and issued an apology, emphasizing the importance of addressing the situation thoughtfully.

In a detailed conversation, Camp delved into the films major spoilers, her characters motivations, her intense fight scenes with Sidney Prescott, and even what shes heard about the upcoming Scream 8. Here are the key highlights from that discussion.

Camp revealed that Kevin Williamson informed her early on that there would be multiple Ghostfaces in the movie. He told me during the Zoom meeting that there were a couple of Ghostfaces. I didnt know exactly how many until I got to read the script, but I was aware I wasnt the only one, she said. This collaborative villainous role added complexity to her performance.

When asked about who else in the cast knew her secret, Camp noted that certainly Neve Campbell was in the loop, given her role as Sidney Prescott. Im not sure who else got to read the entire script. It could have been everybody, or just a limited number, she said, describing the secrecy around the project. The actress also described the experience of receiving the script as feeling like an espionage movie, with strict controls on the scripts handling and distribution.

Regarding Jessicas backstory, Camp elaborated on how she envisioned the characters past, especially focusing on her abusive marriage. She references being in an abusive relationship with her husband. I tried to imagine what its like to be married to a narcissistic abuser and how that would affect someone whos already vulnerable to depression or obsession, she said. This personal turmoil led Jessica to be institutionalized and fueled her unhealthy fixation on Sidney.

Camp described Jessicas obsession as a transfer of love and attention she never received in her marriage. Sidney became all the things she wished for in a healthy relationship, so she put all of her energy into creating Sidney 2.0  a new version of her, Camp explained. This obsession became Jessicas emotional outlet and driving force throughout the film.

When discussing Jessicas true motive, Camp said it stemmed from a distorted sense of love and admiration. Jessica wanted Sidney to be at her absolute best. She saw Sidney as the ultimate final girl, a true badass and hero, and Jessica couldnt stand that she wasnt living up to that ideal, she said. Jessica was willing to sacrifice herself for this obsession, to push Sidney back to that peak state.

Kevin Williamson encouraged Camp to fully embrace Jessicas unhinged, wild, and animalistic nature during filming. He told me not to hold back at all and that hed pull me back if I went too far. That freedom opened so many emotional doors for me, she recalled. Shooting those scenes was a career highlight for Camp, allowing her to deliver a raw and fierce performance.

Fans might notice subtle hints in Camps portrayal that foreshadow Jessicas true nature. For example, when I smack Lucas early on and tell him to shut up, the slap was probably a little harder than a typical mom would deliver, she said. In another scene at the coffee shop, Jessicas warmth and eagerness to spend private time with Sidney was an intentional choice to create comfort and trust, reflecting Jessicas obsessive intent. Maybe if you watch closely, you can see a little twinkle in my eye, she joked.

The physicality of the climactic fight scene between Jessica and Sidney was also a key focus for Camp. She praised her stunt double as the best in the world, but confirmed that many intense moments were performed by her, including being choked by Sidney and enduring violent impacts. One take involved a particularly harsh neck snap that had the crew rushing to check on her. I just asked if it looked okay, and when they said yes, I knew that take was the one to use, she said with a laugh.

Interestingly, Camp mentioned there was no fight scene between Ghostface and Gale Weathers, played by Courteney Cox, in this installment. Fans of their confrontations in previous films might find this surprising, but Camp admitted she didnt know if one was ever planned. I always love seeing Courteney Cox kick some butt with Ghostface, she added.

As the Scream franchise moves forward, Camps portrayal of Jessica Bowden adds a fresh and complex layer to the Ghostface mythology. Her nuanced performance, combined with the films blend of suspense and legacy characters, has sparked renewed interest and speculation for what the next chapter in the series will bring.

Beyond the screen, Camps candidness about the boycott controversy and her willingness to clarify her statements demonstrate a thoughtful approach to the intersection of art, politics, and public discourse. Her apology underlines the importance of communication and empathy within a passionate fanbase and the broader community.

Overall, Scream 7 delivers both thrills and emotional depth, with Anna Camps Jessica Bowden standing out as a memorable new antagonist. Fans eager for more will be watching closely for updates on Scream 8 and what surprises the franchise has in store next.
Mourn the loss of Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell, who passed at 64. Remember his 31-year legacy with the band and his life as a family man.

AceShowbiz - The music world mourns the loss of Phil Campbell, the longtime guitarist for the iconic rock band Motorhead, who passed away at the age of 64 following complications from a major operation.

The news was shared through a heartfelt statement on the Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons Instagram account, confirming his peaceful passing. The message described him as a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather affectionately called "Bampi."

"Phil was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be missed immensely," the statement read, emphasizing his enduring legacy through his music and the memories he created. The family requested privacy during this difficult time.

Phil Campbell served as the guitarist for Motorhead for an impressive 31 years, joining the band in 1984. He remained a key member until the group disbanded following the death of frontman Lemmy in 2015.

Following the end of Motorhead, Campbell pursued his own musical projects, releasing his sole solo album, Old Lions Still Roar, in 2019. He also formed the band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his three sons: Todd, Dane, and Tyla Campbell. Their debut album, The Age of Absurdity, arrived in 2018, with their latest release, Kings of the Asylum, coming out in 2023.

The official Motorhead Instagram account paid tribute, highlighting Campbells talents as a guitarist, writer, and performer. They noted his infectious humor and passion for life, saying, "Phil led with his heart."

The tribute also called for support and respect for Campbells wife Gaynor and their sons as they navigate this profound loss. Fans and fellow musicians are encouraged to share stories and celebrate his remarkable contributions in due time.

Phil Campbells influence and spirit will live on through his music and the family he cherished.
Dolly Parton addresses health concerns and personal life update in heartfelt Dollywood speech, reassuring fans after recent loss.

AceShowbiz - Dolly Parton delivered a heartfelt keynote speech on the opening day of her Tennessee theme park, Dollywood, where she provided an update on her health and personal life following the loss of her husband, Carl Dean.

During the speech, Dolly Parton addressed concerns about her well-being after postponing several shows in Las Vegas and missing the Governors Awards. She acknowledged some minor health issues but reassured fans that she was receiving proper care.

"I've not been touring, as you know," Dolly explained in a video captured by WVLT 8 and reported by People. "I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them."

Speculation about her health intensified when her sister, Freida, shared on social media that she had been "praying all night" for Dolly. However, in October 2025, Dolly Parton took to Instagram to directly assure her fans that she was doing fine.

In the video, she emphasized, "Everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here!" She further sought to calm rumors, stating, "I wanted to put everybody's mind at ease. ... There are just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you'd know that I was OK. ... I'm not ready to die yet. I don't think God is through with me and I ain't done working."

Later in her keynote, Dolly Parton opened up about how her health challenges were compounded by the grief following Carl Dean's death. She reflected on feeling emotionally and physically drained but expressed that she is now in the process of healing.

"I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on," she revealed. "I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn't slow me down."

Carl Dean, who largely stayed out of the public eye despite widespread curiosity, passed away on March 3 at the age of 82. Dolly Parton announced his death on Instagram, expressing deep gratitude for the years they shared together and thanking fans for their prayers and sympathy.

Her message read, "Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy."
BTS reunites. Witness their epic comeback journey in the new Netflix documentary, BTS: The Return. Exclusive trailer & emotions revealed.

AceShowbiz - BTS is making a highly anticipated comeback after a multi-year hiatus, and fans will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look through an upcoming Netflix documentary titled BTS: The Return. The new trailer, released on March 16, offers a glimpse into the challenges and excitement the group faces as they reunite on stage after a significant time apart.

The teaser highlights the complex feelings of the seven members  Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Suga, and V  as they navigate their comeback in a rapidly evolving music industry. Trends shift every season. Standing still isn't an option, says RM, emphasizing the pressure to stay relevant while rediscovering what makes them uniquely BTS.

Viewers will be taken on a journey from studio sessions to tour bus rides, and from Seoul to Los Angeles, capturing intimate moments and the group's shared determination. Although there is understandable nervousness about returning to the spotlight, the members express excitement and a sense of purpose. We are finally back where we're meant to be, Jimin reflects in the trailer, underscoring the emotional significance of this reunion.

After achieving six Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, earning the distinction as the first K-pop act nominated for a Grammy, and building one of the most passionate fanbases in music history, BTS announced an extended hiatus in 2022. This pause allowed members to focus on solo projects and fulfill South Koreas mandatory military service requirements. Although initially described as an indefinite break, the group was clear about their intention to reunite.

During the announcement at the hour-long FESTA dinner, J-Hope shared, I think that change is what we need right now. It's important for BTS to start our second chapter. This new chapter is now underway with their comeback plans unfolding in early 2024.

In addition to the documentary, BTS announced the release of their fifth studio album, Arirang, scheduled for March 20. To celebrate this milestone, the group has partnered with Netflix for both the documentary and a live comeback concert. The concert will take place at Seouls iconic Gwanghwamun Square and stream exclusively on Netflix on March 21, marking the first full BTS group performance since 2022.

BTS: The Return will premiere on Netflix on March 27, providing an in-depth look at the bands process of coming back together to create new music that remains true to their signature sound. The documentary is directed by Bao Nguyen, known for his work on The Stringer and The Greatest Night in Pop, and produced by This Machine in collaboration with HYBE.

This feature-length film promises to showcase not only the creative process but also the personal dynamics and growth of the members as they rebuild BTS after nearly five years apart. Fans can expect candid conversations and a raw portrayal of the pressures and joys of returning to the global stage.

Alongside the documentary and concert, Netflix will stream BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG on March 21, delivering an immersive experience of the groups live energy and connection with their audience. This event is significant as it will be the first time fans can witness the entire group performing together since their hiatus began.

With their combination of groundbreaking music, dedicated fan support, and compelling storytelling, BTS is poised to make a powerful return. The Netflix partnership offers a unique window into their journey, making it clear that while the world around them changes, the essence of BTS remains steadfast.

Fans and new audiences alike can look forward to witnessing this exciting moment in the groups history as they embark on their second chapter, reaffirming their place as global music icons.
Drake DMs fan who breaks down his songs for his girlfriend. See the viral video and what the rapper's message might mean for new music.

AceShowbiz - Drake, the Toronto rapper, recently reached out directly to a fan who went viral for breaking down his music on social media.

The fan, Dylan Garcia, gained significant attention after posting a video series titled Explaining Drake songs to my girlfriend, where he unpacks the lyrics, references, and stories behind Drake's tracks while listening with his girlfriend. The initial video, released about a week ago, has already amassed roughly 2 million views.

In a surprising gesture, Drake sent Garcia a direct message on Instagram, encouraging him to continue dissecting his work. The DM read, New breakdowns coming Dylan, signaling the rappers approval and hinting at future content. After this, Garcia shared an update revealing that Drake not only messaged him but also followed his account. When Garcias girlfriend, Char, asked about the meaning behind the message, he speculated that it could indicate an impending new album release, which would provide more material for analysis.

Garcias breakdowns focus on the intricacies of Drakes lyrics, including his allusions to personal feuds and collaborations. One of his most popular explainer reels interprets a line from Drakes single What Did I Miss?. This particular video has drawn over 4 million views, highlighting Garcias growing popularity, though fans debate the accuracy of some interpretations.

Drake has been consistently sharing content through his YouTube series Iceman, which debuted alongside the release of the single What Did I Miss?. The rappers engagement with Garcia suggests he values this kind of fan interaction and may be preparing to drop new music soon.

The interaction between Drake and Garcia underscores the growing trend of artists connecting with fans who amplify their work online. It also sets the stage for more viral moments as fans eagerly await fresh content and further song breakdowns.

For now, followers of both Drake and Dylan Garcia can expect fresh insights and explanations as new music arrives, keeping the conversation around the rappers work alive and vibrant.
Simone Ledward Boseman shares the Oscar speech she wrote for Chadwick, revealing her heartfelt tribute to the late actor's purity and legacy.

AceShowbiz - Simone Ledward Boseman, wife of the late Chadwick Boseman, recently shared the speech she had prepared for the 2021 Academy Awards ceremony, had her husband won the coveted Actor in a Leading Role Oscar. This heartfelt revelation came months after Chadwick Bosemans untimely passing in 2020 following a private battle with colon cancer.

In an oral history of the Oscars published by The Hollywood Reporter on March 13, the 35-year-old Simone Ledward Boseman disclosed that she had written a complete speech ahead of time and even found a draft saved in her phones Notes app while speaking with the outlet.

Reading aloud from her draft, Simone expressed deep gratitude and admiration, saying, "I will never stop thanking God for you. Thank you to the most high God. Thank you, Carolyn and Leroy Boseman [Chadwicks parents], and your mothers and your mothers mothers." She continued with a moving tribute, highlighting his virtues: "What purity. What honesty. What pain. What a role. What work. What beautiful, intricate humanity. What courage, bravery, fearlessness, honesty, commitment, humanity, strength."

She went on to honor his spirit and legacy with the words: "A spirit that refused to surrender to despair. What an actor. What an artist. What a cast. What a team. What a vision. Glory be to the most high God. Long live the King."

Chadwick Boseman was nominated posthumously for the 2021 Oscars for his powerful performance in Ma Raineys Black Bottom. Despite being a strong frontrunner after winning a Critics Choice Award and a Golden Globe Award earlier that year, the Oscar ultimately went to Anthony Hopkins for his role in The Father.

Hopkins, who was 83 at the time and unable to attend the ceremony in person, expressed his surprise and gratitude in an Instagram video posted the day after the Oscars. He said, "Well, good morning. Here I am in my homeland in Wales. At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award. I really didnt. Im very grateful to the Academy, and thank you." He also paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, acknowledging the loss of the talented actor: "I wanted to honor Chadwick, who was taken from us far too early."

Earlier that year, Simone Ledward Boseman accepted the Golden Globe Award on behalf of her late husband. During her speech, she described Chadwick as an artist and individual who consistently pursued the truth. She stated, "As an artist, an actor and a person, Chad made a practice of telling the truth. He is the most honest person Ive ever met because he didnt just stop at speaking the truth. He actively searched for itin himself, in those around him and in the moment."

She emphasized how this commitment to honesty was central to his life and purpose: "The truth can be a very easy thing for the self to avoid, but if one does not live in truth, then its impossible to live in line with a divine purpose for your life. And so, it became how he lived his life, day in, day out, imperfect but determined."
Jared Padalecki returns to movies in Netflix's Guarding Stars, a rom-com based on a bestselling novel. He stars alongside Leighton Meester.

AceShowbiz - Jared Padalecki has officially completed filming his first feature film in 16 years with the new Netflix adaptation Guarding Stars. The actor shared the news on Instagram, posting a selfie from a snowy location while expressing gratitude to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where the movie was shot.

In his Instagram message, Padalecki warmly thanked the city for welcoming him, calling himself an "annoying Texan" and praising the people of Calgary as "incredible hosts." He also humorously requested a little less snow next time, acknowledging the beauty of the setting but admitting he was quite cold during the shoot.

The film Guarding Stars is based on Katherine Centers 2022 New York Times bestselling novel The Bodyguard. The romantic comedy centers on a bodyguard, portrayed by Leighton Meesterfamous for Gossip Girlwho is assigned to protect a high-profile celebrity played by Padalecki. The cast also features Andie MacDowell, Walker Hayes, Noah LaLonde, Toby Sandeman, Rachael Ancheril, Phil Brooks, and Ava Max.

This adaptation marks another in a string of Katherine Center novels being brought to the screen, following 2020s The Lost Husband and 2021s Happiness For Beginners. Centers other works include The Bright Side of Disaster, Everyone is Beautiful, Get Lucky, How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, What You Wish For, Hello Stranger, and The Love Haters.

The film is directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, known for her work on Ginny & Georgia, with a screenplay by Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith. The producing team includes Padalecki, his wife Genevieve Padalecki, Robin Fisichella, Gina Matthews, and Grant Scharbo.

Padalecki has had a varied film career, with previous roles in movies such as New York Minute, Flight of the Phoenix, House of Wax, and the 2009 reboot of Friday the 13th. The latter was his last live-action film role until now, though he also provided the English voice for a character in the 2015 animated French film Phantom Boy.

While his big screen appearances have been sparse, Padalecki has had a successful television career, notably playing Dean Forester on Gilmore Girls and Sam Winchester on the long-running fantasy series Supernatural. The latter role earned him a Peoples Choice Award for Favorite TV Bromance alongside Misha Collins, as well as a Teen Choice Award for Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor.

Following the conclusion of Supernatural in 2020, Padalecki stayed with The CW network, starring in the reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger titled Walker, which ran for four seasons. Looking ahead, he will appear in the final season of the Prime Video superhero series The Boys, set to premiere on April 8.

As of now, Netflix has not announced an official release date for Guarding Stars. Fans of Padalecki and romantic comedies alike will be eager to see his return to the big screen after a 16-year hiatus from live-action films.
Yesway and Allsup's Launch Spring Promotion Featuring Limited-Time Food Deals, Snack Offers, and Fuel Savings through May 5

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesway, one of the nation's fastest-growing convenience store chains, today announced a new seasonal spring promotion across its Yesway and Allsup's stores, featuring limited-time food offers, snack deals, and fuel savings available now through May 5, 2026. The promotion includes craveable combo meals, value-driven snack offers, and opportunities for customers to earn fuel discounts through the brands' popular "Stack & Save" fuel rewards program for Yesway and Allsup's Rewards members.

As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in New Mexico, Yesway and Allsups continue to host The Big Fill Sweepstakes, inviting loyal customers, community members, and fans of the World Famous Allsups Burrito to participate in the year-long promotion.

"Our seasonal campaigns are designed to deliver everyday value and convenience to our customers," said Ray Harrison, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Yesway. "From fresh food combos and popular snack deals to fuel rewards that help customers save at the pump, this promotion offers multiple ways for customers to stretch their dollars while enjoying the products they love."

Featured Food and Beverage Offers

Customers can enjoy a variety of limited-time meal deals available at participating Yesway and Allsup's locations, including:

Buy a Deep-Fried Allsup's Breakfast Burrito, Get a Free 16 oz. Coffee

NEW: Chicken Bites (Homestyle or Spicy) with a 32 oz. Tallsup fountain drink for $6

These offers highlight the brands' popular foodservice items, including Allsup's iconic World Famous Burritos, along with fresh, convenient meal options designed for customers on the go.

Snack and Seasonal Promotions

Customers can also take advantage of rotating snack deals on popular sweet treats, including:

Pop-Tarts  2 single-serve for $3 (March)

HARIBO 5 oz. candy  2 for $6 (April)

M&M'S Share Size  2 for $6

Additional savings are available on select Yesway and Allsup's private label products, including:

Yesway Chocolate Bars  2 for $4.50 (Mix & Match)

Yesway Beef Sticks  2 for $4.50

Yesway Non-Chocolate Bag Candy  2 for $5 (Mix & Match)

Allsup's 2-Pack Hard-Boiled Eggs  2 for $3

"Stack & Save" Fuel Rewards

Customers can also take advantage of Yesway and Allsup's "Stack & Save" fuel rewards, allowing them to build fuel savings with qualifying purchases. "The more you buy, the more you save," added Harrison. "Fuel rewards stack, allowing customers to build their savings and maximize value at the pump."

This spring, Yesway and Allsup's Rewards members who purchase any two Celsius 1215 oz. canned beverages will receive 10 per gallon off fuel and will also be automatically entered to win a NASCAR VIP Getaway Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

Customers can earn and redeem Smiles loyalty points in-store or through the Yesway and Allsup's Rewards mobile apps.

The Big Fill Sweepstakes Continues  Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66

As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in New Mexico, Yesway and Allsup's continue to host The Big Fill Sweepstakes, inviting loyal customers, community members, and fans of the World Famous Allsup's Burrito to participate in the year-long promotion.

Participants can enter for a chance to win Free Fuel for a Year (a $2,500 value), with weekly winners receiving $66 fuel cards.

Customers who purchase two King Size OREO products or a Mountain Dew or Mug 20 oz. beverage using the Yesway or Allsup's Rewards app will be automatically entered for a chance to win.

"For a century, Route 66 has carried the stories, livelihoods, and dreams of communities across New Mexico," Harrison added. "Along that same road, and far beyond, our stores have served as places to refuel, reconnect, and move forward. We didn't just grow along Route 66; we grew because of the people who live, work, and travel it. The Big Fill Sweepstakes celebrates that shared journey."

For a complete list of promotions and participating locations, visit Yesway.com or Allsups.com, or download the Yesway or Allsup's Rewards app. Customers can also find their nearest location by visiting the store locator on either website.

*Only rewards members who have completed their profile can earn and redeem fuel rewards. Limit 30 gallons per fuel reward redemption. One vehicle per transaction. Offer valid while supplies last from March 4, 2026  May 5, 2026.

Editor's Note: To arrange interviews, contact Erin Vadala, Warner Communications, at 617.669.1560 or [email protected]. High-resolution images and graphics are available upon request.

About Yesway - Established in 2015 and headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Yesway is an award-winning convenience store operator with 448 stores across nine states in the Midwest and Southwest. Yesway is renowned for its iconic food service offerings, diverse grocery selections, and private-label products, including the famous Allsup's deep-fried burrito. Through strategic acquisitions, the 90 new stores it has developed and opened in the past several years, and its steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction and community engagement, Yesway continues to cement its position as one of the leading convenience retailers in the United States. For more information, visit Yesway.com.

SOURCE Yesway
LANCO's tour bus catches fire in Iowa blizzard. Band safe after driver escapes flames, but instruments lost in the terrifying ordeal.

AceShowbiz - Country music group LANCO faced a terrifying ordeal early Monday morning when their tour bus caught fire during a winter storm in Iowa.

After completing a concert in Des Moines, LANCO was traveling back to Nashville in severe blizzard conditions. Around 4 a.m., the band was compelled to pull over alongside the highway due to the snowstorm's impact on road safety. Choosing to stay overnight in a hotel, the band members, show openers Willie Tate and Dawson Anderson, and some crew were taken by local police from Pella, Iowa, to nearby accommodations, as tow truck services had been suspended because of the weather.

Meanwhile, the band's bus driver remained behind on the vehicle but later awoke to flames engulfing the bus. Fortunately, the driver escaped with only minor injuries. While the band's equipment trailer was spared from the fire, some instruments were lost when the bus was consumed by the blaze.

LANCO lead vocalist Brandon Lancaster expressed the shock and relief the group felt, stating to Billboard, "It's been a surreal 18 hours honestly, and we are so thankful that everyone on board is safe and sound." He added that the situation was frightening and reflected on how fortunate they were not to be sleeping on the bus during the incident, crediting divine protection for their safety.

The band remains in Pella, Iowa as they recover from the incident. Their upcoming tour date is set for March 26 in St. Augustine, Florida.

Formed nearly ten years ago, the ACM Award-winning LANCO includes members Brandon Lancaster (lead vocals), Chandler Baldwin (bass), Tripp Howell (drums), Jared Hampton (keyboard/guitar), and Tim Aven (guitar). The group is best known for their multi-Platinum hit "Greatest Love Story," which topped Billboard's Country Airplay chart for two weeks in 2017 and earned five times multi-Platinum certification from the RIAA. They also scored a Country Airplay top 20 hit in 2018 with "Born to Love You," while their song "Hallelujah Nights" received RIAA gold certification.

LANCO shared harrowing video footage of the bus fire as well as photographs showing the aftermath, including images of the charred vehicle.

Despite the frightening experience and loss of some instruments, the band is grateful that all members and crew are safe and remain focused on continuing their tour once conditions improve.
Audio leak reveals alleged PR plot to smear a Hollywood producer as a "madame." Questions swirl around tactics used for Rebel Wilson and others.

AceShowbiz - Rebel Wilson's public relations team is under scrutiny after an audio recording surfaced, allegedly revealing plans to tarnish the reputation of a Hollywood producer by accusing her of sex trafficking.

The recording reportedly captures Jed Wallace, who leads a crisis PR firm, instructing publicist Melissa Nathan to label Amanda Ghost, a co-producer on Wilsons film The Deb, as a "madame" recruiting young women for wealthy men. Wallace suggests portraying Ghost as the "new Heidi Fleiss," referencing the infamous 1990s Hollywood prostitution ring leader.

The voice note also mentions Bryan Freedman, a lawyer currently representing Justin Baldoni in his legal battle against Blake Lively. Freedman was Rebel Wilsons attorney at the time, and both Wallace and Nathan were part of Baldonis crisis PR team accused of attempting to smear Lively.

This revelation raises questions about similar tactics possibly used across different celebrity legal disputes, suggesting a pattern within this PR group.

Meanwhile, the dispute between Wilson and Ghost remains contentious. A now-deleted website titled "Amanda Ghost is a Destroyer of Worlds" accused Ghost of abandoning her failing music career to reinvent herself as a theatrical producer while allegedly procuring young women for wealthy clients.

Ghost and other co-producers of The Deb have filed a defamation lawsuit against Wilson, who had accused them of sexual harassment and embezzlement.

Jed Wallaces lawyer, Chip Babcock of Jackson Walker, released a statement addressing the situation, noting that "The judge in the 'It Ends With Us' case sealed the audio file to prevent exactly this sort of out-of-context speculation and accordingly he can not comment directly about it, including whether the audio file is authentic." Babcock added that Wallace has been dismissed from the case and denies any involvement in a smear campaign against Blake Lively or others.

This developing story highlights the complex and often shadowy tactics sometimes employed in high-profile Hollywood legal battles, with public relations strategies now under intense public and legal examination.
Ray J's mother publicly supports him in the legal battle with Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner over the infamous 2007 tape's origins.

AceShowbiz - Sonja Norwood has publicly voiced her support for her son, Ray J, amid the escalating legal dispute involving Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner. The controversy revolves around the origins of the infamous 2007 tape, which has once again become the center of a heated courtroom battle.

Recently, Norwood took to social media to make it clear that she firmly stands behind her son. This follows reports that Kardashian and Jenner have dismissed Ray J's allegations regarding the release of the tape while under oath. The SKIMS founder and her mother have filed a defamation lawsuit against Ray J, disputing his claims that they orchestrated the tape's commercial release. According to TMZ, their legal representatives have described these accusations as "absolutely false."

Despite the pressure, Norwood is refusing to back down. She shared a lengthy statement beneath a black screen bearing the words, "denying the truth doesn't make it disappear." In her message, she questioned the official narrative and reiterated her support for her son's pursuit of the truth.

She wrote: "Who did? After reading the declarations from Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian, and reading their recent statements circulating, including reports published across multiple media outlets regarding the tape, I am no longer going to sit back and watch my son be 'dogged' on social media over this matter when @rayj and I, Kris and Kim, and many others know the truth. And Kris, momager, you say you did not orchestrate the commercial release of the tape. Then who did?"

Norwood further expressed her unwavering support for Ray J's efforts, adding, "I support @rayj and his journey to bring the truth forward. I have witnessed this journey for many years, and however long it takes, whether it becomes a long journey or a difficult battle, we will stay on that path until the voices that have distorted the truth are publicly revealed. And if that truth journey must continue all the way to the doorstep of God's judgment, then so be it."

This statement underscores the intensity and longevity of this decades-old saga. With Sonja Norwood unwavering in her stance, it is clear that the dispute involving Ray J, Kim Kardashian, and Kris Jenner is far from over and will likely continue to unfold in the public eye and courtroom.
Oscar-nominated documentary shorts tackle urgent social issues. Explore the powerful stories, including a film on preserved bedrooms after school shootings.

AceShowbiz - Each year, the Academy Awards shine a spotlight on powerful short documentaries that encapsulate profound stories within a brief runtime. This years five Oscar-nominated documentary shorts deliver deeply moving narratives that tackle critical social issues. The directors behind these films recently spoke with Variety about their work and the change they hope to inspire.

One of the nominated films, All the Empty Rooms, is directed by Joshua Seftel. This 34-minute Netflix documentary focuses on the bedrooms of eight American children who lost their lives in school shootings. Each room remains untouched, preserved by the families exactly as it was on the last day the children went to school. "There are over 100 school shootings a year in the U.S., and it's so disheartening to me that this has become normal and acceptable to us," Seftel shares. His goal was to reframe the conversation by setting aside the typical political debates and highlighting the universal desire for childrens safety in schools. By exposing viewers to these silent, empty rooms, Seftel hopes to evoke renewed empathy and awareness about the human cost of this violence.

Another nominee, Children No More: Were and Are Gone, directed by Hilla Medalia and produced by documentary veteran Sheila Nevins, captures a weekly silent vigil held by activists in Tel Aviv. These activists protest the war in Gaza and mourn the children killed in Israeli military actions. "When I first encountered the vigil and experienced the power of their activism, I immediately felt the need to document the experience," explains Medalia. The film emphasizes the strength of silence as a form of protest and reflection, offering a perspective often absent from mainstream media. The documentary is set for distribution by Roadside Attractions and highlights the devastating toll of conflict on children who once had bright futures.

HBOs 32-minute short The Devil Is Busy provides an intimate look at the challenges faced by women seeking abortion services in Atlanta amid growing restrictions and ongoing protests. Directors Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton focus on Tracii, the head of security at a womens healthcare clinic, as she ensures the safety of patients. The filmmakers emphasize their intent to portray the complicated emotions surrounding abortion, intersecting with themes of faith, agency, and power. "We wanted people to see this raw, unflinching portrait long after the media and the activism had died down," the directors say, underlining the urgency to keep these stories in public consciousness and to remember the women impacted by these ongoing struggles.

The HBO documentary Armed Only With A Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud tells the story of journalist Brent Renaud, who was killed by Russian soldiers while reporting on the war in Ukraine in 2022the first American journalist to die in this conflict. His brother and longtime filmmaking partner, Craig Renaud, crafted the 37-minute film using decades of footage from their global reporting assignments in Iraq, Haiti, Somalia, and Central America. Craig hopes the documentary will raise awareness about the dangers journalists face worldwide. "Since Brent's death on March 13, 2022, more than 400 journalists and media workers have been killed worldwide," he notes, citing the Committee to Protect Journalists. This work is meant to inspire protection of free press and the rights of journalists and the public to bear witness to truth.

Finally, the 15-minute short Perfectly a Strangeness, directed by Alison McAlpine, offers a sensory experience unlike traditional documentaries. The film follows three donkeys as they explore an abandoned astronomical observatory, blending visuals of texture, light, shadow, and sound without dialogue or narration. McAlpine describes her goal as redefining storytelling by creating cinema that feels like a tactile painting or a poem to be revisited. Rather than anthropomorphizing the animals or focusing on the observatorys scientific history, the film invites viewers into an immersive, almost animalistic experience that is both fresh and unforgettable.

Collectively, these nominated shorts demonstrate the power of documentary filmmaking to highlight urgent social issues, preserve memory, and evoke empathy. From confronting the trauma of gun violence and war to exploring the complexities of reproductive rights and the sacrifices of journalists, these films challenge audiences to see the world through new lenses. The directors emphasize their hope that their works will not only inform but also inspire action and deeper understanding long after the awards season concludes.

With runtimes ranging from 15 to 37 minutes, these documentaries prove that impactful storytelling need not be lengthy to resonate profoundly. The Oscar nominations underscore the importance of short-form documentaries in bringing vital, often overlooked stories to the forefront, encouraging viewers everywhere to engage with the realities behind the headlines.
ACE Eddie Awards 2024 winners: Sinners and One Battle After Another take top film honors. See the full results and highlights from the ceremony.

AceShowbiz - The 76th annual ACE Eddie Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in film and television editing, with Sinners and One Battle After Another taking top honors in the live-action feature categories. The ceremony, held at UCLA's Royce Hall on Friday night, highlighted exemplary craftsmanship across a range of genres and formats.

Michael Shawver, editor of Sinners, praised director Ryan Coogler for his bold creative vision. Shawver explained, "Ryan Coogler took a big risk, and I think gave audiences something that maybe they didn't even know they were hungry for  something new, different, fun, and a total experience." The recognition of Sinners in the drama category underscores how daring filmmaking paired with skillful editing can resonate powerfully with viewers and critics alike.

In the comedy/musical feature category, One Battle After Another earned the award for best edited feature film. The animated feature film prize went to KPop Demon Hunters, edited by Nathan Schauf, further highlighting the diversity of storytelling celebrated at the event.

Documentary editing was also prominently recognized, as The Perfect Neighbor, a Netflix documentary, won best edited documentary feature. The films compelling storytelling and editing helped it secure a nomination in the Oscar best documentary category, marking it as a standout in both award circuits.

Damian Rodriguez, honored with the best edited documentary series award for Pee-wee as Himself  Part One, dedicated his achievement to the late Paul Reuben. Rodriguez shared, "We wouldn't be here without him. He was such an amazing artist, and he influenced so many people, including myself. I wish he was here." His tribute highlighted the enduring impact of artistic collaborators within the editing community.

On the television front, The Studio and The Pitt won in their respective categories for best edited single-camera comedy series and best edited drama series. These wins emphasize the critical role editing plays in shaping narratives across genres and formats on the small screen.

The ACE Eddies celebrate exceptional editing work spanning film, television, documentaries, shorts, and digital content. The event also honored several industry leaders with special awards. Esteemed director Ang Lee received the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award, recognizing his remarkable contributions to cinema.

Lee dedicated his accolade to his longtime editor Tim Squyres, stating, "When you give me this award, you actually give it to Tim Squyres." Lee reflected on their collaboration, noting that Squyres edited all of his films except Brokeback Mountain, which Squyres missed after Lee initially considered retiring. "He missed that one because I told him, after 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' I'm retiring, I said 'I had enough.' So he took another movie," Lee explained. Their partnership spans over 35 years, underscoring the deep trust and creative synergy between director and editor.

Speaking on the essence of editing, Lee shared a vivid metaphor: "Shooting is like buying groceries, and the real cooking is on the editing table. That's how I feel about editing. I feel I have this editing machine in my head when I'm making movies, every section, every setup, editing is at the center of my consciousness." He emphasized the countless decisions editors face daily, stating, "Every working day I have to answer hundreds of questions about what I want. The only reason I can give directions and put the whole movie together is because I have that editing table in my head."

Lee acknowledged the challenging times facing cinema today but expressed optimism about the enduring importance of editors. "We're in a particularly difficult moment, challenging moment, in our life of cinema. But I do believe, as long as there are moving images, there will be editors," he said.

The award for best edited short went to Erin Casper for All The Empty Rooms, a poignant film exploring the bedrooms of children lost to school shootings in the United States. Casper dedicated her win to the victims and their families, praising them for "opening their doors to us and welcoming us into their sacred spaces of their child's bedroom preserved just as it was since the last day they saw their child alive." She noted the film's deliberate omission of the word "gun" to focus on the humanity and life within those rooms, reflecting on the numbness society has developed toward the epidemic of gun violence.

In the animated series category, South Park earned the award for its episode "Twisted Christian." Editor David List expressed particular satisfaction with the last 10 episodes, highlighting how creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone pushed creative boundaries. List said, "They challenged the boundaries of censorship and how far all of us can exercise our First Amendment rights, whether it's political commentary, mocking celebrity or that expertly timed fart joke." He added, "Our freedom of speech should ultimately be protected and celebrated regardless of political party affiliation."

The awards spotlighted the exceptional talent involved in shaping stories across multiple platforms. Below is the full list of winners in key categories:

Edited Feature Film (Drama, Theatrical): Sinners  Michael P. Shawver

Edited Feature Film (Comedy, Theatrical): One Battle After Another  Andy Jurgensen

Edited Animated Feature Film: KPop Demon Hunters  Nathan Schauf

Edited Documentary Feature: The Perfect Neighbor  Viridiana Lieberman

Edited Documentary Series: Pee-wee as Himself  Part One  Damian Rodriguez

Edited Multi-Camera Comedy Series: Frasier (Murder Most Finch)  Russell Griffin, ACE

Edited Single Camera Comedy Series: The Studio (The Promotion)  Eric Kissack, ACE

Edited Drama Series: The Pitt (6pm)  Mark Strand, ACE

Edited Feature Film (Non-Theatrical): A Winters Song  Yvette M. Amirian, ACE

Edited Limited Series: The Penguin (A Great or Little Thing)  Henk van Eeghen, ACE

Edited Reality Series: Conan O'Brien Must Go (Austria)  Matthew Shaw, ACE, Brad Roelandt

Edited Variety Talk/Sketch Show or Special: Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special  Paul Del Gesso, Christopher Salerno, Ryan Spears, Sean McIlraith, ACE, Ryan McIlraith, Daniel Garcia

Edited Animated Series: South Park (Twisted Christian)  David List, Nate Pellettieri

Edited Short: All The Empty Rooms  Erin Casper, ACE, Stephen Maing, Jeremy Medoff

Anne V. Coates Award for Student Editing: Luis Barragan  California State University, Fullerton

The 76th ACE Eddie Awards not only honored the exceptional editors behind acclaimed works but also reinforced the vital role of editing in storytelling across all forms of media. With the Oscars race underway, these wins offer key insights into which films and series are leading in the craft of editing as awards season progresses.
Pooh Shiesty claims Nike owes him for popularizing the balaclava. The accessory is now nicknamed a "shiesty" after the rapper.

AceShowbiz - Pooh Shiesty has made a bold claim that Nike owes him recognition for popularizing the balaclava accessory, which has become closely linked to his image.

During a recent appearance on Complex's Sneaker Shopping, host Joe La Puma mentioned a moment from The Questlove Show where Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky discussed wearing a balaclava to travel discreetly on New York City trains. Rocky explained, "When I take the train, I put a Pooh Shiesty on," referring to the style popularized by Pooh Shiesty. He added that sometimes he travels alone or with security, using the balaclava to stay grounded and unnoticed.

The conversation shifted when a package containing a Nike Hyperwarm Knit Hood was handed to La Puma, prompting a discussion about how the accessory has earned the nickname "shiesty," directly tying it to Pooh Shiesty. The rapper responded enthusiastically, saying, "Come on, man. That's supposed to me right there, man." He emphasized the practicality of the item, noting, "For real, these junks get you through some places, you know? Like he told you, he snuck through the subway. Wouldn't be able to do that with no regular [look.]"

When asked if he anticipated the balaclava becoming such an influential fashion statement, Pooh Shiesty admitted he never expected it. "Nah, I ain't think that," he said. "But you know a lot of stuff a man do, a lot of people gravitate to."

Pooh Shiesty's rising career faced a setback in 2022 when he was sentenced to five years in prison related to a gun case. However, since his release in October, he has made a significant comeback. His single "FDO" has maintained a presence on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for nearly 12 weeks, signaling a strong return to the music scene.

The full episode of Sneaker Shopping featuring this conversation is available for viewing online, offering further insight into how the balaclava became a signature style connected to Pooh Shiesty.
Noah Kahan's new album 'The Great Divide' is produced with Aaron Dessner. Explore the introspective journey born from vulnerability and raw emotion.

AceShowbiz - Noah Kahan is preparing to release his fourth studio album, The Great Divide, following the success of his 2022 album Stick Season. The new record promises to be another introspective journey, continuing the thoughtful themes Kahan is known for.

For this project, Kahan reunited with Stick Season's producer Gabe Simon and also enlisted Aaron Dessner, a founding member of The National, as a collaborator. Kahan described Dessner as an ideal partner for the album, citing not only his immense talent but also his deep empathy and understanding of artists emotional states.

The partnership began shortly after Kahan completed his Stick Season tour and worked on his upcoming Netflix documentary, Noah Kahan: Out of Body. Kahan was in a vulnerable and exhausted state during this period, which made Dessners approach to creating music from raw emotions especially valuable.

Aaron Dessner is widely recognized for his production work, including collaborations with high-profile artists such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Gracie Abrams, Bon Iver, and Mumford & Sons. His reputation as a producer is complemented by his ability to connect personally with artists and bring out authentic performances.

Kahan emphasized that beyond Dessners technical skill, his character and collaborative nature stood out. This connection was instrumental in shaping the sound and feel of The Great Divide, which will be released on April 24.

Alongside the album, Kahan is promoting Noah Kahan: Out of Body, a documentary directed by Nick Sweeney that premiered at SXSW. The film explores Kahans rapid rise to fame, his struggles with mental health, and his journey of self-discovery. Sweeney noted Kahans remarkable openness during filming, with no topics off limits, which allowed for an honest and unfiltered portrayal.

The documentary debuted at SXSW and is scheduled for release on Netflix on April 13. Kahans presence at the festival also included a conversation in the Deadline studio, where both he and Sweeney discussed the project and the creative process behind the album and film.

As fans await the arrival of The Great Divide, the combined efforts of Kahan, Dessner, and Simon suggest a deeply personal and musically rich offering. The collaboration highlights how vulnerability and experience can merge to create powerful artistic expression.

Deadline Studio at SXSW was presented by Redbreast Irish Whiskey.
Lola Amour wins at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2025. Discover their collaboration with Kokoro Kohatsu (PSYCHIC FEVER) on "The Moment" and their cross-border musical j...

AceShowbiz - In 2025, Lola Amour, one of the Philippines' most celebrated bands, earned the Special Award: Philippine Popular Music at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, often referred to as the "Asian Grammys." Their 2025 release, The Moment, attracted special attention due to the featured collaboration with Kokoro Kohatsu, a member of PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE. Yet, their partnership extended far beyond just this track. Earlier that year, Kokoro made a surprise appearance during Lola Amours first-ever live performance in Japan.

Billboard JAPAN had the opportunity to speak with Lola Amour and Kokoro Kohatsu about how their collaboration began and the impact it has had on both artists.

What sparked Kokoros involvement in The Moment?

Pio Dumayas (vocals/guitar) explained, Were both under Warner Music, and I stumbled upon PSYCHIC FEVERs song Gelato. The whole band loved it, and we had a great time singing it a cappella. We posted a video of us singing it on Instagram Stories, and PSYCHIC FEVER reacted. That led to online conversations and eventually Kokoro performing on our track, The Moment.

When asked about his reaction to the collaboration offer, Kokoro Kohatsu shared, PSYCHIC FEVER had never performed in the Philippines, so I was excited to connect with them. I liked the song, and I felt we could create a great musical chemistry, so I put my heart into it.

Manu Dumayas (trumpet/guitar/bass) added, When we invited him to join us on The Moment, he was so enthusiasticlike, Ill do anything. That made the collaboration smooth. We also shared a similar sense of humor, which made working together really fun.

David Yuhico (keyboards) noted, At first, Kokoro might have felt a bit lost, but he accepted every request happily. Hes friendly, talented, and has a wonderful singing voice. His vocals were key to perfecting The Moment.

The first live performance together was in Manila, during the Lola Amour Presents Love on Loop ALBUM CONCERT in September 2025, correct?

Pio recalled, Kokoro came to Manila to rehearse for the show, which was our first time doing something like this with another artist. We were all shy and nervous before meeting him, but when we did, it felt natural. We exchanged band merchandisehe brought PSYCHIC FEVER merch for us, and we gave him Lola Amour items. We taught him some Tagalog and went out to eat. We really clicked and became good friends.

David added, He learned the Tagalog lyrics incredibly fast during rehearsal. Things moved much quicker than I expected. I remember thinking, This collaboration is going to be a huge success, and I was confident the show would go well.

At the concert, you performed not only The Moment but also Gelato and Raining In Manila together?

Pio said, We had posted Gelato on our socials, and Kokoro could sing Raining In Manila, so we decided to include those in the setlist. Im sure he was nervous, but he didnt show it. Even though it was our first time on stage together, he was ad-libbing and striking poses. His energy influenced me to experiment more when I play now.

Jeff Abueg (saxophone/clarinet) remarked, Kokoros Tagalog was so good that people asked, Is he Filipino? His accent was excellent.

Raffy Perez (drums) noted, The collaboration was well-received not only in the Philippines but internationally. Fans love seeing us perform together. It was truly a successful partnership.

Pio concluded, I think people can tell this wasnt just a business move. It was a genuine collaboration based on shared musical sensibilities and a strong personal bond.

You also performed together in Japan in January. How was that experience?

Pio shared, As usual, Kokoro was relaxed and confident on stage. He engaged the audience really well. During Gelato, he even guided me and covered parts I struggled with, which I appreciated.

Kokoro reflected, Its rare for me to perform Gelato solo with a band, so I rehearsed a few ways to energize the crowd. My main goal was for Lola Amour and me to have fun on stage. I maintained eye contact and encouraged the audience to move with us. During rehearsal, the band reacted positively to my ideas, so I went with that approach at the show. I doubt I could have connected with the audience so well on my own, so Im grateful to perform with Lola Amour.

There was a comment from someone in the music industry calling you the Asian version of Silk Sonic. What do you think?

Pio responded, Thats a huge honor. After playing as a band for about a decade, meeting Kokoro and doing this collaboration, hearing that comparison really shows how successful this project was. Well do our best to live up to that.

What do you see as the biggest benefits of this collaboration?

Pio said, The friendship we built is the most important. Japan and the Philippines have very different cultures, so we learned a lot from each other. Kokoro is great at controlling the crowd, and Ive learned a lot watching how he energizes an audienceeven when its mostly our own fans. Plus, we ate a lot together (laughs). Hes given us much to grow from. Its only been six months since we performed together, but weve gained something lasting.

Kokoro added, Building a relationship across national borders isnt something that happens often. I learned from them how seriously they approach music and how every band member is a key player on stage. It felt like everyone was indispensable, and I want to bring that experience back to PSYCHIC FEVER. Im happy we overcame language barriers to share music. The audiences reactions in both the Philippines and Japan were amazing, showing theres great potential for cross-national performances.

Pio shared future plans: At the Japan show, the whole band covered Gelato. Kokoro and I want to brainstorm about what song to cover next, and Id love to write a song from scratch together.

Kokoro agreed, Weve built a strong artistic rapport, so a new collaboration would be great. We both cover a wide range of musical genres, so the possibilities are exciting.

This collaboration between the Philippines and Japan has expanded musical horizons across borders. With Lola Amour and PSYCHIC FEVER hinting at future projects, fans should watch closely as these talented artists continue their journey.

This interview by Kaori Komatsu first appeared on Billboard Japan.
Harvey Weinstein details the isolation and dangers of life at Rikers Island, calling the notorious jail "hell" in a new interview.

AceShowbiz - Harvey Weinstein has opened up about his challenging experience while detained at New York City's Rikers Island jail. In an interview published March 10 by The Hollywood Reporter, the former producer detailed the isolation and dangers he faces daily at the facility.

Weinstein, 73, explained that his social interactions are extremely limited, primarily involving only prison guards and nurses. "I just speak to the guards. And the nurses," he said. "That's the extent of my socializing here."

The convicted sex offender described the atmosphere of the jail as harsh and isolating, emphasizing that there is essentially no socializing in his wing. Weinstein bluntly stated, "Because it's Rikers Island and it's hell."

He contrasted his current experience with previous incarcerations at state correctional facilities, mentioning his time at Wende and Mohawk Correctional Facilities where daily routines were more communal. Weinstein recalled, "I got up in the morning, I had breakfast, I saw friends, I spoke to people. We all watched TV together."

According to Weinstein, he has requested a transfer back to a state prison, but remains at Rikers while prosecutors prepare for his upcoming trial.

Weinstein was convicted in New York in 2025 for a criminal sex act related to a 2006 incident involving a television production assistant. Additionally, he is serving a separate 16-year sentence after a rape conviction in California. He is also expected to face another trial related to additional allegations.

This interview provides a rare glimpse into the day-to-day conditions faced by Weinstein as he awaits further legal proceedings, highlighting the stark realities of Rikers Island incarceration.
Warwick Davis accepts OBE from Prince William with his children and a mystery companion, sparking speculation about the woman he credits with helping him heal.

AceShowbiz - Warwick Davis was accompanied by a mysterious woman and his children as he accepted an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Prince William on Wednesday.

The star, known for his roles in the Harry Potter films, was joined by his daughter Annabelle and son Harrison during the honor presentation.

Upon arriving at the ceremony, Warwick Davis engaged in conversation with Prince William, while his mystery companion and children observed the proceedings. The actors wife, Samantha, passed away in March 2024.

Last year, during a BAFTA Fellowship acceptance speech, Warwick Davis expressed gratitude toward 'Sponge,' a woman who played a crucial role in helping him "laugh and love again."

Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Warwick Davis hinted at the elusive nature of 'Sponge,' describing her with references to a character from the comedy series This Country.

Reflecting on his late wife, Samantha, during his acceptance speech, Warwick Davis shared the vital role she played in his career. He recalled how she encouraged him to seize opportunities.

Samantha Davis, also an actress, died aged 53.

In a heartfelt tribute at the BAFTA ceremony, Warwick Davis dedicated his award to Samantha, describing her as his "favourite human." He acknowledged the difficulty of the past year but credited their children, Annabelle and Harrison, for their support.

The couple's relationship began on the set of the 1988 fantasy film Willow. They married in 1991 and had three children together.

In 2019, Samantha fell ill suddenly with a severe illness but made a recovery at the time.

Warwick Davis described Samantha as a unique and joyful person with a wicked sense of humor who always supported his career wholeheartedly.

Aside from his acting career, Warwick Davis co-founded the charity Little People UK in 2012 alongside Samantha, supporting people with dwarfism and their families.

Known primarily for his portrayal of Professor Flitwick in the Harry Potter franchise, Warwick Davis is set to return to the wizarding world for the upcoming reboot of the series.

Throughout the ceremony, the emotional weight of the occasion was evident as Warwick Davis thanked his children for their strength and support.

The identity of the mystery woman accompanying Warwick Davis at the OBE ceremony remains undisclosed.
SAN DIEGO, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VST BIO Corporation ("VST BIO"), a biotechnology company developing stroke therapeutics, announces the closing of its Series A financing, led by Coefficient Giving, a philanthropic funder and advisor that partners with donors on cost-effective, high-impact giving across issues such as global health, science R&D and more. Coefficient Giving funding partners have invested a total of $45MM since the company's inception in 2020. Proceeds from the Series A will enable the company to advance its lead program into first-in-human studies in 2026, expand its platform, and build core development capabilities.

"We are pleased to have completed this financing to support advancement of VB-001 for the benefit of stroke patients," said Krisztina Zsebo Ph.D., CEO and Chairman of the Board of VST BIO. Dr. Zsebo continued, "The positive results of our monoclonal antibody in stroke preclinical studies demonstrated the potential of VB-001 to become an important treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke."

As part of the financing, VST BIO has appointed William Sessa, to its Board of Directors, effective March 3, 2026. Bill most recently has served as SVP and CSO for Internal Medicine at Pfizer until mid-2025, where he was responsible for early-stage discovery to phase 2b programs. At Pfizer, he started innovative programs targeting the interface of metabolic driven, cardio-renal syndrome and advanced several NCEs into the clinic. He is also Alfred Gilman Emeritus Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine.

"Bill Sessa brings decades of experience in translating vascular therapeutics from basic research to proof-of-concept clinical trials, that will be invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth," said Michael Simons, co-founder of VST BIO. "His insights in drug development will strengthen our ability to deliver on our mission to stroke patients."

"I am excited to work with VST BIO who is developing a first in class molecule targeting vascular inflammation in stroke patients. This bold approach, supported by extensive pre-clinical data, has the potential to transform the landscape for patients with this debilitating disease," said Bill Sessa.

About VST BIO Corporation

VST BIO is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on vascular diseases, e.g., developing first-in-class antibodies targeting edema and inflammation for patients with ischemic stroke. The company's lead candidate, VB-001 has demonstrated efficacy in a number of diseases including stroke, sepsis, and has the potential to reduce cytokine release syndrome in a number of clinical settings. VST BIO is headquartered in San Diego, CA.

For more information, please visit www.vst-bio.com

About Coefficient Giving

Coefficient Giving is a philanthropic funder and advisor that works with donors who share its commitment to cost-effective, high-impact giving. Since 2014, it has directed more than $4 billion in grants across more than a dozen cause areas and has conducted in-depth research to identify the areas where philanthropic capital can have the greatest impact.

Coefficient Giving partners with major philanthropists to support their giving, providing research on cause areas and specific giving opportunities, strategic guidance on how to maximize impact, and operational support. For more information, visit coefficientgiving.org.

Media and Investor Contacts

Rebecque Laba, COO

VST BIO Corporation

(858) 665-2009

[email protected]

SOURCE VST Bio Corporation
Quentin Tarantino fires back at Rosanna Arquette's criticism of his film dialogue. Explore the feud and the filmmaker's controversial Hollywood reputation.

AceShowbiz - Quentin Tarantino stands out in Hollywood not only for his cinematic achievements but also for his unapologetically blunt and often divisive remarks. Despite accumulating multiple Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes, Quentin Tarantino has developed a reputation as one of the industrys most outspoken and controversial filmmakers.

Recently, the director responded fiercely to criticism from actress Rosanna Arquette concerning his frequent use of the N-word in his films. Arquette condemned the language as racist and creepy, sparking a public feud between the two. The 62-year-old filmmaker, in a statement to the Daily Mail, suggested that Arquettes remarks were motivated by a desire for publicity rather than genuine concern.

Quentin Tarantino took issue with Arquettes public comments, especially given her past involvement in his work. Arquette appeared in the 1994 cult classic Pulp Fiction, playing Jody, the wife of drug dealer Lance (Eric Stoltz). The director expressed disappointment that Arquette would criticize the film decades after benefiting from her role and the associated paycheck.

In his retort, Quentin Tarantino wrote: Dear Rosanna, I hope the publicity you're getting from 132 different media outlets writing your name and printing your picture was worth disrespecting me and a film I remember quite clearly you were thrilled to be a part of? He further accused her of displaying a decided lack of class and lacking honor by trashing the movie for what he suspected were cynical reasons. He emphasized the importance of solidarity among artists, referencing the French term esprit de corps to describe the mutual respect expected within creative circles.

Arquette, however, reaffirmed her stance in an interview with The Sunday Times, praising Pulp Fiction as iconic and a great film on a lot of levels but remained firm in her rejection of the racial slurs frequent usage. She declared, Personally I am over the use of the N-word - I hate it. She argued that Quentin Tarantino should not be exempt from criticism simply because of his auteur status, insisting the language is not art but just racist and creepy.

This clash is just one example of many contentious moments in Quentin Tarantinos career, where his bluntness has sparked backlash. In December, for instance, he publicly criticized actor Paul Dano for what he described as a weak performance in the acclaimed film There Will Be Blood. Quentin Tarantino argued that Danos portrayal of the twins Paul and Eli Sunday undermined the films quality, despite the actor receiving a BAFTA nomination for the role.

During a podcast, Quentin Tarantino did not hold back, labeling Dano as weak sauce and the weak sister, implying that the film would rank among the best if not for what he considered Danos lackluster acting. In contrast, he praised fellow actor Austin Butler, who appeared in his 2019 film Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, highlighting Butlers talent favorably.

Quentin Tarantino also expressed disdain for actors Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, stating bluntly, I don't care for Owen Wilson, I don't care for Matthew Lillard during the same podcast. Interestingly, Wilson starred in one of Quentin Tarantinos favorite films, the Woody Allen drama Midnight In Paris, revealing a complex relationship with certain Hollywood figures.

The directors sharp tongue extends beyond his professional peers to his personal life. He has publicly admitted to harboring resentment toward his own mother, Connie, and refuses to share his substantial $120 million fortune with her. This vow stems from a childhood incident when she mocked his ambitions to become a writer.

On The Moment podcast, hosted by Brian Koppelman, Quentin Tarantino recalled how his mother sided with his teachers after he was reprimanded for writing screenplays in school. He described her sarcastic dismissal of his little writing career, which prompted him to swear he would never financially support her once he succeeded.

Despite this harsh stance, he acknowledged helping her once with an IRS issue but confirmed that he has not provided her with any major financial benefits such as a house or luxury car. Quentin Tarantino emphasized the lasting consequences of the words parents use toward their children, especially regarding their dreams and passions.

Connie later addressed the situation in a statement to the Daily Mail, expressing pride and love for her son and his expanding family. She also cautioned against drawing conclusions from isolated podcast soundbites, highlighting how such comments can be taken out of context and spread inaccurately.

Throughout his career, Quentin Tarantino has repeatedly ignited debates and polarized opinions with his candid and often provocative statements. While his artistic contributions to cinema are undeniable, his outspoken nature continues to fuel controversies both within Hollywood and beyond.

As the director navigates his public persona, his clashes with actors, critics, and even family members illustrate the complexities behind his creative genius and uncompromising personality. Whether admired or criticized, Quentin Tarantino remains one of the most talked-about figures in contemporary film.
C2C Festival 2027 expands to Manchester! Join the country music celebration in London, Glasgow & Manchester, March 12-14. Get tickets now.

AceShowbiz - The popular country music event, C2C Festival, announced its plans for the 2027 edition on Monday, March 16. The festival will continue its tradition of simultaneous shows across multiple UK cities, now including London, Glasgow, and, for the first time, Manchester.

The 2027 festival will take place at three major venues: Londons O2 Arena, Glasgows OVO Hydro, and the new addition, Manchesters AO Arena, over the weekend of March 12-14. This marks a significant expansion, as Manchester has not previously hosted the event.

The announcement came shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 festival, which featured performances from notable country artists including Zach Top, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson, and Drake Milligan. The 2026 edition took place across London, Glasgow, and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Tickets for the 2027 festival will be available for general sale starting Friday, March 20, via the festival's official website. The full lineup is expected to be announced in the coming months, generating anticipation among country music fans.

Country music's popularity in the UK has been steadily rising, with the BPI reporting in 2025 that demand for the genre reached its highest album consumption share since 1999. This growth reflects the festivals expanding appeal and the broader interest in country music across Europe.

Since its debut in 2013 at the O2 Arena in London, the C2C Festival has showcased some of the biggest names and emerging stars in country music. Over the years, the event has featured acclaimed artists such as Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, and Luke Combs.

Starting in 2014, the festival expanded to multiple cities across Europe simultaneously, including stops in Dublin, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Rotterdam. Notably, in 2019, C2C was also held in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, featuring headliners like Keith Urban, Lady A, and Chris Stapleton, alongside artists such as Brett Eldredge, Chase Rice, and Dustin Lynch.

Despite its expansion, Londons 20,000-capacity O2 Arena has remained the festivals permanent home since inception. The addition of Manchester in 2027 signals further growth and a commitment to reaching more country music fans across the UK.
TikTok star Cooper Noriega's fatal overdose leads to plea deals. Two men admit to supplying fentanyl-laced pills in "DoorDash for drugs" case.

AceShowbiz - Cooper Noriega, the TikTok personality whose fatal overdose made headlines, is at the center of a criminal case involving two men accused of supplying the drugs that led to his death. According to recently obtained legal documents, two individuals have accepted plea agreements following charges related to the deadly incident.

Erick Estrada, a California resident, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, as well as distribution of fentanyl leading to death. Prosecutors describe Estradas operation as essentially a DoorDash for drugs, highlighting the dangerous scale of his activities that contributed to the deaths of Cooper Noriega and another person.

Authorities allege Estrada sold fentanyl-laced oxycodone pills to Arian Alani, who subsequently sold the drugs to Cooper Noriega. It was these fentanyl-contaminated pills that caused Cooper Noriega to overdose and die in June 2022 after consuming just half of one pill.

Arian Alani also accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Prosecutors have requested a 10-year prison sentence for Alani, while they are seeking a much harsher sentence of 30 years plus 5 years supervised release for Estrada.

Just hours before his death, Cooper Noriega posted a TikTok image of himself in bed with the caption, who else b thinking they gon d! young af. His untimely passing at the age of 19 has underscored the ongoing dangers of fentanyl-laced drugs circulating among young people.

This case highlights the federal governments push to impose lengthy prison terms on those responsible for distributing fatal quantities of fentanyl, especially when linked to high-profile overdose deaths like that of Cooper Noriega.
Zendaya discusses Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three, and addresses viral AI wedding photos with Tom Holland.

AceShowbiz - Spider-Man: Brand New Day star Zendaya, who also headlines the upcoming Dune: Part Three, recently opened up about the latest film installment and addressed the online buzz around AI-generated wedding photos involving her and Tom Holland.

Earlier today, Sony Pictures unveiled the first glimpse of the trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, creating excitement for fans of the franchise. This release comes ahead of the much-anticipated teaser for Dune: Part Three, which is also scheduled to debut later the same day, marking a thrilling period for Zendaya's followers.

The actress, known for portraying MJ within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! yesterday evening to promote her latest project, The Drama, co-starring Robert Pattinson. During the interview, the host inquired about her involvement and thoughts on Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Zendaya revealed that she has viewed "a good amount" of the film and expressed positive feelings about it, emphasizing the significance of the story within the Spider-Man narrative. She reflected on the privilege of contributing to a series that she and her co-stars grew up watching, highlighting Tom Holland's dedication to embodying the role of Spider-Man authentically. "He's really done a great job," she stated.

When asked whether Holland is the best actor to take on Spider-Man, Zendaya cheekily admitted her bias but agreed with the sentiment. This candid acknowledgment delighted fans eager for insights into the dynamic between the lead actors.

Beyond discussing the film, Zendaya addressed the viral AI-generated wedding photos depicting her and Tom Holland. Since news of their marriage emerged, numerous digitally created images have circulated online, prompting speculation and curiosity. The actress clarified, "I was just out and about in real life, and people were like, 'Oh my God, your wedding photos are gorgeous.' And I was like, 'Babe, they're AI. They're not real!'" She refrained from elaborating further on their personal relationship, maintaining a respectful boundary.

Regarding Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Zendaya is not expected to have a prominent role. This leaves audiences uncertain about MJ's storyline, especially whether she will regain her memories and feelings for Peter Parker, which were obscured by Doctor Strange's spell in the previous film. The last scenes showed Michelle and her friend Ned preparing to leave New York for MIT, with a subtle hint of recognition when Peter visited the donut shop where she worked.

The movie is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, with a script penned by returning franchise writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Alongside Tom Holland as Spider-Man, the cast includes Jon Bernthal, Mark Ruffalo, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Michael Mando, Tramell Tillman, Marvin Jones III, Jacob Batalon, and Liza Colon-Zayas. Additionally, Florence Pugh is expected to reprise her role as Yelena Belova, connecting to the upcoming Thunderbolts project.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is slated for a theatrical release on July 31, 2026, promising to continue expanding the beloved Marvel saga with fresh storylines and returning favorites.
Lollapalooza 2026: See Charli XCX, Lorde & Tate McRae headline. Smashing Pumpkins return! July 30-Aug 2 in Chicago's Grant Park.

AceShowbiz - The highly anticipated Lollapalooza 2026 will showcase an exciting lineup with Charli XCX, Lorde, and Tate McRae as the main headliners. The festival is scheduled to take place over four days, from July 30 to August 2, at Chicago's iconic Grant Park.

Alongside these pop stars, the festival will also feature performances from notable artists such as Olivia Dean, the XX, Jennie, John Summit, and the legendary Smashing Pumpkins. Remarkably, this will mark the first U.S. Lollapalooza appearance for the Smashing Pumpkins since 1994, much to the excitement of fans.

This years event promises a diverse roster, with over 100 artists performing across eight stages. The lineup spans a wide array of genres, including hip-hop, indie, rock, and pop. Other prominent names confirmed for the festival include Lil Uzi Vert, Turnstile, Sombr, Beabadoobee, Yungblud, Ethel Cain, Leon Thomas, Clipse, Zara Larsson, Geese, I-dle, Freddie Gibbs, Aespa, Wet Leg, Blood Orange, Suki Waterhouse, 5 Seconds of Summer, Audrey Hobert, Oklou, Horsegirl, Little Simz, CMAT, Boys Noize, Wolf Alice, Nettspend, and Mustard. A complete lineup is available on the official festival poster.

Presale tickets for Lollapalooza 2026 will go on sale starting Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT. The earliest buyers during the first hour will have access to the lowest-priced tickets. The public on-sale will begin the same day at noon ET/11 a.m. CT. For more details, ticket options, and pricing, fans can visit the official Lollapalooza website.

For Charli XCX, this festival appearance marks her only North American concert scheduled for 2026. Besides Lollapalooza, she is set to perform at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the U.K. Over the past two years, she has toured extensively supporting her breakthrough album Brat. However, in 2026, her focus has shifted towards film projects, including her own movie The Moment and work on the soundtrack and score for Emerald Fennells adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

Both Tate McRae and Lorde will also headline the Osheaga festival in Montreal, which coincidentally occurs the same weekend as Lollapalooza. For Lorde, whose latest album Virgin was released last summer, the Chicago festival is one of several North American events she will headline this summer, including Governors Ball in New York and All Things Go in Toronto.

Meanwhile, Tate McRae has a more limited 2026 schedule, with only Lollapalooza and Osheaga on her itinerary after spending much of 2025 touring in support of her album So Close to What. Fans can expect memorable performances from all three artists at this summers festival.
Experience the sunlit horror of Midsommar. Stream Ari Aster's acclaimed film free on Kanopy. Florence Pugh stars in this tale of grief and ritualistic terror.

AceShowbiz - If youve been wanting to revisit one of the most emotionally intense horror films of recent yearsor experience the unsettling trauma discussion surrounding it for the first timenows your opportunity. Midsommar, the renowned horror film from A24, will be available to stream for free starting next month on Kanopy, a streaming platform supported by libraries that offers exceptional cinema at no cost.

Written and directed by Ari Aster, Midsommar tells the story of Dani, a young woman grappling with profound grief, who travels to Sweden alongside her emotionally distant boyfriend and his friends. They attend a rare midsummer festival that initially appears to be a serene cultural experience but soon becomes a disorienting and sunlit nightmare filled with ritualistic horror, sorrow, and psychological breakdown. The film features a stellar cast including Florence Pugh in a career-defining role as Dani, alongside Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, and Will Poulter. After watching, you might never look at a flower crown the same way again.

Unlike typical horror movies that rely on darkness and shadows, Midsommar unfolds almost entirely in daylight. This bright, pastoral setting contrasts sharply with the disturbing events taking place, enhancing the films unsettling tone. Ari Aster masterfully blends emotional horror with physical terror, exploring themes of heartbreak and co-dependency. The sunshine-drenched visuals give the story an elevated, haunting quality that lingers with viewers long after the film ends.

Colliders review praised Midsommar as a vibrant, disturbing, and darkly humorous folk horror fairy tale. It described the movie as a sun-drenched nightmare that shifts from the suffocating dread seen in Hereditary to something more surreal, emotional, and arguably more disquieting than straightforward terror. The review highlighted Florence Pughs performance as extraordinary, noting her raw vulnerability and emotional accuracy that anchor the entire film. It called her a rising superstar, a prediction that has since proven true.

The review also acknowledged that while the film doesnt always fully succeedsome subplots feel like dead ends and could be trimmedthe overall impact is powerful. Much like the experience of heartbreak itself, Midsommar takes time to digest. It stays with you, messing with your mind in unexpected ways. It might not haunt you with nightmares, but it will force you to confront uncomfortable truths, possibly making you rethink your relationships and prompting you to reach out to loved ones.

For those unfamiliar, Midsommar was originally released on July 3, 2019, and has a runtime of 147 minutes. Its unique approach to horror, combining emotional depth with unsettling ritualistic imagery, sets it apart from traditional genre fare.

Next month, if you want to experience this unforgettable film without any cost, you can stream Midsommar for free on Kanopy. This platform continues to provide access to high-quality films, supported by public libraries, making it easier than ever to explore acclaimed cinema from home.
Lanterns' minimalist trailer sparks debate. Fans and creators clash over the missing "Green" and lack of ring constructs. Is HBO Max redefining the hero?

AceShowbiz - With its August debut still months away, Lanterns has already sparked heated debate within the DC Universe fandom. The initial teaser trailer featured only a fleeting glimpse of Hal Jordan flying and lacked the usual spectacular special effects or iconic ring constructs expected from a Green Lantern story. This minimalistic approach quickly became a target for memes, Reddit discussions, and vocal dissatisfaction among fans. The buzz even caught the attention of the official HBO Max social media team, who responded with lighthearted jokes about the trailers simplicity.

The controversy deepened when an old quote from the showrunner, Damon Lindelof, resurfaced. On a comedy podcast, Lindelof had joked that the shows title dropped the word Green because everyone involved agreed that Green was a stupid word. This remark provoked a strong reaction from esteemed comics writer Grant Morrison, who launched a Substack post accusing Hollywood of frequently assigning superhero projects to creators who are ashamed of the source material. Morrison called Lindelofs dismissal of the iconic Green in the title jockish, intensifying the backlash. In response, Lindelof has now addressed the criticism directly.

On Instagram, Lindelof admitted, I have upset Grant Morrison, which means I have now pissed off MOST of the brilliant British/Scottish comics writers that I grew up idolizing. This self-deprecating remark references his complicated history with comics legend Alan Moore. Lindelof was the creator of HBOs Watchmen sequel series, which continued the story from Moores groundbreaking 1986-87 graphic novel. Moore, who famously disapproves of adaptations of his work and removes his name from them, was notably displeased with the series. Lindelof humorously added, To quote the bard (Otis Redding), this is nobodys fault but mine.

Addressing his earlier podcast comments, Lindelof acknowledged, I made a dumb joke on a comedy podcast. I'm not going to bob and weave about context, the joke was dumb, the fandom is not. I owe them an explanation and a genuine reflection of my actual feelings. He then reflected on his roots as a fan, recalling the first time he attended Comic-Con in 2004 to promote the pilot of Lost, proudly wearing a Hal Jordan T-shirt. For Lindelof, Green Lantern was a significant childhood hero. He explained, For a quiet, uncoordinated kid, there was nothing cooler than a hero whose superpower was his imagination.

Regarding his stupid comment about the color green, Lindelof was emphatic: Green is not stupid, it is my lifelong favorite color, and I have a questionnaire that I filled out in third grade to prove it. Green is f-cking awesome. He concluded his apology by placing faith in the series itself, stating, I'll let the show speak for itself, and I can't wait for you all to hear what it has to say.

Damon Lindelof didnt necessarily need to apologize, but his willingness to do so shows respect for the passionate fanbase and comic book creators who hold the Green Lantern legacy dear.

Grant Morrisons broader critiquethat Hollywood often pairs superhero properties with creatives who are embarrassed by traditional superhero tropes and end up diluting themis a valid observation about the industry. However, when directed at DC Studios specifically, the criticism feels misplaced at this moment in time. James Gunns recent works demonstrate a strong embrace of the source materials spirit. His take on Superman celebrated the characters optimism and playful tone, complete with a flying Krypto and a faithful Guy Gardner (played by Nathan Fillion) sporting the classic bowl cut. Similarly, the hit series Peacemaker fully embraces its absurd premise, even opening with a full cast dance number. These choices reflect a studio unafraid to lean into the comic-book roots, not one ashamed of them.

The restrained portrayal of powers in the Lanterns trailer can also be understood within the context of HBOs marketing strategy. The network is known for its teasers that emphasize mystery rather than revealing key plot points, a tactic seen with shows like House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus. This approach prioritizes suspense and intrigue, and doesnt necessarily indicate that the full Green Lantern mythology wont be explored on screen.

Regarding the decision to drop Green from the title, the rationale becomes clearer once the shows narrative trajectory is considered. Lindelof and his team have described Lanterns as a story that starts on Earth but expands into the broader cosmos. Confirmed cast members include Yellow Lantern Sinestro (played by Ulrich Thomsen), and rumors suggest that Red Lantern Atrocitus will appear as well. If the series is indeed setting up John Stewarts (Aaron Pierre) journey beyond Earth and into the expansive emotional spectrum of the various Lantern Corps, then a title like Lanterns  plural and inclusive of multiple colors  makes perfect sense. It signals a broader focus beyond just the Green Lanterns.

Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on HBO this August, promising a fresh take on the Green Lantern mythos and its cosmic extensions.

As the conversation continues, fans and critics alike are left to wonder: is the criticism from Grant Morrison fair, or is it premature to judge a show that hasnt yet aired? The debate is open, and viewers will soon have the chance to see how Lanterns honors its source material while carving out its own identity.

Join the discussion and share your thoughts on whether Lanterns lives up to the legacy of Green Lantern and the wider Lantern Corps universe.
Experience the legendary Oasis reunion tour like never before. This four-hour documentary weaves concert footage with a cinematic plot for a phenomenal story.

AceShowbiz - The upcoming documentary about the legendary Oasis 2025 reunion tour is shaping up to be an extraordinary cinematic experience, currently running around four hours in length. Producer Steven Knight has described the film as "phenomenal," highlighting its unique approach to storytelling.

During a recent interview on Project Big Screen, Knight revealed that the documentary is not a typical concert film but rather a documentary with a plot, emphasizing that it "actually got a story." Although he did not clarify exactly how the narrative unfolds, this description suggests the project could blend factual documentary footage with dramatized elements, similar to Martin Scorseses take on Bob Dylans Rolling Thunder Revue tour or Charli XCXs The Moment.

Despite the impressive four-hour length, Knight confirmed the team is working on trimming the runtime to a more audience-friendly duration. He also expressed great enthusiasm about the interviews with brothers Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, noting their wit and how entertaining their conversations were throughout the filming process. "They're just one quote after another, they're just so funny," Knight remarked.

Steven Knight, known for creating the hit Netflix drama Peaky Blinders and writing an upcoming film, is producing the Oasis documentary. The film is directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace, who have previously worked on notable music documentaries including LCD Soundsystems 2012 concert film Shut Up and Play the Hits and the 2022 documentary Meet Me in the Bathroom, which covers the early-2000s indie rock scene in New York City.

The 2025 reunion tour wrapped up last November after Oasis series of performances across South America. While the band has no confirmed plans following the documentary, Liam Gallagher has teased the possibility of future tours through vague social media posts. At the end of December, responding to a tweet about the tours end, he hinted, "Bring on 2027 I mean 2026 I mean happy easter."

This documentary promises to offer fans an in-depth and fresh perspective on one of the most iconic bands in rock history, capturing the spirit and stories behind the much-anticipated reunion. As it moves closer to release, anticipation is growing for a film that goes beyond typical concert footage to deliver a compelling narrative experience.
Netflix's Little House reboot renewed for Season 2 before premiere. Watch the new adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic, streaming July 9.

AceShowbiz - Netflix has officially renewed its reboot of Little House on the Prairie for a second season ahead of the series premiere. The announcement came on Tuesday, signaling strong confidence in the drama even before it debuts on the streaming platform.

The new adaptation of the classic story, inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilders beloved book series, is set to premiere on July 9. This fresh take on the family drama explores the origins of life in the American West, with a talented cast leading the way.

The series stars Alice Halsey as the determined Laura Ingalls, alongside Skywalker Hughes playing her older sister Mary. The parental roles are filled by Luke Bracey as Pa and Crosby Fitzgerald as Ma, bringing new life to these iconic characters.

The original Little House on the Prairie aired on NBC starting in 1974 and captivated audiences for nine seasons. This reboot is produced by CBS Studios in partnership with Anonymous Content, with Rebecca Sonnenshine acting as showrunner and executive producer. She collaborates with executive producers Joy Gorman Wettels, Trip Friendly, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel.

Trip Friendly, whose father acquired the TV and movie rights to Wilders novels leading to the original NBC series, initially sold the reboot rights in 2020 to Paramount TV Studios and Anonymous Content. This continuity highlights the careful stewardship of the adaptation across generations.

"I'm incredibly grateful to our wonderful cast and crew, who put their hearts and hard work into making our first season come alive," Sonnenshine expressed. She added that they are eager to share this new version of the stories worldwide and are excited that Netflix has entrusted them to continue the narrative.

Jinny Howe, Netflixs head of U.S. and Canada scripted series, commented on the renewal, praising the exceptional work of Sonnenshine and the cast. She highlighted the shows hopeful tone and emotional depth as a strong foundation for future seasons. Howe stated the series is poised to deliver even more of what fans cherish about Little House on the Prairie.

With the early renewal secured, fans can look forward to more episodes following the July 9 launch, as Netflix positions this reboot as a key drama in its lineup.
Canceled animated film from Matt Braly & Rebecca Sugar explored Thai spirits & acceptance. See the lost concept art & why it was axed.

AceShowbiz - An upcoming animated movie project has been canceled after several years of development and the creation of concept art. This highlights challenges faced by animated projects, despite the mediums recent successes such as the Netflix show KPop Demon Hunters.

The canceled project was a collaboration between Matt Braly, the creator of Amphibia and contributor to The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and Rebecca Sugar, known for creating Steven Universe. The news came in February 2026 when Braly announced on social media that their film would not move forward. Despite the years invested and a script in the works, the project was deemed "not commercial enough to produce." Alongside the announcement, Braly shared concept art.

The story was set to follow a protagonist traveling to a realm inhabited by Thai spirits, seeking a cure before an important medical operation. The narrative aimed to explore themes of acceptance and grace in the face of unchangeable circumstances. Braly described the story as deeply personal, drawing from his own experience living with chronic illness.

The character designs and artistic vision showcased in the concept art hinted at a visually unique film. Commercial considerations ultimately prevented the project from advancing.

Despite this, Matt Braly remains optimistic about the future of his creative work. He has announced the formation of his own animation studio, Fantasy Project, which aims to develop projects that might otherwise be overlooked by larger media companies.

The first major project under Fantasy Project is titled Clara and the Below, described as a "gothic horror spin on the Nutcracker." This film is set to launch a Kickstarter campaign for funding on March 13, 2026. The campaign has already attracted over 3,000 followers, exceeding Bralys initial goal of 1,000.

This transition from a canceled film to a new, independently backed project highlights how creators like Matt Braly are seeking alternative paths to bring distinctive animated stories to audiences.

In sum, the cancellation of this animated movie project reflects the balance between artistic vision and commercial viability in animation today. With Matt Braly spearheading new efforts through Fantasy Project, fans can look forward to new animated content in the future.
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Tony Gilroy dismisses rumors of tension with Dave Filoni, confirming their positive, professional relationship despite limited interactions.

AceShowbiz - Andor creator Tony Gilroy has addressed and dismissed rumors of discord between himself and Dave Filoni, the newly appointed Lucasfilm chief and creative force behind The Mandalorian. Despite speculation of behind-the-scenes tension, Gilroy emphasized that his relationship with Filoni remains positive and professional.

Recent reports suggested that Filoni may have harbored some dissatisfaction with the Andor series. However, Gilroy clarified in a new interview that such claims are unfounded. He explained that he and Filoni have only met a handful of times and shared approximately six conversations over the past decade, underscoring a cordial, if infrequent, connection. Gilroy stated, "We've only met a couple times, and we've only had a half-a-dozen conversations over the last ten years. Seriously. I saw Jon Favreau at a scoring session once. We've always gotten along with those guys, and we've never had anything but high praise for everything that they've done."

Gilroy further acknowledged the influence Filoni and Jon Favreau have had on the existence of Andor, expressing gratitude for the groundwork laid by their pioneering Star Wars series. He noted, "We only have our show because of them, and we've always said that was true. There's no Andor without The Mandalorian. It would not exist. So it has never been anything but cordial and pleasant, ever, ever, ever, ever. I don't know anything that you don't know. I really don't."

The Andor series serves as a prequel to the 2016 film Rogue One and follows the journey of Cassian Andor, portrayed by Diego Luna. The storyline traces Cassians transformation from a reluctant thief to a committed Rebel Alliance operative. Recruited by Luthen Rael, played by Stellan Skarsgard, Cassian becomes deeply involved in resisting the oppressive Galactic Empire.

The series also explores the darker, bureaucratic elements of the Empire through characters like Syril Karn, an obsessive Imperial officer who views Cassian as his nemesis, and Dedra Meero, an Imperial bureaucrat whose ambitions tie into the construction of the Death Star. Additionally, the emotional cost of rebellion is highlighted through Cassians relationship with Bix Caleen, played by Adria Arjona, who represents a personal sacrifice amidst the wider conflict.

Gilroy drew parallels between the depiction of the Empires fascist regime in Andor and the troubling anti-democratic tendencies observed in contemporary political climates, particularly referencing the United States. He described the Empires authoritarianism as akin to a "Fascism for Dummies," emphasizing the shows thematic intent to reflect real-world dangers of unchecked power.

Looking ahead, Gilroy revealed his next project, the film Behemoth!, which he will write and direct. The movie is set to star Pedro Pascal, widely known as the lead of The Mandalorian. This collaboration further ties Gilroys creative work to the expanding Star Wars universe.

Andor is currently available for streaming on Disney+, continuing to draw praise for its mature storytelling and complex characters. Fans and critics alike anticipate how the series will continue to deepen the lore of the Star Wars galaxy.

The rumors of a feud between the creative minds behind two of Star Wars most acclaimed recent projects appear to be just thatrumors. As Gilroys comments confirm, the relationship between the Andor creators and Lucasfilm leadership remains respectful and appreciative, underscoring a shared commitment to enriching this beloved franchise.
Alice Evans smiles as her trial with ex-husband Ioan Gruffudd concludes. Details on the spousal support case and the actors' contrasting courtroom exits.

AceShowbiz - Alice Evans was seen leaving the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles with a smile on her face on Friday, marking the conclusion of the final day of her trial with ex-husband Ioan Gruffudd. The British-American actress, aged 57, wore a black polka-dot blouse paired with a flowing blue skirt as she exited the court building, appearing composed after a lengthy and emotionally charged legal battle.

Meanwhile, the Welsh actor, 52, maintained a more reserved demeanor. Gruffudd briefly exchanged a smile with his legal team but otherwise remained expressionless as he departed the courthouse, highlighting the tension that has defined their ongoing dispute.

The trial centered on unresolved matters relating to spousal and child support following the dissolution of their long-term marriage. The proceedings came on the heels of a significant courtroom decision made the previous day when a judge ruled in favor of Ioan Gruffudd by renewing a domestic violence restraining order against Alice Evans for an additional five years.

On Thursday morning, the judge deliberated on the evidence presented over a seven-day trial and concluded that the restraining order, initially imposed in 2022, should remain in effect. This legal protection was granted in response to a pattern of harassment and abuse allegedly carried out by Evans against Gruffudd and his new wife, Australian actress Bianca Wallace, 33.

Striding out of court following the ruling, Alice Evans held her head high but showed signs of strain, pursing her lips and carrying her handbag over her shoulder. For that days appearance, she combined mostly black attire with a patterned midi skirt and bold red lipstick, adding a touch of color to her otherwise somber ensemble.

Throughout the trial, Evans maintained a calm and subdued presence as Judge Michael Convey delivered his decision. On the opposing side of the courtroom, Gruffudd also showed limited emotion, sitting quietly at the end of the table. Neither party provided comments to the press following the judges announcement.

The legal battle has been marked by serious allegations and admissions. During the opening days of the trial, Gruffudd outlined a years-long campaign of online harassment and abuse allegedly conducted by Alice Evans. This campaign targeted both him and Wallace, prompting the couple to seekand initially wina three-year restraining order in 2022.

In a significant moment on Wednesday, Alice Evans took the witness stand and admitted to posting disparaging and false statements about her former husband and his new spouse on social media. She offered public apologies to both Ioan Gruffudd and Bianca Wallace, expressing feelings of shame and regret over her past actions.

Despite her apologies, Judge Convey was unconvinced by her claims of remorse. He cited multiple violations of the original restraining order, which required her to maintain a 100-foot distance from both Gruffudd and Wallace and prohibited her from making negative online posts about them.

In his detailed 75-minute summary of the case, the judge described Alice Evans as having engaged in a concerted, focused, intentional and caustic campaign of denigration against Ioan Gruffudd and Bianca Wallace. He emphasized that her threats of force and intimidation caused Gruffudd to fear for the physical safety of both himself and Wallace. The judge also noted that her pattern of abuse had led to isolation from their children and that her vow to dedicate her life to fighting him and damaging his career posed a threat to his ability to provide for their daughters.

Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans separated in early 2021 amid a bitter divorce that was finalized in 2023. Since then, the pair have been embroiled in disputes over financial support and custody of their two daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12. Gruffudd married Bianca Wallace in April 2023, and the couple welcomed their daughter Mila in November of the same year.

Judge Convey expressed particular concern over an incident witnessed by the children, in which Alice Evans screamed at Gruffudd and threatened to Amber Heard him, a reference that alarmed the court. She also reportedly told the daughters, If daddys creepy with you, let me know, which the judge described as harassment. Another troubling episode involved Evans publicly disclosing that Wallace suffers from multiple sclerosis, causing distress to Wallace and her family.

The judge categorized these actions as emotional abuse and coercive control, questioning whether Evanss expressions of regret were genuine. While acknowledging some reduction in her hostile online activity, Judge Convey noted insufficient evidence of true responsibility or behavioral change.

The renewed restraining order will remain in place for five years, with the judge stressing the importance of therapy for Alice Evans. He warned that any violation of the order could lead to criminal charges. He also urged both parties to seek a workable co-parenting arrangement to allow Ioan Gruffudd to reestablish a relationship with their daughters, whom he reportedly has not seen in two years according to Evans.

Neither Alice Evans nor Ioan Gruffudd commented publicly on the ruling. However, Gruffudds lawyer, Joseph Langlois, told the Daily Mail that the decision marked a start for Alice to correct her life, expressing hope that she would embrace the courts advice and change her behavior going forward.

During closing statements, Langlois emphasized that the legal threshold for renewing the restraining order was whether the protected parties had a reasonable fear of future abuse. He argued that Evans had violated the previous order almost too many times to count and that her actions endangered the safety of Gruffudd, Wallace, and their infant daughter Mila.

Langlois further detailed how Evanss relentless online abuse over a five-year span, from 2021 to 2025, was driven by a desire for revenge fueled by emotions surrounding her divorce. He highlighted testimony from Wallace about death threats received by her and her baby as a result of Evanss derogatory posts, raising concerns about potential physical harm from followers incited by Evanss rhetoric.

He concluded by stating that Evans had not adequately shown remorse and continued to deny and excuse her abusive conduct. She has never taken any steps to reform her abusive character, Langlois asserted.

In response, Alice Evanss attorney, Janina Verano, acknowledged the emotional turmoil Evans experienced during the initial stages of the harassment, attributing it to isolation during the end of the COVID pandemic and the loss of her marriage. Verano described how learning of Gruffudds relationship with Wallace devastated Evans, prompting her behavior.

However, Verano insisted that Evans had moved past this phase and was in a very different place now. She told the court that the abusive emails and texts had ceased, and that Evans had deactivated her Twitter account to prevent further conflict. While some recent social media posts addressed her experiences, Verano stressed these were not intended to disturb Gruffudds peace.

As the trial came to a close, the court underscored the ongoing challenges faced by both parties in navigating their post-divorce relationship amid allegations of harassment and abuse. The renewed restraining order and the judges directive for therapy and co-parenting efforts mark critical steps toward resolving the complex and painful dispute between Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd.
BLACKPINK's 'DEADLINE' debuts at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, marking a powerful comeback with strong U.S. sales.

AceShowbiz - The South Korean girl group BLACKPINK has achieved their fourth top 10 placement on the Billboard Album Sales chart with their new release DEADLINE. This marks a strong return for the quartet, as the album also debuted within the top 10 on multiple Billboard charts dated March 14.

DEADLINE, BLACKPINKs first album in over three years, earned an impressive No. 2 spot on the Top Album Sales chart. In addition, it secured No. 3 on the Independent Albums chart and landed at No. 8 on the overall Billboard 200, demonstrating wide commercial success across different ranking systems.

The five-track album accumulated 52,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during the week ending March 5. Of those, pure album sales accounted for 41,000, according to data from Luminate, confirming the groups strong physical and digital sales performance.

Before DEADLINE, BLACKPINKs last major release was BORN PINK, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated October 1, 2022. Since then, each memberJennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosehas released solo projects, all of which charted in the top 15 on the Top Album Sales chart, underlining the members individual popularity and commercial viability.

The Top Album Sales chart for this week featured five new entries in the top 10. Leading the list was Bruno Mars with The Romantic, marking his second No. 1 and fifth top 10 on this chart. Other notable debuts included Gorillazs The Mountain at No. 3, Mitskis Nothings About To Happen to Me at No. 4, and Rob Zombies The Great Satan at No. 6.

Among the rest of the top 10, Bad Bunnys previously No. 1 album DeBI TiRAR MaS FOToS held steady at No. 5. Meanwhile, ATEEZs GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4 and ENHYPENs THE SIN: VANISH each dropped one position to Nos. 7 and 8 respectively.

In a notable return, Panic! at the Discos A Fever You Cant Sweat Out reentered the top 10 at No. 9, marking its first week back in the top tier following its 20th anniversary reissue. Rounding out the top 10 was Olivia Deans The Art of Loving, which slipped from No. 8 to No. 10.

BLACKPINKs latest success with DEADLINE affirms their sustained impact on the U.S. music market, showing both group and solo efforts continue to resonate strongly with fans and consumers alike.
Forensic expert challenges Kurt Cobain's suicide ruling, citing new evidence. Calls for case to be reopened after decades of doubt.

AceShowbiz - A globally respected forensic pathologist has challenged the official verdict on the death of Kurt Cobain, insisting it is nearly impossible that the Nirvana frontman took his own life.

Dr Michael Tsokos, the chief medical examiner in Berlin and a university professor in forensic pathology, has reviewed the available evidence and concluded that the case warrants reopening. Dr Tsokos has conducted over 10,000 autopsies during his career, lending significant weight to his analysis.

The new scrutiny stems from a group called Who Killed Kurt?researchers campaigning for a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994, which was officially ruled a suicide at the time.

This group produced a forensic report, exclusively revealed by The Sun in November, asserting that Cobain was already dead from a heroin overdose before receiving a gunshot wound to the head at his Seattle home. According to their findings, this sequence of events makes self-inflicted death impossible.

Dr Tsokos examined a copy of the autopsy report, which had been kept by Cobain's late grandfather, Leland Cobain. Despite the document having missing pages, the forensic expert states there is sufficient detail to conclude that Cobain was likely murdered.

He explained to The Sun: "We have a very clear drawing from the forensic pathologist who did the autopsy that shows that the palate, the top of the mouth, had an entry wound with soot around it." This wound, he said, corresponds to internal findings describing skull fractures, birdshot pellets inside the brain, and hemorrhages.

Dr Tsokos highlighted his extensive experience in cases where victims appeared dead before sustaining fatal injuries, including staged suicides. He emphasized that in gunshot wounds like those described in Cobain's autopsy, blood is typically drawn into the lungs by the victim's last breath, a phenomenon known as blood aspiration.

He cited examples such as plane crashes, where victims die instantly but still show blood aspiration as a sign of vitality at the time of injury. However, Cobain's report noted a sanguineous frothy fluid in the tracheaconsistent with heroin overdose deathsbut no blood in the lungs.

This absence of blood aspiration is a critical inconsistency, prompting Dr Tsokos to assert: "If I had a case like this on my desk, I would call the homicide squad and say that there is no way this guy could have shot himself."

Questions have also arisen about the credibility of the late Dr Nikolas Hartshorne, the coroner who performed the original autopsy. According to bestselling author Ian Halperin, who spoke exclusively to The Sun in February 2024, Dr Hartshorne boasted of being "intimately involved" with Cobain's wife, Courtney Love.

Halperin claimed Dr Hartshorne was a devoted fan of Nirvana and Courtney Love but lacked sufficient toxicology expertise. Dr Hartshorne died in a BASE jumping accident in Switzerland in 2002.

Dr Tsokos suggested that the failure to note blood in the lungs could be due to incompetence or inexperience on the part of the forensic pathologist. He added that varying levels of expertise exist worldwide and that a lack of experience with similar cases might explain such an oversight.

He also voiced concerns about a potential conflict of interest if the pathologist had a romantic relationship with Courtney Love, saying: "If I found myself in a case like that, I would say that I could not do it. I could act as an observer but others would have to carry out the autopsy."

In January, Who Killed Kurt? lead investigator Michelle Wilkins and legal advisor Mark Larson met with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) chief and sent a letter to the King County medical examiner, presenting their findings and requesting the case be reopened.

The SPD responded by stating: "After careful review and thorough consideration, we have decided not to reopen the Cobain case."

Similarly, the King County medical examiner's office declined to alter Cobain's manner of death from suicide to undetermined. However, they added a statement indicating openness to reconsidering the case should new evidence emerge: "Our office is always open to revisiting its conclusions if new evidence comes to light, but we've seen nothing to date that would warrant re-opening of this case and our previous determination of death."

The controversy surrounding Kurt Cobain's death remains unresolved, with forensic experts and independent investigators continuing to question the official narrative. The persistent calls to reexamine the evidence reflect ongoing doubts about the circumstances of the rock icons tragic end.
Dana Carvey questions a double standard at the Oscars. Would a man asking all men to stand be accepted? He and David Spade debate the moment.

AceShowbiz - Dana Carvey raised questions about a moment during the Oscars when Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the director of photography for Poor Things, asked all the women in the audience to stand up while accepting her historic Best Cinematography award. Carvey wondered if such a gesture would be accepted if a man made a similar call for all men to stand.

Carvey's remarks came during a discussion with fellow comedian and cohost of their podcast Fly on the Wall, David Spade, as they reflected on the Academy Awards ceremony. Spade expressed admiration for Arkapaws celebration of women creatives, highlighting it as a standout moment noted by media outlets like TheWrap. However, Carvey pondered if the moment exposed a double standard based on gender.

"The thing that went to my brain, maybe I'm from another era, but I said, 'Could a dude, could a guy say all the men stand up?'" Carvey asked. Spade responded by questioning whether men would stand up in such a scenario, adding a humorous twist about masculinity.

Carvey joked, "Well, I would stand up and they go, You count for two with all your alpha men." Spade played along, teasing about the abundance of testosterone, while Carvey added, "DHT, you name it." They bantered about how they would handle such a moment if they hosted, with Spade suggesting men flex and Carvey escalating it to men dropping their clothes for ten reps.

Earlier in the conversation, the comedians also discussed the notable absence of actor Sean Penn at the Oscars. Penn was visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the event, a move Carvey praised as making Penn the "coolest" for prioritizing the visit over Hollywood socializing.

"He could have been right next to Timothee Chalamet. He could have hung out with Justin Bieber," Carvey noted. Spade added a playful jab, suggesting Penn might be tired of negative nicknames he'd received.
Susannah Streeter, Chief Investment Strategist, Wealth Club: President Trump sounded bullish before reporters in the Oval Office about the trajectory of the war with Iran, but the conflict has become entrenched and shows little sign of being wrapped up very soon, despite his claims. Tehran has launched intense attacks on the American embassy in Iraq and is continuing to strike key infrastructure sites of US allies across the Middle East. Iran is intent on causing as much disruption and damage to facilities as possible to stop the flow of oil, with energy its key weapon in this conflict. The optimism which mounted on Monday is fizzling out. Crude prices are rising again, and Londons FTSE 100 has had a flat start to trading, with energy giants offering some support but other losses, such as falls in airline stocks, offsetting gains. Investors are assessing the impact of a longer, drawn-out conflict on economies around the world. European indices are expected to be in the red in early trade, and more pessimism is set to spread on Wall Street. The airline industry is still reeling from the repercussions of intense strikes across the Middle East. As drones continue to infiltrate the skies, it has caused a sharp reassessment of flight maps. The closure of UAE airspace overnight due to a drone attack on a fuel storage tank has dashed hopes of more permanent routes being re-established. The tense situation, with travel warnings staying in place and demand for holidays plummeting, has prompted British Airways to cancel all flights to Dubai until at least June. Abu Dhabi flights remain cancelled until October, while routes have also been cancelled to Bahrain, Tel Aviv and Amman. Airlines are counting the high cost of cancellations, rerouting flights, and dented consumer confidence, while aviation fuel has shot up in price and is set to stay highly volatile. While many airlines have oil hedging in place, securing a chunk of their fuel at fixed prices, its not a failsafe solution, particularly if the war drags on much longer. Competition for other, safer destinations is also set to increase as holidaymakers rethink plans, which is likely to see ticket prices continue to rise. The disruption of transport routes will cause huge headaches for conference organisers and hotel chains across the region. The UAE has been trying to project an image of business as usual despite the attacks, but with airlines cancelling routes, the viability of big events has come under serious question, and postponements are set to mount up. Kingdoms in the Gulf were counting on tourism and being hubs for global business to help diversify their economies, and this conflict is proving to be a major setback for those plans. London-listed Informa has seen shares continue to decline in early trading, as investors assess the impact on the global events organiser's operations, particularly in the Middle East. While there appear to be back channels of communication which have opened up between Iran and nations like India, Pakistan and China, enabling safer passage for their tankers, the key Strait of Hormuz still largely out of bounds. Efforts by Trump to round up support from NATO members to increase security through the waterway have been met with considerable pushback. Finlands President, Alexander Stubb, has backed Keir Starmer after the UK Prime Minister was once again singled out by Trump for criticism for not acquiescing to US demands to support its military campaign. Finland and Germanys leaders have stressed that its not a NATO war, with the Finnish President emphasising that peace mediation, not escalation, should be the priority.
204 Veterans, Former Officials Demand Rahul Gandhi's Apology Over 'Unbecoming' Parliament Protest 2

A group of 204 retired armed forces personnel, former civil servants, diplomats and legal professionals on Tuesday demanded that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, apologise to the nation for his conduct during a protest within the Parliament premises, calling it a violation of decorum and institutional dignity.

In an open letter, the signatories alleged that Gandhis actions during a protest on March 12 inside the Parliament House complex amounted to a deliberate defiance of the Speakers directives and reflected a disregard for parliamentary authority.

Despite explicit instructions from the Speaker prohibiting demonstrations within Parliament premises, the Opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, chose to ignore these directions, the letter stated.

The group said such conduct undermines established parliamentary norms and places political theatrics above the dignity of a constitutional institution. They urged Gandhi to apologise and introspect, stating that preserving the sanctity and authority of Parliament is essential.

The signatories also criticised the manner in which the protest was carried out, alleging that Gandhi and several MPs were seen sitting on the steps of Parliament and engaging in activities that were wholly unbecoming of elected representatives.

Parliament is the temple of democracy, and its dignity must be maintained at all timesnot only inside the chambers but across the entire premises, including corridors, staircases and lobbies, the statement said.

The letter further claimed that repeated such actions risk lowering the quality of public discourse and eroding faith in democratic institutions.

Such behaviour suggests a pattern driven more by personal political expression than respect for democratic processes, the signatories added.

The initiative was coordinated by former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police S P Vaid and includes signatures from 116 retired armed forces officers and 84 former bureaucrats, among them four former ambassadors and four senior advocates.

Expressing concern over disruptions and the loss of valuable parliamentary time, the group said such protests weaken the functioning of the legislature and harm the countrys democratic image.

They also described the conduct as particularly concerning given the responsibility attached to the office of the Leader of Opposition, urging greater accountability from those holding constitutional positions.
If you listen to Donald Trumps critics, the president is all over the map in defining the Iran wars endgame. To casual or biased observers, that seems the case. In public pronouncements, the presidents war aims have varied, covering everything from regime change, via popular uprisings -- which he called for -- to erasing Irans capacity to make nuclear weapons to eliminating the mullahs means of playing oil politics and instigating acts of terror. Or combinations thereof.

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Last Friday, in an interview with Fox News Brian Kilmeade, when asked when the war would end, Trump said, When I feel it in my bones.

That comment drove Trump haters crazy. Dont doubt that Trump made the claim in part to get under his detractors skin. Otherwise, the anti-Trumpers lack an appreciation of strategic and tactical ambiguity. Trumps vagueness plays in both ways.

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Gavin Newsom, the failed governor of California, mocked Trumps statement in an X post. He displayed a photo of when Trumps hand was bruised -- from shaking a lot of hands. Newsom suggested that the war was beating the president. Newsom is running for his partys presidential nomination. His Trump dig was red meat thrown to Democrat voters.

Newsom never skips a chance to play the lightweight. In barely more than two weeks of conflict, the American and Israeli joint effort has achieved remarkable military dominance. Irans navy and air force have been rendered nil, for all intents and purposes. Its stockpiles of missiles and drones are depleted. Many were destroyed, along with critical launchers and a drone naval carrier, in waves of U.S. attacks. Iran has some capability left. Three cargo ships were struck in the Strait of Hormuz last week.

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Thats why last Friday night Trump retaliated, ordering U.S. forces to pound Kharg Island military installations. Hes dispatched a contingent of 5,000 Marines and sailors to the Persian Gulf. Speculation is that the Marines may capture the island. Kharg is Irans principal oil export terminal. 90% of its crude transits from the island. The primary recipient? China. More on China shortly.

Marines landing on Kharg would constitute boots on the ground. Democrats and the fringy right are waiting to lose their cool. Yet much of the military infrastructure on the island has been destroyed. What sort of armed resistance the Iranians could mount isnt known. We do know this: given that the Iranians lack air and naval counters, and given that the U.S. will destroy Iranian transports, getting reinforcements and materials to Kharg isnt happening. Will the islands defenders choose surrender or death? If the Marines invade, well see if Iranian soldiers are really Islamic fanatics.

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Trump spared Khargs oil facilities with a proviso. Theyll be reduced to rubble if the Iranians dont cease attacks in the Persian Gulf and the Strait. Trump, always the negotiator, leverages everything, including Kharg Island and its critical role in revenue generation for the Iranian regime.

Kharg is a bargaining chip with whoever constitutes Irans leadership. Trump just announced the Iranians desire to negotiate a ceasefire, but hes spurning them for the time being. They arent making the right concessions.

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Lastly, and importantly, Trump is scheduled to meet with Xi Jinping in Beijing at the end of March. The president now says he may postpone the visit if Xi doesnt send warships to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz. Thats a deft move by Trump. Hes making it very clear that Xis cooperation matters to U.S.-Sino relations. Trumps maneuver certainly adds another layer of ambiguity to the relationship. Trump thrives on other parties uncertainty.

The China angle is no minor consideration in the Iran war. China has relied on below-market priced oil exports -- sanctioned oil -- from Iran and Venezuela. Venezuelan oil came under U.S. control when Maduro was seized.

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The war is a strategic move by Trump to check Xi Jinpings global ambitions. Moreover, defeating Iran serves as a reality check for Vladimir Putin. Iran is a Russian ally. The PRC and Russia are aligned. Whatever Putins faults, he most certainly isnt impractical. Hes a careful calculator of interests -- his and Russias. If the result of the conflict -- along with Trumps actions in the Western Hemisphere -- succeed, Putin will be forced to rethink. Where do his interests best lie, with a resurgent U.S. or a diminishing PRC?

China is already hurting from U.S. actions squeezing Venezuelan oil exports. Trump now has his jaws wrapped around the throat of Irans oil flow. Reports are that the PRCs economy is shaky. The U.S. gaining control of global oil markets significantly reduces Chinese leverage, economically and politically.

Trump is playing multilevel chess. Actions can -- and are -- serving multiple purposes. Irans days as a rogue state are dwindling. China is being boxed in. India is leaning away from the Chinese and Russians and toward the U.S. Whenever the Ukraine war concludes, anticipate Trump renewing overtures to lure Putin away from Xi.

A last, key point about Trump using the war to counter Xis ambitions.

Xis dictatorship rests on four pillars. First, a prospering economy, sufficient to keep coastal and inland populations from becoming restive. Second, solid economic performance to grow the military. Third, eventual conquest of Tiawan. Fourth, attaining global hegemony.

Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative is being unbuckled by Trump in the Western Hemisphere. Hes countering the Chinese with the Shield of the Americas initiative. Panama terminated Chinese operational control of the Canal. Venezuela is subdued. Cubas communist regime is in discussions with Marco Rubio. That regime will be transitioned into oblivion.

Trump can accept China having a viable economy, but within a framework set by the U.S. Tariffs arent just revenue generators. Theyre about slashing U.S. reliance on Chinese -- and others -- production, particularly in critical technologies, medicines, and rare earth minerals. Reshoring has economic and national security advantages.

U.S. domination of energy sectors -- that includes coal; China receives nearly a quarter of its coal from the U.S. -- is about limiting Xis options. Soldiers march on their stomachs, Napoleon said, but militaries rely on fossil fuels to operate.

Trump isnt compelled to end the Iran war on terms less favorable than he deems desirable. Why should he? He means to extract maximum advantage from the conflict.

So, whos defining the end of the war? President Trump. Not Democrats. Not corporate media. Not his coalitions fringe. Not EU/NATO partners (so-called). When will it end? When Trump achieves key goals -- goals that focus on, but range well beyond, ending the Iranian threat. The wager is that the president does so in weeks, not months.

Should Trump succeed in this very ambitious enterprise, what will his detractors say?

Democrats will claim that victory is about feeding Trumps imperialist ambitions. Trump is branded as Caesar! Rand Paul and likeminded will continue to squawk that Trump had no legal mandate for the war. Others will keep saying he betrayed his mandate.

Both will be proven terribly wrong because President Trump is on the verge of being proven spectacularly right.

J. Robert Smith can be found at X. His handle is @JRobertSmith1. At Gab, @JRobertSmith. Also at Truth Social, @JRobertSmith. He blogs occasionally at Flyover .

Image: IDF
I dont know if you noticed, busy as you are with your taxes, or planning to move to a new state now that your Democrat state politicians have implemented swinging new taxes to fuel the warmth of collectivism, but the rules of war have changed.

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So my question is: Is it now okay to bomb the hell out of your enemys regime HQ and kill all the leaders?

Leaving aside all the niceties of international law to the ghost of Woodrow Wilson still busy making the world safe for democracy, I repeat: What are the New Rules?

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Strictly speaking, Iran has not been at war with the U.S. and Israel for the last 47 years, although, as the world knows, its clerics and philosophers, after exhaustive study and examination of the mind of Mohammed, have declared the U.S. to be the Great Satan and Israel to be the Little Satan.

Instead of real war, Iran has fought a proxy war with Hezballah, Hamas, and the Houthis, whose job it is to make war on Israel at arms length from Iran. Obviously, the Hamas October 7, 2023, attacks changed all that, and I think we can say, in retrospect, that 10/7 was a strategic error by Iran, because it gave Israel an excuse to escalate the proxy war into direct war with Iran.

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But now Israel and the U.S. have moved on from blowing up Ayatollah Khomeini to blowing up military installations to eliminating Basij checkpoints with drones. And, based on the posts Ive seen on X, I assume the Israelis are using hacked street cameras to identify Basij checkpoints and report on eliminations. Now, President Trump has attacked the military installations on Irans Kharg Island oil terminal.

I just checked on Bluesky to see what our liberal friends are up to, and Chuck Schumer is busy saying that Donald Trump is Putins puppet and Democrats are ready to fund TSA but Republicans are blocking it. No sign of any Iranians that I could see. I wonder why?

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Seriously though. If I were President Putin and President Xi, I would be worrying about Barry Goldwaters joke about lobbing a missile into the mens room at the Kremlin, because its a joke no more.

I havent heard a word from the experts yet on all this. But I am sure that mostly peaceful protesters from Iran regime sleeper cells will shortly be hacking U.S. street cameras to assist in drone attacks on ICE agents violating the human rights of innocent migrants.

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Back in the Cold War, there developed an understanding that Washington wouldnt nuke Moscow and that Moscow wouldnt nuke Washington. Who wanted to flatten the other guys capital city if he could turn around and do the same to you? But now what? Will all the leaders of the world now declare Enough Already and settle all their differences with Trumpian tariff wars and make war on the drug cartels instead of the country next door?

And by the way, just how well protected are the temples of our sacred American Experiment -- the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument -- from the new rules of war? The Jews have had two temples destroyed in their history: first by the Babylonians and then by the Romans. Experts agree that temple destruction leads to nothing good for the people.

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Then theres the bigger issue of just why the Iranian regime has spent the last 47 years yelling at Israel and the USA. That, of course, is fairly simple. There is no politics without an enemy. Sen. Chuck Schumer can spend his days fulminating on Bluesky about the monster Trump, and its all good, clean American fun, because we all know that Chuck would never weaponize the IC or the FBI to spy on Trump. But Iran doesnt have domestic enemies for its mullahs to fight against. The whole country is tamped down by the IRGC and the Basij, and no domestic enemies dare to raise their heads above the parapet. So the only enemies in town get to be Israel and the U.S.

Okay, enough with the fun and games. The fact is that President Trump has reset the rules of warfare. And we dont know what will happen next.

President Trump has picked off Maduro, picked on the mullahs, and hes picking over the rent roll of the heirs of Castro, all in a few months. As a certain TV star likes to say: Weve never seen anything like it.

Now its your turn, experts. What do you think that the New Rules are, and what do they mean? In particular, I wonder what the New Rules mean for experts.

I note that some experts have been attacking and doxxing @CynicalPublius. @DataRepublican is on the case, so I think you experts better watch out.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also, get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

Image: USAF
With the SAVE America Act facing Senate consideration this week, it is perhaps a good time to talk about what election fraud really is.

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Most people have a vision in their heads of corrupt city pollworkers, waiting for lulls on election day when there are no witnesses, and sneakily casting ballots on behalf of names on the voting rolls whom they know to have died or moved away, or have never existed at all.

This does still occur. The method is tried and true, and we know it happens, because virtually every cycle, there are a few prosecutions for this crime, somewhere in the country.

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But in a country this large  some 340 million people, spread out over 50 states  there are a lot of different ways to vote, so there are bound to be different ways to commit vote fraud.

Before we go on, we should dismiss the claim that there is no statistically significant vote fraud in America. According to federal statistics, there are at least 11 million crimes reported every year  that's an array of homicides, robberies, auto theft, muggings, kidnappings, forgeries, embezzlements, arsons, rapes, assaults, and more. And thats just the number that are reported.

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Virtually every activity in America, either commercial or non-commercial, is plagued with crime, often enough that businesses have whole subsets of their organizations devoted to combatting it.

Warehouses have security cameras; stores add anti-theft devices to merchandise, banks lock up currency in safes, and most of the above employ security guards. Shoplifters steal ingredients from grocery stores, purses from dress shops, power tools from hardware stores.

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And every level of government employs policemen and sheriffs, prosecutors and judges, courtrooms and prisons, to process the multitude of criminals committing these crimes.

Eleven million reported crimes per year  many of them over a leather jacket, a wallet, a car or truck, or the contents of a convenience stores cash register. And people will risk years of prison over such things.

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Now look at government -- just a few examples:

The City of Chicago has a $16.6 billion budget. There are tens of thousands of cities in the U.S., most of them smaller than that, but all of them containing an array of sub-accounts, from road funds to office space rental, to staff and foodservice and maintenance contracts.

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The State of Illinois has a $132 billion budget. There are fifty states, many of them smaller than that, but all of them containing such contracting opportunities as fleet leases and building maintenance, pension funds to invest and grants to spread across the states, roads to pave and bridges to rebuild, employees to hire and outside services to contract with.

And the federal government has a $7 trillion budget.

The people who win elections  local, state, and federal, not to mention all the other offices such as school boards, park boards, county boards and more  control that money. They control grants and contracts, hiring and purchasing, and allocations of all kinds, some of them public, most of them so far under the radar that reporters dont even know that the opportunity to study them exists.

So what are people really saying, when they maintain that theres no vote fraud?

They are claiming that a nation in which people commit 11 million crimes a year for far less valuable things would never dream of stealing access to these countless trillions of dollars worth of government bounty.

Its ludicrous.

If we were such an honest society that there were no shoplifting, no carjackings, no embezzlement or bank robberies, then it might indeed be reasonable to believe that vote fraud was a nonexistent risk.

But if people are willing to find ways to hotwire cars, smash store windows, crack bank safes or even shoot people to steal a hundred in cash, of course theyd be willing to forge a ballot, sign up an assumed name, or run paper through a photocopier to get access to infinitely more cash than any store, bank, or auto lot ever held.

The ways to steal votes in America are as varied as there are states, perhaps as varied as there are cities. As soon as people build in a defense against one method, they come up with another.

There are cities where pollworkers load up the machine with votes before the polls open, or where busloads of patronage workers drive around the city on election day, casting ballots under assumed names, in every polling place they can reach in the hours alotted.

There are cities where pollworkers bribe voters with a bottle of booze or a box lunch, to fill out their ballots under the watchful eye of the precinct captain, or even to let the captain fill them out himself.

There are places where green-card holders or outright illegals are brought to the polls to vote, having been automatically registered by the motor-voter program, often unaware that they arent actually allowed to vote. And more often, those noncitizens arent trying to vote at all, but their names on the rolls enable a precinct worker to cast ballots on their behalf, without their knowledge.

There are college towns where students change addresses every year, or even every semester, resulting in dozens of unpurged registrations, per apartment or per dorm, that were once valid, but are no longer, for a current occupant or R.A. or building manager to utilize.

There are nursing homes all over the country, full of senile, comatose, or heavily medicated patients who could never cast an intentional vote themselves, so their nurses or nursing home managers do it for them.

We could go on for days. The list of methods is long, and weve barely scratched the surface.

But again, its a matter of simple logic: In a nation of 340 million people, with 11 million reported (and who knows how many unreported) crimes per year, with government budgets in the tens of trillions to disperse, its ludicrous to think that there wouldnt be people willing to cheat to get their hands on a share of those funds.

And in a nation in which so many of the important races, both in the primaries and in the generals, are decided by less than a few percentage points, its equally ludicrous to claim that this vote fraud doesnt at least occasionally make the difference.

Heres a chilling statistic: between September 2023 and September 2024, at least 66 elections in the U.S. were decided by fewer than ten votes.

A percent here, a percent there -- one method at a nursing home and another method at a college campus  it doesnt take a lot of vote fraud to make the difference.

The good government wing of American politics  that's most conservatives, most independents, and even most liberals, cutting across all demographic groups, according to recent polling  supports the SAVE America Act, a requirement that proper identification, proving identity, citizenship, and address, must be presented to exercise the right to vote.

This wouldnt stop every form of vote fraud, but it would stop many. It wouldnt guarantee perfectly clean elections, but at least it would make them a good deal cleaner than they are now.

When the goal is preserving our republic, and ensuring that the people in charge are indeed the people whom the public wants to be in charge, is that really too much to ask?

John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation manager, trade compliance trainer, consultant and public speaker. Read his book on the surprisingly numerous varieties of vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel), his biting political satires on the Biden-Harris years (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I, II, and III), and his collection of essays on public policy in the 2020s, Current Events and the Issues of Our Age, all available in eBook or paperback, exclusively on Amazon.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
If you are old enough to remember America clearly from the 1990s forward, then you witnessed the transformation of political correctness in real time.

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Prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 89 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 91, Americans spoke of political correctness as a communist disease. It was something that existed in those unfree countries stuck behind the Iron Curtain. It was a way to differentiate the Wests truths from the Soviets state propaganda. We knew about the secretly produced samizdat that was passed around in underground communities in Soviet-controlled Europe. We knew that East German teenagers were listening to anti-communist messages on Radio Free Europe. Some of us knew Russian emigres whose sardonic sense of humor often took biting aim at what was true and what was officially true in the Soviet Union. In other words, there was what people living behind the Iron Curtain knew to be correct, and there was what those people said out loud to avoid being arrested, thrown in prison, or even shot. That was how Americans first learned about political correctness.

For most of the 90s and early into the aughts, Americans referred jeeringly to political correctness. Before someone told a bawdy or racist joke (or any kind of joke that played on stereotypes, more generally), it was fairly common to hear the speaker start with, This isnt politically correct, but... It was another version of the, Not safe for work, warning that people get before opening up links in emails when those links might bring loud and visually inappropriate videos onto a computer screen. Television sitcom characters even referenced political correctness when saying something provocative. In the same way that Soviet citizens darkly mocked state-imposed truths, Americans mocked societys unofficial speech police who had a way of popping up in neighborhood associations, PTA meetings, and backyard barbecues to inform gatherers when discussion of a subject had crossed some invisible line into sensitive territory. This was before everything was racist, sexist, or homophobic. Nobody had heard of Islamophobia. A trans referred to a communication or car part. Invoking political correctness was one way that Americans flaunted free speech by proving that no subject was off-limits.

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Then political correctness became something ugly.

Sometime after the 9/11 Islamic terror attacks and during Americas mission to fight those Islamic terrorists over there so that we wouldnt have to fight them over here, new language rules started to percolate through American society. Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan had plenty of colorful words to describe Americas enemies on the battlefield, but when they got back home, an increasingly vocal class of progressives in workplaces and on college campuses were quick to tell returning veterans, Thats not politically correct. Democrats who had voted for the Global War on Terrorism decided to throw those risking their lives under the bus. They didnt spit on returning combat veterans, as they had during the Vietnam War era, but they made turncoat John Kerry (a dishonorable man who stabbed warriors in the back to advance his political career) the 2004 Democrat nominee for president. Democrats also stopped hiding their proclivity to sneer condescendingly at servicemembers for fighting and dying for something as icky as patriotism. To their surprise, returning veterans began to notice that while they were fighting Islamic terrorists over there, the federal government continued to resettle large segments of the Islamic world over here. Military argot ends up becoming politically incorrect pretty fast when family members of overseas enemy combatants become next-door neighbors in the states.

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In the first decade of the millennium, two other progressive issues began to dominate American culture: affirmative action programs and so-called gay marriage. White and Asian Americans continued to bring court cases against universities and workplaces that explicitly discriminated against applicants because of their race. Gay and lesbian couples continued to bring court cases demanding identical legal standing to married couples.

In the former line of cases, those defending racial preferences in admissions and hiring decisions needed new ways to convince Americans that racism in the twenty-first century was somehow just as bad as it had been when Democrats made black Americans eat in the back of restaurants and drink from separate water fountains. In the latter line of cases, those insisting that the ancient institution of marriage recognizing the sacred union between one woman and one man be redefined to include members of the same sex (this was well before gender replaced sex, the LGBTQIA+ movement required the whole alphabet, and an eruption of pronoun-people began policing everyday speech) needed new ways to shame opponents.

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All of a sudden, everything became racist or homophobic. You cant say that, transformed from a joke into a command. Trigger warnings and microaggressions became ubiquitous. Television shows, book introductions, and college syllabi all warned Americans that they might be exposed to troubling or offensive language that might inadvertently traumatize those who may or may not have had a distant relative who may or may not have experienced hardship. Off-color jokes were strictly verboten. Everything a white person said was scrutinized for signs of unconscious racism. From classrooms to cubicle spaces, Americans were walking on eggshells because leftists were spreading eggshells everywhere.

What we were witnessing was larval political correctness transforming into the insect swarm of hate speech restrictions and prosecutable hate crimes. Politically incorrect jokes are no laughing matter when the state starts cataloguing them as aggravating factors and sentencing enhancements. Its pretty difficult for young students to stand up in classrooms to argue against affirmative action when the professor and half the classroom are all hissing, Thats racist! In fact, with microaggressions and unconscious biases now spreading like a virulent disease, it pretty much became impossible for white heterosexuals (especially those dreaded males!) to say anything about racism, ethnicity, or sexual orientation unless a member of a protected class first sanctioned the proposed commentary. It turns out that its remarkably easy for proponents of racial preferences and the redefinition of marriage to win public arguments when the other side is silenced for politically incorrect speech.

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As leftists all over the world celebrated the replacement of President George W. Bush with President Barack Hussein Obama  a man who almost comically appeared to be Bushs diametrical opposite  the oppressive era of modern political correctness settled into American culture like a parasite under the skin. Obama became the avatar for political correctness and the supreme judge of what was okay to say. If you looked as if you could have been Obamas son, you could do or say no wrong. If you enforced the law while being white, you were most likely going to be suspended, laid off, or sent to prison.

The Age of Woke had officially arrived.

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American leftists chose the Soviet model. They silenced political opponents by making non-leftist beliefs fireable offenses and punishable crimes. They taught an entire generation that masculinity is toxic, that the Founding Fathers were patriarchs, and that America is systemically racist. They leaned into online censorship and viewpoint discrimination. In other words, the biggest supporters of political correctness have been the countrys most divisive, sexist, racist, anti-Christian, anti-American, and discriminatory group of people ever to exercise so much political and cultural power in the United States.

This soft oppression has been eating America alive like a cancer that just wont go away. But a backlash has certainly begun. A growing share of American society has decided to laugh in the face of all those who cry, Thats offensive! They got a major boost when rhetorical pugilist Donald Trump won the presidency three times. Wokesters who insist on criminalizing that last sentence as misinformation cant hear this advice enough: Calm down. Breathe. Learn to take a joke.

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In a recent broadcast, Tucker Carlson offered a stark pronouncement, a criticism of Trumps treatment of Iran: If theres one consistent lesson of history, it means unconditional surrender means foreign troops get to rape your wife and daughter. Everyone can feel that.

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The statement was presented as an intuitive truth, a visceral certainty available to anyone willing to feel it. This move, elevating affective resonance above evidentiary warrant, marks a subtle but profound shift in conservative discourse. It represents a philosophical rupture, one that echoes Francis Schaeffers diagnosis of modernitys descent below what he called the line of despair. Tuckers edict offers true conservatives an object lesson in recognizing and avoiding woke conservatives.

Schaeffer, in Escape from Reason (1968), traced the Western intellectual trajectory from rational theism through Enlightenment rationalism to existential despair. At each stage, he argued, the prior foundation gives way: reason yields to romanticism, romanticism to relativism, relativism to nihilism. Once this progression crosses the line of despair, truth ceases to be objective and becomes self-authenticating, affirmed not by correspondence to reality, but by internal coherence, emotional intensity, or subjective belief. The result is a system of reasoning where the thinkers feelings or convictions warrant their own truth, rendering ideas beyond meaningful contestation.

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The result is a closed loop: one no longer reasons from what is, but instead reasons from what feels inevitable. Schaeffer outlined and predicted how the modern left can now assert that words are violence or I am a furry. In the subjective mind of the woke, reality bends to the individuals warped reasoning. Carlsons claim exemplifies this descent.

Tucker does not cite precedents or make historical analogies. If he had, he would have revealed two things. First, American history often empirically belies Tuckers feeling. Second, the relevant consequences of unconditional surrender are in the actions of the victor, and not the feelings of either the defeated or the passive observer.

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Americas history is one in which the victor intentionally elevates and respects the defeated rather than exploits them for spoils. For example, the U.S. occupation of Japan (19451952), where American forces, under MacArthurs command, enforced order without systematic rape or reprisal. The same was true for the Reconstruction-era South, where Grants terms at Appomattox granted parole and amnesty rather than retribution.

Tucker does not engage the moral calculus of mercy as a strategic virtue, a position defended by thinkers from Lincoln to Churchill. Instead, he invokes a hypothetical horror, rape your wife and daughter, and asserts its inevitability because everyone can feel that. The appeal is not to evidence but to shared dread; the argument is not deductive but performative.

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In Schaeffers terms, Carlson has stepped below the line: reality is no longer the measure; feeling is. This shift matters because it mirrors the form of alleged knowledge that rational conservatives reject. The progressive left routinely substitutes lived experience for falsifiable claims. Systemic racism becomes whatever a speaker wants it to be. Equity becomes whatever outcome feels just. When the right adopts the same method, replacing historical record and evidentiary warrant with affective certainty, it loses its distinctive claim to truth.

Conservatism, at its best, has been a study of knowledge rooted in continuity: facts, precedent, and principle over mood or subjective feelings. Once it abandons that, it becomes merely another tribe of the self-indulgent.

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The danger is cumulative. Each such utterance normalizes the discussions downward spiral. Todays feelings become tomorrows dogma; tomorrows dogma becomes policy. Policy becomes, first, law supporting the feelings, and later, punishing offending ideas or behaviors. Once cherished rights and freedoms are sacrificed.

If demanding unconditional surrender in a conflict equals violation because it feels that way, then peace becomes betrayal, restraint becomes weakness, and mercy becomes complicity. The vocabulary of subjective truth warps; words once tethered to history and reality now float free, shaped only by the speakers emotional gravity. Tuckers is not an argument. It is an incantation.

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What follows is not a call to silence Carlson, but to restore the line. Conservatives must reassert the primacy of the observable and verifiable: The colonials who supported the British were not exterminated or deported; Japan was not raped after surrender; Germany was not humiliated beyond reason; the South was not subjected to mass reprisal. These are not feelings. They are facts. And facts, not fear, are the only ground on which a coherent political system and culture can stand.

To build on this critique, a conservative might examine how the same slippage in factual assumptions appears in other domains, such as immigration, climate, and gender. So armed, a person advancing legitimate ideas can be distinguished from the person invoking emotional appeals or stoking fears to perpetuate a fraud. The pattern is consistent: when emotion and subjective certainty supplant evidence, the conservative movement ceases to be a counterweight and becomes a mirror.

Schaeffer warned that once the line is crossed, recovery is difficult. But the first step is recognition. We must identify the descent before we can reject and climb back above it.

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In Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, Jonathan Turley explores with a deep understanding the wisdom of our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and how the Founders ensured that we honored and implemented them. Turley explains the contributions that James Madison and Thomas Paine made to our growth, even though the two men had different beliefs, including different ideas about liberty and democracy. Turley also warns us about our current state of affairs:

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We are seeing, in my view, the similarly extreme changes in economic conditions that produced earlier revolutions and the potential for a type of democratic despotism. If we wait for these economic conditions to grow more acute and destabilizing, it may prove too late to avoid the patterns of history in the erosion of individual rights and social order.

On the verge of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine made many contributions to help our country separate from Britain, especially at a time when our Revolutionary Army was struggling:

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Common Sense was perfectly (and intentionally) timed as an effective response to the irate monarch. Second, when Common Sense came out, the Continental Army had reached one of its lowest points in morale and had been reduced to half of its size from just a year earlier. Washington would credit the publication for turning around the dire situation with its unanswerable reasoning.' [snip] Advertisement It was time, Paine argued, to make a choice and take a stand. He made that case at the request of Washington, who saw Paine as the only writer who could reinvigorate his troops. Paine did so with his signature style of direct and accessible rhetoric: These are the times that try mens souls. The summer soldier, and the sunshine patriot will, in times of crisis, shrink from the service of his country.

Both James Madison and John Adams confirmed the dangers of men who were power-driven, and how their actions could ultimately result in democratic despotism -- the emergence of an extreme version of tyranny:

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John Adams wrote ominously that Liberty, under every conceivable Form of Government is always in Danger Ambition is one of the more ungovernable Passions of the human Heart. The Love of Power, is unsatiable and uncontrollable There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.

The American Founders relied, over and over again, on the importance of recognizing our natural rights from God, as opposed to empowering government to grant us our rights:

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The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.

Turley makes explicit the reality of our ability to abuse our power, as well as our reliance on divine law.

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In contrast, the French Revolution betrayed some of the most significant aspects of our own founding documents. The rebellious and chaotic outcomes of the French were a result of Robespierres belief in the general will; at the extreme, the general will became mobocracy, and disorder was the rule of the day; these were Robespierres declarations to justify his actions:

Robespierre angrily clung to the rationalizations for his murderous policies. He would find lethal liberation in the name of the general will, declaring, Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural consequence of the general principle of democracy, applied to the most pressing wants of the country.

These destructive assertions led to an estimated 40,000 French citizens deaths.

Today as we watch our favored institutions being torn down, Turley expresses his concern that the factions in our country are not given a voice within the limitations of the Constitution and by limiting the majority rule (as James Madison insisted was necessary).

With our history laid out through the roles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Turley brings us home to these times. He provides examples of the self-serving and naive beliefs, particularly in academia:

As more law professors declare the Constitution and even rights to be a threat to democracy, we are left adrift in the same deconstructive movement that swept over France in the late eighteenth century, propelled in large part by intellectuals. [snip] The downsizing of individual rights has long been a priority among academics, including a movement opposed to what law professor Mary Ann Glendon has called rights talk. In her work Rights Talk: The Improvement of Political Discourse, Glendon challenges the American emphasis on individual rights in favor of more fluid collective interests and responsibilities.

Thus, the current trend is for the intellectuals to discount the importance of individual rights and to celebrate the collective.

Turley also includes a narrative on Artificial Intelligence and the effect it could have on our independency. Rather than focus on finding jobs in this new environment, people may be inclined to rely on the government largesse:

While a few studies suggest that the main impact is likely to be absorbed by first-line jobs, most studies expect substantial disruption and contraction across the labor force from truck drivers to computer programmers. [snip] One likely response to the contraction of the labor market will come in the form of a state-subsidized income or universal basic income. [snip] Government subsidies not only can reduce the drive to find more productive positions but can also create a dependent class of citizens who see the government rather than themselves as source for basic sustenance and survival.

Turley points out that rather than our self-reliance and our families being the center of our lives, the government will step in to replace them.

We have many challenges ahead of us: academia, which persists in promoting Marxist and collectivist ideas; the glorification of revolution and transformation; and the abuse of power and control.

Image: Simon & Schuster
Youve heard of the expression water, water everywhere? Well, Ive got a new one for you: threats, threats everywhere.

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Yes, threats are indeed everywhere. The other day, I purchased a shirt. I threatened the vendor: Unless you give me that shirt, I wont pay for it. This was reciprocated by the seller: Unless you give me the money for this article of clothing, I wont hand it over to you. These sorts of threats are endemic throughout our very lives. They occur not only in commercial activities such as buying and selling, but also lending, borrowing, renting, investing. You name it, there is at least an implicit threat in all such interactions.

Should either of the two us have been considered a criminal for threatening each other in this manner? Dont be silly. Of course not. It all depends upon what is constituted by the threat. If it is to do something entirely legal, then it is not a crime. It is entirely licit to withhold money unless the shirt is proffered, and to refuse to supply the good unless money changes hands in the correct direction. No threatened rights violation, no crime.

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However, if the threat is to do something that is clearly outside the law, then all bets are off. I now say to you, Give me your money, or Ill shoot you. Then I am indeed a criminal, and you are entitled to take defensive action against me. Thus, legitimate law is not absolutist on free speech. Yes, you should be able to deny the Holocaust, use the N-word, be as insulting and despicable as you want to be, and you should not be considered a lawbreaker. There is only this one exception for absolute free speech rights. Dont threaten to violate the legitimate rights of other people. Keep your big mouth shut in this one instance.

Some radicals take this insight to extremes. They say that even blackmail should be legalized. For there the threat is merely to engage in gossip, which is part and parcel of free speech rights.

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Others go so far as to include libel as free speech. How so? Such name-calling can and often does ruin reputations. However, surprisingly, we have no property rights to our own reputations. Paradoxically, they consist of the thoughts about us on the part of other people. But we cannot own the appraisements that others have of us. Therefore, slander cannot be construed as theft of a property right of ours.

Perhaps the most radical of all is to claim that incitement, too, should be a non-criminal act. For example, states Rothbard:

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Should it be illegal ... to incite to riot? Suppose that Green exhorts a crowd: Go! Burn! Loot! Kill! and the mob proceeds to do just that, with Green having nothing further to do with these criminal activities. Since every man is free to adopt or not adopt any course of action he wishes, we cannot say that in some way Green determined the members of the mob to their criminal activities; we cannot make him, because of his exhortation, at all responsible for their crimes. Inciting to riot, therefore, is a pure exercise of a mans right to speak without being thereby implicated in crime. On the other hand, it is obvious that if Green happened to be involved in a plan or conspiracy with others to commit various crimes, and that then Green told them to proceed, he would then be just as implicated in the crimes as are the others  more so, if he were the mastermind who headed the criminal gang. This is a seemingly subtle distinction which in practice is clearcut  there is a world of difference between the head of a criminal gang and a soap-box orator during a riot; the former is not properly to be charged simply with incitement. Advertisement

With this introduction, we are now ready to consider whether the Iranian government is guilty not merely, of any old threat, but of an entirely illicit one. That is, we are pretty tolerant of free speech here. But it does not cover actual threats of bodily harm, such as murder, which are and ought to be crimes.

Okay, we will let pass the Iranians characterizing the U.S. as the Big Satan. A bit of a gray area is called upon in this regard. Sticks and stones and all that. But what about Death to America? This is an entirely different kettle of fish. Here, these people are threatening actual murder.

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Nor do these threats emanate, only, from the Iranian street. If so, a certain tolerance is indicated. Yes, the government of Persia should indeed incarcerate such maniacs for engaging in illegitimate threats. But to claim that the regime is therefore responsible for them is a bit of a stretch. However ideal, no government can arrest all domestic criminals. There are simply too many of them. We cannot entirely blame the Iranian regime so far.

However, these threats are uttered at the highest levels of the Iranian government. Thus, the target of such threats, Americans, are fully entitled to take defensive actions, including the use of violence, in response.

There are those who say that before military self-defense can be justified, the threats must be clear and present or immediate. I take a stronger position on this matter. Suppose A says to B, if you do not give me money right now, I will kill you in ten years. Here, the threat is hardly immediate. Does B have to suffer for an entire decade, have nightmares, wonder how his wife and children will survive upon his demise? Is he prevented from killing A at present? I contend, in justice, that he is not required to refrain. He is entirely warranted in removing this far off threat against his bodily integrity  right now.

But none of this applies to the case of Iran. They are not merely threatening to murder Americans in the far-off future. Nor do they lack the capacity to do exactly that right now. Their ballistic missiles may not yet reach our shores, but in the words of villains in the movies, Ve hoff our veys! Bombs fit into mere suitcases, and they have sleeper cells in our country.

Nor are they limited to mere threats. In actuality, ever since 1979, they have been killing Americans  a few here, a dozen there, a score elsewhere. It has added up to hundreds, maybe thousands, over the years.

Thus, to conclude, anyone who says that President Trumps incursion into Iran is unjustified ought to have his head examined.

Image via Pxhere.
Were one to believe the media, one would think there isnt an honest police agency in America. All are rife with every sort of corruption. Police agencies are severely limited by having to recruit exclusively from the human race, but despite the Defund the Police movement and the destruction it has caused, the overwhelming majority of police agencies are comprised of honest men and women who do their best and well serve the public.

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There are, however, notable exceptions, one of them being the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, a dangerous agency about which I was unaware until the summer of 2010.

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Graphic: Erik Scott, by permission of the Scott Family

On July 10 of that year, Erik Scott, a decorated former Army armor officer and his fiance, Samantha Sterner, were shopping at the Summerlin Costco. Scott bent down to examine merchandise on a low shelf. His t-shirt rode up, exposing his lawfully carried handgun. A cop wanna-be store security guard saw the gun and against store policy called Metro. He, the dispatcher, and three undertrained, panicky cops became part of an uncoordinated torrent of deadly mistakes.

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A canine unit, supervisors, cadets and a helicopter and other officers eventually numbering around 60 personnel rushed to the Costco when the dispatcher somehow got the idea Scott was a Green Beret who refused to leave the store, was under the influence of drugs, was threatening people and was carrying two guns.

None of that was true. Scott was never asked to leave the store, never drew his gun, never carried a second gun and was never a drug user.

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The Metro narrative quickly claimed that when Scott was challenged by an officer pointing his handgun at him from a distance of six feet, Scott drew his handgun, still in the holster, and pointed it at him, forcing that officer, amidst a crowd of 100+, to shoot Scott in the heart and outer thigh, and the other two officers to shoot him five times in the back as he fell mortally wounded to the pavement.

When I heard about the case, I began a seven-year investigation that would lead me to Scotts parents who filed a federal lawsuit against Metro, and another in state court. Unfortunately, the Vegas civil justice system is as corrupt as the criminal justice system, and both cases were eventually dismissed.

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The Coroners Inquest was another example of Las Vegas corruption, where prosecutors tried to portray Scott as a dangerous drug user, quizzing several doctors who treated Scott for intractable pain due to severe spinal damage suffered in a military parachuting accident. The inquest had a pre-determined result and degenerated to farce when a prosecutor tried to get a doctor to brand Scott negligent for failing to show up for a July 12thappointment. The doctor pointed out that Metro killed him on July 10, leaving the prosecutor red-faced and sputtering.

I was, through the Scott family, eventually able to get a copy of Metros multi-thousand page report and unraveled a coverup even Hollywood couldnt imagine. Disappearing store surveillance video, detectives manipulating witness statements, cops telling eyewitnesses to get lost, Cops unlawfully detaining and threatening Sterner, Detectives conducting 15-minute interviews of the shooter cops and far more irregularities screamed at me.

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Most corrupt was the two-gun lie. After Scott lay dead the three cops were shocked to find no gun on the pavement, only the Blackberry Scott had in his hand when they shot him. They loaded him into an ambulance so fast his .45 Kimber, still holstered on his body, was found and recorded by a paramedic. Now there was a gun on Scotts body in the ambulance, but there had to be a gun Scott dropped on the pavement when he was murdered.

Someone rushed to the hospital, got Scotts Kimber and planted it at the Costco. They found Scotts permit for a tiny Ruger LCP .380 in his billfold and claimed it was that gun the paramedic found. They illegally entered his home to seize that little gun he bought for his out of state mother, never carried, and planned to give her when next he saw her. They even damaged it to claim it had been in his front pocket and was hit by the bullet that hit his thigh. I was later able to prove that bullet struck nowhere near the pocket.

The coverup was far worse, and Metro has apparently learned nothing from that debacle. Its a detective story I chronicled in License to Kill: The Murder of Erik Scott, available at North Slope Publications and at Amazon in paperback and also on Kindle.

Erik Scott was an honorable American, a man everyone should know, just as they should know his story and the story of Metro, among Americas most corrupt police agencies.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
At the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitutions March 10 hearing, Protecting American Citizenship: Birthright Citizenship for Illegal Aliens and Tourists, senators and witnesses confronted the fundamental question of whether the Fourteenth Amendments citizenship clause has been stretched beyond its meaning. Attorney Charles J. Cooper, Professor Ilan Wurman, and author and Government Accountability Institute president Peter Schweizer argued that current doctrine is too broad. Professor Amanda Frost and Marine veteran Alejandro Barranco defended birthright citizenship as both constitutionally settled and central to the American civic tradition.

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Cooper offered legal arguments for restriction, arguing that the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof means full and complete jurisdiction, requiring a permanent reciprocal political bond between the parents of the new citizen and the United States. He added that a reciprocal bond means an enduring allegiance, reserved for those who have made this country their lawful and permanent home. It does not apply to children of parents who are here temporarily, even if they are lawful visitors to the United States. As such, Cooper argued, it follows that children of illegal aliens are excluded as well. He said that the framers of the Fourteenth Amendment modeled the citizenship clause after the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which he argued unequivocally excluded from birthright citizenship children of aliens here temporarily and of aliens who have deliberately entered the country illegally.

Wurman explained that the original common-law and Fourteenth Amendment understanding of birthright citizenship turned not on mere birthplace, but on whether the childs parents were lawfully under the sovereigns protection and thus subject to its full jurisdiction  an argument that would exclude at least the children of illegal aliens, and possibly some children of temporary visitors, from automatic citizenship at birth.

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Frost argued that the Fourteenth Amendments citizenship clause guarantees birthright citizenship to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil, with only the traditional narrow exceptions for children of diplomats, enemy occupiers, and historically members of sovereign Indian tribes, and that this understanding is supported by the text, the 1866 debates, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, and more than a century of federal practice and case law.

She contended that President Trumps Executive Order 14160 is an unconstitutional attempt to rewrite both the Constitution and 8 USC 1401(a) by denying citizenship to children born here to illegal aliens and many temporary lawful visitors, and she rejected the administrations alternative theories based on allegiance, parental domicile, or federal consent as arguments unsupported by the citizenship clauses actual language or history. Frost also stated that the consequences of adopting the Trump administrations policies would be dire for all families in the U.S.

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Specifically, Frost predicted that if the executive order were to remain in effect, its consequences would be sweeping: roughly 250,000 children born each year to legal temporary immigrants and illegal aliens could be treated as noncitizens from birth and denied Social Security numbers, passports, and access to benefits, with some potentially rendered stateless and even subject to removal despite being newborns. The disruption would not stop with those families, according to Frost. Parents across the country, including green card holders and even U.S. citizens, could be forced to prove their own legal status at the time of a childs birth before that child would be recognized as American, even though hospitals and state agencies are not set up to collect or verify that kind of complex immigration documentation. In effect, Frost said, the United States would have replaced the egalitarian rule that we are all American at birth with a test of lineage and ancestry  a legal rule at odds with our Constitution and antithetical to the nations founding values.

Barranco brought a compelling and personal perspective to the hearing. Born in the United States to Mexican immigrants, he proudly served in the Marines and was taught to respect the flag, to be thankful for the opportunities this country gave me and to give back whenever I could. He told senators that birthright citizenship is what made it possible for him to attend school, graduate, enlist in the Marine Corps, and serve the country, and he argued that Americans are judged by allegiance and service, not by where their parents were born. He also shared that he raised three sons who all chose to serve as Marines.

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Schweizers testimony was arguably the most thought-provoking and timely because it shifted the hearing away from a purely legal dispute over the Fourteenth Amendment and recast birthright citizenship as a long-term national security and sovereignty issue, especially in relation to China. According to Schweizer, birth tourism is being deliberately exploited by PRC nationals and CCP-linked elites who travel to U.S. soil so their children acquire automatic American citizenship. Ranking member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) challenged Schweizers claims, saying they were ridiculous.

Schweizer then cited estimates of 50,000 to 100,000 Chinese birth tourism cases annually and claimed that over time, this may have produced from roughly 750,000 to 1.5 million Chinese nationals with U.S. citizenship by birth. Many of those children end up moving back to China while keeping their U.S. passports. Schweizer explained,

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These individuals grow up in China, often educated in CCP-controlled schools with distorted views of U.S. history, values, and culture. They have no lived connection or demonstrated allegiance to our country, yet they possess full rights as U.S. citizens: the ability to vote in elections, relocate here at will, and  upon turning 21  sponsor their parents as permanent residents.

Schweizer also highlighted U.S.-based surrogacy arrangements involving Chinese clients and politically connected figures, arguing that Beijing tolerates or encourages these practices because they create strategic advantages, including future voting rights, residency options, and family-based immigration pathways. Citing a prominent example of such surrogacy arrangements, Schweizer continued,

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A prominent example emerged in May 2025, when authorities discovered 15 children, ages two months to 13 years, in an Arcadia, California, mansion owned by a Chinese businessman and CCP insider. He used his own company, Mark Surrogacy Investment LLC, to arrange surrogacies across multiple states. In total, 21 children were linked to him. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about another Chinese executive who is said to have over 100 children via surrogacy.

Schweizer added,

These cases highlight a largely unregulated surrogacy industry in states like California, where over 100 companies with surrogacy in their names are owned by Chinese individuals. IVF and surrogacy services for Chinese clients have even been tied to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

Schweizers central point was that birth tourism and related surrogacy practices are not just immigration loopholes, but a potentially serious long-term national security threat that allows people with no lived connection or demonstrated allegiance to the United States to obtain the full benefits of American citizenship. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) urged Attorney General Pam Bondi in a Feb. 26 letter to investigate Chinese-owned surrogacy centers and related allegations involving exploitation of U.S. surrogacy and birthright citizenship laws.

Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Wow. Ive been keeping track of Virginas new governor, Abigail Spanberger, she who ran as that rarest of political creatures: a moderate Democrat. But the moment she was inaugurated, she ripped off the mask and flew her socialist freak flag. Nowhere has this been more evident in herand the Democrat-controlled legislatures--mania for gun control.

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I wrote about her assault weapon and magazine capacity ban on March 15 in Democrats go gun crazy. Despite there being no such thing as an assault weapon, Spanberger has banned AR-15s and the like as well as magazines with greater than 15-round capacity. This is a blatant violation of Heller and Bruen and is sure to be eventually overturned by the Supreme Court, if Democrats dont seize total control of government and pack the Supreme Court before then. But thats just the beginning, as Tim OBrien at PJ Media explains:

The legislature has also passed other legislation that includes HB 21, which will establish certain standards for what is considered responsible conduct for the firearms industry. This includes efforts to prevent theft, straw purchases, and illegal forms of marketing. The House passed HB 229, which bans guns in hospitals that offer mental health or developmental services. It also passed HB 626, which reduces the number of exemptions that apply to people who carry guns in state-owned facilities and on university campuses. Advertisement It passed HB 871, which mandates that guns be under lock and key in houses where minors or prohibited persons are present. It passed HB 40, which restricts ghost guns and plastic guns. It passed HB 93, which is designed to make it harder to transfer guns when someone subject to protective orders is involved. And then there is HB 110, which introduces the idea that civil penalties can be imposed on persons who leave handguns in a visible place in an unattended car, truck, or van. Advertisement

These constitutionally suspect measures are surely only the beginning. The legislature, at the urging of the moderate Spanberger, are on a roll. Its HB 110 that is most revealing of their ultimate intentions. All tyrants immediately ban citizen ownership of guns. Thats a bit difficult in America, which unlike all other nations has a Second Amendment, so they go as far as they dare, and Spanberger dares greatly.

Tyrants also exempt themselves from the law they pass. I know our Congress routinely does that, but lets roll on together and read this social media post:

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Graphic: Social Media Post

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Theyre exempt because theyre special. Normal Virginians arent fit to exercise their full rights under the Second Amendment, but Democratsmorally and intellectually superior beingsare.

Virginia Rep. Tom Garretta Republican, of coursewas a voice of sanity and reason in the legislature:

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Graphic: Social Media Post

So, Virginians cant carry anywhere except in their homes, except they can't because their guns must be locked up? And a threaded barrel enhances lethality? How does that work, exactly? Is there a previously unknown law of physics that makes bullets bigger, heavier, more massive, faster, or somehow more lethal when fired from a barrel with threads on its muzzle, having no contact with or influence on the bullet?

A single shot break action, four 10 shotgun is an assault weapon?! A bolt action rifle with an integral magazine and threaded barrel is an assault weapon?!

Garrett asserts the legislatures intent is to make every Virginianpresumably those that laughably think the Second Amendment applies to thema criminal. Odd. Thats something else tyrants do.

Garrett said, The government did not give me the right to defend myself, to defend my family, or to defend my freedom(and it) cannot take it away, try though it may.

Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore is not amused:

He referred to the legislation as a lawyers dream and went further to predict that some of these laws could come back to bite the Democrats. He said court cases that challenge these new laws could lead to a Supreme Court decision that will specifically protect the weapons and equipment restricted under some of these state laws.

As I recall, Virginias history includes some rather pivotal figures in writing the Constitution, which includes the Second Amendment, people essential to the establishment of American individual liberty. What pale shades are Spanberger and these Democrats; how far has Virginia fallen.

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Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
There is another certainty that pairs nicely with the old line about death and taxes: The political left is usually wrong, and very confident about it. Nowhere is this more obvious than in economic policy. Were once again being served a fresh batch of innovative ideas  chief among them the fantasy that jacking up taxes on the wealthy to extreme levels will effortlessly bankroll endless government spending, all without consequences. The left thinks millionaires and billionaires are stationary ATMs who will never relocate.

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Spoiler: They can, they do, they have, and they will. And every time they leave, the bill lands squarely on the middle class.

Take New York. State leaders are pushing a dramatic overhaul of the estate tax  slashing the exemption from over $7 million to just $750,000, a 90% reduction, while raising the top rate from 16% to 50%. This is meant to plug a $5.4-billion budget deficit. (A fun question: How did that deficit appear in the first place?) In New York City, $750,000 doesnt buy a mansion; it buys a cramped one-bedroom with hefty monthly maintenance fees. So much for taxing only the rich. This is middle-class wealth transfer dressed up as social justice.

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Critics are already warning that real estate will crater as families rush to sell before the government claims half their assets upon death. And its not hard to predict what comes next: a migration to Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and other states that arent trying to tax residents into oblivion. As the productive class leaves, property values fall, revenue collapses, and suddenly the city is in crisis. Who could have guessed that punishing success makes people want to leave?

Meanwhile, in California  the land of sunshine, sidewalk poop maps, and outbound U-Hauls  another billionaire just packed up. Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick moved to Texas to avoid a proposed one-time 5% billionaire tax on net worth over $1 billion (sneakily backdated to January 1). Hes hardly alone. An estimated $536 billion in wealth has already fled the state. Thats more than a quarter of the combined fortune of Californias 200 billionaires, taking jobs, investments, income taxes, sales taxes, and payrolls with it.

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The architects of this plan believed theyd raise around $100 billion. Instead, theyre discovering that when the wealthy leave, the middle class inherits the entire tax burden. Chase away the golden geese, and they simply fly to low-tax states.

This isnt a new story. France tried a 75% supertax on incomes over 1 million in 2012. The result? High-profile departures, businesses relocating, and a measly 160 million in revenue  far below expectations. The tax was quietly scrapped in 2015 after proving economically destructive.

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Britain in the 1970s offers another cautionary tale. Top marginal rates of 8398% triggered an exodus of doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The economy wheezed.

The pattern is timeless because the wealthy arent rooted trees  theyre mobile capital. When taxes become punitive, they relocate, defer income, or simply create less wealth. Revenue falls, jobs disappear, and the middle class is left holding the bag. Politicians love chanting, Tax the rich! because it sounds good on the campaign trail, but the wealthy vote with their feet.

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And heres the part that worries many observers: Characters like Newsom, Hochul, and Pritzker might be evil, but they arent stupid. They know exactly what theyre doing. When people flee high-tax states, where do they go? Red states. And once they arrive, many continue voting for the same insane policies that contributed to the problems they left behind. This doesnt make them very popular with the locals. Its a political migration pattern that can shift states from red to purple, and in some cases, to blue. They're like cancer cells that migrate and infect healthy tissue.

Confiscatory taxes have never worked, and they wont start working now. They deliver the same punchline every time: shrinking tax bases, declining revenue, and For Sale signs stretching to the horizon.

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Image via PickPik.
Common wisdom holds that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. That may well have been the logic guiding Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky when he met last week with Reza Pahlavi, the son of Irans deposed shah, a ruler whose corrupt and authoritarian regime the Iranian people consigned to the ash heap of history in the 1979 revolution.

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The self-anointed crown prince of Iran has made a concerted effort to present himself as a aspirant to leadership following the regimes collapse and to steer Iran away from the policies that made it one of Russias only allies in its war against Ukraine.

Accordingly, Zelensky declared himself grateful to Pahlavi, in the wake of their meeting, for his clear assurances of support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. But in the same statement, the Ukrainian president expressed a desire for a free Iran that will not cooperate with Russia or destabilize the Middle East, Europe, and the world. For that reason, his commitment to remain in communication with Pahlavis team is gravely ill advised. The problem, quite simply, is that Pahlavi has yet to demonstrate the credibility required for such assurances.

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Before making sweeping claims about Irans future policies, Pahlavi might first consider establishing his bona fides. For now, such grand promises bring to mind the old Iranian adage about the fellow who had not even been allowed into the village yet was already asking to meet the kadkhoda (chief).

Far from being a credible alternative to the current regime, the Shahs son is mocked by many Iranians at home and abroad as Reza Tafragheh (the Divider), a reference to his virulent hostility toward Irans diverse mosaic of nationalities. Such an attitude raises serious concerns that, in the extremely unlikely event he were ever to ascend to the long-deposed throne, he would plunge the country into dangerous internal divisions and even civil war.

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Historically, that threat has been well recognized by the Iranian people, if not by Western policymakers and the world at large. In four nationwide uprisings over the past eight years, Iranians from all walks of life have expressed equal contempt for the mullahs regime and for the regime it replaced in the wake of the revolution. Slogans such as death to the dictator, whether Shah or Supreme Leader reflect as an understanding that no aspiring monarch could help the people realize that goal and a shared commitment to democracy.

As Zelensky himself put it, the regimes hierarchy has indeed already suffered significant losses, and it is crucial that the Iranian regime gains nothing from this and that the people of Iran have greater protection for their lives and more opportunities to determine their own fate.

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By lending unwarranted legitimacy to Pahlavi and his vanishingly small circle of supporters, the Ukrainian president risks undermining the very opportunities that have been steadily expanding through domestic protests and organized resistance operations challenging the ruling system. Elevating figures whose political weight bears little relation to their lofty claims only adds to the confusion. This is ironic in light of Zelenskys reputation as a defender of popular sovereignty and an opponent of dictatorial oppression.

The fact is that in 47 years of living a life of luxury and opulence, Pahlavi has failed to build any serious, structured, or organized opposition movement. Nor has he presented a credible strategy for how the regime would actually be toppled, or clarified who, in practical terms, is supposed to bell the cat. Lacking such a strategy, and absent any meaningful roadmap for a post-theocratic Iran, one can only conclude that he expects others to do the hard work while he waits to pluck the fruit of their labor.

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What he has instead proposed amounts to a blueprint for neo-fascism, arrogating to a single individual, himself, the powers of the executive, the judiciary, and the armed forces. In effect, it would merely replace one dictatorship with another  only this time, the dictator would wear a crown instead of a turban.

Nor has Reza Pahlavi ever disavowed his fathers legacy, much less the anti-democratic system that underpinned it.

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While the enemy of ones enemy may sometimes appear to be a friend, that logic collapses when the enemy of the enemy is cut from the same cloth  as is the case with the shared authoritarian roots of monarchy and theocracy in Iran. The true friends of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people are the people of Iran themselves. President Zelensky would therefore be well advised to keep his distance from Reza Pahlavi and his entourage and instead engage with Irans genuine democratic opposition, those who have taken the struggle against the regime into the streets of Iranian cities.

Image: Reza Pahlavi. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
A Pakistan air strike hits Kabul - Stringer

Four hundred Afghans have been killed by a Pakistani air strike on a hospital in Kabul, the Taliban has claimed.

Footage circulating on social media shows a powerful blast followed by a rising fireball and a cascade of bright sparks  probably from secondary detonations  spreading across the sky.

The attack, which also reportedly injured 250 people, took place around 9pm local time (4.30am UK) on Monday.

Pakistan said the claims that it deliberately struck the hospital were false and accused the Taliban of detonating stored ammunition nearby.

In a separate video, a two-storey building, believed to be Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in eastern Kabul, is engulfed in flames as fire crews struggle to contain it.

Emergency services attempt to quell a blaze after Pakistani air strikes - Wakil Kohsar

The structure appears heavily damaged, with sections of the brick walls and roofing collapsed.

Bodies and dismembered remains lie scattered beneath the rubble as Taliban fighters remove victims from the wreckage. Many of the victims are patients and hospital staff.

The death toll has so far reached 400, while around 250 others have been injured, said Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesman for the Taliban.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights for Afghanistan, said he was dismayed by the fresh reports of Pakistan air strikes in Afghanistan resulting in civilian casualties. Mr Bennett called on both Islamabad and Kabul to de-escalate and exercise maximum restraint.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, warned that the time for diplomacy with Pakistan was over and that the attack must be avenged.

Rescue teams search for bodies under the rubble of the damaged building - Wakil Kohsar

Islamabad has rejected the Talibans claims that the strikes targeted a drug rehabilitation facility, saying the operation aimed at destroying terrorist infrastructure used in attacks against Pakistani civilians.

On the night of 16 March, Pakistan carried out precise strikes on military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including technical equipment depots and ammunition storage facilities belonging to the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij (its proxies) in Kabul and Nangarhar, which were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians, a Pakistan government spokesman said.

The post-strike detonation of stored ammunition used by this principal terror proxy further contradicts the false claim, he said, adding that Pakistans targeting was precise and carefully conducted to ensure that no collateral damage is inflicted.

Misreporting these sites as a drug rehabilitation facility appears designed to inflame sentiment while concealing illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism, the ministry said.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistans Taliban authorities of providing operational and logistical support to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The TTP, an ally of the Afghan Taliban with links to al-Qaeda, is accused by Islamabad of operating from Afghan territory and targeting Pakistan at the behest of India, a charge the group, Kabul and New Delhi deny.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have remained tense since October, when deadly border clashes killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.

Taliban security personnel stand guard near the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan - Aimal Zahir/Getty Images

Pakistan has been pummelling Afghanistan, beginning with dozens of air strikes on military installations.

Both armies have claimed high casualties inflicted on the other and vowed to keep fighting.

On Sunday, a mortar fired from Afghanistan killed four civilians in a Pakistani village.

On Saturday, Pakistan carried out fresh air strikes on military infrastructure in Kandahar, the southern city that hosts Afghanistans supreme leader, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada. One strike hit a compound used by Afghan special forces guarding him, a member of the unit said.

A Taliban fighter guards a border crossing in Kandahar province - Sanaullah Seiam

Diplomatic efforts led by Qatar, Turkey and China have failed to halt the fighting even as many Afghans argue they cannot sustain another crisis in a country where nearly half the population needs humanitarian assistance.

Pakistan, which has sheltered millions of Afghan refugees for many decades, has faced a significant increase in attacks since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, straining relations between the two countries.

Pakistan maintained ties with the group throughout the 20-year war in Afghanistan  a relationship the US protested against but never fully severed.

The Taliban had safe houses in Quetta, Pakistan, where its leadership, known as the Quetta Shura, operated openly for years.
China builds comprehensive groundwater monitoring system

Xinhua) 10:07, March 17, 2026

BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China has built a comprehensive automated groundwater monitoring system that features wide coverage of groundwater types, complete monitoring parameters and advanced technology, the Ministry of Water Resources said on Monday.

Groundwater is an indispensable source of water for economic and social development and a strategic resource crucial for maintaining a healthy ecological environment.

From 2015 to 2020, China established over 20,000 national-level groundwater monitoring stations, creating a network with real-time monitoring and early-warning capabilities to curb groundwater over-extraction, the ministry said.

Thanks to sustained and comprehensive management, strict controls on groundwater extraction and protection measures, groundwater levels in northern China had generally rebounded by the end of 2025 compared with the 2020 levels.

In the areas under management, shallow groundwater levels rose by an average of 3.76 meters, and deep groundwater levels increased by an average of 7.65 meters, the ministry said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Hundreds were feared dead after a strike on a hospital treating drug users in the Afghan capital of Kabul, which officials from Afghanistan blamed on the Pakistani military.

Afghanistans deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said the death toll had so far reached 400 people, while about 250 people had been reported injured. He said most of those killed and wounded were patients undergoing treatment at the facility.

Pakistan rejected the claim as false and misleading and said it precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure on Monday night, dismissing allegations it had hit a civilian target.

Related: Pakistan targets militant hideouts in Afghanistan as conflict continues

Sharafat Zaman, the Talibans health ministry spokesperson, said there were about 3,000 patients in the state-run Omid hospital at the time of the strike. Local television stations posted footage of firefighters struggling to extinguish flames among the ruins of a building.

The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday, said Ahmad, 50, a security guard at the hospital. Of the 25 people staying in the hospitals staff dormitory, he was the only one to survive.

The strikes were reported to begin around 9pm on Monday night. Omid Stanikzai, 31, a security guard at the drug treatment centre, told AFP the assault began with the firing of anti-aircraft guns.

There were military units all around us, he said. When these military units fired on the jet, the jet dropped bombs and a fire broke out.

Witnesses reported severe damage to the building, with sections collapsing after the strike. On Tuesday morning, only blackened walls and piles of debris remained while rescue teams searched the rubble for survivors.

Ambulance driver Haji Fahim said he had arrived at the hospital to find everything was burning, people were burning.

Early in the morning they called me again and told me to come back because there are still bodies under the rubble, he told Reuters.

We were inside the wards when the explosion happened, said Yousaf Rahim, a patient. My bed was in the corner, and I suffered injuries to my leg and thigh. It was a horrific scene. Patients fell from their beds, screaming and running as fire and smoke filled the wards and rooms.

Thick smoke and dust spread throughout the hospital, he added. Many people lay on the ground. Dozens died instantly, and the critically injured were pleading for help. I didnt know what to do. I stepped over bodies and managed to escape outside.

Dejan Panic, Afghan director of the Italian NGO Emergency, said it had received three bodies after the strike on Monday night and was treating 27 wounded.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said he was dismayed by reports of the air strikes and civilian casualties.

I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals.

The alleged attack came hours after Afghan officials said the two sides had exchanged fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan, as deadly fighting between the neighbouring countries continued to worsen.

This is the third time that Pakistan has targeted Kabul with missile strikes in recent weeks. In a post on X, Pakistans ministry of information said Monday nights strikes precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban as well as Afghanistan-based Pakistani militants in Kabul.

This misreporting of facts as drug rehabilitation facility seeks to stir sentiments, covering illegitimate support to cross-border terrorism, they added.

Islamabad has described the situation with Afghanistan as an open war. The fighting began in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. The clashes disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Qatar in October.

The conflict is the worst to break out between the former allies and has displaced upwards of 20,000 people. Relations began to fray over the Afghan Talibans alleged role in giving a safe haven and sponsorship to radical militants, particularly the Pakistan Taliban, that have been responsible for a surge in deadly terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Afghanistans Taliban government have denied any involvement in cross-border terrorism in Pakistan.

China has attempted to play a mediating role in the conflict. Last week, they dispatched a special envoy to the region to try to ease tensions and bring the two parties back to the negotiating table, but without success.

The deadly fighting also continued along the volatile border areas. Afghan officials said four people, including two children, were killed and 10 other people were wounded in south-eastern Afghanistan in an exchange of fire on Monday.

On Sunday, Pakistan said a mortar fired from Afghanistan hit a house in north-western Bajaur district, killing four members of a family and wounding two others, including a five-year-old.

Haroon Janjua and agencies contributed additional reporting
Afghanistan has said a Pakistani airstrike late on Monday on a hospital in Kabul killed and injured hundreds of people.

Pakistan denied the accusation and claimed its forces precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Kabul and the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, including equipment and ammunition storage allegedly used by insurgents that Islamabad says are responsible for attacks on its soil.

Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesperson for the Taliban, said the strike on the Omid drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul occurred at around 9pm local time. Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed, and there are fears of heavy casualties, he said in a post on X. Sadly, the number of those killed has so far reached 400, with up to 250 others injured.

Authorities are still searching for survivors of the airstrike (Reuters)

He said rescue teams rushed to the scene to control the fires and search for victims under the debris.

In a statement posted overnight on X, Pakistans information and broadcasting ministry said the operation focused on locations linked to armed groups.

Pakistans targeting is precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted, the statement said. This misreporting of facts as a drug rehabilitation facility seeks to stir sentiments, covering illegitimate support to cross-border terrorism.

Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, spokesperson for Afghanistans health ministry, told the BBC there were no military facilities near the hospital.

Residents across Kabul said they heard loud explosions shortly before 9pm, followed by the sound of aircraft and air defence systems.

According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 75 people have been killed and 193 injured in cross-border violence between the two countries since 26 February.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, said that he was dismayed by fresh reports of Pakistani airstrikes and resulting civilian deaths.

Firefighters in Afghanistan work to extinguish the blaze (AFP/Getty)

My condolences. I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals, he said in a post on X.

A 50-year-old man named Ahmad told Reuters that the air strike killed his roommates and friends as a fire tore through the building. The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday, he said.

Mohammad Mian, who works in the radiology department of the hospital, said that very few survived the strike. It was extremely terrifying, he said. Those who survived were the ones whose rooms were not destroyed and were fortunate. But the places where the bombs were dropped, everyone there was killed.

Another war the mainstream media barely talks about. Not Iran, Gaza or Dubai. This is Kabul, where the Pakistani military bombed a hospital, killing 200+ people. The same military that massacred Afghans through proxies is now bombing Afghans directly.

pic.twitter.com/v7i5C61JOj  Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) March 16, 2026

Images and videos from the site of the attack showed huge flames, charred walls, collapsed structures, and debris scattered all over. Those who visited the site saw patients belongings scattered.

Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Wali Yousafzai, a health officer at the hospital, said around 2,000 patients were inside when the strike hit. He described hearing three explosions, the force of which threw some of his colleagues across the room from one wall to another. He said he heard screams from all directions.

Pakistan says Afghanistans Taliban authorities are sheltering militant groups, especially the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has carried out attacks inside Pakistan.

It says it has repeatedly urged Kabul to rein in armed groups operating from Afghan soil, but that the Taliban authorities have failed to undertake any substantive action.

Kabul rejects the allegation, insisting it does not allow its territory to be used to target other countries.

Cross-border violence between the two countries has been escalating since February (AFP/Getty)

Late last month, Pakistan announced an open war with the Taliban after carrying out air strikes on major Afghan cities, including Kabul. The air and ground strikes targeted Taliban military posts, headquarters and ammunition depots in multiple sectors along the border, just hours after the Taliban launched an air attack on Pakistans border forces.

The attacks were a sharp escalation following months of tensions between the two sides, and this upended the ceasefire deal brokered in Qatar last year.

Both countries say they are responding to provocations by the other.

Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you [Afghanistan], Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said at the time.

On Saturday, Pakistans president Asif Ali Zardari said that Afghanistans government had crossed a red line by carrying out drone attacks on civilian areas in Pakistan. Hours later, Pakistan reportedly launched strikes on what it said was an Afghan drone storage facility.
Irans security chief and the head of its Basij militia, Ali Larijani, who has reportedly been killed in new Israeli airstrikes, had re-emerged last year as one of the most powerful figures in the security hierarchy.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said in a statement he had been informed by the military that Ali Larijani had been killed.

Iranian state media published a handwritten note by Larijani commemorating Iranian sailors killed in a US attack, whose funeral was expected on Tuesday, but there was no immediate comment from Tehran on Katzs remarks.

If true, Larijani would be the most senior figure assassinated since supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on the first day of Israeli-US airstrikes on 28 February.

The Basij militia is a part-time paramilitary force under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that is often used to quell protests inside Iran.

Larijani had been managing a broad portfolio, from nuclear negotiations to Tehrans regional ties to its violent suppression of internal unrest.

Ali Larijani held senior jobs throughout a career marked by loyalty to Ali Khamenei and a reputation for pragmatic relations with the systems often-rival factions (AFP/Getty)

Larijani had also been vocal during the conflict with the US and Israel, with the Iranian official making a thinly veiled threat against Donald Trump.

The sacrificial nation of Iran doesnt fear your empty threats, the security chief wrote in a defiant post on X (formerly Twitter) last Tuesday in response to Mr Trumps Truth Social post.

Even those bigger than you couldnt eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.

An establishment insider who hails from one of the countrys leading clerical families, Larijani had been overseeing Irans efforts to reach a nuclear deal with the United States, just a month after Washington sanctioned him in January for allegedly directing a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

He accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned secessionist groups of a harsh response if they attempted any action, state television said on Sunday, nearly 24 hours after they began a wave of attacks on Iran.

Appointed in August as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Larijani held senior jobs throughout a career marked by loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a reputation for pragmatic relations with the system's often-rival factions.

His status as a trusted Khamenei strategist was underscored last month by a trip to mediator Oman to prepare for indirect nuclear talks with the US, as Washington built up its military forces in the Middle East to try to force concessions from Iran ahead of the strikes.

Larijani had also made several trips to key ally Moscow in recent months to discuss a range of security ties, in a further sign of his return to high-level diplomacy.

Nuclear issue is resolvable

Larijani, who had an earlier stint heading the SNSC 20 years ago, resumed its leadership following last year's 12-day air war between Iran and Israel, assisted by the US, returning formally to the heart of Irans security establishment.

Larijani has made repeated visits to Moscow and met Vladimir Putin, helping Khamenei manage a key ally and world power that acts as a counterweight to pressure from Trump (AFP/Getty)

Some of his public statements on the nuclear issue struck a pragmatic tone.

In my view, this issue is resolvable, Larijani told Oman state television last month, referring to the talks with the US. If the Americans concern is that Iran should not move toward acquiring a nuclear weapon, that can be addressed.

But in the wake of Januarys outpouring of anti-government anger, his security council role was denounced by Washington.

According to a US government announcement detailing sanctions against him and other officials in response to the crackdown, Larijani was at the forefront of efforts to crush the series of demonstrations that swept Iran in January.

Larijani was one of the first Iranian leaders to call for violence in response to the legitimate demands of the Iranian people, a US Treasury statement said on 15 January, saying Larijani had acted at Khameneis behest.

Rights groups say thousands of people were killed in the crackdown on the protests, the worst domestic unrest in Iran since the era of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A pearl for a candy bar

Like other Iranian officials, Larijani expressed understanding for demonstrations staged in protest at economic hardship. But he condemned armed actions he alleged were fomented by Irans arch-enemy Israel.

Popular protests must be completely separated from these terrorist-similar groups, state media reports published on 10 January quoted him as saying. The rioters are an urban quasi-terrorist group, he was quoted as saying on 26 January.

Larijani was also tasked with advancing negotiations with China which led to a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021 (Reuters)

A former member of Irans Revolutionary Guards, Larijani served as chief nuclear negotiator from 2005-2007, defending what Tehran says is its right to enrich uranium. He once likened European incentives to abandon nuclear fuel production to exchanging a pearl for a candy bar.

Back then, Iranian analysts said he sought to persuade the West through diplomacy and was regarded as a pragmatist.

The US and Israel believe Iran aspires to build a nuclear weapon that could threaten Israels existence. Iran says its nuclear programme is purely peaceful.

Larijani was parliamentary speaker from 2008 to 2020. During that posting, Iran struck a nuclear deal with six world powers in 2015 after almost two years of delicate negotiations. President Trump withdrew the US from the hard-fought agreement during his first term in 2018.

Engaging with Putin

Larijani has cautioned that Irans nuclear programme can never be destroyed.

Because once you have discovered a technology, they cant take the discovery away, he told PBS Frontline in September 2025. Its as if you are the inventor of some machine, and the machine is stolen from you. You can still make it again.

Larijani had been managing a broad portfolio from nuclear negotiations to Tehrans regional ties to its violent suppression of internal unrest (Bilal Hussein/AP)

Larijani has made repeated visits to Moscow and met Vladimir Putin, helping Khamenei manage a key ally and world power which acts as a counterweight to pressure from Trump.

Larijani was also tasked with advancing negotiations with China, which led to a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.

He ran unsuccessfully for president in 2005. He later sought to contest the 2021 and 2024 presidential elections, but was barred both times by the Guardian Council, which cited issues including lifestyle standards and family ties abroad.

Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 to a leading Iranian clerical family, Larijani moved to Iran as a child and went on to earn a philosophy PhD. Several of his brothers have also held senior establishment jobs including in the judiciary and foreign ministry.

One of Larijani's daughters was dismissed in January from her assistant professorship at the Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, following protests by Iranian-American activists angered by his role in the suppression of that months demonstrations.
Peaky Blinders star Barry Keoghan has said he does not think he fits the criteria for James Bond.

The 33-year-old is among the stars who have been mentioned as a candidate for the next 007, as speculation stirs over who should take over as the new face of the popular spy franchise.

In an interview with Radio Times, Keoghan addressed the rumours that he may replace Daniel Craig as Bond.

Barry Keoghan is among the actors who have been named as possibilities for the next Bond (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

He said: (James Bond is) an iconic role and a lot of weight and pressure comes with that.

Its nice to see your name go up there, but I dont think I fit the criteria for James Bond.

Id rather come in and do the villain. The man teasing Bond, thats more me.

The Dublin-born actor is best known for his roles in hit films such as Saltburn (2023) and The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022), and will star in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

As well as Keoghan, other stars suggested to replace Craig  who last played the British secret service agent in 2021s No Time To Die  include Jacob Elordi, Cillian Murphy, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner.

The next Bond film will be directed by Canadian filmmaker and four-time Academy Award nominee Denis Villeneuve  who is known for Dune, Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival.

It was also recently announced that the script for the next film will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

This comes after a major overhaul of the iconic British spy franchise which saw Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson hand over creative control to Amazon as part of a lucrative deal.
The director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, announced his sudden resignation on Tuesday, citing his concerns about President Donald Trumps strikes in Iran.

Kent, 45, said he cannot in good conscience back the administrations war.

A former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, Kent was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote. As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, he oversaw an agency tasked with analyzing and detecting terrorist threats.

His resignation reflects unease within Trumps base about the war and shows that questions about the justification for the use of force in Iran extend to the right of Trumps base and to senior members of his administration.

A former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, Kent was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote (AP)

This is the letter in full:

President Trump,

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.

I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

In your fist administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without geting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonsiratd this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS.

Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran.

This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was clear path to a swift victory.

This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, | cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.

It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.

Joseph Kent

Director, National Counterterrorrism Center.
The charity said these devicelevel protections should be embedded by default, meaning children are automatically protected and adult users could go through a process to opt out (PA Wire)

Child sex abuse image crimes logged by UK police forces have increased by almost 10 per cent over the past year, sparking renewed calls for technology companies to take decisive action in blocking the capture and sharing of nude images on childrens devices.

The NSPCC warned that young people continue to face significant exposure to the risks of grooming, extortion, online abuse, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

The charitys recent research underscores the persistent threat.

Between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025, a total of 36,829 offences involving indecent and prohibited images of children were recorded across the UK, a rise of none per cent on the previous year.

This alarming figure, gathered from responses by 42 of the 45 UK police forces to a Freedom of Information request, represents a notable rise from the 33,886 offences documented in the previous year.

The governments strategy, published in December, to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), stated an aim to make it impossible for children in the UK to take, share or view a nude image and said it was working constructively with companies to make this a reality.

NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood said the government must force tech companies to act (Liam James/ The Independent)

But the NSPCC said this must be made mandatory, with the Government urged to take action against tech companies if they fail to embed existing technology on childrens phones that blocks nude images from being created, shared or viewed.

The charity said these devicelevel protections should be embedded by default, meaning children are automatically protected and adult users could go through a process to opt out.

Such technology can block a nude image taken, sent or received on a device, and the NSPCC said that because the image is never created or sent in the first place, there is nothing to encrypt and that this method can stop abuse at source.

The NSPCC said that of the 10,811 crimes where police forces recorded the platform used by perpetrators, 43 per cent or a total of 4,615 took place on Snapchat.

Overall, Meta platforms still accounted for almost a quarter of all offences (24 per cent), with 8 per cent on Instagram, 7 per cent on WhatsApp, 5 per cent on Facebook and 4 per cent on Messenger, the charity said.

But the NSPCC said because of end-to-end-encryption, the true scale of abuse children are experiencing online remains hidden.

NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood said: Children across the UK are being completely failed by tech companies that should be protecting them online. We cannot keep letting them off the hook when they can do more to prevent this from happening in the first place.

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said the data uncovered by the NSPCC was nothing short of deeply shocking. (PA Wire)

He added: Technology already exists that could be deployed today to stop children from taking, sharing or receiving nude images. So, the real question is: whats stopping them? If they continue to drag their feet, government must show their might by stepping in and compelling them to act.

Kerry Smith, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation, said the data should be yet another wake-up call, adding: Mandatory introduction of on-device protections will protect children from unsolicited nude imagery, and from being coerced into sending sexually explicit material.

We must see these measures applied across the board.

Safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, said the data uncovered by the NSPCC was nothing short of deeply shocking.

She added: Predators cannot continue like this  unstopped and unchecked. We plan to stop them.

We have committed to making it impossible for children in the UK to take, share or view nude images, and have already announced a ban on socalled nudification apps to stop abusive images being created and spread in the first place.

We will not hesitate to go further until our children are safe from sexual abuse online.

Earlier this year it was announced that nudification apps would be criminalised as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

The data comes after two watchdogs last week warned big tech it must do more to protect young people online.

Communications regulator Ofcom wrote to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and others, giving them until the end of April to explain what actions they are taking on age checks and grooming protections.

Alongside Ofcoms demands, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) also wrote to Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and others asking them to set out how their age assurance policies keep children safe.

The NSPCC said the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Police Scotland were included in the data but forces missing were Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Thames Valley.
Chinese breakthrough could extend viability of transplant organs from hours to days

Chinese researchers have developed a new method to preserve tissues at cold temperatures, an advance that could extend the viability of transplant organs from hours to days.

Currently, organ transplants remain the only effective treatment for many end-stage diseases like severe heart, liver or kidney failure. The moment an organ is removed from a donor, however, it begins to deteriorate as cells stop receiving oxygen and toxic compounds accumulate in tissues.

To overcome this, hospitals usually place organs meant for transplant in an ice-cold preservation solution.

But even with these arrangements, organs can only survive for a few hours. The heart, for instance, can currently be preserved for a maximum of about six hours after leaving the donor while kidneys remain viable for up to 24 hours.

In recent years, instead of preserving organs on ice, scientists have been using machine perfusion systems that mimic blood circulation while the organ is outside the body. But these systems come with their own disadvantages.

While colder storage can preserve organs longer, machine perfusion systems work at temperatures above freezing.

Currently, machine perfusion devices for organs above 0C are available, but those for subzero temperatures and suitable for multiple organs remain underdeveloped, the Chinese scientists explain in a study published in the Journal of Medical Devices.

A hospital employee carries an empty styrofoam box used for transporting human organs (Getty)

The study from Chinas State Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology unveils a new Multithermic Machine Perfusion System, or MTMP, which works across temperatures, including below 0C.

Researchers showed that the new system could preserve rat hearts, rabbit kidneys, and pig kidneys in liquid nitrogen at minus 150C for seven days before successfully reviving and transplanting them.

Here, we develop an MTMP system which enables programmable and precise regulation over a wide temperature range from normothermia (37C), hypothermia (4C) to supercooling (less than 0C), scientists said.

The device demonstrates precise control over temperature, pressure, and flow rate.

For organs like the heart, extending the viability time could help clear the waitlist for transplants, researchers said.

If just half of the currently discarded transplant hearts in the US could be preserved and used, we could clear the entire US waiting list for organ transplants within two to three years, the study said.

Extending the low-temperature preservation time of the heart to 24 hours would provide patients with a larger time window, which may save more lives.

The new system, according to scientists, can address critical gaps in organ preservation technology and provide a foundation for extending preservation duration.
After two weeks of turmoil and violence in the Strait of Hormuz, an international cargo ship has transited safely through the Iranian waterway with its tracker turned on in what experts described as a major breakthrough.

The Pakistan-flagged ship, the Karachi, also known as the Lorax, became the first non-Iranian vessel to pass through the strait with its automatic identification system (AIS) signal turned on, on Sunday afternoon.

Hundreds of ships are trapped in the Gulf after Iran claimed complete control over the strait, days after the US and Israel declared war and assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei. At least 16 ships have been attacked in the Gulf since the war started on 28 February, according to the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO).

Oil tankers and cargo ships have been impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (AP)

The Strait of Hormuz in particular is considered to be one of the worlds most valuable shipping routes, with 20 million barrels of oil passing through it each day.

But experts have suggested that Tehran may be loosening its iron grip on the strait for countries that are willing to negotiate, with certain vessels seemingly granted safe passage through diplomacy.

Matthew Wright, a freight analyst from global trade firm Kpler, told The Independent: This is Irans widening strategy.

The amount of control Iran has over the waterway is significant. And theyve been able to move their own cargoes pretty comfortably over the last two weeks. Now they are selectively managing oil flows through that checkpoint. At the moment, it appears to be friendly Asian partners.

But whats significant is we dont expect this to be a trend that they can expand more broadly without undermining the pressure that theyre able to keep on oil prices.

Iran is reported to have asked India to release three tankers seized in February following negotiations over the safe passage of India-bound vessels out of the strait, according to Reuters.

The Karachi transited out of the strait with its AIS signal on (Pakistan National Shipping Corporation)

Indian authorities seized the Iran-linked ships near Indian waters, alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea.

Meanwhile, Iraqs oil minister said Baghdad is in contact with Iran to allow some oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the state news agency reported on Tuesday.

Heres what we know about the oil getting out of the Strait of Hormuz.

What do we know about the Karachi oil tanker?

The Lorax, a Pakistan-flagged ship carrying a crude blend called DAS from Abu Dhabi, had its AIS on to transit the strait, according to Mr Wright.

The route taken by the Pakistan-flagged ship is considered to be unusual as it skips the hairpin to detour around the small Larak island near Iran (Kpler)

We dont have confirmation, but it does suggest that this vessel was probably asked to keep its AIS on and was probably guided by Iran through the strait, he said. We can only speculate as to why that necessarily happened, but it could be so that they can ensure the vessels safety.

The Lorax took an unusual route out of the strait. Typically, tankers are forced to tackle a hairpin bend, but the ship went north around the small island of Larak on the Iranian side before exiting.

This is more representative of the normal route through the strait. Green is the loaded ship exiting and orange is an empty ship entering (Kpler)

Mr Wright added that this could have been directed as the safest route out of the strait.

Theres been a lot of discussion about some of the waters being mined, he added. Nobody has, as far as Im aware, got definitive proof that the strait has been mined. But this transit is an interesting one.

What other ships have successfully crossed out of the strait?

At least 20 non-Iranian oil ships have exited the strait since the war began, according to Kpler. The vast majority of these ships have switched off their AIS, which is used for collision avoidance and vessel monitoring in the maritime industry.

According to Mr Wright, a lot of sanctioned vessels will switch off their AIS if they arent in a war zone to go dark while handling sanctioned cargo to hide their identity or the origin of what theyre carrying.

Dynacom, the company that owns this ship, is considered to be one of the more risk-tolerant oil tanker companies (YouTube)

What weve seen for non-Iranian cargoes leaving the region, he explained. They will go dark and then they will reappear on the other side and the thinking is its much harder to track and maybe fire on a vessel thats not broadcasting its AIS.

Many of the vessels making the transit are run by more risk-tolerant companies, such as the Greek company Dynacom.

The SMYRNI oil tanker, owned by Dynacom, is willing to take the risk of transiting Hormuz, according to Mr Wright.

Because the rates are very, very high, he explained. Theyve done at least one [transit], if not two more, since this started.

Last week, Turkey said that a dry cargo ship had passed through the strait with permission.

The SMYRNI was moving through Indian waters as of Tuesday morning (Marine Traffic)

Where are these ships going?

According to Mr Wright, a lot of the Iranian oil will go to China, while much of the non-Iranian oil has gone to India and Pakistan.

The Lorax is Pakistan, but then some of the others that have gone on the Dynacom ships went to India, he said.

The Dynacom ships loaded at Saudi or UAE and went to India. All of the non-sanctioned oil is going to India and Pakistan.

What ships are stuck in the strait?

As of 16 March, 743 cargo ships were estimated to be trapped in the Gulf thanks to Irans iron grip over the Strait of Hormuz. But according to Mr Wright, this number has fluctuated.

Its come down from 778. Weve got more vessels that have left than come in, he said. With the AIS blackout, its pretty hard to know. Theres definitely been more exit.

We have had some vessels come in. For example, six of these Dynacom tankers have come in, which is half of the 12 tankers that have come in total.
TikTokers @emptynestermishigas are empty nesters who were enjoying newfound freedom together. Soon after, their sons came across a social media post about a German Shepherd who needed a family and begged their parents to take them. They initially said no, but changed their minds, and that's how Papa came into their lives.

After the first week of bringing him home, the three were just getting used to each other, but it became pretty clear right away that Papa had already picked a favorite. He quickly grew pretty protective of her, as you'll see in this cute video. Make sure your sound is on because the cute little sounds he makes every time Dad tries to touch Mom are guaranteed to make you laugh!

We love that even though Papa was protective of his mom, the jealousy quickly went away and he was lovin' up on his dad, too!

Papa's pawrents had him for only a week when this video was recorded. It's been about four months now, and all is well. He's settled in quite nicely and is just one of the family, and a spoiled one at that!

Related: 'Shattered' German Shepherd Cries Like a Baby After Realizing Adoptive Family Is Returning Her

SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

Sweet Reactions to Papa Protecting His Mom

Viewers left more than 1,900 comments about Papa's jealous protection over his mom, most of which were all in good fun. We laughed, and @Greta GSD525 got more than 17,000 likes when they joked, "Was the dog or the man rescued? Because the dog looks very comfortable..." Mom replied, "Cracking up. Thinking of taking the man to the shelter!"

@shimmyshamwham shared, "Shepherds will protect the whole family but always pick one human that is their ride or die!" @The5thElephant agreed, "Can confirm, my service dog chose my son. Awkward. LOL!"

Commenter @MK got 15,000 likes when they pointed out, "Hes been waiting his whole life to do a big protect!" @Harleigh added, "He sounds like a door opening and closing lol!"

@Mari Goldbones shared, "He said, 'You dont need to touch her, thanks.'" @Howen added, 'But I love mommy!' Dog: 'NO, I LOVE MOMMY !' We guess they both really love Mom!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A senior London MP has suggested it would be safer to delay the Kings state visit to the US next month after Donald Trump launched a series of attacks on Britain over the Iran war.

The historic visit has yet to be officially announced but Charles and the Queen are expected to visit Washington and New York in April to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The US President, though, has branded the UKs approach to the conflict with Iran terrible and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer, with the special relationship between the two allied nations strained.

The Prime Minister has insisted the UK will not be drawn into a wider war, with Britain having questioned the legality of the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Sir Keirs decision not to grant permission for the first wave of military action prompted a raft of criticism from Trump, including a personal attack on him for being not Winston Churchill.

King Charles with Donald Trump (PA Wire)

Trump railed against the UK and Nato allies on Monday as they and other countries sunk his plan for a multi-national maritime force to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said there was a risk Charles and Camilla may be left feeling embarrassed on a US visit because of the current crisis.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today radio programme on Tuesday, Dame Emily, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, said: If it was to go ahead, it would go ahead against a backdrop of a war, and that, I think, is quite difficult  and the last thing that we want to do is to have Their Majesties embarrassed.

Asked if she was in favour of delaying the visit, she said: I dont know what the programme would involve, but I think it needs to be thought through very carefully as to whether or not its appropriate to go ahead now, or maybe have a limited programme or delay it  but we cant just pretend that there isnt a background of war.

She added: I suspect it would be safer to delay it, but I dont know the details.

Donald Trump, King Charles, Queen Camilla and Melania Trump (Eddie Mulholland/Daily Telegraph/PA)

Dame Emily Thornberry (PA Archive)

However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch backed the US state visit going ahead, saying the King represents standards which both Sir Keir and Mr Trump could actually learn from.

She said: The relationship is between the US and the UK, not between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer.

The King is our head of state and actually, hes going for a very significant anniversary, the 250th anniversary of American independence.

So I do think that makes sense and it also reminds people that there are some people who are above this diplomatic row.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the tensions with the US make the Kings planned visit even more imperative.

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have been at loggerheads over the Iran war (PA Wire)

He said: There are considerable tensions between the American president and British Prime Minister, that is true, and they appear to be worsening frankly by the day.

I would say that makes the Kings visit even more imperative, even more imperative.

There is absolutely no question that Trump has a sort of awe-like respect, he did for the Queen, thats for certain and he genuinely likes Charles.

Downing Street declined to comment, with the Prime Ministers official spokesman saying: Its not for me to discuss future royal engagements, the details of which havent yet been confirmed.

Trump was feted with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for an American leader, last year.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (PA)

The royal familys soft power diplomacy is viewed as an important and unique way of engaging with the billionaire-turned-politician, who is well known for his love of the monarchy.

Buckingham Palace said it was a matter for the Government, with state visits undertaken on the advice of the Foreign Office.

A recent YouGov poll found 46% of Britons believe the King should cancel the official visit and not travel to the US this year, while 36% said it should go ahead and 18% did not know.

Meanwhile, royal author Robert Hardman suggested it might be more difficult to delay the monarchs trip despite the ongoing war, given the significance of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Of course, its going to be problematic but I think it will be more problematic to cancel or postpone because this state visit has been held against a very specific date, and I think that date allows the King and the Government to sort of switch the focus away from the war, which is the 250th birthday of the United States, he told the Today programme.
MERCURY OPENS $220M GEOTHERMAL EXPANSION BOOSTING NEW ZEALAND'S RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLY

Mercury has taken another step to boost New Zealands renewable energy supply, officially opening the new fifth generation unit at its Nga Tamariki Geothermal Station near Taupo.

The $220 million expansion project was first announced in 2023, with construction beginning in 2024. Completed in just under two years, the project lifts the stations annual average generation output to about 1120GWh, enough to power the equivalent of all residential homes in Christchurch.

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton and the Associate Minister of Energy Shane Jones opened the new generation unit with mana whenua, Ngati Tahu Ngati Whaoa, Tauhara North #2 Trust, landowners, community leaders and some of the 300 contractors and staff who worked on the project over the past two years.

At 55MW, the new unit has more than twice the capacity of each of the original units commissioned at Nga Tamariki in 2013, reflecting the advances in technology.

In parallel with the project, Mercury has drilled two new geothermal wells; one to provide additional steam supply for the new generation unit and the second for injection of geothermal fluid to support sustainability of the reservoir.

"This has provided us with the added ability to reinject non-condensable gases - mainly carbon dioxide - back into the geothermal reservoir, instead of these gases being released into the atmosphere.

"We can now reinject gases across the entire station and this will help us achieve a 70% reduction in the stations carbon emissions by 2030.

Mr Hamilton said adding more renewable energy is key for meeting future demand growth, building resilience and ultimately helping with energy affordability.

Increasing capacity at Nga Tamariki supports system resilience because geothermal provides steady baseload supply (generates electricity 24/7), helping meet winter peaks and stabilise the national grid, while complementing our hydro and wind energy generation.

Mr Hamilton said completing the Nga Tamariki project showed Mercury is committed to investing significantly in new, renewable energy development.

Geothermal is central to our long-term growth. The expansion at Nga Tamariki will help us deliver 3.5 TWh of new generation by 2030. Thats about 8% of New Zealands annual energy demand.

We are also partnering with the Government on its investigation into supercritical geothermal energy.

Mercury also has two wind farms under construction which are expected to begin generating electricity for the country by the end of 2026.

These wind farms and our expansion at Nga Tamariki, represent a $1b investment in new renewable generation and regional economic growth through the creation of local jobs.

Our investments support the fastest rate of renewable generation development in New Zealands history. This is the best way we can help deliver affordable renewable energy and help power economic growth over the coming decades.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

> The Nga Tamariki expansion project was developed with support from Mercury's commercial partner Tauhara North #2 Trust and with mana whenua Ngati Tahu Ngati Whaoa to ensure the sustainability of the geothermal reservoir and management of the surrounding environment.

> As part of the expansion project, two new geothermal wells were drilled; one supplies geothermal fluid for the new generation unit and the second is for injection of geothermal fluid to support sustainability of the reservoir.

> The are now nine geothermal wells at the station which extend to depths of more than 3000 metres, reaching up to 290 C.

> More than 250,000 hours have been worked on the project construction phase with no serious harm incidents.

> About 300 people have worked on the project from Mercury, contractors and consultants from Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Napier and beyond.

> Nga Tamariki was originally commissioned in 2013 with four generation units; it was built with allowance for future expansion.

> Visit the Nga Tamariki project page for more information.

ENDS

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Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent in Canterbury. (Gareth Fuller - PA Images via Getty Images)

More details are emerging about the early days of an outbreak of meningitis B in Kent, which has led to the deaths of two young people and a total of 29 confirmed or suspected cases as of Thursday evening.

The outbreak, described by health secretary Wes Streeting as "unprecedented", appears to have spread from a nightclub in Canterbury.

Four schools have so far been affected by the outbreak and at least one case has been detected in France of someone who attended the University of Kent.

One teenager has told how he spent four days in hospital fighting meningitis after kissing a girl at Club Chemistry on 13 March.

Alex Razas, 19, said he went to the club after clocking in a shift at his evening bartending job. Less than 48 hours later, he said he had a "really, really bad throat" after kissing a girl at the venue.

Meanwhile, Club Chemistry's owner Louise Jones-Roberts revealed that health officials contacted her with an "unusual" warning via Instagram to let her know of the outbreak over the weekend.

More students have been queuing for antibiotics at the University of Kent on Tuesday. (Gareth Fuller - PA Images via Getty Images)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of 5pm on Thursday, 18 cases of meningitis have been confirmed and a further 11 are under investigation.

This takes the total to 29 cases of either confirmed or suspected meningitis, up from 20 on Wednesday. Two students have died in the outbreak.

The UKHSA said lab tests had confirmed that the Bexsero vaccine currently being offered in Kent should provide protection against the strain identified, known as meningitis B.

Wes Streeting previously said the UKHSA would update the number of cases each day at 9.30am and he has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines.

Most young people born before 2015 are not protected against meningitis B unless they have had the jab privately - it was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015.

The long line of students at the University of Kent in Canterbury waiting for antibiotics. (Gareth Fuller, PA Images)

Who are the victims of the meningitis outbreak?

An 18-year-old sixth form student at Queen Elizabeths Grammar School in Faversham, named as Juliette, has died, her school said on Monday.

Headteacher Amelia McIlroy said: She was a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend  who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff. In short, she was a lovely girl  her beautiful smile, her loving nature and her sense of fun will be hugely missed."

Juliette's father told the BBC that the family are "beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss".

The other young person who died has not yet been named, but was a student at the University of Kent.

How did the meningitis outbreak start?

The UKHSA said the outbreak is linked to Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, with "some cases" going to the venue between 5 and 7 March.

Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner of Club Chemistry, said more than 2,000 people would have visited the venue over the three dates.

She said she believed more than one case was connected to mingling at the club and she had been told they started showing symptoms on 10 March.

She told GB news she was initially "taken aback" by the government's method of messaging her over social media but in hindsight thought it was "quite intelligent", because if they had contacted her via email it may not have been picked up until Monday, delaying efforts to warn people.

Jones-Roberts said she had contacted about 90 out of 95 members of staff at the club and they had gone to get antibiotics.

The Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, which is linked to the meningitis outbreak. (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

People who were at Club Chemistry on those dates can collect antibiotics from various locations in the region.

Streeting said the UKHSA was told about the first case on Friday 13 March, before it notified the University of Kent the following day.

On that same day, French officials also alerted the UKHSA to a case in France of someone who attended the University of Kent.

On Monday, 16 March, two teenage brothers in the queue for antibiotics at the University of Kent said they had been at a party hosted by a friend who is now in hospital with meningitis.

Matthew McDonagh, 16, and his brother Luca, 17, were at a party in Whitstable on Saturday with one person who has now been diagnosed with the infection.

Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent in Canterbury. (Gareth Fuller - PA Images via Getty Images)

Another young person from their friendship group was already in an induced coma after contracting meningitis, they said.

Its quite scary," said Matthew. "I cant believe it. Its just insane. Its completely unbelievable."

Was there a delay in handling the outbreak?

Streeting said on Tuesday that the government will look at the handling of the UKHSA response to the outbreak.

Helen Whately, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, has questioned whether UKHSA could have told the public sooner about the meningitis outbreak.

Asked on Times Radio on Tuesday if she had concerns about a "potential delay" in communications, she said: I do, I would like to have UKHSA come forward and explain the timeline there.

She said she heard about the outbreak on Sunday evening on Facebook, but believed the UKHSA knew about it sooner.

Helen Whately, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent. (Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)

But Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director of the immunisation and vaccine preventable diseases division at the UKHSA, denied there had been a delay in responding to the outbreak.

She told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that it takes time to work out the links between the individual cases, which is made harder when many of the patients were "extremely unwell in hospital".

But she said the work was "done very rapidly over the weekend" with the links identified within 24 hours.

What are the symptoms of meningitis and can it be treated?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

It can affect anyone but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults, the NHS says.

If not treated quickly, it can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

Meningitis is normally caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.

One of the bacteria which causes meningitis is called meningococcus, which can live harmlessly in peoples throats but can cause serious illness if it gets into the blood or spinal fluid.

Meningococcus bacteria are involved in meningitis. (BSIP via Getty Images)

There are different types of this bacteria and the most common is known as type B  what is often referred to as meningitis B, or MenB, and is one of the most common causes of meningitis in the UK.

Infections that cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing and kissing, and are usually caught from someone who carries these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but is not themselves ill.

The symptoms include a fever; headaches; a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it; a stiff neck; seizures; drowsiness; and a dislike of bright lights.

Those with viral meningitis will usually get better on their own, while most with bacterial meningitis need to be treated in hospital for at least a week.

The MenACWY vaccine is offered to teenagers at school. (Ben Gingell)

Vaccines against meningitis include the MenB, the 6-in-1, pneumococcal and MMRV vaccines for babies and children.

In addition, the MenACWY vaccination provides protection against MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY, and is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10  and can be given up to the age of 25 if missed.

However, the MenACWY does not protect against all forms of meningitis. Other strains, such as MenB, can circulate in young adults.

What are the different types of meningitis?

There are two main types of meningitis  viral (caused by a virus) and bacterial (caused by a bacterium).

Viral meningitis is more common and is rarely life threatening, and can be caused by different viruses and spread through coughing or sneezing.

Bacterial meningitis is more rare but can be fatal, and may be seeped through respiratory and throat secretions, such as coughing or kissing.

Many types of bacteria can cause meningitis, including:

Neisseria meningitis (meningococcus)

Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection caused by this bacterium, with six main strains that cause disease: MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, MenX and MenY, according to Meningitis Now.

The term meningococcal disease is used to describe two illnesses  meningitis and septicaemia.

There are vaccines to protect against some but not all strains of meningococcal bacteria.

It occurs most often in the first year of life but may also occur among those who live close together such as in university settings.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

This bacterium causes pneumococcal meningitis and there are more than 95 strains, although not all cause disease.

Most cases occur in babies and young children under the age of 18 months, Meningitis Now says, while the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are also at risk.

There are vaccines to protect agains some strains of pneumococcal bacteria but not all, and although most people infected will make a good recovery, 30% of survivors can be left with severe and disabling after-effects, and some people will die.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus or GBS)

Babies under 90 days of age are at the highest risk of group B streptococcal meningitis, according to the Meningitis Research Foundation, with 360 cases of GBS disease in babies that age in England in 2023.

The bacteria usually live harmlessly in the vagina and intestinal tract of about 20% to 40% of women, and can sometimes be passed on to the baby during delivery.

There is currently no vaccine to protect against group B streptococcal meningitis.

Click below to see the latest South and South East headlines
The BBC is corrupt, fraudulent news, US President Donald Trump said, as he accused the broadcaster of editing his speech with artificial intelligence (AI).

The corporation filed a motion to dismiss Mr Trumps 10 billion dollar (7.5 billion) defamation lawsuit over an edit of a Panorama documentary on Monday.

The programme faced criticism last year over an episode broadcast in 2024 for giving the impression the US president had encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol building in 2021 after he had lost the election to Joe Biden.

A view of BBC Broadcasting House in central London (Ben Whitley/PA) (Ben Whitley)

BBC director-general Tim Davie resigned following the allegations that Panorama selectively edited Mr Trumps speech.

BBC chairman Samir Shah apologised on behalf of the broadcaster over an error of judgment and accepted the editing of the 2024 documentary gave the impression of a direct call for violent action.

Asked about his lawsuit on Tuesday, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that footage had been edited and claimed that AI had been used to generate clips.

They put words in my mouth and they said I said some pretty bad things and I didnt say them, it was AI generated.

And I said I never said that. Some of my people said: Wow, that was pretty bad stuff you said, I said What did I say?

Im pretty good at this stuff. I mean, if you can go through years of these press conferences and youre the popular president of the United States that won in a landslide, that won all seven swing states, that got record numbers of votes  I guess Im okay at this stuff.

US President Donald Trump was asked about the BBC during a press opportunity with Irish premier Micheal Martin (Niall Carson/PA) (Niall Carson)

I said I never said that and then we found out it was AI generated.

Mr Trump also criticised the BBCs coverage of the US war on Iran as so inaccurate and unbelievable.

We have decimated that country and if you watch BBC its almost like theyre fighting us to a draw.

He added: It was very inaccurate news, it was fake news.

Im very proud of the term fake news because it was my term, I came up with it  but its no longer accurate.

It really is corrupt, fraudulent news. It really is  its fraudulent.

Its not just fake, its beyond fake. Its really criminal what they do.

Asked about the lawsuit against the broadcaster, Mr Trump said he would see how it comes out.

The BBC declined to comment.
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Donald Trump has lashed out at US allies after they rejected his call for help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and protect global oil supplies.

The president described Natos refusal to come to his aid as a foolish mistake, before insisting: We do not need the help of anyone!

His outburst came as questions grew over how and when the chaotic war on Iran might end  concerns that yesterday prompted his key ally and counterterrorism chief Joe Kent to resign in protest, saying Tehran had posed no imminent threat to the US.

And European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged America and Israel to stop the war so everybody saves face, adding: The problem with wars is that its easier to start than to stop them, and it always gets out of hand.

Mr Trump has found himself increasingly isolated after several countries, including the UK, Germany and France, declined his request to deploy warships to the vital Hormuz shipping route through which around one-fifth of the worlds oil passes.

Trump lashed out at US allies for not supporting US operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (Reuters)

The waterway has remained mostly closed since Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces claimed to have taken complete control of it at the start of the war.

The United States has been informed by most of our Nato Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, Mr Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

This, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.

Hitting out at the Nato alliance as one-sided, Mr Trump said: I always considered Nato, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street. We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need.

The conflict between the US and Israel and Iran has destabilised the Middle East, drawn in multiple regional powers, and seen oil prices spike with the severe disruption to the worlds oil supply.

An elderly woman is helped from the scene of a strike on a residential building in central Tehran on Monday (Getty)

Ms Kallas said Europe had been trying to find a solution to the ongoing conflict.

We have been consulting with regional countries like the Gulf countries, Jordan, Egypt, whether we could also bring forward proposals for Iran, Israel and the US to get out of this situation so that everybody saves face, she said.

It would be in the interest of everybody if this war stops.

Mr Trump has been under increasing pressure to resolve the conflict as the war enters its third week.

US intelligence assessments predict that the Iranian regime will remain intact despite joint US-Israeli operations to topple the Islamic Republic, sources told The Washington Post.

Mr Trumps defence policy was dealt a further blow when Mr Kent, a previously loyal Maga figure whose own wife was killed by Isis, quit his job as director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center.

In a letter posted on social media, he wrote that he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran, adding: It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

Negotiations may prove difficult, however, after Israel claimed to have killed Irans top security chief, Ali Larijani, on Tuesday, according to defence minister Israel Katz.

Ali Larijani has been killed in an airstrike, Israel claims (AFP/Getty)

He would be the most senior figure assassinated since supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself, who was killed on the first day of the war in a US-Israeli strike on his compound on 28 February.

Shortly after the reports circulated, Iranian state media published a handwritten note purportedly from Mr Larijani commemorating Iranian sailors killed in a US attack, but there was no immediate comment by Tehran.

Countries across the Gulf, including Qatar and the UAE who host major US military assets, faced a fresh wave of Iranian missile attacks hitting key oil and gas facilities and causing widespread airspace disruption. Most of the strikes were intercepted.

Israels campaign in Lebanon continued as humanitarian groups warned that over a million people have now been displaced. At least 886 people have been reported killed, according to the countrys health ministry.

Meanwhile, in Iran over 3.2 million people have been displaced, with more than 1,300 killed.
British holidaymakers are being forced to make alternative Easter plans safety fears due to the US-Israel war with Iran.

The recent escalation in the Middle East has led to some airlines cancelling flights to popular destinations such as Dubai. British travellers have instead looked to destinations in the Mediterranean in particular, with a spike in demand for Greece, Portugal and Spain.

TUI UK&Is Managing Director Neil Swanson told The Standard that customers are mostly amending their travel plans by switching dates, routes or destinations amid hesitation over trips to the Gulf region

Closer to home, destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean continue to perform well, with Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cape Verde seeing increased demand in recent days as customers opt for familiar, easytoreach locations, he said.

Smoke close to Dubai International Airport on March 16 (AFP via Getty Images)

There is also strong demand for flights to destinations in the Caribbean, especially the Dominican Republic and Jamaica Mr Swanson added.

Thomas Cook said bookings to Portugal had increased by 42%, followed by an above 40% increase in trips to Spains Balearic Islands and a 16% spike for bookings in the Canary Islands.

British Airways has said it has suspended flights to Bahrain, Dubai, Amman in Jordan and Tel Aviv in Israel due to continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability until May 31.

Due to the continuing uncertainty of the situation in the Middle East and airspace instability, and to provide more clarity to our customers, weve extended the temporary reduction in our flying schedule in the region, the airline said.

Were keeping the situation under constant review and are directly in touch with affected customers to offer them a range of options.

The Foreign Office (FCDO) is currently advising against all but essential travel to the UAE due to the regional escalation.

Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, financial institutions, oil production sites, water systems, and airports, the department warned.

Brits are looking for alternative holiday destinations for Easter amid war in the Middle East (AFP via Getty Images)

Dubai residents today woke to the sound of explosions as air defences worked to try and intercept Iranian fire. The military said it was responding to incoming missile and drone threats around the city and the city briefly shut its airspace.

Working to increase pressure on energy infrastructure in the region, Iran targeted an oil facility on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) .

On Monday, all seven Emirates flights from Dubai to London Heathrow were cancelled following social media reports that a drone hit a fuel tank nearby Dubai International Airport.

Dubai International Airport announced yesterday morning that all flights had been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure. Some flights were later restored, with passengers urged to check with their airlines for further information.

A number of Emirates flights had to be diverted, including one from London Stansted which was forced to land in Vienna, Austria.
The Government should immediately step up efforts to ensure the most vulnerable households receive help with energy bills amid predictions of a 250 hike as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, the industry has said.

Energy UK said latest projections from suppliers suggested customers could face an increase of as much as 250 on their annual bill as the United States and Israel continue to bomb Iran, although it added it was too early to be sure of the impact.

Analysts at Cornwall Insight have forecast that household energy bills could rise by more than 10% from July, following sharp increases in wholesale gas prices.

Its latest forecast predicts that Ofgems price cap for July to September will surge to 1,827 a year from the current 1,641 for a typical dual fuel household.

However, it said the final price cap figure would be based on average wholesale prices over a three-month period, meaning that it would depend on how long gas prices stayed elevated and how long the period of volatility continued.

Energy UK warned that the longer the conflict continued, the greater the risk that bills reached the levels at which the Government was compelled to subsidise domestic and business customers back in 2022 as a result of volatility following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

At that time, the Government provided universal support to every bill payer regardless of their circumstances, costing more than 35 billion.

Energy UK said this could have cost 12.5 billion if it had been directed only at low and lower middle-income customers.

The industry body said there was still time to rapidly improve targeting if a significant intervention was required later this year  especially over the winter months.

Bills could be subsidised for vulnerable customers (PA) (Peter Byrne)

It is calling on the Government to immediately bring together a vaccine-style taskforce, involving ministers and senior officials from relevant departments and energy industry data experts as part of a sprint to urgently assess options.

It suggested this could include accelerating existing data-sharing programmes to identify customers already in receipt of welfare or disability payments and those with serious medical conditions, and creating an application process for those who do not receive benefits but might still need support.

It is also proposing lowering all electric bills by further reducing policy costs, which it said would be of particular benefit to those using electric storage heaters, who are twice as likely to be in fuel poverty.

Energy UK chief executive Dhara Vyas said: It is still too early to tell how significant an impact the conflict in the Middle East will have on British energy bills  but it is clearly sensible to prepare and ensure any intervention that might be necessary is both cost effective and directed to help those who most need it.

Successive governments have recognised the need to target support better but progress on the data-sharing that could enable this has been slow.

As we saw during the pandemic and previous energy crisis, the state can move quickly and inject a sense of urgency into work when it is really required.

It would help the country just as much outside a crisis as within one. Energy bills remain higher than they were before the invasion of Ukraine, and there is growing concern about record amounts of customer debt.

Prioritising efforts to identify these customers is crucial for any potential emergency response and will also mean that we can ensure they are supported in the long term.
Dame Esther Rantzen has issued an update on treatment for her terminal cancer as she is living longer than her oncologist expected her to.

The television presenter, 85, has stage four lung cancer. She is one of the most high-profile supporters of the assisted dying bill, and has previously said she will not live long enough to see the proposals become law.

Dame Esther has previously said she does not have much longer to live because a drug she has been taking since 2024 has stopped working.

In an update on Mondays (16 March) Newsnight, Dame Esther said nobody knows why she is living longer than her doctor expected, adding that she would have another scan in June.

She also issued a plea to politicians over the assisted dying bill, claiming that most people in Britain want and need the proposed legislation.
Donald Trump, pictured in the White House on Tuesday, singled out Nato for criticism - Yuri Gripas/EPA/Shutterstock

Donald Trump has never been angrier than he was about European allies refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Republican said.

Lindsey Graham, a prominent Iran hawk, said he shares that anger after the arrogance displayed by Europe and Nato.

The South Carolina senator posted on X: Just spoke to the president about our European allies unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America.

I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given whats at stake.

Nato countries, including Britain, have resisted calls to send military assistance to reopen the strait.

Mr Graham added: The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the Ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive.

The European approach to containing the Ayatollahs nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure.

A Thai-flagged cargo ship on fire in the Strait of Hormuz last Wednesday after it was struck by Iranian missiles - Royal Thai Navy

Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised his allies for failing to heed his call for support in Iran, and again took aim at Nato on Tuesday.

The US president said the alliance was a one-way street and added that allies do nothing for us, in particular in a time of need.

He posted on his Truth Social network: Because of the fact that we have had such military success, we no longer need, or desire, the Nato countries assistance  we never did!

Europes leaders remained steadfast in their opposition to joining the war in Iran.

Kaja Kallas, the European Unions (EU) foreign policy chief, called on the US and Israel to end the war so that everybody saves face.

She claimed that the bloc was already in negotiations with Middle Eastern states over how to bring about a possible ceasefire.

She added that European efforts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz were more likely to come in the form of diplomacy, after France and Germany both ruled out joining a US-led armada to reopen the shipping lane.

Kaja Kallas said it would be in everyones interest if this war stops - Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu

The EU was willing diplomatically to bring the parties together to really stop this war, Ms Kallas, the EUs most senior diplomat, told the Reuters news agency.

She said: We have been consulting with regional countries like the Gulf countries, Jordan, Egypt, (about) whether we could also bring forward proposals for Iran, Israel and the US to get out of this situation so that everybody saves face.

While European nations  including the UK  have ruled themselves out of being dragged into a wider conflict, they are searching for solutions to end the war.

On Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron said France would never send warships to help reopen the strait in the current context.

During a defence council meeting, he reiterated that France did not choose this war and would only escort tankers through the waterway once the bombing stops.

He said: We are not party to the conflict and therefore France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context.

Beirut, where Israeli air strikes caused destruction on Monday - AFP via Getty

Ms Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister who now serves as the EUs high representative for foreign affairs, also stressed that Europe should not be involved in the war.

She said: It would be in the interest of everybody if this war stops. The problem with wars is that its easier to start than to stop them, and it always gets out of hand.

Mr Trumps military campaign has prompted an Iranian missile and drone backlash across the Gulf, leading oil and European natural gas prices to soar about 70 per cent since the start of the year.

There are also concerns within the Trump administration about the exit plan.

One person close to the White House told Politico: We clearly just kicked [Irans] ass in the field, but, to a large extent, they hold the cards now.

They decide how long were involved, and they decide if we put boots on the ground. And it doesnt seem to me that theres a way around that, if we want to save face.

Talks in Brussels between the EUs foreign ministers on Monday focused on how the bloc could help reopen the strait.

However, the envoys showed little interest in becoming militarily entangled in Mr Trumps war in Iran. The stand-off by EU states, and Britain, is likely to strain relations with the US president.

On Monday, he claimed numerous countries had told him they are on the way, after he demanded that Nato be involved in unblocking the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds energy exports travel.

The main concern of the European countries is that we were not consulted with (before) starting this war  actually the opposite. There were many Europeans who were trying to convince the US and Israel not to start this war, Ms Kallas said.

She added: Nobody is ready to put their people in harms way in the Strait of Hormuz.

We have to find... diplomatic ways to keep this open so that we dont have a... food crisis, fertilisers crisis, energy crisis in the world.

For now, Europes naval presence in the region is expected to remain in the eastern Mediterranean.

Ms Kallas said on Monday that the EU had no appetite to expand its Aspides naval mission to the Middle East.

There was in our discussions a clear wish to strengthen this operation, but for the time being, there was no appetite in changing the mandate of the operation, she told reporters after the meeting in Brussels.

The mission has an Italian and a Greek ship under its direct command and can call upon a French and an Italian vessel for support.
Even right-wing podcasters are using Joe Kents resignation as proof of the fractured MAGA movement

Right-wing podcasters, many of whose support helped Donald Trump sweep back into the Oval Office in 2024, have heralded the resignation of counterterrorism chief Joe Kent as further proof of a MAGA breakdown.

The MAGA Coalition is shattered, Tim Dillon, host of the Timcast, wrote on X in response to Kents announcement. Trump can say "I AM MAGA" all he wants, and it may be true, but lost support means MAGA is meaningless.

Shawn Ryan, host of the Shawn Ryan show, added, Sometimes the most impactful statement you can make is a strong resignation. It's unfortunate it's come down to this. God's speed @joekent16jan19 I hope this wakes some people up.

In a resignation letter posted online Tuesday, Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said he could not in good conscience, support Trumps decision to take the U.S. to war with Iran, because Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.

So there was at least still one American with a soul in the administration. Now who knows, Ian Carrol, while conspiracy theorist Candace Owens, a long-time friend of Charlie Kirk, described Kent as an American hero, patriot and veteran.

Right-wing podcasters, many of whose support helped Donald Trump sweep back into the Oval Office in 2024, have heralded the resignation of counterterrorism chief Joe Kent as further proof of the break down of the MAGA movement (AP)

Trump is a shameful President, Owens wrote, adding, may American troops take his lead and look into conscientious objection.

Trumps resounding win over Kamala Harris was due in part to the backing of such influencers, who were introduced to him by his youngest son, Barron Trump.

Many form part of the so-called Manosphere, the online community of male influence that promotes harmful views that are often misogynistic, racist and homophobic under the guise of wanting a return to more traditional values.

The resignation of the #2 official in the U.S. intelligence community over the Iran war is extremely telling, wrote podcaster and former DHS agent Myron Gaines, real name Amrou Fudl, who recently featured in a Netflix documentary by British journalist Louis Theroux about the Manosphere.

The MAGA Coalition is shattered, Tim Dillon, host of the Timcast, wrote on X in response to Kents announcement (The Tim Dillon Show/YouTube)

Conspiracy theorist Candace Owens, a long time friend of Charlie Kirk, described Kent as an American hero, patriot and veteran and praised his decision to resign (Candace Owens)

He held one of the most prestigious and powerful positions in the entire apparatus complete with high rank, enormous respect, and unrestricted access to every piece of classified intelligence on the conflict.

Yet he still chose to walk away Thats not the act of someone with doubts. Thats someone who saw the raw, unfiltered truth and could no longer justify what he was seeing.

For anyone questioning his patriotism, the message is clear: He looked at the full picture and concluded this war cannot be defended. @joekent16jan19 has enormous courage for doing this!

Stalwart members of the MAGA movement, including Marjorie Taylor Greene and model Carrie Prejean Boller, also threw their weight behind Kent and his decision.

Stalwart members of the MAGA movement, including Marjorie Taylor Greene also threw their weight behind Kent and his decision (Getty)

Joe Kent is a GREAT AMERICAN HERO. God bless him and protect him! Greene wrote on X, while in a separate post, Prejean added: Thank you for having the courage and integrity to resign from this disgraceful administration.

Kent was confirmed to the role of NCC director last summer despite strong opposition from certain quarters, who raised concerns about his links to far-right groups and promotion of conspiracy theories, such as the stealing of the 2020 election

Kent served for two decades as an Army Green Beret and lost his wife, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, to a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019  which he referred to in his resignation letter.
Driving ambition: Avanti West Coast train at London Euston (Simon Calder )

In the pantheon of powerful trades unions, French air traffic controllers rank above all: a few hundred people can wreck the journeys of millions of travellers by walking out. The UK has no unions with a match for such might. But as the two-year pay dispute between the Aslef train drivers union and government-directed rail firms showed, a relatively small number of workers can bring much of the railway to a halt.

Theres a perception that were always on strike, but thats far from the truth, says Dave Calfe, who took over as Aslef general secretary this year.

The previous national dispute before this one was in 1982. Striking is not something we do lightly. Most of our time is spent working with the industry: sitting on working groups, introducing new technology, improving working practices.

One working practice that is a red line for the new union boss is any extension of driver-only operation  the arrangement in place on thousands of trains that run each day across Britain.

The practice was agreed in the 1980s by Aslef, but Mr Calfe says times have changed: We believe every train should have a second safety-critical person on board. Expecting a driver to manage up to 1,000 passengers alone, possibly in the middle of nowhere, is unreasonable. A second person improves safety and passenger welfare.

This isnt just about emergencies. Passengers feel safer when staff are visible on trains. There are clear operational and safety benefits.

Passengers waiting for the East West line to start running between Oxford and Milton Keynes are currently getting no benefits from the expensive new railway. The train operator, Chiltern, has driver-only operation on most of its network, and expects to do the same on the new route. With taxpayers paying billions of pounds to keep trains running, keeping costs down is imperative.

Our view remains consistent: every train should have a second safety-critical person, says Mr Calfe.

Driving force: Dave Calfe, new general secretary of train drivers union, Aslef (Aslef)

One policy on which Aslef may have more in common with the Labour government is in eliminating open access rail operators.

These are the private companies that mainly run trains on routes that but otherwise have limited or no direct service to and from London: Grand Central to Sunderland and Bradford, Hull Trains and, coming soon, Lumo from Stirling. I believe they deliver valuable connectivity and competition.

But Dave Calfe has a different view: Many communities lost services during privatisation. We believe all rail services  including open access  should be nationalised. The services themselves should remain, but within a unified public system.

The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, also has reservations: about private operators taking revenue that would otherwise go to state-run companies while not paying their fair share of infrastructure costs, as well as adding pressure to an already overstretched network.

An Avanti West Coast train at Crewe (Getty/iStock)

As the government takes over more and more train operators, some interesting negotiations lie ahead. Aslef has negotiated brilliantly over the decades, increasing drivers earnings well ahead of average wage rises. Ministers will face demands for levelling up all drivers to the highest paid cohort  and also paying cash for Sundays. Antiquated agreements mean that Sunday is often not part of the working week.

The Aslef boss says: A modern seven-day railway shouldnt rely on overtime. Thats not sustainable for a modern railway. Sunday travel today is comparable to commuter volumes in some areas  very different from 40 years ago.

Dave Calfe is filling the considerable shoes of Mick Whelan, who served as general secretary for 15 years. The outgoing boss was among a welcoming party waiting on the platform at London Euston when his successor drove his final Avanti West Coast train from Birmingham.

It was strange. I was taken aback by how emotional it felt  that sense of closing the door after 41 years.

Since then, Dave Calfe has been meeting managing directors of the train operators. We may have different views on what success looks like, but we all want a successful railway. He welcomes the creation of Great British Railways  which is due to take control of tracks and trains from 2027  as long as civil servants and ministers keep their distance: The railway should be run by rail experts, not micromanaged by the Department for Transport.

Read more Plane and Train Talk from Simon Calder here
Feels Like Home tells the story of a saleswoman abducted by a family dominated by an authoritarian father-figure. Photograph: Cine Super (Photograph: Cine Super)

Its seven oclock on a Tuesday night, and one of the most popular movie theatres in Budapest is full, not an empty seat in sight. The audience is not here for a Hollywood blockbuster, but a Hungarian film that barely had the budget to be made.

Feels Like Home (Itt Erzem Magam Otthon) has captured moviegoers not only with its striking visuals but also with its timing  its release coming before Hungarys pivotal parliamentary elections on 12 April.

The psychological thriller tells the story of a saleswoman who is abducted into a family that follows the orders of an authoritarian father-figure, Papa, and whose members get privileges if they play by the rules. The main character, Rita, tries to escape, but finds that even outside everything seems to be owned by the family, so there is no point in asking for help.

The director, Gabor Holtai, says it was not his intention to create a metaphor for life in Hungary under Viktor Orban, but that is certainly how it has been interpreted in the fevered final weeks of the election campaign.

According to critics, the rightwing prime minister has used the last 16 years to capture independent institutions, dismantle democracy and enrich his family and loyalists. But he is facing an unprecedented challenge from someone who emerged from his circle and turned against him: Peter Magyar, leader of the newly founded Tisza party.

At the showing in Buda, Bea and almost all her friends are wearing Tiszas logo on their T-shirts. They see direct parallels between Hungarys political leadership and characters in the movie.

Bea, a 52-year-old sales assistant, said: I was in shock at first. Because of the brutality portrayed in the film. That they keep intimidating someone until they do what they are told, until they are broken. After I went home, I understood that we are the ones shaping our fate: we are the other members of the family.

Holtai says this take does not surprise him: Its a completely natural association on the part of Hungarian viewers. We didnt write the film with this intent but, of course, we expected the associations given the current political climate in Hungary.

Hungarians are not the only ones to see a political message in the film, added Holtai. It was interesting to see that when we showed this movie in countries where a dictatorial regime was part of their history, audiences immediately started to wonder about how the past is reflected in their present, and to what extent it is still present in their lives today.

Related: Hungarians have had enough of Viktor Orban. But Trumps tailwind could save his skin | Andras Biro-Nagy

Feels Like Home did not receive any state funding and had a minimal PR budget. The actors shared the dates of the premiere on their social media accounts and the film has become a word-of-mouth success. Many members of the cast are outspoken about their criticism of Orban, perhaps solidifying the films political subtext to audiences.

The actor who plays Ritas abductor, Aron Molnar, is known for his sharp criticism of the Orban government in satirical short videos on Instagram. He pokes fun not only at politicians but the influencers who repeat Orbans narrative.



Molnar had a heated public exchange with a senior figure in the prime ministers populist party after his comments on Hungarys dependence on Russian energy sparked her anger.

Alexandra Szentkiralyi, president of Fidesz in Budapest, posted on Facebook: Youre not a good enough actor to play an energy lawyer with absolutely no knowledge of the subject. How can you sink so low in your hatred for your own country and people?

Gellert Kovacs, an independent film critic and writer for the Hungarian magazine NLC, said there were several reasons for the success of Feels Like Home: First of all, this is a great movie, and compared to other Hungarian films, its rare to find one that meets the Hollywood standards people expect from a psychological thriller. And it is an allegory of the ever-present situation in Hungary. It highlights certain archetypes through its characters.

The film industry has felt the effect of Orbans government. It controls the National Film Institute (NFI), a body that mainly funds movies that align with Fidesz ideology.

Kovacs said a new type of film had emerged over the past three or four years born of necessity, pain and despair and created without state film subsidies. He added: It holds up a mirror to the film industry distributed by the NFI. These films are capable of generating a greater impact than those made with budgets of many billions.

At the cinema in Buda, Robert, was back for a second viewing in a week. This is a movie that makes you think for days. It really stays with you, said the 73-year-old retail company worker. He said he was frustrated by the political climate in Hungary: Because they managed to divide this country; its a curious situation. Well see what happens.
March 15, 2026: Ukraine has revolutionized combat by developing Hornet, a fixed-wing attack drone with a two-meter wingspan, A.I./Artificial Intelligence -powered target recognition and terminal-attack guidance, along with jam-resistant communication and navigation systems. Hornet has a 5 kg payload, a cruise speed of 99 kilometers an hour and range of 150 kilometers. Hornet processes combat data in real time, adapting to changing conditions autonomously.

Last year the major innovation in drone warfare was the Ukrainian use of AI for drone targeting systems. The AI drone contained a targeting system that finds targets. The AI drone operator confirms which targets are real and once a target is confirmed the AI targeting system needs no further communication with anyone. It is resistant to all forms of jamming.

Modern warfare has been radically changed by the introduction of First Person View/FPV drones. These drones are an omnipresent aerial threat to armored vehicles and infantry on foot. Each FPV drone costs less than a thousand dollars. Operators use the video camera on the drone to see what is below and find targets. Armed FPV operators are several kilometers away to decide when their FPV drones will drop explosives on an armored vehicle, which has thinner armor on top, or infantry in the open or in trenches. To do so, the drone operators often operate in pairs, with one flying behind the other and concentrating on the big picture while seeking a likely target. When such a target is found by the reconnaissance drone, the armed drone is directed to the target. The two FPV drone operators are usually in the same room or tent and can take control of new drones, which are lined up and brought outside for launch when needed. The reconnaissance drones are often unarmed so they can spend more time in the air to seek a target.

The Ukrainians developed the FPV drone in 2022, when only a few FPV drone attacks were recorded. The Ukrainian Army was the first to appreciate the potential of FPV drones. By the summer of 2023, the Russian Army also began to use FPV drones in greater numbers. Since then, the number of FPV drone attacks has grown exponentially on both sides. Only twelve percent of those attacks led to the destruction of the target, which could be a vehicle or group of infantry or even a sniper who was firing through a window from inside a building. In this case, the armed FPV drone would fly through the window and explode in the room the sniper was in. The only defense from this was having a nearby open door the sniper could run to or dive through as the FPV drone approached. Sometimes that isnt possible because the armed FPV drone is coming down from above the window and then in. You dont see those coming until its too late.

In 2026 Ukraine is striving to build as many as ten million drones, both in Ukraine and in other European nations. Nearly five million drones were built last year. The total for 2024 was 1.5 million drones. There have been problems. Chinese component producers are having a hard time keeping up, and, last year, to assist the Russians, China halted sending drone components to Ukraine. Suppliers in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere were quickly found. At least 70 percent of Ukrainian drones are built entirely in Ukraine, and the rest from imported parts or whole assemblies. Some Ukrainian firms have improvised by using plywood and similar materials for their drones. For the FPV First Person View drones, cheaper is better if the drone can hit its first and only target. Most Ukrainian drones are FPV models, which are considered a form of ammunition.

Both sides now use the FPV drones, but there are substantial differences in how the FPV drones are put to work in combat. The Ukrainians seek out high-value targets like armored vehicles, electronic warfare equipment, anti-aircraft systems, and storage sites for munitions or other supplies. Russian trucks carrying supplies are another prime target.
Government shutdown could lead to airports being closed, TSA official warns

The ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown could soon lead to airport closures, a Trump administration official has warned.

The shutdown began in mid-February, after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on funding the agency, which also houses TSA. Now, after thousands of TSA employees missed their first full paycheck last week, officials are worried the mounting chaos at airports could result in closures, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl told Fox and Friends.

If this continues, it's not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if callout rates go up and a lot of these officers can't afford to come in," he said Tuesday.

Despite the funding lapse, many TSA agents are still coming to work.

They're dedicated employees, and they show up, Stahl said. The overwhelming majority show up every single day. We are focused on making sure that the integrity of the security system, aviation security system, remains intact, and that's why we may need to collapse lanes at select airports.

The ongoing DHS shutdown could result in airport closures, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said (Getty)

The Independent has contacted TSA and DHS for comment.

Republicans and Democrats have repeatedly blamed each other for the shutdown. Democratic lawmakers have said theyre demanding certain restrictions on immigration enforcement tactics before theyll vote to fund the agency.

When reached for comment, a TSA spokesperson said more than 360 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, and callouts are "approximately double the normal rate."

"American travelers across the country are facing hours-long airport lines, that will worsen as this shutdown continues," the spokesperson told The Independent. "Democrats are shamelessly playing politics with national security, punishing hardworking TSA workers and their families."

Several airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, have seen TSA agent call-out rates above 30 percent, the spokesperson added.

This funding lapse also comes just months after government employees endured the longest government shutdown in U.S. history late last year.

President Donald Trump urged TSA employees to continue working in a Truth Social post shared Saturday. He also thanked the agents who are still showing up, including Johnny Jones, the secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council 100, which represents thousands of TSA employees.

Travelers have reported hours-long lines at security checkpoints in airports across the country (Getty)

Thank you to Johnny Jones and all of our GREAT TSA Agents who are going to work but not being paid because the Radical Left Democrats refuse to honor the deal that was approved and voted on in Congress, Trump wrote.

They want your money to go to Border Criminals, Murderers, foreign Drug Dealers, and some of the worst people on earth, he continued. They dont want it to go to you. Keep fighting for the USA. GO TO WORK! I promise that I will never forget you!!! President DJT.

Jones, who works as a TSA officer at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, has been outspoken about the impacts of the ongoing DHS shutdown.

I appreciate the Presidents support and attention, and hope he can help get this shutdown resolved quickly so our members can get the paychecks theyve earned, Jones said in a statement shared with The Independent over the weekend.
The Government will provide 12 million of funding to support local news outlets as it tries to fill so-called news deserts.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unveiled the local media strategy on Tuesday ahead of a speech at the Society of Editors conference in central London.

In a speech, Ms Nandy will say the existing media debate is too narrow, as she highlights how local media was previously a way for new voices to break into journalism that has declined in recent years.

Local media outlets in print, online, radio or TV will be able to bid for grants to support their financial sustainability and transition to digital business models under the new fund worth up to 12 million over the next two years, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced.

Local journalism is vital for a healthy democracy, but its under pressure. The Local Media Strategy will protect and revive high-quality news across the UK  pic.twitter.com/4s1aBVMk6H  Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) March 17, 2026

It said evidence shows that up to 37 local authority districts now have no print, online, TV or radio outlet dedicated specifically to that area  leaving as many as 4.4 million Britons in local news deserts, which disproportionately occur in the most deprived urban areas.

Speaking at the conference, Ms Nandy will say: This strategy will provide unprecedented funding for local media outlets to invest in innovation and infrastructure, almost tripling the size of funding for community radio, harnessing the power of local and national government and giving more young people access to high quality journalism and the opportunity to pursue careers in it.

Because local media was and always has been a ladder of opportunity to help new voices break into journalism. This is not a nice to have. It is essential to a cohesive country. Our debate is too narrow and too small. We will change that.

The strategy we publish today is the start  not the end point  and we recognise there is more to do. But it is the start of a new approach to local media, which nurtures it and places it directly at the heart of our governments support for our country. Because the future of news is local.

There will be a pilot in the west of England on improving reporting on public services.

The DCMS said the new regional media forum in the area will explore ways to improve the relationship between journalists and local services.

From a new Regional Media Forum in the West of England to digital news access in every state school, local media can remain a trustworthy voice for everyone Read the full strategy here: https://t.co/vHDy73nqlP  Department for Culture, Media and Sport (@DCMS) March 17, 2026

There will also be a review of the publication of statutory notices in local newspapers.

Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said: The Society of Editors welcomes the governments recognition of the importance of local media and the steps set out in this strategy to support innovation and encourage the next generation of journalists.

A strong local media sector is essential to democratic society, and we look forward to working with government and industry partners to ensure it continues to thrive and serve communities across the UK.

News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said: The Governments focus on the sustainability of local journalism and its importance to communities through the package of measures announced in the Local Media Strategy today are very welcome.

As reader habits change and the way we all access local news evolves with technology, ensuring publishers are properly rewarded for their investment in local journalism is vital, rather than the lions share of the value being siphoned off by Big Tech.

We are particularly pleased to see a clear commitment to make better use of trusted local news environments  which reach 77% of UK adults  for central government advertising, as well as a new 12 million fund to boost local news provision.

We are also delighted to be supporting a new campaign aimed at inspiring young people to take up a career in local news media.

The Government has also said it will endeavour to make best use of local media outlets in government advertising campaigns.
Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Green Party, claimed his loyalties are constantly questioned - Finnbarr Webster/Getty

The deputy leader of the Green Party has claimed he is being used as a scapegoat by the Right because he is Muslim.

Mothin Ali, a city councillor in Leeds, claimed his loyalties are constantly questioned and that he was viewed through a lens of suspicion because of his faith.

He blamed Reform UK, the Conservatives and Labour for jointly stoking culture wars in a bid to curb the rise of the Green Party, claiming they all feared working-class solidarity.

Mr Ali made the claims after he was criticised by Sir Keir Starmer for attending a protest against the airstrikes on Iran in London on Feb 28.

Sir Alec Shelbrooke, a Tory MP, accused Mr Ali of protesting in support of the ayatollah at the event, where he was photographed alongside demonstrators holding Iranian flags.

Sir Keir told the Commons he was shocked to hear of the Green councillors attendance but perhaps not surprised, given that partys recent turn of direction.

In May 2024, Mothin Ali shouted Allahu Akbar after being elected to Leeds city council

Mr Ali later denied supporting the Iranian regime, claiming that he had been invited to the protest by the Stop the War Coalition as an anti-war activist. He demanded that Sir Keir apologise.

Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Ali said: Can a brown Muslim in British politics ever expect the same basic respect as a white colleague? More and more, I fear the answer is no.

We are living through a climate of hate that has been whipped up by Rightwing influencers chasing clicks and politicians hunting for scapegoats.

Mr Ali revealed that a man in London had recently threatened to smash my head in, which he said was part of abuse towards Muslims being normalised in Britain.

The Greens deputy leader has come under scrutiny on several occasions since entering politics for pro-Palestine and anti-Israel comments.

Shortly after the Oct 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, he shared a post on social media stating that indigenous people have the right to fight back.

He later argued he had not been referring to the Oct 7 attacks, instead referring to principles enshrined in international law.

A former Leeds University Jewish chaplain, forced to flee his home after receiving threats, claimed that Mr Ali amplified threats made against him and his wife with provocative posts on social media.

In videos, Mr Ali referred to Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch as an animal and a creep after he volunteered to serve in the Israeli army shortly after Oct 7. He later defended the remarks by declaring that anyone who participates in a genocide is a danger.

The Greens deputy leader said that the climate of hate in Britain had led to Muslims in public life becoming easy targets and were constantly asked to prove ourselves.

He blamed Reform UK and the Tories for stoking culture wars and accused Labour of having jumped on the bandwagon in order to distract voters from the fact they have failed to deliver the change they have promised.

Mothin Ali has been vocal in his support of Palestine

The Green Party has surged in popularity over recent months, since the election of Zack Polanski as leader.

The latest YouGov poll placed the party second, two points ahead of Labour and the Conservatives. They are trailing Reform UK by six percentage points.

The Telegraph revealed last week at least 50 Labour councillors had defected to the Greens in the last six months, with some Labour MPs in informal talks about defecting.

It comes after the Greens won the Gorton and Denton by-election, where the party gained its fifth MP, Hannah Spencer. In the contest, the Greens targeted the constituencys Muslim voters and urged them to punish Labour for Gaza.

Jewish groups have since raised concerns about a Green Party motion, to be debated at their conference later this month, that states: Zionism is racism.

They warned that if adopted, the Green Party resolution could lead to a witch hunt against Jews.

Mr Ali was elected deputy leader of the Green Party in September, after becoming a councillor for the party in May 2024.

Giving his victory speech in front of a Palestine flag, he declared his victory a win for the people of Gaza and vowed to raise the voice for Palestine in his role.

Anti-Muslim hostility is being used as a political tool

By Mothin Ali

Can a brown Muslim in British politics ever expect the same basic respect as a white colleague? More and more, I fear the answer is no. We are living through a climate of hate that has been whipped up by Rightwing influencers chasing clicks and politicians hunting for scapegoats.

In this environment, Muslims in public life become easy targets. We are constantly asked to prove ourselves. To prove our loyalty. To prove we belong. We are othered and scrutinised more than any other community. Yet we are woven into every part of British society. We are teachers, doctors, engineers, cleaners, taxi drivers  and, yes, politicians. We are part of what makes this country work  and what makes it great. So why are our loyalties constantly questioned? Why are we viewed through a lens of suspicion and treated as permanent outsiders?

For many people, this hostility is just something they see online, the work of anonymous trolls. But it is increasingly bleeding into real life. Recently, in London, a man told me to f--- off back to where I came from and threatened to smash my head in. I am not alone. Abuse directed at Muslims is being normalised.

Were sliding backwards

It wasnt always this bad. I was born and raised in Sheffield. My father was a steelworker who worked his way up to become a crane driver. For a Bangladeshi immigrant back then, that was a big deal. Yes, there was racism. But working-class people came together in solidarity. We knew we had far more in common with one another than with the factory-owning bosses. And through the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, we became a less racist country. When living standards rose, people were harder to manipulate  and far less willing to be sold a scapegoat.

We are now sliding backwards. The establishment fears working-class solidarity. It threatens the power and wealth of those who benefit from keeping us divided. That is why figures in Reform and the Conservative Party spend so much time stoking culture wars. And why Labour politicians have jumped on the bandwagon  to distract voters from the fact they have failed to deliver the change they promised. Islamophobia has become a political tool.

Mothin Ali is the Green Party deputy leader
A Haitian asylum seeker was discovered dead at a bus shelter days after she was released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement with an ankle monitor.

Daphy Michel, 31, was discovered lying on the ground, alone and unresponsive, by maintenance workers on the morning of March 2, three days after she was released from an ICE office in Pittsburgh.

Michel, who arrived in the U.S. from Haiti in 2022 with temporary humanitarian protections, is the second immigrant to be found dead on the streets days after they were last seen by immigration officers. On February 26, a 56-year-old blind refugee from Myanmar died on the streets of Buffalo, New York, after Border Patrol agents left him outside a closed coffee shop.

Michels family and Haitian community advocates are now demanding answers from the Trump administration over her death. How did she end up dead? Pittsburgh area immigration attorney Joseph Murphy, who is representing Michels family, asked The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. You just cant be dumping these people on the streets like this.

What happened between Michels death and when she was released from ICE custody remains unclear.

Haitian asylum seeker Daphy Michel was unresponsive when she was discovered in a bus shelter in Pittbsurgh on March 2, three days after she left ICE custody (Getty Images)

Last September, a neighbor called police after Michel allegedly experienced significant mental health episodes, according to court records. Michel had known mental health issues, according to Murphy, noting her extreme vulnerability.

She was arrested on misdemeanor harassment and threat-related charges and booked into Washington County Jail on a $10,000 bond, records show.

She spent nearly six months in jail while her preliminary hearings were repeatedly rescheduled until a judge dismissed both misdemeanor counts on February 26. District Judge Eric G. Porter found there was no identifiable victim and therefore no crime, according to Murphy.

She was screaming at imaginary people in the street, Murphy told the Tribune. You cant do terroristic threats against invisible people.

An immigration detainer on her file alerted ICE that she was in local custody, according to the Washington County Public Defenders Office. A day after her case was dismissed, ICE officers brought Michel to a field office in Pittsburgh. She was enrolled into the Alternatives to Detention program and fitted with an ankle monitor. She was scheduled to appear for an immigration court hearing on April 16.

Officers let her go. Her brother, Carlo Michel, wasnt notified, he told Pittsburghs WTAE-TV.

On March 2, Carlo received a call from a local hospital asking if he recognized his sisters name. Thats when he learned she was dead.

They told him on a Thursday  that the charges were dismissed, and she was going to be released. She doesnt come out on Friday. He gets a call on Monday that shes dead, Murphy told the network. This is obviously going to make questions in anybodys mind.

Maintenance workers had found Michel lying on the ground of a bus shelter near Smithfield Street Bridge, more than 2 miles from the local ICE office and directly across the Monongahela River from the Allegheny County Jail and courthouse.

She wasnt breathing and didnt have a pulse when police arrived at the scene just before 10 a.m. March 2. Officers attempted life-saving measures using CPR, a defibrillator and overdose-reversing Narcan before she was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Port Authority Police police told The Independent.

She was pronounced dead at 12:14 p.m., according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner. A spokesperson for the medical examiners office told The Independent that officials are still waiting for results from additional testing and have not determined a cause and manner of death.

The Supreme Court will take up arguments in case against DHSs attempt to strip Temporary Protected Status designation for Haitians, who say revoking humanitarian protections would place them in mortal danger (AFP via Getty Images)

Homeland Security acknowledged that ICE did not receive a notification that Michels ankle monitor had been tampered with until 24 hours after her death.

ICE had NOTHING to do with this womans death, the agency said in a statement. She passed away THREE days after ICE encountered her.

Michel was released from ICE custody with all of her belongings, including a fully charged phone, in sunny weather in the middle of Pittsburgh, where public transport is readily available, according to the agency.

ICE officers arrived at the county medical office, where local staff refused to cooperate or even talk with ICE federal law enforcement, according to DHS.

Our officers instead had to call the U.S. Marshals service, who were let into the building and were given the severed ankle monitor, DHS said. However, staff refused to even tell the U.S. Marshals about the individuals condition.

The Independent has requested additional comment from ICE and attorneys for Michels family.

At least 11 people have died in ICE custody since the beginning of 2026, and at least 24 people have died in ICE custody within the fiscal year, which began in October, according to ICE data. Nearly 40 people have died in ICE custody since the beginning of the second Trump administration last January, putting the federal government on track for the deadliest year of ICE detentions in more than two decades.

Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old asylum seeker from Haiti who sought asylum in the U.S. in 2024, died in ICE custody last month after he was hospitalized for an infected tooth.

Too many immigrants  including Haitian nationals  have died in the custody or supervision of federal immigration authorities, Guerline Jozef, executive director of Haitian Bridge Alliance, said in a statement to The Independent.

We are calling for a transparent, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Daphy Michels death, she said. Migrants seeking protection should never face neglect, abandonment, or preventable harm while under government supervision.

Democratic Representative Summer Lee, who represents Pittsburgh, said Michel should never have been left alone and vulnerable, far from her family and support system after her release from federal custody.

Our community is demanding answers. No one should ever be put in this kind of position, she wrote.

Homeland Security designated Temporary Protected Status for Haiti in 2010 amid ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster and extraordinary and temporary conditions, with thousands fleeing the Caribbean nation in the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake and political and economic turmoil.

The Trump administration is working to strip them and thousands of others in the U.S. of this legal status. On Monday, the Supreme Court announced it will consider legal challenges to the administrations attempts to revoke TPS for Haiti and several other countries.

Haitian TPS recipients have argued to the nations high court that stripping those protections would place them in mortal danger.

The federal government advises Americans to avoid Haiti over threats of kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited health care.
Londons Harley Street has long been known as a centre of excellence for private medicine.

But its reputation is coming under growing threat by unqualified beauticians setting up tweakment hotels across the central London district.

In the last five years, complaints about unqualified practitioners carrying out procedures at temporary offices on Marylebone Street have risen from 18 to 118, according to data from Save Face.

Save Face, a government approved register for non-surgical cosmetic treatments, has long campaigned for stricter regulations on tweakments like Botox and dermal filler, but now Harley Streets medical physicians have joined the effort to crack down on cowboy cosmeticists.

The street, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of private medical clinics in the world, now hosts a collection of tweakment hotels, where rooms are available to rent for as little as 120 per hour.

Stock Image (PA Wire)

Anybody - medical practitioner or otherwise - can use the postcode to legitimise the services that they provide.

Ashton Collins, director at Save Face, says: Patients automatically trust practitioners of Harley Street and assume they will provide high quality surgery.

In reality, many of the practitioners with Harley Street stamped on their business cards are no more than medical imposters.

The same people who are able to administer tweakments from public bathrooms and Airbnbs are the same people who can rent out rooms on Harley Street, explains Dr Ed Robinson, a GMC-registered doctor and NHS anaesthetist.

He says: Anyone is able to set up an aesthetics clinic and start administering these treatments with no qualifications.

You can just set up shop [on Harley Street] and start delivering a service without having any specific qualifications.

Dr Sach Mohan, a cosmetic physician with more than two decades of experience on Harley Street, says: Patients need to be asking Is this person just hotdesking? Are they truly a Harley Street practitioner? Or are they just renting a room by the hour?

Harley Street has long been known as a centre of excellence for private medicine (Getty Images)

Many non-medical practitioners obtain credentials through online courses, available for as little as 300 online with some taking just days to complete.

Dr Robinson explains: 24 hours or 48 hours is not enough to teach someone how to safely perform injectables. It is completely irresponsible.

Dr Mohan adds: They seem to think just by being able to administer and wield a syringe, it makes them competent.

He notes that non-medical practitioners lack the formal training to pick up on patients psychological welfare and more worryingly, to treat complications when they do arise.

Harley Streets hotdesking hotels also allow practitioners to flee without any accountability for the damage they may have caused.

They operate like ghosts, taking on a generic name. Then, they block communication, they have no fixed address, and they are never to be seen again, says Ms Collins.

Dr Robinson adds that while he rents clinic space on Harley Street, he is required to answer to the medical regulator, the Care Quality Commission. Non-medical practitioners are answerable to no professional regular. More concerningly, few non-medics are actually insured, he says.

The government has proposed a licensing scheme to better regulate the tweakment industry, which is projected to be worth more than 11 billion by the end of this year, accounting for nine of out ten cosmetic procedures.

But a bill is far from being drafted, and arguably does not go far enough to stop the abuse of tweakments on Harley Street.

Among the most popular procedures are dermal filler and botulinum toxin. There are no restrictions on who can administer these treatments, though the latter requires a face-to-face consultation and prescription from a medical practitioner.

However, it is dermal filler which is proving problematic for Harley Streets medical practitioners and patients alike.

Dermal filler, which is made up of hyaluronic acid, is classed as a medical device. It is used to plump appearances and take up space under the skin - hence its name.

Filler can be bought online for as little as 20 with no medical training required for its purchase or use on others.

Simply go online, says Dr Mohan. There are many unscrupulous providers of both legitimate and fake versions of these injectable devices.

It is the same device used in Brazilian butt lifts - a highly controversial procedure that MPs are urging a ban on after it led to several hospitalisations and even death.

But even when administered in small doses to the lips or the face, dermal filler can have catastrophic effects.

Dr Mohan explains: Strangely enough, whilst fillers do not have the same regulatory scrutiny as a prescription medicine like Botox, it actually carries far greater risks.

Ive seen a patient who had filler injected into various points in their face from a non-medic and as a result developed a series of abscesses at all of the injection points.

He adds that necrotic lip tissue, necrotic fasciitis, and even blindness are all consequences of wrongly administered filler. He sees two to three patients a day who have been victim to procedures carried out by non-medics.

Both Dr Robinson and Dr Mohan claim they have received messages from non-medics looking for someone to illegally issue them with a Botox prescription. Ms Collins says there are apps online specifically geared towards connecting non-medics and medics in order to facilitate black market procedures.

The government licensing plan might take years to come into action and until then, non-medical practitioners can continue to administer treatment as they please. Until regulations are imposed on practitioners to have appropriate medical backgrounds, Harley Street will remain a hotbed for under qualified practitioners hiding behind a postcode.
Candidates for the US Senate, Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Juliana Stratton participate in a Democratic primary debate in February 2026. Photograph: Nam Y Huh/AP (Photograph: Nam Y Huh/AP)

Illinois voters on Tuesday will decide between a crowded field of Democratic candidates vying to be the states next senator as the midwestern state also nominates candidates for five open congressional seats.

Longtime Illinois senator Dick Durbins retirement leaves a competitive race that includes two US representatives and the lieutenant governor vying to replace him, with huge infusions of money coming to the candidates from outside groups, including donors affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), that are spending millions to sway voters.

The representatives running for Senate are leaving open contests for their seats, and other sitting Democratic representatives decided not to run for re-election. Among the contenders are seasoned politicians, former lawmakers seeking comebacks and progressive upstarts.

The open Senate and House seats in Democratic-leaning districts mean the primaries will probably decide who wins in the November general election. And because the state is reliably blue, the winners could be in office for long careers, like Durbin has been for over 29 years.

State-level races, including the governorship, are also on Tuesdays ballot, with JB Pritzker running unopposed for a third term.

US Senate

The 10-way Democratic primary for US Senate features the US representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, and Juliana Stratton, lieutenant governor, who has Pritzkers endorsement.

Most polls show Krishnamoorthi, a moderate Democrat who is part of the Houses centrist New Democrat Coalition, leading. He has fundraised far beyond the other candidates, with more than $30m, the second-highest fundraiser among federal candidates this cycle, according to the Chicago Tribune. Some have questioned Krishnamoorthis donors, who include Trump supporters, people aligned with Indias nationalist movement and an executive at the AI company Palantir, saying the representatives political allegiances are compromising, the Tribune reported.

Stratton, a progressive, has gained momentum in recent weeks, in part because of a Pritzker cash infusion to Illinois Future Pac, which is running pro-Stratton ads. She has served as lieutenant governor under Pritzker since 2019.

A Pac thats supporting Krishnamoorthi, the Indian American Impact Fund, is running ads boosting Kelly, seen as a way to blunt Stratton, Politico reported. Kelly, the third major contender, has served the second congressional district since 2013.

Second congressional district

With Kelly running for US Senate, her congressional seat is open. It favors Democrats, making the primary the likely deciding contest.

The district, which covers southern parts of Chicago and suburban areas, is majority Black and has been represented in Congress by Black representatives for decades.

Ten Democrats are vying for the seat, including Jesse Jackson Jr, who is hoping for a comeback after he resigned from Congress in 2012 amid health issues and an investigation into his misuse of campaign funds, for which he served time in prison.

Donna Miller, a Cook county commissioner and relative moderate, has the cash advantage, though the Chicago Tribune has found that more than half of her donors had previously contributed to Aipac or affiliated groups. Miller has sought to distance herself from Aipac.

Robert Peters, a Democratic state senator and community organizer, is a progressive endorsed by Bernie Sanders, who said we need bold voices in Congress who will stand up to Trump and his wrecking crew.

Ninth congressional district

A staggering 15-candidate primary includes a progressive content creator who has garnered national attention, a moderate state senator with backing from Aipac-affiliated groups, and the mayor of Evanston, who has led in most polls of the race.

Jan Schakowsky, 81, has represented the district, which covers parts of Chicago and northern suburbs, since 1999. She announced she wouldnt seek re-election last year, though not until after Kat Abughazaleh entered the race with a splashy video asking Democrats: What if we didnt suck? Abughazaleh is part of a wave of younger candidates, largely progressive, who have challenged seniority in the party.

Daniel Biss, a progressive who is leading in the polls, has the political resume that often leads to a congressional seat. He served in both chambers of the Illinois legislature and currently is mayor of Evanston, a suburb thats part of the district hes vying for. He ran for governor in the Democratic primary in 2018, losing to Pritzker.

Laura Fine, a state senator, is seen as more moderate. She has received backing from an outside group, Elect Chicago Women, that is reportedly tied to Aipac. The group is spending big in several congressional races. In the ninth congressional district, they have been running ads supporting Fine and opposing Biss, though some political consultants have warned that the affiliation with Aipac could backfire on Fine and elevate Abughazaleh.

Other congressional races

Danny Davis, 84, announced he wouldnt seek re-election in the seventh congressional district that he has represented since 1997, which includes western parts of Chicago and suburbs on the west side.

Thirteen people are vying for the rare open congressional seat.

Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who challenged Davis in the 2024 primary, is making another run for the seat. She is currently treasurer for the city of Chicago, an elected position, after serving in the state house. The United Democracy Project, an Aipac-affiliated group, has run ads supporting Conyears-Ervin.

La Shawn Ford, a state representative who ran for Chicago mayor in 2019, has Daviss endorsement.

And in the eighth congressional district, Krishnamoorthis run for US Senate leaves an open spot, with eight Democrats running for it.

Melissa Bean, a moderate, is on the comeback trail, hoping to win the seat she lost to Republican Joe Walsh in 2010. She previously served from 2005 to 2011 as a US representative, where she was a member of the Blue Dog coalition of moderate Democrats. She has also received support from Elect Chicago Women, the outside Aipac-affiliated group.

The race to replace longtime congressman Jesus Chuy Garcia in the majority-Hispanic fourth district attracted considerable controversy when Garcia opted to announce his retirement at the same time that his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, jumped into the race. That effectively left voters with a single choice for the Democratic primary, prompting the moderate Washington congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to successfully propose a House resolution condemning Chuy Garcia for undermining the process of a free and fair election.

Chris Stein contributed reporting

 This article was amended on 17 March 2026. An earlier version said that La Shawn Ford and Robert Peters had been supported in adverts from the crypto-aligned Fairshake Pac; in fact, these adverts have been against them. These references have been removed.
Larijanis death would remove a pivotal figure at the heart of Irans political and security establishment. Photograph: Wael Hamzeh/EPA (Photograph: Wael Hamzeh/EPA)

Irans supreme national security council has confirmed the death of its chief, Ali Larijani, after Israel said it had killed him in an airstrike.

The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of Gods righteous servant, Martyr Dr Ali Larijani, the council said on Tuesday evening, adding that his son and his bodyguards had died with him.

After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service, it added.

Irans army chief Amir Hatami threatened to launch a decisive and regrettable retaliation for the killing .

Israel said earlier it had killed Larijani, a linchpin of Iranian politics, in overnight strikes. He is the most senior Iranian figure to die in the war since the supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on its first day.

His death removes a pivotal figure at the heart of the regimes political and security establishment at a moment of acute crisis and represents a devastating blow.

Israels defence minister, Israel Katz, said a separate strike had killed the Basij paramilitary force commander, Gholamreza Soleimani, along with other senior Basij figures. Soleimanis death was later confirmed by Iranian state media.

Larijani and the Basij commander were eliminated overnight and joined the head of the annihilation programme, Khamenei, and all the eliminated members of the axis of evil, in the depths of hell, Katz said on Tuesday.

Donald Trump also hailed Larijanis reported death, without actually naming him but referring to his supposed role in spearheading the recent crushing of mass protests. Their leaders are gone, Trump said of Irans clerical regime. Its an evil group. I mean, theyve killed much more than 32,000 people. And the man who was responsible for that was also killed yesterday.

The twin deaths show Israel still retains intelligence on the movements of Irans top leaders inside Tehran, and can use it and the USs near complete control of Iranian airspace to strike at will.

Larijani had been seen days earlier on the crowded streets of Tehran during the annual Quds day rally. He was appointed secretary of the supreme national security council in August after the previous US-Israeli attacks on Iran in June 2025, and on Monday issued a statement to Muslims around the world appealing to them to support Iran in its struggle and challenging Gulf leaders to explain why they were still allowing US bases in their countries to be used to attack Iran.

Larijani had also played a key diplomatic role before the war alongside Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in trying to persuade the Gulf states to prevent an attack. He forcibly defended Tehrans tactics in the war, but was seen as a possible transitional figure at the end of the conflict. Israel is sceptical about the concept of a transition from within the regime.

The Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, said: The political assassinations perpetrated by Israel, including those of Iranian statesmen and politicians, constitute illegal acts contrary to the laws of war.

The office of the Israeli prime minister said in a statement that Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the elimination of senior officials of the Iranian regime.

The US-Israeli war on Iran is in its third week, with at least 2,000 people killed and no end in sight. The strait of Hormuz remains largely closed off and US allies have rebuffed calls from the US president, Donald Trump, for them to help to reopen the vital waterway, through which about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

Probably more than any other Iranian politician, Larijani combined Irans military and political strategy. His death will confirm the prime role the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps plays in Iranian politics. On Monday, a former long-time IRGC commander, Mohsen Rezaee, was appointed military adviser to the new supreme leader.

Larijani had been seen as one of the more pragmatic faces of Irans establishment  who helped steer nuclear negotiations with the west  but that image later hardened. Hours after US and Israeli strikes killed Khamenei, Larijani delivered a defiant message, warning that Iran would make its enemies regret their actions and promising a forceful response.

An Israeli official said a strike on Larijani had originally been planned for the previous night but was postponed at the last minute.

Intelligence received on Monday afternoon indicated that Larijani was due to arrive at one of several apartments he used as a hideout, the official said. He was reportedly there with his son when the strike was carried out.

When news he had been targeted began to circulate early on Tuesday, with his fate remaining unclear, another senior Israeli official said there was no chance he survived this attack.

In a handwritten statement issued by Iran state TV, Larijani had praised the bravery of Iranian sailors who were killed when their ship was hit by missiles fired by a US submarine off the Sri Lankan coast.

He had written: Their memory will always remain in the heart of the Iranian nation and these martyrdoms will strengthen the foundation of the Islamic Republic army for years within the structure of the armed forces.

Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 he studied in Tehran and after the Islamic revolution rose through the ranks of the state, serving as culture minister, head of state broadcasting and, for more than a decade, as speaker of parliament.

As chief nuclear negotiator, he played a key role in shaping Irans engagement with world powers, later backing the 2015 nuclear deal.

Though often regarded as a pragmatist within the system, his stance had hardened in recent months, as tensions with Israel and the US escalated and diplomatic efforts faltered.

The US had offered a reward of up to $10m (7.5m) for information on senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including Larijani, as part of a list of 10 figures linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

With the death of Larijani confirmed, the number of senior Iranian officials killed by Israel since the start of the latest conflict now stands at 10.

Among them are five other senior military commanders, including Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to the supreme leader.
JD Vance says that his 180-degree reversal on his stance on the military action in Iran is because, before Donald Trump, the U.S. was run by dumb presidents.

I know what you're trying to do, the vice president said Monday, when confronted about his previous statements on American interventionism, which are contrary to his new support for Trumps ongoing campaign in the Middle East.

You're trying to drive a wedge between members of the administration, between me and the president. What the president has said consistently, going back to 2015  and I agreed with him  is that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.

Vance, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps before his political career, was a vocal critic of overseas intervention during his time as an Ohio Senator.

(Getty Images)

Pushed on his own contradictions, Vance added: I think one big difference is that we have a smart president, whereas in the past, we've had dumb presidents, and I trust President Trump to get the job done, to do a good job for the American people, and to make sure that the mistakes of the past aren't repeated.

Trump, who campaigned on an America first platform and vowed not to entangle the U.S. in unnecessary foreign wars, ordered the first airstrikes against Tehran over three weeks ago. Operation Epic Fury has so far claimed the lives of 13 U.S. servicemen.

Social media users were quick to point out Vances more recent changes of heart, including following the first bombing of Iran last summer. I certainly empathize with Americans who are exhausted after 25 years of foreign entanglements in the Middle East, Vance said in an interview in June 2025.

Trump, who campaigned on an America First platform and vowed not to entangle the U.S. in unnecessary foreign wars, ordered the first airstrikes against Tehran over three weeks ago. Operation Epic Fury has so far claimed the lives of 13 U.S. servicemen (Getty Images)

I understand the concern, but the difference is that back then, we had dumb presidents, and now we have a president who actually knows how to accomplish America's national security objectives.

So this is not going to be some long, drawn out thing we've got in we've done the job of setting their nuclear program back. We're going to now work to permanently dismantle that nuclear program over the coming years, and that is what the president has set out to do.

In an episode of the Tim Dillon podcast in October 2024, he said of U.S. interests, I think very much, is in not going to war with Iran.

Trump and other administration officials have repeatedly declined to rule out sending U.S. troops into Iran as part of a ground invasion. As well as the 13 dead service members, 200 more have been wounded as of Monday, according to U.S. Central Command.
Journalist arrested by ICE doesnt have First Amendment rights, according to Trumps DOJ

A journalist in Nashville who was arrested by immigration officers earlier this month argues that the federal government violated her First Amendment rights by retaliating against her reporting on the local impacts of Donald Trumps mass deportation efforts.

Lawyers for the Department of Justice, however, claim she has no such constitutional rights.

Nashville Noticias reporter Estefany Rodriguez Florez, who is originally from Colombia, was stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on March 4 while in a gym parking lot inside a car stamped with her networks logo.

Her arrest  which sparked widespread outrage from press freedom groups and free speech advocates  amounts to unconstitutional retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights as a journalist reporting on ICE enforcement activities, according to her attorneys.

But in their response on Tuesday, lawyers with the U.S. the Attorney's Office in Tennessee argue that the Supreme Court has never explicitly ruled that undocumented immigrants or illegal aliens have protections under the First Amendment.

Justice Department attorneys argue Estefany Rodriguez Florez is not protected by the First Amendment after attorneys for the Nashville journalist argued ICE retaliated against her constitutional right to free speech (Nashville Noticias)

Government lawyers said her attorneys incorrectly represent that she clearly has First Amendment rights.

Neither history nor precedent indicates that the First Amendment definitively applies to illegal aliens, they wrote.

Rodriguez Florez legally entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2021 and is married to a U.S. citizen. She has a seven-year-old daughter.

She applied for asylum after fleeing threats against her as a journalist in her native Colombia, and she also has applied for a green card for lawful permanent status after marrying her husband Alejandro Medina.

With a work permit, Rodriguez Florez reported for Nashville Noticias on the state of the Trump administrations immigration nightmare, her attorneys wrote in court filings.

Attorneys for Estefany Rodriguez Florez argue the Trump administration retaliated against her for critically reporting on ICE efforts in Tennessee (AP)

She alleges that the government retaliated against her for her past protected speech and in order to prevent or chill the future speech of herself and other journalists who report critically on ICE, according to her attorneys.

In January, Rodriguez Florez received an unexpected notice to appear at an ICE office, what she believed was a precursor to force her asylum claim through immigration court rather than present her case through her U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews while pursuing a green card.

When she showed up, the ICE office was closed for a snowstorm that day, according to her attorneys.

The next time she appeared, she was provided a note from an agent who could not find her name in the system, and rescheduled her next appointment to March 17, according to court filings.

She was arrested March 4 and held inside a county jail in Alabama.

ICE scheduled to fly her to a detention center in Louisiana the next day, but she was forced back to the local jail by an officer who was suspicious she had lice, which she did not, according to documents filed by her attorneys on Monday.

She was held in isolation for five days and forced to strip naked in a shower while an officer poured some kind of chemical liquid on her head, which seemed to be something used to clean floors and burned her eyes, according to her attorneys.

A woman assisting her in the shower cried to see the abuse, attorneys wrote.

Her husband Alejando Medina says the nations broken immigration system has deeply harmed thousands upon thousands of families across the country (AP)

On Monday, an immigration court judge granted her release from custody on $10,000 bond, an unusually high sum, but she remains detained while ICE considers an appeal.

The First Amendment clearly protects the past and future speech of Rodriguez, who entered this country lawfully, who has developed substantial connections to the community by residing here for five years and by marrying a U.S. citizen, and who works as a journalist, both informing community members and helping their stories reach the public discourse, according to her attorneys.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said she should be released without delay.

The Department of Homeland Security and its affiliates are increasingly being used to police First Amendment rights, including freedom of the press. Rodriguezs arrest is the latest example in a troubling pattern, said Katherine Jacobsen, the groups U.S., Canada and Caribbean Program Coordinator.

Medina, her husband, said hes heartbroken.

Im hoping and praying Estefany comes home soon and were able to proceed for her to become a permanent resident and eventually a citizen, he told reporters Monday.

I have the same hope and prayer for everyone across the country who is in a similar situation with a loved one that is unjustly detained or who has been deported, he said. Our families belong together and this broken immigration system has deeply harmed thousands upon thousands of families across the country.

The Independent has requested comment from Homeland Security.
The Princess of Wales donned an all-green outfit as she handed out sprigs of shamrock to the Irish Guards on St Patricks Day.

Kate, who is colonel of the regiment, greeted officers and guardsmen at Mons Barracks in Aldershot on Tuesday (17 March).

She also fastened a shamrock - the national symbol of Ireland - to the regiment's mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Seamus.

The 44-year-old wore a bottle green coat with an Irish Guards cap star pinned to it, given by the regiment to the late Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960s. She also wore a matching-coloured hat topped with a large bow.
March 16, 2026: Since Russia invaded in 2022 the Ukrainian Security Service has dealt with over 14,000 Russian CyberWar attacks on Ukrainian government and infrastructure Russia also has military units that specialize in CyberWar as well as civilians and gangsters that do it for the money. The Russian government pays them to do it for the Motherland. Ukraine has blocked thousands of these attacks and inflicted far more CyberWar mayhem on Russia. This is nothing new. Two years ago, Ukraine carried out a surprise electronic attack on Russian internet access. This was accomplished by using the largest DDOS distributed denial of service attack ever. The attack disrupted all major Russian internet systems, including financial institutions, government networks and internet-based communications. This included messaging apps and social networks.

These attacks are usually carried out by first using a computer virus, often delivered as an email attachment that installs a secret Trojan horse type program that allows someone else to take over that computer remotely and turn it into a zombie for spamming, stealing, monitoring, or DDOS attacks to shut down another site. There are millions of zombie PCs out there and these can be rented, either for spamming or launching DDOS attacks. You can equip a web site to resist, or even brush off, a DDOS attack but the Ukrainian attack was so massive and well planned that Russian DDoS defenses were of no use.

It took about three weeks to get the Russian internet back to normal, although some systems were so heavily damaged that it will take months to get them running again. Major commercial, government and military systems were damaged or offline for weeks while repairs were made. The Ukrainian attacks were so massive, hitting internet targets throughout Russia, that there were not enough Russian internet engineers to repair all that damage immediately. That means systems that are not critical will be offline for weeks or months.

Russians fear the Ukrainians will launch a similar attack before all the damage from the recent one is repaired. Russia has long been a leader in such attacks, but the Ukrainians prepared for that before the Russian 2022 invasion and upgraded their internet defenses. Russia was not as well prepared and was vulnerable. Some Russian internet engineers warned their government of the vulnerability but not enough was done.

Simultaneously the United States continues to hunt down and prosecute Russian hackers that were responsible for Cyber War attacks on Ukraine just before the Russians invaded in 2022. Five suspects are members of the Russian military and in Russia. The United States has offered a $60 million reward for those who make possible the arrest of the Russian hackers. This is the largest reward the United States has ever offered. These rewards work and the Americans keep quiet about who received an award and how the U.S. often arranged to have the award winners and their families relocated and sometimes put in a form of the U.S. witness protection program.

The Russian cyber-attacks on Ukraine were known as Whisper Gate and were carried out by the Russian GRU military intelligence organization. The GRU, in one form or another, has been around for 300 years. Espionage and dirty tricks are a long Russian tradition.

The GRU Cyber War offensive on the eve of the Ukraine invasion was directed against NATO supporters of Ukraine, including the United States. This triggered an aggressive and ongoing American response. This appears to have encouraged the GRU to try harder and the Cyber War goes on.
Irans former supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei did not want his son, Mojtaba, to take power in Iran, according to US intelligence.

Ali Khamenei had misgivings about his son becoming leader as he was perceived to be not very bright and unqualified for the role, reported CBS news.

Issues in the younger Khameneis personal life were also contributing factors, according to an intelligence report circulated among President Trump and his senior advisers and shared with the TV network.

These revelations would echo recent assessments that Mojtaba didnt meet the requirements decreed by his father to be considered for supreme leader, such having held elected office.

According to Amwaj, a news organisation specialising in Iran analysis, Mojtabas appointment had to be pushed through by Hossein Taeb, a key ally and former intelligence head for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Taeb reportedly pressured the Assembly of Experts  the 88-member body tasked with selecting a new supreme leader  to support him, even though none of them had met with Mojtaba since his fathers death.

Ali Khamenei (right) had misgivings about son Mojtaba becoming leader, feeling he was unqualified for the role (Office of Iran's supreme leader)

Mr Trump publicly hinted at Ali Khameneis misgivings about his son last Friday.

Their leadership is gone. Their second leadership is gone. Now their third leadership is in trouble, and this is not somebody that the father even wanted, the president told Fox News.

Mojtaba was elevated to the position of supreme leader on 8 March, eight days after the elder Khamenei was killed by an Israeli airstrike on the wars opening morning.

Widespread reports indicate Mojtaba sustained injuries to his face and legs in the same strike that killed his father, with his first official address being read by a state TV news anchor.

According to Israeli intelligence, the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei has been delayed to avoid Mojtaba appearing in public, contrary to the standard Shia practice of waiting no more than a few days to bury the deceased.

In private conversations with his inner circle, Mr Trump reportedly said such intelligence revelations regarding Mojtaba Khamenei were of little significance, believing Iran to be practically leaderless and the new supreme leader possibly dead.

New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public, reportedly because of injuries to his face and legs (ISNA)

A lack of clear direction would align with recent decision-making in Tehran, such as President Pezeshkians short-lived commitment to cease bombing Gulf states.

Having described Mojtaba as a lightweight and unacceptable to lead Iran, some experts believe Mr Trumps earlier opposition may have motivated decision-makers in Tehran to select him.

According to the recent intelligence report, Irans IRGC is now leading the country and the council of experts, judiciary and religious council are weakened, a decisive shift in the clerical autocracy that has ruled since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is just the third supreme leader of Iran since 1979.

Like his father, he has a strong military background, having fought during the Iran-Iraq war, with links to the IRGC.

Considered the most influential of Ali Khameneis six children, Mojtaba is a hardline conservative cleric with close ties to some of Irans most powerful scholars.

His appointment is notable given the 1979 revolution which birthed the Islamic theocracy overthrew a hereditary monarchy.
(Getty)

Kiki Shepard, actor and longtime host of Showtime at the Apollo, has died aged 74.

According to her representatives who spoke to TMZ, Shepard died unexpectedly after suffering a massive heart attack late on Monday 16 March in Los Angeles.

Shepard was best known as the co-host of the syndicated variety show Showtime at the Apollo between 1987 to 2002, sharing the stage with Steve Harvey for seven years and helping to introduce aspiring performers at the Harlem theatre.

Born on 15 July 1951 in Tyler, Texas, she started her career as a professional dancer in the early seventies, performing around the world with troupes including the DC Repertory Dance Company.

Shepard also acted in series such as Baywatch, A Different World and NYPD Blue.

Recently, she played herself in the semi-autobiographical sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, created by comedian Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi, and appeared in Greys Anatomy.

Kiki Shepard was described as a cultural icon by friends (Getty Images)

She had a small uncredited role in The Wiz, as one of the citizens of the Emerald City, in 1978.

On Broadway, she appeared in productions such as Bubbling Brown Sugar, Reggae, Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, and Porgy and Bess.

Friends, colleagues and fans paid tribute to the late star on social media.

Writing on X, TV personality and salon owner Elgin Charles said: It is with a heavy, shattered heart that I process the sudden passing of my dear friend, the legendary Kiki Shepard.

To lose a light so bright without warning feels like a theft of time, leaving an ache that words can barely touch. Kiki was more than a cultural icon and the soul of Showtime at the Apollo; she was my sister in spirit. Our bond was forged over four decades, anchored by our shared Texas roots and a friendship that remained unbreakable through every season of life.

It is with a heavy, shattered heart that I process the sudden passing of my dear friend, the legendary Kiki Shepard. To lose a light so bright without warning feels like a theft of time, leaving an ache that words can barely touch.



Kiki was more than a cultural icon and the pic.twitter.com/0zoO6wnVYk  Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) March 17, 2026

He concluded: To her family, our mutual friends, and the community she served so tirelessly: we have lost a giant. Kiki represented the very best of us, and while her physical presence is gone, her legacy as a champion for our people and a loyal friend will never fade. Rest in power, my sweet friend. You are forever loved and will be profoundly missed.
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Ricks' final appeal without comment (AP)

A Texas man apologized profusely before being put to death last week for fatally stabbing his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son in 2013.

Cedric Ricks, 51, was pronounced dead at 6:55 p.m. CDT on Wednesday after being given a lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital at the state penitentiary in Huntsville.

He was convicted of the May 2013 killings of 30-year-old Roxann Sanchez and her son Anthony Figueroa at their apartment in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Bedford. Sanchezs 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive.

Ricks apologized repeatedly to seven relatives of his victims who looked on, particularly Marcus Figueroa. The attack survivor showed no emotion, watching through a glass window just steps from where Ricks was strapped to a gurney.

On the back of Marcus Figueroas neck, visible above his shirt collar and below his hair, were several scars apparently from the attack.

None of the victims family showed any emotion in the death chamber witness area and declined to speak with reporters afterward (AFP via Getty Images)

I want to say that Im sorry for taking Roxann and Anthony from yall, Ricks said when asked by the warden if he had a final statement. Im glad to be able to speak to tell y'all that face to face.

He said he hoped one day that his victims relatives would be able to find it in their hearts to forgive him. He also addressed Marcus Figueroa, saying he hated that he took his mother and brother away.

I always thought about you and Im sorry that I took your mom and your brother away. I hate that you had to experience that, I just cant imagine, but Im truly sorry for what Ive done, and I wish yall peace and joy as much as you can but Im sorry, thats all I can say," Ricks said. His voice cracking and tear forming in his eye, he added that he hoped to find the woman and her son in heaven and tell them I'm sorry face to face.

I hope yall go in peace. I really do. Im sorry," he concluded before the injection began.

As the drug took effect, he took 19 quick breaths, then made 10 snoring sounds, followed seconds later by some intermittent gurgles. Then all movement and sounds stopped, and he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after the injection had begun.

Among the other witnesses were Roxann Sanchezs stepfather and brother, and Anthony Figueroas father, brother and grandmother. None of them showed any emotion in the death chamber witness area and declined to speak with reporters afterward.

The night of the killings, prosecutors said, Ricks and Sanchez had been arguing in their apartment when the woman's two sons from a previous marriage tried to break up the fight. Ricks grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began to stab Sanchez multiple times, court records showed.

Marcus Figueroa ran to his bedroom closet and tried to call police. After killing Anthony Figueroa, Ricks began stabbing Marcus Figueroa, who played dead until his attacker left the apartment, authorities said. Ricks did not harm his own then-9-month-old son Isaiah, according to court records. Ricks fled and was later arrested in Oklahoma.

At his ensuing capital murder trial, Ricks testified that he had anger issues and had been defending himself against the two boys after they had come to their mothers defense.

Explaining my rage, I was upset. Things happen. I dont know. I dont know. I dont know. I wish I could bring them back, like, right now, said Ricks, who also apologized at the time for the killings.

A day before the stabbings, Ricks had appeared in court after having been charged with assaulting Sanchez during a previous incident.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Ricks' final appeal without comment. His attorneys had argued that prosecutors violated Ricks constitutional rights by eliminating potential jurors on the basis of race while selecting the trial panel.

The Texas Attorney Generals Office said court records show the prosecutions jury selection decisions were race neutral and lower courts have already concluded that prosecutors actions were not discriminatory.

Earlier in the week, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Ricks request to commute his death sentence or grant a 90-day reprieve.

Ricks was the second person put to death this year in Texas and the sixth in the country. Texas has historically held more executions than any other state.

Charles Sonny Burton, a 75-year-old inmate in Alabama, had been scheduled for execution Thursday. But Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday commuted his death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Burton had been condemned for a fatal shooting during a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store even though he didnt pull the trigger.
David Lammys plans to strip thousands of defendants of the right to a jury trial in favour of judge-only hearings could threaten judges security, the head of the judiciary has warned.

Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, said on Tuesday that she had grave security concerns about the controversial reforms, which would see juries in England and Wales replaced with a single judge in cases where a convicted defendant would be jailed for up to three years.

The reforms are being brought in to tackle the record case backlog in the criminal courts, which has led to some cases not being scheduled to start until 2030.

Baroness Carr told journalists: My responsibility is to make it as plain as I can that I have grave security concerns if there are going to be judge-alone trials.

Its a very different environment to be working in, and judges usually sit in one main centre, so they are going in and out of one centre on a daily basis, rather than High Court judges who are sitting all around the country.

The Lady Chief Justice, Baroness Carr of Walton on the Hill, speaks to journalists during the annual Lady Chief Justice press conference, held in the library of the Royal Courts of Justice in central London. (PA)

Baroness Carr said she had made the case very, very strongly that judicial security needs to be considered by the government.

She added: I have been assured that that has all been heard and understood, and the resources will be made available.

When asked to clarify how judges might be put at risk, she said she was not too worried about intimidation of judges, adding: I dont want to go into too much detail about where my concerns lie. I think in the broadest of senses, I would say that they would centre at the moment on judges going to the same building every day.

Baroness Carr pointed to Canada, which has a gold-standard judicial security unit. She said that individual measures are being taken for individual judges where appropriate, concluding: It is a huge issue, and if you were to go and ask me the low lights of the last year, security events and occasions would be one of them.

She also highlighted the threat to judges online, saying: "The social media abuse has taken a nasty turn when it comes to judges now. (It) is increasingly racist and misogynistic social media abuse that is so difficult to control."

Baroness Carr said she was worried about the safety of judges in her annual press conference on Tuesday (PA)

Baroness Carr opened her annual press conference at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by paying tribute to Jeff Blair, a court bailiff, who was seriously injured at work in County Durham.

A man accused of murdering Mr Blair, who had previously worked as a police officer for 22 years, made his first appearance in court on Monday.

Justice secretary David Lammys reforms passed their first hurdle in Parliament last week after MPs voted to allow the Courts and Tribunal Bill. The bill passed with a majority of 101, and with 10 Labour MPs rebelling against the government.

Under the changes, magistrates powers will be increased so they can hand down sentences of up to 18 months imprisonment, up from 12 months currently, so they will be able to deal with more cases.

The plans for judge-only trials would see judges reaching verdicts along on cases involving grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and organised crime.

In 2024, a man was jailed for three years after throwing a radiator at family court judge Patrick Perusko before pinning him down and punching him.

A year ago, the Lady Chief Justice publicly rebuked the prime minister and the leader of the opposition for their critical remarks in Parliament about a immigration judge's ruling, and said judicial security was at an "all-time high".

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: The Lady Chief Justice is absolutely right to highlight how important it is to ensure judges are safe to carry out their duties. Our reforms mean serious cases will continue to be heard in front of a jury and we have robust measures in place - backed by increased investment - to protect judges and all court users.

Victims are facing unacceptably long waits for justice after years of delays in our courts. That is why we are pressing ahead with our plans - alongside modernising it for the 21st century with record investment.
A loud boom heard over western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio was likely caused by a meteor, forecasters said.

Nearby residents flooded social media with concerned posts about the startling sound on Tuesday morning. One X user described hearing the loudest boom in northeastern Ohio, while another user compared it to thunder or [a] jet engine misfiring loudly.

As these reports rolled in, National Weather Service forecasters in Cleveland jumped on the case. Their office found that the latest imagery does suggest that the boom was a result of a meteor.

Forecasters in Pittsburgh also shared their analysis, along with a video of the meteor recorded by an employee.

We're receiving reports across western PA and eastern OH of a loud boom and a fireball in the sky. Our satellite data suggest it was possibly a meteor entering the atmosphere, the agencys Pittsburgh office wrote on X.

A National Weather Service employee captured footage of the meteor falling Tuesday morning (National Weather Service Pittsburgh)

Brian Mitchell, an observing program leader for the National Weather Services Cleveland office, told The Independent his office heard the boom around 9 a.m. local time.

He said forecasters used geostationary lightning mapping, which can detect quick flashes in the atmosphere, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

It generated a flash, which showed up as a lightning flash on this particular map, Mitchell explained.

The speed of an object like that  it's similar to a military aircraft or something like that flying above the speed of sound, causing a sonic boom, he added.

While its likely the meteor burned up as it entered the atmosphere, Mitchell expects some people will still be on the hunt for fragments.

There could be some fragments in places, but we don't know that at this point, he said.

Several witnesses in northeastern Ohio told Cleveland.com the boom caused their homes to shake.

Video taken from a surveillance camera shows the suspected meteor falling through the sky in Olmsted Falls, Ohio (Olmsted Falls City Schools)

One resident in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland, told the outlet the sound was really loud and intense, like an explosion. Another witness in nearby Strongsville reportedly described it as a long explosion that seemed to echo for probably a good 30 seconds or more.

Police in Avon, Ohio, even issued a statement after receiving multiple reports about the blast.

If you do not have an emergency or any specific information about the source of this, please do not call 911 or our dispatch line as we are inundated with calls right now, the Avon Police Department said on Facebook.
At least 23 dead and more than 100 injured following suspected suicide bombings in Nigeria

At least 23 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in suspected suicide bombings that targeted Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, on Monday night.

The attacks are one of the deadliest incidents in the conflict-battered city's recent history.

Residents and emergency services reported three explosions in crowded areas across the Borno state capital, including a major market and the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Borno police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso confirmed the casualties, stating: "Regrettably, a total of 23 persons lost their lives, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries," blaming suspected suicide bombers.

No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion quickly fell on the jihadi group Boko Haram, which launched an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2009 to enforce its radical interpretation of Shariah.

Boko Haram has since grown stronger, with thousands of fighters and various factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, backed by the Islamic State group.

Maiduguri city has been at the heart of the deadly violence but has in recent years experienced relative peace even as the countryside is often battered by extremists.

Residents and emergency services said that three explosions were reported in crowded places in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, including in a major market and at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (AP)

The attack took place less than 24 hours after the Nigerian military repelled attacks by militants on the outskirts of Maiduguri, in what some residents say could have been planned as a distraction.

By Tuesday morning, there was heavy security deployment in the affected locations and along major roads in the city, but many public places remained closed amid heightened fear.

Investigations are ongoing to further ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incidents and to bring perpetrators to justice, the Borno police command said.

The first explosion was recorded at about 7:30 p.m. at the entrance of the teaching hospital, while the second and third followed few minutes later at the popular Monday Market and nearby Post Office business hub, both located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the hospital.

Witnesses recounted the chaos that followed at the scenes and at hospitals as security forces and the emergency services quickly intervened.

This attack has been one of the deadliest in Maiduguri in years, said Mohammed Hassan, a member of a volunteer group assisting security forces in fighting extremists. Were in dire need of blood, he said of the situation hours after the attack.

A security person stands guard following Monday's bomb blast at a market in Maiduguri, Nigeria (AP)

The extremists have intensified their attacks against Nigerian military bases in recent weeks, killing several senior officers and soldiers, and stripping the bases of stocks of weaponry and ammunition.

The multiple attacks could be seen as a major victory for the jihadis in a city seen as impregnable despite the jihadis often targeting troops and villages on the outskirts of the city.

Past attacks in the city have been limited to one-off incidents that occur once in a long while, including a suicide attack that killed five at a mosque on Christmas Eve last year.

Maiduguri being attacked is like an insult for the security forces ... and for the (jihadi) groups, it is symbolic because it shows nowhere is out of their reach, said Malik Samuel, a Nigerian security researcher with Good Governance Africa.

Explosions rocked crowded places almost simultaneously
US President Donald Trump on Monday repeated his call to nations to help reopen the shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, saying some countries told him they were on the way and others were not "enthusiastic" about helping.
As Alexander Isak proves, Liverpool can sign strikers who have troubled them. Monday marked the first anniversary of Newcastles Carabao Cup final win over Arne Slots side, with the ultimately decisive goal delivered by Isak. In the subsequent 12 months, Isak has scored more goals for Newcastle than Liverpool  four compared to three  despite spending the majority of the time on the books at Anfield and costing the defending champions 125m.

It remains the case that the injured Isak has only scored one Champions League goal; for Newcastle against Paris Saint-Germain. It is far from Liverpools only priority on Wednesday night at Anfield, but they will aim to extend their European run this season for long enough for Isak to feature in it again.

To do that, they may have to finally subdue an increasingly familiar nemesis. Part of Liverpools logic for recruiting Isak last summer was that he was the best striker available. An alternative interpretation was that another who commanded a record-breaking fee was also available: Victor Osimhen cost Galatasaray 75m (65m) , the biggest fee ever paid by a Turkish club.

Galatasaray go to Anfield with two victories over Liverpool to their name already this season: one with a goal scored by Osimhen, in September, the other with one assisted by him, last week. The Nigerian has faced Liverpool four times and scored once; but that number scarcely shows his whole impact. It may be more accurate to say Osimhen has ended on the winning side in 75 percent of those games, a relative rarity against Liverpool.

Victor Osimhen has scored and assisted in his two games against Liverpool this term (Getty)

And perhaps his finest display only lasted 40 minutes and ended without him on the scoresheet. Osimhen felt the destroyer in chief in one of the greatest eviscerations of Jurgen Klopps Liverpool; but for his first-half injury, Napoli would probably have beaten them by more than the 4-1 margin in 2022. Osimhen hit the post, set up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia when he had a shot cleared off the line, won a penalty but saw it saved by Alisson. He was outstanding.

Four years on, and Osimhen plies his trade in Turkey. He is only 27, only nine months Isaks senior, and in a league which has tended to attract big names only when they are on the wrong side of 30. This may be an unfair characterisation and there may be a shift in the power balance in Europe, when Galatasaray could pay a fee last summer that was twice what any Serie A club paid for anyone.

But Premier League clubs could have funded it: indeed, five strikers cost English clubs more in the transfer window. Two were bought by Liverpool: Hugo Ekitike and Isak. If Osimhen is not playing in one of Europes five major domestic leagues, he has been advertising his quality in the Champions League. Before this weeks games, he was outscored only by Kylian Mbappe, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. If three of his seven were penalties, he also has three assists.

Alexander Isak struggled for Liverpool before injury hit his season (Getty)

He set up two goals in the 5-2 win over Juventus in the play-off; in the second leg, after 10-man Juves stirring comeback, he scored arguably Galatasarays most important goal in Europe in over a decade. And then did not celebrate it, which struck some as an indication his heart is not in Istanbul, but which Osimhen claimed was out of his respect for his former Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti. It fuelled talk about his future.

His route to Istanbul was forged by the difficulty others had in signing him. His high wages felt like a deterrent to Chelsea in 2024. Manchester United had considered him in 2023, but the fearsome reputation as a negotiator of Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis was a deterrent. De Laurentiis, in turn, may have miscalculated, apparently pricing Osimhen at 150m in 2023, ending up loaning him out before accepting a fee half the size in 2025. The Nigerians fitness record may have put off some suitors; yet Liverpool bought Isak, with his own mixed record, who has been injured for much of this season.

And as Osimhen was bought by Galatasaray, Liverpool pursued other forward plans. There was an indirect influence from Galatasaray. When the Turkish champions took Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich, it prompted their German counterparts to buy Luis Diaz. His energy and intensity has been missed; more perhaps than Liverpool anticipated.

Osimhen caused Liverpool havoc during Jurgen Klopps time at the club (AFP via Getty Images)

A year ago, as Slots side exited the Champions League to PSG, the Colombian was their best attacker at Anfield. They may have imagined that Isak would be the transformative presence to take them further; instead, they encounter a catalyst twice against them already this season.

Osimhen may never make it to the Premier League, but this could be his stage. Three years ago, he took Napoli into the first Champions League quarter-final in their history, scoring three times over the round of 16 and once in the last eight. Now Galatasaray are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013 and only the second since 2001. And if Liverpool know who their main threat is, history shows that does not mean they can stop him.
A new feature-length drama will delve into the dramatic downfall of Huw Edwards, once one of Britains most recognised and trusted newsreaders, with actor Martin Clunes set to portray the disgraced broadcaster. The film, titled Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards, explores the double life that led to his complete exit from public life following his conviction for making indecent images of children.

Edwards, a prominent figure at the BBC and one of its highest-paid presenters, was a familiar face on News at Ten for decades, delivering major national announcements, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II. His career unravelled in July 2023 when a national newspaper reported that "a top BBC star" had paid a teenager for sexual images. Days later, his wife publicly named him as the presenter at the centre of the scandal. He resigned from the BBC in April and was subsequently charged in June 2024 following a Metropolitan Police investigation. In September 2024, Edwards was sentenced to a six-month jail term, suspended for two years, at Westminster Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children.

The factual drama, directed by Michael Samuels, known for The Windermere Children, focuses on how a vulnerable young man, played by Osian Morgan, came into contact with one of televisions most powerful figures. The production is based on first-hand interviews with those close to the story and incorporates many of the text messages exchanged between Edwards and the young man.

Clunes, 64, best known for roles in Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly, admitted that portraying Edwards presented a significant challenge from the outset. He explained his motivation for taking on such a sensitive role: "Beyond the salacious curiosity around this story, I really thought there was another story worth telling, that of Ryan and his family." He added, "Obviously the press and the media have focussed on the fallen big man, Huw Edwards, which, of course, is a big story. But behind that, theres this lad and his family whose lives got turned upside down and rather spoiled. Im not on any social media and I had no idea that this sort of thing went on, I really didnt."

Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards and Osian Morgan as Ryan (5 Broadcasting Limited / Wonderhood Studios)

In preparation for the role, Clunes meticulously reviewed archive footage of Edwards, aiming to understand the man behind the newsreader persona. "I was familiar with Huw Edwards, the newsreader, and how he presented himself when he was reading the news," he explained. "But Ive seen other actors make the mistake of just inhabiting that projected face of a famous person or politician, I knew that we needed the other side of him too." He noted the difficulty in finding clips of Edwards away from the news desk but persisted, observing, "I noticed from looking at that archive that he was different when he wasnt reading the news, and I wanted to make that distinction. If you listen to his rhythms, hes far more Welsh when hes not newsreading."

Clunes acknowledged the discomfort inherent in dealing with such sensitive subject matter. "Sometimes its harder when a role is more nebulous and you cant pin your performance on something, but we had transcripts of text messages between Huw Edwards and Ryan, and they do appear in the script, so we breathed life into them," he said. The emotional toll was evident: "It was hard towards the end of the story, hearing Osians vulnerable voice when Edwards was bullying him, and the hurt of this boy reaching out in a sensitive way. I didnt feel very nice at the end of those scenes, so again it was definitely good to have Osian in the room to talk to afterwards." Despite the gravity, Clunes maintains a pragmatic approach: "Im not a very heavy person, so my way of dealing with things is generally to be a little facetious and sort of lighthearted, even though I take the work very seriously."

Martin Clunes as Huw Edwards (5 Broadcasting Limited / Wonderhood Studios)

He praised the collaborative environment, stating, "I really like my job, and the problem-solving aspect of it, and I really enjoyed working with Michael." He also appreciated working with a familiar crew, adding, "I was working with the same camera crew that we had on [ITV drama] Out There, who I adore, so I was among friends. I dont know how I would have done it otherwise." For scenes involving phone calls between Edwards and Ryan, Clunes insisted on both actors being present in the same room. "Luckily, I did have Osian there with me, who plays Ryan, and he was terrific," Clunes said. "A lot of our scenes are seemingly in isolation on phone calls, so we decided to both be there in the room for the other actor." This decision was crucial for capturing the nuanced intimacy of the exchanges. "Usually, if you film a phone call, the director or assistant director will read out the other lines, and you have to act to that. But because of the intimate nature of so many of these phone calls, we felt we couldnt do that. Theres an intimacy on the phone." He concluded, "Having us both in the room for filming really helped to create that feeling. There was only one time it wasnt possible to be in the same place, and I phoned Osian directly for that scene. Hes a brilliant young actor, I was just bowled over by him and really enjoyed working with him."

Reflecting on how audiences might perceive him in such a dark role, Clunes remained unfazed. "Ive played a murderer before and Im vile in Wuthering Heights, so this isnt my first dark role, but I always just take work from whats on offer, and Ive never had a plan." He added, "Ive always been lucky enough to balance light-hearted jobs like Doc Martin with dramas in-between. Im not desperate to reshape myself  Id play someone like Doc Martin again in a heartbeat."

Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards is scheduled to air on Channel 5 on Tuesday, March 24, at 9pm.
Actor Martin Clunes has said he initially had sympathy for Huw Edwards, as he thought he was being outed in the newspapers, before realising it was a whole different ballgame.

Clunes, 64, who is best known for his role as the titular character in Doc Martin, will play Edwards in 5 drama Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards.

The newsreader admitted accessing indecent images of children as young as seven.

Clunes said: It was weird at the time because they wouldnt name him, so lots of BBC presenters kept saying it wasnt them, and it caught fire, and then it was a surprise when Huw Edwards was named.

The film will document Edwards downfall (Lucy North/PA)

I remember we were doing the read through for Out There at the London Welsh Club just as this story was breaking, and there was a photo portrait of Huw Edwards in the entrance, which a few of us commented on.

You felt sympathy for him at first, because it just seemed like a person in the public eye was being outed in the newspapers, and I can say from personal experience that newspapers only want to be nasty about people in the public eye.

But then they found messages on his telephone, and that was a whole different ball game.

The show will also star Welsh actor Osian Morgan as Ryan, a boy who is contacted in the film by Edwards.

It will be directed by Bafta and Emmy-winning director Michael Samuels.

Speaking about how he prepared to play Edwards, Clunes added: I was familiar with Huw Edwards the newsreader, and how he presented himself when he was reading the news.

But Ive seen other actors make the mistake of just inhabiting that projected face of a famous person or politician  I knew that we needed the other side of him too.

Finding archive clips of Edwards away from the news was less easy, but I wanted to make sure I did.

I noticed from looking at that archive that he was different when he wasnt reading the news, and I wanted to make that distinction. If you listen to his rhythms, hes far more Welsh when hes not newsreading.

I certainly dont think you should ever be judging a character youre playing, you just have to find ways to get into character. Im not attracted to men, but Im attracted to women, so I know what it feels like to be attracted.

Then sometimes with acting you just have to jump off the cliff and hope you land well  you dont want everything to feel measured and calculated.

Edwards was one of the BBCs highest-paid newsreaders, known for presenting the BBCs News At Ten for decades, delivering some of the biggest stories to the British public, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

He pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.

Edwards downfall came after a report by the Sun in July 2023 alleged that a top BBC star had paid a teenager for sexual pictures.

Days later, his wife named him as the presenter at the centre of the scandal. He was charged in June 2024, after a Met Police investigation.

A month later, Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children and admitted to having 41 photographs on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type.

Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards will air Tuesday March 24 at 9pm on 5.
For more than two years, roughly seven million federal student loan borrowers have lived in a state of suspended uncertainty  enrolled in the Biden-era SAVE repayment plan, technically not required to make payments, but watching interest accrue on their balances and unsure whether the program they counted on would survive. That uncertainty ended Monday, and not in borrowers' favor.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on March 9 reversed a lower court's dismissal of the Republican-led lawsuit against the SAVE plan  formally ordering the district court to enter a December 2025 settlement agreement as final judgment. Under that settlement, the Department of Education must permanently halt all SAVE enrollment and loan forgiveness, and pursue formal rulemaking to repeal the SAVE Final Rule entirely. The Biden administration's signature student loan repayment program, which was billed as "the most affordable repayment plan ever created," is now legally finished.

How We Got Here

The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan was created in 2023 as a revision to the existing REPAYE income-driven repayment plan. It offered lower monthly payments based on income and accelerated loan forgiveness timelines compared to older plans. More than seven million borrowers enrolled, attracted by the promise of lower bills and, in some cases, faster paths to debt cancellation.

Seven Republican-led states  Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma  sued to block the plan, arguing the Biden administration had exceeded its statutory authority under the Higher Education Act. The Eighth Circuit issued an injunction halting SAVE in 2024, placing all enrolled borrowers into administrative forbearance  meaning no required payments, but also no progress toward loan forgiveness and, crucially, interest continuing to accrue.

A momentary flicker of hope appeared on February 27, when U.S. District Court Judge John Ross dismissed the lawsuit on a procedural technicality  ruling that since both the Trump administration and the Republican states wanted the same outcome, there was no live legal controversy for the court to resolve. Consumer advocates quickly urged the Department of Education to use that window to restore SAVE benefits. The department did not act.

The Republican states appealed immediately. And on March 9, the Eighth Circuit sided with them  reversing Ross's dismissal and directing the court to finalize the December 2025 settlement as entered judgment. As Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent stated: "In the coming weeks, the Department will issue clear guidance on next steps for borrowers enrolled in the illegal SAVE Plan, including details regarding how borrowers can move into a legal repayment plan."

What the Settlement Requires

The terms of the December 2025 settlement are sweeping. Under the agreement now entering as final judgment, the Department of Education must:

Stop enrolling any new borrowers in SAVE and deny all pending applications

Continue moving current SAVE borrowers to other repayment plans

Refrain from forgiving loans under SAVE's income-contingent repayment authority

Not implement any provisions of the SAVE Plan Final Rule (with one narrow exception relating to deferment counting toward forgiveness eligibility, which took effect July 1, 2024)

Pursue formal rulemaking to officially repeal the SAVE Final Rule

The settlement also includes a ten-year oversight provision: if the Department plans to forgive more than $10 billion in federal student loans in any single month, it must give the Missouri Attorney General's office at least 30 days' written notice identifying the legal authority used. Critically, the settlement creates no third-party beneficiary rights  meaning individual borrowers cannot use it to sue the government directly.

The Human Cost: Two Years of Accruing Interest

The legal timeline has had real financial consequences for borrowers. While those in SAVE forbearance were not required to make payments, interest has been accruing on their balances since August 2025. For borrowers who enrolled in SAVE specifically because they expected lower payments and faster forgiveness  many of whom had been making payments for years before the injunction  the reality is that their balances have been growing, not shrinking, during the legal limbo.

The case of Elizabeth Robeson, one of four borrowers who filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education on Monday arguing the agency is compelled to implement SAVE, illustrates the stakes. Robeson borrowed $12,000 for college in the 1980s. She has made payments consistently for decades  more than 100 months beyond the 216 required for debt forgiveness under SAVE. Her balance today: $93,000. "I have never been out of compliance on this loan and have paid for decades," Robeson said in the suit. "The student loan crisis has cruelly forced millions of working Americans like me to live in a labyrinth with no clear exit despite our having followed the law."

What Borrowers Should Do Right Now

With the Eighth Circuit's ruling, the path forward for SAVE borrowers is clear in direction if not yet in timing. Guidance from higher education experts points to several concrete steps:

Switch to Income-Based Repayment (IBR). Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz recommends that most SAVE borrowers immediately file an Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request form and transition to IBR. Under IBR, monthly payments are set at 10% of discretionary income (15% for borrowers with older loans), with debt forgiveness after 20 or 25 years depending on when loans were taken out.

If pursuing PSLF, act immediately. Borrowers working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness should file a PSLF Buyback application to receive credit for months when their progress stalled while in SAVE forbearance. Those months did not count toward PSLF  and without the buyback application, that progress is simply lost.

Watch for the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Beginning July 1, 2026, borrowers will have access to RAP  the Trump administration's replacement for SAVE, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. RAP uses a sliding scale of 1% to 10% of a borrower's Adjusted Gross Income, with loan forgiveness after 30 years. For many borrowers, particularly those earlier in repayment, RAP's payments may be lower than IBR  but the forgiveness timeline is longer, and final rules have not yet been published.

Don't wait. Although some advocates have suggested borrowers wait a few weeks to see how the legal situation develops, Kantrowitz and others urge action now. The forbearance that kept payments paused may not last indefinitely, and the sooner borrowers are enrolled in a qualifying repayment plan, the sooner their progress toward forgiveness resumes.

The Broader Landscape: More Disruption Ahead

The SAVE ruling does not exist in isolation. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, has already begun reshaping the federal student loan landscape. The law phases out several affordable repayment plans and extends forgiveness timelines, making it harder for many borrowers to afford their monthly payments, according to consumer advocates.

Meanwhile, more than 22,000 borrowers who have already completed their required IDR payment milestones are still waiting on discharges the Department of Education is legally obligated to process  a separate but equally pressing crisis for those who have already done everything right. And IDR forgiveness, when it does arrive in 2026 or later, is currently treated as taxable income under federal law  a financial shock that many borrowers are not prepared for.

For the millions of students and recent graduates navigating federal student debt, the message from Monday's ruling is uncomfortable but clear: the program you enrolled in is gone. The alternatives exist, but require action. And the longer you wait, the more interest accumulates.
Staff and students queue to receive antibiotics at the University of Kent in Canterbury after the meningitis outbreak. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images (Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images)

Students in Kent are to be offered a targeted vaccination against meningitis B after two more cases in the deadly outbreak were confirmed and pharmacies ran out of vaccine doses.

Government scientists have said two people who died in the outbreak had bacterial strain B of the disease, for which most people have not been vaccinated.

The health secretary, Wes Streeting, described it as an unprecedented and rapidly developing outbreak in a Commons update.

He also confirmed that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had launched a small vaccination programme for students who lived at the University of Kents Canterbury campus halls of residence. It may be expanded amid calls for an NHS catchup vaccine programme as pharmacy stocks of the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine run out.

MenB vaccines have only been given to young children on the NHS since 2015, meaning that all those over the age of 10 are vulnerable unless they have received the jab privately.

Related: Meningitis B: what are the symptoms, how is it spread and is there a vaccine?

The UKHSA said: Given the severity of the situation, a small targeted vaccination programme will begin starting with students resident at Canterbury campus halls of residence at the University of Kent in the coming days. The vaccination programme may be expanded further as UKHSA continues to asses any ongoing risk to other populations.

The number of confirmed cases has increased from 13 to 15. Four, including the two deaths, involved meningitis B, the UKHSA said. The remaining 11 cases are under investigation.

Streeting said French health authorities had alerted the UK to a second confirmed case in France involving a student who had attended the University of Kent.

It also emerged on Tuesday that one of the 15 people affected was a University of Kent student who travelled to London, fell ill there and sought help at a hospital in the capital on Sunday or Monday.

The seriousness of the outbreak, which experts are calling a super-spreader event, means the UKHSA have been treating the Kent outbreak as a national rather then local incident from when it began at the end of last week, sources said.

Pharmacies called for an NHS catchup vaccine programme to protect all those born before 2015 amid dwindling private supplies.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said the NHS should urgently commission pharmacies to deliver a nationwide catchup vaccination programme targeted at university students and teenagers born before 2015.

Pharmacies, especially in Kent, are seeing a surge in demand for private meningitis B vaccinations. But supplies are running low with some pharmacies already out of stock, she said. Worried families must not be left to a lottery. The NHS needs to step in and commission a national pharmacy-led catchup programme now.

Private meningitis B vaccinations cost between 100 and 120 a dose in the UK, with a full two-dose course costing about 200 to 240. Boots offers two doses for 220.

A year 13 pupil in Faversham, named only as Juliette at the request of her parents, and an unnamed student at the University of Kent have died in the outbreak and others are being treated in hospital.

The UKHSAs deputy director of immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases, Gayatri Amirthalingam, urged young people in Kent to take up the offer of antibiotics.

Asked if it was safe for students to return home, she said: If you are a university student and youve been offered antibiotics, or anyone else whos been offered antibiotics, please take that immediately and it will be absolutely fine for you to return home. Its an effective measure for protecting yourself, but also  your loved ones, your family and your friends.

Streeting told MPs: The onset of illness is often sudden and early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital. It doesnt spread very easily.

The bacteria is passed to others after a long period of close contact. For example with living with someone in shared accommodation, through prolonged kissing or sharing vapes and drinks.

However, the symptoms are also easily mistaken for other common conditions, even for something like a hangover.

The UKHSA is advising anyone who visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6 or 7 March to come forward for preventive antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure.

Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner of Club Chemistry, said more than 2,000 people would have visited the venue over the three dates. The club has closed voluntarily.

The mother of one of those in hospital with the disease said she suspected her daughter caught it from a vape.

Amirthalingam said: Meningococcal disease can be spread through a number of different routes. Vaping is just one. It is very much linked to close contact. There are plenty of other activities that can also promote the spread of this infection. Not specifically vaping.

Eliza Gil, a clinical lecturer specialising in infectious disease at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: These students wont have any immunity to meningitis B.

She told 5 Live: Currently students arent offered it because the risk has historically been low and also because the protection is imperfect and not very long-lived. So it was felt on balance of risk, that it wouldnt be of benefit to students to routinely offer menB vaccination.

The UKHSA denied there had been a delay in the response to the outbreak. Amirthalingam told Radio 4s Today programme: I dont believe theres been any delay in terms of the public health response.

With these individuals, some of whom are extremely unwell in hospital, it can be difficult to try and ascertain detailed follow-up information, but that was done very rapidly over the weekend to be able to give that information out and identify the links within 24 hours.

Prof Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of East Anglia, said doctors could have been informed of the outbreak earlier. He said: Its not just about informing the public. The symptoms of the disease can be very mild. If they [doctors] know that there is a problem with meningococcal disease in the area, then theyre more likely to take those early symptoms seriously.

The problem with meningococcal disease is that you can go from being relatively mild to on deaths door within a matter of a few hours. It is critically important that you make that information very clear, very soon.

When I used to do this work some years back, I think we would have gone public at the point that we informed local GPs that there was such a problem, which might well have been quicker.

Two sites in Kent have been open for the public to collect antibiotics and a further two were opened on Tuesday.
Migrants from Eritrea, Libya and Sudan sail a wooden boat before being assisted by aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms, in the Mediterranean sea, about 30 miles north of Libya, Saturday, June 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra, File) (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A chilling reality is unfolding in the Mediterranean: bodies washing ashore, unanswered phone calls from desperate relatives, and migrants tents abandoned overnight. People attempting to reach Europe are vanishing in what are termed "invisible shipwrecks," as governments responsible for search and rescue operations withhold crucial information.

The beginning of 2026 has already become the deadliest start to a year for those crossing the Mediterranean, with the UNs International Organization for Migration confirming 682 missing by March 16. The true death toll, however, is almost certainly much higher. Human rights groups are increasingly struggling to verify these figures as Italy, Tunisia, and Malta have quietly restricted information on migrant rescues and shipwrecks along this perilous route. This lack of transparency prevents journalists from confirming reports, ensuring these tragedies largely escape public attention.

Its a strategy of silence, said Matteo Villa, a researcher focusing on migration and data at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies think tank.

The organization Refugees in Libya and other human rights groups have been sounding the alarm since late January, reporting more than 1,000 people missing after Cyclone Harry hit the region. But authorities have not confirmed, denied or corrected those reports.

In the weeks that followed the cyclone, more than 20 decomposing bodies washed ashore in Italy and Libya while other human remains were spotted floating in the middle of the sea.

For the families of missing migrants, not knowing their fate is excruciating.

Europe should know that these people who got drowned in the sea have family members, have dreams, have passions, Josephus Thomas, a migrant from Sierra Leone and community leader in Tunisias coastal town of El Amra, told AP.

Migrants from Syria and Libya in a wooden boat call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms during a rescue operation inside Malta's SAR zone south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean sea, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Even the U.N.'s migration agency is increasingly unable to verify cases of migrants who die in what is known as invisible shipwrecks because of the growing lack of information.

Last year, at least 1,500 people were reported missing whose fates IOM could not confirm, said Julia Black, who leads the organization's Missing Migrants Project. The issue persists in 2026.

We started a new secondary data set of what we are calling unverifiable cases because its just become so many, Black said. For this year, they already have more than 400 missing they could not verify.

Many humanitarian organizations that previously filled some of the information gaps are no longer able to do so because of the global wave of funding cuts and government-imposed restrictions across the region.

Weve seen the restriction of access for humanitarian actors, which is not right. And now were seeing even the restriction of information, Black said.

The Associated Press repeatedly asked authorities in Tunisia, Italy and Malta why they arent sharing information related to migrant rescues at sea and what their policies are. Not one responded.

In this photo taken on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, the sun shines over international waters north of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea. (AP Photo/Renata Brito) (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Over the years, authorities in the Mediterranean have gradually reduced information related to migrants. But their silence was even more pronounced in late January after Cyclone Harry unleashed heavy rainfall, winds of 100 kph (62 mph), and 9-meter-tall (30 feet) waves.

Hundreds of people had departed from Tunisias coastal region of Sfax and disappeared, according to information the group Refugees in Libya gathered from migrants in Tunisia and their relatives abroad.

The group acknowledged it was difficult to be precise because there is no central system recording departures, losses, or recoveries," but it warned that the death toll was likely even higher.

We are looking at boats that never counted how many kids are inside, Refugees in Libya founder David Yambio told AP.

The AP sent five email requests to the Italian coast guard seeking information on the boats reported missing and search efforts but received no response. An officer who answered the phone said the coast guard did not have any further verified and confirmed information regarding the circumstances. AP also filed a Freedom of Information request, which is pending.

The coast guard also declined to comment on an alert it issued on Jan. 24 asking vessels sailing between the Italian island of Lampedusa and Tunisia to be on the lookout for eight small boats in distress carrying some 380 people. The alert was made public by Italian journalist Sergio Scandura.

This picture released by SOS Humanity on Monday, March 16, 2026, shows rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea one of the deadliest migration route in the world (Barbara Sartore/SOS Humanity via AP) (SOS Humanity)

There is only one known survivor from the boats reported missing during Cyclone Harry. He was floating in the water when a merchant vessel rescued him on Jan. 22. The man told crew members he had been traveling with another 50 people, some of whose bodies could be seen in the water in video of the rescue. Thanks to his testimony, their deaths were included in IOM's tally.

According to the captain, the survivor was evacuated to Malta. The Maltese Armed Forces did not respond to multiple requests about their involvement or reports that they recovered the man and the bodies.

The Tunisian Foreign Ministry and the Tunisian National Guard also have not responded to multiple requests for information by email and phone.

Frontex, a European Union agency that assists nations with border surveillance, told AP that it spotted eight boats carrying about 160 migrants between Jan. 14 and 24 when the cyclone hit. It said six boats were rescued by Italian authorities, but the fate of the other two remains unknown.

On Feb. 8, migrants prayed and cried during a memorial ceremony in the olive groves near Sfax, presuming their loved ones could not be alive after so many days without news.

All of us here are in deep trauma, are in deep agony, Dr. Ibrahim Fofana, a migrant in Tunisia whose relatives have been missing since late January, said in a video shared by Refugees in Libya. He pleaded for authorities to identify the bodies that washed ashore in Italy.

A boat used by migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea is towed from Tripiti beach to the Karave the port of Gavdos, Greece, on Monday, July 7, 2025 after hundreds were rescued near the island and the island of Crete in separate incidents. (AP Photo/Elena Becatoros) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Until mid-2024, Tunisian authorities regularly shared the number of migrants they were intercepting at sea, eager to show their European partners compliance with a 2023 deal to curb migration in exchange for financial aid. But the deal was also followed by a brutal crackdown against migrants on land that resulted in thousands being detained or dumped in the desert.

Nongovernmental organizations such as the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, known by its French acronym FTDES, which used to compile and share reports on migrant interceptions, were also caught in the crackdown.

In June 2024, Tunisia's Ministry of Interior stopped releasing any information on migrants, citing security reasons, said Romdhane Ben Amor, FTDES' spokesperson. But in his opinion, the motives were political. The numbers were incompatible with the narrative that Tunisia was not Europe's border guard, he said.

Italy's erosion of information on migrant rescues is even older than Tunisia's. The Italian coast guard used to provide detailed monthly data on migrants rescued. The monthly reports became quarterly before stopping completely in 2020, Villa said. In 2022, previous reports were also removed from the coast guards website.

This year, the Italian coast guard did not share any migration-related press releases despite nearly 5,000 migrants disembarking on Italian shores, according to Italy's Interior Ministry statistics.

It is very clearly a political strategy to repress as much information as possible from the public," Villa said.
Embracing artificial intelligence will not lead to job losses overall, a Treasury minister has said as Rachel Reeves prepares to commit the UK to accelerating adoption of the technology.

The Chancellor is expected to pledge the UK to the fastest AI adoption in the G7 when she delivers the annual Mais lecture in the City of London on Tuesday.

Arguing that Britain cannot stand still in a world defined by technological change, she will warn that the country can either bury our heads in the sand or chart our own course when it comes to AI.

She is expected to back her ambition with a 500 million sovereign AI fund, to be launched in April, and a 1 billion programme to procure advanced quantum computers.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves will warn against the UK burying its head in the sand when it comes to AI (Dan Kitwood/PA) (Dan Kitwood)

Sir Keir Starmer has previously spoken about AI as a driver of economic growth and a key part of Britains economic future.

But adoption of the technology has sparked concerns that it could lead to major job losses, particularly among graduates and those in junior, white-collar positions.

Ahead of Ms Reevess lecture, Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson sought to play down the prospect of job losses, pointing to official forecasts suggesting the total number of jobs in the economy would increase over the next five years.

He told Sky News that big shocks in economic history, such as the industrial revolution, had seen changes in the amount of jobs that happen in the economy, or the types of jobs that we have, but added: You dont see job losses overall.

Cautioning against attempting to run away from new technologies, Mr Tomlinson said it was important to embrace AI to prevent the benefits flowing to other countries.

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused the Chancellor of economic mismanagement (Lucy North/PA) (Lucy North)

He said: And then that means theres more opportunity, for if AI does mean that a particular company, rather than hiring 10 people, can hire six or seven, that those three people that would have otherwise been hired have got new opportunities to go to.

Ms Reevess lecture comes as the UK economy continues to face challenges, as official figures showed the economy failed to grow in January even before the spike in oil prices caused by the war in Iran.

Accelerating adoption of AI is one of three big choices the Chancellor is expected to set out on Tuesday, along with closer ties with the EU and growth in every part of Britain.

The Tories accused the Chancellor of economic mismanagement and said her commitment to closer ties with Brussels signalled a Labour desire to undo Brexit, which the Government has denied.

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: Under increasing pressure having mismanaged the economy, Reeves would rather point the finger at Brexit than accept their poor choices have been a disaster for our economy.
The poor condition of many local roads has been exacerbated by a wet winter. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA (Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA)

A losing battle with potholes has now seen the backlog of repairs across England and Wales reach a record 18.6bn, according to an annual industry estimate, despite councils filling in about 1.9m holes last year.

The national disgrace of dangerously pockmarked local roads has been exacerbated by a notably wet winter, with only half of the network now reported to be in good condition.

The report, published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), suggests that new holes may have expensively sprung up faster than additional government money can be sunk into the tarmac.

The estimated cost of a one-off repair of all potholes has risen by 1.8bn since 2025, despite the government allocating 1.6bn last year, an additional 500m, to help local authorities fix their roads.

David Giles, the chair of the AIA, said: I think all road users would agree that the condition of our local roads has become a national disgrace.

He said its reports over the past decade showed the money needed to fully repair local roads had increased dramatically, adding: The impact of frequent adverse weather events on a consistently underfunded  and increasingly fragile  network [is] coming home to roost.

He warned that it would be some time before the impact of increased funding levels, if fully delivered, will be noticed by the public.

The AA president, Edmund King, said the report starkly warns us how much more needs to be done to eradicate this plague of potholes.

We have been seeing with our own eyes, and feeling with our wheels, how record wet weather linked to substandard roads has led to many local roads becoming patchwork obstacle courses, he said.

The RAC head of policy, Simon Williams, said roads were in a woeful state of disrepair  something thats been even more noticeable since the beginning of the year with our teams receiving hundreds of breakdown reports every day mentioning potholes.

The safety charity IAM RoadSmarts director of policy, Nicholas Lyes, said: About one in six local roads are effectively on life support with less than five years of structural integrity remaining. We need a long-term approach that invests in proper surface maintenance, rather than the all too often patch and dash repairs that crumble at the first sign of bad weather.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said the report rightly highlights the need to improve our roads. Thats why, after years of underinvestment, were providing a record 7.3bn in long-term funding, to help councils resurface roads and fix the pothole plague.

They said there were signs of progress, with 15% more pothole-prevention works carried out in 2025 compared with 2024, as well as a new ratings system monitoring how money was spent. They added: We will hold councils to account, ensuring they use this money to plan ahead and deliver safer, smoother journeys.

Spring can frequently reveal potholes in full bloom, with the holes habitually formed over winter as rain enters cracks in road surfaces before freezing when temperatures drop, expanding and creating bigger cracks.

A separate survey by KwikFit said the cost of pothole damage to UK drivers had also peaked at a record 1.8bn over the past 12 months. It also found that the condition of the roads had prompted 2.5 million drivers to buy a bigger car or SUV, more able to cope with bumps but also more likely to intensify the damage to road surfaces.
More than a fifth of people (21%) witnessed violence or abuse against retail workers in the last year, according to a survey.

Incidents included racial and sexual abuse, physical assault and threats with weapons while shopping, the poll by Opinium for the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found.

However, the figure was a slight improvement on the previous year, when 23% of customers witnessed such incidents.

The survey also found that nearly a quarter of people (23%) have witnessed shoplifting  almost unchanged from 24% the previous year.

Rates varied significantly across the UK, with 32% of Londoners witnessing violence and abuse while shopping, followed by 26% of those in Yorkshire and Humberside and 23% across the North East.

The East of England recorded the lowest rate at 13%.

The picture was a little different for those witnessing shop theft, topped by London and the West Midlands (29%), followed by Yorkshire and Humberside and the North West (26%), the South East (25%) and the South West (24%).

Retailers reported that organised criminal gangs were increasingly targeting high-value goods that they can easily resell.

Previous BRC data revealed there were 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers every day last year  the second highest level on record.

This included 118 incidents involving physical violence and 36 involving a weapon every day.

The BRC said delivery drivers were also often subjected to abuse, physical violence and threats with weapons.

It said retailers had spent an estimated 5 billion on fighting retail crime over the past five years, including on CCTV, security personnel, anti-theft devices and body-worn cameras.

These costs added to existing financial pressures, limited investment and contributed to higher prices for customers, it warned.

The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill will remove the 200 threshold of low level theft, sending a clear signal that all shoplifting will be treated seriously, the BRC said.

However, it said the Bill needed to go further by extending protection to all customer-facing retail workers, including delivery drivers.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: For too many people, violence and abuse are now part of the shopping experience. An incident might last seconds, but for workers and bystanders, the impact can last a lifetime.

The Crime and Policing Bill is an important step towards protecting retail workers and tackling crime. But as drafted, it falls short. Retail workers in England and Wales deserve the same protections as those in Scotland, including delivery drivers.

Everyone in a customer-facing role should be protected  no exceptions.
Options are open for Saratoga after his victory in the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle  better known as the Fred Winter  at the Cheltenham Festival.

The JP McManus-owned grey started life as a Flat campaigner, running six times on the level for Aidan OBrien and the Coolmore partners, the most recent of which was in the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day.

When changing hands he was gelded, and posted three encouraging runs over hurdles for Roche before lining up at 10-1 at Prestbury Park last week.

Under Mark Walsh he was triumphant by two and a quarter lengths, following in the footsteps of his late half-brother Brazil, who won the race in 2022 for the same owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.

Were delighted with him, hes come out of the race great. No problem at all, said Roche.

It was a great, great thrill. Were very grateful, it was unbelievable.

Brazil went on to contest the Grade One juvenile hurdle at Aintree, where he was third, but Saratogas next step is not yet confirmed.

Roche said: I wouldnt think hell go to Aintree, I havent spoken to JP or Frank (Berry, racing manager) yet so we havent come up with a plan for him.

It was great to get him after having Brazil, and we really enjoyed the day.
Graves being prepared for the victims of an airstrike on a school in Minab in southern Iran, 2 March 2026. Photograph: Iranian Foreign Media Department/Reuters (Photograph: Iranian Foreign Media Department/Reuters)

The graves, freshly dug, lie in neat rows of 20 across. More than 60 have already been carved out of the earth, with a few clusters of people standing gathered around them. Dozens more are marked out on the ground in front: small chalk rectangles, with diggers poised to complete their task.

The cemetery of Minab, photographed as it prepares to bury more than 100 of the towns young girls, is one of the defining images of the US-Israeli war on Iran, bluntly capturing the devastating civilian toll.

But is it real?

Ask Gemini, the AI service powered by Google, and the answer you receive is no  in fact, Gemini claims the photograph is from two years earlier and more than 2,000km (1,240 miles) away. Rather than graves for small girls killed by a missile, the image depicts a mass burial site in Kahramanmaras, Turkey after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck in 2023. This specific aerial perspective became one of the most widely shared images of the disaster, Gemini says, illustrating the sheer scale of the loss.

Seeing the same burial image on social media, others turned to Xs AI assistant Grok to check its veracity. Like Gemini, Grok will breezily assure you the photo is not from Iran at all  although it lands on a different date, disaster and location. The image is from Rorotan Cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia  a July 2021 stock photo of Covid mass burials. Not Minab, it says.

In both cases, the AI answers sound sure: they dont equivocate, and even provide sources for the original image, should you choose to check them. Follow the thread to examine those, however, and youll begin to hit dead ends: either the image doesnt appear at all, or the link provided is to a news report that doesnt exist. For all their impression of clarity and precision, the AIs are simply wrong.

The cemetery image, it turns out, is authentic. Researchers have cross referenced the photo of the site with satellite images that confirm its location, and it can be cross-referenced again with dozens more images taken of the same site from slightly different angles, and again with video footage  none of which experts say show signs of tampering or digital manipulation. The factchecks by Gemini and Grok are just one example of a tidal wave of AI-generated slop  hallucinated facts, nonsense analysis and faked images  that are engulfing coverage of the Iran war. Experts say it is wasting investigative time and risks atrocities being denied  as well as heralding alarming weaknesses as people increasingly rely on AI summaries for news and information.

***

From the opening days of the war, factcheckers have been kept busy with a constant flow of faked imagery online. A photo of what the Tehran Times claimed was satellite imagery of a US radar destroyed in Qatar was exposed as an AI fake made from old Google Earth pictures  its giveaways included the cars, which were all in identical positions to the image from two years earlier.

Widely circulated images of Khameneis body being pulled from rubble had tells including duplicate limbs among the rescuers. One fake that stood out to me claimed to show a senior Iranian commander walking around Tehran disguising himself as a woman to avoid potential assassination, says Shayan Sardarizadeh, a senior journalist at the BBC Verify team, which uses forensic techniques to confirm information and conduct visual investigations. The street, the building in the background, and the surroundings all seemed like a realistic scene in Tehran.

What you are using is actually a very advanced probability machine, not a truth box Tal Hagin, open-source intelligence analyst

Sardarizadeh says AI now makes up a large portion of all of the misinformation the team debunks  and the volume is increasing. In the first few weeks of the Gaza or Ukraine wars, for example, most fake posts the team saw were old or unrelated videos, or repurposed video game footage. Now, nearly half, if not more, of all the viral falsehoods that we now track and debunk are generative AI.

That has partly been driven by the ease with which anyone can now generate a realistic video or photo. But the other enormous shift is in people using AI to summarise the news or answer questions, rather than going directly to the original source. Google AI summaries and Grok were only rolled out to the wider international public in mid 2024, and have rapidly become widespread: 65% of people report regularly seeing AI summaries of news or other information, and the portion of people who say they are using generative AI to get information doubled in the past year. Often, however, AI summaries are simply wrong. An international study in 2025 found about half of all AI-generated summaries had at least one significant sourcing or accuracy issue  with some tools, such as Googles popular Gemini interface, that rose to 76%.

In the case of the Iran war, factcheckers say they are seeing a deluge of this kind of misleading material. As well as the Minab graveyard images, examples include Grok inaccurately suggesting to X users that video footage of fires in Tehran was actually from LA in 2017, and users citing AI analysis to misidentify a missile filmed falling next to the Minab school (numerous munitions experts say it is a US Tomahawk, a finding reinforced by fragments reportedly found at the scene and internal US briefings on the bombing).

Factcheckers now regularly have to address both a false post and also a misleading claim made by a chatbot in relation to that post, Sardarizadeh says.

Part of the problem is how LLM AI models (such as Grok, ChatGPT and Gemini) work. At a very basic level, they are probabilistic language models, constructing sentences piece by piece based on which next word has the highest likelihood of being appropriate. While that process produces convincing, authoritative-sounding sentences, it doesnt mean the AI has actually analysed the material in front of it.

AI is perceived as an omniscient entity with access to everything, but without emotions, says Tal Hagin, an open-source intelligence analyst and media literacy educator  so people tend to trust it. What you are using is actually a very advanced probability machine, not a truth box.

The problem is compounded by the authoritative way AI tends to present its findings. It will generate detailed reports, including names and dates, references and sources  the kind of material that suggests deep research and understanding, but may in fact be hallucinated or nonexistent. When the Guardian queried Geminis answer on the Minab photograph, saying I dont think thats correct, can you search again? it revised its finding  but to another incorrect location and year. I apologise for the oversight. Upon re-examining the image  this image was taken in Gaza in November 2023, it says. Told that that answer was also incorrect, and the photo was from Iran, the bot revised again  to Tehran, during the Covid pandemic. Told that the photograph was taken in Iran in 2025, it responded that it was from the aftermath of an earthquake in southern Iran.

X and Google did not respond to a request for comment. Both platforms AI services note in their small print that they may produce inaccurate results.

***

For those investigating human rights abuses, the trend poses new challenges. Chris Osieck, an independent open-source investigator who has conducted investigations into a number of civilian casualty bombings in Iran, said researchers time was being wasted debunking AI material. Debunking AI videos, for example, often involves carefully inspecting them frame by frame for visual discrepancies. That time should be devoted to what matters most: reporting on the impact this brutal war has on the people caught in the crossfire.

Related: Irans internet blackout could worsen human toll of war, say rights groups

And in cases such as Minab, where the material is demonstrably real? Researchers fear the wash of AI slop is sowing doubt in peoples minds that the atrocity they are seeing evidence of ever happened at all. As the technology continues to get better, it could muddy the waters so much that videos and images of real atrocities get dismissed as fake or AI, say Sardarizadeh.

Ive already seen examples of this in relation to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, he says.

For those who have lost loved ones, accountability risks being overshadowed by a mass of misinformation, suspicion and doubt.

At the end of the day, one should also consider what this looks like from the perspective of the families of those who were killed, Osieck says. Imagine losing a child and then seeing AI being used online to claim that the event did not happen. That is not just an obstacle for investigators. It is also deeply disrespectful to the loved ones who are grieving.
The destination matters, but so does putting one foot in front of another - Alistair Linford

When the buds and showers of April appear, according to Geoffrey Chaucer, thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages. Dame Sarah Mullally is heading off a little earlier than Chaucer suggested, but like the medieval pilgrims he wrote about in The Canterbury Tales, shes walking the 87 miles from London to Canterbury.

Pilgrimage is one of the most profound ways of deepening faith that someone can experience. Even the not particularly religious (or those who do not believe in God at all) can find that a pilgrimage gives them time and space to ponder the eternal verities.

The destination matters but its very much about the journey too. Pilgrimage is central to the story of Britain. Paths once criss-crossed the country, taking pilgrims to what they believed were sacred sites  a place where the divide between heaven and earth seems much thinner. Often they were places linked to saints and, in particular, martyrs.

Geoffrey Chaucers Canterbury Tales is one of the central works of English literature - Fine Art Photographic / Corbis Historical

Canterbury, where Thomas Becket  perhaps Mullallys best-known predecessor as Archbishop  was murdered by the Kings men in 1170, quickly became a huge centre of pilgrimage. Then there were the saints of the north-east, such as Cuthbert, who drew other devotees. In Cornwall, you can find trails across the country that people from Ireland once followed after landing on one side of the peninsula by boat.

Then, rather than sail around the treacherous, rocky seas, they trekked across Cornwall to reach the other side and then sail to Spain, drawn to Santiago de Compostela. Read any history of medieval pilgrimages and one can only marvel at the hardships of travelling vast distances people endured then, not only to places in England, but all across Europe and on to Jerusalem, to follow the via dolorosa  the apparent journey of Christ to his crucifixion.

The Reformation almost killed off pilgrimage in this country, with Henry VIII and his henchman Thomas Cromwell banning them and destroying shrines. There was disdain for what was considered exploitation: getting penitents to pay for the pardoning of sins.

The Way of St James pilgrimage in Spain leads to a shrine of the apostle in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral - Ken Scicluna/ John Warburton-Lee Photography Ltd

And even if that kind of manipulation has ceased, pilgrimage certainly remains a money spinner. Bottles of holy water in Lourdes, T-shirts of the Pope in Rome, images of St Francis with the birds in Assisi: there must be factories all over China pumping out this stuff.

Yet that doesnt destroy this form of devotion for me. Pilgrimage has taken me to Assisi, Rome, Oberammergau, Jordan, Spain and across Britain too. The destination matters but so does putting one foot in front of another, meditating each day on different readings and holy lives.

It offers that precious thing that modern life seems to crowd out constantly: time to think and to pray. Life becomes quieter, with a stillness at its centre. For to engage on a pilgrimage, you need to tear yourself away from the smartphone.

Having said that, a phone can be an ideal accessory for a pilgrim, once the pilgrimage is over. My phone is my gateway to keeping in touch with many people Ive met on pilgrimage, thanks to WhatsApp groups. Almost all these people were strangers to me before we went on pilgrimage and while we had beliefs in common, we might otherwise never have met. And, with its meals taken together and conversations long into the night, it can be terrific fun too, though Ive yet to meet someone whos the equivalent of Chaucers Wife of Bath.

The shared sense of purpose you get becomes a strong bond, a bond which, in our divided, chaotic, conflict-driven country seems increasingly rare and so increasingly precious. Amid the encircling global gloom, a few days focused on what really matters is balm for the soul.

Dame Sarah is the first Archbishop of Canterbury of modern times to go on pilgrimage as preparation for their service of installation in Canterbury Cathedral. It seems surprising that her predecessors didnt also undertake this rite of passage, but Im delighted that she is throwing the spotlight on this particular religious devotion.
In 2013, Zack Polanksi told a journalist that he could enlarge her breasts through hypnotherapy - Jonathan Brady/PA

Zack Polanskis claim that he could enlarge womens breasts through hypnotherapy has put people off voting for the Green Party, polling has shown.

A poll by More in Common found that a third (33 per cent) of voters would consider voting for the Greens.

That figure fell to 16 per cent once voters were told about remarks made by Mr Polanski, who leads the insurgent hard-Left party.

In 2013, Mr Polanski, who was a hypnotherapist on Harley Street before entering politics, offered to enlarge a Sun journalists breasts.

The Green Party leader has always claimed he was misrepresented and apologised for the comments.

Mr Polanksi said he used a BBC interview the day after the Sun article appeared to apologise.

According to the BBC, however, the corporation has been unable to locate an interview with the Greens leader from that day. Instead, the broadcaster said Mr Polanski spoke to BBC Humberside six days after the Sun article was published, in which he appeared to stand by his claim, saying: The evidence is growing.

After hearing about the controversy, the proportion of voters who said they would definitely not back the Greens rose from 39 to 54 per cent.

The polling also suggested the episode, dubbed the hypno-boob scandal, posed a particular challenge for the Greens among female voters. Only 13 per cent of women said they would consider voting for the party after hearing about Mr Polanskis comments. Meanwhile, the proportion of women who would rule out voting Green increased from 36 per cent to 56 per cent.

Among men, 19 per cent said they would still consider backing the party after being told about the controversy.

Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, said the issue could be the Green Partys Achilles heel.

He told The Telegraph: Theres no doubt Polanski has driven the Greens momentum and is attracting many disillusioned Left-wing voters to the party.

But this polling suggests the hypnosis scandal could be an Achilles heel. Female voters in particular are much less likely to say they would consider voting Green after the claims.

The good news for Polanski is only 11 per cent of voters say he is a barrier to voting for the party  but, if more people become aware of the hypnosis claims, it suggests the Green leader may have to do more to address them if he is to continue taking the party to electoral success.

The research also highlighted wider concerns among voters about the Greens on issues such as a lack of experience, defence and immigration.

A perceived lack of governing experience was the most commonly cited barrier for a reluctance to vote Green, with 28 per cent of Britons saying it put them off supporting the party.

Concerns over defence and national security were also significant, with 21 per cent saying they did not trust the Green Party on the subject. Mr Polanski has indicated he would seek diplomatic ties with Vladimir Putin and consider withdrawing Britain from Nato.

Meanwhile, 16 per cent cited the partys immigration policies as a reason not to vote for them, and 15 per cent said the Greens could not be trusted with the countrys finances.

Despite these concerns, the Greens continue to draw support from disillusioned Labour voters, as shown by last months Gorton and Denton by-election.

Among those who have switched allegiance, 39 per cent said they were motivated by the partys policies, while dissatisfaction with Labours performance was also a key factor.

A fifth of Labour-to-Green defectors said they made the switch because they liked Mr Polanski personally.
Police officers on patrol during the search of the River Wyre for Nicola Bulley in February 2023. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters (Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters)

Police and the media have backed a reset in relations between officers and journalists, after a prolonged period of distrust since the handling of the Nicola Bulley case in 2023.

Bulleys disappearance in Lancashire led to significant fallout between the police and the press, with media outlets saying a lack of access and information allowed incorrect assertions and conspiracy theories about the case to gain ground.

Senior figures on both sides also believe the reluctance of forces to engage with the media followed the 2011 Leveson inquiry into the ethics of the press.

Crime journalists say relations have become so bad that some forces do not have a phone number for a press office available on their websites.

However, a policing and media charter, launched at a Society of Editors conference in London, aims to improve relations by making it clear to officers that they can have a relationship with the media.

The charter states engagement between police in England and Wales and the media is encouraged for officers and staff of all ranks and roles if there is a policing purpose. It also commits to regular, meaningful interaction between police and recognised reporters.

Andy Marsh, the chief executive of the College of Policing, said he hoped it would mark a resetting of the relationship between the police and the media.

The Bulley case gained global interest, generating 6,500 news articles globally in a single day at its peak. On TikTok, videos that featured the hashtag of Bulleys name had 270m views.

Lancashire constabulary stated early on that there was no evidence of suspicious activity or the involvement of anyone else, adding that their working hypothesis was that she had fallen into the River Wyre.

That proved to be correct. However, an independent investigation into the cases handling found that a series of early communication failures led to external voices being able to dominate the narrative surrounding the case.

It found that a failure to brief the mainstream media on a non-reportable basis on key information, or to adequately fill the information vacuum, allowed speculation to run unchecked. Conspiracy theories took root.

Speculation and opinion from individuals outside the investigation were widely reported by the media, meaning an alternative narrative, that Bulley had not fallen in the river, drove the narrative for the general public.

It led to headlines such as Underwater expert reveals why theres no way Nicola Bulley has been washed out to sea and Nicola Bulley could have just walked away to move on with her life, claims ex-cop.

Under the charter, all police forces will be contactable by phone and forces will email press releases of national significance, while investigation updates will be released as soon as possible to prevent social media speculation and misinformation.

Police family liaison officers and press officers will also support relatives to speak to the media directly when they wish to do so.

Also speaking at the conference, the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said she wanted to future proof the BBC by ensuring that its royal charter does not end should a deal over its funding fail to be reached.

A permanent charter is one of the early demands of the BBCs leadership. The corporation currently has to renew its charter every 10 years.

Nandy said this would never be accepted for the NHS, so should not be accepted for the BBC, either.
Clarification on Meningitis Advice following confirmation of Kent strain

The Director of Public Health has issued a clarification on advice for students and parents, following the confirmation that the strain currently circulating in Kent and the Canterbury outbreak is Meningitis B.

There are currently two different vaccines available that offer protection against various strains of meningitis.

Meningitis B vaccine

For people born in 2015 or after, vaccination against Meningitis B is offered at age 2 months, 3 months and 13 months. No booster is required and protection is lifelong.

This means that university age students will not have been vaccinated against Meningitis B and this vaccine is not currently routinely offered by the GHA or the UK NHS.

The UK Government this afternoon announced a targeted vaccine campaign for University of Kent students. The GHA will also offer Meningitis B vaccines free of charge in Gibraltar to any student of the University of Kent studying in the affected campus who has not previously had the vaccine or who is not able to receive it in the UK before returning to Gibraltar for the Easter break.

Meningitis ACWY vaccine

The Meningitis ACWY vaccine is given to school children in Year 9, and those who didnt receive it were sent a reminder in their final school year 13.

Students who have already received the Meningitis ACWY vaccine do not need to be vaccinated again.

Although these strains are not currently known to be circulating in the Kent / Canterbury outbreak, it is important to be up to date with vaccination against them because these strains are the most common among university-age students.

Check your vaccination status

Students and parents can check their vaccination status by contacting the GHA Child Health Department:

 by calling 200 03351 between 8am - 12pm on weekdays

 by calling 200 07962 between 8am  4pm on weekdays

 by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Arrange a vaccination

The GHA is encouraging any Gibraltar students who have not yet received the Meningitis ACWY vaccine to consider arranging vaccination while they are in Gibraltar during the Easter holidays, before returning to university.

Meningitis ACWY (all students) and Meningitis B vaccines (for University of Kent students only) can be arranged through the Primary Care Centre by calling 200 66966 between 9am and 3pm on weekdays.

The Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Carter, said: I strongly encourage all university age students to check their vaccination status and arrange for any necessary vaccines whilst in Gibraltar for the Easter break.

Its important to emphasise that there are no known cases linked to Gibraltar and the risk remains relatively low. However, because most university age students will yet not be protected against Meningitis B, it is important to stay informed of local advice in your area, know the symptoms and call 111 for medical advice as soon as these develop. I strongly encourage all University of Kent students from the affected campus to get vaccinated against Meningitis B as soon as possible, either in the UK or here in Gibraltar.

Call 111 as soon as any of the following symptoms develop:

 rash

 fever

 severe headache

 vomiting

 light sensitivity

 neck stiffness
Pope Leo XIV, the first Americanborn pontiff, will take part virtually in the United States 250th anniversary celebrations  having previously declined an invitation from the Trump administration to attend Fourth of July events in person.

The 70-year-old is scheduled to receive the 38th annual Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center on July 3, and will deliver virtual remarks to a crowd outside the center on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, the nonprofit announced Monday. Created in 1988 and hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006, the Liberty Medal honors individuals and organizations whose courage and conviction advance freedom worldwide. Past recipients include U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, world leaders, lawmakers, and cultural figures like Muhammad Ali and Ken Burns.

Despite the prestigious honor and invitations from President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, the Vatican confirmed that Leo will not visit the U.S. this year. Instead, he will spend July 4 on Lampedusa, a Mediterranean island and destination on what has become one of the worlds deadliest migration routes, according to a Reuters report. The late Pope Francis visited the island in 2013.

Leo has previous called for deep reflection about the treatment of detained migrants under the Trump administration, PBS reports, saying many people who have lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what is going on right now.

In November, he also hit out at the extremely disrespectful treatment of migrants in the U.S.

Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV has faced pushback from the Trump administration over his comments on immigration. (Getty Images)

"We have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have. If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. There's a system of justice," the Chicago-born Pontiff said, according to NPR.

"No one has said that the United States should have open borders," he continues.

Last month, Trumps top immigration official, Tom Homan, criticized Leo for questioning U.S. immigration policy, saying the Church should address its own issues first. Homan defended border enforcement, claiming it saves lives, and that the Vactican City had stricter penalties.

Bottom line is, if we jump the wall of the Vatican, the penalties for doing that are much harder than ones here in United States, Homan said.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
Labour are putting closer alignment with EU at the centre of their agenda - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing

It was always naive to believe that Labour, once back in government, would give up on its ambition to restore Britains rightful place at the heart of the European Union.

I recall the peculiar sight of near-hysterical sorrow among Labour MPs on the morning after the referendum. A party that once prided itself on knowing exactly what its voters thought, and why, suddenly found itself regarding them with undisguised contempt.

Today we regularly hear from senior cabinet ministers that Britain must get closer to the EU. The latest to set that particular hare running was the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who delivered a set-piece speech today at this years Mais Lecture at Bayes Business School in London.

Culturally, Labour is simply not equipped to discuss Brexit impartially. If it must be mentioned, it should always be in disparaging terms. And so Reeves duly criticised Brexit for creating profound uncertainty and rais[ing] new barriers for trade, warning that there is now a risk that Britain is stranded between powerful trading blocs.

This was miles away, politically and linguistically, from the advance briefing of her speech, which suggested she placed some importance on Britains power to shape its own future. It turns out that such a future can only be shaped in the shadow of the EU.

There are areas in which regulatory autonomy may be necessary for sectors with unique characteristics or strategic importance for the UK, but that should be the exception, not the norm, she said, adding that to get this right, we must work more closely with businesses, both here and across Europe.

Just as every major speech before an international audience must include criticism of Brexit and adoration of the EU, so it must also include an unnecessary and irrelevant jab at that peculiar three-month blip in British political history known as the Truss government, though to what ends no one is quite sure.

Nevertheless, it was a box she was happy to tick, describing Kwasi Kwartengs mini-Budget a final, doomed, fanatical attempt at taking a sugar rush out of a broken economic model. Its almost as if Labour sees battalions of Truss supporters seeking to justify that strange period, when in fact everyone just wants to forget it happened at all. Well, we should be glad Reeves got that out of her system. Again.

The Chancellor went on to state what anyone paying attention in the last 18 months would have no doubt about: that this Government believes in an interventionist state. In that vein she welcomed the Governments Employment Rights Act as being about dignity, security and providing fairness for working people.

Continuing on that thread, she emphasised that the state has a role in protecting jobs from AI and announced a new AI economics institute, which will examine the technologys impact on the economy and labour market. She also set Britain a target of having the fastest uptake of AI in the G7.

But it was of course Labours aspirations to be popular again among EU leaders that formed the centrepiece of Reevess speech. This meant emphasising the negative impact Brexit may have had on the economy, although it is perhaps significant that when she talks about almost any other economic metric in any other context, Reeves is precise to the decimal point. But when it comes to the damage she claims Brexit has wrought, she claims there is evidence that the GDP impact could be as much as 8 per cent.

There is evidence. Could be. As high as. Why the sudden imprecision, I wonder?

Still, at least were not rejoining, she assured us. Which is odd. After all, if she really believes that being outside the EU was that disastrous for our economy, wouldnt any chancellor be committed to doing anything  literally anything  to repair that damage? Unless  and hear me out here  Britains growth, or lack of it, has nothing to do with the EU and more to do with decisions taken at Westminster by the Treasury. Hmm. An intriguing theory.
Satellite images are giving a glimpse into the toll of the Iran war, with ships ablaze in an Iranian port and destroyed buildings at an American base.

Information has so far been scarce about the damage being done across the Middle East, particularly when its inside closed military facilities, since the start of the war on Feb. 28.

The images come from Planet Labs PBC, a San Francisco-based firm used by media outlets, including The Associated Press. Planet Labs has put a two-week delay on its imagery becoming public citing concerns its imagery could be used by adversarial actors.

High-resolution images also have been published by competing firms. Other providers, like the U.S. Geological Survey, have been publishing lower-resolution imagery as well thats been useful.

The U.S. and Israel have been striking a wide variety of targets, including leadership figures, military bases, missile and air defense sites and positions of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its volunteer force, the Basij. Iran has responded with drone and missile fire targeting Israel and nearby Gulf Arab nations.

Heres a look at whats visible in a selection of Planet Labs pictures, as well as others.

Burning ships in Bandar Abbas, Iran

Some of the most dramatic images from Planet Labs so far have been in Bandar Abbas, home to a major Iranian military port next to the crucial Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Images taken on March 2 show ships ablaze at the port.

The U.S. militarys Central Command has been targeting Irans naval assets and says it has sank or damaged more than 100 Iranian vessels so far in the war.

A satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows fires burning on a ship after a U.S. military attack on a port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, March 2, 2026 (Planet Labs PBC)

This satellite image shows fires burning on ships after a U.S. military attack on a port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, March 2, 2026 (Planet Labs PBC)

Major impact at 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain

The island kingdom of Bahrain, home of the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, has seen heavy Iranian fire targeting both military bases and oil installations.

A March 1 image shot by Planet Labs shows a major building at the base destroyed, as well as two radomes  geodesic domes covering radar antennas  likely by Iranian missile and drone fire.

The Navy has not offered a clear breakdown in the damage done so far at the base, but Iran has repeatedly claimed it have attacked it. Online videos have also shown incoming fire targeting the base. During the 12-day war in June, Iran attacked and destroyed a similar radome at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar used for secure communications.

French naval base hit in Abu Dhabi

French naval base Camp de la Paix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 18, 2026 (Planet Labs PBC)

Damage to a French naval base called Camp de la Paix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 3, 2026 (Planet Labs PBC)

In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, theres damage seen at France's Camp de la Paix naval base. Satellite images from March 3 show damage to two large hangar-like buildings at the facility.

The base is near Zayed Port, in Abu Dhabi, and close to its Cultural District that includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi and other major museums both open and still under construction.

Fires seen burning

A fire burns after an Iranian drone attack targeting the Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, March 16, 2026 (U.S. Geological Survey)

A fire burns days after a suspected Iranian attack targeting the port in Salalah, Oman, Monday, March 16, 2026 (U.S. Geological Survey)

The U.S. Geological Surveys Landsat satellites also have been key in spotting major fires. Imagery from Landsat taken on Monday showed a fire at Dubai International Airport after an Iranian drone strike set a fuel tanker ablaze at the worlds busiest airport for international travel, causing a plume of noxious black smoke.

Another fire was also seen on Monday at Oman's southern port in Salalah, which came under attack from suspected Iranian drones on March 11, though Tehran has denied it launched them in its campaign targeting Gulf Arab states.

The fire apparently has been burning since then.

A combination picture shows satellite imagery of Kharg Island, Iran, before U.S. strikes, on February 25, 2026 (top) and the damage after U.S. strikes amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, on March 14, 2026 (bottom) (via REUTERS)
One victim was found at the scene and airlifted to a hospital (AP)

A gunman was shot and killed Tuesday in a shooting at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in a small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains in Georgia.

Jasper police were sent to the VA clinic around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officers confronted the gunman, who was shot and killed, authorities said.

The gunman who was killed is from the Jasper area, Jasper Police Chief Matt Dawkins told reporters at the scene. Details about him were not immediately released.

We dont know what led up to it, Dawkins said.

Officers had responded to a report of shots fired at the clinic, the chief said. The suspect was shot outside the clinic.

Jasper police responded to the VA clinic at around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and located a suspected shooter (ap)

Everybody in there, as far as I know, nobody else is injured, the people inside, just one victim, Dawkins said.

He did not share additional details, but said the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be investigating along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

When asked about the suspects background, a Pickens County sheriffs spokesman said he did not know whether he had a military background.

Calls to the Pickens County VA clinic were routed to various recordings on Tuesday afternoon and no one answered the phone.

The outpatient clinic in Jasper offers services that include primary care and specialty health services, including laboratory, telehealth and mental health care, according to its website.

Jasper, a town of about 5,000 people, is roughly 60 miles (97 km) north of downtown Atlanta. Signs on a highway through the town call it Georgias First Mountain City as the Blue Ridge Mountains come into view as motorists from Atlanta head north.

Photos from the local newspaper, the Pickens Progress, showed more than a half-dozen law enforcement officers responding to the scene, wearing tactical vests near a strip mall in the town.

The clinic opened in the summer of 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in a news release announcing its grand opening.

The new Pickens County VA Clinic will increase access and ensure that our Veterans continue to receive the high-quality health care that they have earned and deserve closer to their home, officials said in the release.
Wes Streeting has defended the response to an unprecedented meningitis outbreak that has left two people dead as health officials ramp up vaccinations to contain the spread of the infection.

The health secretary said he was confident the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had acted as quickly and as comprehensively as possible after it was criticised for not acting quickly enough to alert the public.

On Tuesday morning, the number of confirmed cases in the outbreak had risen from 13 to 15, as officials confirmed it was fuelled by the meningitis B strain of the virus, likely to have been passed on at a super-spreader event. All patients are in hospital, and infections have now been linked to the University of Kent and at least four schools, with a case at a fifth school under investigation.

A targeted vaccination drive for students at the University of Kent has been urgently rolled out, while 700 doses of antibiotics have been distributed to help prevent further spread.

Health chiefs say they have never seen such a rapid spread of cases of meningitis, blaming a super-spreader event for the surge in numbers.

Susan Hopkins, chief executive of the the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said in 35 years it was the highest number of cases she had seen in one weekend with this type of infection.

This looks like a super-spreader event, with ongoing spread within the halls of residence in the universities, she said. There will have been some parties particularly around this, so there will have been lots of social mixing.

It's the explosive nature that is unprecedented here.

And Englands deputy chief medical officer Dr Thomas Waite said: This is by far the quickest-growing outbreak Ive ever seen in my career.

Five schools in Kent have had meningitis cases, and one patient who travelled to London is now in hospital there, the Department for Health and Social Care confirmed to The Independent.

Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent in Canterbury on Monday (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Officials say all the cases were linked to Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury and the University of Kent.

Revealing a timeline of the outbreak, which has claimed the lives of an 18-year-old school pupil, Juliette, and an unnamed 21-year-old university student, Mr Streeting said the UKHSA was informed of the first case on Friday and traced that persons close contacts, offering prophylactic antibiotics as a matter of urgency.

He said on Saturday, French health authorities alerted the UKHSA to a second case, in France, of a person who had attended the University of Kent. At the time, both lived in private accommodation, and the link between the two is unknown.

However, on Saturday, further people with meningitis symptoms were identified at local hospitals by 7pm, but the public health alert was not issued until 6pm on Sunday.

Mr Streeting said: This is an unprecedented outbreak. It is also a rapidly developing situation.

It is important that the House [of Commons] and wider public understand, even before the public health alert was issued, students and young people who had been in close contact were being offered antibiotics. This is precisely what you would expect in a rapid response, and I am confident UKHSA acted as quickly and as comprehensively as possible.

The UKHSA has announced a targeted vaccination programme for students living at Canterbury halls of residence, but a surge in demand for those seeking private vaccines has left some pharmacies in Kent running out of supplies, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said.

There were also online reports of pharmacies allegedly price-gouging on vaccines and offering them for several hundred pounds. But Mr Streeting said health authorities did not advise people to buy vaccines privately and said it was immoral for companies to profiteer in this situation.

The MenB vaccine has been available on the NHS since 2015 as part of routine childhood immunisations given to babies, but that means many school children and university students are not vaccinated.

Students queuing for antibiotics at the University of Kent on Monday (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Mr Streeting has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to re-examine eligibility for meningitis vaccines for a wider group of people after it previously ruled a MenB catch-up campaign for older children was not cost-effective.

Although a targeted vaccine rollout is recommended in this instance, epidemiologists have said the MenB vaccine is too expensive and doesnt stop transmission.

It is an expensive vaccine, and there are better things to spend the NHS budget on, Keith Neal, professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, told The Independent.

He said: The vaccine does not cover all group B strains. Unlike the ACWY vaccine, which stops people carrying the bacteria, the B vaccine does not prevent carriage.

While the full scale of the outbreak is not yet known, with some cases still under investigation, one vaccine expert said it was unlikely to spread across the country because the rollout of antibiotics would kill the bug in [peoples] noses and throats, and so it stops them getting sick and stops them infecting other people.

Prof Adam Finn, a former member of the JCVI, told The Independent: As long as people get them [antibiotics], it [the outbreak] will snuff out. Theres a bit of a Covid-19-style panic going on; however, it's not going to go shooting around the country There might be more cases, and there might be cases elsewhere where people have gone home or moved, but it's not going to turn out to be an explosive thing.

Ian Jones, professor of virology at Reading University, told The Independent: I dont think the worry can be avoided, but it is not the pattern for meningitis outbreaks. They are time and place situations that are treated and then return to baseline levels. So, its unlikely to spread, but we need to reinforce the symptoms advice until this has passed.

However, experts have also highlighted that not enough is known about the type of meningitis B that has been identified and whether there are some mutations causing more severe illness.

Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: Its a tricky pathogen to handle because there are so many different types, and there may be something about this specific serotype in this outbreak that is causing it to behave differently, which is why were seeing so many severe cases.

Health officials said genome sequencing to determine the specific variant of the MenB strain was being carried out.
Timothee Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides amid scenes of intergalactic war and bloody battles in a first-look trailer for Dune: Part Three.

The upcoming film is the final instalment in the hit sci-fi franchise, and will take place 17 years after the events of the second film as it follows the consequences of Atreides rise as galactic emperor.

The dramatic, war-ridden trailer was released by Warner Bros on Tuesday and opens with the Hollywood star, 30, in an embrace with his partner Chani, played by Zendaya.

The pair discuss what they would call their baby, and Chani says: If we have a girl, what would we name her?

Atreides says he would call their daughter Ghanima, which is a name native to the fictional Fremen people in the film, meaning spoils of war.

He adds: She would need to be strong like her mother.

Chani then says if the pair have a boy, she would name him Leto so that he would have the wisdom of his grandfather.

The trailer then shows a glimpse of a babys head, before cutting to Atreides in body armour and wielding a sword while his voice can be heard saying: War feeds on itself.

Atreides is then seen in conversation with his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and says: The more I fight, the more enemies fight back.

Chanting can then be heard in the background as clips show British actress Florence Pugh reprising her role as Princess Irulan, removing the hood of her cloak.

Another clip shows Robert Pattinson sporting a platinum blond buzzcut and staring menacingly in his role as Scytale, who is a new addition to the films and is described as wanting to dethrone Atreides.

As the chanting grows louder, the trailer leads into scenes of violence and fighting and Chalamets voice whispers: Im doing the best I can to protect my family.

The chanting stops and cuts back to Atreides speaking to Lady Jessica, and he asks: How did father do it?

To which she responds: Your father never started a war.

The trailer then cuts to more gory scenes of battle, war and fighting and shows a glimpse of American actress Anya Taylor-Joy, who will be joining the star-studded cast as Atreides sister Alia.

US star Jason Momoa is also seen in the trailer at the centre of the action, during a fight scene, as Hayt, a resurrection of his character Duncan Idaho who died in the first film.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem will return as Stilgar for Dune: Part Three.

Chalamets character then climbs to the top of a plinth in front of a crowd, and in a voiceover he says: Im not afraid to die. But I must not die, yet.

The trailer ends with a dramatic clip of Chani running towards an unseen adversary, before fading to black.

In between clips, text on screen reads: This December, experience the epic conclusion of the Dune trilogy.

The film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is the third instalment in the franchise, which is based on the eponymous 1960s sci-fi novel series by author Frank Herbert.

Dune: Part Three is set to be released in cinemas across the UK on December 18.
Tina Fey will host the inaugural UK show on Saturday (Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

US comedian Tina Fey will host the first episode of the highly anticipated UK edition of Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Fifty Shades Of Grey actor Jamie Dornan and Four Lions star Riz Ahmed have also been unveiled as hosts of the following two shows.

Fey, 55, who previously served as head writer and a lead cast member on the US sketch show, will launch the series on March 21. Isle of Wight indie band Wet Leg is confirmed as the musical guest.

Northern Irish actor Dornan, 43, is scheduled to host on March 28, with Brit Award-winning rock band Wolf Alice performing.

Ahmed, also 43, will follow on April 4, featuring 2000s indie stalwarts Kasabian.

Jamie Dornan will host the show on March 28 (Getty Images)

SNL UK will be broadcast live from London every Saturday night at 10pm on Sky. Each 75-minute episode will feature a different host alongside the shows inaugural cast.

The cast will be made up of Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

It comes after the writers for the shows first-ever official UK edition were announced, including 8 Out of 10 Cats writer Charlie Skelton, who will serve as the head writer for the satirical news segment, The Weekend Update.

Riz Ahmed will host April 4s show which will also feature 2000s indie stalwarts Kasabian (Alberto Pezzali/Invision/AP)

He will be joined by Stath Lets Flats actor and comedian Al Roberts, Have I Got News For Yous Bella Hull and comedians Celya AB, Chris Cantrill, Grainne Maguire, Humphrey Ker and James Farmer.

The series head writer, Jonno Johnson, said: The number of funny, talented writers we have got to work on SNL UK is ludicrous.

Some of them have been doing this for years, some of them its their first ever writing job.

All of them make me giddy to come to work each day. Could not imaginably feel luckier that we get to make this show together.

The shows US version has been running since 1975, and is responsible for launching the careers of the likes of Fey, Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy.

Saturday Night Live UK will launch on Sky and streaming service Now every Saturday from March 21, and will also be available on catch-up.
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Trump admin threatens to withhold HIV medication to Zambia unless demands are met, report says

The Trump administration is considering cutting HIV relief to Zambia if the country fails to meet a list of demands, according to a new report.

Key to those demands is the U.S. receiving more access to Zambias natural minerals, according to The New York Times.

An estimated 1.3 million people in Zambia rely on antiretroviral medications, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. Forty-two percent of those drugs are provided through PEPFAR, the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a U.S. HIV/AIDS relief scheme.

However, that assistance could be significantly cut as soon as May, according to a draft memo prepared for Secretary of State Marco Rubio by his departments Bureau of African Affairs.

We will only secure our priorities by demonstrating willingness to publicly take support away from Zambia on a massive scale, reads the memo, which was seen by the Times.

The Trump administration is threatening to cut HIV/AIDS relief to Zambia, if the country fails to meet its demands (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

PEPFAR has seen the United States investing over $110 billion in its global HIV/AIDS response since it was signed into law in 2003, according to the State Departments own figures. It has saved an estimated 26 million lives.

Zambia has been one of the main recipients of PEPFAR, receiving more than $6 billion over the last two decades, according to the U.S. Embassy in Zambia.

The program provides financial support for medications that prevent babies from being infected with HIV at birth, as well as other drugs and health services.

Under the draft proposal of the new deal, seen by the Times, the U.S. would provide Zambia with $1 billion in health funding over five years. That is less than half of the amount given to the southern African country for health assistance before Trumps second term began.

The deal comes with the caveat that Zambia commits $340 million of its own money to new health funding.

Zambia would also be required to give U.S. companies greater access to its huge reserves of lithium, copper and cobalt. This would, by extension, end what the United States sees as Chinas preferential access to Zambian mines, the Times reports. The third piece of the agreement would reportedly also force negotiations over mining industry regulations.

According to the memo, the Zambian government has until May to agree to the deal.

A draft memo prepared for Marco Rubio discussed the potential use of sticks in getting Zambia to agree to the USs demands (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

If the country does not agree to the proposals - which the memo admits may require the potential use of sticks - then sharp public cuts to American foreign assistance would significantly demonstrate to aid-receiving countries the seriousness of our interest in collaboration and our insistence on tangible benefits under our America First foreign policy.

Some Zambians fear that cutting the U.S. slashing its HIV relief could have devastating consequences.

Julius Kachidza, who lives with HIV, told the Times that the country would struggle to meet the demand for drugs.

An estimated 1.3 million people rely on HIV medications in Zambia (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

If this agreement is not signed, if the funding is not here for the next five years, government has got no capacity to respond to that immediate impact, he said.

It could be quite a disaster, especially to me, Kachidza, whose son was also born with the virus, added. And the majority of people living with HIV in Zambia.

The Independent has approached the State Department for comment.
Donald Trump pointed to the bust of Churchill in the Oval Office as he criticised Sir Keir Starmer - Jim WATSON / AFP

Donald Trump has attacked the BBC over its corrupt and fraudulent coverage of the Iran war.

In a fresh attack on the broadcaster, the US president said the BBCs reporting was unbelievable. At the same press conference, he also blamed Sir Keir Starmer for the decline of the special relationship.

Mr Trump is embroiled in a legal battle with the BBC after The Telegraph revealed that a Panorama documentary had doctored his Jan 6 2021 speech to supporters, making it appear that he had encouraged the Capitol Hill riot.

With criticism of the BBCs Iran coverage increasing in America, John Simpson, its world affairs editor, also provoked outrage by describing Tehrans security chief Ali Larijani, who was complicit in the mass murder of protesters and who was assassinated overnight by Israel, as reasonable.

At his press conference in the Oval Office, Mr Trump told reporters: If you watch the BBC, its almost like theyre fighting us to a draw.

Describing its coverage as fake news, he added: Its corrupt, fraudulent. It really is. Its fraudulent. Its not just fake. Its beyond fake. Its really criminal what they do.

On Tuesday, Israel announced that it had assassinated Larijani, widely considered the day-to-day leader of the regime and second-in-command to Irans supreme leader. In the evening, Tehran confirmed his death.

Simpson, a BBC veteran, criticised the killing. He posted on X:

Simpson post

Just under four hours later, Simpson deleted the post, claiming it was being interpreted wrongly.

The row between Mr Trump and the BBC underlines a widening rift between Washington and London as the White House grows increasingly frustrated with the Prime Ministers refusal to commit British forces to the Gulf.

At the press conference, held to mark St Patricks Day, Mr Trump blamed Sir Keir for the decline of the special relationship.

Pointing to the bust of Churchill in the Oval Office, he criticised the Prime Ministers leadership and his refusal to send warships to open the Strait of Hormuz.

We have a tremendous relationship with the UK, he said, gesturing towards the bust as he spoke. People would say its the best, I dont want to get into that. It was the longest and oldest, it always was the best before Keir came along.

Mr Trump has called for allies to send warships and minesweepers to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, but his demands have been rebuffed, with Nato countries, including Britain, resisting calls to send military assistance to reopen the crucial shipping route.

The Telegraph understands that in an apparent attempt to save face with Washington, Britain is in talks to send ships to the strait  but only after Iran and the US strike a peace deal.

As the war in the Middle East entered its 18th day, Mr Trump insisted he did not need an alliance to win it and to clear the strait, which has become a deadly choke point in the conflict.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Iran hawk and ally of the president, said Mr Trump had never been so angry at his European allies.

But there was also division within Mr Trumps circle, as Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre became the first senior administration official to resign over the war in Iran.

In an open letter to Mr Trump, Mr Kent warned the US president he had been deceived by Israel into launching the war, even though Iran posed no imminent threat and risked American lives.

On Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, ruled out France taking part in operations until the situation has calmed down.

The Telegraph understands that the Royal Navy could be enlisted to enforce a ceasefire under plans for an escort system suggested by the French president.

On Tuesday, Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, told MPs that Britain would look to strike some kind of negotiated agreement that would contain and constrain the threat from Iran after the end of the war.

She suggested the UK would help defend civilian shipping traffic, which carries around 20 per cent of the worlds oil, from ballistic missiles, drones and Irans proxies.

It is understood that the UK could join an international service to escort oil tankers, but no final decision has been made.

Ms Cooper said: As this conflict eases or ends, we will need some kind of negotiated agreement to contain and constrain those threats for the future  from ballistic missiles, drones, proxies, and its nuclear programme and to safeguard international shipping.

Sir Keir, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, and Ms Cooper are engaged in parallel discussions about how to de-escalate the current conflict and how to maintain peace if a negotiated solution is reached.

The discussions include allies in Europe, Asia, the Gulf and the US.

The talks coincided with the assassination of Larijani by Israel on Monday. He was last seen marching through Tehran with senior officials on Friday, in defiance of Israeli and US bombs.

A funeral in Tehran as strikes on the Iranian capital continue - AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty

Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, said on Tuesday that Larijani, the secretary of Irans national security council, had been eliminated in a precision strike.

The Israel Defense Forces said it had bombed security headquarters in Tehran, including those belonging to the Iranian intelligence ministry and its Basij paramilitary force.

1803 Iranian command structure

Mr Trump sued the BBC in December for $10bn (7.45bn) after The Telegraph revealed it had doctored his January 2021 speech.

Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported the BBC had mistakenly altered a speech by Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, on the war in Iran.

BBC Persian, which broadcasts to audiences inside Iran, mistranslated remarks by Mr Hegseth, telling viewers he said Washington was bringing death to the Iranian people.

In fact, Mr Hegseth had said the Iranian regime was being targeted. The BBC later issued a correction.
Donald Trump accidentally called Gavin Newsom the president of the United States whilst he was insulting his intelligence.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday (16 March), Mr Trump said that the Governor of Californias dyslexia makes him not fit for the White House. I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK?

Mr Trump then said: The president of the United States, Gavin Newscum [Trumps insulting nickname for Newsom] admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia everything about him is dumb.

Mr Newsom later mocked the slip-up online. NO THANK YOU, WE BELIEVE IN FREE ELECTIONS! the California leader wrote on X.
Works in progress on new College site

On Friday, Minister for Education John Cortes visited the site of the new Gibraltar College at Europa Point, where works are well underway.

This project will deliver a modern, purpose-built campus with expanded classrooms, specialist workshops and improved learning spaces designed to support students and adult learners alike.

The new College will provide the facilities and opportunities that our young people deserve, strengthening further and adult education and ensuring that Gibraltar continues to invest in skills, training and opportunity for the future.

Fridays visit demonstrates what many already know  this project is real, it is happening, and it is moving forward.

Minister for Education, the Hon John Cortes, said: While others may prefer to criticise from the sidelines, we remain focused on delivering real improvements to education and skills training in Gibraltar. The new Gibraltar College will mark a new era in further education in Gibraltar, which will benefit our young people and our community as a whole.
Trumps counterterrorism chief, whose own wife was killed by ISIS, quits over Iran War saying Tehran posed no imminent threat

Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, has resigned from his post over President Donald Trumps decision to take the U.S. to war with Iran.

Kent announced the move in a post on X, writing he could not in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran because Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation.

He added that it was clear that the U.S. war on Iran had been started due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. In an accompanying resignation letter addressed to Trump, Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media of having deployed a misinformation campaign to undermine Trumps policies and  encourage a war with Iran.

He told Trump that an echo chamber had been used to deceive him into believing Iran had been an imminent threat to the U.S. and that attacking would lead to a clear path to a swift victory.

This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again, said Kent, the former U.S. Army special forces soldier and CIA operator.

Kent referenced his history as a combat veteran  and as a widower whose Navy cryptanalyst wife had been killed in an ISIS bombing in Syria  while stating that he could not support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives, though he did so with the use of further antisemitic tropes by suggesting that the U.S. and NATO campaign against ISIS had been manufactured by Israel.

Continuing to address Trump directly, Kent continued: I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos.

Joe Kent has quit his post as head of the National Counterterrorism Center (Office of the Director of National Intelligence)

You hold the cards, he added.

The former Army warrant officers decision to quit his post comes less than a year after the Senate narrowly confirmed him after a bruising, six-month confirmation battle where Democratic senators  including those from his home state of Washington  slammed him as patently unqualified and called him a conspiracy theorist who espouses white supremacist views.

While his confirmation was pending before the Senate, he joined the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as a senior aide to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

He was one of the Trump administration officials who participated in a now-infamous March 2025 Signal chat started by then-White House National Security Adviser Mike Walz that inadvertently included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic while participants discussed classified war plans.

Two months later, Kent reportedly used his authority as a senior aide to Gabbard to pressure intelligence analysts to change an assessment of purported links between the Venezuelan government and the street gang Tren de Aragua so it better aligned with the Trump administrations policies.

His time in the administration followed a stint as a foreign policy adviser to Trumps 2020 campaign and a four-year span during which he ran two losing campaigns for a Washington congressional seat.

During one campaign, Kent was accused of spreading conspiracy theories after he called the Covid vaccine an experimental gene therapy and had to disavow past associations with known white nationalists such as groyper activist Nick Fuentes.

Kents resignation from his position atop the terrorism center comes as the joint U.S.-Israeli aerial war against Tehran continues into its third consecutive week with no apparent end in sight.

His resignation letter claimed that Israeli officials had deceived Trump into attacking Iran, though it echoes longstanding antisemitic tropes, and is likely to bring fresh scrutiny to the Trump administrations shifting justifications for the war.

The US strikes on Iran started in late February and are now stretching into their third week (Getty)

Initially, the strikes were framed as necessary to prevent Iranian efforts to rebuild a nuclear weapons program Trump has claimed to have obliterated with bunker-busting munitions last June.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on March 5 that the decision to attack was made to preemptively degrade Tehrans ability to retaliate against American bases after an attack by Israel.

Rubio, who also serves as Trumps national security adviser, said at the time that the administration knew there was going to be an Israeli action that would precipitate an attack against American forces that would have been far more deadly if the U.S. did not preemptively go after them.

But that same day, Trump contradicted Rubios statements during a media availability at the White House after he was asked if Israel had forced his hand with their own attack plans.

Based on the way that the negotiations was going, I think that they were going to attack first. And I didn't want that to happen, Trump said. So if anything, I might have forced Israel's hand. But Israel was ready and we were ready.

He also told reporters it was his opinion that they were going to attack first.

They were going to attack if we didn't do it. They were going to attack first, I felt strongly about that, he said.

The now-former Trump loyalists decision also highlights tensions within Trumps Make America Great Again movement over his decision to launch what could be a costly and long foreign entanglement after years of campaigning against involving America in new foreign wars.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt savaged her ex-administration colleague in a long post on X in which she alleged that his resignation letter contained many false claims and scoffed at his allegation that Tehran had not been an imminent threat to the U.S.

She claimed Trump had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first ... compiled from many sources and factors and stressed that the president would never make the decision to deploy military assets against a foreign adversary in a vacuum.

The Commander-in-Chief determines what does and does not constitute a threat, because he is the one constitutionally empowered to do so - and because the American people went to the ballot box and entrusted him and him alone to make such final judgments, Leavitt wrote.

She also mocked Kents absurd allegation that Trump had been misled by Israel or lobbied on Israels behalf as insulting and laughable.

Asked about Kents decision to exit the administration during an appearance in the Oval Office alongside Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Trump called his former employee a nice guy who was very weak on security despite having nominated him to lead a key institution in Americas counterterrorism infrastructure.

It's a good thing that he's out, because he said that Iran was not a threat, he said.
Days after demanding help from NATO and other U.S. allies to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump now says the U.S. doesnt need any help after his pleas were uniformly rejected.

Asked about his progress in obtaining help to protect oil tankers that have been threatened by Iran as a result of the war he launched just over two weeks ago, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday: Well, we don't need too much help, and we don't need any help.

Speaking alongside Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin during a bilateral meeting to mark the Irish leaders traditional Saint Patricks Day visit to Washington, Trump claimed NATO member states had been very much in favor of his decision to unilaterally take the U.S. to war and repeated his oft-used talking point about having decimated Irans military with a punishing air campaign.

He also expressed astonishment that NATO allies would not heed his demand for assistance, citing his frequently used description of the alliance as a sort of protection racket in which member states should aid U.S. forces because of Americas troop presence in Europe.

Despite the fact that we help them so much ... they don't want to help us, which is amazing, he said.

Donald Trump said the 32-member NATO bloc is making a very foolish mistake by not aiding the U.S. war against Iran. He spoke out against the group not offering assistance while meeting with Irish leader Micheal Martin at the White House (AFP via Getty Images)

He added that the alliance is making a very foolish mistake and again repeated his claim that his call for assistance was a test.

The presidents Oval Office diatribe followed a similarly worded Truth Social post issued moments before the meeting with Martin where Trump said hed always thought the NATO alliance to be a one way street, complaining that we will protect them while allies will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need while seemingly ignorant of the fact that the only time the North Atlantic Treatys mutual defense provision has been invoked was to defend the U.S. after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington by al-Qaeda.

He claimed the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign had eliminated Irans navy, air force and air defense network as well as most of the countrys leadership at virtually every level.

Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need,i or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID, he added.

His assertion that the U.S. does not need any assistance to protect commercial shipping in the strait  a key choke point for a fifth of the worlds oil supply  comes just days after he urged China, France, Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint to send ships to escort oil tankers after Iran effectively blockaded the narrow waterway.

Multiple ships have been struck by projectiles since the start of the war on February 28, while Iran has allowed tankers serving China and India to pass unmolested because they are carrying Iranian oil.

The result has been economic upheaval, with global oil prices skyrocketing and gasoline prices following suit in rapid succession.

The US war against Iran is now in its third week (Getty Images)

Though Trump warned that a failure to assist would be "very bad for the future of NATO, not a single alliance member has offered ships or any other assistance.

On Monday, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there were ongoing conversations about working out a viable plan but said securing the strait would be not easy and not straightforward without ending the conflict.

The German government has also declined, with a spokesperson stating that the war had nothing to do with NATO and Defense Minister Boris Pistorious asking in response:  "What does Trump expect from a handful of European frigates that the powerful U.S. navy cannot do?"

"This is not our war. We have not started it, he added.

While French President Emmanuel Macron has also said hes attempting to form a coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the strait, he has stressed that such actions can only move forward after the hottest phase of the war has ended.
tHE Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E Petersen Jr (DDG 121) fires Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles during operations in support of Operation Epic Fury - US Navy

Ali Larijanis scalp is the latest to be taken in the US-Israeli war against Iran, a conflict that has seen a greater scale of regime decapitation than any in history. Larijanis death may be a pivot point in this war. Officially chief of national security, he had actually been running the country and its war effort since even before Khameneis death. He was the last senior figure with the clout and expertise to hold together a largely shattered political and military command structure. There were always power struggles within the regime but they have been dramatically intensified since this war began, not least following the controversial appointment of Khameneis son as Supreme Leader. That does not mean the imminent collapse of the government and its forces, but it does seriously harm its chances of survival in the face of further onslaught.

Larijanis death, some argue the most important in this war, is also symbolic of the remarkable success so far of the US-Israeli campaign. The decapitation strategy is a critical element, aside from the impact on Irans offensive and defensive capabilities that the removal of layer after layer of the command chain achieves. If political leaders and military commanders remain hidden in bomb shelters and safe houses it undermines their authority among followers, and if they put themselves in the open they risk rapid elimination as we have seen. Its Catch-22, and both choices also embolden regime opponents and increase the risk of further uprisings.

Even if the regime survives, its offensive and defensive capabilities have been dramatically reduced over the last two and a half weeks and will potentially be eradicated or neutralised altogether if the war continues.

Much of the nuclear programme has been destroyed, including storage sites, technical and research facilities and nuclear scientists. Significant damage was done by US and Israeli air strikes last June and further destruction has been achieved in this war.

Ballistic missiles and drones, their launchers, storage depots and manufacturing facilities have been systematically attacked for over 18 days. That has translated to an estimated reduction in firings of up to 90 per cent since the start of the war. In particular Iran is now very short of ballistic missiles, its most dangerous weapons. As well as destruction by attack on the ground by the IDF and US Air Force, Iran has been using up its weapon stocks in largely impotent attacks that have only a small chance of getting to their targets without being shot down.

Irans air defences were substantially reduced by Israeli action during the 12-day war. Now the job has been almost totally completed with the US and Israeli air forces able to fly over the country with impunity. Although Tehran tried to rebuild these capabilities, with the aid of Russia and China, they achieved little in 8 months which shows how hard it would be to restore air defences after the ongoing assault.

Irans navy is now mostly at the bottom of the sea or burnt out hulks. That does however leave a potential threat from mine-layers disguised as civilian vessels which are much harder to locate and identify. The already clapped out air force, made up largely of 1970s and 80s planes, have not really joined the fight, with many destroyed on the ground and the remainder easily shot down if they dare to take off.

One of the objectives of the US-Israeli coalition is to dismantle or destroy Tehrans proxy terrorist network. Lebanese Hezbollah, Irans jewel in the crown, is again being mauled by the IDF following its decimation in the last two years of war. Hamas, another important proxy, is struggling for its survival in Gaza after the beating it took at the hands of the IDF since 7th October 2023. These remnants will have to be dealt with once the Iran war is stabilised. Adding to the disarray of Irans proxies, the Houthis in Yemen havent entered the current war and militias in Iraq have achieved minimal effect.

The cost of this war, including the short-term shock to energy prices, is not negligible. But the costs of not fighting the war would have been far higher. Over many years the ayatollahs invested huge resources in building up the capabilities we have seen demonstrated including the proxy attack on Israel on 7th October 2023, attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and missile and drone strikes against neighbours who had taken no action against them. Before the strikes on their nuclear programme, Iran had been well on the way to building a bomb. Is it responsible to allow such weapons to be in the hands of an apocalyptic, clerical leadership that certainly could not be trusted to restrain themselves from Armageddon? How would we deal with Irans other aggressive capabilities then?

European leaders, including Keir Starmer, evidently miss this point, hence their failure to back the US-Israeli operation. Yes, they readily say Iran cant have these weapons, but they must be reasoned with by negotiation, not war. That, despite the complete failure of diplomacy going back to Obamas nuclear deal in 2016 which was treated with contempt by Tehran from the start.

Some so-called experts complain that taking out Larijani removed their beloved off-ramp of a negotiated solution. This is not the time for negotiation, at least not with the current regime. It is the time to keep attacking until the military threat from Iran is destroyed. And we must hope the regime falls as a result of it, because if it does not then the smashed up capabilities will be rebuilt and will have to be dealt with again in 10 years or less.

Colonel Richard Kemp is a former British Army officer
Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Omans Musandam governance. Photograph: Reuters (Photograph: Reuters)

Key US allies in Europe and beyond have ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite threats from Donald Trump that Nato faces a very bad future if members fail to help reopen the vital waterway.

The UK, Germany, France and Italy, along with Australia and Japan, have said they had no plans to send warships.

The US president wants countries to help police the strait after Iran responded to US-Israeli attacks by using drones, missiles and mines to in effect close the channel for tankers that usually transport a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.

At a press conference on Monday, Trump repeated his call on allies to help reopen shipping in the strait, saying some are very enthusiastic about it and some arent. He reiterated he was not happy with the UK, but he thought it would be involved.

The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is expected to announce the names of the countries willing to aid the United States.

European ministers have said they need to know more about the USs and Israels war aims. The Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said US allies in Europe wanted to understand Trumps strategic goals. What will be the plan?

European countries reject Trumps call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz

European politicians have emphasised diplomatic efforts to reopen the strait, which carried about a fifth of the worlds oil and liquified fossil gas until its effective closure by Iran.

Read the full story

Trump draws backlash for comment on Iran war: Maybe we shouldnt even be there

Donald Trump drew a backlash on Sunday for suggesting US efforts to protect the Strait of Hormuz were unnecessary  and that maybe we shouldnt even be there at all because his country has plenty of oil of its own.

The president made the contradictory comment to reporters on Air Force One after pleading with European and Nato allies to enter the war in Iran to help the US secure the strait amid the largest oil supply disruption in history.

Really, Im demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory  because it is their territory, he said.

Read the full story

US citizens: Trump had no backup plan to help them leave Middle East after Iran strike

US citizens living in the Middle East say they are angry at the US state department, criticising the Trump administration for having no backup plan to help them leave the region in the hours and days after the start of the US-Israel war on Iran.

One person, whose family voted for Trump for his anti-war stance, said she felt betrayed and what she perceived as the treatment of US citizens as an afterthought.

Read the full story

Trump claims he has absolute right to impose new tariffs after supreme court blow

Donald Trump has claimed he has the absolute right to impose new tariffs after the US supreme court ruled many of the import duties he imposed last year were illegal.

The president attacked the court in a late night broadside on Sunday, accusing it of having unnecessarily RANSACKED the US  and failing to show him sufficient loyalty.

Read the full story

China still communicating with US over Trump visit despite talk of delay

China has said it is in communication with the US about Donald Trumps planned visit to Beijing, despite hints from the US president that he might delay the trip if his prospective hosts do not help to unblock the strait of Hormuz.

Read the full story

Federal judge blocks RFK Jrs overhaul of vaccine recommendations

The appointment of a controversial slate of vaccine advisers by Robert F Kennedy Jr probably violated federal law, and all votes taken by the committee over the past year have been stayed, a federal judge ruled on Monday.

Read the full story

US supreme court to consider Trump push to end protection status for Haitians and Syrians

The supreme court will hear arguments over the Trump administrations push to end legal protections for people fleeing war and natural disaster from countries around the world, including Haiti and Syria.

The justices refused to immediately lift the protections for hundreds of thousands of people Monday, allowing them to live and work in the US legally for now.

Read the full story

Trump discloses Florida Republicans terminal diagnosis in meandering talk

Donald Trump on Monday publicly revealed details about a Republican congressmans terminal diagnosis that could leave him dead by June, prompting Mike Johnson, speaker of the House, to say: That wasnt public.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened Sunday 15 March.
Donald Trump criticised his Democrat rival for being dyslexic - EPA

Donald Trump has claimed people with learning disabilities should not be president of the United States.

The president was aiming his remarks at Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, who has recently discussed his own dyslexia.

Mr Newsom, who is seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028, has publicly positioned himself against Mr Trump and the two have frequently traded barbs online.

Mr Trump has nicknamed Mr Newsom Newscum, while the governor last week called the president a brain-dead moron.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Mr Trump said learning disabilities such as dyslexia should disqualify someone from the White House as he criticised his dumb rival.

Gavin Newscum has admitted that he is a that he has learning disabilities, Mr Trump said.

Honestly, Im all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I dont want I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK?

Gavin Newsom is seen as an early frontrunner in the race for the Democratic nomination - AP

Mr Trump said he admitted its highly controversial to say such a horrible thing, before adding: Gavin Newscum admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia everything about him is dumb.

It is the third time in recent days that Mr Trump has attacked Mr Newsom over his dyslexia, which the governor has discussed in interviews and his book.

Last month, he revealed that he does not read speeches as governor because of his condition.

Mr Newsoms team responded to Mr Trumps remarks on Monday by posting a video that clipped the comments to make it sound like Mr Trump was calling Mr Newsom the president of the US.

NOW THAT I, GAVIN C. NEWSOM, AM OFFICIALLY PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (THANK YOU DONALD!), I HAVE MANY BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE! FIRST, EVERY TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER IS NULL AND VOID, STEPHEN MILLER AND EVERY TRUMP GOON IS FIRED, AND THE TRUMP CORRUPTION PROBE IS OFFICIALLY  Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) March 17, 2026

After the president referred last week to Mr Newsom as a cognitive mess, the governor hit back at Mr Trump, accusing him of covering up allegations in the Epstein files.

Mr Newsom said: I spoke about my dyslexia. I know thats hard for a brain-dead moron who bombs children and protects paedophiles to understand.

Last summer, the president suggested he wanted Mr Newsom arrested during a legal battle over deploying the national guard in California.

Earlier this month, a Politico poll found Mr Newsom was the favourite to become the Democrats candidate for the White House.

He leads Kamala Harris, who lost the last election to Mr Trump, by 14 points, and is also ahead of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York congresswoman, and Pete Buttigieg, the former secretary of transportation.
A street vendor tends to a customer on the Malecon during a blackout in Havana on 16 March 2026. Photograph: Ramon Espinosa/AP (Photograph: Ramon Espinosa/AP)

Donald Trump expects to have the honour of taking Cuba, he declared, after a US-imposed oil blockade plunged the country into darkness under a total power blackout.

The US president claimed on Monday that he could do anything I want with Cuba, amid US negotiations with Havana over the countrys future.

You know, all my life Ive been hearing about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday.

Related: Cubas electrical grid collapses amid US oil blockade

I do believe Ill be  having the honour of taking Cuba, Trump added. Whether I free it, take it  think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. Theyre a very weakened nation right now.

Shortly after he spoke, the New York Times reported that US officials told Cuba to remove its president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, from power during recent talks, citing four unnamed sources familiar with the discussions.

The US has sought to intensify pressure on Cuba, its longtime foe, since seizing the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro  Cubas most important foreign benefactor  in January. Trump cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to put tariffs on any country that sold oil to Cuba, strangling its antiquated power grid.

Toppling Diaz-Canel from power would take out a key figurehead, while leaving in place the repressive Communist regime which has run Cuba for almost seven decades.

Related: Cuban president confirms talks with Trump officials amid US blockade

Cuba has traditionally rejected any interference in its internal affairs and has considered any proposals on that front to be a dealbreaker for any agreement.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state and son of Cuban immigrants, has long made it clear he wants regime change in Havana. Trump has also called for a friendly takeover, but recently told reporters: It may not be a friendly takeover.

Since removing Maduro from power in January and joining Israel in attacking Iran, Trump has openly mused that Cuba would be next.

Diaz-Canel, 65, who succeeded the late Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro as president in 2018, said on Friday that he expected talks with the US to take place under the principles of equality and respect for the political systems of both countries, sovereignty and self-determination.

with AFP and Reuters

 The headline of this article was amended on 18 March 2026. Trump said the honour of taking Cuba would be his, not the USs as stated in an earlier version.
Donald Trump with JD Vance in the Oval Office on Monday. Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/EPA (Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/EPA)

Donald Trump revealed that he had asked China to delay his forthcoming visit to Beijing while the war with Iran was continuing, as he attempted to strike a united front on Monday with his vice-president, JD Vance, who is believed to have been skeptical over attacking Tehrans regime.

Related: At least 200 American troops wounded in Iran war, US military says

Appearing together with Vance for the first time in two weeks, Trump said he did not think the conflict  which started on 28 February after the US and Israel opened hostilities  would be over this week but predicted victory would be achieved soon.

However, that confident forecast was dampened somewhat when Trump was asked whether he still planned to visit Beijing on 31 March for a summit meeting with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping.

Were speaking to China. Id love to [go], but because of the war, I want to be here, Trump said at an Oval Office signing ceremony.

I have to be here, I feel and so weve requested that we delay it a month or so. Im looking forward to being with them. We have a very good relationship. But  we got a war going on.

Trump has claimed several times that the war against the theocratic regime  which he has termed an excursion  is all but won, trumpeting the devastation the US military has wreaked on Iranian military capacity, the regimes political leadership and its infrastructure.

But amid criticism that the US and Israel underestimated the vigor of Irans response, Trump has called on western allies and China to help reopen the strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which 20% of the worlds oil exports flow and which Tehran is now effectively blocking  causing oil prices to soar.

Trump renewed his previous criticisms of countries who have voiced reluctance to send ships into the zone  singling out Britain, which he called the Rolls-Royce of allies, and Keir Starmer, the prime minister.

I say it would be really helpful if youd send over a couple of ships, and if you have some minesweepers, which they do, it would be very helpful, Trump said.

And the prime minister is a nice man. I think hes a very nice guy. He says, well, Id like to ask my team. I said, youre the prime minister, you can make a decision. So its very disappointing.

In addition to closing off and mining the strait  a measure Iran has repeatedly threatened over many years in the event it came under attack  the Iranian military response has included missile attacks on Arab Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, all of which host US military bases.

Trump hedged when asked if he was surprised that no one had briefed him that these countries might be targeted in the event of a military onslaught against Iran.

No. Nobody thought they were going to hit, he said, referring to some of the countries as Irans bankers.

They were  I wouldnt say friendly countries. They were, like, neutral, they were  they lived with them for years here.

I heard they were sending missiles to UAE. I said, thats strange. UAE is like the banker for Iran. There was no experts that would say that was going to happen. Its not a question of, like, gee, should you have known? And if we did know  big deal. We have to do what we have to do.

Vance  who was present to mark the signing of an initiative he is to lead investigating supposed fraud in Minnesota  accused a journalist of trying to drive a wedge between him and Trump after he was asked if he had rethought his previously proclaimed opposition to US military adventures.

The difference between the current campaign and military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan is that we have a smart president, said Vance, who served in the US Marine Corps in Iraq.

In wars in the past, weve had dumb presidents, and I trust President Trump to get the job done, to do a good job for the American people, and to make sure that the mistakes [of] the past arent repeated.

Reports have suggested that Vance is highly doubtful about the Iran war, having previously voiced opposition to the prospect of embarking on military action against the country.

Trump last week admitted that Vance was philosophically  less enthusiastic about the war.

On Monday, as Vance stood behind him, Trump said: JD has been great  [he] understands better than most. If you give Iran a nuclear weapon, at least a very substantial part of the world would be blown up, and itll be used almost immediately.
Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of new criticism at Britain and other Nato allies after they refused to send warships for his proposed multi-national maritime force to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

The presidents planned naval operation was effectively sunk as the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Australia, Japan and other countries declined to join it.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump responded: The United States has been informed by most of our NATO Allies that they dont want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran...despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon.

He said he was not surprised given his view that Nato is a one way street in which America protects European countries.

Claiming US forces have now destroyed Irans navy, air force, anti-aircraft and radar systems, as well as having killed its leaders, he added: Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer need, or desire, the NATO Countries assistance  WE NEVER DID!

Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.

In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!

Tankers in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz (REUTERS)

Later in the Oval Office he told reporters Sir Keir Starmer had made a big mistake in his response to US calls for support in the war with Iran as he suggested the good trade deal he struck with the UK probably wasnt appreciated.

Trump said he liked the Prime Minister but felt disappointed with his recent position in regard to the conflict with Iran.

He also described Sir Keirs policies on both immigration and energy as a disaster.

Earlier, Britain warned that Trump is risking greater danger in the Middle East the longer his war on Iran continues.

Downing Street stressed that the UK wants to see the conflict de-escalated swiftly.

Asked about outbursts against the Prime Minister by the US president, the Prime Ministers official spokesman sought to avoid being dragged into the ongoing war of words across the Atlantic.

But he said: As you heard from the PM yesterday, hes very clear he wants to see an end to this war as quickly as possible because the longer it goes on the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living back here at home.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves told Cabinet on Tuesday how the war was impacting on the UK, with higher petrol prices, and mortgage rates rising, adding 1,100 to the average annual home loan bill in London in just two weeks.

In Parliament, Trump was heavily criticised for insulting the UK after his attacks on Sir Keir as his plan for a naval force to re-open the Strait of Hormuz hit the rocks.

The US president came under fire after attacking the Prime Minister for not deploying Royal Navy warships for the Iran war.

Having branded the UKs response as terrible, Trump also took a swipe at Sir Keirs leadership style, suggesting he was indecisive.

But Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, condemned the presidents comments.

He told MPs: After having insulted Great Britain for our response to not joining his war, and then claiming that he did not need British help after, I quote having already won the war, President Donald Trump has now sent an SOS to the world including to the UK and other Nato allies to help him protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have clashed over the Iran war (PA Wire)

The senior MP stressed the need to get ships moving again through the strait to stop bills for millions of people in the UK rising due to the oil crisis triggered by the Iran war.

Trump was seeking to launch a multi-national maritime mission, with navy ships escorting commercial vessels through the key strait.

But Britain, other Nato allies and Japan were among the countries which declined to jump to his call for action on the strait, through which a fifth of the worlds oil supplies flow.

Naval experts have warned that such an operation would be fraught with danger given the threat from Iranian drones.

The rebuffed US president has said that the UK was once the Rolls-Royce of allies.

Responding to the jibe, Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson dismissed it as froth.

Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier 'Mayuree Naree' near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack (ROYAL THAI NAVY/AFP via Getty Im)

He told LBC Radio: Different people, particularly the president, will express their views and opinions and of course, they are very welcome and entitled to them.

Underneath it all, underneath the froth and the words that are said from day to day, we have a long and abiding and really deep and important relationship with our allies, and the United States.

Sir Keir has stressed that the UK will not be drawn into a wider war, with Britain having questioned the legality of the US and Israeli airstrikes to topple the Tehran regime.

The Prime Minister has allowed American forces to use UK bases for defensive strikes, such as targeting Iranian missile sites being used to attack Gulf states, and US bombers have been flying out of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

A US Airforce B-1 bomber takes off from RAF Fairford (Getty Images)

Britain was also considering sending mine-hunting drones as part of an allied operation to ensure the Strait of Hormuz can be safely passed through by commercial vessels.

With Trumps war now in its third week and the death toll rising above 2,000, Iran launched fresh attacks on the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

The strikes came just hours after Trump said: They (Iran) werent supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East.

Nobody expected that. We were shocked.

The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper (R) as a smoke plume rises from a fire near Dubai International Airport in the third week of the war (AFP via Getty Images)

However, Trumps administration was warned that attacking Iran could trigger strikes against US Gulf allies, according to a US official and two sources familiar with intelligence reports.

There was no let-up in attacks by both sides early on Tuesday, with Iran launching missiles on Israel overnight, underscoring that Tehran still retains the capacity to carry out long-range strikes.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Iranian regime infrastructure with a new wave of strikes across Tehran, as well as Hezbollah sites in Beirut, a day after saying it had drawn up detailed plans for at least three more weeks of war with Iran.

Rockets and at least five drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday, Iraqi security sources said, describing it as the most intense assault since the war began.
Trump takes another swipe at Gavin Newscum and claims hes not qualified to be president: Everything about him is dumb

President Donald Trump is once again attacking California Governor Gavin Newsom over his well-documented struggle with dyslexia, claiming the condition should bar the Democrat from ever becoming president.

Honestly, I'm all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president, Trump said on Monday when speaking with reporters at the White House. I think a president should not have learning disabilities."

I know its highly controversial to say such a horrible thing, Trump added, claiming that when it came to the low IQ governor, whom he has dubbed Gavin Newscum, that everything about him is dumb.

During his insults, President Trump referred to Newsom as already being the president of the United States, a slip-up Newsom later mocked online.

NO THANK YOU, WE BELIEVE IN FREE ELECTIONS! the California leader wrote on X.

Trump has reprised his controversial insults about California Gov. Gavin Newsoms dyslexia, claiming on Monday that the condition means Gavin Newscum should never be president (Getty)

Trumps insults came the same day he announced a task force cracking down on alleged benefits fraud, including in California. Similar allegations of mass fraud preceded the deadly immigration operation in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Critics of the president said Trumps remarks on Monday about Newsom are inappropriate and offensive.

Regarding millions of Americans with disabilities, Trump once again shows his profound ignorance, California journalist Carla Marinucci wrote on X.

President Trump is right, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement. Gavin Newscum is the worst governor in America, and he also may be the dumbest.

Critics of the president said Trumps remarks on Monday about Newsom were inappropriate and offensive (Reuters)

The presidents attacks were similar to criticisms Trump lobbed at Newsom last week during a rally in Kentucky.

He admitted he has mental problems, that he's not a smart personthat he is unable to read a speech, Trump told supporters in Hebron. I don't want the president of the United States to have a cognitive deficiency.

Too late, Newsom replied online, a reference to the long-running claim from Trump critics that the president is mentally unsound, which the president denies.

Newsom has spoken about his ongoing struggles with dyslexia in recent weeks while promoting a new memoir ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028 (Jimmy Kimmel Live!)

After the comments, The Independent reporter Eric Garcia, who is autistic and a nationally recognized commentator on disability issues, pointed to the presidents long history of derogatory disability-related remarks, including an infamous 2015 incident where Trump mockingly imitated a disabled reporter with a congenital joint condition. Trump has said he wasnt mocking the reporters disability but rather that the journalist was flustered.

Blatant and disgusting ableism on the level of Trump mocking Serge Kovaleski, the New York Times reporter, and him calling [Minnesota Governor] Tim Walz the r-word, Garcia wrote on X. It is on the absolute same level.

Newsom, who has been traveling around the country promoting a new memoir ahead of a potential 2028 president run, has slammed Trump for feeding into MAGA-manufactured outrage.

Conservatives claimed Newsom was being racist at a recent appearance in Atlanta when he told a crowd, which included Black audience members, that he was like you for getting a middling SAT score.

Trump has made multiple derogatory comments about disabled people, including an infamous 2015 incident where he appeared to mock a disabled journalist (BBC)

"You didn't give a s*** about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s***holes  but you're going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Newsom wrote in response to one such criticism, from Fox News host Sean Hannity. Spare me your fake f****** outrage.

Newsom and Trump have long been foes on the national stage, sparring in court over issues including immigration tactics and publicly over Trumps threats to withhold wildfire aid.

The tension has only increased over the last year, with Newsom adopting Trumps signature biting social media style.
The body of Masood Masjoody, an Iranian mathematician and regime critic, was found in British Columbia on 6 March. Photograph: (Photograph:)

Two people have been charged with the murder of an Iranian activist in Canada, in a case which has intensified fears over transnational repression of critics of the regime in Tehran.

Masood Masjoody, a former university maths teacher, went missing in early February in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia. He had been critical of Irans theocratic regime and the exiled family of the former shah.

Officials announced on Saturday they had arrested Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, of Maple Ridge in British Columbia, and Arezou Soltani, 45, of North Vancouver. Both were charged with first-degree murder. Police also revealed they had discovered Masjoodys remains in the city of Mission, British Columbia, on 6 March.

Sgt Freda Fong, a spokesperson for the homicide unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the motive was still under investigation but the victim and suspects knew each other.

We understand this case has impacted the Iranian community and has generated widespread concern, added Fong.

Razavi and Soltani did not enter pleas during a brief appearance by video in court in British Columbia on Monday. They spoke only to confirm their identities.

Masjoody was behind a string of lawsuits against the Iranian government and members of the exiled monarchist faction. He sued Razavi and several others for defamation in September 2024 and Soltani was named in a subsequent defamation suit.

He had also launched cases against the social media platform X as well as Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah, and and his former employers, Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.

His conduct bears many, if not all, of the hallmarks of vexatious litigation, said Justice Bruce Butler of the British Columbia court of appeal in 2025, according to the Globe and Mail newspaper.

Masjoody lost a 2021 lawsuit in which he alleged the university and his former colleagues were involved in a conspiracy, weaponising my personal life against me, defamation, and widespread cover-up in part enabled by malicious efforts on behalf of Khameneis regime. Masjoody was himself accused of sexual harassment and making misogynistic and violent social media posts targeting female colleagues

Earlier this month, activists told the Guardian they feared Masjoodys criticism of the regime made him a target. Canadas intelligence agency has also warned about foreign interference from Iran and specifically threats to individuals.

Fong said at that time that any speculation over whether Iran was involved would be premature and compromise the integrity of the investigation.

Masjoodys killing has prompted doubts about Canadas response to academics who say they have also been targeted by Iran.

The Islamic Republic has a long tradition and history of physically eliminating its opponents extraterritorially, said Maral Karimi, a lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University who specialises in social movements in Iran.

They are really not taking this seriously until one of us dies, and now Masjoody is dead.
by Robert Jensen

Not so long ago, the conventional wisdom in most liberal/left circles was that people concerned about population growth tended to be racists, nativists, and eugenicists. And mostly old white guys, according to a leading UK environmental writer.

Its no coincidence that most of those who are obsessed with population growth are post-reproductive wealthy white men: its about the only environmental issue for which they cant be blamed, wrote George Monbiot.

That description was a caricature when Monbiot wrote it, but todays wealthiest white men (think Elon Musk) are more likely to advocate population expansion, not reduction. Environmentalists who highlight the problem of population growththe threats to the health of ecosystems from too many people consuming too muchcant be dismissed with slurs and stereotypes.

Nandita Bajajwho is brown, female, and definitely not wealthydefies those stereotypes. She chose not to have children and has dedicated her life to research and advocacy on behalf of women, vulnerable people, animals, and planetary health. Bajaj is executive director of Population Balance, a group that includes no racists, nativists, or eugenicists. Instead, its members face tough questions about the trajectory of the outsized human presence on Earth.

More differences from Monbiots stereotype: Shes not obsessed with population or interested in blaming individuals. Instead, Bajaj offers a compelling argument that population decline to a sustainable level is crucial not only for human survival but human flourishing, reflected in the groups tag line, shrink toward abundance. Ironically, if anyone is obsessed about population these days, its those worried that falling birthrates endanger the fever dream of endless economic growth.

Human overpopulation is not the only factor driving ecological overshoot, but it is the most neglected one, and the factor that intensifies every crisis confronting us. And it really should be one of the most important progressive issues given its patriarchal roots, Bajaj said. Population growth happens on the backs of women and girls who are denied the autonomy to make liberated and informed reproductive decisions in order to serve the powerful forces of religion, nation-states, and economies. And those who deny the role of population are carrying water for the oppressive aspects of those institutions.

Eileen Crista Population Balance advisor and retired professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Techsaid the groups efforts to change the conversation under Bajajs leadership have been a breath of fresh air. But the message is blunt: Population Balance is showing how consumption, population, and technospheric growth are connected and compounding variables of planetary disaster, suffering, and extinction, Crist said.

Conventional background, unconventional choices

Bajaj was born in India in 1981 and has lived in Canada since 1998. In 2021, she took the leadership job at Population Balance, a small U.S.-based nonprofit that is growing in influence through its two podcasts (Overshoot and Beyond Pronatalism), research reports, media articles, guest presentations, and Bajajs debating skills. She also is a senior lecturer at Antioch University, where she teaches graduate courses about the links between pronatalism and human supremacy.

None of those endeavors was part of her plan as a young woman, when she trained to be an aerospace engineer and assumed she would be a mother. My love for science, math, and airplanes drew me to study aerospace engineering, but a number of personal epiphanies in my late 20s pushed me to start exploring overpopulation, reproductive rights, and overshoot more seriously, Bajaj said. The deeper I looked, the more I started questioning the received wisdom of my cultural values.

Bajaj grew up in a middle-class family with relatively progressive views. Both her parents were educated and had successful careers, and she had the freedom to choose her vocation. After working in aerospace engineering for a few years, she was a high school physics and math teacher and administrator. But Bajaj said marriage and motherhood seemed inevitable, even inescapable.

During that time, she met her now-husband, Mike Farley, a white Canadian who teaches high school and university courses in geography and environmental studies. Their interracial relationship caused some consternation within her family, but the decision not to have children was seen as far more radical. Bajaj remembers that when Mike first asked her about her views on having kids, she was confused.

I asked him, What do you mean? Dont we have to? she said. Mike assured me it was a decision we would make together. Bajaj said she felt both joy and shock. That I could choose to not have children was overwhelmingly liberating, she said. That Ia feminist, an aerospace engineer, and a seemingly independent thinkerhadnt thought I had a choice, that was a shock.

That was Bajajs introduction to pronatalism, the internalized cultural expectation that motherhood was inevitable, which led her to begin exploring the ideas origins and consequences. She asked herself: Was there a connection between my internalized lack of reproductive choice and the fact that India is the worlds most populous country? She started to see how pronatalism undermines reproductive choice and drives overpopulation, not just in India but around the world.

In 2019, Bajaj enrolled in the graduate program in humane education at Antioch University, where she now teaches, to study the links between pronatalism, overpopulation, human supremacy, and ecological overshoot. She brought that framework to her role as executive director of Population Balance.

Overshoot

For many environmentalists, the key threat is climate change. For Bajaj and Population Balance, climate change and other ecological crises (chemical contamination, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity and species extinction) are the result of overshoothumans drawing down the ecological capital of the planet beyond replacement levels. Since sociologist William Cattons 1980 book, Overshoot: The Ecological Basis of Revolutionary Change, the term is used to mark the point where a populations demands exceed the environments ability to regenerate resources and absorb wastes. Ecologist Bill Rees, an advisor to Population Balance, describes overshoot as a meta-crisis, the root cause giving rise to the varied environmental problems.

Bajaj said that many environmentalists focus on a single crisis, which leads to downstream solutions, such as renewable energy, that are important but inadequate. Too often, environmentalists embrace temporary technological fixes that avoid the most obvious long-term fix for all ecological crises: a reduction in human consumption by lowering both the population and our aggregate consumption of energy and material resources. Consumption is not equally distributed around the world, of course, but Bajaj said that anyone concerned about equity and justice cant ignore these questions. Many do just that.

On the podcast, we try to look at the many ideologies that contribute to the problem and to the denial, Bajaj said, from the pronatalism that fuels overpopulation, to the growth-biased economies based on consumerism and social injustice, to the worldview of human supremacy that exploits animals and nature. Just as important, she said, is highlighting transformative pathways that go beyond technological fixes and toward interconnectedness with all beings. In the episode The Energy Transition Delusion, for example, Bajaj and cohost Alan Ware interviewed a historian of science and technology who explained why decoupling economic growth from energy and materials usea favorite claim of the techno-optimistsis delusional and discussed ecologically realistic alternatives.

Crist said Population Balance is working to get beyond the dead-end framing of consumption versus population, as though these factors are separable. Population Balance is exploring how the unstrange bedfellows of technological fundamentalism and human supremacyboth doctrines of human omnipotenceare blindsiding humanity to the breakdown of everything that runaway growth has unleashed, Crist said.

Pronatalism

After five years of producing the Overshoot podcast, Bajaj and Population Balance launched a second podcast in 2024, Beyond Pronatalism. Far from being the province only of the right, pronatalism is rarely critiqued, including within mainstream feminism.

Bajaj defines pronatalism as the cultural pressure to have children to meet the demands of state power and economic growth. She said pronatalism has been a feature of patriarchal states for thousands of years, and those societies that continue to impose oppressive sex/gender norms tend to have the highest fertility rates. Pronatalism, Bajaj asserts, undermines not only reproductive choice but also the right of children to be born into conditions conducive to their wellbeingsocially, materially, and ecologically.

My epiphany about my choice to not have children made me wonder how many others believed that parenthood is their destiny, she said. Following my graduate studies, I designed a graduate coursewhich is the first of its kind as far as I knowon the links between pronatalism, population growth, and overshoot. Bajaj said that the popularity of the course demonstrated to her that people were eager to discuss these issues.

The questions about whether or not to have childrenand the impacts of that choice on parents, on the potential child, and on the larger community of people, animals, and ecosystemscan be uncomfortable, even threatening, she said. But in the safety of our class discussions, students feel validated and transformed when given the opportunity to explore their most intimate feelings and worldviews without judgment.

Bajaj said she gets that kind of engaged response from many students when she gives presentations at other universities, and the podcast grew out of those responses.

The stories I hear are different in details from mine, but at the same time so similar, she said. We all want to make liberated and informed choices, and in a patriarchal world that sees women as reproductive vessels, those choices can be largely invisible or, at worst, completely absent.

Critiquing pronatalism does not mean she is antinatalist, in the sense of haranguing people not to have children. Bajaj rejects anti-procreation or voluntary human extinction arguments, which she thinks are simplistic. Antinatalisman anti-life, anti-human positionreduces 3.5 billion years of evolutionary processes to a utilitarian calculus of joy versus suffering to justify non-procreation and ends up inappropriately blaming those who have little say over their own reproduction, she said. Our goal is a world where people are neither pressured into having children nor scorned for having them, and where people arrive at reproductive decisions with maximum autonomy, education, and informed responsibility.

Bajaj said that for those with the privilege of choice, informed responsibility means that we ought to consider the ethical implications of our reproductive decisions. Theres a difference between imposing a worldview on others, as antinatalism does, and awakening others to a sense of reverence and responsibility toward Earth and other beings, she said. A person can reasonably choose not to procreate, either in anticipation that children born will likely suffer in this time of planetary crisis or out of a sense of joyful connection with, and care for, the existing community of life.

Crist said Bajaj has done the most in the contemporary NGO scene to explain and expose pronatalism as a key driver of population growth. We have to understand that overpopulation is not only ecologically unjust to countless nonhumans and nature, but it is also based on longstanding, often brutal forms of injustice against countless girls and women who have been, and continue to be, stripped of authentic choice in the reproductive sphere, Crist said. Nandita is leading the way.

Spreading the word

Much of Bajajs work at Population Balance focuses on research, education, and public information. She travelsalbeit reluctantly, with mixed feelings about getting on the airplanes she once dreamed of designingto speak, especially when invited to debate.

At the 7th International Conference on Family Planningheld in November in Bogota, Colombia, with 3,500 attendees from 120 countriesshe participated in a debate on the question, Should we fear falling birthrates? Her teams call to abandon growth-obsessed economics in favor of caring economies that respect ecological limits won the debate with an overwhelming majority of votes.

Bajaj said it is always heartening when people listen and engage with these issues, especially when she sees the relief most women feel when they realize they have choices. Watching people awaken out of these ideologies with a sense of urgency and responsibility to move toward a more humane and just pathway is the most powerful antidote to the emotional heaviness this work can bring.

Those human connections take a bit of the sting out of the dire ecological realities that she confronts every day.

If it werent for the joy of being surrounded by the deeply meaningful connections with family, friends, animals, and nature, it would be impossible to do this work, she said.



(Authors note: I was a guest on the Overshoot podcast in 2022 to discuss An Inconvenient Apocalypse, the title of my book coauthored with Wes Jackson.)
Ukraines war effort is being undermined by sales of air-defence munitions to the Gulf and continued aggression from Washington, while an oil-price bonanza means that Moscow can now, literally, fund its own war dead.

In the grim calculus of the meat grinder conflict on Europes eastern flank, Kyivs defence ministry has a target of killing 50,000 Russian soldiers a month.

This is because Ukraine estimates that Vladimir Putin can only recruit somewhere between 35,000 and 37,000 troops a month, despite staggering sign-up bonuses, extravagant salaries, and a $165,000 (124,000) compensation package provided to the families of Russian soldiers killed in action.

According to Ukrainian and Western sources, if Putins ministry paid for all the Russian dead the war is generating every month  also estimated at around 35,000  the cost would be $5.775bn (4.35bn).

Vladimir Putin meets soldiers during a visit to a military training centre outside the town of Ryazan  Russia now has to offer huge financial incentives to get people to join up (Sputnik)

Add to that the cost of recruiting 35,000 replacements with $24,000 (18,000) sign-up bonuses, and the figure rises by another $840m (632m). Thats a total of $6.615bn (4.98bn) that Russia must generate to pay for its monthly casualty list.

Ukraine knows it cannot outlast Russia in terms of manpower  but Kyivs aim is to make the war unsustainable for Putin in basic economic terms.

Russias crisis point is not running out of people; it is running out of money to buy people, according to intelligence analysis seen by The Independent.

But a surge in oil prices, along with Donald Trumps decision to lift some sanctions on Russias massive oil industry, has provided Moscow with an immediate respite from the bloody financial pressure Ukraine is delivering, at a heavy cost to itself in human life, on the front lines of the Donbas.

Russia is estimated to have made an extra $6bn to $10bn (4.5bn to 7.5bn) in oil revenues as a result of the US-Israeli war in Iran, since it began less than a month ago. That more than covers the cost of Russias war dead every month.

It is a body blow to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with French president Emmanuel Macron following a bilateral meeting in Paris on 13 March (AP)

This year, Kyivs innovations in drone warfare, longer-range strikes against Russian targets, and improved tactics have resulted in a turn in favour of Ukraine.

Morale on the front lines improved over the previous year. In the major cities being targeted by waves of Russian drones and ballistic missiles, and where winter temperatures plunged to -25C, civilians were managing to cope with days of power cuts as the energy infrastructure was pounded by Russia.

Ukrainian military assessments were based on figures that prevailed in the global oil markets, and in the weapons industry, before Iran was attacked by Israel and the US, and before oil prices surged and the production of air-defence munitions was absorbed by Gulf nations and their allies combating Iranian counterattacks with home-produced drones and missiles.

US missiles being loaded at RAF Fairford on 12 March (Getty)

Lifting sanctions on Russias oil exports saw a 13 per cent surge in its crude oil exports  mainly to China, India and Turkey, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

From the start of the Israel-US campaign against Iran, Volodymyr Zelensky warned, first in an interview with The Independent, that Ukraines air defences would suffer from a loss of supply. Ukraine gets most of its anti-ballistic-missile technology from the US, and it is purchased for Ukraine by European allies.

The focus will shift to the Middle East, to the Iranian war, now, and to the United States and also to Israel, Zelensky told theWorld of Trouble podcast. This is very understandable. And to the countries in the Middle East, who are now under attacks, massive attacks of drones and missiles from the Iranian side.

Our estimation, of course, is that air defence [for Ukraine] could decrease.

Since then, Zelenskys offer of Ukrainian drone experts to help defend the Gulf has been rejected by Trump, who said at the weekend: We dont need their help on drone defence. We know more about drones than anybody. We have the best drones in the world, actually.

The oil bonus for Russia, allowed by Trump, has been condemned by European leaders and Ukrainian politicians. Oleksandr Morezkho, chair of the Ukrainian parliaments foreign affairs committee, said: Its like giving a murderer more bullets. For Russia, oil and gas are weapons. If we see, as a result of lifting oil sanctions, more intensive Russian attacks and more casualties, it might be perceived as if Trump is aligning himself with Putin.

Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions on the front line in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine (AP)

Ukraine continues to push Russian forces back in small territorial shifts in its favour along a front line that is 1,200km (745 miles) long.

Soldiers serving there have repeatedly said that the quality and motivation of Russian soldiers appear to have improved. Its because theyre motivated by lots of money, one commander on the Zaporizhzhia front line explained.

Putin wants to avoid general conscription, and has recruited between 400,000 and 430,000 contract soldiers on salaries of around $3,000 (2,260) a month, alongside their sign-up bonus and death compensation for their families.

Russian officers have routinely hidden casualty figures from their bosses. Mass graves of Russian dead have been found on sites liberated from Moscows forces, and the number of dead is suppressed in an effort to save the Kremlin money.

But still, the salary bill of $1.3bn (98m) a month for contract soldiers is a further strain on the Russian economy, which is growing at only 0.8 per cent, and which is 40 per cent focused on defence since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Before the oil-price surge, Western intelligence analysis calculated that in Russia, at current trajectory, regional budgets financing recruitment will face insolvency before manpower pools are exhausted.

Ukraine is now being forced to recalibrate these assumptions. Kyiv had estimated that killing Russians at a rate of 50,000 a month would have caused systemic collapse by the autumn. That date will now have been pushed back, following the Netanyahu-Trump war against Iran.
US Army General who helped train Ukrainian fighters under fire for leaving classified maps on a train

A top Army official lost track of highly classified maps that were left on a train and sustained a concussion after falling over due to an overindulgence in alcohol, a new report has found.

Former U.S. Army Major General Antonio Aguto, who oversaw the coordination and training of the Ukrainian military, was unable to find the documents for more than 24 hours after assigning control of them to his staff, according to the Pentagons Inspector General.

The investigation into alleged misconduct found insufficient evidence to determine who had control of the classified maps once the travelers boarded the train for the return trip.

On April 4, 2024, the travelers left the classified maps on the train when they arrived back in Poland. The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine recovered the unattended classified documents from the train when it returned to Ukraine 1 day later, it stated.

The 56-page report, published on Friday, stated that only diplomatic couriers or specially authorized nonprofessional diplomatic couriers can hand-carry classified material across international borders, and that the staff members assigned to take the documents had not been either.

Aguto, who is now retired, later took responsibility for this incident, the report added.

Antonio Aguto (left), a top Army official, lost track of highly classified maps that were left on a train and sustained a concussion after falling over due to an overindulgence in alcohol, a new report has found (EPA)

The Germany-based Security Assistance Group-Ukraine was established in November 2022 and consisted of around 300 personnel to ensure America is postured to continue supporting Ukraine over the long term. Aguto, a two-star general, led SAG-U until his retirement in August 2024.

As well as the incident on the train in Europe, the IG investigated allegations that Aguto was intoxicated in meetings and created a toxic work environment at the SAG-U headquarters during his tenure.

The accusations of being drunk in meetings were not substantiated, the IG said, though Agutos inability to perform his duties on May 14, 2024, was a result of a concussion, which was diagnosed after... [he]... sustained injuries from a series of falls.

We determined by a preponderance of the evidence that the effects of MG Agutos intoxication from overindulgence in alcohol during a dinner on May 13, 2024, caused the first fall in his hotel room, resulting in the concussion, the report stated.

It added that Aguto had been drinking from two bottles of liquor and had toasted multiple times throughout the six-hour dinner.

A preponderance of the evidence established that MG Aguto suffered a moderate-to-severe concussion caused by head injuries from at least one, if not all three, falls in the late evening of May 13 and the morning of May 14, the IG stated.

MG Agutos medical exam on May 14, and a comprehensive evaluation by a neurologist and imaging tests on May 16, confirmed that MG Aguto had a concussion.

Despite his condition and the smell of alcohol on his breath the day after, it was not established that Aguto had been intoxicated while on duty. The allegations that he created a toxic work environment were also not substantiated.
The Prince of Wales made a surprise appearance alongside Greg James as the Radio 1 DJ continued his gruelling charity cycle across the UK for Comic Relief.

William joined the broadcaster in South Yorkshire, just north of Doncaster, hopping onto the tandem bike as James reached the halfway point of his 1,000km journey from Weymouth to Edinburgh.

The unexpected royal boost came after four demanding days in the saddle, with James having already covered nearly 500km. The pair cycled together through the countryside as the future king offered encouragement  and extra pedal power  at a pivotal moment in the challenge.

Praising the effort, William said: What youve done is set an example about helping out. Its volunteering some of your time, putting yourself through a bit of pain and supporting others. Its something we do very well in this country, but we dont shout about it enough.

This challenge helps everyone see that. Its an amazing team effort. Huge well done, Greg.

Prince William joined Greg James for part of his challenge (PA Media)

The royal cameo was kept tightly under wraps, with only a handful of people aware of the plan. James later revealed he had been diverted off his route to what appeared to be a truck stop  only to find the Prince of Wales waiting.

Speaking on Radio 1, he said the moment felt surreal. I joked when we recorded a show together that he should get on the tandem, but I didnt think hed actually do it, he said.

To suddenly see him standing there was completely bizarre. I cant believe Ive been trusted to carry the future king around on a tandem.

James added that riding with William was one of the most nerve-wracking moments of the challenge so far. That was the tightest Ive gripped the handlebars all week, he said, joking that he was relieved to have not killed the future king.

The BBC Radio 1 presenter even got a hug from the future King (James Watkins/BBC)

Despite the light-hearted tone, he said the gesture had a serious impact. He didnt need to do that, but its incredible that hes used his time to support this and help spread the message, he said.

The Prince also revealed during the ride that the fundraising total had passed the 1 million mark, boosted by a pledge from The Hunter Foundation to match donations up to that amount.

At the time of the update, James had already raised more than 927,000, with the figure continuing to climb as he makes his way north.

The eight-day endurance challenge, dubbed Radio 1s Longest Ride, is being broadcast across BBC platforms, with live streams and regular updates tracking Jamess progress.

The fundraiser will culminate at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Red Nose Day, where a live audience is expected to welcome him across the finish line.

Money raised will support Comic Relief projects in the UK and internationally, helping people facing poverty, homelessness and other hardships  with organisers hoping the challenge will turn collective effort into tangible change.
TikToker @ctrlprintrepeat owns a small business in Ashland, Mississippi, with the goal of becoming successful enough to open a dog shelter for dogs in need in their community. The business owner shared a video of a mama dog she found living in an abandoned house with her three babies, and her attempt to rescue them from the filthy home.

The mama dog seemed to understand that the humans were there to help her, but it was clear she was concerned about her puppies. The dog willingly approached the humans, but the puppies weren't as trusting. Make sure your sound is on so you can hear the woman try to coax the pups out of a wall where they were hiding. You can tell the puppies want to trust her, but just need a bit more time than their mom did!

@ctrlprintrepeat shared more in the caption, "And this is why I want my small biz to succeed! So I can build my dream dog rescue and save more like her!" We're all rooting for your success, too!

Related: Man Builds Abandoned Goat a Goatel and Its Nicer Than Some Houses

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Supportive Reactions to the Rescue of the Mama Dog and Her Puppies

Viewers left more than 1,800 comments about the rescue, with many supporting the woman's efforts. @L I L Y spoke for all of us when she said, "There is a special place in heaven for you and your husband!"

@Chloe got 19,000 likes when she pointed out, "Oh, Momma is a champ. Those babies are HEALTHY!" @Cat agreed, "She really is! Poor thang is skin and bones but them babies is perfect! I pray they all get the care they need!" The rescuer then replied, "She did her job well. Now she can relax and get healthy too!"

Commenter @Annie Bananniex3 made everybody smile and got more than 12,000 likes when she shared, "Honestly, I'm proud of mama for finding them an entire house to stay in, the puppies prolly had a blast destroying everything in there! I'm so glad they're truly safe now!"

We hope that @ctrlprintco shares an update on the mama and her puppies soon!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Gerry Adams said wearing a black beret did not mean he was an IRA member as it was also worn by the likes of comedian Benny Hill

Gerry Adams has dismissed claims that wearing a black beret made him an IRA member by saying that Benny Hill wore one, too.

The former Sinn Fein president said it was no big deal that he wore the hat associated with the Provisional Irish Republican Army at its funerals.

Giving evidence in an English courtroom for the first time, he claimed instead that he wore the beret because he was invited to take part in republican guards of honour.

Mr Adams, 77, is facing a civil claim that alleges he played a pivotal role in the Provisional IRA and orchestrated bombings during the Troubles.

He arrived at the High Court in London just after 10am on Tuesday wearing a wristband that said save Gaza and a Palestine badge pinned to his suit lapel.

He also had a sprig of shamrock in his jacket pocket to mark St Patricks Day. After entering the witness box, he wished Mr Justice Swift, the judge, a very happy St Patricks Day.

Mr Adams (centre) attending the funeral of an IRA member in 1973 - PA

During the proceedings, Mr Adams was asked about several occasions when he wore a black beret at funerals of IRA members.

Sir Max Hill KC, counsel for the claimants, said the beret was a clear signal that he was also a member of the terror group.

Mr Adams responded: I did on a number of occasions wear a black beret, but so did other people. I was invited to be part of a republican guard of honour and I was honoured that I was invited.

Referring to the famous TV comic, Mr Adams told the High Court: Benny Hill wore a black beret too.

Mr Adams wearing a black beret whilst on a march in west Belfast in 1971

In his 20-page witness statement, Mr Adams said his role as Sinn Fein leader had been to build up the party using peaceful political methods to achieve its goal.

He denied being a commander in the IRA or a member of its army council, saying he had never been a senior, let alone the most senior figure in the organisation. He also rejected claims that he had planned any bombings for the terrorist group.

The case against Mr Adams has been brought by three victims of three IRA attacks, who are attempting to sue him for a symbolic 1 in compensation for vindicatory purposes.

The claimants are John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London, Jonathan Ganesh, who was wounded in the 1996 London Docklands bombing, and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester.

Mr Adams told the High Court that he was aware the three victims had suffered significantly, but said he had no involvement in or advance knowledge of the three attacks.

He added that his statement should not be taken as criticism of the claimants or as any attempt to deny or diminish their awful experiences.

At one stage Mr Adams defended his close association with IRA members, including being arrested with Brendan Hughes, his close friend and former IRA man, during a round-up in 1973 which saw both men interned in Long Kesh detention centre, also known as the Maze.

He said: Ive spent all my life trying to bring about an end to violence in my country and Ive always made it clear I dont disassociate myself from the IRA.

Mr Adams arrived at the High Court on Tuesday morning wearing a badge in support of Palestine and shamrock for St Patricks Day - Aaron Chown/PA Wire

He dismissed the account by former IRA member Shane ODogherty that Mr Adams was a senior IRA leader who had also carried a personal firearm during peace talks with the British government at Londons Cheyne Walk, in July 1972.

Mr Adams told the court: Its totally untrue. I didnt know Shane ODogherty. He didnt know me. Hed never met me. Nobody ever told him I was in the IRA. Hes a fantasist and Im very pleased I didnt know him.

I never took any oath of allegiance [to the IRA] and I dont put any weight on Shane ODoughertys evidence, he told the court, denying he had attended the London peace talks in 1972 as a member of the IRA. As far as I was concerned, we were all there as members of Sinn Fein.

He also dismissed a television interview with Sean McSteafan which was played to the court, in which the former IRA chief of staff appeared to confirm that all the Cheyne Walk delegation were members of the IRA, including Mr Adams.

Hes mistaken, if thats a true record of what he said. Hes mistaken, said Mr Adams.

My focus was putting together a peace process

The former Sinn Fein leader rejected claims from Sir Max that he continued to see a usefulness in bombing England during the years leading up to the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.

He said: Thats not true. In the 1990s my focus was putting together a peace process. What I wanted to see was a permanent end [to hostilities].

Mr Adams said he felt vindicated by his role in the Good Friday Agreement in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.

He told the court: For as long as theres been British involvement in Ireland, theres not been peace. We have now found peace because weve found a way of ending British involvement in Northern Ireland.

I like English people. Theres no reason these two islands cant form a harmonious relationship. I will go to my grave content that I helped bring about a united Ireland.

Mr Adams went on to deny an account by Mr Hughes of a meeting held by the IRA to plan their first mainland bombing campaign, including the 1973 attack on the Old Bailey.

Denying he was present at the planning discussions, Mr Adams dismissed Mr Hughess account as untrue, adding: I wasnt at any such meeting.

He also rejected William Whitelaws account of the Cheyne Walk meeting, in which the former Conservative home secretary identified Mr Adams as one of the senior members of the IRA he had spoken to.

Mr Adams appeared in an English courtroom for the first time on Tuesday - Elizabeth Cook/PA

During proceedings on Tuesday, Mr Adams was rebuked by Mr Justice Swift for telling one of the victims that he had been extremely moved by their testimony.

This isnt a public forum in any other sense other than for you to answer questions, Mr Adams was told.

During cross-examination by Sir Max, Mr Adams accused his opponents of repeatedly trying to conflate Sinn Fein with the IRA, claiming British people had a shocking ignorance about Irish history.

He agreed that 1,178 deaths were caused by the Provisional IRA, which intended to resist armed British occupation and aggression.

Directly responsible

Anne Studd KC, representing the three victims, previously told the trial that Mr Adams had been directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996.

The barrister added that the difference between being in the army and being a member of Sinn Fein was not a clear either/or choice.

She said: The claimants case is that none of these bombings in the United Kingdom mainland took place without the knowledge and agreement of the defendant in his role in the Provisional IRA and latterly as a member of the seven-man army council.

There is no doubt that the defendant contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland, but the claimants say that on the evidence, he also contributed to the war, Ms Studd added.

Mr Adams had a foot in each camp of the military and political sides of the Irish republican movement, she also told the court.

He was probably as involved as the people who planted and detonated those bombs, she claimed.

Mr Adams has denied being a commander in the IRA or a member of its army council - Aaron Chown/PA

Mr Adams has spent decades rejecting claims that he was a senior commander in the Provisional IRA. Last year, he won damages against the BBC for libel.

If he loses the civil case, his supposed legacy as a peacemaker will be tarnished. Mr Adams played a key part in securing the 1998 Good Friday Agreement as Sinn Fein president.

It may also ignite demands for him to face criminal prosecution over the attacks.

Multiple witnesses for the claimants told the High Court that they believed Mr Adams was a senior leader in the Provisional IRA.

Colonel Richard Kemp, who served with the British Army in Northern Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s, claimed in his witness statement that he was privy to a multitude of intelligence that made it clear Adams was one of the most prominent PIRA figures.

He said the bombings at the centre of the civil case would have required sign-off from the army council, making it inconceivable that Mr Adams would not have been involved.

Shane Paul ODoherty, a former IRA member who carried out letter-bomb attacks in the 1970s, also told the court last week that Mr Adams had been a senior commander.

He claimed that Martin McGuinness, the IRAs former chief of staff, told him that Mr Adams had attended the Provisional IRAs secret talks with the UK Government in 1972 as a member of the terrorist group.

The trial is expected to end this week.
Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner of Club Chemistry, says her staff dismissed the Instagram message as fake

Health officials used Instagram to inform the nightclub at the centre of the deadly meningitis outbreak in Kent about a confirmed case.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been accused of acting too slowly to respond to the contagion after it emerged officials waited two days after an infection was first reported before alerting the public to the danger.

The outbreak has left at least 15 people in hospital and killed 18-year-old Juliette, a sixth-form pupil at Queen Elizabeths Grammar in Faversham, and a student at the University of Kent.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has called the outbreak unprecedented. He told MPs on Tuesday that the strain had spread to France and warned the disease could spread by close contact, including through the sharing of vapes and kissing.

The Telegraph can disclose that the UKHSA used Instagram to inform Club Chemistry about a confirmed case.

Louise Jones-Roberts, the owner, said staff at the nightclub initially had believed the message  sent on Sunday morning  was a hoax because it came from an unverified individual account rather than directly from the UKHSA.

The message said there had been a confirmed case involving a guest at the venue and that staff needed to contact the agency urgently.

However, when the club tried to call the government body on the number provided, no one answered.

Students queue outside a University of Kent building where antibiotics and masks are being distributed following the outbreak - Jamie Lorriman

The infection is believed to have spread at the Canterbury nightclub almost two weeks ago. At least two patients began showing symptoms after going there on March 6.

The UKHSA has denied any delay in its response to the outbreak. However, Ms Jones-Robertss remarks will raise further questions over its response.

It is understood that it is commonplace for UKHSA to use social media to reach out to individuals or businesses affected during suspected outbreaks.

During urgent outbreak investigations, health officials are said to use every available route to contact people, which could include direct approaches on Instagram.

Parents and students have criticised the body over how long it took to tell the public about the disease.

The public was not warned of the infection until Sunday evening, despite the first cases being reported on Friday and A-level student, Juliette, dying on Saturday.

A 21-year-old University of Kent student has also died and at least 15 others, all thought to be aged between 17 and 21, are seriously ill in hospital with the disease, which causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Antibiotics have been distributed to students at the University of Kent in an attempt to protect them from the infection - Jamie Lorriman

Ms Jones-Roberts said the first she heard of any outbreak was via Instagram on Sunday morning.

At least four cases have been confirmed as meningitis B (MenB), which is the most common strain in the UK.

But the MenB vaccine has only routinely been available to babies since 2015, meaning university students are not protected, unless they have had it privately.

On Tuesday, Mr Streeting announced a targeted vaccine programme for students living in University of Kent accommodation.

He also defended the UKHSA, but confirmed the Government would look at the handling of its response.

He told MPs: Once were through this, we will obviously look at the handling of UKHSAs response at every point, because inevitably there are always things that we can learn and seek to do better.

Medics wheel an ill student out of their accommodation block and into an ambulance at the University of Kent

The balance that needed to be sought in terms of public communication was to make sure that people were informed in a timely way, but also to make sure of two things: firstly, we didnt spread unnecessary anxiety and concern, and secondly, that having been made aware of the risk that there was a channel through which people could receive support.

Mr Streeting said officials had first been alerted to a case on Friday, before more infections came to light on Saturday, including of a student who had been taken ill in France.

The French authorities alerted UKHSA to a second confirmed case in France from an individual who had attended the University of Kent. Both cases lived in private accommodation, and at that stage, there was no apparent link between the two, he said.

He said the strain was potentially lethal but urged people not to be overly worried because it doesnt spread very easily.

The Health Secretary also warned against kissing or sharing vapes and drinks, with the infection passing through bodily fluids such as saliva.

Rosie Duffield, the independent MP for Canterbury, raised concerns about the way information was being communicated by schools, with one closing for the week to Year 13.

Worried parents and vulnerable students are telling me that communications from their education settings are not consistently clear, however, with one school having closed to Year 13, she said.

She also warned that hubs set up to distribute antibiotics were being overwhelmed with people who only had mild coughs and colds.

Mr Streeting said the Government was not advising school closures.

The family of Juliette, a sixth-form pupil at Queen Elizabeths Grammar in Faversham, have said they are beyond devastated by her death. They have requested that her surname not be used.

The family of Juliette, second from right, an 18-year-old sixth-form pupil at Queen Elizabeths Grammar in Faversham, are beyond devastated by her death - UNIVERSAL NEWS

Another student in hospital with meningitis, Casey Marlow, is believed to have hosted a party to celebrate her 19th birthday at Club Chemistry more than two weeks ago.

Keeleigh Goodwin, 21, a restaurant worker, is also in hospital with meningitis. Khali Goodwin, her mother, told The Sun it was possible her daughter, who had a seizure at her shared flat in Canterbury, picked up the illness from a vape.

Thousands of teenagers who visited Club Chemistry between March 5-7 have been told to attend one of four emergency clinics where they can collect preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure.

Ms Jones-Roberts, who eventually reached someone from the UKHSA and was informed it was an unprecedented situation, said on the manner of contact: In one way, direct messaging is quite clever, most places check their messages.

But on the other side of it, I was thinking, We are a business, email us or phone us.

The UKHSA has our details from Covid; they must have a database.

The UKHSA has been contacted for comment.
A former UK ambassador has said it is undeniable that Islamist entryism is creating anti-Israel sentiment within the Civil Service.

Edmund Fitton-Brown, who was a British diplomat for more than 30 years, claimed that rising hostility towards the Jewish state in wider society was being mirrored across Whitehall.

His comments came after The Telegraph revealed Foreign Office staff attended an event at the Iranian embassy in London to celebrate the Islamic revolution, just weeks after the regime massacred thousands of its own people.

The department insisted its presence at the party on Feb 12  two weeks before the outbreak of the war between Iran, the US and Israel  was a normal part of diplomacy.

But Mr Fitton-Brown, who worked for the Foreign Office from 1984-2017, said it exposed how Islamist entryism in Whitehall had skewed the debate on the Middle East in favour of the UKs enemies.

He accused the Government of prevaricating on Irans behaviour while treating Israel, Britains ally, with a forensic level of scrutiny, in a sign of systematic bias against the Jewish state.

In an article for The Telegraph, he said: It is hard to avoid the conclusion that another factor has grown in importance, Islamist entryism not just in the Foreign Office but also throughout the Civil Service and a range of other professions.

We have seen a steady reframing of debates, including in the sphere of national security. Allies portrayed as the problem, adversaries become misunderstood actors with legitimate grievances.

Hate marches for Hamas and the Houthis show that inversion in society and the Civil Service reflects society. Over time, that inversion produces exactly the kind of misjudgment we saw this week.

The war in Gaza caused by the Hamas terror attacks of Oct 7 2023 has led to a spike in anti-Semitism in the UK, with a 113 per cent rise in hate crimes against Jewish people.

A study by YouGov last year found that more than one in five Britons now hold or agree with anti-Semitic views, the highest level since similar surveys began a decade ago.

The Foreign Office is facing criticism over the decision by civil servants to attend an event at the Iranian embassy in London to celebrate the Islamic revolution just a month after the regime launched a brutal crackdown on its own people.

Two weeks after mandarins attended the party, Iran was at war with US and Israel.

Mr Fitton-Brown, who was the UKs ambassador to Yemen from 2014-2017, said the decision to attend the Iranian party showed the Foreign Office was increasingly confusing Britains friends with its enemies.

He contrasted the Iranian celebrations with the Governments approach to Israel, which has been heavily criticised by Sir Keir Starmer over the prosecution of war in Gaza.

The Prime Minister originally backed Israels right to defend itself after the Oct 7 terror attacks, but has since described its treatment of Palestinians appalling and intolerable.

It saddens me to see my former place of work get to this point, said Mr Fitton-Brown.

But it is now undeniable that parts of the Civil Service have developed a systematic bias when it comes to the Middle East. Israel is treated with a forensic level of scrutiny that few other states receive, while the behaviour of its adversaries is frequently contextualised, rationalised, excused or ignored.

Mr Fitton-Brown blamed a lack of moral clarity in the Foreign Office for Britains shifting position.

If we cannot even decide whether celebrating the birth of the Islamic Republic is appropriate for British officials, then it is little wonder that our position in the Middle East increasingly resembles that of a country sitting nervously on the fence, hoping the conflict will pass us by while our influence quietly ebbs away, he said.

The Americans have certainly noticed our lack of resolve. Our Gulf allies have looked elsewhere for assistance.

He added: This vacillation is not without cost. We fought for the Falklands but what happens when a predator next casts envious eyes on our overseas possessions? How do we justify our permanent seat on the UN Security Council if it is ever called seriously into question? The Prime Minister needs to understand the potential cost of inaction, and act accordingly.

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: It is outrageous that Government officials attended an event dedicated to celebrating the barbaric Iranian regime.

That same regime was busy slaughtering many thousands of its own citizens just weeks before the event, yet it seems nobody at the Foreign Office thought fit to stop these civil servants from going and paying homage to it.

Someone needs to take responsibility for this appalling failure. But Labour are doing the opposite, hiding behind the cover of standard diplomatic practice, despite these clearly not being standard times.

At a time when Jewish communities face rising hatred and danger in our country, ministers must come clean with the public about why they think it appropriate to cosy up to the worlds most violently anti-Semitic regime.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: Twice this year, the minister for the Middle East has summoned Irans ambassador to the Foreign Office, first to express the UKs abhorrence at the violent repression of peaceful protests in Iran, and second, to express our condemnation of their appalling drone and missile attacks on neighbouring countries, and the resulting threat to British nationals in the region.

We will continue to hold Iran to account for its actions, including through frank and direct communication with Iranian officials in London.

Civil Service bias against Israel is now undeniable

By Edmund Fitton-Brown

The Middle East is once again in flames, with Iranian proxies active across the region and Tehran attacking British bases and allies. Yet at this very same moment, Foreign Office staff attended a party celebrating the ideological revolution that gave birth to that cruel, hateful regime. Even if no political message was intended, the symbolism could scarcely have been worse.

Downing Street brushed off the event as standard practice, even defending it as part of maintaining diplomatic relations. Of course, diplomacy requires engagement with unpleasant governments, it does not require celebrating the founding mythology of a hostile one.

Edumund Fitton-Brown was the UKs ambassador to Yemen from 2014 to 2017

Britain has foreign relations that range from warm to chilly, and there is guidance and experience to help calibrate engagement with problematic interlocutors like the Iranians. That officials thought it appropriate to celebrate the Iranian Islamic revolution speaks volumes about the strange topsy-turvy morality of the Foreign Office, an institution increasingly unsure who Britains friends and enemies actually are.

As Britains former ambassador to Yemen, it saddens me to see my former place of work get to this point. But it is now undeniable that parts of the Civil Service have developed a systematic bias when it comes to the Middle East.

Israel is treated with a forensic level of scrutiny that few other states receive, while the behaviour of its adversaries is frequently contextualised, rationalised, excused or ignored. Take the long list of recently retired senior Foreign Office signatories to a letter last year, calling for the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, in the face of strenuous US objections. Or the official advice blowing hot and cold over Britains involvement in the current conflict with Iran.

There is some context to the Foreign Office bias against Israel. When you have a couple of dozen posts where Arabic is spoken and only one Jewish state, you train large numbers of Arabic speakers. I was one of them myself. What I didnt do was confuse transacting business in the region with relaxing into its prejudices and failings.

But the coffee and dates are seductive. Many British ambassadors end up sounding like their hosts. Successive prime ministers have been badly advised, for example when many of my colleagues cried wolf about how the Arab street would react badly to any Western attempt to liberate Kuwait from the 1991 Iraqi invasion. They had a better case for caution in 2003, but by then Downing Street had stopped listening to them.

Two decades on from Blair/Bush, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that another factor has grown in importance: Islamist entryism not just in the Foreign Office but also throughout the Civil Service and a range of other professions. We have seen a steady reframing of debates, including in the sphere of national security. Allies portrayed as the problem, adversaries become misunderstood actors with legitimate grievances. Hate marches for Hamas and the Houthis show that inversion in society and the Civil Service reflects society. Over time, that inversion produces exactly the kind of misjudgment we saw this week.

The Islamic Republic has been waging undeclared war on the West for nearly 47 years, promoting a Death to America message that applies equally to the Little Satan, the UK. Iran still refuses to withdraw the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, issued by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989 and reaffirmed repeatedly since. That decree called for the murder of a British citizen for the crime of writing a novel  and very nearly killed him in 2022. Until it is formally rescinded, the idea that relations with Tehran can ever be described as friendly is fanciful. A government that still sanctions the killing of writers should not expect to party with British officials.

Mr Fitton-Brown has suggested that anti-Semitism is common within a number of government departments - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

None of this means Britain should sever all diplomatic contact with Iran. Outside times of war, there may be grounds for maintaining diplomatic relations, but they should be severely restricted. A charge daffaires, not a full ambassador, should head the mission. At home, Iranian intelligence activity should face zero tolerance.

It is mystifying that Sir Keir Starmer, having promised in opposition to proscribe the IRGC, still hasnt done it, even after the EU has. We have had many recent terror plots in the UK, often against Jewish targets, and often sponsored by Iran. Who exactly needs to get killed before we take decisive action?

Foreign policy begins with moral clarity. If we cannot even decide whether celebrating the birth of the Islamic Republic is appropriate for British officials, then it is little wonder that our position in the Middle East increasingly resembles that of a country sitting nervously on the fence, hoping the conflict will pass us by while our influence quietly ebbs away. The Americans have certainly noticed our lack of resolve. Our Gulf allies have looked elsewhere for assistance. We werent even there to protect our bases on Cyprus.

And this vacillation is not without cost. We fought for the Falklands, but what happens when a predator next casts envious eyes on our overseas possessions? How do we justify our permanent seat on the UN Security Council if it is ever called seriously into question? The Prime Minister needs to understand the potential cost of inaction, and act accordingly.

Edmund Fitton-Brown is a former UK ambassador to Yemen, and former UN coordinator. He is currently a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Baroness Carr says that, under David Lammys plans, judges could be vulnerable to assaults by angry defendants and their families - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Judges will be more at risk of physical attacks by convicted criminals if juries are scrapped, Britains most senior judge has warned David Lammy.

Baroness Carr, the Lady Chief Justice, said she had grave security concerns about the safety of judges sitting in Labours proposed new judge-only courts.

Under reforms to the court system, defendants facing a prison sentence of less than three years would be given a trial with one judge and no jury. This would include people accused of grievous bodily harm, burglary, affray and sexual assault.

Lady Carr said judges could be vulnerable to attacks by angry defendants and their families in her first public criticism of the Justice Secretarys plans.

She said judges would be an easy target because they heard the cases in public and were identified, whereas members of the jury remained anonymous before, during and after any trial.

According to Lady Carr, judges would be at greater risk if juries were scrapped as they would be working at the same courts regularly and using identifiable entrances and exits.

Lady Carr told journalists at her annual briefing on the state of the criminal justice system that she had raised her safety concerns with the Government.

Ive made the case very, very strongly. This needs to be considered and resourced properly and catered for properly, she said.

Lady Carr has warned that the security of judges was an increasing problem in the face of rising racist and misogynistic abuse on social media - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Lady Carr, the head of the judiciary, insisted she was not making any comment on Labours proposals to abolish half of jury trials, but raising concerns about operational issues.

However, she warned that the security of judges was an increasing problem in the face of rising racist, misogynistic abuse on social media that had taken a nasty turn.

She made the comments less than a week after MPs voted to give Mr Lammys proposals a second reading, paving the way for defendants likely to be jailed for up to three years to be heard either by a judge-only court or just magistrates.

The plans have prompted a backlash from as many as 80 rebel Labour MPs and united the legal professions  from retired judges to barristers and solicitors  in opposition to the plans.

Asked about the risk of violence from irritated defendants or their relatives and friends, Lady Carr said: On security, youre absolutely right. I see it as not only appropriate, but my responsibility to make it as plain as I can that I have grave security concerns if there are going to be judge-alone trials.

Its a very different environment to be working in, and judges usually sit in one main centre. Theyre going in and out of one centre on a daily basis, rather than, for example, High Court judges wholl be sitting all around the country, in England and Wales.

She added: The thing that is really concerning me is the social media abuse, which has taken a nasty turn when it comes to judges now, as increasingly racist, misogynistic social media abuse is so difficult to control.

Lady Carr said she had set up a judicial security taskforce in January last year, which had improved security arrangements for judges, established much better engagement with the police and better response rates.

Individual measures had been taken with specific judges when appropriate, she added. She was also looking at Canadas approach where a gold standard judicial security unit played a key role in, for example, monitoring social media abuse.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: The Lady Chief Justice is absolutely right to highlight how important it is to ensure judges are safe to carry out their duties. Our reforms mean serious cases will continue to be heard in front of a jury and we have robust measures in place  backed by increased investment  to protect judges and all court users.

Victims are facing unacceptably long waits for justice after years of delays in our courts. That is why we are pressing ahead with our plans  alongside modernising it for the 21st century with record investment.
The conflict in Iran is likely to lead to a surge of illegal migrants heading to Britain in small boats, the head of the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned.

Graeme Biggar, director-general of the law enforcement agency, said 41,472 people crossed the Channel in 2025, up 13 per cent on the previous year.

He said this was largely driven by a rise in the number travelling from the Horn of Africa, including countries such as Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia.

But he said the war in the Middle East could result in an increase in the number of illegal immigrants arriving from Iran in the coming weeks.

Delivering the NCAs annual national strategic assessment, Mr Biggar explained that organised immigration crime was still his organisations main effort, and accounted for around a quarter of its work.

He said: Migrant demand to reach the UK unlawfully continues to be high and the conflict in Iran is likely to increase that challenge.

That feels unsurprising. That happens generally when there is conflict around the world, that there is more migration from that area. And we have historically seen migration from Iran.

Although in the past, the majority of Iranian migrants had attempted to enter Britain on small boats, he said there were plenty of wealthy Iranians who probably wouldnt come in small boats but would find another method should they wish.

Asked if he was comfortable that small-boat migration accounted for such a large amount of the NCAs work, he said: Organised immigration crime is a priority for the Government but, even if it wasnt, it would still be a priority for us.

It is organised crime, it has been killing people. Slightly fewer people died last year than the year before but people were dying.

And it is also a public confidence issue about the security of our borders. So for all of those reasons its a perfectly sensible and valid thing for us to be looking at, and we are.

But he added: It is not straightforward because it is trying to largely cut crime in another country rather than this country. It does need a surge of effort, as we have put into it to try and get on top of it.

I hope it would require us to stay at that level permanently. We do have a series of other threats to deal with.

Discussing the NCAs fight against drugs, he said it remained the biggest single driver of serious crime in the UK, responsible for half of all homicides, thefts and robberies.

Graeme Biggar, head of the National Crime Agency, says small-boat migration accounts for a quarter of the organisations work - Liam McBurney/PA

Mr Biggar warned that cocaine production in South America was at a record high, while wholesale prices were at a historic low.

He said, while the heroin market remained broadly stable, the drug was being cut with deadly synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes.

Since nitazenes first appeared at scale in the UK in June 2023, they have been connected to 1,000 deaths. This is an extraordinary figure, he explained.

Mr Biggar said that, as the war on drugs became more advanced, suppliers became ever more sophisticated.

We are seeing more chemical concealments where cocaine is altered at a molecular level to bond with another material such as charcoal, glue or plastic.

It crosses the border as something innocent and is extracted at the other end. The cocaine is not hidden inside a box of bananas. It is the box of bananas.

While we need to respond to a range of new challenges, we cannot take our eyes off the drug threat. It has always caused a lot of harm, it is evolving fast, and we need to stay on top of it.
With a significant shortfall of oil possible within two months, drivers may soon have to observe lower speed limits - stocknshares

Motorists could face speed restrictions to save petrol under Government plans to help Britain cope with a fuel crisis.

The Telegraph has seen a summary of the National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F) as ministers were warned of a significant shortfall of supply within two months.

It states the Government could introduce light-handed measures to reduce petrol demand, such as speed-limit reductions that could result in a temporary cut in the speed limit to 50mph.

Iran has continued its effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of the worlds oil.

Speaking on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer refused to send warships to help reopen the Strait and urged de-escalation in the region.

He said: Obviously, we are taking all necessary measures to make sure there is the right supply of energy.

Oil prices jumped to $106 (78) on Monday after Donald Trump, the US president, targeted Irans key production base over the weekend.

Prof Nick Butler, an energy economist and former adviser to Gordon Brown, warned that ministers should be preparing for significant shortfall of supply over the next two months.

It takes 30 days for a tanker to sail from The Gulf to the UK. The Strait has been closed since March 2, meaning the flow of tankers in the region could stop by late March or early April.

Diesel is thought to be particularly vulnerable, with 7 per cent sourced from the Middle East.

Companies are confident there will be no disruption to normal supplies for at least another four weeks, while the Government also holds around one months worth of diesel in reserve.

However, motorists are likely to face continued price rises. The price of diesel at the pumps has already jumped by 18.8 pence per litre since the end of February, to an average of 161.2 pence per litre, according to the RAC.

Drivers of diesel cars are being hit hardest in the pocket as fuel prices continue to rise - Maureen McLean/Shutterstock

Simon Williams, the RAC head of policy, said: The average cost of filling up a 55-litre family car with diesel is now 88, whereas for petrol its 78. RAC analysis of wholesale fuel data shows that petrol is now likely to rise in the next week or so by another 3p to an average of 145p a litre and diesel by 9p to 170p.

A government spokesman insisted that Britain had diverse and resilient supplies of fuel.

But Britain ended 2025 with its lowest fuel stocks for the past 20 years, according to The Telegraphs analysis of government data.

Combined stocks of petroleum and diesel products were 2.34 million tonnes at the end of 2025 (Q4), the lowest number since the end of Q2 2025 (2,285). However, it was the second-lowest quarter on record, and overall meant that 2025 was the lowest full year on record since 2005.

There will be a need to ration if supplies are seriously short

Prof Butler told The Telegraph the situation would get serious if the Strait remained closed for another two to three weeks.

He said: There will also be a need to ration if supplies are seriously short or super expensive, in order to protect key users.

Grant Shapps, the former energy secretary, who handled the last fuel crisis in 2021, urged the Government to make sure the contingency plan detailed in the NEP-F was ready to be rolled out if necessary.

He told The Telegraph: Ive handled a huge fuel crisis and I know exactly what it takes  you need tankers moving, real-time data on every forecourt in the country, and a government that actually takes a grip.

The Strait of Hormuz carries a fifth of the worlds oil supply. If Iran closes it, the pumps run dry  fast. This Government needs to get its emergency plan off the shelf, dust it down, and make sure it actually works.

Weve already seen a lack of planning by the British Government when it comes to this Iran conflict, even though it was tagged in advance. If they havent done that homework already then British motorists will be the ones paying the price.

Grant Schapps says the Government needs to have a plan ready for when the forecourt fuel pumps start to run dry - Geoffrey Swaine/Avalon

The NEP-F is secret and only a summary has been posted online. It would allow ministers to use emergency powers under the Energy Act 1976, which was introduced after an oil embargo against western countries by Arab producers.

The plans are maintained and updated by Ed Milibands energy security department, but in the event they were activated, a crisis team would be set up in the Cabinet Office.

The NEP-Fs primary aims are to protect human life and, as far as possible, property and to alleviate suffering.

The plans are maintained and updated by Ed Milibands energy security department - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The summary also states that it seeks to support the continuity of everyday activity and the restoration of disrupted services at the earliest opportunity as well as uphold the rule of law and democratic process.

However, enacting the emergency plans is reserved for the most severe of disruptions, it said.

The fuel measures are one of dozens of contingency plans the Government has designed to address a range of risks, including nuclear war, cyberattacks, flooding and public disorder.

Here are some main provisions ministers would consider implementing if pumps risk running dry:

Petrol rationing

Ministers could introduce a maximum purchase scheme, limiting motorists to buying a set amount of petrol  say, 15 litres  at a time.

They could also order filling stations to close earlier to maintain stocks.

The summary of the document states that the scheme would restrict the sale of road fuels at retail filling stations to the public to a maximum amount per visit to ensure that all motorists have access to some fuel.

The scheme can also limit the hours in which road fuels can be sold, it adds.

Priority for emergency services

Ambulances, fire engines and police cars would receive priority for dwindling petrol stocks under a designated filling station scheme.

Local resilience forums, made up of councils and other local bodies, would designate filling stations where emergency and other critical service vehicles would get priority access.

Additionally, oil firms would be directed to prioritise fuel delivery to emergency services, utilities and public transport.

Ministers could also direct oil firms to prioritise private hauliers delivering goods vital for key supply chains in food and health.

Army brought in

Soldiers could be drafted in to make fuel deliveries in the event of a serious disruption to normal deliveries.

The emergency plan envisions members of the Armed Forces becoming reserve tanker drivers to ensure fuel can be transported around the country where needed.

Ministers could also deploy a reserve fleet of fuel tanker vehicles at short notice.

Speed limits

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the emergency plan includes the option of restricting vehicle speeds to limit fuel consumption.

It states the Government could introduce light-handed measures to reduce petrol demand, such as speed limit reductions.

This could involve temporarily reducing the speed limit to 50mph.

Last week Pakistan reduced motorway speed limits after fuel prices spiked in response to the Iran crisis.

Release oil stocks

The emergency plan states that Britains emergency oil stocks could be released to provide additional supply.

The summary added: This would only be used in the event of a significant disruption to global supply to calm the market.

On Friday, Australia was forced to make six days worth of petrol available from its emergency stockpile after dozens of filling stations ran out of fuel.

The Government could also formally allocate crude oil and other imported oil products to where they are needed in the UK.

Soften drivers rules

Ministers could temporarily lift restrictions on how many hours tanker drivers can work daily.

The law states that lorry drivers can only be on duty for 11 hours a day and can drive for no more than 10 hours.

These limits could be lifted for a confined time period if the oil industry requests it.

The Government could also temporarily exempt the industry from the Competition Act 1998 to enable co-ordinated action to improve supply.

Voluntary action

Before emergency powers are activated, businesses and organisations will be asked on a voluntary basis to restrict the use of petrol.

They will be advised to encourage staff to work from home or stay overnight in hotels to reduce car use.

Firms could also be urged to revise work hours so staff work longer days but for fewer days a week, necessitating fewer car journeys.

Companies will be asked to decide which of the journeys they make have the highest priority so they can safely stop the provision of non-critical services and reduce other services.

Other suggestions include car-sharing, greater use of public transport and refuelling at night to avoid queueing.
Prince Harry with his lawyer David Sherborne in 2023 - Hannah McKay/Reuters

Prince Harrys allegation that a story revealing his declaration of love for his then girlfriend Chelsy Davy was obtained by phone-hacking is absolute b------s, the High Court has heard.

The article, titled How Harry fell in love, was published in December 2004 and is among 14 stories comprising the Duke of Sussexs privacy claim against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

Lawyers for the claimants allege that the story was obtained by intercepting voicemails, but a journalist involved denied this claim.

The article revealed that in April that year, the young Prince had poured his heart out as he sat with several others around a campfire in Botswana during his gap year.

He had met Ms Davy in South Africa just days earlier and said he had fallen in love but did not know what to do about it.

Sam Greenhill, now 53 and the Daily Mails chief reporter, told the court on Tuesday that the information contained in the article had been provided by a man who had called the news desk.

A man emailed or telephoned the newsroom with a story about Prince Harry, he said. I was asked to speak to him and I did.

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy in July 2006 - Andrew Parsons/PA Wire

David Sherborne, who is representing the Duke and his six fellow claimants, including Sir Elton John and Baroness Lawrence, suggested he had invented the story to cover up the fact that the information had been obtained from voicemail interception.

Are you saying none of this took place? the judge asked him.

Yes, it didnt take place at all, the barrister replied.

Mr Sherborne branded Mr Greenhills explanation completely false, adding: There is no call from some unidentified source who gave you a story about what supposedly took place at a campfire in Botswana.

Mr Greenhill said he had told the truth, adding: I cant imagine where you think the information came from.

I suggest it came from listening to voicemails between Harry and Chelsy Davy, Mr Sherborne replied, prompting the journalist to respond: Thats absolute b------s.

Mr Greenhill was giving evidence on the 40th day of the high-profile trial, which is due to end just before Easter.

The story describing the fireside chat was written by Rebecca English, the Daily Mails long-serving royal editor, who has previously told the court that it was both wrong and deeply offensive to suggest such information came from phone-hacking.

Mr Sherborne told her that Prince Harry had insisted he would not have shared such intimate information with strangers.

Ms English replied: All I can say is that he did, and that one of those people called the news desk and the reporter took down the details.

Associated has strongly refuted all of the claims, branding them lurid and preposterous.

The trial continues.
Satellite image of a methane plume in Esenguly, Turkmenistan, with an estimated leakage rate of 18 tonnes/hour. Illustration: Carbon Mapper (Illustration: Carbon Mapper)

The worlds worst mega-leaks of the potent greenhouse gas methane in 2025 have been revealed by an analysis of satellite data.

The super-polluting plumes from oil and gas facilities have a colossal heating impact on the climate but often result from poor maintenance and can be simple to fix. The assessment found dozens of mega-leaks, each having the same global heating impact as a coal-fired power station.

The researchers said it was maddening that such easy action to fight the climate crisis was not being taken, and said people should be angry. Stopping the leaks can even be free, given that captured gas can be sold  methane is the natural gas that fires power stations.

The mega-leaks occur across the world, but the top 25 list, produced by the Stop Methane Project at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is dominated by facilities in Turkmenistan. The scale of methane leaks in the secretive and authoritarian state has previously been described as mind-boggling.

Super-polluting plumes were also seen in the US, the largest detected in 2025 occurring in Texas and leaking 5.5 tonnes of methane per hour, equivalent to running about a million fuel-guzzling SUVs. Venezuela (five) and Iran (three) also had multiple mega-leaks from state-owned facilities.

The Stop Methane Project also analysed super-polluting plumes from landfill sites, where rotting organic waste can release huge volumes of methane when not well managed. The worst sites ranged across the world, from Turkey to Algeria and Malaysia to the US.

Methane emissions cause 25% of global heating today, and there has been a scary surge since 2007, according to scientists. They have warned that this acceleration seriously risks triggering catastrophic climate tipping points. However, cutting methane emissions has a rapid impact, because the gas is naturally removed from the atmosphere far quicker than carbon dioxide. Some experts call cutting methane the climate emergency brake.

It is really maddening, said Cara Horowitz at UCLA. These sites are the result of poor maintenance  if you upgraded the infrastructure a little bit, did good housekeeping, you could solve a really important part of the problem.

Were hoping that by bringing visibility to these major issues, we will help increase public and political pressure to do something.

Unlike previous lists of plumes, the UCLA project investigated the probable operators of the mega-leak sites.

The super-polluting plume in Texas appears to be operated by Energy Transfer. The company did not reply to a request for comment.

Methane was the stealth pollutant gas for many years: invisible, out of sight and out of mind, said Horowitz. But we can now see these tremendously powerful emissions using satellites and use that as a wake-up call for the world.

Related: Revealed: 1,000 super-emitting methane leaks risk triggering climate tipping points

The UCLA Stop Methane analysis is based on data from Carbon Mapper and found 4,400 significant plumes in 2025, each emitting more than about 100kg/hour, equivalent to running 20,000 SUVs. In the US, nine of the 10 worst leaks were in Texas.

Americans should be surprised and angered by the fact that the US lands pretty high on this list of top super-polluting plumes, said Horowitz. We in the US tend to think of our industry as fairly well and cleanly run, but this shows that we still have work to do.

Turkmen officials claimed in October that methane mega-leaks had been reduced. Management has placed this under special control, and leaks are being repaired locally within two to three days, said Muhammetberdi Byashiev, the head of the environmental protection department at the state company Turkmengaz, citing collaboration with the UN, International Energy Agency and EU. However, the new analysis shows substantial mega-leaks remain.

Its clear that Turkmenistan is trying to access the European market, said Horowitz. European potential buyers should pay attention to our results and think of this as a buyer beware moment. The EU is phasing in strict limits on methane leaks linked to imported gas.

Mary Nichols, the former chair of the California Air Resources Board and a member of Carbon Mappers policy and impact committee, said: Methane is a more powerful climate villain than any other air pollutant because it acts quickly and is emitted in large volumes. It is also relatively cheap and easy to control. New, detailed satellite pictures can help target the countries and companies that need to be held accountable.

The Guardian contacted Turkmennebit, Turkmengaz, Petroleos de Venezuela SA, the National Iranian Oil Company and the National Iranian Gas Company but did not receive replies.
Perfect waves that attract surfers are being churned up by intense storms, which are happening more frequently as the climate changes. Photograph: Angelo Picardo (Photograph: Angelo Picardo)

In the late 1990s in El Salvador, Rodrigo Barraza went in search of every surfers dream: a pristine wave, far from the crowds. Down a rough dirt track hours from any city, he found it: a little-known surf spot on the countrys eastern shores, where long lines of waves form a crisp right-hand break, surrounded by thousands of hectares of tropical forest.

I fell in love with the place, says Barraza. In 2004, he opened a small hotel there, and along with some surfing friends, founded a tourism association. They developed sustainable tourism standards and committed to protect the surrounding biodiverse ecosystem of rare dry tropical forest, rivers and mangroves. They called it Oriente Salvaje  the wild east.

Today, Oriente Salvaje, which encompasses 19 kilometres of coastline, has a thriving surf industry that attracts intrepid wave hunters, who venture out to ride its world-class breaks, Las Flores and Punta Mango. A surf break is a natural feature such as a sandbar, coral reef, or headland which gives rise to ocean swells that break to form rideable waves. Yet this surfers idyll is increasingly threatened by a changing climate. Intense tropical storms cause flooding, churning up the picture-perfect waves, blocking transport routes, and keeping surfers away.

Oriente Salvaje is known by surfers for its world-class breaks, Las Flores and Punta Mango

Without them, the local economy  a constellation of hotels, restaurants, surf shops, fishers and drone experts  sputters to a halt. Surf tourism is the backbone of our local economy, Barraza says. However, this same dependence makes us highly vulnerable to climate-related disruptions.

Concerned about the communitys future, in 2023 Barraza teamed up with an Save the Waves, an international surfing nonprofit organisation, and together they made an unusual decision: they took out an insurance policy for Oriente Salvaje.

Surf tourism is the backbone of Oriente Salvajes local economy

This is not just any policy, but a type called parametric insurance that can be used to support recovery from the impacts of climate change. Unlike traditional insurance, which requires many months to assess claims, the parametric payouts are triggered as soon as damaging conditions cross a predetermined threshold: a particular wind speed, earthquake magnitude or rainfall level.

This rapid support model has become attractive to property-owners, fishers and farmers whose homes and livelihoods are vulnerable to climate breakdown. It also has conservation appeal: parametric payouts have enabled the post-hurricane restoration of several coral reefs globally, helping maintain their role as storm buffers and fish nurseries.

Its crazy, people can predict their income based on the surf report Nik Strong-Cvetich, Save the Waves

The project at Oriente Salvaje is the first time parametric insurance will be tested on surfing. Save the Waves was launched by a ragtag group of international surfers who were watching their favourite surf breaks around the world get destroyed and wanted a change, says Nik Strong-Cvetich, the organisations chief executive.

One strand of their work involves designating World Surfing Reserves, a programme that recognises the huge overlap between biodiversity and surf locations, says Strong-Cvetich, and works with local groups to protect these places. Oriente Salvaje received the designation in 2024, after a campaign led by Barraza and other local groups.

The organisation also researches the economic contribution surfers make to local economies  revealing that they bring in tens of millions of dollars annually in many places. It is useful data for encouraging governments and local authorities to protect these ecosystems, he says.

Oriente Salvaje was designated as a World Surfing Reserve in 2024. Rodrigo Barraza is first left, Diego Sancho Gallegos fifth from left, Nik Strong-Cvetich stands by the right-hand pole, and next to him is Angelo Picardo

Left: Diego Sancho Gallegos, left, and Angelo Picardo. Right: Rodrigo Barraza lays flowers in the ocean during a ceremony to celebrate Oriente Salvaje becoming a World Surfing Reserve in 2024

But knowing that many of these thriving surf breaks are endangered by extreme weather, parametric insurance became a weird obsession, Strong-Cvetich says. We scoured the world for places that were easily disrupted by a climate event and had a large dependence on the surf economy. Oriente Salvaje emerged as a natural fit for their pilot.

Since then, the organisation has been working with the international insurance brokers Willis Towers Watson (WTW) to develop the bespoke financial model, in collaboration with the local community. Firstly, they had to identify a measurable trigger for the payouts. WTW considered many metrics, but rainfall appears to represent the most robust and suitable single-trigger option for the region, says Juanita Blanco, director of alternative risk transfer solutions for Latin America at WTW.

Save the Waves believe they can use surfing as a hook for wider moves to protect the environment

This was backed up by 40 years of rainfall data coupled with ten years of data on the number of surfer visits, which revealed that wetter conditions cause more disruption, explains Diego Sancho Gallegos, director of conservation programmes at Save the Waves. We saw that every time there was a very big storm, there was a clear dip in surfer visitation, associated with accumulated rainfall.

A survey of 50 local businesses showed that, on average, 70% of their income was dependent on surf tourism. Several are informal operators such as surf photographers, guides and boat drivers who are especially vulnerable to changeable weather. Its crazy, says Strong-Cvetich. People can predict their income based on the surf report.

The payout will be triggered once weather conditions reach an extreme associated with observable income loss, according to Blanco. It will be distributed to anywhere between a few hundred and several thousand beneficiaries in the region. The size of the payout is still being determined, as well as which insurer it will be, but WTW is now shopping the idea around to several companies. If everything aligns, Save the Waves would like to have a pilot running by June to kickstart the rainy surf season, Sancho Gallegos says.

Oriente Salvaje began as Barrazas dream of finding great waves away from the crowds; now many local businesses depend on the surfers who visit

Save the Waves says it wants to continue refining the insurance to include a dedicated payout for ecosystem restoration in the future. Rebuilding the coastal mangroves could create a stronger buffer against run-off from the land into the sea during big storms, which can damage surf quality. Restoring the watersheds may also reduce erosion and flooding risks for residents. More broadly, it connects with the organisations overall vision that we can protect the environment using surfing as the hook, Strong-Cvetich explains.

Related: Riding the wave: can surf tourism save Perus ancient reed-boat fishing culture?

The pioneering programme has not been hurdle-free. Angelo Picardo, Save the Waves local coordinator in the country, says: El Salvador is a developing country and we dont have an insurance culture  people dont even have health insurance  so theres a lot of work you have to do on the ground to bring people on board.

Another challenge has been funding the premiums without burdening local businesses. Other community-focused parametric projects have relied on philanthropic funding or explored options such as a tourism tax. Save the Waves is in talks with the Salvadorian government, which since 2019 has been channelling millions from loans into a nationwide surf tourism initiative. The surfing enthusiasts are hopeful that the comparatively small cost of the annual premium would be a drop in the bucket compared with these investments, Sancho Gallegos says.

Ecosystem restoration projects, such as rebuilding the coastal mangroves, could help protect surf quality

This type of insurance is bound to spread as more communities and ecosystems experience weather extremes, according to Swenja Surminski, an international expert on innovative insurance for ecosystems at the London School of Economics, who is not involved with the project. But she warns that parametric solutions must be combined with broader resilience and adaptation strategies, such as disaster planning, ecosystem restoration and stronger building standards to protect these places more holistically.

From lived experience in Oriente Salvaje, Barraza agrees that no matter how innovative, insurance must exist in a patchwork of solutions: the community does not only face income losses, he says, but also landslides, property damage and poor water quality when storms strike.

For now at least, the insurance programme feels as promising as the crisp waves that roll into Oriente Salvaje on a good-weather day. Everybodys positive. Theres nothing but good things to hear from this, Barraza says. We just hope that it turns out to be the best that it can be.
James Sands, 47, worked at St Christophers school from April 2018 to October 2023

A paedophile teacher who taught at an elite boarding school at the centre of historic abuse allegations was jailed last year, it can be revealed.

James Sands, a 47-year-old former teacher at St Christophers School in Letchworth, Herts, was charged with a child sex offence in January 2025.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May 2025 to five years and three months in prison, where he remains. His conviction is unconnected to the school.

The school is being investigated by police over allegations of abuse spanning four different decades. Ex-pupils allege harrowing sexual, emotional and physical abuse at the cult-like progressive school.

Sands, of Watton-at-Stone, was employed by the school from April 2018 to October 2023.

St Christophers school is being investigated by police over allegations of abuse spanning four different decades

The school said that Sands was immediately suspended after the police approached the school in June 2023. His employment was terminated following an investigation. Colleagues told The Telegraph that Sands, known as Jim, suddenly disappeared.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one former staff member said: Its shocking that a paedophile was recently working at St Chris.

I cant imagine how the alleged victims who spoke out in The Telegraph investigation will feel when they discover that a member of staff like Jim Sands was working at St Chris.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed that Sands was charged in January 2025.

The school described the crime committed by Jim Sands, seen here in a police mugshot, as deeply shocking and disturbing

St Christophers, which has been described as a cult-like progressive school, is embroiled in allegations of disturbing sexual, psychological and physical abuse after former pupils who attended the school between the 1960s and the 1990s spoke out about their experiences in The Telegraph last week.

Allegations against the school include: rape and sexual assault from both teachers and pupils, staff impregnating students, pupils having abortions, prolific drinking and drug use  sometimes with teachers, staff making homemade films of pupils, pupils fainting from hunger, and bullying, battering and neglect.

It has since emerged that police are now investigating historic allegations.

Following the Telegraph investigation, dozens of others have also now come forward to speak out about their experiences of the school, including several other alleged victims of serious sexual assault and rape.

Alleged victims spoke out claiming that the school had unleashed aggressive lawyers on them instead of offering support.

It has also since been revealed that former pupils are now suing the school.

Sandss alleged conduct took place outside the school, and it had no connection with his role there.

It is understood that Hertfordshire police visited the school on June 29 2023 and revealed that Sands had been arrested the previous day in connection with an allegation that he had engaged in communications with another adult about child sexual abuse.

St Christophers contacted the safeguarding official at Hertfordshire county council on the same day and was instructed by police not to communicate information about Sandss arrest and subsequent criminal proceedings to staff and the wider school community in order to avoid prejudicing any trial or ongoing police investigations.

It is understood that the school ensured Sands had no further contact with staff or students and his employment was terminated in October 2023, following a thorough investigation by the school.

No concerns raised

No concerns had been raised about Sandss conduct before police visited the school and the school followed all regulatory and statutory procedures.

It is also understood that because Sandss offence was not linked to the school, that St Christophers was not updated by police. The school only learned of Sandss conviction in late August 2025.

The school informed parents and staff in September 2025 after police granted them permission to share the information.

Sands pleaded guilty to the charge to arrange or facilitate commission of offence of cause or incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

In May 2025 Judge Andrew Johnson at St Albans Crown Court sentenced Sands to five years and three months in prison, where he remains.

Deeply shocking and disturbing crime

A spokesperson for St Christophers said: The crime for which Jim Sands was convicted was deeply shocking and disturbing.

As soon as Hertfordshire police informed the school about his arrest, we suspended him immediately and ensured he had no further contact with pupils.

The police confirmed that his offences were wholly unconnected to the school, and we followed their guidance throughout on what information could be shared about the matter, informing our community at the first possible opportunity.

We followed all safeguarding processes in full and notified the appropriate external agencies, including the local authority designated officer, the Teaching Regulation Agency, the Charity Commission, and the disclosure and barring service.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate has recently inspected St. Chris and confirmed that our safeguarding arrangements are rigorous, effective, and underpinned by strong leadership and governance.
Two boats carrying 21 people capsized Monday off Henoko, a controversial relocation site for a U.S. military base off Japan's southern island of Okinawa, throwing all into the water and leaving two of them dead, officials said.

The Japan Coast Guard said 18 of them were students from a Kyoto high school on two boats, 10 on Heiwa Maru and eight on the smaller Fukutsu, to observe the Henoko area as part of their peace education program.

Coast guard rescuers pulled all 21 people out of the water, but a 17-year-old female student and the captain of Fukutsu were later pronounced dead, officials said. Two people were injured but their conditions were not life threatening.

The teenager was wearing a life jacket at the time of her death, a coast guard official told Agence France-Presse. A high-wave advisory was in place for Okinawa at the time of the accident, which occurred around 10 a.m., the official said.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, according to Coast guard officials.

The boats were about half a mile east of Henoko when they capsized. Despite the wave advisory, the water was not very rough and there was no sign the boats collided, officials said.

Japanese Coast Guard officers prepare to search for capsized boats, at a port in Henoko, Nago city, Okinawa prefecture, March 16, 2026. / Credit: Kyodo News via AP (Kyodo News via AP)

Persistent protests and lawsuits between Okinawa and Tokyo have held up the relocation plan of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from a crowded neighborhood on the island for nearly 30 years.

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Many local residents have opposed the U.S. military presence for years, following a spate of crimes and accidents involving American soldiers and base personnel.

Last July, police said two U.S. Marines in Okinawa were under investigation for alleged rapes.

Henoko is a popular destination for activists opposing the relocation, but the students were not protesting, officials said.

Okinawa is home to about half of the 50,000 American troops stationed in Japan under the bilateral security pact. Many Okinawans complain about risks of accident, noise, pollution and crime associated with U.S. bases.

With Iran choking off the Strait of Hormuz, what can the U.S. do?

All in the family

A Hollywood landmark preserved
Kouri Richins, a Utah woman accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl, who self-published a children's book on grieving following his death, has been found guilty of murder following a weekslong trial.

The Summit County jury began deliberating late Monday afternoon before reaching a verdict after about three hours. She was found guilty on all five counts, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder.

Kouri Richins looked down and remained still while the judge read out each guilty verdict. Her sentencing has been scheduled for May 13. She faces 25 years to life in prison.

David Jackson/The Park Record/Pool - PHOTO: Kouri Richins during closing arguments at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City, Utah, March 16, 2026.

During closing arguments earlier Monday, prosecutors alleged that the mom of three was obsessed with appearing "privileged, affluent and successful" and killed her husband to help pay the debts of her floundering home flipping business and to get a "fresh start."

The defense, meanwhile, said the case was "sloppy" and "driven by bias" and argued that the state failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Kouri Richins, 35, was charged with aggravated murder in connection with the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, following a lengthy investigation. Prosecutors allege she spiked his drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl that she purchased illicitly after asking two people for the "Michael Jackson drug."

"Kouri Richins was a suburban mother, real estate agent. She does not know a lot about the illicit street drug world, but she knows Michael Jackson died from taking drugs," prosecutor Brad Bloodworth said during closing arguments on Monday. "She doesn't know how to order a street drug, but she knows she wants the Michael Jackson stuff. She knows she wants it because it is lethal. It is fatal. It kills. And she wanted lethal, fatal death."

Her charges also include attempted aggravated murder, with prosecutors alleging she gave her husband a sandwich laced with fentanyl on Valentine's Day two weeks before his death in an initial, failed attempt to kill him.

Key witness in Kouri Richins murder trial admits to getting illicit drugs for Utah mom accused of killing husband with fentanyl

Kouri Richins was also accused of committing insurance fraud by taking out a $100,000 insurance policy on his life with his forged signature and then submitting a claim following his alleged murder.

She pleaded not guilty and has maintained her innocence .

Her husband, 39-year-old Eric Richins, was found dead in bed on March 4, 2022. An autopsy determined that he died from fentanyl intoxication, and the level of fentanyl in his blood was approximately five times the lethal dosage, according to the charging document. The medical examiner determined the fentanyl was "illicit fentanyl," not medical grade, according to the charging document.

Prosecutors allege that Kouri Richins purchased illicit fentanyl pills shortly before the Valentine's Day incident and again before his death, at which point she allegedly asked for stronger drugs.

'Downward financial death spiral': Prosecutor

During his closing argument, Bloodworth said Kouri Richins was in "financial desperation" due to her realty company's debts and needed a significant influx of cash immediately. He alleged she believed she would have financially benefited from her husband's death -- without realizing that his assets were in a trust for their children.

Bloodworth said October 2021 was the "beginning of the downward financial death spiral" of Kouri Richins' realty business, and that she had a growing debt picture nearing $8 million.

He alleged Kouri Richins intended to cause her husband's death as early as December 2021, when she was booked a vacation with her boyfriend for April 2022.

"Kouri Richins did not book that trip thinking Eric Richins would be alive in April, she booked it knowing he would not," Bloodworth said.

Bloodworth referred to evidence that he alleged showed she intended to cause her husband's death. A witness testified during the trial that in December 2021 Kouri Richins said to her that "in many ways it would be better" if Eric Richins "were dead." In February 19, 2022, days after the alleged attempted murder attempt, prosecutors said Kouri Richins texted her boyfriend, "If he could just go away and you could just be here! Life would be so perfect!!"

David Jackson/Park Record/Pool - PHOTO: Summit County Prosecuter Brad Bloodworth presenting the state's final arguments at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City, Utah, March 16, 2026.

Bloodworth said Kouri Richins tried to cover up her alleged role in her husband's death, starting with the 911 call.

"Listen to how she tells the 911 dispatcher where she was when Eric died. She is distancing herself," Bloodworth said before the call was played again for jurors. "Rather than, 'He's not breathing. He has no pulse. I have to figure out what to do. I need help,' she's saying, 'Hey, look, I was not there. I was in my son's room.' That's her alibi. She's distancing herself from the time and the place that she murdered Eric."

Bloodworth also said the call shows that the 911 operator asked Kouri Richins to perform CPR on her husband for 6 minutes before she purportedly did. "She is not immediately trying to revive him," he said.

Bloodworth said Kouri Richins deleted her texts and phone logs with multiple people, including her former housecleaner, Carmen Lauber, who testified about obtaining illicit drugs at Kouri Richins' request in the weeks prior to Eric Richins' death. He argued that Kouri Richins was worried about being investigated and her deleted messages in the wake of her husband's death, as evidenced by searches on her phone such as, "can cops force you to do a lie detector test" and "can deleted text messages be retrieved from an iPhone."

Murder trial of Kouri Richins, Utah mom accused of fatally poisoning husband with fentanyl, underway

When the toxicology report showed that Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose, Bloodworth argued that Kouri Richins then needed to "explain" the presence of the drug -- and that she allegedly planned to do so by claiming she got them for her husband at his request.

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Bloodworth argued that Eric Richins did not die of an accidental overdose, citing testimony from his friends and family who said he did not use illicit drugs. He also argued that he did not die by suicide and had "every reason to live" -- foremost being his three young sons.

"The evidence proves that Kouri Richins murdered, attempted to murder Eric Richins and that she committed two counts of insurance fraud and forgery," he said. "The evidence does not support any other explanation."

Defense argues case had 'confirmation bias'

Defense attorney Wendy Lewis argued during her closing that the case was impacted by confirmation bias from the start.

"Instead of looking at the evidence to determine what happened, the state has, they determined what happened, and then they found the evidence to support it," Lewis said.

Lewis argued that there was "no evidence" that there was fentanyl in Eric Richins' drink the night he died and that investigators failed to look into his recent trip to Mexico, which the defense had insinuated could have been the source of the fentanyl, or to test an old prescription bottle that was on his nightstand.

Lewis raised questions about the testimony of Lauber, who testified pursuant to several grants of immunity.

"Carmen Lauber was not able to tell you that she bought fentanyl. She agreed on the stand that it was the detectives that first put the word fentanyl in her mouth, in her head. She was told by detectives in this case that she bought fentanyl. 'Eric died of fentanyl. You bought drugs. You bought fentanyl,'" Lewis said. "She took that story and she ran with it because she had everything to lose."

David Jackson/Park Record/Pool - PHOTO: Defense attorney Wendy Lewis makes final arguments during the Kouri Richins trial at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City, Utah, March 16, 2026.

On the affair, Lewis said Kouri Richins broke things off with her boyfriend and they never went on the trip. On the phone searches, Lewis argued that Kouri Richins was worried because she was innocent.

"Of course she's worried. An innocent person would be worried. Anyone would be worried if they just found out that they are a suspect in a homicide investigation," Lewis said. "She would have been scared to death."

Lewis touched on Kouri Richin's money troubles, acknowledging that the house flipping business was "struggling," but argued that Eric Richins was "worth so much more to Kouri alive."

She claimed that Kouri Richins was being judged for how she grieved.

"They want you to look at a woman in the worst moment of her life and to judge her grief," Lewis said. "There is no wrong way to grieve."

Lewis told the jury that if they believe Kouri Richins "accidentally obtained fentanyl," and that Eric Richins then took those pills voluntarily and died, she argued that it is "not aggravated murder" and that they "must find Kouri Richins not guilty."

On the alleged insurance scheme, Lewis argued that the state has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that there was any fraud or forgery.

"The state has not proven their case," Lewis said. "They don't have the evidence that Kouri Richins killed her husband, so instead, they have tried to show you as much evidence as they possibly can to convince you she's the sort of person who would."

Prior to delivering its closing argument, the defense submitted a motion for mistrial, alleging that the state's closing was full of "wild speculation," dehumanized Kouri Richins and inappropriately commented on her demeanor. The motion was denied.

Kouri Richins, Utah mom accused of fatally poisoning husband with fentanyl, asserts innocence in audio message

In his rebuttal, Bloodworth acknowledged that much of the evidence in the case is circumstantial.

"People do not video themselves poisoning their spouse," he said. "But circumstantial evidence is just as good as direct evidence."

Bloodworth argued that there was "plenty of proof to convict" Kouri Richins based on Lauber's corroborated testimony. He also argued that much of the defense's argument is based around trying to explain a letter found in Kouri Richins' jail cell that prosecutors said appears to outline testimony for her brother instructing him to say that her husband got fentanyl from Mexico.

"All the evidence in this case proves that Kouri Richins murdered her husband, the father of her three children, Eric Richins," he said. "There is no other rational explanation."

"And despite all the evidence, Kouri Richins doubles down and blames Eric," he continued.

Kouri Richins did not testify during the three-week trial and the defense called no witnesses.

During his testimony, the lead detective in the case said that Kouri Richins paid a ghostwriter for her children's book.

A month prior to her arrest in May 2023, the mom of three young sons appeared on a "Good Things Utah" segment on Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX to promote the book. In the segment, Kouri Richins said her husband of nine years died "unexpectedly" and that his death "completely took us all by shock."
On paper  and most likely, until recently, in the mind of Donald Trump  a conflict between Iran on one side and Israel and the United States on the other should have a predictable outcome.

As with Operation Midnight Hammers strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the 12-day war last summer, and again in Venezuela, it would all be over swiftly, and relatively cleanly, with the minimum of fuss. By now, roughly speaking, Iran would be under the control of a new Trump-approved ruler and, handily, another oil-rich nation would be under American tutelage.

It is fair to say that the current conflict has not gone to plan, quite possibly because there never was much of a plan in the first place. Iran was not as puny a foe as President Trump assumed. For one thing, as is now clearer than ever, it enjoys effective control of much of the worlds supply of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, with the baleful effects now being felt internationally.

One of the few things the Islamic Republic of Iran can be said to be superlative at is the taking of hostages. That is exactly what it has now done to the global economy.

The other special skill of Iran, and of its terrorist associates in the region, is asymmetric warfare. It is a world leader in using cheap but devastating drones on civilian and industrial targets.

The ill-defended highrise hotels, the ritzy malls, and the vast oil and gas fields of the Gulf states provide a rich array of targets. Force majeure has already led to the closure of the Qatari LNG operations, the most important export supply on Earth. Most importantly, Iran is busily strangling what is arguably the worlds most critical waterway  the Strait of Hormuz. The regimes hold on power seems secure.

It was indeed not supposed to be this way. Only a few days ago, the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, an absurdly swaggering ex-Fox News host, declared smugly that no one needs to worry about the strait because its something we're dealing with, we have been dealing with it.

Now, worryingly, President Trump himself has been pushed by events to ask for help from various countries, mostly allies, that depend on oil and gas from the Gulf. These include Japan, France, South Korea, the UK  and China.

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There is a particular naivety about asking Beijing to help America win a war that China has already condemned, and in which it is rumoured to be supporting Iran and negotiating immunity for its own vessels.

For a number of reasons, it is also a problematic request for the rest of the allies the US has called upon. First, its Americas war, and Israels. Other countries belonging to the West, if that term still applies, were never consulted about it. If they had been, they would have been rightly horrified. Not only that, but Mr Trump said he didnt need any help from anyone.

Being asked to help clear up the mess is therefore rather galling, not least because Mr Trump has spent the past year insulting, undermining, imposing tariffs on, and even threatening to annex land from otherwise friendly powers.

The second issue is still more difficult, and arises because this war was so clearly not thought through. As was stated bluntly by Sir Keir Starmer, no one else wants to be dragged into a US-Israeli war of choice that has no endgame in sight.

By the sounds of it, Sir Keir and others may agree to dispatch some limited resources, such as mine-busting drones, but only when a viable plan has been worked out  a pointed reference to Americas ill-prepared rush to conflict. In those circumstances, another loose coalition of the willing might come up with a scheme to liberate the Persian Gulf to maritime traffic, but it will have to be one agreed by all those involved, and not just be a matter of placing the Royal Navy under US control for the duration.

What has been obvious from the outset remains true now. There is, in fact, no military solution to the very genuine problem of Irans nuclear ambitions. On the other hand, there is wide international consensus that an Iran armed with nuclear weapons would be a disaster for the region and a threat to the world, triggering a rapid proliferation among Irans neighbours, with Israel, even with its own nuclear weapons, badly exposed.

A negotiated settlement with Iran under international supervision remains the best way forward, and is inevitable when the fighting stops. In truth, it will be close to the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by Barack Obama that Mr Trump withdrew from in his first term in 2018. Indeed, such a treaty was almost agreed a few weeks ago, before Mr Trump was persuaded by Benjamin Netanyahu to go to war instead.

The terrible irony is that the war has actually strengthened Irans negotiating power. It has not been President Trumps finest hour. His Nobel Peace Prize has probably slipped from his grasp  but at least he may have finally learnt that even the US needs allies.
A statue of President Abraham Lincoln overlooks Bascom Hill on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Photo: Phil Roeder / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square)  The Institute for Reforming Government is calling for Wisconsin lawmakers to create a special committee to investigate the Department of Public Instructions decision to spend nearly $370,000 of taxpayer money on a 2024 Forward Exam standard-setting workshop in the Wisconsin Dells, with details of the discussions at the workshop hidden behind non-disclosure agreements.

Jake Curtis, General Counsel and Director of the CIO at IRG, previously told The Center Square that he believed the 88-member standards-setting group filled with school employees and leaders fits the exact definition of an Ad Hoc Committee and that meetings of that committee should be public and not subject to the non-disclosure agreements signed by conference attendees.

An investigation from The Center Square showed that other states that work with DPI either hold meetings remotely or in the capital city where the state education department is already located, only paying for expenses from committee members who travel more than 50 miles for the meetings.

Wisconsins Joint Committee on Finance delayed $1 million in a funding request to DPI after the report came to light through reporting from the Dairyland Sentinel but later approved a funding request with Co-chair Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, telling WisPolitics that theres nothing wrong with hosting a conference at a Wisconsin conference center and supporting Wisconsin tourism as well.

DPI Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy claimed to the outlet that Wisconsin is one of the cheaper states that overhauled testing standards but provided no details to prove that.

A spokesperson for the department, Chris Bucher, previously claimed that the conference was a common approach though reporting from The Center Square showed that no other state had taken the approach of holding a conference at a resort outside of the state capital.

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DPI and Data Recognition Corp. have not responded to questions from The Center Square about the meetings.

Data Recognition Corp., led by former Republican Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader Susan Engeleiter, reportedly signed a nearly $80 million 10-year contract with Wisconsin to operate its testing and create the Forward Exam after initially bidding $63 million on the contract.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign questioned Engeleiters donations to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker when the deal was signed. Gov. Tony Evers was the state school superintendent at the time.

DPI shared a list of additional expenses for the conference with WisPolitics, which included $219,225 for meeting expenses.

That included $70,447 for meeting rooms to accommodate the group, audiovisual equipment and including $55,752 for food. DPI spent $69,437 to reimburse panelists, including a daily stipend of $150 for educators, totaling $52,200, and $10,491 to cover mileage.

It also paid $66,342 for lodging of panelists and staff of Data Recognition Corp.
Kouri Richins, a Utah mother accused of murdering her husband and later publishing a children's book about grief, has been found guilty on all charges by a jury in Utah.

The jury deliberated for about three hours on Monday before returning the verdict.

Richins, 35, faced multiple felony charges for allegedly poisoning Eric Richins, her late husband, in March 2022. Prosecutors said she mixed and served him a Moscow Mule cocktail she had allegedly spiked with a lethal dose of fentanyl at their home just outside of Park City. The drink contained nearly five times what is considered a deadly amount of the opioid, court filings showed.

The most serious counts against Richins, for aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder, carry maximum sentences of life in prison. Richins also faced additional charges for mortgage fraud and forgery, after she allegedly signed to close on a multimillion-dollar real estate deal the day after her husband died. She had pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 13.

Richins, wearing a white blouse with pale blue and peach-colored flowers on it, looked down and began breathing heavily when the verdict was announced.

"Honestly, I feel like we're all in shock. It's been a long time coming," Eric Richins' sister, Amy Richins, said following the verdict, The Associated Press reported. "So just very happy that we got justice for my brother."

Defendant Kouri Richins listens to closing arguments in Third District Court in Park City, Utah, on March 16, 2026. / Credit: David Jackson/Pool Photo via AP

Richins' trial began in February at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City and lasted for about three weeks. The case included 13 days of testimony, during which her defense team did not call any witnesses. Richins declined to testify at the trial, where the prosecution painted her as a killer set on taking her husband's money.

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During the investigation into Eric Richins' poisoning, his family members told law enforcement that they suspected his wife was involved, with the man's sister recalling that he had believed Kouri Richins tried to kill him during a trip to Greece several years prior, according to court filings. In another incident, the documents said Eric Richins broke out in hives and experienced difficulty breathing after eating a sandwich that his wife had made for him on Valentine's Day 2022, shortly before his death.

At Richins' trial, one of her neighbors testified that Richins had told her around Christmas 2021 that it would be better if her husband were dead, after the couple had had a fight.

Court filings also showed that Eric Richins was considering divorcing his wife when he was killed, and had argued with her over whether to purchase a $2 million mansion that she could "flip" for her real estate business. Kouri Richins was a beneficiary of multiple life insurance policies on her husband, of which prosecutors said she had bought four, without his knowledge, between 2015 and 2017. He had tried to remove her from his life insurance policies and his will not long before he died. The day after his death, she allegedly signed papers to finalize the purchase of that mansion property.

Within the year, Richins was garnering attention for a children's picture book she authored called "Are You with Me?" that centered on ways to cope with the loss of a loved one. She appeared on a local Utah television station while promoting it, and described the challenges that she and her three sons confronted while navigating their own personal grief. In that appearance, Richins said their father's passing was unexpected.

She was arrested in May 2023.

Nations reject Trump's call to help U.S. with Strait of Hormuz

Iran launches heavy wave of missile strikes as war enters third week

Jury finds Utah mom Kouri Richins guilty of murdering husband
Nearly 500,000 customers are without power and more than 4,500 flights are canceled Monday as a powerful March megastorm intensifies across the United States.

Blizzard conditions are burying parts of the Midwest while severe thunderstorms capable of tornadoes sweep across the central and eastern states.

Travelers wait in long lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on March 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. The disruption is due to the continuing government shutdown and inclement weather that hit the east coast. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

The massive system is already producing heavy snow, damaging winds and widespread travel disruptions as more than 200 million people remain in the path of severe weather from Florida to the Great Lakes.

"This storm is creating a dangerous combination of heavy snow and strong winds across the Upper Midwest," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said. "Blizzard conditions, blowing snow and snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are making travel extremely difficult, if not impossible, in some areas."

Roads were already dangerous Sunday across parts of Minnesota and Iowa where blizzard conditions created near-zero visibility and stranded drivers.

Latest tornado and severe storm reports

A worker from the City of Bloomington closes a sidewalk along West Kirkwood Avenue after strong winds toppled a tree onto a house on March 15, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/Getty Images)

Severe thunderstorms erupted Sunday night across the central and eastern United States, producing more than 400 reports of severe weather, including tornadoes and widespread tree damage.

See the latest tornado and storm reports here.

Where severe storms could intensify Monday

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The most disruptive storms Monday are expected during school dismissal and the evening commute from the Washington, D.C., area to Baltimore and Philadelphia.

AccuWeather.com

Many schools from South Carolina to Maryland adjusted schedules ahead of the storm to keep buses off the road during the tornado threat.

"The strongest storms today could produce wind gusts approaching hurricane force in localized areas," Douty said. "Winds above 60 mph could bring down trees and power lines and cause widespread travel disruptions on highways and at airports."

See the latest forecast details and risk areas here.

Blizzard conditions bury parts of the Midwest

Widespread power outages continue in Michigan and Wisconsin as powerful winds and heavy snow create dangerous blizzard conditions.

Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour and strong wind gusts are producing blowing and drifting snow, sharply reducing visibility and making travel extremely hazardous.

Check the latest blizzard conditions here.

Thousands of flights cancelled as storm disrupts travel

Travelers sleep in chairs at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on March 16, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. The disruption is due to the continuing government shutdown and inclement weather that hit the east coast, causing many flights to be canceled or delayed. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Air travel is also being heavily impacted as the storm spreads across the country.

FlightAware reported more than 4,500 cancelled flights Monday, with major disruptions at airports in Boston, Chicago, New York, Charlotte, Orlando and Atlanta.

Travel disruptions could become even more widespread if weather delays overlap with reduced federal staffing during the government shutdown, which can slow airport operations and air traffic control staffing at some facilities.
An ICE officer is seen at Otay Mesa immigration detention center in San Diego, California, U.S. May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - A Palestinian woman was released on bond from a U.S. immigration detention center in Texas after a judge's order, the last pro-Palestinian activist held under the Trump administration's crackdown on protests against Israel's war in Gaza.

Leqaa Kordia, 33, who was raised in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, left the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, on Monday after more than a year there and was returning to her family in New Jersey, her legal team said.

Immigration authorities say they detained her in 2025 for overstaying her expired student visa though her attorney said she was in the process of securing legal residence.

The U.S. government said local police arrested her at Columbia University in 2024 during pro-Palestinian protests over Israel's war in Gaza.

"I don't know what to say. I am free. .. Finally, after one year," a smiling Kordia told reporters on Monday.

Multiple rights groups and some Democratic members of Congress had called for her release. Amnesty International says Kordia lost 175 family members during Israel's war in Gaza since late 2023.

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Immigration Judge Tara Naselow-Nahas on Friday ordered her release on $100,000 bond. The immigration case against her will continue.

It was Kordia's third bond hearing after two previous orders for her to be released on bond were automatically stayed by the government. Naselow-Nahas said the government's arguments against release on bond were "disingenuous."

Kordia was briefly hospitalized last month following a seizure in detention and said detention conditions were "filthy" and "inhumane." New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised her case directly with President Donald Trump.

Claiming that pro-Palestinian demonstrations were antisemitic, Trump cracked down by attempting to deport foreign protesters and threatening to freeze funds for universities where protests were held.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly characterizes criticism of Israel's assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories as antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights as support for extremism.

Rights groups have raised free speech, due process and racial profiling concerns.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Himani Sarkar)
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Southern Universitys School of Nursing (SUSON) has been named the Best Nursing School in the nation for the second year in a row by Nurse.org.

Nurse.org, a website that supports nursing professionals and students, hosts its annual Best of Nursing awards to acknowledge outstanding nursing programs across the United States.

SUSON was named a finalist for Best Nursing School, along with Capella University, Chamberlain University College of Nursing, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Lunder CareForce Institute.

Being named Best Nursing School in the U.S. for two consecutive years is a tremendous honor, and it affirms the excellence our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and clinical partners bring to this work every day, said the Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, Sandra Brown. This recognition speaks to the strength of our academic programs, our commitment to workforce preparation, and the impact our graduates make in communities across Louisiana and beyond. We are grateful for this recognition and remain focused on advancing nursing education, expanding opportunity, and continuing to set the standard for student success and patient-centered care.

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SUSON has been established on Southern Universitys campus for over 40 years.

Congratulations [Southern University]! To be named the Best Nursing School once is a success, but twice in a row is a testament to the hardworking students and teachers who make up Southern Nursing School! What a well-deserved honor! Gov. Jeff Landry wrote on X.

Latest 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 Louisiana First News.
The Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Ian Hutchinson / Unsplash

(The Center Square) - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether Haitian and Syrian immigrants can stay in the United States.

Justices on the court agreed to hear two cases from the Trump administration challenging temporary protected status, a special immigration status granted to individuals who are fleeing war or environmental disasters in their home countries.

The Supreme Court already upheld the Trump administration's decision to remove temporary protected status from more than 300,000 Venezuelan nationals in the United States.

The justices will look at Noem v. Doe and Trump v. Miot to determine the status of Syrian and Haitian immigrants in the United States. The case could also determine how far temporary protected status extends for migrants in other countries.

Lawyers in the case regaring Syrian refugees pointed to heightened concerns over U.S. strikes in Iran affecting the region. According to court documents, 6,100 Syrian nationals hold TPS in the United States.

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The Trump administration said the United States' ability to screen Haitians admitted to the country under temporary protected status was "extremely limited."

"Terminating Haitian's TPS designation 'reflects a necessary and strategic vote of confidence in the new chapter Haiti is turning," lawyers for the Trump adminstration said.

Lawyers for the Haitian immigrants pointed to the State Department's fuidance against traveling to Haiti as an explanation for keeping TPS.

"Without a functioning government, Haiti is a nation in turmoil," lawyers wrote. "Rape, kidnapping, and murder are rampant, while food, housing, and medical care are scarce."

Justices on the Supreme Court are expected to hear both cases either in late April or May. With the court's term coming to a close in the summer, a decision will be issued by July. The case marks an extraordinary turnaround time for the justices in what will likely be a significant decision.
U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as he takes questions from reporters during an event to sign an executive order creating an antifraud task force headed by U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

By Daniel Trotta

HAVANA, March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Cuba on Monday, saying he expected to have the "honor" of "taking Cuba in some form" and that "I can do anything I want" with the neighboring country.

The threatening statements come even as Cuba and the United States have opened talks aimed at improving their largely adverse relations, which have reached one of their most contentious moments in the 67 years since Fidel Castro overthrew what had been a close U.S. ally.

"I do believe I'll be ... having the honor of taking Cuba. That's a big honor. Taking Cuba in some form," Trump told reporters as the island faces an unprecedented economic crisis, exacerbated by an oil blockade the U.S. imposed after capturing former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"I mean, whether I free it, take it. Think I can do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth," Trump told reporters at a signing event in the Oval Office.

After Trump spoke, the New York Times reported that removing Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel from office is a key U.S. objective in the bilateral talks. Citing four people familiar with the talks, the Times said the Americans have signaled to Cuban negotiators that Diaz-Canel must go but are leaving the next steps up to the Cubans.

Cuba has traditionally rejected any interference in its internal affairs and has considered any proposals on that front a deal-breaker for any agreement.

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Diaz-Canel, 65, who succeeded the late Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro as president in 2018, said on Friday he expected talks with the United States to take place "under the principles of equality and respect for the political systems of both countries, sovereignty and self-determination."

But Trump, after removing Maduro from power and joining Israel in attacking Iran, has openly mused that Cuba would be "next." He stepped up pressure by halting all Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatening to slap tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba.

As a result, Cuba says it has not received an oil shipment in three months and the country has imposed severe energy rationing, resulting in extended power outages. Much of its economy has ground to a halt. On Monday Cuba's electric grid collapsed, leaving the country of 10 million people without power.

On Sunday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, '"We're talking to Cuba, but we're going to do Iran before Cuba."

While more than a dozen U.S. presidents dating back decades have opposed Cuba's Communist government and criticized its human rights record, Washington has honored its pledge not to invade Cuba or support an invasion as part of the agreement with the Soviet Union to resolve the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.

The White House has yet to detail the legal basis for any possible intervention in Cuba.

The Cuban government did not respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Havana; Additional reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Christian Plumb and Christopher Cushing)
The U.S.-Israel war with Iran has pushed global oil prices to above $100 a barrel, even after the Trump administration last week announced the second-largest-ever release from the nations stockpile of emergency crude.

The jump in oil prices is ratcheting up costs for gasoline and airfares, and threatens to push up prices for an array of other goods that rely upon oil for transport, such as groceries and apparel.

Oil traders are concerned about the potential repercussions of a prolonged Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the maritime trading route along the southern coast of Iran that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of the global oil supply.

Iran live updates

Global crude oil prices hovered around $101 per barrel on Monday, which marked a staggering 44% increase since the Middle East conflict broke out two weeks earlier. U.S. gasoline prices have jumped 73 cents since the war started, clocking in at an average $3.71 a gallon on Monday, AAA said.

The current oil crisis has renewed questions about why the U.S. stockpiles oil, how much oil the reserve contains, and if a release of more crude could stop the rise of gasoline prices.

What is the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Established after the Arab Oil Embargo triggered an energy crisis in the early 1970s, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) provides an emergency source of oil that is intended to protect the U.S. against a sudden supply crunch.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images - PHOTO: In an aerial view, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage at the Bryan Mound site is seen on October 19, 2022 in Freeport, Texas.

The reserve, which can reach as many as 714 million barrels, is stored in large, high-security underground salt caverns along the gulf coastlines of Louisiana and Texas.

As of Friday, March 6, the reserve stood at just over 415 million barrels, or 58% of overall capacity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The president retains wide discretion to release oil from the reserve in what he deems an emergency. In such cases, the U.S. sells the oil on the open market, which in theory should bring oil prices down by increasing supply.

Generally, the strategic petroleum reserve is a good tool for dealing with price increases, Jenny Rowland-Shea, director of public lands at the nonprofit Center for American Progress, told ABC News. The thinking behind it is you flood the market with crude oil and that can provide some immediate relief.

Before the SPR oil release announcement last week, the U.S. had put petroleum on the market under emergency conditions four times since it was founded in 1975, according to the U.S. Energy Department.

Most recently, President Joe Biden authorized the release of 180 million barrels over six months in March 2022 after a spike in oil prices that followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

AP - PHOTO: An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq, March 11, 2026.

Can the Strategic Petroleum Reserve stop the rise in oil prices?

The Trump administration on March 11 announced the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the SPR over the next 120 days. The announcement by the Department of Energy also said it would "more than replace these strategic reserves with approximately 200 million barrels within the next year."

The move came as part of a larger release by the International Energy Agencys 32 member countries, including the U.S., which agreed to put a total of 400 million barrels on the market, marking the biggest oil release in IEA history.

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For reference, as many as 20 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day in 2024, the IEA found. The global oil release announced last week, in turn, is equivalent to the amount that passed through the strait over a typical 20-day period before the U.S-Israel war on Iran.

Will the rise in oil prices drive up inflation? Experts weigh in

The extraordinary measures taken by the U.S. and other nations last Wednesday cooled the rise in oil prices but crude continued to tick higher, jumping about 1% since early last Thursday morning.

The stubborn price increase stems from two overlapping factors, analysts said: The delayed release of reserve petroleum onto the market, and the comparatively small amount of promised barrels of oil relative to the massive supply shortage.

Logistical challenges and market forces create a lag time in the release of reserve oil, meaning the move cannot address an immediate supply shock such as the shipping concerns in the Strait of Hormuz, Tom Seng, a professor of energy finance at Texas Christian University, told ABC News.

Its not an immediate thing where somebody opens up a valve, Seng said.

International Energy Agency announces largest ever release of reserve oil amid Iran war

Even more, some analysts said, the release of oil was simply too small to address the scale of lost petroleum. In a given month before the war, as many as 600 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz -- a figure 50% larger than the 400 million barrels announced this week.

Oil traders fear a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which could leave the strait closed for more than a month, some analysts said. Even after the war ends, infrastructure repair and production ramp-ups could keep oil output below pre-war levels for an indeterminate period, they added.

Benoit Tessier/Reuters - PHOTO: Royal Oman Police Coast Guard patrol boat surveys the area as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 12, 2026.

I dont see this as much more than a band-aid with weak adhesive, Steve Allen, an economist at North Carolina State University, told ABC News of the SPR oil release.

In addition to the oil release, the Trump administration has taken other steps to address price increases. Thursday of last week, the Treasury Department announced a 30-day waiver of sanctions against purchasing oil currently loaded on any Russian vessel in an effort to further boost supply.

What is Kharg Island? Iranian petroleum site takes center stage as oil prices soar

In a social media post the same day, Trump downplayed the rising oil prices, saying they would financially benefit the U.S.

"The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stopping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World," Trump said.

The U.S. still has 243 million barrels of oil in the SPR, which amounts to 34% of its total capacity. IEA members, which include the U.S., hold a total of 1.2 billion barrels of oil, the group said on Wednesday.

Additional releases from the global reserve could ease upward pressure on oil prices, but such moves cannot reverse or even stop continued price increases in the event of an ongoing war, some analysts said.

I believe it will have a minimal effect on additional supply in the marketplace, Seng said. Consequently, itll have a minimal effect on keeping a lid on prices.
Russell Martin Madajewsk (MCSO)

A 54-year-old Fayetteville, New York, man is in custody following a multi-agency investigation into a job-related theft that cost a Key Largo resident thousands of dollars. Russell Martin Madajewski was arrested on Sunday and faces charges of theft and the use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony.

The case dates back to March 2024, when the victim applied for a position online with Generac.

During the hiring process, the victim was instructed to provide personal information and told he needed to purchase expensive equipment to begin his employment.

READ: Fake Kidnapping, Real Prison: Ohio Man Swindles $300K From Childhood Friend

According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, the victim was deceived into sending money to several different individuals, including Madajewski. By the time the scheme was discovered, the victim had lost a total of $11,137.

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Detectives with the Monroe County Sheriffs Office worked alongside law enforcement officials in New York to track the financial trail and identify those involved.

Following the investigation, authorities obtained warrants for Madajewskis arrest. He was subsequently taken into custody and booked into jail.

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New York Man Jailed After Florida Keys Resident Scammed Out Of Over $11,000
EXPRESS: Joe Biden gave green card to daughter of ranting Iran leader

Israel claimed on Tuesday that it had killed Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, who recently led chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" along with threats of making the U.S. "sorry."

The 67-year-old had joined an annual Quds Day march and told Iranian state media TV that America would one day be defeated, saying, "The attacks they carry out are out of fear, out of desperation. Trump's problem is that he doesn't understand the Iranian nation is wise and determined."

This was the last time he was seen alive in public, according to the BBC. Israel's Minister of Defence, Israel Katz, has since reported that the security chief has been "eliminated."

Larijani also wrote posts on X vowing to make America sorry for its invasion, such as, "Trump says he is looking for a speedy victory. While starting a war is easy, it cannot be won with a few tweets. We will not relent until making you sorry for this grave miscalculation."

As an anti-American, it would not be expected that Larijani would have such close links to the country, but according to a new exclusive report by the Daily Mail, he did. Larijani's family has many links to the West, including to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

At one time, some figures in the West had even seen him as a rational negotiator the U.S. could deal with in the wake of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death.

Larijani was one of five brothers, considered part of the so-called "Kennedys of Iran". His relatives are said to reside in Canada and the U.K., while his daughter has spent the last few years in the U.S.

40-year-old Fatemeh Ardeshir Larijani graduated from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2012, and, according to the Mail, moved to the U.S. in 2017. She attended university in Cleveland, Ohio, and later earned a Master of Science in Clinical Research from Indiana University.

She first held a student medical license in Ohio from July 29, 2017, to June 23, 2022, according to public records reviewed by the Daily Mail, before becoming fully licensed as a physician in Indiana between June 2020 and June 2021.

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The green card was issued to Fatimeh while Joe Biden was president (Image: Getty Images)

From there, Fatemeh obtained a green card under the Joe Biden administration in 2021 and, in 2023, a full physician's license in Georgia, which is valid until August 31, 2026.

Dr. Larijani later became an assistant professor in Emory University's Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology in Atlanta, specializing in the treatment of lung cancer. She lived in an apartment about 10 minutes from the Emory University medical center with a man thought to be her husband.

Amid the Iranian regime's violent crackdown on protesters in January, for which her father played a key part, she was asked to be removed from the hospital. A letter was sent by Buddy Carter, a Republican congressman from Georgia, to the university and the state medical board demanding her removal.

He wrote, "Her father has recently and publicly advocated violence against Americans and U.S. allies while holding one of the highest national security posts in that hostile government."

Israel claimed on Tuesday Ali Larijani had been killed (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"America's medical institutions must not serve as a safe harbor for individuals connected by blood and loyalty to regimes that openly call for the death of Americans."

The university terminated Fatimeh's employment in late January, and since then, she is believed to have left the country.

Additionally, in 2017, one of Larijani's brothers, Bagher Ardeshir Larijani, was granted permanent residency "as a skilled worker" in Canada. However, in 2022, he was issued a departure order after failing to spend the required 730 days in the country over a five-year period.

Another family member, said to be a nephew of Ali Larijani, is working as a professor at a university in the U.K., according to the Daily Mail report. He has allegedly lived there for nearly 30 years; however, he is not believed to have any connection to the regime.

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An aerial view of a heavily rusted and damaged maritime vessel partially submerged in the ocean, with a smaller boat nearby.

Malta, a popular vacation destination, is reportedly on the brink of a "major ecological disaster." A burned-out Russian ghost tanker is believed to be roughly 50 nautical miles southwest of the island and is drifting unmanned toward the archipelago. The vessel was hit two weeks ago by Ukrainian drones, and since then, the damaged 900-foot Arctic Metagaz has been heading toward Malta.

Now, several European nations have warned that an ecological threat is imminent. In a letter to the European Commission, seven countries stated that the "precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo" presented a "serious risk."

These nations have described the situation as a "dual challenge" - preserving maritime safety and preventing an ecological disaster in the context of EU sanctions imposed on Russia. Russia claimed that Ukraine used "uncrewed sea drones" to attack the Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Malta. The Security Service of Ukraine has not addressed the allegation, reports the Express.

Several European countries have cautioned an ecological threat is looming (Image: Getty)

According to Russia, the strike took place on March 4 and was launched from the Libyan coast. The vessel had previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being part of Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet."

Made up primarily of aging tankers, the fleet transports Russian oil and gas worldwide whilst evading Western sanctions. Authorities in Malta and Italy have been monitoring the wreckage closely due to concerns about potential contamination.

Rome reported the vessel was transporting "significant quantities of gas, heavy oil, and diesel fuel."

WWF Italy warned in a statement: "A potential spill could cause fires, cryogenic clouds lethal to marine life, and widespread and long-lasting pollution of water and the atmosphere."

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It continued: "The affected area is of exceptional ecological value, with fragile deep-sea ecosystems and some of the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin."

Salvage experts are already stationed in Malta awaiting the ship's arrival in Maltese waters, whilst a specialist vessel is on its way, a maritime source informed AFP on Sunday. Early reports indicated that the ship sank after explosions sparked a fire on board. Libyan authorities reported the tanker went down roughly 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte.

Approximately 30 Russians were aboard the Arctic Metagaz, according to Russia's transport ministry. They were all found "safe and sound in a lifeboat" by Malta's armed forces, Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri confirmed.

However, Malta's transport authority verified last week that the wreck remained afloat. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation acknowledged that the vessel was drifting in the Mediterranean and indicated Russia's continued involvement in addressing the situation would depend on "concrete circumstances".

The statement further warned that attempts to manage the situation - including surveillance, monitoring, and other technical support - could potentially "undermine the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions regime".

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, disclosed that the ship was unmanned and was carrying 700 metric tons of various types of fuel along with "a substantial amount of natural gas."

"The international legal norms applicable to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries ... for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental disaster," Zakharova wrote. "Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state will depend on the specific circumstances."

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